Passing of the Gypsy

1896

Romany Ryes Gradually Disappearing From the Haunts of Man.

The gradual disappearance and extinction of that picturesque vagabond, the genuine, simon pure gypsy, has caused much comment, but the reason for the dying out of the old race is somewhat difficult to find. There are probably more roving, wandering vagabonds in the world today than ever before, but a real Romany is seldom found even in England, where he formerly flourished. In this country real gypsies were never numerous and are today less so than ever before. They are occasionally met with, but the bands are either very small, or are composed of horse trading scamps and fortune telling "fakirs," who have not a drop of the Romany blood in their veins.

In the old days the gypsy impressed himself and his personality on the literature and the art of the countries in which he roamed. It was a poor novel that did not introduce a gypsy fortune teller, and a poor play that did not have at least one child stolen by gypsies, while the artists fairly reveled in studies and sketches of gypsy maidens. But the gypsies of today do not indulge in any child stealing proclivities, although they occasionally make a "bluff" at telling fortunes. As for the children, they usually have enough of their own not to bother their heads and risk their liberty by stealing those of other people.

A band of gypsies which appeared in the province of Quebec the other day actually tried to sell their own children, arguing that times were so poor that they were no longer able to provide for the little ones. So it can readily be seen that the day of the gypsy is past. If he ever had any usefulness, he has long ago outlived it. — Troy Times.