The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1872-09-05
A GREAT OPERATION.

.
; "Say, John--didn't that woman
: go away crying5'
4She was shifting Bit answer
ed John Gleddin, slipping around
], from behind his counter.
Il should call il. eFying,'' said
George Austin, the last speaker
What was it?''
"Why-the fact is, old fellow, she
Pawned a brooch here a. few weeks
ago, and just now she wanted to re-
deem it; but the time was more than
up, ana couldn't do it." sr
''Couldh't do il? Why Rot?
hy-bless your soul! The
brooch was pearls and garnet in one
! of the finest settings / ever saw-the
pearls are pure oriental, and the
garnet like a crimson ruby siaa
'And how much had you adYanc-
ed on ity,
Ten dollars 45 .gt-arr
"And it was worth" - --oas
Fifty, at least.'' a
'tAnd, very likely, it was keep
sake
$50 she said. But It isn't safe to
believe the stories of the poor crea-
lures that come to Dawn jewelry.-
She had her needs and have nv
rules. She knew the rules before
she left the brooch, and she had no |
business to come back for it after
the time was up"
John Gleddin and Geo. 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 OF !
phans. George had learned she /
printers trade, and was at present |
engaged upon a daily paper, while
John had worked his way into n
pawn brokers. 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 Gleddin did not do bust
ness under his own name. The man
before him had used the name of
'JOshua Slurr," and this same name
John used. "Joshua Slurr'' appear
ed beneath the three golden balls
over the door; and it was also upon
the business cards; and furthermore,
all his receipts and pawn tickets
John signed y. SIUrF."
81 don't know, john" said Geo.,
who was his Cousins junior by two
years, after a season. Of reflection,
''but think I would rather plod on
at my type case than be in youT
business"
"Pshaw! You're soft-headed. I
tell you, George, l am making mon
ey. You have no idea of the profit"
For instance said George. 'YOu
have made perhaps twenty dollars
on that brooch.
"Aye-Thirty."
t'WelL I wouldn't have. the weight
Of that poor woman's sohs and tears
on my conscience for ten times the
amount. So you can just see how
feel"
"Pshawr'
Shortly afterward George Austin
went away to the printing office,
and as it was well up into the even
ing John made preparations for clO-
sing up He had put most of his
jeweliy into the safe when the door l
Of his office was opened, and an ell Il
derly gentleman entered good
looking man be was, and very res
pectably dressed, though his gaFb I
was much worn, and considerably
soiled, and smelled strongly of salt {
water. "
as the proprietor inY' asked the :
gentleman.
John nodded assent.
"Mr. Slurr, thinkT
John repeated his asserting nod.
81 am caught in q tight place. {
said the gentleman with gIin and
ghastly smile, as though a pawn I
brokers' shop was about the most
uncomfortable place he could have :
selected in which to escape from his !
tightness. II have just landed here
in your city, and discover that my
luggage, by the most ridiculous
oversight, on my part, has gone on . 2
to New York. In London I took q
bill of exchaHge on Boston, and not
only that, but few five and ten
pound notes on the Bank of En- :
gland, which I had with me, are By
this time in the distant metropolis.
So / am forced (anOther grim,
ghastly smile) to have recourse to
an establishment where. credit may
be laid on ready collateral. -
John Gleddin bowed politely, and {
said he would be happy to be Of i.
service.
Then the gentlemal took from his ;
pocket a morocco case, upon opening ]
which he exposed 4 gold watch :
John took the watch, and tuned to )
the gas-jet, and upon examining it, !
he found it to- be a masterpiece of +
one of the most celebrated Swiss !
Makers stem winder, full jewell
ed, a most exqaisite Enlistment aad
finish. He knew that the first cost
of that watch had been not less than
three hundred dollars in gold J
"HOw much did you wsnt on this?'' !
he asked, returning the 6atch to the
case. w a
''I want enough to get me safely
to New York. {
John started off on The many and {
extreme risks Of his business; but
the gentleman stopped him abruptly. s
81 ask you 70 run no risk on my l
account. 1 do not propose to sell
the watch. only wish. to leave it
with you as security for & very
small sum. Ihave another just like J
il, brought them as presents for c
two friends OF mine. and would not !
sell them for ten times their value. {
Fifty dollars VII answer" IL
John tried tocOugh down the idea I
ef advancing so much, but the cough I
stuck in his throat. !
For how long do you want the
fifty dollarsF'
"FOr-say-two weeks Ii
Never mind the various dodges
attending the transaction on the part
Of the broker. Suffice it to say that {
he sc length counted out City dol s
4, hse ar.eForn.ss gmH took tho 4