The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1897-08-06
II COWBOY Ulrtuoso.
1aeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
By G. B. DURHAM.

THE persistence of Mr.. RimeJenks at
length received its due reward-he
was asked to fiddle for n dance.
You may remember that this gentle
man, who was second to none when 1t
came to close quarters in the brand
ine-pen, or following wild calf
through the sage-brush, had not one
ounce Of musical capacity in the 100 odd
pounds of his makeup, yet had par
ticular ambition and an unfiagging zeal
to become fiddler. The object of this
writing is to show TINT he received
ample returns upon the zeal invested,
but never attained to the ambition.
For SO many years that the memory
of man runneth not to the contrary,
he had packed a violin in his bed-rou
on the annual roundup, and at every
opportunity, when the days work was
done, he rosined his bow. Throughout
the winter months, when work was
light and evenings long, he had prac-
ticed faithfully, if not intelligently, In
the bunk-house until banished by a
plebiscite to nearby dug~out, where
he found sacks of onions and bins of po-
tatoes more patient sufferers than the
general sitting-room afforded. In some
former year the outfit had boosted a
man who could play any instruments
and jerks, seeing how easy it was, de
cided to become equally accomplished.
The violin was not his first choice, but
his first opportunity, and, having ac-
cepted it, his code of ethics bound him
To break the critter or break the cinch.
On the Goth of February there was
leap-year dance at Richmond's. This
olace was on hill in the border-land
between the open range and the settle
ments, and however much cowboys
might despise farmers and farmers de-
test cowboys, the social amenities were
rarely disturbed, and the country dance
was {, popular institution. My friend
Rice voiced the general sentiment thus:
II like 'em because everybody is
a-Ie'ping and a-skipping, and II any
body falls down he gifts up again" The
plain inference from Mr.. Rice's state
ment is that ut any other than o coun-
try dance If one falls down he stays
down-which might embarrass and en-
danger his betters. When calieo
Rice's attention to this, he explained
that he meant sin your mind. It's like
getting on to bucking horse any
morning after breakfast and being
dumped" he said. "You don't mind it
much, but just tighten your cinch an
other hole and climb on again But
suppose you are doing some fancy nd,
ing or roping ut the county fair and
your saddle gets emptieG, why. you
feel so low down you don't get over it
for week"
Our boys all went over to the dance
at RichInond's, and some one evidently
told the committee that Mr.. jerks was
competent fiddler, for soon after his ar
rival he was approached by a bright
eyed young woman. who asked II ne
had brought his violin
mo. / did not" replied the startled
jerks, nervously lingering u large piece
of rosin which he produced from
pocket; ''but if you want to use it, III
be very glad to go back to the ranch
and fetch it. 1t is only about 20 miles.
II was told" said the girl, just slight
~ showing several white teeth, that
YOU carry your violin with youwhereser
YOU 90, and I'm sorry to find that its
not true. Our music hos disappointed