There are still honest folks out there! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #1 06-26-2011, 10:04 PM

Today the Lovely Mrs. W decided to accompany me to an autocross event in Portage INdiana. This happens once or twice a year. This time it was because it was near one of her favorite towns, Chesterton, which has several Antique malls she loves.

So we went up and I unloaded the Formula Ford and unhooked the trailer from the truck and went about my autocrossing. She took the truck and wandered around for a bit. I called her later and we got together for lunch and she said she had lost her purse.

She had it at the gas station where she bought fuel for the big dodge and shortly thereafter found it missing. She was very confused as to how someone could have grabbed it right from under her nose whilst pumping #2 diesel but decided that must be what happened.

Of course the rest of the day she kept remembering things in it that were now gone presumably forever including her Purdue student ID from a very long time ago where she looks just about exactly like our Lovely daughter #4.

Not the least was nearly $200 cash which I gave her yesterday in repayment of a loan.

So all the way home she alternated between looking sad and weeping quietly at her misfortune.

When we got home at 8 pm or so I found a message on the phone from a lady who had found the purse. Apparently the Lovely Mrs. left it on the edge of the truck bed or the hood because this lady and her husband found it on the apron with contents including cash scattered all around.

So the Mrs. will drive up tomorrow and collect it and give a nice reward.

We don't know the folks financial situation but we assume they can use the money since they live in Lake Station. The only thing I know about Lake Station is that back 20 years ago when I was on the school board one day while looking at a list of school systems and their funding levels per student Lake station had the dubious honor of being the lowest funded in INdiana.

It is next door to Gary INdiana which has plenty of its own troubles.

So there are still plenty of honest folks around....HOnest!

toomany MBZ · #2 06-26-2011, 10:30 PM

Well, wadda know?

Good to hear how this turned out.

t walgamuth · #3 06-27-2011, 08:04 PM

The lovely Mrs. W. drove up to the ladies home and even though it was plain by their circumstances they could have used the money, they refused anything more than a thank you.

It makes me teary eyed to tell the story!

Tom

ah-kay · #4 06-27-2011, 08:29 PM

I do not think they would have taken any monetary reward the minute they decided to call you. They did it from the bottom of their heart and they expect others to do the same if they were in your shoes. You can always buy them a box of nice chocolate ( or a small gift ) and thank you card.

Glad it works out OK for your Mrs.

kknudson · #5 06-27-2011, 09:20 PM

Pay it forward.

I always remember many many years ago I stopped and helped a elderly couple change a flat, they offered me money. Other than dirty hands it wasn't bad, I had my jumpsuit in the car, it was a nice day, so I just took their thanks.

Well a few months later my Mom had a flat, some guy stopped helped her change it, even followed her to the service station, then drove off before she could even thank him.

t walgamuth · #6 06-28-2011, 07:19 AM

In circumstances like this I always offer money and press a bit saying they are doing me a favor to take it....especially if it looks like they can use the money.

But this instance is very exceptional. Upon further explanation they actually found it on the side of the road at the ramp going on the interstate. Apparently the Mrs. had it sitting on the bed edge or bumper of my dodge and it rode along for a while before tumbling off!

Exceptional human beings here!

layback40 · #7 06-28-2011, 07:27 AM

Best that the 2 of you go & order some nice things that they probably need & have them delivered to the house.

Kpmurphy · #8 06-28-2011, 08:17 AM

Last weekend I was rounding up everything to smoke 2 pork butts and pork ribs, the first store I stopped at I hear on the intercom my name I go to the front of the store they have my wallet I did not even look to see if the 30 dollars was there I know it still was, the next store I hear did someone loose there wallet, me again, I only had 1 pocket that day and I tore a hole in it, on the trim walking by the 240D. I will only where those shorts to work on the car now.

Yes there are still good people out there. Even in Palm Bay FL

Kuan · #9 06-28-2011, 08:29 AM

I've been on both sides before. It's a good feeling.

barry123400 · #10 06-28-2011, 10:51 AM

We would make every effort to return someone elses property. What is others property is not ours. We have no wish to take anyone elses property. This does not make us good people just the way it is. Actually we have done this several times already over the years. I truthfully believe all our children and grandchildren would as well.

I could not sleep nights well otherwise. If any costs where really incured other than a few dollars we would ask that. A reward for honesty or whatever is not required nor desired. There is simply right and wrong.

Also a few hundred dollars might be really important to them. The effort of replacing all the paperwork is a real pain in the ass as well. Anyone that would purposly not return a purse wallet or whatever should have a real good look in the mirror at themselves. There is something wrong. No we are not religious either.It is simply what a functional individual should do.

I also understand your ideal of giving them something Tom. I would try to if the situation was simular. Do not be suprised if it is declined though.

There are no gray areas in a situation like this in my mind.I would hope that at least fifty percent or more of the population would do likewise. Yet would not hold my breath to expect that average. Perhaps I am just becoming a little cynical with age..

TheDon · #11 06-28-2011, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kpmurphy

Last weekend I was rounding up everything to smoke 2 pork butts and pork ribs, the first store I stopped at I hear on the intercom my name I go to the front of the store they have my wallet I did not even look to see if the 30 dollars was there I know it still was, the next store I hear did someone loose there wallet, me again, I only had 1 pocket that day and I tore a hole in it, on the trim walking by the 240D. I will only where those shorts to work on the car now.

Yes there are still good people out there. Even in Palm Bay FL

smoked goodness

cscmc1 · #12 06-28-2011, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kknudson

Pay it forward.

I always remember many many years ago I stopped and helped a elderly couple change a flat, they offered me money. Other than dirty hands it wasn't bad, I had my jumpsuit in the car, it was a nice day, so I just took their thanks.

Well a few months later my Mom had a flat, some guy stopped helped her change it, even followed her to the service station, then drove off before she could even thank him.

Agreed, agreed, agreed. When I see someone stranded by the roadside, and it appears safe for me to stop and offer help, I always try to do so. I think of my wife or another family member being in that situation, and would hope that a kind stranger would offer the same courtesy.

Pay it forward!

Stretch · #13 06-28-2011, 12:01 PM

I guess there are more honest folks about than dishonest ones otherwise the number of people employed to police us would be greater - a lot greater - perhaps even reaching the paranoid numbers employed by the bolsheviks...

t walgamuth · #14 06-28-2011, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by layback40

Best that the 2 of you go & order some nice things that they probably need & have them delivered to the house.

This is a good idea!

TylerH860 · #15 06-28-2011, 05:40 PM

Left my wallet last week in a crowded movie theater. Thankfully I didn't have much cash on me, but it was turned in and returned to me with the $25.00 or so intact.