Jakey the Jew

Recycling started long before the current craze. Jake, who was affectionally known as "jakey the jew", could be counted on by small boys to come by the farm about twice a year and buy all scrap metal, horse hair and rags. Anticipating his arrival, I would scour the farm and the neighbours farms (if they didn't have small boys) for scrap metal. This consisted of broken parts off machinery and worn- out plow points. All during the year when we currey- combed the horses, we saved the long hair from their manes and tails. (this was used to stuff leather chairs and couches). We didn't have "rags" for sale because any old clothes were cut up into strips by my mother and were used for hooked rugs to catch farm dirt at the door.

Because Jakey always tried to "jew" down the price asked by small boys, one of the parents always made sure they were present to ensure the kid did not get too much of a screwing.

The visit from Jakey that I remember best was the timeMom and I were home alone when he arrived. We all went to the barn to get the horsehair I had saved. I brought the cardboard box full out and placed it an the low wall that extended out from the barn door. The retaining wall was maybe 2 1/2 feet tall and while talking to Mom, Jakey put one foot up on the wall. I immediately saw that Jakey's little DICK came out about 2 inches through a hole in the crotch of his bib overalls!! At first my mother did not notice and they kept talking about the weather etc. All of a sudden my mother's face turned beet red and she wheeled around and headed for the house.

That was the first time I negotiated my own price for my recycleables. My mother never mentioned this episode to my father.

Next-The Tractor


Dance as if
no one were watching,
Sing as if no one were listening,
And live every day
as if it were
your last.


Irish saying