The Old Cowboy
Author James H. Wilson
October 16, 2000
© Copyright 2000
THE OLD COWBOY Part Five
(continued)
“Ya know ‘Grandpa’, me an Tanner number two’s got to come back. We got’ta
hear all we can ‘bout ‘ol ‘Tanner’ so’s’n I can teach number two to
be just like number one. I especially like ridin’ fast on my sure-footed pony.”
I said I’d say “Hi!” to mom, and rode off as fast as my pedals would let
me move, kickin’ the dust up a little, I’m sure. Like ridin’ ‘Tanner’
across the prairie, the wind tuggin’ at my hat, the reigns in my left hand,
the lariat in my right. Yep, I was ready ta rope that little ‘doggy’ and
take ‘em back to the herd.
“Whoa big fella, got ta get ready ta bed down for the night. We’d better
hold up here next to those cliffs, there’s a real nice cave right over there.
Why who knows we might even be able ta rustle-up some vittles ta eat.”
Mom says I should put that bicycle away. “Best lay them ol’ chaps right over
here lil’ hombre, an’ I’ll get ya some of that hot soup I’ve been keepin’
over that fire, while ya go an’ get some of that cold wash water splashed on
yer face.”
When supper was done and it was time, I laid down dreaming of ‘Tanner’, and
gettin’ up early, just before sunrise, havin’ some of ol’ Cookies’
coffee out of that tin cup. Just takin’ a moment to listen to the world come
to life. The wind blowin’ through the prairie grass. The chipmunks chasin’
each other. And, as the sun brings about a new day I fall asleep watching the
deer grazing not to far away from the cattle. . . . . .
“Another week and I’ll be out of school Grandpa. Mom says I can ride over
most ev’ry day so long as I keep my chores done,’ I said as I rode up on ‘Tanner’
number two.
“Grand-boy, you’re lookin’ dapper on that Ol’ ‘Tanner’ there. Just
like the day ol’ John Somerton was . . . .
To Be Continued . . .
THE OLD COWBOY Part Five, Copyright © 2000
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