I'm a Feather Trader

At Hajdusamson, where I spent two years, school ended after sixth grade. In Puspokladany, it became compulsory to attend school through eighth grade, so all my former classmates where still in school. I felt a mixture of insult and envy because my parents cut down my chance at education.

I saw less of my classmates during the week, and my father took good care of my free time. He took me along with him to the far away towns where he conducted his business. I would go back to these places alone and always make good deals. Later, my father would give me instructions how to get to towns where I had never been. I traveled either by train or by bike, which I particularly enjoyed, with the fresh air at the outskirts of town, the enticing orchards or the beautiful green meadows.

Once, I went to Nadudvar by bike to buy some merchandise and have it sent by train. I carried a large sum of money bound in a handkerchief which I held in my hand, along with the bike handle. A good-looking young man soon appeared. He started a conversation with a friendly, "have a nice day, young lady". I hid my fears by answering him, "good day, sir". He told me that he is carrying a large sum of money in his handbag, and has a revolver in his pocket for protection. He proudly added that he is a clerk at the Futura Company of Nadudvar, traveling home from Futura of Puspokladany, where he sold a large crop. Futura is what the Hungarian farmers' cooperative was called at the time, summer 1943. I dared not declare that I was also carrying some money, even if it was much less that what he had. Responding to his question about why I was going to Nadudvar, I told him only that I was going to visit my relatives, the Bleier family, letting him understand that I was Jewish. He said he knew them, and revealed no anti-Semitic inclinations as he continued to converse with me. I breathed a sigh of relief when we arrived at his office and he wished me a good day again.

© David Muskal, 2001