Page 67 - Hartridge 1934

To the small boy the West is the land of cowboys and Indians, of glamour and romance, of thrilling adventure and wild experiences. He pictures brilliantly painted
Indians swooping down on unsuspecting whites. He hears their blood-curdling war-cries, and sees them on their prancing, fleet little ponies dash around and around the ever- dwindling yet valiant group of settlers. Then back they gallop, leaving a trail of ruin
in their wake, each warrior with two or three scalps of the unfortunate men at his belt. Back to their wigwams again, to perform the weird and mysterious snake dance, and to tell glowing tales of their victories. The cowboys, too, are a never-ending subject for
imitations. Where is the small boy who has not, at some time or other, played that he was a large and husky cowboy, lassoing the wildest of steers, and riding the most untamed of bronchos with perfect and nonchalant ease? Few indeed are the small boys whose vivid imaginations have not conjured up all kinds of exciting and savage visions of life in the West. To him, the West is still alive with swaggering, lassoing cowboys, and yelling painted Indians.
But in 1934 we have still another West, entirely new, yet old. Many are going West now, eagerly and with enthusiasm. It seems to be sweeping the country, this surprising and contagious fashion. We hear the cry wherever we go, from old and young, men and women, boys and girls. The influence is seen and felt everywhere, but like all other movements of its kind, will be short-lived. Her lines are new, her curves are
rounded, and her walk original. The young men need no longer be told ”Go West”; they go without urging, and we poor females must, too, ''Go West” If we expect to remain in public favor. So now must we, while our husbands, fathers, boy friends and
brothers flock to the latest West hit, stay at home practising before a mirror that extraordinary "lioness” walk; must we experiment with our figures and see if we possibly could give that "Western” effect in all the "Western” clothes now being sold? Must we memorize all the naughty little quips, and moan softly in a deep purring voice? In short, must everyone "Go West”?
It has been interesting to note the decided change in the meaning of this expression from the early nineteenth century to now, the early twentieth. I have no doubt that there are many other words and terms which have also gone through just such a meta­ morphosis.
I wonder if in years to be there will appear yet another meaning of "Go West.” R. S., ’35.
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