Ages: Adam 28, Hoss 22, Joe 16, Rebecca 13

 ***

Hi I am Rebecca Marie Cartwright, but friends and family call me Becky. I come from a family with four children. I am the youngest and the only girl.

I do have three older brothers and a father. Shortly after I was born, my mother died in an accident when she fell off her horse. But she was not the only wife of my Pa. He was married two times before,  unfortunately they died, too. But because of them I do have my two eldest brothers Adam and Eric.

Adam’s Ma was Elizabeth and the Ma of Eric, who we call Hoss, was Inger.  My Ma and my brothers Joseph was Marie. That makes Adam and Hoss my half-brothers but I do consider them as my full brothers just like Joe.

But let me tell you something about the members of my family:

First of all there is my Pa. His name is Benjamin and to close friends it is Ben. He really is the finest man you can imagine.

He loves all his children very much and is not afraid to show that, in despite of my brothers sometimes. Because he really likes to cuddle and kissing. Speaking for myself I do like that. I always feel safe when I’m in his strong arms for an embrace.

But on the other hand he can be very strict, too. So I ended up lying across his lap getting a spanking a few times. But I love him and I know, that when he punishes me that I really deserve it, because I am not always an angel. Haha.

Next there is my eldest brother Adam. Adam is very smart and I really do look up to him. He is also very gentle and kind and we kind of have a special bond. He is always there for me and I can come to him every time when I have a problem.

On the other hand Adam does come often to me when he wants to speak about something that bothers him. I guess that makes our relationship so special. And I really love Adam and I am grateful that he is my brother.

But sometimes he acts like he is my Pa, just because he is 15 years older than me. I really hate it when he does that, but then he tells me that he feels responsible for me and doesn’t want anything happen to me. I really think that that is kind of sweet, but why does he have to spank me when he catch me doing something wrong. He just my brother and not my Pa. And boy it really hurts when you get a spanking from Adam.

But that really is the only “negative” thing about Adam, because he is a great guy and I wouldn’t want to miss him for anything in the world.

Then there is my brother Hoss. He is nine years older than me. He really is a gentle giant, like other people use to call him. He got that name, because of his size and because he is so nice and gentle to everyone and everything. He really couldn’t harm a fly.

Hoss is also the one you can have a whole bunch of fun with. I always enjoy being with him, because we always have a laugh about the most stupid things you can imagine. I really love him and the sweetest thing about him is that he always want to protect me, because I am his little sister.

Last but not least there is my brother Joseph. Almost everybody calls him Little Joe but I do call him just Joe. After all he is three years older than I am. Joe is as I already said my full brother. And became a buddy to me. He is kind of my best friend. Sure we do argue and fight sometimes, but that is normal behavior for a brother and sister. But most of the time we get along very well and we do look after each other and trying to help one and another.

So if one of us gets into some kind of trouble we help each other or even try to cover the other one for our Pa and Adam. Unfortunately it doesn’t work out all the time but at least we try.

Christmas at the Cartwright’s house

It was a cold saturday in november and the whole Cartwright family was in Virginia City to buy some supplies.

Ben, Adam and Hoss did the shopping in the mercantile, while Joe and Becky were looking around.

“I really have to think of a Christmas present for Pa”, Becky thought. “I just don’t know what to buy and I want to buy him something really special. After all I am getting older know and I want to buy him something, instead of making something I made myself.”

By that time Becky was strolling along some saddlebags and found one really special.

“Wow that one is beautiful! I think that would be a real nice present for Pa.” Becky thought. She quickly looked around if none of her family members watched her and fortunately no one looked. So now she had a change to look at the price. Becky turned over the price label and got quiet a shock.

“Oh my goodness! Why is this so expensive? How the heck am I going to get $10?!?!” Suddenly she realized that her chose of words was not the best, but looking to the direction of her Pa it was a big relief. He wasn’t looking at all, neither were her brothers so Becky figured that she just has spoken these words in her mind and not out loud.

“Becky are you ready?” Ben said walking towards the door of the mercantile.

“Yes Pa I am. I’m coming.” And Becky walked over to her Pa and brothers while saying goodbye to  Mr. Smith, the owner of the mercantile. “Goodbye sir, and thank you very much for letting me look around!”

“You’re welcome Rebecca. Goodbye!” Mr. Smith said smiling, while thinking what a nice young lady Rebecca already had become.

Sitting in the buckboard Becky was constantly thinking about the saddlebag she would love to give her Pa for Christmas if there wasn’t that money problem. “Let me think. I have saved around $5, but that is by far not enough. How can I get to another $5? Maybe I have to get a job somewhere… But where? Who would hire a 13 year old girl?!”

Becky was totally lost in her thoughts that she didn’t hear her brother Joe calling for her…

“Becky? Becky? BECKYYYY!!! Joe finally yelled.

Becky heard the yell and turned around in surprise. “Yeah?”

“Finally!” Little Joe said a little annoyed. “You were really far away with your thought’s, right?”

“Maybe. What is it?” Becky answered.

“I was just wondering if you found something over in the mercantile you want to have for Christmas?”

“No, not really. Why you’re asking?”

“Nothing special. I was just wondering.”

“Okay.”

The rest of the weekend Becky could only think about how she would get the money to buy the saddlebag. Therefor she missed a lot that happened in the Cartwright house and her Pa had to admonish her several times for not paying any attention.

Suddenly Becky got an idea. “Now I know how to earn the missing money. Stupid that I didn’t thought about it earlier. Now I just have to get Pa’s permission.”

“Pa?” Becky asked in her sweetest tone.

“Yes darling?” Ben answered looking up from his paper works. “What can I do for you?”

“Well I have a question. Do you remember Mrs. McAllister?”

“Yes of course I do. Wasn’t she the nice lady who taught you to sew?”

“Yes exactly Pa. Well a little while ago she offered me a job. Because she started a sewing office recently and she has so much to do that she could need a little help. And she asked me because she was really satisfied with my work always.” Becky told her Pa in one breath and with a lot of excitement.

“Well first you have to calm down, sweetheart. And I want to ask you some questions.” Ben said gently.

“Of course Pa. What do you need to know?” Becky said with a smile.

“At what times would you work for her and how often?”

“Right after school for about two or three hours. And how often that depends, but I really would like to go there everyday during the week so I can earn as much money as possible to buy presents for Christmas. Oh please Pa say yes.”

“Just a minute young lady I am not finished yet.” Ben said in a serious tone.

“I’m sorry sir.”

“What about your schoolwork and chores?” Ben asked further.

“I already thought about that. Well I will be home everyday about one hour before supper and I can perfectly manage to do my chores just before supper starts. And after supper I will have left a few hours to do my homework and study. So you see Pa it is a perfect plan.”

“Yes I can see that you have thought well about this whole thing.” Ben said with a big smile.

“So that means that I can go to Mrs. McAllister tomorrow and tell her that I am going to take her job offer?”

“Yes I think that does mean exactly that.”

“Oh thank you so much Pa!” Becky said while embracing her Pa.

“You’re welcome darling. But under one condition. If I see that your chores or your schoolwork is getting behind because of that job. I want you to quit immediately. Do I make myself clear?” Ben added in a strict tone.

“Yes sir. Perfectly clear. I will see that it won’t happen. Thanks Pa. I love you!” She gave Ben a kiss and ran outside to do her chores.

“I love you, too baby!”

********************************************************************************

That evening Becky was doing some math, because she wanted to know how much money she could earn.

“Let’s see. It is know the beginning of november. That means I have about 6 weeks left until Christmas. And Mrs. McAllister told me that I would earn $1 a week if I work from Monday until Friday each day about 2 hours. That means that I would earn in 6 weeks, 6 whole dollars!

Wow that is even more than I imagined. This means that I can even buy something for my brothers as well!” Becky thought with a big smile.

She was really getting excited about it and started thinking about what she could get Adam, Hoss and Joe. She didn’t even heard her brother Joe getting into her room, because she was with her mind far-away.

By the time he was standing next to her she noticed him and immediately started to yell at him, because she was so surprised him standing next to her.

“What the heck are you doing here Joe? I didn’t allowed you to come in.” Becky yelled.

“Now calm down little sister. I did knock first but you wouldn’t answer so I went in to check if you were alright. And by the way: I would mind your language, because if Pa would’ve heard you he certainly would’ve had your hide.”

“I’m sorry Joe. I didn’t mean to yell at you I was just lost in my thoughts that I didn’t heard you coming in.”

“It’s okay Becky. I didn’t mean to scare you. And if did I apologize for that. But tell me what were you thinking about that it took all your attention?” Little Joe asked curiously.

“Nothing special.”

“Oh c’mon Bec. You are not going to tell me that you have any secrets for me, right?”

“Don’t you ‘Bec’s’ me. You only call me like that if you really want something from me. But this time I am not going to tell anything. You shouldn’t ask that many questions and be so curious around Christmas time, Joe.” Becky said.

“Alright, alright. I won’t ask anymore.” Little Joe answered a bit disappointed.

At that time Ben entered the room.

“Becky it is time for you to go to bed now.” He said.

“Oh really? What time is it?” Becky asked.

“It is almost 9 o’clock. So time for you to go to bed. I just came up to say you goodnight.” Ben replied.

“Oh okay. I’m going to change into my night shirt then. Goodnight Pa, goodnight Joe.”

“Goodnight sweetheart.” Ben said while bending over and giving his daughter a kiss on the forehead. “I’ll be up in 5 minutes again to check on you again and I expect you to be in bed by then.”

“C’mon son.” Ben said to Joe, who was still in the room. “Let’s go. It is also getting time for you to go to bed.”

With that they both left the room. But Becky called for her Pa as he already reached the door.

“Pa?”

“Yes sweetheart?” Ben said while turning around facing his daughter.

“Could you maybe tell Adam to come up hear and tell me a goodnight story?”

“No darling, it is to late for that now. But aren’t you to old for that by now?” Ben asked.

“Alright and maybe I am a little to old for that Pa, but I just love to listen to Adam’s voice when he is reading to me. I can always sleep so good then.”

********************************************************************************

The next day after school Becky went immediately to Mrs. McAllister to tell her the news.

“Mrs. McAllister, Mrs. McAllister!” Becky yelled running towards the lady. “I have some good news to tell you!”

“What is it Rebecca darling?” Mrs. McAllister asked.

“My Pa lets me work for you and I can start today if you want me to, m’am.” Becky answered.

“Oh that is great news. Because I really could need some help and I would be much obliged if you could start today.”

“No problem. Just show me with what I can start with.” Becky told Mrs. McAllister with a big smile and real excitement in her eyes.

Becky stayed over the whole afternoon and she and Mrs. McAllister sewed, talked and were drinking a lot of tea. Becky really had fun and already loved her job thinking about all the money she was going to earn.

At about half past 4 in the afternoon Becky realized that she had to start heading home in order to finish her chores before supper.

“Mrs. McAllister I think it is better for me now to leave and going home. Because I do have some chores and I want to finish them before supper. But I will see you tomorrow after school again, m’am. Goodbye and thank you very much for the tea.” Becky said.

“You are very welcome child. And I have to thank you for the work you finished today. I see you tomorrow and please send my regards to your father.” Mrs. McAllister replied.

“I will m’am. Goodbye.”

 With that Becky jumped on her pony Belle and rode quiet fast towards home. Just before she reached the yard of the Ponderosa Becky slowed a bit down. Because she knows that her Pa doesn’t like her or any of his children to ride that fast, because of what happened to Marie.

Becky went into the barn with Belle to stable her. When suddenly she heard someone calling her by her full name.

“Rebecca Marie Cartwright!” Becky turned around to see her brother Adam standing just behind her looking not really happy.

“Hello Adam. What’s the matter? Am I in trouble?” Becky asked carefully.

“Well you would be if Pa saw you riding in that fast.” Adam said.

“But I wasn’t riding fast, Adam. At least not in the yard.” Becky confessed, because she knew that she couldn’t really hide something from him. “How did you know that I was riding fast, anyhow?”

“Because, young lady your pony is sweaty all over and she wouldn’t be if you just rode slowly.” Adam answered.

“Oh.” Becky answered a bit remorseful. “I’m sorry Adam I just wanted to get home fast so I could finish my chores before supper.”

“Alright then, apology accepted. But I don’t want you to ride that fast again, understood?” Adam said.

“Yes Adam I promise.”

“Okay, go on with your chores Missy and I’ll see you with supper.”

Becky smiled and gave Adam a kiss on the cheek and went on were she stopped.

At supper everyone was chatting about their day and it was a joyful atmosphere in the Cartwright household.

When supper was finished Becky asked:

“Pa, may I be excused so I can start doing my homework?”

“Of course darling.” Ben answered. Then he continued speaking towards Little Joe. “What about you son? Have you finished your homework?”

“No sir, I haven’t.” Little Joe replied while giving Becky a fierce look, because she reminded their Pa about homework.

Becky just shrugged her shoulders and went upstairs.

********************************************************************************

The next couple of weeks were pretty much the same routine for Becky. Getting up in the morning to go to school. Then work for Mrs. McAllister until 4.30 pm, going home to do her chores, having supper, going to her room to do her homework and finally going to sleep.

After about three weeks Becky felt that she was getting really tired, but she didn’t want to work less for Mrs. McAllister because of the Christmas presents.

One evening as Becky was doing her chores in the barn Hoss stopped by, because he was worried about her.

“How you’re doing little girl?” he asked.

“Hi Hoss. I’m fine. Just a little tired and I have so much homework to do today and I still need time to study for my next English test.”

Suddenly Becky started to cry, because everything was to much for her.

“Hey sweety, please don’t cry.” Hoss said, embracing and trying to comfort her.

“I’ve got an idea” he said. “Let me finish your chores and you just get inside and start studying.”

“Are you sure Hoss? I mean you had a tough day, too.”

“Of course I’m sure, sweetheart. Now get going.” With that Hoss directed Becky towards the house and gave her a gentle swat on her behind.

As Becky reached the door of the barn she turned around to Hoss saying with a big smile:

“Thank you, older brother I owe you something!”

“Don’t be ridiculous Becky, know get going before I change my mind.”

“I’m already gone.” Becky said while running towards the house.

********************************************************************************

Becky was sitting in her room while Adam came in.

“Do you need any help, baby?” he asked.

“Oh hi Adam. I didn’t heard you coming.” Becky said. “Well I don’t know. Maybe I do need some help, but I’m not sure if I can ask you that.”

“Just go ahead Becky, tell me and then I can decide if I’m able to help you or not.”

“Alright. Well you know I have this English test coming at school and really have to study for it, if I want to pass. And my question is if you, Hoss and Joe could help me out by doing my chores for a couple of weeks until Christmas, because then I can continue working for Mrs. McAllister and keeping up my schoolwork.” Becky asked with her sweetest tone of voice.

“I see.” Adam replied. “Why is it so important for you to work that much for Mrs. McAllister?”

“Because I want to buy Pa a very special Christmas present and I need the money for that.”

“But you do know that that isn’t important to Pa. He will be very satisfied if you just make him something.”

“But I want to give him a special gift. And I’m not a little girl anymore who is making something by herself.” Becky said, getting a little angry, because everyone is thinking of her that she is a little child.

“Well I think I can manage something with our brothers. If that is what you really want, I will support you.”

“Thank you, Adam. I knew I could count on you.”

“You’re welcome, baby.” Adam said with a smile.

Adam was already heading to the door when Becky said:

“Oh Adam, just one thing. It would be very nice if you wouldn’t mention anything of his to Pa.”

Adam turned around and pulled up one eyebrow.

“Why?” he asked suspicious.

“Because I promised Pa at the time I took the job offer, that I wouldn’t neglect my chores and schoolwork. And by asking you guys to do my chores I am neglecting them.”

“Oh I see. Then I’m not sure if it is such a good idea, baby. Because I’m certainly not going to lie to Pa.”

“Please Adam.” Becky begged.

“No Rebecca, I’m sorry, but I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Pleeeaaase” Becky tried one more time.

“I already said ‘no’ Rebecca. End of discussing. Do I make myself clear?” Adam said strictly.

“Yes sir.” Becky replied, knowing by the tone of Adam’s voice that she had to stop if she didn’t want to end up getting some swats to her behind.

Becky was really disappointed when Adam left the room, because she really expected him to be more helpful. But she could try and ask Hoss and Joe to help her.

“Yes that might be a good idea. I’m sure that they will help.” Becky thought. “I’m gonna ask them first thing in the morning.”

To Becky’s luck Hoss and Little Joe were both willing to help. The first couple of days everything went well and Ben nor Adam noticed that Becky wasn’t doing her chores anymore. But one day Ben noticed that Becky’s chores were already done even though she wasn’t at home yet.

“That is strange.” Ben thought. “Well I will get to the bottom of this when Becky gets home.”

Later that afternoon Becky got home and went immediately upstairs not noticing that her Pa was sitting at is desk.

“Becky?” Ben said.

“Yes Pa?” answered Becky a little surprised and turned towards her Pa.

“Come here for a minute please.” Ben said, making a hand gesture showing Becky to come nearby.

Becky descended the few steps of the stairs and walked toward her father not really knowing what was going to happen. When she was standing in front of Ben, he looked at her and waited a little while before he started speaking.

“Why isn’t he speaking?” Becky thought. “This really makes me nervous.”

Ben took a deep breath. “Becky, today I noticed something strange.”

“Your chores were already done but you were not at home. And I wonder how that is possible. Maybe you know more about it.”

“Oh no he figured out. What am I going to do? I have to tell him the truth, because if I lie to Pa at this moment I will be in even more trouble. What was I thinking about this whole thing? Why couldn’t I have just listened to Adam?”

Becky was totally lost in her thoughts, that she completely forgot to answer her Pa.

“Becky, do you know anything about this?” Ben asked again getting a little suspicious, because of the silence of his daughter.

Finally Becky found her courage to answer to her Pa’s question.

“Yes sir, I do know more about it. Hoss and Joe have done my chores for me the last couple of days.” she said with her head bowed down.

“They what?!” Ben said getting a little angry. “Why would they do your chores? What is this all about? I want to hear the whole story, young lady. And look at me while I’m talking to you.”

Becky’s head popped up and she looked into her father’s furious eyes and she really felt ashamed of herself.

“Yes sir.” Becky said remorseful. “Well the last couple of weeks it was all to much for me. Having school, doing my chores and working at Mrs. McAllister. And I really wanted to go on with my job, because I need the money for Christmas. But I also have this English test coming at school and hadn’t had enough time to study, so I asked Hoss and Joe to help me out with my chores so I have more time to study. Well and they were willing to help.”

“And why didn’t you just came to me?” Ben asked.

“I thought that if I tell you my problem you would make me quit my job.”

“Oh. And you think that right now you don’t have to quit your job?” Ben asked angry.

“No sir.”

“Get upstairs to your room and wait for me. I have to think about all this.” Ben said pointing his finger towards the stairs.

Becky quickly left, but wasn’t quick enough to avoid a firm and stinging swat to her behind from her Pa.

“What’s gotten into that girl?” Ben thought. “I really don’t know what she was thinking. She lied to me, she tried to hide something for me and she involved her brothers in this whole situation. The only positive thing is that she arranged all this in order to have more time for her study’s. Well I guess I will just ask her why she needs so much money for Christmas.”

With that Ben walked upstairs and went into Becky’s room. He found her sitting on her bed crying. He sat next to her and took her in his arms trying to comfort her.

“Sshh, baby.” Ben said gentle. “Don’t cry. I just want to talk to you about this whole incident.”

Hearing her father’s words and being in his arms calmed Becky a little down.

“Now tell me darling. Why is it so important for you to earn that much money?” Ben asked.

“Because…because I want to buy you a very special present for Christmas Pa and I still need a few more dollars in order to buy that present.” Becky answered.

“Oh honey, that is very kind of you, but you know that I don’t need expensive presents. The most important thing to me is that I have my children around. And seeing all of you smiling and being happy every day is already like a present to me.”

“Really?” Becky asked, not really understanding why someone could be considering that as a gift.

“Yes really.” Ben replied laughing. “And by the way Christmas is not about giving each other presents. First of all it is to remember that our Lord Jesus Christ was born and to remind us for what he came to this world. And second it is also a time to be grateful for that what you already have and to be with the ones you love. Having a great time and enjoy the presence of each other.”

“I never thought about Christmas that way, Pa.” Becky confessed. “But it sure sounds beautiful and makes me understand that presents aren’t really that important.”

“I’m glad you do understand, darling.” Ben said giving her a big hug. “But to come back to the reason why we are sitting here…”

Becky looked up and got a little scared because for a moment she forgot about all that and right now she isn’t sure if her Pa is still angry about it or not. Fortunately for her he was not angry anymore, but there were still consequences. Becky wasn’t allowed to work for Mrs. McAllister for at least until after the holidays and she has to do for the rest of the week the chores of her brothers Hoss and Joe additional to her own. But Becky didn’t complain, because she knows that it could come much worse. And right know she can still sit comfortable.

The next day Becky informed Mrs. McAllister about the new situation but she promised to come back as soon as her Pa would allow her to work again. But Becky already made clear that she won’t be working everyday, because that will be to much. Mrs. McAllister was perfectly alright with it, because she was happy with any help she could get and she also understood why Becky couldn’t come to work for her the next couple of weeks.

“Thank you very much for your understanding, m’am.” Becky said.

“No problem child. As long as you will come back some day.” Mrs. McAllister said smiling.

“I will. I promise, m’am.”

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It was 3 weeks left before Christmas and Becky finally settled with the idea to make something of her own. And suddenly Becky had an idea how she could give her Pa a new saddlebag anyhow. She could make one of her own and it would be even more special, because she made it herself and it will even be less expensive.

Finally Christmas morning arrived. And Becky was the first one to wake up and thought it would be nice to let everyone sleep a little longer so she would do all the morning chores that had to be one everyday.

An hour later she came back in the house seeing that everyone was already downstairs.

“Good morning Pa!” she said cheerful. “And Merry Christmas!”

“Good morning darling.” Ben said a little surprised seeing his little girl coming from outside in her working clothes. “Why are you dressed like that?”

Becky looked down to her clothes. “Oh that. Well I was up early today and I thought I let you all sleep a little longer. So I did already all the morning chores and now we can celebrate Christmas without having to do anymore chores today.” she said with a big smile.

Ben didn’t believed his ears. Was that really his little girl? He was so proud of her. He walked over to her saying: “Thank you very much sweetheart! That was a real nice thing to do. I do appreciate it very much. I love you!”

“I love you too, Pa.”

Ben turned around to his sons and said smiling: “Well boys, I think we all owe Becky a thank you for giving us our first Christmas present.”

All three boys answered in a choir: “Thank you, Becky.”

And Adam walked over to give her a kiss on the forehead to show his appreciation.

“Okay, if you all excuse me for a moment so I can put on my Christmas dress.” Becky said and ran up the stairs.

Just a few minutes later Becky came down again in her beautiful dark green satin dress she got last year from her Pa. All four men were staring at her and thinking how beautiful she had become and that she really was turning more and more into a young lady.

Becky enjoyed the attention for a little while, descending the stairs slowly and letting her beautiful long blond hair dancing to her movement.

“Wow she is getting more and more a picture of Marie.” Ben thought looking at his daughter.

Becky sat down at the breakfast table and Ben started reading the Christmas story from the bible and then saying grace for the food they had and his lovely family.

Breakfast was very joyful and everybody was chatting with each other.

After a while when everyone finished eating they moved over to sit in the living room around the Christmas tree to start unpacking the presents.

“Pa?” Becky asked.

“Yes sweetheart?” Ben answered.

“May I start to give you my present?”

“Of course you may.”

“Thanks, Pa.”

Becky walked over to get the present and gave it to her father. While Ben unpacked it Becky smiled all the time and couldn’t wait for his reaction. When Ben saw the saddlebag he was really happy.

“Becky, this is beautiful! Did you made this by yourself?” Ben asked.

“Yes I did Pa and I even stitched something on it.” Becky replied.

“Oh really?” Ben hadn’t even noticed yet, but when he found the stitching he almost melted away with love. It said: ‘To my beloved Pa’

“Thank you very much, baby. This is really a great present.” saying that Ben walked to his daughter giving her a big hug and kissing her on the forehead, whispering gently in her ear: “I love you very much Rebecca Marie Cartwright.”

The rest of the day was very cheerful in the Cartwright’s household and everybody was laughing a lot.

THE END