Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-10-31
An Evening with a Pawnbroker.
from the New York Times.l

counter, where / could be partly hidden
behind bin, should | wish to retire to
concealment. l had not long to wait.
The first conner was a lad, with bad,
hang-dog expression. In his hand he
held paper parcel. Without word he
handed it to the proprietor, who re-
ceived it, simply saying, book The
boy nodded. In twinkling the paper
covering was off, and rather large
volume, in garish binding, with a good
deal of Dutch metal gliding, was ex-
posed. Life 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 capitalist Right, answered the
boy. His name and address were taken,
ticket was made out, the money was
placed on the counter, and his bibliO-
graphical transaction was concluded, in
a great deal less time than it has taken
to tell it.
Books are dead dull now,' said Mr..
Medicis, save Catholic books
Here entered little girl, holding her
hand tight closed. Opening it, a small
paper fell from her lclenched fist. The
child was mot more than eight, and was
strangely silent. The assistant opened
the package, and two gold rings tumbled
on the counter Six dollars, said Mr..
Medicis. Yes replied the child, and
she had her ticket and the money. Were
they wedding or betrOthal rings | shall
never know, for in trice the rusty
hinges of the safe CrOalled, and they were
engulfed.
Jostling against the girl, rushed in an
Irishman, evidently hOd-carrier, as he
was powdered over with brick dust.
How much p he asked, putting down a
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
a coat was Topped on the counter. Poor
Teddys, it was said the Irishman,
fondly smoothing out crease, and
hope the family will niver 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
Oyerskirt and pOlOnaise, it ought to be
ninety-fve cents. You are right, said
Mr.. Medicis; its been here so often that
you keep the count as well as | can.
That's So she replied but look here,
Medicis, | have lost the ticket for the
green dress and the CATERS; do now look
'cm up, | want to sport 'em Tomorrow.
i will if | have the chance, replied the
pawnbrOker, giving her a 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 a shirt
out of a towel, and silently placed it on
ho cd
gave lynx-like examination about the
collar and cuffs, said twenty-five cents,
and the woman took it and went.
Somebody then made his coming APP
parent by loud and melOdious whistle,
and a happy-faced negro. all beaming
with smiles, entered. You see, Mr..
Mcdicis, Use com after de old womans
shoes. Here's de ticket. How much ?
'Forty-fiye cents. was the reply. 'Golly!
Here it is, and a pair of course shoes
were handed him, when suddenly, from
a joyous expression, he collapsed into
one of the most intense anguish. 'Dey
was two laCes in desc hyaTs shoe, and deY
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 the toe part. Good night, every
body and l heard the whistle as it grew
fainter and fainter in the distance.
Now, I'm after my skirt, place, said
an Irish woman, with key in her hand
and here's me cash; and what We be
arther takin' for that bit O a shawl, wild
the sthripes Would forty cints buy it ?
Yes, ma am, it would. You have asked
the price of that shawl every day this
week, replied Mr. Medicis, who sells I'M
redeemed pledges. Forty cints and its
a dale o money. Well, kapcit bit, and
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
90 home. | know the goods, and no one
shall have them but you, even if they do
find the ticket, was the answer she re
ceived
DO children mostly come on these
errands 2 | inquired. i should be
afraid they would have their money
stolen from them, especially in this /.
ncighbOrhOOd.
Not bit of it, was the reply. They /.
are quite as we'll 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 a tall, Iank woman,
with an imperative voice, my bed-spread |
and let's be in hurry about it. Here's /
your old dirty piece of paper. Money /
first, and goods afterwards. Eighty |
eight cents is what you have to pay. |
Eighty, what? You're funning! It's |
a downright swindle. 1t can't be but |
seventy-five cents. We'll, ma am, see
ing you had eighty-tive cents paid you,
which is written on your ticket, it seems
to me that three cents is little enough to
pay me for my time, rent and trouble.
ooh bother with your trouble. It's a
swindle. If you was to kill me, and rip
me up, you couldn't find but seventy-tive
cents in me- If you can't talk in any
other way but in that disputing manner,
leave the place. 1t is always the same
with you. You are either dishonest, or
have lost your brains. You had better
say I'm drunk, and nary drop of liquor
as has passed my lips since last night.
But don't be hard on poor folks. It's
only a bit of my fun. You see, when
the liquor dies out of you, it's so BY
cold, and it's freezing of nights now,
without bed-spread. Here's the money,
but sorry bit of meat will the children
nave tomorrow. lou IhCdH ooIIy
drop of liquor will you have, which is
the best thing that can happen, said
Medicis, with an admonishing voice, as
the woman took her bundle and left.
You speak about rent, Mr.. Medicis,
what do you pay?' | asked:
sOne thousand dollars. Rents are alb
solutely higher here than in some of the
best quarters in New York.
Just then came in crowd of children,
all of whom redeem pledges; then there
was a lull of moment and | compli-
ment Mr. Medicis on the wonderful ac-
curacy with which he discovers the ex-
act bundles wanted. Simple practice
and routine. | run up to 10000 num-
hers Think | could find almost any
package in the dark. / never make mis-
takes if did should be ruined. If |