My years working for “Red”.
It’s late October and we ( Red, his son and I) have returned to Red’s ranch in Llano, Texas. There, I would spend two years working the ranch and driving cattle to the railheads in Kansas. One year we pushed two herds North. One to Abilene and the second on to Ogallala, Nebraska.
After the Nebraska job I struck out alone first taking a train to Kansas City and then on to St. Louis. At St. Louis I boarded a Stern Wheeler and headed down the Mississippi River to Vicksburg. At Vicksburg I traveled by Stage back to Texas.
At almost 16 years of age my time with Red is nearing an end. In 1871 I take my last trip North with Red. I have worn out my cards but have gotten pretty good at shuffling and dealing so once we deliver the cows to Ogallala I find work dealing cards.
The next two years were some of the best times for me. I traveled from cow town to mining camp between Nebraska and Colorado working at various Saloons and Gambling Houses. Life was really exciting and the work was very easy compared to working the ranch and with cattle. Though I’m not quit 19 yet I have seen a lot and I’ve done a lot. I miss my Ma and Pa and brothers and sisters but I just couldn’t imagine being stuck in Saint Jo on Pa’s farm working the fields.