Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-10-08
An Evening with n Pawn Broker.


had purposely selected Saturday as the best
night to see the working OF pawn shop in the
most wretched quarter of New York, and it was
six O'Clock when took my position behind the
counter, where could be partly hidden behind
bin should wish to retire to concealment.
had nOtloDg to wait. The first conner was a lad,
with a bad, hang-dog expression. In his hand he
held paper parcel, Without a word he handed
il to the proprietor, who received it, simply say
ing, "book." The boy nodded. In a twinkling
the paper covering was off, and rather large
volume in garish binding, with good deal of
Dutch metal gliding, was exposed. Life of the
Virgin Mary" said Mr. Medicis, without OPEN
ing the book or looking at the title. "How
much /" Give" said the boy. "Three,' replied
the capitalist. "Right," answered the boy. His
name and address were taken, ticket was made
out, the money was placed on the counter, and
this photographed transaction was concluded,
in less time than it has taken to tell it.
"Books are dead dull now" said Mr.. Medicis,
"save Catholic books"
Here entered a little girl, holding herIhand
tight closed Opening it a small paper fell from
her cIenched fist The child was not more than
eight, and was strangely silent. The assistant
opened the package, and two gold rings tum-
bled on the counter. "SiX dollars" said Mr..
Medics. eyes," replied the child, and she had
her ticket and the money. Were they wedding
or betrothal rings. | shall never know for in a
trice the rusty hinges of the safe croaked and
l.,
rushed in an lrishman, evidently nod carrier,
as he was powdered over with brick dust.
''How much q he asked putting down pawn
ticket on the counter. "Fifty-eight cents" was
the reply. And here it is, sure" and he placed
the money in the pawnbroker's hand, and in a
second coat was Topped on the counter. "Poor
Teddy's, it was" said the Irishman, fondlv
smoothing out a crease, land hope the family
will niver do it again" Then came in a girl of
sixteen, with luxuriant brown hair tumbling
over her shoulders; her eyes were bright, but
her face was bold and impertnent. my over
skirt and polonaise, it ought to be ninety-fi
cents" "YOu are right" said Mr.. Medics
"It's been here so often you keep the count
as well as / can" Chats So" she re-
piled; "but look here, Medicis, have lost
the ticket for the green dress and the
CATERS; do now look 'em up, | want TO sport
'em tomorrow" Il will if have the chance"
replied the pawnbroker, giving her a bundle
"Pl be back soon, them" said the girl CATER
the green dress" Now came in a woman clad
in tatters, with a velvet ribbon and steel spangIes
bound around her head. She took shirt out
OF towel and silently placed it on the counter
The assistant flirted it out, gave lynx-like ex-
animation about the collar and cuffs, said
twenty-five cents" and the woman took il and
went Somebody then made his coming ap-
parent by loud and melodiOus whistle, and a
happy-faced negro, all beaming with smiles,
entered. "YOu see, Mr.. Medics, Ise come after
de old woman's shoes, Here's de ticket, How
muchP "Forty-five cents" was the reply
"Golyl Here it is, and pair of coarse shoes
were handed him, when suddenly, from a 10y.
Gus expression he collapsed into one of the most
intense anguish. "Dey was two laces in desc
hyar shoe, and dey amt none now" Then
pluuging his hand into one of them. again his
face was on the broad grin. "Ohl here dey is,
all two both of dem laces, slowed away in de
toe part. Good night, everybody" and heard
the whistle as il grew fainter aud fainter in the
distance. Now, Pm after me skirt, PLACE"
said an Irish woman, with key in her hand,
"and here's me cash; and what ye be after TAX
ing for that bit of shawl wild the sthripes2
would forty cents buy tP ayes, ma'am, il
would. You have asked the price OF that shawl
every day this week." replied Mr., Medicis, who
sells unredeemed pledges. "Forty cents and it's
a dale Of money Well, kape it bit, and ri
call Monday" just then back again came the
little girl who had pledged the rings. "Lost
ticket" she said. "You won't find it here; 20
home. ! know the goods, and no one shall have
them but you, even if they do find the ticket"
was the answer she received.
ado children mostly come on these errandsp
inquired. 81 should be afraid they would have
their money stolen from them, especially in this
neighbOrhood."
mot bit of IT," was the reply. "They are
quite as well able to take care OF themselves as
you or l. The parents send them and say to
me, when my Billy or Jenny comes, treat them
as you would us
"Now, sir" said tall, lank woman, with an
imperative voice, my bed spreadand let's be
in a hurry about it. Here's your old dirty bit of
paper" "Money first and goods aiterward.
Elghtyeight cents is what you have to pay"
Eighty what2 You are funning. It's down
right swindle. 1t can't be but seyenty-fye
cents" "Well, ma'am, seeing you had eighty
I'VE cents paid you, which is written on your
ticket, 1t seems 70 me that three cents is little