Year: 1875

KNOWN as gypSleS. Al tlllS season OF the
year Pennsylvania is partly populated
with them. Several miles around Read
ing no less than a half dozen bands were
encamped the other day. The largest
camp was in the woods back of Dengler's
tavern, in Alsace township, about half
mile from Heiner's Wissel. They owned
the most costly wagons, the best horses,
and their furniture, utensils and general
outfit was far above anything ever seen
in that section. A reporter had quite
lengthy conversation with the represen-
tative man of the camp.


You see," said the man, "here we
are living in the woods. Here it is cool,
while in the city it is fearfully hot. But
come over here, 1 want to show you a
curiosity before we talk about camp life
in the woods. This is Mrs. Guy" and Mr.
McAnally, for such was the gypsy's
name, introduced the reporter to very
pleasant little woman with sandy hair,
who was sitting on the ground. She
held in her arms tiny little infant.
The man said: "You see that little doll
baby? 1t weighs just two pounds and a
half, and is two weeks old to-day" Tho
mother held the little innocent up and
balanced it on one hand. 1t was the
tiniest little thing imaginable. It's little
head was the size of base ball, and it
was covered with hair the color of its
mothers. It's little arms were as thick
as candle, and the color of a pink rose.
Its hands you could almost put ON an
old penny, and its feet could be almost
hid in the palm of ladys hand. Its
neck was two inches in diameter, and its
body about as thick around as q mans
forearm. 1t was sleeping. Its dress
was of white linen, and there is no
question but that it is the tiniest gypsy
in Christendom. The mother is q stout
healthy woman, about thirty-fve years
of age. She spoke pleasantly about her
little one, and said that by-and bye it
would take to growing, the same as any
thing else would after good rain fall.


Standing near the group of gypsy
women and children was very large
wagon. 1t looked much like one of
those beautiful affairs generally seen
with circus companies. 1t was open for
an airing. The sides were covered with
the most elegant blankets. The body
was large, and extended out over the
wheels. 1t was supported by heavy
springs. The wagon was fitted up as a
bedroom. 1t was as beautiful as a bridal
chamber, and Mrs. Guy smiled approx
ingly when the reporter mentioned the
comparison. eyes, sir" she said, "you
guessed it pretty WELL, That is our
bridal chamber-my husbands and
mine" A peep inside showed every
thing as neat and as clean as could be.
The bedstead was of walnut, and bed
ding of the finest linen. The walls were
ornamented, and the best kind of carpet
was on the floor. Looking glasses,
wardrobe, closets, dressing cases and
everything generally seen in first class
bedroom were there. The wagon was
specially built for the party in Freder-
ick, Nd, and cost 800 in cash. The
bedroom was divided off from the front
part of the wagon, which is occupied by
the drivers position. The leather cur
tains around the wagon were all thrown
up, and it seemed as if hotel bridal
chamber had been suddenly brought out
there. The wagon body outside is paint
ed and vanished in the most costly
manner, and the gliding and ornamental
work is very neat. The vehicle is large
and roomy, and seems much out of place
in the woods. The owner came along
shortly, and he expressed himself as fol
lows: "I live in the woods and move
around from one place to another. l
want to live with all the comforts I can
provide, and in that wagon my wife and
l sleep as good as the rest of the world. -
Everything about the wagon is fitted
up in the best of style, and the blankets,
sheets, counterpanes and pillow cases
were just as clean as could be. Many of
the blankets were dark, with gay
stripes. There were three other wagons
of the same pattern, but none Of them
were fitted up in so costly manner.
One large wagon had row of beds in it
made for the children.


Altogether about thirty horses were
tied to the trees about the camp. The
animals are young and in good condi-
ton. Several fine grayhounds were
sleeping under the trees and the children
were playing circus in a huge pile OF
hay, to the great JOY and delight of the
women who were watching them.


Mr.. McAnally said that there are few
real gypsies in America. The people
that come around here are South OF
England peasants The parents of some
of them may have been gypsies, but
they mixed their strain by yintermarryihe


with other people, so that now they


have nearly lost their name. Many il


the camp we're very dark complexioned


They all wintered in South Car >linp


where they have considerable money in


vested. When warm weather sets il


they come North to speculate in horses


and tell fortunes. The men are gener


ally tinkers by trade and the womel


peddle goods in small quantities ant


tell fortunes. They are smart and ex


pert in their business. They are gov


erned by the local laws of every com