Notes Found Thrifting

I went thrifting at the Goodwill Outlet story today. I really like this story. They have about a dozen bins strewn with books. There is no order or reason but that makes the hunt fun. Plus, I always find interesting notes. Today was no different. I found 2 different notes today. One note was just laying in a bin and the other was tucked inside a book. I think they are both interesting and thought I would share.

First, the note I found laying in the bin seems to be one page from a letter written around 1989 or 1990. That doesn't seem that long ago but it does make the note about 20 years old. I think it also shows how much times have changed with computers because just a few years after this note this same info would have been written in an email instead. There isn't actually a date on the note but the writer mentions a murder. I did some research on the murder and think I found the one he was discussing. Here is the text of the note:

"Getting ready on a Sunday afternoon. Wife came and said Mrs. B called and wants you to come over she's having trouble with Emmit. That was a laugh. Mr. Milketoast in a sweat. We worked for the same utility. I drove the 2 1/2 blocks, found Emmit sitting in the backyard under a tree, a sweet look on his normal calm features. Mrs. B was hysterical. Emmit! Tell Mr. Houts what you're going to do! He looked at me no different than when we ran into each other at coffee break. "If Ray starts to bother me and bug me tomorrow I'm going to tell the S.O.B. to get the F.H. out of my work area!"

I just thought Oh D---! We were going over to Ming Dynasty in Hanford-- twenty-two miles! Ray worked for years at the bench next to Emmit was promoted to boss the meter shop. Recently. Ray was a dud, too.

I grabbed a chair and got up in Emmit's face. Emmit I've known you about eleven years now. I like you. Our kids have grown up together! Take my word Emmit - don't do this! We can't help you through the union. Our jobs here are good pay for a small town. You've got a good job that won't even be on layoff. What are you Emmit - fifty? Don't do it!

Next day - mid morning a fuming Ray marched into the Super's office with an angelic faced Emmit trailing. They took him downtown and a week later, terminated. Mrs. B was livid - with me - the union. Turned out she has to go to work. When I left a year later Emmit was pushing a broom in an elementary school. No credit union, pension - job security. Seems to be genuinely happy. Mrs. B still blames all.

Another Emmit in New Jersey left a good job, came home to a great house, calmly dispatched two daughters - wife - his mother. Lined them neatly in a row on the ballroom parquet, secured the house, drove 30,000 miles took up AKA and lived free for 18 years.

At his trial he sat with a patience on his dear face. One of these hand wringer T.V. shows talked to him in prison. He likes it!

And poor Maj. MacDonald out at Bastrop. His wife and two babes attacked by hippies!

Minister Rainey at Fort Worth. His wife a vegetable. All sweet people.

Mild as Jersey milk.

Nobody looks or listens to them!

Pity!"

Now the other note, this one is written on an envelope and was tucked into a book about Eleanor Roosevelt. The book was titled, Eleanor: The Years Alone and was published in 1972. I suspect this note was written at the same time. It seems to have been written to a general audience - not addressed to any particular person. Maybe it was intended for the next owner of the book. Who knows? It reads:

Maybe a dozen women in my time really impressed me. Some were:

1. My grandmother Henryetta Boyd. Born 1866 - Lewisburg Ten.
2. Ethel Barrymore
3. Eleanor Roosevelt
4. Ethel Waters
5. Rosalind Carter
6. Marilyn Monroe
7. Anne Franke
8. Harry Truman's Mother

Etc.

With excpt. of R.C. rest led troubled lives. But each were real women. Quality!

Eleanors' worst fault. (Marrying a momma's boy.) (Not turning beautiful until late in life.)