The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-05-20
HAGAR OF THE PAWNSHOP

AcSl litAI OF JdCOD DIX. by lIEI5 act OF
self-denial as it really was, she had
deprived herself Of all pleasure; she
had robbed herself Of what might have
been bright future; consequently she
was less cheerful than of yore- New
ertheIess, she felt convinced that LOrn
loved her, and that he would earn her
graUltUde-pOssibl her handy re-
turning with Goliath at his heels. When
that event took place she would re-
cover at once her spirits and her lover;
but at present the business of the pawn
shop took I'D her undivided attention.
and forced her to put away sad
thoughts and melancholy cOnsidera-
lions Also, Providence provided dis
traction for her dismal humors by
sending her q negr5ss to pawn a neck
lace of amber beads Although Hagar
did not know il at the time, this was
the beginning of a second and rather
more serious adventure.
II was drawing to night one August
evening when the woman made her ap-
pearance, and the atmosphere of the
shop was darker than usual Still. II
was sufficiently light for HagaT to see
that her customer was a tall and bulky
negress. arrayed in a gaudv yellow
dress, neurraltzed by trimmings of black
jet beading. As the evening was hot
and close she wore neither cloak nor
Jacket. but displayed her somewhat
shapeless figure to the full in this de-
cidedly startling costume. Her hat was
a garden of roses-red. white, and yell
lOw-lnd she wore large silver brooch
like a shield. an extensive necklace OF
silver coins and many bangles Of the
same metal on her black wrists. AS a
contrast to these splendOrs she wore no
gloves. nor did she hide her coal black
face with a veil Altogether this odd
customer was the blacklist and most
tantastlCally dressed negTeSS that Ha-
gar had ever seen. and in the dim light
she looked a striking but rather alarm
ing figure.
On Hagar coming TO the counter this
black woman produced out Of silver
Clasped sCalskin satChel a necklace.
which she handed silently to Hagar for
inspection. As the light was too i'm
perfect 10 admit Of a close examination.
Hagar lighted the gas, but when il
famed uD the uegTesS. as though I'm
willing TO be seen too clearly in the
searching glare. stepped back hastily
into the darkness Hagar put this ret
roETade movement down to the natural
timidity of a person Unaccustomed to
DaWning. and took but little notice Of
II at the time. Afterward she had
cause to remember Il.
The necklace was a string Of ma gni-
f7cent amber beads threaded on q slen-
der chain Of gold. Each bead was as
large as the egg Of a sparrow, and
round the middle Of every single one
there was q narrow belt OF tiny dia-
mOnds- The clasp at the back was Of
fine gold square in shape and curl
Ouslv wrought TO the representation Of
a hide0Us Ethiopian face. with dia-
n7Onds for eyes This queer piece of
ieweIrv was unique Of its kind. and,
as Hagar RAPIDLY calculated. Of consid-
cradle value. Nevertheless. she Of
fered. according tn custom, as low
sum as she we'll could.
I'll give five pounds on il. said she.
returning TO the counter
Rather 20 her surprise. the uegress
accented with a sharp nod. and then
took out Of her bag q scrap Of paper. /
ON this was written IabOriousIy: Rosa. +
EIarvIehona road" The name and ad-
dress were so imperfect that Harper
hesitated before making out the pawn
ticket.
Have you no other name but Rosa o.
she asked. sharply
The negress shook her head and
kept well in the shadow
And no more particular address than
NaTylebOne rOad?'
Again the black woman made a neg
aJ.ve sign. whereat, annoyed by these
gestures, HaE8r grew angered,
Cant you speak2' she demanded,
tartIy. "Are you dumb
At once the negress nodded. and laid
a finger on her lips. Hagar drew back
she gave half a name. half an address,
and she wished to pawn a valuable and
unique piece Of jewelTy. The whole
affair was queer. and, as Hagar con-
SidereI- might be rather dangerous.
Perhaps this silent negTess was dis
posing of stolen goods, as the necklace
seemed too fine for her to possess. For
the moment HaEar was inclined to re-
fuse to do business but a ElanCe at the
amber beads decided her 10 make the
bargain. She could get it cheap, she
was acting well within the legal limits
of business: and II the police did ap-
pear I'm the matter no blame could be
attached 10 her for the transaction.
Biased by these considerations, HaEar
made out the ticket in the name OF
Rosa. and took Q new clean f1ve-pOund
note out of the cash box AS she was
about TO give ticket and money across
the counter she paused III take the
number of this note" she thought. 60
ing TO the desk. IF this negress cant
be traced by name or address the bank
note number VIII find her if il is neCes-
sarv."
Deemsng this precaUtien judicious,
Hagar hastily scrubbed down the num-
Der Of the fve-poUnd note. and. re-
turning to the counter, gave it and the
ticket 10 her queer customer. The ne
gress stretched out her right hand for
them and then Hagar made disCOV-
cry which she noted mentally as
mark Of identification. If necessary.
However, she said nothing, but tried
to get @ good look at the wOman's face.
The customer. however. kept well I'm
the shadow. and swept note and ticket
into her bag hurTiedly. Then she bowed
and Left the shop
Six days later Hager received print
ed notice from New Scotland Yard. no
tifying all pawnbTOkeTs that the pO-
lice We're in search of q necklace of am
Der beads set with diamonds, and
clasped with neErO's face wrought in
gold Notice of its Wherea bouts was
to be sent 10 the detective department
without delay. Remembering her sUS-
picfOns. and recalling the persistent way
in which the negress had averted her
face Haear was not much surprised
bv this communication Curious 10
know the truth. and to learn what