Summary:   An old friend of Bens, from his younger, wilder days comes to visit.

Written for the Guess who’s coming to dinner challenge for Lorne Greene’s birthday.

Word Count: 1,037  Rated: K

                                                  Horace Greeley Comes to The Ponderosa

Story Notes:

This was written at the last minute, please forgive how rough it is. Once it’s been beta’d I will repost it.

Author’s Chapter Notes:

Ben Cartwright and his youngest, and the only remaining son on the Ponderosa, waited outside the stage depot. Sitting on the only bench against the wall of the office, Joe leisurely watched his father as he paced back and forth.

“You know, Pa, if you don’t relax and stop that pacing, you’re gonna wear that wood straight through to the ground.”

Ben turned and glared at his son until he saw the mischievous twinkle in his eyes. Unable to stop himself, he chuckled at his own nervousness.

“I can’t help it, that stage is running late.” Joe was about to interrupt, but Ben held up his hand. “I know, I know, the stage is always late. But why, just once, can’t it be on time?”

“Cuz then it would be early and you wouldn’t want that to happen. It’d ruin Pete’s reputation, and we can’t have that,” Joe cackled; his high pitched laughter bringing a smile to his father’s face.

Before Ben could respond, Joe pointed down the street to where an enormous cloud of dust announced the ultimate arrival of the noon stage. Pulling out his pocket watch, Ben noted the time.

“Almost two o’clock,” he grumbled.

Hearing his father’s comment, Joe pulled himself to his feet with the grace of a panther. “Yep, right on time.”

The stage lumbered to a stop, the door swung open and a young couple stepped out, followed by on older man with balding and greying hair. He was wearing a long coat and carrying an umbrella, both of which had become an essential part of his attire, no matter the weather or occasion.

“Horace!” Ben called out.

The man turned towards the loud, baritone voice and smiled. “Why Ben Cartwright,” Horace greeted, and took the offered hand in a firm grip. “You haven’t changed a bit.” He stopped and looked his friend over, before a sly smile slipped on to his lips. “Except for that snow on top of your head. The last time I saw you your hair was as dark as can be and some little gal was on your lap running her fingers through it.”

Hearing a slight snicker coming from his right, Ben turned and placed his hand on Joe’s shoulder. “This young man here is my youngest son, Joseph.”

Joe held his hand out to the man in front of him and it was immediately accepted. “Welcome to Virginia City, Sir.”

A delicate clearing of a throat caught the attention of the three men, causing them to turn and look back to the stage door.

“Oh dear, I’ve been remiss in my manners.” Horace held his hand out to the woman standing there and helped her from the stage. “Gentlemen, let me introduce my wife, Mary. Mary, this is Ben Cartwright and his son Joseph.”

Both men tipped their hats and greetings were exchanged.

“I have the surrey over there. How about we head back to the ranch, I’m sure Hop Sing will have dinner ready by the time we get there.”

“I’ll get the luggage, Pa,” Joe volunteered.

Walking away, Horace looked back over his shoulder at the young man gathering the bags. “That’s quite a boy you have there, Ben.”

Pausing, Ben looked back at Joe and chuckled. “Don’t let him hear you call him a boy. And yes he is. He’s my pride and joy. I don’t know what I would do without him,” Ben replied, puffing up with pride.

Ben helped Mary into the surrey, and then stood back allowing Horace to take the place next to his wife. He climbed up onto the front bench and twisted around in order to continue his conversation while waiting on his son.

Once Joe had the luggage loaded, he took his spot next to his father and picked up the reins.

“All set?” When Ben nodded, Joe gently slapped the horses with the leather straps and headed for the Ponderosa.

In between reminiscing about years gone by, Ben pointed out various spots along the trail to the ranch house. Joe sat next to his father grinning like the cat who ate the canary. He mentally filed away each tidbit of his father’s past in order to pull it out of his arsenal when the need arose.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Joe do you realize that Horace is the founder of the New York Tribune, and has been an editor since before you were born, and is now a member of congress?” Ben asked.

“That’s quite an accomplishment, Mr. Greeley.”

“Thank you, Joseph.”

“Horace is planning on running for President,” announced Mary.

“What? You’re going up against Grant?” Ben asked, flabbergasted.

“I sure am. Someone needs to take this country in the right direction, and I don’t see Grant doing that any time soon.”

“Why you old dog,” exclaimed Ben.

Horace leaned back on the settee and considered Ben for a moment. “I still can’t believe that you actually settled down and became respectable. I remember when we met years ago. Your ship had just docked in Boston.”

“That’s right,” Ben agreed slapping his knee. “The captain had given us leave and I couldn’t wait to get to town.”

“If I remember right, you never got off the waterfront. I met you and your . . . er, friend of the evening in the Sea Witch Tavern.”

Ben glance over at Joe who was leaning back in the blue chair, his legs stretched out in front over and his fingers forming a steeple as he absorbed every word he heard.

“Uh, Horace, do you think we could go back to you telling us about running against Grant?”

“Why, Ben? That’s so mundane and it’s much more interesting talking with you about the wilder times.”

“Informative for others, too,” Ben grumbled only to see Joe flash him a smile.

“We sure hit it off right away, but why wouldn’t we? We were enjoying all the same vices; good whiskey, fine tobacco, and even better women,” Horace continued without missing a beat.

“I still haven’t decided if I’m ever going to forgive you for disappearing for all those hours with that red head.”

“I bet you haven’t,” Ben mumbled as a high pitched giggle rang through the room.

Chapter End Notes:

* This is an actual quote from Ben in the episode Yonder Man.