Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-08-15
IN A PAWNBRoKER's.
Where Money is Raised on Jewelry and
Other VaIuables.

From the Washington Star.l
please, sir, can | get So on thisw The
speaker was a woman with tattered dres,
and pale, careworn face, and she wa:
; standing behind the little screen in g
pawnbroker's office on Pennsylvania ave
nue. that obscures the unfortunates who are
| forced to raise money on personal property
| from the outside world. As she finished
speaking she took from off the third finger
of her left hand broad, plain gold ring
and held it forward in half hesitating
sort of way, as though she were 10th to
part with it. at is my wedding ring,
she went on, ADDRESSING the man who
stood behind the counter, "but l must
have money to pay my room rent or |
will be turned out of doors. This is the
last piece of jewelry / have in the world,
and feel as though l would sooner part
with my life than give it up forever" But
the man behind the counter told her in as
gentle manner as possible that he
was not conducting pawn shop now, and
only bought and sold goods "Of course"
he said, eff you desire to sell it, l will
give you its worth as old gold. Three
dollars and twenty cents" he continued,
as he took the ring from small scale
near by. "Whatl sell my wedding ring
for So 20i Why, its worth ten million
times that amount" So, replacing the
ring on her finger, she left the Office
Turning to Sur reporter who stood
near, the ex-pawnbroker said: "No bust
ness in the world has greater field for
studying human nature than the pawn
broker business, and might venture to say
without fear of contradiction that no one
hears SO many tales of desolation and de-
spair as the man who stands behind the
counter and advances money on personal
property. Not day goes by but that we
hear some pitiable story, and really man
must have heart of stone to Withstand
some of the appeals which these people
make. But our business is not confined to
the poorer classes alone. No not by a
large majority. For | have among my
patrons many people prominent in society
circles. Why, look at these, for instance
he continued, as he drew from safe near
by a small plush box in which pair of
diamond earrings sparkled. "These be-
long to one of the most prominent society
women in Washington; but, of course,
cannot tell you her name. Now these
earrings probably cost when new about
$4,000. They were pledged before this
new pawnbrokers' law went into effect,
and up to the present time, as you see, have
not been redeemed nor even the interest
paid; but | will not sell them and
she knows it. You see, where know par
ties never sell anything that they have
left with me until first notify them. You
cannot imagine what varied assortment
of articles is brought here to be pledged
every day. One man wants to pledge
pair of suspenders with gold buckles; an
other silk negligee shirt; third brings
a pair of WORKOUT shoes; woman proba-
bly, comes in with dress; some one wants
money advanced on some foreign coins |
So that you see a man to be a successful
pawnbroker must not only be keen in
general way but must have an accurate
idea of the value of almost everything.
Just at this season of the year,. continued
the ex-pawnbroker, "ladles are pawning
their seal-skin coats. You see there is a !
double advantage in pawning a seal skin
coat in the summer time, for you not only |
insure them against moths, but you get the |
use of probably one-third OF the money |
hey cost. But come in the back room,"
he continued, "and | viii show you some |
If the things that are pledged. Under |
stand, everything in here was pledged be-
ore the new pawnbrokers' law went into |
Effect, and these have never been redeemed. !
Had continued in the business under the !
lew law this room would have been |
rowded TO much greater extent"
Through little swinging door the re-
porter found himself in dark room |
rowded with shelves, from which pro-
uded bundles, each bearing little tag
With numbers upon them. These bundles,