The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1892-04-21
Seen in a Pawn shop.

On an afternoon of one of the coolest
days of the season. stood on the street in
one of our large cities, and saw little girl
walking up side street carrying large
basket. She was remarkable for the artistic
way in which her face was soiled and for a
big red and ragged shawl that was wound
about her, one end of it sweeping the side
was middle aged woman, dirty and ragged
with a face bloated and red with drink.
Hurrying the child along they stopped in
front of dirty. dingy building. ornamented
woman going to the corner of the street
stopped. while the child placing her back
against the door of the shop and pushing
with all her might forced it open and
slipped in behind it. Through curiosity l
followed. There was short counter in one
end on which stood little desk. with
ground glass back that Obscured the business
done behind it from the persons in the store.
There vas small sentry box for the use of
customers who were ashamed or afraid of
being seen there. A tall, heavy built man
stood behind the counter wrangling with
SOOu Ii WOLAdLs LII UuC IIdu .
shirt bosom. and on several fingers. gilt
tered large diamonds. On the counter be-
tween him and the woman was pair of
girls shoes, white shirt and sheet.
"COme. now. be good natured and give me
two dollars" she was saying, as l entered.
''Shure I'll be after taking them out again
on Saturday." II ply me dose new for two
dollar; lose money if 1 gift you Won dollar.
but you vas goot customer, so don't
gare." He pushed the articles out of sight.
wrote few words on ticket, and gave it
to the woman together with a silver dollar.
"Vell?" This remark was addressed to a
weak old man with gray hair, red face and
ragged coat. He took from his pocket a
well worn silver watch and placed it on the
counter. After opening the cases and CIV
ing minutes inspection he said-"TwO
dollar" The door opened and slim young
man. well dressed, slipped in and darted
into the little box. The clerk hurried to at
tend to him for the business smacked of a
diamond transaction. The diamond was
large one set in a ring. and l heard the
young man say. Fifty dollar" But the
rule of a pawnbroker is never to grant the
first request. ''Timonds are away down. 1
gif you forty dollar" MAKE it forty five
and let me get out of here" The clerk
made it so and the man hurried out. Then
woman produced quilt and large book
and laid them on the counter; the clerk
glanced at them and said-'VOn dollar"
Two. if its pleasing to yOu." she said.
She got twelve shillings and passed out.
Then the little girl came slowly up and
with an effort raised the basket and placed
it on the counter. The clerk lifted the
cover and took out pair of flat irons an
old Bible and we'll worn dress. ME
mudder says will We give seventy five
cents?" Forty cent" said the clerk.
Seventy five cents. will We please?"
pleaded the little girl. Forty cept''--the
little girl began snuffiing and crying
fifty five cents and no more" Then hav-
ing taken the money she took up the empty
basket, wound the old shawl around her.
and hurried to the woman on the corner.
from there going to a cheap whisky shop.
These are few samples f the scenes that
daily occur in the pawn shops. There are
so many of these places that it is a wonder
to many how they survive. 1t can be safely
said that the saloons and pawn shops live
through each other to a great extent. as
much of the money that passes over the
counter of the pawn shops finds it's way to
the pocket of the saloon keeper, who in
turn impOverisheS so many and forces them
back to the pawn shop for help. The
pawnbrOker charges ten per cent month
on all money loaned, and as a great amount
of articles are never redeemed. they are
sold at auction, and their profits are large.
WAY.
American ExaggeratiOn.