Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1872-02-07
Sslstt Storp.
THREE GOLD BALLS.
A Visit to the New York Pawnbrokers' Shops.
MISERY AND EXTORTION.


A week or two since had occasion to
visit several pawnbrokers' establishments
in this city. to redeem some articles
pawned by friend who had once seen
better days.
A brief mention Of my experience
may be instructive as well as entertain
ing. The redemption of my friends
tools (he was a mechanic) was accom-
plished after no litIe trouble in visiting
the principal establishment doing bnsi
ness under the sign Of the "Three Golden
Balls" in certain street. and redeem
ing one or two articles here, another
there and third or fourth somewhere
else.
had been told of the system of uni
versal cheating which the proprietors Of
these places practice. and the enormous
exaction made in grinding the faces Of
the poor. 1 had heard of the dexterity
in the substitution of colored glass and
crystals for gems, while pretending to
examine articles brought for pledges,
and was prepared to encounter all that
was sinister and heartless. But the half
had not been told me, and l soon found
that my previous conceptions fell far
short of the reality. was detained at
each place which had occasion to visit
by the delays in finding the articles l
was in search of, and for which the
holders had doubtless Haltered them
sel+es no inquiries would be made
The press of business at all of the shops
was another cause of delay. AS l re-
Covered my friends articles, one by one,
it appeared at once that the most out
rageous system Of extortion had been
practiced in every instance. The sums
advanced had been piliful in amount, and
the rates of interest charged exorbtant
beyond belief. At every one Of these
dens a crowd of victims was collected
a motley company indeed: blacklegs,
and would be gentlemen- the cheater
and the cheated the widow parting with
her disposable article Of dresses. to pro-
cure one more meal for her famishing
children; consuptive girl, with the hec-
tic flush upon her cheek. The grasping
misers-sometimes a wOman-read the
condition 6f the sufferers from their coun-
tenances with the cool calculation. The
pick pocket. the thief, and the purloin-
ing servant were received with equal
readiness. and the spoils were divided
with the fullest understanding that no
questions were to be asked.
AT MY UNCLE's.
Ibad scarcely made my business known
at the first Of my uncle's" establishment
(No- stree) to which l had been
directed. when middle-aged man entered
with a bundle on which he asked small
advance, and which, on being opened,
was found to contain shawl and two or
three orther articles of female appaiel.
The man was stout and sturdy. and as l
judged from his appearances, mechanic
but the mark Of the destroyer was on
his bloated countenance. The pawn
broker was examining the offered pledge
when woman with pale face and at
tenuated form came hastily into the shop,
and with the single exclamation, 40,
Robert !" darted rather than ran to that
part of the counter where the man was
standing. Her miserable husband, not
satisfied with wasting his own earnings.
and leaving her to starve with her chill
dren, had plundered even her scanty
wardrobe, aud the pitance received was
to be squantered at the rum-shop. A
blush of shame arose even upon his de-
graded face, but it quickly passed away;
the.brutal appetite. prevailed.
go home," was his harsh exclama-
ton; "what brings you here. running af-
ter me with your everlasting scolding !?
Go home and mind your own business -
"Oh, Robert. dear Robert" exclaimed
the unhappy wife, "den't pawn my
shawl. Our children are crying for
bread, and l have none to give them; or
let me have the money. Give me the