Summary:<\/b>\u00a0 Two years after the death of his wife, Ben is found guilty of a crime he did not commit and is sentenced to a long prison term.\u00a0 Left with no one to help him but his father’s close friend, Charlie Devlin, Adam struggles to keep his father’s family and his empire from crumbling.<\/p>\n
Rated G WC 20,000<\/p>\n
Twenty Years Hard Labor<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cNO! NO!\u00a0 YOU CAN\u2019T TAKE MY PAPA!\u00a0 PAPA! PAPA!\u201d<\/strong> screamed out the tiny little seven year old as his older brother fought to hold him tightly in his arms while they watched their father being led from the jail and out into the warm afternoon sun.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The heavy chains that had been shackled about his wrists and ankles clattered loudly in the quiet like doom that had suddenly befallen the town as folks stood silently and watched while Ben Cartwright was ushered into the back of the jailer\u2019s wagon.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPAPA!\u00a0 Please\u2026\u201dwailed Little Joe, his arms stretched out as if he were reaching for his father.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t leave me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam felt his own tears well in his eyes as he looked down at his middle brother and saw that Hoss\u2019 tears had already spilled over the edges permitting the tiny beads of water to roll slowly down his chubby cheeks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben paused on the top step of the wagon just before ducking his head and entering the dark interior and looked over his shoulder at his three sons who stood just feet away from him.\u00a0 His heart ached to gather them into his arms and hold them one more time, just once more before he had to go, but that had been denied him.\u00a0 It would be twenty years before he would ever be allowed to embrace his sons, twenty years of hard labor.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben forced a smile and nodded his head at Adam, their eyes locking in silent but mutual agreement.\u00a0 They had had a long talk the night before.\u00a0 It had been agreed that Adam would care for his brothers, with the help of Ben\u2019s best friend, Charlie Devlin.\u00a0 The boys were to take up residence at the Devlin\u2019s home under the watchful eye of his friend until Adam turned twenty one and then by law, Adam could file for full custody of his younger brothers and return with them to their own home, the Ponderosa.\u00a0 In the mean time, Charlie would help Adam run the ranch from his own place.\u00a0 Several of the most loyal ranch hands had offered to stay on to help the oldest Cartwright son with the ranch work providing of course they still received their monthly pay.\u00a0 Ben had been grateful, his true friends had stood by him and his sons, even during the trial and more so afterwards, when he had been found guilty of fraud and manslaughter and sentenced to twenty years of hard labor.\u00a0 Naturally Ben had been innocent, but somehow his lawyer had not been able to prove his case and now he was about to be separated from his family for more years than Ben cared to count.\u00a0 His only chance now would be if his lawyer could find grounds for appeal and hopefully find new evidence to help prove his innocence.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben\u2019s thoughts were interrupted as the piteous cries of his youngest son jarred him back to the present.\u00a0 \u201cI love you Joseph, be a good boy for your brothers.\u00a0 Adam, Hoss, I love you too, take care of each other,\u201d called Ben as the jailer, tired of waiting, shoved Ben roughly into the back of the wagon causing him to stumble forward and then he slammed the door, placing the heavy lock into place.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben pulled himself up to his knees and grabbed the bars that covered the small window in the door and watched as the distance between himself and his sons began to widen the further the wagon moved away.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe, his tiny little arms locked around Adam\u2019s neck had buried his face against Adam\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 Hoss had turned to hide his own face in the front of Charlie Devlin\u2019s vest and as the wagon rolled out of sight, Ben could still hear his youngest son\u2019s wails of protest as his cries pierced the silent streets of Virginia City.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben looked one last time out the window.\u00a0 His young son was now running down the middle of the street having escaped his brother\u2019s confining arms and was pursuing the wagon that carried his father from him.\u00a0Ben\u2019s eyes filled with tears and spilled over as he watched Little Joe crumble to the ground in defeat, only to be gathered into the arms of his brother.\u00a0 Adam fell to his knees to claim his brother\u2019s limp body as he pulled the weeping boy into a tight embrace.\u00a0 Even the distance that separated him from his sons was not far enough for Ben to miss the shine of tears that glowed on the handsome face of his oldest.\u00a0 Ben could stand no more, the scene breaking his heart and slowly he allowed his weary body to slide down to the floor.\u00a0 Alone in the stuffy wagon, his reserve gone, Ben buried his face in his hands and wept, not for himself but for his sons.\u00a0 When he at last had used up all his tears, Ben began to pray, the prayers lasting long into the night as the wagon rolled steadily toward its final destination.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m scared for\u2019em Adam.\u00a0 Lookit, he ain\u2019t touched a bite,\u201d said Hoss sitting down next to Adam and watching Little Joe play with his food that kind hearted Mrs. Devlin had placed onto his brother\u2019s plate.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam watched also, he didn\u2019t want to admit it to Hoss, but he was just as worried as his brother about their younger sibling.\u00a0 It had been nearly a month since the jailer\u2019s wagon had carried their father off.\u00a0 Little Joe had cried night after night since that time, he had refused to eat and just this morning he had over heard Mrs. Devlin telling her husband that she feared that the youngest Cartwright might wind up grieving himself to death if something wasn\u2019t done to help him soon.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Slowly, as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders alone, Adam rose to his feet and crossed the room to where Little Joe sat alone at the table.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHey Little Buddy,\u201d said Adam, kneeling next to the chair where the smaller boy dangled his feet.\u00a0 Adam placed one arm around his brother\u2019s shoulder, with his free hand, Adam cupped the cherub like face in the palm of his hand and forced the smaller boy to look at him.\u00a0 Adam cringed inwardly at the haunted look that appeared in the hazel eyes that stared back at him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWon\u2019t you try to eat, just a few bites, for me?\u201d encouraged Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe looked sadly into Adam\u2019s eyes and shook his head slowly.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPlease Little Joe, Pa wouldn\u2019t wanna see you go without eating like this.\u00a0 Can\u2019t you try just a few little bites?\u00a0 If you won\u2019t do it for me, can you do it for Pa?\u201d pleaded the older boy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe sniffed his nose and turned to look at the food in his plate before returning to look back at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cWill Papa come home if\u2019n I eat, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam had to swallow the lump in his throat before he could answer.\u00a0 \u201cNo sweetheart.\u00a0 Pa can\u2019t come home, not just yet.\u00a0 But he will someday, and when he does, he\u2019ll want to know that you were a good boy and ate your supper.\u00a0 Pa wouldn\u2019t want to see you do without just cause he wasn\u2019t here.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t I help you?\u201d\u00a0 Adam picked up the fork attempting to feed his brother.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe turned his head, refusing to accept the forkful of food that Adam offered.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t hungry Adam\u2026I just wanna go home.\u201d\u00a0 Tears began to fill his eyes and before Adam realized what was happening, Joe was in his arms, his tiny face buried deeply into the curve of his older brother\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPlease Adam, let\u2019s go home\u2026I just wanna go home,\u201d sobbed the distraught little boy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam squeezed the weeping child tightly.\u00a0 Hoss had jumped to his feet and joined his brothers, Adam and Hoss\u2019 eyes locking as they strived to comfort their brother.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe, we can\u2019t go home, not yet.\u00a0 We promised Pa that we would stay here with the Devlin\u2019s until the law says we can go home.\u00a0 I know it seems like forever, but we have to do as Pa asked us to, he\u2019s counting on us,\u201d Adam tried to explain.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026know\u2026\u201d sniffed Joe, \u201cbut\u2026I\u2026just\u2026wanna\u2026feel\u2026close\u2026to\u2026him,\u201d the sniffing continued.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2026ain\u2019t\u2026even\u2026got\u2026no\u2026memories\u2026of\u2026him\u2026here.\u00a0 Please\u2026Adam\u2026take\u2026me\u2026home.\u201d\u00a0 The continual sniffles had given Joe the hiccups and his slender shoulders jumped each time that he hiccupped.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam looked across Hoss\u2019 shoulder into the face of Charlie Devlin who had watched the whole scene in silence.\u00a0 Seeing Adam\u2019s delirium and the tears that the oldest boy fought to control, Charlie moved to comfort the unhappy family of young men.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam, tomorrow is Friday, I don\u2019t see any reason why you can\u2019t take your brothers home, just for the weekend.\u00a0 You can bring them back here on Sunday evening.\u00a0 I think it might do the little one good to be in a familiar setting where he can feel safe and closer to\u2026well, you know what I mean,\u201d smiled Charlie.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam smiled, it sounded too good to be true and he mouthed a silent thank you to his father\u2019s trusted friend.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow would you like that Joe?\u00a0 Just you and me and Hoss here, we\u2019ll spend the weekend at home.\u00a0 You can ride your pony and maybe we can go up to the lake and do some fishing.\u00a0 What do you say, you like that idea?\u201d\u00a0 Adam had pulled Joe back from his shoulder so that he could see the boy\u2019s face.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe nodded his head up and down in reply to Adam\u2019s question.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019ll be almost like it was before, heh Adam, \u2018ceptin\u2019 Pa won\u2019t be there.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHey Short Shanks, we could pretend that Pa was away on a business trip.\u00a0 \u2018Member how he used to do that sometimes and leave Adam in charge while he was gone?\u00a0 Well punkin, that\u2019s sorta like what he\u2019s gone and done this time, leavin\u2019 big brother Adam here in charge,\u201d offered Hoss, anxious to bring a smile to his little brother\u2019s face.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOkay, but can I sit in his chair?\u00a0 And can I sleep in his bed?\u00a0 I like doin\u2019 that cause it makes me feel like he\u2019s with me.\u00a0 I can smell his aftershave on his pillow\u2026Oh Adam\u2026why did they take him away\u2026what did he do that was so bad?\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe flung him self into Adam\u2019s arms once again burying his face into Adam\u2019s shirt.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam rose and moved to sit in the rocker that Mrs. Devlin had placed near the fireplace, Joe cradled in his arms.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa didn\u2019t do anything wrong Joe.\u00a0 It was all a big misunderstanding, that\u2019s all.\u201d\u00a0 Slowly, Adam began to rock, rubbing his brother\u2019s back with his free hand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThen\u2026why\u2026why did Pa hav\u2019ta go away?\u201d Little Joe asked softly, his whimpering beginning to cease.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe had to go because the court found him guilty and he\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut if\u2019n he didn\u2019t do nuthin\u2019, why\u2019d they take him to prison?\u201d\u00a0 Joe raised his head and studied his brother\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t understand Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNeither do I, little brother.\u00a0 But until Pa\u2019s lawyer finds something that will prove to the courts that Pa didn\u2019t do what they said he did, Pa will have to stay in jail and we will have to stay with the Devlins.\u00a0 I promise you Joe, we will do everything we can to find that evidence and get him out of prison and back home where he belongs.\u201d\u00a0 Adam had started rocking hard and suddenly realizing what he had done, slowed down the pace of the chair.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe returned his head to his brother\u2019s chest, the steady beating of the heart beneath his ear lulling him to sleep.\u00a0 When Adam was confident that Joe was sound asleep, he gathered the sleeping boy into his arms and carried him into the bedroom that they shared where he tenderly placed Joe onto his bed next to where he slept.\u00a0 With Hoss\u2019 help, the two brothers stripped the smaller boy of his clothing and without waking him, dressed him in his nightshirt.\u00a0 Adam placed a kiss on the brow of his father\u2019s youngest son, tucked the covers around his small frail body and turned the wick down on the lamp.\u00a0 Shedding his own clothes in the dim light given off by the full moon, Adam crawled into bed beside Joe and closed his eyes.\u00a0 Without meaning to, Adam\u2019s tears coursed their way down the sides of his face and into his ears.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPlease God, help us find a way to bring Pa home.\u00a0 Little Joe and Hoss need him so badly, but then so do I God, so do I.\u201d\u00a0 Adam buried his face in his pillow to muffle his cries, lest he wake the small boy next to him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben, weary from a long day of hauling rock, all but fell onto his cot as he stumbled into his cell.\u00a0 The clang of the cell door echoed down the long hallway as door after door could be heard banging shut.\u00a0 Ben allowed his aching body to mold into the lumpy mattress as he stretched out his legs.\u00a0 Giving no thought to the dirt that covered his body, it was only minutes before Ben was fast asleep and it seemed as if he had just lain down when the loud banging of the tin cup against the bars of his cell jarred him awake.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cUp with you, you lazy no accounts, time to rise and shine,\u201d shouted out the guard as he continued down the long line of cells, banging his cup loudly on the bars as he made his way to the other end.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben rose from his bed and stretched his long arms high into the air, groaning as the muscles were forced into action.\u00a0 Rubbing his upper arms with his hands, Ben sighed deeply when he spied his unopened bible lying at the far end of his cot.\u00a0 He had been so weary the night before he had forgotten to do his nightly reading.\u00a0 Quickly, Ben snatched the bible from the cot and opened it at random.\u00a0 His eyes came to rest in the middle of the page and Ben hurriedly read the passage.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I will lift up mine eyes unto the hill, from whence cometh my help.<\/p>\n My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.<\/p>\n He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.<\/p>\n Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.<\/p>\n The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon the right hand.<\/p>\n The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.<\/p>\n The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall perverse thy soul.<\/p>\n The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Psalm 121<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben closed his bible and placed it on the cot.\u00a0 Just as the prison guards opened his cell door, Ben silently thanked God for His promise that he would be watching over him.\u00a0 With that thought on his mind and instilled in his heart, Ben stepped forward as was the custom and allowed the guard to place the heavy iron shackles around his wrists and ankles.\u00a0 The guard, unaccustomed to his charges being so accommodating, stared in awe at the near peaceful look that graced the face of his prisoner.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Little Joe slipped his hand into Hoss\u2019 larger hand as the three brothers stood on the wide boarded porch of their home.\u00a0 Not one of them said a word, they just stood looking at the door not sure now whether or not they really wanted to be there without their father.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam gulped and glanced at his two brothers, \u201cWell, you ready?\u201d he asked softly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss nodded his head and Joe followed suit.\u00a0 \u201cOkay, let\u2019s do it,\u201d Adam said as he reached for the door.\u00a0 Just as his hand touched the latch, the door was pulled opened, startling all three boys and causing them to jump backward as one.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat the\u2026\u201d shouted Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing?\u201d all three shouted in unison surprised to see the family cook standing in the doorway.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing hear horses, knew boys come home for weekend,\u201d smiled the little servant as he stepped aside and allowed the boys to enter.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The boys hurried inside and Adam quickly removed his gun belt and laid it on the credenza.\u00a0 Hoss hung his hat along with Little Joe\u2019s on the pegs behind the door.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSomethin\u2019 sure smells good Hop Sing, what\u2019ca cookin\u2019?\u201d inquired Hoss as he followed his nose to the kitchen.\u00a0 Hop Sing trailed along behind muttering in his native language.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam had crossed the room to his father\u2019s office and had begun going through some papers that had been left on the desk.\u00a0 After several minutes, Adam became aware of the silence that had suddenly caught his attention.\u00a0 Looking up, he spied his youngest brother curled into a ball in Ben\u2019s favorite red leather chair.\u00a0 The sight of the unhappy boy brought him quickly to his feet and to his brother\u2019s side.\u00a0 Adam knelt down in front of the chair and gently rested his hand on his brother\u2019s back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe, what\u2019s wrong buddy?\u201d he asked quietly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe, his face buried in his arms only shook his head.\u00a0 Adam pulled Joe into a sitting position and quickly noted the tears that had filled his little brother\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 \u201cWhy are you crying Little Joe?\u201d\u00a0 Adam gathered the weeping boy into his arms as Joe slipped his own arms tightly about his brother\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI miss him Adam\u2026so bad that it makes my tummy hurted.\u201d\u00a0 Joe looked into his brother\u2019s eyes for reassurance and then laid his head on Adam\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cDo ya reckon it\u2019ll ever stop hurtin\u2019 Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam rubbed his hand up and down Joe\u2019s back in a soothing motion.\u00a0 \u201cI hope so Little Buddy.\u00a0 Joe,\u201d Adam sat his brother down on the edge of Ben\u2019s chair.\u00a0 \u201cListen pal, I know you miss him, so do I and so does Hoss.\u00a0 But Joe, we have to make the best of it until Pa comes home.\u00a0 You can\u2019t continue to not eat, not play, not sleep and you have to try to stop crying all the time.\u00a0 You\u2019re going to make yourself sick Joe, and if you get sick, Pa will find out and he\u2019ll just worry that much more about you.\u00a0 Do you understand?\u201d Adam tried to explain.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know Adam, honest, I try, but sometimes I get lonely and then I start missing him and wanting him to hold me like he use\u2019ta.\u00a0 I can\u2019t help it then cause I get unhappy and start crying.\u00a0 I want him to come home\u2026I don\u2019t like living at Mitch\u2019s, I wanna live here, just me and you and Hoss until Papa can come home.\u00a0 Please Adam, please, can we?\u201d begged Joe placing a tiny hand on either side of Adam\u2019s face and making the older brother to look him square in the eyes.\u00a0 \u201cPlease\u2026\u201d Little Joe whispered as if it were a secret question he was asking his older brother.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe\u2026we can\u2019t\u2026not yet little buddy\u2026\u201dstarted Adam when Joe unexpectedly jumped from the chair and starting running up the stairs, stopping at the landing mid way and turning to scream at Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI ain\u2019t goin\u2019 back there Adam, never and I ain\u2019t goin\u2019 ta school on Monday either.\u00a0 I heard ya talkin\u2019 to Mr. Devlin about me goin\u2019 back but I ain\u2019t gonna do it and you can\u2019t make me.\u201d\u00a0 Joe ran the rest of the way up the stairs and before Adam could pull himself up from the floor the door upstairs slammed shut, rattling the windows in the entire house.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat was that all about?\u201d asked Hoss coming from the kitchen, the remainder of a chicken leg in his hand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam\u2019s face showed his sorrow as he faced his middle brother, \u201cLittle Joe.\u00a0 He\u2019s really taking this hard Hoss.\u00a0 I\u2019m worried about him, he was crying again, says he\u2019s not going back to school on Monday, and said I couldn\u2019t make him.\u201d\u00a0 Adam dropped into the blue chair and covered his face with his hands, his head moving back and forth in frustration.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m at a loss, I don\u2019t know how to help him, I\u2019m afraid for him Hoss, really afraid.\u201d\u00a0 Adam pinched the bridge of his nose and leaned back into the chair.\u00a0 \u201cI wish that lawyer would hurry up and find something that could help Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Supper was served; Little Joe had finally relented and joined his brothers at the table.\u00a0 Adam smiled at the little fellow as he climbed into his chair, his head hung low.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m glad you decided to join us, Little Joe,\u201d smiled Adam as he began to place small amounts of food on his brother\u2019s plate.\u00a0 \u201cI was hoping that you would, Hoss and I didn\u2019t want to eat without you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam\u2019s right Joe, I was fixing to come and get you.\u00a0 I\u2019m glad I didn\u2019t have to haul your ornery hide down here across my shoulders,\u201d smiled Hoss as he ruffled Joe\u2019s curls.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe couldn\u2019t stop the giggles that threatened to spill forth.\u00a0 He looked up into Hoss\u2019 crystal blue eyes and laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI bet ya would\u2019ve too, heh?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYa dang tootin\u2019 I would, now get to eatin\u2019 afore I take ya outside and dump ya in the horse trough,\u201d teased Hoss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe giggled again and began eating, pleasing both of his older brothers and bringing a smile to both young faces.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That night Adam tucked Joe into bed.\u00a0 Joe had been insistent that he be allowed to sleep in his father\u2019s bed and seeing how Little Joe had appeared in a much better mood since supper, Adam decided that it might be in everyone\u2019s best interest as well as his brother\u2019s, to permit Joe to do as he had asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThanks Adam,\u201d whispered Little Joe as he snuggled down into the comforts of Ben\u2019s bed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam smiled down at his brother and brushed at a wayward lock of hair that had fallen down onto Joe\u2019s brow.\u00a0 \u201c You\u2019re welcomed Joe.\u00a0 If you need me, just call okay?\u00a0 I\u2019ll be in my room just down the hall.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI will Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Joe pulled Adam\u2019s upper body down to his, slipped his arms about Adam\u2019s neck and hugged his brother.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam kissed the top of Joe\u2019s head, and swallowed the lump that had suddenly seemed to have grown in his throat.\u00a0 \u201cGood night little buddy, God bless.\u201d\u00a0 Adam turned the wick down on the lamp and pulled the door closed behind him.\u00a0 Just before he closed it completely, he stopped and watched as Joe jumped from their father\u2019s bed and kneeled at the side.\u00a0 Not wanting his brother to know that he was ease dropping, Adam stood in the shadows and listened as Joe sent his petitions heavenward.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNow I lay me down to sleep, I pray the lord, my soul to keep.\u00a0 If I should die before I wake, I pray the lord my soul to take. God bless, Adam, Hoss, Hop Sing, and Pa. Amen.\u201d\u00a0 Joe started to rise but stopped and knelt back down and folded his hands.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPlease God, take care of my Papa.\u00a0 I know he\u2019s lonesome and I know he\u2019d rather be home with us than locked away in that ole prison.\u00a0 I\u2019m lonesome too God, I miss him really, really bad, but at least I gots my brothers and Hop Sing.\u00a0 Papa ain\u2019t got no one, \u2018ceptin\u2019 you God.\u00a0 Please keep\u2019em safe and please, please God, let Pa\u2019s lawyer find some new stuff so\u2019s Pa can come home real soon.\u00a0 I promise God, I\u2019ll be a good boy, I\u2019ll eat all my supper from now on and I\u2019ll even go back to school Monday, just bring my Papa home.\u00a0 And God, please tell Pa that I love him.\u00a0 Thanks, God.\u00a0 Amen.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe hurried to climb into bed, pulling the covers up to his neck.\u00a0 \u201cGood night, Pa, where ever you are.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam fought to control the tears that had welled in his eyes as he quietly pulled the door shut and moved down the hall to his own room.\u00a0 He had some praying of his own to do and as soon as he closed his own bedroom door, Adam was on his knees, sending his own petitions up to the God in whom their father had taught all of them to put their trust.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben fell to the floor; the guard raised his arm high in the air, the whip coming down hard across Ben\u2019s back again and again.\u00a0 Ben groaned, the pain almost unbearable.\u00a0 He had been forced from the line of prisoners that had been accused of sitting down on the job earlier that afternoon.\u00a0 The warden had demanded of the group the one responsible and all fingers had pointed to Ben Cartwright.\u00a0 Now Ben was paying the price for instigating a sit-down, and though he had not been the leader, the others had singled him out as the one.\u00a0 Many of the men had heard of Ben Cartwright and of those that had, several were determined to bring the wealthy landowner down to their levels.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben cringed as once again the whip tore at the flesh of his back.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s enough,\u201d demanded the warden as he moved to stand over Ben.\u00a0 \u201cYou ain\u2019t so high and mighty now, are you Cartwright?\u00a0 Now you know how we treat women killers around here.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The warden kicked Ben in the ribs, forcing the wounded man to curl his body into a tight ball.\u00a0 Laughing at Ben\u2019s pain, the warden nodded his head at the guard and twice more Ben felt the sting of the whip across his back before the warden finally ended his undeserved punishment and had Ben carried off to the solitary confinement cell where he was dropped onto the hard cold ground and left to deal with his agony alone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben\u2019s mind, muddled and confused, struggled to gather together the thoughts and visions that came and went.\u00a0 Pictures of his sons, screams that sounded in the long nights reminding him of his youngest son, faces distorted from crying, eyes, blue, brown, hazel, all filled with tears, out stretched arms that reached for him but was never able to touch him.\u00a0 Then the little boy first running toward him, as he was carried further and further away and then the tiny figure, crumbled in the middle of the street, weeping.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben heard himself scream as his nightmares jarred him back to reality.\u00a0 Groaning, he pulled himself into a sitting position and rubbed his eyes.\u00a0 Once his eyes became adjusted to the dark, Ben looked about him but was unable to make out anything.\u00a0 Instead, he used his hands and felt along the walls of the tiny enclosure that had become his dungeon.\u00a0 Ben drew a deep breath; the air was stale and hot in the confining space and it took several attempts before he felt that his lungs had at last been filled to capacity.\u00a0 The weary and battered man pulled his knees up to his chest and rested his head on his folded arms that lay atop his knees. Memories poured into his heart and mind and try though he might, Ben could not stop the tears that welled in his eyes.\u00a0 His heart yearned to return to his home and ached with the pain of not being allowed to see and hold his precious sons.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPlease God, help me.\u00a0 You know I didn\u2019t do what they said I did; you know I\u2019m innocent.\u00a0 Please God, be with my boys, help them to be brave and please see that they come to no harm while I\u2019m gone.\u00a0 And God, you know how Little Joe is, please send your angels to watch over him and comfort him.\u00a0 I know Adam and Hoss will do their very best, but Joseph needs extra care, he\u2019s so young and so little; I worry most for him because he doesn\u2019t understand what has happened. \u00a0Thank you, God, thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben closed his eyes and before long, God\u2019s caring hands touched him and Ben slept at last.\u00a0 It was late afternoon when Ben woke and in spite of the beating he had received, Ben felt better.\u00a0 Though his cramped muscles ached from inactivity, his body weak from lack of food and water, Ben\u2019s spirits was up and two days later when the guard finally opened the door to his dark cell, Ben was able to crawl from the tight confined space by himself.\u00a0 As the guard hauled him to his feet, Ben covered his eyes to shield them from the bright sun that glared overhead.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, Cartwright, you look as if you managed fairly well,\u201d chanted the warden.\u00a0 Giving Ben the once over with his eyes, his nose slightly snarled in disgust at the body odor that emitted from his prisoner, the warden stepped back and faced the guard.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGet this man something to eat and see that he is cleaned up.\u00a0 After that, put him back to work.\u201d\u00a0 The warden gave Ben one last look; shook is head and returned to the comforts of his office.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGet going.\u201d\u00a0 The guard roughly shoved Ben toward the building almost causing him to trip over the shackles that bound his ankles closely together and disallowing him to take anything but small stumbling steps as he staggered forward.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam held Joe tightly about his waist as the smaller boy fought against his older brother\u2019s arms.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t going Adam, I ain\u2019t,\u201d cried Little Joe as Adam struggled to keep Joe from falling out of the saddle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes you are Joe.\u00a0 You\u2019re going and you\u2019re going to stay there if I have to sit beside of you all day long.\u00a0 Now just settle down before I have to wallop you.\u201d\u00a0 Adam adjusted the squirming boy upright in the saddle for the hundredth time since leaving the Devlin\u2019s that morning.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It had been a fight since returning from the Ponderosa on Sunday evening and Adam was tired of having to repeat himself.\u00a0 Joe was just as determined that he was not going to go to school the next morning as Adam was determined that Joe was going.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe, you know that Pa wants you to go to school.\u00a0 Now hush up about not going and just try to think about how badly Pa would feel if he knew you refused to go,\u201d Adam told his younger brother.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t see Hoss causing trouble and acting like a baby about it do you?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI ain\u2019t no baby,\u201d pouted Little Joe folding his arms across his chest in protest of the implication as he rode along.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam\u2019s smile was unseen by his younger brother who had given up his struggle to be free and who was now leaning his body back against the body of his older brother, a pout on his otherwise angelic face.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, you are not a baby, but you are acting like one.\u00a0 Joe, please, won\u2019t you at least try?\u00a0 I know it\u2019s hard, this has been hard for all of us, and I know it\u2019s especially hard on you Little Buddy but at least the three of us have each other, Pa\u2019s all alone up there in that prison and if he thought that we were always fussing and arguing between ourselves like this, he would be ashamed and disappointed in us.\u00a0 So couldn\u2019t\u2026.\u201d Adam was interrupted.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry Adam.\u00a0 I don\u2019t wanna make Papa ashamed of us.\u00a0 I promise, I\u2019ll be a good boy from now on.\u00a0 I promised God anyway that I would if\u2019n he\u2019d just let Pa come home.\u201d\u00a0 Joe turned his head upward and gazed into Adam\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 Adam could see the making of tears beginning to form in the hazel eyes that watched his face.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a good boy, Joe.\u00a0 Pa would be proud of you.\u201d\u00a0 Adam leaned down and kissed his brother\u2019s brow.\u00a0 \u201cHere we are,\u201d Adam helped Joe slide from the saddle and handed him his sack lunch that Mrs. Devlin had supplied for both Hoss and Little Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou help Hoss stable his horse and then hurry on in, don\u2019t dilly dally around Hoss and make the two of you late.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be back to get you this afternoon, I have to ride out to the ranch and take care of a few things.\u00a0I\u2019ll see you then,\u201d Adam called, turning his horse around and tossing his hand in the air in goodbye to his two brothers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSee ya, Adam,\u201d called out Hoss as he led his horse into the small stable that was provided for the children who rode their own horses to school each day.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe hurried to catch up to Hoss and the Devlin children who had rode along with them and who were now leading their ponies to the stable as well.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s path was blocked by a group of boys who had not yet gone inside.\u00a0 The boys circled the lone child, giving Joe reason to become slightly alarmed by their unexpected actions.\u00a0 As the boys closed in the circle, Joe turned all around looking for a means of escape.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Before he could gather his thoughts, Joe felt the end of a fist connect with his jaw.\u00a0 The force of the blow sent his head reeling backward and as he staggered he felt the pressure of hands grabbing at his upper body breaking his fall.\u00a0 He was suddenly shoved forward where he was caught again by outstretched hands and arms as he felt himself spun around and around in a circle before the hands released him and allowed his body to crumble in a heap to the ground.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Instantly the sound of Hoss\u2019 loud voice could be heard booming above the shouts and laughter of the other boys.\u00a0 Hoss shoved his way through the circle of boys making his way to the crumpled form lying still on the ground.\u00a0 When the boys saw that is was their victim\u2019s larger brother that shoved them aside, most of the boys ran into the school building, the angry glare on Hoss\u2019 face telling them that they had over stepped themselves in their assault of his smaller brother.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe, Joe, are ya all right, punkin?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss dropped to his knees and pulled Joe into his lap.\u00a0 Joe, crying, buried his face in the front of Hoss\u2019 shirt and clung tightly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cShh\u2026you\u2019re all right Joe.\u00a0 Here let me look at ya.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss quickly surveyed the damage that had been done.\u00a0 Other than a small bruise to his jaw, Joe was more frightened and dirtied than hurt.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSee, you\u2019re fine.\u00a0 Now stop crying Little Joe,\u201d encouraged Hoss as he dusted the dirt from Joe\u2019s clothing.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019ca say to\u2019em to make\u2019em jump ya like that?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe sniffed his nose, \u201cI didn\u2019t do nuthin\u2019, honest Hoss.\u00a0 I was just followin\u2019 ya into the stable when they jumped on me.\u00a0 They said I was no good, just like my Pa and they said Pa would never get out of prison cause he killed a woman.\u201d\u00a0 Joe began to cry and Hoss dropped to his knees and gathered the distraught boy into his arms to comfort him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDid\u2026Pa\u2026really kill\u2026a woman\u2026Hoss?\u201d wept Little Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAw Joe, you know better\u2019n that, of course not, our Pa would never do a thing like that.\u00a0 Those boys don\u2019t know what they was atalkin\u2019 about,\u201d Hoss\u2019 own anger was beginning to rise as he thought about the way that his baby brother had just been treated and of the things that his so-called friends were now saying about the father that he admired and respected more than any other person.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThen why\u2019d they say it, if it weren\u2019t so?\u201d asked Joe, giving his brother a puzzled look.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCause Joe, the judge found him guilty.\u00a0 Adam called it manslaughter, I ain\u2019t quite sure what that has ta do with a woman getting\u2019 kilt, but the judge said Pa had\u2019ta go to prison cause she died and that it was Pa\u2019s fault, \u2018cepting\u2019 we know that Pa really didn\u2019t do it.\u00a0 Now come on Joe, we\u2019re late already.\u00a0 You can get Adam to explain it to ya later,\u201d Hoss took Joe\u2019s hand and led him to the door but stopped before going in.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLook Joe,\u201d said Hoss, dropping his voice to a whisper, \u201cjust try to stay clear of them boys for the rest of the day, okay?\u00a0 I don\u2019t want\u2019em jumpin\u2019 on ya again,\u201d Hoss smiled down at Joe seeing the worried look on his brother\u2019s tiny face.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust stay close to me little buddy, durin\u2019 lunch and recess, ya\u2019ll be fine.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss opened the door and led the way in, Joe slowly following.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n All eyes turned in their direction as they entered.\u00a0 The boys who had taunted Joe gave him threatening looks as the brothers slowly made their way to their assigned seats on opposite sides of the rooms.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Miss Jones had stopped in mid sentence as the brothers quickly seated themselves and seeing the haggard appearance on Joe\u2019s face and noting the way his clothes were mussed, Abigail Jones smiled at both boys.\u00a0She had seen the ruckus that had taken place in the schoolyard but before she had been able to react, she had seen the older Cartwright boy come to the younger boy\u2019s rescue.\u00a0 The boys involved had been warned immediately as they entered the building and had been instructed as to what would be the end result should another incident take place.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss, Joseph, I\u2019m glad to have you back.\u00a0 Now, please, let\u2019s get started,\u201d smiled the teacher and returned to the blackboard where she was putting up the assignments for the day.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe looked in Hoss\u2019 direction and saw that his brother was already busy with paper and pencil.\u00a0 Reaching forward for his own paper and pencil, he was stopped short by a strong hand clinging tightly to his dark curly hair.\u00a0 As he felt his head yanked backwards, words of caution were whispered into his ear.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBetter watch your step Cartwright, we don\u2019t take too kindly to kids whose old man goes around stealing our pa\u2019s money and then killing poor innocent ladies.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The hand shoved Joe\u2019s head forward.\u00a0 Joe bit his lip to keep from crying and forced himself not to turn around, he knew who sat behind him, Lucas Tatum, his mortal enemy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For the rest of the day, Little Joe managed to avoid his tormentors, though he knew it was just a matter of time before they caught him without the watchful eye of his older brother keeping him safe. By late that afternoon when recess was just beginning, Little Joe\u2019s nerves had worn thin, his stomach ached and when the class was dismissed, Joe lingered behind allowing the rest of the class to exit the building before he did.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe stood in the opened doorway and watched as the children darted about the playground.\u00a0 Anxiously his eyes sought Hoss, but his brother was busy with his friends so having no other recourse, Joe made his way quickly to the outhouse behind the school.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Just as Joe opened the narrow door, voices behind him alerted him to the fact that he was about to become the object of ridicule once again.\u00a0 Strong hands grabbed his shoulders and spun him about.\u00a0 In front of him stood Lucas Tatum, a conceded looking smirk on his face.\u00a0 Without speaking, Lucas who stood a whole head taller than Little Joe and out weighed him by ten or more pounds doubled up his fist and delivered a punch to Little Joe\u2019s mid section.\u00a0 The smaller boy doubled up in agony, his stomach all ready upset, quickly reacted to the intense pain spilling its contents onto the ground.\u00a0 Roughly Joe was shoved inside of the privy, the door slammed shut and held until another boy quickly ran circles around the outhouse using a rope to hold the door in place.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe struggled to catch his breath as he pounded on the door and screamed for release.\u00a0 On the other side of the door, the boys could be heard laughing and cracking jokes about Ben Cartwright and his murdering ways, all meant to add to the misery of the little boy who was being held captive in the old outhouse.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss quickly became aware of the loud boisterous noise and just as quickly scanned with his worried eyes, the playground but could not find what he was searching for.\u00a0 His eyes suddenly fell on the privy, the ropes that held the door tightly shut and his ears picked up the distressed cries that sounded within.\u00a0 Running, Hoss made his way toward the tiny building but was stopped just within inches of reaching the door by a group of larger boys.\u00a0 Hoss quickly took the defense and readied himself for the attack that he knew was coming; it came quicker than he had anticipated and before Hoss knew what had happened, he was jarred to the ground and buried beneath the pile of boys who struck him with their fists from head to foot.\u00a0 Hoss struggled, managed to get his hands on one boy and tossed him into the air.\u00a0 Before he could repeat the action, fists pounded him about his head, jabbed into his face, his stomach and his sides.\u00a0 Hoss fought to free himself from the fury of blows but the weight of the boys piled onto his body was more than even the overgrown middle Cartwright boy could pull out from under.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Suddenly Hoss could see daylight as boy after boy was grabbed from behind and tossed through the air. When the wall of boys had at last been cleared, Hoss, beaten and bruised, stared into the face of his oldest brother.\u00a0 With hand outstretched, Adam grabbed a hold of Hoss\u2019 extended hand and hauled the boy to his feet.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss staggered slightly as Adam held his arm to keep him from falling.\u00a0 \u201cBoy, I sure am glad ta see ya,\u201d smiled Hoss, grimacing at the slight pain he felt when doing so.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou looked like you could use some help.\u00a0 What the hell is going on here anyway, and where\u2019s Little Joe?\u201d demanded Adam searching the schoolyard for his youngest brother.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe?\u201d Hoss remembered the purpose of his journey to the outhouse and pointed at it.\u00a0 \u201cI think he\u2019s in there.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Quickly Adam ran the short distance to the privy from where the schoolyard brawl had ended and having to use his knife, cut the rope that held the door closed.\u00a0 With a jerk, Adam pulled the door opened; inside, Joe sat huddled in the floor, his face hidden from his brother\u2019s view.\u00a0 Adam allowed himself to fall to his knees and placing a hand on the slender trembling shoulders, spoke softly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHey buddy,\u201d he began, \u201clet\u2019s get you out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe recognizing his oldest brother\u2019s voice turned his tear stained face upward.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s anger began to surface the minute he spied the bruise on his little brother\u2019s face and the sadness that appeared in the tear filled eyes that stared at him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI couldn\u2019t get out Adam, I gots sick and puked.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry,\u201d sobbed Joe as Adam lifted his little brother into his arms.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe slipped his arms about Adam\u2019s neck and laid his head on his brother\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay little fella, don\u2019t worry about it, I\u2019ll take you home now,\u201d Adam patted Joe\u2019s back and Joe snuggled against Adam and closed his eyes.\u00a0 Remembering Hoss, Joe raised his head and looked around for his other brother.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss, is he okay?\u00a0 I heard\u2019em hollering and then I heard\u2019em say let\u2019s get\u2019em.\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t get out to help him,\u201d sobbed Little Joe as Hoss joined them with the horses.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine Punkin, no need ta worry ya self about me, \u2018sides, I had older brother Adam here to help me out.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss ruffled the top of Joe\u2019s head making the younger boy to smile back at him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh Adam, Adam,\u201d called Miss Jones.\u00a0 Having been witness to the fight and knowing that with so many of the larger boys involved, Abigail had rushed to the sheriff\u2019s office for help and had just returned with Roy Coffee in tow.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAre your bothers okay, I was so scared.\u00a0 I yelled at the others to break it up but they didn\u2019t pay me no mind, so I went for the sheriff.\u00a0 I am so sorry about this Adam, I should have been more mindful to them after the little ruckus this morning.\u201d\u00a0 Abigail dabbed at her brow, the last thing she wanted now was to have Adam Cartwright think her incapable of taking charge of her class.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam smiled slightly, wanting to leave.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re just bruised up some, nothing that we can\u2019t take care of,\u201d he assured her.\u00a0 \u201cRoy, I\u2019d like to have a word with you later, after I make sure that Hoss and Joe are safe at home.\u201d\u00a0 He had turned to the sheriff, a faithful friend of his father\u2019s in whom Adam knew Ben put his trust.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy bobbed his head up and down in compliance.\u00a0 \u201cSure, sure Adam.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t I just ride out with ya, just to be sure nothing else like this happens again?\u201d\u00a0 Roy held Joe in his arms until Adam mounted his horse and handed the small lad up to his brother.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll get my horse and meet you in front of my office.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam agreed, waited for Hoss to get on his pony and nodded his head at the teacher.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure my brothers will be back, Miss Jones, that is until I can be assured that something like this will not happen again.\u00a0 I will be in touch with you later, after I have spoken to the sheriff.\u00a0 Good day.\u201d\u00a0Adam turned Sport toward town and went to meet Roy at his office, Hoss by his side, Joe sitting in front of him and tucked safely into the folds of his arms.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben sat alone in his cell, his body aching from the hard labor he had been forced to do, not that he had never worked hard, it was just that this type of labor, digging and hauling stones, was harder by far than any work he had ever done thus far.\u00a0 Ben stretched hoping to work the tightness from his muscles and then lay back onto his cot and closed his eyes.\u00a0 Sleep did not come; just memories and they made him smile.\u00a0 In his mind\u2019s eye he could see his sons, Adam tall and handsome, Hoss loving and gentle, Little Joe crawling up into his lap and wrapping his arms about his father\u2019s neck.\u00a0 Ben sighed deeply, God how he missed them and he wanted more than anything to go home.\u00a0 How long had it been now, a month, two maybe?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben reflected back to all that had happened, he knew that he was innocent of the charges that had been brought against him, but how had the finger of guilt suddenly come to point in his direction?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He had been trying for months to make a deal with Mrs. Hickman in regard to her timber that he needed to finish the contract with the lumber company in San Francisco.\u00a0 Mrs. Hickman was reluctant to sell, she had been holding out for the highest offer and that night when she had sent word to him via messenger asking that he meet with her at her home, west of the Ponderosa, Ben felt confident that she had chosen his bid on her lumber.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mildred Hickman had seemed out of sorts at their meeting, Ben had not pushed her for an explanation but quickly signed the required papers needed to finish their transaction.\u00a0 Both Ben and Mildred had seemed pleased with the final arrangements with the timber contract and when Ben turned to leave, Mildred had bid him a warm thank you with a promise to be in touch soon.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It had been well after dark as Ben rode along toward home, his mind seemingly to wander considering the timber contract he carried in his vest pocket, and not really paying much mind as to what was taking place around him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Suddenly Ben felt a stabbing pain to the back of his head as he slowly pulled himself up from the ground, not having an inkling as to how he came to be there in the first place nor of how long he had lain in the dirt unconscious.\u00a0 As he staggered to his feet, Ben felt the back of his head where the pounding seemed most intense; there appeared to be a good sized goose egg and Ben rubbed at it trying to ease some of the pain.\u00a0Dazed and unaware of the blood that covered his hand and fingers, Ben reached to replace his .45 that apparently had slipped from his holster during his fall.\u00a0 Once secured in place, Ben looked around for his horse.\u00a0 Buck had wandered just a few yards from where he had fallen and was nibbling at the short grass around him.\u00a0 Ben spoke softly, taking care not to spook his mount in the dark Ben carefully reached for the reins that hung loosely to the ground.\u00a0 Buck nickered softly as Ben gently patted the horse\u2019s neck and eased his aching body into the saddle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It was nearly ten o\u2019clock when Adam heard the sound of the horse in the yard.\u00a0 Worried that his father was so late in returning, Adam rushed to the door and opening it was just in time to see Ben fall from his horse, his body crumbling in a heap to the ground.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa!\u201d shouted Adam rushing to his father\u2019s side.\u00a0 \u201cPa, what happened?\u201d\u00a0 Adam eased his father over onto his back seeing the deep lines etched onto his face that told him that his father was in pain.\u00a0 \u201cPa, are you hurt?\u201d he questioned as Ben moaned and tried to rise to a sitting position.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2026\u201dmoaned Ben again, this time closing his eyes as a wave of nausea washed over him.\u00a0 \u201cMy head\u2026I\u2019m not sure what happened son.\u00a0 I think I must have fallen from my horse, I think I hit my head on a rock or something.\u201d\u00a0 Ben leaned against Adam as Adam helped his father to his feet.\u00a0 \u201cHelp me to the house.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Once Adam had his father carefully situated on the settee, he was better able to examine the large knot on the back of Ben\u2019s head.\u00a0 Hop Sing had appeared out of nowhere with a basin of cool water to wash away the blood that had begun to congeal in Ben\u2019s hair.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa, are you sure you\u2019re all right, you don\u2019t look to well?\u201d asked Adam concerned that Ben might have a slight concussion.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben shut his eyes tightly and attempted to rub once more at the spot on the back of his head.\u00a0 \u201cI feel kinda funny, son.\u00a0 Get me to my bed, please,\u201d whispered Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing please see if Jake is still up and if not, wake him and send him into town for Doc Martin.\u00a0 Please, tell him to hurry,\u201d ordered Adam, grasping Ben\u2019s arm to balance the wobbly man as together they staggered to the stairs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hop Sing immediately did as requested and within minutes the sounds of hooves pounding against the hard ground outside could be heard leaving the yard.\u00a0 Several minutes later, Ben rested in his bed, propped against his pillows while Adam remained by his side.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The old grandfather clock, which had stood for years in the same place next to the main entrance of the massive ranch house, chimed the mid-night hour.\u00a0 Adam rushed down the stairs in response to the loud banging on the door.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDoc, come in,\u201d offered Adam, stepping aside to permit Paul Martin to enter.\u00a0 \u201cRoy, I wasn\u2019t expecting to see you, come in.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHi\u2019ya Adam.\u00a0 I was having a talk with Doc here when Jake came in.\u00a0 Thought I had better ride out with\u2019em to see how Ben was.\u201d\u00a0 Roy\u2019s voice was solemn when he spoke but Adam had no time to question the sheriff\u2019s seriousness.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2019s upstairs Paul, in his room.\u201d\u00a0 Adam led the way followed by both Roy and Paul.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Quickly Paul was at Ben\u2019s side and just as quickly began examining Ben\u2019s head injury.\u00a0 Adam stood to the side and waited while the doctor finished.\u00a0 Roy stood to the far corner of the room, quietly waiting to question his friend, dreading what he knew he must do, for in no way did he ever think that his friend, Ben Cartwright, had done what it appeared that he had.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think you\u2019ll live Ben.\u00a0 You have a slight concussion but I don\u2019t believe that it is too serious.\u00a0 I want you to stay in bed for the next few days, I\u2019ll be back out to check on you in a couple days, until then, do as I say, stay in bed,\u201d Paul ordered his patient.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Paul.\u00a0 The way my head hurts right now, I don\u2019t even want to think about trying to get up,\u201d Ben gave the doctor a weak smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy moved closer to the bed, his fingers together tapping lightly.\u00a0 \u201cBen, do ya feel up to answering a couple of questions?\u201d he asked hesitantly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben, his face drawn, looked up, surprised to see the sheriff at his bedside.\u00a0 Paul cleared his throat, gave both Ben and Roy quick glances then moved aside, making room for Roy.\u00a0 Their actions did not go unnoticed by the ailing man in his bed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s this about Roy?\u00a0 What\u2019s wrong?\u201d asked Ben, Adam moving nearer so that he could catch every word, for he too had noticed the exchange between the doctor and the sheriff.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBen,\u201d began Roy, \u201cdo ya mind tellin\u2019 me where ya been tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI went over to see Mildred Hickman.\u00a0 She and I made a deal about some of her timber I needed to finish a contract.\u00a0 We signed the papers, why?\u201d Ben asked, wondering what all of this was leading up to.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat time was that Ben?\u201d asked Roy, giving Paul another look.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHmm\u2026must have been about 8:30-9:00 o\u2019clock, why?\u00a0 What are you digging for Roy?\u201d Ben questioned, confused as to why Roy would be so interested in him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPaul and I found Mildred seriously injured about 9:30, Ben\u2026\u201d started Roy but was interrupted by Ben\u2019s sudden outburst.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d Ben demanded, \u201cWhat are you saying?\u00a0 She was fine when I left.\u00a0 What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI was ahopin\u2019 you could tell us, Ben?\u201d stammered Roy, hating himself for the thoughts that were rolling around in his head.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow should I know, I just told you she was fine when I left.\u00a0 We shook hands, nothing else happened, Roy,\u201d Ben explained, casting worried glances at his oldest son.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBen, Mildred had a large gapping hole in her head.\u00a0 She was barely alive when we found her.\u00a0 She died minutes later Ben.\u00a0 I asked her who hit her and the only thing she said was \u2018Ben, Ben\u2019,\u201d Roy hung his head.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d shouted Adam, \u201cYou don\u2019t think Pa hit her do you?\u00a0 Well do you?\u201d demanded Adam when Roy hesitated in answering.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben held his hand up to silence his son.\u00a0 \u201cWell, Roy?\u00a0 Is that what you think?\u00a0 You think I killed that woman?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOf course not Ben.\u00a0 But everything points to that fact.\u00a0 What am I suppose to think?\u201d Roy asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBen, it looks bad for you.\u00a0 We go in, find Mildred barely alive, I ask her who did it, she tells me Ben, she dies.\u00a0 Her dying words were Ben\u2026now you tell me, why would a dying woman lie about who tried to kill her?\u201d Roy was trying to be reasonable, not wanting to believe what he himself along with the doctor both heard.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben was speechless, giving both Roy and Paul troubled looks.\u00a0 \u201cI swear Roy, Paul, I never so much as touched the woman.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI want to believe that Ben, you know I do, but I heard her with my own ears.\u00a0 Roy plainly asked her who hit her and she gave us your name.\u201d\u00a0 Paul was just as upset about the incident as both Roy and Ben.\u00a0 He knew if it came to trial he would have to testify against his long time friend and the idea of doing so turned his stomach.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBen, as soon as you\u2019re on your feet, I have no other choice but to take you in\u2026\u201d began Roy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFor what?\u00a0 Pa just told you, he didn\u2019t do anything!\u201d demanded Adam, moving closer to his father and standing protectively between his father and the sheriff.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben reached up and took Adam\u2019s hand in his.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s okay son, Roy is just doing his job.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure we can get this straightened out.\u00a0 Right now though, my head is pounding, I\u2019d like to rest, if that\u2019s okay with everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure Ben, and I\u2019m sorry about all of this, but you understand?\u201d asked Roy, reaching for his hat and starting to the door.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben nodded his head, leaned back into the pillows and closed his eyes.\u00a0 Roy glanced at Paul who had moved to Ben\u2019s side and checked his vital signs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOne more thing Ben,\u201d said Roy.\u00a0 Ben opened his eyes, looking directly into the sheriff\u2019s.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe found blood on your pistol, and on your hands, I have no other recourse at this time Ben, than to think that your pistol was the murder weapon.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam\u2019s rage at Roy\u2019s suggestions was mounting but before he could speak, Ben tightened his grip on his son\u2019s arm, silencing the boy from speaking out.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou do what you must Roy, I understand, but I\u2019m telling you, I didn\u2019t kill her.\u201d\u00a0 Ben closed his eyes once again and drifted off to sleep, the medication that Paul had given him taking affect.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s let him rest Roy, you can talk to him again tomorrow when he\u2019s up to it.\u201d\u00a0 Paul gave Adam a slight nod of his head and stood to his feet.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll see ourselves out Adam.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry about all of this.\u00a0 Send word if you need me tonight, but I think Ben will sleep it through.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam responded with a nod and as the doctor and the sheriff exited his father\u2019s bedroom, Adam gave in to his despair as he lowered himself into the chair beside of Ben\u2019s bed and allowed his thoughts to rehash everything that had happened in the last hour.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben opened his eyes, it had grown dark within his cell and Ben studied the ceiling overhead trying to put all of the pieces together. The puzzle seemed to be missing something and try though he might, Ben could not find the connecting piece.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The trial had been a nightmare for him.\u00a0 As he sat and listened to the prosecuting attorney, Ben knew it looked bad for him.\u00a0 Harry Teague, his lawyer had no need to tell him so, for Ben could see it in the attorney\u2019s eyes, he was worried.\u00a0 The more the prosecution pushed, the worse it became until Ben even began to doubt himself, for the evidence seemed to point in no other direction but his.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n First Roy Coffee was called to the stand, the sheriff gave his testimony stating that he had been summoned to Mildred Hickman\u2019s home by one of her hired men who had found the front door of her home opened and worried, had stepped inside and found Mrs. Hickman clinging to life.\u00a0 When questioned further, Roy also stated under oath of questioning the dying woman before witnesses as to who had attempted to kill her and her dying words had been, \u2018Ben\u2019.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben remembered the haunted look that his friend had given to him and Ben recalled having felt sorrow for his friend at having to be the number one witness at his murder trial.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Doctor Paul Martin had taken the stand next and had restated his side of the story confirming everything that the sheriff had sworn to.\u00a0 When Mrs. Hickman\u2019s hired man told his side, all doubt to Ben\u2019s innocence had crumbled with the man\u2019s testimony.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n At last Harry Teague called Ben to the stand and for the next couple of hours, Ben was drilled over and over by both the defense and prosecution.\u00a0 Ben explained how he and Mildred had at last come to terms with the deal in question; he explained in detail the terms of the agreement, and told the court about the night he had met with Mildred to finalize and sign the contract.\u00a0 Ben explained that when he left, Mildred was fine, happy to at last finish their business and had even promised Ben that she would come to dinner soon, should he extend the invitation to her, which he did.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben went on to tell of his excitement in at last being able to provide the needed timber to finish his own contract with the lumber company in Sacramento.\u00a0 He told of falling from his horse and hitting his head, though could not provide an explanation as to why that should have happened.\u00a0 From that point on he explained that things became somewhat confusing, as the next thing he could remember was Adam helping him into the house and sending for the doctor.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The next question that the prosecution asked was the one that brought disorder to the courtroom and sealed his fate.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMr. Cartwright, do you have proof that you indeed signed the papers on the night in question?\u00a0 I mean, do you have the papers?\u201d asked the prosecuting attorney, leaning on the half walled in front of Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes sir, I do, my lawyer has them,\u201d responded Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The prosecution then accepted the papers that were handed to him and asked Ben if those were the papers in question.\u00a0 After answering yes to the request, the papers were then shown to the jury before being presented to the judge.\u00a0 The lawyer then asked Ben to name the date on which the papers were signed; Ben complied.\u00a0 The lawyer smiled wickedly at the jury and announced that that one fact proved that Ben Cartwright had indeed been at Mildred Hickman\u2019s home.\u00a0 But before he could continue, a loud shout erupted from the courtroom and all eyes, including Ben\u2019s watched as Burl Morgan stood to his feet.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat can\u2019t be right, I met with Mildred Hickman two days before that and she gave me the contract, I have it signed and dated right here in my pocket!\u201d the enraged man shouted as he pulled folded papers from the inside pocket of his coat.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The judge banged his gavel down several times before order could be restored to his courtroom.\u00a0 When silence had been gained, the judge asked that Morgan step up to the stand.\u00a0 Both the prosecution and defense attorneys approached the bench as well.\u00a0 Ben sat, stunned and silent in the witness chair and waited to find out what was happening.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben was shocked, not knowing how Burl Morgan could be in possession of such papers for the contract had been his, legal and binding according to law, or so he had thought.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The judge scanned the papers, shaking his head from side to side as he did so.\u00a0 At last, Judge Witter looked at Ben.\u00a0 \u201cCan you explain to me why there are two contracts for the same timber, this one dated two days before the contract that you claim Mildred Hickman signed on the night in question?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben shook his head, \u201cNo sir, I have no idea where Morgan got his contract.\u201d\u00a0 Ben shook his head again, \u201cOne of them must be a forgery.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right Cartwright,\u201d shouted Burl Morgan moving to stand in front of Ben.\u00a0 \u201cYours!\u00a0 I met with Mildred two days before she was killed by you and finalized this contract,\u201d Burl pointed to the papers now in the judge\u2019s hand.\u00a0 \u201cYou went there and tried to force her into signing your contract and then killed her to keep her mouth shut, you murdered that poor woman!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The courtroom erupted into utter chaos as men began shouting at the top of their lungs both in favor and against the man on trial.\u00a0 Ben tried to deny Morgan\u2019s charges but the noise was so loud that his pleas of innocence could not be heard above the racket.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The judge pounded and pounded several times trying in vain to regain control of his courtroom but only after the sheriff fired his pistol into the air did silence fall upon the spectators once again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cEveryone take a seat, NOW!\u201d shouted the judge angrily and shot a warning glare at Ben who had stood to his feet in the witness stand.\u00a0 \u201cSit down Mr. Cartwright,\u201d demanded the judge.\u00a0 Ben did as ordered and watched as everyone else found his or her own seats.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThis new evidence sheds new light on this case.\u00a0 It seems to me that Mr. Morgan is holding the proper papers, according to the date.\u00a0 Mr. Cartwright\u2019s papers on the other hand seem to me to be the forged documents,\u201d accused the prosecution.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben was shocked, shook his head no.\u00a0 \u201cNo, they aren\u2019t forged, Mildred and I signed them that night, I swear,\u201d Ben sat on the edge of his seat.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDid you kill that poor woman, did you become enraged when she told you that night that she had given the contract to Mr. Morgan, did you Ben Cartwright honestly think that you could get away with murder?\u201d shouted out the angry attorney.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben\u2019s lawyer jumped to his feet screaming his protests to the line of questioning but to no avail, the judge allowed the other man to proceed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDid you kill her?\u201d he asked, looking into the faces of the jurors and watching their reactions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, I did not.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou went there with the intentions of forcing her to sign your papers, am I right?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, you are not.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou were angry, enraged really, weren\u2019t you?\u00a0 You thought you could make her sign them; did you know about Morgan\u2019s papers?\u00a0 How were you going to work that angle? Kill him as well?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben took a deep breath, \u201cNo to all accounts.\u00a0 I was not angry, I did not make Mildred do anything, I didn\u2019t know about any papers other than mine and I did not kill anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The day drummed on and by the time the afternoon was nearly ended, the jurors had heard enough.\u00a0 They had been sent out to review the case and within twenty minutes, returned with the verdict, which surprised everyone, including the judge.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The jurors returned, not one single man could look Ben in the face as they filed in and took their seats. Ben watched, his heart in his throat as the foreman stood to his feet and cleared his throat.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHas the jury reached a verdict?\u201d asked the judge.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe have your Honor.\u00a0 On the charge of fraud, we find Ben Cartwright, guilty. \u00a0On the charge of manslaughter, we find Ben Cartwright, guilty.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben felt his knees go weak and he nearly collapsed into his chair had it not been for Harry Teague and Roy Coffee holding him upright.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The judge turned to face the accused.\u00a0 \u201cDo you understand the charges, Mr. Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI do,\u201d Ben barely whispered as he forced himself to stand tall.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDo you have anything to say before I sentence you?\u201d the judge asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben hesitated and tried to collect his jumbled thoughts.\u00a0 What was he to say?\u00a0 He knew he hadn\u2019t killed the Hickman lady, he had no knowledge of Morgan having had papers in his possession that had been signed earlier, but it was impossible to prove his innocence at this point.\u00a0 Ben looked up at the judge and slowly shook his head.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The courtroom was filled with mixed emotions, those who knew Ben where shocked that the jury could find him guilty and those who wanted to believe him guilty of such a hideous crime did just that.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The judge banged his gavel several times bringing the crowd to silence at last.\u00a0 Turning to face Ben, the judge then passed sentence.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBen Cartwright, you have been found guilty of fraud and manslaughter as charged.\u00a0 If it were left up to me, you would be hung by the neck until dead, however, I am obligated by law to follow the guidelines of the territory which requires that when there is some doubt as to the actual order of the facts being entered into the case, but all other evidence points to the facts of the crime or crimes in your case, and those facts leave no reasonable doubt, you must be sentenced accordingly.\u00a0 In this case the law requires that you must be sentenced to a prison term of hard labor with no chance of parole.\u201d\u00a0 The judge banged his gavel one more time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBen Cartwright, I hereby sentence you to ten years of hard labor on the charge of fraud and ten years of hard labor on the charge of manslaughter, both of which are to begin immediately.\u00a0 You will be transported first thing tomorrow afternoon to the state penitentiary.\u201d\u00a0 The gavel rang loudly in the silence that followed and the spectators watched in awe as Ben Cartwright was handcuffed by his best friend, the sheriff of Virginia City and led from the courthouse.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Outside in the streets, people milled around, some speaking in soft voices, others shouting out, \u201cGuilty, guilty!\u201d Others ranting almost gleefully, \u201cTwenty years hard labor, Ben Cartwright got twenty years hard labor!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Off to the side, no one noticed the three young boys standing huddled together in the shadow of the courthouse, each clinging to the other and not one person saw the tears that pooled in the three pairs of frightened eyes nor cared when they spilled over and rolled down each cheek of Ben Cartwright\u2019s sons.\u00a0 The brothers pushed themselves deeper into the shadows and clinging desperately to one another, allowed their tears to flow freely.\u00a0 When they at last had cried themselves out, Adam, holding his youngest brother in his arms, took the hand of his middle brother and together they walked bravely down the street and into the jail where their father was being held.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It was far into the night before Ben was finally able to close his eyes for the last time that night.\u00a0 Sleep had been long in coming for the weary man and once asleep, dreams of home and his boys played havoc with his tired mind and by the time that the prison guard banged the old tin cup against the bars of his cell early the next morning, Ben was already awake and facing the new day with dread.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam gathered Little Joe into his arms, his own heart heavy with the events of the day.\u00a0 Joe worn completely out had fallen to sleep while Adam held him and rocked him.\u00a0 Several times that evening, the youngest Cartwright family member had cried out for his father and Adam knew that the night would be a long one.\u00a0 Careful so as not wake the sleeping boy, Adam carried him up the narrow steps to the room that he shared with his brothers and placed his bundle carefully on the bed.\u00a0 Adam had slipped Joe\u2019s boots from his feet earlier and not wanting to take the chance of waking him Adam decided to leave Joe\u2019s clothing on and covered him with the blankets.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe stirred slightly.\u00a0 \u201cPa\u2026Papa\u2026\u201d whined Joe in his sleep.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam watched as Joe\u2019s face twitched and scrunched up as he continued to mumble in his mindless world of sleep.\u00a0 Joe moved restlessly about on the bed, tears rolling slowly down his face.\u00a0 The sight ripped at Adam\u2019s heart and he felt some of the same lonely feelings that he was sure his younger brother must be experiencing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam lowered his body into the depths of the old chair in the corner, leaned back closing his eyes and shutting out everything around him except for the darkness.\u00a0 God, how he missed his father; Adam sighed, he was so tired of having to put up a front just for the sake of his younger brothers, he wished he could do as they had done and give in to his despair and just let it all out by crying.\u00a0 But he couldn\u2019t, he had to remain strong, his father was depending on him, he was duty bound to care for his brothers; but sometimes, like now, Adam wished he could be the child, just once.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe cried out louder and this time Adam moved to the side of the bed.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s forehead was damp with sweat; his tears had dampened his cheeks as well.\u00a0 Adam poured a small amount of water into the washbasin and soaked the washcloth in the cool water.\u00a0 After wringing it out, Adam placed the cloth onto Joe\u2019s brow.\u00a0 The sudden coolness to his face awakened the sleeping boy and when he opened his eyes, he found his brother\u2019s smiling face before him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHey Little Buddy,\u201d smiled Adam, forcing his face to appear something more than what he felt in his heart.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHi\u2019ya Adam,\u201d Joe replied, looking sad.\u00a0 \u201cI was dreamin\u2019 \u2018bout Papa.\u00a0 I miss him Adam, when\u2019s he gonna come home?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know Joe, I wish I did.\u00a0 Now close your eyes and go back to sleep,\u201d Adam leaned down and placed a kiss on his brother\u2019s brow, watching as Joe wiped the tears from his face, gathered Scruffy into his arms and made himself comfortable.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam moved to the chair leaning back against the cushion and closed his eyes.\u00a0 It was just three weeks until Joe\u2019s birthday and Adam began racking his brain for ideas that could make the occasion a happy one for the little fellow.\u00a0 Adam knew that nothing short of his father being home, could make his unhappy little brother feel anything other than grief or sorrow despite the fact that it would be his birthday.\u00a0 Adam knew what Ben had planned on getting Joe for the special event and Adam decided right then that he would follow through with his father\u2019s little secret and surprise his brother with a gift from Pa.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With a smile on his face, Adam pulled himself to his feet and began preparing for bed.\u00a0 Come morning, he would ride out to the ranch, get the required amount of cash from the safe where his father kept the petty cash and ride into town to make his purchase.\u00a0 Adam counted on the fact that Joe could be made to smile once he realized that the surprise was a gift from their father.\u00a0 Content at last, Adam crawled into bed next to Little Joe, gave once last glance at his brother to assure himself that Joe slept peacefully and shut his eyes.\u00a0 Within minutes sleep claimed the weary minded young man.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben woke with a start.\u00a0 Suddenly Ben jumped to his feet, \u201cthat\u2019s it,\u201d he nearly shouted aloud and quickly dropped his voice.\u00a0 Ben began pacing his cell, five strides forward, and turn, five strides in the opposite direction.\u00a0 Thoughts buzzed about in his head and Ben felt himself smiling for the first time in many weeks.\u00a0 Why had he not thought of it before now?\u00a0 How could he have forgotten he questioned himself as he sought paper and pencil?\u00a0 He had to get a letter out immediately, but to whom, Roy? Charlie perhaps or maybe Adam?\u00a0 No, he thought, best not to involve Adam until he was sure.\u00a0 If he was right in his assumption, things might get ugly.\u00a0 Charlie, he would be the perfect one and if he was right, Charlie could confide in Roy.\u00a0 Both were trusted friends and would be more than willing to help him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Quickly Ben jotted his message onto the paper, folded it and sealed it in the envelope.\u00a0 The man in charge of the mail would pass by his cell just before dawn to gather any out going mail and Ben would be sure to place the quickly scribbled message into the man\u2019s own hands himself.\u00a0 Ben laid back down on his cot, thankful to have a few more minutes to rest before starting another long hard day of hauling rock.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The morning sun felt good as Adam rode along.\u00a0 His thoughts centered on the gift he was going to buy for Joe, one his father had told him about just days before their lives had plummeted downward.\u00a0 Adam had almost forgotten the conversation that he and his father had had until last night and now Adam was more than determined to put a smile on his youngest brother\u2019s face.\u00a0 Joe had always been such a happy child, rarely was he prone to crying but lately it seemed just the opposite, for Joe never wore a smile.\u00a0 Tears seemed to spring from nowhere and without just cause.\u00a0 Even speaking to the boy in anything but a soft tender manner was enough cause for the small boy to burst into a crying fit.\u00a0 His brother\u2019s unhappiness worried Adam and he strived to think of ways to ease his brother\u2019s pain, for Adam knew what the cause of Joe\u2019s misery stemmed from for it was the same for Hoss and himself.\u00a0 They all missed their father and more than anything wanted Ben home with them where he belonged.\u00a0 Adam had the notion that once he went to town he would make a point to stop by Harry Teague\u2019s office and inquire as to whether or not the lawyer had found anything that might help their father with an appeal.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam looped his horse\u2019s reins around the post and slowly made his way to the house.\u00a0 Everything was quiet and still in the yard.\u00a0 Adam listened to the silence unnerved by the fact that it seemed as if the birds had even left for friendlier surroundings.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Memories of happier times suddenly filled Adam\u2019s thoughts and those memories brought tears to his eyes.\u00a0 Not wanting to give in to the sudden onslaught of emotions that he had learned to live with, Adam hurried into the house.\u00a0 The house seemed even more forlorn and his footsteps seemed to echo as he crossed the room to his father\u2019s office.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam had a brief moment of feeling sorry for him self but pushed those emotions aside as he quickly opened the safe and reached for the cash box.\u00a0 When Adam withdrew the box, his eyes fell on a small but neatly addressed envelope.\u00a0 Picking it up Adam saw his father\u2019s name carefully written across the center. Adam hesitated momentarily then placed the envelope back into the safe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Opening the moneybox, Adam counted out what he thought to be enough money to purchase Joe\u2019s surprise and returned the box to its proper place in the safe.\u00a0 His hand accidentally brushed against the note and knocked it to the floor, unknown to Adam.\u00a0 He closed the door to the safe, giving the dial a twirl before standing to his feet.\u00a0 Adam pulled the chair out from the desk and sat down.\u00a0 As he opened the top drawer to withdraw the black ledger, his eyes spotted the paper in the floor.\u00a0 Adam snatched the envelope and giving in to his curiosity, opened and removed the folded paper.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As he read the neatly written message to his father, Adam\u2019s eyes widened in shock.\u00a0 What on earth could this mean?\u00a0 Again he read the note, by the time he had read the disturbing message for the third time, Adam knew he had to talk to the sheriff.\u00a0 Adam quickly folded the paper and returned it to the envelope, placed it into his shirt pocket and rushed out the door.\u00a0 Adam sprang onto his horse, kicking the animal hard in the flanks, surprising his mount and jarring the animal into action.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGot a letter here for you Charlie,\u201d Clara said as she handed Charles Devlin the mail that had just arrived for him.\u00a0 \u201cHmm\u2026\u201dsmiled the woman, teasingly withholding one envelope.\u00a0 The robust lady laughed, causing Charlie to give her a puzzling look.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s so funny?\u201d he questioned, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.\u00a0 Miss Clara Smithfield was a middle-aged widow woman who made it her business to know everyone else\u2019s business who lived in Virginia City.\u00a0 Though noisy by natured, she was harmless for gossip was a sin in her eyes and not one person in town had ever admitted to having heard Miss Clara speak a word of it, not even when bribed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSeems you have a letter from Ben Cartwright,\u201d smiled Clara and handed the last letter out the window to Charlie. \u201cI\u2019d like to think it was something good, that poor man.\u00a0 Why I never, not for one second thought he killed Miss Mildred.\u00a0 No one, not any one mind you, will ever make me believe he did, Ben Cartwright\u2019s too much of a gentleman.\u00a0 Oh, dear, I\u2019m sorry, I do tend to run on so.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Charlie took the envelope and thanked Miss Smithfield and hurried down the street to where his wagon and team stood waiting for him.\u00a0 When Charlie was seated comfortably in the driver\u2019s seat, he hastily tore open the envelope and pulled out the contents.\u00a0 Charlie quickly scanned the letter with his eyes, seeing nothing that might alarm him, Charlie started from the beginning and carefully read the words that Ben had written.\u00a0 When he was finished, Charlie cast anxious eyes all about him as if checking to see if he were being watched.\u00a0 After stuffing the papers into his pocket, Charlie jumped from his wagon and forcing himself not to run, hurried to find Roy Coffee.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben had made a habit of pacing.\u00a0 Worry had embedded its self into his mind and had become a permanent thought.\u00a0 He wondered if Charlie had received his letter, he wondered if Roy now knew the contents and if so what was being done.\u00a0 Ben worried that Adam might somehow get wind of the secret message he had sent to Charlie and if so could his life be in danger, and what about this youngest sons?\u00a0 Ben worried constantly about them, how were they faring, was Joseph eating or sleeping, was the boy suffering from nightmares, were his sons well, and what was Roy doing about helping him?<\/p>\n Ben was plagued with doubt, worry caused his stomach to react and even sleep had seemed to evade him lately.\u00a0 The hard work, poor diet and lack of proper rest had begun to show on the troubled man and Ben often wondered of late if he would live long enough to be reunited with his sons.\u00a0 Exhausted, Ben lowered him self onto the cot and closed his eyes.\u00a0 When sleep refused to come, Ben began to pray and far into the night the prayers continued to be sent upward into heaven.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam, calm down son,\u201d Roy attempted to quiet the excited young man.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut sheriff, you read it, what do you think it means?\u201d questioned Adam who had at last found the sheriff.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He had ridden straight into town after finding the note written to his father and had stopped first at the sheriff\u2019s office but had found it empty.\u00a0 After checking at the saloon and then with Paul Martin still with no luck, he had returned to the sheriff\u2019s office where he found Roy sitting behind his desk looking over the current wanted posters.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t rightly know Adam, but I promise you I\u2019ll find out.\u00a0 I will go right now and have a word with that man.\u00a0 I want you to go home and wait for\u2026..\u201d began Roy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, I want to go with you Roy, I want to hear what that bastard has to say and if\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAbsolutely not young man.\u00a0 Either you go home or I\u2019ll lock you in one of those cells.\u00a0 Do you understand?\u00a0 Your father would not like it one bit if I let you get mixed up in this.\u00a0 Now do as I say, please,\u201d added Roy when he saw the look of anger come into the dark eyes of his best friend\u2019s son.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, you know I can\u2019t let you go with me.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam sighed and then conceded to the sheriff\u2019s wishes.\u00a0 \u201cAll right Roy.\u00a0 But promise me you\u2019ll ride out later and let me know what\u2019s happening.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy placed his hand on Adam\u2019s shoulder and squeezed gently, \u201cI promise you Adam, as soon as I get this worked out, I\u2019ll come tell you all about it.\u00a0 Now go, please.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThanks Roy, I knew I could count on you.\u201d\u00a0 Adam shook hands with the sheriff and with a nod of his head, went out.\u00a0 Taking just a minute to scan the streets, Adam walked slowly to his horse and mounted up.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy reread the note that Adam had brought to him and shook his head.\u00a0 Something wasn\u2019t right, why would Mildred Hickman make such accusations and why had Ben not mentioned the note before the trial?\u00a0 And if he were right in his thinking, why had Ben\u2019s name been Mildred\u2019s dying words?\u00a0 Had the woman been trying to tell them something else about Ben rather than naming him as her assailant?\u00a0 Refolding the paper and stuffing it into his pocket, Roy determined to find out what was meant by Mildred\u2019s words, left the office and made his way toward the office of Burl Morgan.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Just before reaching the office building where Morgan maintained his business, Roy spotted the gentleman and his aide, Chet Davidson, entering the saloon.\u00a0 Roy crossed the street and followed the two men inside.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The door burst open, \u201cRoy, Roy,\u201d shouted Charlie.\u00a0 Clem, Roy\u2019s deputy came from the back room to see what the ruckus was about.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHi Charlie, what\u2019s all the shouting about?\u201d asked Clem as he propped the broom that he had been using in the corner.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cClem, is Roy around?\u00a0 I need to talk to him, it\u2019s kinda important,\u201d explained Charlie, pulling Ben\u2019s letter from his pocket.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Clem straightened some papers on the desk and sat down in his chair, leaning back and watching the anxious way that Charlie moved about the office.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong Charlie, you seem upset about something?\u201d quizzed Clem, rising now from his seat.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI got this here letter from Ben today.\u00a0 I wanted Roy to see it, it\u2019s important to Ben\u2019s case, where is he?\u201d\u00a0 Charlie handed the letter to Clem and waited as Clem quickly read the message.\u00a0 When he was finished, Clem glanced up at Charlie, their eyes locking.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDo you know what this could mean?\u201d asked Clem.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, that\u2019s why Roy needs to see it.\u00a0 Where in thunder is he?\u201d\u00a0 Charlie was getting worried, he felt the adrenalin that pumped through his veins and knew that he had to do everything possible to make sure that Ben\u2019s letter reached the proper persons.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think he went down to the saloon, come on, lets go see,\u201d\u00a0 Clem reached for a rifle that was kept in the case on the wall as he handed the letter back to Charlie.\u00a0 Charlie gave the deputy a puzzled look as Clem checked the rifle for bullets.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou never know,\u201d Clem answered the unspoken question and turned to the door, pausing, \u201cYou coming?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou bet I am,\u201d replied Charlie following Clem through the door and down the street.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam led his horse into the Devlin\u2019s barn, unaware of the sad eyes that watched him as he unsaddled his mount and led his horse into the stall provided.\u00a0 Busy with giving his horse a rubdown, Adam never noticed when Little Joe slipped up behind him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The sound of shuffling feet drew Adam from his thoughts as he worked and to the quiet sound behind him.\u00a0 Surprised to find his youngest brother standing quietly, Adam smiled and knelt down to be eye level with the smaller boy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHey Short Shanks, what\u2019ca doing in here all by yourself?\u00a0 And who\u2019s your friend?\u201d asked Adam, noticing for the first time the tiny yellow kitten Joe held in his arms.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s my kitty. \u00a0Mr. Devlin said I could have it if you didn\u2019t mind.\u00a0 He even said that I could take it home with me when Pa comes back.\u00a0 Is it okay? Heh Adam, heh?\u00a0 Pretty please?\u201d begged Joe, holding the kitten out for his brother to inspect.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam took the tiny kitty from his brother and held it up to get a better look at it.\u00a0 \u201cWell, Joe, this is a fine kitten.\u00a0 What are you going to name him?\u201d\u00a0 Adam cradled the purring kitten to his chest where the baby worked his paws opened and shut on Adam\u2019s arm all the while purring loudly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think I will call him Sun Shine cause he\u2019s yellow like the sun.\u00a0 Ya like it Adam, the name I mean?\u201d Little Joe asked expectantly, smiling at this older brother.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam noticed the smile, glad to see it appear on the angelic little face.\u00a0 \u201cI sure do Joe, it\u2019s a perfect name, and Sun Shine is a perfect little kitty for you.\u00a0 Why, I bet he will be a good mouser.\u00a0 You know, we could use one around the barn at home.\u201d\u00a0 Adam handed the tiny cat back to his brother whose arms were outstretched waiting to take possession.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDo ya think Pa would care?\u00a0 I mean when he gets home, you don\u2019t think he\u2019ll make me bring Sun Shine back here do ya?\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes showed his worry but Adam smiled in spite of his brother\u2019s turmoil, the way things stood, the cat would have used up his nine lives before twenty years was up.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, I don\u2019t think you have to worry about that little buddy.\u00a0 Pa won\u2019t mind, I\u2019m almost sure.\u201d\u00a0 Adam ruffled Joe\u2019s mop of curly hair and grabbed both the boy and the kitten up into his arms.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s me and you see if Mrs. Devlin can spare a little extra milk for Sun Shine.\u00a0 Come on pal.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOkay Adam, that\u2019s a fine idea,\u201d laughed Little Joe and surprised Adam by giving him a kiss on the cheek.\u00a0 \u201cI love ya, Adam,\u201d whispered Little Joe into Adam\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam felt the water gather in his eyes and willed him self not to cry, for the sentiment had touched his heart.\u00a0 \u201cI love you to, Joe,\u201d he smiled in reply.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Clem pushed aside the barroom doors and entered the dimly lit building, Charlie followed closely on his heels.\u00a0 The deputy glanced around at the group of men until his eyes found what he was searching for.\u00a0Pressed against the wall on the opposite side of the room stood Burl Morgan, a gun in his hand and pressed deeply into Roy\u2019s chest.\u00a0 Quickly, Clem moved in behind Morgan and without saying a word, pressed the barrel of his shotgun into the center of the man\u2019s back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Morgan stiffened as the gun barrel dug deeper into his flesh.\u00a0 \u201cHold it right there, Morgan,\u201d ordered Clem.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy moved away from the wall and grabbed Morgan\u2019s .45 from his hand.\u00a0 \u201cGlad to see ya Clem.\u00a0 I was getting\u2019 a little worried.\u00a0 Morgan, you\u2019re under arrest,\u201d Roy spun the larger man around and cuffed his hands behind his back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Clem moved to the man\u2019s right and nearly stumbled over the body that laid sprawled in the floor.\u00a0 \u201cWhat happened here?\u201d asked Clem, bending down to help Charlie turn the man over.\u00a0 It was then that both men spied the knife that had been shoved deeply into Chet Davidson\u2019s stomach.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Both Clem and Charlie stared open-mouthed at Roy asking with their eyes.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a long story, but one worth repeatin\u2019.\u00a0 Let\u2019s get Morgan over to the jail, someone get this man over to Doc Martin\u2019s.\u00a0 Come on you varmint,\u201d Roy shoved Morgan in the back and headed him out the door, down the street toward the jail.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Once locked safely into a cell, Roy turned and smiled at his deputy and Charlie.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll tell ya all about it in a minute, first I need to get Harry Teague over here.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll get him for you Roy,\u201d offered Charlie turning to do Roy\u2019s bidding.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCharlie, make sure you bring Walter Cummings with you as well, I think he might want to hear this as well,\u201d smiled Roy, tapping all ten fingers together in his normal fashion.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe prosecutor?\u201d asked Charlie, stunned at Roy\u2019s unexpected request.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy nodded his head.\u00a0 Charlie gave Clem a puzzling glance as he went out the door but did not stop to take the time to question the sheriff further, he figured that Roy must have his reasons.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Charlie found both attorneys leaving the caf\u00e9 together.\u00a0 \u201cHarry, Walt,\u201d called out Charlie, stopping both men.\u00a0 \u201cRoy needs ya both down at his office.\u00a0 Ya better come quick, he\u2019s rather excited about something, said to tell ya to hurry.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Walt exchanged questioning looks with his competitor and without asking, all three men rushed down the street to the sheriff\u2019s office.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy was sitting with feet propped on his desk; Clem rested on the corner, one long leg dangling.\u00a0 Both men smiled when the pair of attorneys and Charlie entered.\u00a0 Roy removed his feet from the furniture and stood, facing both lawyers as the corners of his mouth twitched and began the making of a smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, gentlemen, I have some news that might interest you,\u201d Roy began slowly.\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t the two of you sit down, you might need a seat by the time I am finished with my little story.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s this about Roy?\u201d puzzled Harry Teague.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYour client, Ben Cartwright,\u201d smiled Roy with a gleam in his eye.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBen Cartwright?\u201d questioned the surprised prosecuting attorney.\u00a0 \u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, it\u2019s like this boys, first off, young Adam Cartwright comes barreling into my office with a note he found in his daddy\u2019s safe. Here, you might like to read it,\u201d\u00a0 Roy pulled the slip of paper from his pocket and handed it to Harry who read it and passed it on to Walter, smiling.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Walter read the note, studied the words a mite longer than it took Harry and then handed it back to Roy.\u00a0 \u201cSo?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo,\u201d chimed Roy, \u201cI sent the boy home, I didn\u2019t want him to get his hopes up.\u00a0 Then whilst I was down at the saloon havin\u2019 it out with Morgan, Charlie here comes in like a whirlwind and gives Clem this here letter he just got from Ben.\u00a0 I will let you read it later.\u00a0 But to make a short story of it, Ben had forgotten all about the note he had received from Mildred Hickman asking him to hurry to her house so that they might finalize their deal.\u00a0 Ben said he had completely forgotten all about it after hitting his head, but something happened at the prison to jar his memory and so he sent this letter to Charlie asking him to get the note and give it to me.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s all this leading up to Roy?\u00a0 Can\u2019t you cut through the bulk of it and just get to the point?\u201d complained Walter who squirmed in his seat.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure, to make it short, I took the note from Mildred Hickman to show it to Morgan and question him about the contents when Chet Davidson got scared and started spilling the beans on Morgan.\u00a0 Seems like Morgan schemed with Davidson to frame Ben for killing the Hickman woman.\u00a0 Davidson said that Morgan and he had slipped into Mildred\u2019s house right after Ben left, hit her on the head thinking she was dead and made it look as if Ben did the killing.\u00a0 Davidson took the short cut over the ridge and waylaid Ben in the dark.\u00a0 He banged him on the head, smeared blood on the butt of his pistol and on his hand, left him for dead, wanted to make it look like someone was out to kill both the Hickman woman and Ben Cartwright, leaving no one to question Morgan when he produced the papers that he claimed were signed two days before Ben\u2019s.\u00a0 Unfortunately, neither Morgan nor Davidson planned on Ben not dying, so they had to come up with another way to get rid of Ben, which is why Morgan suddenly produced his own papers the day of the trial.\u201d\u00a0 Roy stopped to take a breath. \u201cAnd the one thing that Morgan and Davidson didn\u2019t figure on, was the note that Mildred sent to Ben.\u00a0 They had no knowledge of it, which has proved to be their downfall.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Walter jumped to his feet, \u201cCan you prove that Morgan\u2019s papers were forged?\u201d demanded the irate attorney.\u00a0 Walter refused to believe that he had been suckered by the likes of a man such as Morgan was proving to be.\u00a0 Walter, an upstanding citizen of Virginia City for more than thirty years, cringed at the thoughts that he might have been responsible for sending an innocent man to prison, especially one with the status of Ben Cartwright.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure, all you have to do is compare the two signatures, don\u2019t rightly know why no one thought to do that the day of the trial.\u00a0 Here\u2019s the note that Mildred wrote to Ben and here\u2019s the papers that Morgan claims was signed by her.\u00a0 Just to satisfy your mind completely, here is a document I got at the courthouse just before going to the saloon to see Morgan.\u00a0 It\u2019s a copy of her signature where she signed some legal papers last week.\u00a0 The signature on these and the one on the note to Ben and his contract match completely. The signature on Morgan\u2019s paper doesn\u2019t even come close to matching the other two.\u00a0 Does that answer your question?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell I\u2019ll be damned,\u201d cursed Walter handing the documents back to Roy.\u00a0 \u201cGuess you and I better go pay a visit to the judge,\u201d Walter told Harry, taking the lead and heading toward the door.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe with any luck we can have Cartwright home before the end of the month.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The lawyers walked together with Roy to the judge\u2019s office.\u00a0 Once seated around the desk, Roy explained the situation to the judge, he told of the letter that Charlie had received and of the note that Adam had found in his father\u2019s safe. When the judge asked to see the note, Roy readily handed over the folded paper.\u00a0 The judge read the words that Mildred Hickman had penned to Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Please come at once, we need to finalize our contract.\u00a0 Mr. Burl Morgan and his associate, Chet Davidson, have been pestering me and making threats trying to force me to give in to their demands of allowing them the rights to my timber.\u00a0 I will not rest until your signature is placed on our contract.\u00a0Please hurry.\u00a0 I wait anxiously for your arrival.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sincerely,<\/p>\n Mildred Hickman<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The judge folded the paper and returned it to Roy.\u00a0 After reading the letter from Ben, explaining to his friend Charlie that he had remembered the note and asking that he have Adam open his safe so that Charlie could take the note to Roy, and after hearing Davidson\u2019s confession as to what had actually happened, including his part in waylaying Ben, the judge smiled.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s see what can be done to get this man home to his family.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy had ridden out to the Devlin\u2019s and talked with Adam.\u00a0 He, the judge, the two attorneys and Charlie had all agreed not to give Adam any false home.\u00a0 It would be weeks, maybe even a month or two before they would know for sure as to whether or not the newfound information was enough to grant Ben a release and clear his name.\u00a0 Until that fact could be established, they thought it best to explain to the older Cartwright son that all was being done to see that due process was being followed.\u00a0 Adam, disappointed kept the new information from his brothers, not daring to have their hopes dashed at a later date.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam made his purchase, pleased that he could find the new saddle for Joe\u2019s pony that his father had told him he had wanted to buy for Joe.\u00a0 Joe had picked it out months ago and unbeknown to either of them, the store owner had put the saddle in the back room and saved it just for Ben to give to Joe for his birthday.\u00a0 Hoss helped Adam hide the saddle under a tarp along with the few supplies that they had purchased as well and when Joe climbed up into the wagon along side of his brothers, Joe had no idea of the birthday surprise hidden behind him in the back of the wagon.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam and Hoss, with the help of Mrs. Devlin and her older daughter had planned Joe\u2019s little birthday party, down to the creamy chocolate cake, baked and decorated by Hop Sing who had insisted that he be allowed to do the baking.\u00a0 Hop Sing had stayed on at the Ponderosa, living in his private quarters off the kitchen and cooking now for the ranch hands that had also remained on the payroll rather than for the family that had once lived within the walls of the Ponderosa ranch house.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s ya gonna wish for, short shanks?\u201d asked Hoss as he and Joe sat alone on the Devlin\u2019s front porch and waited for Adam to finish the last of his chores.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe turned sad eyes up to face his brother.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t got but one wish, Hoss.\u00a0 It ain\u2019t gonna come true, so don\u2019t reckon I\u2019ll be wishin\u2019 for nuthin\u2019,\u201d cried Joe, the tears beginning to form in his hazel eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss watched the clear pools spill over and run down his little brother\u2019s once rosy cheeks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAw Little Joe, you cain\u2019t have a birthday party without makin\u2019 a wish.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t ya just wish for it anyway\u2026I still believe in miracles, Pa said never to give up hope.\u00a0 Cain\u2019t never tell, it might just come true,\u201d Hoss tried to encourage the weeping boy, but in his own heart he feared that he might never get to see his father again.\u00a0 It had been close to four months since their father had been taken away in the back of the jailer\u2019s wagon.\u00a0 Hoss had never forgotten the sight and thinking on it now brought tears to his own eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Glancing down at Little Joe, Hoss knew exactly how the younger boy felt, but for the lad\u2019s sake, Hoss could not let his brother see his tears.\u00a0 Hoss scooped Joe into his arms and forced a happy smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s go find Sun Shine and get him ready for your party.\u00a0 I bet he will like riding over to our house and maybe if no one is watching, you can slip him a wee tiny piece of your birthday cake, what\u2019ca think \u2018bout that?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss hugged his brother tightly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe giggled, \u201cI didn\u2019t know kitties liked cake, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell punkin I ain\u2019t for sure if they do or not, but we\u2019ll find out.\u00a0 Let\u2019s get you ready, Adam will be finished with his chores directly and we don\u2019t want him to use the bath water afore us, now do we?\u201d laughed Hoss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe giggled again and slipped his arms around Hoss\u2019 neck.\u00a0 \u201cI wouldn\u2019t care if\u2019n I thought Pa could come home.\u00a0 I miss him Hoss, I wish Papa could be here to see me turn eight, stead of being locked up in that ole prison like an animal.\u00a0 How much more years till he comes home?\u201d cried Joe burying his face in the curve of Hoss\u2019 neck.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss chocked on the lump that had suddenly sprouted in his throat, years, he thought, Pa\u2019s only been gone months and already it seemed like years to his youngest brother who had no concept of time.\u00a0 Hoss had to admit to him self though that it seemed like years to him as well and thinking on such forced himself to admit that not only would he be a grown man by the time their father was freed, but Joe as well.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss hid his face in his brother\u2019s curls and whispered,\u00a0 \u201cI wish I knew little buddy, I wish I knew.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The party guest had been carefully chosen this year.\u00a0 Most of the families who had children Joe\u2019s age were reluctant to allow their children to attend the party.\u00a0 Because of the threats and the fights that had taken place at school, Adam had refused to allow his brothers to return, fearing for their welfare, had chosen instead to teach them his self with the aid of Mrs. Devlin.\u00a0 Miss Jones had proved willing to help in anyway, supplying the needed materials for both boys and helping Adam to plan correctly the work suited for both Hoss and Joseph, as she fondly referred to the youngest Cartwright.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Among the invited guess were the Devlins and their children, Hop Sing, who tended all the cooking, Roy Coffee, Clem, Doc Martin and his wife, Harry Teague and his family of five children, even Walter Cummings brought his wife and two grandsons who were classmates of young Joe\u2019s as well, Charlie and Hank, their long time trusted ranch hands and naturally Adam and Hoss completed this year\u2019s guest list.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam had been asked to bring his brothers to the Ponderosa after giving each guest time to arrive.\u00a0 Mrs. Devlin suggested to Adam that it might be more relaxing for Joe to arrive to a house full of company rather than to arrive early and find the house empty.\u00a0 She worried that the empty house might have a negative affect on the youngster and take away from the party festivities.\u00a0 Adam had considered her advice and agreed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As Adam lowered Joe to the ground from the saddle where the smaller boy had been riding in front of him, he watched as Joe\u2019s eyes brightened at the sight.\u00a0 Hop Sing had strung the Chinese lanterns across the porch and round about the yard filling the yard with soft light from the candles hidden deep inside the lanterns.\u00a0 Joe smiled and looked up at Adam then at Hoss when the sound of laughter reached his ears.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYa ready, buddy?\u201d asked Hoss as they made their way to the door.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI suppose,\u201d Joe answered softly, slipping his smaller hand into Hoss\u2019 larger one, making sure that Sun Shine was safely tucked into his coat.\u00a0 Hoss caught the look in Adam\u2019s eye as together the three brothers pushed opened the front door to their home.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Everyone turned at the sound and someone shouted Happy Birthday.\u00a0 Happy Birthday the small crowd yelled, causing Joe\u2019s face to burst into a wide grin, showing for the first time in over four months just how handsome the little boy could be.\u00a0 The sudden burst of noise surprised the kitten hidden within Joe\u2019s jacket and the kitty crawled from its hiding place and scampered through the crowd and into the safety of the kitchen.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss and Adam joined in with their guests and everyone closed in around the small boy giving him hugs and loving pats to his back.\u00a0 When the group cleared, making way for Hop Sing, Joe was surprised to see his cake glowing with eight candles and watched in fascination at the tiny flames that flickered atop the two layer caked that had been baked in his honor.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMake a wish,\u201d Adam whispered to Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe looked up at his brother, puzzled, \u201cI thought ya were suppose to have fun first, you know play games, open gifts, things like that fore ya blowed out candles.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cChinese custom, make wish first, blow out candles before party, wish granted before party over,\u201d supplied Hop Sing smiling at his favorite son.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGo ahead Joe, close your eyes and make a wish,\u201d prompted Hoss as he nudged his brother\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe suddenly became quiet as he scanned all the smiling faces that watched him, one face, the one face with the dark loving eyes he wanted to see the most smiling at him was missing from among the group of party goers.\u00a0 Joe sniffed his nose and looked up at Adam and Hoss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWill you wish with me?\u00a0 It will mean more if\u2019n the two of you make the same wish with me, please?\u201d begged Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam seeing that his little brother was on the verge of tears, nodded his head.\u00a0 \u201cSure we will, won\u2019t we Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure Punkin, whatever you want,\u201d said Hoss taking Joe\u2019s hand in his.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam reached for Joe\u2019s free hand and together the brothers closed their eyes tightly.\u00a0 The group of well wishers parted, the man stepped into the circle of light and smiled at the sight, his heart rapidly pounding within his chest as he watched.\u00a0 The circle closed around the man and the boys, the group growing quiet, almost revenant and watched with expectation the upcoming scene that was fixing to unfold before them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d said Joe and opened his eyes and blew hard, the flames from the eight tiny candles going out at the same time.\u00a0 Joe clapped his hands and smiled up at his brothers but stopped when he spied the look on each face.\u00a0 Tears streamed from Hoss\u2019 eyes, Adam\u2019s chin quivered and Joe sensed that his older brother was on the verge of tears himself.\u00a0 Neither of his older brothers gave him a thought as they stared in shock at the man, and Joe, sensing the unnatural quiet that had befallen the room, jerked his head around to see what everyone was looking at.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Time stopped; Joe stood frozen to the spot, unable to believe what his eyes were telling him about what he was seeing.\u00a0 The young boy felt his knees begin to wobble, the tears strained to be free from his eyes as he stood motionless, barely breathing and unable to react. His brothers were forgotten, as were the guests, the cake and even the gifts.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHappy Birthday son,\u201d gleamed his father.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPapa?\u201d it was more of a question whispered in silent wonder.\u00a0 \u201cPAPA!\u201d screamed out Joe when Ben stepped forward to embrace his tiny son.\u00a0 \u201cPapa, papa, you came home!\u201d\u00a0 Joe flew into his father\u2019s waiting arms, nearly unbalancing the man who embraced him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben\u2019s face was covered with wet kisses and his son\u2019s tears mixed with his own as he stood to his feet, the overjoyed boy held tightly in his embrace.\u00a0 Ben returned the kisses and when Adam and Hoss stepped up to him, he somehow found a way to embrace the two older boys while holding on to Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHello Adam, hello Hoss,\u201d greeted Ben, in a happy but chocked voice as he gave in to his passion, not caring that his friends saw his tears of joy and happiness.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa,\u201d cried Hoss, \u201cOur wish came true, ya really home.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, son.\u00a0 And I promise, I\u2019m never leaving again,\u201d Ben said and joined the others when they started laughing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam stepped away, he wanted to look at his father.\u00a0 Ben looked tired, older somehow than before he had been sent away and Adam knew that what his father had been made to endure had taken its toll on this man he loved with all of his heart.\u00a0 Thoughts started to dart into his head immediately about ways in which he could help his father regain his health, and vitality, ways that he could make his father\u2019s life easier, for a while anyway until the older man was back to feeling like his old self once more.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa, how?\u201d questioned Adam.\u00a0 \u201cWhat happened that they let you out?\u201d Adam was curious to find out. \u201cWas it the note?\u00a0 What?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a long story son, I\u2019ll explain it to all of you later.\u00a0 Right now, I want some birthday cake.\u00a0 How about you Joseph, think we should cut that thing?\u201d Ben pointed to the beautiful cake that Hop Sing had placed on the dining room table.\u00a0 \u201cI haven\u2019t had chocolate cake in months.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe refused to relinquish his hold on his father.\u00a0 He still had his face buried deeply into his father\u2019s neck and it was only after Ben had carried him in his arms to the table and sat down, did Joe at last raise his head and look into his father\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With his tiny hands, Joe cupped his father\u2019s face and gently rubbed at the day old growth of hair that remained on Ben\u2019s cheeks and chin area.\u00a0 The look on Joe\u2019s face was enough to bring tears to his father\u2019s eyes but Ben could not force him self from watching the expressions that manifested themselves on Joe\u2019s young face.\u00a0 Joe devoured Ben with his eyes, taking in everything about his father\u2019s features, running his hands over Ben\u2019s brows, his sideburns, down until the wee little thumbs caressed his lips, then again his cheeks and when he had satisfied himself, Joe returned his head to his father\u2019s shoulder, the party no longer holding an interest for the small happy child.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI love you Papa, I missed you too, but I\u2019m glad you\u2019re home now.\u00a0 I have a new kitty, his name is Sun Shine.\u00a0 You don\u2019t mind do you Papa?\u00a0 He\u2019s really a good kitty, he likes to catch mice and I promise, I\u2019ll take care of him.\u00a0 I love you Papa,\u201d\u00a0 Joe kissed his father\u2019s cheek and then again for good measure.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben laughed and squeezed his son, \u201cSlow down Joe, let\u2019s take care of one thing at a time.\u00a0 First, I want to say, I love you as well, you too Adam and you too Hoss.\u00a0 Then I want all my friends here to know how much I appreciate everything that you have done for my sons and I.\u00a0 I will never be able to repay you for your kindness, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben held Joe at arms length so he could better see Joe\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cAs for the kitty young man,\u201d began Ben and smiled, \u201cI think we could use a good mouser\u2026in the barn.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh Papa, thank you, you\u2019ll like Sun Shine, honest you will,\u201d beamed Little Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben\u2019s laughter rang clear as he hugged Joe to him, \u201cI\u2019m sure I will little boy, but right now, I would love a piece of your birthday cake.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The party lasted way into the night and by the time that the last guest had left Joe had fallen to sleep, securely embraced in his father\u2019s loving arms as they sat together in Ben\u2019s favorite chair.\u00a0 At his feet, Hoss sat dozing with his head resting on his father\u2019s legs while Adam, unable to leave his father\u2019s side for more than a few minutes, sat on the opposite arm of the chair, his arm draped across the back just above his father\u2019s shoulders.\u00a0 With his free hand Adam stroked the new kitten that had joined the family of happy men.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hop Sing closed the door as the last guest bid them good night and slipped the bolt lock into place and turning, smiled at that happy picture that his family made.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGood night Mis\u2019tr Cartlite.\u00a0 Good that you are home.\u00a0 Lit\u2019le boy miss you much.\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing bowed in respect of his boss and slipped quietly into the kitchen.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s not the only one that missed you Pa.\u00a0 Hoss and I did too,\u201d confessed Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, I missed the three of you as well.\u00a0 Thank you Adam for everything, taking care of your brothers, the ranch and thank you for your prayers.\u00a0 It means a lot to me, knowing that I have you to depend on.\u00a0 I\u2019m proud of you son, more than you could ever know, I\u2019m proud of you.\u201d\u00a0 Ben rose from his seat, Joe still sleeping in his arms; the movement forced opened Hoss\u2019 eyes and he rubbed them while managing to pull himself up as well.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThanks Pa.\u00a0 I only did what I had to do.\u00a0 Taking care of this little fellow was the hardest part. He\u2019s been so unhappy and weepy, not to mention stubborn.\u201d\u00a0 Adam brushed at Joe\u2019s long curls and smiled at his father.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m glad you\u2019re home, now you can have him back,\u201d Adam said seriously.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben studied his son\u2019s face, saw the laugh lines that had begun to form at the corners of Adam\u2019s mouth, the twinkle in his dark eyes and began laughing.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t think you\u2019re up to being a father just yet I take it?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo way Pa, not for a hundred years at least.\u201d\u00a0 Adam laid his arm about his father\u2019s shoulders and together they followed Hoss up the stairs, laughing and joking as the went.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam, about that cat you told Joe he could have\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAw Pa, don\u2019t be mad\u2026he wanted the skunk he caught in a snare first and then he found a baby porcupine and hid it in my bed, I had a hell of a time trying to talk him out of those!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n THE END<\/strong><\/p>\n July 2002<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tags:\u00a0 Adam Cartwright, Ben Cartwright, Hoss Cartwright, Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright, Lucas Tatum, prison, trial<\/p>\n