Summary:  Who does a Cartwright confide in when he has a problem?
Rating:  G  3,020 words

Cartwright Confidences

5am

Sound on staircase tell me Mr Adam, Number One Son, up and ready for chores.  He always first up in morning, like to get start on jobs to be done. Hop Sing get coffee ready – know he come by kitchen first thing before go to barn. Always do. No one know we talk in early morning, others still sleep when drink coffee together.

Mr Adam clever man. Always help father much on ranch, and help with brothers too. He think much thing and talk much sense to father and brothers. He talk much sense to Hop Sing too. Mr Adam teach Hop Sing much English when first come to Ponderosa.  He only boy then, fourteen year old but much clever even so.  He now grown up and still help Hop Sing when need to. English not good still, but much better than was.

Always I watch Mr Adam try to help father. He help well when poor Missy Cartwright die. Mr Ben very upset and not know what to do. Mr Adam young man still, but work hard on ranch to keep work go well. He help with brothers too, Mr Hoss, Number Two Son and Little Joe, Number Three Son. He stop them upsetting too much. Father much unhappy and not pay attention to little boys, so Mr Adam be father for while.

Hop Sing help too. Help little boys when sad.  Cook much for Mr Hoss to make feel better, keep Little Joe busy so not annoy father, and keep house run well for Mr Ben.  Hop Sing very sad for Cartwright family.  Hop Sing help Mr Adam when busy then. Help keep little boys busy so Mr Adam can work.  Look after Mr Adam when tired and cranky.  Mr Adam talk lots to Hop Sing then about worries. Still talk to Hop Sing now. Early morning he talk and Hop Sing listen.

‘Morning Hop Sing. How are you today? Up early as usual.’

Mr Adam say this every morning.  He know Hop Sing awake early, but still say it. Hop Sing not know why. 

‘Morning Mr Adam. You want coffee?’

‘Thanks Hop Sing. That would be great. Are you having some too?’

Hop Sing always have coffee in morning.  Mr Adam know this, but still ask every day. Hop Sing not know why. Mr Adam drink coffee. Hop Sing wait to hear problem. Always know when Mr Adam have problem.  He put finger on side of head and push around lots. Hop Sing know this because Hop Sing watch Mr Adam lots. Others busy talking and not see Mr Adam need talk problem.  Mr Adam quiet with problem except with Hop Sing. Hop Sing wait.

Hop Sing know Mr Adam get mad with father sometime, but he not show it. Maybe this one of these times? Hop Sing think so. Always need wait for Mr Adam to speak.  Mr Adam not rush to speak, so Hop Sing wait.  Hop Sing learn patience with Mr Adam.  Soon he put down cup.

‘Thanks Hop Sing. That was good as usual. I suppose I’d better get to those chores now.’

Mr Adam not move. Hop Sing wait.

‘Always chores to be done I guess.  Seems like they never end.’

Hop Sing wait.

‘Can’t keep the ranch running without them though.’

Hop Sing wait.

‘Just sometimes I wish Pa wouldn’t expect me to do them all the time.  Seems like I spend most of my time doing things that we could pay people to do while I could be doing more important things.’

Hop Sing wait.

‘Sometimes I just wish Pa would realise that I’m not a kid like Hoss and Little Joe. All that College education and he still treats me like one of the hands!’

Hop Sing wait.

‘Lord knows I want to help him, but he just doesn’t seem to want to let go and let me take on some of the things I’m capable of.’

He rub head hard.

‘Sorry Hop Sing.  I don’t mean to burden you with this.  It’s just so frustrating, you know?’

Hop Sing know. He frustrated all time with Cartwright family. Hop Sing nod.

‘If there was just some way of getting him to understand what I’m capable of doing. I know I could make a difference around here if he’d only let me!’

Hop Sing pick up bucket. ‘Need water from pump outside.’

‘I’ll get it for you Hop Sing. Won’t be a moment.’  Mr Adam go outside for water. Hop Sing wait.

‘Here you go Hop Sing. As I was saying, if I could just find something to show Pa what I can do. You need more water?’

Mr Adam take bucket again and leave room. Hop Sing wait.

‘Here you go Hop Sing. Sometimes I wonder why I went to College you know.  I don’t get to use any of the things I learned there very much. All that study in architecture and engineering!  You’d think I’d be able to use it somewhere around here. Again?’

Mr Adam leave room again for water.  Hop Sing wait.

‘You certainly use a lot of water in here Hop Sing.  Here you go. I know I’ve done a few things for others around here.  The Steven’s mill was a challenge, I’ll admit that.  But I just need to do something on The Ponderosa to show Pa that my ideas can work. You’re kidding?  Again? How do you do this all day Hop Sing? In and out for water all the time must give you time for nothing else!’

Mr Adam go outside again with bucket. Hop Sing wait.

‘Here you go Hop Sing.’  Hop Sing give Mr Adam more coffee. He sit and think lots.

‘You know Hop Sing if you didn’t have to go outside all the time for water you’d save an awful lot of time.’  

Mr Adam rub head hard. 

‘Maybe if …. I mean all it would take would be ….’ 

Mr Adam rub head hard again. He stand up with cup.

‘Excuse me Hop Sing. I need to get to those chores now. I’ve got an idea that I want to put on paper before everyone else gets up. See you later.’

Mr Adam leave room quickly.  He talk to self. Hop Sing smile and empty water from tub into bucket to take back outside.

11am

Hop Sing get snack ready for Number Two Son, Mr Hoss. Mr Hoss not know how Hop Sing know get snack ready, but Hop Sing know Mr Hoss always hungry before lunch.  Mr Hoss always hungry! He eat lots and like Hop Sing cooking. He very good boy!

Mr Hoss very smart boy. Not everyone know how smart, but Hop Sing do. He smart with people. Always know what people think, but never know to say right words.  Mr Hoss talk Hop Sing to find right words. Hop Sing listen.

‘Thanks Hop Sing. That was great! I’d better get to work now though, although I don’t suppose that Pa would even notice.’

‘Father plenty busy all time.  Not mean to ignore.’

‘Yeah I know.  It’s just that … well ….. sometimes I feel like I don’t count much around here. Ya know?’

Hop Sing take plate from Number Two Son. ‘Want more?’

‘Yeah! Thanks Hop Sing.’ Mr Hoss shake head.

‘It’s hard being between Adam and Little Joe ya know. Adam’s so clever!  He makes me feel like I’m just a dumb old Hoss sometimes. Yeah just a bit more, thanks Hop Sing.’

Hop Sing put more on Mr Hoss  plate.

‘Spose it’s all the education he had at College an all.  Sure wish I could understand what he’s talking about at times though.  He sure loses me at times. Thanks Hop Sing, these are sure great!’

Hop Sing empty cookie barrel. Need bake more later.

‘And that Little Joe!  Well he’s just so darn clever with people ya know?  He knows just what ta say all the time!  I wish I could talk like he does, but all that happens with me is that I get all tongue-tied and can’t think of what ta say.  I suppose I am just a dumb old Hoss.’

‘Try apple Mr Hoss?’

‘Yeah don’t mind if I do Hop Sing. Thanks.’

‘Have plenty beef sandwiches for lunch.  Mr Hoss enjoy.’

‘Sure will Hop Sing!  Beef sandwiches is one of my favourites!’

Hop Sing slice beef for sandwiches. ‘Best beef this year. Mr Ben say strong cow here now.’

‘Yeah they sure are!  They’re part of that new breed we crossed with ours from the year before last. Calves are coming in real hardy. Seems like they can get through the winter much easier now.’

Hop Sing cut more meat. ‘Good colour.  Make plenty tasty sandwiches.’

Mr Hoss lick lips. ‘Sure will Hop Sing.  Think I’ll have another of those apples. Thanks.’

‘Where new breed come from?’

‘Down near Texas.’

‘Mr Ben hear about them?’

‘No, I did.  I told Pa we should get em up here to try with our cows.  Ya remember those two bulls we bought year before last don’t ya Hop Sing?’

Hop Sing remember. Hop Sing not tell remember.  Hop Sing shake head.

‘You remember! The ones that Adam said would cost too much.  Pa said they weren’t worth the trouble.’

‘But bulls still come.’

‘Yeah. Bulls still come.  Guess that was my nagging Pa all the time.  Ya see Hop Sing I thought that …..’ Mr Hoss stop chewing. This strange thing.  Mr Hoss always chew in kitchen. Mr Hoss think.  Hop Sing watch Mr Hoss think.

‘Come ta think of it Hop Sing, guess I was right all along!  Pa and Adam didn’t want ta get no bulls, and I did!  How about that eh?  I was right all along!’

Hop Sing slice more beef. ‘Make plenty sandwiches for lunch. Mr Ben and boys like beef.  Family eat all beef from new bulls?’

‘Nah, we couldn’t possibly eat all that!  Pa’s gonna sell some of them cows this year.  Should make lots on them too.’  Mr Hoss think more. ‘Guess I made lots of money for us eh Hop Sing? Hmmm.’ 

Mr Hoss take more apple from bowl. ‘Well I’d better get back outside Hop Sing.  Thanks for the fruit and the cookies and all the other stuff. I’m still hungry though!  When’s lunch?’

Hop Sing wave knife at Mr Hoss. ‘Lunch ready when ready. Go!’ Mr Hoss leave kitchen.

Hop Sing smile. He take half beef from plate and put in cupboard. Plenty beef cut for lunch tomorrow too.

4pm

Hop Sing ready for Number Three Son, Little Joe to come  kitchen.  Hear much yelling by father in Living Room when boy get home from school.  Always father yell at Little Joe!  He not bad boy, just silly boy.  Not think. Hop Sing tell him think, but never do. Hop Sing hit on head to make think, but never work.

Hop Sing feel sorry for Little Joe.  Very little when Missy Cartwright die, and little boy miss her lot. Hop Sing help little boy feel better. We cook and clean house together when  little boy, to keep busy. But never keep out of trouble.  No one do that.  Little boy always find trouble.  Father much angry with little boy. Many spanks on bottom.

Hop Sing not like father spank little boy on bottom. Hop Sing tell father not good for little boy. Little boy not learn from spanks. Always do same thing again. Father tell Hop Sing mind own business. Hop Sing do mind own business – Cartwright family Hop Sing own business, so mind them! Father not understand this. Hop Sing try teach him.

Little Joe always much trouble at school. Father yell today and after yelling boy come to Hop Sing in kitchen for snack. Never eat snack, but Hop Sing fix anyway. Little Joe talk Hop Sing when in trouble. Hop Sing listen when Little Joe in trouble.  Hop Sing listen Little Joe lot.

‘Hi Hop Sing! Pa said to eat something before I do my chores.’

Hop Sing give Little Joe snack and he pretend eat.  Hop Sing pretend not notice.

‘So whatcha been up to Hop Sing?’

Little Joe know what Hop Sing up to. Much cook and clean.  Hop Sing not answer. Little Joe always ask, Hop Sing not know why. Hop Sing never answer, Little Joe not know why.

‘Pa says I can’t go fishin tomorrow, so I can’t catch anything for supper again Hop Sing.’

Hop Sing shake head. ‘Boy in trouble again. Make father plenty angry. When boy learn?’

‘I can’t help it!  It wasn’t my fault this time!’

Hop Sing hit boy on side of head to make think. Not work.

‘Ow! Watch it will ya? That hurt!’

Hop Sing not care if hurt. Boy must learn be responsible. Hit again on head to be sure.

‘I told ya it wasn’t my fault! Pa won’t listen ta me either!’

Boy move away from Hop Sing hand. He look sulky.

‘It’s only dumb old homework anyway.  Can’t see that it matters whether I do it or not! I’m never gonna need ta know about all those numbers and stuff.’

Hop Sing bang pastry on bench to flatten out. Wave roller at boy. ‘You need number for many thing.’

‘Yeah like what? You’re beginning ta sound like Pa and Adam, Hop Sing! And stupid old Miss Jones. Don’t know why she keeps sending those letters ta Pa, she knows he only gets mad at me. Anyways it’s not my fault!’

‘Boy fault not do homework.’

‘I didn’t mean ta not do it. I just forgot is all. Sides, I told ya I don’t need ta know all that stuff!’

Hop Sing bang pastry again. ‘Want Little Joe go store tomorrow. Get supplies.’

‘Sure thing Hop Sing!  I’ll tell Pa ya need me ta go and he’ll send me if ya say so!”

Hop Sing push boy down on chair. ‘Sit down!’ Get pencil and paper. ‘Write list!’

‘Sure thing Hop Sing.  Watcha need?’

‘Many thing. Write down flour.’

‘Yeah flour. What else?’

‘Sugar.’

‘Yeah.’

‘Raisins. Rice. Vegetable. Fruit.’

‘Yeah, got it. That all?’

‘More thing later. Make plenty baking.’

‘How many sacks do ya need Hop Sing?’

‘Boy work out. Need much flour for week.  Hop Sing run out then Mr Ben mad with Little Joe.’

‘Well how am I supposed to know how much?’

Hop Sing hit boy on head again. ‘Work out! Much flour for week. Use 6 lbs each day. Sugar enough for two week.  Use 2 lbs each day. Raisins for cake. Enough for twelve. One bag for three cake. Rice need much. Four times in week. Half bag for meal.’

‘OK, Hang on. See if I can do it.’

Hop Sing flatten pastry more. Boy work on sum. Boy scratch head while work on sum.

‘Yeah OK. What else?’

‘Vegetable and fruit.’

‘How much?’

‘Four vegetable for dinner. Dinner for two week. Fruit for four people, three piece each for each day. Fruit for Mr Hoss, six piece for each day. Two week for whole fruit.’

Boy frown at Hop Sing. 

‘Ya trying ta make this hard for me ain’t ya Hop Sing?’

Hop Sing hit on head again. ‘Boy work out. Quick!’

‘I can’t! It’s too hard!’

Hop Sing wave roller again. ‘Then Little Joe learn number!’

‘Yeah OK!  I get ya point, there’s no need ta rub it in! I still think homework’s dumb though.’

Boy move away from Hop Sing hand.

‘Hey Hop Sing, ya reckon ya could ask Pa now about those supplies?  Cause if ya do, then he might let me off the extra chores this afternoon too.’

Hop Sing flatten pastry. ‘Hop Sing go town by self tomorrow. Change mind. Little Joe not need go.’

‘That’s not fair! How come you get ta go instead of me?’

‘Hop Sing do sums in head. Boy not do sums on paper. Need more time learn number at school before go get supplies.’

‘Thanks a lot Hop Sing! You’re no help!’

Hop Sing smile. He plenty help to Number Three Son, but Number Three Son not know it.

10pm

Hop Sing get coffee ready for Mr Ben. Always know Mr Ben want coffee when light pipe, but Mr Ben not know self. Mr Ben always wonder how Hop Sing know bring coffee. Hop Sing not tell how know, make Mr Ben wonder.

Mr Ben smoke pipe when worry about Number One Son, Number Two Son and Number Three Son.  Mr Ben smoke pipe lot. Mr Ben worry lot. Mr Ben talk Hop Sing lot at night. Hop Sing listen. 

‘Well Hop Sing it’s sure been an interesting day.’ 

Hop Sing nod.  Every day interesting day with Cartwright family.

‘Can’t understand what gets into those boys of mine sometimes though.’ 

Hop Sing nod. He not understand what get into boys sometimes too.

‘Adam is so fired up about that indoor plumbing system.  Did you hear him at supper tonight?  I don’t know where that boy gets his ideas from sometimes.’

Hop Sing shrug shoulders.  ‘I not know either Mr Ben. He sure clever boy.’

‘Yes he is.  And how about Hoss tonight?  Amazing aptitude for ranching that boy has at times.  Great idea of his to branch out with the sale of that new strain of beef we have.  Sure is shaping up to be a real smart rancher that one.’

Hop Sing nod. ‘He know plenty about animals for sure Mr Ben.’ 

‘Little Joe still has me worried though of course. I wonder if that boy will ever develop any sense. Although he did get his homework done tonight without any prompting.  That’s a start at least.’

Hop Sing hold up hands. ‘Maybe boy learn lesson.’

Mr Ben laugh. ‘Somehow I don’t think so Hop Sing!  Still, it’s a start.’  Mr Ben yawn. ‘Well I think it’s about time to turn in Hop Sing. Don’t stay up too late. Goodnight.’

‘Goodnight Mr Ben.’

Hop Sing smile. He not stay up late.  Hop Sing need wake early tomorrow.  He maybe needed by Cartwright family again.

The End