Seven Hills High School - Yearbook (Cincinnati, OH)

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Milestone Then Tommy left his happy home to ight so that Toddy could ponder and dream about the Golden Pullet securely. When his other brothers left, too, that spring, Toddy held the full responsibility of the chickens: the boy not only collected the eggs and fed the chickens, but he also helped his daddy set them. Each day, Toddy would take great care with the chickens, and, after he had finished his jobs, he would sit upon the steps of the chicken house Kas he was nowl , thinking about.The Golden Pulletg his dimples would tack a smile in his face, and, he would skip off, merry with the exuberance of youth, to find and inspect a new distraction. One morning Ruthie, the big black hen, brought forth from her ten polished eggs, ten wee puffs, upon one of which the sun had bestowed, as a blessing, its own brilliant yellow: tiny lights shimmered through the fluffy coat of the chick, as its fairy-godmother shone down. Toddy knew that this was The Golden Pullet. And so it came about that with the God-forbidding silence of a seven-year-old, Toddy kept his secret until Tommy would get home. The boy and the chicken became attached, as only a youngster and an animal can: often that summer, when he had no other job to do, Toddy would tuck the pullet under his arm: and, utterly content, they would start off down the dirt road: the dust would tickle Toddy's toes, and the Golden Pullet would give forth a complaisant chuckle. The fall came. The trees stood nodding at each other while the fall breeze rustled the ruliies of their bright dresses, and each field lay at rest, waiting for the iirst snow flurries to hide its tired brown face. And with the fall came lessons, even for seven-year-olds. And after school, Toddy would skurry home to a piece of bread and butter and The Golden Pullet. One crisp day, having just learned of Tommy's expected return tomorrow, he met the neighboring Commission man, Mr. Sam, on his way to talk to Toddy's daddy. Nl-li, there, young feller, said Mr. Sam, and oh! how good the world seemed to Toddyl Home, that aftrnoon, Toddy, of course, went right to the Golden Pullet, but the bird was not there. Angry at first with his pullet, the boy, suddenly realizing what had happened, rushed, with a stinging sensation in his chest and eyes, to his father, and asked with faltering words, A'NVhere are the chickens? Why, I sold a few of them today to Mr. Sam, Toddy. Why? A deluge of tears followed this, but, after much effort, Toddy's Daddy succeeded in finding out his son's story. How the boy's hopes ran wild when he saw his handsome daddy go to the telephone and ring up Mr. Saml But, alas, the hearty voice of Mr. Sam carried to Toddy, No, Tom, I'm sorry about it, but I'm afraid the young feller's little hen got took down to the station with them others, and by now - let's see - yep, 'fraid so, it's 4:30 now, and they was to be put on the 4:lO westbound. Sure am sorry, Tom - and so with heavy foot and broken heart, the boy shulflled out and sat, crushed, on the steps of the chicken house. The child sought, in vain, to discover why, just a day before Tommy was to arrive home from the wars, his surprise and all chance page 74 J

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Milestone , Theres always next year, Susan, and I promise you this time that we ll have a wonderful summer together, After all, the winter can't last forever, He was holding the dock with one hand, while he helped me out with the other. He stood there holding my hand a minute, smiling into my face. Then he said, 'iGoodbye, Susan. I'll write, and remember about next summer. and he was gone. I don't quite remember what I said or did from that moment on, except that I could hear his words, I'll write, over and over, and I felt like singing, because I knew that he would. No. the winter couldn't last forever, and the wonderful summer days, and Barney. would come again. ANN VAIL, '46 f X 'Q ,I ur U High School Story -- Second Prize THE GOLDEN PULLET The warm sun beat down on a small boy's tousled head, but, somehow, it couldn't seem to dry the fat tear drop that lingered on the boy's tanned cheek. Toddy was trying so hard not to cry: but, try though he might, a loud sniff accompanied each memory which led up to his present sorrow. Toddy had lost his chicken. It wasn't just one of Daddy's many, but his very own. The chicken had really been Tommy's, too, for it had all begun with Toddy adoringly following his big brother, as the latter did the chores, Toddy's other two brothers never seemed to have the time or else were too preoccupied to bother with their little brother: whereas Tommy was never too busy to point out a new bird or call out, as he climbed into the truck, UI-Iey, fellow, Hnished your work this morning? and beckon to the eager boy to join him while driving to town to do the daily errands. As they talked, there grew between them a dear secret, almost a password. Tommy would tell Toddy of a little golden pullet. She was perfection in every way, and Toddy could readily see her soft golden feathers ruffle as a tiny Zephyr played with them. The man and the boy planned how, one day, they would discover this pullet, raise her, set her, and eventually have a small clean farm where, each day, the two of them would work and care for the offspring of their Golden Pullet. page 73

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Milestone of pleasing his brother had had to be taken away. And so he sat, remembering Tommy and their hopes, and fearing that he would never be able to speak of the Golden Pullet again. Softly, that fat tear drop made its appearance. As he walked toward the house, Toddy stumbled, and as though he were in a dream, from out of nowhere strong arms lifted him out of the air, high, high, above their owner's head. Tommy - 'AThey fooled me, Tod. I got out a day sooner, and here I am! Toddy gave his brother a big bear hug, but recalled, sadly, his thoughts a few minutes ago, It will never be the same again between us. Mommy and Daddy had left: Tommy got down on one knee and said to his little brother, Do you know what I thought of when I was off there lighting Japs, Toddy? Well, I thought about our chicken farm and the Golden Pullet, Do you remember our talks? Toddy wanted to speak of his joyous plans to show Tommy the Golden Pullet, how glad he knew Tommy would have been because of the fulfillment of their hopes, but only said weakly, Yes, and wished to avoid all further discourse on this unhappy matter. Toddy noticed, thankfully, that Tommy had risen and was lifting from the porch table a big box, seemingly having forgotten his previous remarks. The box was placed before the boy's slightly drooping figure. I think you'll like what's in this box, Tod. I got it while I was waiting for Ben Barnes to give me a ride home. I-Ie had to meet the 4:10 wesbound and help load some stock on her. While I was helping too, this is what I found. Open it, fellow. Dejected, but still glad for new diversion, Toddy tediously opened the box. The lid fell back. There a dainty golden pullet arched her neck. Startled and mystified, Toddy gasped, 'iOhI Is it - .I-Ie noted the black mark on the chicken's beak. Beaming, Toddy lifted ever-loving eyes to his brothers fine face, and with a happy chirrup, thc Golden Pullet settled herself busily in the curve of the boy's arm. TONI AVERY, '48 . S wwlmwffw 1-' X-. ll 75 We M aw www W-L5