This little yarn is drawn from my memory of when I was a ten year Old Boy.
It is an innocent reflection and missing some Adult material for good measure.
Every summer in the 60’s the Coal Boat came to town I believe all the way from Cape Breton Nova Scotia.It was a Black Schooner with two masts and a white Wheelhouse.Not sure of the size.
Not much exciting happens in a small town.So the Coal Boat visit was a big deal for us kids.
Local Merchants,Businessmen,Shop Owners with their fancy new pickup trucks would deliver the Coal to the Houses.The Coal came loose and was not packed in any bags.Pickup Trucks were fancy Colours such as fiery red,Bright Orange or Bright Yellow and would deliver the Coal in there trucks and drop it off in peoples yards.The Merchant kept a ledger for people who wanted to go on the installment Plan.I believe half a ton was only 12 to 15.00 .Father had an empty Coal House not much bigger than a dog house where he stored the Coal.The Coal house was attached to the Linny that was attached to the Stable.I believe the local Shed later replaced the Linny as a hobby Shop as a Man Cave for fellas to hang out and tell stories.Solve the World’s problems.
When the Coal house was empty I remember playing in it as my Uncle Vince was the Grocer and liked to tell Customers funny Stories from behind the Counter as he sliced off big thick slices of Baloney and Cokes to visiting Shoppers.He wrapped Cheddar Cheese in Brown paper and tied it with white parcel twine.So I would invite the kids in to my fancy Coal shack and play pretend Shop.
They used gravel small round beach rocks for money.
What are ya selling kennet Boy? Ghost Stories 5 Cents each or Lobster tales 10 Cents each.Lobster for ten Cents.How do ya do that? Easy,Once upon a time there was two little lobsters.That would bring a few laughs.I would imagine standing in a Coal house must have been hard on the lungs.Lucky I was not asmetic.When we changed to Oil.The little Coal house Closed down and darn near put me out of business. Except I still have my Stories.Ski Doo Safely Friends.
See Ya!