I Was A Gypsy's Sweetheart 

by Author Unknown

Originally appearing in All Real Confession Magazine in 1949.

"If I can only get away from this miserable small town," I told myself as I watched the train turn the bend and flash towards me. "I want to travel—see things do things!" Every night found me at the little railroad station, my eyes filled with dreams of faraway places, and my heart filled with unrest.

Greg, ticket agent and the only man I had dated since graduating from High School, was at my side. "That's the Apple Blossom Express steaming in," he told me. "She's a beauty."

"Yes. I'd give anything, just anything to get on and go someplace!"

"You will someday, and I hope I'll be with you, Ruth." He took my hand and leaned over to kiss me. "I'll get a big raise, and we'll be married and take our honeymoon on the Apple Blossom Express.

"Someday isn't soon enough for me," I told him bitterly as the train slid before us. Greg left to return to his cage, and I stood dreaming as I watched the lighted windows that spelled fairyland to me.

Some of the passengers got off the train. I watched them enviously as I stood in the shadows. A voice brought me out of my dreams. "Do you like trains, little girl?"

I switched around and saw flashing white teeth and snapping fiery eyes in the darkness. "Why—why yes, I do," I answered. He was handsome in his leather jacket and colorful bandanna. "Are you a passenger?" I asked.

"Yes and no. No one knows I'm on the train but me." He laughed heartily. "You see, I'm a gypsy at heart, and when I hear a train whistle, it seems to be calling me, and I've got to get on—so I do—usually in the baggage car."

"Oh, how exciting! Train whistles call me, too." I watched his handsome sun-tanned face and his flashing eyes.

"Then what's stopping you? Come along tonight." He took my hand and kissed it. "I'd like a companion, little gypsy."

"No—no. I—I can't," I answered as I drew my hand away. His kiss seemed to burn into my hand.

"We'll see the country together. We'll travel from one ocean to the other—Florida, California, the Gulf of Mexico."

"No—no!" was all I could say. How I would love to join him and forget about this stuffy town I was trapped in—forget about Greg's eternal promises that never came true—forget everything but being a gypsy's sweetheart.

"All aboard! All aboard!" the conductor shouted, and the train whistle screeched. "I'll be back," the gypsy whispered in my ear. "Wait for me!"

Then he was gone, and the train sped past my hungry eyes. I watched it until it was out of sight.

"Who were you talking to?" Greg asked. "Do you know him?"

"No, I don't!" I answered sharply. "And who I talk to is my ownbusiness."

"Some pretty tough characters ride the rails, Ruth. I only want to warn you, that's all. Will you wait for me tonight? I'll be through in an hour."

"No, I won't wait for you, and you have no right to call someone you don't even know a tough character." I ran towards town, angry and hurt that Greg should think I was still a baby and unable to take care of myself. I wished I had joined the gypsy. Then I could see the world and not be told what to do and what not to do every minute.

In bed that night, I came to a decision. If the gypsy did come back (and I felt sure he would), I would join him. I would meet every train every night and watch for him. Adventure, love, travel was ahead of me, and I would take the opportunity and really live!

Two weeks later, he did come back. I stood in the same dark corner, and I heard the exact words, "Do you like trains, little girl?"

"Oh, you did come back!" I gasped. "I knew you would."

"'Course. I planned to go to the coast, but the memory of you haunted me—so I turned around and came back for you. Ready?"

"Yes, I'm ready." He took my hand and kissed it again. None of it seemed real. It was like a storybook romance. My handsome, dashing gypsy had returned for me.

"Stand here in the dark," he told me. "We can't get on until the last minute. Are you game?"

"Yes, I'm game," but my answer wasn't entirely true. I was afraid—terrified! What if Greg saw me and pulled me away? What if we got caught? I'd never live it down. My parents would never forgive me. Then I saw the gypsy's smile again, and his teeth flashed in the darkness. I heard the train whistle, and it called to me. I had to go!

He opened the sliding door of the baggage car, and we hopped in. "Duck back of that trunk," he ordered. I slid behind it and felt the train moving. After many minutes he called to me, and I stood up, feeling cramped and cold. "We're all right now. They don't come through until morning."

He lit a cigarette, and I saw his face clearly for the first time. It was etched with cruelty, and hard lines sprayed over it. He reached for my hand, and I jumped back, remembering Greg's words and warnings about tough characters. Somehow I'd have to get off the train and away from him.

"Come here, little girl," he said and reached for me again. Before he could finish his words, we heard voices and the door opening. Two men with lanterns entered. They flashed the yellow lights on our surprised faces. "Here they are! You were right, Benson."

The train ground to a stop from their signal. "What's your name, girl?" they asked me. I almost fainted with fear.

"You've got nothing on me." the gypsy answered. "I never saw her before in my life. She was hiding behind a trunk."

I gasped and ran for the door. With superhuman strength, I slid it open and leaped to the ground. I heard the trainmen talking, "Aw, let the kid go. She's heading for trouble fast. Nuthin' we can do..."

I ran and stumbled down the railroad track, heading for home as fast as I could go. My dreams of love and travel had suddenly turned into a horrible nightmare. The gypsy's face rose before me—his cheapness, cruelty... "Oh, Greg, Greg," I cried. "Will you ever forgive me?"

Somehow I managed to reach the town. I saw the station lights before me. It was a welcome beacon to my tired eyes. Greg would still be working. I had to see him and feel his warm concern and love for me once again. I needed his protection always—if he would only take me back!

I stood at the window a long time, watching Greg close up the ticket office. He snapped off the lights and came on the platform. "Greg," I called.

"He saw me and took me in his arms. "Where have you been?" he asked. "I watched for you after the express pulled out."

"Greg, please forgive me. I ran away but came back to you as fast as I could."

"You—you went with that gypsy character?" His arms relaxed.

"Yes. You were right, Greg. He—he was awful! I couldn't even kiss him or stand him near me."

Greg's laugh echoed up and down the platform. "You silly kid. 'Course I forgive you. It's a miracle you didn't get into some real trouble." He looked deep into my eyes. "I've got news, Ruth. That raise came through today, and we're going to be married and get on the Apple Blossom Express next week."

"Oh, Greg. I almost lost you. Hold me close, and don't ever let me go."

His kiss told me we would never be part.

END