Summary: When Joe gets into big trouble he expects a punishment, but a family conference? That’s worse than any punishment.
Rating: G, Word Count: 1365

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The Family Conference

 

Ok he was too old for a tanning. That was good wasn’t it, but was this really a good alternative? Joe took in a ragged breath. He really didn’t mind mucking out the barns, that was fitting punishment but a family conference?

Ben had been furious to find money missing from the safe. Joe only took a few dollars and owned up immediately but that did nothing to curb Ben’s fury. He said that Joe must work all day mucking out the barns and feeding the cattle. Joe did that all day anyway, but he remained wisely mute on the subject. Ben also said that Joe’s latest misdemeanour was beyond him and he must call on Adam and Hoss to help choose a suitable punishment. Hence the family conference. Joe tried to be brave on the subject at least to himself. He huffed at the idea of older brother Adam lording it over him at such an event but the truth of the matter was, Joe was 16 and mortified at the idea. He hated being the centre of attention. The idea of having a family conference filled the young man with dread.

He had taken 20 dollars to buy candy for Becky Rose. It was a box of candy decorated with a ribbon and coloured paper flowers. A stupid thing but that’s what girls like. He couldn’t risk Spike Withers going in there and getting it for her. He would too. Spike cared not if a girl was going around with someone particular. He’d just dive right in there. Joe had to get those chocolates. He couldn’t even ask for the money because inevitably Pa would ask what the money was for. Joe’s face would colour up and then they’d all know. They would all know that Joe was trying to impress a girl and Adam would laugh. They would all laugh.

Joe continued to sweep out Bucks stall. The aging horse looked back at him with kind old eyes.

“Soon be finished boy.” Joe gave him a ghost of a smile.

He was about to lead the horse into his stall when he noticed the horse had a slight limp.

“What’s wrong with your shoe,” Joe muttered as he lifted the horses foot.

“Aw you’ve got a stone caught. Hold on and I’ll free that for you.”

Joe frowned. The implement they use to wedge stones out was in the kitchen. Don’t even ask how it got there. It was supposed to be in the tack box. Joe saw it in a drawer in the kitchen. He patted Bucks behind as he passed him to head out of the barn.

“Joe, You suppose to help me in kitchen. Your Pa say you help me today.”

Joe nodded to Hop Sing.
“I know, I’ll be with you in a minute. I gotta go finish in the barn.”

When he returned Adam was in the barn just removing the saddle from Sports back.

“Buck was out of his stall Joe.”

“I know. He’s got a stone caught I was just getting something to prize it out.”

“Oh, I didn’t notice. Is he alright, Do you want help?” Adam asked.

“No, it’s fine. He’s easy to manage. You go ahead. I’ll brush and feed Sport.”

“Thanks Joe, I’m supposed to work on figures with Pa before dinner. I’m late.”

Adam hurried out leaving Joe alone once more.

~o~

There was to be no supper for Joe that night, well stealing money was a serious crime. After he had helped Hop Sing serve the food he was to start in on the dishes.

Just as he was about to start washing plates Hop Sing went to stand beside him
“I cannot serve this to family. There’s too much roast beef.”

Hop Sing spoke quietly as he held out the roast beef sandwich to Joe.

“Father is right, you bad boy but you also growing boy.”

Joe smiled his thanks to the little man from China.

Once he had finished in the kitchen he reluctantly headed into the main room. His family were waiting for him.

“Joe, I have told Adam and Hoss of my discovery this morning and your admittance of guilt.”

Joe could only nod. They were all seated around the fire. Only he remained standing.

Ben went on, “I needn’t tell you that they are just as shocked as I am. I never thought in all my years that I would have a son who would openly steal money from under my nose. What have you to say for yourself.”

“I’m sorry Pa,” Joe’s voice squeaked slightly as he spoke.

“I should think you are sorry. It’s not as if I have left you wanting for anything. You want money for those dime novels or liquorice you need only ask. And yet….”

“He needs his own money.”

All eyes turned to Adam.

“He’s at an age now where he needs his own money.”

“Adam!” Ben frowned deeply at his oldest child.

“No come on Pa, he does. Joe works hard around here. He works as hard as any man and he gets the odd dime for candy here and there. I don’t for one minute condone what he did but it is time he was paid a wage.”

Hoss joined in. “He’s growin’ out of all his clothes too. Joe your pants are too short. If you need pants I can help you out. I have pairs that don’t fit no more.”

“No, I think I should help him out with that Hoss. I’m more his size.” Adam put in.

“You can have my pants and I have a pair of boots you can use.”

Joe didn’t know what to say. He was so filled with gratitude for his brothers.

Ben looked from one to the other. “What is this, I call a family conference because Joe took money from the safe and you’re all giving him things.”

Just then Hop Sing came in carrying a tray of coffee and home made cookies.

“No thank you Hope Sing we’ve just had dinner and…”

Ben frowned as Hop Sing handed a cookie to Joe. “Alright that’s it, will someone please tell me what this is about?”

“Pa, he sees me working and on Friday I take my money from the safe. Hoss works all week and he takes money from the safe. Pa, look at Joe’s clothes. Just look at him.”

Sure enough Joe’s check shirt was faded and threadbare in places. But worse still his left boot had a good-sized hole where his sock was peeking out.
Ben suddenly felt uncomfortable. Joe never asked for anything. He never demanded like other youngens.

“Right Now,” Ben pointed a finger towards his youngest son.

“It’s the unanimous decision of this family conference that you should smarten yourself up. An allowance of 30 dollars a week…”

“Thirty-five.”

Ben turned and gave Adam a withering look before continuing.

“An allowance of thirty-five dollars a week will be yours to buy some new clothes and whatever else you need.”

Joe was beaming all over his face. This was not what he had expected at all. He suddenly felt all warm and loved. He hadn’t felt like that in a long while.

But this family conference wasn’t over yet. Not by a long mile.

It dragged on for another two hours.

Ben raised both his hands to his oldest son.  “I’m sorry Adam. If I’d known that you felt guilty over Ingar’s death I would have done something, but you never told me.”

“You never asked Pa.”

“But son, you should have said.”

Hoss joined in “You were always so busy Pa. We practically had to raise ourselves.”

“Oh Hoss. That is so not true. Me and Adam did our very best.”

“Yeah Hoss. You got the best of everything. Me and Pa did everything for you. Pay no heed Pa. That’s just pure ingratitude.” Adam sniffed.

Joe left them to it. After all the work he had done all day, he was bushed. But at least in future he’d be getting paid a wage. Perhaps family conferences weren’t so bad after all.

The End

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In trying to find a date to post this story, we realized it would have been great to post it on Family Day (February 19, 2026).  Our apologies for missing the date.
~The Brandsters

 

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.