'They played with a motley collection of old chipped glassies covered in brown, blue, and black swirls. A few guys used pre-World War II "taws" stained in bright primary colors like miniature billiard balls. These heavy, scarred veterans were prized far above the common marbles they squandered like pocket change, and were saved for when the stakes were highest and most reserves had been depleted. But prized above all were the clay ancients inherited from fathers and grandfathers. These fat, homemade wobblies had been hand-rolled and baked hard in country fireplaces. They were never entered in competition because they could be so easily shattered. Instead, each boy carried his favorite like a talisman for luck and magic. This population of marbles was in constant motion as favorites were lost and re-won and expendables were squandered.'

Douglas J. Haydel
'The Bunkie Wars'
Louisiana Literature
Fall 1991
Volume 8 Number 2