Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-10-08
THE TEXAN.
sketch ofa western Cnaractsr.

Sketcn Of Western character.
A st. Louis letter to the Cincinnati
Commercial says:
Among the many curious people seen
in st. Louis, not the least noticeable is
the Texan. Familiar with the animal
as | am on his native heath, j must
admit that the Texan abroad is q much
more interesting study than the Texan
at home. The Texan, as he appears on
the streets Of ST. Louis and in places of
amusement, is a bronzed and somewhat
malarious creature, full of strange
oaths,, and somewhat demonstrative in
his efforts to impress the people with
knowledge of the fact that he is
az Texan. He is bearded like the
Pard. l never saw the Pard, and
haven't the slightest idea how he was
bearded, but it is safe to say he couldn't
lay over the Texan in the matter
OF hair That noble creature cherishes
a healthy horror of lather, and only toll
crates steel in the shape of bowie
knife. He also has thorough contempt
for combs and brushes. Wherever hair
will grow, he let's it grow in its native
rankness, and the dust and bacon grease
form pomatum which seems to stimu-
late the ferceness of ragged bristle about
his mouth and chin. The Texan isn't
stuck-up in the matter of dress, either.
He usually appearsin cowhide boots, gar
nished with rowels as large as Mexican
dollar (if my memory of that ancient coin
serve me), shirt of red flannel or striped
percale, which has never made the ac-
quaintance of soap and water, astound-
ing breeches and no vest AS to hat,
sometimes it is an immense sombrero,
but generally a slouch of black
or mouse-colored felt. In the theater
or variety show the Texan talks
loudly during the performance, using as
many Spanish words as possible, and
always wants to bet "a doubloon with
his companion that something is or isn't
so. He has an abundant wad of tobacco
in his cheek, and plenty more in his
cache. He wants to leave the one-horse
show and 60 to casa puta, and talks
about his cavalio He is full Of corajos
and other Spanish expletives which he
is swearing for effect; but when actually
mad, and meaning business, he drops
back into the more forcible English. A
favorite joke of the Texan is to saunter
into a drinking house, take a fearful
horn, and toss half dollar on the
counter to pay for it. When the urbane
bar-keeper gives him fractional currehcy
ia change, the Texan examines it with q
puzzled look, and finally inquiries:
What's that2" The dispenser Of fam
lily disturbance, thinking it question of
price, proceeds to explain that whisky
is fifteen cents per drink. "0h, d-n
the price, says our Texan friend but
what's the stuff good for2" The bar
keeper pledges his honor as gentle
man that it is money. But will it buy
anything !" continues the skeptical
rover Of the prairies. He is assured |
that it will, and wads it up as if to put it |
in his pocket. Then, meditating thought
fully moment, he puts it down on the
counter, and says: "Well, give me some
more whisky for it; that stuff is no bu-
emo whar come from" Texan never
tires of this little pleasantly, and
repeats it as long as his hide
will hold another drop. Even
if his vest pocket is crammed
with fractionals, he will produce his
silver aI every new place, Tor tne pur-
pose of inpressing the bar-keeper. As
he sits in his seat at the theater a leath-
ern belt about his loins gives him deal
of trouble. He fdgets uneasily and ad-
justs it frequently, revealing the hilt of
a navy as he does so. He bears the
restless and uneasy look Of man who
hasn't killed anybody. for week, and is
beginning to suffer from the deprivation
Of his accustomed stimulant.
The Texan comes up with cattle His
smell is bovine, with horsy base AL
together he is a picturesque creature
when regarded from a proper distance.
Photography seems more likely to
convert the Tartars from their religion
and the law of Chariat than the mission
aries. Lately the Russian Governor
General Of Toorkistan sent a photo
graphist to the Khan of Kokhand,
who had expressed desire to obtain
of himself and family.
When the photographers reached Kok-
hand the Khan received him very coldly,
and informed him that his religion and
The law OF Kokhand forbade men to take