Pueblo chieftain., 1921-12-07
BY FREDERIC ]. Haskin.

BY Frederic ]. Haslsin.
Washington, d. c., Dec. 4.-Wash-
ington has a gypsy school with q
young .gypsies. all busily studying the
mysteries of the first reader.
Whether the school will last long
enough for the children to find out
what happens on the last page of the
book depends on the uncertain gypsy
temperament. II the call to wander
comes tomorrow. the teacher who has
been deputed by the public school sys-
tenn to teach the gypsy school may find
herself suddenly without q single pu-
pill.
The young gypsies of the class have
Travelled thru Russia, Brazil, Panama,
Mexico. Italy and other countries.
They speak a number of languages
fluentiy. Among themselves they break
into Spanish, French. gypsy dialect.
Russian and Italian.
Yet only two or three Of these young
.linguists and travellers have ever be-
fore been inside schoolroom. One,
who had tried school before in the
course of his travels, remarked to his
present teacher, Mrs r. v. Wacker-
man. You are good teacher, and
learn to read. Other teachers no good"
Until November s, which was the red
letter day when they started to school.
none Of the children. from the six
year-olds to those of thirteen years,
could read or write his own name.
my might nave 6oHc oIl ldChlHE
this accomplishment indefinitely, If
the band had not stopped in a city
with tho intention Of staying all win
ter-perhaps. The police reported that
the children of a gypsy band were
hanging around the streets at hours
when all civilized youngsters are COOP
ed up in schoolrooms. The school au-
thorlties investigated and then began
the process of getting troop Of gypsy
children to school.
There were SO many Of the children.
and so fantastic was their apparel,
that special class was opened for
them in one of the public schools
They came. rather eagerly. interested
In the promise that they would learn
to read; And they have stuck. Reading
Dor untiringly over the stories of Tom
at the Seashore and Little Bo Peep.
In their month Of schooling they have
read So pages of their reader and
what they learn they remember.
The teachers only difficulty is that
they all covet the privilege of being
the one to read aloud
Il read for you," offers ono black
eyed boy.
No me. I read him good" insists
another, and occasionally one enthu-
siastic scholar rises without invita-
tion to read to the class.
RESTLESS PUPILS
Fortunately, the teacher understands
them. She realizes that they are un-
accustomed to sitting on chairs at
home. or to sitting still long any.
where. and that tho schoolroom rou-
tine must be hard for them. So the
class gets along peacefully.
This Is an achievement considering
the explosive feelings of the gypsy.
One boy who was ducked by his neigh
Dor In the drinking fountain came In
from recess protesting violently.
Put him in de basement, teacher"
he urged in. English, after explaining
to the boy Just what he thought OF
him in foreign LANGUAGE that visibly
stood IT. Mrs. wackerman restored
peace. tho the two continued to glare
at each other for a while. Then, sud
denly. they forgot all about 1t.
The appearance Of the children at
Wackerman says that the first day
they started to school they were typi-
cal. carefree gypsies. The boys hair
was tumbled. Stockings fell over their
shoes. Some OF the girls were ragged
And there were few signs of a morning
scrub.
Now. IN less than a month. there is
a noticeable change. Some of the boys
still rebel at collars, and when they
go out they pull on the sweaters and
eoats that IalI TO the Knees and other
wise swallow them. But aside from
the foreign look. their dark skin and
eyes, they are not easily distinguish
able from other childr nat n poor dig
trict.
The girls still cling to the STYLES of
sypsy dress. One little girl. who is
typical. had on q green flowered mus.
lin dress. made long-to the ankle.
and very full. There were ruffles on
the sleeves and ruffle below the
waist. rose colored sash was at