The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-09-05
A GYPSY QUEEN AT BREAKFAST.
Tho Unusual sight Witnessed on tho Banks
of the Miaalaalpni.

Tho Unusual Sight Witnessed on tho Banks
OF the Misslssippi.
In quest OF young duck TO crafty
a sick friend, Globe Democrat reporter
arose before dawn recently and pro-
ceeded to the head OF Long Lake, OPP
poste the confluence of the Missouri
and Mississippi rivers. While seated
on the levee watching the faint golden
sunbeams mount over the bluffs be-
yond Wet Prairie, the reporter noticed
a curling column of blue smoke ascend
ing from q cluster of trees on the lake
bank beside the country road. Having
a small glass, the hunter trained 1t on
the spot and deserted a gypsy camp
consisting of three wagons Suddenly
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 neutrality-suspicious. after
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 a
canyon or ravine to point favorable
for minute observation of the camp and
closely noted the peculiar habits OF
these nomadic people at their matutinal
meal.
The stately maiden, who was evident
l
ly true daughter of Romany, returned
| from the water with her tresses in a
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 Ian
guidly watched the preparations foi
breakfast A pink and white cloth was
spread on the grass, on which dewdrops
glistened like gems against the rays oi
the rising sun. A bright copper kettle
was suspended on tripod over a bright
fire At one end of the long cloth
another was placed, and on it a service
of fine chinaware, the designs on which
were cabalistic, interspersed with drag
ons and golden butterflies.
The duslty beauty, who seemed to bC
an object of special attention from eacl
and all others of the band, was handed
bright metal or silver flask, fror
which she took tea and made her owl
beverage, the teapot being placed owe
a vessel of hot water, while she sliced ;
ripe and misunderstanding tomato into
china dish and dressed it from crue
of silver and Ginning glass evidently
containing pepper, salt, vinegar ant
olive oil. This, with some kind of gam
or young chicken, formed her repast
She used cut-loaf sugar in her tea
which was placed in the cup with silve
tongs and, instead of cream, a small
slice of lemon was substituted.
The position occupied while eatini
was exactly like that of the Indian, an
no conversation was noted during tn
meal. When the queen rose it was witt
an easy grace. She stood moment il
majestic dignity, made a sinuous o
waving motion of the right hand, ant
then using overhanging leaves in plac
of a napkin moved toward the tethere
horses, one of which she petted Will
the camp was being broken. Then leaI
ing into her saddle, she led the wa
south toward Venice. It afterwar
transpired that this tawny Hebe was
gypsy queen on a tour of inspectio
among the tribes.-St. Louis Globe
| DnmOcrnt