THE PAWNBROKER'S WINDOW

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 1993, 18 May 1885, Page 2

THE PAWNBROKER'S WINDOW

There is more philosophy of life to be learned at a pawnbroker's window than in all the libraries in the worhAThe maxims and dogmas which wise merrhave chronicled, disturb the mind for a moment, as the breeze ruffles the surface of the deep stream, and then passesaway; but there is something in the melancholy grouping of a pawnbroker's window, which, like a record of ruin, sinks into the heart. The household gods—the cherished relics—the sacred possessions affection bestowed, or eyes now closed in death had once looked upon as their own. are here, as it were, profaned: the associations of dear old times are here violated: the family hearth' is here outraged; the ties of love, kindred, ■ rank-all that the heart clings to—are broken here. It is a sad picture, for in spite of the glittering show, its associations are sombre. There hanga the watch, the chased which hung over the head of the dying parent when bestowing his trembling blessing on the poor outcast, who parted with it for bread; the widow's wedding ring is there-last and dearest of all her possessions, the trinket, the pledge of love of one. pqw fleaf}; the only reljc of the, hurt's fondest nie|np ; rjea; sjlyer thafc graged tlie holiday feast; the gilWramed minature that used to hang over the quiet nmntleshelf j the flute, the favorite of a deceased son, surrendered by a starving mother to procure food for her remaining offspring; the locket that held a fathers hair; or, gloomier still, the dress thwie very covering of the poor, is there, waving like the flag of wretchedness and misery. It is a strange, sad sight; to those who feel aright there are more teaching memorials to be seen at a pawnbroker's window than in the monuments in Westminster Abbey.