The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-11-20
GYPSY PUPILS
STUDY ENGLISH
IN D. c. SCHOOL
Twenty-one Juvenile Nomads
Attend Glasses in Native Carb
At Eighth and T.

Unable 10 read or write, yet having
a command of six languages learned in
their nomadic wandering about the
globe. one Of the strangest sights In
Washington's public schools 10 the
gypsy class enrolled in the Grover
Cleveland School. at Eighth and T
streets northwest.
In their native garb. as they attend
their kindergarten classes for the first
time, the twenty-one gypsy pupils en-
rolled present a striking contrast to
the other children In their civilized"
dress.
They probably represent the most
| weird conglomeration Of material ever
come to American shores for amalga-
| nation in the great American melting
pot.
The greater part of the twenty-one
young Americans" as they call them
selves. were born abroad. in Mexico.
Russia. Spain, France. Brazil. ana
Italy. and are the juvenile part OF .
| gypsy band wintering in Washington
between carnival seasons.
None of them. despite the fact that
| the Oldest is fifteen years old. can
read or write his or her name In any
language.
They know only their names, guess
| their ages. and state they are all
related, being cousins, brothers, sis
tiers. aunts. uncles. nepheYs and
nieces to each other.
Know Many Tongues.
While totally ignorant from a view
point of knowledge gained from
| books, they are inguists to the nth
degree, with a command Of Ian
gueges that would carry them around
the world.
School officials have been sorely
tried in their efforts to teach the
nomadic scholars. Much of the class
room work is done through interpre-
tation.
''Tony. what letter is this?" Mrs.
r. v. Wackerman. their teacher,
asked. pointing to letter on the
board.
Tony didn't get it, and looked pux-
zled. At least he would have looked
puzzled had he been given a chance;
but before he had time to register
deep thought or Misunderstanding
half a dozen of those who did get
IT came to his aid in their gutteral
gypsy jargon.
"Oh, him; OATS a b." Tony re.
piled. indicating the letter 49,"
Half a dozen voices continued In
right, and to the reporter 1t sounded
hopeless.
Her chief difficulty, their teacher
confessed, IL I'm keeping their en-
thusiasm sufficiently in check to
maintain q semblance OF order in the
room. .
Range of Ambitions.
Their ambition and aspirations for
the future are varied. The girls all
aspire to become fortune tellers. or
phrenologists. az are their mothers
and all women Of their race.
The boys choice of worldly occupa-
tons range from that of being a
policeman to kings. The idea of being
policeman, the boy declared, who
stated that as his preference for an
occupation. was SO he wouldn't get
'pinched."
The bid for a kingdom and a crown
was made by a lad of eleven. named
Frank Miller. who il studying to
succeed to the position now held by his
grandfather Of king of the gypsies in
America
Interesting, II true. as they relate IT,
is the method of the rowing gypsy
bands in America in picking their
king and queen.
The youthful aspirant who declares
himself the prince apparent" states
that the smartest Is always elected to
be the king. He must be able to read
and write. Among those eligible the
one that can sing the best and has
the most money is elected king. He
chooses his own queen. whether she be
his wife or the wife Of another.
Remarkable Contrast.
The small. but earnest, seekers of
Mrs. Wackerman. probably represent
contrast not paralleled in any school
in America, in that they are so hope
iessly lacking in book learning yet %
wise in worldly knowledge.
Their travels have taken them over
Asia, Europe, South America. Japan
and North America, trailing In the
wake of carnivals, having crossed and
reading the palms OF the old and new
world.
They speak from first hand knowi-
edge Of many countries. yet they can
not recognize the names of tho coun-
tries through which they have travel
ed-traveling probably many times
more in their youthful lives than 80
out Of 100 Americans with whom they
come In contact.
They are not permitted to play with
the other pupils at the regular recess.
having special recesses, before or
after the others in order to avert the
jibes and jeers cast at them.
Yet. with 1t all. they are perhaps
among the most industrious pupils,
the most earnest students and the
greatest believers In their future in
America for they all, fostered by the
faith Of the only teacher they have
ever known, have the future before
them of fortune tellers, policemen