Summary: A Rose for Lotta told by each of the protagonists … and we learn a bit more than in the episode.   (Click here for French version)

Rated: MA WC 21,200

 

Nothing Other than an adventure 

Adam:

Exhausted, I’m exhausted itself. But I really regret it, it was worth it! Ah the beautiful woman! Not as expert as might have been thinking with his job but that begs to learn, the little darling. Very sensual, anyway!

Papa was merciless. He knew that I almost had not slept for two days, but that does not stop him from sending Hoss throw me to the bed down I even had the impression of retaliation. It’s not very fair. After all, if you think about it, it’s his fault that it happened.

It all started with the machinations of Alpheus Troy. This pirate would do anything to get our wood for its mines but he wanted so much that it would have made us deforest entire northern section on which we had already collected enough old trees. We had to let it rest. Troy had to do was pick up the wood a little further. After all, we were not the only American plantations. But no, Mr. Troy had decided that this was our wood he wanted, not a autre.Derrière all this, I could see that there was something else. In truth, what Troy wanted was to explain to the area that Dad was not the most powerful man. It is true that, little by little, we have built an impressive and many domain are those who fear that it will become a empire.Quels fools! We, all we want is first to be left alone. And if sometimes we appear to mix what we do not look at us and all want to dictate, it’s usually because there’s something going on in the area that would be detrimental to the population. For example when we mistreat Indians or that pollutes rivers or we do anything with the livestock may favor outbreaks.

There is no research power in everything. Simply, do not count on us to let it develop a injustice.En any case, we were well aware that Troy was going up us a nice little shoe-hatch. We did not know what it going on but he had the advantage over us to be in town. It was easy to hire thugs and prepare a trap.

So we were on guard. I had talked to Dad and we decided first to avoid going into town (or, if he had to do to go up in the body) and then also monitor the area such as milk fire. The weather was not the hospitality, while not expressly invited abroad would be found on our land would be considered an intruder and treated as such. We did know who would listen and, in particular, to Mr Troy.

Before yesterday afternoon, we were in the dressage. I had just dump me by a young mustang that I was just beginning to break and my brothers had picked me for fear that the animal does hurt me, when we saw a sedan pass at full speed. We all four jumped into the saddle and we caught and stopped.

I knew the driver. It was Patch. A guy no interest; no trade either and that lent itself to do anything for a few dollars. We asked him bluntly what he was doing and he began to stammer when God knows what we heard an angry voice that women also get out of the sedan.

“Not a word, conductor, they have to answer to me.”

First, it is a hat that has emerged, and a head, and the whole person of a woman. She wore a low-cut black dress strangely for that place and time of the day and a pendant of garnets which emphasized the whiteness of his chest. From where I was, I had a great look at “valley of the gorge.” No doubt, the view was lovely.

It recovered like a little cock and she saw us all four of our guns pointed at her. It has not impressed, apparently. With this patter half-worldly, she shot at him by declaring us, acid:

“What is that this way of shooting people. I rarely saw men as coarse as those of Virginia City. »

“It’s not Virginia City, here, ma’am,” said Papa, “is Ponderosa. »

“What is it, Ponderosa? »

“Ponderosa, Madam,” said Patch, “it’s all that great field around you, it is the property of Cartwright, you are on their land. »

It was then that I spoke with this cold calm for those who know me, is a sign of defiance and threat: “And the foreigners are not welcome, male or female. What are you doing here? “.

My work. Am I still on the US territory? »

“Oh sure, Me soul,” Hoss said, “but I do not scream like that if I were you.”

“But you are not me! “His anger seemed to rise again. “Will you go on and steer these weapons against me? Put me that. »

Joe complied and holstered his weapon. Hoss and Dad too. Hoss made his big stupid smile when he rolls his eyes leaving half the tongue. If the lady had doubts about his ability to seduce my brother and bounds, she did not keep long.

Then she darted an angry look on Joe and launched him: “What you have to gape like that? You have never seen a lady? “. It was a bit unfair. First, it was not a “lady”, at least not a “great”; then Joe “yawned” no, he just gazed appreciatively that little smile he always gratifies pretty women. I admired his gallantry when he replied, “I’ve already seen, but it’s been that I have not seen one so attractive.”

She did not notice the compliment. She turned to me and always in the same tone scathing: “You keep pointing the gun at me! »

“I still intend to use it,” I replied, unperturbed.

Dad is interposed: “Come on, old story, Adam. Maybe she is telling the truth and that it is on our land by chance ”

“Well, it leaves Ponderosa,” I said handing my weapon in its case.

She left her shrill voice: “How do you want me to do with this broken wheel? »

It’s true that we had stopped the sedan so suddenly that she had paid and dislocated the right rear wheel.

Hoss is dismounted and lifted the wheel: “We should be able to fix it quickly, I think.”

“It looks,” said she noticed by his flirtatious, “there is still a gallantry background even in this remote corner.”

That’s when Dad made the gaffe: “Little Joe, this lady might be thirsty. While we repair the wheel, you could perhaps take home, give something fresh. ”

Slightly softened, she saw fit to explain: “This lady is an actress.”

Hoss asked: “You want to say a real actress? »

“Obviously,” I thought in petto, “that he wanted it to be? »

But she did not seem to find the silly question: “True, true singer actress. I Lotta Crabtree. ”

It seemed to me to remember that I had indeed seen in town posters announcing the passage of Lotta Crabtree. A great event for our little town!

Hoss was again felt obliged to mimicry Asshole he reserves for pretty women, rolling eyes and smile with tongue out end. Pitiful.

As for Joe, he was, of course, ready to make the pretty heart.

“Little Joe” repeated Dad, “takes this lady drinking a glass of water at home while we put his sedan on his wheel. »

“But you do not even imagine when I’m going to ride? “.

Never satisfied, the wench!

“I’ll take you before me, Madame, and I will keep you, you have nothing to fear,” said the little brother with his number one smile.

He drank the whey and is dismounted to put in the saddle but I preceded my two brothers and it was I who took it in size to install. A small waist that I completely enserrais my hands and seemed to overlook the blooming hips just right.

We watched them leave, Hoss and I, with the same smile of approval. No doubt, it was a very pretty woman.

Then I picked up a big rock and I slipped under the sedan to try to straighten the axle. With this tool fortune, it took me ten minutes to get there. Hoss was getting tired; he held the sedan in the air and it got heavy even for him. Finally, we managed to replace the wheel. I got up and looked around to see if Joe and Lotta came back.

Dad had to follow a parallel thought as he muttered, “it is very long just to drink a glass of water.”

At that time, we heard a carriage tumble; it was Hop Sing who descended the road at full speed. He stopped and began to criailler because we were not there in time for lunch and everything was burned. When he calmed down, Dad asked where were Joe and “the lady.”

“Very pretty, very pretty,” said Hop Sing grinning a grin, “she left with Joe in the carriage.”

I do not know which reacted fastest, Dad or me, but with all touching, we jumped on Patch. I grabbed him by the collar and Dad, I know not where, and we made him spit the truth.

They were indeed came on duty. It was Alpheus Troy had greased his paw he brings to Miss Crabtree, casually, on our land. To do what he did not know, at least that is what we swore and I think it was true. I can not imagine Alpheus Troy take that idiot Patch as a confidant.

I have done neither one nor two, I jumped into the saddle to go in search of Joe and I asked the other two if it told them to come take a walk on horseback with me but when Hoss was about to follow me not, Dad, very wisely, stopped us.

“Do not rush headlong into the trap. The four Cartwright city, far from home, that’s probably what Troy wants. So you, Adam, you’re going to find our men in pastures and bring them home. They let two men flock. With Hoss, we will organize the guards and prepare their weapons. Then only we will go all three in town. And armed to the teeth. ”

So it’s eleven o’clock sounded good we made a grand entrance to the city. With four horses (I had saddled Cochise and I held in check for Joe, once found, is a mount), we occupied the entire width of the street. The spectacle of Miss Crabtree was already over. We went right to the Bucket of Blood Saloon, the place of Troy favorite resort. Dad got off his horse leaving me to tie and precipitate inside. Hoss and I, we followed two minutes later, just in time to hear the killer Troy, this snake Trevor, threaten his nasal drawl.

“Get lost, Cartwright, before I pierces your skin.”

“If you want to measure yourself Cartwright, Trevor,” I threw the door, “it is to me that you have to do”

He turned to me his face and beady let out a nasty sneer: “A Cartwright either, I do not care. Say your prayers, buddy “and he unsheathed …… a split second before me. I was good guy, I aimed the shoulder and he collapsed without having had time to fight back.

“They told you where was Joe? “I asked Dad.

“No, it seems that they are not his nurse, and, as I think I am the master of Virginia City, I just have to find it. That’s all they have found to answer me but they say he attended the show of the singer. ”

“He must be with her, I’ll get it. Hoss, as I will not be back, ensuring that they do not move here. ”

“Do not worry, Adam,” said my brother, frowning, by shining his big gun on Troy and his band. “When you come back, they will always be there; I do not know in what form but they will be there, be sure of. ”

As I walked away, I heard the voice of my father who threatened Troy worst beatings he did not recover his son.

I arrived at the Grand Hotel and I went directly to the “royal suite”. I knew it was there that little luxury hen must have been installed.

I do not even have to knock, the door was wide open. Lotta was standing in the middle of the room that was upside down, chairs and tables overturned, open window and enthroned on a pedestal miraculously still standing, a bottle of champagne started.

Where is he? “I asked without preamble.

“He was there, a few minutes ago,” she began with a false innocent.

“And where is he now that has happened to him,” I replied brutally grasping her forearm.

“Let me go, you hurt me in the arm.”

“I’ll break it if you do not answer me.”

“Oh, Adam, I’m so sorry. I did not think it was going to turn like that. You must have a very low opinion of me. ”

“On the contrary, I am quite admiringly,” I retorted by comparing me to her. “You have admirably played your role and you drew my brother into a trap without seeming to touch it. You have to be proud of you trap a kid to deliver a band of thugs … ”

“To trap? But there was no question of that. It was just a trick to play a joke. ”

Oh yes? »

“Yes, all I had to do was get one of you and bring it back to the city that’s all that was asked Alpheus Troy.”

“For how much? »

“Money has nothing to do with it …” “Then for what? What is a girl like you may well have to do with Troy if not shoot him the money? »

Furious, she threw herself on me, ready to slap me. I intercepted his wrist and in the movement, I’ve drawn against me. “Will you let me go, brute,” she screamed. Dammit, she had never known anything but docile men, ready to flatten out at the slightest sign of anger? We measured the gaze. It was then that I saw a new light flicker in his eyes; it was only the spark of rage was the docility of the woman ready to offer. I felt we pass between the current of desire. I mensuration this very attractive woman stuck to my body, obviously ready to submit to my manhood.

“Next time, Miss Crabtree,” I said in a low voice, “catch a man, not a boy.”

Then I caught myself, I turned her back and I left without a word.

In the Bucket of Blood, things had not changed. They were putting a bandage Trevor under the watchful eye of my brother.

“You found him? “Asked Hoss.

“No, but he’s in town.”

“Let us go in search of him,” said Papa. Then he turned to Troy. “As for you, pray that I find the whole, otherwise I would not give much of your skin.”

And we left the saloon, Hoss backwards to avoid anyone to have the unfortunate idea to take us a shot in the back. We spent combing the city for the rest of the night in vain. Suddenly Hoss launched:

“Look there, it seems that there is fire”

“It’s in Chinatown,” said Papa.

“Let’s go,” I replied, “there could be Joe in there. »

I was right. We have led the middle-of indescribable agitation. Some Chinese finished putting out the fire that took to one of the houses, others were beating two types gallows while squawking. Suddenly, an old Chinese lunged at Dad and grabbed him by the jacket, “Mistah Cartwright repay; reimburse damage immediately. ”

Taken aback, Dad has cleared and acknowledged If Chiang, one of the cousins of Hop Sing. In less than a minute, there was a whole bunch of Chinese around Papa claiming a refund. Hoss got involved and had quickly disperse all crazed world. And we finally got the word end of the story.

Joe had come running, pursued by two thugs who were now duly saucissonnés. He had sought asylum in Chiang If that had hidden in one of his baskets of laundry. The bandits had returned several houses and, like all those Chinese launderers are without exception, they had sought Joe in baskets.

Suddenly, for no reason, they had set fire to one of the houses. He had a nice tussle ensued when Joe, of course, cheerfully participated. Then he disappeared into battle.

Dad pulled out his wallet to compensate Chiang If but did not want to pay for any damage.

“Talk to the sheriff and tell him that it is Troy’s henchmen who spread this beautiful mess.”

A little tired, we left to wander the streets when, passing the Red Horse Saloon, we heard a harmonica air, a slow waltz. Intrigued, we approached. Mr. Joe was there, embarrassed for a penny, dancing Lotta. She had swapped the red dress she wore low-cut a few hours earlier held against a wise, ivory bodice beautifully pleated black skirt. She had ivory flowers in her hair. She had enough to eat. I relied on the doorframe, arms folded, and I looked up at the sky from an exasperated air. So, while we sat in four to find him, Mr. Joe gave a good time.

“You” Dad yelled behind me.

Joe jumped, he stopped dancing. “Oh hi, Dad” has he dropped a casual tone, still holding the hand of Lotta.

“You will do me the favor to follow us immediately,” continued Papa fumace. And he walked up to Joe who, at full speed, kissed the hand of Lotta and has absconded.

I watched as my eyes were on Lotta. Nothing to see, it had awakened in me a burning desire that I felt a few hours before. I was paralyzed, I stared earnestly, as if by magnetism effect, she did the same. She was on the lips a little soft smile. I had forgotten the presence of others when I felt the heavy shoulder Hoss push me inside the room. I walked, I embraced without a word and we exchanged a kiss, oh, not very long but intense. A kind of promise. I stepped back, I looked and I read in her eyes that I hoped to see, consent.

I just smiled at him and I left, still in silence. While I détachais my horse, she advanced into the doorway, always with the same smile of both anxiety and hope. Nothing to do with the arrogant woman yesterday afternoon. I raised my hat to her and then I climbed into the saddle and we left all four by an infernal din, while happy to have recovered Joe and foiled the machinations of Troy.

Then we followed a normal day this sleepless night. It’s just if Dad left us a little more time to take a hearty breakfast while Joe was telling us his afflictions and then, grind!

“We’ll just have to bed early,” Dad declared. I did not say anything but I managed to secretly make an hour nap in a corner of the forest because I had other projects to sleep tonight.

Just back, I asked Hop Sing me to heat water for a bath and I made beautiful, as they say. My brothers and my father looked at me down the stairs in amazement.

What do you do? “Joe has croaked as if it did not show.

“I will see the show of Miss Crabtree. You seemed to say it was very good “.

“It can not wait for Saturday? “Dad began.

I cut short and, after warning Hop Sing I did not stay dinner, I saddled Sport and I spun to the city.

The show Lotta not worth much about the artistic point of view but it was well done to titillate men. Some fans had brought their wives and I doubted that they appreciate it. Lotta chained songs by changing costumes between songs. Sometimes, it was a full skirt whose front was rolled on a lace petticoat, sometimes, a black bodice heavily indented resulting in a short red tutu, now again it was a riot of white feathers which are escaped her white arms. As for the last song, whose chorus was “All I want, all I want is a nice man hug”, she interpreted it in a black sheath largely split to the top thigh. She crossed the stage in all directions, leaving emerge from her dress perfectly highlighted by a mesh bottom leg. No wonder, after such “appetizer” Joe was a little disappointed (we had confessed this morning) she did not even allowed to kiss her.

When the applause, I snuck backstage The door to his dressing room was closed but I always carry with me a piece of wire with which I get around all fairly basic locks that are here. Neither Seen Nor Recognized, I slipped behind a curtain and I expected.

She arrived, carefully closed the door and started to undo her hair in the mirror of her dressing table. When they freed themselves of a sudden covering her bare shoulders, I sent a little whistle. She uttered a scream, has jumped up and turned around, covering her chest with her hands to gesture a little ridiculous when you think she had to expose it to the entire city.

“Adam,” she sighed, looking both relieved and puzzled, “what are you doing here? »

I walked slowly: “I came to see if you were still agree”

“Okay for what? »

“Okay to make love with me,” I said bluntly in hugging.

She opened her mouth to try to answer but I’m prevented by putting my hand gently on his lips. “No need to talk, I’ll find my answer differently” and I kissed her. I started feeling very soft and she answered me, I tightened my grip and I extended my kiss until we lose our breath.

“You see that it was not worth talking about,” I said to him after having rendered the ability to breathe. “Even if you answered no, I do not believe you. Come. ”

I wore it on the couch, I had my hands under the slot of the skirt, and I undid his lower kissing every inch of skin that I discovered.

After fifteen minutes of this kind of firstfruits, I held in my arms a Lotta ecstatic who told me they have never known a man who … did not go to the point. Caresses, the pursuit of pleasure of the partner, it was a discovery for her. Poor kid! Yet she had had to go see in her bed Just boors!

So I improvised Professor Bachelor eroticism and I must say that I have drawn the greatest satisfaction. I have it in my blood, I, teaching. And I found a gifted student and eager to learn.

About three in the morning, I still decided to bring her back to her hotel. She insisted on offering me a glass of champagne.

“I am your brother offered in exchange for a rose he had launched me; note, you, you came empty handed. ”

“Well my dear, to each his role. This is his age flirt is mine to pluck. ”

“Oh, he would have liked to pick it, too” .J

“I laughed,” I do not doubt; I even thought that he only thinks that. ”

She gave me a pat on the cheek. “It suits you to make fun of him. Do not tell me you’re a thinker detached from carnal pleasures, it’s too late, I have evidence to the contrary. ”

She asked me if I would come back and when.

“I liberate” she told me. I was a bit annoyed because I suspected that she had to have other appointments, contrary to what had happened, she was engaged to payment. In a way, I represented for her a shortfall.

“It’s not going to ask you problems? »

She guessed and she laughed. “You know, the demands of these gentlemen, nothing obliges me to meet the night. It is sometimes even easier for them in the day, when their wives are busy with their shopping. ”

I replied that I see but do not count on me tonight, anyway. Further the need to sleep well at times, I feared tampering with Papa.

I returned as quietly as possible through the underground that I dug in secret when I built the house .. It had to be between half past four ET five hours when I slipped between the sheets. I barely touched my pillow as I fell asleep sleep of the just. When Hoss woke me up with his usual method – he grabs the sheet, raises the sleeper like a hammock and throws him to the ground – I feel like I slept five minutes earlier.

Dad and Joe looked quizzical when I came down for breakfast. I felt both exhausted and light, with that feeling of fullness that leaves a night of love despite the lack of sleep. I think that’s what we call being good about yourself. What Papa assigned me the task of going to mark calves with Hoss and resume training horses when it would be done. Friendly; in the kind of work easy, we do not do better. I’m sure he did it on purpose because Joe was entrusted inspection fences of a part of the eastern section, which is not going to kill him.

Curious Dad can not help, when we take a good time with the girls, let us pay!

 

It’s always the same! Once more, my brother Adam pulls out of the game. But I had done well my boat and I am convinced that without the intervention of Papa mishaps, it could have resulted.

It’s not for lack of having deployed all the resources of my charme.C’était unexpected, this apparition before yesterday. It had been several days since I had no other distractions that ladies of games against Hoss. Dad had curly us at the ranch for several days because of the shenanigans of Alpheus Troy and I yearned for a different style of ladies parties.

So what initially appears a pretty woman unexpectedly on our lands, at a time when I could not see for a long time that boiled men unshaven and in addition, Dad chooses me, to go to keep him company while my two older were covered with dust to repair his car, it was really a godsend. And it would offend the sky than not enjoy.

While, according to the guidelines, I would take her to the ranch by tightening against my chest so that it does not fall off my saddle, I cleverly began plotting it a rather dark picture of the state of the sedan Patch and I have doubts about the ability of my brothers to repair the wheel as fast as they had suggested. When I dismounted, I saw that she had tears in her eyes. I asked him what had happened and she explained that she absolutely needed to be in town at least two hours before the show to repeat. She was distressed at the idea that she might not be familiar with the scene before the opening of the curtain.

With that, it was just a breeze. I offered him a glass of water and I offered him to win her time to take her into town with the buggy. She almost jumped in the neck. I apologized five minutes to take the time to change and I asked the men who cleaned the stables that one of them splint. So that in less than ten minutes, we took the road.

During the trip, she asked me about the family. First, she had not seized the four men who had arrested were from the same family. I am the son of dad, she wanted to admit but it is as Hoss, was beyond his understanding. I explained that we were half-brothers.

“Oh,” is she exclaimed, “Your father was married twice.”

“Not three,” I replied, “his first wife, the mother of my brother Adam, was the daughter of a naval officer of New England.”

“And the other two? “Has she asked.

“Hoss’s mother was of Norwegian origin and mine was from New Orleans. It was a Creole. ”

“A French? “” A French-born American. ”

“New Orleans,” she sighed, “what a beautiful city, is not it? »

“I do not know, I am unfortunately never been”

“Oh, you should. I got produced several times in beautiful theaters, all golden, with seats covered in red velvet and crystal chandeliers. It’s beautiful. But then, “she bounced,” Your father is a widower again? »

I said yes without knowing what he was interested. She continued to tell me about it, wondering why, for so long, he did not look for another woman. I did not see where she was going and I tried to bring the conversation to a more exciting subject, me.

But we were already in town. I registered at the door of the theater and I asked him if, after the show, I could take her to dinner. She took a mischievous look and told me that we would see it when the time comes.

I had two hours before me; I thought enjoy visiting Chiang-Si, a cousin of Hop Sing, which under grumpy outside is very welcoming. It allowed me to take a bath (not hard for him is a launderer, he always has water on the fire). It did not hurt me because I had changed in a hurry before leaving and I had not really taken the time to unclog it. If I wanted Lotta indulges in a certain intimacy with me, I’d better be clean as a whistle.

In parting, I asked Chang-Si to the buggy and horse away until I come and take them back. Then I notice a red rosebud that had just hatched on its hedge; I picked despite his protests and spent in my buttonhole.

With all that, I was late to the show. There were only few places, either in substance or in a lodge overlooking the stage left. This is the one I have chosen.

I already had a few hours earlier, a nice overview of the charms of Lotta, especially what my brother Adam calls his “front-stage” but I now have the opportunity to check that the bottom was worth the top. No doubt, it was perfect from head to feet long and slender legs, a slim waist, a rear end which, in one of the tables, although nicely bosselait her tight skirt at will, milky neckline and well garni …. Nice figure, moreover, with a wide front, ember eyes, full lips that called the kiss.

And then, what passion, what audacity in his walk, his gestures! It fanatisait the male audience to the point that did not seem to contain the first ranks who, whenever she approached the scene board jostled to touch. She escaped them with malice and skill and off again at the bottom of the scene. At the time reminders, in the enthusiasm of the applause, I threw my rose and she picked it up and looked at me with a pressed air it. I then believed to have won the game.

I watched his departure, I followed to the hotel and, after giving him five minutes to get comfortable, I knocked on his door.

“It’s me, Joe Cartwright.”

She opened immediately. She was still holding my rose in his hands. This emboldened me.

“I came to get my answer for dinner. I would like to take you taste of French cuisine, “I told her by slitting of my most charming smile. I did not need to force me, his view would have brought a smile on the lips of any normal man.

“Enter” me she told me in making my smile, “I did not want to stand out, but I would be pleased that you stay and keep me company.”

It was the first time I had the opportunity to enter the royal suite of the Grand Hotel. I stood gaping at all this luxury. The room was well half of our living room (which is huge for the big brother saw it big when he drew the plans of the house). There was a sofa in a semicircle, topped with satin pillows, thick rugs with floral motifs, velvet curtains, a skirted vanity.

She hooted, “You look like a little boy who takes to the circus for the first time .. You who take snuff the kitchen of the French, do you know their wines? »

And without waiting for an answer, she headed to a table where a strange bottle was and was served in a cup, a clear amber wine that bubbled.

“It’s champagne,” she commented. It’s worth 50 dollars a bottle. ”

“50 dollars a bottle. It’s horribly expensive! “I said, dipping my lips … in this liquid gold.

“Everything I use is expensive, Joe. My shoes, my socks, my dresses, my jewelry. I do agree that the luxuries. »

She had a funny little smile, saying that, a defiant smile and contentment of herself but she saw me, rather to impress me, it disgusted me instead. So she began to plead his case.

“You do not know where I went before all that. I paid the price, I assure you. And I swore that I would never know hunger or poverty or humiliation or even a simple refusal of one of my whims. »

Suddenly she stopped and she went to the window. She raised the curtain and his features were defeated.

“Joe,” she said in a trembling voice, “We need you to leave right away.”

I frowned, “What’s going on? »

“Joe,” she explained ruefully, “I brought you into a trap. This is Alpheus Troy asked me to bring the city one of the Cartwright son and … keep warm tonight. I agreed without thinking bad but I realize now that it was not really innocent. I will not hurt you sometimes and I just saw two mirrored wardrobes coming towards the hotel. They’ll be there in a minute. Run away from the window. »

Instead of following his advice, I cracked me with a big smile, I propped in a chair, legs on the table and I said, “Instead, I wait. They will see if it’s that easy to kidnap a Cartwright. »

I had barely finished my sentence we heard knocking on the door. Lotta did not open and yelled at them to leave but they broke down the door. It was obvious! How could she believe they would turn back just because she had changed sides?

“Hello gentlemen,” I started the whole faraud. Were sinister and grimy wish. Caricature! One of them jumped on me, I threw my legs in the air and he collapses faster over my head. I stood up to face each other. During that time, Lotta had seized an umbrella which she gave a blow on the head of him that was going to get up. Then she gave me the umbrella. I grabbed the flight with a jubilation that was read on my face, I brandished a sword and I started to tease my opponent. It was very heavy and not very bright. It was easy to make him lose his means in annoying. In doing so, I approached the window, I stride and found myself on the balcony.

They sued me, but I had the advantage of lightness. I jumped from the balcony, I landed in PLF and under their bewildered eyes, I disappeared into the alley that formed the corner. Instinctively, I took the road of Chinatown, thinking get my buggy and my horses. But they ran faster than I would have believed and I found them after me sooner than I thought. I managed to sow because I know the city and I rushed in Chiang If that does not ask too much explanation when I buried at the bottom of one of his baskets of laundry. I believe, well, he added a few shirts and sheets over my head. I made as small as possible and have been so successful that they have reversed my wastebasket without making me out. They left home Chiang-Si without finding me.

I emerged from my basketful shaking with laughter but obviously if Chiang did not find it funny at all. He started agonir insults me, saying that I had ruined because he would never find who was the machine and he would lose customers. I tried to calm him down when suddenly we heard loud cries in Chinese.

“Fire” exclaimed Chang-Si and rushed out. I took the time to readjust and I am also me out to land in the middle of an indescribable mess. There were Chinese running around, some carrying buckets, others evacuating baskets of clothes, others in compact bunch, trying to grapple with my two brutes. I climbed on a wall, I took my tracks and I jumped gleefully into the fray. Many as we were, we did not put a long time to overcome my assailants. I then gave a hand to finish off the fire then I decided that I had enough.

With all this, he still had to be close to three in the morning. What to do? Why not go back to Lotta resume the conversation too abruptly interrupted by the minions of Troy?

Once thought and done, I’m a man of action! At the reception, Mannigan Tom did not even asked where I was going, he gave instructions for that change “singer” chamber. I went up to Lotta. Obviously, his door was always depressed, had not had time to fix it and came home as in a mill. She was standing by the window, looking out. She must have heard me because she turned abruptly.

“Oh, it is you Joe, you have found Adam? “” Adam? »

“Yes, your brother. He came to me less than half an hour after departure. Not pleasant. He was looking for you and he seemed to hold me responsible for what happened to you ”

I smiled, “It was not completely wrong, if I believe your confession just now.”

She took a deep sigh, “Yes, but I said that I had not imagined that they had such dark intentions. Besides, I have helped you, “she had a little plaintively said this, as if she was pleading.

“I wanted to explain it to him but he would not hear me and I lost my means. He is a man, a man … ”

She stopped, apparently looking for the right word to describe my older brother. I could have blown him several, more laudatory at the scoffers, an admirable man, determined, stubborn as a mule, bossy, obnoxious, smart, confident to fill. All this would have stuck with the personality of the old Adam. Generous, too, affectionate, loyal, but that she had not had time to realize in both interviews she had with him.

But what interested me was to know which qualifier she thought she, what was she get out?

“A man what? “I asked.

I have been for my expenses. She shook her head and she said, with a half-smile: “Let’s forget all this, do you, Joe? All this mess m’insupporte. I would expect you to go down in the lobby. I’m going to change and we will see if he is still in town still open saloon. I did not intend to spend the rest of the night watching the hotel staff to transfer my stuff in another room. »

This program for me. I waited a quarter of an hour; it slipped in a real holding bourgeois, black skirt, off-white blouse, a braided hairstyle with small flowers in the hair. It completely changed, it made him look like a little girl.

I do not know if it was the time or clothes or something different in his attitude but I had no more in the idea of the seduced; who wants to understand but it was enough for me to escort him and talk to her as if it was a childhood friend.

We are we headed to the Red Horse Saloon because I knew it stayed open until dawn.

“I’m sorry,” I said, “but I fear they do not have champagne here.”

She laughed. “Exceptionally, I will settle for a beer.”

We motto everything and nothing for a while. She wanted to know everything about life in Ponderosa, the family. She always came on the same subject: how was it that we are all single. It was bothering her, I wondered why. At one point, the old Ted Rivers who was there without we did really noticed released his harmonica and started to play a little tune nagging. It gave me an idea. I asked him if we could not play a slow waltz. He muttered something that sounded like “Okay” and he started to play his back to us.

I bowed to the beautiful Lotta like I was at the ball, “May I have this dance, Miss? »

“With pleasure, sir,” I answered she playing the game. I hugged tight enough but distanced. Too bad, because my lustful ideas had taken me. We were there changing quietly when I heard thunder “You! “.

Not have to turn around to recognize the paternal body and to know he was out of patience.

“Oh, hi Dad,” I launched the tone most innocent possible style “You here? »

“You will do me the pleasure of following us immediately,” he had thundered. I quickly kissed the hand of my partner and I rushed to the door dodging me for fear of catching a float in passing.

Dad and Hoss followed almost immediately. They brought Cochise. I climbed into the saddle. We waited a moment and then Adam joined us with a funny little smile on his lips. Lotta has advanced on the threshold. She had eyes for him. She suddenly had an air of shy kid. I did not understand well, given the way she said it had treated. She had perhaps fear. He put his hand to his hat accentuating his smile then climbed into the saddle and we left the city at a gallop.

At breakfast I told them my adventures without dwelling on what did not concern them. I was well into the idea of pushing my advantage Lotta even if I started suspecting that Adam had, too, views of my conquest. Finally, my conquest … it might be a bit premature to say so. Let’s say I had hopes.

I did not dare ask Daddy a morning off. He had passed me a soap, but nothing compared to the shouting match that I expected. My punishment was to not sleep, it seemed, but then I wondered why everyone was entitled, itself, Hoss and Adam who had made sure to look for me …

I struggled to hold on. Men woke me two or three times while I fell asleep in the saddle. I almost wanted to skip dinner. So I opened wide eyes, once back home, when I saw the big brother come down from his room in great obviously ready to spin held in the city.

What do you do? “I asked him.

“I will see the show of Miss Crabtree. You seemed to say it was very good “.

I was flabbergasted. Dad too, apparently. He attempted a timid: “It can not wait for Saturday? “But the big brother did not even bother to answer, he just informed Hop Sing it would not be there for dinner and then it broke.

Hoss who had said nothing until then was scoffed: “It looks like he wants to strike while the iron is hot, huh, Dad? »

“What iron? Does it bother you much to inform me? “.

I was a bit annoyed because I hate this kind of conversation where there are two that know what they are talking about and one that is left behind.

Hoss gave me a big shot in the back with the flat of his hand. “Come on Joe, do not tell me you did not notice this morning, or maybe it’s that you were blinded by something. The smoke of the fire maybe? »

There, I frankly annoyed: “What I had to see, Mr. Know-it-all? »

“That was something between Miss Crabtree and Adam.”

I jumped in the air, “Something? But they did not talk to, they have not affected; is she danced with me. ”

“Maybe, but he looked at it with the eyes of a mouse mesmerized by a snake. As for saying that they will not be affected, what do you think he went to do while poireautions us on our saddles to wait? “.

Dad raised his hand: “That’s enough, Hoss, and you too Joe. Stop being intrusive and rather come dinner. I can not wait to go to bed and think, “said he said giving me a pointed look,” as that which is the source of our sleepless night would do well to go to sleep, it would clear him ideas.

What did you want me to answer … I slept like a log but the next day when I came down for breakfast, I saw that I was not the last, for once. Adam was conspicuous by its absence. I was even asking me if it was only returned when Dad shipped Hoss up with the set wake him mercilessly.

“You’re hard,” I started with a smile. “What time is it back? »

It always amazes me to see that Dad knows exactly what time we returned, regardless of our efforts to make no noise.

“Five twenty minutes. That’s his business, but as we are not Sunday, I do not see why it would be excused from work. If he had another boss than me, do you think he would be concerned of his employment the night time before sending it to grind? »

I laughed. “And if it were me, would you be so ruthless? “.

He looked at me with those eyes he does when he wants threatening while struggling against the urge to laugh, “If it was you, young man, you would not have left the house last night and if you had tried, you would have landed across my lap for a good spanking. ”

We were there when Hoss fell back with a satisfied air: “That’s it Dad, he woke up, he made his toilet and he goes down.”

“Well, I hope it will wash with cold water to revive because it will have bread on the board, Mr. heartthrob.”

I muttered, “Well, for once it is not I who have rights’

“What,” asked Hoss by stuffing a whole pancake in the throat.

“Under heartthrob, like”

“Oh, it’s not that you have not tried it, according to my information.”

“Yes, but from my own, I did not succeed” and I accompanied this remark of a disappointment mimicry.

“Well, not yet …” I added, laughing and stooping to avoid trowel Papa.

“Hush” blew Hoss, “Here Don Juan happens.”

He descended the stairs, looking pleased with himself. And that’s when I saw that I had lost the game.

 

 

 

Ah, kids! They grow beautiful, it continues to be white hair on them. And besides, they accuse you!

I just had a double explanation, one with Joe, the other with Adam and I leave the second freaked. It is imperative me to put some order in my ideas.

Joe, it was déjà vu. He had been having as a kid it was through this woman he must acknowledge that it has everything to trap young males in need of female companionship. In fact, I was mostly angry against myself because I never had to entrust a boy of 18 years the task of escorting the man-eater. I should have to go myself, it was less risky.

So I spent a soap for Joe disobeyed me when he knew why I had given orders not to go into town and I did follow my admonition of a sermon on the danger of lose his head when a pretty face appears on the horizon. I almost mentioned her brothers as an example but I stopped in time because, given the behavior of Adam, I thought Joe was going to laugh at me.

As always, I had the impression that it was “cause always, you interest me,” but what do. At his age, he’s too old for me to give him a spanking other than the joke, like the one I gave him the day before yesterday when we caught dancing with the so-called Lotta Crabtree. I do not know how to get a hold on him. Only when his follies fall on his face that I have the opportunity to open a dialogue and to try to put a little lead in the skull.

What is certain is that he has no remorse for his escapades the other night. There could leave his skin, he caused a fire that destroyed an entire neighborhood, it has jeopardized our field but all he sees is that he made the lunch at his attackers without our help and he had fun. What is terrible with him is that he rushes straight ahead without worrying about the consequences of his actions and that he cares, most of the time when it is too late.

But I’m grumbling against him, I must admit that it makes me happy. With him I am like the show, anything can happen. You never know what idea will sprout in his fertile brain. It’s not like Hoss is totally predictable. All we can fear unexpected, with Hoss is that it brings us God knows what wounded animal or abandoned or God knows what poor devil. If he were ever to incarnate into another creature, no doubt, it would be a St. Bernard.

As for Adam … Oh la, la, Adam … At first glance, one might think that this is the most reasonable of my son, by far. It is clear, sensible, clever, educated. The childhood he had, or rather he has not had, the poor little, has matured early. But at times, he happens to have a completely incomprehensible behavior.

A closer look, whenever he has this behavior against the foot of his character, there is a woman in the circuit. This is the legend in the family say it’s Joe Don Juan of the band but Adam is far from immune to the charms of the fair sex. He is even able to get into senseless adventures, some time.

I even think that’s why he was so controlling. He knows this is his weakness, its Achilles heel.

Well, if I summarizes: There was this absurd infatuation for the daughter of a Mormon, very friendly after all, but it was clear that she could never adapt to the lifestyle of a Cartwright. And vice versa, for that matter: I imagine Adam dressed by any time for a black coat and a flannel trousers, wearing long beard and round hat. Not but what fun! And Adam that can not defend themselves if attacked his family or his property. How has he been able to believe one minute he would get there? I told him what I thought at the time and he listened to me with a friendly smile, but he persisted in his decision. Stubborn! It did not last long. I can not say I was glad that his future father was robbed and murdered before his eyes, which led him to revenge and recover stolen money at gunpoint, but at least it cut short this disastrous idea of marriage.

Afterwards, there was Isabella de la Cuesta according to some, or Rosita Morales according to others. Then one of my two Spanish, a Señor Luga arrives and declares that all the surrounding land, including some of Ponderosa, owned by his niece, the heiress of the family of the Cuesta. And the strength of its title, it’s hunt, on behalf of his niece, all farmers with a gun, killing the shameless. Everyone is mobilized. I am preparing to fight on all fronts, that of the right and the right of force. I send Hoss and Joe investigate the rights of the family de la Cuesta. Adam suggests to me that the big bad wolf, the Señor Luga, this is perhaps not Isabella de la Cuesta and that, moreover, it may not be who they claim be. I think it is a good idea to follow this track, I give him carte blanche to investigate this young lady and I see him back, eyes on, having nothing else to say that “this is a very pretty woman.

I tell him that, one I already said and that it is not the kind of information that I expect and leaves me with regret that he found this so-called heiress the Spanish nobility, dancing in a Mexican inn and she is very reserved when asked about his past. I have the misfortune to say that I take this as good news and now he says that he is not far from regretting the idea he had to unmask this “lady”. And I will take him ride a horse on the pretext of bringing our views! And that I forbid you when a guy from San Francisco comes to reveal that she is none other than the Rosita Morales bar dancer. All because she likes and she is not impervious to its charm. Finally, again, it ended well, but he was ready for all indulgences because of her pretty face, her good looks and her hourglass figure.

And this case, fortunately aborted, Beatrix Dinsford. I must say that the so-called Beatrice threw herself at his head. But, I still remember our stupor, Marion and I, when, coming out in the garden to Beatrix, who had said he wanted to take the air and asked to escort Adam, we fell on my son and his wife about to kiss! After making sure that our guests had retired to their room, I took Adam in the barn for a stormy explanation of how to behave with the wife of a friend and a host. It was also not forbidden; he was very embarrassed. He had not seen it coming and had been led. After luckily he pulled himself together but still … The bouquet, it was this story with Sue Ellen, the saloon dancer with whom he had an affair last year. Does he now Mr decides he must treat this young lady as a lady, and that causes a duel the tenant of the saloon because he had disrespected him. He did not risk because poor Jerry was taking would not have reached a cow in a hallway and shot in the air to not reach it but still, it was grotesque. Once again, I tried to reason with him, to tell him that I could ask for more as a wife for my son, the most learned of the three, the grand-son of a captain, a coach . Nothing to do! It seems that this “girl” was the unfortunate victim of his sister that required him to practice this very honorable profession that Mr. Adam was adult and knew what he was doing and that I had nothing else to do just ask Hop Sing killing our finest chicken dinner to receive. Ah dinner! The poor girl is ridiculed for wanting to pass for what it was not. Hoss even that is not very smart when you want him to take bladders for lanterns realized it. And throughout the evening, Adam walked a beatific smile that his beloved does not realize that it was considered a goose.

Result one evening after he brought the picnic … (call it that) with her mother, she was shot in the back while he kissed her, and as he ran to catch up with the murderer, he was accused of the murder. When I went to see him in his cell, he told me that he knew she did not really like, what she wanted was to marry out of her cloaca. I did not insist, we were too busy trying to clear himself, and to prevent the people of Virginia City will lynch him. Afterwards, when he managed to escape and caught the sheriff who was the real culprit, we were so amazed that flirting my son went into the background and we did not put the issue on the table.

The other morning, I have felt the current passing between Adam and Lotta and I did not see any objection to leaving them a moment of intimacy. I even made a sign to Hoss to follow me for them to be alone for a moment

But when I saw that he was rushing to join the night as it did almost 48 hours he did not sleep, I felt the anxiety take me back. Is not going to be reused us, Lotta, the same comedy with Sue Ellen.

It was almost dawn when he returned. I looked at the time, four forty! You my boy, I will not miss you, I told myself. At seven, I did wake up with Hoss, whose sweetness when he engaged in this exercise is proverbial, and I gave him a very tiring job that he regrets his feast.

In the evening when he came home, I was determined to take between four z’yeux. After dinner, I asked him if he would not walking with me, saw the beautiful evening it was. I saw him throw a look of regret to the stairs up to his room, but he followed me, fatalistic air. He had to wait for my “calling.”

I did not go to the point: “It was essential to go, drop everything, spend the night with this singer? “.” You know, “he replied,” there is a saying that we must strike while the iron is hot … and it was! But, if I may, I think it does not concern you. ”

At a stroke, blood mounted to my head. If there are some who question the meaning of the phrase “seeing red”, I can tell them that I have experienced. I raised my voice. “Everything about my son looks at me, especially when they do stupid things”

I immediately regretted it. I know it well, though. Both the angry fashion impresses my last two son, so it has no effect on Adam, who is not afraid to stand up to me.

“It would still have to decide are you, Dad.”

To what? »

“To find out if what you want is that we assume we know and make our own decisions or if you do not dream that we like children for life.”

I was taken aback. I stammered two or three meaningless sounds and took the opportunity to speak again.

“Recently, when you were taken hostage by Sam Briant who threatened to hang you if we do not liberate Perkins, remember, you were glad that I have been able to take a decision that was not easy but good, eh? »

Indeed: it was a dark case of blackmail. Sam Briant led a band of thugs who fleeced the city and terrorizing and we finally managed to testify Ms Cameron, whose husband was killed before his eyes, and we were able to convict Perkins, the assassin. Sam Briant had retaliated by making me a prisoner and offering my life in exchange for that of his henchman.

The boys had been faced with a dramatic choice: either give in, not being sure we would release me or go to the end of the sentence by playing on the fact that Briant being a coward, he would not take, facing citizens committed to justice whatever happens, the risk of hanging. This second solution, it was a gamble but it was good and Adam had the courage to advocate against everybody, brothers, Mrs Cameron, the sheriff …

When Briant had asked me to write to him to change his mind, I was told that I had used my son to make their own decisions. I was then told them and that’s the phrase that Adam wanted to remind me, it was obvious.

“Since I was little,” he continued, “you taught me to take risks, to fight to defend myself. I have known all my childhood mortal danger times, the least was not the one I saw Inger be shot with an arrow before my eyes. At 6 years old, I had to take care of a baby two months. I started shooting at the age of 10 years. As soon as I turned 16, you made me draw wild horses. When Mary died, you took almost a year to pull yourself together and I had to manage the ranch alone and take care of my brothers without you when I was just 18 years old. Then I went to Boston, to the university, no mentor to guide me. Later, you sent me in one shipment, leaving you arrested by the hazards necessarily short in our countries, a single traveler. I was imprisoned several times, I was injured. So I do not understand why, when it comes to love affairs, you interfered you, you couves me, you treat me like a child. »

I lowered my head under the stream of words. Logically, he was right. That’s right, by the way, which is annoying with Adam, there is never room for the irrational. But a father’s heart is able to perceive that which escapes logic.

“If I worry when you turn around a skirt, just imagine, it’s because you gave me good reason to do so in the past. And they have names, these reasons Regina Beatrix, Rosita, Sue Ellen, it tells you something? »

This last name has calmed down. He lowered his head. When he spoke again, it was in a tone much calmer.

“I know, Sue Ellen, it was a mistake. But I saved the lesson, you know. Do not fear that I start with Lotta. With it, it is purely a physical attraction. »

He scratched his head and said with that half-smile he knows irresistible and it serves me when he wants me to pull a fast one, “You know, we have not so many opportunities here if we want to avoid hugs venal. ”

This used to speak like Shakespeare! Hugs venal! Prostitutes, what? As if his Lotta was not one! I have dit.Il it had a chuckle: “I know but it’s the top of the basket, luxury hen. It does offer the deep pockets. “” Do you mean that you have paid for? »

He looked furious: “Are you kidding? You did not see that it was ready to fall into my arms? »

“If I have seen and I have not been so shocked as you think. It’s just that … “” It’s just that you’d like I stick here and I will review the most. ”

I laughed yellow, “I do not say this but I want you’re suspicious” “Do not worry. First, tonight I’m not going, “My words have blended faster than I intended,” He would not miss that! »

He went into a fit of laughter frank: “I point out to you that if at the moment, I do not sleep, it’s not because of it, it’s because of you . »

Then he resumed, on a more serious tone: “I will return tomorrow night, first because I feel like it” (then he challenged me gaze) “also because I have a plan to wedge Troy and assumes participation. »

He watched its effect, it was not disappointed. My eye had to be lit with excitement: “You have a plan to trap Troy? »

“Yes, and make it permanently leave the area.”

“How do you plan to take? »

“I’ll start to see Chang Si and convince him to lodge a complaint, he and his friends, for the burning and destruction of their homes, not to mention the damage from its customers.”

“I have paid part.” “Needless to say the judge. I’ll tell Chiang If a complaint against Troy and I undertake to get Lotta detailed testimony of contract with Troy and the failed attempt on Joe. Joe himself will only have to tell the court his flight and what ensued. Troy will be condemned to such a large amount that will, in my opinion, no other resource than to sell the mine. ”

“But who could buy it? »

“Lotta. I explain to him that instead of putting money in expensive dresses and champagne, it could make some investments. Then I will take care to find a hotel in Sacramento or San Francisco for her to settle down, settle and a controller for its mine. ”

I was taken aback. For the trial, it was thought but as a result, his ability to find a facility for Lotta and convince him to take it and go, I wondered where he got his insurance. I asked him the question.

His eyes twinkled with mischief when he said, “You know, during my travels, I made many relationships. There are some people I bailed and think only go politeness. And there are some who are in the show and willingly invest in a case brought by a beautiful girl like Lotta. »

“Yes, but it has to be agreed”

“It will be,” he assured me, laughing. “I can go to sleep now? »

“Go ahead,” I said, suppressing the urge to slap him a slap on the buttocks.

After I stayed a while to return it all in my head. When had he concocted this plan, it must be said, extremely clever. If anything, it had germinated in his brain at the time when he himself took pleasure with his mistress. This way to combine business with pleasure. From Adam all over!

Ah, kids! This one, in any case, it does not cease to amaze me.

 

 

Everything went like clockwork. I knew it would not be easy to convince the Chinese to go to court (they defy the white judge and laws) so I had taken Hop-Sing and during the journey between Ponderosa and Virginia City, I said I explained the interest of complaint. Hop Sing likes me, he trusts me. He sold my salad to his compatriots.