{"id":10824,"date":"2004-09-29T18:15:30","date_gmt":"2004-09-29T22:15:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=10824"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:09:25","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:09:25","slug":"when-a-child-is-born","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=10824","title":{"rendered":"When a Child is Born (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>:\u00a0 Mary, two Josephs — one extremely jealous of the other, a baby waiting to be born, Christmas morning and a fight.<\/p>\n

Rating<\/strong>: K+ (3,570 words)<\/p>\n

When a Child is Born
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

A ray of hope flickers in the sky<\/em><\/p>\n

A tiny star lights up way up high.<\/em><\/p>\n

All across the land, dawns a brand new morn<\/em><\/p>\n

This comes to pass<\/em><\/p>\n

When a Child is Born.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s coming!\u201d The scream rent the silence of the room. The young woman in travail on the bed clutched the hand of the young man who hovered helplessly over her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right,\u201d Joe breathed soothingly, although he had no idea if everything was all right or not. \u201cWon\u2019t be long now, Mary.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As the contraction eased, Mary looked up at Joe Cartwright. \u201cI\u2019m sorry to get you into this, Joe,\u201d she panted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry about it,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cYou just rest before the next contraction.\u201d Joe had never in his life seen a human baby born, like most males of his generation, but he had birthed cows and horses before and just hoped the mechanics were somewhat similar, or \u2013 better yet \u2013 the midwife would arrive from town.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Turning away from the bed, Joe glanced out of the window once more. The snow was still falling steadily. He probed the bruise on his cheek gently before looking round once more. Joe had found Mary Cummings in labour in her barn when he rode in to speak to her husband \u2013 also called Joseph \u2013 about some ranch business. Helping the stricken woman into the house, Joe had then ridden back to town to fetch the doctor. On the way, Joe had met Joseph, explained about Mary and the next thing he knew, he was lying in the road with a sore face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cKeep away from my wife!\u201d Joseph shouted. \u201cThe babe ain\u2019t due fer another month! You always did fancy Mary!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t leave her!\u201d Joe shouted back, appalled. \u201cBabies come when they are ready, you know. Yours is on the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was only when Joe ducked another punch that he realised that Joseph was drunk. He slipped on the treacherous road and went down and before he could regain his feet, Joseph rode away. Brushing the snow off his pants, Joe followed Joseph until he met a small boy, whom he charged with fetching the midwife.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now, hours later, there was no sign of the woman and Joe didn\u2019t know if it was because his messenger hadn\u2019t located her, or if the snow was preventing her arrival. Either way, Joe was just beginning to realise that he was going to have to deliver this baby, whether he liked it or not!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d The gasp caught his wandering attention and he hurried back to allow Mary to grip his hand again as another contraction hit. \u201cJoe, I want to push,\u201d Mary panted, as the pain eased.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAlready?\u201d Joe gulped.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll have to look,\u201d Mary told him. \u201cBe ready. I have to push.\u201d She bit her lip as she felt the pain starting to build in her back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Steeling himself, Joe raised the covers. He was no novice with the ladies, but he had never been in this situation before and he hoped he never would be again. But the sight of the baby\u2019s head crowning drove all thoughts of embarrassment out of his head. \u201cI can see the head,\u201d he called.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A strangled scream was his only reply as Mary began to push with all her might. Sweat popped into being on her forehead and her face went puce. Then the contraction quit, and she flopped back on her pillows, panting hard. Her hands were tangled in the sheets, her knuckles white.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As the pains began to build once more, Mary cast Joe a frantic look. He responded instinctively, soothing and encouraging her as she pushed to expel the new life from her womb. With shocking suddenness, the baby\u2019s head and shoulders were expelled into Joe\u2019s waiting hands and the infant let out a loud wail.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, what is it?\u201d Mary cried.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know yet,\u201d Joe replied, half-laughing. \u201cYou\u2019ll have to push a bit more.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mary made a sound half way between a laugh and a cry and then groaned. Within a minute, the child was fully delivered and Joe was wrapping the little boy in a towel. \u201cIt\u2019s a boy,\u201d he told the new mother, reverently. Joe didn\u2019t think he had ever seen anything so wonderful.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Taking the child, still covered in blood and mucus, Mary began to cry, a smile stretching her mouth. \u201cOh, he\u2019s so beautiful,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Blinking back tears, Joe reached for the things that Mary had prepared for the birth and tied and cut the cord. He knew about that from helping animals give birth. He was rather unprepared for the after birth, but managed to contain it in the sheet covering the bed. Then, after washing his hands, he wondered what else he ought to do. Certainly, he couldn\u2019t go off and leave Mary alone.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Looking out of the window again, Joe was shocked to see that not only had the night fallen, it was almost daylight again. A sliver of light in the eastern sky told Joe that dawn wasn\u2019t far off and with another shock, he realised that it was Christmas Morning! His family would be wondering where on earth he was! He hoped they liked the gifts he had bought them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d Mary called and he turned to look the radiant young woman. Mary had always been pretty rather than beautiful, but at that moment, cradling her new-born child, she was the most beautiful woman Joe had ever seen. Her happiness shone from every pore. \u201cI just wanted to thank you, Joe,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A smile quirked Joe\u2019s mouth. \u201cDo you know what day it is?\u201d he asked. \u201cMary and Joseph and her new son. Its like the Christmas story all over again.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThis isn\u2019t a stable,\u201d Mary replied. She marvelled that she didn\u2019t feel any embarrassment in the young cowboy\u2019s presence. The miracle that they had just shared didn\u2019t allow for awkward feelings.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s where you were when I found you,\u201d Joe reminded her. He walked over to the bed and looked down on the baby. The child was quiet, looking around with unfocused eyes. \u201cHe\u2019s lovely,\u201d Joe added, huskily.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With a crash that startled the baby, the bedroom door opened and Joseph reeled in. \u201cWhat are you doing in my bedroom, ya skunk?\u201d he demanded. \u201cDidn\u2019t ya understand what I told ya last night?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d Mary admonished. She rocked the crying baby. \u201cJoe delivered our baby!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go,\u201d Joe told Mary quietly. \u201cYou and Joseph should be alone together. I\u2019ll get the midwife to come.\u201d He smiled fondly at her and walked quietly out of the bedroom, ignoring Joseph. He knew only too well that anything he said then would be the wrong thing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He was outside before Joseph caught up with him. Joe was physically tired and emotionally spent. Joseph was drunk and wouldn\u2019t usually have stood much of a chance against Joe, but he put his advantage to full use. Consumed with jealousy and feeling guilty that he hadn\u2019t taken Joe seriously the night before, Joseph took his feelings out on Joe. When he stepped back, Joe was lying bleeding on the snow.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Overwhelmed with guilt, Joseph hurried into the barn and took Cochise out of the stall where he had spent the night. Roughly, he dragged the semi-conscious Joe to his feet and threw him into the saddle. Joe clutched at the saddle horn as his horse started to move and hoped he wouldn\u2019t lose control of his stomach.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The pain came in waves and Joe\u2019s head swam dizzily. He had no idea why Joseph had been so vicious to him and his body hurt too much to allow him peace to think it through. All Joe wanted was to get home and fall into his own bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Cochise suddenly slipped and Joe\u2019s precarious balance wasn\u2019t up to the sudden movement. He fell from the saddle and the combination of the slip and Joe\u2019s fall served to frighten the usually steady horse, who took to his heels, galloping down the snowy road. Joe lifted his head enough to shout, \u201cCochise!\u201d but the horse kept going. Despairing, Joe let his head fall back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After a time, it occurred to Joe that he was cold and wet. He forced himself to sit up, groaning at the various aches that awoke as he did so. \u201cI can\u2019t stay here,\u201d he chided himself softly. \u201cGet up, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Somehow, he managed to struggle to his feet. It was only about two miles to town, but in his present condition, Joe wasn\u2019t sure he could walk two miles. But he had no other choice; he couldn\u2019t go back to Joseph and Mary\u2019s. Joe began to stagger towards town.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The clouds were leaden with unshed snow and Joe hoped that he would reach shelter before the snow started. He wondered if his family was enjoying Christmas and hoped that they might save him some Christmas lunch. Joe wished he had been there to see them opening their presents.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He stumbled and fell, sliding down a short slope into a ditch. The water at the bottom of the ditch was frozen hard and Joe cracked his head off it painfully. As the snow began to feather downwards, he lay there unmoving.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAre you ready?\u201d Ben asked and both Adam and Hoss nodded. They quickly mounted and followed Ben out of the yard.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Joe had not come home the previous evening, they had been mildly concerned, but since there had been very little snow, they assumed that Joe was just staying late in town and would be back home before morning. Ben had felt a tad uneasy as he went to bed, but he chided himself that Joe was a grown man and quite capable of taking care of himself, under normal circumstances. But when they arose the next morning and discovered that Joe had not arrived home, Ben was alarmed. A hasty breakfast was eaten before they hurried out to saddle their horses.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Riding into town, Ben wracked his brain to recall if Joe had said he was going anywhere except to Joseph Cummings\u2019 place. Joseph ran his own small ranch, but he also did some carpentering as a sideline and was making some more bunks for the bunkhouse. \u201cJoe wasn\u2019t going anywhere else, was he?\u201d Ben asked his sons.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Pa,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019 think so,\u201d Hoss added. Ben nodded. That made the area for their search smaller.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

As he woke, Joe wondered where on earth he was. He was cold \u2013 chilled to the bone and his clothes were wet. Sitting up, Joe probed his throbbing head. What was he doing out in the snow? He glanced around, and realised that he was in a ditch. Getting to his feet, Joe started the tricky climb out.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He slipped back several times, and was almost on the top of the ditch when the branch he was using broke. Joe crashed back into the ditch and banged a knee. When he rose again, the knee refused to hold his weight.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sitting on the ice and rubbing his injured leg, Joe suddenly remembered that he had delivered Mary Cummings\u2019 baby the night before. Joe had temporarily forgotten about his fight with Joseph and he thought that he had been on his way to fetch the midwife. Galvanised by the thought, Joe struggled to his feet and started to climb the ditch again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Eventually, Joe reached the road again. He was no longer cold; in fact, he was dripping with sweat. His whole body ached and Joe was forced to sit down and rest before he could begin his trek into town to fetch the midwife.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Walking was easier when he had something to hold on to, so Joe abandoned the road and headed into the trees, planning on taking a short-cut to town. He limped along, biting his lip against the pain. He was completely unprepared for the ground disappearing beneath his feet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joseph Cummings looked astounded when he answered the knock at the door and discovered Ben, Adam and Hoss standing there. For a moment, he thought they had come to settle with him for what he had done to Joe, but Ben\u2019s first words soon dispelled his fear. \u201cHave you seen Joe?\u201d Ben asked. \u201cHe didn\u2019t come home last night.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe was here last night,\u201d Joseph replied. He and Mary had had some strong words and Joseph was feeling a great deal of remorse over his actions. If not for Joe Cartwright\u2019s presence the previous night, Mary would have had to bear her child alone. Joseph was besotted with the child. \u201cHe delivered our baby,\u201d he went on hoarsely. \u201cI \u2013 I fought with him this morning, Mr Cartwright and I put him on his horse. I haven\u2019t seen him since.\u201d He looked down. \u201cI\u2019m so sorry for the way I treated Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Concerned and not quite understanding why Joseph had fought with Joe, Ben frowned. \u201cDo you know where he was going?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI thought he was going home,\u201d Joseph replied, miserably. \u201cBut he did say something about getting the midwife before he left, so perhaps he went there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll look,\u201d Ben nodded. \u201cCongratulations on the birth of your baby. What is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cA fine boy,\u201d Joseph replied, puffing his chest out proudly. \u201cI was jealous of Joe being with Mary \u2013 I didn\u2019t realise why he was there. I behaved like a complete ass.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone makes mistakes,\u201d Adam advised him. \u201cI\u2019m sure Joe will forgive you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Cartwrights hurried back to their horses and began to retrace their steps. Hoss took the lead, watching the snow for signs of tracks. He found the place where Joe had fallen and then found footprints in the snow a bit further on. \u201cI reckon that\u2019s Joe,\u201d he declared, pointing out the tracks. \u201cBut he ain\u2019t walkin\u2019 right. He\u2019s takin\u2019 a lot o\u2019 weight on one leg.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think he\u2019s hurt?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf he fell down into the ditch, he could be,\u201d Adam replied, seriously. He met Ben\u2019s eyes, which were dark with worry.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d Ben decided. Hoss set out once more.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A bit further on, they found the place where Joe had left the road. The trees were too thick to allow the horses to go in, so they tethered their mounts and continued on on foot. Ben\u2019s anxiety was mounting by the minute. It was so easy to lose your direction when walking in the trees.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCareful!\u201d Adam shouted and reached past Ben to grab the back of Hoss\u2019 coat. He was just in time to prevent his brother from tumbling into a hole in the ground.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Hoss panted. He dropped to his knees and peered past the snowy branches that partially disguised the drop. \u201cJoe!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere?\u201d Ben rushed to the edge and knelt down. \u201cJoe? Can you hear me, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In the pit, Joe lay still and silent. \u201cGet the ropes!\u201d Ben ordered and heard Adam hurrying through the trees, back towards the horses. \u201cJoe!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben continued to call to Joe while he waited for Adam\u2019s return and he was eventually rewarded with a groan. It didn\u2019t take Adam more than a few minutes to get the ropes, but it seemed like forever to the waiting father. Ben quickly tied a rope around his middle and Hoss and Adam lowered him carefully into the pit.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d Ben called, cupping Joe\u2019s cold face in his hand. \u201cCan you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Pa,\u201d Joe whispered. \u201cNeed the midwife.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNever mind that for now,\u201d Ben replied, relieved that Joe was awake and talking. \u201cAre you hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMy knee,\u201d Joe replied, miserably. Now that he was conscious again, his body had set up a chorus of misery. Ben gently felt down Joe\u2019s leg, afraid that he would find a break, but apart from the serious swelling on Joe\u2019s knee, the leg seemed intact.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Getting Joe out of the pit wasn\u2019t easy, as they had to be careful not to hurt him. The marks of Joseph\u2019s fists could be seen all too clearly and Joe was obviously tender in a great many places. But at last, it was accomplished and Joe rested on the snowy ground beside his brothers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to get Joe to a doctor,\u201d Ben whispered to Adam. \u201cWe\u2019re a horse down, too. Joe can ride with me. You go on ahead and alert Paul. Oh and Adam? Send the midwife out to the Cummings place.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, Pa,\u201d Adam agreed. \u201cLook, Hoss and I will carry Joe to the horses, then I\u2019ll go. We need to get him out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nodding, Ben helped Joe to his feet and Hoss and Adam linked hands, providing Joe with a seat. It was awkward, but easier than one or other of them trying to carry Joe to the road. Both men were panting and tired when they reached the road. \u201cJoe, you aren\u2019t getting any lighter,\u201d Adam panted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJust be glad\u2026 I ain\u2019t Hoss,\u201d Joe replied. His head ached and he felt a bit queasy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are ya tryin\u2019 ta say, little brother?\u201d Hoss demanded, trying to sound aggrieved. \u201cAre ya sayin\u2019 I\u2019m fat?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re fatter\u2026 than me,\u201d Joe responded, breathlessly. He was pleased to hear Hoss laugh. His brother wasn\u2019t touchy about his weight at all.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe was soon settled on the front of Ben\u2019s saddle and Adam quickly mounted Sport and headed off into town. He wanted to race there, but the road was treacherous and Adam wanted to arrive with both himself and his mount in good condition. They had several nasty slips, but Sport managed to keep his feet and Adam kept his voice calm and they arrived in town all in one piece.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The doctor was in and after Adam had briefed him, he quickly headed over to the midwife\u2019s house. She got him to help her harness her buggy and set off to see Mary Cummings. Adam knew that the first few days after giving birth held all sorts of dangers for the mother and he was relieved that Mary would have professional help.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As he went back to Paul Martin\u2019s surgery, Adam suddenly realised that Mary and Joseph had just had a son on Christmas Day. He couldn\u2019t help but smile. He was sure that this would be one special child. He was still smiling over it as he helped Joe down from Ben\u2019s horse and he mentioned it to Joe, hoping to bring a smile to his brother\u2019s wan face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Joe smiled. \u201cAnd I was like Joseph in the bible \u2013 a participant, when the child was not mine.\u201d He sighed. \u201cI wonder if that Joseph in Bethlehem felt a bit left out?\u201d he mused. \u201cIt was wonderful to see the baby born,\u201d he continued, as he was half-carried into the surgery. \u201cBut it isn\u2019t my baby and I felt a bit strange afterwards, but I felt an immediate connection with the child.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWho can say?\u201d Ben replied, but it was an idea he remembered and thought about deeply later on.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBadly sprained knee,\u201d Paul Martin pronounced. \u201cLots of cuts and bruises, but essentially, Joe is fine. Take him home, give him a good meal and put him to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

That seemed like the best news Ben had ever had. As they helped Joe out to the horses, Roy Coffee came up and he had Cochise with him. \u201cFound him on the outskirts of town,\u201d Roy explained. \u201cI was jist about ta come out an\u2019 tell ya when I saw yer horses here.\u201d He looked at Joe. \u201cYa all right, Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d Joe replied. He took his horse\u2019s rein and patted the mole-soft nose.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat Joseph Cummings is down at ma jailhouse right now,\u201d Roy continued. \u201cHe says he beat ya up, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDoes he?\u201d Joe replied. \u201cIt was a misunderstanding, Roy. Send him home to his wife.\u201d Ben had told Joe how much Joseph had regretted his actions earlier.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe ain\u2019t a model citizen,\u201d Roy huffed. \u201cMight do him some good ta spend a night or two in the cells.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt might,\u201d Joe allowed. \u201cBut I think becoming a father might do him much more good. Let him go, Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat was a nice thing you just did,\u201d Ben told Joe proudly as they watched Roy leave.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shrugged, looking embarrassed. \u201cI don\u2019t much like Joseph,\u201d he admitted. \u201cBut I like Mary and she loves him. So he can\u2019t be all bad, Pa. And now they have a very special baby. I don\u2019t think we have to worry about Joseph any more.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Looking up, Joe discovered that it was growing dark. Christmas Day was almost over. \u201cHey, Merry Christmas,\u201d he said. \u201cDid you like the gifts?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t open any,\u201d Adam laughed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you weren\u2019t there,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cNo gift could ever replace you, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Moved to sudden tears, Joe blinked and looked away. A single star glimmered in the twilight sky. \u201cLet\u2019s go home,\u201d he suggested, huskily.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A ray of hope flickers in the sky<\/em><\/p>\n

A tiny star lights up way up high.<\/em><\/p>\n

All across the land, dawns a brand new morn<\/em><\/p>\n

This comes to pass<\/em><\/p>\n

When a Child is Born.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 Mary, two Josephs — one extremely jealous of the other, a baby waiting to be born, Christmas morning and a fight.<\/p>\n

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