Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-01-07

a NIUE nles are seduced to their ultimate
Could the reader have visited the pawn-shop
into which STAR reporter went a few duys ago he
would be greatly surprised at the difference sx-
hibfted on every hand between che pawn-shop Of
tcular shop, or, to speak more properly, store II
situated In the heart OF the business section Of
tne capital and is as wellkept and inviting in its
has the familiar legend over the door in the shape
OF the gilded balls but this is its only point OF re-
to the
with numerous shelves on which rested neatly
made bundles OF goods, he found several people
looked ike cashiers desk in q prosperous bank
Ing establishment. Behind q long counter, which
divided the entire store In the center. were several
neatly dressed clerks, who were employed IN ex-
hioitng various articles OF Jewelry to several peo-
PIE who had evidently come TO buy.
THE PROPRIETOR.
At the desk sat small well proportioned man Of
about middle age dressed In a smart business suit
that fitted him perfectly. Hewas the proprietor OF
the store and the pawnbroker Of real life When the
reporter approached he was busily occupied in
writing his name upon several printed forms that
was standing near by in respectful attitude His
work done, the proprietor Jumped from his stoo.
and, accosting the reporter, Inquired, in polite
spoke without any OF the fawning serviiity and
mixed dinlect that Is attributed TO my Uncle"
nor dld he chuckiingly rub his hands together. or
squirt his eyes While speaking. In fact, he was o
representative American merchant.
HIS BUSINESS
He laughed modestly and In deprecatory man
ner when acquainted with the reporters errand,
and said: "Really, don't know what to Say about
my business" he began. "You can never per.
that we are not placed here on earth to help un-
fortunates on the downward path. Many OF the
men engaged IN my business are OF good family
c0nneCitOnS nnSiftnpQ rn
to do any one an injury or would resent intima-
ton that their business Is not an honest one. I'm
have made the world familiar with the very worst
members OF our class, who have been eagerly &C.
cepted as the representatives OF us ALL Many of US
are men who feel that they are doing the public as
well as themselves a service. and their constant
endeavor Is TO lead upright, honest lives and con-
DUCT themselves as good citizens and gentlemen"
''ouR PATRONS
are not confined to the lower or criminal classes,
he continued "and In fact for myself 1t is seldom
that have any dealings with them. Each pawn.
broker strives, like the hardware, the dry-goods
the furniture merchant, to build up his trade
among particular class OF customers. To do this
he must, OF course conduct his business on
strictly honest basis, or else very soon he will ind
himself on the shoals and QuicksandS OF ruin and
disgrace SO much for generaliies; now TO be lit
tie more personal. When a man approaches me to
pledge his watch or any other article Of jewelry
wear ask him how much money he wishes to OBJ
tain. Before he answers l have In most cases
made up my mind whether 1t is a genuine case
Of necessity or simply man who has spent oil his
money In riotous living and now pledges the few
tinue his debauchery. In the latter case, and
strange as 1t may sound TO you, give him some
good advice refuse TO accept his pledge, and send
him away. Sometimes, yes, many times, he goes
directly from my store into another where the pro-
pretor 10 less scrupulOus but that knowledge does
not alter my method OF treatment. II It is really
xERIroRIoUs CASE,
the price asked on the article offered II IL is not
necessary bargaining and the man departs to
spend the money in purchasing luxuries for sick
wife or child, IN paying the rent gas or grOcer's
bill, or in tidlng over the emergency which found
VISITED Sy the man who runs Short Of moneV Wss
visiting relatives in q distant city. He does not
like TO make his necessity known to them or draw
OF money as would satisfy his immediate needs
Then he discovers that he has ring or something
else Of small value that he can offer pledge FOR
a loan from the pawnbroker, and 10 him the ring
Is sent and the money advanced. Why, / send
articles
ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES,
from Maine TO California and from Minnesota to
Texas. They are similar cases 10 the one have
Just mentioned. or course, there are times when
really many OF the. few that are developed In the
course OF business are bogus, and are adopted as
the s Sympathy OF the dealer. on yes: we havs
some Of that left IN our breasts for all that we are
pictured hard and INSCRIPTIONS where money il
"There are times when we know that we are
being imposed on and then we are merciless, and
rightfully, too But when 2 man comes IN my
store and asks me In t-forward, business
like manner TO loan him certain amount on his
watch or diamond PIN or any other valuable, it Is
man comes In here and begins to talk and act as Il
he was never In such place before, and would
not be seen BY any one for the world then get
with him. Perhaps he may be O deserving case.
but as general rule prefer TO give such people
wide berth: they are too often crooks and thieves
that act In this way In order to quiet any suspi-
cions that might otherwise be excited. II is very
seldom that we are
as the saying is, by crooks, but sometimes this
will happen and then the newspapers make 1t ap-
pear as II the pawn-broker is acting as q fence
for thieves when, In reality, he did more to cap
ture the thief than the policeman who arrested
him. You know banking-hOus will sometimes
accept bad check or counterfeit note, and don't
see why we can be expected to be more alert or
cautious than our respected and respectable rival.
No the case to Your said the proUet s az
recting the reporter TO case leaning against the
wall back Of the desk. On fits side was peculiar
less conspicuous In appearance.
.Now," continued he. III man enters my store
either By his actions or the unEeiiSood OF man
in his condition possessing ON article OF the value
Of the one he oilers to pawn, what do we do?
de in that box, and while We are TALKING to the
stranger about the amount TO be given
POLICEMAN srxoLIs IN
and asks the stranger where he got the article II
the reply is evasive and unsatisfactory the police
man takes the man In charge, and he is carried TO
the station ana Lacked Up pending
public Is likely 70 hurt our trade. But il Il win
bare OF the paWnbrOkof'e life. I hire two enAciai