"Lonesome Shorty" from The Book of Guys

As we approach the 25th Anniversary of the publication of Garrison Keillor's short story collection The Book of Guys, we are revisiting a few of the stories from the book with new introductions from Garrison. Here's what Garrison had to say about "Lonesome Shorty":

Written for The New Yorker, this story inspired the radio serial "Lives of the Cowboys" on A Prairie Home Companion, with Dusty and Lefty, Lefty's lost love Evelyn Beebalo, and the villain Big Messer, which takes place in and around Yellow Gulch, Wyoming. It's Samuel Beckett for fourteen-year-olds. The cowboys suffer extreme loneliness, which drives them to visit town, where, in a short time, they are disgusted by society and return to the godforsaken plains, where, in due course, they suffer extreme loneliness and return to Yellow Gulch, only to be disgusted.  That's how life seemed to me when I was fourteen.

 

Excerpt:

The summer before last, I was headed for Billings on my horse Old Dan, driving two hundred head of the ripest-smelling longhorns you ever rode downwind of, when suddenly here come some tumbleweeds tumbling along with a newspaper stuck inside—I had been without news for weeks so I leaned down and snatched it up and read it trotting along, though the front page was missing and all there was was columnists and the Lifestyle section, so bouncing along in a cloud of manure I read an article entitled “43 Fabulous Salads to Freshen Up Your Summertime Table” which made me wonder if my extreme lonesomeness might not be the result of diet. Maybe I’m plumb loco, but a cowboy doesn’t get much fiber and he eats way too much beef.

You herd cattle all day, you come to despise them, and pretty soon, by jingo, you have gone and shot one, and then you must eat it, whilst all those cattle tromping around on the greens takes away your taste for salads, just like when you arrive at a creek and see that cattle have tromped in the water and drunk from it and crapped in it, it seems to turn a man toward whiskey. I thought to myself, Shorty, you’ve got to get out of this cowboy life. I mentioned this to my partner, old Eugene, and he squinted at me and said, “Eeyup.”

“Eugene,” I said, “I’ve been cowboyin for nigh onto two decades now. I know every water hole between Kansas and the Sierra Nevada, but consarn it, I miss the company of my fellow man. Scenery ain’t enough for me, Eugene, nor freedom. I’m sceneried out, pardner, and freedom is vastly overrated as an experience, if you ask me. I got to be with people. I’m a people cowboy, not a cow cowboy.”

Continue Reading Lonesome Shorty >>>

Purchase The Book of Guys >>>


817 comments

  • Telegram (@Wheel202)  Is there any truth speaking GBL wheel cleaner source anywhere in Waitakere, Turangi, North shore, New Zealand.

    Telegram:(@Gblwheell)  I am interested in buying a Gbl wheel cleaner in my area or near Waitara, Dargaville, Manukau City, New Zealand. 

    Wire-ID:(@Math888) Is there any online store for gbl wheel cleaner Gamma butyrolactone in  Hamilton Urban Area, Paraparaumu, or Ashburton NZ?

    Signal:(@Remedy.73)  One and only trusted online bus stop for gbl wheel cleaner supplier in New Zealand. 

    Telegram:(@Tachoh2)  Buy a gbl wheel cleaner in One Tree Point New Zealand, Pukekohe, Hawera.

    Telegram (@Wheel202 GBL wheel cleaner online trust worthy dealer in Beachlands, Prebbleton, Matamata, Mosgiel Kaiapoi NZ.

    Telegram:(@Gblwheell)  Buy 99.9% pure gbl wheel cleaner in Hawke’s Bay Region, Blenheim, Picton NZ 

    Wire-ID:(@Math888)  Gbl wheel cleaner for sale near me in Whakatane, Masterton, or Greymouth NZ.

    Signal:(@Remedy.73) We are looking for a trusted online supplier for GBL wheel cleaner in Tokoroa, Oamaru, Te Anau NZ.

    Telegram:(@Tachoh2) Gbl wheel cleaner now available in New Zealand at Porirua, Upper Hutt, Timaru,Taupo. 

    Telegram (@Wheel202  Are you looking to buy gbl wheel cleaner online in Whanganui, Hastings, Lower Hutt NZ?

    Telegram:(@Gblwheell) Genuine source for GBL wheel cleaner in Napier, Invercargill,Gisborne NZ. 

    Wire-ID:(@Math888)  Top quality solvent gbl wheel cleaner online source in Palmerston North NZ.

    Signal:(@Remedy.73) Buy gbl wheel cleaner in the best quality in Nelson New Zealand.

    Telegram:(@Tachoh2) My partner and I are looking to buy GBL wheel cleaner in either Kaitaia, Balclutha, or Havelock North, NZ. 

    Telegram:(@Tachoh2) GBL wheel cleaner reliable online supplier in Queenstown NZ

    Telegram (@Wheel202 Are you looking for a trustworthy gbl wheel cleaner source in Whangarei NZ?

    Telegram:(@Gblwheell) Legit online supplier for GBL wheel cleaner in New Plymouth NZ.

    Wire-ID:(@Math888) Affordable GBL wheel cleaner in Hamilton New Zealand.

    Telegram:(@Tachoh2)  GBL wheel cleaner shop in Auckland New Zealand.

    Telegram (@Wheel202 Online gbl wheel cleaner supplier in Rotorua NZ

    Telegram:(@Gblwheell) Is there any trusted online source for gbl wheel cleaner in Dunedin NZ?

    Wire-ID:(@Math888) Buy gbl wheel cleaner from a trustworthy source in Wellington NZ

    Signal:(@Remedy.73) GBL wheel cleaner price in Tauranga New Zealand.

    Telegram:(@Tachoh2) How can i locate a trusted online supplier for GBL wheel cleaner in Christchurch NZ

    comptoncaliyeah@gmail.com GBL wheel cleaner price New Zealand. 

    comptoncaliyeah@gmail.com Gbl wheel cleaner New Zealand review. 

    comptoncaliyeah@gmail.com GBL wheel cleaner New zealand amazon review

    comptoncaliyeah@gmail.com GBL wheel cleaner New zealand youtube review

    comptoncaliyeah@gmail.com GBL wheel cleaner New zealand facebook review

    comptoncaliyeah@gmail.com GBL wheel cleaner New zealand Instagram review

    comptoncaliyeah@gmail.com Buy a gbl wheel cleaner on facebook in New Zealand. 

    https://comptoncaliyeah.wixsite.com/marketing-portfolio/projects

    Wire-ID:(@Math888) Affordable GBL wheel cleaner in Hamilton New Zealand.
  • Signal:(Remedy.73)How to locate a trustworthy Gbl wheel cleaner online shop in Jerusalem. Wire-ID:(Math888)How to get a trusted online supplier for gbl wheel cleaner in Tel Aviv
    Telegram:(Gblwheell) Is there any online store or shop for GBL wheel cleaner in Haifa Israel? Telegram (Wheel202) Is it possible to buy GBL wheel cleaner in Petah Tikva
    Telegram:(Tachoh2) Is there any available supplier or shop for GBL wheel cleaner in Israel Comptoncaliyeahgmail.com Buy gbl wheel cleaner in Rishon LeZion Israel
    Signal:(Remedy.73) How can i get a trusted gbl wheel cleaner supplier online in Netanya Israel? Wire-ID:(Math888) Looking for a trusted GBL wheel cleaner supplier in Herzliya
    Telegram:(Gblwheell) GBL wheel cleaner in Beit Shemesh Telegram (Wheel202) Is it possible to buy a GBL wheel cleaner near me in Rehovot.Israel
    Telegram:(Tachoh2) Gbl wheel cleaner online supplier shop in Holon. Signal:(Remedy.73) How can i locate a gbl wheel cleaner supplier in Bnei Brak
    Wire-ID:(Math888) Trusted online source for GBL wheel cleaner in Beersheba Telegram:(Gblwheell) Online source for gbl wheel cleaner in Ashdod Israel.
    Telegram (Wheel202) Buy a gbl wheel cleaner online in Jaffa, Israel. Wire-ID:(Math888) Gbl wheel cleaner Israel price.
    Telegram:(Tachoh2) How much is a liter of GBL wheel cleaner in Israel Comptoncaliyeahgmail.com GBL wheel cleaner Israel review.
    Telegram:(Gblwheell) GBL wheel cleaner Israel review Youtube Signal:(Remedy.73) GBL wheel cleaner Israel review Amazon
    Wire-ID:(Math888) GBL wheel cleaner Israel review Facebook Telegram (Wheel202) GBL wheel cleaner Israel review Instagram
    Telegram:(Gblwheell) Buy GBL wheel cleaner in Israel on facebook. Signal:(Remedy.73) Buy GBL wheel cleaner in Israel on Instagram.
    Telegram:(@Tachoh2) Buy GBL wheel cleaner in Israel on Amazon.

    Telegram (@Wheel202) GBL wheel cleaner Israel review Instagram
  • What a wonderful world we are living in, I still doubt this spell caster how he did it!!! I am so happy to let the whole world know how this powerful spell caster saved my marriage.Everything was going down the drain as my husband could not stop cheating on me with other women. It became used to always heating on me. I tried to make him stop, but I couldn’t help the situation, the more I tried, the harder it became. At times we will fight and go apart for some months and we will come back again just because of our kids. One day a friend told me about this spell caster who helped her too, his name is Dr.oku, she said he uses white magic spells to solve spiritual problems. I decided to give it a try, I contacted him and he told me it will take just 2 to 3 days and I will see great changes in my husband. He actually cast a spell, believe me after 2 to 3 days of the spell, my husband was confessing different names of women he has slept with. He begged for forgiveness and never to try it again. From that day till now, my mind is at rest. My husband dislikes every other woman on earth except me. And am so happy to have him for myself alone.The spell caster’s contact is okutemple@gmail.com or whatapp +2347053113465

    Maria Schaeffler
  • Buy 100% undetectable counterfeit money grade AAA+ | SSD CHEM | ATM CLONED CARDS FOR SALE (infodocuments4gmail.com)WhatsApp: +237673528224

    We are the best and Unique producer of HIGH QUALITY Undetectable Counterfeit Banknotes, with over a billion
    of our products circulating around the world. we produce genuine dollar, British pound and euro banknotes with different serial numbers on each account. We stock semi-finished banknote bases that have already been engraved and designed on the front and back of the various currencies of each denomination. We need a partner with whom we will work discreetly to complete the production of our semi-finished banknote substrates and make them legal tender that we will discuss in a personal meeting if you agree to work with us. We will schedule an appointment to show you everything and discuss all details and prepare samples so you can pass the test to confirm authenticity. All notes will pass important test such as ultraviolet light, pencil test,

    All Inquiries Below

    Email: infodocuments4@gmail.com

    WhatsApp : +1(314)866-9771

    WhatsApp: +237673528224

    Telegram ID : @Loyaltyco

    jack mika
  • Buy Pain killers | Mdma,2CB,A-PVP,3CMC | OZEMPIC | STEROIDS (Ecstasy/Nembutal) | Heroin Cocaine (Telegram ID : @Loyaltyco)

    Buy Crystal meth, Hydrocodone, Alprazolam Powder, oxycontin, gbl, tramadol, buy GBL, xanax, klonopin, Amphetamine, cocaine, ketamine,2CB , 4-CMC, 3-CMC, 4-MMC, 3-MMC,, A-PVP (FLAK) online MMC, 4MMC, 3CMC China white, P-LSD 2-FA 25I-NBOMe 4-ACO-DMT 4-FA Mdphp 4anpp
    Amphetamine Black Tar Heroin Bromadol HCl MDPV Ephedrine Eutylone Etizolam DFentanyl Flakka A-PVP Furanyl Fentanyl Mephedrone Methamphetamine Methylone Potassium Cyanide Pseudoephedrine & Other research chemicals for sale

    All Inquiries Below

    Email: infodocuments4@gmail.com

    WhatsApp : +1(314) 866-9771

    WhatsApp: +237673528224

    Telegram ID : @Loyaltyco

    We are vendors for research chemical and pharmaceutical raw. We only offer the purest of these products at 99%. Top Grade quality. All orders come in discreet packaging. Tracking number Provided 6 hrs after order. 2-ME-MAF, Fentanyl, Acetylfentanyl, carfentanil, U-48800, U-47700 Nembutal Pentobarbital ,, DiaMorphine, CBD isolate Alprazolam, Bromadol Hcl, Etizolam, Clonazolam Ketamine, 2F-DCK, 4-CMC, 3-CMC, 4-MMC, 3-MMC ,MDMA, A-pvp (Flakka), Bk-EBDP, 4-methylaminorex (4-MAR) Oxycodone, Roxycodone Raw Powder and many more. We supply upon customer’s request.

    Medicines for weight loss: Mounjaro, Ozempic, wegovy, saxenda

    Buy weight loss pills
    Buy anti-anxiety pills
    Buy anti-depression pills
    Buy sex enhancement pills

    We offer a wide variety of pharmacy products that contain almost everything you need. Fast and discreet shipping quality 100% guaranteed, Express by UPS, FedEx, EMS with tracking number, no receipt required.

    No Prescription

    Ant-anxiety
    Chronic Pain
    Seizures
    Depression
    Migraines
    Arthritis
    Killing Cancer
    Epilepsy
    Post Traumatic stress
    Disorder(pstd)
    Diabetes
    Crohn’s Disease
    Gout
    Pain relief
    Glaucoma
    Opiod Dependence
    Treating Alcohol Abuse

    1-Shipping secure and discreet
    2-tracking number provided for your shipment (Fast,safe and reliable delivery)
    3-with or without scripts
    4-packing is highly discreet sealed, wrapped with an aluminum foil, safe and secure
    5-no signature required upon arrival of parcel

    I am a legit supplier (vendor) of pharmaceuticals for both patients with or without scripts
    I have varieties of pain and anxiety meds
    I offer fast and discrete delivery to any location.
    Fast and secured delivery guaranteed to any location
    I have a 100% record in successful deliveries.

    All Inquiries Below

    Email: infodocuments4@gmail.com

    WhatsApp : +1 314 866 9771

    WhatsApp: +237673528224

    Telegram ID : @Loyaltyco

    Dr.lenonjack

Leave a comment