The Washington times., 1931-12-28
Famous Short Stories
Of Youth and Love
BY John Held, jr.

a flag on the tip, and keep us
in flight. Round and round
we flew, taking turns at lead
ing, sometimes so nigh that
all the roofs looked the same,
sometimes just Skimming the
chimneys in order to stay out
of the swift air currents higher
up.
Of course, all these hours of
flying made our wings strong
and kept us healthy. It was
great sport to fly around and
try to get flocks Of other peo'
pies pigeons to join us, then
have them come to our coop to
visit. Our owner would capture
them and sell them at the
pigeon dealers. Sometimes birds
from our coop would join other
flocks and visit them, and then
they got sold as we'll. But then.
life is like that. What is one
mans flying bird is another
mans pie.
One afternoon as we were be-
ing flown, we were Joined by a
handsome little hen pigeon.
She was a pretty package. She
seemed to admire my wing
actions or the lustre Of my neck
feathers, because she kept at
my side as we flew. And I, be-
ing on the verge Of mating, was
attracted to her white wing tips
and little pink bill. I was very
attentive to her and soon we
were separated from the flock.
We hadn't noticed them bank
to the right, so we flew off
without so much as a goodbye.
The little hen with the white
wing tips and I soon had the
sky to ourselves, and away we
went. Before I knew it, we
were being fed peanuts in Cen
trail Park, and I discovered that
I liked peanuts, SO mated wish
the little hen.
Didn't Like Park
Somehow or other, I could
never get accustomed to the
park. The trees and the grass
and the soft ground were strange
to me, being city pigeon and
used to solid roofs and cement
pavement. I didn't like the
idea of building q nest in a
Swaying tree. My mate was in
Sistent that we nest in a tree,
but I SAID it was not pigeon
like, and we had quarrel.
finally induced her to nest un-
der the caves of the sheep barn.
1t was at least building, even
if it was low to the ground.
Then we went to love-making,
and soon she laid two nice white
eggs and set to hatch a family.
We were very happy until one
night a cat got her, and that
was the end of that romance.
Then left the Park and flew
back to the city and went down
to the public library for while.
There were plenty of peanuts at
the library. But the roosting
was poor. We we're always be-
ing driven off by the janitor.
Then one bright morning
met the little copper-colored
hen. She was a sweet hen.
The sun reflected on the
rainbow colorS of her throat
and she had pretty yellow feet
and she wore jewelry: a bright
aluminium leg band. And when
I strutted and cooed to her
she didn't resist r too much.
I would fill my throat and
make my feathers glisten.
Then I would COO my love and
drag my tail a. her. Then she
would fly a short warm from
four in the afternoon until
ten the next day. Then the
male member of the pair takes
charge while the hen goes out
to feed and take exercise. 7
didn't mind spelling her on
the nest between ten and four.
although did miss seeing
parades, which happened dur
ing the hours I was on the
nest.
Then, as soon as our squads
began to grow pin feathers,
we were busy preparing for an
other family. Pigeons are very
prolific; that's on account Of
being so romantic. That's why
I'm glad I am a pigeon,
nothing to do but fly, and be