The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1909-03-11
THEGYPSY'S
GEM
BY ALEXANDER SLOAN

the final note of the Gypsies music, for
there We're singers in the band who
knew how to use their voices. The
space near the cottage afforded a bril-
liant scene these gala days; there
were always round about those curious
ones who must have their fortunes told
men as well as women, skeptics and
believers alike trying for peep into
the future through the eyes OF the
palm reader, the horoscope interpreter
and the oracle.
Elsewhere in the village were merry
doings-eating and drinking, all the
rough diversions of the early days, the
ways that men and women have ever
sought for Willing away the time. Be
meath canopy We're Mistress Madge
and prim companions in sewing indus
| try, while near the stile Miss Betsy
| fingered for a word with stalwart
Hugh. Crossing the village green in
pairs and groups were others OF the
| cOmely maidens and all the small
| boys of the town scorning more seri-
Gus pursuits, played merily al leap
frog, quoits and other robust games.
Within the public houses were heavy
discourse of the stock, and clinkinS of
the glasses, and boisterous applause
when one would make attempt at Witt.
cSm. Behind his counter smiled the
! rotund keeper; among the tables and
the benches supple John moved con
stantly with potables and light. From
! all bt nd hnt
round, the men were come to share
the village cheer, These moved not
| al the notes OF any song from near
the Hathaway garden, but buried their
coarse faces once again in cup or mug,
and gurgled contemplatiyely.
! These were momentous days. The
court was come. In brave array We're
cOurtiers and warriors and sailors bold,
all picnicking. The servants ran about
in liveries Respondent, important per
soHages stalked hitAer and away in
heavy grandeur. Court ladies and their
maids looked on the village and the
country folk disdainfully in part, but
some took interest and made acquain
lance here and there.
The latter, friendly ones, hocked up
! TO hear the Gypsies sing, and when
the song was ended clapped and
sought to know from members of the
| band what good or i'll the future held
! for them. One visitor. a youth, a short
and sturdy lad, with bearing and with
bronze of open air and sea, looked in
the faces of the Gypsies and strayed
about from place to place to hear what
patrons of the soothsayers might have
| learned.
A Gypsy lass made bold to ask him:
Sir. have thy future told for gold a
bright career may wait thee; III tell
thee whom for friends to hold. and
who they are that hate thee"
Nay. lass, but are all the members
of thy company in sight?" he asked
"Al but one maid who readeth
palms" she answered him.
Then will | watt he said, and see
If she can tell me what | wish TO
! know. 1t is the one who is the most
demanded that must know the most,
and | will wait 10 have her peer into
the dark for me-"
But there were those who We're not
so determined. and would buy fore
casts indiscrminately, 50 she left him
and told others pleasant fibs to make
them smile and mostly spared them
what Of painful truth she read that
Fate was holding back for them.
Then came that one to view who
had been in demand-a riot of the
Gypsy cOlors, with burning eyes that
melted into mischief in a flash, and
teeth and lips so perfect one could
guess they never would foretell unhap-
piness
He ran TO her. Now read my
palm. he said. and | will pay thee
well"
1T is my line" she answered him.
| The gOO.t cause needeth funds. and
will tell thee truly what the future
holds for thee | pray thy palm be
smooth and hard, then hast thou for
tunes high regard. But if it be all
lined and crossed then shalt thou be
most tempest-tossed."
Together then they sat and. red
deniug he stretched his hand where
she might see the palm.
She reached to take it, and showed
a sparkling gem upon her finger. And
when he touched the gem he thrilled
in all the nerves that carry shivers to
and fro, but whether from her touch
or from the magic of the stone he
could not say
Alas" she said :" It's lined and
scared, thy calling works thee over
hard But hard means triumph at the
last thou shalt be rich ere years have
passed
So rich that | shall own a stone
like that" he questioned
There Is not wealth enough to buy
tits my luck stone, lad, she said
Now this line here, a bold, full
curve. denotes a trained and steady
nerve it is of intersections free
'hou must a gallant sailor be-"
All but the gallant" he broke in
~ have never done a gallant thing
The sailors life is one of good, hard
toll and sudden perils, If you will, but
landsmen are the ones to whom are
offered chances to conduct themselves
with gallantry."
Thou dost not read thy life and du