Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-05-14
NO. Ia.
HOW NELLIE WAS PAWNED.

contempt Tor paWnbrokerS. look upon
the pawnbroker as a most useful institu-
ton. He charges high rate of interest,
to be sure but then look at the pettiness
of the sums he will lend! He is accommo-
dating. | may say universal, in his chari-
ties. Nothing comes amiss to him. He
will disburse on the security Of a ring
worth thousand dollars, or pair of boots
worth dollar and half. Nothing is too
small for him. but no matter how valuable
the article is, he cannot be induced to lend
above certain sum upon it. This is SIM
ply his caution. The article may be stolen
or come by in some improper manner,
when, of course, he would have to give it
up: lie simply protects himself.
But my story.
There is certain side street running
across Broadway, which l will, with your
permission, call Chicory street. Chicory
street is not its name, but as am about to
relate some private matters in connection
with it, it would not be either delicate or
judicious if were to be too geographical
ly correct.
In Chicory street resides gentleman
named Lazarus Levi, Esq, whose spacious
old-iashioned house is the repository of
various articles of property belonging to
numberless enlightened but distinguished
citizens of the United States. The lower
story of Mr.. Lewis dwelling is fitted up
with glass front. and articles exposed to
view in the windows are but dimly seen.
There are flutes with tarnished keys that
have lain silent for years. The dust lies
thick on the embouchare of each; for the
lips that blew there the graduated air have
shrunk into mere skin long ago, and the
agile finger that ran over the holes are
now loose bones, that lie here and there,
never to hang together on earth again.
You can see all sorts of things in Mr..
Lewis windows. California diamonds,
very rare banjos, relics of disappointed
minstrels; guns, silver tea-pots, now
black and uncheerful, limiting at terrible
domestic distresses on some poor fellows
home, and making You see the thin wife
stealing out at night to raise money on the
family yaluables to feed the children.
Mr. Levi is my friend. l have occasion
ally mercantile transactions with him, for
am literary man; and it often happens
that find myself the slave of sudden
necessity for five dollars. On these occa-
sions l travel round my rooms as NJ
Navier de Maistre may be supposed to
have done in search of some appropriate
token of esteem. which l may convey to
Mr.. Levi, in order to induce him to ad-
vance the required sum. In this choice it
is necessary to exercise discrimination.
For the instance, | know it will never do
to present my stamped velvet waistcoat
three times running. And that if l were
to take my little French clock to Mr.. Levi
too frequent, the article would pale upon
him. and my credit be impaired. Variety
is necessary to persons of Mr.. Lewis posi-
ton. Continual partridge destroys their
appetite. They are epicures, and fed with
novelties.
Accordingly one day, having need of the
traditional five dollass to meet the ex-
penses of forthcoming literary soiree at
my rooms, /, after some deliberation, de-
termined to present my India chess-board
to Mr.. Levi, as token of my affection,
and work his feeling SO far as to induce
him to present me with the longed-for V.
The chess-board was ivory inlaid. The
men were delightfully."- oriental, being
carved all over, even to the tips of their
noses, and altogether, had great faith in
the article, as it had never before been un-
der Mr.. Lewis charge.
l waited until evening. 1t was love-
ly evening for pawning. A thick fog,
damp and threatening rain, hung over the
streets, so there were but few passenger
abroad. Chicory street was almost de-
serted.
rang at Mr.. Lewis door. 1t was
privilege had earned, both by the con-
sistency Of my friendship and the usually
valuable nature Of my presents. A de-
lightful Hebrew servant girl, with nose
massive as Egyptian architecture. opened
the door, and admitted me to Mr.. Lewis
private parlor. In few moments that
estmablc gentleman entered.
"Ah Mister Papillotte. he said, hold
ing out his hand, chow do you do? Come
again. ehP Well, what is it this evenings Pr
"a little matter l want you to arrange
for me-" replied, unrolling my silk hand
kerchef from the chess-board. ~ want
five dollars on this, for few days"
Hum On my word, Mr.. Papillotte,
am sorry to see such a gentleman like you
coming here so often. It's really too
bad :"
Levi, as have said before, took an in
terest in me, and sometimes talked to me
like father.
My good Levi" l answered, laugh
ing, don't take any serious trouble on
my account I'm all right. You know
the best of us will get into difficulties oc-
casionally, BY the way, would you like
to 90 to the opera tomorrow night ?"
His eyes glistened.
"llave you got tickets ?"
"llere are two. Can you let me have
the money!
Well, really Mr.. Papillotte, chess is
not valuable property just at present. 1t
comes hard on the intellect, sir"
But this is an Indian chess board. 1t
belonged to the Rajah of Gundarcool. and
was taken from the royal table by an un-
Gle OF mine in the Albicore Fencibles,
who was at the siege of Gundarcool 1t
is historical chess-board, Mr.. Levi. Do
you play cheSse"
Not exactly. sir. But l came very
near learning once"
You know that the pawn is insepara.
bly, connected with the game, l sup
pose?"
Il have heard something of the kind,
sir.n
Mr.. Levi stared. My joke was COM
pletely lost upon him, 1t was q very
mild joke. certainly but, then. could bet
ter have been expected from man who