Neat little-*almost* budget related story

[DaisiLou]

I have to tell you guys a most interesting little story. If I were still writing for the paper, this is the sort of thing I would have written about.

I found a book in my mother's things. It's William Golding's "The Scorpion God". It's a first edition print, that's in excellent condition, and is inscribed and signed by Golding.

I knew it was worth something, so I had it appraised. I was super excited because it was worth a few hundred bucks... Let me tell you, after the month we've had, we could sure use it! After the apprasial, I got curious about who it was inscribed to. A few internet searches later, I found that it was actually inscribed to the parents of Golding's daughters husband. So it was an heirloom of sorts.

I found Golding's son-in-law (whose parents the book was inscribed to) and he's some fancy schmancy professor. I verified that it indeed belonged to his parents and had been a gift from Sir William Golding. He offered to buy it back from me for his mother, who is still alive. I refused. How can I sell something back to them, that doesn't belong to me to start with?

I'm mailing it back to it's rightful owner today, and including this little note as to how it came to be in my possesion.

Dear Mrs. Carver,

By this time, I expect that your son Terrell has told you to expect this book in the mail. I am happy to return it to it's rightful owner, but I expect you're probably a bit curious about it's journey. I'd like to tell you what I know.

My stepfather died in 2000. After his death, I helped my mother pack up both of their belongings, ship some things off to charity, some to storage, and some with us. Mother decided to come live with me. In one of those boxes, was this book. I never really thought anything else of the book until just recently when I placed Mother in an assisted living facility. While cleaning through her bookcases, I stumbled upon the book and asked her about it.

She recalled that it had belonged to my stepfather. Prior to their marriage, he'd lived with a woman named Sharon. For all intents and purposes, they were common-law man and wife. Sharon never married my stepfather because she was still receiving alimony from her ex-husband who was a professor somewhere in South Carolina. All mother knew of him was that he was thought to be an oddball. Apparently he gave this book to Sharon as a gift, and when Sharon passed away, my stepfather kept it.

I'll have to admit, I would have probably donated the book to charity, but something told me to look inside, which is where I found the inscription. Knowing that signed books sometimes fetch a little money, I decided to have it looked it. I took the book to a local appraiser who, to my delight, told me that the book might be worth somewhere between $250-$325, dependent on whether I could figure out who the people were in the inscription. I was ecstatic! My husband and I are just working class folk, with two children, and a few hundred dollars of "found" money would have been wonderful! I know now that those people were you and your husband.

I started looking for a Terrell Carver and found your son. With a little conversation back and forth, we realized that this book was apparently lent by your husband, to a colleague in South Carolina. This was probably Sharon's ex-husband. Your son offered to buy the book from me, but I wouldn't sell it to him. To be perfectly honest, it's not mine to sell.

I am more than happy to return this book to you. I was raised to abide by honest standards and to treat everyone in the manner in which I'd like to be treated. A few dollars to me is a family heirloom for you, and it wouldn't be right for me to keep it, or sell it. I have to be able to lie my head down at night knowing that I've done the right thing.

So Mrs. Carver, after probably 25 years, I am pleased to return this heirloom to your family. I now have quite the story to tell my children one day, and I hope your family can pass it along as well.

With Warmest Regard,

Jennifer

Isn't that neat? Honestly, the book almost got trashed. And when I realized it wasn't trash, it almost got Ebay'd.

Goes to show you the whole thing about trash and treasure is true. And that not everything is worth face value....

 

[Blackrose]

Jennifer,
That has to be one of the nicest things I have heard about in quite some time! Can you imagine how those folks will feel knowing that you were not trying to get money for the book? It just goes to show that honest people still reside in this world! I hope that you will get some pixie dust soon!

 

[teamstrawley05]

Jennifer,

You have such a sweet story that makes me realize that there are honest people still in the world. I know quite a few people who wouldn't have given the $ a second thought. Good for you for being a fine, respectable honest person. I believe you have done a very good deed, and truly believe in Karma. Some day, this will come back to you.
Take care!

 

[LoriKutchey]

Your children are so blessed to have a mother like you, your character shines like a bright star! Your children are sure to have a solid moral compass having you as their mother.

 

[coolbeans]

i love the story!! it's neat that you took the time to research it's legacy.

 

[*Flower*]

I wish that there were more people in the world like you! Of course now you'll have to let us know if you hear any kind of response from the rightful owner.

I'm hoping that she's in good enough health to send you a 'thank you' card.

 

[gr8leg8]

What a delightful story

I love a good mystery, especially one with a happy ending.

The common-law marriage and odd ball ex-husband professor all sound so Agatha Christie.

 

[figment52]

Very cool!! Plesae update this thread if you hear back from Mrs. Carver.

 

[Whistle]

What a great story- thank you for sharing it! Please keep us posted if you hear anymore. I think you did the right thing, and I also think your "good karma" will come back to you!

 

[MousekaMaddi]

lovely story,,,thx for sharing!

 

[hrslvr142]

Incredible story, you are a very special person. Thanks for sharing your story, what a blessing you have given to this family.

 

[mdinecola]

I have a similar one. I went into a local "junk" store - kind of like a flea market where different vendors sell their items on consignment - and found a bible with christening information in it. It had names and dates of who and when the christening was for and a few other family names and dates. I found family of the owner, several states away, through Ancestry message boards and they were delighted. I couldn't imagine it just sitting on the store shelves - no one (but me) wants to buy a used bible with writing in it!

 

[DaisiLou]

I mailed it off yesterday....I hope to hear from Mrs. Carver.

I appreciate the kind words, but you know honestly, I just did the right thing. I know some people wouldn't have, but that wasn't an option for me.

 

[hello kitty]

I'll have to admit, I would have probably donated the book to charity, but something told me to look inside, which is where I found the inscription. Knowing that signed books sometimes fetch a little money, I decided to have it looked it. I took the book to a local appraiser who, to my delight, told me that the book might be worth somewhere between $250-$325, dependent on whether I could figure out who the people were in the inscription. I was ecstatic! My husband and I are just working class folk, with two children, and a few hundred dollars of "found" money would have been wonderful! I know now that those people were you and your husband.

and...

I am more than happy to return this book to you. I was raised to abide by honest standards and to treat everyone in the manner in which I'd like to be treated. A few dollars to me is a family heirloom for you, and it wouldn't be right for me to keep it, or sell it. I have to be able to lie my head down at night knowing that I've done the right thing.

It was very nice of you to track down the original owner and return the book, but I would have left the above statements out. You have now put Mrs. Carver in the awkward postion of rewarding/thanking you properly and she may not be in the position to do so. JMHO

 

[crashbb]

It was very nice of you to track down the original owner and return the book, but I would have left the above statements out. You have now put Mrs. Carver in the awkward postion of rewarding/thanking you properly and she may not be in the position to do so. JMHO

I was thinking the same thing - but didn't want to be the first person to say it.

 

[allison443]

I was thinking the same thing - but didn't want to be the first person to say it.

I have to say I agree..."working class folk"? I think the recipient will feel guilty and send you a "reward" now. I'm not saying that was your intention, but I would feel that way if I received this letter. After all, I guess you could have just given it to the professor-son without taking a payment, since he said he was going to give it to his mother.

However, it was very nice of you to make the effort to return it to the original owner. I would think it has sentimental value to them. It sounds like William Golding was their son's father in law? (if I followed the story correctly?)

It is a very interesting story!

 

[claudia]

It was very nice of you to track down the original owner and return the book, but I would have left the above statements out. You have now put Mrs. Carver in the awkward postion of rewarding/thanking you properly and she may not be in the position to do so. JMHO

thinking the same thing.....kind of makes it a bit less altruistic

 

[DaisiLou]

I can see why that part might have stood out. Maybe I should explain why I put *all* of that in the letter...lol

I spoke with Mrs. Carver's son through email, and he was A) very insistent that they pay me, and B) very insistent that I tell his mother the whole story. He expressed that she would really appreciate every little detail. He also didn't think she'd quite understand WHY I was willing to just hand it back over with no monetary gain.

So that's why I editorialized it a bit. Perhaps you guys are right and I should have cut it down some, but I was really just trying to do what he asked me to do.

I don't expect a DIME! I just wanted to do the right thing!

 

[ado121]

I can see why that part might have stood out. Maybe I should explain why I put *all* of that in the letter...lol

I spoke with Mrs. Carver's son through email, and he was A) very insistent that they pay me, and B) very insistent that I tell his mother the whole story. He expressed that she would really appreciate every little detail. He also didn't think she'd quite understand WHY I was willing to just hand it back over with no monetary gain.

So that's why I editorialized it a bit. Perhaps you guys are right and I should have cut it down some, but I was really just trying to do what he asked me to do.

I don't expect a DIME! I just wanted to do the right thing!

good for you. what a nice gesture. see, there are nice people in the world. and you, my friend, are 1 of them. your children should know how blessed they are to have a good hearted mom. hugs!

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

I have to agree that I was thinking the exact same thing, but didn't want to seem like a negative Nancy. Very nice thing you did!!