The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-29
consciously, the helpful goodness which
ever prompts and ever exceeds exact justice

consciously, the helpful goodness Wnlch
ever prompts and ever exceeds exact justice
to ones fellows.
Probably at meals and in the long eve
nings, bright with oamp-fres and melodi-
GUS with merriment, is the Gypsy man or
woman most truly this good natured and
genial animal that never reveals meanness
and ever acts with genuine, unstudied
goodness. The breakfast, although always
meal of CHEEKY brightness, is taken with
little jollity, for the duties and doings of
the day are ahead of them all. The dinner
is seldom regular meal, for there
are but few in camp, and the old men,
old women, children and dogs have every
is oveaflowing with good things and
good spirits, and all sorts of pranks are
allowable. The camp has suddenly filled
up with three fourths of its members, who
have been away during the day on divers
expeditions, and the breeziness and activity
consequent upon the return have brought
the camp a wonderful life and vigor. The
substantials for the meal have been sizzling
and simmering from the kettle sticks for
hours. These are all accounted for; but
there is an element of pleasure and surprise
in many little garnishments which find
their way into camp with the Alcoming
troop of Gipsies. The enthusiastically rub
Der blankets with linen spreads upon them
are laid upon the clean grass plats.
Everybody helps at bringing the dishes
and food. Laughter and badinaee go hand
in hand with preparation; and the repast
itself, be it sunptuous, as it often is, or
meager, as it is not often, is washed down
by more genuine mirth and hearty merri-
nlent-and, l must confess, with some
thing a thought stronger, sometimes
than falls to the lot of but few in this
world, however much good fortune enters
into their condition. If stragglers from
town come and stare at them with exasper-
ating calmness, as if the Gipsies were ami
mails in some geological garden, sudden
hush falls upon the feast until the intruders
retire, or the merriment goes on in their
own tongue and under faces of ridiculous
| solemnity. From the return, however. I'M
| til the long, slowly taken meal is ended,
| there are such rallyings of friends, such
greetings of husbands and wives, brothers
and sisters. parents and children, such
kindly notice OF the old, old folk, such
revelries with the babies. and such proud,
| glad heart-word for everybody, that no
earnest eyes can look upon it all, and not
| moisten; because all this is true of al out
cast race. and SO barren and meagre in the
homes of our own people, where too often
have taken the place of those tender
things which are the salvation of q
| land through its homes.
| Then the eyentime grows and glows again
with this good nature. There is not
another care or thought-weight on the
| UipSy Aluu All SISe themselves up 10
unrestrained enjoyment. The great fires
are piled high, and seem to crackle and
sing AZ added Accompaniment of happiness.
High up along the tree trunks are hung
cressets filled with haring knots. The
fires below shut out even the light of the
blazing stars above, and draw the night
and the dark, lovingly interlaced with
century-old tree-arms, over the bright
place like a protecting canopy. By this
campfire is a crowd merrily playing at
cards. which the Gipsies love. By another
and another are groups telling old tales or
singing old songs. In between and all
about are happy children playing at hide
and seek in the flash and shadow of the
camp. Over there is score of tawny
forms dancing with the freedom and caiety
of lads and lasses to the music of some
tinker violinist who sways and weaves and
stamps and shouts, enraptured by his own
vociferous melodies. Everywhere are sim
| ple-hearted peace and content; while in the
harder world of your cities and towns count
less hearts are breaking from their loads OF
ambition, rivalry, greed, injustice, merci.
| lessness, envenomed malice, as the stars and
the God above them look down upon these.
the uncivilized, and upon those of the
proudest ciyilization-loying which most:
EDGAR L. WAKEMAS.