St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-09-12
THE COWGIRL MIsJUDGED.
Lady Of the Western Ranses 4 Un-
Justly Treated ~ EasterA
Publications.

The cowgirl, as portrayed in eastern
papers and magazines, is invariably q
rough, uncouth person astride NANCY
old horse Of doubtful years and habits
says western exchange.
From her SLOUGH hat to the tips OF
her rusty boots untidiness prevails.
Her free and easy manner make her
laughing stock for people Of the more
refined sort. H.
The mannish grasp Of the hand with
which she welcomes her friends is q
point to be ridiculed by her more deli
cate sister Of the east.
Her striding tread betokens COARSE
ness of mind as we'll as Of body.
The easy, careless manner with which
she discusses with those Of the opposite
sex is enough in itself to give one the
incurable horrors.
The way in which she swings her quirt
and strikes her vicious steed resound-
ing whack would make her eastern
cousin SILVER with disgust.
Taking her all around, she Is an un-
tidy, coarse-voiced wonder
To be stared at, but never on any ac-
count spoken to.
But wait-we have seen only one side
of the picture. for your true western girl
is none OF this.
True, she is free and easy In her man.
ner, but there is added an exquisite
grace Of character which cannot be RI
vailed by her affected sister of the east.
The "mannish hand-clasp'' with
which she greets one is full Of that free
good will and enviable frankness which
characterizes only pure and noble ma
lures.
Her swinging walk speaks OF a sound.
healthy body, which, therefore. cannot
but be well posed and beautiful in its
every line. ~
The easy, careless manner in which
she talks to Gods children Of the other
sex is only another characteristic Of her
pure mind and trusting nature.
The heavy rawhide quirt is reality.
but not necessity, In the life OF the
cowgirl, for the very sufficient reason
that she generally possesses good. free
horse to which the whip is as much
superfuity as is the fifth wheel to
wagon. And, too, your true cowgirl
would as soon think Of striking her
as Of striking her horse.
l have seen this much-talked-of person
in all the phases of her simple life, and
cannot but admire that 1.-THE, graceful
figure as she goes swinging OF on her
mount with an ease and
grace born only Of life in the saddle.
have seen so-called cowgirl" fly
ing madly over the prairies on mettle-
some thoroughbred, taking bitches,
fences and everything that came in the
path of her leaping, rearing steed, in !
pursuit Of some horse or cow. and with |
In the next half hour she would come |
cantering up to us sitting on her horse |
with certain grace Of oneness, like q
centaur, and slipping to the ground with |
the reins thrown loosely over the saddle
and the shapely white hand laid loving |
y on her pets gle ssy, foam-covered |
neck and extend firm, well-molded
hand to welcome me to her home. And
rs she stands there, the evening sun |
full on her well-rounded form,
cannot but thank God that we have at |
east few OF these goddesses Of the
,lains that we may get glimpse Of
what true nature is like.
For in my opinion this girl with her
aunty riding hat, her neatly fitting |
gloves, her shapely, well-dressed feet
ind her weather proof complexion, is
ar worthier to be called lady than the
most celebrated beauty In any fashion,
bile city Of the east. In my opinion,
lothing could be so natural, SO unaf-
ected and altogether so undeniably
splendid as this natural production Of
he west.