Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-15

N-Joy Unalloyed.
 Tn n meeting of Texas and Oklahoma COW punchers last season after tho work was done 1t was proposed to have 'cow punohers' day"
 Let's stretch few ropes," said one of them.
 The men wore lying idly about in camp when this announcement was made, but in twinkling thoy were on their feet sad ding horses, tightening girths and pre- pairing for action in general. Before an easterner could have bridlod his horse tho men had divided into two opposing sides. Ono man from each side had unslnng his rope, one end of which was firmly secured to tho horn of his saddle. Tho loose ends of the two ropes were then tied together, thus leaving the two riders joined to each other by about 100 feet of rope fastened to their saddle horns They took their stand facing tho same way and only few feet apart, leaving the ropo slack between them Suddenly, as if at a signal, they put spurs to their ponies and dashed off at full speed. For awhile the rope trailed In double curvo, but gradually frightened as the two riders began to turn each to the outside and away from each other. Final ly the motion ceased, each horse pulling against tho other in such way that neither had the advantage.
 Tho strain on the ropes was tremendous, but tho ropes, constructed to stand tho pulling of maddened steer, stood this test also Tho plucky little ponies panted and tugged and strained their nerves against each other. Their riders had all they could do to encourage their animals and to keep them in such position as to retain their own seats Had either pony turned his back squarely for a fair pull, the rider would have been brushed off by the ropo immediately. It was test that required fine horsemanship, steady hand and practiced eye It was a well fought battle, and the spectators cheered 1t lusti- ly. For some minutes neitherpony seemed able to pull tho other, but gradually the Texas pony seemed to gain the advantage. Step by step ho backed away, pulling his opponent with him.
 Seeing ho was beaten if he relied on bruto force, the Oklahoma man determined to 500 what strategy would do Keeping tho rope always taut, he galloped around the circumference of a cirele of which his antagonist was the center and the ropGa radius. First he galloped in one direction and then in the opposite Then he stopped altogether and slackened the rope. His only hope was to brush his antagonist out of his saddle with the rope, and as long us his opponent faced him squarely he could not do this
 Once more the Oklahoma puncher slacks the rope, his opponents pony turns slight ly, and quick as flash the rope hns swung around, and the Texan is lifted clear of his saddle and thrown violently to tho ground.
 Hurt, Bill?" asks one of his own men as the defeated puncher remounts and joins his side
 Nav"
 ''Well, you oughter be. You oughter have your neck broke for gettin tricked that way"
 For over an hour such contests went on, with fortune fayoring sometimes one side and sometimes tho other
 The last thing of the day as well as the last of all punchers days was what might be called tug of war contest n general conflict answering, unintention ally enough, to the melee of ancient tour naments It was held in tho evening. Thrcc ropes were twisted together into one thick cable, as the occasion required threefold power of resistance. Some eight or ten single ropes were fastened to each side of the cable, tho other ends being at tached to the saddle horns of the riders, the Texan crowd on one side and the Oklahoma crowd on the other. The battle began with straight tug, one side against the other. Ponies and men, every nerve quivcring, wero pulling as if life and death depended on the struggle. Somo were heaving against the ropes as they would in pulling heavy load in harness 9th CTS were pulling backward, with the long rope stretching away in front of them. Tho threefold cable held firm.
 Now one side gave way few feet and now tho other. Soon, however, it became evident that the Texans were being out pulled Then the scene changed The Texans swung round and round to entan- gle their opponents and brush them from their saddles This movement was met by Q counter movement Whichever can get outside in this contest has the advan- tage; hence it is evident long rope is a boon Shorty Wilkus is doing his best to push big Texan back. He is doing nobly, but now two Texans get together and swing around at full speed squarely against him. He and his horse go down together. He gets on his feet again amid the hurly burly of horses and men and dodges outside unharmed to safety. His riderless horse regains its feet and rushes on in the melee, adding to tho confusion and entanglements Now all system van ishes; ropes sweep men from the saddle; horses become entangled and go down; yells, cheers. shouting, swearing shoot ing, are fearful. Finally it is discovered that two Texans still retain their places, while all the Oklahoma saddles are empty. This settles 1t. The Texans have won.
 Bloody noses, black eyes, bruised faces and tattered garments were visible every where after the fun, and the ponies were as badly used up as the men. Yet none r,n xxraG hTr The best of good feeling and fellowship prevailed. The men sat around the big campfire, over which newly killed COW was roasting on huge spit, and laughed and joked over the incidents of the day. Their joy was unalloyed. (Tex. Cor. New York Sun.