Summary: Christmas candles, a cranky baby, and a neglected Cartwright all add up to one special Christmas.
Rating:  G    2,420 words

Written for the 2024 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar

Bonanza

~*~*~ Advent Calendar ~*~*~

* Day 12 *

Peace on Earth
(or at least on the Ponderosa)

“Hoss, come back!”

“Oh, Ben, you must go after him. He will freeze.”

“Stay Pa and see to Marie and Little Joe. I’ll find him.”

Adam shrugged into half his coat while grabbing Hoss’ off the rack. After stepping onto the icy porch, the twelve year old closed the front door to seal out the cacophony of crying behind him. He could barely hear Marie’s fearful cries over those of her six-week old son. Had it only been six weeks since Little Joe had been born, turning a peaceful home into…  No, Adam shook off that thought. True it was not too peaceful these days, but it was still a joy to have another brother.

Adam took a calming breath and focused on the silence of the night while he finished putting his wool coat on. With his thoughts turning toward his missing brother he knew just where to look. Picking his way through the ankle deep snow, Adam paused mid stride to gaze at the black sky filled with thousands of stars. A flash and a streak caught his eye and he watched a shooting star sail across the sky, disappearing behind the barn. Passing along a moment of thanks, he continued on his way to that same barn and gladly entered its balmy interior. A trickle of dust from the loft above also gave guidance. Silently climbing the ladder, he found his brother jammed into a corner, shivering and sniffling. The sight nearly broke his heart. He dropped down by his young brother, covered him with his coat, and waited. Patiently.

“It just ain’t fair, Adam,” came the plaintive cry. “I love my baby brother but will he ever stop cryin’? Pa’s too grumpy to be around and won’t read to me, Mama’s tearful an’ frettin’ over Joe, an’ she hasn’t sung any songs with me since he was born, an’ you never have time to help me with Christmas stuff. You’re either holdin’ the baby or workin’.”

Adam bit his lower lip as that last statement came with a choked sniffle. He stretched out his arm to draw his brother to his side. “I know, Little Buddy. I guess it seems like everything we’re used to has turned upside down. I’m sorry I got home too late to help with the popcorn string. I’ve got time right now if you want to get it done.”

A shake of Hoss’ head against Adam’s chest didn’t bode well. “Thanks, but I can’t go back in there. It’s just too hard to hear Little Joe cryin’ an’ I can’t do nothin’ to help him. I’m scared, Adam.”

“Shh, don’t be Hoss. It’s something Doc Martin says babies as small as Joe go through. The medicine he gave Marie is helping. We just need to be patient and let it work.” He shifted Hoss so he could look him in the eye. “Tell you what. Since Christmas is a couple of days away, why don’t you and I ask Old Charlie to take us Christmas tree hunting tomorrow. Then we can decorate it and,” he tweaked his brother’s nose, “I’ll show you how to light the candles on the tree.”

Hoss rose to his knees, his damp eyes twinkling like the stars outside. “Really, ya mean it, Adam? I can light the candles this year?

“You sure can, little brother. You just have to remember to do everything I tell you.”

“Oh, I can do that. You know I can!”

“Well, we better get back to the house and string that popcorn before Pa eats it all.”

“Sure, Adam. Race you there.”

Per the rules, Adam went down the ladder first, then helped Hoss down. After that all bets were off as to who got to the house first. Gasping in the frosty air, Hoss arrived first and signaled to Adam to be quiet. They entered the silent house on tip-toe to find the room empty. Not wishing to lose their good fortune, the brothers settled by the fire to string the popcorn, trying not to eat more than what went on the string. Ben came down much later to find the string done and his two sons enjoying milk and cookies at the table.

“Did you two leave any cookies for me and your mother?”  He tried to look cross but failed miserably upon seeing his middle son smiling for the first time in days.

“We have plenty, Pa.”

And together the three ate more cookies before Ben prepared a plate for his wife. He paused at the stairs. “It’s been a long day and I suggest we all get some sleep, especially if you two are going to get a tree tomorrow.”

Hoss gave Adam a puzzled frown.

Big brother returned it with a lopsided smile. “Pa suggested earlier today that it was time to get the tree.”

Hoss rushed over to his Pa to give him a big hug. “Thanks, Pa!”

~o~o~o~

The brothers and Old Charlie were hardly gone an hour before they found the perfect tree. As soon as it was set up in the house, the boys went outside to burn off some of their excitement while the decorations were brought down from the attic. That evening everyone, including Hop Sing, joined in to decorate the tree and sip on hot cocoa.

Ben set his cup down and smiled at his sons.”Boys, you two can place the candles on the tree, then we’ll call it a night.”

Adam set the box on the low table while Hoss looked into it with awe. He was too nervous to do anything, but Adam’s encouraging smile calmed him.

As they carefully attached the candles to the branches, Adam’s voice squeaked slightly as he began the story. “According to legend, a man named Luther was walking home one winter evening and was awed by the stars twinkling amidst evergreens. Wishing to recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and wired its branches with lighted candles. The candles’ lights also brightened the long and dark winter nights. Over time it became a tradition at Christmas with the light from the candles symbolising the Star of Bethlehem and Jesus’ birth.”

The brothers stepped back to admire their handiwork. Each felt their Pa’s big hands rest upon their shoulders. “Well done, boys. Tomorrow’s Christmas Eve so Adam will light them before dinner. For now, we all best head to bed.”

Adam and Hoss looked up to see their Pa’s smiling face and nodded. Soon all were fast asleep, dreaming of Christmas joy.

~o~o~o~

After breakfast, Adam led Hoss to the barn, much to Hoss’ relief. Breakfast was quiet because Little Joe slept through it but afterwards, his cries filled the house once more.

While Hoss headed to his pony for comfort and to brush him, Adam gathered a bucket of water and a small box from the tool room. He pulled a few regular candles from his coat pocket.

“Hoss, come here. It’s time to learn how to light the candles. Hop Sing said we could practice with these. He’ll be here in a minute to watch what we do.”

Adam showed Hoss the contents of the box, little sticks with a funny brown bulb on one end. He listened intently to his brother’s calm instructions about safety with the matches, how only the adults can use them, and they are dangerous because they can start unwanted fires. Hoss rolled his eyes to look between the matches and Adam’s serious face, and gave a solemn nod.

When Hop Sing arrived, Adam began the lesson.

“These matches are expensive so we don’t want to waste them. You take this piece of sandpaper and wrap it round the match, then pull the match out quickly. Like this.”

Adam yanked the match out and the tip burst into a small flame. Hoss jumped back as his eyes grew wide.

“Golly, Adam. That plum scared me. I don’t think I can do that.”

Hop Sing chuckled. “Little boy jump like Hop Sing when first see match light. Now use all time to light fire in stove.”

Adam dropped the lit match into the water where it sizzled as the flame went out. “I’m sorry Hoss. I should have had you stand back. Are you sure you don’t want to try it just once?”

“Well…I guess I could try just one time. How else can I light the candles?”

Adam grinned, as did Hop Sing.

Hoss placed the match inside the paper like Adam showed him but he pulled too slowly, afraid of the coming flame.

“Aw, shucks!”

“Okay if Hop Sing show Little Brother? I was scared, too, the first times I try.”

The cook gently guided Hoss’ chubby hands and showed him how to pull the match out quickly. “Think of match like star in sky that guide Wisemen to see baby Jesus. With candles lit all can see Jesus. It like having God’s light from star in house. If lights are there then Peace will be there too.

Hoss took a moment to ponder the little man’s wise words. With the tip of his tongue protruding between his lips, Hoss closed his eyes, took a slow breath and quickly slid the matchstick over the sandpaper. Adam’s ‘whoop’ of excitement, made Hoss’ eyes pop open. “You did it, Hoss!”

Elated, Hoss tried another with the same result. “I did do it! Thanks Hop Sing an’ Adam. Now I can light the candles on the tree an’ they will bring Light an’ Peace for Christmas!”

With hugs all around and smiles on their faces the three cleaned up the barn and headed to the house for lunch. Hoss was sure it was going to be a grand time that night for all the family.

~o~o~o~

As the last rays of the winter sun faded from the sky, the Cartwright family stood around the Christmas tree. Hop Sing padded into the room to stand by Ben’s red chair. Adam glanced briefly toward Marie as she swayed back and forth to keep a restless Little Joe from crying out. Giving a reassuring smile to Hoss he spoke quietly, “Tonight is Christmas Eve and as is our tradition we will light the candles to celebrate the birth of Jesus. I will light the upper ones and, this year, Hoss will light the lower candles.”

“Wait a minute…”

“Quiet, Ben. It will be alright. Mon cherie, please continue.”

While Hoss waited his turn, Adam climbed the stairs to light all the higher candles. When he finished the middle section, he gave a nod and a wink to his little brother. “You can do this, Hoss.”

Hoss stood tall for his six year old size and took a fresh match from Adam. With a confident flourish that surprised Ben, he lit the match and held it to several candles before it went out. He dropped it in the small bucket by the hearth before lighting another and continuing.

When the last candle was lit, silence reigned as each person beheld the sight. Twenty small flames cast dancing shadows on the faces of all gathered there. Hoss looked all around, his face alight with joy at the sight. Just as Ben stepped forward to congratulate his sons, young Joseph awoke with an ear shattering cry.

Every one froze as Marie broke into tears once again and ran for the stairs. The peace was shattered and chaos took over. Ben, however, did not fail to praise his sons for their gift of light.

“You boys did a wonderful job. I’m proud of you. Why don’t you help Hop Sing with dinner and your mother and I will be down soon.”

By the time the table was set and Christmas dinner was ready, Marie finally came to the table with a sleeping Little Joe. She had been standing by the tree since Ben had convinced her to return to the family room. She found Little Joe was attracted to the flickering flames on the tree. It didn’t take long for his eyes to droop closed thus allowing the dinner to proceed.

After dessert was set out and enjoyed, Little Joe woke up, demanding attention. Ben asked Adam to try to calm his brother while he and Marie helped Hop Sing clean up. Adam tried everything from pacing to rocking to singing, but nothing worked. He put Little Joe into the cradle and asked Hoss to watch him while he went to speak to their father.

“Pa, nothing I do will work. Marie, you’re sure he’s not hungry.”

“Oui, Adam, that is not the problem. Oh, Ben what shall we do? This is becoming a most miserable Christmas.”

“Shh, my darling. It is still a very special Christmas by having Little Joe with us.”

“Quiet, please, everyone.”

All eyes turned to Hop Sing but all ears were tuned to the family room. Was that silence?

Suddenly cognizant of who was in the kitchen and who was missing, Marie’s eyes widened. “Adam you didn’t leave Little Joseph with Hoss did you?”

“Well, yes, but…”

However, Marie was gone with Ben hot on her heels. By the time Adam and Hop Sing arrived Marie was in a panic over her missing baby. Everyone started looking around but it was Adam who made the discovery.

“Marie, come, look here.”

The frantic mother flew to the tree and looked behind the blue chair. “What…Hoss…?

Sitting on the floor Hoss stared up at everyone sheepishly. “Um, no one was around an’ I couldn’t stand to see my brother so unhappy, an’ I recalled that Joe was quiet at the tree so I slid the cradle between the tree an’ the fireplace. I didn’t realize it was hidden, but it helped him quit crying. Look at how happy he is to watch the flickerin’ lights. Ain’t it kinda like the baby Jesus in the manger, Mama?”

Marie knelt down to take Hoss into her arms. “Oh, mon cherie. You are such a wise child. You have created a Christmas miracle. Merci mon petit. Je t’aime!

Hoss beamed from ear to ear as Adam and Ben joined him on the floor. As everyone began a quiet chorus of Silent Night, another shooting star crossed the black sky and disappeared behind the house. All the Ponderosa was at Peace that Christmas Eve night.

Peace to all this Christmas!

 ——–

Character: Hoss
Invention: Matches, 1827

Thanks to Faust for a tip in how to light candles on a Christmas tree, and the suggestion for the photo.

Link to Day 13 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar – And to All a Good(ish) Night by PSW