{"id":13522,"date":"2016-12-11T21:50:43","date_gmt":"2016-12-12T02:50:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13522"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:41:21","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:41:21","slug":"a-switch-in-his-shoe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13522","title":{"rendered":"A Switch in His Shoe (by McFair_58)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>:\u00a0Written in honor of Dan Blocker’s birthday. The Hoffmeisters have come to the Ponderosa for their annual December visit bringing tales of Germany’s Wienachsten and its mystical creatures. As strange things begin to happen, young Hoss Cartwright becomes convinced that St. Nick’s man-servant, a feller he calls ‘K-necked Rupert’, has come to bring judgement on them all.<\/p>\n

Rated: G (14,550 words)<\/p>\n

All known and public characters belong to those who created them. \u00a0All new characters belong to the author. \u00a0There is no intent to infringe on copyright and no money is being made – just friends and warm hearts hopefully!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A Switch in His Shoe<\/strong><\/p>\n

December 1855<\/p>\n

PROLOGUE<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe.\u00a0 Whoa.\u00a0 Whoa!\u00a0 Whoa!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 With the north wind blowing and a steel-gray sky spitting sleet, Adam Cartwright caught hold of the reins of his twelve-year-old brother\u2019s Welsh and Arab pony and tugged, bringing the animal to a halt.\u00a0 \u201cAnd just where <\/em>do you think you\u2019re going?\u201d he asked a defiant Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cYou know we\u2019re having guests over tonight.\u00a0 Pa\u2019s gonna want you spit-and-shine clean for parading in front of the Hoffmeisters.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe scowled.\u00a0 \u201cCould I just break my neck and die instead?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam hid his smile.\u00a0 The Hoffmeisters were originally from Hanover.\u00a0 They were a lovely older couple with no children of their own.\u00a0 Charles Hoffmeister and their pa were long-time friends and the pair was \u00a0always invited out around December 5th<\/sup> for a celebration of the traditional Germanic Weinachsten.\u00a0 It sort of kicked off the Christmas season for them all.\u00a0 Each of them had endured Mrs. Hoffmeister\u2019s loving…ministrations in turn.\u00a0 He and Hoss had been the focus of them for years.<\/p>\n

Of course now that Joe was the only \u2018little\u2019 one in the house….<\/p>\n

\u201cSo that\u2019s it, then?\u00a0 You\u2019re running away from home because Mrs. Hoffmeister wants to pinch your cheek?\u201d<\/p>\n

The boy pulled a face.\u00a0 \u201cThat ain\u2019t it!\u00a0 Hoss is missing.\u00a0 I\u2019m gonna find him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam was immediately concerned.\u00a0 \u201cHoss is missing?\u00a0 Does Pa know about this?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded his head so hard his brown curls bounced off his furrowed forehead.\u00a0 \u201cSure does.\u00a0 But, Adam, Pa don\u2019t seem to care!\u00a0 He says middle brother will find his own way back soon enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

So….their father wasn\u2019t <\/em>worried.\u00a0 Okay.<\/em>\u00a0 That eased the sudden sinking in his stomach somewhat \u2013 at least enough to look forward again to filling it up with Hop Sing\u2019s wondrous works of culinary delight. \u00a0There was nothing quite <\/em>like the Chinese man\u2019s take on a German menu filled with strudel, schnitzel, and spaetzle.<\/p>\n

Still holding onto the reins, he asked, \u201cSo if Pa\u2019s not worried, why are you?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Joe looked at his shirt.\u00a0 He muttered something.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cBecause Hoss said he\u2019d play checkers with me before dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s black brows peaked toward his well-oiled hair.\u00a0 \u201cAnd?\u201d<\/p>\n

Baby brother\u2019s head snapped up.\u00a0 His lips were drawn into a line and those mobile brows dipped in a deep \u2018V\u2019.\u00a0 \u201cAnd? \u00a0Well, that\u2019s it.\u00a0 Ain\u2019t it enough?!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

He blinked.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s it.\u00a0 Really?<\/em>\u00a0 You\u2019re riding out of the yard, in the sleet, with barely more than a summer jacket on, hell-bent for leather, and all because Hoss missed a game of checkers?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Little Joe\u2019s ire was up.\u00a0 His nostrils flared and he breathed baby dragon fire.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t understand! It ain\u2019t like you<\/em> said you\u2019d play me and then didn\u2019t show up.\u00a0 This is Hoss!<\/em>\u00a0 He never breaks his promises. Something\u2019s got <\/em>to be wrong!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam didn\u2019t miss the implied insult.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I do?\u00a0 Break my promises, that is?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHeck, Adam,\u201d Joe said with the honesty of a child, \u201cmost of the time you hardly know I\u2019m around \u2013 unless I get under your feet.\u201d<\/p>\n

He winced.\u00a0 There was some truth in that.<\/p>\n

Hoss on the other hand had a special bond with Little Joe.\u00a0 It was amusing to watch the two of them together.\u00a0 You\u2019d have to multiply Joe by three at least to even come close to the dimensions of Hoss\u2019s weight and giant frame.\u00a0 At seventeen his teenage brother was big as most any man in the territory.\u00a0 Adam allowed a smile to lift the corners of his scowl.\u00a0 Hoss would turn eighteen in just a few days, on the 10th<\/sup> of this month.\u00a0 He was looking forward to taking him on his first \u2018official\u2019 visit to a saloon.<\/p>\n

Official<\/em>, that was.<\/p>\n

Adam laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s so funny?\u201d Joe snarled.<\/p>\n

His hazel eyes went to his baby brother where he sat uneasy in the saddle.\u00a0 Joe was still, but he was still <\/em>moving.\u00a0 His fingers twitched on the reins and his boots were keeping a staccato beat against poor Cadfan\u2019s sides.\u00a0 Everything that was in the boy was bent on finding their wayward \u2013 by that, read about an hour late \u2013 brother.<\/p>\n

Giving up, Adam released the reins.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s about three o\u2019clock now.\u00a0 You be sure you\u2019re back by five-thirty.\u201d\u00a0 As Joe nodded, he added, \u201cAnd then, by supper, it had better be the quickest and best polish job you\u2019ve ever done \u2013 dress boots included!\u201d<\/p>\n

At first Joe continued to scowl.\u00a0 Then he looked puzzled, as if stunned that he\u2019d given in.\u00a0 Finally, he grinned that grin that killed them all.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes siree, Bob<\/em>, older brother.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be back faster than a bee-stung stallion!\u201d\u00a0 With that, Joe slapped the reins, kneed his horse, and he and Cadfan were off with a whoop!<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam ran a hand across his eyes.\u00a0 Unfortunately, that was exactly<\/em> how Joe liked to ride. \u00a0Just<\/em> like a bee-stung stallion.<\/p>\n

Sleet or no sleet.<\/p>\n

He could only hope that one day Hoss\u2019 steady, sure, predictable temperament would rub off on their little brother enough to give them some hope that Joe might actually make <\/em>it to eighteen.\u00a0 God had put Eric \u2018Hoss\u2019 Cartwright in the right place, at the right time \u2013 right between<\/em> him and Little Joe.\u00a0 The big guy was the glue that held the three of them together.<\/p>\n

Turning and looking at the house, Adam sighed when he saw the door open and his father step out.\u00a0 Pa wouldn\u2019t be happy that he\u2019d let Joe go.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t put it into words himself why it felt right, but it just did.\u00a0\u00a0 Joe and Hoss were connected in a way neither one of them truly understood, and if Joe thought there was somethin wrong, well then, there very well might be.<\/p>\n

Of course, sending a twelve year old out to deal with whatever it was begged the question of his sanity.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are your brothers, Adam?\u201d his father asked as he came to a halt beside him.<\/p>\n

Might as well admit it.\u00a0 \u201cJoe went to find Hoss.\u00a0 I told him to be back by five-thirty.\u201d<\/p>\n

His father gave him that look.\u00a0 The \u2018you\u2019re-old-enough-to-make-your-own-choices-but-why-can\u2019t-they-be-better-ones?\u2019<\/em> look.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see.\u201d\u00a0 The older man said.<\/p>\n

Pa always said that.\u00a0 \u2018I see\u2019.<\/em><\/p>\n

It meant he didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose boys had best<\/em> be back by the time Lena and Charles arrive or they will rue it,\u201d the older man said, obviously not<\/em> pleased.\u00a0 \u201cThe Hoffmeisters are among my dearest friends.\u00a0 I expect you boys to respect that, as well as my wish to entertain them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no disrespect meant, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 Somehow, he didn\u2019t think at this point that mentioning Little Joe\u2019s aversion to pinched cheeks was wise \u2013 or worth it.\u00a0 \u201cHoss is late for a checker game and Joe\u2019s worried.\u00a0 They should be back shortly.\u201d<\/p>\n

He got that other <\/em>look.\u00a0 The \u2018I\u2019ll-believe-it-when-I-see-it\u2019<\/em> one.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well.\u00a0 Supper is at seven.\u00a0 See that you are all <\/em>there.\u201d<\/p>\n

As his father reentered the house, Adam turned and looked the way Joe had gone.\u00a0 He was going to give him and Hoss an hour-and-a-half and then, if they weren\u2019t back, he was going after them.<\/p>\n

Trust was one thing.<\/p>\n

Stupidity was another.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ONE<\/p>\n

Hoss Cartwright was concentratin\u2019.\u00a0 He was concentratin\u2019 hard.\u00a0 <\/em>The giant-size teenager was on his hands and knees on the sleet-strewn ground staring into a cozy rabbit burrow, arguing with a mama rabbit about taking back the baby bunny he\u2019d found wanderin\u2019 around in the cold.\u00a0 The tiny little thing was nestled in his hand and he was showing\u2019 it to her, tellin\u2019 her she needed to take it back because it was too much of a young\u2019un to be out on its own.<\/p>\n

She was looking at him with those big black eyes of hers, her nose twitching.<\/p>\n

Sad to say, she weren\u2019t convinced.<\/p>\n

\u201cListen here, little mama,\u201d the seventeen-year-old said, speaking quiet like he was in church. \u00a0\u201cI found this here sweet baby of yours wanderin\u2019 out in the cold.\u00a0 I ain\u2019t sure why he strayed.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe he\u2019s like my little brother and he just don\u2019t know any better.\u00a0 Anyhow, this here boy needs his mama and I ain\u2019t gonna take no for an answer.\u00a0 You hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

The mama bunny cocked its head.\u00a0 One ear dipped.<\/p>\n

He wondered if that was a \u2018yes\u2019 or a \u2018no\u2019.<\/p>\n

Hoss looked at the furry creature cupped in his giant hand.\u00a0 He could feel its little heart thumpin\u2019 to beat the band.\u00a0 It was pressed against his upturned fingers like it was afraid of him.\u00a0 With one finger he touched its tiny brown head and stroked it, tryin\u2019 to calm it, just like he did to Little Joe\u2019s curly head when his baby brother woke up in the middle of the night with one of his nightmares.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on now,\u201d he whispered.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t no reason to be afraid of me.\u00a0 It\u2019s just old Hoss.\u00a0 I ain\u2019t gonna do nothin\u2019 to you.\u00a0 I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

The baby rabbit\u2019s eyes were even bigger than his mama\u2019s.\u00a0 They blinked several times and then, to Hoss\u2019s delight, the bunny\u2019s tiny nose nuzzled his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if that don\u2019t beat all,\u201d he breathed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing, young man?\u201d a gruff voice asked from out of nowhere.<\/p>\n

Hoss started and looked up.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t heard a sound, but then again, with the wind blowin\u2019 it was kind of hard to<\/em> hear.\u00a0 There was a real tall man wearing a dark-brown hooded cloak standing not three feet away from him.\u00a0 He was holding a birch walking stick in one hand and carrying a loaded sack in the other.<\/p>\n

The giant-sized teenager smiled since he didn\u2019t see any reason not to.\u00a0 \u201cHowdy, Mister.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t hear you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI move quietly,\u201d the stranger answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure do.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss\u2019 attention returned to the itty-bitty rabbit in his hand.\u00a0 \u201cI found this here bunny out by the road.\u00a0 Figured he\u2019d wandered away from his mama since he was so young.\u201d\u00a0 He grinned.\u00a0 \u201cTook me a while, but I found her.\u00a0 Now I just gotta convince her and him to make up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think she does not want him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, heck no,\u201d Hoss replied. \u201cI\u2019m sure she does.\u00a0 And I know he <\/em>wants her.\u00a0 But you know, young\u2019uns ain\u2019t always the smartest things.\u00a0 Might be he thinks he\u2019s big enough he can make it on his own.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a sound, like a rumble of thunder.\u00a0 Hoss thought it might have been the man laughin\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt sounds like you have experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

The teenager nodded.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I got me a baby brother.\u00a0 Ain\u2019t as young as this one, but he\u2019s been plowin\u2019 his own row since he was born.\u201d\u00a0 He fingered the bunny\u2019s fine fur again, thinking of Little Joe\u2019s curly brown hair.\u00a0 \u201cOlder brother gets mighty mad at him. Me,\u201d he paused, \u201cwell, I think he\u2019s mighty funny.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFunny?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust like this here little one, Little Joe thinks he knows it all, \u2018cept he\u2019s barely twelve.\u00a0 Just turned that way at the end of October.\u00a0 Trouble is, Joe\u2019s mama \u2013 my<\/em> mama died \u2018bout seven years back.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss looked wistfully at the mama bunny who was still watching him warily.\u00a0 \u201cJoe don\u2019t have no mama to go back to.\u00a0 This little one does.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man limped as he moved closer.\u00a0 Curiously, Hoss heard the tinkling of small bells as he did.\u00a0 \u201cWhy is one small creature so important to you?\u201d the stranger asked.<\/p>\n

Hoss shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cPa tells me my<\/em> mama had a way with animals.\u00a0 That she…\u00a0 Well, she spoke<\/em> to them.\u00a0 Guess I got it too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you can\u2019t stand to see them suffer?\u201d<\/p>\n

The gentle giant nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYes, sir.\u00a0 Not beast or man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you pray for them?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss blinked.\u00a0 That was kind of an odd question when you were talkin\u2019 about a bunny. He thought a moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, not outright, but I guess in a way, I do.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss touched the tiny creature in his hand again.\u00a0 \u201cGod made them like He made me.\u00a0 Cares about them too, just like he cares about me.\u00a0 So, yeah, I ask Him to help if one\u2019s got a need.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man nodded and then turned toward the road.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone is coming.\u201d<\/p>\n

He hadn\u2019t heard anything.\u00a0 \u201cYou must have got ears on you like a bat, mister.\u201d<\/p>\n

The stranger chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cYou might say that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss glanced at the cloaked man before returning his attention to the baby bunny\u2019s mama.\u00a0 \u201cNow, you listen to me, old gal.\u00a0 You just take this young\u2019un back.\u00a0 He\u2019s right sorry for runnin\u2019 away.\u201d\u00a0 He looked again at the tiny creature in his hand.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

If anyone had asked him, he would have denied it.\u00a0 But he saw the bunny nod its head.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if that don\u2019t beat all,\u201d the teenager breathed as he placed the little creature back in the burrow and watched it snuggle up against its mother. \u00a0\u201cDid you see that, Mister.\u00a0 Mister?\u201d<\/p>\n

The stranger was gone.<\/p>\n

Hoss rose to his feet and crossed to where the man had been standing.\u00a0 Then he dropped to his knees.\u00a0 Reaching out, the teenager searched the wet earth for signs of the stranger\u2019s passing \u2013 a footprint, the mark of the tip of that there birch cane he carried.<\/p>\n

There was nothing.<\/p>\n

As he crouched there, staring at the undisturbed ground, Hoss heard a noise.\u00a0 Looking up he saw a man on a horse headed his way.\u00a0 Well, truth to tell, it weren\u2019t no horse, and sure as shootin\u2019 the one ridin\u2019 on the pony\u2019s back weren\u2019t no man.\u00a0 At least not yet.<\/em><\/p>\n

It was Little Joe on Cadfan.<\/p>\n

Baby brother reined the horse in lickety-split and, faster than you could say Jack Robinson, vaulted from its back.\u00a0 Lookin\u2019 just about as wild as the night, Joe rushed to his side.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you okay?\u201d he asked, slightly out of breath.<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned as he stood.\u00a0 \u201cWell, sure I am.\u00a0 Why wouldn\u2019t I be?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe\u2019s look of concern shifted toward anger.\u00a0 \u201cYou mean you ain\u2019t twisted an ankle or got shot or nothin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

He shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cNot that I know of.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like that little bunny, baby brother had a mind and he made it up right quick \u2013 usually before he had the facts.\u00a0 You never knew what you\u2019d get with Joe, just that it would be an adventure.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing out here then?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

Hoss glanced at the burrow.\u00a0 Mama and baby were snuggled up against each other and doin\u2019 fine.\u00a0 \u201cWell, you see, I found this little feller -\u201d<\/p>\n

His brother looked around.\u00a0 \u201cWhat<\/em> \u2018little feller\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

The teenager nodded to the spot on the ground where the rabbits were nestled.\u00a0 \u201cThis here little rabbit had crawled away from his mama and I \u2013 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle rabbit?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 His brother\u2019s voice was pitched high.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re still out here because of a rabbit?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSure am.\u00a0 He was lost and \u2013 \u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was scowling.\u00a0 \u201cHoss.\u00a0 We eat<\/em> rabbits.\u00a0 You only saved him for somebody\u2019s supper.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was<\/em> a puzzle or a \u2018conundrum\u2019 as Adam would say.\u00a0 \u201cWell, Little Joe, now, I couldn\u2019t just let him freeze to death.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was lookin\u2019 at the sky, squinting into the drizzle. \u201cIt\u2019s you and me are gonna freeze to death, middle brother, if we don\u2019t head home.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sleet was falling harder now.\u00a0 In fact, it was stingin\u2019 his exposed skin.\u00a0 He looked at Little Joe.\u00a0 The boy didn\u2019t have the sense God had given him.\u00a0 He weren\u2019t wearin\u2019 a winter coat.<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded as he moved toward him.\u00a0 \u201cI guess you\u2019re right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, I\u2019m right, you big ox!\u201d Joe snapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow what you got such a \u2018mad\u2019 on for, Joe?\u201d he asked as he headed for his horse.<\/p>\n

Little Joe fell silent.\u00a0 A few seconds later he said, \u201cI was wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

With his hand on the saddle horn, Hoss turned to look at his brother.\u00a0 \u201cWrong about what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothin\u2019,\u201d Joe said, looking at his boot as he scuffed it on the ground.<\/p>\n

Hoss dropped the reins and walked over to tower above his little brother.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe, now don\u2019t you clam up on me. You tell me honest-like what\u2019s botherin\u2019 you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Baby brother sniffed.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t look up.\u00a0 \u201cI told Adam you never break your promises.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss frowned.\u00a0 \u201cWhat promise did I….\u201d\u00a0 Then he had it. \u201cLittle Joe, I\u2019m sorry.\u00a0 I promised to play checkers with you before supper, didn\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shrugged. \u201cDoesn\u2019t matter.\u00a0 It\u2019s just a stupid game.\u201d<\/p>\n

He put his hands on his brother\u2019s shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cYou look at me, you hear?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss waited until Little Joe did as he told him.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t nothin\u2019 <\/em>more important than my promises to you.\u00a0 You hear me?\u00a0 I done got so wrapped up in that little feller\u2019s survivin\u2019 that I plumb forgot.\u00a0 Can you forgive me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe sniffed again.\u00a0 He was holdin\u2019 back tears, right enough.\u00a0 Dang it, if his little brother didn\u2019t cry quicker than a woman changed her mind!<\/p>\n

\u201cSure.\u00a0 I\u2019ll forgive you.\u201d\u00a0 The boy looked up, that \u2018ornery\u2019 comin\u2019 back into his eyes.\u00a0 With a nod he indicated the rabbit burrow.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s that \u2018little feller\u2019 over there I\u2019m gonna pop in the nose!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss snorted.\u00a0 \u201cYou let me know when you find it.\u00a0 His nose ain\u2019t no bigger than a fly on the hind end of a mule.\u201d\u00a0 The teenager reached out and tweaked his brother\u2019s<\/em> nose\u00a0 \u201cKind of like that little one you got there planted on your<\/em> face.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe knocked his hand away.\u00a0 \u201cNow, don\u2019t you go insultin\u2019 my nose,\u201d the twelve-year-old said, his tone somewhere between joshin\u2019 and fumin\u2019.\u00a0 \u201cPa\u2019s says I got my mama\u2019s nose.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment Hoss was transported back to another December 5th, when Joe\u2019s mama was still alive.\u00a0 She and Pa had come in late from a holiday party in town that they\u2019d attended with the Hoffmeisters.\u00a0 Marie looked pretty as a pudding pie in her crimson dress, with her golden hair piled up on top of her head, set with combs sparkling with jewels.\u00a0 Pa liked to dress her up fancy and show how much he loved her, so there were even more jewels hangin\u2019 around her neck and twinklin\u2019 in her ears.\u00a0 He\u2019d been only nine and he\u2019d thought Mama looked just like that tinsel-covered Christmas tree he\u2019d seen in a fancy store window a year or two before when Pa took them to San Francisco for a holiday.<\/p>\n

When Mama saw the three of them waitin\u2019 up on her, a smile lit her face that put that tinsel to shame.<\/p>\n

\u2018What is this, mes petits?<\/em>\u2019<\/p>\n

He always laughed at that.\u00a0 Mama calling him \u2018petite\u2019.<\/p>\n

Adam had been reading a book to Little Joe in order to get him to go to sleep, only it weren\u2019t workin\u2019.\u00a0 He\u2019d spent most of his time fightin\u2019 with baby brother over who got to turn the pages.\u00a0 \u2018Course first thing Joe did when he heard his mama\u2019s voice was slip off of Adam\u2019s lap and run straight for her.\u00a0 As their father entered with the Hoffmeisters close behind him, Marie bent and lifted Little Joe into her arms.\u00a0 She drew him close and whispered in his ear \u2013 loud enough for all of them to hear, of course.<\/p>\n

\u2018Do you know what tonight is, mon chou?\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

Little Joe\u2019s golden curls near bounced off his head as he shook it.<\/p>\n

\u201cTonight it the night P\u00e8re Fouettard<\/em> comes to visit.\u00a0 Will he find, my little cabbage, that you have been the bon<\/em> boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

That was Mama\u2019s name for\u00a0 a man known as Knecht Ruprecht<\/em> by the Hoffmeisters.\u00a0 Pa said he was kind of a man-servant for Saint Nicklaus. This K-necked<\/em> feller traveled with old St. Nick and came to visit on December 5th<\/sup>, rewarding good children with candy and nuts and leaving ashes or a switch in the shoes of bad ones.<\/p>\n

Hoss shook his sandy head and let out a sigh.\u00a0 Even though he was old enough at the time to know what Mama was talkin\u2019 about was made-up, there was nothing like the fun he\u2019d had watching Little Joe wake up on the 6th<\/sup>.\u00a0 Baby brother would go flyin\u2019 down the stairs to the front door and shriek with delight when he found\u00a0 his dress boots filled with candy.<\/p>\n

Hoss snorted.<\/p>\n

\u2018Course Marie always<\/em> thought Little Joe was a good boy.<\/p>\n

Looking at his brother now, steam near blowin\u2019 out of his ears, Hoss knew for sure this <\/em>year Little Joe was gonna get ashes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got somethin\u2019 else<\/em> to say about my nose?\u201d Joe demanded.<\/p>\n

The teenager thought a moment.\u00a0 He held back the grin.\u00a0 \u201cYeah.\u00a0 It\u2019s just about as cute as Mama\u2019s…and so are you.\u201d<\/p>\n

His twelve-year-old brother sputtered, not knowing whether to be insulted or pleased. \u00a0\u201cYeah, well, so are you!\u201d he shot back, not knowing what else to say.<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned. \u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s mighty kind of you, Little Joe.\u00a0 And its a right good day to be kind.\u00a0 You remember what tonight is?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother boring evening with the Hoffmeisters, listening to them and Pa talk about old times?\u201d<\/p>\n

He laid a hand on the shoulder of his brother\u2019s sleet-encrusted jacket.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, but it\u2019s also the night that K-necked<\/em> feller comes, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe frowned, looking mighty puzzled.\u00a0 Then his brown brows popped up and his eyes lit with surprise.\u00a0 \u201cYou mean to tell me you still believe that old superstitious stuff?\u201d\u00a0 Joe eyed him up and down.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t you a sight too big to believe in faeries, middle brother?\u00a0 \u2018Sides, even if they were<\/em> real, those little critters would take one look at you and go runnin\u2019 for fear you\u2019d step on them and squash them!.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was part and parcel of their relationship.<\/p>\n

He had<\/em> to go for him.<\/p>\n

\u2018Course Joe was quicker.\u00a0 The scrawny little cuss ducked under his arm as he reached for him and high-tailed it for his horse.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast one home gets the switch in his shoe!\u201d baby brother shouted as he vaulted onto Cadfan and took off at a break-neck pace across the frozen ground.<\/p>\n

Hoss stood beside Chubb for a moment, lookin\u2019 after him and thinkin\u2019 about that day when Mama came flying into the yard just like that and ended up dyin\u2019.\u00a0 As the teenager lingered, tears dripping from his eyes like water off of sunlit ice, he sensed motion behind him.\u00a0 Wonderin\u2019 if it was that dang little ornery bunny again, he returned to where he had been.\u00a0 Squintin\u2019 into the sleet and squattin\u2019 on his haunches, Hoss checked the burrow and was surprised to find it lined with feathers and some kind of downy fuzz that Mama and her six young\u2019uns \u2013 his little feller included \u2013 were nestling right contentedly into.\u00a0 He scratched his head as he looked at it.\u00a0 It hadn\u2019t been there before.\u00a0 If that mama bunny had worked this particular magic, she sure was faster than a comet.\u00a0 Looking around, the teenager checked the hard ground for footprints.\u00a0 At first he saw nothing but his own.\u00a0 Then, he found what looked like child\u2019s tracks leading up to the burrow.<\/p>\n

But not goin\u2019 away.<\/p>\n

Puzzled, Hoss stood there thinkin\u2019 until a shiver that would have brought the snow down from a mountain tops shook him, remindin\u2019 him that it was dang cold, he was without a winter coat, and his crazy little brother might just be lyin\u2019 on the road somewhere hurt after fallin\u2019 of his horse.<\/p>\n

Dismissing the tracks with a snort, Hoss mounted his own horse and rode toward home.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Seconds after his departure a whirlwind of sleet appeared and several small figures stepped out of it.\u00a0 They were cloaked and hooded; their heavy garments homespun; thick and warm and dusted with snow even though none had fallen yet in this land.\u00a0 One wore brown, another the green of the needles of the tall pines that surrounded them, and the last a pale shimmering blue-gray like the sky at twilight.\u00a0 They were odd little figures, both young and old at one and the same time; bent, bowed, but energetic.\u00a0 They moved, not in a straight line but in a kind of dance, circling about each other while humming and singing snatches of ancient tunes.\u00a0 The one in the brown cloak crossed to the burrow and knelt.\u00a0 Reaching inside, she picked up the mama bunny.\u00a0 The wild animal did not start.\u00a0 It knew no fear.\u00a0 It simply let the hooded figure cuddle it against its chest and caress its fur.\u00a0 Finally, Brown Cloak kissed the rabbit between the ears and returned her to her babies.<\/p>\n

Standing, she looked at her companions.\u00a0 \u201cWas that all?\u00a0 Short and tall?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u00a0 There are three,\u201d Green Cloak answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cThree?\u201d Gray Cloak queried as she shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cThat number brings bad memories.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut good ones too,\u201d Green Cloak reminded her companion.\u00a0 \u201cWho knew?\u00a0 Good can come and often does from something so sad.\u00a0 So bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

All three nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did the rabbit say?\u201d Gray Cloak asked.\u00a0 \u201cIs the master away?\u201d<\/p>\n

Brown cloak nodded solemnly.\u00a0 \u201cEven today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gray Cloak tilted her head.\u00a0 A wisp of gossamer-fine white hair escaped her hood to billow in the December wind.\u00a0 \u201cWhat then are we to do?\u201d\u00a0 She\u00a0 turned to the sprite in green.\u00a0 \u201cDid Knecht Ruprecht<\/em> tell you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Green Cloak gestured and they drew together, joining hands and touching noses cold as ice and red as roses.<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore tomorrow\u2019s clock strikes nine. we gathered here must divine the nature of each son within.\u00a0 Whether they do good or sin.\u00a0 Whether they be kind or mean.\u00a0 If they live a life unseen.\u00a0 If they be of temper fast, or of a dark nature cast.\u201d\u00a0 She paused and her voice fell, taking on the sound of wind moaning through rocks.\u00a0 \u201cWho within will rewarded be, and who be punished of the three.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gray Cloak nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI will take the one who rides fast as a whirlwind, wild as the tide.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will take the one unseen, for mysteries I find most keen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Green Cloak nodded to her brown companion.\u00a0 \u201cThat I see will leave for me fair rabbit\u2019s friend.\u00a0 In the end, I would have chosen he, gentle as the lamb, tall as the tree.\u201d<\/p>\n

Their hands links together and crossed one over the other, the three nodded.\u00a0 Then, with laughter like bells they broke on the wind, dissipating as the morning dew, knowing what each must do.<\/p>\n

Weinachsten had come to the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

TWO<\/p>\n

Hoss was in his bedroom squinting in his mirror, trying to comb the unruly reddish-blond fuzz he called hair into some sort of shape his Pa would recognize as proper.\u00a0 It was about as difficult as corralling one of them wild horses they caught from time to time.\u00a0 He reared back and looked at it, turning his head from side to side, and pronounced it done even though it kind of looked like waves on a choppy sea.\u00a0 Catching the thin black tie around his collar with one finger, he tugged it, hoping the knot Adam tied would slip just a bit.\u00a0 Looking proper was one thing.\u00a0 Starving was another.<\/p>\n

At this point he doubted Hop Sing\u2019s strudel would make it past his Adam\u2019s apple!<\/p>\n

Hoss looked at his tall, big-boned frame.\u00a0 He was all dressed up in his Sunday suit and thought he cut a pretty good-lookin\u2019 figure.\u00a0 Pa\u2019d taken him to the city last year and got it for him on his birthday.\u00a0 Mr. Roberts, the tailor in town who altered Pa\u2019s clothes, had worked on it twice since then letting the trousers out around the waist and movin\u2019 both the jacket and pants cuffs down.\u00a0 The last time the tailor said he\u2019s done run out of extra cloth and Pa either needed to buy him a new suit or cut off his hands and feet.<\/p>\n

Little brother\u2019d been with them and it\u2019d taken a full ten minutes for him to stop laughin\u2019.<\/p>\n

Hoss turned toward the door.\u00a0 Speakin\u2019 of laughin\u2019, there was some kind of hyena sound comin\u2019 from down the hall.\u00a0 Still pulling at the lynch knot older brother had made of the black ribbon around his neck, the teenager opened his door and peered into the corridor.\u00a0 Yep, someone was laughin\u2019 and it didn\u2019t take no Pinkerton detective to figure out who it was.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d know that girly giggle anywhere.<\/p>\n

With a glance at the staircase \u2013 at the bottom of which he knew their father was sitting with the Hoffmeisters, impatiently waiting for them to make an appearance \u2013 Hoss headed for his brother Adam\u2019s room.<\/p>\n

Luckily, he got there in time to prevent a murder.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, you little scamp!\u201d<\/em>Hose heard Adam snarl as he walked into the room.<\/p>\n

Older brother\u2019s hands\u00a0 were out and he was headed for Little Joe who was lyin\u2019 in a heap on the floor, his face beet red, his body shakin\u2019; laughin\u2019 like a lunatic.\u00a0 Apparently Joe had no idea he was in mortal danger \u2018cause he wasn\u2019t doin\u2019 nothin\u2019 to get away.<\/p>\n

He s\u2019posed he\u2019d better intervene.<\/p>\n

Two steps put him between them.\u00a0 Holding up his hands, he said, \u201cNow, Adam, calm down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCalm down?\u00a0 Calm down!\u00a0 Did you see this?\u00a0 Did you?\u00a0 Do-you-see-this?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Older brother was pointin\u2019 at his hair.\u00a0 Now Adam was right proud of his hair \u2013 nearly proud of it as Little Joe was of his.\u00a0 Adam always made sure those thick black locks he had was well oiled with pomade and formed into a kind of wave that rolled back over his head.\u00a0 Hoss\u2019 gaze went to that hair, which had a kind of whitish grainy look, and….<\/p>\n

A snigger escaped him.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t!\u201d Adam warned.\u00a0 \u201cJust don\u2019t!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Joe was still snortin\u2019 and sniffin\u2019\u00a0 \u201cAdam, I swear,\u201d little brother gasped out.\u00a0 \u201cI swear <\/em>it wasn\u2019t me!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss was sniffin\u2019 too.\u00a0 He was sniffin\u2019 Adam\u2019s hair.\u00a0 Finally he reached out and touched it with a finger and then put the finger in his mouth.<\/p>\n

With a puzzled look the teenager asked, \u201cHow come you\u2019re usin\u2019 Hop Sing\u2019s lard to slick back your hair?\u201d<\/p>\n

His older brother drew himself up to his full dignity.\u00a0 \u201cI am not<\/em> using lard to slick back my hair.\u201d\u00a0 His hazel eyes shot to Little Joe who was gettin\u2019 up off the floor.\u00a0 \u201cSomeone<\/em> switched lard for my pomade!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHonest Adam, I didn\u2019t do it,\u201d baby brother said as he climbed to his feet.\u00a0 Little Joe looked at Adam, made a face like he\u2019d eaten a sour pickle, and then burst out laughing again.\u00a0 \u201cBut I sure wish I had!\u201d
\n
\n<\/em>Adam\u2019s eyes took on the look of a bated bull in the ring.\u00a0 \u201cI am<\/em> going to kill you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBoys!<\/em> \u00a0Might I assume <\/em>you are going to come down to supper before spring arrives!\u201d<\/p>\n

All three of the stopped.\u00a0 All three of them winced.<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright had spoken.<\/p>\n

As Adam crossed to the door, he glared at Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cWe ran into a…into a little hitch, Pa,\u201d he said, opening it several inches and poking his head into the corridor.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019ll take about ten minutes to sort it out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will take five!\u201d came the expected response.<\/p>\n

Which, of course, was why Adam had asked for ten.<\/p>\n

On his way back to his dresser their older brother halted right in front of him.\u00a0 By this time, Little Joe was behind him.\u00a0 Now, Adam was what you\u2019d call \u2018sneaky\u2019.\u00a0 Faster than Moody\u2019s goose he reached around him, coming up just short of catching Little Joe by the arm.\u00a0 In lieu of that, Adam jabbed a finger at their little brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is not<\/em> settled.\u00a0 You <\/em>are going to pay!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter wash your hair, Adam,\u201d baby brother sniped, \u201cor Mrs. Hoffmeister might cook your head!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll cook your goose<\/em>, you ornery little \u2013 \u201d<\/p>\n

If there was one thing Little Joe was, it was fast.\u00a0 Hoss watched him avoid Adam\u2019s fingers as he reached around again, duck and roll through both their legs, and come up running on the other side of big brother.\u00a0 As Joe reached the doorway he turned around, raised his hands to the height of his ears, stuck his thumbs in and waggled his fingers.<\/p>\n

When Joe turned back, he ran into their father.<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright was a mountain of tranquil \u2013 waitin\u2019 to blow.\u00a0 \u201cI thought I would come and see what was keeping you boys,\u201d he said calmly<\/p>\n

It was Adam who answered; his lips curled like Cupid\u2019s bow and his dimples popping like an arrow shot out of it.\u00a0 \u201cJust a little mix-up, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA little mix- up?\u00a0 Oh, I see….\u201d\u00a0 Their father\u2019s near-black eyes narrowed.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, what happened to your hair?\u201d<\/p>\n

Older brother shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cEr, that\u2019s the little mix-up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pa sized the situation up and pivoted to look at baby brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

Little Joe was shakin\u2019 his curly head.\u00a0 \u201cIt wasn\u2019t me, Pa.\u00a0 I swear!\u201d\u00a0 Joe crossed his heart with the fingers of his left hand and held up his right to show that none of them were crossed. \u201cI don\u2019t know how Adam ended up with lard in his pomade can. Honest!\u201d<\/p>\n

The snicker that followed Joe\u2019s denial didn\u2019t do much to help him convince Pa.<\/p>\n

The older man wasn\u2019t buying it.\u00a0 \u201cSon, if there\u2019s anything worse than pulling a mean prank, it\u2019s lying about doing so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I ain\u2019t <\/em>lying, Pa!\u201d Little Joe protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cAren\u2019t<\/em>, Joseph.\u00a0 We were not born in a barn, were we?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked puzzled.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I know I wasn\u2019t, Pa, but I don\u2019t know about you.\u201d<\/p>\n

He and Adam exchanged glances.\u00a0 Adam whispered close to his ear.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t need to kill<\/em> him.\u00a0 Pa will.\u201d<\/p>\n

Their father was advancing on Little Joe.\u00a0 Hoss felt sorry for the kid.\u00a0 All the laughter had gone out of Joe\u2019s face and his eyes were tearin\u2019.\u00a0 He<\/em> felt sure the poor little thing was tellin\u2019 the truth, but Pa saw it another way.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, the fact that we have guests waiting downstairs is going to delay \u2013 delay<\/em>, you hear, not dismiss \u2013 your punishment.\u00a0 Perhaps the fact that you will have to spend what should have been a joyous evening thinking about exactly<\/em> what that punishment will be, will teach you a lesson you won\u2019t soon \u2013\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Benjamin!\u00a0 How can you be such a Spassverderber<\/em> on Weinachsten?\u201d a chipper voice interrupted.<\/p>\n

They all turned to find Mrs. Hoffmeister\u2019s small plump form filling the frame of the open door. \u00a0Hoss couldn\u2019t help but snicker at her calling their Pa a \u2018party-pooper\u2019.\u00a0 The pretty little lady who told them to call her \u2018Lena\u2019 was a lot like that there Saint Nicholas Mister Moore described in his poem. She had crisp blue eyes that twinkled and her cheeks were round and red as roses.\u00a0 Her little mouth was drawn up in a smile, and her hair was white as snow and curly as a lamb\u2019s.\u00a0 Tonight Miss Lena was dressed in a deep green satin dress with a red sash around the middle, with a white lace collar and cuffs.\u00a0 As they watched she moved into the room and put her arm around Little Joe\u2019s slumped shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Benjamin, this handsome young man said he was innocent of any wrong doing.\u201d\u00a0 Lena wagged her finger at their pa and pitched her voice low as she said,\u00a0 \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t want to bring Knecht Ruprecht\u2019s<\/em> wrath down on him without just cause.\u201d\u00a0 She smiled at Little Joe.\u00a0 Her fingers twitched.\u00a0 Here it came.<\/p>\n

Lena pinched Little Joe\u2019s cheek.<\/p>\n

Joe took it like a man.<\/p>\n

\u201cLena,\u201d Pa began, \u201cforgive me, but it seems Little Joe played a trick on his brother….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if he did, he\u2019ll get ashes in his shoe!\u201d\u00a0 She smiled at Joe.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure he wants nothing of the kind.\u201d\u00a0 Her blue eyes sparked like sunlight on ice as she looked from Hoss to Adam. \u201cI don\u2019t imagine either of you<\/em> would either, and that\u2019s what will happen if you falsely accuse your brother.\u201d\u00a0 The older woman grinned.\u00a0 \u201cTonight\u2019s the night when he comes!\u201d<\/p>\n

Pa was shaking his head.\u00a0 Little Joe was clinging to Miss Lena.\u00a0 Adam was looking at his shoes.\u00a0 And he, well….<\/p>\n

He was thinkin\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou gonna tell us the story of that there K-necked <\/em>Rupert fellow tonight, Ma\u2019am?\u201d<\/p>\n

She nodded eagerly.\u00a0 \u201cAfter supper.\u00a0 I am so<\/em> pleased you want to hear it.\u201d<\/p>\n

He was looking at Adam\u2019s hair and thinkin\u2019 about that man he saw in the woods.<\/p>\n

\u201cSon,\u201d Pa said, \u201cLena\u2019s talking to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked up guiltily.\u00a0 \u201cSorry.\u00a0 Thank you, Ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve told you, call me \u2018Lena\u2019, please.\u00a0 You boys are old enough to call me by my Christian name.\u201d\u00a0 She looked at Little Joe.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s jaw tightened.\u00a0 It was coming.\u00a0 Another pinch.\u00a0 \u201cEven you, you darling little Mausi!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Hoss snickered.\u00a0 Little Mouse\u2019s<\/em> cheeks were gonna be mighty red before the evening was out.<\/p>\n

Their father sighed.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, since it is<\/em> Weinachsten, the lady\u2019s will takes precedence. But Joseph, if you try anything else….\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s green eyes went wide.\u00a0 \u201cWho?\u00a0 Me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you, Hoss….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Pa?\u201d he replied warily.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake Little Joe with you and escort Lena downstairs. \u00a0Both of you wait with her by the fire until your brother comes down.\u201d\u00a0 Pa looked directly at baby brother. \u201cNo wandering off!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe gulped.\u00a0 \u201cYes, sir!\u201d<\/p>\n

Their father turned to look at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cAnd as for you, young man….\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam winced.\u00a0 \u201cYes, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pa sighed again.<\/p>\n

\u201cWash your hair before Hop Sing turns you upside-down and uses you to grease a pot.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was a good thing they had Miss Lena around.\u00a0 If supper had two feet, it sure started off on the wrong one.\u00a0 As he and Little Joe walked Mrs. Hoffmeister down the stairs, they was greeted by a string of Chinese words longer than the railing that fenced in Pa\u2019s thousand square miles.\u00a0 Hop Sing\u2019s irate form came flyin\u2019 at them.\u00a0 Their Chinese cook looked like he\u2019d done taken a walk in the snow.\u00a0 His silk jacket was covered in white dust and his pants looked like they\u2019d been through a flood.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing continued on, making a beeline toward Little Joe, shaking his fist and wieldin\u2019 a mean lookin\u2019 sauce pan.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy little boy want make Hop Sing mad?\u201d \u00a0He indicated his dark blue shirt.\u00a0 \u201cRuin new suit fresh from cousin number fifty-two!\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe\u2019s eyes were round as the sauce pan.\u00a0 He gulped.\u00a0 \u201cMe?\u00a0 I didn\u2019t do anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSee boy<\/em> in kitchen earlier.\u00a0 Up in cupboard.\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing\u2019s black eyes narrowed as he thrust a white finger at Joe.\u00a0 \u201cSame cupboard dump flour on Hop Sing!\u00a0 Make Hop Sing jump, turn pot over, dump beef broth on pants!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss looked at his brother.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s jaw was tight.\u00a0 His nostrils had gone wide and he was breathin\u2019 quick.\u00a0 Still it was a toss-up as to whether fury or tears were gonna come as a result of it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy does everyone always blame me?\u201d he whined.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause everyone know number three son like play pranks!\u201d Hop Sing crossed his arms.\u00a0 It was a wonder to watch him do it with that big old sauce pan dangling from his fingers. \u201cBoy should be punished!\u201d<\/p>\n

At last the fury won out. \u00a0\u201cI didn\u2019t do anything!\u201d <\/em>Joe all but shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d\u00a0 Their father was coming down the stairs with Adam.\u00a0 \u201cYou will not address Hop Sing in that manner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s this all about?\u201d older brother asked as his well-polished boots hit the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle boy no think Hop Sing have better thing to do than change clothes twice one day!\u201d the Chinese man pouted.<\/p>\n

Hoss looked at his baby brother.\u00a0 He felt sorry for the little cuss.\u00a0 Their pa was descendin\u2019 on Joe like a stormy day.\u00a0 Comin\u2019 to a quick decision, the teenager moved between them.\u00a0 He lifted his chin and met his father\u2019s fiery stare.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt weren\u2019t Little Joe\u2019s fault, Pa.\u00a0 It were mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both his pa and his brother said in tandem, \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt were my fault.\u201d\u00a0 The teenager glanced at their cook who looked skeptical.\u00a0 \u201cI was gettin\u2019 somethin\u2019 out from behind the flour bag and I must of left it teeterin\u2019 on the edge or somethin\u2019 by accident.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two sets of black eyes pinned him.\u00a0 Hop Sing\u2019s and his Pa\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you get out from behind sack?\u201d their cook demanded, those eyes narrowed with suspicion.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I….\u201d\u00a0 As he hesitated Hoss felt Little Joe\u2019s finger on his back spelling out, \u2018C…I…D…E…R…V…I…\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cCider vinegar.\u201d\u00a0 He nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, cider vinegar.\u201d<\/p>\n

Their father\u2019s eyes flicked from Joe to him.\u00a0 \u201cAnd just what did you <\/em>need the cider vinegar for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI..uh….\u00a0 Ouch!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss swallowed over the pain.\u00a0 Little Joe had plucked a patch of hair from his arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard it\u2019d be good for this hear mouse-fuzz I have, Pa,\u201d the teenager answered, indicating the low-riding waves of sandy hair on his head even as his eyes teared.\u00a0 \u201cIts s\u2019posed to leave it shinin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, then, we\u2019ll certainly all need blinders from now on, won\u2019t we?\u201d Adam snarked as he crossed his arms and leaned against the newel post.<\/p>\n

Lena Hoffmeister was waggin\u2019 her head and makin\u2019 tsk tsk<\/em> noises with her tongue.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re all <\/em>going to end up with ashes in your shoes!\u201d she exclaimed.\u00a0 Turning to their pa, she added, \u201cAnd for you, Benjamin, it will be a switch in your slippers!\u201d<\/p>\n

Pa sputtered.\u00a0 \u201cLena, I promise you, I am only attempting to keep these three young ruffians civilized.\u00a0 Just because they live on the frontier is no excuse for poor….\u201d\u00a0 He halted and looked around.\u00a0 Turning to Mrs. Hoffmeister, Pa asked, \u201cLena, where\u2019s Charles?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMissy Lena\u2019s husband say go for walk.\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing was shaking his shirt sleeves, sending clouds of flour dust everywhere.\u00a0 \u201cSaid he be back in time for supper.\u201d\u00a0 The little Chinese man narrowed his eyes and glared at each of them in turn.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing change clothes.\u00a0 All not at table when get back,\u201d he threw his hands into the air, sauce pan and all, \u201cfeed roast beef to goat!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, er, well,\u201d Pa said as the Chinese man disappeared, \u201cthis is turning out to be a most unusual year.\u201d\u00a0 He pulled at his black tie.\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps I should go looking for Charles.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go, Pa,\u201d Hoss said quickly.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I\u2019ll take Little Joe with me.\u201d He made a point to wink at his father as if he understood getting Joe out from under foot was a good thing.<\/p>\n

Adam smirked.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d look out for a pail of water suspended over the door, Hoss.\u00a0 That would be the natural progression of things.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss rolled his eyes. Then he patted his little brother on the shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, Little Joe,\u201d he said, easing the boy toward the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was Pa so he had <\/em>to turn back.\u00a0 \u201cYes, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you find Charles, be sure to \u2013\u201d<\/p>\n

Pa fell silent and Adam uncrossed his arms and reached out like he was gonna catch somethin\u2019, even as Miss Lena exclaimed, \u201cJoseph!\u201d<\/p>\n

When Hoss turned it was all he could do not to break out laughing.<\/p>\n

Little Joe was standing in the doorway, soaking wet, with a bucket over his head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Supper was mighty sober.\u00a0 Mister Hoffmeister returned just after Little Joe was sent upstairs to change his clothes.\u00a0 He escorted his wife to the table and the two of them and Pa fell to talkin\u2019 about old times back East.\u00a0 Little Joe came back down a few minutes later and took his seat with his shoulders slumped, lookin\u2019 like he was just waiting to find out how Pa was gonna blame this last prank on him.\u00a0 During supper, when Pa wasn\u2019t payin\u2019 any attention to him, he caught Joe starin\u2019 daggers at Adam.\u00a0 Adam appeared to be oblivious but, and this was what he was sure Little Joe didn\u2019t<\/em> miss, older brother had that look \u2013 like a fat cat what caught the canary.<\/p>\n

If Little Joe didn\u2019t <\/em>pull that pomade prank on big brother, he\u2019d be sure to back him up when he pulled the next one.<\/p>\n

\u2018Course, he wasn\u2019t really sure why he\u2019d backed Joe up when it came to Hop Sing and the flour.\u00a0 It just seemed to him that there was somethin\u2019 mighty peculiar goin\u2019 on and he had some idea it had to do with that there K-necked<\/em> feller.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t really paid much attention to Miss Lena\u2019s tale since he\u2019d been a little squirt about Joe\u2019s age, but it seemed to him that some of the stuff happenin\u2019 around the house might have somethin\u2019 to do with him.\u00a0 He sure was anxious to hear it again this<\/em> year.\u00a0 Hoss\u2019 clear blue eyes turned to their pa.\u00a0 The older man was standing up, offering a hand to Miss Lena and sayin\u2019 it was time to \u2018retire\u2019 to the great room.<\/p>\n

Hot-diggity!<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat have you got to smile about?\u201d Joe growled as he pushed his chair back and rose.<\/p>\n

Hoss looked from the retreating backs of their father and older brother to his youngest brother.\u00a0 Leaning in, he said quietly, \u201cYou just pay attention to what Miss Lena says about that there K-Necked<\/em> feller.\u00a0 Don\u2019t you go fallin\u2019 asleep!\u00a0 I want to compare notes later.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s mobile brows shot up toward that unruly fringe of curls.\u00a0 \u201cI gotta take notes?\u201d<\/p>\n

He scowled.\u00a0 \u201cNot real<\/em> notes, Joe.\u00a0 Just keep a memory for what she says.\u201d<\/p>\n

His brother blew out a breath.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t scare a feller like that, Hoss.\u00a0 You had me thinkin\u2019 I was back in school.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAhem!\u201d<\/p>\n

He bet they both sure <\/em>looked guilty.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you two going to deign<\/em> to grace us with your presence?\u201d<\/p>\n

Together they nodded and within seconds were seated on the hearth by the fire.\u00a0 Miss Lena and Mister Charles sat by one another on the settee.\u00a0 Pa was in his red chair, and Adam occupied the big blue velvet one.\u00a0 The fire had fallen off to coals and a gentle heat radiated from it, warming his backside.\u00a0 He noticed Joe was sitting close beside him.\u00a0 If it was like any other year, his little brother\u2019s head would gradually fall until it was against his shoulder and he ended up being carried upstairs to bed.<\/p>\n

He sure hoped Little Joe could keep awake long enough.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Lena, here we are,\u201d their pa said, \u201ctell us your tale of Knecht Ruprecht<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the same one Marie told, isn\u2019t it?\u201d Adam asked. \u00a0\u201cOnly about Le P\u00e8re Fouettard?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Their pa smiled at the memory of Joe\u2019s mama.\u00a0 \u201cMarie\u2019s tale was of French origin.\u00a0 The French, it seems were a little more….bloodthirsty when it came to cautionary tales for wayward boys and girls.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded.\u00a0 \u201cAs I remember, in France Fouettard<\/em> was a repentant robber and murderer.\u00a0 Didn\u2019t Saint Nicholas resurrect the boys that were killed?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe three<\/em> boys,\u201d Charles Hoffmeister injected, amusement lacing his tone.\u00a0 \u201cJa,<\/em> that he did.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe was frowning. \u201cThree dead boys?\u00a0 You sure you folks ain\u2019t talking about some dime novel?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAren\u2019t<\/em>,\u201d his brother corrected.<\/p>\n

Miss Lean laughed.\u00a0 \u201cKnecht Ruprecht<\/em> is not nearly so bad.\u00a0 He was a wild foundling whom Sankt Nicklaus <\/em>raised.\u201d\u00a0 She sobered quickly, lowering her voice as any good storyteller would to catch their audience\u2019s attention.\u00a0 \u201cSometimes he appears as a big horned monster clothed in rags.\u00a0 At other times, as a man in a brown robe with a pointed hood, carrying a birch stick and a cloth sack.\u00a0 At times, Ruprecht<\/em> \u00a0wears dozens of tiny little bells that jingle as he walks.\u00a0 You can be sure it is him, because he has an injured leg.\u00a0 From childhood he has walked with a limp.\u201d\u00a0 She looked at Pa.\u00a0 \u201cSometimes he rides a big white horse worthy of the Ponderosa, and at others, a sleigh pulled by reindeer!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss sat up, his ears tingling.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s he do when he comes, Miss Lena?\u201d the teenager asked.\u00a0 \u201cYou said he rewards good little children and punishes naughty ones?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yes!\u201d she agreed.\u00a0 Leaning in even further, the plump little woman added, \u201cIt is said that sometimes he puts them in his ash sack and drowns them!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter be careful, Joe,\u201d Adam warned with a grin. \u00a0\u201cIf he finds you, it will be one long perpetual bath!\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe made a face and stuck out his tongue.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph.\u201d\u00a0 This time it was said quietly, and with some affection.<\/p>\n

Joe scooted closer to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Their older brother frowned.\u00a0 Then he got it.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charles Hoffmeister snorted.\u00a0 \u201cIt will be interesting to see in the morning who has what<\/em> left in their shoes!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you are good, Knecht Ruprecht<\/em> will leave you candy, nuts, and fruit,\u201d Miss Lena continued.\u00a0 \u201cSo it is best to be good.\u00a0 Even if he does not beat you, or leave you a switch, he will leave ashes in your shoes!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve heard tell, Lena,\u201d their pa said, \u201cthat Knecht Ruprecht<\/em> is the same as England\u2019s Robin Goodfellow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pa had an English background, so he should know.<\/p>\n

\u201cWould that be the drudging<\/em> friend known as Puck?\u201d Mister Charles asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cPuck is a bit of a trickster,\u201d Pa said as he picked up his pipe.\u00a0 \u201cIs this Ruprecht<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss nudged Little Joe who was just about asleep.<\/p>\n

\u201cListen to this, Joe!\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

Blinking back sleep, his brother tried.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour \u2018Puck\u2019, made so famous in Mister Shakespeare\u2019s play, is known for leading folk astray with echoes and lights in nighttime, and for mischievous and practical jokes.\u201d\u00a0 The older man laughed as he looked at Little Joe. \u201cMuch like what happened here tonight.\u201d\u00a0 Mister Charles shifted on the settee and reached for the cup of coffee he had placed on the table.\u00a0 After taking a sip, he added, \u201cYou should tell Hop Sing, Ben.\u00a0 Puck is also known for doing minor chores around the house if you leave him cookies and milk.\u00a0 However, if you should fall out of favor with him, well, then, Gott helfe <\/em>you!\u201d<\/p>\n

Again, Pa asked Lena, \u201cWhat about St. Nicholas\u2019 manservant?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKnecht Ruprecht<\/em> is not a trickster himself, but he travels with a group of faeries,\u201d she explained.\u00a0 \u201cSmall creatures that wear robes of woodland color.\u00a0 They often appear to be old wizened women with white hair, but are actually beautiful creatures and are ageless.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what exactly is it these young-but-old faeries do?\u201d Adam asked, managing poorly to hide his amusement at the tale.<\/p>\n

Miss Lena grinned.\u00a0 \u201cPlay tricks much like Mister Puck.\u00a0 They do it to find out who is good or bad; who has a bad temper or is not what they seem.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like we could use them when negotiating a contract, Pa,\u201d Adam said quietly.<\/p>\n

Lena Hoffmeister smiled at his brother.\u00a0 \u201cYou do not believe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam straightened up in his chair. \u201cNo.\u00a0 I\u2019m afraid, I don\u2019t.\u00a0 It\u2019s all so much superstition and ignorance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 He looked chagrined.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t mean to demean your beliefs, Lena.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miss Lena didn\u2019t look in the least bit \u2018dee-meaned\u2019.\u00a0 \u201cIt is not me you need to apologize to, Adam, but to Knecht Ruprecht.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Lena?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, mein hertz?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAbout them little faeries….\u201d\u00a0 The teenager cleared his throat.\u00a0 \u201cWould they be, well, the sort that would worry about a little bunny family bein\u2019 cold?\u201d<\/p>\n

His older brother\u2019s brows peaked at his question.\u00a0 \u201cBunnies?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Before Pa could say it, he added quietly, \u201cSorry, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do you want to know, Hoss?\u201d Miss Lena asked.<\/p>\n

Hoss didn\u2019t answer.\u00a0 Instead he glanced at the tall clock in the foyer.\u00a0 Midnight was comin\u2019 soon.<\/p>\n

He had a lot to figure out before then.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In the great room of the Ponderosa, an hour after the family and their guests retired for the night, a soft breeze stirred the ashes and the fire flared, casting a red glow over the fine French settee and its companion pieces.\u00a0 As the flames settled down three small figures stepped out of the smoke. \u00a0They moved quickly from the hearth to the wooden table, leaving tiny footprints painted in ash where they went.\u00a0 Climbing atop\u00a0 the apples in the bowl, they took seats.\u00a0 Munching on bits of the fruit they had snatched earlier and swinging their wizened legs, they took a moment to confer.<\/p>\n

\u201cPuzzling me are these three,\u201d Green Cloak said.\u00a0 \u201cOlder, middle, younger brother.\u00a0 Tease they do and wound too.\u00a0 Do<\/em> they love each other?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gray cloak laughed. \u201cWould that fellow Robin was <\/em>here.\u00a0 The one named Joseph would he<\/em> hold dear.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, sister, is it smiles or spite Little Joe intends?\u00a0 Is the child foe or friend?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what of he with midnight hair, with eyes of summer and important air? When good tricks we<\/em> did play, Adam chose his brother<\/em> for to pay.\u201d\u00a0 Brown Cloak shook her head, sending her gossamer hair wafting on the remnants of the breeze that had blown them in.\u00a0 \u201cDoes he love or does he hate?\u00a0 How can we decide his<\/em> fate?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBy yonder clock, three hours are left,\u201d Gray Cloak said. \u00a0\u201cMischief must we work or be bereft.\u00a0 Knecht Ruprecht <\/em>is not far behind. \u00a0Should we fail, he will not<\/em> be kind.\u00a0 As all sleep, what are we to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs all sleep,\u201d Green Cloak replied, \u201cthis<\/em> shall we will do.\u00a0 Like Mab we shall come bringing dreams anew.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn their dreams true self is shown,\u201d Gray Cloak agreed with a nod.\u00a0 \u201cIs this not what is known?\u201d<\/p>\n

The oldest among them, Green Cloak knew many things.\u00a0 She had tested both peasants and kings. She had witnessed many a lie, seen men repent and women cry.\u00a0 None could withstand their faerie ways once breath was drawn and hearts they did invade.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sister, it is so.\u00a0 By morn we shall be know.<\/p>\n

\u201cTruth or no.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THREE<\/p>\n

Hoss Cartwright woke with a start.\u00a0 When the teenager realized that moonlight was streamin\u2019 into his room, he scowled.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t meant to go to sleep!\u00a0 As he scratched the reddish-blond hair on the top of his head, Hoss cast his blue eyes toward the window.\u00a0 The world outside it was silent and silver and snow was fallin\u2019. \u00a0From the position of the moon he guessed it must be a little before midnight.\u00a0 Funny thing, him wakin\u2019 up.\u00a0 He\u2019d been powerful tired after spendin\u2019 the shank of the evening of listenin\u2019 to Mister. Hoffmeister\u2019s tales of their pa when he was young, and all the laughin\u2019 and dancin\u2019 and strange goings-on.\u00a0 It seemed like a troupe of pixies had<\/em> taken roost at the Ponderosa that day since odd things kept happenin\u2019.\u00a0 When Pa went to offer the bowl of fruit to Mister Charles, he found half the apples had chunks missing.\u00a0 And then there was that dang little ring-tailed cat that got into the kitchen and helped itself to the fish Hop Sing was picklin\u2019. Hoss grinned.\u00a0 At one point Adam had been takin\u2019 a turn on the dance floor with Miss Lena and his pants had just up and fell down.\u00a0 Up until that point Little Joe had been huggin\u2019 the chair by the fire so\u2019s he couldn\u2019t be accused of anything else and bridlin\u2019 that girly giggle he had.<\/p>\n

The flap in Adam\u2019s union suit showin\u2019 put an end to that.<\/p>\n

After that things had calmed down.\u00a0 They\u2019d all been able to laugh about all the mischief, though Joe was still sore about bein\u2019 accused of bein\u2019 behind a part of it.\u00a0 In the end his twelve-year-old brother had fallen asleep on the settee and, though he\u2019d offered to carry him up to bed, their pa had done it.\u00a0 Pa\u2019d said simple pleasures were best and Joe was gettin\u2019 too big for his britches and it wouldn\u2019t be too long before baby brother wouldn\u2019t let him do it no more.<\/p>\n

With a great yawn, Hoss took hold of his covers and tossed them aside.\u00a0 The linen whirlwind his fingers encountered as he did reminded him that he\u2019d been dreamin\u2019 somethin\u2019 fierce.\u00a0 The bed done looked like it was Little Joe\u2019s.\u00a0 Funny thing was, now that he was awake, he couldn\u2019t remember anything much of what was in<\/em> those dreams.\u00a0 All he knew was that he must have been workin\u2019 or runnin\u2019 or something \u2018cause his stomach was growling now like a great big old grizzly bear who\u2019d just woke up from hibernation.<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned.\u00a0 He\u2019d watched Hop Sing clear some leftover roast beef off the table.\u00a0 It would be in the icebox.<\/p>\n

With his name on it!<\/p>\n

Slippin\u2019 into his slippers, the teenager had just reached for his robe when he heard a noise out in the yard.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Something was shiftin\u2019 and snortin\u2019 out there.\u00a0 Almost sounded like pigs. Or maybe a big old duck.<\/p>\n

Or maybe both?<\/em><\/p>\n

Catching his robe in his fingers as he moved past, Hoss thrust his arms into it before he reached the window.\u00a0 Once there, he peered out.\u00a0 The snow was heavy and it partially obscured his view, but he\u2019d be danged<\/em> if someone didn\u2019t have a red wagon parked out there!.\u00a0 Narrowing his eyes, he squinted, tryin\u2019 to make it out better.\u00a0 Sure was a funny lookin\u2019 kind of wagon with curlicues on the front end and a couple of seats in the back instead of a bed. \u00a0Looked more like a carriage.\u00a0 Or a sleigh.<\/p>\n

With reindeer.<\/p>\n

Hoss pressed his nose against the cold windowpane.\u00a0 Yep, it was<\/em> a sleigh with two<\/em> reindeer.\u00a0 And there was someone sitting in the middle seat.\u00a0 They had a blanket wrapped around their shoulders and they was \u00a0leanin\u2019 to the right like they was asleep.<\/p>\n

Hoss blinked as something big blocked his view of the sleigh.\u00a0 It was a man.\u00a0 He was bigger than him \u2013 looked like he might even top seven feet.\u00a0 He was dressed in a familiar looking heavy robe that fell all the way to his booted feet.\u00a0 It was the stranger he\u2019d met earlier!\u00a0 The man was carrying some kind of small bundle.\u00a0 Looked like someone, maybe, wrapped up in a blanket.\u00a0 There was a pair of brown boots sticking out at one end.\u00a0 Hoss gasped.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

The teenager\u2019 eyes shot to the figure already seated in the sleigh.\u00a0 He recognized that black head now, lolling over, restin\u2019 on the man\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 It was Adam.<\/p>\n

Someone was stealin\u2019 his brothers!<\/p>\n

Just as the thought crossed his mind, the stranger finished depositing his little brother in the back seat of the sleigh, and turned around into a strong beam of moonlight.\u00a0 What he saw made Hoss suck in air and hold onto it tight.\u00a0 The stranger was a man, but he weren\u2019t no ordinary <\/em>man.\u00a0 He looked like one of those there untamed fellers who chose to live alone way up in the mountains; the ones who ain\u2019t seen hide nor hair of people or <\/em>a bath in decades.\u00a0 He had a beard that reached near to his knees that was so shaggy wild birds could of nested in it.\u00a0 And that there hood he wore reached way up high into the sky like maybe he was sportin\u2019 somethin\u2019 under it.<\/p>\n

Like…maybe…horns?<\/p>\n

As he stood there puzzlin\u2019 it out, the stranger leapt into the sleigh and, taking up the reins, ordered the reindeer to pull away.<\/p>\n

\u201cGol-dang-it!\u201d<\/em> the teenager exclaimed.\u00a0 Here he was doin\u2019 what Adam would of called \u2018waxing poetic\u2019 about the man who was kidnappin\u2019 his brothers!<\/p>\n

Hopping on one foot and then the other, Hoss took off his slippers and threw them across the room, exchanging them for his boots.\u00a0 Then he dropped his robe and went to his dresser.\u00a0 Fishin\u2019 in it he found a dress shirt and pulled it on over his nightshirt.\u00a0 Next came a pair of brown pants that he hitched up over his long-johns, thinkin\u2019 all the while as he struggled to get them over his boots that he should of done that backwards.\u00a0 Finally, with enough tuggin\u2019 and mild cussin\u2019 the pants legs popped, ridin\u2019 up over the boots and the frantic teenager shot out of his room and down the hall to his pa\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Banging hard on the door he shouted, \u201cPa!\u00a0 Pa!\u00a0 PA!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

It took a moment before his pa\u2019s silver head peeked out as he opened it.\u00a0 \u201cMmmm… Hoss?\u00a0 What is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone done stole Adam and Joe right out from under our noses!\u201d<\/em> he exclaimed.<\/p>\n

The older man looked at him.\u00a0 He scratched his graying head and then yawned mightily.\u00a0 \u201cBe sure to wake me when the ransom note comes.\u201d<\/p>\n

And then Pa went back to bed.<\/p>\n

He might as well have slammed the door in his face.<\/p>\n

Not quite knowin\u2019 what to do, Hoss flew down the stairs, taking them two at a time.\u00a0 Rounding the settee he headed for the kitchen and the room where Hop Sing slept.<\/p>\n

Again, he pounded on the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho wake up Hop Sing?\u201d the Chinese man shouted from within his room.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing dream he back in China.\u00a0 No more naughty boys who dump flour on new suit to look after!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss was panting by the time the door opened to reveal their very irate cook.<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing!\u00a0 Someone done kidnapped <\/em>Adam and Little Joe!\u201d he shouted.\u00a0 \u201cI just saw \u2018em pullin\u2019 out of the yard with the two of them in the back of a sleigh!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cServe number one and number three son right,\u201d he harrumphed.\u00a0 \u201cMake old man of Hop Sing.\u00a0 Such foolishness!\u00a0 Maybe man-servant Miss Lena talk of take naughty boys.\u00a0 Put over knee and use switch!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing!\u00a0 Ain\u2019t you worried?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Hoss couldn\u2019t believe what he was hearing.\u00a0 \u201cMiss Lena said sometimes that K-necked<\/em> feller puts naughty boys in that there sack he carries and tosses \u2018em in the river to drown!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Chinese man nodded.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe clothes stay clean for once and Mister Adam get all of Hop Sing\u2019s lard out of hair.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Hop Sing!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but!\u201d \u00a0Their cook jabbed a finger into his chest.\u00a0 \u201cNumber one and number three son go missing, number two son go find!<\/em> \u00a0Let Hop Sing sleep!\u201d<\/p>\n

This time the door was<\/em> slammed in his face.<\/p>\n

Rubbing his nose, Hoss turned and headed for the great room.\u00a0 As he got there, the front door banged as if someone had just exited.\u00a0 A light breeze lifted his downy hair as it wafted through the room carrying with it the sound of children\u2019s laughter.<\/p>\n

The kind of children who stuck pigtails in ink wells and put a frog in the teacher\u2019s desk.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy them there little ornery fairy cusses!\u201d he growled.\u00a0 \u201cWhen I get my hands on their scrawny little necks I\u2019m gonna….\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss stopped.\u00a0 Fairies?\u00a0 K-necked<\/em> Rupert?\u00a0 A sleigh pulled by reindeer snortin\u2019 like pigs?<\/p>\n

The teenager took hold of an inch of flesh on his arm and pinched hard.<\/p>\n

\u201cYouch!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Sad to say, he was awake.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The snow was fallin\u2019 hard as a preacher on the wrong side of the saloon door.<\/p>\n

As Hoss urged his horse forward through yet another<\/em> two foot drift, he wondered if there wasn\u2019t some great big downy tick in the heavens right above him and some ornery cuss had pulled a thread and let loose the seam, only instead of feathers it had been filled with snow!\u00a0 He hunched his shoulders and shivered as a bitter wind cut right through him.\u00a0 He\u2019d thought to grab his winter coat on the way out, knowin\u2019 it was cold, but he hadn\u2019t realized old man winter had decided to blow up a Blue Norther. The only good thing about the snow was it made the tracks of the sleigh easy to follow.\u00a0 At first that there K-necked<\/em> feller was headed toward town but then, all of a sudden, the sleigh turned and was headed the other way toward the lake. He\u2019d been near froze to death while he stood there lookin\u2019 from where one set of runner tracks ended and the other began.\u00a0 It was like the sleigh had made a giant leap, startin\u2019 at one point and flyin\u2019….<\/p>\n

Flyin\u2019<\/em> to the other.<\/p>\n

As Hoss neared the lake all he could think about was how mean that K-necked <\/em>feller could be.\u00a0 Like Pa\u2019d said, in the country Mama\u2019s people had come from, they told tales of him beatin\u2019 or even eatin\u2019<\/em> bad little boys and girls. Sometimes, like in Miss Lena\u2019s Germany, he weren\u2019t quite so bad, stickin\u2019 ashes in shoes and some such.<\/p>\n

But then there was that other<\/em> story….<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 gaze went to the placid lake laying just in front of him, its still waters sparklin\u2019 in the moonlight. The snow around it was sparklin\u2019 too, makin\u2019 the sight near blinding.\u00a0 Desperate to find his brothers, the teenager narrowed his crisp blue eyes against the glint.\u00a0 At first he didn\u2019t see nothin\u2019.\u00a0 Then, at the edge of the lake, close by the shore, near the place where he and Adam and Little Joe liked the most to fish….<\/p>\n

He spotted them.<\/p>\n

The sleigh was parked at the water\u2019s edge.\u00a0 The reindeer that pulled it had been unhitched and were grazing off to one side.\u00a0 The big man in the brown hooded robe was leaning over the sleigh and liftin\u2019 something out of it.\u00a0 Adam was sitting on the ground beside it, his head thrown back against the painted wood, so Hoss knew it had <\/em>to be his baby brother.\u00a0 Somethin\u2019 was movin\u2019 at that there K-necked<\/em> feller\u2019s feet.\u00a0 Through the snowfall it was hard to make them out \u2013 three little cloaked figures dressed in green, brown, and gray, holdin\u2019 hands and dancin\u2019 in a circle.<\/p>\n

Hoss dismounted and moved in closer.<\/p>\n

The fairy trio was singin\u2019 too.<\/p>\n

\u201cFallen snow and icy dew, now we do what we must do.\u00a0 Naughty, nasty, neat or nice, in the end all<\/em> pay the price!\u00a0 Father, mother, sister, brother, Ruprecht<\/em> declares must love each other.\u00a0 We have watched these brothers three and such a love we do not see.\u00a0 Argue, fight, bicker and bite!\u00a0 Bring the sack!\u00a0 Remove them from our sight!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss stood, mouth gaping, as the giant man in the robe moved with Little Joe in his arms toward the lake.<\/p>\n

Bursting from the trees, he shouted, \u201cYou let Little Joe go, you hear!<\/em>\u00a0 You ain\u2019t tossin\u2019 my brother into the lake like a sack of unwanted pups!\u201d<\/p>\n

Three small wizened faces turned toward him.\u00a0 Three sets of black bat-like eyes framed by gossamer hair white as the snow at their feet, fastened on him.\u00a0 Their thin lips curled, seemingly up to the challenge.<\/p>\n

The one wearing brown walked toward him.\u00a0 When she reached his side, she stopped.\u00a0 Her cloaked head was just above his knee.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps there is a way that you Ruprecht\u2019s<\/em> hand can stay,\u201d she said, her voice the soft scratch of icy leaves on a bare branch.\u00a0 \u201cAre you willing to pay?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss swallowed.\u00a0 His eyes went to Little Joe, all bundled up and held tight in the stranger\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes…ma\u2019am.\u00a0 I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

The little creature chortled.\u00a0 \u201cLong ago it might be so.\u00a0 But lady I be no more.\u00a0 Now I come with Ruprecht to settle the score.\u201d<\/p>\n

The teenager was shaking his head. \u201cMa\u2019am, you don\u2019t understand.\u00a0 Adam and Joe and me, well, we….\u201d\u00a0 His eyes shot to his brothers.\u00a0 Adam was stirring.\u00a0 \u201cWe just like to tease.\u00a0 We don\u2019t mean nothin\u2019 by it.\u00a0 Please…\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat we know is what we see,\u201d the fairy creature in gray said as it joined them.\u00a0 \u201cYou three.\u00a0 Shouting.\u00a0 Fighting. Angry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Ma\u2019am, not angry.\u00a0 Not really.\u00a0 We were just funnin\u2019.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss frowned as the third one came to stand beside her sisters.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s what brothers do.\u00a0 It ain\u2019t nothin\u2019….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething<\/em> seemed it to Little Joe,\u201d Brown Cloak said.\u00a0 \u201cTears he had, and woe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnger too at black-hair there.\u201d\u00a0 Green added as she joined them and pointed at Adam who was stumbling to his feet.\u00a0 \u201cTricks he played.\u00a0 Most unfair.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow Little Joe didn\u2019t play no tricks!\u201d he countered, even though he wasn\u2019t entirely sure Joe hadn\u2019t had a hand in at least one of them.\u00a0 \u201cHe may be a minx sometimes, but Joe\u2019s a good boy!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAshes or switch.\u00a0 It matters not which,\u201d Gray Cloak snarled.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, you listen here you little…\u201d\u00a0 Hoss stopped.\u00a0 They were…ladies.\u00a0 At least in a way.\u00a0 And his pa didn\u2019t take to no one talkin\u2019 unkindly to ladies \u2013 no matter how much busybodies they was.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know nothin\u2019 about us!\u201d the teenager insisted.\u00a0 \u201cYou come by one night out of the year and catch Joe maybe up to some tricks and Adam and me ready to pound him for it, and you think we don\u2019t love one another!\u00a0 You think that\u2019s all <\/em>we are.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss pulled himself up to the fill dignity \u2013 standing in two feet of snow with his nighttime hair on, wearing a nightshirt with a dress shirt and coat over it, and a pair of church pants with work boots would allow \u2013 and finished. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m here to tell you that you may dang well be Father Christmas\u2019 sprites, but you sure-as-shootin\u2019 got it all wrong!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam was standing now, swaying on his feet halfway between the giant holding Joe and him.\u00a0 Older brother blinked back sleep as he asked, \u2018Hoss, what\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat there K-necked<\/em> feller was gonna toss you and Joe in the lake!\u201d he declared, pointing a finger at the offender who had remained silent throughout.<\/p>\n

That answer made Adam blink again.\u00a0 \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGet that fog out of your head, Adam!\u201d he snapped.\u00a0 \u201cWe got us a passel of trouble here!\u201d<\/p>\n

For as he had been speaking to Adam, the horned creature in the robe had turned and begun to walk toward the water.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey!\u201d Hoss shouted as he pushed past the sprites and followed.\u00a0 \u201cHey, you!\u00a0 K-necked!<\/em>\u00a0 You turn and look at me!\u201d<\/p>\n

The giant man in the robe halted.\u00a0 When he did as he asked and turned to face him, it was all the teenager could do not to run in spite of the fact that Miss Lena\u2019s Ruprecht<\/em> had Little Joe in his arms.\u00a0 The moonlight was streaming down and it crept inside K-necked\u2019s<\/em> hood revealing for the first time the man-servant\u2019s terrible face.\u00a0 Actually, it was more an animal\u2019s face than a man\u2019s and, like he\u2019d suspected, there was a big old pair of horns like a Billy goat\u2019s sprouting out of his head, liftin\u2019 and fillin\u2019 the hood he wore.\u00a0 The man\u2019s skin was dark in color and every bit of it that showed was covered with a wiry stiff hair an inch or two long.\u00a0 Small things moved in his beard \u2013 birds flittin\u2019 in and out, bugs crawlin\u2019….<\/p>\n

And strange enough, a butterfly or two.<\/p>\n

Older brother finally made it to his side.\u00a0 His mouth was gaping too.<\/p>\n

Adam got it all back quicker than him, though.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake me!\u201d big brother shouted.\u00a0 \u201cI<\/em> was the one being mean.\u00a0 I knew Little Joe hadn\u2019t done any of those things.\u00a0 I just wanted to get him in trouble.\u00a0 I\u2019m the naughty one!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss stared at him.\u00a0 \u201cNow, big brother, you know that ain\u2019t true.\u00a0 You felt right bad about accusin\u2019 Little Joe.\u00a0 You \u2013\u201d<\/p>\n

An elbow in the ribs silenced him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s stupid,\u00a0 He doesn\u2019t know anything.\u201d\u00a0 Adam glared at him.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s just a big oaf!\u201d<\/p>\n

The teenager blinked this time.\u00a0 For a second older brother had him.\u00a0 Then he got it.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you listen to him none!\u201d he countered.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s me<\/em> what\u2019s smart.\u00a0 I played all those tricks to get both Adam and Little Joe in trouble!\u00a0 If you throw anyone in that lake there, then you\u2019d best throw me!\u201d<\/p>\n

A soft sound startled them.\u00a0 It was kind of like the noises Little Joe made when you pulled all his covers back and shook the bed like the earth was quaking in order to rouse him in the morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cMmm…eh….\u00a0 For Gosh sakes!<\/em>\u00a0 Can\u2019t a feller get some sleep?\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s \u2018cause it was<\/em> Little Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u00a0 Little Joe!\u00a0 Look out!\u00a0 That there K-necked<\/em> feller\u2019s gonna toss you in the lake!\u201d Hoss shouted.<\/p>\n

Joe looked up into the terrifying face.\u00a0 His eyebrows danced and his nose twitched.\u00a0 \u201cWhatever for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor your sins.\u201d<\/p>\n

The deep voice startled them all.\u00a0 It issued from the throat of the tall horned being and rumbled across the hushed land, causing the branches to drop their fresh coating of snow.<\/p>\n

Hoss and Adam exchanged glances.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe\u2019s just a boy!\u201d Adam shouted.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s not even reached the age of accountability.\u00a0 You can\u2019t blame him for things he doesn\u2019t even understand!\u201d<\/p>\n

Baby brother was scowlin\u2019.\u00a0 \u201cWho you calling a boy?\u201d he shouted back.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re both lyin\u2019, you know,\u201d\u00a0 he told the robed man holding him.\u00a0 \u201cWhy, I\u2019m just about the danged-est, most cussed evil<\/em> thing you ever held.\u00a0 You better just toss me in that lake now and forget about them!<\/p>\n

Leave it to Little Joe.\u00a0 Looking down the lion\u2019s mouth, he\u2019d take hold of it\u2019s tongue.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, you listen here!\u201d Hoss declared as he moved forward.\u00a0 \u201cIt don\u2019t matter whether we\u2019re naughty or nice, any of us!\u00a0 Seems to me for someone workin\u2019 with Saint Nick, that you\u2019re forgettin\u2019 what this here Weinachsten is all about.\u00a0 We learned in Sunday School that all of us are bad, so if you\u2019re gonna go by that, you might as well toss everyone in the lake and forget about puttin\u2019 candy or nuts in anyone\u2019s shoes!\u00a0 We all deserve ashes or a switch. Ain\u2019t that right, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

His brother nodded.\u00a0 \u201cWhat he said.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChristmas is about the baby Jesus comin\u2019 to make all that right.\u00a0 To take all them bad things we done on himself later on that cross and leave us all as white as this here snow you\u2019re standin\u2019 on!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss drew a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cSo in my eyes, it\u2019s you<\/em> and them ornery little fairy things that deserve a switch in your shoes!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam was applauding.<\/p>\n

Little Joe, on the other hand, was waggin\u2019 his finger.\u00a0 \u201cHey, Hoss.\u00a0 Could you wait until I get down before making him mad?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss was standing with his hands on his hips, his chin thrust out, his brow wrinkled and his ice blue eyes shootin\u2019 cold fire.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

A tap on his knee made him look down.\u00a0 It was the sprite dressed in green.\u00a0 The little fairy face that looked up at him seemed suddenly decades younger.\u00a0 Her skin was smooth and her gossamer white hair had grown thick as a pony\u2019s tail.\u00a0 A smile lit the tiny creature\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cDarkness there is in men\u2019s hearts but also there, there is a spark.\u00a0 Man must choose for himself or for others.\u00a0 To be alone or to stand with,\u201d she turned to look at Adam who was helping Little Joe out of K-necked\u2019s<\/em> arms, \u201cwith his brothers.\u00a0 So we see it is with you three.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have passed the test,\u201d Brown Cloak said.\u00a0 \u201cYou and your father are three times blessed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe was at their side now, huffin\u2019 and snortin\u2019 steam like a stallion.\u00a0 \u201cIf you think that makes up for what you put my brothers and me through,\u201d he shouted, his fists clenched, \u201cWell, you got another think<\/em> comin\u2019 to \u2013 mmmrrpph…\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam was right good with that hand of his.\u00a0 Fit right nice over Little Joe\u2019s mouth too.<\/p>\n

Gray Cloak grinned.\u00a0 \u201cThis boy and I, I like him fine.\u00a0 Kin we are, and kind!\u201d<\/p>\n

Baby brother bent down and went nose to nose with her.\u00a0 \u201cWho you callin\u2019 a boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Within a second Little Joe was upright again, staring with the rest of them at the pretty lady now wearin\u2019 the gray cloak.<\/p>\n

That little sprite was now about an inch taller than Joe!<\/p>\n

\u201cOf the three, kindred spirits are we,\u201d she said as she touched Little Joe\u2019s cheek.\u00a0 \u201cWatch will I keep, ere you sleep.\u00a0 Winter snow or green grass mown, be I there until you\u2019re grown.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brown Cloak appeared, similarly transformed.\u00a0 She stood before Adam.\u00a0 \u201cMan are you, yet needs have too.\u00a0 One day, you will sail far away. When you do, I will go with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sprite in green stepped up to him last.\u00a0 She paused and then reached out and placed her hand over his heart.\u00a0 \u201cGentle giant.\u00a0 Animal friend.\u00a0 Slow to hurt, quick to mend.\u00a0 Wise beyond words and like no other.\u00a0 Loving son, loyal brother.\u201d\u00a0 She paused and her black eyes seemed to burn into him.\u00a0 \u201cSuch a soul, burning bright, like a candle gives its light.\u00a0 This it does to show the way.\u00a0 Thinks it not about the day; how long it bides, how brief its stay.\u00a0 Heart of gold, silver soul, shine, dear son.\u201d<\/p>\n

With her other hand she drew his head forward and planted a kiss on top of his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will see you anon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss frowned mightily as he reached up to touch that kiss.\u00a0 His head was wet where she\u2019d left it.<\/p>\n

Mighty wet.\u00a0 Like it had been raining.<\/p>\n

A second later came the storm.<\/p>\n

Sputterin\u2019 and spewin\u2019 the teenager sat up in bed to find his brothers starin\u2019 at him.\u00a0 Little Joe had an empty coffee cup in his hand.<\/p>\n

It was still drippin\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d just about decided it was gonna take a flood to wake you up, brother!\u201d Joe remarked, his lips twisting.<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 gaze went from his younger to his older brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat in Sam Hill do you two think you\u2019re doin\u2019?\u201d he snapped as he struck water from his eyes and sat up.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019d just about decided Knecht Ruprecht<\/em> had come back and taken your soul away in a sack and tossed it in Lake Tahoe,\u201d Adam said, a strange tone to his voice.<\/p>\n

Hoss was scowling so deep his forehead felt like a freshly plowed field.\u00a0 He glanced again, this time from \u00a0Adam to Joe.\u00a0 They both looked…well…mortified.<\/p>\n

He probably did too.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou two?\u201d\u00a0 He cleared his throat.\u00a0 \u201cYou too?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou, me,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cBy the lake.\u00a0 Big guy.\u00a0 Bad beard.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss looked at their baby brother.\u00a0 \u201cAnd you, Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe was lookin\u2019 dreamy, which weren\u2019t surprisin\u2019 since the light was just dawnin\u2019 outside.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you have the same dream?\u00a0 You know, the one with that there K-necked <\/em>feller was gonna chuck you and Adam into the lake for bein\u2019 naughty?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam snorted.\u00a0 \u201cAll Joe remembers is the women.\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019d be baby brother.<\/p>\n

Hoss placed his bare feet on the floor.\u00a0 It was only, as he saw he was still wearing his nightshirt, that he realized he had never tossed on his dress shirt and pants or put on his work boots and headed outside into the icy cold night.<\/p>\n

It had all been a dream.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In the dawning light, in the great room of the Ponderosa ranch house on the floor below the brothers\u2019 bedrooms, three ethereal creatures appeared from out of a puff of chimney smoke.\u00a0 Shed of their wintry cloaks and the small stature they hid behind, they stood revealed as a trio of beautiful young women whose waist-length hair, translucent wings, and slightly pointed ears revealed their magical nature.\u00a0 They moved in silence throughout the vast room with its red leather chairs, striped settee, and great stone hearth.\u00a0 Each had been upstairs while the brothers\u2019 slept and had brought with them a pair of boots.\u00a0 Gray cloak had chosen Little Joe\u2019s Sunday best, made of deep brown, hand-tooled leather.\u00a0 Brown Cloak likewise had picked Adam Cartwright\u2019s dress boots, so soft and supple and made of snakeskin.\u00a0 Green Cloak, who made her way now toward the ranch house door, carried Ben Cartwright\u2019s middle son\u2019s everyday work boots.\u00a0 The much-abused footwear was well-worn, the vamps beaten down.\u00a0 One of the pull-straps had been re-stitched and the outsoles replaced more than one time.\u00a0 To the faerie creature they spoke of who the teenager was and, even more, of the man he would become.<\/p>\n

As Gray Cloak placed Little Joe\u2019s handsome boots next to Hoss\u2019 simple ones, her sister frowned at her.\u00a0 \u201cWhy, sister, have you chosen these?\u00a0 Knecht Ruprecht<\/em> will not be pleased.\u00a0 Of the three, most kind is he, with a heart three times his size.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSister, you are wise,\u201d Brown Cloak agreed.\u00a0 \u201cYou speak true.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWise you are, but foolish too,\u201d Green Cloak responded as she knelt and touched the collar area of the worn work boots with loving care.\u00a0 \u201cThese you bring,\u201d she indicated the shining boots to either side, \u201cwhat tell they you?\u00a0 Little and nothing of the man, of his heart, of where he stands.\u201d\u00a0 She rose to her feet.\u00a0 \u201cThis one of the three, big of heart and slow of speed \u2013 this one has many \u00a0miles to go. \u00a0His pace must be quick, it may not be slow.\u00a0 These boots will not lead as those you chose to idle deeds, nor will they pose on dance floors grand or bring a father\u2019s heavy hand. \u00a0They will not guide Hoss to idle nights, to frivolous deeds, to parent\u2019s fright. \u00a0Solid and steady are they, like man who wears them.\u00a0 So I say.\u201d<\/p>\n

She bent over and waved her hands above the soiled work boots, filling them with candy and nuts.\u00a0 And then, at the last moment, magicked a switch and anchored it through one of the pull straps.<\/p>\n

\u201cSister, indeed, a switch?\u00a0 What for?\u201d Gray Cloak asked.<\/p>\n

Brown Cloak blinked.\u00a0 \u201cFor being angry, hurtful, sore?\u00a0 Or yet, something in-between?\u00a0 None of these have we seen….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSuch is not what it means.\u201d\u00a0 Green Cloak smiled. \u201cSuch is not what it seems.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat seems<\/em> it then?\u201d<\/p>\n

With a flutter of her transparent wings, the faerie clothed in green replied, \u201cIt is not for men, nor even for thee to know, but for Hoss.\u00a0 He will not count it as loss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughing at her sisters bemused expressions, Green Cloak gave a signal and they all broke upon the air and were gone.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EPILOGUE<\/p>\n

December 1873<\/p>\n

Hoss Cartwright sat on top of a flattened rock by Lake Tahoe, staring at the still water and waitin\u2019.\u00a0 It was a beautiful spring day.\u00a0 The sky was bluer than he\u2019d just about ever seen and the grass was greenin\u2019 up.\u00a0 All around him tiny white and purple flowers lifted their heads toward the sun.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t entirely sure why he\u2019d come here today, though he had an idea.\u00a0 Still, he was a patient man.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d just wait around \u2018til he found out.<\/p>\n

It made him laugh when he realized just where he\u2019d ended up. \u00a0After arriving, he\u2019d ground tied Chubb and made his way into the woods.\u00a0 It only took a minute and he found it.\u00a0 When he did, he let out one big<\/em> long belly laugh.\u00a0 Danged, if there wasn\u2019t a rabbit burrow pitched in that same nest of rocks with a mother rabbit lookin\u2019 out at him!\u00a0 \u2018Course he knew it couldn\u2019t be the same rabbit he\u2019d seen that December so long ago, but he figured it could be one of her grandchildren.\u00a0 Leaning down, the big man put a finger to her tiny head.\u00a0 Weren\u2019t no babies yet, but they were comin\u2019.\u00a0 Spring was a time of birth after the long death of winter.<\/p>\n

Least ways, it always had been.<\/p>\n

He wasn\u2019t surprised when he heard her.\u00a0 With a sigh, Hoss rose to his feet and turned.<\/p>\n

There she was, just like he\u2019d seen her on and off throughout his life.\u00a0 Sometimes it was out of the corner of his eyes; other times reflected in a mirror.\u00a0 Once or twice even lookin\u2019 out of the horse trough at him.<\/p>\n

Green Cloak.<\/p>\n

The fairy creature had her hood thrown back.\u00a0 The breeze off the lake was liftin\u2019 her waist-length hair, makin\u2019 the white stuff billow and wave like a sail on one of them tall ships Pa and Adam were so crazy about. \u00a0The gossamer stuff framed her striking face, highlighting those perfect midnight black eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it time?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Her look was wistful.\u00a0 \u201cSoon it shall be.\u00a0 The time is not up to me.\u00a0 It is not today.\u00a0 Neither is it far away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss pursed his lips as he ran four fingers through his thinning hair.\u00a0 With a sigh, he said, \u201cLeastwise that gives me time to say goodbye.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her name was Laila.\u00a0 He\u2019d found that out over the years.\u00a0 She and her sisters were the kind of fairies who guided children through their lives.\u00a0 Hoss\u2019 lips curled with an affectionate smile.\u00a0 He still thought of her as \u2018Green Cloak\u2019 though, from the first time they\u2019d met.<\/p>\n

Laila came forward to take his hand.\u00a0 Her skin felt like, well, like that mama rabbit\u2019s fur \u2013 soft, almost unreal.\u00a0 \u201cAnd what do you say?\u201d she asked.\u00a0 \u201cHow prepare to meet the day?\u201d<\/p>\n

He scuffed his shoe.\u00a0 \u201cShucks, I don\u2019t know.\u00a0 Maybe just tell Pa and Joe what\u2019s comin\u2019, and that I love \u2018em and I\u2019ll miss \u2018em.\u201d\u00a0 The big man paused.\u00a0 \u201cI sure wish Adam was here so I could tell him too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her light fingers squeezed his.\u00a0 \u201cNo need is there.\u00a0 Adam has gone before to prepare.\u00a0 He waits for you by the lake above, with others you love.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 blue eyes widened and then teared. \u00a0\u201cAdam….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHappy is he.\u00a0 Happy is your mother.\u00a0 Longs she to hold you and no other.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Joe and…Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laila smiled broadly this time as she reached out and struck away the tear that clung to his lashes.\u00a0 \u201cLong it seems to men.\u00a0 Short will be the time \u2018ere you see them again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fear gripped him.\u00a0 \u201cThey ain\u2019t gonna….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, their time is not now.\u00a0 This I vow.\u201d\u00a0 The fairy held out her hand.\u00a0 \u201cThe gift I bestowed so long ago before you were a man \u2013 have you it to hand?\u00a0 \u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss looked down.\u00a0 His lips curled with chagrin as he pulled his vest aside and slowly drew the battered wooden switch out of his pocket.<\/p>\n

\u201cYep.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been bad, ain\u2019t I?\u201d he asked with a wink.<\/p>\n

She smiled, but sobered quickly.\u00a0 Her black eyes sought his gaze and held it.\u00a0 \u201cDo you understand why it is you<\/em> who have it in hand?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u201d\u00a0 The big man stared at the little piece of wood, thinking for a minute before speakin;.\u00a0 \u201cWhenever I got too big for my britches or come up jealous of my brothers for their looks and easy ways,\u201d he swallowed, \u201cor maybe wanted to toss them on their heads so\u2019s I could have my own<\/em> way, I\u2019d pull this here switch out and look at it.\u201d\u00a0 His blue eyes crinkled.\u00a0 \u201cKind of put everythin\u2019 in perspective, if you know what I mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

Laila laughed and the sound was like water tinklin\u2019 over rocks. \u201cA rare gift for one just as rare, even with his britches big and thinning hair!\u201d<\/p>\n

He considered all she had said.\u00a0 \u201cSo you\u2019re sayin\u2019 the best thing I can do for my family is not to make them think about what\u2019s bad that\u2019s comin\u2019, but just keep lovin\u2019 \u2018em until my last breath.\u00a0 Ain\u2019t that right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWisdom too,\u201d she said, and then she looked down, \u201cand the same boots on you!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss blinked.\u00a0 He lifted his hat and looked at his feet.\u00a0 Laila was funnin\u2019, of course.\u00a0 He\u2019d out-growed those<\/em> boots long ago.<\/p>\n

Funny thing was, it seemed he had four <\/em>feet.<\/p>\n

A second later ice cold water splashed in his face and he heard that girly giggle that hadn\u2019t changed in over twenty years.\u00a0 Lookin\u2019 up, he found his little brother standin\u2019 over him, an upside-down canteen in his hand.\u00a0 Even though the day was cold, Joe had his shirt off.\u00a0 He dropped the canteen in his lap and then headed for the lake, shouting.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast one in is a three-legged mule!\u201d<\/p>\n

His high-pitched laughter, shoutin\u2019 out delight, followed Little Joe all the way into the water.<\/p>\n

Hoss rose.\u00a0 He reached in his pocket.<\/p>\n

It was empty.<\/p>\n

Danged if he didn\u2019t give up that switch a day or two too soon.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tags:\u00a0 Adam Cartwright,\u00a0Ben Cartwright,\u00a0Hoss Cartwright,\u00a0Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0Written in honor of Dan Blocker’s birthday. The Hoffmeisters have come to the Ponderosa for their annual December visit bringing tales of Germany’s Wienachsten and its mystical creatures. As strange things begin to happen, young Hoss Cartwright becomes convinced that St. Nick’s man-servant, a feller he calls ‘K-necked Rupert’, has come to bring judgement on them all.<\/p>\n

Rated: G (14,550 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10058,"featured_media":30553,"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_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13522","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1564,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/ruprecht.jpg?fit=292%2C400&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":26927,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=26927","url_meta":{"origin":13522,"position":0},"title":"Christmas in July (by Truthwriter)","author":"VCLS","date":"December 25, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"This story was written for the 2017 Advent Calendar - Day 7 Summary: This piece is based on a reference from the Season One episode, \u201cThe Avenger\u201d. 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