The Somerset reporter., 1897-07-29
A COW BOY YIRTUOSO.

AT length received It's que feNard-h6
was asked to fiddle for dance.
You may remember that this gentle
man, who was second to none when il
came to close quarters in the branding
pen, or following a wild calf through
the sagebrush, had not one ounce OF
musical capacity III the hundred and
sixty odd pounds of his make up yet
had particular ambition and an I'M
tagging zeal to become a fiddler The
object of this writing is to show that he
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 he
had packed "a violin in his bed roll on
the annual round up, and at every OPP
portunity, when the days work was
done, he rosined his bow. Throughout
the winter months, when work was
light and evenings long, he had prao-
ticed faithfully, if not intelligently, in
the clubhouse until banshed by a
plebiscte to nearby dugout, where
potatoes more patient sufferers than the
general sitting room afforded. In some
former year the outfit had boosted a
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.
ceptcd it, his code of ethics bound him
to break the critter or break the oinch.
On the goth of February there was a
leap year dance at Richmond's. This
place 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 aud the country dance
was a popular institution. My friend
Rice voiced the general sentiment thus.
Il like 'em because everybody is ale p
ing and a-shlpping, and If anybody falls
down he gi,s up again. The plain in.
ference from Mr.. Rlce's statement is
that at any other than a country dance
if one falls down he stays doWn-which
might embarraSs and endanger his bet
tiers. When [ called Rice attention to
this, he explained that he meant lin
your mind - s like getting ON to a
bucking horse any morning after break
fast and being dumped, " said he. You
don't mind II much, but just tighten
your cinch another hole and climb on
again, But suppose you are doing some
fancy riding or roping mt the county
fair and your saddle gets emptied, Why
you feel so low down you don get over
it for a week ~
Our boys all went over to the dance
at Richmond's, and some one evidently
told the committee that Mr. jerks was
a competent fiddler, for soon after his
arrival he was approached by bright
eyed young woman, who asked if he
had brought his violin.
No, | did not, " replied the startled
jerks, neryously lingering large piece
of rosin which he produced from a
pocket, but if you want to use it / II
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
slightly showing several white teeth,
that you carry your violin with you
wherever you go, and I'm sorry to find
that it's not true. Our music has disap-
pointed us. The house is full of people
and nobody here to play for them but a
cello and a mouth organ. But l think
we can get violin within less than 20
miles, and here she showed him the
full set-"'will you kindly play for us
until Mr.. Smith arrives"'
Miss, | should be delighted" said
jerks.
"Oh, thank you, SO muohl" inter
posed the girl
IF l knew how" he continued,
"but don't. You see I'm only learn
ing. can just start few. "
ooh, am sure you will do it well, "
che replied, land | will go right out
and send for AN instrument. = And she
hurried away
Mr. jerks was astonished and per.
picked. OF course he had hoped to play
in public at some time, but this was so
sudden He was not in hurry. Some
other leap year would be soon enough
Should he bolt or face his own mu-
sic? What very pretty girl when she
laughs, " thought he. I'm stay. Wish
l had practiced more. Wonder if I'll
break up the party y
In what seemed to him an incredibly
short time in which to summon a fiddle
from the subjacent valley the girl reap
peared with one in her hand and es-
corted the reluctant and protesting
jerks to the head of the room, intro
duoing him to the cello, the mouth or
gan and the floor manager
Now, boys. said he, when the
committee had turned away. leaving
him with his fellow musicians, who re-
garded him doubtfully let's have an
understanding | ain t in this like you,
for a dollar head and free drinks, but
I'm doing it to oblige lady. expect
TO make some pretty bad breaks. and
the first one of you that smokers will
eat his instrument right here. Are you
ready"
jerks is not afraid of any individual
tr,rph afraid Of