{"id":12365,"date":"2000-12-24T18:10:53","date_gmt":"2000-12-24T23:10:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12365"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:04:38","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:04:38","slug":"go-tell-it-on-the-mountain-by-jenniea-debbieb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12365","title":{"rendered":"Go Tell it on the Mountain (by JennieA & DebbieB)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>: \u00a0It’s Christmas Eve and Little Joe tries to make a trade with the Virgin Mary.<\/p>\n

Rated<\/strong>: \u00a0G (6,050 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Go Tell it on the Mountain <\/strong><\/p>\n

Joe sat as still as could be expected for a five year old.\u00a0 His legs swinging in time to the gospel song that rang out from all sides of the chapel.\u00a0 As the song came to an end, Ben sat down and pulled Joe onto his lap, hoping to cease the movements that were causing the pew to squeak.\u00a0 At first the small boy managed to entertain himself by fondling with a button on his suit but soon grew weary of that when the button popped off and landed on the bonnet of the woman in front of them.\u00a0 Trying another tactic, Joe moved to toy with the fringe that hung from his scarf.\u00a0\u00a0 He somehow managed to entwine his fingers securely into the tassels giving a small yelp when he couldn\u2019t free them.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes wondered from the podium at the front of the chapel as he tightened his hold around Joe.\u00a0 His large hands worked their magic and soon had Joe\u2019s fingers freed from their entrapment.\u00a0 The boy continued to grow restless and squirmed about in his father\u2019s lap hymning one of his favorite tunes, Early One Morning.\u00a0 The long winded sermon had dragged on far too long for such a small boy.\u00a0 Ben gently pulled the boy\u2019s head back to rest against his chest in a feeble attempt to quiet the child.\u00a0 Joe snuggled up and reached over to grasp onto his father\u2019s vest with his tiny right hand.\u00a0 His left thumb found its proper place in his mouth and soon the soft suckling noises indicated to the surrounding families that the youngest Cartwright had fallen asleep.<\/p>\n

A sudden Hallelujah from across the room jarred the sleeping boy from his nap.\u00a0 His hand which had been grasping the soft leather of Ben\u2019s vest pulled away suddenly bringing with it the end of the black string tie that had been so neatly knotted around Ben\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph,\u201d whispered Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cI sowwe Papa, but whoeber was making that shoutin\u2019 done woked me up,\u201d Joe protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph,\u201d Ben said through gritted teeth his hand clamped over Joe\u2019s mouth.<\/p>\n

Muffle giggles from the other end of the pew brought his attention around to his older two sons.\u00a0 The giggles were suddenly silenced by the deep frown that Ben gave to Adam and Hoss who quickly straightened in their seats.<\/p>\n

\u201cPapa,\u201d mumbled Joe from behind the hand that still covered his mouth.<\/p>\n

Ben quickly moved his hand.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is it now Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI gotta go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t you wait son,\u201d Ben emphasizing the last word.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo sir, I gotta pee and I gotta pee now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes rolled back into his head as he glanced at Adam with a pleading look.\u00a0 Adam smiled at his father and extended his arms out to Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on Little Buddy, I\u2019ll take you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam scooped the small boy into his arms and stepped across his father\u2019s knee into the isle of the church.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be wight back Papa,\u201d Joe yelled just as Adam carried him through the doorway.<\/p>\n

Ben whose face was turning a bright shade of Christmas red, felt all eyes turn in his direction.<\/p>\n

Widow Watkins who issued the first Hallelujah and was well into her second round of Hallelujahs was stopped suddenly by the sounds of a little boy\u2019s laughter.\u00a0 Ben recognized the high pitched giggles and turned his head to look down the isle.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa should\u2019ve seen us Papa, we both were a\u2019smokin\u2019,\u201d shouted Joe from half way down the isle as he skipped toward his father whose hand had covered his face.<\/p>\n

Joe stopped at the end of the pew where his father sat.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019cha cryin\u2019 for Papa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eye could be seen peaking over the top of his fingers.\u00a0 \u201cI am not crying Joseph,” snarled Ben fighting to control his temper and embarrassment, neither of which he could master.<\/p>\n

Ben removed his hand from his face and glanced back down the isle just in time to see his oldest son slip from the building.\u00a0 Ben could only imagine his son\u2019s embarrassment from his youngest son\u2019s outburst.\u00a0 From the podium the preacher cleared his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think now would be a good time to have a word of prayer.\u00a0 Let us pray for patience and understanding during awkward moments?\u201d<\/p>\n

Throughout the room soft snickers and giggles could be heard as each person bowed their heads.<\/p>\n

As the crowd slowly proceeded toward the door after the sermon Joe who was being held in his father\u2019s arms caught sight of the manger scene that had been set up in the opposite corner of the chapel.\u00a0 When Ben stopped to speak with the preacher Joe finally managed to free himself from his father\u2019s arms and rushed back inside captivated by what he had seen.<\/p>\n

Joe stood silently as he gazed at the figures of Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus.\u00a0 Squatting down so he could be eye level to the figures, Joe extended his hand out and touched the face of Mary.\u00a0 Unexpected tears pooled into his eyes but were quickly dissipated when he felt a hand resting gently on his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know the story of baby Jesus?\u201d asked the preacher in a tender voice seeing the tears that Joe fought to conceal.<\/p>\n

\u201cI \u2018member what my Mama told me last Quistmas about baby Jesus and the Norf Star.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you remember?\u201d encouraged the preacher suddenly taken in by the cherub like face of the youngest Cartwright.<\/p>\n

\u201cI \u2018member my Mama told me that the three smart men followed the Norf Star cause that star would lead them to the place where baby Jesus got borned,\u201d Little Joe explained.<\/p>\n

The reverend squelched the giggles that threatened to spill forth.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you mean the three wise men?\u201d he smiled.<\/p>\n

Joe nodded his head up and down.\u00a0 \u201cYep, that\u2019s what I said, the three wise guys.\u201d<\/p>\n

This time the reverend\u2019s giggle could not be controlled as he tousled the top of Joe\u2019s unruly curls.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you know that my Mama is a star and that she shines brighter than the Norf Star?\u201d asked Joe as he gently brushed his hand down Mary\u2019s cheek for the second time.<\/p>\n

The reverend was quick to pick up on the sudden interest in the Virgin Mary and realized that the young boy must be thinking of his mother.\u00a0 Thinking back the reverend realized that this would be the first Christmas without Little Joe\u2019s mother since her untimely death in the spring.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you know your mother is a star?\u201d questioned the clergyman as he knelt down beside the small boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cCause my brooders and my Papa told me so.\u00a0 They said to look for the brightest star in the sky and that would be my Mama.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe placed his hand on the top of the reverend\u2019s knee and stared directly into the preacher\u2019s blue eyes.\u00a0 One tiny finger of the opposite hand pointed to the Virgin Mary.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mama looked just like that,\u201d proclaimed Joe proudly.<\/p>\n

The preacher gathered Joe into a hug.\u00a0 \u201cYes Joe your mother was a beautiful woman.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh there you are Little Buddy,\u201d called out Adam from the doorway.\u00a0 \u201cCome on Pa is waiting for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

The preacher stood to his feet releasing Joe and giving one last tousle to the mass of dark ringlets on the head of the little boy whom had just touched his heart.\u00a0 Joe ran toward his brother calling out over his shoulder, \u201cMerry Quistmas Pweacher.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben rose at the sound of loud knocking at the front door. He glanced up toward the stairs, silently hoping that the racket would not awaken Little Joe whom had been sent earlier to his room for his afternoon nap.\u00a0 Ben sighed as he hurried to the door; Little Joe had not wanted to go to sleep right away and had spent over an hour playing around upstairs.\u00a0 Ben had finally been forced to go to his son\u2019s room and rock the little scamp until Little Joe had at last given up and fallen asleep.\u00a0 Now, that sleep was threatened by the loud pounding on the door.<\/p>\n

When Ben opened the door, he was surprised to see the preacher standing before him, hat in hand, and a worried expression on his face.\u00a0 Stepping aside to allow the minister to enter, Ben glanced at Adam and Hoss who had just entered the great room from the kitchen.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowdy, Preacher,\u201d beamed Hoss as he stuffed his mouth with one of Hop Sing\u2019s fresh baked Christmas cookies.<\/p>\n

The preacher smiled down at the chubby little middle son of Ben\u2019s and tossled his hair.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowdy, Hoss,\u201d laughed the minister.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, how many times have I told you about talking with your mouth full?\u201d questioned Ben.\u00a0 \u201cPlease, go back to the kitchen to finish your snack,\u201d ordered Ben as he placed his hand on top of Hoss\u2019 head and turned the boy back toward the kitchen.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave a seat, Reverend,\u201d offered Ben, pointing to the settee.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Ben,\u201d he said and sat on the edge of his seat, nervously twisting his fingers around the brim of his hat.<\/p>\n

Ben noticed the way in which the reverend toyed with the hat and glanced at his oldest son who had made himself comfortable in the blue chair.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s dark brows raised in an unspoken question.<\/p>\n

\u201cReverend, what brings you out this way?\u201d asked Ben as he stood in front of the preacher, the end of his long fingers tucked into the waistband of his trousers.<\/p>\n

The preacher stood to his feet and glanced from one to the other, \u201cI really don\u2019t know how to say this,\u201d stammered the minister.<\/p>\n

Ben smiled, \u201cWell, I\u2019ve found that the easiest way is to just spit it out, is something wrong?\u00a0 Did something happen?\u201d asked Ben hoping to open the conversation for the minister.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, nothing is wrong\u2026it\u2019s just that someone has taken baby Jesus and I thought\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam started to laugh, drawing both his father\u2019s and the reverend\u2019s attention to himself.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, but did you say, someone took baby Jesus?\u201d<\/p>\n

The preacher smiled and glanced at Ben. \u201cWell, yes, I guess I did say that\u2026what I meant was that the doll we used in the church nativity scene is missing and since your youngest son was the last one seen near the nativity\u2026well\u2026I thought maybe he might have picked it up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe?\u201d asked Ben, surprised at the implication.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, it\u2019s all right, Ben, no harm done, it\u2019s just that the little girl who loaned us the doll was afraid that it was lost and that she would not get her dolly back.\u00a0 I assured her that she would, but I thought it best to talk to you first.\u00a0 Little Joe seemed quite taken with the nativity earlier after church.\u00a0 He told me his mother had explained to him about the birth of Jesus and he told me that his mother and the Virgin Mary looked very much alike.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure he meant no harm, Ben\u2026but we do need to get the doll back before the little girl gets too upset,\u201d explained the preacher.<\/p>\n

Ben rubbed his chin, \u201cWell, if what you say is right\u2026I can\u2019t see how Joseph managed to get the doll home without one of us seeing him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss returned to the room just as Ben made the comment.\u00a0 \u201cPa, I saw Joe earlier, he had something hidden under his coat, I didn\u2019t think nuthin\u2019 \u2018bout it cause he was playing with Scruffy earlier and I just thought he put the dog under his coat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed deeply, \u201cLet me go see if he has the doll in his room.\u00a0 He\u2019s napping but it\u2019s about time for him to wake up.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be right back,\u201d said Ben as he made his way to the stairs.<\/p>\n

Ben opened the heavy oak door and stepped inside the dimly lit room.\u00a0 Giving himself just a minute for his eyes to accustom themselves to the light, Ben moved to the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph,\u201d Ben spoke softly as he placed his hand on the sleeping form that seemed buried beneath the pile of blankets. Suddenly Ben was taken back, the form appeared much to soft to be that of his son\u2019s body, and Ben jerked the blankets back and gasped.\u00a0 Little Joe was not in the bed; instead, pillows had been placed under the covers to make it appear that he was sleeping.<\/p>\n

Ben glanced nervously about the room, \u201cJoseph, are you hiding from Papa?\u201d Ben called out with a ring of apprehension in his voice.<\/p>\n

Ben squatted down and looked under the bed, no Joseph.\u00a0 Opening the shiftrobe, Ben moved the clothing about to be sure his little boy was not hiding behind the clothes that hung haphazardly in a row.\u00a0 Still there was no sign of Little Joe and Ben, giving in to his fear, rushed back down the stairs where Hoss and Adam were engaged in conversation with the minister.<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm\u2026have either of you boys seen your brother?\u00a0 The little scamp isn\u2019t in his room,\u201d Ben stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo sir, Pa, I ain\u2019t seen hide nor hair of\u2019em,\u201d answered Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe either.\u00a0 I thought he was napping,\u201d Adam commented as he stood to his feet.\u00a0 \u201cWant me to check the outhouse?\u00a0 Maybe he went down the back stairs and that\u2019s why we didn\u2019t see him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCould be, but Scruffy is missing too, and usually your brother doesn\u2019t take the toy with him when he has to go.\u00a0 Hoss, go check in the barn, maybe he went out there, I\u2019ll check with Hop Sing, perhaps the rascal is helping him in the kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben started toward the kitchen but stopped suddenly, remembering the preacher who stood silently in the center of the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019m sorry,\u201d smiled Ben, \u201cIn my haste, I forgot about you being here.\u00a0 If you will excuse me, I need to find my son.\u201d<\/p>\n

The reverend nodded his head, \u201cGo right ahead Ben.\u00a0 May I be of some help to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sometime later, the small search party met back in the house. Not one could give the worried father any hope that they had found a clue as to the missing boy\u2019s whereabouts.<\/p>\n

Ben was beside him self with worry, \u201cI think we should saddle our horses and start looking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, maybe Little Joe sneaked back into town so that he could put the doll back in the manger scene.\u00a0 Want me to ride back to the church and see if it\u2019s there, at least that way we would know whether or not he had been there?\u201d asked Adam heading for the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going back into town myself, Ben.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t I look and if the doll is there, I\u2019ll have someone send you word.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t hear back, then that means that the baby Jesus is still missing,\u201d suggested the reverend.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat sounds like a good idea, meanwhile, the boys and I will start here and work our way toward town, just in case you might miss something.\u00a0 It isn\u2019t easy to track someone while riding in a buggy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once the tired little boy reached the base of the mountain, he stopped and sat down to catch his breath.\u00a0 He shivered slightly as the cool breeze whipped around his weary body.\u00a0 Little Joe glanced up at the sky and noted the clouds that were beginning to form and he sighed.<\/p>\n

Joe sat Scruffy on a nearby rock and pulled the baby Jesus from beneath his coat.\u00a0 The shawl had been wrapped about his shoulders and with care; he removed the treasured piece and wrapped it about his favorite toy.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa gotta stay here Scruffy, cause I can\u2019t kawee both of you and Baby Jesus\u2019 gotta go wif me.\u00a0 I won\u2019t be long, and when I dit back, I\u2019ll hab my mama wif me,\u201d smiled Little Joe.<\/p>\n

Joe bid the stuffed animal goodbye and taking a deep breath to calm his pounding heart and steady his nerves, Joe began the painstaking job of climbing the steep mountain.\u00a0 Joe had not thought about how dark it would be when he had made his plans to steal away from his home, nor of how hard it would be to reach the top of Eagle\u2019s Nest.\u00a0 But he knew he had to do this, if he hoped to have his mama back home by Christmas morning to surprise not only his pa, but his brothers as well, he would have to make it to the highest point before morning.<\/p>\n

Joe glanced up once more at the dark clouds that threatened to shield the stars, thus taking any light by which to see.<\/p>\n

Little Joe dabbed at his eyes with the sleeve of his coat.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t see the bright star now; the clouds had gathered and were now blocking his view.<\/p>\n

\u201cMama\u2026pwease,\u201d cried the little boy, \u201cshine \u2018gain for me\u2026I\u2019m gettin\u2019 afraid now that is has gotten blacker out \u2026please mama\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben, Adam and even young Hoss had been looking everywhere for the missing child.\u00a0 Ben was nearly in a panic, Little Joe had been gone for hours and no one seemed to have a clue as to where he might have wandered off too.\u00a0 The worried father tried to think back to something that might have been bothering his small son, but Joe had seemed fine earlier.\u00a0 Ben remembered that he had been laughing with Hoss while they had sat before the fire placing a game of checkers, then later had curled into Adam\u2019s lap while his older brother had read to him the Christmas story.<\/p>\n

The little boy had always loved the story, Ben knew that Joe had always seemed to get so excited when Marie had read it to him.\u00a0 For just a brief moment, Ben wondered if perhaps Joe had been feeling sad that this Christmas it would be one of them reading the story to him instead of his mother.\u00a0 Shaking his head to dismiss the troubling thoughts, Ben thought back to when Joe had carried the book downstairs and placed it in his oldest brother\u2019s lap and had asked Adam to read it to him.\u00a0 No, reflected Ben, Little Joe had not seemed troubled then.\u00a0 Even when he had announced that it was naptime, Joe seemed fine and had not even put up his usual arguments about having to be sent off to bed for his nap.<\/p>\n

Ben had been rudely surprised when an hour later he had gone upstairs to check on his youngest son and had been forced into rocking the child after Adam had put his brother to bed.\u00a0 Little Joe was not in his bed, and after searching the entire upstairs for the boy, Ben\u2019s heart had begun to pound rapidly within his chest.\u00a0 When he had called down to Hoss to ask if Joe had somehow slipped back down to the living room without his seeing him, Hoss had informed him that no, Joe had not come back down.\u00a0 Hoss had searched the barn and Ben had aroused Hop Sing, for sometimes Joe had been known to slip into Hop Sing\u2019s room for a quick visit before retiring for his nap.\u00a0 But even that searched had proved futile; Joe was not to be found.<\/p>\n

It was only after much shouting and calling out for the child that the anxious father had wandered into his own bedroom and noticed that the lid to his sea trunk had been left opened.\u00a0 The trunk had always remained closed, for that was where he placed his treasures.\u00a0 It held his memories of little things that his sons and wives had given to him over the years; and no one, not even his boys had ever dared to look inside the treasure chest, unless invited to do so by their father, and then only in his presence.<\/p>\n

Ben stooped down so that he might more closely examine the contents to see what might be missing from his stack of treasured items.\u00a0 It took several minutes, for it was evident that the articles had been moved about and placed in different spots than where Ben usually kept them.\u00a0 The only thing that Ben could tell was missing was a soft pastel shawl that had been Marie\u2019s.\u00a0 The shawl, a gift for his wife, had been her favorite summer wrap, and his wife often had used the soft brocade wrap as a blanket for her young son.\u00a0 On days or evenings when the family had been out, and the air became too chilled for the infant son, Marie had wrapped it about Joe to keep him warm.\u00a0 Over the next few years, the shawl had begun to show some wear, for Joe had often slipped into his parent\u2019s room and took the shawl to cling to when he napped.\u00a0 Ben smiled; he had lost count of the number of times that either he or Marie had found the shawl curled into the tightly closed fist of their infant son.\u00a0 After awhile, Marie had been forced to put the wrap away, for the fringe had begun to fray, the soft material had begun to fill with tiny holes and Joe, who put up such a fuss at the time, had finally been satisfied with the soft blue blanket that his mama had made for him as a replacement.<\/p>\n

Now the shawl was missing and Ben knew who the culprit was. If he found the shawl, he would find his son and vice versa.\u00a0 Ben hurried from the room, calling out for Adam and Hoss whose conversation with the minister, he had just interrupted.\u00a0 Ben explained what he had found, and both boys rushed to follow their father in the search for their youngest sibling.<\/p>\n

Joe had worked his self, half way up the steep incline and he shivered slightly.\u00a0 The higher he climbed, the cooler it seemed to be and he now wished that he had taken the time to put on his heavier coat.\u00a0 Joe looked up toward the top of Eagle\u2019s Nest and then upward into the dark sky.\u00a0 They clouds were moving on, and the tiny boy sighed in relief, at least now he could see the stars twinkling overhead and that gave him more determination.\u00a0 Joe just knew that once he reached the top, he would be able to touch the brightest star; touch the star that his papa had always said would be his mother.\u00a0 And, Joe hoped that along with his mother, he would find Baby Jesus\u2019 mother as well, cause he really wanted to speak with the Virgin Mary in hopes that she would trade his mama for her son, Jesus, whom he still carried beneath his coat.\u00a0 He had a special request that he hoped the Virgin Mary would grant him.\u00a0 He wanted his mama back, that\u2019s all he would say,\u00a0 \u201cAll I want for Christmas is my mama.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben and his sons had backtracked from town.\u00a0 Having found no tracks that showed them that Little Joe might have headed that way, they changed directions and headed toward the mountainous area where Joe had liked to hunt and play with his older brothers, in hopes of finding tracks there.<\/p>\n

It was just before the last rays of daylight had faded that Hoss spied the funny little footprints in the dirt.\u00a0 \u201cHey Pa, lookit here, this here is Little Joe\u2019s prints,\u201d he snickered.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee, he has his boots on the wrong feet,\u201d laughed Hoss.<\/p>\n

Ben slid from his horse and stood next to his son, a tiny smile tugging at his lips.\u00a0 \u201cSure is, son.\u00a0 You did good, tracking that is,\u201d smiled Ben in the fading light.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, looks like the little scamp is headed for Eagle\u2019s Nest,\u201d Ben said with a deep sigh.<\/p>\n

\u201cEagle\u2019s Nest?\u00a0 What in the world would the little imp want to go there for?\u201d Adam wondered out loud.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, we best ride, it\u2019ll be pitch dark soon.\u00a0 Mount up Hoss, let\u2019s get going.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPsst\u2026Hey, Birgin Mama, I\u2019m talkin\u2019 to ya.\u00a0 Can ya hear me?\u00a0 I got sumthin\u2019 to show ya,\u201d whispered Little Joe as he struggled to pull the baby doll who had doubled as the Christ Child from under his coat.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee, here\u2019s ya widdle boy, Jesus.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe held the baby doll in his arms so that the Blessed Mother could see her child.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mama\u2019s there wif ya.\u00a0 I see her star shinin\u2019 right next to yours.\u00a0 Could I talk to her, please Birgin Marwe?\u201d Joe asked as he carefully laid the doll on the rock next to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey\u2026HEY!\u00a0 I\u2019s atalkin\u2019 to ya!\u201d shouted Joe when he received no answer to his question.<\/p>\n

Ben quickly slid from his horse; he had spotted the unidentifiable object sitting on the boulder.\u00a0 As soon as he placed his hand around the object, Ben knew what he had found.\u00a0 It was Marie\u2019s old worn shawl that his youngest son had treasured.\u00a0 Fighting the rising panic that filled his heart, Ben glanced upward toward the top of Eagle\u2019s Nest and said a silent prayer that his baby would be all right.\u00a0 As he fingered the worn material, Scruffy slipped from his warm blanket down to land at Ben\u2019s feet.\u00a0 Ben stooped to retrieve the stuffed toy and smiled as he carefully re-wrapped his son\u2019s favorite toy securely within the folds of Marie\u2019s shawl.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou boys wait here, I\u2019m going up,\u201d stated Ben in a firm voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou reckon the boy has made it to the top, Pa?\u00a0 It\u2019s a long ways up there,\u201d worried Adam, as new fear for his little brother\u2019s welfare filled him with dread.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know son, but I\u2019ll find out.\u00a0 You watch out for Hoss, and both of you stay put until I get back, understand?\u201d called out Ben as he began his climb.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d responded Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cBe careful Pa,\u201d called Hoss as his father faded into the darkness.<\/p>\n

Ben carefully picked his steps as he crawled over rocks and stones that cut into his hands and knees.\u00a0 Ben wondered how his young son had managed to make it this far.\u00a0 He felt the fingers of fear as they tightened around his heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph\u2026Joseph,\u201d the worried father called into the darkness that had completely surrounded him.\u00a0 He knew his son must be frightened, for Joe not only feared the darkness, but he was also afraid of heights, and Eagle\u2019s Nest reached upward, far above the solid ground below.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph\u2026Little Joe, can you hear me?\u00a0 It\u2019s Papa,\u201d Ben called again and stopped to listen for an answer.<\/p>\n

Ben could make out the faint sounds of shouting as he sat silently in the darkness.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t understand the words, but he was sure that the voice was that of his baby son, and the knowledge heightened his anxiety and caused him to push onward.<\/p>\n

\u201cLITTLE JOE!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh why won\u2019t ya answer me, Birgin Mama\u2026I got\u2019s to talk wif ya.\u00a0 See, I gots your widdle baby Jesus here, and I wanna make a twade wif ya.\u00a0 You can habe\u2019em back if\u2019n ya gib me my mama.\u00a0 I wanna take her home for Quistmas for a prize for Papa and my brudders,\u201d wept Little Joe.<\/p>\n

Little Joe glanced up into the sky at the stars that twinkled above him and brushed away the tears that dripped off his chin.\u00a0 \u201cPwease,\u201d he begged and covered his face with his hands.\u00a0 \u201cI gotta hab her back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben spied the tiny boy sitting on the edge of the rocks.\u00a0 His heart skipped a beat as he inched forward to the dark silhouette that could barely be seen.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph,\u201d Ben called softly, not wanting to startled the child.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s head popped up and he turned his head upward.\u00a0 \u201cIs that you, Mama?\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s heart skipped a beat, so that was why his young son had run away, Little Joe had wanted to find his mama.<\/p>\n

\u201cMama?\u201d the wee voice squeaked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Joseph, it\u2019s me, Papa,\u201d Ben said in a gentle voice.<\/p>\n

Ben could see Joe\u2019s hand move to his head where the little fingers scratched at the mass of dark curls.\u00a0 Ben nearly stopped breathing when he saw Joe stand to his feet, his eyes still watching the heavens for signs of his mother.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs ya up there too, Papa?\u201d questioned Joe.<\/p>\n

Ben, though scared for his small son, could not stop the smile that toyed at his lips.\u00a0 This was innocence in the purest form and Ben felt the tears sting his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo son, turn around, Papa\u2019s right here with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe spun around, surprised to find his father standing directly behind him.\u00a0 Even in the darkness, Ben could see the tiny tears that rolled down the cherub like face and he lowered himself to one knee and gathered the weeping tot into his arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t cry sweetheart, it\u2019s all right,\u201d Ben soothed.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Papa, ya don\u2019t undertaned, I was twying to twade Baby Jesus for my mama. See, I gots him wight here.\u201d\u00a0 Joe pulled away from the comfort of his father\u2019s arms and reached for the doll.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee Papa, he wants his mama just like I want my mama.\u00a0 I was gonna gib him back to the Birgin Mama so\u2019s she would gib me back my mama\u2026it was posed to be a \u2018prize for you and Adam and Hoss for Quistmas,\u201d cried Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cAnd now ya gone and wuined it!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben swallowed the lump that threatened to choke off his air supply and reached out to gather the sobbing child into his arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry Little Joe.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t know.\u00a0 We were worried about you and when we couldn\u2019t find you, we started looking for you.\u00a0 The reverend told us about the baby Jesus missing from his manger,\u201d explained Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I want my mama back, Pa\u2026pwease, Papa?\u201d cried Joe.<\/p>\n

Ben made himself comfortable on a near by rock and sat Joe in his lap.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph, I thought you understood, when you mother died, that she wouldn\u2019t be coming back again.\u00a0 Did you forget?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo sir.\u00a0 But when I finded the Baby Jesus sleepin\u2019 in the hay, well, I tought he would wanna meet up with his ma again, cause he\u2019s widdler\u2019n me.\u00a0 So I was gonna twade him off.\u00a0 But the Birgin Mama didn\u2019t answer me\u2026I pose she didn\u2019t heard me talkin\u2019 to her,\u201d Joe told his father as he brushed the sleeve of his shirt across the front of his face to wipe away the clear liquid that dripped from his nose.<\/p>\n

Ben sighed, picked up his son in his arms and started his descent, the baby Jesus held tightly in the little boy\u2019s arms.\u00a0 As Ben slowly made his way down, Joe rested his head on his father\u2019s shoulders and listened as Ben explained why he was unable to make a swap with the Blessed Mother.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, I know you meant well, son.\u00a0 The gesture was nice, you wanting to give Mary back her son in hopes that she would give your mama back to you, but this baby Jesus is just a doll.\u00a0 It belongs to a little girl who loaned it to the reverend to use as a representation of our Savior.\u00a0 It isn\u2019t the real Christ Child; He lives in heaven with His mother and your mother.\u00a0 He lives in our hearts as well, just as the memory of your mama lives in all our hearts.\u00a0 Do you understand that, son?\u201d Ben explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cI weckon Papa, but I sure do miss Mama,\u201d Joe said with a sob.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo do I sweetheart, we all do.\u00a0 But she lives in our hearts, every time you need her, or want to talk to her; she\u2019s there, in your heart.\u00a0 She lives on in you, son.\u00a0 You are a part of her just like you are a part of me.\u00a0 And the Christ Child is a part of his heavenly father, God and because of His love for us, we have hope, through the birth and resurrection of Christ, one day, we will be reunited with our loved ones. Until then, we must rely on our memories to get us through the times when we miss and want them the most.\u201d\u00a0 Ben patted his son on his back and stopped briefly to catch his breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cI sworry Papa, for makin\u2019 ya worry \u2018bout me,\u201d said Little Joe.<\/p>\n

Ben smiled, \u201cThat\u2019s all right son, I understand why you felt you had to come up here.\u00a0 But please, just promise me you won\u2019t do it again.\u00a0 Eagle\u2019s Nest is much too high for a little tike like you to be climbing all alone.\u00a0 Besides, son, I thought you would be too scared to climb this high,\u201d Ben said, suddenly realizing that Little Joe had not appeared to be frightened by the height of the mountain.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t ascared Papa, it was too dark to see how high up I was,\u201d smiled Little Joe and the look on his son\u2019s face caused Ben\u2019s face to break out into a wide grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cPapa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes son,\u201d answered Ben as he picked up Joe and started walking down the mountain.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs Santa Cause comin\u2019 tonight?\u201d inquired Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but we need to hurry home and get you in the bed before he gets to our house, why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I knowed I was wong for runnin\u2019 away, does that mean that Santa is goin\u2019 to leab me a cold?\u201d asked Little Joe, his tiny face aglow with worry.<\/p>\n

\u201cA cold?\u201d Ben said, not understanding his son\u2019s meaning.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, you know\u2026a piece of cold,\u201d Joe repeated.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph,\u201d paused Ben, \u201cI\u2019m not sure what you mean, cold?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh Papa, you know, Adam told me I had\u2019ta be good or Santa would leave me a wump of cold for Quistmas,\u201d Joe tried to explain.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to be bad, honest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben could not stop the laugh that spilled forth, \u201cOh precious, you mean a lump of coal.\u00a0 And don\u2019t worry son, you haven\u2019t been naughty, you have been a very good boy.\u00a0 So have no fear, Santa will stop by the Ponderosa and I bet he will leave you something special too, for being such a good little boy.\u00a0 But we best hurry,\u201d laughed Ben as he squeezed the tiny little body.<\/p>\n

\u201cPapa, not so tight, I can\u2019t brethf,\u201d giggled Little Joe.<\/p>\n

Ben laughed again and nuzzled his day old whiskers against the side of his son\u2019s neck, causing the boy to giggle again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thinks Santy Cause needs to bring ya a new wazor Papa, cause your whiskers is getting\u2019 scwatchy!\u201d laughed Joe and he struggled to free himself from his father\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n

They had reached the bottom of the mountain where Hoss and Adam was waiting for them. Joe broke free of his father and ran to grab Scruffy who sat in the same spot where Joe had left him.\u00a0 He turned and spied his brothers who gathered around the excited child.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi Hoss, Hi ya Adam.\u00a0 Papa and me been all the way to the top of Eagle\u2019s Nest, it\u2019s willy high up there and we sawed Mama\u2019s star and Baby Jesus ain\u2019t willy the Christ Child cause he\u2019s a doll and the Birgin Mama libs in heaven with my mama, but mama also libs in my heart and I\u2019m a part of Papa and Mama\u2019s a part of me and Santa Cause comes tonight, and Adam, Papa said I was a good boy and that Santa Cause ain\u2019t gonna gib me a wumb of cold but we gotta hurry home afore ole Santy gits there cause I gotta go to bed and so do you, so stop ya jawing and wets wide.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben rolled his eyes as he placed the small boy into the saddle in front of his older brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cLookit,\u201d called out Hoss as he pointed upward.<\/p>\n

All four pairs of eyes turned their heads upward and watched as a shooting star shot its fiery trail across the heavens, lighting the sky with brightness.<\/p>\n

\u201cMerry Christmas to all and to all, a good night,\u201d the faint words resounded in the stillness of the night as the star disappeared from sight.<\/p>\n

Four mouths dropped opened, no one said a word, the night was silent, peace engulfed the world and the heavens rejoiced, a Christ child had been born.<\/p>\n

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL<\/strong><\/p>\n

Debbie B and Jennie A<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tags:<\/strong> Adam Cartwright, Ben Cartwright, Hoss Cartwright, Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: \u00a0It’s Christmas Eve and Little Joe tries to make a trade with the Virgin Mary.<\/p>\n

Rated: \u00a0G (6,050 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9079,"featured_media":5077,"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_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,1007,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12365","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-joe-cartwright","category-prequels","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1007-id","wpcat-30-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1234,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PonderosaChristmas2.jpg?fit=188%2C142&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12354,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12354","url_meta":{"origin":12365,"position":0},"title":"Go Tell it on the Mountain (by DebbieB & JennieA)","author":"DebbieB","date":"December 24, 2000","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0It's Christmas Eve and Little Joe tries to make a trade with the Virgin Mary. 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Rated: K+ \u00a0WC \u00a02000","rel":"","context":"In "Humor"","block_context":{"text":"Humor","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=4"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza31.jpg?fit=573%2C389&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza31.jpg?fit=573%2C389&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza31.jpg?fit=573%2C389&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6529,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6529","url_meta":{"origin":12365,"position":4},"title":"A Dark Night’s Tale (by the Tahoe Ladies)","author":"Tahoe Ladies","date":"November 4, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Joe hears things that 'bump' in the night.... Rated K \u00a0Word Count:\u00a0 1200","rel":"","context":"In "Humor"","block_context":{"text":"Humor","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=4"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Calamity-over-the-Comstock-8.jpg?fit=634%2C563&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Calamity-over-the-Comstock-8.jpg?fit=634%2C563&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Calamity-over-the-Comstock-8.jpg?fit=634%2C563&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1665,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=1665","url_meta":{"origin":12365,"position":5},"title":"I’m Already There… (by BluewindFarm)","author":"BluewindFarm","date":"July 25, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 For those who believe...\u00a0 After an accident, Little Joe asks one very important question that only one person can answer.\u00a0 Is it any surprise at the response he receives? 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