Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-06-30
THE MAN WITH THE
LITTLE GOLD LOCKET.


Sam Greenberg, pawnbroker, sat at his
desk contentedly putting at his cigar.
Upstairs, in the living rooms, was a
newborn son; back of him, in the safe,
The world looked good to Sam Green
berg.
An apologize laugh sounded from
somewhere out in the gloom of the shop,
and the pawnbroker peered forth in ex-
pectation of business. Something of the
consumptive in the cough Jared on
Greenberg's sense of genial satisfaction
with life; but business was business. and
he could hardly afford TO be over-sym-
pathetic.
The customer was a tall, thin, pale
faced man, with poverty and the indeli-
BILE stamp of former better times writ
large upon him. Sam eyed him uneasily.
For some unaccountable reason the lean
figure touched his heart and drew him
close to the poor wretch
Softening his voice as much as posi-
bic he asked the man with all the kind
ness of which his vocation had left him
capable what he could do for him.
The man was coughing again, and for
some minutes could not answer FL
nally he placed his hand in his inside
pocket and drew forth small paper
package, which he slowly unrolled. From
it he took a little, plain, old-fashioned
loeket. With tears in his eyes he laid it
on the counter
The pawnbroker touched it gingerly
you seem to hate to part with it." he
suggested. ''Does 1t recall pleasant mem
ories?"
The man nodded. "It is all l have left
to remind me of loved ones" he said,
with strange catch in his voice. He
opened the locket and showed Green
berg the portrait of 6 sweet woman, a
child peepiug over each shoulder, which
had been burned into il.
Sam II crcLt of the little son upstairs,
and his heart went out to the man. He
tried to think of some comforting word
to say, but his rough nature was not
capable of consolation.
You want to pawn it?" he asked at
length.
| Yes assented the man. 81 have
sold everything else 1 possess, and |
meant to keep this until reached home,
but" A paroxysm of coughing inter
rupted him.
Greenberg moistened his lips. GLOW
much do you need t." get homer" he
asked
about $40, sir" He lifted a hand
quickly as the pawnbroker shook his
head. 81 understand, of course, that
you can't give that much on the locket
But with what you will allow on it |
can live for few days while work
and earn tine rest. have been prom
ised something to do in a studio for
few days. II don't feel strong, but I'll
manage somehow. The winter has been
hard ON me; it will be the last, I'm
afraid"
'Oh, come now! brace up! You'll be
all right again" encouraged Sam, but
there was queer pain tugging at his
heart.
Il thank you for your kind words,
sir" said the consumptive, gently, "but
| have nothing to live for. l want to
get back to my native town, and soon,
when all is over | want to be laid beside
them" He pointed reverently at the
picture in the locket.
yes" he went on, in reply to a ques-
ton. Il have seen better days" He
Strengthened up and threw back his shout
ders with a pathetic semblance of au-
thority. Better days, sir; days when
/ was somebody in the community; days
when she was alive to guide me-"
Greenberg leaned forward. Tell me
about it, won't your"
There is not much to tell" said the
man, YEARLY, ''and it is the same old
story you have heard so often"
Yes, | know, but I'd like to hear it.
anyway" encouraged the pawnbroker.
Then, sir, | shall be glad to relate
1T, as it makes my heart a little lighter
to find one who is interested in a wreck
like me"
Another paroxysm of coughing shook
his lean frame. When he could speak
again he began:
In the town where l was born and
brought up, my father was one Of the
richest men. | was his only child. and
he loved me with all the love of his
olg heart. l was given the best educa-
ton To be had, and after l came back
from college | was offered comfortable
position In his bank. But | thought |
was not yet ready for work. | began to
go with crowd of gay young fellows.
ana soon was as bad as any of them
gambling, drinking and dissipating in
every way. My father, broken hearted,
tnally gave me up as beyond redemption.
One night we went to a dance given
by the employees of one of the factories
OF the town. There l became acquainted
with girl, one of the daughters of a
factory hand, who seemed to .me far
above her surroundings We liked each
other in frank fashion. and began
to call upon her. Presently | found I
loved her, and then, for the first time I
became Disguised with myself. | was
drunk most of the time. and earned q
few dollars with my brush and canvas.
Il shut my lips tight and swore
should be worthy of her l rid myself
oil my companions. did my best to give
up drinking and secured a position at
iair salary. Then. against all the OBJ
] a. hpp Hat,