CHAPTER 6 - HURST HIGHLIGHTS
The following snapshots in this story represent a time capsule of the boys’ trips. There is no chronological order, nor are the historical events related to their visits delivered in sequence. But the author believes it does not add to or subtract from the story. It's a true story and real names, times, and items of treasures are authentic. Hardy’s, Roger’s and Wayne's collections were really owned. Any inaccuracies found in the retelling are due to Roger’s time span memory loss. Yet, let’s just agree, his related poems in edenprairieprose.blogspot.com are a witness to Roger having an abundance of memories and their marked impressions that shape his prose.
The first part of this trip was a chance for Wayne to go on a guided tour. After the tour, Hardy brought a combination step-up kitchen chair to serve as Wayne’s perch and sat the boys down in the front room. Then, from his multitudes, Hardy began a super cool story about his favorite pocket watch.
Hardy had the pocket watch that was shared by the internationally famous Siamese twins, Eng & Chang, along with the picture showing the watch and other items of provenance. His knowledge about their lives was encyclopedic. It was as if he had been their neighbor. But, based on the time frame, the boys later knew that was not possible. Hardy did relate it was purchased at a costly sum from one of their combined 21 children output. Hardy said it was one of the few items he just had to own. In the telling of the story, Wayne and Roger liked the fact the twins married sisters and they shared separate houses, allotting times at one sister’s and then at the other. Their children’s births were as close as Hardy ever got to a PG subject. He never uttered a swear word. But, as boys will be boys, they grinned and had knowing smiles while listening to Hardy's retelling of the famous American duo, born in Bangkok but naturalized in the USA. The final curtain in Hardy's word play was the death of Chang. The boys' morbid fascination was more than met by Hardy's favorite story.
Two more paragraphs will highlight two plus years of foray into the world of trading and Hardy relating Americana to the young eager scholars who never seemed to be satisfied. They often said, "Hardy, please, one more story before we go."
In those golden years of trading with Hardy, memorable items were acquired by Roger: Nazi World War II helmet; Civil War artillery officer's sword; fraternal sword; Japanese World War bayonet; Samurai- like sword, stingray skin wrapped, circa 1940s; short sword of unknown origin (Roger loved the feel – the great balance that oozed fantasy of the pirate kind); and other less memorable items that did not stand out since they were not blade related.
Of Wayne's acquisitions, Roger could only recall their trips home, when they relished in all that took place on each visit and how they were more than happy to have the treasures to proudly display on their shelves.
In putting this story to rest, we want to make a significant point. Hardy liked to wheel and deal but, looking back at these forty plus years ago, Roger and Wayne both agreed that, in any and all trades, Hardy never took advantage of their youthful exuberance to acquire by driving a hard bargain. Even when he knew they had actual physical pain from their need to obtain something from his extraordinary collection. They believe they were treated, collectively speaking, as the grandson he never had.
Hardy's love was cloaked in his deals two-fold: providing valuable lessons in trading and giving them gifts in the guise of wheeling and dealing. Yes, Wayne and Roger gave up some stuff but the return far exceeded their outlay. Hardy wouldn't let Roger trade the silver spice boat. Instead, Hardy taught Roger the importance of keeping gifts given. This was supposed to be the final paragraph, but Roger asked that there be one more included as a lesson for collectors, young and old alike.
That first day, when Roger was immersed into his boyhood fantasy and it became a reality, there was a constant temptation to pocket some small item that caught his eye and one he thought Hardy would never miss. The urge was always there, every visit. On the third visit, temptation prevailed. Roger stole a Nazi swastika emblem ring that was missing some unknown settings. He thought it was of World War II German origin. In later years, Roger discovered it was of the Native American Indians, a symbol that predated the hideous reign of Hitler. Roger's act tainted his relationship with Hardy, though unbeknownst to the old trusting soul. On the way home, Roger wanted to undo it. There was no joy, just sadness instead. Roger couldn't let Hardy know he valued an old ring more than his friend's trust. Hardy went to his grave unaware. Yet, even to this day, Roger bemoans the incident and has made an effort to make a partial righting of the wrong. In his early adult years, he tried contacting Dorothy Hurst to confess and reimburse. No success.
Of all the items Roger traded for, the ring is the only item he has kept from Hardy's collection. Some might think the ring is a symbol of betrayal. To Roger, it symbolizes a reminder to treat people honestly, with trust and an open heart, and to always try to close a deal where everyone is pleased.
It is a rule of life Roger tries to follow every day so that everyone he meets will want to shake his now gnarled hand.
The first part of this trip was a chance for Wayne to go on a guided tour. After the tour, Hardy brought a combination step-up kitchen chair to serve as Wayne’s perch and sat the boys down in the front room. Then, from his multitudes, Hardy began a super cool story about his favorite pocket watch.
Hardy had the pocket watch that was shared by the internationally famous Siamese twins, Eng & Chang, along with the picture showing the watch and other items of provenance. His knowledge about their lives was encyclopedic. It was as if he had been their neighbor. But, based on the time frame, the boys later knew that was not possible. Hardy did relate it was purchased at a costly sum from one of their combined 21 children output. Hardy said it was one of the few items he just had to own. In the telling of the story, Wayne and Roger liked the fact the twins married sisters and they shared separate houses, allotting times at one sister’s and then at the other. Their children’s births were as close as Hardy ever got to a PG subject. He never uttered a swear word. But, as boys will be boys, they grinned and had knowing smiles while listening to Hardy's retelling of the famous American duo, born in Bangkok but naturalized in the USA. The final curtain in Hardy's word play was the death of Chang. The boys' morbid fascination was more than met by Hardy's favorite story.
Two more paragraphs will highlight two plus years of foray into the world of trading and Hardy relating Americana to the young eager scholars who never seemed to be satisfied. They often said, "Hardy, please, one more story before we go."
In those golden years of trading with Hardy, memorable items were acquired by Roger: Nazi World War II helmet; Civil War artillery officer's sword; fraternal sword; Japanese World War bayonet; Samurai- like sword, stingray skin wrapped, circa 1940s; short sword of unknown origin (Roger loved the feel – the great balance that oozed fantasy of the pirate kind); and other less memorable items that did not stand out since they were not blade related.
Of Wayne's acquisitions, Roger could only recall their trips home, when they relished in all that took place on each visit and how they were more than happy to have the treasures to proudly display on their shelves.
In putting this story to rest, we want to make a significant point. Hardy liked to wheel and deal but, looking back at these forty plus years ago, Roger and Wayne both agreed that, in any and all trades, Hardy never took advantage of their youthful exuberance to acquire by driving a hard bargain. Even when he knew they had actual physical pain from their need to obtain something from his extraordinary collection. They believe they were treated, collectively speaking, as the grandson he never had.
Hardy's love was cloaked in his deals two-fold: providing valuable lessons in trading and giving them gifts in the guise of wheeling and dealing. Yes, Wayne and Roger gave up some stuff but the return far exceeded their outlay. Hardy wouldn't let Roger trade the silver spice boat. Instead, Hardy taught Roger the importance of keeping gifts given. This was supposed to be the final paragraph, but Roger asked that there be one more included as a lesson for collectors, young and old alike.
That first day, when Roger was immersed into his boyhood fantasy and it became a reality, there was a constant temptation to pocket some small item that caught his eye and one he thought Hardy would never miss. The urge was always there, every visit. On the third visit, temptation prevailed. Roger stole a Nazi swastika emblem ring that was missing some unknown settings. He thought it was of World War II German origin. In later years, Roger discovered it was of the Native American Indians, a symbol that predated the hideous reign of Hitler. Roger's act tainted his relationship with Hardy, though unbeknownst to the old trusting soul. On the way home, Roger wanted to undo it. There was no joy, just sadness instead. Roger couldn't let Hardy know he valued an old ring more than his friend's trust. Hardy went to his grave unaware. Yet, even to this day, Roger bemoans the incident and has made an effort to make a partial righting of the wrong. In his early adult years, he tried contacting Dorothy Hurst to confess and reimburse. No success.
Of all the items Roger traded for, the ring is the only item he has kept from Hardy's collection. Some might think the ring is a symbol of betrayal. To Roger, it symbolizes a reminder to treat people honestly, with trust and an open heart, and to always try to close a deal where everyone is pleased.
It is a rule of life Roger tries to follow every day so that everyone he meets will want to shake his now gnarled hand.
posted by raddad at 7:40 PM
1 Comments:
What a great story Roger. I am constantly impressed by your vivd memory and attention to detail. Much enjoyed!
-Niece Katie
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