, 1888-12-02
A RIDE AND A FEAST.
A Double Celebration and a Ride
For DeIicacies.
How Isolated Cowboys Received
Some Welcome News.
Observing Thanksgiving and the
Republican Victory.
For the Sunday Leader.l

a strange coincidence chargeable to the
cratic comings and goings of mail pouches
carried over hills and plains by uncertain
%buckboards caused newspapers containing
the presidents Thanksgiving proclamation
and authentic news of the result of the
national election to reach a Wyoming set.
Element called the Ms ranch last Thurs
day morning. The Democratic COW.
punchers soon rallied from surprise and
chagrin, while the adherents to the faith
OF the victors were only quietly Joyous and
generously forebore enforcing the pay
ment OF election wagers which would cause
personal discomfort to the losers. The
Ms boys had gambled heavily on the re-
suit of the contest. Watches and rings
had followed ready cash. Horses were
put up, then saddles, chaps" and riatas,
finally wearing apparel and revolvers;
lastly tobacco-long plugs of chewing and
large packages intended for the pipe and
cigarette. In his enthusiasm Joe Brown
had agreed to straddle a reputed ~unconquer-
able broncho known as the holy terror
in the event of Cleveland's defeat, while
Frank Wisdom had sworn that he would
stick to the animal until his lungs bled if
Harrison failed to get a majority. By a
unanimous vote the boys decided to post
pone settlement of this wager until next
May, when it is expected that the wicked
holy terror will be at his best.
The latter, by the way, is described as a
weak eyed and insignificant looking cay
use that delights in walking on a man
after unseating him.
The boys at once set about to celebrate
Thanksgiving day. To the cook, a Mex
lean, they explained that it was a grand
feast day which had almost been forgot
ten. This satisfied the greaser and he
promised to do his best in the spread line.
To determine upon the menu was a diff
cult task. Fresh beef, since the cool sea-
son, had been a portion of the daily fare,
game was plentiful and bacon they had
the year round. One suggested prairie
dog with sage brush dressing. Another
thought coyote stew might prove palata-
bic, while a third facetiously proposed
roast hawk..and friccasseed rattlesnake as
novelties.
Wisdom hadn't taken part in the gen
eral fusilade and Swhen the remarks
ceased. arose, and in his r~esolutc style
declared that he would ride to a nelghbor-
ing ranch which boosted IN folks,
and open negotiations for the purchase of
a few fat chickens. knowledge of the
fact that the aforesaid" ~neighboring rapch"
was fifteen miles away and that the
procurement of the fowls would neces-
state a ride of double that distance caus-
ed his hearers to emit sundry incredible
grunts and whistles. Then the project
was discussed seriously and plans for its
fulillment carefully laid.
1t was not yet 9 o'clock and the boys
figured that with proper management the
round trip could be made in four hours,
leaving ample margin for an early dinner.
The ride vas made in a trife less than
three hours and a half, lowering the pro-
fessional record made on a race track.
Frank, who was a light weight, selected
a broad. chested, strong-limbed broncho,
carefully adjusted the saddle and was
away with a yell. The crisp air exhilirated
man and horse as they sped across r%avines,
over hills, and spurted on level stretches.
The mount needed no urging. Objects
marking the miles were rapidly passed.
Such wonderful throwing of earth behind
and reaching out for it in front was never
witnessed on the fastest course. Wisdom
brought up at the ranch with a lusty
yell and a hearty greeting. The deal was
quickly made. and the precious fowls be-
headed and sacked. By dint of much per-
suasion and sundry promises the ~tireless
rider succeeded in borrowing the ranch
mans best horse for the return trip.
When about half way home he was met
by Joe Brown, who had leisurely followed
with fresh horses. The saddle was quick
ly changed from the neighbours steed and
the two friends raced to their objective
points.
The chickens were cooked to a turn by
the obliging cook, and birds never tasted
better, for no white meat had passed the
lips of the boys since their last visit to
Cheyenne. The stolid Mexican had a
pleasant surprise in the shape of an orig
inal desert of mixed dried fruits hidden
by a fakey crust.
To the thoughtfulness and horseman-
ship of Wisdom the Ms boys owed
their huge enjoyment of the double
celebration-a fitting observance of
Thanksgiving day and the delayed ratif-
cation. CLYDE HAMPTON.
Administrators Sale.
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