{"id":10699,"date":"2015-03-31T09:32:24","date_gmt":"2015-03-31T13:32:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=10699"},"modified":"2025-02-18T19:10:54","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T00:10:54","slug":"does-clemmie-get-her-man","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=10699","title":{"rendered":"Does Clemmie Get Her Man? (by Krystyna)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>:\u00a0 Are the rumours and newspaper reports circulating among Virginia City’s citizens concerning Ben and Clementine Hawkins true?\u00a0 Or, might there be something more sinister afoot?<\/p>\n

Rating<\/strong>:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (5,400 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

DOES CLEMMIE GET HER MAN?<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

“…and to all of you, good night!”<\/p>\n

The door closed upon the speaker leaving the three men standing in the big room in attitudes that related to the news that their visitor had given them before his rather abrupt departure.<\/p>\n

Ben cleared his throat and then looked at his younger sons with his dark eyes narrowed and his lips compressed tightly together \u201cWell, have either of you anything to say?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head \u201cNo, Pa, nothing comes to mind just now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben fixed his eyes upon Hoss \u201cAnd you? You\u2019ve been struck dumb as well I take it?\u201d
\n\u201cShucks, no Pa, jest ain\u2019t got nothing to say is all.\u201d Hoss replied anxious to dispel any idea from his father\u2019s mind that he was dumb in any sense whatsoever. His blue eyes turned to his brother \u201cYou sure you don\u2019t know nothing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just said I didn\u2019t, didn\u2019t I?\u201d Joe hissed giving his brother a warning glare.<\/p>\n

Ben rubbed the back of his neck and stared down at the floor, he pursed his lips in a familiar pout which gave his sons a little niggle of anxiety knowing from experience that their fathers face indicated he was giving the matter serious thought which often led to his arriving at the correct conclusions.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, perhaps you should wait until Adam gets back from town, he may have heard more about what\u2019s been going on.\u201d Joe suggested and edged back towards the settee in order to sit down, somehow he felt safer sitting.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure he will, Joseph.\u201d Ben replied looking up now and staring deeply into Joe\u2019s hazel eyes, \u201cI\u2019m sure he will,\u201d he repeated thoughtfully, \u201cBut what concerns me is why Roy rode out here tonight to inform us, officially, about the incident.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt isn\u2019t an incident, Pa.\u201d Joe said, stressing the word \u2018isn\u2019t\u2019, \u201cIt was just something that\u2019s happened in town and – er – Roy just thought would interest us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would anything concerning Clementine Hawkins interest us\u2026\u201d Ben growled with his eyes swivelling from one son to the other.<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy may have thought it would interest you more than us, Pa.\u201d Joe replied earnestly but sweetening the comment with a smile<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that\u2019s true, Pa. After all you and Widder Hawkins are good friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReal good friends,\u201d Joe murmured with a broader smile and easing himself into the cushions on the settee<\/p>\n

Ben opened his mouth, closed it again and growled something beneath his breath. He was making his way to his chair, stroking his chin and thinking over what his sons had said when the sound of footsteps were heard on the boards of the porch, the door was pushed open and Adam stepped into the room.<\/p>\n

He paused as the three other men turned to stare at him rather – he thought – significantly. Slowly he removed his hat and put it on the peg, then began to unbuckle his gunbelt. \u201cI – er – just saw Roy heading back to town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been here,\u201d Ben growled.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d Adam released his breath and looked at Joe and then at Hoss, \u201cSo you know then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKnow what?\u201d Ben narrowed his eyes again, \u201cKnow what?\u201d he repeated.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe news \u2026 about Widow Hawkins \u2026 and you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben immediately turned to Joe, then Hoss \u201cNo, he didn\u2019t say anything about me\u2026just told me that there was a rumour about town that Widow Hawkins \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes?\u201d Adam prompted, looking thoughtfully at Joe who had slowly reddened in the face<\/p>\n

\u201cA rumour that Widow Hawkins was moving out of town to get married.\u201d Ben hissed, \u201cRoy wanted to know if we knew anything about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh!\u201d Adam stared at Ben for a moment and then shook his head \u201cOh\u201d he said again and cleared his throat \u201cDidn\u2019t he say anything else?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe just asked your brothers if they knew anything about it. When they denied any knowledge he just looked at me – rather – suspiciously I may add – and left.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u201d Adam said for the third time and shook his head, \u201cWell, there\u2019s a mystery.\u201d he added and took his chair by the fire. He looked at Ben \u201cThere\u2019s notices all over town about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat you and Widow Hawkins are getting married. From all accounts she\u2019s busy packing and ready to move to the Ponderosa – as your wife.\u201d<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Adam strolled nonchalantly over to the blue chair and sat down, stretched out his legs and then looked from Joe to Hoss with a bemused expression on his face and his eyebrows raised as though he were asking them for an explanation. His younger brothers could only hang their heads and survey their boots glumly while Ben stared at his eldest son as though he couldn\u2019t really comprehend what had been said. Eventually he coughed, shook his head and asked Adam to repeat himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, as I just said, Widow Hawkins is under the impression you and she are getting married and she\u2019s packing right now to come to the Ponderosa.\u201d Adam leaned further back against the chair and laced his fingers together in his lap. He looked totally relaxed and amused, his dark eyes slid ominously back to his brothers \u201cOf course, I expect Roy came here to make sure it was just a joke.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d Ben said slowly remembering how hastily Roy had left with that \u2018\u201d\u2026and a good night to all\u201d before slamming the door. \u201cI don\u2019t really know what Roy came here for, he \u2026 he wasn\u2019t very explicit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHo-hum,\u201d Adam sighed and raised his arms above his head and stretched, \u201cI\u2019m sure you\u2019ll soon find out, so will he.\u201d he smiled at his brothers \u201cSo will you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we didn\u2019t do nothing.\u201d Hoss protested.<\/p>\n

Ben said nothing but groped blindly for his pipe, glanced up and over at Adam who was shaking his head with a sorrowful expression on his face \u201cYou’ll have to stop that, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStop what?\u201d Ben said as he struck a match<\/p>\n

\u201cStop smoking. One thing Clemmie can\u2019t abide is pipe smoke.\u201d Adam sighed,<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Pa.\u201d he stood up and walked over to Ben whereupon he placed a consoling hand on his father\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t be serious?\u201d Ben spluttered, but Adam only shrugged and shook his head in commiseration. \u201cNow look here,\u201d Ben slung the match away (it had burnt his fingers anyway) and stood up \u201cThis has gone far enough \u2026 Joseph! Hoss! Explain yourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has nothing to do with us, Pa. I promise you.\u201d Joe said standing up himself in order to confront his father face to face.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing at all, Pa. Honest.\u201d Hoss nodded to add emphasis to the statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen someone \u2026\u201d Ben paused, shook his head and looked at Adam \u201cAre you sure about this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy came here, didn\u2019t he? He may not have been sure about all the facts, but \u2026\u201d Adam sighed melodramatically, \u201cWell, as I\u2019m only the portender of sad news, I think I\u2019ll bide you all good night.\u201d he cleared his throat and turned, raised a hand in mock farewell and strode over to the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait.\u201d Ben commanded, which caused Adam to stop immediately and turn to confront his father who was standing in front of the fire waving his pipe back and forth \u201cSomething isn\u2019t right about this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI presume not,\u201d his eldest son replied in his best manner of speaking \u201cUnless you have been holding out on us and intended to marry the Widow Hawkins without telling us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor heavens sake,\u201d Ben spluttered \u201cThe very idea\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think wedding invitations are being handed out as we speak\u2026.\u201d Adam sighed with a hand resting gently upon his chest and his eyes raised to the ceiling in imitation of his idea of a theatrical Romeo.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, wait a bit\u2026\u201d Hoss stepped forward with a hand raised \u201cSomething here smells doggone fishy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded \u201cThat’s what I\u2019ve been saying all along, brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe bowed his head \u201cLook, it wasn\u2019t meant to go this far \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Three pairs of eyes swivelled towards the hapless youth who cringed slightly but held his ground stalwartly. \u201cIt was like this\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on,\u201d Ben prompted his chest swelling with indignation and his face purpling while veins stood out on his temples \u201cGo on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, go on, Joe, you know confession is good for the soul.\u201d Adam said in his sweetest but most evil tones.<\/p>\n

\u201cI kinda got a little drunk the other night\u2026\u201d Joe paused and glanced over at Hoss as though for help, but Hoss was having none of that, he just shook his head and looked affronted.<\/p>\n

Joe licked his lips that had gone suddenly dry \u201cI got a bit drunk, just a little, and Mitch suggested that we got Pa .. I mean \u2026 we were talking about how long you had been widowed, Pa, and Mitch thought it was only fitting that we did something about it. You know? Kind of helped you out. We were only thinking of you, Pa. Truly we were\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHeigh ho,\u201d Adam sighed and rolled his eyes while Hoss sunk down upon the blue chair that Adam had vacated and shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were going to put in an advertisement with Aunt Mame\u2019s Agony Column .. But then Jake \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJake?\u201d roared Ben so loudly that Hop Sing came running form the kitchen \u201cYou call? Bread not baked yet?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cJake Hollings from the Box G \u2026\u201d stammered Joe, \u201cHe suggested that there were plenty of widows in town to choose from .. So Pete\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPete? Not Pete Dobley?\u201d Hoss groaned.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he was there \u2026 kinda\u2026\u201d Joe sighed<\/p>\n

\u201cOh Lordy,\u201d Adam shook his head \u201cHow many others were in on this little scheme of yours, brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, there was Charley from the Box G, and Henry Miller from\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEnough..\u201d Ben yelled, \u201cThat\u2019s enough\u2026 I\u2019ve never heard\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

It was at that moment that the door was thrown open, a hat box rolled its way into the room and then a carpet bag and then Clementine Hawkins stepped in, looked around the room \u201cCoooeeeee, Benny \u2026 I\u2019ve arrived.\u201d<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

For a moment there was a stunned silence as all five men stared open mouthed and round eyed at the flamboyant figure of the widow who stood with a beaming smile on her powdered face and her false eyelashes batting up and down like demented spiders. Hop Sing did a very impromptu disappearing trick back into the safety of the kitchen while only a very faintly whispered \u201cOh ye gods\u2026\u201d drifted from Ben\u2019s lips.<\/p>\n

Adam was first to recover, with a resolute look on his face and his shoulders squared he approached the widow, and took her hand \u201cWell, good evening , Mrs Hawkins, how – pleasant – to have your company. Do you intend to be staying long?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clemmie primmed up her lips and simpered, \u201cAw duckie, don\u2019t mind me, I shan\u2019t stay longer than I need to, after all, it\u2019s up to Benny really ain\u2019t it, ducky? Now that we\u2019re engaged like, and we need to make all the necessary plans, don\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n

She did a neat back flip with one foot and sent the door slamming shut behind her, then with a satisfied smile she entered the room and approached Ben, resting a fond hand upon his arm, \u201c\u2019Course, I knows \u2018ow shy yer \u2018ave always bin, me ducks, so won\u2019t rush you, although everyone in town is fair delighted at the news.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe \u2026 the news?\u201d Ben stammered and dropped his pipe which shattered at the widow\u2019s feet. She looked down and shook her head,<\/p>\n

\u201cAw now, ain\u2019t that a bloomin\u2019 shame. Never mind, mucky dirty things is pipes, never could abide them. My \u2018Arry used to say they stunt yer growth and he was a B-I-G strong man \u2026 much like you, Hoss luvvie.\u201d and she strolled over to Hoss and slipped her arm through his and batted her eyelashes at him causing the poor man to blush red to the roots of what hair he had left and gulping as though he had swallowed a whole fish in one mouthful. She squeezed his bicep and sighed \u201cCor lumme, ducks, you so remind me of my \u2018Arry, if\u2019n I wasn\u2019t already spoken for I\u2019d \u2026well, guess it don\u2019t do to go chasing them kind of dreams now that my Benny wants to marry me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClemmie\u2026\u201d Ben stammered, \u201cThere\u2019s something you need to know \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

She sighed and shook her head so that the feathers on her hat fluttered furiously and some drifted off to float into the room, \u201cNow then, my sweet heart, I think it\u2019s time we \u2018ad ourselves a little private time together, so\u2019s we can talk.\u201d she looked at the three brothers and smiled a bright red lipped smile \u201cNow,, orf you go, duckies, off to bed with yer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s alright,\u201d Ben cried as he clutched at Hoss as he passed him by \u201cThere\u2019s no need, Mrs Hawkins and I really have nothing to speak about, in private, that is\u2026\u201d his voice trailed away as the widow gave him a rather fierce look.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean by that, Benny dear? Of course there\u2019s a lot we have to discuss. I mean, I knows how it\u2019s a bit odd having the wedding announcement put in the Territorial Enterprise before you actually asked me personally but I ain\u2019t minding that, a proposal is a proposal\u2026ain\u2019t that right, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam coughed, swallowed hard and nodded \u201cYes, I guess so, ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cS\u2019right, see. Ben dear, you ain\u2019t gonna go shy on me now, are ya?\u201d she smiled coyly up at him and batted her eyelashes a little more, \u201cSweetie pie?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes widened so much that he began to see double and had to blink to get things back into focus, he turned to Adam and whispered \u201cSweetie pie?\u201d in disbelief while Hoss was going all shades of red from deep crimson to pale pink from embarrassment for his poor father.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs Hawkins\u2026\u201d Ben said very sternly as though he realised that if he didn\u2019t speak up now all would be lost, or rather, he would be, he looked the widow bravely in the eye \u201cMrs Hawkins, I really don\u2019t know what this is all about, I promise you that the proposal about which you speak , was not put into the newspaper by myself.\u201d he paused and heaved in a deep breath while Clemmie stepped back, her hand on her heart (well, approximately, it was hard to locate beneath all her ribbons and furbelows), \u201cBelieve me, madam, if I intended marriage I would not place my intentions in the newspaper, I\u2019d ask face to face \u2026 as a gentleman should.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWal, I did think it odd that you didn\u2019t see me first, but got the impression that \u2026\u201d she pulled a tiny lace trimmed square of cambric from her sleeve and dabbed at her eyes which were now brimming with tears \u201cI thought for sure, Benny, that you meant it sincerely even if it were a bit queer like.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry to disappoint you, Clemmie, but \u2026\u201d Ben paused as the widow gave a groan, clutched at her chest and staggered slightly into his arms, \u201cAre you alright? Clemmie?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s me heart, ducky\u2026 just sit me down \u2026 some brandy if you would be so kind \u2026 my ticker \u2018as never been very strong not since them two con men tried to do me out of the Burma Rarity that time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe and Hoss both rushed to get the decanter of brandy colliding into one another somewhere between the table and the liquor cupboard, there was a rattle of glass for a moment or two, as one grabbed at the decanter and the other managed to find the tumbler into which the brandy could be poured. For some reason Adam began to make strange choking sounds from where he was standing and hurried gasping and clutching at his throat, into the kitchen for water \u2026or so he said.<\/p>\n

Clemmie took the brandy and drank it down in one gulp, then dabbed at her eyes and began to sob loudly, \u201cI just don\u2019t understand, duckie, I just don\u2019t understand.\u201d she lamented drowning out by her bawling any comments or statements or explanations that Ben tried to make .<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I – I didn\u2019t mean this to happen.\u201d Joe whispered to his father while Clemmie blew her nose and continued to wail \u201cWe were only joshing about it in the saloon, I didn\u2019t put anything in the paper , honest to goodness I didn\u2019t. you can ask Hoss if you like..\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep me out of this, Joe.\u201d Hoss cried desperately<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you got me out of the saloon before anything happened. You remember? You said I needed sobering up so took me to Jamie\u2019s for coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShucks so I did too.\u201d Hoss frowned, \u201cMust\u2019ve been one of those other fella\u2019s that did it, mean minded some of \u2018em are\u2026 unless\u2026\u201d he turned to Ben \u201cYou didn\u2019t, did you, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben was prevented from saying a word by Clemmie sobbing aloud \u201cI need to get to my bed, I really do\u2026 before I faint \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben winced and took hold of the widow\u2019s hand, patted it gently \u201cThere, there, my dear, you\u2019re a long way from your bed, I\u2019m afraid. Do you think you could hold off from fainting until I get one of my men to take you home?\u201d<\/p>\n

The silence that followed that remark was – as they say in books – deafening, although there were some strange choking sounds coming from the kitchen \u2026.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Clemmie gave a heart rending sob that sent Hoss hurrying to refill the glass with brandy which he then attempted to thrust into her hand, but she waved him away imperiously and shook her head with such vigour that a feather floated onto the floor and one of her eyelashes went along with it. Joe gave a gurgle of hysteria as he struggled to restrain himself from breaking out into giggles which were quelled by a dark glare from his father \u201cDon\u2019t you dare\u2026.\u201d Ben hissed but Joe was incorrigible and put up his hand like a school boy in class \u201cPlease sir, I need go to the out house\u2026.\u201d he gasped holding his stomach with his free hand in an effort to restrain himself.<\/p>\n

Clemmie gave another wail and stood up, she regally cast a moist eyed glare at one and all , put her hand to her throat and shook her head \u201cI never thought I\u2019d live to see the day, Ben Cartwright, when you would act so cruel. I never thought you\u2019d break a promise\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, I never made any promise\u2026\u201d Ben almost howled and then grabbed Joe by the collar as he noticed his youngest son trying to sneak out of the room \u201cJoseph, I want a full explanation\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I told you already \u2026 it wasn\u2019t me that did it \u2026 it wasn\u2019t truly it wasn\u2019t \u2026\u201d Joe turned to Clemmie who was blowing her nose loudly and looking for her lost eyelash \u201cMrs Hawkins, I\u2019m sorry, really I am, but it wasn\u2019t Pa\u2019s fault, he knew nothing about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout what?\u201d Clementine Hawkins demanded, her eyes now dry and as hard as two marbles.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe notice in the newspaper. Pa didn\u2019t put it in there. He didn\u2019t know anything about it. I promise you. He\u2019s innocent.\u201d he spread out his hands as though pleading for his father\u2019s life to be spared from the gallows, his blinked his eyes in t he way he knew young ladies loved so much, he puckered his mouth in t he way he knew the girls thought so romantic but it had no effect on softening Clemmie.<\/p>\n

\u201cInnocent? He didn\u2019t want to marry me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben closed his eyes for a moment, pinched the bridge of his nose in a manner reminiscent of his eldest son, and then opened them to look at the affronted widow who was looking from one to another of the three men standing in front of her \u201cClemmie, I already explained that I didn\u2019t want \u2026 I mean .. I never intended , had no knowledge of that announcement in the Territorial Enterprise. When I see Dan de Quille tomorrow I\u2019ll – I\u2019ll wring his neck for printing such balderdash.!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss gulped and looked at Joe who shivered and wriggled himself free from Ben\u2019s grip, \u201cPa, Dan didn\u2019t know anything about it, I – I mean -\u201d<\/p>\n

Clementine Hawkins shook her head and stuffed her handkerchief into her ample cleavage before giving a loud sniff \u201cWell, if that\u2018s how you bring up your sons, Ben Cartwright, I want none of it. You call yourself a good father. Where\u2019s my things, I\u2019m going, I\u2019m not staying here no longer. Gord luv us, my \u2018Arry would be turning in \u2018is grave if a son of \u2018is acted like that to a poor defenceless widow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss stepped forward quickly with the hat box in one hand and carpet bag in the other \u201cHere y\u2019are, Ma\u2019am, I\u2019m real right sorry about all this\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed and shook his head \u201cLook, Clemmie, you can\u2019t go home like this, I\u2019ll get one of my men \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Adams voice came from the dining room area and he strode forward manfully \u201cNo, Pa, you can\u2019t send Mrs Hawkins home at this time of night, alone.. I mean\u2026 without a proper escort.\u201d he drew in a deep breath \u201cI\u2019ll take her into town.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss looked at his eldest brother in admiration, he always knew that beneath that granite headed exterior beat a soft sentimental heart and he beamed a smile upon Adam who answered it with a \u2018sweet\u2019 smile of his own. Joe blinked and licked his lips, narrowed his eyes and shook his head which Adam noticed and gave a slight shrug in reply \u201cOne has to know where one\u2019s duty lies.\u201d he said with a sigh.<\/p>\n

Ben echoed the sigh with one of his own and nodded \u201cThank you, son.\u201d he turned to Clemmie who had now reached the door \u201cI\u2019m so sorry, Clemmie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClementine \u2026 better still ..Widow Hawkins to you, and to this \u2018ere lot as well.\u201d she raised her chin, her nose in the air and waited for Adam to put on his hat, buckle up his gun belt and then take the carpet bag while Hoss opened the door, \u201cAnd to all a good night.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss frowned, wondering where he had heard that before. Ben stared at the door as it closed and Joe bit his bottom lip with his head hung low, deep in thought.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing peered into the room \u201cIs widow lady gone?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, she\u2019s gone.\u201d Hoss said with a sigh and slumped down on the settee \u201cShe sure was put out weren\u2019t she, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe had a right to be,\u201d Ben said quietly and then turned to Joe \u201cAs for you, Joe, I\u2019ve never felt so ashamed of any of you as I did this evening. You insulted that poor woman, you insulted me \u2026 you ingrate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh Pa!\u201d Joe winced, \u2018ingrate\u2019 indeed? \u201cPa I told you already it wasn\u2019t me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, explain why you know that Dan deQuille knew nothing about that announcement being printed in the paper?\u201d Ben thrust out his jaw and put his hands on his hips in a manner that indicated to his sons that he meant business.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t \u2026 did I say that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded \u201cYeah, you did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d Joe shook his head, looked frantically from right to left \u201cPa, it wasn\u2019t meant to hurt anyone. Like I said, we were just talking in the saloon about you being a single guy for so long and perhaps now was a good time to think about getting married again \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cTo Clementine Hawkins?\u201d Ben bellowed so loudly that Hop Sing promptly returned to his kitchen and began to brew up strong coffee<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, when we drew up the list there weren\u2019t that many women in your age group that kinda fitted.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFitted!!\u201d Ben roared<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I didn\u2019t put it in the newspaper, I just suggested that it would be funny if it was put in there and we had a laugh about it and then I – I -\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s when I found him, Pa, and hauled him to Jamie\u2019s for coffee.\u201d Hoss frowned \u201cThey were laughing fit to bust. I betcha one of them put it in the paper.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I bet they did, Pa. It wasn\u2019t me.\u201d Joe said and licked his lips \u201cHonest.\u201d
\nBen shook his head and then scratched it for good measure, he narrowed his eyes \u201cTomorrow we\u2019ll go into town and you will buy Mrs Hawkins some flowers, some candy, some anything that you think would please her, and then you will take your self to her home and ask her to forgive you. Is that understood?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir.\u201d Joe whispered meekly and turned away slowly, paused \u201cPa, I don\u2019t suppose you\u2019ve any loose change on you, have you? Only I – er – already spent all my monthly allowance and -\u201d<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Conclusion\u2026..<\/p>\n

Adam assisted Clemmie into the wagon in total silence and with a stern look on his face. He glanced rather hastily over at the door to check that they were departing without a parental wave of the hand to see them off and then walked to his side of the wagon seat. He flicked the reins and the horses made their way from the yard with their customary dignity, once beyond the stables and corral he flicked the reins and set them into a faster gait.<\/p>\n

Clemmie sat beside him with her hat box clutched against her ample bosom, the feathers in her hat wavered in the breeze created by the motion of the wagon.<\/p>\n

Neither spoke nor moved for some while but it was Adam who broke the silence when he broke into unrestrained laughter which was soon echoed by Clemmie herself who had to pull out her handkerchief again to wipe tears from her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cClemmie\u2026I mean\u2026 Mrs Hawkins, I never knew you were such a fine actress.\u201d Adam gasped eventually, quite breathless from laughing so heartily.<\/p>\n

\u201cBlimey, ducks, I was on the stage performing from the minute I could toddle on me own two feet. My gaffer was a music hall act from years back, that\u2019s where I met my \u2018Arry.\u201d she wiped her eyes and giggled a little bit more before sobering down, \u201cWell, I think I fair shook \u2018em all up, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou certainly did, yes, you certainly did.\u201d Adam smirked and winked at her rather boldly, \u201cA grand performance, Ma\u2019am, one I don\u2019t think any of us will forget in a hurry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill you let your Pa in on our little joke, duckie?\u201d she asked rather saucily slipping her arm through his and leaning against his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, he already knows. Roy slipped him a note before he left.\u201d Adam gave another laugh, \u201cGood old Roy, he was looking forward to having a rant at Pa and being able to get away with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

They quietened down a little now and for a while were quiet although Clemmie still dabbed at her eyes every so often. The sounds of the wheels upon the hard baked ground and the jingle of harness, the horses breathing were the only sounds audible for some while before Adam sighed \u201cWell, I hope it teaches Joe a lesson.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think it will?\u201d Clemmie raised her eyebrows doubtfully, \u201cI\u2019ve known Joe for some years now and whenever I think he\u2019s gone just that bit too far with his shenangagins he bounces back and is up to his neck in something new.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMmm, perhaps you\u2019re right.\u201d the laughter had gone now replaced with some concern on the young man\u2019s face \u201cBut I really wanted him to realise that there are times when the consequences of his actions can cause serious harm or hurt to others. He was drunk, I give him that, but at the same time his idea of fun was at someone else\u2019s expense, yours and my Pa\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you overheard him in the saloon, why didn\u2019t you stop him then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, he would have dismissed it as big brother interference,\u201d Adam sighed \u201cThen Hoss came in anyway.\u201d he flicked the reins again as the horses had slowed a little, \u201cAnd it wouldn\u2019t have been as much fun, would it?\u201d he grinned again, \u201cI couldn\u2019t stop from laughing, considering that Pa knew what was going on I can\u2019t believe he managed to keep a straight face. Poor Hoss, he was scared witless.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill you tell Hoss?\u201d Clemmie asked beginning now to feel rather tired from the nights events and the brandy.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I daresay I will.\u201d Adam grinned<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe. Perhaps.\u201d Adam laughed again, wondering how long he could spin it out and make the wretched boy suffer.<\/p>\n

He thought back to the night in the saloon when he had overheard Joe and his friends drawing up the list of \u2018favourites\u2019 for Ben’s hand in marriage. Their laughter, their rather smutty innuendo\u2019s, had annoyed him but when the suggestion went as far as inserting the announcement of the impending marriage between Ben and Widow Hawkins he had began to get angry. Had Hoss not entered the saloon and dragged Joe out it was more than probable that Adam would have gone in and shouted the odds about being kind and thoughtful and such , but he lost the opportunity and had time to mull over the situation instead.<\/p>\n

Joe was always up for fun, so it seemed logical to Adam to turn the tables and have a little fun at his expense for once. He had had a sharp word with the other men, all of whom were more than a little merry but sobered up enough to apologise and confess that it was a rather stupid idea although meant kindly.
\nHe continued on the ride to town listening to Clemmie telling him about her music hall act, how she met \u2018Arry, and the life they had led together until his death \u201cWeren\u2019t able to unlock the padlock, bless \u2018im, and he was in that sack down in the River Thames he was, struggling away, bless \u2018im and I waited and waited for \u2018im to come up to the surface like usual.\u201d<\/p>\n

But the time Adam left Clementime Hawkins at her front door and declined an invitation to partake of sarsparilla tea the poor widow was in tears again, lamenting about her dear \u2018Arry and how he had drowned trying to escape from countless chains and padlocks far away in London town.<\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026..<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright sat by the fire and puffed furiously on his pipe while he thought over and over the events of the evening. He couldn\u2019t believe that his youngest son could have committed such a folly as to have a wedding announcement printed in the newspaper, and to have Clemmie Hawkins in his own house expecting to be wed and Roy Coffee coming and bawling them all out for heartlessness\u2026.smoke billowed from his pipe at such a furious rate that Hop Sing, bringing in their last drinks for the day, was quite alarmed. \u201cYou smoke. Make too much smoke. Not good, not good at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben growled something beneath his breath and scowled while Hoss sighed and shook his head . Upstairs they could hear Joe pacing the floor which caused Ben to mutter even more. As Hop Sing poured out the coffee his eyes fell upon a scrap of paper by the door upon which he swooped and looked at with some curiosity.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that, Hop Sing?\u201d Hoss asked in a rather subdued voice, he was still rather \u2018shaky\u2019 from the goings on with Clemmie\u2019s visit.<\/p>\n

\u201cPaper on floor. Look like Mr Adam\u2019s writing.\u201d he handed it to Ben who opened it slowly and read the scrawled note several times before he gave a snort and tossed it into the fire.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s it say, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben went slightly red in the face, narrowed his eyes and seemed to swell up before Hoss\u2019 eyes \u201cYour brother!!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe? What\u2019s he done this time?\u201d Hoss groaned and shook his head<\/p>\n

\u201cNot Joe! Your brother Adam!! Putting me through that – that – fiasco \u201c he waved his arms in the air and then smacked one fist into the palm of his other hand. \u201cJust wait until he gets home.!\u201d<\/p>\n

~The End<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tags:\u00a0 Adam Cartwright,\u00a0Ben Cartwright,\u00a0Clementine Hawkins,\u00a0Hoss Cartwright,\u00a0Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 Are the rumours and newspaper reports circulating among Virginia City’s citizens concerning Ben and Clementine Hawkins true?\u00a0 Or, might there be something more sinister afoot?<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (5,400 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":145,"featured_media":10624,"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":[23,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10699","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-humor","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-4-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1089,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/brothers.jpg?fit=296%2C226&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":30962,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=30962","url_meta":{"origin":10699,"position":0},"title":"Pranked! (by AC1830)","author":"AC1830","date":"November 6, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: A night full of fun and pranks, but who has the last laugh? 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