Summary: If Horses Could Talk…Spring is coming and we know what the Cartwrights will be doing – chores, round ups, girls, picnics. But what do the horses think of all this activity? Pick a scene from an episode or create one of your own and give us the horse’s perspective.
Rating: G, Word Count: 2288
March SS was an extension of February SS. So Feb is on here along with March.
Hoss had fallen in love many times in his life and was close to being married once but it all fell apart. After that, he was afraid to love again. But one day, it had hit him out of nowhere when he saw Maggie Larson at the church social. Music played as people danced or stood to the side and talked. She walked in with her older brothers, Lucas and Will. Maggie was practically untouchable because her brothers were protective of their little sister. Their parents had died when Maggie was twelve. Lucas was old enough to take care of both siblings. Maggie and Hoss had gone to school together and had been friends. To Hoss, Maggie was just a friend and nothing more. But something had hit him when she walked in the social hall in her light-yellow dress with ruffles. Her dark hair pulled up and ringlets hung on the side of her face. Hoss had been standing near Adam when Maggie walked in.
“Adam, has Maggie always looked that beautiful?” Hoss asked in surprise.
Adam smiled at his brother.
“Yes, Hoss, she has.”
“I can’t believe I’ve never noticed,” Hoss replied
Adam chuckled. “That’s what happens when she goes away to school, and you only have contact through letters.”
Hoss walked up to her and asked her to dance.
“I’d love to, Hoss,” she said.
Hoss led her to the dance floor.
After the song was over, they walked outside. They talked about Maggie’s schooling and what she had done back east. She had talked about the classes she took and even the friends she spent time with. They found a seat to sit down and talked more.
“Do you have a beau?” Hoss asked.
Maggie laughed and shook her head.
“No, I don’t. That doesn’t mean the men didn’t try.”
“Really? Did you go on any dates with them?”
“Yes, but they were shallow.”
“How so?”
“They never asked about me. They were only looking for a beautiful wife to help their careers,” Maggie explained.
“I’m sorry they were like that.”
He reached for her hand but then they heard someone shouting.
“Maggie!”
They both turned around and saw Lucas walking up to them.
“Here you are. We’re leaving.”
“But we haven’t been here long.”
“A brawl just broke out and Roy ended the social,” Lucas explained.
“Fine,” Maggie said.
“Maggie, wait. May I see you again?” Hoss asked.
“Yes. How about tomorrow?” Maggie turned and followed her brother as Hoss watched.
Hoss and Maggie went for a ride the next day.
“How about a race?” Maggie suggested.
“To that tree?”
Maggie nodded and they raced. Maggie was ahead and laughed as she made it to the tree beating Hoss. She dismounted and faced him as he dismounted.
“Looks like I beat the great Hoss Cartwright.”
She laughed and leaned against the tree and looked at the open plains then at Hoss who was looking at her. Maggie nervously tucked a stray hair behind her ear as she blushed. Hoss put a hand around her waist and pulled her to him and kissed her.
“Sorry, I wanted to do that since last night. I never realized how beautiful you were until last night,” Hoss apologized.
“No need to apologize. I wanted to kiss you last night. I didn’t mention that I told the men back east I had a man in the west. I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember,” Maggie said softly.
“I think I have been in love with you too but just now realizing it.”
They kissed again.
****************
Hoss has been my friend for a long time. He got me for a birthday present when he was ten from his friend Maggie Larson. My momma was her momma’s horse. Maggie helped take care of me until she gave me to Hoss. We’ve been through a lot of things growing up. If he wasn’t talking to Adam, he would talk to me. We always go riding together. Maggie has been joining us on the rides and other things that they do when I’m not there. Maggie and Hoss have been courting for a while now. Hoss had talked to me about marrying Maggie.
“Come on, Chubb,” Hoss said pulling me out of the barn and saddled me.
Another horse sounded as it came in. Hoss looked at the noise and smiled.
“Maggie!” He called out happily.
He went over to Maggie and started talking.
“Are you ready to go?” Hoss asked.
“I sure am,” Maggie replied.
“Good, I’ll get on Chubb and we’ll go.”
He turned and climbed on me.
“Could we go to the lake? It’s such a beautiful day,” Maggie asked.
“Sure. The flowers are starting to bloom too.”
Hoss pushed me on, and we ran to the lake. The wind is sure loud in my ears.
We finally got to the lake and I could relax for a while. Hoss ties me to a tree limb and helped Maggie with the basket she had of food. I don’t know how she was able to hold it while riding her horse. There are just some things even horses don’t understand. They sat down and ate and talked. I couldn’t hear about what. After they ate, we went for a ride. The two raced but then talked about different things. They had talked about Maggie going back east and loving each other.
“Finally,” I thought to myself.
I knew that she loved him and wondered when he’d love her. He talked to me about her when we’d go riding alone.
Hoss got down on one knee and proposed to Maggie. She cried and said yes. He stood and picked her up spinning her around. I wanted to jump up and down, but horses look silly jumping up and down. Besides, it’s a bit hard to do. So, I nodded my head up and down. Maggie’s horse Nellie followed suite. We were both happy for our friends.
The day of the wedding came. Maggie and Hoss were married on the Ponderosa. Joe and Adam decorated me and Nellie up with bows, ribbons and bells. The carriage was also decorated. We’d be taking Maggie and Hoss to the stage.
“Don’t you think we look good, Nellie?” I asked.
“We sure do, Chubb,” she replied and nuzzled the side of me.
Hoss and Maggie ran out and climbed on the carriage and headed to town. Adam followed behind us to take me
and Nellie back to the Ponderosa.
When we got to town, Adam took us and watched Hoss help Maggie in the stagecoach, and they were off starting their new life. I wondered what this life would mean for Hoss, Maggie, Nellie and me.
One Spring Day
“Come on you lazy bag of bones. Put some muscle into it so we can get this work done!”
“Hey, Chubb, watch who you’re calling lazy. I’m working as hard as you are. It’s not my fault some dumb cows got themselves stuck in that mud. I just hope Joe doesn’t fall into that muck. It makes a big mess on my saddle and me when he gets on. Yuck!”
“Come on Cochise. Quit complainin’ and… pull!! I feel the weight shifting.”
“Whew, we did it Joe and we didn’t even have to get muddy.”
“Yeah, and just in time. Here comes Pa to see what’s taking so long.”
“Boys, I see you had quite a mess here. The calves okay?”
“Yeah, all’s fine. Just wished we coulda had Adam’s help.”
“You can say that again. I thought it was unfair that Sport got to go into town and miss all this. Wonder what he’s doin’ now?”
“Hrmph. Probably prancing down the street trying to get the mares to take note.”
“Ha, I bet you’re right about that one Cooch. Come on, let’s get back to work.”
*** In Town ***
“Oh look gals, he’s here. Look at that shiny coat and his long flashy tail. Sure wish he’d stop by here.”
“I agree, but it looks like his master’s got some business here today.”
“Sport, I don’t know what’s gotten into you. You’d think you’d hadn’t been to town in months.”
“Come on Adam, give me a chance, just one chance with that filly back there.”
“We’re stopping here, boy. I’ve got business with Mister Blair. What’s this? A wagon train coming in. Hmm, she’s a pretty lady.”
“Well, that’s typical. You get to look at the ladies and I don’t. That’s right. Go talk to her while I just stand here. What? We’re going along with them? That’s sure better than just standing around here all day. Well, guess I’ll be seeing you fillies later, and maybe I’ll have a tale or two to tell when I get back.”
“So your heading to Slatersville. That’s quite a ways from here.”
“It’s going to be our new home. I thank thee for coming along as a guide for us.”
“You’re not wearing shoes!”“Nope, the big one took them off.”
“Why?”
“Now that no one is riding me or even thinking about trying to, he thinks maybe I’d like to run away free. He was talking to me most of the time he was working. He’s got a good heart even if I’d never let him sit a saddle on me. Too hard on my back.”
“He didn’t take my shoes off.”
“That was exactly what the little one said when he saw what he had done.”
“So what did Hoss have to say to answer him?”
“Oh, yeah, that’s his name. Never paid much attention to those others. Anyway, he said that you were older but mostly too tame to let run free. You’d be bait for a pack of wolves before you ever had a chance to join up with any others running free.”
“He doesn’t have much confidence in me. I don’t think any of them ever thought much of me.”
“You were born here on a ranch so you don’t know how to run free. It’s not that they don’t think much of you. The little one does.”
“Joe does?”
“Yeah, he said you were ‘a great piece of horseflesh’ and he was gonna ride you now and then to keep you in shape until our man comes back.” Snort.
“He might find that harder than he thinks.” Snort.
Snort. Snort. “Yeah, you even gave our man trouble at times, and he’s a whole lot bigger and stronger.”
Snort. Snort. Snort. “Yeah, that’s true, but it was the other thing I was thinking about.”
“Oh, that. You mean the part about Joe not knowing he’ll be riding you a real long time. Sport, they don’t understand, do they?”
“No, Jupiter, they don’t.”
Buck
How many years has it been now? FIfteen? No sixteen years. We’re both slowing down some, but I still do my best to keep him safe and do what he asks of me. But this time, he really should have known better. He wouldn’t have wanted the young ones out in this nasty weather. I was trying to tell him — tossing my head and planting my hooves. He said he just had to get home; so I got going. The snow kept getting heavier by the minute. We both must have ducked our heads and then it happened. I slipped and pulled up lame, and he flopped out of the saddle and banged up his leg, too. We both hobbled into a grove of low trees. What I wouldn’t give for my warm stall about now and some oats! Wonder how long it will take the young ones to find us?
He’s mumbling and grousing trying to get a fire going. There! Finally! At least the grumbling should die down soon. I’ll just stand behind these scrub trees, thank you very much! He could have enjoyed a pleasant night’s sleep in the Palace and I could be munching some hay in the shelter of the livery, but no, he had to get back to the ranch! Oh well, I’ve seen a whole lot worse than this! Guess I’ll just close my eyes and make the best of it.
********
Dawn’s about to break. Looks and smells like it’s going to be a nice day. Most of the snow will be gone by late afternoon. Somebody should be showing up soon to rescue him. STOMP STOMP That wasn’t a good idea. This leg’s going to give me trouble for a while. SHAKE SHAKE. He’s stirring now. Heard the harness jingle. I’m not the only one hurting based on all the moaning and groaning coming from over there.
********
Here they come now. I smell Sport and Cochise. Oh yes, that’s Cochise’s whinny. The big one must be driving the buckboard. Guess who gets tied on the back and has to look at Mr.Grumpy Pants all the way home. He isn’t going to like the scolding and smirks from the young ones very much. On the bright side, I’ll be getting lots of oats and coddling until he’s ready to get back into the saddle again. But I’ll be ready when the time comes, because he needs me.
