The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-03-24
THE MONEY LENDER.
NOT THE MAN WHO HANGS OUT
THREE GlLDEO BALLS,
But He Who Profits by Others BIisfOrtunes
by Doing a Private Pawn-Broker-
age Business-TemptatiOns
and Profits.
Newark N Call

-"There are number of private pawn
brokers in Newark, the veteran observer
went on 10 say, but they would be grieve-
ously insulted if they were told with cold
truth that they are no more or less than
pawnbrokers, or, in other words Shylocks
who profit on the misfortunes or eXtrava-
gance Of their acquaintance. These men
always keep a large amount of ready
money in their safes, and this is known
20 society people who are compelled at
times to raise money on their jewels in
order to meet an obligation that can not
be avoided. Some of these rich money
lenders are men who have retired from
active business with an ample fortune,
others are in the professions, and it is a
fact that physicians have the best chances
of making money in the business, for
they are entrusted with many family
secrets that are never whispered to the
most intimate friends and relatives.
"There are men in different professions
who have a certain income from this prac-
tice, live extravagantly and yet amass
wealth, while other men who have larger
income and live more economically be-
come only moderately wealthy. 1t is a
fact well known in society circles that
money is made more rapidly by private
pawnbrokers than in any other way, and
the chances are always against the person
who leaves iewelry in pledge. The lender
Is more than doubly secured, and he has
no fear that the law will be invoked
against him. Rare paintings and valua-
bic books change hands in the same way,
and 1t is given out that the articles
were sold for large sum.
Some of these money lenders treat the
people fairly for a time. but the tempta-
ton to coin wealth rapidly Is too strong
to resist it when there is a chance to make
a person pay a round sum for a favor If
q fair rate is charged for the money
advanced the business is not Objectionable,
for it is at times the means of helping
persons out of serious difficulties, but it
Is too often the case that before the
articles pledged are redeemed the interest
paid amounts to more than the original
cost of the articles. Now, l cannot see
that there is much difference between the
public pawnbroker, If he deals on the
square, and the private pawnbroker, for
they both profit on the misfOrtunes of
men and women.
"As q rule, the public pawnbroker
nate and often with the criminal classes,
and the least violation of honor on his part
Is magnified four-fold. But if the rich
man who accepts pledges in the secrecy OF
his Office or library violates his honor the
general public never hears of 1t. For q
time 1t is whispered among the relatives
and intimate friends of the sufferers, and
occasionally it is the subject of society
gossip, but it is soon forgotten. Few
people care to offend the money lender,
Tor society folk In this age are not always
sure that they may not be forced to ask a
temporary favor when a grand reception
must be given, or daughter has to be
furnished with a costly wedding outfit "