Morning journal and courier., 1890-06-07

In a Gipsy Camp near Newport, Es. Il.
Ways OF tho Fe0ple-SOme OF the
characteristics of she Children-Aow
He Made Friends with the ne smany
Folk-InsIghts of Their Camp Life
Learned ON the shores Of Lake Mich
iaan.
Camp near NEWPORT, r. L., May 26.
To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER.
For over quarter of century I have
passed some portion Of nearly every year in
gypsy camp as guest and friend. In that
time hundreds of gipsies have grown to the
estate of men and women from gipsy. child
hood and youth. From the first, think,
my best friends among these pilgriming peo-
pie were the little folks; and, at first, I re-
call many an instance where the confidence
and trust 80 eagerly sought from their ell
de1s was largely, if not wholly, the result of
the confidence and liking I was enabled to
awaken in the little waits Of the camps. In
deed can we'll date my secure place in the
hearts of the Romany folk to their interest,"
ing logic about that very matter, and also
the fact that got along famously with their
horses and dogs, as we'll as with their chill
drsp; for it is a universal eipsy notion that
the instinct of children and animals is una
failing and true.
In 1868 was lettering about large gipsy
camp located in the woods on the beautiful
shores of Lake Michigan, about q mile north
of the Northwestern university grounds at
Evanston, Illinois. My object was q literary
one wholly. I felt drawn to these people;
endeavored to give that feeling acceptable
expression; but, while they were OWL enough
in general way, there seemed to exist an
insurmountable wall of dissrust between US.
I talked plainly with one or two of the lead
ing men, and few of the old spae-wives,
about 1t. Their responses were inexpressi-
bly, sodden and disappointing. Then be.
gan on the young mea and children. as
sisted the former In all manner of menial
tasks. The principal of these was cleaning
the animals and occasionally giving them
swim In the lake. A passing. snorting tug
had so frightened the horses that despite all
the efforts of the gipsies the animals would
neither drink from, nor permit themselves
to be led into, the water. thought my
chance was here; for as a boy on the farm,
and as an artillery postillion in the army, I
had swum horses in lakes and rivers as often
as any gypsy of my age; and succeeded at
the Evanston camp by simply inducing one
of the horses, after dusk, to take to the wa
ter like duck, and the next day It seemed
to have forgotten its fright, while sll It's COM
panion followed US into the lake as nicely as
flock OF sheep will crowd over q feacc
opening after bell-wether. That evening I
was honored by an invitation to stay all
night and occupy wagon with the bands
tinker. The next day had small cart
| load of toys in the hands of the delighted
| children, and genuine rope swing for them
underneath the great elm trees. My reward
for this was tent with the son of tho chief.
The next day the chief himself invited me
to supper with his family, and genuine sil-
| verware, dug ont of the dingy reoesses Of
shadowy wagon beds assisted in the resplen-
dence of the occasion. After the meal the
| chief took me out for saunter along the
rippling shore. and, finally after much appa-
though halting apologies, explained with
many fine gipsy prevarications why as race
they must put no trust in the white blood,
but, that in nay case, "w'erehever an 'ow-
somdever hus comes up wi ye, any time an
oft, hus'll allus gle ye a odd fagot an hex.
ira sup for welcome" He added as If to
clear himself from error and fortify himself
against accusation of disloyalty to his own
GHus 'ss no learnin' VII books; but aipsieE
AZ hus Is, If the ohauvies (children) an tht
dugals (dogs) an gryes (horses) takes kindly
to the Gorgio (non-gipsD hus minds M
longer 'owsomdever 40 he comes an goesl"
This little lesson was never forgotten; anG
though many, many years ago my standing
was so we'll assured In gipsy camps that ct
fort on this line was unnecessary, hav
s