Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1883-05-17
GIN PAWN"
A WESTON WHITNEY.

"Go, child, 60. must have drink.
must! l must!'
but, father, there is nothing left to
pawn; everything is gone"
mo, child, no; not everything. The
picture. Go. l must have drink. /
must! say"
Bessie threw herself before her father
in an agony of grief, crying:
mot that, father; no, no, not that.
1t is all that have that belongs to my
mother, and-oh! | would rather die
than part with it.
"Stuff and nonsense, child. It's
worth money, and money will buy
drink. Don't let it go too cheap; it's
worth money, say. Yes, he laughed,
''it's worth money. l had it taken and
set in the gold when / didn't know the
good of drink. Co." he said, stcrnly,
''and no more of this foolishness. "
Il cannot pawn the locket," she said,
decidedly, rs she rose and turned away.
"Then steal the money, but bring me
the drink. / must have it, L say. I'd
pawn myself if l could. Go-take the
locket and be gone, or I'll dash my
brains out "
Bessie stood still q moment, and then,
turning TO him with the tears in her
eeer, said:
'Will you kiss me before 90, fatherp"
mo, no; wait till you bring the drink.
Cor and he motionod her away with
his hand.
A few moments later Bessie was
standing by the counter of the pawn
brokers' shop, her eyes dry, but her lit
tie face showing traces of terrible suf-
fering.
David Downs was listening unmoved
to story of wretchedness and misery,
but, though he was pronounced by all
who knew him harsh and cruel, there
was, as there is with all of Gods crea-
lures, soft spot in his heart, and
that soft spot had moro than once been
unconsciously touched by Bessie; and
vet it was still the harsh voice that
turned to her when they were alone and
said:
''Well, what nowp"
She handed HIM the locket and asked:
GLOW much would you give on thisp"
He examined il carefully, looked
hard at the likeness, and then said:
81 might-yes, think could-lend
you ten dollars on that. Wouldn't that
keep him in drink some timer" and he
chuckled and turned away with the
locket.
''Please, Mr.. Downs" said Bessie,
II don't want you to keep it."
"What, do you want more than thatP'
he asked, sharply.
mo" said the child, looking up a,
him, "but want to know if you won't
give that on me. could take care OF
things, you know, and I'd try not to
eat much. Oh! please do, Mr.. Downs. ,
1t was curious to notice the expires
sion on the mans face. For moment
he looked steadily at the chile
as though he were turned TO stone
and then he took out his colored hand
kerchief and blew his nose very hard
"If / understand Alright" he said
when he again looked down on her
''you wish TO put Yourself in pawn"
Eyes, please, Mr.. Downs"
"H'm! l never did such thing, bu
if you wish it very much-if you woul,
rather do that than have me keep this
eyes, yes" she said, holding out he
hand for the locket. II can't give tina
up. It's my Mothers"
David Downs was n sharp, keer
sighted nu,tl. and, even before he SAY
the little inouLh culver, his mind wa
made up.
''Well, !" he said, returning the locket
''if agree to put you in pawn, yo
must let me take the money for yot
You know you can't go back then"
Bessie choked back sob as she too
tho locket, but she sale nothing as 81
saw the money counted and tick,
prepared.
''You can sit down and keep an ey
on the place till come back. If an,
one comes they can wait"
Bessie longed 10 say something |
David Downs went out, but the wort
seemed 10 stick in her throat, and
dared not say more lest he should !
harsh and cruel, for his impulse was
do or say something violent He mac
long circuit and walked rapidly