Summary:  Joe runs into trouble in San Francisco

Rated: K+ (7,500 words)

 

The Good Doctor

Joe Cartwright’s last conscious thought as the iron bar descended was of his father at home in Nevada and how he should have heeded his warnings…

“If I send you to San Francisco instead of Adam,” Ben had intoned gravely. “You won’t let me down will you Joseph?”

“No Sir, I’ll get the job done.” Joe had very much wanted this opportunity to travel to San Francisco alone, to show his father and brothers that he could deal with running the business side of the Ponderosa just as well as his eldest brother.

“I don’t mean just that,” Ben regarded his youngest son fondly. Joe with his volatile temperament had somewhat of a penchant for trouble and his father worried that he would one day find himself in a situation he couldn’t handle. “You are to stay away from the Barbary Coast area, from any disreputable bars or shows, understand me?”

“Yes sir, I understand.”

“I mean it Joe. Just do the job and get back home.”

But, Joe had reasoned, on his first night in San Francisco, what Pa never knew wouldn’t hurt him and he hadn’t actually promised not to venture into the Barbary Coast area.

So that was how he’d come to be in the dimly lit, seedy bar where he’s first been seen by the four men who had later attacked him. They had watched Joe enter the room, noting that he was alone, and when he opened his wallet to pay for a drink had observed that he was carrying a considerable amount of cash.

“Just a kid,” one whispered to the others. “Kinda small too, should be a pushover.”

When Joe left they had followed him. Joe had headed back towards the hotel, down numerous dark alleyways. At first there were plenty of people about but he soon found himself in a deserted, dingy street.

Hearing footsteps behind him Joe glanced around and was caught by two men who held his arms pinned behind his back. A third man faced Joe and spoke to him harshly. “Don’t struggle pretty boy and you won’t get hurt.”

It wasn’t in Joe’s nature not to fight back and he tried desperately to get away, kicking out at the man in front of him.

“So the kid wants to play rough,” another voice spoke from behind. Joe twisted his head and saw the iron bar begin its descent…

Some hours later in a large gloomy room two attendants lifted Joe from the stretcher they had carried him in on and placed him on a narrow bed.

“So, who do we have here?” asked a white coated man as came towards the bed and stood looking down at the young man lying there.

“No identification on him Doc,” one of the attendants replied. “He was found in an alley down in the Barbary Coast, been beat up pretty bad.”

The doctor nodded in agreement. “A nasty head wound.”

The patient in the next bed, an old man by the name of Jim Baker looked across at his new neighbour. “Good lookin’ young ‘un. Somebody must know him.”

“We asked around,” the attendant told him, “but no-one we spoke to knew who he was.”

The doctor, a tall, slightly balding middle-aged man bent to examine Joe’s wounds. Worst seemed to be a depressed fracture on the right side of his head. He sighed sadly and shook his head, there wasn’t much he could do for the young man. This was a charity hospital where they brought the poor, those that had no money to pay for their treatment. Funded by donations, there were never enough drugs or equipment and very few nursing staff. His examination of the young man revealed that, though slim built, he was not undernourished and he showed no signs of alcohol or drug abuse, common problems in this area. He was tanned and his hands showed that he was well used to hard work. Noting the boots Joe wore, well worn but well made, and his fine leather belt, the doctor surmised that the youth came from outside the city. A ranch worker he thought, and one with a reasonable amount of money. He had no money now, however, and until he came around and told them who he was he would just have to stay here. If he came round the doctor corrected himself, there could well be further haemorrhaging from that head wound.

One of the nurses approached and he gave instructions to get his patient undressed and into bed and to call him if there was any change in the young man’s condition.

“I’ll watch him for you Doc,” Jim spoke up. The doctor smiled at the old man, another patient he could do nothing for. Jim was here because he had no money and no family, nowhere else to go. He was terminally ill and nothing could be done for him but the old man was unfailingly cheerful and the doctor admired him for his courage.

“You do that, Jim,” he said to him now. “Let me know if the boy comes round or if he says anything that might help us identify him.

 

****

 

Through the following days Jim kept watch. Joe hardly stirred at first and the doctor visited often, worried that the head injury might be worsening but as time went on he was relived to find that his patient showed no signs of fever, unevenly dilated pupils or breathing difficulties.

On the third day Jim awaited the doctor’s visit impatiently. “Kid’s been moving around a bit,” He him as soon as he arrived. “Said something as well.”

“He did?” the doctor gently lifted his patient’s eyelids, the pupils of the hazel green eyes were still hugely dilated and showing no response to the daylight. “You’re sure?”

“I’m sure. He was calling for his Pa.”

“So he has family somewhere. They surely must be missing him.”

“Depends where he come from Doc,” Jim looked at the young man, so still in the narrow hospital bed. “Could be he’s not even expected home yet.”

The doctor nodded, that could certainly be true. He lifted his patient’s unresponsive wrist and checked his pulse. “We’ll have to try and get some food into him,” he told the nurse who was busy with a patient across the aisle.

“I’ve been giving him water Doctor Addison” she replied irritably, ‘as if she didn’t have enough to do,’

“He needs more sustenance than that,” the doctor replied angrily. “Try broth or something like that, and Nurse, please ensure that you turn him onto his side from time to time. I don’t want him developing pressure sores.”

“Yes Doctor,” The woman’s tone was barely civil. Dr Addison understood her hostility; hours here were long, conditions basic and pay very little. He himself was on duty up to fifteen hours a day, seven days a week but he was a man who felt a great sense of duty to his patients, a great need to do something for those in society who could not take care of themselves. ‘But this young man has family,’ the doctor thought, looking again at his patient, ‘people who he cares for and who must care for him, I only wish I had some way of reaching them’.

 

****

 

Ben heard Adam calling him from downstairs as he finished dressing. He hurried out on to the landing to be met by Hoss coming from his own room.

“What in tarnation’s Adam yellin’ about?” Hoss queried.

Adam was running up the stairs towards them. “It’s Joe. Telegraph operator in Virginia City just got a wire.”

“Joseph,” Ben breathed, an ice-cold fear settling in the pit of his stomach. “What’s happened?”

“The wire was from the hotel. Seems Joe left all his things there, went out for the evening and never returned.”

Ben looked at his sons, they all felt a sense of foreboding, something drastic must have happened to Joe to prevent his return to the hotel. “I think we’d better get to San Francisco as soon as we can. We’ve got to find Joe.”

None of them voiced the fear that they all felt, that they might not find Joe alive.

 

****

Dr Addison frowned as he looked down at his patient. The young man was still showing few signs of a return to full consciousness. Occasionally he would move restlessly and mumble a few words but he always fell deep into the coma again.

“Nurse Andrews,” Addison called. The nurse, who was tending to another patient, sighed and walked reluctantly along the ward.

“Yes, Dr Addison,” her tone was long suffering.

“When did you last change the bedding in here?” the doctor snapped, “and I thought I told you to be sure and roll this patient onto his side from time to time. I can already see the start of sores where he’s been left on his back for too long.”

“Well I’m sorry,” Nurse Andrews bridled. “But there is no clean linen left and there’s not enough money to pay the laundry. As for moving the patient I’ve been working pretty much on my own this week. Nurse Davey quit you know.”

Dr Addison closed his eyes for a moment in exasperation. “I’m sorry Nurse, but this must be done. If you can’t manage it alone then ask me for help. If he develops sores they could become serious.”

Nurse Andrews looked slightly mollified. “I’ll do my best, Doctor. I’ve been bringing in beef broth from home for the young man, I can usually get him to swallow about half a bowl but it is very time consuming and I do have other patients.”

“I could do it,” Jim Baker interrupted. “I got nothing else to do. I can try feeding the boy and turning him if you like.”

Dr Addison smiled at the old man. “That would be a great help, Jim and I greatly appreciate it.” He turned again to Nurse Andrews. “I’m going to go along to the laundry and pay for them to wash the linen myself before all my patients get sicker from the dirt.”

As the nurse went about her duties Dr Addison surveyed the ward. It was a large, dim room holding twenty five beds occupied by patients suffering from a huge diversity of illnesses. On the other side of the building was a similar ward for women patients, all unable to pay for treatment, and reliant on the charity of the citizens of San Francisco, who funded this hospital. ‘If only we could raise a little more money,’ thought Addison, ‘at least enough for some better equipment so that I could treat some of the many patients I have to watch die for want of basic medical needs.’

“Hey Doc,” Jim called urgently, bringing him out of his reverie. “Kid’s talking again.”

Addison hurried over to his patient. The young man was indeed mumbling but most of what he said was incoherent, just the odd word that could be made sense of.

“Pa again,” Jim said, “he’s definitely asking’ for his Pa, and horse I think he said too.”

“Keep listening for me Jim,” the doctor asked him. “Perhaps he’ll say something to help us find out who he is.”

****

 

The Cartwrights rode into San Francisco to find the city shrouded in fog. The moist, swirling, impenetrable blanket lent a surreal air to the place. They headed first to the hotel where Joe had been staying. It was a hotel that Ben often used when on business and he was well known there.

“Mr Cartwright,” the desk clerk exclaimed as Ben and his sons entered. “You received our wire, sir?”

“I did. I take it there’s been no news of my son?”

“No sir, we’ve heard nothing,” the clerk rang the bell to summon the manager. “Mr Perkins will tell you all that we know.”

Perkins explained that Joe had checked into the hotel, left his personal effects and gone out. The desk clerk had seen him leave but he never came back. “His horse is still at our livery stable.” He told Ben. “We packed up his things and I have them in my office, we needed to re let the room.”

“You say the clerk saw him leave?” Adam said. “Did Joe say where he was going, or did the clerk see which way he went?”

The clerk who had greeted them stepped forward, “I was on duty that night. He didn’t say where he was going, just handed in the key. I was busy with another guest so I didn’t watch him leave. He wasn’t dressed for going any place fancy though, just his regular duds except for a white shirt and a tie.”

“I’d lay odds he was heading for the Barbary Coast.” Adam said.

“After I expressly told him to keep away from there?” Ben asked.

“Aw Pa, you didn’t make him promise, and he wouldn’t think you’d ever find out anyways.” Hoss said.

“Excuse me, Mr Cartwright,” The hotel manager interrupted, a little shamefaced at what he had to say. “I’m sorry to bring it up at a time like this, but there is the matter of payment, and your son’s horse is still in our livery stable.”

Ben sighed impatiently and reached for his wallet. “I’ll settle the bill and I’ll take some rooms for the next few nights.”

As their father paid up Adam turned to Hoss. “I’ll take the horses to the livery stable,” he told him. “And check up on Cochise while I’m there. Then we’ll pay a visit to the police.”

 

****

 

“He’s not taking enough in,” Dr Addison said as he watched the old man patiently spooning broth into the unconscious youth, “and he’s getting very weak.”

“He’s lost weight all right,” Jim agreed, without looking up, “and he’s wheezing some when he breathes.”

Dr Addison frowned. “It’s lying still all the time, fluid is forming in his lungs. We must get more nourishment into him. I think I’m going to have to try tube feeding. It’s the only thing I can do and even that may not help our young friend. He’s been like this for almost three weeks now, if he doesn’t come round soon he may never come out of it.”

“I just wish we could get his Pa for him,” Jim smiled wryly. “Seems to me that might help.”

The doctor didn’t reply, though he too wished he could find the young man’s family.

“Kinda reminds me of my own boy,” Jim said abruptly.

The doctor looked at him quizzically. “Thought you didn’t have any family, Jim?”

“I don’t now, but I had a son once. Weren’t no older than this young ‘un here when he signed on as crew on a clipper bound for the Orient. She was lost at sea in a storm, all hands perished.”

“I’m so sorry.” Dr Addison could think of nothing else to say. He was thankful that his own two boys were both hale and hearty even though, with the demands of his job, he didn’t get to see very much of them.

“Broke my wife’s heart,” Jim continued. He spoke in a matter of fact tone but the doctor could see the sorrow in the rheumy blue eyes. “She died just over a year later and I’ve been on my own ever since,” he sat silently for a moment then looked up at Addison. “Guess I’ll be with them soon enough eh, Doc?”

Dr Addison said nothing. The last thing the old man needed was false platitudes. He turned instead to the young man in the bed. “I’ll need someone to help me while I insert the tube in his throat,” he said steadily. “Do you think you could do that, Jim?”

The old man nodded gravely and Dr Addison went to fetch the necessary equipment.

 

****

 

“Well I have no record of a Joseph Cartwright at all on the night in question,” the corpulent police sergeant studied his record book, “and of the unknowns we had two unidentified bodies and one vagrant taken to the charity hospital.”

“Bodies?” Ben asked fearfully.

“Both buried by now of course,” the sergeant told him. “But I can obtain further details from the doctor that examined them if you’d like to return tomorrow.”

“Just give us the doctor’s address,” Adam told him. “We’ll go and check with him ourselves.”

Ben fought back the despair that threatened to engulf him, ‘wait till we hear what the doctor says,’ he told himself, ‘nothing is certain yet.’

“And the vagrant?” Adam was asking as the sergeant wrote down the doctor’s address.

“As I said he was taken to the charity hospital. He had no identification and no money so it was the only place would take him. Only thing I have in my records is he was unconscious. Head injuries, been in a fight I’d imagine. We get a lot of trouble in that area. No doubt he’s either recovered or he’s dead by now, it’s been nearly three weeks.”

“You’d better give us the address of this hospital as well,” Adam told him “If we don’t get anywhere with the doctor we’ll go look there.”

Taking the two addresses the Cartwrights left the station house. Outside the fog still hung thick over the streets. It struck clammy on the skin and made the sounds of the city seem muffled and far off.

Ben set his shoulders and looked at his sons. “Let’s go and see this doctor.”

 

****

 

Oblivious though the young man appeared to be to pain, there was still the reflex choking action when Dr Addison carefully threaded the thin rubber tubing into his patient’s stomach. Jim held the boy’s head steady while the doctor finished his task.

“Okay Jim,” Dr Addison straightened up. “I’m going to drip this broth through the tube now, if you could just keep hold of him,” he glanced at the old man’s pale face. “I’m sorry, I know it’s not pleasant. Sure you’re all right Jim?”

“I’m fine Doc,” Jim answered impatiently. “Let’s just get on with it.”

Painstakingly, Dr Addison tube fed his patient. Finished, he glanced again at Jim, saw the beads of sweat on the old mans brow. “Pain bad?” he asked. Jim nodded wordlessly and Dr Addison despatched the nurse to fetch a dose of morphine.

“Sorry Jim,” he told him later, looking down at the old man who now lay on his own bed, teeth clenched in agony. “I shouldn’t have asked you to do that in your condition, it was too much for you.”

Jim shook his head slowly. “I need to do something, it takes my mind off the pain. I know I won’t be around for long, helping with that young ‘un, you never know, might stand me in good stead when I meet my maker.”

Dr Addison marvelled again at the old man’s courage. “You’re a good man Jim Baker,” he told him. “A good man.”

 

****

 

Ben, Hoss and Adam waited in trepidation while the doctor looked through his files. The man had been slightly taken aback when he opened his door to the three Cartwrights, but when they explained the nature of their business with him he agreed readily enough and invited them in.

Seated in the doctor’s pleasant sitting room the three looked up now as the man returned, carrying two files with him. “Good news Mr Cartwright. One of these men was elderly and the other was a blonde youth.”

Ben heaved a sigh of relief at the doctor’s words. “Thank you very much for your time. We appreciate it.”

“What happens now?” the doctor asked.

“We’ve got one more place to try today,” Adam told him. “The charity hospital. If we don’t find him there then we’ll just keep on looking.”

“Dr Addison runs the charity hospital,” the doctor told them. “A fine man. Runs the place almost single handed. Please remember me to him gentlemen. I wish you luck with your search.”

Out in the fog once more the three headed toward the charity hospital. They approached it with some dismay. Situated in a street in one of the least salubrious areas of the city it was a grimy, uninspiring building built of grey brick. Only one small sign on the wall showed that this was indeed their destination.

“Sure ain’t much of a place,” Hoss voiced all their thoughts.

Ben pushed open the scarred wooden door and the Cartwrights walked into a small reception area. Tiled floor, cream coloured walls with a number of battered wooden chairs standing against them. On a table in one corner was a bell with a sign beside it ‘Please ring for Nurse’.

Picking up the bell, Adam gave it a vigorous shake. As the pealing sound died down they heard footsteps approaching and a grim faced woman came through a door marked ‘Ward 1′. She looked a little surprised to find three tall men awaiting her in reception. “Good afternoon, gentlemen. How can I help you?”

“Ben Cartwright,” Ben extended a hand. “These are my sons, Adam and Hoss. I don’t know if you can help us but we are looking for my youngest son Joe. He didn’t return to his hotel on the night of July 21 and no-one has heard from him since. The police reports show you had an unidentified man brought here that night, we wondered…”

“You must mean our young coma victim. Dr Addison will be so pleased. He hoped that someone would come for the boy.”

“You mean Joe is here?” Ben could hardly believe he was hearing right.

“Young man of about twenty, dark curly hair, slim build?”

“Yes, that’s Joe.” Ben was feeling a mixture of great relief and anxiety. His son was here, he was alive, but the nurse had said a coma.

“He’s still unconscious after three weeks!” Adam interjected in concern.

“The doctor’s with him at the moment,” Nurse Andrews told them. “If you gentlemen will just follow me, he’ll be able to tell you more.”

 

****

 

Dr Addison looked up at the sound of four pairs of feet approaching to see Nurse Andrews and three men. The eldest of them, a grey haired man with dark brows, reached the doctor first. Addison saw the man’s eyes go immediately to the young man in the bed, heard his sharp intake of breath. Looking at the expression on the man’s face as he moved to stand beside the bed the doctor knew at once that this must be the boy’s father.

Ben gazed down at his son. He was so thin, he thought, his cheekbones sharply etched, and so pale. But he was still alive, his youngest son was still alive!

“I take it sir, that this young man is your son?” Dr Addison spoke from behind him.

“Yes he is,” Ben turned to face the doctor, “and these are his brothers, Adam and Hoss. My name’s Ben Cartwright.”

“And the name of my patient?”

“Joe,” Ben replied quietly. “His name is Joseph Francis Cartwright.”

“I’m very pleased to meet you,” Dr Addison shook hands warmly. “Jim and I just knew this young man had family somewhere, didn’t we Jim?”

From the next bed Jim grinned at them. These three men were exactly as he would have imagined.

Ben moved to his youngest and gently reached out to stroke his son’s soft curls. “What exactly is wrong with him?”

Dr Addison frowned. “Your son was brought in with a depressed fracture on the side of his head,” he explained. “I imagine he was hit with some hard object. There was a certain amount of haemorrhaging which has resulted in a coma. From time to time he has shown signs of returning to consciousness but he hasn’t quite made it, and to tell the truth Mr Cartwright the next week is crucial. If Joseph doesn’t come round soon, well, most patients who stay in coma after a month never recover.”

“Can’t anything be done?” Adam asked.

“Not really, it’s just a matter of wait and see,” Dr Addison told him. “But talk to him,” he continued. “Let him know you’re here. We can’t tell how deeply unconscious he is. Perhaps he may hear you, perhaps not, but it can do no harm.”

Jim Baker looked across at the Cartwrights. “Young ‘un’s been calling for you,” he told Ben. “Asking for his Pa. Couldn’t make much else out, I thought he said something about a horse – but didn’t you just call the big fella…”

“Hoss,” Ben affirmed. He closed his eyes momentarily in anguish. Joe had needed him, had been calling for him, according to the old man, and he hadn’t been here for him.

Dr Addison smiled at Jim. “I’d like to introduce you to Jim Baker, Mr Cartwright. He has been helping me take care of your son. We are very short staffed and I don’t know what I’d have done without Jim’s help.”

Nurse Andrews called Addison from further down the ward and he turned to leave. “Duty calls. I’ll be back to see you later Mr Cartwright.”

Ben sat down on the chair beside his youngest son’s bed and for a while the three older Cartwrights just watched Joe as he slept.

“He’s awful thin Pa, Hoss said at last.

Ben nodded, his youngest, always slim was now alarmingly thin.

“Doc’s had to feed him with a tube into his stomach,” Jim saw Ben’s eyes widen in horror at his words. “He had to, Mr Cartwright, the boy needed the nourishment.”

Ben knew this to be true but the thought of his child enduring such treatment was still painful. He reached to Joe now, smoothing his son’s brow with a gentle touch. “Joseph,” he spoke softly to the unconscious young man. “We’re here son. Pa, Adam and Hoss, we’re all here.”

“Hey Joe,” Adam took Joe’s hand in his. “Try and wake up for us.”

“Yeah,” Hoss joined in. “C’mon little brother, time to wake up now.”

For the next hour the three Cartwrights talked to Joe. Dr Addison, approaching along the ward, heard their quiet voices and hoped this would finally get through to his patient. “No response?” he asked Ben as he reached them.

Ben looked up at the doctor and shook his head.

“You must keep trying,” Dr Addison urged. “Sometimes he comes so close to waking. I’m hoping your voice might just get through to him.” He glanced at the clock on the wall. “I’m afraid visiting time is over for today though, and I need to get my patients settled for the night.”

Ben looked up. “I’m not leaving, Joe. I won’t leave him here alone.”

Dr Addison contemplated the man in front of him. ‘Looks like I’d need to use force to get him out of here,’ he thought, ‘and he has a gun.’ “Very well,” he said. “You may stay Mr Cartwright, though all I can offer you is that chair for the night. I’m afraid I must insist that your sons leave however, it’s too much of a disturbance for my other patients.”

Ben nodded in agreement and Adam and Hoss left reluctantly, promising to return first thing in the morning.

Ben remained by Joe’s side as around him the hospital settled down for the night. Nurse Andrews went off duty and the night nurse arrived in her stead. Dr Addison went home, if any emergencies arose in the night an attendant would be despatched to summon him back. Eventually, the ward grew quiet as most of the patients slept. Dimly lit, with just a couple of lamps left alight, the place took on a soporific atmosphere.

Ben looked about him. The dark disguised the shabbiness of the place, the general air of dilapidation that he had noticed by day. He saw that Jim Baker was still awake in the next bed. “Can’t sleep?” Ben’s kept his voice soft, lest he waken other sleeping patients.

“Pain keeps me awake. Don’t get much sleep any more. I just lie here and think. The nights seem fearful long in here.”

“Dr Addison seems a very devoted doctor.”

“He’s one of the best. Works hard, here all hours. Hospital would close without him, but he needs more money to run it better. There’s never enough money for the things he needs. Doc’s had to sit by and watch many a patient go before their time because he can’t afford to by the things necessary to save them, or at least ease their pain. He even has to pay for some drugs out of his own pocket because he can’t stand to see his patients suffer. He’s a fine man Mr Cartwright and he’s done his best for your boy.”

“And how about you Jim? Have you been in here long?”

“‘Bout three months. Got no family, no-one else to take me in.”

Both men turned abruptly as Joe began to move restlessly in his bed, mumbling words that they couldn’t make out. “He’s been like that a few times,” Jim told Ben. “Try and reach him now Mr Cartwright, go on.”

Ben looked down at his son. He reached for Joe’s hand and, holding it tightly, bent close to him. “Joe,” he said. “Joseph, come on son, wake up. We need you to wake up now. Hoss, Adam and I we need you to wake up and come home with us,” over and over Ben repeated the words, his voice gentle and tender, willing his son to wake.

 

****

 

Somewhere Joe could hear his father calling his name. He struggled to open his eyes. He couldn’t seem to wake up. He felt so tired, perhaps he could sleep for a while longer, if only Pa would stop calling him. His father’s voice continued on relentlessly and Joe struggled once more to wake…

Ben, gazing at Joe’s face, saw his son’s eyelids flicker briefly and felt a flash of hope. “Come on Joe,” he urged. “You can do it son, wake up now.”

Joe’s eyelids flickered again and then, agonisingly slowly, he opened his eyes and stared blankly at his father.

A wave of relief rushed over Ben as he gently touched his son’s face. “Joe?” he said softly.

Behind Ben, Jim struggled from his bed. “I’ll get the nurse,” he said, heading off up the ward.

Joe’s eyes at last seemed to focus on his father’s face. “What happened?” his voice was a hoarse whisper. “Where are we Pa?” He attempted to look around and grimaced in pain. “My head hurts,” he muttered, “what happened?”

“Just lie still Joe,” Ben’s voice was thick with emotion. “You’re in hospital in San Francisco, you got beaten up.”

“San Francisco?” Joe looked puzzled for a moment, then he remembered. “Oh yes, I was in a bar in the…” his voice tailed off and his expression grew wary as he looked at his father.

“Barbary Coast.” Ben finished for him. “Never mind that now. Let’s just get you better and back home.”

Ben looked up as Jim returned with Nurse Grafton, the night nurse.

“Well, so you’re awake at last,” she looked down at Joe and smiled. “The doctor will be pleased. He’ll be here shortly to look you over, until he does just try to lie quietly.”

“I just knew you’d reach him Mr Cartwright,” Jim grinned at Ben happily. “I just knew it.”

 

****

 

“I think he’ll make a full recovery,” Dr Addison told Ben. The two men were seated in the reception area of the hospital. Dawn was breaking outside, yesterday’s fog had lifted, and the sky was clear. Joe was sleeping; a blessedly normal sleep, and Dr Addison had brewed coffee for himself and Ben in the small hospital kitchen.

“All the signs are good,” Addison continued. “Now he’s out of the coma I expect the fluid on his lungs to clear rapidly, we just need to get plenty of nourishment into him and build up his strength.”

“And when will he be well enough for me to take him home?”

“I want him here for at least another three or four days, just to be sure there are no ill effects from the coma. Even then I’d advise you to remain in San Francisco for a couple of weeks, he’s going to be too weak for a long journey for some time.”

The doctor finished his coffee and stood up. “If you’ll excuse me Mr Cartwright, I’m going home for a couple of hours sleep.”

Ben watched Addison leave, then sat back in the chair and closed his eyes. He was exhausted himself, he hadn’t had a full nights sleep since they had left the Ponderosa. Now that the ordeal was over, Ben allowed himself to realise the fear that he had faced, that he would never see his youngest son again and then, when he had found him… Ben shuddered and thanked the Lord that Joe was on the road to recovery. He must have dozed for a while because when he opened his eyes the room was fully light.

 

Nurse Grafton entered from the ward. “Good morning Mr Cartwright,” she said cheerily. “Your son’s awake again if you’d like to go through.”

Ben heard his son laughing as he entered the ward. Jim Baker was sitting beside Joe’s bed talking to him; they looked up at Ben’s approach.

“Just been keepin’ your young ‘un company,” Jim smiled. “And making his acquaintance now he’s awake. You’re a lucky man Mr Cartwright. You have a fine boy here.”

“Thank you, I think so,” Ben replied and turned to Joe. “How are you feeling?”

“My throat’s sore and my head aches a little but apart from that I’m fine. I’m sure hungry though.”

“Then you’ll be wanting this,” Nurse Grafton approached, carrying a tray holding a plate of eggs and a glass of milk. “You need to eat small amounts and often,” she told him. “After so long without solid food we need to reintroduce it gradually.”

The ward door opened again as Adam and Hoss came in. “Hey Joe,” Hoss bellowed as he caught sight of his younger brother sitting up in bed eating. “You done woke up at last.”

“Welcome back to the land of the living, little brother.” Adam added as he came over to join his father at Joe’s bedside. “You had us all a might worried there.”

 

****

 

“I just want to go home,” Joe complained. He’d been conscious for two days now and, though still feeling weak, was desperate to get out of the hospital and home to Nevada.

“You have to be patient Joe,” Ben sighed; telling his restless youngest son to be patient was tantamount to telling the sun not to rise.

“I’m bored,” Joe looked pleadingly at his father, “and the food here’s awful. I’d be better off at the hotel, if you just asked Dr Addison again Pa?”

“The doctor knows best. And he says at least two more days.”

It was late evening. Hoss and Adam had been in earlier in the day to see their brother but, now that they knew Joe was going to be all right, they were taking advantage of a few days unexpected vacation time in the big city. Ben turned from his son to cast a worried glance at the old man in the next bed. Jim had spent much of the previous day talking to Joe and his family, but today he had remained lying quietly in bed. Ben could see that the old man was in considerable pain. Dr Addison had visited Jim several times through the day and returned now as Ben watched, his face was grave as he examined the old man and spoke softly to him.

As the doctor left the ward Ben followed, telling Joe he’d return shortly. He found the doctor sitting in reception, his eyes closed. He opened them as Ben approached.

“Jim Baker’s worse isn’t he?” Ben asked.

“He’s dying Mr Cartwright,” Addison told him. “He has a large growth in his stomach and he’s known for some time that he was close to the end. I don’t expect him to last the night I’m afraid. I just wish I could give him something more to ease the pain but all I have left is laudanum.”

“What do you need?”

“Morphine is best but we have no money left to buy any. I’d buy it myself if I could but I spent my last spare cash on the laundry.”

“Then let me pay.”

“I couldn’t do that Mr Cartwright,” Addison shook his head. “It’s not your problem.”

“On the contrary. I’m a relatively wealthy man doctor, but I learned long ago that some things are more precious than money. Without my sons I have nothing. Jim Baker tried to help Joe when he needed it and, if you would allow me to help Jim now, I would feel that I was repaying his kindness.”

Dr Addison smiled. “If you put it that way Mr Cartwright. Then I will accept your offer.”

The doctor left to obtain the morphine and Ben returned to the ward. Dusk was falling and most of the patients were settling down for the night. Joe looked searchingly at his father as he resumed his seat beside him. “What’s wrong Pa?”

Ben smiled sadly at him. “It’s Jim,” he said quietly. “I’m afraid he’s not going to make it.”

Shocked, Joe stared at his father. “He’s going to die!”

“I’m afraid so, Dr Addison told me he doesn’t expect him to last the night.”

Joe was silent, he had come to like the old man over the past couple of days and was sorry to hear how gravely ill he was.

 

****

 

“Hey Mr Cartwright,” Ben turned as Jim called weakly to him. He looked back momentarily at Joe, who was sleeping, then got up and walked to the old man’s bedside. He looked down at Jim who was pale, his jaw set against the pain he felt even through the morphine Dr Addison had dosed him with. “What can I do for you Jim?”

“Just didn’t want to be on my own,” the old man said slowly. “Would you sit and talk a while?”

“Of course.”

“Your young ‘un asleep?”

Ben nodded.

“You’re a lucky man, three fine sons,” Jim smiled wistfully. “Perhaps I’ll get to see my son, wherever it is I’m going. It would be nice to think that he’ll be there waiting for me along with his mother. Do you think he will be Mr Cartwright?”

“I’m sure he will, Jim.”

The old man grimaced as sharp pain hit him. He breathed deeply for a while then turned again to Ben. “You say goodbye to young Joe for me. Look after him, Mr Cartwright, tell him I was glad to know him.”

Ben smiled sadly at the old man. “Thank you Jim for what you did for my son. Joe and I will always be grateful to you.”

Jim closed his eyes and appeared to sleep but, after a few minutes he gave a harsh choking shudder. A convulsive movement ran through his body and he ceased breathing. As Ben watched, the lines of pain and age on Jim’s face seemed to fade and he looked younger and at peace.

Ben looked up from the old man to see Joe sitting up in bed watching him. “Has he..?” he asked quietly.

Ben nodded. “He’s out of pain now.”

Joe looked at him, his eyes clouded. “He was a nice old guy. I’m sorry he’s dead.”

Dr Addison came striding into the ward. Seeing Ben and Joe he came over to join them

“I was just about to come and get you,” Ben told him. “I’m afraid Jim’s gone.”

The doctor sighed. “He was a good man. I shall miss him.” He went to examine Jim and then left to arrange for the removal of the body.

“Addison’s a pretty fine man himself,” Ben said. “I’d like to do something to thank him, something that would benefit this hospital.”

Joe looked at his father quizzically. “What do you have in mind?”

“I have an idea but I have a feeling I’ll be pretty busy for the next couple of days, so I’m afraid you’ll have to make do with your brothers for company.”

 

****

 

“Wonder what’s keeping Pa?” Joe was impatient. Dr Addison had pronounced him fit enough to leave but Adam refused to go until their father got there.

“He said he’d meet me here around five,” Adam said, glancing at the clock. “It’s only ten after five now.”

Joe sat on the edge of the bed tapping his booted foot on the floor restlessly. It felt good to be up and dressed again and he couldn’t wait to get out of here, and to the hotel. He’d have paced the floor if only his legs didn’t feel so darn shaky when he stood up. “Do you know where Pa went?” he asked Adam who was sitting beside the bed reading a newspaper.

“Nope,” Adam didn’t glance up.

“Couldn’t we just leave a message for him and go on to the hotel?”

“Nope,” Adam turned the page.

Joe sighed loudly in exasperation and resigned himself to waiting. It was only five minutes later that Ben entered the room.

“Well,” he smiled at Joe. “Looks like you’re all ready to go.”

“Sure am,” Joe stood up eagerly but was forced to grab his father’s arm to steady himself as his legs threatened to give way.

“Are you sure you’re well enough?” Ben looked concerned.

“He’s all right Pa,” Adam folded the newspaper and stood up himself. “Dr Addison says he’ll soon get his strength back, just to take it very slowly.” At this he looked at Joe who scowled back at him, slowly was not the way Joe took life.

“I’ve got to talk to Dr Addison before we leave,” Ben told them seeing the doctor at the far end of the ward.

“Why Joe, I thought you’d be long gone,” The doctor said as he came over to join the Cartwrights. “You seemed so eager to see the back of us.”

“I have something I’d like to discuss with you doctor,” Ben spoke up. “Something that I hope will be of benefit to this hospital.”

“I’d be very interested in anything that does that Mr Cartwright.”

“In the time that I’ve been here with Joe,” Ben began. “I’ve seen what a fine job you’re doing here but I’ve also seen how short of money you are, money that could be used for more staff, more drugs and better equipment.”

“I can’t deny that,” Addison said. “It’s a constant battle to raise funds.”

“I do a lot of business in this city,” Ben continued. “And I know a lot of influential people. For the past two days I’ve been in meetings with some of them. Now I could have just asked them to donate a sum of money to the hospital, but I feel that you really need a steady income, money coming in on a regular basis.”

Addison nodded in agreement.

Ben produced a sheaf of papers from his pocket. “Here’s what I’ve come up with. In exchange for a monthly income from these businesses,” he indicated the papers. “They will use the fact that they are sponsors of this hospital to promote themselves to their customers.”

“They’ll pay all this?” Dr Addison asked in amazement studying the papers that Ben handed him.

“All you need to do is sign.”

“Mr Cartwright I don’t know how to thank you,” the doctor said gratefully. “For myself and for my patients.”

“I’m just glad I can do something to repay you for the care you’ve given Joe.”

As Addison and Ben said goodbye, Adam reached out to assist his brother but Joe brushed his arm aside, determined to walk out by himself. Ben and Adam could only watch anxiously as Joe walked shakily out of the hospital and into the street.

 

****

 

“Home at last,” Hoss grinned as the four Cartwrights arrived back at the Ponderosa.

“And sooner than the doctor recommended,” Ben looked at Joe searchingly. “Are you sure you’re all right, it’s been a long trip.”

“I’m fine. I told you, Pa, I just couldn’t stand hanging around in San Francisco, I wanted to get home. I can rest better here.”

“Well, if you’re sure you’re really fine,” Ben said as the four started toward the house “There’s a little matter of what you were doing in a bar on the Barbary Coast that we need to discuss.”

Adam and Hoss laughed and Ben smiled at Joe’s stricken look and together the four entered the house.

 

 

THE END

Tags:  Family, Joe / Little Joe Cartwright