UNDERSTOOD BY TRAMPS
Hieroglyphics proper, the glory of ancient Egypt, are now chiefly used by tramps and casual beggars. They have a complete code of picture symbols. The chalk rmrks one occas : onally sees, on gates and dead walls bear mystic l meanings understood by the begging j fraternity. The figure X signifies that 1
■ the inhabitants of the house or village : are either too poor or toj knowing tc . i bestow alms on the “casua's.” A dia- ; \ mond-shaped sign, on the contrary, en- • j courages the wayfarer io beg. A ; wedge-shaped mark ind entes that too ; 1 many tramps have already called, and j
• | thus spoilt the chance of those follow:I mg them. A square advises a tramp • to hurry on his if he does not want to be locked up, and a circle with „ n dot inside is a warning that a “month Min quod” may be exp-.cted by iash 1 j mendicants.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NEM19380607.2.35
Bibliographic details
Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 7 June 1938, Page 4
Word Count
155UNDERSTOOD BY TRAMPS Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 7 June 1938, Page 4
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