Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-05-15
NO. No.
HOW NELLIE WAS PAWNED.
LcoNrINUED FROM YESTERDAY. |

iouc SeeIueu SO very ANXIOUS ABOUT my
not doubling her fathers ability, that /
smiled sort of assent, as if was perfect
" satisfied of his rare talent, and was in
timately acquainted with the merits Of
every one of his productions.
where do they keep you?" / asked.
half Jestingly, for the whole affair seemed
so like vaudeville that expected every
moment TO hear some unseen audience ap-
plauding the performance. "Do they put
You in the safe, with the jewelry, or lay
you on the shelves with gowns and
coats ?''
No. sir, live up stairs with Mr.. Levi
Father will come though, in few days,
with the money, and redeem me-"
All this as seriously as if il was the
commonest thing in the world for dis
tressed fathers to pawn their children, to
keep the duplicates in the waistcoat pock-
cts
Have you ever been in pawn before,
Miss Nellie Lee p''
ooh, yes, sir. Father painted the Sew
en- Sisters of Ephesus with what he got
on me last fall'
This was really moro than could stand.
l lay back on the half bottomed sofa and
roared with laughter. The deposit stood
before me with grave and patient de-
meanor neither surprised at my merri-
ment nor apparently thinking that there
was anything at all singular in her posi-
ton.
"You say that you play chess" said at
last checking my merriment by great
effort, out of respect for the fair and beau
tiful eyes that saw before me. Would
you like to play game ?'
ooh, yesr' answered the deposit II
should like it very much. You can't
think"
We sat down to play chess. l don't
know how long we were at it, but this /
do know, that if the entrance of Mr.. Levi
had not disturbed us, it would have con-
tinued probably to the present day. There
was first move. Then long conversa-
ton. Then pause, during which the
blue eyes seemed to be intently studying
the board, and mine were intently study
ing the blue eyes. Then another move
Then more conversation, until the rival
forces on the Rajah's ivory battlefield got
into such a state Of confusion that believe
Morphy would have become lunatic at
the first glance he cast upon them.
AS for me thought Of nothing but the
simple, beautiful young creature who sat
opposite me, and, in spite of myself, vi
sions Of such being moving about my
lonely chambers, making the gloom gay.
and causing the bachelors barren life to
bourgeon and bloom like the dry rod of
the high priest.
In the midst of all this in came Mr.. Levi
with my five dollars and duplicate for
the chess-board. He seemed rather as
tonished at the quiet intimacy which had
so suddenly been established between N.Y.
self and his deposit.
"NIr. Levi" said l to him, II had no
idea that you lent money on this species of
personal property. have a rich old uncle,
who won't die without leaving me my
share Of his property. that would be very
glad to raise something on. How much
will you give me on him. He's in an ex-
cellent state of preservation, and has
served in the last warr'
"Oh"' he replied, laughing, without
paying any attention to my proposed
avuncular exchange, "Nellie Lee is
capital girl, and it's sometimes as we'll
that she should be away from her. He
and here he made an expressive panto-
mime, suggestive of rum. Her large eyes
were filled with tears.
Don't be angry with me, Nellie" con-
tinued the pawnbroker, kindly. 'You
know that he has very bad habits or you
would not be here. My wife is very fond
of her. Mr.. Papillotte, and for that mat
ter her father adores her, and as he viii
never finish any of his pictures without
the spur of some tern ible necessity, we
contrive to put Nellie in what we call
pawn, and then he is sure to work to get
the money to redeem her. Nellie, child,
don cry.
| went up to the poor child, and took
her hand gently in my own.
Nellie Lee," | said, ''you love your
father very much
She nodded her head, and shook off
ear or two that fell upon her hand.
It's but right you should do so. But
YOU are in strange position here. Your
ather is not fit to be your guardian. and
you will not always meet with pawnbrok.
ers as kind as MIR. Levi. Now, what you
ought to do is to entrust yourself to the
care of some man who is young and strong
and who, with your fair free. and good in
Iluences to stimulate him, will work for
you day and night, and love you as dear
y as your father did"
She shook her head gently. and still the
ears fell
You think such Il one cannot be found?
on are wrong. lfyou could bring your
self TO accept his protection if you could
persuade yourself that love suddenly
BORN could be as vigorous and lasting as
one that takes years to mature, YOU never
would repent of it; swear it?"
"And where is there such a one ?" de-
handed Levi, with mingled Incredibly
md curiosity in his black eyes.
"iiere y answered. IL want but such
m object rs this to become industrious. |
lave abilities if turn to account--of that
am convinced; and. after all, if the
worst should come, nothing under heaven
can keep me from inheriting a portion of
my unclc's estate. Ii Nellie Lee will take
me for her husband, call God to witness
that | will cherish and love her until
death. F."
The little head shook no longer, and
Ielt slight pressure from the small hand
in mine. 1t may have been tremor.
however.
"Her father would never consent y said
Levi, refectively.
..Naua,. ,, oohned Nall;. =, . Yo,u s,.,.