Summary:  Joe has money troubles and Adam tries to teach him a lesson.
Rating:  G   5,690 words

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Paying the Price

 

 

Joe Cartwright pressed his face against the pane of glass and stared at the knife in the shop window. ‘Sure is a beauty!’ he said wistfully. ‘I wish I could buy it!’

 

‘Well why can’t you?’ asked Mitch as he stood in like position beside him. ‘Your Pa’s got plenty of money.  Would he give some to you?’

 

‘Nah!’ replied Joe. ‘Pa says that I hafta earn money to buy things I want.  He’s says it’s character building or something.’

 

‘Shame,’ said Mitch. ‘It’s a mighty fine knife.’

 

Joe sighed. ‘Yeah,’ he agreed. ‘Personally I’d rather have the money and a weak character than no money and a strong character, but Pa don’t seem to understand that.’

 

‘What about your brothers?’ Mitch suggested. ‘Do you think that they’d lend you some money to buy it?’

 

Joe shook his head. ‘Not likely,’ he said. ‘Adam’s always lecturing me on how come I don’t have any money.  He says I waste it.’

 

‘What?’

 

Joe rolled his eyes. ‘I know!’ he said. ‘Shows what he knows don’t it?  As if I would waste my money!  I always spend it on things I really need like marbles and candy and such.  I mean… how could I not have those things?’

 

‘Yeah,’ Mitch agreed. ‘Sometimes grownups ain’t got no idea! What about Hoss?’

 

‘Oh, he’s nearly as bad. I think he would give me some at times, but he’s worried bout going against what Pa and Adam say though.  He thinks it’s not good fer me to have too much.’  He sighed again. ‘They don’t think much ya know.’

 

‘I know,’ said Mitch nodding his head. ‘Grownups have no idea sometimes!’

 

The two boys sighed as they continued to stare at the knife. ‘How about you?’ asked Joe after a minute.

 

Mitch shook his head. ‘Nah!  My parents couldn’t afford to buy it for me even if they wanted to,’ he said sadly. ‘How much money ya got Joe?’

 

‘My fifty cents allowance,’ said Joe, fingering the money in his pocket. ‘I’ll be saving forever to get to three dollars. There must be a quicker way!’

 

 

XXXXX

 

 

‘No Joseph,’ said Ben firmly. ‘You’ve had your allowance each week and if you have chosen to waste it then I’m not giving you any more.’

 

‘But Pa!’ pleaded Joe. ‘It’ll take me forever to save up….’  He began to count on his fingers.

 

‘Two dollars and fifty cents,’ said Adam.

 

Joe glared at him. ‘Yeah,’ he muttered. ‘I only get fifty cents a week, so it’ll take me….’ he began to count again.

 

‘Five weeks,’ said Adam.

 

Joe glared at him again. ‘Yeah,’ he agreed. ‘So I’ve just been thinking Pa…’

 

Ben lifted his eyebrows at his son. ‘Yes?’ he prompted.

 

‘Well I was thinking that if you bought the knife for me, then I could use it to help you,’ said Joe hopefully. ‘You know… doing things for you.’

 

‘Yes?’ asked Ben. ‘Like what?’

 

‘Well….. like cutting things for you,’ Joe thought for a moment. ‘Anything you’d like…’ he finished lamely, not being able to think of anything.

 

‘How very generous of you Joseph,’ said Ben with a twinkle in his eye. ‘But the answer is still no.’ Joe scowled.

 

‘If you’d saved some of your allowance in the past few weeks you might have enough money without having to plead for it,’ said Adam.

 

‘Well it ain’t my fault!’ declared Joe. ‘You know it’s marbles season and a feller can’t not have any marbles to play with!’

 

‘What happened to your ones from last year?’

 

Joe shrugged. ‘I still got em,’ he said. ‘But they got new colours this year and I had to have some!’

 

‘So you’ve spent you whole allowance on marbles?’

 

‘Well…. No…. but I had to have some candy too!’

 

‘Oh of course! That would have been essential,’ said Adam sarcastically. ‘Face it Joe… you just need to develop some better money saving habits.’

 

I will!’ said Joe eagerly. ‘If you give me some money I’ll show you just how good I can be with it!’

 

‘By buying the knife?’ said Adam.

 

‘Yeah!  It’d be a real good investment… don’t ya think so Hoss?’

 

Hoss shook his head. ‘Leave me out of this,’ he said. ‘I ain’t getting involved.’

 

‘Face it Joseph,’ said Ben. ‘You will either have to wait until you’ve saved up the money or do without this knife.  You have two choices son.’

 

Joe slumped down in his chair and folded his arms across his chest with a dramatic sigh. ‘All right,’ he said mournfully. ‘But don’t blame me if you need me to cut something for you and I ain’t able to do it cause I ain’t got no knife!’

 

‘Don’t worry son I won’t,’ said Ben with a wink at Hoss and Adam.

 

 

XXXXX

 

 

‘No luck eh?’ asked Mitch sympathetically.

 

Joe shook his head. ‘Nah!’ he said. ‘I guess it was worth a try though.  Somehow or other there has to be a way to get that money!’  He clicked his fingers and sat up straight. ‘I know!’ he said. I’ll make some money for myself!’

 

‘How?’

 

Joe thought for a moment. ‘I dunno,’ he said. ‘There must be a way to earn the price of that knife.  Maybe I could do jobs for people.’

 

‘Who?’

 

‘I dunno.  There must be someone who wants something done.’

 

‘Would your Pa let you?’

 

‘I dunno.  Guess there’s no harm in asking,’ replied Joe. ‘I have to think of the best way to ask him though.  Sometimes if I get him at just the right moment he’s OK with things.’

 

Mitch nodded. ‘Yeah I know what you mean,’ he said. ‘You just have ta know how ta handle em sometimes.’

 

Joe grinned at his friend. ‘Sure do!’ he agreed. ‘I’m gonna get that knife if it’s the last thing I do!’

 

 

XXXXX

 

 

‘Well I don’t really have a problem with it,’ said Ben. ‘As long as you get your chores done and don’t let your school work slip behind…’

 

‘That’d be hard,’ muttered Adam. ‘You can’t slip far below nothing.’

 

Ben and Joe both glared at him. ‘…I don’t see why you couldn’t earn some extra money,’ finished Ben.

 

Joe grinned at his father. ‘Thanks Pa!’ he said. ‘All I have ta do now is think of how to earn the money.’  He frowned in thought and then smiled. ‘Maybe I could ask around town,’ he said. ‘I could do some jobs after school each afternoon.’  He looked at his father to see his reaction.

 

‘It would depend what it was,’ said Ben. ‘Ask around and see what you can find, but clear it with me first young man.’

 

Joe smiled at his father. ‘Sure thing Pa,’ he said. ‘I’ll start tomorrow, seeing as how it’s Saturday.’

 

‘Just how much are you figuring on making?’ asked Adam.

 

‘As much as I can.’  Joe frowned in thought again. ‘Let’s see…’ he began to count on his fingers. ‘If I could make the same as my allowance… fifty cents a week…. it’d take me….’

 

‘Three weeks,’ said Adam.

 

Joe frowned even more. ‘That’s too long!’ he said. ‘I’ll haveta earn more than that!’

 

‘Can’t you wait three weeks?’ asked his father.

 

Joe shook his head. ‘Nuh!  I gotta have it sooner.’

 

‘Of course,’ said Adam sarcastically. ‘Never let it be said that you had to wait for anything.’

 

Joe nodded in agreement. ‘That’s right,’ he said. ‘I’ll see if I can get lots of jobs to make the money faster.’

 

‘Well just wait and see what you can find first,’ said Ben. ‘And remember Joseph, if your schoolwork slips or you’re not coping with all this work the deal is off.  Understood?’

 

‘Understood!’ said Joe as he ran to the front door. ‘See ya!  I’ve got work to do!’

 

Ben laughed as the front door slammed. ‘Do you really think he’ll be able to do this?’ asked Hoss.

 

Ben shrugged. ‘I really don’t know,’ he said. ‘I’m not going to let him overdo it though.  One hint of that and the deal will be off.’

 

‘Well it’ll be interesting ta see if he can actually do this,’ said Hoss

 

‘Do him good,’ replied Adam.

 

 

XXXXX

 

‘Well dear, as it so happens I could do with some help around here at the moment,’ said Mrs Hopkins as Joe stood on her front porch hopefully. ‘My brother is in Sacramento at the moment and there are few jobs that have been piling up while he’s been away.’

 

Joe grinned at her. ‘I could do em for ya then!’ he said enthusiastically. ‘I’m a good worker!’

 

‘I’m sure you are dear,’ replied Mrs Hopkins. ‘But some of the jobs might be a bit beyond you dear.’

 

‘Like what?’

 

‘Well I need the barn painted and that fence over there.  Plus there are quite a few other chores.  Maybe you’d better leave the painting to someone else.’

 

‘I can do it!’ replied Joe enthusiastically. ‘I’ve done painting at home.’

 

Mrs Hopkins looked doubtful. ‘Well…’ she said.

 

‘Please?’ asked Joe. ‘I really need the money.’

 

The woman smiled. ‘I’ll tell you what,’ she said. ‘I’ll pay you fifty cents for all the chores and an extra dollar if you paint the barn and fence well. How would that be dear?’

 

‘That’s perfect!’ replied Joe. ‘That’s exactly the amount I need.’

 

‘When can you start?’

 

‘Right now if ya like!’ he said happily. ‘The sooner I start then sooner I get the money I guess.’

 

‘All right dear.  You’ll find the paint and brushes in the barn.’

 

Joe ran enthusiastically over to the barn to get the equipment. It seemed as if this was going to be easier than he had thought!

 

 

XXXXX

 

 

 

Joe worked hard all week getting all the chores done and much of the painting as well.  He found the work a lot harder than he had first anticipated, as the painting took up a lot of his time and he thought he’d never get it finished.  Finally on the second weekend he could see the end in sight.

 

‘I’m gonna have that money by Friday!’ he said enthusiastically at the dinner table one evening that week. ‘That knife is just about mine!’

 

‘That’s very good son,’ said Ben. ‘It seems like you’ve stuck to the job and earned yourself that money.  Now doesn’t it feel good to have earned it yourself rather than have someone hand it to you?’

 

Little Joe thought for a moment. ‘Yeah,’ he acknowledged. ‘But I still wouldn’t of minded if you’d given it to me instead.’

 

Adam tried to hide a smile from his father. ‘And how is your own work coming?’ he asked.

 

Joe gave him a glare that he hoped his brother would interpret as a warning to mind his own business.  Unfortunately, Adam didn’t quite see it that way and continued. ‘Any problems with your homework or chores?’ he asked.

 

‘None of your business!’ said Joe defensively. ‘Anyway fro your information I’ve done all my chores each day.  Ain’t I Pa?’

 

Ben nodded. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘As far as I can tell you’ve done everything as you should have.  I really don’t know about your school work though.’  He gave Adam a wink. ‘Maybe I should ride past the school tomorrow and check with Miss Jones if you’ve been working to capacity Joseph.’

 

Joe looked worried. ‘I ain’t been working any different to normal,’ he said sullenly. ‘You don’t havta check.’

 

Adam hid another smirk. ‘To normal eh?’ he said. ‘Then I’d definitely check Pa.  Abigail is likely to have a thing or two to tell you then.’

 

Ben shook his head and put his hand on his youngest son’s arm as he saw the worried look on his face at his brother’s words. ‘There’s no need for that,’ he replied. ‘If I haven’t got a note home from Miss Jones all week then I think I can assume that everything at school is all right.’

 

Joe let out the breath that he had been holding in relief.   The week at school had been no different to any other, but he wasn’t about to take any chances.  There was no telling what that old fussy Miss Jones would get into her head about his work and behaviour if his father went calling to enquire about him. He smiled.  It seemed that there was nothing to stop him getting that knife now!

 

 

XXXXX

 

 

Joe looked at his father expectantly.  Today was Saturday and he was due to get his allowance. The fifty cents he was due would make up the last of the money that was needed to get that knife and he could hardly wait to get into town to buy it. He fingered the money from Mrs Hopkins in his pocket as he stood beside the table eyeing off his father.

 

‘Sit down please Joseph,’ said his father. ‘It would be nice to eat breakfast in peace.’

 

‘But Pa….’ began Joe as he sat down obediently.

 

Ben lifted an eyebrow, knowing what was coming. ‘Yes?’ he asked.

 

‘It’s Saturday.’

 

‘So?’

 

‘Ain’t you… I mean, can I have my allowance now please?’

 

Ben reached into his pocket and handed over the fifty cents with a smile. ‘There you are,’ he said. ‘You’ve earned it this week.’

 

Joe got up again with a jump. ‘Thanks!’ he said.  ‘With the money I get from my jobs I’ve got enough now. Can I go now Pa?  I want to get into town first thing.’

 

‘No you can’t,’ said his father firmly. ‘Breakfast first, then chores!’

 

‘But Pa!…’

 

‘I’m going in later,’ said Adam. ‘You can ride with me if you like.’

 

‘That would be a good idea,’ said Ben. ‘Otherwise you’d have to wait until this afternoon when I have time to take you.’

 

‘I ain’t a baby!’ declared Little Joe. ‘I’m old enough to go in myself.’

 

‘What’s the rush?’ asked Hoss with a wink at the other two.

 

Joe gave him a frustrated look. ‘I’m getting my knife today!’ he said. ‘The pearl-handled one remember?’

 

‘Oh yes!’ said Adam. ‘I seem to remember something being said about that.’

 

Joe gave them both an incredulous look. ‘It’s all right son,’ said Ben with a smile. ‘Your brothers are only teasing you.  They know how much you’ve been looking forward to today.’

 

‘I must say that I’m surprised you were able to do it,’ said Adam.

 

‘Well it wasn’t easy!’ declared Joe. ‘Two weeks seemed like forever!’

 

‘Well it wouldn’t have taken you so long if you’d been making a habit of saving regularly before,’ said his father. ‘I hope this past week has taught you a lesson Joseph.’

 

Sure have!’ declared Little Joe. ‘I’m gonna make it a habit to save from now on!’

 

‘I’ll believe that when I see it,’ said Adam dryly. ‘You couldn’t hold onto a dollar if it was tied to you!’

 

‘Now boys,’ interrupted Ben. ‘Joseph has done very well this time.  ‘He’s done without things for a couple of weeks and has worked very hard in order to save up for this knife.  He deserves some credit.’

 

‘Can I go now Pa?’ asked Joe again as he stuffed in another mouthful and drank a big swallow of his milk.

 

‘Chores,’ reminded Ben.

 

‘Joe gave him a frustrated look as he got up. ‘OK,’ he said. ‘I’ll hitch the team when I’m done too Adam, so’s we can get going even quicker.’

 

Ben laughed as his youngest son left the room. ‘Well I’ve never seen him so keen to get to chores before,’ he said. ‘It’s a shame to think that it’s all over now.’

 

‘I know what you mean,’ said Adam. ‘Shame that the knife isn’t going to cost him ten dollars instead of only three.’

 

Hoss made a face at him. ‘That ain’t fair,’ he said. ‘Little brother’s worked real hard fer this.  He deserves it.’

 

Adam returned the look. ‘All right!’ he said putting up his hands in a gesture of defeat.  ‘I only meant that its been good while it lasted.’  He stood up. ‘Well I’d better get out there and get my work done, or that kid will be pestering me to get going soon. Bye!’

 

Hoss looked at his father. ‘Joe’s gonna be so excited when he brings that knife home,’ he said.

 

‘He’s so excited now,’ said Ben. ‘Haven’t you got work to do as well?’

 

Hoss grinned at him. ‘Sure Pa,’ he said. ‘I guess I’d better get to em as well huh?’

 

Ben returned the grin. ‘I guess,’ he said.

 

 

XXXXX

 

 

‘Can you let me out here?’ asked Little Joe impatiently. ‘I gotta get my knife first.’

 

Adam drew the horses to a halt. ‘I know, I know,’ he said. ‘I’ll be over at the Bank when you’re done.  Meet me there.’

 

‘OK!’ Joe leapt off the buckboard and ran into the shop.  He walked straight up to the counter and plonked his money down, counting it carefully before looking up at Sam Winters with a huge grin. ‘Hi Mr Winters,’ he said happily. ‘I’ve come in to buy a knife.’

 

Sam returned the look. ‘Oh?’ he said. ‘And which knife would that be?’

 

‘The one in your window.  The pearl-handled one for sale.  It’s three dollars.’

 

Sam shook his head. ‘Sorry Joe,’ he said. ‘It’s gone.’

 

Joe’s face fell. ‘What do you mean gone?’ he asked anxiously. ‘I’ve got the money for it here.’

 

Sam shook his head again. ‘Sorry,’ he repeated. ‘I sold it just yesterday.  It was the last one I had of that kind.’

 

Joe’s face crumpled and he was silent. ‘But you can’t have!’ he said after a moment. ‘I’ve been saving up fer it!  It’s taken me a whole week!’

 

Sam shrugged his shoulders. ‘Sorry,’ he said.

 

Joe turned away from the counter, his shoulders sagging and his face a picture of despair. It just wasn’t fair!  He’d worked so hard to earn the money and now the man told him that the knife was gone!  ‘Thanks,’ he mumbled as he walked away.

 

Sam looked at the youngster. ‘Wait,’ he said. ‘If it’s a knife you’re interested in, then I’ve got some others here.’

 

Joe turned around eagerly. ‘I thought you said it was the last one?’ he cried.

 

‘Of that particular kind,’ said Sam. ‘But I’ve got some more here that you might like.’  He took a box down from the shelf and opened it, placing several knives in front of the boy. ‘There you go,’ he said. ‘Do you like any of these?’

 

Joe’s eyes shone. ‘Yeah!’ he said excitedly. ‘How much are they?’

 

‘Well this one here is ten dollars….’ began Sam.

 

Joe looked up at him and shook his head. ‘I’ve only got three dollars,’ he said mournfully and then looked up expectantly. ‘Any for that price?’

 

Sam shook his head sadly. ‘No,’ he said. ‘The cheapest one is this one here,’ he said as he held up a beautiful knife with a silver handle. ‘Five dollars.’

 

Joe frowned. ‘I’m short…..’ he began to count on his fingers.

 

‘A dollar fifty,’ volunteered Sam.

 

‘Yeah,’ sighed Joe. ‘Guess I can’t have it.’ He gave the knife a wistful look as Sam put it and the other back into the box. ‘Thanks anyway,’ he said sadly.

 

Joe left the shop, dragging his feet.  As he came out into the sunshine again, he thought about how strange it was…. Only moments before everything had seemed so great and now…. well now everything had been ruined.  He looked at the money in his hand and sighed. All that work …. and he had nothing to show for it … Life just wasn’t fair sometimes!

 

He walked down the street until he saw their buckboard tied up outside the Bank where Adam obviously still was.  Joe climbed slowly up and sat there quietly, not feeling like talking to any of the people who passed. By the time that Adam appeared, his youngest brother was looking quite dejected.

 

‘What’s the matter with you?’ he asked as he climbed up beside him. ‘I thought you’d be running into the Bank before now to show me your knife.’ Joe shrugged and said nothing. ‘Well?’ asked Adam. ‘Aren’t you going to show it to me?’  He stared at his younger brother, wondering what was the matter with him.

 

Joe shrugged again. ‘Guess not,’ he said quietly.

 

‘Why not?’

 

‘I ain’t got it.’

 

Adam frowned. ‘I thought you were going to get it straight away?’ he asked. ‘Hurry up and get it now then.  Go on… I’ll wait.’

 

Joe shrugged again. ‘I can’t,’ he said sadly. ‘Mr Winters done sold it and I ain’t got enough money for them other ones that he’s got.’

 

Adam looked at his brother intentlynoted the tears that were threatening to fall and how desperately he was trying to hide the fact. ‘ Oh I see,’ he said. ‘Well that’s too bad.’ Joe nodded silently. ‘How much are the other knives?’ asked Adam.

 

‘The next cheapest one is five dollars. It’ll take me weeks to save that much from my allowance.’

 

Adam pursed his lips. ‘Bad luck,’ he said. ‘Well … how about we get a cold drink before we go home?’

 

Joe shrugged. ‘OK,’ he said without any enthusiasm.

 

Adam hitched up the horses and then hesitated. ‘Tell you what Joe,’ he said. ‘How about I lend you that extra dollar fifty?’

 

Joe’s head jerked up and he looked at his brother excitedly. ‘Really?’ he asked excitedly. ‘How come?’

 

Adam reached into his pocket and drew out the money. ‘Probably because I couldn’t stand to see you pouting like that for the next few weeks,’ he said as he held it out to his brother. ‘Now remember that this is a loan and you’re going to owe me your next three weeks allowance. Understood?’

 

Joe nodded eagerly as he took the money. ‘Yeah,’ he said. ‘I promise.  Thanks Adam!’

 

‘Now hang on,’ said Adam. ‘You’re not getting it that easily.’ He pointed a finger at his younger brother. ‘It’s like I’ve been telling you Joe, you need to learn the value of saving and I think this might be as good a time as any to teach you.’

 

‘Huh?’

 

‘If I’m going to lend you this money, then I have to have some security in return.’

 

‘What’s security?’

 

‘It’s something that you agree to let me have in case you don’t pay me back the money.’

 

‘I’ll pay you back!  I said so didn’t I?’

 

Adam nodded. ‘Yes I know that you said so,’ he said. ‘But this is the way it’s done in the business world. You wouldn’t expect me to trust you if I were a stranger would you?’

 

Joe frowned. ‘But I ain’t a stranger,’ he pouted. ‘I’m your brother.’

 

‘Yes you are.  A brother who I want security from.  Now what are you offering?’

 

Joe thought for a moment. ‘Um…. I dunno,’ he said finally. ‘I ain’t got nothing you’d want.’

 

‘You haven’t got anything I’d want,’ corrected Adam.

 

‘I know,’ Joe said puzzled as to why his brother needed to repeat his statement. He clicked his fingers. ‘Hey! How about the knife itself?’ he said. ‘If I don’t pay you back then I haveta give you the knife.’ He looked at Adam hopefully.

 

Adam stroked his chin. ‘OK,’ he said finally. ‘If you don’t make the payment with your allowance in the next three weeks then I get the knife.’

 

‘It’s a deal!’ said Little Joe. ‘So I got three weeks to give it back to you OK?’

 

Adam nodded. ‘Yes,’ he said and gave his brother a slight push. ‘Well go and get it then, before he sells that one too. Hurry up.’

 

Joe gave his brother another big grin and leapt off the buckboard again. ‘I’ll be quick!’ he called over his shoulder.  He ran into the shop and straight up to the counter again. ‘Hi Mr Winters,’ he said. ‘I’ll have that knife for five dollars after all please!’

 

I thought you didn’t have the money?’ asked Sam as he took the box down from the shelf again and took out the knife.

 

‘I didn’t… my brother is lending it to me,’ said Joe as he handed over the money. ‘Thanks!’

 

Sam smiled at him. ‘I guess brothers come in handy sometimes eh?’

 

Joe returned the look. ‘I guess so,’ he said happily as he turned to go outside again.

 

 

XXXXX

 

 

‘I thought it had a pearl handle?’ asked Ben as he turned the knife over to get a better look at it.  ‘This is silver.’

 

‘I had to get a different one,’ explained Joe. ‘Mr Winters sold the other one already.’

 

‘Oh I see.  Well you were lucky that he had such a fine one for the same price weren’t you?’ replied his father as he handed it back to Joe.

 

Joe gave Adam a look. ‘Well…’ he said. ‘It wasn’t exactly the same price.’

 

‘Ben looked confused. ‘Don’t tell me it was cheaper,’ he said. ‘It certainly looks worth at least three dollars.’

 

‘It was five dollars,’ said Joe.

 

Ben frowned. ‘And just how did you manage to get a five dollar knife for three dollars?’ he asked sternly.

 

‘Adam lent me the rest,’ said Joe. ‘I gotta pay him back though… it was a loan.’

 

Ben’s raised his eyebrows. ‘I thought you didn’t agree with lending money?’ he asked Adam. ‘Especially to someone who… in your own words… needs to develop better moneysaving habits?’

 

Adam looked sheepish. ‘Well… he began. ‘I guess Joe’s proved that he’s reformed a bit in the last couple of weeks,’ he said. ‘I’m willing to make an exception just this once.’  He looked at Joe sternly. ‘And if you don’t follow through with your end of the bargain it’ll be the last time that you ever get money out of me!’ he said, trying to sound firm.

 

Joe grinned at him. ‘You can depend on me older brother,’ he said. ‘Pa… my next three allowances go to Adam.’

 

‘And he’s agreed to the knife as security,’ said Adam.

 

Ben raised an eyebrow. ‘I just hope this knife has been worth it,’ He said. ‘You seem to be doing without an awful lot lately just to own it son.’

 

‘Oh it’s worth it all right Pa,’ replied Joe happily. ‘It’s worth it all right!’ He held up his new knife in front of his face happily and grinned happily at his reflection in the silver handle.

 

 

XXXXX

 

 

‘Don’t you make that face at me,’ said Ben as he noticed the scowl on Joe’s face. ‘You know very well what your bargain with your brother was.

 

‘Yeah but….’

 

‘No buts,’ said Adam. ‘You owe me that money Joe and you’re not going to weasel out of it now.’

 

‘Yeah but I ain’t had any money for so long… I’ve almost forgotten what’s its like to have any!’ argued Joe.

 

‘Well whose choice is that?’ asked his father. ‘No one asked you to buy that knife.  It seems that it was all you’ve had on your mind for weeks and now that you’ve got it you should be happy.’

 

‘Oh… yeah I am!’ declared Joe. ‘It’s just that everyone’s buying them new tops that Mr Winter’s got in his store and I really need one too.’ He looked at his father hopefully.

 

Ben shook his head. ‘No Joseph,’ he said. ‘There is no way I’m going to give you extra money for a toy. You’ll just have to wait to buy one with your allowance after you’ve paid off your brother if you need it so desperately.’

 

Joe looked at his father as if he had two heads. ‘But I can’t wait Pa!  Everyone’s getting them now!’

 

‘Everyone except you,’ said Adam.

 

Joe looked at his brother. ‘Well I don’t haveta pay you back for another two weeks,’ he said cagily. ‘I can still buy the top and earn some extra money to make it up next week.’

 

‘And what will you need to buy next week?’ asked Adam. ‘Face it Joe… you’re on a continual cycle here.  You just have to learn to save up a bit and then you’d have money for what you need.’

 

‘But how can I save up when I keep needing things?’ asked Joe defensively. ‘I think you need to put my allowance up Pa.’

 

Ben gave a short laugh. ‘Really?’ he asked in a sarcastic tone. ‘Somehow I don’t think that’s about to happen.’ Joe pouted.  ‘And you can take that look off your face thank you.  No one is taking any notice of it. I think Adam is right son.  You’ve put your knife up as security and you don’t want to risk having to give it up do you?’

 

Joe looked shocked. ‘I’m not giving it up!’ he declared. ‘I’m gonna earn a bit more next week instead that’s all.’

 

‘Have it your own way,’ said Adam. ‘But the deadline still stands.’

 

‘I’ll make it!’ Joe said confidently. He fingered his fifty cents while he thought about which colour top he’d buy.

 

 

XXXXX

 

 

‘So ain’t ya gonna earn some money this weekend?’ asked Mitch.

 

‘I’ve got plenty of time,’ said Joe. ‘I’d rather go fishing than do some dumb old jobs! Don’t you wanna come?’

 

‘Yeah of course,’ said Mitch. ‘But you spent all your allowance on more marbles last week and the top the week before that… you’ve only got this week to get the money haven’t you?’

 

‘Yeah, but don’t worry,’ said Joe confidently. ‘All I haveta do is go ask old Mrs Hopkins again and she’ll pay me a dollar like she did before.  I can easily do that next weekend and then give Adam that money plus my allowance. No need to worry about it until then.’

 

Mitch grinned. ‘Guess you’re right,’ he said. ‘Let’s go!’

 

It wasn’t until three days later that Joe fronted up to Mrs Hopkins’ house and knocked on the door. ‘Hello dear,’ she said as she opened it to him. ‘What brings you back around here?’

 

Joe grinned at her. ‘I’ve come to do some more jobs for you,’ he said. ‘What do you need done this week?’

 

The woman smiled at him. ‘Well thank you Joseph,’ she said. ‘But there’s really nothing for you to do this week at all. My brother is back from Sacramento and things are fine again now.’

 

Joe swallowed. ‘But….’ He said lamely. ‘But you gotta have something for me to do!’

 

She shook her head. ‘I’m sorry dear,’ she said. ‘But there’s nothing.  ‘Maybe the next time he goes away there’ll be something then.  I’ll let you know.’

 

Joe stood and stared at her, not knowing what to say. ‘But…’ he said.

 

‘Why don’t you come inside for a cool drink dear?’ she said kindly.

 

Joe shook his head. ‘No thanks,’ he said. ‘I gotta go and…..’ He turned away and walked to his horse, a worried frown on his face as he tried to think of something. It was true that tomorrow his father would give him his fifty cents allowance, but he was still a dollar short!  He couldn’t for the life of him think of how he was going to get the money and he began to wonder if the things he had spent his last two week’s allowance on were worth it after all.  He hung his head in dismay.

 

Maybe Adam won’t insist on that security thing he talked about?’ he thought to himself. ‘Maybe I can talk him out of it?  After all… what does he want my knife for anyways?  He’s got a good one of his own. He began to whistle confidently as he mounted up. It’ll be OK, he thought. I’ll just ask for more time, that’s all.

 

 

XXXXX

 

 

‘Absolutely not!’ said Adam. ‘We had a bargain and I expect you to live up to your side of it.’

 

Joe looked at his father pleadingly, but Ben shook his head as well. ‘Adam’s right Joseph,’ he said. ‘It’s time you learned the value of money and this should be a good lesson for you.’

 

Joe scowled at them both. ‘It would have been OK it if weren’t for that old security idea of Adam’s,’ he muttered.

 

‘Well I think it’s a good word for you to learn little brother,’ said Adam. ‘Some day you might need to use it yourself. Now hand over that knife.’

 

‘What are you gonna do with it?’ asked Joe. ‘You don’t need it!’

 

‘That isn’t the point,’ said Adam sternly. ‘You didn’t live up to your part of the bargain so it’s mine now.  That’s all there is to it little brother.’  He held out his hand firmly. ‘Come on… hand it over.’

 

Joe scowled even more and gave a dramatic sigh as he handed his brother the knife. He watched in dismay as Adam turned it over in his hand and then tucked it into his belt.

 

‘It ain’t fair!’ said Joe.

 

‘Yes it is,’ replied Adam. ‘One day you might thank me for teaching you the value of security!’

 

‘Hmph!’ said Joe and stalked off, banging the front door behind him.

 

Ben raised his eyebrow at his eldest son.

 

‘What?’ said Adam. ‘You really didn’t expect me to give in to him did you?’

 

No,’ said his father slowly. ‘I’m sure Joseph understands about security now.  I just hope that he doesn’t use it against you one day that’s all.’

 

Adam laughed. ‘How on earth could he do that?’ he laughed. ‘That little brother of mine has no idea how to manage money Pa and don’t think for one minute that he’s learned his lesson from any of this.  He’ll probably be right out there next week spending his allowance as he always does on rubbish.  No… I think the whole idea of security is one that Joe has still to master.’

 

Ben shrugged his shoulders. ‘I wouldn’t be too sure about that Adam,’ he said. ‘Not sure at all. I think you might be underestimating that boy!’

 

 

 

The End

 

 

 

Author’s Note:  Now go and watch ‘The Hayburner’ and see just how much Joe did learn from his big brother’s lesson.