Summary:\u00a0 Adam tells his grandson about the first time the three Cartwright brothers were in mischief together (post timeline part: 1905, prequel part: 1848) .<\/p>\n
Word count:\u00a0 6441 \u00a0Rating: K<\/p>\n
Grand Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n Grandfather and Grandson<\/a> \u201cGrandpa, Grandpa!\u201d The door flung open and an excited little boy appeared hollering at the top of his lungs, \u201cWe are back, it was so great!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome in, Mark, so you don\u2019t have to be so loud.\u201d Adam Cartwright set down his teacup and smiled at his grandson over his newspaper.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, sorry, Grandpa.\u201d He flopped onto the settee next to his grandfather with a happy sigh. \u201cBut the circus was soooo gorgeous: acrobats, horses, a lot of other animals, and I don\u2019t know what all, it was absolutely great.\u201d Mark sighed again happily.<\/p>\n \u201cWell then, what did you like best?\u201d<\/p>\n Mark furrowed his forehead, thinking. \u201cI liked it all, but I guess I liked the elephants best.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen you are like your great-uncle Hoss. He loved the elephants too, as a child.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid you go to a circus as a boy with your family?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes or\u2026hmm. I wasn\u2019t exactly there with my family. But yes, I went to one together with my brothers. It was in Carson City, the small circus was part of the fair around the horse auction in 1848. That market was the biggest amusement we had here back then.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWas it great, too?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh yes, partly,\u201d his grandfather answered with a lopsided grin.<\/p>\n \u201cGrandpa, is there something you\u2019re trying to hide?\u201d Mark asked with mock severity, arching his eyebrow sceptically just as his great-grandfather Ben would have done. \u201cThere\u2019s a story behind it, isn’t there? Please, tell me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re right. But\u2026I didn’t cut a\u2026very fine figure in that story. Don\u2019t know if I should tell you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can tell me, Grandpa, don\u2019t worry. Dad always says I have more than enough ideas for mischief so I don’t need yours\u2014and,” Mark winked at his grandfather. ” I won’t tattle on you.”<\/p>\n \u201cAll right then, I have your promise.\u201d He ruffled the boy\u2019s hair. \u201cI remember very well when it all started \u2026<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I will not go to the Devlins\u2019! I want to come with you,\u201d my little brother cried out, – he was just six years old then – climbing down the ladder from the hay loft.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you doing up here? You shouldn\u2019t spy on us!\u201d<\/p>\n He ignored what I said. \u201cYou \u2026 you are like those brothers of that other Joseph, the preacher told us about, so\u2026so mean.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe, it isn\u2019t like we\u2019re selling you to Egypt.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPunkin, look, ya\u2019ll have a real good time with your best friend. We\u2019ll bring ya to his place today and tomorrow afternoon I\u2019ll fetch you back,\u201d Hoss tried to convince our brother.<\/p>\n Joe had reached the barn floor and he only glared darkly under his brown curls up at us.<\/p>\n I tried another approach, kneeling down. \u201cWhat about this: We\u2019ll bring you a real big present from the fair.\u201d Mentally I counted up my money. \u201cLet\u2019s say a whole dollar\u2019s worth.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I wanna see the circus myself, and the horsies, and all.\u201d He stamped his foot in frustration. \u201cYou are so unfair!\u201d And in a last effort he used his trump card. \u201cIf you leave me behind, I\u2019ll tell Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat ain\u2019t very fair neither, little brother!\u201d My brother Hoss stated.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n \u201cGrandpa? Why would granduncle Joe say that? Didn\u2019t you have your father\u2019s permission to go?\u201d The boy looked quizzically at his grandfather.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had his permission for the fair\u2026\u201d Adam Cartwright tried to ignore the itching in his left earlobe, \u201cat first. But the day before the market there was some trouble at the lumber camp and our Pa had to ride out to it or we might not have fulfilled a big lumber contract. The camp was so far away Pa had to stay there over night, and wouldn\u2019t come back until the next evening. So he couldn\u2019t be at the stagecoach to meet his long expected guests. That changed all our plans, instead of going to the market in Carson City, I had to go to Virginia City the following afternoon, to meet my father\u2019s guests from the stage and also bring Hop Sing, our cook, home. He had been there for a few days helping his cousin with the cooking at some kind of family feast. I was supposed to bring Pa\u2019s old friend and his family to the Ponderosa and entertain them until our cook prepared the dinner and our father got back. And since I couldn\u2019t go to Carson City, my brothers couldn\u2019t either, because they were too young to go by themselves.<\/p>\n Hoss was more upset than I\u2019d ever seen him. He banged around the barn and used language I never thought he would know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe was disappointed, wasn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure he was. He had saved up his money for weeks for the fair and the circus, and to be honest, Mark, I was just as disappointed myself. I had arranged to meet up with the most popular girl in town. I didn\u2019t like the thought of losing her to my rivals when I failed to turn up. So Hoss and I didn\u2019t want to give up our visit of the market, and we decided to ride to Carson City early in the morning, but Little Joe overheard us. We tried to make it clear to him that he couldn\u2019t come with us\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe, you can\u2019t travel fast enough with Star. Your pony is just too small. We can\u2019t make it to Carson City and back in time for the stage in Virginia City. That\u2019s the real problem. And besides, we have to tell Pa anyway. There are enough people in Carson City that will recognize us.\u201d<\/p>\n But when I looked my little brother firmly in the eyes to show him he couldn\u2019t blackmail me, I saw the tears. When even Hoss begged, \u201cAdam, ain\u2019t there another way to go, fer all of us?\u201d That was the last straw. I had to do something.\u201d<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n \u201cYou could have used the train, Grandpa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBack then the railroad wasn\u2019t built and even the roads were little more than trails. All we had for transportation were horses and coaches. And Carson City itself was no more than a small settlement around a trading post.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd what was the solution?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2026<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n I sat there in our barn on the food box thinking how unfair life was, and suddenly the Roman quadriga came to my mind. That\u2019s a real light wagon with four strong horses hitched in a row. They were used for races.<\/p>\n We had a small pony cart, no more than a bench with two wheels. That was my starting point. I sat there and drew up all the technical details on a piece of brown paper. When I was satisfied, I started with the work. I exchanged the small drawbar of the cart with one from a bigger coach made for a pair of big horses, and added leather straps for two more horses. I planned to hitch them in two pairs like a stagecoach to use their forces best. I also replaced the smaller wheels with bigger ones from an old hay wagon.<\/p>\n Lastly, I added belts and straps for the passengers and strapped my and Hoss\u2019s saddlebags on the arms of the seat. We needed a place for our gear because the bench was really small for the three of us. But with that light cart we could use shortcuts between the loops of the street like riders could and the horses wouldn\u2019t tire themselves out pulling any extra weight.<\/p>\n I worked all afternoon, while my brothers did my chores, and in the last light of day I showed them my work. My two brothers danced around me and the wagon, and cheered and clapped me on the shoulder.<\/p>\n I showed them the timetable I had calculated. \u201cWe\u2019ll start our chores one hour earlier and save half an hour each way. That will give us three hours in Carson City.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI knew ole Adam would do it!\u201d Hoss cried.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is something we should make clear before we start,\u201d I warned them. \u201cIt\u2019s your own free choice to go to Carson City. It\u2019s not my thing alone, it\u2019s ours. We depend on each other on that trip, and each of us is responsible for leaving on time. You have to be absolutely reliable or we are all in big trouble. We must be partners!\u201d Then my brothers and I shook hands. I was hoping that the idea of us all being partners would make my younger brothers behave themselves in Carson City.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The next morning\u2014the sun was just rising on a clear autumn day\u2014we started out in the best of moods.<\/p>\n When we arrived at the big meadow where the fair was set up, I checked the time. We had taken three quarters of an hour less than if we\u2019d used the buggy, and the horses weren\u2019t overly damp. I noted our time in my timetable.<\/p>\n \u201cWow, big brother, we went so fast the air was dragged out of my mouth and nose,\u201d Hoss told me.<\/p>\n \u201cThe bumps were the best, Adam,\u201d Little Joe said. \u201cWe really flew. Only my hat\u2014can we buy a new one first? Pa would be mad if he knew I lost my new Sunday hat.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, Little Joe, I promised you. We have enough time to look for a new one,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n I paid to leave the horses in the paddock and then we went to the market.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Carson City market, we Cartwright brothers are on our way to meet you!\u201d Little Joe cried out, and Hoss and I grinned at each other over Joe\u2019s head, while we each took a hand to keep him between us.<\/p>\n The stalls with clothes were right at the entrance and Joe quickly found a hat that resembled the lost one. I was surprised how expensive it was; it cost nearly a quarter of my money.<\/p>\n \u201cHere, little brother.\u201d I planted the thing firmly on Joe\u2019s head. \u201cYou owe me one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, Adam, ask me for a favor whenever you need one,\u201d the little boy answered, cheekily pushing back his new hat.<\/p>\n At the end of the road between the stalls you could see a round tent with red and white stripes, and Hoss went to see when the show would start. Joe and I strolled a little way along when I saw a shooting contest set up. I consulted my pocket watch. There was still a lot of time before meeting Susan, so I told Joe to wait while I bought a ticket and got an entry number. It took me a few minutes and when I turned, Joe had vanished.<\/p>\n Although it was before ten in the morning, the place was crowded. Most people had come the day before and stayed overnight so they could have as much fun as possible. I tried to take deep breaths and not panic. I went to the exact place Joe had stood, and turned slowly around. I couldn\u2019t see a small boy with a new black hat. I heard my blood swoosh in my ears but still tried to be calm. Joe couldn\u2019t have gone far.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t know why I squatted down\u2014maybe because I felt weak\u2014but it was the right thing to do. Suddenly I could see a sign with \u201cChildren’s Games\u201d in bold letters, surrounded by pictures of jumping, playing, running girls and boys. I knew Joe could read enough to decipher the meaning of this sign and follow the direction it showed. I turned down the next alley and saw that it led to a decorated arch marking the entrance to a smaller meadow. I began to run\u2014and bumped into Little Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Adam, I was just heading back.\u201d My brother smiled up at me.<\/p>\n I wasn\u2019t very happy with that. \u201cHow dare you just disappear? I told you to wait! You know we don\u2019t have time for hide and seek!\u201d<\/p>\n Just then a heavily breathing Hoss came along shouting, \u201cHow dumb is this, hidin\u2019 in an alley? How was I supposed to find you? I had to run all through the place looking fer you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI had to go after Joe; sorry, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHmpf!\u201d But Hoss was too excited to be sullen. \u201cThe big circus show with clowns and acrobats is in the evening, but the animal shows are at ten-thirty and twelve-thirty, so I can see them twice. I bought tickets. For children to age six it\u2019s free, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s fine, Hoss, because I don\u2019t have much money left. I just bought two tickets for the games here: egg-and-spoon race and throwing cans.\u201d Little Joe pointed at a desk where a women sold the tickets. \u201cBut the games don\u2019t start until later.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWait a minute.\u201d I draw the first syllable out. \u201cHow\u2019s this for chaos? How could you buy tickets without asking me first?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut you did the same thing, Adam!\u201d Little Joe declared.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I\u2019m your older brother and you have to mind me!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh! Didn\u2019t know bossy brother\u2019s back; I thought we\u2019re partners,\u201d Hoss responded angrily.<\/p>\n I hated it when my brothers called me \u201cbossy\u201d when I was only trying to avoid dangers or keep everything organized–after all, I was the oldest. \u201cOh yes, you are absolutely independent! You do what you like without asking me. The only thing I have to do is to pay all our expenses like stabling the horses or buying new hats! For that big brother is good enough!\u201d In the moment that angry statement slipped from my lips I knew I was being unfair, and I didn\u2019t need Hoss\u2019s glare to make me run after my little brother, who had escaped into the still-empty meadow for the children\u2019s games.<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe?\u201d He was lying on his stomach, his head between his arms and buried in a heap of straw, sobbing. He just shrugged my hand off his shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe, I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you had accepted my word and my favor like a real partner,\u201d he sobbed into the straw. \u201cWe shook hands and all. But I\u2019ll give you all my money from my money box when we come home. You can have it! And the rest of my coins from the tooth fairy,\u201d Joe knelt to reach for the money in his pocket.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, please, listen to me.\u201d<\/p>\n My brother stopped fumbling in his pockets.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, I\u2019ve been a big brother almost all my life. I\u2019m not used to being a partner. I\u2019m really sorry! I\u2019m older and I have more money, so I should pay for what\u2019s expensive. And I think a favor from you can be very useful; I\u2019m glad you owe me one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally, Adam?\u201d Little Joe looked up at me out of teary eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cSure. Can you forgive me?\u201d I asked him softly, and he nodded. When I opened my arms, my small junior partner threw himself into my embrace.<\/p>\n In the meantime, Hoss had caught up with us, and now we made plans. I wrote everything we wanted to do on my timetable. I had my shooting contest and the meeting with my girl and her friend, Hoss his animal shows and a tour of the candy stalls, and Joe the children\u2019s games and also the first animal show. Hoss would bring Joe to the meadow after the show and Joe promised to wait there after the games.<\/p>\n Before I left my brothers I gave Hoss money for the two of them for lunch. Hoss hesitated a moment but then he took it, smiling. \u201cDon\u2019t be angry if we use it all, Mr. Moneybags. I\u2019m a growing boy.\u201d He smiled the big good-natured smile I loved so much from him.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m afraid you really are.\u201d I slapped him on the back. \u201cDon\u2019t be late back here, we have to leave right at one p.m. Now it\u2019s\u2026\u201d I looked at my pocket watch, \u201cJust seven minutes before ten-thirty.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo problem, we won\u2019t be late!\u201d And with that the two were gone.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n The next few hours flashed by. I wasn\u2019t very good at the shooting contest\u2014maybe I wasn\u2019t as calm as I needed to be\u2014but my time with Susan went very well. We even managed some kisses after her friend and chaperone left, though when she heard I had to leave her soon she wasn\u2019t very amused. But after I bought her a nice bracelet she promised me to meet me again the next weekend. So I was very satisfied with my day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs I was going to get Joe, I saw a boy not so unlike you, Mark, raven haired and also around nine years or so, who was juggling with three balls. He wasn\u2019t good and the little cup he had put out for money was almost empty. A thin man carrying a tray full of little bottles that promised to cure everything from headache to lovesickness was next to the boy. At one point they both looked at the entrance to the children games, but the man shook his head. He patted his son\u2019s shoulder and began peddling his cheap little bottles again, while the boy went back to his juggling. Somehow I can still remember them both very clearly. When I passed the boy I put a dollar bill into his cup. I heard three thuds when I’d gone on a few steps, then the pounding of bare feet. \u2018Thank you, Mister,\u2019 the boy said, clutching the cup with both hands, showing me his teeth in a happy smile before he turned to find his three balls. I hoped the man and the boy got themselves a good dinner that evening and maybe the boy could even buy a ticket for the games. Being on the road without money is hard, Mark. I told you about my travels with my father once but\u2026.\u201d Briefly, his eyes grew wide and dark, lost in memories. \u201cBut I wouldn\u2019t like to have missed those years; they were important to me in many ways. Today I think that dollar was a better investment than all the money I spent on Susan.\u201d<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n When I reached the meadow I was relieved to see my brothers sitting on the straw, both sucking on candy sticks. Joe was also struggling with something else: He seemed to be trying to squint down a small cardboard tube with one eye, put a hand over the other eye and still keep hold of his slippery treat.<\/p>\n As I arrived he told me happily, \u201cLook, Adam, see what I won. I was second best in the can throwing contest; it\u2019s a kaloskope. There are pretty patterns inside it, and they change if you turn it around.\u201d<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n \u201cHe meant kaleidoscope, Grandpa, didn\u2019t he? I love them, too.\u201d<\/p>\n His grandfather nodded. \u201cJoe passed me the somewhat sticky thing and we both took turns looking. I have to admit I’m also fond of kaleidoscopes. We tried to show each other the best patterns, but of course that was impossible. I was trying to explain how it works to Joe when I became aware of Hoss staring dramatically at the sky, shadowing his eyes with one hand\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you looking for, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, only the sun.\u201d He grinned mischievously. \u201cIt\u2019s 12 p.m., 57 minutes and\u2026. 31 seconds, Mr. Timetable.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t mock me or else\u2026\u201d I grabbed some straw and threw it at Hoss as I stood up. \u201cBut you\u2019re right, let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n When I turned Hoss managed to toss an armful of itchy straw over my head. Even Joe, who stood next to me, was covered in straw. Joe and I were just grabbing straw to throw it at Hoss, when he cried, \u201cPartners, partners don\u2019t! We have a goal to reach together, we have to leave right now.\u201d So we cut short our vengeance.<\/p>\n Still laughing and picking straw off our clothes and out of our collars, we Cartwright brothers headed back to where we’d left our cart. We hitched our horses and left Carson City greeting all the people who stared at our unique vehicle. I think all three of us looked like cats that ate the canary. But as the proverb says: pride cometh before a fall…\u201d<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n Mark looked at his grandfather with surprise. \u201cOops. I thought that was a good end.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, it would have been\u2026At first, all went fine. We were making good time and in the best mood you can think. Hoss offered us candy from his big bag from time to time, and we talked about our adventures. Hoss was happy because he had not only seen an elephant but also watched him drink. \u201cI knew it,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd I won my bet. Elephants don\u2019t drink with their trunk, they splash the water into their mouth with it!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course elephants don\u2019t drink with their noses!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMark, you must remember that tiny circus was the first to come here. Nobody had ever seen an elephant out here. And nobody had books to look things up in like we have now on the Ponderosa. When I was nine years old like you are now we still didn\u2019t even have a school.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHmm, right now I\u2019d be glad if we still didn\u2019t have a school.\u201d The boy looked at the floor.<\/p>\n \u201cSomething wrong with your grades again?\u201d<\/p>\n Mark only nodded slightly. \u201cLast math test went bad.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe you can show it to me and we can see what the problem was?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI guess so. But first tell me the end of the story, please, Grandpa, <\/strong>please.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll right, Mark, but then we will have a look at your math problems.\u201d<\/p>\n Mark nodded again. \u201cI will tell Dad, you will teach me. I like it more anyway when you show me something. <\/strong>Dad is sometimes so testy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think I needed to become a grandfather to learn patience. Your father is still too young. My own father was also a lot softer with his grandchildren than with us, as I remember.\u201d Adam winked at his grandson and continued with the story\u2026<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n \u201cAs we went along we sang all the songs we knew, mostly sea chanties we learned from our father. When we came to the place with the long, low hillocks Joe asked if I could make the coach fly again, so I tapped the horses with the whip and gave them their heads.<\/p>\n I called to Joe, \u201cAye, aye captain,\u201d and we jumped over the first bump. Hoss and Joe cried out in delight when the wagon came off the ground.<\/p>\n \u201cWell done, helmsman,\u201d Hoss praised.<\/p>\n I urged the horses to run even faster. \u201cMighty rough sea, captain and first mate, the waves are big, look out for your hats,\u201d I shouted when we jumped over the next hill. It was so exciting and we all laughed and cried at once.<\/p>\n But when we landed after the third bump we heard a suspicious crack.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI dunno.\u201d I tried to rein in the horses but they were running freely and didn\u2019t slow down. Then I set the brake. Before we started out I had checked that the brake would hold strongly, and so it did. But\u2026our wagon was too light; four strong horses could keep it moving even without the wheels turning. So we were still going quite fast when we went over the next bump. This time we heard a loud splintering of wood and the wagon tilted to the right underneath me.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, lean left, lean left!\u201d I cried, still trying to rein the horses in. With a sideways glance I saw Hoss putting all his weight on the left arm of the bench but the wagon still was tipping sideways. Fortunately the hitch was also drawn at the right so the horses began to run in a circle. I pulled hard on the right rein and just before the next hill we turned and the horses finally began to slow down. The circles became tighter and tighter and I thought we would soon come to a halt\u2014the inner horses were in a trot by now. Suddenly time itself began to go slower: I clearly saw the cracked wheel on my side lose first its hoop and then its ribs; we bumped up and down a moment, then the whole wagon tipped sideways. If I hadn’t strapped my saddlebag, stuffed with the warm clothes we had needed in the cold dawn, onto the side of the wagon, my arm and shoulder would have been dragged along the ground. The only thing I could do was hold on with my right hand to the straps and shift myself against the weight of Joe and Hoss to protect my arm, while still using the other to tug back the reins, hoping the horses would stop.<\/p>\n And just when I couldn\u2019t hold on any longer, finally they did.<\/p>\n At first it was silent. Absolutely. Then the world came back again: a horse whinnied. Then I heard Joe moaning, \u201cHoss, get off me. You squashed me, I can\u2019t breathe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m trying, Joe, but I hav\u2019ta unbuckle all the straps first. Can ya reach the one at my right side?\u201d<\/p>\n You can\u2019t imagine how relieved I was when I heard the voices of my brothers. Together they managed to free Hoss, then Little Joe, and at last me. Luckily all we had was a small scrape on my upper arm. Even the horses were unharmed. All was well, so far. Except we were standing in the middle of nowhere with a broken wheel\u2014when we should be driving like blue blazes.<\/p>\n I whipped out my pocket watch and studied it. There was still a chance.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just one-thirty. If I ride back to Carson on horseback and buy a new wheel, I can be back here in about an hour. Then I\u2019ll ride directly to Virginia City, and rent a carriage. If the stagecoach is late as usual, I can do that in time. Hop Sing will be furious, waiting another hour at the mercantile with all the supplies for the dinner, but that can’t be helped. At least Pa\u2019s guests shouldn\u2019t be inconvenienced \u2014maybe a few minutes to wait, half an hour at the longest. I’ll bring the second horse with me, so I won\u2019t have to rent a pair of horses. Hoss, once it\u2019s fixed you can drive our cart home with the other two horses. If you don\u2019t let them run it will be safe for you and Joe and you’ll be home long before Pa arrives. What do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDriving the wagon ain\u2019t no problem, Adam. But are ya sure ya can make it? It seems an awful short time fer all what ya said. But you\u2019re the math genius in the family.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you have another plan?\u201d I asked brusquely.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t snap at me. But maybe we could all ride horseback directly home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoe can\u2019t ride such a heavy draft horse, one of us would have to ride double with him and the other would have two riderless horses to lead. I\u2019m not sure if that would be faster. And even if we could do it, would you like to tell Pa we were in Carson City, we broke our wagon and left it behind, and we have to spend half a day tomorrow to fetch and repair it?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss\u2019s expression showed that he didn\u2019t want to do such a thing, and so he gave his approval. Even Joe agreed.<\/p>\n I unhitched one of the horses, pulled myself up, and was on my way. \u201cI\u2019ll hurry, Hoss and Joe, I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood luck, Adam!\u201d they cried before they sat down under a tree.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I did know where the wheelwright lived and rode directly to his house and workshop. But the workshop was closed and the house empty. The market, I slapped my forehead, everyone was at the market. So I rode to the market, stabled my horse again, and searched for the man.<\/p>\n The wheelwright was a grumpy, scruffy type of fellow, so I wondered why everyone I asked smiled and grinned. When I saw the fancy-decorated tent I became really suspicious. Inside, it took me a few moments to recognize the clean-shaven, well-dressed man who sat at the front of a \u201cU\u201d of decorated tables next to a woman with a veil on her hat. \u201cHave a drink to my wedding, young man,\u201d he invited, and I had to toast and congratulate the pair.<\/p>\n I tried to use the time I spent drinking his wine to ask the guests if there was another wheelwright or at least a carpenter. The one they showed me was a friend of the groom and as I soon saw, he was even too drunk to understand what I asked. When I left the tent I looked at my watch\u2014I had wasted nearly half an hour\u2014but it was possible at least to minimize the damage if I could find another carpenter. It shouldn\u2019t be impossible to find someone selling wheels at a horse market!<\/p>\n I did learn of another fellow, but he was involved in the horse auction, which had started a while ago. So I had to wait. When he finally finished his business\u2014I never understood what it was because he didn\u2019t buy or sell a horse, he only watched the whole auction very closely while I hoped every horse that was shown would be the last he was interested in\u2014we went to his stall in the market. There were some new tables and dressers and in fact a small collection of wheels. I searched frantically for one that would fit our cart, but the only one with the right width at the hub was two inches smaller than the wheels I had used. But \u2018in need even the devil himself eats flies\u2019, like Hoss\u2019s mama would have said, and eventually I bought that thing for an immense price. With almost the last of my money I also bought some tools from a hardware stall nearby.<\/p>\n When I reached the tree where my brothers were waiting, I didn\u2019t need my pocket watch. The long shadow was enough to tell me that there wasn\u2019t a chance to be in Virginia City in time.<\/p>\n Hoss and Joe were asleep waiting for me; it had been a long day. I dropped the new wheel to the ground and the thud woke Hoss up.<\/p>\n \u201cHi Adam, you\u2019re back?\u201d I slid from the horse and only nodded.<\/p>\n Hoss stood up and scrutinized the wheel that lay at his feet. \u201cAre you sure it will fit?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I\u2019m not.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was the only darn thing I could find.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss scratched his scalp. \u201cSo we have ta use it, don\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, let\u2019s get started!\u201d<\/p>\n When we finished mounting the new wheel Hoss and I exchanged glances. Because of its uneven wheels it would be difficult to drag the cart in a straight line. We\u2019d have to use the brake or shift all our weight onto the bigger wheel from time to time to lift the smaller one off the ground. And surely we couldn’t go any faster than a walk.<\/p>\n \u201cLooks pretty good,\u201d Hoss stated.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, absolutely perfect!\u201d<\/p>\n We had both to grin. Gallows humor, I guess.<\/p>\n I hitched up the horses, Hoss woke up Little Joe, and we started — home. There was nothing else we could do, it was almost five and whatever happened in Virginia City would happen without us.<\/p>\n The canaries we\u2019d had in our bellies turned heavy as stones on our miserable way home. We swerved along the road for a while without a word.<\/p>\n Suddenly Little Joe asked, \u201cDo you think Pa will be mad?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes!\u201d Hoss and I answered in unison.<\/p>\n \u201cOh!\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss went on, \u201cWe didn\u2019t do our evening chores, didn\u2019t milk or feed the cows, didn\u2019t put the chickens in the henhouse, didn\u2019t feed or groom our horses–heck, even the rabbits didn\u2019t have their supper. We didn\u2019t collect Pa\u2019s guests and Hop Sing in Virginia City. I dunno if there\u2019s enough kindling in the wood box for Hop Sing. And we were in Carson without Pa\u2019s permission. What do ya think?\u201d Obviously he had put all our sins he could think of into a big list.<\/p>\n \u201cComing home after dark won\u2019t help our case,\u201d I added.<\/p>\n It was Joe and Hoss\u2019s turn to exchange worried glances before we all three drifted back again to our private thoughts. I certainly knew what they feared, but wasn\u2019t sure what Pa would do to me. At the very least a meeting with Susan next weekend was clearly unlikely.<\/p>\n When we rounded the corner, we saw a silhouette standing there in the dim light. Our father must have heard the hoofbeats and come out to meet us. In the brightly shining doorframe I could see a woman who ushered two children back into the house, and then the door was closed. I can say that even at seventeen I felt uneasy facing my father in these circumstances.<\/p>\n I stopped the horses a few yards in front of my father. \u201cSorry we\u2019re late, Pa, but a wheel broke.\u201d I tried to sound as reasonable as possible.<\/p>\n Pa came around and scrutinized first us three, crowded together on the tilted bench of a small pony cart with high as well as imbalanced wheels, then studied the hitch and leather straps I had used for harnessing the two pairs of horses. We heard him draw breath before he asked his first questions. \u201cWhere have you been, and what in tarnation is that? We waited here half an eternity not knowing where you were!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe were in Carson City, Pa,\u201d Hoss answered very softly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were in Carson City against my orders?\u201d Pa was now shouting.<\/p>\n We only nodded.<\/p>\n Again my father looked over the wagon incredulously.<\/p>\n \u201cDid you intend to kill your brothers and yourself with this\u2026this construction, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, sir,\u201d I answered, even knowing no answer was expected.<\/p>\n \u201cHow could you risk your and your brothers\u2019 lives just to get your own way\u2026for a cheap pleasure? A broken wheel is the least that could happen to you on that thing. How could you be so irresponsible, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n This time I chose to be silent. I knew he was about to explode and hoped his anger might pass by like a thunder cloud over our heads if we didn\u2019t give him a chance to strike. I could feel Hoss shrinking as much as I did. Pa took another deep breath.<\/p>\n In that moment my little brother Joseph piped up, \u201cPa, we planned it all together. Me, Adam, and Hoss are partners.\u201d<\/p>\n That did it. The thunderstorm broke lose. \u201cYou are what?\u201d He roared while his gaze traveled from his six-year-old son, across Hoss with his twelve years, to me, his almost-adult son. \u201cPartners? You planned it all together?\u201d He glared at us from under bristling eyebrows.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll tell you something. First, you will come down from this vehicle. Second, you will stable, feed, and groom these horses. Your other chores have already been done. Third, you will untangle those harnesses, while I go tell our guests you are home and you are safe. You can be grateful that Hop Sing managed to bring our guests out here! And then you will wait for me in the barn. I will have a serious talk with each partner of this partnership<\/em> you won\u2019t soon forget! And don\u2019t look so surprised, Adam. Partners are partners.\u201d<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n \u201cWas it bad, Grandpa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBad enough, that I haven\u2019t forgotten it after nearly sixty years,\u201d his grandfather said dryly.<\/p>\n \u201cBut great-uncle Joe only tried to help you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, even though I’d have preferred him to have chosen another way to do me his favor he was very brave to try and rescue me.\u201d Adam Cartwright smiled lopsidedly. \u201cIt was a pity our old foreman wasn\u2019t there to remind Joe, \u2018Never miss a good chance to shut up.\u2019<\/p>\n Later on whenever something went the worst way possible we brothers would call it \u2018a trip to Carson City\u2019.\u201d Adam gave his grandson a wry grin. For a moment he again seemed to be lost in his memories, drinking a swallow from his tea. Then he cleared his throat and continued.<\/p>\n \u201cMark, I know nobody can learn from someone else\u2019s experiences. And I don\u2019t know whether you’ll be able to see sooner than I did when you\u2019re just digging your own hole deeper–had we just done what Hoss suggested and gone straight home things might not have been so bad–but there\u2019s one thing I hope you will understand. I wasn\u2019t sure back then if the dim light deluded me when I had the first glimpse at our father just when we arrived — his shoulders seemed slumped and his face ashen — but now as a father and grandfather myself I\u2019m sure it was his fear and worry that pressed him down. Please, my boy, don\u2019t ever frighten your family the way we frightened Pa.\u201d He briefly squeezed the boy\u2019s arm. \u201cI couldn\u2019t bear it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut now, bring me your math test, Mark,\u201d he changed the subject and clapped his grandson\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n Mark turned in the doorway and looked back, \u201cI\u2019ll try, Grandpa. Honest.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMore nobody can demand,\u201d Adam thought as he watched his grandson leave. \u201cAnd it\u2019s more than his father or we ever did.\u201d He stood up from the settee, stretched his back, and went to get the old math book he had used so often for three generations to teach a younger Cartwright.<\/p>\n THE END<\/p>\n Written for the 2015 Ponderosa Paddlewheel Poker Tournament<\/p>\n My words were: Circus, saddle bags, poor man, auction, wedding<\/p>\n
\nPartners<\/a><\/p>\nPartners<\/h1>\n