The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-09-21
THE PAWNED BABY
BY vANE MERRIMAN.

Rosa Hornitz moved heavily down
the narrow aisle between the dusty
glass cases of the pawnshop and
peered up into the storm-swept
streets.
I'VE got to light the lamps about
now, papa" she said over her Shout
der.
The little man huddled over a
greasy ledger at a desk near the win
dow looked up with hawk eyes.
You shouldn't be cutting of all
what light there is, Rosa" he re-
proved his wife. When / make a
footing of this here yesterdays page,
then, maybe, we shall light lamps"
Rosa moved her bulky form so that
1t no longer obscured the window.
From the basement doorway she could
look up and see many feet passing
along the sidewalk, the feet of men,
women and little children, and If it
had been light enough in the basement
Papa Hornitz might have seen his
wife's face wet with tears.
Suddenly a pair Of large, mascu-
line feet, shod in well-worn galoshes,
hesitated at the top Of the flight of
stone steps and then passed on.
Rosa turned toward her husband.
Cousin Lensky just went by; could
to tell his gaIoshes'
The feet of a meddler," snarled
Jacob Hornitz. He dare not show
his face to ME-"
Papa, papa" soothed Rosa, laying
her hand on her husbands trembling
arm
did he not steal my boy-my
Joey?"
"Ah, papai:. walled Rosa, 1T was
not Lensky who stole our son. 1t was
his niece, that good for nothing Ray
Nemuss. with her fancy ways"
1T was Lensky who told Joey If
he broke his engagement to Ray her
heart would break. And even though
our hearts break from his disobedi-
ence our son marries her, and we nev.
er see him." Jacobs voice cracked
drearily.
OA bO4O AAAAA4 AlOrOA W bnOW 40CS
here again. And her; we hated her
for her silly ways and because we
we're Jealous. Now they have moved
to Chicago-so far away" reminded
Rosa.
The door opened suddenly to admit
customer Jacob retired to light a
lamp over distant counter and pre-
pared to haggle over a gold watch.
Mrs. Hornitz stood before the door
watching the feet on the sidewalk
Suddenly a bulky object blotted out
the view; there was a commotion on
the stone steps and something bumped
against the door.
Out of the storm and wet there
was propelled into the shop a baby
carriage pushed by shawl-shrouded
woman.
For what" Rosa was angriiy be.
ginning when the woman interrupted.
"Please-please to let me have q
dollar on It, It's q fine carriage, al
most new and"
Wait" Rosa interrupted in her turn
and lighted bracket lamp. She ex-
amined the carriage closely, poked its
empty depths and then nodded assent.
While she fumbled in the cash drawer
the woman pushed the carriage into a
dusky corner out of the way of a
passing customer
The transaction concluded. the WON.
an clutched the dollar bill and the
pawn ticket and vanished into the
night.
Jacob was lighting the remaining
lamps that shone like dim yellow GASES
in the desert gloom Of the shop.
Times is hard. papa" observed
Rosa.
Times is always hard for some
folks" retorted Jacob as he returned
to his desk.
Times is very bad when a lady
pawns her baby carriage. Look, papa
fine, handsome carriage. and only
dollar asked
Jacob glanced toward the corner
and nodded. Rosa usually made a
good bargain. He sighed sharply.
Rosa Hornitz knew that he was
thinking of their son Joey. gone al.
most year. They had not seen Joey
since his marriage. Now he was In
Chicago. where Cousin Lensky had
relatives, but he had never written.
Perhaps Jacobs denunciations still
rang In his ears.
At eleven o'clock Rosa, nodding over
her knitting, lifted her head sharply.
Jacob locking up his books, stared
at her curiously
What is it?" he asked.
Il thought you made cry. papa,
she said meekly.
You would always hear things.
Rosa" he reproved.
A queer little sound came from the
darkest corner of the shop, feeble.
half strangled cry.
Rosa and Jacob rushed from their
place and met in the middle of the
shop.
Their eyes questioned each other.
Jacob spoke first. Precipitation
beaded his forehead; he essayed a
careless laugh. Il am like child
crazy one" he confessed Il
thought twas little Joey cryingl And
him-God knows where!"
"Ah, papal" walled Rosa. Il heard
1t too. 1t is bad sign and" She
stopped and listened with tense look
on her round face.
The cry again-louder-a distinct
wall.
"A-a-babyl" Jacob stamped his
foot angrily. Rosa, fool that you
are! There is a baby in that car
riage.'
"Ah, no! The lady had no baby.
The carriage was EMPTY felt in it, .
protested Rosa, waddling toward the
corner. Jacob carried a lamp and
flashed it toward the carriage.
The carriage was empty" repeat
ed Rosa, bending over it. Jacob, it
is baby-poor, forgotten one!" Her
arms plunged into the carriage and
brought from under the hood bundle
wrapped in an old shawl. The bundle
wriggled and walled Justify.
You viii take 1t to the police. .
commanded Jacob sourly. What for
should anyone wish us bad luck like
this?"
The baby suddenly stopped crying
and, Graded in Rosa's hungry. mother
ly arms, stared up at her with round,
black eyes.
He should maybe two months old, y
remarked Rosa "Sueh beautiful boy
see, Jacob he smiles at you'll"
81 see nothing but bad luck,
shrugged Jacob peevishly. Where il
my umbrella and my galoshes, Rosa?'
What for, papa?"
Il go TO the police