This historical fiction was written by Coral Rohlf and is based on astories shared by Faye Kennedy and George Higashi.
I had decided it was time for a new hat, so when I came to town on Saturday, my first stop was Charlie Small`s Mercantile.
``Good afternoon, Bill,`` Charlie greeted me. ``What can I do for you today?``
``Been figuring it`s time for a new hat.``
``Well, I just got a new shipment in. Come on back and take a look.`` He led the way to the back of the store. ``Would you like me to hold that for you, while you try them on?``
I held out my hat. Charlie took it between two fingers and held it a foot away. I chuckled at the disgusted look he gave my old hat.
It took me trying on three or four hats before I found the perfect fit.
``I think I`ll take this one.``
``Great choice! That material sure beats what the old ones were made out of. Looks a lot better too.``
I gave my thanks to Charlie and headed across the street to Pattalochi`s Meat Market. I met my good neighbor, Evan at the front door.
``Good afternoon, Bill.`` Evans` eyes immediately went to my head. ``See you got yourself a new hat.``
``I knew I`d probably get a lot of razzing,`` I told him. More than one person had suggested I needed a new one. As we entered the door together, we found Hal Ainsworth standing at the counter.
``Good afternoon, Hal. Is Pat around?``
``He`s in the back getting my order. That sure is a nice looking hat you got yourself,`` Hal smiled.
``Is that you, Bill?`` Pat called from the back room.
``Yeah, Pat. How are ya doing?``
``Fine. Give me a minute and I`ll be right out.``
A few seconds later Pat stepped out front to hand Mr. Ainsworth his order.
``Hey, looks like you`ve been over to Charlie Small`s. I heard he got some new ones. Haven`t seen one like that before. Let me look at it.``
I handed my hat over to him, and quicker than a wink Pat slammed my hat down on the block and chopped it in half with his cleaver.
He picked the two pieces up off the block and studied them closely. ``Sure is good material,`` he laughed.
``What did you do that for?`` I asked.
``I just wanted to see how thick they were making the material.`` By now Pat was laughing so hard he could barely get the words out. In the background Hal and Evan`s were joining in with him.
``You better take this across to Charlie and tell him you need a new one.`` said Pat pointing to the door. ``Tell him to put it on my tab.``