Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-02-01

Special Correspondence Of tiazetteand Journa
New York, Jan. 26.-Sometimes il
is a carriage drives up, and out of it
steps woman with thick veil hiding
her face and carrying in her hand d
Jewel box. Much oftener it is q shabby
looking woman, who glances first over
one shoulder and then over the other to
sec ii anybody is noticing her, and who
goes in very quietly with mysterious
looking bundle in her hand that may be
almost anything. Often it is a woman
on whose face are marks of dissipation,
whose clothes arc ragged, and who ston-
tatlously reels in, carrying shawl, a
cooking utensil, or bundle of clothes.
Where are they all going? Don't you
know Can't you guess? 10 the
pawnshop. l don't know whether to
call 1t the refuge of the poor OF their
hell. "
After all, even pawnbrokers are not
quite as black as they are painted, and
they, realizing that woman is starry
ing, will shove aside the pitiful rags
offered and give the few pennies asked.
l was over on the other side, and was
asked to go in and
| -+NI 49, az LIE TAh NbHOHs
Given chair back of the counter, /
listened, and it seemed to me that in the
short hour l was there, | read more
heart histories than l would have in a
week in Mayfair. The first applicant for
money was big, healthy-looking man,
who threw down u brand-new uyercoat
and demanded So on il. 1t was posi-
lively refused and the pawnbroker said ::
You got that overcoat from clothing
fund here in New York, intended for
those who were suffering; you made
| your wife go and ask for il, and you
only wanted it to raise some money on
II that you might so on spree, and
then beat the woman who had lied for
| you. Not one cent will you get here.
and, what is more, I'll telephone to
| every broker on the Bowery TO look ont
for you md refuse you" expected to
sec the tough hit the little man, or draw
n pistol on him; but | was surprised to
see how meek lie had grown, and how,
with sort of apologize leer, tho nearest
approach he had to smile, he skunk out
of the shop.
a RICHLY DRESSED CUSTOMER.
The next visitor was q woman. we'll.
dressed, and having an air about her
mat told OF full and plenty. Although
could not see the face, seemed to
recognize the figure; and when there
was displayed marvellous string of
diamonds, knew who the woman was,
she didn't want So; she wanted $4,000.
Those diamonds had cost $4,000 In
London year ago. The pawnbroker
hesltated. 1t was great deal of money.
The stones were well worth it; the
woman was eager, and offered him an
enormous percentage, with the promise
Of paying within a months time. She
got her money and went away. And
the little man, talking to me, said II
suppose, ma'am, you would call that
usury; and yet there is some excuse for
1t. have at least hundred thousand
dollars worth of that woman's iewelry
here, and she is giving the money to as
| great villain as there is in New York
handsome chap, who made love to her
Tor month, and having in his posses.
sion her letters and his valet as witness
that she came to his rooms once or twice.
is regularly bleeding her. You see
ma'am, | have got to find out these
things, else l might get into trouble, |
don't believe she has done ANYTHING all
solutely wrong; she has only been fool
ish, and she isn't smart enough to sec
how quickly she might stop all this
business by going TO the inspector, tell
ing him the truth, and he would pretty
quickly end the Matchmaking. Asitis
she is waiting for her father to come
home-he Is one of the richest and most
respectable men in New York-and she
expects him to help her,"
PARTING WITH BABY's CLOTHES.
Just then there was another face
looked in the window; such different
lace. There was no veil to hide its
trouble; it was pinched and drawn, and
the eyes looked large and hungry.
Under the shawl | could see there WASH
baby, and pushed on the counter was n
bundle for which she asked if sbe
mightn't have so cents. What do you
think was in that bundle2 You women
who go up TO warm nurseries, lean over
and kiss your babies, straighten out the
little white gown, and pat the soft cheek
as II 1t were rose leaf, you can't guess.
Neither can you who are sitting In the
sunshine singing merry little song.
ana sewing such fine stitches in the tinv
garment for the baby who is coming
and for whom SO loyal greeting n
waiting. In that bundle there were two
or three little petticOats, much worn
wrapper and u couple of little night.
gowns. The baby under the shawl was
Rugged the closer, and the eyes looked
more wistful as the woman said, ooh.
do let me have it, For Gods sake,
don't say no." And for Gods sake. and
because he has baby of his own. tho
pawnbroker pushed the poor little
clothes back to her, and turned to get
the silver piece to hand to her. Thank
heaven, miracles do happen even nova.
days, and before that silver piece reached
the woman it became gold, and only
two women know that.
GAY BuRLEsQUER.
The next applicant came in humminp
a music hall song. Her hair was a BRIT.
liant yellow, her costume was cav and
pretty, and she threw ON the wooden
counter lot Of rings and bracelets. and
couple OF brooches, and laughingly
asked 70 nave as much as possible given
on them. "For," she added, "I'm giving
supper Tonight; | have run short Of
money, nobody will trust me, and
want this to buy the champagne with"
0uo gov ~, anu aIter she had gone,
asked my host; "Will she ever come for
them "oh, yes" he answered, "shc
will get her salary Friday night, for, Of
course, you know she is in some bur
lesque company, and she will send her
maid down here after these things on
Saturday morning. They come and 20
with such rapidly that really don't
know whether they belong to her OF to
W