New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-06
TEXAS TALES.
A WATERMELON DINNER-AN EPISODE
OF SEMI-STARVATION.
San Antonio. August 10.

San Antonio, August 10
NO" said the cowboy. with a smile, he pushed
away the plate holding a segment of dewy. pinky
fruit II don't watermelon. and I'll tell you why
Il quite youngster when got the ranch
fever and started out with a cousin OF about my
age for a big cattle ranch in Texas. in which
his father financially interested. II was our
first trip of the kind and We were both young and
pretty green-typica tenderfeet. in fact.
THE ranch was ninety long. weary miles from
the nearest town and railroad. and you can fancy
our feelings when. after riding over this distance
on two OF the most angular little Texas bronchos
ever given TO equestrian noyoes We arrived at our
destination to find no one at home but the care
taker and couple of men. all the rest having gone
Off on d long roundup Ii was early autumn and
fine weather but the place looked dismal enough.
not suggestion OF civilized comfort. The care
taker advised us TO remain; said we might be sent
for any moment 10 join the outfit, as there was a
short count of men just then but told frankly
would have TO rough 1t. rs provisions were pref
~ low.
1T wasn't precisely what had anticipated
when made gilt edged plans at home, but we
couldn't turn back at once. and. to tell the honest
truth. We didn't want to strike that return trail to
the railroad until our bruises had healed up little.
We did rough it, for sure Our diet was principally
beans and tallOw not appetizng. although we were
hungry enough at meatmes TO eat shoe leather
We generally practsed riding and roping all DAY
under the tuition of the caretaker. in order 10 f
the bill If for suddenly TO join the outfit: and
took general lesson in caring for the stock and
working round the place
After about three weeks of II my cousin gave
out. said his stomach wouldn't stand any more
beans and he going 10 start for civilizations he
had had enough of ranchns to last him lifetime.
SO he left in disgust but staid | had come to
stay expected to rough it a good deal. and al
though didn't altogether enjoy 1t. | wanted to
the thing through.
"A week later word received at the ranch
that one of the boys had been hurt and as was
the most available Of the home force was notified
to off and take his place. Perhaps you can
imagine my Importance. | fairly ristled with
youthful pride. The outfit was about $50 miles 10
the south of u.s. and on my way there | was obliged
pass through the little town where my cousin and
left the railroad arriving in Texas. 1t occurred
to me that under the circumstances of the past
month and presumably of some future months. a
good. square meal would gid the present moment
and possibly lend halo 10 both past and future
SO I proceeded to look up ;he best restaurant in
town-sort OF feeding trough in the slough of civ
iliZaton 1t proved With the queerest old duner
standing in the doorway.
He using a toothpick upon the one tooth
which graced his jaws. had jeans trousers stuffed
into cowhde boots, and a dirty sombrero on the
back OF his grizzled old head but his responses
my plea for dinner gave him for the moment an
Importance and attractive personality not possessed
BY the Governor OF the State
" Have you any nice heefsteaks? asked
"'You bet
"'Can you bro me a good, big one?
"'You bet
"Can you fry me some nice potatoes. crisp
"You bet
land cofee?-but didn't wait for another You
bet gave the order and sat down in the bar. my
mouth fairly watering in anticipation of real din
ner once more. After "A month of beans and tallo"
you can fancy what visions Of juicy steak ana nice
~ Drowned potatoes fitted through my brain.
could Just catch the fumes OF the onion and pork
frying delicousy. and fanciec could near the III
tie sizzlc as the potato slices were dropped IN
.,J was so intent upon the thought of my coming
fe,st that never noticed great hulking fellow
who walked into the bar. and. ordering large
watermelon cut it open and began to eat. Pres
entity heard him say in very mild tones-l snoud
have taken warning from that very mlldneSs' put
! hadn't sense enouGh-'fIave some melon. sonny
NO thanks said careessly
"'Oh do: it's fine
THANKS bat I've ordered my grub.
".Rcally. yer better try jest little this rather
insInuatingly.
III had not been so Internally green / might
have taken warning As IT was. what with my
swelled head at the prospect Of becoming full-
nedged cowboy and those dinner air castles LOST
my temper.
"Ive already told YOU my grub is ordered
don't want your melon. ,,
sonny now won't cher?' and the first thing knew
/ was looking down the mouth of his gun pointed
right al nv nose and not foot away TAX or can
mons, Why that revolver barrel looked big enough
for me to crawl into. think must have turned
green instead of white
-. reckon yer changed yer mind. now. hain't yer
sonny? a., ,h. $40,
II ever any one felt like murder ga that mo-
ment But | tell you was scared begged
pleaded with the old rutiian. told him mad been
flling M on beans and tallOw for month ana JUST
had the chance of one decent meal urged MN 10
iojn me brlbed him with drinks ii no use.
lest leete bit. sonny jest leetie bit more, ne
drawlcd when finally concluded II pest 10 san IN:
and lest a leetle more II was until had linlShed
every morscl of that wretched melon while ne
blamed old heggari-hcld his gun AT my head
Talk about records, must hole the champion
shin easily When found had to eat went at II
double quick didn't like the look In the Old sin
ners eye. I didn't know what other scheme might
II. working i'm his fertile brain And OF course when
my steak and potatoes arrived. there J. sat so iuii
of watermelon couldn't eat a mouthiu more ! on
can scarcely blame me for never having touched
watermelon since.
about three years after the watermelon episode
7 v,s still n cowboy and with the same outht--but