PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot
Thank-you Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers and thanks to Roger Bultot for the photo prompt/
ANY OLD IRON ?…
Top hat ? I’m keeping that
Brass bedsteads – bah humbug !
Copper wire ha ! Mine’s a pint…
Nobby’s old, time to hang up his horse shoes…
Someone died wearing that jacket ?
Queen Vic’s’ picture Gor Bless Her
Toffs at their window, gawping at me
Legs ache — too old for this game
Retire to Kent
*
‘Albert, do you see that greasy man in the street, his scurvy pony and cart ?’
‘Yes, m’dear, they’re called Rag and Bone men’
‘ He should go back to where he came from, he’s not welcome here…’
‘They remove our unwanted items, I believe we should be grateful’.
March 10, 2020 at 11:45 pm
When times where hard, I was grateful for the coppers that the rag man handed out. The rag and bone men did sterling service, thank you for recalling them to my mind
LikeLike
March 9, 2020 at 8:16 pm
A chilling thought that those who do the cleaning should do it without being seen…
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 9, 2020 at 8:25 pm
Great comment Bjorn – I think at that time in the UK, people who did menial jobs were seen as ‘ an underclass’.
LikeLike
March 7, 2020 at 10:45 pm
An interesting story. I liked your use of the rag and bone man as a proxy for immigrants, who come and do the jobs that we seem unwilling to do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 8, 2020 at 11:21 am
Thanks so much Penny, I appreciate your comment. Its that recurrent phrase you hear ..’Go back to where you came from’ loaded with all its hostility.
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 7, 2020 at 9:54 am
We have a rag and bone man who still comes round regularly with the call and everything except he no longer uses a horse and cart and doesn’t hand out goldfish for the kids in return for unwanted items. Nicely told
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 8, 2020 at 11:24 am
Thanks so much for your comment Michael. Golly, its amazing you still have one. Amazing to remember when he gave goldfish to the kids.
LikeLike
March 7, 2020 at 5:19 am
I’m sure there’s a place for them again – great recyclers! I liked the two points of view here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 8, 2020 at 11:31 am
Thanks so much for your comment Ali. I felt that not all readers would be familiar with Rag and Bone men, so I needed to name him in the story.
LikeLike
March 7, 2020 at 4:42 am
Well Penned.
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 8, 2020 at 11:33 am
Thank you Susan, I appreciate your comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 6, 2020 at 11:45 pm
Dear Francine,
Very enjoyable story. The rag and bone men’s dialogue is fun. And I learned something. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 8, 2020 at 11:38 am
Thanks so much Rochelle, pleased that you enjoyed the story. A bit of British social history.
LikeLike
March 6, 2020 at 8:35 pm
Steptoe and son would be proud to collect your discarded goods. Great program.
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 8, 2020 at 11:48 am
Thanks James, I appreciate your comment. I agree, Steptoe and son was really imaginative and entertaining.
LikeLike
March 6, 2020 at 7:11 pm
Superbly depicted.
Love how you let us despise the lady at the window in just one sentence.
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 8, 2020 at 11:52 am
Thanks so much ceayr – I pleased you like the story.
LikeLike
March 6, 2020 at 5:20 pm
Great blast from the past. It’s the little people that keep the world going for the rich, as always.
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 8, 2020 at 11:58 am
Thanks Iain, I appreciate your comment. I do agree.
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 6, 2020 at 11:42 am
Rag and bone men – I’d forgotten all about them until I read your brilliant tale!
Here’s mine!
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 6, 2020 at 4:03 pm
Appreciate your comment Keith, thanks. The photo for some reason set me thinking about Rag & Bone men !
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 6, 2020 at 11:35 am
Makes me feel ancient… I can remember the days. And a much better service they gave than that provided by our borough councils. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 6, 2020 at 4:08 pm
Thanks Crispina – yes it does seems so long ago, the sight of a R & B man. I do remember them from my early childhood.
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 6, 2020 at 6:53 pm
Yea, VERY early chilldhood 🙂
LikeLike
March 6, 2020 at 9:26 am
Interesting piece. I’ve often wondered if rag and bone men judged the rest of society by the quality of their ejecta
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 6, 2020 at 4:13 pm
I appreciate your comment Neil. Intriguing question you pose,certainly the Rag & Bone men in a prime position to to judge the rest if society.
LikeLike
March 6, 2020 at 9:11 am
Nice little blast from the past. I used to love watching Steptoe and Son. 🙂
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
LikeLiked by 2 people
March 6, 2020 at 4:20 pm
Thanks Susan, I appreciate your comment. You reminded my of how funny Steptoe and Son could be.
LikeLike