Summary: Practice makes perfect when it matters the most.
Written for day 21 of the 2021 Advent Calendar.
Rating: G
Word Count: 2049

Bonanza
~*~*~ Advent Calendar ~*~*~
* Day 21*

Song of the Bells

After running errands in Virginia City, Adam entered the quiet ranch house.   As he hung up his hat, the quietness ended when he heard a strange sound coming from the kitchen:

Bing, Bing, Bong.

Bing, Bing, Bong.

Bing, Bing, Bong…Bing Bing.

A soft caterwauling accompanied the tune.  Looking cautiously through the kitchen doorway, he saw Hop Sing softly playing a xylophonic-looking instrument and singing (?) to the tune.  Curious, Adam quietly watched Hop Sing repeat the process.  He was surprised to recognize the tune as Jingle Bells.

“What are you doing?” Adam queried.

“Trying to learn bell song for friend,” Hop Sing responded happily.  “Want to make song and gift for Christmas. Friend like bells so this song and present will make friend happy.”

“Who is this friend?” Adam asked.

Hop Sing replied: “You know Missy Barton; sister of widow of church pastor?  She my friend for many years.  Meet her on ship when I come from China to America.  She help me get to Virginia City and help me find job with you.”

Adam knew Claire Barton and her widowed sister, Cathy Barton-Stays quite well.  Although a new pastor had replaced the Reverend Stays shortly after his death, his widow had continued to live in Virginia City and, along with her sister, was still very active in the congregation and in many philanthropic groups.  Both ladies were quite revered in Virginia City and were as close to sainthood as anyone in the town could be.  However, Adam did not recall Claire Barton’s role in bringing Hop Sing to Virginia City but was not surprised to learn she was a friend of Hop Sing.  Claire Barton had been a missionary in China for many, many years and spoke the language fluently.  She was very involved in affairs of the Chinese community, often helping newly arrived immigrants find their way in this new and very strange country that, often, did not welcome the people from China.

“How do you plan to give her this gift and song?” queried Adam.  Intrigued by Hop Sing’s idea and impressed with his sense of loyalty to the lady who had, apparently, befriended the young man alone in a new country many miles from anything and anyone familiar to him.  Adam had been away at college when Hop Sing was first installed as the major factotum at the Ponderosa.  Of course, being a young man and all alone, Hop Sing had quickly become more than just a employee and was, in fact, more family than servant.

“Don’t know for sure.  But, maybe, go to house on Christmas Eve and play tune outside her door then give her present I make for her from bells.”  replied Hop Sing thoughtfully.

Adam smiled as he left the kitchen.  He returned to the living room and picked up a book; an idea began to tickle the back of his mind.   He could help his friend make this a special occasion, indeed.  He would talk with the rest of the family, and, if they agreed, he would present the idea to Hop Sing.  Maybe the Chinaman would like the idea; maybe not.  It was, however, an idea that could enhance the special and very personal gift he wanted to give to a person who was so special to him.  As Adam thought about the idea, the soft sounds from the kitchen continued for a time.  The music stopped, but the accented words of the song accompanied the rattle of cutlery and pans as Hop Sing began preparing dinner for his “family.”

Later, when the table had been cleared after a typically delicious meal by Hop Sing, and the Cartwright clan had settled into the living room for a quiet evening, Adam told the family about Hop Sing’s plan for his friend.  He added the idea that had been growing in his mind.

“I remember when I hired Hop Sing,” Ben said, puffing his pipe as he reminisced about that time.  “As you remember, before you left for college, Adam, there were a number of people I tried to get to work in the kitchen and keep house.  For some reason, none of them were inclined to stay long.”

Several glances shot around the room, but no one was inclined to follow up on Ben’s remark.  In those early days when the ranch and the Cartwrights were just coming into their own, Ben had been a sharp voiced task master whose gruff ways and belligerent tones had frightened away even the most patient and competent candidates within a few days.  Ben had mellowed since that time.  “I remember when Claire Barton approached me after church one Sunday to tell me she had a young Chinese man who was looking for a position in Virginia City and would I be interested in giving the young man a try? She brought him to the ranch the next day.  Hop Sing looked very frightened and said little at the time.  Still, I needed someone who could start right away.  When Claire said Hop Sing could cook rather well (she had trained him herself in the art of American cooking), I hired him instantly.  She showed him the kitchen and helped him settle in.  Hop Sing has been here ever since.  I think your idea is a fine one, Adam, but it has to be totally Hop Sing’s decision.”

Ben continued his thoughts quietly to himself.  Somewhere in age between Hoss and Joe, Hop Sing’s culinary abilities soon proved more than adequate.  Hoss was delighted to have someone who could cook so well and had a more than fair hand with pastries and cakes and pies and doughnuts – especially doughnuts; Hoss’s favorite treat.  Joe had easily and quickly befriended the young man, showing him how to saddle and ride a horse, even giving him a horse of his own. When he came home to stay, Adam had been intrigued with Chinese philosophy and Hop Sing knew a good bit about the philosophers of his country.  He and Adam had shared many a thought-provoking conversation about occidental versus oriental thought over a game or two of mahjong. Yes, Hop Sing was, indeed, more family than factotum.  All of the Cartwrights added their ideas to Adam plan and soon, a marvelous scheme was developed.

The next morning the Cartwright clan descended on Hop Sing at breakfast.  While Adam tried to keep the presentation logical and emphasized the choice was solely Hop Sing’s, Joe soon chimed in with his ideas, followed quickly by Ben and Hoss.  Hop Sing laughed with delight at the enthusiasm of the men he loved and their willingness to help him honor Claire Barton.  He quickly agreed to their plan.  Missy Claire would be astounded at the kindness of the Cartwrights, and, of course, by Hop Sing’s idea.  The chaos soon evolved into a well-orchestrated event.  Hop Sing would, indeed, have his wish to make Christmas a very special time for his beloved friend.

Christmas Eve dawned clear and cold as the Cartwrights finished up their work and headed for the ranch house.  After a warm lunch and much laughter, everyone scattered to his assigned tasks.  Hop Sing prepared his present for Claire, practicing his song as he did so.  The Cartwrights headed to the barn to get things together for the big event.  By early evening, all was ready and a light snow had started to fall, decorating the landscape with a fantasy beauty all its own.  Bundled against the weather in warm coats and gloves, the entourage headed into town.

As evening darkened the sky and lights beamed golden from the windows of the sisters’ home, the sleigh came to a halt.  On cue from Adam, the song rang out boisterously: “Jingle Bells, jingle Bells, jingle all the way!”

A surprised Claire Barton opened the door to the quintet serenading her.  Cathy Barton (who was also in on the plan) stepped behind her sister, holding a coat, scarf and mittens for Claire.

“Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.”  Hop Sing jumped from the gaily decorated sleigh to help Claire into the seat and tuck a warm robe around her.

“There will be cocoa and cookies when you get home – and all of you have a wonderful time,” called Cathy Barton-Stays as the sleigh pulled away, the harness merrily jingling its bells as the strong draft horse stepped lively to the road.  All the way to the place where the Ponderosa overlooked Lake Tahoe and the rich forest below spread to the horizon, the Cartwrights sang carols to Claire, Hop Sing’s voice blending with the others in joyous celebration of the holiday.  There were many songs about bells accompanied by each Cartwright ringing his own bell in time with the bells on the harness.  When they sang every carol and Christmas song they, knew, they sang them all again and again, their off key voices singing loudly and bells ringing grandly through the fantasy night.    Laughter rang out in the night accompanying the songs of joy and good will to all mankind (and womankind).  Even the horse let out a whinny every now and then as if to add his own voice to it all.

The merry parade stopped at the crest of the hill.  Below, the landscape white with snow was made silver by the full moon above.  The lake was a dazzling crystal reflection of the diamonds riding high in the black sky.  The trees, all robed in white, reflected the wonderous sight of the world on this magical night.  For a time, there was only awe filled silence as each one of the people gazed at the world below.

Hop Sing handed Claire a round muff of green velvet.  “Gift inside.  Special gift for special friend who love bells.”

Claire took the warm bundle and gently pulled a strange item from within the muff.  The shimmer of bells danced into the night.  She held up the bundle as a cascade of many tiny bells fell into a vertical, circular pattern to reveal an intricate windchime.  She held up the chime as a light night breeze gave life to the bells. Their music was delicate and varied and in beautiful harmony.

“Oh, Hop Sing, this is exquisite,” Claire spoke softly, her voice full of emotion as she held the chime aloft to the gentle breeze.  “Thank you, so very, very much.” With a smile, she leaned toward Hop Sing and quickly kissed his cheek.  Even in the dark, Hop Sing’s blush was evident.

“Miss Claire special person to Hop Sing.  Take care of me, help me learn to cook American foods, help me find job – and new family.  You and Cartwrights all family to Hop Sing.  Ponderosa home now.  All I love here with me tonight. You all my presents, not just at holiday, but every day.  All of you have heart of Hop Sing.” His voice quavered with unshed tears as all that was within his heart spoke forth.

The quiet moment was broken when Hoss said, “Hey, it’s cold out here and there is a big mug of hot chocolate and cookies waiting for me back in Virginia City.  I bet there are doughnuts, too.  Next to Hop Sing, Cathy Barton-Stays makes the best doughnuts!”

“Well, I’m ready to see if that’s so,” Ben laughed aloud as he turned Buck back toward town and the wonderful fellowship waiting there.”

As Hop Sing turned the sleigh, the big horse shook his head, setting the harness bells dancing with the windchime and the handbells as the Cartwrights, Hop Sing and Claire started another happy chorus of carols and Christmas songs as they headed toward the warmth and treats Cathy would have waiting for them.

Riding slightly behind the entourage, Adam glanced up into eastern night sky.  Riding in the zenith of the black night, a large star shone forth with brilliant jewel brightness – a star like no other he had ever seen.  It was the final touch to a perfect night.  Adam took up his guitar.  His baritone voice began the words of the beloved song: “Silent night.  Holy night.  All is calm.  All is bright…”

The End

No character nor item were listed

Link to Day 22 of the Bonanza Brand 2021 Advent Calendar:  The Christmas Letter by mumu74