Chapter 9

Late that night Amelia was having a nightmare of Joe being found guilty because of her testimony and him blaming her. She dreamt that her Pa, Adam, and Hoss not wanting anything to do with her.

She wakes up with sweat on her forehead and breathing heavily. She knew that she had to see Joe but it wasn’t possible so she decides to write him a letter instead.

She gets up and walks over to her dresser and gets dress. She sneaks downstairs and out of the house. She quietly hurries to the barn and saddles her horse Sapphire and rides out of the yard and into town up to the sheriff’s office.

Knowing that the door was lock Amelia walks over in the alley where there was a bar window of Joe’s cell. She gets a wooden crate up against the wall and stood on it.  She peers through the window and saw Joe peacefully asleep in his cot.

She takes out the letter and drops it through the window and it falls on him. Before he woke up Amelia quickly gets down from the crate and hurries onto her horse then rides away.

Joe wakes up to find a peculiar folded paper on him. Curiously he sits up and reads it.

 

“Dear Joe,

There are so many things I want at the jail that I didn’t get to say. The main thing I wanted to tell you is that I love you…I love you so much and I miss you something awful. The Ponderosa isn’t the same without you because it’s quiet (just kidding).

I regret the way I treated you after you hit me. I know we made up for that but I still feel bad for the way I treated you.

Before that night happen we were really close. You know that I love you, Adam and Hoss the same but I never told you this before but I feel closer to you than I do Adam or Hoss. When I am with you I feel more at ease. I don’t feel like I have to prove myself or feel like a grownup like I do when I am with Adam or have to feel like a little sister when I am with Hoss.

You make me feel proud to be a Cartwright and to be your sister. You don’t judge me or criticize me. I guess we have this special bond maybe it’s because we’re both the youngest.

I wish I can there was a way I can see you but I can’t. I know you regret hurting me and I know how much it scared you not just because I’m your baby sister but because of the promise you made to my mother. You never broken that promise because I know you can never hurt me and you never have.

I’m sorry that I can’t see you and that I have to testify. If I had it my way I would be in the cell next to you but you know Pa would never hear of it. You know that I told the judge that I would never hurt my brother. I wish there was something I can do to make this easier for you.

I’m really scared that the jury is fine you guilty because of my testimony. I know how much you wish you can hold me in your arms and tell me that everything is gonna be alright  like you have always  have since I was little and scared of thunderstorms. I’m not little anymore so I’m gonna do my best to be strong for you because you have always been strong for me. You are the best big brother a girl can have and I’m so glad and proud that you’re mine. I love you very much and I always will.

Your loving sister,

Amelia”.

Joe was surprise by what it said and was very touched. He had a few tears rolling down his cheeks.  “I love you too baby more than you could ever know” he said softly thinking about his sister.

The next day in the courtroom the prosecution was in the middle of trying to convince the jury that Joe was guilty. “In conclusion if Joseph Cartwright is capable of hurting his own flesh and blood then he is capable of anything including beating a man to death. Joseph Cartwright is guilty and should be hanged for murder” stated Mr. Henson he walks back to his desk and sits down.

Mr. Crawford gets up and walks over to the jury. “My client made a mistake that night when he had hit his only sister who he loves dearly. Now I ask you does it seem fair to find a man guilty when there is no strong evidence proving that he killed a man. So why should he be hanged for something that he clearly didn’t do. Little Joe Cartwright should not be found guilty and hanged for a murder he didn’t commit” declared Mr. Crawford he then walks back over to Joe and sits next to him.

Moments later the jury left the room and into the back room to deliberate. A few minutes later they return with their verdict and pass a piece of paper to the judge.

The Judge reads it and then looks at Joe and Mr. Crawford. “Would the defendant please rise?” ordered the Judge. Mr. Crawford and Joe stood up.

“The jury finds Joseph Cartwright not guilty” declared Judge Longworth. Everyone in the courtroom was shocked. Some were relieve others were not happy.

No one in the room was happier than Ben and the Cartwright’s. They rush over to Joe except Amelia who watch was just happy to see her family celebrate. She had tears rolling down her cheeks.

Joe turns to her after hugging each member of the family. He had tears in his eyes. Their arms wrapped around each other bounded by their undying love for each other.

Later that night Hopsing had prepared a special dinner to celebrate Joe’s homecoming. After they had eaten the family gathers in the living room for a celebration toast.

“First of all I want to thank you all for believing me and for all your love and support” said Joe. He turns to Amelia. “I want to especially thank Amelia. You stood by me when I needed you the most and I can’t tell you how much that means to me. I am truly grateful to you little sister. I love you sis” said Joe proudly.

Amelia beams and says “Cartwright’s Stick Together”. They drink a toast to that and Joe walks over to his sister and hugs her. Amelia tells him that she loves him too.

Months later Amelia and Joe’s relationship was stronger and closer than ever. Both realized that no matter what happens that they would always have each other’s backs through thick and thin.

After all Amelia said it “Cartwright’s Stick Together”.

The End

 

Author’s note: They never did find out who murder Carl Simmons some townsfolk still believed that Joe had done it but they could never prove it.

I hope you all enjoy my story please read and review. Thanks!

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.