In late August we had a lovely young guest, here on business for a couple or three days. Her name was Emily Schwab, whose family business is Schwab Meat located at 1111 Linwood Blvd. in Oklahoma City . . She was quite pretty, very classy and drove a late model auto worth at least half the value of our bed and breakfast, BIT OF EDEN.

A day or two after she checked out I received a frantic call from Emily asking me to check to see if she had left her watch, diamond ring and a couple more pieces of jewelry in the bedroom she had occupied . . . Sure enough, I checked the drawers of the dresser, and finally a little wooded box on top . . and there they were. . . . I could hear the relief in her voice when I told her I'd found them . . . Emily gave me instructions for sending the jewelry overnight by UPS.

I don't remember whether it was that day or the next that I took the packaged jewelry to our UPS store, gave the clerk the UPS account number Emily gave me to send the package. When I told the clerk he was to insure the jewelry for $10,000 he informed me the Schwab account number couldn't be used. . Without hesitation I used my Chase credit card to pay the $186 for insuring and sending the package overnight.

Next day I called Schwab Meat in Oklahoma City. . Emily was not available but I talked to a man I assumed was her father. After telling him the UPS charges he said he'd take care of the matter immediately. . . That was the last I heard from the Schwabs. . . . After 3 weeks or so, while looking at our Chase credit card statement, I saw the $186 charge, reminding me I had not been reimbursed. . . . I sent a letter to Emily with copies of the UPS bill. . . . Again, I've not heard from her.

It's amazing that an apparently wealthy person would take advantage of a couple trusting octogenarians. How could a person of means trade his honor for such a paltry sum.

The following is a copy of a letter I sent Miss Schwab October 29, 2009 by registered mail requiring a return receipt:

Dear Emily,
Perhaps my letter dated September 22, 2009 was lost in the mail or simply failed to reach your hands. At any rate the contents read as follows:

When we got our Chase statement for September I was reminded we haven't been reimbursed for the UPS charges entailed in sending your jewelry.

Enclosed are copies of the UPS billing.

I was happy that we were able to help you in recovering your possessions. Unfortunately UPS would not accept the account number you gave me. Otherwise I followed your instructions as closely as I could. The insurance charges were somewhat shocking but I assumed you were aware of the cost when you gave me instructions. I did not hesitate using my credit card to handle the overnight shipment you desired.

We did enjoy your stay with us very much and hopefully you will be our guest when you return to Joplin.

Please remit a check or money order in the amount of $186.43 to Bit of Eden Bed and Breakfast..

Thank you.

Sincerely yours,

WillliamMeeker

I am awaiting response from Miss Emily Schwab. If there is none she should not expect this old geezer to turn his cheek. With the help of an old friend in Oklahoma City, further steps will be taken.

To be Continued