Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1885-08-24
UNCLE LEVI.
The knowledge of Human Nature Re
quircd by the Pawnbrokcrs.

CURED by the Pawnbrokcrs.
In following false trail yesterday
an American reporter had occasion to
visit several pawnbrokers' establish
ments, in one of which he undertook to
get at some facts bearing upon this
mysterious calling. He had hatG
me of it. In answer to Il question h
put to a proprietor he got knowing
wink. and the object of his inquir,
walked to the front of his narrow shop
and wrote down the name of Gus
toner who had Just redeemed some
tribe.
Nah; know you. You are a re
porter, and amt going to give away
my business. | doa't want on to say
anything at all about me or my bust
ness, either" and he struck a match
under the ledge of the showcase and
lit the stump Of a cigar that had gone
out during the customers visit.
mo, SIR" with a strong accent on
the "sir," II don't give away my buSi-
ness have built this business up b,
Ieal'ng on the square. and it ain'l
square to tell you what | know abou.
pawners "
"you run a jcwelry show in conncc-
ton with your other business, don't
you?" ~.
No, l don't. But there you go.
say won't say nothin'."
The reporter sat down, nevertheless
on a stool at the end of the counter
and as he cast an injured look at tn,
other, said he did not want IL
give any mans business away, and
wasn't gong to do it.
"Of course, as man of business
YOU must protect your customers" h'
submitted. .... ...r
That's just it, you see. Why, m.
customers have so much confidence il
me they won't some OF EN- take !
ticket. | deal with the best peopl,
gon' and it's because | know how t.
treat EN- that l make my pie every
year and say nothing about it. But
could tell you things you wouldn'
hardly believe, but l amt going TO DE-
it, though, so you needn't ask it."
That's exactly right; no more yol
ought" the reporter responded.
~ say, do you know what codlisl
aristocracy is? You dop OF cours
you do. We'll, there's lots of that il
this town, lemme tell you, and wha
don't come in here amt worth having
never turn the screws on 'cl
though. If a pauper comes up and say
right out: Here, l can't settle up, bu
| will if you'll be little easy jus
let him go with the premium.
II say" asked the reporter, care
lessly, "do the generality of peopl
ante up when times up?" ly.
Eyes. don't often have anything
left over You see, it's best to be easy
When a man or woman has once boz
rowed they never fail to come back
They get to like it and lean on it. y
"But it must be an awful nuiSanc
to them to have to get the cash read
every time, is it not?" HOO.
They come up on time, though
But you're gettin' too much out of me.
The reporter protested that he wa
not up to anything mean, and assure
the speaker that he already had enoug
to write column out of if he wante
to do so, and he might just as well 6
ahead.
"Well, if you just won't use my nam
anywhere about it, I'll show you whi
sort of business I'm doin'."
Softencd at last, he undid larg
safe of ingenious construction, an
opened one after another half doze
shallow drawers filled with gol
watches of every description, MAX
and value, from the large huntin
cases of man to the fragile diamon'
studded Jergensen of feminine identit,
Several had monograms traced upo
the fronts in delicate designs. 9th
Jewels, one rated at an even thousar
dollars, lay separately boxed in oth'
: parts of the safe, and in thick lay,
/ of bills, and several rolls of silv,
coins looked out at the reporter in
, don't-you-admire-me sort of way.
"You see the run of my custome
from these things, don't your" askt
the proprietor r.
| Nov, | have to study human natu
| here, and you wouldn't hardly belle
: how weak human nature is. All you
5 got to do is to look like a fool and
as wise as Solomon. Now, / am fol
= of theaterS, and you can see me al
\ night at the Masonic. look at Il
D people coming in. and / amuse mys,
| that way a good deal. I'm no dud
: myself, to go foolin' about and
Q somebody else get ahead. l see your
fellows there get out of carriage al
IS hand a beautiful young lady up t
n stairs. Both of 'em are dressed
81 stylish and they take the dress circl
J. every time, and that fine young roost
u was just as like as not in my pla
IS lookin' for enough to get in on tN
s. hours before"
10 "You don't sayP"
~ uOh. that's nothin' Al L said