Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-02-22

WHERE PEOPLE WHO ARE
HARD UP RAISE THE WIND.

Every Day Scenes Behind the Sign of
the Three Gilt Balls-The People who
go TO See Their Uncle and What
They Get from Him.
There are every day scenes enacted be-
hind the sign of the three gilt balls that if
the public could look in upon would open
its eyes to the trailties Of human nature.
A News reporter dropped into we'll
known pawnbroker's shop towards night
yesterday, and had just seated himself,
when a man past middle age entered.
His coat and general attire gave
evidence OF the fact that he
had seen better days. A suspicious red
ness of the Interior portion of his nasal
promOntory betrayed the weakness which
| caused his visit. He was one of the Greg
ulars" the proprietor subsequently eX-
plained-a man who had once upon a
time been prosperous business man, but
whom the passion for strong drink had
brought down in the world. He would
come with almost unYarying regularity,
pawn his watch or perhaps his ring for a
few dollars, and as regularly redeem them
when his waves would enable him to do
so few days later. This time he walked
up to the counter with a business air,
! pulled out his watch, and spoke his oft
told tale of "just being in want of SO
to make up the amount of note which
falls due tomorrow" The money and
THE LOAN TICKET
were handed him, and he departed with
an air of satisfaction as if he had Just
| cOnsummated very profitable business
| transaction. The next customer was a
/ young man, apparently about % years of
age. His face wore the marks of dissipa-
ton, though his features were refined and
his manners bespoke the man of good
| society. Drawing valuable diamond
ring from his finger he said: 81 should
like to have $50 for few weeks. My
usual remittance has not come to hand,
and l am little short OF funds.'
The broker examined the ring and
asked: won't $50 do yOu?"
Couldn't possibly get along with less
than $50, my dear sir" was the reply, and
he got It.
the reporter.
ooh, yes, unless the young man dies.
! You see, L know him, or know OF him.
He Will go on
FEW DAYS LARK,
and will get sick and get money from his
mother. Then the dear boy will redeem
his ring. That's his little lay"
A woman entered the store, and
there are more OF them who visit
the sign of the three balls than
| many suppose there are. She is perhaps
50, and glance at her face and dress
shows that it is need mingled with pride
that brings her there. She approaches
the counter with a box III her hand and
hesitatingly, as though doing a wrong
act she hands it to the broker. "Can
you let me have $5?" The articles We're
weighed; they are all gold and silver
trinkets and the woman is informed that
the most that can be advanced on them is
SO. "Please let me have 50. l need it,
Impressed with her manner the broker
again weighs the articles she gave him.
"Madam," he says, 'they are not worth
more than So, but as you say you need it,
l will let you have 81, that is all | can do
for YOU" The woman takes the money
and hurries away. She is one of type
which, unfortunately perhaps. are too
proud to work in an humble way. There
is another customer,
A STRIKING CONTRAST
to the one just described.
1t is also woman who is not ashamed
to be found in pawnshOp if she can
only get what she wants. She throws
down sacque and exclaims: 81 say, let
me have $40 on that" The broker
examines the cloak and says, Cant give
you over SO. It's not worth it."
sob, get out! you're no good. Put on
another V, that's a good fellow; you know
you're safe enough" The broker re-
mains uncOnvinced that he is 'safe
enough and after several further inef-
fectual efforts to obtain the desired
amount, the woman takes the offer and
flaunts out.
These are some of the types of people
who visit their UNCLE" although they
do not by any means make
up the great class, which
JiryCc Tvrg ~ hot hoc -
high rate of interest in the hands of the
man who thrives by its weakness. at
takes money to run the business" said a
leading broker. "SOme people think that
a pawnbrOker needs nothing but sign
and halt a dozen brass watches to start
him in business. Do you suppose we can
advance hundred dollars or more, per-
haps five times that amount, every day
and get a living out Of it? BY no means.
But then, you know, we make little
something, and manage to get living
out Of it."