Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-05-23
THE MONEY BROKER:
OR,
A MIsER REFORMED.
A TALE OF WONANS INFLUENCE.
BE MRS. MSTSE1.
CHAPTER |.

SlA-hA AIi$ A'
\ money broker can tell you many IN un-
written history Down in that lane, IN dingy
back room in his shop. The entrance to it is
through harrow entry, and the front window
, of that entry he hires to ulacard such notices
as the following: "Uncurrent money wanted"
" Cash paid for old gold and silver jewelry,
&c" "Money to loan on good security, &C.,
, &C." all of which attract many wayward
travellers observation. Let Us enter this shop
An old man Is sitting at the desk apparently
figuring some interest which clerk is about t"
pay him. We know not the history OF the al
fair, but the money broker says, "be careful and
avoid such scrapcs in future, young man" and
with sudden jerk, as if afraid Of encountering
a friend, he hes into the street. The old man
next takes an inventory his donbloons, what
curious visage he has: His hair is gray aud
short: his nose is sharp and thin; his eyes arc
protected by set of green goggles. He has 4
sharp voice, seems rather pctuant, but mode
rates his tones when abe ut to accommodate i
customer. He is always dressed in holden
grey presume he is bachelor; certainly
he has not grown old before his time, and if
the family record would not make him sixty
five or six, | am no prophet. For years he has
occupied this same shop; once it was depot
for lottery tickets, but the old man scouts such
things now. He has drawn and lost enough
no, to keep him even with the world. So h'
sits now with his hour glass before him, ami a
dozen or two old silver watches pledged as
cultqtcral Like the sands in his hour.g lass he
runs down, and winds himself up again. lie
! hears the curses of many npou whom he has
prrycd, Lnt what cares he! there is always q
set of new victims.
All day he is sullen and still; he seldom
! Laughs, but now and then emts cackle which
is scarcely human, but goes for a. laugh. and
that is always with some brother in his craft,
who understands secrets.
Singularly enough, the old money broker be
came my ncighhor There was dark gloomy
old house, written upon it "ro Let" which
haunted my vision from an opposite window
for weeks. Nobody ever came to look at it
bat the same old Broker and evidently there
was Il kink in his head about rc.lctting it ut an
advance His trade brought him acquainted
with these premises, the whole appearance OF
which was so antiqne, so like himself, no won.
der he re- ,tcd it, rcserving one low room in tire
upper story t" himself suppose it is but fair
to explain here how the Broker and became
acquainted. Upon my list of worthy beneficial
res WAS a poor lone widow, for whom pro-
vidcd house and food 1t had long been my
desire to place her near me, so yon may be
sure daily scrutnzed my neighbor's move
ments to ascertain the probabilities of my sue
cerding in securing room for my friend. l
| called on him on" rainy morning as saw him
opening his window-shutters. lie was attired
II, long flannel gown, which was once green,
but WAS now sadly faded, and apologiziny for
not having made his toilet, he invited me in his
den. At il side table he was slipping a cup of
coffee from a cracked cup and broken SANGER;
herring lay upon plate. and bakers roll
aud took n "chnp" down in tnwn for dinner.
He seemed gracious, and soon begged to know
if had any par'ir~lw business. made it
known, and he seemed pleased at the idea Of
renting another room in this gloomy place |
secured it, and soon PLACID the widow within my
vision. She used to tell the queer stories about
the old Broker. She said one day in passing
up stairs he let Mexican dollar fall, and she
handed it to him. "II,at,' said he, sis some
rent have just been collecting for a friend |
was going to my room to get the balance. |
never keep money about me, nor in my room
it is entcing to thieves silver and gold belong
to banks; brokers only handle other peoples
money" That he was lover of gold, howev-
er, nobody could doubt. Tables of discounts
hung round his room; bank note detectors were
his pictures, aud Franklin's maxim hung over
his mantepecc-'be sure andnerer bny thing
because il is chsap,' was scored and diligently
studied.
The old man was brought homo one day in
carriage, and helped up stairs! Women are
curious, am ready to acknowledge, and |
icigned an excuse to call upon the widow, and
ascertain what had happened. 1t seems that
he had felland dislocated his ankle! lie would
have no physician, but somehow twltched it in
place himself, bandaged it, and sat in his easy
chair
When tapped at his door, the come III he
hallowed had kind of welcome in its tome
81 was hoping" he said, "somc one would call
who would do me the favor to take this key to
my landlord. shall close the shop for some
weeks, perhaps months and it may be that |
never shall want it again. was thinking pre-
vious to my accident, this room would do just
as we'll for my customers they will Ind me
any where, for want always seeks money, go
where you will. May beg the favor, Mrs.,
of you to do this crrand!" took the key and
gave it to William, who left it with the land.
lord. could not, however, fail to feel interest
cd i'm the moor relic of humanity mere shred