The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-09-12
FORFEITED PLEDGES.
Scenes at the Sales of the Pawnbrokers'
Unredeemed Goods.

Scenes at the Sales of the Pawnbrokers'
Unredeemed Goods.
There are many strange sights in a
big city, and some of these are hidden
from the gaze of the public, and only
visible to those whose taste or duty
leads them into out-of-the- way corners.
Anyone NAV READ the legend. pledges
by auction which is writ in large let
tiers above many store in Scottish
town, but few well-bred or we'll
dressed folks explore the scenes behind
these mysterious words: Pledge is a
pretty word, and reminds us of
''troths" and love tokens and many
other tender, brittle things, but "auc-
ton" takes away the romance, and re-
calls us from poetry to very stern
prose.
We wandered upstairs one day lately
(being lured by the mystic legend afore-
said) to one of the halls where these
poor pledges were to be seen. At the
foot two men stood bearing great bills,
whereon were catalogued many pre-
cious gem and jewel. So, feeling as if
Aladdin's cave were near, we assembled
the somewhat grimy steps. prepared
for an etfulgence at the top. But, alasi
we were met by nothing mysterious or
grand; only 4 dapper little man with a
pen behind his ear, who pointed the
way along dark lobby to an empty
room-empty, but neither swept nor
garnished." A long table occupied the
middle space, and screen was at one
end, above which a desk rose like a
secular pulpit of some sort. On this
desk was tiny hammer; and we walked
about in solitary state, waiting for pro-
ceedlngS to commence.
By and by woman came in, oldish
and respectable looking; then young
black eyed Susan; then young man,
stones, in front; and red cravated,
elderly artisan, who despised collars
and cuffs; then some women with
baskets, and some with exuberant
figures. all of these wearing faded
shawls and bonnets, plentifullv
bedizened with artificial flowers And
now twelve o'clock struck, and behind
the screen movement seemed to be
felt a suave, shining visaged gentle
man mounted the pulpit and lifted the
little hammer playfully, as if to see
what 1t was put there for. Then a
smart young man handed something
up, and the hammer gave a vicious lit
tie rap, to say that business was now
commencing in earnest A boy handed
catalogues to the motley company who
crowded round the table and stood in
thick ranks behind the fortunate few
who sat comfortably leaning their
arms on It's bare surface. "a gold lever
watch is held up to view, and
then passed round swiftly from
hand TO hand among the sitters. after
which the bidding begins; and in less
time than it takes to tell the hammer
falls, and the happy artisan pockets
the shining circle and moves ont OF the
nall with his red cravat. glowing with
pride Let US hope his purchase viii
please his wife-for il IS a iady's watch
and bring no bad luck. though il is
an 'unredeemed" thing-a dreadful
word TO religious ears truly. vet. quite
at this Strange sale We see some Jew
lsh faces around. faces that would be
fortune to model VINO posed for
Joseph or Daniel. they are 30 deli
cately chsselled and so pure Some
now they do not seem 70 he ont Of place
here for they are dealing With what IS
bright and precious and rare: and are |
they not engaged IN rs honors bic deal |
nss as the members Of the Iron ring |
n the exchange. who sit IN as ami |
mated conelave buying and selling /
ron. which S not honestly visible and 1
tangible as these poor pledges are?
"a lady's diamond ring, comes next .
Ind the plump -natron who smiles SIS
she hands over the money for i: viii |
never wear the shining circIet on her
myers. for there IS al inherent fitness
n things that torbiaz
Al Old hair brooch. SET with wonder
ul dim pearls and JET, is NEXT. the
whole exDnnsc OF its oval expressing