The cowboy’s order stopped the bartender cold: a whole bucket of martinis, and not one was for him. Outside, tied to a parking meter, waited the thirsty guest he wanted to surprise. But when the stunned bartender offered him a free drink afterward, the cowboy’s refusal set up a punchline that made this strange encounter even more delightfully unex…

“Why would you want so many martinis?” the bartender asked, wondering what sort of occasion called for a bucket. The cowboy explained that his horse was waiting outside, tied to a parking meter and dying of thirst. Martinis were apparently the animal’s favorite, and he wanted to surprise him. The bartender mixed the unusual order, then asked whether he could come along. This was something he needed to witness personally. Together, they carried the bucket outside and set it before the horse, who promptly drank deeply.

The bartender could hardly believe his eyes. “Darnedest thing I ever saw,” he said, before inviting the cowboy back inside for a few martinis on the house. The cowboy politely declined. Puzzled, the bartender asked whether he disliked the drink he had just ordered in such extraordinary quantities. The answer came without hesitation: “Love ’em,” the cowboy replied, “but I gotta drive.”