Chance Encounter

A thousand times I have heard, “There but for the Grace of God...” but until today that phrase, struck me as somewhat odd. The old Cowboy who staggered by, was three sheets to the wind. but he swept off his hat before me, and at the waist did bend. “Fair Lady, how goes your day?”, he asked as he deeply bowed, his face was flush, but his manner gentile, and he spoke clearly, though not loud. The politeness of his question, had completely caught me off guard. I looked into his wind-burned face, and saw a look that was not hard. “My day goes well, and thank you sir.” was my own courteous reply. As I gave a small curtsy and a smile, I saw a twinkle in his eye. “Oh surely, Lovely Lady, you have truly made my day.” He put on his hat, caught his bearings, and sauntered on his way. No one else along the street, looked directly at him or spoke. Some looked away, while others laughed, and and made him the point of their joke. I alone had been blessed, only I knew what lay inside, for it had been revealed to me, what rumpled clothes and liquor hide. I had seen a gentleman, a Cowboy tried and true, with manners most becoming, a Real Man, through and through. I was allowed to look past the fact, that he was poorly dressed and shod, I had seen the inside of a Heart, and the Grace placed there by God.