***** SEASON FIVE *****

The Quality of Mercy

He was so different from the young boy I once knew. He swiftly jumped out the buggy and helped my daughter down like the gentleman he now was. My beautiful Sarah, so ladylike, no longer the mischievous little girl that always got into trouble with Joseph Cartwright and Seth Pruit. What one of them didn’t think up, the other two did. I used to tell her that they worked their guardian angels overtime. I never knew how right I was, until now. My wife took a long sabbatical year the day those kids put the antics of childhood behind them.

By Foreverfree

B ~ O ~ N ~ A ~ N ~ Z ~ A

“Is this what you wanted, Joe?” my childhood friend cried out to me from atop the gallows, his eyes burning with hatred.

I shoved my hands into my jacket pockets, and remained silent.

Someone pulled the lever.

The condemned man fell—a loud crack filled the air as the rope snapped his neck.

It was over. Two men were dead, and for what? A measly silver mine.

“No, Seth,” I whispered as his body swung in the breeze, “I never wanted any of this.”

by AnnieKCowgirl

The Legacy

How can I return home to face my brothers? We promised each other we’d track down the men who murdered our father. We’d make them pay for the misery they created.

Why’d he do it? ‘For a gun?’, he asked. Can they accept why I couldn’t go through with it? Why I stood there, before finally turning away? He had everything to begin anew.

Begin anew. Pa’s always been there. How do I go from being Pa’s right hand man to the one running the Ponderosa? Can my brother accept my new role?

Can I accept there is no…

Pa!!

By BluewindFarm

~ B ~ O ~ N ~ A ~ N ~ Z ~ A ~

I should have stayed with him. Had I stayed, he wouldn’t have been alone. But instead, I joined my brothers and later, Buck walked into the yard.

We thought we were doing right. But with my fingers curled around the stock and one on the trigger, he laid there. I couldn’t. I was Ben Cartwright’s son.

In town, Roy told me the news.

Standing in front of him, I looked into his eyes; his yearning to know, did I go through with it? I gave a quirked smile to hide my hurt. I was Ben Cartwright’s son, how could I?

By BluewindFarm

The Prime of Life

It was my fault. Beating Barney Fuller at his own game was like a drug. I had to be the best. I’d signed my name. The schedule was tight, with little room for compromise. The Ponderosa’s reputation was on the line.

And just like Opium, this contract and my desire for control caused a man his life. The boss orders and the men jump. It wasn’t that I put aside the joy of living, I let making a living take over my joy.

I didn’t listen; I don’t deserve their respect. I put money above the life of a man.

By BluewindFarm

Ponderosa Matador

Ahh, what a day this has been.

Hoss drove a big bull into town, but it ran into a saloon and the Cartwright sons ran in there to control it.  They failed, and had to chase it all over the countryside.

They limped home in their ruined shirts and sat in utter dejection in the classic pose of hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil.  Their father came home and bellowed to tell them they were worse than an Apache raid on the land.

Hoss won the lady’s hand, and I have three less shirts to wash.

By BettyHT

Alias Joe Cartwright

I ain’t sure Pa’s realized Joe didn’t know them guns wasn’t loaded.  Least, he’s sure brushin’ that bit off mighty light.

Course, little brother ain’t exactly makin’ no big deal about it.  He introduced us to the man, told us O’Rourke saved his life… but then he moved on pretty quick ta somethin’ else.  I wouldn’ta knowed it myself, except I heard the sergeant tell Joe in passin’ that he was sorry there was no time ta fill him in before it all went down.

I wonder.

Joe ain’t one ta tone down a good story, even if it’s likely ta give Pa a coronary in the tellin’.  Which makes me think there’s somethin’ there.

He don’t seem outa sorts — ‘cept if I look hard he’s kinda green around the gills — but it was close.  Dang close.  I been there, where he is now — that time them crazies tried ta hang me for robbin’ a bank I didn’t rob — and that weren’t even as close as this.  A thing like this hangs around, sneaks up on a man even when it’s safe and he thinks it’s done been put behind him.

Might have ta keep an eye on little brother.

By PSW

Love Me Not

No possible negociation. He offered them two cows and got what? A white woman. Incredible. And she had no intention of staying here. No talking, no food. Ben didn’t appreciate the bedroom’s rice-colored-door  and warmed her bottom. After she was more cooperative. But something had to be done with clothes and hairs; he silenced her by putting her head into water. Improvements were quick and visible. So he organised a bachelor party for her, but she already had her prince: Benjamin Cartwright.  Adam became a wise adviser and Ben told her the truth before sending her to San Francisco.

By Mumu74

To Season Six