At a flea market on a Saturday afternoon, a new seller had put out a lot of items belonging to one of their family's relatives. As I stood around, I've learned to just listen to the seller's conversation to other family members as well as customers that come and go. One of the short statements said, "Oh, that belong to my wife's cousin. She died in a car accident several years ago." I saw he was pointing to a large white woman's handbag....
Fast forward to Monday, about mid morning, when I go metal detecting around the flea market grounds. Before the market's remodeling co-funded by government matching grants, the grounds had open top 55 gallon trash barrels. I'm walking past one and take the opportunity to look over and inside it. There's trash in the bottom, a still sealed bundle of brand new central A/C air filters standing on their end, and elevated up and sitting on top of them was the same large white purse.
I hit the power-off button on the detector and pull the bag up while balancing it on barrel's rim. As I look inside, I see a white tag with large and small printing.... The large print said, "
Prada".....the small print said, "
Made in China". So goes HOPE'S rapid heartbeat and blood pressure's roller coaster ride finding a high-end fashion piece. But I carefully look in all the interior pockets and unzip the longer pockets.... Nothing.
On the outside of the floppy-soft white bag are side pockets. Just below the zipper line are angled short zipper pockets; one on each end and on both sides of the purse. All four of those odd angled side pockets were still zipped closed. They almost looked like decoration rather than actual pockets. Remembering the worry of broken cosmetic mirrors, the fear of straight pins and all types of needles, as I unzipped each pocket, I carefully ran my left index finger into each exterior small angled pocket lining. As I got to the last pocket, my finger slid into what felt like a smooth band. I carefully pulled it out of the pocket's deep corner and there was a 1973 girl's Senior school ring. Inside, it was stamped "Balfour 10kt."
Check ANY type of pocket, the bounty may be worthwhile; Dead or Alive
,
Bill
