The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1902-04-12


Al or, rather, .Buckskin Ike's intro
ductson Of himself, along in the
early nineties. The writer was present
when Ike strolled UP to cabin of the
Bar X ranch with gunny sack on his
shoulder and a wOebegone expression on
his face, and sought admission. He told
hard luck story about a sick horse that
died a"aown in the hills yonder, ;, and he
wanted TO stay few days until he found
out where he was ait" Hospitality is
one of the most pronounced features of
cowboys and cattleme7a in that part OF
the world, and no wanderers plea for
shelter was ever in vain, therefore the
invitation to come in was hearty and UNI
qualified.
The man was abort as long and loose
Jointed a specimen Of humanity as is gen.
orally given mortal eyes to behold. Six
feet and four inches tall and weighing
but about $50 pounds, he appeared, as he
stood leaning against the doorway, to ne
much taller. and Simmer than he really
was. His hair was of a colorless. mil
deWed hue. rather long, and his sleepy
blue eyes and general listless appearance
1ndlcated that he was not a character of
much force. His long, thin neck and
large ears gave one the impression that
he had been carried around by the ears
when a child and stood up in the corner
out OF the way to grow. His actions as
ne moved to the center of the room and
his shoulder on the floor, were slow and
uncertain and he wore an Apologize afr
as though he felt there was some excuse
necessary to offer for being alive He
was dressed In a faded and worn suit of
overall goods and a soft gray hat, not of
the style usually worn by COWBOYS. The
only article OF apparel which was in keep
ing with his location and the company he
was in, were his high heeled boots. which
were the regulation article of the range.
'Gosh, Tn glad to get somewhere,
was his exclamation, as he let his pack
slide to the floor and looked around with
q bewildered air.
Where'd We come from and where are
re going?" asked the boss of the ranch,
Billy Madden
II come from Bluff City and was goin'
TO the mines down on the river, but my
horse took sick and died down yonder
about twenty miles, am I hoofed it all
the way up here with the saddle and
blanket ON my back replied the strang-
er, as he slowly looked around the crowd
OF cowboys gathered In the cabin wait
ing for supper. An Tn ALFRED hun
gry.' he added, with an appealing air,
looking toward the cook, who stood, ket-
tie In hand, listening to his story
well. fall in; chuck's ready" said
the cook. Its pretty big contract to
fill you up, but you're welcome to all you
can hold.''
where are you FROM" inquired the
foreman, after he had watched for a time
evidence Of the truth Of the stranger
assertion that he was hungry.
''From Missouri" vouchsafed the busy
guest, between bites, 'an' my names Ike
--Ike Jarvis
'Been out here long?'' continued Mad
den.
'..'Bout as long as they make 'em, I
guess" replied the lengthy Ike, as he
glanced down at his toes.
IT guess that's a fact" replied Madden,
nth grin, "but how does it come you're
short?"
'Oh. that's long story" said Ike as
ne bolted a biscuit whole and reached for
another chunk of beef
Say, you'd make a pretty good tic-rope
II you're tough enough" remarked one
chap down at the other end of the table.
Yes, I've held good many mules
aoWn IN Missouri assented Ike, in no.
wise perturbed by the intended ridicule
After supper was over, the gang gath
cred around the newcomer to quiz him.
what are you going to do not since
your horse is dead? You can't travel on
them legs" said Jud Smith, a cross-eyed
so"puncher' as he shot stream of
liquid tobacco perilOusly near likes foot
Say. partner. just spit the way YOU
look, won't you? Needn't try to- drown
ne TOO much strain on your splitter
III stand on my head for you when I
get ready to die that way said Ike, as
ne calmly stretched one foot, which had
eeen slightly spattered, and wiped it on
'uds overalls' leg. Guess I'll have to
TOOK around for a job" continued Ike
good-naturedly.
YOU'D make a good sign painter COM
n'ented che fellow. You wouldn't need
a. ladder to work"
III tell you what. you and FATTY here
start out and ha 1jvinc
tore and after Most any medicine
mousse would give You job was the
advice volunteered by another
FCh, come off, demonstrated FATTY
why don't you get him a job busting
bronchos? He's so long and Timber he
rfuld wrap his legs around. a horse and
It wouldn't hurt him If he did fall off,
mats IT. agreed Ike. Say, boss
you dent want good man, do you9''a
!. i don't KNOW replied Madden, with
wink at the boys. Can you rider ct.
tide! OF course can ride. Ever see
d fener that couldn't ride?'' 7
Yes, 1 know: but what mean is, can
you ride wild horses. break 'em? We want
a good buster here, strings getting
thin" -f.. ... ~ = =. =
We'll don't krrow about these pesky
animals here. but I used to break mules
ind colts ba ok in Missouri L. s2-s a. ~. q
'How did you do it them asked Mad
Ten . ell. l.,..t -. - ..4.. .
why. I'd wait TIL I worked a colt all
aay blowing and then jump on his back
tn the Flowed ground and ride him to the
barn. Sometimes tneyd kick up and rnn
away, but you bet I'd ride iem"
Web, that amt the way we do 1T out
here. but TN give you a trial if you think
you can ride said Madden, with a auiet
grin at HIS head buster" a man of con
adorable repu,e, as a slayer. lie !.
I'm your f1uekleberry. When can I
rao.1 ,A,xST on S%11 H.
good fortune, land how much do you
pay?' ts d 81. !, !.
II pay So. a month and board, and
you can begin in the morning. said Mad
den. +''' +.t "a !.@7' ~'r9'fr5~. 7,'5.
-Wfll the job be steady-how long will
1t last?" PERSISTED the lengthy Missourfan.
with a twinkle in his eye. which indicated
he was not to green or unsophisticated as
he appeared. ffe.g Eg@ az ~,
THAT depends on yourself. 1t will last
as long you can stick on, persisted
the foreman with grin.
"Whoop! Hoorah! I'll ride lem till
the cows come home I'll show you how
they do it down in Missouri" cried the
optimistic Ike, with sudden straighten-
Ing out of his lank body that somehow.
In spite of its ungainly length. had lines
Of strength and activity and movements
Of gracefulness about it. & a 115sz
Turning-in time was announced and
a general movement took place, as the
boys sought their beds. Lon Bur, a tall,
notwithstanding Individual, with a
crooked nose, who evidently resented
1ke's usurpation of his position as tallest
man in camp, managed. apparently by ac-
cident, to stumble over oneaof likes long
legs as he sat by the fireplace toasting
the soles of his feet. a--s4s v
Hey there! Where'ye goin'?, protest
ed the interminable Isaac, rubbing his