Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-07
TRAMPs AND TRAMPS.
How Vagrancy Is Reduced to Fine
! Art.

| From the London Express
There are tramps and tramps, just as
there is work US masters and work US mas
tiers. There is as much difference atween
the amachure or moo beginner an the
reg'lar professional as there is atween chalk
an milk
The speaker was bronze browed, time
torn, storm stressed person, who in his
own peculiar calling stood unrivaled. AS
he took pains to explain, he was born
tramp, reared tramp, and thoroughly
nodded, by taste and circumstance, into
perfect specimen of the genus. 1t was his
proud boast that he knew every highroad
In the kingdom, and that there was no
workhouse master but had greeted him as
guest.
I overlook him on his way to the work
house which serves Maidstone and the sur
rounding district ITS mistake to run
away thinking as we folks is set OF empty
noodles. We have somethin' In our brain
pans what the world don't give us alf
enough credit for. Proper Migrants. as
they call us, is well up In the worlds 'ap-
penings. We read the newspapers, an that's
an eddication in itself.
"Wot's our stock in trader" He repeated
the question. stopped suddenly, and stared
thoughtfully up at the blue. I see per-
lice officer told the beak (magistrate) in an
East London court that he'd found road
map on one Of us. l laughed when read
1t till thought 1 would ave died. Why.
them maps Is one of our cherished institu-
lions. I've got one myself. Seer!
He gave a rapid glance around to make
sure that he was not overlooked Then he
drew from the breast pocket OF the ragged
garment which once had been a coat
greasy, foul odored packet, and handed 1t
to me for my inspection 1t contained Gu
rious documents. Each page did duty for
some special tract of county. A long, curl
l fxl~ xryIf1 tho
offshoots were indicated BY lines sweeping
off at variety of angles. For all the
world it was like fshbone worked IN
charcoal. The first of the series-the one
which was evidently then in use-bore at
the foot the legend:
THIS RODE LEDs FROM SEVEN
OAKS"
At irregular intervals there appeared
number Of mystic symbols such as a cross,
reaping hook. a triangle. cross within
circle and a square. The translation OF
these characters Is quite simple to the
scientific vagrant. The cross marks the
habitation of the uncharitable; the reaping
hook, the pedlars paradise; the triangle.
the house which has been surfeited by
tramps; the circle and cross, the abode of
religious people who are kind to the de-
serving, but severe and uncompromising
toward impostors; the square-a symbol
with a meaning borrowed from Freema-
sonry-marks the residence OF people who
can always be relied upon to assist the tired
wayfarer who can tell the tale
"Sell 1t? Not likely!" said the model
tramp as he clutched eagerly at the packet
and replaced It in his breast pocket We've
trouble enough to get 'em, an they're USE
fuller than you can think You can copy
EN-. at price. If you so wish. There re amt
draws 'em out, an then sells the right to
a tracing.
"Of course, they Amt so much use I'M
less you've got some experience. There's
cfC oo RI ia Kind houSQ
that's meant an in most cases the crosses
squares and whatnots is pencilled In chalk
upon the 'ouses themselves.
"But there's q good deal more as real
wagralt must understand. - For instances
there's the casuals. Why, workuses is
among the most unreliable OF 'uman insti-
tutions. Now, the one I m goin' to used to
be AL. You'd spend your night, ave
good feed an of next morning like bird.
But It's all changed now" He sighed ut
the contrast between the new and the good
In an iron cage. and get precious little for
1t, too. Oh. I've 'eerd lot about It, but
as ain't been there for years. an as the
master there don't know me. I'm 'oping to
get OF cheap. Besides, guess I'm bit of
an invalid.
His face heightened and settled into
iudicrous expression of lugubriosity. His
gait changed into an uncertain halt, and
a string OF unmefodious groans escaped his
lips. ..Wot do you think of that. gov'nor.
for q bit of acting? he said, adding. with
q twinkle In his eyes, "a tramp wot sue
ceeds has to be as clever as any actor on
the boards. You ave to judge character
pretty smartly, too. Sometimes yer've to
be az merry as g. fish on hook. and, some
times - gloomy as Nebuchadnezzar his
self
.sTalkin' OF casuals- Ciitheroe used to be
champion. AZ q country souse-a sort of
fresh air retreat--it were Al at LIoyd's. The
solitary cell business an starvation diets
done for Il. At one time so MANY of US
went there, an made 1t our recruffn' 'ome
that II war actually. proposed ~ hill