Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1898-12-31
WITH THE COWBOYS.
HOW WESTERN RANCHMEN CELE-
BRATE THE NEW YEAR.

The Gay FandangO Of the Plains.
Hunting the Wild Turkey - Other
Qualifications That Brighten Prai-
rie Life at New Years.
Along with the round ups, barbecues
and log raisings the festivities of the New
Years holiday season come with we'll timed
regularity to break the monotony of the
cowboys prosaic life. In the ranging
country of the northwest, where the entire
possessions of the average ranchman con-
sist Of few hundred cattle, half dozen
ponies and rude dugout or "shack, !" fur
nished with the bare necessities, and
where there are only few COW boys to do
the whole work Of the ranch, the only as
sured diversion Of the year Is the June
round up. Unless the cowboy goes into
frontier town to take In transforming
performance or a ''show" given by trav-
cling prestidigitator he has absolutely no
outside diversion.
But in the older ranching territories OF
the southwest, where stock raising has
settled down into safe and remunerative
business, and the precarious livelihood
and pioneer simplicity have given way to
an assured income with comfort and plen-
ty, the holiday jollifoation has come to be
an established custom. 1t is pleasant
break to the winter spent in riding lines"
over the country or In poker and cutthroat
euchre indoors.
A few days before New Years prepara-
tions are begun for the big dance which
tnaugurates the season q festivities. The
ranch where the ball or 'sfandango' Is to
be held Is literally given over to the boys
for the occasion, and they never fail to
make the most of it. Invitations are sent
out over the neighborhood within radius
of 20 miles, and nearly every one is accept
ed, for a ride Of 90 miles to one accus-
toned to spending 10 or 10 hours day in
the saddle is mere nothing.
Besides this is the one opportunity of
the year to spend money lavishly for the
sake of good time. An extra cook or
two are hired and supplies enough laid in
to feed small army. 1t is the privilege
of every cowboy on the place to make out
list of the eatables that he feels that his
constitution demands. And several days
beforehand the great wagon is hitched up
and trip taken to the nearest town to get
provisions.
A more heterogeneous mixture of edibles
can scarcely be imagined-raisin nuts,
ChuulcS, CtuuGu lucdUS anu lfulUS, pickles.,
crackers, anything kept and recommend
ed by the obliging and neighborly grocery
man.
In addition to the store sought delicacies
for the feast the ranch cook distinguishes
himself in the way of barbecued shotes,
game. ''possum and taters," pies and
cakes and the like. For week or two
before the feast all hands lend their aid to
the capturing Of game and the finding and
saving of eggs.
As for the fandangO, the preparations
are few and simple Beds and other space
consuming pieces of furniture are removed
from the rooms intended for the dance
The bare floors are sand secured and
fecked with the fine shavings of sperm
candles, which soon, under the many glid-
ing feet of the dancers, form thin, slick
coating, delightful and seductive to the
feet. On two sides of the room, close up
against the wall, row of chairs is set for
the accommodation Of those not dancing.
By 6 O'Clock In the evening the guests
begin to arrive, the boys having gone after
the girls on horseback generally, some of
the 'tony'' couples coming in buggies
the high seated "piano boxed" vehicles of
the west, with their double teams and
general air Of smartness.
The girls have their party dresses tucked
up under their black calico riding skirts,
some of them bringing waists, gloves and
white kid slippers, done up in bundle to
be put on after they arrive. And merry
hearted, merry faced set they are, cheeks
glowing and eyes sparkling from the ex-
hilaration Of the ride in the wind and the
expectation of the unwonted frolic
The music is furnished by negro f1ddlers,
whose repertory Of old fashioned "break-
downs" is never improved upon, nor ever
falls short of it's early charm and infection
upon it's hearers.
In the same "set' there may be one
man with store suit on and another in
his regular suit, consisting of blue flannel
overshirt and leather belt, buckskin leg
gings or cottonade overalls.
| The boys laugh loud, clap each other,
hang their "guns" on the wall while they
are dancing and steal behind the house for
their drink between sets, but they treat
the girls like queens No matter how
rough their clothes, they generally have
white hands and small, we'll clad feet.
They will wear boots, but they have them
made with high heels, of fine leather,
pointed toes and often red tops.
They revel in dancing. They are grace.
full, natural, muscular and active. Dane.
/ ALB W tu0u 10 uOrSSUtiCk FluiuS III ROOu
company, under shelter, and to the tune OF
fiddle. 1t gives free play to their untir.
ing, restless bodies and at the same time
satisfies and delights their love of women e
/ society and good fellowship.
These holiday dances last all night, their
only breakfast being at 10 o'clock, when
eggnog is served, and at 12, when the big
supper ia eaten. Then with renewed vigor
and spirits they return to the floor. The
fires burn low in the great chimneys, the
kerosene lamps flicker and smoke, the fid-
dlers doe and play on mechanically, the
girls languish, and even the boy him.
self feels the force and strain of protracted,
time measured motion. But the dance
goes on.
Not until the dull red glow of sunrise
creeps over the dun prairies does the music
| stop.
Then after a breakfast of "cold bits
and strong. hot black coffee the girls GO
to rooms prepared for them at the ranch.
| or, mounted on fleet footed bronchos, 60
| galloping over the prairies, the fresh wild
! wind in their faces and the thrilling mem
ory of sweet words or sweeter promises in