Category: Humor
If at First You Don’t Succeed; or, A Lesson in the Cartwright Way (by JC)
Summary: There are a few simple rules for growing up Cartwright: 1. Never underestimate your father. 2. Don’t forget the first rule.
Rating: K Word Count: 1195
A Little Lesson in Engineering And Physics (by CareBear)
Prequel. Adam and Little Joe bond over a simple engineering and physics concept. When Joe later tries to apply the concept on a large scale, he reaps chaos for all three brothers. Written for the Chaps & Spurs 2025 Third Quarter Challenge.
Rating PG Word Count 7438
A Stop at The Shady Villa (by JC)
Summary: After a nearly fatal case of mistaken identity in Kiowa Flats, Joe and Hoss continue their quest for Texas Longhorn breeding stock, inadvertently stumbling across a potential goldmine (What Happened Next after “The Gunmen”). Written for the Chaps & Spurs 2025 Third Quarter Challenge*.
Rating: K+ Word Count: 2974
The Surprise (by DJK)
Summary: Little Joe should have known pranking his father was a bad idea.
word count: 1,220 rating: PG/teen
Morpheus (by Wrangler)
Summary: Joe wreaks havoc during his many attempts to save Pa from being killed after having a recurring nightmare.
Rating: T Word count: 13,600
Beth Cartwright, Detective (by CareBear)
While visiting the Ponderosa, Adam’s oldest daughter unearths a treasure trove of detective books in the attic. When the family learns Adam has put a ban on them, the story of what inspired such an un-Adam-like rule is told.
Rating: PG WC: 6293
Double Trouble (by JC)
Summary: A glimpse into the future with grandchildren on the Ponderosa. Ben gets more than he bargained for when he offers to keep Joe’s twins while their parents are away. (Part of the Jacob’s Ladder series, links below.)
Rating: G WC: 520
Hoss and the Rabbit Business (by CareBear)
Summary: After Ben sold the rabbits to Barlow and Clyde, he believed the Ponderosa had seen the last of them.
Rating: G Word Count: 1154
Almost Caught (by LillianMontane)
Summary: Little Joe is almost caught in a brothel when he is 17.
Rating: M Word count: 1476
The Man in Green (by Tavia42)
Summary: On a trip to San Francisco with Hoss, Joe buys himself a new jacket – and, inexplicably, a giant bolt of green fabric. This purchase launches the boys into an evening of chaos and hijinks involving mistaken identities, Confederate spies, and old friend Mark Twain.
Rating: G | Word Count: 19,382
The Hero of the Charles (by Pat D in PA)
Summary: When Adam finds himself short of cash, fate and his college buddy come up with an ingenious way to fatten his wallet. Written for the Second Quarter 2025 Chaps and Spurs Challenge.
Wordcount: 3,533
A Burning Question (by Bonanzagirl)
Summary: An important question comes up after Little Joe’s first saloon visit.
Rating: PG Word count: 2080
Inconvenient Allergies (by wx4rmk)
Summary: Sudden allergies and four handsome strangers make for an interesting encounter. Written in 2nd POV for a Brand Challenge.
Rating: G, Word Count: 679
Little Boy Joe (by JC)
There are definite advantages to being the youngest Cartwright. And who would know that better than Little Joe?
Rating: G Word Count: 657
Parties and Pickles (by BettyHT)
Summary: Marie wants a party, but it doesn’t end as she hoped. However, the man who caused the party to end finds his plans don’t go well at all either.
Rating T Word count 2,698
