Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-11-17
TIE PAWNSHOP WINDOW.

fallen into Diuck recess OF u Heap OF
rusty odds and ends of iron and had
lain there inloneliness for a. forgotten
number of years, to the smirking Man
dolin, self-assured hail-fellow who
hung from the topmost peg, every MEM
Der. Of society, In the Pawnbroker' !
Window had yielded to the somnolent |
influence of the sunshine that filtered !
through the dust on the panes, when |
the Pawnbroker thrust his lean, un-
kempt hand through the screen of
musical Instruments that divided the
Window from the Darkened Shop, and
hastily deposited, the Gold Watch on
the shelf against the glass.
"Hullo, i say Well, we'll Wake
up, all. Here's an arrival" cried the
Banjo gleefully, himself logged into
+ wakefulness by the Pawnbroker' IS
elbow. 81 say, young man, what's
your movement Oh, wake up! Every
body, wake up!'
The company awoke with a great
start to a great state of wonderment.
Each turned to his neighbor; eyes
we're violently rubbed and tongues
were set aswagging in fustered ques-
tions and uncertain answer.
whats the< row." growled the
"Anybody called for3' piped the
Silver Whistle. ~
"Oh, am / wantedf,, cried the
/, Child's Ring in plsintive, tremulous
voice., "Tell ME, someone-quick--is
1t for meY Please, please! Oh, dear
me, it must be, for me at last. I've
waited SO long. OH
~ "All wrong,v the Banjo broke in.
ITS Gold Watch--just come this
minute" SGs@
(Agitated whispering in the case of
Ladies' Rings, soon becoming en-
4 "Where Is hef'' "Can you see hime"
'Oh, I'm Just sure he's horrid!''
"Do be quiet; he can hear every word
you say" can be heard above the
hysterical tittering.
What case! What chasing9' con-
tinued the Banjo, in rapture.
.sEh! What's that - what's that2"
calculated the Diamond Ring, suddenly
aroused to Jealous interest. ASK
him what he's ticketed atY Quick, my
good fellow, ask him.
The Banjo tipped a wink to the
Mandolin.
fifty
p "'Fifty!'' screamed the Diamond
Ring, fairly beside himself. Fifty
dollarsf Good Lord! All, the poor
EdWupIOh6Isp utituk-idttiuk NtIy tdob,
gentlemen, Think, OF it. Fifty dollars
Tor q gold filled, paste jewelled, anti
qusted timepiece, and fifteen for a.
Cracked diamond, % suggested the
Mandolin, with saucy leer. II heard
the Pawnbroker tell the Magnifying
Glass;"
"a Or" gasped the Diamond.
"What! A cra----''
"Cents-fifty cents" interposed the
Banjo, fearfullfor the very life of the
apoplectic Diamond Ring. Fifty cents
and some odd dollars. can't see the
dollars. Yes latter long pause),
you're highest still, sir. Twelve dollar.
and fifty cents-that's the sum-.
The Ladies' Rings lin exclamation
Huh b and the like.
The Emerald Ring (disdainfully)-
''ImpostorP
"Ha!" exclaimed the crusty ole
Diamond Ring when he had gaspet
himself into q state of equanimit,
again. LUCKY for hinl--decidedl,
lucky for him! No telling to wha
length my7-1ny imagination nigh
have led me. But, come to think o
it, he wasn't altogether to blame TO
the Misunderstanding. He may be
very decent fellow, after all-for
twelve-fifty watch. He has my vel
come, my-my favor. Gentlemen,
commend him to you. But as for tina
painted insolent'' fixing the tremblin
Mandolin with a flashing cycle
him repeat his cslumny at the peril c
of ostracism. Deal with his presen
offence, yourselves, gentlemen. / han
him over to you. 1t would not be cor
sistent with my dignity, valued a
fifteen, as am, to resent, personally
the malicious attacks Of an insight
cant, four-fifty, ioint-sprung Mandoli
mot with my dignity, sirs. You kno
me--you all know me. .
His social prestige indicated, tt
interest Of the Diamond Ring collapsed
and he was soon sound asleep agaii
"Say, Boss-Boss ~ said the Bulldc
Revolver in deferential, insinuatir
whisper to the Gold Watch. IN
an me. pard. the Bowie Knife, has je
been havin' little dispute. \
offense, Boss, no offense-but we got
little up on 1t. Now, say-jest
settle little dispute between coup
o'gents with q little up between e
ARE you above ten caratp No offens
Boss-but, now, are your
"Gentlemen, began the Gold Watc
after PREDATORY cough, and in Il
voice and with the manner of havil
cut the formal words when the niece
sity Of his present embarrassment fiji
forced itself upon him, and of havi
we'll dried them in the meantime
Gentlemen, Just word. 1t is bett
said now. Your. reception has been
fattering ONE rs
Thank you for telling it,,' mutter
the Mandolin, aside. "Wouldn't ha
known it, I'm sure.''
"-flattering one,'' repeated the &c
Watch, almost losing the thread of !
remarks, land / thank you for it.
the same time, must decline, respe
fully, but firmly, to entertain any
vanccs looking toward intimacy. 1 Fl
myself in novel and, 1 may say, d
tressing, situation. But, assure ye
it Is merely a temporary embarra
ment. Within d few days, at most
shall return to the vest pocket
silk-lined vest-pocket, Of my own
who, l may add, was expecting a
mittance when last we parted CO
-, pany. Since my stay among you v
be Of so short duration, and my
quaintance, thus, OF SO little wor
beg of you that you will permit
to deny myself the pleasure, the no
of-of knowing you better. Gen
men, i believe that that is ALL
"You lose, - said the Bulldog
yolver to the Bowie Knife, "Sure
do! That guy amt from no ten ca
ticker Back me fer KNOWN q
MI haor ono