The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1893-12-26
.PRAIRIE NEW YEAR
HOW THE COWBOYS CELEBRATE on
THE WESTERN PLAINS.

Social Grades Are Unknown. and store
Clothes Confer No DistInetion-Wnd
Turkey, Roast shote and Postum as the
Midnight Feast-DanelnG the Fandango.
A few days before New Years prep
arations are begun for the big dance
which inaugurates the seasons festiv-
tiles on the western plains. The ranch
where the ball or "fandango" is to be
held is literally given over to the boys
for the occasion, and they never fail to
make the most oft. Invitations are sent
out over the neighbOrhood within a ra-
dius of 90 miles, and nearly every one is
accepted, for ride Of 20 miles to one
accustomed to spending 10 or i2 hours a
day in the saddle is n mere nothing.
Besides, this is the one opportunity Of
the year to spend money lavishly for the
sake of a good time. An extra cook or
two are hired, and supplies enough laid in
to feed o small army. It is the privilege
of every cowboy on the place TO mako
out list Of eatables that he feels his
constitution demands. And several days
beforehand the great wagon is hitched
up and a trip taken to the nearest town
to get provisions.
A more heterogeneous mixture OF edi-
bles can scarcely be imagned-raisins,
nuts, candies, canned meats and fruits.
pickles, crackers-anything kept and
recommended by the obliging and neigh
borly grocery man.
In addition 70 the store bought delica-
cies for the feast, the ranch cook dis
tinguishes himself in the way Of barbe-
cued shote, game, 'possum an taters.-
pies and cakes and the like. For a week
or two before the feast all hands lend
their aid to the capturing Of game and
the finding and saving Of eggs.
As for the fInGango. the preparations
are few and simple. Beds and other
space consuming pieces Of furniture are
removed from the rooms intended for
the dance. The bare floors are sand
secured and hecked with fine shavingsl
of sperm candles, which soon, under the
many gliding feet Of the dancers, form
thin, sleek coating, delightful and seduc-
tive to tine feet. On two sides Of the
room, close up against the wall, a row of
chairs is set for the accommodation of
those not dancing.
By o'clock in the evening the guests
begin to arrive, the boys having gone
after the girls, on horseback generally,
some of the tony couples coming IN
buggies, the high seated piano boxed
vehicles of the west, with their double
teams and general air Of smartness.
The girls have their party dresses
tucked up under their black calico riding
skirts, some Of them bringing waists.
gloves and white kid slippers, done up in
a bundle, to be put on after they arrive.
And a merry hearted, merry faced set
they are-cheeks glowing and eyes spark
ling from the exhilaration Of the ride
in the wind and the expectation Of the
frolic.
The music is furnished by negro i'd
dlers, whose repertory Of old fashioned
'breakdowns" is never improved upon
nor ever falls short Of its early charm
and infection upon its hearers.
Perhaps you never saw a cowboys
fandango. Their style Of dancing IS
peculiar to themselves. Like their horses
build and gait, it is made fo= hard and
long service. 1t is solemn, rhythmic
sort Of posing, the heels rarely leaving
the floor, as much dancing being done
with the arms as with the feet. It is a
motion which seems unconsciously to
partake of the monotony Of the prairies.
intense and inexhaustibie.
There isalmost no distinction Of class
IS or social grades in the west. Years
ago, in the formative time Of cattle
the cowboy was a sui generis.
His father and grandfather were cow
boys, "day wranglers.' ''nighthawksr.
and "cow punchers." His language wasl
bloody, and his figure and mind were
1ncouth. Today he may be graduate Of
IN eastern college, theological student
II the youngest son Of an English lord.
The western woman OF gal" is more
typical She may be the "boss' daugh
.er, educated con east;' the renters
laughter, with only smattering educa
ion from the free school, OF the "hiree
,irl, plucky. independent and good as
Ter betters."
In the same set" there may be one
nan with store" suit on; another IL
us regular suit, consisting Of blue fame
,vershirt and leather belt, buckskiL
eggings or cottonade overals.
The boys laugh loud, clap each other
lang their ''guns" on the wall while the
re dancing, steal behind the house 70.
heir drink between sets, but they tres
he girls like queens No matter hov
ough their clothes, they generally hav
White hands and small, well clad fesi.
They will wear boots, but they have then
made with high heels, Of fine leather
,ointed toes and often red tops.
They revel in dancing. They. are gTacr-
al. natural, muscular and active. Dane
ng TO them is horseback riding IN GOO
ompauy. under shelter and to the tun=
f a fiddle. 1t gives free play to their
ntiring, restless bodies and at the SAM
ims satisfies and delights their love o.
7omen's society and good fellowship.
These holiday dances last all night