Cheraw gazette and Pee Dee farmer. [volume] (Cheraw S.C.) 1838-1839, 1839-04-03
THE PAWN BROKER.
A SCENE FROM REAL LIFE.

visiting the Pawn Brokers shop inr t,,e
purpose of redeeming some articles le't by
an unfortunate friend, the following circun-
stance arrested my attention:
A middle aged man, entered with Dun.
de on which he asked smail advance.
and which, on being opened was touad 20
contain shawl. and two or three other ar,
ticles of female apparel. The man WAS
stout and sturdy, as judge from his ap~
pearance, mechanic, bu! The mark of tn"
destroyer was his bloatcd coun:enance
and his heavy stupid eyes. In'"mpcrance
had marked him for his own. The pawn
broker was yet examing the offered pladge,
when Il woman. whose pale face and atten~
uated form bespoke long and intimate &C.
quaintance with sorrow, came hastily into
the shop, and with The single exclamatien'
"Oh Robert" darted rather than run, to
that part Of the counter whether the man
was standing. Words were not wanted TO
explain her story; her miserable husband
not satisfied with wasting his own earnings,
and leaving her to starve with her children,
had descended to the means Of plundering
even her scanty wardrobe, and the pittance,
for obtaining of which this robbery would
furnish means, was destined to be squan.
dered at the tipping house. A blush OF
shame arose even upon his degraded face
but it quickly passed away, the brutal appe.
tito prevailed, and the better feeling that had
apparently stirred within him for the mo.
ment, soon gave way before its diseased
and Insulated cravings.
Go hone," was his harsh and angry cx-
cIamalion p; What brings you here, running
after me with your everlasting scolding -
Go home and mind your own business"
"Oh Robert, dear answered the unhappy
wife, "don't pawn my shawl" Our chill.
dren are crying for bread and | have none
to give them. Oh let me have the money
it is hard to part with that shawl, for 1t was
my mo!her's gift but will lei it 60 rather
than see my children slarve. Give me the
money, Robert, and d~n't leave US 10 per.
ish.
watched the face of the pawn broker,
to see what effect this appeal would have
upon him but watched in vain. He was
hardened to distress and no sympathy to
throw away, "Twelve shlllings on these, d
he said, tossing them back 10 the drunkard
with look Of perfect Indifference.
"Only twelve shillings!" murmured the
heart broken wife, in tone Of despair
"Oh Robert don't let them 60 for twelve
shilngs. Let me try some where else.
"Nonsense," answered the brute. ut is
as much as they're worth suppose. Here
Mr.. Crimp, give US the change"
The money was placed beforo him, and
! the bundle consigned to drawer. The
woman reached forth her hand towards the
silver, but the movement wns anticipated
by her husband. "There Mary" he said
giving her half dollar, "lhere, 60 hom'
now and don't make a fuss. I'm going ;
little way up the street, and perhaps ma,
! bring you something from market when
come home.
The hopeless look Of the poor woman, a
she meekly turned to the door told plalnI!
enough how little she trustad to this ambIs
uous promise. They went on their way
she to her furnishing children, and he Il
squander the dollar he had retained.