The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-06-09

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steps OF dance as each donation was
presented, finally ending her psntomime
by kind of dance around the place
where the pole was supposed to be. Not
only the members Of Mr.. H--'s family
were amused by this performance of the
child, but the head nurse brought in her
own friends to witness the performance,
doubtless considering it an evidence of
the superior manner in which she had
trained the child.
In the May-day games of that year, two
gypsy girls had participated. They were
devoted to their tribe as all the Romapy
people of England are, and had only
joined the Robin Hood performers be-
Of the year. One of these had observed
Mr.. rs little girl, and reported to her
people the child's beauty and apparent
delight in what was taking place. 1t is
only justice to the encampment of gyp-
sizes in that neighborhood to say they had
no design or plan of kidnapping the
child; young man, one of the band, lis
tening to the report of the girls thought
he might distinguish himself by carrying
off this daughter of well-known aristo.
cratic house, and engaged one of the
tribe, girl who was for reasons rather
looked down upon by her companions,
to remain on one pretext and another in
the town, after the tribe had journeyed
on, to assist him in what was most dar-
ing enterprise. The genuine Romsnys
are as dark in color and as pronounced
in type as Moors or Algerians, and the
woman who assisted Jasper in his scheme
was thoroughly typical of her race; but
for all this she contrived to obtain posi-
ton in Mr.. H--'s hou sehold as scullery-
maid, her skill in cleaning kitchen uten-
sils making her at once useful to the
French cook or chef whom Mr.. H-em-
ployed. Apparently she had but one idea
in life, and that was to perform her work
as we'll as possible, and the usual ebb
and flow of domestic life about her
seemed to influence her in no way at all.
1t is hard for Americans to understand
how completely the management OF
domestic affairs in England is system
atized. A scullery- maid is as remote from
a member of the family who employ her as
is the man who breaks up stones upon the
road from the people who inhabit the
houses either side OF the scene of his dali
ly employment; consequently, the gypsy
girl escaped observation or criticism from
headquarters, and, keeping eyes and ears
open, was able to possess herself of all
the facts needed for her peculiar enter
prise. The object which she and Jasper
had in view was the kidnapping of the
child, but it had to be carefully carried
out, since in those days gypsies were
watched critically, and if detection fol-
lowed on any of their misdemeanors the
punishment was very heavy. Accord
ingly much precauion had to be observ-
ed. The gypsy girl in the kitchen of
Park had little or no opportunity
for seeing the children of the family.
The nurseries were in wing of the house
quite remote from the kitchen depart
ment, and it is safe to say that the
younger members of the family had
never In their lives entered the kitchens
or scullery-rooms Of the house. One
very quiet August afternoon, the head
nurse coming down to the kitchen, ex-
planned that she was going out to take
tea with friend in the village, and re-
marked to the cook that when the school
room maid came down for the children's
supper, certain things like farina were to
be sent up with little jelly which one OF
the children had fancied. The gypsy girl,
still occupied in the kitchen, offered
later in the day, to take the place of the
school-room maid and carried up the
supper in question. There was little
Edith, as bright and active as she had
been on the May-day performance, and
naturally enough as ready to be lnfu-
enced by any one who amused or attracted
her. She had never spoken to the gypsy
girl before, and whether she recognized
her or not is not known; but it was an easy
matter for the gypsy girl to persuade the
child to come with her into the park after
tea, and of course all preparations for
such an event had been made long be-
fore. Three months had elapsed since
the gypsy people were in B, but JAS
per remained waiting for his companions
success in the scheme, and it took little
time to communicate with him and make
ready for their departure. Children of
five years of age are easily governed.
Neither violence nor harsh words were
used; the child was promised return of
the May-day games, after which she was
to return home, and, believing absolutely
in what was told her, she yielded readily
to the gypsies, and allowed herself to be
carried away by them in a covered wagon.
They expected reward to be offered
within few days of this event. None
1 came.
1t so happened that Mr.. H--died
suddenly, whether from the shock of the
loss Of his child or not was never known,
but the county was secured far and wide
to discover the child, and when no trace
appeared of her, the Romany tribe of
gypsies were arraigned and closely ques-
toned as to what had been done with
| her or coursA they knew nothing Of the