The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1881-07-12
NEW YORK PAWN SHOP RRuxx.
lsCENCES

WHO stood behind the desk is n little
office. over the door Of which three
giided balls had been hanging till they
were thoroughly tarnished-"W.
Pswnoroksrs get many glimpses of the
dark side OF life. and We are not 90 m.r
CHESS, either, rs come folks think We
are. You see that violin? / have kent
It over year, hoping the ownsr will
turn up and claim It. He is an old
dermsn whose language aud appear.
aDce when he was here indicated that
lie was gentleman. albeit q poor one
He brought the violin here about ten
years ago. Since that time be has
pawned and redeemed il at sn average
OF Tour times year Poor old fellow
/ was always glad TO see him return;
not because / wanted the money. but
because OF bis pleasure and satisfac-
ton Of recovering bis treasure. / have
seen hum kiss the violin and hug /,
with beam of joy sech as you might
expect IN see on the face of 9 mother
who had found long lost child. The
last time he came be brought a hand.
somely bound volume of Goeth.'s
poems. / didn't want the book but
hadn't the heart to refuse the small
amount he asked on 1t. While wait
ing. he gazed longiDgly at the violin.
which hung on the wall where you see
1t. When be went away there was a
mournfnl expression on his wrinkled
counsenaDce. as il he knew il was his
last farewell to his old favorite. have
kept the violin. which i q valuable
one, and l hope he will come back
some day and claim it."
II have watch in my SAFE" the old
pawnbroker went on. shat has also
been q constant visitor for Ierhaps
twelve years. Ii belongs to Q widow.
When she first brought IL here she was
very pretty and we'll dressed; put time
and. suppose. sorrow have left their
traces. Her bright eyes have grown
dim and her hair silvery. The last
time she came she was poorly. though
neatly attired. Probably her lines have
not fallen in pleasant places. No; we
do not often learn the hIs'ory OF tho.e
who patronize US. Gust. mers gcuerally
keep their troubles to themselves
That sealskin sacque was q beauty
when II was first brought here I: be.
longs TO the wife Of q politician, The
man has his ups and downs, but lately
fancy. il has been all down with him,
for nearly al his wife's wardrobe is
here. She is a garrulous woman, and
would relate all OF her family troubles
II desired to hear them. One day
she said: Il have nothing left butthe
dress have on. told my husband il
was time he pswned some of his
clothes. but he informed me thst it was
necessary for him to present respecta-
bic appearance, and that / could re-
main IN the house when j had disposed |
OF all my finery.'
A few years ago young bank clerk
married the daughter of . highly re-
spectabls family. The young couple
received many wedding presents. in
Guiding some valuable silver, most
Of which was given by the girls fam
lily. Shortly after their marriage he |
got possession Of the articles for the os
tensible purpose Of placing them in the
bank for safe keeping. but brought
them here instead. The young man
was living beyond his means. He soon
became iovolved in debt. and his wife
suggested disposing Of the silver in or
der TO help him out Of his troubles.
Then he was forced TO confess that il |
was disposed OF long before. The arti.
ties were never redeemed, and | heard
Bat there was divorce suit not long
age.
Many people believe that pawn
brokers are pstronized by the poor
only. but well-known brokers and bus
iness men OF good standing frequently
come here TO pawn valuable watches,
studs and the like. They
generally redeem them after O short
time. and account for their absence TO
their friends by stating that the srti-
cies named are ut the jewelers. for re-
pair. A couple Of years ago Q lady
living in brown stone mansion up !
town sent out cards OF invitation for a
grand party; but ct the las, moment
her husband could not supply funds for
the entertainment She came here in /
her carriage, bringing the family
jewels. Bee didn't come ia herself, but
sent . confidential servant with note,
stating that he was authorized by his
mistress 10 obtain . certain sum of /
ucaey on the goods. The demand was
large. but knew the lady and felt
sure that the things would be redeemed.
The original programme was carried
ont. the supper being ordered from q
famous caterer who supplied china.
silver. &c. and none Of the five hun
dred gussts suspected that their smilr
iug hostess had her pocketbook stuffed
full OF pawn tickets."