{"id":11404,"date":"2015-07-16T00:07:26","date_gmt":"2015-07-16T04:07:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=11404"},"modified":"2026-08-10T14:28:53","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T18:28:53","slug":"if-not-for-aura-lee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=11404","title":{"rendered":"If Not for Aura Lee (by BluewindFarm)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>:\u00a0 What happened after Jean was taken into custody, and Julia\u2019s window went dark.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T (for mild cursing and references to adult themes) (11,940 words)<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Note:<\/strong>\u00a0 I’ve taken artistic license with the facts from history to create this What Happened Next for the Julia Bulette Story.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If Not For Aura Lee<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Sacramento town hall was resplendent as the guests of Captain and Mrs. Matthew Chastain arrived.\u00a0 The entire event had been organized to ensure the evening rivaled the finest of galas; from New Orleans all the way up to The Hamptons.\u00a0 It was a celebration for their only son\u2019s scheduled departure for admission to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and eventually his taking the oath of a commissioned officer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen!\u00a0 Ben Cartwright!\u201d Matthew declared from where he sat, he looked up to his wife with a broad smile.\u00a0 \u201cOlivia, he made it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWas there any doubt?\u201d Olivia lovingly placed a delicate hand on her husband\u2019s shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNever, but even you heard the gossip of Virginia City.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Small and petite, she was just as much a force to be reckoned with as her husband, and gave little pause for those who spread rumors and innuendos. \u00a0Her dark blonde hair swept up to frame her tanned face.\u00a0 Her gown was as elegant as the night promised to be.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMatt!\u201d Ben greeted in return, taking long strides before extending his hand to his long-time friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSurely, this can\u2019t be Adam,\u201d Matthew declared readjusting his glasses as he looked to the young man following his old friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo sir, I\u2019m not Adam.\u00a0 I\u2019m Joe.\u201d\u00a0 He bowed in greeting to their hosts.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph?\u00a0 Marie\u2019s boy?\u201d Olivia inquired.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat can\u2019t be!\u00a0 Last I remember you were,\u201d her hands indicated a very small child, \u201cand wearing dresses.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe gritted his teeth while smiling, there was nothing he could to do to hide the blush that crept into his cheeks.\u00a0 Ben had the grace to turn and cough in an effort to cover the humor at his son\u2019s expense.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeen a long time since little brother\u2019s done that ma\u2019am.\u00a0 Now he just chases them.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss arrived to stand behind his brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben quietly warned, \u201cHoss,\u201d with a critical eye and voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEric?\u201d Olivia\u2019s hand raised to her mouth, trying to hide her mirth; her voice contained warmth\u00a0 realizing this was Ben\u2019s middle son.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss ma\u2019am, just Hoss.\u201d\u00a0 He gave her his best gap-toothed grin.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCaptain, Mrs. Chastain,\u201d greeted Adam as he joined his family.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, where have all the years gone?\u201d Oliva extended both hands, which Adam graciously accepted.\u00a0 Leaning forward, he kissed the woman’s cheek.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou look as lovely as you did the last time I saw you in Boston.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLiar,\u201d Olivia replied with a blush.<\/span><\/p>\n

No one took offense when the Captain failed to stand upon their arrival.\u00a0 Everyone knew it had been a miracle he survived the storm.\u00a0 Not a man among his crew had been lost when the gale blew for two days and unmercifully battered their ship.\u00a0 At the height of the storm practically every man wished to be consigned to the watery depths, just to be done with their suffering.\u00a0 When the skies had finally cleared, the only casualty had been the Captain\u2019s use of his legs.\u00a0 A man of the sea all his life, he could have turned bitter, but with his wife and his family at his side, they ensured he continued to live his life to the fullest.\u00a0 Much as Abel Stoddard had done so many years before.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd speaking of children growing up,\u201d Ben added, \u201cI can\u2019t believe that William is of age for college.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s put it off for a number of years in order to help the family. \u00a0But it\u2019s time he followed his own dreams.\u00a0 See for yourself Benjamin.\u00a0 He\u2019s over there by the punch bowl, the blonde with the young red-headed lass resting her hand on his arm,\u201d Matthew answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what of Constance?\u201d Adam inquired.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s helping the ladies auxiliary keep the tables filled.\u00a0 She\u2019s just recently returned from Miss Abernathy\u2019s Academy for Young Women in San Francisco.\u00a0 She has hopes of taking additional studies to become a nurse.\u00a0 If there was one good thing that came from my condition, it focused my daughter\u2019s desire to help others.\u00a0 She could very well have become the likes of some of her friends who sit on committees and talk of helping or holding bakes sales and such to raise funds.\u00a0 No, Constance wants to truly help by taking a job in the medical field.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Beyond the tables with punch and desserts, sat the musicians; their instruments softly resonated through the hall.\u00a0 The small group sat within the curve of the grand piano, while the guests mingled and chatted amongst themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

The joyous evening progressed to their last musical set.\u00a0 As one, violins were raised.\u00a0 A gentle nod of head bore silent instructions before the first bow slid across the strings.\u00a0 With piano accompaniment, the Viennese Waltz floated through the air, and a pair of dancers took to the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thank your boy for asking my permission to dance<\/strong> with my wife.\u00a0 I know how much she misses dancing, what with me stuck in this rolling chair.\u201d\u00a0 Matt\u2019s voice was absent of bitterness, only longing that he wished it were he on the floor with his wife.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright smiled as his eldest son escorted Olivia Chastain around the floor.\u00a0 Her white satin gown with a brocade bodice offered a contrasting elegance to Adam\u2019s black suit.\u00a0 So well the two blended together, no one noticed the difference in their ages.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam was raised with good manners, Matt.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t inferring that.\u00a0 I know there was no other way your boys could have turned out.\u00a0 I remember your commanding the cabin boys on Abel\u2019s ships.\u00a0 No, many a time we come to such events and men treat me as if I\u2019m not here.\u00a0 It hurts Ben.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The attention of those within the meeting hall slowly shifted to the couple on the floor.\u00a0 His left hand held her right hand gently aloft and to the side.\u00a0 His other hand rested softly on her waist, while her\u2019s held his elbow, with a delicately sculpted fan dangling from a wrist strap.\u00a0 With grace born of ability they moved in mirror of each other.\u00a0 Stately steps crossed the floor, changing with ease as the music segued; adding the flourish of a twirl before resuming their gait.<\/span><\/p>\n

The second stanza inspired another couple to the dance floor, and finally a third.\u00a0 All three couples appeared oblivious to the attention they drew to themselves, imaginations understood they danced for the sheer joy of their movements.\u00a0 No one else moved; fearing disruption to the beauty of the moment.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the strains of the last refrain faded, those watching gently clapped as gracious curtsies were offered in response to the courteous bows of their partner.\u00a0 It was only between the first couple where a slight kiss was on a gloved hand was proffered, sparking a hint of blush to the woman\u2019s glowing face.\u00a0 He turned at the hand on his shoulder, nodded and accepted the change of her dance partner.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mother and son were the only ones to dance during the final song of the evening.\u00a0 Many kerchiefs dabbed faces as tears fell in sheer joy of the sight.\u00a0 William returned his mother to his father\u2019s side, leaving the guests haunted while the final notes of Aura Lee still echoed through the night.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cWilliam, I want you to take this with you.\u201d\u00a0 Olivia pulled a ring off her right hand.\u00a0 \u201cThis belonged to my mother, and someday, when you find your true love \u2013 I hope she\u2019ll accept this ring from you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Captain smiled as his son accepted the gift.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMother, thank you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Silently, one guest turned away from the loving words; his own memories over shadowing the moment.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

A quiet Joe Cartwright followed his family up the sweeping grand staircase of the hotel to their rooms.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBright and early boys,\u201d Ben stated, unlocking the door to the room which he and Adam would share.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShore nuff, Pa,\u201d answered Hoss from across the hall before closing the door behind him and Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

~B~O~N~A~N~Z~A~
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

After finishing breakfast, Adam and Joe had bid goodbye to their family as they separated into pairs. \u00a0Plans were for Ben and Hoss to stay in Sacramento to negotiate with representatives from the U.S. Army on a cattle contract.\u00a0 Adam and Joe were on their way to Grass Valley, California, twenty miles northeast of town, to bid on a new lumber contract with Empire Mining.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cYou\u2019ve been mighty quiet since last night Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The brothers settled for the night, lounging on their bedrolls. They had taken it easy with the horses they had rented from the livery in Sacramento.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo?\u201d Joe softly responded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe way you danced with the young Chastain girl, I just thought you\u2019d do nothing but chat up a storm while we rode.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sheepishly he admitted, \u201cI didn\u2019t know who she was at first.\u00a0 I just saw her gazing out at you and Mrs. Chastain.\u00a0 I\u2019d seen her working the tables all night and thought she might enjoy a dance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The crackling of their fire accompanied the crickets and other animals of the night.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Captain said she\u2019d just returned home from one of the finest ladies\u2019 academies.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJealous there older brother?\u201d came the teased response from behind the coffee cup he\u2019d raised to his lips.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, actually I was impressed.\u00a0 Where\u2026 How did you learn to dance like that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe lowered his hands and the cup to his lap, his eyes softened as he looked beyond the fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLotta.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me?\u201d Adam sat forward having struggled to hear his brother\u2019s response.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Lotta Crabtree.\u00a0 You might have thought me a child Adam, and maybe she did too.\u00a0 But that night, I felt so grown up.\u00a0 Even though she was hired by Alpheus Troy to kidnap me as a threat to Pa\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou knew that and still stayed with her?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure I knew.\u00a0 Why else would a woman like her be interested in someone my age?\u00a0 Wasn\u2019t that what you and Pa were worried about?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, we were, but we didn\u2019t know that you knew.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t born yesterday.\u00a0 I know I can act immature at times, but I do have a brain in my head.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo you\u2019re proving.\u201d\u00a0 Adam smiled, hoping his brother would accept the statement as the compliment he intended.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know she couldn\u2019t go through with it.\u201d\u00a0 Joe leaned towards the campfire to refill his coffee cup.\u00a0 \u201cShe kind of let the cat out of the bag earlier in the evening; she pushed me from her room, out the window no less. \u00a0Later, I remember, just the two of us\u2026 dancing as if we were at a cot\u2026 co\u2026.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCotillion,\u201d Adam answered to which Joe nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sipping from his own cup, Adam remembered the night they searched Virginia City for the youngest member of the family; finding themselves always one step behind, while the worry and the anger grew.\u00a0 Adam also remembered his own moments with Miss Crabtree; especially the last one, after finding Joe and before he rejoined his family for the ride home.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes what?\u201d Adam drew back to the present.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes, I think I remember dancing with Mama.\u00a0 I know that\u2019s silly and maybe even childish.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo Joe.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think it\u2019s silly or childish.\u00a0 Your mother was a beautiful dancer and she loved dancing while holding you.\u00a0 Why, when she and Pa took to the dance floor, all others stopped to watch.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJulia once compared me to Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam sputtered his coffee.\u00a0 \u201cShe what?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know she knew Pa, but I guess I should have.\u00a0 She taught me how to feel the music, Adam.\u00a0 Not just the movements.\u201d\u00a0 Joe sipped from his coffee cup.\u00a0 \u201cDuring the epidemic, there were times we were so tired, yet neither of us could sleep.\u00a0 The images of those who died wouldn\u2019t leave us alone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Unsure what to say, if anything, Adam waited for his brother to continue.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOne night, we hummed and we\u2019d dance; just to forget all the pain and the suffering.\u00a0 She transported me to another time, another place.\u00a0 We lived Adam, God we lived.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He fought back tears that welled in his eyes, \u201cFor what?\u00a0 Introducing us?\u00a0 Forget it.\u00a0 I went into Julia\u2019s Palace on my own.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m sorry she died.\u00a0 Sometimes it\u2019s hard to understand that age doesn\u2019t always matter when two people fall in love.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry that we only saw what we wanted to see.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAn older woman taking advantage of a boy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSomething like that.\u00a0 But we were also aware that Jean Millain counted her as a possession.\u201d\u00a0 Wanting to change the conversation, but hoping to learn more about his little brother, \u201cThe two of you shocked the Hell out of town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat wasn\u2019t our intention, not in the beginning.\u00a0 We were comfortable together, and it made me mad when others looked down at her.\u00a0 She was a wonderful woman\u2026\u00a0 I loved her.\u00a0 Wish others understood that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa understands,\u201d whispered Adam; keeping to himself the words their father spoke after a miserable Little Joe walked from Julia\u2019s Palace that last night.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018After Joe proposed, she told me,<\/em> \u2018Having faith in no one carries a special kind of security.\u2019\u00a0 She said she\u2019d never forgive me for destroying her illusion.\u00a0 Adam, before Joe came up\u2026 she told me she was going to give me back my son<\/em>.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why he organized this little trip?\u201d Joe worked hard to suppress\u00a0the bitterness from lacing his word.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you\u2019ve known for some time that we had these two contracts to negotiate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sitting up and forward, turning serious, Joe looked at his brother.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, even though you may not believe it, I do read the Territorial Enterprise.\u00a0 When I was living at Julia\u2019s, I saw the articles that Dan deQuille wrote for the newspaper<\/strong>.\u00a0 He knew exactly what he was doing.\u00a0\u00a0 What he wrote was meant to stir the pot.\u00a0 A turn of the word here, a different word there.\u00a0 What he wrote wasn\u2019t anything like how it really was.\u00a0 He followed us anywhere he thought he could.\u00a0 I know money changed hands in the saloon for fodder he could spin into another story.\u00a0 So much that was printed was never verified as the truth; I can\u2019t believe you of all people couldn\u2019t read between the lines to know he was only doing it to embarrass Pa.\u00a0 Every week, our friends<\/em> stood outside the print shop trying to be the first to buy the latest edition so they could wag their tongues and make themselves more than what they were.\u00a0 So, yes, I understand why Pa scheduled this trip for the four<\/em> of us.\u00a0 He wanted to get me out of town in hopes by the time we returned all the gossip would have died.\u00a0 Died and been forgotten, just like Julia.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not true.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t it?\u00a0 Disgraceful, immoral, indecent\u2026\u00a0 Those were just some of the words the blue-blooded ladies of Virginia City called us to our faces.\u00a0 God Adam, when it was just the two of us alone.\u201d\u00a0 Joe\u2019s memory briefly slipped back to happier times.\u00a0 \u201cI understand how embarrassing it must have been for the great Ben Cartwright to hear the righteous go on and on about his hotheaded and scandalous son.\u00a0 How could he ever set foot in church again?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut then the epidemic struck, and afterwards, Pa got his precious reputation back.\u00a0 The town hailed him<\/em> a hero.\u00a0 Nothing changed, not a damn thing.\u201d\u00a0 Joe tossed out the last of his coffee.\u00a0 \u201cIf only I hadn\u2019t come home that night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam recognized the regret in his brother\u2019s voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d gaining his brother\u2019s attention, \u201cyou\u2019re his youngest son.\u00a0 He was worried for you.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want to see you hurt.\u00a0 He was there when Hoss and I brought you home after that fight.\u00a0 We all knew Millain\u2019s reputation. \u00a0Pa didn\u2019t want to lose you. He begged you to come home because he knew word of your proposal would get back to Millain.\u00a0 He wanted you to be where we could protect you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo instead, Julia was left without anyone to protect her.\u00a0 I never should have left her alone.\u00a0 I should have stayed in town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if you had, we would probably have buried you too.\u00a0 You know you had no chance in winning a fight against Millain.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo you say.\u201d\u00a0 Ruefully Joe shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cFunny, how even in her death, deQuille couldn\u2019t find anything decent to write about her.\u00a0 And now there won\u2019t even be a murder trial.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know about that?\u201d\u00a0 The fact his brother knew, surprised Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know.\u00a0 How could I not? \u00a0What with everyone in town shutting up and staring when I enter a room.\u00a0 I knew I\u2019d never get the truth from you or Pa, and I didn\u2019t want to push Hoss to go against Pa; so I asked Dan.\u00a0 He showed me the article he had just finished writing.\u00a0 Under bold headlines, \u2018Millain Extradited to New Orleans\u2019; he quoted Roy on how Millain was being returned to face a murder charge from some years back.\u00a0 Seems he was involved in the death of one of their more prominent citizens.\u00a0 Don\u2019t you think that\u2019s a better headline than reading the mundane words about a trial for a murdered whore?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, don\u2019t…\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u00a0 It\u2019s the truth!\u00a0 That\u2019s what those busy bodies called her.\u00a0 Not a one of them knew her.\u00a0 Gossip mongers.\u201d\u00a0 Weeks of bitter anger welled and came out with heavy sarcasm and tears. \u00a0\u201cFair and factual.\u00a0 The Enterprise portrays both sides of the story evenly to allow the reader to decide on their own.\u201d\u00a0 Floundering in his emotions, and like water on a burning match, Joe\u2019s fight vanished.\u00a0 \u201cJust drop it Adam.\u00a0 It\u2019s over and done with.\u00a0 Nothing will bring Julia back.\u00a0 After everything; turns out it didn\u2019t mean a damn thing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, she made you happy,\u201d Adam offered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cForget it,\u201d Joe lay down and pulled the bedroll over his shoulders. \u00a0Aura Lea played in his mind alongside images that would never be; his wedding ring slipped onto Julia\u2019s hand.\u00a0 Tears streamed from closed eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

~B~O~N~A~N~Z~A~<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Sheriff Brandt nervously waited outside the meeting room; he\u2019d attempted to deliver the dispatch earlier in the morning only to be denied access to any of the attendees by a young army lieutenant.<\/span><\/p>\n

The heavy wooden double doors opened, allowing the participants to stream from within.\u00a0 Unsure which man in civilian clothes was his quarry, Brandt shouted to be heard above the discussions, \u201cBen Cartwright!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The hallway quieted with everyone\u2019s attention focusing on the lawman.<\/span><\/p>\n

Offering his apology to a colonel, Ben made his way through the sea of uniforms, followed by his son.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Ben Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve a telegram for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben exchanged a perplexed look with his Hoss, both knowing it highly unusual for a law officer to deliver a telegram.\u00a0 He opened the envelope and pulled out the slip of paper.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright
\nc\/o The Palace Hotel
\nSacramento, California<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Jean Millain escaped deputies. \/stop
\nLittle Joe in danger.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \/stop
\nKnows you\u2019re in Sacramento.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \/stop<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Roy Coffee
\nSheriff, Virginia City<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you\u2019re just now bringing this to me?\u201d demanded the angry father having seen the time received noted in the upper right hand corner.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI tried to deliver it shortly after it arrived; however, them young pups with stripes barred my way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYer a lawman, ya shoulda pushed past them,\u201d retorted Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot with them pointing their rifles at me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTrouble Ben?\u201d Colonel George Asbury overheard part of the conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, an escaped murdered has threatened my youngest son and your junior officers prevented the sheriff from delivering this message.\u201d\u00a0 Ben pulled a watch from his vest pocket; over nine hours had lapsed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen, our negotiations are all but concluded.\u00a0 You do what you need.\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry, the Ponderosa has earned the contract.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, George.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Without looking back, Ben and Hoss forgot all about the evening\u2019s celebratory dinner.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe ain\u2019t gonna get very far Pa,\u201d Hoss stated as they stopped in the hallway for Ben to unlock the door to the room they now shared.\u00a0 \u201cBe dark in an hour or so.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t just sit here and do nothing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe can send a wire to Adam and make all the necessary arrangements tonight.\u00a0 We can leave first thin\u2019 in the mornin\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

~B~O~N~A~N~Z~A~<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Adam woke to the smell of coffee, surprised his youngest brother had woke before him.\u00a0 \u201cMorning Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKid\u2019s still asleep.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Fluidly a revolver appeared from a holster beside the upturned saddle, aimed in the general direction of the voice by the camp fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhoa\u2026 Easy there.\u201d \u00a0William Chastain stopped mid-rise with coffee pot and cup in hand, his arms slightly out to his side.\u00a0 He looked over his shoulder as a second weapon cocked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay Joe.\u00a0 You can go back to sleep.\u201d\u00a0 Adam ruefully shook his head, uncocking his weapon and returning it to his holster.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKind of hard to do with my heart pounding,\u201d Joe answered mid-yawn, slipping his gun to its leather sheath beside his bedroll.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour heart pounding?\u00a0 You\u2019re not the one with two weapons being pointed at you.\u201d\u00a0 William sat heavily and exhaled deeply, coffee pot and cup set back to the rocks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNext time, announce yourself,\u201d Adam suggested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou two were sound asleep.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing out here?\u201d Joe asked, having crawled to the fire and helped himself to the coffee pot; handing one filled cup to his brother before filling one for himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWanted one last adventure before heading off to Annapolis.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou could have said something before we left your party the other night.\u201d\u00a0 No one missed the agitation in Adam\u2019s voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I should have, but it was a spur of the moment decision.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s so adventurous about heading out to negotiate a lumber contract?\u201d Joe asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot having to deal with my mother crying because I\u2019m going to be on the other side of the country.\u00a0 She\u2019s scheduling every minute of my life lately.\u00a0 I love my mother, but she\u2019s smothering me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t plan on their being three of us,\u201d Adam pulled out fixing for breakfast.\u00a0 \u201cBreakfast might be a little on the slim side.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust be thankful you came with Joe.\u00a0 If you\u2019d been traveling with Hoss, I\u2019d of had to bring a packhorse.\u201d\u00a0 William walked to where his horse was tethered and removed a burlap sack tied to his saddle horn.\u00a0 \u201cBreakfast, gentlemen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

An hour later, with their campsite cleared, the three riders continued on to Grass Valley.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The three sat in the saloon; the conclusion of the lumber negotiations set the tone for a night of revelry.\u00a0 Two of the ladies in the saloon sauntered over, trying to entice them upstairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGhosts and spooks, Joe.\u00a0 It\u2019s just your imagination,\u201d William teased, while holding a half drank mug of beer up as if in toast, his other arm wrapped around the waist of the pretty redhead who decided to stay.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rolling his eyes, \u201cI tell you something\u2019s not right.\u201d\u00a0 Joe sat forward, both hands surrounded the still full glass in front of him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat it is then?\u201d Adam set an empty mug back to the tabletop.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u00a0 Feels like someone\u2019s walking over my grave.\u201d\u00a0 Joe looked around the room before involuntarily shivering.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow you\u2019re sounding like Hoss, only he\u2019d be complaining about his corns.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou just had to go a ruin the moment by bringing up his stinky feet.\u201d\u00a0 Joe waved his hand, side to side, in front of his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSeriously Joe, what\u2019s wrong?\u201d Adam inquired.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before Joe could answer, the three turned their attention to the two men entering the room, one being the Sheriff.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s him, over there with them two others.\u00a0 Claimed he was Adam Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The man who pointed stood smaller than Joe.\u00a0 His close cropped hair didn\u2019t lessen the deep auburn color that matched the red freckles sprinkled across his face.\u00a0 The lawman impressively stood close to six foot, three with long, wavy brown hair and a handlebar mustache more popular in Texas than California.\u00a0 The two men made their way to the Cartwrights\u2019 table.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sitting back, Joe watched Adam stand and greet the lawman.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Adam Cartwright.\u00a0 What seems to be the trouble, Sheriff?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Speaking to the gal on William\u2019s lap, \u201cLouisa, would you mind stepping to the bar?\u201d\u00a0 He waited until the lady was away before answering. \u201cI\u2019m Sheriff Bridgier.\u00a0 You got anything to back that up?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can.\u00a0 He\u2019s my brother.\u201d\u00a0 Joe stood, eyes focused on the smaller man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have credentials.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTake a good look at \u2018em sheriff, they\u2019re probably forged.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFred, would ya let me do my job.\u201d\u00a0 Turning back to Adam, \u201cI\u2019m sorry, but Fred here said you were the second person claiming to be Adam Cartwright today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not claiming, I am.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Fred rudely stated, \u201cSo said the other gent.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat other gent?\u201d\u00a0 Adam turned his attention from the lawman to the smaller man standing to his side, finally recognizing him as the telegrapher from earlier in the day.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe man who came for the wire earlier this morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat wire?\u201d insisted Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s confidential information.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you gave\u2026\u201d Joe insolently stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, let me handle this, please.\u201d\u00a0 Adam pulled his credentials from the pocket of his jacket hanging from the back of the chair from where he had previously sat.\u00a0 \u201cIf you require additional proof of my identity, I suggest you speak with Gordon McKinley and Horace Goodall, we just finished concluding a lumber contract this afternoon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean,\u201d gulped the telegrapher.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI Am Adam Cartwright.\u201d\u00a0 Adam cocked his head and crossed his arms.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Mr. Cartwright, but I had to investigate Fred\u2019s complaint,\u201d the sheriff answered.\u00a0 \u201cFred I suggest you return to your office and send Mr. Cartwright\u2019s wire.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou refrained from sending my wire?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026 I couldn\u2019t in good conscious…\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you couldn\u2019t,\u201d with obvious sarcasm.\u00a0 \u201cBut you gave a wire specifically addressed to me to a stranger.\u00a0 What did it say?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t exactly know.\u00a0 It came in last night and was already in the envelope when I came on duty this morning.\u00a0 Then you showed up asking\u2026 I mean, another fella showed up asking for\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how much proof did you request from him before handing over the telegram?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, it was probably your father wishing you good luck with the negotiations,\u201d offered William.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe, but I\u2019m going to follow Fred<\/em> back to his office to ensure he sends the wire for which I already paid.\u201d\u00a0 Tossing a few coins to the table, \u201cI\u2019ll be back in a little while.\u00a0 You two finish your beers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s late Adam, I think I\u2019ll head back to the hotel,\u201d commented Joe while trying to stifle a yawn.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure you\u2019re okay?\u201d Adam asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, just tired.\u00a0 That nag I rode to get here and riding a chair for the past two days makes me appreciate Cochise all the more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think I\u2019m going to stay here a little longer and enjoy being out from under the watchful eyes of my parents.\u201d\u00a0 William nodded to the red head who waited at the bar.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about that little gal you were with at the dance?\u201d Joe squeaked out.\u00a0 He saw the red head whisper to the brunette who had been watching the proceedings as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA friend of the family who wanted more than anything to be more than a friend.\u201d\u00a0 Tossing a few coins to where Adam\u2019s coins had landed, he stated, \u201cI\u2019ll see you two in the morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

~B~O~N~A~N~Z~A~<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright, you\u2019ll need your room key,\u201d called the front desk clerk, halting an aggravated Adam on the second step of the staircase.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s okay.\u00a0 Joe should be upstairs already, I\u2019ll just knock.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid your brother hasn\u2019t returned to the hotel yet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Adam exhaled heavily; on top of the telegrapher not being able to reproduce the wire, now he had to track down his errant brother.\u00a0 \u201cWilliam probably convinced him\u2026 No, I\u2019m sure the brunette had something to do with his staying at the saloon.\u201d\u00a0 Pulling on his jacket, Adam turned and exited the building.<\/span><\/p>\n

~B~O~N~A~N~Z~A~<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Returning from a full day spent searching for Joe, they left their mounts in the livery. \u00a0On their way to the hotel, Adam pulled William into the entryway of the millinary store.\u00a0 \u201cJoe was right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight about what?\u201d\u00a0 He tried to follow the direction in which Adam looked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe had a right to feel unsettled last night.\u00a0 He\u2019s supposed to be under arrest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho?\u00a0 What?\u201d William voiced his confusion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s Jean Millain.\u00a0 Hoss and I were on the posse that brought him in.\u00a0 He\u2019s supposed to be on his way to New Orleans to stand trial.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen what\u2019s he doing here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNothing good.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure it\u2019s no coincidence he\u2019s here and Joe\u2019s disappeared.\u00a0 Listen, I want you to go to the telegraph office and send a wire to Roy Coffee in Virginia City.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo problem, but\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll also need to stop by and let Sheriff Bridgier know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTell him what?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI told you, Millain\u2019s supposed to be under arrest for murder.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMurder?\u201d William squeaked out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGet going.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to follow him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For fifteen minutes Adam waited in the shadows for Millain to exit the saloon.\u00a0 And when he did, he began to follow.<\/span><\/p>\n

Millain slipped into an alley not two minutes later, leaving Adam to wonder if he\u2019d given away his presence.\u00a0 His concern was short lived at spying a man leading two horses towards the livery.\u00a0 There was only one man he knew who wore that style of hat and was that large.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hurriedly, Adam crossed to the other side of the street, keeping to the shadows until he reached his middle brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Slipping into the livery unobserved, Adam called out in a loud whisper, \u201cHoss, about time you got here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss jumped at hearing his brother\u2019s voice so close behind, \u201cAdam, don\u2019t scare me like that?\u00a0 What do you mean it\u2019s about time I got here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t you get my wire?\u201d a perplexed Adam asked, \u201cI watched Fred send the wire myself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa and I sent a wire tellin\u2019 you we was on our way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t receive your wire.\u00a0 Hoss, let\u2019s get these horses taken care of.\u00a0 We need to get back to Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Ten minutes after arriving in their father\u2019s hotel room, Adam finished explaining everything he knew since Joe disappeared.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMillain has to have him,\u201d Ben voiced.\u00a0 \u201cBut why?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, don\u2019tcha remember he was the one\u2026\u00a0 Miss Julia and all.\u00a0 He pounded Joe but good that time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know that.\u00a0 What I want to know is why he came after Joe?\u00a0 Why didn\u2019t he head to Mexico or San Francisco?\u00a0 He could easily have disappeared or caught a ship to Europe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, he might have kidnapped Joe hoping to ransom him back so he\u2019d have money enough to escape the law.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam might be right Pa.\u00a0 We did find all Miss Julia\u2019s diamonds and emeralds when the posse caught up with him.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t have a lot of money, if I remember.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf that were the case, where\u2019s the demand?\u00a0 Joe\u2019s been missing for over twenty-four hours.\u00a0 Hop Sing would have had one of the hands take anything like that to Roy.\u00a0 And there\u2019s been no note left for Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A knock on the door interrupted any response.\u00a0 William and the sheriff stood the other side of the doorway.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Sheriff Bridgier knew the night would be short after leaving the lobby of the hotel.\u00a0 It was well after midnight.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stopping in front of the telegraph office, he pounded on the door.\u00a0 \u201cFRED!\u00a0 WAKE UP!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

An hour later, he\u2019d read the responses to the wires he\u2019d sent and asked, \u2018Why my town?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

~B~O~N~A~N~Z~A~<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

He never fully understood why that little voice kept whispering, persisting that he look over his shoulder, but he did.\u00a0 Automatically his hand went to his holster as his revolver slipped from its sheath.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThought I was on my way to New Orleans, eh kid?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMillain.\u201d Joe faced the man, \u00a0having been pulled into the recesses of an alley.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cocking the weapon\u2019s hammer into position, Jean pointed it at his rival.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re coming with me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if I don\u2019t?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can always shoot you, right here and now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think you\u2019re that stupid.\u00a0 But then you beat up a defenseless woman in her own living quarters.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTrue.\u00a0 Only, it wasn\u2019t nearly as much fun as the beating I gave you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe stiffened at the mention of that encounter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHave to give it to you kid, you sure are a stubborn cuss.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou haven\u2019t begun to see how stubborn I can be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou think you\u2019re man enough to take me on, again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe refrained from answering; his eyes glanced around, hoping to see Adam come from the telegraph office.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think that brother of yours will be coming to your rescue, this time.\u00a0 So, do you want to get even with me for what I did to that bitch?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Anger flared, Joe\u2019s left fist clinched, and came up swinging.\u00a0 The barrel of his own weapon pressed hard against the flesh under his jaw froze his movement instantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll get your time.\u00a0 But not now.\u00a0 Move.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe turned, and with the revolver jammed into his back, he proceeded to walk where directed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

They had avoided heading to the livery to collect his rented horse.\u00a0 Instead, Jean forced Joe to the back side of a warehouse where his own horse was tethered.\u00a0 With the gun still on his opponent, he pulled the coiled rope<\/strong> from the saddle horn.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHope those boots are made for walking.\u201d\u00a0 Slipping Joe\u2019s revolver into his waistband, \u201cDon\u2019t think of taking a swing on me.\u00a0 I bested you once and I have no doubt I can do it again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Deftly, he looped the rope around Joe\u2019s torso before binding his hands together in front of him.\u00a0 Snaking out the rest of the lariat, he mounted and dallied the other end to the saddle.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go, kid.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With the horse encouraged to trot, Joe felt the quick tug that propelled him to run to keep up.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Winded and exhausted, Joe was thankful when Millain reined his horse to a walk.\u00a0 His chest heaved, trying hard to draw in enough breath to satisfy his burning lungs.\u00a0 They continued on into the night for another two hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

Clouds drifted in front of the moon, darkening the landscape and obscuring clumps of dried grass or large rocks from the one on foot.\u00a0 He tried his best to keep up and not let the man know his strength was failing.\u00a0 Millain felt the tug of dead weight and looked back; for the next one hundred yards his horse pulled his prey.\u00a0 Exasperated, he halted and dismounted.\u00a0 In disgust, he loosed a kick flipping his victim over.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThought you westerners were tougher than this,\u201d he teased while squatting down.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSee\u2026 how you\u2026 man\u2026age\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019ll manage just fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Standing once more, Millain looked around.\u00a0 A copse of trees and a pooling brook looked promising to make camp until the sun rose.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGet up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jerked to his feet, Joe walked like a drunken sailor.\u00a0 Having collapsed to the ground once more, Millain securely tied him to a tree.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t go anywhere while I sleep.\u201d\u00a0 He laughed.\u00a0 \u201cSleep tight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe mumbled, keeping to himself, \u2018Like I can go anywhere trussed up like one of Hop Sing\u2019s turkeys.\u2019<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Finding it impossible to sleep with the bark pressing into his back and the discomfort of his arms; Joe worked the rope, hoping to break free.\u00a0 Across his shoulders and above his biceps burned in consequence to his repetitive actions as he worked the rope up and down, and from side to side.\u00a0 In a way he was glad to be bound by rope, he\u2019d heard tales of men bound by rawhide and the damage inflicted as it shriveled.\u00a0 The twisted fibers gave the rope its strength, yet it was the cords that offered its weakness; eventually it would snap apart, once each strand was frayed enough.<\/span><\/p>\n

A tinge of pink painted the eastern sky when Joe felt the first strand give way.\u00a0 Encouraged to work harder, he ignored the aches and pains as he strove to free himself from the tarred hemp.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spontaneously he cried out as the last strand broke and his arms swung forward; he stared towards his captor praying for him not to have heard.\u00a0 With dawn\u2019s early light, he grimaced at the bloody mess of his wrists.\u00a0 The sleeves covering his forearms were tattered and threadbare from his efforts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cautiously he knelt, looking again to where Millain slept, hoping beyond hope to get to the horse and away.\u00a0 Before moving, he formulated a plan; the horse was still bridled and tied to a tree branch.\u00a0 Crouched low, he jogged across the ground; foregoing the saddle, he left it where it lie.\u00a0 His plan hinged on saving time in order to make his escape.<\/span><\/p>\n

Focused and so close to his goal, Joe didn\u2019t realize he wasn\u2019t going to make it.\u00a0 Before he could reach for the reins, pain and darkness, crumpled him to the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTold you not to go anywhere.\u201d\u00a0 The grapefruit-sized object in his hand bore testament to the severity of the blow.\u00a0 Millain tossed the blood-stained rock to the ground before kneeling.\u00a0 \u201cHey kid.\u201d\u00a0 He jostled Joe\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 No sound or movement answered.\u00a0 Rolling his victim onto his back, he watched for any rise and fall of the boy\u2019s chest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo long kid.\u00a0 One down, one more to go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

An explosion<\/strong> of lights obscured his vision as Joe woke.\u00a0 Shafts of pain lanced through his head letting him know that sitting up was not a good idea.\u00a0 In vain, he gave up what little effort he had made in his attempt.\u00a0 Images of an earlier, not so painful display of lights played in his mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d six-year old Little Joe asked, looking at the object Hop Sing held in his hands.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis firework.\u00a0 Chinese celebrate Lunar New Year.\u00a0 Lit\u2019le Joe stand back.\u00a0 Hop Sing do this.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy cain\u2019t I help ya?\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause honorable fatha be mad if you get hurt.\u00a0 You promise stay there?\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI promise.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Bundled against the February weather, Joe watched Hop Sing walk into the middle of the yard between the house and barn.\u00a0 Moments later, the Oriental man carefully ran through the snow to where his charge waited.\u00a0 As he turned, the projectile flew high.\u00a0 Joe jumped at the loud bang.\u00a0 With childlike delight he raced around as white sparkles illuminated the black sky, popping and fizzling before darkness reclaimed the night.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s world once again turned as dark as that night.<\/span><\/p>\n

~B~O~N~A~N~Z~A~<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter, Pa?\u201d Hoss entered the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought your brother was coming around.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShortshanks is wakin\u2019 up?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d\u00a0 Ben relaxed back into the chair where he had sat vigil for the past twenty four hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m gonna go see if I can help Father Anthony with anythin\u2019.\u00a0 You gonna come Adam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The eldest Cartwright son shook his head and continued to sit the other side of the bed from his father.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

An hour later, the mission<\/strong> priest brought fresh water.\u00a0 Acknowledging the worried family, he checked on his patient before leaving the room.\u00a0 Ben followed the cleric.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re very thankful for all you\u2019ve done, Father Anthony.\u201d\u00a0 Ben closed the door to the room in which Adam kept watch over an unconscious Little Joe.\u00a0 The worried father had failed to realize how long it had been since night had fallen as he watched their host retrieve a lantern from one of the hallway tables.<\/span><\/p>\n

Their pace was slow and deliberate; as such, the man\u2019s sandaled feet avoided tripping over the uneven flagstone tiles that lined the hallway.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was the children.\u00a0 They were the ones who found your son.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut you were the one who brought him to the mission and took care of him, and sent word to us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is one more lost lamb?\u201d Father Anthony pointed to the table in the middle of the kitchen, and prepared two cups of coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m curious\u2026\u00a0 How did you know to send for us?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we brought young Joseph here, I did not know if what he spoke were words of a lucid man or the ramblings of a man tormented by demons. \u00a0His eyes, they pleaded for me to do as he asked.\u00a0 He said that only his brother, Adam, was to be told.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut why?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe did not say.\u00a0 I wanted to inform Sheriff Bridgier of the assault, but your son objected before losing consciousness once more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t think this was an accident?\u201d Ben worried.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u00a0 Your other sons, Adam and the one called Hoss, they saw the area where the children found Joseph.\u00a0 The bloody rock was too far away from where he laid, and there was no evidence that he crawled.\u00a0 I think we can all be in agreement that it is a miracle that he is still alive.\u201d\u00a0 The man crossed himself, raised his eyes, and kissed the crucifix he wore.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, small miracles indeed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the staff silently entered the kitchen.\u00a0 Stopping at the table she said, \u201cSheriff Bridgier is here and wishes to speak to you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

After hearing the lawman\u2019s news, Father Anthony informed him the family was at the mission, and escorted him to the kitchen.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad I stopped by here to leave word with Father Anthony about your missing boy, and the fact it\u2019s been a while since your family returned to town.\u00a0 I had hoped that he or his workers had news of you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry we didn\u2019t send word that Joe was safe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll pass the word to the others who are out looking for him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSheriff, I\u2019d rather you not,\u201d Ben stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

Curiously, the Sheriff waited for an explanation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlease have a seat, it\u2019s quite the tale.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Once they were settled, Ben proceeded, \u201cYou already know about Jean Millain and Joseph.\u201d\u00a0 Bridgier nodded.\u00a0 \u201cUntil we know who kidnapped and assaulted my son, I\u2019m willing to pay each man on the posse to continue the charade that my son is still missing, but they can\u2019t know the truth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t see the harm, the men will appreciate being paid.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs for anyone who asks about me or my family, you can say that we\u2019re camping out while looking for Joseph.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou really think Millain did this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure, but circumstantial evidence can\u2019t be ignored.\u00a0 If Millain were to find out Joe is alive, he might try again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI guess, if\u2019n he were my boy, I\u2019d be thinking the same thing.\u201d\u00a0 Rubbing his chin, \u201cAll right.\u00a0 I\u2019ll keep groups going out daily until I hear otherwise.\u00a0 I\u2019ll also tell them two dollars a day for their efforts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the least I can offer to keep my son safe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Morning came early.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin, William Chastain has returned,\u201d Father Anthony announced as the children entered the room bearing trays with breakfast for the Cartwrights.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll keep watch on Shortshanks.\u00a0 You two go see what William has to say.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cMr. Cartwright, Adam,\u201d William greeted.\u00a0 \u201cJust thought I\u2019d let you know Millain is still in town.\u00a0 He\u2019s hanging out at the saloon as well as the livery when the posse returns.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand why he\u2019s just hanging around,\u201d groused Adam; flustered that his father was keeping him from going after the man they all knew had grievously injured Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know for sure that it was him.\u201d\u00a0 Ben softly glared at his oldest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh, come on Pa!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u00a0 All we have is circumstantial evidence. Until I hear it from Joe, the man is innocent until proven guilty.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what if Joe dies?\u00a0 Then what?!\u201d\u00a0 In anger, Adam punched the wall for lack of anything else to hit.\u00a0 He immediately regretted his action.\u00a0 \u201cThe blow to the back of his head was enough to kill him!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa?!\u00a0 Come quick,\u201d Hoss hollered from the hallway, standing outside of Joe\u2019s room.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cYou\u2019re lucky to be alive young man,\u201d Ben stated an hour later, helping his youngest sit up by placing several pillows behind his back. From the bureau, he retrieved the tray with a bowl of broth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grimacing, he touched the sore spot on the back of his head.\u00a0 Joe asked, \u201cWhere are we?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt a little mission outside of Grass Valley.\u201d\u00a0 Ben set the tray on Joe\u2019s lap.\u00a0 \u201cThink you can feed yourself?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, this,\u201d Joe raised his bandaged left wrist, \u201cdoesn\u2019t hurt nearly as much as my head.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben sat, pleased his son was willing to eat and appeared to be okay; but still he worried about complications from the severity of the blow that kept his son unconscious for the better of two days.\u00a0 Adam had been right, the blow Joseph suffered very well could have ended his life.\u00a0 The white bandage around his youngest son\u2019s head proved the priest\u2019s efficiency in doctoring, it remained pristine and clean.\u00a0 The wounds to Joe\u2019s wrists were angry and raw from his son\u2019s attempts to free himself, but would heal in time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Setting the empty bowl back to the tray, Joe slightly scrunched his face. \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere else am I supposed to be when one of my sons lies injured?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t mean that.\u00a0 You and Hoss were supposed to be back in Sacramento, the cattle contract.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry about the contract, we were all but finished when we received word.\u201d\u00a0 Ben worried if he should say why he was there, but decided it might be the opening to ask his son what happened.\u00a0 \u201cRoy wired us about Millain\u2019s escape.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Bolting up straight.\u00a0 \u201cPa, he\u2019s the one.\u201d\u00a0 Joe\u2019s vision swirled.\u00a0 \u201cArgh.\u201d\u00a0 Dropping the spoon, he grabbed for his head, falling back to the pillows.\u00a0 Curling onto his side, Joe cried.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEasy Joe, breathe deep, breathe slow.\u201d\u00a0 Ben shifted from the chair to sit on the edge of the bed, and rubbed circles across his son\u2019s back; a motion that always had a calming effect.<\/span><\/p>\n

With the pain barely diminished, Joe cringed, \u201cJean was here.\u00a0 He forced me to go with him.\u00a0 He struck me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry about him. \u00a0The law will take care of him…\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut Pa\u2026\u00a0 He\u2026 \u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust sleep son.\u00a0 You need to focus on getting well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe tried to speak through the pain, \u201cGotta watch\u2026\u201d Eyes slipping closed, his breath evened out.\u00a0 Joe was asleep before he could complete his sentence.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cChalk another one up for the Cartwright hard head,\u201d jested Ben, relief washed over him as he brushed his son\u2019s bangs from his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam entered the room to hear his father\u2019s comment, \u201cAnd he calls me a Yankee granite head.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cHow much longer will you keep up the charade that your son is still missing?\u201d Father Anthony inquired as he cleared away the dirty dishes from which they\u2019d eaten their lunch.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think we need to do something as soon as possible,\u201d Hoss quietly announced his presence upon re-entering the room bearing the tray with Joe\u2019s partially eaten lunch.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe can\u2019t travel.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, Jean\u2019s still hanging around town,\u201d Adam stated, having followed his brother into the kitchen.\u00a0 \u201cI think we need to take Joe\u2019s body\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour brother is still alive!\u201d huffed Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know he is, but we can make it appear that we found him.\u201d\u00a0 Turning to the cleric, \u201cMay we borrow your wagon and a horse?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy of course.\u00a0 But why?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think we can make it believable enough to convince the man,\u201d Adam looked directly at his father, indicating he knew it was Millain, \u201cwho did this that he succeeded in killing Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut for what reason, Adam?\u201d Father Anthony asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJean has to be hanging around for a reason.\u00a0 Earlier, you told Hoss young Davey\u2019s been keeping an eye on the area where Joe was found.\u00a0 That stranger Davey told us about, I\u2019m sure it was Millain.\u00a0 At this point, Jean has to know that Joe didn\u2019t die immediately.\u00a0 He\u2019s hanging around until he finds out one way or another.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe the one who hurt your brother has left town?\u00a0 No?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, William said he\u2019s still there.\u201d Adam set his empty coffee cup to the table top.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, you said that Joe admitted Jean struck him.\u00a0 By returning to town with his body, I think we\u2019ll draw Jean out into the open, on our terms.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd make \u2018em pay for what he done to Joe,\u201d added Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll not have either of you go against the law.\u00a0 If you find him, you will take him straight to the sheriff.\u201d\u00a0 Ben pointed from one son to the other.\u00a0 \u201cNeither of you will become a vigilante!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Both nodded and accepted their father\u2019s admonition.<\/span><\/p>\n

Standing to the side of the hearth, William watched the proceedings, wondering how it might have been had his father retired from the sea long before he lost the use of his legs.\u00a0 Would they too have founded their own cattle empire?\u00a0 Would they have been as strong a family as the Cartwrights?<\/span><\/p>\n

William chastised himself.\u00a0 His family was strong, how else would they have thrived to see him shortly off to Annapolis.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

That evening, the Cartwrights prepared to return to Grass Valley with William Chastain pretending to be the deceased Joe Cartwright.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo what happens after we get to town?\u201d William inquired.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam was first to speak, \u201cYou\u2019ll need to wrap yourself up in one of the blankets before we reach the edge of town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAfter you are resurrected as William Chastain, you,\u201d Ben poked him in the chest for emphasis, \u201cwill go home on the next stage to Sacramento.\u00a0 You\u2019ve had enough of an adventure.\u201d Ben\u2019s tone of voice sounded as if he were speaking to one of his own sons.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut what if\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCartwrights take care of our own,\u201d Hoss announced, placing a hefty hand upon their friend\u2019s shoulder and giving William the same look he would have given his little brother had he tried to voice the same objection.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOnce we have the Joe declared dead, we\u2019ll transport his coffin home in order to bury him,\u201d Adam added.\u00a0 \u201cSo there\u2019s really no reason for you not to return home.\u00a0 Spend some time with your family before you depart for the Academy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben walked over to where Father Anthony stood the other side of the wagon.\u00a0 \u201cI really don\u2019t like the idea of leaving Joe here, alone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can stay with him?\u201d William hopefully suggested.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour son will not be alone, though I understand you do not wish him to be here without family.\u00a0 But if your plan is to work\u2026 with young Joseph dead, what reason would you have to stay in Grass Valley?\u00a0 And you William, I\u2019m sure Millain knows you\u2019ve spent time with the Cartwrights, if he is keeping an eye on things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, we figure Millain\u2019s only hangin\u2019 around here until he knows Joe\u2019s dead.\u00a0 With Joe dead, we don\u2019t have a reason to say here, and neither will Millain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Walking over and placing a hand on his father\u2019s shoulder, Adam added, \u201cPa, it\u2019s best for Little Joe.\u00a0 Get Millain as far away from him as possible.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben looked between his two oldest sons.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, if we\u2019re to pull this off and capture Millain, we have to make sure Joe is safe.\u00a0 And that means leaving him here.\u00a0 Father Anthony can send word to us once Joe is well enough to travel.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The citizen of Grass Valley watched the wagon and three riders proceed to the undertakers.\u00a0 After tying their horses to the hitching rail, the men solemnly walked to the back of the wagon and gently carried the blanket draped body inside; closely followed by the clergyman.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sheriff Bridgier watch the procession as he made his way along the boardwalk.\u00a0 He\u2019d actually thought the boy would make it; at least based on what Ben Cartwright had told him when he stopped by the mission.\u00a0 Holding open the door, Bridgier removed his hat as the family passed through and went straight to the room Johann Greggson directed them to enter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 He sure was a spitfire,\u201d Bridgier stated as Adam and Hoss laid the body on one of the tables in the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bridgier jumped when the form under the blanket began moving.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay,\u201d Ben announced.\u00a0 \u201cJoe\u2019s safe at the mission.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut why the charade?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo draw Millain out, on our terms.\u201d\u00a0 Adam said as he helped William hop down from the table.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Mr. Greggson?\u00a0 Can he be trusted?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The sheriff explained the situation to the undertaker.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs long as I\u2019m paid for services rendered, if anyone asks, I\u2019ll tell them the family is taking the body of Joseph Cartwright home for burial.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Ben offered.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The sun had long set before Ben allowed William to leave via the back door.\u00a0 He\u2019d hoped with their performance that Millain would not be watching them as closely, giving William the opportunity to leave unobserved.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll head straight to the hotel, and tomorrow you\u2019ll get on the stage to go home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t see paying to ride the stage when I have my own horse.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss looked to each other, attempting to contain their mirth at how much William sounded like Little Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVery well.\u00a0 First thing tomorrow morning, we\u2019ll provision you for your ride home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright, please.\u00a0 Let me stay, I can help,\u201d begged William.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe seems almost as eager as Joe when it comes to ropin\u2019 someone into one of his hair-brained schemes,\u201d grinned Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKnow what you mean, the only thing William is missing is Joe\u2019s puppy-dog eyes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The brothers continued to enjoy the levity.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWilliam, I\u2019ll not have your parents worry any longer about you.\u00a0 As a father, I know what they\u2019re experiencing.\u00a0 If this were only a matter of negotiating a contract, I\u2019m sure the boys would welcome your presence.\u00a0 I won\u2019t allow you to put yourself in any further danger for the sake of my family.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Knowing he\u2019d met an unmovable force, \u201cYes sir.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Three days had lapsed since the funeral of Joe Cartwright; buried next to his mother on the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Words of warning against visiting the Ponderosa floated through Virginia City; the aggrieved father had taken the death of his youngest son hard and had turned bitter towards anyone trying to offer words of condolence.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBest get on back to town Roy.\u00a0 Pa ain\u2019t up ta seein\u2019 no one,\u201d Hoss offered before escorting the lawman and long-time family friend out the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow listen here Hoss Cartwright.\u00a0 I\u2019m the law\u2026\u00a0 If you\u2019re after Millain\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Forcing the man to his horse, \u201cMillain ain\u2019t your concern if he\u2019s on the Ponderosa.\u00a0 He\u2019s done harmed one Cartwright, we ain\u2019t givin\u2019 him no chance to harm no one else.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe was like my own son\u2026\u00a0 You can\u2019t take the law into your own hands.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe ain\u2019t takin\u2019 the law into our hands.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Mounted, \u201cIf you ain\u2019t as stubborn as Little\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take that as a compliment.\u00a0 Now git out a here Roy, afore Pa finds ya.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, I\u2019m really sorry about Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBye Roy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

After waiting to make sure the lawman had left, Hoss scampered to the barn where an already saddled Chubbs waited.<\/span><\/p>\n

Racing from the yard, Hoss bemoaned, \u201cDad-blame-it.\u00a0 Please God, just let Adam be by hisself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cSurprised you\u2019re out here alone, Cartwright.\u201d\u00a0 Adam bolted around at the sound of the nearby voice, yet not surprised to see Jean Millain walking across the clearing, a rifle pointed right at him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMillain.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Using the stock of the rifle, Millain struck Adam, catching him off guard.\u00a0 The force of the blow sent him headfirst into a boulder where he slumped to the ground.\u00a0 Spitting out the blood pooling in his mouth, Adam struggled to see his attacker.\u00a0 His vision swiftly changed between blurred and clear, only to blur again.\u00a0 Stalling to gain his bearings, he looked to where he knew Sport should be tied.\u00a0 Next, he hoped he was looking in the direction of where he\u2019d set his rifle just before freeing a calf from the brambles.\u00a0 Gaining his feet and fighting against the dizziness, \u201cYou so sure I\u2019m alone?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSaw that ox of a brother of yours greeting the sheriff this morning.\u00a0 And your old man\u2019s been going to his little boy\u2019s grave each day.\u00a0 Yeah, you\u2019re alone.\u201d\u00a0 Jean walked around the camp and watched his prey intently as Adam tried to follow his movement.\u00a0 Returning to his horse he returned his rifle to the scabbard on his saddle before pulling a revolver from his saddle bag.\u00a0 \u201cRecognize this?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShould I?\u201d Adam stood taller and affected a devil-may-care stance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou bluff well.\u00a0 And yes, you should recognize your baby brother\u2019s revolver.\u00a0 Such a pristine pearl handled revolver, kid probably never fired it on another human being.\u00a0 It will be so sweet to pull the trigger and have your brother\u2019s weapon kill you.\u00a0 How does it feel to know that you\u2019ll shortly be joining him?\u201d\u00a0 With the thrill of the chase nearing its end, Jean\u2019s accent dripped heavy in his voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u00a0 You killed Julia\u2026 and Joe.\u00a0 Why did you follow us back to the Ponderosa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tisking, \u201cEver since I saw you haul Joseph back home, I wondered what it would have been like had it been you who Julia fell in love with.\u00a0 What a match we would have made, dueling over the love of a woman.\u00a0 It should have been you, not that wet-nosed little boy.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Puissent-ils \u00eatre ensemble dans leur repos \u00e9ternel.\u201d<\/span>
\n(May they be together in their eternal rest.)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMon fr\u00e8re ne peut pas avoir atteint sa majorit\u00e9, mais il a \u00e9t\u00e9 plus d’un homme que vous.<\/span>
\n(My brother may have not have reached his majority, but he was more of a man than you.)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVous ne savez pas de qui vous parlez.\u00a0 Il \u00e9tait, mais un enfant.\u201d<\/span>
\n(You know not of which you speak.\u00a0 He was but a child.)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJe sais que mon fr\u00e8re.\u00a0 Il \u00e9tait un gar\u00e7on, un gar\u00e7on qui vous ne pourriez pas garder Julia de tomber en amour avec.\u201d<\/span>
\n(I know my brother.\u00a0 He was a boy, a boy who you could not keep Julia from falling in love with.)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt no longer matters.\u201d\u00a0 Jean raised Joe\u2019s revolver and pointed it towards Adam.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re both dead, just like you will be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou got lucky on the posse.\u00a0 No one has ever bested Jean Millain.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The click of a hammer alerted both that they were not alone.\u00a0 \u201cThink again, Jean.\u201d\u00a0 An involuntary shiver coursed through Jean\u2019s body.\u00a0 The cold steel barrel nudged into his ear mirrored the coldness of the voice that spoke, a voice he recognized.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s always someone better.\u00a0 Hand me my gun.\u00a0 Easy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A visually impaired Adam called out, \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy gun.\u00a0 Or would you rather I pull the trigger?\u00a0 Save New Orleans the expense of a trial and a firing squad.\u201d\u00a0 Holding his own gun once more, Joe stepped around to the front of Millan, taking a moment to tuck his replacement gun into his belt.<\/span><\/p>\n

Collapsing in relief that he was no longer alone, Adam breathed out, \u201cJoe?\u00a0 Is that you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it\u2019s me.\u00a0 Hey brother, you up to holding a gun on him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t see clearly, and he knows it.\u201d\u00a0 Guiltily Adam added, \u201cI didn\u2019t know he was holding your revolver.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Damn,\u2019 Joe hissed, worrying how he\u2019d keep a weapon pointed at the man and still be able to restrain him.\u00a0 \u2018May God forgive me,\u2019<\/em> Joe whispered; he readied to knock the man unconscious.<\/span><\/p>\n

A rage-filled growl was the only warning of a force plowing into Jean, knocking him into Joe.\u00a0 A weapon discharged.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJOE?!\u201d Adam called out.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Gaining his feet, Hoss drew his own weapon, keeping it pointed on the tangle of bodies. Walking to where Adam was struggling to stand, he took a moment to look at his brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Adam pleaded.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss noticed the glassiness in Adam\u2019s eyes, acknowledging his brother probably had a serious concussion.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re safe Adam, it\u2019s me, Hoss.\u00a0 Millain and his buddy are down.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s here.\u00a0 Where\u2019s Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026\u00a0 I ain\u2019t\u2026 \u201d\u00a0 Hoss holstered his weapon and ran to where the two bodies lay.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lifting the larger man and tossing him aside like a rag doll, tears welled in the big man\u2019s eyes at the red stain across his brother\u2019s shirt.\u00a0 Sinking to his knees, Hoss cradled his little brother in his arms.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAwww Joe.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t know it was you.\u201d\u00a0 Looking up at a hand on his shoulder, he watched Adam fumble to kneel.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t know it was Joe.\u00a0 He\u2019s all grumbly lookin\u2019 and he ain\u2019t wearing his own clothes.\u00a0 Adam, I didn\u2019t know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not your fault.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Hoss inquired as Adam placed his fingers on the pulse point, and exhaled in relief.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam told Hoss of his vision impairment.\u00a0 \u201cMy Yankee granite head lost the battle with that boulder, courtesy of Millain.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you tell me to keep my elbows in,\u201d whispered Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u00a0 Joe?!\u00a0 You\u2019re alive!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss squeezed his brother tight.\u00a0 \u201cDad gum your ornery hide.\u00a0 How come yer a playin\u2019 possum?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Raising a hand to the back of his head, Joe replied, \u201cI wasn\u2019t playing possum.\u00a0 Ow\u2026 that smarts.\u201d\u00a0 Pulling his hand away he saw red on the tip of his fingers.\u00a0 \u201cNot again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure took your sweet time getting here!\u201d Adam indignantly accused his middle brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRoy came to the house.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Millain told me he stopped by.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 voice angered, \u201cAnd when I got here, I saw this here varmint with Millain.\u00a0 What do you think yer a doin\u2019 here?\u00a0 Yer supposed to be back at the mission waitin\u2019 for us to come git ya.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t no varmint.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo?!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss pushed Joe away.\u00a0 \u201cThen what are you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sheepishly he answered, \u201cI think I\u2019m gonna be Doc\u2019s patient.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFine kettle of fish we are.\u00a0 How\u2019m I gonna get you two home?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Rising shakily to his feet, Joe walked towards the brambles and boulders to where Millain\u2019s horse waited.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhatcha doin\u2019?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGetting some rope to tie Millain\u2019s body across his horse.\u00a0 The man who couldn\u2019t be bested is going to be hauled into Virginia City face down over his saddle.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou ain\u2019t got no business doin\u2019 no such thing.\u00a0 Why you cain\u2019t even walk straight.\u00a0 How\u2019d you get here anyhow?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be my fault.\u201d\u00a0 William answered, slowly walking into the clearing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou best sit down before ya fall down.\u00a0 Yer lookin\u2019 mighty green around the gills.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss offered a supporting hand to the young man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never seen a man shot before, least not that close.\u201d\u00a0 William collapse to the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPut your head between your knees and breathe deep,\u201d offered Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, you\u2019d better hide what rope we don\u2019t use on Millain,\u201d teased Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow come?\u201d Hoss looked sideways to his older brother, holding out a hand to help him up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think Pa\u2019s gonna be fit to be tied.\u00a0 He might just hogtie our little brother to his bed, and he may wrap the other one up and ship him back home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Father Anthony gave me his blessings,\u201d Joe proclaimed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not exactly true,\u201d William offered, sitting as Hoss had suggested.\u00a0 \u201cHe said when you were well enough to go home, he\u2019d give you his blessings.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou were supposed to be on your way home.\u00a0 And you were supposed to stay at the mission until we came for you,\u201d argued Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gathering the reins to Millain\u2019s horse, Joe led the animal to where Millain lie.\u00a0 \u201cOther than this newest goose egg, compliments of big brother here\u2026 I\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ruefully shaking his head, Hoss spoke, \u201cIf we\u2019re gonna take Millain\u2019s body to town, Doc Martin\u2019s gonna check you both over before we head home to Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, where\u2019s Pa anyway?\u201d Joe inquired.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight behind you, son.\u00a0 Sorry I\u2019m late.\u00a0 Millain followed me out to the promontory and tied me up.\u201d\u00a0 Looking from one son to the next, he added, \u201cAnd Hoss is right.\u00a0 Paul will thoroughly check both of you over before we head home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam and Joe knew they had no choice now that their father was present.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs for you, William Chastain.\u00a0 Just what in the Sam Hill are you doing here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Still looking just as green, \u201cMaking sure Joe got home safely.\u00a0 After you left, I\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDisobeyed my orders.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d he answered sheepishly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, let\u2019s get everyone to town,\u201d Ben admonished.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t wait to finally bathe and shave,\u201d Joe added.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, shave that peach fuzz off your face,\u201d teased Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019d you do anyhow?\u00a0 How\u2019d yah get yer fuzz so dark?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the kids at the mission suggested the soot from one of the kettles.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m sure Doc Martin or Hop Sing will have a salve of some kind to sooth the rash on your baby smooth cheeks.\u201d\u00a0 Adam patted Joe\u2019s face as he walked by.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRash?\u201d Joe began scratching.<\/span><\/p>\n

Epilogue:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs that a letter from Captain Chastain?\u201d Adam watched his father\u2019s changing expressions as he read.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he wrote to tell us that William did make it home, with only two days to spare before departing for Annapolis.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat all?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he also wrote that, had William been any younger, he would have had a very long and necessary discussion, if they\u2019d had a barn to do it in.\u201d\u00a0 Ben laughed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seeing Joe slump down further onto the settee, \u201cSay, little brother.\u00a0 Since you and older brother are all healed up, are you goin\u2019 to the dance this Saturday?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think Roy might even be missing us by now,\u201d Adam offered.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s probably forgotten all about Millain.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNa.\u00a0 Not this time.\u201d Joe reached up to touch the bald patch on his scalp where Paul Martin had removed the five stitches earlier in the day.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSampson losing his touch with women?\u201d Hoss teased, reaching for Joe\u2019s head.<\/span><\/p>\n

Avoiding the gesture, \u201cSomething like that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

His family watched him rise from the settee and walk outside.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGuess I shouldn\u2019t a teased him about his hair.\u201d\u00a0 After the door closed, a pained expression crossed Hoss\u2019 face.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t think he thought I was teasin\u2019 him about him losin\u2019 Miss Julia.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, Joe knows you\u2019re not that cruel.\u201d\u00a0 Adam offered.\u00a0 \u201cBesides, I don\u2019t think you\u2019re the reason why he\u2019s upset.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, you read the story deQuille wrote.\u201d Ben looked to his eldest.\u00a0 Not expecting an answer, he followed the child of his heart outside.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam nodded.\u00a0 \u201cMakes him out to be a bigger than life character.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho, Joe?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Millain.\u00a0 Read for yourself.\u201d\u00a0 Adam tossed the paper over.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cJoe?\u201d Ben called into the darkened barn.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUp here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Carefully climbing the ladder to the hay loft Ben asked, \u201cYou don\u2019t mind if I join you, do you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight now, no.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The answer surprised him, \u201cCare to talk?\u201d\u00a0 He sat down next to his son, leaning back against the stack of hay.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo much to talk about.\u00a0 Things are pretty much back to normal,\u201d Joe stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shook his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, how did you get over losing three wives?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI never did son.\u00a0 I mourn their loss every day, yet I thank God for bringing each one of them into my life.\u00a0 And more than that, I\u2019m thankful for you and your brothers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry for all the grief I caused you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t lessen the pain, does it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo sir.\u201d\u00a0 Looking past the edge of the loft, \u201cSince we have a barn\u2026 are you out here to give me a necessary talk?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I think you\u2019re beyond the age where it would be effective.\u201d\u00a0 Ben took his time before continuing, \u201cSon, I know you loved Julia.\u00a0 But all I could see was an older woman stealing away my baby\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Patting Joe on the knee, \u201cNo, you\u2019re not a baby.\u00a0 It\u2019s been a long time since you were.\u00a0 But Virginia City is still raw and untamed.\u00a0 I guess I thought this was another way for someone to get their hands on the Ponderosa, a way to weaken our family.\u00a0 Like Alpheus Troy and Lotta Crabtree.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t anything like that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know that, now.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry I couldn\u2019t see it before.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI would have married her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d Ben sat forward on the hay bale, elbows on knees, looking directly at his interlaced fingers.\u00a0 \u201cThis is difficult for me to say.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked to his father.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I had tried to get to know her better, and then maybe, just maybe I could understand why. \u00a0Why you were drawn to her.\u00a0 Why you wanted to marry her. \u00a0I know you felt you could give her the chance to hold her head proudly and rise above those who spurned her.\u00a0 What I don\u2019t really understand is why\u2026.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow she could fall in love with me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know that she really loved you as a wife should love her husband.\u201d\u00a0 Ben struggled with his words, he didn\u2019t want to alienate his son, yet he wanted so desperately to convey the love he held for the man his boy was becoming.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, before she died, she told me she was going to send you home to your family.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat night, when I went to her room\u2026\u00a0 she tried to make light of what we had.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben waited.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI knew she was hurting and trying to hide it from me.\u201d\u00a0 Tears pooled in Joe\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 \u201cIf I didn\u2019t know her better, I would have thought it was all just a game.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSon, I think she loved the fact that you could love her.\u00a0 I think, in a way, you made her feel safe, safer than she had in a long time.\u00a0 Your innocence and trusting ways; yet standing up for the underdog.\u00a0 In your eyes, everyone gets an equal chance at the brass ring; but real life isn\u2019t always that way.\u00a0 In the end, she didn\u2019t want you to waste your life grieving for her.\u00a0 She wanted you to find someone who you could truly love and be loved in return.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI miss her.\u201d\u00a0 Tears from his eyes slipped down his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben sat back, wrapping an arm around his son\u2019s shoulders.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you will, but each day will get a little better.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding his son\u2019s grief, he waited as Joe settled into his shoulder and hummed the refrain from Aura Lea.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

NOTES:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

2015 Ponderosa Paddlewheel Poker Tournament cards:\u00a0 rope, newspaper, explosion, dance, mission<\/span><\/p>\n

Translations provided by Google Translate.\u00a0 My apologies for any errors.<\/span><\/p>\n

~~~~~<\/span><\/p>\n

Episodes Referenced: \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A Rose for Lotta:\u00a0 Directed by Edward Ludwig, Written by David Dortort<\/span><\/p>\n

The Julia Bulette Story:\u00a0 Directed by Christian Nyby, Written by Al C. Ward<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

~~~~~<\/span><\/p>\n

Most know the melody from Elvis Presley\u2019s Love Me Tender; originally it was the melody for the Civil War ballad, Aura Lea.<\/span><\/p>\n

When the blackbird in the Spring,<\/em><\/span>
\n‘On the willow tree,
\nSat and rocked, I heard him sing,
\nSinging Aura Lea.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Chorus:<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Aura Lea, Aura Lea,
\nMaid with golden hair;
\nSunshine came along with thee,
\nAnd swallows in the air.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In thy blush the rose was born,
\nMusic, when you spake,
\nThrough thine azure eye the morn,
\nSparkling seemed to break.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Aura Lea, Aura Lea,
\nBirds of crimson wing,
\nNever song have sung to me,
\nAs in that sweet spring.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

(Chorus)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Aura Lea! the bird may flee,
\nThe willow’s golden hair
\nSwing through winter fitfully,
\nOn the stormy air.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Yet if thy blue eyes I see,
\nGloom will soon depart;
\nFor to me, sweet Aura Lea
\nIs sunshine through the heart.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

(Chorus)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

When the mistletoe was green,
\nMidst the winter’s snows,
\nSunshine in thy face was seen,
\nKissing lips of rose.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Aura Lea, Aura Lea,
\nTake my golden ring;
\nLove and light return with thee,
\nAnd swallows with the spring.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

(Chorus)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tags: Adam Cartwright, Ben Cartwright, Dance, Grief, Hoss Cartwright, Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 What happened after Jean was taken into custody, and Julia\u2019s window went dark.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T (for mild cursing and references to adult themes) (11,940 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":8484,"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_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[23,1008,41,27,13,40],"tags":[158,1588],"class_list":["post-11404","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-family","category-hurtcomfort","category-whi","category-whn","category-challenges","tag-pppt","tag-the-julia-bulette-story","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-41-id","wpcat-27-id","wpcat-13-id","wpcat-40-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/JC-01-young.jpg?fit=190%2C270&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11404","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11404"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11404\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8484"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11404"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11404"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11404"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}