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Show TRAMPS AND THEIR SIGNS. Jim Ward, who signs himself "Chief," writes to the Troy Times, "I have just returned to your city, after a tour of exploration down south lasting several months, and reading in your paper of January 21st, an article on tramps and their marks, I desire to be allowed as an old veteran of that "honorable" body known as the "tramp organization" to correct a few mistakes I claim that the tramps were the originators fo the mystic marks which have so frequently adorned fences gate posts, and doors, although it is ?? that soap-agents-members of another branch of the tramp organization, have since adopted these marks for business purposes. When tramping was good, and that was some years ago, it was understood by us that all houses where the inmates were good for food, clothing, or money, were to be marked in order to give us little trouble when we wanted anything. Where only a meal could be obtained this fact was ?? by a small square; where a follow would get the grand bounce an X expressed it, and for clothing he was directed by an XX. Money houses were marked $; a house where the inmates were friendly, but the dog unfriendly, was marked by a great big D. But at the present day tramps are not guided by these marks, as there are few houses where tramps are regularly fed. The tramp here is now played out, but whatever may be said against the tramp, it cannot be denied that he has made his mark in the world." |