The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-10-08
~ am Nellie Lee, sir" replied the apparition
.s and I'm in paWnn

" In what Z" j exclaimed, under the lnpres.
sion that must have been deceived in the alb
surd statement had just heard.
"In pawn. SIR she repeated, as simply as if
she was saying that che was in bed.
"And who put you in pawn, in the name of all
the Medicis, may I ask 2" said, scarcely able to
keep my conntenance.
Father pawned me for money to buy paints"
answered this most extraordinary deposit; "and
I'm 50 lonesome-oh, you can't think ~
What is your respectable parent, may l in.
quire?"
&" He's an artist, sir, and he has Just got an
order, sir, and he wanted money for the canvass
and the paint to finish the picture. He paints
beautiful pictures; indeed he does"
She seemed 50 anxious about my doubling her
fathers ability that smiled a sort of assent,
| a. if were perfectly convinced of rare talent,
and was intimately acquainted with the merit
of every one of his productions.
"Where do they keep you," 1 asked, half Jest.
ingly for it all was SO like vaudeville that l
expected every moment to hear some unseen au-
dience spplauding the performance DO they
put you in the safe with the jewelry, or lay you
on the shelves with the gowns and coats"
Ono, sir, live up stairs with Mrs. Levi.
Father will come though in a few days. with
the money and redeem me-"
| All this as seriously as if it was the common
est thing in the world for distressed fathers to
pawn their children and keep their duplicates in
their vaistcoat pockets.
"Have you ever been in pawn before, Miss Mel
| lie Lee?"
"Oh, yes, sir. Father painted the Seven
Sleepers Of Ephesus' with what he got on me
last fall"
This was really more than I could stand I
| lay back on the old hair.bottom sofa and reared
| with laughter. The deposit stood before me
| with grave and patient denanor, neither sur.
prised at my merriment nor apparently thinking
that there was anything singular in her position
"You say that you play chess" 1 said, at last
checking my merriment by great effort out of
respect to the fair face and beautiful eyes that
| saw before me. Would you like to play a
game?"
"Oh, yes" answered the deposit, 81 should
| like it very much. You can't think"
We sat down to play chess. don't know how
| long we were at it; but this do know, that if
Mr.. Levi had not disturbed Us, it would
have continued probably to the present day.
ton. Then pause, during which the blue eyes
| seemed to be intently studying the board, and
| mine were intently studying the blue eyes. Then
| more conversation, until at last rival forces on
the Rajah's ivory battlefield got in such state of
confusion that I believe Herr Harwitz would
have become lunatic the first glance he cast
upon them.
As for me thought of nothing but the simple
beautiful young creature who sat opposite to me,
and in spite of myself, visions of such being
moving about my lonely chambers. making
gloomy gay and causing the bachelors barren
life to bourgeon and bloom like the dry rod of
| the high priest
| In the midst of all this came Mr.. Levi with
my five dollars and duplicate for the chess.
board. He seemed rather astonished at the
intimacy which had been so suddenly estab-
lished between myself and his deposit.
"Mr. Levi" said to him, II had no idea
that you lent money on this species of personal
| security. L have rich old uncle, who won t die
and leave me my share of his property, that l
would be very glad to raise something on. How
much will you give me on him2 He's in an
excellent state of preservation, and served in the
last war;
"Oh !" he replied, laughing, without paying
any attention to my proposed avuncular ex-
change, "Nellie Lees capital girl, and it's
sometimes as we'll that she should be away from
her father. He" and here he made an ex.
| pressive pantomne suggestion of rum.
looked at Nellie. Her large eyes were filled
with tears.
Don't be angry with me- Nellie" continued
the pawnbroker, kindly. "You know he has
very bad habits, or you would not be here My
wife is very fond of her, Mr.. Papilotte, and for
that matter her father adores her, and as he nev-
er will finish any of his pictures without the
spur OF some terrible necessity, we contrive to
get him to put Nellie in what he calls pawn. and
then he Is sure to work to get money to redeem
her. Nellie, child, don't cry"
went to the poor child and took her hand
| gently in my own.
Nellie Lee" said, "you love your father
very much"
She nodded her head and shook off tear or
two that fell upon my hand.
81 1t is but right that you should do SO. You
are in strange position here. Your father is
not tit to be your guardian, and you will not al.
| ways meet with pawnbrokers as kind as Mr..
Levi Now what you ought to do is to entrust
| yourself to the care Of some man who is young
| and strong, and who, with your fair face and
good influence to stimulate him, will work for
you day and night, and love you as dearly as
ever your father did"
She shook her head gently, and still the tears
| fell
"lou think such one cannot be found. You
are wrong. Ii you could bring yourself to ac.
cept his protection; ii you could persuade your.
self that love suddenly born can be as vigor.
ousand lasting as one that takes years TO ma.
ture, you would never repent of it, | swear it,"
And where is there such one" demanded
Lew, with mingled incredulity and curiosity
twnkling in his black Jewish eyes.
"Here!" answered II want but such an
object as this TO become industrious. l have
abilities, il / turn them to account--of that
Am convinced--and after all if the worst should
come, nothing under Heaven can prevent me
from inheriting portion of my uncles estate. If
Nellie Lee will take me for her husband, call
God to witness that will cherish and love her
until DEATH"
The little head shook no longer, and felt q