The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-08-01
IN A GYPSY CAMP.
A RepoRrEms vIssT TO THE "Aom-
ANY Rves or DETROIT.


liz Of hand az stsolll.s Horss Trad.
crs and Fsrtans Tsllsrs--Ths Queen Of
the Csmp-womssa VINO Are shrvwd
Horse Traders.
The most interesting place IN the West End
- the camp Of 2 small band Of eypsy horse
trnders, In piece Of woods on Lovers lane.
Horses, donkeys, mules, buckboards, carts
and travelling wagons innumerable stand
around, the animals hitched TO the various
trees and the vehicles drawn up in O circle
around smoky looking tentA Chained to
wheels and under each rig are hungry
CANNES Of different sizes, colors, species and
varieties. The snarls, growls and yelps let
forth by them upon the approach Of a
stranger cannot but remind one OF q small
sized kennel show.
Tho occupants OF tho camp consists of n
small group Of bare footed children. six red
petticoated women and the same number of
men in gray coats, corduroy pants and wide
brimmed hats With the exception of two old
women, who evidently lost their good looks
at very early period, the females Of tho
camp ore, indeed, quite progressing. They
have q tawny skin, long black hair, large
black eyes, well shaped mouths, rudy lips,
teeth Of a dazzling witness, expressive fea.
lures and are well proportional
Ono elderly women, known as the queen
Of the camp, was attired in O dress Of snowy
colorn, and adorned with dubious trinkets OF
more or less value. The Crown Princess
Minerva was dressed In q Howery patterned
cotton, relieved by gay colored apron.
From her ears hung large hoop earrings, and
her greasy fingers were bedecked with innu.
merable more greasy rings In her arms she
held dark skinned infant, which she soothed
with @ fragment OF the ancient gypsy ballad;
There runs a swine down yonder hill.
As fast as e'er he can,
And as he runs, he crieth still:
Come steal me- gypsy man.
sharp west wind seemed to have no i'm.
preston on the men; nor did the women
guard against 1t more than by fiinging shawls
over their heads and SO sit ON the ground
around smoldering camp FIRE, chatterine
and showing their teeth.
HOW THE TIME Is SPENT
Since the arrival OF the band the men have
been engaged trading horses, the women tell
Ing fortunes to the people who flock TO the
camp from oil parts Of the city and even
from tho surrounding townships, and the
children yainly endeavoring to dispose of the
dogs, light or wrestle, sing, dance or whistle
for consideration
Three young chaps had their futures re.
vealed the other afternoon during the visit
Of reporter. They presented quite an i'm
posing picture, each faultlessly attired. seated
on stump with outstretched palm Upon
the conclusion, one Of thechaps was so elated
ut what had l'een disclosed to him that he
gave young gypsy half a dollar to turn
handspring. Two more offered to fight each
other for quarter, but the dodo's finances
were exhausted.
The women are as well up in horse matters
rs their husbands, and occasionally make
deal which could not be eclipsed even by the
sterner sex. During the progress Of dicker
one OF them approached an animal brick
manufacturer was anxious to dispose of, whip
in hand. After scrutinizng 1t closely and
punching It in the ribs, she suddenly grabbed
1t by the throat, shutting Off its wind The
animal backed away. The woman advanced,
and under tho influence Of few smart cracks
from her singing whip, 1t soon began to
sneeze and cough a. II 1t had the quick con-
sumption. The brick manufacturer scowled
but the woman laughed aud said: "Old man,
your hoive has got the jimjams; We don't
want him" Pointing to one Of her animals
tied to a tree, she resumed rapidly: "There is
a fine, rangy, big, toppy mare, just in off tho
grass, neither lame nor lazy, fine name and
tail, high hooker and good locker, hook
on either side Of the pole and a fine feeder.
Seen as it's you and I'm leetls hard up for |
money, hi sell her to you for half price |
$500. Detroit Free Press.