{"id":13839,"date":"2004-01-27T08:18:23","date_gmt":"2004-01-27T13:18:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13839"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:19:26","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:19:26","slug":"toby-by-helenb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13839","title":{"rendered":"Toby (by HelenB)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong>\u00a0 <\/b>Adam allows five year old Joe to bring home a stray dog, not knowing the heartache that will follow.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0 (5,260 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Toby<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright sat at the dining room table, enjoying a quiet cup of coffee. His two eldest sons, Adam and Hoss were out in the barn finishing their morning chores and hitching up the buckboard. Adam was going to take Ben into Virginia City so that he could take the stage to San Francisco where he had to attend to some business.<\/p>\n

Ben smiled as he heard a noise upstairs, a signal that the quiet was about to be broken with the rising of his third and youngest son, Joseph.<\/p>\n

Joe came downstairs still wearing his nightshirt and walked straight over to his father. \u201cGood morning, Little Joe. Did you sleep well?\u201d Ben asked as he picked the little boy up, placing him on his lap.<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t say a word, his only response was to lay his head against his fathers chest, his small hand coming up to play with the tassels on Ben\u2019s vest. Ben felt as if a hand were squeezing his heart; he knew what was wrong and he felt so guilty.<\/p>\n

Joe hated it when his father had to go away on business and since his mothers death just a few months ago, he\u2019d become even worse about it, not wanting his father to go away for even one day. Ben had recently received a wire that he was needed in San Francisco to see to a business matter, knowing how Joe felt and not wanting to leave the boy so soon after his mothers death, Ben had done all he could to come up with a solution to avoid the trip; to no avail.<\/p>\n

Looking down at the top of the curly head, Ben gently patted his sons back and said, \u201cIt\u2019ll be all right, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head and through his tears said, \u201cI don\u2019t want you to go, Pa. Please stay.\u201d Joe wrapped his arms around his father and clung tightly to him.<\/p>\n

Ben glanced over at the front door when he heard it open, Adam and Hoss walked in. Adam nodded, signalling to his father that the horses were hitched and it was time to leave.<\/p>\n

Ben took a deep breath and gently pulled Joe back and away from him so that he could look into the little boys eyes. \u201cJoseph, you know I don\u2019t want to go away on this trip and if it could be avoided, I wouldn\u2019t go. The time will pass quickly, you\u2019ll see. I\u2019ll be home before you know it and you\u2019ll have both of your brothers and Hop Sing here to look after you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I want you,\u201d Joe sobbed, throwing himself against his father and once again hugging him tightly. Ben lowered his head and rested his chin on his son\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

Adam walked over and squatted down on the floor, next to his father and young brother, putting his hand on his brother\u2019s leg, he gently shook it, speaking softly. \u201cHey, come on now. We talked about this yesterday, remember?\u201d He saw Joe turn his head and look at him so he continued, \u201cYou said you were going to a brave boy for Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s lip trembled when he replied with the logic of a five year old, \u201cThat was yesterday. I changed my mind today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa has to go, Joe,\u201d Adam insisted, \u201cYou\u2019re making him cry now. You don\u2019t want Pa to go feeling sad, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe slowly looked up at his father and saw the tears shimmering in his eyes. \u201cI\u2019ll miss you,\u201d Joe whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I\u2019ll miss you, so very much,\u201d Ben replied as he hugged the child to him.<\/p>\n

It had been decided that since it was Saturday and Hoss had no school, that Hoss would stay home with Joe rather than go into Virginia City to see their father off. Ben thought it would be better for Joe.<\/p>\n

Hoss came over and Ben stood up, handing Joe over to him. Embracing both Hoss and Joe, Ben said, \u201cI love you both. I\u2019ll see you when I get home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBye Pa,\u201d Hoss replied, \u201cHave a good trip.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben ran his hand through Joe\u2019s hair and then turned away to collect his belongings before heading for the door. With one final look over his shoulder, he saw Hoss sitting holding Joe, trying to comfort him.<\/p>\n

Outside, Ben stood beside the buckboard, turning to Adam, he said, \u201cMaybe I could take him with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. \u201cPa, we discussed that and you were right when you said it would be too rough a trip for him at this time of the year. Try not to worry. We\u2019ll look after him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cI know you will. It\u2019s just so hard to leave him.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

After seeing his father off on the stage, Adam went straight home. Quickly unhitching the horses, he saw to them and headed for the house.<\/p>\n

Adam pushed the door open and immediately saw Hoss raise his finger to his lips and signal to the settee. Going over and looking down, Adam saw Joe sleeping peacefully. \u201cI think he cried himself out,\u201d Hoss said, \u201cPa get away all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded as he sat down. Hoss glanced over at Joe to check he was still asleep and asked, \u201cWhat are you going to do now? Guess you got work to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah but it can wait for one day. I thought the three of us could go fishing. Might cheer Little Joe up a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss smiled. \u201cHe\u2019d like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLets get everything ready and when he wakes up we can go.\u201d<\/p>\n

After they had everything organized, Hoss went to the kitchen, to get some food from Hop Sing to take with them. Adam sat reading in a chair near the settee, out of the corner of his eye he saw his little brother stir and sit up. Putting down his book, he smiled. \u201cHello sleepy head.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s lip trembled and his eyes swam with tears but before they could fall, Adam swung his brother into his arms and ran up the stairs with him. \u201cCome on you,\u201d Adam said cheerfully, \u201cLet\u2019s get you dressed! You can\u2019t go fishing in your nightshirt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGoin\u2019 Fishin\u2019?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I said, didn\u2019t I?\u201d Adam put Joe on his bed and tickled his belly, making the little boy giggle.<\/p>\n

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

At the fishing hole, Adam and Hoss made sure Joe was never more than an arms reach away from them, in case he fell in.<\/p>\n

After they\u2019d fished for a while, they sat on the bank eating sandwiches and talking. Joe stopped eating and looked behind him, a frown on his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s up Joe?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHeard somthin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably just a rabbit,\u201d Adam said, but just in case it was something dangerous, he started to get to his feet, intending to move so that he would stand between Joe and the bush Joe was looking at; where the noise had come from. Before he had a chance to get up though, a head popped through the bushes.<\/p>\n

\u201cA dog!\u201d Joe yelled excitedly as he leapt to his feet.<\/p>\n

Hoss who was sitting next to Joe, grabbed his arm. \u201cNo, Joe. Stay here. He might be savage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe threw his sandwich to the dog who slowly crept out of the bushes and hungrily devoured it. The dog was obviously of mixed breeding with a shaggy brown and white coat, he was of medium size.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Toby,\u201d Joe said, recognizing the dog. Joe called the dog to him. \u201cToby, come here boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d Adam held his breath, his hand going to the forty-five strapped to his thigh as the dog approached his brother. Adam watched nervously until the dog sat in front of Joe and happily rolled over while Joe scratched him. Adam turned to Hoss and asked questioningly, \u201cToby?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s old Jock Miller\u2019s dog,\u201d Hoss replied, \u201cI didn\u2019t recognize him either at first.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked closely at the dog and realized his brothers were right. Jock Miller had died a few weeks ago and the dog had run off. Ben had often visited the old man, taking Joe with him. The old man had looked forward to the visits, always having some candy to give to Joe. Joe had loved to play with Toby while he was there. Looking at the dog now, Adam saw he was thin and unkempt looking but he was relieved to see that his personality was unchanged; he was as friendly as ever.<\/p>\n

Joe reached behind him for the rest of the food and Adam said, \u201cNot too much buddy, we don\u2019t want to make him sick.\u201d<\/p>\n

After he\u2019d fed the dog again, Joe looked pleadingly at his oldest brother and asked, \u201cCan I keep him,\u201d when Adam hesitated, Joe said, \u201cPlease Adam, please. He don\u2019t have no home now. He\u2019s all alone. Please.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded. \u201cAll right, Joe. He can come home with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe grinned happily as he went back to stroking the dog.<\/p>\n

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

Hop Sing was outside feeding the chickens when the boys arrived home. He stared at the dog. \u201cYou go fishing, bring home dog. Father no say you could get dog. Where he come from?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Hop Sing,\u201d Adam replied, \u201cI\u2019ll explain later. Pa will understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The next day the boys bathed Toby. Making sure they got all of the mud out of his coat they then gave him a good brushing. Afterwards, Adam and Hoss sat on the porch, watching Joe run around the yard with the dog. \u201cHe sure is happy to have that dog,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

Adam nodded. \u201cHe came in and slept with me last night, he was crying for Pa but hopefully Toby will help keep his mind occupied through the day and off missing Pa so much.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Three weeks later, Hop Sing stood at the kitchen door and watched as Joe threw a stick and Toby fetched it, neither seemed to tire of the game. \u201cLittle Joe,\u201d Hop Sing called out to the boy, \u201cI leave bucket in barn this morning. You get for Hop Sing please.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure Hop Sing,\u201d Joe called back as he ran towards the barn, calling Toby to come with him. \u201cCome on, Toby.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe went inside the barn and across to the other side to reach the bucket, as he turned to go back towards the door, Toby growled, the hair standing up all along his back.<\/p>\n

\u201cToby,\u201d Joe said, frightened of the way the dog was behaving. \u201cToby, what is it boy? What\u2019s wrong?\u201d Joe looked nervously around the empty barn; the horses were all outside in the corral. Then Joe heard a growling that he knew wasn\u2019t coming from Toby. Suddenly out of the shadows a dog leapt at him. In that instant, Toby sprang at the other dog, knocking it off it\u2019s feet. As the dogs fought, Joe dropped the bucket and ran for the house, yelling as loud as he could. \u201cHop Sing! Help! Hop Sing!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing came running outside, knowing by the sound of the boy\u2019s voice that something terrible had happened. \u201cWhat wrong?\u201d he asked as the boy reached him.<\/p>\n

\u201cA dog. Toby\u2019s fighting a dog in the barn. Please help him Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing quickly lifted the boy into his arms and ran into the house with him. Reaching the gun cabinet, he put Joe down and said firmly, \u201cStay here.\u201d Grabbing a gun, he quickly loaded it and ran outside.<\/p>\n

Cautiously entering the barn, Hop Sing looked around, the only sound was a whimpering coming from the back of the barn. Hop Sing crept forward. When he reached the sound, he saw Toby, hurt and bleeding. Looking around to make sure the other dog wasn\u2019t in the barn, he lifted Toby into his arms and carried him into the house.<\/p>\n

Joe came running into the kitchen when he heard the door and burst into tears at the sight of the bleeding dog.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing put the dog down and tried to comfort the boy. \u201cI try to fix.You help Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

When Adam rode into the yard late that afternoon, he was surprised when he didn\u2019t see Joe and Toby as they were usually outside playing. As he was dismounting, Hoss came out of the house and called to him. \u201cAdam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seeing the look on his brother\u2019s face, Adam\u2019s heart leapt. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong? Has something happened to Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head. \u201cNo, Joe\u2019s fine. It\u2019s Toby.\u201d Hoss told Adam what Hop Sing and Joe had told him when he\u2019d arrived home from school.<\/p>\n

Calling to a hand who had just entered the yard, Adam told the man to put away his horse and rushed into the house with Hoss.<\/p>\n

Toby was lying on a blanket beside the fire; Joe was sitting beside him. Adam immediately lifted the little boy into his arms. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d he asked anxiously as he felt Joe tremble.<\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cToby saved me,\u201d Joe\u2019s voice shook as he continued, \u201cI was frightened.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sat down in a chair, with Joe in his lap. \u201cI bet you were. I sure would have been.\u201d Adam unbuttoned Joe\u2019s cuffs and pushed the sleeves up. \u201cThe other dog didn\u2019t bite you, did he?\u201d Adam knew Hop Sing and then Hoss would have already checked but his mind was reeling with what could have happened.<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cNo. He didn\u2019t,\u201d he looked down at Toby, \u201che hurt Toby, but.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam moved to sit on the floor, Joe still on his lap. Adam reached out and stroked the dog. \u201cGood boy,\u201d he murmured, quietly.<\/p>\n

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

Later that night, after Joe had gone to bed, Adam and Hoss were sitting in the great room. Adam glanced at Toby and then looked at Hoss. \u201cYou know that other dog might have had rabies.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Adam. I\u2019ve been thinkin\u2019 the same thing. What\u2019ll we do? It\u2019d break Little Joe\u2019s heart. He loves that dog.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know but we can\u2019t take the risk. Tomorrow, I\u2019ll take the horses out of the barn again and we\u2019ll tie him up in there, until we know,\u201d Adam paused and swallowed hard, \u201cone way or the other.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The next day, Adam and Hoss made Toby a comfortable bed in the barn, both of them putting of an explanation to Joe about why they were doing it. When the time came to move Toby to the barn, Joe became upset. \u201cBut why can\u2019t he stay inside. He\u2019s hurt. He won\u2019t be any trouble. Please let him stay inside.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sitting down beside the little boy on the floor, the two older brothers tried to explain. \u201cJoe,\u201d Adam began, \u201cthat other dog that was here yesterday might have been sick and if he was, it\u2019s possible he passed on the sickness to Toby when he bit him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked up at Adam. \u201cWell, if Toby\u2019s sick, he should be in here with us, not by himself in the barn.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam reached out and pulled Joe into his arms. \u201cLittle Joe, I know it\u2019s hard for you to understand but this sickness is really bad. If Toby\u2019s got it, he\u2019ll turn savage. He wouldn\u2019t mean to but he could hurt you, Joe. We can\u2019t take that risk. We need to keep Toby locked in the barn until we know if he has it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded slowly but Adam and Hoss weren\u2019t sure that really understood.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe,\u201d Hoss said, \u201cthis is real important. You mustn\u2019t go near Toby until we say you can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe frowned and Adam gently held his chin with the fingers and thumb of his right hand as he looked into the child\u2019s eyes and said, \u201cPromise me, Joe. Promise you won\u2019t go near Toby until we say you can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI promise,\u201d Joe said softly.<\/p>\n

Adam put Joe down on the floor and signalled Hoss to help him lift the blanket that Toby was lying on so they could carry the dog to the barn. Joe reached out and stroked the dog\u2019s head. \u201cIt\u2019ll be all right, boy. I\u2019ll see you soon.\u201d The tears slipped slowly down his face as his brothers carried the dog outside.<\/p>\n

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

Adam had the hands search for the dog that had attacked Toby. He didn\u2019t want it coming back to the house, worried for Joe\u2019s safety. He didn\u2019t think it could have gotten far as he knew it must have been hurt too. Two of the hands found it\u2019s dead body. They were unable to tell if it had rabies.<\/p>\n

Everyday, Joe asked to be allowed to go and see Toby and everyday his brothers refused. Adam and Hoss were keeping a close eye on the dog and looking after him, his wounds were healing well. Each time they checked the dog, they both felt an over whelming sense of relief that he was showing no symptoms of rabies.<\/p>\n

One afternoon, Joe was sitting outside on the porch waiting for one of his brothers to come home so he could once more ask to see Toby. He heard Toby start to bark and grew worried that something was wrong. Wanting only to check that Toby was all right, Joe walked over to the barn and pulled the door open.<\/p>\n

Joe entered the barn and started to approach the dog. Suddenly Toby charged at him, barking madly, he was only stopped when the rope became taut and pulled him back, stopping just short of where Joe stood.<\/p>\n

Suddenly Joe was pulled off his feet and he realized he was in Adam\u2019s arms. Adam hurried outside, shutting the door behind him. \u201cWhat were you doing in there? You were told to stay out!\u201d Adam shouted, terrified by the thought of what could have happened.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing came running out of the house, having heard all the noise. He saw Adam hurrying towards the house, carrying his crying young brother. Reaching Hop Sing, Adam thrust Joe into the man\u2019s arms. \u201cTake Joe upstairs and stay with him until I come up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing nodded, he didn\u2019t know what had happened but at the sound of the barking dog, he guessed what was wrong and what Adam was going to do. As Hop Sing carried him upstairs, Joe kept saying that he was sorry but for what, Hop Sing didn\u2019t know.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing sat on Joe\u2019s bed, the boy in his arms. Joe jerked as the sound of a gun was heard outside. Pulling free from Hop Sing, Joe ran to the window, he was just in time to see Adam come out of the barn carrying his rifle.<\/p>\n

Adam heard his brother scream and jerked his head up to Joe\u2019s window. His heart twisted as he saw the little boy looking down at him. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to clear his head. He prayed for the right words to make Joe understand why he\u2019d had to do it and then went in to face him.<\/p>\n

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

The first thing Hoss noticed when he got home from school was the open barn door. Going over, he looked inside and saw no sign of Toby. With a sinking heart, he quickly saw to his horse and headed towards the house.<\/p>\n

Adam was sitting in a chair, a book in his hands but he wasn\u2019t reading, he was just staring at the pages. He looked over when he heard the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw the barn was empty,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

Adam nodded. \u201cI had to shoot him. I buried him out back under a tree.\u201d Adam fought to keep from crying as he told his brother what had happened.<\/p>\n

After Adam told Hoss how Joe had seen him come out of the barn, he shook his head and said, \u201cI just wish it hadn\u2019t happened like that. He\u2019s only a little boy, he doesn\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did he say when you went up to see him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs soon as I walked in the room he just yelled at me to go away, I tried to talk to him but he just got too upset. He won\u2019t talk to me. Won\u2019t have anything to do with me. There was nothing I could do to comfort him, he doesn\u2019t even want me near him,\u201d Adam wiped his eyes, \u201cHop Sing is upstairs with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go up and see him,\u201d Hoss said sadly.<\/p>\n

Hoss quietly opened the bedroom door, Joe was sitting on Hop Sings lap and at the sound of the door opening, he turned his head to face the wall thinking it would be Adam. Hoss walked over and lifted Joe into his arms. Hop Sing patted the little boy on the back and said, \u201cIt be all right.\u201d Looking at Hoss he said, \u201cI go make food. Everyone eat. Everyone feel better.\u201d Hoss nodded but he didn\u2019t think that was going to be true this night.<\/p>\n

Hoss sat down and hugged his brother to him. \u201cI\u2019m real sorry about Toby, punkin. I know how much he meant to ya.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe sniffed, trying to stop the tears. \u201cI hate him,\u201d Joe cried brokenly.<\/p>\n

Hoss knew who Joe was talking about and said, \u201cNo, you don\u2019t Little Joe. You\u2019re just upset. Ol Adam just did what he had ta. You have ta understand that Joe. He\u2019d never deliberately hurt ya for the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hate him! I hate him! I hate him!\u201d Joe screamed. Hearing a noise, Hoss turned his head and saw Adam standing in the doorway. Blinking back tears, Adam turned and walked away as Hoss tried to calm Joe down.<\/p>\n

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

A week later, came the day of Ben Cartwright\u2019s arrival home and Adam drove the buckboard into town to pick him up.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s face broke into a smile when he stepped down from the stage and saw his eldest son. Ben shook the outstretched hand and then pulled the young man into an embrace. Pulling back and looking around, Ben asked, \u201cWhere are your brothers?\u201d It was a Saturday and Ben had thought all three of his boys would be there to meet him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll explain on the way home,\u201d Adam answered.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cAnd he hasn\u2019t spoken to you since that day?\u201d Ben said, when Adam had finished telling him what had happened while he\u2019d been away.<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head sadly, \u201cNo. He won\u2019t have anything to do with me. He\u2019s been going in to Hoss at night and sleeping with him.\u201d Ben saw the hurt in the young mans eyes. At night when Joe couldn\u2019t sleep, it was usually Adam\u2019s room that he wandered in to. Adam swallowed before continuing, \u201cHoss has tried to talk to him about it, Hop Sing too but Joe just gets so upset. I just don\u2019t know what to do,\u201d Adam looked down as he spoke of his greatest fear, \u201cWhat if he never forgive me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe will, Adam. Joe loves you. He\u2019s upset with you right now, but I know that the loves still there. When he understands why you had to do it, he\u2019ll realize there\u2019s nothing to forgive. You did the only thing you could, Adam. You had no choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. \u201cThat\u2019s just it, Pa. He doesn\u2019t understand. I tried to explain but to him, all he knows, is that I shot the dog. Things might be different if I\u2019d had time to talk to him before I did it; if he hadn\u2019t seen me come out of the barn. If I\u2026\u2026..\u201d Adam broke off, \u201cOh Pa, it\u2019s such a mess and I don\u2019t know how to fix it. I wish I\u2019d never let him take that dog home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben reached over and put his hands on his sons, pulling the horses to a stop so they could just sit and talk.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t live our lives by what if\u2019s, Adam. When you let Joe keep that dog, it was the right thing to do. I would have done exactly the same thing; I would have let him have it. You had no way of knowing what would happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know you\u2019re right,\u201d Adam replied, \u201cbut it doesn\u2019t make me feel any better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if Toby hadn\u2019t been there when Joe went in the barn?\u201d Ben asked quietly.<\/p>\n

Adam felt the bile rise in his throat and swallowed hard. \u201cI can\u2019t even bare to think about it, Pa. That dog saved Joe\u2019s life. I just wish I hadn\u2019t had to kill him, Pa. It\u2019s not fair.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, son. I know,\u201d Ben replied quietly.<\/p>\n

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

Joe and Hoss were waiting on the porch. As much as he wanted to see his father, Joe had refused to ride in with Adam so Hoss had stayed home with him. Now, at the sight of his father, Joe raced towards the buckboard. Adam pulled the horses to a halt and Ben quickly stepped down. He was just in time to catch the boy as he threw himself into his father\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n

While still holding onto Joe, Ben reached out and embraced Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome home, Pa,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, son. It\u2019s good to be back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben realized Joe was crying and gently patted his back as he said to his two older sons, \u201cWe\u2019ll catch up on all the news later. Right now, I better see to Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss both nodded and watched as their father carried their brother inside. Turning they led the horses to the barn, intending to give father and son time to talk in private.<\/p>\n

Inside, Ben just sat in his chair, rubbing the little boy\u2019s back and making soothing noises until finally the tears stopped and Joe said, \u201cI missed ya so much.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben replied, \u201cI missed you just as much.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking at his father, Joe\u2019s lip began to tremble and he said, \u201cAdam killed Toby.\u201d Ben watched dismayed, as the tears started again.<\/p>\n

Ben rose from his chair and gently rocked Joe as he walked. \u201cI know son and we need to talk about that. Shhh, it\u2019s all right.\u201d When the sobs stopped, Ben sat back down with Joe in his lap and wiped the tears away.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph,\u201d Ben began, \u201cI know both of your brothers have tried to explain to you why Adam had to shoot Toby,\u201d Joe shook his head and tried to pull away but Ben turned Joe back towards him and continued, \u201cYour brother did the only thing he could do. Toby was sick. The sickness sent him mad, Little Joe. He would have hurt you if he hadn\u2019t been tied up in the barn. There was nothing else Adam could have done. Nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head and whispered, \u201cI promised Adam that I wouldn\u2019t go in the barn to see Toby until he said that I could,\u201d Joe\u2019s voice broke on a sob at his next words, \u201cI broke my promise so Adam killed Toby.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat! No, Joe,\u201d Ben looked intently into the small boy\u2019s face, \u201cNo, son. That had nothing to do with it. Toby couldn\u2019t have lived. Once an animal has the kind of sickness Toby had, there\u2019s nothing anyone can do. Adam knows how much you loved Toby, Little Joe, and he\u2019d have given anything not to have had to shoot him but he had to kill Toby before he hurt someone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cToby wouldn\u2019t have hurt me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, Toby wouldn\u2019t have known what he was doing. You think about it, son. Just before Adam pulled you away from him in the barn, Toby went for you, didn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes filled with tears and he slowly nodded. \u201cHe didn\u2019t mean to, Joe,\u201d Ben said gently, \u201cIt was the sickness that made him do that. That\u2019s why you must always be careful around animals like dogs. Always check with me or one of your brothers before you go near one, in case it has the sickness.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded solemnly and then blinked back tears and asked, \u201cToby got it from the other dog, in the fight?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cYes, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe saved me. He wouldn\u2019t have got bit, otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not your fault, Joe. Toby loved you so he did what he did to protect you. And I\u2019m so very glad that he did. I know it was a sad way for Toby\u2019s life to end but for those weeks you had him, you gave him a good home and he knew he was loved again. Toby\u2019s in heaven now with Mr Miller.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think so?\u201d Joe asked, as he laid his head on his father\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s arms encircled the boy and he replied, \u201cI know he is.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Joe lay sleeping in his father\u2019s arms and Ben looked down when he felt the boy stir. Joe opened his eyes and smiled up at his father. \u201cDid you finally decide to wake up,\u201d Ben said, as he smiled back at the boy, \u201cDid you have a good sleep?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded and turning his head he saw his older brothers playing a game of chess. When Adam and Hoss had come inside, Joe was already asleep and Ben had told them that Joe had come to terms with Toby\u2019s death but Adam was still worried about his little brothers feelings towards him.<\/p>\n

Joe slipped off his father\u2019s lap and went over to his oldest brother. Putting his small hands on the young man\u2019s arm. \u201cI\u2019m sorry I was mean to you, Adam. I know you only did it \u2018cause you had to. Pa told me you had to do it \u2018cause Toby was sick and not \u2018cause I broke my promise to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam picked Joe up and put him on his lap as he asked, \u201cWhat do you mean, Joe? What promise?\u201d<\/p>\n

:I promised you that I wouldn\u2019t go in the barn to see Toby until you said I could but he started to bark and I was worried somethin\u2019 was wrong. I only wanted to check on him,\u201d Tears pooled in Joe\u2019s eyes and slowly slipped down his face as he said, \u201cI\u2019m sorry I broke my promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam found it a struggle to stop his own tears as he said, \u201cOh, Joe. You didn\u2019t think I shot Toby because you broke your promise, did you?\u201d At his brother\u2019s silent nod, Adam shook his head. \u201cI only wanted you to stay away because I didn\u2019t want Toby to hurt you. I\u2019m not angry with you about the broken promise. I know you were just worried about Toby.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe sniffed and blinked away his tears. \u201cI know that now. Pa splained it to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled at his brother\u2019s pronunciation of the word. He felt Joe\u2019s arms tighten around him and Joe said, \u201cI should have listened to you when you tried to tell me. I really am sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam automatically tightened his own arms around his brother. \u201cI know. It\u2019s okay, really.\u201d He moved a hand to Joe\u2019s head and running his fingers through his brothers hair, he said, \u201cIt\u2019s lucky we have Pa to splain things to us so we can get it all sorted out, isn\u2019t it.\u201d Adam felt Joe nod his head and he looked over at his father. \u201cThank you,\u201d Adam mouthed silently.<\/p>\n

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

That night, Adam woke when he felt someone climb into his bed and then a quiet voice asked, \u201cCan I sleep with you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam ruffled Joe\u2019s hair and then pulled him close as he replied, \u201cOf course you can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI love you, Adam,\u201d Joe said sleepily, as he closed his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love you too, Joe,\u201d Adam whispered as he smiled down at the sleeping boy.<\/p>\n

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

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

January 2004<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 Adam allows five year old Joe to bring home a stray dog, not knowing the heartache that will follow.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0 (5,260 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10321,"featured_media":1231,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[23,1008,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13839","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-family","category-prequels","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-30-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/storm.jpg?fit=615%2C407&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13839","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\/10321"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13839"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13839\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1231"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13839"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13839"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13839"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}