Added to the charm and mystery of having one's fortune told is the great pleasure which may be derived from having it told by a gypsy, even though she may be an amateur.

An hour of amusement may be passed very delightfully in this way, provided the hostess can make the necessary arrangements with some quick-witted, bright young girl, who will be willing to take the part of the gypsy. Several days before the evening's entertainment the hostess should give her friend a list of the expected guests, with a few notes concerning their traits of character, environment, etc., and these suggestions, in addition to the knowledge of the persons which she possesses, and her own inventiveness, will give her an excellent opportunity apparently to look back in the past, and forward to the future—especially if she happen to discover that any engaged couples are to be present. The gypsy should arrive at the house of the hostess a little early on the evening of the entertainment, and be shown to an up-stairs room to don her gypsy attire. She should then descend to the dimly-lighted parlor and seat herself in readiness for the guests when they shall arrive.

As the guests arrive and remove their wraps they should be received and greeted in the library or reception-room, and the hostess should then announce that a gypsy is in the parlor. Having learned in some way that there was to be a large party there, she has begged the privilege of coming in to tell fortunes for the pretty ladies, so that she might earn a few pennies. The guests repair to the dimly-lighted parlor, where the gypsy is seated. As each guest advances and seats himself, the gypsy takes the extended right hand and reads the lines—improvising as she does so in broken English.