The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1892-01-02
PLAYlne FOR LIFE.
Charming Rattlesnakes With q
Harmonica.

Charming Rattlesnakes With q
Harmonica.
"I had an experience one time, ("
said the ex-cow-puncher as he rolled
cigarette with deftness born of
long practice, and taking a few
draws settled himself comfortably
in his seat.
81 had an experience with snakes
that makes me feel queer when |
think of it, and if you fellows would
like to hear it I will tell you."
We were on the eastern-bound
train on the Manitoba road few
miles out of Benton, and slight
acquaintance of q few days previ-
GUS in that city had quickly passed
into feeling of comradeship that
is inherent in every man who has
lived any length of time in the West,
says a writer in the Spokane Chron-
icle. My newly made friend had
been many years a "cow-puncher,"
but had left that business as the
country had rapidly settled up and
was now running band Of sheep
on the Marias river, in Northern
Montana. He was on his way East
to see his people and have a good
time, and as he chatted in breezy,
wholesome way that was charming
filled my memory with some of
his yarns and this, I think, was the
most striking of them all.
81 was working for the J. Y.
OUTFIT" he began, land we had just
gone on the spring roundup, and
were working the Sun River range.
We were camped this day of my
adventure at Whisky Browns,
right under Square butte, on the
old stage road to Helena and few
miles from Fort Shaw and Sun
river crossing. There was good
spring there which Brown used in
irrigating his ranch, and the round
up always camped at that place q
day or two while the surrounding
country was worked. Our horse
herder was sick, and each outfit had
been furnishing a man to herd as
their turn came. This day it was
ours, and / was the man. took
the band from the night herder
about $3.50 in the morning, and
after the boys caught their horses
let them feed around the spring a
while so that all could drink if they
wished, and then drove them about
half mile down where the grass
was better.
'It was a lovely day in the latter
part of May, sun just warm enough
to make fellow feel lazy, and see
ing that all the band had settled
down to feed and none were rest
less, / got off my horse, and taking
off the bride gave him chance to
fill up. Then l sat down, half re-
clining on my arm so that | could
see every horse and the whole coun-
try before me. The ground that I
occupied was nearly the highest
point around, and the view was q
glorious one. To the east miles
away lie the Belt mountain, further
on the Little Rockies; to the north
good $50 miles, were the Sweet
Grass hills, the three buttes looming
up bright and distinct in the clear
atmosphere, while back of me to
the west were the mighty Rocky
mountains, with plenty of snow on
their lofty heights, dotted here and
there with patches of timber that
in contrast with their snowy back
ground looked almost purple. The
hills and plains were covered with
natures bright carpet, relieved with
frequent dashes of early wild how-
ers, as though sown by the hand of
the master gardener to prove his
wonderful skill in making this will
derness of seven months a paradise
during five. l Icould mark the course
of it's black banks, "where the
mighty Missouri rolls down to the
sea-" and in my mind | followed
this greatest Of rivers down, down
thousands of miles to the sea and
up the coast where my dear ones
lived, and boys l got melan-
cholly, and 80 taking out small
mouth organ or harmonica, which
instrument in those days was a
great favorite among cow-punchers,
I began to play.
81 have heard some play on this
instrument who would make a pro-
fessional uneasy for his laurels. !
was fairly good performer, and
being in, as I said, tender mood, !
gave vent to my feelings in Home,
Sweet Home Then I went into
what / considered my masterpiece,
beginning, Hear Ne, Norma |
played softly and slowly, and had
got to AT thy feet behold and
which the boys always called for
that air, when / heard a low rattling,
and looking down q few feet below
me / saw q large rattlesnake coiled,
With his head slowly swaying to
and fro, and evidently enjoying the
music.
"Ah, ha thought I, here's snake
that appreciates operate music.