A RANCHMAN'S RECOLLECTIONS 



sponse: "I don't know what a hoodlum wagon is, 

 but I kin drive it." 



It was settled. "Little Boy" was hired, and "made 

 good." Every moment that he could get from his 

 work found him in the branding pen, and, as is the 

 custom with cowboys in their work, he often rode big 

 calves. The boys, watching his skill, would get him 

 to pull off "stunts" for visiting cowmen, until it began 

 to be noised about that "Little Boy" in the S. M. S. 

 outfit "was sum calf-rider." Then came the proud 

 day of his life, when an older man was found for the 

 hoodlum wagon. The horse wrangler was promoted 

 to a riding job, and "Little Boy" to horse wrangler. 



The boys had from the outset contributed shirts 

 and socks; ducking trousers had been cut off for a 

 makeshift. The first month's wages had provided a 

 fair outfit, including the much-coveted white shirts 

 that cowboys love to have in their "war bags" for 

 special occasions. Succeeding months brought saddle, 

 bridle, spurs, horse blanket and a "hot roll." "Little 

 Boy" was coming on, but had to content himself with 

 shoes until he had all the major necessities, and could 

 acquire the two grand luxuries: a $15 John B. hat 

 and $35 hand-made stitched top boots. 



All through the summer "Little Boy" progressed, 

 first from calves to yearlings in his play time, and 

 then to outlaw broncs, until the boys in the outfit 

 would say, "Thet kid sure kin ride; I'll bet he gets 

 Inside the money this fall at the Stamford rodeo." 



[231] 



