Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-11-08
An Even ng with a Pawnbroker.

nlnd the counter, Wherc l cOuld Oc
partly hidden behind bin should
l wish to retire to concealment. l
had not long to wait. The first
conner was lad, with bad, hang
dog expression. In his hand he
held paper parcel. Without a
word he handed it to the proprietor,
who received it, simply saying
"book?" The boy nodded. In
twinkling the paper covering was
off, and rather large volume in
garnish binding, with good deal
of Dutch metal gliding, was ex-
posed. "Lite Of the Virgin Mary"
said Mr.. Medicis, without opening
the book or looking at the title
"How much?" ''Five," said the
boy. "Three," replied the capital
list. '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 con-
cluded in less time than it has taken
to tell it.
"Books are dead dull now," said
Mr.. Medicis, "excepting Catholic
books"
Here entered little girl, holding
her hand tight closed. Opening it,
a small paper fell from her clinched
fist. The child was not more than
eight and was strangely silent =
The assistant opened the package,
and two gold rings tumblcd on the
counter. "Six dollars" said Mr..
Medicis. eyes," replied the child,
and she had her ticket and the mo-
ney. Were they wedding or be-
trothal rings? l shall never know,
for in trice. the rusty hinges of the
safe creaked and they were en-
quilted.
Jostling against the girl, rushed
in an Irishman, evidently hod car
ricr, rs he was powdered over with
brick-dust. allow much?" he ask
cd, putting down a pawn-ticket on
the counter. "Fifty-eight cents"
was the reply. "And here it is,
sure" and lie placed the money in
the pawnbrokcr's hand, and in a
second coat was Topped on the
counter. "Poor Teddy's, it was,"
said the Irishman, tondly smoothing
out a crease, "and hope the fami-
ly will never do it again"
Then came in girl of sixteen,
with luxuriant brown hair tumbling
over her shoulders; her eyes were
bright, but her face was bold and
impertinent. '"My overskirt and
polonaise, it ought to be ninety five
cents" "You are right" said Me-
dicis; "it's been here so often, you
keep the count as well as l. can."-
''That's so," she replied; @but look
here, Medicis, have lost the ticket
for the green dress and the CATERS;
do now look 'em up. l want to
sport 'em tomorrow" 81 will if l
have the chance" replied the pawn
broker, giving her bundle. "I'll
be back soon, then,' said the girl,
"after the green dress"
Now came in a woman clad in
tatters, with a velvet ribbon and
steel spangles bound around her
head. She took q shirt out of a
towel and silently placed it upon
the counter. The assistant tlirted
it out, gave q lynx-like examination
about the collar and cuffs, and said
twenty-five CENTS" which the wo-
man took and went away.
Somebody then made his coming
apparent by loud and melodious
whistle, and happy-faced negro,
all beaming with smiles, entered
"You see, Mr.. Medicis, I'se come
after the old woman's shoes. Here
is de ticket. How much?" "Forty-
five cents," was the reply. "Golly!
here it is," and pair of coarse
shoes were handed him, when sud-
denly from the most joyous
expression, the negro collapsed in
to one of the most intense anguish.
'Dey was two laces in desc hyar
shoes, and amt none now." Then
plunging his hand into one of them,
again his face was on the broad
grin. "Oh! here dey is, all, two,
both Of dem laces, slowed away in
dc toe part. Good night, every
body;" and l heard the whistle as
it grew fainter and fainter in the
distance.
"Now I'm after me skirt, Place"
said an Irish woman, with a key in
her hand, "and here's my cash. an
what'd ye be after taking for that
bit of a shawl wild the sthripcs?-
Would forty cints buy it?" eyes,
ma'am, it would. You have asked
the price of that shawl every day
this week." replied Mr.. Medicis,
who sells unredeemed pledges
"Forty cints? All, it's dale Of mo-
ney. Well, kape it bit, an I'll
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;
60 home. know the goods, and
no one shall have them but you,
even if they do find the ticket" was
the answer she received.
"Do children mostly come on
these errands?" inquired. 81
should be afraid they would have
their money stolen from them, es-
pecially in this neighborhood."
"Not bit of it," was the reply.
"They arc quite as well able to take
care Of themselves as you or T.
The parents send them and say to
me: 'When my Billy or Jenny
comes, always treat them as you
would u.s. >"
"Now, sir" said tall, lank wo-
man, with an imperative voice, "my
bed-spread- and let's be in hurry
about it. Here's your old dirty bit