Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-12-28
Tha Rura1 Tapror

The winter is approaching, the 81 ION
in the country OF social, literary, relig-
ious and other gatherings. During the
active farming season there is little op-
portunity for social recreation, unless
going to meeting" can be considered
such. But when, as Mr.. Riley, the In
diana poet, observes, "the frost is on the
punkin and the folders in the shock"
the season." as it would be called in
the city, begins. Then comes, in a re-
1igious way, the ''protracted meeting"
and for the young people the debating
society,"" which some dudes Insist on
calling the "literaly;' the singing
school, and the dances, which develops
each and every one, where suffered to
proceed unmolested, enjoyment enough
to set up dozen fancy balls, and exceed
in that respect the party recently given
by Mr.. Vanderbilt, which that cultured
party described as "snorter."
1t seems to be decreed, however, that
no enjoyment in this world shall remain
unalloyed, and SO with the festive seas
on comes its bane and curse, the cOun-
try rowdy; the creek bottom ruffian
the wide-mouthed, big-footed, shock
headed yokel from the high prairie, to
spoil everything. We scarcely pick up
weekly exchange now that we do not
read of some of this clumsy brute's
outrages.
Much is said of the evil influences of
towns and cities, but the city does not
breed such creature, or, If he appears,
he is clubbed into quietude by q police
man; but the country 10 sdefehceless to
arrest man there is tedious opera
ton, requiring any amount Of travel
and affidavit making, and 30 this nuis-
ance remains unabated.
The favorite resort of the rural ter
ror is the cross roads school house,
where at some meeting where nearly all
present are women and children, or men
who are incompetent or unwilling to
lick him, he holds high carnival, inter-
rupting the exercises with his big mouth
and boots, and exciting terror and dis
gust generally. But his crowning feat
is to prowl around with his gang and
cut harness, change or take OF wheels
of wagons, and shave horses tails. 1t
is then that this peculiar animal is in
his glory.
The city brute isinspfred BY some mo-
tive in his depredations, but the rural
terror has no provoking cause except
his own inherent fneanness. Occasion
ally he gets drtfnk becanse be thinks it
is smart; and .it is noticeable that a
very small drink will turn his brain il
rivals in quality ana quantity that of a
| jay bird. WheD he goes on wild de-
bauch with half pint Of diluted whis-
key, he helps the matter out by prstepd-
ingto be great deal drunken than he
really is.
This scOurge seems to contindo from
everlasting to everlasting. He Is not
| peculiar to any locality. We hear az
him all over Kansas; bit his existence is
none the less . frightful reflection ON
the nerve and civilization of the socie-
ty that tol6rates him. He ought Co be
suppressed at once by force of arms.
The respectable young men Of the To-
cahties infested BY him ought 20 20 in
70 training for his benefit. Moral sua-
sion Is useless with him. The only ar
guments he appreciates are, q tbumb-
ing fist, and . term in jail afterwarti.
We hope to hear of an uprising agaiust
nlm. -AtchfSOr 4 stfslYnnior1