The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE RANCHER AND HIS FIFTY COWBOYS

EVERY YEAR, A TRAVELING SALESMAN WOULD SELL HIS WARES
TO A RANCHER, THEN SPEND THE NIGHT WITH HIS FIFTY
COWBOYS IN THE BUNKHOUSE. ONE YEAR THE SALESMAN
NOTICED HIS BOWELS ACTIVATING ON A COLD NIGHT; HE
LOOKED AROUND FOR A CONVENIENT PLACE TO RELIEVE
HIMSELF, WITHOUT HAVING TO MAKE THE LONG, COLD
TREK TO THE OUTHOUSE. HE SPOTTED A COWBOY'S
TROUSERS THAT REMAINED ON THE FLOOR WHERE THE
COWBOY HAD STEPPED OUT OF THEM. AND HE RELIEVED
HIMSELF THERE. HE WAS OFF BRIGHT AND EARLY THE
NEXT MORNING.
THE FOLLOWING YEAR THE SALESMAN RETURNED, MADE HIS
SALE, AND ASKED "MAY I BUNK WITH YOU AND YOUR
FIFTY COWBOYS AGAIN THIS YEAR?"
"I ONLY GOT FORTY-NINE THIS YEAR," THE RANCHER SAID.
"OH? WHAT HAPPENED TO THE OTHER ONE?" ASKED THE
SALESMAN.
"HE WENT CRAZY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW HE COULD
CRAP HIS PANTS WITHOUT SOILING HIS UNDERWEAR,"
REPLIED THE RANCHER.

Submitter comment: HEARD AS A YOUNG BOY IN MIAMI.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: NOT GIVEN