Page 82 - How We Lead Matters

Car Trouble

My father, Curt Carlson, was well known as a stern taskmaster, but he also
had a playful sense of humor. I miss that. This is one of my favorite stories as
told by longtime family friend and business author, Harvey Mackay, in my
father’s autobiography, Good As Gold:

America was holding a national election and I was hosting an elec-
tion–eve party. Since it was November, the Minnesota weather gods
decided to attend too, and we were socked with a nasty ice storm.
Curt arrived . . . in a new Lincoln big enough to sink the iceberg that
sank the Titanic. . . .
Then it was time to go. That is until the car-parker informed
Curt that his car had slid off our ice-coated driveway, careened
through a stand of trees, and wound up a total wreck on the frozen
lake below. . . . Curt didn’t turn a hair. He arranged a ride with a
neighbor, said good night, and without a backward glance at his
stricken behemoth rode calmly off in the storm.
The next day our doorbell rang and a messenger delivered an
invoice for “One car, $37,432.22,” accompanied by a note that read:

Dear Harvey,
No problem taking 2% off the invoice if paid within 30 days.
Nice party.
Best wishes,
Curt

Marilyn Carlson Nelson 65