Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1898-01-21
A COWBOY VIRTUOSO,

The persistence Of Mr.. Rimo jerks
at length received its due reward-he
was asked 10 fiddle for a dance.
You may remember that this gentle
man, who was second to none when it
came to close quarters in tho branding
pen, or following a wild calf through
the sa%gebrush, had not one ounce Of
musical capacity ia tho hundred and
sixty odd pounds OF his make up, yet
had a 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
porsunity, when the days work was
done, he rosined his bow. Throughout
the winter months, when work vas
light and evenings long, he had prac-
ticed faithfully, if not intelligently, il
the bunkhouso until bnnished by a
plebiscite to a nearby dugout, where
he found sacks of onions and bins Of
potatoes moro 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 ac-
cepted it, his code Of ethics bound him
to break the critter or break the cinch.
On the Goth of February there was a
leap year dance at Richmcnd'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,
81 like 'em because everybody is a-le'p-
ing and a~-skipping, and if anybody falls
down he gifts up again" The plain in.
ference from Mr.. Rice's statement is
that at any other than a country dance
II one falls down he stays down-which
might embarrass and endanger his bet.
tiers. When / called Rice's attention to
this, ne explained that he meant ''in
your mind" ITS like getting on to a
bucking horse any morning after break
fast and being dumped, " said he. "You
don't mind it much, but Just tighten
your cinch another hole and climb on
again. But suppose you are doing some
fancy riding or roping at the county
fair aud your saddle gets emptied, why,
you feel so low down you don't get over
It for q 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 a bright
eyed young woman, who asked if he
had brought his violin.
"No, / did not, Z" replied the startled
jerks, nervously lingering a large piece
Of Fosin which he produced from a
pocket, "but il you want to use it I'll
be very glad to go back TO the ranch
and fetch it. 1t is only about 90 miles. I"
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
cello and a mouth organ. But l tbinl
We can get a violin within less than q
miles, and''-here she showed him tn,
full set-''win you kindly play for Vi
until Mr.. Smith arrives?"
miss. 1 should be delighted. saiC
jerks
"oh, thank you, 10 muchl" inter
posed the girl.
"1 / knew low" he continued
''but l don't You see I'm only learn
ing. l can just start a few"
"Oh, I am sure you will do It well, ,
she replied. "and l will go right on
and send for an instrument" And shl
hurried away.
Mr.. jerks was astonished and per
picked. OF course he had hoped to pla.
In public at some time, but this vas 81
sudden. He was not in a harry. SOM
other leap year would be soon enough.
Should he bolt or face his own mu
sicl "What a very pretty girl when sh'
laughs, f" thought he. ''In stay. Wisl
had practiced more. Wonder if III
break up the party"
In what seemed TO him an incredibly
short time in which to Summon a fddll
from the subjacent valley the girl reap
peared with one in her hand and es
eorted tho reluctant and protesting