{"id":12297,"date":"2006-01-01T16:07:38","date_gmt":"2006-01-01T21:07:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12297"},"modified":"2026-07-29T13:43:51","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T17:43:51","slug":"two-painted-ponies-one-tender-heart-by-debbieb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12297","title":{"rendered":"Two Painted Ponies, One Tender Heart (by DebbieB)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong>\u00a0Little Joe was always known for talking to his horse, ever wonder why and what started it? Well, here’s my theory. Be prepared for an array of mixed emotions.<\/p>\n

Rated:<\/strong>\u00a0 PG (15,950 words)<\/p>\n

Two Painted Ponies Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Two Painted Ponies, One Tender Heart<\/a>
\nNever Start What you Can’t Finish<\/a><\/p>\n

Two Painted Ponies, One Tender Heart<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben was watching from the porch as his youngest son rode slowly into the yard and dismounted from his old painted pony. He scrunched up his brow, knowing by the looks of his boy that once again, Little Joe had been fighting. Ben could only wonder at the reasons behind his son\u2019s disheveled appearance.<\/p>\n

Slowly, almost deliberately, Little Joe Cartwright sauntered over to his father. His head was bent low to hide the bruises on his young face. He stopped short of the porch, sighing deeply as he waited for the lecture he knew would be forthcoming.<\/p>\n

Ben extended his hand, placed his gentle fingers under the boy\u2019s chin and carefully tilted Joe\u2019s head upward so that he could observe the markings that marred the sun bronzed flesh of the boy\u2019s cheeks. Slowly, Ben moved his son\u2019s face from side to side.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was it about this time?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe puckered up his lips. His eyes rose enough that he could look up at his father. He shrugged his shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d Ben asked. \u201cWas it Ty Hutchins again?\u201d<\/p>\n

The young boy nodded his head up and down.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe hates me,\u201d Joe muttered.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes narrowed somewhat as he studied the boy\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

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

Joe let the air expel from his lungs as he pushed away his father\u2019s hand and turned, moving across the porch to the rocker where he sat down. Joe\u2019s eyes sought his father\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow should I know\u2026that basta\u2026I mean\u2026Ty hates everyone for one reason or another\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben moved slowly toward the rocker.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t make any sense\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The expression on Joe\u2019s face was one of confusion.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that, but Pa\u2026honestly\u2026Ty Hutchins is the meanest, nastiest, low-life cuss I\u2019ve ever met. I ain\u2019t never done nothing to him, yet he hates me\u2026calls me names, makes fun of me in front of everyone and does his darnedest to make me fight him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you\u2019ve obviously tangled with him again\u2026after you promised me you wouldn\u2019t let him gourd you into another fight\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe jumped to his feet, almost glaring at his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t fighting him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026so what do you call these?\u201d Ben asked, tenderly touching Joe\u2019s bruised face with his fingertips.<\/p>\n

Joe jerked back his head. Tears had begun to fill his eyes. Ben noted the quivering chin.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was fighting me, I never hit him\u2026I never even took a swing at him, he just jumped me and started pounding on me!\u201d the boy stammered.<\/p>\n

Joe stomped across the porch, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill over and to keep his father from seeing how upset he was.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor no reason?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, for no reason!\u201d snarled Joe. \u201cAnd his stupid friends just stood back and watched\u2026I could hear them laughing\u2026cheering Ty on\u2026like I was nothing but a\u2026mangy ole dog\u2026\u201d Joe spun around, no longer able to hide the tiny beads of water that had over flowed and ran slowly down his dirtied face.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot that it was much of a fight\u2026Ty happens to be twice my size\u2026and nearly two years older\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026the boy isn\u2019t that big\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026you ain\u2019t see him lately\u2026he\u2019s took what you\u2019d call\u2026a growing surge\u2026he\u2019s nearly as big as Hoss\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben fought to contain the smile that threatened to arise and moved to his son\u2019s side. He placed his hands on the boy\u2019s shoulder and drew his son to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose Ty has grown\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just a runt\u2026just like Adam and Hoss are always telling me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben could do nothing to stop the snicker that escaped his lips.<\/p>\n

\u201cSon, your brothers were only teasing you\u2026don\u2019t you worry, you\u2019ll grow\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe, who had allowed himself the comfort of resting his head against his father\u2019s breast, looked up.<\/p>\n

\u201cI sure could use some of that growing now\u2026\u201d he said and then saw the twinkle in his father\u2019s eyes. \u201cI\u2019d like to be able to wipe that smirk off Ty\u2019s face without getting another black eye!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed for real this time and hugged Joe to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure your day will come\u2026but remember son, never start anything you can\u2019t finish. For now, let\u2019s get you inside and cleaned up\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben turned Joe toward the door and together, with their arms about the other, father and son went inside, closing the door for the time being to the woes on the world outside.
\nTy moved slowly out of the alley and back into the street. He was followed by three of his friends as he made his way toward his horse. When he paused at the hitching post where his black gelding was tied, he turned to his companions.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I showed him\u2026\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

Gus Anderson shook his head in disgust.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust what do you think you proved, Ty\u2026Cartwright\u2019s just a kid\u2026he didn\u2019t even put up a fight,\u201d the tall lanky youth said objectively.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d agreed Mark, another of Ty\u2019s close buddies. \u201cWhat was there to prove by shoving around a kid\u2026compared to you, Little Joe Cartwright is just a runt\u2026a little boy. Why, you probably out weigh him by fifty pounds and you\u2019re a good foot and half taller than he is\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot to mention the fact that\u2019s he not yet sixteen and you\u2019re practically eighteen. What ya got against the little runt anyway\u2026besides the fact that he\u2019s better lookin\u2019 than you are!\u201d taunted Moose, whose name justified his size.<\/p>\n

His statement caused the others to start snickering. Ty glared at his friends from over the top of his saddle.<\/p>\n

\u201cCartwright is a smart mouthed little rich kid, his pappy\u2019s place is the biggest in the territory, and Little Joe thinks he\u2019s something special, better\u2019n the rest of us\u2026but he ain\u2019t\u2026hell, he can\u2019t even fight\u2026\u201d growled Ty as he swung onto his horse. \u201cBut I\u2019ll change that, I\u2019ll find a way to make him fight me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy? It ain\u2019t his fault that his daddy\u2019s rich\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up, Gus\u2026\u201d snapped Ty with a warning look. \u201cI have my reasons\u2026being rich ain\u2019t all there is to this\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026half the girls in school is sweet on Cartwright, including Lori\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLori?\u201d Moose practically shouted as the four rode side by side down the main street of town, heading home. \u201cI thought Lori McKay was your girl, Ty?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou big idiot,\u201d laughed Mark, \u201cLori McKay ain\u2019t no body\u2019s girl\u2026\u2019ceptin\u2019 she\u2019d like to be Little Joe\u2019s girlfriend\u2026but Ty over there wants her for himself\u2026ain\u2019t that right, Ty?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ty pulled his horse to a stop and turned to face his pals, still wearing the dark frown on his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cLori will be my girl\u2026once she sees what a coward the kid is\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut he won\u2019t fight ya Ty, you heard what he said today, he won\u2019t fight ya\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes he will\u2026I\u2019ll make him fight me, you just wait and see!\u201d Ty gouged his heels into his mount\u2019s sides and rode off, leaving the other three staring at his back.<\/p>\n

The three exchanged quick glances.<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like ole Ty has a plan\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, let\u2019s find out what he has up his sleeve!\u201d
\n\u201cCome on, Paint\u2026let\u2019s get you settled in,\u201d Joe groaned as he led his aging pinto into the barn.<\/p>\n

Adam looked up from his work to watch his younger brother walking his mount into the stable where Paint was housed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe looks beat,\u201d Adam commented to his brother.<\/p>\n

Joe pulled his saddle from the horse\u2019s back and tossed it across the saddle holder.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s old, what do you expect?\u201d Joe answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not that old,\u201d Adam said with a grin. \u201cHe\u2019s still got life left in him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose,\u201d Joe said as he began rubbing down his pony. \u201cBut I\u2019m still hoping Pa will find me a good horse\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA good horse? Paint\u2019s been a good horse\u2026and a good friend\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked up long enough to catch the slight frown on his brother\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that, Adam\u2026but he\u2019s\u2026not much good for anything anymore\u2026I mean\u2026he\u2019s slowing down\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if you didn\u2019t try to force him into running like the wind\u2026he\u2019d last a bit longer\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I like riding fast\u2026I like the feel of the wind in my face\u2026and the rush I get when I\u2019m riding fast. I just like a fast horse, Adam\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa doesn\u2019t want you to ride like the wind\u2026he doesn\u2019t relish you having that rush you\u2019re talking about and Joe\u2026a fast horse is what killed your mother\u2026Pa\u2019s never forgotten that and he fears for your life when he sees you riding like the devil was on you\u2019re tail\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe tossed the brush down on the shelf and walked over nearer his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know Pa worries, Adam\u2026I ain\u2019t forgotten\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cHaven\u2019t forgotten\u2026\u201dAdam corrected.<\/p>\n

Joe grinned. \u201cHaven\u2019t forgotten\u2026I haven\u2019t forgotten how my mother died, but\u2026I\u2019m\u2026young, I\u2019m a man now\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot quite\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlmost then\u2026and I want a horse more suited for my needs. Paint\u2019s been a good pony\u2026and he still is, if I were still a kid\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam set his rake against the wall and grinned down at his little brother. He understood how the boy felt; he\u2019d felt the same way once\u2026a long time ago. Adam tussled the boy\u2019s thick curls.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll talk to Pa about it and see if I can help you out some\u2026but until then\u2026you\u2019ll have to be satisfied with the ole man over there\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s bruised face cracked with a wide grin. His emerald eyes danced with excitement.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d do that for me? Talk to Pa about finding me a fast horse\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA good horse, Joe\u2026one more suited to you, but not so fast\u2026I won\u2019t even bring up the subject of riding like the wind or the rush you get when the wind whips at your face\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes took on a faraway look as the pair walked from the barn. Joe knew without having to be told that Adam was remembering another time, a time when he, as Joe, was wanting a better, faster and more suiting mount.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Adam,\u201d Joe muttered.<\/p>\n

From the barn, Paint whinnied causing Joe to pause and turn around. The old pony was watching from his stall. Something deep within Joe\u2019s heart stirred and for a fraction of a second, he felt a twang of guilt and a sense of having betrayed an old friend. With a deep sigh, Joe turned his head and rushed ahead to catch up with Adam.
\n\u201cSo\u2026what\u2019cha gonna do to make the kid fight ya, Ty?\u201d Mark asked as the foursome sat around the sparsely furnished room.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a plan\u2026but I\u2019ll need your help, and yours too Gus\u2026and especially you Moose,\u201d Ty explained as he downed a long swig from the whiskey bottle he\u2019d found hidden in his uncle\u2019s cabinet.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure\u2026long as ya ain\u2019t plannin\u2019 on killin\u2019 no one,\u201d Moose babbled. His words were slightly slurred from the affects of the booze he\u2019d been sharing with his pals. \u201cI\u2019ll do most anything for ya, Ty\u2026you know that, but I won\u2019t help ya kill anybody\u2026not even that Cartwright kid,\u201d he proclaimed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw\u2026I ain\u2019t gonna kill him!\u201d smirked Ty.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t like the way ya say that,\u201d Gus complained.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe either\u2026sounds like your planning on killing someone\u2026just not the kid,\u201d Mark added.<\/p>\n

\u201cNaw\u2026I\u2019m ain\u2019t gonna kill no body\u2026hell, I\u2019m smarter than that\u2026but I am planning on making the kid think I am gonna kill\u2026something\u2026something he sort of favors\u2026and when he gets riled enough, he\u2019ll fight me\u2026you just wait and see!\u201d Ty laughed wickedly.<\/p>\n

The other three swapped glances but then started laughing. \u201cWhat\u2019cha gonna do?\u201d they asked.<\/p>\n

Ty passed the bottle on to the young man on his right and motioned for them all to move closer. When their heads were all together, Ty whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere\u2019s what I aim on doing,\u201d he said in a low voice. \u201cTomorrow after school when Little Joe starts home\u2026he always rides home along the rim rock\u2026well, we\u2019ll be waitin\u2019 and when he gets to the twin rocks, we\u2019re going to\u2026\u2026\u2026..\u201d
\n\u201cPa\u2026I dun promised you, I won\u2019t fight with Ty Hutchins\u2026that ain\u2019t saying he won\u2019t fight me\u2026\u201d Little Joe said as he mounted Paint.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, just try to avoid him, son\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat ain\u2019t always easy to do, Pa\u2026but I\u2019ll do my best, I promise,\u201d Joe said and then gave his father a cheeky grin. \u201cI\u2019m getting\u2019 used to havin\u2019 these bruises\u2026sort of helps to get the girls to notice me\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed deeply and rolled his eyes. \u201cJoseph\u2026please, you are far to young to even think about getting a girl to notice you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe responded by giggling and then turned his old pony around. \u201cI\u2019ll see ya this afternoon, Pa\u2026\u201d he laughed as he nudged Paint in the sides.<\/p>\n

The pony responded by groaning and moved in the appointed direction. Adam, who stood in the doorway of the barn watching, moved to stand beside his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat boy needs a faster horse\u2026\u201d he muttered under his breath.<\/p>\n

Ben looked questioningly at his eldest son. \u201cHe needs no such a thing\u2026and you certainly do not need to be encouraging him on the matter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam glanced at his father and instantly noted the somewhat worried expression.<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t encouraged him at all\u2026but look, Pa\u2026ole Paint is getting on in age, he deserves to live out the remainder of his days, just lounging around. He\u2019s been a good pony for Joe\u2026but Joe isn\u2019t a little kid anymore either, in case you haven\u2019t noticed\u2026he\u2019s a young man, and he needs a horse more suited\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot a fast horse\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not, but not a plow horse either Pa\u2026just a bigger\u2026and younger gelding, something that can at least get the boy to school on time\u2026without being a race horse, naturally\u2026\u201d Adam added.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s lips puckered for a brief moment but when he looked at Adam, he smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor your information, I\u2019ve been shopping around. In fact,\u201d he said almost secretively, \u201cI found the perfect pinto for him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026I wasn\u2019t aware you\u2019d been to any horse auctions lately.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t\u2026but I have been talking with Chief Winnemucca\u2026and we\u2019ve just about come to an agreement\u2026I was thinking on giving the horse to your brother on his birthday. You know it\u2019s next week\u2026\u201d
\nRiding home, Joe\u2019s mind wasn\u2019t as much on where he was going or the homework assignment that Miss Jones\u2019 had given to the class as it was on trying to make his old pinto pony move a little faster. He nudged the horse in the ribs once again.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on Paint, I know you can move a little faster,\u201d Joe urged as he moved his upper body in a rocking motion as if that would force the horse into moving faster.<\/p>\n

Paint only tossed his head and continued to maintain the same gait.<\/p>\n

\u201cDadburnit!\u201d cussed Little Joe, using one of his older brother\u2019s favorite slang words.<\/p>\n

The boy felt more like using a real cuss word, but knew better. If his father ever heard him using foul language, Joe knew he\u2019d get a very serious \u2018talking to\u2019. So he sighed instead and refrained.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure ain\u2019t much good for nuthin\u2019no more!\u201d the frustrated boy grumbled to the old stead. \u201cYou\u2019ll be sorry one of these days you ole sowbelly! I\u2019ll have myself a fine new horse, a faster one\u2026one that ain\u2019t scared to move\u2026and you\u2019ll just end up standing at the fence wishing it was you I was riding instead of my new horse!\u201d<\/p>\n

Paint seemed to be paying only slight attention to his master\u2019s voice. He\u2019d heard it all before, so the threats weren\u2019t new to him. The old pinto tossed his head and moved into a trot. If speed were what the boy wanted, then he\u2019d give it to him. He grunted again and started to run. Joe squealed in joy, but his pleasure was only short lived, Paint soon tired and slowed suddenly after only a few hundred yards and once again picked up his regular pace.<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn!\u201d cussed Joe and then quickly glanced around as if he half expected his father to appear.<\/p>\n

Nearing the rim rock, Joe glanced down into the canyon as he rode along.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure is a long way down that ravine,\u201d he said aloud, glad for once that old Paint wasn\u2019t moving so fast and gladder still that his old pony was as sure-footed as ever.<\/p>\n

They had just passed between the twin rocks when suddenly he was pounced upon from behind and knocked to the ground. He hit hard, the wind knocked from his lungs by the force of his fall. Before Joe could gather his addled senses, he felt his body hauled from the ground and spun around. A smashing blow to his face sent him reeling backwards. Sounds of laughter and high-pitched giggles resounded in his ears. The battered youth lay face down on the ground, gasping for air to fill his burning lungs.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ready to fight, Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe heard himself groan as he turned over and raised up on one elbow. Ty Hutchins, wasn\u2019t it just his luck?<\/p>\n

He heaved a sigh as he got to his feet and dusted off his new britches. Pa\u2019s gonna be angry, he thought, seeing the hole in the knee of his pants. Why he thought of that, he wasn\u2019t sure.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve told you before, Ty,\u201d Joe said, glancing about at the others, \u201cI\u2019m not going to fight you\u2026not now, not later\u2026not ever. Just what is it that you have against me anyhow?\u201d He asked, grabbing his hat from where it lay in the dust at his feet.<\/p>\n

The small band of young men had formed a circle around him and Joe suddenly felt trapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t like you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy\u2026what have I ever done to you?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

Mark, Gus and Moose turned to Ty, waiting for his explanation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have my reasons\u2026\u201d Ty made a fist and swung at Joe, but Joe, having seen the movement, managed to step back and avoid being punched.<\/p>\n

The others laughed as they moved in a circle around the two who now stood in the center facing one another.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to make you fight me, Cartwright\u2026take him Moose!\u201d he shouted.<\/p>\n

Joe barely had time to turn around before the over-sized boy grabbed him and pinned his arms down to his side. Joe struggled to free himself, but it was impossible to break free of the vise-like grip of the older boy. Moose was almost as large in stature as Hoss and struggling, the smaller lad only served to force Moose into tightening his hold on the squirming boy. The others laughed at Joe\u2019s angry expression as Moose held Joe inches above the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow ya might as well stop struggling, kid,\u201d Ty said mockingly. \u201cI\u2019m gonna ask ya one last time\u2026are ya ready to fight me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNO!\u201d shouted Joe angrily. \u201cAnd nothing you can say or do can make me\u2026understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ty shook his head as if sorely disappointed. \u201cToo bad,\u201d he muttered as he turned to Mark.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet our horses\u2026Gus get a rope.\u201d<\/p>\n

The other two boys quickly did their friend\u2019s bidding. Seconds later Gus was back with the rope and handed it to Ty. Mark had fetched the horses; all that is expect Joe\u2019s old pinto.<\/p>\n

Ty tossed the rope to Moose. \u201cTie his hands,\u201d he ordered, which Moose complied. \u201cMake sure he doesn\u2019t get away, Mark, you and Gus come with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moose forced Joe back a few steps and watched at the trio mounted up. Ty made a circle around Joe and Moose and then stopped in front of Joe. He leaned down and snarled at the youngest Cartwright.<\/p>\n

\u201cWatch what you\u2019re makin\u2019 me do, Cartwright\u2026in a few minutes you\u2019ll be wishin\u2019 ya was fightin\u2019 me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ty left no time for Joe to make a reply. He jerked his horse around, nodded for Mark and Gus to follow and then began screaming and shouting. He pulled his pistol from his holster and began firing bullets into the air. Paint, startled by the loud commotion, bolted and began running in the opposite direction.<\/p>\n

Ty gouged his horse in the ribs and raced ahead of the old pony, forcing Paint to turn sharply and head back in the other direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cHEAD HIM OFF!\u201d Ty shouted.<\/p>\n

Mark and Gus spun their mounts around and raced toward the fleeing, frightened pony. Meanwhile, Joe watched from the sidelines, fearing for his old horse\u2019s safety as he watched the trio of troublemakers, shouting and shooting head the pinto toward the edge of the rim rock. It didn\u2019t take Joe but a second to figure out what the scoundrels were up to. Fear pierced his heart as he watched Paint run hell-bent toward the edge of the ravine and suddenly turn to race along the rim.<\/p>\n

\u201cTURN HIM IN!\u201d bellowed Ty who was only yards behind the exhausted, puffing pony.<\/p>\n

Mark turned his own horse around and charged toward Paint. Startled at the suddenness of the oncoming rider, Paint spun too sharply to his left and disappeared over the cliff\u2019s edge.<\/p>\n

\u201cNO!\u201d screamed Joe at the top of his lungs as he broke into a run, making his way to the edge of the ravine.<\/p>\n

The riders had stopped short of going over the side themselves. Their horses\u2019 sides where heaving and one sorrel was snorting frightfully as he watched the pony tumbling downward across the jagged rocks.<\/p>\n

Joe, sweat dotting his brow and tears stinging his eyes stopped short at the rim and looked down. Far below lay his old painted pony, broken and bleeding. Joe struggled to free his hands of the ropes that bound them behind his back. Anger and hate were like black darts spewing from his moss colored eyes. His teeth were clenched tightly, his jaw twitched nervously as he fought the ropes.<\/p>\n

\u201cUNTIE ME!\u201d he demanded in a deep, emotional voice filled with venom.<\/p>\n

Moose, who had rushed over to the group, looked up at Ty who was dismounting his horse. When Ty nodded, Moose cut the rope, which held Joe\u2019s hands behind his back, with his knife. Joe shoved the big man aside as if he were a mere kid and leapt at Ty, catching the other boy off balance. Driven by anger and grief at the loss of his horse, Joe drove his fists repeatedly into Ty\u2019s face. The larger boy squealed in pain when a solid left broke his nose.<\/p>\n

\u201cGET HIM OFF, GET HIM OFF!\u201d wailed Ty as he struggled to keep the fury of fists from doing more damage to his already bruising face.<\/p>\n

It took all three, Mark, Gus and even Moose, to pull Joe from atop Ty, who quickly scurried to his feet. His hands covered his bloodied nose; tears dripped from his eyes due to the throbbing pain in his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou little bastard, you broke my nose!\u201d blubbered Ty as he swiped at the blood running freely from his nose.<\/p>\n

Moose was once again restraining Joe who still struggled to hit the other lad.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d kill you if I could!\u201d shouted Joe.<\/p>\n

Angry tears shone in his eyes, but he refused to be reduced to them in front of the foursome.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou had no right to do what ya did\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

A soft whinny from the bottom of the ravine caused all five young men to stop arguing and look down. Paint had raised his head just enough to look upward at the group of boys and then suddenly lowered his head.<\/p>\n

Joe shoved Moose aside and hurried over the side of the cliff. He slipped halfway down and tumbled along, finally grabbing a fallen branch and righting himself before continuing to his fallen friend. When he reached his horse, he dropped to his knees, sickened by what he was seeing.<\/p>\n

Joe extended his hand, gently running it along the silky neck. The tears that had formed from anger, now rolled down the front of his dirty face in empathy for his lifelong companion.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh Paint!\u201d sobbed Joe, \u201cLook at what I\u2019ve done to you!\u201d<\/p>\n

The pony nickered softly. His breathing was labored as he tried to nuzzle his nose against Joe\u2019s head that was now pressed against the softness of the horse\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so sorry\u2026\u201d the boy cried. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean all those nasty things I said to you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s chin quivered. The pony was dying slowly and there was nothing that he could do to help the animal that had served him so faithfully. Raising his head, he knew what had to be done.<\/p>\n

\u201cToss down your gun,\u201d he called up to the foursome.<\/p>\n

When he received no reply, Joe looked up only to find that the four had gone, leaving him alone with his dying friend. A fresh wave of anger consumed him.<\/p>\n

\u201cDAMN YOU!!!!\u201d he screeched at the top of his lungs, caring little that he cursed aloud.<\/p>\n

He waved a fist into the air, meant for Ty and his murdering companions. His thoughts were fueled with the burning hate that had suddenly taken root. How was he to help the gentle pony\u2026how was he to end the suffering\u2026how could he be merciful when he had nothing in which to use to put an end to the agony that he knew the old horse must surely be enduring.<\/p>\n

Joe lovingly petted the pony again and forced himself to stand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Paint,\u201d he cried, wiping the moisture from his face. \u201cI\u2019ll be back\u2026I promise\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

With that, Joe began the climb up the side of the ravine. It took several minutes and many attempts before he reached the rim rock. Already winded from the climb and the fight, he took off running toward home. He ran until his legs almost gave out. Sweat dripped from his brow, leaving tiny white tracks through the dirt that smudged when he wiped his shirtsleeve across his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cPA! ADAM! HOSS!\u201d he began shouting even before he entered the yard.<\/p>\n

Adam hurried from the barn; Ben opened the front door to see what the commotion was all about. When he saw his youngest son drop to his knees, Ben burst from the house and across the yard, followed by Hoss who come from behind.<\/p>\n

Before Ben reached the boy, Adam was already helping his brother up.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Joe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPaint\u2026Paint,\u201d panted Joe, pointing back across his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cPaint?\u201d Ben echoed. \u201cWhat about your pony\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is he?\u201d Hoss asked as all three gathered around the sobbing boy.<\/p>\n

Joe, winded and unable to speak coherently, sagged against his father. Puzzled, Ben encircled the boy with his strong arms as he looked into the faces of his equally confused sons.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, tell us what happened\u2026where\u2019s your horse and for heaven\u2019s sake, what happened to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTy\u2026\u201d gasped Joe. \u201cHe\u2026and\u2026the\u2026others\u2026Paint\u2026went\u2026over\u2026the rim\u2026rock\u2026bottom\u2026of the\u2026ravine \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWHAT!\u201d the trio shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cGotta\u2026hurry\u2026suffering\u2026OH PA!!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s reserve broke then as he turned his face into his father\u2019s breast and cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026said\u2026horrible\u2026things\u2026they\u2026ran\u2026him\u2026until\u2026he\u2026went\u2026over\u2026he\u2019s\u2026all\u2026
\nbroken up\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben, eyes troubled, glanced up at Adam and Hoss and without uttering a word, motioned for them to go. Knowing what they must do, the two brothers slipped silently away to find the wounded pony and to end it\u2019s suffering. Ben gathered the distraught boy into his arms and carried Joe into the house.
\nJoe walked slowly down the stairs and to the table where his family had already gathered for breakfast. The expression in the hollow of his eyes had not changed. For nearly a week now the sadness had clouded the happy, carefree sparkle that was the norm for Little Joe\u2019s energetic persona. Ben hoped that today of all days, that would change for today was his son\u2019s birthday and he had what he hoped was a wonderful surprise for the boy. When Joe sat down, his father smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning\u2026and happy birthday.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe returned the smile, though somewhat strained.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning\u2026and thank you,\u201d he said solemnly.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey\u2026that\u2019s right, it is your birthday\u2026happy birthday, Shortshanks,\u201d grinned Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Joe said softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cHappy birthday, pal,\u201d Adam said, noting the downcast expression on his little brother\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe reached for the platter of pancakes and helped himself, limiting his serving to only three. He refused the bacon and the eggs that were offered to him. The lad said nothing, only shaking his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d began Ben, hoping to spark a conversation. \u201cTonight\u2019s the night\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026a real party\u2026we ain\u2019t had a party in months,\u201d Hoss said excitedly. \u201cYou ready, little brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe swallowed what was in his mouth and looked up from his plate.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cSuppose?\u201d Ben said. \u201cI thought you\u2019d be excited.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe laid his fork to the side of his plate and slowly turned to his father. He knew his father meant well, but he wasn\u2019t too sure he was up to a party. Fighting to control the quivering in his voice, he asked his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo we\u2026really have\u2026to have a\u2026party?\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment, Ben studied his son\u2019s face. He looked deeply into the troubled eyes that refused to meet his.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you wanted a party.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026did, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut now?\u201d Ben asked softly as he chanced a glance around the table. All eyes had focused on the youngest member of the family.<\/p>\n

Joe shrugged his shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026\u201d Joe finally looked up at his father. He swallowed hard. \u201cI don\u2019t think I can face a bunch of people\u2026not yet\u2026not after\u2026I mean\u2026not so\u2026soon\u2026\u201d His chin began to quiver. \u201cI don\u2019t think I could stand\u2026answering a passel of questions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Understanding his son\u2019s sensitivity on the subject of his old pony, Ben nodded his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t suppose it would be easy. Son\u2026if you\u2019re sure\u2026it\u2019s not too late to call it off.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes brightened just a little. \u201cWould you\u2026be mad at me? I know you\u2019ve all gone to a lot of trouble\u2026but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben reached his hand across the table and placed it on top of Joe\u2019s, squeezing gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not son. I understand how you might feel\u2026though I do believe our friends wouldn\u2019t be so rude as to push you for an explanation on the matter. The news has been around town for a week, so most folks probably already know why those boys suddenly dropped out of sight.\u201d Ben assured the boy. \u201cBut if you\u2019d rather not have a party\u2026that\u2019s fine\u2026we could have a private dinner, with cake of course, just the four of us\u2026and Hop Sing, if you prefer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do\u2026I mean\u2026that would be\u2026nice\u2026just us\u2026no one else?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, it\u2019s settled then. Hoss, you and Adam pass the word around that the party has been\u2026canceled.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir\u2026but\u2026what if the folks wanna know why?\u201d Hoss dared to question.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust tell them that we have decided on a family only gathering\u2026that should be sufficient,\u201d Ben advised.<\/p>\n

Hoss pushed himself away from the table and stood up, looking a bit troubled toward his younger brother. When Joe looked up at him, Hoss smiled kindly.<\/p>\n

\u201cSixteen\u2026I can\u2019t believe it\u2026time sure \u2018nough has slipped up on us, ain\u2019t it Pa? He\u2019s might near a man now\u2026and a darn good one, too\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss and Adam moved from the table to the credenza where they gathered their things and left to let the neighbors know that the birthday party had been called off.<\/p>\n

Joe, feeling a bit of relief that he was not going to have to face a houseful of people, sighed deeply and reached for the platter of bacon and eggs, suddenly developing an appetite. Ben smiled to himself, relieved to see his son eating again.
\n\u201cYou not like cake?\u201d Hop Sing asked as he frowned slightly.<\/p>\n

Joe laid aside his fork and looked up at the family cook.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was very good, Hop Sing, thank you\u2026but I\u2019m not real hungry,\u201d Joe tried to explain.<\/p>\n

He glanced at his father and then his brothers who all sat watching him. Joe felt as if his family were reading his mind, seeing the troubled and guilty thoughts that had been plaguing his days and nights ever since the horrible incident. It worried him what they might be thinking of him, knowing how cruelly he had spoken to his old horse and how he\u2019d been wishing for weeks even months that he had a bigger, faster and better horse than the aged, slow pinto who to Joe, seemed to be lacking in all the finer qualities that he desired most in a younger, stronger more lively horse. Truth was, he felt not only guilty but he actually found himself missing his old comrade. The boy\u2019s thinking was so sundry that he believed himself incapable of ever being able to give his full attention or heart to another horse, no matter how magnificent the animal might be. Little did the unhappy youth know that those very emotions would soon be tested.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks Adam, for the new saddlebags,\u201d Joe said after a long silence.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re welcomed, Joe\u2026I thought since you\u2019d be going with us on the round-ups from now on, you might need them,\u201d Adam answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know I will\u2026and Hoss, I\u2019m sure I\u2019ll be needing that new canteen and that rifle scabbard, thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw shucks, Shortshanks, t\u2019weren\u2019t nothing\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure it was\u2026they\u2019s good presents, Hoss \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, now,\u201d Ben said with a smile as he stood up. \u201cI have something for you as well,\u201d he said as he rounded the table, stopping behind Joe and resting his hand on his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you come over here, please Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben led the way into the living room, stopping at a large bundle on the table behind the settee. He turned to Joe, smiling.<\/p>\n

\u201cHappy birthday, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe walked slowly over to the bundle and when his father nodded his head, pulled the covering off, revealing a shiny new saddle. Joe gasped loudly, quickly running his hands over the fine leather.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d he stammered. \u201cIt\u2019s beautiful\u2026\u201d Joe paused, suddenly remembering that he no longer had a horse that might wear the saddle, though this saddle looked too large for Paint, had the pony still been alive.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Joe said a bit timidly. \u201cBut Pa\u2026I\u2026I don\u2019t think I can use this\u2026\u201d Joe turned suddenly toward his brothers. \u201cIn fact\u2026I don\u2019t believe I have much use\u2026for any of your gifts\u2026I don\u2019t even have a\u2026horse\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe lowered his head, fighting back the tears that unexpectedly welled in his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, there\u2019s all sorts of horses on this ranch\u2026\u201d Adam injected.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure there is\u2026why just this mornin\u2019, I seen a right pretty little palomino runnin\u2019 with the herd up in the north pasture. Why, if\u2019n ya wanted to, me and you could ride out there in the mornin\u2019 and see about catchin\u2019 him\u2026if ya wanted to\u2026\u201d Hoss said hoping to spark the boy\u2019s interest.<\/p>\n

He hadn\u2019t mentioned to his family, but he sure was worried about his youngest brother, Joe seemed to be taking the entire incident with his pony mighty hard. And the gentle giant feared that the boy was sinking into a deep depression and he was willing to do just about anything to bring a smile to his little brother\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

Joe shook in head in response to his brother\u2019s statement. \u201cNo thanks Hoss\u2026a palomino\u2019s not my type of horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have an idea what is,\u201d Ben said, glancing quickly about at the others. He pressed his hand down on Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cCome with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben guided his son to the door and opened it, walking with Joe into the crisp evening air.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere we going?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo the barn, there\u2019s something I want you to see,\u201d Ben answered.<\/p>\n

At the door, Hoss pulled it wide, leaving his father to guide Little Joe into the semi-darkness. Adam hurried to light a lamp. A soft glow filtered into the air, lighting the barn.<\/p>\n

Joe gasped aloud. The others stood silently watching his reactions. In the center of the room stood a young black and white pinto. The horse, watching the foursome, bobbed his head up and down as if in greeting.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d Ben asked. \u201cDo you like him?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe swallowed hard. What was there not to like? The pinto was beautiful, young, obviously strong and spirited\u2026and it flashed through the boy\u2019s mind that he bet the horse could run\u2026run like the wind\u2026<\/p>\n

Joe took a step forward and reached out his hand. The pinto extended his neck and sniffed at the stranger with his silky soft nose. He surprised the boy why lowering his head and gently pushing it against Joe\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey,\u201d Joe murmured lowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think he likes ya, Little Joe,\u201d Hoss said, smiling.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeems to,\u201d the boy responded and then quickly withdrew his hand.<\/p>\n

Slowly Joe turned around to face his father. \u201cThank you, Pa.,\u201d he said in a thick voice. \u201cHe\u2019s\u2026nice\u2026but\u2026\u201d Joe found his words stuck in the back of his throat and unable to voice them.<\/p>\n

How could he explain to his father that, though the horse was everything he\u2019d ever wanted, he just couldn\u2019t accept the gift\u2026not now\u2026after the way he\u2019d treated Paint\u2026not after the way he\u2019d been so stubborn that it had led the old horse into becoming a victim in a game of \u2018do I or don\u2019t I\u2019\u2026no, Joe decided right then and there\u2026he\u2019d never allow himself the pleasure of this animal\u2026or any other horse that he might be tempted to become fond of.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean\u2026but? Don\u2019t you like him, son? Isn\u2019t he exactly what you\u2019ve been saying you wanted? I traded with Chief Winnemucca for this pinto\u2026he\u2019s already been gentled to bridle and saddle\u2026\u201d Ben asked, confused by his son\u2019s reaction to his gift.<\/p>\n

Joe raised his head somewhat, unable to look his father directly in the eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026appreciate the thought\u2026honest Pa\u2026but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut what!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s chin began to quiver, though he willed himself not to cry. He\u2019d never be able to make his father understand.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026I\u2026don\u2019t deserve a horse that fine\u2026I\u2026just don\u2019t!\u201d he babbled as he ran from the barn.<\/p>\n

Ben, Adam and Hoss stood in shock and watched as Joe raced across the yard and into the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026what do you make of that? I thought for sure the boy would be please,\u201d muttered Ben more to himself than to his sons. His eyes betrayed his concern for his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026I don\u2019t think this is about liking or not liking the pinto, Pa. Quite the contrary, I think Joe was very pleased with the horse\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t get it\u2026then why didn\u2019t he act like he was? I only meant to make him happy\u2026he\u2019s been so\u2026troubled since this thing with his pony and those boys running off\u2026and getting away Scott free\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s just it, Pa\u2026Joe\u2019s feeling guilty about what happened to his pony. He blames himself\u2026therefore, he won\u2019t let himself enjoy this special gift,\u201d Adam tried to explain.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2019s right, Pa\u2026I know Joe feels like he\u2019s responsible for his horse dying. He said as much to me\u2026said if he\u2019d fought that boy\u2026Ty\u2026his ole pony would still be alive\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s expression bordered on anger, though not directed at his younger son, but instead at the situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s ridiculous, that wasn\u2019t Joe\u2019s fault at all\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know that, Pa,\u201d Adam insisted, \u201cbut Joe believes it\u2019s his fault.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen it\u2019s up to us to make him see it differently,\u201d Ben groaned.<\/p>\n

He turned back to look at the new pinto, yet unnamed. The senior Cartwright surprised his two older sons by smiling. As he moved to the horse, he glanced back at the house while petting the horse on the neck.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I have a way of forcing that boy to see things differently\u2026Hoss, would you mind stabling this animal\u2026put him in Paint\u2019s stall, that\u2019ll be his now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing, Pa,\u201d said Hoss, glancing questioningly at his older brother.<\/p>\n

Both watched as their father walked out into the night and toward the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder what he has up his sleeve?\u201d Adam muttered.<\/p>\n

Hoss shrugged his shoulders and led the pinto into the designated stall.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy can\u2019t I go, I can ride in the wagon with you?\u201d Joe asked in an almost demanding voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause, I\u2019ve already explained it to you, that pinto needs working\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy can\u2019t Hoss do it?\u201d Joe grumbled.<\/p>\n

Exhausted with arguing with the boy, Ben pushed back his chair and stood up, laying his papers on his desk. He had made a gift of the pinto to his youngest son over a week ago and as yet, Joe had not so much as taken a brush to the animal, let alone ride him and Ben was quickly running out of ways of trying to bring the two together.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe pinto isn\u2019t Hoss\u2019 horse, he\u2019s yours and until you accept the fact, you\u2019ll not be going anywhere\u2026unless you walk!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe groaned, silently wishing that he\u2019d never asked his father for a better horse. The pinto stabled in the barn was quickly becoming a thorn in his side, how he longed for his buddy, Paint\u2026and how he\u2019d wished a million times that he had not been so verbal to the dear old animal.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I guess I won\u2019t be going\u2026\u201d Joe smirked, thinking he was one up on his father.<\/p>\n

He turned to go, but Ben\u2019s strong fingers on his slender shoulders brought his retreat to an abrupt halt.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t be going to the social with us, but you will be going to the barn. I want it cleaned, I want the stalls mucked, I want fresh straw spread, that pile of hay moved and I want that pinto brushed and exercised by the time we get back, and I don\u2019t mean simply turned into the padlock to trot around in a circle. I want that animal exercised well; do you understand me? Now get moving,\u201d Ben ordered.<\/p>\n

His plan was simply to force Joe to interact with his new horse. He understood how his son felt about the death of his pony and the causes behind it, but Ben was determined that Joe move beyond what happened, after all, it hadn\u2019t been the boy\u2019s fault.<\/p>\n

Joe looked up, anger shining in his eyes. \u201cWhy do I have to do all the work? Why can\u2019t Adam and Hoss do their share? I\u2019m being punished\u2026but I don\u2019t know why\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are not being punished, Joseph\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stomped off a ways and then spun around, tears glistening.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes I am\u2026all because I\u2019m the youngest and because I don\u2019t care a whit about that stupid horse you\u2019re trying to force on me\u2026I wish I\u2019d never laid eyes on the beast\u2026I hate him\u2026and I DON\u2019T WANT HIM\u2026I WANT PAINT!!\u201d screeched Joe as he bolted for the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cJOSEPH, YOU COME BACK HERE!\u201d shouted Ben as he followed the boy to the door.<\/p>\n

But it was too late, Joe was gone and already out of sight. Adam and Hoss were on the porch when Ben stepped through the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat on earth was that all about?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

Ben wore a deep, creasing frown and stood shaking his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I was wrong in trying to force Joe to get involved with that pinto. He doesn\u2019t want anything to do with him, even said as much\u2026in fact, the boy said he hated the horse\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw Pa\u2026you know Joe don\u2019t mean no such a thing. He\u2019s just feeling bad about his other horse\u2026give\u2019em time, he\u2019ll get over it\u2026you\u2019ll see\u2026\u201d said Hoss, the family\u2019s self-appointed peacemaker.
\nJoe stormed into the barn, flinging the door closed. At the first glance around the interior, he sighed a big sigh of relief that his brothers\u2019 horses and the wagon had already been made ready for the journey into town for the social.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt least they won\u2019t be bothering me,\u201d Joe grumbled to himself as he picked up the rake and began mucking the first empty stall.<\/p>\n

Minutes later he heard the others outside. Fearing that his father might come to the barn, Joe hurried to peek outside, relieved when he saw Adam and Hoss mounted and Ben climbing into the wagon. For another moment, he watched as they rode out of the yard and then went back to his work.<\/p>\n

The pinto nickered softly. Joe ignored the horse. All through his work, he had the eerie feeling that he was being watched and every time he turned to look, the pinto was indeed watching him. The scrutinizing horse was beginning to wear of Joe\u2019s already frayed nerves. He stopped, tossing the rake against the wall, causing the pinto to pull nervously at his rope.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you looking at you stupid bag of bones?\u201d growled Joe. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you stop watching me, and for heaven\u2019s sake, stop looking at me with those big sad eyes of yours\u2026you certainly aren\u2019t succeeding in winning my attention!\u201d he continued to mouth.<\/p>\n

At last, Joe finished with the work assigned to him and then turned again to the pinto.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I guess now I have to tend to you,\u201d he said in a not-so-friendly manner.<\/p>\n

Joe slipped into the stall and released the short tether rope and ordered the pinto to back up. At first, the pinto tried shying away from the boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust back up, you old nag\u2026all we\u2019re going to do is get some sunshine and a bit of exercise, you\u2019re getting fat just standing around and eating all day\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The horse finally backed out of the stall and allowed Joe to lead him from the barn. Once outside, Joe tied the pinto to the fence railing and returned to the barn, emerging with his saddle and blanket.<\/p>\n

Nervously, the pinto watched the young boy. The boy eyed the horse just as closely; obviously neither was looking forward to what lay ahead.<\/p>\n

Joe tried to toss the saddle blanket over the horse\u2019s back, but the animal moved away. Mumbling under his breath, Joe tried a second time, again the pinto side stepped the boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cDadburnit, you stand still,\u201d Joe fussed.<\/p>\n

A third attempt proved as unsuccessful as the first two. Joe grabbed the horse\u2019s bridle to keep the animal from moving away. He leaned his mouth close to the pinto\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow you listen here\u2026I don\u2019t want to ride you anymore than you want me to ride you\u2026but my Pa says you\u2019re to be exercised and exercised you\u2019re gonna be. Do you understand me?\u201d Joe snarled. \u201cNow you stand still, damn it!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe glanced around to be sure none of the ranch hands were close by and might have heard him cussing. He sure wasn\u2019t up to getting his backside warmed by his father, but he wasn\u2019t up to riding this stubborn bag of bones either.<\/p>\n

The next attempt at tossing the blanket onto the horse\u2019s back was successful. Joe sighed in relief he\u2019d already been nearly fifteen minutes just getting the blanket in place. He turned to the fence and grabbed his saddle. As he turned around, he glared at the horse.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow don\u2019t you move!\u201d he said as he slung the saddle into the air, aiming for the back of the horse. \u201cHEY!\u201d he shouted, angry that the pinto had moved to the side thus avoiding the saddle.<\/p>\n

Joe grabbed his saddle from the ground where it had landed in the dust. The pinto snorted as the boy approached for the second time.<\/p>\n

\u201cSTOP IT!\u201d fumed the exasperated boy. \u201cTHIS ISN\u2019T FUNNY YOU KNOW!\u201d<\/p>\n

The horse tossed his head from side to side as if agreeing with the boy whom the horse eyed closely.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow,\u201d said Joe, taking a deep breath to calm him self. \u201cYou stand still and let me put this galldang saddle on you\u2026or I\u2019m gonna\u2026gonna\u2026well, just you never mind, you be still, hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

The pinto nickered softly, causing Joe to look twice at the animal. \u201cI have a feeling you\u2019re mocking me!\u201d Joe said as he stood before the horse, saddle in hand. \u201cYou best cut it out!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe slung the saddle over the horse\u2019s back, but before he could reach under the horse\u2019s belly for the strap, the pinto jerked his head high and swerved to the side, sending the saddle sliding off and into the dirt.<\/p>\n

Fully beleaguered by the new horse\u2019s actions, Joe stomped his foot in anger and frustration.<\/p>\n

\u201cDADBURN YOU!\u201d he screeched. \u201cI OUGHTA TAKE A WHIP TO YOUR CANTANKEROUS HIDE!\u201d<\/p>\n

The boy, using both hands grabbed the halter on either side of the horse\u2019s face and held the massive head low so that he looked eye to eye with the creature.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t like you\u2026I didn\u2019t want you in the first place\u2026you\u2019re about as stubborn as an old Indian chief\u2026and about as useless as a two day old kitten. Now, understand this you sorry nag, I\u2019m gonna put this saddle on you\u2026and you\u2019re gonna stand still until I\u2019m finished. And then, whether you like it or not, and regardless that I don\u2019t even want to be bothered with you\u2026we\u2019re gonna go for a good long ride\u2026now STAND STILL!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe moved, with saddle in hand, to the horse\u2019s side. He paused just before tossing the saddle onto the gelding\u2019s back and looked at the horse. The pinto had his head turned and was watching the boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you even think about moving,\u201d muttered Joe between gritted teeth. The pinto\u2019s ears moved, twitching. Joe saw the animal\u2019s flesh quiver. The horse swung his long thick tail about as if swatting flies. His eyes seemed to grow wide as he stood motionless.<\/p>\n

Carefully, but quickly, Joe tossed the saddle up. It landed in place on the gelding\u2019s back. The animal stood perfectly still as Joe hurried to finish cinching the saddle in place. Once finished, Joe let the air blow from his lungs. He turned to the horse, reaching for the reins and turning the horse about.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat wasn\u2019t so bad now, was it?\u201d<\/p>\n

The unnamed animal bobbed his head up and down. Joe almost giggled.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo it wasn\u2019t, you big faker.\u201d<\/p>\n

He put his foot into the stirrup, but his mounted moved sideways. Hopping along, one foot still in the stirrup, Joe tried again to mount, but once more the horse moved, disallowing the boy to climb onto his back. Joe gritted his teeth, frowning, he\u2019d wasted another thirty minutes just trying to saddle his new horse\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cLook here\u2026I\u2019m getting tired of your foolishness. I\u2019m gonna send you back to the Indians and let them feed you to the dogs if\u2019n you don\u2019t stop this right now!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe swung his leg over the pinto\u2019s back, landing in the saddle. \u201cFinally,\u201d he said seconds before the pinto reared up catching his rider off guard and sending the boy off backwards into the dust. Joe landed with a thud on his backside, startled. For several seconds he sat in the dirt and looked sadly at the horse. The gelding walked a few paces off and then stopped and turned around. The horse nickered loudly, tossing his head up and down in the air, mocking the boy who was so close to tears.<\/p>\n

Joe shook his fist at the horse as he got to his feet and dusted off his trousers. \u201cThis isn\u2019t the least bit funny, you know! You\u2019re a sorry ass to say the least. You\u2019ll never amount to nothing\u2026you\u2019ll never be half the horse Paint was\u2026and he was the best,\u201d Joe added in a soft, low voice as a wave of grief washed over him.<\/p>\n

The tears that suddenly and unexpectedly clouded his eyes as he walked over to the horse and reached up to grip the pommel surprised the boy. Carefully he put his foot into the stirrup and pulled himself up.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t try anything funny, I\u2019m getting tired and we haven\u2019t even left the yard yet,\u201d Joe threatened.<\/p>\n

Once in the saddle, Joe sat for a long moment and then gently nudged the pinto in the sides. The horse stepped forward one step and then stopped.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh good grief,\u201d muttered Joe under his breath. He kicked a bit harder but still the horse refused to move. \u201cWhat the heck is wrong with you?\u201d he growled. Angry, Joe kicked a little harder.<\/p>\n

The horse turned to look back at the boy who sat lopsided over the side to look back at the horse. The animal seemed to being thinking of an answer to his rider\u2019s question. But he gave none, just continued looking back at the boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you know what this means?\u201d the boy asked, kicking hard.<\/p>\n

The pinto bolted forward in such a rush that Joe was tossed to the ground. He laid face up, the wind knocked from his lungs. Struggling to fill his empty chest, Joe gasped, sucking hard to fill his deflated lungs.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re\u2026not\u2026even\u2026close\u2026to being\u2026funny, you sorry, galldarn, mulish, son-of-biscuit eater!\u201d panted the windless boy.<\/p>\n

The entire afternoon had passed; the pinto was practically lathered from his on-going refusal to do what the frazzled, sweaty boy demanded of him. It had become a battle of wills\u2026and the pinto was winning by a landslide.<\/p>\n

Joe was grumbling and mumbling under his breath, spewing his building hatred at the willful horse, when his father and two brothers rode into the yard. Startled, Joe spun around suddenly wondering where the time had gone. The afternoon seemed to have melted away and all he\u2019d accomplished was getting the saddle on the pinto and being thrown to the ground more times than he could remember.<\/p>\n

Ben jumped from the wagon as Hoss and Adam tied their horses to the hitching post. Ben was smiling as he walked over to his youngest son. He glanced at the lathered horse and the dirty face of the lad.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, looks as if you and this pinto had a good run. How\u2019d he do? I bet he rode as easily as if you\u2019d been in a rocking chair. I\u2019m glad you finally accepted him, son; did you decide on a name?\u201d rattled Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cUmm\u2026well, you see, Pa\u2026I\u2026\u201d stammered Joe, not quite sure how to tell his father that what he saw wasn\u2019t actually what he thought he was seeing. Sure the horse was lathered and he, himself sweaty as if both had raced through the open fields for hours\u2026but Joe knew that wasn\u2019t so\u2026how was he to explain his current predicament to his father?<\/p>\n

\u201cYou look beat, son, why don\u2019t you cool your horse down and clean him up\u2026then clean yourself up\u2026Hop Sing should have supper ready soon,\u201d Ben said, never giving his son time to explain himself.<\/p>\n

Ben ruffled Joe\u2019s thick curls and hearing Hoss calling for him, smiled at Joe and then hurried to the house, leaving Joe alone with his horse. Joe puckered up his lips in disgust and glared at the horse.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Pa finds out what really took place here today, he\u2019ll tan my hide good. He\u2019ll think I\u2019ve lied to him\u2026and it\u2019ll all be your fault!\u201d he said in a fury as he led the pinto back into the barn and into his stable.<\/p>\n

Joe filled the feeding bin with feed for the horse and pulled off the saddle and blanket. Quickly he began rubbing down the horse, cursing softly under his breath with every swipe of the drying towel he took. The horse flinched occasionally but stood as still as he could, letting the boy do all the work while he enjoyed his dinner.<\/p>\n

When Joe finished, the pinto turned and nudged the boy in the back with his nose. Joe spun around, glaring. The horse nickered softly and nudged Joe again. The boy, forgetting his present anger and frustration, rubbed the velvety nose gently, until the pinto pulled his head up.<\/p>\n

\u201cI still don\u2019t like you\u2026and I still think you\u2019re a sorry sack of bones\u2026and pigheaded too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe pointed his finger at the horse and continued. \u201cYou might think you\u2019ve won the first battle\u2026being that you acted as ornery as a mule today\u2026but come tomorrow, I\u2019ll show you who\u2019s boss\u2026don\u2019t you think for one minute I can\u2019t use a whip!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe spun around and walked out of the stall, knowing fully well that he\u2019d never take a whip to a horse\u2026any horse\u2026even one he hated, such as the obstinate pinto. But he wasn\u2019t about to let the obnoxious horse know that!
\nThe next afternoon, while Ben and Joe\u2019s brothers made their usual weekly trip into town, Joe was left home with orders to continue the exercise routine with the pinto. The boy was less than enthusiastic about the ordeal, remembering that the day before, it had taken him all afternoon just to saddle the pinto and stay on the horse\u2019s back. He had thought it not such a good idea to own up to his father the fact that neither he nor the stubborn animal had moved any further from the yard than from the barn to the watering trough.<\/p>\n

Joe sighed deeply, already dreading the task. He stood in the doorway of the barn letting his eyes adjust to the dim light within. When he moved to the pinto\u2019s stall, the animal turned to look at the boy. Joe thought he noticed a sudden gleam in the horse\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever you\u2019re thinking, you dim-witted beast, forget it!\u201d he growled warningly as he backed the horse from his stall and turned him around.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday, you and I are going for a ride, and believe me when I tell you, by the time I\u2019m finished with you, you\u2019ll be wishing you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was moving to the other side of the horse when the animal swished his long tail, slapping Joe in the face. Joe\u2019s words were cut short as he sputtered trying to push the tail from in front of his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cYOU STOP THAT!\u201d he shouted at the pinto.<\/p>\n

The pinto lifted his head, turned and eyed the boy. He pushed back his lips, nickering at Joe as if laughing at the boy\u2019s instant displeasure. Joe grabbed the blanket from the rung where it lay.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026so you think it\u2019s funny, do you? You did that on purpose\u2026damn\u2026I wish I\u2019d never laid eyes on you\u2026you are the most obnoxious beast I\u2019ve ever seen,\u201d he fumed as he laid the blanket across the horse\u2019s back.<\/p>\n

When he turned to reach for the saddle, the pinto turned his head and using his teeth, grabbed the corner of the blanket and pulled it from his back. By the time Joe had his saddle in hand and turned back around, the horse was standing in perfect form as if nothing out of the ordinary had taken place. Joe\u2019s eyes widened when he saw the horse blanket lying on the ground between the pinto\u2019s feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey\u2026did you do that?\u201d Joe demanded, glaring at his mount.<\/p>\n

The pinto looked with large sad looking eyes at the youth and then turned away, ignoring the fuming boy. Joe put his saddle back on the rack and turned around to pick up the blanket.<\/p>\n

He glared his horse. \u201cI\u2019m going to do this one more time\u2026and it better stay where I put it\u2026got it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe slung the blanket across the horse\u2019s back. As he turned to fetch his saddle, he kept his eye on the horse, which continued to ignore his newest master.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s better\u2026now you best get it in that head of yours, I\u2019m the master\u2026I tell you what to do\u2026not the other way around!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe slung his saddle over the horse and quickly finished cinching it up. Satisfied that he had managed to do that much without too many problems, he led the pinto from the barn. Once outside, the pinto perked up, surprising Joe when he pulled away and began bucking.<\/p>\n

\u201dHEY!\u201d shouted Joe as he tried to grab the reins.<\/p>\n

The pinto darted away, continuing his antics while keeping his eyes on the frustrated boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cYOU SORRY, NO GOOD SON-OF-A—,\u201d Joe looked around as if expecting his father to be nearby. \u201cBISCUIT-EATER\u2026YOU STOP THAT\u2026RIGHT NOW!\u201d he shouted as he made a dive for the dangling reins.<\/p>\n

He almost had his fingers on the long strips of leather, but the animal was quicker and shied away. The horse stopped bucking and stood facing the lad. Joe got to his feet, dusted off his pants and picked up his hat, placing it on his head. As he swiped his hand across his face to remove the sweat beads, dirt smudged his brow and down the front of his nose.<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy now,\u201d he whispered softly as he crept closer to the horse.<\/p>\n

The animal lowered his head, eyeing the boy, watching his every move. Using one foot, he pawed at the earth.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll I want to do is go for a little ride,\u201d Joe murmured. Under his breath he muttered to himself. \u201cI\u2019m gonna make you wish you\u2019d never been born, you mindless nag\u2026\u2026\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

Making another dive for the reins, Joe managed to grasp them this time, surprising the horse. The big pinto pulled up his head, practically jerking Joe from the ground and onto his feet. The horse tugged and moved backwards, dragging Joe along with him.<\/p>\n

The animal whinnied loudly and turned and began moving quickly out of the yard. Joe dug his heels into the earth and hung on for dear life, refusing to let the animal get away from him.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no you don\u2019t, you come back here\u2026\u2026\u2026..\u201d
\nThree hours later, a very tired boy and an equally exhausted pinto came walking into the yard. The boy was covered in dirt and dust. His hat lay lopsided on his curly head. The shirt he wore was ripped and torn, his trousers\u2019 knees were no longer visible and the boots he had worn that morning were no longer bright and shining, having spent the better part of the evening before making them look like new.<\/p>\n

The horse looked to be faring no better. His saddle was twisted to one side, a stirrup was missing and the beast walked with his nose practically touching the ground. Mud covered his hooves and even dotted his wide spotted breast. The pair was less than admirable looking to those who might have been watching, had anyone been at home.<\/p>\n

Joe quickly glanced around, relieved to see that his family had not yet returned from town. He\u2019d have just enough time, if he hurried, to rub down his horse, clean himself up and greet his father when he arrived home. Joe swore to himself that he\u2019d not tell his father of the experience this afternoon nor of the fact that as of yet, he had still not been able to actually ride the horse given to him for his birthday. A day in which Joe suddenly wished he\u2019d never been born.<\/p>\n

He led his horse into the barn and into the stable.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know,\u201d he said grouchily, \u201cthe only thing you\u2019ve got going for you are your looks. Not that, that should count for much right now, not after you dragging me along behind you through that mud puddle\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe surprised himself by giggling, drawing the horse\u2019s attention. \u201cI bet we were a sight,\u201d he said half-laughing.<\/p>\n

The pinto bobbed his head up and down slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026shut up!\u201d Joe mumbled as he went about cleaning up his horse.
\n\u201cWell, you hurry along son, we\u2019ll meet up with you at the forks\u2026don\u2019t take too long,\u201d Ben said to Little Joe as he grabbed his hat and headed out the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you two keep us waiting, there\u2019s work aplenty,\u201d Adam added as he followed his father out the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t\u2026\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m comin\u2019,\u201d Hoss groaned.<\/p>\n

Joe watched his father and eldest brother as they exited the house. Only he and Hoss remained at the table. Hoss quickly stuffed the last of his breakfast into his mouth and quickly stood up, glancing at his young brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa best hurry, Little Joe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s face was drawn together in a frown. He said nary a word nor did he look up at his brother. Hoss paused as he came around the table and stood over Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething eatin\u2019 at ya, Joe?\u201d He asked.<\/p>\n

Joe hesitated before looking up, but when he did, Hoss instantly noted the sudden tears.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss\u2026if I tell you something\u2026will promise not to tell\u2026Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss wrinkled his face in contemplation. \u201cI won\u2019t lessen it\u2019s something that needs tellin\u2019,\u201d Hoss promised.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about the pinto\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe pinto?\u201d stammered Hoss. \u201cSomething wrong with\u2019em?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot exactly\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLooky little brother, I ain\u2019t got much time and you ain\u2019t makin\u2019 much sense\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Hoss\u2026it\u2019s like this\u2026Pa thinks I\u2019ve been riding that pinto\u2026and I haven\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 face scrunched in a barrel of wrinkles. He scratched his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa ain\u2019t\u2026but I thought\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s just it Hoss\u2026everyone thinks I have\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut ya ain\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe stated firmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen how\u2019s come ya always\u2026look like ya been ridin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s just it Hoss\u2026I look like I have cause that\u2019s the most stubborn, mule-headed, ornery varmit, obnoxious, double-crossing, conniving bag of bones\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow you wait just a dang minute\u2026I thought ya liked that new horse, Pa sure as blazes went to a lot of trouble to get that little pinto for you, just for ya birthday!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know\u2026and I feel bad about it\u2026I\u2026I\u2026wish I had ole Paint\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw\u2026Joe, ya still ain\u2019t blamin\u2019 yourself for what happened to that old pony, are ya?\u201d Hoss asked in sympathy.<\/p>\n

Joe nodded his head slowly up and down. \u201cSome\u2026but Hoss,\u201d Joe, his eyes heavy with unshed tears looked up at his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat stubborn nag in the barn doesn\u2019t like me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss snickered softly. \u201cNow that\u2019s about the dumbest thing I heard ya say in a long time, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s true\u2026you should see him, he won\u2019t even let me put a saddle blanket on him without fighting me over it. And just try to saddle him\u2026did you know it took me half a day the first time\u2026and that\u2019s not all\u2026he won\u2019t let me get on\u2026well, I did the first day, but only until the pig-headed thing bucked me off. We never even left the yard. When you and Pa and Adam rode in\u2026and Pa thought we\u2019d been out riding\u2026hahaha Hoss, I hadn\u2019t even gotten that pile of horse flesh outta the yard\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss couldn\u2019t help snickering. \u201cYou mean to tell me\u2026ya let Pa just think you\u2019ve ridden that horse? What about yesterday\u2026you did ride him\u2026didn\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026I got him saddled but once in the yard, he started bucking and tried to run away. I grabbed the reins but he dragged me half way to town and back\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss was hee-hawing by that time. He doubled over holding his belly and continued to picture the scene his brother had just described.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt ain\u2019t funny, Hoss\u2026that dadburn idiot dam near drowned me in a mud puddle!\u201d Joe practically shouted.<\/p>\n

Just then the front door opened and Adam suck his head inside, seeing his bigger brother doubled up in laughter.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what\u2019s so funny, but you two better get a move on, Pa\u2019s waiting!\u201d he said as he looked again at the pair and then closed the door.<\/p>\n

Hoss clamped his hand down on Joe\u2019s shoulders. Tears of laughter had filled his eyes forcing him to wipe them away.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re gonna do, Shortshanks, but ya better think of somethin\u2019 fast, Pa needs both of us up at the loggin\u2019 camp\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I can\u2019t ride him!\u201d Joe said between gritted teeth. \u201cAnd there\u2019s no another horse\u2026besides, if I came riding in to the camp on any horse except old Butthead\u2026then Pa would start asking a passel of questions\u2026that I can\u2019t answer\u2026What am I going to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss swallowed his laughter, noted the worried expression on his kid brother\u2019s face and shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno, Joe. I\u2019ll go ahead with Pa and Adam, you linger behind, I\u2019ll make up some excuse why you were delayed and you try to saddle that little pinto and ride on up to the camp\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss left then, pausing at the door as he strapped on his gun and holster.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust do the best ya can\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026\u2026\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

The door slammed, leaving Joe alone in his gloom. As he stood, he tossed his napkin on the table and when he turned, it fell, unnoticed to the floor. Biding his time as Hoss suggested, he moved slowly through the room, coming at last to stand before the massive fireplace. For several long moments, Joe stood before the open hearth and gazed into the smoldering embers that still lingered from the night fire. He\u2019d have to go to the barn soon and attempt to saddle the pinto. The boy shook his head slowly from side to side. Tears welled in his eyes and over-flowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh Paint\u2026why\u2019d ya have to die? I sure could use a friend right now\u2026and I miss you ole buddy\u2026\u201d Joe wiped his nose on the sleeve of his shirt and turned toward the door, still muttering.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat stubborn headed Indian pony ain\u2019t good for nothing\u2026\u2019cept eatin\u2019 and makin\u2019 my life a livin\u2019 hell! He\u2019s as mean and nasty as that evil chief\u2026what\u2019s his name\u2026Cochise\u2026yeah, that\u2019s him\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u201d he grumbled sorely.<\/p>\n

At the credenza, Joe grabbed his hat and plopped it onto his head. He jerked the heavy door opened and walked out into the morning light.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what your name should be, you mule-headed varmint\u2026Cochise\u2026just for the hell of it, I think that\u2019s what I\u2019ll call you!\u201d<\/p>\n

In the barn, Joe paused long enough to suck in a chest full of air, letting it out slowly. He walked into the stall where the painted horse stood, watching with narrowed eyes, the boy beside him.<\/p>\n

Joe untied the short rope and forced the massive head around so that he could look into the pinto\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve picked a name for you\u2026it should be something like Butthead, or Ornery, or Obnoxious cause you\u2019re all of those. You\u2019re one stubborn cuss, just like that old Indian Chief everyone talks about, Cochise\u2026so\u2026that\u2019s what I\u2019m gonna call you\u2026Cochise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe swallowed; it was hard looking into the soft brown eyes that looked so trustingly back at him. It was getting harder and harder to hate the animal, especially when Cochise was nudging his nose against his chest and nibbling at the buttons on his shirt.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop that\u2026don\u2019t you think you\u2019ve ruined enough of my clothes this week? Now back up, I\u2019m going to put a saddle on you, and you\u2019re going to stand still while I do it\u2026got that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe slipped the bridle on easily enough and grabbing his saddle and blanket, led the pinto out into the bright morning sun.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re going to let me ride you this morning too\u2026I mean it Cochise\u2026I\u2019m the boss\u2026not you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe moved to toss the blanket across the horse\u2019s back, but Cochise moved sideways to avoid it.<\/p>\n

\u201cDadburnit, you painted devil\u2026don\u2019t start with your blasted shenanigans!\u201d<\/p>\n

Cochise shook his head from side to side. Joe glared with dark angry eyes back at his horse.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hate you\u2026I\u2019ve tried not too, but you make me so blasted mad\u2026I ain\u2019t never seen a creature as nasty tempered as you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The horse nodded his head up and down and then moved slowly forward until he was able to press the front of his face against the boy\u2019s chest. He pushed gently, forcing Joe to take a step backwards.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop that!\u201d<\/p>\n

Again Cochise pushed against the boy. Once more Joe was forced back.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said stop it!\u201d<\/p>\n

Cochise nudged his master again, a little harder. Another step back and Joe lost his balance, falling backward into the watering trough.<\/p>\n

\u201cAAAGHHH!\u201d bellowed Joe in surprise.<\/p>\n

The horse bobbed his head up and down as he watched Joe floundering in the water. The boy was furious, madder than he\u2019d been in his entire life. He scrambled from the trough, fists folded as he approached the pinto.<\/p>\n

\u201cI should take a whip to you!\u201d<\/p>\n

Cochise shook his head. Joe grabbed his hat from the water and emptied it of the contents. As he pulled it down over his thick curls, a shout from beyond the barn drew his attention from the horse.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing came running into the yard, winded and puffing.<\/p>\n

\u201cMIS\u2019TA JOE, MIS\u2019TA JOE!\u201d he cried, sinking to his knees as he struggled to fill his lungs.<\/p>\n

Forgetting the horse, Joe raced across the yard and dropped down in front of the family cook.<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing\u2026what\u2019s wrong\u2026what\u2019s happened\u2026why are you on foot\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMis\u2019ta Cart\u2019lite\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Joe asked. An arrow of fear suddenly pierced his heart. Hop Sing was near breathless, shaking his head in response.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Pa? HOP SING\u2026WHAT ABOUT PA!!\u201d the boy yelled.<\/p>\n

Joe had his hands on the servant\u2019s shoulders. His fingers squeezed into the man\u2019s flesh.<\/p>\n

\u201cHurt\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

A look of panic filled the boy\u2019s eyes. \u201cPa\u2019s been hurt\u2026where\u2026when\u2026what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMis\u2019ta Adam say, you ride, fetch doctor. Hop Sing get wagon to bring Mis\u2019ta Ben home. Mis\u2019ta Adam say, hurry\u2026tell Lit\u2019le Joe, hurry, go town, bring back\u2026doctor\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam wants me to ride into town and fetch the doctor?\u201d Joe repeated the question and then glanced over at the pinto. \u201cOn what?\u201d he muttered, unaware that he had spoken aloud.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing stood to his feet. His breath had nearly returned to normal. His eyes followed Little Joe\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ride painted pony\u2026he good horse\u2026run hard\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe whispered glaring at the stubborn pinto.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing placed his hand down on the boy\u2019s shoulder, and gently pressed his fingers tighter.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell him\u2026important\u2026must save father\u2019s life\u2026he run\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSave Pa\u2019s life\u2026Hop Sing\u2026is Pa hurt that badly?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHurt very badly\u2026hurry, ride like the wind\u2026.I get wagon ready\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing disappeared into the house, leaving Joe alone in the yard with just the pinto. He hurried to the horse, picked up the blanket and grabbed the reins.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow you listen here\u2026this is important\u2026Pa needs me\u2026us\u2026if we don\u2019t get to town and bring the doctor back\u2026Pa\u2019s just liable to\u2026to\u2026\u201d Joe swallowed hard.<\/p>\n

He leaned his head against the soft neck, rubbing his hands gently over the horse all the while fighting back the fear that threatened to cause him to become unglued.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease Cochise\u2026Pa\u2019s life is in danger\u2026please,\u201d he begged.<\/p>\n

His voice trailed off into a whisper as he tossed the blanket across the horse\u2019s back. When Cochise refused to move, Joe quickly added the saddle and cinched it tightly.<\/p>\n

Joe stepped in front of the horse and grabbed the halter, holding Cochise\u2019s head still.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to let me ride ya, Cochise\u2026\u201d Joe\u2019s voice cracked. \u201cPlease\u2026\u201d he whispered as he moved to the side and quickly bolted into the saddle.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhew.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nudged his heels into Cochise\u2019s side. The horse refused to move. The discouraged boy held on tightly, fearing a repeat of the day before.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Cochise\u2026you gotta do this for me\u2026I promise not to call you names again\u2026I\u2019ll\u2026even try to like you\u2026and I won\u2019t take the whip to ya\u2026honest\u2026I don\u2019t want my Pa to\u2026die\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

He pressed his heels again into his mount\u2019s side. \u201cGiddy-up!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was practically tossed over the rump of his horse when Cochise suddenly burst into action and raced out of the yard. Joe leaned low over the horse\u2019s neck as the wind whipped at his face. At one point, his hat was blown from his head. It seemed that the animal had run for miles, his pace never slowing, amazing the boy with his agility and willingness to please his rider.<\/p>\n

Cochise\u2019s strides where long and smooth, and had the errand not been one of such importance, the boy riding would have relished the race, for that was what they were doing, racing against time. The boy and his horse moved as one, as if the pair had been joined together. No one would ever suspect that this was their first time out.<\/p>\n

Halfway to town, Joe pulled his mount to a halt, giving the huffing animal a moment to rest and catch his breath. The boy leaned down and petted the long silky, now foamy neck of his horse.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess ya ain\u2019t so bad\u2026Cooch\u2026\u201d Joe murmured softly.<\/p>\n

Minutes later, the pair was off at a run, tearing into town and down the main street of Virginia City as if the devil himself were chasing them. People crossing, scattered, some shouted obscenities at the boy and his horse, but Joe ignored them, his father\u2019s life lay in the balance and his getting to the doctor\u2019s office depended on which way the scales leaned.<\/p>\n

Joe burst into Paul Martin\u2019s office in a fury of words and exclamations.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoc\u2026.Doc!! Pa\u2019s been hurt\u2026badly,\u201d he sputtered. \u201cCome\u2026quick\u2026Adam and\u2026Hoss are\u2026talking him home\u2026hurry, Doc\u2026hurry!\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul grabbed his bag, quickly stuffing articles of importance into the leather satchel.<\/p>\n

\u201cHURRY!\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul snapped the satchel closed and reached for his coat. \u201cEasy, Little Joe\u2026I\u2019m hurrying\u2026now tell me\u2026what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know\u2026I was home\u2026Hop Sing ran in\u2026told me Pa was hurt\u2026didn\u2019t say how, just\u2026told me to get you\u2026quick like\u2026please, Doc, can ya hurry it up a little faster?\u201d panted the frightened boy.<\/p>\n

The gentle-mannered physician petted the boy\u2019s shoulder. \u201cI\u2019m ready\u2026my buggy\u2019s outside, let\u2019s go,\u201d he said as he headed for the door.<\/p>\n

Outside on the boardwalk, Roy Coffee, Ben\u2019s trusted friend and the local sheriff, stopped the pair.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s goin\u2019 on here\u2026folks complainin\u2019 about the way ya tore into town, Little Joe!\u201d he said gruffly.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen Cartwright\u2019s been hurt,\u201d Paul Martin answered, supplying the sheriff\u2019s need to know. \u201cLittle Joe was told to fetch me out to the Ponderosa\u2026now, if you don\u2019t mind, my services are needed\u2026\u201d the doctor said gently as he brushed by the sheriff.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou coming, Little Joe?\u201d he asked as he climbed into his buggy.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou bet,\u201d responded the lad as he swung into the saddle and turned his sweaty horse around.<\/p>\n

Less than halfway back, the physician pulled his own horse and buggy to a stop.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Doc?\u201d Joe said, doing the same.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook son, that pinto of yours is foaming pretty badly\u2026and huffing and puffing, if you don\u2019t slow him down and cool him off, you\u2019re going to lose him. I\u2019ll go on ahead and see to your pa, you take care of your horse\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo buts, Joseph,\u201d Paul reprimanded, sounding much like Ben himself. \u201cYour pa would want you to tend to your mount\u2026the proper way, now you do it, I\u2019ll take care of your father.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul saw the boy\u2019s hesitancy and smiled, knowing that the boy feared for his father\u2019s life.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026I promise\u2026I won\u2019t anything happen to your father, if I can prevent it. Now do as I ask, please,\u201d he said gently but with stressing his point.<\/p>\n

Joe swallowed hard and nodded in agreement. He knew that what the doctor was saying was exactly what his father would expect him to do. And, Cochise had run hard, practically had run his heart out for the boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright sir,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cBut, please, you hurry\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will,\u201d promised the compromising physician. He clicked to his horse and the buggy moved along, heading quickly for the Ponderosa and the emergency that waited for him there.<\/p>\n

Joe slipped from the saddle and moved around to face the horse. He rubbed gently on the velvety nose. Cochise nudged at the boy\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I had a lump of sugar for you,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

His eyes suddenly welled with tears but he quickly brushed them away, slightly embarrassed even in front of his new horse.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, let\u2019s walk for awhile and give you time to cool down. When we get home, I\u2019ll give you the best rub down ya ever had\u2026and an extra scoop of oats for being so\u2026so\u2026\u201d Joe came to a halt and turned around to eye the horse, thinking about his words for a second. Suddenly he smiled at the pinto. \u201cObliging\u2026\u201d he said and then snickered as he turned and walked on.<\/p>\n

Cochise pushed his nose into the boy\u2019s back, causing Joe\u2019s steps to falter slightly. Joe ignored the painted horse until Cochise did it twice more.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not going to make me mad\u2026not this time\u2026\u201d he said without even bothering to look back. \u201cI can be just as pig-headed and stubborn and ornery as you can be, you old jack-ass!\u201d<\/p>\n

Cochise made a snorting sound and came to an unexpected halt in the middle of the path. Joe, taken by surprise stumbled and fell on his backside. For a long silent moment, he sat in the dust. Out of the blue, he began laughing softly, his laughing growing in volume until he was finally laughing aloud.<\/p>\n

The horse stood over the boy. When Joe looked up, he was grinning, tiny tears caused by all the mixed emotions he\u2019d experienced over the last few hours had finally reached an all time high. His relief came through in his nervous laugher.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, so maybe I\u2019m not as stubborn and bull-headed as you can be\u2026my family might not agree, but you\u2019re still a bigger Jack-ass\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe got to his feet and scratched the end of Cochise\u2019s nose. \u201cLet\u2019s ride for awhile\u2026\u201d As he turned to mount up, Cochise moved to the side. Undaunted by the pinto\u2019s attitude, he tried a second time, but the horse sidestepped him again.<\/p>\n

Joe pressed his brow into the side of his saddle and groaned softly. \u201cYou\u2019re determined to make me beg, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

He knew it was a foolish question, until the horse bobbed his head up and down as if in response to the question. Joe giggled.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, you win\u2026this time\u2026but will you please just let me ride you?\u201d With that, Joe easily swung himself into the saddle. He kicked gently at the horse\u2019s side, but the pinto stood firmly; Joe sighed softly to himself, \u201cgood grief.\u201d A bit louder he said, \u201cThank you\u2026\u201d Cochise trotted gently on his way. \u201cOh brother,\u201d muttered the boy to himself, shaking his head in disbelief.
\nOnce home, Joe dismounted and sprinted to the house. Carelessly, he flung the door opened, only to find the massive room empty of any occupants. Taking a deep breath, Joe ran up the stairs, bursting excitedly into his father\u2019s room without so much as knocking.<\/p>\n

All heads, bent over the bed, turned to stare at the boy who had just made a sudden intrusion. Joe stopped dead in his tracks, stunned to see everyone looking so strangely at him, but more surprised to see his father sitting up propped against an array of soft pillows.<\/p>\n

Ben at last smiled weakly at the boy. \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026you\u2019re\u2026alive,\u201d the young man stammered as he moved almost cautiously toward the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I certainly hope so\u2026\u201d Ben answered with a soft laugh. \u201cI see you made it back from town\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2026said you were hurt bad\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBadly,\u201d his father gently corrected. \u201cBut no son, at first they thought I might be\u2026but I\u2019ll be fine in a couple of days\u2026\u201d Ben snickered again, \u201cOr so it would seem, according to the doc over there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe, who stood next to his father at the bedside, glanced over at the physician, who complied by nodding his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust a day or two in bed and then your father will be up and around,\u201d Paul Martin assured the lad and thus relieving the worry he saw in the emerald eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cSit by me,\u201d Ben said to Joe, patting the side of the bed. \u201cI want to talk to you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked a bit nervous, unsure as to what his father wanted to talk about, but he willingly obeyed the gentle demand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got chores to do,\u201d Adam said as he walked with the doctor to the door. \u201cI\u2019ll see you out, Doc\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tend to your horse for ya, little brother\u2026Doc told us what a fine job he done\u2026gettin\u2019 ya to town and all, helpin\u2019 to save Pa\u2019s life and such\u2026\u201d Hoss grinned down at the boy and quickly, with a nod to his father, made his way from the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre ya sure you\u2019re gonna be alright, Pa?\u201d Joe asked, sounding a bit worried.<\/p>\n

Ben nodded, \u201cI\u2019m sure\u2026it was only a knock on the head\u2026it might have been worse, had your brother Adam not shouted out a warning to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026I wasn\u2019t paying any mind\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSort of like me?\u201d grinned Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cSort of like you,\u201d snickered Ben. \u201cA tree was fixing to fall, I ignored the warning call and the tree came down on my head\u2026or almost\u2026Adam shouted a warning and I looked up. I was able to get out of the way of the main trunk, but a big branch got me\u2026right here,\u201d Ben said lightly, pointing to the bandage on his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not so bad\u2026I\u2019ll have this headache for a while no doubt, but I\u2019ll be fine\u2026don\u2019t you worry\u2026\u201d Ben smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad\u2026\u201d Joe said quietly. \u201cI sure was scared\u2026I mean\u2026I\u2026wasn\u2019t sure what to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean? I thought Hop Sing got here in time to have you ride into town to fetch back the doctor?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe did\u2026but\u2026I was still worried\u2026about you I mean,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

Ben studied his young son\u2019s face for several long moments.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs\u2026that all you were worried about, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe glanced up to see his father\u2019s dark eyes scrutinizing his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d he stammered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I thought perhaps you may have been worried about how you would\u2026get into town\u2026\u201d Ben smiled warmly. \u201cHoss told me about the problems you\u2019ve been having with that new horse I gave you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCochise\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCochise? So you finally named him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYessir, but I\u2019ve had a lot of other names in mind for him,\u201d Joe said timidly and then smiled when he looked up to see his father grinning at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou should have seen him, Pa\u2026once the ornery devil let me ride him\u2026he ran like the wind. He ran his heart out for me\u2026all I had to do was to say\u2026please\u2026and beg a little\u2026I even made him a couple of promises.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben burst into laughter at the expressions of his youngest son and then grabbed his head, moaning softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh Joseph\u2026I\u2019m sorry\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry\u2026for what, Pa? You didn\u2019t do anything\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben was having a hard time containing his amusement.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes I did\u2026\u201d he snickered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo you didn\u2019t\u2026..Pa\u2026for heaven\u2019s sake\u2026what is so funny?\u201d Joe insisted.<\/p>\n

Ben, still holding his head, looked into his son\u2019s eyes. Tears of laughter had filled his own dark ones. \u201cJoseph, I plum forgot to tell you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me what?\u201d Joe asked, getting a little flustered by his father\u2019s continual snickering.<\/p>\n

Ben took a deep breath to steady his words, but the wide grin remained steadfastly spread across his broad face.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, I plum forgot to tell you\u2026that painted Indian pony of yours\u2026doesn\u2019t understand English!\u201d<\/p>\n

When Joe\u2019s eyes widened as far as they could and his chin sagged leaving his mouth opened and the boy gaping at him, Ben burst into another round of laughter so loud that it brought Adam and Hoss running into the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong!\u201d Adam shouted as he looked from the man in the bed to the boy sitting next to him.<\/p>\n

Ben had laid his strong hand over Joe\u2019s. Joe glanced behind him at his brothers and then down at his father. His laughter began as a soft murmur, quickly building in volume as he tried to explain to the two young men behind him that his horse was ignorant to the English language.<\/p>\n

Minutes later, after both father and son had regained their composure, Hoss was still looking a bit unsure. The gentle giant scratched his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me get this straight, what\u2019cha mean little brother, is that your painted horse\u2026Butthead\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCochise,\u201d Joe quickly corrected with a quick worried glance at his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cCochise, then\u2026doesn\u2019t understand our language\u2026only Paiute?\u201d Hoss sneered.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou see, Hoss,\u201d Ben began explaining, \u201cChief Winnemucca and his braves, capture and train all their ponies themselves, few of the men speak our language. It just so happens that the brave that caught and gentled Joe\u2019s horse, spoke only Paiute\u2026so naturally the horse didn\u2019t understand what Joe was trying to get him to do\u2026thus causing your younger brother all those\u2026..\u201d he snickered again, \u201cinconveniences.\u201d<\/p>\n

This brought another round of laughter from the family of men.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright now\u2026we\u2019ve all had a good laugh\u2026at Joe\u2019s expense,\u201d Ben said kindly looking up at the boy. \u201cI need to rest now\u2026if you don\u2019t mind,\u201d Ben hinted.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure Pa\u2026come on you two\u2026let\u2019s give Pa a break,\u201d Adam insisted as he rose from the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNight, Pa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood night, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNight Pa,\u201d smiled Joe. \u201cI think I\u2019ll go check on\u2026Cochise\u2026maybe I teach him some English,\u201d he giggled.<\/p>\n

Ben snickered. \u201cGood night Joseph\u2026and good luck\u2026\u201d
\nJoe eased quietly into the barn and moved toward the pinto. Cochise looked up and nickered at the boy. Smiling, Joe squeezed into the stall with his horse and began brushing the animal gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeems we\u2019ve had a language problem\u2026heh, pal?\u201d Joe said, talking low. \u201cWe\u2019ll have to work on that\u2026now that we\u2019re\u2026friends. You know what\u2026I still have this notion about you. Pa say\u2019s you don\u2019t understand what I\u2019m saying, cause you were trained by a Paiute, but my gut tells me, you\u2019ve understood every word I\u2019ve been saying to you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

For several long moments Joe worked in silence as he continued to groom the pinto. At last he laid aside the brush and moved to face his horse. They stared into one another\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t really hate you\u2026you\u2019ve started to grow on me\u2026a little\u2026for an Injun pony\u2026you ain\u2019t so bad, but you\u2019ve still got a ways to go yet before ya\u2019ll be as good as ole Paint was\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Cochise nudged his nose against Joe\u2019s hand. The boy dug into his pocket for a sugar cube and offered it to the horse.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Cooch\u2026for helping me save my Pa\u2019s life\u2026and for\u2026for\u2026being my friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe swallowed, dislodging the thickness that had attempted to close his throat and smother his words.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are\u2026friends now\u2026aren\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n

Cochise raised his beautiful head and looked directly at the boy. Joe knew the answer to his question even before the horse nodded his head; the answer was in the soft, gentle way that the ominous brown eyes looked at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou big faker\u2026you understand me perfectly\u2026don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

The new pinto refused to answer and went back to munching on his oats and grains.<\/p>\n

THE END
\nJanuary 2006<\/p>\n

Next Story in the Two Painted Ponies Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Never Start What you Can’t Finish<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0Little Joe was always known for talking to his horse, ever wonder why and what started it? Well, here’s my theory. Be prepared for an array of mixed emotions.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 PG (15,950 words)<\/p>\n

Two Painted Ponies Series, links to all the stories within the series included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9052,"featured_media":8447,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[23,1008,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12297","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-family","category-prequels","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-30-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Young-Michael.png?fit=188%2C248&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12297","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/9052"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12297"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12297\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8447"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12297"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12297"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12297"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}