along the BELL LINE
“I’m hanging up the shingle for good,” said the voice on the other end of the phone.
No one likes to lose a source of supplies and my favorite trap dealer was shutting out the lights for good. For decades he had kept me in traps, as well as a much thinner wallet! He cited health, age and poor sales, despite loyal customers like me. He was unloading it all and walking away.
Just before the conversation ended he asked if I was interested in some odds and ends? Interested? I just about hollered into the telephone line, “YES!” And when he asked if I wanted a list, I snorted no. I had always trusted him and without even discussing a price told him to send it COD. Sure enough, a week later the post office informed me that there were two large stinky boxes waiting, and I had better come get them before she had to break out the Hazmat suit. After arriving home I lugged them into the fur shed, and found an envelope inside with a simple note that said, “Thanks for your business and good luck on the line. P.S. the rust is free!”
And so began
