Summary: At a time of great sadness, one lost soul helps another. 

Rating-K, WC-4150

Missy

The heavy front door of the Ponderosa ranch house slammed against the credenza making the painting above it shake. In the kitchen, Hop Sing cringed as his pots shook on their hangers.  He paused briefly while stirring a pot of apples and rolled his eyes upward in a silent plea for help for the ones in the other room.  The voices coming from beyond the kitchen told him that the youngest Cartwright was once again on the warpath. Hop Sing had only been with the Cartwrights for a few months and had fallen right in with them as an adopted family member, but the turmoil with the young son was beginning to get to him.  A few days after he had joined the family as cook and general housekeeper, Mister Adam had told him of the great sorrow that hung over the family.  The loss of Mister Ben’s wife and Little Joe’s mother had brought them all to a standstill.  Now that Mister Ben was back with the boys Hop Sing saw that they were trying their best to move on.  All except Little Joe.  Being so young it was difficult for him to deal with the powerful emotions of losing a mother. Hop Sing had observed that the boy was mercurial anyway and adding grief to the mix was like adding coal oil to a fire.  

As he continued to cook the apples for dessert after dinner, he wondered what the problem was this time.  He also hoped that soon a solution would present itself that would help Little Joe move past his sadness and be the bright, cheerful child Hop Sing saw in his mind’s eye. 

In the other room Ben Cartwright’s head snapped up as the heavy door crashed against the furniture. He rose out of his chair at his desk, his dark brows lowering toward his angry eyes.  Before he could bellow out the culprit’s name six year old Little Joe rushed past him heading for the stairs.

“Leave me alone, Adam. I don’t have to listen to you or anybody else.  I cleaned out the stalls  an’ I’m gonna rest now.”

Long legs carried Adam rapidly into the room as he attempted to keep up with his brother. He stopped a few feet from the doorway, anger in his eyes and a long finger pointing at his brother. “Little Joe, you get back here. How can you say you’re finished when you left a huge mess of dirty straw in the middle of the barn?”

Little Joe spun around on the landing of the stairs and put his tiny hands on his skinny hips.  “I’m too little to clean all that up.  ‘Sides, Pa said I didn’t hafta.”  With that he turned and scampered up the steps.  

Silence filled the large room until Adam huffed and grabbed his hat off his head, throwing it to the floor. Out of the corner of his eye he caught the movement of his father around the corner to the alcove where his father’s desk resided.

Adam quickly picked up his hat.  “Uh, sorry Pa.  Didn’t mean to yell.  I guess you’ve figured out what happened.”

“Pretty much.  Things started out so well when you two headed to the barn.  What happened?”

Adam hung his head for a moment then looked straight at his father.  “It was going well till LIttle Joe stopped working.  He got all the muck out of the stalls then announced he was done.  I told him he had to help me get the muck out back but he stomped his foot, threw down his rake and stormed out, saying I had no right to tell him what to do.  You know Pa it was like night and day, we were fine then suddenly he was real mad.”

“Did you say something that could have upset him, son?”

“No, Pa, that’s just it. We weren’t talking at all.  We split the stalls.  I took the side with the larger horses and he took the other, where his pony and the cow stay.  After he finished with the cow’s  stall he moved onto the next one, you know where we store the extra feed.  That’s when….”  Adam stopped and his face went pale.  

“Adam?  What is it?”

“Oh Pa, how could I have been so careless?  The stall used to be for Marie’s horse.  He’s never cleaned that far back before and I wasn’t paying attention.  He must have realized it and, well…I guess that’s why he refused to finish the cleaning.  Pa, I’m sorry.  I…”

Ben put an arm around his distraught son.  “Adam, it’s not your fault.  If it didn’t happen with the stall, it would have been something else.  LIttle Joe just hasn’t been able to make the adjustments the rest of us have made.” Seeing a flash of grief mix with the guilt on Adam’s face, Ben quickly added, “Why don’t you see if Hoss will help you finish the barn then take some time for yourself until dinner’s ready.  I’ll go check on Little Joe.”

Adam glanced at the stairs before responding to his father in a quiet voice. “Sure Pa.”  He slipped his hat back on, headed to the door and closed it ever so quietly behind him.

Releasing a deep sigh, Ben trudged up the stairs.  The months after Marie’s death had been so hard on everyone but Adam and Hoss seemed to be finding ways to move on.  It was Little Joe who seemed to be stuck in his grief.  Of course Ben knew that to the six year old’s mind, death was not something he could easily understand. Joe was a whirlwind child on the best of days but one just never knew when something would trigger a memory of his mother causing the boy to melt into tears or leave a trail of damage after an angry fit. 

Upstairs Ben took a deep breath and knocked quietly on his youngest child’s door.  He turned the handle and stepped inside.   “Joseph?”  A rush of air then the feel of little arms around his waist assaulted Ben.  He bent over to pick up his son and held him tight.  Any words could wait for a while. 

*****

The next morning Hop Sing took the wagon to the trading post to buy supplies. Hoss and Little Joe rode with him as he would be going right past Tom Baker’s farm.  Amanda Baker had offered to teach any children from the surrounding farms and ranches as she had once been a school teacher. Being good friends with the Bakers, Ben took her up on her offer. Now Hoss and Little Joe spent time at the Bakers three days a week from Spring to Fall with a short break during the summer. The brothers waved then headed into the house as Hop Sing drove off.  A ranch hand would pick them up in the afternoon. 

The trading post had been growing steadily as more homesteaders moved in.  A few log buildings had been erected but most business was still conducted in tents.  One of the few wooden structures was Cass’ Supplies and Dry Goods.  Ben had become good friends with Will Cass and his family a few years back.  He always bought his supplies from Will and this day would be no different.  Hop Sing pulled the wagon to the side of the building so it could be loaded more easily, and to keep the narrow main street clear for other wagons passing through. 

“Morning Hop Sing.  Is it time for supplies again?”

“Good Morning Mistah Cass.  Yes.  Take many supplies, much food to feed growing boys.”  Hop Sing smiled and bowed to the proprietor, handing him the list.  

Will took the list and headed inside to check his stores. “I’ve got everything you need.  Give me about twenty minutes and I’ll be ready to load it onto the wagon.”

Hop Sing nodded and decided to wander through the area to see what new businesses had sprung up and which ones had closed.  The Cartwrights didn’t visit the area very often so it was helpful to know about the changes. As he padded along the street, a few folks who knew the Cartwrights greeted him while others ignored him or moved to the other side of the street. It didn’t matter to Hop Sing.  He was enjoying his stroll and thinking about how to help Little Joe get happy again.  

When he returned to the wagon, Mister Cass had begun loading crates into the back.  Hop Sing climbed in so he could place them where they wouldn’t shift during the ride home.  

“Here’s the last one Hop Sing.  Tell Ben he can pay me the next time he comes in.”  Will placed the crate in the back then turned to go back to his store.  He nearly tripped over a small dog that had wandered up to him. Will scowled and kicked at the mangy mutt.  “Scram!  Get out of here!”  

The dog yelped which caught Hop Sing’s attention.  He jumped down off the wagon in time to see the scared dog scurry behind an empty crate.  

“Stupid dog.  It showed up here last week and I can’t get rid of it.”

Keeping an eye on the dog, which kept peering out from behind the crate, Hop Sing addressed Cass’ comment about payment, “Mistah Cass, Mistah Cartwright give me money to give to you for supplies.”  Hop Sing reached inside his long coat and pulled out a small leather pouch.  Cass took it and counted the money.  

“Tell Ben this will cover today’s order and I’ll apply the rest to his account.”  

Hop Sing smiled and bowed again. “I tell him.  Good day to you Mistah Cass.”

Cass smiled back. “Tell Ben I expect to see his family here next time.  It’s been too long.”

“Yes sir.  I tell him.”  

After the door closed, Hop Sing carefully made his way over to where the dog was hiding.  He squatted down on his haunches and held a hand out.  The dog timidly crept out and let the Chinese man pet it.  

“You good dog.  You not have family?  You need someone to care for you?”  The skittish dog began to lean into Hop Sing’s hand as he rubbed the matted fur. The dog was filthy and favored its right paw. He gently lifted the dog into his arms and carried it to the front of the wagon. With a little work he made a soft bed under the seat with a blanket that was kept there for emergencies.  

As he headed home, Hop Sing kept up a quiet conversation with his new companion until it finally fell asleep. After that he worked on what he was going to tell Mister Ben about the lost dog.  He knew his boss didn’t allow pets and certainly would not let it into the house.  Hop Sing decided he would just handle that when he got home.  

*****

Pulling the wagon into the yard, a couple of ranch hands came out from the bunkhouse to unload the supplies.  Hop Sing instructed them where to put the crates then returned to the wagon to get the dog while the hands were busy in the store house.  

With the dog in his arms he went quickly to his room and placed the dog in a corner on a mat.  He filled a small bowl with water from his pitcher and set it on the floor for the dog to drink from.  He repeated this several times until the dog rested its head on its paws and drifted off to sleep again.

Hop Sing remained on his haunches watching the little thing sleep peacefully.  He reached out and smoothed down some ruffled fur on the top of its head.  “Missy be good dog and stay here.  Hop Sing bring food later.”  

Leaving his room he left the door cracked as well as the back door to the garden, just in case his new roommate needed to go outside. Returning to the kitchen he paused as a small chuckle and smile escaped him. He’d realized he had just named the dog, and he was concerned about the boys becoming attached to the sweet dog.  Well, it seemed they wouldn’t be the only ones.  

As Hop Sing worked to put the supplies and groceries away he ran different conversations through his head on how he would tell Mister Ben about the dog.  Nothing seemed to work so he gave up.  He chose instead to focus on getting the dog a bath and fix its injured paw.  An hour later Missy sat in the kitchen by the stove, eating scraps of meat and drinking milk from a bowl.  Her clean white fur glistened and her paw was bandaged.  She had somehow sprained it but with a little care Hop Sing knew it would heal properly. The cook was amazed at how thin she was and how quickly she devoured the food.  However, she seemed to know her limits so when she became full she would lay down and sleep, but not without giving him a pleasant, bright-eyed look as if to say “thanks”.  

Late in the afternoon Hop Sing heard the wagon arrive that brought Hoss and Little Joe from the Bakers.  He had moved MIssy back to his room and now he prepared snacks for them.  Hoss came in first and devoured his cookies and milk then scooted off to do his chores and homework. All Hop Sing got from him was that it was a good day and a thanks for the snack.  Since it was the end of the week Hoss was looking forward to some relaxation and fun.

Little Joe was a different matter. The boy dragged himself into the kitchen, let his hat slide from his fingers onto the floor and stood there looking as lost as the little dog in the alley way. Hop Sing slowly approached the child and asked what was wrong.  Little Joe shook his head, reached for a cookie and turned to leave. 

“Little Joe.  Tell Hop Sing why you so sad, please.”

“It don’t matter.  Nobody cares.”  A sniff followed.  “Nobody loves Mama anymore.”

Hop Sing’s heart ached for the little one. “Why you say that?” 

“Nobody talks about her. Missus Baker starts to then stops and says something else.  Hoss just clams up and looks miserable. I miss my mama but I got nobody to love or to love me.”  His shoulders began to shake.  Hop Sing reached for the boy and turned him around.  Joe collapsed into his arms and sobbed.  Once the tears stopped, Hop Sing sat on a bench and pulled the boy into his lap.  

“You listen to Hop Sing, okay?  It okay to be sad for Missy Marie.  Everybody miss her.  With sadness also comes memories. Soon bad memories go away and good memories stay. You ever see father look at picture of your Mama?”  

Little Joe thought a moment then nodded.  “Yeah, he looks sad but then a smile comes out.”

Hop Sing smiled.  “He miss her but have good memory to make him smile.  Little Joe need good memory to make you smile when sad.  You tell Hop Sing what that memory is.”

The boy thought hard, his brow furrowing under his dark curls and his small nose scrunching up. A moment later a smile crept across his face like the sun peeking out from a dark cloud.  “She was so gentle when I got hurt or was sad.  Mama would hug me and rub my back.  She’d speak French ta me an’ sometimes sing.  I always felt better after that.”  

Hop Sing hugged the boy.  “That good memory.  You keep and use it when feel lonely.  Family love you very much and love Missy Marie too.  They need to talk about her. Find it good to do that.”  

Joe scooted off the cook’s lap to the floor. He wiped his eyes and nose with his sleeve and looked up at his Chinese friend.  His eyes were still sad but a faint smile was visible. “Thanks Hop Sing.  I feel better now.”

Hop Sing ruffled the boy’s hair then put on a slightly stern face. “Now time for Little Joe get chores and homework done before father and brother get home.”  Realizing the time, Joe gulped his milk down and grabbed two more cookies before running out of the kitchen.  A second later Hop Sing heard the door close.  Smiling he began his task of preparing for dinner. 

*****

The following Sunday, Little Joe awoke with the sniffles.  Ben was going to cancel going to church but Hop Sing offered to take care of the boy so the rest of the family could attend the monthly services and have some time to visit with friends. Grateful for the offer, Ben, Adam and Hoss headed to church as Hop Sing settled Little Joe at the small table in the kitchen. 

“Little Joe stay and eat all soup.  Hop Sing be right back.”

Little Joe nodded and tucked into the chicken soup Hop Sing had reheated from the night before. It was one of the few foods the boy would eat. Emptying the bowl and wanting more, he jumped off the stool and went in search of Hop Sing.  Hearing his voice, Little Joe tiptoed down the hall that led to Hop Sing’s room. 

“Hop Sing I’m still hungry. You got anymore…hey, is that a dog?”  LIttle Joe ran over to where Hop Sing was fussing with Missy’s paw.

Hiding his frustrated look from the boy, Hop Sing nodded.  “Dog show up two day ago in settlement. Was hurt and hungry.  Hop Sing bring home and make better but now not know what to do with her.”

“We can keep her an’ take care of her.  I can do that, Hop Sing, really I can.”

“No Little Joe. Father not let you keep dog.  I take back tomorrow to find good home.”

Little Joe began to cry. “No, please don’t.  Let me take care of it, please. She looks so lonely and needs a friend.  I can be that friend.  I promise I won’t tell Pa or Adam or Hoss.  Please?”

Seeing the sincerity in those green eyes, Hop Sing couldn’t refuse the boy, at least not right now.  He agreed even though Little Joe was known to never be able to keep secrets.  

“Okay, keep dog till all better, then find family to care for dog.”

Little Joe’s mouth slid into a crooked smile.  “Okay, I guess.  Say what’s her name?”

“Hop Sing call little dog Missy.”  At the word the dog’s head rose and the tail wagged.  Both humans grinned together.  

“Well, I guess she likes her name.”  Joe leaned forward to rub her head and back while Hop Sing finished wrapping her leg. 

“Okay, time for Missy to sleep. Come, little boy need more soup and rest too.” Hop Sing stood and ushered Little Joe back to the kitchen.  After two more bowls of soup, the youngest Cartwright fell asleep on the settee.  Hop Sing spent the time preparing lunch for the family.  His heart was happy. Perhaps the little dog and the little boy would be good for each other.  

*****

For the next week, Hop Sing had managed to keep Missy a secret from Ben, Hoss, and Adam.  Little Joe proved to be a great helper with feeding her, keeping her fur brushed and generally keeping her entertained.  With the scraps fed to her and the care of her paw, she was gaining weight and moving around his room.  He left his door open and taught her how to get outside. When no one else was around, Joe would play with Missy in the garden.  Hop Sing figured since she was moving about she might wander away at any time but whenever Hop Sing checked on her she was always in her bed in his room. 

Little Joe was also a different child now.  He smiled more and did all the little man asked of him.  Hop Sing was sure he’d done the right thing in letting Little Joe help with the dog.  The boy needed someone to care for and perhaps get some special love in return.  It also appeared the rest of the family saw the difference which caused changes in them as well.  There was more laughter and Joe began talking about his mother and asking for stories of the time before he was born. Hop Sing felt it was the right time to tell the rest of the family about Missy. 

He chose an evening when the family was on the front porch enjoying a cool evening.  Ben and Adam were reading while Little Joe and Hoss played checkers.  Hop Sing approached the porch cautiously, with Missy in his arms. 

Ben saw him coming, thinking he was bringing a tray of snacks for everyone.  His smile disappeared when he saw what was in the cook’s arms. He laid his book aside and sat straighter in his chair. 

“Hop Sing, what have you got there?”

As the boys paused in their activities and looked his way, Hop Sing swallowed hard then met his boss’ eyes.  “It little dog. Hop Sing find in settlement last week.  She very hungry, scared and hurt.  Hop sing bring home to care for but now need to find home for little dog.”  

Before Ben could say anything, Adam and Hoss had surrounded Hop Sing full of questions and comments.  Hop Sing put the dog down and soon she was running round the yard with the older boys.  

Ben noticed that Little Joe had not moved and looked a bit worried, which surprised him. Hop Sing spoke up, “Little Joe help Hop Sing take care of dog.  He very good helper. Dog make little boy happy and little boy make dog happy.” 

Ben considered those words, then shared an understanding look with his cook. “Little Joe, why don’t you go and play for a bit.”  He smiled at his son and tilted his head toward the yard. 

After Joe left the porch, Ben turned to study Hop Sing.  “I’m not sure I understand all that has happened but it seems I have my little boy back. And I believe it’s thanks to you and that little dog.”  

Hop Sing bowed, feeling great relief inside and joy outside.  “Perhaps someone else to thank?”  His eyes rolled every so slightly upwards.  

“Yes, perhaps so.”  

Although Missy’s fate with the Cartwrights was undecided, that night everyone had more fun than they could remember as they all played tag in the yard with the little white dog.

*****

A month later, Hop Sing sat in a chair in his room reading while Missy lay at his feet. It was quite late but Hop Sing couldn’t sleep. There was a quiet knock on his door.  Missy sat up and waited  as Hop Sing opened the door.  

“Little Joe, what you do here so late.  You get back to bed or father get angry.”  

“Hop Sing, I had to come see Missy.  I had a bad dream and, well….”

“Come in little boy. See?  Missy happy to see you.”

Little Joe dropped to his knees and threw his arm around her. “Hop Sing, I did a good job keeping our secret didn’t I, an’ taking care of her?”

Hop Sing smiled and sat on the floor next to this young Cartwright. “You did very good to keep secret. Missy also help Little Joe get better after mama died, Hop Sing right?”

Little Joe looked down for a moment as sadness crossed his face. Missy seemed to notice and lifted her head to lick the boy’s cheek.  That brought a smile to the cook and the boy.  “She did help, a lot. Like when she snuck into my bed but was gone by morning, an’ when she let me just sit with her an’ talk about Mama.”  Joe’s green eyes flashed with joy as he spoke about all those times.  “An’ now Pa, Adam an’ Hoss know and she’s a part of our family.”

“She good dog and come at right time to help Little Joe with sadness.”

“Yeah.” Missy leaned into Little Joe’s hand as he scratched around her fluffy ears. 

Silence filled the room for a few moments, then Little Joe rubbed Missy’s head, hugged Hop Sing and headed back to bed.  Hop Sing smiled gently as Missy took up residence in his lap while he continued sitting on the floor. As he stroked the dog’s soft fur, he rolled his eyes Heavenward. 

“Thank you for sending help when we need it most.”  

The sound of a thumping tail was all that filled the little room behind the kitchen of the Cartwright home, that and the joy shared by dog and master. 

Tags:  Family, Hop Sing, Joe / Little Joe Cartwright