Summary: For 2019 Sourdoughs: Use the person’s name from one of three song titles as an Original Character who interacts with one or more Cartwrights. The song title or song itself can be used for inspiration. “Sweet Betsy From Pike” or “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” or “Big Bad John”
Rating: G, Word Count: 3114
Big Bad John
Parents often had regrets, but the worst ones were when failures in judgment meant your child got hurt. Ben Cartwright was suffering one of those bouts of guilt. He had wanted to fire a hand, but his son had asked him to please not do it because the man was his friend. That had done it because guilt over how his son had been deprived of a home and all its benefits blocked out all those warning signs that the man was trouble. When a man showed you what he was, you were supposed to take him at his word and not assume he was wrong. Ben had made a big mistake with that one forgetting that one rule of management and of life. Big Bad John had that name for a reason.
Doctor Paul Martin walked down the steps with a heavy tread not happy at all with the news he had to deliver. “His hip is broken, Ben. He’s going to be confined to bed for a long time.”
“Will he recover? Is there anything more?” Ben’s heart had sunk at the news. That kind of injury was sometimes fatal in the west. It would be a strain, even on a family as prosperous as theirs already was, to provide the kind of care necessary for a full recovery. If the doctor said there was any risk of other complications then that prognosis was even worse.
“Luckily all the other injuries appear to be simple contusions and abrasions. He’ll be feeling the pain and discomfort but there should be no complications. Marie is sitting with him now and doing her best to alleviate his discomfort.”
Unable to stop his small smile at that, Ben thought about his sixteen-year-old son and how he would likely be feeling about being fussed over by his stepmother. However perhaps under the circumstances, he wouldn’t mind. Then Paul brought him back to the main issue.
“What about the man who did this?”
“If I could, I’d beat him within an inch of his life for this, but he broke no rule. He broke no law.”
“How can that be? Adam is up in that bed with a broken hip and so many bruises I couldn’t begin to count them.”
“John challenged him to a series of tests that he said were to prove he was a man.”
“I don’t suppose John participated in these tests.”
“Oh, he did. Adam explained while we were waiting for you to arrive. Joh took part in all the early tests. You see, that was the set-up to make it look legitimate. Then they sprung the trap and Adam fell for it. They gave him a test that none of them ever intended to do but challenged him to do it first to prove himself. That’s when he broke his hip. He’s lucky to be alive.”
“Where’s John now?”
“Across the California line by now if he’s smart enough. If I ever see him again, he won’t be happy with the results.”
Paul had no doubts as to what Ben meant by that. Years later, he wouldn’t have been surprised, but Hoss and Joe were shocked when Ben walked up to a man in a saloon in Sacramento and hit him knocking him across the room. He followed him then and pulled him up to hit him again despite the man’s protests that he had done nothing wrong. Adam had walked over to grab his father’s arm.
“Pa, that’s enough. He’s not worth it.”
“No, Big Bad John isn’t much of a man, is he?”
Jumpin’ Jack Flash
“Hoss, who’s that?”
Hoss followed his brother’s small finger pointing at a small man shuffling down the street.
“Aw shucks, Li’l Joe, that’s just Jumpin’ Jack Flash. He goes ‘round to light the lamps at night, an’ turn them off in th’ mornin’. Now come on, we gotta get to the store ‘fore it closes or Pa’ll be mad.”
Little Joe ignored Hoss and followed the little man to the base of a pole. He watched in awe as Jack shimmied up the pole, deftly lit the light, then slid down neat as you please.
“Hey, you nearly squashed me, mister.”
“Keep outta my way, kid.” Jack rolled his eyes up and down the boy in front of him. “Ain’t you one of them Cartwright boys? Kinda scrawny you is.”
Joe stood tall at the insult but he still only came to Jack’s nose. “I ain’t scrawny. My big brother says I got good muscles.” Joe flexed his thin arms like a circus strong man.
Jack scoffed and shoved passed Joe heading to the next lamp.
Undaunted, Joe followed. “How come you’re so small? I’m tall as you, an’ I’m still growin’.”
“Well, I stopped, now git afore I knock ya senseless.” Jack put a fist into Joe’s face.
Gulping a little Joe hesitated then followed Jack. Joe found him crumpled at the base of the pole.
Joe knelt by the little man. “Mister Jack, are you hurt?”
“Naw, just had my leg go out. It sometimes does that. Listen kid, uh what’s yer name?”
“I’m Little Joe Cartwright.” Joe held out his hand. “Pleased ta meet ya.”
“Uh, yeah, pleased ta meet you too, Little Joe Cartwright. Listen give me a hand so’s I can stand. Gotta get these last two lamps lit.”
Arms tangled for a minute but Jack finally made it to his feet. Thanking Joe he winced and limped over to the next lamp. As Jack rubbed his hip, looked up the pole, then shook his head Joe quickly figured out the problem. Scanning the area he spied the person he needed. Running toward him, he pleaded, cajoled and dragged Adam back to the light pole.
“Mister Jack. My big brother Adam is real good at scootin’ up trees. He can help you light your lamps.”
Frowning, Jack turned around, expecting ridicule, but all he saw was compassion and friendliness. Overwhelmed, he simply nodded and half smiled as Adam took the tools.
Minutes later the lamps were lit. Adam returned the tools with a warm smile.
Jack offered his quiet gratitude then limped down the street toward his home.
Joe tugged on Adam’s sleeve, whispered something, and Adam grinned.
Joe ran to Jack, waved his little arms excitedly then jumped up and down as Jack turned around.
The three new friends headed to a small cafe for an evening snack. That was when Joe learned how Jack got his nickname. He used to perform in the circus, jumping in the air through flaming hoops. When he retired and settled in the area, he took the job of lamplighter.
Adam smiled softly at the budding friendship blossoming that night.
Five years later:
“He was a real good friend, Adam, especially while you were at school. Jack helped me forget how much I missed you by making me remember you.” Joe sniffed and drew his sleeve across his wet eyes. “Guess that doesn’t make much sense.”
Adam drew his brother closer. “Yeah, Little Buddy, it makes a lot of sense.” He looked skyward and mouthed ‘thank you.’ as he and Joe said goodbye to Jumpin’ Jack Flash.
This is my take on Sweet Betsy From Pike. Added a picture and the lyrics below. I wrote it hoping to kill to birds (roosters 
) with one stone for Brand Pinecone challenge, but I’m a little late for that. Oh well.
Sweet Betsy From Pike
While in Placerville on business, Ben Cartwright and his sons heard a familiar tune as they strolled down the boardwalk toward The Shanghai Rooster Inn. A large, neatly dressed man with a full beard sat in a rocking chair in front of the inn. He was playing a harmonica and rocking to the beat of the song. The Cartwrights eyed the colorful rooster painted on the sign by the door to the inn, and then turned their focus to the source of the music.
The man in the rocker paused his playing. “Afternoon, gentlemen. Looking for some rooms?”
“Yes, do you have two rooms for the night?” Ben queried.
The man rose and extended his hand to Ben. “Sure do. Welcome to the Shanghai Rooster. My name’s Ike Moss. Happy to have you join us for the evening.”
Ben accepted Ike’s hand. “Thank you. Pleased to meet you, I’m Ben Cartwright, and these are my sons.”
Adam’s eyes widened. “Ike? As in Sweet Betsy from Pike’s, Ike?”
“Yep, that would be me.” Ike stashed his harmonica in his shirt pocket and slipped his hands into back pockets of his pants.
Adam and his father exchanged glances.
“Yeah, I can guess what your thinkin’. Must know the words to the song. Some fella named Stone ran into Betsy few years back. For better or worse, he decided our story was worthy of a song.” Ike paused and shrugged. “Well, he pretty much got things right. I did leave my gal for the gold fields. Had a burr in my backside when I left and said some things I shouldn’t of. Ya know how that sort a thing goes. Anyway, hit a good strike and came back to see if she’d still have me — and thank goodness –”
The swish of a skirt was heard as attractive woman dressed in a pretty frock and fashionable bonnet approached.
“Gentlemen, may I introduce Elizabeth Boxley Moss, or better known as Sweet Betsy from Pike County, Missouri.” Ike swung his arm wide and pulled the lady in close to his side.
“Ike? These gentlemen our guests?”
“Yes, Betsy. These are the Cartwrights.”
Four men tipped their hats to the lady and exchanged pleasantries.
“I’m pleased to meet you, gentlemen. Welcome to our inn.” Betsy’s smile suited her name.
“Thank you, ma’am”, Joe replied, still trying to sort things out in his mind.
Betsy examined the Cartwrights carefully and thought to herself that she had not had four such good looking guests in quite some time, possibly ever.
“Please excuse me, gentlemen. Isaac.” The look she gave her husband let him know that his respite on the porch was over.
“Coming, Sweetie.” Ike moved to follow Betsy into the inn. Glancing back over his shoulder, he gave the Cartwrights a sheepish grin. “Just step on in and we’ll get you fixed up. Pleasure to have you staying with us.”
Ben swiped his hand across his mouth to hide his smile.
“Guess you’d call that atonement.” Adam smirked and winked at his father.
“Atonement?” Joe wrinkled up his face in question.
Hoss pushed his thumbs into the waist of his brown pants. “Guess, ole Ike here made things right with Betsy after leaving her high and dry for the gold fields.”
Ben nodded toward his big son as he struggled to keep the humor from his voice. “But something tells me that it’s going to be a long time before Ike’s account is paid in full.”
There were chuckles all around as Ben pulled open the door to allow his sons to enter The Shanghai Rooster Inn.
Hoss stood in the mercantile looking at the knives when Sweet Betsy came up to him.
“Hoss! Hoss, guess what?”
Hoss turned to her. “What is it?”
“I got a letter from a college back east and I got accepted!” Betsy said excitedly.
“That’s wonderful. I know you’ve been wantin’ to go back east for school. When will you be leavin’?”
“Not for another month. I’m hoping I can get enough for tuition. I’ve been working here and the dressmakers to try and save up.”
“You’ll be able to get it.”
“I know. Is there anything I can get you?”
“No, I was just lookin’. I’ve gotta be goin’ and meet Adam at the stage.”
“All right. It was good to see you.”
“It was good to see you too, Sweet Betsy.”
Betsy laughed. “You’re the only one who calls me that anymore.”
“That’s because you are. See ya.”
Hoss left. He and Betsy had been friends since they were little. He had nicknamed her “Sweet Betsy” because she had been sweet to him and others.
Hoss walked by the saloon and saw a sign that announced a wrestler coming into Virginia City the next week. He read it. Big Bad John was coming along with another wrestler. He read about Big Bad John in the newspaper. He was the best wrestler in the Union. The poster also said that he’d go against those who wanted to wrestle. The prize was $100. Hoss knew he had to win the money for Sweet Betsy. He heard the stage and went to meet it.
Hoss mentioned the match to his family at dinner.
“I’d like to try an’ wrestle him,” Hoss said.
“Hoss you’re too young and he’s probably bigger than you,” Ben said.
“Pa, I’m eighteen now. I can do it.”
“What will you do with the money if you win?”
“I want to give it to Sweet Betsy for college. She got into a college back east. I want to help her out,” Hoss
explained.
Ben smiled. “Well, if it’s for her then try it. Don’t get your hopes up in case you don’t win. I’ve read that he’s unbeatable. Even with all the men who’ve traveled with him.”
“I won’t. I do need to do some trainin’.”
“I can help you,” Joe said.
“I don’t think so. I’ll have Adam help me.”
The twelve-year-old folded his arms and pouted.
“We’ll get to training after dinner,” Adam said.
The day of the wrestling match came. The townspeople gathered to watch. Big Bad John beat the other man that came with him. Other men tried and lost. When Hoss came up, Big Bad John laughed.
“You’re sending me a boy? Have you run out of men?”
“I may be young but I’m strong,” Hoss said indignantly.
“Let’s get going!” Big Bad John called out.
The two started wrestling. After a while Hoss beat Big Bad John. Everyone sat in stunned silence when the referee counted to ten and Big Bad John didn’t move.
“The winner, Hoss Cartwright!” the referee called out.
“Wow, Hoss you beat him!” Joe said in admiration.
“’Scuse me I need to see Sweet Betsy,” Hoss said taking the money and left.
Hoss went to Betsy’s house.
“Hoss, come in,” Betsy said.
“Sweet Betsy, I have somethin’ for you.”
Hoss handed her the money.
“What’s this?”
“Money for college.”
“Hoss, I can’t take it.”
“Please, take it. I wanted to help you.”
“Hoss, you’re so sweet. Thank you.”
Betsy hugged Hoss.
A couple of months later, Hoss waved good-bye to his best friend Sweet Betsy.
Adam rode slowly to the barn, riding Sport and leading Cochise. He dismounted, led both horses into their stalls where he unsaddled them, and then cared for them. On the ride home, Cochise had been uneasy without his rider. Adam gave them each an extra measure of oats with their feed. As he was grooming Sport, Hoss walked into the barn.
“You alright, older brother?”
“Yes; no.”
“Which is it?” Hoss asked as he started to groom Cochise. “Where’s Joe?”
Sighing deeply, Adam replied. “I don’t know how I feel. Joe’s at Paul’s. He wants to keep him overnight. Let’s finish up so we can go into the house.”
The tiredness in Adam’s voice had gotten Hoss’s attention. Rarely had he seen Adam carry himself with the air of a man at the point of exhaustion. Softly he spoke. “You can go ahead ifn you want. I can finish up here.”
Shaking his head wearily, Adam replied.”No. I’d rather tell the story only once.” Finishing up, he sighed and stepped out of the stall before sitting on a bale of hay.
After Hoss finished, the two walked together into the house where Ben greeted them with questions.
After removing his gun belt, hat and coat, Adam crossed slowly to his chair and sat down. “Joe’s at Paul’s. He has a concussion, and Paul wants to watch him overnight. I brought Cochise home because—”
“What! I sent you on a simple trip to town, and Joe gets hurt?”
Just then Hop Sing appeared with a cup of coffee for Adam. “Thank you, Hop Sing.”
“Supper warm when you ready.”
Nodding his thanks, Adam sipped his coffee before continuing. “It was a simple errand. I went into the bank first. Joe wanted to wait outside. He ran into Jack Jenkins.”
“Jumpin’ Jack?”
“Yes. It seems as though Jack was in love with Betsy, the owner of the Sweet Shop. But, she wasn’t so enamored of him. And Joe decided to help.”
“Oh, Lordy.”
“You remember what happened when you convinced me to help Hank Myers woo Abigail Jones?”
Nodding slowly, Ben and Hoss grimaced at what they suspected would come next.
“Joe decided to help Jack. Not by singing, but by giving him the words to say. Unfortunately, Jack got nervous and began fidgeting in Betsy’s store. He knocked over a display of her latest bake goods, which brought her brother out of the back room, upset.”
“Big Bad John?”
Adam nodded yes. “He took one look at Joe and Jack and threw them both out of the store. Unfortunately, he threw Joe into the porch railing and knocked him out. Paul assured me he’ll recover. He has a doozy of a headache and should be well enough to come home tomorrow. I brought Cochise home because Paul insists Joe travel by carriage. John is in jail for assault. Roy is waiting to see if Joe will press charges. Betsy insisted Joe didn’t do anything. Jack wasn’t hurt.”
“That temper of John’s finally caught up with him.”
“Yeah, Pa. I can’t believe he’s Sweet Betsy’s brother. She’s so nice and kind… and purty.”
“Oh, that reminds me. Jeanne from the store next door helped Jack. He’s now in love with her. And Betsy confessed to me she’s sweet on Hoss.”
“Sweet Betsy of the Sweet Shop?”
“Yeah. Oh, she’s a Sweet Betsy from Pike, a county in Pennsylvania. Most likely the Betsy in the song is from Missouri, if she’s real.”
Hoss looked both smitten and astonished. “Pa, I’m going to town tomorrow.”
Ben and Adam inwardly groaned.
