The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-05-21
THE GYPSY WOMAN.

THE GYPSY WOMAN.
How Aunt Rachel Tested the Curiosity of
| Her Little Niece.
Oh, mammal cried Fanny Marsh, as
She rushed into the kitchen, her face all
aglow. ''There is gypsy camp down
tn the woods, and every body is going to
see it,
Fanny's mother had just put the top
crust on pie, and was cutting off the
superfuous dough with knife. She
did not reply at once, for she knew that
her daughters excitement had not ex-
pended itself.
''They cook under the trees and do
their washing in the brook" continued
Fanny. ''The children are brown as
berries, have sparkling black eyes, and
are dressed in the funniest manner. l
can see their tent and their covered
wagons from my bedroom. Mamma,
where do gypsies come from?"
Fanny was bright-faced, viyacious
little girl of twelve, quick in her move
ments, and of an inquiring turn of
mind.
'There are gypsies in almost every
country replied Mrs. Marsh, as she
placed the pie with others that were
ready for the oven. ''Those from Spain
and Hungary have been most frequent
ly described. They are reticent when
questioned. A gypsy will never give a
history of himself or of his race My
father is crow and my mother a mag
pie is frequently the only answer OBJ
tanned"
"Can they really tell fortunes?" asked
Fanny.
! mo one can foretell," replied her
mother. cat least, nothing that is ex-
traordinary. The future is unknown to
us, and it is we'll for us that it isl
j SIS it wrong to have ones fortune
told?" was Fanny's next question.
! Eyes, dear. 1t is provoking provi
dence,' as some one has said. 1t is en-
couraging impostors. They swindle us
out of our money. Now, dear, will you
not bring me in an armful of wood? The
oven is not as hot as l would like it to
be-"
1t was a beautiful summer day; the
kitchen windows were open; Aunt
Rachel, a lively and mischievous young
lady, was seated in rocking chair on
the porch; though seeming to be read
ing, she had overheard the conversation
between Fanny and her mother. Fanny
brought in the wood, lounged awhile in
the hammock, and then walked off in a
lettering way, toward the gypsy camp
She seated herself upon the fence, just
at the edge of a field of wheat which
was almost ripe enough to be cut
Without being observed herself, she
had tolerable fair view of the
camp. She saw the men grooming
their horses, the women fitting to and
fro, the children romping on the grass
Once an ugly, shaggy-haired dog came
quite close to her. He had sore eyes
and torn ears; he looked viciously at
her, growled and showed his teeth.
Satisfied with what she had seen,
! Fanny sprang from the fence and turned
toward home. Just then a young WON.
an came out of the wheat-field. She
wore quaint straw hat, a plaid shawl
and string Of tawdry beads Her
cheeks were olive-colored, and her eyes
had bright sparkle in them.
sab, my pretty, little dear" she said,
facing Fanny, and smiling insinuating-
ly, ''you must let me tell you your fort
une."
81 don't want my fortune told," pro-
tested Fanny. "It is wicked"
eff you only knew how bright your
future is to ber' cried the woman, with
meaning glance. "Just put piece OF
money in my hand" and she extended
he: palm.
No." replied Fanny, resolutely.
1.-THE merest trifle,'' suggested the
woman.
81 have no money" declared Fanny.
"Why do you say that?'' sharply
asked the woman. "You have half a
dollar in your pocket now. You thought
Of giving it toward the new library for
the Sunday-school."
Fanny's face widened with surprise.
She drew little away from the strange
woman. How did she know about the
money, or the purpose to which Fanny
had intended to apply it?"
II meant that had no money to give
you," explained Fanny. Mother says
that you are an imposter. She says that
your father was crow and your mother
a magpie."
Fanny was not quoting her mother
with precision, though she fancied that
she was. The gypsy woman laughed
softly.
SIT wasn't kind in your mother to tall
in that way of one whom she has neve
met" she said. ''You expected to g.
on journey tomorrow. Well-you arr
to be disappointed"
An incredulous smile came to Fanny
lips s'You foctune-tellers always hav'
something to say about letter, a jour
ney, disappointment, or a man or
woman with dark or light hair" sh
tesrlessly replied. ut is your stock II
trade. Pray, can you tell me where
s.vss e0iags"