Along with the many bridal shops, musical
instrument stores, and among any other of the diverse varieties
of commercial establishments located in the Springfield Avenue section
of Newark, there existed any number of pawnshops.
Recognized by their trademark three gold balls which hung over the
entrance to the pawnshops, I distinctly recall one in particular,
known as the William S. Rich pawnshop. I recall looking into the
storefront windows, heralding the customer to come in to examine
the many watches, jewelry, guitars, workshop tools, all manner of
cameras, and items of any other description one could imagine. Within
the shop, many of the items were usually tagged, along with the
name of the person pawning the item. Thereafter followed the date
of pawn, and the ultimate date of final pawn loan repayment or redemption
of the item. The total debt to be satisfied by that last date, else
the pawned item would be sacrificed and lost forever to the original
owner. The lost article would then be placed up for sale to the
general public. This would allow the pawn shop owner to recoup his
loan, and garner his interest and profit through the sale of the
item.
Being a child at the time, I did not have the vaguest idea of how
the pawn shops operated, other than seeing many of the items described
above, spread out within the shop. The pricier and more valuable
items were placed behind what appeared to be a brass-like teller's
cage, as recalled in an old fashioned bank. There, behind this partition,
the pawn shop owner or employee would sit, dealing with his clients
and their myriad and endless possessions to be used as collateral,
in exchange for loan funding. The clients would approach this partition
with a plea for funding to "tide them over," to help resolve
whatever might be their personal tragedies and financial dilemmas.
Typically worn around the neck of the pawnshop owner, hung a jeweler's
loupe, similar to a lavaliere, at the end of a long, black cord,
to enable the pawn shop owner or employee, to examine and monetarily
evaluate the merchandise preferred for pawn.
The pawn shop told many tales of broken hearts, broken dreams, broken
hopes, and in many cases, shattered lives. Going into one of these
establishments did not evoke a "warm and fuzzy" feeling,
if one considered the many unfortunate histories and circumstances
of the many items offered for sale within. Nor were there any clues
as to the sad tales surrounding the items, if it were possible,
to be orally related by these very same pawned goods-for-sale, of
the many hard sacrifices of their original owners. Undoubtedly,
very many of these pawned items completely lined the walls and window
cases of the pawn shops, to be "lost" forever, never to
be regained by their original owners again. Dealing sometimes with
unsophisticated clients on many occasions, some of the more unscrupulous
pawn shop owners, (in fairness, there was also great honesty and
sympathy among many pawn brokers as well,) would intentionally underestimate
the value of the item offered up for pawn money loan. Unfortunately,
in many cases,however, an amorally dishonest pawn shop owner might
recognize the true value of a pawn, knowing the dire and often urgent
need of the client for funds. The pawnbroker may even know the probability
of certainty of loss of the item by the needy client, recognizing
the history of the particular client in need, such as compulsive
gamblers, folks behind on the rent, and the like. Unfortunately,
in many instances, although illegal, some of the more unscrupulous
pawn shop dealers would accept "hot" or stolen merchandise,
giving the thief a fraction of the value of the item pawned, to
be later "sold" at a great or greater profit. The colloquial
term used to describe those people is, I believe, called a "fence."
So begins the story of a mother's selfless act........
Back in those many Newark years and school days ago, it was customary
and required for young girls to wear white dresses at their elementary
school graduation. For the more fortunate and wealthier family,
this posed no problem to purchase the finest, most beautifully ornate
and most costly garment, for their daughter to proudly wear and
be admired in the elementary school graduation procession. To the
strains of "Pomp and Circumstance", the girls, beaming
in their beautiful and brand new white dresses, would slowly descend
the downward slanting school auditorium aisle, moving and approaching
forward to the stage area, sometimes partnered side-by-side with
the co-graduating boys. The male counter parts in the procession,
usually would be uncomfortably scowling, unhappy with the warmth
of that auditorium, forced to wear their new suits, white shirts
and ties, bought especially for this occasion. The parents, seated
in the auditorium, and beaming with joy and satisfaction, would
watch their progeny ascend the auditorium stage, their names to
be called up to receive their individual grammar school diplomas,.
In a sense yet today, the grammar school graduation denotes a coming-of-age,
if you will, a certain end of childhood, and entry into adolescence.
Grammar school courses back in the day offered a sexist curriculum,
in that young ladies pursued a class in what was known as "Home
Ec", or otherwise, Home Economics. Boys would usually pursue
a course in "Woodshop",or Industrial Arts, in which by
the end of the semester or course, a simple wooden project would
be produced by the student, usually a simple shelf or bookcase.
In the case of the girls, besides generalized cooking instruction
and the preparation of simple foods,(such as apple sauce, etc.,)
girls would later be allowed to communally enjoy the "fruits
of their labors", in a dining room setting within the Home
Ec area, whose purpose was also to teach young women how to "set
the table", and demonstrate good manners while seated at the
dinner table.
One area of the Home Ec course, also stressed the teaching of sewing
skills, and with it, the operation of a sewing machine. Usually,
the sewing instruction began in the second half of the semester,
or at the Springtime term, going from January to June. Again, a
simple sewing project would be assigned, (perhaps an apron or simple
skirt or blouse,) the finished product being "modeled"
by the girls at the end of the semester in a student "fashion
show", featuring the young ladies wearing or demonstrating
their creations.
Being one of the most indigent students attending school among the
wealthy, it was my idea to adopt as my spring sewing project, the
creation of the white dress which would ultimately become my graduation
day garment. Of course, being an unrealistic and unsophisticated
child, my ambitions and enthusiasm were high, but in reality, my
skills were quite low. My mother, not having the funds to purchase
a beautiful white dress for me, thought this an excellent idea,
and thought perhaps she could help me create and complete the dress,
in time for the graduation in June. The purchase of sheer white
organdy material,( think the fabric and dry goods shop a few doors
down from the Griffith Piano Company on Broad Street), would be
an inexpensive alternative to the store bought dress, in order for
me to experience the equal pride and happiness of the other classmates,
during the graduation exercise. It was mother's kind way of concealing
the sad fact of our family's misfortune and poverty, lest I appear
at graduation in something lesser than the fortunate ones regaled
in their Bamberger's, Haynes or even custom made and ordered graduation
dresses. In my childish naiveté, I never realized the attempt
on my dear mother's part to make me happy; she would always go out
of her way to make me smile, always being cheerful, despite her
many problems, always avoiding the mention and reality of our poverty
in any way she could. She felt this would assure a somewhat happy
and hopefully normal childhood for me, avoiding the true knowledge
of what really was.
Needless to say, the dress was way beyond my or even mother's limited
ability. A kindly neighbor who was an amateur seamstress, sympathized
with my plight, and tried to come to my rescue, but the dress was
so badly botched, that even the finest couturier, Mademoiselle Coco
Chanel, herself, could not salvage it. The damage had been done:
seams clumsily and unevenly sewn by me. Hems cut and sewn unevenly,
too short here, and too long there....destroyed. In sum, a total
disaster. So I cried, and mother cried along with me, not so much
for the ruination of that fabric or the unsuccessful completion
of that white dress, but for the fact concealing the truth that
she could not afford to provide me with another graduation dress
in time for the actual ceremony. Graduation Day was a mere week
or so away. What to do?......
By the evening before Graduation Day, there was still no solution
in sight, certainly no mystical appearance of that required white
dress. I went to bed with tears in my eyes, and prayers on my lips,
that I too, would be able to enjoy and cherish my special day, which
now stood hours away, starting at 9 A. M. in that very familiar
school auditorium. If only........
Upon arising the morning of the graduation....lo and behold, there
lay a beautiful, beribboned and lacily delicate white graduation
dress at the foot of my bed....the most gorgeous creation I could
ever imagine!! Indeed, unknown to my young mind, mother had gone
to pay a visit to the William S. Rich pawn shop, and had sacrificed
in pawn the very wedding band placed on her hand, at her marriage
to my late father. The golden sparkle of her treasured ring had
magically turned into the dazzling beauty of that white graduation
dress. I will never forget the sacrifice mother had made for my
happiness. Somewhere in my home today, in some remote suitcase in
the attic, there exists a photograph memorializing that special
Graduation Day. Mother stands proudly next to me, beaming with pride
and joy.....and me, wearing a great big smile of happiness and success,
for all the other classmates to see, admire, and perhaps even envy,
that singularly exquisite dress, with its many flounces and beautiful
details. What a happy day that turned out to be!
Unfortunately and very sadly, mother passed away the following year,
shortly following my 14th birthday. She passed away at far too young
an age, suffering a cerebral hemorrhage, (a massive stroke), on
the day of her 59th birthday. Father had also passed away six months
previous to mother's passing, leaving me orphaned before my 15th
birthday.
Many years have passed since that long ago Graduation Day, and mother's
passing....almost 48 years now, to be exact. I am now a grandmother,
myself. The memory of mother's sacrifice will remain vivid with
me until the end of my days. To this very day, I cannot ever forget
mother's sacrifice for me......a mother's selfless act, in the pawn
shops of Newark, which took place so very long ago.
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