Behind the Grindstone: Wood Eye

There was a time in times past before the homestead act when the prairie was open range. Some called it free range or free graze, not owned by anyone but controlled and grazed by those tough enough to keep what they claimed. Towns were scattered and doctors and dentists were usually nonexistent. These vacancies were at times filled by the local barber. Accidents were frequent on the range and this is where Charley rides into the picture. He was cowboyin’ for a large spread when he fell victim to such an accident. In the process he lost his right eye. Lacking a doctor Charley patched himself up the best he could. The next time he was in town getting’ a haircut the barber offered to carve Charley a wooden eye so he could quit wearin’ the patch. Soon Charley was sportin’ a brand new wooden eye. Before long he had also acquired the nickname “Wood Eye.” Now this embarrassed, offended, and angered Charley in such a way that it triggered his fight or flight reflexes. After spendin’ several nights in the hoosegow Charley decided flight would be the better option and so became pretty much a loner. Payday came once a month and the boys would all ride into town to whoop and holler, spend their paycheck, blow off a little steam and dance with the town girls and the few farmers daughters at the monthly barn dance. For months Charley had refused to join them. Said he’d rather hang around the bunkhouse by himself. Finally one payday they talked him into going with them. He agreed with one stipulation, the first time he heard Wood Eye he was headin’ for the bunkhouse. Well the dancin’ was almost over and Charley had sat on a bench in the corner of the dance floor all night, refusing to associate with others and hadn’t danced a lick. Now Charlotte Ann was settin’ on a bench in the far corner and had not been asked to dance all night. You see, she too had fell victim to an accident and had lost her left leg. She now walked with the thump of a wooden leg which also seemed to be an embarrassment to her. The boys thought the two would make the perfect pair and soon talked Charley into askin’ her to dance. He said, “Miss Charlotte, would you care to dance?” In her excitement she hopped to her feet and said, “Would I? Oh, would I!!! Charley muttered “Peg Leg, Oh Peg Leg” as he stormed out the door headin’ for the bunkhouse.

I reckon I’d do the same, or would I?

At least, that’s the view here from behind the grindstone.