A mechanism for dispensing a single generally flat rectangular article having a penetrable surface, such as a newspaper, from a stack of articles within an enclosure, preferably a coin controlled enclosure, comprising a spring loaded vertically movable generally horizontally disposed elevator platform for supporting a stack of articles and an article engaging structure mounted above the stack including a reciprocable bracket movable forwardly, rearwardly and vertically having spaced pin brackets which are pivotally moveable about an axis parallel with the lateral walls of the enclosure with each of the brackets having a depending article penetrating structure adapted to engage and move the uppermost article in the stack outwardly through an article dispensing opening in the front wall of the enclosure when the bracket is moved into its forwardly position. The reciprocably movable bracket has associated therewith a slide plate and lever assembly for engaging a spring biased inner gate closure which normally closes the article dispensing opening and moving the inner gate closure to open position before the article penetrating structure moves the article into the dispensing opening. The article engaging structure has a lever arm operatively associated therewith which is adapted to exert a braking force on the vertical movement of the elevator platform when a predetermined upwardly pressure is applied to the article penetrating structure by the uppermost article in the stack.