Page 6 - Publishing Inspiration Christmas Card 2013

to support the family and help them defray the hospital
costs.

Everyone donated something. Women had brought
hand tied quilts and lots of baked goods. I brought
books. Others brought paintings. Farmers brought
potatoes, gravy, beef, and all the fixings. A meal was five

dollars, but, more than once, I watched as people plopped
down a hundred dollar bill, and then left before change
could be tendered.
When my family finished eating, I purchased a pie
and some cookies, and then we joined others in the
auditorium for the auction.

The auctioneer held up a painting, and began his
singsong bidding. “How much will you give me for this
painting? Who will give me a 50 dollar, dollar? Who
will give me a 50?”

A hand went up, and the auctioneer pointed to the
man. “I’ve got a 50. Who will give me a 60 dollar,
dollar? Who will give me a 60?”
Another hand went up and the auctioneer pointed at
the woman. “I’ve got a 60. Who will give me a 70

dollar, dollar? Who will give me a 70?”
The bidding continued with the man and the woman
continuing to bid. “Hey, John,” someone yelled. “Ain’t
that your wife you’re a bidden’ against?”
John and his wife turned and looked across the

auditorium at each other, and sure enough, they were the
two bidding. Amidst the laughter, John said, “Well,
maybe she didn’t think I was bidding enough for it, since
she is the one who painted it.”
John ended up winning the bid at $100. He paid the

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