Summary: Adam cheats on a test, in order to win a bet.

Rated: K (3,705 words)

 

The Cheat

 

Story Notes:

First ever Fanfic, Enjoy!

 

***

 

Adam Stoddard Cartwright an intelligent, raven haired boy of 14, sat on the Virginia city schoolhouse steps, waiting or his 8 year old brother, Hoss, to finish the work he hadn’t done in class.

 

As he watched some children who had stayed at the schoolhouse to play, his thoughts drifted to earlier that day, when his teacher introduced two new students, a pretty young brunette of 13, named Sarah Brockton, and her curly haired twin brother, Simon.

 

Simon wasn’t very enthusiastic about school, he had a cocky, impulsive attitude, and put the fearless card out.

 

Sarai on the other hand, wanted to be in school, and loved being the smart girl she was.

 

They had moved into town during the month, which was March, so they were getting a very late start in the school.  But she already had Adam worried.  Adam was a smart young man, always at the top of his class, and smarter than most of the older kids, which he took great pride in, he hungered for knowledge, was always thinking, always trying to learn, and get as Many facts and figures in his head as he could.

 

He loved to learn.  But this girl.  .  .

 

He hated to admit it, but she seemed, smarter than him, and he was worried he wouldn’t be able to keep his place at the top,

 

“I’ll just have to study harder.  ” He thought, even though he already had his nose in a book every spare minute, whenever he could sneak away from his chores, or his little brothers.  Before he could dwell on it any longer, his brother walked out of the school.  “What took ya so long?” Adam asked.

 

“You only had four words to spell.  “”Yeah,” Replied Hoss “But I had to write ’em all five times.”

 

He pouted, “They were hard.  “Adam only rolled his eyes at that.

 

“Alright, we gotta get home.  ”  He said as he swung onto his horse, that he had already saddled, and watched Hoss do the same.  They were on their way home.  They rode into the yard, and saw their step mother, Marie, and their baby brother, Joseph, or as Marie called him, her “Petite Joseph”, or the boys, he was Little Joe.

 

As soon as Joe saw the boys ride up, he ran to the horses.

 

“A’am, pick me up!” He yelled.

 

Adam leaned down, and swung the little boy over his shoulder, and carried him to where Marie was hanging out the weeks wash.

 

“Hello Adam.  ” She said with her french lift as the boy walked up,

 

“Hello ma’am.  ”

 

Adam and Marie had had a rocky relationship, since she had shown up, unannounced, as his Pas wife, when he returned from a “Buissness Trip” of sorts, from New Orleans, where Marie was from.

 

Adam had been cold, and distant, and resented her, because he felt she was trying to take the place of his beloved Ma, Inger.

 

She was a step mother to Adam as well.  She and Pa had been married when Adam was five, she had Hoss soon after, and everything was fine, until she had been killed by Indians, right in front of young Adams eyes.

But now he had Marie.

 

She wasn’t perfect, and he still wasn’t completely comfortable around her, but he was polite, and did open his heart to her.

“How was your day, Mon Cher?” She inquired, as she did most days.

 

“Fine, Thank you.  ” He replied, mostly by habit, as well.  “I hope yours was?”

 

“Yes, thank you.  ” She replied “I made some cookies, If you are hungry.  ”

 

“Thank you ma’am, I think I’ll go get some, and then do my homework.  ”

 

He quickly set his little brother on his feet, and rushed into the house.

 

As he came in, he noticed that Hop Sing, the family cook, wasn’t around, so he quickly took three cookies, and made his way upstairs.

 

When he got to his room, he looked out the window as Hoss came out of the barn, his task of looking to the horses complete, and walked over to Marie.

 

Adam looked away from the window, and putting a cookie in his mouth, at at his desk, got out his homework, and didn’t leave til his Pa called him to supper.

The next few weeks were uneventful, until Three weeks later, on a sunny Wednesday as Adam sat next to his best friend, Ross, and Mr.  Keller stood in front of the class, and made an announcement.

 

“On Friday, grades 6 and up, will be taking the final math examination, while grades 5 and below, will take a spelling test, because that seems to be a weak area.  ” He said.  “So study hard, and I will see you tomorrow.  ” He smiled, “Class Dismissed.  ”

 

Adam and Ross stood, gathered their things, and walked outside.

 

As they went out, they noticed a group of girls by the road.

 

Sarah was with them.

 

Adam and Sarah had talked some, but Adam thought she was “Stuck up.  ” as he had told Ross, and she was always boasting she could have the highest grades, which she sometimes did, and that really grinded Adams gears, and she knew it did.

“I know I’ll have the top grade in the math examination.  ” She was saying.

 

Adam tried to ignore her as He, Ross and Hoss walked by, but what she said next, caught his attention,

 

“I think I’d even bet with someone, that I could get it.  ” She was directing it towards Adam, and he knew it,

 

So he turned around and said,

 

“What would you bet?”

 

She smirked as she replied,

 

“Oh, I don’t know, Five dollars maybe.  ”

 

Everyone watched, wide eyed, to see what Adam would say.  Five dollars was a lot of money to bet on a math exam.

 

Adam looked her in the eyes and replied,

 

“You’ve got a bet.  ”

 

And simply walked away.

 

Ross stared at him for a second, and then ran after his usually smart friend, who thought things through, never made rash decisions.

 

“Hey, what’d you do that for?”

 

“‘Cause.  ” Was his answer.

 

“Your Pa won’t be too happy, you betting on school and all.  ”

 

“He doesn’t have to know.  ”

 

Ross kept talking,

 

“He’ll find out.  ”

 

“No he won’t.  ”

 

Ross grabbed Adams arm, making him stop.

 

“What about Hoss? He saw you take the bet, he could tell your Pa.  ”

 

Adam looked over at his younger brother, who had been with them the whole time, but forgotten about.

 

“Hoss,” Adam began, “You have to promise, you won’t tell Pa anything, about this bet.  ”

 

Hoss looked confused, so he asked, “Why not?”

 

Adam rolled his eyes, “You just can’t!”

 

“But why?” Hoss didn’t understand about his fathers views on betting money, especially at school.

 

Adam decided he had to say it, so he sighed and lowered his voice.

 

“Hoss, if Pa finds out I bet money, on a math exam, he would wear my hide out.  ” Hoss widened his eyes, and Adam went on, “So, don’t say anything, and my backside is safe.  ”

 

Hoss nodded his head, “Okay Adam.  ”

 

Adam nodded his head and walked on.

 

“Hey Adam,” Ross said “Do you think you can win that bet?”

 

Adam stopped, Turned around, and looked Ross in the eye.

 

“You don’t think I can win?”

 

His eyebrow raised.

 

“Well.  .  .  ” Ross started “Sarah’s awful smart, especially in math, so, I think”

 

He paused, “I think you’d need to have the answers in front of you to win.  ”

 

Adam was shocked, and his temper was rising quickly.  “Ross! You don’t think I’d cheat, do you?”

 

Ross’s voice rose to meet his as he replied,

 

“Well, to win that bet, it’d be the only way!”

 

Adam pondered this, on one hand, he did want to win that bet, but, in all honesty, he didn’t think he could, on the other hand, if his Pa found out he cheated, he would get a licking he wouldn’t soon forget.

 

“How would I do it, and not get caught?”

 

Ross thought a minute, and then smiled wickedly,

 

“I heard my Pa talking to Mr.  Cass,

 

And Mr.  Cass said he had ordered some ink, and if you get it on your clothes, it would wash right off.  ”

 

He paused, “We could get some, and write the answers on your sleeve, then wash it off after the test!”

 

Adam contemplated this, it sounded like it could work!

 

“Hold on, if I go home with my sleeve wet, my Pa will want an explanation.  ”

 

Ross looked thoughtful, then,

 

“I’ve got it! You’ve got two of the same shirt, right?” Adam nodded, “Well, wear one of them, and carry the other in your saddle bag, then when you wash off your sleeve,” Adam finished, “Put on the other shirt.  ” Adam smiled, the plan was foolproof!

 

“I know where he keeps the questions, Darrel told me.  ” Ross kept going, “Lemme go get them.  .  .  ”

“Ross! Wait!” Adam yelled, as Ross turned to the schoolhouse,

 

“If I get caught, my Pa’s gonna ask how I got the questions.  ” Adam paused, “I can’t lie to my Pa, you’ll get in trouble too.  ” Ross just smiled, “We won’t get caught.  ”

 

And he was on his way to the schoolhouse.

 

Adam turned to Hoss, who, once again, had been momentarily forgotten about.

 

Hoss looked up with wide eyes and asked innocently, “Adam, what are you doing?” Adam had to think of how to answer that, without saying he was cheating.

 

“Hoss, I’m gonna make sure I win that bet.  ” Hoss nodded, “How?”

 

Adam rolled his eyes, “I’m gonna study hard.  ” he lied.

 

Hoss still didn’t look convinced, but he nodded, and they walked home to finish the day.

 

~

 

The next day, after school, Adam and Ross went into Cass’s Store, where they walked to the counter,

 

“Hello there, Adam, Ross.  ” Mr.  Cass greeted them, “What can I do for you?” He asked.

 

Ross looked up and said, “Evening Mr.  Cass,

 

We were looking for some ink, that would come offa clothes, you know.  ” Mr.  Cass Smiled, and said,  “I’ve got just what you need.  “.  And disappeared into the storeroom.

 

A moment later he came back, a small bottle in his hand.

 

“Here you are boys, guaranteed to come off of anything you get it on, ‘cept paper of course.  ”

 

He handed the bottle to Ross, and Adam promptly took it from him, “How much?” Adam asked, Mr.  Cass answered, “Twenty five cents.  ”

 

Adam pulled out his money, and laid it on the counter.

 

“Thank you, Mr.  Cass, we best be going now.  ”

 

And he was out the door before he could respond.

 

As the boys walked up to the Marquette home, they decided they had better go to te barn, so no one could see them writing on Adams shirt, which he had brought along.

 

“We have to have this done in about an hour.  ”

 

Adam warned Ross, “My Pa told me I could stay here till five, and he won’t be to happy if I’m late for supper.  ”

 

Ross nodded his head and climbed up the ladder to the loft, opened the bottle of ink, and dipped in the pen, Adam followed, and the task of writing the answers was quickly done.

 

As they finished up, Ross said, “We souls leave this up here to dry.  ”

 

Adam quickly protested, “We can’t! I have to wear it in the morning!”

 

Ross had an answer.  “If we both get to school early, you can change before class.  ”

 

Adam nodded and said, “I’ve gotta get home, I’ll see you in the morning.  ”

 

Ross could tell his best friend was feeling guilty, so he tried to console him, “Listen Adam, you might not feel great about this, but just think, You’ll win the bet!” Adam just nodded and climbed down the ladder, and was soon saddled up and on his way home.

 

“Don’t forget your jacket!” Ross called after him.

 

Thursday morning, before school, Ross stood impatiently waiting or his friend to show.

 

After what seemed like an eternity, he saw Adam riding down the road, Hoss behind him.

 

Ross rolled his eyes, “What took ya so long?”

 

He asked, as Adam swung from the saddle.

 

Adam pulled him over to the side, as Hoss ran to play with the other kids, who had already arrived.

 

“Pa wouldn’t let me leave before Hoss.  ” He answered, “Did you bring the shirt?”

 

“Right Here.  ” Ross replied, holding the shirt up, “Go change.  ” He ordered.

 

Adam took the shirt and walked to the woods, muttering something about not waving the answers for the world to see.

 

He returned just as the teacher started ringing the bell, “Let’s go show Sarah who’s boss.  ” Ross slapped Adam on the back as they walked to the schoolhouse.

 

By the time the Mr.  Keller started handing out the math papers, before lunch hour, Adam was sweating and nervous, and was sure the Ink had run on his arm.

 

“Thank you.  ” He said as he received his paper.

 

Mr.  Keller stood in front of the class with his stopwatch, “You may begin.  ” He said.

 

Adam began his test, pulled back his Jacket, and got every question right.

 

He had just finished the last problem, when,

 

“Times up!” was heard in the front of the class.

 

Adam handed his paper up, along with everybody else, “You may go outside for lunch, and I will grade the papers.  ” Mr.  Keller said.

 

Adam and Ross met behind the schoolhouse as the other children played in the front.

 

“Here, go change.  ” Ross said, as he handed the clean shirt to Adam.  He Walked to the trees a couple of feet away, and obeyed.

 

As he walked out, Ross nodded his head, “I saw Sarah’s paper.  ” he said, “She missed one.  You won the bet!”

 

Adam smiled at that, but he felt a pang of guilt inside, “Great.  ” He said, “Let’s get back over there.  ” He Said.

 

Everything went smoothly there on, from him winning the bet, getting Sarah’s five dollars, and getting home without his Pa knowing.  Hoss didn’t say a word, If he knew anything.  But he kept thinking he had forgotten something.

 

He thought he had gotten off Scott free, until Marie came into the house on Saturday, with his saddle bag in one hand, and the dirty shirt in the other.  “Adam.  ” Adam, who was reading on the settee, turned to face her, and went pale as he remembered what he had forgot.

 

In his attempt to keep the secret from Pa, collect his winnings, and make sure Hoss didnt find anything out, he had forgotten to clean the shirt.

 

“What is this about?” Marie asked, holding up the shirt.

 

Adam was stuttering, trying to think of an explanation, and, when he couldn’t think of one, he hung his head, only to have Maries voice bring it up.  “Adam!” Her voice rose.  “This looks like math answers.  ”

 

Adam nodded, and looked up at her, “They are.  ” he whispered.  “What was that Cheri?”

 

Marie asked, her voice gentle.  Adam looked up, and the look in her eyes made him tell her the whole story.  As he finished, she drew him into a hug, and spoke in his ear, “Adam, your Pa will not be very happy.  ” Adam sighed, “I know,” he replied, “I feel guilty, it’s almost like I stole that money from Sarah.  ”

 

Marie now spoke sternly, “That’s exactly what it was Adam.  ” He flinched slightly at her words, and she continued, “Let’s come sit, and I will make some Cocoa, then you can tell your father when he comes home.  ” Adam nodded, and walked over to the settee.  When Marie walked in a few moments with Cocoa, she sat beside him, and they isn’t say a word, until Ben walked in.

 

It surprised him to see his oldest son sitting with his stepmother, leaning on her, as she had her arm around him, “Hello, What’s this?” He asked, making them both jump slightly, surprised at the voice.

 

They both rose, and Marie walked to Ben, as Adam just moved to the end of the settee.

 

“Adam has told me some things, Mon Cher.  ”

 

She relayed to Ben, “And I think he wants to tell you some things.  ”

 

Ben looked at his son, who was staring at his boots.  “Adam, what did you want to tell me?”

 

Adam slowly raised his head, and the story spilled out again.  “I’m sorry Pa.  ” He finished with.

Ben looked at his son and slowly said,

 

“Adam, Please go to the barn, I have to go get something, then we’ll talk more.

 

Adams eyebrows drew together in confusion, but he nodded and went outside.

 

Marie placed her hand on Bens arm, “What do you have to get, Mon Cheri?” She asked,

 

Ben looked over and smiled,

 

“A memory.  ” He replied, patted Marie’s hand, and left.

 

Marie looked confused as he walked upstairs, so she sat down, and waited for him to come back.

Ben found what he needed, in the attic trunk, walked downstairs, and out the door to the barn.

When he walked in, Adam was sitting on a bale of hay, his back to Ben.

 

Ben sighed, walked over and put his hand on Adams shoulder.

 

“Adam,” He began, “I want you to know, that you apologized, and you are forgiven.

 

Adam looked up at his Pa, and he continued, “But you know what you did was wrong, so you are going to be punished.  ” Adam nodded, and Ben say down beside him, and pulled a pieced of old paper out of his pocket, “Adam, look at this.  ” Adam looked over, and saw what his father held, “It’s a note.  ” Adam observed, His father smirked, “Yes, it is.  One that got me into a lot of trouble.  ” “How?” Adam asked.

 

“Well, I got this note, on a Wendesday, I believe, and I had to have my father sign it by Monday.

 

“Well, I was afraid of what my Pa would do, which, would’ve been no more than turn me over his knee, you see, I had played hooky from school Monday, and the teacher found out.  ”

 

Ben looked down at Adam, who was listening intently, “He told me to have Pa sign this note, and show it to him Monday.  I didn’t want trouble with my Pa, so, I decided to sign it with his name.  It took me about twenty tries to get it to look right, but when I thought it did, I signed it, and gave it to the teacher Monday morning.  ”

 

He made sure he still hade Adams attention, than continued, “He thought it was my Pa’s doing, so he let me off the hook.  I was free till Sunday, when, after church, my teacher started talking to Pa, and mentioned the note.  When we got home, Pa walked me out to the barn, told me what he had heard, and asked me if it was true.  ” He looked at Adam.  “What’d you say?” he asked.

 

Ben smiled dryly, “I said it was.  He bent me over, and let me tell you, that had to be one of the worst whippings I ever got.  ” Adam looked down again, Ben cupped his chin with his hand and pulled his eyes to meet his.  “I cheated son, I cheated my teacher, by making him think that my Pa signed this note, and My Pa, by deceiving him, and copying his signature, and myself, by thinking I was getting away with that.  ” he kissed Adams forehead, “Do you understand me?”

 

He nodded, “Yes sir.  Why do you still have the note?”

 

Ben chuckled, “My teacher gave it to my Pa, and I found it in his things, after he died.  I couldn’t seem to throw it out.  ”

Adam nodded,

 

“What’s my punishment gonna be?”

 

Ben sighed, “You’re gonna buy yourself a new shirt, with your money, because I doubt that ink will come off.  On Monday, you are gonna tell Mr.  Keller what happened, give that girl her money back, and retake that exam.  ”

 

Adam Nodded, “Yes Sir.  ”

 

Ben sighed again, he hated doing this, “Right now, I want you to bent over that saddle stand.  ”

 

Adams eyes grew wide, it had been a while since he had got a Lickin’, But he silently obeyed, as his father slid off his belt.

 

Ben laid fourteen good Licks to his sons backside, and than pulled the boy into a hug, as he cried, not completely from the whipping, but to get rid of the guilt and worry he’d had since he made that bet.

 

When he had stopped a minute later, Ben pulled back slightly and looked his son in the eyes.  “I love you son, and I always will.  Don’t worry about this anymore, until you tell Mr.  Keller.  Got it?” Adam quickly responded, wiping his eyes, “Yes sir.  ” Ban smiled and hugged him once more, “Why don’t you go up to your room, I’ll call you when supper is ready.  ”

 

Adam quickly walked out the door, into the house, and up to his room, a moment later, Marie walked out the door, meeting Ben in between the house and Barn.  “Everything is fine darling.  ” Ben said, at Maries questioning look.  “Everything is fine.  ” They slowly walked back to the house, Marie went to watch little Joe, and Ben went to his office to read.  They ate supper later that evening, Adam shifting slightly, but in good spirits.  Everyone went to bed soon after, for church was in the morning.

 

~The End.

 

~Epilogue.

 

Everything turned out fine, Adam gave Sarah her money back, told the teacher the story, and passed the test with flying colors.  When Ross’s Pa found out about his part in it all, he got a licking, but he soon got over it.  The whole event was soon behind them, and everything was back to normal.

 

Until Hoss got a note for playing hooky.  .  .

 

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners.  The original characters and plot are the property of the author.  No money is being made from this work.  No copyright infringement is intended.