The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-11-07
THE STORY TELLER.
AN EVENING WITH A PAWNBROKER.

I had purposely selected Saturday as
the best night to see the working of
pawnshop in the most wretched quarter
of New York, and it was o'clock when
I took my position behind the counter
where l could be partly hidden behind
a bin should 1 wish to retire to conceal
ment. 1 had not long to wait. The first
conner was a lad with a bad, hang-dog
expression. In his hand he held paper
parcel. Without word he handed it to
the proprietor, who received it, simply
saying, "Book? The boy nodded. In
a twinkling the paper covering was off,
and rather large volume in garnish
binding, with good deal of Dutch
metal gliding, was exposed. "Life of
the Virgin Mary" said Mr. Medicis,
without opening the book or looking at
the title. "How much 7" Give" said
the boy. "Three," replied the capitalist.
Right" answered the boy. His name
and address were taken; a ticket was
made out, the money was placed ON the
counter, and this photographed trans
has taken to tell it.
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 tumbled
on the counter "Six dollars" said Mr..
Medicis. "Yes," replied the child, and
she had her ticket and themoney. Were
they wedding or betrothal rings? L shall
never know, for in trice the rusty him
ges of the safe creaked 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 7" 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 Teddy's, it was"
said the Irishman, fondly smoothing out
crease, "and L hope the family will
never do it again" Then came in
girl of sixteen, with luXuriant brown
hair tulnbling over her shoulders; her
eyes were bright, but her face was bold
and impertinent. "My overskirt and
polonaise it ought to he ninety-five
cents" "You are right" said Medicis;
"it's been here SO often you keep
the count as we'll as 1 can" "Thats SC"
she replied; "but look here Medicis, [
have lost the ticket for the green dress
and CATERS do now look 'em up. l
want to sport 'em tomorrow" 81 will
if have the chance" replied the pawn
broker, giving her a bundle. "Fll be
back soon, then" said the girl, " after the
green dress" Now came in woman
clad in tatters, with a velvet ribbon and
steel spangles bound around her head.
She took a shirt out of towel and ST.
lently placed it on the counter. The
assistant flirted it out, 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 apparent by a loud and me-
lodious whistle, and happy-faced negro,
all beaming with smiles, entered. "You
see, Mr.. Medicis, Use come after de old
woman's shoes. Here's de ticket. How
much 7" "Forty-fve cents" was the
reply. "Golly here it is )" and pair
of coarse 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
hyar shoes, and amt none now." Then
pluDging 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 ia de toe part. Good
night, everybody;" and 1 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, "ard here's my cash, and
what'd ye be after taking for that bit of
a shawl wild the sthripes? Would forty
cents buy it ?" "Yes, ma'am, it would.
You have asked the price of that shawl
every day this week, replied Mr.. Medicis,
who sells unredeemed pledges. "Forty
cents and it's dale of money. Well,
kape it 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 go home. know the goods, and
no ons shall have them but you, even if
they do lind the ticket" was the answer
she received.
"Do children mostly come on these