OF4-12/16/09 9:25 AM
RETURNING A LONG OVERDUE LIBRARY BOOK.
The Osgood File. I'm Charles Osgood.
Stanley Dudek of Mansfield, Massachusetts is a retired electrician. Recently, he was going through some things that had belonged to his mother, who died ten years ago --- and he came across an old book.
A very old book, indeed --- its title was "Facts I Ought to Know About the Government of My Country." Dudek says it was obviously a library book.
SOT - Stanley Dudek
"New Bedford Public Library had the seal on there and had the date when it was due back --- and it was due back May 2nd, 1910."
Now, that's what I'd call "overdue." His mother hadn't taken it out of the library. Somebody else had.
SOT - Stanley Dudek
"The age of the book is 115 years old, but it was taken out in 1910 and it was given to my mother."
What Stanley Dudek did then, after this...
There was no question in Stanley Dudek's mind about what he ought to do with the long overdue library copy of the book "Facts I Ought to Know About the Government of My Country."
SOT - Stanley Dudek
"It's not my property --- it was my duty to bring it back."
There'd be an overdue fine, for a book nearly a hundred years overdue.
SOT - Stanley Dudek
"It was a penny a day at the time --- so, the total came out to 361 dollars and 35 cents. But at the current rate, it would've come out to 1,800 dollars."
The New Bedford Public Library waived the fine, however.
SOT - Stanley Dudek
"I didn't have to pay the penalty --- they were amazed that it was in such good condition..."
His mother brought Stanley Dudek up right, it seems.
SOT - Stanley Dudek
"She came from Poland. She didn't speak any English, so she went to night school. And when she finished school, somebody had given her that book. The book is mostly for immigrants. It shows you how the government works in America, designed mostly for a history teacher or an immigrant."
Here's a question, though: What would a book to tell you how the U.S. Government works, published 115 years ago, tell you about how the U.S. Government works today? Not very much, I'm afraid...
The Osgood File. Transcripts, podcasts, and Mp3s of these programs can be found at theosgoodfile.com. I'm Charles Osgood on the CBS Radio Network.
The Osgood File. December 16th, 2009. |
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