The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-17
THE PAWNED BABY
BY vANE MERRIMAN,


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 a desk near the win
dow looked up with hawk eyes.
You shouldn't be cutting on all
what light there is, Rosa,' 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
| 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 IL 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 fight of
stone steps and then passed on.
Rosa turned toward her husband.
Cousin Lensky just went by; l 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, 'it 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
ne 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 her
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
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 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 a shawl-shrouded
woman.
For what" Rosa was anErily be.
ginning when the woman interrupted.
"Please-please to let me have a
dollar on it. It's q fine carriage, al
most new and"
Watt" Rosa Interrupted In her turn |
and lighted bracket lamp. She ex-
amtned 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 I
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 q lady
pawns her baby carriage. Look. papa
fine, handsome carriage, and only
a 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
'elatives, but he had never written.
Perhaps Jacobs denunciations still
'ang in his ears.
At eleven o'clock Rosa nodding over
Ter knitting, lifted her head sharply.
Jacob locking up his books, stared
It her curiously.
What is 1t ?" he asked.
st thnOUht vp,, u~cl.
he said meekly.
You would always hear things.
tosa, he reproved
A queer little sound came from the
arkest corner Of the shop, a feeble.
alf strangled cry.
Rosa and Jacob rushed from their
lace and met in the middle Of the
hop.
Their eyes questioned each other.
Jacob spoke first. Precipitation
eaded his forehead; he essayed a
areless laugh, Il am like a child
crazy one he confessed. II
bought twas little Joey crying. And ,
knows where!"
All, papa" walled Rosa. Il heard
too. II is bad sign and" She !.
topped and listened with tense look
n her round face. .
The cry again-louder-a distinct
all
"A-a-baby!" Jacob stamped his :.
DOT angrily. Rosa. fool that you
re- There lie q baby in that car. 5
age"
All, no! The lady had no baby
he carriage was empty felt in it."