If I'm out of place, Please forgive me.
But I'm figuring here the place for a reason.
As a young man, 11 years at the time, my Dad convinced me it was time for me to get a real job. Although I'd been a paperboy and cleaned the local Picture Theatre on weekends since the age of 8, Dad figured I'd best have a full time part time job.
Anyway he convinced the local owner of the Platte Barbershop, that he had an 11 yr old boy, that could use a bit further education, and a bit of money on the side to boot.
Arrangements were made and this young whippersnapper was sent on his first real in life job interview.
A nervous young man, sweaty palms and all, proceeded to fullfil his fathers dreams.
Learn how to work and you won't cost me near as much money!!!
Them old barbers raked me over the coals for at least an hour.
I didn't know nothin about shinin shoes.
When I left, deep down inside, I knew I'd blown that interview.
Two 1/2 years later, I went home with a brand new pair of Elephant hide Tony L'lamas.
Retail price at the time was $150.
I'd been saving my quarters.
Dad was a bit peaved and disappointed to say the least.
I was reprimanded verbally, for squandering my savings so foolishly. I felt helpless but really loved them boots.
But Dad let me keep them because I'd have to learn how to spend the money earned sooner or later and it might be a good lesson for me.
Years later when I was about 25 yrs. old, (them darned old boots were stored away in the original box and wrapping) Dad was reminiscing and asked me whatever happened to those elephant boots that I'd squandered all that money on.
Well I told him I still had them and just didn't wear them much anymore.
Dad: How come you don't wear them anymore?
Fred: Well, actually they don't fit me anymore.
Dad: What size do you wear?
Fred: 10 / 10 1/2
Dad: Well what size were them boots?
Fred: 8 1/2
Dad: Hell, that's my size. Let me take another look at them.
Fred: (After running upstairs to the boys old closet and bringing them down, still polished and looking like new except for maybe a bit of run down sole and heel) Here you go Dad.
Darrell put his foot in them,(and I don't think this was the first time)
Dad: Well can you believe that, a perfect fit. Fritz, no sense in leaving these perfectly good boots stored away upstairs in the closet. What do you say? I'll just buy them from you.
Fred: Dad they don't even fit me anymore, you can have them. (With joy in my heart)
Dad: Yea, I expect you're right, they ain't worth much. Looks like I'm gonna have to spend some money and have Max put some new heels and soles on em.
Fred: Well Dad, I can't wear them anymore. I feel a bit foolish now about all that money I spent on them. I remember you cussed me good on that one.
Dad: Well sometimes you did spend your money foolishly. But now that I reconsider, you may have been right on this one.
So as not to drag this on any longer than neccessary;
Maurice Downey who owned the barbershop, introduced me to traditional archery at my age of 11, and Dad wore those old Elephant hide boots until the day he died.
Dad's little brother Glen ( we all knew him as Uncle Jerk ) also wore an 8 1/2. So they passed on to my favorite Uncle Jerk.
I actually purchased those boots from Jerry Calhoun for $75 bucks at the time, because I promised to give a free shoe shine for every pair of new boots he sold for 15 cents. And Jerry purchased a 100 tickets in advance.
Calhouns Western Wear, North Platte, NE 1961-65
And here's to you Dad
And Here's to Irish
Topic: A tribute to Dad (Read 250 times)
