Remember That Old Grocery Store
I recently had someone ask me if I had any interest in a 1971 Ellwood City phonebook. I did not think at the time that I did, but I was wrong. I flipped through the yellow pages and just happened to stop on the Groceries and Meats section. In 1971, there were a number of grocery stores in Ellwood City compared to today where there are two.
I was a little surprised to find that in 1971, there were six grocery stores on Lawrence Avenue; yes six. I have posted stories about a couple of these stores, have stories but no pictures of others, and never even heard of a number of these. In alphabetical order..
A&P Food Store on Beaver Avenue
Best Groceries in Frisco
Christy’s Super Market on 65 in Frisco
Curb Market on Sixth Street ???
Dan’s by the US Steel guard station on First Street
Decaria & Son on Division ???
DeLoia Super Market on Lawrence Avenue
DeMauro & Spencer on the 400 block of Lawrence ???
Dom’s IGA Foodliner at the end of Wampum Avenue
Ewing Park Market at the end of the Ewing Park Bridge
Fruit City Super Market at the west end of Lawrence Avenue ???
George’s Food Market located on the 1200 block of Lawrence Avenue
Henton’s Market in Burnstown. The last of the “corner” stores in town.
Herbert’s Super Market in Ellport
Ideal Food Stores (Christy’s Super Market)
Ketterer Store in Wurtemburg ???
Keystone Super Market on the 400 block of Lawrence Avenue ???
Lanzi’s Market on Pershing Street ???
Loccisano Brothers on Pittsburgh Circle
Mario’s Fine Foods on Spring Avenue where Pizza Joes is today
Mercuri’s Market on Fifth Street
Morini’s Golden Dawn Foods at the end of the Fifth Street Bridge on Wampum Avenue
Paglia’s Grocery at the bottom of Derby Hill across from Barry’s
Pavlovic Market on Brighton Road ???
Port Frank Grocery on the 700 block of Lawrence Avenue ???
Quinn’s Clover Farm Store on Zelienople Road in Frisco ???
Riccardi Grocery on Hazel Avenue ???
Rubino’s Korner Store in the corner of Franklin Avenue and Second Street
As I mentioned, some of these stores I have never heard of. If you remember them, please share your memories below or email me at info@ellwoodcitymemories.com
Growing up in the middle of the 600 block of Wayne Ave. made Frank’s Grocery Store on the corner of Franklin Ave. and 6th Street our store for food. It was owned and operated by Frank Genova. It had steps that ran down 6th and curved upwards on Franklin. As kids we would go in with the pop bottles we could find and cash them in buy pop, candy and ice cream and sit on those big old steps and enjoy the vittles. The funny thing about all those stores, that Ben mentioned, everyone of them made money to support the family that owned it. If you grew up in Ellwood you know there was one on almost every corner. Now there are, as mentioned 2. I guess, as written on this site by many, it was a better time. Living in Ellwood then and living here now I can say, “that statement is true”.
We bought our groceries at Minnoci’s next to the Manos Theater. It was on the 400 block of Lawrence Ave. I lived at 405, so whatever the number would have been, it would hve been an “odd” number since it was on the same side of Lawrence as my address. I know it was still there in November of 1960, when I left EC.
RE: Riccardi Grocery on Hazel Avenue
Mentioned in other North Side/Hazel Dell features, the store was known as “Charlie’s.” Charlie Riccardi and his wife ran it. The store was on the corner of Hazel Avenue and North Street. There have been many comments written about the “yo-yo” man showing up doing tricks for the neighborhood kids before school let out for the summer.
Charlie always drove a Cadillac and parked it on North Street by his back door. Their home was behind the store. They had two girls. Judy was the youngest. The city bus stopped in front of the store. One block up was North Side Elementary School. Charlie’s store was a neighborhood icon.
I am glad to see Riccardi’s made the extensive and impressive list Ben made, however I never viewed it as a “grocery” store. Semantics maybe, but it was a “fill in” store, a place you shopped between grocery “runs” for milk and bread. I say milk, but maybe it was just bread, as milk was delivered to the house. Charlie’s was THE neighborhood source for penny candy, popsicles, and soda pop. You could go to the store with 10 cents and have choices to make. Today you’d need 10 cents to pay the tax on what your dime bought you back then. A Royal Crown (RC) king size was 10 cents plus deposit of 2 cents. Bring the bottle back. A pack of Beaman’s Pepsin Chewing Gum was 5 cents…in 1959.
My parents shopped for groceries every Friday night, and I remember being happy to tag along. Stores I remember they frequented are Loccisano’s and one on Wampum Avenue, Loblaw’s I believe. Groceries on Friday, house cleaning on Saturday, and Sunday was church. Like clock work, groceries coming into the house bench-marked your week.
I too am amazed at the number of stores on Ben’s list. The difference with today is that, back then, they were “neighborhood” stores. Remember the “box reacher,” that long stick with the small “L” shaped hook on it the proprietor could use to yank down your Sugar Pops from the top shelf along the wall? Chest coolers held the cold soda sold in bottles, screen doors cooled the place before A/C was prevalent, and each and every time you entered the store, someone who knew you welcomed your business. It was a community.
Ewing Park Market was near the bridge. My then mother-in-law, Peachie Gordon shopped there and in 1967-68 when my first husband, Tom Gordon, was in Viet Nam I worked there part time. The owner was Chuck (don’t remember last name) and a full-time employee was Loretta Silvestri.
I was talking with Lois Liebendorfer this morning and we figured out that the Keystone Super Market must have been Minnoci’s. We just always called it Minnoci’s because we knew Johnny and Rose. It was a place where you could put your purchases on your “tab” and pay at the end of the month. Lois also remembered “Shuler’s grocery store. It was directly across the street from our barber shop. It was run by the two Shuler sisters who took care of their younger (I think) brother. He was parazlyed from playing football for Lincon High. I remember that store and going upstairs for whatever reason. It was a sad story about their brother. They lived above the store. But glad about the Keystone Grocery store that it was not forgotten; we just had the wrong name.
Sorry about the misspelling of Lois’ last name it is Liebendorfer. (maiden name Mitchell)
I did not see Value King on the list. It was a store on Wampum Avenue a block or two before Dom’s IGA. I remember it being a big deal to walk down to Value King to get milk, bread, etc… for my mom. It closed down in the 80′s.
Morini’s was another store close to where I grew up. Never did like the smell of that place or Dom’s. LOL
Chris…question: Which way on Wampum Ave. to get to Value King? If walking down North Street towards the bridge, past Dom’s IGA which I believe was on your left, did you take a right or left once you reached Wampum Ave.?
Second question: Do you know where Loblaw’s was on Wampum Ave., again was it a left or right when you came down North Street towards the bridge?
Thanks…Dave
Valu King and Loblaws were in the same building just different times. They were where JoJo Beans coffee shop, Curves, and Lori L’s is they remolded the building.
My memory is a bit rusty about the name, but I remember the first real “Super Market” that opened…I think it was called the Century (?). It was either at the west end of Lawrence or Beaver Avenues. Being a North Sider, my parents went to Loblaw’s and Morini’s, but they also went over to the Super Market some shopping days. Does anyone else (with a better memory) remember the Century?
Yes Carol, Century was the name of one of the stores in that area and the other was A&P. One was in the building now occupied by McElwain Bros. Boby Shop and the other was where the Shop and Save once was. I believe now it is Paff Welding.
I believe a Valu King was also located where Save-a-Lot is now.
The bigger corner grocery stores, that I remember in Ellwood were Loccisano’s when it was located where Tru-Valu is today. George’s Market where the swimming pool supply store is today. There was also store on Law. Ave. next to the Elton Hotel which was owned or co-owned by the Spencer Family, I think. A classmate of mine named Sherry was their daughter. Spoa’s (mentioned before) where Pizza Joe’s is was another. Deloia’s was another in the West End of town. Ernie Fanari’s father had a small corner store. Not sure exactly where. Some other’s were Rocco’s, someone mentioned Rubino’s and on South 2nd St. there was a small store. Not sure of the name. It was located just up from the National Plumbing. There was a small store at the Burntown Gate of the National Tube. It’s almost never ending, the different stores that dotted the corners of Ellwood. And, as I wrote before, they all made money.
Linda, Keystone was the Minnocci store. My Grandmother went there all the time for the best Cappacola and Provolone which she fed us when we visited her. The cheese was so good we would grate it on our macaroni when we ate at Grandma’s. I truly love thinking back to those better days in Ellwood.
Thanks Ben for letting us all drift back each time we click onto your site.
How about Wehr’s Meat Market (on Lawrence Ave.)? My Mom used to shop there often.
Dave, you would take a left and it was about a block down. Sharon explains that it used to be Loblaws.
Take care,
CRP
Frank Port and his wife ran a small grocery store on the northeast corner of Lawrence Ave and 8th St. My father operated the Chrysler-Plymouth dealership right next door at 728 Lawrence Ave and we used to go over there all the time for snacks etc.
Thanks to Ernie for refreshing my memory about the Century super market and for mentioning that the A&P was in that same area. My parents liked to buy 8 O’Clock coffee from the A&P.
The A&P was on 6th St were Dayspring Ministries is, they were on the first floor and Zeigler’s furniture store was on the second floor, then the A&P moved to Beaver Ave. My mom bought groceries at A&P every Friday.
Ernie, the name of the store was Demauros (sp) Sherry Spencer was my next door neighbor, Ii believe her mother was a Demauro. Don
Lanzi’s Market was at the corner of Pershing and Mt Vernon
Drive. I think the owner was Nick Lanzi. Very small market, maybe 4 short aisles.
We lived at 757 Pershing 1948-1956 and me, my sisters and the Mondell boys would frequent for candy, popsicles, daily in the summer.
All right Jerry. I forgot about that little corner store. Never went in there much since I lived on the other side of town. we would, however, go in there when the Hartman boy’s would head up on that hill 1 possibly 2 times a year to play football against the Walnut Ridge boy’s. I remember Bud Long and the Yohe brothers playing. It seems that store shut down early along. Seems like even before I graduated in 65. Another good memory, thanks Jerry.
Ernie,
My grandparents lived at 512 Wayne Ave. We would visit from Chicago in the summer. I remember Franks on Franklin Avenue.
My Grandparents would give each of us a nickel to get a popsicle.
I hope someone can verify this, I was talking to my brother today and he told me several interesting facts, 1st; there use to be a grocery store at the corner of 4th and lawrence named Fegles (sp), 2nd; my uncle Frank Wallace had a donut shop on 1st St (sounded like where the 1st St Bakery was and 3rd, he also had an ice cream store on the corner at the end of the Ewing Park bridge (dont know the names of the streets) These were before my time as Dick is 10 1/2 years older than me. Don
Since I don’t know how old either one of you are, I lived at 405 Lawrence from 1947 to 1960 and I don’t remember a grocery store by that name. There was one named Shulers run by two sisters. The store Market Place on Main is where that store was. In fact, on the web site http://www.ellwoodcity.org there are 2 photos of the Market Place store. Last time in EC, I stopped in the store and it is loved it.
I spoke with someone who remembers a store named Fegle’s. They thought, but wasn’t certain, the first name of the owner was Howard. The store, as my friend remembers, was on the northwest corner of Law. and 4th..
Frank Wallace rang a bell with him also, as the owner of the donut shop on 1st St.. He was sure of that, because Mr. Wallace also worked as a boss at the National Tube when he worked there.
The ice cream stand was a part of Johnny DeThomas’s place in the park, before he moved to 7th St. under Lou Lordi’s Barber Shop. That’s when he started selling pizza. I don’t believe he sold pizza in the park. Later that building, in the park, was a grocery store that people have mentioned on this site.
The recollections I write, other than the part about Johnny’s Pizza, are from someone who has lived in Ellwood since the late 20′s.
Boy I love this site.
Ernie, the corner I was talking about was at the light when you came off the bridge into ewing park ( across the street from the jewish synagouge sp) Don
oh! the icecream shop was long before Johnnys. Don
Linda, I was born in ’45 so do the math! Don PS. probably before you moved above the barber shop.
Don, The building I was talking about in the park, occupied by Johnny, is the same one, across from the Tree Of Life. Never went into Johnny’s as a kid, born in 1946, because it was mostly older guys and gals. Nick’s was where we spent our time, when in the park. I see Young Johnny quite a bit. I will ask him about the history of Johnny’s next time.
I really like researching about Ellwood, as I’m sure you all do, for we all loved growing up in this small town.
Ernie, looks like from your comments you may still be living in Ellwood City. If so do you know of a market or hot dog shop that would ship hot dog chile? A name or phone number or web-address would allow me to order some…memories!
I have not been back to Ellwood City since 2001, so I do not know what’s there. I sure do have lots of memories of good things to eat from the 50′s. Thanks. Dave
Dave..I heard that the Coney Island hot dog sauce (New Castle) has been shipped in the past. I am not sure if they still do. Check out this site for contact information…
http://visitlawrencecounty.com/hot_dog_capital_of_the_world.asp
I have also seen some for sale in grocery stores, but have never tried it. I will check the brand and see if there is any contact info on the container.
Yes Dave we moved back to Ellwood in 1992. At the time Pe’Wee’s was still open, and I was happy because of it.
I went to the site that Carol put up. It shows a few places in New Castle know by some as the Hot Dog Capital of the country. There was a phone # for New Castle Chili. I called but I believe it was closed.
The reason I mention Pe’ Wee’s is I believe that Hot Dog Chili was unique in the world of chili’s. People may laugh at that, but I say that from experience. I have eaten at all the places in New Castle, mentioned on the site. I lived in N/C for 23 years. Most chili’s are very close in taste, some have more heat than others. Post Office Lunch and the downtown Coney Island seemed to me to have the most heat. P/O Lunch was the most uniquine in New Castle. It was very dark in color. These, of course, are my opinions and you know what they say about opinions, everyone has one Dave.
When my Aunt and Mom had Pazz’s they had a chili that was different than any I ever tasted. My Aunt made and she would put Nutmeg in it. That was a flavor not found in any other. At the time I didn’t like it, but as the years past my taste, as in all of us, changed and now I like that flavor. My wife makes it occasionally.
The New Castle Chili and their Lamb Sauce (hot peppers, garlic in oil) are good, I think. I just add a little salt to the Lamb Sauce, when we have it.
As I said Dave, just my opinions.
In response to Ernie Young’s May 4 blog…My Uncle John DeThomas had an ice cream business in the park, as you mentioned, and according to my father, Carmen Marcello, he believes Uncle John starting selling some pizza in Ewing Park and is certain that he sold some Italian dinners because the Tree of Life was being built then; the workers would come over to the ice cream shop asking for lunch. So, Uncle John decided to make spaghetti for lunch. He then moved his business to 7th Street before he moved to 4th Street. In 1969, his sister and my grandmother, Ricka Mathas, who passed away on March 8, 2012 at the ripe age of 99, opened Ricka’s Italian Dinners and Pizza across the street from where his business once was on 7th Street. Yes, there was always room for another pizza shop in Ellwood City!
Mr. Ernie Young,
Thanks for the information on the site Carol referenced and for your comments on New Castle. I too lived in New Castle, actually Shenango Township, from the start of the school year in 1959. I returned to Ellwood City using my parents address on Franklin Avenue when I was in the Army in 1968-69-70. All that said is to give legitimacy to what the too cities had in common relative to food…they offered the best eating anywhere in the world.
Pee Wee’s I believe used a Greek chile recipe. For sure the old P.O. Lunch across from the Post Office in New Castle did. And the P.O. Lunch had a drive-thru window in the alley, way before drive-thru’s were the way of the day.
You mentioned lamb sauce, as in “lamb on the rod.” Now there is a Western Pennsylvania treat that I think you are the first to mention. Any bar that was near a mill or place of work had chile dogs and “lamb” as it was referred to often. In the D.C. area where I live you see restaurants advertising “Kabobs” but that is different than lamb you’re referencing. That lamb was served hot, with the sauce you mentioned, and with Syrian bread to dip in the sauce.
Here’s a challenge to the other commentors: who had the best hot sausage sandwich in the area? Joe Dato’s Sportsman’s Den had a sandwich his wife Rita made I have not found equaled any where in the world. For years I have tried to duplicate that sandwich, and Pee Wee’s chile too, to no avail.
Then there was the fish sandwich from Hazel Manor. My dad would bring them home Friday nights, with French fries. More fish than you could imagine hanging over the edge of the bun made them look enormous.
The only place outside of our home town worthy of note for chile dogs is Ben’s Chile Bowl in D.C. It has a web-site. Obama is the only one who eats free. No credit cards. Only cash. And the lines wrap around the building and inside. Worth mentioning only because at one time in our lives in Ellwood City we had good chile dogs available at many places. No lines!
Thanks for the memories, Ernie.
Jonette—Thank for finding out about Johnny’s. As I said, I didn’t go in there. The ice cream was a big surprise to me. Ice cream in the park mostly came out of the Dairy Queen. Pizza at the time for me came from Nick’s. It was 10 cents a slice and 15 cents if you wanted hot seeds on it. At least, that is what I remember.
As for your Uncle Johnny and his pizza, I didn’t eat any until he moved to 7th St.. My Grandmother lived in the middle of the 700 block of Crescent. So we would get it when we were visiting her, from time to time. If I’m not mistaken he wasn’t there, on 7th St., for very long before moving to 4th. Please tell your Father I said “Hi Uncle Carmen”..!! Very nice man.
Ernie
I think the store on the northwest corner of 4th and Lawrence was Biordi Grille. It was a bar and grille. Linda is right about Marketplace on Main being the old Schuller Store. In fact if you go in there today, you will still see the big walk-in cooler. Dave. As far as Sausage Sandwiches, I would have to give the nod to Phil’s Inn in Koppel. And you are right about the Hazel Manor’s Fish. It’s still that way.
All this talk of food. I am craving Johnny’s pizza – the pizza from the 80′s and 90′s. Great sauce!!!
AND Red Hot’s chili! I live in Greenville,SC now and know one down here understands what a real hot dog chili sauce is. Does anyone know what is Red Hot’s secret? You could tell me but then have to kill me, right? LOL
I would pay anyone to have a few pints frozen and shipped to me overnight. To me, there is no other hot dog chili like Red Hot’s!!!
Hazel Manor fish sandwiches during Lent. We lived diagonally across from the bar. I remember the smell. MMMMMMM!!!!
Hi Bob—You are correct about the store and bar and grille on Law. and 4th.. The person I talked with didn’t remember, at all, the name of Fegle’s. This mystery person was in business on Bell Ave from 1949 to 1979. He started working on Bell Ave. in 1947 after graduation in 1946. More about that later.
I also found out the name of the photo studio on 4th.. It was owned by Joe Farrow. They pronounced it Ferra, I was told. Go figure. Maybe this will ring a bell with someone. The person I spoke with had his wedding pictures taken there. I believe he got the name (Farrow) off one of the pictures when he called his wife. After hearing the name Ferra I remembered me calling him Mr. Ferra when I took, as I wrote, trumpet lessons from him in the 50′s. A kid named Blaine, whose first name escapes right now, played in the band took lessons from him also.
By the way Bob. I don’t remember sausage sandwiches at Phil’s, not saying they weren’t there and good. What I do remember growing up was everyone saying the steak sandwiches were the best. I never had one during Phil’s Taverns haydays. I did have one sometime during the late 80′s or early 90′s before it burn down, they weren’t that good at that time. But like all things, times change and so does everything else.
Now for my mystery person. His name is Bill Orr who was one of the partners in Orr’s Garage. Linda he remembers you as if it was yesterday, he said. He remembers you as the sweet, dark haired girl on the corner. I’m very good friends with him, as we both worked at McElwain’s. He thought you might have lived across the street from the garage, but I told him you lived above the barber shop. Did you or a relative of your’s maybe live across the street from Orr’s at one time or another?
Once again, great site Ben—Lots of fun.
Ernie,
You brought tears to my eyes saying that Bill Orr remembered me. My Grandparents Charles & Edna Turner owned the brick house on the corner of Bell/4th st. I have a photo of that house on my fridge. I one time thought of buying it. I loved that house. I was very young, but some of my memories were of french doors between some rooms and the great porch. We moved above the barber shop in ’48 or ’49. In ’49, practically the whole Turner family moved to CA. Only my Uncle Ken and my Dad stayed in EC. My grandparents sold that house to a family named Celli(?).
Tell Bill hello for me and thanks for remembering a little girl who ran around. My Dad always to our car to him for repairing or the PA motor test(not sure what to call it).
Thanks Ernie for the memories.
Ernie, I think that the name Ferra is the one I remember for the photography. I looked on my majorette photo and there was no name. The mystery is solved now. Thanks!
First time visitor to this blog…enjoyed all the memories…thanks to all who contribute!
Hi Ernie
I think the kid you took lessons with at Joe Fera’s was Blaine Tritt! His family owned Tritt’s on North Side.You’re right, he was first trumpet in the band. He lives in Colorado now. Hey Sister! glad to see you contributing
Bob,
Thanks for straighting me out on blaine’s name. Blaine played a good trumpet, back when I first started playing. I would listen to him play while I waited for my lesson. I never knew he was Karen Tritt’s brother. I knew Karen, quite well from school, but never put it together that they were brother and sister. Thanks again.
Ernie, Blaine was the youngest in his family and he graduated in 1962. The Karen Tritt your talking about was about our age and was not his sister. I lived 1/2 block from him and remember his sisters as being quite a bit older than Blaine.
Jim,
Here all these years I thought Karen’s mom and dad owned Tritt’s. Maybe her and Blaine were cousins and that’s why I associated her with Tritt’s. I could very well be wrong about that also. You know Jimmy, I, like you, am getting older and my memory isn’t what it once was. LOL
Now for a new discussion. Do you remember or maybe someone in your family might remember the K&C Bar? It was located on east side of North St. at the corner of the alley near the top of the hill before Line Ave., I believe. This goes back to sometime after WW2, but I think, before the 50″s. I know a young fellow like yourself would not remember it but, as I wrote, maybe someone in your family or even someone else reading this might know of it or know someone who knows of it. I have pictures of it, that I will post when I find them. I hope you can or someone can help me with this.
Re: Karen Tritt
Jim & Ernie,
‘Our’ Karen Tritt is married and living in Scottsdale, AZ last I heard. There is yet another Karen Tritt working at the ‘Thanks a Latte’ coffee shop on Wampum Avenue. Small world….
The Karen Tritt that had Thanks a Latte on Wampum Ave is my sister-in-law and her last name is Wilson. Tritt is her maiden name.
This quest to figure out which Karen Tritt is which is interesting. All I can say to one and all is, “the plot thickens”. To those who I went to Lincoln with, the Karen I’m talking about at one time, during those school day’s dated, if memory serves, Tony (Doc) Yekal. Poor spelling I’m sure. Also she would be, if I can be so bold, in the lower side of the 60′s, like 63 to 65. She was a sweet girl then and probably is to this day.
Sharon, I was in Thanks A Latte a few times and didn’t realize it was Karen, if she is the one I knew. Boy, if she was, I’m sorry I didn’t. That was my loss.
Re: Karen Tritt (redux)
Sharon,
Thanks for the clarification – my Realtor (Louis DeSanzo)and I enjoyed spending time at the shop back in 2009, and met both Karen and her husband Richard just months before he passed away in 2010.
Ernie,
The Karen Tritt who graduated in the Class of 1965 with us would be our age (64-65-66). She lived in Scottsdale AZ the last time I heard (1995), and could probably be located using one of the online search engines like Switchboard.com. I had a nice conversation with Tony Yeykal at the 30th class reunion – it’s such a pleasure to meet & greet old friends again after so many years. Tony was living in Allentown at the time, and may be there still.
I have a group photo of the 1995 reunion attendees which I would be happy to send if you’re interested – just E-mail me at volado20@sbcglobal.net
Ernie, You asked about the K and C Bar and I just read your post a second time. I remember a store front that was black and looked like it should be a bar near the alley on the west side of north street about half way up the hill. I think it was a beauty shop when I was young. That’s all I remember. The other bars, except for the Hazel Manor, were near the bridge.
Jim, The K and C was located on the east side either at the alley or one store front down. I spoke to people who remember it. They said it served very good fish sandwiches and hot sausage too. I have pictures I will send along to Ben one day, if I have all ready. I know some of the people because they are my relatives. Even Froggy Cortez and his brother are in them, but others I don’t know. Froggy and his brother played in the country western band along with my uncles. Maybe once published someone will recognize some of the others pictured. Jim thanks for responding.
Reading a about all the old grocery stores reminds me of my one day of crime. My mother and I had gone to Spoa’s and I was allowed a penny to put in the bubblegum machine. While walking out I noticed the little trash can Mr. Spoa kept on the floor filled with doublebubble gum and I realized the pieces were MUCH BIGGER than the piece I had gotten out of the machine. I decided, with five year old logic that I deserved the bigger piece and snuck it into my pocket. When I got home, I bragged to David Brownstein how clever I had been. Big mistake. He promptly told my mother who immediately took me back to the store where I tearfully confessed to Mr. Spoa’s and begged for mercy. He absolved me of the crime and gave me another piece of gum! I never stole again, but I’m still mad at David!