Grandfather Won One Hundred Dollars for Naming a Blue Can

the local historical society, where the air smelled of floor wax.

Robert, the director, was polishing the glass of a display case containing a vintage three-pound lard tin.

He adjusted his gold-rimmed spectacles as I approached.

“Robert, I need to find the 1937 payroll registry for the meatpacking plant,” I said.

He cleared his throat. “Martha, those records continue reading …