Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1886-02-04
A COWBOY.

''What would you like to be, Tom
my, when you grow up" asked Mr..
Miggs, turning to his son.
Tommy opened one eye, looked
smilingly up into his fathers face, and
replied: ga cowboy"
'.You shall be cowboy said Mr.
Miggs, rubbing his hands; s'but you
are not large enough and old enough
to be one yet. 1t would be too sudden
change to lift you out of the nurses
lap on to the back of a mustang. am
going to send you out to Benlow' 3
dairy-farm, where we spent month
last summer"
"When can I co." asked Tommy,
eagerly.
Gust as soon as we can get you
ready
II 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-
fies 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 ap-
pearances, Mr.. Benlow will be happy
to lend you his sickle to carry around,
as he has no use for it when the ground
is covered with snow"
That night Tommy Miggs dreamed
himself a cattle king, walking haughti-
ly around in a red shirt, top boots,
sombrero, long, hair and portable
nickle-plated armory madly shining
under his coat tail. He dreamed of
flying across the prairie like the wind
on a mad, imprisoned 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 envied him,
and regarded him as one born under a
lucky star. A day or two later he
started for the dairy farm with a light
heart. It was not great distance
from the city, and Mr.. Benlow was on
the lookout for him, as he had received.
letter from Mr. Miggs instructing
him to create in Tommys breast such
hatred of cows that he would never
after care for roast beef.
So when Tommy Miggs arrived, Mr..
Benlow was at the station with a 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: Eve come out here to learn
to be cowboy"
"We'll make cowboy of you before
long" replied Mr.. Benlow. "Do you
know anything about cows?"
Nothing replied Tommy, humbly.
swell, we'n open your eyes on
cows said Mr.. Benlow.
In a short time the sleigh drew up
before the Benlow mansion, an old
fashioned farmhouse, and Tommy was
ushered 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 it, he had the good sense to APP
preciate the fact that it would harden
him for the rigors of a cowboy life if
he could only outlive it.
At eight o'clock he went to bed in
large upholstered attic room, with no
carpet on the floor, and Jumps like
cobble-stones in the mattress, and the
windows rafting perfect tattoo in the
fierce winter wind that shrieked with
out. For a 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 4 thought
of gratitude for his rare good fortune.
He was awakened at four in the
morning by Mr.. Benlow's big boots. as
that gentleman came in with candle,
and told him it was time to get up to
do the milking and get the cans ready
for the train. .'We'll make a cowboy
of you soon," remarked the farmer,
cheerfully, as Tommy rubbed his eyes.
Tommy arose rather reluctantly, for
the bed was as warm as the room was
cold, dressed for the day, and used the
paper curtain for a towel. Hehad to blow
on his fingers to keep them warm, and
when he got out to the barn he was
shivering.
Just give each of the COWS some
hay" said Mr.. Benlow.
Tommy did as he was told, being un-
der the impression that he would next
be asked to go out and lasso bull.
But he was made sick at heart when he
learned that lassoes were not used, for
the simple reason that every animal on
the place would come when called, like
a dog.
AS soon as the milk was canned and
sent to the train, the Benlows sat down
to breakfast, which consisted OF buck
wheat cakes and coffee that seemed no
stronger than ordinary hot water. The
Graham rolls and mutton chops OF his
breakfast at home would have been
much more palatable, but he didn't
grumble. While he was eating on in
silence, Mr.. Benlow said: .:How is Car
10 to-day?''
Every SICK" replied Mrs. Benlow;
land 1 don't see how we are going to
work the tread-mill for the churning."
why, said Mr.. Benlow, '.we'n let
Tommy run eight or ten miles Cd it.
1t win do him good and improve his
wind"
So after breakfast Tommy walked on
the treadmin until he thought he would
drop.
s'We'n make cowboy of you before
long," said Mr.. Benlow, as he entered
with a smile to see how the hatter was
progressing; $50 cheer up, and don't
feel homesick, for have something for
you to do that you may enjoy"
.'What is it?" asked Tommy.
at is to break pair Of yearlings to
them to a sled, and you can drive as
fast as you like
THAT will be fne," said Tommy.