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DRAP HIS ROPE ON HER
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The man from the big cattle country will think a long time before he pays such a tribute, but when he does he goes all out in his praise. He might even applaud you for "makin' a hand," which comes under the head' ing of top praise. In "makin' a hand" you're living up to the cowboy code. You're distinguished for audacious courage, unswerving loyalty, constant cheerfulness, a complete disregard of personal danger or tough luck, a respect for your companions' past as well as privacy and, above all, a deep and abiding veneration for the ladies. These are the high points in a cowboy's code of ethics.
ROMANCE still makes its sweet way into the cow country and, from time to time, the cowboy finds a maid without whom life would be unthinkable. Marriage, his own home, family, and good cooking are all in his mind when he calls on the lady and, with due humility, explains that he'd shore like to "drap his rope on her." But when speaking of a recently married friend, he may very well tell you that "Chuck trapped him a squaw."
Women are strange and wondrous visions to the cowboy. He shows them the respect due the unpredictable and, whether the lady be the deacon's wife or the prettily painted little dancer, all are shown the greatest courtesy and consideration. In discussing women, a topic he prefers to avoid the greater part of the time, he'll color his conversation with many highly pungent descriptions. A woman may be "a runnin' mate," "a longhaired pardner," "a catalog woman,"
"a cow bunny," "a heart and hand," or just "a sage hen." And when he wants to "ride herd on a woman," he's thinking seriously of going courting.
A cowboy is a homely philosopher, as well as a wit, keen observer and accurate reporter. By way of proof, there is the memorable story of the famous movie beauty on a personal appearance tour, stopping for a night in a large cattle town. The cowboys went to town that night, cheered her, stomped their vehement approval and, undoubtedly, made her feel very welcome. But, as one remarked the next day:
"I jest dunno . . . she is a right purty girl, of course ..." He thought it over for a long moment. "Fact is, that gal's got so much beauty in her face there jest don't seem to be no room left for nothin' else. A good face, now, needs a good fire comin' from the inside, same like a good stove."
Peculiar to Texas and other Southwestern states is the "norther." This blinding, lashing gale would be called a blizzard in other parts of the country, with unexpected high winds and low temperatures. One veteran cowhand described one, unforgettably, as "jest a-pourin' smack off the North Pole and ain't nothin' to stop it 'cept a bob-wire fence and it's fuUa knot holes."
There are times when the prairie heat sizzles and pops. The hardened cowhand takes such scorching weather in his stride, but lazy cowhands arc not unknown. When one such weary worker abandoned his chores in favor of a shady and, as he thought, un