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Story Time
Started by lonewolf2261 at 08-09-2007 6:40 PM. Topic has 2 replies.
  
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 08-09-2007, 6:40 PM
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lonewolf2261
 
Joined on 04-08-2007
Free Home, Georgia
Posts 133
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was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes. I noticed a > > small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a > > basket of freshly picked green peas. I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn > > to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new > > potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation > > between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.> > > > "Hello Barry, how are you today?"> > > > "H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look > > good."> > > > "They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?"> > > > "Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time."> > > > "Good. Anything I can help you with?"> > > > "No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas."> > > > "Would you like to take some home?" asked Mr. Miller.> > > > "No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with."> > > > "Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?"> > > > "All I got's my prize marble here."> > > > "Is that right? Let me see it" said Miller.> > > > "Here 'tis. She's a dandy."> > > > "I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for > > red. Do you have a red one like this at home?" the store owner asked.> > > > "Not zackley but almost."> > > > "Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way > > let me look at that red marble" . Mr. Miller told the boy.> > > > "Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller."> > > > Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a > > smile she said, "There are two other boys like him in our community, all three > > are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, > > apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and > > they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them > > home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come > > on their next trip to the store."> > > > I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time > > later I moved to Colorado, but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, > > and their bartering for marbles.> > > > Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently > > I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I > > was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his visitation > > that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. > > Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the > > deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could> > > > Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the > > other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very > > professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by > > her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the > > cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket.> > > > Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man > > stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the > > casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.> > > > Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of > > the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her > > husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led > > me to the casket.> > > > "Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They > > just told me how they appreciated the things Jim "traded" them. Now, at last, > > when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay > > their debt."> > > > "We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world," she confided, > > "but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho ."> > > > With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased > > husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.> > > > > > The Moral : We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. > > Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our > > breath away.> > > > Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~> > A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself.> > An unexpected phone call from an old friend.> > Green stoplights on your way to work.> > The fastest line at the grocery store.> > A good sing-along song on the radio.> > Your keys found right where you left them.
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08-09-2007, 6:43 PM
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twig/al
Joined on 01-24-2006
Gadsden, Alabama
Posts 4,627
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lonewolf2261, Good story... I don't know if it is true or not, but it ought to be!!!
twig/al
Alabama Prospecting Supply
www.alabamaprospectingsupply.com
Email: tom@alabamaprospectingsupply.com
Southeast Treasure Hunters Forum
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08-09-2007, 6:46 PM
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lonewolf2261
Joined on 04-08-2007
Free Home, Georgia
Posts 133
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I don't know either, but it would be nice if it is true.
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Gold Grubbin' C... » Administrators » Story Time » Re: The corner grocery
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