Delaware gazette and state journal., 1895-12-26
spscialcOrrespondonceot Gazette and journal

the paWnbrokerS from oil the Bowery.
Among them, and around them, were
fashionable women, who looked fright
ened because their sables were little
too close to shabby coats, and because
their ears were shocked by loud voices.
II was tho sale of society's pawnshop-
that is to say, the pawnshops that 80
ciety, properly enough, is backing.
This pawnshop permits you tu get back
whatever you pawn on the instalment
plan, and all the percentage that it
asks is very small one, 50 that your
hearts blood is not dragged from you,
and there is some chance for the poor.
But there were SO many things not
called for, and there had to be sale.
To be in harmony, this sale took place
in fashionable auction room on Fifth
avenue. Tho day before some beauti
ful pictures were sold, and the newest
beauty fiirted with the handsomost
millionaire, and there was mixed odor
of violets and sable, while the seats
were filled by people who at night oc-
cupy boxes at the opera. The Four
Hundred usually go to this auction
room, but to-day it was the representa-
tives of the four million who were
there.
POVERTY AND WEALTH AT THE SALE.
How the dealers did lean forward to
look at the diamonds! They were SO
eager that they were told to sit down.
And such pitiful diamonds as they
were! Goood enough stones, but those
in rings were set as you remember
your mothers engagement ring was.
Those in brooches were in the deep,
old-fashioned way that didn't bring
out the brightness of the stone, but
which was thought very smart 80 years
ago. There were old-fashioned breast
pins, such rs gentlemen used TO wear
in their scarfs; there was a founce of
Spanish lace - whose dress had it
trimmed? There was little watch
with an open face, and on the back
was engraved "To the One Woman from
Him"-who was she?
My neighbor on my right was a
shabby woman, not pleasant to look
upon. She was thin, she was tall, her
features were sharp and she had that
peculiar air that one sees among the
people OF the other side Of never having
been satisfied. Never having been
warm enough, never having had
clothes enough, and never having had
quite enough TO eat. She had on a
black alpaca dress, miserable looking
black Grape bonnet, while a shabby
blue and green shawl was wrapped
around her shoulders. She pushed her
way through the crowd, bringing a
stool with her, showed me closer to the
wall, placed her stool and seated her
self. Then she borrowed my catalogue.
She turned over several pages, and
heard her say to herself, " 'Taint come
up yet. F" She continued talking, and
although | did not understand every
word, l did hear her say, "If I'd a got
here before the sale commenced, there ; d
a been no trouble; but when you hire
out for day, people they say
'GIMME A DAY
but | was bent on comm here this af,
ternoon to get that. "
Rings were sold; watches were sold
there were SO many wedding rings sold
and then, there was child's necklace
put up-a string of coral beads with a
tiny enameled clasp. glanced at my
neighbor, thinking it was that in
which she was interested, but no; she
evidently cared nothing for it. In a
few minutes ! felt her touch me on the
arm. | looked around and smiled. She
said, Lady, would you be afraid tc
bid on anything?" | told her
wouldn't, and then she asked, III
start, and don't get right, will you
straighten me?n | promised. Then
heard her aay, Z" | had enough TO ma,
for the ticket, but handsom' thina
like that well--there's no tellin' wha,
some OF these fashionable folks viii
do. -
Suddenly the auctioneer said: "l
am not IN the habit OF selling dry goods,
but" There was hush, and fol
once the brokers were silent. And
knew, IN some queer way, some mex
plicable way, that what my neighbor
had come for was put up. | was moi
diamond ring it was not a beauti
tul watch 1T was not a long gold chain
II was only--a mourning veil. For a sec
ond, and 1t seemed like an hour, nobod,
pld. linen the auctioneer said, WON
someoody start this2" Somebody die
Tor % cents. In second my neighbul
was on her feet, and it was raised /,
% cents, Her opponent called oat
made 1t dollar and a half. Sh,
raised it another quarter. III mnda /
two dollars. She sat down, the tear
streaming down her face. heard br
say, - amt got a penny more. AM
can't get it. -
BAB EXTENDS A HELPTNG U1ND.
lifted my muff way up in the air
The auctioneer saw it, and the vei
was Knocked down to mo for two dol
lars and a half. She looked al M
quickly, She saw the smile on m,
lace, the smile that struggled
with tears for supremacy, and she re
allied the truth. Crashing nv plove,
n ha rl 80
III work it out. But | whisperei
good-by, gave my card to her, and WA
glad that | mad been of use to some
body in the world.
The next morning | went in to nav m,
bill and the cashier said to me "Ther
is woman here; woman Who wa
here when we opened the door, an,
she is waiting for you." II was m,
friend of the day before. ] felt tba
she was unusual in her desire TO "a
thank YOU, for experience ha
taught me that thanks are the scarces
thing in this world, and yet they cor
the least. But here she stood stit
and starved looking, and with III
precious veil in her hand. Altar IN
ordinary thank you, she said ia nc
You must let mG pay you the mone
I've got, lady, and, aH / told Won vi
terday, I'll work out tho rest = | t0l
her u was not necessary, that | wa
glad to think ! had been able ia NAL,
her happy, And then she began 10 rr,
THE MOTHERS ACTRESS DAUGHTER.
She said, II mayn't seem much +
you, but it's great deal TO II,
Times has been hard wii6 nr. Il,
this'd never gone into the nawnsboi
I'm common, lady, but lad 4 I'll
and YOU 'l nevnr thnllnht ~ -. u