Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1886-12-11
A TEXAN RANCH.
LIFE ON A STOCK FARM IN THE
SOUTHWEST.
A "Tenderfoot's'' Experience as De-
scribed by an English Maya
zine-Nativo HospitaIity-A
HeaIthfnI Occupation.

From an interesting article in Cassslre
Magazine Nondon) we make the follow
extracts: However, to return to our
young ''tenderfoot" as he first appears
on the ranch, clothed in a dapper suit.
quite ludicroIs to Southern eyes, and his
face radiant with hope and self-cou6-
dence. Let US suppose that he owns tho
surrounding acres, and the live stock
thereupon; also that he has suficiene
capital for his purpose, and "means
business" as they say. He buys land
for song, and also sheep or cattle, or
both, in what would seem to us enor-
nous quantities.
| These animals are kept entirely in tbs
open air, quite at liberty in the daytime.
under the eye of skilful herder, with
horse or dog as assistant; and at night.
fall they are merely penned into what ID
called sheep-corral or cow-pen, placed
in the most sheltered spot available, to
be sure, but with only the mesquite
bushes and tall grasses for protection
against the wind.
During the night there is usually reg
ular watcher to keep off the prowlinx
coyotes, and especially If a cowboy Of
dubious character is known to be in the
neighborhood. The patient watcher
sometimes sleeps on the bare ground, re-
gardless of dews and rattle-snakes; but
if he is on large ranch, there will be
rude dwelling of variable size and struo.
ture.
Our young gentlemau-farmer puts h,S
different corrals, or cow-herds, in charge
of subordinates, who may be either hiV
friends or his interiors. He himself will
doubtless spend mush of his time in rid.
ing about from post to post; in fact, u
be a successful farmer he must have =
keen eye over all his affairs, and must
acquire good judgment in selecting
and managing his stock and his over
seers.
He may ride for hours in this semi
civilized tract Of country without seeing
a single habitation, for the houses are
situated from two to fifty miles apart
Wherever he arrives at night he halte
outside the gate, awaiting the invitatioa
to dismount, which is always given i'm,
mediately, but without which it would
be gross breach Of Texan etiquette to
enter the house. The best that the place
affords is then set before the wear, trav.
eller, and he is offered and accepts q bed
for the night. The next morning, afteP
breakfast, he is always expected to ride
away and make room for other possible
wayfarers. He may give his name q
not, as he chooses.
1t is probable that the head Of thA
house may be travelling about at the
same time on a similar errand.
This indiscriminate hospitality Gf
house-owners, and the rude honor Of The
guests, is one Of the peculiar features a
Texan farm-life. Another one is tho
great dependence of men upon tkeis
horses, owing to the immense distances
10 be traversed daily; the result Of which
is that horse-stealing in this State is 70
garded and punished as more heinouS
crime than murder.
For those who own sheep the 'lambs
ing season." of about six weeks in durs.
lion, is the busiest and most trying time
Of the year.
The climate of Texas has been greatly
maligncd, and, except upon the coast
does not merit the reputation it has
gained of being unbearsbly hot in sum-
mer and equally cold in winter. Ewes
On the coast, during the most trying hot
reason there it always a breeze. for q
rouple of hours during the early
evening. In the southeastern part of the
State the climate is really delightful; and
as for the fierce winter winds-the famous
''northers," so hurtful to beasts-thoy
are really highly exhilarating to one pot
Iessed of an average constitution. Indeed,
invalids are now sometimes sent to the
vicinity of San Antonio.
You can see that hardy young farmer,
who lives much in the open air. viii
greatly benefit his health by such life;
and if be has taste for his occupation,
a certain amount of capital, and steady
business habits, he will in the course OF
few years return to his family chat is.
] il he does not bring them to Texas) richer
in money, health, and individual force,
in romantic experience and knowledge
Of his fellow-men.