The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-19
The PAWNED BABY
BY vhNE MERRIMAN,

glass cases of the pawnshop and
peered up into the storm-swept
streets.
We got to light the lamps about
now, papa she said over her Shout
der.
The little man huddled over a
greasy ledger at desk near the win
dow looked up with hawk eyes.
You shouldn't be cutting of all
what light there is, Rosc," he re-
proved his wife. When l make a
footing of this here yesterdays page,
then, maybe, we shall light lamps"
Rosa moved her bulky form so that
it 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 pair of large, mascu-
line feet, shod in well-worn galoshes,
stone steps and then passed on.
Rosa turned toward her husband
Cousin Lensky just went by; could
to tell his galoshes.''
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?"
All, papa" 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 new
er see him. Jacobs voice cracked
drearily.
You told him never to show face
here again. And her; we hated heI
for her silly ways and because we
were 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 commotion on
the stone steps and something bumped
against the door.
Out of the storm and wet there
was propelled into the shop baby
carriage pushed by a shawl-shroudet
woman.
For what" Rosa was angrily be
ginning when the woman interrupted
'Please-please to let me have 9
dollar on it.. It's q fine carriage, al
most new and"
WATT" Rosa INTERRUPTED in her turn
and lighted bracket lamp. She ex
amined the carriage closely, poked it,
empty depths and then nodded assent
While she fumbled In the cash drawel
the woman pushed the carriage into &
dusky corner out Of the way Of {
passing customer.
The transaction concluded, the won
an clutched the dollar bill and The
pawn ticket and vanished into thu
night.
Jacob was lighting the remaining
lamps that shone like dim yellow oas e!
in the desert gloom Of the shop
Times is hard, papa" observed
Rosa.
Times is always hard for som'
folks" retorted Jacob as he returned
to his desk.
Times is very bad when a lad.
pawns her baby carriage. Look, pap;
a fine, handsome carriage, and onl!
a dollar asked"
Jacob glanced toward the corne
and nodded. Rosa usually made ,
good bargain. He sighed sharply.
| Rosa Hornitz knew that he wa,
thinking of their son Joey, gone al
most year. They had not seen Joe!
since his marriage. Now he was IL
Chicago where Cousin Lensky ha,
relatives, but he had never written
Perhaps Jacobs denunciations still
rang in his ears
At eleven o'clock Rosa, nodding owe
her knitting, lifted her head sharply
Jacob locking up his books. stare,
at her curiOusly
What is 1t 2" he asked
II thought you made a cry. papa,
she said meekly.
You would always hear things
Rosa" he reproved.
A queer little sound came from thu
darkest corner of the shop, feeble
half strangled cry.
Rosa and Jacob rushed from thei,
place and met in the middle OF tn.
shop.
Their eyes questioned each other.
Jacob spoke first. Perspiratior
beaded his forehead; he essayed ;
careless laugh. Il am like child
crazy one he confessed. :
thought twas little Joey crying! Ans
him-God knows where!"
All, papa!" walled Rosa. Il heart
it too. 1t is a bad sign and" Sh'
stopped and listened with tense lool
on her round face
The cry again-louder-a distinct
wall.
"A-a-baby." Jacob stamped his
foot angrily. Rosa. fool that you
are, There is a baby In that car
rage
"Ah. no, The lady had no baby
The carriage was empty felt in it.
protested Rosa, waddling toward th5