Songs of the Cattle Trail and Cow Camp · Character
Old Shorty
An old cowboy character in several poems.
minor
Also known as Shorty
First appearance: the ol cow hawse
Old Shorty shows up with force in Songs of the Cattle Trail and Cow Camp. The page is where that presence becomes real.
Old Shorty is a veteran cowboy who tells stories of the range, including the tale of Lasca.
Old Shorty first appears in 0047 the ol cow hawse.
In Songs of the Cattle Trail and Cow Camp: Old Shorty is a veteran cowboy who tells stories of the range, including the tale of Lasca.
Later, in Part I: Cowboy Yarns: An old-time Texas cowman who reminisces about the early days of the open range and laments the changes brought by railroads.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
Character Web
5 connectionsA slice of how Old Shorty sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- Diverse Cowboy Cast
- Authors and Character References
- Poetic Personas and Figures
Explore ties, sentiment, and clusters while you read
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional/psychological peak occurs when the speaker shifts from describing the Colt as a cold, bellicose…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingIn the story
Old Shorty appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
- Songs of the Cattle Trail and Cow Camp
- Part I: Cowboy Yarns
- To Hear Him Tell It
- The Bunk-House Orchestra
- At a Cowboy Dance
- Part III: Cowboy Types
- Ridin’ Up the Rocky Trail from Town
- The Disappointed Tenderfoot
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Old Shorty unlock in the free preview.
See Old Shorty in the ol cow hawse