The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-07-14

said we would like to go to the gypsy
encampment we met with sympathy
from our friends.
You can go if you like" they said
coldly, and they took out their sewing
and books with the air of people who
are not to be beguiled from industrious
paths all the day long. From the livery
stable keeper we learned that the en-
calnpment was far out Of town. He did
not conceal from US that he thought
wandering after gypsies Improbable
Ihey're thievin' lot" he commented
and he detailed a "PoIander" to drive
us, thinking no doubt that one as near a
barbarian as that could not have his
manners corrupted by evil communica-
tons
Near the fair grounds we encountered
two children, tawny-skinned and Wild
eyed; over the fence leaned saIlow.
raced lad; he watched them WistfuIlv.
The responsibility Of life was heavy upon
him; he had to sort apples into neat piles,
while they, free from care, played gayly
in the autumn sunlight
Have 'napple," he said, doubtfully.
Hen eryI' screamed a woman,s voice
you come in sudden, I'll attend to you,'
we heard her saying as the crestfallen
boy approached.
In flash the two girls were over the
fence, and had filled their grimy skirts
from one Of Henery's neat piles of ap-
pies, and they fed down the road, Shrek
ing with laughter, looking back with
grins on their insolent little faces toward
the gaunt New England woman who
bade them begone, her voice quiver.ng
with indignation.
No, decidedly, gypsies were out Of place
in this setting. Gypsies in America SEEM
ed as much a paradox as a feudaI castle
on the Connecticut river or an Indian
reservation in Prussia
In France and Spain they were hated
and feared, as all are hated and feared
who are not Of the established order Of
things; but there, at least they had the
right Of always having been there, and if
they were hated they were believed in.
Women and girls came timidly to Their
encampments and crossing their palms
with silver listened to their fortunes.
Imagination failed to picture that good,
indignant woman, Henery's mother, hav-
ing her fortune told 1t remained for
aliens like ourselves to seek out the
gypsies.
Tops of weather-beaten tents peered
over the gray fair ground fence, and
the still air. Far down the, road was
the whole encampment, tents and
wagons, sWarms of children and dogs,
and further along horses paSturing in
by had blossomed out like premature
Christmas trees, with scarlet kerchiefs
lately washed and on clothes lines
stretched from fence to elm tree was the
rest of the gay wash, striped skirts and
pink and red blouses cleaning out
among the white clothes.
The children ran forward to meet us,
wild-eyed and very foreign. They had
the frank curiosity Of the children Of a
touriSt-infested city. A woman, as
strange and dark-eyed as her children,
emerged. One of the men was before
her in greeting:
''Glad to see you" he said. Come
right in an I'll show you about" He
said it with quite an air, as though he
We're giving US the freedom of his palace
He wore his battered hat rakishly and
lure the last penny out of our pockets
If he willed it.
Step in," he said, waving his hand
toward one Of the wagons. The woman
demurred. 81 amt fixed things up yet
You let me straighten things up BIT
"Oh, they won't care" the man argued
soothingly Likely they've been taken
unawares by comp'ny in their time"
The woman's eyes and ours met and we
all laughed Our men had often enough
brought home unreasonable guests; tie
bond Of woman was strong between US.
Our problems were the same, even If we
lived in homes and she in O. gypsy wagon.
So with good grace she made US welcome.
Outside the wagon was not inviting. But
inside it was as respIendent as drawing
room car. The floors were of hard woodj
1t was Wainscotted with wood and uphol-
Stered The windows were hung with lace
curtains, and nickel-plated lamps swung
on their fittings. The two berths, one on
top OF the other, were not yet made up,