THE OLD COWBOY Part Seventeen 
(continued)

"He'll twist an' turn an' try to get away, jest like the one that broke my arm. He was buckin' at the end of that rope, an' gettin' to where he couldn't breath.

i got to that calf jest as he turned. I was reachin' down for his right front leg and thought he'd go away from me. Much to my surprise he came my way, caught me off balance. I was nearly to the ground on my back, when his hind leg crashed through my right arm jest below my shoulder. I heard the bone snap, and the pain...

Grandboy it ain't never been the same I had to take the next six weeks off for healin', and learnin' to do with my left hand. I thanked the good Lord ev'ryday for your Grandma. She had all her own chores to do, and went out and fed and cared for our animals. 

Yes sir, she were near as tough as they come. She learned to lasso a calf, and help with brandin'. She just laughed and said 'it's all in the wrist' when I ask her how the ropin' was goin'."

"Grandpa, if Grandma was ropin' and ridin' in your place, what were you doing?"

"Well, I learned some 'bout takin' care of the house. Your Grandma'd taken some straw and a straight stick and some pieces of string left from a worn out lariat, and made herself a broom. I learned 'bout sweepin' floors, and cookin' and washin' things."

"Grandpa, that's a lot to do with one hand."

"No, not really. My arm were busted up by my shoulder but my hand still worked just fine as long as I didn't move my arm to much, and the 'Doc' had it in a cast and a sling and pinned to my shirt. I could wash them and your mothers older brother would dry 'em and put 'em away. Washin' the clothes was harder, but me and the kids got it done alright.

Your Grandma were plenty glad to see me all healed up and back to work. Seems she'd been tellin' the boys...