Evening journal., 1909-12-21
HOW A PAWNSHOP
WAS DISPOSED OF
Its Advent in a Staid Old
Town Caused a Stir Among
the Sturdy MatrOnS s
Rx THEREsA c. Holt.

tAAGblsi
The town Of II. had always main
talned an excellent reputation. The
men were honorable, the women vir-
tuous There had never been any dis
turbing element to change these con-
ditions But one day over a vacant
shop appeared sign of three gilded
balls. and later the place was occu-
pied by Abraham Moses. a pawn
broker. From that time a change
gradually came over the place. Those
who had desired 20 enter upon ex-
penses which they could not AFFORD
found that all they had to do was to
go to Moses with a watch. ring, a
brooch or some other article OF value
and the funds were forthcoming.
Eventually a meeting of women
was called at the house of Mrs.
Mathews, "A sturdy matron. who saved
every penny. to consider the cause
and means OF erndicating the evil.
When they had assembled Mrs Math-
ews herself made a few remarks to
them, taking the ground that the ex-
travaCance and rechlessness we're due
solely to the pawnbroker. Then came
debate upon how to get rid OF
Moses. but 1t lasted an hour without
the proposal OF any feasible means.
Miss Virginia Twining, a young lady
OF parts-her father was a lawyer
then announced that she would put in
practice a plan she had conceived OF
accomplishing the object. All the as
sietance she wished was that one OF
their number would call at Noses Of
fee at ten minutes after 3 the next
afternoon. Miss Twining was asked
to state her plan. but she declined on
the ground that. although the ladies
present were especially secretive, some
one Of them might let out the secret,
which would spoil her game. Most
OF those present went away In high
dudgeon that they could not be trust
ed, and from those remaining Miss
Twining selected Mrs. Blackmoro to
Join her at the pawnshop.
At 3 O'Clock the next afternoon Miss
Twining entered Moses place to find
him doing IN the back room.
Good day. Mr. Moses" she said. II
have called to pay you the money you
loaned me some time ago"
The man came out into the 'front.'
shop, rubbing his eyes.
what moneys7" he asked.
why, have you forgotten7 With
such a memory you are dangerous
man to be lending people money"
The Jew got down a record book
and searched the pages Il don't find
H." he said
1T makes no difference to mo
whether you find 1t or not. / owe you
s12, and shall pay it to you"
Il lend you twelfe tollarT inquired
the man. looking over pair Of gold
trimmed glasses.
Certainly"
At that moment Mrs. Blackmore
came into the shop.
MRS. Blackmore." said Miss Twin
ing. Il am glad you came in Mr..
Moses is very forgetful. Some time
ago he loaned me S12 and has forgot
ten It. Now / am about to pay him
the principal and interest. wish you
TO see me do It so that II he forgets
the payment you may give your testi-
mony that ! have made It"
Il shall be very glad TO do SO. said
Mrs. Blackmore.
'veu, VEIL" said the Jew as he
clutched the money. the peoples Of
this town are more honest than any /
have ever struck. II hat forgotten all
aboud t."
Mrs. Blackmore, 10 make an excuse
for calling, asked for the rates foI
lending. then, at a glance from Miss
Twining, turned to leave the shop
wait a moment" said the latter
It'll receive my pledge, and win g
with you"
''Your pIetger exclaimed the Jew
''You left no pletge with me"
"WeIl, upon my wordi Left ns
pledged What have you done with MI
watchT
Il haf not got your vatch-~
After arguments and elimination
Miss Twining and her friend laf
the shop angrily and, going 10 TIL
courthouse. lodged a complaint agains
the pawnbroker. The case was trie,
before a justice. who. after hearing
statement which Miss Twining gener
ously left to the broker. ordered hi
stock of watches TO be brought anl
asked Miss Twining to select he
watch. She chose a very valuable on
which she was sure did not belong b
any one In a. The Jew howled anl
wrung his hands. declaring that th
watch had been pavned by a man VIII
had died without redeeming It.
"Did/you lend tlIis lady money!
Il did"
"And without,a piedgeT'
There vas no. pietge. your honor"
Have you a witness~ the jusssc
lsked Miss Twiuinss .'that .yon pai
he loanT
Mrs Blackmore testH1ed tnat eh
iaw the money paid--S12. besides fntel
ast at % per cent
twenty-five per centT' exclaime'
he Judge. That's Illegal interest
Three months for swindIlng and on
more for usury."
Before Mr.. Moses was sent 60 jal
'Iiss Twining's father saw him and al
ranged not only TO return the watch
but get a suspension of sentence. wit
nolle prosequi If he would promise {
cave the town.
The ladies Of n. were astonished a
Mss Twfning's master stroke. and he