, or "walking gentleman."

"Jem Baggs, the _Wandering Minstrel_, by G----!" yelled a pitiful demon
of a newspaper reporter.

"Who is that magnificent woman accompanying him?" inquired a dandy
editor, raising his eye-glass and surveying my fair companion with an
admiring gaze.

"Egad! she's a beauty!" cried all the fellows, in a chorus. Mrs. Raymond
blushed and smiled. It was evident that these expressions of admiration
were not displeasing to her.

"Excuse those gentlemen," said I to her, apologetically--"they are all
particular friends of mine."

"I am not offended; indeed they are very complimentary," responded the
lady, with a gay laugh. She had the most musical laugh in the world, and
the most beautiful one to _look at_, for it displayed her fine, pearly
teeth to the most charming advantage.

We reached the pawnbroker's and I went boldly in while Mrs. Raymond
waited for me outside the door, for I did not wish her to be exposed to
the mortification of being stared at by those who might be in the shop.

The pawnbroker was a gentleman of Jewish persuasion, and possessed a
nose like the beak of an eagle. He took the instrument and examined it
carefully,

"Vat is dish?" said he, "a harp? Oh, dat is no use. We have tousands
such tings offered every day. Dere is no shecurity in mushical
instruments. Vat do you want for it?"

"Ten dollars," I replied, in a tone of decision.

"Can't give it," said the Israelite--"it ish too moosh. Give you eight."

"No," said I, taking up the harp and preparing to depart.

"Here, den," said _my uncle_, "I will give you ten, but only shust to
_oblishe_ you--mind dat."

I duly thanked him for his willingness to _oblige_ me. Uncle Moses gave
me the ticket and money; and I left the shop and rejoined Mrs. Raymond,
to whom I handed over the duplicate and the X.

"I will take the ticket," said she, smiling--"but you shall keep the
money, for I appoint you my cashier."

At the suggestion of my fair friend we now sought out a cheap
second-hand clothing establishment, which, fortunately, was kept by a
woman, who, when matters were confidentially explained to her, readily
entered into our plan. Mrs. Raymond and the woman retired into a rear
apartment, while I remained in the shop.

Half or three-quarters of an hour passed away. At last the door of the
inner apartment was opened and there entered the shop a young person
whom I did not immediately recognize. This person seemed to be a