The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-08-09
''7-BAR-K."

an tail up business to a cowboy. Speak
in general an not allowin for them in
fooences which disturbs none, he's as
passive as a fried fish.
About 16 years ago, before I abides
in Wolfville, I was pesterin round Vegas
with Bill Lockbridge, who was workin
a small bunch Of '7-bar-k' cattle way
over on the Vermejo. We'd been slashin
round the plaza all day, findin fault
with the whisky an amoosin ourselves
at our OWL expense, an along about D
O'Clock in the evenin Bill allows he's
some sick Of sech revels an concloods
he'll pint up among the dobeys explorin
Of Oldtown a lot. So we all goes in con-
cert. I wasn't frothin at the mouth
none to go myself, not seein no relaxa-
ton pokin about perpiscus among a
passed. of MeXicans, an me loathin Of
'em nacheral, but l goes, amin to sorter
ride herd Oh Bill, which his disposition
is some free an various an liable to mix
him into trouble. Not that Bill is bad
-none whatever-but bein seven or
eight drinks ahead of that plaza whisky
makes him feel gregar'ous an friendly,
an he's cap'ble of goin about a-claimin
Of acquaintance with people he don't
know at all an feelin way hostile when
the stranger has symptoms of doubt.
$50 I goes along, Bill a-warblin THE
Dyin Ranger in several keys.
p The senoras an senoritas a-hearin
Of the row would look ont an smile, an
Bill would wave his big hat an whoop
from rapture. If he starts toward 'em,
amin for n pOwwow-which he does
frequent, ,bein a mighty amiable man
that away-they gives a squawk imme-
date an shets the door. Well, Bill goes
ON then. Maybe he gives the door a kick
or two, informin 'em of his discomfort.
but that's all. All at once, while we're
prowlin up one Of them spacious alleys q
Mexican thinks is a street, he ZONES up
on a Italian with an organ which he is
grindin. This yere organ amt SO bad,
an I've heerd q heap worse strains. AS
o as Bill sees him he tries to figger
ON a dance, but no one'll dance with
him.
"'In which event. says Lockridge,
i plays q lone hand
$50 Bill puts up a small dance, like
a Navajo, accOmpanin of hims'f with
whoops. But the dago can't play Bills
music, SO the bale comes to a halt.
"'Whatever is the matter with this
yere tune box anyhow says Bill.
Gimme the music for a green corn
dance an don't make nc delay
"'This yere man can't play no green
corn dance l says.
HE can't, can't he?' says Bill
mighty scornful. Wait till he tries. I
two years ago in Druce's, an me an him
has quite q time
Whatever is his lame, them I
asks.
"'Antonio Marino,' says the dago.
"'Marino, says Bill, that's right. !
recalls it because it makes me think fust
he's a sheep man, an l gets quite hos
tile
~ never see you,' says the dago.
Eyes, You did says Bill. You jest
think you didn't see me-. We has drinks
together an goes out III shoots up the
town arm an arm like brothers.
But the Italian insists he never sees
Bill This makes Bill ugly a lot, an be.
fore l cen get to stop it he outs with his
six shooter an puts a hole into the organ.
"'These yere tunes l hears SO far,
says Bill. is a heap too frivolous, an ]
fggers this oughter improve EN-
when Bill shoots, the Italian man
heaves the strap as holds him to the
organ over his head an flies. Bill ketches
the music box, keepin it from fallin, al
after awhile begins turnin the crank t
try it. 1t plays all right, only ever now
an then there's a hole into the melody
like it had lost a tooth.
"'This yere's good enough for a dog,
says Bill, a-twistin away ON the organ
Where's Merino? Whatever is the mat
ter with him? Why didn't he stand hi
hand?'
But Merino amt here no more, S,
Bill allows it's a shame to let it 20 tina
way, an Mexicans suffered for music
So he straps on the tune box and zoe
round from n DOLBY to another a-turnil
Of it loose.
"'How long did this yere Merlin
turn ont his tunes says Bill, 'befor
he collects? However, I makes ney
roofs for the game right yere. l play
these cadences for five minutes a
then I gifts action on 'em for five.
splits even with these Mexicans, whic
is shorely fair
$50 Bill twists away for five min
utes, an me a-timin Of him, an the
leans the hewgag up agin a DOLBY a
starts to collectin. He'd 60 up to ION
household a-whirlin his gun like a PHI
wheel, and at the mere sight of him tt
members gets that generous they eve
attempts to negotiate loans an give e,
to Bill, they're that ambitious to d.
nate.
Zone time he I'll up on a band
towerists, who vas sorter trackin rou1
an lookin at things, an they
an listens awhile. They was turnin
70 away jest before collectin time.
Hold on says Bill. pickin MP h