New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-18
A COWBOY VIRTUOSO.
HOW RIME jerks FIDDLED FOR A
DANCE AND WHAT CAME OF IT.

received its due reward-he was asked to fiddle
Tor a dance
You may remember that this gentleman. who
was second to none when II came to close quar-
tiers IN the branding pen or following a wild
calf through the sage bush, had not one ounce or
musical capacity in the hundred and sixty-odd
pounds Of his makeup. yet had a particular am
billion and an unfagging zeal to become hd-
dler The object Of this writing is to show that
he received ample returns upon the zeal IN
vested. but never attained to the ambition.
For many years that the memory of man
runneth not to the contrary he had packed
violin in his bed roll the annual roundup,
and at every opportunity when the days work
was done he rosined his bow. Throughout the
winter months, when work light and even
ings long he had practised faithfully, II not in
telligently, in the clubhouse until banshed by
q plebiscite to a nearby dugout. where he FOUND
sacks Of onions and bins Of potatoes more
ratient sufferers than the general sitting-room
afforded. In some former year the outht hao
boosted a man who could play any instrument
and jerks, seeing how easy it was. decided 10
become equally accomplished. The violin was
not his first choice, but his first opportunity
and having accepted 1t. his code OF ethics pouho
him to break the critter or break the cinch.
On February % there was a leap-year dance
at Richmond's. This place was on all IN he
borderland between the open range and the SET
Elements, and however much COWBOYS hight uc
spise farmers and farmers detest COWBOYS 'he
social amenities were rarely disturbed and the
country dance was a popular institution My
friend Rice voiced the general sentiment mus
81 like 'em because every body is a-lepng anu
a-skippng and II anybody falls down he gits up
again" The plain inference from Mr.. Rice
statement is that at any other than country
dance il one falls down he stays down-which
might embarrass and endanger his oetters'
When I called Rice's attention to this. he ex-
planned that he meant Gin your mino. II
ike getting on to a bucking horse any morning
after breakfast and being dumped said he
.You don't mind 1t much. but just tighten your
.,ncb another hole and climb on again. But
.unnosa Won are doing some fancy riding or
roping at the county fair and your saddle gets
.mntied wby YOU feel so low down you don
get over 1t for week"
Our BOYS all went over to the dance at Rich-
nond's and some one evidently told the com
mittee that MIR. jerks was competent hooiei
for soon after his arrival he was appproacheu
by bright-eyed young woman. VINO asheo
be had brought his violin.
"No I did not" replied the startled Jehks'
nervously lingering large piece OF rosih WHICH
ne produced from a pocket; but II you WANT
.. nee u III be very glad to go back to the
ranch and fetch it. 1t is only about twenty
miles" ,-
.T was told" said the girl. just slightly snow
tho several white teeth, that you carry your
violin with you wherever you go. and Id soif'
90 1nd that it's not true. Our music mas oisap
,ointed us: the house is full OF people anu nv
hodv here to play for them but cello anu
,ortb orean But l think we can get Vionh
.,,tb,n less than twenty miles. and sic
.howea him the full set-"win you kindly play
Cor us until Mr.. Smith arrives?
.,,,.s 7 sbould be delighted'-said jerks
.Oh ,honk VOL so much'-interposed the
CT, 7 knew how he continued. but DON
o. co, I'm only learning / can just start
few" s,o ra,lied
90, lam sure you will do it WELL she repheo
80, ,u 90 right out and send for an lnstru-
nent." and she hurried away. n.
,, ,,re WAS astonished and perplexeo' VI
zee no had hoped to play in public al soine
$50. .bis was so sudden. He was not IN
80 Some other leap year would DC so'-
enough. ..o his own music7 "What
law nretty girl when she laughs. tnoueh' ne
,,,u stav Wish l had practised more "0AN0'
~ I'll break up the party. .,, .,,o.
hat seemed to him an inc1eoipiy shoi
- T., which 70 summon a fiddle from 'ne SUI
-. valley the girl reappeareo Win one -
,a and escortng the reluctant anu pio
., 1orks 70 the head Of the room, INTRODUCED
49, ,oeu, the mouth-organ and the moo
manager 49,, o,,,,n;,taa haC