The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-12-30
WITH THE COWBOYS.
HOW WESTERN RANCHMGN CElE-
BRATE THE NEW YEAR.

The Gay FandangO of the Plains.
Hunting tn. wild Turkey - Other
Qualifications That Brighten Prai-
RE Life at New Years.
Along with the round ups, barbecues
and log raisings the festivities of the New
Years holiday season come with well timed
regularity to break the monotony of the
cowboys prosaio life. In the ranging
country Of the northwest, where the entire
possessions Of the average ranohman con-
sist of a few hundred cattle, half dozen
ponies and rude dugout or 'shaok, " 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 a transforming
performance or a show" given by trav-
cling prestidigitator he has absolutely no
outside diversion.
But in the older ranohing territories of
the southwest, where stock raising has
settled down into a safe and remunerative
business, and the precarious livelihood
and pioneer simplicity have given way to
an assured income with comfort and plen-
~, the holiday jolliflcation has come to be
an established custom. 1t Is a 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 prepare
lions are begun for the big dance which
inaugurates the seasons festivities. The
ranch where the ball or 'fandango" Is to
be held is literally given over to the boys
for the occasion, and they never fail to
make the most of 1t. Invitations are sent
out over the neighborhood within radius
Of 30 miles, and nearly every one is accept
ed, for a ride Of 90 miles to one accus-
toned to spending 10 or - hours day in
the saddle Is a 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
20 feed small army 1t Is the privilege
Of every cowboy on the place to make out
q list of the eatables that he feels that his
constitution demands. And several days
beforehand the great wagon Is hitched up
and a trip taken to the nearest town to get
provisions.
A more heterogeneous mixture of edibles
can scarcely be imagined-raisins, nuts
candies, canned meats and fruits, pick les,
crackers, anything kept and recommend
Cd by the obliging and neighborly grocery
man
In addition to the store bought delicacies
for the feast the ranch cook distinguishes
himself in the way of barbecued shotes,
game, "possum and Eaters" 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
decked 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, q row of chairs Is set for
the accommodation of those not dancing
BY 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 a 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 fiddlers,
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 a "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 gums" 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.
Ing VI bHSiH Is HOrSeDtCk rlulnR IN ROOu
company. under shelter, and to the tune of
q fiddle 1t gives free play to their untir
ing, restless bodies and at the same time
satisfies and delights their love of women s
society and good fellowship.
These holiday dances last all night, their
only breakfast being at 10 O'Clock, when
eggnog is served, and at IL, when the big
supper Is 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 cowboy 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
oreeps over the dun prairies does the music
stop
Then after 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, go
galloping over the prairies, the fresh wild
wind in their faces and the thrilling mem
ory of sweet words or swoeter promises in
hn1 al MI