{"id":10353,"date":"2012-10-01T16:58:54","date_gmt":"2012-10-01T20:58:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=10353"},"modified":"2023-03-22T13:14:30","modified_gmt":"2023-03-22T17:14:30","slug":"confessions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=10353","title":{"rendered":"Confessions (by bahj)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>: While Ben enjoys a night out, his boys unwittingly let him in on their less than noble plans.<\/p>\n

Rated<\/strong>: Family Friendly \/ Word count<\/strong>: 1159<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Confessions<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright entered the brightly decorated town hall, his disguise keeping him from being immediately recognized. He hadn\u2019t originally planned on attending Virginia City\u2019s Halloween party. Jimmy O\u2019Donnell hosted the annual party and had been disappointed to learn he would not be able to make it, but Ben was just getting over a bad cold and Doc Martin had advised him to stay at home in front of his fireplace. Ben huffed as he remembered the doctor\u2019s words.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrink some nice hot tea and relax. That\u2019s my advice to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like any Cartwright Ben hated being sick, and he hated to miss a social event even more. After a while the idea had come to him that if he dressed very warmly and took it easy it might be okay to attend, at least for a little while.<\/p>\n

Now as he stepped into the large, brightly decorated room he was glad he had come. He was feeling a bit stiff from his ride, but his fever had stayed down, and he was ready for a drink. He chuckled to himself over his unique costume.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo Sir, Ben Cartwright. No one will even know you\u2019ve been here,\u201d he said to himself.<\/p>\n

In an effort to hide all of his extra clothing he had donned the biggest garment he had; which was an old black cloak, leftover from his army days. He found an old sack to cover his head and used shoe black to make it match the cloak then, after adding a few touches here and there, he stepped back, pleased with the final outcome. Just before he left the barn with his horse he had grabbed an old scythe to complete his ensemble.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I don\u2019t think I have to worry about getting anyone else sick. I don\u2019t think anyone will want to come near the grim reaper.\u201d He laughed once again at his cleverness and headed over to the punch table. He shivered as he looked at the cold red liquid swimming in a sea of ice and opted for some hot apple cider instead. He sipped the warm beverage slowly and was just about to move off when he recognized Adam\u2019s voice moving toward him.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy father doesn\u2019t know anything about it,\u201d twenty-two year old Adam whispered to a young girl. \u201cAfter I take the boys home tonight, I\u2019ll come back out and meet you by the lake. Those caves I was telling you about are supposed to be full of hidden treasures.\u201d<\/p>\n

The girl giggled as the couple continued to make their way toward him.<\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me,\u201d Adam said as he brushed past Ben. Ben watched, outraged as the twosome moved off to a nearby corner to continue their talk of secret adventure. He was furious, but managed to hold his temper in check for the moment. \u201cI\u2019ve told Adam a dozen times to stay away from those old caves, and if he thinks he\u2019s going to sneak off in the middle of the night, with a young woman no less, he\u2019s got another thing coming.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben continued to sip his cider until his nerves had settled somewhat. It was then that he noticed sixteen-year old Hoss talking to one of his friends. Hoss having just recently finished school, seldom had an opportunity to see his school chums anymore and Ben was glad to see the boy enjoying himself. He was about to go over and say howdy, when an idea came to him. After what he\u2019d just learned from listening to Adam\u2019s conversation he opted for a little more eavesdropping.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean you let Mr. Gregor\u2019s horses go?\u201d exclaimed Hoss\u2019s friend in amazement.<\/p>\n

\u201cShhh!\u201d Hoss motioned for his friend to keep his voice down and, looking around quickly, he noticed the figure in black standing behind him and moved off a ways.<\/p>\n

Ben had to strain to hear the rest of the conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was gonna sell them to Mr. Eingle and you know how he is, he\u2019d break the spirit right out of them horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s friend let out a low whistle as he shook his head solemnly. \u201cWhat are you gonna tell your pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing,\u201d stated Hoss emphatically. \u201cAdam always says what Pa don\u2019t know won\u2019t hurt me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBoy you Cartwrights sure do like to take chances,\u201d his friend answered in awe.<\/p>\n

Ben walked away quickly to keep himself from skinning the boy alive on the spot.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf all the dumb. . .\u201d Ben\u2019s thoughts were boiling and, taking a deep breath, he stepped outside thinking maybe some fresh air would help to settle him down. The scene that greeted him, however, caused his heart to jump into his throat. Across the street at the local mercantile was a group of young boys in the process of defacing the building. They were throwing eggs and breaking windows. Ben immediately started marching ferociously down the street, for right in the thick of the gang of boys was ten-year old Joe Cartwright.<\/p>\n

One of the boys spotted the frightening figure making its way swiftly down the street.<\/p>\n

\u201cRun!\u201d Shouted Little Joe.<\/p>\n

Ben stopped in defeat as the boys scattered in every direction and disappeared into the dark streets. He sighed and rubbed his now throbbing head. His throat once again was starting to ache and he decided to head home. He would deal with his three hoodlums later. For now bed was all he wanted.<\/p>\n

Later that night the three Cartwright brothers entered boisterously into their home and stopped short at the sight before them. In the middle of room was a frighteningly familiar figure.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is that?\u201d screamed Joe, as he ducked behind his brothers.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, didn\u2019t we see that guy at the. . .\u201d Hoss swallowed hard and looked to his older brother.<\/p>\n

Ben had left his costume hanging up where he was sure they boys would see it.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes anyone know who the guy dressed as the grim reaper tonight was?\u201d Adam asked hoping the answer was anything other than what he was thinking.<\/p>\n

He grimaced when both his brothers shook their heads.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, is that a note?\u201d asked Little Joe, pointing at the figure.<\/p>\n

Adam stepped forward and grabbed the note, then read it aloud to his brothers.<\/p>\n

Boys,
\nGo straight to bed!
\nSee you at breakfast!
\nPa<\/p>\n

It was three very solemn figures that made their way up the stairs to their separate bedrooms.<\/p>\n

Down the hall Ben listened to make sure he heard three doors close. Then sighing softly rolled over and fell fast asleep.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: While Ben enjoys a night out, his boys unwittingly let him in on their less than noble plans. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Rated: Family Friendly \/ Word count: 1159<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":3765,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[4],"tags":[14,15,17,16],"class_list":["post-10353","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-humor","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-ben","tag-hoss","tag-joe","wpcat-4-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1651,"today_views":1},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/panorama.jpg?fit=400%2C307&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":23190,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=23190","url_meta":{"origin":10353,"position":0},"title":"Cartwright Confessions (by AC1830)","author":"AC1830","date":"July 26, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Four vignettes in which the each Cartwright decides to share a hidden truth with the others. Rating - K, WC - 823\u00a0","rel":"","context":"In "Family"","block_context":{"text":"Family","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1008"},"img":{"alt_text":"joe, adam, hoss, ben","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Honor-of-Cochise.png?fit=599%2C449&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Honor-of-Cochise.png?fit=599%2C449&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Honor-of-Cochise.png?fit=599%2C449&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5454,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5454","url_meta":{"origin":10353,"position":1},"title":"Autumn’s Surprise (by deansgirl)","author":"deansgirl","date":"October 30, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Autumn is setting around the Ponderosa and with it comes a very dear and long awaited surprise.\u00a0 \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (1,180 words) Autumn Series, links to all the stories within the series are included.","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Showdown3.jpg?fit=761%2C669&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Showdown3.jpg?fit=761%2C669&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Showdown3.jpg?fit=761%2C669&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Showdown3.jpg?fit=761%2C669&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12136,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12136","url_meta":{"origin":10353,"position":2},"title":"The Rebirth of Joe Cartwright (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"August 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"DebbieB passed away Christmas 2021. Any reader wishing to read this story should e:mail the Brandsters:\u00a0 Brandsters2020@gmail.com","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/feature-2.jpg?fit=338%2C338&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6768,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6768","url_meta":{"origin":10353,"position":3},"title":"A Deadly Day (by rosecartwright)","author":"rosecartwright","date":"November 4, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe is home sick, but things go downhill for this young Cartwright. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (635 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/2-joe.jpg?fit=237%2C221&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":49277,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49277","url_meta":{"origin":10353,"position":4},"title":"The Cartwright Family (by LindaBl)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"May 22, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Synopsis:\u00a0A cute new song about the Cartwrights Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 Words:\u00a0 270","rel":"","context":"In "Family"","block_context":{"text":"Family","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1008"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5347,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5347","url_meta":{"origin":10353,"position":5},"title":"A Quartet of Limericks (by Puchi Ann)","author":"Puchi Ann","date":"May 1, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Ben Cartwright reflects on his three sons in this quartet of limerick verses. 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