The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1872-08-01
A GREAT OPERATION,

Say, John,-didn't that woman
60 way crying?' ....
sShe was shutting a Bit answered
John Glenddin slipping around from
behind his counter.
Il should call it crying said
George Austin, the first speaker.
what was it?' ..
Couldn't do it? Why not9'
'Why-fact is, old fellow, she
pawned brooch here few weeks
ago, and just now she wanted to re-
deem it; but the time was more than
up, and couldn't do it,
'Why-bless your soul! The
brooch was pearls and garnet in one
of the finest sittings l ever say-the
pearls pure oriental, and the garnet
like crimson ruby ....
'And how much had you advanced
on it?'
'Ten dollars
| 'And it was worth
Fifty, at least
'And very likely, it was a keep
sake. .... ... ...
so she said. But it isn't safe to
believe the stories of the POOR crea-
lures that come to pawn jewelry.
She had her needs and | have my
rules. She knew the rules before
she left the brooch, and she bad no
business to come back after the time
was up ...........
John Gleddin and George Austin
were cousins. Georges mother had
been a sister to Johns father; but
the mother and the father were both
dead, and John and George were or
phans. George had learned the
printers trade, and was at present
engaged upon a daily paper, while
John had worked his way into a
pawn-broker's office; and, though
only five-and-twenty, had learned all
the tricks of trade, that can extort
money from the poor and the needy.
But John Gleddln did not do bust
ness under his own name. The man
before him had used Joshua Slurr,
and the same name John used.
Joshua SLURR' appeared beneath
the three golden balls over the door;
and it was also upon the business
cards and furthermore, all his re.
ceipts and pawn tickets John signed
81 Slurr.'
Il don't know, john said George
who has his cousins Junior by two
years, after a season of reflection,
'but / think / would rather plod on
at my type-case than be in your bus
mess
'Pshaw! You're soft-headed. ]
tell you. George, l am making
money. You have no idea of the
profit
'For instance said George, you
have made twenty dollars on that
brooch
Aye,-thirty.'
We'll, l wouldn't have the weight
of that poor woman's sobs and tears
on my conscience for ten times the
amount. SO you can just see how ]
feel.' ...
sPshaw ! ...... ..
Shortly afterwards George Austen
went away to the printing office and
as it was we'll into the evening John
made preparations for closing up.
He had put most of his jewelry into
his safe when the door of his office
opened, and an elderly gentleman
entered-a good looking man he
was, and very respectfully dressed,
though his garb was much worn, and
considerably seiled, and smelled
strongly of salt water. .......
is the proprietor IMP asked the
gentleman. ta..... l...
John nodded assent. ..
'Mr. Slurr, I think p ..
| John repeated his assented nod.
Il am caught in tight place. said
the gentleman with grin and ghast
| ly smile, as though pawn-broker's
shop was about the most uncomfort
able place, he could have selected
to escape from his tightness. 8
have just landed here in your city
and discover that my luggage, by
most ridiculous oversight on my
| part, has gone to New York. II
| London l took a bill of exchange OF
! Boston, and not only that, but few
five and ten pound notes on thu
Bank of England, which | had will
me, are by this time in the distan
metropolis. SO | am forced (anothe
grim, CHASTITY SMILEY to have recours,
to an establishment where credi
may be had upon ready collateral.
John Gleddin bowed politely, an,
said he would be happy to be O
service. .... ..-..s.-.. r
Then the gentleman took from
his pocket a morocco case upol
opening which he exposed goIt
watch. John took the watch ant
turned to the gasjet, and upon ex
aiming it, he found it to be a mas
q terpiece of one of the most celebra
ted Swiss makers--a stem windeI
full ruby jeweled, of most exquisit
adjustment and finish. He knew tina
the first cost of that watch was no
less than three hundred dollars il
gold.
.How much did you want on this
he asked returning the watch to thu
case.
Il want enough to get me safe Il
New York.
John started off on the many ans
extreme risks of his business; bu
the gentleman stopped him abruptly
Il ask you to run no risk on m.
account. / do not propose to sci
the watch. ] only wish to leave j
with you as security for very small
sum. / have another just like it,
bought them as presents for tw,
friends of mine, and would not sci
them for ten times their value. Fiji
ty dollars will answer
John tried to cough down the ide,
i Of advancing SO much, but tn,
cough stuck in his throat. l
'For how long do you want the fi
ty dollsrs?' ], Lee baoa
i 'For-say-two weeks b.es
r Nax,ar mind fha ,4nd orn