The Washington times., 1902-02-02
In THE HAUNTS OF
THE RONANY RYE
Life in Gypsy Camp Near the
Catholic University.
In THEIR WINTER QUARTERS.
Icn Engaged in Horse Trading and
Women in Fortune TellinG-Chicf
Edward Smith CenteEar;an-
Mrs. Hall ReiSns as Queen.

SSltieu SnuSiE III q SEelIereu spot near
the Catholic University, on a small piece
of land thinly covered with timber and
not very well watered. is ancamped the
largest band of gypsies that has visited
Washington for several years.
The nomads are now in winter quarters
1uliy prepared TO withstand the rigors OF
the winter, and they will remain near
the Capital until spring. Then they are
going South.
The gypsies are English and speak that
language to strangers with the easy fa-
miliarity of men and women of the world
whose travels have led them over half the
globe Among themselves, however there
is but one language-the Romany, Ian
Suage as distinct from all others as the
Russian is from the French.
The Camp Among the Trees.
The camp is easily reached by the
Brookland electric cars, and is located
but few hundred yards from the west
gate of the University.
The tents are pitched in such manner
as 10 be almost entirely concealed from
the roadway. This is characteristic of
the gypsy, who loves to be near civiliZa
tion, but at the same time keep himself
out of sight
There are about twenty families in the
encampment. forming a canvas village OF
fifty-nine souls. each one as free and in
dependent as the birds or the hungry
looking, wolf-like dogs which abound in
considerable numbers, but which never
bark. There is no chief or leader, and
every gypsy is at liberty to do he
pleases. They are governed by no laws
except those of the District of Columbia;
yet they are law-abiding.
The nominal chieftain of the camp is
Edward Smith, tottering old fellow. with
wrinkled face. stubby hair, and pair OF
kindly eyes. He is los years old, and is
the Oldest gypsy in the United States
The other members Of the band claim this
with some show Of pride.
An Active Patriarch.
He is greatly beloved and is a prime
favorite with the children of whom, incl
dentally there seem to be hundreds.
In the band, and in spite of the fact that
he is undoubtedly one of the oldest men
in the world. he is quite active. Rain or
shine he walks about through the pines,
smoking short clay pipe.
The old gypsy, together with most OF
the other members of the band, was born
in England. He was born gypsy, and
gypsy he will die.
II have not much longer to stay" said
the old man the other day, in reply to
wish for his good health. Il ought to be
under here now
He tapped his boot heel on the loose
black mold and looked out toward the
horizon with a far-away gaze in his eyes.
There are other interesting gypsies
here.
Queen of the Tribe.
Mrs. Hall, apparently about forty years
of age, is recognized as the queen of the
tribe She is tall and stately. with large
black eyes. fair skin, and luxuriant
growth of brown hair. She is well edu-
Gated and has a very pleasing manner.
Education is keenly appreciated by ev-
eryone connected with the tribe. This
is proved by the fact that every boy or
girl in the tribe who has reached the
age of eigh. years old. attends the Brook
land public SCHOOL every day and the Bap-
tist Church on Sunday.
The girls and young women make most
of their money by telling fortunes and
selling love charms to the lady pupils of
the Trinity. In that neighborhood. The
girls are also sent TO the city, and go
from house to house selling small articles
of jewelry and telling fortunes.
The men are expert horse traders, and
are always busy making a deal with some
one. They possess many blooded animals
and pride themselves on their fine stock
They seldom lose on a deal and often
come out with little to the good. When
q person comes to trade with them they
scrutinize him. and If their suspicion is
aroused one of the men engages the party
in conversation while another gets on
horse and notifies the police. Several ar
rests have been made by the police in
this manner.
Shrewd But Honest.
Although the gypsy is a shrewd bar
gamer and, in fact, is generally regarded
as not specially observant of the Eighth
Commandment those camped near Brook
land are honest and lead upright lives.
The Loyell family is composed OF seven
members They have many horses and
dogs and three Shetland ponies, which
they would not part with under any con-
sideration. The younger members OF the
band are seen every day, rain or SHINE,
riding about the vicinity of the camp on
the ponies, and frequently races are run
by the boys, who delight in the sport.
Edith is the eldest daughter OF the
family and is a very preposscssing girl.
II is she who several days ago endeavored
10 commit 3uicide at the camp because
she could not be with her lover, who be-
longs to another tribe. She is deeply in
love with a young gypsy. who is n mem-
Gated in the western part OF this country.
She has written numerous letters TO him,
but has received no answer TO the latest
ones and is of the impression tha' he
will soon leave the country. She has
appealed to her parents time and time
again to leave this part of the country,
but they have stoutly refused to leave the
old man, whom they so much respect.
Snake Mary's Abode.
Probably the most striking looking
woman at the camp is snake Mary" the
rranddaughter of Edward Smith, and an
.xpert in the art of peering into the
future. She Is young and cOmely with
bright face, sparkling eyes, and we'll
poised body Her tan or canvas tent, is
the neatest and largest in the camp. ana
they are all excellently constructed and
coziiy furnished.
one would imagine that during a snow
storm there could scarcely be a place
more uninyiting than gypsy tent. lhe
contrary, however, is true, and 'Rom
and his "Romni' are as snug and warm
In their home as the most particular per-
son in Washington. Snake Mary's" tan
contains two rooms. front one, in which
the cooking is done, and rear sleeping
apartment.
II the popular idea conceives the gypsy
TO be uucleanly and careless in his habits
IL is a mistake. so far as his tan Is
concerned The small bed is covered with
n white spread; there are pictures On the
wall and bright -colored ribbons and
streamers everywhere, while the floor is
softened and warmed by heavy rug.
Following the "Hexpositions.v
Some OF the nomads have been at the
rafnp for only a few waekc and thar