Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1893-12-29
.PRAIRIE NEW YEAR
HOW THE coWeovs CELEBRATE ON
THE WESTERN PLAINS.

held is literally given over to the boys
for the occasion, and they never fail to
make the most of it. Invitations are sent
out over the neighborhood within q "a
dius Of 20 miles, and nearly every one il
accepted, for ride of 90 miles to one
accustomed to spending 10 or 12 hours
day in the saddle is 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 small army. 1t is the privilege
Of every cowboy on the place to make
out list Of catables that he feels his
constitution demands. And several days
beforehand the great wagon is hitched
mp and trip taken to the nearest town
to get provisions.
A more heterogeneous mixture OF edi-
bles can scarcely be magined-raisins,
nuts. candies, canned meats and fruits,
pickles, crackers-anything kept and
recommended by the obliging and neigh
borly grocery man.
In addition to the store bought delica-
cies FOR the feast, the ranch cook dis
tinguishes himself in the way Of barbe-
cued stote, game, "pCssum an taters,"
pics and cakes and the like. For 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 fandsngo, 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 fiecked with fine shavings
Of sperm candles, which soon, under the
many gliding feet of the dancers. form a
thin, sleek coating, delightful and seduc-
tive TO the feet. On two sides Of the
room, close up against the wall. row of
those not dancing.
BY o'clock in the evening the guests
begin to arrive, the boys having gone
afte, the girls. on horseback generally,
some Of the ''tony" couples coming in
Iuggies, the high seated ''piano boxed"
vehicles CT the west. with their double
teams :.i,d 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 upin
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
unwonted frolic.
The music is furnished by negro fid-
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 q cowboys
fandango. Their style Of dancing is
peculiar to themselves. Like their horses
build and gait, it is made for hard and
long service. 1t is q solemn, rhythmic
sort Of posing, the heels rarely leaving
the floor. as much dancing being done
with the arms as with the feet. 1t is a
motion which seems unconsciously to
partake Of the mOnotony of the prairies,
suppressed, intense and inexhaustible.
There is almost 10 distinction Of class
e or social grades in the west. Years
ago, in the formative time Of cattle
ranching, the cowboy was q sui generis.
His father and grandfather were cow
boys, day wranglers," ''nighthawks"
and "cow punchers." His language was
bloody" and his figure and mind were
uncouth. Today he may be a graduate of
an eastern college, theological student
or the youngest son Of an English lord.
The western woman Or gal" is more
typical. She may he the boss" daugh-
ter, educated ION east" the ''renter's"
daughter, with only n smattering educa-
ton from the free school, or the ''hired
girl" plucky. independent and good rs
her betters."
In the same 'set" there may be one
man with q '.store" suit on; another in
his regular suit, consisting Of blue flannel
overshirt and leather belt, buckskin
leggings or cottonade overalls.
The boys laugh loud. clap each other,
hang their gums" ON the wall while they
are dancing, steal behind the house for
their drink between sets, but they treat
the girls like queens. No matter how
rough their clothes. they generally have
white hands and small, well clad feet.
They will wear boots, but they have them
made with high heels, Of fine leather,
pointed toes and often red tops.
They revel in dancing. They are grace
ful. natural, muscular and active. Dane
ing to them Is horseback riding in good
company. under shelter and to the tune
Of fiddle. 1t gives free play to their
untiring, restless bodies and at the same
time satisfies and delights their love Of
women's society and good fellowship.
These holiday dances last all night,
their only breakfast being at 10 o'clock,
when egynoy is served, and at IL, when
the big supper Is eaten. Then, with re-
newed vigor and spirits, they return to
the floor. The fires burn low in the
great chimneys, the kerosene lamps flick
er and smoke, the fiddlers dOze and play
on mechanically, the girls languish, and
even the cowboy himself feels the force
and strain Of prOtracted, time measured
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