GLÜCKEL Memoirs Glückel rescues her ne'er-do-well son Loeb from debt The Memoirs excerpt below chronicles one several occasions after her husband's death where Glikl is compelled to rescue a child who lacks her keen business sense. Through the rumor mill at the trade fairs where she sells goods from her shop, Glikl discovers the debts of her son Loeb, a Berlin shopkeeper. She immediately follows him to the Leipzig trade fair to keep an eye on his dealings and try to undo some of the damage . . . [M]y son Loeb, I told you, was still a lad and knew nothing of business. And his father-in-law, far from keeping a steady eye on him, let him run like a loose sheep. As I mentioned, my son had undertaken a large business in Berlin, with a big store full of all manner of goods. His father-in-law, likewise, had married his son Model to the daughter of my brother-in-law Joseph. This Model was also a raw lad and poorly bred. But his father placed his entire dowry of 4000 Reichsthalers in my son's business. My son kept this Model sitting in the store, that is to say, watching out for things. But what a watchman! The help, men and women, stole right and left. Other worthless folk, such as are to be found in Berlin and thereabouts, made up to him, and while they went through the motions of bargaining stole from under his eyes. In addition, my son Loeb loaned some thousands to Polish Jews, and the money, alas, was never seen again. My children and I knew nothing of it all, we thought he was doing a good as well as a big business, and so we made him large advances. At that time I had a manufactory for Hamburger stockings, many thousands' worth of which I turned out for my own account. And my unlucky son writes to me to send him a thousand thalers and more of stockings, and I did so. The Memoirs (analysis and selections): The story of the father bird and the baby birds The death of a child; the birth of another Glückel mourns the death of Chaim of Hameln Glückel rescues her ne'er do well son Loeb from debt Appearance of self-proclaimed messiah Sabbetai Zevi Dangerous travels to the Leipzig fair A match and a wedding Then I meet at the Brunswick Fair certain Amsterdam merchants who hold my son's notes for about 800 Reichsthalers. My son Loeb writes me I can safely take up the notes-he will forward me the money to Hamburg. As I always stood by my children, I said to myself, I shall not put him to shame by protesting the notes, and I proudly paid them. When I returned from the Brunswick Fair I expected to find bills of exchange from my son Loeb. But nothing awaited me, and when I wrote to him, he sent me all kinds of answers none of which pleased me. What was I to do? I needs must content myself.Two weeks later, a good friend came to me and said, "I cannot keep it from you, I must tell you that your son Loeb's business mislikes me, for he is heavily plunged in debt. . . ."Such and more my good friend told me, and my soul nearly died within me, and I fainted on the spot.When my friend saw my shock, he tried to console me and said he believed that with someone to stand by him my son could still be saved. I told all I had heard to my sons Nathan and Mordecai. They shrank with fright and said he owed them several thousands. God knows what it meant for me-my son Loeb owed me alone more than 3000 Reichsthalers-but I had little minded it were not his brothers so deeply immersed. But what could we do in our distress? We dare speak of it to no one.We agreed that I should accompany my son Mordecai to the Leipzig Fair and see how matters stood. When we reached Leipzig we found my son Loeb already on hand, as was his wont, and laden with goods. I now began to talk with him. "They are saying," I said, "thus and so of you. Bethink yourself of God and of your good and honest father, that you bring us not to shame." He answered, "You need not worry over me. But recently-it was not a month ago-my father-in-law had visiting him his brother-in-law Wolf of Prague, and we reckoned up my accounts and he found me, praise God, in excellent shape." Whereat I said to him "Show me your balance sheet." He replied, "I haven't it with me; but do me the favour to come to Berlin and I will show you everything, to your content." "In any case," I concluded, "buy not a jot more of goods." But my back was no sooner turned than Reb Isaac and Reb Simon, son of Rabbi Mann of Hamburg, sold him on credit more than 1400 thalers of goods. When I learned of it, I went to them and begged them in Heaven's name to withdraw the sale, for my son needs must give over the merchandise trade, else it be his ruin. But it was all to no purpose, and they forced my son to take the wares. After the fair, I accompanied my son Mordecai, Hirschel Ries and the other Berliners to Berlin. Once I was in his house, my son Loeb said to me, "I fancy my one mistake is to have tied up too much money in goods." Whereupon I told him, "You owe me more than 3000 Reichsthalers-for my part I am satisfied to take it in goods at the price they cost you." "Mother dear," he sad, "if you are willing to do that it will ease me of my difficulties, and no one need lose a penny through me." The next day I went with my son to his store, and truly, he was badly overladen with goods. He gave me 3000 Reichsthalers of merchandise at the price it cost him. And you can imagine the face I made. But regardless of everything, I only sought to help my children. Glikl continues to try and help Loeb settle his debts, only to discover more that he owes. His creditors, meanwhile, take advantage of him mercilessly. Glikl invests large amounts of her own money in the disaster, and with the help of his brothers, Loeb is finally rescued. To keep an eye on him, and make sure there is no more trouble, Glikl then brings Loeb to Hamburg and employs him in her own flourishing business. Glückel. The Memoirs of Glückel of Hameln. Marvin Lowenthal, trans. Copyright © 1977 by Schocken Books (New York), pp. 165-168. Reprinted by permission of Schocken Books. GLÜCKEL Memoirs