The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1898-12-29
WITH THE COWBOYS.
HOW WESTERN RANcHMsN CELE-
BRATE THE NEW YEAR.

Hunting the wIId Turkey other
Qualifications That Brighten Prai-
rie Life MT 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 prosaic life. In the ranging
country Of the northwest, where tho entire
possessions Of the average ranchman con-
sist Of few hundred cattle, half a dozen
ponies ard 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 SHOW" given by n tray-
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 remuneratiys
business, and tho precarious livelihood
and pioneer SIM LOFTY have given way 10
an assured income with comfort and pfon-
ty, the holiday jOllihcation has como TO b0
an established custom. 1t is pleasaD4
break to the winter spent in riding lines"
over the country or in poker and Cutthroa4
euchre indoors.
A few days before New Years prepnra-
tions are begun for the big dance which
inaugurates the seasons festivities. The
ranch where the ball or "fandango" IL 20
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 a radius
M on T11ilpg and rly M fg
| ed for a ride of 90 miles to one accus-
toned TO spending 10 or 12 hours a day in
the saddle is a mere nothing.
Besides this is the one opportunity Of
the year to spend money lavshly 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 mako 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 magined-raisins, nuts,
candies, canned meats and fruits pickles,
crackers, anything kept and recommend
ed by the obliging and neighborly grocery
| man.
In addition to the store bought delicaciea
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 a 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
| 81. ,,.A, IL - A..
The bare floors are sand secured and
flecked with the fine shavings of sperm
candles, which soon, under the many glid-
ing feet of the dancers, form a thin, slick
coating, delightful and seductive to the
feet. On two sides Of tho room, close np'
against the wall, q 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 a merry
| llIthi NONl1 illNiig lhCth HCJ Ilty hTt, CucbkS
glowing and eyes sparkling from the ex-
hilaration of the ride in the wind and the
expectation Of the unwonted frolio.
The music is furnished by negro fddlers,
whose reportory of old fashioned break
downs is never improved upon nor ever
falls short of its early charm and infection
upon its 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 hays
whit5 hands 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.
ful, natural, musculaT and active. Dano.
ing to them is horseback riding In good
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'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 12, when the big
supper is eaten. Then with renewed yigor
and spirits they return to tho floor. The
hres burn low in the great chimneys the
Kerosene lamps flicker and smoke, the fld-
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
creeps over the dun prairies does the music
stop.
Thon after breakfast of "oold bits"
and strong, hot black coffee the girls 90
to rooms prepared for them at tho ranch,
or, mounted on fleet footed bronchos, 90
galloping over the praires, the fresh wild
wind in their faces and the thrilling mem.
Dry of sweet words or swCcter promises in
their wholesome, simple hearts. New
York Herald.
New Year Gifts In Russia.
At st, Petersburg and Moscow, where
| New y Noar 5 is celebrated according to the
rite and calendar of the Greek church, the
favorito form Of luxury appears to be
| briC-a bTaC. Under the prCteXt of sending