Wichita eagle., 1888-06-14
IN A GYPSY CAMP.
A REPORTERS VISIT TO THE FROM
ANY RYE" OF DETROIT.

Life OF Band Of strorlins Horse Trad
ers and Fortune TeIers-The Queen OF
the Ca.np-Wemen Who Are ShreEd
Horse Traders.
The most interesting place in the West End
is the camp OF small band Of gypsy horse
traders, in piece OF woods on Lovers lane.
Horses, donkeys, mules, buckboards, carts
and travelling wagons iunruerahls stand
around, the animals hitched TO the various
trees and the vehicles drawn up in a circle
around smoky looking tents. Chained 70
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
stranger cannot but remind one of a small
sized kennel show.
The occupants Of the camp consists Of
snail group of bare footed children, six red
petticoated women and the same number of
men in gray coats, corduroy pants and wide
brimned hats. With the exception of two Old
women, who evidently lost their good looks
at very early period, the females Of the
camp are, indeed, quite progressing. They
have a tawny skin. long black hair, large
teeth of dazzling witness, expressive fes-
lures and are well proportioned-
One elderly women, known as the ''queen'
Of the camp, was attired il dress of snowy
colors, and adorned with dubious trinkets Of
more or less value. The Crown Princess
Minerva was dressed in howery patterned
cotton, relieved by a gay colored apron.
From Der ears hung large hoop earrings, and
her greasy fingers were bedecxed 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 swine down yonder hin,
As fest as e'er he can,
And Us hs runs lie crieth still:
Come steal me. gypsy man"
A sharp west wind seemed to have no i'm
preston on the men; nor did the women
guard against it more than by finging shawis
over their heads, and SO sit On the ground
around snoldering camp fire, chattering
and showing their teeth
HOW TIE TnE 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 ell parts of the city and even
from the surrounding townships, and the
children vainly endeavoring to dispose OF the
dogs, fight 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 the chaps was SO elated
afy ybotH oA a. h.,
gave young gypsy half dollar to turn
handspring. Two more offered to fight each
other for a quarter, but the dodo's finances
were exhausted.
The women are as well up in horse matters
as their husbands, and occasionally make O
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 scrutinizing it closely and
punching it in the ribs, she suddenly grabbed
it by the throat, shutting off its wind The
animal backed away. The woman advanced,
and under the influence of few smart cracks
from her singing whip, 1t soon began tc'
sneeze and cough as if 1t had the quick con-
sumption The brick manufacturer scowled,
but the woman laughed and said: "Old man,
your horse has got the jinljans; 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 Hare, just in of tho
grass, neither lame nor lazy, fine name and
tail, high hooker and good locker, hook
on either side OF the pole and fine feeder.
Seen as it's You and I'm a leet1e hard up for
money, I'll sell her to you for half price
500"-Detroit Free Press.