by Morrow Hall

Created on: August 17, 2009   Last Updated: August 18, 2009

INITIATION

It was roundup day on the Brandenburg place

And the big boss, Ben, had a grin on his face.

There's a new hand coming, he told his crew,

A high school freshman, newer than new.

Get nine saddles ready, and hide all the rest;

Get ten horses too, and we'll give him a test.

The greenhorn arrived with a grin on his face

That was quickly returned by the men on the place.

Got you a good horse, Ben told young Morrie,

But we're about out of saddles, I really am sorry.

There's only one left, an heirloom from Europe,

But I'm sad to report it has only one stirrup.

The bright grin on the face of the kid seemed to dim,

But the grins on the cowhands seemed brighter to him.

With a sigh he proceeded to saddle his steed

With the provided device, a strange one, indeed.

If you've ever seen a woman in a long black dress

Sit sidesaddle, calm, with no sign of distress,

As she rides her mount briskly through a tortuous course,

You might have wondered how she stays on the horse.

The kid wondered, too, and soon found it clear

That riding sidesaddle is no reason to cheer.

The thing was invented to preserve women's virtue,

But he soon discovered that virtue could hurt you.

Ben had purchased some cattle some ten miles to the west

And the ride there and back was a strenuous test

Of both Morrie's good nature and that of his butt.

At last they were home and the last gate was shut.

As a hand, his first day was less than exemplary,

But his aching posterior was just temporary.

Whether cowboy or tenderfoot, I'll let you choose,

But you've got to admit the kid sure paid his dues.

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