I had been trying to get in touch with Mr. Big for weeks. He had not returned messages or calls. Someone had told me that a good way to catch him was early like 5 am at the 4 way store . Seems that he always went by there every morning to pick up cigars and mail and other supplies. It was also the headquarters for the huge several thousand acres farm that Mr. Big owned.
All I wanted to do was talk to him about the new farm storage system I was selling. It was a new way to dry and store soybeans and rice on the farm. A friend of mine had told me that he thought Mr. Big was going to raise a lot of soy beans and would need some storage.
On my drive back to town where I lived I wondered if he had not recognized me. Surely he knew who I was. I had grown up there. I graduated from high school there. I had worked in the drug store while growing up. I had seen him in church lots of Sundays. Of course I was a boy and he was a grown man then. Surely he must know that I had been in the clothing business with my father before I spent four years in the Navy during World War 2. My picture had been in the paper on more than one occasion. I had heard that some of the rich plantation owners were ruthless and mean and cruel but I had known none of them having had no occasion to. I hoped all farmers were not like that as I was trying to start a new business which was a new idea to our area. I later found out that they were not, and fact is it was the other way around. Some of my best friends were and are farmers and I farmed a little later in life myself.
This process was a way rice, soybeans and other grain could be stored on the farm. The Government liked the Idea and was going to finance the systems for the farmers. There was a program where the government would loan the farmers money on the grain if they stored it. This was to keep all of the product from hitting the market at the same time, which usually drove the price down. Up until then the farmers had no choice but to sell to the grain elevators because they had no place to put the beans and grain. They had to accept whatever price was offered them .
If grain is not stored properly and the moisture removed from it heating up will occur and it would spoil. The whole program was new and I was learning it so I could try to explain and sell it to the farmers. It was a good deal for the farmers and I had a hard time understanding why it was so hard it get them to see that. Most farmers are good business men but they are slow to change or try something new. They also like to do things the quickest and easiest way. This new method would take a little effort on their part but would make them more money in the long run. In addition to all of the above at this particular time I had my own problems. I had no income but I was fortunate that my wife was working. We had a very young child and were buying a home. This was my very first of many business ventures that I would attempt in my lifetime. I had no prior dealings in farming or selling to farmers. All of my experience was gained at the drug store and my fathers clothing store. I figured selling was selling and as long as it was a good product. I also felt that I could sell st nd was not afraid to try. This looked like something that was needed.
I was starting a company called Farmers Storage & Equipment Co. Nothing seemed to be going good and farmers were slow to try new things as I was finding out. If I could get a successful man like Mr. Big to try my product, I felt sure that it would benefit me and him also. After being in that business for a while, one opportunity led to another, and approximately 13 years later I was in the home building and land developing business. I had sold and erected Metal buildings for a while and this had been good experience and had led to this new business. My present company was somewhat successful and I had built a good reputation in the community. I was active in civic and other affairs having been president of The Lions Club, The Chamber of Commerce and also Commander of the VFW. At that time I was the Superintendent of Sunday School and a Deacon of my church. All in all I now felt that I was on my way but I had not completely forgotten some of the unpleasant experiences that I had in the past.
My headquarters was an office and warehouse on a major highway within the city very near the area in which I was building houses. There was a center entrance from the front of the building and my office was on the left as you entered. The show room, my assistant and the secretary were on the right. A wall separated the warehouse from the offices. The entire front of my office was glass I could see through but no one could see into my office. That way I saw just about everything that went on and could hear some but not every thing said. It was a nice comfortable office but nothing elaborate. One day, just before noon, I was sitting in my office just looking around and enjoying my thoughts having just returned from a morning fishing trip. I saw the front door open and in walked an elderly gray headed man. My second look revealed that man to be Mr. Big. My God! I thought. What in the world is he doing here? My memory flashed back to that 5 am. morning many years ago to that intersection near the 4 way store. I could actually taste the dust.
Mr. Big had some blue prints rolled up in his hand and he carried some papers in a folder under his arm. "What in the world," I thought. I was dying to hear the conversation but could not. They were soon sitting at Mr. Popes desk who by then had taken out his yellow estimate pad and was taking some notes. The suspense was killing me but I stood my ground and waited.
In about an hour they stood up. Mr. Pope walked him to the front door and as they shook hands. I heard the words "tomorrow at 2." I waited until I was sure Mr. Big had driven away and started to get up when Mr. Pope came into my office. We need to talk he said. We sure do I said. At that time Mr. Pope had no knowledge of the past encounter between me and Mr. Big and I decided to withhold that information until I heard the story he was about to tell me.
"Do you know Mr. Big?" he asked. "Yes," I sure do, "I replied," trying not to sound too excited. "Well," he continued, "seems like Mr. Big has a big plantation out near that 4 way store." "Yes," I said, "I am aware of that." "Well, here is the story. They have a new gin and they need a large new type special kind of seed house built. They need it done immediately." "So he wants us to bid on it?" I asked, having already made up my mind that we would have no part of it or Mr. Big whatever it was. "No," Mr. Pope said, "He wants us to build it. All he wants to know is how much it will cost him. He has a chance to go to Florida for three weeks with his family and grand children." "But why in the world us?" I questioned. "Seems like he has talked to everybody that he has any confidence in and they all tell him that we are the ones he should get do it because it was a difficult job and we are the most capable ones to build it for him. Mr. Big said that they told him that he could turn it over to us and that he could be able to forget about it and go to Florida." I absorbed the situation, and after I got over the shock I looked at Mr. Pope and asked, "Are we that good?" "Yes we certainly are," he said, "in no uncertain terms. Apparently he and some others think so." Of course this made me feel better. I was certainly flattered although most of the credit should go to Mr. Pope. "O.K.," I said. "Estimate the job but before you present it to him, let me see the figures."
About 1pm the next day Mr. Pope brought the estimate into the office. Mr. Big was due in at 2pm. After I had been assured that the estimate was accurate. After looking at the estimate and contract I told Mr. Pope to add $8000.00 to the estimate and along side of it place the letters SDRGT. I instructed him to give Mr. Big a total price and if he accepted it to come in my office and I would explain the SDRGT to both of them at the same time. Mr. Pope looked at me with questions in his eyes but he, as usual followed my directions. He had a lot of confidence in me and rarely questioned my decisions.
Right on time Mr. Big walked into the office and went over to Mr. Pope's desk. He was handed the estimate and stood up and scratched his head. He then sat down, they talked for a minute, then it appeared to me that he signed the contract. Both of them got up and came into my office. I shook hands with Mr. Big and thanked him for the confidence he had in us and assured him that we would do a good job for him. We wanted him to enjoy the trip to Florida I told him. He showed no signs of recognizing me and I was beginning to wonder if he would even remember the incident.
I then told him that I wanted to explain all of the items in the estimate so as to be absolutely sure that he understood what he was paying for. He said that he appreciated that and he and Mr. Pope were anxious to hear what the SDRGT consisted of. I looked him straight in the eyes and slowly said, "Those letters," then I paused, and as dramatic and deliberate as I could, continued, "stand for Sand, Dust, Rocks, Gravel and Tears.
They both looked at me in astonishment as if I had lost my mind. Then I related the complete story of that day long ago and how it had hurt so on that day and time. I also told him that it almost caused me to give up on my first business venture. After a moment of silence by everyone he spoke. "Did I do really do that?" he asked. "Yes, you most certainly did," I replied, "and I want you to know that is what that charge is all about. we are honest and above board here." "Yes," he replied, "that's what I have been told." He got out of his chair and walked over toward me. I didn't know what to expect and no one was smiling. He then burst out laughing and extended his hand. He said, "I don't remember anything about the incident 'cause my memory ain't worth a damn, but I am truly sorry that it happened. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?" he asked in a sincere manner. Slowly I answered, "Yes, I can," shaking his hand all the time, and I asked, "Do you still want us to do this job?" "More now than ever," he replied. We successfully completed the job. Mr. Big had his trip with his family. I had a hurt healed, and Mr. Pope got a big bonus in his paycheck that month as he had a big family and he needed the money. Somehow I would not have felt right keeping it myself. But Mr. Big had to be taught "That what goes around comes around." Mr. Big told that story over and over. About how that? Would boy had taught him a lesson and gave him a chance to correct a bad mistake he had made earlier in his life. He even told it to the whole Rotary Club. He always laughed when he told it.