Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-04-30


Miggs, turning to his son.
Tommy opened one eye, looked
smilingly up into his fathers face, and
replied: IN cowboy"
"You shall be n cowboy" said Mr..
Miggs, rubbing his hands; "but you
ars not large enough and old enough
TO be one yet. 1t would be too sudden
a change to lift you out Of the nurses
lap on to the back of mustang. am
gong to send you out to Benlow's
dNiry-iarn. where we spent month
last summer"
when can I go?' asked Tommy,
eagerly.
Just as soon as we can get you
ready"
IL haven't a bowie-knife," pleaded
Tommy.
Never mind that" replied Mr..
MiggS; "wait until you have reached
that stage Of your education that justi-
lies the carrying of knife. Besides,
there are no dangerous characters
about Benlow's dairy-farm; but if you
want knife Just for the sake of APP
pearances, Mr.. Benlow will be happy
to lend you his sickle to carry around,
as he has no use for il when the ground
is covered with snow"
That night Tommy Miggs dreamed
himself cattle king, walking haughti-
ly around in II red shirt, top boots,
sombrero, long hair and II portable
nicklc-plated armory madly shining
under his coat tail. He dreamed of
aying across the prairie like the wind
on mad. impasSioned steed, and be
ing looked upon as dangerous, and
avoided by the stranger.
On the following day he was proud
spirited. and would have little or moth
ing TO say TO his companions, and it is
only fair to say that they cnvicd him,
and regarded him as one born under u
lucky star A day or two later he
started for the dairy farm with light
heart. IL was not great distance
from the city, and Mr.. Bcnlow WAS on
the lookout for him, as he had received
a letter from Mr.. Miggs instructing
him TO create in Tommy'S breast such
hatred of COWS that he would never
after care for roast beef
So when Tommy Miggs arrived, Mr.
BenlOw was ut the station with sleigh
to meet him and drive him out to the
farm, which was several miles distant,
After they had gone little way Tom
my said; 1--WE come out here to learn
to be n cowboy" So
"Wc'll make cowboy Of you before
long" replied Mr.. Benlow. "Do you
know anything about cowsP"
Nothing, replied Tommy, humbly,
"Well, wen open your eyes on
cows said Mr. BenloN.
In short time the sleigh drew up
before the Benlow mansion, an old
fashioned farmhouse, and Tommy was
uuhercd into the parlor, dining-room
and kitchen at once, for these rooms
were in one at Mr.. Benlow's.
That night Tommy Migg's supper
consisted Of salt pork, glass Of milk,
some potatoes and piece of pie. Al
though he was not exactly satisfied
with 1t, he had the good sense to ap-
preciate the fact that It would harden
him for the rigors of cowboy life il
he could only outlive it.
Az eight o'clock he went to bed in a
large upholstered attic room, with no
carpet on the floor, and Jumps like
cobble-stones in the mattress, and the
windows rattling perfect tattoo in the
fierce winter wind that smieked with
out. For moment he thought Of his
| little sister at home, asleep under q
handsome crazy quilt and roof that
didn't leak, with her doll on the pill
low beside her, and the nice nursery
fire; but he banished this thought in.
stantly, and fell asleep with a thought
Of gratitude for his rare good fortune
He was awakened at four in. the
morning by Mr. Benlow's big boots, az
that gentleman camc in with candle
and told him il was time to get up tC
do the milking and got the cans ready
for the train, "We'll make cowboy
of you soon," remarked the farmer
cheerfully, as Tommy rubbed his eyes
Tommy arose rather reluctantly, fol
tho bed was as warm as the room wai
cold, dressed for the day, and used til,
paper curtain fora towel. Hehad to blow
on his fingers to keep them warm, ant
when he got out to the barn he wal
shivering. tay
"Just give each of the cows somt
hay,n said Mr.. Benlow. ,v ttt
Tommy did as he was told, being un
der the impression that he would mex
be asked TO go out and lasso. a.bull
But he was made sick at heart when h,
learned that lassoes were not used, fo
the simple reason that every animal oil
the place would come when called, lik,
dog.
As soon as the milk was canned an(
sent to the train, the Benlows sat dow
to breakfast, which consisted OF buck
wheat cakes and coffee that seemed n,
stronger than ordinary hot water. Th
Graham rolls and mutton chops Of hi
breakfast at home would have beel
much more palatable, but he didn'
grumble. While he was eating on II
silence, Mr. Benlow said: How is Car
10 to-dayP"
Every sick" replied Mrs. Benlow
"and don't see how we are going t,
work the tread-mill for she churning
"Why, said Mr. Benlow, "we'll lie
Tommy run eight or ten miles on it
1t will do him good and improve hi
wind"
So after breakfast Tommy walked OF
the treadmill until he thought he woul'
lrop.
i "We'll make a cowboy Of you befor
long" said Mr.. Benlow, as he entere,
with smile to see how the butter wa
progressing; $50 cheer up, and don
feel homesick, for ! have something 70
you to do that you may enjoy"
"What is itp" asked Tommy.
at is to break pair of yeorlings t.
the yoke. We will yoke them and hitc
them to a sled, and you can drive q