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Show 120 cow dragged him through the corral and all its soft contents on the seat of his pants with him clutching her tail. The only thing stupider than cattle were sheep, and Uncle Will got himself a herd before he died. He was always kind to us children, and when he was not out riding for cattle, branding calves or putting up fence he hugged the fire and told us little stories with surprise endings. "One year, " he said. "I found a rusty old six-shooter. Couldn't get the bullets out, so I put it in the fire. Pretty soon BANGETY BANG BANG!" We all jumped as if dodging bullets going in all directions. I had a little time to talk to him that day, though he was silent most of the way, except for swearing at the cattle. "Uncle Will, why didn't you ever get married?" "Well, it's like this. I married the only woman I ever asked, " he answered. "Uncle Will, " asked later. "When you are out with a sheep-herd for six months doesn't your hair get long? " "It sure does," he said. "Real long. " "Well, what do you do? When you go to town to spend your money do you go with long h a i r ?" "Oh, no! I take my pocketknife and stand up by a log house, if I can find one, and cut my hair by my shadder. " I see fellows lately who look as if they had the same barber. Although he was impatient with the cattle that day, he was patient with me. Toward the end of the drive I began trying to make them go |
