Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 October 1901 — THE “SOAKER.” [ARTICLE]

THE “SOAKER.”

A Character Who Gsts Business for the Pawnbrokers. In the neighborhoods where pawnshops abound the “soaker” flourishes, j The soaker acts as middleman be- | tween the pawnbroker and his customers. People employ me (said he) not because they are ashamed to be seen going into a pawnshop themselves, but because I can get more for the goods than they can. There’s an art in pawning a coat or a ring, just the same as in everything else. I’ve known people to go into a pawnshop with some old article to pawn, and to look the proprietor over with a supercilious air, as if they considered themselves far above him socially. Naturally, for sheer spite, be offers them only about half as much as they would get if they approached him properly. Having had a wide experience of my own, I know how to avoid such difficulties. lam not servile, but I am polite and respectful; and, as those two qualities touch the most generous chord in the broker’s bosom, I get all I want on the proffered goods. As recompense for my services, I charge my customers ten per cent, commission. I have regular customers, and, then, of course, I do many odd jobs.—London Answers.