An Initiated Tramp.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3089, 11 January 1879, Page 1

An Initiated Tramp.

We have before maintained that the tramps scouring about the country are a regularly organised fraternity, having a general understanding with one another, and having a ritual of questions and answers. Their uniform appearance, their periodical visits to the same localities, their regular calls at the same houses where they have before procured food, all point to this. Sheriff Walls of this city has found curious emblems about them, has studied their character, and listened to their conversation, until be can tell a regularly initiated tramp from an impostor. The following amusing and instructive dialogue took place between the sheriff and one of *> squad of tramps recently committed to gaol :— " From whence came you P " "From a,town in New York called Jerusalem."

" What's your business here P " " To learn to subdue my appetite, and to sponge my living from an indulgent public." ••Then you are a regular tramp, I presume P " " I am so taken and accepted wherever I go." "How am I to recognise you at a tramp P" ■ "By the largeness of my feet and general carnivorous appearance." " How do you know yourself to be a tramp P" "In seeking food, by being often denied, but ready to try again." " How gained you admittance to this town?" " By a good many long tramps.". " How were you received f " "On the end of a night policeman's billy presented i.o my head." "How did the policeman dispose of youP" " He took me seven times around the town to the south, east and west, where he found the t.ity Marshal, Police Judge, and the jailor, where a great many questions were asked."> " What advice did the judge give you ? " " He advised me to walk in upright, regular steps, and to renounce tramp, ing." " Will you be off or from ? " " With your permission I'll be off very quick P" ''Which way are you travellingP" .bast. ••' Of what are you in pursuit P" " Work—which by my own endeavours and the assistance of others, I hope I shall never be .able to find."

" My friend you are now at an institution where the wicked are always trouble* some and the w;eary are as bad as the rest. You will now be conducted to the middle chamber by a flight of winding stairs consisting of five or more steps. Instead of corn, wine and oil—the wages of the ancients—yours will be bread and water for five days. When your company escape from this place, divide yourselves into parties of three each, take a bee line for Portland or Bangor where in the winter they usually run free soup houses, and you may be pardoned on condition of your never returning." (Pointing to Edmunds, the turnkey.) Follow your conductor and fear no danger—if you behave yourself."—(Exchange).