|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 25
"That's what!" cried Sage-brush enthusiastically.
Allen grew sarcastic, remarking: "I reckon you-all must have
stopped some time at the water-tank."
Renewed laughter greeted this sally.
"This is my first wedding," explained Sage-brush, rather
apologetically.
"I want to know!" exclaimed Allen, in surprise.
"I'm tellin' you. I never seed a weddin' in all my life,"
replied Sage-brush, as seriously as if he was denying a false
accusation of a serious crime. "Mother used to tell me about
her'n, an' I often wisht I had been there."
Fresno shouted with amusement. He had Sage-brush rattled. The
coolest man on the ranch was flustered by the mere thought of
attending a wedding-ceremony.
"He's plum locoed over this one. Ain't you, Sage-brush?" he
drawled tauntingly.
Sage-brush took his jibing in the best of humor. It was a
holiday, and they were with people of their own kind. Had a
stranger been present the remarks would have been resented
bitterly. On this point cowboys are particularly sensitive. In
the presence of outsiders they are silent, answering only in
monosyllables, never leading in any conversation, and if any
comment is necessary they make it indirectly.
"Well, I ain't no society-bud like you are," laughed Sage-brush.
The others joined with him in his merriment over Fresno's
discomfiture. "Weddin's ain't so frequent where I come from as
they is in Californy."
"It's the climate," answered Fresno, with a broad grin.
"So you ain't never been at a weddin'?" asked Allen, who was
looking for another opening to have more fun with Sage-brush.
Again the cowboy became serious and confessed: "Nope; I've
officiated at several plain killin's, an' been chief usher at a
lynchin', but this yere's my first weddin', an' I'm goin' to turn
loose some and enjoy it."
Sage-brush grinned in anticipation of the good times that he knew
lay in store for him at the dance.
"You're fixed up as if you was the main attraction at this
event," said Allen, looking Sage-brush over carefully and
spinning him around on his heel.
"Ain't I mussed up fine?" answered Sage-brush.
"You're the sure big turkey," interrupted Parenthesis.
"Served up fine, with all the trimmin's," laughed Fresno, taking
another jab at his friend.
Their sport was broken up for the time being by the appearance of
Polly at the door of the ranch-house. "Hello, boys," she
shouted, with the fascinating cordiality of the Western girl,
wherein the breath of the plains, the purity of the air, and the
wholesomeness of life is embraced in a simple greeting and the
clasp of a hand.
The cowboys took off their hats, and made elaborate bows to the
young woman. "Howdy, Miss Polly!" they cried.
"You sure do look pert," added Sage-brush, with what he
considered his most winning smile. Fresno snickered and hastily
brushed back the hair from his forehead.
"Where's Jack?" she asked the two men, who at once ranged
themselves one on each side of her.
"He did not start with the boys," explained Allen. "He'll be
along soon, Polly."
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|