Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1872-09-27

Term after term flew swiftly by, an(
school life, with its feuds and friendships
its failures and successes, its dreams and
ambitions, came to an end, and one tear
full day we separated.
II shall send for you to visit me some
time, dear Madge," whispered Clara De
lancy, as she bade me good-by.
''And oh, do wish [ was ever going tC
see you again, darling!' cried Rebbie, EN-
bracing me passionateiy, as we waited il
the hall with corded trunks, ready to go
zone flew east, and one flew west, ant
one flew over the euckoo's nest," says ar
old rhyme. | flew, not into cuckoo's
but a robins nest; for my father anC
mother were just like two domestic
cheerful robins, working with all theil
might to feed their young And, now
that 1 had my education, must help the
rest; so I taught school for year, while
Grace was sent to the seminary.
At the end of the year | had letters
from my "planet" and my ite." Clara
Delaney sent me very sweetly worded
invitation to visit her for month, sale
she was having charming time, anC
wanted me to share it. Rebbie Schwarz
wrote that she loved me dearly as ever
and, if | ever came to New York, she
begged | would spend a few days with
her decided to go to Rebbie's first, fol
a week, and then to Clara's.
1t was long journey, and quite dark
when reached the city but took car
riage to Rebbie's address.
" Is this the place ?" asked the driver,
as, after awhile, he stopped his horses and
came to the carriage door. We were in
front of lighted shop, and great many
people were coming and going. There
were three great golden balls over the
door, and a sign, "Joseph Schwarz."
"That is No. 49," said the driver
there is No. IA at the side door. It's up
stairs, Miss"
Rather bewildered, I toiled up the long,
narrow stairway and was met at the top
by Rebbie herself, radiant with welcome.
She drew me into the parlOr, called her
mother, rang for some supper, and asked
thousand questions as she helped me of
with hat and cloak. What a beauty she had
grown to be tall, 1.-the, dark, with glow
ing cheeks and luminous, fathomless eyes.
Then her mother came in, stout lady
very Jewish-looking, not so handsome as
Rebbie, but gorgeous in ruby-cOlOred vel
vet, and warmly cordial. A young Jew
boy brought in a tray of refreshments,
| felt as if were in Jerusalem or Damas.
Gus.
+ Rebbie was evidently petted daughter.
Her room, where we slept together, was
furnished with the utmost luxury, and /
smiled at the familiar sight of an open
iewel-box, and trinkets scattered all over
the dressing-table. We talked half the
night, and among other things, asked
hor obOnt thp three Golden halls
why, father is q pawnbroker, she
said, innocently. Didn't [ ever tel.
your"
Now had the vaguest possible ideas
about pawnbrokers, but they were not
very agreeable ones, and for an instant |
was a little taken aback. But there was
dear Rebble's warm, loving hand in mine,
and there was the beautiful room and the
comfort and the welcome. | suddenly
made up my mind that pawnbrOker'
life must be full of interest and romance,
and so [ went to sleep with perfect resig-
nation under the elder down coverlet.
Joseph Schwarz was an old man
with a bent figure and sharp, black
ewes, but he had a kind word for his
daughters guest, and | took a fancy at
once to his odd, foreign ways. He was a
German Jew, and had been pawnbroker
in his own country before coming here. |
asked him if he did not get interested in
his customers sometimes.
"Vell, it ish very sad sight sometimes"
he said, thoughtfully. "The sick and the
hungry comes to mine door, and l helps
them all little"
Dear me! pawnbroker's shop all at
once became exalted to benevolent in
stitution in my mind, and the next even
ing I begged Rebble to let me visit it. She
took me to a small back room, from which
we could peep into the shop. But did
not want to stay long, for of all the
wretched sights ever saw, this was the
most pitiful Such haggard and desperate
menl such pale, wan women such old,
sharp children! each bringing some little
property to get money on. And am
bound to say that good Joseph schwarz,
with all his benevolence, ground them all
down to the smallest possible amount.
"They are not all like these, said Reb-
BILE. "Sometimes fine ladies come in their
carriages, and bring their jewels to pledge,
and sometimes they never redeem them
Then, after awhile, father gives them to
me. That is how always have so many
to wear"
I really felt as if I had left my own
country and gone into some foreign land
while [ stayed with Rebbie, for all their
callers were Jews and Jewesses; even the
little children and babies were dark, and
had aquiline noses and keen eyes. On
Saturday we went to the synagogue, and
Rebbie and I sat up in the gallery, while
the men worshipped below.
It was soon time for me to go to Clara
Delancey's, and Rebbie and were talk
- OoI~I q | Al
not dress enough for Clara's gay society,
and, as of old, offered to lend me any
thing she had. But l refused.
Though it is rather peculiar" l said,
laughing, "that [ never wear ear rings,
and have not a ring on my ten fingers,
and no pin bnt this old pearl one with
fathers and mothers hair in it.
That evening Mr. Schwarz brought
into the parlor an old ebony box that he
had been promising to show me, and I'M
locked it. 1t contained a great many
valuable jewels and ornaments, which
had been pawned to him years ago in
Germany and never redeemed. Some he
had had for forty years. I looked at
them with interest. In what romantic
histories, perchance, they had played a
part There was a diamond cross, a
string of gold beads, carbuncle heart,
an old, old watch set in the side of a
mimic castle of gold, with curiously
carved turrets and parapets. There was
great lustrous, pink opal. cit brings
bad luck" said Mr.. Schwarz, shaking
his head. Then there were plenty o.
charms, pencil cases, seal rings and pretty
! trinkets. AS I turned them over with
my hand suddenly 1 came upon this
locket. 1t took my fancy at once coulo
not bear to put it down.
That's just the odd sort of thing te
suit you, Madge," cried Rebbie. =" Pu
the chain around your neck, and let me
see how it looks. Just your style p
/ l. 4I,,o ooI,a l,e1 60,