Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1892-02-05

the Bowery where a sale of forfeited chat
tells had been announced, the bargains to
be offered without reserve.
There was a dense jam in the rooms. !
The sale had begun before we arrived. 1t
was the usual unloading Of the thousand
and one effects left in an everyday pawn
shop. The auctioneer offered several
watches, then put up a diamond ring.
Dobson examined the ring with his little
microscope and then cautiously bid three
dollars.
Five" said a voice in the corner.
give twenty-five" repeated Dobson.
"Seventy-tive."
"Six."
"Tcn."
"Twelve."
"Take it, Mr.. Dobson," said the auc-
tioneer.
Then the broker bid in two gold watches
at ten dollars each and a chip diamond for
two dollars more. A cake basket was then
offered.
Some one bid forty cents. Dobson made
it fifty, then sixty, then seventy-five, then
one dollar, then a quarter more, then a
half, then t~hree-quarters and
And Mr.. Dobson shrewdly dropped out,
for, as he said afterward, some one was
only leading him on in the interest of the
house.
In half an hour Mr.. Dobson, the broker
had invested about fifty dollars, and in
turn had received foul watches, two rings,
a gold brooch, three razors, a pair of sec
ondhand trousers, a rusty set of surgical
Instruments and a violin.
Mr.. Dobson then withdrew from the sale.
Later in the day he attended another
foreclosure sale and purchased five more
watches, three rings, two gold chains, a
marine glass, Il dress suit and a set of box
ing gloves and foils. He packed all his
goods in two satchels and started for
home, as it was now too late to do any
business that day.
Bright and early next morning l went
by appointment to Mr.. blossoms room
and assisting him with one of the satchels.
we started out, Mr.. Dobson to ply his
strange calling. We trudged along over
toward the Bowery.
"What will you give me for this fine
hunting case watch, Felix" asked Mr.. Dob
son of a pawnbroker friend near Chatham
square.
"What do you want on it?' he asked.
"Thirty dollars.'
"Ill give you twelve"
"Take it."
fellS maze out IL cneCk 1Or Tile Wiltcn.
J Dobson offered Felix two rings and a
chain, and after some bargaining the deal
was made.
In each case tickets were given.
We then passed on to half Il dozen pawn
shops. In one we sold the dress suit for
seven dollars, the boxing gloves and foils
went for two dollars more and two more
rings were disposed of at 1910. Tickets
were obtained in each instance.
In the next half hour we had sold three
more watches, the marine glass, the razors,
the clothes-and all that remained was the
set of surgical instruments. These proved
difficult to dispose of to any advantage, but
finally Mr.. Dobson let them pass at a close
sacrifice.
Mr.. Dobson, his goods all placed, dis
posed of the two satchels ut Il fair figure,
and was now ready for his business proper
rs a BROKER in pawn tickets. He eyed them
narrowly, wondering how much profit
there was in them.
We counted over the tickets and found
that they were sixteen in number and ag-
I gregated seventy-live dollars, face value.
1t was now about 6 o'clock. "Come with
me" said Mr.. Dobson, leading the way into
a tenement in Hester street.
"What fori"
Il have a customer up here"
"Jake,'' said Mr.. Dobson to u young man
up stairs, ARE you still going with Han
nah?"
"Why?"
well, it's nearly time that you bought
her a present. DC you want a chance"
Have you a bargain, Mr.. Dobson?"
"Look at this. Here is a ticket for a
lady's gold watch, twelve carats fine, good
machine movement, enameled cases, stem
winder. saw the watch myself. 1t is a
beauty. This ticket will redeem it for
seven dollars. Give me three dollars for
the bargain, Jake, and you can make Han.
nah happy"
Jake hesitated.
Its only ten dollars, and l tell you it is
a real bargain"
The deal was closed, and Mr.. Dobson and
l went away
Next the pawn ticket broker led me to a
saloon where he was known. There was a
large crowd sitting at the tables. Mr.. Dob.
son was gone about half an hour, during
which time I saw him offer ticket after
ticket, here and there, to the men at the
tables, all the while explaining in a low
tone the value of his goods.
When we went out he had sold five tick.
cts, making something on each, the net
profit being $3.50.
AS we passed along, the genial broker
never missed his opportunity to greet a
friend and offer tickets. In an hour he had
sold two more.
Then business became somewhat de.
pressed. In the next two hours only one
ticket was sold.
Mr.. Dobson then visited in quick success.
sion half a dozen saloons where he was
known favorably.
BY II o'clock that night he had disposed
of the entire sixteen tickets at a profit oil
$3.50. could not but marvel.
at is a phase of human nature" said
the shrewd broker, ito try to get some
thing for nothing. Each man is after q
big bargain and is willing to pay a dollar
or two more to secure the coveted oppor
tunity. All amounts over and above full
values are of course my commissions y
You live in this wayfnp
Yes; live well, year by year',-Neu
York World.