The Colorado statesman., 1915-08-21
The PAWNED BABY
BY VANE MERRiMAN.

glass cases OIL the paWnSnOp ana
peered up into the storm-swept
streets.
I'VE got to light the lamps about
now, papa she said over her shout
Ter.
The little man huddled over a
greasy ledger at desk near the win
low looked up with hawk eyes.
You shouldn't be cutting off 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 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
20 tell his galoshes."
THE feet of a meddler," snarled
Jacob Hornitz. He dare not show
lis 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, at was
not Lensky who stole our son. 1t was
ais niece, that good for nothing Ray
Nemuss, with her fancy ways"
1t was Lensky who told Joey IL
he broke his engagement to Ray her
neart 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
we're jealous. Now they have moved
to Chicago-so far away" reminded
Rosa.
The door opened suddenly to admit
a 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
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
y
For what" Rosa was angrily be-
ginning when the woman interrupted
"Please-please to let me have
dollar on it. It's a fine carriage, al
most new and"
Wait" Rosa interrupted in her turn
and lighted a bracket lamp. She ex-
lmined the carriage closely, poked its
empty depths and then nodded assent.
While she fumbled in the cash drawer
he woman pushed the carriage into a
dusky corner out OF the way of a
passing customer
The transaction concluded, the wom-
IN clutched the dollar bill and the
pawn ticket and vanished into the
light.
Jacob was lighting the remaining
amps that shone like dim yellow GASES
n the desert gloom of the shop.
Times is hard, papa" observed
Rosa
clks," retorted Jacob as he returned
o his desk.
Times is very bad when a lady
lawns her baby carriage. Look, papa
| fine, handsome carriage, and only
/ dollar asked"
Jacob glanced toward the corner
md nodded. Rosa usually made a
rood bargain. He sighed sharply.
Rosa Hornitz knew that he was
linking of their son Joey, gone al
most year. They had not seen Joey
ince 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 curioSsly.
What is is?" he asked.
Il thought yeu made a cry, papa"
he said meekly
You would always hear things,
sosa," he reproved.
A queer little sound came from the
larkest corner of the shop, feeble.
lalf 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
his forehead; he essayed a
areless laugh. Il am like a child
he |