The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1893-05-05
miscellaneous.
GYPSY JACK.

their tents in the woods about a mile
from town, there was much discussion
among the people. Some said that
the vagabondS were thriving lot,
and would rob hen-roosts right and
left old women told of things even
more horrible, and said that gypsies
had been known to steal little chill
dren. Most of the people, however,
were kindlier disposed toward the
brown-faced strangers, and the town
boys soon learned that they were a
good-hearted and clever lot, particu-
larly the younger ones.
Among the especial favorites was
Gypsy Jack, a sturdy chap of fifteen,
with a face as brown as a berry, the
blacklist, finest eyes that ever shone
in a boys head, and teeth as white as
popcorn. He was clever fellow, and
easily won the love of the town lads
by teaching them many new things
about wood-craft. He could make the
best figure-four traps the boys ever
saw as fisher, he could beat all the
rest of the lads, but he showed him
self to be prince Of all when he leaped
upon one of the horses and, while the
all the difficult feats bareback, such
side of the circus ring.
You're the smartest chap | ever
saw" said Will Hale, after Jack jump
ed down from the horse.
Its easy enough" remarked Jack,
as the boys crowded around him, their
faces growing with admiration.
where did you learn it, Jack ?"
asked Will.
"Isaw it on the circus bills. didn't
have to learn it it just come to me. :"
"Arn't you afraid to do it -
81 don't know what that mean," re-
sponded Jack. T,ere was nothing
boastful i'll his tones. The boys knew
he simply meant that he and fear were
strangers.
81 wonder if there is any thing we
can do that you can't do better p ask
ed one of Jacks admirers.
Eyes. you can read, you can write.
l can't do either" Jacks voice was
sad, his eyes grew softer, and his lips
trembled.
'That's too bad. Did you ever go
| to school ~
No; we move around too much.
None Of my folks cares for books and
so cannot read books or papers.
wish l could"
How long are you going to stay
here, Jack p asked Willie Hale.
Till cold weather; then we GO
South"
"Well, by that time you will be able
to read and write, for, Jack, I'm going
| to teach you.h
but you boys go to school for years
/ thought it took long time to learn
to read"
"Some things that we learn takes
years, but I'll teach you how to read
It's jolly good fun to read story-books
and papers"
81 shall try, if you will help me, y
said Jack.
| Will Hale proved to be an excellent
| teacher, and Jack surprised his friend!
with his wonderful capacity for learn
ing. His evenings were spent at Willi
home, and he became a great favoritt
of the family.
Finally the days grew shorter anC
the leaves began to turn red. Jack
saw the approach Of cold weather, anc
it made him sad. The tents would
soon be taken up, and he and his PEG
pie would return southwark, and tina
would be the end of his pleasant even
ings at Wills home. One day Will
l
iect which lay near his heart. Dir
Hale was rich man and could easil,
do what his son requested, and he wa
pleased with his boys noble inten
tions. But before the subject wa
mentioned to Jack, Mr.. Hale had ;
long talk with the boys father, who
at first, said, firmly: mo, Jack is ;
gypsy. He will never settle down t.
any life but the one he has known
ever since he was a baby"
"Rut you will be proud of your bo,
when he becomes a smart, intelligen
man, as he surely will. Will you per
nit me to speak to has mother ~
HE has no mother. She is dead.
said the man sorrowfully, as he turne'
his face aside to hide his tears.
"Then let me do what promise, b.
all means. When you are old, you
motherless son will be a comfort t
; you. 1t is wrong to deprive this fin
. fellow of the advantages | can Civ
him. Your better nature should tie
you that"
But my life will be so lonesom
without Jack. Yet he wants to lear
SO much"
Jacks father was wavering, and
few more words ON the part of MI
Hale secured the gypsy's consent.
When the band went away, Gyps
Jack did not go with it. AS the las
wagon disappeared in the distance
Jack waved "a farewell to his fathe
and great lump rose in his throat a
he turned his back upon the old Life
The years passed rapidly, and JAG
and Will went to college, where the
, both acquitted themselves with homo
One June day, on the eve of the
graduation, a handsome young fello
startled his hearers with his matchle:
= elouuence. There was an admirin
crowd in the old stone church, and til
first man to shake his hand was
plainly dressed, dark browed mai
who said, Jack, l wish your moth'
could see you, she'd be SO proud"
The years that followed brougf
money and honor to the brown-face
lawyer as we'll as his fairer partne
Will Hale. Gypsy Jack is one of IL
rising men of central New York, bI
no one knows him now by that +
mantle -COngTegdtlonGt9St.
Hon. Stephen A. Douglas on OIL
occasion was able to give utterance to
l,;,+or;oaI ratort Aftar Gonna on a h