The Bossier banner., 1891-11-05
A eYPsY QuEEN AT BREAKFAST.
The Unusual Sight Witnessed on the BanEs
of the Mississippi.

of the Mississippi
In quest of young duck to crafty
a sick friend, a Globe Democrat reporters
arose before dawn recently and pro-
ceeded to the head of Long Lake, OPP
posite the confluence of the Missouri
and Mississippi rivers While seated
on the levee watching the faint golden
sunoeams mount over the bluffs be-
yond Wet Prairie, the reporter noticed
curling column of blue smoke ascend
ing from cluster of trees on the lake
bank beside the country road. Having
a small glass, the hunter trained it on
the spot and deserted a gypsy camp,
consisting of three wagons. Suddenly
a 1.-THE female form emerged from the
central van in her bare feet and went
to the waters edge. There, lossening
wealth of luxuriant dark hair, she
commenced her morning. after
n slight survey of the surroundings.
She appeared to be about eighteen
years of age. about five and half feet
in statue, shapely in form, with well
nodded arms, rather heavy wrists and
hands, and according to measurement
of her tracks in the sand her feet would
require No. shoes. Keeping his dogs
close to his heels the hunter crept up %
canyon or. ravine to point favorable
for minute observation of the camp and
closely noted the peculiar habits of
these nomadic people at their matutinaI
meal.
The stately maiden, who was evident.
ly true daughter of Romany, returned
from the water with her tresses in
negligent roll thrown over her left
shoulder and wild flower in her hand
Her bed had been drawn from the
wagon and spread on the grass to the
windward from the fire. She threw her
self gracefully upon the couch, and lam
guidly watched the preparations for
breakfast A pink and white cloth was
spread on the grass on which dewdrops
glistened like gems against the rays OF
the rising sun. A bright copper kettle
was suspended on tripod over bright
fire. At one end of the long cloth
| another was placed and on it service
of fine chinaware, the designs on which
were cabalistic, interspersed with drag
ons and golden butterflies.
| The dusky beauty, who seemed to be
an object of special attention from each
and all others of the band, was handed
bright metal or silver flask, from
| which she took tea and made her own
! beverage, the teapot being placed over
. a vessel of hot water. while she sliced a
ripe and MISUNDERSTANDING tomato into a
china dish and dressed it from cruet
Of silver and shining glass evidently
lcontaining pepper, salt, vinegar and
olive oil. This, with some kind of game
or young chicken, formed her repast
She used cut-loaf sugar in her tea,
which was placed in the cup with silver
tongs, and, instead of cream, a small
slice of lemon was substituted.
The position occupied while eating
was exactly like that of the Indian, and
no conversation was noted during the
meal When the queen rose it was with
an easy grace. She stood a moment in
majestic dignity, made a sinuous or
waving motion of the right hand, and
then using oyerhanging leaves in place
] of napkin, moved toward the tethcred
horses, one Of which she petted while
the camp was being broken. Then leap
ing into her saddle, she led the way
south toward Venice. 1t afterward
transpired that this tawny Hebe was
gypsy queen on tour of inspection
among the tribes St Louis Globe
Democrat Sd .r sF. ..5