026
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Title
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026
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Transcription
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NO CASH
I have heard that there is a lot of business conducted in the United States by using the barter system. You can trade commodities with out showing any record of a cash transaction. I am told that millions of dollars are lost in taxes, and that the IRS frowns on this type of business. Business transactions, where no cash was used, were common when I was a boy. It was not the intent to avoid taxes, it was because there was no cash. Business conducted by the barter system, could be for services or commodities.
My mother always planned to raise chickens for meat and eggs, enough to supply our own food, and we always seemed to have eggs to take to the grocery store and trade for other produce. Eggs from the flock of laying hens, and cream and butter from the cows we milked, were bartered for groceries at Frank Lewis' grocery store. The list of things needed was prepared by Mumsie, there was usually, salt, sugar, pepper, baking powder and other items needed in cooking.
The eggs and butter were carried in a large basket, which would then be used for groceries. The process of obtaining the groceries always interested me. I would watch Dad count the eggs, then watch Frank get each item from the shelves as Dad read the list Mumsie had prepared. Some times a shipment of oranges had been received and Dad would select one for Mumsie, Lawrence, himself and me. Some times Frank would give me a piece of chocolate candy. I was just tall enough to stand on my toes and look over the counter, and reach the candy.
When the groceries were in the basket, Dad would take a small pencil from his pocket, scribble on a piece of paper, Frank would do the same, Dad would say, "I owe you $1.50," Frank would then say, "I will put it on the books until next time." I never did see any money change hands.
I think that my brother Lawrence is the only person who will remember this next story. Dad, on one of his trips to town, had a nice team of well matched grays, he was alone, and carrying a large basket of eggs on his arm. As he crossed the R.R. tracks a switch engine hit him. The engine ran over his team and made kindling wood of his wagon. The team had to be destroyed, they were so badly mangled. Dad came out without a scratch. His clothes were completely covered with egg yolks. He called Mumsie as quickly as he could get to a phone so that she would know that he was not hurt. He wanted to get the news to her before it got to the party line.
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Rights
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Metzger Memories
