The Portland daily press., 1872-10-10
An Evening with a Pawn Broker
[From the New York Times

1 had purposely selected Saturday as the
best night to see the working of pawn shop
in the most wretched quarter OF New York,
and it was six O'Clock when took my posi-
ton behind the 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 expressions. 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
twinkng the paper covering was of, and
rather large volume in garish binding, with a
good deal of Dutch metal gliding was exposed.
'Life of 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, a. ticket was made out, the
money was placed on the counter, and this
biographical transaction was concluded, in
less time than it has taken to tell it.
"Books are dead dull now," said Mr.. Med
icis, ''save Catholic books"
Here entered a little girl, holding her hand
tight closed. Opening it a small paper fell
from her clenched 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. "Sx
the child, and she had her ticket and the
money Were they wedding or betrothal
rings. shall never know, for in triee the
Isty hinges OF the safe croaked and they
were engulfed. Josting against the girl,
rushed in an Irishman, evidently a hod-car-
rier, as he was powdered over with brick
dust. E'How much?' he asked, putting
down pawn ticket on the counter. Fifty
eight cents" was the reply. "And here it
,,5, ,1 ha ~ mr. ina tho
pawnbroker's hand, and in a second coat
was Topped on the counter. Poor Teddy's
it was," said the Irishman, fondly smoothing
out a crease, 'and | hope the family viii
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 inDpertinent. MY
Oyerskirt and polonaise, it ought to be ninety
five cents' ''You are right" s2id Mr.. Med
icis, ''its 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 gaiterS;
do now look 'em up, l want to sport 'em to-
morrow" 81 will if | get the chance" re-
piled the pawnbroker, giving her bundle.
''Pll Ee back soon, then.' said the girl,
s4satter the green dress Now came in wo-
man clad in tatters, with velvet ribbon and
5tesi spangles bound around her head. She
took "a shirt out OF a towel ana kc1ntly plaCeu
it ON tire counter. The assistant tikted 1t out,
gave gNnx-like examination about the collar
and cuffs, said twenty-five cents, ana tRe
woman took it and went. Somebody then
made his eonsing apparent by loud and me-
lodious Whistle, and a happy-faced negro, all
beaning with smiles, entered. You see,
Mr. Me1icis, Use come after de Old woman's
shoes. Here's de ticket. How much g'
ssFortv-6ve cents,' was the reply. "Golly |!
Here it is,' and pair of coarse shoes were
handed him, when suddenly, from joyous
expression he collapsed into one of the most
intense anguish. ''Dey was two laces in desc
hyar shoe, and dey amt none now" Then
piunging his hand into one of them, again his
face was on the broad grin. .'Ohr' here dey
is, all two both Of dem laces, slowed away in
de toe part Good night, everybody and 1
heard the whistle as it grew fainter and faint
er in the distance. snow, I'm after me
skirt, Place" said an Irish woman, with Key
in her hand, Sand here's me cash; ana :i wna1
ye be after taking for that bit of shawl wIS a,i
the sthripes? would forty cents puy ~ H.
eyes ma'am, it would. You nave ash. asheg !, t.lo r
price of that shawl every day TINS WeeN, ,l,'I III
I plied Mr.. Medicis, who sells uhre9eeiheu
pledges ssForty cents! and It's daIe OF
| money Well, kape it a bit, and Iii call Mon
dav % lust then back again came the little
i' airI who had pledged the rings. Lost tick