{"id":13441,"date":"2016-09-30T04:56:36","date_gmt":"2016-09-30T08:56:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13441"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:41:25","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:41:25","slug":"the-cherry-tree-saga-by-robin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13441","title":{"rendered":"The Cherry Tree Saga (by Robin)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>Like the ever changing seasons, life blooms and dies on the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

Rating T\u00a0 (140,000 words)<\/p>\n

I grew up watching Bonanza in the first run. Around late 2000 I rediscovered watching the reruns and that there were websites dedicated to Bonanza. OH MY! There were very odd people who discussed every detail of every episode and all the stars just like Trekkies discussed Star Trek. Then I was just as odd\u2026even more so! I made friends in these online communities, some even became friends in real life. \u00a0I discovered fan fic. In the summer of 2001, PAX announced that they were going to air a prequel of Bonanza that they were going to call \u201cPonderosa\u201d \u2026 some online chatter followed about what ages the \u201cboys\u201d should be and how the prequel should be set up. That got me thinking and I started to write a fan fic. A few weeks later, the world took an abrupt jolt\u2026it was 9\/11. I live in a NYC suburb and we all were very impacted by that day for months and months. I cocooned into Bonanza, sort of like that childhood security blanket and would come home from work and immerse myself in writing \u201cThe Cherry Tree\u201d. If my mind was focused on the Cartwrights and the Ponderosa and lines of dialogue and plots for stories and characters, I wasn\u2019t quaking in my shoes or spinning in fear about what would become of us\u2026. The outcome was \u201cThe Cherry Tree Saga\u201d\u2026. Some of the elements were based on those \u201cfalse Bonanza memories\u201d having not seen some of the episodes since the original first run during the Kennedy administration (hence my characterization of Captain Stoddard as a rich nasty man and other off canon bits and pieces). I really thought Roy Coffee had been married and had a daughter and that Hoss met his end in a bank robbery\u2026.) Sequels to \u201cCherry Tree\u201d followed\u2026 so if you enjoy this, there is more to come.<\/em><\/p>\n

So now fifteen years have passed since I first wrote Cherry Tree and I decided to polish it up and repost it for you all. <\/em><\/p>\n

Robin<\/em><\/p>\n

The Cherry Tree Saga<\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Clouds were everywhere. Pink fluffy, fragrant clouds and he was completely surrounded by them. No, they weren\u2019t pink clouds. They were blossoms, hundreds of pink cherry blossoms and he was reaching his hands up, up through the blossoms to the blue sky. Joe felt so happy he was laughing. He threw his curly head back and laughed and laughter enveloped him.<\/p>\n

How did he get up so very high in the sky? Joe was so high up and so tall. He realized he was sitting on his father\u2019s broad shoulders and Pa was lifting him higher up in the air to touch the pink cherry blossoms. He heard the tinkling laughter from somewhere far below him.<\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin! Be careful with my baby!\u201d Mama laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHigher Papa!\u201d Little Joe squealed gleefully. He reached both arms over his head. \u201cPink snow! Higher! Higher!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry Marie, Cartwright boys don\u2019t break so easily,\u201d his brother Adam said from somewhere far below, far away, far, far away. Joe squirmed in his father\u2019s strong arms. In a vain attempt to see his Mama, Little Joe twisted and turned. He was trying to see her face and see Adam but he couldn\u2019t see them no matter how hard he turned and twisted and squirmed.<\/p>\n

His father smiled and lifted him up again. He was surrounded by the sweet smelling pink cherry blossoms.<\/p>\n

\u201cHigher Papa! Higher! Pink blossoms floated all about. One stray petal landed on his nose and tickled.<\/p>\n

He tried to swat it away and it kept tickling him. It kept tickling him.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on Joe, Pa said to come eat breakfast, \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cBreakfast?\u201d Joe looked up and saw his brother Hoss standing over him. There were no blossoms, just his older brother\u2019s face looking down on him. Hoss was dangling one of Little Joe\u2019s dirty socks over the smaller boy\u2019s nose, teasing him awake.<\/p>\n

\u201cGot to get dressed, Shorty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo way\u2026\u201d Joe growled trying to roll over and go back to his sweet dream of pink blossoms and happy times. He wanted to try and see his mother\u2019s face one more time.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like something was making you smile, Little Brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe tried to twist away from his grasp. But it was too late. He was awake and the dream was over.<\/p>\n

But somehow, the sweet ring of his Mama\u2019s laughter still echoed in his ears.<\/p>\n

Part 1 <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Before<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cHow could a day that started out so well end up so bad? \u201c Little Joe Cartwright thought as he shook out a cramp in his left hand. The knuckles were scraped and streaked with dried blood from the fight. His trousers were splashed with mud and there was a jagged tear in his favorite blue striped school shirt.<\/p>\n

His Pa was not going to be pleased. No indeed, Pa was going to be mighty displeased with him. He didn\u2019t hold his temper and once again Little Joe was in mighty big trouble.<\/p>\n

Joe could hear his father\u2019s voice in his head. \u201cJoseph Francis Cartwright!\u201d he would say. \u201cYour brothers never got into this must trouble. Not even if I put all their misbehaving together in one sack it would never equal the sack of trouble you get into. What am I ever going to do with you, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe figured that this time, he would be stacking fire wood and cleaning stalls clear until his big brother, Adam got back from college this summer\u2026 maybe longer, maybe forever.<\/p>\n

Joe stood facing the black board in the Virginia City School house writing \u201cI will not fight in school\u201d for the seventy third time. The too warm air in the crowded classroom smelled from wet wool, long winter underwear and children that had not been washed frequently enough over the last few months. It was the first warm spring day after a long, snowy Nevada winter. The trapped students were restless as the afternoon wore on.<\/p>\n

The schoolyard was filled with huge, deep puddles and plenty of boot sucking mud from the melting snow. Most of the children had not ventured out at recess time. This, combined with the crowded schoolroom had added to everyone\u2019s short tempers as the day wore on.<\/p>\n

Joe tried to catch the eye of his best pal Daniel Lowell sitting in his regular seat on the right side of the room but Daniel was industriously working on a page of sums and didn\u2019t glance up. Joe assumed that his friend Daniel wouldn\u2019t look at Joe for fear of angering Tucker Beck and Jack Fischer.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a pal! \u201c Joe grumbled to himself. \u201cI get in all sorts of trouble for helping him and his little sister and he can\u2019t even look at me.\u201d He glanced down at his muddy trousers and filthy boots. Pa certainly would be displeased at Little Joe getting into trouble again.\u00a0Pa was already right here in town doing business at the bank.\u00a0 He would be waiting for him right outside the school house at dismissal time. There was no way Little Joe slide by this scrape without his father knowing all the details.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d Miss Lambert said softly but firmly. \u201cDo not grumble to yourself. You are distracting the other students! And no one told you to stop writing. Continue until you reach exactly one hundred.\u201d Brushing a loose wisp of blonde hair back off her warm forehead, the teacher\u00a0turned her back to Joe and returned her attention to the three first graders. The sweaty little ones were crowded together on the bench in front of her desk attempting to make sense of the alphabet. The teacher was exhausted and looked forward to dismissal time. It had been a long day and she was trying extremely hard to keep the children focused on their studies.<\/p>\n

Joe heard snickering from the far side of the schoolroom.\u00a0 Out of the line of the young teacher\u2019s vision, Tucker Becker and Jack Fischer were smirking at him. Tuck, the biggest boy in the school shook his fist in warning at Joe and mouthed \u201cYou are dead meat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Carly Lambert glanced back at Joe over her shoulder trying her best to look stern.\u201d Joseph, back to work. I want you boys to remember that there is absolutely no fighting in this school — No fighting.\u201d She mopped her warm forehead with the embroidered handkerchief she kept tucked in her sleeve. It was a gift from her beau.<\/p>\n

The teacher reflected on the boy writing his punishments on the black board. Joe Cartwright was a handful. She hated when he disrupted the order of her classroom. Joe was a goodhearted, bright boy but he was impulsive and a daredevil and very outspoken. She knew he was basically a good fellow, but his hot temper got him into more than one fight. She found it challenging enough to teach all these children when everyone was obeying her, but as soon as fights broke out, the young teacher knew she could be totally overwhelmed. Some of those boys in her class were almost full-grown men and she was nervous as to how she could ever deal with things if the classroom got truly out of control.<\/p>\n

Two years earlier, when the Virginia City school board hired her she was worried if she could manage. She truly loved the teaching, especially the smaller children and was anxious to earn her own way. Her enthusiasm for books and learning was contagious. At nineteen, Carly Lambert was not much older than her oldest students that term, but most of the children had been well mannered and helpful in keeping order. Joe\u2019s older brother Hoss had broken up more than one fight among the students. Auburn haired Andrea Lowell, a store keeper\u2019s daughter, was a big help too. Watching over the smaller children like a mother hen, she drilled them in their spelling or played games with them at recess.<\/p>\n

By the end of that term, most of those older children graduated or had left school to work. One girl, Sally Beck had even gotten married to young logger. The next school year was harder for Carly without their help. Only husky, blue eyed Hoss Cartwright had remained of the older students but by early spring he had left school to work on the ranch and never returned to class as a student.<\/p>\n

Joe continued to write his punishment. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Miss Lambert had her back to him as she read a story to the first graders. The story was something about a boy whose father gave him a little hatchet. Then the darn fool boy had chopped down his father\u2019s favorite tree.<\/p>\n

\u201cWish I had a hatchet\u2019 Joe thought glumly. \u201cThen I would show that Beck and Fischer who they could pick on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapped at the blackboard, his back to the class, Joe made a discovery. He realized if he took a half a step to the right and stood at a slight angle, he could see out the window that faced Main Street and still give the illusion that he was writing his punishment.\u00a0 Beyond the puddle filled school yard, on the other side of muddy Main Street, he could see Mr. Lowell\u2019s hardware store. In front of the store, his brother Hoss was hefting some nail kegs into the Cartwright buckboard. At sixteen, Hoss was as big as a grown man, even bigger than many. He was already eye-to-eye with his Pa, and Hoss was still growing.<\/p>\n

Joe sincerely missed having Hoss in school with him.\u00a0 No one ever started up with Little Joe when his big brother was around. Unfortunately for Joe, Hoss was done with school and worked full time on the ranch. The middle Cartwright brother was much happier working with their father and the ranch hands than squeezing his big frame into the small schoolhouse seats and struggling with sums and reading and writing.<\/p>\n

Miss Lambert missed Hoss in her class almost as much as Little Joe did but neither of them knew how the other felt.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne more year,\u201d Carly thought. \u201cOnly one more year.\u201d By the end of the year she would have saved the money she needed to help her beaux buy his herd and a piece of land. Then they could get married and start their own ranch.<\/p>\n

Looking through the window again, Little Joe squinted his eyes and caught the flash of Andrea Lowell\u2019s coppery hair through the stores front window. She worked as the clerk for her father in the store since she left school.<\/p>\n

A wad of paper stung Little Joe\u2019s left ear and he head Tucker Beck snicker again. Joe spun around and glared at his tormentor. He took three steps forward clenching his hand into an angry fist. Miss Lambert turned and shouted \u201cJoseph, turn around and go back to your work. Immediately!\u201d<\/p>\n

As Joe lunged past his desk, Daniel had reached and grabbed the back of the other boy\u2019s suspenders. \u201cJoe, calm down, you are only gonna make it worse. Stay safe!\u201d Daniel pleaded.<\/p>\n

\u201cGee Miss Lambert, I can\u2019t imagine what got into Little Joe today\u2026 It must be spring fever,\u201d Fischer smirked from the back of his room. \u201cI certainly didn\u2019t do anything, Ma\u2019m.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miss Lambert hadn\u2019t quite seen what had just occurred but somehow suspected the older boy was provoking Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you have ten more to go. Finish up.\u201d\u00a0 She turned her attention back to the story she was reading.<\/p>\n

The boy in the story had chopped down the tree and his father was asking who did the deed? Who did it? It was the father\u2019s favorite tree, a beautiful cherry tree.<\/p>\n

Joe angrily turned back to his writing. He discovered if he held the chalk at just the right angle, he could make an irritating squeak as he wrote. By the time was up to the last sentence and was able to get a loud irritating squeak on each letter. Soon the entire class noticed and stopped what they were doing to watch the show. A few of the younger boys were giggling at Joe\u2019s musical talent and started to squeak like rusty hinges along with the sound Joe was creating.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone be quiet! Joseph. You are finished. Now go sit on the girl\u2019s side until the end of the day,\u201d Miss Lambert said firmly. She was trying hard to sound harsh but finding his antics quite comical. Little Joe really was a good boy, high spirited but basically kind and sincere. Maybe she could avoid the boys fighting if she separated them.\u00a0 Either way, Joe just might be embarrassed enough to behave himself for a few days if he was seated in the girls section. The teacher just wanted this school day to end and be done with these sweaty, noisy fidgety children.\u00a0 She struggled to finish reading the story to the class.<\/p>\n

Joe glanced through the window again. Hoss was lugging a big lumpy burlap sack of something over one shoulder and he heaved it into the half-filled buckboard.<\/p>\n

Little Joe saw his Pa ride up beside the wagon and tie his horse up at the hitching rail. Joe figured his father must have finished up his business at the bank. He sincerely hoped that Pa couldn\u2019t see into the schoolhouse and see what was going on. Maybe he would never find out the trouble Joe was in that day. Joe tried to come up with a good story to explain his torn and muddy clothing but he was stumped. The room was stuffy and the boy was worn out.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019Son,\u2019 the father asked George, \u2018who cut down my cherry tree?\u2019\u201d Miss Lambert read.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo school work for me. Not today. Not ever,\u201d Joe muttered as he sat down in the girl\u2019s row between Nancy Coffee and Kate Wallace. From that location, Joe could still see out the window. He was furious at the trouble he was in and had absolutely no interest in doing any schoolwork.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe stupid father asked the durn fool hatchet boy if he had chopped down the tree, the prized cherry tree, the darn fool, stupid cherry tree,\u201d Joe grumbled in a soft whisper that only Kate and Nancy heard. Both girls were surprised at Little Joe\u2019s cussing even though they thought their friend was pretty funny.<\/p>\n

Nancy blushed and hid her face behind her slate.<\/p>\n

Katie poked Joe in the ribs and said \u201cHush up Little Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe rubbed his side. He could just hear his own father say \u201cYoung man, did you chop down my tree?\u201d If Joe had a hatchet he would know better than to chop down any cherry tree.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Tell me the truth, son,\u2019 said the father,\u201d read Miss Lambert.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I am a darn fool and I don\u2019t know a cherry tree from dry fire wood or Mrs. Cow Manure\u2019s wooden leg,\u201d Joe muttered under his breath.\u00a0 Kate giggled but prim Nancy Coffee gasped again at Joe\u2019s extremely rude language. Miss Lambert glanced their way.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph Cartwright, you go stand in the corner. You are being disruptive and impertinent and vulgar.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe slowly dragged himself up to the front corner and faced the wall. \u201cHow could a day that started out so well end up so bad? \u201c Little Joe Cartwright thought again. The room was even hotter and stuffier on this side. He was angry at Beck. He was angrier with Fischer. And he was the angriest at himself for losing his temper and messing up Adam\u2019s battle plan<\/p>\n

Hoss had told him to be patient and it would work.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa is mighty patient. Be like Pa,\u201d Hoss encouraged him each morning in front of the school house. \u201cBe smart like Adam.\u00a0 Use that head of yours for something other than a hat rack Short Shanks, be patient. \u00a0Be smart. Hold your temper.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe let his hot temper get the best of him again. His mind wandered in the stuffy schoolroom. Joe wiped the sweat off his face with shirtsleeve. He swiped his forehead with the back of his hand pushing his thick curly hair off his forehead.<\/p>\n

\u201cA haircut, \u201cJoe thought. Oh no! Pa was going to take him for a haircut after school. Joe hated getting a haircut his entire life. The day was only getting worse.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019I cannot tell a lie,\u2019 the boy said\u201d Miss Lambert droned on.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Chapter 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

The fight hadn\u2019t been Joe\u2019s fault.<\/p>\n

Both Jack Fischer and Tucker Beck delighted in teasing the younger children and picking fights with the smaller boys. Most of the time Fischer was the ringleader but he rarely got into trouble. No adults ever caught on to what was going on when Jack was involved. Most folks in Virginia City thought of Jack Fischer as model student and a fine young gentleman. His father owned of one of the mines and was the employer of many of the men in town who sent their children to school with Jack.<\/p>\n

Sandy haired and tall for his age, Jack was always dressed immaculately and in the finest clothes. His usual strategy was to get Tucker Beck or one of the other Town boys to do the fighting, while Jack feigned innocence and watched regally from the sidelines. His favorite sneaky trick was to extend his long legs into the aisle of the classroom and trip one of the other youngsters with his polished boots. He would apologize profusely and help the target to his feet, sometimes pinching the victim\u2019s side or twisting his arm as he dusted him off with false courtesy.<\/p>\n

Jack had an acute talent for finding out someone\u2019s weakness and preying upon it. If it were big ears or freckles that bothered a fellow and made him feel awkward, Jack would tease him and call him jug head or polka dotty. He insulted sisters, mothers and girlfriends and snatched lunches, homework paper and mittens until his victim lost his temper and initiated a fight. He would needle a child until they lashed out in frustration and then Fischer acted as if he had no idea why the other student was hitting him. The badgered boy might start the fight, but Fischer, Beck or one of their cohorts would certainly finish it.<\/p>\n

That is exactly what Jack did to Daniel and Little Joe that particular day. Prudence, the youngest red haired Lowell girl, the one who was called Puddin’, was wearing new hair bows. Jack Fischer knew that those hair bows could cause quite a ruckus if he tweaked things just right.<\/p>\n

Daniel Lowell was Joe\u2019s closest Town friend ever since the Lowell family had moved to Virginia City from Massachusetts five years earlier. The two boys had hit it off right away. They were the same age and height when they first met and had similar brown curly hair. That was where the resemblance ended.\u00a0 Daniel was quiet, studious and shy. He was fearful of most new things. He was intrigued by Little Joe\u2019s adventurous spirit and willingness to have fun and admired his endless courage. Joe taught Daniel to ride his pony and took him fishing with his brother Hoss.<\/p>\n

The two friends balanced each other well. Daniel, as Ben Cartwright put it, gave Little Joe some ballast.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat boy is like a clipper hauling full sails in a hurricane,\u201d Ben once complained to Mr. Lowell. \u201cMatter of fact that boy is a hurricane. Good thing your Daniel is so level headed he\u2019s kept that youngest boy of mine from crashing into the rocks more than once.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be so hard on him, Ben. Little Joe\u2019s heart is in the right place even if he tends to leap in with both feet before he looks. I\u2019ve seen fellows with a hot temper and no heart and that is a dangerous combination. You have two good boys,\u201d Lindell Lowell said admiringly. \u201c I have a brother and I know how important that is. Matter of fact, my brother loaned me the money to come west and start my store.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have three boys. \u201c Ben corrected his friend. \u201cAnd I\u2019m sure they will always be there for each other for each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThree boys?\u201d Lowell asked. \u201cNow that is a blessing!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy oldest son, Adam, is back east in college. I guess I am pretty proud of all of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dReally, now. That surely is something to boast about. My Missus would love for Daniel to go back East to study. But I told her, no going back for the Lowells. Virginia City is where we are and we are here to stay. All of us Lowells. \u201c<\/p>\n

Ben always thought it was serendipitous that his youngest boy should find a new friend from the east just has his beloved oldest brother had gone east to college. Little Joe was finally settling into living without his mother, when Adam went off and the little boy was a bit troubled by his brother\u2019s departure.<\/p>\n

Daniel\u2019s studious composure reminded Ben of his oldest son at the same age. Both Daniel and Adam quietly examined everything around them and analyzed each decision before acting upon it. As Hop Sing bandaged up Little Joe after one of his most recent mishaps he said \u201cPrudent man talks before he acts.\u201d However, Little Joe paid little heed to that advice.<\/p>\n

Ben thought Daniel\u2019s personality seemed more like Adam\u2019s than the personality of his own youngest brother. Unlike Joe, who jumped into life with both feet kicking and both arms swinging, the Lowell boy held back a bit on the edge and thought long and hard before he acted. He was a bit of a worrier and concerned for everyone\u2019s wellbeing.<\/p>\n

On the other hand Joe and Daniel looked more alike than Joe and any of his own brothers or Daniel with his own sisters. Both the Lowell girls, Andrea and Prudence, had soft coppery red hair and fair skin and were sturdily build. Daniel had the same brown curls and slender build as his friend Little Joe. The two boys had similar coloring and similar heights and weights.<\/p>\n

More than once, the two friends were mistaken for each other or when they were together, folks assumed they were brothers. Little Joe and Daniel delighted in the error and had fun convincing a passing drummer or customer in the Lowell store that the two boys were twin brothers.<\/p>\n

Shy Mrs. Lowell laughed at their antics until her coppery curls bounced. Little Joe was a good friend for her Daniel and she enjoyed having the lively, youngest Cartwright boy around. The second winter the Lowells were in Virginia City, a few nights a week, Joe even slept in their little home over the hardware store.<\/p>\n

This was the first winter Little Joe was attending school without Hoss by his side. Ben had been deeply concerned about Little Joe making it back and forth to school in the cold. Ben\u2019s dependable middle boy, Hoss could always be relied upon to protect his little brother from any harm. Previously, Hoss would have made sure they made it safely home before any winter storm hit. Hoss knew to assess the risk, to watch the clouds and sky, the wind and temperature. He would be sure to leave school early enough to make it home before any storm caught them.\u00a0 Ben knew they could manage to get home even if it meant Hoss breaking through the drifts on foot leading Joe on their horse or even carrying his small brother on his back.<\/p>\n

Left alone to his own judgement, Joe would never make it home safely. He would stay too late in Virginia City or ride carelessly, his coat wide open and get lost or fall head first in a snowdrift. He was far too small and lacked the strength and judgment to make his way safely on his own.<\/p>\n

One afternoon as he helped repair the barn door, Little Joe said, \u201cPa, I have a good solution to getting me back and forth to school during the winter,\u201d Little Joe was smiling devilishly.<\/p>\n

\u201cHand me another nail son,\u201d Ben said as he hammered the new board. \u201cWhat\u2019s your idea, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe handed him a nail. \u201cWhy don\u2019t I just quit school? Ain\u2019t that a fine idea?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dIsn\u2019t Joseph, not \u2018aint\u2019. No son, it isn\u2019t. I don\u2019t think you will be quitting school for quite a while. Certainly not for years and years.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dBut Pa\u2026\u201d the little boy argued.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis one is not negotiable boy, so don\u2019t even try.\u201d Ben gave the nail one last extra hard blow for emphasis.<\/p>\n

The very next Sunday, after church Mr. and Mrs. Lowell came up to Ben and gave him a perfect suggestion. They acknowledged that the rancher couldn\u2019t always spare a hand to ride into town to fetch his little boy or stop his own work on the ranch and that it really was too far a distance for the child to travel alone. The Lowells offered to keep Joe in their home on the nights his father could not see to his safe passage home.<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright accepted their generous offer. He knew this was perfect solution to his dilemma. Little Joe would share Daniel\u2019s bed and go off to school with his buddy and his red haired sisters.<\/p>\n

Even Joe was delighted with the prospect. \u00a0If he couldn\u2019t quit school altogether, this would be a fine compromise. Daniel was his best friend in town and Mrs. Lowell made the best nut cakes and ginger cookies he had ever tasted.\u00a0 She would even kiss him good night, just like she did Daniel when she tucked them into at night.<\/p>\n

After she turned out the lamp, the two little boys giggled under the covers and told each other scary tales. Daniel was the better of the two at making up stories. Joe listened with rapt attention just like he listened to Adam\u2019s tales. Joe was the only one who knew about shy, quiet Daniel\u2019s remarkable ability to imitate any voice he heard. Many nights, in the dark, the two friends invented tales of outlaws and monsters and pirates and wild painted Indians until Andrea, Dan\u2019s older sister, had to come in and tell the boys that they were keeping the whole household awake.<\/p>\n

As soon as she left, the two friends would continue their fun until Mr. Lowell came in. \u201dIf you two boys don\u2019t quiet down right away, you\u2019ll have to sleep in the outhouse,\u201d he would tease them. The two curly heads would pull the covers over their faces and giggle even more.<\/p>\n

Finally, Mrs. Lowell would come in and put an end to their fun with a firm \u201cGood Night\u201d and a final hug and one more kiss on a cheek that Daniel would rub off with the back of his hand but Joe would secretly savor. Joe had almost forgotten how nice it was to have a sweet soft-cheeked Mama tuck him in at bedtime.<\/p>\n

Chapter 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, why don\u2019t I take Little Joe into town with me in the wagon this morning? I have to leave soon anyway to get those papers to Mr. Victor for you and pick up supplies. I can make sure Little Joe gets to school on time too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe had a horrendous record of lateness and truancy when left to his own judgment in getting to school. Many mornings, just as she was about to pull the rope on the school house bell, Miss Lambert spied Joe racing up the road full tilt on his pony A few times she even dawdled herself in pulling the bell rope so he could win his race and not be marked tardy. Joe always left home in plenty of time, Ben or Hop Sing always made sure of it but the boy always seemed to find something to side track him along the way from the ranch to town.<\/p>\n

This particular morning, Joe would ride into town with Hoss in the wagon and for once, arrive on time. That is what Hoss had told their father. Hoss would take Little Joe with him on the wagon and make sure he got into school on time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll watch out for him and get him there on time.\u201d Hoss promised.<\/p>\n

This was not completely true, but the two Cartwright brothers did not want to tell their father the entire story. The two boys figured Ben would either want to get involved himself or he would be angry at his sons. Neither boy wanted to risk having their father being aware of what they were doing. Neither told Ben that the idea was Adam\u2019s battle strategy.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe, if Pa knew Adam is in on this, he is going to be madder than a wet hen. He has enough on his mind now any way.\u201d Hoss explained as he hitched the team to the wagon.<\/p>\n

Hoss was dead wrong.<\/p>\n

If their father was aware of Adam\u2019s involvement, Ben Cartwright would have been thoroughly delighted that his three boys were so close and that Adam was still watching out for his younger brothers from thousands of miles away.<\/p>\n

Chapter 4<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright relaxed in his chair at the head of his dining room table. Hop Sing brought him a second cup of coffee and cleared off the boy\u2019s abandoned breakfast dishes.<\/p>\n

As he enjoyed the steaming coffee, Ben smiled to himself at what a grand day this was starting out to be. The golden sun was shining. The knee he had hurt last winter was almost back to normal and he hadn\u2019t felt the need to favor it for a few weeks.<\/p>\n

The paper work for the lumber bid for Carl Havermeyer was finished and ready to submit. Ben had really sweated over that one.\u00a0 Adam had encouraged his father to attempt the bid. The Virginia City silver mines needed lumber for bracing and the Ponderosa had plenty of fine trees. By expanding his mill and hiring on another timbering crew he could produce the required lumber.\u00a0 It was one of the biggest jobs he had ever bid on but Cartwright had meticulously gone over every detail and was confident his crew could handle the job. If Carl Havermeyer accepted it, the profits could carry the Ponderosa through the next year and expand what he was building for the future of his boys.<\/p>\n

The sun was shining. The cold gray winter was ending.<\/p>\n

Joe was going to get to school on time. And the boy had a smile on his face too.<\/p>\n

Cartwright was confident his bid was going to be accepted.<\/p>\n

Most important, Adam was coming home, home to the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

My dearest Father and Brothers,<\/strong><\/p>\n

I made up my mind and want to tell you that I will be returning home to the Ponderosa at the end of the term this spring when I graduate. I miss you all very much. I wish I could be there sooner but there is much to do here before I can depart.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Boston does not truly hold what I thought it would offer and this is not where I want to remain any longer.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I beg your forgiveness for all the worry I caused you this winter.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I will always appreciate what Marie did for me and will be forever grateful to both of you.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pa, it is impossible to tell you how thankful I was of support and encouragement you gave me all the years I was at college. I will try very hard the rest of my days make it up to you. Thank you for your patience in allowing me to make this decision as my own man.<\/strong><\/p>\n

My grandfather is disappointed in the decision I have made but despite his anger I know I have chosen correctly. If he remains mad at my honest decision, so be it.<\/strong><\/p>\n

You raised me and my brothers to always be truthful and become honorable men. Pa. I will never go against what my father taught me in his words and deeds. I know my brothers will do the same when the time comes for them to go out into the wider world because they are your sons.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I can now understand what you must have experienced with my grandfather<\/strong><\/p>\n

I know now that here are many things you never told me about him out of your respect for my mother and in your concern for me that will remain unsaid.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0I will be coming home to the Ponderosa and my beloved family. I am sure now the Ponderosa is where I belong.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I miss you all very much. And wish I could get there sooner.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Your faithful son and brother,<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam<\/strong><\/p>\n

The letter which had arrived the previous day was the happiest news Ben and his boys had received in a long time. His oldest son was coming home. Only a few more months and Adam would finally be back home from college.<\/p>\n

Ben was a bit confused about some of the things Adam alluded to in his letter. What did Little Joe\u2019s mother have to do with any of this? She had died long before Adam left to go east.<\/p>\n

Something severe must have happened between Adam and his grandfather Abel Stoddard. Something had happened to send Adam back home to the Ponderosa. Ben decided that whatever it was did not really matter. All that really mattered was the outcome that his son Adam was coming home.\u00a0 Ben smiled to himself as he pictured Adam walking through the front door.<\/p>\n

The previous evening, immediately after supper, Ben had sat at his desk and written to Adam. In his letter, Ben told his son how delighted he was about the decision he was making. He described all the updated plans he had for running the ranch with his help – the timber bid, the new machinery for the mill, the horses they could supply to the army. Each of the younger boys had included a brief message to their brother expressing their joy in his decision to come back to the Ponderosa and their affection for him.<\/p>\n

Ben urged Hoss and Little Joe to finish their letters as rapidly as possible. He wanted Hoss to put the letters on the morning stage hoping that Adam would receive them before he left for home. He wanted his son to know how happy they were to welcome him back to the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

Little Joe and Hoss were so excited that neither of them could go to sleep until well past ten .The two younger boys danced all over the house whooping with joy. When Ben insisted they had to go to bed, Ben carried Joe up the stairs in a crazy jig, both boys singing at the top of their voices \u201cAdam is coming home! Adam is coming home! \u201d<\/p>\n

Ben had been waiting nervously since late fall for Adam to make his decision about returning to the Ponderosa. In November, Ben had received a long and carefully worded letter from Adam to his family. He wrote that his studies were going well, that he never had imagined how much there was to learn. He explained that each time he learned something, he discovered that there was still more to unearth on that subject and more areas of knowledge to investigate that he hadn\u2019t even known existed. The libraries and the books and the museums were far beyond anything he imagined when he was a boy. Marie had told him he would love the studying back East. He would always be grateful to Marie for her encouragement and to his father for giving him this life changing opportunity.\u00a0 And, he added, he was very much enjoying life in Boston. The concerts and restaurants and parties were more wonderful and enjoyable than he had imagined.<\/p>\n

Then, at the end of the letter, the bombshell hit. Adam told them how his grandfather had offered him a junior partnership in his shipping firm, Stoddard and Bruce, but Adam was unsure if this was the best situation for him. His grandfather, Abel Stoddard, very much wanted him to stay in Boston when he graduated but Adam missed them, missed Nevada, missed the ranch and needed some time to make up his mind. He hoped they would understand. He had just met an extremely lovely young lady, Miss Liza Bruce, the daughter of Grandfather\u2019s partner, Mr. Bruce. She was very lovely and the offer grandfather was making was very tempting, extremely tempting. He missed them all. He missed the Ponderosa. He truly loved standing on the deck of one of his grandfather\u2019s ships with the wind in his face but he desperately missed riding the mountains and prairies of home. He missed his brothers and his father but Boston was so exciting. And, he added, Liza Bruce was very lovely.<\/p>\n

Adam also wrote that he was unsure what he should do. He hoped that Ben understood that he needed time to weigh out his options, to think, make up his mind to make a good decision. He needed time. Adam was not sure what choice to make and he was positive that his Pa would know what that must be like for a young man. Please, Adam wrote, let his brothers know what was going on and that Adam was facing a dilemma .He knew the younger boys would be concerned about him but no matter what the outcome, Adam wanted them to know he loved them all very much but he needed time to make the right, logical, rational, best decision.<\/p>\n

Please be patient with him he had begged. He loved them and he missed them but he wasn\u2019t sure what he should do. He needed time to make up his mind. He hoped his father understood.<\/p>\n

When he read what Adam wrote, Ben\u2019s heart stopped. Time stood still. He stared at his son\u2019s letter and his stomach churned.<\/p>\n

Ben smoothed out the paper with both hands and slowly reread the letter. Abel Stoddard offered him a partnership. Abe Stoddard had introduced him to a lovely young lady.<\/p>\n

\u201d So lovely Pa\u201d the letter read. \u201cExtremely lovely.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam said that he never saw such a lovely girl before. She had violet eyes and coal black hair that shined like a raven\u2019s wing. Maybe he never would again find such a lovely girl. His grandfather, Abel Stoddard, had introduced them.<\/p>\n

Ben had been assuming his oldest son would be returning home late in the spring and now that assumption was blurring into a gray mass of confusion.<\/p>\n

He clenched his jaw and forced himself to read the letter again and again. Ben felt the hairs rise up the back of his neck as he reread the letter. For an instant, the black pen marks all blurred into a gray swirling mass in front of the rancher\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

Ben could surely understand what it was like to be a young man facing a hard decision about staying or going, to be facing life spread out to the horizon with endless choices and opportunities and not knowing what course to sail. Ben had also felt that sea spray in his face. He had ridden his horse across the mountains and prairies of the Ponderosa. Abel Stoddard had introduced him to a lovely, lovely girl, Abel\u2019s own daughter Elizabeth, Adam\u2019s mother.<\/p>\n

Ben had also known what a clever and stiff-necked man his father-in-law could be when his mind was set on keeping a young man at his side. And how Abel Stoddard would use any means in keeping that young man tied there including finding that young man a wife. Abel Stoddard was a hungry shark. Ben knew that the anger Abel could create with that tight, self-serving control. That fury could fester and simmer and force that young man to not have any contact with Abel for decades.<\/p>\n

Ben had learned more from Abel Stoddard than he could dare count – how to sail a damaged schooner through the roughest seas, to calm the most frightened crew during a dangerous voyage and lead them to work together in harmony, to manage a business ledger, how to meet the enemy head on and face death. He also learned how to make a young man despise you by hobbling him with too short a line so he can serve his master rather than make his own choices.<\/p>\n

Once again, Abel Stoddard\u2019s own selfish need for power and control was deceiving and devouring another young man. Ben knew the young man was his beloved son Adam and he was helplessly watching the retelling of a familiar story.<\/p>\n

Ben knew that only Adam could make his own decision. He could badger his son or insist on Adam returning but Adam needed to make up his own mind. If not, both father and son would regret it for the rest of their days.<\/p>\n

More than anything, Ben wanted to know his son was by his side by choice, not by being lassoed with a short rope and dragged behind his father.<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright was an exceptionally patient man. He had learned that patience from Captain Stoddard by watching the man for months on end during long sea voyages. He increased his perseverance travelling west to find his land. He built more endurance as he established the Ponderosa. He would need that patience now.<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright knew all he could do was wait; wait and pray that Adam made the decision Ben sought.<\/p>\n

Chapter 5<\/strong><\/p>\n

The trap was baited.<\/p>\n

Adam hurried through the door of the Stoddard and Bruce Shipping Company carrying a leather case filled with papers in one hand and a cylinder of rolled charts in the other. He had finally finished drafting plans for the docking area and was ready to show them to his grandfather. It was Adam\u2019s best work. His drawings were flawless and his attention to detail was impeccable. He was sure his grandfather would agree that his proposal was perfect.<\/p>\n

He hoped his friend Dennis was still at his worktable. Adam wanted to share his final draft with him before Dennis left for New York City.<\/p>\n

Adam dashed noisily up the wooden stairs to the wood paneled workroom and called to Dennis O Mara. \u201cGood, you\u2019re still here!\u201d Adam cleared a space on the long wooden table under the window and rolled out his drawings. He weighted down each curling corner with whatever was handy. He sat an inkwell on one corner, a heavy iron bolt on the other and a pair of binoculars held down the other side.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou almost missed me. I\u2019m leaving in tem minutes. Can\u2019t miss that train and embarrass myself to the Captain before I even get started. \u201c<\/p>\n

Dennis was a few years older than Adam. He worked as the chief draftsman and had become Adam\u2019s closest friend in Boston. He had unruly sandy hair and gray eyes. Dennis was just as tall as Adam but broader around the shoulders and chest. He was as jolly as Adam was reserved and together they made a fine team. Young O\u2019Mara had attended Harvard for only one term. Sadly, his college days came to an abrupt end when his father, a captain on one of the Stoddard ships, the\u00a0Sea Breeze, was lost in a North Atlantic storm. Adam\u2019s grandfather offered him a job at the urging of his wife, Martha. Reluctantly Dennis left his studies forever and went to work to support his mother and younger sisters.<\/p>\n

When Adam came east for college, Abel Stoddard had asked young O\u2019Mara to watch out for his grandson, to take him under his wing. Initially, Dennis resented the assignment but feeling he had no other choice, obediently went along with the orders his employer had given him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow I have to nursemaid the Old Man\u2019s spoiled grandson,\u201d he complained loudly to his mother and sisters at their Sunday dinner table.<\/p>\n

Uncle Sean had counselled him. \u201cThe future is not set, Dennis. There is no fate but what we make for ourselves. Just do what you are told and see how it all works out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps the young man has a nicer disposition than the grandfather,\u201d Mrs. O\u2019Mara told her son.<\/p>\n

Once he got to know the younger man, he saw his mother had been right. \u00a0Dennis was glad to spend time with Adam outside of the office and even made him welcome at the O\u2019Mara home. Dennis was delighted to discover Abel Stoddard\u2019s grandson was no \u201cspoiled rich boy\u201d but was level headed and dependable, just as his mother had hoped. What Dennis originally took for smugness or lack of concern was just Adam\u2019s style of carefully thinking things out before he spoke or acted.<\/p>\n

Dennis was delighted to show his new friend all the sights of Boston. He helped him select a wardrobe more appropriate to Harvard than to riding the range. He mentored his new friend through the etiquette of proper Beacon Hill dinner parties and how to deal with pompous professors in lecture halls and classrooms.<\/p>\n

In return, Adam shared every textbook he read and snuck Dennis into many of his classes, especially the larger lectures. He told him all about his two brothers and his father and life out west. Dennis, living as the only male in a household of females reveled in the tales of the boisterous Cartwrights. At work Dennis enjoyed the congenial company of likeable young man close to his age in the office filled with stuffy older married men.<\/p>\n

It was challenging for Adam to be so far away from his family. The first autumn, he was so busy with his studies and the excitement of being in a new city that he didn\u2019t have much time to give in to homesickness. He wrote long letters home each week describing his incredible experiences far from home and waited for the letters his family sent him with news from home.<\/p>\n

As the days got colder and darker and the end of the semester approached Adam realized how home sick he was becoming. Sensing how tough it was for young Cartwright to be so far from home, Dennis invited his new friend to come to the O\u2019Mara\u2019s home for a Christmas celebration.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks Dennis, but I really can\u2019t. My grandparents expect me to be with them for church and Christmas dinner and all\u2026.\u00a0 With Grandmother being so ill, it is going to be pretty quiet. \u201cAdam looked forlorn. He really did want to be with Dennis and the O\u2019Maras but his father had raised him to be respectful and responsible and to do the right thing. Adam felt spending Christmas with his elderly grandfather and ailing grandmother was what his father would have told him to do.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have an idea, College boy. I am sure your folks will be done with all of their celebrating by three or four on Christmas afternoon. The Stoddards surely will go to church in the morning and have a fine mid-day dinner.\u00a0\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you come join my family on Christmas night for supper? My Ma always serves up all the leftovers and all the kids eat and we sing and some of my uncles come over for a few drinks and toasts. \u2026 Just come over. You\u2019ll have a grand time and I am sure it will cheer you up. My father used to say \u201cA Christmas wish — May you never forget what is worth remembering, or remember what is best forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s first Christmas in Boston was difficult for him. On one hand, he was especially proud of his excellent grades his first term. Adam had proved to everyone, especially himself, that he could not only compete with any other student at Harvard but he could best many of them. Even the men who had come from fancy Eastern boarding schools couldn\u2019t match academically with the young Cartwright. Before Adam had left home, Hank Wallace had told him not to worry about his mathematics skills and Hank had been right.<\/p>\n

The education that Adam had received in his early years had been very scattered and patchy, cobbled together piecemeal. As he and his father had moved around so much it had been quite impossible for Adam to attend formal school for more than a couple of months at a stretch. Adam had a great desire to learn and be educated. When Ben could afford it, he would buy Adam books or remain a little longer in a town so the boy could finish a few more weeks of formal schooling.<\/p>\n

Ben spent time at night teaching his young son all the math he had learned over the years, how to navigate by the stars as he had at sea and basic reading and writing. As they made their way west, if his father gave him a spare minute from chores or driving their team or tending to his younger brother, Adam would sit in the back of the wagon reading and writing<\/p>\n

When the Cartwrights crossed paths with someone who had some sort of expertise or knowledge to share, Ben would negotiate for tutoring in exchange for some work by himself or his son. In this way, Adam learned a bit of Latin and Ancient Greek from a minister in Missouri, literature and classics from an Englishman who was headed west and geography and history from a pair of spinster school teachers near St. Louis.\u00a0 Adam would get his father to buy him books and paper and was more than willing to wear worn out boots or make do with shabby trousers if given the choice.<\/p>\n

By the time the Cartwrights were established on the Ponderosa and his two brothers were born, Adam\u2019s education had pretty much surpassed the limited lessons offered in the newly established one room schoolhouse in Virginia City. He had been nervous about his educational limitations once he came to college but his success in his first term shattered any of these doubts.<\/p>\n

In Boston, Adam was invited to many parties. Initially the invitations came out of politeness as he was the recently returned grandson of Captain and Mrs. Stoddard. Some people were fascinated to hear he was a real cowboy from the \u201cWild West\u201d and would ask him to tell them about his life on the ranch. Eventually the likeable young man was always invited back as on his own merits as Adam Cartwright of the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

Despite all the busy days in class and working and studying and the cultural and social excitement, by December, Adam was painfully homesick for his father and brothers. Just few days before the holiday, he did a bit of soul searching trying to determine if he should remain in Boston or return home to the Ponderosa. Adam confided his homesickness to Dennis and told him he was thinking of going back home at the end of the semester.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t give up, Adam. At least tough it out until June and finish out the year. I am sure if you stay until June, you will manage to stay to graduate,\u201d Dennis encouraged him.\u201d I would have given anything to have been able to continue at college after my father was killed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam took his friend\u2019s suggestion. He would try his darndest to hang in and wait until the end of the school year to make up his mind.<\/p>\n

When he became particularly homesick, he would walk the streets until he came to a section high on a hill above the harbor that was less crowded than the rest of Boston. He found a stand of tall pine trees. He would hike up the hill and sit beneath the pines and be completely alone. The solitude and the fragrance of the pines reminded him of the Ponderosa and that was very comforting to him.<\/p>\n

Christmas dinner at his Grandparents was served promptly at noon. It was a quiet meal served by the butler to Adam, and his grandparents after they attended church and quietly opened a few gifts in the parlor.\u00a0 His grandmother, who had been in fragile health when her long lost grandson returned to Boston, grew weaker as the fall turned to winter.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Martha Stoddard said smiling at her grandson. \u201cYou don\u2019t know how joyous it has made me having you back in this house. I never thought we would ever see you again. Having you here has made this a very happy Christmas for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd for me too,\u201d said the Captain. He held up his glass and proposed a toast. \u201cTo my grandson Adam!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMay we celebrate Christmas together years and years to come,\u201d Adam added.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 6<\/strong><\/p>\n

Martha Stoddard\u2019s health had precipitously declined. By spring, she had weakened terribly and took to her bed. Adam spent many afternoons at her bedside sharing conversation or reading to her or telling her about his life on the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish your mother could have seen you. She would have been so proud. Adam, promise me that you won\u2019t give up on your studies. When things get difficult, don\u2019t give up. I have faith in you, Dearest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded and held her hand. She grew weaker day by day and died just before Easter.<\/p>\n

Adam missed her greatly. He barely known Martha Stoddard from her rare letters to him when he was growing up on the Ponderosa but she clearly cared deeply for him. He was eternally grateful that he had come to Boston when he did and had the opportunity to spend any time with her no matter how brief it was. His grandmother told him about Elizabeth\u2019s childhood and things that she had done as a young girl, how Adam had looked as a black haired baby and how much she missed him when Ben had snatched him away to go west. For some reason she always got a bit upset when he mentioned his father. Since Adam had no desire to disturb a sick, elderly woman he never had the courage to ask her what had happened between his father and Captain Stoddard. Once she was gone, Abel never offered to tell his grandson the story and Adam certainly never had the courage to ask his unapproachable grandfather.<\/p>\n

Adam rushed between classes and studies and working at Stoddard and Bruce. Occasionally, he and Dennis O\u2019Mara would share a round of beers at his uncle\u2019s tavern, the Golden Shamrock, after work.<\/p>\n

Slowly, Dennis came to know Adam as hard working and intelligent and was surprised that the \u201cOld Man\u201d had such an honorable grandson. He had already observed that Stoddard was often willing to bend the facts in his favor to strike a lucrative deal or step over anyone who got his way but Adam was nothing like him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere I come from a man\u2019s word is his bond, \u201cAdam explained. \u201cI\u2019ve seen more than one fellow get shot or hung from a noose for shorting someone in a poker game or double-dealing a horse trade or taking inappropriate liberties with a lady. Besides, that is not how my Pa raised us. He would tan our hide if we lied to him. And trust me, Dennis; we were punished much more for the lie to slide out of a misdeed than for any bad conduct. With Ben Cartwright as your father, you learned to tell him the truth on the first go round rather than be found out later on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dennis laughed at the thought of young Adam quaking in his boots giving his father a confession.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd does that honesty always carry over to how you Cowboys treat their young ladies?\u201d Dennis asked taking a swallow from his beer.<\/p>\n

\u201dSure, don\u2019t want to be facing the business end of some angry father\u2019s shot gun or have some pistol packing brothers showing up one morning with the preacher.\u201d Adam laughed. He signaled the barmaid to bring another pitcher of beer.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how honest are those young ladies?\u201d Dennis asked him, his voice suddenly serious. \u201cEver been in love, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam blushed and swallowed the last bit of beer in his glass mug, thinking of what to say to his older, more experienced friend. Dennis drained the last bit from his glass and signaled his uncle behind the bar for another beer.<\/p>\n

\u201cEver been in love with an honest woman? Nothing will break a man like being in love with a dishonest woman.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam raised an eyebrow quizzically. He refilled his mug and his friend\u2019s from the pitcher the bar maid brought. Then he took a pull from his beer. \u201cAre you that broken man, my friend?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dennis nodded. \u201cTo be sure, my boy. I was once in love with a raven-haired lass and she broke my heart. She told me that she loved me too. But to tell the honest truth, College Boy, it seems I was not rich enough for neither her nor her fancy pants, upper crust father. She sailed to Europe and never answered my letters. Not a one.\u201d<\/p>\n

He took another swallow of his drink and stared at his reflection in the mirror over the bar. Sean was at the other end of the bar swapping jokes with a few tipsy sailors as he wiped the top of the bar with a rag.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo Adam, my boy, that is the sad tale of being in love with a dishonest woman and the story of my broken heart and shattered spirit. And let it be a lesson from me to you on something very important but right now I am too drunk to tell you what.\u201d Dennis grinned drunkenly.<\/p>\n

Adam smiled and nodded. \u201cWell, I guess you could have wound up on the business end of a shot gun.\u201d he teased. \u201cThat would be far worse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat may have been easier.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 7<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cDennis, what do you really think? Tell me the truth,\u201d Adam said as he rolled out the sketches on the table. Cartwright was appreciative of all the help Dennis had given him the last four years and was happy to show him his latest work. He weighted down each curling corner with whatever was handy, an inkwell on one corner, a heavy iron bolt on the other. A pair of binoculars held down the other side.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe front side will be faced in stone. And with the ramps on the east end, the ships can be offloaded right to the warehouse much more quickly. And I added the extra bracing to the pilings like you suggested.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want the truth?\u201d Dennis nodded as he examined the plans with his arm draped over Adam\u2019s shoulders. \u201cYou did a grand job, my friend. You certainly did. I am really proud of you. \u201d<\/p>\n

He shook Adam\u2019s hand. \u201cI won\u2019t be back until after New Year\u2019s. So write to me and tell me what your grandfather had to say.\u00a0 I am sure it will take me at least that long to examine all those new Bruce properties in New York and write all the reports Captain Stoddard wants.\u201d<\/p>\n

He helped Adam to gather up the papers.\u00a0 \u201cThe old man, er\u2026 Captain Stoddard wants to see you up in his office, Adam. Show him the plans. They are more than ready, Adam. He might not tell you but you did a very fine job.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dennis straightened out Adam\u2019s lapels and patted him on the shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood job, son,\u201c he said in mock seriousness. \u201dJust don\u2019t trip over those big cowboy feet as you walk down stairs, College Boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grinning, Adam stacked all the papers together. \u201cDo you really think it is ok?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dJust go talk to your grandfather and stop fishing for compliments.\u201d Dennis said as he shoved his friend towards the stairs leading up to Abel Stoddard\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

Adam clattered up the stairs but paused halfway up and called over his shoulder, \u201cDennis!\u00a0 Have a good trip!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam hesitated for a moment at his grandfather\u2019s office door and straightened his tie. He drew in a deep breath, stood for a moment, just holding the cool smoothness of the handle in his hand, looking at the rich polished grain of the dark wood. He knocked firmly on the oversized carved oak doors leading to the captain\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam? Come in, my boy! \u201c<\/p>\n

Cartwright opened the door and walked over to his grandfather\u2019s desk.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood afternoon Grandfather, I brought these plans to show you and \u2026Oh, I didn\u2019t realize you weren\u2019t alone. Excuse me, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dAdam, you know Mr. Bruce?\u201d<\/p>\n

Charles Bruce stood up from his straight back chair and shook Adam\u2019s hand vigorously.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Miss Liza Bruce. May I present my grandson Adam Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sitting to Mr. Bruce\u2019s left was the loveliest woman Adam had ever seen in his entire life. She had black hair and an alabaster complexion. Her wide violet eyes looked straight into Adam\u2019s eyes as she extended a gloved hand. \u201cMr. Cartwright. Your grandfather and my father have told me so much about you. I am so pleased to finally meet you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam clasped her tiny hand. She smiled at him.<\/p>\n

\u201dLiza has just returned from school in Switzerland. She was there the last few years.\u201d Charles said. \u201cWe just came by to see if you and Abel would join us for dinner. It is time Liza met some suitable young gentlemen now that she is back in Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell Charles, I don\u2019t know. Adam here may already have plans\u2026\u201d Abel instantly said giving Adam a polite excuse if he wasn\u2019t interested in the dinner with the Bruces.<\/p>\n

\u201dOh no, Grandfather. I have absolutely no plans. I would love to have dinner with Miss Bruce. \u201cAdam smiled.\u201d And Mr. And Mrs. Bruce too.\u201d He added awkwardly. He certainly didn\u2019t want to seem impolite.<\/p>\n

I would cancel any plans I had and to spend time with this beautiful girl. I would swim across Boston Harbor towing an anchor in my teeth while sharks nibbled on my toes, Adam thought. \u201cI have absolutely no plans, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam realized he was still holding Liza\u2019s hand and blushed as he reluctantly let it go. She smiled and her sparkling violet eyes looked straight into his. He boldly returned her gaze.<\/p>\n

\u201cWonderful!\u00a0 Abel, Adam. We will see you at eight o\u2019clock\u201d Bruce said walking to the door. \u201dLiza?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGoodbye Captain Stoddard, Mr. Cartwright. I will be looking forward to this evening.\u201d Liza smiled coyly over her shoulder at Adam as she followed her father out of the office.<\/p>\n

The trap was baited.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Part 2 <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Waiting<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

For weeks Ben Cartwright had deliberated on the letter Adam had sent him from Boston saying he might not return to the Ponderosa after he graduated.<\/p>\n

Ben had read the letter over and over in the next few weeks until he had memorized it. He knew every word in that letter by heart but he still kept reading it as if something might change. He would wake up late at night and wander the house sleeplessly trying to decide what he should write to his son. He wanted Adam to come home. He wanted his eldest son beside him to help build the ranch for all the boys. There were nights Ben wished he could saddle his horse and ride day and night to Adam in Boston, hog tie him and drag him back home.<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright needed to be a patient man, to bide his time. He knew in his heart that this was where Adam belonged, here on the Ponderosa. He wanted to write this to his son in no uncertain terms but he also knew the wrong words could work against him. The exact right words might bring his son home.<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright mentally wrote and rewrote the letter as he tended the cattle and fixed the fences. He thought about it as he watched his ranch hands bring the herd into the winter pastures. Ben sat at his desk and wrote letters to Adam over and over. Again and again he rejected each draft fighting with the words until the words became meaningless. His big hands were stained with ink and his head was pounding from frustration.<\/p>\n

Ben hadn\u2019t wanted to tell his two younger sons about the letter from Adam and what it implied but his boys clearly could see their father\u2019s distress. He avoided their questions off but he never lied to them.<\/p>\n

It all came to a head about three weeks after he received the letter. Ben had been up all night chewing out his dilemma, arguing with Adam in his dreams, tossing and turning and dreaming of the horrible dispute he had with Abel two decades before. In the nightmare, the fight got all twisted up. In the awful dream, Ben had his hands around his father-in- law\u2019s throat and Ben was shouting at him. Adam was an infant and was crying relentlessly somewhere nearby. Ben searched franticly but couldn\u2019t find his son in dark, cold Stoddard house, the same huge house Ben last saw close to twenty years earlier. Then he heard his other sons calling and pleading for him. He heard Hoss and Little Joe screaming \u201cPa! Pa! Help us!\u201d and he couldn\u2019t find them in the Stoddard House that suddenly exploded in flames around him.<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright sat bolt upright in his own bed in a cold sweat, his heart pounding. The blankets and sheet were knotted around his legs. His hands were clenched as if he were still trying to choke Stoddard. The ranch house was still and quiet around him. A full moon was shining brightly outside his window and he could see Lake Tahoe like as silver thread beyond the bare trees.<\/p>\n

Climbing out of bed, Ben put on the robe that had been hanging on a brass hook by his door. He walked barefoot down the familiar moonlit hallway. His heart was still beating in his ears like a drum. The nightmare left with a dry mouth and a feeling of panic rising in his throat.<\/p>\n

He missed his oldest son with all his heart.<\/p>\n

He crept down the hall to check on his younger sons in their beds. Hoss was snoring loudly, sleeping on his back, his big feet sticking out the end of the quilt. He walked into Little Joe\u2019s room.\u00a0The small boy\u2019s\u00a0feet were at the top of the bed and his curly head was at the foot. His father gently rearranged the boy to have his head at the top of his bed and then covered him with his blankets. The house was getting cold.<\/p>\n

Ben walked downstairs into the great room. Then he moved directly over to the\u00a0sideboard and poured himself a full snifter of brandy from the cut glass decanter. He took a small swallow of the golden liquid. Then he took another and then a third. He felt the warmth trail down his throat into his belly.<\/p>\n

He walked over to the large stone fireplace and looked into the hearth. Holding the snifter of brandy in his left hand the rancher, picked up the heavy, black iron poker in his right and prodded the banked fire back into life. Sparks shot up the chimney. He reached into the wood box and tossed some small logs into the hearth. Sitting in his red leather chair, Ben starred into the flames and drank his brandy.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbel, I did what you requested. I gave you a second chance with Adam.\u00a0 I let him come to know you on his own\u2026 to make up for all the years that were lost to you\u2026 I let him go to your college, to see your world, to read all the books\u2026 I kept my part of the bargain\u2026. You keep your part, Abel, you devious, underhanded covetous bastard. Don\u2019t you dare steal my son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, come in here, \u201c Captain Abel Stoddard\u2019s commanding voice echoed down the long hall echoing off the paneled walls and marble floor. \u201cI want to talk to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam stopped his studying. He walked down the long paneled hallway from the front parlor to his grandfather\u2019s book lined library in the rear of the house. Abel was seated at his desk facing Adam as he entered. Charles Bruce was sitting on the right side of the desk in a high backed chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cSon, I want to have a serious talk with you. Sit down.\u201d Captain Stoddard pointed to a small, brocade-covered chair to the left of his massive desk. Stoddard stood up next to his seated grandson.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are a very capable young man. I have watched how well you are doing in college and am very pleased about everything I hear about you in the office. Mr. Bruce here has observed this as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

If they stood side by side, broad shouldered Adam was a head taller than his gray haired grandfather. Stoddard would never admit that he resented that his grandson had inherited his height from his father, Ben Cartwright. Captain Stoddard always arranged to have a larger man sit while he stood over him. He could look down at his adversary as they spoke forcing the other man to look up at him. It usually made him feel uncomfortable and intimidated by the Captain. In most situations, this strategy made Captain appear more formidable and dominant and would earn him a victory.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, \u201cAbel continued.\u201d I want to offer you a junior partnership in Stoddard and Bruce. I want you to remain right here in Boston and make this your home. \u201c<\/p>\n

Adam was taken aback. He loved Boston but had never really considered the possibility of not returning home to the Ponderosa. He had been corresponding with his father for many months about various projects they could work on once Adam returned home. They wrote about expanding the mill and providing lumber for the mines, improving the herds, things that Adam knew would be profitable for the Ponderosa. Adam was looking forward to implementing these innovations and working with his father and brothers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026 I don\u2019t know what to say, Grandfather. I really hadn\u2019t thought about this \u2026staying here\u2026I sort of\u00a0was planning on going home after graduation. I am truly honored by your offer. Thank you, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow can you refuse, boy?\u00a0 Someday Stoddard and Bruce can belong to Adam Cartwright. I\u2019m an old man. And Charles Bruce has no sons.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me think about this Grandfather. I need to weigh this out. I am not sure what I should do.\u201d Polite, analytical Adam spoke carefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn! \u201cthought Stoddard. Any other young man would have leaped at this chance. Why did his grandson have to be so vexatious? I will just have to sweeten the pot.<\/p>\n

Abel smiled benevolently at his grandson. \u201cCertainly, son. Certainly. You have a few months until graduation and I am sure something will help you to make up your mind. Then you will see that my generous offer is an opportunity you cannot refuse. Sit there a minute. I want to show you something, Adam. I wasn\u2019t\u00a0really going to share this with you quite yet, but you forced my hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stoddard turned his back on Adam. He smiled at Charles Bruce as he strolled over to the wall safe and carefully opened it. He pulled out a black lacquered box that he had brought back from a long ago sea voyage. Inside was a purple velvet pouch, the exact same purple as Liza Bruce\u2019s beautiful eyes.<\/p>\n

Stoddard smiled thinking of his late wife and how he would use her memory to get exactly what he wanted from his grandson. She was the only one who ever could tell Abel Stoddard what to do or how to do it. \u201cThis belonged to your grandmother. She wanted you to have it when the time was right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy grandmother?\u201d When Adam came to Boston, his grandmother was ailing and quite fragile and had been so pleased to see the grandson she thought had been lost to her. Martha Stoddard had watched her husband Abel awkwardly attempt to make some sort of cordial relationship with the young man. She had shown Adam great deal of affection which her grandson returned with an open heart. She died the spring after Adam had arrived in Boston.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour grandmother wanted you to have this, when the time was right.\u201d Abel repeated. He pulled a sparkling diamond ring from the pouch. The gem had been stored in his safe since Abel purchased it few months earlier from a competitor who was having financial problems. \u201cThis is for you to give to a lovely young lady.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled thinking of the lovely Liza Bruce.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what to say, Grandfather. I\u2026I just don\u2019t know what to say. Could you give me some time to think?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dDon\u2019t take too long, Adam. Such lovely girls are very rare and often have many other suitors. You don\u2019t want to miss your opportunity.\u201d The Captain carefully put the dazzling diamond away in the violet velvet sack. \u201cRemember, you may never catch the wind if you don\u2019t raise your main sail fast enough, young man.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was midnight.<\/p>\n

Adam Cartwright hurried home, to the Stoddard house through the quiet cobblestone streets of Boston. The sound of his footsteps echoed off the buildings. He turned up his collar against the icy gusts coming off the Charles River. A full moon lit the sky and the stars seemed brighter than he had ever seen in a Boston night sky.<\/p>\n

It was a magical night. He couldn\u2019t believe his good fortune these recent weeks. Within a few days he had earned the highest grades in his class on his exams, he had been offered a wonderful position in his Grandfather\u2019s firm and most important, he had met the lovely raven haired Liza Bruce, the most fascinating woman he had ever known. How lucky can one man be?<\/p>\n

During the last few weeks, Adam had been her constant escort to parties and dinners and even to the opera. He had held her in his arms and inhaled her intoxicating flowery perfume. He had kissed her cherry red lips and gazed into those incredible violet eyes until he thought he would explode.<\/p>\n

How had he existed before he met Liza?<\/p>\n

Tonight, he had escorted her to the Winter Ball at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Van Dyne. The son of the host was home from Yale on a visit and spent most of the dinner asking Adam about life in Nevada. Teddy Van Dyne enthusiastically asked to know everything about their horses and cattle and if Adam had ever shot a buffalo or seen an Indian. Liza sat by his side encouraging him to tell one story after another.<\/p>\n

Adam Cartwright and Liza Bruce had taken\u00a0the dance floor first, surrounded and admired by the other guests. They made a handsome couple, he in his silver waistcoat and mid night black suit, and she in her swirling, cobalt dress with jet beading. Her amethyst earrings glittered in the candlelight and she smiled up at him. He held her, gingerly at first, very much aware of all the eyes on them. That evening, Adam knew he was with the most exquisite woman at the party and the envy of every single man that evening.<\/p>\n

As they danced, Adam ran his hands over her bare shoulder and down her back to her waist, feeling the warmth of her body through the blue satin of her dress. Her waist was so small he could span it with his hands. He felt the touch of her breath on his face and smelled the alluring sweetness of the perfume in her upswept hair.\u00a0 He became very much aware of the closeness of her body as they danced. \u201cI love you Liza,\u201d he whispered in her ear. Then they melted into each other\u2019s arms, drowning in each other\u2019s eyes, and for all Adam knew, or cared, the rest of the world might have ceased to exist.<\/p>\n

After dancing, she had led him into a dark corner of the hall and reached up pulling Adam\u2019s face down to meet her face. Their lips met and she kissed him passionately. He drew her tightly to him and closed his mouth gently over hers in a long, and lingering kiss He wanted to hold her, to crush her to him. He had never met such a lovely woman. Not only was she was a lovely woman who permitted him\u00a0to kiss her, but she encouraged it. Adam\u2019s head spun and he couldn\u2019t think clearly.<\/p>\n

Indeed, Adam Cartwright was a very fortunate man.<\/p>\n

Chapter 4<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben awakened many mornings more tired than when he went to bed the night before. He had black circles under his eyes each morning and looked haggard. The sleepless night were starting to get the best of him.<\/p>\n

Two nights before, he had awakened again from his nightmares about trying to find Adam. He got up and walked down stairs to drink brandy and stare into the flickering fire. Another sleepless night of worry about Adam\u2019s decision. This was becoming a nightly routine. Nightmares, brandy, sitting downstairs until he fell asleep on the settee or in his red leather chair.<\/p>\n

Just before dawn, Cartwright awoke sitting in his chair, the blue blanket from Hoss\u2019s bed was covering him. Joe and Hoss were sleeping toe to toe on the settee covered with Ben\u2019s coat from the hall rack.\u00a0 His boys had come down to \u201cguard him\u201d in the night. They obviously were worried about their father.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t go on like this anymore,\u201d Ben thought. \u201cI am making these boys take care of me, a grown man. Instead of me protecting my boys, they are tending to me.\u201d He gently picked up Joe and carried him back up to his own bed. He left Hoss on the settee and covered him with the blanket.<\/p>\n

The next morning, after his sleepless night, Ben only the taste for a cup of coffee despite Hop Sing\u2019s arguments. Hoss had noticed how worn and upset his Pa was and was doing his level best to shoulder more chores and lighten his father\u2019s load. He had awakened at dawn and done most of the morning chores before coming to breakfast. \u201cMaybe you should have Doc Martin check you out, Pa if\u2019n you are still sick today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sick, son,\u201d Ben said. \u201cWhat makes you think I\u2019m sick?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that all you are eating? \u201cLittle Joe commented on his Pa\u2019s lack of appetite and lack of conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201dI\u2019m fine, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, are you mad at me and Hoss?\u201d his smallest son whispered in a cautious voice. Joe looked quite upset. His green eyes looked up at Ben at the head of the dining room table. The boy was trying not to cry. Hoss poked at the eggs on his plate, clearly too disturbed by his father\u2019s behavior to be hungry.<\/p>\n

Ben looked at each of\u00a0his beloved son\u2019s\u00a0up turned faces and finally realized by saying nothing about Adam\u2019s letter he was hurting the boys more than if he told them just what was happening. They were imagining far worse things than the reality. Ben realized that in his concern for one son, he was abandoning the other two\u00a0 He had to explain what was going on to both of them even if he had no solution.<\/p>\n

Ben cleared his throat. He took another sip from his coffee cup and put it down on the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo boys, I am not sick and I\u2019m not mad at you either. I just have a lot on my mind right now. Adam wrote me a letter a while back. He had wanted me to share some news with you so you wouldn\u2019t worry. Your brother loves you both very much but I guess I didn\u2019t trust his judgment about this. I\u00a0figured incorrectly that not\u00a0telling you boys what was going on between us would be better for you boys. But I was wrong. I am sorry for worrying you boys. I was wrong and Adam was right. I just didn\u2019t want to worry you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe and Hoss looked at each other. Little Joe was pretty scared. What had his brother written? He didn\u2019t recall his pa ever saying anything such a pained tone. \u201cIs Adam sick, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

The tall grandfather clock ticked loudly in the silence of the ranch house.<\/p>\n

Cartwright rose from the breakfast table, walked over to his desk and fetched Adam\u2019s letter from the carved, mahogany box on top of the shelf near the window. Ben stared for a minute at the map of his beloved Ponderosa that was hanging on the wall behind his desk. He turned and walked back to the table. \u201cOk boys, here is what I have been keeping from you.\u201d<\/p>\n

He took another swallow from his coffee cup. He took a deep breath and started to read the words he could recite by heart.<\/p>\n

Both young brothers listened earnestly as their father\u2019s deep voice read the letter to them. Lovely girls, books, restaurants, parties and the offer by Adam\u2019s grandfather. Half way through Little Joe got up from his seat and climbed into his Pa\u2019s lap. He needed to be closer to his father and to see Adam\u2019s words for himself. Ben pulled his smallest boy closer as he read his oldest son\u2019s words. His left arm was wrapped around Little Joe in a tight hug and he held Adam\u2019s letter in his right hand. Ben rested his unshaven cheek against Joe\u2019s curly hair drawing comfort from the closeness of his youngest boy. Little Joe stared at the white paper in Pa\u2019s big calloused hand struggling to make sense of the words Adam had written.<\/p>\n

Hoss took a deep breath. He had to think about this, take in all of the words his father had read.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, what do we do? \u2018Hoss asked. \u201cCan\u2019t you just tell him to come right back home? He has to listen to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded, his eye wide.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Boys, we just have to wait and let Adam think this one out for himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dNo Pa, you go get him and bring him home to me. \u201cLittle Joe demanded. \u201cGo now Pa! I miss him. He said he was coming back when he went away. He promised. He did Pa. He can\u2019t stay with his Grandfather.\u201d Joe started to weep. \u201cHe promised, Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss looked stricken and stared down at the cold eggs on his plate and put down his fork. \u201cPa, Joe is right. Adam promised to come back. He has to keep his promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dBoys, we have to be patient and wait this one out.\u201d Ben pulled Joe to him and held him close. \u201cSometimes you just have to be patient and let things take their own course. Like waiting for the tide to rise or winter to end or a calf to be born.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss got up from the table and put his arms around his brother and his father. \u201cGuess you know best Pa\u2026 but I wish there was more we could do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll we can do it wait, son. Your brother has to make up his own mind. He is a grown man now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was not good at waiting and he knew he needed to figure some way to convince his brother Adam to get home. Adam had promised him and Cartwrights keep their promises. Cartwright brothers stuck together. Little Joe knew he had to do something to bring Adam home.<\/p>\n

Chapter 5<\/strong><\/p>\n

Three weeks after Ben received Adam\u2019s letter, he and Hoss were riding up the slick, snowy trail to check on the stock in Long Meadow. Both were bundled up against the frigid gray day. Ben\u2019s dark mood did little to make working with him easy or pleasant. Most of the hands were giving the boss wide berth. They stuck their noses into their chores and only spoke to boss when they had no other choice. That particular day, only easy going Hoss could stand being with him when they rode out to check how the herds and the fences were fairing after the latest snow. Ben was bone weary and there was plenty of work to do during the short hours of daylight. The dampness in the air and chill in the gusting wind told both riders that more snow was on the way.<\/p>\n

Hoss studied the sky again, for the third time that morning. He had a bad feeling about the looming clouds and northern wind that was whipping off the lake. He was certain there was going to be another snowstorm, and soon. As he urged his horse along the bluff, he decided to tell Pa that they should finish up their chores and head back for home.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa looks like we\u2019re in for a big blow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded grimly looking at the darkening sky. \u201cI agree, Son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we head in?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s finish what we started out to do. Take the right fork son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, you sure you want to go that way through the woods? It is pretty steep going\u2026icy too. Maybe we should head around the south side. It may be a bit longer but it is flatter and less icy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dJust go.\u201d Ben growled impatiently. The lack of sleep was definitely taking its toll on both his nerves and judgement. The midnight brandy and morning coffee was not helping resolve anything. Ben kicked his heels into the side of his horse and headed up the trail ahead of his son.<\/p>\n

Tall in the saddle, Ben was lost in a fog of worry about Adam and not paying attention to the snowy trail or the low hanging pine limbs. Frosted with the weight of the damp snow, many of the boughs dangled low over the trail.<\/p>\n

\u201dHustle up Hoss.\u201d Ben snapped leading his son down the steep trail. \u201cIt is getting dark I want to be done checking that stock before nightfall.\u201d<\/p>\n

Carelessly, the rancher turned around in the saddle to look over his shoulder at his son without thinking about the low hanging tree limbs.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa! Look out!\u201d Hoss shouted.<\/p>\n

Before he could avoid it, Ben\u2019s head thudded into one of the sagging branches. His hat flew off and a shower of wet snow sprayed to the ground. Ben\u2019s horse hit an icy patch, stumbled and pitched Ben headlong down the hill.<\/p>\n

Hoss quickly pulled his mount to a halt. The sixteen year old leaped off his horse and half ran and half slid down the slope after his fallen father. Ben lay sprawled in a heap at the base of a drift.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa! Are you ok! Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked up at his bellowing bearlike son lumbering down the hill. He didn\u2019t feel any pain more than foolish hurt pride at the tumble he had taken. He was sat up and laughed at the sight of the Hoss barreling down the slope like a crazed grizzly.<\/p>\n

By the time Hoss reached him, Ben was checking himself out for injuries.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa are you ok?\u201d The boy picked up his father\u2019s hat from half way up the hill and dusted the snow from it.<\/p>\n

There was a gash on Ben\u2019s forehead from the branch and a few scrapes but he felt ok. \u201cI\u2019m fine son, guess all these heavy clothes and the snow kept me from getting hurt too bad. I have a pretty hard head.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you hurt anything?\u201d the worried boy asked handing his father his hat.<\/p>\n

\u201dJust my pride. Give me my hat and a hand son. I feel like a gol dang fool\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss extended a big paw to Ben and yanked his father upright.<\/p>\n

\u201dOoof!\u201d Ben grunted. \u201cAll excepting my left knee. Whew.\u201d Ben let out a breath as he put his weight on his legs to stand up and his knee buckled. Help me up the hill, Boy.\u201d He gritted his teeth and leaned against his husky son.<\/p>\n

Ben rested his weight on the right leg and Hoss put his arm around him. \u201cLean on me Pa, I\u2019ll bring you over to that rock and then I\u2019ll go get your horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss helped his father over to a rocky out cropping and went back up the hill to lead his father\u2019s horse over to him. With his son\u2019s help, Ben grabbed the saddle and swung himself up on his horse, still feeling more foolish than injured.<\/p>\n

By the time they reached the house, Ben\u2019s knee had really started to swell and get hot and he started to feel even more annoyed with himself about his carelessness. Hoss helped him into the house and bandaged him up.<\/p>\n

\u201cWant me to ride into town for the Doc?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dWhat for Son? To tell him your Pa has a hard head and less sense than the town drunk? No boy, you did just fine. Besides, a storm is on the way and there is no need for you or the doc to get caught in it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben realized he was lucky he wasn\u2019t hurt more seriously. \u201cCan\u2019t believe what I did,\u201d he said to Hoss. \u201cGood thing you were there to give me a hand and get me back on my horse and home safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGlad to help, Pa,\u201d Hoss said as he gathered up the mess from bandaging up his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really have to think about my other boys\u2026 if I break my fool neck and Adam stays in Boston\u2026. What would become of Hoss and Little Joe?\u201c Ben thought. He knew he could not let this fog in his brain destroy what he did have. Nothing was more important to him than his sons and he had to start taking care of his boys like a father, not his boys taking care of some fool drunk riding around the Ponderosa crashing into trees with his head.<\/p>\n

Ben spent the next few days resting on the settee with his leg propped upon a pillow. Hop Sing fussed over him and muttered in Chinese. Doc Martin had ridden out one afternoon to check on Ben after Little Joe had \u201caccidentally\u201d bumped into the physician after school and \u201caccidentally\u201d let it slip out that his Pa was laid out on the settee with a hurt leg and big lump on his head.<\/p>\n

Ben eventually worked out what he would write to his son.\u00a0 He limped over to his desk and put pen to paper.<\/p>\n

Dear Adam,<\/strong><\/p>\n

I know how hard this must be for you, my son. I was once a young man not knowing whether to stay in the East or go west.\u00a0 A man must pick his own path in life for himself, from his own heart and his own head.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Whatever decision you make, whether you chose to stay in Boston or return here to the ranch or take another course in life, the choice must be yours to make. I respect your ability to make this decision on your own and plot a true course on your own life.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Whatever the outcome, I am very proud of you and will always be proud of you, my son.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam I love you with all my heart.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I will be waiting patiently for you to decide what path to pick.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We all miss you very much.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Your father<\/strong><\/p>\n

Then it was a just a matter of waiting.<\/p>\n

His mood turning grayer as the long winter days wore on but Ben Cartwright drew on a reserve of patience he never knew he had.<\/p>\n

Chapter 6<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe, what\u2019s wrong with you?\u201d Kate Wallace plopped down next to her friend at recess. They sat in the shaded corner of the school house between the rickety back steps and the outhouse. It was far away from the playground where their classmates were enjoying the break from lessons. \u201cAre you sick?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe Cartwright was sitting very quietly, his back to the clapboard wall of the building. Usually he was at the epicenter of the running and jumping herd of all the little boys chasing each other around at recess time.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave me alone.\u201d Joe muttered. She realized he was crying and didn\u2019t want anyone to see him. He wiped his nose on his sleeve.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sick? Did you get hurt?\u201d Kate persisted. She was not known for backing down when she wanted to know something. Her mother said she was just like her Uncle Foster, the editor of the Territorial Enterprise, in this respect.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m not sick.\u201d he said forlornly.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cIt\u2019s something my Pa told Hoss and me yesterday. He said my brother Adam might not come back home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Katie vaguely remembered Adam Cartwright. He was older than Hoss, much older than she and Little Joe were. Long ago, Adam had often come to the Wallace house to visit with her father. He would bring Little Joe to play with Kate while he sat with her father at the kitchen table talking about becoming and engineer and studying mathematics. Hank Wallace helped the young man learn most of the more advanced mathematics he needed to pass the entrance exams for college. Even now, years later, there would be letters sent back and forth between Joe\u2019s big brother and her father.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy is Adam doing that?\u201d Kate asked. She slid down next to Joe and leaned against the school house wall unconcerned if her dress got dirty. \u201cWhy won\u2019t he come home?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d Joe sniffed one last time and rubbed his the tears from his eyes with his dirty fist. Joe\u2019s eyes were red and his dirty face tear streaked. He would be mortified that any of the boys should see him crying but he knew Kate wouldn\u2019t tell anyone. They often trusted each other with secrets.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy brother wrote a letter to my Pa and said there are all these things for him in Boston, like pretty ladies and fine places to eat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI got to do something, Kate. Pa said we have to wait for him to make up his mind but that ain\u2019t good enough for me. I can\u2019t wait that long. Do you think I should go to Boston and bring him back home?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dGee Joe, Boston is awfully far away! \u00a0It would take you weeks and months to get there. \u201d Kate shook her head at Joe. She had never seen Joe so forlorn and she felt terribly for him even though her friend clearly had no idea how far away Boston was from Nevada Territory. Didn\u2019t he ever do his geography homework or look at a map?<\/p>\n

\u201cWeeks and months?\u201d Joe looked even more miserable.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe you could write to him and tell him that you want him home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dBut he said there are special things for him in Boston. That\u2019s what Pa read in the letter.<\/p>\n

\u201dSo tell him there are special things here in Virginia City and then you can lure him back home. Just like when you go fishing and put a big fat juicy worm on your line.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe laughed at her remark and he pictured himself baiting his fishing line with a fat worm, tossing it into the creek and pulling out his oldest brother all wet and dripping.\u00a0 \u201cWould you help me write the letter?\u201d
\n\u201dSure I will.\u201d Kate smiled; glad she could cheer him up. \u201cWhat are friends for, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 7<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam looked at the envelope sitting on the marble topped table in the front foyer of the Stoddard home. Even without even picking it up he recognized Little Joe\u2019s backward slanting handwriting. Adam picked up the envelope and slit it open with his pocketknife.\u00a0 He pulled out two pieces of paper folded crookedly together. Adam carefully opened the letter and smoothed it out to read it.<\/p>\n

One was a letter written on lined copy paper:<\/p>\n

Dear Adam,<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I hate school very much.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I hate it every day except on Saturday and Sunday.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I miss Hoss in my school. No bullies picked on me and my friends when he was in the school.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Please tell Pa that I should not go to school and I can work with Hoss on the ranch.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Pa hurt his nee.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I miss you very much.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Your brother,<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Joseph Francis Cartwright<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The second piece looked like a sheet of ledger paper that had been crookedly torn from one of Pa\u2019s ledgers.\u00a0 Adam smoothed that page out too. Written in a childish hand was a long list of names.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the heck is little Joe sending me?\u201d Adam puzzled. He still wasn\u2019t quite used to the idea that Joe was old enough to be reading and writing and in fourth grade. He still pictured his little brother at six, the age Little Joe was when Adam went east.<\/p>\n

He looked down again at the ledger sheet and tried to make sense of it. Neatly printed but filled with misspellings was the title \u201cFine eating places in vir. City\u201d with an alphabetical list starting with Buket of Blud and ending with Zelda\u2019s caf\u00e9 (reel good pie)<\/p>\n

The next column on the ledger was label \u201cLadies\u201d and had a list of female names accompanied by hair color and an occasional notation like \u201csmells good in church\u201d,\u201d very pretty \u201c or\u00a0 \u201chas all her teeth\u201d or \u201c dances in buket of blud\u201d\u00a0 \u201clovely and pretty and nice pie\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam tried to make heads or tails out of what was clearly a major effort for the little brother who hated school so much. He stood staring at the lists in front of him and scratched his head in confusion.<\/p>\n

He heard soft footsteps behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello Adam\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dLiza!\u201d<\/p>\n

He turned to see Liza Bruce and enveloped her in his embrace. Tall. Adam lifted her off her feet with his enthusiasm and spun her around the hallway. \u201cWhat a wonderful surprise! What are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dMy father is meeting with Captain Stoddard and he suggested it would be just a lovely idea for me to come along with him just in case you showed up for dinner. I told him that you can\u2019t study until midnight every night.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam pulled her closer and looked down at her heart shaped face. Her violet eyes met his gaze.\u00a0 \u201cYou are not only beautiful but you are a very smart woman. And that, my sweet Liza, is why I love you so very much.\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked up at Adam. No gentleman had ever called her a woman. Other men had professed their love to her but no one had called her a woman. Men usually called her \u201cyoung lady\u201d. There was something very appealing about Adam\u2019s comment about being a woman. There was something about how he said the words that raised her temperature and made her heart beat more rapidly. In that instant Liza Bruce decided she was a woman, her father be damned. If she couldn\u2019t have\u00a0the husband she wanted, she would have\u00a0what\u00a0she wanted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you have there, Mr. Cartwright?\u201d she put her hand on Adam\u2019s sleeve and gently squeezed his arm. His heart skipped a beat.<\/p>\n

\u201dOk, Miss Bruce. You are a very clever woman. Perhaps you can help me with this mystery. I just received this inscrutable letter from my baby brother Joe. Maybe you can figure out what business he is keeping records for. It certainly doesn\u2019t look like anything my father raises on the ranch. \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me see, Mr. Cartwright.\u201c Liza smiled up at him coyly. She reached out for the papers. Her hand brushed his and her tongue flicked over her red lips. She was totally absorbed in deciphering Joe\u2019s scrawl. As Liza read Little Joe\u2019s letter Adam stood studying her. He was thankful that they were alone. Adam could stare at Liza without her being aware of his eyes on her. He drank every drop of her in like a thirsty man in the Death Valley would drink in cold water.<\/p>\n

Liza\u2019s shining black hair was smoothly piled high upon her head showing of the graceful curve of her neck. The tight bodice of her cobalt velvet gown was low cut revealing more cleavage than most proper young ladies in Boston would usually reveal. Adam towered above Liza and he totally enjoyed the view.<\/p>\n

\u201cToo bad Joe\u2019s letter was so brief and Liza reads so quickly, \u201cAdam thought. \u201cShe is going to catch me devouring her with my eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Liza felt his stare but continued to pretend to read the letter sent by an uneducated farm child. She was totally enjoying her power over Adam. She knew she was beautiful tonight and no man in Massachusetts could resist her charms. She made sure to appear not any brighter than her admirer nor unconcerned about his family.<\/p>\n

Liza looked up. Her violet eyes met his downward gaze. She smiled at him catching what he was doing and moved closer thoroughly enjoying his lustful stares. The pair was so close that they were touching. Facing him, Liza rested her right hand on Adam\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe seems so terribly unhappy, Adam, \u201cshe said tracing her finger on the front of his starched white shirt. \u201c Can\u2019t you do something about his troubles? And your father is hurt? Did he injure his knee?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs Pa hurt?\u201d Distracted by Liza, Adam hadn\u2019t even noticed that part of the letter. How did it happen he wondered. What else was going on back home that he doesn\u2019t know about? How was Pa managing without him there to help out?<\/p>\n

Liza\u2019s flowery perfume filled his nostrils. She smelled like something familiar from long ago. Lilac? Roses? Like pink cherry blossoms.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Miss Bruce, please scrutinize the second document\u2026\u201d Liza held one side of the page and Adam the other. He pulled her closer still and took a few steps forward gently pushing her into the little alcove behind the staircase. \u201cWhat do you think this thing is?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe paper? It looks like he spent a lot of time counting the citizens in your town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dJust the female citizens.\u201d Adam added. \u201cFemales and restaurants\u2026very mysterious.\u201d He smiled and hoped he sounded casual and sophisticated. He couldn\u2019t breathe for the nearness of her.<\/p>\n

He inhaled the perfume of her raven hair. For an instant he thought \u201cwho cares what Little Joe wants as long as I can stand this close to Liza Bruce,\u201d He felt the heat of her body next to him and he felt himself harden at her nearness.<\/p>\n

He prayed that she couldn\u2019t hear how loud his heart was beating as he ran his index finger slowly down the side of her face. He pulled her closer and closed his eyes. Nothing could be better than what he had in his arms here in Boston, nothing in the world.<\/p>\n

Liza melted against him, returning his heat as he buried his face in her raven hair. He pressed himself against her. Liza sighed.<\/p>\n

Quietly, Abel Stoddard and Charles Bruce stood in the shadow at the end of the hall. The two older men had just finished a meeting with their attorneys drawing up a contract to merge some of their most important assets. They could see the reflection of Adam and Liza in the tall hallway mirror opposite them.\u00a0Captain Stoddard smiled as the two men surreptitiously watched the young couple embracing in the little alcove.<\/p>\n

Adam and Liza and had absolutely no idea they were being observed and scrutinized. Certainly Adam would not be so boldly embracing Miss Bruce had he known both her father and his grandfather were so nearby spying on them.<\/p>\n

Abel knew his grandson was a very handsome young man. The young man was strong and tall and quite intelligent. With his education and enterprise, with Abel Stoddard\u2019s mentoring, Adam Cartwright had a bright future in front of him. Liza Bruce would make him a fine help mate and proper wife. It wouldn\u2019t hurt one bit that she was the only heir to her father\u2019s estate now that her brother was dead. Captain Stoddard could imagine the many handsome black haired sons Adam would give him to carry on the Stoddard Shipping Company. Everything Abel had planned for the boy in the last few years was coming into fruition just as he had hoped, just as he had arranged, just as he connived. Much like an easily won game of chess and he was ready to say \u201cCheck and mate\u201d and savor his victory.<\/p>\n

Stoddard had baited his trap, and waited patiently. Patience was always the key; patience and the correct motivation.<\/p>\n

Adam would be the son he never had; the son Charles Bruce had lost when the\u00a0Sea Breeze\u00a0sank off of Nantucket. Adam would eventually take both their places as the head of Stoddard and Bruce.<\/p>\n

And someday, a third of Ben Cartwright\u2019s precious Ponderosa would be part of those holdings.<\/p>\n

Captain Stoddard smiled at that thought of a third of Ben Cartwright\u2019s precious Ponderosa ranch as part of Stoddard and Bruce. Nothing pleased Abel more than that marvelous bonus. Now all he had to do was out live Ben Cartwright.<\/p>\n

Captain Stoddard and Charles Bruce inconspicuously turned and walked back into the book-lined study. Charles slowly, silently shut the door behind them while Abel reached for a bottle of fine French cognac on the polished sideboard. The bottle had arrived on one of his clipper ships the same week his grandson, Adam had arrived in Boston. Taking it as a sign for the future, Abel had set aside the cognac for just such a celebratory day. He slowly poured two generous portions into crystal glasses and offered one to Charles Bruce.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo the merging of our holdings!\u201d Captain Abel Stoddard toasted enthusiastically<\/p>\n

\u201cTo the merging of our holdings.\u201d Bruce repeated with a smile. \u201cTo the merger.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 8<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d a voice cried out to him as he strode across snowy Boston Common.
\nAdam Cartwright turned to see who called have been calling him.<\/p>\n

\u201cDennis!\u201d<\/p>\n

Dennis O\u2019Mara loped down the path to his friend, his face split by a broad grin. His gray eyes were shining.<\/p>\n

\u201cDennis! What are you doing here! I thought you would be gone well past New Year\u2019s! How was New York City? What are you doing here so soon?\u201d The words came tumbling happily out of Adam\u2019s mouth.<\/p>\n

The two friends grabbed each other around the shoulder and shook hands. Their breath made steamy clouds in the frigid air.<\/p>\n

\u201dNew York was simply wonderful. Adam you would love it. Better than Boston. The people are much friendlier and less caught up in propriety and who they are and who they think their ancestors were.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did the work go? Did you make the agreements?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dThe properties are more than even the Captain expected. I was able to negotiate them at a better price than your grandfather thought he would pay. This was really my chance to get a leg up and prove myself to The Old Man\u2026. To prove myself to this entire damn city! Your grandfather sure put one over on Bruce. But then again, Adam, Charles Bruce deserves it\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dWhy would Dennis say that?\u201d Adam thought. \u201cWhat did Dennis have against Liza\u2019s father?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI worked like a dog to impress your grandfather. I\u2019m sure he never thought I could get everything done so quickly. You should have seen his face when I came into his office this morning. I thought he would swallow his pipe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed at the thought of his Grandfather being astonished at anything.<\/p>\n

\u201cWas it lit?\u201d Adam asked with mock seriousness.<\/p>\n

\u201cWas what lit?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe pipe Dennis. Did the Captain almost swallow a lit pipe?\u201d Adam clasped his friends arm and looked him straight in the eye. \u201dTell me the truth, my friend. Was the pipe lit or cold? Did he belch fire?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dennis smiled broadly at the picture.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks for watching out for my mother and the girls while I was gone. Adam. I really appreciated it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dOh no thanks needed. It was my pleasure. You would have done the same for me, Dennis. It wouldn\u2019t have been Christmas night without supper at the O\u2019Maras and your Uncle Sean\u2019s famous liquid refreshment. It\u2019s a tradition now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSean said that you have been mooning over some lovely new lady. My youngest sister Peggy had really thought you would wait for her to grow up, but I guess now you would have to match her up with Little Joe. \u201c<\/p>\n

The two friends laughed at the thought of nine-year-old Peggy and nine year old Little Joe being betrothed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho is this ravishing siren that has roped you, Cowboy?\u201d Dennis teased. \u201cShe must be something quite special for you to give up on my darling sweet sister Peggy.\u201d<\/p>\n

The bells on the North Church chimed noon.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no. I\u2019m going to be late for class. I\u2019ve really got to go or the Professor will have my head.\u201d Adam realized pulling away from his friend.<\/p>\n

\u201dBut what about your lady friend?\u201d Dennis teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to get to class,\u201d Adam took a step away from his friend. Then he had a good idea. \u201cDennis, what are you doing tomorrow night? Grandfather is having a splendid party. Now that you are back in Boston and so triumphant in New York, I am sure he would be glad for you to be there. Plenty of fine food. Music for dancing, too. The servants have been cooking and cleaning and setting up all week. I\u2019m sure Grandfather will be glad to show you off and brag about the deal you made in New York. Come to the party tomorrow night and you can meet her. I can\u2019t wait for you to meet each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dTomorrow? I\u2019ll see you then. I can\u2019t wait to meet the young lady that has my best friend so smitten.\u201d Dennis laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow!\u201d Adam called over his shoulder as he ran off down the snowy path.<\/p>\n

Chapter 9<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam Cartwright, resplendent in a new black broadcloth suit, was standing in the foyer just outside the parlor door waiting for Liza to return from upstairs. He was done with socializing for the time being, and just watching the guests who milled about as they arrived.<\/p>\n

Wilson, the butler greeted each guest and directed the other servants to take coats and hats or to bring refreshments. Long linen covered tables filled with refreshments lined the wide hallway from the front door to the back of the house. The Stoddard cook had out done herself preparing silver trays of sweet meats and petite fours and cookies, tea sandwiches and sweets, trays of sliced breads, cheeses and meats and towers of fruits and exotic shell fish. Huge punch bowls were filled with both sweet punches for the teetotalers or rum punches with fancy garnishes. Waiters walked among the guests carrying trays filled with fancy hors d\u2019oevres and stemmed glasses of champagne.<\/p>\n

Holding a tiny crystal cup of the rum punch in his hand, Adam planted himself where he could observe both the stairway as well as the arriving guests. He leaned on the doorframe enjoying the party. Adam couldn\u2019t wait to introduce his best friend, Dennis to his beloved Liza. He was so taken with the wonderful Liza Bruce and he wanted to show her off to everyone, including his best friend, especially his best friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d He heard her call him and his heart leaped in his chest. He looked up and saw Liza floating down the long staircase with some of the other female guests. She had never looked more beautiful. She was wearing an amethyst satin gown richly trim with sparkling beads and silken embroidery that contrasted with her pale complexion. Her shiny black hair was twisted in an elaborate up swept style and adorned with a jeweled silver comb.<\/p>\n

Adam stared into her eyes as she approached. Their eyes met and Liza smiled. Her beautiful violet eyes framed with long black lashes as always drove him mad. Adam felt he could drown in their sparkling depths. He took a deep breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cWere you standing here long?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dDoes it matter?\u201d he smiled, glad that she was standing near her.<\/p>\n

\u201dNo, not really.\u201d<\/p>\n

He smiled appreciatively at his sweetheart as she took his arm.<\/p>\n

She looked up at Adam and asked, \u201cHas your friend arrived yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but he should be here soon. I can\u2019t wait for him to meet you, Liza. And for you to meet Dennis.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dDennis? \u201c Liza took a sudden breath. Her eyes widened in surprise her smile disappeared. Adam had only told her that an old friend had unexpectedly arrived back in Boston and he had extended a last minute invitation to the fellow.\u00a0 \u201dAdam, let\u2019s dance. The music is so very lovely\u201d she pulled at his hand trying to get him to move towards the party.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn just a minute, we will dance the next one.\u201d Adam stood his ground.<\/p>\n

The front door opened again with a cold blast of night air for another group of elegant guests. The foyer quickly became very crowded. Liza was squeezed between Adam and the doorway to the dining room. Her view of the front door suddenly blocked by her escort\u2019s broad shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s very crowded, here. Let\u2019s go dance.\u201d She pulled his hand with increasing urgency. \u201cI want to dance, right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d a friendly voice called. A hand waved above the guests\u2019 heads.<\/p>\n

\u201cDennis over here!\u201d Adam waved above the throng of guests. He grabbed his friend\u2019s arm as Dennis politely squeezed past a stout dowager in a green satin gown and her white haired husband. \u201cExcuse me, Mrs. Van Dyne. Good evening Mr. Van Dyne.\u201d He nodded.<\/p>\n

Adam began the introductions. \u201dLiza Bruce, may I present\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dDennis? \u201cHer face paled and her eyes widened with recognition.<\/p>\n

\u201dLiza?\u201d Dennis was clearly stunned at seeing Liza Bruce standing next to Adam Cartwright in the front foyer of Captain Stoddard\u2019s elegant home. His jaw dropped open and his face immediately flushed.<\/p>\n

Adam looked back and forth to the shocked faces of his best friend and the beautiful raven-haired young woman who had stolen his heart. \u201cWhat in the world was going on here?\u201d He thought. His eyes went back and forth trying to figure out what had just occurred.<\/p>\n

Just at that moment, one of his grandfather\u2019s friends, Mr. Carroll pulled at his arm \u201cAdam, come here a minute I want you to meet Mr. Pauling. He has been looking for you all evening.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dGo Adam, I\u2019ll wait for you here.\u201d Liza directed sharply. She stared at Dennis.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll send Adam right back, Miss Bruce.\u201d Mr. Carrol assured the young lady courteously. The gentleman was totally oblivious to the tense scene unfolding in the foyer.\u201d We won\u2019t be but a minute. Mr. Pauling wants to meet Adam and then I will bring him right back to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam mindlessly followed Carrol through the crowd, still mystified over what had just occurred between Dennis and Liza. Did they know each other? What was going on? Adam was totally disoriented.<\/p>\n

It took no more than five minutes for Carrol to introduce Cartwright to Mr. Pauling and for them to exchange courtesies. Unfortunately, by the time Adam wound his way back into the foyer, both Liza and Dennis had disappeared.<\/p>\n

Adam spent the next half hour anxiously circulating through the crowded Stoddard house looking for them. He went upstairs and then down again. He squeezed past a knot of guests and went from the front parlor to the dining room. Then he made his way upstairs again. He even asked Mrs. Carroll to check if his young lady was in the rear bedroom that had been designated for the lady\u2019s to primp. Perhaps Liza was in there fixing her hair. No one seemed to have seen either Liza Bruce or Dennis O\u2019Mara. Both Adam\u2019s best friend and his lady seemed to have evaporated.<\/p>\n

As Adam walked down the stairs once again, he stood there for a minute high above the party and scanned the celebrating crowd trying to spot either Liza\u2019s amethyst gown or Dennis\u2019s sandy hair.<\/p>\n

He saw his grandfather hastily pulling Charles Bruce by the arm down the crowded hall towards his study. Adam said to himself. He was totally bewildered by this time and hurriedly squeezed through the crowd trying to catch up with the two older men. Perhaps her father knew where Liza is?<\/p>\n

As he pushed past guests, to make his way down the hall Adam muttered, \u201dExcuse me, excuse me,\u201d The tables of elaborate refreshments were barely touched at this end of the house. The crowd thinned as he made his way from the front foyer to the back of the house. \u201cMr. Bruce, wait!\u201d Adam called to Liza\u2019s father.<\/p>\n

He walked a few paces suddenly found a man and woman embracing in the alcove under the stairs. In a flash, Adam realized it was Dennis and Liza.<\/p>\n

What was Dennis doing with Liza?<\/p>\n

Adam was neither seeing, nor thinking, too clearly. All he could think was Dennis was kissing Liza. His best friend was kissing his girl.<\/p>\n

Adam was enraged. Abruptly, Adam Cartwright took two swift steps towards Dennis, reached out and grabbed a handful of his coat yanking the man around to face him.\u00a0O\u2019Mara was caught completely off guard when Adam slammed a fist into his face. He grabbed Dennis by his left shoulder and spun him around. \u201cWhat the hell are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStop! Adam stop!\u201c Liza Bruce shrieked.<\/p>\n

Adam buried a hard driven fist in the depths of Dennis\u2019 belly. He quickly followed it up with a sharp upper cut to the jaw that jarred Dennis\u2019 head back and knocked the larger man totally off balance. Dennis lost his footing and careened backward knocking over a table and sending overflowing platters crashing to the floor. Crystal and porcelain dishes shattered explosively on the marble floor of the hallway. Fancy pastries and cookies everywhere scattered everywhere. The contents of the crystal punch bowl splashed onto the wallpaper in a bloody red wave.<\/p>\n

Everything around Adam was twisted and loud and out of focus. Blind rage blasted its way through Adam. His ears rang with the shrieks and shouts of dismayed guests caught in the middle of fisticuffs. The oak door of the study swung open and slammed into the wall of the hallway with a loud bang. Abel Stoddard and Charles Bruce ran out to see what the horrible commotion was all about.<\/p>\n

The orchestra abruptly stopped playing. Shocked guests left the dance floor and pushed into the hallway to see what was going on in the hallway.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop it this minute!\u201d Abel demanded.\u201d Adam!\u201d He clutched his grandson\u2019s arm in an ineffective attempt to break up the fight.<\/p>\n

Adam yanked free from the older man\u2019s grasp and moved aggressively closer to Dennis. His polished dress shoes crunched on broken dishes. \u201cWhat the hell in going on Dennis! What the hell are you doing with my girl?\u201d bellowed Adam Cartwright. His angry voice echoed off the paneled wall.<\/p>\n

Someone stronger grabbed him and held him firmly from behind and another pair of hands pinned his arms. Adam would have jumped forward, to leap on top Dennis but for the rough hands that held him more or less upright.<\/p>\n

One of the burly butlers, Wilson, held him in a tight grip, his forearm bent around Adam\u2019s throat while two other men held tightly to Adam\u2019s arms. Adam was rendered helpless and momentarily unable to continue fighting.<\/p>\n

Somehow, amid the broken glass, squashed fruit and crushed pastries, Dennis O\u2019Mara struggled up onto his hands and knees, clutching himself where it hurt most. Guests were reaching out hands helping him to right himself. Despite his shock and pain and embarrassment, Dennis\u2019s instinct was to stand up.<\/p>\n

“Hey, Adam! Adam. I\u2019m sorry Adam.” Dennis stammered trying to make apologies to his friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam! Stop, I love him!\u201d Liza screamed clutching at Adam\u2019s broad cloth coat. \u201cI love Dennis, not you! I never loved you! Don\u2019t you understand! I never loved you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The words hit him like a shotgun blast to his gut.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t love you. I never did,\u201d Liza Bruce repeated.<\/p>\n

Wilson held Adam tighter against his barrel chest as Cartwright attempted to break free. For an instant, hearing Liza\u2019s words, Adam stopped struggling. Wilson caught off guard lost his grip. Like a trapped mustang, Adam heaved loose. He pushed past the shocked guests and bolted out of the front door of the Stoddard house and away into the night.<\/p>\n

Chapter 10<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam exploded through the front door and stumbled down the icy front steps. He almost knocked over two late arriving guests and he hurled himself away from his grandfather\u2019s house. Darting across the street in a panic-stricken rage he barely avoided being run over by a handsome cab that was coming down the street.<\/p>\n

Adam ran until his heart almost exploded in his chest and his lungs could not suck in enough air. When he could run no more, he walked aimlessly through the dark streets not knowing where he was headed or why.<\/p>\n

His mind was racing as he walked the empty streets of Boston. What had just happened to him? What was his girl doing with his best friend? Liza said she never loved him. Never. Never. Never loved him. He was devastated and humiliated. How could she betray him like that? How could Dennis?<\/p>\n

Adam walked dispiritedly through the frigid December night until he realized he was near the Charles River at the spot where he used to go to think and find solace under the fragrant pine trees on the hill. He couldn\u2019t return to the Stoddard house; not now, not ever. He would kill that Dennis O\u2019Mara with his bare hands if he saw him again.<\/p>\n

Adam had never felt so confused or betrayed or alone in his entire life.<\/p>\n

The cold wind off the river cut right through his suit. His neck and collar were wet and Adam realized tears were streaming down his face. His legs were cramped and his feet were cold and wet from tromping through the slushy streets in his dress shoes. He had to sit down. Adam ran his fingers through his black hair, then wiped his sleeve across his face. Just a few hours earlier he had thought his life was wonderfully perfect and in a brief instant it had all ended.<\/p>\n

Sitting down under the cluster of pine trees Adam rested his back against the trunk of the tree. Shivering in the cold damp night air, Adam turned up the collar of his ruined dress suit. He stared sadly out at the blackness of the river. He rested his face against his raised knees and closed his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cAAADaM! Adam Cartwright! Adam!\u201d<\/p>\n

Startled, Adam opened his eyes and sat up. He heard someone calling his name. He must have fallen asleep as the next thing he realized the sky was getting light. He looked up and gazed through the fringe of the pine limbs. He saw a gray haired man striding towards him. For an instant, in his wretched confusion, he thought he saw his father, Ben Cartwright coming towards him. In that confused moment, he wondered how in the world could his Pa could be in Boston.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam? Laddie we been looking all over for you, son.\u201d Adam rubbed the crustiness out of his eyes and realized it was Sean O\u2019Mara, Dennis\u2019s uncle, approaching him. \u201cAdam, are you ok?\u201d\u00a0Sean bent down to extend his hand to Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave me alone Sean\u201d Adam growled pulling away from the older man.<\/p>\n

\u201dAdam, Dennis and I have been looking for you all night. He needs to set things straight with you. Son. Let him talk to you for just a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dSean if he comes near me, I\u2019ll kill him. What the hell was he doing kissing Liza?\u201d<\/p>\n

Over Sean\u2019s shoulder, Adam could see Dennis limping up the path. His eye was swollen closed and his lip was split from the blows Adam had dealt him.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, let me explain.\u201d Dennis pleaded. \u201cPlease, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sean grabbed the front of Adam\u2019s coat and yanked him up from the ground. The husky gray haired bar keep pinned the cold, exhausted young man against the tree trunk. Adam tried to pull free, but years of keeping order at the Golden Shamrock had honed Sean\u2019s skill at keeping the most enraged men under his control. Adam was cornered.<\/p>\n

\u201cHold still boy and give Dennis five minutes to say his piece. If you still want to kill him, I\u2019ll let you at him. Is that fair?\u201d Sean said firmly.<\/p>\n

Adam nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I\u2019m sorry,\u201d Dennis began.<\/p>\n

\u201dDennis, once Sean lets me go, I am going to kill you with my bare hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sean yanked Adam\u2019s arm behind his back and ordered once again\u201d I told you, Adam, listen to him for five minutes and then, if you still want, I\u2019ll let you have a go at him. Understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded and winced as Sean twisted his arm harder. \u201cOk, Sean.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow remember, I told you to listen, boy.\u201d Sean ordered.<\/p>\n

\u201d Adam, I\u2019m truly sorry about last night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry! \u201c Adam growled. Dennis held his ground but Sean gripped Adam tighter just to be sure.<\/p>\n

\u201cRemember I told you about the woman I was in love with\u2026\u201d Dennis started again. \u201cAdam, it was Liza. We were together five years before you even met her.\u00a0 We were going to be married. When my father was alive, Charles Bruce felt I was a suitable son-in-law but as soon as my father was killed.\u201d Dennis stopped for a minute and took a ragged breath. \u201cAs soon as my father went down with the\u00a0Sea Breeze, I was no longer good enough for Mr. Bruce. We had no more money since all my father\u2019s assets were tied up in that ship. Charlie Junior went down on that ship too. Do you think Liza\u2019s father would let her marry the son of the Captain of the\u00a0Sea Breeze? The son of the man who he felt was responsible for the loss of his own son? \u201c<\/p>\n

Adam froze for a minute. Sean eased up his grasp on his arm. \u201cLiza was the one you were in love with? The one you said lied to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dennis nodded. \u201cShe didn\u2019t lie. She still loves me. It was her father. He sent her away and made sure she didn\u2019t get any of my letters. I wrote her every day for weeks, for months and he made sure she didn\u2019t get a one. He told her I had married someone else. The son of a bitch told her all sorts of lies and that I even had two children with this woman. Bruce told her that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dennis stopped for a minute. \u201cCharles Bruce made sure Liza hated me. He even made up details of his lies about me, about the fictional wife and the children I had. He even named the children\u2026Dennis Junior and Joseph Francis.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph Francis?\u201d That was his brother\u2019s name. Adam shivered.<\/p>\n

\u201cLiza never loved you, Adam. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d Dennis said gently.<\/p>\n

Sean released Adam from his grasp. The young man didn\u2019t move. He had no fight left in him.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe loved you not me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dennis nodded. \u201cI\u2019m sorry Adam.\u2019 He put his arm around his friend\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I just ask you one question?\u201d Adam whispered hoarsely.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dDid my grandfather know about this?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dennis and Sean remained silent.<\/p>\n

\u201cDennis, tell me. Did my grandfather know about this?\u201d Adam bellowed. \u00a0\u201cDid he? You have to answer this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dennis nodded. \u201cYes. Captain Stoddard knew all about it. The entire scheme was his personal idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 11<\/strong><\/p>\n

Later the next morning, a disbelieving Adam Cartwright stood on the icy marble steps of his Grandfather\u2019s house. He hesitated for a moment before he hammered with both fists on the carved doors of the Stoddard house until one of the grim faced servants opened the door. He burst into the house demanding to see his grandfather.<\/p>\n

Without saying a word, Wilson, the very\u00a0 same burly butler who had pulled him off Dennis O\u2019Mara the night before led Adam Cartwright down the hallway. They walked past house maids who were ambitiously sweeping up the shattered glass, mopping up puddles of spilled custards and scraping up trampled fruit. One was carefully scrubbing the blood red punch stains off the imported wallpaper. Wilson led the bedraggled young man past the alcove under the staircase to Captain Stoddard\u2019s study and knocked on the door before he opened it.<\/p>\n

Abel Stoddard was sitting at his desk. He shooed Wilson away and gestured for his grandson to sit in the straight back chair opposite him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo Grandson, where did you go last night? Is there is something you want to talk to me about? \u201d Abel Stoddard sat imposingly behind his massive desk.<\/p>\n

Furious and filled with rage at the deception, Adam sat stiffly in the chair opposite his grandfather, his jaw clenched. He glared at Abel Stoddard and silently tried to maintain his self-control.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I am speaking to you! Where were you last night? Answer me when I speak to you, young man!\u201d Captain Stoddard roared standing in an aggressive stance.<\/p>\n

\u201cI \u2026I needed to walk. To think about what was really happening and what Liza said\u2026 what she said last night. \u201cAdam nervously started.<\/p>\n

\u201dEverything Liza Bruce said, she is wrong. Dennis is wrong as well\u2026\u201d the Captain started. \u201cThey are both liars.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGrandfather, Liza Bruce doesn\u2019t love me. She said that she never loved me. She. She always loved Dennis, not me.\u201d Adam struggled to say what he knew now was the truth. \u201cNever me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Figuring that the best defense was an offense, Abel Stoddard desperately attacked his grandson. \u201dAdam, your behavior is completely and totally unacceptable!\u201d Stoddard raged. \u201cFighting, brawling, and breaking up my house, embarrassing me in front of my guests. This is the Stoddard house not a cowboy saloon, young man! This is Boston not the wild west!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going home after graduation. I\u2026I can\u2019t stay here. Dennis told me everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know how your father raised you\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStop!\u201d Adam exploded. He stood up abruptly with such force the chair flipped over with a crash. . He leaned over the desk; his face in his grandfather\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cLower your voice, young man!\u201d Stoddard bellowed. \u201cHow dare you speak to me in that tone!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow dare I? How dare you do the despicable things you do!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI did absolutely nothing wrong. I always knew your father was second rate and incapable and you, Adam, are just like him. He didn\u2019t raise you properly. \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut your hateful, lying mouth, Old Man. And don\u2019t you ever, ever say anything about my father and how he raised me you despicable manipulative son of a bitch. If I am just like my father, then I am very proud that you see the resemblance.\u201d A day earlier Adam would never have believed he could ever raise his voice at his grandfather in anger, no less shout and curse.<\/p>\n

Now Adam glared menacingly at his own grandfather. Abel Stoddard made a futile attempt to stare Adam Cartwright down, to dominate the younger man. The Captain couldn\u2019t and finally, turned his head and looked away. He had met his match years earlier with his son-in-law, Ben Cartwright. The battle made Ben abruptly leave Boston taking, Abel\u2019s only grandchild, motherless Adam away from him.\u00a0 Now Stoddard was reliving that battle with his grandson and this time, he refused to lose at any cost.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, I understand why he never had anything to do with you after my mother died. You must have treated him the same way you treated me! \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201dNo Adam, you are completely wrong! \u201cStoddard banged his fist on the desk. \u201cYour father was a stubborn irresponsible fool. He rejected every opportunity I offered him and saw fit to take you away from your Grandmother and me. He took you to live in the wilderness, far away from civilization and decent people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stoddard was willing to use any weapon he had. The Captain did not care what price any person paid as long as he won what he wanted. Now the Captain was willing to win at any cost. He reached for the final weapon.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, do you think your step mother wanted you around? Why do you think she wrote to me years ago? She wanted to get rid of you, Adam. That hussy wanted to get rid of my daughter\u2019s son and have Ben Cartwright all to herself, to have Ben Cartwright acknowledge only her boy not you, Adam,\u201d Stoddard repeated. \u201cOnly her boy not you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam was bewildered by everything Stoddard was saying. \u201dMarie? What does Marie have to do with all this? She\u2019s been dead for years. \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cShe wrote to me. Marie wanted to get rid of you and needed me to take you off her hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

By then, Adam had lost all trust in his grandfather. This was outrageous. The man had to be lying again.<\/p>\n

Sure, Adam thought, when Pa first married Marie, Adam and his stepmother had not initially gotten along. He knew now the discord was almost entirely his doing. Marie had always loved him but young Adam refused to let her win his heart. Marie was the one who encouraged him to learn math and taught him music and drawing. She read poetry to them at night before he and Hoss fell asleep. She even encourage him to write to his grandparents back in Boston while his father ignored any connection to them. She loved Adam and Hoss just as if they were her own sons.<\/p>\n

By the time Little Joe was born, Adam was as much Marie\u2019s son as he was Ben\u2019s.<\/p>\n

No, Adam concluded, Marie would not have wanted to get rid of him any more than she would have wanted to get rid of Little Joe. His Grandfather was lying once again.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow can you say that Abel?\u201d Adam demanded abruptly. Suddenly, Adam couldn\u2019t call the man \u201cGrandfather\u201d anymore. \u201cYou know that isn\u2019t true.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll show you! \u201c His grandfather opened a drawer and pulled out a bundle of letters neatly tied with a green ribbon. He slowly untied the ribbon, fanned out the envelopes and selected one. He thrust a letter into his grandson\u2019s hand. \u201cLook, read this!\u201d<\/p>\n

Seeing Marie\u2019s precise, feminine handwriting after so many years after he lost her was completely startling to Adam. It was bewildering but in a strange way, it was also comforting. Marie may not have been the mother who gave birth to him, but to Adam, she was the mother of his heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cRead the letter, Adam. Marie certainly did not want you around. She wanted Ben Cartwright to favor her son and to get you out of the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

My Dear Captain and Mrs. Stoddard,<\/strong><\/p>\n

I beg your forgiveness on my impertinence in contacting you without being formally introduced but me feel that this is a matter of great importance .The welfare of your dear grandson is far more important than any breech of etiquette.<\/strong><\/p>\n

My name is Marie Cartwright. I recently married your former son-in-law Benjamin Cartwright. Young Adam is now my stepson.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He is a very dear boy and in good health. Adam is a very intelligent and almost eleven years old. His hair and eyes are dark. Benjamin tells me that the boy looks much like his mother. Adam reads and does mathematics extremely well. He is a very talented in music and a responsible and intelligent child.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I am writing on this sweet child\u2019s behalf to see if there is any interest on your part in writing to him. I know you had a falling out with his father upon the tragic death of your daughter.\u00a0 My dear husband refuses to elaborate to me the details of this rift and I respect his privacy.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0I beg you to not let Benjamin know that I am in contact with you. My love for my son is far more important than any unease this may cause in my dealings with my husband.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam has come to me with questions regarding his late mother\u2019s family in Boston and why he no longer has contact with anyone from Elizabeth\u2019s family.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I anxiously await your reply to me.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sincerely,<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mrs. Benjamin Cartwright<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam read the letter slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy love for my son is far more important than any unease this may cause in my dealings with my husband.\u201d<\/p>\n

Was she writing about Little Joe? Her son, Little Joe? Adam\u2019s was weary mind was not making quick sense of Marie\u2019s words.<\/p>\n

He swallowed hard and took a deep breath trying to get his weary brain to focus more on the details. Then Adam read the letter again. There was absolutely nothing written in this letter indicating that Marie wanted to get rid of him. Marie didn\u2019t request the Captain and his grandmother to take him away from her.\u00a0 Adam was embarrassed at the love and pride she had expressed for him.<\/p>\n

Marie wrote \u201cHe is a very dear boy and in good health. Adam is a very intelligent and almost eleven years old. His hair and eyes are dark. Benjamin tells me he looks much like his mother. Adam reads and does mathematics extremely well. He is a very talented in music and a responsible and intelligent child.\u201d<\/p>\n

Almost eleven years old?<\/p>\n

Not her son, Little Joe, her son Adam.<\/p>\n

Adam looked at the date on the letter. This written was during the time he was the most obnoxious, rude and completely despicable to his new stepmother. This letter said nothing to do with her wanting Joseph to be Pa\u2019s son and banishing Adam. Joe hadn\u2019t even been born yet. Reexamining the date of the letter, Marie she couldn\u2019t even have been pregnant with Little Joe when she wrote to Abel. The letter was written purely out of love for Adam and to help him to connect with his lost grandparents. It was just like Marie to attempt to help him find something he didn\u2019t even know he needed.<\/p>\n

It was just like Abel Stoddard to distort the facts to suit his selfish purpose.<\/p>\n

He remembered those years well. Whenever he would ask his father about his grandfather, Ben would say, \u201cYour grandfather likes to believe his version of reality is the truth. He and I parted on bad terms, Son.\u201d Ben refused to discuss it in more detail saying someday Adam would be old enough to understand.<\/p>\n

Now, Adam understood.<\/p>\n

He suddenly recalled the day that Marie surprised him with a letter from his grandparents. Adam had always assumed that Abel and Martha Stoddard had initiated contact with him. Now he knew otherwise.<\/p>\n

Marie had made it happen out of her love for him.<\/p>\n

After that first letter, Adam and his grandparents started to write to each other. They corresponded with each other for years. Even after Marie died, he continued writing to them. At some point, the Stoddards had invited him to come to Boston to study. It took a lot of work on Adam\u2019s part, but eventually Adam convinced his father to let him go. Perhaps this was why Ben Cartwright had been so uneasy with Adam wanting to east? Ben must have distrusted any plans laid out for Adam by Captain Abel Stoddard.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, \u201cBen had said the night before his son went east \u201cThere are some people who think only with their heads and don\u2019t let their hearts get involved with anything they do. They think people are just things to be moved around at their whim like so many chess pieces, like so much property rather than a living human soul. I raised you to use both your head and your heart, boy and be honorable no matter what. I would rather lose my land than my honor, Adam. Remember that no matter what happens.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie didn\u2019t arrange to send him away. She arranged for Adam\u2019s grandparents to get to know their only grandchild. She probably even defied his father to help Adam accomplish this. Only Marie would dare defy Pa like that. Her intensions were loving and pure.<\/p>\n

Pa had told him \u201c\u201cYour grandfather likes to believe his version of reality is the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

The long ago conversation he had with Dennis swirled back into Adam\u2019s consciousness. Adam had said \u201cI\u2019ve seen more than one fellow get shot or hung from a noose for short changing someone in a poker game or a horse trade. \u201c For a moment, Adam wished he had a gun or a length of rope to loop around his grandfather\u2019s skinny neck.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going home after graduation. I\u2019m leaving now. I can\u2019t stay under your roof one minute longer.\u201d Adam Cartwright turned his back to his grandfather to walk out of the house he had lived in the last four years of his life. \u201cI\u2019ll send someone for my things.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then he strode down the hall and out the front door without looking back.<\/p>\n

After the door slammed, Abel Stoddard sat back heavily in his chair. His ungrateful grandson had walked out on him without a word of farewell, without a word of thanks. He had lost Adam for the second time. The first time was when Elizabeth died and Ben Cartwright carried the screaming baby out of this very house. Captain Stoddard did not want to accept defeat on a goal he had pursued with so much work for so long. He wanted Adam.<\/p>\n

Stoddard looked at Marie Cartwright\u2019s letter abandoned on his desk, the letter written by a woman who was long dead.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder how long it will be before Marie\u2019s son is old enough to go to college?\u201d he thought.<\/p>\n

Part 3 <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Life Changes in the Blink of an Eye<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam was coming home from Boston.<\/p>\n

His family had all waited for months for his decision. Now, Adam was finally coming home.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, I\u2019ve been telling you for over a week to get a haircut after school and you did not obey my request. You had your chance to be responsible on your own. You had a chance to go with Hoss and somehow squirmed out of that and this is it. Now it is an order and if you don\u2019t obey me, you will face serious consequences. Today, I am going to meet you at the school house and take you directly to the barber I am tired of people looking at you in church like you are a shaggy sheep or a riverboat gambler.\u201d<\/p>\n

Last week Ben would have been shouting at the boy, but this morning he was in too good a mood to lose his temper.<\/p>\n

\u201dPa, maybe we should get Little Joe some purty pink hair bows if he wants to keep all those purty curls.\u201d Hoss teased, reaching past his brother for another helping of fried potatoes.<\/p>\n

\u201cHair bows. Hair bows!\u201d Joe shouted. \u201cWhat the heck is wrong with you? I\u2019m not a girl!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dGee Josephine\u2026 sure could fool me!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s spoon flew across the table. Hoss ducked just in time and the utensil crashed into the wall over his head.<\/p>\n

\u201dEnough!\u201d Ben bellowed immediately. He wanted to stop the teasing before Joe could throw any more silverware or reach for the crockery. Ben pointed his finger at his youngest boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaircut today. No arguing. I will be meeting you at the school house door and take you directly there myself. Today.\u201d Ben said firmly.<\/p>\n

Joe had looked up at him and seemed about to say something to protest when Hoss stood up, wiped his chin and said \u201cJoe, let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

No fighting or griping or dawdling for once from either boy. The two brothers just immediately went off to work and school with absolutely no fuss. Ben couldn\u2019t figure that one out but he was certainly not going to complain about it.<\/p>\n

It was a grand, grand day and his son was coming home. Adam was coming home to the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

Chapter 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dear Hoss,<\/strong><\/p>\n

I need you to do some older brother work. I got some crazy letter from Little Joe today and the best I can figure out is that someone is bullying him at school. Don\u2019t forget you promised to watch out for him while I was away.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0I wager, if you make a very noticeable presence in the schoolyard you will scare anybody likely to bother Little Brother without having to punch anyone in the nose or break any heads. I surely don\u2019t want Roy Coffee putting you in jail for smashing some schoolyard ruffian nor do I want you to embarrass Joe by letting Pa get involved. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Just scare the beans out of whoever it is and call it a day.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I miss you all very much.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Affectionately,<\/strong><\/p>\n

Your older Brother, <\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam<\/strong><\/p>\n

PS try to get Joe to explain what the ledger list he sent me was all about. He listed all the restaurants and every female in Virginia City as if he is running a mail order bride business or soliciting visitors to Virginia City. I can\u2019t believe that boy is old enough to be noticing girls but Joe has always been quite a handful.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Each morning that week Hoss accompanied Joe to school. He had contrived reasons to be in town each day. Normally, his father would have seen through most of his boys\u2019 deceptions, but he was weary and didn\u2019t seem to be paying close attention to what was going on. It was easy for the two youngest Cartwrights to come up with reasons for Hoss to be in town early each morning. They also found some reason for him to still be around town to meet Little Joe at the end of the school day.<\/p>\n

The two brothers rode into Virginia City in the buckboard. Hoss mentally went over the long list of chores his Pa had reviewed with him the night before. Hoss would deliver the papers his Pa had worked on for the lumber bid to Mr. Levi Victor at the lawyer\u2019s office. Then he would bring the letters Ben and the boys had written Adam to the post office at the general store. Finally Hoss had to pick up the machine parts for the mill and supplies that Mr. Lowell had ordered for them.\u00a0 The freight wagon was finally due into Virginia City this afternoon with the mill parts.<\/p>\n

Pa could be finished with his morning chores while Mr. Victor would review the lumber bids. When Ben finished with all his work and the meeting with the lawyer, he would meet up with Hoss at the Lowell\u2019s store and help finish loading up the wagon. At the end of school, they would be ready to take Joe to the barber and if all went well with the bids, Ben promised his boys a nice celebratory dinner at the hotel.<\/p>\n

Hoss thought about dinner at the hotel. He hoped that chicken and dumplings or Mulligan stew were the specials of the evening. Both were his favorites.<\/p>\n

As the buckboard bumped along the muddy road, Joe was unusually silent.\u00a0 While Hoss contemplated the delicious prospect of chicken and dumplings, his younger brother was lost in thought about Adam\u2019s battle plan. \u201cFailure is not an option,\u201d Adam had written to them. \u201cCartwright Brothers stick together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Each morning that week Joe and Hoss rode into town in the buckboard so that Joe would be at school on time. That is what Hoss had told their father. Ben was very proud that the responsible big brother was making sure his mischievous little brother was not tardy. That explanation was not totally true but the Cartwright brothers did not want to tell their father the entire story.<\/p>\n

Neither Little Joe nor Hoss told their father that the idea was part of what the brothers had named \u201cAdam\u2019s Battle Strategy\u201d. The two boys decided if they confided in their father, he would either want to get involved himself or he would be outraged at their shenanigans or worst yet, disappointed in his sons. \u201cLittle Joe, if Pa knew Adam was somehow behind this plan, he might get mad at all of us.\u201d Hoss explained as they walked out to the wagon.\u00a0 Hoss was dead wrong. If his Pa knew of Adam\u2019s involvement, Ben would have been very proud and touched at the closeness of his three boys. He would be especially delighted that Adam was still watching out for his younger brothers from thousands of miles away.<\/p>\n

Hoss and Joe had made meticulous plans. One night, before supper, as they cleaned out the stalls and tended to the horses, they had a serious brother-to-brother planning session.\u00a0 Initially, Little Joe wanted Hoss to simply walk into the schoolyard and pound Fischer, Beck and the other bullies into bloody mush. He listed all the reasons his big brother would excel at such a task and how much of a community service this would be to all the small boys in Nevada territory. Joe told Hoss that he was mighty tired of getting picked on. He was also tired of getting punished for being in fights that he didn\u2019t start but \u201ccertainly was going to finish\u201c.<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded sympathetically and put his arm around his small brother’s shoulder and told him \u201cLook Joe, I ain\u2019t a going to break no body\u2019s arms or wring no one\u2019s neck for any reason.\u201d He then outlined Adam\u2019s plan of \u201cscaring the beans out of the bully\u201d.\u00a0 No one but Daniel Lowell, Joe\u2019s best friend in school would be in on the plan.<\/p>\n

\u201dJoe, we got to do it the way Adam said. He knows better and we gotta follow his plan. He is real smart.\u201d<\/p>\n

For just an instant, Joe had trouble recalling what his oldest brother looked like. It scared him. He already had trouble picturing his mother\u2019s face all the time and not being able to remember Adam was very disconcerting to the little boy.\u00a0He didn\u2019t want to lose another person.<\/p>\n

Hoss said he would scare the big boys, not beat them and they would be so frightened that they would never dare bother him or any of the other kids again. Joe would be safe and the big boys would be scared off, instead of thrashed into submission.<\/p>\n

That is what Adam had decided.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou trust me Little Joe?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201dSure Hoss, I trust you. Always.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dTrust Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe hesitated for an instant. The boy was still having trouble remembering exactly what Adam looked like. He closed his eyes tight and tried to picture his brother\u2019s face. He tried to remember Adam\u2019s voice. All of a sudden it all rushed back to him, Adam was carrying him up the stairs and putting him to bed after his Mama died. When Little Joe would wake up in the night with nightmares he would go into brother\u2019s bed for comfort.\u00a0 Joe remembered Adam playing his guitar on the porch and singing each evening in the moonlight and Adam teaching him to swim in Cherry Creek. Joe thought of his big brother Adam holding him on the saddle in front of him teaching him how to ride, telling him how well he was doing.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Hoss, I trust Adam.\u00a0Always.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dThen this is what we will do. I\u2019ll just be around the school yard and just let those fellers know that no one messes with the Cartwright boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

Monday morning was the first day of the challenge. According to Adam this was the key to their plan.<\/p>\n

\u201cRemember what Adam said for us to do, Short Shanks. \u201c Hoss cautioned Joe. \u201cHold your temper.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss pulled the buckboard behind the schoolhouse and quietly walked behind Little Joe into the schoolyard. Quite a few of the students knew Hoss but many of them had moved into town after Joe\u2019s husky brother was no longer attending school. .<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s that big guy coming into the school yard with your pal, Joe Cartwright?\u201d Jack Fischer asked Daniel Lowell. \u201cHis father?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s his big brother,\u201d Daniel answered. \u201cHis Pa is way bigger and way meaner.\u201d The idea had just popped into Daniels head. \u201cWay, way, way bigger and way, way, way meaner. Real mean. Real big.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat guy looks pretty big,\u201d one of the other boys commented.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be a moron,\u201d Fischer shoved his friend.<\/p>\n

Jack Fischer surveyed the scene. The broad shouldered cowboy was taller than Jack\u2019s father, the mine superintendent, wider too. Hoss glared at Jack, Tucker and some of the older boy with a fearsome look. Walking behind Little Joe, he had picked up a fallen branch from the ground. The branch was about as thick around as Jack\u2019s wrist and the guy just looked at Jack and snapped it in two over his knee. It broke with the sound of a gunshot.<\/p>\n

The boys looked at each other warily. \u201cBet that cowboy could snap a fellows arm like that,\u201d Tuck said hoarsely.<\/p>\n

Hoss glared at Jack. Jack turned his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho is that? Jack asked one of the smaller kids. \u201cWho is that with Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGee that\u2019s his brother, Hoss,\u201d said Katie Wallace. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t mess with him if I was you. He used to go to school here. But not anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHeard he kilt a man with his bare hands, \u201csaid a disembodied voice from\u00a0the edge of the crowd of kids.<\/p>\n

Tuck looked to see who had spoken last but couldn\u2019t figure out who spoke the frightening tale.<\/p>\n

Daniel stuck his head around the corner of the outhouse and snickered. He had to stuff his fist into his mouth to stifle his laughter.<\/p>\n

Miss Lambert pulled the bell rope and another school day began. The smaller children filed noisily into the schoolhouse and the older boys followed. Hoss Cartwright leaned against the schoolhouse gate and glared as menacingly as he could.\u00a0 Each morning that week, Hoss watched from the edge of the schoolyard until the students went inside. Each day the older boys speculated what the big fellow was doing loitering around and they all remained on their best behavior under the watchful eye of Hoss Cartwright.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat big guy is watching out for his brother so watch out what you do,\u201d\u00a0cautioned Jack Fischer.<\/p>\n

\u201cGee Jack, I heard that Joe\u2019s brother Hoss killed a few guys before we came into Virginia City, \u201csaid one of the other boys.<\/p>\n

\u201cSnapped someone\u2019s arm and leg off in a fight at the Bucket of Blood,\u201d another voice added.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo it was a guy\u2019s arm in a fight in the Silver Dollar. Then Hoss hit him over the head with the guy\u2019s own arm.\u201d another added luridly. \u201cHe ripped off the arm and clubbed the guy with it! Hit him with his own ripped off arm!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why isn\u2019t he in jail?\u201d Fischer asked. \u201dOr hung?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe he was in jail and busted out?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dMaybe they couldn\u2019t find a rope strong enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dI don\u2019t know about you boys, but I\u2019m steering clear of him. Don\u2019t want to rile his temper and get my arm broke. My Pa will break my neck if I get my arm broke.\u201d Tuck added.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t one of you boys ask Nancy Coffee about that Hoss Cartwright,\u201d Fischer directed.\u201d Her father is the sheriff and she would certainly know what\u2019s what.\u201d<\/p>\n

That noon, Tucker Beck and one of his pals sidled up to the school girls who were sitting on the bench near the school house steps eating their lunches. They were glad to get out of the stuffy classroom and out in the fresh air. They had found one of the few dry spots in the muddy school yard and made sure they squeezed together on the bench side by side by side.<\/p>\n

\u201cWatch out girls, here comes trouble,\u201d Kate warned seeing the big boys approach. \u201cThey probably want to steal our desserts or throw mud at us.\u201d She had no desire to be harassed by the nasty older boys and was absolutely unwilling to let them steal her pie. She quickly hid the newsprint wrapped slice of pie from her lunch pail under her the edge full skirt.<\/p>\n

\u201cNancy, \u201cTuck started. \u201cI heard that big Hoss feller kilt a man. What do you have to say about that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nancy took another bite of her ham sandwich and slowly chewed. What could Tuck be talking about? She knew the Cartwrights her entire life. Her Pa and Mr. Cartwright were very good friends. Secretly, she hoped to someday marry Little Joe, and Hoss was the sweetest boy she knew. The only thing she ever saw him kill was a platter of her mother\u2019s fried chicken at the church potluck dinner last month. Hoss would have licked it clean if Mr. Cartwright hadn\u2019t pulled the platter out of his hands. Whatever was Tuck talking about?<\/p>\n

Bet he was just teasing her like those big boys always did lunchtime, teasing her just like Katie warned them that he would. Nancy thought nervously.<\/p>\n

Well, she would show him. Nancy thought. She would tease him back, just like her best friend, Katie had told her she should do when the big boys teased her.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure Tuck, Hoss once kilt a man\u2026. And he ate him up like\u2026 like.. fried chicken.\u201d Nancy was proud that she was holding her own with her tormenter.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou better watch out for Hoss.\u201d Kate added seriously. She moved her second piece of pie behind Nancy\u2019s back. Mrs. Wallace often packed extra treats for her daughter\u2019s friends.<\/p>\n

The two boys skulked away to tell the rest of the group what Nancy had told them.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe sheriff\u2019s girl said that Hoss Cartwright killed some guy and et him and fed the bones to the chickens,\u201d they breathlessly told the other boys.<\/p>\n

By Wednesday night, the Virginia City School house was abuzz with exaggerated stories of mass murder and mayhem perpetuated by Hoss Cartwright throughout Nevada Territory.\u00a0On Thursday, Jack Fischer came up with a brilliant idea. All this fearsome stuff about Hoss just did not sit well with him. If the husky young cowboy was really a murderer, why did Miss Lambert greet him each morning with such a warm smile and a hug when he walked up with Little Joe? And why didn\u2019t Sheriff Coffee have him behind bars in a locked cell? Fischer was a bully but he was not stupid.<\/p>\n

Fischer decided to learn more about this. That day, on his way home after school, Jack Fischer strolled politely into the Virginia City Sheriff\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

\u201cSheriff Coffee, sir\u201d Jack walked up to the Sheriff\u2019s desk and respectfully took off his fine new hat. Roy Coffee was occupied writing in his log book and glanced up at the boy.<\/p>\n

Despite being a very competent sheriff, Roy was totally unaware of the gossip swirling around the schoolyard that week. Perhaps if the rumors were originating from one of the saloons or poker tables, the Sheriff\u2019s sharp ears would have picked up on the latest update of the \u201cHoss is a cannibal and murderer saga\u201d However, Sheriff Roy Coffee was not in the habit of lingering around the school yard to eavesdrop on brewing trouble amongst the youngest citizens of Virginia City.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat can I do for you, Jack?\u201d the sheriff asked. He assumed the lad was sent on an errand by his father or was going to ask him to buy a ticket for some school house function or to make a donation to the church fair.<\/p>\n

\u201dWhat do you know about Hoss Cartwright, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dHoss? Well, son, Hoss is a fine feller. What do you want to know about him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo particular reason. I\u2026I just heard something about him some sort of trouble or something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dNot that I heard of\u2026 unless the dinner bell isn\u2019t loud enough. No, young Mr. Fischer, Hoss Cartwright is mighty fine fellow.\u201d Sheriff Coffee chuckled. \u201cAnything else I can help you with, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo sir,\u201d Fischer tipped his hat and politely thanked the Sheriff. Jack smiled to himself, proud at his cleverness.\u00a0 By Friday morning, Fischer had decided that there was no reason to worry about Hoss and he could return to being the lead beast in the wolf pack roaming the edges of the schoolyard. They had wasted the entire week fearing some \u201cnice feller\u201d and they had to catch up on their \u201cfun\u201d before the end of school for the week. They had a whole week\u2019s worth of teasing and fighting and ear tweaking to make up.<\/p>\n

Chapter 4\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Little Joe inched his body away from the corner wall. If he took slow, tiny steps, maybe nobody in the school house would notice he was sliding his body out of the punishment corner and turning just enough to peak out the window.\u00a0 Most of the children were hard at work in their copybooks or quietly listening to the story Miss Lambert was reading to the first graders.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the boy with the hatchet told his father the truth,\u201d she read.<\/p>\n

Joe glanced through the schoolhouse window again. His brother, Hoss was carrying a lumpy burlap sack of something over one shoulder and loaded that into the back of the half-filled buckboard outside Lowell\u2019s store. Little Joe saw his Pa ride up beside the wagon and tie his horse up at the hitching rail near the wagon. Ben must have finished up his business at the bank. Joe prayed that Pa couldn\u2019t see inside of the schoolhouse and discover what was going on with him.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, how many times have I warned you about fighting in school?\u201d He could hear Pa\u2019s voice inside his head.\u201d How many times Joseph? You are still not too old for me to spank! \u201d<\/p>\n

Joe squinted his eyes as he gazed out the dusty school house window. He had to see if his father had a smile on his face. That would be good. It would mean that Pa had won the bid he was submitting. Then Pa would be in a good mood and far less likely to punish Joe for getting in trouble in school once again. Joe would be delighted avoid one of Pa\u2019s endless stern lectures or a trip to the wood shed or shoveling out stalls and chopping fire wood for a months or even years.<\/p>\n

\u201cI cannot tell a lie, Father. I chopped down your cherry tree with my little hatchet,\u201d Miss Lambert droned on.<\/p>\n

The afternoon dragged on.<\/p>\n

Chapter 5<\/strong><\/p>\n

Prudence, the youngest red haired Lowell girl, the one that was called Puddin, and Little Joe Cartwright were especially attached to each other. Puddin\u2019 Lowell proudly would tell anyone that Joe was her hero and follow him around like a puppy.\u00a0Embarrassed by the little girl\u2019s brazen admiration, Joe would deny this connection but in his heart he was flattered.<\/p>\n

It was late in June two years after Adam had gone east. A number of families, including the Wallaces, the Cartwrights, the Newkirks and the Lowells decided to spend a pleasant Sunday afternoon picnicking on the outskirts of Virginia City. The day was sunny and warm and everyone came together in high spirits.<\/p>\n

They devoured huge quantities of Mrs. Coffee\u2019s fried chicken, Mrs. Wallace’s ham, and Hop Sing\u2019s special potato salad until they all thought they would burst.\u00a0 The children ran off to play leaving the women and older girls to gossip while they cleaned up the mess.<\/p>\n

\u201cChildren don\u2019t stray far,\u201d warned Mim Wallace.<\/p>\n

\u201dAnd be sure to keep a close eye on the little ones,\u201d Mrs. Newkirk added.<\/p>\n

The men headed off\u00a0towards the shady willow grove by the creek to\u00a0fish and nap and share a bit of liquid refreshment from the jug that Hays Newkirk\u00a0was carrying. Enos Millbank had promised Cora not to drink too much but if she didn\u2019t see it, she would be none the wiser.<\/p>\n

The ladies busied themselves putting up pots of coffee on the campfire and setting out the pies and cakes for desserts.\u00a0 Cora Milbank uncovered two of her best cherry pies and set them beside the plate of spice cookies<\/p>\n

Before Joe and Daniel had realized, Hoss and the other older boys had taken off up the trail following the men. Their short legs couldn\u2019t keep up and they were left behind surrounded by a bevy of giggling little girls.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, let\u2019s play house! I\u2019ll be the Mama and Daniel is my husband,\u201d said Katie. \u201cAnd Puddin\u2019 is our baby. Come on Puddin\u2019.\u201d She affectionately put her arm around the little girl\u2019s shoulders. Puddin\u2019 smiled appreciatively, glad to be included.<\/p>\n

\u201cOK, and Little Joe is my husband,\u201d said Nancy Coffee. She staked her claim by grabbing the sleeve of the boy\u2019s brand new yellow plaid shirt, smiling triumphantly at her selection. \u201cAnd we have ten children and live right here.\u201d She laid out ten pinecones carefully wrapped in checkered napkins like swaddled infants. \u201cMrs. Little Joe\u201d hung the matching tablecloth between two pine trees for a wall and started tracing the outlines of their dream cabin in the pine needles with the heel of her shoe.<\/p>\n

Easy going, eight year old Daniel was used to being surrounded by his sisters and fell right into the imaginary household. Little Joe on the other hand was mortified and embarrassed. His face took on the look of a trapped stag caught by a pack of hungry she-wolves.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to play house!\u201d Little Joe squealed. He wrenched himself out of Nancy\u2019s grasp.<\/p>\n

\u201dWell, you have to Little Joe Cartwright!\u201d Nancy demanded, her hands on her hips.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no I don\u2019t!\u201d the trapped boy backed away from her.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yes you do!\u201d insisted Kate. Her pretend husband Daniel was already sitting at her pretend dinner table waiting for her to serve his pretend dinner.<\/p>\n

\u201dSure Joe, play,\u201d Daniel urged. \u201cIt\u2019s not so bad. And then we can get to that cherry pie first before anyone else realized that dessert is set up since we are so close to the picnic tables.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe thought for a second. Was an extra slice of pie worth utter humiliation at the hands of his \u201cwife\u201d and 10 pinecone babies? It was a difficult decision. Joe swiftly weighed his options and quickly decided to play his trump card, escape embarrassment and succeed in snagging that pie all in one fell swoop.<\/p>\n

\u201cOk, \u201cJoe smiled crookedly. \u201cI\u2019ll play. But I am the sheriff, just like your Pa, Nancy and I have to ride out with my posse to catch some vicious bandits who robbed the bank.\u201d His hazel eyes twinkled.<\/p>\n

\u201dOK. \u201c Nancy nodded taking his hand. \u201cHusband come inside and \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dOh no, Nancy, I have to ride out now with the posse. Sheriff Cartwright has to catch them awful varmints! \u201cHe easily squirmed from her grasp and galloped off toward the creek. \u201cI\u2019ll be back as soon as I round them up or for dessert.\u201d Little Joe shouted over his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cHusband, you forgot to kiss the babies!\u201d Nancy shouted to his back as he escaped. Kate picked up one of the pinecone babies and hurled it at his head, \u201cYou come back here Joe Cartwright! Kiss your wife and babies!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe ducked the pine cone which fell to the ground. He leaped over the log that formed the imaginary boundary of Daniel\u2019s house and ran off as fast as his bare feet could carry him. He was halfway up the slope, surrounded by heavy greenery before he glanced over his shoulder to see if he was followed by his \u201cwife\u201d or any of the other girls. Once again, Little Joe had avoided capture. As the boy scrambled to the top of the steep trail he could hear the sound of rushing water and smell pipe smoke. Sheriff Joe Cartwright slowed down, got on all fours and crept to edge of the trail. He listened carefully to the men\u2019s voices on the other side of the bushes.<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm, looks like we found them bad guys! Joe told his imaginary deputies.\u00a0 Joe picked up a thick L-shaped twig. \u201cGot my trusty gun here and I can out draw any bandit west of \u2026 west of\u2026 west of\u2026 west of the east!\u201c<\/p>\n

Joe tucked the stick into his belt.\u00a0\u201cBoys, we can round them all up and get that cherry pie reward! Follow me!\u201d Of course, the invisible posse agreed with Sheriff Cartwright\u2019s brave plan. Little Joe laughed out loud thinking how well he had outwitted Nancy.<\/p>\n

He dropped to his belly and snaked under some bushes to the edge of the willow grove. He could hear Mr. Hank Wallace strumming a lively tune on his guitar as his brother Mr. Foster Wallace, the editor of the Virginia City Enterprise told a wild tale about some crooked miner getting caught trying to cheat his partners by digging another entrance to the mine and digging out the silver at night.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf your brother, your brother Hank here wasn\u2019t such a good engineer I would never have figured out how that fellow was doing it! Judge convicted him and locked him up for a couple of years.\u201d Sheriff Coffee declared. Modest Hank Wallace just continued playing his guitar.<\/p>\n

A few minutes later someone told a foolish long winded story.<\/p>\n

\u201dAnd the other sailor said where\u2019s my duck?\u201d said a deep voice. His Pa! The other men roared with laughter at Ben\u2019s joke.<\/p>\n

\u201dThe fiendish bandits have kidnapped my Pa!\u201d the brave young sheriff decided.\u00a0 He slowly pushed aside the leaves with his left hand. He realized he could see his father and all the men sitting next to the creek but they didn\u2019t even suspect that Little Joe was there hidden not more than a few yards away from them among the greenery.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust like being invisible”. Little Joe thought. All the men looked like they were having a mighty fine time. One had a fishing line in the water. Kate\u2019s father was strumming a tune on a guitar and singing some song that seemed very familiar. Joe listened for a minute to the tune and remembered it was something Adam used to sing.<\/p>\n

The men were passing around Mr. Newkirk\u2019s jug. Each man, in turn took a long swallow, wiped off the top and passed it on to the next fellow. They were laughing and joking and had absolutely no idea that Sheriff Little Joe Cartwright and his invisible posse were lurking about.<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm!\u201d the brave sheriff said out loud to his invisible posse. \u201cThe outlaw gang thought they could outwit me but this lawman always gets his bandits and his pie too. \u201cJoe stood up and brushed off his hands on the front of his new yellow shirt. He trotted a few yards down the trail, upstream from the men.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoa pony,\u201d the pretend sheriff told the pretend pinto he bravely rode. Joe pushed aside the shrubbery to take another peak. \u201cWhoa pony, we got our selves the biggest bandit of them all.\u201d<\/p>\n

There, sprawled on the grassy bank, taking a nap with his head leaning against the trunk of a thick willow trunk was his brother Hoss. His fishing pole was stuck in the soft, sandy bank of the creek. Willows hung over the\u00a0banks on either side, their branches a fragile tracery of bursting green in the bright spring sunshine.<\/p>\n

Little Joe looked up at the tree. \u201cI could climb that willow and capture that whole bunch of desperados. Wait here men,\u201d he ordered the invisible posse.\u00a0 Joe grabbed hold of one of the lower branches and swung himself up. His bare toes dug into the rough bark. Like a monkey, he agilely climbed up about fifteen feet. The he felt for the twig pistol stuck into his belt.<\/p>\n

Beneath his perch, Hoss was snoring away at the foot of the tree. \u00a0From where he sat hidden up in the willow, Joe could see all around him. The men were talking and laughing. He could see the water of Cherry Creek far below him. The water was pretty high and fast from the last few weeks of rain and the snows melting up on the mountains. \u201cThat was why they told us to watch out for the little kids,\u201d Joe thought as he watched the torrents of icy water rush downstream.<\/p>\n

The previous summer, his brothers had taken him swimming at this very spot. The water was pretty deep over here, but by summer, not rushing nearly as fast. It had slowed to a pleasantly cool meandering stream. The boys had spent a hot afternoon leaping from the banks into the creek. One afternoon, Adam had climbed up a tree to show off. It was a sturdy willow tree, much like the one Little Joe stood in right now; maybe even this tree. Adam had called for his brothers to watch his trick and the he jumped in. The splash he made was explosively enormous. Little Joe was in complete awe of his grown brother\u2019s amazing deed.<\/p>\n

Adam told Joe that someday he would show him how to do that very jump, but right now Joe was too small to even attempt such a dangerous stunt. The trick, Adam told him was to push off hard and to hit the water not the bank otherwise you could break your neck.<\/p>\n

From his perch on the tree, Joe could see Daniel and all the girls skirting the edge of the creek. They had obviously tired of their game near the picnic tables. The women had finished laying out the dessert and had sent the youngsters up the hill to call the men for coffee.<\/p>\n

As they headed up the trail, a few were picking some of the wild flowers that grew along the edge of the creek. Both Molly Newkirk and Nancy Coffee were holding huge bunches of yellow centered daisies. Katie skipped along behind them holding a small bunch of purple asters that she was trying to knot together into a crown. Puddin trailed at the end of the line tossing pebbles into the rush of water. \u201cCome have dessert!\u201d Daniel shouted down stream to the men.<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm, Pie!” thought the brave young sheriff. \u201cMen, we had better round up these bandits and head back to Virginia City for our reward.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph\u00a0looked down from his perch in the willow. Below him, Hoss was snoring loudly taking his nap. Little Joe couldn\u2019t resist teasing him. He reached deep into his pocket and found a small ball of twine and unrolled it. Hanging onto the trunk of the tree with one hand, Joe lowered the end of the sting until it almost reached Hoss. It didn\u2019t work right and kept getting snagged on the slender willow leaves or blown crookedly away from its target.\u00a0 Joe reeled up the string and carefully tied his stick gun to the end of it. The twig gave the string just enough weight to do the job. He slowly lowered the weighted twine and maneuvered it through the leaves. It gently swung it back and forth until it tapped Hoss\u2019s nose. Hoss swatted at it in his sleep. Joe swung it in a wider arc and it smacked his brother\u2019s temple.<\/p>\n

\u201cWasssat? \u201c Hoss jumped up rubbing his head and swatting at the annoyance. High above him Joe giggled loudly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get you, little brother! \u201c Hoss threatened angrily. He looked up at the young sheriff laughing hysterically perched above him\u00a0in the willow tree.<\/p>\n

Hoss angrily jumped up and started climbing up the tree to catch his tiny tormentor.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get you, Little Joe!\u201d Hoss threatened again.<\/p>\n

\u201dOh no you won\u2019t!\u201d Joe quickly climbed even higher. He agilely scrambled to a higher limb over hanging the stream.<\/p>\n

Down creek, the men heard\u00a0the brothers\u2019 ruckus and looked up to see the squabbling Cartwright boys.<\/p>\n

Roy Coffee tugged on Ben\u2019s arm and pointed\u00a0up at a colorful spot in the willow.\u00a0“Looks like we have some kind of exotic wild yellow bird up in that tree, Ben,\u201d chuckled\u00a0Roy. The crowd of men laughed at the scene up stream.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd it looks like his brother is going to wring that bird\u2019s neck if he catches him.\u201d joked Hays Newkirk taking another pull from the bottle. He handed it back to Enos Millbank.<\/p>\n

Ben jumped up and turned\u00a0to watch Joe quickly scramble to higher perch. \u201cJoseph! Hoss! Stop this minute!\u201d<\/p>\n

Suddenly, the warm air was split by a shrill female scream from up the creek followed by loud splash.<\/p>\n

\u201dPuddin\u2019 fell in! \u201c Kate screamed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp! Help!\u00a0 Puddin\u2019 fell in the creek!\u201d the other children shrieked<\/p>\n

The little girl had been reaching for a daisy on the bank of the creek, leaned over too far and lost her balance. She was quickly caught up in the rushing water and pulled under by her heavy shoes and tangled woolen skirts.<\/p>\n

\u201cPuddin\u2019!\u201d Nancy shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp! Someone help my sister!\u201d pleaded Daniel.<\/p>\n

From his perch high on the tree, Joe could see it all. For an instant everyone was frozen in place. Mr. Lowell stood riveted to his spot next to his fishing pole, \u201cPuddin\u2019! \u201che gasped<\/p>\n

Ben could see the little red head sucked below the rushing water as the little girl was swept downstream.<\/p>\n

Little Joe hesitated for just an instant then leaped from the willow branch right into the creek.<\/p>\n

\u201cPush off, push off\u201d he heard his Adam\u2019s voice inside his head.<\/p>\n

Hoss saw his little brother\u2019s yellow shirt fly by his head. Joe\u2019s slight form was arcing over the stream, his arms and legs whirligigging like four windmills as he tried to take flight away from the bank and hit the water.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d Ben bellowed.<\/p>\n

The plummeting boy hit the water with an enormous splash. The momentum of his leap had carried Joe deep into the water. Down, down he went.<\/p>\n

Joe remembered to hold his breath and he kept whirling his arms and kicking as he hit the bottom of the creek and pushed off. His lungs were bursting and his ears were filled with the rush of the stream as his head broke the surface. Joe took a good gulp of air when he popped up to the sunlight. The torrent pushed him down again and water filled his eyes. For an instant, the current spun around Joe head over heels and round and round and he panicked. Then, he saw a flash of red hair, as Puddin was swept past him. Miraculously, he stretched out his hand and grabbed hold of her collar and held tight.<\/p>\n

Their heads broke the surface again as the current swept them down creek. Joe hung tight onto Puddin\u2019s jacket as they bounced against some rocks and he pushed her up towards the surface of the rushing water.\u00a0 He started to sink, water filled his nose and mouth. He wasn\u2019t sure if he could hold his breath any longer and still hang on to the little girl.<\/p>\n

Just as he was swallowing another mouthful of creek water, Little Joe felt something yank him to the surface. Large, strong\u00a0hands grabbed onto Little Joe\u2019s yellow shirt and hauled him to the side of the stream. Somehow, the boy managed to hold tight to Puddin\u2019 as Ben and Mr. Lowell dragged their two drowning children to the grassy bank.<\/p>\n

For an instant Joe was all spun around confused. Everyone was hollering and someone was pounding him on his back as he choked and spit tried to catch his breath. Joe was face down on some grass as his Pa\u00a0was squeezing him and pounding on his back as creek water and most of his lunch was vomited onto the bank.<\/p>\n

\u201cBreathe boy, breathe.\u201d he heard his father urging.<\/p>\n

Somewhere he heard a small child crying and a lot of hollering. People were rushing all around him. Finally Joe stopped choking and caught his breath.\u00a0 Sheriff Coffee wrapped the shivering boy in his coat. Little Joe was cold. His teeth were chattering and he wanted his Pa to take him home.<\/p>\n

\u201cPuddin\u2019 \u201d Joe choked hoarsely. \u201cWhere is Puddin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe boy\u2019s lips are turning blue,\u201d one of the men declared.<\/p>\n

Someone gave him a swallow from the jug of whiskey that burned like fire on the way down. \u201cThat will warm you up, Boy.\u201d Hays assured him.<\/p>\n

He started to choke and cough again. His mouth tasted of creek water, like mud and vomit and the fire water in the jug. He spit some dirty grit onto the ground and wiped his mouth on the sleeve of Sheriff Coffee\u2019s jacket. Joe looked down at the jacket and saw the silver badge pinned on the front of\u00a0the jacket and pressed his hand on it and closed his eyes. Was he still the sheriff?<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is Puddin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

He heard someone crying very loudly and attempted to see who it was but couldn\u2019t move as he realized his Pa was cradling him on his lap. Ben was holding him so tight and so close Joe could hardly move. When he looked up, all Joe could see was a crowd of feet and legs.<\/p>\n

\u201cPuddin is fine, Joe, \u201creassured Sheriff Coffee. \u201cYou sure thought fast. She\u2019s jest fine. You saved her, Boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is she?\u201d Little Joe repeated, not quite believing what had just occurred.<\/p>\n

Mr. Lowell came closer with his little daughter in his arms so Little Joe could see for himself. Mrs. Lowell was hanging onto her too. The cold little girl was bundled up in a blanket like one of Nancy\u2019s pine cone babies and all Joe could see was her pale face and her round blue eyes and a damp lock of her red hair.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe, I don\u2019t know how to thank you for what you did,\u201d\u00a0Martin Lowell\u00a0smiled. \u201cYou have a brave, brave boy, Ben, I told you his heart is in the right place even if he does tend to leap in with both feet before he looks, \u201c<\/p>\n

Chapter 6<\/strong><\/p>\n

Puddin\u2019, the youngest red haired Lowell girl, came to school wearing brand new hair ribbons. The ribbon exactly matched the trim on her favorite cobalt and grass green plaid dress, and was tied in a big jaunty bow on top of her red hair.\u00a0 Jack Fischer knew if he just tweaked things just right, those hair bows could cause quite a ruckus.<\/p>\n

For the four days in a row Hoss Cartwright had hung around the schoolyard menacingly eyeing the older boys who had bullied Little Joe. He lingered in the shadows under the tree or near the steps until the students marched inside then departed.<\/p>\n

At morning recess, Jack Fischer gathered his pals around him. He smiled and said \u201cWell fellers, I think we can stir up a little fun this afternoon. That big old jail guard Hoss Cartwright seems to have taken leave of his post.\u201d They all laughed and poked each other at the thought of making up for such a quiet week.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose kids need a bit of stirring up, especially that Little Joe. Just watch my lead. Let\u2019s show everyone who is boss of this school,\u201d Jack<\/p>\n

The morning dragged on and by lunchtime the children were ready to burst out into the fresh air and enjoy their lunches outside, even though the school yard was muddy and full of puddles from the melting snow.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe, sit over here by me and Kate,\u201d Nancy Coffee called to him. The two girls were sitting on the wooden steps leading up to the school door.\u00a0 \u201cMy Ma sent some special cookies just for you, Little Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

Kate snickered at Nancy\u2019s foolishly obvious attempt at flirting with Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh Joe, don\u2019t you just love Mrs. Coffee\u2019s baking. I know you tell me that all the time.\u00a0 All the time! \u201cKate wiggled her freckled nose at her pal Joe who winked back at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe does?\u201d Nancy gasped.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Nancy. Joe said just the other day, there is nothing he would rather have than Mrs. Coffee\u2019s delicious cookies.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh good!\u201d Nancy was so happy.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, Nancy.” Katie continued with no hint of a joke in her voice. \u201cJust the other day, Little Joe said that if your Ma wasn\u2019t already married to your Pa he would seriously consider courting her just for all those delicious cookies she sends him. But if that should ever happen, it would make him your step father wouldn\u2019t it, Nancy?\u201d Kate made a silly lovesick face and Joe giggled.<\/p>\n

No girl in town could make Joe laugh like his brown eyed friend Kate Wallace. They had a special friendship and often teased each other like only the closest of friends could. Kate was the only girl who didn\u2019t get rattled when one of the boys tossed mud balls at her or put a frog in the girl\u2019s lunch bucket. Joe was the only one who knew that Kate was the unidentified, mysterious rascal who hung a pair of long johns off the school flagpole the night before school opened. It was their secret.<\/p>\n

Joe sat comfortably on the step below the girls and opened his lunch bucket. \u201cOK, \u201che thought. I made it through a full week of school with no problems, no fights. Adam\u2019s plan worked. He had done just like Hoss told him. \u201cBe patient, Little Brother. Be patient like Pa and be smart like Adam. Hold your temper.\u201d Hoss would be proud of his decision to sit on the steps and steer clear of any problems.<\/p>\n

On the other side of the school yard Joe could see the big boys roaming around like a wolf pack surveying a flock of lambs. He took a bite from his sandwich and watched. Jack Fischer was pointing at someone or something and laughing. The wolf pack separated and moved in among the smaller boys and girls and started nipping their heels.<\/p>\n

Joe was looking down into his lunch bucket to see what else he had to eat when a shriek filled the air.<\/p>\n

\u201cGive that back!\u201d Puddin wailed at Tucker Beck as he snatched her hair ribbons.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave my sister alone, \u201cDaniel demanded. He chased her tormentor. Beck quickly took off with Puddin and Daniel in futile pursuit across the muddy yard. They ran at an angle toward the school house steps where Joe sat with the two girls.<\/p>\n

Without thinking, Joe instantly leaped off his step and gave chase. He lowered his head and barreled into Tucker\u2019s back. Despite being far smaller than his opponent,\u00a0Joe aggressive charge caught him just right in the back of his knees and knocked him onto the mucky ground falling on top of him. Daniel tripped over the two and fell into the tangle of arms and legs.<\/p>\n

Trapped between the two boys, Joe started punching Tucker Beck but since he was sandwiched between Daniel and his enemy, he couldn\u2019t stand up quickly enough to get a good shot at him. Before he could extricate himself from the pile up, Fischer and one of the other older Town boys yanked Little Joe to his feet from the back. The other shoved Daniel backwards to the muddy ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy, my what do we have here?\u201d sneered Fischer as he and the other boy twisted Little Joe\u2019s arms back. Tucker stood up slowly, brushed himself off as Daniel lay sprawled on the ground. Tucker swung his meaty fist and gave Joe a solid punch in his gut knocking the wind out of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop!\u201d screamed Kate. She grabbed Joe\u2019s abandoned lunch bucket from the step and flung it as hard as she could at Fischer\u2019s blond head. She barely missing him and the bucket crashed against a tree with a loud clatter.<\/p>\n

\u201cBack off you little mosquito\u201d Jack growled at her.<\/p>\n

Alerted by the screaming and the crash of the metal lunch bucket, Miss Lambert ran out of the schoolhouse door. \u201cStop! Stop right now! There is no fighting in this school. Who started this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dGee Miss Lambert, Little Joe knocked Beck and Daniel into the mud for absolutely no reason. I just had to pull him off before someone got seriously hurt.\u201d Fischer looked up at the teacher convincingly. He placed his boot on Daniel\u2019s hand and stepped down slowly pinning the little boy\u2019s hand into the mud.<\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t that so, Daniel?\u201d Fischer smiled. He pressed his foot harder on Daniel\u2019s hand.\u201d Tell the teacher that is so.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trapped and intimidated by Jack Fischer, Daniel nodded in agreement.<\/p>\n

Joe\u00a0was doubled over still trying to catch his breath and couldn\u2019t speak up fast enough.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph Cartwright! You get inside this minute. You are in very serious trouble,\u201d Miss Lambert ordered.<\/p>\n

Joe dragged himself obediently into the school. His Pa was not going to be pleased. No indeed his pa was going to be mighty displeased with him. He didn\u2019t hold his temper and once again was in serious trouble.<\/p>\n

Chapter 7<\/strong><\/p>\n

The heavily laden freight wagon rumbled down the muddy street. It had been delayed half a day by the rutted roads, and the ineptitude of the inexperienced new helper, Cyrus Carnigan. The driver, Frank Stanley pulled up the team in front of Lowell\u2019s hardware\u00a0store.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2018s the school house.\u201d Frank smiled as he looked across the street and smiled. He took off his hat and mopped his brow with his bandanna. He ran his fingers through his dark hair.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s the schoolhouse where his pretty Carly Lambert was the school marm. Frank thought.\u00a0 \u201cCy let\u2019s get this delivery done!\u201d<\/p>\n

Cyrus Carnigan was in a rush to deliver this last and largest load and make his way over to the Bucket of Blood saloon. This was the worst job he ever had. He was sick of breaking his back heaving barrels and crates and putting up with merchants who got angry when he broke something. The idea quitting the freight job and of continuing out to California seemed mighty appealing.<\/p>\n

\u201cA beer would sure taste good\u201d Cy said aloud.\u201d Mighty good.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust do your job first, \u201cordered Stanley. \u201c We got a lot to unload here and our horses to tend before you\u2019ll be drinkin\u2019 any beer. Did you check that axle like I told you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, sure,” Cyrus lied. \u201cGet off my back.\u201d Stanley was a worse nag than his last boss. Cy was glad to leave that guy with a broken nose when he quit.<\/p>\n

Disgruntled Cy had haphazardly loaded the freight wagon far too high and it was poorly balanced and not tied down sufficiently. Much of the load had shifted on the rutted road between Carson and Virginia City. The crates of crockery and stout wooden barrels of pickles, heavy anvils and nail kegs and the cast iron machine parts for the Cartwright lumber mill\u00a0were caught at an awkward angle between\u00a0a jumble of trunks and boxes.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust check that axle again once we unload this freight Cy. I don\u2019t like the way this wagon feels, not one bit. Don\u2019t go running off until we are done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright looked up at the freight driver silhouetted against the bright late afternoon sun. With his broad shoulders and black hair and the sun glaring behind him, for an instant, Ben could have sworn the driver was his oldest boy Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfternoon Frank.\u201d Ben smiled shading his eye with his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfternoon Mr. Cartwright, Hoss.\u201d\u00a0Frank called. Frank climbed down from the high wagon seat and walked over to Ben. He pulled out some folded papers from his shirt pocket and carefully checked through the shipping manifest. \u201cLooks like we have those crates you\u2019ve been waiting on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGlad those machine parts are finally here. My boys were coming into town every day this week waiting for you. Got Hoss here out of a lot of chores though.\u201d Hoss overheard his father\u2019s comment and grinned widely. He might have managed to avoid lots of chores but he also had a fine excuse to see pretty Andrea Lowell each day. Andrea was the nicest and sweetest girl in town and even prettier now than when they were in school together. Unfortunately, Hoss was far too shy to share how he felt about her with any one.<\/p>\n

Ben suspected that something was going on with his two younger boys. He wasn\u2019t completely fooled by the stories the two had confabulated to get Hoss into town with Little Joe. Ben might be tired out, and worried but he still knew every move his boys made.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is Mr. Lowell? Have any idea where he wants us to unload this wagon?\u201d Frank asked the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n

Just then, Andrea walked out the front door of the store. Hoss grinned at her and she returned his smile and waved. He blushed beet red and wishing he could think of something clever to say to her but was at an awkward loss for words.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy father said to bring that wagon in rear of the store, by way of the alley. He said to take it very slow. It\u2019s a tight squeeze between the buildings. He\u2019ll meet you round back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure Honey, \u201cCyrus smirked rudely from his perch high on the seat in the freight wagon.\u201d And where\u2019d you get all that purty red hair you sweet thing? Want to go for a ride with me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss was taken aback by Cy\u2019s overt rudeness to Andrea. How could someone talk so disrespectfully to a nice young lady? Before the boy could say something to defend her, Frank, the dark haired freight driver spoke up. \u201dKeep a polite\u00a0tongue in your mouth, Cyrus.” Frank reprimanded his helper with a firm shove. \u201cI\u2019m mighty sorry Miss Andrea. \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cJust pull the wagon around back,\u201d Andrea said trying to sound like she was in charge, though Hoss sensed she was unnerved by Cyrus\u2019s bold attention.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee you round back, Miss Andrea,\u201d Frank politely said with a quick tip of his hat. \u201cGet moving, Cyrus!\u201d<\/p>\n

The driver tapped the reigns on the back of the tired team and carefully drove the unbalanced freight wagon down the tight alley way between the hardware store and the adjacent stable.<\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss Cartwright watched the lumbering freight wagon start down the narrow alleyway. Ben stepped up to the back of his own buck board and started to shift some of the parcels that Hoss had already loaded.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, lets rearrange this stuff so we can leave some room on that side of the buck board for the crates from the mill.\u201d Ben directed his son. He reached over to shove a grain sack closer to the nail kegs. \u201cLooks like we will be done here just in time for school to let out and I can drag Joe down for that haircut.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust tell him if he gives you a hard time, we\u2019ll tie him behind the wagon by his hair and make him run behind with his curls flowing in the breeze.\u201d Hoss joked.<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like a plan!\u201d his father agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh Josephine, run faster.”\u00a0 Hoss squeaked in imitation of a little girl.\u00a0\u201cRun faster, sweetie pie!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed loudly at the silly high pitched voice coming from his burly son.\u00a0He pulled off his own hat and swatted Hoss with it and both father and son dissolved in laughter. Through the front widow of the store, Ben could see Lindell Lowell and waved his hand in greeting.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee you round back, Ben!\u201d Lowell called to the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n

Tragically, these were the last words Ben Cartwright ever heard his friend say to him.<\/p>\n

Chapter 8<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss continued to rearrange the load in their wagon as Cy pulled the freight wagon down the narrow alley that would lead around the back of the Lowell\u2019s store. Suddenly, they all heard an ear splitting crash and the sound of a horrifying scream and horses whinnying in fear. Andrea burst out the front of the store shouting \u201cHelp! Mr. Cartwright, Hoss, Help! Come quick!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Cartwrights ran down the alley as fast as they could. Crates, split casks and barrels as well as broken bits of wood spilled all over the alley and into the yard. At the end of the alley they saw the horrendous disaster. The freight wagon tilted at a crazy angle and rested wedged against the side wall of the Lowell\u2019s store.\u00a0 The poorly balanced load had split the wagon\u2019s axle. The wheel broke off and splintered in pieces pinning Lindell Lowell beneath the collapsed freight wagon. The corner of the wagon rested on Lowell\u2019s chest, crushing him into the dirt like a cracked egg. The contents of the freight wagon had tumbled out burying him beneath a heap of the heavy shipment.<\/p>\n

Ben dropped to one knee in the dirt beside him. \u201cLindell, can you hear me? Lindell?\u201d<\/p>\n

Lindell\u2019s head turned and his eyes opened for an instant but they had trouble focusing on Ben\u2019s face.\u00a0 All that came from his lips was a fearsome groan and his eyes fluttered shut.<\/p>\n

Cyrus stood next to the wagon frozen at the scene his negligence had caused. He grabbed the bridle of the horse nearest him and tried to steady the panicked team.<\/p>\n

Frank ran out of the back door of the store and took the steps two at a time. He screamed \u201cDamn you Cy ! Unhitch the team before they spook more. Andrea, run for Doc Martin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrs. Lowell darted down the steps after Frank. Her face paled when she saw her beloved husband trapped beneath the wagon. \u201cLindell! Oh my goodness! Please help him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, quick, Boy, Help me off load the wagon,\u201d bellowed\u00a0Ben taking charge of the situation. Hoss came running and single handedly grabbed a bulky wooden crate and heaved it as far as he could. It smashed open when it hit the ground spilling out a dozen iron frying pans and the straw it was packed in. Then he and Ben each rolled a barrel off the back of the wagon.<\/p>\n

Ben pointed to a pile of lumber near the shed.\u00a0 \u201cFrank, get that long beam over there. Maybe we can lift the wagon up and pull Lindell out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frank yanked a long length of wood from the pile of lumber and hoped\u00a0to heaven that it was going to be as strong as they needed it to be. With much heaving and sweating, and a few choice cuss words, he and Ben wedged the beam\u00a0up under the side of the wagon that was crushing Lindell.<\/p>\n

In a desperate attempt to lighten the weight of the tipped freight wagon, Hoss hastily pulled crates and boxes from the wagon and flung them helter skelter.\u00a0 Cyrus roused himself from his shock and started helping Hoss. He grabbed one end of a big trunk and Hoss the other and they heaved it to the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright this should do it,\u201d Frank said pointing at the beam. \u201cStand clear boys and give me a hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss and Cy jumped clear of the wagon. Then each man took a place on the beam.<\/p>\n

\u201dPut your backs into it.\u201d Ben directed. \u201cAll together on three. One, two, three.\u201d<\/p>\n

The three men pushed down on the board and the wagon creaked loudly, moving up a few inches. \u201cHold it for a minute,\u201d Cartwright directed the others. \u201cDon\u2019t let it fall.\u201d He had no desire to be crushed under the wagon if it dropped.<\/p>\n

As quickly as he could, Ben pulled Lowell out from\u00a0under the wagon by the armpits. By now, the injured man was only semi-conscious, but he still groaned in pain.\u00a0His injuries were starting to bleed heavily. Ben had seen men crushed like that before when he was at sea and a mast fell on a mate during a storm. The rancher didn\u2019t think there was very much chance of saving Lindell Lowell but no matter what, they had to try.<\/p>\n

\u201cOk, we\u2019re clear!\u201d Ben shouted as he pulled the store owner completely free of the wagon\u2019s crushing load. Blood gushed from Lowell\u2019s chest drenching\u00a0Ben\u2019s hands and shirt as well as puddling on the dirt beneath him. Hoss, Frank, and Cy released their grip on the lever and the wagon crashed noisily down into the ground.<\/p>\n

Andrea and Doctor Martin ran down the alley way followed by a crowd of curious onlookers. Ben and Frank carefully picked up Lindell and carried him inside followed by the doctor. Helplessly, Andrea and the victim\u2019s silent, shaken wife trailed behind.<\/p>\n

A few minutes later Frank stepped outside grim faced \u201cI\u2019m going to go get those Lowell kids from the school. If they want to see their Daddy alive one last time, I better hustle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss stood silently, not knowing what he should do. He angrily turned kicked at the wagon.<\/p>\n

Chapter 9<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joe glanced through the dusty school house window again. His brother, Hoss was carrying a lumpy burlap sack of something over one shoulder and loaded that into the back of the\u00a0wagon.\u00a0 Little Joe saw his Pa ride up beside the wagon and tie his horse up at the hitching rail in front of the Lowell\u2019s store. Ben must have finished up his business at the bank. Joe hoped his Pa couldn\u2019t see into the schoolhouse and see what was going on with him.<\/p>\n

Joe glanced back to the classroom, lost in worry about how his father would punish him. The next time he glanced out of the window he saw the over flowing freight wagon pull up in front of the Lowell\u2019s hardware store. The heavily loaded wagon started to move down the alley towards back. All of a sudden there was some sort of big noisy crash and then a commotion across the street.\u00a0 Little Joe could see Frank bolt across the street and burst into the school. He walked briskly over to Miss Lambert\u2019s desk and loudly said \u201cWhere is the Lowell kids? They got to go home quick. Right this minute.\u201d<\/p>\n

Totally confused and surprised to see her boyfriend Frank in her classroom, her eyes widened and Miss Lambert pointed out Daniel and Puddin\u2019.\u00a0 In an instant Frank scooped up Puddin in his arms and grabbed Daniel by the arm and strode quickly out of the school house. Puddin started to shriek as she had no idea what was going on or why a strange man was carrying her out of school.<\/p>\n

\u201cHush up. Your ma needs you home, right now. No time to explain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe could see Frank urgently rush his two friends across the street into all the commotion.\u00a0 In flash, Little Joe scooted out of the corner and dashed out the door to follow Daniel and Puddin\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph Cartwright, you come back here right now!\u201d Miss Lambert screamed as he ran out of the school. Joe ignored her demands and he rushed across the street. When he arrived at the hardware store, the first thing he saw his great big brother Hoss pale leaning against the wall, his head pillowed on his arms crying.<\/p>\n

Part 4 <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

No Fault of Their Own<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tuesday Afternoon<\/p>\n

\u201dDid the saw blades I ordered come in yet, Andrea?\u201d Ben Cartwright asked the red headed young woman working behind the counter. She opened up the oversized green ledger book behind the counter and ran her finger quickly down the inventory and delivery page.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir, Mr. Cartwright. It came in just yesterday on the freight wagon. I think Cyrus put them in the back when he unloaded. Let me check for you. \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d appreciate that if you could. Adam and the crew are getting held up waiting to get those blades.\u201d He smiled. Having his oldest boy home brought Ben more happiness than he could have imagined. His son had matured into a talented engineer and a dependable partner on the ranch. In the year that Adam had been back home, lumber production had almost doubled. The new mill would easily be able to supply everything that Adam had estimated, perhaps even more.\u00a0Ben noticed a new shipment of hand tools on a chain that had been stretched over the counter. He reached up to examine a shiny handsaw.<\/p>\n

“Excuse me Mr. Cartwright, may I pass?” said Mrs. Lowell entering the store with her arms full of small packages.\u00a0 Daniel followed behind with another armload of merchandise. Keeping his eyes low, Danny silently placed all of it on a shelf near the entrance.<\/p>\n

Ben swept his hat off, “Mrs. Lowell, could I help you with one of those boxes?” he offered.<\/p>\n

Since her husband was killed, Mrs. Lowell had struggled to keep the store running. In the past, she had rarely waited on customers or had any dealings with the hardware store. She was terribly shy and reserved and usually had remained in their home above the hardware store tending to the cooking and cleaning and raising the children. Lindell Lowell\u2019s sudden death had required her to step forward and attempt to run the store. She was barely managing. She was leaning too heavily on her children, who for the most part were too much too young to take on this responsibility.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Lowell, could I help you?\u201d Ben courteously asked her again.<\/p>\n

“Oh no thank you, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d she shook her head.<\/p>\n

As Ben moved forward to pick up some boxes, young Danny stepped towards him and blocked his way.\u00a0Daniel hitched his box up on his hip” I’m strong enough to help my mom and my sister just fine”,\u00a0he said defiantly. \u201cWe don\u2019t need any help!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben knelt to the boy’s level to talk to him. Daniel seemed thinner and paler than the last time he had seen him. He realized he hadn\u2019t seen the boy out at the Ponderosa playing with Little Joe in months.<\/p>\n

“I can see that, you take good care of things for your mother.”<\/p>\n

“I sure do try Mr. Cartwright”,\u00a0Daniel looked away. He had black circles under his eyes. \u201cYou just go and get your order and leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stood back up, ignoring the boy\u2019s rudeness and faced his mother.\u00a0 “Mrs. Lowell are you sure I can’t give you a hand, or help you out in any other way?”<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, sir. My husband\u2019s brother has joined us as you know, and he is taking care of everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs long as everything is all right,\u201d Ben started to offer his help but he saw Andrea glance nervously behind her at her mother and then back at him.\u00a0 Andrea met his eyes, and he didn\u2019t say another word.\u00a0 The girl knew that Mr. Cartwright suspected that something was amiss and she tried to keep her tongue. Her mother had told her not to tell anyone about family business.\u00a0Mr. Cartwright was different, he wasn\u2019t just anyone. He had been her father\u2019s good friend. The rancher had specifically told her at her father\u2019s funeral to come to him if she needed help.<\/p>\n

“Really Mr. Cartwright we’re all very fine,\u201d Mrs. Lowell lied.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright? \u201cAndrea was about to say something to Mr. Cartwright when she saw her uncle approaching from the rear of the store. She caught her breath and began to tremble.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me have the rest of the list and you can start loading up. Is your wagon out front?” Andrea quickly stammered.<\/p>\n

Ben nodded and handed her the order he had made up. He placed his hat on the back of his head.<\/p>\n

\u201dI appreciate your offer but my brother\u2013in-law Ramsey is taking fine care of everything,\u201d Mrs. Lowell told him looking down at the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I had better start loading up my wagon.\u201d\u00a0 Ben hoisted one of the nail kegs onto his broad shoulder, turned and started out the door. \u201cMy boys are waiting these things back at the Ponderosa and it is getting late.\u201d<\/p>\n

“Andrea what are you doing?\u00a0 I been waiting for ten minutes out back?” Ramsey Lowell bellowed and glared at Ben loading his wagon outside.<\/p>\n

Mrs. Lowell paled and was suddenly silent. She looked away.\u00a0 Andrea nudged Daniel and shook her head. \u201cNow is not the time to talk to Mr. Cartwright,\u201d she whispered. \u201cKeep quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n

“Get in the storage room and go back to work before there is more trouble” he shouted, as he shoved Daniel back towards the door. The boy stumbled at the force of his uncle\u2019s push.\u00a0 Ramsey reached over and grabbed the boy by the scruff off his neck and lifted him off his feet. He was completely defenseless as he struggled to free himself from the man’s iron grip.<\/p>\n

Andrea rushed toward them and grasped her uncle\u2019s arm as he raised his arm to strike the boy. Daniel ducked his head.<\/p>\n

“Uncle no! Leave him alone, please. Daniel, go in back. Go in back right now!” the red headed girl demanded but her uncle brushed her away.<\/p>\n

“You got something to say to me?” he snarled, his face now inches from his frightened niece\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

Suddenly the Lowells heard a familiar deep voice thunder from the doorway.<\/p>\n

“Let him go! You got no call to push the boy around like that,\u201d Ben protested as he walked back inside.<\/p>\n

The man turned on Ben in a flash. Realizing he was not alone in the store, Ramsey immediately transformed. He released his grasp on his terrified nephew and turned to face the gray haired rancher. Ben stood with both hands on his hips, his mouth set in an angry line.<\/p>\n

\u201dDaniel, are you all right? \u201c Ben asked as he took a step forward into the store.<\/p>\n

Before the child could answer Ben heard Mrs. Lowell speak. \u201dDaniel go in back. Everything is just perfectly fine, Mr. Cartwright. It was only a little misunderstanding. You know how children are,” She smiled weakly, her eyes flitted back and forth between her daughter and brother-in-law.\u00a0 \u201cAndrea, go finish filling Mr. Cartwright\u2019s order.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright?\u00a0 I\u2019m Ramsey Lowell.\u201d The other man extended his hand in greeting. Ramsey Lowell looked like a larger, burly version of his late brother. There was a sour angry look in his eyes as he met Cartwright\u2019s gaze. \u201cIs there something I can do for you?\u201d\u00a0 His mouth was smiling but his blood shot eyes were angry.<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright glared at him. Something was very wrong here and he was going to find out about it.<\/p>\n

Chapter 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wednesday Afternoon<\/u><\/p>\n

Leaning over on his tiptoes, Joe reached into the grain bin in the tack room. He was able to just reach the loose panel with one hand and reach behind it for the oil-cloth wrapped package. He pulled it out and stood up facing his friend,\u00a0\u201cLook at this Daniel! Have you ever seen anything like this?\u201d\u00a0 Joe carried the shotgun, pointing at the barn floor. The barrel was sheathed in a scabbard of ornately tooled leather.<\/p>\n

Daniel leaned over Little Joe\u2019s shoulder, their two curly heads touching. As much the two boys looked outwardly very much alike, inwardly they were quite different. Energetic Little Joe was sociable and self-confident. Daniel Lowell was growing more withdrawn and anxious as the weeks went on.\u00a0 The two friends still had a strong resemblance to each other but it was less strong as the years passed. Joe was still slim and wiry but was beginning to get more muscular and have broader shoulders like his father and older brothers. Daniel was narrower and thinner with dark circles under his eyes and few smiles since his father was killed fifteen months earlier.<\/p>\n

Daniel seemed to carry a lot of worry in his heart and no matter how many times Joe tried to make him talk or laugh, he was usually unsuccessful. Since Mr. Lowell had died, Little Joe hadn\u2019t spent as much time with his friend as he had in the past as Dan was usually helping Andrea and his mother in the store. On rare occasion, Dan came to visit at the Ponderosa. Just after Mr. Lowell was killed, the Cartwrights invited the Wallaces and the Lowell\u2019s for Sunday dinner after church a few times a month. Somehow, on those Sundays, Hop Sing always made so much extra for the meal that Ben insisted the Lowells take home all the leftovers as the food would certainly go to waste if they didn\u2019t do him that favor.<\/p>\n

Ever since Ramsey Lowell had arrived, Joe saw Dan even less outside of school. Occasionally, Joe spent a few hours with his buddy helping him and Andrea out in the store just to be with Dan. He was never invited to join them for supper so he had to head back home before dark. Today, Dan showed up on the Ponderosa with two door knobs and some brass hinges nervously claiming that his sister had told him that Mr. Cartwright had ordered these items to be delivered to him.\u00a0 Ben had never ordered them but paid the boy for them and then invited Daniel to visit for a while. He assumed the story about the delivery was a pretense for Dan had wrangled together to create an opportunity to visit with Little Joe for a few hours and enjoy himself for a few hours.<\/p>\n

\u201cGee that\u2019s a mighty fancy shot gun.\u201d Daniel said examining the weapon.<\/p>\n

\u201dAdam brought it back from San Francisco last time he was there. He ordered it special from a gunsmith for Pa\u2019s birthday, the best gunsmith west of the Mississippi. It cost quite a bit, but we all chipped in.\u00a0 I gave him all the money I earned from working on the fences and selling that little bull calf I\u2019ve been raising. Pa\u2019s birthday won\u2019t be for a long time but Adam said we better get it now and put it away in case he don\u2019t get back to San Francisco in the next few months.”<\/p>\n

Daniel examined the firearm silently.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was the one who figured out where to hide it.\u201d Joe bragged. \u201cPa will never, ever find it here. Never! Look, the board at the back of the bin is loose and if you push it just so, you can slide anything in there and no one will see it.\u201c<\/p>\n

At his side and slightly behind, Daniel continued to study the rifle, tracing his finger almost absently over the smooth, highly polished stock. Inset into the stock was a decoration of a stampeding buffalo herd and as an engraved pattern on the barrel and scrollwork that matched on the leather scabbard. Both were adorned with the initials BC in the design.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got to put it back.\u201d Joe carefully wrapped it up and stowed it back behind the panel in the bin. \u201cAdam will skin me alive if he knows I took it out.\u201d<\/p>\n

His friend reluctantly handed the shotgun back to Joe. Dan watched quietly as Joe returned the gift to its hiding place.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go get something to eat.\u201d Joe grinned to his friend. \u201cYou look like you can use a little meat on your bones. Hoss said you are looking peeked and I should make sure you stay for supper too.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two friends who at one time were exactly the same size and often were mistaken for each other, were now a few inches apart in height.\u00a0 Joe wasn\u2019t sure what to do about how quiet and frail his friend looked, but the idea of a sandwich before certainly appealed to both boys.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll race you inside.\u201d Joe shouted as he took off for the kitchen.\u00a0Joe beat the other boy by quite a bit. It was then that he decided that would have to remember to ask his Pa for some advice after Daniel went home.<\/p>\n

Chapter 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thursday Morning<\/u><\/p>\n

Joe had arrived at school that morning dreading one more day of misery with Mr. Ramsey Lowell.\u00a0 In addition to running the Lowell\u2019s floundering hardware store, Ramsey had been hired to teach in the Virginia City School when Miss Lambert left to marry Frank Stanley.\u00a0Katie Wallace pulled Joe aside as he was tending to his horse, Lucky. It was the first day without rain all week. Lucky was a fat dependable mare that Ben insisted that Joe ride to school, despite his son wanting a faster, more spirited horse.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, don\u2019t use the outhouse,” she warned mysteriously.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you talking about, Kate? What am I supposed to do? Use my hat?\u201d He teased.<\/p>\n

\u201dJoseph Cartwright! You are totally disgusting. \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cMy boots?\u201d he was determined to continue being rude. \u201cMy lunch bucket?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dJoe, quit! Just don\u2019t use the outhouse, not just yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dWhat\u2019s going on, Kate?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dJust don\u2019t ask me,\u201d she giggled. \u201cAnd did you know skunks just love cherry pie.\u201d She turned to walk away and glanced back over her shoulder. Her brown eyes were twinkling with a look that said \u201cLong johns on the flagpole.\u201d<\/p>\n

He noticed some brown crusty pie pieces set in a trail to the outhouse. Joe rolled his eyes and followed his mischievous pal into the schoolhouse. Katie was up to something and Little Joe was just going to watch where the chips fell.<\/p>\n

Chapter 4<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thursday Afternoon<\/u><\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright and his eldest son sat at the desk hard at work. They were struggling valiantly to organize the tasks that needed completion and schedule the men effectively. The Ponderosa had a big lumber contract to complete for Fischer\u2019s mine, fences that needed repairing, stock that needed tending and far too few hands to deal with all of it. The miserable weather the last three weeks had thrown everything behind schedule. The rain had also caused the creeks to rise higher than anyone could remember and flood some of the best pasture on the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

Today was the first sunny day all week, but ominous gray clouds were forming to the west,\u00a0promising more rain in the next day. The sodden ground could not absorb any more moisture and the creeks were full to flood level.\u00a0 In addition to all the other difficulties, the temperature was dropping. It appeared that an early winter was closing in, demanding that they move most of the herds down to winter pasture before flooding or early snow trapped them on inaccessible higher meadows where they would be stranded for the winter.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, we are still missing dozens of head. I just hope we aren\u2019t being rustled,\u201d Adam said, adding to his father\u2019s list of worries. The two men heard Hop Sing open the door for someone.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright, sir.\u201d Hays Newkirk, Ben\u2019s foreman called as he walked over to them. He had his battered brown hat in his hands and was turning it nervously as he approached the boss. He had a bruise on the side of his face and a fat lip, obviously from a fight.<\/p>\n

\u201dWhat is it Hays? How was Carson City? Did you deliver the horses ok?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe horses went fine but we got another problem, boss.” He bent his hat brim back and forth between his hands nervously. \u201cYou know those six new hands you sent up with me to help with that string of horses? Well we kinda sorta got into a fight in the Lucky Bucket and caused quite a bit of damage. T\u2019wasn\u2019t our fault, Ben. Some fellers from one of the mines was picking on one of the bar girls and one of our boys stepped in and\u2026. Well, it got out of hand. The Sheriff up there has our boys locked up in his jail.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head at the latest complication. “I was counting on those boys to help me move those herds. You\u2019ll have to ride back up there and bail them out. How much do you need? I have Hoss and Hop Sing loading the chuck wagon now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dI know you were, Ben. I saw on my way in here,” the foreman said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were getting set to ride out as soon as they were finished. Weather is turning bad again.\u201d<\/p>\n

“That is not the only problem. You see, Judge Kane won\u2019t allow the Sheriff to let those boys go just on bail. He\u2019ll only release them to Mr. Ben Cartwright personally. That Judge said he was dang sick of those Ponderosa hands tearing up saloons and wants to talk to you personal, face to face.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben slammed his fist into his paper-cluttered desk scattering the work schedules to the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said he would only let those boys leave with Mr. Ben Cartwright of the Ponderosa Ranch and if he didn\u2019t see your face in his courtroom the sheriff could let those boys cool their heels until he did. He said they could sit there until the moon turned blue if need be. \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, it looks like you\u2019ll have to take a ride up there and get them out,\u201d Adam observed.\u201d We are too short handed as it is. If they leave right away they can catch up with us from that direction instead of coming back down this way to the Ponderosa.\u201d
\n\u201dWhat other choice do we have, Hays?\u00a0 You go tell Hoss what\u2019s going on and give him a hand with whatever hasn\u2019t been finished.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dSorry for the trouble, Boss,\u201d Hays said as he put his hat back on and walked out of the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess these will have to be redone.\u201d Adam kneeled down and started picking up the papers his father had knocked to the floor.<\/p>\n

They made the necessary adjustments in the schedules. Just as the grandfather clock struck four, Ben and Adam heard the front door slam and the excited voices of two boys hollering, \u201cWe found them! We found them!\u201d\u00a0 The two boys took a second to toss their hats and their two blue jackets on the pegs near the door and ran towards them, their muddy boots clattering on the wide floor boards.\u00a0 \u201cPa we found them!\u201d Little Joe crowed proudly.<\/p>\n

Chuckling and trying to catch their breaths, Joe and Danny Lowell ran through the room to where Ben and Adam sat at the desk. Joe barely managed not to knock over a chair. Adam looked at them with a raised eyebrow and a small crooked smile, but beyond him their fathers’ angry stony glare sobered them both quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cDaniel, Joseph, where have you been?\u201d Ben demanded. His son should have been back in the house hours earlier.<\/p>\n

\u201dPa we found \u2018em!\u201d Little Joe boasted. \u201cWe found the lost cattle!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dMr. Cartwright we found them all!\u201d Daniel added grinning broadly.<\/p>\n

\u201dThey are up in a draw by Canyon Creek. They\u2019re all there, Pa, but we couldn\u2019t get them out. There was a rock slide from all the rain and they are penned in there.\u201d Joe bragged. \u201cWe tried to move the rocks but it was too much for us and Daniel said we should go tell you and let you sort it out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dAll of them? \u201c Adam asked. \u201cYou found all the missing cattle?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dAll of them. There must have been five dozen head up there all penned in by the slide.\u201d Joe assured him.<\/p>\n

\u201dGood job, Little Brother. You used your head.\u201d Adam said proudly moving out of his chair to pat his brother on the back. \u201cI\u2019m proud of you, both.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stood up from his desk and put his right arm around Joe\u2019s shoulder. He attempted to put his other arm around Daniel but the curly haired boy flinched and pulled away. \u201cShow me where you were on the map.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben and Adam watched as Joe pointed out the location on the map of the Ponderosa hanging on the wall between the windows.\u00a0\u201cRight here\u201d Joe pointed sliding his finger on the map. Daniel nodded in agreement.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d His father asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m positive,\u201d Joe nodded confidently. \u201cRight there, Pa.\u00a0 At least five dozen as far as I could see. We really need to get them out. That creek looks awful high from all this rain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben turned toward his youngest son and gave Joe a serious look. \u201cThat is pretty far off track for you two to be. That would have taken you a lot more time to reach than say, an hour after school lets out and get back here at four o\u2019clock. Is there something you are leaving out of the story?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dLike what Pa?\u201d Joe asked innocently. He was so caught up in the excitement of finding the cattle he had completely forgotten how the day had begun.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike how you might have been hunting for lost cattle when you should have been sitting in school this afternoon.” Adam said reading his father\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n

\u201dJoseph, is there something you are omitting? Is this all of the story?\u201d Ben asked seriously.<\/p>\n

Before Joe could answer his father\u2019s question, the front door slammed again and they heard Hoss hang up his hat and lay down his gun belt on the sideboard \u201cPa?\u201d he called. \u201cPa, that wagon is almost loaded. Hop Sing said he would have supper ready for us as quick as he could. I sure am hungry! We still have enough daylight to get out of here and make some good time if the weather holds. Those men will have a hot breakfast tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, Hoss! We found the cattle!\u201d Joe interrupted.<\/p>\n

\u201d What are you talking about?\u201d Hoss walked over excitedly to where the others were gathered near Ben\u2019s desk.<\/p>\n

\u201dJoseph, I said, is there something you boys are leaving out of this story?\u201d his father repeated firmly. \u201cI want the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dUm they let us out of school before lunch time and er we decided to go for a ride?\u201d Joe\u2019s voice cracked nervously.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Ramsey Lowell dismissed school for the day before lunch?\u201d Adam laughed thinking that Joe surely couldn\u2019t expect his father to believe the authoritarian school master would have given his charges a half day holiday.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s see how Pa\u2019s baby son squirms out of this one, Hoss.\u201d Adam chuckled. He crossed his arms and leaned back waiting to see how Joe tried to get out of this scrape.<\/p>\n

Daniel noticeably winced at the mention of his uncle\u2019s name but remained strangely silent. It was difficult enough to have his uncle invade the peace of his home and take over the household without having to see the man become the schoolmaster too.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell Pa,\u201d Joe slowly began carefully picking his words. \u201cThis is what really what happened. Someone put a skunk in the outhouse and he stunk up the place so bad that we were let go early.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss started to laugh. \u201cA skunk in the outhouse?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dLord! That boy will be the death of me yet!\u201d Ben sighed wearily and put his hand to his forehead. He fought back a smile and tried his best to look sternly at the young rascal. \u201cJoseph Francis Cartwright, look me right in the eye and tell me if you were the one who put the skunk in the outhouse. Truth now.\u201d He glared down at the boy and place one of his hands on each of the boy\u2019s shoulders. \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201dGee Pa, it wasn\u2019t me. I sure didn\u2019t do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tell me the truth, Son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dNo sir, Mr. Cartwright, sir. It wasn\u2019t Joe, \u201cDaniel backed up his friend earnestly.\u201d It was Ka\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dIt was someone else.\u201d Joe elbowed the other boy and finished his sentence. There was no need for his father to know that Kate Wallace had lured the skunk into the outhouse with a trail of cherry pie morsels and created the best prank since she hoisted the long johns on the flag pole.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure Pa, He ain\u2019t lying,\u201d Hoss laughed. \u201dIf Little Joe did pull one on that Mr. Lowell, he would have put two skunks or three skunks in that guy\u2019s desk not one lonely skunk in the outhouse.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Cartwrights all laughed at that picture. Daniel looked around the room nervously.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, that creek is the highest I ever remember it being. One more good rain and the strays are gonna drown in a flood,\u201d Joe successfully changed the subject and distracted his father from even considering punishing him. \u201cWe can\u2019t let that happen, Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed loudly. One more crisis to juggle. How is he going to manage to get these cattle out with the short number of hands he had now? Most of his men were needed up north to move the herd to winter pasture before snowfall. Now he had to personally ride up to Carson City to get those six hands bailed from autocratic Judge Burt Kane\u2019s court. Hoss and Hop Sing were ready to move the chuck wagon out to meet the cattle crew.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s head was pounding with the worst headache he ever had. He rubbed the back of his neck with one hand trying to rearrange the limited number of men he had to do the job.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, why not let me take Slim and Les and that new fellow up to the rock slide at day break we could clear it all out and join Hoss up north by afternoon if we put our backs into it.\u201d Adam suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure Pa, we could do that!\u201d Joe agreed excitedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe? Joseph you forgot one word.\u201d Ben looked at his youngest boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne word?\u201d Joe asked trying to figure out what his father was referring to now.<\/p>\n

\u201dSchool!\u201d his father answered firmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo Pa! Oh come on now! I found them. Please Pa, Let me go with Adam and the crew. Please!\u201d the boy pleaded.<\/p>\n

\u201dJoseph, you have to be in school tomorrow. Adam, you take those men up to clear the slide and when you are done, send them up to Hoss and the crew moving the herd. Then you come back here to the house and spend the night with Little Joe. You two are going to be the only one\u2019s around here until I get back and someone has to tend to things here.\u201d Ben decided. \u201cThis damn rain might just turn into snow before we get everything done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Pa\u2026\u201d Joe pleaded.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo \u2018but Pa\u2019 Joseph. Just do what I told you to do and make sure you do it,\u201d Ben bellowed. \u201cWe are too short handed to do this any other way and I still have to bail out those men PERSONALLY from Judge Kane. And you had better make sure you do everything I tell you to do just the way I tell you or there will be the devil to pay Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I really want to go with Adam and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

“I said that’s enough!” Ben boomed, smashing his palms on the\u00a0desk. Joe faced his father his mouth open about to say one more sentence.<\/p>\n

Hoss looked at their father too. Ben looked like he was about to explode.<\/p>\n

\u201dPa, calm down.\u201d Hoss, always the peacemaker, put his hand on his father\u2019s shoulder. \u201cHe\u2019s just a kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dLook, we have a lot to do the next few days and I need all of you boys to cooperate with me and follow orders not pull in a different direction.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026\u201d Joe was not quite ready to let his father have the last word.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut nothing Joseph. Is that clear? You will be in school tomorrow and you will come directly home to this ranch as I am directing you and you will take care of things as I am telling you or there will be hell to pay.\u201c Ben stared at his youngest son. \u201cIs that clear?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir.\u201d Little Joe backed off with a frown.<\/p>\n

Daniel nervously shrank away from the Cartwrights grouped around Mr. Cartwright\u2019s desk.\u00a0 Lately he had heard enough yelling at home and hearing more was rattling him. He had never heard Mr. Cartwright get so angry and shout so loud. Dan had wanted to talk to Joe\u2019s father just like Andrea directed him to do. With Mr. Cartwright so angry, the boy was now far too terrified to say anything about his difficulties at home.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh, Joe, I better be getting home.\u201d Dan said in a panicked voice.<\/p>\n

Joe glanced over at his friend and nodded. He had momentarily forgotten Daniel was even there.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I want to go with Adam. Why can\u2019t I?\u201d Joe pouted.<\/p>\n

Adam leaned over to his little brother and whispered in his ear. \u201cBuddy, if you have any sense you will walk away from here and say good night to your friend before Pa shows you how you won\u2019t be sitting for a month of Sundays. Don\u2019t worry, I\u2019ll figure something out. Just walk out of here \u2018til Pa cools down.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe started to open his mouth but Adam squeezed Little Joe\u2019s shoulder firmly and the younger boy remained silent.<\/p>\n

\u201cWalk your friend to the door and say good bye,\u201d Adam repeated in his brother\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n

Joe walked Daniel to the door. Dan had borrowed a horse from the livery in exchange for a pound of nails he had swiped from the store and Joe knew he was not a confident rider, especially when he was travelling alone all the way back to town.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood night Dan. See you tomorrow.\u201d\u00a0 He handed his friend his jacket and hat from the rack near the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait a minute Joe, you\u2019re giving me your coat, not mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh!\u201d\u00a0Joe looked at the blue jacket in his hands and realized how similar the two jackets were. They were made of the same blue fabric but Joe\u2019s was a bit shorter and had horn buttons and his friend\u2019s belted coat had brass buttons and wider lapels. He handed the right blue jacket to his friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cStay safe, Daniel.\u201d Joe said to the other boy as he plopped the other boy\u2019s light brown hat on his head. His friend nodded and walked out the door without saying another word.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo get washed up for supper! All of you! We still have a lot to tend to tonight.\u201d Ben shouted. He was still steaming at the boy and at all the other problems that were stacking up on his shoulders. His headache was pounding harder.<\/p>\n

Joe stomped up the stairs, struggling not say anything just as Adam had instructed. Hoss headed outside to check one last time on how the hands were doing with loading the wagon and then he would wash up and join his family for supper.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, calm down, you know how Joe is. He just is going to pester you until he gets what he wants and you know you will give in to him,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, please don’t make excuses for your brother\u2019s disobedience or sullen attitude. He is picking the wrong time to not follow my orders.\u201d Ben\u2019s head was throbbing and they needed to deal with a million details before any of them could go to bed.<\/p>\n

“Sorry, Pa” Adam stated. He pulled a chair closer to the desk and sat down next to his father to double check the work list. He looked to his father, waiting for whatever Ben had in mind for him to handle. \u201cIf we finish one thing at a time, it all will work out as long as the weather holds. We can do it, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d Ben took a deep breath. “I know I shouldn’t be unloading this on you alone, but you’re the oldest. I have to rely on you to handle things.”<\/p>\n

\u201cI know Pa. That\u2019s ok. We can do this together. You do your part and Hoss and I will make sure the rest gets done. We have a good crew and they will get it all done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, son. Together, we can do everything that needs to be done as long as the weather holds.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 5<\/strong><\/p>\n

Daniel quietly walked out of the ranch house.\u00a0 Hoss and clusters of hands were readying wagons and saddling horses in preparation of leaving. The men were so busy doing their work, none of them even saw the boy lurking about.<\/p>\n

He had never seen Mr. Cartwright so enraged and it was terribly frightening to Daniel. He had wanted to talk to Little Joe\u2019s father about the troubles at home but now he was too terrified to say anything. Ben Cartwright had been their last option.<\/p>\n

Just after their father\u2019s funeral, Mr. Cartwright had told Andrea and Danny if they needed anything, they should feel free to come to him. Mrs. Lowell contacted her brother in law Ramsey to tell him about her husband\u2019s sudden death. Ramsey Lowell showed up and immediately took over his dead brother\u2019s family and whatever money he had left behind saying there was still a large balance on the loan Ramsey had made to his brother.<\/p>\n

Initially, the family thought that Ramsey\u2019s presence would be the solution to their woes but they all quickly learned otherwise. Timid Mrs. Lowell withdrew, deferring to her brother in law\u2019s demands and strict rules. She feared her brother in law\u2019s insistence that he could have her declared unfit and take her children or that if he didn\u2019t take over, they would wind up as beggars. The unhappy children had wanted to speak to Ben Cartwright many times but their mother had vehemently insisted that they keep their business at home and not air their dirty laundry as it might upset Ramsey even more. Andrea and Dan didn\u2019t want to defy their grief stricken mother and were petrified to anger their uncle.<\/p>\n

As time wore on, the situation got worse. Fragile Mrs. Lowell retreated into her fears and grief even more. There were days when she hardly left her bed and Andrea had to take over all the cooking and household chores and in addition to trying to run the store. Ramsey Lowell grew more demanding and harsh.<\/p>\n

Now, with both his sisters crying all the time Danny had to tell someone about Uncle Ramsey and what was going on with Andrea. Andrea pleaded with her brother to go to Mr. Cartwright for help. One day, Andrea contrived that there was an important item that Daniel had to deliver to the Ponderosa so her brother could get Mr. Cartwrights help but Daniel find a way to speak to him alone.<\/p>\n

Now, after witnessing Ben Cartwright bellowing at Little Joe, Daniel was far too scared to do approach the infuriated man. The boy knew he had to take things in his own hands. He had to protect his family on his own just like a man would.\u00a0Daniel suddenly remembered the birthday shotgun Joe had shown him hidden in the tack room. Daniel Lowell immediately decided he was going to take care of his own family business on his own terms and he knew how he would do it.<\/p>\n

Chapter 6<\/strong><\/p>\n

Friday Morning, <\/u><\/p>\n

The two Cartwright brothers finished had finished their hasty breakfast and were in the kitchen washing their dishes. As he drained the dregs of coffee in his cup, Adam glanced out the window. He gestured skyward with his chin. “Rain for sure. Be sure you come directly home, Joe. Just like Pa told you to do.\u00a0 And do all those chores.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir, I\u2019ll come home directly after school. Little Joe squeezed in next to his brother and peeked out the window. Joe scrutinized the mottled gray bowl of a sky. “Do you really think it is really cold enough for snow?<\/p>\n

\u201cNot right now. But if the wind picks up, it might just get that cold by dark. I sure hope it isn\u2019t snow for the sake of the crew moving the cattle. It\u2019s going to be a hard enough job getting that herd down in the rain. Imagine how bad it will get if all this mud freezes up? \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll ride up and meet them tomorrow, like you said Adam,\u201d Little Joe repeated for the tenth time since breakfast.<\/p>\n

\u201dSure, Little Brother. You just keep your end of the bargain and I\u2019ll do my part.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dYou can count on me, Adam!\u201d Joe grinned. He couldn\u2019t wait to see the surprised look on his father\u2019s face when he and Adam rode up to meet them up at North Pasture.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure it will take me the better part of the day clearing off the rock slide you and Daniel found so it will be after sundown by the time I get back to the house. You all right with that Joe? You are going to be the only one on the place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I\u2019m not a little kid.\u00a0 I am almost twelve years old,\u201d Joe responded indignantly.\u201d I know you went over this. Pa went over it too. Hoss went over it. Then you went over it again. \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cThen tell me what you are supposed to do. Again.\u201d Adam directed. Little Joe and Adam walked out of the kitchen and into the dining room. Adam pushed Joe\u2019s crooked chair neatly under the table and they both walked to the front door.<\/p>\n

\u201cI come back to the Ponderosa directly after school. I do my chores and get our dinner on. Then, tomorrow, first thing we ride up to the crew. I can do it. Don\u2019t worry Adam.\u201d Joe couldn\u2019t believe how many times Adam had made him swear to do what he was assigned to do.<\/p>\n

\u201cTaking all day over your own pony won’t get you out of looking after the other stock or chopping wood so don’t try it,” Adam said sternly. He took his hat and coat off the hook near the front door and put it on. Then he handed his brother his hat.\u00a0 “I’ve already looked after pitching some hay down for you from the loft but the rest of the chores are your responsibility and you’ve still got the wood boxes to fill before supper. I’m going to feed the pigs and collect the eggs before I leave so don’t take all night over it. All you have to do for supper is heat up that stew Hop Sing left and set the table.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dI know, I know.\u201d Joe said as he buttoned up his blue jacket.<\/p>\n

\u201dOk Mr. \u201cI Know I know\u201d, get moving or you\u2019re going to be late for school. And don\u2019t forget, if the weather turns bad; get home before you get caught. The ground is pretty saturated and the creek is high.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 7<\/strong><\/p>\n

Friday Afternoon<\/u><\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose putting skunks in the outhouse is your idea of a joke Joseph.\u201d Ramsey Lowell said staring at Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201dYes, sir… er no sir, I mean, it was funny but I didn\u2019t do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are lying Joseph Cartwright, \u201cthe teacher glared angrily at Little Joe. He was furious that a mere boy should first humiliate him with the skunk and then defy and contradict him when he was confronted. Lowell was holding his heavy wooden ruler in his hand and slapping his own meaty palm with it.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo sir, I did not do it,”\u00a0Little Joe knew there was no way he would ever turn over Katie to Ramsey Lowell and his fury. Not only did he have to protect her because was she a girl but Kate was his friend. There was no way he would ever betray a friend.<\/p>\n

Joe squirmed nervously on the hard wooden bench. The boy wanted nothing more than to be heading back home. The rain was pouring down pretty hard and he still had a long list of chores to do. His oldest brother had secretly promised him if he followed their father\u2019s orders thoroughly and completely, Adam would take Little Joe up to meet the crew on Saturday and they could sleep there and make their way back with the rest of the cowboys on Sunday.<\/p>\n

\u201dLiars get what they deserve, Joseph. Liars get severely punished.\u201d He slapped his own hand with the ruler making a loud a smacking sound.<\/p>\n

\u201dBut I\u2026 I didn\u2019t do it sir, \u201cJoe stammered. \u201cI don\u2019t lie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe could see the rain falling harder outside the school house. He knew he really had to get home before the roads got impassable. Pa had warned him many times and he didn\u2019t want his father to be angry with him.<\/p>\n

Before he rode out that morning, Ben had outlined all the chores he wanted Joe to do while the boy was alone. Adam had reviewed them a second time. Adam was going to get back for dinner, but Joe would be responsible for most of the evening barn chores and heating up the dinner before his brother got back. He really wanted to impress Adam with his responsibility for once and be sure he would be riding up to the North Pasture with him that weekend. Joe wanted his big brother to be proud of him and know how he appreciated his offer to accompany to meet the herd and make Pa proud of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Lowell, sir, can\u2019t I leave? The rain is really coming down. It\u2019s starting to get very heavy and my Pa said I should be sure to get home before the road floods up and it gets dark and\u2026,\u201d Joe pulled his jacket from the back of the bench started to get up and leave.<\/p>\n

\u201cSit back down!\u201d Ramsey stood up towering ominously over Joe. \u201cAre you defying me, young man?\u201d His eyes were black under the dark ridge of his eyebrows. Joe thought that the teacher face looked like a rabid wild boar.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose we\u2019ll have to show you what can happen when you disrupt school and don\u2019t tell the truth,\u201d said Ramsey with a frown. He grabbed Joe\u2019s shoulder. The boy tried to pull away but he was no match for the teacher\u2019s vicious grip on his blue jacket.<\/p>\n

\u201dPut out your hand, Boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe hesitantly obeyed. Perhaps, the boy thought, if Ramsey gave him a few licks, the school master would just let him leave. He extended his right hand. Ramsey swung the ruler over his head and swatted the boy hard again and again.<\/p>\n

Joe bit down hard on his lip, sensing if he flinched or hollered Ramsey would never quit. Ramsey kept hitting him and Joe realized that the stinging blows were now drawing blood.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey!\u201d he attempted to twist away but the teacher tightened his grip on Joe\u2019s arm, trapping the boy’s extended hand as the target for his blows.<\/p>\n

Joe tried to wrench free from the teachers grasp. He swung his other arm catching his fist in the teacher\u2019s throat. He took the teacher by surprise. Ramsey Lowell lost his grip on Joe for an instant and dropped the ruler. Before Joe could defend himself, Ramsey hit him twice in the stomach and swung the boy around as he attempted to escape<\/p>\n

\u201cHow dare you defy me!\u201d Ramsey was in a frenzy. He no longer knew or cared what he was doing. He only knew that he had a helpless victim on whom he could pour out all his anger and frustration. He began beating Joe mercilessly, yanking Joe up off the ground by his jacket with one hand, and using the other hand to pound blow after blow on his victim.<\/p>\n

As Joe bent forward, gasping, the furious schoolmaster laid a backhand across the boy\u2019s face.\u00a0 The blow snapped Joe\u2019s head back, cracking it hard against the blackboard. The boy fell to the left, scraping the side of his face against a wooden bench. The bench and desk fell onto Little Joe with a loud clatter as he landed on the worn planked floor.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s ears were ringing with a roar. Blood ran down his forehead from where it had scraped the bench and he couldn\u2019t see clearly. For an instant, Joe saw black but knew he could not let himself lose consciousness. If he did, Mr. Lowell might never stop hitting him and he had no chance of getting out of the schoolhouse.<\/p>\n

The schoolmaster loomed over him; his hands balled into fists at his side, his brown vest bulging across his fat belly. Joe couldn\u2019t see straight or catch his breath and for the minute was frozen, trapped under the desk. The injured boy reached up with the back of his left hand and tried to wipe the blood from his eyes. As he did, he realized that he was seeing double. There were two angry, ugly piggy Schoolmaster Lowells towering over him and bellowing angrily.<\/p>\n

Lowell grabbed the long hickory pointer from the hook on the wall and strode towards the boy trapped under the desk. Joe blinked, trying to clear his eyesight and find a way to escape.<\/p>\n

\u201dWe\u2019re not finished yet, boy.\u201d He lifted the overturned bench off Little Joe and viciously swung the pointer at him catching Joe across his shoulder. He was pinned between the wall and his attacker and had no place to escape Ramsey\u2019s rage. Joe rolled over, trying to duck, putting his back to the blows. He pulled his arms up and tried to protect the back of his head with his hands.<\/p>\n

Ramsey raised the pointer over his head and swung again and again hitting Joe hard across his shoulders and back. He was so enraged that at one moment, he missed Joe and caught the edge of the desk, shattering the pointer as it hit. The teacher paused and looked for another switch or stick.<\/p>\n

Little Joe recognized this was his one chance to escape and made the most of it. He rolled over and kicked the bench as hard as he could. It spun across the floor and caught Ramsey in the gut.<\/p>\n

Ramsey Lowell bellowed like a wounded bull. The wind was knocked out him and he doubled over giving Joe a second to get free from where he was cornered. Joe rolled away again and quickly scrambled to his feet. The half open schoolhouse door was a few steps away and knowing it was now or never, Joe dove at it.<\/p>\n

Despite his wounds, he desperately raced down the stairs. Near the top, his booted feet hit the wet step and he slipped, tumbling head over heels down the six wooden steps.\u00a0 Joe landed with a crash at the bottom of the staircase. This time he could not fight the blackness that filled his eyes and he fell face down in the mud. His ears were filled with an explosive roaring and everything turned red, then black.<\/p>\n

When he opened his eyes again everything seemed strangely quiet. He was cold and wet and very confused. The darkening sky was grayish purple and the pale sun was going down behind the school house. For a minute he could not move. He blinked his eyes to try to see what was going and slowly rolled over. He realized he could only see with one eye and raised his filthy hand to rub his eyes. Every part of him hurt as he struggled to stand up in his wet blue jacket. He winced as he grabbed hold of the railing with his left hand\u00a0and pulled himself up in the pouring rain. His ears were still ringing. Something inside of him told him to run, get away and get home.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet out of here!\u201d Was that someone speaking or his own brain telling him what to do?<\/p>\n

Suddenly he felt a pair of hands on his shoulders. Was it the school master? Hands caught him below the arms and hauled him to his feet. He tried to wrench himself away.<\/p>\n

\u201dGet out of here, Little Joe \u201cthe voice repeated hoarsely in his ears. It wasn\u2019t Ramsey Lowell\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n

His head was pounding. With his swollen eyes, Joe could barely see a figure in a black cloak. A hat was pulled down low, red hair framing the face but Joe was hurting too badly to think clearly or to recognize who it was. His head was throbbing and fire was radiating from his back. He just wanted to get away from the furious pig-faced schoolmaster as fast as he could.<\/p>\n

Little Joe stood swaying; his stomach was in his throat as he fought down nausea.\u00a0 Joe felt himself prodded towards Lucky. He was nudged forward until his hands collided with the wet leather of his saddle and somehow he wound up astride the mare. His foot was urged into the stirrup, and somehow with assistance, he managed to drag himself onto the horse’s back.<\/p>\n

Joe blinked, trying to make sense of his distorted surroundings: He was astride Lucky, holding onto a saddle, the cold icy rain, hitting his bloody face. His right hand was raw and he couldn\u2019t grasp the reins properly. Slumping forward, he pressed his cheek to Lucky\u2019s coarse mane. He tried to wipe his eyes with his jacket sleeve but he was still seeing only from one eye. All he could hear was the buzzing of thousands of hornets in his ears and he was sure he was stung all over. Dizzily, he tried to figure out what to do next. He hurt all over and was more scared than he had ever been in his life.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet out of here, \u201cthe disembodied voice repeated. Joe heard a hand slap Lucky\u2019s flank and he was vaguely aware of his horse moving forward. With the injured boy on her back Lucky rode off into the freezing rain towards home.<\/p>\n

Joe looked up and found somehow they were right outside the Ponderosa barn. He managed to lean over, open the barn door and ride into the barn out of the freezing rain.\u00a0 He slid off the back of the horse and fell onto the straw covered barn floor. Joe slowly inched himself into a sitting position in the corner near the door. Each movement caused another wave of pain. He was shivering, but didn\u2019t know whether the cold, the pain, the fear or a terrifying combination of the three was causing it.<\/p>\n

He finally managed to sit up but felt exhausted by the effort it took just to move that small bit. His right hand was cut and bleeding and he tried to tie his bandana around it.\u00a0 He began to feel light headed, dizzy and nauseous. The boy leaned over and vomited against the board wall again and again until he had the dry heaves.\u00a0 He had never felt so much pain in his life. \u00a0Joe closed his eyes and slumped back against the barn wall shivering, feeling very alone. Time ceased to have meaning.\u00a0 He wished his Pa was there and started to cry.\u00a0 He was uncertain about what to do next and hoped Adam would be home soon. Exhausted, he burrowed down into the hay and fell sound asleep.<\/p>\n

Chapter 8<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam rode into the yard. Rain was streaming down in cold sheets and he was bone weary. He tugged on the brim of his black hat in an attempt to keep the freezing rain out of his eyes but had little success as the wind gusted from the lake.\u00a0 He had spent most of the day with some hands dismantling the rockslide and freeing the strays that Little Joe and Daniel had found the day before. As he had planned with his father the night before, the hands headed up to the north pasture to join the crew, and Adam went back to the house to spend the night with his young brother. Even though he would never admit it to Little Joe, he was very proud of how competent his kid brother was becoming at all the tasks a man needed to run a spread as big as the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

Adam pulled his collar up against the wetness thinking how good it was going to be to have some hot coffee, dry clothes and the supper Little Joe would prepare. Then he would contently put his feet up in front of the fire and rest his weary bones.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood thing we decided to move the herd to the winter pasture.\u00a0This weather sure looks like we are in for an early snow.\u201d<\/p>\n

As he approached, Adam saw the house was dark, pitch dark.<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head angrily \u201cDang, looks like Little Joe fouled up again. Why can\u2019t he follow what Pa had told him to do? When is that kid going to realize his father meant business? When Pa told him to be home by nightfall he had good reason to say it. Now Adam was going to have to come down on the kid in their father\u2019s absence, not his favorite chore. Certainly this was not going to make Joe happy with him.<\/p>\n

Secretly, Adam had been looking forward to riding up with Joe to meet the crew and surprise their father. The conditions were that Joe would adhere to the responsibilities their father had laid out for him. That mandate included coming back to the Ponderosa immediately after school, finishing all his chores and being in the house by sundown preparing their supper.<\/p>\n

If Joe had dodged that agreement, Adam was going to have to spend the next three days disciplining Little Joe rather than riding up to meet the crew as the boy had wanted. Penalizing a sulking Little Joe was definitely not the way Adam thought he would be spending the next few days. The consequences to Joe was probably going to be more punishing to Adam if mule-stubborn Joe had his way.<\/p>\n

\u201cHope I don\u2019t have to ride out and hunt that gol durn kid up in this foul weather.\u201d Adam thought grimly. He dismounted and led his horse towards the barn. He sincerely hoped that Joe was just dawdling in there tending to Lucky and he wouldn\u2019t have to look any further.<\/p>\n

In the gathering darkness, Adam saw the barn door swinging half open in the rain. \u201cDoesn\u2019t that boy even have enough sense to shut the barn door?\u201d<\/p>\n

He led his horse inside the quiet barn. All the stalls were all empty as every available mount was up with the roundup crew moving the herd. It was strange to see the emptiness. Even more puzzling was seeing Joe\u2019s horse, standing wet and still saddled in the middle of his stall.\u00a0Ben had taught his sons to always tend their horses before they did anything else. That was always something Joe always did willingly and automatically. Joe would responsibly take care of the horses even before he ate dinner and frequently used doing a thorough job as an excuse for avoiding other tasks.<\/p>\n

In the dimness, weary Adam tended to his horse first. Then he went over to remove Lucky\u2019s saddle and put it away. Where was Joe? Could he have just gone inside and was coming right back to take care of the horse? But the house was dark and by now Joe would have come back out to the barn.<\/p>\n

Adam looked at his hand after stowing Lucky\u2019s saddle. It wasn\u2019t just wet, there was blood on it. He looked again. There was blood on the saddle. Something was very wrong.\u00a0 From the shadows near the door Adam heard a faint moan.\u00a0 He turned to hear what it was and saw a pile of discarded rags or grain sacks in the pile of straw in the corner. Was someone calling his name?<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe? Is that you\u201d Adam called walking towards the voice.<\/p>\n

What Adam had assumed was just a discarded pile of trash in the shadowy corner of the barn was in reality his injured little brother. \u201cAdam, help me.\u201d Little Joe pleaded weakly. \u201cAdam\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam rushed over and bent down to examine his brother. The poor battered kid was covered with mud and blood. He was soaking wet and shivering and had burrowed under a pile of straw in a vain attempt to keep warm. At first, when Adam looked at the wounded boy, he assumed that Little Joe must have been tossed off his horse. His thin blue jacket was soaking wet and covered in blood and vomit. He smelled awful.<\/p>\n

Adam looked for a lamp in the barn and couldn\u2019t find one. One of the ranch hands must have loaded it in the wagon or moved it elsewhere. He finally managed to find one in the dark tack room. He set it on a hook above Joe. By the time Adam got the lamp lit, he saw Joe\u2019s eyes were closed.\u00a0Was his little brother dead?<\/p>\n

Horrified, Adam knelt next to the injured boy. He saw his little brother\u2019s chest moving up and down shallowly. His breathing sounded labored. Adam put his hand on the top of Joe\u2019s head and gently stroked his brother\u2019s hair. For a moment, there was still no reaction. \u201cJoe?\u201d he said softly. \u201cJoe, can you hear me?\u201d\u00a0 He cautiously touched his brother\u2019s shoulder and Joe pulled away with a whimper.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s left eye was already turning a deep blue and was swollen shut. Another large bruise covered Joe\u2019s left cheekbone, and two smaller bruises were evident on Joe\u2019s jaw. There were mats of dried blood and dirt in his wet, curly hair. The right side of his mouth was red and swollen. A wide gash ran across Joe\u2019s forehead.<\/p>\n

Finally Joe turned his head a bit. His eyes fluttered as if he were trying hard to open them. The boy he gave a weak moan and he turned slightly. His eyes flickered and then opened. Little Joe stared up at Adam in an unfocused gaze. He blinked his eyes slowly and looked up at his big brother. Adam had finally got home to him.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t alone any more.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam? I\u2019m hurt real bad. Help me. Please.”\u00a0the boy pleaded in a weak voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry little brother, I\u2019ve got you. Put your arms around my neck.\u201d Joe nodded weakly. Then he hung his left arm around his brother\u2019s neck and held on for dear life. Adam picked up his bloody, shivering brother in his arms and carried him quickly through the freezing rain into the house. Joe closed his eyes and leaned his face into his brother\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

Chapter 9<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam quickly carried his injured brother inside and into the dark downstairs guest bedroom off the dining room. He settled him gently on the bed. He lit the lamp on the night stand and started to examine the injured boy. He took off Joe\u2019s muddy boots and carefully removed his filthy blue jacket.<\/p>\n

Adam had a horrible predicament. He knew Doc Martin really should see his brother but there was absolutely no way the injured boy could handle the ride into town in the cold downpour. There was no one around to send for help or tend to Joe while he fetched the doctor. He certainly couldn\u2019t leave his brother alone for hours while he rode into Virginia City to hunt up the doctor and bring him back. There was no other option, Adam had to take care of him on his own.<\/p>\n

\u201cLie still and I\u2019ll be right back.\u201d Adam directed. He quickly went into the kitchen and filled a basin with hot water from the large copper kettle on the back of the stove. From the pantry, he gathered up towels, bandages, and a bottle of liniment. He carried them into the room and placed them on the table near the bed. Then Adam went into the dining room and got a bottle of whiskey and a glass from the breakfront and brought them back into the guestroom.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened to you, Buddy? Did you get thrown from your horse? \u201cAdam asked as he returned to Joe\u2019s bedside. He was still trying to figure how his brother got so badly injured.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe whipped me.\u201d Joe moaned.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho? Who beat you?\u201d Adam was furious. He gently tried to peel his brother\u2019s crusty, blood soaked shirt off him. As he did, he could see the deep wounds on his little brother\u2019s shoulder and back and winced at the sight.<\/p>\n

Who could have put such a beating to his brother? The kid was beaten raw with a stick or a strap. \u201cWho did this? Joe? I\u2019ll kill him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRamsey Lowell.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait until that son of a bitch sees what kind of beating I deal to him. No one does this to my brother and gets away with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

In his head, Adam could hear his father\u2019s deep voice saying \u201cLet the law handle it, son.\u201d He\u2019d let Roy Coffee handle what was left of the school master after he was finished.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop Adam, you are hurting me. Wait until Pa gets back. He\u2019ll do it. Please.” Joe wailed<\/p>\n

\u201dJoe, I got to get you cleaned up and bandaged now. Pa won\u2019t be back for a long time, for days. I have to tend to you now. I know it hurts. Be brave and lie as still as you can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam washed out all the wounds with soap and water. He knew he had to finish it by washing the deep wounds with some alcohol or infection would set in. Joe was thrashing around from the pain and Adam was struggling to hold him down.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop Adam,\u201d the boy shrieked. “Please.” Tears streamed down Joe\u2019s face. He tried to pull from Adam\u2019s firm grasp and knocked the basin of water crashing to the floor.<\/p>\n

Adam stepped back for a minute to catch his breath. He sincerely couldn\u2019t stand inflicting any more pain on his brother but he knew he had to finish cleaning him up and bandage him or the wounds would fester with infection and probably kill Joe. His own hands were shaking.<\/p>\n

Joe whimpered from the bed. \u201cLeave me be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I\u2019m sorry but we have to finish. We are almost done. I promise you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou promise?\u201d Joe whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI promise we are almost done. I promise.\u201d Adam picked up the bottle of whiskey and poured three inches of golden liquid into the glass. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Adam held Little Joe upright in his arms and put the glass to his split lips. \u201cDrink this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Assuming it was water, Joe took a large gulp, and choked. He tried to spit it out but succeeded only in choking more and gagging on the whiskey. The exhausted child was trembling with pain and fear.<\/p>\n

\u201dDrink it!\u201d Adam growled. \u201cIt will make you go to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStop Adam,\u201d Joe cried pitifully. \u201dI want my Pa. Adam leave me alone.\u201d The injured little boy tried to pull out of his brother\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n

Adam turned away from the bed and stepped out into the dining room still holding the half-filled glass in his hand. The house was silent; the only noise he could hear was the faint tick of the grandfather clock near the front door. He frowned, feeling the silence in his familiar home was ominous for some reason.\u00a0 He leaned his forehead against the cold wall and tried to collect himself. Little Joe\u2019s sobs cut him to his heart. Adam had to regain his self-control or he would never get his brother calmed down and bandaged. If his brother knew how scared he was, the boy would panic even more.<\/p>\n

\u201cPull yourself together and stop acting like some harebrained little girl,\u201d he told himself.\u201d Adam put the glass to his lips and drained it himself.<\/p>\n

Adam shook himself back into action He walked back into the kitchen and filled a cup halfway with the remaining hot water from the kettle. He stirred in four heaping spoons of sugar until they dissolved and then added a few more. He topped that off with a good measure of the whiskey and stirred it thoroughly, hoping that Joe would be able to drink the sweet, hot drink.<\/p>\n

Adam walked back into the room. He took a deep breath and said as calmly and as firmly as he could muster, \u201cJoe, you have to do what I am telling you to do. Just like you would for Pa. Be brave. Please, Buddy boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

He quietly bent down on one knee beside his brother. Joe stared at Adam, his hazel eyes glassy and unfocused. One side of his battered face was even more swollen. He blinked his eyes twice, seeming to be struggling for consciousness.<\/p>\n

Adam gently brushed back the curls from Joe\u2019s bruised and damp forehead. \u201cCould you do this for me, Little Brother?\u201d he whispered softly. \u201cThis will warm you up. And you won\u2019t be hurting so bad. It is just what Pa would do if he was here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded. Adam lifted his head gently and Joe swallowed a little of the warm sweetened whiskey from the cup. It made a burning trail as it went down. And he took a second and then a third sip.<\/p>\n

\u201cMore Joe, just a few more sips.\u201d Joe drained the rest. \u201cGood fella.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam took a deep breath. He knew he had to wait a few minutes for the drink to take effect on the boy. Joe held tightly to his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are almost finished, Buddy. Hang on tight\u2026 this is going to be the worst. Then we\u2019ll be done. \u201c<\/p>\n

He gritted his teeth and poured whiskey right from the bottle into all the wounds.\u00a0Little Joe involuntarily tried to pull his arm back as the alcohol burned the raw wound. \u201cKeep still!\u201d Adam admonished. A sharp intake of breath from his patient caused Adam to pause for an instant.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s screams filled the house. \u201dStop Adam! It hurts!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Little Joe, I\u2019ve close to finished.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam quickly finished bandaging his brother\u2019s shoulder and back. In the guest room dresser he found one of his father\u2019s old shirts that had been left there for mending. One last time he picked his shivering brother up in his arms and dressed him in Ben\u2019s worn shirt. Finally, he took a towel and gently dried the boy\u2019s wet hair.<\/p>\n

Joe closed his eyes again and squeezed Adam’s hand waiting for the nausea to pass. The pain in his shoulder was getting worse and he felt himself losing consciousness from the sweetened whiskey Adam had made him drink.<\/p>\n

“Where\u2019s Pa?” he asked trying to remain awake. His mouth felt dry and he couldn’t seem to take a breath. \u201cI\u2019m really cold Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam gently tucked the blankets up around his brother. He arranged the pillows so that Joe was on his side and not resting on his wounded shoulder or back.<\/p>\n

He felt the boy\u2019s forehead for fever. It was a bit warm.\u00a0 Adam picked up the rag, dipped it in the water basin and wrung it out. He washed off Little Joe\u2019s tear streaked face and put the cool cloth on his forehead.<\/p>\n

Adam listened to the icy rain beat on the windows and the wind rattle the shutters. \u201cThe roundup crew is really going to have a hard night in this weather.” Adam thought to himself.<\/p>\n

A gust of wind blew a hard fist of freezing rain against the windows just as a crash of thunder shook the ranch house. \u201cWhat is that?\u201d Joe asked trying to sit up. He was petrified that someone, perhaps the vicious, pig-faced schoolmaster was breaking into their house.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, it\u2019s just the wind coming for a visit. Everything is fine. You are here at home. Just go back to sleep,\u201d Adam said soothingly softly. He squeezed Joe\u2019s hand and readjusted the blankets. \u201cIt\u2019s just the rain. Lie back and rest. I\u2019ll sit right here with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, my head hurts real bad.\u201d\u00a0Rivulets of tears ran down Joe\u2019s flushed and bruised face.<\/p>\n

\u201dClose your eyes and go to sleep, Buddy.\u201d He turned down the kerosene lamp so it was a soft golden glow.<\/p>\n

Half asleep, Joe shuddered at the howling of the wind and the creaking of the pines near the house and clutched his brother\u2019 hand fearfully. Joe slowly closed his eyes. The whiskey and pain had finally done him in; Adam let go of his hand and tip toed out of the guest room.<\/p>\n

For a moment, Adam paused by the bedroom door. He heard the sound of Joe\u2019s steady soft breathing as he finally fell asleep from the pain and exhaustion.<\/p>\n

Adam quietly walked over his father\u2019s desk, and wearily sat down in the familiar green leather chair. He was dog-tired, and could barely keep his own eyes open.\u00a0The creak of the chair springs seemed unnaturally loud to Adam in the dark, empty house.<\/p>\n

Sitting numbly in his father\u2019s chair, Adam slowly ran his fingers softly over the polished wood of the desk. There was something about sitting at his father\u2019s desk that made him feel calmer and more able to deal with whatever he had to face. He felt less alone with the frightening responsibility of Joe\u2019s welfare.<\/p>\n

He moved the ledger over a few inches and picked up the mail his father had been reading and restacked it near the silver inkwell. There was no way anyone was coming back to the ranch this day and maybe not even the next. He would be totally responsible for his brother\u2019s care until someone came back. He had no choice now. Joe\u2019s life depended on him.<\/p>\n

The grandfather clock near the front door chimed two. He had been up since dawn on Friday morning. Adam\u2019s stomach growled and realized he hadn\u2019t eaten since lunch at noon the day before, at least fourteen hours earlier.<\/p>\n

First he checked on his sleeping brother one more time. Then he gathered up Little Joe\u2019s soiled clothes and all the soiled linen and dumped it all in a heap to the washroom.\u00a0 Adam dragged himself slowly upstairs where he took off his own filthy clothes, washed up as best as he could, and changed into fresh things. He collected some blankets and pillows, brought them downstairs and made himself a bed on the floor next to his brother.<\/p>\n

Finally, Ada, went into the dark kitchen. He took a portion of the stew that Joe was supposed to heat up for their supper and ate it cold standing in near the kitchen listening for any sound from the boy.<\/p>\n

He walked back into the room where Joe was sound asleep.\u00a0Pulling off his boots, Adam lay down on the floor next to his brother and fell into an exhausted asleep.\u00a0There was nothing more Adam could do now. It was now up to his brother to recover.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 10<\/strong><\/p>\n

Late Saturday<\/u><\/p>\n

The trip back from Carson City that should have taken him only a couple of hours, three at worst but it was taking him all day. Ben had paid the fines to the court for his jailed men to be freed. Then, hat in hand, along with his hung over hands and his contrite foreman Hays Newkirk, the rancher was forced to listen to a demeaning half hour lecture by cantankerous, inflexible Judge Kane about the evils of liquor and the disreputable company of saloon girls. Finally, after sending Hays and the men off to the herd, Ben set out for the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

The rancher wasn\u2019t even half way home when the steady rain became a raging storm. The rain was now falling harder than ever, and the ground was sodden and muddy. Ben couldn\u2019t remember the last time it had rained this hard for so long.<\/p>\n

He noticed that deep puddles were forming as the rain came down too intensely for the ground to absorb after the weeks of down pours. By the time he made his way to Cherry Creek, the stream was becoming swollen to flood levels. Anxious to get home, Ben was tempted to urge his horse to go faster and try to cross the creek but realized he was being foolish. Buck could slip and break a leg or he could get thrown off into the raging current.<\/p>\n

As sunset approached, it was apparent that there was no way he was going to make it back home that night. A jagged bolt of lightning slashed across darkening the slate gray sky. He was filled with a sense of despair and frustration. This was flash flood country and he knew he better get to higher ground. The rancher had an uneasy feeling about this storm, and didn\u2019t want to be trapped on the trail or risk injuring his mount or himself. Travelling the unfamiliar trail alone in the dark, he could wind up drowning in one of the overflowing creeks before he arrived home.<\/p>\n

Pulling his hat down, Ben tried to decide what to do next. He was soaked clear to the skin and would have given any thing for a dry set of clothes and a cup of hot coffee. His horse was worn out and needed to rest.<\/p>\n

Urging Buck onward, Ben decided he better find a dry place for the night and get a fresh start at daybreak.\u00a0Ben decided he would head to higher ground towards one of the line shacks for the night. He start for home in the daylight confident that Adam and Little Joe would manage fine without him.<\/p>\n

Chapter 11<\/strong><\/p>\n

Monday Morning<\/u><\/p>\n

He had just put a pot of broth on the stove to heat for Joe when Adam heard the sound of a horse arriving in the yard. Adam was relieved to think that his father had finally returned. The weary young man frowned when he heard a loud knock on the front door. Pa certainly would not knock on his own front door. Disappointed that it clearly wasn\u2019t his father, he walked forward, glancing again at the grandfather clock. Who would be calling so early in the morning? When he opened the door, Adam was surprised to find the sheriff on his doorstep.<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning Adam\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy, I was hoping you were Pa,\u201d Adam said \u201cbut I sure am glad to see you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dIs Little Joe around? \u201c Sheriff Coffee asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s in bed. That\u2019s why I\u2019m so glad to see you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy interrupted him \u201cHave either of you seen the Lowells the last couple of days?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dThe Lowells? No, we\u2019ve been stuck here on the Ponderosa. Joe got hurt bad and everyone else is gone from the place. It\u2019s been just the two of us since Friday night. Pa and Hays Newkirk went up to Carson City to bail out those hands and everyone else is up working the herd.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess you don\u2019t know what all has gone on in Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not really. Could you send the Doc up here? Please Roy\u201d Adam asked finally relieved that someone would send his injured little brother some help.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will when I get back to town but right now I\u2019m here on official business. Let me talk to Little Joe\u201d he put his hand on Adam\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cThe Lowells are missing. And Schoolmaster Ramsey Lowell is dead \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cDead? Ramsey Lowell is dead? \u201cThe information too much for Adam\u2019s exhausted mind to comprehend on Roy\u2019s first recitation. \u201cWhat are you talking about, Roy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Adam, this morning the kids went up to the school house like any other morning. When no one rang the bell for them to go in so one of them, Fischer\u2019s boy Jack, you know that real polite blond one, walked in to find out what was goin\u2019 on.\u00a0 He found Ramsey dead. Looks like someone blowed his head off with a shot gun. Nancy and Katie Wallace came a runnin\u2019 for me down by my office crying that the teacher was kilt. \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cRamsey Lowell was shot?\u201d Adam gasped.
\n\u201cWe sent them all home and closed down the school house for the next few days. Must have happened Friday from the way it looked,” Coffee added.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the Lowells?\u201d Adam asked. \u201cWhat about Mrs. Lowell and the children? How are they? They sure have been through a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dWell that part is pretty mysterious Adam.\u00a0 When I went acrost the street to tell them about Ramsey and see why Danny and Puddin\u2019 warnt in school, it looked like they all was cleared out of there with no notes or nothing. Gone without a trace. Now what were you sayin\u2019 about your brother needing the Doc?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake a look for yourself, Roy.\u201d Adam took him to the doorway of the downstairs bedroom where Joe was still sleeping restlessly with his bandaged hand propped up on a pillow. The bruises on his face had turned a rainbow of blues and purples. One eye was still badly swollen. The boy was deathly pale and Roy could see all kinds of bandages on his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the heck happened to him Adam? \u201c Roy was aghast at the obvious magnitude Little Joe\u2019s injuries.<\/p>\n

\u201cRamsey Lowell beat the tar out of him on Friday afternoon. I don\u2019t know how Joe managed to ride home all this way so badly hurt, but I found him lying all bloody in the barn when I came in for supper.\u201d Adam looked totally calm telling the story, but Roy saw that Adam\u2019s hands were trembling and he looked like he hadn\u2019t slept in days.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou been tending your brother on your own all this time? Here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCouldn\u2019t leave him alone, not the way he was hurt and with it storming I couldn\u2019t take him anywhere.\u201d Adam nodded.<\/p>\n

Roy put his arm around Adam\u2019s shoulders.\u201d Looks like both of you had a hard few days up here alone. I\u2019ll make sure the Doc gets up here for you, Son.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWhen are you expecting your Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dHe was due back yesterday, but with the bad weather and all, who knows?\u201d Adam moved into the room and tucked the blanket around Little Joe. \u201cI suppose Pa could be back any time now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go back to town and be send the Doc up here right quick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI appreciate that, Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I\u2019ll be back in a few days to check if Little Joe has any idea what happened to the Lowells. I\u2019ll see myself out, Adam. You take good care of your brother now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sheriff Coffee headed back to Virginia City at a gallop. He couldn\u2019t get the image of poor hurt Little Joe out of his mind. This whole business with Ramsey Lowell shot dead and the rest of his family missing was bad enough and now with Ben\u2019s youngest hurt, this was getting more unsettling. He had to get out some men to look for the Lowells and hoped nothing had happened to them.<\/p>\n

As he came to the fork in the muddy road he saw his old friend Ben Cartwright approaching him on Buck.<\/p>\n

\u201dRoy what brings you out this way?\u201d Ben smiled as he approached the sheriff but as soon as he saw the serious expression on his face he became alarmed.<\/p>\n

\u201dBen, you better get home quick. Little Joe is in a bad way and Adam sent me for the Doc.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy quickly told Ben about the murdered schoolmaster in town, the missing Lowells, and Joe\u2019s injuries and then the two men galloped off in opposite directions.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave a few more bites. You need to eat to get better,\u201d sitting on the edge of the bed, Adam fed his brother the last of a bowl of broth. Joe still looked awful and Adam was relieved that Roy would find the doctor for him. The fact that the man who beat up his brother was dead, was a disturbingly strange paradox. What happened to the Lowell family? He still hadn\u2019t said anything to Joe about the Lowells being missing or Ramsey Lowell being shot dead. All he said was that the sheriff had come by while Joe was sleeping and that Roy would send the doctor out to the Ponderosa to check Little Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m full, Adam. It\u2019s enough.\u201d Joe pushed the spoon away with his uninjured hand. \u201cTell me one of your stories.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam was exhausted but glad to see the improvement in his feisty little brother. This was the first time Joe did more than sleep or ask for their father or lie quietly in pain.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of story, Buddy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dOne of those myth ones with Zeus and Atlas and the lightning fights and the feasts and all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dBet you can\u2019t wait for Hop Sing to be back and cook you something special.\u201d Adam tried to cheer him up.<\/p>\n

Joe nodded weakly. \u201dDon\u2019t take this the wrong way, Adam. I \u2018preciate your taking care of me, but your cooking really stinks.\u201d<\/p>\n

They both heard the sound of a horse outside riding up fast and the front door opening. \u201cAdam? Joe? Where are you, boys? Roy told me what happened when we met up on the road.\u201d<\/p>\n

“Here Pa. We’re in here.”\u00a0 Adam called across the house from the bedroom doorway. He was truly thankful that his father was finally there to take over.\u00a0“Pa, we\u2019re mighty glad you\u2019re back home,\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben rushed into the room. Little Joe sat half way up at the sound of his father\u2019s step. The boy reached his slender arms toward his father for comfort.\u00a0 \u201cPa,\u201d he whispered softly.<\/p>\n

Ben frowned as he looked at his youngest boy\u2019s battered condition. He felt Joe\u2019s forehead. The boy felt warm and clammy.\u00a0 \u201cHow are you feeling, son?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

The left side of Joe\u2019s bruised mouth twitched upwards. He tried to smile bravely but his face was too sore and his eye too swollen. \u201cHi Pa,\u201d said Joe in a barely audible whisper.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph! What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

Then seeing his father\u2019s alarm, the boy tried as best as he could to sound brave \u201cI guess I forgot to duck.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben leaned forward, engulfing the boy in his arms.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Joe,\u201d he cried, stroking the soft brown curls.<\/p>\n

He started to cry with relief at finally seeing his father. \u201cI missed you so much Pa. What took you so long?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, I\u2019m here now.\u201d He gently pulled Joe toward him, and hugged his son to his chest. Ben closed his eyes and held Joe tight.<\/p>\n

His Pa was back home. Adam breathed a sigh of relief.<\/p>\n

Chapter 12<\/strong><\/p>\n

A few months later<\/u><\/p>\n

Saturday morning the two older Cartwright brothers were on either end of a two-man saw, cutting logs into the proper length for the hearth. Little Joe\u2019s task was to take the cut pieces and pile them neatly against the house. He was doing the job fastidiously, trying very hard to do it precisely as Hoss had instructed him.\u00a0As he worked, the boy kept his eyes open for their father\u2019s return. \u201cShouldn\u2019t he be back soon?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dJust pay attention to your job, Little Joe. Pa will be home soon,\u201d Adam repeated for the third time in fifteen minutes.<\/p>\n

All three of them were upset. Earlier in the week, Adam had gone to the hiding place to retrieve the shotgun they had bought for their father\u2019s birthday and discovered it wasn\u2019t where it should have been.\u00a0He quickly went from Hoss to Joe and asked if they had moved the weapon or knew anything about it. Neither brother had seen it in months, not since before Little Joe got hurt. Matter of fact, all of them had been too preoccupied with Joe\u2019s injuries, the murder of the schoolmaster and the mysterious disappearance of the entire Lowell family to even think about their father\u2019s birthday. Now, months later, when Adam went to fetch the custom made shotgun, it had disappeared. The expensive shotgun with the decoration of a buffalo herd and their father\u2019s initials highly polished stock inset was missing.<\/p>\n

Too much time had elapsed since any of them had seen it and too many people had passed through the tack room and barn for them even to consider what might have happened.<\/p>\n

Hoss swore his brothers to silence. \u201cWe\u2019ll never get that shot gun back. Who knows who got it and how long it\u2019s been missing? Why let Pa be disappointed. Let\u2019s not even tell him about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded in agreement. \u201cIt sure was something special. No need for us to upset Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dYeah Adam, I\u2019m disappointed enough for all three of us.\u201d Little Joe frowned. \u201cI don\u2019t even have any more money for another gift for Pa.\u201d
\n\u201dDon\u2019t worry Little Joe, \u201cHoss put his arm around the younger boy\u2019s thin shoulders. \u201cAdam and I will take care of it. You\u2019ll pay us back when you get back on your feet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow remember Joe, don\u2019t ever tell Pa about that missing shot gun.\u201d Adam reminded him.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt sure was a beauty, Adam. You think we can ever find out who robbed it?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss looked at his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m positive it\u2019s long gone.\u201d\u00a0Adam sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeow!\u201d yelled Hoss, for one of the badly stacked logs had almost landed on his foot.\u00a0 \u201cWatch what you\u2019re doin\u2019. Or you\u2019ll limping from my boot kicking your little rump across to Carson City.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe picked up two more logs to carry to the woodpile, then dropped them to stare wide-eyed at the rider who\u2019d just entered the Ponderosa yard. \u201cPa\u2019s back!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben dismounted from his horse and the boys called out a greeting as he climbed down.\u00a0\u00a0Joe happily tossed the last log onto the pile and ran over to his father \u201cPa! Pa! Happy Birthday!\u201d<\/p>\n

All of them ran over to their father as he dismounted and greeted him with hugs and slaps on the back.\u00a0 \u201cWelcome home! Pa, we thought you\u2019d have been back long ago.\u201d Hoss said as Ben stretched out the kinks from his back.\u201d Is everything ok?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything is fine. I\u2019m just tired. It\u2019s mighty good to be back home.\u201d Ben smiled at the enthusiastic greeting his sons gave him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll put up Buck, Pa.\u201d Hoss took the reins of the large horse and headed to the barn.<\/p>\n

Then with a \u2018thank you\u2019 to Hoss, Ben headed into the house to clean up and get a cold drink. \u201dI\u2019m starving! Let\u2019s go inside.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHappy Birthday Pa. We got you a gift too!\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe slipped his arm around his father back and walked with him, trying to match his stride to his father\u2019s. Ben suddenly remembered something he wanted to tell his eldest son. \u201cAdam, we need to get some of the cattle moved tomorrow. I noticed that the grazing was looking a bit thin in places up there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill do Pa. Are you coming along too or shall I take care of it?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can take care of it for me. After all it\u2019s my birthday and I would consider that a gift.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook Pa, we got you a real gift! \u201c Little Joe didn\u2019t want to hear about ranch business. He just wanted to celebrate his father\u2019s birthday.
\n\u201dWait until Hoss is done, Joe,\u201d Adam urged. They all walked up to the house. \u201dHop Sing, Pa is back!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dDinner in one hour, Mistah Cartwright \u201cthe cook hollered from the kitchen. \u201cSpecial dinner for your birthday!\u201d
\n\u201dI\u2019m going to get washed up and by then Hoss will be inside and you boys can give me that gift at the table.\u201d<\/p>\n

A half hour later, the four Cartwrights sat at the dining room table waiting for Hop Sing to start serving.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, here is your gift, Pa,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n

Little Joe turned to his father and handed him a small package painstakingly wrapped in crisp white paper and neatly tied with a thin blue ribbon.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s two gifts in one package, Pa,\u201d Adam explained. \u201cOne inside the other.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks boys,\u201d Ben smiled. He carefully unwrapped the package to find a finely made wooden box with a hinged lid. Burned into the top of the lid was the pine tree brand of the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam figured out how we should make the box\u00a0 and Hoss cut the wood and I sanded it and Hoss\u00a0 stained it and Adam put it all together and Hoss put the brand on it\u00a0 and\u2026 and \u2026It\u2019s just the size to hold important papers or valuable stuff by your desk and\u2026and..\u201d Little Joe excitedly explained. \u201cSmell it! It smells really fine!\u201d
\n\u201cWe all worked on it together, Pa,\u201d Adam summarized. \u201cThe wood is from that big cedar we cut down last fall for that order for the new addition to Havermeyer\u2019s house.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben lifted the box to his nose and inhaled the fragrance. Then he ran his hand over the top of the box and admired the joinery in the corners.\u00a0 \u201cBeautiful job, boys. And you burned the Ponderosa brand right on the lid. Beautiful!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook inside!\u201d Hoss urged.<\/p>\n

Ben lifted the lid on the box. Inside was a new pocketknife. It was a particularly fine one, with silver inlay on the handle and several blades that were suitable for a variety of uses. In the silver on the handle was engraved Ben\u2019s initials, just as they had been on the missing shotgun.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is beautiful!\u201d\u00a0 Ben lifted it out of the box and examined all the blades.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook Pa, it has a little cigar cutter too in case you need to nip off the ends of a cigar, \u201cLittle Joe squeezed over to show him. \u201cIn case you ever smoke cigars.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is quite a gift,\u201d Ben smiled appreciatively at his sons. \u201dEven if I don\u2019t ever smoke cigars. Thanks Boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam, Hoss and Joe smiled but all three brothers they knew that the missing shotgun would have been a far more wonderful gift. Little Joe, always the optimist, wondered if they ever would see that gun again. \u201cMaybe someday.\u201d Joe thought to himself. \u201dMaybe someday.\u201d<\/p>\n

Part 5 <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Kate<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Virginia City 1854<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kate Wallace stood the railing on the back porch of the Grange Hall. It was the evening after her eighth grade graduation and the school board had hosted a dance for the entire community to honor the graduates.<\/p>\n

This was also the worst night of her life. She stood with her back to the door of the hall with tears were rolling down her cheeks. She hoped no one saw her out on the porch by herself and that she could hide there until the dance ended. When her parents and Aunt Mim came looking for her she could finally go home.\u00a0 She was totally and utterly miserable. In less than a month, she and her parents were moving to San Francisco. Her father had been offered a new position and her mother was delighted to take Kate to a more \u201ccivilized\u201d place than Virginia City where her lovely, intelligent daughter could continue her education at a fine academy for young ladies. Kate hated to leave her Aunt Mim and her best friend Nancy Coffee. She also would miss the afternoons riding out on the Ponderosa with Little Joe Cartwright, Billy Felcher and Dean Newkirk, the son of the Ponderosa foreman.<\/p>\n

Standing in the shadows, Adam Cartwright took notice of her. Who was this pretty young lady? As he looked closer, Adam realized it was Katie Wallace, the mischievous little girl who was always running around with his kid brother. Suddenly, she looked very grown up. He remembered little Katie playing under the dining room table with Joe while Hank Wallace, her father tutored Adam in mathematics before he went to college.\u00a0 She was wearing a mossy green dress that showed off her tiny waist and flattered her coloring.\u00a0 Instead of the usual braids the girl wore, her soft dark hair was twisted in a knot and pinned up on top of her head like a young lady. \u201cI guess I must be getting pretty old when Little Joe\u2019s classmates are turning into attractive young women.\u201d Adam thought looking at lovely Kate.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing out here by yourself Katie?\u201d he asked her protectively. \u201cYou look very pretty tonight, very grown up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hearing a man\u2019s voice, Kate looked up at him, suddenly realized that Adam Cartwright was standing next to her. \u201cNo one asked me to dance. I\u2019m not very good at it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure you are a very fine dancer Miss Kate,\u201d Adam said gallantly. \u201dThose yahoos and twits that my little brother pals around with are just not mature enough to appreciate your abilities. And they certainly are not worthy of your tears.\u201d He pulled out his clean white handkerchief and handed it to her. She wiped her eyes and handed it back to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, \u201cshe said in a wobbly voice. She was embarrassed to be caught crying out on the porch and even more embarrassed that she blurted out the business about not dancing to Adam Cartwright.<\/p>\n

\u201cMay I have this dance, Miss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not a very good dancer,\u201d she repeated apologetically. Adam bowed deeply and kissed her hand dramatically.\u00a0She giggled at how foolishly Adam was acting.<\/p>\n

He was pleased that he was able to make her smile. \u201cOh I am sure you dance very well. It\u2019s just that the Virginia City school boys don\u2019t know how to lead, especially the flock of cackling geese who just graduated with Little Joe. And a lady is only as good as her partner.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam took her hands and started to dance to the waltz that the fiddler was playing inside.\u00a0He was an excellent dancer and she was light in his arms. The music finished all too soon for Katie. She stood for longer than was necessary looking into Adam\u2019s brown eyes.<\/p>\n

Then Adam said quickly, \u201cThanks for the dance Miss Katie, I am sure my\u00a0little\u00a0brother and the other\u00a0little\u00a0boys were totally wrong about your talents and capabilities.\u201d He emphasized the word \u201clittle\u201d.<\/p>\n

She blushed. Impulsively, Katie jumped up on tiptoes and kissed his cheek with her soft lips. Adam, embarrassed, moved back from her.<\/p>\n

“Thank you, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Katie-bird. You are going to have every boy in Virginia City asking you to the next dance. Mim will have to chase them of your front porch with a broom. And your father will be standing behind her making sure those boys act like gentlemen.\u201d Adam grinned thinking he was giving the girl a terrific compliment.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so, Adam. We are moving to San Francisco soon. My father got a new job.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dThen, you will be breaking the heart of every young fellow in San Francisco, Miss Kate.\u201d<\/p>\n

He never realized that it wasn\u2019t every boy in Virginia City or San Francisco that she longed for but it was Adam Cartwright Kate wanted with all her heart.<\/p>\n

Chapter 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

At some point, Nancy Coffee gave up her childhood dream of marrying Little Joe Cartwright. She left him to all the bubble headed blonde girls that Joe always pursued with such enthusiasm. Nancy took her mother\u2019s advice and decided to find someone less wild and flirtatious. By the time she was sixteen, she had set her sights on finding a more suitable, responsible husband with both his feet planted firmly on the ground. She wanted a man who was cool headed and steady like her own father, Sheriff Roy Coffee.\u00a0 She spent a few years dating Billy Felcher, the son of Reverend Felcher and other boys who were more \u201csensible\u201d than Little Joe. Eventually she caught the fancy of Clem Foster, Roy\u2019s deputy. After a few months of awkwardly eyeing each other Nancy asked her father what he thought of her going out with Clem.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat took you so long to notice him, Nancy?\u201d Roy laughed. \u201cHe asked me for permission to come calling on you two years ago and Clem was just too shy to tell you.\u201d
\nWithin a couple of months Nancy and Clem announced their engagement and were married by the next June.<\/p>\n

Dear Nancy,<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I got your letter today\u00a0 \u00a0and even though it is well past midnight I just had to sit down and write to you.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Of course I will come to the wedding and of course, you silly girl, I will be your maid of honor. I would never forgive you if you hadn\u2019t asked me!
\nI can confess right now that Aunt Mim had told me what was going on between you and Clem and I had my fingers (and toes) crossed that you would finally see the light and accept his proposal. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Finally!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I even picked out your wedding gift already and arranged for it to be shipped so that I won\u2019 have to carry it with me.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0You and Clem so well suited to each other. It is about time you gave up on the likes of Little Joe and all those fellows you used to pine for and realized that Clem will be a fine match for you.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I will be making my travel arrangements and write you with the details. My mother sends her regrets, as she doesn\u2019t feel comfortable leaving my father for so long with him being so ill. Give my best to Clem and your parents. And to Little Joe who I am sure is glad you won\u2019t be chasing after him any more ( ha ha) and\u00a0all\u00a0the other Cartwrights.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

All my love,<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Katie<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Hollenberg, Levin, Belsky, and Mason Attorneys at Law<\/strong><\/p>\n

80 Boylston St,<\/strong><\/p>\n

Boston Massachusetts<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mr. Adam Cartwright<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

Virginia City, Nevada<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dear Mr. Cartwright<\/strong><\/p>\n

We regret to inform you of the death of your grandfather, Captain Abel Stoddard on December 19th. According to his wishes you will receive one-fourth interest in Stoddard and Bruce Ltd, despite your estrangement. The remaining interests of the firm will be divided in the following manner: One half interest to Mr. Charles Bruce, your\u00a0grandfather\u2019s business partner, and the remaining one fourth interest to Mr. Dennis O\u2019Mara both of this city.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We will be sending you copies of the legal papers to sign in care of your attorney, Mr. Levi Victor as Mr. O\u2019Mara has directed. Please have him review them for you and sign as per instructions.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sincerely,<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. C. Mason, Esquire<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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

    ***<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

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

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

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

    Dear Kate,<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The news of your father\u2019s death came to me in yesterday\u2019s mail with a parcel of letters from my father and brothers. I am so sorry it has taken me so long to send my condolences but the mail followed me from Boston to London and back to Boston again. It finally reached me here in Santiago, Chile where I am working on a railroad tunnel project<\/strong><\/p>\n

    I will always be grateful to your father for his inspiration to become an engineer and all the help he gave in tutoring me for college. The construction we are working on now is very much like the Fischer mine tunnels Hank designed years ago and I think of him often as I work.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Not a day goes by when I don\u2019t think of you and your family. Please keep in touch.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Affectionately,<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Adam Cartwright<\/strong><\/p>\n

    ***<\/p>\n

    Dearest Kate,
    \nI am so sorry to hear about your mother. Mim told us in church yesterday about her passing. Her death coming so soon after your father\u2019s is a shock to all of us. She was a wonderful woman. I still use her recipe for chocolate cake and think of her each time I make it.<\/p>\n

    Clem and my father send their regards. Please come and visit soon. ! I would love to see you but my circumstances prevent me from traveling in the near future.<\/p>\n

    Nancy Foster<\/p>\n

    PS Do you like the name Clem Foster Junior or Roy Foster if the baby is a boy?<\/p>\n

    PPS Are you still seeing that last handsome beau you wrote about?<\/p>\n

    ***<\/p>\n

    Dear Katie<\/em><\/p>\n

    Congratulations on your wedding. I wish both of you the best. Tell Mr. Striker that I said he is a very lucky man. Wish I could have been there to kiss the bride.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Joe Cartwright<\/em><\/p>\n

    Chapter 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

    August 2, 1864<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Dear Pa, Joe and Hoss,<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    I will be stopping in San Francisco sometime after the fifteenth of October on my way back from Chile to Boston. Dennis and I will be there for about three weeks finishing some meetings with the investors for the South American project that I told you about in another letter. In addition we will meet a few people who are involved with construction for the railroads.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Pa, I think you may be interested in meeting Mr. Sloan as they are looking for some major suppliers of large quantities of lumber for the expansion of the rail roads. I am sure the Ponderosa can easily provide all the necessary timber and make a fine profit.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    More importantly, I would love to see all of you if you could see it clear to make the trip. I hope the timing is good. As much as I am enjoying what I am doing, I sorely miss you all but don\u2019t see any way that I will be getting out to the Ponderosa this trip.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Adam<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    ***<\/p>\n

    After a lavish dinner, Ben and Mr. Sloan returned to Sloan\u2019s suite in the hotel for another meeting with Sloan\u2019s associates but the three Cartwright brothers decided to have an evening on the town. Joe and Hoss knew that Ben didn’t really approve of drinking to excess or overindulgence in gambling or saloon girls. Ben tolerated it, as long as it was kept within reasonable bounds. Joe proposed that what their father didn\u2019t know, certainly wouldn\u2019t hurt him. \u201cI\u2019m not saying we should lie to Pa\u2026But how often do the three Cartwright brothers get together for a fine time? And we sure want Adam and his partner Dennis to have a fine time.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019m not saying we should lie to Pa either,\u201d Hoss agreed. \u201cBut if we show Adam a fine time, maybe he will come back more often and stay longer.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cSort of an investment in the future, Big Brother?\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes sparkled.<\/p>\n

    \u201cExactly!\u201d Hoss agreed with a wide smile<\/p>\n

    Joe and Hoss then determined that they were going to enjoy this visit with Adam for as long as they could and have the best time possible. Both Hoss and Joe wanted their brother and his friend Dennis O\u2019Mara to have the best time possible visiting San Francisco and perhaps consider opening an office there, far closer to the Ponderosa than Boston.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHow about we get all gussied up tonight and hit the town, proper. We haven’t had a night out the whole trip.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss suggested to Adam and Dennis.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIf I sit in one more boring meeting with you and Pa I think my head is going to fall off my shoulders. I don\u2019t know how you do this all the time Dennis.\u201d Joe complained.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDay in, day out,\u201d Dennis grinned. \u201cJoe, maybe you and Adam have more in common than he lets on. I think your brother runs off to South America and spends time off at sea whenever I force him to sit in too many of the long drawn out business meetings in Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe looked at Adam with a curious look. He had never thought of his older brother that way. Adam was always the sensible one, the business head, the intellectual and scholar. Adam was the one who sat and listened and was patient in long meetings. When Reverend Felcher droned on in church with an endless sermon and Joe squirmed, folks would say \u201cLook how still Adam sits. Can\u2019t you be like him?\u201d \u00a0Now he was hearing a whole other side of Adam from his business partner.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHey, let\u2019s take Dennis and Adam up to that big place up on the hill, that big fancy place with the red velvet drapes and the purty dancing girls,\u201d Hoss suggested.<\/p>\n

    \u201d Sounds like you read my mind Hoss! \u201c Joe smiled devilishly.<\/p>\n

    A half-hour after dinner, the four men entered \u201cThe Palace\u201d right on the edge of the Barberry coast.\u00a0The four men stood watching as the crowds filed in and out. They saw obviously wealthy men who were dressed in fine silk suits entering and leaving as well as sailors and cowboys on the town.<\/p>\n

    “I don’t remember ever being in this part of San Francisco before, \u201csaid Dennis looking around.<\/p>\n

    One nattily attired man, sitting at the far side of the entrance on a high stool at a table appeared to be in charge. \u201cThat fellow might be the owner,\u201d pointed out Adam. \u201cFrom where he sits, he has a view of everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The four men were soon directed inside and escorted through a number of narrow interconnected hallways decorated with crimson-flocked wallpaper to a larger and even more ornate room filled with throngs of happy revelers.<\/p>\n

    It was a high ceilinged room, full of poker players, gamblers and noisy men on the town. The air thick was thick with the clouds of cigar smoke and the scent of whiskey and cheap perfume. Drunks and revelers were out in full force.\u00a0The huge space was brilliantly lit with flickering golden gas light from the dozens of glittering chandeliers all dripping with shiny prisms and gaudy crystal beads. Etched mirrors lined one wall making the room seem even larger and more dazzling and confusing. At least a dozen strikingly beautiful women served up silver trays of drinks. The women were laughing and pouring expensive champagne down their customer’s throats.<\/p>\n

    Over to the right, was a circular marble staircase, obviously leading to the private rooms above. This seemed to be an exclusive gathering place for very special, big spending customers.<\/p>\n

    “This place hasn’t changed over the years.” Adam smiled mysteriously as he looked around the room. It seemed exactly as he remembered it, full of mirrors and shadows and remarkably beautiful females.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou\u2019ve been in the Palace, Adam?” asked Joe. Hoss couldn’t recall Adam telling him about the Palace before.<\/p>\n

    \u201cLeave it to my younger brothers to discover remarkable places and think they invented them,\u201d Adam looked at his brothers and laughed.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou came here before?\u201d Hoss still couldn\u2019t quite believe Adam had been in this remarkable place before and he knew nothing of it.<\/p>\n

    “Oh, I came here once, years ago, before either of you two were old enough to appreciate beer or women.” Adam smiled mysteriously at his brothers.<\/p>\n

    “Boy, I don’t remember back that far,\u201d Joe joked. \u201cOlder Brother, was there ever a time when I didn\u2019t appreciate beer or women?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cDennis, Little Joe here was the only seven year old in Virginia City that was chasing saloon girls and swilling beer.\u201d Hoss joked.<\/p>\n

    \u201dSure Hoss. I remember your father used to write to Adam about it all the time when he was in college, \u201cDennis smacked Adam on the shoulder with one hand and tipped Joe\u2019s hat over his eyes with the other. All four laughed at the image Dennis had painted.<\/p>\n

    The four men were soon seated at a round table and quickly ordered some liquid refreshment from an attractive dark hair waitress in a satin gown with lacy ruffles and sequined trim. \u201cIf my Uncle Sean ever saw a place like this he would have thought he died and gone to saloon keeper\u2019s heaven.\u201d Dennis stared up the vaulted ceiling that was decorated with gold framed satin panels and oversized paintings of voluptuous women in various states of undressed glory. The painted pictures were as risqu\u00e9 as any of them had ever seen. Ladies barely wearing brilliant colored dresses. Their luscious legs were showing from under their lace petticoats and their sweetly smiling faces lured in their painted suitors. Other panels held paintings of ladies wearing pieces of dresses or no dresses at all reclining amongst clouds and mountains and waterfalls with chubby cherubs flitting about and leering into the d\u00e9colletage or feeding each other ripe grapes.<\/p>\n

    A group of well-dressed men were playing high stakes poker at a table near the Cartwright\u2019s table. Piles of bills and chips were stacked on the green felt covered table. Each card player had a drink in front of him and a personal barmaid draped over his shoulders. The dealer was a heavy set man with sandy hair and piercing blue eyes.<\/p>\n

    At his right was a handsome young man with dark brown hair and a moustache. He was elegantly attired in a dark navy suit with a lavender brocade vest. The cards were falling his way, and he had a couple of hundred dollars on the table in front of him. One of the players lost the fourth hand in a row to him.\u00a0 He threw his cards into the table and leapt to his feet.<\/p>\n

    “Ya gotta be cheatin\u2019,\u201d he bellowed at the man in the lavender vest. “No one’s that good at poker.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSit down and stop your complaining,\u201d the dealer demanded.<\/p>\n

    Dennis and the Cartwright brothers sat laughing and talking at the next table and ordered another round of drinks. Hoss and Joe hadn\u2019t seen Adam since Christmas two years earlier and they had not seen Dennis for years. \u201cAdam, did tell your brothers about the time we were washed overboard off Cape May?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cAre you joshing?\u201d Hoss asked and Adam launched into another tale of his exciting adventures since he had left the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

    Joe was distracted by a voluptuous red head in a low cut emerald green satin gown that came into the room on the arm of an affluent looking older man wearing a top hat. As she and her gentleman walked up the circular stairs, she looked over her shoulder and blew a kiss in the direction of Dennis and the Cartwright brothers.<\/p>\n

    \u201cOh brothers, I think I am in love. There goes the woman I have been waiting for my whole life.\u201d Joe declared. He started to stand up and Hoss yanked him down by the back of his suit coat. \u201dSit down, Brother!\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam laughed and turned to Dennis and said, \u201cSome things never change.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd for the right price she can be in love with you too, Joseph,\u201d Hoss observed philosophically.<\/p>\n

    Dennis poured them each another round and launched into another story of how some ship owner had tried to cheat Adam and him out of half their freight. \u201cHe claimed it had been hijacked!\u201d Dennis said, but the two of them had out witted the crook and retrieved all their goods.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHe picked up a bailing hook and went after Dennis. You should have seen that guy\u2019s face when Dennis showed him the manifest and grabbed him so hard by the throat his eyes bugged out!\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dSomehow Adam managed to catch the captain with a line like he was roping a bull and tossed him over the side until he cooled off a bit. By that time, we had gone home for dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The four men dissolved into gales of laughter. Hoss pounded Adam on the back and Joe laughed so hard that his sides hurt.<\/p>\n

    At the next table a disagreement had broken out over the card game.<\/p>\n

    Ya gotta be cheatin'” one man accused the other angrily. “No one’s that good unless they are a card shark, and Sir, I think you are!\u201d
    \n\u201dDo you? Well maybe you are in on the cheat!\u201d the other man shouted back. The man who lost the most money, on the other hand, was quite drunk and he took serious offence at this man’s remarks. The slandered player asked.\u00a0 \u201cWhy would you accuse me of such a thing? \u201c<\/p>\n

    The player with the lavender vest quickly picked up all the scattered cards and shuffled them back into the deck. Now no one could see what hand any player had at the table.\u00a0 \u00a0He leaned back in his chair and looked straight at the man. He pulled a cigar from his brocade vest and stuck it in his mouth. He lit it by flicking the match on his fingernail and then blew a cloud of smoke in the direction of the loosing player.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo one cheats me!” the other man roared. He stood up and leaned across the table putting his face right into the other man\u2019s face. \u201cNo one cheats me and then smokes a cigar and then blows smoke in my face.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The cigar smoker straightened and responded with an arrogant stare and said \u201cAnd what are you going to do about it?\u201d\u00a0 He stood up and glared at his accuser.<\/p>\n

    “You are a stinking cheat,\u201d the accuser yelled. “You give me back my money, mister, before I fustigate you!” and he swung wildly at the man, but most unfortunately, his fist connected with the dealer rather than the cigar smoker. The injured dealer, naturally enough swung back. In an instant, the small disagreement over cards exploded into a brawl that spread through the room. Cards flew into the air. Chips and cash scattered. Chairs, bottles and fists were flying. Women shrieked and ran to the other side of the room.<\/p>\n

    One of the scuffling card player crashed across the Cartwright\u2019s table and knocked over their drinks. Dennis quickly reached out and snagged the whiskey bottle before it overturned. \u201cNo sense wasting this! \u201che grinned as he jumped out of the way and tucked the bottle inside his coat pocket.<\/p>\n

    Adam tensed, but he didn’t say anything. He was drunk, but not so drunk that he couldn’t make a quick decision. \u201cLet\u2019s get out of here boys while the getting is good, before one of these guys decides lead is better than fists.\u201d He had managed to stay safe in foreign ports by making quick decisions and avoiding confrontations with drunks that had nothing to do with him personally.<\/p>\n

    Knowing how much their younger brother loved to brawl, Hoss grabbed Little Joe\u2019s arm just as he was about to swing a punch at a lanky sailor he never even met. \u201cSounds like a good idea to me, older brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Together, they quickly retreated down the narrow hallways towards the front door. The four had just hit the street when a horse drawn police wagon pulled up in front of the establishment and a dozen of San Francisco\u2019s finest police officers poured out swinging Billy clubs.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI think we should head back to the hotel and call it a night.\u201d Adam suggested. \u201cDennis is getting too old for this kind of excitement. And I promised Liza that I would keep a good eye on her husband.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cHaving five kids and another one on the way makes a man old, Adam,\u201d Dennis quipped.\u201d Let\u2019s get back to the hotel.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Chapter 4<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Joe Cartwright stood in the lobby of the Cattleman Hotel in San Francisco, his eyes on the ornate clock on the wall. He was worn-out from last night\u2019s celebration with Adam. They had finished the remnants of Dennis\u2019s bottle passing it back and forth like truant school boys as they hiked back to the hotel singing bawdy tunes at the top of their lungs. Ben was sound asleep when the four of them made their way back into the suite.\u00a0 By the time they settled in and fell asleep it had to be well after three and Ben had dragged them out of bed for breakfast at seven o\u2019clock.<\/p>\n

    After breakfast Hoss left the hotel to arrange for shipping some upgraded machinery they had ordered for the saw mill. Dennis headed for the train station for the first leg of his trip back east leaving Adam to finalize their dealings in San Francisco. Ben and his oldest son spent the morning with Sloan of the Union Pacific in his office and had dragged Joe along despite his protestations.<\/p>\n

    Joe finally managed to escape the meeting by reminding his father that he was expecting a telegram from the Ponderosa foreman giving an update of work on the ranch. They made plans to meet up in the lobby for lunch.<\/p>\n

    Joe scooted back to the hotel and checked for the telegram and retired to the lobby. He figured he had at least an hour until his father and brothers would show up and debated going upstairs to the suite to catch a brief nap. Did he have enough time? He tried to figure if it would work out or just make more complications for him if he fell asleep too soundly and everyone was left waiting for him in the lobby.<\/p>\n

    Joe was fuzzy headed and suddenly felt something poking him in the ribs. \u201dHey mister, I\u2019m looking to buy a pinto horse. Know of any for sale?\u201d a voice asked huskily.<\/p>\n

    Joe spun around to see who and what was going on. Behind him stood a very attractive young woman in a green plaid taffeta dress. Her light brown hair was upswept stylishly beneath a small green hat set at a coquettish angle. She smiled at him with an old familiar grin.<\/p>\n

    \u201cOh my goodness! Katie!\u201d Joe hollered and grabbed his old friend in a bear hug lifting her off her feet. \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dLooking for you and the rest of your family.\u201d She threw her arms around his neck kissing him. \u201cMim wrote me that you all would be in San Francisco and I was just dropping off an invitation to come by for Sunday dinner at my place.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe put her down and held her at arm\u2019s length. \u201cMy, my Kate. Don\u2019t you look pretty!\u201d and gave her another hug. \u201cI\u2019m so happy you came by!\u201d<\/p>\n

    Just at that moment Ben and his other two sons arrived and spotted Joe on the other side of the lobby.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAin\u2019t that Joe over there? \u201c Hoss asked. \u201cWell leave it up to my little brother to be hugging a good looking gal in the lobby of a hotel. He ain\u2019t been alone for more than an hour.\u201d
    \nBen grinned despite himself and shook his head in disbelief. His youngest son always had the knack to find a pretty woman wherever they were. No wonder he was so anxious to hurry back to the hotel.<\/p>\n

    Adam stood for a minute chuckling next to his father when suddenly he too was dashing across the lobby hugging the young woman. \u201cPa, Hoss! It\u2019s Kate! Come say hello.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Chapter 5<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cPa there is just something I don\u2019t like about that guy,\u201d Hoss said quietly when they were walking into the hotel lobby late on Sunday night.<\/p>\n

    \u201cKate seems happy enough though.\u201d Ben answered looking at Adam and Joe. \u201cToo bad her husband had to run out after dessert for that appointment.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI wonder what kind of important business conference he had to attend to on a Sunday night,\u201d Adam observed cynically.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHe sure rushed out of the flat like he had a band of Comanches were on his tail,\u201d Joe said. They all chuckled at Joe\u2019s joke.<\/p>\n

    \u201cOr a hanging posse.\u201d Hoss muttered to no one in particular.<\/p>\n

    \u201dGuess he wasn\u2019t so comfortable to have all of us for dinner guests talking about people he didn\u2019t know back in Virginia City, \u201cBen tried to figure out what made Al Striker be so inhospitable. He had stormed out of the flat, cigar stuck in his mouth despite Kate\u2019s urging him to stay.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThat little Sam is mighty cute,\u201d Adam observed.<\/p>\n

    \u201cToo bad Kate\u2019s parents didn\u2019t live to see him.\u201d\u00a0Ben added thinking how the little fellow had taken a shine to him immediately. The boy looked just like his mother except he had a mop of soft brown curls rather than Kate\u2019s straight hair. The three year old had spent most of the evening showing Mr. Cartwright all his toys and had fallen sound asleep in Ben\u2019s lap.<\/p>\n

    Hoss looked as though he was searching through the thoughts in his head and he said \u201cPa have we met that Al before?\u00a0 He seems sort of familiar.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou know, Hoss. Now that you mention it, he seemed familiar to me too. Like I seen him somewhere before. But I can\u2019t put my finger on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam added. \u201cMaybe back East? \u00a0I don\u2019t know. Too bad Dennis has already left. Maybe he would know.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Ben said that he was sure he had not met Striker before.\u00a0 But as he was answering his son, his own thoughts were the same.\u00a0 Al Striker hadn\u2019t seemed familiar to him but there was something unpleasant about him. Strange that Hoss would pick up on that too. No, not really, Ben reconsidered. After all, Hoss was the sensitive son and he had such a good heart.\u00a0 If Hoss was being critical there had to be a good reason.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019m beat,\u201d Joe yawned and added \u201cStriker just doesn\u2019t seem like the kind of guy I imagined Kate marrying.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat do you mean, Joe?\u201d Adam questioned.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI don\u2019t know. Striker is kind of flashy and full of himself and a bit loud\u2026and\u2026 and.. \u201cJoe struggled for what he was trying to say without revealing secrets Kate had shared with him long ago.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd what?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJust that I know Katie always liked quieter, smarter men who liked books and music and such. Men who were more honorable and sincere than showing off and bragging about how gol dang important they were,\u201d Joe\u2019s words got tangled on his tongue.<\/p>\n

    Adam looked at him quizzically. He was thinking about what a pretty woman Kate had become.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDinner was real good though,\u201d Hoss grinned. \u201cAnd Katie sure looked mighty fine. Joseph, you sure missed your chance when you let her slip through your fingers, Little Brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cHoss, how many times do I have to tell people Kate and I were never like that. She was like one of the boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam laughed and shook his head \u201cJoe, I am mighty disappointed in you, Little Brother. She always was one of the prettiest little girls you ever brought around and if you thought of her as one of the boys\u2026 I don\u2019t know.\u00a0 Pa, you better get Joe\u2019s eyes checked if he thinks of her as one of the boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cLooks like Al Striker had the good sense to notice that, Little Joe, \u201cBen teased his youngest son. Ben was always fond of Kate Wallace. He could never understand why his youngest boy was always attracted to the more fragile, flirtatious females who swooned on his arm than to a clever, pretty girl who could hold her own as the wife of a rancher.<\/p>\n

    \u201cOk, Ok, if you all are finished picking on me, I think I\u2019ll call it a night.\u201d Joe yawned and headed across the lobby toward the grand staircase of the posh Cattleman\u2019s Hotel and head up toward their suite.\u00a0 When he got halfway up the ornate staircase, Joe paused dramatically. In mock frustration, he proclaimed a bit too loudly in a voice that echoed through the lobby \u201cLet me declare this for one last time. Kate is beautiful and a great cook and she and I were never, never, never sweethearts and Al Striker is a lucky man to have her for a wife!\u201d<\/p>\n

    The few people in the lobby looked at the handsome young man shouting some sort of declaration as if he were completely insane. The desk clerk gasped and two bell hops jumped to their feet on the alert.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd there is something about that Al Striker that makes my skin grow cold,\u201d muttered Hoss. \u201dlike someone walking acrost my grave.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Only Ben heard what his middle son had murmured. He looked at the big man with his eyebrows raised. It certainly was an odd comment for Hoss to make and set his own teeth on edge.<\/p>\n

    Part 6 <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Tomorrow is Not Promised <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Chapter 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Al Striker had a remarkable talent for convincing people that not only was he always right but everyone else was usually wrong. He also could convince himself of the same misconception.\u00a0 When Striker\u2019s stories were questioned, he painted himself heroically and charmed any skeptics. He persuaded everyone that he was an ambitious, risk taking go-getter who triumphed over adversity to become successful. He made sure that everyone could see he was magnificently generous, and kind to women and to children. He made everyone believe that he was a man among men and a gentleman among gentlemen.<\/p>\n

    Kate Wallace was barely eighteen when she first met handsome Al Striker. After Kate\u2019s father, Hank Wallace died and her mother had started to work at the fine private girl\u2019s academy Kate attended to help pay the tuition for her last year.<\/p>\n

    Leah Wallace had seen Al Striker around their neighborhood and one rainy day, Al politely assisted Leah in carrying home her parcels. In return, Leah invited the gallant young man to join them for dinner. He and Katie hit it off and soon, Al was a regular visitor to their home.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt good to know you won\u2019t be alone when I am gone, Katie,\u201d Leah said thinking of her own fragile health and solid, loving marriage to Hank Wallace. She urged her daughter to marry the pleasant young man who had spent so much time in their home. As Leah\u2019s health seriously declined, Kate and Al Striker became betrothed. The young couple were quickly married in a small modest ceremony a few weeks before Leah died and Al moved into their flat from his modest rented room behind a saloon.<\/p>\n

    Kate eventually learned what she had naively thought was true and solid was only smoke and mirrors.<\/p>\n

    Four years later<\/u><\/p>\n

    It was six weeks since Al had angrily stormed out of their flat and had not returned. Initially, he had told Katie that he needed to go to Sacramento on business for a few weeks. Things had been tense between them for months and she was secretly relieved to have him away from her for a while and have a bit of peace. He was always snapping at their three-year-old son, Sam and yelling at her every time she questioned him about his job or money or all the gambling he was doing on the Barberry Coast or where he had been.<\/p>\n

    Al would smoke his cigar and give her a foul look anytime she questioned him about his moodiness or mysterious business dealings or how he never kept promises he had made to her.<\/p>\n

    Dinner times were impossible. Al was either late and would complain that the food that Kate had kept warm was dried out or that she seasoned things too much or too little. He was frequently annoyed with their small son for not being quiet enough or that Sam wasn\u2019t being friendly and talkative when they were together. Money would be tight for weeks and bills left unpaid, the kitchen cupboard bare. Then suddenly Al would show up, all smiles and fancy gifts for Kate and the baby claiming he had \u201cclosed a lucrative deal\u201d or someone had paid him back a loan.<\/p>\n

    Two weeks after he left San Francisco, Kate\u2019s husband wired her saying he was delayed and needed a few more days. Finally one night, not long after she had put Sam to bed, he showed up at their flat unexpectedly. Al quickly packed up some of his things and told his wife that he may never come back.<\/p>\n

    Kate was shocked and asked her husband what was going on. Al told her that it was all her fault and he needed to be free.\u00a0 She was ruining his life and she knew why.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIf you don\u2019t know why, Katherine, it is because you are stupid. Perhaps,\u201d he said, I might change my mind and come back but maybe not. He stood and looked at Sam sleeping in his crib for a brief minute and then slammed out of the flat leaving Kate alone, crying hysterically and wondering what had just happened.<\/p>\n

    For the next few days, Kate was completely shocked and had no idea what was going on. She missed her husband dreadfully and was so upset she couldn\u2019t think clearly.<\/p>\n

    Two weeks after Al\u2019s departure, a letter arrived from Kate\u2019s Auntie Mim inviting her to visit back in Virginia City. Mim wrote that it had been over a year since she had seen Kate and little Sam and she missed them dreadfully. She would gladly come to San Francisco for a visit but there was no way she could pick up and spend that much time away from Virginia City and the\u00a0Enterprise<\/em>. Mim extended an invitation for her to come for a month or however long Kate wanted or needed. She was particularly worried about her as she hadn\u2019t received a letter from Kate in over a month. Kate normally wrote to her at least once a week and Mim knew something was dreadfully wrong when the letters became so sporadic.<\/p>\n

    Kate decided that she would take her Aunt up on her invitation for a visit to her little house in Virginia City. There was really nothing keeping her in San Francisco and the lease on her little furnished flat expired at the end of the month and she really didn\u2019t have enough money to move to another smaller place.\u00a0 With Al nowhere to be found this would be the best option. Go home to Virginia City and visit with her Auntie until she decided what to do next. Her landlady was even willing to store whatever bits and pieces of property Kate wasn\u2019t able to take with her. She promised to put whatever Kate left behind in the corner of the cellar.<\/p>\n

    The bank wouldn\u2019t let her withdraw money from the account she had there without her husband\u2019s signature and approval so Kate sold the land lady the candle sticks and the good dishes her mother had left her and a gaudy rhinestone pin that had been a gift from Al on their first anniversary. With that quick cash, she paid her overdue bill at the grocer, the last month\u2019s rent and had just enough money to pay the one way fare to get to Virginia City with Sam.<\/p>\n

    When Kate arrived in Virginia City, uncomfortable with revealing the truth about the unsettled nature of her life, she lied to her Aunt Mim. She said that Al Striker was traveling on business and that her husband would join her and their son in Virginia City when he was finished. Kate said that she wasn\u2019t quite sure when that would be. Mim nodded but she knew there was much more to Kate\u2019s situation than she was letting on to her.<\/p>\n

    After arranging for Kate\u2019s baggage to be delivered and they headed for Mim\u2019s narrow little yellow house less than a mile up the hill from the stage depot and the Enterprise <\/em>offices.\u00a0 Her parents and aunt and uncle had always shared that little house and it was a great comfort to Kate, to be back in the familiar home with her beloved young son.<\/p>\n

    One night, about a week after their arrival, when Kate was tucking Sam into bed for the night, he asked \u201cMama, how many more days until my Daddy comes here to Auntie Mim\u2019s? You said he would be here in a few weeks. Is it a few weeks yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cNot quite, Sammy.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dHow many more days, Mama? I miss Daddy.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dA few more days. Now go to sleep, Honey.\u201d She smoothed the covers up over him and kissed his cheek. Her son looked so tiny covered over in the big white iron bed. She turned down the lamp and left the room. She walked out of the little bedroom into the tiny upstairs hallway.<\/p>\n

    Mim had just come up the steep, narrow staircase to get ready for bed herself and had overheard the exchange. She took her niece\u2019s hands in hers and squeezed it. Mim looked straight into her\u00a0eyes. \u201cKate, as hard as it may be, you had better\u00a0tell Sam the truth. Can\u2019t have that boy waiting around for a hound that has run off and won\u2019t ever be coming back home.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Mim knew the truth.<\/p>\n

    Kate was completely shocked. Her aunt had seen through her brave front and all the excuses she had made for Al. Kate realized that she had been foolish trying to fool her aunt. Mim was one of the few people who could always see right through Kate\u2019s bravado.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHe wrote to me you know. Twice,\u201d Mim said gently.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWho wrote you?\u201d Kate was too tired and confused to immediately comprehend Mim\u2019s last remark.
    \n\u201cAl Striker. He wrote me. The first time he wrote was a few months ago. He asked me to loan him money. When I wrote him back for more details of what he needed and why, he never wrote back.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cThen, the day before I invited you here, Al wrote again. He told me that he left you and hoped I would understand. \u201d Mim paused and waited for Kate to answer. \u201cWhat is there to understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Kate was flabbergasted. Al Striker had written to Aunt Mim? That was too bizarre for her to comprehend. Al had avoided his wife\u2019s only relative and Mim rarely spent any time with him. Why would he ask Mim, of all people, for a loan and not tell her why? Why would he ask if she understood his behavior?<\/p>\n

    \u201cAt first I had a fleeting moment of pity on your husband, \u201cMim started. \u201cHowever, my sympathy is rarely wasted on someone who persists in making their own troubles. Kate, the truth always come out, especially bad news. You know that, Katie. That boy will certainly find out what really happened. Your Sam is a very clever child, Katie. He is wise beyond his years, very much like you were at his age.\u201c
    \n\u201dMim, I can\u2019t do it. \u201c Kate whispered. At some level, Kate was hoping against hope that magically Al Striker would see the light, repent overnight and be transformed into the fine man her late mother thought he was when she urged Kate to marry him . In that fantasy, Al would return with his hat in hand, beg forgiveness and be a wonderful husband and father until they were very, very old and died simultaneously so neither should ever miss the other. Kate knew her dream was na\u00efve, childish and totally ridiculous but she wanted to cling to it a bit longer.<\/p>\n

    \u201dSam will hate you more for the lies you told him rather than hate that dirty dog of a father who ran off on the two of you.\u201d Mim warned.<\/p>\n

    Kate knew her Aunt was absolutely right, as always, and she nodded in agreement.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd you, my darling girl, it is ok for you to cry. You most certainly have earned it. You just have yourself a cry and let me hold you, Katie-bird.\u201d She put her arms around her niece and hugged her to her.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd when you\u2019ve cried enough and cried a bit more, you pick up and get on with it. You have that dear little boy depending on you and you won\u2019t have time to feel sorry for yourself for too long.\u201d Mim said. \u201cWhen your uncle Foster was killed, I truly wanted to crawl into that grave right next to him but I knew the paper had to go on. You have something more important than my old newspaper. You have your precious little son. Just remember, what doesn\u2019t kill us makes us strong.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dAunt Mim, I am either going to be very dead or damn strong by the time this trouble is all\u00a0over.\u201d She sobbed as her Aunt held her in a tight hug.<\/p>\n

    A few minutes later Kate collected herself and pulled a hankie from her pocket and wiped her eyes.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThanks for the shoulder Auntie. Just don\u2019t go anywhere to far, I just may need the other one.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Mim gave her one last hug. \u201cNow you come down stairs and we\u2019ll have a nice cup of tea and you can help me write that editorial I need for tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Chapter 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd where is your husband now Katherine?\u201d Mrs. Fischer called from her chair on the porch. Kate was helping Mim with the refreshment trays in the kitchen and pretended she had not heard the question.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe can\u2019t hear you, dear. We will be back in a just a minute. I want you to have some of my\u00a0special butter cookies. I baked them especially for you,\u201c Mim lied to the women on her porch.<\/p>\n

    \u201cKate what do you want to do about this? There is no need to share your private business with anyone if you have no desire,\u201d Mim asked.<\/p>\n

    \u201cStupid old biddy, \u201cKate thought aloud. \u201cMrs. Fischer should mind her own business.\u201d
    \n\u201cYes, she should,\u201d Mim said calmly. \u201cMrs. Fischer should mind her own business.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cBut on the other hand, I can\u2019t keep up this fa\u00e7ade forever. If I am going to come back here to Virginia City to stay, now is as good a time as any to let the truth be known. Unless, of course you want to make it the headline story in the\u00a0Enterprise<\/em>\u00a0Auntie? Philip Bartlett could set it in 20 point type that even Phil can read without his eyeglasses.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Mim laughed at the image her niece had painted of nearsighted Phil Bartlett who had worked for the Enterprise since he was barely out of school and had been her right hand since she lost her husband. \u201cJust remember, once you tell these gossips, there will be absolutely no going back and regaining your privacy. Divorce in Virginia City is certainly a scandalous situation, no matter if you had no choice in the matter,\u201d Aunt Mim reminded her. \u201cMany women would choose to live a lie and remain married to a bounder or a cad.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cEspecially if the bounder or cad is quite rich, like the husbands of Mrs. Fischer and Mrs. Butler?\u201d Kate asked.<\/p>\n

    Mim placed some round, golden butter cookies on a fragile porcelain plate decorated with pink cherry blossoms. Kate had painted the plate for her as a Christmas gift the last year she lived in Virginia City. \u201cMargaret Butler and Mary Fischer are the biggest gossips in Nevada Territory. On a hot day you can get a fine cooling breeze from the wagging of their tongues. Your uncle once said those two got the news out faster than we could print it.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cOh my goodness! Uncle Foster really said that?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cHe did. Is it gossiping that I am repeating it? Foster was a very fine man and always, always told the honest truth,\u201d Mim smiled and rearranged the teacups. She added \u201cI have absolutely no patience for shallow judgmental women.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Mim looked at the pile of golden cookies on the plate and thought twice about serving the delicious treats to such unworthy guests. \u201cNo need to let them have so many of these. They are much too delicious for the likes them.\u201d She removed half of them and put them aside for Sam to have after school. \u201cAre there any of those stale old ginger snaps from the mercantile left in the pantry?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Kate smiled. No one would ever call Mim Wallace subtle. \u201cAuntie, I think this might just be the time to tell the town that I am here to stay.\u201d She took a few more of the butter cookies off the serving dish. Then she picked up the tray of tea fixings and carried into the porch. She set it on the table and turned to Mrs. Fischer. \u201cAnd what was it you were asking me before, Mrs. Fischer?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dTea?\u201d Mim quickly interrupted.\u00a0 She picked up the teapot and started to pour. She wanted to give her niece another few seconds to be sure of her decision. Once Kate revealed her situation, shared her news, there was no taking back her words. \u201cLemon or cream?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYes dear. Lemon and sugar. I was just asking Katherine here where her handsome, charming husband was these days.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Kate picked up her teacup and took a sip and jumped right in. \u201cWe are no longer married Mrs. Fischer. He left me and Sam last fall. We are now getting divorced. Levi Victor is filing the papers.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dMy goodness. How tragic!\u201d Mrs. Butler responded. Her words were appropriately polite but her eyes were smiling at someone else\u2019s misfortune. She quickly glanced at the gold watch pinned to her full bosom and mentally calculated how quickly she could finish her tea and stop off at the home of her friend and co-conspirator Mrs. Drury to share the news.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI guess that makes your little Sam the man of the house now,\u201d said Mrs. Butler to Kate as she put her bone china tea cup down in the saucer. She looked sideways at Kate, a disdainful look in her eyes.<\/p>\n

    \u201dNo\u201d Kate snapped. \u201dSam is a six year old child and he is the boy of the house. There is no \u201cman of the house\u201d in this house\u201d.<\/p>\n

    They looked up to see Joe Cartwright ride up on the back of Cochise. Seated on the saddle in front of him was young Sam Striker. \u201cLook at me, Mama! I got a ride home from school! \u201cThe boy shouted gleefully as Joe lowered him down to the ground. Noticing the ladies arrayed on the porch sipping tea, Joe tipped his hat and smiled cordially and dismounted. \u201cAfternoon ladies.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dDo join us, Little Joe. Can I offer you some tea or perhaps something cold?\u201d Kate was relieved to have Joe show up and take some of the attention from her last pronouncement.<\/p>\n

    He eyed the plate of cookies that sat on the tea table. \u201cSam offered me some of Mim\u2019s cookies in exchange for a ride so I let him twist my arm. Mim, don\u2019t let Hop Sing know I like your baking better than his.\u201d Joe grinned. Then, Joe swung Sam up on his shoulders and walked up the familiar path.<\/p>\n

    Sam snatched Joe\u2019s hat from his head and put it on top of his own curly hair. \u201cLook! I\u2019m Joe Cartwright on Cochise! Giddyap horsie!\u201d\u00a0 Sam whooped yanked on Joe\u2019s collar.<\/p>\n

    Joe whinnied loudly and galloped up the steps to the porch two at a time.<\/p>\n

    Mary Fischer stared at the two curly heads and the impish smiles of Kate\u2019s son and smile of Joe Cartwright and exclaimed \u201cMy, my! If I didn\u2019t know better \u2026 Don\u2019t Joseph and Sam here certainly have a remarkable resemblance.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Kate choked on her tea. Even Mim was speechless at the spiteful comment.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMy, my Mrs. Fischer you really should know better. Kate and I hadn\u2019t even SPOKEN in the three years before Sam was born so it would be very nice if you kept your nasty remarks to your nasty self and paid attention to your own family\u2019s nasty behavior.\u201d Joe snapped at her abruptly. Most of Virginia City knew both her husband and her son Jack were philanderers of the highest order and lacked a moral compass when it came to their liaisons with women other than their wives.<\/p>\n

    Mary Fischer\u00a0gasped at Little Joe\u2019s boldness. She and Mrs. Butler immediately put down their tea cups and gathered up their things in a rush to leave Mim\u2019s porch.<\/p>\n

    \u201dWell I never!\u201d Mrs. Butler abruptly turned to Aunt Mim.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWell maybe that is the problem,\u201d Mim said with a sly grin.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI must be going Mim. It is clear you have your hands full here.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Chapter 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat do you want Striker?” Ben demanded before the rider even had a chance to dismount outside Mim Wallace\u2019s house.<\/p>\n

    Sensing impending danger, Sam slipped behind his mother and scurried into the house. Little Joe was sitting at the kitchen table finishing up his pie. \u201cJoe! Joe, my father is here again.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe quickly got up and took his gun belt from where it was hanging on the hook near the cellar door. He strapped on his gun belt and walked out the kitchen door. \u201cSammy you stay in the house.\u201d Joe ordered. He quietly walked around the house to the front where Al was sitting astride a horse.<\/p>\n

    The little boy went back to the front room and stood hidden behind the half open door where he could keep an eye on things. Sam was horribly ambivalent. Part of him wanted to talk to his father but most of him was terrified. His mother had told him if Striker returned to immediately get Joe and to stay inside the house, no matter what. Sam was an obedient little boy and did exactly what he had been told to do.<\/p>\n

    “You know what I want Cartwright, I want my family back!\u201d Al Striker said. He was still seated on a spirited black horse he had rented from the livery. Striker pushed back his coat to show he had a pearl handled revolver in his gun belt. He was smiling but put his hand threateningly on the handle of his pistol. \u201cNow, Katherine, you go tell\u00a0my boy to get out here and say hello to his father.”<\/p>\n

    \u201cGet out of here Al.\u201d Kate said firmly. \u201cGet off my property! There is no place for you here.\u201d She put her hands on her hips and stood her ground. Aunt Mim planted herself near the door, her full skirts blocking Sam from view.<\/p>\n

    \u201cGee, Katherine. You sound awfully mad. What are you hollering at me for?\u201d He knew she hated it when he called her Katherine. \u201dI just want to have a little visit with you and my boy.\u201d Striker smiled his phony grin at her. His eyes looked like shiny coal as he looked down at her. He reached into his vest pocket and took out a cigar and put it in his mouth. With a flick of a\u00a0finger nail, he lit a match and ignited the cigar. He took a long drag on the smoke and glared menacingly at Kate.<\/p>\n

    \u201cGet out!\u201d Kate repeated.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSee what I had to put up with, Mr. Cartwright? Look what a temper she has. All I want is to see my son. Don\u2019t I deserve that?\u201d He puffed out a cloud of acrid smoke. \u201cLet\u2019s talk man to man and leave this hysterical female out of the discussion.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dAl get out of here,\u201d Kate said evenly. Her voice was low and calm, very far from hysterical.\u00a0 \u201cYou’re on your own now so I suggest you hit the trail and make it as far away from this territory as that nasty black horse can carry you. \u201c<\/p>\n

    \u201cGee did you see that ugly face? That look would clear rats from a flop house. And that reminds me of most of the places that I\u2019ve been staying in. Not like this fine place here!\u201d he said as he looked around at Mim\u2019s well-tended yellow\u00a0house.<\/p>\n

    \u201cGet out of here Al, Kate said again firmly, calmly. Kate\u2019s calmness irritated Al and he became more agitated.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019ll leave when I am good and ready. Where is my boy?\u201d he bellowed.<\/p>\n

    \u201dHe\u2019s not here.\u201d she lied.<\/p>\n

    Striker began to swing his leg up off his horse, his hand still on the gun, when Ben’s warning stopped him. “Striker you move another inch off that horse and my son will blow you right out of your saddle. I suggest you ride out, now.”<\/p>\n

    Striker looked behind him and caught sight of Joe Cartwright sighting his pistol right at him, he settled himself back in the saddle.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd if you ever come back on my place again you may have to be carried off across the back of your horse, now move on” Kate added.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou can’t do this Kate, you got no right” he barked again. \u201cAnd you Cartwrights better stay out of my business or I\u2019ll…\u201d
    \n\u201dOr you\u2019ll do what Striker? \u201c Joe pulled back the hammer of his pistol. \u201cI suggest you listen to what Kate has told you and get off her property.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Ben gave Joe a glance and hoped he would not lose his temper and shoot Striker. He knew\u00a0all too well that Joe\u2019s hair trigger temper could get them all in trouble.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMy, my, my. Well, look at the riff raff that you associate with now, Katherine. Pulling guns on an innocent visitor who just came into town to see his boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cMr. Striker, we can do this the hard way or the easy way,\u201d Ben warned ominously. He just stood his ground and glared at the man until Striker sharply turned his snorting horse and galloped off.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019m not finished with you!\u201d he shouted over his shoulder.<\/p>\n

    Mim slipped inside to check on her little nephew who was cowering behind the door.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAre you all right Katie?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked.<\/p>\n

    She nodded silently. Her heart was pounding in her chest. All she could thing \u201cIs he going to come back for Sam?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cHe\u2019s gone.\u201d Ben said, watching the yellow dust settle in the road.<\/p>\n

    Joe holstered his gun and walked around the back of the house to the barn.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMr. Cartwright, all of you can’t stay here forever. Al will be back, and he’ll continue to come back until he gets what he wants. You don’t know him. He wants his son and there is no way that I am going to let him have Sam. Not for a minute.” Kate said decisively.<\/p>\n

    “And Striker doesn’t know me or my boys. He is not only out matched by determination but he’s also out numbered. Kate, Al\u00a0Striker is just a bully and blow hard. Eventually he is just going to tire out and move on somewhere else. By then the judge will rule on the papers Levi Victor filed for you.\u201d Ben reassured her. \u201cEverything will be just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI certainly hope you are right, Ben.\u201d Kate swallowed hard. She suddenly realized how much danger she had faced with her bravado and anger. Her hands started to shake. Ben moved to her side and put his arm around her protectively and pulled her against him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cKatie, I know you most of your life. Your father and Uncle Foster were two of my closest friends. You are like my family, like my daughter. Do you think we ever would let anything happen to you? \u201c<\/p>\n

    Kate shook her head. \u201cNo, sir,\u201d She wasn\u2019t positive but sincerely hoped Ben Cartwright was correct.<\/p>\n

    \u201cKate, he may indeed try again and again, but sooner or later he’ll wear down and move on. I promise you that. Hoss went down to tell Clem Foster about all this business. Let the law handle Striker. Judge Kane will rule soon and you can put this all to rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Kate’s mind was in a turmoil, she was afraid for herself but far more apprehensive disturbed for her son\u2019s wellbeing. She didn’t know what to do and she trembled.<\/p>\n

    “You’re safe here. You are both safe. I promise you, Striker will never hurt you again as long as I’m alive,” Ben promised her.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 4<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Sam was picking black berries in the thicket he had discovered just beyond the school. The observant little boy had quietly snuck back there during recess and checked the hidden patch every day watching the fruit ripen. Today was the day they were ready for picking. His small tin lunch bucket was almost filled. His mama would be very happy with all these. Maybe she would even make some muffins for him or better yet some pies.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Suddenly, a shadow crossed him and he felt a large hand on his shoulder.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHey Sportie, remember me?” Al Striker snarled tightening his grip on Sam’s red plaid shirt collar.<\/p>\n

    Sam dropped the bucket of berries and felt his stomach drop with them. His eyes went in the direction of the school yard, then the road. There was no one around.<\/p>\n

    “Don’t even think about yelling out kid, or I’ll silence you for good, got it” He puffed cigar smoke into the boy\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

    Sam didn’t bother to answer him, but he flinched from the man\u2019s voice. \u201cDon\u2019t you remember your own father?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYes, sir,\u201d Sam whispered. \u201cI know who you are.\u201d<\/p>\n

    “Relax kid, I don’t want to kill you, I just want to visit with you and have you to deliver a message to your mother for me.\u201d Striker reached up and easily lifted the frightened little boy onto the saddle of a big black horse that was standing nearby. Then Striker climbed up in front of\u00a0him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cLet\u2019s go, Son.\u201d He kicked his heels into the side of the black and galloped off out of town towards the lake with the boy.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo, I gotta go home.\u201d Sam squirmed.\u201d Lemme go! I gotta go back home.\u201d The horse galloped up the slope faster and faster.<\/p>\n

    \u201cLet me go!\u201d Sam hollered punching at Al\u2019s back with his small fists.<\/p>\n

    Striker twisted around in the saddle and held the six year old with his left hand and the reigns of the spirited black stallion with his right as he carried his son off. \u201cYou quit hollering or I\u2019ll give you something to holler about.\u201d he threatened.<\/p>\n

    As the horses galloped up the hill towards the lake, Al let go of the boy for an instant. Sam immediately slid backwards and dropped off the rear of the horse. He put out his arm to break his fall and hit the ground with a thud. Sam felt something snap in his arm but he knew he had to get away quickly before Al got him again.<\/p>\n

    The injured boy scrambled to his feet and ran as fast as his short legs could carry him. One of his shoes fell off but he kept running. Before his father could turn the horse around, Sam quickly escaped into the thick underbrush. He ran like a rabbit and dove under some bramble bushes. Rolling underneath the brush, he burrowed down under some dry leaves and hid himself. His arm hurt very badly but he knew he had to be totally silent and not get caught.<\/p>\n

    \u201dGet back here, Sam!\u201d Striker bellowed ferociously. He pulled the black horse to an abrupt halt and leapt off to hunt for the boy. He had no idea how his son had escaped so quickly and stood in the middle of the trail looking around for any sign of the boy.<\/p>\n

    Striker saw a freight wagon and a rider approaching and decided he would be better off\u00a0galloping away then drawing attention to himself. Right now no one knew he was in the area and he had no desire to have the sheriff or any of Kate\u2019s friends in Virginia City be on the alert for Al Striker.<\/p>\n

    \u201dTo hell with this. Let Kate find Sam.\u201d He thought angrily. He climbed back on the horse and rode off towards Carson City.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 5<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cJoe where can he be? He should have been home from school long ago. Mim and I looked all over. You and Hoss looked all over. How far can a little boy get in an hour?\u201d Remembering the long ago incident with Puddin\u2019 Lowell, Kate asked Joe Cartwright franticly. \u201cDo you think he fell in the creek?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dWe found his lunch bucket filled with berries bucket and one of his shoes, so we know he was over thata way, nowhere near the creek.\u201d Hoss said gently. \u201cHe couldn\u2019t go very far with only one shoe. We\u2019ll find him.\u201d The Cartwrights had dropped in to see Kate and Mim on their way home from Virginia City and found that Sam was missing. They had immediately had joined the search.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhere can he be? It\u2019s going to be dark soon. He\u2019s only a little boy.\u201d Kate was very frightened realizing the sun was beginning to set. How would her son manage in the dark and the cold?<\/p>\n

    Kate no sooner got the words out when they heard the sound of a horse approaching the house. Mim stood up to look out the window. Who’s that?” she said walking out on the porch to get a better look at the approaching dust cloud. Kate and the two Cartwright brothers followed closely at her heels. They all\u00a0tried to get a better look at the rider entering the property from the west. Joe leaped from the porch towards the rider shouting, “It’s Pa and Sam! \u201c<\/p>\n

    “Is it him?” Kate asked anxiously. \u201cDoes he have Sammy?\u201d\u00a0 She shaded her eyes with her hand against the glare of the setting sun. \u201cIs he all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

    “Yeah it’s him,\u201d Hoss smiled. \u201cPa found Sam.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Ben rode up to the front of Mim\u2019s house holding Sam in front of him on His arms were wrapped protectively around the little boy. Sam had been trying to be very brave up until that time but as soon as he saw his mother, he burst into tears.<\/p>\n

    Kate ran out and Ben lowered the sobbing boy into the arms of his grateful mother.\u00a0Kate\u00a0hugged him close. The boy was filthy and his face and arms scratched up from hiding under the bramble bushes.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHoss, go fetch Doc Martin. Looks like his arm is broken.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Chapter 6<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Sam\u2019s tiny room was at the top of the stairs. Years before, Kate had slept in this very same room in the same white iron framed bed. Her Aunt Mim and Uncle Foster, who owned the house, had slept in the larger room across the hall and her parents had used the down stairs bedroom off the dining room. All the upstairs room had low slanting ceilings and small dormered windows.<\/p>\n

    The Ben Cartwright ducked his head as he walked through the low doorframe into the boy\u2019s bedroom. The memory of a little curly haired boy of his own as it flashed across his mind. A pale moonlight glow from the far window lit the room, but it was enough for Ben to see Sam. He lifted the rumpled bedcovers from the floor and smoothed them back over the sprawled shape on the bed. Sam stirred and pulled the yellow quilt under his chin, grateful for the warmth.\u00a0 Doctor Martin had splinted his broken arm and Sam was having a hard time finding a comfortable place for himself.<\/p>\n

    \u201dMr. Cartwright? Could you stay here a while with me?\u201d\u00a0Since they met in San Francisco the first time when Sam was only about three, Sam had a special affection for Ben Cartwright.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019m honored to have the invitation Sam.\u201d Ben said gently.<\/p>\n

    \u201dYou can sit over there\u201d the boy pointed with his uninjured hand to a faded arm chair next to his bed. \u201dDo you have any little boys, Mr. Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI did, but they are all grown up now. \u201c<\/p>\n

    \u201cWas Joe and Hoss your little boys?\u201d Sam asked trying to sort out who belonged to whom in Virginia City. He was having a difficult time understanding that grown men could be someone\u2019s child.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThat\u2019s right, and I have another son, Adam.\u201d Ben added. \u201cHe is in South American building a bridge right now. You met him once a long time ago.\u201d The boy remained silent for moment. Then he yawned and shifted around to face Ben better.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMr. Cartwright, thanks for bring me home. I was real scared that I wouldn\u2019t find my Mama.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dI\u2019m glad I could help you Sam. You were a pretty brave feller today. Why don\u2019t you close your eyes now and go to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dCould you stay here a bit more? Please.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dSure.\u201d Ben sat down in the moonlight and watched over the boy until he fell back to sleep.<\/p>\n

    When Sam was finally sound asleep, Ben quietly stepped down the narrow staircase and strolled out onto the front porch.\u00a0 A rectangle of golden lamp from the open doorway light fell across the\u00a0wide painted boards. He took a long breath then glanced aside at his sons sitting protectively on either side of Kate. Hoss was seated on one of the heavy ladder back kitchen chairs that had been pulled outside. He had the chair tipped back on two legs, his boots up on the porch railing.\u00a0 Joe was seated next to Kate on the white wicker settee with his arm slung protectively over her shoulders.<\/p>\n

    Kate looked up wearily \u201cThanks for taking care of him Ben. I just couldn\u2019t get go there one more time.\u201d She sagged visibly and yawned.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThere is still some pie and coffee left inside, Ben. Should I get you some?\u201d Mim started to get up from her seat.<\/p>\n

    Ben shook his head and raised his hand indicating she should stay in her seat.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThat\u2019s quite a boy you have there, Katie. It\u2019s been a long time since I tucked a little boy in for the night. Thanks for sharing him with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt\u2019s\u2026 been a long day and I just couldn\u2019t face Sammy one more time. I\u2019m thankful you all were here. I don\u2019t know how I would have found my son had you not been around to help. \u201c<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou\u2019re doing a fine job with your boy. I know it hasn\u2019t been easy.\u201d Ben acknowledged.<\/p>\n

    Thanks, Ben,\u201d her lips trembled and tears started to well up in her eyes. \u201cI can\u2019t believe Sam\u2019s father would try to steal him away and then ride off leaving him hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe turned to his friend and pulled her close. He held her for a few minutes until she moved away from him. Joe turned to his father. \u201cPa, I think we should stay here tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Hoss added \u201dWe can\u2019t leave them here alone. What if that skunk Striker decides to come back? \u201c<\/p>\n

    \u201cI was thinking the same thing. I\u2019ll ride back to the Ponderosa and you and Joe can keep Kate and Mim company tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cThanks, \u201cKate whispered.<\/p>\n

    Mim nodded tiredly in agreement. She knew she had Foster\u2019s rifle hanging on the dining room wall and both she and Katie knew how to use it, but having the Cartwrights around was far more reassuring.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo need to thank us Katie Darlin\u201d Hoss grinned.<\/p>\n

    Joe gave her another hug\u00a0and pushed a loose strand of hair off her forehead. \u201cAnyway Hoss figures his snoring will scare any troublemakers away.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Chapter 7<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cNo!\u201d\u00a0Sam shrieked. He sat up with a jerk from his nightmare, heart thundering against his chest, breath rasping through his lungs.\u00a0 In his dream, his father was chasing him on a flaming black horse with blood red eyes. Acrid smoke surrounded him like the sulfur smoke of hell. No matter how much he struggled his feet were stuck in sucking mud and thorny vines nipped at his flesh. Sam could not escape no matter how hard he struggled.<\/p>\n

    The little boy tried to sit up in his bed. The room was filled with daylight so it must be morning. His yellow checked quilt was twisted around his neck and shoulders.\u00a0 As he leaned on his broken arm in the tangle of bed covers, Sam moaned from the pain spread from his injury. Groaning, he folded his arm over his belly and bent double \u201cMama?\u201d he called out.<\/p>\n

    The room was empty, though there was evidence Kate had spent the night in the chair. A rumpled quilt from her bed plus a writing pad and pencil on the bedside table indicated his mom had probably only recently left looking for breakfast or checking the chickens.<\/p>\n

    He heard the clatter of pots and pans and voices from downstairs and tried to figure out who it was. He could clearly identify his mother\u2019s voice but could not here what she was saying. There were deep voices of men too. Could it be Al Striker? Sam shivered for a second but then realized it was Hoss and Joe Cartwright. He smiled knowing that he and Kate were safe with the Cartwrights in the house.<\/p>\n

    He quickly climbed out of bed and carefully went down the narrow stairs feeling far better than he did the night before.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 8<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cAdam, when are you leaving?\u201d Phil Bartlett asked leaning back in his dining room chair. He pulled out his handkerchief, wiped his glasses carefully and put them back on his nose. Concerned for the safety of Katie and her son, since the recent incidents with Al Striker, Mim had enlisted Phil to be an additional protective man around her family. He had tagged along to Sunday dinner so Kate, Mim, and little Sam wouldn\u2019t be driving the empty road back and forth the Ponderosa alone. Phillip was more than glad to join them and spend time with his boyhood pal Adam who was visiting.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWell, I\u2019ll be here on the Ponderosa a few weeks longer. I\u2019m not going back to San Francisco for about another two weeks, maybe three. From there I am heading out to\u00a0Portland to examine some ship yards that are for sale, then back to Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cSo, we can count on seeing you for Sunday dinner next week, Adam?\u201d Mim asked.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI wouldn\u2019t miss it for the world,\u201d Adam smiled looking sideways at Kate.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI really can\u2019t stay for dessert, Ben. I need to be getting back to Virginia City before it gets late,\u201c Phil Bartlett said. \u201cI want to check on the last press run for tomorrow. Perhaps we should be leaving soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cHow is that new press working, Phil? \u201c Hoss asked Mim\u2019s right hand man as he did his best to delay their departure. Phil loved to talk about the inner workings of the Enterprise in excruciating detail if he had even a small audience.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe press? It\u2019s running perfectly! We should be able to keep up with the increase in circulation with no problem,\u201d he answered getting up from the dining room table. \u201cThanks for a fine dinner, Ben. Katie do you need me to carry Sam out to the carriage? I\u2019m really sorry to have to cut the evening short.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Kate glanced at Adam, not knowing what else to say.<\/p>\n

    \u201dPhil, why don\u2019t you borrow a horse!\u00a0 I\u2019ll take every one else back to town in Mim\u2019s carriage later on and come back home on that horse?\u201d Adam quickly suggested.<\/p>\n

    Joe smiled to himself. Ben Cartwright sure didn\u2019t have any slow witted sons when it came to quick thinking around a pretty woman. Adam didn\u2019t want Kate to leave just yet. \u201cHoss do me a favor and saddle up a horse for Phil, here.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat an excellent idea!\u201d Kate smiled at Adam. \u201dI\u2019m sure Sam\u00a0is just dying for some of the dessert Hop Sing prepared.\u201d<\/p>\n

    They all turned to look at young Sam who was sitting half asleep in\u00a0Ben\u2019s lap. He was leaning back on Ben\u2019s chest and struggling to keep his eyes open. Certainly he was not missing his pie as much as Kate was clearly hoping to delay their departure from the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

    \u201cPhil, let me get you a horse,\u201d Joe quickly jumped up. He was going to do everything he could to help Kate and his brother\u00a0spend as much time together as possible. \u201cHoss, why don\u2019t you give me a hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cHuh?\u201d Hoss looked at him curiously. Why would Joe need his help to saddle a horse for Phil?<\/p>\n

    \u201cGive me a hand way out in the barn saddling a horse for Phillip so that\u2026. \u201c<\/p>\n

    \u201cSo that Phil gets a horse to go back to town right now!\u201d Hoss smiled broadly as he realized what his clever little brother was arranging. He quickly got up from the table.\u201d Just don\u2019t let Sam eat my dessert, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd Adam, why don\u2019t you show Kate that whatchemacallit that you wanted to show her out back?\u201d Joe urged.<\/p>\n

    Adam offered Kate his arm and she smiled up at him as they walked away from the dining room table and out into the moon light to check out the \u201cwhatchmacallit\u2019 alone.<\/p>\n

    Sam was clearly fast asleep on Ben\u2019s lap and totally oblivious to dessert or horses or anything else that was going on in the dining room of the Ponderosa. And Ben Cartwright was a close second in the contest.<\/p>\n

    Entirely confused, Ben looked up at his youngest son and raised his eye brow. What in the world was Joe talking about? What was a \u201cwhatchemacallit\u201d? He would have to ask his son when he got back from the barn.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBen, did I tell you about the new presses?\u201d Mim engaged him in conversation while all the others left the table. She smiled to herself. It had been many, many years since she had admired a \u201cwhatchemacallit\u201d in the moonlight with a handsome young man.<\/p>\n

    Two hours later, all the Cartwrights walked their guests out to the yard.<\/p>\n

    \u201dGood night Ben, thanks for a lovely evening. \u201c Mim said. \u201cAnd Joseph, you think about what we discussed. Looks fade but smarts don\u2019t. It\u2019s about time you had your fill of all those feather brained blonde dunder heads and start looking for a woman who has her feet on the ground.\u201c
    \n\u201dGee Mim, if you were only twenty years younger.\u201d Joe teased. He gave her a hand as she climbed into the rear seat of the buggy.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019ll take them back home don\u2019t worry, Pa, \u201cAdam promised. Ben nodded in agreement.<\/p>\n

    Ben carried the sleeping boy out to the buggy and gently placed him in Mim\u2019s lap in the rear seat.\u00a0 Adam took Kate\u2019s hand and helped her climb into the front seat of the buggy. Without releasing her hand, Adam sat next to her and picked up the reigns.
    \n\u201cNo Joseph. You have it wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWrong?\u201d Joe raised an eyebrow. \u201cHow can a handsome fellow like me be wrong, Mim?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt is not if only I was twenty years younger. It\u2019s if only you were thirty years older, Joe Cartwright! \u201cShe teased back.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou got me, Mim!\u201d Joe leaned over and gave her hug and a kiss on her cheek. \u201cNow take good care of Katie for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou flirt!\u201d she laughed and swatted him playfully on his cheek. \u201cAdam let\u2019s go and don\u2019t hit any bumps on the way back to town. I have Sammy back here sleeping and this precious cargo doesn\u2019t take kindly to being awakened.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYes M\u2019am!\u201d Adam flicked the reigns and the team trotted off into the moonlit night.<\/p>\n

    Ben and his two younger sons stood for a minute and watched the departing buggy go down the road until it was lost in the darkness.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019ll be inside in a few minutes boys, I want to check on the stock before I turn in\u201d Ben started toward the barn.<\/p>\n

    As Joe and Hoss walked back towards the house. Joe asked, “Hoss, do you reckon he is sweet on her?<\/p>\n

    \u201cPa and Mim?\u201d Hoss scratched his head.<\/p>\n

    Joe laughed \u201cNo, you big moose. Adam and Kate. He sure lights up every time she is around.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Hoss stopped and held Joe’s arm slightly. With a half-smile he said, “I don’t know for sure. But Joe, you know Adam, he does things slower and quieter than you do. He won\u2019t talk much about what he is thinking about.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe grinned wide and said \u201cIt certainly would be nice to see the two of\u00a0them together. Maybe our older brother would be coming home to stay if he married Kate. Katie sure deserves someone to be good to her this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Hoss nodded in agreement. \u201cShe sure does.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Chapter\u00a09<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Mim Wallace died unexpectedly barely two months after that dinner at the Ponderosa.\u00a0 She had commented to Kate how she was not feeling as well as usual. When Kate tried to get her to see Doctor Martin, Mim rebuffed her suggestion. \u201cKate, I am far too busy to have time to be sick. Any way I am just not as young as I used to be. It\u2019s just the aches and pains of being old.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou aren\u2019t old!\u201d Kate protested.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIndeed I am! I am an old woman and mighty proud of it. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting old when you think that the other option is dying young and too many folks I loved died far too young.\u201d Mim said truthfully.
    \nA few days later, when Phil Bartlett returned to the office from visiting with Sheriff Coffee and getting the details on a hold up in Carson City, he had found Mim resting face down at her desk. As soon as he touched her, Phillip knew the owner of the Enterprise was gone. He picked up the piece she had been writing when death took her. Mim Wallace had been polishing her latest editorial on the need for the citizens of to vote in favor of a bond issue to support the expansion of the Virginia City public schools. It was fitting that she died with her pen in her hand promoting a cause she knew would improve her beloved community.<\/p>\n

    Kate directed the staff to run the editorial centered on the front page of the\u00a0Enterprise\u00a0as memorial to her aunt. Mim Wallace had started the paper with her husband Foster. She kept the paper running it for over two decades despite threats, blizzards, mine disasters, droughts, broken presses, financial problems and the murder of her beloved husband.<\/p>\n

    A month after Mim\u2019s funeral, Adam wrote Kate that he was coming back home for an extended visit.<\/p>\n

    Dearest Kate,<\/strong><\/p>\n

    You\u2019ll never know how much I miss you. I think of you all the time. I can\u2019t get you out of my mind.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Love now and forever, <\/strong><\/p>\n

    Adam<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Part 7 <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Looking Forward, Not Back<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Chapter 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Mim\u2019s house was a small, clapboard one-story house tucked away behind the newer, more imposing mansions, rising up the hill overlooking Virginia City. It was painted yellow and set on a two-acre parcel of property with a garden plot, a small barn, a hen house and a tool shed to the rear. The house was less than a mile walk down the hill to the schoolhouse and the offices of the\u00a0Enterprise.<\/p>\n

    Adam was quite familiar with the little house having spent many hours there over the years. Hank Wallace had tutored him in mathematics at the Wallace dining room table before he went to college and the Cartwrights were often Mim\u2019s welcome guests for Sunday dinners.<\/p>\n

    Adam had mixed feelings about his visiting Kate with no one else around, trying to push to the back of his mind his own nervousness and the potential problems that were looming around his growing relationship with Kate. His father and Little Joe both had written him in San Francisco about the difficulties she was having extricating herself from her marriage. Both had asked him to help her any way he could. Since all of Adam\u2019s work was done in San Francisco, he decided to go home to the Ponderosa for a visit before returning to Boston.<\/p>\n

    Adam Cartwright realized his mind was on Kate Wallace all the time, even when he was strained to concentrate on his work. He wasn\u2019t just thinking of her as Little Joe\u2019s friend or Mim\u2019s niece. He was seeing her in a totally different way. All of a sudden, traveling all over the world for Stoddard and Bruce suddenly seemed far less of an adventure but was now excruciatingly unappealing and completely burdensome.<\/p>\n

    Adam tried to appear nonchalant as he approached the house, but cast a wary glance around as he pushed open the Wallace\u2019s gate, hoping there was no one around to remark on his visit. Adam had no desire to add to the gossip that was already beginning to circulate through the town. Mrs. Butler and Mrs. Fischer and their hen parties were still quite chatty about Joe\u2019s \u201crudeness\u201d months earlier. A divorced woman in Virginia City was scandalous enough and Adam certainly was not going to do anything to cause Kate to be a target of more nasty rumors.<\/p>\n

    Adam knew that he had to tell her what the lawyer, Levi Victor had discovered about Al Striker. He was not looking forward to giving her the bad news. Even more disconcerting to Adam, was that he was utterly bewildered about how he found himself constantly thinking about her. Being alone with Kate made it even more complicated.<\/p>\n

    Adam took a deep breath and dove right in. \u201cYou remember we introduced you to Levi Victor, Pa\u2019s attorney? Levi said all the papers are filed with Judge Kane and hopefully your divorce will come through pretty soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dHow long is \u2018pretty soon\u2019 Adam? This is taking so long.\u201d She poured steaming coffee into his cup and sat down next to him at her kitchen table.<\/p>\n

    \u201dHe said about another month or so.\u201d Adam decided that he would start off with the good news first, then tell Kate the bad news. \u201cThis morning I also got some other information.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat sort of information?\u201d Kate couldn\u2019t imagine what Adam was implying.<\/p>\n

    \u201cInformation from our lawyer, about what he found in San Francisco.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat did he find?\u201d Kate asked. She still had no idea what was going on.<\/p>\n

    \u201cLevi said they checked out all those accounts you had in San Francisco\u2026\u201d Adam stopped for a minute. He was unsure how to proceed with the rest of the information Victor had sent. He spread out a folder of official looking papers across the kitchen table, banks statements, legal forms, and letters on cream colored linen stock written in a fine hand.<\/p>\n

    “I had asked him to check all those accounts with the money and stocks your father had left you. Katie. I don\u2019t know how to tell you this but it is all gone. Striker emptied all of them before he left you. All the money is gone.\u201d
    \nKate shook her head, her eyes wide in disbelief. She opened her mouth and no words came out. She shuffled the papers about as if she could find some error or dollar bills mixed among the various documents. She put her hand to her mouth and stared in horror at the papers.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAll gone? All of it Adam? There has to be some sort of mistake. There just has to be! That was all of the money my father had from working for the mining company for years. He worked his entire life and died from breathing in that damn dust. It\u2019s all gone? The money from selling the house after my mother died\u2026.the account I had with Al?\u201d her voice dropped off. \u201cHow could that happen?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cAl was your husband and whatever you had, according to the law, was his. A husband owns whatever his wife has. Do you remember signing any papers for him?\u201d<\/p>\n

    “I…I don’t know. Sometimes he asked me to sign papers. But he said they were just routine household things, the lease and such and he knew what he was doing. \u201c<\/p>\n

    She could see Al\u2019s icy black gaze in her mind\u2019s eye even now and tried to scowl back at the image, as if this gesture would scare it away. Al Striker was like an evil dark cloud hanging over her.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAdam, what are you saying?” Kate couldn\u2019t comprehend the depth of her situation.
    \n“I’m saying your husband had huge gambling debts and bad business ventures of his own that must have gone sour and he has used all your funds to keep going. There may even be more but we can\u2019t tell right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cMore what?\u201d
    \n\u201dMore things that might not be anywhere close to being legal. Maybe some criminal charges against him, outstanding warrants and the like. Victor is looking into all of it, Kate. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Katie\u2019s stomach felt like it was being ripped apart, and quietly she asked, “Criminal charges? Could he have gone to jail? What money do I have left? How am I going to manage?”<\/p>\n

    “Well, there isn\u2019t much in San Francisco I am afraid to say. Most likely nothing at all. We arranged for the rest of your furniture and household goods to be shipped back here but there isn\u2019t very much of anything else left. But you do have whatever Mim left for you here in Virginia City. The house and the paper, but not much more. She left a few hundred dollars to Sam, for his education. \u201c<\/p>\n

    She silently stared at him trying to decide what to do next.
    \n\u201dYou can sell the paper and that will give you some money.\u201d Adam suggested. Kate ignored his recommendation.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHow could Al do this?\u201d She stood up from the table and put the coffee pot back on the black cast iron cook stove.<\/p>\n

    An uncomfortable silence filled the little kitchen. Adam looked at her as she silently made himself busy at the stove. He neatly restacked all the papers and put them back into the folder.<\/p>\n

    Kate still had her back to him. He stood up and walked behind her. Adam reached out and gently holding her arm he turned her to him. Her hazel eyes were filled with ears and she was trying hard to control the disappointment she felt at being used and deceived. \u201cHow could he do this?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam said thoughtfully, “I don’t know, sometimes people get into difficulty and they see an easy way out and they just don’t think about the consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n

    She yanked her arm from his hand. \u201dAdam, don\u2019t make excuses for that skunk.\u00a0 How could he steal the money I needed to take care of his son?\u201d\u00a0she screamed with frustration. She slammed the half-filled blue enameled coffee pot down on the iron stove with a crash. The lid flew off and clattered to the floor. Coffee splashed on the stove and it hissed when it hit the hot iron.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDamn him.\u201d She hollered bagging the coffee pot again. \u201cDamn that son of a bitch. It\u2019s not enough that he walks out but he has to take everything with him and leave me with dusty mouse droppings.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam stood up from the table and walked over to Kate. For a small woman who looked like she would be blown over by a stiff wind, she cursed like a sailor on the Barberry Coast.<\/p>\n

    Tears slowly made their way down her cheeks and he raised his hand to wipe them away with his thumb. He held out his other arm and she fell against his chest and sobbed until there was only a feeling of emptiness left.<\/p>\n

    Adam put his chin against her soft brown hair and said, “I’ll help you, you’re not alone.” She was very small and fragile in his arms. Adam remembered the time he consoled her at the dance when she was not more than thirteen or fourteen. She had wept in his arms over mean school boys who had broken her heart. For an instant, standing next to him, she didn\u2019t look much older than she did that evening on the porch of the Grange crying that no one wanted to dance with her.<\/p>\n

    Her voice muffled against his black shirt he heard her ask, “Damn him, Adam. When is it going to quit? I made one rash judgment in falling in love with a handsome skunk and it looks like I am going to pay for this for the rest of my life. How could I have been so damn stupid?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam pulled her close and stroked her honey brown hair.\u201d Darlin\u2019 you\u2019re not stupid. You are one of the smartest people I know. Kate you made the best decision you could with the information you had at that time\u2026you may never be able to forgive Striker but you have to forgive yourself. You just made a bad decision in marrying the guy but you didn\u2019t know any of the other things that made him behave like he did.\u00a0But\u00a0don’t think he didn\u2019t love you, because I’m sure he did. I saw you together that time in San Francisco when Sam was just a baby. I\u2019m sure he loved you and Sam the best he was able. But it was just not the way you or your boy deserves to be loved. You deserve far more and far better than Al Striker. \u201c
    \n\u201cDo you have a handkerchief? \u201c Kate asked him sniffling. \u201cI got the front of your shirt all wet from my crying.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam took his hand away from her hair and pulled a big white linen handkerchief from his pocket. She took it and said \u201cYou\u2019re right, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

    He nodded \u201cTime you learned I always am.\u201d He grinned at her.<\/p>\n

    \u201cLittle Joe always said you thought you were right all the time and it made him crazy. I can deal with crazy, Adam Cartwright.\u201d She smiled up at him. \u201cI think I may be halfway there already.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Stepping closer Adam put his arms around her. She sighed and\u00a0felt her relax against his chest He held her closer. “We’ll work this out, Katie, don’t you worry, I won’t let anything hurt you or Sam ever, I promise.” He whispered against her hair and kissed her head.<\/p>\n

    Quickly she brushed aside a stray tear as she tried even harder to reassure him with a smile. \u201cI love you Adam Cartwright\u201d she whispered. \u201cBut I won\u2019t sell the paper. I need to be able to take care of Sam no matter what happens. And Mim didn\u2019t work for twenty years holding the Enterprise<\/em> together for me to sell it off. This house too, Adam. This is all I have and I am not giving it up. Not now, not ever.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou always were mule stubborn.\u201d<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Part 8 <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Steadfast Bonds<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Chapter 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Sitting on the edge of the stone hearth of the Cartwright house after dinner, Kate reached into the pocket of her skirt and pulled out a white envelope. She handed it to Ben Cartwright.<\/p>\n

    \u201dWhat do you think of this, Mr. Cartwright?\u201d she asked. \u201cI got it yesterday at the Enterprise office. Curious to see the letter, Joe stood up and looked over his father\u2019s shoulder as Ben read it aloud.<\/p>\n

    Dear Mrs. Striker,<\/p>\n

    I regret to inform you that, on the fifteenth of last month, your husband, Al Striker was lost in the burning and sinking of the river boat \u201cNatchez Queen\u201d on which he was a member of the crew. He died along with six others. I have enclosed $500 for wages that were due to him as well as some additional funds on behalf of the firm.<\/p>\n

    Sincerely<\/p>\n

    Captain Pomeroy LaBelle<\/p>\n

    \u201cWas the money in it?\u2019 Ben asked as he refolded the letter and inserted it into the envelope. He handed it back to her.<\/p>\n

    Kate nodded \u201cYes, Ben. Ten fifty dollar bills.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cThat\u2019s quite a large amount of money,\u201d Ben observed. He knew that was far beyond any crewman would earn on any ship, especially a riverboat.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI put is all in the bank for safe keeping until I know what I should do.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cDid you tell this to Levi Victor?\u201d Ben asked. \u201cHe could give you the legal side of all this in regard to the divorce and all.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo, he is back in San Francisco. I thought you could give me an idea about what to do and how to proceed.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cSo what is the problem? I mean, you and Sam certainly can use the money.\u201d Hoss said from his seat on the settee.\u00a0 \u201cDoes that make Katie a widow or a divorcee?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat difference should that make? Kate\u2019s free of Al Striker either way and now she has five hundred dollars.\u201d Joe laughed.<\/p>\n

    \u201cGood riddance to bad rubbish,\u201d Hoss laughed too. Then he felt a cold draft on the back of his neck and stopped laughing. He got up and tossed a couple of logs on the fire to warm up the chill in the room.<\/p>\n

    \u201cKate, didn\u2019t Levi say your divorce was as good as finalized? He ran all those legal notices in San Francisco and Striker never showed up or sent any word to the court to oppose the divorce. The judge ruled on the action and the decree was granted.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSigned, sealed and delivered!\u201d Hoss smiled as the fire blazed up and he warmed up. \u201cIfn\u2019 he was dead, that\u2019s a mighty good reason why he couldn\u2019t show up in court.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cAlmost signed, sealed and delivered. All that was left was the clerk in San Francisco putting his seal on the court papers and filing them in the hall of records.\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat\u2019s the problem now?\u201d Joe asked. He expected Kate to be smiling and instead she was still frowning.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHow am I going to tell Sam what happened to his father? \u201c<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou have to tell him. You can\u2019t let the boy think that his father will show up one day, \u201cBen said gently.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThat last time he showed up a few months ago and tried to take him, Striker broke his arm. It scared the boy half to death, \u201cJoe pointed out.
    \n\u201dHe needs to know Katie,\u201d Ben looked straight into her eyes. \u201cSam needs to know that all that is over and done and you both can breathe a sigh of relief. I want you both to be able to look forward and not backwards.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI don\u2019t know if I can manage.\u201d Kate said softly.<\/p>\n

    \u201dKate, it is going to be mighty hard but Pa taught us, the hurt you feel when you tell the truth is shorter than the hurt you feel when you don\u2019t face things.\u201d Hoss told her. Hoss always was able to find the right words at the right time. He warmed his hands in front of the fire and wondered if there was still some hot coffee left in the kitchen.<\/p>\n

    Ben nodded in agreement. \u201cYou have to do it Kate. I\u2019m sure you can handle it very well.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cLook, years ago you rode out to the here and bailed me out with Pa and faced him down with the truth. You couldn\u2019t have been more that thirteen years old a little girl who couldn\u2019t have weighed ninety pounds dripping wet and you faced down the mighty Ben Cartwright and freed his chained prisoner,\u201d Joe smiled. If you can face my father when he is furious, Sam will be a piece of cake.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Despite herself Kate laughed at the memory.<\/p>\n

    Hop Sing walked in with another pot of coffee on a tray. \u201cMore coffee?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss nodded and Hop Sing poured him another cup.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHop Sing! You read my mind!\u201d Hoss also helped himself to a second slice of pie.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI told your father and your mother that you would be the first female lawyer in the Nevada Territory after that one,\u201d Ben chuckled shaking his head.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMim said that you could probably earn your entire living yanking Little Joe out of trouble, \u201cHoss added. Despite the blazing fire and a second steaming cup of coffee, Hoss still felt chilled. He wondered if he was coming down with something.<\/p>\n

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

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

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

    Chapter 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

    June, 1856<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The youngsters stood in a knot the church yard under the shade of the wild cherry tree on a sunny, Sunday morning. The congregation was walking out church when Nancy Coffee grabbed Little Joe\u2019s elbow and pulled him aside.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBilly Felcher is going to get in trouble big time if we don\u2019t help him out. \u201c Nancy started. \u201cWe have to do something.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cHe has a bottle of whiskey and he is going to drink it behind the church this morning. His father is going to kill him dead if he catches him.\u201d Katie added.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHuh?\u201d\u00a0 Joe wondered. He completely missed the point the two girls were trying to make.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJoe, you big fool, Reverend Felcher! Billy\u2019s father, that Reverend Felcher who is thinks you burn in hell if you even glance at the sign on the saloon no less having his very own fourteen year old son hiding a bottle of whiskey in the church bell tower.\u201d Nancy said.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIn the bell tower?\u201d Joe yawned. He still wasn\u2019t quite awake from the nap he took during the sermon. Somehow he misinterpreted what the girls were saying and started wondering if chubby Billy being in the church bell tower was of some concern. \u201cThe bell tower was built pretty sturdy. Billy will be just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd Reverend Felcher said if he catches Billy misbehaving one more time, he is going to ship him back East to a very strict Mission boarding school. Billy doesn\u2019t want to go back East or to a strict boarding school. We need to keep him from getting in trouble,\u201c Nancy continued her explanation.<\/p>\n

    \u201cLittle Joe, be a pal. You can\u2019t let him get caught by his father.\u201d Kate looked him in the eye. She was more than head shorter than he was but that never stopped her from giving him a piece of her mind. She stood with both her hands on her hips determined that soft hearted Billy should not get in trouble. Phil Bartlett who worked at the Enterprise once described her stance as \u201cKatie\u2019s Mule Stubborn look\u201d. To Joe, that posture was the signal that Kate was not going to let up.<\/p>\n

    \u201dJoe, you got to help us.\u201d Nancy was wearing he best pink dress hoping to look appealing to Joe in case he just might notice. She had a lifelong crush on him and was always figuring how to get his attention. She felt he was the most gloriously handsome boy in the entire Territory. She was not going give up trying to win him despite the line of Virginia City girls who thought exactly same thing.<\/p>\n

    Probably the only girl in town who wasn\u2019t obsessed with Little Joe was Nancy\u2019s best girlfriend Kate Wallace. All the other girls chattered endlessly about how curly Joseph Cartwright\u2019s\u00a0 hair was or how long his eye lashes were or were his eyes hazel or green and how they sparkled or how well the boy rode a horse and danced or if he would steal a kiss if they were alone together, except Katie. The peculiar part was that Katie spent more time with Joe than any other boy or girl in the Territory. Since the Lowells had disappeared, the two seemed to spend even more of their time together.<\/p>\n

    When Nancy would ask if the two of them were sweet hearts, both of them would laugh hysterically and Joe would say \u201cAre you ridiculous?\u201d\u00a0 Kate would wrinkle her freckled nose and tell her how Joe was always getting into trouble and certainly not mature nor responsible enough for her tastes in a beau. Joe would respond with some quick comment about liking girls who preferred dancing and perfume to climbing trees and riding horses. Then Kate would pinch him or stick out her tongue at him and tell him he was a jughead and he would pinch her or stick out his tongue and tell her that she was a bigger lunkhead than he was.<\/p>\n

    \u201dAnd anyway, \u201cJoe would add with a devilish wink \u201cKatie knows too many of my tricks and I know too many of her secrets for us to ever be more than just friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cJust two friends!\u201d Kate would agree.<\/p>\n

    \u201cLittle Joe Cartwright! You must do what we are telling you!\u201d Katie raged. She had her hands planted on her hips and she stood firm. \u201cYou can\u2019t let Billy get into trouble with his father. If it was anyone else, I wouldn\u2019t do this and we wouldn\u2019t be butting in\u2026.\u201d
    \n\u201dSure you would Katie,\u201d Joe grinned \u201cYou and Nancy just love to poke your noses in to everyone\u2019s business. Katie would write about anything she sees in the Enterprise<\/em> if her Aunt would print it. And she loves to nag at me too! \u201c<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo, I don\u2019t Joe Cartwright!\u201d\u00a0 Kate spit out. \u201cI do not nag you!\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cSure you do,\u201d he continued. Joe was just teasing, much like he did with Adam and Hoss and the boys he palled around with like Dean and Billy. He didn\u2019t mean any harm and really had no clue that Kate was hurt by his snappy comment. As much as she kept up with the boys, she still was a female who did not enjoy that type of good natured bantering that boys took for granted. His cutting remark hurt her far more than the good hearted boy had intended.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSure you do!\u201d Joe went on. \u201dYou nag me more than my Pa and Adam. Pick, pick, pick.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Kate\u2019s lip trembled. It was not easy being a thirteen year old girl. She spun around and took a few steps away from the others hoping that neither Nancy nor Little Joe would see how upset she really was. That would be even more embarrassing to her. For some reason, Joe\u2019s comment cut her to the core and tears started welling up in her eyes.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd, for your information, my pal Bill offered to share that bottle with me too. And what do you two have to say about that? I want to have some fun too,\u201d Joe said defiantly to her back.<\/p>\n

    Suddenly, Joe sensed Kate was not enjoying this banter and she was really upset. He was a good hearted boy and realized his joshing had gone one step too far. Joe awkwardly took two steps closer to her and tried to figure what to say next to smooth over his barbs.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHey you guys! What are you doing?\u201d smiling Billy Felcher strode up to the friends. \u201cYou\u2019ll never guess what I have!\u201d\u00a0 He lifted the front of his tan woolen jacket to reveal a pint bottle stuck into the waist band of his good Sunday trousers. \u201cCome on Joe,\u201d he tugged on the slender boy\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

    \u201cOh goodness, \u201cJoe thought. \u201cI should have kept my big mouth shut.\u201d He took a step closer to Kate and looked down at his boots trying to think of what he should say.<\/p>\n

    \u201cCome on Joe, my father isn\u2019t looking this way, have a sip.\u201d Bill pulled the bottle out, took a pull and pushed it towards Little Joe. Joe took a step away from Billy and awkwardly moved even closer to Katie.<\/p>\n

    Not realizing Joe had moved so near to her, Kate quickly whirled around. She had her clenched hand raised as she was about to make a point in the discussion and in her haste spun right into Joe. She accidentally caught the point of his chin with her fist. In a quick motion that could not have been repeated if she tried a hundred more times, five foot tall Kate caught the youngest Cartwright on the point of his jaw with her petite fist and knocked him out cold.<\/p>\n

    Joe pitched forward. He would have hit the ground face first if Billy and Nancy hadn\u2019t caught him. \u201cOh my goodness, Katie. What did you do that for?\u201d Billy stammered. \u201cYou punched Little Joe in the mouth!\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cJeez Louise, he\u2019s out cold!\u201d Nancy added.<\/p>\n

    Billy quickly grabbed his unconscious friend with one hand and jammed the pint bottle back into his coat pocket with the other.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI- I didn\u2019t mean to sock him! I just turned around and there he was! \u201cKatie\u2019s eyes were wide with amazement. She unclenched her unladylike fist and dropped her hand in shock.<\/p>\n

    \u201dJoe quit making believe you are knocked out!\u201d Nancy pleaded. \u201cStop playing!\u201d She strained to hold him up.<\/p>\n

    Kate took his chin between her thumb and forefinger and turned the boy\u2019s face to look at the violet bruise that was already appearing on his jaw.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHe\u2019s not fooling\u201d Billy said as he struggled with Joe\u2019s dead weight.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDo something quick!\u201d Nancy growled at him. \u201cI\u2019m going to drop him!\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe Reverend and Mr. Cartwright and my Aunt Mim are coming!\u201d Kate declared grabbing Joe\u2019s arm. \u201dGet in back of him Billy. Keep Joe standing. Hold him up! Hold him up!\u201d<\/p>\n

    Balanced precariously between Nancy and Kate, Joe wobbled on rubber legs, his chin resting on his chest.\u00a0 Each girl gripped him under an arm and struggled to keep their friend upright. Behind them, husky Billy grabbed Little Joe\u2019s belt and hitched him upright as best he could. They hoped that the approaching adults would never guess that Little Joe had been knocked unconscious and being propped up by his friends.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHold him up!\u201d Kate hissed. \u201cHold him up!\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt\u2019s Reverend Felcher, Aunt Mim and Mr. Cartwright\u201d Nancy gasped.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJeez Louise\u201d Billy muttered under his breath.\u201d Katie you are in deep trouble. You kilt Joe! Oh dear God help us in our time of need.\u201d Then Billy started to pray more fervently than he ever did in church.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI didn\u2019t kill him, Billy. He\u2019s just knocked cold. Hold him up,\u201d Katie ordered as Joe started to sway like a sapling in the wind. \u201cHold him up!\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cHe\u2019s tipping, Katie! I can\u2019t hold him. He\u2019s slipping over\u201d Nancy gasped.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJoe, stand up!\u201d Katie pleaded.\u00a0 \u201cPlease Joe.\u201d She could see his hazel eyes opening a slit as the adults approached. \u201cStand up!\u201d She pinched him hard hoping that might help but it did absolutely nothing.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWonderful inspiring sermon Reverend, \u201cKatie offered smiling as angelically as she could. She yanked Joe\u2019s arm up and over her own shoulder and squeezed in closer. Maybe they could hold Joe\u2019s dead weight up a few more minutes until the adults passed by and went over to the refreshment table across the yard.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt was very, very inspiring,\u201d Nancy echoed hoping to distract them from Joe\u2019s semiconscious condition. \u201cGo have some punch\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cPunch!\u201d Katie gasped thinking of how she accidentally had just punched Little Joe into a coma.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI mean go have some lemonade.\u201d Nancy said.<\/p>\n

    Mim looked at the knot of nervous youngsters and was sure that something was amiss but could not quite figure what was happening. Kate rarely listened to the sermons and certainly would never have complimented this morning\u2019s long winded, rambling, speech on hell fire and damnation and demon rum with any enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWilliam, go help out at the refreshment tables, \u201cReverend Felcher said grabbed his son\u2019s arm, not realizing the husky lad was propping up Little Joe Cartwright up from the rear. As Billy lost his grasp on the other boy\u2019s belt; Joe\u2019s dead weight wobbled and then pitched backwards. He knocked into his three friends who fell into a tangled heap at the foot of the cherry tree. The bottle that had been in Billy\u2019s pocket crashed to the rocky ground and shattered loudly. The whiskey splattered on the boys and seeped into the grass around the cherry tree\u2019s roots.<\/p>\n

    \u201d Joseph!\u201d his father bellowed \u201cWhat is going on here? \u201c<\/p>\n

    \u201dHi Pa.\u201d\u00a0 Joe grinned groggily at the first person he saw as he looked up from the tangle of arms and legs and pink dresses with crinolines. The warm air had heighted the color in his cheeks, making the quick flash of his smile all the more brilliant for its contrast. The smell of cheap whiskey perfumed the air.<\/p>\n

    \u201cInside Joseph!\u201d Ben growled hauling his youngest boy up by the scruff of his neck with one strong hand and pointing to the church with the other. \u201cInside NOW!\u201d<\/p>\n

    Chapter 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Adam and Hoss were standing together in front of the barn when they noticed one horse with two riders approaching from Virginia City. Hoss had just returned from riding fences and was putting up his horse and Adam was supposed to supervising Joe. The day was hot and dry and they were both thirsty.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWho do you suppose that is?\u201d They tried to see through the yellow dust the horse was kicking up.
    \nHoss shaded his eyes against the sun and squinted down the ranch road past the corral.\u201d Looks like two little gals on Roy Coffee\u2019s old nag, Daisy.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dAhhah, the broken hearted ladies are coming to check on the captive Prince of the Ponderosa,\u201d Adam chuckled pointing his thumb at Joe who was industriously but sullenly chopping wood at the side of the barn.<\/p>\n

    Hoss laughed heartily. \u201cThat rascal. Drunk in church. What is Pa going to do with him?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou know how Pa always said that this last one was three times as much trouble as his first two sons put together.\u201d Both brothers had a hearty laugh at Joe\u2019s expense on Adam\u2019s droll comment.<\/p>\n

    As the horse got closer they could see Nancy riding behind Katie Wallace. Nancy was dressed in a blue flowered dress with a matching bonnet neatly tied under her chin. Katie, as usual, had her bonnet flapping around her shoulders and her braids were blowing in the breeze. Her brown hair had blonde streaks in it from the time she had spent hatless that summer despite her mother\u2019s constant reminders.<\/p>\n

    The two girls trotted up to the corral on the back of Daisy. Ben Cartwright was checking the tally on the horses that he had purchased the week before at auction.<\/p>\n

    \u201cGood afternoon, Mr. Cartwright, sir, \u201cthe girls chorused politely in unison. They slid to the ground and walked over to the corral. Kate efficiently tied the reins onto the fence.<\/p>\n

    Ben Cartwright looked up from the ledger and said \u201cAfternoon ladies. What brings you out this way? You do know that Joseph is being punished and isn\u2019t allowed to have any visitors \u201cBen closed the ledger, over his finger to hold his place and waited for the girls to respond.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYes sir, Mr. Cartwright. We know that Joe is being punished but Kate needed to speak with you.\u201d Nancy answered politely.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe rode out to see you, Mr. Cartwright; not Little Joe. I know he is in extremely big trouble from what happened in church and all but I need to speak with you, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d Kate looked very serious and nervous as she boldly walked up to Ben.
    \nBen handed his ledger to Hays Newkirk and directed him to finish the last few entries. The girls were somehow wanting to discuss their little brother\u2019s behavior with their father. Even though Adam and Hoss strained to hear the conversation but could only make out bits and pieces from where they stood.<\/p>\n

    \u201dAdam, what do you think is going on? Do you think Joe\u2019s been messin\u2019 around with one of those little gals?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

    Adam shook his head \u201cHoss, I think Joe may have big dreams about that sort of thing but I think we don\u2019t have too much to worry about that. So far at least. Anyway if he was being disrespectful to either of those pretty young ladies we would be seeing Ray Coffee and Hank Wallace riding out here with a shotgun to talk to Pa and Joe.\u201d he stepped closer to the big man and then clapped him on the back. The two brothers laughed loudly at the image Adam had painted.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou know Adam, if we sort of go into the barn and stand by the window on the far side we just may be able to hear.\u201d
    \n\u201dGood idea, brother.\u201d Adam grinned mischievously. \u201cAfter you, sir,\u201d Adam extended his arm as if he was the ma\u00eetre d\u2019 in the fanciest restaurant in San Francisco. He bowed deeply and pushed open the barn door for Hoss. They both slipped into the dark barn to find a better eavesdropping location.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMr. Cartwright, sir, I want to tell you Joe is totally innocent and you have made a.. a\u2026 grave and serious mistake.\u201d Kate tried to remember the speech she had written in her room last night and practiced with Nancy all the way out to the Ponderosa. \u201cA grave and serious mistake and a serious miscarriage of justice.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYes sir, Joseph is totally, and completely innocent.\u201d Nancy nodded. She tried to catch Joe\u2019s eye as he continued to stack firewood near the side of the barn, twenty yards away. Joe, on the other hand was trying his darndest to not acknowledge either of the girls as he was furious at both them. First Kate knocks his lights out and embarrasses him in front of Billy and whomever else might have seen the incident in the church yard. Then she gets him in trouble for drinking when he didn\u2019t even have one sip. Now the two girls show up to annoy his father who certainly will take it out on him and give him more punishments.<\/p>\n

    He was doomed.<\/p>\n

    With both hands Joe picked up the closest chunk of firewood and pitched overhand into the stack with all his strength. It made a satisfying thud as it hit the pile. A few other logs escaped from the neat stack and clattered noisily to the ground<\/p>\n

    \u201cMr. Cartwright, sir, Joe was wrongly accused and he is totally innocent. I\u2019m not going to say you were wrong in what you did, sir,\u00a0 but\u2026\u201d Kate hesitated looking at Ben\u2019s scowling face and gave him her sweetest, most appealing smile. \u201cYou are a fine father and certainly know how to punish your son when he did something wrong. But Joe didn\u2019t do anything wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

    He frowned at her and she smiled back like Joe did when he was trying to get out of something. Had Joe contrived some sort of deception with Kate Wallace? Not likely unless they had somehow gotten together without him knowing and that was unlikely. Not only was he watching Joe with an eagle eye, but so were his other sons. Even Hays Newkirk had taken a turn supervising Joe. Hop Sing had the boy scrubbing pans and peeling potatoes and washing floors. They all were keeping the boy so busy with punishment chores that there was no way he had snuck away from the house or gone far from the yard. The previous night the boy had fallen asleep at the dinner table and almost let his face fall into the mashed potatoes before Hoss hollered at him from the other side of the table. And anyway, Kate was too \u201cJoe savvy\u201d as Mim Wallace labeled it to be taken in by him. Nancy might have fallen for one of Joe\u2019s schemes but not Kate.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMr. Cartwright, sir, er could I just explain what happened at church last week ? Joe wasn\u2019t drunk at all, sir. Not one tiny bit,\u201d she started nervously. \u201cIt was someone else\u2019s whiskey and we were trying not to let that person get into trouble with that person\u2019s father.\u201d
    \nBen raised his eyebrow. Was the little girl telling him that she or Nancy walked into church with a pint bottle of cheap rot gut?\u00a0 Sheriff Ray Coffee\u2019s sweet thirteen year old daughter? He took a look at Nancy who was still try to get Joe to notice her. Ben shook his head. Joseph was going to be more of a handful than his other boys put together.<\/p>\n

    On the other side of the yard, Little Joe picked up another split log and pitched it angrily into the pile. The wood bounced off at an angle and clattered against the barn wall. The barn door swung open and his brother Hoss strode out with a pitchfork in his hand.<\/p>\n

    \u201dWhat the heck do you think you are doing Joe? \u201c Hoss roared. \u201cYou are supposed to stack the wood real neat not play games with it. Now do the job right and restack the pile properly before you break the siding of the barn. Then you go get a hammer and some nails and fix that siding that you just busted.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe glared at the girls on the other side of the yard. “Joseph!” Hoss’s voice brought him back to the task at hand. “You finished lolly-gagging so’s you can help me with this fire wood or are you too busy eyeing those little gals?”<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat are they doing out here? Can\u2019t Kate Wallace just keep her nose out of my business?\u201d he raged and unconsciously put his hand on his bruised chin.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJust get back to work, Boy before Pa decides to tan your hide,\u201d Adam angrily ordered Joe from the doorway of the barn.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDon\u2019t you think you are in enough trouble already?\u201d Hoss added. \u201cAnd stop pitching wood at the barn. You are getting all the horses riled up.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cHey Romeo, stop looking daggers at the ladies and get back to work,\u201d Adam ordered. He leaned against the door frame and watched his little brother squirm. Then he smiled at the sweet little girl conversing so earnestly with his father.<\/p>\n

    \u201dNot an easy task to stand toe to toe with Pa especially if you are barely five feet tall,\u201d Adam laughed.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThat Kate Wallace is sure a piece of work\u201d Hoss remarked.<\/p>\n

    \u201cShe\u2019s going to be a pretty woman when she is done. More than pretty, beautiful,\u201d Adam pointed out to no one in particular.<\/p>\n

    Joe wasn\u2019t the only one on the Ponderosa squirming. Kate caught Adam looking straight at her and she turned beet red. \u201cMr. Cartwright, could we speak to you in private?\u201d There was no way that she was going to complete her errand standing in the barn yard with Adam so near and him\u00a0 looking at her\u00a0 while Nancy made ridiculous stupid cow eyes at Joe.<\/p>\n

    \u201cCome inside, ladies I think I can get Hop Sing to give us some refreshments,\u201d Ben Cartwright was now intrigued with this turn of events. What tale could Kate contrive to bail out Joe?<\/p>\n

    \u201cAdam, take care of this horse.\u201d Ben ordered as he led Kate and Nancy toward the porch.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHoss, take care of the horse,\u201d Adam quickly said.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHop Sing, we have company!\u201d Ben called to the cook \u201cPlease bring out some refreshments for these young ladies.\u201d
    \nThe two girls took seats side by side on the porch bench and Mr. Cartwright sat on the arm of a wooden chair. \u201cOK Kate, what were you trying to tell me?\u201d
    \n\u201dOn Sunday, Joe didn\u2019t get drunk.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cNot one bit!\u201d Nancy added.<\/p>\n

    \u201dReally? Then why was he stumbling all over the church yard reeking of whiskey and falling over in a heap on the ground?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Kate silently looked down at her toes.<\/p>\n

    \u201cKatie tell him, I didn\u2019t ride all this way out here for you to examine your shoes! Tell him\u201d Nancy urged. Nancy just wanted a chance to set Joe free and then he would be so happy and beholding to her that he would be forever grateful and fall in love with her. Then Joe would be hers alone. Nancy sighed to herself at the fantasy. She could be Mrs. Little Joe Cartwright and live happily ever after.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI hit Joe and knocked him out cold.\u201d Kate admitted honestly.
    \nBen Cartwright threw his head back and laughed so loudly that Hop Sing almost dropped the plate of cookies he was carrying.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHoney, how could you knock Joe unconscious? And why?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Then Katie and Nancy pieced together the saga of Billy and the whiskey and Kate\u2019s once in a lifetime sucker punch. Ben laughed so hard tears started pouring out of his eyes.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe\u2019re not lying, sir.\u201d Kate pleaded. \u201cIt is really not Joe\u2019s fault one bit. I take all the blame. It was really an accident. Really. Joe is my good friend and I certainly don\u2019t want to hurt him.\u201d
    \nBen poured each girl a cold glass of lemonade and offered them the plate of cookies.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing, please go tell Little Joe that he should finish up with the fire wood and come see me.\u00a0 His punishment is finished. His attorney has bailed him out and this jailer is setting him free.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 4<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Adam couldn\u2019t stop thinking about Kate.\u00a0Now all he wanted was to marry Kate and make his life beside her. He left Boston telling his business partner Dennis O\u2019Mara that he had found the woman he wanted to marry but had not yet told Kate his plan.<\/p>\n

    There was no doubt in his mind that he wanted to marry her. He had spent the last few years traveling and visiting exotic places and remaining unattached to any person or place. Adam had been with beautiful and talented women all over the world but had never had any desire in making any long-term arrangements with any of them. He certainly never entertained the idea of marrying any of the ladies despite some of their attempts to convince him otherwise.<\/p>\n

    \u201cPerhaps, after we are married, Kate would even be interested in travelling around the world with me,\u201d Adam thought to himself. Then he could write to Dennis and tell him that he would take on the London project or some of the other projects company had offered. He wasn\u2019t brave enough to take the risk of proposing to her quite yet. The logical engineer in him needed more data before he could develop his complete plan. His fear of embarrassing himself by failing in another romance was an even bigger barrier. He couldn\u2019t stand another heart break. He had to build a firm foundation before taking a risk. Perhaps he was stacking the deck in his own favor but his intentions were honorable.<\/p>\n

    One night after dinner in Katie\u2019s house, while they were sitting on the porch in the moonlight, Adam tried to sound her out. He wanted to find out if Kate would be interested in going east with him and living in Boston but wasn\u2019t able to ask her directly and risk being refused. He patiently waited until Sam had gone into the other room to play with the parquetry blocks and soldiers Adam had brought him from Boston.<\/p>\n

    \u201cKatie did you ever think about living somewhere besides here in Virginia City?\u201d Adam started slowly, cautiously. \u201cPerhaps traveling the world with Sam and seeing all the places you read about? \u201c
    \n\u201d Yes, but that is not for me right now. Maybe when Sammy is grown.\u201d Kate answered directly and honestly.
    \n\u201dBut that\u2019s a long time from now.\u201d\u00a0Adam hesitated.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI suppose so,\u201d Kate nodded. \u201cAdam I am really quite content to be here in Virginia City and be at one address for the rest of my life. The last few years have been one problem after another and one change after another, I am so glad to have one thing remain constant.\u00a0 I\u2019m very happy running the paper and being right.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cReally?\u201d Adam nodded, hoping she would say more.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDo you realize that the only real home I ever knew was Mim\u2019s house?\u201d she continued. \u201dBefore we lived in Virginia City, my father moved us every few months from one mining town to another. My mother said that the first few years of my life I slept in either a laundry basket or a dresser drawer or in between them in their bed or on the floor on a sofa cushion. We even lived in a tent! Then when we left here, I moved, let me see.\u201d She counted on her fingers. \u201cOh ten or eleven times more between my parents moving around Northern California and my being married to Al Striker. I think even more.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam laughed. \u201cI guess you were pretty foot loose.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cFoot loose sounds so very care free. If only it was that delightful. Sammy wound up sleeping in a dresser drawer or my laundry basket too many times and we were in situations I would be embarrassed to tell you about, Adam. There were many nights when Al had gone off somewhere for weeks when I shoved the furniture up against the door and slept with my father\u2019s pistol under the pillow.\u201d Kate stopped speaking and looked up at the starry sky trying to collect herself.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt must have been awful,\u201d Adam held her hand in his. She smiled at him and squeezed his hand.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd you moved around a lot too Adam,\u201d He nodded thinking of how long and far he and Hoss had travelled with their father until they reached the Ponderosa Ranch and got settled. Then Adam had rambled about more, living in Boston with his grandfather in college and the numerous ports of call he had seen in the last few years.<\/p>\n

    \u201dBut you always wind up back here too at the Ponderosa with Ben and Hoss and Little Joe. The Ponderosa your home and your family is always there for you when you return. It\u2019s your safe harbor no matter where you roam. The Ponderosa is there. Your family is there.\u201d<\/p>\n

    He had never really thought of that until she pointed it out. The Ponderosa and his family always brought him home.<\/p>\n

    Now, all Adam wanted to do was come back to Virginia City and be with Kate for the rest of his life.\u00a0Adam Cartwright also knew that if he didn\u2019t take this chance now, he would probably never do it and would spend the rest of his life regretting it. He did not want to think of Kate in his old age as \u201cthe one who got away\u201d.<\/p>\n

    The next morning, Adam stood near the barn watching his brother Hoss replacing a wagon wheel. \u201cI may have to leave soon. Dennis sent me some projects in London and another one near Denver.\u201d He realized he was beginning to get very scared of proposing.<\/p>\n

    Hoss looked at his brother and shook his head.\u201d Sounds like you ain\u2019t that interested in either one, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019m not sure. They are both great opportunities for the company.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dFor the company? Adam, what about opportunities for you?\u201d Hoss looked at him again. \u201cYou sound like you are invited to be the guest of honor at a hanging party more than to some great opportunity.\u201d Hoss pulled the wheel off the axle then looked up at Adam. \u201cYou sure look nervous these last few days about leaving.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cHow so, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou can travel all over the world, Big Brother, but you still take yourself with you.\u201d Hoss had pointed out to him. \u201cHand me that wrench, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam raised his eyebrows. \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d He passed the tool to his brother.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou tried to be the wild adventurer, but you still are the feller you are, Adam. You like to put your feet up on the hearth and strum your dang guitar or read one of those Shakespeare books. You know the Ponderosa Ranch is where you belong. Every few years you think you need to run away from home. But once you get that out of your system you always wind up back here. Kind of like a crazy fever.\u201d Hoss turned back to repairing the wagon. \u201cGuess you spent too much time growing up being the sensible one and needed to get some of that running around out of your system now.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam had never thought of that. As the oldest he had always been the responsible, dependable son from the time he could remember. He was his father\u2019s right hand and watched out for his younger brothers.<\/p>\n

    Adam just knew he dreaded leaving Kate. Time was passing and he needed to ask her about getting married. Should he bring her roses and read her a sonnet? What about dinner in the finest restaurant in Virginia City with sparkling champagne and dancing in his arms? He tried to think of one prefect romantic scene after another and rejected each one in turn as not being flawless.<\/p>\n

    Adam had only one more week before he was scheduled to leave the Ponderosa and go back east to continue his work for Stoddard and Bruce. He had to decide if he was going to work on the projects or to tell Dennis to assign them to someone else. Dennis had sent him the specifics on two pending situations. One called for him to design another railroad trestle for the expanding Union Pacific Rail Road while the other would take him to London to arrange a new docking facility for their ships. Adam despised both choices. A year earlier, he would have been trying to arrange working on both projects.<\/p>\n

    The next night, after dinner he sat staring at the fireplace trying to figure out what to do next. His brothers had gone into town for the evening and the house was quiet.<\/p>\n

    \u201dSon, are you all right? Do you want to talk about something?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked. He had sat down in his chair to read and Adam was so preoccupied that he hadn\u2019t even realized his father had come into the room.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019m not sure what to do, Pa. But I need to figure out this one on my own.\u201d
    \nBen stood up and put his hand on his oldest son\u2019s shoulder. He could see that Adam was lost in thought.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAre you sure? His oldest son nodded. He realized that this was something he had mull out by himself.<\/p>\n

    Adam remembered the words his father had said years before \u201cNo one has anything to fear when they are doing the right thing and telling the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam knew he could not put it off any more. He wanted to marry Kate. He loved her with all his heart and knew she loved him. He had to do what he had to do or it would never happen. He had tried to figure out all sorts of elaborate and romantic ways of asking Kate to marry him and none of them were quite right. Finally, with time running out, Adam decided to just be direct.<\/p>\n

    He decided that proposing marriage to Kate was just like diving into Cherry Creek from one of the overhanging willow trees. He had to just jump in but remember to push off or he could crash headlong into the bank of the creek and break his neck. Adam decided he should just jump in. He sincerely prayed that he would not break his neck, or his heart.<\/p>\n

    Adam decided to get up before anyone awoke on the Ponderosa Ranch and ride in to Virginia City. He would be at Kate\u2019s front door just after Sam left for school. Then he would propose. It sounded so simple but he far was more nervous than he had ever been in his life.<\/p>\n

    Adam tied his horse to Katie\u2019s fence and quickly climbed the porch steps. He was suddenly pale and sweaty. He took a breath and pushed off. He anxiously knocked at her front door. Adam Cartwright had faced armed bandits, stampeding cattle, gunslingers, prairie fires, hurricanes at sea and bands of marauding Paiute but he was now facing a far more frightening situation than he had ever faced. He opened his dry mouth and for a second the eloquent Cartwright was speechless.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAdam, what are you doing here so early?\u201d She reached up and kissed him. She couldn\u2019t imagine what brought him to her door so early looking so scared. Kate was alarmed that he looked so distressed. \u201cAdam, is everything all right? Come inside. I\u2019ll make you a cup of coffee\u201d<\/p>\n

    He swallowed hard, took a breath and blurted out what he wanted to say. Unfortunately it came out in a muddled jumble rather than how he hoped.\u00a0\u201cKate I love you more than I can ever say. Would you marry me?\u201d He stammered.\u201d I need to go back east, to Boston and take care of finishing off some things there and then I\u2019ll come back\u2026 Do you mind?\u201d
    \nShe stood for an instant looking up at him in total shock. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement. \u201dNo\u201d Kate answered.<\/p>\n

    His heart dropped into his boots. \u201cNo?\u201d Adam repeated hoarsely. She said \u201cno\u201d. He was clearly upset by her negative response. \u201cNo?\u201d Adam turned red. \u201cI uh I.\u201d He was at total loss for words. He had never thought that Kate would refuse him. He had only worried about how he would ask for her hand. Now he stood there, stammering like a callow schoolboy feeling like a foolish failure.<\/p>\n

    Kate looked at his distress and suddenly realized what he had said and how she had answered she had said and what he had misunderstood about her response.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAdam,\u201d She grabbed both of his hands. \u201cNo, I don\u2019t mind you going back to Boston for a while\u2026 YES, I will marry you. Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! \u201cShe threw herself into his waiting arms. She drew his head down so that, standing on tiptoe, she could kiss him. \u201cAdam Cartwright, I love you. I always have and always will! Yes! I will marry you! Yes!\u201d<\/p>\n

    They would marry as soon as he got back home, home to Kate.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Chapter 5<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Adam Cartwright\u00a0was finally done with settling all his business responsibilities in Boston. His bags were packed and he was ready to go home to Virginia City. He had arranged for a number of trunks and crates to be shipped to the Ponderosa as well as some special gifts for Kate and Sam to be sent directly to their home.<\/p>\n

    Adam and Dennis stood at the rail station in the rain saying their good byes. Adam had hoped to say their farewells at the offices of Stoddard and Bruce as he was not comfortable with a public display of emotion but Dennis insisted on accompanying his friend and business partner to the train in a hack.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDon\u2019t get me wrong Adam. Both Liza and I are sincerely happy for you. Your Kate must be truly wonderful for you to be so happy and finally, finally settle down.\u201d Dennis was thrilled for Adam that he finally had found the woman that he wanted to marry. \u201dBut I really hate to have you leave Boston. I know this time you won\u2019t be coming back again. Don\u2019t you think you can convince her to move here?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWould your wife move to Virginia City? Is that somewhere Liza would want to live?\u201d Adam smiled. He knew the answer as well as he knew his own name.<\/p>\n

    Dennis shook his head and grinned knowing his wife thought anything west of Boston was the Wild West. \u201cAre you positive Kate won\u2019t move here?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201d No, Dennis. She owns the\u00a0Enterprise<\/em>\u00a0and won\u2019t budge. She loves Virginia City and I love her. I miss my family and the ranch\u2026there\u2019s no doubt in my mind that I am doing the right thing. More than any decision I ever made in my life. I know this is the right thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Dennis and Adam had known each other for many years, ever since Adam had been in college and living with his grandfather Abel Stoddard. Dennis had worked for Stoddard and Bruce and the two young men became close and loyal friends. Their relationship had survived despite Abel Stoddard\u2019s vicious deception and Adam leaving Boston.<\/p>\n

    Dennis had married Liza Bruce, the daughter of Abel\u2019s partner Charles Bruce and grew to a valued member of the firm while Adam spent the next years on the Ponderosa. Each year, Dennis would write and try to get Adam to come back east and work for Stoddard and Bruce. Adam wouldn\u2019t even consider it. He was content in Nevada and would never trust his grandfather as long as he lived.<\/p>\n

    After Adam\u2019s grandfather died, both he and Dennis inherited a share of Stoddard and Bruce and the two men became business partners. With the death his father-in-law, Charles Bruce, the following year, Dennis had the major interest in the firm based on Liza\u2019s inheritance but still looked at Adam as a trusted equal partner and the brother he never had.<\/p>\n

    Eventually the siren call of adventure won out. The lifelong dream of seeing distant corners of the world became too strong for Adam to resist and he left the Ponderosa. For many years, Adam worked for the firm and thoroughly enjoyed exploring the far corners of the world. He savored never being in one place for very long. The more exotic and remote a location was, the more he sought it out. When he had his fill of taking risks and living dangerously, he would spend time in the cultural capitals. While working on projects for his firm, Adam stayed in elegant hotels and dined with clients in their tasteful homes or the most sophisticated restaurants. Adam visited every museum and art gallery he had ever read about, enjoyed concerts and plays, and heard lectures from the finest minds in that area of the world. He spent close to a year in South America supervising the building of railroad tunnels through the mountains and sailed to Europe more times than he could count and spent enough time in New York, Philadelphia and Boston to have favorite hotels and restaurants in each city .<\/p>\n

    But then Kate came back into his life and totally changed his mind. All the traveling and strange ports and dangerous locations suddenly became an unappealing, undesirable obligation. All he wanted was to be with Kate in Virginia City. He was counting the days until he was by her side.<\/p>\n

    At first, Adam offered to sell his share of Stoddard and Bruce to his partner but Dennis refused to consider that option. \u201cIt\u2019s not the same without you, Cowboy!\u201d Dennis argued. \u201cI can hand you the cash for your share in the blink of an eye but I don\u2019t want to let you go so easily. There has to be another way to keep you as part of Stoddard and Bruce but let you follow you heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The two partners finally decided that by expanding the direction of some of their shipping business and the construction company, Stoddard and Bruce could continue expanding into the western United State. The west was booming and there were fortunes waiting to be made, especially with the growth of the railroads and more towns springing up every day. Adam could supervise those areas from Virginia City and San Francisco.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt\u2019s going to take a lot of hard work, Adam but I think it will be well worth the effort in the long run. I can\u2019t think of someone I would trust more to do this than you, Cowboy.\u201d Dennis clapped Adam on the back.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019ll miss you Dennis, and I miss Boston and I miss traveling all over the world but I have to go back home. It\u2019s the right thing for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo need to make apologies to me, Adam. I hope you and your Kate are half as happy as Liza and I have been over the years.\u201d He pulled his friend over and the two friends hugged. \u201cYou better go Adam, the train will leave without you.<\/p>\n

    Almost two weeks later, Hoss and Joe met Adam\u2019s stage in Virginia City just as he had requested. They had brought along the surrey but had decided to include Cochise and Chubb tied on to the back.<\/p>\n

    The three Cartwright brothers had purposely been very vague about exactly what day Adam would arrive so that they could surprise both Kate and their father. That morning, at breakfast, they told Ben they were meeting with Jack Fischer about a new lumber deal and picking up a delivery on the afternoon stage as an excuse to get into town. Earlier in the week, Hoss had invited Kate and Sam to join them for lunch at the International Hotel.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWant to make sure she is gussied up, Joe. Don\u2019t want Adam to see her for the first time in months when she ain\u2019t the purtiest she can be.\u201d Hoss pointed out. Joe readily agreed, impressed by his brother\u2019s wise decision.<\/p>\n

    After greeting him when he got off the stage, Joe and Hoss drove their brother directly to the little yellow house Kate had inherited from her aunt Mim.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAdam! Adam! You are home!\u201d Sam ran out of the front door. The boy leaped off the porch landing with both feet near the path. He barely missing the crimson geraniums Kate had planted there. Adam reached down and scooped up the boy, swung him up in the air and hugged him.
    \n\u201dSammy! Look how tall you got. I brought you something,\u201d He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a flat package wrapped in brown paper and tied with a string.<\/p>\n

    \u201cGee thanks, Adam. What is it?\u201d\u00a0 Sam quickly tore open the paper to find a polished wooden box holding a set of dominos. \u201cGee I can use these tonight after dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dWhere is your mama?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Before Sam could answer him, Kate appeared in the open doorway looking more beautiful than Adam remembered. As she stepped over the threshold, Adam smiled up at Kate.<\/p>\n

    Surprised to see who was in her front yard, she ran across the porch to the steps. \u201cAdam!\u201d Kate shrieked with delight. \u201cYou are home! Oh my! Adam! You are home!\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cCome here.” He swung her down from the top step to the ground next to him and she immediately threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. She gave him a tight hug and when he released her, she beamed up at him. \u201cYou look wonderful!\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe was pleased as punch at her sincere surprise. For years, he had schemed and plotted and connived to bring together two people he loved. He was delighted to see it had finally come together. He went over to untie Cochise from the back of the surrey.<\/p>\n

    \u201cLooks like we surprised her, Little Cupid.\u201d Hoss smiled proudly at a job well done as he climbed on his horse.<\/p>\n

    \u201cLooks like we did, Big Cupid,\u201d Joe grinned. \u201cI do love when a plan comes together!\u201d<\/p>\n

    “Well, Virginia City is nothing like Boston or San Francisco or Paris\u2026\u201d Kate said hesitantly. \u201cAll those exotic places you have been to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cVirginia City is better, far better. You weren\u2019t in Boston or San Francisco or Paris or any of the other places I went. You were here and that is what matters most to me.”<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd now you are here too! Welcome back home, Adam!\u201d she had imagined Adam\u2019s return for months and now he was finally standing in her front yard. She didn\u2019t even care one bit that they had an audience watching.<\/p>\n

    Laughing at her enthusiasm he grabbed her around her waist and kissed her again. \u201cI really missed you Katie. I thought I would never get back\u201d Holding out his arms, she melted into the warmth of him and he held her close.<\/p>\n

    Hoss pulled Adam\u2019s bags out of the back of the carriage. He set a tan leather case on the ground and piled some other bags next to it. \u201cSammy how about you come on out with us right now and Hop Sing will get you some lunch and Hoss will take you fishing before dinner? Go get your things and let\u2019s get moving,\u201d Joe invited.<\/p>\n

    Without a moment\u2019s hesitation, Sam ran inside for his jacket and was back before Adam\u2019s baggage was unloaded from the surrey.<\/p>\n

    \u201dHey what are you two doing?\u201d Adam looked up at his brothers.
    \nJoe grinned impishly \u201cGee Adam, we figured you and Katie could use a few hours of getting reacquainted after all that time you were apart. We\u2019ll take Sam back home with us and you two can ride out to the Ponderosa in the surrey later on for dinner.\u201d He handed Sam up to Hoss on Chubb and vaulted up on Cochise.\u00a0 \u201cSee you at supper!\u201d<\/p>\n

    Kate blushed. Adam started to laugh and said \u201cTell Pa that we\u2019ll see him later.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Kate opened the door quickly, ushering Adam inside. He tossed his hat onto the nearest chair, and swept her into his arms.<\/p>\n

    He kissed her again on the lips. She smiled as she pulled away from him, and stared up at the dark-eyed handsome man. \u201cAdam Cartwright I have to own up to something.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam was taken aback. He couldn\u2019t imagine what Kate was confessing. He knew no matter what it was, he would still love her. \u201cTell me.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI always, always, loved you and always will. I don\u2019t think I remember a time I wasn\u2019t in love with you, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Chapter 6<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The Ponderosa 1852<\/u><\/p>\n

    Adam Cartwright pulled his horse up at the barn and tied it at the rail.\u00a0 The yard was filled with horses tied up at the hitching rail. Buggies and wagons sat parked near the barn and scattered in the field behind the barn. He was arriving later than he had planned and would have to walk directly into the Cattleman\u2019s Association meeting without changing his clothes.<\/p>\n

    Adam walked briskly across the yard. He set his black hat on the fence post and walked over to the pump. He wet his bandana did his best to wipe some of the trail dust off his face and hands. Then he headed toward the front door and planned to enter the house as quietly as he could.<\/p>\n

    It was the first meeting that was held since he got back home from college in Boston three months earlier. His father had asked him to attend the meeting to present vital facts to support Ben\u2019s side in a disagreement over water rights on Cherry Creek. Some of the newer ranchers were in favor of damming the creek but Ben and some other more established ranchers felt that in the future this plan would create more problems with run off and the flooding that would eventually be disastrous to the ranches downstream. These ranches would be destroyed if Cherry Creek was dammed. Fearing that tensions would be running pretty high, Ben wanted his oldest boy by his side to keep tempers in check with a calm presentation of accurate facts.<\/p>\n

    As he stepped onto the porch Adam heard a small voice from off to the side.\u201d They\u2019re all inside, Mister.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam looked around to see who was speaking. Seated on the floor behind the big wooden planter was a small girl with straight brown hair. The child was wearing a cherry sprigged calico dress and she was drawing on a large pad of paper with her head bent over her picture. Her straight brown hair fanned out as she leaned over. Her feet were bare and stuck between her toes were two spare pencils. Her shoes and stockings were neatly lined up next to her on the edge of the porch.<\/p>\n

    \u201cGo right inside, Mister. My uncle is in there too. He owns the\u00a0Enterprise<\/em>.\u201d She was so engrossed in her task that she didn\u2019t even bother to look up at him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cUm, are you sure it\u2019s ok?\u201d\u00a0 Adam teased her looking down at her artwork. She was drawing a detailed sketch of the Cartwright barn and the corral opposite her.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cThat\u2019s pretty good,\u201d Adam said admiring her skill.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThanks, Mister. I can get the horses but I can\u2019t get that barn quite right.\u201d Concentrating on her drawing, she still hadn\u2019t turned towards him.<\/p>\n

    Adam kneeled down next to her and for the first time Kate looked up at the darkly handsome young man who was talking to her. \u201cSee, the roof just doesn\u2019t look right? It looks all crookedy. It looks like it\u2019s going to fall off.\u201d She pointed with her finger at her drawing indicating where she was struggling.<\/p>\n

    \u201dThe horses are very well drawn. They look very real. Want some help with the barn?\u201d At first he thought the small girl couldn\u2019t be more than seven or eight but as soon as he looked at her drawing and listened to how well she conversed, he realized she was probably about his brother Joe\u2019s age, ten. Like Joe, she was probably small for her age and looked even younger than she was.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMay I?\u201d Adam asked politely as he selected one of the pencils from between her toes. He took out his pocketknife and sharpened the pencil to a needle like point. Kate\u2019s eyes were on his strong hands, impressed with his easy skill. She always admired people who did things adeptly.<\/p>\n

    Adam flipped her pad to a fresh page. He quickly sketched the roofline of the barn and the angles of the corral. \u201cYou have to show that part on a diagonal over here and straight off this way and it will more what you are looking for. It\u2019s called perspective.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Kate watched carefully \u201cOh, I see what to do. Gee you are pretty good, Mister. I don\u2019t know your name.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dAdam Cartwright,\u201d he offered his hand. \u201cAnd you are?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dKatherine Wallace, but I really prefer Kate. Gee, I\u2019m sorry I didn\u2019t realize you lived here. This is your house.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam smiled and nodded. \u201dAnd you\u2019re Hank Wallace\u2019s daughter? \u201c<\/p>\n

    \u201d Yes, Hank is my father and Foster is my uncle. I\u2019m Katie Wallace. How do you do?\u201d Kate politely put down her pencil and extended her hand to Adam and they shook hands.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd you\u2019re the very same Katie that Little Joe is always telling us about?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dGuess so. Little Joe is my very good friend. We go to school together.\u201d She put her attention back to her drawing. \u201cYou\u2019re his big brother Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dOne and the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou draw really well. Is that what you learned in college? My mother said you were really smart. My Aunt Mim said you were back east in college for a real long time and now you are back home. You are both smart and educated. That\u2019s what she said.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI suppose so,\u201d Adam nodded watching how adept her drawing was. \u201cYour aunt used to write to me all the time and send me copies of your uncle\u2019s editorials.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cMy father is really quite good at math. Excellent really. He\u2019s an engineer for Mr. Fischer at the mines.\u201d She looked up and examined Adam\u2019s face. She remembered him from when she was younger.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDidn\u2019t you used to come to our house and sit in the dining room and study with him? And bring Little Joe with you? I remember that.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYes Miss Kate. And your father used to help me with mathematics when I was growing up and it helped me get into college to study engineering.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd you and Little Joe would stay for supper too!\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYour mother served the best dinners.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cShe still does. We had fried chicken last week and we are having a leg of lamb this week. If you want to come for dinner, ask my uncle. He\u2019s inside. My mother is always glad to have guests for dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cMaybe I will. That\u2019s really a good drawing. \u201c<\/p>\n

    \u201dThanks. My uncle said someday maybe I could be an artist or maybe write for the\u00a0Enterprise<\/em> or even both. He is teaching me to be very observant and remember the details of whatever I see and whatever hear. That\u2019s really important for a writer,\u201d Kate stopped for a minute and turned bright red. She had never told anyone about wanting to work at the Enterprise<\/em> fearing they would laugh at her aspirations. Why was she telling her private business to Little Joe\u2019s grownup older brother? She paused, waiting for him to laugh at her or tell her that what she planned was a foolish idea for such a sweet little girl or pat her on her head and tell her she was so cute and shouldn\u2019t walk around bare footed as it was unladylike.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWell, Miss Kate. It really looks like you certainly have the talent for being an artist or a writer or even both.\u201d Adam nodded respectfully.<\/p>\n

    She shyly smiled at the compliment. \u201cMy uncle is inside at the meeting. He brought Philip Bartlett with him. He\u2019s going to write about the meeting for the paper. My uncle said that some of the men are pretty angry about the water.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt\u2019s a very important meeting.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Kate looked up at him. He wasn\u2019t laughing at her. Adam Cartwright was looking really serious, she concluded. No grown up other than her Aunt Mim and once in a very long while her father had ever treated her so seriously. He was talking to her like another adult, not in that phony cloying way that other adults talked to her. Kate turned her head to take pay more attention to Adam and try to memorize his voice and the specific details of how he looked.<\/p>\n

    Through the open windows they could hear loud, angry voices arguing heatedly in the meeting.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou don\u2019t know what you are talking about!\u201d someone shouted.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWho do you think you are making those accusations?\u201d Another loud voice answered.<\/p>\n

    The chairman\u2019s gavel pounded loudly. \u201cGentleman, Gentlemen!\u201d Ben Cartwright deep voice pleaded for order.<\/p>\n

    Angry male voices spilled out from the meeting. \u201cAre you calling me a liar? Who the hell do you think you are?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI refuse to let my place be flooded so you newcomers can have your ease!\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI better get into that meeting, Miss Kate. It\u2019s has been a pleasure,\u201d Adam tapped the brim of his black hat at her and strode into the front door of his house.<\/p>\n

    Kate flipped over to a fresh page and started a new picture of the horse corral. Centered in the middle of the page, on a rearing horse was a handsome, black haired cowboy that looked very much like Adam Cartwright with his hand tapping the wide brim of his black hat. With her freshly sharpened pencil, she drew a frame around the page filled with garlands of hearts and flowers and doves.<\/p>\n

    Philip Bartlett was finally working full time for the\u00a0Enterprise\u00a0and had come to the meeting in that capacity. Foster Wallace had even printed him business cards that said \u201cPhilip Bartlett, journalist\u201d. He was a couple of years younger than Adam Cartwright and they would often spend evenings together discussing books or debating politics over beers in the Silver Dollar. In addition to his journalistic duties, Phil still operated the printing presses and kept them running as he had been doing for a few years. Phil was teaching Kate how to set type and she was becoming pretty adept at the task. Kate helped at the Enterprise <\/em>after school by folding paper or sweeping up under Phil\u2019s supervision.<\/p>\n

    At the Cattlemen\u2019s Association meeting on the Ponderosa, sitting on the Cartwright\u2019s settee beside his boss, Foster Wallace, Philip took copious notes for the article that he would write. Every once in a while, Little Joe saw Foster lean over and point to something on the page or whisper a question in Phil\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n

    From his perch on the top of the stairs, Little Joe watched his brothers with great respect and admiration. Hoss stood on the sidelines listening quietly. Probably the biggest man in the room, he leaned casually against the stone fireplace. The chairs had been arranged to face Ben seated at his desk making the hearth the rear of the meeting room. Each time a newcomer entered, Hoss walked over and made sure the man removed his gun belt and it was deposited on the rack or in a big wooden crate by the door.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe don\u2019t want trouble with hot heads.\u201d Ben had told the boys. \u201cLet them shoot off their mouths all they want but I want everyone unarmed.\u201d Joe knew that the other ranchers were counting on Ben Cartwright to keep order and unanimously elected him chairman of the meeting.<\/p>\n

    In Adam, Joe saw a close physical resemblance to their father. He had the same broad shoulders and height as well as dark eyes. Joe saw that his oldest brother had Ben\u2019s patience and persistence. Like their father, Adam\u2019s intense will would not bend. The men at the meeting could never match his education, or tenacity or skill in presenting the truth. He hoped that someday, he could be like Adam.<\/p>\n

    Joe was in total awe of his oldest brother, as he stood tall at the front of the meeting. Adam made his points about the water rights and the serious problems the damming of Cherry Creek would create in the future. He emphasized that it was the future of their community that mattered not a short-term, quick fix solution to any water problem.
    \n\u201dGentlemen, we have to make this decision based on the long term impact on the territory not something that will help a few to prosper while hurting many of our neighbors.\u201d Adam had explained. \u201cIf we dam Cherry Creek, it will change the drainage and run off for most of the area and even impact on the water table for the entire region. Without water, what will happen to the grasslands, the cattle and the farm crops downstream?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Whenever Adam glanced his way, Joe nodded his agreement in support and encouragement. What impressed Joe most was at the end of the meeting when the men left their house, Adam put his arm around Joe\u2019s shoulder\u2019s and said, “We did it, buddy. There is no way they can get that law changed, now.\u201d Joe hadn\u2019t done anything but watch the meeting but Adam said \u201cWe did it!\u201d as if his younger brother had been an important help to him. That made Joe feel even more gratified.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAdam, I am so proud of you son,\u201d Ben threw his arm over his son\u2019s shoulder. \u201cFoster Wallace has been writing articles and editorials against the dam for a few weeks now and is going to use some quotes of the information you presented, Adam,\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cPa, there is absolutely no way the vote will go against us with Adam\u2019s explanation.\u201d Hoss declared.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAbsolutely no way!\u201d Little Joe agreed.<\/p>\n

    \u201cGive me a hand with this Little Joe.\u201d Hoss requested as he started to move the furniture back into the proper place.\u00a0 Little Joe grabbed the other end of the settee and helped his brother turn it to face the fireplace.<\/p>\n

    \u201cRemember, Pa said that one has anything to fear when they are doing the right thing and telling the truth.\u201d\u00a0Adam pointed out.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe may be doing the right thing but just you watch yourself the next few weeks, boys. There were a lot of angry men in this room who have a different point of view than we do. Some have a big financial stake in how this goes,\u201d Ben cautioned. \u201cThe voting won\u2019t be until the end of the month. A lot can happen between then and now. Just watch yourselves when you go into town.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Chapter 7<\/strong><\/p>\n

    1854 Virginia City<\/u><\/p>\n

    Almost two years after Adam had returned from college in Boston, the group in favor of the Cherry Creek dam finally managed to get the issue on the ballot on Election Day. It had taken two long acrimonious years rife with debate at almost every Cattleman\u2019s Association Meeting.<\/p>\n

    Eloquent editorials by Foster Wallace in the\u00a0Enterprise<\/em>\u00a0raged against the project saying \u201cWe cannot allow what nature has created be changed with such a vile plan. We will endanger all those who are downstream to benefit a few ranchers upstream. I urge all citizens to speak out against this selfish, impractical plan that will flood some fields and create lakes from fine pastureland and while removing the source of water from others and making their ranches into arid wasteland.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The morning after the editorial appeared, Foster Wallace received a number of threatening letters. One note was wrapped around a brick and thrown through the window of the newspaper office. A frightened Phil Bartlett told his friend Adam Cartwright that even though the Enterprise <\/em>had been threatened on other editorials, this time it seemed completely different. Phil said they were far more ominous and unnerving.<\/p>\n

    The two sides grew increasingly more hostile to each other. Sheriff Coffee filled the jail every Saturday night with men who had pounded each bloody other during heated barroom debates. One Sunday a brawl broke out right in front of Reverend Felcher\u2019s church between the two sides whose argument started just before the sermon. The following morning at school, Little Joe told Dean Newkirk and Billy Felcher that perhaps was really because the men didn\u2019t want to listen to Billy\u2019s father\u2019s long sermon and preferred Sheriff Coffee\u2019s jail to sitting on the hard church pews one minute longer. Nancy Coffee and Melissa Peters both told Joe that he was being terribly rude but Billy insisted that Little Joe was probably right. He wished that he could run out before his father\u2019s sermons too.<\/p>\n

    As Election Day approached, some of the ranchers in favor of the dam had hired new hands that looked more like armed Pinkerton detectives, thugs and gunslingers than cowhands and ranchers. Ben continually warned the boys to be cautious and watch their step when they left the Ponderosa Ranch. He especially worried about Little Joe who often spoke his mind without thinking and spent time with Kate at the\u00a0Enterprise<\/em>\u00a0after school.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJoe walk slower, your legs are longer than mine and I can\u2019t keep up,\u201d Kate complained as she and Little Joe walked down the hill towards the Enterprise office from the Wallace house. In the last year, Joe had filled out some and gotten taller. It was apparent that he was not going to be a big as his father and brothers but he was now far taller than Kate. \u201cAnd I have my uncle\u2019s dinner pail to carry and this soup is pretty heavy.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cGive me that soup pot Kate and let me carry it. When they all left for that concert my Pa said that I should be a gentleman.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI can manage. Just walk a little slower.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The pair left the side of the dirt road that led out to the Wallace house and stepped up onto the wooden side walk that marked the beginning of the Virginia City business district. The two youngsters turned to the right and walked down the dark empty street.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYour Pa meant that you shouldn\u2019t be flirting with every girl in town and trying to mess up my work at the Enterprise with your dang fool \u201cAttention Girls of Virginia City! Joe Cartwright is the best kisser\u201d inserts when you are helping me set type.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Little Joe tried to melt Kate\u2019s anger with his best wink and most charming smile but quickly gave up when he realized these tactics never worked on her. As Philip Bartlett had pointed out to him earlier that day, unlike most of the girls in Virginia City, Kate was totally and completely immune to Joe\u2019s numerous charms. \u201cYou can\u2019t pull the wool over Katie\u2019s eyes, Little Joe so just quit trying to spin your yarns.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dIt sure was funny wasn\u2019t it?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo it was not funny! And don\u2019t you ever remember you have to spell things backwards when you set type, you big dunce? You wrote that Joe Cartwright is the best \u201cressik \u201cin town. Girls really look for a good \u201cressik\u201d in a beau. Now I have to go back and redo all those pages instead of going with everyone else to that concert. I\u2019m going to have to reset all that type about the voting on the Cherry Creek dam thing. \u201c<\/p>\n

    \u201dDam thing? Dam thing?\u201d Joe grinned impishly.\u201d Gee Kate stop your cussing. Don\u2019t you know dam is a bad word?\u201d Without missing a step, he spun around and walked backwards so he was facing her. The sound of their footsteps echoed loudly of the darkened store fronts. Most of the businesses and shops along this side of the street was dark and shuttered for the evening. On the other hand, if the pair had walked in the opposite direction, the saloons and dance halls, cafes and restaurants were brightly lit and crowded with customers.<\/p>\n

    \u201dJoseph Francis Cartwright! I was not cussing. I\u2019m talking about the Cherry Creek vote on the building of a dam. D-A-M! Not D-A-M-N! If you want to hear me cuss I can use more cuss words than you know or will ever know and not just in English!\u201d she hollered. \u201cI know cuss words in at least three languages.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cGee, I was just joking,\u201d Joe answered.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWell, if you don\u2019t quit joking you are going to be wearing the contents of this dinner pail on your head. How do you think Miss Miranda or Miss Emily would like to see \u201cKissing Joe\u201d with soup and noodles poured over his handsome curly hair?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cEmily? Miranda? Gee Kate did you get to talk to them?\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes widened. He stopped dead on the boardwalk and managed to rest the soup pot from her grasp. \u201cWhich girl should I ask to the dance? Tell me. Tell me right now!\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dNeither one Mr. Kissing Joe,\u201d she continued walking briskly toward the\u00a0Enterprise\u00a0office. Their footfalls on the wooden sidewalk echoed in the darkness.
    \n\u201dNeither? Hey! You said if I let you ride Cochise you would tell me which girl would be the best one to ask.\u201d\u00a0Joe slowed down for a minute. Even though no one rode Cochise but Little Joe. Kate had made a deal with her friend. She would get the scoop on the romantic interests of all the pretty girls in town on behalf of Little Joe in exchange for the use of his horse for an hour.
    \n\u201dWell Mr. \u201cKissing Joe\u201d, the one you should ask to the dance is neither.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The pair paused between the darkened brick building housing the office of Levi Victor the lawyer and the bank. \u201dNeither?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dYes, my friend. Neither! The girl who will be the most delighted by your romantic attentions is Miss Melissa Peters. She thinks you are just so, so, soooooo very handsome and just can\u2019t wait to bat her eyelashes at you and dance in your arms. She loves your darling curly hair and thinks you look particularly handsome in that new jacket of yours. And she said if she was going to let any boy walk her home in the moonlight it would be that handsome, wonderful Joe Cartwright.\u201d She then sacked her lips and made some exaggerated smoochie kissing noises.\u00a0 \u2018Oo la la \u201cKissing Joe\u2019 And now, my job is complete.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cMelissa Peters!\u201d Joe sighed appreciatively. He would never have thought to ask the beautiful new girl to the dance had Kate not done the spying for him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJust watch out, Little Joe. I heard from an excellent source that her father makes sure he checks both the back porch as well as the front porch for good night kisses, Mr.\u201d Kissing Joe Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dMelissa? Wow Katie! Thanks for spying. I owe you two rides this time. What a pal.\u201d Joe was in heaven.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI wasn\u2019t spying! I just was interviewing the girls like any good journalist. Why are you so sweet on such dunder headed vapid girls?\u201d Kate repeated Aunt Mim\u2019s favorite phrase for the spoiled, shallow but pretty daughters of the successful mine owners and ranchers.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHuh? What did you say?\u201d Joe was daydreaming about pretty Melissa Peters and her lovely lips and wasn\u2019t even quite sure what vapid meant. He just assumed it meant something about a girl having vapors and swooning at his good looks which was perfectly fine to him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNever mind. Joe, a promise is a promise and we shook on it. I get to ride Cochise and you get to be \u201cKissing Joe\u201d\u2019 she giggled. Her mother would be furious if she found out that Kate was galloping around the Ponderosa Ranch astride Cochise but it didn\u2019t matter one bit to Katie.<\/p>\n

    Lost in his daydreams about Melissa, Joe paused for a moment outside the closed feed store.<\/p>\n

    \u201cCome on Joe. It\u2019s your fault that I don\u2019t get to go to the concert tonight too. Hustle your bustle!\u201d Kate urged.
    \n\u201dGee Kate since when do you like opera?\u201d Joe sped up and then slowed to match his pace with her as they neared the corner. \u201cYou don\u2019t like that type of music?\u201d He started to sing in a high-pitched howl like he imagined an operatic soprano sounded. \u201c YAHHHAAH Ooooo! Kate, only Phil Bartlett and my brother Adam likes that kind of awful music.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Kate\u2019s cheeks turned bright red at the mention of Joe\u2019s oldest brother. She had absolutely no interest in opera but wanted desperately to attend the concert. Her uncle Foster had given Adam his ticket when Foster realized he had to work late at the newspaper. Katie imagined if she scooted in line just the right way when the group got to their seats in Piper\u2019s Opera House, she could manage to sit right next to Adam all evening. The girl\u2019s dream was to sit next to handsome Adam Cartwright just as if he were her escort. Nancy Coffee offered to do up her hair and lend her the almost real emerald hair clips that her parents had given her for Christmas.<\/p>\n

    \u201cKatie-bird why are you blushing? Saying that Adam likes opera makes you blush?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cQuit it Joe!\u201d Kate protested. She poked him in the ribs.<\/p>\n

    Suddenly Joe realized why Kate wanted to go the opera and was so furious that she had to go to the Enterprise <\/em>office and correct his silly \u201cKissing Joe\u201d prank.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAre you sweet on my brother, Kate?\u201d Joe stopped short in the middle of the wooden sidewalk. He put the dinner bucket down on the ground and stared disbelievingly at his friend. Even in the dark, he could see that his friend was blushing uncontrollably. Joe started to laugh like a cackling blue jay. \u201cYou like Adam? Adam Cartwright? My oldest brother Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Kate giggled foolishly and looked away in embarrassment. Joe had figured her secret out. She had always thought that Adam Cartwright was the handsomest and smartest man and most wonderful man in the entire territory but was mortified that Joe might spill her confidential business. \u201cPlease, don\u2019t tell anyone, Little Joe. Please, please!\u201d She pleaded with her hands clasped together as if she was praying.<\/p>\n

    \u201dSure, Kate. You secret is completely safe with me.\u201d Joe he picked up the dinner pail and put his free hand on her shoulder. \u201cYou are my friend, just because don\u2019t realize that \u201cKissing Joe\u201d is really the handsomest Cartwright brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cJoe it\u2019s getting late and we have to get this dinner to my uncle before it gets cold.\u201d She was thoroughly mortified and certainly didn\u2019t want to continue discussing how she was smitten on Adam Cartwright. She also mentally calculated that if she and Joe finished the work quickly, she might still have a chance to get home just as the concert ended. Then she could have some after concert refreshments with Mim, her parents and the Cartwrights. She could see Adam that way.
    \nKate followed Joe down the dark, narrow alleyway that led to the back of the Enterprise<\/em> office and the loading dock. As the came inside, Kate and Joe could hear the loud kerclunk thunk of the presses. Phil must still be working on the printing of the last edition.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHi Phil!\u201d Joe hollered over the noise of the presses. Philip turned, startled to see them. He stopped the noisy machinery and asked, \u201cWhat are you two doing here so late at night?\u201d
    \n\u201dWe brought Mr. Wallace\u2019s dinner \u2018round.\u201d Joe set the soup pot on the battered work table in the back and pulled off his coat. Through the glass panel in the office door, Joe could see that Foster Wallace was in his office with two burly cowboys. Both men were leaning angrily over his desk and arguing with him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd I had to fix that mess that Little Joe made with the center page.\u201d Kate scowled at her friend.<\/p>\n

    \u201cOh I hadn\u2019t really noticed any problems and I ran all of it Kate.\u201d Nearsighted Phil calmly took off his glasses and wiped them with his shirttail. He had a big black ink smudge on his cheek.<\/p>\n

    \u201cOh no! \u201c Kate\u2019s face fell. \u201cYou didn\u2019t?\u201d Her uncle would never allow her back in the office if his Cherry Creek editorial went out with advertisements for Little Joe Cartwright\u2019s kisses inserted smack dab in the middle.<\/p>\n

    Phil started to chuckle at her panic. He shook his head at how she fell for his joke. \u201dI\u2019m just pulling your leg, Kate. Hey \u201cKissing Joe\u201d, be a good fellow and give her a hand. The pages are set up at the back table Kate. It shouldn\u2019t take you more than a half hour to fix \u2018em up if Little Joe doesn\u2019t fool around. Then I can run them for real we\u2019ll be done before you know it.\u201d Phil turned his back on them and the rhythmic thud and thunk of the machinery filled the storefront again.<\/p>\n

    The two youngsters walked around the open wooden shelves that divided the press area from the work area. The battered shelves reached almost to the ceiling and were open from both sides allowing access from both the press area and the worktable side. The shelves were crammed with all sorts of items. Trays of type and assorted pots of glue and bottles of ink as well as sample books for print jobs were stored there. Joe sat down beside Kate at the work table and they made an exceptionally valiant attempt to remove all of the mess he had made in the page.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe are going to need another tray of type.\u201d Kate realized as she worked. She pulled over a chair and started to climb up one of the lower shelves.\u00a0 She balanced her foot on the corner of the desk and started to reach up for the case she wanted. The entire set of shelves swayed slightly.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWait Katie, I\u2019ll reach it for you. Those shelves are wobbly and you shouldn\u2019t climb up like that.\u201d Joe stood up and reached to put his arms around her waist.<\/p>\n

    The storefront was suddenly silent as Philip Bartlett turned off the presses. \u201cI\u2019ll be ready for your page as soon as you two are done. Maybe we can get out of here at a reasonable hour tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Suddenly a shot rang out. Through the space in the shelves, both Joe and Kate could see Foster Wallace collapse across his desk. The two men bolted out of his office and headed towards the front of the Enterprise Office towards door to the street.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHey you! Stop!\u201d Phil ran towards them and the second man turned and pegged a wild shot in his direction. Phil ducked behind the press and bellowed \u201cKate, Joe get down.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Still hanging on to the open shelves, horrified Katie could see the entire scene. Just as the first man rushed past her perch, she gave the shelves a mighty shove and the entire contents tumbled on top of him burying him in an avalanche of wood, shattered glass and trays of type. Kate tumbled backwards into Joe\u2019s arms knocking the two youngsters over. They both crashed into the worktable and tumbled into the floor in a tangle of arms and legs and spilled soup.<\/p>\n

    The man who shot Foster was bleeding from the head. He was clearly unconscious having been hit by a piece of a heavy shelf. The broken shelves and the front counter blocked the second man\u2019s exit. He pulled his gun from his holster and bolted for the rear door just as Sheriff Roy Coffee came running up the back alley. The Sheriff had heard the gunshot as he was checking the doors of the building next door and he had raced over to investigate the trouble.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHold it!\u201d Roy hollered as he came through the alley door. The two armed men faced each other. \u201cDrop your gun and raise your hands.\u201d
    \nThe man looked furiously at Roy Coffee. \u201cNo way Sheriff. \u201c He cocked his pistol. The Sheriff faced the trapped man\u2019s gun barrel. They stood for a very long minute staring at each other in a standoff.<\/p>\n

    Who would fire first?<\/p>\n

    From his hiding place behind the press, Phil realized the gravity of the situation. He was unarmed but knew he had to do something immediately. Little Joe Cartwright and Kate Wallace were inches from the two angry armed men and directly in the line of fire. The man who was buried under the shelves was armed and appeared to regaining consciousness. Phil grabbed the heavy ink pot that was sitting next to him and cautiously raised up. He pitched the hefty container as hard as he could aiming at the glass partition around Foster\u2019s office. The window exploded with an unexpectedly loud crash.<\/p>\n

    The man facing Roy whirled around at the bewildering sound and fired toward the front of the store. He shot out the newly replaced front window which shattered into sharp shards. Roy grabbed his adversary from behind and wrested his pistol from his grasp. The sheriff shoved his own Colt into the man\u2019s ribs. \u201cDon\u2019t you move?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe untangled himself from Katie, jumped up and ran over to the semi-conscious man under the broken shelves. The frightened boy grabbed the man\u2019s pistol from his holster and stood wide-eyed. He aimed directly at the man on the floor. \u201cDon\u2019t you dare move, Mister.\u201d Joe swallowed hard. His Pa had said never to aim a gun at a man unless you intended to fire and never fire unless you intended to kill him. Joe prayed he would not have to shoot.<\/p>\n

    Phil scrambled over the counter and took the gun out of the boy\u2019s hand. Pointing it at the trapped murderer he directed \u201cGo get the doc, Joe. Foster\u2019s hurt real bad.\u201d Stepping over the shattered glass, Joe threw open the front door and dashed down the street to Doctor Martin’s office.<\/p>\n

    Kate raced into her uncle\u2019s office. He was sprawled halfway across his desk. Blood was pouring from a bullet hole in his chest. She had never seen a dead person but she immediately knew her uncle was dead. There was nothing any doctor was going to be able to do for him.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 8<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Philip and Mim made sure the next edition of the\u00a0Enterprise\u00a0was printed with Foster\u2019s last editorial against the damming of Cherry Creek bordered in black. The citizens of Virginia City were so outraged by the murder that the dam proposition was soundly defeated by a huge margin.<\/p>\n

    At the funeral, Hank Wallace eulogized his murdered brother. \u201cIt won\u2019t bring my brother back, but at least he didn\u2019t die in vain. His legacy will live on in the Enterprise<\/em> and in this communities stewardship of God\u2019s natural creations and for a community working together for the betterment of all those who live there. \u201c<\/p>\n

    Seated between her sister in law Leah and her niece Kate, Mim Wallace held Kate\u2019s hand in hers. The Cartwrights sat together in the pew behind them. Joe stared straight ahead. Next to his friend Adam Cartwright, Philip Bartlett sat with tears streaming down his face grieving for the man who had first recognized his ability to write. He leaned forward and squeezed Mim\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

    Two weeks later, when the circuit judge came to Virginia City, Kate, Joe and Philip Bartlett were called upon to testify at the murder trial. Adam and Sheriff Coffee spend hours reviewing what they should say and making the two youngsters comfortable with what would happen in the courtroom.<\/p>\n

    The night before Kate and Little Joe were scheduled to give testimony, they were both scared to death. Ben sat with them in the parlor of Mim\u2019s house and told them \u201cNo one has anything to fear when they are doing the right thing and telling the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe nodded. He was ready to face any challenge with his father\u2019s encouragement, but Kate was far more frightened. The image of her beloved uncle lying dead in a spreading pool of his own blood haunted her. They needed her as the key witness as only she knew which of the men had shot her uncle. Both of the defendants had accused each other of the murder and both of their guns had been fired.<\/p>\n

    Mr. Cartwright was right. The truth had to be told even though Kate was forced to relive the most gruesome tragedy of her young life on the witness stand. Kate knew she had to testify to help her Aunt Mim as best she could. Most important, Kate had to get justice for Uncle Foster.<\/p>\n

    After the clear, detailed testimony of the eye witnesses, conviction of the outlaws was easy. The Sheriff had caught both men right at the scene and there was no question about them being at the Enterprise<\/em> when the murder occurred. The jury convicted both men and sentenced the murderer to hang. His companion got twenty years at hard labor to be served in the Territorial Penitentiary<\/p>\n

    By the time the trial was finally over, Kate\u2019s terrified parents knew they wanted to leave Virginia City. \u201cI am not going to live where my darling daughter can get killed in the middle of a shootout and then have to recount it all in court!\u201d Leah Wallace told her husband. Mrs. Wallace had also discovered that Kate had been riding Cochise when she was with Joe Cartwright and was furious at both of them. \u201cIt\u2019s time you become a fine young lady instead of running wild, Kate!\u201d<\/p>\n

    When Hank Wallace got an offer of a job near San Francisco, and his wife, insisted that they leave Nevada Territory in June when Kate graduated the eighth grade in the Virginia City School.<\/p>\n

    Kate was devastated. She loved living in Virginia City and had no interest in becoming a \u201cfine young lady\u201d. The only way her parents got her to stop threatening to run away was by promising she could visit Mim for a few weeks with each summer if she got good grades in the Academy for Young Ladies, that her parents insisted she attend. Katie tearfully conceded.<\/p>\n

    Just before they left, Hank Wallace sat down with Joe Cartwright. Kate\u2019s father told him in no uncertain terms that he would personally hang the boy by his thumbs if he found out that Kate was riding Cochise or behaving in any unseemly fashion in the future when she came to visit. Then Hank stood up and wrapped his arms around Little Joe and hugged him close.\u201d I don\u2019t know how to thank you for watching out for my Kate when Foster was shot. Katie and I hate to leave here but you know her mother is right.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe nodded. He hardly remembered a time when Katie was not his friend. He hated for her to go to San Francisco. Joe promised that he would write but in her heart Kate knew the boy wouldn\u2019t with any regularity. He was still Little Joe and she knew he would pay more attention to his horse and all the pretty girls in town instead of putting pen to paper.<\/p>\n

    And most of all, Kate Wallace knew would miss Adam Cartwright.<\/p>\n

    ***<\/p>\n

    Part 9 <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Lured Back<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Chapter 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The February thaw had started and there was a hint of an early spring in the air. Everyone knew they could have another big blizzard before the true spring began but it was a great relief to see that the worst of the long winter was really fading away.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWell Big Brother, looks like you came to visit us here at the Ponderosa but are spending an awful lot of time visiting neighbors.\u201d Joe teased as he sat down on the low table in front of the settee. Leaning over his shoulder, Joe Cartwright looked at his older brother. Adam was standing quietly a few feet away against the fireplace.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHush up, Joseph,\u201d Hoss waved his hand trying to keep his eager younger brother in check a bit longer. \u201cLet him have his say in his own time.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe knew his own impatience could likely get the better of him but he couldn\u2019t resist teasing his brother. \u201cBrother, Adam thinks he is being so discrete but he is as transparent as a piece of glass.\u201d Joe whispered to Hoss.<\/p>\n

    Adam continued to remain totally silent.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHoss, what do you think about our brother going gallivanting around the territory instead of keeping us company?\u201d Joe persisted. He pulled the checkerboard closer and started to arrange the red pieces. \u201cHis own flesh and blood! His beloved kin are being abandoned by him.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cGee, looks a lot like that to me too!\u201d Hoss grinned. He started setting up the black checkers. \u201cI don\u2019t know if we should be insulted by all this lack of brotherly interest or even worse. Here he stays away from home for months and months on end and when he comes back for a visit he hardly spends an evening with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cGee Adam, we really are hurt by your \u2026your\u2026\u201d Joe struggled for a word.<\/p>\n

    \u201cImpoliteness?\u201d Hoss suggested. He moved his first checker into the middle of the board.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSnootiness? Lack of affection?\u201d Joe added looking at his next move.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDown right gol durn poor behavior and ,,, and.\u201d Hoss couldn\u2019t think of another word to use.<\/p>\n

    \u201cPomposity!\u201d Joe declared dramatically. He swung his arms wide knocking half the checkers on to the floor.<\/p>\n

    Walking in from the dining room, Ben looked at his two younger sons just as the checkers skittered noisily across the floor. He raised his eyebrows. \u201dDon\u2019t tell me they are going to start a fight?\u201d he thought nervously. Ben was just thankful to see Adam at all so soon after his last visit and did not want anything to put a damper on the evening. \u201cIs everything all right here?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cIs there something wrong, Adam? Aren\u2019t we hospitable enough for you? Or is there someone you like visiting more than your own dear family? Someone you like more than your brothers? \u201d Joe grinned impishly. He picked up a couple of the remaining checkers from the board and juggled them from hand to hand. \u201cAnd someone you like more than your Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

    “Boys, I think you need to lay off Adam for a bit,\u201d Ben cautioned.<\/p>\n

    “Pa, we was just fooling around,\u201d Hoss said laughing from his seat on the settee.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMaybe you were just fooling, Hoss. But I sure wasn\u2019t. Adam why don\u2019t you tell us what you\u2019ve been up to all these weeks?\u201d Joe smiled at Adam daring his brother to speak up.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSpeak up, Adam. What\u2019s the matter Older Brother? Cat got your tongue?\u201d Hoss chimed in.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat is that big purple bruise on your forehead? Looked like you forgot to duck somewhere.\u201d Joe knew very well how low the ceilings were on the second floor in Kate\u2019s house. He tossed a checker at his brother\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

    Hoss gave Joe a warning look. \u201cDon\u2019t push him too far, Joseph. You might regret stirring up his anger.\u201d But Joe persisted in harassing Adam. Making his oldest brother sweat was too much fun. Adam had kept Pa in the dark much too long and he deserved to be needled until he fessed up. Their father would be overjoyed with the news.<\/p>\n

    Joe tossed a second checker at Adam. It hit him hard in the middle of his chest.<\/p>\n

    “Just what do you think you’re doing young man?” Ben scowled at Joe. \u201cIs there something going on here that I don\u2019t know about? Hoss? Adam? Joseph?<\/p>\n

    Hoss couldn\u2019t resist. \u201cAdam, Pa asked if there is something going on that he doesn\u2019t know about? \u201c<\/p>\n

    Joe tossed another checker. This time, Joe threw the checker harder. Adam casually reached out his hand and caught the checker in midair and threw it hard at Joe\u2019s head. Joe ducked and the checker clattered to the floor and skidded under the settee. Hoss leaned over and put the red checker back on the edge of the table.<\/p>\n

    Adam raised one eyebrow and looked at Joe. He knew his brothers were likely looking for an opening to discuss Kate but wasn\u2019t certain he wanted to broach the subject quite yet. He wasn\u2019t ready to make any official announcements but it was obvious that Little Joe and Hoss had made the decision for him.<\/p>\n

    Ben sat down on his leather chair near the fireplace. What in heaven\u2019s name were his two younger sons doing? He wished they would just quit pestering Adam like two horse flies buzzing around nipping at every living thing. There was no need for any of this during Adams short stopover and it made Ben nervous to think they were spoiling the visit.<\/p>\n

    Trying to look nonchalant, Adam leaned against the stone fireplace wall. He crossed his arms on his chest and then he uncrossed them. He decided to jump right in. He stood up straight and swallowing hard, Why not announce his plans to his family? He was absolutely sure of his decision, probably more sure than anything he had ever done before. There was no real need to be secretive about his romance with Kate anymore. Her marriage with Al Striker was over. There was no more motivation to protect her reputation from the wagging tongues of Virginia City gossips. There was no reason to save himself from the embarrassment of failing at another romance.<\/p>\n

    Kate said she loved him! She had accepted his proposal!<\/p>\n

    Adam turned away for a minute stifling a smile and trying his best to maintain his serious fa\u00e7ade. Powerless to hide his joy, he turned around to his family with a huge smile spread across his face.<\/p>\n

    \u201cKate said she would marry me,\u201d he said as matter-of-factly as he could muster. Then he said it again, louder. \u201cKate and I are getting married.\u201d His face broke into a huge grin. He loved how the words sounded coming out of his mouth and had to repeat his wonderful news. \u201cKate and I are getting married.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Hoss\u2019 face broke into a wide grin.\u201d I told ya Joe! I told you there was something goin\u2019 on between them. I told ya!\u201d He jumped up and grabbed his older brother in a huge bear hug.<\/p>\n

    Joe leaped up and slapped his brother on the back. \u201cCongratulations! That is the best news I have ever heard, Adam!\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cCongratulations, Son!\u201d \u00a0Ben finally comprehended what was going on between the boys and was embarrassed that he hadn\u2019t picked up on what was going on.<\/p>\n

    \u201cShe is a fine woman son. You made a grand choice.\u201d He told his oldest son joyfully hugging him again. Usually uncomfortable with all this affection, this time Adam hugged his father back.<\/p>\n

    \u201dAnd just you watch out Big Brother, she has a mean left hook!\u201d Joe teased rubbing his own jaw in mock pain.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHey, that\u2019s how Kate got him to propose!\u201d Hoss laughed slapping Adam on the back.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The next morning, Adam decided he needed to start on drawing up some plans and sketches for Dennis. If he could get a leg up on the work before he went back to Boston, he could finish things up much more quickly when he was back east. Then he would be able to return home to Katie all the sooner. Adam checked around in his old bedroom for his drafting tools but they were nowhere to be seen.<\/p>\n

    Ben was working at his desk when his oldest son came down the stairs. \u201cPa, do you have any idea where my old set of drafting tools could be?\u201d Adam asked his father.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAren\u2019t they upstairs in your room?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam shook his head. \u201cNo, I already looked there. You know which ones I mean. The set you bought me for my birthday just before I went to college. The ones in the purple velvet box. I thought I could start on some work before I went back to Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Ben scratched his head. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of those boxes you shipped home over the years in the attic over the tack room. Maybe your trunk from college is in there too. Why don\u2019t you check?<\/p>\n

    \u201cGood idea.\u201d Adam headed out to look.<\/p>\n

    Adam climbed a ladder up to the little storage attic under the eaves of the tack room. He started to rummage through the boxes and trunks that had been arranged up there over the years. There were was a round top trunk that Marie had brought from New Orleans that held some of her things that Ben had put aside after she died. In the corner where the pitch of the roof was the lowest, was Joe\u2019s old cradle and a broken rocking chair tipped over on its side and a narrow wooden chest that Adam knew contained Hoss\u2019 boyhood collection of bird\u2019s eggs and pressed flowers. There were also numerous wooden crates and trunks marked with his name on the shipping labels. Many contained artwork he had purchased in Europe and had shipped to the Ponderosa. Other crates contained pieces of furniture and other souvenirs from his travels. Someday they would all find a place in the new home he would design for Kate.\u00a0 Very little light came in through the small dusty window on one end of the attic and Adam quickly realized that he would really need to get a lantern from the barn if he was going to ever find the drafting set.<\/p>\n

    He climbed back down the ladder went into the barn just as Joe came in the planked door. Joseph was carrying two cups of coffee. \u201cPa said you were in here poking around. I brought you some coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam smiled and reached out for a cup. \u201cThanks, Little Brother. What brings you out here so early?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dI just wanted to tell you how glad I am you are coming back and to tell you how happy I am for you and Katie.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dThanks Joe. I appreciate your good wishes. How about giving me a hand looking for my drafting tools in that jumble up there?\u201d The two brothers climbed back up into the storeroom. Adam lit the lantern and looked about the dusty room. He ran his hand through his hair trying to logically calculate where to look first.<\/p>\n

    \u201cLet\u2019s start over there.\u201d He pointed to some trunks in the corner. One was labeled with his grandfather\u2019s address and looked like the trunk he originally had taken when he left the Ponderosa for college. \u201cHelp me pull this one out, Buddy.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe grabbed one end of the battered trunk and Adam the other and tugged the heavy trunk to the center of the room. \u201cWhat do you have in here? Assay samples of ore? Lead weights?\u201d Joe grunted. \u201cA dead horse?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cLet\u2019s find out,\u201d Adam unlatched the lid and looked inside. The trunk was filled to the brim with neatly organized school papers, stacks of letters bound with ribbons, a pair of boots that must have fit Adam when he first went to college but were soon outgrown, a silver trophy Adam had won playing billiards and other long forgotten souvenirs of college life in Boston. Nestled to one side was a small plush box.<\/p>\n

    \u201dJust what I was looking for. I can\u2019t believe we found it on the first go around.\u201d Adam smiled at his good fortune.<\/p>\n

    \u201dGuess this is just all round your lucky week.\u201d Joe reminded him.<\/p>\n

    Adam smiled thinking of Kate. \u201dIt certainly is my lucky week.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cJust what I was looking for.\u201d Adam said as he lifted the set of drafting tools out of the trunk. He smoothed his hand over the case remembering how proud he was when his father had presented them to him. The gift was his father\u2019s sincere acknowledgement of all his dreams to study engineering that Adam had been too reticent to share with his father. He had since used more elaborate and finer sets of drafting tools but none was more important than the first set his father had brought him from San Francisco.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat are all those letters?\u201d Joe curiously pulling out a neatly bound bundle.
    \n\u201dLooks like they are all the letters I got while I was away in college. You don\u2019t know how much I looked forward to getting them.\u201d He took a bundle from Joseph\u2019s hand and untied the red ribbon that held them in a neat stack.<\/p>\n

    He pulled one out.\u201d Here\u2019s one from Pa.\u201d Adam looked at the date and read \u201cDear Adam, The herd looks very good this fall and Hoss will be accompanying me on the drive. Little Joe put up quite a fuss but there is no way he can go with us and will stay with Mrs. Newkirk while we are gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe shook his head, \u201cI was awful angry at Pa for leaving me behind. I really thought I could ride herd with Hoss and they had to just about tie me up by Newkirks so I wouldn\u2019t try to catch up with Pa. Dean wasn\u2019t even old enough to go to school yet and I tried to get him to run off with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cHere\u2019s another one. It\u2019s from Pa. \u2018I think Hoss has an eye on Andrea the daughter of the Lowells.\u00a0 She is a very pretty girl with red hair and a patient nature. They are the family who moved to town just about a month after you left for college. Little Joe plays with their young son Daniel and often sleeps there when the weather is threatening.
    \nHow did you do on your exams? I am sure you are studying hard.\u2019 \u201c
    \n\u201dEver wonder what became of the Lowells, Adam?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

    Adam shrugged \u201cLord knows. They all left town when the uncle got shot.\u00a0 I am sure Ramsey Lowell must have had more than his share of angry enemies if what he did to you was any indication of the kind of man he was.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dWhat\u2019s this?\u201d Joe said pulling a larger envelope from the stack. It was in his boyhood back slanting handwriting.<\/p>\n

    \u201dGee little brother, it doesn\u2019t look like your handwriting is any much better now than when you were ten years old.\u201d Adam pointed to the envelope. He pulled out two pieces of paper folded crookedly together. Adam carefully unfolded the letter and smoothed it out to read it aloud. He shook his head when he realized what he was opening.<\/p>\n

    One piece of paper was a letter written on lined copy paper. Adam read it aloud,<\/p>\n

    \u201cDear Adam,<\/strong><\/p>\n

    I hate skool very much. I hate it every day except on Saturday and Sunday.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    I miss Hoss in my skool. No bullez pickt on me and my frends when he was in the skool.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Pleese tell Pa that I should not go to skool and I can work with Hoss on the ranch.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Pa hurt his nee.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    I miss you very much.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Your brother,<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Joseph Francis Cartwright\u201d\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cI guess, there was no doubt that I had no serious interest in following you to college.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam smiled \u201cI suppose so.\u201d
    \nThe second piece looked like a sheet of ledger paper that had been ripped from one of Ben\u2019s ledgers.\u00a0 Adam smoothed that page out too. Written in the same childish hand was a long list of names.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJoe, do you know what this is? Do you remember what all this was about?\u201d<\/p>\n

    The two brothers looked down again at the torn ledger sheet and tried to make sense of it. Neatly printed but filled with misspellings was the title \u201ceating places in vir. City\u201d with an alphabetical list starting with\u00a0 Buket of Blud and ending with Zelda\u2019s caf\u00e9 (reel good pie)<\/p>\n

    The next column on the ledger was label \u201cLadies\u201d and had a list of female names accompanied by hair color and an occasional notation like \u201csmells good in church\u201d,\u201d very pretty \u201c or\u00a0 \u201chas all her teeth\u201d or \u201c dances in buket of blud\u201d\u00a0 \u201clovely and pretty nice pie\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat the heck did you send me?\u201d Adam puzzled. He handed his brother the sheet of ledger paper.<\/p>\n

    In the dim light of the attic, Joe held the paper in his hand and examined it. All the emotions that he had felt at the moment he wrote the list, came flooding back to him. He remembered all the anguish and fear of losing his beloved big brother. \u201cIt was my attempt to create some bait to lure you back home. You had written Pa that you were thinking of staying in Boston and not coming back home. I didn\u2019t know what your grandfather was doing to you, Adam.\u201d Abel Stoddard\u2019s deception never failed to amaze the Cartwrights even years later.<\/p>\n

    Adam nodded silently. He thought he had put his grandfather\u2019s dishonesty behind him but he realized how much it had colored his ability to trust his own judgement in women for years. Finally, this time, Adam was absolutely positive that Kate was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, here in Virginia City.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSomehow, I got it in my childish mind that your wanting to stay in Boston had something to do with all the pretty girls and restaurants there. I was just a little kid.\u201d He looked at the list again \u201cDances in the Bucket of Blood. Wonder if Pa knew that I was eyeing dance hall girls?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhy don\u2019t you ask him?\u201d Adam teased. \u201cI\u2019m sure he would be overjoyed to know about your past shenanigans.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cBy the way, did you know your bride was the one who helped me assemble all this information?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

    \u201dKate? What did Kate have to do with this\u2026 this peculiar inventory?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dDo you think I was smart enough to figure how to write this list on my own? I was so upset that you weren\u2019t coming back home she told me to lure you back with this amazing masterpiece.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam laughed harder than he had in months. \u201cKate? Luring your brother back home? Sounds like this bait worked twice in my lifetime.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cMaybe we should add Katie\u2019s name to the bottom of the list?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dIn great big red letter, Buddy. Big, gigantic letters!\u201d<\/p>\n

    Chapter 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

    To Kate, the weeks Adam would be back east seemed like the longest piece of time in the universe. Every time she thought about him leaving tears came to her eyes. She completely understood that responsible Adam had to go back to Boston to finish off things with Stoddard and Bruce and make arrangements with Dennis to develop the San Francisco office. She knew he had to be done but it didn\u2019t mean that Kate had to like it.\u00a0 Kate also knew she would miss him desperately.<\/p>\n

    Adam had told her that he would be home when the fruit trees in her front yard were in bloom. He would return to her when the cherry tree was billowing pink but before the spindly lilac with the heart shaped leaves would put out its few fragrant purple flowers. She consoled herself with the image of Adam walking up her front walk with the cherry tree blooming overhead. This time, he would be home to stay with her for good.<\/p>\n

    Together, they had immediately told Sam the wonderful news that they would be getting married when Adam returned. The little boy adored Adam Cartwright and was completely delighted. Without a moment\u2019s hesitation he decided that he would prefer to be called Sam Cartwright and that they should have a big chocolate cake at the wedding party.<\/p>\n

    When Kate told her childhood friend, Nancy Foster about the impending nuptials. Nancy sat down and started making lists and planning the wedding. \u201cYou should meet with Reverend Felcher before Adam leaves so you can reserve a date and all.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The only time Adam and Kate had available to see the minister was the Sunday before Adam left. Kate arranged for Sam to spend the afternoon with Nancy and her boys after church while she and Adam met with the Reverend in his parlor. Mrs. Felcher invited them for dinner but Katie politely declined. She wanted to have be alone with Adam in her own house over their own Sunday dinner as she knew it would be a very long time until he returned. He had booked passage on the Tuesday noon train and they had only a few days left together before he was gone.<\/p>\n

    Kate walked over to the kitchen table with two pieces of blueberry pie for dessert. Kate stopped and placed a hand on Adam\u2019s muscled forearm. He reached up and turned her to face him. Her chin was quivering noticeably and he placed a gentle finger against it. “I\u2019ll miss you, Adam,\u201d she said sadly.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019ll write you every day, Katie.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI will too. But it\u2019s not the same as having you here.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo, it isn\u2019t. I\u2019ll miss you more than I can tell you, Kate.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cSam said he wanted to write to you too.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dI showed him Boston on the map, the other night when I put him to bed.\u201d Adam rubbed the bruise on his forehead that he got banging his head into the narrow doorframe in Sam\u2019s little room. He continued to forget to duck his head in her small, low ceiling upstairs rooms. The only tall person who ever lived in the house was Kate\u2019s father, Hank and now Adam understood why Hank and Leah used the downstairs bedroom while Kate and her aunt and uncle slept upstairs. \u201dSam sort of thought Boston was near San Francisco. I showed him how to measure the mileage between places too.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhere did you get the map?\u201d She asked as she refilled his coffee cup.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe found an atlas in Mim\u2019s book shelf the other night when you were finishing up at the\u00a0Enterprise. We had pulled out some of the books to make part of a bridge for his blocks.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Kate laughed picturing the two of them, head to head, sitting in the parlor constructing an intricate building project. Certainly this was something Adam had initiated as Sammy\u2019s inventions tended to be more in the realm of silly puppet shows or battles between squadrons of tin soldiers fighting the wooden Noah\u2019s ark animals. Sam called it the Monkey Wars. She was delighted that the two of them were getting on so well.<\/p>\n

    \u201cLook what was wedged in the back of the book shelf behind everything.\u201d He walked over to the shelf near the fireplace where he had neatly put back all the books that he and Sammy had pulled out. Adam came back with a big drawing pad and presented it to Kate.<\/p>\n

    She stood up to move the dishes over and make space for the pad on the kitchen table.<\/p>\n

    \u201cOh my goodness! It\u2019s my drawings from when I lived here as a little girl. My uncle made me this pad from the ends of newsprint from the\u00a0Enterprise<\/em>. Mim must have saved it.\u201d She took it from Adam and flipping through the pages. There were pen and ink pictures of crooked fruit bowls and a watercolor sunset over the mountains, pencil drawings of Foster and Mim, a few portraits of her parents and lots of pictures of horses. The last few pages showed a few attempts at what was clearly the barn on the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThat\u2019s the barn on the Ponderosa.\u201d she pointed out.<\/p>\n

    Adam smiled as she recognized the picture. \u201dKeep going,\u201d he directed his soon to be wife.<\/p>\n

    Kate flipped over to the next page and stared at a picture of the Ponderosa horse corral. Centered in the middle of the page on a rearing horse was a handsome, black haired cowboy that looked very much like Adam Cartwright, his hand tapping the brim of his hat. It was framed with garlands of hearts and flowers and doves. She stared at the picture remembering the day she drew it and how Adam had always made her feel. \u201cIt was always you, Adam Cartwright. Always. And it always will be you.\u201d She smiled and stood up from the table.<\/p>\n

    He rounded the table and took her hand.\u00a0The drawing pad fell to the floor, abandoned.<\/p>\n

    He tried to ignore the excitement coursing through his veins.\u00a0\u00a0He touched her arm with just the tips of his fingers, and, when she didn\u2019t draw away, slipped his hand slowly up to her shoulder. She shivered, and moved closer to him, into the circle of his arms. He drew her in to his chest, and she could feel the steady beat of his heart. He let his fingers trace lightly down the lines of her back to rest at her waist. Kate didn\u2019t pull away.<\/p>\n

    Kate reached up, putting her arms around Adam\u2019s neck. She drew his head down so that, standing on tiptoe, she could kiss him. \u201cAdam Cartwright, I love you. I always have,\u201d she whispered huskily.<\/p>\n

    Adam half closed his eyes and breathed in her perfume. He wanted this woman. In fact, he wanted her very badly for a very long time. \u201cKate, you\u2019ll never know how much I love you.\u201d\u00a0He leaned down; his mouth hovered close to hers.<\/p>\n

    He could finally admit to himself how much he was hungering for her. Perhaps it was time for this to happen for both of them. He kissed her with more passion than he had ever kissed any woman before.<\/p>\n

    \u201cKate I love you,\u201d said Adam as he kissed her with more heat.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDon\u2019t stop,\u201d she moaned pulling him closer. Adam groaned as his hard body tensed with the effort of restraint. He wouldn\u2019t make love to her unless she was willing. He finally broke from her, and smiled as he heard the small whimper of protest from her lips.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDon\u2019t stop,\u201d she pleaded. Kate\u2019s heart raced. She closed her eyes and tried to think clearly. All that was in her mind was what Adam was doing right that instant. Nothing else in the world mattered at all but the intense fire between them.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI want you, Kate,\u201d he whispered. He held off for a minute, allowing her time to think. Adam knew exactly what he wanted but this had to be Kate\u2019s decision, not his.<\/p>\n

    Kate could hear his heart pounding as she rested her head on his chest. She opened her eyes, their depths showing no confusion. She knew he was allowing her the choice. There was absolutely no indecision in her heart or in her mind.<\/p>\n

    She wanted him. She wanted him to kiss her, and touch her. Finally, when neither could resist one minute more, she seized his hand and led him down the hallway. Adam followed, becoming increasingly excited. She knew what was coming, and he wanted her very badly.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u00a0want you, too, Adam, \u201cshe looked deeply into his dark eyes.
    \nKate took him by the hand and led him into the back bedroom.<\/p>\n

    Part 10 <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Hoss and the Widow<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Chapter 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cI need one of you boys to go up to deliver those horses to Otis Massey\u2019s widow\u201d, Ben announced at the breakfast table two days after Adam had left for Boston. There was a lot of work to be done.<\/p>\n

    \u201cGee, Pa, I would just love to go up to Elm Grove, the armpit of Nevada Territory, but I would rather have a lunch date with a rattle snake in my bare feet.\u201d Joe smirked.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSounds like fun, Joe! Guess you really want to go to Elm Grove so I\u2019ll guess I\u2019ll jest let you, \u201cHoss laughed. He passed the platter of eggs to his father.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMe? Want to go to Elm Grove? No sir!\u00a0 I went last time. It\u2019s not my turn to go to that stink hole.\u201d Joe shook his head. He poured syrup over his flapjacks.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAre you sure, Joe? Hoss?\u201d Ben looked at both of his sons. \u201cJoe went the last time?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Hoss nodded sadly confirming that his brother was telling the truth. \u201cJoe went up there a couple of months ago when Otis got that little herd of cattle he wanted for breeding. Remember he went with that feller who came from down near Tucson. Tom was his name. Otis died not long after.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dThat\u2019s right, Joe went to Elm Grove last time.\u201d Ben agreed. No one wanted to go to Elm Grove no matter what time of the year it was. It was smack in the middle of the desert and a miserable trip.<\/p>\n

    \u201dSorry Big Brother, guess it is your turn.\u201d Even though there was still a bit of flapjacks left on his plate, Joe put down his napkin and quickly stood up from the table before his father changed his mind. Joe was clearly relieved that he didn\u2019t have to make the long ride up to Elm Grove. \u201dGot to get going, Pa. I want to see how Hays is doing with those horses if Hoss is going to be delivering them this week.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cPa, are you sure the widow still wants those horses now that Otis is gone?\u201d Hoss put a second helping of ham and eggs on his plate.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI wrote and asked her. She said that she did. Otis had a foreman running the place for him the last year or so and Mrs. Massey said she is keeping the fellow on.\u00a0 And she wants the horses as soon as we think we can get them up there.\u201d<\/p>\n

    By the beginning of the next week Hoss and two hands had brought the string of horses up to the Massey Ranch. It was an arduous ride through hot, rocky, dry dessert until they reached the canyon where the Massey spread was located. Otis had the only spring for miles around and the ranch was a green oasis in the middle of dusty tan scrub and dry rocky outcroppings.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMr. Cartwright, \u201cthe foreman said as he checked out the horses, \u201cMrs. Massey said for you to come up to the house for dinner when you are done. She wants to go over the bill of sale and all the papers. Your men can join the hands at the bunkhouse if they want. We got a good cook down here and some poker games going on.\u201d
    \nHoss was tempted to join the other men, but felt that out of respect for his father\u2019s old friend Otis, he should have dinner with Widow Massey. \u201cSure, tell her I\u2019ll be up right quick.\u201d Hoss went over to the pump and tried to clean himself up a bit before he walked up to the main house.<\/p>\n

    \u201cOh don\u2019t bother with that, Mr. Cartwright. Mrs. Massey said that you should ride right up there and the housekeeper would set you up with some hot water and all.\u201d Hoss smiled thinking that some hot water and a good dinner would make up for the two day desert ride and a respectful visit to an old widow.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJust ride up the road to the right, Mr. Cartwright. You\u2019ll see the house as soon as you get over the rise. You can\u2019t miss it! I\u2019ll make sure your men gets dinner and a bunk down here and someone will go up and tend to your horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Hoss had never seen anything like the Massey mansion anywhere. It looked like a flamboyant cross between a fancy wedding cake and a sumptuous fairy tale castle. Otis had spared no money in building his elaborately, gaudy painted house. There were dozens of colorful stained glass windows shining in the sun, opulent turrets, and purple and pink ginger bread trim rising over multi-tiered porches and iron railed balconies.<\/p>\n

    He tied Chubb on an ornate iron hitching post. Then he ambled through a tall gate in the lacy iron fence in front of the house. As he eyed everything around him, he slowly walked up the polished pink marble steps to the massive turquoise painted front door. The golden door knocker was in the shape of the head of a beautiful woman. On either side of the door, huge cast iron urns overflowed with scarlet, burgundy and cherry blossom pink geraniums and orange nasturtiums.<\/p>\n

    Before Hoss could knock, the housekeeper in a black uniform with a starched white apron opened the door wide. She took his hat and cordially invited him inside. \u201cWe saw you ride up, Mr. Cartwright. Mrs. Massey said that she would be in to join you very shortly. Would you like to wash up, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dThank you kindly, that would be mighty appreciated.\u201d Hoss slung his saddlebags over his shoulder and followed the housekeeper to a lavish bedroom. She had laid out fresh, monogramed white towels and fancy milled yellow soap that smelled like lemon custard. \u201cThere is plenty of hot water. Just call me if there is anything I can get you, sir. I\u2019ll bring you cold drinks in a few minutes. Dinner will be in an hour.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Hoss thanked her. He washed up and pulled a fresh shirt out of his saddlebag. Checking his reflection in the mirror, he ran a comb through his hair and decided he was sufficiently cleaned up for Widow Massey and dinner.<\/p>\n

    Hoss made his way down the lavish hallway to the parlor. The walls were paneled with polished mahogany two thirds of the way up and the upper third was wallpapered with crimson flocked silk. Large and small paintings adorned every available space and statuary was mounted on pedestals or in niches in the walls.\u00a0 Hoss stood with his hand on his chin looking at the various ornately framed paintings and marble and gilt statues of nymphs and goddesses. Just as he was trying to decide if he preferred the painting of a voluptuous woman reclining on a cottony cloud over the painting of the bare breasted mermaids bathing in an iridescent turquoise sea, he heard someone enter the foyer behind him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMr. Cartwright, welcome to my home,\u201d a soft female voice called out melodiously. Hoss turned to greet Widow Massey. He was expecting to see an elderly widow and was shocked to see a tall voluptuous red headed woman standing in the doorway. She was dressed in a ruffled leafy green satin gown. Diamonds and emeralds sparkled in her ears and at her throat.<\/p>\n

    For a moment, Hoss was tongue tied. He had assumed Otis Massey\u2019s wife was an old woman. Here was one of the most beautiful young women he had ever seen in his life.<\/p>\n

    \u201dMr. Cartwright?\u201d she repeated. Hoss nodded. \u201cI hope my housekeeper gave you everything you needed.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dYes M\u2019am. Everything was just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dHow was the trip from the Ponderosa?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cFine, M\u2019am. I left my wranglers down with your foreman at the corral. He took care of the horses we brought.\u201d Hoss usually was not good at meeting strangers but somehow this was not the case. He stared at Otis Massey\u2019s widow trying to figure out why he felt so comfortable with someone he just met.<\/p>\n

    Mrs. Massey nodded and smiled. \u201cMy foreman is an extremely capable man and he told me the horses will work out quite well, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cJest call me Hoss, M\u2019am. Mr. Cartwright is my Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

    She extended her delicate white hand to him. \u201cThen you should call me Andrea, Hoss. You might be more comfortable with just calling me Andrea. You always did when we were in school together.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Chapter 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

    By the second or third trip out to Elm Grove the relationship between Hoss and the widow Massey had become much more personal and intimate. He could not believe his remarkable good fortune every time he woke up and saw her sleeping next to him. He would sit up in bed, propped on one elbow, and watch his sweet Andrea sleep, her coppery hair fanned out on the satin pillowcase.<\/p>\n

    Each trip became longer and longer and he ran out of excuses to tell the family why he was so interested in traveling to Elm Grove. At one point he almost told Joe. They were putting up their horses in the barn many months after that first trip.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJoe, did you ever want to marry a gal?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dSure but the next morning when I took a good look at her in the day light, I changed my mind.\u201d Joe laughed and continued rubbing down Cochise.<\/p>\n

    Hoss turned bright red. Joe quickly realized that his brother was not just making idle conversation or asking about when Joe was going final settle down and stop chasing every pretty girl who crossed his path even if she had a boyfriend. His brother had something about himself on his mind. \u201cSure Hoss, you know that but somehow it never quite worked out for me. Maybe someday, it will.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Just at the moment, as Hoss was about to say something about finding Andrea Lowell, one of the hands came in to the barn to check if he could get an advance on his pay and Hoss got cold feet.<\/p>\n

    The very last time he visited Andrea; they were sitting on the front porch watching the orange sun go down behind the hills. Hoss was comfortably sitting on a wide wooden porch swing with Andrea close beside him. He was trying to think of the words to say to share what was in his heart but could not. It could wait until later or tomorrow, he thought contentedly as he stroked her gingery hair.<\/p>\n

    Andrea turned and looked deeply into his blue eyes \u201cHoss, there is something I need to talk to you about. About my life and what happened to me in the past.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Hoss looked at her anxious face. At some level he was completely aware that many things must have happened to her between their school days, and her marrying old Otis and when they found each other again, but he didn\u2019t really want to know them. Hoss never wanted make her upset by asking about those lost years.<\/p>\n

    After a few visits, he had finally recognized why so many of the art works in the Massey home looked familiar to him. He had remembered the long ago evening when he and his brothers and Dennis O\u2019Mara enjoyed the Palace in San Francisco. Hoss was certain that he did not want to know more than he already knew. Andrea loved him and he was completely and totally in love with her. He was happier with her than he had ever been in his entire life.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAndrea, there ain\u2019t no need to tell me anything. Our life together started when I brought those horses up here that time. That\u2019s enough for me to know.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo Hoss, you have to know this, all of it. It\u2019s about Little Joe and why we left Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dLittle Joe?\u201d Hoss could not imagine what his baby brother had to do with any of this. \u201cWhat about Joe?\u201d Hoss asked gently taking her soft hand in his.<\/p>\n

    \u201cRemember when you first came here and I asked about your brothers?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Hoss nodded. Andrea had asked how his family was and seemed surprised each time he said anything about two brothers.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI thought he might be dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dDead? Joe is just fine. Why would you think he is dead, Andrea?\u201d<\/p>\n

    She looked down at her smooth white hands. \u201dI just imagined he might be\u2026 the last time I saw him he was so badly hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Hoss was confused. He could comprehend what she was saying. Andrea sighed. \u201cHoss, I need to tell you this, even if you don\u2019t want to know any more about me. I need to tell you this part.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n

    She nodded. \u201cThis part you need to know. The last time I saw Little Joe was the night my mother shot my uncle, Ramsey Lowell.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Hoss opened his mouth but no words came out.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMy mother shot Ramsey with the shot gun my brother Danny brought home with him from the Ponderosa. It was a fancy one that he still carries to this day. \u201c<\/p>\n

    \u201dA fancy shot gun? A gun he got from the Ponderosa?\u201d Hoss drew in a breath. Daniel had stolen Pa\u2019s birthday rifle.<\/p>\n

    After all these years, he had finally discovered what had become of the wonderful, ornate shot gun the boys had purchased for Ben Cartwright\u2019s birthday years before. Now Hoss knew who took the gun that was hidden in the tack room.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDanny stole the shot gun and brought it home. He had some sort of idea that he was going to defend us. He thought he could use the gun to protect my ma and Puddin\u2019 and me. But Uncle Ramsey found it and took it away from him. He put it in the stock room of the store and gave Daniel a whipping. A bad whipping.\u201d<\/p>\n

    She looked right at Hoss.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThen he had his way with all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Hoss shivered thinking of the horror that must have been going on in that house behind the hardware store. \u201cAndrea, why didn\u2019t you tell anyone Sheriff Coffee or Pa\u2026 or me.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dMama told us not to air our dirty linen. She was fearful. Uncle Ramsey had already taken all of what Papa had left. She feared he would throw us out and that she would not be able to feed us. Or that Ramsey would even take custody of us. He told her that he could. She was very scared, Hoss. Panicked. She had always depended on my father to take care of everything and she didn\u2019t know what to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Hoss nodded but he could not really comprehend Mrs. Lowell\u2019s situation. His father would never have let anyone harm his children, or any other children for that matter. \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you tell my Pa? He told you to come to him anytime\u2026I remember he told you that at your Pa\u2019s funeral?\u201d he put his arms protectively around her.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI know he did. He even came around to the store a few times to check up on things. Adam did too but Mama \u2026she was too scared or too proud or too foolish. I don\u2019t know what. Fear clouds how you make decisions. I finally got Danny to go tell your Pa and get us some help but for some reason he got scared and stole that shot gun instead of asking for assistance. He was only a frightened little boy, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cThen what happened, Andrea? What does this have to do with Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dThey looked so much alike, Daniel and Little Joe. \u201c<\/p>\n

    \u201cThey sure did, same hair and coloring and all. Joe looked more like your brother Daniel, than he looked like me and Adam. Remember how strangers would think they were brothers?\u201d Hoss nodded.<\/p>\n

    \u201dMama saw Ramsey beating a boy in the schoolhouse. It was your brother but Mama thought it was Daniel.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Hoss began to comprehend what must have occurred and his stomach turned. \u201cThe time, Joe got so bad hurt? I was out with the hands on the round up and Joe beat up real bad. Adam tended to him all alone until Pa got back.\u201d Hoss remembered that it was a long stretch until his poor brother was recovered and back on his feet from what Ramsey Lowell had done to the boy.<\/p>\n

    Hoss looked at her sitting so calmly telling the story as if she was telling an account about someone else who no longer existed or a scary tale in a book.<\/p>\n

    Andrea continued on. It was almost as if she didn\u2019t hear one word he had said and just needed to finish telling Hoss her dreadful story before she lost her own courage. \u201dMama saw Ramsey beating Little Joe and thought he was beating her own son. Mama thought Ramsey was killing Danny. She had enough. She went back into the storeroom and got the shotgun, the one Danny had stolen from the Ponderosa. She killed Ramsey to protect Danny\u2026 but it was Little Joe he was maiming. Danny was in our house but she didn\u2019t know it. She came home and told me that she had killed my uncle. And when I ran across and saw\u2026\u201d she stopped suddenly.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou don\u2019t have to tell me more,\u201d Hoss said protectively.<\/p>\n

    \u201dNo, Hoss, you need to hear the entire thing. I need to tell you the entire story. \u201c<\/p>\n

    He pressed his lips in a straight line and resolved to listen without interrupting, no matter how painful. His heart cried out for her distress.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI saw, she had killed my uncle and I was so happy he was dead. I\u2019m sorry that I was happy about someone being dead, Hoss, but I was happy Ramsey Lowell was dead. Joe was lying all hurt in the mud, in the rain. I think he must have hit his head falling down the stairs or something. And I put him on his horse and sent him home. Hoss, I should have brought him to Doc Martin. I\u2019m so sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cHe\u2019s fine Andrea. He is just fine. What happened next?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dCy saw it all and he told us we had better get out of town or they would hang Mama, and maybe even me for killing Ramsey and maybe we would get accused of killing Little Joe Cartwright. It was storming bad that night, the whole week.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dCy? Who is Cy?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

    \u201dRemember the redheaded freight driver? Cyrus? Cyrus Carnigan? He used to hang around the store. He was always trying to flirt with me, Hoss. He drove us all out of Virginia City that night in the freight wagon and brought us up to Carson City.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Hoss was silent. He remembered Cy and what kind of fellow he was. Now he knew what had happened so long, long ago. But it still didn\u2019t matter one bit. Nothing mattered enough to change what he felt for this woman. He wanted to marry her more than ever. He just felt terribly sorrowful for all the tragedy and pain that Andrea Lowell had to endure and no one ever knew.<\/p>\n

    \u201cRamsey deserved what he got.\u201d Gentle Hoss was surprised to hear his own voice say such a vengeful thing. \u201cRamsey Lowell was pure evil and he deserved everything he got, maybe even more. What happened to your Mama and Puddin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dThey\u2019re both gone, Hoss. My mother and Puddin\u2019 both died from the fever that first winter. Ma never spoke after that night. She sort of just closed up like a withered flower and faded away. It was up to me and Daniel to provide whatever way we could.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The two sat silently for a moment then in a low voice she confessed her deepest fear, \u201cCy said no one would want me but him. No good man would want me.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Hoss took both of his hands in hers, \u201cI\u2019m a good man, Andrea and I want you.\u201d
    \nShe looked at Hoss and smiled.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou should have written to us. We would have taken care of you at the Ponderosa. I would have come and got you no matter where you were or how far. I would have come to get you anywhere you were.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dWe couldn\u2019t Hoss, Cy told us that we would hang for Ramsey\u2019s death and by the time I realized it was all a disgusting self-serving lie, it was much too late to go back. Much too late.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Chapter 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The oppressive heat had gone on for over a week and everyone in Virginia City was completely worn out by it. It was a blazing hot day and Joe had just spent the last hour loading the wagon in front of the Mercantile with Hays Newkirk and the Ponderosa foreman\u2019s twelve-year-old son Casey.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe\u2019ll see you back at the Ponderosa, Joe.\u201d Hay\u2019s Newkirk shouted. He was going to stop off at the sheriff\u2019s office to leave one of his wife\u2019s cherry pies for their son, Deputy Dean Newkirk who had recently started to work for Clem Foster.<\/p>\n

    \u201cTell my pal Dean to come by the Silver Dollar if he has the time. I\u2019ll buy him a beer!\u201d Joe called. He missed his spending time with his boyhood friend since he had moved out of the foreman\u2019s house on the Ponderosa to get married and work in Virginia City.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019ll tell my brother! \u201c Young Casey waved as they set off in the loaded buckboard.<\/p>\n

    Joe still had to kill a few hours until the next stage arrived and he could get the shipment of some manuscripts from San Francisco that were arriving for Kate. Phil Bartlett was sending her some of his friend John Muir\u2019s latest writings and hoped that Kate would edit some of chapters of his newest book and use his commentaries in the\u00a0Enterprise<\/em>. Adam agreed with some of Muir\u2019s ideas but felt he was sometimes too extreme with his beliefs. He was concerned about Kate printing something that might start another Cherry Creek controversy like the one years earlier that got her Uncle Foster Wallace killed. She firmly insisted that Adam should mind his own business. There was no way she was going to let her husband or anyone else dictate editorial policy in the\u00a0Enterprise.<\/em> Adam insisted, just as firmly, that Katie should just proceed cautiously in something that could possibly endanger her.<\/p>\n

    Later Joe planned to have dinner with his father and Adam at the International Hotel and to carry the manuscript parcel with him. By the time Joe had finished, with the wagon, it was a little past three o\u2019clock in the afternoon. He strolled over to the Silver Dollar for a beer and to see if any of his friends were around. Hopefully Hays would pass on his invitation to his son and Dean would come by. Since Dean got married and became a deputy, Joe hardly got to see him. It was still too early for the night crowd and Joe found himself one of the few customers in the dimly lit saloon.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhere is everyone, Cosmo?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked accepting his mug of beer from the bar tender. He took the first icy sip of his beer and then slowly took a second.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBeen this quiet all day, Joe.\u00a0 It\u2019ll pick up soon though.\u00a0The early shift miners will get here pretty soon and then it will be nonstop for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Cosmo started mopping up the floor. Joe took his beer over to the far side of the long bar to get out of his way. He pushed his hat to the back of his head and wearily leaned on the bar. He had the disconcerting experience of seeing his own reflection doubled in the mirror behind the bar. For an instant, Joe thought he saw his own face reflected twice, once in his own true reflection: a handsome man in a tan shirt, his hat pushed back on his curly brown hair drinking a beer at the bar. The other image was a curly haired man with similar features wearing in blue checked shirt sitting alone on the other side of the saloon drinking whiskey at a table. The two men made brief eye contact in the mirror and then went back to their individual business.<\/p>\n

    As Joe nursed his single beer the saloon started to fill up. A noisy crowd of dusty hands from the Bar H walked in and took over the tables in the rear for a rowdy poker game. The early shift of miners started filing in many of the other seats. The bar girls in glittery finery started to emerge from their upstairs quarters like tawdry butterflies emerging from a tarnished cocoon. Before he ordered his third beer Joe realized an hour and a half had passed and Dean Newkirk never took him up on his invitation for a beer. Joe decided that his friend must have been too busy or Clem was just being a slave driver and not permitting the new deputy to take a break.<\/p>\n

    It was just about time for the stage to arrive so Joe decided to head over to the stage depot. Joe tossed some coins on the bar for Cosmo and was about to head out when the bar keep nervously called him over to the end of the bar.<\/p>\n

    \u201cGee Joe, did you see that feller in here before? If I didn\u2019t know better, I would have sworn he was you. He looked more like your brother than your own brothers do.\u201d<\/p>\n

    His comment about someone looking more like your brother than your brothers had vaguely familiar sound to Joe Cartwright. When had he last heard that comment?<\/p>\n

    \u201dDid you talk to him?\u201d Joe asked. He was curious to find out who the guy was.<\/p>\n

    \u201dYeah, when he first came in, just like I said. It was just for a minute. I thought he was you and said \u2018Hi Joe\u2019 but realized it wasn\u2019t you as soon as he got closer. The fella said he used to live here abouts when he was a kid and came into town with some associates to do some business at the bank.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dCatch his name?\u201d Joe wondered if the guy was anyone he knew, especially if he grew up around Virginia City.<\/p>\n

    \u201dThink he said it was Davy\u2026 No, Denny or Danny. One of the beer kegs started to leak just about then and I had to go straighten out the mess. The fellow moved over to that table in the back.\u201d Cosmo pointed to a round table near the battered upright piano. No one was seated there anymore. Cosmo shrugged his beefy shoulders. \u201cGuess he left. Said he would be back next week.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe nodded. \u201cMaybe I\u2019ll run into him another time.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cMaybe. And he asked about the\u00a0Enterprise<\/em>\u00a0too.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dThe\u00a0Enterprise<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dYeah, said his business associate was looking to talk to the editor about something. Must want to run an ad or something.<\/p>\n

    \u201cOr maybe they are looking to buy land or hire some men,\u201d Joe guessed.<\/p>\n

    \u201dThat\u2019s what I figured so I told him Kate Cartwright is the owner and his friend should talk to her.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt\u2019s too hot for me to do much hard thinking. I\u2019ll see you!\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe made his way over to the depot for Kate\u2019s delivery and then to meet up with Adam and his father for dinner at the International Hotel. In the year that Adam and Kate had been married, this had almost become a routine. Whichever of the Cartwright men were available on Tuesday night, met up for dinner in the hotel. Sometimes, Adam even brought his stepson Sam along. The men usually tried to sort out the next week\u2019s work schedule and catch up on things before Adam went home to his wife in the little yellow house and the rest of the family rode out to the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

    The men often met on a night when Kate was putting the latest edition of the\u00a0Enterprise\u00a0<\/em>to bed. She would take Sam with her and he would put the used type back in place for her, empty the trash, refill the paste pots and sweep up the floor at the end of the evening. Adam was very proud of how industrious the boy was becoming.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAdam, do you have those contracts for Fischer ready? I want to get the men started on the cutting if it is all completed.\u201d Ben asked as the waiter brought their dinner.<\/p>\n

    Adam nodded. \u201cI finished them this afternoon. I\u2019m all set to meet with Jack Fischer tomorrow afternoon to get his signature.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cTell Jack that I send his lovely, sweet mother my fondest regards.\u201d Joe teased remembering the distasteful confrontation with pretentious Mrs. Fischer when Joe had defended Kate against her gossip. Joe had never forgiven Mrs. Fischer\u2019s insults against his sister-in-law even after Kate had laughed it all off.<\/p>\n

    \u201cLet bygones be bygones, Joseph,\u201d Ben shook his head. \u201cNo sense carrying grudges against a sour gossip when Kate has put it all behind her.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat else is going on? What\u2019s Hoss doing this week?\u201d Adam asked about his absent brother.<\/p>\n

    “You know how Hoss used to hate those rides to Elm Grove? Heck he\u2019d rather do just about anything than be in that dusty hell hole. Yet he just jumped at the chance last night didn\u2019t he? I say it\u2019s more than business that takes him back to that part of the desert.\u201d Joe added as he put down his fork.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMaybe he is helping out at the mission the Catholic nuns started up near there? They are helping out the Paiutes and take in some of the orphans from that area instead of bringing them all the way down to the crowded orphanage here in town.\u201d Adam suggested. He wiped his mouth with the white linen napkin.<\/p>\n

    Ben shook his head. \u201cHoss would have told us if he was helping the nuns and the orphans. It\u2019s been going on a long time, now.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cHow long?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt\u2019s been going on since last year when he brought those horses up to Otis Massey\u2019s widow,\u201d Ben pointed out as leaned back in his chair. \u201cAt least a year.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cOtis died?\u201d Adam asked. He took the last bite of his steak and signaled the waitress to bring their coffee.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSure, Adam, Otis Massey died. That\u2019s why he has a widow. She couldn\u2019t be a widow if he wasn\u2019t dead.\u201d They all laughed at Joe\u2019s absurd comment.<\/p>\n

    \u201cOtis died quite a while ago. It must have been just before you got married,\u201d Ben declared.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI guess your mind was on other things when it happened.\u201d Joe winked at his father and Ben chuckled. \u201cRight, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cSo maybe he is helping the old lady out with the ranch. You know how kindhearted Hoss is with old folks, \u201cAdam hypothesized.<\/p>\n

    Ben stared silently into the last remains of his coffee \u2013 but said nothing. He smiled as he had his suspicions but was not about to say anything to his other boys. Hoss was always looking for reasons to travel up in that area and whenever he came back he strolled around smiling for days. Then he would cook up another reason to head up that way. It had been going on for quite a while but Ben would respect his son\u2019s privacy. Ben would let Hoss share whatever he wanted to share in his own good time. If Adam and Hoss wanted to cross examine their brother, he wasn\u2019t getting involved.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhy don\u2019t you, boys ask your brother when he comes back? He should be back from Elm Grove by Thursday night, \u201cBen instructed. Then he changed the subject. \u201cJoe, I\u2019ll need you to go up to the lumber mill and check on the work there. If Adam is finalizing the order for Fischer\u2019s mine, we need to make sure we have enough men working up there for that timber and the order for the place Havermeyer is building as a wedding gift for his daughter. You can leave tomorrow and be back in a day or so.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cSounds fine to me. I won\u2019t mind going up and getting away from this heat. And don\u2019t forget, Big Brother that Sammy is coming out to the Ponderosa on Friday night. And make sure he packs enough drawers this time or we may have to borrow some of Hoss\u2019s for him.\u201d Joe remarked. He pushed his empty plate back and wiped his mouth on his napkin.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSemper Ubi, sub ubi\u201d Adam recited in Latin.<\/p>\n

    \u201cOk, Professor, what does that mean?\u201d Joe challenged leaning back and staring at Adam.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAlways wear underwear.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Ben laughed heartily. \u201cJust send Sam out with his gear and we\u2019ll be just fine. I didn\u2019t raise up the three of you not to know what to do with one little boy for a couple of days.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019m meeting Hoss in town on Friday and we can straighten out the deposits and paper work he brings back from Elm Grove. Then I\u2019ll send Sam home with him. Thanks for taking him. Kate and I really appreciate it.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe are always glad to have your boy on the Ponderosa,\u201d Ben smiled. He knew what it was like to be a newlywed with little boys running under foot and try to find time alone with his wife.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe love having him around. We\u2019ll bring him home for Sunday dinner,\u201d Joe added.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd Joe, remember what Kate said about teaching him to play poker.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYes sir, Adam sir. We wouldn\u2019t want Kate to be mad at me. Not one bit. Any way that kid always wins, Adam. Last time he wanted me to bet Cochise against that silly little box of dominos you gave him.\u201d<\/p>\n

    For an instant Adam almost believed his brother. Then he realized that Joe was just teasing him.\u201d And you backed out? I\u2019m surprised Joe, I thought you liked dominos.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYour brother likes dominos, but he loves Cochise,\u201d Ben said. \u201cEnjoy your time with your wife, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

    PART 11<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Hell Fire<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Chapter 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Friday<\/u><\/p>\n

    The heat of the day had just about reached its peak as the Cartwrights walked out of the Mercantile into the quiet street. Few people were out on the street. Most had taken shelter from the glaring sun inside. The sun burned white-hot overhead in a totally cloudless blue sky.<\/p>\n

    The air itself was almost too hot to breathe, like standing too close to the black smith\u2019s forge or opening up a gateway to Hades and inhaling the blast of hell fire. The reflected sunlight coming up off Main Street was dazzling as it shimmered off the hot dry dirt. Sweat broke instantly from their skins, and they all put their hats on to shade their eyes against the shimmering glare.<\/p>\n

    Sam was carrying a small white paper that had been twisted into a cone and filled with lemon drops, hoar hound drops, peppermints and rock candy. He thoughtfully selected a piece and passed the paper to tall man standing next to him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThanks Papa,\u201d the boy said smiling broadly at Adam.<\/p>\n

    Adam returned his grin and said \u201cMy pleasure, Son.\u201d Sam had only recently been able feel comfortable calling him \u201cPa\u201d rather than \u201cAdam\u201d as he had when he first married Kate. He was totally enjoying the feeling that it gave him. His little family had settled into a comfortable routine, living for the time being in Mim\u2019s old house while Adam drew up detailed plans for a sizeable expansion in the fall.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat kind do you want Uncle?\u201d Sam said turning to Hoss. \u201cLemon, peppermint, hoar hound, rock candy or this red stuff?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cOr one of each?\u201d Hoss grinned. \u201cDon\u2019t know which is best. I\u2019ll have to test out them all.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou bought \u2018em. Have as many as you want.\u201d Sam grinned widely. His candy filled cheeks were puffed round like a squirrel\u2019s.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSure is hot,\u201d Hoss said. He took off his white hat and fanned himself with it for minute. \u201cGlad we are almost done with all these chores.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cJoe sure is the lucky one going up to the mill. Bet it\u2019s much cooler up by the lake.\u201d Adam decided.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThat lucky devil sure lucked out this time,\u201d Hoss observed. \u201cI sure wish Little Joe was here.\u201d The others assumed that Hoss wanted to share their suffering on the hellishly hot day with Joe but Hoss had another reason. He hoped to share some good news with his family when they were all together. He decided to wait until Joe got back and tell them everything all at once when they were at dinner.
    \n\u201cWhat\u2019s left Uncle Hoss?\u201d Sam asked looking up at him as the big man was lost in thought.<\/p>\n

    \u201cUm\u2026Huh?\u201d Hoss quickly made believe he was double checking the list he was holding in his hand.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDon\u2019t forget it is pay day, Sam.\u201d Adam reminded him. He drew a roll of bills out of his pocket. \u201cWorking men get wages. It\u2019s time you started.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Sam\u2019s face lit up. \u201dReally! I get money? Me?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dWell, son, \u201cAdam rubbed his jaw. \u201cI was about your age when Grandpa Ben started me on salary. Did you finish all those chores for your Ma every single day?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Sam nodded.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd Joe said you did a fine job helping with those fence lines and helping Casey clean up the tack room. And your ma said you swept up at the Enterprise office for Phil.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dAnd don\u2019t forget, he takes care of the chickens back at your house, too, Adam,\u201d Hoss added.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYes, Papa. I tend to the chickens too and gather the eggs,\u201d Sam added.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJust subtract that dozen eggs he dropped that day he decided to learn how to juggle.\u201d Hoss laughed.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHow would this be for the first month?\u201d He pulled a dollar bill out of his wallet and handed it to the wide-eyed boy. \u201cNow remember, you need to save half of it, and put some in the collection plate. But the rest is yours.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Sam grinned proudly and nodded still looking at the dollar clutched in his sticky hand.
    \n\u201dNow don\u2019t spend all your money in one place.\u201d his father warned, patting him on his head. \u201cAnd don\u2019t let Uncle Joe scam you out of it playing poker tonight. You know your Ma doesn\u2019t want you gambling at cards.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo sir. I won\u2019t.\u201d Sam had never been prouder of himself before. He was now on the payroll just like all the other Cartwright men.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHoss, what\u2019s left on the list,\u201d Adam returned to errands. His throat was getting dry and scratchy.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJust the feed store bill, the bank and a nice cold drink, Little Buddy.\u201d Hoss patted his nephew on his head. \u201cWanna go with me or go with your Pa to settle up at the feed store.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dThe bank\u2026 It\u2019s cooler in there than in the feed store,\u201d Sam quickly decided. \u201cAnd I can open up an account for my salary. You said I need to save half, Papa.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cGoodness gracious, Adam. This boy is getting more and more like you every day. He\u2019s squirrelling away his acorns for winter jest like you. I\u2019ll help him open up an account while we are at the bank and save you the chore.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dThanks!\u201d Adam agreed. \u201cTake care of the banking and then we all will meet down at Daisy\u2019s Cafe for a nice cool drink and lunch too.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019ll buy the first round,\u201d Sam grinned. \u201cI just got paid!\u201d<\/p>\n

    Both men laughed at the little boy\u2019s enthusiastic imitation of what his father and uncles often said.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSounds good to me!\u201d Adam took his black hat off and wiped his forehead with his bandana. He suddenly felt the weight of the sheaf of papers in his back pocket.\u00a0 He pulled it out and cursed under his breath. For some peculiar reason, Jack Fischer, the mine owner\u2019s son who was now running the company always avoided dealings with Hoss or Little Joe. When he thought about it, Jack seemed to be incongruously afraid of Hoss and would grow pale when the larger man had anything to do with him. It was something Adam could never understand as Jack had grown up with his younger brothers.\u00a0Fischer would discuss business with only Adam or Ben Cartwright.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDang, Hoss, I still need to go up see your old pal Jack Fischer about those lumber contracts for the mine. Could you also get that stuff that Kate left for the seamstress at Lily\u2019s? She\u2019ll have my head if I don\u2019t bring it home for her.\u201d Adam requested.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI sure wouldn\u2019t want that to happen, Older Brother!\u201d Hoss winked at his brother thinking how Kate could rage when pushed to her limits by his forgetfulness. \u201cAnd I sure you and Pa don\u2019t want that devil Jack Fischer to wet his fancy britches by little old me bringing them papers over to his office.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam couldn\u2019t help but laugh at the picture Hoss presented.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhy don\u2019t we all meet in an hour? It should take you that long walking up the hill to Fischer\u2019s office and wait for him to read all those papers and then get back.\u201d Hoss proposed.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSee you then!\u201d Adam stood on the boardwalk watching his son and his brother walk away. The boy was excitedly discussing his plans for his regular Friday night visit with Hoss and Ben on the ranch. \u201cCould we play checkers after dinner Uncle Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dAnything you want Doc.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cUncle Joe is going to play with me too!\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dDon\u2019t beat him too bad, you know how put off that hombre can get when he loses. Don\u2019t want him sulking all weekend. \u201d Hoss teased. Sam giggled and put his small hand in his uncle\u2019s large one.<\/p>\n

    Adam smiled as he watched them walk away thinking of the lovely evening alone he would enjoy with his wife while their son enjoyed his overnight visit with his grandfather and uncles. Since they had married last year, Sam was a welcome weekend guest at the Ponderosa every few weeks. Adam and Kate enjoyed a little privacy and time alone in their little yellow house that had been Mim\u2019s.<\/p>\n

    Just as Adam rounded the corner of A Street, he crossed paths with Jack Fischer walking out of the barbershop. The mine owner was freshly shaved. Five feet away Adam could smell the odiferous lilac water that Jack had been doused with by the barber.<\/p>\n

    \u201dAdam Cartwright, just who I was hoping to see!\u201d\u00a0 The two men cordially shook hands.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJack, you saved me a trip in this heat to the other side of town. I have these papers for you to examine. \u201cAdam pulled the bedraggled envelope out of his pocket.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThink this weather will break?\u201d Fischer wiped his neck with an expensive white linen handkerchief. \u201cWhat do you say we meander across the street and get a cold one or two and take a glance at this paper work?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam agreed with Jack\u2019s suggestion. His throat was parched and a cold beer or even two sounded like an excellent choice. \u201cFine with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou buy the first round.\u201d Fischer said implying that they would not be quick to finish their meeting.<\/p>\n

    They headed down the broiling wooden sidewalk, passed the quiet mercantile and the scorched brick building housing the offices of Fischer mining. The two men crossed the hot, dusty street headed for the saloon opposite the bank. Then, the two overheated men strode through the swinging doors of the Silver Dollar and into the cool, shadowy darkness and took an empty table in a quiet corner. Adam spread the papers across the table.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHot enough for you? What can I do for you two handsome fellows?\u201d the perspiring bar maid asked with a wide smile to Jack. He rested his hand on her rear end as she waited for the order.<\/p>\n

    \u201cTwo nice cold beers,\u201d Adam ordered. He leaned back in the heavy wooden chair and watched as Jack quickly perused the papers. By the time the beers came to the table, Jack had finished and pronounced himself satisfied.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThat was pretty fast, Fischer,\u201d Adam pronounced taking a long swallow of his icy beer. He felt it cool his parched throat all the way down his gullet. \u201cI don\u2019t want to rush you. Are you sure everything is in order?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt\u2019s too hot to be working very hard. I\u2019m the owner, not a damn fool miner digging in a hole. I\u2019m sure everything is just fine, Adam. The Ponderosa has been supplying our lumber for years with no problems. No need to worry. All we need is the down payment and I\u2019ll send that out to you after the weekend. \u201cFischer pulled out his ornate gold pocket watch and checked the time. \u201cLook, I have time for one more beer and then I have to meet my lady friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI certainly don\u2019t want to delay you.\u201d Adam shook his head. Adam took another sip of his beer looking at him over the rim of the mug. Jack Fischer was married and had a couple of kids and saw absolutely nothing wrong with to telling folks about his numerous lady friends. Jack always believed in flirting with trouble and had absolutely no respect for women, especially his wife. No wonder Hoss and Joe had little use for him.<\/p>\n

    All of a sudden, there was a flurry of excitement across the street down by the bank. The door of the bank flew open and slammed back against the wall. The etched glass panel shattered in an explosion of pointed shards.<\/p>\n

    Five gun toting men tumbled out of the doorway. Their hats were pulled well down over their eyes, and their neckerchiefs covered up their faces. Two of them held canvas bank bags in their hands. One of them fired off his gun, aiming back into the bank. The retort echoed loudly off the buildings as they ran into the street.<\/p>\n

    Deputy Dean Newkirk came pounding back up the boardwalk his gun drawn. \u201cStop!\u201d he ordered.<\/p>\n

    \u201cLet\u2019s get out of here, boys!\u201d barked the dark man in the pale purple vest. The men rushed for the horses tied at the rail.\u00a0 The red headed outlaw tossed the canvas bag over his saddle and swung onto his horse, and took off down street at a furious gallop.<\/p>\n

    Morgan Chase, manager of the bank, stumbled to the bank door, clutching at his belly. Blood poured out between his fingers. He hollered, “Stop them! They robbed the bank! They\u2019ve robbed the bank! Stop them!” Then, Chase collapsed in a limp heap, blood puddling around him on the sun baked wooden sidewalk.<\/p>\n

    The few people out on the hot street scrambled for cover. Deputy Newkirk pegged a shot at one of the outlaws. The wounded man fell in a heap and was trampled under the hooves of the bay his companion was riding.<\/p>\n

    The third outlaw, the red shirted man on the bay, swung his mount round again in a tight circle. He aimed his gun at an unarmed passerby in front of the Silver Dollar. He shot twice, hitting the bystander in the back. Their pistols blazing, the Carson City Gang thundered down the street. They rode out of town in a cloud of yellow dust.<\/p>\n

    The whole thing, from beginning to end, was over in just a few minutes.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 4<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Ben Cartwright cringed inwardly as he remembered Billy Felcher, the reverend\u2019s grown son riding the lathered horse up to the ranch house door, frantically calling for him.\u00a0 Ben could remember the clutch of fear that had gripped him as the young man had gasped out the message sent from Virginia City that Hoss had been shot in a bank robbery.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDoc said come quick Mr. Cartwright. It doesn\u2019t look good.\u201d He stammered. Bill\u2019s mind shuddered at the vision of Hoss lying bloody and wounded at Doctor Martin\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

    One of the hands quickly saddled Buck and gave Bill a fresh horse.\u00a0 Ben galloped into Virginia City at a break neck speed that even Joe could not have matched on Cochise.<\/p>\n

    Ben pulled up in front of Doc Martin\u2019s office first, his horse snorting and tossing his head. Billy Felcher joined him soon after, coming to a slower stop. They had sent Bill out to the Ponderosa to fetch Ben Cartwright and tell him what had happened to his son at the bank. Then Bill had to ride all the way back with Ben to Virginia City.<\/p>\n

    Roy Coffee stood there waiting for him. Something was obviously wrong, Ben could tell by the ashen appearance of his friend\u2019s face<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhere are my sons? Where\u2019s Sam, Roy?\u201d Ben shouted as he leaped off Buck.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019m sorry Ben.\u201d Roy started putting his hand out helplessly \u201cHoss is dead. I\u2019m mighty sorry.\u201d\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cDead?\u201d Ben stood dumbfounded. \u201cHe can\u2019t be dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The retired sheriff repeated softly \u201cI\u2019m so sorry, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd Adam and Sammy Where are they?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cThey\u2019re fine Ben.\u00a0 Sam is shook up real bad.\u00a0 Ben, but there ain\u2019t a scratch on him. Katie is in there with him now, cleaning him up. Adam wasn\u2019t even at the bank. He was at the Silver Dollar when it all happened \u2026and Sam\u2026\u00a0 Sam said Hoss pushed him down when the shooting started. Hoss got shot protecting the child.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Roy led the men inside where Doctor Martin was sitting waiting for them. He stood up and put his arm around Ben Cartwright and led him to a chair.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBen, I\u2019 m so sorry.\u201d\u00a0Paul Martin sighed.<\/p>\n

    \u201cPaul, I need to know what happened to my son.\u201d Ben asked fighting to control himself.\u00a0\u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

    “Hoss lost an awful lot of blood Ben, I couldn\u2019t\u00a0repair the damage, and I did everything I could. \u201c Doctor Martin put his hand on Ben\u2019s arm gently guiding him to a chair. He had to be honest. \u201cHoss was gone when they carried him in here”<\/p>\n

    Paul Martin stopped now and looked at Ben. The doctor would have given ten years off his own life to be able to save Hoss Cartwright. The physician desperately wanted to tell his friend that his son would recover, but that was completely impossible. The bank robbers had shot him dead in cold blood along with the bank manager, Morgan Chase, the young teller and a cowhand who was just standing in front of the Silver Dollar Saloon. The outlaws shot them all down in cold blood.<\/p>\n

    \u201dThank God Sam is ok.\u201d Paul offered. It wasn\u2019t enough.\u00a0Concern for his oldest friend overrode his own sorrow at the loss of one of Ben Cartwright\u2019s sons. \u201dI\u2019m so sorry, Ben,\u201d he repeated helplessly.<\/p>\n

    Tears streaming down his face, Ben nodded.<\/p>\n

    \u201cClem already rode out with a posse, Ben.\u201d Doc said.<\/p>\n

    Ben didn’t hear a word Paul Martin said to him. The warm room spun around him.\u00a0 His heart was beating madly in his chest. Hoss was dead, that was all that he could think about. His son was dead.<\/p>\n

    “Can I see him\u00a0now?” he asked with a sense of despair. \u201cPaul, I need to see Hoss\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cCertainly, but he\u2019s not here. He\u2019s over by the undertaker, \u201cDoc Martin looked at Ben wishing there was something more he could do for the man.<\/p>\n

    Ben said softly \u201cTake me to my son, Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Roy nodded.\u201d The boys took him down to Kotkin\u2019s. Ben. Bill, go get Adam down at the undertakers and tell him his Pa is here. I\u2019ll go over there with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The heat had dissipated after the sun had gone down. A cool breeze was blowing in from the mountains in the north. Roy gently put his arm around his friend and slowly walked diagonally across the dark, dusty, empty street to the undertaker. Adam waited for his father to arrive on Kotkin\u2019s shadowy porch.<\/p>\n

    Reverend Felcher and Bill were standing beside Adam. Adam wrapped his arms around his father and the two men embraced tearfully.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019m sorry Pa.\u201d Adam whispered. \u201cI\u2019m so sorry!\u201d<\/p>\n

    They sat hip to hip on the porch rail talking to each other for a few minutes in the shadows while the other men moved away to give the Cartwrights a bit of privacy. Time stood still. \u00a0Roy Coffee stood hesitantly on the porch step for a long moment. The man really didn\u2019t like leaving them alone like this, but he knew they needed their privacy.<\/p>\n

    Eventually, Roy walked over to the bereaved father and son.\u00a0\u201cWe’ve gotta go get a casket, let people know what happened, plan a funeral.” Roy paused, not quite knowing whether to continue. \u201cI sent some men out to find Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

    He drew a breath and repeated for a second time. \u201cClem\u2019s got a posse out looking for those guys and we\u2019ll find them.<\/p>\n

    Mr. Kotkin, in his severe black suit came out of the undertaker\u2019s establishment and he and Reverend Felcher approached the two heartbroken men sitting on the porch railing. \u201cMy condolences, Ben. I\u2019m sorry to see you under these circumstances. You know how fond all of us were of Hoss,\u201d said Felcher.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThank you,\u201d Ben said. The words, caught in his throat like dry sand.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHave you decided about the funeral yet?” the undertaker said gently.<\/p>\n

    Ben looked surprised at the question. The events of the last hours still hadn\u2019t quite registered in his mind.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAdam?\u201d he looked towards his eldest son.<\/p>\n

    “Yeah, I guess we have. I spoke to the undertaker while I was waiting for you to get to town, Pa. I\u2026 I \u2026 had to do something, \u201cAdam said quietly. \u201cI hope this is ok with you, Pa\u2026\u201d He was exhausted and at a complete loss for word and turned to Mr. Kotkin for assistance.<\/p>\n

    The undertaker elaborated the plans Adam had made as delicately as possibly. He had dealt with this task countless times over the course of his career. It was never easy but it was especially difficult the arrangements were for a friend. \u201cHoss is going to be laid out tomorrow and the next day. Then we\u2019ll bury him late the day after. It will give your men time to find Joe and time to get him back here for sure and time for everyone who wants to come by and pay their respects before we bury him. That\u2019s what Adam suggested. Is that all right with you Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe’ll bury him, \u201cBen\u2019s voice caught, “we’ll bury him up on the hill near Marie.”<\/p>\n

    “Yes, well, we’ll see you tomorrow,\u201d the undertaker solemnly shook Ben\u2019s hand, then Adam\u2019s. \u201cYou know most of Virginia City will be\u00a0there\u00a0by later on in afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The undertaker still had to see to the arrangements for the funerals of the three other fine Virginia City men who were murdered in cold blood that day by the Carson City Gang; Tom Hood, the young bank teller, Morgan Chase, the bank manager, and Calvin Warner, the poor unlucky fellow who was just standing in front of the saloon. Virginia City was a town filled with mourners.<\/p>\n

    And Kotkin also had to arrange for the boot hill burial of the nameless devil who was trampled by his own vile crony\u2019s horse in their getaway. No one mourned for him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIf there\u2019s anything more we can do, Ben? Adam?\u201d Reverend Felcher asked.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo, nothing. Thank you but we\u2019d all really rather be alone right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe whole territory will be wanting to pay their respects to Hoss and see that you all are gonna make it,\u201d Roy desperately wanted Adam to head for home. He had been sitting stoically for hours waiting for Ben.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJust remember, folks mean well, even if you’d like to be more alone than they’ll let you over the next few days,” Billy Felcher added. The chubby, introspective son of the minister had grown up with Joe. He always had great affection for Hoss and a unique admiration for Adam.<\/p>\n

    Adam swallowed hard and nodded wearily. Ben\u2019s shoulders sagged and his head dropped onto his chest.\u00a0Roy Coffee looked at the men before him with sympathy.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019ll be in touch about\u2026about\u2026the posse and all.\u201d He handed Ben a gun belt and his white hat.\u201d Here is Hoss\u2019s things, Ben.\u201d Ben clutched his son\u2019s property woodenly.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAdam, you take care of you father now.\u201d Roy said. \u201cGo on home now. Kate has Sammy in the buggy waiting for you. Don\u2019t keep them too long. She and Nancy cleaned him up the best they could, but that little boy is in a bad way. He is pretty shook up. Doc Martin gave him something to make him sleep but Kate could sure use your help, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cThanks Roy, \u201cAdam said shaking his hand.<\/p>\n

    He and Roy lead Ben out of the funeral parlor and helped him into the buggy as if he had aged two decades in one day. The town was strangely quiet and everything had an unreal air to it as they started the long journey back to the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t have to bury your own child, \u201cBilly Felcher declared as the Cartwrights rode off in the darkness. He decided to tell his father that he would take charge of Hoss\u2019 funeral service. It was the least he could do for his friends and in his heart he knew his father\u2019s hell fire and damnation sermons were not what gentle Hoss Cartwright would have wanted nor what he deserved.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt jest ain\u2019t natural\u201d Roy Coffee added.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 5<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The Ponderosa<\/u><\/p>\n

    Hours later, Sam was asleep in his grandfather\u2019s big bed on the Ponderosa. Kate sat silently in a chair beside him watching him sleep. Occasionally he would whimper in his sleep and she would sit down on the edge of the bed and rub his back until he fell back to a restless sleep.<\/p>\n

    Kate heard a clatter of hooves down in the yard. Looking from the window, she saw Little Joe arrive on Cochise with a pair of cowhands. The men must have found him up at the mill and brought him home.<\/p>\n

    The endlessly dark night had just begun for the rest of them. While Adam went outside to tell the rest of the hands what had happened. Ben and Joe moved silently upstairs and dug out Hoss\u2019s blue suit to bring back to the funeral parlor back in town. Ben was grim faced and silent and Joe was afraid to leave his side for even a minute.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI can\u2019t believe it Joseph.\u201d Ben choked on his words and tears streamed down his face.\u00a0\u201cI just can\u2019t believe it.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe shook his head picturing where he was when everything changed forever. “I was up at the mill sitting in a cool breeze eating my lunch when my brother got shot down in cold blood. God, I wish this day were over with.”<\/p>\n

    Chapter 6<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The next day<\/u><\/p>\n

    Adam brought Sam into the great room from upstairs.\u00a0 Uncle Joe was out in the barn doing chores and his grandfather was sitting alone outside on the porch. Kate was finally getting a little much deserved sleep in the downstairs bedroom where she and Adam slept when they stayed on the Ponderosa. Sam felt sad and frightened and wasn\u2019t quite sure what was happening.<\/p>\n

    He saw the sheriff standing waiting for them in the living room. To Sam, Clem Foster was an imposing figure standing beside the fireplace. For an instant, when the child saw Clem, he was reminded of his father, Al Striker. An intense panic enveloped him.\u00a0Sam started to shiver, but his step father, Adam Cartwright, drew him close.<\/p>\n

    The sheriff needed to get a description of what had happened in the bank. Sam was the only witness left alive. He whispered a word of encouragement in the trembling child\u2019s ear.\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019ll be all right, son; I\u2019m here.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The boy reached out to Adam and clutched his big hand. As close as his mother was to Aunt Nancy, her husband Clem was a more distant and serious figure in Sammy\u2019s life. Sam reminded himself that the man beside the fireplace was the sheriff of Virginia City, not Al Striker.<\/p>\n

    The youngster snuggled against his father\u2019s arm, casting anxious glances between the faces of Adam and the sheriff.\u00a0 \u201cSam, the sheriff needs to ask you a few questions,\u201d Adam explained, \u201cand I want you to answer them as accurately as you can. Take your time.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Little Sam nodded, then fearfully pressed his face to his father\u2019s side.\u00a0 Adam stroked the boy\u2019s curly hair soothingly.\u00a0 \u201cSam, you need to give the sheriff as much information as you can.\u00a0 Don\u2019t be afraid.\u00a0 No one will ever hurt you. Never.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Nibbling his lower lip, Sam nodded and looked up, fearful, but trusting.\u00a0 He knew Adam and his mother would never, ever let Al Striker hurt him. Uncle Joe and his grandfather wouldn\u2019t allow it either.<\/p>\n

    Seeming to sense his stepson\u2019s distress, Adam softly laid an arm across Sam\u2019s shoulder and gently led him to the settee. Adam sat down and swung Sam onto the seat beside him. Trembling with the memory of the previous day\u2019s horrible violence, Sam\u2019s response was to lean into Adam’s starched white dress shirt as if drawing strength from the man who was now his father and protector. This was sufficient answer for Adam to know he was doing the right thing. The sheriff pulled the large, red leather chair around until it was facing the two at the boy\u2019s eye level.<\/p>\n

    “Son,” Clem began quietly, “I know this is difficult, but I’ve got to know what happened yesterday.”<\/p>\n

    Sam looked at Adam who nodded his encouragement.<\/p>\n

    The boy swallowed hard. \u201dOk, I can tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Slowly and painfully, the boy told them exactly what had happened. He described how he and Uncle Hoss had left Adam at the entrance of the Mercantile and walked down the street to the bank, how his Uncle Hoss had let him carry the envelope with all the papers in it, how the blinds were drawn on the bank windows but the door wasn\u2019t locked. The boy had inherited his mother\u2019s journalistic eye for details and left absolutely nothing out.<\/p>\n

    He described walking into the holdup and seeing the five men, how he saw one shoot the teller when he didn\u2019t fill the bags fast enough, and then another shot the manager. The outlaws turned and saw him and Hoss in the doorway and the words they used. \u201cThey cussed bad when we came inside,\u201d Sam said to his father and Clem.<\/p>\n

    The boy told the sheriff how the outlaws turned to face them and aimed their guns at them and how Hoss had pushed him down on the floor and threw his body over him to protect him. And Sam described how his he felt his Uncle die on top of him as the bank robbers ran out the front door. The boy paused and wiped his damp hands on his navy blue Sunday trousers.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSam, can you give me a description of the men?\u201d the sheriff asked.<\/p>\n

    \u201dThe one who hit the teller had red hair and was freckly\u2026like bright orange hair and freckles on his arms and face. And there was one who was real big with a red checkered shirt and a vest. And a brown hat too. Like as tall as you are, Sheriff Foster and big like you. The other one, he was kind of fat, like a big round stomach more than fat all over.\u201d Sam paused for a minute. His eyes lost their focus as he tried to remember the rest of the details.<\/p>\n

    He looked down at his bare feet. \u201cCould I stop now Pa?\u201d he whispered to Adam. \u201cI don\u2019t want to say any more.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou\u2019re doing fine, son\u201d Adam said gently trying to encourage him to remember the rest.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat else did you see, Sam?\u201d Clem Foster asked.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe one who was in the back by the desks, the one with a rifle\u2026 it was a shotgun, not a pistol. He sort of looked like Uncle Joe. He was about the same size and had brown hair like he has\u2026but his face was different. He had a mean ratty face not Uncle Joe\u2019s face. \u201c<\/p>\n

    \u201cOk, you told us about four of them. You said there were five men. What about the last one\u201d Clem asked him.<\/p>\n

    The boy was visibly trembling and hid his pale face in Adam\u2019s chest. Adam pulled him close and rubbed his shoulder. \u201cJust a little more, buddy. It will be a big help. I know this is really hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dThe other man was Al Striker, \u201cthe boy whispered hoarsely. The last guy was Al\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dYou mean the robber looked like Al. Like one of them fellers looked like Joe but wasn\u2019t Joe?\u201d\u00a0 Clem probed.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo, Sir,\u201d said Sam turning to look directly at Clem. He stared the Sheriff straight in the eye. \u201cIt was my father Al Striker who shot Uncle Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Part 12 \u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Futility<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Chapter 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Joe Cartwright halted his horse at the crest of the rocky ridge and took a quick look over his shoulder at the line of men and horses behind him. He gasped in dismay at the sight of his father struggling to get his horse up the steep hill. Ben Cartwright urged his borrowed chestnut onward until the trail reached the top of the canyon. The ground leveled out as the trail ran parallel to the canyon. As each rider in turn struggled up the steep incline the posse slowly surged forward down the rocky trail.\u00a0 The grieving rancher was anxious to continue the search and wasn\u2019t thinking clearly or logically. He was going to pay dearly for this faulty decision.<\/p>\n

    Ben had been too busy urging his horse up to the trail to survey perilous the terrain carefully. He was determined to catch up with the bank robbers, and hadn\u2019t let this weary borrowed horse rest sufficiently. His own horse, Buck would have easily climbed the hill but this horse did not have Buck\u2019s strength or spirit. All Ben wanted was to keep up with the chase and catch the Carson City Gang, the men who murdered Hoss.\u00a0 With another kick, Ben Cartwright urged the animal toward the precipitous slope. The chestnut crossed the rocky ground and started up the steep trail. The exhausted horse dug its hooves into the uneven ground and started to climb. Its front legs slipped on the loose gravel and shale but the gray haired rancher urged him on.<\/p>\n

    The horse dug his forelegs into the slope until her hooves pressed through the pebbles into solid ground, but horse was unable to steady herself. With a few more wavering steps, the horse slipped and tumbled sideways off the narrow trail throwing Ben down the slope and into the rocks and underbrush below.<\/p>\n

    The line of men and horses scrambled to a halt as Billy Felcher leaped off his horse and scrambled down the hill with Deputy Newkirk at his heels. The two men ran over to Ben Cartwright. As he ran, Bill whispered a silent prayer that Hoss\u2019s father was not badly injured.<\/p>\n

    The men laid Ben down gently on a bedroll under the shade of a poplar. The heat was unbearable. Sheriff Clem Foster and Bill Felcher kneeled down next to him and checked him out. They decided that he had broken a few ribs and bruised himself up pretty badly. Ben winced as they touched his leg but he still struggled to get up.<\/p>\n

    \u201cLay still Mr. Cartwright. You\u2019re pretty banged up.\u201d Bill urged. Roy Coffee stood quietly watching. Clem was doing a fine job as Sheriff with the search for the gang but Roy couldn\u2019t stand by and do nothing. Roy\u2019s mind was on Hoss Cartwright, the son of his best friend. He had watched that boy grow up and now they had buried him.\u201d It was a damnable shame, \u201cRoy thought to himself and spit on the ground. The rest of the posse stood off to the side, watching the scene before them.<\/p>\n

    \u201dI\u2019ve got to get back up.\u201d Ben argued as he struggled to sit up. He had to continue the search for the gang who murdered his son.<\/p>\n

    Roy Coffee crouched down beside his old friend. The older man put his hand on Ben\u2019s chest and pushed him back onto the ground \u201cLay still, you old fool. You\u2019re not going anywhere, Ben,\u201d he said firmly.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI want to catch those men and kill them with my bare hands!\u201d Ben growled. Only Roy heard the words his friend had uttered and he was shocked.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBen, I know how you feel about these fellas we are chasing. You know how I feel about Hoss. How we all feel about him\u2026But going outside the law isn\u2019t going to help nothin\u2019, and it will only makes bad things worse for you. I\u2019ll make sure we all do right by your boy, Ben. You getting yourself kilt ain\u2019t gonna do a bit of good for no one.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cLet me take you home, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Billy offered. He had never ridden with a posse before and was fearful of what he would do if he had to face killing one of the outlaws. How could he take a human life, even the life of a robbing, murdering devil who belonged in hell? Bill figured that he could avoid this conflict of conscience as well as doing a kindness for poor Mr. Cartwright by taking him back to the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBring me another mount and I\u2019ll be just fine,\u201d the injured man demanded unreasonably.<\/p>\n

    Roy Coffee eased Ben back down on the blankets and handed him his canteen. \u201cBe still. You ain\u2019t making one bit of sense. Ben, we got to do this all legal and you are hurt too bad to be of any good to anyone hurt the way you are.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe and Adam galloped up and leaped off their horses. The two brothers ran over to where their father was stretched out on the ground.<\/p>\n

    \u201cPa!\u201d Joe shouted.<\/p>\n

    \u201cLooks like he broke some ribs and twisted his ankle when that horse pitched him off,\u201d Billy explained to Ben\u2019s sons. \u201cBut I really think Doc Martin should check him out.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cTalk some sense into him, boys he thinks he is going to ride out with us. Bill and I will get him home.\u201d Roy said.<\/p>\n

    Joe kneeled down and leaned over his father as he lay on the ground. \u201cPa you gotta go home. You\u2019re hurt too bad to go on with us.\u201d Joe put his hand on his father\u2019s arm and squeezed. \u201cYou always took care of us Pa and now it\u2019s our turn to take care of you.\u201d He handed his father the canteen again and helped him to take a sip. Ben\u2019s face was pale and haggard. It was apparent to Joe that his father was worn to the nub and in pain.<\/p>\n

    Adam leaned his face up against the stout trunk of a tall pine about fifty feet from the group surrounding his father. All of the others were either focused on assessing on Ben\u2019s situation or watering their horses or taking a bit of break for themselves before the posse started out again. Adam took his black hat off and rubbed the back of his neck with his other hand. The weary man stood with his back to the other men for a minute, his shoulders shaking. From where his was laying, Ben could see that his oldest son had been crying – this was just getting worse, he thought, he had never known Adam to cry, not even when Inger and Marie had died.<\/p>\n

    Adam collected himself and slowly walked over to the men gathered around Ben.<\/p>\n

    His father heard Adam barely whisper, “We’ll get them Pa, I promise you.” Their dark eyes met. Ben saw so much of himself in those determined and hurt eyes that he said quietly, “Be careful, son.”<\/p>\n

    Adam swallowed hard and nodded.<\/p>\n

    Joe and Deputy Dean Newkirk helped Ben up on his horse and the posse watched Roy Coffee, Ben and Billy slowly ride back towards the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Three days later.<\/u><\/p>\n

    The sky was beginning to darken when the dirty, exhausted posse rode into the yard in front of the ranch house.\u00a0 Ben Cartwright limped out of the barn with his grandson Sammy trailing a few steps behind him. The silver haired man leaned heavily against a cane that Doctor Paul Martin had left for him a few days earlier. Paul had ordered the injured rancher to keep off his feet completely but knew Cartwright would never listen. The doctor wisely took Sam aside and told the boy to keep a keen eye on his grandfather. The frightened boy needed something to keep his mind occupied and Ben Cartwright needed an attentive watchdog. He instructed the boy to a stick by his grandfather\u2019s side whenever he went out. \u201cYou can be my helper here on the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cLike a doctor?\u201d the boy asked intrigued by the responsibility.<\/p>\n

    \u201cLike a doctor. I\u2019ll even call you Doc if you do a good job and stick like glue to your grandfather and help him with all his chores and make sure he uses that cane,\u201d Paul Martin smiled. No one wanted Sam, the only witness to the murderous bank robbery, wandering off alone while the Carson City Gang was still unaccounted for and in the area.<\/p>\n

    Sam called a greeting to the posse and the pair walked carefully toward the riders<\/p>\n

    \u201cDid you men have any luck?\u201d Ben asked. \u00a0Adam and Joe came riding up to their father. He looked expectantly at them. His shoulders sagged when he saw the discouragement on their faces before they even spoke. Their father was hoping he would see some gang members\u2019 bodies tied across saddles but all he saw were the weary, discouraged riders.<\/p>\n

    Clem Foster shook his head. \u201cI\u2019m mighty sorry, Ben. Same as before. We found the tracks of five men riding horses and leading another. We followed them for a while but they disappeared. We headed in the same direction up the draw to the high country, but the ground got hard and rocky. No way to follow much after that.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cPa, we couldn\u2019t find them. It was like they just disappeared into thin air,\u201d as soon as the words left his mouth Joe wished he had said nothing. He felt like he was making a foolish excuse that would only disappoint his father.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou must find them,\u201d Ben said firmly. Sammy hung tightly to Ben, clearly distressed by the bad news.<\/p>\n

    Joe looked away. He couldn\u2019t bear seeing the agony in his father\u2019s eyes and the terror in his nephew\u2019s face one more time. He had failed on the most important mission of his life.<\/p>\n

    \u201cLooks like they headed up through the dense woods up thata way.\u201d Clem said. \u201cAt least some of them. Maybe they split up.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cMaybe they split up? Did they or didn\u2019t they?\u201d Ben demanded.<\/p>\n

    \u201cT\u2019ain\u2019t no sign of them.\u201d Roy added. \u201cBen, I wish there was more I could do. Hoss was like my own son\u2026\u201d Roy hadn\u2019t been Sheriff for over five years but had come out to help lead the posse because of his long-standing relationship with the Cartwrights. He knew what he said was of no help. Hoss might have been \u201clike his son\u201d but he wasn\u2019t his son. He was Ben\u2019s son and he was gone forever.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou didn\u2019t find any more signs of them? Anything?\u201d asked Ben, his frustration growing. He rubbed his hand on his injured leg and shifted his weight to his cane.<\/p>\n

    Joe shook his head. \u201cNothing,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cPa, the floor of those woods is covered with pine needles and leaves. Nothing that would pick up a horse\u2019s tracks. Or a man\u2019s foot prints neither. Adam and some of his men poked around for a while, then we figured we\u2019d better head back here.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cNothing,\u201d Ben said in a dull voice. \u201cYou found nothing?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe found where they made a fire and then some tracks going east, but then the tracks just stopped,\u201d added Adam. \u201cThey left an empty canvas bank bag there too.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cUncle Hoss would have been able to follow those tracks. He was the best tracker of all,\u201d Sam whispered dejectedly. His grandfather put his arm protectively around the frightened little boy and hugged him to his side. The other men either didn\u2019t hear what the child had said or simply just ignored the remark.<\/p>\n

    \u201cPa, we searched every inch of this mountain and all down the trails.\u201d said Adam in frustration. His voice grew louder. \u201cI\u2019m real sorry, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cGrandpa Ben, he is gonna come back and get me. He\u2019s gonna steal me like he did last time.\u201d Sam whispered hiding his face in Ben\u2019s leather vest.<\/p>\n

    Ben patted his curly brown hair. \u201cNot if I\u2019m here boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe climbed down off of Cochise and led his horse over to the water trough to drink. He took off his hat and wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. He could still sense the memories tucked in a shadowy corner of his mind when he saw his home. He missed Hoss more than he could believe possible. The pain of his loss was more than he could bear any more. Sighing, Joe braced his arms against his saddle, dropping his head to rest his chin on his chest. Men were talking but he wasn\u2019t listening.<\/p>\n

    Joe\u2019s back ached and he wished he had a cold beer. \u201cNo, he thought, a bottle of whiskey would be far better. Yup, a bottle of whiskey would be much, much better, that and a bath and a soft bed and to go to sleep for few months. His brother Hoss would never wake him up again. He would never joke around and pour water on him or flip the mattress over or drag him out of bed calling him lazy or all the other things that Joe would get furious about. He would give anything to have Hoss wake him up and find out the last week had been just a nightmare that never happened. He dipped his blue bandana in the cold water and wiped it on his dusty face and neck. He hoped Hop Sing had already started heating some water for a bath.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI want to take some of the men back up to Cherry Creek and have Clem take them on another sweep downstream,\u201d said Roy. The long, hot days in the saddle had clearly taken a toll on the retired Sheriff but there was nothing else he could think of doing to assuage his own grief at the murder of Hoss Cartwright. His son- in- law Clem, appreciated having Roy along, as he was able to smooth over disagreements among the men and keep everyone, even the Cartwrights in line. Tempers were short and men easily angered as the hot days wore on with no real results. Both Clem and Roy agreed that they were going to keep the posse in line and find the Carson City gang and bring them in to stand trial. They had to work hard to prevent a hanging posse.<\/p>\n

    The former sheriff glanced sideways at Ben, hating to say what needed to be said. Roy hesitated and cleared his throat before he spoke. \u201cAnd I want all you men to get some food and a good night\u2019s sleep. Now it\u2019s getting pretty dark and we don\u2019t want anyone else getting hurt. \u201c<\/p>\n

    Roy Coffee and Ben Cartwright had been friends since he came to Virginia City and his Nancy and Joe weren\u2019t even old enough to go to school. Roy had even acted as the father of the bride for Katie when she married Adam Cartwright about a year earlier.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHow\u2019s that leg doing Ben?\u201d he asked gently.<\/p>\n

    Ben shrugged. There was nothing he could will himself to say. His son was dead and nothing would ever be the same for him. The pain in his heart far outweighed any physical ache in his leg or a hundred broken ribs.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBen, I\u2019m going to see if I can round up some more men to replace some of these,\u201d said Roy. \u201cWe\u2019ll get a fresh posse and start looking again in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cIn the morning? All right, Roy, I completely understand, \u201cBen lied. He didn\u2019t understand one bit of this incomprehensible tragedy. He rubbed his forehead and looked down at the dirt. He felt totally helpless but was comforted that the law and Roy were doing all they could do for his family.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI don\u2019t know what good it will do, but we can try.\u201d Roy glanced at Adam, who just shrugged. Roy mopped his brow.<\/p>\n

    \u201cRoy I think we should just get fresh mounts and go out again now. We have a corral full of horses and we still have a little daylight left.\u201d Adam unhooked his canteen and pulled off the cork. \u201cHays can have them saddled up and the men can go out again.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo, Adam, Everyone is done in and the sun is going down. We won\u2019t be able to see the trail and will just disturb any marks left. I\u2019m not going to let another man get hurt. And besides, your wife and that boy need you around here for a bit before you ride out again. Your Pa too.\u201d Roy said calmly.<\/p>\n

    Little Joe walked over to Sport and reached up to put his hand on his brother\u2019s leg \u201cAdam, Roy is right. It will be dark before we get very far. Besides, we can\u2019t let Pa and Sam and Kate be alone again one more night. We can\u2019t do any more today.\u201d
    \n\u201dWe need to find the men who shot our brother.\u201d Adam answered tersely pulling away from Joe. Disgusted, Adam took a swallow of tepid water then recorked the canteen.\u00a0 It gave an unsettled gurgle as he let it slide back against his saddle.\u00a0 “Come on, Sport.”\u00a0 Adam tugged on the reins, prepared to pull the horse around to the hitching rail in front of the house.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe can\u2019t do anything useful in the dark with tired men. Adam, when it is light, we can see better and maybe we can pick up the trail south of the Lake and then the area near Cherry Creek. This time, I want them to keep an eye out for anything we missed the last time we passed through. It\u2019s late, let\u2019s go inside. There\u2019s nothing more we can do today.\u201d Joe said to Adam\u2019s retreating back. That bottle of whiskey in his mind\u2019s eye looked mighty appealing to Joe after the three days on the trail.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDon\u2019t go, Papa!\u201d Sam begged. \u201cPlease!\u201d<\/p>\n

    Realizing how irrationally he was behaving, Adam dismounted and went over the frightened boy and scooped him up in his arms. The boy hugged Adam tightly.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNow you look son, we are not going to let anything happen to you. Never. You have my word, Sam. And Cartwrights always keep their word,\u201d Adam said firmly.<\/p>\n

    \u201cCartwrights always keep their word,\u201d Sam smiled weakly.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNow you just go right into the house and tell your Mama to come out and say hello. It\u2019s been a long time since I saw her.\u201d Adam gently put his son down on the ground and patted his head.<\/p>\n

    The little boy looked a bit calmer knowing Adam was around to watch out for him. Even so, he hesitated to leave Adam\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

    \u201dGo on now. \u201c Adam gave the boy a little push towards the house.<\/p>\n

    Sam ran across the yard to the kitchen door shouting for Kate,\u00a0\u201cMama, Mama! Adam is back.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Looping his horse\u2019s reins over the rail, Adam walked up the steps to the front porch.\u00a0 He was almost to the door when it opened and Kate stepped briskly over the threshold. Wiping her hands on her apron, she ran over to Adam and threw her arms around him.<\/p>\n

    She had been afraid she never would see him again.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The next morning<\/u><\/p>\n

    Adam and Joe both looked weary despite the few hours of sleep they had the night before. They had been up before dawn, gulped down some coffee and rode out with the posse. Kate had tried to get them to eat some breakfast but both brothers refused and had joined the rest of the posse before first light. It was going to be a hot one<\/p>\n

    As he rode out, Adam had seen his son anxiously peeping out from behind the curtains in his bedroom.<\/p>\n

    By midmorning the sun was blazing white-hot.<\/p>\n

    Realizing the gang may have split up, Clem divided the posse into three groups and sent each group in different directions with instructions to meet in two hours near High Point Ridge. Deputy Dean Newkirk took one group, Clem the second and Roy the third group. The retired sheriff made sure he kept Adam and Joe Cartwright in his group fearing that the brothers might over ride young Newkirk if he gave the men directions or they would balk when Clem gave them orders. Roy knew there was no way he would let the Cartwright boys stray from his leadership.<\/p>\n

    Hours later, the men stopped searching and met at the prearranged spot.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDid you find anything?\u201d Adam asked Clem as the Sheriff rode up. Joe was feeling the morning after effects of the quart of whiskey that put him to sleep the night before and sat silently on Cochise. His mouth had a sour metallic taste and his tongue was gritty. He rubbed his sweaty neck with his dirty neckerchief.<\/p>\n

    Joe pointed into the woods. \u201cLooks like they rode off in that direction.\u201d He pointed to a trail leading into the hills. He spit on the ground trying to get rid of the nasty taste in his mouth and took a swallow from his almost empty canteen.<\/p>\n

    Clem nodded. \u201cFound some tracks through here last time,\u201d he said. \u201cLooks like someone tried to brush them out, but he missed the ones in the mud. Not only that, but the men doubled back.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cDoubled back? That looks like they know the area pretty well. Maybe one of them is from around these parts? \u201d the deputy suggested. Dean\u2019s lake blue eyes stared at the trail.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou might just have something there, Dean,\u201d the Sheriff agreed. The young fellow was pretty clever and might just shape up to be a fine deputy with a few more years under his belt.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSheriff Foster, I\u2019ve been thinking,\u201d Deputy Newkirk said. \u201cMaybe we should try the other side of the ridge. There\u2019s some places there were five or six men could hold up without being seen. We ought to check those out.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cGood idea,\u201d said Clem nodding.<\/p>\n

    \u201cClem, why don\u2019t you have Deputy Newkirk led the way? \u201c Roy suggested. The retired sheriff was also quite impressed at how well the young fellow was handling his job.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMaybe he would be ready to take one of the Cartwright boys with him the next time we split the posse up? \u201c Clem said softly to the retired sheriff.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMight just be.\u201d Roy said. He knew Clem was wearying of riding herd on the two Cartwrights. \u201cLet Little Joe ride with Dean. Adam can stay with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cSounds like a good plan, Roy.\u201d Clem swung back on his horse and called out to the posse. \u201cLet\u2019s move out!\u201d<\/p>\n

    Dean Newkirk pulled his dapple gray into the lead of the line of discouraged men and headed them to the left.<\/p>\n

    A few minutes later, Joe and Dean were slowly guiding the horses down the back slope of the ridge to the left. Adam, Roy and three other men took the trail to the right. This trail curved through large, jagged tan rocks and dense, parched underbrush. The never ending afternoon heat shimmered off the boulders.<\/p>\n

    The ridge masked the posse riders from anyone\u2019s view. The trail led to a flat stretch of shale and hardscrabble ground that wound through the taller rocks and dry brush. Canyons, gullies and ravines were carved into the thick rock on either side of the flat ground. Not many people traveled this rough country; as there were easier trails to almost anywhere except Hades. It seemed the perfect place for the Carson City Gang to be hiding.<\/p>\n

    Joe studied the hillside above them. It was heavily covered with stubby gray brush and clumps of rocks. A man could climb up the hill without being seen. \u201cLet\u2019s see if anyone is still here. \u201c He pointed toward the hills.<\/p>\n

    Dean Newkirk turned in his saddle to face Joe and grinned triumphantly. His water blue eyes flashed and his white blonde hair curled around his ears. The bright sunlight glinted off the young deputy\u2019s still new tin star.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe we got \u2018em now. Let\u2019s go, Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

    Suddenly, a single rifle shot rang out from the hill above the .The crack of the report echoed off the rocks around them. The well-aimed shot caught the deputy in the throat. Dean raised his hands to his neck and gasped. Blood poured down his dusty plaid shirt. The deputy fell to the rocky ground, dead before he hit the ground.<\/p>\n

    The posse leaped off their horses and dove for cover. They scrambled behind trees and boulders. They wildly returned fire to the hill above them. After days on the trail the posse has finally found their prey, but not before the fox found the hounds.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHold your fire men!\u201d Sheriff Clem Foster ordered. They all realized that they were surrounded by silence. No more shots were being returned from the ridge above them. Either he had taken off or maybe someone in the posse had managed to hit him. Joe stared silently at Dean\u2019s crumpled, bloody body on the ground at his feet. They had been friends since they were not yet old enough to go to school. Little Joe had been the best man at Dean\u2019s wedding.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou four, go over to the left and follow that gully and swing around behind where the shots were coming from, \u201cClem directed. \u201cAnd you four, swing over the other way.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The rest of the men waited down below. Still no more shots were heard. The midday heat baked down on them and shimmered off the hard ground. Billy Felcher and Adam Cartwright waited behind an outcropping of sandstone, guns drawn. Clem was hunkered down about ten yards away from them.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe can\u2019t leave Dean laying out there in the sun like that, Clem, \u201cBilly said in a pained voice. He had read somewhere that fearless was when someone recognized why they should be scared of things, but do them anyway. It was at that moment, Billy knew he would never, ever be fearless and he closed his eyes and pressed himself against the sandstone rock so hard that his face and chest was bruised.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHe\u2019s dead, Bill and I\u2019m not going to lose another man going out after him. Just wait until we are sure and no one else will get hurt. We lost enough men already to these bastards,\u201d Clem said.<\/p>\n

    They heard a shout from high on the ridge. \u201cAll clear up here. We got one dead fella and the rest got away.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cBilly, give me a hand with Dean, \u201cAdam Cartwright stood up and walked out to the dead deputy. Adam bent down and gently closed Newkirk\u2019s sightless blue eyes. Adam had known Dean Newkirk since he was born in the foreman\u2019s house on the Ponderosa. Now the ambitious deputy was dead.<\/p>\n

    One more murdered man left behind by the gang. What was one more murder to the desperados? All of them were facing a hangman\u2019s noose and nothing much mattered to them anymore.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAt least we got one, \u201cClem told the other men.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYeah, but we still got four more from the bank to find, \u201cAdam took a swig of water from his canteen, swishing it around the inside of his mouth before spitting it on the ground. He passed the water to his brother who took the canteen gratefully. His throat was drier than the dust that crusted his boots.<\/p>\n

    Adam Cartwright glanced briefly towards the horizon, then turned his attention back to finding the men who murdered his brother, Hoss.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 4<\/strong><\/p>\n

    For two more blazing hot days and nights the posse struggled to find the bank robbers. Time passed and there was not a single solitary sign of the four outlaws who had escaped. It was almost as if they had evaporated into thin air.<\/p>\n

    Finally, the posse gave up all expectation of finding the criminals. Sheriff Clem Foster decided they had to quit and let all men in the posse go home before tempers flared and they started fighting with each other. The posse had been away from their families and neglected their ranches and jobs in town for too long without bringing the Carson City gang to justice. All they had to show for their efforts was one dead outlaw at the cost of a fine young deputy who was shot down in front of them all.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThese guys could be in Mexico by now for all we know, Clem,\u201d Pierce Winslow grumbled. Sheriff Foster had no response, as he knew Winslow could be right. They headed for home.<\/p>\n

    The sound of horses and riders awakened Sam from where he dozed on the porch settee with his head in his mother\u2019s lap. Ben sat nearby on a wooden chair with his injured leg propped up on another chair. The night was so hot that they had been sitting there since dinner trying to catch a cool breeze.<\/p>\n

    Hop Sing had brought out some lemonade and cookies that sat untouched on the table. They all looked toward the road leading up to the ranch house. A dozen men were riding toward the house, led by Clem Foster. Ben recognized Joe and Adam instantly and breathed a sigh of relief at his two sons\u2019 safe return home.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThey\u2019re back!\u201d Kate said thankfully.<\/p>\n

    Two of the riders were leading horses. A large bundle wrapped in a dusty blanket was slung over the saddle of each of the rider less horses.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou fellas go home,\u201d Clem told the Cartwright brothers firmly as they pulled into the yard.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll take care of the rest in town. We\u2019ll bring Dean into the undertakers. Tell your Pa I\u2019m real sorry we couldn\u2019t finish off the rest of this business for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dThanks, Clem.\u201d Adam said wearily.\u201d I\u2019m sorry too.\u201d He reached over to shake the Sheriff\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

    Joe climbed down from Cochise and walked over to the horse carrying Dean Newkirk\u2019s body tied across the saddle. \u201cHe was a good man, Clem. I\u2019ll go tell his folks as soon as I clean up a bit. Pa and I\u2019ll bring Hays and Bonnie in to make the arrangements in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cTell them all that I\u2019m really sorry.\u201d Clem murmured.\u00a0\u201cHe had the makings of a fine deputy.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe Cartwright lifted the edge of the blanket covering his friend\u2019s body and took a final look. Their fathers had worked side by side for year and Hays Newkirk had become the foreman of the Ponderosa before Joe was born. Dean\u2019s wife, Bonnie was expecting their second child in the fall.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019ll take your horse, Adam. Go see how everyone is in the house,\u201d Joe offered. He knew his brother was anxious to see his wife and check on Sam. More importantly, Joe dreaded walking up on the porch, seeing his father and telling him that the trail of the killers was ice cold. He dreaded admitting to his father that he had failed miserably. Most of all, Joe hated the idea of walking in the house and seeing that Hoss would not be sitting in his usual spot by the fireplace. He would do anything right now not to face the rest of the family or walk into the ranch house.<\/p>\n

    Kate gently moved Sam from her lap, stepped down from the porch and ran across the yard to her husband.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAdam!\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dIt\u2019s me all right.\u201d Adam answered. Adam reached a hand down to Kate’s face and stroked her cheek with his rough, dirty hand. He loved her more today than he had ever thought possible. She was the center of his life.<\/p>\n

    Kate looked up. His dark whiskered face was gaunt and his dark eyes red rimmed. Adam was filthy and caked with the dust of the days out with the posse. He reeked from campfire smoke and sweat and horses. Her husband badly needed a bath, a shave and fresh clothes but Kate saw none of that as she looked up at him. All she saw was the man she had loved most of her life was finally back home.<\/p>\n

    She quickly stood on tiptoes up and threw her arms around his neck. \u201cOh Adam, I missed you so.\u201d The waiting had been excruciating. She had secretly feared that something could happen to Adam or to Little Joe and one of them would be carried home across his saddle like poor Dean Newkirk. She was relieved to have him and Joe home safe.<\/p>\n

    Adam knew that his wife wanted him home more than anything. As determined, as he was to avenge the murder of his brother Hoss, Adam knew he had to let go of the search and stay with her on the Ponderosa for a while before setting out again.<\/p>\n

    The minutes ticked by without a word. Kate reached her hand up to his filthy cheek and looked up into his dark brown eyes, “What’s wrong?” she asked quietly fearing more bad news.<\/p>\n

    He smiled down at her and said, “Nothing, Katie. Nothing is wrong that you don\u2019t already know. I thought I had a hard decision to make, but now I realize there is no decision at all, not for now.\u201d<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Chapter 5<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Two days after Sheriff Foster dispersed his posse, horse thieves stole a half dozen prime horses in the middle of the night. Everyone was sleeping and it was assumed that the Carson City Gang had struck again.<\/p>\n

    A few days later the rogue band struck again in Mesa Verde on a hot afternoon stealing the payroll at one of Carl Havermeyer\u2019s biggest mines. Before they galloped off, they shot the paymaster dead even after he had turned over all the cash. They were charged with killing a rancher a few miles away and stealing fresh mounts from his corral.<\/p>\n

    A few weeks later a stage to Placerville was stopped and the cash box taken. No witnesses were left to identify the perpetrators but the tracks indicated four riders had ridden off into the hills. Folks had started calling them the Devil\u2019s Brigade or the Angels of Death as no one who saw them up close was left alive. The only exception was little Sam Cartwright. The boy was the only survivor of the hold up in the Virginia City bank and the only witness to of any of the crimes of the Carson City Gang.<\/p>\n

    A few days later, they struck at one of Tom Slayden\u2019s freight wagon. The driver, Frank Stanley was shot twice and left for dead bleeding in the dusty road. Frank was only recently working as a freight driver again after homesteading for years north of Cherry Creek with his wife Carly. Most of their herd was destroyed one bitter cold winter. After years of struggle, Carly and Frank had finally sold out. Frank had gone back to work as a driver and Carly returned to teaching school in Placerville. Fortunately for him, not long after he was attacked, a passing peddler, Jacob J. Dorman, found Frank near death and brought him into Virginia City. While Doc Martin patched him up, the driver described his assailants to Sheriff Foster who then wired the descriptions throughout the area.<\/p>\n

    Frank claimed there had been four men. One was a heavy set, sandy haired man on a bay. The second, who seemed like the leader, was tall with dark brown straight hair, a black hat and a beard. The next seemed quieter and was slighter and had curly brown hair and green eyes. Most important of all, Frank was sure that the last gang member was red headed Cyrus Carnigan who had been his helper years before when he first drove a freight wagon in the area. Carnigan was the one who shot Frank Stanley at point blank range, hoping no witness could identify him.<\/p>\n

    Despite Frank\u2019s description, there was little progress in catching the vicious men who killed Hoss Cartwright and now numerous others. The deputy was dead and the trail was going cold. The Carson City Gang had disappeared without a trace- again like the evil supernatural demons people claimed that they were.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    ***<\/p>\n

    Part 13 <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Life Shatters Into Pieces<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Chapter 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

    It had been six weeks now. Ben Cartwright was hardly getting used to seeing only two of sons walk into the barn in the morning or sit at the table at dinner. He often found himself thinking he needed to talk to Hoss about some livestock problem or tell him some funny thing that Sam had said or to depend on his calm strength when sorting out a conflict with some fight among the ranch hands. Each time Ben heard the sound of horses approach the house he would think, just for a brief instant that Hoss must be back from the range. Then it would all rush back to him that Hoss was gone forever and was never, ever coming home.<\/p>\n

    As the summer passed, Ben\u2019s broken ribs healed and his injured ankle slowly got better. The limp was almost gone. Sam still followed him around like a watchdog and Ben was more than glad to have the company of the boy. Each time Doc Martin came by to check Ben\u2019s progress, the boy carried in Paul\u2019s bag for him and sat attentively as he checked Ben out.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMaybe I\u2019ll be a doctor someday, Grandpa. A rancher and a doctor both.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou could do that,\u201d Ben said watching Paul Martin pack up his instruments.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThen I would take care of people and horses too. And cattle. And folks will call me Doc.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cPeople and cattle you say?\u201d the doctor said taking his stethoscope out of Sam\u2019s curious hands. The boy was listening to his own heartbeat.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd I can take care of monkeys too.\u201d Sammy added.<\/p>\n

    Paul Martin chuckled at the boy\u2019s imagination. \u201cMonkeys you say? We don\u2019t get too many monkeys around Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cBut then I will be ready if we do. Like from a circus that came to town. Once Mama took me to a circus when we lived in San Francisco and they had lots of monkeys.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe can use some more doctors here in Virginia City, Sam,\u201d Doc Martin smiled.\u201d Just you Cartwrights alone keep me pretty busy. But I don\u2019t think we have a whole lot of monkeys in these parts. Just people and cattle and horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Paul smiled and looked at Ben Cartwright who shrugged, shaking his head at the unique direction Sam\u2019s imagination always took. The little boy was a source of constant amusement to all the adults on Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHow\u2019s our patient, Doctor Martin?\u201d Sam said handing the doctor his bag.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHow\u2019s our patient?\u201d Paul smiled at Sam\u2019s serious concern. \u201cWell, \u201cDoc\u201d, it looks like you did a fine job tending to your grandfather and he\u2019s coming along very well. Keep up the fine job you are doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd if any sick monkey comes into town, Paul, feel free to refer them to Sam\u2019s care,\u201d Ben teased.<\/p>\n

    \u201cOr monkeys with injuries, like broken ribs or hurt ankles! I can teach them to use a little cane the way I got Grandpa to use a cane.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cAbsolutely! If you can train Ben Cartwright, an injured monkey will be quite easy!\u201d Paul Martin handed Sam his bag to carry out to his buggy.<\/p>\n

    Both Joe and Adam were laboring very hard keeping up with the work on the ranch. Between Ben\u2019s injury and Hoss\u2019s death, they had to shoulder a huge load. Adam still had to keep track of his own Stoddard and Bruce projects and rarely had a spare minute. He wanted the San Francisco office to be opened on schedule just as he and Dennis planned.<\/p>\n

    Hays Newkirk, the foreman tried hard to help out but he too was grieving the loss of his son, Dean as well as taking care of his pregnant daughter in law, Bonnie. His wife Rebecca and younger son, Casey were bearing up as best they could.<\/p>\n

    At Kate\u2019s insistence, she and Adam and their son had moved from Mim\u2019s little yellow house in town into the downstairs bedroom on the Ponderosa\u00a0for the time being. Sam slept upstairs in one of the small bedrooms. She felt that they all needed to be together and that Ben would not allow his ankle to heal up if she were not there to keep track of him on a day-to-day basis. She was also worried about Sam\u2019s safety if they remained in town where people came and went all day and night. On the Ponderosa, any stranger would be quickly noticed.<\/p>\n

    She gave some of her staff more responsibility at the\u00a0Enterprise\u00a0and was able to do some of her writing from Ben\u2019s desk on the Ponderosa Ranch. Once or twice a week, she went into Virginia City and checked on the paper and had a quiet lunch with Nancy Foster. She could leave Sam playing with the Foster children and do other chores with a clear mind that he was safe and well cared for by Nancy. No bank robbers would dare look for the lone witness playing at the sheriff\u2019s house. Her son needed to spend some time with other children his age and get away from the all the mournful adults on the ranch.<\/p>\n

    Kate\u2019s afternoon was spent alone at Mim\u2019s empty house. Kate would unroll Adam\u2019s plans on the kitchen table and examine them over and over again. Occasionally she would sketch out some details or make a list of corrections or questions for him. Kate would silently walk around the place and imagine their new house in her mind\u2019s eye. She needed to have something happy to look forward to or she would have lost her mind. By dinner time she and Sam would return back to the Ponderosa Ranch and try to sort out of what was going on while she was gone.<\/p>\n

    Sam was extremely content to be at the Ponderosa and stayed glued to his grandfather. Ben enjoyed having a second generation of small boys on the ranch and Sam gladly spent time with him. Ben taught Sam many of the chores around the place that he had taught his own sons and even started calling the boy \u201cDoc\u201d because he had taken such good care of him when he was injured.<\/p>\n

    Adam had found Sam a sassy gray pony, Katarina, to ride. From some back corner of the tack room, Joe dug out the old boy\u2019s sized saddle and bridle that he had used for Lucky and cleaned it up for his nephew. One afternoon Ben decided he was feeling well enough to ride his horse a bit. He took Sam out and showed him how to check the fence lines on the south meadow.<\/p>\n

    As Ben pounded some new posts into the ground, Sam stood waiting to help. \u201cSam, hand me some more nails.\u201d Ben asked as he started to string the wire.<\/p>\n

    \u201cGrandpa, I miss Uncle Hoss, awful bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

    I know it’s hard, son,\u201d Ben said. He put the sledgehammer down on the ground and put his hand on the boy\u2019s shoulder comfortingly. \u201cWe\u2019re all struggling to get used to him not being here.\u00a0 I’m afraid, Sammy, that you have had more than your share difficult times in your short life.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI just miss Uncle Hoss so much, Grandpa\u201d Sammy said fighting back his tears. \u201cIt hearts me all over.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe all do.\u201d Ben swallowed the lump that had risen in his throat. He closed his eyes as he hugged Sammy tightly and took a deep breath. Tears filled his eyes thinking of his dead son and of the unremitting pain his young grandson must be feeling. \u201cBut I remember that as long as you remember someone in your heart, a piece of that person stays alive. The person might be gone but your love for them lasts forever. Do you think you can do that Doc?\u201d
    \nThe boy nodded. He wiped his tears on his shirtsleeve. \u201cYes sir. I will always remember Uncle Hoss as long as I live. And always love him too.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Ben pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his own eyes. Kneeling down facing his grandson he said to his him \u201cNow blow.\u201d The boy let his grandfather wipe his nose and eyes. Ben stuck the handkerchief in the boy\u2019s pocket.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI love you, Grandpa.\u201d Sam put his arms around Ben and they hugged each other close. Having Sam to care for seemed to help Ben deal with his own grief. He felt he had a purpose. Day by day Sam and his grandfather grew closer as the rest of Ben\u2019s family pulled asunder<\/p>\n

    Chapter 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

    For Ben Cartwright, far worse than the pain of losing Hoss, was having to watch his two remaining sons wrestle each day with the burden of grief they carried. With Hoss gone Joe and Adam squared off eye to eye with no other brother left to calm the storms of their rage or yank them apart when they started chewing on each other. The two brothers, the oldest and youngest of his boys, pulled in their own separate directions.<\/p>\n

    Ben could imagine what Adam and Joe were going through and this upset him even more. Hays Newkirk, his foreman, had been on the Ponderosa for years. His oldest son, Deputy Dean Newkirk, had been shot down leading the posse two weeks after they killed Hoss.<\/p>\n

    One night, the two men sat quietly side by side on the porch in the dark. \u201cBenjamin, I never thought we would be sitting here, two old men burying our own boys.\u201d He rubbed his chin and stared at the night sky.<\/p>\n

    Ben looked at his hands \u201cGuess we have no choice. You play the hand you are dealt no matter how good, no matter how bad it may be. It is the only hand you get.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Hays sighed and nodded his head. \u201cDean\u2019s wife should be having that baby any day now. Bonnie wants to take the children and go back to her people in Kansas when the new baby is able to make the trip. I hate to see her go. My Rebecca it taking this pretty hard but won\u2019t let on in front of anyone that she wants Bonnie and those babies to stay right here with us.\u201d
    \n\u201dGrandchildren are a comfort when you are sorrowful. They make you think of the future, not the bad days that passed. Maybe Bonnie will change her mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt used to be my table was pretty crowded. Dean and Bonnie and the baby, the missus, our girls and their husbands and little Casey. Soon all it will be is Casey and the missus and me. Won\u2019t need much of a table no more, Benjamin. It\u2019s those empty chairs at dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Ben nodded. \u201dI guess it is the measure of a man how he takes such a loss. It can make you bitter and crooked like Abel Stoddard. Look how vengeful he became because my Elisabeth died.\u00a0 Or you can pick up as best you can and go on living.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cFrom what you said, Stoddard wasn\u2019t never much of a man, even before Elizabeth died, Benjamin. He was a miserable bastard. You can\u2019t rise to the occasion when you are a low down louse.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Chapter 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Ben sat himself down at the head of the dinner table, and the others took their accustomed places around him, Joe on his right and Adam next to his brother. Kate sat on Adam\u2019s\u2019 other hand at the foot of the long dining room table facing her father-in-law. Sam was next to her, facing Adam.<\/p>\n

    On Ben\u2019s left side was an empty chair. It was the seat Hoss had occupied for all the years they had lived in this home. As a boy, Hoss had selected that particular seat. His stepmother Marie was still alive and was trying to tame this all male household a bit by making sure they sat down to the table with clean shirts and engaged in polite behavior and used proper table manners. Ben smiled remembering his middle son telling him that by sitting in that particular seat, he got the first view of the food platters being carried in from the kitchen and wouldn\u2019t get caught in between Adam and Little Joe poking at each other.<\/p>\n

    Now all Joe could see opposite him, as a constant reminder at each meal was his dead brother\u2019s empty chair.<\/p>\n

    Adam, seated next to his younger brother noticed how Joseph was twisted in his seat and had pulled his chair at an angle to the table. He kept his eyes on his dinner plate. He wrongly attributed his brother\u2019s silence to the late nights Joe had been keeping or some unspoken anger to Adam.\u00a0 Most meals, if Joe did join them, were silent affairs with only little Sam and Ben at opposite ends of the table attempting to keep up a conversation.<\/p>\n

    \u201cGrandpa, could we go fishing soon?\u201d
    \n\u201dThat sounds good; my leg is feeling much better from your tending, Doc.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd I am sure we would all enjoy some fine fresh fish for dinner,\u201d Kate said looking around the table at her silent family. \u201cWouldn\u2019t some fish be a nice change?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cVery nice! Real nice! I love fish. Wouldn\u2019t it be nice Papa? Uncle Joe? \u201d Sam chattered with false cheer.<\/p>\n

    Kate cringed as she watched how hard Sam was struggling to raise the spirits of everyone in the house. She remembered doing the same thing when she was a girl living with her parents and aunt and uncle when they were worrying about things. Kate knew she was a good witness. She recalled over hearing her Mim telling her mother how children make unusually accurate witnesses, especially only children living in a houseful of adults. \u00a0Mim had said. \u201cChildren really remember when your parents and the ones you love are happy, and you really, really remember when your parents are anxious and sad.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dHow about tomorrow? Uncle Joe do you want to go fishing? Pa? \u201cSam smiled hopefully as he struggled to pull everyone into the discussion. Unfortunately, the boy was fighting a losing battle with both his step father and his uncle.<\/p>\n

    Joe didn\u2019t even look up. He silently poked at his roast beef with his fork. He was tired and aching from breaking horses all day. His shoulder hurt from hitting the corral fence when he was thrown. Joe had lain in the dirt for a long while but refused to listen to Hays when he told him to quit for the day. He worked for another few hours and was now feeling the pain of all his bruises.<\/p>\n

    \u201cPapa, come fishing!\u201d Sam repeated. \u201cPlease.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo, son, I have to check up on the North pasture if the water is holding for the herds up there. \u201c Adam answered. \u201cI would hate to have that cattle die from thirst in this hot weather. And I have some matters to attend to for Dennis.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam looked next to him at Kate. His wife, he noticed looked tired and pale.<\/p>\n

    Kate was trying to watch Little Joe without him noticing her scrutiny. She had known her brother-in \u2013law since they were not even old enough for school but had never experienced him behaving as he had since Hoss was killed.<\/p>\n

    Joe Cartwright had always been the center of all the jokes and socializing in the family and amongst his friends. Even when things were difficult, he tended to want to be around people, almost to a fault when he was younger. He was known to sneak out through his bedroom window to visit in Virginia City rather than obey his father\u2019s punishments. Joe would never give up a party or dance and usually could string along a few different pretty girls at the same time if he wasn\u2019t courting a special one. As much as he liked to spend evenings in town at the Silver Dollar or Bucket of Blood playing poker or having a few beers it was always the company of other people that he enjoyed more than the gambling or the drinking. He rarely if ever drank alone or drank to such excess as he had been since his brother was murdered. Joe withdrew from people more and more each day.<\/p>\n

    Kate felt like someone had kidnapped her Little Joe Cartwright, the one she knew and loved and replaced him with a sour spirited look alike-bedeviled twin. It was like the scary story her mother used to tell her about the horribly monstrous changeling child who was left behind by the devilish trolls.<\/p>\n

    Joe squirmed painfully in his seat. His head was down and he silently poked a fork at the food on his plate, pushing it around and not eating it.<\/p>\n

    \u201cPa, I\u2019m done. Excuse me. I have some things to attend to tonight in town. \u201cWithout waiting for a response he pushed back his chair and left the table and quickly walked to the front door. Sam jumped up from the table and ran after him.<\/p>\n

    \u201dCould I go too Uncle Joe?\u201d Sam asked hopefully.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo.\u201d Joe snapped at him bluntly. They heard the front door open quickly and slam shut as he left.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSam, get back to the table. You didn\u2019t finish,\u201d Kate called to her son. The boy rushed back into the dining room.<\/p>\n

    \u201cGuess he wasn\u2019t hungry, Mama.\u201d\u00a0 Sam tried to make an excuse for his beloved uncle\u2019s abrupt departure. In his own innocent attempt at cheering her, he took a big forkful of mashed potatoes and shoveled them into his mouth. No one at the table even noticed or made mention of his bad table manners or of the gravy on his chin that dripped onto his shirt.<\/p>\n

    Adam silently shrugged his shoulders. Ben\u2019s dark eyes met Kate\u2019s at the opposite end of the table. Something was terribly wrong in their home and they needed to straighten it out. Unless they could figure out what it was, Kate and her father in law were both helpless to remedy anything.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 4<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Adam compulsively followed any news about the Carson City Gang. He meticulously plotted out where they were seen or committed a crime on a hand drawn map of the territory.\u00a0 Disturbed by this obsession, Kate had forbidden him from hanging the map in the house so he silently brought it outside and nailed it on the north wall of the tack room.<\/p>\n

    He withdrew into hard work and kept the ranch running. Many nights were spent reviewing Stoddard and Bruce reports and drafting letters with his responses. He ate less and less each day despite Kate\u2019s arguments and Hop Sing trying to tempt him with his favorite dishes.<\/p>\n

    Kate walked half way down the stairs to the main room and paused to take stock of her surroundings. She had just finished putting Sam to bed. Joe still was not home and Ben had fallen asleep in his chair by the stone fireplace while reading a book. The book was open across his chest and his head was thrown back. The last few months had aged him dreadfully and his hair was totally silver. He looked like a very old, worn out man.<\/p>\n

    Kate Cartwright heard the front door opens slowly and saw her husband drag himself into the house.\u00a0Adam took off his hat on the rack by the door. Hoss\u2019s big white hat sat on the rack as it had since the night they brought his gear back from the sheriff\u2019s office. Then he unbuckled his gun belt, sighed deeply as he neatly coiled it up and placed it on its customary spot on the sideboard near the door. Two other gun belts lay there, the one belonging to Hoss and Ben\u2019s weapon. The absence of Joe\u2019s gear indicated to Adam that his brother still was not home.<\/p>\n

    He looked through a pile of mail that one of the hands had brought back from town and noticed three pieces of mail from the offices of Stoddard and Bruce, a letter from Dennis and a thick envelope from the cavalry with bid information on horses. He pushed them aside and decided to look at them in the morning. There was no way he could pay them proper attention to any of these things tonight. He was far too weary.<\/p>\n

    Kate watched as Adam\u00a0headed for their bedroom. His face was unshaven for days and his shoulders were slumped.<\/p>\n

    “Night,” he mumbled when he noticed her on the other side of the room.<\/p>\n

    “Adam…please, …you need to eat something,\u201d his wife pleaded softly.<\/p>\n

    “No I don’t need to eat anything,” he replied rubbing his stiff shoulders and yawning. He ran his fingers through his filthy black hair.<\/p>\n

    \u201cLet me make you something.\u201d she paused, struggling to select what she would say and how she could say it.<\/p>\n

    “Don\u2019t bother. I’m tired, Kate. I’m so damned tired I just want to go to bed and never wake up again,\u201d he begged, “just…let me go to bed.” He walked into their bedroom and slowly shut the door. Kate never felt more abandoned watching all the people she loved retreat further and further into their grief and leave her standing completely alone.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 5<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The sound of the sharp axe splitting the log was one that seemed
    \nfitting to Adam Cartwright\u2019s continuous rage. He was enraged. Venting his fury on the pile of firewood in front of him seemed to help. With each blow he imagined he was decapitating one of the Carson City gang. Unlike the long days he spent with the posse that had lead nowhere, at least by hacking into the wood he could see some tangible results from what his efforts.<\/p>\n

    \u201cPapa?<\/p>\n

    Adam looked up to see Sammy standing nearby \u201cMama said to come in for dinner. It is steak and mashed potatoes just the way you like it. And two desserts. Blueberry pie and cherry cobbler.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dOk, help me carry some of this fire wood, Sam.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The boy reached out helpfully and let his father pile some kindling into his slender arms. Adam picked up a larger load and together they walked inside through the front door.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSoon we\u2019ll have to start cutting and stacking wood for the winter, Sam,\u201d Adam explained. \u201cSnow will be here before you know it.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Ben was working at the desk examining the ledgers and sorting through some of the stack of letter and paper work that had piled up the last few months since Hoss had died. In the weeks after Hoss died, Ben had difficulty staying focused on things this summer. Adam, who normally helped his father stay ahead of the paperwork, was frequently pulled away to supervise other work on the Ponderosa. Now Ben was determined to plow through the back log and clear off his desk.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe army wants another string of horses in two weeks. \u201cBen remarked reading one of the letters.<\/p>\n

    Joe stood next to his father reading over his shoulder. \u201cThat won\u2019t be a problem. We can deliver just what they need.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dJoe, that\u2019s pretty short order for the number of mounts they want and how wild that bunch in the corral look.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dThey\u2019ll be fine I\u2019ll take care of them myself.\u201d Joe said with a hard edge.<\/p>\n

    Sam and Adam noisily filled the brown wood box next to the fireplace.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNow go wash up, Sammy,\u201d Ben said automatically without even looking up from his paperwork. After all the years of raising boys the words just rolled out of his mouth without the rancher even thinking about them.<\/p>\n

    Adam nudged Sam on the shoulder and sent him upstairs. Then he turned to his brother. \u201cJoe, Pa is right, it\u2019s an awfully short time to break all those horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI said don\u2019t worry about it!\u00a0 It\u2019ll get done on time.\u201d He angrily walked over to the sideboard and poured himself a drink from the decanter. \u201cDon\u2019t butt in Adam. The horses are my business, not yours.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019m not butting in, Joe. You are just totally wrong about this.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Ben looked at Joe but decided that saying anything more about the horses tonight was not going to improve his youngest son\u2019s temper or decrease the amount of whiskey he was drinking.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAny news from Clem Foster when you went into town this afternoon?\u201d Ben asked trying to distract his sons and change the subject before another battle started. As soon as the words came out of his mouth, he realized he had selected the wrong topic and regretted bringing up the topic.<\/p>\n

    \u201dWhat do you mean?\u201d Joe bristled.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAny more news from the Sheriff about the Carson City Gang? Or are you did you spend the afternoon at the Silver Dollar like you spend all your evenings?\u201d Adam blasted back with both barrels.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAdam, we can\u2019t do anything more. It\u2019s done. Forget about it. The trail is cold and we are not going to find them.\u201d Joe poured some more whisky into his glass and downed it in a gulp.<\/p>\n

    Adam slammed his fist into the wood box up ending it with a loud crash. The split logs clattered noisily to the floor. He stared at Joe with frightening rage. Adam shouted, “Shut up Joe!”<\/p>\n

    Adam\u2019s glare was furious. Ben felt that had his eldest son been within reaching distance, he would have grabbed his brother and heaved Joe across the room by the scruff of his neck.<\/p>\n

    The explosion of noise and shouting sent Kate running into from the kitchen where she and Hop Sing had been putting the last touches on dinner \u201cAdam! Joe! Stop please stop.\u201d she pleaded.<\/p>\n

    \u201cLook, I\u2019m sick of you telling me what to do, Adam.\u201d Joe roared. He tossed back the rest his drink and walked towards the front door. He reached for his gun belt from where it lay coiled up on the sideboard next to his brother\u2019s. For an instant he froze, seeing Hoss\u2019s holster and gun belt sitting there and pulled back his hand as if he had touched a hot cook stove. He snatched his hat from the rack and grabbed his gun belt and stormed out the door. \u201cDon\u2019t wait up for me.\u201d He shouted angrily and slammed the door behind him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJoseph!\u201d Ben called. He rushed away from his desk but it was too late. They heard Joe thunder off on Cochise a few minutes later.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAdam, I can\u2019t endure any more of this battling between you two. What is wrong with you? \u201d Ben bellowed at his oldest son standing toe to toe with him. Adam took a step backwards. His father was eye to eye with him.<\/p>\n

    \u201dPa, Joe wants to give up on finding the men who killed Hoss. I can\u2019t let that happen. Not yet. I won\u2019t give it up.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dIf you and your brother keep on this way it won\u2019t matter what you do or if you find those outlaws. Look at you two! Look at you two!\u201d Ben raised his voice.<\/p>\n

    Adam froze as his father\u2019s voice thundered throughout the house as it hadn\u2019t in years.<\/p>\n

    \u201dAdam, you\u2019re are going to kill yourself with over work and lack of sleep and your brother is going to drink himself to death or break his neck riding his horse like a lunatic!\u201d Ben roared.<\/p>\n

    Kate ran over to her husband standing next to the fireplace and put her hand on his forearm. Her face was as pale as the white eyelet blouse she was wearing. \u201cAdam, please,\u201d she started.<\/p>\n

    He pulled away furiously and pushed past her. Adam stormed out the front door just as his brother had done only moments earlier. The front door slammed closed behind him with such force that the painting above the sideboard fell to the floor with a crash cracking the ornate frame.<\/p>\n

    The pain from Hoss\u2019s sudden death had left its mark on all of them; each in their own way. Ben stared at Kate in despair. \u201cKate, what are we going to do? I\u2019m lost for what to do for them. I\u2019ve already buried one son; he thought in agony, I can\u2019t let anything happen to the others.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dBen we can\u2019t give up now. \u201c She walked over to where he was standing and put her arms around him. She had known her father-in-law most of her life and would have done anything to help him. The only family she had now was the Cartwrights and Sam and there was no way that Kate would let them flounder and sink.<\/p>\n

    When her uncle was shot to death over the editorials he was publishing in the Enterprise<\/em> about water rights, it was Ben Cartwright who had helped bring the murderer to justice and Ben who made sure that Mim kept the newspaper\u00a0running. Kate remembered what Mim had said to her at that time about keeping things together when it seems the hardest.<\/p>\n

    I have to be strong . . . Kate thought, trying to calm her emotions, that\u2019s the only way I can help them all. I don\u2019t have the luxury of being weak right now. Despite her best intent to not cry again, tears rolled down her cheeks. She was worn out from tending to Sam\u2019s nightmares, refereeing fights between Joe and Adam and the grief she too was feeling from the loss of her beloved brother-in-law. Now Ben was asking for her support too.<\/p>\n

    Kate desperately missed being in her own house. Winter was fast approaching and not one bit of work had begun on the house she and Adam had planned together the previous spring.<\/p>\n

    Kate took a deep breath and decided it was time to take hold of the situation before it got worse. \u201cTogether, we\u2019ll find a way to get through this, Ben. It might take some time, but things won\u2019t always be the way they are now.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Ben nodded. He reached down and wiped the tears from her face with his hand. \u201cYou\u2019re right, Katie. We have to do this together.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe two of us will find a way through your two pig headed sons. Even if I have to grab them by the scruff of their necks and knock their foolish heads together\u201d She tried to smile at her father-in-law.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou just do that, Katie,\u201d He chuckled. Ben couldn\u2019t resist her attempt at humor and laughed at the thought of petite Katie pounding his two tall, muscular sons. Ben wrapped his arms around her and held her protectively in his embrace, taking charge once again just as he always had.<\/p>\n

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

    \u201cLet\u2019s get Sam down here for dinner. Your little boy must be mighty hungry even if my big boys aren\u2019t.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 6<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Kate took a deep breath and opened the barn door. In the dim yellow flickering light of the kerosene lantern she could see her husband. His back was to the door, and Adam was tossing bedding into the stalls. He was working with such angry ferocity that he didn\u2019t even realize his wife was near. There was absolutely no need for him to be doing this. The Cartwrights had a bunkhouse full of hands to do this sort of labor.<\/p>\n

    \u201cCome inside Adam. You\u2019ve been out here for over two hours.\u201d She spoke to him as calmly as she could. \u201cYou have to eat some dinner. Sam is already in bed. He fell asleep waiting for you to say goodnight.\u00a0 He wanted to show you a map he copied from the atlas.\u201d<\/p>\n

    He continued to silently toss straw into the next stall. Even with his back to his wife and she could see by the way his trousers and shirt loosely fit that he had lost a lot of weight in the last few weeks.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe all can\u2019t go on like this Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cGo back in the house Kate. I\u2019ll be in later, when I\u2019m done,\u201d he answered firmly. He didn\u2019t look up but just kept raking out the stall.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou can\u2019t bring your brother Hoss back by running away from everything. \u201c She tried to keep her voice even and calm. Her heart was thumping in her chest. She had too much frustration bottled up inside and she wasn\u2019t used to confronting Adam. The only real disagreement they had ever had was when she insisted that none of the Cartwright brothers could teach Sam how to play poker or any other game that involved gambling. It reminded her all too painfully of Al Striker, Sam\u2019s father.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou can\u2019t bring your brother back by working yourself to death, Adam Cartwright. Hoss is gone and he will never be back!\u201d Kate screamed. Despite her resolve, she felt herself lose all her self-control. Everything she had bottled up in her for the last months exploded furiously in a burst of words that erupted from her broken heart like a tidal wave.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou can never run so fast or so far to escape the awful thing that happened.\u00a0 So just sit down and be still and face the truth of it. Your brother is dead. But you are not dead and I am not dead and we need each other now more than ever. Me, and your father, Little Joe, and Sam. We all need each other.\u201d She balled up her fists and stood with both hands on her hips.<\/p>\n

    Her husband had seen Kate take that angry \u201chands on hips\u2019 stance over the years but never directed at him. She had never taken that posture towards him as long as he knew her<\/p>\n

    \u201cKilling yourself isn\u2019t going to accomplish a damn thing, Adam!\u00a0 It won\u2019t ever bring Hoss back! \u201cshe raged.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou taught me that we all makes the best decision at the time that we are able. Remember that?\u00a0 And you said that you can\u2019t be angry with yourself for making whatever decision you made. That is what you told me one time and you know for sure that you were right. You\u2019re a very smart man, Adam, and gave me good advice when I needed it most.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dWhy can\u2019t you follow your own advice? Were you lying to me Adam Cartwright?\u201d She hated lies more than anything in the world and he knew it.<\/p>\n

    He shook his head. He leaned the pitch fork against the wall and stood facing her, his arms crossed against his chest.<\/p>\n

    \u201dDo you think you are always right and never make a mistake Adam Cartwright? Are you that perfect? No one is perfect, even you!” She raged. She moved over closer to where he was standing and grabbed a handful of his shirt with yank so he didn\u2019t dare move away.<\/p>\n

    Adam looked down at her, his brown eyes almost black in the dim light of the barn. He looked pained and startled to hear her direct words smash into his face.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI.. I don\u2019t know,\u201d Adam said with a sigh.\u00a0 One thing about his wife that hadn\u2019t ever changed was her persistence in getting to the truth, even when the truth was painful.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat don\u2019t you know? Tell me the truth,\u201d Kate glared at him.<\/p>\n

    Adam felt a cold shiver cross his body.\u00a0 She was nailing him with the truth. He drew a breath and started to say what he could not say to anyone, the secret he kept in his gut. \u201cThe truth is that I should have been there. I should have been at the bank with Hoss. I \u2013 I went for a beer at the Silver Dollar. I dawdled over two cold beers with Jack Fischer. I let my brother and my child walk into an armed bank robbery while I sat and drank a cold beer with a man who stank of cheap lilac water in the Silver Dollar Saloon.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The only sound in the shadowy barn was the stomping of Sam\u2019s pony in the far stall.<\/p>\n

    Adam\u2019s voice crackled with pain. Tears started rolling down his weary face. \u201cI drank a cold beer while my brother was getting shot.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cDo you think you should have been in the bank with Hoss? You were thirsty and you decided to have a beer.\u00a0 You decided to have a beer, Adam. You didn\u2019t kill your brother. The bank robbers did. Hoss and Sammy walked into the bank at the wrong moment.\u201d Kate continued. The words bubbled out of her and she couldn\u2019t control herself anymore.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHe saved Sam, Adam. Hoss saved my son. Our son. Do you honestly think you could have saved Hoss if you were in the bank with them? Maybe you could have. Maybe. But maybe you would have been shot too, Adam. Did you ever think of that possibility?\u00a0 Did you ever think that you would have been killed too! Then your father would have lost two sons not just one. Joe would have lost two brothers, not just one. Sam would have no father.\u00a0 And,\u201d she sobbed, \u201cI would have lost the love of my life. And I could not have forgiven you ever if you did. Never Adam!\u201d She sobbed, choking on her words. Hot tears burned in her eyes.<\/p>\n

    Adam was speechless at her despair.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAdam, the truth is that you didn\u2019t kill Hoss\u2026. Al Striker did.\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n

    She was shocked to hear her own words in the dark barn. It was almost like someone else had said them. She had never, ever said it aloud. Every time Sam had said he saw his dead father she had told him that it was totally impossible. Striker was long gone. He had died in the sinking of the riverboat. In her dresser drawer she had a letter from Pomeroy Labelle, the ship\u2019s Captain saying that Al Striker had died. Something unspoken nagged at her in a dark corner of her consciousness.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d Adam demanded. He grasped both of her hands in his and pulled her closer to him. Shocked, he stared down into her flushed, tear streaked face. \u201cKatie, what did you just say?\u201d<\/p>\n

    His brown black eyes were wide with shock.<\/p>\n

    \u201dSam said he saw Al\u2026 and I am beginning to believe him. That is why they shot Mr. Chase and they shot the teller and they shot Hoss\u2026 but not Sam. Adam, it was Al. Al would never kill his own son. He is not really dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u00a0Chapter 7<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Joe Cartwright turned the beer mug round and round in his hand, leaving a wet ring on the polished wood top of the bar.\u00a0 The circle of moisture grew in an ever increasing arc as he inched the glass slowly to in a circle.\u00a0 He twirled the heavy glass so that the dregs of beer in the bottom swirled up the sides. Anything was preferable to going back home and being reminded that his brother was not there.<\/p>\n

    \u201cGo home Joe, I want to close up,\u201d Cosmo, the bartender told him. \u201cEven the girls are done for the night.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe nodded swallowed the last of his beer and staggered out through the swinging doors. He untied the reins from the hitching rail and swung into Cochise\u2019s saddle and headed back to the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

    As he slowly rode up to the house in the moon light, Joe hoped everyone was already in bed and would stay asleep and so he wouldn\u2019t have to look at his broken hearted father sitting mournfully by the fire nor see Adam stewing in his own juices, picking at him, itching for a fight with him. Joe had no desire to hear terrified nightmare screams from his sleeping nephew. The only face he could deal with was Katie\u2019s and he certainly didn\u2019t want to add his troubles to her already full plate. The least Joe could do for her and stay clear of the house as much as he could.<\/p>\n

    Joe could see a lamp still lit in the window and someone walking around in the kitchen. He quickly changed his mind about going into the house and pulled up Cochise and rode out from the house. He kicked his heels into Cochise and galloped down through the pasture behind the barn. He rode full out for a while up the hill to the little family grave yard.<\/p>\n

    In the moonlight, Joe slid off Cochise and tied the horse to a low tree limb. He quietly made his way up to the graves, Hoss, his brother and Marie, his mother and Dean Newkirk, his friend. He stood staring at the graves for a long time and then sat down exhausted on the ground. He leaned his weary back on the trunk of cherry tree the boys had planted after Marie died and closed his eyes.<\/p>\n

    Hours later, Joe woke up and for a moment had no idea where he was. He was damp and chilled from the cold night air and the dew that covered the grass. The sky was already glowing bright overhead. He stiffly got up from where he had fallen asleep leaning on the cherry tree. Rubbing his shoulder, he remembered that he had ridden out to the graves and fallen slept under the tree all night. By the angle of the sun overhead, he realized it was midmorning and he needed to head home.<\/p>\n

    He stumbled to his feet and looked again at the graves. On Hoss\u2019 grave was a huge bunch of yellow daisies.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDamn, I better get back to the house and get some dry clothes and some food.\u201d He rubbed his aching shoulder and stretched his cramped legs. Hearing the sound of a wagon behind him he looked down the hill and saw a buggy riding away from him toward Virginia City. The driver was a very attractive auburn haired woman.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 8<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Kate\u2019s fears about a disturbed night proved to be justified. She tucked Sam into bed shortly after dinner and went downstairs. As she finished up writing some articles for the next issue of the Enterprise<\/em> at the dining room table, Ben and Adam had sat at the desk finishing off some paper work for the ranch.<\/p>\n

    \u201cPa, this dry spell is causing some problems, better give that South Pasture a breather and move the herd a few miles east.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI suppose Joe can do that with Hays and some hands tomorrow or later in the week. I\u2019ll tell him\u201d.\u00a0 Ben knew Joe would take orders from his father more cooperatively than if Adam spoke to him. No sense stirring up more bickering and friction. About a half hour later, after saying good night, Ben limped up to bed.<\/p>\n

    Adam, eventually quit for the night. After working with the account books and checking some figures for Stoddard and Bruce for hours after dinner, he had dozed off stretched out on the settee. Kate had to wake him and tell him to get into to their bed around ten o\u2019clock. Both of them went into their room off the dining room and climbed into the bed. Adam turned his face to the wall and she snuggled up to his broad back.<\/p>\n

    The ranch house had been dark and silent for about two hours. Suddenly, the peace was shattered by an unearthly, loud howling shriek upstairs. Kate sat bolt upright in their bed with a start. She was out of the room and up the stairs before she had even awakened fully. She raced into her son\u2019s room and sat on the edge of the bed next to the screaming boy. She calmed him down and sat near him until he fell back asleep. Then she wearily moved to the arm chair in the corner of the room.<\/p>\n

    Later that night screams filled the ranch house once again. Bewildered, Sam looked around. \u201cMama!\u201d\u00a0 Flaming hands were reaching out of the blackness towards him. He shouted as he shrank away in fear. \u201cDon\u2019t let him hurt me! Mama . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cSam! It\u2019s all right, sweetie.\u201d The boy moved towards the comforting voice.
    \n\u201cMama . . .\u201d he murmured again, \u201cMa, don\u2019t let Al take me away!<\/p>\n

    Protectively, she wrapped his arms around her son. \u201cShh, I\u2019m here, son, I won\u2019t let anyone hurt you .It was just another bad dream.\u201d The boy\u2019s uncontrollable shaking began to subside. Kate felt Sam\u2019s body relax against her.\u00a0 Kate started to softly cry. Hoss was gone and her son was so frightened by what he had happened that he hadn\u2019t slept a full night for more than two nights in a row for months; neither had Kate Cartwright.<\/p>\n

    \u201cKatie, I heard yelling, what\u2019s going on?\u201d\u00a0 Adam rushed into the room from the hallway. He was tying the belt of his maroon robe and his black hair was rumpled.<\/p>\n

    \u201dEverything is ok.\u00a0 He was just having another nightmare. Try not to wake anyone else up. I think Joe might have gotten in not long ago. And your father will be in here in a minute if he hears Sam crying. Adam, go back downstairs to bed, you\u2019ll be getting up for the day before you know it.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo that\u2019s ok\u2026Besides, I can\u2019t sleep when you aren\u2019t near. \u201c He put his hands on her shoulder and stood watching his son fall back into a restless sleep. \u201cLet me carry him downstairs into our bed. You can\u2019t sit up here all night watching him sleep in case he has a nightmare. \u201c<\/p>\n

    Kate nodded her head. \u201cI can\u2019t sleep when you aren\u2019t near either.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam carried Sam downstairs and tucked him in their bed between them. Adam rolled over, on his back and fell asleep. As Kate watched, Sam slid over towards his father and wrapped himself around Adam and cuddled into his chest. Both of her men soon fell soundly asleep.<\/p>\n

    Kate was exhausted but still couldn\u2019t relax enough to fall asleep. She heard footsteps in the next room and the sound of someone adding a log to the fire.\u00a0 She quietly got out of bed, put on Adam\u2019s robe. It was warmer than her flowered wrapper and it had the comforting fragrance of her husband\u2019s bay rum cologne. She slipped out of the room and gently closed the door.<\/p>\n

    Ben was standing fully dressed, in front of the fireplace with his back to Kate. He was staring at the flames that danced before his eyes. Kate could see the tension in his back just by the way he was standing. It was a stance she had seen many times before in the last few months and one she hated to see again.<\/p>\n

    He glanced up when his daughter \u2013in-law tiptoed into the room.<\/p>\n

    \u201cCan\u2019t you sleep, Katie either?\u201d\u00a0 He gently asked her. Ben prodded the fire with the heavy wrought iron poker even though it was burning perfectly.<\/p>\n

    \u201dI am far too tired to sleep. Sam was up again.\u201d She wearily sank into the settee opposite Ben. \u201cAnd you?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

    Ben sighed \u201cI\u2019m waiting to make sure Joseph gets home in one piece.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI thought I heard him come in a while ago. \u201c<\/p>\n

    \u201dNo, you must have heard me checking his room.\u00a0 I heard you tending to Sam. Is he ok?\u201d
    \n\u201cAdam brought him down here. At least the two of them are asleep. Seems like there are more people walking around this dark house at night than in the daylight.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dDuring the day we are all too busy to think about anything but the work we are doing. Then in the night, in the darkness, it all rushes back, \u201cBen answered. Over and over, as he lie in his bed, he pictured Hoss getting shot and bleeding to death. Tonight he tossed and turned, worrying where Joe was so late. A vision of Joseph lying injured, helpless and unattended brutally flashed through Ben\u2019s mind, and he winced. Forcing his mind off the grisly picture had become impossible in the darkness so he gave up, got dressed and went downstairs.<\/p>\n

    Ben sat down in his favorite leather chair and Kate curled up on the settee pulling her bare feet up under Adam\u2019s warm robe. They both stared quietly into the blazing fire, thankful for each other\u2019s company.<\/p>\n

    \u201dBen, what are we going to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

    The soft whinny of a horse and the faint sound of a hoof striking the dirt in the yard startled both Ben and Kate. The two jumped to their feet and rushed to the edge of doorway. They stood peering in to the darkness.\u00a0A horse and rider emerged slowly out of the bright moonlight. A pinto walked toward them, its rider slumped slightly in the saddle.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJoe!\u201d cried his father in relief as his youngest guided his horse toward the house. \u201cWe were getting worried about you, son.\u201d\u00a0 He took a deep breath and walked over to his son.<\/p>\n

    \u201cPa, I told you I\u2019d be back tonight,\u201d slurred Joe in a drunken voice as he pulled his horse to a stop. Joe slid off the saddle crookedly and stood next to his horse. For a moment, his body sagged with fatigue and far too much beer. Joe pulled himself up almost instantly, and staggered towards the housed.<\/p>\n

    Ben knew he had two sons who were feeling pain, and Adam\u2019s anguish was just as real as Joe\u2019s. But Ben couldn\u2019t deal with both of his sons\u2019 distress at the same time and Ben\u2019s immediate focus was on his youngest son. Joe needed him the most right now.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe\u2019ll talk about this later,\u201d Ben said to Kate as she stood in the doorway. She remained silent.<\/p>\n

    He looked back to Joe. \u201cRight now, the important thing is to get Joe inside and take care of him. \u201cTell Adam I need him to give me a hand with Joe. And tell your husband I don\u2019t want any of his acid commentary this late at night either.\u201d<\/p>\n

    For her husband\u2019s sake as well as the sake of Ben and Little Joe, Kate knew she had to stay strong, to be the voice of reason. She couldn\u2019t give in to the feelings of anger and pain inside her, not if she wanted to keep this family safe and intact and protect Sam.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBen, let me give you a hand. I think we can both manage him and leave Adam out of it. There is no need to get the two of them knock heads again tonight. It is too late. Besides, I think Adam just finally fell asleep and Sammy is in bed next to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Ben sighed but nodded in agreement. \u201cI suppose the two of us can handle this together.\u201d\u00a0 Together they managed to get Joe into his bed and then retired to their own rooms.<\/p>\n

    The next morning Joe straggled down after everyone else had finished breakfast and the other men had left for their work. The late nights and all the bruises and scrapes he was getting breaking horses had taken their toll and he dragged down into the dining room. The Hop Sing heard him and called out from the kitchen \u201cHot coffee, Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Walking in from the kitchen with two cups of coffee, his sister-in- law set one in front of him and sat down to drink hers.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSorry about last night. I know you and Pa had to get me into bed,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

    Kate looked at him sitting at the table. She nodded. \u201cYour father needed a hand and Adam was already sleeping. There was no reason to have you two start in again in the middle of the night or upsetting Sam. Your father can\u2019t stand you hammering at each other day in and day out. Neither can I, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

    She took a sip of her coffee and took a good look at her brother-in-law. His face was haggard and dirty; he needed a haircut and was unshaven.\u00a0 \u201cYou know, some day you have to stop looking back and look forward in life.”<\/p>\n

    \u201cDid you come in here to lecture me Kate?\u201d He leaned his elbow on the table and picked up the coffee cup in his left hand. Joe glared at her.
    \n\u201cMaybe it is about time someone did, Joseph Francis Cartwright,\u201d She stared back at him until he looked down at the table and took a swallow of his hot black coffee.<\/p>\n

    He didn\u2019t recall Kate ever calling him anything but Joe or Little Joe and certainly not Joseph Francis Cartwright. \u201cI guess I owe you for last night.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI guess you owe everyone in this family an explanation for more than last night,\u201d Kate challenged him.<\/p>\n

    \u201dKate, how can a man look toward the future until he’s taken care of the past? Once that’s done, I’ll move forward, but not until then. I couldn’t live with myself for letting those killers go free. Can\u2019t you understand that?\u201d Not waiting for her reply, Joe put down his coffee cup and stood up.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI have work to do down at the corral.\u201d Joe declared and then he stormed out the kitchen door.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 9<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Joe\u2019s primary method of dealing with this problem was to avoid his family. As much as possible he stayed away from the house and sidestepped working with Adam or his father. Some evenings he rode up to the lake and would wind up sitting by the three graves and waited in the dark until he was sure everyone had turned in before he went back to the house.<\/p>\n

    Once again he found fresh flowers on Hoss\u2019 grave and just assumed Kate or Sam had placed them there. Had it been his father, there would have been flowers on his mother\u2019s resting place as well.<\/p>\n

    Joe soon took to rising uncharacteristically early, before anyone else was even awake leaving the house before breakfast. He spent the days looking for strays or fixing fence or other chores on the farthest sections of the ranch. He made sure to work alone or with the newest hands. Joe preferred the companionship of the hands who hadn\u2019t known either his brother Hoss or Dean Newkirk and would not mention either of them. He did everything he could to avoid being reminded of how desperately and deeply he missed Hoss.<\/p>\n

    If he wasn\u2019t doing this, Joe was taking far too many risks doing any work he picked up. He was breaking horses at a dare devil rate. A few of the wranglers at the corral even went to foreman Hays Newkirk, the foreman, to discuss their concerns with Joe\u2019s recklessness. Hays, in turn went to Ben Cartwright.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBen, you gotta talk to Little Joe about his dang fool craziness. Little Joe won\u2019t listen to none of us, not me, not no one.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe other day, the hands said he fell so hard into the fence post that he lay there in the dirt for at least fifteen minutes before he could even stand up. We told him to call it a day, go back to the house, but, no sir. Joe insisted on riding two more horses including that nasty chestnut before he quit for the day. You got to talk to him. He\u2019s gonna break his dang fool neck.\u201d Hays explained. \u201cAnd I sure don\u2019t want to see that. \u201c<\/p>\n

    Late the next afternoon, Ben rode Buck up to the breaking corral to see for himself. Sam followed along on his pony Katarina.<\/p>\n

    As Ben stood by the fence watching, his son was tossed from a large black horse. Joe landed with a heart-stopping thud on the hard packed ground of the corral. He rubbed his shoulder cautiously as he struggled to his feet, glancing across at his father at the side of the corral, as he turned his back towards the wild black stallion that had just thrown him and scooped up his dusty hat from the ground.<\/p>\n

    “Hey, Joe, c\u2019mon that\u2019s enough for today, let\u2019s head up home for supper now before that horse breaks you!” Ben called to his son hoping to prevent the movement he had seen Joe make back towards the horse. Pausing as he reached for the bridle of the restless stallion held steadied at the moment by the two ranch hands Joe shouted a refusal back to his father.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo Pa, I\u2019m not done yet. We still got a bit of daylight. You and Sam go on up without me. I\u2019m not hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cJoseph, it is late. You\u2019re going at it way too hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe replied over his shoulder to his father “You go on Pa, I\u2019ll be along as soon as I\u2019ve got the better of this one.” He started climbing back on the snorting horse as the men held the horse still. For a minute Ben thought to order the hands to let the horse loose but knew that it wouldn\u2019t matter. Joe would chase after it or start a brawl with the men who had let the horse free.<\/p>\n

    Sammy was seated on the top fence rail watching his uncle work the horses while his grandfather leaned on the fence post. He was trying to appear casual to Joe, but Ben was seething at the recklessness he was viewing. Hays Newkirk stood nearby surveying the work and waiting to hear what Ben would say.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSee what I mean. Your boy don\u2019t listen to no one no more. He\u2019s gonna break his dang neck. Boss, this is what I told you about. The men are even complaining that Joe is really trying to kill himself. We both lost boys this year\u2026 \u201cHe stopped talking. He took a breath and was unable to continue for a minute. \u201cAnd I ain\u2019t ready for Little Joe to do himself in.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Ben put his hand on his friends shoulder. \u201cWhat can I do? Tie him up? Lock him in the smoke house? You tell me, Hays. I\u2019ve run out of ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Hays shook his head. \u201cDon\u2019t know. Maybe shoot him in the foot so he can\u2019t get out here?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Sam quickly turned around. His eyes were wide with fear. \u201cGrandpa! Please don\u2019t shoot Uncle Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cDon\u2019t worry boy, we was just joshing. I love your uncle and don\u2019t want nothin\u2019 to harm him. Never.\u201d Hays reassured.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSam, climb down and let\u2019s head up to the house.\u201d Ben couldn\u2019t bear to stand and watch what he knew his youngest son was trying to do.
    \n\u201dWhat about Uncle Joe?\u201d Sam asked his grandfather as scrambled down. Sam had been hoping Joe would be riding back to the house with them for dinner. Sam slipped his small hand into his grandfather\u2019s large calloused one as they walked away from the corral.
    \n\u201dHe\u2019ll come home in his own good time.\u201d Ben said mournfully as he limped back to Buck.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 10<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Joe’s obvious pain was something none of them could ignore. After work, Joe would ride into Virginia City, to the Bucket of Blood or one of the other saloons. Joe refused invitations by friends to join in poker games and avoided the attentions of any of the bar maids who continually approached him and flirted.<\/p>\n

    He just sat alone in a shadowy corner with a bottle of whiskey or stood alone at the far end of the bar drinking beer. He got home late, often drunk, and long after everyone had gone to bed. Some nights he didn\u2019t come home at all.<\/p>\n

    For the fifth night in a row, his seat was empty at the dinner table. That particular Saturday night the rest of the Cartwrights had waited for him to show up but they finally sat down and finished their supper.\u00a0 Joe still hadn\u2019t arrived by the time they finished dessert.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhere\u2019s Uncle Joe?\u201d Sam asked looking at the empty chair on the other side of the table. To Sam\u2019s right was another empty chair, the seat that Hoss had always occupied. He missed his uncles desperately and was pining for the fun they used to have.<\/p>\n

    “What should we do?” Kate asked Ben and Adam.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI haven\u2019t a clue, Kate,\u201d Ben shook his head wearily as Adam silently poked at his dinner.<\/p>\n

    Kate picked up the cake stand and carried the mostly untouched dessert back into the kitchen. It was one more grim reminder of the absence of Hoss. There never was any leftover cake when he was alive.<\/p>\n

    \u201cUncle Joe needs to come home and be with the family and we need to be with him. Papa, you go and get him and tell him he better get home and be with us.\u201d Sam gave his sincere opinion. The Cartwrights all knew the little boy was absolutely right. They all needed to be together in their shared grief. They were stronger leaning on each other than mourning alone.<\/p>\n

    “I\u2019ll ride into town and try to find him, Pa. First, I\u2019ll find him, then I’ll see if I can get him to come home.” Adam told them. He hated the idea of riding into town on a Saturday night to hunt for his brother in saloons filled with hard drinking ranch hands and miners on pay day but he knew his little boy\u2019s suggestion was one hundred percent on target.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSaddle Buck and I\u2019ll ride with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dBen are you sure you are up to it?\u201d Kate cautioned as she returned from the kitchen with the coffee pot. She poured more into her own cup. She sensed that once again it was going to be a late night.<\/p>\n

    Her father in law didn\u2019t want to lie to Kate, so he just ignored her question. Ben threw his red and white checkered napkin on the table and strode over to the sideboard. \u201dAdam, saddle Buck.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Both men strapped on their gun belts, put their hats on and walked out the door.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 11<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Ben didn’t much like the look of rowdy Virginia City on a Saturday night as the drunken cowboys started to fill the streets. The late shift of miners had just let out and they joined the free spending, drunken crowd filling the streets. The sound of gunfire and raucous laughter seemed to be pouring out of every lit building. No decent families living in the town were on the street that night. Only drunks and troublemakers were out in noisy clusters. Ben put his horse to the trot, anxious to find Joe and bring him straight home before it was too late.<\/p>\n

    Ben muttered something under his breath about Saturday night drunks. He sat on his horse looking up and down Main Street, not quite sure of where to begin. Glancing at Adam on his horse, he knew his son was feeling the same way even though he was silent and tight jawed.<\/p>\n

    As he rode into town beside his father, Adam thought irritably that this was the last thing on earth he wanted to be doing right now but there was no way he would permit his father to take on this situation alone. Adam wondered where they would start looking for Joe. Virginia City was a hazardous place for his hot tempered brother wandering around with a chip on his shoulder and a belly full of beer.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat did you say, Pa? Are you OK? You look beat.\u201d Adam glanced sideways at his father.<\/p>\n

    \u201dLet\u2019s just find your brother. We should check the saloons first, and all the poker tables, or he could have wandered up Main Street and we\u2019ll look there.<\/p>\n

    Miraculously, Adam and Ben found Joe at the first place they looked. Cochise was tied up at the hitching post right up front of the Golden Slipper Saloon. They tied Sport and Buck right next to Joe\u2019s horse and walked into the noisy saloon.<\/p>\n

    Joe stood by the bar with a drink before him. Sheriff Clem Foster and his new deputy were standing next to him, talking seriously to him. Adam couldn\u2019t hear the conversation but could see what was coming. Clem was clearly trying to get Joe to leave, to go home and Joe looked ready to punch the Sheriff in the nose.<\/p>\n

    The Sheriff put his hand on Joe\u2019s arm and Joe Cartwright pulled away and started raising his fist angrily. The new deputy, the green fellow who took Dean\u2019s job, nervously put his hand on his still holstered gun.<\/p>\n

    Realizing that he had to get his younger brother out of the saloon before someone got shot, Adam strode over to the bar and stood in the line of fire between Joe and the trigger happy deputy. He put his hand firmly on Joe\u2019s shoulder. Ben immediately stood next to him hoping that they could get his youngest son to leave without a fight.<\/p>\n

    “Little early for this isn’t it?” Joe spat out angrily. He jerked his shoulder from Adam\u2019s hand. \u201cI thought I didn\u2019t get dragged home until after midnight on a Saturday night. It can\u2019t be later than nine o\u2019clock. Did I miss my curfew, Big Brother? \u201c<\/p>\n

    Adam quickly realized he was treading on dangerous ground and was sure to make things worse with whatever he said to his brother. He quickly stepped aside to let his father make an attempt at reasoning with Joe.<\/p>\n

    “Joseph let’s go home where we can talk about this ” Ben suggested gently putting his hand on his son. He shifted his weight off his injured leg and stared at his son. Joe shrugged his father\u2019s hand off his shoulder, his hazel eyes sparkling green with fury. Ben could see that the anger was mixed with fear.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo one can help me, Pa!\u201d\u00a0 Joe said, his words coming out with effort.\u00a0 \u201cI have to work through this out by myself. Alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cJoseph.\u201d Ben started. Then his own words came back to haunt him. \u201cOnly a fool argues with an angry drunk.\u201d Ben knew he wasn\u2019t a fool, even if the drunk was his own beloved youngest son. He wasn\u2019t going to argue or reason, he just was going to take charge of his son.<\/p>\n

    \u201cPa, I can\u2019t go home yet. You just don\u2019t understand. Please, just leave me alone. I\u2019ll be ok, I promise.\u201d Joe didn’t move.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHow about if\u2019n take him back to my house tonight, Ben? \u00a0Don\u2019t worry, \u201cClem offered softly. \u201cI\u2019ll make sure he stays out of trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dThanks, Clem. I\u2019m beholdin\u2019 to you and Nancy for all you have done for us recently.\u201d Ben said quietly. \u201cBut I am not leaving here without my boy. Not this time. Not tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Clem and the deputy stepped aside and moved toward the swinging bat wing doors. The Sheriff looked over his shoulder and watched Ben move towards his son. Clem let out the breath he hadn’t known he was holding.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBack off.\u201d Joe\u2019s posture stiffened. He clenched his hands into fists and turned around to face his father and brother. He raised both hands, ready to swing at anyone who tried to make him do what he didn\u2019t want to do, even his own father.
    \nBen looked to Adam for help but Adam shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Ben glared at his oldest son. \u201cI\u2019m taking him home, with or without your help, Adam. So you better decide what you are here for or get out of my way. And make your decision damn quick.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam nodded and moved forward behind his father. Ben clearly meant business and refusing to accept any defiance from either of his sons.<\/p>\n

    \u201dJoseph, I want you to walk out of here and get on your horse and ride out with me and Adam. Right now. And if you don\u2019t do it on your own two feet, we\u2019ll do it for you. Is that clear Joseph? Right now.\u201d Ben put his hand on his youngest son\u2019s arm in a firm vice like grip that Joe couldn\u2019t or wouldn\u2019t throw off. Following his father\u2019s lead, Adam grabbed his brother\u2019s other arm tightly. His fingers painfully dug into Joe\u2019s upper arm.<\/p>\n

    Joe reluctantly nodded. He obediently walked out of the saloon with his father and brother without one word. He was too worn out to do more than go with his father back to the Ponderosa. In an odd way, Joe was comforted to have his father decide for him what he should do. Ben did not let go of his grip on his youngest son\u2019s forearm until Joe was standing next to his horse. Then the three Cartwrights set off for the Ponderosa, for home.<\/p>\n

    Joe rode Cochise out of Virginia City at a full gallop. Ben and Adam followed behind at a more reasonable pace. A few miles outside of town, Ben could see Joe slow down to trot and pull up at a bend in the road. He and Adam caught up with him and watched what was unfolding.<\/p>\n

    Slowly, in the dark, Cochise came to a halt and Joe awkwardly climbed down. His face was pale and he was sweating. He took his hat off and put it on the saddle and glanced around him for a minute.<\/p>\n

    “Joseph!” Ben barked, pulling up his horse to a halt. Adam slowed to a stop beside him.<\/p>\n

    Ben and Adam watched as he staggered over to the side of the road and kneeled over a ditch on his hands and knees. Joe leaned over and vomited into the ditch emptying the belly of the rotgut and beer he had been drinking all day and the heartache he had been carrying for weeks. For a moment all they could hear the sound of Joe retching miserably.<\/p>\n

    His father cautiously climbed down from Buck and stood over him as until he finished and then handed him his canteen. Adam sat disgusted on his horse silent and frozen, one hand on his saddle horn.<\/p>\n

    \u201cTake a sip mouthful of this\u201d Ben handed him his canteen. Joe obeyed, swallowing once and rinsing out the sour taste from his mouth and spitting it out on the ground. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Then Joe waved his father away. “I\u2019m all right,” he said in a shaky voice. He sat on his haunches pulling himself back together with difficulty, shivering in the chill night air.<\/p>\n

    “Are you hurt?” Ben asked. He kneeled down awkwardly next to his son and put his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder. For once Joe didn\u2019t pull away from his father\u2019s touch.<\/p>\n

    “No,” he whispered hoarsely and took a deep, shaking breath. He rubbed at his face and then looked up, seeing the concern on his father\u2019s face. He hated that he was giving his father more aggravation. Joe pushed himself up, bracing himself against the ground and said again, more strongly, “I\u2019m fine.” He staggered briefly and Ben reached out a hand to steady him, but Adam, still sitting on his horse, turned his head away from them.<\/p>\n

    “We\u2019d better get out of here,” was all Adam said wearily.\u201d It\u2019s getting late, and we have a lot of work to do tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cLet\u2019s go home, Joe.\u201d Ben urged.<\/p>\n

    \u201cPa just leave me go.\u201d Joe wrenched away from his father\u2019s grasp.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou\u2019re coming home Joseph and that\u2019s all there is to it. Get up on your horse. Now.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI can\u2019t, Pa\u2026 not tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Ben looked back and forth at both of his sons with great concern. There was absolutely nothing on earth that he treasured more than his boys. Joe\u2019s reluctance to go home filled his father\u2019s mind with confusion. Home was always a place Joe wanted to be, not some place he avoided. Of all three of his sons, Joe was the only one who never expressed any desire in leaving the ranch. He always was itching for a little excitement and would be the first to take a risk or jump in on a fight but he always was glad to be home. He never asked about going east to college even though he was as smart as Adam when he put his mind to it or. Even Hoss spoke of someday traveling somewhere exotic but he was gone before he had the opportunity.<\/p>\n

    Ben\u2019s ribs and injured leg started throbbing painfully. He had definitely done far too much riding and pushing and shoving younger men tonight and he was paying the price. \u201cEnough of this\u201d Ben bellowed.\u201d Joseph, I am not leaving you passed out drunk on the side of the road halfway to Virginia City. Just get on Cochise and get home, Joseph before I tie you across your saddle.\u201d His voice echoed off the hills.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd you,\u201d Ben angrily pointed at Adam, \u201cGet down here and give me a hand with your brother, right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Ben had not used that tone on either of his sons in many years. Ben had had reservations about forcing Joe to go back home but Ben Cartwright knew he\u2019d needed to have his family together again under Just as Sammy, the youngest member of the family had so wisely suggested, Ben and Adam had to bring Joe home. He had no idea what he would do tomorrow, but tonight he had to have both of his sons under his roof.<\/p>\n

    Ben hooked the canteen back on his saddle knowing his sons well enough to realize there was more going on than either would admit. All he wanted was to get both his sons back home. Tomorrow he would figure out the rest.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 12<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Ben and Kate had finally come up with a viable plan. They both knew Sam was looking forward to camping out for a few nights and the boy desperately missed spending time with Adam.\u00a0 But dealing with Joe was another story completely.<\/p>\n

    Joe and Adam had a strong, though sometimes awkward relationship. There was almost a twelve-year difference in their ages. Years earlier, after Marie died, Adam took charge of this brothers. He always felt responsible for both his brother.<\/p>\n

    As Joe grew older, he resented when Adam still viewed him as his baby brother, not as a full-grown man. Hoss had been protective but eventually they related to each other as friends and equals, not just brothers. The problem was made even more difficult each time Adam left the Ponderosa for years at a stretch. First when Adam left for college and then for the years Adam was back east working for Stoddard and Bruce, each time Adam returned to the Ponderosa, he and Joe had to face off. It was almost like Adam assumed that time had stood still for everyone else until he returned to the Ponderosa. Joe frequently had to remind Adam that he was a competent, grown man and not some wet behind the ears kid.<\/p>\n

    At some point over the years, Hoss had often refereed between the Cartwright brothers. Hoss was born to the role of natural peacekeeper. Over the years, Hoss would calm family fights either by physically standing between any combatants or by cajoling his brothers when tempers flared. He would even broker treaties between his father and the boys when Ben was on the warpath.<\/p>\n

    The last few tragic months seemed to bring all the old conflicts back. With Hoss gone, Adam and Joe got frozen in a tragic head to head battle with no resolution to their conflicts in sight. They had transferred all the mournful sadness they had over losing Hoss into anger with each other.<\/p>\n

    Ben knew for some reason even when things were the worst between his oldest and youngest sons their relationship seemed to be easier and less strained when they were camping or on the trail.\u00a0 Around a campfire with nothing to do but gaze at the stars and talk to each other, the words came with less animosity or tension. Perhaps it was sitting side-by-side in the darkness rather than face-to-face in the daylight made the wall between them dissolve.<\/p>\n

    Despite their obvious differences, the two brothers were more alike than either one wanted to admit. They both had inherited generous measures of Benjamin Cartwright\u2019s stubbornness.\u00a0 But the two brothers had lost track of their deep love for the other as they battled it out day after day in a never-ending war.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThings between them couldn\u2019t get worse than they are now. We have nothing to lose on this plan, Kate. Unless, of course, they wind up going after each other with axes,\u201d Ben warned his daughter in law.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBen, at this point we have no other ideas so we will have to stick with this schemes. And anyway, they wouldn\u2019t dare kill each other with Sam there,\u201d she tried to coax a grin from Ben and succeeded.<\/p>\n

    \u201cGood thinking, Kate,\u201d Ben approved. She sighed with relief at his approval.<\/p>\n

    He steepled his fingers and pondered the situation for a few seconds.\u00a0 He had been trying to pull his sons together and somehow they always seemed to be pulling further apart. He couldn\u2019t let this plan slip away. \u201cWe have nothing to lose, and everything to gain. I\u2019ll tell Adam that Joe invited Sam along and needs his help with the boy. And you tell Joe, that you are nervous about Adam taking the trip alone with your son.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dBen, I think this brilliant plan just might work out,\u201d She leaned over and kissed his cheek. \u201c<\/p>\n

    \u201cKatie, I don\u2019t know how I would manage without you and that boy of yours. I\u2019d be lost without you!\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe would be lost without each other,\u201d Ben said softly.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 13<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Kate stood near Joe in the barn as watched him brush Cochise. \u201cWe waited dinner for you again.\u201d
    \n\u201dSorry, I was checking the string we are sending off to the army. If I can\u2019t go with them I want to be sure Hays everything straight before they go tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou could have still had dinner with the family, Joe. We missed you.\u201d Joe nodded and continued to take care of his horse.<\/p>\n

    Kate shook her head sadly.\u00a0 \u201cAll this didn\u2019t just happen to you, Little Joe. We all lost Hoss. You\u2019re his brother but his murder affected all of us.\u00a0 When he got killed, it was as if all the life went out of this family. You are not the only one who misses him, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe shrugged meaninglessly and continued to tend to Cochise.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMaybe you shouldn\u2019t be so damn self-centered and look around at the rest of us.\u201d\u00a0 She realized she was shouting at him.\u00a0 Cochise stomped and moved deeper into the stall.<\/p>\n

    \u201cEasy Cochise,\u201d Joe soothed his horse. \u201cEasy.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dI didn\u2019t mean to shout, I\u2019m sorry. But you are so wrapped up in yourself sometimes, Joseph Cartwright. I can\u2019t do it all for everyone here. Can\u2019t you see that I\u2019m tired too?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe\u2019s eye widened. \u201cI never thought of that Kate. I really never did.\u201d He sighed and reached out his hand to hold hers.\u201d I guess I never bothered to look out of my own little dark cave. \u201c<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou don\u2019t have to handle it alone, Joe. We all went through a terrible ordeal and we need each other. Look how well your Pa and Sam are getting along. We need to stick together, to lean on each other and help carry the ones who are too weary to stand.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Kate. I didn\u2019t mean to shut you out.\u201d\u00a0 Joe\u2019s face was a study in misery.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t think about what you had gone through, or how you must have felt.\u00a0 I was so wrapped in myself that I didn\u2019t stop to think about anything or anyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe all need you, Little Joe.\u201d Only Kate or his father could call him by his boyhood nickname and not get his dander up. She reached her arms around his waist gave him a kiss on his cheek.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019m really sorry. Katie, Really I never\u2026 What can I do for you\u2026. For Sam.\u201d Joe stammered. \u201cI guess I really have been a lot of trouble for you the last few months. I\u2019m really sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Kate nodded and said, \u201cJoe, um. I hate to ask you for a favor but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Joe looked at his sister-in-law. He knew how independent she always was and how difficult it was for her to ask for favors, even from him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAdam is taking Sam up to mark those trees for that new timber contract. Could you sort of tag along with them? Adam promised Sam last spring that he could go this time and with everything that has happened, we don\u2019t want to change that but\u2026 you know how Adam has been lately.\u201d
    \nJoe sighed. \u201cDo I know? My grouchy brother hasn\u2019t left me alone in weeks.\u201d He was about to say more but thought the better of it. His brother was Kate\u2019s husband and she really didn\u2019t need to hear about how badly they were getting along. Joe recognized that he had caused her enough trouble.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJoe, I hate to ask you for this,\u201d Kate continued. \u201cI am sort of apprehensive for Sam to be totally alone with Adam. I can\u2019t have him yelling at Sam or forget he is just a very little boy who lived most of his life in a city and can\u2019t keep up by the end of the day. It\u2019s a pretty long trip into pretty rough territory and I\u2019m not sure if Adam will think to break it up into two or three nights. I\u2019d ask you father to do it but I think it is more riding than his leg can handle right now.\u201d
    \nJoe smiled. He could never resist one of Kate\u2019s requests. \u201cSure Katie-Bird. When are they going?\u201d
    \nChapter 14<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The trip was set. Sam was excited about the adventure and both Cartwright brothers were duped into believing they were along to lend the boy a hand rather than being forced by Ben and Kate into spending some time together away from the house. Ben and Kate congratulated themselves in deceiving Adam and Joe with their conspiracy.<\/p>\n

    Sitting by the fireplace after dinner, the two men conferred over long lists of equipment and supplies. Together, they examined the lumber contract and compared the specifics to maps they made of the topography and woodlands. It was the first time in a long while they spent time together and discussed things calmly and cooperatively. They both even seemed to be in pleasant humor.<\/p>\n

    Sam squeezed in between the two men and tried to follow what was being planned for the next day. \u201cI think we can get up and back in two or three days and start the crews up by end of the month,\u201d Adam said. \u201cThe cold weather will be here before we know it.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe could feel his brother\u2019s impatience to get the work done but he gently pointed out that Sam had never made such a long trip on horseback and it might not be able to manage such a hard pace in difficult terrain. Secretly, Joe felt the longer he could stay away from the ranch house and all the reminders of Hoss, the happier he would be.<\/p>\n

    Joe truly despised coming in the front door and seeing his dead brother\u2019s hat hanging on the rack and his gun belt coiled on the sideboard as it always had been. The Sheriff had handed Hoss\u2019 gear to his father the night Hoss was murdered. Ben had stowed the hat and gun belt in their usual places by the door without giving it much thought. Hoss\u2019 gear sat there ever since.<\/p>\n

    To some, it looked almost like Hoss had just stepped out to the barn for a minute and would be walking in the door for supper. To Joe it was tragic memorial to his dead brother, a reminder of their loss. Joseph had taken to walking in an out through the kitchen rather than see the battered white hat and gun belt each time he came home.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSounds good to me little brother. But let\u2019s keep the horses fresh and plan on camping closer to North Ridge the first night. Sammy\u2019s never been up that way. \u201cAdam hid his smile and had no desire to rile Joe He still felt he had to walk on eggshells around him and volatile temper. Either way, it was not a situation he was unfamiliar with.\u00a0 Since they returned from the posse, he and his brother has spent most of their time battling or avoiding each other. The rest of the time Adam was drowning in work and Joe was drowning himself in a bottle.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThen we can spend the next night up in one of the line shacks. Or perhaps we will make it up to the lumber camp. How would you like that Sam?\u201d Adam looked at his son who was listening intently. The boy had a pile of paper and was industriously attempting to copy a map of their route with a stubby pencil.<\/p>\n

    \u201cGreat Pa! Can I use an axe too?\u201d Sammy asked.<\/p>\n

    \u201dI think we have a small hatchet that you can manage better,\u201d Joe suggested. \u201cHow does that sound to your father?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam nodded in agreement.\u201d Sounds like a good idea. That\u2019s how Uncle Joe learned the first time he went up there to help out marking timber.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dAdam can you picture all the wee little loggers we will have to put on the crew to read the blazes Sam is going to make for us? They\u2019ll be about two feet off the ground \u201cJoe teased good naturedly. He stood up from the desk and swung Sam up in the air and put him on his shoulders. \u201cSammy, I\u2019ll have to carry you around like this to make it work for the regular crew.\u201d He trotted around the dining room table with Sam on his back squealing with delight.<\/p>\n

    Sam started to giggle picturing the tiny loggers like elves from one of the stories his mom told him. Even Adam smiled for a second despite his misgivings. Joe carefully set his nephew on the floor with a gentle clunk, Joe saw the subtle change in his brother’s face, but didn’t say anything. He too was trying extremely hard not to start trouble with Adam.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSam, Go get ready for dinner. Change that shirt too. It\u2019s pretty dirty and your mother likes you to look clean at the dinner table,\u201d Adam ordered.<\/p>\n

    \u201dI\u2019m not too dirty Pa, I washed,\u201d Sam quickly answered. He stole a glance at his grubby hands.<\/p>\n

    \u201dLast month before you cleaned out the chicken house?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cOr the month before when you slopped the hogs?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cSam! If you have to look at your hands, that means they need washing,\u201d Adam automatically repeated the same thing his father had said to his three sons for years.
    \nSam opened his mouth in amazement that someone had noticed his slyness.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou crazy stubborn kid,\u201d muttered Adam teasingly. \u201cHe never listens to anybody.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYeah, crazy stubborn kid.\u201d Joe agreed with a smile. \u201cSort of reminds me of you, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cGee, little brother I was kind of thinking that Sam reminded me of you at this age,\u201d Adam tickled Sam under his arms sending his son into gales of laughter.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo, not really Big Brother. Our boy here is far sassier and much more stubborn than you or I ever were. He rivals a true champion of stubbornness. Who would have put long johns up the school house flag pole?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Both Adam and Joe started to laugh.<\/p>\n

    \u201dWho Uncle Joe? Tell me!\u201d the boy pleaded, \u201cPa who put long johns up the flag pole?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dGee Sammy, I don\u2019t quite know to whom your uncle could be referring to with that audacious comment \u201cAdam winked at his brother.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhy don\u2019t you run out on the porch and ask your Ma what she might know about that. She is sitting out there with Grandpa. Go see what she has to say.\u201d Joe dared the boy.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBut first,\u201d Adam grabbed his son by the back of his suspenders and spun him toward the stairs \u201cGo get washed up!\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cGee Adam, you\u2019re starting to sound an awful lot like Benjamin Cartwright not Adam Cartwright, \u201cJoe laughed. \u201c\u2019Go wash your hands, son!\u2019 was always one of Pa\u2019s favorite sayings\u2026 you just have to get your voice a little deeper and you could be the exact double of Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Sam ran out of the room and the two men fell into gales of laughter. For the first time in a long time the two Cartwright brothers were smiling at each other and sharing something beyond bitter words or growls and angry glares.<\/p>\n

    Sitting outside on the porch Ben and Kate could hear their conversation and smiled with relief at how well their plan was working. Perhaps the worst was truly over.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 15<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Three tired Cartwrights crouched beside the blazing campfire. They had worked steadily all day marking timber and had finished much more than they had initially anticipated. The day had been sunny and comfortably warm and the two brothers had both made a concerted effort to avoid any disagreements between them.<\/p>\n

    Joe had been ambitiously working from sunup to sundown without stop. He and Adam were also teaching Sam how to mark the timber. He seemed almost determined to outdo Adam in how much he could accomplish in a single day. Joe was also tired from minding his tongue. Joe had promised his sister- in-law, not to be the first one to start a fight and he had never broken a vow he made to Kate in all the years he knew her.<\/p>\n

    Sam easily got the hang of using his little hatchet and Adam watched him proudly. He admired Joe\u2019s patience in teaching the boy but didn\u2019t say anything to either of them. He was not sure that any remark he made to Joe would spark a disagreement between them. Adam did not want to be the man to initiate a fight and unbalance the tentative harmony. Neither brother had a clue that Kate had coerced both of them into pledging a truce to her before they left.<\/p>\n

    By sundown, they had made camp for the night and Adam started to prepare some food. Joe and Sam put their equipment in order and tended to the horses. As long as Adam and Joe were busy with work and they kept their minds occupied things went fairly smoothly.<\/p>\n

    As soon as the sun went down each of them realized their thoughts were on the brother who was permanently missing. So many times over the years, they had made similar trips with Hoss and his absence was acutely felt.<\/p>\n

    Adam recalled that the first time Joe had made the trip up to the lumber camp he was not any older than Sam. Joe had ridden up to the high country sitting on a horse in front of his father or Adam the entire trip. It was the three Cartwright brothers and their father on that trip.<\/p>\n

    Last year, all three Cartwright brothers had made this trip. Adam remembered how Hoss showed them that the cluster of trees that he and Joe had planted as boys were filling in and almost ready for cutting. This was the stand they were marking now. A stab of pain knifed through Adam at the realization of how quickly things had changed for his family since the last trip.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThat smells good Pa!\u201d Sam called as he and Joe came into the camp. \u201cI\u2019m starving! I can eat a horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt\u2019s almost ready. \u201c Adam smiled at his son. \u201cNo horses to eat. Hope you like beans with beans. Coffee is hot too.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe gratefully accepted the cup of coffee that his brother pressed into his hands. \u201cIt\u2019s getting cold with the sun going down.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Kate had insisted that there would be no way Joe would bring any whiskey with him and he had reluctantly complied with her orders. Sitting back on his heels before the crackling fire, he sipped from the cup as he studiously avoided Adam\u2019s gaze and longed for some whiskey to add to the coffee.<\/p>\n

    Sam couldn\u2019t stand the gloomy cloud that had descended on the campsite as the night fell and decided he had to get a friendly conversation going. \u201cUncle Joe, what is the worst thing you ever did when you were my age?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dMe? Oh I was absolutely the best behaved boy in Nevada Territory when I was your age.\u201d Joe lied boldly. \u201dPerhaps the best behaved boy west of the Mississippi.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cSure, Sam. Uncle Joe won awards from Reverend Felcher, Sheriff Coffee and the Territorial governor for his perfect behavior,\u201d Adam added.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe president sent a proclamation from Washington and Queen Victoria and Chief Winnemucca too!\u201d Joe bragged.<\/p>\n

    \u201dThat\u2019s for sure.\u00a0 How do you think Grandpa got all that white hair?\u201d Adam laughed. For an instant, they had returned to their old friendly banter and Sam was proud of himself for improving the mood of the group around the camp fire.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSure, and your Mama even hoisted a special long wooly flag over the school house in my honor on the first day of school. Did you ever ask her about that prank the other night?\u201d
    \nAdam rolled his eyes and laughed so hard he started choking on his coffee. Even though he was still at college in Boston when that ridiculous escapade occurred, everyone from Hoss to Pa to Hank Wallace and Mim and Phil Bartlett had written him their version of the immortal story. He had five descriptions of sweet little Katie Wallace hoisting a set of red flannel long johns on the schoolhouse flagpole. It was months until she had confessed to the mysterious crime and her poor father was able to get his missing long johns back from the Virginia City school board.<\/p>\n

    In graphic detail with a bit of dramatic exaggeration, Joe proceeded to tell his nephew the tale along with a few added melodramatic embellishments.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMama really did that? \u201cSam giggled. \u201cMy Mama?\u201d<\/p>\n

    His uncle nodded grinning his old smile and a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. \u201cYeah, she\u2019s gonna be mighty embarrassed when we tease her about this lurid youthful crime.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cDon\u2019t you dare tease my wife, \u201cAdam threatened to his brother. He stood up and tossed the dregs of his coffee into the fire. For a second, Sam feared a fight would break out until his father turned around with a wide grin on his face. \u201dDon\u2019t tease my wife! That\u2019s my job!\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe and Sam laughed until their sides hurt and they couldn\u2019t catch their breath, imagining the picture of Adam teasing Kate over the long john flag.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnyone want seconds?\u201d Adam offered holding up the iron pot.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThis was really excellently delicious. I\u2019ll have more\u201d Sam held his tin plate out.<\/p>\n

    \u201cExcellently delicious? What a lavish compliment to my cooking, son,\u201d Adam served another portion of beans to the boy. \u201cAll that hard work must have made you hungry!\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cRavenous!\u201d Sam said. \u201cI learned that word last week and couldn\u2019t wait to use it.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cHey Adam, remember Mim used to say what doesn\u2019t kill you makes you strong? So if your beans don\u2019t kill us, we sure are going to be really strong.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Joe declared. Adam laughed despite himself.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSam, let\u2019s go down to the creek and get some water for washing up and get these canteens filled,\u201d Adam said. \u201cWe want to get an early start in the morning.\u201d Sam quickly swallowed the last bite of his food and stood up to help his father.<\/p>\n

    Joe yawned and said \u201cBring me back a piece of cherry pie if you see any hanging off a tree.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe leaned back on a fallen log and looked at the stars. Hoss had always said when he looked into the night sky you should see the twinkle stars, not the blackness of the sky but without the darkness you wouldn\u2019t see the starlight. Joe was tired of only seeing the blackness and longed to see the twinkle of the stars again.<\/p>\n

    Less than fifteen minutes later, Sam and Adam came back into camp with the water. \u201cLet\u2019s set up the coffee pot for the morning. This way we can move on first thing and not have to start fussing.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cLook Pa,\u201d Sam pointed toward the campfire.<\/p>\n

    Joe Cartwright was sound asleep propped against the log, his boots stretching toward the crackling fire. His hat was pulled low over unruly brown curls, his eyes closed under the down turned hat. The blue tin plate of cold unfinished beans abandoned next to him on the ground.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t even taken the time to unroll his bedroll before exhaustion had claimed him.<\/p>\n

    Adam\u2019s smile broadened a moment and he shook his head. His little brother could always fall asleep anywhere. \u201dUncle Hoss used to say that Little Joe could fall asleep sitting on a picket fence or breaking a horse if the mood struck.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Sam giggled at the thought of his uncle sleeping on a wild horse and was especially happy that his father was telling happy stories about Uncle Hoss. \u201cPa, Uncle Joe is snoring already. He didn\u2019t even finish his dinner. \u201c<\/p>\n

    \u201cLooks like you wore him out. Let\u2019s cover him up. Pull his boots off, Doc.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Sam went over to Joe\u2019s gear near his uncle\u2019s sleeping form. Grabbing the bedroll from where Joe had left it, he handed it to his father. Adam shook it open and tucked the blankets around his brother\u2019s compact body.<\/p>\n

    Sammy swiped a weary hand over his face and yawned. He rubbed his brown eyes.<\/p>\n

    Adam nodded his thanks to his son. \u201cI think we both better follow Joe\u2019s example.\u201d Adam said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s get some shut eye.\u00a0 We\u2019ve got a lot of work to do in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam helped Sam settle into his own bedroll.<\/p>\n

    \u201cGood night Pa. Thanks for taking me along,\u201d the little boy smiled. \u201cI\u2019m getting good with the hatchet, aren\u2019t I?\u201d
    \n\u201dYou did a very good job working today. You are really getting a sense of how to do the job and you were a big help. I\u2019m very proud of you, son! \u201cAdam hugged the boy then Sam rolled over and went to sleep.<\/p>\n

    Soon all Adam could hear was the sound of his family snoring and the crackle of the campfire. He added a few logs to the fire and leaned against his saddle and some stacked up gear and looked up at the stars.\u00a0 Adam sighed as he thought about this complex younger brother of his. He didn\u2019t think he would ever figure out what made his baby brother tick.<\/p>\n

    Earlier in the day, while they were working, there had been a sparkle of the old Joe that Adam knew from long ago. He saw a bit of the carefree Joe from the days when Hoss was still alive. Adam was determined find him again, just like a prospector finding that first flash of gold vein and digging a bit deeper and harder. That was what Otis Massey did and he never gave up until he found his treasure because he believed he could no matter how hard it got. Adam couldn\u2019t let himself believe otherwise.<\/p>\n

    Kate had told him when she asked him to go on this trip with their son, Adam had to make a truce with his brother for their father\u2019s sake. They had to get together for Katie\u2019s sake as well. And most important, peace between his brothers is what Hoss would have wanted for his legacy.<\/p>\n

    Adam studied his little brother soundly sleeping across the camp fire from him.\u00a0 He wondered how long his younger brother was going to stay angry with him. Based on past fights, Adam knew it could be a long time. The Cartwrights were a stubborn bunch. He also knew from experience not to push his brother – that would only make it worse.\u00a0 He was just going to have to ride this one out and hope the tension between them didn\u2019t explode in front of his son. The poor boy had witnessed enough violence to last him a lifetime.<\/p>\n

    Adam walked over to where Sam and Joe were sound asleep and spread out his bedroll between them. He sat for a few minutes watching his son sleep in the fading light of the campfire. Adam looked at his boy\u2019s sweet face that was so much like his Kate\u2019s. It always amazed him how much he loved this child. Now Adam could finally understand all the things his father had said or done for his boys over the years and how he would say that nothing meant more to him in the entire world than his sons.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYour Mama is one stubborn woman.\u201d Adam thought out loud looking at the boy sleep. He realized how much he really missed his wife and wished that Katie there beside him.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 16<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The next night, they stayed at the lumber camp. Three rough buildings, an open sided cookhouse, a tool shed and a bunk house and a modest corral clustered together made up the camp. The place was set up for a timber crew of a couple of dozen men but since no one was working up there, the empty camp was more than ample for the two men and a small boy. The neat, small bunkhouse was sparsely furnished with a couple of\u00a0 rickety wooden chairs, a rough tables and a double row of bunks but certainly better in Sam\u2019s opinion than sleeping outside another night, as it was getting cold.<\/p>\n

    They rose at day break, ate a quick breakfast and headed for the stand of fir and pine that they had planned to cut. On their way up the slope, Joe took a side path in the thicker brush and set a few snares, in hope of catching some small game for their supper. Together, Adam, Joe and Sam, did their job in an easy rhythm.<\/p>\n

    By midafternoon, they had completed marking the entire ridge. They had hiked a long way and done a good bit of the marking as the sun was getting low in the sky. Adam thought it was time that they started to head back to the camp as Sam was clearly beginning to tire. There would be no reason not to start home in the morning. The crew could start cutting as soon as they were sent up<\/p>\n

    Hopefully, they would find their supper in the snares Joe had set on their way back to the camp. Otherwise it would be beans again for dinner. When they reached the snares, they happily found that he had been successful. There were two decent sized rabbits. Joe prepared the rabbits for cooking when they got back to the cookhouse while Adam and Sam collected more wood for the fire. Joe soon had the rabbit roasting on the hearth.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHere comes supper,\u201d said Sam, happily as he set the table. \u201cAfter three days of beans I can eat my socks.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI was just thinking about Hoss last night,\u201d Adam started. \u201cWe sure had a fine time up here last year. \u201c<\/p>\n

    Joe nodded. He turned away from them and turned the roasting rabbits on the fire. As he had most nights back home, just as the sun went down, Joe\u2019s mood darkened and he became silent.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJoe, we have got to talk.\u201d Joe ignored his brother and stared at the meat sputtering over the glowing coals. \u201cLook at me, I\u2019m talking to you.\u201d Adam turned Joe around to face him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat put a burr under your saddle?\u201d Joe snapped at his brother. He tried to pull away from Adam\u2019s grasp. \u201cI want to make sure our food doesn\u2019t burn.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cSam go outside and get a bucket of water. Then get some more fire wood. I need to talk to Uncle Joe alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Mama had told him to listen to them while they were away but for some reason right now, the boy felt uncomfortable leaving them alone together. Sam nervously looked back and forth at the two men. He felt that he needed to make sure they didn\u2019t fight. \u201cYou\u2019re going to talk? Not fight?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dJust talking, Sammy. Go get the firewood.\u201d Adam leaned against the log that was holding up the roof of the cookhouse. He silently watched his brother trying to look busy poking at the roasting rabbits.<\/p>\n

    Sam looked hesitantly at the two men, his eyes going back and forth checking their expressions.<\/p>\n

    \u201dDon\u2019t worry Sammy. Go do what your father told you to do,\u201d Joe nodded.<\/p>\n

    Adam sighed.\u00a0 \u201cAbout what\u2019s eating you up inside.\u201d he answered calmly. \u201cI can see that your all torn up, Joe.\u00a0 You can\u2019t hide it from me.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI can take care of myself, Adam.\u201d he said with a flash of his usual cock-sureness.\u00a0 He started to pull the cooking utensils out of their gear that was stacked neatly on the table.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJoe, answer me.\u201d Adam\u2019s tone was urgent.\u00a0 \u201cAre you okay? What is wrong?\u201d
    \n\u201dI don\u2019t know,\u201d Joe said softly.<\/p>\n

    \u201d You don\u2019t know or you don\u2019t want to tell me?\u201d Adam needed to hear his brother tell him that he was angry with him. \u201cI asked you if you were okay.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe put the iron frying pan on the table and pulled some potatoes out of a sack of provisions. He handed Adam the coffee pot, silently assigning him to make their coffee.<\/p>\n

    Joe shook his head. \u201cI\u2019m not okay. Not for a real long time. Not since Hoss died. Our lives are divided into \u2018Before\u2019 and \u2018After\u2019. I just can\u2019t shake it, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo you can\u2019t. None of us can\u201d Adam looked down at the chipped, blue coffee pot in his hand and put it down. He realized it was the very same coffee pot that Kate slammed into the stove the day he had told her about Striker gambling away all her money. It seemed so long ago. It was before.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThis was Katie\u2019s coffee pot, from Mim\u2019s house\u2026 \u201cAdam turned the pot around in his hand, surprised that they had used this coffee pot morning and night for the entire trip but he had never recognized it.<\/p>\n

    Joe nodded and handed him a brown paper parcel containing the coffee. \u201cSave some for the morning. That\u2019s all we have left.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cJoe, we are all we have left. Look at us. We are both falling apart and too stubborn to lay down and\u2026.\u201d Adam\u2019s voice dropped off. He shrugged not knowing how to continue. He picked up one of the potatoes and rolled it back and forth in his hand silently staring down at the vegetable.<\/p>\n

    Joe had never heard Adam at such a loss before, and he found it more frightening to see his despair than anything he could ever remember.<\/p>\n

    Joe had grown up letting Adam, his big brother, take the lead in most situations, but that was years ago. Joe was a grown man and had been running the Ponderosa with his father and Hoss for a many years. Joe had matured to an adult during the years Adam had been traveling around for Stoddard and Bruce. Hearing Adam admit that he couldn\u2019t handle things shook him more than Joe could have ever imagined. As much as he always balked at their big brother \u2013 little brother relationship, Joe had always looked at Adam as an infallible tower of strength, a man who feared nothing and was never shaken by anything.<\/p>\n

    For some reason, just seeing Adam in this despondent, miserable state was the wakeup call for Joe. Suddenly, all the anger inside of him melted away. Everything was completely obvious to him now. Adam desperately needed him just as Kate had struggled to explain to him. His oldest brother needed him far more than Joe ever needed Adam. Joe had to do something to pull his older brother back to the land of the living.<\/p>\n

    Joe remembered that Kate had told him he was only looking at his own problems. All he had thought before was that Adam was riding him. Now he realized the depth of his brother\u2019s despair, how broken he looked. Joe walked over to his brother and embraced him protectively. He looked right at his brother\u2019s haggard face.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAdam…” he began, wanting desperately to erase the pain in those dark eyes. “It’s done…it’s over…we need to move on. Together.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam remained silent but didn\u2019t push his brother away.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou won\u2019t be much good to Hoss if you are dead.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said gently. \u201cOr to any of us. We\u2019ll fight this together too, Adam. Cartwright brothers stick together. We are stronger together than separately. Pa told us that.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam didn’t acknowledge what his brother had said and stared straight ahead. He sat so still that Joe wondered if he had even heard him. Or if what he had said even mattered or if it was so horrifying to Adam that he couldn\u2019t respond.<\/p>\n

    Finally, Adam’s eyes shifted almost imperceptibly toward Joe, then away again. . Adam paused again, but the floodgates had opened and now the words tumbled over each other.<\/p>\n

    “I’ve never hated anyone before. Not like this Joe,” he murmured. “But I despise them, Joe. In my heart…in my mind… in every bone in my body, in all that I am, I really hate them more than I could ever have imagined. I hate them so much it terrifies me.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cAdam, we all do. But your hate is eating you alive. You have Katie to think of\u2026 and Sam. That little boy needs you, Adam, especially you. That boy needs you. He already lost one father when that riverboat sank and now he is losing you too. It\u2019s been months now and we all walk around like half- dead people. That isn\u2019t what Hoss would have wanted. Do you think this is what he’d want?” he demanded curtly.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo, Hoss wouldn\u2019t want that,\u201d Adam agreed.<\/p>\n

    “Be honest with me Adam. Is it love for our brother or revenge that is driving you?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam was silent for a minute. \u201cNeither, little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cThen what the heck is it, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dGuilt.\u201d Adam looked away from Joe. He had told only his wife this secret, but he was very sure his brother had known all along. \u201cAren\u2019t you angry at me Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cMe? Angry at you? I love you Brother. I\u2019m not angry with you. Why should I be angry with you? \u201cJoe was completely taken aback by that question. Shocked by his brother\u2019s confession put his hand on Adam\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI thought you were angry\u2026 that you weren\u2019t talking to me because you hated me.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI don\u2019t hate you. I could never hate you. You are my brother. I love you Adam. We don\u2019t always see eye-to-eye but. Adam you\u2019re my brother. I wasn\u2019t talking to anyone, not just you.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cJoe, I was drinking a cold beer when Hoss got killed.\u201d
    \n\u201dSo you were drinking beer. I was up at the mill. And Pa was working on the ledgers. And Clem was sweeping the floor of his office and Dean was paying the blacksmith for new horseshoes for his horse. What do you think that means? Do you think you could have kept him from getting killed any different if you were not drinking a beer? What do you mean? \u201c<\/p>\n

    Adam remained silent.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou can\u2019t always fix everything and protect all of us, Big Brother. Who do you think you are? One of those Greek god feller\u2019s you used to tell me about\u2026 that Zeus with the lightning bolts. You can\u2019t do everything all the time. You can\u2019t protect the entire family from every single thing. You can\u2019t control the entire world.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI just feel guilty about it.\u201d Adam\u2019s words caught in his throat. He swallowed hard and stared into the fire.<\/p>\n

    \u201dYou feel guilty? Well I don\u2019t want to feel anything.\u201d Joe confessed. \u201cWhy do you think I\u2019ve been drinking myself into a stupor half the time and try to bash my head breaking horses or picking fights the rest of the time? I don\u2019t want to feel what I\u2019ve been feeling.\u201d
    \nAdam stared at him. Joe had tears streaming down his face.<\/p>\n

    \u201cTo tell you the truth, I don\u2019t want to feel anything, \u201cJoe admitted. \u201cWhy do you think I won\u2019t walk in the front door and look at Hoss\u2019s damn hat sitting there on the rack? I get so awful lonely for him that I just don\u2019t want to feel that awful pain any more. Oh God, I miss him so! You lived years without him before he was born. Adam, you were away from him for years. You got used to not seeing Hoss every single day. Every day, Adam. I used to sleep in his bed when I was a little kid. Remember that? Hoss was always there my whole life. Don\u2019t you realize it? Every day.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019m so sorry Joe, I didn\u2019t think about it. Is that why you don\u2019t eat supper with us?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe nodded. \u201cI can\u2019t stand to look at his empty chair, Adam. I finally told Pa to put Hoss\u2019 gear away. That night you both brought me home\u2026 I told him that night when you went to sleep. Pa put Hoss\u2019 gun in his desk for Sam when he gets older. Stow it all where I can\u2019t look at it.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dI thought you were angry with me\u2026 for letting it happen.\u201d
    \n\u201dNo, never Adam. How could you think that? Really you thought I was mad at you?\u201d Joe couldn\u2019t imagine how Adam got this all so muddled up. \u201cAdam, you are my brother and I love you, always, no matter what.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cThanks, Joe.\u201d he said.\u00a0 It was a simple statement, and yet it conveyed a world of gratitude. He grabbed his brother around the neck and hugged him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cInstead of pulling apart maybe we should start pulling together, I think that was what Pa was trying to say.\u201d\u00a0 Adam said. Joe had kept his arm wrapped around his shoulder and Adam didn\u2019t shrug it off.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd Katie was trying to tell us but we were too stupid to listen. Or drunk. Maybe she has something there. You married a very wise woman Big Brother. She has a good point there. Pa didn\u2019t build up the Ponderosa with all of us working at cross-purposes. This is the same thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Sam kicked at the door with one booted foot. His arms were overloaded with a poorly balanced stack of firewood. \u201cPa help! Open the door.\u201d He had rushed with the chore so he could get back inside before he missed anything or a fight broke out. He was out of breath from running. The wind was kicking up and the rain had started to fall.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou think we should let him back in?\u201d Adam asked in a soft voice.
    \n\u201dYou done talking? \u201cJoe asked. \u201cI\u2019m not, but it sure isn\u2019t anything that Sam can\u2019t hear.\u201d as he walked over to the door and opened it for Sam. He took most of the wood from the boy\u2019s arms<\/p>\n

    \u201cAre you all right, Pa?\u201d asked Sam nervously as he stacked the wood. \u201cUncle Joe? \u201c<\/p>\n

    \u201cEverything is just fine, son.\u201d Adam said. \u201cProbably the finest it\u2019s been in a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cPa, Uncle Joe. Do you know what Grandpa taught me? \u201c
    \n\u201dWhat? Something about fire wood?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cNot about firewood about Uncle Hoss. Grandpa told me it was a good thing to think about the good times I had with Uncle Hoss .He said as long as we remember someone in our hearts, they are still alive forever. Someone might die, but the love you had for them never dies. \u201c<\/p>\n

    Joe smiled at his nephew. He could vaguely recall his father telling him and his brothers the same thing when his mother died. Maybe that was why he was always asking them to tell him stories about his mother and they were always so willing?<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t\u2019 feel bad when you think about Uncle Hoss. You should try to feel good about how he was alive. This way a part of him stays alive. I sometimes ask Grandpa to tell me stories about Uncle Hoss so I won\u2019t forget about him. I ask Mama too.\u00a0 It\u2019s sadder if you forget.\u201d Sam added. The boy suddenly realized that no one else was talking and he got nervous. \u201cThat\u2019s all I have to say.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Sam turned his back to the men and started to restack the firewood in a neat pile by the door, just the way Uncle Hoss had taught him. He didn\u2019t show them his red face.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJoseph, looks like my boy listened more to Pa than we did.\u201d Adam said, \u201cThe boy probably has more sense than the both of us put together.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cLook who his mother is, Adam.\u201d Joe grinned. \u201cWhy do you think I made sure you married her?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam looked at his brother. He knew how true that remark was. Had it not been for Joe, he would never have married Kate.\u201d Did I ever thank you for that?\u201d
    \nJoe smiled \u201cNo thanks necessary, Brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The next morning, the rain had ended and the sky was bright and cloudless. They were all up early. Adam made fresh coffee while his son and his brother packed up the gear. He walked to the door of the shack and watched as Joe finished getting the horses saddled and came back inside.<\/p>\n

    \u201cCoffee\u2019s hot \u201c<\/p>\n

    \u201cHey let\u2019s get a move on it here. We can be home by lunch if we get moving.\u201d Joe tossed a bedroll to Sam. \u201cPut this one on your pony, Sam.\u201d<\/p>\n

    He pulled his brother\u2019s hat off and tossed it on the bunk. Then Adam ruffled his hair as if his brother was a small boy once again. \u201cHey, Little Brother, what\u2019s your rush? Have some coffee and biscuits, first.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cHey, hey, quit it \u201cJoe frowned at Adam as he finger combed his hair back in place. Then his expression cleared and he hastily began packing up his gear and stowing it.<\/p>\n

    For the first time in a long time, Joe really did want to get home. \u201cCome on, Adam, let\u2019s go home. Quit fooling around and let\u2019s ride. We\u2019re burning sunlight.\u00a0 The sooner we get on our horses, the sooner we get home.\u201d Joe finally was ready to go back home.<\/p>\n

    Part 14 Before and After<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Chapter 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

    October 22<\/u><\/p>\n

    A faint autumnal chill was in the air as the sun went down each evening. There was a cool breeze that smelled of the cut hay on the high meadow and burning firewood. Fall round up had started a few weeks earlier on the Ponderosa. By all of the reports Ben was getting from Joe and Hays Newkirk the crews were working hard and everything was going extremely well. The feedlots were full of fat cattle waiting for the drive to market. Timber crews were hard at work efficiently cutting trees high in the hills to meet deadlines on orders for lumber.<\/p>\n

    The weather was finally getting pleasantly cooler after the unrelenting searing heat. Summer had finally come to an end. For the rest of their lives, all of them would be using this summer as the watershed milestone for \u201cBefore\u201d and \u201cAfter\u201d.<\/p>\n

    Hoss was dead<\/p>\n

    The Cartwrights were battered and scarred. Together, they had survived their ordeal. They struggled, faltered, and stumbled but eventually, as a family, continued on with daily life. The Cartwrights were still measuring time from \u201cBefore\u201d Hoss was killed and \u201cAfter\u201d but they were doing it together, leaning on each other rather than grieving separately and alone.<\/p>\n

    The Cartwrights lives had finally settled in to tolerable routines since Adam and Joe got back from their trip with Sam. Ben\u2019s two surviving sons had finally found their separate peace together.<\/p>\n

    Sam had regained his equilibrium and much of his lost self-confidence. The boy was back to studies in the very same school his mother and Uncle Joe had attended in Virginia City. Most days he rode his own pony, Katarina, into town accompanied by young Casey Newkirk. Sam thoroughly enjoyed being in the company of the other children and was an eager student.<\/p>\n

    He was a clever boy and much better behaved in class than either his mother or Joe had ever had been. When Kate and her son first moved back to Virginia City, Sam was one of the smallest and youngest students in the school. He was too shy initially to cause any disruptions or pull any stunts. As time went on, he really wanted to make Adam proud of him and please his stepfather with fine grades. He excelled in history and was especially skilled in geography.<\/p>\n

    Sam often sat with Adam examining the maps in Mim\u2019s old atlas and asking him about all the places he had traveled before he and Kate had married. The boy filled long sheets of newsprint that Kate brought him from the Enterprise<\/em>\u00a0with his own hand drawn maps that he diligently copied from the atlas or made up from his colorful imagination. He drew detailed maps of the imaginary Monkey Kingdom and pirate treasure maps and made Adam show him how to draw castles and bridges in perspective. At Sam\u2019s suggestion, Adam even added a round turret to the plans for their new house in Virginia City.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThat boy is just too serious Katie. My brother is an extremely bad influence on him.\u201d Joe teased. He and Kate still secretly had hopes that once Sam got more comfortable and relaxed, the boy would not let them down. Together, they found an old set of Hoss\u2019s oversized long johns and set them aside for the first day of school to be used as a flag for the next year. Joe knew Hoss would have been honored by the continued tradition. Kate wrapped the long johns in brown paper and had Joe hide the package high on the shelves in the\u00a0Enterprise<\/em>\u00a0office.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo need to have Adam stumble onto this plan.\u201d Kate decided. Joe always kept her secrets while they were growing up and it was once again fun to share a frivolous prank with him.<\/p>\n

    Joseph was smiling and joking again much of the time. He stopped drinking to an extreme or trying to break his neck in the horse corral or arguing with anyone who came near. Dinnertime at the Ponderosa was once again cheerful and pleasant.<\/p>\n

    Dean Newkirk\u2019s widow, Bonnie gave birth to a fine little blonde haired girl. She had the same lake blue eyes as her father. Joe managed to convince her to stay on with Hays and his wife in the foreman\u2019s house and not go back to her family with the children. Hays and his wife, Rebecca were delighted and quite appreciative that Joe had been able to convince Bonnie to stay on. Rebecca Newkirk secretly suspected that Joseph may have some romantic motive of his own.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI brought you some fresh coffee.\u201d Kate said as she walked out on the porch of the Ponderosa in the fading light. Adam Cartwright was sitting at the large wooden table with a pile of papers spread out around him.\u00a0 He cleared some documents from the edge of the table and gestured for her to put the steaming cup down.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat are you working on, Adam?\u201d she asked as she leaned over his shoulder. She could smell his bay rum cologne. She affectionately rubbed her soft cheek against his whiskery face. Before her husband could answer, Kate quickly recognized the plans for their house. He was re-examining the abandoned plans and had all of the notes she had made about suggested changes spread across the table. The plans had been drawn up the previous spring. They both had hoped to start the construction by the middle of summer but when Hoss was killed and every facet of normal life had ground to a halt.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIf we can get the walls framed out and the roof up before first snow, we can move in and have the carpenters finish the interior work while we are living there. Do you think you can bear living in a half built house for a while? And have workmen all over the place every day hammering and sawing and painting?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Kate hadn\u2019t even considered the option before.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMove into our own house, Adam? Our very own house, not Mim\u2019s house or the Ponderosa? This house?\u201d she said pointing to the rolled out plans that they had drawn and redrawn together for the last two years.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhen do I pack?\u201d Her eyes gleamed with excitement. She grabbed him from behind and hugged him warmly and kissed the back of his neck. Kate Cartwright desperately wanted her own kitchen back and to be closer to the\u00a0Enterprise<\/em>\u00a0and the schoolhouse and friends in town. More importantly she wanted to be alone with her husband in the privacy of their own bedroom, not the downstairs bedroom next to the dining room in the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI could say we should move back into Mim\u2019s house right now but you know that there is no way I can\u2019t bear the low ceilings and that narrow stairwell. It\u2019s hardly better than a ladder. \u201cAdam griped.<\/p>\n

    Kate laughed and kissed him on the exact spot he always hit his poor head going through the low doorway of the upstairs rooms in Mim\u2019s little yellow house. \u201cI would think you could have learned to duck by now, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

    He laughed and shrugged his broad shoulders \u201cGuess, not.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dOr else you just like it that I kiss you each time you smash your head.\u201d Kate said coyly. She kissed him again and rubbed her hand on his back under his work shirt. He smiled appreciatively. He reached around and pulled her closer. \u201cNo need to stop, Darlin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd look at this,\u201d Adam pointed to the plans with one his right hand and wound his other arm around her waist. \u201cI think we can use the original parlor and dining room of Mim\u2019s house for the foyer and stair way if I have the ceiling removed all the way to the rafters. We can take out the floor of the bedroom and put bracing beams over here and here. Then we can have a two story high entrance foyer.\u201d
    \n\u201dVery elegant and extremely impressive. You really want to get rid of those skull banging ceilings, don\u2019t you Adam?\u201d she kissed him again. \u201cAnd what is that over there. You made another change.\u201d She pointed to the second floor diagram.
    \n\u201dSam\u2019s turret and more bedrooms.\u201d Adam grinned. \u201cTime we started filling up those bedrooms, wife.\u201d He swung her around to his lap and held her close and kissed her warmly. She could taste the coffee on his lips as she kissed him back.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019m going to go into town tomorrow. I have an early meeting and then I\u2019ll ride over talk to Bob and Norm.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe carpenters?\u201d Kate couldn\u2019t believe her ears.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIf they think they can get the framing in on schedule we can list out the lumber for the mill and get started.\u201d
    \n\u201dAdam, the party for your father is tomorrow\u2026\u201d
    \n\u201d I can be up and out while it is still dark. Don\u2019t worry I\u2019ll be back by four,\u201d Adam promised.
    \n\u201dBe sure you are, Adam Cartwright!\u201d she reminded him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cOr what? Are you threatening me, Katie-bird?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cOh no sir, Mr. Cartwright. I would never do that,\u201d she laughed \u201cBut just be sure you are home well before the company gets here.\u201d She hugged him tightly. She wondered if anyone was still sitting in the dining room or in front of the fireplace and would comment if she and Adam went to retire early.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNot to worry, I\u2019ll be here at least five minutes before the guests get here.\u201d Adam teased her. \u201cMaybe even six minutes. When am I ever late?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cNever! You are the most prompt man that ever lived.\u201d
    \n\u201cThat\u2019s right, no one ever called me the late Adam Cartwright,\u201d Adam grinned<\/p>\n

    \u201cDon\u2019t even josh about that!\u201d Kate looked aghast.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The Next Day, October 23<\/u><\/p>\n

    Early morning, after the sun rose, the four outlaws watched from the hill overlooking the ranch house. They were hidden from view by the line of pines and thick brush. They saw a lone rider on a paint horse gallop past at a fast gait. He headed away from the house, towards the hills to the north.
    \n\u201cThere he goes,\u201d the red headed man commented with a hostile look. \u201cThat\u2019s Joe Cartwright. Now we\u2019ll be goin\u2019 to meet up with those other Cartwrights, I reckon,\u201d said another member of the group, the shortest.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe gonna take \u2019em now?\u201d His companion asked excitedly. He took off his dusty hat and ran his fingers nervously through his greasy hair. He was the largest of the four men and a man of few words.
    \n\u201cI reckon we wait. Little bit later on. They are gonna be tired, and when you are tired, you let your guard down. No one knows we are in these parts. Everyone stopped looking for us or even caring.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dTake it easy. Let\u2019s just bide our time, boys\u201d The dark haired man told the others. He stroked his newly grown beard and thought how he would enjoy completing his unfinished business. He had to show the Cartwrights that he had the upper hand. \u201cJust wait until we are sure the old man is alone. There is absolutely no need to hurry.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou sure this is gonna work?\u201d\u00a0 The slim man with the curly brown hair asked the older man. He was beginning to have serious doubts about this entire scheme but found it difficult to part company with the others.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI have absolutely no doubt in my mind.\u00a0 Have I ever steered you wrong before, Danny?\u201d the dark haired man sneered.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThis here is entirely different.\u201d Danny Lowell objected. Being on the Ponderosa had brought back a lot of his boyhood memories, both good times and bad. For the first time since he joined up with Striker he was having doubts about the man\u2019s decisions.<\/p>\n

    \u201dHow is it different? They have something I want and we go in and take it. And if they resist \u2026 \u201cHe pulled the revolver from his holster and spun the chambers to check that there was a bullet in each chamber. \u201cIf they challenge us, they will learn that resistance is futile.\u201d<\/p>\n

    He slid the gun back into his holster with a slap. He had a long-standing grudge against the Cartwrights and for many years it had festered and smoldered and twisted in his mind.<\/p>\n

    The red head grinned like a twisted Halloween Jack o lantern. \u201cA lot of times you think you hate something until you don\u2019t have it anymore. Especially a woman.\u201d
    \nDanny glared at him thinking of his sister and Cy.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou like to intimidate people.\u201d Cy looked admiringly at the bearded man.<\/p>\n

    \u201dI may be intimidating but that is just part of my powerful charm,\u201d he responded. \u201cThat is what draws men like you into my company.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cLooks like most of the hands are movin\u2019 out too. \u201c Danny announced. They could see Hays Newkirk and a group of riders leave the corral and head away from the house. A few other men loaded a buckboard and followed them up towards the north.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJust bide your time boys, I want us to have the edge in this game. Just wait until Old man Cartwright is all alone. This is my game and we play by my rules. We are very far from finished.\u201d He lit a cigar and blew a smoke ring that curled around his head.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The twenty-third of October was Ben Cartwright\u2019s birthday. Sam had campaigned for a gigantic, festive birthday celebration for his grandfather. The boy wanted it to be a big blow out with music and lots of guests and plenty of food and a huge decorated cake but Ben had wanted no part of such an elaborate affair. Being that it was the first birthday in the family occurring since Hoss was killed, none of the adults were truly up to it.<\/p>\n

    As a compromise, Kate suggested a quiet dinner party in Ben\u2019s honor with a few guests. To placate his grandson, Ben accepted the idea of a huge decorated cake. \u201cAs long as it is chocolate, Katie.\u201d Ben smiled knowing that was Sam\u2019s favorite as well as his own. He could never resist indulging his beloved grandson.<\/p>\n

    Kate invited Ben\u2019s oldest friends, Hays Newkirk, Roy Coffee and Doctor Paul Martin and their wives to join the family. She included Nancy and Clem Foster and their children to round out the table and make the evening a bit celebratory without being too grand or too elaborate. There would be no musicians playing, no dancing, no big crystal punch bowl filled with Ben\u2019s special concoction, no colored paper lanterns strung across the yard like other Cartwright parties had been. This would be a joyous party all the same.<\/p>\n

    As the plans shaped up, Kate had discussed the menu with Nancy while the two friends were visiting together in the Foster home. \u201cI want you and Clem and the children to come too. Would you mind telling your father for me, Nancy? I went over to his house twice this week and no one was home.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dDaddy went up to visit someone at Elm Grove with Doctor Martin for a few days. He said it was some old friend\u2019s daughter, someone who used to live here. She wrote them both and invited them for a visit.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dElm Grove? Someone who used to live here in Virginia City? Who is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI have no idea,\u201d Nancy shrugged. \u201dI forgot to ask. They went up together last week and should be back tomorrow or the next day.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Before they could discuss the topic further, Sam and Nancy\u2019s son Clemmy stampeded through the door. \u201cMama, do you have bread and cheese for us. We want to go fishing up at Cherry Creek.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cOh no. You can\u2019t go off just now. We are going to have lunch any minute. You boys go wash up and don\u2019t make too much noise. The baby just went down for a nap.\u201d<\/p>\n

    In the midst of all the party planning, Hop Sing had received a telegram summoning him to San Francisco to take care of one of his large extended family who was taken ill. Hop Sing and Kate worked out for him to do much of the cooking and setting up before he left on the noon stage on the twenty third. In the pantry, the six layer chocolate cake stood under a glass cake dome. Hop Sing had set the table in the dining room as soon as he cleared up from breakfast. He laid out the pink damask tablecloth and arranged the floral centerpiece. The dining room table shined with the Cartwright\u2019s best china and silver. Hop Sing even set out the crystal wine glasses that Joe\u2019s mother Marie had bought as a gift for Ben on their third anniversary.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 4<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The afternoon of the twenty third of October<\/u><\/p>\n

    Adam sat in Paul Martin\u2019s office and listened attentively to what the doctor and Roy Coffee were explaining. He had carefully examined the letters the two men had received. The wording was so unsettling and unexpected that he read them a second time. \u201cNo claim on any property or estate but a sincere desire to share this information with your family,\u201d Adam read aloud.<\/p>\n

    Then he looked at the letter that Levi Victor had sent. \u201cI have known all of you a long time and I sincerely feel this is a valid testimony and my client is sincere with her intentions. I have checked all the documents and depositions presented and have verified their truthfulness.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI thought we should show this to you before I told your Pa.\u201d Roy explained. \u201cHe has had enough on his mind the last few months. And we figured if this was all a hoax, why disturb him after all he has been through?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe rode up there and saw her, Adam.\u201d Doctor Martin said.<\/p>\n

    \u201dIt was a real long trip.\u201d Roy added. \u201cBut we both wanted to eyeball everything personally, to be real thorough.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd what do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Paul Martin smiled. \u201cWell, I agree with Levi. He\u2019s the best attorney in the territory and a fine, honest man. He knows your family for years and has always had Cartwright\u2019s best interests at heart even if she hired him. If she had any harm intended she wouldn\u2019t have gone through Levi Victor. Or contacted us either, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cThere isn\u2019t a malicious bone in that girl\u2019s body, Adam. There never was. I think your Pa would be pleased to know all about this and see her again. He\u2019ll be real surprised.\u201d Paul Martin explained.<\/p>\n

    \u201cShocked is more like it\u2026 but I think once he gets over the shock of it all, he\u2019ll be mighty pleased.\u201d Roy added.<\/p>\n

    \u201cReally shocked though.\u201d Paul chuckled.\u201d Your Pa sure could use a bit of good news. I don\u2019t think any of this is what he would have planned out, but considering the circumstances it probably would have turned out different had Hoss still been alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam looked down at the letters in his hand and read them again and shook his head in amazement. If this had been written about Little Joe he wouldn\u2019t have been at all surprised. To tell the truth, none of them would have been surprised, but this was not about Joe, it was about Hoss. Joe was the romantic rascal and lady\u2019s man who often thought with other parts of his body beside his brain or confused lust with love, but not Hoss.<\/p>\n

    \u201cLet me talk to my brother and Katie and see what they have to say about all this. Maybe I can catch Kate at the Enterprise<\/em> before she leaves town for home. I don\u2019t want to go to Pa with all this on my own decision.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cAdam, don\u2019t forget that you have both of us to help you too. Don\u2019t take this all on alone. Tell us tonight at the birthday dinner what you boys decide to do. If you want to tell your Pa or ride up there yourselves first or have both of us chew it over with all of you,\u201d Roy put his hand on Adam\u2019s hand. Roy sometimes knew Adam better than he knew himself. This time, instead of telling everyone what they should do, Adam planned to share this decision with other people and not carry all the responsibility on his shoulders. Perhaps this a sign of things getting better for his friends?<\/p>\n

    Adam stood up and shook hands with Doc Martin and then with Roy Coffee.<\/p>\n

    The other men could see that Adam was still obviously shocked at what he had just learned… \u201cThanks Roy.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll see you at dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

    He Adam walked down the street to the\u00a0Enterprise<\/em>. He greeted his friend, Phil Bartlett behind the front desk. \u201cHi Phil. Is my wife here?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cShe went to get some things for your party at the mercantile and then to meet Sammy up at the school and head back up to your Pa\u2019s house for dinner,\u201d Phil told him.<\/p>\n

    Adam quickly decided that he did not want to discuss this matter with Kate while Sam was around. He would have to catch his wife alone later. Adam checked the clock on the wall and shook his head. \u201cThanks, I\u2019ll just have to talk to her at home.\u201d<\/p>\n

    He still needed to talk to the carpenters and framers and bricklayers about the house construction and get that materials list started. No matter what, Adam wanted that roof up before snowfall. He was determined that Kate and he would have her own house by New Years.<\/p>\n

    \u201dTell Ben I wished him a happy birthday, Adam,\u201d Phil added.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSure thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam decided he had just better get going up to the building site and see what Bob and Norm suggested. Then he would ride home see what the evening would bring.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 5<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The four men rode into the quiet yard at an easy clip. They were pleased to see that there was no one left around and about. Hidden in the thicket, they had warily watched to make sure that all the hands had left for the day. There would be no one having an excuse to come out to the barn until late in the day, or so Striker\u2019s men hoped.<\/p>\n

    From his vantage point on the hill, Striker had watched as Kate and Sam rode off toward Virginia City in the surrey. Even the Chinese cook had left earlier. Only Ben Cartwright was left in the house.<\/p>\n

    After dismounting, the intruders silently led their horses into the barn. Instead of unsaddling them, they left each horse in a stall ready to ride. This way, no one wandering up to the house would notice four strange saddled horses tied at the rail.<\/p>\n

    Passing the tack room, Striker lifted the latch on the rear door of the barn and led the group back outside.<\/p>\n

    Danny Lowell looked around at the once familiar place. Casting a sour glance at the manure pile, he followed the other three members of the Carson City Gang as they made their way around it. They walked past the split-log corral, out of sight of the main house. Dan hadn\u2019t visited the Ponderosa since he was a boy. He wiped his hand across the barrel of the fancy shotgun he carried and ran his index finger nervously across the engraved initials, BC that embellished the stock.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNow, we begin.\u201d Striker looked toward the house. \u201dVengeance is mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Chapter 6<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Around two o\u2019clock that afternoon, Ben Cartwright sat in his leather chair at the right of the hearth going over the work schedules for the next month. Ben set his pen down and pinched the bridge of his nose. The payroll was still sitting on the top of his desk only half done, but he needed a break. Tomorrow would be the monthly payday and he still had to split up the cash into the pay envelopes for each of the hands. For Sam, there would be a silver dollar in his own pay envelope.<\/p>\n

    As was his habit, Ben had placed a loaded pistol near the cash box, just in case he had some trouble. Ben had started that practice years ago when he first came west and often was forced to hire unruly, rough men, strangers with questionable back grounds or saddle tramps for his\u00a0 timber crews or wranglers or ranch hands. Some of these men would commence to get drunk on payday before they even got their pay envelopes. Even though things in Virginia City were now far more civilized than they were in those days, Ben still persisted in following that old practice more from custom than necessity.<\/p>\n

    Ben heard a noise coming from the kitchen and the sound of footsteps. \u201cJoseph?\u201d Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a young man with curly brown hair and a tan yoked shirt walk into the dining room. Kate had emphasized that Little Joe should be sure to make it back to the ranch in plenty of time for dinner but it was not even two o\u2019clock.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJoe, you are early. Did you get all those strays?\u201d<\/p>\n

    There was no answer.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJoe? Did you get the strays?\u201d Ben repeated, this time louder.<\/p>\n

    Ben\u2019s eyes snapped to look again in to the dining room. The man he assumed was Joseph stood lounging against the doorjamb, looking unconcerned and amused. Ben quickly realized that he was a total stranger, not his son. The stranger also held a weapon in his hands, a shotgun that was pointed directly across the room at Ben Cartwright.\u00a0The man straightened up and walked slowly toward the middle of the room, his shotgun still aimed directly at Ben.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNow, Mr. Cartwright, now don\u2019t you make any sudden moves, and you won\u2019t get hurt,\u201d said Danny Lowell. He moved to stand near the bottom of the stairs, where he could have a clear view of his prisoner.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d bellowed Ben in a commanding voice.\u00a0 Suddenly, Ben heard the sound of gun being cocked. He looked up and his jaw dropped.\u00a0Four armed men had just invaded his home.<\/p>\n

    Cy was standing near dining room entry, holding a pistol. The gun was also pointed directly at Ben.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWell, well, boys. Old know it all Ben Cartwright just sitting all alone in his big fancy house,\u201d Cy grinned.<\/p>\n

    The front door opened wide and two more armed men walked in. The larger man walked over to the stairway and moved up to the landing where he would have a clear view of the room. The second man walked right over to Ben and stood looking down at the older man. With an arrogant tone, the dark haired man said, \u201cYou have something of mine and I want it back\u201d<\/p>\n

    The man looked vaguely familiar. \u201cWhat is that you think I have?\u201d Ben asked calmly. He attempted to sound totally composed even though his heart was thundering in his chest. He started to stand up.<\/p>\n

    \u201dSit down, Cartwright!\u201d The redhead sneered pointing his pistol at the silver haired rancher. \u201cSit down and you won\u2019t get hurt. Sit down or I\u2019ll make you sit down!\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou have my family. I want my boy back.\u201d The bearded man glared at Ben. His deep-set brown eyes glowed with anger. Ben realized why the intruder looked so familiar. The man looked just like Al Striker, Kate\u2019s first husband. A lifetime ago, he and Joe had chased him away from Mim\u2019s house when he was harassing Katie. The bearded man in front of him may have looked like Striker but that was totally impossible. His daughter-in-law had received word not long after that incident that Striker was dead. Ben had seen the letter that Katie had received explaining that Al Striker had been killed in the sinking of a riverboat.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou look like you are seeing a ghost, Mr. Cartwright. But I assure you, Mr. Cartwright, I am quite very real. I am as real as this gun.\u201d He held the pistol up and sighted down the barrel at Ben\u2019s face. Then he grinned and lowered the gun to a less threatening angle. Striker loved to poke and prod at his victims and make them squirm before he killed them. Just like playing a trout until you pull it out of the stream and dashed its head on a rock.<\/p>\n

    \u201dStriker?\u201d Ben spit the name out. \u201cAl Striker?\u201d All the times little Sam had claimed to see his dead father, the boy had not been imagining things. The boy hadn\u2019t seen an apparition or devil or nightmare.<\/p>\n

    Al Striker was still alive.<\/p>\n

    Striker nodded \u201cYou look like you saw a ghost. I assure you that I am not a ghost.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cKate got a letter saying you were dead. Killed when a riverboat sank. It was years ago.\u201d
    \n\u201dFrom Pomeroy Labelle?\u201d Striker laughed. He pointed to the large man on the stairs. \u201cSay hello to Pomeroy Labelle. He can assure you that I\u2019m not dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Labelle nodded in agreement then leaned his bulk on the railing and laughed maliciously.<\/p>\n

    Ben started to get up from his chair. The red headed man walked closer to him and faced the rancher angrily. \u201cSit down and nothin\u2019 will happen to you, Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Ben ignored the order and continued to stand, eyeing the four men angrily. Cy slammed his fist against Ben\u2019s chest knocking him backwards into the leather chair. “Old Man, you are a damn stubborn fool,” he shouted, “and fresh out of common sense! Sit down and be still. I try to do you a good turn, and what do you do but throw it back in my face? I declare, Cartwright, you\u2019re enough to drive any man insane!”<\/p>\n

    Ben winced with pain. \u201cYour pity disgusts me. I\u2019m telling you now, if anything happens to my family I will come after you and there won\u2019t be a place on this earth far enough or dark enough to hide you.\u201d Ben growled threateningly.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThat\u2019s assuming there is anything left of you to come after me, Cartwright.\u201d Striker took an expensive cigar out of his vest pocket and lit. He took a long puff and blew the acrid smoke into the air.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 7<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Riding up to the ranch house, Joe Cartwright slid from his horse and made for the kitchen door. He would put Cochise up in a few minutes as soon as he was sure there was no reason to ride up to Newkirk\u2019s or to the corral or into town for any last minute task for his father or Kate. He was glad that Sam had insisted on some kind of celebration for his father. It was going to be really nice to get together for a happy reason instead of the sad ones they had experienced the last few months. He had secretly hoped his father would have given in to a big party with music and dancing and lots of guests and music but understood how everyone felt.<\/p>\n

    Joe decided that Adam was making his boy too serious and obedient for Joe\u2019s tastes. Joe determined that he would have to spend a little more time alone with Sam coaching him on the art of getting his father to ease up a bit and to give in to his shenanigans.<\/p>\n

    Joe reached into his pocket and pulled out a bedraggled piece of paper. He swiftly checked the list that Kate had left for him that morning. He was pleased to see that every chore was done for his father\u2019s party except getting a case of wine from the cellar and getting himself dressed. He was way ahead of schedule and would even have time to put his feet up with his father and shoot the breeze over a cup of coffee. Maybe he could figure a way to sample the chocolate birthday cake in the pantry with nobody noticing his finger marks in the frosting.<\/p>\n

    Knowing that Hop Sing had waxed the floors in the front room rather than risk leaving any foot marks, he strolled in through the kitchen door. A gust of cold autumn wind slammed the door shut behind him. Joe lifted the lid of the cookie jar and rummaged around until he found one of Kate\u2019s butter cookies. She had made a double batch from Mim\u2019s recipe and happily, there were still a few left that his nephew had not devoured. Joe felt a tiny bit guilty beating out a little kid for cookies but Sam would just have to deal with it. Joe laughed to himself as he chewed on the cookie. When it came to these treats, it was every man for himself.<\/p>\n

    Walking across the kitchen, Joe checked the new graniteware coffee pot on the back of the stove. It was unexpectedly hot and it slipped from his hands and crashed loudly onto the stove. The coffee pot lid rolled across the floor and hit the table leg with a loud clatter. Fortunately for Joe, there was less than a cup of coffee left in the pot and it was a simple task to wipe up the mess with the dishrag on the soap stone kitchen sink.<\/p>\n

    He pictured his father quietly sitting at his desk working on the payroll or in his chair at the hearth sorting through the tally book for the cattle roundup.<\/p>\n

    Joe couldn\u2019t have been more mistaken.<\/p>\n

    \u201cPa?\u201d\u00a0 Joe called into the dining room. \u201cDo you want some coffee? I\u2019ll make a fresh pot if you do.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 8<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Ben sat frozen in his chair looking at the unmoving hands of the tall grandfather clock near the front door. His right elbow rested on the worn arm of the red leather hand and his chin rested on the fist of that hand. Four angry, immoveable men stood staring at Ben Cartwright watching the hands of the clock. Each held a weapon that he would be more than glad to use.<\/p>\n

    Ben heard hoof beats in the yard. Then he heard the kitchen door slam.<\/p>\n

    \u201cGod\u201d he thought, \u201cJoe is home and he is going to walk right into an ambush.\u201d Ben\u2019s stomach twirled and spun. How could he help his son? What could he do?<\/p>\n

    The largest man, La Belle, was standing on the landing of the stairs. The man that Ben had originally assumed was Joseph, the one with the brown curly hair who they called Danny and the red head were standing in the dining room. Danny stood closer to Ben, facing the kitchen. Cy was flattened against the dining room wall leading into the kitchen with his gun drawn. Striker stood near the front door, his gun aimed at Ben.<\/p>\n

    They heard someone rattle around in the kitchen. Ben recognized the sound of the cookie jar lid clinking. He heard the metallic crash of the coffee pot and Joe\u2019s exclamation of a few choice curses as something clattered to the floor.<\/p>\n

    \u201cPa?\u201d\u00a0 Joe called into the dining room. \u201cDo you want some fresh coffee? Ben cringed. His youngest son strode into the dining room.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWatch out, Joe.\u201d He stood up and bellowed. \u201cJoe, watch out!\u201d Ben flew at the back of Danny Lowell.<\/p>\n

    Joe Cartwright turned around and looked toward his father\u2019s voice. There was a large man on the stairs aiming a colt revolver at them. Joe swiftly drew his gun and rapidly got off a shot before diving for cover. The man clutched his stomach and fell crashing through the railing to the floor below. He hit the living room floor below with a sickening thud.<\/p>\n

    Cyrus lurched forward, grabbed Joe from behind in a choke hold and knocked the gun out of Joe\u2019s left hand. Joe\u2019s pistol clattered to the dining room floor and skidded out of reach. Joe elbowed him and broke loose. He spun to face his assailant and drove his fist into the other, larger man\u2019s face–once, twice–before being propelled off him. He tumbled backwards head over heels and crashed into the wall, his shoulder slamming painfully against the baseboard.\u00a0 He could hear the sound of his father shouting behind him. Joe couldn\u2019t see who these men were but he knew that there were several in the room.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJoe watch out!\u201d Ben hollered again as a Striker entered the fight.
    \nAs it erupted into a full-fledge melee with Joe trying to defend himself. A shot rang out. Joe could see his father collapse near the fireplace.<\/p>\n

    \u201cPa!\u201d\u00a0 Joe turned his head for an instant trying to see what happened to his father.<\/p>\n

    The angry man with a beard reached down to where Joe lay on the floor. He grabbed Joe by the front of his jacket and hauled him to his feet. He swung and punched Joe in the face, wrenching his head painfully to the side.\u00a0 Joe stumbled backwards, colliding with a carved dining room chair and upending it. Someone pounced on him and they both careened into the table. The table was overturned and the dishes and glassware crashed explosively to the floor.<\/p>\n

    Someone else roughly grabbed Joseph\u2019s collar, but this time Joe managed to get off the first punch. Joe ducked a thrown chair and heard it crash noisily into the wall behind him.\u00a0 Drawing a breath, he tried to straighten up. He caught a glimpse of a man with red hair in front of him and then a rifle butt cracked across the back of his neck, driving him to his knees.<\/p>\n

    \u201cQuit fighting Little Joe\u201d Danny Lowell ordered as he clubbed him across the head again with the butt end of the fancy shotgun.<\/p>\n

    Joe crashed into the edge of the overturned table and his world erupted in chaos and pain.\u00a0 He crumbled to the dining room floor with a loud groan.\u00a0 His shoulder struck the wide wooden planks and he rolled limply onto his back, He lay staring up at the underside of the tipped dining room table as it spun and reeled drunkenly overhead. Distantly he heard the crisp strike of boot heels against the floor and felt someone kick him sharply in his stomach. Joe heard his father’s angry voice denouncing Cy. Everything went red and then black as Joe spiraled into unconsciousness under the tilted dining table.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Chapter 9<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Clouds were everywhere. Pink fluffy fragrant clouds and he was surrounded by them \u2026 No, they weren\u2019t cloud they were blossoms. Hundreds of swirling cherry pink blossoms. \u201cDon\u2019t worry Cartwright boys don\u2019t break so easily\u2026how did he get up so high in the sky? Joe was so high up and tall. Pa was lifting high up in the air to touch the pink cherry blossoms. Pink snow! Spinning and swirling and whirling and tilting around him until his stomach was dropping and twisting frighteningly. Pink blossoms floated all about in a whirling, swirling dizzying spiral. One petal landed on his nose and tickled.<\/p>\n

    Half awake, he tried to swat it away but he couldn\u2019t move his hands. Joe slowly came into consciousness and he tried to remember what had happened. He opened his eyes and looked around. His vision was blurry and he blinked trying to clear his eyes.<\/p>\n

    All he could see over his head was the underside of the dining room table. His face was partly covered with the dangling pink tablecloth. He groaned and tried to roll over but couldn\u2019t. Joe attempted to reach up and rub his face, but when he tried to move, he realized his arms were also tied tightly behind him. He was hog tied and lying on the floor on his injured right shoulder. He was crumpled on top of the smashed china and shattered glassware. He tried again to move and immediately felt a stabbing pain in the fleshy part of his right thigh. His hands were tied behind him and he was awkwardly balanced.<\/p>\n

    He shifted his weight a bit and squirmed a bit trying to find a more tolerable position. He was able to touch a broken wine glass that was jabbing him through his heavy work pants. Joe let his hand rest carefully on the large shard of glass. From the corner of his eye he saw black boots walking closer to him. The table was shoved aside by a dirty hand and Joe was able to look up past the crooked pink tablecloth.<\/p>\n

    The man with curly brown hair much like his own dug the business end of a shotgun into his scalp just behind Joe\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n

    Danny\u2019s red haired partner paced nervously near Ben. \u201cNow isn\u2019t this tender scene Danny Boy,\u201d sneered Cy. \u201cOld home week on the Ponderosa.\u201d
    \n\u201cWell, hello there Little Joe Cartwright.\u201d\u00a0 Danny Lowell said in a soft voice. He poked the barrel of the shotgun into Joe\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cI told you to quit fighting. You should learn to listen up better when someone tells you to do something smart.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe\u2019s head hurt badly.\u00a0 \u201cWho are you?\u201d Joe asked weakly. He tried again to focus his eyes and still couldn\u2019t see straight. He was dizzy and a little confused from the blow on his head.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou don\u2019t need names, just know we mean business\u201d, the intruder answered. While all this was being said, Joe was trying desperately to stay conscious. The pain was working on his brain and it was making the darkness of unconsciousness fade in and out.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWho are you?\u201d he stammered for a second time. He kept his hand on the shard of glass underneath him.<\/p>\n

    The third man with the dark hair and beard stood near the fireplace casually puffing on a cigar.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWho am I? I am your worst nightmare, Cartwright!\u201d\u00a0 Striker answered. \u201cI\u2019m Al Striker, back from the dead!\u201d<\/p>\n

    Joe struggled against the ropes around his wrists. They were tied too tightly for him to loosen. He moved very slowly so as not to attract the attention of the intruders as he lay on the floor trying to saw through the ropes with the piece of broken glass. He closed his eyes to keep the room from swirling around. He blinked and realized that it was blood running into his eyes and blurring his vision. No wonder everything looked so pink.<\/p>\n

    His head ached from a blow that had come out of nowhere and he was nauseous from being hit in the stomach, but worry overrode the discomfort. Joe\u2019s thoughts drifted to the four men who had attacked him and his father in their own home.<\/p>\n

    They had to be the bank robbers, the Carson City Gang. These were the men who murdered his brother Hoss and almost killed Sammy. These were the men who shot Deputy Dean Newkirk, the men he and Adam had chased all summer. These were the men who almost destroyed the Cartwright family and now they were back in his home to finish the job.<\/p>\n

    Joe concentrated on their faces, burning the blurry features into his mind. He felt a hatred growing in him, and he nourished that hate. The anger would help keep him alive at least long enough to make sure he could warn Adam and Kate when they came in the door. There was no way he was going to let his brother and his family walk into Striker\u2019s trap. He had to cut the ropes and get free to protect them. Joe would kill them with his own bare hands. For an instant, Joe grinned, the kind of smile that comes from the thought of total, complete and final revenge.<\/p>\n

    The broken wine glass was slicing his fingers as much as it was cutting through the ropes.\u201d Please let this work,\u201d he prayed silently. He felt his hands get wet and sticky from the bloody cuts made by the sharp edges of the broken glass as he sawed through the ropes.<\/p>\n

    He heard an angry voice near the stone fireplace. Striker was making demands. \u201cI want my boy or else.”<\/p>\n

    \u201cOr else what?\u201d Ben asked, his voice deep and calm.<\/p>\n

    Joe was relieved to hear his father\u2019s voice. If Ben was arguing he was still alive.<\/p>\n

    Ben Cartwright tried to keep Striker talking. He was hoping to discover what his adversary was planning. There was no way he was going to let this man know the fear he was feeling seeing his youngest son laying on the floor with a loaded gun pointed at him. And at the moment, no matter what Ben had preached to his sons in the past about the use of violence, Ben wanted to kill Striker himself. No need to wait for a hangman. Ben Cartwright would personally tear Striker to pieces. Let them hang what was left. There was no way he was going to let this man hurt anyone else. This was the man who had killed Hoss.<\/p>\n

    Cy sauntered over to Joe. He had noticed Joe quietly moving under the table. \u00a0\u201cWhat the hell are you doing there, Boy?\u201d \u00a0He poked at Joe with the toe of his heavy boot. \u201cTrying to cut the ropes, Cartwright? I told you to lay still.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Then he angrily stomped on Joe\u2019s hand, driving the broken glass directly into his right palm. Joe\u2019s crushed hand was streaming blood. \u201cI told you to listen and you and your family might just avoid too much trouble but it don\u2019t look like you don\u2019t listen real well.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cLet him be, Cy!\u201d Danny pleaded softly. It was the same way Danny had pleaded with his uncle for the safety of his sisters years earlier. Daniel Lowell was not sure what he should be doing right now. Somehow, he remembered seeing Joe\u2019s hand bloodied like that years earlier, when they were still boys, still friends. Danny quickly pushed the picture from his mind. He was suddenly uncomfortable being in the Cartwright\u2019s house. He wanted to leave. Forget about the Cartwrights and escape this house. Long ago Joe Cartwright had been his best friend and this was not what Danny should be doing to his friend.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDanny, go take care of him, Striker ordered. \u201cDo what you need to do to shut him up.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Ben glared at Striker, helpless to do anything for his son. He held his breath fearing what would happen to his boy.<\/p>\n

    Danny understood the undeniable end he was now facing. The die was cast. He was doomed no matter how he turned. Unless he did what Striker told him to do, he would be killed. He was sure he would die even if he refused Striker\u2019s orders. \u201dI\u2019m hanged if I stay and shot if I don\u2019t.\u201d Danny thought to himself.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBe safe, Little Joe.\u201d Danny Lowell whispered, echoing what his friend had told him the last time they had been together. He used the same words Joe had the very evening Danny had stolen the shot gun meant for Ben Cartwright\u2019s birthday. It was the same shot gun Danny had carried with him for years as an outlaw and the very same weapon he had in his hands right now.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJoe Cartwright is a damn spoiled, rich boy and a woman stealer. He\u2019s only going to give us a hard time so shut him up right now, Danny! Shut him up or shoot him,\u201d Al Striker demanded again. \u201cBlow his head off!\u201d<\/p>\n

    Striker\u2019s irrational resentment to Joe had been seething for years. He had always incorrectly assumed that Kate and Joe Cartwright had been lovers. He had always jealously fantasized about Kate and Little Joe together. So twisted was his mind that he would never accept his wife\u2019s protests to his hideously delusional accusations. His venomous hate was erupting like a volcano from hell. Now Striker had Joe Cartwright exactly where he wanted him lying helpless at his feet.<\/p>\n

    He was furious at his underling for refusing to obey his orders. \u201cBlow his damn head off!\u201d Striker repeated louder. \u201cNow!\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo!\u201d Danny said more forcefully than he has spoken in years. Joe had never hurt him.\u00a0Little Joe had saved his baby sister when she almost drowned in Cherry Creek. Ben Cartwright had been the Lowell family friend long before Danny\u2019s father died. Andrea loved Hoss. How could he harm the Cartwrights now?<\/p>\n

    \u201cHow dare you say \u2018no\u2019? Since when do you not do what I order you to do?\u201d Al Striker questioned.<\/p>\n

    Holding the shot gun in one hand, Danny Lowell made a futile attempt to help hog tied, battered Joe stand up. \u201cI won\u2019t shoot Little Joe. We came for Striker\u2019s kid and we\u2019ll get the kid and we\u2019ll go. Why shoot more people?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe don\u2019t leave no witnesses that\u2019s why. Move Danny.\u201d Cy snatched the shotgun from Danny\u2019s hands then shoved him aside.<\/p>\n

    Danny stepped in between Joe and Cy. \u00a0Danny touched his holstered gun with his right. Joe blinked dizzily as he helplessly sagged back to the floor. His head throbbed and everything was swirling around him.<\/p>\n

    Danny looked at Joe and then back at Striker. \u201cI was friends with him when we were kids. Leave him alone. All we came for was your son, Al.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dMove over Danny or I\u2019ll shoot right through you!\u201d Cy yelled. Danny had never defied Cyrus or anyone in the gang before.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIf you are going for him, you have to go through me.\u201d Danny said firmly. For the first time since he was a very frightened small boy, Daniel Lowell took a stand.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIf that\u2019s what you want, then I will!\u201d Cy grinned. He fired the shotgun he had snatched from Danny\u2019s hand. Danny Lowell fell to the floor on top of Joe.<\/p>\n

    \u201cPa.\u201d\u00a0 Joe gasped. Joe closed his eyes and lay on the floor at Cy\u2019s feet.<\/p>\n

    Cyrus Carnigan stood and looked down on two curly haired men lying at his feet. The two men who as boys were mistaken for brothers lay tangled and bloody on the floor. One was dead.<\/p>\n

    From where he lay near the hearth, Ben could see that Joe had been shot.\u00a0The blast had entered low on his side and his shirt and jacket were already beginning to turn a dark red. Cy walked closer to Joe and kicked at him as he lay on the floor. The boot clipped him in his wounded side, and he grunted, bending double, as needles of pain skidded across his abdomen.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJoseph!\u201d Ben screamed. He was helpless to protect his son.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 10<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Kate pulled the buckboard into the yard. She twirled the reins around the whip holder and set the brake. Seeing Cochise tied at the rail, Kate smiled and said to her son,\u201dGood! Uncle Joe is already here. He can help you unload the packages, Doc.\u201d<\/p>\n

    As late as it was, all her organizing seemed to be working perfectly. Kate would be able to put the chickens Hop Sing had readied in the oven to roast with plenty of time to spare. And she would have time change her dress and to do up her hair just the way Adam liked it.<\/p>\n

    Sam looked across the yard to the tack room and through the dusty window glass he could see the pale yellow hair of his friend Casey Newkirk. The older boy was hard at work. \u201cMa, Casey is already in the tack room. He is going to help me clean it up as a birthday gift for Grandpa.\u201d
    \nKate smiled. \u201cWhat a fine idea!\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI know you and Papa bought Grandpa a new pen and ink well but Casey and I decided to do something more from the two of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cBring Casey some cookies when you go out. But don\u2019t forget, Sam, I want you to get washed up and changed before the company gets here. Your new Sunday suit is all laid out on your bed so be sure you put them on for dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Sam nodded. They each took a few of the smaller parcels from the back of the buckboard and walked into the kitchen door. They set the packages on the kitchen table.<\/p>\n

    The house was strangely quiet. \u201cBen? Joe?\u201d She called as she walked through the kitchen with Sammy trailing behind her. Something smelled nasty and strangely familiar in the house. It was cigar smoke. Who had smoked cigars in the house while she was gone? Maybe one of the hands, she thought. It was a vile odor.<\/p>\n

    Kate walked into the dining room from the kitchen. Instantly, she was horrified to see the overturned table and smashed dishes. All she could think for the moment was that somehow a horse or the milk cow had found their way inside the house from the barn and toppled her beautifully set table for Ben\u2019s party. \u201cSam, what happened in here?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cMama what\u2019s going on?\u201d Sammy\u2019s voice croaked as he looked around room. The frightened boy froze in his path and stepped backwards toward his mother. They both saw a tall bearded man standing in the midst of a chaotic mess of upended furniture, broken dishes and shattered glass.<\/p>\n

    Al Striker was in the dining room of the Ponderosa, still alive and as big as day. Sam\u2019s worst nightmare had come to life. Sam clutched at his mother\u2019s blue skirt. She pulled her most precious possession, her son Sam, protectively to her side<\/p>\n

    \u201cHello Katherine,\u201d Al Striker smiled evilly. \u201cI haven\u2019t seen you in a very long time.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Kate turned pale at the sight of the man she had been told was dead. Even with a beard, she immediately recognized Al Striker. \u00a0\u201cIt is you!\u201d She whispered in amazement. \u201cWhat do you want? Money?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat do I want, Katherine? I want my family. I want my boy and I want my wife but it looks like my wife has been having a fine old time here just kissing and hugging with the rich Cartwright boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Kate glanced around the room. Near the center of the wrecked dining room, she could see two men lying on the floor, battered and bloody. One man Kate couldn\u2019t quite recognize. The other one was Little Joe. Kate stared at her brother-in-law lying on the floor, hurt and helpless.<\/p>\n

    She gasped. \u201cJoe! Oh my goodness! What happened?\u201d Ignoring Striker, she walked over and knelt down beside him. She stroked the top of Joe\u2019s head. \u201cJoe!\u201d she crooned softly. \u201cJoe, can you hear me?\u201d\u00a0 Joe remained motionless, giving no indication he heard her voice or felt her touch.<\/p>\n

    Kate bent over and shook Joe\u2019s shoulder a bit. \u201cJoe,\u201d she said in a louder voice. \u201cCan you hear me? Open your eyes, Joe. Look at me.\u201d\u00a0 All he did was give out another pitiful groan. Joe writhed in pain.<\/p>\n

    Kate slowly turned around and tried to assess her situation. Trying to remain calm she looked at the scene around her. Al Striker was at the Ponderosa. There were two strange armed men looking at her. She could see Al and a man with red hair both holding pistols. Joe was bleeding on the floor. Where was Ben? She looked towards the fireplace and saw her father-in-law lying near the wood box, his bloody leg twisted at an odd angle. Kate started to shake. It was at that moment Kate realized she was on her own.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHow are you, wife?\u201d Al called to her again from across the room as if it was the most normal question in the world. He spoke to her as if he had just come home from work for supper on an ordinary evening and they were still married.<\/p>\n

    Kate stood and stared fearfully at the familiar yet strange man standing belligerently in front of her. He held a pistol pointed at her son. \u201cLet him go,\u201d Katie said as calmly as she could.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI said something to you wife. How are you?\u201d He repeated himself in a more threatening tone. His unblinking eyes stared right through her.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019m not your wife, Al. You walked out on Sammy and me long, long ago. I\u2019m married to Adam Cartwright now.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dI\u2019m here to take my boy with me. He is mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Al is insane Kate thought fearfully. \u201cNo, Al. You can\u2019t.\u201d She would never let the boy out of her sight.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYes, I can Kate. I am his father. I can do just whatever I want with him. And you are my wife.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Kate shivered. He was really crazy she thought. He is totally insane. Striker was going to try to steal Sam again and take him away. She took a deep breath and tried to take control of herself. Sam stepped closer and slid his hand into hers.<\/p>\n

    \u201dI\u2019ll die first,\u201d she thought to herself \u201cThere is no way her child was going anywhere with Striker and his murderous devil brigade. She had to stop him or die trying. If necessary she would die to protect her child or she would kill Al.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI want that boy, Kate and I want you. I changed my mind. I want you back.\u201d
    \nKate shuddered at the thought of ever being near Al Striker again. Her stomach was in her throat. She did not know how she was going to proceed but she knew she needed to remain calm. If she fell apart, they were all lost.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSo where is that Adam Cartwright? I knew you would be carrying on with one of the Cartwrights but thought for sure it would be Joe.\u201d Al said with an insane look in his eyes. He glared at Joe lying unmoving near the overturned dining room table. \u201cWhere is that Adam Cartwright, Kate?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cHe\u2019s in Boston\u201d she quickly lied. She glanced at the tall grandfather\u2019s clock near the door and realized that her husband could be back any minute. It was almost four o\u2019clock. She gripped Sammy\u2019s hand tightly. She couldn\u2019t let Adam walk into the house with Striker standing waiting for him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSam, where is Adam Cartwright?\u201d Striker demanded. \u201cTell me the truth!\u201d<\/p>\n

    Sam shivered and gripped his mother\u2019s hand forcefully.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSam, tell him how Adam is not here. How he went back east on business.\u201d She urged. Kate held her breath hoping that Sam would follow her lead.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAdam is in Boston, Massachusetts. It is 2896 miles away from here.\u201d Sam piped up. She squeezed her son\u2019s hand gratefully. Sam had remembered reading the atlas with Adam in Mim\u2019s house. All the nights that he waited for Adam to tuck him in to bed, Sam sat and played games with that atlas checking the miles from one location to another just as Adam had taught him. Sam looked at his mother and she nodded her approval.<\/p>\n

    Kate she had to think quickly; the lives of all the Cartwrights depended on her.<\/p>\n

    \u201dCome with me Kate. I am taking the boy and you can come with me or stay here with your old buddy Joe.\u201d Al smirked at Joe lying unconscious and bleeding in the middle of the demolished dining room. Kate felt her heart thumping in her chest. Sam clung to her hand. She recognized that Al Striker would not hesitate to shoot her if she didn\u2019t cooperate with him. He might just kill Sam too if he got upset or tried to fight with him.<\/p>\n

    She took a deep breath and squeezed Sam\u2019s hand. \u201cOk, I think you are absolutely right, Al.\u00a0 I missed you too. I missed you very much. I\u2019ll go with you.\u201d She swallowed hard praying he did not see the revulsion on her face.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe are both going with Al,\u201d she announced loudly.<\/p>\n

    Her son gasped. \u201cOh no Mama!\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo arguing, Sam,\u201d she said firmly. \u00a0She was disgusted at the thought Striker ever being near her but she wouldn\u2019t let Al take her son alone.<\/p>\n

    Striker\u2019s deep-set black eyes narrowed as he stared at her. He licked his lips and growled, \u201cI knew you would make the right choice, Kate.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Kate squeezed her son\u2019s little hand so hard that he squirmed in pain. \u201cDon\u2019t argue with your Mama, Sam. I think Al is totally right. We both will go with him. First, let\u2019s just go say good bye to Ben.\u201d She bit her lip.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYes, Mama,\u201d Sam said in a trembling voice.<\/p>\n

    Kate looked straight at Striker and said \u201cI\u2019m going to see that Ben is all right and say goodbye before I go with you.\u201d She didn\u2019t wait for Al to reply. Holding Sam\u2019s hand tightly in hers, she walked across the room to her father in law lying by the fireplace. It was an insane thing to do but she was dealing with an insane man holding a gun on her family.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBen?\u201d
    \nHe nodded grimly \u201cBe careful, Katie,\u201d Ben said softly. His dark eyes stared straight at her.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSam, go give Ben a kiss before we leave here.\u201d She gave Sam a firm shove towards his grandfather.<\/p>\n

    Sam started to open his mouth to say something. In response Ben just reached out and pulled his grandson son to him, holding him tightly in his arms, trapped against his chest.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI\u2019m so scared, Grandpa!\u201d Sam\u2019s voice was no more than a whisper and Ben could feel him trembling against his chest. \u201cIs Al gonna take me with him? I don\u2019t want to go!\u201d Sam whispered in Ben\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo, son.\u201d Ben assured him gently, his hand rubbing the boy\u2019s back as Katie reached out to squeeze his father in laws shoulder. Ben whispered in Sam\u2019s ear \u201cYou just listen to your mother and do exactly what she tell you, Doc. Do you understand me? Exactly what she says.\u201d Ben threaded his hand through Sam\u2019s suspenders and pinned the child against his shoulder. There was no way this boy was going to pull out of his grasp and do anything that might get him in trouble. Ben did not want the boy to attempt to be a hero nor see anything more than necessary. \u201dDoc, do you understand me,\u201d he repeated.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYes sir,\u201d The words were accompanied by the ghost of a trusting smile that quivered a little on Sammy\u2019s lips. He trusted that his grandfather would keep him safe as he always had in the past. Ben would never, ever lie to him and Sam always believed whatever his grandfather told him.<\/p>\n

    Sam leaned in closer to Ben, he had rested some of his weight on Ben\u2019s wounded leg. Ben winced and shifted the little boy over a bit. \u201cDon\u2019t say a word, Sam.\u201d Ben ordered firmly. Sammy nodded. Ben embraced the child tighter trapping him against his chest. \u201cDon\u2019t move, Doc. No matter what happens don\u2019t move. Not an inch.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cOk,\u201d Sam agreed.
    \n\u201cAre you ok, Ben?\u201d Kate whispered.<\/p>\n

    \u201dIt\u2019s my leg. I think I stopped the bleeding for now.\u201d He looked up over Sam\u2019s head to face Kate. He embraced Sammy even tighter. Ben could feel the terrified little boy\u2019s heart beating frantically like a frightened, captured bird.<\/p>\n

    Kate could see the\u00a0rusty dark stain on her father-in-law\u2019s trouser leg\u00a0and the bloody linen diner napkins he had used to staunch the flow of blood from his wound.\u00a0 She saw that Ben had tied his own neckerchief around the wound. \u201cI\u2019m okay for now. It\u2019s Joe, I am concerned about.\u201d Ben lifted his chin to point at his youngest son lying in a heap on the floor in the dining room. \u201cHe hasn\u2019t moved for an awfully long time.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Kate looked at Ben\u2019s eyes and tried to stay calm from his strength.<\/p>\n

    The blood was already seeping through Joe\u2019s jacket from the wound in his side and puddling on the floor. \u201cI can\u2019t tell how badly Joe\u2019s hurt but with the way he\u2019s bleeding, I know he needs to be tended to fast. And Adam is going to be here any time now. Kate you have to do something quickly. Don\u2019t let Striker take you or Sam out of here, \u201cBen winced and closed his eyes from sharp pain he felt in his leg. Kate kneeled closer to him and hugged him as he held Sam.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd Adam should be back very soon, Katie. We can\u2019t let him walk in here and have Striker get the jump on him.\u201d Ben whispered in her ear. Ben had already seen them shoot down Little Joe and he didn\u2019t want his oldest son to walk into the same ambush.<\/p>\n

    Kate\u2019s heart dropped into the pit of her stomach. Right now she had convinced the intruders that Adam was in Boston but who knew how long that charade would last? She couldn\u2019t let anything happen to Adam. She took a deep breath and swallowed hard.<\/p>\n

    Kate turned around and looked at the face on the grandfather\u2019s clock. It was close to four o\u2019clock. Her husband would arrive any time now.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMama, We can\u2019t let Al hurt Adam.\u201d Sammy whispered plaintively.<\/p>\n

    \u201cLet\u2019s go Katherine. Enough saying good bye!\u201d Al ordered from across the room.<\/p>\n

    Ben pulled Sammy close to him. \u201cSam no matter what, you don\u2019t move from here and you don\u2019t turn around either.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The child trembled against his chest. \u201cYou are squeezing me too hard, Grandpa. I can\u2019t breathe\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cKatherine, let\u2019s go.\u201d Striker demanded. \u201cNow!\u201d<\/p>\n

    Ben looked Kate right in the eyes \u201cDon\u2019t let him take you or Sam out of this house Kate, no matter what you have to do. You do whatever you need to do, Kate. Do you understand what I am telling you?\u201d Ben feared that if both he and Joe were killed, no one would ever find out where Striker took Kate and Sam. They could be lost forever.
    \nKate was silent for a minute. She was looking at the front door and the clock. She could not let Adam walk into Striker\u2019s gun. She bit her lip. The sound of the clock ticking filled the silent room.<\/p>\n

    \u201cKate,\u201d Ben repeated his firm voice deep and low. \u201cDo whatever you need to do. Do you understand me, Katie? Whatever you need to do to keep your husband and child safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

    She looked at Ben. He had his big hand on the back of Sammy\u2019s head and was pressing her baby\u2019s frightened face to his broad shoulder. Her heart was pounding and she took a deep breathe, \u201cYes, I understand, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

    She knew she had to remain calm. The lives of everyone she held dear rested in her hands. She swallowed hard.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat are you two gabbing about?\u201d Cy asked.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI was just telling her to do whatever you said.\u201d Ben lied.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWell you just do that, Old man. We like our woman to do what we tell them to do.\u201d Cy pointed his gun at the rancher. Ben\u2019s eyes widened and he held Sam closer.<\/p>\n

    Cy raised his gun and aimed at the ceiling. He fired a shot. Kate jumped and Cy laughed. Carnigan was delighted that he could upset Kate at his whim.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJust making sure you are paying attention Mrs. Adam Cartwright.\u201d Kate Cartwright knew she needed a gun. There was no way she could get to the gun cabinet near the staircase. For the first time, she noticed the broken railing on the staircase and her eyes moved to the floor and she realized there was a dead man lying in a crumpled bloody heap in the middle of the parlor. She started to tremble again.<\/p>\n

    Ben took his left hand away from Sam and grabbed Kate\u2019s hand. He pulled her attention back to his face. \u201cHoss\u2019s gun\u2026 in the desk.\u201d Ben whispered. She instantly remembered that he had stored the pistol in his desk for Sam to have in the future but had been using it this week as the payroll gun. Adam had explained to her that when there was a big payroll on the Ponderosa, his father\u2019s habit was to keep a loaded pistol in his desk until the pay was issued. It was an old habit and he was intrigued that his father had started using Hoss\u2019s pistol for that purpose.<\/p>\n

    Kate completely understood what Ben had just said and knew what she had to do, no matter how difficult. Kate had to take whatever means necessary to keep them safe, to protect her husband and her son.<\/p>\n

    Joe moaned from the middle of the floor. He opened his eyes a slit and looked right at Kate. Their eyes met for an instant. He was alive but certainly badly hurt. In another second, she saw his eyes flicker, then droop closed.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI think we should take some money with us, Al. And we should leave very soon.\u201d Kate announced with the same casual demeanor as if she had told the man to pick up the picnic basket and lemonade and join everyone for a festive lunch at Cherry Creek.<\/p>\n

    Striker looked at Kate. \u201cMoney? Good idea Kate. A big spread like this should have lots of money around.\u201d<\/p>\n

    She looked down at Joe His eyes were open again but he was terribly pale. He nodded at her and closed his eyes weakly. He was still alive she thought. Maybe he would be ok.<\/p>\n

    She took a deep breath. Al was standing near the front door facing the fireplace. The red headed man had moved near the stairs. \u201cThere is a lot of money in the desk. Tomorrow is payday. I\u2019ll go get it and then we all can leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dHow much money, Cartwright?\u201d Al glared at Ben.<\/p>\n

    \u201dQuite a bit.\u201d Kate quickly interrupted. \u201cThe entire pay roll is there. Tomorrow is payday and there must be thousands of dollars here. Thousands. It can be all ours. Yours and mine, Al. Thousands of dollars.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cThousands of dollars. Right here? \u201cCy grinned\u201d Looks like we hit the mother lode.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhere is the money Kate?\u201d Striker asked.
    \n\u201dIt is locked up in the desk but I have to get the key.\u201d Kate said as calmly as she could muster.<\/p>\n

    Kate held her breath and tried to think out a plan. There was too much at stake for her to make any errors. Where was the desk key? She walked over to the console behind Ben\u2019s desk. She opened the drawer and looked inside for the little brass desk key. It was not there. Her heart was pounding in her chest so hard that she was sure Striker could hear it thundering. Think, she ordered herself. Take a breath. Stay calm and think. Where had Ben put the key? She went over to the bookshelves and rested her head on the side of the bookcase. She took a deep breath. Please, she prayed let the key be there.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhat is taking you so long?\u201d Striker barked from the other side of the room.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI need to get the key, I think it is in here.\u201d She remembered Ben putting it away so that Sam couldn\u2019t find it easily if he was poking around. He had put it in the wooden box with the Ponderosa brand burned into the lid which was kept on the top shelf near the window. She took the box off the shelf and slowly opened it. She lifted out some papers that were in the box and underneath was the small brass key for the desk. Kate glanced for an instant at the map of the Ponderosa hanging on the wall. She turned and walked back to the desk. The grandfather clock ticked loudly in the silence of the ranch house.<\/p>\n

    \u201cOk, here is what I have been looking for.\u201d\u00a0 Kate said trying to sound calm. \u201cHere is the key to the desk.\u201d She held her breath for an instant. Her hands were shaking as she picked up the tiny key.<\/p>\n

    Slowly and as calmly as she could, she went to the desk and unlocked the drawer. For just an instant, her hands trembled so that she could not quite fit the key into the lock. This drawer held the tan payroll envelopes with Hoss\u2019s gun sitting on top of them.<\/p>\n

    Kate forced herself to stop and take a deep breath. She had to steady one hand with the other. Her hands could not shake or tremble. She had just one chance to do this and do it exactly right. Kate needed to collect herself quickly. Her life and the lives of her family depended on her being able to do one thing calmly and precisely. Kate pressed her hands against the edge of the desk and gripped the edge with both hands until they stopped shaking. Then she used the tiny key to open the drawer of Ben Cartwright\u2019s desk.<\/p>\n

    Kate exhaled and wiped her damp hands on her skirt. Very slowly, she pulled open the drawer. There it was: Hoss\u2019s pistol, ready and waiting. She slowly put her hand on the cold metal.<\/p>\n

    She glanced up at Ben on the other side of the room and their eyes met. He nodded.
    \nBen hugged Sam to him \u201cDon\u2019t move and don\u2019t look no matter what.\u201d He whispered in the boy\u2019s ear.\u201d No matter what.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Chapter 11<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Adam realized he had taken too much time at the building site. He was heading to the Ponderosa later than he had anticipated. Kate would be quite annoyed if he got home late for the party. He had sworn to be home promptly and he always tried to keep his promises to her. On the other hand, he knew she would be extremely pleased with the progress being made on their house.<\/p>\n

    Bob and Norm concurred with his plan to have the roof finished before the first snow.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI think it can work out just fine, Adam if we get moving on it in the next week. If you can get that lumber started, we can get working around the first of the month. We have some carpenters just finishing up a big job for Jack Fischer and will have the men available for you and Katie.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The Bob and Norm had sat for close to two hours with Adam and itemized the preliminary lumber list as well as reviewing the work schedule for the framing. Tomorrow, Adam would take the list up to the mill and have them get started. He would invite his father to join him Together they would pick the finest Ponderosa timbers for his house, for the house Adam would finally build for his beloved wife.<\/p>\n

    All this, in addition to meeting with Roy Coffee and Doc Martin earlier, had taken much more time than he had ever anticipated. Kate would be annoyed if he was late. He was sure her delight in the progress he was making on their new house would calm her temper, at least he hoped so. She had worked so hard to make this party a success and Adam certainly didn\u2019t want to be the one to spoil the festivities.<\/p>\n

    Adam had also hoped to catch a moment alone with Joe and Kate before the guests arrived to discuss the information he had learned from Roy Coffee and Paul Martin but he was not sure he would have the time. Maybe he would be able to pull them aside after the company left.<\/p>\n

    Adam rode out of town on Sport at a faster pace than was his usual and headed towards the Ponderosa. When he hit the fork for the ranch road, he decided that he would make better time riding across the meadow and approaching from the foreman\u2019s house than sticking to the road. Years ago, this was Joe\u2019s favorite route when he was sneaking in late from town. Adam would also be able to briefly check with Hays about the herd on the way up to the house and hopefully get home faster.<\/p>\n

    He kicked Sport into a gallop. As he crested the hill he could see yellow dust clouds puffing up on the road from Virginia City. Squinting his eyes he could see that it looked like a couple of buggies and a few riders. \u201cProbably the party guests heading to the Ponderosa.\u201d he thought. Adam would make it home before the company but not by much.<\/p>\n

    As he approached the Newkirk’s, he could see Hays untying his gear from his horse. \u201cAdam! I was just headed inside to get cleaned up for the party. Your Pa will be real pleased with the herd this fall. Let me show you the tally.\u201d He strolled over to Adam with the ledger and started to hand it up to him.<\/p>\n

    Adam and Hays looked up at the sound of hoof beats.<\/p>\n

    \u201cPa, Mr. Adam! Come quick.\u201d Casey Newkirk shrieked as he galloped over the ridge on Cochise. The boy\u2019s eyes were wide with panic.<\/p>\n

    Why would young Casey Newkirk be riding Joe\u2019s horse?<\/p>\n

    \u201dPa! Mr. Adam! You gotta help, something wrong is going on at the house!\u201d the boy screamed again. His lake blue eyes were wide with fear. He pulled up Cochise in a cloud of dust. The pinto was blowing hard from the rough ride.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSlow down, Casey. What do you mean, son?\u201d Hays put his hand on his twelve year old\u2019s leg. \u201cTake a breath. What\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Casey took a deep breath and started in. The words tumbled excitedly out of his lips. \u201cSomething is wrong up at the house. When I got there I saw some horses in the barn with their saddles still on. I figured it must be someone visiting Mr. Ben. And Cochise was tied up near the kitchen. I know Joe don\u2019t leave his horse out too long so I thought he was going back out or else he would have called me to bring Cochise into the barn and put him up. So I started with those chores you asked me to do.\u201d He looked at Adam who nodded.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd\u2026 and\u2026And I got up to doing the tack room like Sammy and me decided to do for Mr. Ben. A bit later, I saw Mrs. Cartwright and Sammy come in the surrey, but I was kind of tangled up with some harness and didn\u2019t go right out. I figured that someone in the house would just help Mrs. Cartwright to unload. Joe or Mr. Ben. But I saw the wagon was still sittin\u2019 \u00a0with all the parcels when I finished cleaning up the tack room about an hour later. That was awful long. And Sammy never came out. We was gonna clean it up for Mr. Ben\u2019s birthday. So I was heading into the house to see if Mrs. Cartwright needed a hand and to see where Sammy was at. Then I heard a shot and some yelling and knew something was mighty wrong. Pa and came up here quick for you.\u201d The words spewed out of the frightened boy at a swift clip.<\/p>\n

    Hays looked at Adam. \u201cAdam, that don\u2019t sound right. Not one bit.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam turned to the boy at his side. He said firmly and calmly “Casey, I want you to ride across the meadow toward Virginia City as fast as you can and you are going to find the sheriff and tell him exactly what you\u2019ve seen. Clem should be riding out here for dinner and you are going to catch up with them just down the road.\u201d<\/p>\n

    “Yes, sir, Mr. Adam!” Casey cried. Adam slapped the flank of Cochise and Casey galloped down the ranch road his white blond hair shining in the setting sun.<\/p>\n

    Adam reached to the side of his saddle and pulled his rifle out of the scabbard. He tossed it to Hays. \u201dLet\u2019s ride!\u201d<\/p>\n

    Chapter 12<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cLet\u2019s go Katherine,\u201d Striker aimed his pistol at her. He started walking across the room towards her. \u201cDo you have the money or not?\u201d He barked.<\/p>\n

    The clock started striking four as Kate put her hand on the handle of the gun. She heard the sound of horses galloping into the yard. It had to be Adam arriving home. She knew she had to act immediately or Adam would walk into a deadly ambush.<\/p>\n

    She slowly put her hand on the cold metal of her brother-in-law\u2019s pistol. Kate quickly drew it from the drawer and before Striker realized what was going on she pointed at him.<\/p>\n

    She remembered, years earlier Joe taught her\u00a0\u201cnever point a gun at a man if you don\u2019t intend to shoot and don\u2019t shoot, unless you intend to kill him.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI thought you were dead and now you are!\u201d Kate pointed the gun at Striker as he belligerently walked towards her.<\/p>\n

    She pulled the trigger of Hoss\u2019s gun and the sound of the shot exploded in her ears. The bullet struck Striker in the center of his chest. Al Striker fell backwards crashing into the grandfather\u2019s clock just as the last chime rang.<\/p>\n

    Cy spun to face her. Before he could get off a shot, the front door swung open.<\/p>\n

    \u201dFreeze!\u201d Adam burst in, gun blazing. He shot Cy. The last member of the Carson City Gang crumpled to the floor in a heap.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 13<\/strong><\/p>\n

    When Adam reached Kate, she still held Hoss\u2019s smoking gun and was breathing heavily. His mind was racing; he couldn’t believe what he had just seen. He saw her hand shaking.<\/p>\n

    \u201cPut down that gun, Katie,\u201d ordered Adam softly. \u201cIt\u2019s over. The guy is dead. They are all dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Ben pulled Sam into his shoulder as the boy tried to squirm from his grandfather\u2019s grasp. The child accidentally kicked Ben\u2019s wounded leg and the man gasped with pain. For an instant Ben lost his grip on his grandson.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMama!\u201d Sam screamed as he pulled loose and ran across the room to Kate and Adam.<\/p>\n

    Adam took the smoking gun from her hand and drew her to him. “Are you alright?” he asked.<\/p>\n

    She just nodded, still trembling.\u00a0Al Striker laid on the floor, eyes open and blood seeping out of a big hole in the center of his chest. There was no question that he was finally dead.<\/p>\n

    From the kitchen, Hays Newkirk ran in with Adam\u2019s rifle in his hands. He was shocked at the gruesome scene in front of him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cGo help Joe and your father.\u201d She her voice shook as she pushed Adam toward his brother.<\/p>\n

    Hays walked over to Cy\u2019s body. \u201cLooks like you got this one Adam. \u201cSomehow, deep inside him, Hays Newkirk knew that this must be the man who had murdered his son, Dean.<\/p>\n

    Adam\u2019s strong, supportive arms gripped Joe and aided him up. \u201cAdam?\u201d he looked up at his brother. Joe made it only so far before a blast of pain sent him slumping back against his older brother’s chest.\u00a0 The wound on his head had reopened and was streaming blood over his collar.\u00a0 He could feel the sticky flow as it tracked down the side of his neck. His side hurt painfully and he closed his eyes. Joe sagged into unconsciousness knowing that his brother Adam was safe.<\/p>\n

    Part 14 <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    The Aftermath<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Chapter 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The entire Carson City Gang was finally dead.<\/p>\n

    As darkness fell and the lamps were lit, all the people gathered in the Ponderosa began to despair. The outlaws of Carson City Gang were all dead but there was no celebration by the Cartwrights. The final battle had taken a heavy toll on the family in physical and emotional wounds.<\/p>\n

    Alerted by the shouts of young Casey Newkirk, the sheriff and Doc Martin had arrived to help them. Joe and Ben had been carried upstairs and placed in their beds, their injuries attended to by Doctor Martin.<\/p>\n

    “Adam, Kate wait in the other room,” Doctor Martin instructed, opening his bag, “Give me room to take care of your brother. Then I will see to Ben.”<\/p>\n

    There was no way Kate could bear going down stairs to the remnants of their ordeal without getting physically sick. The only thing she wanted was to stay close to Adam with his arms protectively around her. They both could hear the noise of people downstairs moving things around and cleaning up as best they could.\u00a0 They could hear the sound of broken glass and crockery being swept up and the jarring chimes clanging as the overturned grandfather clock was righted. Adam and Kate heard loud shouts of distressed voices as their friend and the ranch hands attempted to put the house in some semblance of order. Clem ordered the hands to take the bodies out to the barn.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI never put the chickens in the oven for dinner,\u201d Kate said to no one in particular as she sat next to Adam. It was crazy how the most mundane, ridiculous things came to someone\u2019s mind after surviving a horrifically violent crisis.<\/p>\n

    There certainly was not going to be a birthday dinner honoring Ben tonight or any night soon. Adam looked at her quizzically \u201cChickens?\u201d He wrapped his arms tightly around his wife and she rested her head on his chest and started to sob. \u201cDon\u2019t worry about the chickens. Just rest Katie.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Kate tried with difficulty not to listen to the noise from down stairs and just clung on to her husband. Each time Adam got up to check on Joe or his father, Nancy Foster appeared from the shadows and sat with Kate. Despite everyone reminding her that she was finally safe, Kate was trembling like a willow leaf in a windstorm and couldn\u2019t seem to get warm.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhere is Sam?\u201d Kate asked for the third or fourth time.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI sent him with my boys over to Newkirk’s for a while with Casey. He\u2019ll be back in a few hours, as soon as\u2026 as soon as the downstairs is better. We\u2019ll bring him up here to you through the back stairs. Maybe by then Doc Martin will know more about Joe. \u201cNancy was totally at a loss for what to do for her friend.<\/p>\n

    \u201dKatie, you have to eat something or perhaps you should go lay down. Let me make you some nice hot tea,\u201d Nancy offered. Kate shook her head, refusing everything that was offered. Kate had just killed a man, a man who she had once been married to. She could not get the image out of her mind. Al Striker lying dead by her hand.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNancy, I shot him,\u201d she whispered. \u201cI killed Al.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cKate, you had no choice. Striker would have killed all of you and taken Sammy. You saved Adam. You saved Ben and Joe. \u00a0You had no choice but to do what you did.\u201d<\/p>\n

    In his brother\u2019s room, Adam watched anxiously as the doctor examined Joe, noting with concern the frown on the doctor\u2019s face. \u201cHe\u2019s not too good Adam,” Paul Martin said somberly as he finished his examination. “He\u2019s lost a lot of blood. I\u2019m going to have to get that buckshot out of him. I don\u2019t think its hit anything vital but I\u2019ll need help with him. You go tend to your father. Send my wife and Hays or Roy or someone in here to give me a hand. You just take care of your Pa and Kate. Once Joe is settled, I can see to Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam nodded mutely. They couldn\u2019t let his brother die.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Adam and Kate waited endlessly, fearfully; Doc had been with Joe for nearly two hours. Then the doctor addressed the bullet wound in Ben\u2019s leg.<\/p>\n

    Nancy sat with her arm around Kate each time Adam left the room. “Ben is fine and Joe\u2019s still with us.” the Doctor said, seeing the fear on their faces, “but he\u2019s not too good I\u2019m afraid. We got the buckshot out of him, but he\u2019s sustained a massive blood loss and his body is still in shock. His hand is badly broken too. Shattered. I\u2019m more worried about his head than anything else. They pounded him pretty bad. All we can do now is wait and hope that he\u2019s strong enough to pull through.”<\/p>\n

    Kate had refused to lie down until she knew how Joe was doing. \u201cCan we see him?” Kate asked, her voice cracking with emotion. She clung to Adam\u2019s strong hand, too frightened to let go for even a minute.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHe\u2019s unconscious and it doesn\u2019t look like he will be coming around for a long time, hours if we are lucky. He won\u2019t know that you are there.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Kate had to see Little Joe, especially if the worst happened and he died. She had to know she saw him one last time. \u201cI need to see him. Maybe he will know I\u2019m there, I need to know I saw him.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam understood exactly what his wife was thinking. Hoss had died before any of them had arrived to see him, to be with him. \u201cLet her be with Joe for a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Paul nodded in agreement \u201cOnly on one condition Katie, that as soon as you see to Joe, you go lay down yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

    She hesitated for a minute and finally acquiesced.<\/p>\n

    Joe\u2019s bruised face was barely visible in the dim light of his room.\u00a0 He had thrown his left arm over his eyes. His injured right hand was bandaged and propped up on a pillow.\u00a0 His head was also bandaged and the covers pulled up high over his chest.\u00a0Fear\u00a0laid heavy in Adam\u2019s heart, his brother was so pale, so still. Adam was reminded of a much younger Joe looking just as pitiful and helpless when Ramsey Lowell beaten him years and years before.<\/p>\n

    We got him through that and we\u2019ll get Joe through this, he thought to himself. Joe is a fighter. He will be fine. Joe can\u2019t die.<\/p>\n

    Dr. Martin took Adam by the arm and almost forcibly pulled him and Katie from the room. \u201cNow you go sit with your wife. I\u2019ll tend to Joe\u00a0and make sure you take care of Kate too.\u00a0Kate needs you. No one else needs you as much as she does at this point.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam followed along, but he turned his head for a last look back at his brother.<\/p>\n

    Finally Adam forced Katie to drink some brandy and she fell asleep in his arms. He carried her like a child into another bedroom and tucked her into the bed. Nancy sat near her and shooed Adam out of the room. \u201cYou go see to Ben and the others.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Ben had fallen asleep from the painkillers Paul had given him. Refusing to stay any more at the Newkirk\u2019s, Sam had made such a fuss that Hays was forced to him back to Adam. Hays carried the distraught boy up the back stairs and handed him over to his father.<\/p>\n

    Sam\u2019s eyes were all red and puffy and his face was tear streaked from crying, \u201cI wanted to be here, Papa. I want to see you and Mama and everyone and they wouldn\u2019t let me.\u201d He sobbed and threw himself into Adam\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n

    Adam sat in the corner of Ben\u2019s room with Sam in his lap until the boy settled down and finally fell asleep.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

    It was after midnight. Adam silently crept downstairs to see what was going on. Kate and Sam were sound asleep in Sammy\u2019s room. The house was quiet and still. The only sound was the ticking of the up righted grandfather clock. Hays Newkirk and Roy Coffee sat exhausted on the settee. A flickering fire was burning in hearth.<\/p>\n

    Adam wearily sat down on the bottom step and stared at the chaos around him. The worst of the gory mess had been cleared away. The rugs were rolled up and the furniture had been moved back into place by the hands. All the broken glass and china had been swept up and the carnage mopped up as best they could but there were still blood stains on the wall and floor, bullet holes in the walls. He knew the bodies had been moved into the barn.<\/p>\n

    Hays walked across the room to Adam. \u201cWhere does this go? I ain\u2019t never seen this shotgun before. It has your father\u2019s initials on it but there is no open space in the gun cabinet,\u201d Hays asked holding out the shotgun that Daniel Lowell had stolen years before.<\/p>\n

    Adam Cartwright\u2019s eyes opened wide and he was shocked. It was the unforgettable, custom made shotgun that he and his brothers had bought for his father\u2019s birthday many years earlier. \u201cHays, where did you find it?\u201d
    \n\u201dIt was downstairs on the floor. Over here.\u201d He pointed to where Cy was killed.\u201d It\u2019s the gun they used on Joe and they killed one of their own fellers with.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cHays, you\u2019ll never believe where this came from.\u201d Adam said examining the shotgun that Hays handed him. \u201cYou will never believe it,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

    Chapter 4<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The Evening of the Twenty-fourth<\/p>\n

    Adam stood in the doorway of his father\u2019s darkened room and saw someone move in the shadows. He realized that it was his son, Sam. The child was sitting on a chair pulled up next to Ben\u2019s bed. Sam was holding Ben\u2019s hand as he lay under the covers\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m watching Grandpa for the doctor. He went down stairs for a minute to get coffee.\u201d Sam remembered the times his mother or Ben had made him feel better by staying near when he slept and now he was doing the same for his grandfather.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou\u2019re doing a good job Sam. I\u2019m proud of how brave you have been.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Sam smiled at his father. \u201cThanks Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

    It was 6 p.m. and around him the house was still and it was getting dark outside. Ben had slept almost twenty-four hours straight. When he finally awoke, Sam was sitting beside his bed holding his hand. \u201cGrandpa, are you ok?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Ben nodded. Sam handed him a glass of water. Ben took a sip and suddenly all that had happened in the last day rushed back into his consciousness\u201d<\/p>\n

    The rancher saw his oldest son leaning against the doorway \u201cPa? How are you?\u201d Adam softly asked.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNever mind me. How is Kate? And Joe?\u201d He sat up in his bed and slowly swung his bandaged leg to the floor. \u201cHow is Joe? Where is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cHey, Pa! The doctor said you need to stay off that leg.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Ben managed to persuade Adam to help him into Joe\u2019s room to see his son. Sam handed his father Ben\u2019s robe and Adam helped him put it on.<\/p>\n

    Then with Sam trailing behind them, Adam helped Ben down the hall. He assisted his father into Joe\u2019s room and lowered him carefully into the overstuffed chair near the bed.<\/p>\n

    In the soft glow of the lamplight Ben watched his youngest son, lying so still in the bed.<\/p>\n

    Gently touching Joe\u2019s brow, Ben was concerned to find that his head was very warm. Fear lay heavy in Ben\u2019s heart. His youngest son was so pale, so still. He heard footsteps at the door and looked over his shoulder at Paul Martin coming into the room. He was carrying two cups of coffee and handed one to Adam. He saw Ben sitting near Joseph and said, \u201cGuess you won\u2019t listen if I said you should still be in bed, Ben. So I won\u2019t even bother.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cHow\u2019s Joe, Paul?\u201d Ben asked worriedly. He looked at the doctor with concern.<\/p>\n

    “He\u2019s bad, Ben, bad as I\u2019ve ever seen.” Doc Martin said looking at Joe lying in the bed.\u00a0 It\u2019s not the even the shotgun wound that worries me. The other fellow got the worst of it. I got that cleaned out. I\u2019m not so concerned about that as much his head. He\u2019s been beaten over the head pretty badly and being unconscious this long is not a good sign. It\u2019s been more than a day. That and all the blood he lost. It\u2019s really serious. I hope none of this is permanent.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Chapter 5<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The Morning of the Twenty-fifth<\/p>\n

    \u201cRebecca made it special for you,\u201d Hays handed him the tray of food and sat down in the chair next to him.\u00a0 Ben poked around at the eggs and took a small bite of the toast. \u201cYou better eat some more of that Ben or the Doc will holler. I see he made you get back into bed.\u201d
    \nBen took a few more bites and put down the fork. Hays quietly took the tray away from Ben and put it on the nightstand. \u201cHow about the coffee?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Ben shook his head and leaned back on the pillows.
    \n\u201cYou would think that seeing these fellas dead would make me feel better.\u201d Hays said to Ben. \u201cMake both of us feel better for losing our boys. It really don\u2019t though.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt won\u2019t bring them back Hays. Hoss and Dean are still dead and nothing won\u2019t ever bring them back,\u201d Ben answered sadly. \u201cNothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cJust more dead men.\u201d Hays looked down at his boots. \u201cWe both have seen more than our share of dead men over the years, Ben. How\u2019s Joe doing?\u201d
    \n\u201dHolding his own.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cHe\u2019ll be ok, Ben. He\u2019s from strong stock and has your hard head. Well, I\u2019m gonna let you rest now, Ben. We tried to fix up down stairs best we could.\u201d
    \n\u201dThanks, Hays. Tell everyone we appreciate what they have all done for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt\u2019s the least we could do for you. Not much of a birthday Ben.\u201d
    \nBen smiled and shook his head. \u201cAs long as Kate and the boys pull through that will be gift enough for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Chapter 6<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cPa, \u201cJoe moaned reaching over his head. Where was his father? School master Ramsey Lowell was chasing him across the schoolhouse and he was trying to get away. \u201cLet me go.\u201d Joe tried to pull away from the strong hands that were holding him down.<\/p>\n

    Clouds were everywhere. Pink fluffy fragrant clouds and he was surrounded by them \u2026No, they weren\u2019t cloud they were blossoms. Hundreds of swirling cherry pink blossoms. \u201cDon\u2019t worry Cartwright boys don\u2019t break so easily\u2026how did he get up so high in the sky? Joe was so high up and tall. Pa was lifting high up in the air to touch the pink cherry blossoms. Pink snow! Spinning and swirling and whirling and tilting around him until his stomach was dropping and twisting frighteningly.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBen, Be careful that he doesn\u2019t knock you over.”\u00a0 Kate warned.\u00a0 “Be careful not to let him hurt your leg.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cThis is the most alert I have seen him all week.\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDon\u2019t worry Katie, Cartwrights don\u2019t break so easily.\u201d Paul Martin added.<\/p>\n

    Pink blossoms floated all about in a dizzying spiral. One petal landed on his nose and tickled.<\/p>\n

    Joe tried to swat it away and he couldn\u2019t move his hands.<\/p>\n

    \u201cLay still Joe\u2019 Ben told him. \u201cAdam hang tight onto his arm and let the doc change the bandages on that hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Something poked him painfully in his side and Joe tried to touch it and push it away but couldn\u2019t. It must have been the branch of the cherry tree.<\/p>\n

    \u201cLittle Joe you have to hold still and let the doctor change the dressings.\u201d Kate told him firmly. Why was Kate up in the tree with him?<\/p>\n

    \u201d Hang onto his hand Adam,\u201d Doc Martin directed. \u201cI\u2019m almost done. It\u2019s healing nicely.\u201d<\/p>\n

    His brother Adam said from somewhere far below, far away. Joe squirmed in his father\u2019s strong arms trying to see his father, trying to see his face and see Adam and Doc Martin.<\/p>\n

    What was Kate doing up the cherry tree with him? Something cold and wet wiped his face. He shivered. Joe tried to swat it away and it kept tickling him. \u201cAt least he is cleaned up a bit. I\u2019m almost done. Looks like he is finally coming around,\u201d Doctor Martin said from somewhere far away.<\/p>\n

    \u201cGood.\u201d Adam sighed with relief.<\/p>\n

    Joe slowly came into consciousness and he tried to remember what had happened. He opened his eyes and looked around. His vision was blurry and he blinked trying to clear his eyes. Ben suddenly appeared and hovered at his side. There were other people near him but he couldn\u2019t really see their faces.<\/p>\n

    \u201cPa?”<\/p>\n

    Ben smiled at the wonderful sound of his son\u2019s voice. He was thankful to see Joe watching him, his green eyes were bright and he appeared aware of his surroundings. “Joseph.”\u00a0 Ben touched his face. Gently touching Joe\u2019s brow, Ben was relieved to find that his fever had diminished.<\/p>\n

    \u201dPa, are you ok?\u201d\u00a0 Joe looked up at his father.<\/p>\n

    Ben nodded smiling. Joe knew who he was. That was a good sign, an extremely good sign. \u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d He smiled. Joe was finally awake.<\/p>\n

    \u201cHappy Birthday Pa.\u201d Joe realized there were other people in the room. Adam, Kate. Someone else. Doc Martin. He must have been hurt. Maybe he fell out of the cherry tree. Joe tried to sit up but his head hurt too much when he moved.<\/p>\n

    Ben grinned and put his arms around his son. \u201cJoe you missed a bit of time.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dWhat are you talking about Pa? What day is it?\u201d Joe\u2019s mouth was dry and he wished he had some water.<\/p>\n

    If he stared hard at his father\u2019s face, the room seemed not to lurch around so much when he focus on his father\u2019s face. There was no tree there. He was in his own bed in his own room. His father was standing looking down at him, smiling.<\/p>\n

    \u201dSon, you\u2019ve been in an out for almost a week now.\u201d
    \n\u201dA week? \u201cJoe started to choke and cough. Adam\u2019s strong arms helped him sit up and Kate helped him take a sip of water. He could see a bit clearer, but his head hurt like a son of a bitch.<\/p>\n

    \u201cA week. Last thing I remember was\u2026\u201d Joe struggled to recall. Then it rushed back.\u201d Last thing I remember was Striker, Pa what happened? I remember Striker being in the house and shooting and someone carried me up here. Was it Adam?\u201d His brother patted his uninjured left hand. Joe grabbed his brother\u2019s hand and held tight to it. That helped keep things less wobbly. He stared at his father and held firmly to Adam\u2019s hand. The room seemed to anchor some and hold still for a bit but the glare of the light hurt his eyes. Joe shut his eyes for a minute.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJoe, try to stay awake\u201d Adam pleaded.<\/p>\n

    Joe slowly opened his eyes again. \u201cHow long have I been out, Pa?\u201d Joe asked again.
    \nBen smiled. \u201cYou have been in and out for almost a week, son. What else do you remember?<\/p>\n

    Joe shook his head and sunk back on the pillow. The room wasn\u2019t spinning but his side hurt and his head pounded. He was terribly tired. He started to close his eyes.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJoe, not yet. Try to stay awake another minute.\u201d Adam couldn\u2019t resist. He picked up the unloaded shotgun that Roy Coffee had stood in the corner of Joe\u2019s room earlier in the week.<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo Adam. Not that\u201d Kate argued protectively. \u201cLet Little Joe rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam ignored his wife. He desperately needed for Joe to talk to him some more. All week long he feared that he had lost his only remaining brother. Adam worried that even if Joseph did regain consciousness, his mind would not function properly. Now Adam needed Joe to stay conscious for just a few more minutes. Adam desperately wanted his brother to stay awake and demonstrate that he was going to be all right. Adam desperately needed to know for himself that his little brother was going to be all right, that his brain was working and that the Carson City Gang had not beaten him senseless.<\/p>\n

    \u201cJoe, do you remember this shot gun?\u201d He held it close to his brother\u2019s face so that Joe could examine it. Joe\u2019s right hand was bandaged and propped up on the stack of pillows next to him. With his strong left hand, Joe slowly ran his fingers over the stock.\u00a0He continued to study the rifle, tracing his finger almost absently over the highly polished stock. Inset into the stock was a decoration of a buffalo herd and an engraved pattern on the barrel. The shotgun adorned with the initials BC in the design.<\/p>\n

    Joe\u2019s eyelids fluttered. He squinted as he struggled to keep his green eyes focused.\u00a0\u201cThis? It\u2019s.. It\u2019s the birthday shotgun we got for Pa. Adam I told you it would show up.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He whispered hoarsely. A smile flickered for an instant across his battered face. Joe sank exhausted back to the pillow and closed his eyes.<\/p>\n

    It wasn’t long before the steady rise and fall of his bandaged chest signaled that Joe was finally asleep. Throughout those long minutes, Ben and Adam had sat silent, both lost in thought.<\/p>\n

    Kate tucked the blankets around Joseph and turned to Sam. \u201cI think it is time for both of us to get to sleep. Uncle Joe has enough people here to keep him company.\u201d She leaned over and kissed Adam and Ben and walked down the hall with her son.<\/p>\n

    Paul Martin followed her. He paused in the doorway of Joe\u2019s room to say \u201cI\u2019ll just see myself out. I\u2019ll be back tomorrow to check on him. But I think the worst is over now. Just let him rest. And Ben, you stay off your feet too.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam and Ben sat quietly, relieved that Joe was improving at last.\u00a0 Finally Adam broke the silence.<\/p>\n

    “We almost lost him, didn’t we?” Adam whispered, still not looking away from his brother’s battered form.<\/p>\n

    Ben nodded. \u201cIf Kate hadn\u2019t\u2026\u201d his voice dropped off.
    \n\u201dHadn\u2019t shot Striker,\u201d Adam finished for his father. Ben frowned at the memory of the shootout. He wearily leaned back into the chair. Adam pulled his chair closer to his father so that they were almost touching. They both faced the bed and watched Joe sleeping.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIf Kate hadn\u2019t killed Striker, we all would have been dead. All of us, Adam. Even you.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt won\u2019t bring Hoss back, Pa. I really thought that seeing all those men dead would have made me feel better, like it would put an end to it for me. If the Carson City Gang was dead then it would all be finished and everything would go back to normal, like it was before.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201dIt doesn\u2019t ever go back, son. It just is more death. Hoss is gone and he will never be back. Dean Newkirk will never see that new baby of his either. Did you honestly think that more men dying would make you happy, Adam? That killing someone would bring your brother back? Look what all this has done to your wife? And to Sammy.\u201d Ben put his arm around Adam\u2019s shoulder and pulled him closer. \u201cLook what this forced Katie to do. She had to shoot a man down to save all of us. She had to kill Sam\u2019s father.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cAll we can do is have faith that there is reason behind it all. But right now, I can\u2019t see much of that,\u201d Adam said grimly.<\/p>\n

    Letting his hand come to rest on his son\u2019s shoulder, Ben considered his next words carefully. “Sometimes, son, whether we want to or not, there are things that happen. And we have no control over them. We have to play the hand we are dealt and sometimes it is not the cards we want.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI just wanted them all dead, Pa. I really thought it would make me feel different. Happy or relieved or something, but different. Somehow better. I don\u2019t feel better.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cAdam, it is not a balancing scale. One life for another, son\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam stood up and looked at Joe sleeping quietly and smoothed the blanket around him. He adjusted the pillow holding up his brother\u2019s bandaged hand. \u201cI really wanted all of them dead. Look what they did to Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cSo did I, son. But not that it would change what happened to Hoss.\u00a0 I just didn\u2019t wanted them to hurt anyone else. Those men were crazed cold-blooded killers. But that doesn\u2019t mean we had to become what they were.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cPa, Clem thinks the one who tried to save Joe was Daniel Lowell.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cDaniel Lowell?\u201d Ben was silent for a minute remembering the curly haired young man putting himself between Joseph and the business end of the shotgun. \u201cDaniel Lowell? The Lowells who owned the hardware?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam nodded. \u201cI thought it would make a difference when I knew every one of them was dead. That I could control how I felt by all of them being in their graves.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo, Adam, we can’t control our feelings. And we can\u2019t control our lives to the degree that you could promise me that Joseph, or you or Katie and Sam will be here tomorrow. But I pray you will always be well and that you and I can do our best to keep all of us safe. That is all we can do.”<\/p>\n

    \u201dLong ago, when I asked Kate if she wanted to travel the world with me, she said that she just wanted to stay here in Virginia City and was just glad that nothing was going on. Katie said she would be glad that things just stayed the same for a while. Pa, now I know what she meant about just having things stay the same for a while. Just be quiet and calm for a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cNo one has a crystal ball, son. Now that the Carson City Gang is gone do you really think, things will remain the same for a while?\u201d<\/p>\n

    “Not quite Pa. But I can promise you that I will try to keep any changes we face to be handled together, as a family. Not just by me making a choice for all of us.\u00a0 And I pray that the changes will only be for the good.\u201d<\/p>\n

    “That is all a person can ever ask. Maybe things will just stay the same for a while. And only good changes. Like finally building that new house for you and Kate and Sam. And maybe a few more grandchildren for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cReally?\u201d Adam looked at his father and smiled. His father wanted more grandchildren. Won\u2019t he be surprised?<\/p>\n

    At that moment, Adam knew he had to tell his father what he had learned about Hoss. \u201cPa. I was going to talk with Joe about all this\u2026 before I told you. But I don\u2019t think he has the strength to be thinking too hard on anything for a while, at least not until he is feeling a lot better. You need to know about this now though.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Confused, Ben stared at his eldest. \u201cWhat are you trying to say, Adam? What\u2019s going on? Don\u2019t speak in riddles.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cI did discuss this with Paul and Roy so I\u2019m not deciding on this alone. And I spoke to Kate.\u201d Adam struggled with what he had to say.\u201d Kate thinks you ought to know all about this right now and not wait any longer. We all thought I should tell you now.\u201d<\/p>\n

    His father raised his eyebrows. \u201cTell me what?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam smiled and continued on. \u201cI truly think it is a change for the good, Pa. I really do.\u201d\u00a0 Reached into his pocket. \u201cThis will surely be a surprise, Pa. But I think it truly will be a change for the good.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Adam took out the letter from Levi Victor and handed it to his father.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    *****THE END*****<\/p>\n

    Revised September 2016<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Tags:\u00a0 Adam Cartwright,\u00a0Angst,\u00a0Ben Cartwright,\u00a0Hoss Cartwright,\u00a0Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

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

    Summary:\u00a0 Like the ever changing seasons, life blooms and dies on the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

    Rating T\u00a0 (140,000 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":13442,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[2,7,23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13441","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-actionadventure","category-a-u","category-drama","wpcat-2-id","wpcat-7-id","wpcat-23-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Cherry-Tree.jpg?fit=500%2C375&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13441","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/44"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13441"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13441\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13442"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13441"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13441"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13441"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}