The Snowflake herald., 1920-02-06
The Cowboys Letter Box
By DELLA F. SMITH

The following lines We're written several years
ago at the suggestion of Mrs. Ida H. Udall of St.
Johns, Arizona:
We were trav ling long the prairie and
twas little We could see
To give interest or pleasure all was
dreary as could be-
The tired horses plodded on, and were
hungry, too,
When tall post in the distance came
suddenly in view.
With a curious eye | watched it think
ing that a sign would be
Printed on a board across it-printed
there for all to see.
1t will tell in which direction one can
reach the town the best
Little use, | grimly muttered when the
road goes east and west.
Soon we reached the post and halted
but instead of one big sign
There was just small box fastened
near the top, twas made of pine.
Just one word was written on it, daubed
with tar and one could trace
Not glimpse of skill in painting, no
attempt at artists grace.
| could just decipher LETTERS" and
was curious thento know
Why this box SO far from mail line, COW
cred o 'er with ice and snow,
Should be there to catch the letters
that travel'rs chanced to drop
They viii every one be stolen by the cow
boys, like as not.
I'm not partial to these fellows they re
so rough I've often heard
Why of course they'll take the letters,
that they will, upon my word.
No." replied my grave companion,
say what er you will of them,
There is honor 'mong the cowboys
can't you see it, feel it when
They can post sweetheart's letter in
this dreary place and say
Twill be safe till Ned or Billy goes
to town along this way.
Some one surely will be going e'er the
changing of the moon
And will carry this dear letter as he
sings his merry tune.
Have you ever paused a moment
viewed the life these fellows Lead
How they look so brave and fearless as
they ride at breakneck speed,
With their broadbrimmed hats tied
loosely, with their snaps and spurs OK,
You would ask yourself aud wonder
Can they ride thus all the day?'
Yes, and oft the hours are heightened.
they have little time to rest,
1t seems to be his calling for he does
his very best.
Though he is often weary and his horse
is tired too,
If he ever shirks duty the times are
very few.
Once / met a real, real cowboy as |
stood amid the crowd
And he rode so very swiftly near a
girl who sweetly bowed,
Fer I'd time to speak of danger the
rider stopped right short
And so gracefully dismounted that he
quickly won my heart
Tipped his hat like an apollo and saw
his eyes of blue,
Then | knew there really was one who
was honest, good and true.
Really, you have been mistaken for tits
not the trade, you know,
Makes him seem SO very careless as he
wanders to and fro.
AS the Christmas time approaches and
view that old rough box
| wonder if it holds note for the boy
who gets hard knocks?
| wonder if his dearest girl will send
the greetings due
Or if she'll say Il dance tonight with
handsomer man thnn you?"
Will loving little sister send a piece
of Christmas cake,
Will far off friend assure him there
is naught her love can shake?
Will his mother dear remember---wish
that he were at hor cido
And will he then be roaming through
the forest wild and wide?"
Thank you, am truly grateful for the
story you have told,
Glad to know these rough men better
atthey eworth theirweightingo gold
I'll remember all you've told me bout
their confidence and trust;
If they can trust each other then we
town folks can and must.
Though they're riding on the range
there, unshaved. uncombed their locks
I'd like to get note that's mailed in
the cowboys letter box.