{"id":13697,"date":"2003-03-24T13:40:23","date_gmt":"2003-03-24T18:40:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13697"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:06:47","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:06:47","slug":"a-very-present-help-by-gillian","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13697","title":{"rendered":"A Very Present Help (by Gillian)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>A stranger hired on to help when the Cartwrights find themselves shorthanded has a secrect.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T (5,925 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A Very Present Help<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bill Peters leaned up negligently against the bar and took a large pull at his beer. A tall man dressed in black entered the barroom and paused at the doorway, looking around. He looks mighty peeved about something<\/em>,\u00a0 Bill thought, as the man caught his eye. The man in black caught sight of the men in one corner playing poker. He frowned as he strode swiftly over to them, stopping behind a handsome young man, not much more than a boy-couldn’t be more than 16 or 17<\/em> , mused Bill, still watching with interest. The stranger put his hand on the boy’s shoulder and said something quietly in his ear. The boy looked up at him and gave him a dirty look. Bill was amused. If looks could kill…<\/em> , he chuckled to himself. The boy shook off the man’s hand and continued to play. The man replaced his hand on the boy’s shoulder and spoke again. This time when the boy looked up at him something like fear flicked briefly across his face; so briefly that Bill wasn’t even sure he’d seen it. Then, shrugging off the man’s hand, he rose, said something to the other players and stalked out of the bar, not even looking back at the other man. The man in black folded his arms across his chest and smiled sardonically as he watched the boy stalked out, very much on his dignity. He shook his head and crossed the room to the bar where Bill was standing. Bill was intrigued. The man in black didn’t look old enough to be the boy’s father, but the boy, while not happy about it, had clearly accepted the man’s authority. An interesting by-play. He’d like to know more.<\/p>\n

The man in black spoke to the bartender. He had a pleasant, deep voice, and he was well spoken.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvening, Tom,\u201d he said, nodding at the barkeep. \u201cGive me a beer please. It\u2019s been a long day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom grinned. \u201cMr. Cartwright looking for Little Joe, is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

The man in black sighed. \u201cNot yet. Do me a favour, Tom. Don’t tell my father what Little Joe’s been up to today. He’s mad enough with him for ‘getting distracted’ as it is. He was supposed to be home with those supplies hours ago. And I have better things to do than go chasing around the countryside looking for him. We’re shorthanded as it is. I’ll settle him my own way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing, Adam\u201d Tom agreed. He had no doubts that Adam would do as he said. He had seen Adam ‘settle’ Little Joe on other occasions.<\/p>\n

The man called Adam finished his beer and turned to go. Bill approached him.<\/p>\n

\u201cUmm excuse me, Mister,\u201d he said to Adam. Adam looked at him inquringly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou said you were shorthanded. I don’t suppose you’re hiring are you?\u201d he asked hopefully.<\/p>\n

Adam looked him up and down, carefully. He was older than the usual men he hired \u2013 perhaps about the same age as Pa, or maybe a bit older, but he looked strong and healthy. \u201cHad any experience with cattle?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Bill nodded. \u201cYeah, I worked on a spread in Arizona for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam raised an eyebrow at him. \u201cWhy did you leave?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bill looked sad. \u201cThe girl I wanted to marry found someone else. I didn’t see any reason to stick around.\u201d It was almost true. It just wasn’t in Arizona that it had happened.<\/p>\n

\u201cFair enough,\u201d said Adam. \u201cWe pay a dollar a day and bed and beans. Do you have a name?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy name’s Bill Peters.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam extended his hand. \u201cAdam Cartwright. You can either come back with me now, or get yourself out to the Ponderosa in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bill said, \u201c I don’t have much. Just about what’s on my horse’s back, so I\u2019ll come out with you. But I havta settle up at the boarding house.\u201d Bill had heard about the Ponderosa. The largest spread in this part of Nevada, built up by Ben Cartwright and his three sons.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine. I’ve got something I need to do. I’ll see you back here in an hour.\u201d And Adam left. Bill went to say goodbye and thanks to Mrs. Magee, who ran the boarding house where he’d been staying.<\/p>\n

He was early at the bar, so he figured he’d have another beer.<\/p>\n

\u201cBack again are you?\u201d Tom said pleasantly. Tom was in a chatty mood, and the bar was quiet tonight. \u201cI’ll tell you something about those Cartwrights. They’re good people, but you don’t want to get on their wrong side. Specially the wrong side of Adam. Smart man, Adam Cartwright. When Little Joe gets on the wrong side of Adam, he especially regrets it. Adam doesn’t like having his time wasted.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom laughed. Bill thought this was a good opportunity to find out about the little scene he’d watched before. He still wondered about that momentary flash of fear.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut he’s not the boy’s father, is he? He doesn’t look old enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Adam’s his older brother. He’s about twenty-eight, I think. There’s the old man, Ben Cartwright, and his three sons. Adam, that’s the oldest, then Hoss, and then Little Joe. There’s about 6 years between each of them. The two older ones keep a sharp eye out on Little Joe.\u201d Tom chuckled. \u201cI expect Adam told Little Joe that if he didn’t get himself home he’d tell their Pa where he found him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bill found this interesting. \u201cFather keeps the boys on a tight rein?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom shook his head. \u201cNo, it\u2019s not like that. He really cares for those boys. Keeps a firm hand on young Joe though.\u201d Tom grinned. \u201cLast time he caught Joe gambling he was restricted to the ranch for a month!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, he doesn’t approve of gambling then?\u201d Bill asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot for 17 year old boys, he doesn’t. He’s been mother and father to those boys for most of their lives and he’s brought those boys up right.\u201d Tom replied. There was no time to hear more. Adam returned and Bill went out to join him for the long ride out to the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

On the ride out to the Ponderosa, Adam talked idly with Bill. The second time Bill called him \u201cMr. Cartwright\u201d Adam shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Bill,\u201d he grinned. \u201cYou’ll just have to get used to calling me Adam. The only Mr. Cartwright on the Ponderosa is my father!\u201d<\/p>\n

In spite of his serious expression he has a nice smile. Seems like a pretty friendly fella, too, even though he is the boss, or at least the boss’ son.<\/em>\u00a0 He wondered how much authority the young man had. He didn’t want to take this long ride only to be sent packing by the old man. He said as much to Adam, but Adam reassured him.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy father and my brothers and I own the Ponderosa jointly. I’m what you might call the second-in-command, but hiring and firing,\u201d he paused and grinned at Bill,\u00a0 \u201care my responsibility. Don’t worry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s interest was piqued by the older man. He’d made a casual comment about the time, and his companion had replied, unexpectedly,\u00a0 \u201cAnd in today already walks tomorrow\u201d.<\/p>\n

Adam stared at him in surprise. \u201cYou like poetry? That’s Coleridge, isn’t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bill agreed. The rest of the journey was whiled away with a discussion about poetry, a rare treat indeed for Adam, whose brothers did not share his literary bent. But even Adam was aware that a liking for poetry didn’t make a good ranch hand.<\/p>\n

They arrived at the ranch house to be greeted by Ben Cartwright’s angry face. \u201cWhere have you been, boy?\u201d he demanded of Adam. \u201cSupper was an hour ago. It\u2019s bad enough Joe took so long getting back with the supplies, without you disappearing too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled wryly. \u201cSometimes my father forgets I’m twenty-eight,\u201d he said in a quiet, affectionate tone. Adam’s tone of voice clearly told Bill that Adam liked and respected his father, and didn’t mind his quirks.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry Pa,\u201d he excused himself. \u201cI had something to do in town.\u201d<\/p>\n

I really don’t need to make excuses to Pa about my whereabouts \u2013 I am a grown man,<\/em>\u00a0 he thought, but he knew that he would keep right on doing it just as Ben would continue to call him ‘boy’! Then he smiled to himself as he introduced Bill. That would distract Pa’s attention from his lateness and defuse his anger.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, this is Bill Peters. I’ve hired him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked him over. He liked what he saw, but the man was no youngster. Much older than the usual hands they hired. Why had Adam hired him? They weren’t that shorthanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cPleased to meet you, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Bill said, as he shook Ben’s offered hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam will show you the bunk house and where to stable your horse. Adam, come in when you’ve finished. I’d like to discuss something with you.\u201d Ben said crisply.<\/p>\n

Adam raised an eyebrow, and simply nodded. He had a fairly good idea of what Pa wanted to say to him. Ben rarely interfered in Adam’s decisions about hiring, but he was going to say something about this man’s age. In fairness, though, he wouldn’t do it in front of the new hand.<\/p>\n

Adam was right. Ben was concerned about the age of the hand he had just hired but as Adam said, it was only fair to see how he did. If it turned out he couldn’t do a full day’s work then they could let him go.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter all, Pa,\u201d Adam said wickedly, \u201cwe haven’t put you out to pasture yet…\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss, poking idly at the fire, snorted, attracting his father’s attention.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave the fire alone, Hoss,\u201d he snapped.<\/p>\n

Ben glared at his two elder sons who were chortling at his response. Then his mood lightened and he grinned.<\/p>\n

\u201cOK you two, that’s enough impertinence from you,\u201d he said, with mock severity. \u201cAs if I didn’t have enough nonsense from that young brother of yours. It shouldn’t take him all afternoon to fetch the supplies. Ogling girls again, I expect. Hop Sing needed those supplies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam glanced around but Little Joe, wisely for once had made himself scarce. He didn’t want to prompt any investigation by Pa of his lateness. Adam didn\u2019t say anything. Little Joe is\u00a0 going to find himself rounding up strays in the canyons tomorrow, and it will\u00a0 do him no good to complain,<\/em> thought Adam caustically. I have better things to do with my time than go hunting for Little Joe.<\/em><\/p>\n

He told Little Joe this the following morning and\u00a0 added, \u201cNext time, younger brother, I won’t save your hide. I’ll let Pa find out for himself what you get up to when he sends you into town.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Joe protested about Adam’s punishment, for such the task he’d been set was, Adam merely folded his arms across his chest. \u201cWould you’d prefer to tell Pa about it this time?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Joe gave up. He knew when he was beaten. The hands hid their smiles. You’d think Little Joe would have learned by now not to cross his older brother. Adam usually won those encounters. Bill Peters watched this episode with interest. He thought Adam had handled the situation very well, and he’d let Little Joe keep his dignity, always a tender spot in a youngster of that age.<\/p>\n

Over the next few weeks, Bill Peters did prove his worth as a ranch hand, and both Adam and Ben grew to like him a great deal. He was well read and well travelled and he played a mean game of chess. Adam really enjoyed the opportunity to discuss literature with someone new and Ben enjoyed reminiscing with someone his own age about the pleasures of sailing, as Bill had also been a sailor. He’d become so well read on board ship if his free time. They had even invited him to join them for Sunday dinner, occasionally. Ben had been surprised when, on Bill’s first Sunday on the Ponderosa, he had appeared early in his Sunday best and\u00a0 had asked Adam, rather shyly, if he could direct him to the nearest church. Ben had insisted that he go to church with them since there was room in the buggy. Usually the hands spent Sunday resting or playing cards or going into town. It was rare that any of them wanted to pray. Ben felt that such devotion deserved some reward, although there was nothing wrong with the food the hands got. Bill smiled and had explained to the surprised men,<\/p>\n

\u201cI was in love with a girl, once. She taught me to love God, and I promised her that I would try. She didn’t love me though. She loved another man but she was my very good friend. So I keep my promise and it has helped me through many dark times.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. He understood. He too had loved a girl who had taught him to keep his faith in God, and have His help through dark times. Her son was settling into the driving seat of the buggy.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Pa,\u201d said Adam. \u201cWe’re going to be late.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was over that Sunday dinner and many others after that, that the Cartwrights learned of Bill’s extraordinary experiences over his life. He’d not only been a sailor, and visited many exotic places, but before that he’d been a shipwright. He had left shipbuilding and gone to sea when he had been disappointed in love. Although Bill seemed like a good man, and in spite of the fact that he liked him, Ben was mildly concerned at the way he had integrated himself into the family. Even Little Joe liked him, although he had little in common with the much older man. Ben’s concern wasn’t that of many other ranchers that his hired hand \u201cdidn’t know his place\u201d. Ben’s values were based on honesty and integrity. How much money a man had was unimportant as long as he had those values. Bill’s obvious interest in Adam puzzled Ben the most. The man was his age, old enough to be Adam’s father, and it seemed to Ben that there was something more than just an appreciation for literature in Bill’s interest. There wasn’t anything really that he could put his finger on, so, as long as no harm seemed to come from their unlikely friendship, he would merely keep an eye on it. However, his uneasy feeling prompted Ben to have him checked out, so he got Roy Coffee, the sheriff, to make some enquiries for him. Those enquiries turned up blank. Bill seemed to be exactly who he said he was.<\/p>\n

Bill was fond of the Cartwrights too. He liked and respected Ben and he thought Adam was a fine young man. Ben had done a good job of raising him. The boy had a good head on his shoulders and deserved the respect that he had earned both from the hands and the townspeople. Hoss and Little Joe were turning out to be fine boys too. He admired how close they were. Tom the bartender had been mostly right about the Cartwrights, but he was wrong about one thing. Ben did keep the boys on a tight rein, but that rein was love, not fear, as Bill had at first thought. Ben’s private face was just the same as his public face. But he had been right about the most important thing \u2013 the Cartwrights were good people.<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, Pa, Hoss,\u201d Adam said as he slid into his seat at the breakfast table. Ben glanced up from his breakfast.<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, Adam. Got much\u00a0 planned for today?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam rubbed his chin. \u201cI thought I’d go out to the north pasture\u00a0 this morning to see how the cattle we brought down from the high country are,\u201d he said. \u201cWhy? Something you want me to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. I need you to go out to the sawmill and check on that consignment of lumber for the shipyards. I’ve had a letter from them asking if we can move the delivery date up. I know you’ve been keeping an eye on it. Hoss and Joe can check the cattle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded, his mouth full of bacon.<\/p>\n

Adam considered for a moment. \u201cI think it\u2019s under control. How soon do they want it? I’ve got that order for Pete Barron at the Lucky Star mine to get out first. That contract’s due by Monday.\u201d Then Adam laughed and caught Hoss’ eye. \u201cOf course, we could always tell our younger brother that it can’t be done…\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned and Ben laughed too. One thing was certain; if you told Little Joe something couldn’t be done, he would move mountains if he had to, to prove you wrong.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he doesn’t really have the experience for either the mine job, or the ship yards. Joe can stick to the cattle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCattle?\u201d said Little Joe in disgust as he came in for breakfast. \u201cHow come I get all the boring jobs? I was going to work with the horses this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Joe. Adam needs to get out to the sawmill, and I want you and Hoss to check on the cattle Adam brought down yesterday.\u201d Ben said sternly.<\/p>\n

Joe pulled a face. \u201cYeah, sure Pa,\u201d he said resignedly. He knew there was no use arguing with Ben when he used that tone. Even Adam didn’t often argue with that tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d said Adam. \u201cThe shipyard contract? When do they want it?\u201d Adam returned the conversation to the lumber contracts. \u201cIf I’m going out to the sawmill I’ll have to get going. I think I’ll take Bill Peters out with me. Keep me company.\u201d He smirked at his father, waiting for the inevitable response. Ben gave it to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou may take Bill with you only if you promise not to spend more time talking about poetry than talking about timber,\u201d his father frowned. Adam’s smirk widened to a grin. Ben glared at him although his lips twitched. He knew when he’d been had. He brought Adam down to earth with a thud. \u201cThey want to move that shipyard contract up a month,\u201d he said dourly.<\/p>\n

Adam raised an eyebrow and shook his head, all levity forgotten. \u201cA month, Pa? You have to be joking. I can maybe give them two weeks, but I don’t know about a month.\u201d He rose. \u201cI’ll see what Charlie thinks about it. He\u2019s a good foreman \u2013 he\u2019ll know if it\u2019s possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

He did take Bill out to the sawmill. Not just because he enjoyed Bill’s company but because he thought he could use Bill’s expertise as a sailor and shipwright. True, Pa had been a sailor too, but that had been before Adam had been born. Bill had experience that Adam could use. He wanted Bill to share what he knew with the foreman of the sawmill. It may not speed the job up but it would ensure that the shipyard received the best quality. As far as Adam was concerned, the Ponderosa’s reputation for fine quality was much more important that hurrying the job. It was his timber, with his name on it, and he wasn’t going to tarnish his reputation. He told this to Bill on the way out to the sawmill. Bill agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cA man’s got to keep his good name. And once you lose it, it\u2019s too hard to get it back.\u201d Then he grinned and quoted \u201cWorth makes the man and want of it the fellow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked blank, frowning a little. \u201cI don’t think I recognise …\u201d Then his face cleared. \u201cOh. Pope’s \u2018Essay on Man\u2019. Don’t like Pope all that much. But I agree with the point.\u201d His smile was faintly malicious as he added, \u201cI can just see Pa’s face at this precise moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once at the sawmill he had a long discussion with the foreman and some of the more experienced workers on the progress of the mine job. Adam was pleased when they told him they could have it ready to go three days early. When Adam told the foreman that the shipyard wanted their timber a month early he was dismayed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just can’t see how we can do it. It\u2019s going to be hard enough to get it in on time as it is. We’ve got no experience in the kind of timber they’re asking for. That’s why I was pushing on the mine job, to give us a bit of extra leeway.\u201d<\/p>\n

He was a bit happier when Adam introduced Bill. \u201cBill’s got shipbuilding experience. He says he’ll be able to help you select the right wood for shipbuilding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d said Bill, \u201cbut I must warn you, it was a long time ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

The foreman nodded. \u201cDoesn’t matter. It\u2019s more than we’ve got.\u201d He glanced at Adam. \u201cI’ll need him for a while, out here at the mill. Not at the house.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bill’s response was one that Adam had come to think was characteristic. \u201cIf it\u2019s OK with Adam here I’ll come back tomorrow with my bedroll early and I can stay with you until you don’t need me anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both Adam and the foreman thought this a fine idea, so the next morning Bill rode out to the sawmill to stay. He was there nearly a week before he returned. The mine contract had been filled and gone out; the shipyard contract had been started. The foreman told Adam that Bill’s help had been invaluable, so Bill stayed at the sawmill while they worked on the contract.<\/p>\n

Adam surveyed the work at the sawmill with satisfaction. All the timber for the shipyard was cut and stacked, and most of it loaded. And it was two weeks early.<\/p>\n

The men have worked really hard. I’ll give them a day off when the job’s done. They deserve it,<\/em> Adam decided. He had brought Little Joe out with him today in spite of his protests. Little Joe much preferred to work with the horses but Adam believed that Little Joe ought to have a good working knowledge of all aspects of the Ponderosa’s operations. Ben had agreed with Adam’s suggestion this morning that Joe come with him so Joe was up at the sawmill with Adam despite not wanting to be there. He stood politely listening while Charlie and Adam discussed the arrangements for the shipment for a while, but when he saw the men bringing the horses to get them ready to be hitched to the wagons he went to check them out. That was much more interesting than staying where he was, listening to Adam and Charlie.<\/p>\n

Adam finished his conversation with Charlie. He took the worksheet that Charlie gave him, and turned to lean against the nearest wagon to sign it. Concentrating hard on what he was doing, he didn\u2019t see that one of the men loading the wagons dropped his load, knocking a pile of trimmed but uncut logs. They began to roll, heading straight for the oblivious Adam as they picked up speed. Joe looked up at the shouts. He went cold at what he saw.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam look out\u201d, Joe yelled, running as fast as he could towards his brother. He was too far away. Adam couldn’t hear him over the noise of the mill, but Bill did. He saw the logs rolling straight towards Adam and\u00a0 he leaped straight into their path. He shoved Adam roughly out of the way, yelling \u201cNo!\u201d as he did so. Adam went flying. Joe watched in horror as the hurtling logs crashed into the side of the wagon crushing Bill where Adam had been standing just a moment ago. He raced down the hill to help the men pull the timber from the injured man. Adam got to his feet, blood flowing from a cut to his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, Adam,\u201d gasped Joe, pale and shaken, unable to say more.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’m fine, Joe,\u201d Adam reassured him, putting a comforting arm round his little brother. Looking at the chaos around him, he asked, \u201cWhere’s Bill?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOver there,\u201d said Joe, pointing. He leaned into Adam’s hug for a moment, taking strength from it, then said, \u201cAdam, he saved your life. If it hadn’t been for Bill you would have been under there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I know,\u201d said Adam very softly. He joined the men who had pulled Bill out, kneeling at the injured man\u2019s side. Bill was bruised and bleeding but he was determinedly holding onto consciousness. He looked up at Adam and whispered, \u201cAre you all right? Tell me you’re all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled at him. \u201cI’m fine. Just a cut.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood.\u201d Bill\u2019s face twisted in pain and he slid into unconsciousness.<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright heard the rattle of an unexpected wagon and emerged from the barn. He looked appalled at the scene. Adam’s face was covered in blood, Little Joe was pale and shaking and someone was lying in the wagon. He rushed to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat’s happened? Adam, are you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Pa, I’m fine. Little Joe’s a bit shocked. And Bill, Bill’s badly injured. We’ve sent for the doctor,\u201d Adam replied as he helped Little Joe down from the wagon. \u201cThere was an accident up at the sawmill. Some logs rolled down the hill….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Pa,\u201d interrupted Joe, feeling he had to talk about it. \u201cBill saved Adam’s life. He pushed him out of the way. He’s a hero, Pa.\u201d Ben looked slightly stunned for a moment. Then he pulled himself together.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet’s get Bill into the downstairs bedroom.\u201d As they carried the injured man inside, Paul Martin, the doctor arrived. He started to go to Adam, who held up his hand to stop him and said, \u201cI’m fine, Paul. Just see to Bill. He’s unconscious at the moment but he was in a lot of pain.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe hands told me what happened. I’ll see what I can do. No, don’t come, Ben. You clean Adam up. And see to Little Joe. He could do with something hot and sweet.\u201d Paul Martin went into the injured man and was there for a very long time.<\/p>\n

Ben turned to his sons. \u201cTell me what happened,\u201d he demanded as he gently pushed Adam into a chair and began to wash away the blood. The cut wasn’t too deep and seemed to have stopped bleeding.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don’t know, exactly. I didn’t see,\u201d said Adam attempting to avoid his father’s ministrations.<\/p>\n

\u201cSit still, Adam,\u201d said his father severely, as though he were six. It was a sign of how shaken Adam was that he did as he was told.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw it.\u201d Joe perched on the arm of Adam’s chair, sipping the cup of hot tea sweetened with honey that Hop Sing brought him. He wanted to be close to his big brother. He was still pale. \u201cI was so scared for you, Adam. I couldn’t get there in time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled at Joe and patted his leg. \u201cThanks to Bill I’m still around to annoy you, younger brother. Tell us what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe told the story. When he had finished he looked thoughtful for a moment. \u201cPa, why do you suppose he yelled \u201cno\u201d, and not \u201clook out?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. \u201cI don’t know son. We’ll ask him when he recovers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul Martin closed the door of the guest bedroom quietly. \u201cI’ve done all I can for him,\u201d he said to the anxiously waiting family, \u201cbut it\u2019s not much. All I can really do is ease the pain. He’s regained consciousness but I don’t think he’s going to make it. There’s too much internal bleeding. Adam, he wants to see you. And Ben too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben and Adam went into the room where Bill lay. He looked gray under his tan.<\/p>\n

Ben spoke first. \u201cBill, you saved my son’s life. I can’t even begin to thank you. But to risk your own…\u201d<\/p>\n

Bill shook his head slightly. \u201cNot… necessary to thank me,\u201d he managed. \u201cI …had…to. Least…I could…do.\u201d He smiled inwardly as both men raised one eyebrow in identical expressions. \u201cI have to tell you a story.\u201d<\/p>\n

Each word was an effort, and Ben said,\u00a0 \u201cJust rest, Bill. There’ll be time later.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bill shook his head slightly and moistened his lips. \u201cNo. Help me sit up, please. The pain stuff the doctor gave me seems to be working.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam pulled him up so he was leaning against his shoulder, and gave him a drink.<\/p>\n

\u201cBill, I am so sorry this happened. I am so grateful to you, but I’m so sorry I let it happen,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

Bill patted his hand. \u201cNot your fault, Adam. You can’t take on the burdens of the world.\u201d He smiled wryly. \u201cEveryone’s gotta go sometime. Not everyone gets to choose the way they go. And this is my gift to you. Remember me, but don’t blame yourself. It was an accident.\u201d He stopped, and took another sip of the water Adam held for him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know I’m going to die. I need to tell you this. It\u2019s important. You remember that girl I told you about, the one I loved?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes?\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cI went back to Boston after sailing all over the world for all those years. I went back three years ago and wanted to see her, thought I\u2019d look her up. I found her all right\u201d. He looked sad. \u201cI found her in a churchyard. She’d died giving birth to a son. Twenty five years earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben’s eyes met Adam’s, with dawning comprehension. \u201cElizabeth,\u201d he breathed.<\/p>\n

Bill nodded. \u201cYeah. That’s right. The girl I loved was Elizabeth Stoddard \u2013 your mother, Adam. I loved her but I was too old for her. She chose a younger man. I heard he’d taken the baby out west and I didn’t have any reason to stay in Boston. I thought I’d find Elizabeth’s son and see what kind of a man he was. It took me three years to track him down and make my way here. I had something to give him if he deserved it.\u201d He grasped Adam’s arm in a surprisingly hard grip. \u201cI think you do deserve it. I’d like to think that if I had a son he would have turned out like you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam was touched. \u201cThank you\u201d he said, squeezing the man’s hand gently. \u201cYou saved my life. What more could you give me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bill returned the smile, painfully. \u201cIt was the least I could do for Elizabeth. But there’s something else. In my things. Before I left she gave me a small silver inlaid Bible to remind me about God. It’s the only thing of value I ever had. I’ve got no family so I wanted to give it to Elizabeth’s son.\u201d<\/p>\n

He moistened his lips again, and closed his eyes. Then he opened them and looked directly at Adam. \u201cI was going to give it to you for Christmas, but I think you’ll have to have it early.\u201d A ghost of a smile played on his lips. He was silent for a long moment. Adam moved to lie him down, but Bill spoke again. \u201cI like you, Adam. You’re the son I never had. I’ve enjoyed my time here on the Ponderosa. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you. I want you to have the Bible. Not just Elizabeth’s son. I’m giving the Bible to Adam Cartwright. I came to find Elizabeth’s son, but I found Adam Cartwright. The man he<\/em> is. You understand?\u201d he asked urgently, again gripping Adam’s hand.<\/p>\n

Adam closed his eyes, fighting back the tears, then he nodded. \u201cI understand, Bill. Thank you,\u201d he said thickly, as those tears choked his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew you would,\u201d was Bill’s almost inaudible reply.<\/p>\n

Then Bill turned to Ben. \u201cI’m sure you made Elizabeth a good husband, Ben. Seeing you here on the Ponderosa and seeing what you’ve done, I’m sure she would have been happy. You would have given her a good life. You’ve raised those boys well. She would have been so proud of Adam. You deserve what you’ve got. I couldn’t have Elizabeth, but at least now I understand why…\u201d His voice trailed away into silence as he lost consciousness.<\/p>\n

Adam sat with Bill all through the long night, bathing his face, giving him water and laudanum when the pain was too great. Bill never regained consciousness fully and some time in the early hours of the morning, he died. Ben came in later to see Adam, sitting very still, holding Bill’s hand. He didn’t look up as his father entered the room. There was a stillness in the room. Ben reached out and gently closed the man’s eyes but he watched Adam anxiously. There was a bleakness in his eyes; such pain. The boy had experienced the pain of death so many times…he had been so young the first time. He had to find the right words to comfort his suddenly vulnerable oldest son.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u201d Adam began, \u201cPa…\u201d and then he shook his head. He could find no words to express what he was feeling. His father put his arm gently round Adam\u2019s shoulder and squeezed it.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, Bill was right about one thing. You mustn\u2019t blame yourself. It wasn\u2019t your fault. It was an accident. How could you have prevented it?\u201d Adam\u2019s gaze moved from Bill\u2019s face to his father\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. I should have done something. The sawmill was my responsibility. Bill risked his life, lost his life…\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben interrupted. \u201cThat\u2019s the point, son. He loved you enough to risk his life for you. He chose his way, Adam. That\u2019s what each person has to do in life. He was a good man. I hope you truly value the gift he gave you \u2013 as I do the gift he gave me.\u201d He embraced his cherished eldest son \u2013 Elizabeth\u2019s son \u2013 and his. Adam relaxed a little with the pressure and\u00a0 allowed himself to cry. He knew his Pa wasn\u2019t talking about the little silver Bible.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Adam looked down at the small silver inlaid Bible in his hand. He opened the flyleaf to see his mother’s neat handwriting. He read the inscription again.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo my very dear friend William,<\/em>
\nAlways remember, my dear:<\/em>
\nGod is our refuge and our strength,<\/em>
\nA very present help in trouble.<\/em>
\nPsalms XLVI 1<\/em>
\nWith sincerest Affection<\/em>
\nElizabeth Stoddard\u00a0\u00a0 January, 1834\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

When they buried William Peters, Adam insisted on having a tombstone engraved for him. Hoss and Little Joe stood on either side of their oldest brother as Bill Peters was laid to rest. Hoss shook his head as he looked at the tombstone.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was mighty nice of you, Adam, to get Bill a tombstone, but why them fancy words?\u201d Adam gave his brother a twisted grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Latin. I think he would have liked it\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell maybe he would,\u201d retorted Little Joe, \u201cbut only if he knew what it meant! What does it mean, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam regarded him thoughtfully for a moment. \u201cIt means ‘Always faithful’, younger brother\u201d, he said,\u00a0 \u201calways faithful.\u201d He looked up to see his father’s eyes on him, looking worried, as he had so often recently. He gave his father a reassuring smile. He draped his arms round his brothers\u2019 shoulders, and added to Joe,<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are many ways to keep faith, little brother. Bill found his way. Pa’s way is the Ponderosa… and his sons. And mine is to stick around to annoy you!\u201d Hoss grinned.<\/p>\n

Little Joe scowled, but the return hug he gave Adam said more than enough.<\/p>\n

The tombstone read:<\/p>\n

William Peters
\n1805–1865
\nSemper Fides.
\nRIP<\/p>\n

Adam put the little silver Bible away with his mother\u2019s music box.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 A stranger hired on to help when the Cartwrights find themselves shorthanded has a secrect.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T (5,925 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10266,"featured_media":9859,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_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":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[14,15],"class_list":["post-13697","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-ben","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1904,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/feature-2.jpg?fit=338%2C338&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12750,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12750","url_meta":{"origin":13697,"position":0},"title":"A Modern Cartwrights Story #3 – A Quarter\u2019s Worth of Glory: Joe in the Infernal Machine (by Robin)","author":"profrobinw","date":"January 23, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Headlines ripped from the daily newspaper in this modern era tale of the Cartwrights. Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (775 word) A Modern Cartwright Story Series, links to stories within the series are included.","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":13082,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13082","url_meta":{"origin":13697,"position":1},"title":"The Man of Many Spirits (by Sierra Girl)","author":"Sierra Girl","date":"June 20, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Adam's life is turned upside down after an attack on a wagon train leaves him alone and injured in the desert. He is helped by an unlikely saviour. But what has become of\u00a0his family? And why is his rescuer so keen to keep the truth from him. Rating: T\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Showdown3.jpg?fit=761%2C669&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Showdown3.jpg?fit=761%2C669&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Showdown3.jpg?fit=761%2C669&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Showdown3.jpg?fit=761%2C669&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":40786,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=40786","url_meta":{"origin":13697,"position":2},"title":"The Girl Can’t Help It (by Annie K Cowgirl)","author":"Annie K Cowgirl","date":"December 24, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Three young women, three moments in time, one man. A look into the thoughts of Elizabeth, Inger, and Marie as they contemplate the man known as Benjamin Cartwright. Rating: K Word Count: 1,033","rel":"","context":"In "Ben Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Ben Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1004"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Ben-dining.jpg?fit=327%2C322&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2446,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2446","url_meta":{"origin":13697,"position":3},"title":"Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold (by Laura Brodie)","author":"Laura Brodie","date":"April 30, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe dances with the devil as he comes up against a man who is nothing but\u00a0 evil. Joe fights crossing over to the dark-side in order to best the man at his own game. Rating \u00a0R \u00a0WC 149,000","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/First-Born-copy.png?fit=476%2C342&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":10766,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=10766","url_meta":{"origin":13697,"position":4},"title":"A Well Deserved Comeuppance (by Annie K Cowgirl)","author":"Annie K Cowgirl","date":"March 28, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: The Jessup Gang get a little more than they bargained for when they pick a fight with a certain stranger. A slight AU story that ties\u00a0in with \"Missing\" and \"A Father's Gift\", but you don't have to read them first to understand what's going on. Rating: K+ for a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/AC.jpg?fit=274%2C358&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":37389,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=37389","url_meta":{"origin":13697,"position":5},"title":"A Man for Breakfast (by AC1830)","author":"AC1830","date":"October 25, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: When a pistol-packing stranger starts asking questions about a Cartwright the moment he hits town, Sam, the bartender, knows trouble\u2019s bound to follow.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WC = 2093, Rating = T","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/The-Ride-bar-1.jpg?fit=626%2C643&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/The-Ride-bar-1.jpg?fit=626%2C643&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/The-Ride-bar-1.jpg?fit=626%2C643&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13697","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/10266"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13697"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13697\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9859"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13697"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13697"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13697"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}