Small Tests (testicles?)
Feb. 21st, 2002 09:19 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
terracinqueA poll in ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
magdalene1's entry yesterday asked what we'd do if we found a wallet with $1000 in it. I've never been tested that way, but thinking about it reminded me of something that happened to me last year.
I found a book I wanted through Bookfinder (or ABEBooks, I don't recall which). It was at a used bookstore in Maryland. I contacted the bookseller through email, came to an agreement, and then I sent them a check.
A few days later the book arrived in the mail. I put it in my bookcase (it was a hardcover I'd bought to replace the softcover edition) and thought no more of it.
But then a few days later I got a letter postmarked in Maryland. There was no return address. Inside I found my check for the book (my address is pre-printed on the checks, of course) and an anonymous note saying that (whomever) had found the check lying on the street in Baltimore. It also said "God bless."
The only thing I can guess about this is that the bookseller lost my check...maybe the wind took it...on the way to the bank to deposit it, and this good Samaritan found it. You'd think the retailer would put all their money and checks in a big secure pouch or box before walking to the bank with them, but apparently not.
I have this image in my head of the bookseller, a big fistful of cash and checks in his hand, fearfully dashing through the streets of Baltimore hoping not to stumble or get mugged.
Anyway, I mailed the check back to them with a note explaining what had happened and admonishing them, "don't lose this again."
Just tearing up the check and thus getting the book for free, never crossed my mind.
magdalene1's entry yesterday asked what we'd do if we found a wallet with $1000 in it. I've never been tested that way, but thinking about it reminded me of something that happened to me last year.I found a book I wanted through Bookfinder (or ABEBooks, I don't recall which). It was at a used bookstore in Maryland. I contacted the bookseller through email, came to an agreement, and then I sent them a check.
A few days later the book arrived in the mail. I put it in my bookcase (it was a hardcover I'd bought to replace the softcover edition) and thought no more of it.
But then a few days later I got a letter postmarked in Maryland. There was no return address. Inside I found my check for the book (my address is pre-printed on the checks, of course) and an anonymous note saying that (whomever) had found the check lying on the street in Baltimore. It also said "God bless."
The only thing I can guess about this is that the bookseller lost my check...maybe the wind took it...on the way to the bank to deposit it, and this good Samaritan found it. You'd think the retailer would put all their money and checks in a big secure pouch or box before walking to the bank with them, but apparently not.
I have this image in my head of the bookseller, a big fistful of cash and checks in his hand, fearfully dashing through the streets of Baltimore hoping not to stumble or get mugged.
Anyway, I mailed the check back to them with a note explaining what had happened and admonishing them, "don't lose this again."
Just tearing up the check and thus getting the book for free, never crossed my mind.
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Date: 2002-02-21 07:16 am (UTC)