WILKES-BARRE — Robert Lockman Sr. was 9 years old when he borrowed the children’s book, “Val Rides the Oregon Trail” from Osterhout Free Library in Wilkes-Barre in late 1941.
Robert Lockman Jr. returned the book to the library on Wednesday: 75 years, two months and 13 days overdue.
“I thought it would be the right thing to do,” he said Wednesday evening. “My dad was an honest guy. That’s what he would have done.”
Lockman Jr. found the book in the basement of his Shavertown home recently. He said it took a minute to sink in after he noticed the Osterhout Free Library card pocket, date-stamped Dec. 2, 1941.
“My dad was 9 when he took that book out,” Lockman Jr. said. “I guess he just never took it back; that’s not like him.”
The book — written and illustrated by Sanford Tousey, a well-known children’s book author of the 1930s and ’40s — traveled with Lockman Sr. throughout his life, including many years in Connecticut, Lockman Jr. said.
Lockman Jr. came into possession of the book after his father died in 2013.
One question remained after he brought the book back to the library: How much would it cost in late fees?
At the 1941 rate of 2 cents per each day overdue, the fine would come to about $554.
No money changed hands Wednesday, however.
“We just laughed about it,” said Jeannette Karaska, the circulation clerk on duty at the time.
Considering its age, the book is in good condition but it’s not likely it will be returned to circulation, which would require binding the book and scanning it into the library’s computer system, Karaska said.
“It’s a children’s book, it had the usual scribbles in it,” she said.
“Val Rides the Oregon Trail” tells the story of a boy who has many adventures as he travels with his family from St. Louis to Oregon in the 1800s.
Lockman Jr. said he has enjoyed many adventures through books, for which he thanked his father, an avid reader and artist.
“My dad always encouraged me to read,” he said. “I really wish that more kids would go to the library.”
Lockman Jr. said he had no idea why his father never returned the book.
But a post on Osterhout Free Library’s Facebook page might give a hint.
The attack on Pearl Harbor that compelled the United States to enter World War II happened five days after the book was due. After that “everyone had more important things to worry about,” the post states.
emark@citizensvoice.com, 570-821-2117