Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-02-23
The GypSy'S Gem
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


The first notes Of the Toreador song
called a group Of idlers and sightseers
near and cordial handclapping followed
the final note of the gypsies music, for
there were singers in the band who
knew how to use their voices. The
space near the cottage afforded bril-
liant scene these gala days; there were
always round about those curious ones
who must have their fortunes told
men as we'll 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 tho
rough diversions of the early days, the
ways that men and women have ever
sought for Willing away the time Be
meath a canopy were Mistress Madge
and prim companions in sewing indus
try. while near the stile Miss Betsy lin
rered for a word with stalwart Hugh.
Crossing the village green in pairs and
groups were others Of the comely maid
ems. and all the small boys of the town,
,oorning more serious pursuits, played
merrily at leap frog. quoits and other
robust games
Within the public houses were heavy
discourse OF the stock, and clinking OF
the glasses, and boisterous applause
when one would make attempt at witt
cism. Behind his counter smiled the
rotund keeper among the tables and
the benches supple John moved con-
stantly with potables and lights From
all the meadow land and tenant houses
round. the men were come 10 share the
village cheer These moved not at the
notes Of any song from near the Hath
away garden, but buried their coarse
faces once again In cup or mug. and
gurgled eontemplatively.
These were momentous days The
ecurt was come. In brave array were
courtiers and warriors and sailors bold.
all picnicking. The servants ran about
In liveries respondent, important per
sonages stalked hlther and away in
heavy grandeur. Court ladies and their
maids looked on the village and the
country folk disds infully in part, but
some took interest and made acquaint-
ance here and there.
The latter. friendly ones. nocked 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 III future held for them. One
visitor. 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
10 place to hear what patrons Of the
soothsayers might have learnt
A gypsy lass made bold to ask him /:
.Sir. have your future told for gold; a
bright career may wait thee: III tell
thee whom for friends % hold. and who
they are that hate thee"
Nay. lass, but are all the members
OF thy company In sight:" he asked
All but one maid who readeth
palma" zhe answered him
Then VII l wait" he said, "and
see II she can tell me what I wish TO
know Il Is the one who Ii the most
demanded that must know the most.
and l win wait to have her peer into
the dark for me"
But there were those who were not
so determined. and would buy forecasts
unfortunately. so she left him and
told others pleasant obs TO make them
smile "a mostly spared them what OF
painful truth she read that fate was
holding back for them
Then came that one to view who had