Summary: Young Hoss helps a friend at school but soon discovers another child who has a greater need.

Rating: G, Word Count: 2006

Helpful Hoss

Eight-year-old Hoss sat on a log trying to read his book when he heard a commotion going on in the school yard. He looked up and saw Billy picking on Micah Galloway. Everyone taunted and teased Micah. Hoss got up and went over to Billy.

“You stop picking on him,” Hoss said standing between Billy and Micah.

“Aw Hoss you’re no fun,” Billy said.

“That’s not fun for Micah,” Hoss snapped.

Hoss took Micah’s arm and walked away.

Micah was new to school. His parents had lived outside of Virginia City, but Micah had rarely gone to school because he had to help his mother with his twin sister, Samantha, who couldn’t walk or talk. He did help his father on the farm, so it was sporadic when he was able to come. Hoss had seen the Galloway family but never got to meet them. Ben met the parents at church, but they were usually quick to leave after services. Mr. Galloway was always carrying Samantha. Even though Hoss had never got a chance to talk to them, he always smiled at Samantha and she smiled back. Hoss wanted to get to know her just as much as he wanted to with Micah.

Fourteen-year-old Adam was with the older boys and heard the commotion and watched Hoss with Billy and Micah. Adam was proud of Hoss for rarely getting into fights with Billy. After school, the brothers rode their horses home. Adam looked over at Hoss who had been lost in thought.

“Hoss, are you alright?”

Hoss looked at his older brother.

“I wish that Billy wouldn’t pick on Micah. It’s not Micah’s fault he’s behind in school. I wish I could do something to help Micah.”

“You’re already helping him. He’s been doing well in school because of you.”

Hoss thought about it.

“I guess so.”

They continued home.

The next day, Micah asked Hoss if he could come to his house after school.

“My parents would like to meet you. They’ve seen you but I talk a lot about you, they wanted to meet you,” Micah said.

“Sure. Let me tell Adam where I’ll be so he can tell my pa.”

Hoss ran over to Adam who was reading.

“Adam, Micah invited me over to his house after school. I wanted to tell you so you could tell Pa where I was.”

“Sounds good. I can come by later and get you. I don’t think Pa would like you riding home alone.”

Hoss nodded then ran back to Micah.

The two friends arrived at the Galloway home. It was a small home, but it was cozy.

“I like your house,” Hoss complemented.

“Thanks. Hi, Ma. Hi, Sam,” Micah said.

Mrs. Galloway looked up from her sewing and smiled.

“Hello, Micah.”

“Ma, this is Hoss Cartwright. Hoss, this is my mother Lottie Galloway and my twin sister Samantha. We call her Sam.”

“Hello, Ma’am. Hello, Sam,” Hoss said removing his hat.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Hoss. Micah has told us so much about you. I’ve met your father and mother at church. You do look a little like Ben but not Marie.”

“Marie is my step-mother. My ma died when I was a baby.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

Hoss shrugged.

“I still think of Marie as my ma.”

Lottie smiled.

“I have some cookies if you’d like some and milk while you do your homework.”

“Thank you, Ma’am.”

The boys sat at the table by Sam and did their homework. Sam watched them. Hoss would look at her and smile. He could see the intelligence in her eyes.

“Micah, could we teach her the alphabet and to read?”

“Hoss, I don’t think she could ever learn to read,” Lottie said before Micah could answer.

“Why not? I know she can’t talk but that don’t mean she’s not smart. She can learn to write and tell you what she wants. She can even learn to read and read books and learn of different places. Adam gave me his books from when he was my age. I can let both Micah and Sam borrow them,” Hoss said.

Lottie looked at Hoss and saw the innocence in the boy then looked at her daughter who had hope shining in her eyes.

“Hoss, I think that’s a fine idea.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Galloway.”

Micah and Hoss set to working with Sam while doing their homework.

The next day, the Cartwrights went into town to buy some things at the mercantile. Hoss wandered around and heard some people talking.

“Oh yes, the Galloway daughter is dumb. I don’t know why they keep her around. She’d be much better in an asylum. Perhaps if they put her in an asylum, they could live their lives and not have to always worry about her,” one lady said.

“I agree, Margie. Lottie is such a sweet woman. I invited her to the quilting social, but she refused saying she had to stay with Samantha. She never gets out. How is she to make friends when she has to be home with that girl. Charles is always gone to the mines. I’m surprised he doesn’t just make the earth fall on him then he wouldn’t have to worry about his family. Lottie would be better off with him. He’s hardly home anyway. I’ll bet he’s so ashamed of that daughter of theirs that’s why he stays working so much,” another said.

Hoss looked at the women speaking. It was Margie Higgins and Tabitha Potts. Hoss’ blood boiled as he heard the tales the women were saying. How dare they! Hot tears filled Hoss’ eyes as he walked away. He wanted so dearly to tell the women off, but he knew his father would get after him and to respect his elders. He had no respect for these women.

The tears spilled down his face as he ran out and climbed into the wagon. He pulled his legs up to his chest and covered his face with his arms. He felt someone touch his shoulder and he looked up. He saw Adam with a concerned look.

“What’s wrong?” Adam asked handing Hoss his handkerchief.

Hoss blew his nose and calmed down and told Adam what he had heard. Adam sat and thought for a moment after Hoss was done.

“Come on, we’re going to the doctor’s office,” Adam said.

“Why?”

“You’ll see.”

The two climbed out of the wagon. Adam went to tell Ben where they’d be, and they’d be back in a bit. They walked into Paul Martin’s office.

“Dr. Martin, I wondered if we could make a wheelchair for Samantha?” Adam asked after he told Paul the Galloways story.

“I don’t see why not. That’s a good idea. It would be good for Samantha to get around somehow. Would you like to help build it?”

“Sure,” Adam said.

“I think I’d be in the way. I can keep helping Sam read and write. This should be a surprise for them,” Hoss said.

“That’s a good idea, Hoss. We’ll have to wait a while to start building it though since Pa and I are heading back
east for a week,” Adam said.

“That’ll be all right,” Hoss replied.

The two finished their business with the doctor and left.

Adam and Ben went back east the next day leaving Hoss, Marie and two-year-old Joe who was walking around and getting into things. Ben had decided on taking Adam back east for business and perhaps seeing Abel Stoddard, Adam’s grandfather. Hoss helped Marie with Joe and hardly spent time with Micah and Samantha. He missed them both.

When Adam and Ben returned from their trip, Adam had something for Hoss.

“It’s a book on how to do sign language. That’s how the deaf communicate. It’s with their hands. We can learn it together and then you can teach Sam.”

“This is great. Can we start now?” Hoss asked excitedly.

“Of course.”

The two ran up to Adam’s room and began their study.

Hoss had got the hang of sign language and could sign. He took the book to the Galloways and told them about it and his idea to teach Sam.

“I think that’s a wonderful idea, Hoss,” Lottie said.

She had hoped to find some way to communicate with her daughter. They set off in learning. When Michael had the day off, he’d learn too, though he grumbled about it but finally gave in. They stumbled and laughed at themselves but were all learning quickly. Sam picked it up the quickest. She was excited to be able to communicate with her family.

Hoss had talked to Ben about all he heard with the women and wanting to share with the congregation at church about Samantha.

“I think that’s a good idea. I’ll talk with Reverend Jordon about it,” Ben said.

Adam walked in the house.

“Hoss, I have something for you.”

Ben and Hoss walked out. In the back of the wagon was a wheelchair. Hoss gasped.

“Adam, it’s beautiful. I can’t wait to give it to Sam. Can we go now?” Hoss asked.

“Sure. Let’s go,” Adam said.

“How about we all go?” Ben asked.

He went in and got Marie and Little Joe and they climbed in the wagon and left.

Hoss knocked on the door when they got to the Galloway home and Lottie answered the door.

“Hoss, what a pleasure to see you,” she said.

“Mrs. Galloway, we have something for Sam. May we bring it in?” Hoss asked.

“Of course. Please come in.”

Hoss rushed back to his family.

“She’s letting us come in. Bring the wheelchair, Adam.”

“Hoss, I think you should take it in. It was your idea.”

Hoss smiled and pushed the chair in. Lottie gasped as she saw the wheelchair.

“Sam can now get around,” Hoss said.

Tears filled Lottie’s eyes as her hands flew to her mouth. Sam bounced in her chair and clapped. Hoss rolled the chair to Sam and Adam lifted Sam and set her in the chair. Sam rolled around the small kitchen and squealed with delight. She stopped and turned to Hoss and signed to him.

“She said she loves it,” Hoss translated.

Tears filled the adult’s eyes as Sam signed and rolled around the room.
Sunday came and Reverend Jordon got up.

“I have a request from Hoss Cartwright to speak to you. Hoss?”

Hoss jumped up and pushed Sam to the front in her wheelchair.

“I have heard some talk about the Galloway family and how their daughter should be in an asylum. I’d like for you to meet my friend Samantha Galloway. She can now get around because she’s in a wheelchair made by my brother Adam. She can read and write with the help of me and Micah. She can also talk with her hands because my brother found out about sign language in which the deaf can talk. Sam, do you want to say something?” Hoss asked.
Sam nodded and began to sign as Hoss translated: “Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

The congregation was silent but had tears sliding down their faces. Hoss and Sam went back to their families. Reverend Jordan stood.

“And a little child shall lead them. We should take the advice of Jesus and follow the children who are in Christ.”

Everyone stood and left.

“Hoss I am so proud of you,” Ben said as the Cartwrights and Galloways gathered around their children.

“Thanks, Pa.” Hoss said.

“Hoss, we’d like to thank you for all you’ve done for us. You have taught us that Sam is smart and that we can talk to her and her to us. We owe you,” Mr. Galloway said.

“I was happy to do it. You are all my friends,” Hoss replied.

“I’d like for you all to come to dinner tonight,” Ben invited.

“We’d love to. Thank you, Ben,” Mr. Galloway said.

The families left for the Ponderosa feeling happy.

 

From the Brandsters.  The story was originally written and published on the Bonanza Trail Riders site.  Brand is happy to offer this story a new home.