GIPSY MAGIC

Evening Star, Issue 22720, 6 August 1937, Page 1

GIPSY MAGIC

MAKING “PLANETS WORK" FARMER WHO PAID £3lO A 78-year-old farmer, standing up in the witness box at Milnethorpe, near Kendal. Westmoreland, told how he paid £3lO to a gipsy to “ raaike the planets work ” and to gain the, friendship of a young nurse who sometimes passed his cottage. “ I was foolish and was led like a lamb to the slaughter,” ho said in cross-examination. Mrs Mary Duckworth, a hawker, was charged with stealing by a trick from Edward Thompson Dickinson, of Bose Cottage, Clawthorp, Burton, £3lO, five watches, and , other articles. She was- also charged with using a crystal to deceive and impose /On him. Dickinson, a widower, said that when the gipsy called at his cottage he told her he would like the nurse to look after him.

The gipsy said she would consult the planets and bring the nurse back for him.

She produced a glass crystal, asked for £lO to cover it, and asked him to put his left hand on the. crystal. Ho gave her the money.

“ A few clays later she said she wanted £2OO, as the planets would not work for £lO. I drew the £2OO from the hank and gave it to her when she called the following week. She called again and wanted another £IOO, os the planets were not working very. well. I gave it to her. “ She told me she would bring the money back on June 15 if the nurse was not friendly by that time.” Mr Dickinson said that after consulting the police ho wont with them to a gipsy encampment at Applebv Fair, wiiere the gipsy handed the police the money and other articles. Mi’s Duckworth told the court that she did it for a “ lark.” She had no intention of keeping the money. The charge of stealing was dismissed, hut Mrs Duckworth was fined £ls for using a crystal.