The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1880-07-21
MISCELLANY.
rNPAWN
BIZ ELEANOR KIRK.

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and the strange little man who kept the place
had more time than usual to look over his
stock and calculate his sales.
Awoman with battered face and blearcd
eyes had just been in and pawued an infants
chair, which was probably the last article Of
any value she had in the house. And this
was not worth much, for old Guttman,, as
the pawnbroker was called, would only give
her ten cents for. the privilege Of leaving IL
among his possessions.
'Vot you do with the monisli, Sal?" he
asked, as the woman, with trembling hand,
picked the dime from the counter.
Pm hungry" she replied, in maudlin
way I'm hungry
We shall see, che answered, as the wo-
man, without another word, dragged herself
from the place.
Then old Guttmann moved round once
more among his strange wares, muttering a
little to himself in his own language. Canary
birds sung and hoped about in gilded cages,
quite forgetfui of their former homes, and .
valuable maltese cat. whose owner brought it
food ever day, purred about the pawnbroker's
feet, to all appearance as happy as cat could
be
1t would be almost impossible TO name an
article of wearing apparel, or an ornament,
from paste to diamonds of the first water,
from gewgaws to sofid gold, that old Gutt-
man did not have in his shop. French clocks
and wooden clocks licked side BY side on a
shelf, while babies cradles, cribs, wax dolls
and playthings told pitifal story OF the des-
titution that made such sacrifice necessary.
There were oil paintings, bronzes, statuary,
books, aud every conceivable article Of bric-a-
brac. In short Guttfhan's stock was unusu-
ally extensive and varied, and his pride in his
miscellaneous assortment was corresponding
ly large.
Among the pictures was the portrait Of a
beautiful woman. II was In costly gilt
frame, which occupied prominent place on
AN easel in the corner of the shop. No one
could glance at this portrait without turning
to look at II again. 1t was evidently the face
of an Italian lady, and was marvellously
lovely.
The pawnbroker with his feather buster
reached this corner at last, and as he slowly
busted the frame.he said, with shake of his
bald head
"You haf been much trouble to me, my
lady. More than Won year, you bad creature,
you been here. and no monish paid for you.
You will go to the shentleman who asked to
buy you. You haf break my rule with your
great eyes, and the ozaer eyes that come here
and cry for you. But old Guttman must haf a
soft heart no more, my lady, no more"
At this moment the door, with the three
painted balls on the ground glass pane. swung
open, and girl, perhaps eight or nine years
old, came into the shop.
She was ragged, and wet through with rain.
Her long dark hair was drenched, and hung
in great. LINN. masses, down her back She
wore therstockings nor shoes, but her feet
were small and shapely, and the rags, grotes-
que in their .hlsnding Of shades aud coiorst
could not conceal the grace Aof-the girlish
figure. sg
"oh, ri have hurried 50, Gnftman DEAR
she said, looking quickly about her as she
spoke, "but she has kept me begging till this
minute y and the child stepped before the
pcrtrrit and looked At IL with hegsoul in her
eyes. - 49, 90 y,
= How much did they gif you, Ninas" the
pawnproker asked. 8 ~ - -
asOh, only very little. II was too wet for
the gentlemen to stop and put their hands in
their pockets. II 10 always bad when 1T a
wet" 44os
Sand sometimes ven It ISL dry, " said her
companion. "Come to de fire.' y
limo, I'm not cold, j" elittIe one answered,
.sand must go soon. o Guttman,i what
should / do If my dear mamma did not live
here with you9 Must she not be beautiful
angel my friend ] dreamed Of her last
night In heaven, and she was the loveliest Of
ALL" ~
The pawnbroker had opened his mouth 10
speak several times, but accustomed as he was
to all phases of this unhappy business, be
could not bring himself just then to say any
thing TO the sorrow-stricken child about the
sale Of the picture.
More than year before, Nipa's father, a
man broken down In soul and body BY hard
drinking, had pawned the picture of bis dead
wife, Shortly after be died, and nothing had
eyer been paid on, II SO, according to the
rules Of the establishment, and perhaps Of
honest dealing, the pawnproker owned the
pictuie, and Il was his 10 dispose o. to anyone
who wished TO purchase IT, S.
Every day SINGS the picture bad boon 10 old
Guttman's care Nina bad visited tho shop Il
see the face she loved 70 we'll
When Nina's father died she was utterly
alone in the world, and after little attention
from kind-hearted neighbors the child had
drifted into the care IF woman who made
her beg from morning till night, her only re-
ward being roof to cover. her when she SLEPT
and portion Of the poor food that had beer
given her through the day.
g Yes, Nina" old Guttman remarked a
last, as the child stood spell-bound before tbs
picture, :. the painting Is beautiful; everyone
viii always say that; bat all de time, Nina, 1
is not your mother, for she, ve win say, Is il
heaven yes"
80 Guttman dear, know she is in heaven
L.. ko.xo ...rv and on,slI t.at la,