Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-09-09
A COWBOY VIRTUOSO

The persistence of Mr.. Rhine jerks
at length received it's due reward-he
was asked to fiddle for dance.
You may remember that this gentle
man. who was second to none when 1t
came to close quarters in the branding
men. or following a wild calf through |
the sapebrush, had not one ounce OF
musical capacity in the hundred and
sixty odd pounds Of his make up, yet
had a particular ambition and an I'M
tagging zeal to become fiddler. Ine
object Of this writing is to show that ne
received ample returns upon the zeal
invested, but never attained to the am
bition.
For SO many years that the memory
of man runneth not to the contrary ne
had packed violin in his bed roll on
the annual round up, and at every op-
portunity, 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 bunkhouse until banished by
plebiscite to nearby dugout. where
he found sacks of onions and bins OF
potatoes more patient sufferers than the
general sitting room afforded. In some
| former year the outfit had boasted
man who could "play any instrument,
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 &C.
cepted it, his code of ethics bound him
to break the critter or break the clnch.
On the goth of February there was a
leap wear dance at Richmond's. This
Mace was on a hill in the borderland
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,
I"I like 'em because everybody is ale p
| ing and a-skipping, and if anybody falls
down he gifts up again." The plain in
ference from Mr.. Riee's statement If
that at any other than country dance
if one falls down he stays down-whlct
might embarrass and endanger his bet
tiers. When I called Rice's attention tt
this, he explained that he meant III
YOUR mind "It's like getting on to
lbucking horse any morning after break
. fast and being dumped, " said he. "Yo1
don't mind it much, but just tighter
your cinch another hole and climb OF
again. But suppose you are doing SOM
fancy riding or roping at the count.
fair and your saddle gets emptied, why
you feel SO low down you don't get owe
| it for a week.
Our boys all went over to the dane
at Richmond's, and some one evldentl,
told the committee that Mr.. jerks wa
a competent fiddler, for soon after hi
arrival he was approached by brigh
eyed young woman, who asked il h
had brought his violin
>, .sNo, did not % replied the startle
jerks, nervously lingering large plec
of rosin which he produced from
pocket, "but if you want to use it II
be very glad to go back to the ranc
: and fetch it. It is only about 20 miles.
81 was told," said the girl, jul
slightly showing several white teeth
"that you carry your violin with yo
wherever you go, and I'm sorry to Tin
that it's not true. Our music has d1sal
pointed us. The house is full of peopl
and nobody here to play for them but
cello and mouth organ. But l thin
we can get a violin within less than
miles, and''-here she showed him tt
&c full set will you kindly play for !
until Mr.. Smith arrives?'
''Miss, should be delighted, ga.
/. jerks
!. ooh, thank you. SO muchl" int
!. posed the girl.
eff knew how" he continue
ssbut don't. You see I'm only lear
ing. I can just start few. "
> "Oh, I am sure you will do it we'll,
she replied, land will go right O
ng and send for an instrument" And 81
tn hurried away.
p- Mr.. jerks was astonished and pc
on picked. Of course he had hoped to pl'
20 in public at some time, but this was
s5O sudden. He was not in hurry. Sor
it'll other leap year would be soon enough
h'- Should he bolt or face his own N
sic? "What very pretty girl when s.
laughs thought he. CPL stay. Wi
had practiced more. Wonder if I
break up the party
In what seemed to him an incredib
short time in which to summon fidG
from the subjaoent valley the girl rea
peared with one in her hand and ,
corted the reluctant and protest.
jerks to the head Of the room, init
ducing him to the cello, the mouth (
gan and the floor manager.
ho "Now, boys" said he, when.
be- committee had turned away, leavi
IT him with his fellow musicians, who
nv nv garded him doubtfully, .let's have
,od understanding. amt in this like "
md for dollar head and free drinks,
mo I'm doing it to oblige lady. I exp
n.y. to make some pretty bad breaks, q
the first one of you that smokers "
eat his instrument right here. Are J
ready?'
jerks Is not afraid Of any individ
man, perhaps not very much afraid
any woman, but when he stood up
. that platform with the fiddle in
neck and faced the crowd he was ba
ratified
"Play a waltz first" said the q
manager, "and play slowly" Wit
sigh of relief and the thought "Wha
do when they demand fast must
Mr. Ienks heQan that classical str