Rensselaer Union, Volume 6, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 August 1874 — A Gypsy Divorce. [ARTICLE]

A Gypsy Divorce.

A camp of gypsies is near Washington, and a llrpubliam reporter lias visited it and talked with Gitana, a gypsy maiden. We quote: “We suppose you are human beings, and have to get divorced?” “Sometimes; hut it’s a dreadful tiling with us to get divorced. It causes grief and mourning, aud blood lias to he sited." “Well, pray tell us how you get divorced?” “ I know I am talking too much;” and the Gitana trembled as she spoke; hut a half-dozen bright silver quarters thrown into her lap seemed to give her assurance. “I know I am talking too much, hut I’ll toll you. It is this way: When a man and his wife are to be separated, it is done by the sacrifice of a horse. “ One is picked out which is entirely sound and free-front a bruise or even a scratch, and lie is led out to the spot where the divorce is to take place, and exactly at twelve o’clock. The men cast lots for the one who shall kill the horse, and for this occasion he is the priest. The priest takes a long pole in his hand and walks around the horse several times, and in a loud voice praises his good qualities and names all the persons who have owned it. “The horse is then led into the tent of the woman who is to he divorced. If he kicks round and jumps about the woman has been very had; if he keeps quiet she lias not been so bad. The priest then takes a large knife and stabs the horse to the heart, and when it is stretched out on the ground the husband takes his place on one side of it and the wife on the other. They joinTiands across Hie horse, and repeat some sentences in the gypsy langtmge. They then walk three times around the horse in opposite directions. “The last time, when at the head ot the lnjirse, they face each other and speak, and do the same thing at the tail. They again sltake hands and separate, one going north and the other south. She never marries again, and has to wear a mourning veil, and big shoes on her feet. The heart of the horse is' then taken out, roasted, sprinkled with brandy, and eat•en by the husband and his frje'nds. The horse is then buried on the spot. The husband can marry again.”,