Summary: Young Mary (Adam and Emma’s adopted daughter) has grown up and is dreaming of college. But with two suitors vying for your attention, she seeks guidance from friends and family on how to make the right choice. Meanwhile, Adam finds a change coming in his life and also has to make a tough decision.

Rating: PG, Word Count: 4482

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A Young Girl’s Dream (Mary’s Story)

Chapter 1

Mary went riding around the Ponderosa thinking about her date with Mark that night. She was nervous for the date. She’d never really been on one. She had known Mark for a year but she felt something was wrong whenever she was around him. She couldn’t think of what though. He was nice and sweet. He helped get her father to the doctor and came back for her in the windstorm. She went by the lake and climbed off Major and walked to the lake’s edge.

 

Mary picked up a few flat rocks and began to skip them. Hoss had taught her how to do it. Yesterday there was a storm. It had seemed like forever ago. She had been terrified but because her father had been badly injured she had to take care of him. She sighed as she thought of everything. She didn’t even tell her father how scared she had been. The breeze started to pick up. Mary looked around scared. She ran to Major, climbed on and rode home before the wind picked up. She knew she also had to go home and get ready for her date.

 

Mary and Mark walked around town after dinner talking about whatever came to their minds.

 

“I forgot to ask, how is your father doing after being injured in the windstorm yesterday?” Mark asked.

 

“He’s doing well. Thank you again for helping us. I don’t know what I would have done had you not found us,” Mary replied.

 

Mark stopped walking and Mary did the same. He turned to her and took her hands.

 

“I think someone else would have found you both. I’m glad it was me because the payment for helping has been great,” he said smiling.

 

Mary smiled. Mark leaned down and kissed her. Butterflies flew through Mary’s stomach. And yet there was still something there that wasn’t quite right. Mark pulled away.

 

“Let’s walk some more,” he said.

 

Mary nodded and followed him.

 

“So now that you’re out of school what will you be doing?” Mark asked, changing subjects.

 

“I may work at the mercantile. I spoke with Martha about it and she agreed to hire me on.”

 

“You’d work there?” Mark asked incredulously.

 

“Yes. Is there a problem with my working there?”

 

“Yes, there is.”

 

“Why is that a problem?”

 

“I want to marry you. If you start there, you’d just have to quit. I don’t want any wife of mine having to work. I’ll

be providing for us.”

 

Mary looked shocked. “Mark, I am not sure how to answer that. Besides, you should be talking to my pa about that.”

 

“Then I’ll talk to him soon. I’d better get you home. May I take you out again next week?” Mark asked.

 

“Sure.” Mary replied. She had wanted to say no but she felt that perhaps she could find out what was bugging her about him. He took her hand and led her to the buggy and took her home.

 

When Mary got home, Adam asked how the date went.

 

“Fine,” she replied and went upstairs not seeing Adam’s questioning look.

 

Mary changed into her nightgown then sat on the window seat looking outside. She leaned her head against the window and sighed, fogging the window slightly. A tap came at the door.

 

“Come in,” she said.

 

Adam walked in and sat across from her on the seat.

 

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

 

Mary looked at him and smiled.

 

“You always know when something is wrong.”

 

“Of course. I’m your father. So, what happened?”

 

“The date was fine. What was wrong was that he wants to marry me.”

 

“What are your thoughts on that?”

 

“I don’t want to.”

 

“Did you tell him?”

 

“I told him I wasn’t sure how to answer and he needed to talk to you first. Pa, I don’t want to marry him,” Mary

said almost forcefully.

 

“Why? He seems like a nice young man.”

 

“There’s just something about him that doesn’t seem right. I know he helped us and I’m grateful but when I

thought about it this morning when I was at the lake, there was something wrong. I don’t know what it is.”

Adam sat quietly and thought about it.

 

“Pa, I want to go to college. That’s why I got the job at the mercantile. I want to try and go in August.”

 

“How long have you thought about it?”

 

“Since I graduated school. I ordered some information on different colleges back east a few weeks ago when I was in the mercantile. Martha ordered them for me.”

 

“Where are you thinking of going?”

 

“Vassar College in New York.”

 

“That sounds like a good school.”

 

“What do you think of me going?”

 

“I think it’s a wonderful thing for you to do. I’m surprised you have chosen so quickly. You’ve surely thought this

through. But you are independent. I’ll help with your schooling. I know your grandfather and uncles will too so don’t tell them no,” Adam said pointing his finger at her trying to be stern.

 

His smile gave him away. Mary laughed.

 

“Have you told Mark?”

 

“Not yet. He asked me on another date and I said I’d go. I’ll tell him then.”

 

“Mary, I want you to know that I am so proud of what you’ve become. You’ve grown into a beautiful young woman. I thank the Lord every day for leading Hoss and me to you and Jimmy. I’ll let you get some sleep,” Adam said.

They both stood and hugged each other.

 

“Good night, Mary.”

 

“Night, Pa,” Mary replied.

 

He walked out and closed the door. Mary smiled and went to bed.

 

The next day, Mary started working at the mercantile. She was a fast learner and she loved Martha.

 

“You are a great worker. Did you know that your mother owned this store?” Martha asked.

 

“I forgot she did. I know she quit after Jimmy and I came to live with them.”

 

“She owned it before she married your father.”

 

“Wow, that’s really neat. I didn’t know that. What did my father think of her working?”

 

“He was fine with it. He came to help and so did your uncles. Well, mostly Hoss. Emma kicked Joe out after he

flirted with the single females and didn’t get any work done.”

 

Mary laughed as she wiped tears away that showed up.

 

“Have you told your father about going to college?”

 

“I did. He was surprised I had already picked a college and classes. He says he wants to help me and thinks Grandpa and my uncles will want to help too.”

 

“I’m sure you’ll do quite well. We’ll hardly recognize you when you come home to visit!” Martha said.

 

Mary smiled. “Thanks.”

 

The two ladies returned to their work. At the end of the day, Mary went home happy after having a successful first day at the mercantile.

 

Chapter 2

 

Adam decided to go to Virginia City to see how Mary was doing. He walked down the boardwalk and accidently smacked into a woman.

 

“Well, I never!” the woman said indignantly.

 

“I’m terribly sorry. I didn’t see you,” Adam apologized.

 

“You didn’t see me? How could you not? I guess your mind was elsewhere or do you make it a habit to run into

women?” she asked, softening her tone.

 

Adam smiled.

 

“My mind was elsewhere. My name is Adam Cartwright.”

 

“I’m Julia Mabry.”

 

Adam looked at her. She had dirty blond hair and blue eyes.

 

“May I take you to dinner as a better way of apologizing?”

 

“All right,” she said smiling.

 

“How about tomorrow?”

 

“All right,” Julia repeated.

 

“Where do you live?”

 

“I live in the blue house at the edge of town.”

 

“Sounds good. I’ll see you at seven tomorrow.”

 

“Sounds good.” She smiled and walked away.

 

Adam watched her walk away. He turned and went to the mercantile.

 

Adam stood in the doorway of the mercantile and watched Mary working. Flashbacks of Emma came to Adam’s mind. Though Mary was adopted, she still reminded him of Emma. He smiled and walked in.

 

“How’s my favorite girl?”

 

Mary looked up from filling a container with candy and smiled.

 

“Hi, Pa.”

 

“How’s your first day been?”

 

“It’s been busy but good. Martha and I have even had a chance to talk.”

 

“Oh?”

 

“Mostly about Ma.”

 

“Martha can surely tell stories of your mother.” Adam chuckled.

 

Mary nodded.

 

“I have some news,” Adam said.

 

“What is it?”

 

“I literally just ran into a woman and asked her to dinner tomorrow.”

 

“Really?” Mary asked in unbelief.

 

“Her name is Julia Mabry. She seems like a nice woman.”

 

“I’m happy for you.”

 

“We’re also having dinner at Grandpa’s tonight so you can tell them about college,” Adam said.

 

“Wonderful. It’ll be interesting to see their reactions.”

 

“They’ll be thrilled for you.”

 

A customer came in and Mary looked over at the couple.

 

“I’ll let you go. I’ll see you tonight.”

 

He hugged Mary and headed home.

 

Mary turned to help the customers. The woman came up to her. She had dark hair, and bright blue eyes. She looked

sad and nervous.

 

“May I help you?” Mary asked.

 

“Yes, may I get some black thread, please?” the woman asked in a whisper.

 

Mary had to lean over to hear her.

 

“Yes, of course.”

 

Mary got the requested item.

 

“Anything else?”

 

“My husband is getting the rest.”

 

Mary looked at the man. He looked familiar and then it hit her. It was Mark’s father. Mark was the image of his father. The woman was his mother. He walked up to her with a few items.

 

“You must be Mary Cartwright,” he said.

 

“Yes, Sir.”

 

“My son Mark has told us about you. He wants to marry you.”

 

“I don’t want to marry him.”

 

“Well, after your father gives his blessing you will. And no wife of his will be working in an establishment such as this,” Mr. McClellan said in disgust.

 

“My father approves of me working here and he won’t be giving his blessing to Mark. Now, may I help you with anything else or are you ready to pay?” Mary said in a tight voice.

 

“We’re done,” he said.

 

Mary rang them up and he paid. She watched Mrs. McClellan timidly walk out. She was hunched over as her husband spat insults at her as they walked out. Mary wished she could help and vowed to never marry Mark. She knew that’s how their marriage would be. She sighed as she put away the box of thread.

 

That night after dinner, the Cartwrights had finished dinner and were sitting in the front room talking.

 

“Mary has some news,” Adam announced.

 

Everyone looked over at her.

 

“I’m going to college!” she said.

 

Everyone was silent then said their congratulations to her.

 

“Where will you be going?” Joe asked.

 

“Vassar College in New York.”

 

“When will you be leaving?”

 

“I’ll be leaving in August. I got a reply from them accepting me to the school.”

 

“Have you thought of classes to take?” Ben asked.

 

“From the information I received they have many classes. I thought about journalism and astronomy.”

 

“You’ve surely thought this through,” Ben said.

 

“That’s what Pa said when I told him,” Mary chuckled.

 

“We’ll help with your schooling,” Ben said.

 

Mary smiled and looked at her father. He smiled knowingly at her.

 

“Thank you. Anything will help. What I get from the mercantile is going to it also.”

 

“My, my, wasn’t it just yesterday you and Jimmy came to us? You’re all grown up and leaving us,” Ben said and

cleared his throat as his voice cracked.

 

“Oh, Grandpa, I’ll be back.”

 

“I know you will. It’s hard to let our loved ones grow and go away for a while. I had a hard time when Adam went

to college,” Ben said smiling.

 

Jimmy had been quiet the whole time.

 

“Jimmy, what do you think of Mary going to college?” Adam asked.

 

“I think it’s great. I do. I’ll just miss her! I hope you’ll write and tell us what’s going on,” Jimmy replied.

 

Mary laughed.

 

“You know I will.”

 

That answer satisfied Jimmy who then turned his attention to his one-year-old cousin Alexander Joseph, or AJ as everyone called him. Mary smiled peacefully as she sat watching everyone talking about this, that and the other and enjoying the family chatter.

 

Chapter 3

 

The next night, Adam picked up Julia and they went to dinner then for a ride in the buggy.

 

“It’s a beautiful night,” Julia said.

 

“It is,” Adam replied.

 

During dinner, Adam peppered Julia with questions about herself. She had moved to Virginia City in January and

worked as a telegrapher.

 

“Tell me about yourself, Adam,” Julia said.

 

“Not much really to tell. I was married before but she passed away. I have two children that Emma and I adopted.

Mary is getting ready to head off to college and Jimmy is eleven. I help my father and brothers on the Ponderosa. That’s about it.”

 

“Sounds like a wonderful family. You all must be close.”

 

“We’re very close. Pa raised us that way. My brothers and I have had our fair share of squabbles, along with my children, but we are still there for each other.”

 

“That’s great.”

 

Adam nodded.

 

Adam walked Julia to the door of her home “I wonder if I can see you again?”

 

“I’d like that,” Julia replied as she unlocked the door. Adam waited for her to enter her home and close the door before he returned to the buggy.

 

Walking to the street, Adam thought of their date and how wonderful Julia was. He knew that the children needed a mother. Perhaps Julia would be that mother to them? He figured it was more Jimmy who needed a mother than Mary since she’d be off to college. It still wouldn’t hurt to have a step-mother to help Mary out. But it was still too early to really think of it since this was their first date. He got in the buggy and headed home.

 

Mary had been busy at work through the end of May into June. She’d been on a few dates with Mark. He had been nice and kept telling her she was to be his wife. She hadn’t told him about college. Perhaps she’d bring it up tonight when they met for dinner. Mary decided to stay in town and wait for Mark after work.

 

While Mary waited, Martha took a few moments to chat with her.

 

“Are you counting down to when you head back east?” Martha asked.

 

“Sort of. I am so scared, nervous and excited all at the same time.” Mary tried to smile.

 

Martha patted her arm. “That’s only natural. Your father has come in a few times and talked to me about how he’s so proud of you. Your uncles and grandfather say the same thing when I see them. I heard your father is courting Julia Mabry.”

 

Mary nodded.

 

“Are you happy about it?”

 

“I guess. He thinks that Jimmy and I need another mother. Though I guess he thinks more of Jimmy than me since

I’ll be gone soon. He told us that last night. He’s thinking about marrying her. They hardly know each other and he’s already thinking about marriage. He did tell Jimmy and me that Ma told him to marry again. I don’t think this is the way to go. But what do I know? I’m only his child.”

 

“What does Jimmy think? Have you both met her?”

 

“Yes, we’ve both met her. He had her over for dinner two nights ago. She seems nice. I honestly think the three of us are doing just fine.”

 

“Perhaps your father is lonely. I know he has you and Jimmy but it’s different with a spouse.”

 

“I know it is,” Mary sighed.

 

Martha hugged Mary.

 

“Things will be alright,” Martha reassured the young girl.

 

Mary smiled, still unsure.

 

Chapter 4

 

Mary and Mark walked around Virginia City after dinner. It was basically all they did after dinner. Mary got bored with it. Mark was dull talking about himself and what he wanted to do and how they were going to be as a married couple. Mary never got a chance to tell him about going to college because he wouldn’t let her get in a word. They stood by the bank and Mary sat on a bench by the building. Mark sat next to her.

 

“Mark, I have something to tell you. I want to go back east and attend college,” Mary finally said when they hit a lull in the one-sided conversation.

 

“Attend college? Why would you do that?” Mark asked skeptically.

 

“Because I feel that I should. My father went to college and I want to.”

 

“Your father is a man. Women don’t need to go to college.”

 

“We don’t? Why? What about the women who are teachers? They had to go to college to get a degree,” Mary asked, trying to keep her temper under control.

 

“Women don’t need to because they can get a husband. Those women who become teachers could never find a man to take care of them. They’re too homely.”

 

“They can find husbands! They want to teach children and when someone comes along they’ll marry the man. Women are a lot stronger than you think,” Mary said angrily.

 

Mark snorted.

 

“I don’t care what you think. I will be attending college.”

 

“What does your father say?”

 

“He’s just fine with it. My whole family is. We spoke about it last week.”

 

“Your father is a fool to let you go. He obviously doesn’t understand the women’s roles.”

 

“My father doesn’t think a woman should just stay home. My mother owned the mercantile before she married my

father. He was just fine with her continuing working after they got married. She only quit to take care of my brother and me. There are many women out there who are doing what they want. Nurses, scientists. They are doing it without being married. I met your parents the other day in the store. Your father keeps his thumb on your mother. She can’t do anything without consulting him. She didn’t look happy! I know that’s how we’d be if I were to marry you. I don’t want that!” Mary shouted.

 

“Don’t you speak like that against my father. When we marry, you will do as I say,” Mark said angrily.

 

“I will not be marrying you. I don’t want a husband who is abusive. No woman deserves that,” Mary said between clenched teeth.

 

Mark slapped her.

 

“Never talk about my father that way and you will marry me. Right now,” he said angrily, grabbing Mary’s arm.

 

She was yanked off the bench and pulled to the Justice of the Peace. She struggled and pulled back making it hard for Mark to walk. He stopped and turned on her.

 

“You will do as I say,” he spat, hitting her again.

 

She kicked him in the leg and he let go. Mary started to run and scream for help. Mark caught up to her, hit her and shoved her to the ground. He held her arms down and screamed in her face.

 

“I’m going to make you my wife and make you do what I tell you! You will obey me!” He screamed over and over hitting her.

 

A hand grabbed Mark’s shoulder and shoved him away. It was the sheriff and the deputy.

 

“I’ll take him to jail. You take care of Mary. This reminds of Josh and Emma. Send someone to fetch Adam,” Roy said.

 

“Yes, Sir,” Sean said.

 

He was in his mid-twenties with curly brown hair, blue eyes and a dimple when he smiled. He was married to Elizabeth Lowry, the local dressmaker.

 

Roy took Mark to the jail as Mark still screamed at Mary.

 

“Are you all right?” he asked helping her up

 

He took out his handkerchief and dabbed her bloody lip.

 

“Yes,” she whispered.

 

“Why was he doing that to you?”

 

“He’s gone crazy. He wanted me to marry him and forced me to go to the Justice of the Peace. I tried to get away.”

 

Sean stood listening to her story. He hated hearing that a man would dare abuse a woman. He put a supporting arm around her.

 

“Let’s get you to the doctors,” he said.

 

He led her to the doctors to see if she had any injuries. Sean also sent a young man to find Adam and tell him what happened.

 

Chapter 5

 

Sean sent Kyle Marvin to get Adam. Kyle rode as fast as his horse could go. He was careful with it being dark. Adam and Kyle rushed to Virginia City. Adam went into Paul’s office.

 

“How is she?” he asked Sean who was still there.

 

“Doc says she’ll be all right. She was beaten up a bit. She’s lucky nothing is broken. She does have some lacerations on her face where Mark struck her.”

 

“Why did Mark hit her?” Fury in his words.

 

“I don’t know why,” Sean replied.

 

Paul came out from the back followed by Mary. Adam rushed to her side and looked at her and wrapped his arms around her. Mary started to cry in relief that he was there.

 

“Are you all right?” Adam asked worriedly.

 

“Doctor Martin says I’m fine, but Pa…” She slowly told him what happened.

 

Anger filled Adam. He let go of Mary and jerked the door open making his way to Roy’s office.

 

“Pa, come back!” Mary cried out.

 

Adam stormed into Roy’s office.

 

“Roy, where is he? Why did Mark hurt Mary?” Adam demanded.

 

“Adam, simmer down.”

 

“I can’t! My daughter is in Dr. Martin’s office because she was beaten up by Mark McClellan. What made him do it?”

 

“Mark won’t tell me. All he said when we got him off Mary was ‘I’m going to make you my wife and make you do what I tell you. You will obey me.’ He said it over and over. I had Sean take Mary to the doctor. She can tell you more.”

 

“She already told me. That’s why I’m here!” Adam went into the jail cell to talk to Mark.

 

“Why did you hurt Mary?” Adam asked angrily.

 

Mark looked up at Adam and smiled. To Adam it looked evil.

 

“Mr. Cartwright, so glad you are here. I wanted to talk to you about Mary. I would like to marry her so she won’t have to attend college. It’s not for girls.”

 

“After what I heard you did to her, you will never marry her. You stay away from her. No one does that to my daughter and gets away with it. I will be pressing charges. You’ll be staying here until Mary has gone to college. Then I will allow you to get out.”

 

“But Mr. Cartwright, I want your daughter,” Mark said smoothly.

 

“You’re not having her. Ever! She has a life to live and you don’t deserve her and that’s that,” Adam snapped and walked out.

 

Leaving the cell Adam sank into the chair across from Roy’s desk and put his face in his hands.

 

“This reminds me of Emma and Josh. With McClellan hanging around I’m going to have to protect Mary better than I did Emma. She won’t get kidnapped like Emma did,” Adam vowed looking up at Roy.

 

“I understand. I can have Sean stay by Mary when she works and escort her home.”

 

“Hoss or I will escort her home.”

 

“All right.”

 

“I need to get back to Paul’s office. Listen, I’m sorry for yelling at you,” Adam apologized as he stood.

 

“I understand. Let me know how Mary is. Or have Sean tell me.”

 

Adam nodded and left.

 

He walked into the doctor’s office and looked at Mary and Sean.

 

“I spoke with Roy and we’re going to have Sean stay with you at work and Hoss or I will take you home. Do not argue with me. I already went through this with your mother. I refuse to go through it again with you,” Adam said.

Mary was ready to argue but knew she’d never win and nodded. Adam turned to Sean.

 

“Are you all right with being with Mary? Will Elizabeth be all right with it?”

 

“Of course, Mr. Cartwright. I will do all I can to protect her. I’m sure Elizabeth will be all right about it. I’ll talk to her about it,” Sean promised.

 

“Since it’s so dark out we’ll have to stay at a hotel. I’m surprised young Kyle didn’t kill himself or his horse getting to my place in the dark,” Adam said.

 

“Kyle’s a good rider for fifteen,” Sean spoke up.

 

“He is. I could hardly keep up with him when we were coming to town. Well, we’d better go. Thank you, Paul. Thank you, Sean. I appreciate your help.”

 

“You’re welcome.” Sean and Paul said at the same time.

 

Adam and Mary walked to the hotel and got their rooms. There was an adjoining door between their rooms. Adam opened it to talk with Mary before they went to bed. She was sitting on her bed looking downcast.

 

“Are you doing all right? I know it had to be frightening with what happened,” Adam asked, sitting next to her.

 

“It was. Pa I was so scared when Mark attacked me. But I feel much better with you here, and Uncle Hoss watching out for me.”

 

Adam hugged Mary and decided to change the subject. “I do have some good news.”

 

“What’s that?”

 

“I’m getting married to Julia!” he said happily.

 

“You are? Congratulations. When will it be?” Mary asked.

 

“Next month. I wanted to get married while you were still here.”

 

“What does Jimmy say?”

 

“He’s happy for me.”

 

“I’m glad.”

 

“I’d better let you get some sleep. I’ll keep the door open in case you need me. Good night, Mary.”

 

He got up and kissed her forehead.

 

“’Night, Pa.”

 

Adam went to his room. Mary lay down and quickly fell asleep. Adam’s thoughts turned to Emma and Josh and

prayed that Mary wouldn’t deal with the same thing. He turned over and finally went to sleep.

 

Adam and Julia married the next month. They waited until Mary left for school to go on their honeymoon. Their stage heading to California left an hour before Mary’s did. Adam gave Mary a tight hug before helping Julia on the stage and climbing in after her. Hoss put a hand on Mary’s shoulder and she leaned into him. She was sad to see her father go. She hoped Adam would be happy with Julia. When Mary’s stage came, she hugged her family and Hoss helped her on the stage. As it pulled away, she leaned out of the small window and waved to her family until she could no longer see them.

 

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