I presume any insulator collector has had the thrilling experience of finding one or more items he or she prizes highly, more so when through their own efforts they have searched out and retrieved them.

These little adventures are the substance that spawns the delightful anticipations of a midsummer night's dream. Such as hiking through tall corn fields, then emerging suddenly to find lines of myriad colored castles or cross arms loaded with sparkling Columbias as numerous as raspberries in the bush. We all awaken from a beautiful dream, but still the after thoughts are pleasant. However, when one is close to having a dream a reality, then only to vanish, the disappointment is indeed great!

Last winter while visiting with my brother, he told me an incredulous story of seeing red insulators on a line awaiting dismantling. He is employed with Bell Canada on a planning crew in northern Quebec. You can imagine my excitement at the news; and I begged him to secure a few of these red marvels for me.

Unfortunately, on his return to Quebec, the contractor for demolition had staked his claim and, apparently knowing the value of the insulators, had blanked out all communications.

When my brother again came back, he told me the sad story, and so my dream of red is dead.

There is no doubt when the contractor mines his jems, he will find a ready market in Montreal.