Bernard never had a regular job. The only thing he ever did for a living was steal copper wire. That’s why they called him Sparky.

He was afraid of high voltage electricity so he specialized in #9 communications wire - low voltage stuff used for telephone and telegraph. The tools of Sparky’s trade included a pair of tree pruning loppers, and a pole climber’s hooks and safety belt.

Railroad police recognized Sparky’s work. He’d climb a pole, cut the copper wire, climb down and roll up the wire to the next pole. When the role of wire got too heavy, Sparky would tie it off and start a new one.

Sparky was arrested a couple times but the worst he ever got was 30 days for criminal trespassing. He never did any hard time. Maybe Sparky got too sure of himself. A cocky attitude has been the downfall of many men on both sides of the law.

This day, a passing motorist found Sparky lying flat on his back in a field of kudzu. The cuffs on his shirt were still smoking. The good Samaritan called 911, but Sparky was probably dead when he hit the ground.

Sparky had scaled the pole using a climber’s hooks and belt. Once at the top, he clamped his tree loppers around a strand of wire. But this wire was different and Sparky must not have noticed. This wasn’t #9 communications wire. This was high voltage power company wire - the kind that doesn’t overlook stupid mistakes.

Later, it took two flat bed trucks to remove the coiled up copper wire from Sparky’s back yard. The woman who lived there wanted to know if the power company was going to pay her for Sparky’s wire!