, 1891-01-28
R GOLDEN BALLS.
A TOLEDO SCRIBE PAYS A VISIT TO
HIS MUCH ABUSED UNCLE.

A PAWnbroker's Opinion of PAwnshops.
They Are a Necessary Ey1-An Aid to
Justics-A Convenience to Nearly All
Classes. Especially to the Poor.
A reporter ~promenading one Of the clean
and mud free avenues, and watching with
inward delight the rain drops pattering
gently down On the pavement, CHANGED to
see engraved on a window pane, in bold,
white type, the following delusive words,
~"Unredeemed pledges for sale here cheap"
and hastily mounting the marble steps
was soon breathing the perfumed air OF
the pawnbroker's sanctum. With a search.
ing glance the broker said emphAtically:
well, your story How much do you
wantY"
We'll, l guess 1 won't pawn my UNI
brella today, my friend. lust dropped in
TO have a little confidential chat about the
people you see"
"Oh, that's it, is it, Excuse me. Yes,
OF course pawnbrokers are in a position to
see many amusing as well as touching In
cidents. It's a queer business.
MANY people think pawnshops are but
little better than a robbers roost, and that
pawnbrokers have a close affinity with
thieves. They think that IL we have our
clutches on a watch, and 1t runs a minute
over time. it's good-by to that watch; but
they are greatly mistaken,-ws always ex-
tend time IL 1t is requested, {" and he got out
a book showing where he had extended
payment three times.
HELPING JUSTICE.
Instead OF standing in with thieves we
stand in with the detectives" he went on.
Now, for instance, Saturday night a burg
lar entered the room of a lady living on
Superior street. Not daring % make apy
FputGfn NfRo Gha at 49,. xiii l.
up her watch, ring and breastpin and
walked out. She came to me this morn
ing, described the goods, and we are on the
lookout for the thief. Here is her address.
A plush cloak was stolen the other day
and returned to the owner by a pawn
broker. Whenever a suspicious looking
party comes in with something TO pawn
we look up our description of stolen goods,
and If 1t tallies we call up the police station.
The party gets back his goods and the
thief takes a trip to the s%toneyard.
"Pawnshops are a necessity. Travelling
men often arrive in town dead broke, ex-
pecting a remittance from their house.
They don't get it. Can't get trusted, so
they come here, pawn some article and re-
deem it when the remittance comes. They
are like circuses Have to be in a certain
place at a given time and can't wait. Then
they are d necessity to the poor man who
is Obliged to pawn his coat to buy bread
for his children. Here is a sad case" he
said. pointing to a roll of carpet.
II loaned a man money on that to bury
his child. l nave had men come in here and
call down blessings on my head-men that
were obliged to pay their rent or be turned
into the street. Il couldn't face my wife
and tell her had given her the last cent
said one, and you helped me out by a loan.
God bless you
at isn't only the poor class that frequent
the pawnshops, either" he continued.
Some most prominent merchants often
come here to borrow money.
PATRoNIzRD BY THE RICH.
Many elegantly dressed ladies come
here. They always go to the private office.
It's an embarrassing position for a lady
with fine and tende feelings to find her
self in. Sealskin cloaks and diamonds are
usually pawned by these women. It's no
disgrace to be hard up. but it's mighty in
convenient"
How about society young menf" queri-
ed the reporter.
Society young mem Why they are the
best customers I've got," was the reply.
Why, they will pawn their winter over
coats and go out with a linen duster on,
with a brickbat in eac pocket to make
'em feel heavy" he laughed. young fell
lows come in here, dressed within an inch
OF their life, to borrow money. One of this
stamp came in here not long ago, and slap
ping his fist down on the counter, said.
with a confidential air: Say, by Joye, old
fellow, I've got three girls out here, and
they want ice cream, and, by Jove, Pm
dead brokel Lend me a V on this ring,
VIII SOuf' Aud S@a- of sha airla notea
the absence of the ring, he has Just loaned
IL to his best girl or left 1t at home.
"a prominent actress. on the eve of be-
ing stranded, left some valuable diamonds
here. The loan helped her on to the next
town, when she redeemed them"
You have got a great collection here"
said the reporter, looking around at the
rows and cases Of watches, rings, razors,
wringers, spoons, shotguns, bicycles, vio-
Inns, dictionaries and Bibles. and a thou
san and one other things.
N IN H BUSINESS.
YES, we keep almost everything" said
the broker. A pawnbroker in England
once made a wager with a friend that there
wasn't anything that he could mention
that he couldn't produce. Thinking he
had easily won the wager he mentioned 8
coffin. John, go up stairs and bring down
one Of those %cofins,' he said, and one was
speedily forthcoming"
rs there much money In the ~businessf"
We'll, people think you have only to go
into the business to become a second Cre-
sus, but there isn't so much money as that
in II. Whenever stolen goods are recoy-
cred we don't get a cent back. 1 lost s135
at one time in this way. We don't get
any sympathy from the people. We have
the reputation of being thieves and vii
lains, but l guess we can stand it. 1t isn't
every one who is adapted to the business.
The successful pawnbroker must be thor
oughly posted on the value Of everything,
must be a good judge of human nature,
and it's necessary to have good physical
ability.
az wouldn't advise a man of delicate
proportions or of a timid nature to go into
the business. Why, we nave rackets here
that would make your hair stand on end
sometimes. That's when we sell an arti-
Gle on which the time has expired" said
the broker, as the reporter babe him good
morning.-Toledo Blade.
Birthplace.