Summary: As a conclusion to BettyHT’s Advent story, Leaning on the Taffrail, young Adam, along with Ben and little Hoss, finally settle into their first real home in the Sierra mountains just as Christmas arrives.

Word Count: 5603

Bonanza
~*~*~ Advent Calendar ~*~*~
Day 17

Standing at the Bow Rail

“My Dear Adam – a letter for your eyes only:

Grandson, it is my one great regret that I did not get to know you. I hope that can be remedied someday, but there is a continent between us. Know that if you ever have the wherewithal and the means to be in Boston, I will welcome you into my home for as long as you wish to stay. Your father and I did not part on the best of terms, but I am doing what I can to mend the bonds I broke with him. I hope it will be enough, but he can be stubborn as I can assume you already are well aware. I told him I did not want him to read this letter, but that only you should read it. You may not at your young age understand all that I am writing to you, but in time, you will…..”

THUMP…….THUMP……THUMP……. 

Eight year old Adam Cartwright sat in the prairie schooner with his grandfather Stoddard’s letter abandoned in his lap. Once again distracted by the distant thumps of an axe striking a growing tree or a felled log, he listened, never knowing which it was as they always sounded the same to his young ears. Checking beside him, he saw that his two year old brother was still sound asleep. He covered a giggle with his pillow as it tickled him that Hoss could sleep through anything. However, Adam had to admit that each resounding blow of the axe carried a certain comforting rhythm to it. When it stopped for a time Adam would pause in his activities to wait and see if it started up again. Sometimes the silence would last longer than he could be patient for, then there would be an earth-shaking CRASH. That’s when he knew another tall pine had fallen by the hands of his father and several trappers who were helping Pa. This time the silence lasted a longer time which usually meant Pa was heading back to their homesite for a meal break.

With his letter put back in Pa’s trunk for safe keeping, Adam clambered across the bedding to the opening in the wagon tarp and peered out at the clearing filled with morning sunshine. When he stuck his head out further the crisp December air bit at his nose, causing him to retreat back into the warmth of the wagon. Hustling about, albeit quietly for his brother’s sake, Adam slipped into his boots and heavy coat. Grabbing his hat he left the wagon to see if Pa was back and ready for lunch.

While Adam scurried around the campsite gathering the cooking tools and scouring the edge of the woods for firewood and kindling, the lad paused to study the small cabin beside the wagon. Adam tipped his head first to the left, then to the right, frowning more with each move. The structure wasn’t exactly a cabin, just four walls surrounding the stone fireplace. The young boy sighed when he scanned the pile of planks for the roof behind the schooner waiting for enough men to put them in place. Pa said the trappers who’d been helping him could show up any day. He tried to explain that they were splitting their time between helping him and minding their traps before the first snow set in.

Adam’s eyes were drawn to the tall stone chimney which looked totally awkward with the roof missing. But no matter, pride filled him when he remembered that only a week ago Pa and two trappers began placing the stones just so. After watching for a bit, Adam realized they were placing them by size and shape. Before long the men welcomed the lad’s keen eye in placing the stones. Once they were stacked and filled with a sticky mixture in the gaps on all sides, everyone stepped back to behold their handiwork. Adam still felt all warm inside from his Pa’s proud hug for his part in the project.

Almost forgetting about his chores, Adam returned to preparing the campfire when he heard a crack of wood and a loud umph. He spun around and saw his Pa stumbling out from the woods’ edge. Adam dropped the kindling and ran into his Pa’s open arms.

“Pa, are you okay?”

Ben locked his arms around his son and swung him high into the air. “Yes son, I’m fine. Just stepped on a rotten branch. I see you have everything ready for lunch. Where’s your brother?”

“He fell asleep while I was reading Grandfather’s letter. Can we start cooking, Pa. I’m mighty hungry.”

“Of course. I’m hungry too.”  Ben grinned as he swung Adam up to his shoulder and marched into the camp. “Maybe you should go wake up your brother while I wash up and start the fire.”

“Yessir. Uh, Pa, are we gonna be able to sleep in the cabin soon? It feels like it’s getting a lot colder.”

Ben smiled at the daily question. “We’re getting closer, Adam. Hopefully, two of the trappers are coming tomorrow to help me with the roof and door.”

“Yippee! I gotta tell Hoss.”

He chuckled as his son scampered away. Adam wasn’t the only one anxious to get the cabin finished. He’d been warned by his friends that the snow season wasn’t too far away. They couldn’t get the cabin done soon enough for his liking. When Adam returned with a toddling Hoss holding his hand, he had the stew ready and the threesome sat down for a hardy meal. A while later, Ben gathered the dishes for cleaning.

“Pa, that was a mighty fine meal.” Adam rubbed his full tummy and laughed as his baby brother let out a loud burp. “Guess Hoss enjoyed it too!”

“I think he did.” Ben chuckled and rubbed the toddler’s head.

Gathering his sons into his lap, Ben studied the unfinished cabin. It would be a product of not just his hands but also those of many new friends. He looked skyward and whispered, “Liz and Inger, we almost have our cabin finished. It won’t be long before we’re home at last.”

*****

During the afternoon Ben spent time honing the planks to make them smoother for the roof. While he worked, a part of Abel’s letter came to mind: “…I have much to make amends for before it is too late. A north wind has been blowing for the past three days. It has reminded me that it is not only colder outside, but that a cold future awaits unless I make some course corrections. I will not lag in the doldrums. I will take the con and sail on….” That section along with all the promised ‘gifts’ Abel was sending gave Ben pause. The old man was truly amending his ways, and Ben knew he could do no less than to forgive his father-in-law for past grievances and to accept the gifts with the greatest of gratitude. Elizabeth would surely expect nothing less from her husband, were she still alive. With a lighter heart, Ben returned to his work on the planks.

After dinner, Ben built up the campfire. It had become a tradition for him and his sons to spend a bit of time before bed watching the sunset and looking at the stars.

“Look, the North Star has just appeared. That’s the one –”

“That guides us at night.”

Ben ruffled Adam’s black hair. “That’s right, son.”

“Ho the camp!”

“Boys, get in the wagon now!”

They complied quickly as Ben reached for a pistol one of the trappers had given him and called back in return. “Enter the camp slowly.”

In the glow of the firelight, Ben saw two figures step out of the trees. He recognized the burley shape of Tim Buckley from the trading post followed by a scrawny young man with a huge sack on his back. While he moved to greet Tim, Ben studied the boy, making him to be about sixteen years old.

He called toward the wagon, “Boys, you can come out. It’s Mr. Buckley and he’s brought a guest.”

“That’s right Ben.” The big man grinned as he shook Ben’s hand. “This young man showed up at the post a week ago lookin’ for you. I told him I’d bring him up here as soon as I found someone to mind the store.”

The young man slipped his bag off his shoulders and offered his hand and a smile to the tall stranger. “My name’s Davie Stuart. Would you be Benjamin Cartwright, sir?”

“I would.” For some reason Ben couldn’t pull his eyes away from the shock of red hair peeking out from Davie’s black watchcap

“I’ve a letter of introduction…from Captain Abel Stoddard.”

Ben’s mouth dropped open as he took the letter. Breathing hard, he scanned the words as his eyes widened and he let out a bellow. “By golly, are you Shorty?”

“Yessir, I am.”

“Adam, Hoss, meet our new helper that your grandfather sent.”

As the young folks excitedly greeted each other and settled by the fire, Ben pulled Tim aside.

“Tim, you’ll stay, of course, and rest up won’t you?”

“Thanks for asking Ben. We thought we’d be here this mornin’ but you know me, I’m not too good at estimatin’ time. I’ll be leaving at first light, though. I left Ol’ Dandy in charge, and well… you know Dandy…”

“I do indeed. I hope he doesn’t give the whole store away.” Ben gave a wink and a chuckle. “Listen, thank you for bringing this young man to us.”

“It was my pleasure. We had quite a lively conversation on the way about his being here. I’ll tell you he’s somethin’ special. Oh, I brought along some things I thought you’d like to have before Christmas.”

Ben glanced at the large sack, realization dawning on him. “I would indeed. Thank you my friend. Goodness, is it that close?”

Tim gave a conspiratorial nod as he headed for the warmth of the campfire. “Four days,” he called back.

Shaking his head in disbelief, Ben followed and offered Davie some coffee.

A broad grin never left the young man’s freckled face as he took the cup. “Thank you, Mr. Cartwright. I take it you received the Captain’s letters telling of my coming?”

Adam chimed in, “We sure did. I was just looking at mine again this morning. You don’t look very old to be as strong as Grandfather described you. How are you gonna help with stuff like cuttin’ the trees down?”

“Adam, that’s not polite to ask —”

“No harm done, Mr. Cartwright. I’m used to the questions about my size and age. That’s how I got my nickname, Shorty. You see, I’m actually twenty years old an’ I was born an’ raised on a farm. That was afore I met Cap’n Stoddard an’ hearin’ about you folks out here. An’ now, here I am.”

Ben pondered the gaps in the young man’s story despite what Abel had mentioned in his letter, and found he had to know more. “Why did you leave your farm and your family?”

“Aye, that’s a fair question. My dad got sick with a lung disease an’ couldn’t work it no more so he left it to my brothers an’ he, my ma, an’ I moved to Boston. Dad found a job there makin’ harnesses an’ such. He taught me the trade. It wasn’t long after when Dad died. My ma never liked Boston so she went back to the farm to be with my brothers. I stayed ‘cause I liked the city life but after a while I got myself led down the wrong road with some bad friends. I got drunk one night at a pub an’ hit a fella, an’ ‘twas the Cap’n that saved me from a brawl. When he found out I had no family around, he gave me a job and a room in his home, an’ tons of  lectures on the evils of rum. After a couple of years of workin’ for him he offered me the chance to come out west to work for you.”

Ben glanced over the letter from Abel once more before smiling at the cheerful young man. “And you’re quite welcome here, Davie. Or would you prefer ‘Shorty’.”

“Shorty’s just fine, sir.”

“Shorty it is then. Adam will show you where you can put your things in the wagon, and tomorrow I’ll show you around the area.”

As he watched Shorty and Adam walk away, with Hoss trailing behind, Ben felt a huge weight had been lifted. He quietly acknowledged all his blessings with so many people looking after him and his young sons.

Late that evening, after Hoss was put to bed in the wagon and Tim had settled down to sleep in the cabin with a fire in the fireplace to warm him, Ben, Adam, and Shorty stretched out around the campfire, studying the stars above.

“Even on the farm I never saw this many stars. ‘Tis a grand blessin’ to be here an’ so close to the heavens. My dad taught me that no matter where I might be it’ll be the same stars I see that my family will be seein’ too.”

“That’s a comforting thought, son.” The sentiment made Ben recall all the times he’s studied the stars while at sea and thinking of home.

“Now, if I might say, it’s not nearly as cold here as what I left in Boston. The snow was deep there with the north wind just a howlin’.”

“I recall Abel mentioning that in his letter to me. It’s getting colder here, and I’m told we might see snow soon.”

“I can’t disagree there, sir. On the farm we learned to tell the weather in so many ways. But I guess you know that.”

“I learned on the sea, thanks to Captain Stoddard’s patient, but not so gentle, teachings. I had to relearn a lot of it when we traveled across the country.”

“Aye.” A yawn slipped out that Shorty failed to squelch. “Pardon me, sir.”

“You must be pretty tired, young man. Best be getting to bed. You too Adam.”

“I guess I am pretty tired, sir. I’ll be sayin’ g’night then.”

Adam rose and yawned. “Yes Pa. G’night, Pa. You comin’ soon?”

Ben hugged his son. “Good night to you both. Yes, I’ll be there after I put the fire out.”

Alone with the twinkling stars and the dancing flames, Ben sat a while longer enjoying the warmth of the fire and the feeling that part of Abel and Elizabeth were with him. It was a calming feeling he took to bed with him, allowing him to sleep well with memories filling his dreams.

*****

The next morning, Ben and Shorty said goodbye to Tim then both headed out on a quick tour of the area. Once Shorty had the lay of the land, they began work on the cabin roof. Ben hoped he had enough planks for the roof and door, and Shorty reassured him that he did. As they worked he shared with the young man how one of the trappers said that snow would be coming soon. He said that even the Paiutes were preparing for it. Ben knew then that he had to push to get the one room cabin fit for occupancy. The two men worked diligently all day, stopping only for lunch. By sunset, the roof was on and sealed and the door swung silently on its new hinges, donated by Tim Buckley in the ‘supplies’ he’d brought.

Christmas Eve was looming, and after a celebration with the trappers and a few Paiutes who arrived the next day, the three Cartwrights and Shorty moved into the cabin just as the first snowflakes drifted down from the leaden sky.

“Well, boys, we made it just in time.” Ben set the last bags of food down as Shorty closed the door behind him.

“We sure did, Pa. Look at all that snow comin’ down.”

All eyes turned to peek through the one window in the cabin. Ben lovingly squeezed Adam’s shoulder.

“Pa, what are we gonna do without furniture?”

Shorty spoke up before Ben could. “We’ll sit an’ sleep on the furs the Paiutes gave us. It’ll be like campin’ outside, only inside. An’ look, Adam, we’ll be cookin’ in the fireplace just like we did out at the big campfire.”

Adam scrunched up his nose as he tried to imagine all Shorty had described. “Pa? Is Shorty right?”

Ben knelt down to Adam’s level. “He sure is. We’ll work on some furniture when we have good weather to be outside. Why don’t you and Shorty spread out some of the furs in the corner so Hoss can get some rest. He’s looking a bit bleary-eyed.”

Adam turned toward his not so little brother to find his head dipping lower as he tried to keep hold of a wooden block. Adam scampered over to the furs while Ben swept the littlest Cartwright into his arms. Little did he know that as soon as he put Hoss down on the skins, it would become game time for his two sons. Ben couldn’t stop grinning and laughing at his sons’ antics of rolling across and wrapping up in the furs. When Shorty joined in, each pretended to be one of the animals the furs came from, whether a growling bear, a roaring cougar, or a skittish deer. In no time the boys had worn themselves out and slept while the two adults prepared the evening meal.

After that first night in the cabin, Shorty became like a big brother to Adam and Hoss. He taught them games he grew up with and showed Adam how to draw simple pictures of the cabin, their wagon, and the campsite. Adam caught on fast, amazing Shorty with his talent. While chopping wood he showed Adam now to make kindling. Ben was pleased with how well Shorty had melded with the family since he arrived.

Christmas Eve brought a light covering of fresh snow. Inside the snug cabin after breakfast, Adam and Shorty were playing a game of hiding the pinecone from Hoss. Adam leaned over and whispered to Shorty, “What’s ‘a conniving old pirate’ mean?”

Shorty moved the pinecone just out of Hoss’ reach, making the little one crawl to get it. “Ach, where did you hear that?”

“Grandfather wrote it in his letter to me about Pa. ‘He can be as domineering as any sea captain or as conniving as an old pirate.’“Adam quoted.

Shorty took quick stock of the room and saw Ben preparing to go outside. He turned back to Adam with a conspiratorial look. “That’s somethin’ the Captain said a few times when I first met him. It means to be planning secretly for things to go your way rather than someone else’s. But the Captain’s since changed his thinkin’ ‘bout Mr. Cartwright. You see, when I met him, he’d been grievin’ for a few years, missin’ his daughter, your Pa, an’ even you. I learned the Captain can be pretty domineerin’ and maybe just a wee bit connivin’ too. But I’d say both men are like that from bein’ at sea so long. It’s a hard life to be sure.”

“Oh, I think I understand. Pa was pretty sad too until he met Mama Inger, Hoss’ mother. Then he got a lot of joy in his heart.”

“Well, you best be thinkin’ of that now rather than what you Grandpa wrote.”

“I surely will, Shorty. Thanks.” Adam picked up the wayward pinecone and hid it behind Shorty. He grinned when Hoss figured it out and the game continued.

As Ben prepared his tools for checking his rabbit snares, he froze when he overheard Adam say ‘conniving old pirate’. That had been a term he and Abel had bantered about when the old Captain begrudgingly retired from sailing. At first it grieved Ben to think of Abel writing that in Adam’s letter, but then he realized that that was a dark time in the past and he and Abel had both gotten past that. He secretly praised Shorty’s gentle way of handling that with Adam. The lad was a true blessing to them all.

Ben buttoned up his coat and tied his hat on his head with his scarf announcing his departure. “Boys, you mind Shorty while I’m gone. I should be back by dinner and hopefully with some rabbits from our traps.”

“We’ll be good, Pa. Shorty’s gonna read to us while you’re gone.”

A warm smile creased Ben’s face. “Alright then. I’ll be off.”

With a tug of the cabin door and in a cold puff of wind Ben was gone. The others returned to their game with Hoss who still hadn’t found the pinecone that was right behind him.

Later, while Shorty whittled, Adam looked up from a drawing he was working on. “Shorty, did you hear an axe thumping?”

“I truly did.”

“There it is again. It can’t be Pa. We don’t need any more trees.”

Shorty shrugged. “Guess we’ll just have to wait an’ see. Shouldn’t be too much longer afore he comes home.”

Adam sighed as he returned to his picture. Not much later, Ben stomped his boots on the small porch and entered bearing gifts. “Boys, look what I found.”

Shorty and Adam excitedly rushed over to the snow covered man while a groggy Hoss chose to crawl his way to his Pa. In one hand, Ben held six rabbits, and in the other, the trunk of a small pine tree.

Adam’s eyes widened with glee. “Pa, is that a Christmas tree? Is it for us? Is that the thumping I heard earlier? Was that you cutting the tree down?”

Shorty rescued the rabbits before Hoss could get a grip on one while Ben shed his coat and hat, then he and Adam tugged the tree into the small room with Ben doing most of the tugging. Adam helped get it set up in a corner near, but not too near, the fireplace. Hoss sat on the floor with his eyes and head bobbing up and down, taking it all in.

“Look Pa, it’s taller than me. Can we decorate it Pa. Please?”

Ben knelt in front of his son. “After supper, son. It needs to dry a bit. Let’s eat then we’ll get the decorations out and also see what Shorty has brought us from your Grandfather.”

“Sure, Pa.” Adam gave Ben a big hug around his neck.

******

As merry firelight danced around the small room, Ben raised the old sea trunk lid and let it gently fall back. A flood of memories hit him when he saw Adam’s baby clothes and letters written between him and Elizabeth during his sailing years. He gently removed those items. Setting aside some woolen blankets he mused, “I guess we can put these to good use now that winter is here.”

He found the wooden box he needed, and gently raised the lid. Adam and Hoss each peered across his arms at the shiny baubles inside.

“Wow. They’re so pretty. I see a ball, a bird, a tree, and I don’t know those other shapes. Can I hold one, Pa?”

“They are made of glass and very fragile. When we hang them up, I’ll tell you about each one. You may hang one of your choice.”

In another box, Ben showed his boys some cloth ornaments Inger had made and included was a blue angel with yellow yarn for her hair.

“Adam, when the tree is all decorated, you can help Hoss put this angel on the top while I hold him. It was made by Mama Inger. Do you remember it?”

“I sure do, Pa. It’s the prettiest angel ever.”

“That it is son, that it is.” He gave Adam a kiss on the top of his head. Setting the boxes aside, Ben nodded to Shorty to share his bounty from Abel.

Shorty opened his large sack and pulled out a pouch, a tube, a book, and a wooden box.

To Ben he handed the rectangular leather pouch. “Mister Cartwright, the Captain said this was from him and Elizabeth.”

Ben took it, knowing exactly what it was. Abel’s words from his letter fill Ben’s thoughts, “Now, I know with your pride that you bristled when you read that I was sending money. Know that it is not charity. It is the inheritance that belonged to Elizabeth and would have been yours eventually anyway and definitely would be Adam’s. With a continent between us, it will be difficult as you know to provide that inheritance to you and to him when I do depart this earth. You should consider my bequeathing it to you in a more practical way. Buy supplies, land, horses, or cattle or whatever you need to make a success of what you are doing to secure my grandson’s future. That is what I ask.”

Ben accepted the bag with misty eyes.

“Pa, what’s wrong? What’s in the bag?’

A sniffle then a loving smile met Adam’s worried face. My boy is so sensitive to others. Just like Elizabeth, Ben thought. “Everything’s just fine, son. This is a gift from your grandfather to help us grow the Ponderosa and thus fulfill the dream your mother and I had before you were born.”

“Grandfather told me of that dream in his letter to me, and he told me we all should have dreams to follow. Maybe I’ll have one someday.”

Ben drew Adam in for a hug. “I hope you do, son. I hope you do.”

Next, Shorty handed the strange tube, a carved box, and a book to Adam. “These are for you.” He unfolded a piece of paper. “It says they are drawings your mother had in her room, and in the box are some pieces of jewelry your mother saved for you. Finally, this is her favorite book.”

Adam gently accepted the small book and read the title out loud, “Paradise Lost. Oh! Pa read that to me a lot during our travels.” He opened the cover and, finding a note from Abel, he read it aloud. “To my grandson, Adam Cartwright. Your father shared this story with your mother since they were married. I know he read it to you as well, but I thought it was right for you to have your own copy to enjoy. From your grandfather, Abel Stoddard.” Adam’s eyes lit up with glee. “Thank you, Shorty, for bringing this.”

He set the book aside to look in the wooden box. Ben leaned over to see what Abel had sent. “Look at this ring, Pa, and these chains and pins. It’s like a treasure chest. But what will I do with them, Pa?”

Ben gathered his voice as he beheld the familiar items. “These were your mother’s favorite necklaces and pins, and this was her mother’s wedding ring, which she also wore when we married. They are treasures to be sure. Keep them safe, son, and maybe one day you’ll have a special lady in your life who would like to wear them.”

Adam nodded and carefully set the box aside.” That’s what Grandfather said, too.”

Last he pulled out and unrolled the two drawings. One was a drawing of a building, and the other was of a ship. He showed them to his father.

“Adam, that one is a drawing your mother did of the college bell house. It was a place where we enjoyed walking and sitting under a large oak tree to hear the bell toll. The other one is The Wanderer, the ship your grandfather and I sailed. I learned she sketched that one afternoon of a painting that hung in their living room.”

“I can’t wait to put these on a wall in my very own bedroom.”*

“Well, until then why don’t we return them to their home for safe keeping.”

That Christmas Eve, Ben, Adam, Hoss, and Shorty decorated their small tree with Elizabeth’s and Inger’s ornaments, as well as a few candles and popcorn garlands provided by their friend Tim Buckley. After Inger’s angel was placed at the top of the tree, Ben lit the candles and the family stood back to gaze at their first real Christmas tree in their first real home. Ben was realizing his dream to own land filled with trees that touched the sky. Adam had his dream of a true home answered, and little Hoss grinned and chatter at the sparkling tree as the candle lights danced in his blue eyes. Shorty, sent up a silent prayer of gratitude for the people who helped him find a good path in life. After the moment of gratitude, Ben’s deep voice quietly filled the one-room cabin with Silent Night. It was a peaceful and joyous first Christmas for all.

****

To Abel Stoddard

Christmas Day

Dear Kind and Generous Captain, 

It is with a joyous heart that Adam, Hoss, Shorty, and I bid you a merry Christmas from the far western lands! Adam is helping me to write this letter by sharing his ideas of what we should tell you. Do not be alarmed for it is all good news. 

We are now living in our own cabin. Oh to be sure, it is small – only one room – but it is warm and it protects us from the winter storms that assail these timbered mountains. Yesterday, on Christmas Eve we opened the treasures you sent to us by way of Shorty. Allow me to say that young Shorty has been a blessing to us from the day he arrived which was only a few days ago. 

I thank you most humbly for your generous gift to help my and Elizabeth’s dream grow, and to help build a legacy for your grandson. Adam is thrilled with his treasures from his mother, the book especially. Concerning the drawings, I will be fashioning some frames for them so we might display them in our humble home. And dear Adam has already said they will go in his room, when he eventually has one to call his very own (his words). As for Elizabeth’s jewelry, he is of course skeptical of having a ‘young lady’ with which to share them, but rest assured that I will keep them safe until that day finally arrives. 

It’s Adam’s desire for you to know what our new home looks like so he has included a few small sketches he created with Shorty’s guidance. Our cabin is square but spacious enough to have a small sleeping area using many animal pelts given to us by neighboring trappers and Indians. We have a large stone fireplace in which we do our cooking if the weather is too cold to do it outside. Speaking of outside, we are in a clearing surrounded by pine trees of all types that truly reach the deep blue western sky. Nearby we have a stream of clear mountain water, and not too far off is a mountain lake that is filled with crystal blue water. That lake is surrounded by stalwart snow-covered granite mountains, acting like sentries to protect her and us. 

The trappers we met, as well as the Indians, have taught me much about survival in this forested wilderness. Rest assured, we are not alone. We have many eyes keeping watch over us – around us and from above. Just this Christmas morning we awoke to more skins, along with dried meats and fruits, and baskets of nuts, all left at our door. In return, Adam, following the kind spirit of his mother, suggested we leave gifts in return – a few woolen blankets, some shirts from each of us, and some of the food we had. This holy day has been the most blessed day we have had in a very long time.

Abel, just as you wrote in your last letter that you are leaning on the taffrail while cherishing the path you have traveled, yet changing to a better course, know that Adam and I are standing at the bow rail, looking into a bright future. Oh, we know not all our adventures will have fair winds, but we are gaining strength in handling those doldrums and storms.

May you, dear Captain Abel Stoddard, have many fair days and joyous years ahead of you.

Yours Truly,

Benjamin, Adam, Hoss, and Shorty

“Adam! I’m finished with the letter. What’s next on our to-do list for Christmas Day? Adam?”  Ben rose from the floor suddenly aware that he was alone in the cabin. Had he been that absorbed in his letter to Abel that he never heard the others leaving? With a bit of a huff, Ben strode the six or so strides to the front door and opened it wide. A cold and hardpacked snowball hit him square in the chest followed by peels of laughter.

“Adam!”

“That one was from Mother and Grandfather. This one’s from me!”  Ben saw the next frozen ball heading his way and promptly slammed the door shut. It hit with such a thud he was grateful he hadn’t been the recipient. However, this was not a fight to run from. Donning his protective armor of coat, scarf, hat, and gloves, Ben Cartwright yanked open the door and burst into the snowy yard, gathering snow along the way. “And, this one young man, is from your Father!” Squeals of delight and joyous laughter rang through the snowy Sierra forests on that special first Cartwright Christmas!

Wishing all a joyous Christmas and Fair Skies in the New Year!! 

——————

Prompt:  Each resounding blow of the axe

Main Character: Adam

Link to the 2025 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar – Day 18 – The First Thaw – Puchi Ann

*The drawings Adam received are displayed in his bedroom in The Spitfire, The Pressure Game, and Elizabeth, My Love. I took a little creative liberty with the structure as it was difficult to discern just what it was.