Summary: A benefactor arranges for the modernization of the Ponderosa.
Rating: G 1,625 words
Written for the 2024 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar
Finding Solace Series:
Between the Twelfth of Never and Forever
Between Forever and Where No One Stands Alone
So, This is Christmas
Not as Originally Designed
Bonanza
~*~*~ Advent Calendar ~*~*~
* Day 2 *
Between Forever and Where No One Stands Alone
‘Guess this here is somethin’ to be optimistic about,’ the man mused.
Sitting in the corner of the office alcove he watched as men he had worked with for years moved about the ranch house like ants in one of those glass enclosures. Here to there and back again; they had moved the furniture and covered each piece with sheets to protect them while the work was performed. Delicate items such as lamps and pictures had been carefully relocated to a designated storage area. Books from the office had been packed in boxes earlier in the morning.
Other men had entered the room, one carrying a roll of papers which he spread out on the covered dining room table. Ranch hands carried in metal pipes and tools, staging them where the man in the dining room indicated, before quietly leaving to head out to finish their chores for the day. Two other men stood in front of the great fireplace and contemplated the best way to work around it to obtain their goal.
Knowing they were on a strict schedule; the contractors began their tasks. The men worked diligently and carefully. Soon, screeching sounds echoed through the room as nails were pulled from the lath and plaster to eventually expose the studs of the wall behind where the credenza once stood.
With eyes scrunched closed, the four-year-old sitting next to the big man threw his hands over his ears, stating, “Ow, ow, ow, ow!” startling at the noise. “Hop Sing ain’t gonna like that! Not at all!” said the boy shaking his head.
Wrapping an arm around the child and picking up him, the two left the room. “Yor probably right about that. But Pa sent him to San Francisco to visit with some of his cousins while the remodelin’ was bein’ done.”
Looking up, “Remodling?”
“Ya, what those men are doin’. Makin’ the house look different.”
“It ain’t gonna be home when they done?”
Hugging the child closer, “Oh Joey, wherever family is, that‘s home.”
*****
Making notations on the papers spread out on the table, the man looked up at hearing the fragile clink of China. “Mr. Cartwright, we didn’t expect you to be home.”
“No problem, Mr. Landers. Joe and Jamie are leading a few men on a quick cattle drive. The Government wanted about twenty-five head of cattle to see the Bannocks and Paiutes through winter.” Looking over the drawings, he recognized some of the pages as original drawings of the Ponderosa. “I passed the reins to running the Ponderosa over to my sons a few years back. Now I get to sit back and supervise.”
Nodding, “We’re going to be a little ahead of schedule. These drawings were better than I had hoped; whoever drew them had an eye for detail.”
Setting the cup and saucer on the table, Ben picked up a yellowing sheet, “My eldest son drew these.”
Smiling as he continued to look over the drafts, “I take it he studied architecture or at least engineering?”
“No, not then. He left shortly afterwards to go back east to study.” Setting the page back to the table, “Can I offer you a cup of coffee?”
“Not yet,” scribbling a couple more notes, “It’d get cold before I had a chance to enjoy it. I need to supervise a few of the men to make sure they understand the latest change to our….your project.” Setting down his pencil, he looked at the patriarch, “But have a steaming cup ready in about a half an hour and I’ll take you up on your offer.”
*****
Later that evening, the two men sat at the table in the kitchen, enjoying fresh, hot coffee in the quiet, cozy room.
Observing the older gentleman, Landers held the cup in a slight salute offering, “Truth be told, I enjoy the peace and quiet too. Nothing like it after a long day of demolition.”
“It’s been a long time since we’ve had any major work done to the house.”
“As my boss promised, you and your home are in good hands. After we finish installing the gas lighting system here at the Ponderosa, including the bunk house, everything will be back in ship/shape condition with two weeks to spare before Christmas. And our boss will be here personally to perform the final inspection before signing off on the completion.”
*****
“Gas lighting?” the face of innocence looked up at the man who sat in the kitchen with him, sharing a small plate of cookies and two glasses of milk.
“Well now, you’ve heard your grandmere talk about such things when she’s come back from visitin’ New Orleans. How just turnin’ a knob on the wall and the lights brighten or are extinguished, uh, turned down.”
“Oh,” he squeaked before reaching forward with both hands to grab the glass then taking a gulp or three of milk.
“I can just imagine every room on the Ponderosa being lit up with those lights, and then when yor Pa and Uncle Jamie bring home the Christmas tree and it’s all decorated. It shore will be somethin’ ta see.”
Setting the glass to the table, the childlike smile disappeared as Joey quickly covered his mouth at the sound of his belch.
With a jovial laugh, “Hey now Joey, that’s nothing to be ashamed about. While even as a little baby, after you were, uh… uh… well ya had to be burped. And you know in some countries, yor Uncle Adam done tole me belching is a compliment to the cook.” Raising the dish cloth to wipe at the boy’s face, “I’d better do something about that milkstache, I can just hear yor mama goin’ on about how the two of us can’t keep clean.”
Batting away the incoming towel, “Ah, Uncle Hoss.”
“Just you hush now. Yor mama, she’s a good mother. We gotta do everythin’ we can to help keep our piece of Heaven spick and span, and that means you too.”
Nodding, Joey wiped cookie crumbs from his lap.
*****
Settling the child into his bed later that evening, Hoss stepped back, turning he saw his sister-in-law standing in the doorway.
Thumbs hooked over his pant pockets; Hoss slowly approached.
“Hoss, I do know how much you, and Joey, try.” Offering a hint of a smile, “You’re a good uncle to Joey.”
Reaching up to wipe an errant tear from her cheek, “Alice, I just wish it could be where Joseph was helpin’ to raise that rascal.”
“No Hoss, Joe… We can’t undo the past.”
“But…”
“No buts. I miss him, too. But it’s not his time yet.” Pleading, “Please, don’t wish for Ben to lose another son.”
Exasperated, “But it’s just that…”
Pressing her fingertips to his lips, “Hoss, if you truly believe, as much as your father does, then one day we’ll all be reunited.” Knowing Hoss’ musings could lead to unintended consequences; several years before, Hoss had come close to drawing Peter’s ire by appearing in the barn at midnight on Christmas eve. Acting more like his impetuous younger brother than the Hoss they all loved, Hoss had tried his best to convince Cochise to talk to Joe on his behalf, telling Joe’s horse all about Joey.
After a quick shake of her head, a hint of mischief appeared on Alice’s face, “Besides, I don’t think Gabriel nor St. Peter would appreciate your brother’s knack for ‘trouble’, especially up here. And as it stands, I think they appreciate the fact that in addition to Marie, he also has you, me, and Joey, as his guardian angels.”
“Yeah, it’s a wonder he didn’t kill himself while growin’ up,” mused Hoss, knowing all the times he either followed Joe into trouble or watched as his brother found trouble all on his own.
Taking Hoss’ arm in hers, she escorted him to another room, “Oh if you only knew some of the stories Marie has to tell about the times neither you nor Adam were around.”
Entering the room, Hoss looked up at hearing Marie state, “Why not even your father knows all the shenanigans of Joseph Francis Cartwright. But Christmas is a time of rebirth and celebration, let’s not dwell on the past.”
“I agree,” said another feminine voice, walking into the room behind them. “It’s shocking how gray Ben’s hair turned with everything the two of you got into.” Shaking a scolding finger, “And son, you should have known better.”
“Ah, ma,” Hoss blushed. Looking over his shoulder Hoss saw his mother arm in arm, with a raven-haired woman.
“Do you think Ben has any idea who the Boss is?” the second newcomer inquired.
Releasing Inger’s arm, she walked forward; holding out her arms to offer a hug to the brother of her son, “Hoss, it’s been a long time.”
With a subdued smile, Hoss turned around and picked up Elizabeth in a great big bear hug while answering, “It shore has. I never got the chance ta thank ya for helpin’ me, ya know…. When I first arrived.” After setting Adam’s mother to her feet, he thought on what she was doing here. Why wasn’t she watching over Adam? An animated smile lit his face. “Ya mean he’s the boss?!”
Each woman nodded.
“And he’s coming here? Is he gonna stay?”
Again, they nodded.
“Well, not here, exactly,” Elizabeth offered. “But he is coming home to the Ponderosa.”
Excited as a five-year-old at Christmas, “Yee Haw! We’re all here this Christmas, and not one of us will ever be alone!”
Wishing Everyone the Blessings of the Season!
Invention: Gas Lighting, 1804
Character: Hoss
A continuation of my short story: Between The Twelfth of Never and Forever.
Part of the title to the story was inspired by the Elvis Presley song, Where No One Stands Alone.
Link to Day 3 of the 2024 Bonanza Brand Holiday Calendar – Comfort and Joy by DJK
