Summary: Fourteen-year-old Hoss has a plan.  With the help of Little Joe and Old Ned, he may just be able to surprise Pa and Adam this Christmas.
Rating:  G  3,900 words

Written for the 2024 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar

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Bonanza
~*~*~ Advent Calendar ~*~*~
* Day 3 *

Comfort and Joy

 

Hoss Carwright stopped and studied the notices. In the past year, the growing settlement had acquired a printer. Alex Fields printed notices, signs, cards, and once a week a single sheet of local stories and any territorial or national news that the printer could glean from limited sources. Now the boards of the print shop’s front facade always held the latest broadside and any notices of interest to passersby. Anytime someone from the ranch came into town for supplies or business, it had become routine to not only pick up any waiting mail but to read the print shop wall. Hoss noticed the announcement almost immediately, but it was not until he was almost ready to leave that he realized its significance to himself. He pondered the idea for a few minutes and then he settled his mind on it. It was a good idea- an excellent idea, in fact. He smiled widely, memorized the needed information, and then strode off down the street to join Old Ned on the wagon, whistling to himself.

()()()()()

“Whatcha doing?” Hoss looked up at the sound of his little brother’s voice. The eight-year-old had entered Hoss’s bedroom and proceeded to fling himself face down on the bed hanging over the end and staring at his brother sitting on the floor.

“What’s it look like I’m doing, Short Shanks?” Hoss’s voice was cheery as he was totally unperturbed by Little Joe’s invasion.

“You’ve gots your money out. Why?”

“I need to count it.”

“Why?”

“Close the door, and I’ll tell ya. It’s a secret.”

Excitement shot the little boy off the bed. He closed the door, darted to his brother’s side, sat down, leaned toward Hoss’s ear, and spoke in an overly loud whisper. “What’s the secret?”

“My plan’s the secret. Onliest thing is, I need your help, so ya have to cross your heart and promise not to tell anybody most especially Pa.”

Little Joe’s eyes widened. “Could we get in trouble with Pa for doing your plan?”

“No, Short Shanks, when have you ever known me to take you along when I go courting trouble?”

Little Joe gave the matter a few seconds consideration. “Never. When you’re courting trouble, if I find out, you always tell me I can’t come.”

“Well, then. “‘sides the onliest part that could cause a touch of trouble, we’re getting Old Ned to help with, so there won’t be nobody getting in any trouble, no siree. This ain’t a trouble plan, but it’s a surprise for Pa, so he can’t know until Christmas.”

“It’s a Christmas surprise, and Old Ned knows?”

“Yep.”

Little Joe’s concerns were laid to rest. “Okay then.” Then a new thought entered his mind. “But, Hoss, I ain’t got no money to help with.” Little Joe’s exuberance deflated.

“I don’t need your money. I should have enough.” Hoss was confident and patted Joe’s thigh with assurance. Since he had turned fourteen, he had been allowed to forgo academics and work full-time on the ranch. Having been man-sized for several years, he was physically capable of a ranch hand’s labor and preferred it to the lessons he had dreaded for years. His Pa had stopped giving him pocket money and now paid him the going daily wage for a beginning hand. He was too young for the saloons, the drink, and the cards that took wages from the average ranch hand, and he was not one to make frivolous or flashy purchases. His basic needs were still supplied by his father, so most weeks, Hoss just spent a little on the candy he and his little brother favored, gave to the Sunday offering, and saved the rest. He therefore had stored away a significant sum.

“But iffen I don’t give any of the money, it’s your surprise, Hoss, not our surprise. I want it should be our surprise.”

“Well, now, Pa gives ya a nickel pocket money every Saturday. If ya save a penny every Saturday until Christmas, ya can give that to me, and then the surprise will be from both of us to Pa and to Adam too. I think I’ve got enough for both.”

“Can we get a surprise to Adam by Christmas? Getting something to Adam takes a long time.”

“I know.” Hoss sighed. “It might not make it there in time for him to open it on Christmas, but it will get there and when it does it will be like a second Christmas for elder brother. The pastor says we should keep Christmas in our hearts all year round; we’ll just send Adam a good reason to keep some in his heart ‘til he gets hisself back here next year.”

Little Joe saw the reasonableness of his brother’s explanation. His smile covered his face, and he bounced with excitement. “Tell me the plan, Hoss. What’s the surprise?”

“A daguerreotype. One for each of them.”

“A what?”

“A daguerreotype, a picture like the ones Pa has of our mothers. They won’t have as fancy frames or cases, but…”

“Pictures, who’s gonna be in the pictures?”

Hoss laughed. “You and me silly! Pa will have a picture of his two youngest sons, and Adam will have one of his brothers.” Hoss did not voice his regret that Pa would not have a daguerreotype of all three of his sons together. Dagburn that brother of ours having to go off so far to get his education. Oh, well, it’s less than a year before he’s back where he belongs.

“But, Hoss, how we gonna get one made?” Little Joe considered the idea a wonderful one, and the thought it might not be possible put a wail into his voice. “We can’t make one ourselves!”

“That’s just it, Little Joe, we don’t have to. Folks use special equipment to make a daguerreotype and special ways, but sometimes somebody who does a job of making them travels around from place to place making ‘em for folks, and I saw a notice in town that one of them daguerreotypers is coming to town next week. All we got to do is go to town with money in our pocket, and he’ll make ‘em for us. Old Ned said he’ll take us. He’ll think of a reason that won’t take no lying to Pa, just a little not mentioning which is okay for Christmas presents.”

“Pa thinks his pictures of our mamas are real, real special. We gotta a do it, Hoss; we gotta!”

“We’ll get the job done, and Old Ned will help us with the shipping to Adam. He knows about such things having done it before for himself and for Pa.”

Little Joe let out a whoop of joy that Hop Sing heard in the kitchen. Hoss pulled his brother into his lap, placed his hand over not only Little Joe’s mouth but most of his face, and reminded the boy of the need for secrecy. Little Joe nodded promising that this would be a secret kept.

()()()()()

Hoss could not keep from grinning as he sat next to Old Ned on the seat of the buckboard. He felt his brother’s arms encircle his neck as the little boy stood in the wagon bed and leaned his body against his brother’s broad back.

“What did you tell Pa was the reason you was taking us to town, Mr. Ned?”

“Just told Boss that I had made a deal with the two of ya. He didn’t ask for no details. Boss knows I deal with some things when it comes to you younins.”

“Do we really gotta change into our church clothes for the picture-taking?” Little Joe never saw a good reason for dressing in his go-to-meeting clothes.

Old Ned made his voice stern as this discussion was on its third repeat. “Yes, and I won’t be hearing no more about it. When your pa and Bucko are showing them daguerreotypes to all and sundry, them folks is going to be seeing ya in your best. That clear?”

“Yes, sir.” Little Joe sighed.

“We won’t have to wear ‘em for long, Little Joe. We’ll change back soon as them pictures are taken. Doc Paul said we could use his office for the changing. ‘sides, you look awful grown in that good suit. Adam’s like to hardly know ya when he sees the picture.” Little Joe’s countenance brightened at the thought of looking older.

Old Ned spit over the side of the buckboard. “Bucko is like to have a time recognizing either one of ya. Ya both have done a heap of growing since he left.”

Little Joe rested his head on Hoss’s shoulder. “Don’t know if I’ll recognize Adam; he’s been gone so long.”

“Don’t ya go fretting ‘bout that now, Little Bit. You’ll know your brother right off come the time. He may be a mite taller and have put on a little heft, but he’ll be Adam all the same.” Old Ned’s confidence steadied both Joe and Hoss’s mood, and most of the rest of the trip was spent speculating about Christmas, what Adam was doing, how excited Pa and Adam would be, what Pa would get them, and other important concerns.

()()()()()

Having changed clothes, Hoss made sure his money was safely in his inner pocket. He turned to see Old Ned brushing down Little Joe’s curls and retying his black string tie.
“There! You’ll do.” Ned turned his attention to Hoss, gave a few tugs and smoothed a spot or two. “You’re both looking fine!”

The three walked down to the spot where a long curtain had been hung in the bright sunshine behind the newly built Congregational Church and took their places at the end of a line of about a dozen people.

“I thought he’d have a tent.” Little Joe was shifting around and craning his neck to see around the people in front of him.

Old Ned settled him by placing a hand on his shoulder. “Light is important to the daguerreotype. Brighter the light, clearer the picture. We’re lucky we got us such a fine sunny day.”

“Oh, okay.”

Hoss, his height allowing him to see over most shoulders and many heads, watched as a short, whiskered man arranged people in front of the curtain, stood behind a contraption he called a camera, called out the words “hold still”, and took off some sort of cap from the front of the camera. After a timed three minutes, he replaced the cap, called to the people, and made arrangements for them to pick up the completed daguerreotypes that afternoon. As their turn grew nearer, Hoss became comfortable with what would happen; his only concern was Little Joe staying absolutely still for the required three minutes.

When the man called them to come ahead, Hoss placed his hand on Little Joe’s back, and they walked confidently forward. Hoss informed the little man, Mr. Aloysuis Sims, of what they desired, went over the decisions to be made, and counted out the payment.

Mr. Sims placed two stands and a chair in front of the curtain. It had been decided that the best way to have both Hoss’s and Little Joe’s faces clear in the picture was for Hoss to be seated and Joe to stand next to him. Hoss took his seat, and Mr. Sims adjusted the stand and placed the head clamps that would hold Hoss’s head steady. Then, he set Little Joe on Hoss’s left and did the same. As Mr. Sims walked back behind the camera, Hoss slipped his arm around the little boy’s waist to steady him. “Real still now, Short Shanks.”

Mr. Sims surveyed the composition once more, drew out his timepiece, called out “Still now!” and removed the lens cover. Three minutes later, he replaced the cover and called out “Relax.”

“Ya did real good, Joe, real good. Just do the same again.”

Hoss saw Old Ned step up to Mr. Sims and say something to him. Mr. Sims nodded.
He came over to his subjects. “Would you like to make a small change and have the two pictures be different?”

“That might be a good thing. Yea, we’ll do that.” Hoss made his decision with confidence. It would be right that Pa and Adam each could tell his picture from the other with ease. It pleased him that the daguerreotypes would be one-of-a-kind as one could not make multiple copies of a daguerreotype.

This time Mr. Sims had Little Joe place his arm around Hoss’s neck and settle half-seated on his brother’s broad thigh. This position also made stillness a little easier for Joe, and the picture-taking process was again completed successfully.

“You can come by any time after two o’clock to pick them up.” Mr. Sims then turned to his next customer. He was taking pictures for the next hour and then would begin the processing of the daguerreotypes for afternoon retrieval.

Old Ned called to the Carwright boys, and they ran to him. “I got a few bits of business to do. Do I need to keep ya with me, or can ya keep yourselves out of trouble until lunch?”

“We can be good, Mr. Ned.”

“I can see to Little Joe. He’ll mind me.”

“Well, then, meet me at Mrs. Brugger’s cafe about one o’clock for lunch. Go by Doc’s and change and remember your boundaries.”

“We know the rules. Come on, Short Shanks.” The boys took off toward the doctor’s office, and Old Ned set about his errands.

()()()()()

At 2:15, the Cartwrights and Ned walked up to Mr. Sims who was seated behind a table outside his wagon.

“Name’s Carwright; isn’t it?”

“Yes, sir. You said everything would be ready after two.” Hoss spoke in loud, clear tones.

“And everything is.” He turned, picked up the two daguerreotypes, and placed them on the table. “They both turned out mighty fine if I say so myself. Now you know, even with the glass to cover, they can be easily ruined. You will need to take care.”

“We know.” Hoss reached out and picked up the daguerreotype in the single, unhinged case which allowed the picture to stand vertically. This was the one that would be Pa’s and join those of the three Mrs. Ben Cartwrights. Little Joe clasped his hands behind him but leaned against his brother’s arm to peer at the picture in Hoss’s hands.

“Goshdurn, now ain’t that a sight! Goshdddurn!”

“It’s us, Hoss, you and me; that’s us!” It was; the picture beneath the glass clearly showed the boys and the smiles on their faces.

“Well, now, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen one finer!” Old Ned leaned over to take a good look at the daguerreotype. “You done a fine job, Sims. If the other is as good…”

“It is!”

Hoss set down the first picture and reached for the second. He had made the decision to place Adam’s daguerreotype in a double hinged case for added protection during its journey to his brother. He opened the case and grinned even more broadly. This picture was just as clear as the first, and though he would never voice the observation he thought the more relaxed pose made the image more natural and life-like.

“Yes indeedy, Mr. Sims, you are a man of considerable skill.” Old Ned clapped the daguerreotyper on the back.

“These are mighty fine, Mr. Sims, mighty fine. Thank you!” Hoss beamed at the man.

“Yea, thank you, Mr. Sims. Adam and Pa are going to be real pleased. Ain’t they, Hoss; ain’t they, Mr. Ned?”

“They surely will, Little Bit. They most surely will. Best be going, boys. Good day, Mr. Sims, and we’ll be sure to let folks know the quality of your work. If you plan to still be here Saturday, I think a few of the hands might give ya some more business.”

Hoss carefully closed the case and picked up the first daguerreotype. Carrying the daguerreotypes with a care and gentleness he usually reserved for ill or wounded critters, Hoss started whistling Adam’s favorite tune.

When they reached the wagon, the daguerreotypes were wrapped in blankets and placed on several pillows brought along for their protection on the trip home. Little Joe settled next to them having set himself the responsibility of protecting them at all costs. Hoss considered offering to drive but decided this trip was best left in the sure and more experienced hands of Old Ned. He sat down next to Ned and sighed.

“Pa will be real surprised, don’t ya think.”

“Surprised and pleased as punch. Ya done good, boy, real good.”

Little Joe’s voice came from behind them. “Do ya think some of the hands will really have their own done?”

“I do. You boys ain’t the onliest ones with loved ones a far piece away.”

“I wonder that Pa didn’t think of having some taken. I’ve been holding my breath about that.”

Ned cleared his throat and spit. “Boss ain’t had no reason to be in town of late, and it just might be that it went around that it would be best not to mention no daguerreotyper to him this time around.”

Hoss smiled. Adam always says the most important part of a plan is picking the right partners.

()()()()()

“Well, boys, fine as this morning has been the animals still need tending, we best…”

Hoss glanced at Old Ned and Hop Sing who had both joined the Cartwrights for their Christmas morning festivities. Seeing both men nod, he interrupted his father.
“Pa, um, there’s just one more thing.” He turned swiftly and retrieved the wrapped daguerreotype and then went to stand before his father. Little Joe joined him bouncing on his toes and grinning widely. “This is for you, Pa, from Joe and me.”

“But I’ve already had my presents from both of you. You both made…” Ben’s voice contained puzzlement, but he reached and took the present from Hoss’s hand.

“Those was our regular presents to you. This is a special one.”

“A special one? Special how?”

“Well, I thought about it lots. This will belong to you, but, well, it’s gonna be special to everybody, and well, it will be a joy to all of us, I think. The present will belong to you, but, well, the joy will belong to lots of people. That’s why it’s extra and special.”

“Well, um, then I best get it open, son.”

“Yea, Pa, but ya got to be careful. It’s real, what did ya call it Hoss?”

“Fragile. It is real fragile, Pa.”

“I’ll take great care then.” Ben slowly unwrapped the daguerreotype, gasped, and looked up at his sons. “But… this is wonderful, but how…how?”

“Hoss had a plan, Pa. Mr. Ned helped, and Hop Sing wrapped and hid it, and …well, do ya like it Pa, do ya really?” Little Joe held his breath.

“I… I more than like it. I can’t think of anything I would like more. I… it’s wonderful just wonderful.” Ben rose, and Little Joe threw himself into his father’s arms. Ben settled the boy on his hip. “Thank you, sons, thank you.” Ben placed a kiss on his youngest’s forehead. Then reaching out, placing an arm around Hoss, and pulling the boy to him he did something he had not done in too long a time. He placed a loud and smacking kiss on his man-sized son’s forehead.

“Paaa!” Hoss’s wail was only partially indignant.

Watching, Hop Sing made a statement in Chinese. Old Ned looked over at the cook and nodded his head in agreement even though he knew not a word of Chinese.

Ben set his son on his feet and carefully walked over to his desk and placed the daguerreotype in a place of honor next to those of his wives. “There. I can look at it dozens of times a day.”

“There’s more to know, Pa. We sent one to Adam. You’ll have to wait ‘til he brings it back to see it.”

“You sent one to your brother?” Ben looked at Hoss who nodded. “But two… the cost of two and the shipping…”

“I had some saved, and Joe put in some.” Hoss straightened and squared his shoulders. “I’m thinking it was money well-spent.”

“Well, I don’t see how nobody could disagree with that!” Old Ned slapped his thigh and stood. “The animals do need tending.”

Ben shook his head. “I want to know everything: how, and when, and why I knew nothing, absolutely nothing… You can tell me while we do that tending.”

“I’ll tell ya, Pa.” Little Joe’s declaration brought a smile to everyone’s face as the little boy’s explanations were generally quite entertaining.

()()()()()

Hoss walked onto the porch of the bunkhouse where Old Ned sat rocking. He settled at the old man’s feet.

“Ya got something to tell me?”

“Yea, Mr. Ned, something good.”

“Out with it then.”

“We got a letter from Adam today. He got it, Mr. Ned. He said there weren’t a mark on it; he said it was perfect.”

“I’m thinking his perfect was meaning more than just the condition.”

“He said lots of ways how he liked it.”

“I’m sure he meant all of them. Bucko don’t write down things that ain’t true.”

“So, ya think it will be a joy to him like Pa’s is to us?”

“I’m thinking it will be more than a joy; it’ll a be a comfort too.”

“A comfort?”

“When that big brother of yours gets to fretting like he’s always done from time to time. Well, it will bring him comfort to look at that picture and see how the two of ya are well, and growing, and together, and well, taking care of each other ‘til he gets back.”

“You think he’ll see all that when he looks at it?”

“I do, and it will be a comfort to him.”

“Yea, I think it will. Mr. Ned, ya know nothing, not nothing that we worried or fretted about, went bad. Nothing went wrong with my plan.”

“It was a good plan.”

“I was thinking, well, maybe, it went so well ‘cause God thought it was a good plan too. That he blessed it, ya know?”

“Well, now, I think ya got that right. Have ya thanked him?”

“Yea, I’ll thank him again when I say my prayers tonight.”

“Good.”

“I been thinking about something else, too.”

“What?”

“Well, Mr. Sims had a good number of folks buy his work when he was here. I was thinking he might think it a good idea to come back around these parts, and if he does, well, him or any other daguerreotyper, I could get Pa to have him come out to the ranch. There’s lots of folks and even places, and things that we could get joy out of having pictures of, and any of the hands or folks closer to us than town could get ’em done easy right here. Do you think maybe that we could do something like that?”

“Don’t see as why not. You speak about it when ya pray tonight.”

“I will, and I’m gonna start saving up.”

“I think I will too.”

“Yea. Pa needs a daguerreotype of all three of his sons. Don’t ya think!”

“Indeed I do!”

The End

 

The prompt is: Daguerreotype photograph, 1839
And the character: Hoss

May you both give and receive comfort and joy this holiday season!

 

Link to the first contribution for Day 4 of the Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar – Remember, Remember (by faust)