The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-08
ZINGARI RASCALS.
The Daughters of Romany
at Their Work.
THEY DEFY THE POLICE.
How the Gypsies Manage to Tell For
tunes and at the Same Time
Plumber Their Patrons.

Chief of Police Crowley has Instructed
his men to keep a sharp lookout on the
various gypsy camps located on otherwise
vacant lots scattered all over the city. The
Chief has begun TO realize the fact that the
dusky daughters of Romany are frequently
light-fingered damsels who know how to
create opportunities for themselves.
Not satisfied with having their palms
crossed with silver or gold, by SWANS or
lassie5 who wish to have their fortunes told
more or less pleasantly, according to
whether gold or silver is used in the trans
action. they appropriate to themselves any
stray article of value they may find handy
about the homes of their patrons.
a number of such cases have been re-
ported at police headquarters and, no doubt,
there are many other cases that are not
mentioned to the police, for the reason that
the victims feel ashamed to ackno wledge
having had dealings with these perambulat-
ing fortune tellers.
The latest case to be heard from Is one Of
particular audacity on the part Of the gyp-
sizes. There were three of them on Monday
afternoon standing at the junction Of Mar
ket and Geary streets Two were women,
one much younger and better looking than
the other. The third was chayi, as the
gypsies call little girl of their own race.
The elder woman carried a basket with
little in it and the younger one was unin-
numbered excepting for huge baDdana she
shifted nervously from hand to hand as she
scrutinlznd the faces Of those who passed
her by. 0 herwise they were c0stumed in
the regular Zingari fashion.
Once or twice she of the bandana ap-
peared to start in the direction of some one
approaching, but finding that the person
moi OF m har 10 Nd a M
returned.
Finally two well-dressed young ladies,
evidently Of the Weather class, came up at
the Geary-street crossing 10 purchase a few
v0lets. They were richly clad in sealskins,
and brlllisnts sparkled in their ears. They
seemed to be of happy disposition, laugh
ing pleasantly as they chatted and secured
the fragrant flowers.
Il must say something to you, young
ladies'" was whispered to them from be-
hind, and they turned inQuiringly to find
themselves confronted by the shallow, gilt
tering, inserutabie stare OF the younger
gypsy woman.
They drew back as though they feared
her. but she hardly gave them time to re-
fleet before she spoke again:
Something you must know; the child of
Rome speaks 10 you. and you must not be
afraid. Go with her and she will tell you
all your fortune.
MANY sad and many bright hours are
waiting for YOU" She continued, address,
ing one of the young women who had COM
menced to giggIe.
What 90 you want with us2" they
asked.
Come to the gypsy camp or the gypsy
will follow you home and read the line OF
destiny"
By this time the old gypsy woman had
joined the party, bringing along the little
girl, and the odd assemblage attracted no
little attention from those who passed
The young ladies noticed this, and after
speaking few words more they started
away toward LOtta's fountain. thence
acrnSs the street to the Palace Hotel,
where they stopped before show window.
The little gypsy band followed closely, and
after another conference the old woman
and the child remained behind, while the
young gypsy followed closely upon the
heels OF the two ladies as they entered the
hotel.
The trio wendell their way in the lower
corridor and into the ladies' reception-room,
in one corner Of which is Japanese screen.
Behind this usually sits "a typewriter. The
latter was not there at the time and the
place was Jnst such haven as was re-
quirtd in which 20 perform the business
that mad brought the three together.
AT the suggestion OF the gypsy both young
ladies ungloved their profuSely bediamonded
fingers and the fortune telleT's eyes sparkled
Win Il look oI gEeeu anu envy. EdSD girl
paid the woman a dollar and the fortune
telling began.
The work appeared to go slowly at first,
and the girls watched intently the pensive
stare of the woman, who held the palm of
one Of their hands, running her right index
along the seams.
you must remove those rings; they in
terfere with the FORTUNE" Said the gypsy.
Both girls complied aud the diamonds
were laid aside with the gloves and other
things they had already placed on the table
1t was he same old story told over again.
The girls we're we'll entertained fer fifteen
minutes and were ready to give the woman
her congo They told her. however, TO 90
on ahead; they would leave the room after
she had gone.
The gypsy did as directed and the happy
young Ladies proceeded 10 rearrange their
toilets and don their rings aud gloves.
But whore had the rings gone? They had
disappeared. Each purse was opened and
reOpened in the hope the jewels might be
found there. 1t was of no use, the diamonds
were gone, and no doubt were with the
gypsy fortune-teller. The later was out of
sight by this time, and whether she will
ever be appreheuded will be more matter
of chance than Of detective ability