Weekly journal-miner., 1915-03-17
lot just astride her either. literally a


 ally visible the little devil tore off across the arena in a series of crook ed "buck-jumps"-back and forth, up and down, fighting madly, sideways, around in circle, (the worst trick Of all because it makes the rider dizzy in his saddle), twisting, writhing, jump ing and jerking every second until the sudden spat of the judges pistol proclaimed Henderson her master and roar upon roar broke from the dry throats of the multitude. Harold Bell Wright, who never misses an ex- fibition of this kind, told me he had never seen better ride Through 1t all the cowboy sat there in the lap of death smiling the same grim smile it's a salient characteristic of these men, the habit of smiling under diff faculties. It's their business to han dle wild beasts and they think no more of its danger than we do of the danger of committing,
 And there were other thrills in plenty. The steer bull-dogging con test is perhaps the most heart break ing spectacle for one of a nervous temperament that can well be imag- ined. It Is far more exciting thing than a Mexican bull-fght because it is simply man and steer, alone in the arena, straining for physical suprem- acy. while in the latter the poor bull has no chance whatever. He is worried and goaded to frenzy and then cruelty stabbed to death.
 Imagine seeing a full grown, wild steer loosed from a corral, imme- diately pursued by hard riding cow boy who, the second he ranges along side the steer filings himself bodily from his saddle full upon the horns of the raging beast! And there they grapple! Sometimes the man loses his carefully contrived and executed hold upon the steers horns and is flung high in the air to be picked up, perhaps, a bundle of broken bones. That seldom happens however, as most always these hardy denizens of the plains overmaster their brute adver- saries, and after tense moments of straining, striving and struggling, to which the hoarse groans of the ami nal and the whistling breath of the man lend color, the steer is forced down. This is not an essentially cruel sport because it is seldom that either man or beast is seriously injured.
 Besides the steer bull-dogging and broncho riding events there arc nu- merous others almost as spectacular and quite as interesting. There arc the trick and fancy roping contests. We've all seen bit of that in vaude- vile; but nothing to compare with what some of these rope wizards do. Put good rope in Doc Pardee's hands and its got a heart and soul in stantly. There arc steer riding races, pony express and relay races, cow pony races, bareback riding races, and trick riding contests. cannot pass by the latter without mentioning Jason Stanley. He is perhaps the most wonderful trick rider in the West His horse is under as per feet control as is his hand or his foot.
 And there's glad, mad Prescott to return to in the evening, to soothe the throbs and thrills. Gaiety, good fel- lowship and open heartedness prevail there always, but during these four days they are positively effervesccnt. Not a single stranger comes who is not made to feel that he's among real friends. I would not have missed those four days for this alone.
 The spirit of these people, by the way, is an interesting thing, not only as fascinating psychological study, but likewise from purely surface standpoint Merely to watch them ill their comings and goings and social intercourse The pervading, infecti- ous spirit of boosting is manifest on every side. Knocking is taboo. They believe in the future of their country and they are not a bit reticent about letting the rest of the world know of their faith. That's why they are hap py, 1 think, why these small south western towns are steadily growing. To one accustomed to the pessimism and calamity bowling" so prevalent in our own conservative environs this spirit is as welcome and wondrous re- freshing as the flowers in May. It is more than that-it strikes deeper be- cause it is vital; it is unquestionably real It is literally a powerful shot of cncrgizing sensations.
 After contact with them one knows the world is pretty good place after all. Ones glad ones alive and in the sunshine-they have the sunniest of sunny sunshine there. Many of the