Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-03-17
The Reward of Greed.


away crying ?"
"She was shifting a bit" answered
John Gleddin, slipping around from be-
hind his counter.
Il should call it crying" said George
Austin, the first speaker. "What was
it ?"
"Why, the fact is. old fellow, she
pawned brooch here few weeks ago,
and just now she wanted to redeem it;
but the time was more than up, and l
couldn't do it.
Couldn't do it, why not %
why, bless your soul, the brooch was
pearls and garnets. in one of the finest
settings | eve. saw-the pearls pure ori-
entail, and the garnet like crimson ru-
by"
"And how much had you advanced
on it ?'
"Ten dollars"
"And it was worth"
Fifty, at least.
"And very likely it was a keepsake. ="
80 she said But it isn't safe to be-
lieve all the stories of the poor creatures
that come in here to pawn jewelry. She
had her needs, and l have my 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 George Austin were
cousins. Georges mother had been a
sister to Johns father: but the mother
and fatherwere both dead, and John and
George we're both orphans George had
learned the printers trade, and was at
present engaged upon daily paper,
while John had worked himself into d
pawnbroker office, and, though only
twenty-five, had armed all the tricks
of trade that can extort money from the
poor and needy. But John Gleddin did
not do business under his own name
! The man before him had used the name
of Joshua Slurr, and this same name
John used. Joshua Slurr'' appeared
beneath the three golden balls over the
door, and it was also ON the business
cards, and, furthermore, all his receipts
and pawn tickets John signed 81. Slurr y
Il don't know, john" said George
who was his cousin junior by two years
after a season Of reflection, '.but | think
l would rather plod on at my type case
than be in your business"
''Pshaw you're soft-headed. l tel
you, George, I'm making money. Yol
have no idea of the profit
"For instance y said George, You'v
made perhaps twenty dollars on tina
brooch"
"Aye, thirty"
"Well, | wouldn't have the weight O
that poor woman's sobs and tears on m,
conscience for ten times that amount
So you see just now | feel.'
"Pshaw %
Shortly afterwards George Austin wen
away to the printing Office, and, as i
was getting we'll into the evening, Johl
made preparations for closing up. H
had put most of his jewelry in the safe
when the door of his office was opened
and an elderly gentleman entered
good-looking man he was, and very re
specially dressed, though his garb wa
much worn, and considerably soiled, an
smelled strongly of salt water.
Is the proprietor in ?" asked the ger
tleman.
John nodded assent.
"Mr. Slurr, I think %
John repasted his asserting nod.
81 am caught in a tight place." sal
the gentleman, with a CHASTITY smile, q
though pawnbrokers shop was abor
the most uncomfortable place he coul
have selected to escape from his tigh
ness. Il have Just landed here in YOU
city, and discover that my luggage.
the most ridiculous oversight on m
part, has gone on to New York. In Lol
don | took bill of exchange on Bostol
and not only that but five pound an
ten pound notes of the Bank of England
, which had with me, are by this tin
in the distant metropolis. So | a
forced (anothcr CHASTITY SMILEY to ha,
recourse to an establishment where ere,
it may be bid upon a ready collateral
John Gleddin bowed politely, al
said he should be happy to be of servic
Then the gentleman took from
pocket a morocco case, upon openir
) which he exposed gold watch. Jol
took the watch and turned to the o
e jet, and upon examining it he found
II to be masterpiece of one of the mo
celebrated Swiss makers. a stem winde
= full ruby y-jeweled, of. most exquisite a
justment and finish. He know that t
first cost of the watch had not been lie
than three hundred dollars in gold
I "How much did you want on this
: he asked, returning the watch to t
case.
Il want enough to get me safely
ne New York"
ry John started off on an explanation
te the many and extreme risks of his bu
moss hut tho oianfle,nau StoDpad him .