The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-12-21

There Is so much about the east
like and so much about the west
could never decide, il had to pitch
my tent in one place permanently,
whether I would choose the wonderful
cities OF the east or the great untram'
meled forests, high mountains and fer.
tile valleys Of the west But we ~
ing picture actors and actresses are
very fortunate to be able to travel,
and as each photoplay takes about six
weeks to produce, we can stay in one
location long enough to become &C
climated.
When I first went to California tor
the American Biograph company,
western pictures were all the vogue,
and they whisked us away to the de-
serts OF Southern California and Ari-
coma. out on those big ranches, to
stage our pictures. l was fascinated
by the life which seemed almost prim-
tive after being cooped up SO many
years within four walls OF city apart
ment, and could not get used to the
vast areas Of country, which make
you feel like a grain of sand ON a
mighty shore when you are face to
face with them.
I can well remember my first ride
and how exciting 1t was. At the time
I suffered; 1t was really terrifying to
live in constant fear the cowboys
would injure themselves as they rode,
In daredevil manner, those little fiery
Indian ponies or western bronchos.
have seen them thrown into the air
and land in an unconscious heap upon
the hard ground; then. two minutes
later they would spring to their feet
to catch and subdue that "onery cuss.
as the cowboy always calls his horse
when he misbehaves. (Of course, that
Is not all he calls the arbitrary amir al,
but II I went into detail 1t would not
only shock but scandalize my read
ers!)
They were so picturesque to me. and
I thought them very handsome. In
danna handkerchief fluttering around
their necks, and a bright red shirt
which made a colorful spot in other
wise drab surroundings.
A Cowboy Sultor.
remember and am about to con-
fess that one handsome cowboy par.
ticularly interested me. He was six
feet, three inches and had a deep-set
gray eyes and thick black hair which
was attractively uncombed. He had
a frank. boyish smile and his teeth
we're large and white and even. He
rode a prancing little horse called
RED Leggings." and the other cow
boys told me that there wasn't buck
Ing broncho in the corral he could not
ride unafraid.
All the time we were at the ranch
taking pictures he was our guide and
Interpreter, for he smoke not only 4
kmatterin9 Of Spanish to the "greas-
ers" but he understood the Indian Ian
suage. and told us many fascinating
tales old Chief Eyes-of-the-Sky related
rs historically true. He taught me
how to ride and how to handle my
keins, and also to overcome my fear Of
those owl-eved little beasts that know
/ tenderfoot before he comes within
loo yards OF the corral. And having
kuch a sense of humor. these horses
Always watched for a chance to play
heir meanest tricks upon us, for the,
amusement Of the cowboys and the
tourists who had become too wise to
Ittsn,pt to show how little they knew
lbout riding.
After I returned to Los Angeles. we
forresponded for several months and
ke sent me hts picture in full resalia.
fhe girls in the studio waved enthusi-
lstic and looked upon him as quite a
conquest. Then one .dav 9, letter came,
lelling me he was on his way to los