Don't buy a pig in a poke
The other day I saw a story in the Wichita Eagle about a man buying a large piece of steel at a city auction. Then it was discovered that the article was part of a large sculpture belonging to the city. It had been stored but somehow got in with the stuff being auctioned off. The city asked the man to return it, but he had called Sothebys in New York and found that it had been sculpted by James Rosati, a very fine artist. In fact, he had done something for the World Trade Center, which was lost in the Sept. 11 attacks. The buyer wanted a big price if he returned the part. We will have to wait for the final report.
It reminds me of something I got involved in years ago. Not the same but similar. A large storehouse was being torn down. I was observing the fallout and saw a beautiful walnut stair rail. I bought it and I'm not sure the person who sold it had the right. Anyway, I told him I wanted the spindles too, but he told me some man had bought them. I contacted the man, but he didn't want to sell but would buy my rail, or banister. We were backed into a no-win situation. After he died I asked the family about the spindles but no one knew anything about them. I still have the handsome banister minus the spindles. I say, "Don't buy a pig in a poke."
If you are building a new house and need a railing, let me know, maybe we can make a deal. Of course, the article has been stored for 40 or 50 years so may not be in good condition.
Say, you big people don't eat all the kids' Halloween candy.
— NORMA HANNAFORD
