“It may be as well,” writes the informant in question, “before submitting the following account, to state that there are other, and more elaborate marks—the hieroglyphics of tramping—than those already given. I will accordingly explain them.
“Two hawkers (pals) go together, but separate when they enter a village, one taking each side of the road, and selling different things; and, so as to inform each other as to the character of the people at whose houses they call, they chalk certain marks on their door-posts:
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means ‘Go on. I have called here; don’t you call—it’s no go.’
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means ‘Stop—you may call here; they want’ (for instance) ‘what you sell, though not what I sell;’ or else, ‘They had no change when I was there, but may have it now;’ or, ‘If they don’t buy, at least they’ll treat you civilly.’
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