Daily Republican., 1890-05-28
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a HALF HOUR IN THE PAwNSiIOP,

New York Tribune.
You never have bcon in pawnshopq
Wen, H. ISN'T 3 place where people like
to 60. But no doubt those who are fore
ed to go there dislike 10 make the visit
more than those who arc fortunate
enough to be able TO keep their skirts
clear Of such places. But il you care to
see people who. upon entering room,
look as II they expected to be kicked out
aud who upon leaving the aamo room
wear the expression of one who has been
kicked out, go to . pawnshop. And II
you Visit one OF these establlshmen;s-
loan otilces the proprietors cali them
you Will find that you enter the main
room through q narrow hallway. ln
this passage way you meet one or more
pair OF 'push-pull' doors. They arc
supposed to aid In coucealing your en-
trance. Their effect 10 to make YOU feel
US sreak-thief should feel.
Behind long counter, worn smooth
and greasy BY many q threadbarc sleeve
10 short fat man, with q dfoop!ng
moustache aud small gray eyes-eyes
that are like ferret's, thay never look
directly at man, but the person who
stands before them knows instin .t.yaly
that they have taken him In from heal to
icot, have shown the pawnshop keeper
how sorely money Is needed, how much
spirit 10 left In the borrower" 'Sizing
. man up is the pawnshop phrase for 1t.
Don't say anything by way Of intro
duction. There is no need to say any
sstag- lie knows that you have not
come There 70 lend uoney to him. Take
out your watch, say, and lay 1t on tho
shining counter.
"How much?" he asks, ipdiGerently.
He has picked It up and 10 looking at
II contem, tuously. 30 that you see that
he does not consider it worth 81. And
that watch cost you $3.50, perhaps.
'.Thirty-tiye dollars-about," hazard
Ing q guess.
"Can't do H." shortly; "thirty.n
Very well, then, we can't make a
bargain"
This gives him cue. He takes a
little coupon" and begins to write on
"Thirty?" he asks, as If there werc no
doubt about 1t.
"No."
"Thirty-twop' softly.
''Oh, no, not thIr,y-two,"
He hae finished his writing. Goiny TO
q drawer he pulls forth four bills, one
five and three tens. Laying the .icou-
pou" on them he pashes them toward
you, reaching Tor the watch.
wait minute. l think / want
$40.
oh, pshaw, t4o. 1t Isn't worth ss5,
but I'm willing TO accommodate you
with thirty-fge. No more.'
A young man Is at your side, uervously
tapping the counter with pair OF opera
nj ga nd "a
RlanceB at him.
s.How muchR grufIly.
"Five dollars"
s.Five nothing; two."
II got five for them last t,me.o
'Flitieth time I've heard that to-day.
Meyer were here before in your life."
.'Three, then," oubtuliy.
"Two," Is the sharp response.
"Oh, very well rays The cowed young
man In despair. "Two."
bnt he Is SO coniusei that he seizes his
coupon and darts through the door, leay-
ing his 81 on the counter.
"Hulnphl" srunts tho man behind the
counter; 'hrst experience at this sert OF
business"
Tne young man rush back, crying
ath'essly: my s2i l left it on the
counter; where Is it?"
hat S2?" says the other, looking at
bin with Lis restless gray bead OF eyes.
.Ob, give 1t to me-" cried the poor
wretch almost with a vail.
Here's your money, young man."
says the pawnbroker with a smile which
is almost good II thought you
might mics 1t. so took care OF 1t for
you. You ought to be more careful
about money matters"
And the young man goes out shame
faced IS II be had accepted alms-alms at
per cent month.
A young girl who has quietly slipped
in drops ring on the counter. She car
ried 1t 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
tremble aud her lips are bloodless:
''How muchi'
"Oh. anything" she says, in a low
tone.
"Three dollsrsp
Yes" as she nervously twists the
ring In her shaking fingers. You eau
almost hear her catch her breath as she
reaches the door.
well? (The ferret eyes have flashed
oyar you again Thirty -fyel.'
mo, l think I said.''
"Thirty soven?"
ssNoo
'sWell, forty" suddenly, for you have
started ior the door.
mo, thank you."
"Forty-iiye," = cry follows you into
the narrow hallway. But you are near
the street. and the air ahead of you looks
bright and Inviting, aud as you step on
the sidewalk your lungs feel refreshed.
1t Is pleasant to see people in the street.
They seem more like men aud women
than the unfortunate creatures who
trembled before the pawnshop keeper.
Measles aud It's cough are quickly
Gu cd by using smms' Cough Syrup.
Mothers, use II. Contains no opium; al
NaYe safe, The pennine sells at 2hc by