Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-08-27

tlon- dens, It's penny arcades, it's
pawn shops. Or, If he noticed any
OF these things at ALL he viewed them
merely with high disdain, as fac
tors of a life infinitely remote from
his
Before the yfnton limousine had
landed from the East Boston ferry,
it's owners son stood peering with
some INDIGESTION thru the window of
one OF the more prosperous looking
Hanover street pawnshops. The gold
letters on this window announced
that Israel Adelstein, In addition to
his broking business. paid highest
cash prlcesf or jewelry After some
hesitation, and with n glance up and
Gown the street which betrayed his
lack of self possession--for ones
first visit to pawnshop Is always
disconcerting--Brad Vinton mus
tered his nerve. pushed the door, and
entered Adelstein's domain. This was
a somewhat pretentious establish
ment, tho q trifla dark, for the thrifty
Israel had not yet turned on the
lights.
Far away, at the end Of the
swarming street. the ferry boat was
just now docking. as Bradford stood
hesttant and embarrassed before a
long showcase filed with gauds. and
guzed about him at the extraordinary
collection Of wares which crowded
walls and shelves. With mingled re-
luctance and eSultation he waited, his
face study of half-shame and whole
resolution, thru which seemed burn
ing a prescience of supreme JOY.
Bradford looked weary, too--weary
and less well-kempt than in the
other days, His suit, tho still pre-
sentable,. showed the lack of the
tailor's good graces. His hands. for
all the scrubbihg he had given them
had lost their nanicured softness and
whiteness. They bore some slight
cuts and bruises, together with q
blister or two, for tho they ached
with the unusual strain of labor, they
had not yet grown tough or developed
callouses.
The day had been hard one for
Bradford. All thru the tedious hours
he had toiied In a dark, ill-eentilated
shop. hot With steam and evil smell.
ling from tho composition-yats and
the great, swinging cylinders of the
Holcomb prlnters'-roller factory on
Batterymarch street. No clerical Job
had been his, no sinecure, nor even
skilled labor that might have wal1en.
ed mental interest to dull the tediunl
OF the unwonted effort. No; all day
long, as aa apprentice, he had stood
in greasy overalls at n bench. and
with sharp knife had toilsomeiy
sliced off the tenacious, gluelike COM
position from the iron cores of worm
out rollers.
This, as you will find If you try
1t. Is about the most discouraging
Kind of mental toll imaginable; and
Bradford was. well worn down with
1t. Yet, as he stood there at the show :
case of Israels establishment, the
gladness in his eye contradictcd the
slight pallor Of his cheek, where the
bone showed with more emphasis
than in the other days. His face ex-
pressed happiness and purpose. One
might have thought some inner
warmth. penetrating the tired ex-
terror, made that. too. shine with the
reflex of its glow
Now came Adelstein, shutting from
some obscure back room, in slipper
ed feet and with gold spectacles on
brow.
Veil, lsir?" Vot can do for you p
Bradford drew heavy ring from
his left hand and laid it on a square
of black velvet which lay atop the
show case.
How much can you give me for
that?" asked he. with u certain hest
tation which bespoke his innocence
of pawnshop chickering's.
Israel switched on an incadescent
that hung aboye the case. He picked
up the ring in fat, hairy fingers: ard,
sliding down his spectacles, studied it
closely. This way and that he turned
1t, blinking little as he noted the
elaborate Chasing OF the gold and the
magnificent cameo. cut with the VIM
ton coat Of arms. Then, with a glance
at Bradford's hnnds and his whole
person. and with note OF obvious
suspicion In his cultural voice. he
queried:
You want to pawn this?"
'No-to sell It, answered Bradford,
trying to appear well at ease and
making q failure of the attempt.
Israel shook his wise old head
cannot buy it, said he. "Efery
jeweller in Boston knows this ring.
1t is a famous heirloom, listed as an
art treasure So, you see, / cannot
buy"
Bradfard flushed suddenly, un-
Outstanding the old Jews thought.
Oh, it's mine, all right enough!'
he exclaimed naively. Tim work
Ing now. But it's my ring. See here!"
He presented his card. then drew
out letter or two, addressed to him.
Still Adelstein, hesitated. Bradford
showed his initials in the corner Of
a handkerchief, also in the sweat
band OF his hat. All this cumulative
evidence seemed to convince the
pawn-broker. He lpondered a NOM
ent, with knit brows; then nodded
assent.
That" said he. "is different" His
eyes narrowed inscrutably. II gif you
two hundred dollars"
No" answered Bradford, shaking
his head. That's not enough. Pm not
going to decker with you, but Til tell
you that this cameo is a hundred and
fifty years old, and it's market value
Is moro than thousand dollars. If
wanted to take it to any OF the big
jewelers. up on West street, or Ire
mont"
Il make that three hundred" pro-
ffered Israel, fully cognizant of the
truth Of Bradford's statements.
You've got to double that, to talk
turkey to me-" countered Vtnton.
He reached for the ring, and slip
ped it back on his finger. Adelstein
reflected, sore distressed. He had a
shrewd suspicion that vinton pere
would give much more than a thous-
and to res,cnn the Lcannn from die