The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1892-08-24

ChH, Where we visited the Geological
garden where they have almost every
variety of animal which is common 10
the country. They have also a beauti-
full little lake with boats, surrounded bv
dense growth of shade trees, and a spa
cious club house well fitted up for games
OF all kinds. At the club house we had
speech from the mayor of Oak Cliff
which was eloquent in its full, open and
hearty expression of hospitality.
We left Dallas early Sunday morning
for 900 miles ride across the plains to
FL Passo, via Fort Worth. Between
Dallas and Fort Worth is another fine
stretch of prairie country. AT one point
to the southwark, as far as the,eye can
reach, is gently undulating prairie
country, as rich as can be. Nothing
could be finer. For quite distance west
of Fort Worth it is splendid farming
country. l remember only two streams
OF clear, running water west of Fort
Worth to the Mexican border. There
are number of places for streams, but
they only contain pools of muddy water
that would turn the stomach of we'll
raised Georgia steer. The farther west
more black and unpromising is the coun-
Try. At Cisco the people had held a
Confederate reunion the day before, and
as our train passed by the Confederate
flags were flying in the Texas breeze. At
Gordon the boys were playing game
of baseball in the main street of the town
ION Sunday, and man had his head
sticking through window of a house
on which was printed the sign: Liquor
and beer" There is undoubtedly a good
missionary field in this country.
A short distance west Of Cisco we saw
the first genuine cowboys. The train
stopped short time at the station when
these Contuers Of the west began to show
Off their horsemanship to an apprecia-
tive audience. AS we moved slowly off
they followed alongside the car, riding
with all ease and grace Comanches, dntil
they had gone perhaps half mile, when
they waved a graceful adieu to their au-
dience. AT little town further on some
OF us made our first acquaintance with
cowboy. The Texas cowboy, as consid.
cred in the eastern States, is talked about
with feeling of horror, but the true
Texas cow boy
Is a Model Gentleman.
He never stoops to little things. There
is nothing mean in his composition. He
is brave and hospitable, and as true as
steel to his friends. He plays with an
open hand, and you can always trust
him. He hates thief and makes Next
can greasers stand aside. Eenceforth
am the friend of the Texas COWBOY. He's
a good fellow.
Between Cisco and Abilene is much
rough country. There is no timber, very
little water and great deal surface
rock. We reached Abilene about three
o'clock and stopped for dinner. Some
miles east of Abiline the first prairie dog
town was noticed. These Towns or
cOIOnies sometimes extend several miles
on either side of the track. The prairie
dog is a most "komioal little cuss," and
was au object of much interest to the
party. Some of them were industrious
ly partaking of their evening meal, 9TH
ers were frolicking and frisking about,
while still Others were standing bolt up
right at the entrance of their subterrane-
an homes, prepared at a moments notice
to dart underneath the ground. The sight
was too much for some of the Younger
members of the party, and they soon had
their pistols out and were popping away
at the little fellows, but never hitting
one OF them. Among the shooters was
a brother who publishes a religious pa
per when at home, and who, between
discussing the contents of mysterious
looking bottle and shooting prairie dogs
from the car steps, seemed to be enjoying
the Sabbath immensely.
Some distance westof Abilene we came
to the plains proper, and it was certain
Iy grand sight to one who had never
before seen it. Looking out over the
boundless expanse of prairie, whichever
way you would, there was no timber in
but wire fence, herds
Of cattle, jack rabbits, prairie dogs, and
occasionally small house, the home of
Of the COW boy. To the north, east, south
and west the prairie and the sky seem
ed to meet. Occasionally there could
be seen the WAGONS of settlers who had