One fine, fall afternoon, a younger Tradewater was sitting peacefully whittling on a piece of cedar, just enjoying the weather and the scenery (obviously pre-wedded bliss days) when a man came by looking distressed. Being the neighborly person he is known for, Trade asked what was the matter? After exchanging names, the young man explained he had an appointment with some acquaintances but had forgotten his favorite knife with which he liked to sharpen his pen nibs and did not want to be late, but also did not want to arrive "underdressed" as it were. (I'm sure many of you reading this can understand the feeling of incompleteness that can be nearly overwhelming when circumstances dictate the absence of cutting implements from your pockets)
Trade, being the fine person he is, offered up both his carving knife and a piece of sage advice (for he does not know how to give any other kind) "watch your footing on those sandbars, Jim, it's easy to slip if you're not careful."
Jim, however, did not heed this advice (or maybe he was just clumsy). While comparing his new knife with that of one of his acquaintances at their meeting both ended up cut. This seemed to be a pattern over the next 10 years of his life.
The last time they met, Trade was upset about the lack of cedar trees to carve (because western cedar is one of the finest carving wood around) and so was moving to Colorado to work on his rock collection (and possibly hunt some yeti).
Jim was upset about resistance to a proposed zoning change in his area and to top it off was feeling poorly (he ate the fish at a campaign dinner).
Trade noticed he was still carrying that old whittling knife and out of sentimentality suggested Jim appeal to a higher power for advice down at the mission.
Jim took him up on this suggestion, but alas it was too late -- shortly after he got to the mission, while Jim was debating with some others about the zoning change, he got a bit too excited, his fever overcame him and he died.
The rest, as you know, is history -- by which I mean, the cedar forests in Texas have not recovered yet, Rock collecting became an overnight sensation in Colorado, and Colorado quickly ran out of Yeti. (OTOH the zoning change Jim was worried about happened, some say in honor of his tireless campaigning)