The Dickinson press., 1888-08-18
IN A GYPSY CAMP.
A REPORTERS VISIT TO THE from
ANY RYE" OF DETROIT.

Life of n Band of Strolling Horse Trad.
crs and Fortune Tcllcrs-Thc Queen OF
the Ca,np-Womcm Who Arc Sl,rcwd
Horse Traders.
Tho most interesting place in the West End
Is the camp of a small band of gypsy horse
traders, i'll n piece of woods on Lovers lane.
Horses, donkcys, mules, buckboards, carts
and travelling wagons innumcrable stand
around, the animals hitched to the various
trees and the vehicles drawn up in a circle
around smoky looking tents. Chained to
wheels and under each rig are hungry
mine of different sizes, colors, species and
varieties. The snarls, growls and yelps let
forth by them upon the approach of n
stranger cannot but remind one Of n small
sized kennel show.
The occupants of the camp consists of IL
small group of bare footed children, six rcd
pettlcoated women and the same number of
men III gray coats, corduroy pants and wide
trimmed hats. With the exception of two old
women, who evidently lost their good looks
at n very early period, tho females of tho
tamp are, indeed, quite prepossessing. They
have Il tawny skin, long black haIr, large
black eyes. we'll shaped mouths, ruddy lips,
teeth of a dazzling witness, expressive fea-
lures and are we'll proportional.
One elderly women, known as tho Queen
of the camp, was attircd in Il dress of snowy
colors, and adorned with dubious trinkets of
more OF less value. The Crown Princess
Minerva was dressed i'll Il nowcry patterned
cotton, relieved by a gay colored apron.
from her cars hung large hoop earrings, and
her greasy fingers We're bcdeckcd with innu-
lnorHblp moro ,rrnnS GU ,iorc T., b,, ,,,..l
held a dark skinned infant, which she soothcd
with Il fragment of the ancient gypsy ballad:
There runs II swine down yondcr hill,
As fast rs Ger he can,
And as he runs, he Cricth still:
come steal me. gypsy man."
n sharp west wind seemed to have no i'm.
preston on the men; nor did the women
guard against it more than by flinging shawls
over TIER heads, and So sit on the ground
around Il smoldering camp fire, clattering
and showing their teeth.
HOW II TIME Is SPENT.
Since the arrival of the band the men have
been engaged trading horses, the women tell
lns fortunes to the people who flock to the
camp from all parts Of the city and cven
from the surrounding townships, and tho
children vainly c%ndeuvoring to dispose of the
logs, tight or wrcstlc, sing, dance or whistle
for consideration.
Three young chaps had their futures re-
vcalcd the other afternoon during the visit
Oh n reporter. They presented quito an i'm
posing picture, each faultlcssly at1irpd, seated
ona stump with outstretclcd palm. Upon
the conclusion, one of thcchaps was So clatcl
AZ What had been disclosed to him that he
gave IL young gypsy half Il dollar to turn IL
handspring. Two more offered to fight cacl,
other for Il quarter, but the dodo's finances
were exhausted.
Inc women are as well up in horse matters
as their husbands, and occasionally make n
deal which could not he cclipscl even by the
sterner sex. During the progress of n dicler
one or them approached an animal Il brick
manufacturer was anxious to dispose of, whip
lii hand. After scrutinizing it 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,
md under the influence of u few smart cracks
from her singing whip, it soon began to
S'leeze and cough as if it had the quick con-
sumption. The brick manufacturer scowlei,
but the woman laughed and said: "Old man,
your horse has got the iimjams: wo don't
want him." Pointing to one of her animals
tied to a tree, she resumed rapidly: ''There is
II fine, rangy, big, toppy mare, Just in off tho
grass, neither lame nor lazy, fine name and
tall, Il high hooker and II good locker, hook
on either side of the pole md n fine feeder.
Seen as it's you and I'm IL lcetlc hard I'D for
money, Ill sell her to you for half price
$500. Free Press.