New-York tribune., 1901-07-28
A "HAYSEED" BY HIS WALK.
From The New-Orleans Times-Democrat

From The New-Orleans Times Democrat.
Il have often heard the appelation hayseed'
applied to a tilier of the soil,' said Texas
ranchman, who is in this city on a business
trip. dining with friends at a cafe last
evening, land references to unsophisticated
farmers as having hayseed in their hair are
common. These are, of course, facetouS figures
of speech but learned to-day that hay really
does set its mark-not in the hair, but on the
feet of those whose vocation takes them into the
long grasses. believe that almost every calling
leaves its impress on those engaged in it, in
varying degrees.
THE laborer's trade mark g in his horny
hand; the lawyers distinguishing characteristic
is in his manner of gesture; but the rancher
ranger carries the evidence of his vocation in
his feet. AS | said before. I only learned this
to-day. but it was brought to my attention in
manner that impressed me. l will tell you how
1t came about For some time | have been pur-
chasing certain supplies for my ranch from a
dealer in MagaZine-st.. here. though had never
met him or been in his place of business until
this morning. I wrote him last week that |
would be in New-Orleans on this date and place
delayed order / arrived this morning and
after having breakfasted, made my way toward
his place
LAS was walking along Canal-st approacb
ing the corner Of Magazine St. / noticed man
turning out of Mazazine-st. and coming toward
me. who. 1 thought bestowed more than casual
scrutiny on me as passed. AS / turned the
corner l glanced back and that he had
stopped and appeared TO be regarding me. but.
as could not recall his face that OF any
one i had known, l. OF course, passed on. on
arriving at my destination" continued the
IeXan. Il stated business o member o
the office force. He said: oh. yes: Mr.
was expecting you and will be sorry that he is
not here TO meet you. He just stepped out
important business and VIII be gone about
hour Why, he exclaimed, some one entered
the office, here he Is now. Mr. - this Is Mr..
OF Texas
AS returned the merchants greeting I saw
he was the man had passed at the corner I
saw you as l was going down the street Just
now, said he. and had an idea as 10 who YOU
We're so came back As we had never had a
glimpse of each other before / naturally he
trayed surprise at his remark I Just had an
er-unaccountable conviction TO your iden-
tity, he continued. in slightly embarrassed
way Wen. transacted my business and then
we had long chat, in the course OF which l ex-
pressed my mysthcation TO how he had
singled me out in a crowded city street without
description. The wire edge of formality had by
this time worn off OF acquaintance and
nized you by your walk, coupled with the fact
that l was expecting you. and that you were
going toward my place Of business
By my walk" exclaimed my mystiication
not decreasing. Yes he replied; .you see I
have been doing business with ranchmen for a
good many years. and have noticed that a
business always walks If he were moving
through the grass; he raises his feet with sort
or dragging motion, even on the pavement as il
grass were there and mpeded his progress OF
course, none but practiced eve would detart
it, he continued; but happened to notice this
slight peculiarly in your walk when l passed
you, ana as had your visit in mind when YOU
turned up toward my place, l figured that the
chances were at least even that you were my
expected caller AS soon as | emerged from
the congested wholesale district after leaving
my Dealers said the ranchman in conclusion
II surveyed my offending feet closely and re-
prOachfuliy they shufTied along under mo and
as compared their gait with the airy tread Of
passers-by sa ~ Enthusiastically that the whole
saIer had read them Alright and that my un-
the delusion that the grass in the Canaj-st
pavement was knee deep"