hughie

hugh wasnt from arizona, ime not sure where he was from, but he was a good hand in the feedlots and in the rodeo arena. the only place i actualy got to work with him was on a contract branding crew one winter. but i had been around him at feedlot ropins and various jackpot ropins. he was likable and always had a big toothy smile. 
   there was a time in the early 70 s that the guys who wanted to rodeo worked on a contract crew brandin cattle in the feedlots around arizona.  you got paid by the head and at a time when day wages was around 25 dollers a day you could knock down a hundred or more per day. you had to be on a crew who was willing to work and work hard.  you put in a  lot of hours to make that kinda money.  hugh and i were the only ropers on our crew, the rest were bronc riders.
        we had put a twenty hour shift at feedyard and shut down to gey a hot meal and change clothes.  branding chute work at a feed lot is bloody, nasty work. we told the feed lot we would be back in 12 hours to start again.  we dropped hugh off at his little trailer that he rented. then we all scattered to home for a hot shower and meal agreeing to meet again in 8 hours.
    after the shower , hot meal and a nap we all piled into the pickup and started out, but hugh was a no show. we wheeled by his little trailer to wake him up. when we pulled up he was settin on the front steps. his arms wrapped around himself. this was at midnite in january. yes arizona  isnt as cold as a lot of places in the winter, but at midnite in january its cold!!  hugh was still wearin his nasty clothes his hair was stickin out from under his resistol and he wasnt smillin as usual.  as we pulled up he got in and asked if we would take him by a jack in the box, he was hungry. we went through the drive through and ordered a burger with coffee. after  he ate he told us what happened as we drove to work.
  it seemed that when we let him off  he found his house occupied. his friend donnie had a girl he had picked up in a bar in hughes bed. they locked him out and wouldnt let him in. his truck keys were in the house, hugh said he begged and pleaded but all those two drunks did was laugh at him!!finally hugh gave up and went dor a walk. he tried to get somethin to eat but he was so nasty and smelled so bad no one would let him in!! when he got back to his house he had had enough, he was gonna break a window to get in, thats when we pulled up. poor guy was froze, hungry nasty and tired. we found out later that while was out walkin that donnie and the floozy had left . hugh had never tried the door when he got back!! he told us later the floozys perfume was industrial strength and wouldnt was out of his blankets!! when donnie sobbered up he apoligized but i dont think hughie ever forgave him!!!