St. Paul daily globe., 1889-05-13

@O III great country, eS~
~ tablishments d s.
=. playing the three
gilded balls are
plentiful enough, and there is none bet,
ter able to form a correct estimate OF
the people coming under his notice than
the bejeweled Individual who doles out
the pitiful loans in most cases acA
corded the pinched and poverty
stricken patrons Of the public uncle.
In st. Paul, the sign of Uncle1Abraham
is seen with even greater frequency on
the principal streets than in most cities
Of the same population, and although
there is in the Sanity City less of the
misery and suffering consequent upon
extreme poverty than in cities of the
East, there is still a percentage of the
evil sufficiently large to call forth com.
ment and sympathy from those more
sentative called on a Seventh street
pawnbrOker yesterday. with a view to
learning something about the class OF
people who patrOniZe the brokers OF
this city.
''If you chose to stand here in my
shop for a day. you would see some
queer people. with queer notions about
the value of the-in some cases-value,
less articles. they want me to lend money
on" said one disciple of cent per cents
to the scribe. 1--WE have regular Gus.
toners, the same as in any other bust.
ness. There is one customer of mine
man who earns good wages as me.
chanic but spends all his earnings in
drink, and is broke regularly every
Tuesday. For six months past he has
pawned his best suit every Wednesday
morning. and redeemed it on Saturday
NIGHT Hos ppnlnS that fol
low, and, although, as l said, earning
good salary, appears to regard this
weekly transaction as one painfully nec-
eSsary. Last night man came in and
wanted to trade new pair of pants he
was wearing for all old pair. | was to
furnish the old pair and give him
enough to boot for nights lodging
and breakfast. l need hardly
say that l refused. The abject poor,
however, are not our best customers.
An army of people are constantly
streaming into this city in search of en-
ployment. and failing in their quest, are
compelled to part with their watches or
some piece of jewelry in order to exist.
The class, however, who are never sus-
pected of accepting aid from us, the
wealthy people of the town, are the
very ones from whom a great part of
our profit in the business is derived.
Many high-toned people pledge their
Jewels periodically to raise money
for relief from perhaps tenn
porary embarrassment and re-
deem them when convenient. Dur
5 ing the racing season though, is the
time when loans are in demand and dfa-
mOndS drug in the market. Many
game sport goes full length on ''dead
sure winner" and sees rank outsider
,1n,. ft,n vIrir h
Then away go diamond rings and studs,
everything that will raise money to
carry Oh thewar. Most of these people
redeem their baubles. of course, for the
money lent on them is but third of
their value"
Just as the big clock in the market
tower struck s a shadow darkened the
door, and there entered sad-faced,
plainly-clad woman, who, with falter-
ing steps, approached the counter.
.'Can YOU lend me dollar on this,
please, sir" she inquired in trembling
voice, at the same time pushing bun
die toward the clerk with one labor.
worn little hand, whilst the other
clutched tightly under her chin the
tattered shawl she had thrown over her
head.
The .sthis,' was a dress of some
black stuff, probably the last decent
garment the poor creature possessed.
With eyes anxiOusly upturned, she
watched the man as he made his critical
examination of the poor. worn garment,
while at intervals glistening tears
dropped from the trembling lashes, and
dimmed the brightness of the mahOgony
counter.
Fifty cents is all 1 can let go on that,
it's already much worn," came the ver-
dict.
With pit,ful moan, the poor world
worn creature turned to go. The light
born of hope which moment before
had lit up the pinched features, had
died out, leaving an expression of alb
solute despair painful to contemplate.
Before reaching the door, however, the
poor creature turned in an impulsive
manner. and stood with both hands ex-
tended toward the man of money, while
the tattered shawl fell back upon her
shoulders, and revealed the fact that
she had once been beautiful.
''For Gods sake, sir, trust me with
dollar for few d ayS. FL work night
and day to return it, and God will bless
you for the act. never begged in my
life before, but now my child lies dying
with diphtheria. She's all l have left
in the world, and if she's taken away,
medicine for her,
Exhausted by the force of this last ap-
peal to the humanity of man. the poor
worn woman sank half fainting into a
chair. the picture of abject misery.
'.What is this?" Can it have been the
mercenary and much-abused pawn
broker who forced a crisp new ten dol
lar bill into the hand of the surprised
and grateful woman? st range, but
nevertheless true. aud then She de-
parted with prOtestatiOns of eternal
gratitude.
''Not much profit on that deal," haz-
arded the scribe.
s'Profit be DID, replied the wearer
of the big diamond. Il am a married
man and have children myself. That
woman's case was genuine. and you
may make a note of the fact that pawn
brokers have hearts as we'll as other
class of men. The difference is that
we can tell the real from the sham
cases, and know how to act accordingly.
All pawnshop keepers are not icebergs.
They are built much in the same man
ner as other men,"