The Nonpartisan Leader Newspaper, May 24, 1917, Page 11

Far mWoman's Page . A Glimpse of the Old Frontier SO ATCH out little girl, that cowboy’ll snatch you bald- headed,” was my informal in- troduction to real cowbhoys : when a little girl. We were “tenderfeet,” the last roundup was on and the cowboys had literally taken possession of the town. Several “riders of the plains” were coming down the ’ street at full gallop. The lariats were hanging on their saddles, revolvers in their hip pockets, spurs on their heels, their large sombrero hats and leather leggins—all were enough to intimidate children who had never seen a cowboy. This particular roundup was the last one in southwestern Nebraska. It oc- curred in the fall of 1884. Train-loads of cattle were to _be shipped, for they were all “beef-fat” from grazing on «the buffalo grass. Others were to be .driven .where free range could yet be secured. - The semi-annual roundup was always. an important event, as the branding of the “mavericks” took place then. The “mavericks were the young calves which came between roundups and were identified by the brands of their mothers. The little town of the plains was teeming- with - industrious new-comers and curiosity had full sway. The cow- boys had -agreed apparently, to meet at one place and they came racing down the street. They seemed to be coming in bunches when we were Irish Point Lace Irish Point Lace Abbreviations: ch, chain; p, picot, dc, double crochét. 1st row—Ch 16, join, 4 dc over ring, P, 9 dc, ch 8. 2nd row—Take hook out of work; join ch 8 into middle of 9 dc with sl st, 4 dc over ¢ch 8, p, 7 dc, p, 4 dc to cover rest of ch 8 4 dc over ch 16, p, 4 dc, ch 16, join to dc, turn. 3rd row—4 dc, p, 9 dc, ch 8, join into middle of 9 dc, 4 dc over ch 8, p, 3 dc, ch 12, join with sl st into middle of 7 dc of little point made by ch 8, turn. 4th row—4 dc over ch 12, p, 9 dc, ch 8, 3 dc over ch 8, p, 7 dc, p, 4 dc which covers ch 8, 4 dc over ch 12, p, 4 dc which covers ch 12, 3 dc, p, 3 dc which covers the second ch 8, 4 dc over ch 16, p, 4 dc, ch 16, join to dc, turn. 5th row—4 dc, p, 9 dc, ch 8, join with gl st into middle of 9 dc, 4 dc over ch 8, p, 3 dc, ch 12, join at end of first ch 12, 4 dc over ch: 12, p; 9 dc, ch 8, 4 dc over ch 8 3 dc, ch 12, turn, join into middle of 7 dc' of littlé point made by ch 8, turn. 6th row—4 dc over ch 12, p, 9 dc, ch 8, turn, join into middle 9 dc, 4 dc over ch 8, p, 3 dc, p, 3 dc, p, 4 dc, over ch 8, 4 dc, p, over all the uncovered ch - gts clear to and including ch 16. This completes one full “point.” Repeat from first row until desired length is made. This leaves ch 16 partly un- covered with dc’s. Finish with 4-dc’s and p’s until the whole length is cover- ed. “This lace can be made flaring or straight according to the way it is held when pressing. Lace Edging =S Edited b'y Alberta B.Toner i E s E e Being a Girl’s Impression of the Last Roundup in Nebraska The “rangers of the plains” of by-gone days. many. a gallop over the hills. When once the confidence of the “riders of the plains” was gained, it meant real true friendship. Many of them were the bravest of the brave. greeted with the opening remarks of this story. WILD ANTICS FASCINATE THE CHILDREN' We crossed the street successfully and terrifiedly: watched to see what would happen next. The cowboys are gathering on a va- cant lot nearby to give a little exhibi- tion .of what they.can do. A few head of cattle are brought on the scene and the lassoing begins. The gyrations of cattle and ponies, the wonderful swinging of the lariats, the throwing of the lassoed animals and the firm bracing of the ponies to hold the floundering, struggling animals are watched with bated breath. Next came the . ‘shooting” games. As long as the “cowpunchers” shot at old tin cars or;fence posts we looked on with interest. But when their “sombreros” were thrown in the air to be fired at andi the ‘bridle reins were held up for targets, our terror knew no bounds. We sought security inside the four walls, of - a store building and as children were not supposed to give as strict account of themselves as their elders, we were not reproached for our timidity. The close of the ‘game” was an- nounced by a volley of pistol shots and off they galloped to the stockyards and branding pens.- They were getting ready to break camp very soon. Off in " the distance between the junction of two rivers were the brand- ing pens with the stockyards not far away., Numerous ranchmen were there to sort out their own stock and at last the owners of the different brands were ready to have the “mavericks” brand- ed. Some of them were as big as their mothers. The work of separating the calves was slow, tedious work. HERDS LEAVE ONLY TRACKS FOR A MEMORY It is necessary to keep the calves separated from the herd for a few days, if possible, in order that the cat- tle may become quiet and not-be so easily frightened. . The smell of burn- ing skin and blood adds greatly to the Watch for the big sales circular — it gives only a few of the good things. possibility of a stampede—the fear of all cowboys and ranchmen. When the branding is done the cattle will soon be winding their way over the trackless plains to better grazing grounds. The cowboys are busy getting their “cayuses bunched up” and properly equipped for the long journey. The trained cattle ponies could tell many . wonderful stories all their own. It was almost unbelievable to us children, the way the ponies would “bunch up” and “cut out” the cattle witl seemingly no effort on the part of their riders. Finally. the last lot of “shippers” was in the stock pens and the rest of the herd went as free-rangers to another place. .The big Texas cattle with their The “line-backs” with their long horns and the cowboys in the rear recall - long treacherous horns were in the lead. All sizes and celors formed one vast surging mass of backs and horns. There were so many and they were so well “bunched” that many deep paths were made along the way. The herd was almost a quarter of a mile wide and several hours were required for it to pass a given point. The cattle paths made then were visible for many years after and were called the trail of the last roundup. The lowing of the cattle, the branded ponies, ‘the lonesome bawling of the stragglers and the sound of distant thunder of the passing herd are fresh in my mind, although this happend when 1 was quite a small girl. Dresses and Dress Goods We all like pretty, becoming clothes and Dame Fashion has given us an endless variety of styles and colors from which to make our selections. Summer clothes are delightful. Shirt- waist dresses are popular. The linens, ginghams and -cotton gaberdines are favorites for they will stand much laundering. The little pleated skirts and plain slips belong quite exclusively to the little tots. Full and pleated skirts and “middy” blousés are in vogue among the juveniles. The grown-up young lady revels in sport skirts and blouses, one-piece dresses and what not. The sedate matron and the stout person have their own peculiar styles and colers too, so none of us have anything to complain about. Cuffs and collars are made of every conceivable kind of material and in every color. They give abundant op- portunity for the clever person to prove her ingenuity in color schemes and varied famncy shapes. Crocheted laces play no small part in the finish- ing touches of the dress accessories. To have variety, trim white blouses with a pretty contrasting color to har- monize with the skirt. For daintiness have some fancy white crocheted medalions and lace edge. ADVERTISEMENTS FARGO,’ NORTH DAKOTA Wait for the Great Event The one- piece dresses are simply and prettily trimmed in plain or checked materials and a lace edging gives a dainty finish. For all around wear the one-piece dresses are splendid as they do away with fastening -waist and skirt sepa- rately. For more formal occasions the skirtwaist dresses come in very nicely. The waists can be as simple or elabo- rate as one may wish and yet feel com- fortably dressed. All sorts of pretty materials are used for shirtwaists and it’s a matter of choice as to what may be worn. Never has the craze for hand-made lace been more popular than now. Perhaps it's one of the ways of balancing the high cost of living, for it is a well known fact that the hand- made laces outwear the machine-made laces. The numerous crochet and tatting books give so many good prac- tical ideas about making pretty dainty underwear that no girl need go with- out them. It's just a matter of a little time and thread. Once a person gets “started, she will be as fascinated as’ many another ‘‘crochet fiend.” After all, clothes do not make the person. It's a matter of being becom- ingly and neatly dressed, which does not mean at all -that expensive ma- terials must be used. Harmony is the keyn‘otfe\to good dressing. orders filled ’ Mail i pfompt]y on all items. . Satisfaction ' guaranteed on - all purchases. Our Blg Anniversary Sale Commences Thursday, May 31 and Continues to Saturday, June 9th This is one of the most important ‘‘Sales Events’’ held in Fargo each year, and people from long distances have benefited by the wonderful values that we give the public on these days. Tell your neighbors—we will expect you. . BLEVEN . Mention Leader when writing advertisers