RANCH LIFE IN WYOMING.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 62, 6 December 1907, Page 3

RANCH LIFE IN WYOMING.

American ranch life for a delicately-nur-tured Englishwoman, unless feho ranch is a rich husband's plaything (says a writer 111 an English paper), is no sinecure, and tor the young matron, with a small encumbrance or two to mind, as well as housework to do, it is almost unbearable. Servants aro non est, for hired help is a totally diiiorent thing, and unless ono is prepared to pay out some £3 to £5 a month it is impossible to induco a Western woman (the girls all prefer being school ma'ams) to condescend to help you, and thou you must suggest your wishes, not orders. . ~,,,, There are points of etiquette better learnt by the newcomer; husbands and wives expect to sit sido by side at table, and .you must at once request lady visitors to remove their hats, even though you know they only intend a visit of a few minutes' duration. . But this.is a pretty hospitality, and intimates you wish them to remain as long as possible. ' . A young Irish lady, having been left the Wacy of a ranch out West, had the audacity to''run it herself. Her first experiences were amusing. A "tenderfoot" is sure to bo well imposed on by a people who think it "cute" to "do" each other whenever they can: thero aro a few exceptions. Paddy, having a saving senso of humour, fully appreciated the "retort courteous," administered her by a travelled cowboy on her first dealings with him; she had given her order, speaking the man's name without the prefix "Mr.;" that evening she was gently greeted with this rejoinder, "I hope you have enjoyed your ride, Eileen?" When she 1 undersood tho people better, she used to be rathor ashamed of her mistake. Indeed, it is tho real Westerners' (they aro a race apart) absolute unconsciousness of class distinctions, and their naturally refined specch and manners, especially at table, which prevents tho feeling of gene thero would bo under like conditions in the old country. Men, too, wear gloves at work, so keep their hands nice. Paddy, i of courso, like all newcomers felt it incumbent- to havo a "help;" this lady arrived accompanied by a cousin, whom sho had 1 "fetched along", to keep her. company, and for change of air; moro relations being invited out'from time to time to visit their relative, tho "boss's" permission not being asked. Once Paddy found nine, strangers at table, and scarcely" elbow room for herself, a wholo family having been invited' by her "help," who had also made goodly preparations (at Paddy's expense) for their entertainment ; they stayed for supper, too; and tho hired lady cordially invited them all for another day. Another tinio she found 011 rising a now young woman and her offspring installed as an addition to her household. Aghast was sho, for the house was full to overflowing, and her present , "help," a really good sort, had sundry small children of her own with her. "I nave come hero to board," nodded the stranger with off-hand sang froid. Tho "tenderfoot" listened helplessly to the pandemonium of wailing children and frizzling bacon (her sitting-room was not yet furnished), then her Irish spirit rcse.. She struck an Independence Day of her own. "I am sorry," quoth she, with an iair, to tho American dame, "I am sorry, hut I do not keep a hotel, you may remain three days."' America had to givo way this time, she made up for it by borrowing, sans, permission, Paddy's horses, and rodo-them, too; but.she could ri(lol Sho capped the climax by 'bursting in 011 Paddy ono noon 1 as sho sat at lunch with specially invited friends, oscorted by a bevy of female connections and marching past her with a blithe nod to tho "help's" room to there exchange divided skirts for fairer garb, in which to attend the 4th of July celebrations. America being' an exceedingly pretty young matron, and a j stranger, her ,day became a series of social triumphs which so turned hor head that 011 her return from tho danco that night to the "tendorfoot's" ranch sho never noticed that : sho had carried off another woman's baby instead of her own until a hoarse croak from tho infant startled her into looking at it more closely. Back she had to go. Out West tho small children aro laid to sleep in a room adjacent to the dancing 0110. In tho end, poorer in pocket, richer in experience. "Paddy" gave up "hired help," and with tho aid of another Irish lady friend learnt how to scrub, bake, starch, and cool:. It was muscle aching, but moro paying and loss irritating. Paeans of thanksgiving would riso from Paddy's 'heart that sho was a bachelor and thereforo could loo'; ahead to an end of this household toil (for truly tho twain which drudge tho oftenost on a ranoh are the Wife and tho Frying-pan; for them thoro is 110 long respite from work during tho daylight hours); when sho would be visited by a' delicately-raised young _wife, too weary from her drive often to enjoy the day away from home drudgery, and who was hopelessly beginning to realise that for a , lady to bo a real helpmeet to a ranch husband requires the strongth of an ox.and the courage and resignation of a combined Bishops Latimer and ltidley. Too tired at times even to read the homo papers. Their husbands, out all day, do not and cannot realise the loneliness of tho English lady wife's life; tho lack of congenial companionship, the nerve destroying effect of tho endless stooping over hot stovo and wash tub; and children are an extra trouble, even though one may lovo them dearly. If sho loves her husband, sho smiles 011 bravely, though her spirit is quailing, and she ages before her time. There is more heroism in an Englishwoman's lifo on a small ranch out West than many suspect. The native-born look scornfully on at hor worries, how can they understand? From tiny girls thoy have been bred to combine deftly work anil play, so thoy are not sympathetic, but pity tho husband. There are. perpetual droppers in for a moal; all oxtra work for tho already harassed woman. Wifo and husband rarely take a meal alone; the up-to-dato British matron would not think this a drawback! Now, though one may bo hospitablo to the last degree, when it comes to, as it did to one young bride, twenty-eight unexpected people having to be cooked for in one week, is it any Wonder sho finally retired to the refuge of bed and left her husband to look after any v further meal-timo callers that week. Thero being few road (payment demanded) ranches, travellers have to rest somewhere; and a lunch put up for tlie journey not being so appetising as a sit-down meal and the excitement of visiting, .most people, on a long rido or drive, at noon (tho dinner-hour), strike for the nearest ranch, and aro, of course, hospitably invited to share tho meal; somo aro not so considerate, and arrivo when everything is put away, che dishes washed up, and tho poor lady of tho house is trying to get a little rest. Even up to late evening people may arrive and ask to bo taken in for the night.