The San Francisco call., 1906-08-05

the value OF money and the art
OF driving good bargains. Otherwise
she was uncultured and uneducated, al
though, to speak truly. she had con-
siderable knowledge OF pictures and
china. Of gems and silverware. But
schoolboy knew more than she did as
regards boolzish information She was
ignorant OF geography. as that science
had been tEught neither in the gypsy
camp nor IN the Lambeth pawnshop.
China was 10 her-ware. and not vast
empire Of the East But when the third
customer cane 10 pawn an idol of sea
.green Jade FFIasar learned something
odrcerning the Celestial Kingdom.
The man was Z sailor. with a coarse
face redeemed by 7wina and salt water,
and TWO twinkli9g blue eyes, which
peerod At her shrewily from under
shnEgy eyebrows. Iie had strong white
teeth v; .oE s..s --t 'ar'nSh heavy
mustache. Il hcna - .al. --... -. Ss3
2 heavily built figure well sup9Ost~a -.
stalwart legs HIS rough trousers OF
blsse serge. his blaRk pilot Jacket with
brass buttons and hts gaudy loose era
v1t were all redOlent OF the ocean
wave. Rings OF gold in has large red
cars added 10 his queer aspect; and
h rolled into the shop ike one to
whom the firm earth is strange after
tho swinging and pitching OF ship.
This. mariner cast uneasy gIances
over his shoulder as he entered the
shop and finally swung into one of the
sentry boxes like i vessel coming to
anchor. Here he took OF his gold
banded cap and wiped his rough brow
with 2 red handkerchief Of Chinese
silk. Hagar. with her hands resting
10 speak, and was rather surprised
when he still kept silent. and still con-
tinued to glance over his shoulder in
the direction OF the door. Finally she
lost patience.
Well. what can do FOR your" she
asked sharply.
The mariner leaned across the coun-
ter and spoke in a hoarse voice like
the roaring OF waves. ''Na thaniel Prime
81 my name. miss" he said. almost in
whisper; Nat fur short; and Tn third
mate on board tea ship as trades from
EongkOng TO London's port and back
agin.".
wei, Mr.. Prime said Hagar. as
he paused. what do you want7"
Nat pulled a small parcel wrapped
IN q blue check handkerchief out OF
his pocket. and pumped il on the
counter. i've a small article here,
miss, as I wants 70 lodge with you
lur safe keeping.
oh" said Hagar. adapting this
speech 10 her own ideas. you want to
pawn something. What IS it?'
Hsgar drew back. What gibberish
are you taIking7" she asked, frowning.
It's Kwan-tai-thats what it is,
miss"
Chinese" replied the mariner
war in China, miss. fhis"-he un-
rc led the handkerchief and displayed
a particularly ugly idol is his
image ] got It from his temple in
the street OF the Water Dragon in
Canton Jest look at II. miss-but
wait bit" He rolled back to the
door. stepped out on the pavement
and looked TO right and left. APP
parently he was satisfied with this
survey, for with a complacent whistle
he returned 10 continue the conyersa-
ton. Il thought that blamed China
man might be arter me-" said he. slip
ping q plug OF tobacco into his ca
pacious mouth; he'd knife me like pie
70 get that id thing there"
knife you, man. What do you
mean?"
Why" said Mr.. Prime, this China
devil-Yu-ying IS his name-wants to
git that there god; 60, as I don't want
q bowie exploring my inside. think
it's good biz to leave IL with you for
safe keeping"
Eagar put down the idol and stepped
back. so you want TO transfer the
danger TO me7" she said, dryly. NO.
thank yOu; take that ugly thing
RwEy,"
Vow. don't you make any mistake,
miss" said Nat pushing back the idol
IN bis turn. "Yu-ying don't know as
I'm on this lay. All I wants is to
leave Kwan-tai in this here shop for
s week There amt no danger In
that"
Hagar picked UP the god again and
considered 1t was revoltingly ugly
figure carved out OF green jade and
had diamonds for eyes, crossed legs
and two large, fan-like hands resting
on pTOtuberant stomach. Not a de-
sirable article to possess, save for
curiosity; but no doubt IL had some
sacred significance in the almond
ewes OF Yu-ying: hence his desire TO
obtain IL. even at the cost of a mans
life. For a moment or two Hagar
hesitated as TO taking Kwan-tai in
pawn; but as there seemed to be no
immediate danger, and might not be
any, she resolved to trade. Hagar
was so far Eebraic that she never lost
the chance OF making a bargain; but
then, according to some folk, the
Romany are one Of the ten lost tribes.
-Tll give you thirty shillings on it"
she said abruptly.
Thirty bob IL Is" assented Nat
promptly, "as all I want is to leave
this ere IDOL in your diggings for
safety; II twas pawning. guess thirty
Quid I'd be nearer my price. 1 reckon
that there piece OF jade is worth two
hundred pound"
Il don't know the market value OF
Jade" retortsd Hagar. impatiently. "All
my business with you IS TO lend money
on the thing. It's thirty shilIings or
nothing"
Don't tell you it's a dealT' said
Mr. Prime. shifting the quid of tobac-
co TO the other side OF his mouth. GIVE
Us a scratch OF the pen TO say as you've
got Kwan-tai in charge"
Name and addressY demanded Ha-
gar. making out the ticket
Nathaniel Prime. mariner, 20 O,d
Clos street, Docks" said the sailor.
IT'S q pub y know. nniss-the Nelson.
III stand you q drink II you looks me
UP. and proud to do II fur a sIap-up
gal like yourself"
Here's the ticket and the. money.
Mr. Prime. II that's all your busi-
ness, get out sharpF'
'Saarp's the word" said the obedient
mariner, slipping the 30 shilIings into
his pocket: ,and II Yu-ying comes
smelling round here jest you up anchor
and steer fur me at the Neisou I'm