State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-06-14
Miscellany.
the Life of Distressed Gentleman
SCENES IN THE LOMDARDS.

the Life of a Distressed Gentleman
SCENES IN THE LOMDARDS.
To one who would study human nature,
\ especially in its darker features, there is no
i better field of observation than among these
pawnbroker's shops.
In a iiequented establishment, each day
untolds an ample catalogue of sorrow,
misery and guilt, developed in forms and
. combinations almost innumerahIc; and if
4 the history of each customer could be
known, the result would he such cata-
4 logue as would scarcely he surpassed even
by the records of police office or prison.
4 Even my brief stay while arranging for the
redemption of Dr. Wheelright's personals,
afforded materials, as indicated in the Iast
chapter, for much and painful meditation
had scarcely made my business known,
at the first of my uncle's' establishments
TO which had been directed, when a mid
die aged man entered with bundle, on
which he asked a small advance, and which
on being opened, was found to contain Il
shawl and two or three other articles OF
female apparel. The man was stout and
sturdy and judged from his appearance,
IL mechanic but the mark of the destroyer
i was on his hloated countenance, and i'll his
n heavy, stupid eyes. lntemperance had
3 marked him for his own. The pawnbrokcr
was yet examining the offered pledge, when
& Il woman whose pale face and attenuated
form bespoke long and intimate acquaiut-
ance with sorrow, came hastily into the
shop, and with the single exclamation, 81
81 Robert p darted rather than run to that part
T. ofthe counter where the uau was standing.
Words We're not wanting to explain her
story. Her miserable husband not satisfied
with wasting his oWn earnings, and leaving
her to slarve with her children, had de-
seconded to the meanncss OF plumber
lug even her scanty wardrobe, and the pit
lance for the obtaining Of which this robbie
~ would furnish means, was destined to
be squandered at the tipping house. A
blush of shame rose even upon his degrad-
ed face, but it quickly passed away; the
brute appetite prevailed, and the better feel
ing that had apparently stirred within him
for the moment, soon gave way before his
deceased and insatiate cravings.
"Go home," was his harsh and angry
exclamation "what brings you here, run
ming after me with your everlasting scod-
ing .go home and mind your own bust
ness" "Oh Robert dear Robert" answer
I ed the unhappy wife, "don't pawn my
shawl. Our children are crying for bread,
and have none to give them. Or let me
have the money; it is hard 10 part with
that shawl for it was my mothers gift; but
I | will let it go rather than see my children
starve. Give me the money, Robert, and
don't leave us TO perish" | watched the
face of the paWnhroker to see what effect
. this appeal would have upon him, but
watched in vain. lie was hardened to dis
'ress, and had 10 sympathy to throw away
arr ,,,nIyn Chi IIinuS an tbastl tliDos - bp Il
tossing them back 10 the drunkard, with a
look Of perfect Indifference.
"Only twelve shilingsw murmured the
hcart-broken wife, in tone Of despair -
80 Robert, don't let them go for twelve
shillings. Let ne try somewhere else"
Nonsense" answered the brute. "lt's
as much rs they are worth, SUPPOSE
Here, Mr. Crimp, give us the change"
The money was lilaced before him, and
the bundle consigned to drawer. The
= poor woman reached forth her iland toward
the silver, but the movement was anticipa
ted by her husband. "There Mary" ht
said, giving her half IL dollar, 'therc, g
home now, and don't make fuss. I'm
going little way up the street, and per
haps III bring you something from market
when come home"
The hopeless look ofthc poor woman, a
she meekly turned to the door, told plainI,
enough how little she trusted to this ambig
u0us promise. They went on their way
she to her furnishing children, and he Il
Fquander the dollar lie had obtained at tn
next den of intemperauce,
While this little scene was in progress
another had been added to the number @
spectators. This was Il young man, dresse
in the height of the fashion, that is TO ST.,
in a be-irogged and be-laccd frock cos
with standing collar, pair of Cossnc
n pantaloons tapering down TO the foot wit
notch cut in the front for the instep, an
hat about twice us large At the crown as I
the rim, much resembling in shape an in
vcrted sugar loaf. with the smaller end CT
nway. tie had reckless, dare devil, goo
HUNDRED look, aud very much the air {
what is called ia young man about town;
= that is, one who rides oUt to Cuto'S ever
ntternoon, eats oyster slippers NJ Windusl
every night after the play, and spends III
rest of the time and his money at billiard
! had cast my eye upon him occasional
during the affair Of the shawl, and saw thi
ke took deep interest IN the d-term
ustion The moment the woman was gon
he twitched fror' his neck a gold Chain,
the end Of which was a sma Il gold waite
and placing il in the hands OF the paw
brookcr, with which he seemed TO be G
terms Of acquaintance, exclaimed, "Quc
( now, Crimp, thirty dollars on that; YOU,
had it before aud needn't stop 10 eXamir
it,"
The money WINS instantly produced an
paid over and the young man of tasho
crumpiing the notes up in his hand ran q
at full speed, first looking up and the
down the street in manner that gave II
suspicion as TO lbe cause Of his haste.
took the lhcry Of following him to Il
door, and wns in abundant lime 10 see n