It was often at breakfast that Ben Cartwright used to give instructions and distribute a portion to her son.

That morning, April 1, the three boys, Adam, Hoss and Joe were asking if by some miracle they were not at the edge of an unexpected day off.

“Hoss, leave this with Papa,” remarked Adam saw his huge brother take a third slice of caramel cream.

“But you see he does not go down,” said Hoss, mouth full. “They had dry booze last night with her boyfriend Harry and his wine. It’s not worth it to let loose a good cream … “

– “Who accuses me of sleeping off my wine? “Cast one vote on the first floor.

Hoss bright as red, “It’s me, Dad,” he mumbled. “Excuse me, you know, I was joking. »

– “I do not believe you, but I forgive you because you have a little reason,” replied Ben down, unsteadily, up the stairs. “Joe, therefore serve me a cup of black coffee. And you, Adam, asked Ho-Psing to me two eggs and bacon. This will give me. »

Once full, Ben sat back in his chair and looked around on her son waiting, looking a little taken aback.

– “Well, boys, it was a good ten years I had not seen Harry. The last time he had seen Joe was still a kid in short pants. Sacred Harry! Harry lucky, as it is called. He always got by luck that I got from work. When he wanted something, he was a good bet to do with the owner … and he won. He claims he never lost … “

– “Maybe it will never happen to him,” Joe said, laughing.

– “I hope you’re wrong because the last bet he did, it was with me last night. »

– “You did that? Well, you, you are not afraid! “Joe replied, slapping thighs.

His father smiled: “I especially think I drank a little too much. »

Adam was curled up in his chair, “May we know what you bet? “Hissed between his teeth.

His father emphasized his smile. “You know, to go, he wanted to accompany me and it is up to my room. He greatly admired the paneled walls that you posed it. I told him that you had crafted each panel of your hands. He could not believe it. “

– “I thank him for the compliment but we digress. »

– “Not as much as you think! I bet him you’d be able to lambrisser his own room in a month … “

Adam stood up abruptly, hands flat on the table: “In one month! But do you realize the time I spent tweaking you these signs? Not the same! I got put on the day of your 53 years for you to have your room to your 54 years. »

– “Yes, but you did that night, after your work. Here I give you your full days to do so. »

Depressed, Adam fell in his chair. “And the challenge? “He asked, trembling. “What is at stake? »

His father let out a moment of silence. He knew his son and he was in the process of weighing what answer would be likely to do to excel.

– “The sawmill. »

Pale, Adam stood up: “Are you crazy! “He cried. “The mill, sawmill … do you realize you? »

– “Bah! “Ben replied,” this mill, it is only you that are interested. Your brothers have always preferred to tend livestock rather than cutting drums. »

– “But the wood is still a large part of our income! »

– “So, we will sell the timber, that’s all. And anyway, it’s not worth panicking, we will win this bet. »

– “Easy for you to say,” fumed her senior.

Ben sought help from the other two but Hoss rolled frightened eyes and for once silent, Joe scratched his head. He got up and walked over to Adam.

– “Look, Adam, I would very much like to win this bet. I will put all men, it will take all means at your disposal. And when you’re successful, you can ask me whatever you want. »

In an angry movement, Adam pulled away and went to the door.

– Where are you going? “Joe asked.

– “Where do you want me to go? A sawmill. I better put me right away. »

He went out and recrossed his head: “You’d better bring me food and my blanket and linen replacement. I’ll have to sleep on site. »

– “You will have everything you want! Ben cried, eagerly.

– “In this case, do not forget that I need at least two shirts a day. I hate to marinate in my sweat. »

And mounted his horse, he galloped.

– “He is furious! “Joe said.

– “But also,” added Hoss, “what idea you went through your head? Why bet the sawmill?

Ben laughed, “So you, too, have fallen into the trap? I never bet the mill … I bet … Oh no, that’s too funny … I bet … “

Choking with laughter, he could not continue. “But, what do you bet? “Insisted Hoss.

– “I bet my uniform navy lieutenant old. It’s been ages that I can not even insinuate myself into it but Harry has always wanted. »

– “And if you win? »

– “I win this magnificent amber pipe representing a woman’s body. Never have I seen such a beautiful pipe. »

– “Why have told Adam …”

– “What you had bet the sawmill? »

– “Do not talk both at once. If I had told Adam what the trivial issues of my bet, he would never have agreed to work hard for a month as he will. »

Hoss took the bored look on his face when he discovered a reproach to his father he liked to place on a pedestal.

– “Dad, do not you think it is a bit exaggerated … as Adam … to work for so little. »

– “If, Hoss, but it is too late. Betting is done and done well. I have a debt of honor now and that annoy me much to have to give that uniform. For me, it is a reminder of the time when I was courting the mother of Adam. Come, come, bring him his things and then to work. For a month, we will have to work on three of four. »

When they came to the sawmill, the foreman, Rabouy, advanced to his master, “I dunno not what you did to Adam Mister, Mister Ben but he hustled us as ever. He says he needs to prepare molds to burn wood, four reasons, although it will be enough for this … Oh no, I can not repeat the word he used … In short, everyone is there cutting thin sheets as if the lives of Ponderosa inhabitants depended on it. »

– “There is a bit of that, Rabouy, there was a bit of that … Listen, I ask you to make every effort to meet Adam. I gave him an order very difficult to achieve, I am aware. So help him, you will have all a nice bonus at the end of the month. This will comfort you have had to bear the irascibility of my son. »

– “But never Mister Mister Joe and Hoss we scramble like that. »

– “You know, Fred,” Hoss spoke with a kind smile, “must admit that none of us has ever had to cut down the work Dad has awarded Adam. »

– “Oh that, for sure! “Nodded Rabouy” for sure Mister Adam, it’s a hard worker. None of us can claim to tire more than him. Ca, must be recognized. And he intends to organize work. Come on, Mister Well, let’s give him a hand in vot’gamin. Basically, we like it, you know. »

  “Me too, I like it,” commented Ben with a half smile, “but for now, I will not venture to go the bother. Hey, Hoss, carries her business. And ensures it has unlimited coffee, it is a major consumer. »

– “We would have added whiskey,” insinuated Joe, ironic, “but Pa and her boyfriend have not left. »

– “Joe,” says Ben, “Remember that I am still able to flank you a spanking. »

********************************************************************************************************************

– “Harry,” Ben said triumphantly, “We are April 30 and Adam told me he stuck this morning, the last paneling. »

– “Oh yes, Ben, it’s fantastic! I assure you that I do not regret my old pipe or lost my first bet. Except yours, no room can compete with mine. Of course, I’ll shall regulate supplies and labor. »

– “It is expensive! »

– “I doubt it. That’s why I have a proposition for you. Give me your son. We could serially rooms paneled bourgeois Sacramento. It would suffice to create a different pattern for each family and we would roll manufacturing. There is a fortune to be made. »

– “Ask the him directly, it is major. Well, here it is. »

His black shirt widely notched brown fleece on his chest, Adam had just appeared. He planted himself, hands on hips in a gesture that was familiar to him and called out, “Your room is complete, Mr Burby. In less than a month! »

And his sleeve, he wiped the sweat from his forehead.

– “Call me Harry and let me congratulate you, young man. If you want, I’ll serve you a coffee and while you drink it, I’ll make you an offer. »

– “You will have to wait, I’m afraid, Mr Burby. For now, I have only one thing in mind, my bed I have not slept more than four hours a night for a month. »

And glaring at his father, he left without another word.

He slept forty-eight hours straight. When he decided to emerge from his sheets, he found a sumptuously laid table and a bottle of champagne from France, ready to be uncorked. His father had everything to celebrate his success.

– “Come on, champ, I hope you’re not angry now. »

– “Well, no. It’s hard to keep out of rage when a heavy sleep. And I think it’s a good idea, this champagne. I believe I have deserved well. »

– “In this regard,” said Ben, “it’s time to talk reward. Tell me your number. Sure, it’s a bonus that will be added to your salary. »

– “I do not need money,” smiled Adam, “the mill is mine. »

– What are you saying? »

– “If I had not won your stupid bet is Mr Burby that is the current owner of the sawmill. I prevented it changes hands, it is for me, it’s only fair. »

– “But, but, Adam …” stammered Joe.

– “What does he? You consider that I strip you of your heritage? It’s not me, it’s your father who has involved our heritage. »

Hoss wanted to dive, reveal the truth. Ben stopped him: “The Ref,” he said. “I made a ridiculous lie to push you, Adam, to win a bet that served only to satisfy my vanity to lose Harry his first bet! It costs me the sawmill, the market is fair. »

Turning to his two youngest son, he apologized: “Basically, this mill was the last of your worries. I compensate you. Harry paid me his dear deluxe room. »

– “I may be half asleep,” interjected Adam, “but some details escape me. »

Ben looked very unhappy. “At my age, 54, I have not yet learned to weigh the consequences of my actions and words. Really had I abused the divine bottle for not having realized that it was better to lose that bet lie to my son. I prefer not hide it any longer, Adam sawmill was not the issue. It was only my naval uniform. I told you this invention to be sure you’d do the impossible. From now on, you’ll never have confidence in me. »

Hoss had approached his father as to protect it. Joe’s eyes were turning to coal.

Adam remained silent a moment, mouth open and then burst into a great laugh. “You did that, you, just to make me slaving away? Ha, ha, ha, really, Dad, you are very youngest of us all. Ha, ha, ha … When I think that I gave myself so hard to keep your Navy uniform! »

– “In which I am the only one to go,” noted Joe by joining the hilarity of his senior.

– “And all that he has won,” added Hoss gasping with laughter, “it is a pipe shaped naked woman. »

– “It was necessary that I am a companion to share my beautiful room,” says Ben, relieved. “Now, at the table. All these emotions have dug my appetite. I bet I’ll eat more than Hoss. »

– Bet not, Dad. This fails you. Hoss is able to earn you Ho-Psing.

END