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old Sam Houston loved them, how Mexicans hated them, how Davey Crockett admired them, how the Comaches feared them, and how much you 'beef-eaters' of the rest of the country owe to them, is a large-sized conundrum. Composed of many to the manner born but recruited largely from Eastern young men, they were taught at school to admire the deceased little George in exploring adventures, and though not equaling him in the 'cherry tree goodness' were more disposed to kick against the bull-dozing of teachers, parents, and guardians.

"As the rebellious kid of old times filled a handkerchief (always a handkerchief, I believe) with his all, and followed the trail of his idol, Columbus, and became a sailor bold, the more ambitious and adventurous youngster pf later days freezes on to a double-barreled pistol and steers for the bald prairie to seek fortune and experience. If he don't get his system full it's only because the young man weakens, takes a back seat, or fails to become a Texas cow-boy. If his Sunday school ma'am has not impressed him thoroughly with the chapter about our friend, Job, he may at first be astonished, but he'll soon learn the patience of the old hero, and think he pegged out a little too soon to take it all in. As there are generally openings, likely young fellows can enter, and not fail to be past through. If he is a stayer, youth and size will be no disadvantage for his start in, as certain lines of the business are peculiarly adapted to the light young horsemen and such are highly esteemed when they become thoroughbreds and fully possessed of 'cow sense'.

"Now 'cow sense' in Texas implies a thorough knowledge of the business and a natural instinct to divine every thought, trick, intention, want, habit, or desire of his drove under any and all circumstances. A man might be brought up in the States swinging to a cow's tail, yet, taken to Texas, would be as useless as a last year's bird's nest with the bottom punched out. The boys grow old soon, and the old cattle men seem to grow young: thus it is that the name is applied to all who follow the trade. The boys are divided into range-workers and renders, road drivers and herders, trail-guides and bosses.

"AS the railroads have now put an end tp the old-time trips, I will have to go back a few years to give a proper estimate of the duties and danger, delights, and joys, trials, and troubles, when off the ranch. The ranch itself and the cattle trade in the state still flourish in their old-time glory but are being slowly encroached upon by the modern improvements