Summary – In a brotherly moment Little Joe receives some wisdom from his middle brother.

Rating – K, Word Count – 1776

Being Hoss

Twenty year old Hoss Cartwright walked into the bank and was pleased that it was empty.  Pulling a draft from his pocket he stepped up to the teller window.

“Morning Hoss, what can I do for you?”

“Howdy Tucker.  Got this here draft from Adam for selling some o’ our cattle.  Pa wanted it in the bank right away. We’re gonna be using it soon to buy a new bull.”  

“Sure thing Hoss.”  

Tucker quickly processed the deposit and slid the receipt to Hoss under the teller bars. 

Just as Hoss put the receipt into his pocket he heard a click and a deep voice to go with it.  

“Put your hands on the bars mister and don’t look around. You, behind the bars, empty the drawers and put the money in this bag.”  

Hoss saw a cloth bag sail through the air over the bars and land beside Tucker. Hoss encouraged him with his eyes to cooperate.  

After a few minutes the bag was filled and in the hands of the bank robber.  He backed out through the doors then ran down the alley beside the bank. Hoss turned and fled the bank to follow the robber. Tucker ran outside hollering for help.  He heard a gunshot and ran that direction, followed by the Sheriff. 

Tucker skidded to a stop when he saw Hoss laying face down in the dirt. Roy pushed ahead and knelt beside Hoss.  

“Hoss, come on boy, answer me.”

“Roy? I-I lost him.  Almost…had him…he shot me…lost him.”  Hoss passed out as Roy hollered for some men to go with him to follow the trail and some to get Hoss to the doctor.

*****

At home Hoss rested in bed as Little Joe fed him some soup.  The bank robber had shot Hoss in his right shoulder so there wasn’t much he could do for himself.  

“Well, the soup’s all gone.  You want anything else, Hoss?”

“Nah, just leave me be little brother. I’m feeling a might tired.”

“Sure Hoss.”

Joe placed the empty bowl on the tray and carried it downstairs. After leaving the dishes with Hop Sing, Joe returned to the great room and slumped down on the settee, ignoring his father who was in his customary chair by the fireplace.

“Did Hoss eat everything son?”

“Hmm?  Oh yeah Pa.”

“Did you talk about anything?”

“Not really.  I told Hoss about school and Miss Jones’ new writing assignment.  Pa, how come Hoss isn’t upset about that bank robber shootin’ him and gettin’ away with all that money? I mean some of that money was ours.  We need that money to get that new bull Hoss wanted for the herd and if we don’t buy it soon, well…” Joe shrugged.  

“Son, your brother has learned the value of what’s important.”

“Huh?  What do you mean Pa? What’s more important than the money and gettin’ that guy?  I mean he shot Hoss and could have killed him.”

Before Ben could answer there was a knock at the door. Ben went to answer it and invited Roy inside.

“How’s Hoss?”

“Oh, Paul says he’ll be fine in a few weeks.  He should get full use of that arm back but it’ll take some time. What brings you out here?”

“Got news on the bank robber what shot Hoss an’ all.  He tried again at Gold Hill and got away with some gold this time. The trail led toward Carson City but then branched off onto the Ponderosa.  Reckon ya better keep an eye out fer strangers. Here’s a poster of the fella you can pass to yer men. Hope ya don’t mind that I sent my men ta follow the trail but that fella got himself lost in them trees up near the lake. They couldn’t find hide nor hair of him.”

“Of course Roy, do what you have to do.  I’ll let my men know and I’ll tell Hoss later.  He’s resting right now.”

“Thanks Ben.  I’ll keep you posted on what happens.  Good day to you both. Give my best ta Hoss.”

Ben saw Roy out then called for a ranch hand to pass on the word and picture about the bank robber and to double the guards around the house. 

*****

A few days later there had been no sign of the missing thief.  There was another robbery in Carson City and although the culprit was shot, he escaped. The trail once again led to the Ponderosa and was lost up around the lake.

Hoss was up and around with his arm in a sling.  Paul had given his approval for Hoss to walk around outside but not ride or do any work.  Adam had returned from San Francisco so he was able to pick up the slack in the workload due to Hoss’ injury. Joe had a day off from school since Miss Jones had contracted a cold.  He took advantage of that and the good weather to go fishing with Hoss. Ben reluctantly agreed but to the morning only. They had to be back by lunchtime so Joe could help Adam repair a wagon. 

At the lake, Hoss stretched out in the sunshine and fished left-handed.  Joe did the rest like baiting the hook, tossing the line and pulling the fish in. By mid morning, they had a good round of fish for dinner, so the brothers just rested in the sunshine and talked.  

“Joe, we had a good time today but you seem a bit jittery ‘round me.  Why’s that?”

Joe looked away and shrugged.  “Don’t know as I can really explain it Hoss.”

“Pa seems ta think it has somethin’ ta do with my bein’ shot.”

“Well, yeah, kinda.  Hoss I’m kinda jealous of you.”  

“Jealous?  What have I got that you’re jealous about, little brother?”

Joe sat up straight and turned angry green eyes to his brother. “I just don’t get how you can be so calm and nice about being shot, and losing out on gettin’ that man, and all our money being gone. Hoss, we lost that bull cause of that man.  An’ he’s still out there somewhere doin’ all this to other folks.” Joe dropped his head. “I just don’t get how you can not be angry like I am. I want to get that guy and make him pay.” He punched his right hand with his left fist for emphasis, just as quickly, he got quiet and released a long sigh.  “But part of me really wishes I could be like you, kinda forgiving-like. Guess that doesn’t make any sense does it?”

Hoss shifted his weight to reach out for Joe with his left hand.  “Joe, why didn’t ya say all this days ago, ‘stead of holdin’ it all inside ya?  I’m angry little brother, and I reckon a might worried since he’s still out there. But you listen and listen good.  Ya gotta set your priorities and look at the good and the bad. The bad is all you just said, but the good is that I’m alive and I’m gonna be okay.  Also, the money ain’t really gone. Oh it’s gone right now but the bigger bank in San Francisco is covering it so’s people have access to their money for emergency stuff like paying bills. An’ about that bull, well Pa went and talked to the man an’ he agreed to hold it for us for a month.”  Hoss tugged on Joe’s arm to get him to look at him. “So you see, it ain’t as bad as it seems. An’ I’m hopin’ they catch the guy so he can maybe learn from his mistakes an’ get to havin’ a better life.” 

Hoss saw a smile try to grace his little brother’s face but then he saw it turn to a look of fear.  Frowning, Hoss turned around slowly and found himself facing a pistol and an angry bank robber. 

“Don’t neither of you move. You messed up everything when you came chasing after me.  Now I got shot and can’t get over the mountains till this thing heals. I’m gonna make you and that kid there wish you’d never laid eyes on me.”  He steadied the gun at Hoss’ head as a rifle cocked behind him.  

“Drop that gun or you’re dead where you stand.”

Defeated the man did as he was told. As soon as the pistol hit the ground two men came from the trees and tied the man up.  Adam lowered his rifle and moved quickly to check on Hoss and Joe. 

“Brother I sure am glad ta see you. Where did you come from?”

“Yeah Adam, you were out with the herd. How’d you get here so fast?”

“I was on my way home for lunch when I noticed a fairly fresh campfire. I followed the trail and it led up here. I came across a couple of ranch hands standing watch over you two but they hadn’t seen anyone else. So we spread out and waited.  It didn’t take long either.”

“Well, I’m mighty glad ya did, ain’t you Little Joe?”

“Yep, mighty glad, Adam.”

Adam ruffled Joe’s curly head and winked at Hoss. “Well, just doing my job as big brother.  Now let’s get home for lunch. I’m famished.” 

*****

Back at the house, several men escorted their prisoner to town and the Cartwrights settled down for a hearty lunch.  Afterwards, Hoss invited Joe to sit with him outside. 

“There’s somethin’ I wanted to tell ya Shortshanks. I’m kinda pleased that you were a bit jealous of me but I want ya to know that all ya need ta do is try ta use your brain instead of your emotions all the time. Oh we all get mad about things that happen out here but after the initial shock wears off, little brother, ya gotta start lookin’ at it from a lot of sides. Am I makin’ any sense?”

Joe sat still and thought about his brother’s words.  “Yeah, I reckon you are. But somehow I think all that thinkin’ comes a lot easier to you and Adam, than it does to me. I hope someday I can be more like you Hoss.”

Hoss blushed a bit at that.  “Wal, shortshanks, you jest keep on watchin’ and tryin’.  An’ I reckon you’ll get there. You’re a Cartwright after all, right?”

“Right!”  

The laughter that spread through the air drew the other two Cartwrights outside to see what it was all about.  Hoss told some of it so they would understand their laughter but he kept some of it just between him and Joe, ‘cause that’s what brothers do for each other. 

Tags: Family, Hoss Cartwright,  Joe/Little Joe Cartwright