Summary:  Ben has always tried to teach by example, tried to get it through to his sons how he expects them to act. But do they ever listen? A 2015 Camp in the Pines story and a WHN for Quality of Mercy.  Rating:  K+  (1,255 words)

Do as I Say

Wave after wave of unrelenting heat rose from the sun scorched streets of Virginia City, making the day even more unbearable. The Cartwrights emerged from the courthouse with the rest of the town; the trial of the year had just taken place and the guilty party sentenced, now it was time for the family, and town, to move forward.

“Why don’t you boys head over to the Silver Dollar and see if Cosmo has any cold beer.” Ben directed his suggestion at all three of his sons, but his eyes were fixed on his youngest. “I’ll meet you there when I’m done at the bank.”

Both Adam and Hoss followed their father’s gaze to their forlorn brother. They looked at each other and nodded in understanding. No words were necessary; they knew what they needed to do.

“Sure thing, Pa, but I can’t promise there’ll be any left for you if it really is cold. Come on Little Joe, I’ll even buy the first round.” Hoss gave a gentle nudge which sent Joe stumbling a few steps forward.

Ben watched his sons cross the street and make their way to the saloon before he turned and headed in the opposite direction.

Placing a mug a beer in front of each of his brothers Hoss took a seat at the table. “You’ll never guess what Cosmo just told me,” he paused and watched Joe rotate the glass around in his hands.

“Are you just going to sit there or are you going to tell us?” prodded Adam.

“Well, you know Keith, the new barber in town? He done and got hisself hitched the other day. Cosmo said he shut down for lunch and he and Sally Mae went over to old man Jameson’s barn and were married in the loft. He then went right back to work afterwards.”

“I wonder why he didn’t take any time off. After all your wedding day is a big occasion.”

“He was gonna but Frank broke his arm and Keith ended up not only doing his own work, but Frank’s too. You know, a person really can’t cut hair if his arm is in a sling,” explained Joe without even looking up at his brothers.

“What I’d like to know is why a loft in a barn? That don’t seem like a proper place iffin you ask me,” said Hoss.

Joe finally looked at his brothers and shook his head. “Don’t you two know anything? They were married in Mr. Jameson’s loft cuz it’s where they met.”

“What was they doing in his loft?” asked Hoss.

Joe stared at his brother in disbelief for a minute before realization dawned. “That’s right, you two were in Placerville. They met at the dance Mr. Jameson had for Rebecca’s birthday. Sally Mae was sittin’ up there just watchin’ everythin’ when Keith joined her and they got to talkin’. Next thing anyone kno…”

“Will you look who we got here, boys. It’s the man who turns his friend in for murder,” announced Tim Reynolds from the table next to the Cartwright brothers.

“Leave it alone, Reynolds,” warned Joe, not taking his eyes off his beer.

“What’s the matter Little Joe? You upset because the judge didn’t sentenced Seth to prison instead of hanging him?”

“I said to leave it alone.” The only indications of Joe’s rising anger were the white knuckled grip he had on his mug and his ragged breathing.

“When’s Sarah comin’ home? You gonna start courtin’ her now that Seth out of the picture?”

Joe was out of his chair and swinging before anyone knew what was happening. His first punch caught Tim square in the nose sending the man flying backwards across the table.

Glaring at Joe, he wiped the blood from his face and slowly pushed himself to his feet. “You’re going to pay for that Cartwright!”

Joe easily ducked the punch aimed for his head and planted one of his own in the man’s midsection.

“JOSEPH CARTWRIGHT!” Ben bellowed when he walked through the doors of the Bucket of Blood and saw his son standing in the middle of the saloon. Joe’s right hand curled into Reynold’s shirt; his left pulled back, cocked and ready to fire right into the man’s face.
Joe stopped in mid-swing upon hearing his name shouted from the front of the saloon. “Pa?” he squeaked.

The moment of hesitation was what the other man needed. He wrenched free of Joe’s grip, pulled back his right hand and landed a solid punch to Joe’s midsection.

Ben winced when he saw his son double over and drop to his knees as every breath in his body was expelled in a loud ‘whoosh’. Joe curled in on himself, trying to breathe again.

Hoss grabbed the other man by the shoulder and spun him around just when he was about to plant his boot into Joe’s ribs. “I wouldn’t do iffin I was you.”

In one fluid motion Hoss pushed the man away and pulled his younger brother up and into a chair. “You okay, Little Joe?”

Still gasping for breath, Joe nodded and choked out his standard, “Fine.”

Ben shook his head in frustration and glared at his youngest son “What am I always telling you, Young Man?”

Glancing up at his father through watery eyes and still gasping for air to fill his depleted lungs, Joe gave the answer he knew his father expected. “No son… of mine is… going to be… brawling… in the sa-saloons.”

“And what do you call this?”

“Uh, brawling?” Joe gasped.

“When will you ever learn to do what I tell you?” Ben grumbled.

“Why you no good, stinking Cartwright pup!” The man yelled as he went after Joe again.

Ben caught Reynolds by the arm before he could reach Joe and delivered a right hook to the man’s face sending him to the floor. Tim Reynolds scrambled back to his feet and caught Ben on the cheek with his fist. Ben delivered a well-timed punch to the man’s stomach as payment for the one to Joes, and then delivered a solid fist to his face as added interest. The man went down and didn’t get back up.

Tuning back to his sons, Ben saw the broad smiles on their faces and knew what was coming.

Joe looked at Hoss, who nodded at him, before looking at his father again. “Yes, Sir, Pa. I’ll be sure to do as you say from now on,” Joe paused for dramatic effect and waved his hand towards the man on the floor. “And surely not as you do.”

Joe started laughing his distinctive high pitched laugh while holding onto his sides. Hoss’ booming laughter, along with Adam’s smooth baritone joined in.

Ben grimaced and turned away. He knew he’d never live this down. “I never knew I raised a pack of hyenas.”

Walking out of the saloon he could hear his boys laughing even harder, and smiled. If it took him doing something foolish to get Joe to not only smile again, but to laugh then it was well worth it.

The End

Special camp challenges are:

Go Fish word: Sling

The 4 Ws (Who, What, Where, When)

The barber got married in the loft after lunch.

Tags:  Adam Cartwright, Ben Cartwright, Hoss Cartwright, Joe / Little Joe Cartwright