{"id":12405,"date":"2016-01-01T03:34:49","date_gmt":"2016-01-01T08:34:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12405"},"modified":"2025-02-18T19:15:35","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T00:15:35","slug":"little-bit-challenge-by-various-members","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12405","title":{"rendered":"Little Bit Challenge – 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0\u00a0<\/b>During the last quarter of 2015, members in the Brand Forums were challenged to write vignettes for all the Bonanza episodes.\u00a0 Members could submit as many Little Bits for as many episodes as they were inspired to write. \u00a0Multiple members could submit Little Bits for the same episode. \u00a0The hardest part of the challenge was to write the vignette in exactly<\/strong> 100 or 200 words.<\/p>\n

Some Little Bits are dramatic while others are humorous.\u00a0 The submitting member is identified after each Little Bit.\u00a0 The Little Bits are listed in episode order.<\/p>\n

Rating<\/strong>:\u00a0 K \u00a0(16,000+ words)<\/p>\n

Seasons<\/strong>: \u00a0\u00a0 One -><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Two-><\/a> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Three-><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Four-> <\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Five-><\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Six-><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Seven-><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Eight-><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Nine-> <\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ten-><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Eleven-><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Twelve-><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thirteen-><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fourteen-><\/a> \u00a0 \u00a0 The Challenge-><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

***** SEASON ONE *****<\/strong><\/p>\n

A Rose for Lotta<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you expect to do it with that New Orleans monkey pick you got handed down to you from your French Quarter mother?\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a low blow. Adam was stunned that he had stooped to it. It wasn\u2019t like him. Taunts and insults were traded between them on a regular basis, but this particular slur had a knife-sharp edge. He hadn\u2019t intended those words to come out. He was instantly sorry they had.<\/p>\n

Joe snapped his head around to glare at him, and Adam wanted to wince at the pain and fury in the kid\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

There was so much of Marie in him, good and bad. Pa worried about it. He\u2019d never admit it, but Adam knew. Marie had possessed a good heart, but she\u2019d had a wildness in her that had led her into some terrible, dark places. That same wildness ran in Joe\u2019s veins; Adam wanted nothing so much as he wanted to extinguish it, to stomp it out before it had a chance to do the same sort of damage to Joe that it had done to his mother.<\/p>\n

But he couldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

He prayed the smirk he plastered on his face hid his fear.<\/p>\n

By southplains<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

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

Cain\u2019t believe my little brother at times. He knows how Pa feels about him comin\u2019 to town all by hisself. Guess that\u2019s where he thought he could get away with it; he weren\u2019t all by hisself; he had Miss Lotta Crabtree with him.<\/p>\n

Shucks. Here we were, searchin\u2019 and worryin\u2019 about him all night. And him havin\u2019 hisself a grand ole time with Miss Crabtree, well\u2026 I\u2019m sure Pa\u2019s gonna do worse than call him a rapscallion once we get home. It\u2019s been a while since Joe\u2019s had his britches properly warmed. Hope little brother thinks tonight was worth it.<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

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

\u201cWhere\u2019s the kid?\u201d<\/p>\n

I nearly broke her arm. I might have if she\u2019d lied to me about Joe.\u00a0 It was a game to her, but my brother\u2019s life demanded the truth.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet go of me!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNext time, Miss Crabtree, pick on a man, not a boy,\u201d I warned her.<\/p>\n

She was breathing hard. The heavy-lidded disdain in her eyes was gone, replaced by wide-eyed defiance that faded into fear. At least I\u2019d made my point. But the sullen, sultry pout remained, and the man in me took notice before I let her go.<\/p>\n

Some things would just have to wait.<\/p>\n

by JC<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Death on<\/strong> Sun Mountain<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gee! I got basted like hell, nearly hung by those miners. It\u2019s sure good to be home now. Except for that nerve-racking fussing over me by my family. I mean, I\u00a0understand\u00a0Pa, but even to have big brother Adam acting like that makes me feel more uneasy\u00a0than\u00a0my swollen face in the first place.<\/p>\n

Okay, family! I would like to have supper now, I\u2019m hungry. Afterwards I could agree with some\u00a0shut eye\u00a0to ease my headaches, maybe an extra dessert. Family? Hey! Where\u00a0are you\u00a0running? What\u2019s about my care? Pa? Adam? Hoss? I\u2019m hurt! Will you listen?<\/p>\n

by Silver Sven<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Newcomers<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cShe called me \u2018ugly\u2019 but she\u2019s as pretty as a daffodil in spring with that blonde hair and that ivory skin.\u00a0 I remembered seeing a china doll in the general store in Sacramento last time I was there.\u00a0 Little girl was begging her mama for it.\u00a0 Now I got one living and breathing right there in front of me.\u00a0 She\u2019s all sweetness and light on the inside too.\u00a0 She come to know me and she touched my heart.\u00a0 I musta touched hers too, but she\u2019s such a dainty little thing.\u00a0 She\u2019s my real china doll, my broken china doll.\u201d Sob.<\/p>\n

By BettyHT<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Paiute War<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chasing a wounded deer and using that new knife my father had given him to open the neck to drain the blood quickly ending its life and providing food for his family.\u00a0 Those were the kinds of memories flashing through my mind as Young Wolf held that blade to my neck and promised to drain my blood as mercilessly as he would a deer. Somewhere in all the depredations of the white man on the pinyon trees, the fish and the game, and sadly on the young women, his affection for me as a friend had turned to fierce hatred.<\/p>\n

By BettyHT<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Julia Bulette Story<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben rested his face in his hands. In the bed beside his chair, Joe slept the all-consuming sleep of the drugged. His soft snores were a comfort; they meant he was still here.<\/p>\n

The relationship with Julia Bulette had done its damage in more ways than one. Joe had changed before their very eyes as he\u2019d fallen under the influence of a woman whose experience far outranked his own.<\/p>\n

Ben could forgive Julia for that. But he didn\u2019t think he could forgive her for dying and leaving his son so bereft, so disconsolate that he\u2019d tried to end his life.<\/p>\n

By southplains<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe \u2026!\u201c that name, could I still use it for him? That disapproving glance he gave me before he left. He had made up his mind about that woman and I had made up mine. Was he right about the scar he mentioned? I was looking for it, wasn\u2019t I? My little boy had grown to a man. The way he thought about certain things and made up his mind, you sure could see my fingerprints on it.\u00a0 But I hated the moments when we settled our perceptions on opposite sides. The slam of the door sealed our fate.<\/p>\n

By Silver Sven<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Saga of Annie O\u2019Toole<\/strong><\/p>\n

A woman in a mining camp \u2013 whoever heard of such?<\/p>\n

Annie showed up at the Diggings with only a cook stove, a skillet, and a deed to her credit, and the body of her father, \u201cHimself\u201d Kevin O\u2019Toole, in the back of her wagon. The fresh air killed him, she said.<\/p>\n

Naturally I offered her my assistance. If I\u2019d had any idea what I was getting myself into, I\u2019d have sent her packing right then \u2013 no ifs, ands, or buts.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m glad I didn\u2019t, or I would\u2019ve missed out on a delightful friendship and the best mulligan I\u2019ve ever tasted.<\/p>\n

By JC<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Philip Diedesheimer Story<\/strong><\/p>\n

The whistle \u2013 three short, one long. People who live around or work the mines dread the sound and its implications; the groaning and creaking within the earth\u2019s man-made bowels pales in comparison to that noise. Anyone within hearing distance rushes to lend a hand in an effort to reach the unfortunate or offer a shoulder for the recently widowed to cry on.<\/p>\n

There should be a better way to ensure a worker returns home. Men\u2019s lives shouldn\u2019t be expendable just because they\u2019re desperate to support their families on a miner\u2019s pay.<\/p>\n

Damn it! The bottom line shouldn\u2019t come before safety!<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Magnificent Adah<\/strong><\/p>\n

Angry. Enraged. Horrified. Appalled. Disturbed. Those were but a few of the emotions going through our minds as Hoss carried the youngest member of our family into the lobby of the hotel. Beaten and bloodied, almost as limp as a ragdoll.<\/p>\n

It was as if we had lost leave of our senses; did things we never would have done had it not been so shocking. How else do you explain the fact that Pa left Little Joe alone with only the doctor to look after him? How else do you explain that I held our father back from John Regan?<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Truckee Strip<\/strong><\/p>\n

“It was supposed to be me!” Joe hollered, his eyes wide with rage. Then his brows fell and his shoulders sagged. He took a quick, choking breath, expelling it in a wave of words so soft Adam barely heard them at all. “It should have … should have been me.” One shaking step backward had him leaning against the wall of the barn.<\/p>\n

Adam felt sick and grateful and angry, all at once. “No,” he said with quiet intensity. Finally, he moved close enough to grip his brother’s shoulder. “It shouldn’t have been anyone.” He didn’t realize his grip was tightening until he felt Joe squirming away. In that moment, both his anger and his nausea melted away. All that remained was his gratitude. He pulled his brother close and hugged him as he hadn’t done for many years. “But I thank God it wasn’t you!”<\/p>\n

By Freyakendra<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

The air was fresh and cold. A sense of victory coursed through his veins. Pete Jessup was back on the ranch. Everything had gone as planned. All you needed was the drive, will, and lack of compromise. She sat alone in the kitchen when he came in. He delivered the message to the young woman in front of him and felt triumph surge between his legs. But she wouldn’t listen! His triumph exchanged into anger and he moved to take what he wanted by force. That ancient need was calling upon him. Her terror was the most satisfying of all…<\/p>\n

By ForeverFree<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Hanging Posse<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2018They\u2019re home.\u2019\u00a0\u00a0Relief finally etched Ben\u2019s face, believing Little Joe too young to experience the rigors of a posse; and fearing the worst, a lynching. Knowing Adam would do anything to protect his youngest brother had brought him little comfort.<\/p>\n

From the porch he saw movement in the barn; heard Adam asking a hand to see to the horses. \u2018I was right. Why didn\u2019t Adam send Joe home before things got out of hand?\u2019<\/em> Walking through the doorway, his sons came into sight. \u2018Who\u2019s supporting who?\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

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

Proudly, Adam spoke, \u201cJoe stood up to the posse to rescue me.\u201d<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Vendetta<\/strong><\/p>\n

He lied to me. My son lied… to protect me in a physical and emotional way. He wouldn\u2019t betray my so-called friends to me even if it meant he had to step out against the Morgan brothers all alone. That\u2019s how Hoss is and always was. He couldn\u2019t lay a finger on somebody, neither animal nor human except when threatening the weaker, or our family. I wish Adam and Joe would be here to stand on our side. As united family we can face everything. However, now it\u2019s just Hoss and that half of me. But we\u2019ll try our best.<\/p>\n

By Silver Sven<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A House Divided<\/strong><\/p>\n

My little brother, damn him. Why can\u2019t he see the truth of Frederick Kyle? I know that for Joe, the sun sets and rises on the memory of his mother. And because someone knew Marie, he places them on a pedestal and with the sun in his eyes, they can do no wrong.<\/p>\n

Everything about the burgeoning war between the States is wrong. I\u2019m not saying slavery is right, what I\u2019m saying is that it should never set brother against brother, nor son against father. Not in this country, and not in our house. That\u2019s why I have to leave.<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

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

That was far too close for comfort. I still can\u2019t believe that one of my sons felt he could no longer live under this roof, all because of trouble brewing so far from here.<\/p>\n

How did the feud come between my sons so quickly and so deeply? I know Joe is young and idealistic. He holds the South close to his heart alongside his mother\u2019s memory.<\/p>\n

Adam is older, but no less idealistic. His mother is tucked away there in his loyalty to the North. But it\u2019s more than that.<\/p>\n

God help us all if this thing doesn\u2019t destroy us.<\/p>\n

by Questfan<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Gunmen<\/strong><\/p>\n

I cain\u2019t believe the people of Kiowa Flats; and those two families, the McFaddens and the Hadfields. All that feudin\u2019 and then hirin\u2019 on known killers the likes of the Slade brothers. I understand all about protectin\u2019 what\u2019s yours, but that durn town was just down right strange. Maybe Adam coulda made heads or tails out of their non-sense. I\u2019m just thankful that we got outa there in one piece.<\/p>\n

Then there was them two other fellas we passed on the road; they looked familiar, but strangely out of place. I sure don\u2019t envy them if they decide to stop.<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Spanish Grant<\/strong><\/p>\n

With a swish of her skirts, she walked out of that courtroom and down that street with a regal bearing and a proud tilt to her head. Was she Isabella Maria Ynez Y Castra De La Cuesta?\u00a0 I like to think that she was, and she could have been.\u00a0 Her decision to walk away from a potential fortune was a noble deed and marked her as deserving of that title even if she wasn\u2019t born to it.\u00a0 But she was also Rosita Morales for I had felt the fire burning within her when I kissed her, the passion barely banked.<\/p>\n

By BettyHT<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Escape to Ponderosa<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019ll squeeze the\u00a0life\u00a0out of you with my bare hands. Your flesh will soak between my fingers like bread dough\u00a0through our cook\u2019s\u00a0hands\u00a0when Hop Sing is preparing for baking. Your lifeblood will run down my wrists the way water does when big brother Adam cleans his face after shaving. Your eyes will pop out of\u00a0your\u00a0head as I squeeze and your spirit will dissipate into nothing, like the smoke of our Pa\u2019s pipe when he whiffs it after dinner. I\u2019ll\u00a0pummel\u00a0you, be sure of that. You better\u00a0not\u00a0point that gun on my little brother.<\/p>\n

by Silver Sven<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Blood on the Land<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cHe said he wasn\u2019t \u2018worth it\u2019.\u00a0 How could he say such a thing?\u00a0 My sons are worth more than any land.\u00a0 Doesn\u2019t he know that?\u00a0 It\u2019s worked out.\u00a0 Jeb paid the price for his crimes. Billy will make a good neighbor now that he sees what\u2019s most important.\u00a0 I know I should have trusted the law, but for a short time there, I tried to be more than I should have been.\u00a0 I almost paid a price I couldn\u2019t afford to pay.\u00a0 Now I need to make sure that all my sons know I\u2019ll never risk that price ever again.\u201d<\/p>\n

By BettyHT<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Avenger<\/strong><\/p>\n

They say this territory is unforgiving; too bad it\u2019s the people who are the real problem. Pa\u2019s standing there, watching out the window. I know who he\u2019s looking for. It can\u2019t be easy for him; one son scheduled to hang alongside and two others out there on their own.<\/p>\n

For as long as I can remember, I\u2019ve always been Pa\u2019s right-hand man. But now I wonder, should I have shouldered the burdens as I did? Should I have given more to my brothers to prepare them to manage the Ponderosa without us?<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t envy Hoss dealing with Little Joe.<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

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

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

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

Ben prayed quietly–no surprise. Adam didn’t–also no surprise. He was too young, too clever, and much too angry to find prayer comforting, though that only showed when he shook off the deputy’s hand at the scaffold steps. As they adjusted his noose he faced the void with steady eyes and dared it to make him blink.<\/p>\n

If you’d glanced away, you wouldn’t know how that drained him. You’d have missed his stumble coming down, his apologetic glance at the deputy. But he never showed any pleasure in the death of a man who’d almost contrived two Cartwright executions.<\/p>\n

By sklamb<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Death at Dawn<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam gasped as he sat straight up in bed and fumbled for the lantern. Moving to sit on the edge he knew there would be no more sleep for him that night. Mrs. Cameron\u2019s soft question still haunted him, \u201cAdam, I know what it\u2019s like to lose someone, do you? And know that you\u2019re the cause of it?\u201d Her question had been about his father, but thankfully Ben Cartwright slept safely just down the hallway. His eyes strayed to the small portrait of his mother that he kept by his bed.<\/p>\n

Yes, Mrs. Cameron, I do know\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

By Beej<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To Season Two<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

***** SEASON TWO *****<\/strong><\/p>\n

Badge Without Honor<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I heard that shot, I was terrified.\u00a0 With what Mariette had told me, I feared that Eskith had hurt Jason or Adam but hoped it was neither.\u00a0 I never could feel good about any man\u2019s death, but I felt relief seeing Eskith mortally wounded.\u00a0 He had tried to pull one too many tricks, but after being so smooth with his stories, with the epee, and with the shooting of Clevenger, Adam knew better.\u00a0 Eskith couldn\u2019t believe he had been outsmarted.\u00a0 His overconfidence caused him to underestimate Adam because as Eskith said, he was too much in love with himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

By BettyHT<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Mill<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cDadburnit, Pa\u2019s always taught us to know right from wrong.\u00a0 Now he\u2019s maybe taking up with a married woman.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, and Adam, there are still people who wonder if he had something to do with her husband being shot and crippled.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYa, Adam, what do we say if Pa brings Joyce here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened to Mr. Edwards was a terrible and unfortunate accident.\u00a0 What he\u2019s doing now is criminal.\u00a0 He\u2019s abusing a fine woman without cause, and allowing Ezekiel to terrorize her.\u00a0 If Pa brings Joyce here, we wish the two of them well.\u00a0 Both of them deserve some happiness.\u201d<\/p>\n

By BettyHT<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Hopefuls<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen he grabbed her hand and kissed her palm, I near cried myself.\u00a0 He held them tears inside.\u00a0 She done the same.\u00a0 They really are a match being noble not going by what\u2019s in their hearts. I wish I coulda grabbed her and shoved her into his arms and said get a preacher and work the rest out later.\u00a0 Two who love each other that much ought to be together and what other people want from them shouldn\u2019t matter.\u00a0 But those two don\u2019t see it that way.\u00a0 He\u2019s gonna be hurting something fierce for a long time over this one.\u201d<\/p>\n

By BettyHT<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Last Viking<\/strong><\/p>\n

How could you? I understand that Joseph is not your nephew, not in the truest sense of blood relations.<\/p>\n

You changed. I don\u2019t understand how you could have strayed so far from the man I thought I knew. I hoped your search would prove fruitful; discover your El Dorado, something to make you happy. But that doesn\u2019t explain the things you\u2019ve done.<\/p>\n

Out of the blue you appeared on the Ponderosa. I can forgive your testing Hoss\u2019 mettle, it\u2019s something of your heritage. I would expect nothing less.<\/p>\n

But this, he is the youngest brother of the son I bore.<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Savage<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leaning back on the settee, his injured leg rested on the low table. Hours before, his family had retired for the night. He\u2019d declined their offer of help up the stairs. Memories flickered like the dancing flames.<\/p>\n

Ruth Halvorson. My family says she wasn\u2019t real; a figment of my imagination caused by the blow to my head. So, I suffered a concussion, but she tended my leg. Hair like corn silk. Skin as soft as the coat of a day-old foal. Eyes as deep as Lake Tahoe. Her smile, her lips… She had to be real, she stole my heart.<\/em><\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Silent Thunder<\/strong><\/p>\n

How must it feel not to be able to hear, not to be able to talk, trapped in a surrounding you can\u2019t understand and that doesn\u2019t understand you either? But still, if she\u2019s on her own, in her own silent world, she seems to be a very happy little girl. There\u2019s so much alive in her. Live and love and wonder. Those big blue eyes, that natural real smile. Although touched by the cruelness of life for being deaf and mute, she\u2019s one of the most content persons I know. We all should take a leaf out of her book.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

By SilverSven<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bank Run<\/strong><\/p>\n

My youngest brother can come up with some crazy schemes.\u00a0 He can even make them sound reasonable.\u00a0 However, if you think about them critically, which he rarely does, there are at least a dozen reasons not to do what he wants you to do.\u00a0 Unfortunately my brother Hoss is a trusting and loving brother whose faith in Joe somehow can\u2019t be shaken by elephants, flapjacks, or a boxer\u2019s fists.\u00a0 I never thought it would lead to the two of them being on a wanted poster though, and from Pa\u2019s face, his shock is far greater than mine.\u00a0 Robbing a bank?<\/p>\n

By BettyHT<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

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

It seemed like a good idea at the time. Savin’ all those folks\u2019 hard-earned deposits from those no-good bankin\u2019 fellas. They aimed to do some fast talkin\u2019 and some even faster runnin\u2019 and well \u2026 the way Joe told it to me \u2026 we just couldn\u2019t sit back and do nothin\u2019!<\/p>\n

It seemed like a good idea. So why do my feet hurt from all this walkin\u2019 and why is it that Pa is so mad with us when it\u2019s all his fault for puttin\u2019 Joe in charge in the first place?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s all Pa\u2019s fault!<\/p>\n

I\u2019m gonna kill Joe.<\/p>\n

By Questfan<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Vengeance<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gotta stop Joe!<\/p>\n

Won’t nothin’ stop him but a fistful of reason.<\/p>\n

Pa says vengeance is the Lord’s. \u00a0Eye for eye or brother for brother, it’s\u00a0the same to Joe.<\/p>\n

Gotta get up!<\/p>\n

Plant my feet and lurch forward. \u00a0Wobble like a newborn foal tryin’ to find its legs. \u00a0Slide my feet ’til\u00a0I make the stairs. No time to rest.<\/p>\n

Gotta stop Joe!<\/p>\n

Mary runs up to meet me, tripping on her dress, but that don’t slow her down. \u00a0She snakes her arm around my middle and pulls my arm across her neck.<\/p>\n

“We gotta stop Joe!”<\/p>\n

She’s breathin’ hard when we reach the door.<\/p>\n

Twilight’s beggin’ for his life. \u00a0Joe’s shouts spur me on.<\/p>\n

Gotta stop Joe!<\/p>\n

Halfway there. Oh Lordy! \u00a0Adam gave Joe his blessin’.<\/p>\n

I’m winded but can’t stop.<\/p>\n

We make it!<\/p>\n

I lean on Mary and let the tightness in my chest ease up a mite. \u00a0Vengeance will be the Lord’s after all.<\/p>\n

by Patina<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Rescue<\/strong><\/p>\n

One little fight and all of a sudden, I\u2019m too old to do something I\u2019ve spent most all of my adult life doing \u2013 standing up for what I believe. I practically raised all three of them by myself, and this is the gratitude they show me?<\/p>\n

I worried, as any father would, when they failed to return home. Little did I hazard the predicament they\u2019d found when they encountered the rustlers, our neighbors.<\/p>\n

Together they had watched out for each other; and I can\u2019t wait to see them eat that humble pie, having their \u2018old man\u2019 come to their rescue.<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Dark Gate<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy you steal cookies? Why you not outside talking to brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss jumped and spun all at once. No one, besides Pa, could punch that much emotion into a few short words. \u201cAwww, Hop Sing, what with Pa fussin\u2019 over him all week I figure he needs a few minutes to himself. Besides, he ain\u2019t said but ten words since we followed him back home!\u201d<\/p>\n

Both statements were true. Adam went down with a fever and Pa hardly left his side since Adam brought Ross back to be with Del a week earlier. That he\u2019d finally been able to sneak out alone this afternoon gave Hoss hope that maybe he\u2019d turned more than one corner on his way back to being\u2026 Adam<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe need you. Go!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo! Need to talk. Think too much!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Pa-\u201c<\/p>\n

Hop Sing shook his head, \u201cNeed you<\/em>! You friend. Now, go help brother!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 heart warmed at that idea. He and Adam had been best buds since before he even understood what that meant. They were easy together. They never had to pretend or be careful\u2026 they just were<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe I could just go sit<\/em> with him for a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n

By Beej<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Gift<\/strong><\/p>\n

How do you like that?<\/p>\n

There he goes, off on that flashy white horse, and here I stand.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve been together long enough that I get it.\u00a0\u00a0I guess.\u00a0\u00a0Joe is downright obstinate when he sets his mind to something, and he\u2019s determined his pa\u2019s gonna get that horse (though what Buck\u2019s going to think about\u00a0that<\/em>\u00a0I don\u2019t even want to know).<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll make my way home, of course\u2014lots of practice\u2014but really.\u00a0\u00a0This is a bit much.<\/p>\n

I wonder if I can find some company to come with.\u00a0\u00a0There were three of them in\u00a0The Incredible Journey\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

By PSW<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0~ B ~ O ~ N ~ A ~ N ~ Z ~ A ~<\/p>\n

\u201cI am too ugly to even have a wife.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the same matter-of-fact tone my brother uses when he says stuff like \u201cI can\u2019t help bein\u2019 ugly, now can I?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Despite everything we got goin\u2019 on, I feel the same indignation for Emiliano I always feel for Hoss.<\/p>\n

Who gets to decide that?\u00a0\u00a0Who convinced him he was so ugly no gal would have him?\u00a0\u00a0He don\u2019t look different to me than any other guy I\u2019d see in any saloon round these parts.<\/p>\n

Besides all of that, he\u2019s a good friend.\u00a0\u00a0A good man.\u00a0\u00a0Why ain\u2019t that enough for people?<\/p>\n

By PSW<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Elizabeth, My Love<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cradling the swaddled infant in his arms, he remembered their dreams of sons growing strong and tall like their father.\u00a0 A vision of traveling west across the country to an untamed land was just the beginning.\u00a0 Wide open spaces where no matter which direction one looked, the land touched the sky; and it would be theirs.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t important that their name be known or that they would raise the finest beef or harvest the best timber; what matter most was that they would be together.<\/p>\n

Together\u2026 a family. A family missing a member.\u00a0 Crying, he turned from Elizabeth\u2019s grave.<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To S<\/a>eason Three<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

***** SEASON THREE *****<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Honor of Cochise<\/strong><\/p>\n

So, Pernell is the one who the writers chose to get shot in this episode and guess who they want to have rescue him. You got it. Even with elevated heels for my boots he stands taller than I do, and I can\u2019t imagine how much more he weighs. I\u2019m glad they found a smaller stunt double for him.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, I shouldn\u2019t complain. Thank heavens when Dan\u2019s character was wounded there were more people around to help carry him to safety. Geesh, I mean, can you see someone my size trying to lug him back to camp?<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Burma Rarity<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019m with you every step of the way, Pa. Right down the aisle,\u2019 he said walking across the floor, his face schooled in all seriousness. The other two burst out howling like hyenas.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s no laughing matter for a man of my stature to fear going into town. Lately, it seems as if every widow or spinster in town is sizing me up as if I\u2019m some kind of prized bull.<\/p>\n

And they<\/em> have the nerve to joke about it. I\u2019ve changed my mind, it\u2019s not hyenas, they\u2019re braying like jackasses! Just wait until the shoe\u2019s on the other foot.<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Broken Ballad<\/strong><\/p>\n

My grief is as much for me as for him.\u00a0\u00a0Maybe that\u2019s not\u00a0right\u2026but it\u2019s true.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s lonely, surrounded by people who don\u2019t quite understand.\u00a0\u00a0To live knowing that those who love you best often excuse the deepest parts of yourself (with a grin and a laugh and the strongest possible affection, and don\u2019t even know they\u2019re doing it, bless them) rather than embrace them.\u00a0\u00a0To be always viewed first through the lens of your place in the whole, and then as yourself.<\/p>\n

Comforting, certainly.\u00a0\u00a0Steadying.\u00a0\u00a0I love my family deeply, and would never trade them,\u00a0or\u00a0my place in our whole, for anything else.\u00a0\u00a0Ever.<\/p>\n

But lonely.<\/p>\n

We weren\u2019t the same, he and I.\u00a0\u00a0But I could be completely myself in our friendship, and he could be completely himself, with no excuses necessary.<\/p>\n

It was\u2026freeing.\u00a0\u00a0It took the edge off, for both of us.<\/p>\n

Now he\u2019s gone.\u00a0\u00a0A stupid, wasteful act by a hothead who never bothered to think past the itch in his groin.\u00a0\u00a0My friend is dead, and the loneliness is strong again.<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t tell them.\u00a0\u00a0They would misunderstand, and it would hurt them\u2014something I could never purposely do.<\/p>\n

But I really miss my friend.<\/p>\n

By PSW<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Ride<\/strong><\/p>\n

With my hand on his shoulder, I congratulated him on standing strong when everyone doubted him and most stood against him.\u00a0 I felt his body stiffen at my touch even as he turned toward me and smiled.\u00a0 He would never say it but I knew he felt it.\u00a0 How could he not?\u00a0 I had never stood against everyone and defended my point in the face of opposition and doubt even from me.\u00a0 How terribly alone he must have felt.\u00a0 Some say my oldest son can be aloof and distant.\u00a0 At that moment, I understood why he may be that way.<\/p>\n

By BettyHT<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

The Wooing of Abigail Jones<\/strong><\/p>\n

Me.<\/p>\n

She thinks I\u2019m talking about\u2026 myself.<\/p>\n

Oh, I knew this was a bad idea.\u00a0\u00a0How<\/em>\u00a0do I let Joe and Hoss talk me into these things?<\/p>\n

Retreat.\u00a0\u00a0Time for a tactical retreat.\u00a0\u00a0Maybe to San Francisco.\u00a0\u00a0Or Boston.<\/p>\n

Moscow.\u00a0\u00a0She wouldn\u2019t follow me to Russia.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t think\u2026<\/p>\n

I\u2019m going to kill them, and bury them so deep Pa will never find the bodies.<\/p>\n

And then flee to Antarctica.<\/p>\n

Cupid and Cupid Unlimited.\u00a0\u00a0Stupid!\u00a0\u00a0Why didn\u2019t I just keep my mouth shut?<\/p>\n

She\u2019s leaning in.\u00a0\u00a0Get out, get out\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve gotta get back to the ranch. Something\u2019s come up.\u201d<\/p>\n

By PSW<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Lawmaker<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was only my thick Cartwright skull that saved me. I now had a pounding headache and an enormous bandage wrapped around my head.<\/p>\n

A mob had collected outside. My fault. I should have left well alone but I had to get the truth about Asa. But what if my meddling meant my pa and brothers were jailed, hurt, or worse…<\/p>\n

I struggled to sit up, but Doc Martin was swiftly at my side and pressed me down.<\/p>\n

\u201cTry to move again, Adam, and I\u2019ll use that bandage on more than your head. Think Egyptian mummy.\u201d<\/p>\n

I lay back quickly.<\/p>\n

Sierra Girl<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

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

I leave for a few\u00a0weeks and the place falls down around their ears!<\/p>\n

Shootin’ unarmed criminals. Bullyin’ saloon girls. \u00a0Pistol whippin’ men.<\/p>\n

I oughta wring Ben’s stubborn neck. \u00a0Sure, life woulda been miserable for a while, but you can be dang\u00a0sure no Cartwright’d be goin’ around town hittin’ people over the head!<\/p>\n

Much as some of ’em might deserve it.<\/p>\n

People complain. \u00a0Refusin’ a badge ain’t gonna stop that, and the Cartwrights should know that by now. \u00a0Next time I need ta leave town, I’m knockin’ out the nearest one and pinnin’ the badge on while he’s down.<\/p>\n

By PSW<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Gamble<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pa\u2019s head is bent, and with folded hands, he prays.\u00a0 After all these years, I know his heart as well as my own.\u00a0 He\u2019s praying that God will spare Hoss and me. \u00a0To know those nooses out there are meant for us is almost too much for him.\u00a0 He\u2019s praying Joe will work a miracle, but I can see that he fears he won\u2019t.\u00a0 Now, I wish I could tell him my little brother is going to pull some fool crazy stunt in broad daylight with the whole town against him, and you know what?\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t bet against him.<\/p>\n

By BettyHT<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Crucible<\/strong><\/p>\n

He stumbled again and her heart broke. “Please hold on baby you’re almost there!” She\u2019d watched helplessly as Adam was repeatedly tortured and humiliated by Kane. She could speak to him, encourage him, but as much as she wanted to she couldn’t touch him. Now he was finally free but his life was still threatened. Her eyes scanned the surrounding hills, she could see Ben; he was close, but close wasn\u2019t enough! Adam was at the end of his strength, he simply couldn’t go on much longer. Desperate to save their son Elizabeth shouted, \u201cBen, please\u2026 look up!\u201d<\/p>\n

By Beej<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

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

She was frantic; Ben was exhausted and despondent enough to listen as Adam\u2019s brothers tried to save his life by asking him to give up and go home. Below she watched as their son staggered into view, damaged and delirious; so close and yet so far! “Ben, darling, listen to me; look, please just look one more time.”<\/p>\n

A whisper, from a voice he only heard in bittersweet dreams, begged him to look one last time and without a thought he did and gasped, “Adam… ADAM!”<\/p>\n

Elizabeth cried as Adam finally fell into the safety of his father’s arms.<\/p>\n

By Beej<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Inger, My Love<\/strong><\/p>\n

Inger gazed down on the scene playing out below her not quite understanding what she was seeing. Her eyes darted first to Adam and her infant son, her sweet Hoss. Adam held the tiny baby close, and had turned slightly as if to protect him with his own body from any harm that may come their way. Then her eyes fell on her beloved Ben as he cried\u2026 over her body? \u201cI don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou will, soon. It gets easier,\u201d a soft feminine voice informed her from behind.<\/p>\n

Inger turned to find a petite brunette staring down at the same strange scene. There was something eerily familiar about her. She was about to ask who she was when it came to her, \u201cI\u2019m dead, aren\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n

The other woman placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and nodded. Inger saw the longing in her eyes as she watched Adam below, \u201cYou\u2019re Elizabeth.\u201d<\/p>\n

A sad smile graced Elizabeth\u2019s lips, \u201cI\u2019ve been watching.\u201d Her eyes moved from Adam to Inger, \u201cI wanted to\u2026 thank you, for loving them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Inger instantly understood, and as the two woman watched the scene below said, “We’ll both love them now.”<\/p>\n

By Beej<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To Season Four <\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

***** SEASON FOUR *****<\/strong><\/p>\n

The First Born<\/strong><\/p>\n

He can\u2019t be. He\u2019s dead.<\/p>\n

They wouldn\u2019t have\u2026 would they? Did they really despise me that much? They conspired to drive my husband away. Did they lie about our child? Why? Because I wasn\u2019t born of money? I wasn\u2019t an aristocrat?<\/p>\n

All those years, I longed to hold him in my arms. The humiliation I suffered in having to work for Eduard. All because of their deceit.<\/p>\n

But Clay\u2026 Is he really? I can see the resemblance, yet he\u2019s worldlier, more mature, my first born. He should have been raised here, with his brothers.<\/p>\n

But would Ben have proposed marriage?<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Artist<\/strong><\/p>\n

On occasion a man is in the right place at the right time to lend a hand.\u00a0 I’ve taught all my boys since they were young that if you can, you should.\u00a0 It doesn’t come with a promise that it’ll be easy.\u00a0 Or even that the person will be grateful<\/p>\n

They might not understand what I’m about to do.\u00a0 They will eventually.\u00a0 They trust me enough not to interfere despite their confusion.<\/p>\n

Life has dealt this gentleman an unfair blow. He feels he’s somehow less than a man.\u00a0 It’s about time he’s given the opportunity again to be treated fairly.<\/p>\n

By CJTurtle4<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Deserter (1962)<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Shoshone children were the first to spot the uniformed riders.\u00a0 With wide eyes, they turned and fled.\u00a0 Screaming and shouting alerted their mother, who labored over the hot stove.<\/p>\n

Could it be?<\/em><\/p>\n

She dared not hope as the excited sounds of her son and daughter filled the yard.\u00a0 Leaving the kitchen, she gathered them into her arms as they burst through the door.\u00a0 “They’re here!\u00a0 They’re here!\u00a0 They’re back!”<\/p>\n

Small hands dragged her over the threshold and out onto the porch.\u00a0 She stood transfixed as the two men rode in.\u00a0 Tears choked her greeting.<\/p>\n

By CJTurtle4<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Way Station<\/strong><\/p>\n

I envy Marty in a way.\u00a0 An adventure awaits her, a new stage in her life with an opportunity to learn more about an art she already loves.\u00a0 She has her grandfather’s devotion and support.\u00a0 More importantly, she has his understanding.\u00a0 The only way he can make her truly happy is to let her go.\u00a0 In the end, a sheltered child is harmed unintentionally.\u00a0 They’re never allowed to make their own mistakes.\u00a0 They’re never allowed to stand or fall, completely and utterly, on their own merits.\u00a0 Now she’ll have that chance, come success or failure.<\/p>\n

See the cities, Marty.\u00a0 Go.<\/p>\n

By CJTurtle4<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gallagher\u2019s Sons<\/strong><\/p>\n

I’m gonna have a heck of a time explainin’ this, I thought as I watched the stage disappear around the bend\u2014leavin’ a cloud of dust in its wake. I was supposed to’ve been home three days ago, and iff’n I hadn’t had to drag those two, little gals across the desert on a wild goose chase, I would have made it back to the Ponderosa on time. Well, now I was late, and judgin’ by what the doc told me, I’d not be fit to sit a saddle for at least a week. So it was lookin’ more an’ more like I’d hafta wait for the next stage to come in afore I could leave this sorry town behind me.<\/p>\n

\u201cDadblamed gals.\u201d I muttered as I made my way over to the telegraph office, but there was little heat in my words. True, they’d made a bad decision when they took that bank money\u2014and an even worse one when they \u201cforgot\u201d to mention it to me\u2014but they were only young’uns. And judgin’ by what they’d told me, they hadn’t been raised proper by their pa anyhow.<\/p>\n

I shook my head as a slow smile spread across my face. \u201cHmph! Gallaghers.\u201d<\/p>\n

By AnnieKCowgirl<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Decision<\/strong><\/p>\n

The beans tasted off and the coffee too bitter.\u00a0 With a mostly empty and upset stomach, Joe continued to digest his father\u2019s words.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease believe me.\u00a0 It\u2019s better this way,\u201d he\u2019d said.<\/p>\n

What was better?\u00a0 Being so far away from his pa and injured older brother?\u00a0 Not knowing if or when Hoss would recover?\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t shake the feeling he was being deliberately sheltered from an ugly truth.<\/p>\n

A hand settled on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll get back just as soon as we can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sat down beside him, never breaking contact with his younger brother.<\/p>\n

By cjturtle4<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Jury<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Hoss, what’s your vote?”<\/p>\n

The rest of the jury members glanced my way. They were all convinced that Jamie Wren was guilty of murder, but–unfortunately–I wasn’t so sure. ‘Course, there was a witness, but the night the crime took place had been awful dark. And the onliest thing the case hinged on was<\/em> that eye-witness testimony. Something about that rubbed me the wrong way.<\/p>\n

Guilty or not guilty?<\/em> No matter how hard I thought on it, I just didn’t know.<\/p>\n

“Hoss?”<\/p>\n

“I reckon that judge was right; there is<\/em> reasonable doubt.” I sighed. “I gotta vote not guilty.”<\/p>\n

by Annie K Cowgirl<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Song in the Dark<\/strong><\/p>\n

Danny Morgan was innocent.\u00a0I knew that with every fiber of my being, just like I had known last year that Bill Enders shot Toby Barker at Goat Springs. The\u00a0trouble was I had to prove it, and the only evidence I had was my own experience with the man. He could have stolen three thousand dollars from me when we first met; he had had plenty of opportunities to do so. But he didn’t; heck,\u00a0Danny just didn’t seem to put much stock in dollars and cents!\u00a0Men like that don’t change into ruthless, money-hungry criminals over night. Pa had taught me that.<\/p>\n

Though the Cartwright name was nearly as good as gold, in this case it was worth less than the dust that clung to my bootheels.<\/p>\n

I wasn’t there. I didn’t see who killed the Widow Baker or Mrs. Mary Johnson. Neither was I with Danny when the crimes took place. And since he had a strange habit of riding around alone singing to the stars, my friend had no witnesses to prove his innocence. Therefore my opinion was only that: an opinion.<\/p>\n

No. Danny wasn’t guilty. Too bad I was the only one who believed it.<\/p>\n

by Annie K Cowgirl<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Marie, My Love<\/strong><\/p>\n

NO! Not my Joseph! Oh, please! This can\u2019t be happening!<\/em><\/p>\n

With little guidance required from his rider, Cochise had effortlessly run across the land, skimming through tall grasses, gracefully jumping any obstacles. His hoof beats drummed rhythmically, 1-2-3 pause, 1-2-3 pause, as the pair made their way home. A shout, and they were down. The pinto gained its footing, but not his rider.<\/p>\n

How could you do this?! Has not this family suffered enough?<\/em><\/p>\n

Time passed without any tears streaking the faces of those who carried the youngest member into their home.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for letting him live.\u201d Marie exhaled.<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

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

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

 <\/p>\n

Heaven was the only way to describe the sensation; warm and comforting. Burrowed deep under the covers he snuggled contentedly.\u00a0\u00a0 The fragrance of the spring-time blossoms floated on the breeze through the open window, teasing him with the memory past.<\/p>\n

He grasped at the vision. Running and laughing, hand in hand, they crossed the meadow towards the patch full of berries. Her golden hair escaping the ribbon that restrained it to the nape of her neck. She looked at him with loving eyes, a smile upon her lips. Butterflies flitted above the tall grasses while birds sang their songs in the nearby trees. The scene shifted; the two sat on the blanket.\u00a0\u00a0 He laid his head on her lap, she toyed with the curls that fell from his too long hair. But soon the darkness returned; realization made real, he was alone. No longer was she there to cuddle and soothe his hurts.<\/p>\n

Pushing down the covers, he slipped from the bed, across the floor, and down the hallway to Adam\u2019s room. Carefully he climbed into his brother\u2019s bed, while strong arms wrapped themselves around him, pulling him closer. Tears fell as he wished his mother had not gone away.<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

My Brother\u2019s Keeper<\/strong><\/p>\n

I knew the wolf was just beyond that rock, and I had to be fast to shoot him. We\u2019d lost several cattle to him. It was time to bring it to an end.<\/p>\n

With my rifle ready I slipped from behind the rock and … a hit to my shoulder tossed me to the ground. Agony spread through my chest as if someone stabbed me with a branding iron. Growling, the wolf ferociously attacked me. I fought for my life while his teeth strained to reach my neck.<\/p>\n

Oblivious to the shots; I felt safe once Adam knelt beside me.<\/p>\n

By SilverSven<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Boss<\/strong><\/p>\n

How I ended up with Doc Martin patting me on my shoulder and telling me I was lucky, is beyond me. His instructions I\u2019d heard before, \u2018Take it easy, keep my arm in the sling, and for heaven sake, take the laudanum before the pain became too intolerable.\u2019<\/p>\n

I remember one of Slayden\u2019s goons calling my name. I turned and next I was flying through the air with my shoulder burning as if someone had thrust a branding iron into my flesh. Hitting the ground must have done more than knock the breath out of me. How\u2019d I get home?<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To Season Five <\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

***** SEASON FIVE *****<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Quality of Mercy<\/strong><\/p>\n

He was so different from the young boy I once knew. He swiftly jumped out the buggy and helped my daughter down like the gentleman he now was. My beautiful Sarah, so ladylike, no longer the mischievous little girl that always got into trouble with Joseph Cartwright and Seth Pruit. What one of them didn’t think up, the other two did. I used to tell her that they worked their guardian angels overtime. I never knew how right I was, until now. My wife took a long sabbatical year the day those kids put the antics of childhood behind them.<\/p>\n

By Foreverfree<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

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

\u201cIs this what you wanted, Joe?\u201d my childhood friend cried out to me from atop the gallows, his eyes burning with hatred.<\/p>\n

I shoved my hands into my jacket pockets, and remained silent.<\/p>\n

Someone pulled the lever.<\/p>\n

The condemned man fell\u2014a loud crack<\/em> filled\u00a0the air as the rope snapped his neck.<\/p>\n

It was over. Two men were dead, and for what? A measly silver mine.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Seth,\u201d I whispered as his body swung in the breeze, \u201cI never wanted any of this.\u201d<\/p>\n

by AnnieKCowgirl<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Legacy<\/strong><\/p>\n

How can I return home to face my brothers? We promised each other we\u2019d track down the men who murdered our father. We\u2019d make them pay for the misery they created.<\/p>\n

Why\u2019d he do it? \u2018For a gun?\u2019, he asked. Can they accept why I couldn\u2019t go through with it? Why I stood there, before finally turning away? He had everything to begin anew.<\/p>\n

Begin anew. Pa\u2019s always been there. How do I go from being Pa\u2019s right hand man to the one running the Ponderosa? Can my brother accept my new role?<\/p>\n

Can I accept there is no\u2026<\/p>\n

Pa!!<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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

I should have stayed with him. Had I stayed, he wouldn\u2019t have been alone. But instead, I joined my brothers and later, Buck walked into the yard.<\/p>\n

We thought we were doing right. But with my fingers curled around the stock and one on the trigger, he laid there. I couldn\u2019t. I was Ben Cartwright\u2019s son.<\/p>\n

In town, Roy told me the news.<\/p>\n

Standing in front of him, I looked into his eyes; his yearning to know, did I go through with it? I gave a quirked smile to hide my hurt. I was Ben Cartwright\u2019s son, how could I?<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Prime of Life<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was my fault. Beating Barney Fuller at his own game was like a drug. I had to be the best. I\u2019d signed my name. The schedule was tight, with little room for compromise. The Ponderosa\u2019s reputation was on the line.<\/p>\n

And just like Opium, this contract and my desire for control caused a man his life. The boss orders and the men jump. It wasn\u2019t that I put aside the joy of living, I let making a living take over my joy.<\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t listen; I don\u2019t deserve their respect. I put money above the life of a man.<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ponderosa Matador<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ahh, what a day this has been.<\/p>\n

Hoss drove a big bull into town, but it ran into a saloon and the Cartwright sons ran in there to control it.\u00a0 They failed, and had to chase it all over the countryside.<\/p>\n

They limped home in their ruined shirts and sat in utter dejection in the classic pose of hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil.\u00a0 Their father came home and bellowed to tell them they were worse than an Apache raid on the land.<\/p>\n

Hoss won the lady\u2019s hand, and I have three less shirts to wash.<\/p>\n

By BettyHT<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Alias Joe Cartwright<\/strong><\/p>\n

I ain’t sure Pa’s realized Joe didn’t\u00a0know\u00a0<\/em>them guns wasn’t loaded. \u00a0Least, he’s sure brushin’ that bit off mighty light.<\/p>\n

Course, little brother ain’t exactly makin’ no big deal about it. \u00a0He introduced us to the man, told us O’Rourke saved his life… but then he moved on pretty quick ta somethin’ else. \u00a0I wouldn’ta knowed it myself, except I heard the sergeant tell Joe in passin’ that he was sorry there was no time ta fill him in before it all went down.<\/p>\n

I wonder.<\/p>\n

Joe ain’t one ta tone down a good story, even if it’s likely ta give Pa a coronary in the tellin’. \u00a0Which makes me think there’s somethin’ there.<\/p>\n

He don’t seem outa sorts — ‘cept if I look hard he’s kinda green around the gills — but it was close. \u00a0Dang close. \u00a0I been there, where he is now — that time them crazies tried ta hang me for robbin’ a bank I didn’t rob — and that\u00a0weren’t even as close as this. \u00a0A thing\u00a0like this hangs around, sneaks up on a man even when it’s safe and he thinks it’s done been put behind him.<\/p>\n

Might have ta keep an eye on little brother.<\/p>\n

By PSW<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Love Me Not<\/strong><\/p>\n

No possible negociation. He offered them two cows and got what? A white woman. Incredible. And she had no intention of staying here. No talking, no food. Ben didn’t appreciate the bedroom’s rice-colored-door \u00a0and warmed her bottom. After she was more cooperative. But something had to be done with clothes and hairs; he silenced her by putting her head into water. Improvements were quick and visible. So he organised a bachelor party for her, but she already had her prince: Benjamin Cartwright. \u00a0Adam became a wise adviser and Ben told her the truth before sending her to San Francisco.<\/p>\n

By Mumu74<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To Season Six<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

***** SEASON SIX *****<\/strong><\/p>\n

Invention of a Gunfighter<\/strong><\/p>\n

His voice echoes in my head, I can’t hear my own. The song of terror is wailing inside me, I’m driven by my wish to understand. I realize that I’m looking for explanations and a framework in vain. He is not a bad person, I should know that after my time with Al – only scarred by his previous helplessness. There is nothing to suggest his eager for justice will always find the same expression. When he becomes more mature, he’ll stop killing. My own mean doubts run stakes of shame through my abdomen. I’ve judged him far too rashly.<\/p>\n

By ForeverFree<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Scapegoat<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hahaha. Did you hear our Pa? “Waldo, sit down please!”<\/em>\u00a0Well, the polite “please”<\/em> at the writs ending won\u2019t soften the instruction that much. This powerful voice, this patriarchal undertone. How many times was it me that the order was placed to? No Waldo, you won\u2019t be able to escape our father\u2019s claws, the same as my brothers and I weren\u2019t able all these years when it came to decisions. Ben Cartwright, as he lives and breathes. But you see, with this voice in our back we had grown to men, able to face whatever life holds ready to us.<\/p>\n

by Silver Sven<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A Dime\u2019s Worth of Glory<\/strong><\/p>\n

I am ready to go downstairs when the front door slams.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0The glee in Joe\u2019s voice gives me pause.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cLook!\u201d<\/p>\n

A rustling, and then, \u201cNaw…is that\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is!\u201d My youngest son giggles, and I peer around the corner to see him actually rolling on the coffee table.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss, staring at a newspaper, begins to grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw now\u2026ain\u2019t that just fantastic?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0That tone usually means trouble.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cDaring decimation and capture, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

Oh.<\/p>\n

Oh no.<\/p>\n

\u201cDeceptive garb of ordinary businessmen.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe cackles.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cPa and big brother have got themselves secret identities!\u201d<\/p>\n

I back slowly away.<\/p>\n

Nothing good can come of this.<\/p>\n

by PSW<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Between Heaven and Earth<\/strong><\/p>\n

I know I hurt him, but I can\u2019t believe there\u2019s no chance that Mitch and I will ever be friends again.\u00a0\u00a0We\u2019ve been together too long for somethin\u2019 this stupid this to ruin things.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m gonna have to tell him.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019ll be embarrassing, sure, because\u2026 well, because it\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0embarrassing.\u00a0\u00a0All that trouble between us, over a little thing like me bein\u2019 afraid of heights.\u00a0\u00a0The nightmares, the anxiety, the snappin\u2019 at everybody all the time.\u00a0\u00a0Course, I didn\u2019t know it at the time.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s no good excuse, I know.<\/p>\n

I was hurtin\u2019 everybody around me and didn\u2019t care because I was so miserable, and I was pushin\u2019 them all away because I didn\u2019t want anybody to get close enough to see it.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s all so clear now that Pa helped me understand it.\u00a0\u00a0Wish things had been that clear before.<\/p>\n

It can\u2019t be over with Mitch, not over somethin\u2019 like this.\u00a0\u00a0We\u2019re better than that.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019s got to listen, and he\u2019s just\u00a0gotta<\/em>\u00a0forgive me.<\/p>\n

And if he doesn\u2019t\u2026 maybe the last thing I can do for my friend before we part ways is convince him he don\u2019t need somethin\u2019 like an arm wrestlin\u2019 title to make him special.<\/p>\n

By PSW<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Old Sheba<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fascinating.\u00a0 Joe and Hoss had that expression they have had since they were children and got caught stealing donuts or hiding a note from the teacher.\u00a0 But never did I guess they hid an elephant in the stable. Pa\u2019s look was pure stupefaction.\u00a0 It was hilarious especially when Old Sheba decided she didn\u2019t like being in the stable and decided that perhaps being in the house was a better idea. My brothers failing to sell her back was amusing.\u00a0 When Joe made Hoss haul all of those timbers for the railroad but it started to rain flooding that creek.\u00a0 Priceless.<\/p>\n

By BettyHT<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

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

Joe thinks it\u2019s a good idea, but I don\u2019t know.<\/p>\n

I mean\u2026we\u2019re sure enough not gonna get our money.\u00a0\u00a0I know it.\u00a0\u00a0And we gotta come back with\u00a0somethin\u2019<\/em>\u00a0ta show for our time away from the ranch (not ta mention all them bruises I collected along the way).\u00a0\u00a0Pa ain\u2019t gonna be none too happy otherwise, and Adam\u2019ll spend the next three years laughin\u2019 at us.\u00a0\u00a0But this?<\/p>\n

She\u2019s worth all that money and more.\u00a0\u00a0And I gotta admit, I\u2019d just downright love ta keep her.<\/p>\n

But, how we gonna tell Pa we got an elephant in the stable?<\/p>\n

By PSW<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A Knight to Remember<\/strong><\/p>\n

The king is dead, long lives the king.<\/p>\n

Well, no, the king is not<\/em> dead. The king actually never lived. Right<\/em>, live he did; he just wasn\u2019t a real sovereign.<\/p>\n

Well, as a matter of fact, he was much more of a king than Adam originally thought. Courageous, noble, generous. Inspiring. Kingly to a point where Adam might or might not have started to ask himself if Arthur could possibly\u2026ah, no<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Joe and Hoss thought him a mere fraud, a lunatic. Laughing stock. And Adam to be only a step away.<\/p>\n

Ah, leave them be. Aren\u2019t they just peasants anyway?<\/p>\n

By faust<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Woman of Fire<\/strong><\/p>\n

Don Miguel and his family left today.\u00a0 Don Luis seemed so very happy with his bride-to-be and Margarita smiled in that conspiratorial way that she and I learned to share in the last few days of her visit.\u00a0 The house will be so much more peaceful now.\u00a0 Pa can relax and look through the catalog to order replacement china.\u00a0 I wish he would buy something that fit a man\u2019s hand better than that dainty pink and white china that Marie liked, but I suppose it\u2019s like having her here to have that setting for every meal.\u00a0 I\u2019ve got a new guitar on order from New York, and Don Miguel was most gracious to offer to pay the cost of it and the shipping.\u00a0 The bruises on Hoss\u2019 head are fading now, and he claims that he has no more headaches from the blow of my guitar exploding over his head.\u00a0 Carlos and Manuel can fight for Elena\u2019s hand in marriage to make Don Miguel a happy man.\u00a0 Yet, I have this vague feeling of loss as I lay here staring at the ceiling lying alone in my bed thinking of the fiery shrew I tamed and wishing she were mine.<\/p>\n

By BettyHT<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Flannel-Mouth Gun<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hunching his shoulders against the steel edge of the air, Adam listened with the rest of the posse as the man on the cabin porch introduced himself. He knew Sherman Clegg by reputation. \u201cRange detective\u201d was merely a polite designation for a hired killer. Pa had warned him about Alf Simmons when he left him his proxy for the Cattleman\u2019s Association meeting, but the new president had prevailed with the other ranchers to retain Clegg\u2019s services. Now a man lay dead.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe drew on me; it was self-defense. I get along fine with the law,\u201d Clegg assured Sheriff Coffee. His amiable manner left Adam unconvinced, but Roy had no grounds to hold him.<\/p>\n

Watching Clegg and Simmons ride off shoulder to shoulder gave Adam a feeling colder than the morning. He wasn\u2019t sure which one was the more dangerous, the one who made his living by killing or the one who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. It was a match made outside of Heaven, and the Devil would have his due.<\/p>\n

Before payment was finally delivered, four others would also die including Clegg, Simmons, and an innocent woman caught in the crosshairs of greed and hate.<\/p>\n

by JC<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Search<\/strong><\/p>\n

When he first walked into that saloon, I knew he would never bow to another man\u2019s will. \u00a0A passionate man, he has a sense of justice that things have to be set right in the world. \u00a0Defiant to the sheriff, he insisted on doing what needed to be done.\u00a0 He took chances impersonating a man, and in that mine, he took a huge risk of being shot to get her to tell the truth.\u00a0 Looking up at him against the sky, I know I\u2019m letting a piece of my heart ride away. Why did I have to call him Tom?<\/p>\n

By BettyHT<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once a Doctor<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cHelp him.\u201d It was such a simple plea, but I couldn’t do it; I hadn’t operated on anyone for far to long. A shudder ran down my spine as I thought of all the possible ways it could go wrong; with my shaky hands, one tiny slip of the scalpel was all it would take to end a life. Besides, I was still mostly drunk. Alcohol and surgery were two things that should never mix. And yet….<\/p>\n

I took another look at the man before me and saw the desperation in his black eyes\u2014a desperation I had seen countless times in the past. This was a father pleading for the life of his son, a son who just happened to be the only friend I had in the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my only friend.\u201d I had once told Hoss, pointing to the bottle of tonic.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you got another friend whether you want ‘im or not.\u201d <\/i>The big, honest-faced cowboy had replied, a smile tugging at his lips.<\/p>\n

Could I do it?<\/p>\n

Yes, I could, and I would…for Hoss.<\/p>\n

I rolled up my sleeves, hands suddenly steadier than a rock.<\/p>\n

It was time to get to work.<\/p>\n

by AnnieKCowgirl<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Trap<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019d argued with Roy until I was blue in the face. I wanted Booth Shannon gone. How could a lawman twist the truth from fact to fiction to serve his perverted sense of justice? Tension in Virginia City ran thick as molasses in winter.<\/p>\n

I hadn\u2019t realized my son chose to defend his honor by challenging his antagonist to a gunfight. I\u2019d never ran so fast after hearing the shots fired.\u00a0\u00a0 Seeing my son sprawled face down, his life\u2019s blood oozing from a bullet wound; I prayed to God Almighty.<\/p>\n

All this because a man was jealous of his brother.<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t do it! It\u2019s a lie! I neither killed Burk nor Hallie. But if the whole town thinks that way, if Booth makes the people believe this, what future do I have here? So you better face me out there, lawman. I won\u2019t die on the\u00a0gallows.\u00a0If I have to die, then\u00a0I’ll defend\u00a0my reputation on this street.<\/p>\n

Virginia City can have its spectacle,\u00a0but it won\u2019t be a hanging. I\u2019ll fight Shannon\u2019s trap until the very\u00a0end. Even if the probability is small that I\u2019ll hit him before he kills me, I go for that chance.<\/p>\n

By Silver Sven<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

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

These widow\u2019s weeds aren\u2019t for a beautiful, young woman like me.\u00a0 Joe won\u2019t like seeing me in black; not a good color for me anyway.\u00a0 Oh how I wish I had married Joe instead of Burke, but that doesn\u2019t matter now, does it?\u00a0 Of course Joe didn\u2019t kill for me, he\u2019s too honorable, too decent.\u00a0 I don\u2019t care, I\u2019ll have Joe now, no more living in this dingy little cabin.\u00a0 Joe will build us a house, grand\u00a0like his father\u2019s ranch house.\u00a0 It’ll be beautiful with flowers and a porch and children and \u00a0. . . .oh no, Booth!<\/p>\n

By Justafan<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

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

Shots rang out and I instantly knew Little Joe was in trouble.<\/p>\n

Roy and I bolted out the door and rounded the corner, the sight before me seizing my heart.\u00a0\u00a0The motionless body splayed out face down in the dirt was my Joseph, blood staining his green jacket and his gun laying at his feet.\u00a0\u00a0Running to his side I felt like my feet were made of lead.\u00a0\u00a0As I passed Booth, he told me he didn\u2019t want to do it, but we both knew Joe was no match for him in a gunfight.\u00a0\u00a0I hope he saw the look of pure disgust on my face when our eyes met. \u00a0 I reached down and cradled my wounded son, lifted his unconscious body and carried him to Doc Martin\u2019s office.\u00a0\u00a0Damn you, Joseph!\u00a0\u00a0Damn you for being so reckless!<\/em><\/p>\n

When I knew he was going to be ok, I sunk into a chair in the waiting room and counted my blessings. Sure, he was impetuous, but his conviction to die if he had to for the sake of the truth about Burk and Halley comes from a maturity not often seen in young men his age.\u00a0\u00a0I am one grateful, proud Pa.<\/p>\n

By Home Alone<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dead and Gone<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ya know, it\u2019s hard work being a law-abiding citizen and a family man.<\/p>\n

Just wish things hadn\u2019t happened as they had.\u00a0 What with Adam killin’ Ross Marquette.\u00a0 Then all the heartache after Montpelier Gorge, and the Reardons.\u00a0 Just when life looked to be turnin’ around, and he might just settle down and get married, his fianc\u00e9e falls in love with our cousin.<\/p>\n

Guess the final straw came when he had no choice but to kill another friend, who done broke jail and shot Roy.<\/p>\n

Old Howard\u2019s Dead and Gone.\u00a0 And so\u2019s Adam; gone that is, traveling and exploring the world.<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To Own the World<\/strong><\/p>\n

A child is born innocent; at some time he learns the sin of greed. Charles Augustus Hackett, a self-made tycoon, suffered no guilt or remorse. He capitalized on anything and anyone. To him, everything had a price and at the same time he valued nothing. He\u2019d ruin a man, just to say he won.<\/p>\n

His wife stood there and admitted she wanted him dead. Had her shame for his past turned her heart just as cold? No, she admitted he hadn\u2019t corrupted her. Then he claimed her weak.<\/p>\n

How could he not understand the priceless gift he\u2019d been given \u2013 love.<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To Season Seven<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

***** SEASON SEVEN *****<\/strong><\/p>\n

All Ye His Saints<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s a good Samaritan?”<\/p>\n

The question seemed so innocent coming out of Michael\u2019s mouth. Now it seemed like it bounced around my head with every step I took up this mountain.<\/p>\n

Somebody who would cross the road to care for a stranger, with nothing to gain and everything to lose. He could lose his own reputation for touching the unclean and defiled.<\/p>\n

Michael went searching for God at the top of this mountain. I was just following in his footsteps. Not looking for God, but for a lost, little boy.<\/p>\n

I wasn\u2019t a good Samaritan. I was just a friend.<\/p>\n

By Questfan<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Code<\/strong><\/p>\n

She conjured up Dan’s voice in the gloom, deep from within herself. At first the voice was lighthearted and happy, rising and falling, and Sally smiled. His words were happy and reassuring. Sure, they would get married. Sure, he would spend the rest of his life making her happy. When the screams came, Sally was prepared. She listened patiently to the blows and thuds, to her father’s roaring. She hid in the shadows, waiting for Dan to return and take her in her arms. She wasn’t alarmed or scared; she had believed in their love. She had been so naive…<\/p>\n

By ForeverFree<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>~ B ~ O ~ N ~ A ~ N ~ Z ~ A ~<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Of all the dumb, fool things I have ever done, I think this about beats all. I know Pa thinks so. And Hoss. Well, maybe Hoss understands why I\u2019ve gotta do it. Except Hoss would never have been fool enough to get caught in a mess like this in the first place.<\/p>\n

It was pride. Plain and simple. Pa says pride is a sin.<\/p>\n

And that preacher says the wages of sin is death.<\/p>\n

I sure hope he\u2019s wrong about that today.<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t turn back now. I can\u2019t live in this town, branded as a coward. I just can\u2019t.<\/p>\n

By Questfan<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Three Brides for Hoss<\/strong><\/p>\n

Every time I look at the big galoot I can\u2019t help wanting to laugh. I know I shouldn\u2019t. I know Hoss was all put out about it, but still \u2026 you gotta admit \u2026 it was pretty funny!<\/p>\n

Three brides turned up. All of them ready to marry my brother and all he had to do was say yes. I know we ain\u2019t from Utah, but maybe it\u2019s not such a bad idea after all. I mean, Hoss could do with at least a coupla gals just to keep him fed. He\u2019s not taking Hop Sing with him. No sirree!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

By Questfan<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

The Trouble with Jamie<\/strong><\/p>\n

People from the East were supposed to have good manners, that\u2019s what Ben was thinking. As the young boy appeared, Ben knew it would be the hardest challenge of his life.<\/p>\n

Jamie escaped from the ranch, put honey in Hoss’ bed, and injured the calf. But Ben was not the man who gave up easily.<\/p>\n

After a few lectures he\u2019d ignored; after a tanning he would never forget; after a very long list of chores, including \u00abcleaning the barn\u00bb,\u00a0the youth was taught a valuable lesson about honest work and responsibility. He learned what it meant to be a man.<\/p>\n

By Mumu74<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Home from the Sea<\/strong><\/p>\n

He\u2019s out there exploring his dreams, but for a moment… There he stood by the gun rack, dark hair, seaman\u2019s pants, pea jacket, a knit cap. I should have known better; Adam\u2019s a commissioned officer.<\/p>\n

We thought his arrival was a good omen; after all, he\u2019d saved Adam\u2019s life. Well, the real Gilly Maples had saved Adam, and probably still is.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to believe how well he fit in. Morgan, the other man, served aboard Adam\u2019s ship. Guess Adam forgot the old adage about loose lips. I need to remind my son that his life still affects the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To Season Eight<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

***** SEASON EIGHT *****<\/strong><\/p>\n

A Time to Step Down<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why couldn\u2019t he understand? Neither Pa nor I had the intention to boot him out. He just didn\u2019t do himself any favors trying to compete with the younger cowboys. Sure he had been a strong and important help to Pa, but that was years ago. Yet, he still had much to offer, but not at the wrangler\u2019s pace.<\/p>\n

How would Pa react when the time came for him to step down? Would Hoss and I be able to make him understand? In case we failed, Adam would find the right words. Older brother would be able to make him see.<\/p>\n

By Silver Sven<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Credit for a Kill<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve never been fond of humble pie, but I sure wish I could serve myself a slice now.\u00a0 I blamed Morgan for not being man enough and cursed Joe for taking what was ours.<\/p>\n

Of course, now that I know where that money really is \u2013 in a bank account in my husband\u2019s name \u2013 I want to take it all back. If only it was that simple to do. My husband is a good man and he\u2019s done all that he can, in spite of his arm. Maybe we can use the money to find a doctor who can fix it.<\/p>\n

By Questfan<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ponderosa Explosion<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sometimes I just cain\u2019t understand for the life of me what them writers were up to. I mean, having\u2019 my little brother and me be hornswoggled into investin\u2019 in another stupid scheme.<\/p>\n

Didn\u2019t they attend biology classes before they got their writin\u2019 degrees? Didn\u2019t they understand what all them rabbits would do? The handlers couldn\u2019t keep them from escapin\u2019 and doin\u2019 what they did. Here, there, EVERYWHERE! Hoppin\u2019 all over the place.<\/p>\n

And then they were gone.<\/p>\n

Makes me wonder if our writers weren\u2019t only writin\u2019 for Bonanza. I seem to recall somethin\u2019 about Star Trek, The Trouble with Tribbles.<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Author\u2019s Note<\/em><\/strong>: Ponderosa Explosion aired January 1, 1967 while Star Trek, The Trouble with Tribbles aired December 29, 1967.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Black Friday<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunlight filtered through the dirty window of the hotel room, vanquishing the darkness that shrouded my world. Confusion reigned, why am I on the floor? Ow! Why does my head feel as if a chorus of miners are relentlessly hammering?<\/em><\/p>\n

It takes sheer will power to pick myself up from the floor; focusing solely on moving my arms and legs. That is until I catch a glint of metal — Brass. <\/em><\/p>\n

Reaching the table, I remember the pocket watch; Five minutes to twelve<\/em>. There\u2019s something else to remember. My hand gathers six bullets. Sickness. Revenge. Reputation. Remorse. Noon. Gunfight. FRIDAY!<\/em><\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Wormwood Cup<\/strong><\/p>\n

My Billy, my baby brother, I should have been with you in Carson City, June 16th. You should never have had to die alone. And Cartwright should have hung for his crime. I embraced my guilt for failing you and letting him go unpunished for so long. Hate is consuming me.<\/p>\n

Now he’s murdered a second time. I have to be strong to wield my hate against its very source, the man who planted its seeds in my heart. Joe Cartwright deserves to die. I will give you vindication, Billy and make amends, be reconciled with my own initial failure.<\/p>\n

By Foreverfree<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To Season Nine<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

***** SEASON NINE *****<\/strong><\/p>\n

Second Chance<\/strong><\/p>\n

Doggone Joe! That doesn\u2019t look good, not good at all. I only hope the arrow didn\u2019t pierce the lung. Help? Dadburnit! We\u2019re out here in the nowhere. Doggonit, little brother, don\u2019t watch me like this. I\u2019m as scared as you are. I know what I have to do, but I\u2019m scared, Joe.<\/p>\n

Get it out of there! Easy to say. How Joe? One hard pull or slow and smooth? What inflicts the least damage? What hurts less?<\/p>\n

I\u2019m sorry Joe, I\u2019m so sorry, but you\u2019re right, the arrow has to come out. I have to get that arrow out, Dang!<\/p>\n

By Silver Sven<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Commitment at Angelus<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam tried to teach me everything he knew about mines.\u00a0 I can\u2019t say I ever paid much attention.\u00a0 My interests have always been situated above ground.\u00a0 I silently thank him now for every attempted lesson.\u00a0 I also thank pa for encouraging me to listen to my instincts.\u00a0 As we step into the mine at Angelus, all the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.\u00a0 Fear makes me proceed cautiously.\u00a0 Then the evidence presents itself.\u00a0 A piece of the first beam we encounter comes off in my hand.\u00a0 This place is coming down.\u00a0 It\u2019s only a matter of time.<\/p>\n

By CJTurtle4<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Bottle Fighter<\/strong><\/p>\n

I stepped to the porch, the coffee pot in my hand. I stopped at the corner watching my little brother who was sitting at the table and starring at the clear sky. I studied him in the profile for a moment. He looked so young.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d I saw him wince at my voice. \u201cSome more black coffee?\u201d<\/p>\n

It took him an instant to leave this thoughts and he eyeballed me.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, sure.\u201d A smile ran over his face before it turned contemplative again.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know Hoss, I was really scared losing you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Our eyes met and I nodded without speaking.<\/p>\n

By SilverSven<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To Season Ten<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

***** SEASON TEN *****<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0Little Girl Lost<\/strong><\/p>\n

When he rose earlier that morning, Ben had no idea he would have his hands full with a ten-year-old \u2018stick of dynamite\u2019.<\/p>\n

His work on the books was disrupted by a man shouting for him. He rushed to the yard; arriving at the same time as Joe, Hoss, and Candy. The Wells Fargo Express driver opened the door and reached inside. Ben startled, he had been delivered a wild, angry child.<\/p>\n

On three previous occasions, he had had the pleasure of welcoming a child, but this child had no intention of accepting his welcome. Ben read the message tag previously attached to the girl\u2019s jacket, while the boys tried to restrain her.\u00a0 First Joe, then Hoss tried to use their strength to capture her; both of them failed miserably, even though they were good corralling horses and cattle.<\/p>\n

But she was only a child. A little girl feeling unwanted, unloved; who only fought to defend herself.\u00a0 Little did they know her feelings were caused by her own mother.<\/p>\n

The Ponderosa allowed her to discover a new world, filled with great men who could give attention and love, including one great uncle who harbored no acceptance of such nonsense, nor tantrums.<\/p>\n

By Mumu74<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Five Candles<\/strong><\/p>\n

He’s alive! <\/em>Joe sagged against the railing out front of the doctor’s office and drew in a shaky breath\u2014feeling tears of relief pricking in his eyes. The courthouse was a total loss, but in the scheme of things, it didn’t matter so much. Sure, they’d have to dig through the rest of the rubble to pull out what documents they could find in the archives, but that could wait for a few days. After all, buildings were replaceable; people, on the other hand, were not.<\/p>\n

Pa’s really, truly alive! <\/em>For a few, agonizing moments, he had feared that he would never see his father again; despair had threatened to swallow him whole.<\/p>\n

If he had stayed one\u00a0minute\u00a0longer with the doc as he took a look at Candy’s knee…well, some things were just not worth contemplating.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d he whispered, staring up into the night sky. \u201cThank you so much.\u201d<\/p>\n

And, as if in answer, a shooting star streaked across the velvety, black expanse of the heavens. With one last look in the direction of the courthouse, Joe turned, and stepped back into Paul Martin’s office.<\/p>\n

Tomorrow. Tomorrow, Lord willing, he and Hoss would take their pa back home.<\/p>\n

By AnnieKCowgirl<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Emily<\/strong><\/p>\n

My son had been shot, and Deputy Marshal McPhail had tried to convince his boss that Joe was part of the armed robbery and killing of two men. It didn\u2019t help that McPhail\u2019s wife, Emily, had lied and attempted to blackmail Joe into running away with her before all this started.<\/p>\n

That woman, dang blast her scheming and conniving ways. How anyone could believe her after leading Joe on like she had, not telling Joe she\u2019d married since the last time they met.<\/p>\n

My son is honorable. If they knew him at all\u2026 At least the truth finally came out.<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

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

\u201cJoe? May I join?\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow about another cup of coffee?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cYou wanna talk about it? I mean, you, you don\u2019t have to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay Hoss. It just feels so empty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, for a short moment there in Virginia City the day we met again, I really thought we could go back to where I lost her and start all over again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill they stay in town?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. But I think the ranch will keep me busy the next few weeks, maybe better the next few months. Well, how\u2019s about a game of checkers?\u201d<\/p>\n

By Silver Sven<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Running Man<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cal Butler has developed the hardened look of a man used to getting what he wants at whatever the cost.\u00a0 The deal he\u2019s outlining involves money, land, and the promise of prosperity.\u00a0 Some might even say it\u2019s generous.\u00a0 A business proposal is what he\u2019s calling it.\u00a0 Sitting across from each other in the hotel, we both know what it really is.\u00a0 When I walk back over to the jail, I\u2019ll be delivering a bribe offer.\u00a0 I haven\u2019t known Jess long but I hope he\u2019ll see the truth.\u00a0 If you can buy a man\u2019s silence, his soul isn\u2019t too far behind.<\/p>\n

By CJTurtle4<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

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

\u201cOh!\u00a0 Mr. Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe wearily paused half way up the stairs to his hotel room and glanced back.\u00a0 The clerk was waving a piece of paper.<\/p>\n

\u201cI forgot.\u00a0 This came in for you yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n

Candy, who was trailing behind Joe, reached out to take it.\u00a0 With his friend\u2019s consent, he unfolded the message.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like we\u2019ll be having some company,\u201d he announced after reading it.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s shoulders slumped further.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

The pain and sadness he felt had nothing to do with the stitches in his arm.\u00a0 He\u2019d soon be the bearer of terrible news.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019m fine,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

By CJTurtle4<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To Season Eleven<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

***** SEASON ELEVEN *****<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Long Way To Ogden<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Everything we ever worked for.<\/p>\n

It reverberates in my\u00a0mind. I know my life was\u00a0fortunate\u00a0so far. A loving father, dependable brothers, a roof over my head and a decent meal everyday. Sure I missed my mother in early years,\u00a0but beside that I hardly ever had to\u00a0want\u00a0anything.\u00a0I love our home. I love the ranch.\u00a0Could we lose it?<\/p>\n

Everything we ever worked for.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m scared. But I recognize the same fear in Hoss\u2019 and Pa\u2019s eyes and I realize, everything we ever worked for isn\u2019t the ranch, it\u2019s our family and that will last, always.<\/p>\n

by Silver Sven<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Old Friends<\/strong><\/p>\n

Morgan, you’re an awful suspicious\u00a0<\/strong>kid.\u00a0Don’t\u00a0you\u00a0get it?\u00a0I honestly mean you\u00a0no harm. Dag\u00a0<\/strong>burn it, I even rescued your dad.\u00a0Picking that\u00a0bullet\u00a0out of your pa\u2019s\u00a0ribs, making pancakes for you, boy and now you still want to\u00a0tie\u00a0me up for the night. You think I couldn\u2019t have turned the tables if I was up to it? You\u2019re doggone as stubborn as my <\/span>two brothers or even worse. I simply longed for a few days off.\u00a0Dag\u00a0burn it, but before I\u2019ll go and lay down on that bunk I have to go pee<\/span>.<\/p>\n

by Silver Sven<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n

Oh, no! Dag\u00a0<\/strong>burn it!\u00a0The day started that good.\u00a0Being allowed to ride out for those line shacks\u00a0<\/strong>means to get rid of my little brother and the whole ranch for a few days.\u00a0Enjoying myself with the food Hop Sing prepared only for me,\u00a0like fried chicken, ham, potato salad, a fresh loaf of bread\u00a0<\/strong>cake, roast beef, … Dog gone!\u00a0No, old Hoss of course must run into some stranger and feels the need to help them.\u00a0Why couldn’t I just pass by?\u00a0Nice old friends our Pa knows all over the world.\u00a0 Well, let’s go through it.<\/p>\n

by Silver Sven<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Danger Road<\/strong><\/p>\n

Talk to me, Pa. Help\u00a0me understand. What happened? I don\u2019t recognize you anymore. What\u2019s that all about? You always taught us to be helpful even to strangers, to provide our support as well as to accept a hand where needed. What\u2019s different in this case? What\u2019s different with that man? He offered\u00a0to help. He offered\u00a0to bring down that timber. And you\u2019re refusing. Pride\u00a0never stood in a Cartwright\u2019s way so far. What has changed? Well, go on like that. Be as stubborn as we all can be in this house. I see, we learned from the best.<\/p>\n

by Silver Sven<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Decision at Los Robles<\/strong><\/p>\n

Oh, God! Oh, God, not my pa! Please, not my pa! We shouldn’t have even been there; we should have rode on after watering our horses. I shouldn’t have mentioned getting a beer. I shouldn’t have stayed in the bar just to flirt with that pretty se\u00f1orita. I should have gone with him when he left, then maybe this wouldn’t have happened.<\/em><\/p>\n

This is my fault…all my fault.<\/em><\/p>\n

The doc pulls the blanket up over my pa’s chest.<\/p>\n

“H-how is it?” I ask him.<\/p>\n

“It’s not good.”<\/p>\n

Please, God, no! <\/em>My plea mingles with the chanted prayers of the priest.<\/p>\n

By Annie K Cowgirl<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A Matter of Circumstance<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a good book, though, a good book. But it doesn\u2019t matter anymore. Not in my case. I tried, Pa, I honestly tried. I\u2019m sorry I failed. The circumstances weren\u2019t in my favor. I\u2019m so sorry. I won\u2019t be\u00a0worth much\u00a0on the ranch one-handed,\u00a0but maybe I will live. Pa, I wanna live!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018The patients only chance\u00a0lies in amputation\u2019, the book says. Amputation. \u2018or the patient will surely die\u2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

God help me, please! Give me the strength to hit hard enough. Hard enough to make the cut be strait. I won\u2019t be able to lift the\u00a0cleaver\u00a0twice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

by Silver Sven<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

To Season Twelve<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

***** SEASON TWELVE *****<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Night Virginia City Died<\/strong><\/p>\n

His foot rested on the low table, propped on a pillow. Hoss forced himself to enjoy the innocent pleasure Joe was never allowed when Pa was present.<\/p>\n

He listened to his brother and father taking turns describing the scenes of chaos Virginia City suffered that night; including the demise of the arsonist. Bathing and eating earlier had done nothing to lessen their exhaustion.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s vivid description of the events coalesced into images that flickered in rapid succession through Hoss\u2019 mind. Shuddering, \u2018what-ifs\u2019 roiled and smoldered, mirroring the smoke-filled ruins of Virginia City.<\/p>\n

\u2018Relax, they\u2019re both home, and safe,<\/em>\u2019 he kept repeating.<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

It rained the day Janie was laid to rest. The irony wasn’t lost on him.<\/p>\n

Clem had thought better of the townsfolk, had thought they would be able to overcome their anger towards the girl who had been stricken with an illness that no medicine in the world could have cured. But his faith had been misplaced. The rumors had spread as quickly as the flames that had destroyed most of Virginia City, and though they had all known Janie, only four showed up for the funeral.<\/p>\n

Four.<\/em> He could taste the bitterness on his tongue. So much for turning the other cheek.<\/em><\/p>\n

By Annie K Cowgirl<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Power of Life and Death<\/strong><\/p>\n

I only meant to tease Pa when I told him, \u2018Next time there\u2019s a posse, don\u2019t volunteer to go into the desert.\u2019\u00a0 But now that we\u2019re heading home, the similarities hit me hard.<\/p>\n

Tobias and April Horn and John Spain.\u00a0 It was just a year and a half ago that I was out there all alone; no horse, scorching sun, shot at, delirious with thirst, and exhausted.<\/p>\n

Davis’ words will haunt me for a while.\u00a0 I\u2019d joked \u2018I almost made it\u2019, but as he let me know, I almost didn\u2019t.\u00a0 Thankfully, fate saw fit to intervene to see me safe.<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

NOTE:\u00a0 The Horns and Spain are from the episode, A Ride in the Sun.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gideon, the Good<\/strong><\/p>\n

My son is a good boy.<\/p>\n

No, he is a good man.<\/p>\n

He knew exactly what he was saying when he asked me what kind of a man did I want him to be. He knew it would stop me from scolding him like a little boy and allow him to help that stranger.<\/p>\n

El Jefe was wrong and my boy was right. God help us, because this will break our little town. My hands shake as I think on what he has done. Luis is right. But that does not take away my fear. I am terrified for him.<\/p>\n

By Questfan<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Trouble with Trouble<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dangnabbit! \u00a0Just whose stupid idea was it anyway for me to come and be the sheriff in this crazy town anyhow? I break up the fight and the bartender don\u2019t want me to. He says they ain\u2019t doin\u2019 nothin\u2019 wrong. Until they run outta money that is. Then he wants me to break it up!<\/p>\n

We laughed when Joe wanted to take that job at Rubicon, but nobody laughed at me comin\u2019 to Trouble. Guess I\u2019m bigger\u2019n Joe and a mite more intimidatin\u2019.<\/p>\n

Think I\u2019d prefer Rubicon right about now. Trouble is \u2026 trouble! Where\u2019s Joe when I need \u2018im?<\/p>\n

Thornton\u2019s Account<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pa always says to keep a short account. To let go of things that don\u2019t matter and get on with things that do.<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t even begin to tell Pa the truth of it. He\u2019s recovering now, but he\u2019s still fuzzy on the details of just how he came to be down at the bottom of that gully. He was down there far too long, all because of how those folks were too scared to help.<\/p>\n

Strangers.<\/p>\n

We didn\u2019t matter to them.<\/p>\n

Pa would never turn down a stranger who needed our help. I guess the account has been paid.<\/p>\n

By Questfan<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

A Deck of Aces<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ya know, it says somethin\u2019 when a man is one of a kind. Ain\u2019t never gonna have ta worry my family about bein\u2019 someone I\u2019m not, or is that someone not bein\u2019 me?<\/p>\n

Well\u2026 I mean, ya have ta hand it to them others; you know who I\u2019m talkin\u2019 about. There was that Angus Borden fella an Joe facin\u2019 a firin\u2019 squad, and then Tom Burns runnin\u2019 up bills all over town claimin\u2019 he was Adam. Shucks, even Pa wasn\u2019t safe, Bradley Meredith showed up tyin\u2019 to sell the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

Nope, after they made me, God done broke the mold.<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

Author\u2019s note: After I wrote this, I was reminded that Hoss did have a double, The Gunmen. Oh well, at least Hoss was correct in one aspect, since Big Jack Slade wasn\u2019t nearly as nice as Hoss, indeed the mold was broke.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

I couldn\u2019t believe it. It was like looking in a mirror. Bradley Meredith looked just like me.<\/p>\n

That explained why Wentworth and the railroad threatened to sue me for backing out of a deal I never made to begin with.<\/p>\n

Once the deception was uncovered and Meredith behind bars, I thought it was over. But he had one more trick up his sleeve. It took some time for Hoss to convince Roy that I was the real Ben Cartwright (after I convinced him first.)<\/p>\n

Meredith got away with $500 reward money and pretty Dixie.<\/p>\n

Am I really a stuffed shirt?<\/p>\n

By JC<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Stillness Within<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

\u201cHere Hoss,\u201d I called from the shadows of the deck.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatca doin\u2019 out here all alone?\u201d<\/p>\n

With my eyes closed, I heard his approaching steps. \u201cThinking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou regretting not going with Miss Dobbs?\u201d accepting his weight, the chair creaked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I\u2019m thankful I can see.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen what\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was remembering, Tessa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n

Opening my eyes, I looked straight to Hoss. I wanted him to see my shame, hopeful that he would understand my apology. \u201cShe handled being blind. . .\u00a0 You and Pa, you were there for me every step, and I behaved. . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou was scared.\u201d<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Note:\u00a0 Tessa was from Bullet for a Bride<\/p>\n

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

Worthless! Totally worthless!<\/p>\n

How can a man call himself a real man when he can\u2019t even do anything for himself?<\/p>\n

My heart beats so loud in my chest, I know that Pa can hear it. I can feel his eyes on me, even if I can\u2019t see them. I know that look he gets. The one that he reserves for those who need God\u2019s pity. Or something like that.<\/p>\n

Well I don\u2019t need his pity! Or God\u2019s.<\/p>\n

I will not be pitied.<\/p>\n

But Miss Dobbs said she pitied me. She said I lacked courage.<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t do this!<\/p>\n

Can I?<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>By Questfan<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To Season Thirteen<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

***** SEASON THIRTEEN *****<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Grand Swing<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hoss and I know where Pa\u2019s taking Jamie; showing him that just because a person makes a serious mistake doesn\u2019t mean that they\u2019re a lost cause.<\/p>\n

There\u2019ll be plenty of time for reflecting, riding quietly next to Pa, before they finally come to the witness tree. Hoss carved his name there, and I carved mine. But Adam never did. He was far from perfect. Pa told us last night about what he did to Adam. . . before deciding this would be the better way to handle things with Hoss and me. Because there definitely would be a future need.<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bushwhacked!<\/strong><\/p>\n

The darkness called to me, its voice soft, seductive, tempting me to move deeper into the shadows. And, yet, I didn’t move. Far away, a small pool of light could be seen, and standing within it, the figure of a man.<\/p>\n

“Joseph.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Pa.<\/em> My lips framed the name, but I had no breath to give it utterance. My heart thumped heavily, slow in my chest.<\/p>\n

“Joseph, come.”<\/em> Pa raised his hands, reaching out for me, beckoning me.<\/p>\n

Come?\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I glanced over my shoulder at the darkness; it was warm and inviting. There was no pain to be had in there. I turned back towards the light. I wanted to go to him. I wanted to run into his arms and feel the love that radiated off of him.
\nSuddenly, the space between us seemed a vast distance and I could feel the strength draining from me as I hesitated.<\/p>\n

“Joseph.”<\/em> I could hear tears in his voice as he pleaded.<\/p>\n

“I-I can’t, Pa.” I mumbled, “I’m too tired.”<\/p>\n

“Try.”<\/em> It was a simple word, filled with so much meaning. “Please, son, try?”<\/em><\/p>\n

I tried. I took a heavy step, and then another, back towards the light–towards my pa. Towards life.<\/p>\n

by Annie K Cowgirl<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Second Sight<\/strong><\/p>\n

A curse. A blessing in disguise.\u00a0 You call it what you want.\u00a0 Ms. Judith’s got something special and she’s gunna help us out.\u00a0 Joe don’t believe her none.\u00a0 He thinks I’m plum crazy.\u00a0 That’s his right.\u00a0 I reckon it only takes one of us to encourage her.\u00a0 I’m a desperate man.\u00a0 An’ when a man is desperate, he’ll put his faith in just about anything.\u00a0 Pa’s always sayin’ the Good Lord works in mysterious ways.\u00a0 I’ve seen enough in my lifetime to know it’s true.<\/p>\n

Jamie’s out there somewhere.\u00a0 One way or ‘nother, I aim to find my little brother.<\/p>\n

By Cjturle4<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

The Saddle Stiff<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben Brown stepped inside the door and stared at the room with fresh eyes. He paused for a moment before unbuckling his gun belt and laying it on the credenza. He looked down at his clothes and again saw himself as others had seen him. He was nothing more than some saddle stiff, looking for bed and beans.<\/p>\n

Hours later, after a long soak in a hot tub, he once again looked down at his clothes. The cut of the cloth and quality of stitching.<\/p>\n

He was no longer the same man who had ridden out to prove a point.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

by Questfan<\/em><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

One Ace Too Many<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not possible, not again! A long time ago, Joe had Angus Borden and Adam had Tom Burns to deal with, and the misery they caused. Pa had Bradley Meredith, not once, but twice in almost as many years. Just like a bad penny.<\/p>\n

Why is it that some people don\u2019t have them scruples? Pa worked hard all his life. He taught us those same principles. It was our blood, sweat, and tears that built what we call home today.<\/p>\n

That bamboozler got bamboozled and then he ended up bamboozling\u2026 everyone. As Pa said, \u2018He\u2019ll be back someday.\u2019 Oh Lordy.<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To Season Fourteen<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

***** SEASON FOURTEEN *****<\/strong><\/p>\n

Forever – Part I
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

She watched his chest gently rise and fall; sleeping fitfully beside her. The blanket had slipped to his waist and allowed her to see his strong upper body. Several scars marred his suntanned skin. Would she ever learn about the stories behind every single one? He didn\u2019t talk often about the past. Probably because of his brother\u2019s death that wasn\u2019t too long ago and every one of Joe\u2019s memories was painfully connected to him. As she stroked the scar on his right shoulder, Joe shivered. He turned his head, murmuring from the past: \u201cIndians, Hoss, just much more Indians.\u201d<\/p>\n

by Silver Sven<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Forever \u2013 Part II<\/strong><\/p>\n

Grief tore at his heart, leaving behind an invisible, gaping wound.\u00a0 Years before, his father had lost three wives.\u00a0 He\u2019d lost his wife and unborn child.<\/p>\n

His faith stood marred, just like the remains of the small homestead.\u00a0 Dreams of a new beginning shattered, splintered into so many fragments there was no hope of restoring.<\/p>\n

Justice was swift, yet unfulfilling.<\/p>\n

In the loft of the barn where he had played so often as an innocent child, tears streaked his face as he begged for the courage to live alone.<\/p>\n

\u2018You\u2019re not alone. I\u2019m here.\u00a0 I\u2019ll always be here with you.<\/em>‘<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

Ambush at Rio Lobo<\/strong><\/p>\n

Look at him!<\/p>\n

I haven\u2019t heard my pa laugh like that for\u2026 well, I can\u2019t remember.\u00a0\u00a0The baby cries, and Pa hands him over to his mama.<\/p>\n

My heart breaks, and it\u2019s all I can do not to show it.<\/p>\n

I want my pa to have grandchildren.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019s only talked about it all our lives\u2026 although now that I think of it, Pa hasn\u2019t mentioned\u00a0anything lately.<\/p>\n

It was so close.\u00a0\u00a0I was gonna be a papa, and he was gonna be a grandpa.\u00a0\u00a0It might seem strange, with so much lost to me in that fire (my<\/em>\u00a0wife,\u00a0my<\/em>\u00a0baby,\u00a0my<\/em>home), but one thing that really keeps me up at night is that Pa doesn\u2019t have any grandchildren.<\/p>\n

Ezekiel Benjamin Burnside. \u00a0They named that little guy after him, and I can\u2019t help but be afraid that the only baby to carry on my father\u2019s name will be a stranger he may never see again.<\/p>\n

Last I heard, Adam\u2019s showin\u2019 no signs of settlin\u2019 down.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss is\u2026 gone.\u00a0\u00a0Jamie\u2019s got years yet before he\u2019s grown.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2026 it might really be up to me, if it\u2019s gonna happen.<\/p>\n

I think of Alice, and I just don\u2019t know how I can.<\/p>\n

by PSW<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Bucket Dog<\/strong><\/p>\n

She\u2019s beautiful, and loyal, and I love her.<\/p>\n

Who cares if her head\u2019s too small, or her ears aren\u2019t right, or her tail droops, or whatever other stupid thing Mr. Kingston says is wrong with her?\u00a0\u00a0She looks perfect to me\u2014and anyway, Joe\u2019s right.\u00a0\u00a0Mr. Kingston is no prize himself.<\/p>\n

She can do it.\u00a0\u00a0I know she can.\u00a0\u00a0So what if she wants to stop and look at butterflies along the way?\u00a0\u00a0Sometimes, I do too.<\/p>\n

What kind of man wants to take a dog away from somebody who loves her just so he can kill her?<\/p>\n

Go, April!<\/p>\n

By PSW<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Hunter<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fr\u00e8re Jacques, <\/em><\/p>\n

No, not Jacques. Brother\u2019s name is Adam. Had a brother named Hoss.<\/p>\n

Fr\u00e8re Jacques,<\/em><\/p>\n

Pa adopted me another brother, Jamie. Pa. Pa? Help me, Pa!<\/p>\n

Dormez-vous\u00a0? <\/em><\/p>\n

Can\u2019t go to sleep. Have to teach Jamie.<\/p>\n

Dormez-vous\u00a0?<\/em><\/p>\n

Have to get away. Need to get home.<\/p>\n

Sonnez les matines! <\/em><\/p>\n

No, it\u2019s not bells.<\/p>\n

Sonnez les matines!<\/em><\/p>\n

He\u2019s whistling. Can\u2019t you hear him whistling? Stop it!<\/p>\n

Ding, dang, dong. <\/em><\/p>\n

I have to get away. Bells don\u2019t toll for me. Have to survive.<\/p>\n

Ding, dang, dong.<\/em><\/p>\n

Need to get home! I can\u2019t leave Pa alone. Please, this can\u2019t be the end.<\/p>\n

By BluewindFarm<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Little Bit Challenge<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Little Bit Challenge encouraged the members in the Forums to write a \u2018Little Bit\u2019 for every Bonanza episode (all 431, if possible). \u00a0This challenge is open to all Forum members, not just those who are authors in the Library.\u00a0 Members may submit as many Bits for as many episodes as they wish. \u00a0Multiple members may submit Little Bits for the same episode.<\/p>\n

The Rules:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Little Bits are episode-based scenes or vignettes limited to either 100 words<\/strong> or 200 words<\/strong>. \u00a0The challenge lies within the word limit. For those with a muse who just won’t cooperate, a few words over or under will be accepted, but the goal is to get as close to the word limit as possible.<\/li>\n
  2. Limit characters to Canon or Canon characters who are not in the episode (e.g., an absent Cartwright or maybe Roy or maybe their mothers).\u00a0 Vignettes can be WHB, WHN, Missing Scenes, or a character\u2019s musings of the events.<\/li>\n
  3. Specify the episode. Some Canon Characters may appear to fit more than one episode (e.g., Walter, The Rossi family, Laura and Peggy, Cousin Will, Cousin Clarissa, Cousin Muley, etc.) or the two episodes entitled The Deserter (Season 4 vs Season 10).<\/li>\n
  4. Nothing R-rated.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n

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

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

    Summary: During the last quarter of 2015, members in the Brand Forums were challenged to write vignettes for all the Bonanza episodes. Members could submit as many Little Bits for as many episodes as they were inspired to write. Multiple members could submit Little Bits for the same episode. The hardest part of the challenge was to write the vignette in exactly 100 or 200 words.
    \nSome Little Bits are dramatic while others are humorous. The submitting member is identified after each Little Bit. 132 Little Bits have been submitted to date and are listed in episode order.<\/p>\n

    Rating: K (16,000+ words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":77,"featured_media":376,"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":[2,23,4,41,61,32,3,8,616,13,40],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12405","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-actionadventure","category-drama","category-humor","category-hurtcomfort","category-missing-scene","category-mystery","category-romance","category-short-stories","category-whb","category-whn","category-challenges","wpcat-2-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-4-id","wpcat-41-id","wpcat-61-id","wpcat-32-id","wpcat-3-id","wpcat-8-id","wpcat-616-id","wpcat-13-id","wpcat-40-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":6075,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/coming-soon-4.jpg?fit=320%2C240&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":49968,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49968","url_meta":{"origin":12405,"position":0},"title":"Trimming the Tree (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"December 25, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 No one signed up for the fourth, so this day was opened to all members in the Forums to try their hand at writing poetry for the season. 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Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 350 words Written for the 2024 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar","rel":"","context":"In "Poetry"","block_context":{"text":"Poetry","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"ID 334828825 \u00a9 Andrii Hatchenko | Dreamstime.com","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Christmas-Has-Come-poem-.jpg?fit=502%2C342&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":49961,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49961","url_meta":{"origin":12405,"position":4},"title":"Remember, Remember (by faust)","author":"faust","date":"December 25, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 No one signed up for the fourth, so this day was opened to all members in the Forums to try their hand at writing poetry for the season. 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