The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-03-25
THE PAWNBROKER'S SHOP.


being yourself observed.
Did you ever look upon worse express
sion of face, than belongs TO that hard-lln-
ed and sickly-c olored coun,enance behind
the counter? Ho is the master in this den
and that i'll looking boy beside hin-the
wretched copy Of wretched originals
his son. They are looking out for their
prey.
They have not had long 10 wait. Tha,
pretty, melancholy looking girl, that stop
ped for moment hesitatng Y, before she
ascendcd the steps, is coming in. See
with what woe-oegone look she takes
that small parcel from under her shawl a.
how slowly and despondngly she unties
it.. Hush! she is going TO speak. Did
you ever hear a more plaintive voice z
"Wbs, can you let me have on these 2"
"Let's soc. Two tea spoons, silver
thmble, and some other nicknscks. Well,
| suppose | must let you have three shil-
iIngs," 800,
"Thrco shillingsl The spoons are silver,
sir, and hosvy. Surely, you can
"Teo Gpoons ore drug in the market,
child; perfect drug; can't get them of
my hOnds;"
"My poor, poor mother! She is so ILL., sir;
have worked so hard to save her from
starving, nm sure you'll give more"
"Humph! very like starving this A sill
yer thImblo, and silver spoons"
"Alas, sir. If you know where these cana
from, you would not think il strange that
We were leth to part with them. Ny poor
brother spent his last shilling to buy them
for us Just before he went on board the
Hornet. But hsl nevor return again"
(sighiug deeply as she said it. tJ-"he'I nev'
return again, to know that they wen: to
tho pawnbroker's."
"Aud if no did, you're not tho 6rst thai,
has brought some fools keepsake TO me-"
"Gve me trihe more, sir; for my moth
er's sake. She has been lying 10 fever
these ten days"
whats your mother and her fever to
me DO you think nobody ever had a
sick mother but yourself:"
"I'ye worked day and night for her.
I'vs seweI shirts for mr.. Levi Vt eight cts.
piece. whom he would give no more; but
oil WON'T do. There's the Doctors Dill 10
pay, and our rent coming due to'nor-
row.
"I can't waste my tina with you. III
gvo you four shillings; and if you dom,
choose 10 take it. why 20 about your bust
ness, aud mako room for that man behind
you"
\ "Well, cir, if 7 must
"There's your money. Now, don't stay
whining und sghing there. Make room"
Now we shall have scene ofa differ
ent stamp. Look at that red faced, blus,
; erng man that pushed tho poor girl so
rudely aside. Listen to that horse laugh.
"Ay, ay! trickcd her nicely, by C..
She began long sermon about my going
to the alehouse, hal haI us if nobody's hus
band ever got little merry but her own
talking about her -squalling brats
that neger leave mo moments peace III
my own house. But tricked her!"
"You did 2"
GAY, first rate! She had just begun long
rgmarole about these Id temperance
: societies, talked about reforming and stay
ing at home, and teaching little Dick his
letters."-
"ThNts slwnys the way with these WON,
, en-. When mans fairly tied to them
they think he has nothing better to 10 thar
0 to sill at home, like dull ass, and attend
I to them and their plaques Of children
' Don't know them?"
y "Ay, guess sou do, neighbor Clutchall
= You've had your curtain lectures too.
'But tie trek you played her"
a "Ah, ] had almost forgot that. Well
a on she went with her scrmenizing, Ill
o thinks ]. you shall pay for this or my nam,
d is not Jack idlesot. So Just as she turne,
s round to undress the baby and put il to bed
h | made a snatch at her comb-th,s one w
h got here-and made one Jump to the door
d There hung shawl she had borrowed tn
l. day before other sister to help her through
IS this bitter cold weather; this same shaw
that you see. wrapped the comb up il
n il; and, says TO her, that's what you ge
: for your sermons. This is good warn
: shawl and good tortoise shell comb; an
" since can have no peace here. these wi
a boy mo good drink and good compan
- somewhere else She s,orned and ravct
but locked her in, and here am. Wha
" will you give for them:"
i "But the shawl is not yours
u "Whai the devil does that signify;
re won't sell the worse for that. will III Kee
! your counsel, and III keep mine"
"Why-l have my scruples. can't rc
X concle il to my conscience to give muc
a for what's not mans own; but III len
If you six shllings on IT,"
Or "Thc devil you will. It's handsom
new Merino shawl. Look at il. Tw
~ yards square and more. It's worth 81
I'd good dollars"
k. "hnd il your sister wore 10 trace il 4,
m my shop,snd swear 70 il as stolen goods
"Put II in your back cellar. and the de'
il himself wont find il there"
As ats a risk, any how. | can't give yo
T. moro than seven shillings on it, as I'm q