The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1921-04-07
The Cowboy Ball at Grasshopper

SDiVoS winch uAu HAppcHcu III y wee
on the ranch tucked away in = n
mote corner Of California valley.
Hello Dave--how are yuh?" So
luted the cowboy.
"Finer'n silk, Tige how's your
yourself" replied Dave, getting u
from the sunny bench. ."Climb Of
and set awhile, Tige."
Nope, got TO mosey on. The boy
up at Grasshopper sent word down +
spread the news about that Their
dance they're pullin' OF in the school
house tonight. Asst me to ask yuh i
you'd fetch your fiddle along and pla,
music for 'em. Crane he's goin' Il
whang the gi-tar.' TiEe explained
the cause Of his visit.
| al guess As how l might. What
in it," said Forsner shrewdly.
Give for fiddlin', else yuh can pas,
the hat Might git more, yuh might
git less hathaway" replied Tige.
"T'll wait'll 1 git there, Tige. II q
bunch of them boys rides down from
Modoc they'll be good for more'n
five" Dave wagged his head wisely
"Glad yuh can come. I'll see yuh
at Grasshopper tonight, S'longP'
And Tige rode away.
Soon it was time for Dave Forsner
to start to Grasshopper. He had
placed the fiddle in its green baize
bag, slung it carefully over his shout
der, kissed his wife good-by and
climbed into the saddle.
Ten miles he rode in the frost-tang-
ed-air through the country which was
nothing more than an open cattle
range, dotted at wide intervals with
clustering group Of ranch buildings.
When he arrived at the schoolhouse,
even though he was early, there were
others before him.
At half past seven the school was
comfortably filled and the stamping
of feet and clapping of hands denoted
that it was high time to begin the
festivities.
"Take your pardners for a plain
quadrillel" cried Dave Forsner, de-
posting thick cheese sandwich upon
the teachers desk as he took his stand
upon the platform. Crane slid into
the chair next to the fiddler and
warning chord on his gui-
tar. A strapping youth, with silk
'kerchief knotted about his neck, coat
less and his furry Chaps redolent
of horsese and hay, enacted the role
Of floor manager.
Hes awful witty-that Tam Clark
son. He sure can liven up dance"
said Dave Forsner aside to Doc Crane.
Fiddle and guitar were attuned
while Tam" began to form the sets
IF four couples each, preparatory to
The first figure of the quadrille. Zone
,oro no,trla fbie he ns,
'ut merrily. A pause and then: can
'ther couple, young and gay!"
1.-TWO couples here, we want two
norel" And yet agin: "Those not
lancin', git off the foorl" "Tam"
waved his hand at the musicians who
aunched off with vim into the roll
licking bars of "The Campbells Are
Coming" with variations as the fig
res were danced to the sing-song
alling of Dave Forsner, the fiddler. /.
His voice rose and fell, yet carried
o the farthest removed dancers, but
ven if it hadn't, these peoples knew
he figures by heart and there was
reat tapping of the toes, pounding
f heels and the girls shrieked and
sughed as the dance increased in tenn
o. From Salute your pardners an
ow to the lady on your right" clear
lrough to "Shashay to your seats"
nat opening plain quadrille indicat-
1 that the Grasshopper dance babe
iir to be grand success.
"Round" dances followed: the old
lshioned polka, waltz, with one
cps and rare foxtrot for the
,unger people.
R,,f uyhop fba couora Japoas x,,a-a :
rmed, and Tam" Clarkson, aided :,
!. the fiddler, chanted and rhymed
the calls, then gayety and hilarious
n were evident.
There was long bench ranged
,ainst the wall back of the stove
der which babes, wrapped in blank
8, were tucked for warmth and to
within sight and sound of fond
others. Now and then a babe
'uld become aroused by the jogging
amp of feet and roll, like huge CO.
on, out upon the floor Then there
'uld be wild scramble to tuck him
'ay again, without checking the Tilt
, measure of the dance.
At midnight the intermission for
pper was announced. Buckets and
skets were produced, and the sub
initial goodies were passed around.
It was at this break in the festiv-
IS that Dave Forsner said to Crane:
hey're all fed up and good natured
". Guess we'd oughta pass the
afore they begins to feel tuckered
!, eh, Crane?"
The result was satisfactory to the
sicians. Dave counted out the sill
!. and an occasional piece of paper
ney and declared that he had been
'e in deciding on a collection rather
N the set sum of IS.
Tortifying himself with wedge
chocolate cake and another of CO.
nut, Dave once more settled him
{ on the teachers platform. The
ices at Grasshopper never broke
before daylight.
Want me to spell you, Dave?"
'ried Tige, ripping off snatch of
opular tune upon his harmonica.
Spell me, Tige? Go long with
/. I'm jest beginnin, to get stir
up, be. Hey there, TAM Let's
e 'em a right spry old Virginny
|. amt played Turkey in the