The Irish standard., 1890-07-12
PAWN-sho Is PICTURES.

~ 4 IA
PAWN-sHoP PICTURES.
How People Got Loans nc Three Per Cont.
Month.
Behind a long counter, worn smooth
and greasy by many a threadbare sleeve,
is a short, fat man, with a dropping
mustache and small gray eyes-eyes
that are like ferret's; they never look
directly at man, but the person who
stands before them knows instinctively
that they have taken him in from head
to foot, have shown the pawn-shop
keeper how sorely money is needed,
how much spirit is left in the ''bor-
rower.' ''Sizing man up" is the pawn
shop phrase for it.
Don't say any thing by way Of intro
duction, advises New York Tribune
reporter. There is no need to say any
thing. He knows that you have not
come there to lend money to him. Take
out your watch, say, and lay 1t on the
shining counter.
Chow much?" he asks indiferently.
He has picked it up and is looking at
it contemptuously, so that you see that
that watch cost you $3.50, perhaps.
ssThirty-fve dollars-about, hazard
ing a guess.
''Can't do it," shortly; ''thirty."
"Very we'll, then, we can't make
bargain"
This gives him cue. He takes lit
tie coupon" and begins to write on it,
s'Thirty?" he asks as if there were no
doubt about it.
mo"
''Thirty-two?' softly.
''Oh, no, not thirty-two."
He has finished his writing. Going to
drawer he pulls forth four bills, one
five and three tens. Laying the 'cou-
pom" on them he pushes them toward
you, reaching for the watch. "
''Wait minute. I think want $40.'
sob, pshaw, $40. It isn't worth $35,
but I'm willing to accommodate you
with thirty five. No more"
A young man is at your side, nervous
ly tapping the counter with pair OF
opera-glasses, and the small eyes shoot
swift chances at him.
''How much?" gruf1y.
ssFive dollars"
give nothing; two"
81 gotrfive for them last time.'
'sFiftieth time I've heard that to-day.
Never were here before in your life"
''Three, then" doubtfully.
'sTwo," is the sharp response.
ooh, very we'll" says the cowed young
man in despair. "Two.' ...
But he is so confused that he seizes his
coupon and darts through the door,
leaving his So on the counter.
ssHumph,' grunts the man behind the
counter; ''frst experience at this sort OF
business
The young man rushes back, crying
breathlessly; "My So! 1 left it on the
counter; where is it?"
"What $2?" says the other, looking at
him with his restless gray beads of eyes.
ooh, give it to me" cries the poor
wretch almost with wall.
'sHere's your money, young man."
says the pawnbrolzer with smile which
is almost good-natured. II thought
YOU might miss it, so took care of it
for you. You ought to be moro careful
about money matters" And the young
man goes out shamefaced as if he had
accepted alms-alms at 8 per cent
month.
A young girl who has quietly slipped
in drops ring on the counter. She
carried it in her closed hand. Perhaps
she drew it from her finger just before
she entered the front door. She keeps
her eyes turned from every one; her
hands troDoI,1n and her Inns are blood.
less.
"How nauch?"
ooh, any thing" she says, in low
tone.
''Three dollars?"
"Yes," as she nervously twists the
ring in her shaking fingers. You can
almost hear her catch her breath as s he
reaches the door.
"Well? (The ferret eyes have flashed
over you again). Thirty-h ve?" I
'sNo, think said forty"
''Thirty-seven"
emo"
"well, torty," suddenly, for you have
started for the door.
s'No, thank you.'
''Forty -fve," cry follows you into the
narrow halfway. But you are near the
street, and Ahe air ahead Of you looks
bright and inviting, and as you step on
the sidewalk your lungs feel refreshed.
1t is pleasant to see people in the
street. They seem more like men and
women than the unfortunate creature
who trembled before the pawn-shop.