The Prize

Background: For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Egypt Mills Club it is fair to say it was an “exclusive” men’s club for “ardent outdoorsmen” nestled on Toms Creek Road along Rt. 209 and the Delaware River just below the bridge crossing to New Jersey. Depending on who you talk to it was either sold or reclaimed, in 1973, by the U. S. Government to become part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

When the government took it over, all buildings and dams were destroyed. Today, the old foundation of the mill is overgrown with weeds, but the rustic setting of the mill race and mill pond has been preserved. The stream, which has become know as Toms Creek, offers good trout fishing.

Story: It was one of those beautiful summer days. You know the kind when you say to yourself “it’s a good day to be alive.” Russ and I pulled into the parking lot of Toms Creek where there was only one other car. We got our gear together, “booted-up” and headed for the creek, as usual, Russ went down stream and I up stream. The creek was a little low, but there were some nice clear pools with trout waiting for my fly.

As I was deciding which pool to fish, I happened to look down on the remains of a dam and there sat a ring. “Oh,” I said to myself, “a “Cracker Jack ring.” For those of you who are younger, much younger...the best part about buying Cracker Jacks was the prize in the box. I picked up the ring and much to my surprise it was a 14k gold diamond ring. I must confess fishing went right out of my mind. Thoughts of who lost it or who left it skipped through my mind. How do I find the owner? Much to my amazement the ring fit perfectly. Forget the owner!

Rather than tromp to where Russ was fishing — I was rather “reserved” about my new prize. When we caught up with one another, I casually mentioned that I hadn’t caught a fish, but found a ring. Russ was surprised as I, but added some fantasy to my prize by saying that a Gnome came out of the woods and gave it to me. Good grief! I’ve yet to have it appraised, but Russ thought the setting was by Tiffany.
We continued to fish for a while longer. Russ giving me important pointers about casting into clear water pools. But, the morning was giving way to afternoon, and we had a lot of road to travel before we got to Vermont.

So, my friends, I leave the final version of this story in your hands. Did our engaged woman lose the ring? Or, did she leave the ring? Or, was our suitor rejected and he left the ring?

--Joan Hackmann-Gaul--

Winter 2008 Issue