ART
GENEALOGY
LITERATURE
HOME |
SPONSORED LINKS |
|
How I found a "treasure"... & then threw it in the dumpster... | ||
It was one of those great finds, the kind of "treasure" that you crave to snap up. You stop at yard sales, dig through heaps of junk at flea markets. This day, I had volunteered to work the Spring Place Community Festival, a great rummage sale. Most of the day, I was too busy even to look over the stuff. I finally found time to rummage, and WOW! Naturally, it has its junk, but oh, boy ~ the old, vintage stuff that pops up. That same day, I found three "treasures" and each one just a nickel ~ that's right, a nickel. One was a big bag full of old vintage matchbooks and boxes. Then there was a wonderful (but naughty!) nutcracker, of solid pewter and quite old, in the shape of a woman's torso and legs. (I'll leave it to your imagination.) "I can't believe you're buying that," said the cashier. I gave the nutcracker to my brother, who appreciates a fine antique (!) He cackled with laughter, and loved it. His wife was less appreciative... The treasure I lost was the prettiest of my finds ~ a set of vintage bridge tallies, perhaps from the 1920's (such an exquisite art-deco look). I didn't even know what they were. Prom souvenirs? Tallies for a dance contest? A little research told me they were bridge tallies, and somewhat in demand as collectibles. I had sixteen of them: sixteen! So how did I come to throw them into the dumpster? My schedule was so hectic. I was having to do chores and errands on the fly. I had put the bridge tallies and some of the vintage match boxes into a plastic bag ~ a foolish decision, I know ~ but I was always careful about where I placed it. But one day, I had the cards out and the phone rang. I quickly shoved them back into the bag and tossed it onto the bed. My memory is not as good as it once was and after a long phone conversation, I forgot about the tallies. Later, I had only a short while to gather up the trash and make a mad rush to the local dump station before it closed. I had everything in the car and went back for a quick glanceover. "Oh, there's a bag I missed!" I grabbed the plastic bag that I had guarded so carefully. I vaguely recall a sense of nameless dread as that last bag went into the dumpster. "No, it couldn't be. I was too careful... ?" Later, I searched the house from top to bottom. What cruel regret! I knew that I had destroyed the beautiful old bridge tally cards, and after they had survived all of those years. I cried about it, but what more was to be done? Well, I probably won't experience another such wonderful find in my lifetime, but who knows. It does happen. Once, I found a great box of glass and crystal beads at the local flea market ~ almost too heavy for me to lift, and I managed to snare it for thirty dollars. I bought them for my sister, who was making lovely brooches at that time. That was a real treasure, for us. We were like kids sorting through a pirate's chest of diamonds and rubies. Ah, nevermore... But, then again, maybe! After all, that's the lure of flea markets and rummage sales. It's a treasure hunt! |
 |
|
|
© 2000 - 2006 by dkp |
TM |
 |
