{"id":15411,"date":"2017-11-03T11:56:15","date_gmt":"2017-11-03T15:56:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15411"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:40:36","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:40:36","slug":"clarissa-returns-pkmoonshine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15411","title":{"rendered":"Clarissa Returns (by pkmoonshine)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>:\u00a0 Cousin Clarissa Cartwright returns to the Ponderosa to visit her cousin, Benjamin, and \u201chis lovely family,\u201d on the occasion of Stacy\u2019s graduation from school.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (40,200 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bloodlines Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bloodlines<\/a>
\nThe Lo Mein Affair<\/a>
\nThe Wedding<\/a>
\nSacrificial Lamb<\/a>
\nPoltergeist II<\/a>
\nIndependence Day<\/a>
\nVirginia City Detour<\/a>
\nThe Guardian<\/a>
\nLi’l One<\/a>
\nYoung Cartwrights in Love<\/a>
\nSan Francisco Revisited<\/a>
\nThere But for the Grace of God<\/a>
\nBetween Life and Death<\/a>
\nOrenna<\/a>
\nClarissa Returns<\/a>
\nTrial by Fire<\/a>
\nMark of Kane<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Clarissa Returns<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 1<\/p>\n

\u201cDear Benjamin,<\/p>\n

Good news! In fact, the best news. It looks as though I\u2019ll be able to accept your very kind invitation to come visit after all.<\/p>\n

Cousin Amelia is doing so much better than was initially expected. Imagine that! Less than two days after having a baby, she is back on her feet running around like a house afire (incredible as it may sound) with even more vim and vigor than she had before having the baby. Ah, the strength and stamina of youth!<\/p>\n

As Cousin Amelia is most insistent upon resuming the mantle of her responsibilities and obligations, I\u2019ve decided it\u2019s high time I met my young cousin once removed . . . and what better time than her school graduation? I\u2019m looking forward to seeing you and your boys again as well.<\/p>\n

I will be arriving the fifteenth of June, on the noon stage.<\/p>\n

Love to all,
\nCousin Clarissa\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI gotta bad feeling about this,\u201d Joe murmured in a gloomy tone of voice, after reading again the short note from his father\u2019s first cousin, Miss Clarissa Cartwright. [1]\u00a0 \u201cA REAL bad feeling!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you\u2019ve already said . . . about a dozen times,\u201d Ben observed wearily.<\/p>\n

\u201cDadburn it, Pa . . . why\u2019d ya hafta go \u2018n invite her t\u2019 come for Stacy\u2019s graduation in the first place?\u201d Hoss groused. \u201cThe LAST time she was here . . . well, doggone it, she tried t\u2019 starve me t\u2019 death.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe chuckled as he reached over and patted Hoss\u2019 massive girth, as he might the head of a very large, friendly dog. \u201cBig Brother, I don\u2019t think it\u2019s even possible for you to starve to death. You\u2019ve got more stored up in there for the winter than a hundred great big mama grizzly bears.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph . . . . \u201d Ben accompanied utterance of his youngest son\u2019s real given name, with a sharp warning glare. \u201cThat\u2019s enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sir,\u201d Joe murmured as he removed his hand from Hoss\u2019 stomach.<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . and Hoss . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sir?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo set the record straight, I DIDN\u2019T invite Cousin Clarissa to come,\u201d Ben said curtly. \u201cI merely TOLD her about Stacy\u2019s upcoming graduation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, in her letter she talks about accepting your kind INVITATION,\u201d Joe quickly pointed out.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did NOT invite her,\u201d Ben reiterated. \u201cI merely told her that your sister is graduating. Period. Cousin Clarissa, however, has taken that to be an invitation, which she\u2019s decided to accept, now that this Cousin Amelia . . . whoever SHE is . . . seems to have bounced back so quickly after having a baby.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBlast her scurvy hide!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

This last Ben added silently, reverting back to some of the salty language he had once used as a sailor.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Pa,\u201d Joe murmured contritely. \u201cI should\u2019ve realized that you wouldn\u2019t have actually invited her . . . not after what happened the LAST time she visited.\u201d [2]<\/p>\n

The three Cartwright men occupied the small round table nearest the door of the Silver Dollar Saloon, dressed in their Sunday-go-to-meeting best. Ben wore his best summer suit, a custom made three-piece, gray cotton, with a clean white shirt, and black string tie. Hoss had on his brand new three-piece suit, royal blue cotton that enhanced the brightness of his sky blue eyes. He also wore a freshly laundered, pressed shirt, with a dark navy blue string tie. Joe wore a clean pair of beige pants, with a clean white shirt, his green denim jacket, and a black string tie hanging around his collar, its ends untied.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoys, THIS time, I won\u2019t make the mistake of asking Cousin Clarissa to move in with us . . . that I promise,\u201d Ben said earnestly. \u201cBut, I couldn\u2019t very well tell her NOT to come. Now that Cousin Amelia is back on her feet, and the rest of our relatives seem to be enjoying a bout of perfect health, poor Clarissa\u2019s at loose ends. You KNOW she has no place, really, to go\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . and YOU feel sorry for her.\u201d Joe\u2019s words sounded more like an accusation, than observation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, of COURSE I feel sorry for her,\u201d Ben hotly defended himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel sorry for her, too, Pa. I ALSO feel sorry for a wounded she-bear,\u201d Joe argued, \u201cbut no matter how much I feel sorry for that wounded she-bear, I\u2019m sure as shootin\u2019 NOT going to invite her into my home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe . . . and you, too, Hoss! Given the double good fortune of our abundant good health, AND having Hop Sing around to do the cooking and cleaning, I seriously doubt that Cousin Clarissa will want to linger much past your sister\u2019s graduation exercises, next Tuesday,\u201d Ben said sternly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if she has no choice?\u201d Joe demanded, drawing a blank look from his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cLi\u2019l Brother here\u2019s gotta point, Pa,\u201d Hoss immediately chimed right in. \u201cY\u2019 just got through sayin\u2019 yourself that all our relatives seem t\u2019 be enjoyin\u2019 a bout o\u2019 good health.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, Pa,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cYou also said that Cousin Clarissa\u2019s got no place to go. Does that mean . . . W-WE\u2019RE stuck with her until . . . until one of our other relatives gets sick?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss blanched. \u201cNow why in t\u2019 world didja hafta go \u2018n say a thing like THAT, Li\u2019l Brother?!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben glared over at Hoss first, then at Joe. \u201cAlright, Boys, I\u2019m layin\u2019 it all right out on the table,\u201d he said sternly. \u201cI haven\u2019t the foggiest idea as to how long Cousin Clarissa plans to stay with us. BUT, for the time she\u2019s here, I expect the both of you AND your sister to make the best of things. Is that clear?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cY-Yes, Sir,\u201d Joe gulped, flinching away from his father\u2019s withering glare.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss?!\u201d Ben prompted.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sir . . . and who knows? It\u2019s been a few years . . . maybe Cousin Clarissa\u2019s changed a mite, \u2018n lost some of her snooty, stuck up ways,\u201d Hoss, the eternal optimist, suggested hopefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cA body can always HOPE, I suppose,\u201d Joe murmured with a melancholy sigh.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Pa?\u201d Hoss ventured.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Ben snapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen she left after her last visit . . . I thought she was gonna go t\u2019 work for George Bristol, over at the bank,\u201d Hoss said, with a puzzled frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe did for a while,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. I remember seeing her at the bank, working away behind that great big desk, \u2018way in the back corner,\u201d Joe said. \u201cI also heard that Mister Bristol was gonna ask her to marry him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo did I, Li\u2019l Brother. Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened between Mister Bristol \u2018n Cousin Clarissa anyway?\u201d Hoss asked. \u201cOne minute the two of \u2018em are talkin\u2019 weddin\u2019 plans, the next, she\u2019s off on a stage headin\u2019 east t\u2019 some sick cousin, or some such . . . never t\u2019 be seen again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. Neither George nor Clarissa ever said, and I\u2019ve never asked. The two of you aren\u2019t going to ask either,\u201d Ben said sternly. \u201cIs that understood?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sir,\u201d Hoss said very quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph?\u201d Ben quickly prompted his younger son.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Pa . . . sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Satisfied, Ben reached into his vest pocket and pulled out the gold pocket watch that had once belonged to his father, and flipped up the cover. \u201cBoys, you\u2019d better finish your beer. It\u2019s almost time to go meet that stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss downed his near full mug of beer in a single giant swallow, then raised his arm, intending to use his sleeve as a napkin.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss! Not on your brand new jacket!\u201d Ben hissed, casting a withering glare at the biggest of his three sons.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d Hoss immediately dropped his arm. \u201cSorry, Pa, I guess I kinda forgot I was all gussied up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen . . . Hoss . . . Joe . . . can I get you another round?\u201d It was Sam, bartender and manager of Virginia City\u2019s Silver Dollar Saloon.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, thank you, Sam,\u201d Ben said, after downing the last swallow of beer from the bottom of the mug. \u201cWe\u2019ve got a stage to meet. How much do we owe ya?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLemme see . . . all three of ya had two beers apiece . . . that\u2019s six altogether . . . your bill comes to three dollars even.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben dug into his pocket and pulled out four silver dollars. \u201cThat\u2019s three for the beer and one for your trouble, Sam,\u201d he said, placing the money in the bartender\u2019s open palm.<\/p>\n

Sam smiled. \u201cThank you, Ben. It\u2019s always a real pleasure doing business with the Cartwright family.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank YOU, Sam. Be seein\u2019 ya.\u201d He, then turned his attention to his sons. \u201cLet\u2019s go, Boys . . . and Joseph, will you please tie that tie properly?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAww, Pa, the daggone thing feels like a noose,\u201d Joe complained, even as his fingers worked to tie it.<\/p>\n

\u201cFunny you don\u2019t say that when you\u2019re gettin\u2019 ready for a Saturday night dance, Li\u2019l Brother,\u201d Hoss teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s different,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll say it\u2019s different,\u201d Hoss guffawed. \u201cF\u2019r one thing Cousin Clarissa ain\u2019t got the cute li\u2019l figure Lilly Beth Jared\u2019s got.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNOBODY\u2019S got the cute li\u2019l figure Lilly Beth Jared\u2019s got,\u201d Joe declared with a bold grin, as he finished tying his tie.<\/p>\n

Ben very pointedly cleared his throat. Though he respected the girl\u2019s parents, Virgil and Amelia Jared, as very shrewd, yet fair and honest business people, he had definite reservations about his youngest son and their oldest daughter, Lilly Beth. \u201cBoys, that will be enough of THAT kind of talk,\u201d he said in a very quiet, yet very firm tone of voice. \u201cTo put this politely, I don\u2019t think Cousin Clarissa\u2019s going to be the least bit interested in hearing the pair of you going on and on about the virtues of Miss Jared\u2019s waist line.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWarm water with equal measurements of lemon juice and honey.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWarm water . . . lemon juice \u2018n honey,\u201d Emily Gibson murmured wearily, as the rigors of a long journey, keeping constant watch on a lively young daughter, and the non-stop verbiage of one Miss Clarissa Cartwright the entire way out from Saint Jo, had extracted their toll on her stamina, physically and mentally.<\/p>\n

\u201cEqual measurements, Dear,\u201d Miss Cartwright said using the same tone of voice Emily herself might use in addressing her own young daughter, accompanied by that ever-so-slight condescending smile that always seemed to be on her face.<\/p>\n

\u201cEqual m-measurements?!\u201d Emily echoed with a bewildered frown.<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . of lemon juice and honey.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEqual measurements,\u201d Emily murmured, deeply grateful that this long arduous journey was at long last near its end.<\/p>\n

\u201cEqual measurements of lemon juice and honey in warm water,\u201d Miss Cartwright reiterated. \u201cBest thing in the world for your little girl\u2019s cough.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emily sighed. She had told Miss Cartwright many, many times on the long road out from Saint Jo, that Sarah HAD a cough and cold, but she was fully recovered now. Yet, somehow, Miss Cartwright never seemed to hear it, or much of anything else, for that matter. Emily finally concluded that any and all attempts to correct the older woman\u2019s many misconceptions was naught but a colossal waste of time, energy, and breath, and had opted to stop trying. She gathered her young daughter, aged four, into her lap and pointedly turned her face to the window, hoping against hope Miss Cartwright would take the hint.<\/p>\n

\u201cAunt Matilda . . . actually she was my GREAT Aunt Matilda, being my maternal grandmother\u2019s sister . . . at any rate, SHE\u2019S the one who told me about equal measurements of lemon juice and honey in warm water when my father took ill, and started coughing a lot,\u201d Clarissa Cartwright blithely rambled on, wholly oblivious to Emily\u2019s decided lack of interest.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. You told me.\u201d Emily had stopped counting the number of times Miss Cartwright had imparted THAT particular piece of information after about the first dozen.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt worked wonders for my father. Absolute wonders!\u201d<\/p>\n

After a seeming eternity of riding down C Street, the stagecoach finally began to slow.<\/p>\n

\u201cMommy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sarah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre we there yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlmost, Sweetie-Pie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill DADDY be there to meet us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019d BETTER be,\u201d<\/em> Emily groused silently. \u201cHe\u2019d better be, because if I have to endure this woman\u2019s company for even one second AFTER we get off this stage . . . so help me, I\u2019m going to strangle him with my bare hands.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be visiting my first cousin and HIS lovely family,\u201d Clarissa continued. \u201cI\u2019m sure you\u2019ve at the very least heard of him, since you live here in Virginia City.\u201d She grimaced, then smiled again. \u201cHe\u2019s a very important man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnh hunh,\u201d Emily murmured listlessly. She had ALSO told Miss Cartwright a pretty fair number of times that she and Sarah were just arriving in Virginia City . . . that her husband had come here a year ago to work, to save up, and buy some good farm land . . . that he had just sent for them a month ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou MUST know him. Benjamin Cartwright of the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, sure.\u201d Why bother wasting the energy trying to explain it all to Miss Cartwright yet again? Whoever this Ben Cartwright of the Ponderosa was . . . Emily felt very sorry for him, and for his lovely family. As the stagecoach finally came to a stop, she began to scan the sea of faces gathered at the stage depot, through the rounded eyes of a trapped wild animal, desperately hoping and praying that her husband was there.<\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin\u2019s daughter, Stacy, will be graduating from school in a few days, and come fall\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVIRGINIA CITY!\u201d the stagecoach driver yelled. \u201cNEXT STOP, CARSON CITY. STAGE LEAVES AT THREE O\u2019CLOCK.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell!\u201d Clarissa exclaimed, as her smile quickly faded to an irritated frown. \u201cTHAT was terribly rude!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome along, Sarah,\u201d Emily frantically urged her young daughter, the minute the stagecoach door opened. Desperation quickly gave way to a deep, profound relief the minute she spotted her husband, standing over near the stage depot building. He smiled and waved; she smiled and waved back.<\/p>\n

\u201cRemember . . . warm water . . . equal parts lemon juice and honey,\u201d Clarissa called after Emily, as she snatched her young daughter up into her arms and bolted toward the handsome young man, now making his own way toward them. Rather, he WOULD be a handsome young man, if he had dressed properly in a suit and tie. \u201cHonestly! The very idea! Coming into town dressed like a . . . a . . . like a farmer!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa?\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned and found Benjamin standing at her elbow, smiling, looking every bit as handsome as she remembered. \u201cOh, Benjamin, it\u2019s so good to see you,\u201d she gushed, offering her hand.<\/p>\n

Ben gallantly took her hand, raised it to his lips, and kissed it. \u201cIt\u2019s good seeing YOU again, Clarissa. You look well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you. YOU look very well yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Cousin Clarissa, glad you could come for Stacy\u2019s graduation,\u201d Joe Cartwright greeted his father\u2019s first cousin politely, with a big smile that never quite reached his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I don\u2019t believe it!\u201d Clarissa exclaimed with a delighted smile. \u201cYou\u2019ve actually grown even MORE handsome than you were when I LAST visited.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy . . . thank you, Cousin Clarissa,\u201d Joe beamed, while Hoss sarcastically rolled his eyes heavenward.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean it! You weren\u2019t much more than a boy when I was last here, and now . . . you\u2019ve grown into a very fine, very handsome young man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I HAVE grown some since I saw you last, Cousin Clarissa,\u201d Joe said, as two splotches of bright pink appeared on each cheek.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah . . . he \u2018gruesome\u2019 all right,\u201d Hoss chuckled, unable to resist the play on words. His comment drew a dark glare from his younger brother.<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . and YOU\u2019VE grown some, too, Young Man,\u201d Clarissa rounded on Hoss severely. \u201cUnfortunately, it\u2019s all in the middle. The first thing I\u2019m going to do when we get to the house is give that . . . that . . . what IS his name? Hop-a-Long!? Sing-a-Song? Sing Sing, perhaps?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing, Cousin Clarissa,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing!\u201d she said with a delicate grimace. \u201cThe minute we reach the house, you can rest assured that I am going to give him the dressing down of his life for not feeding Hoss properly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 face immediately fell. \u201cAwww, Cousin Clarissa . . . y-y\u2019 don\u2019t need t\u2019 do that . . . . I think Hop Sing feeds me pretty good.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, he feeds you good, alright . . . in fact, he feeds you TOO good!\u201d Clarissa said sternly. \u201cIt\u2019s not healthy, Hoss. It\u2019s not healthy at all. This time, I\u2019m going to make sure Hop Sing puts you on a proper diet . . . and that YOU stick to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa . . . . \u201d Hoss turned to appeal to his father, his big, baby blue eyes round with sheer horror, \u201c . . . help!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa . . . if anyone\u2019s going to say anything to Hop Sing about, ummm Hoss\u2019 diet . . . it\u2019s going to be ME,\u201d Ben said, as Joe burst into gales of mirthful laughter.<\/p>\n

\u201cDadburn it, Li\u2019l Joe . . . . \u201d Hoss growled menacingly. \u201cHow would YOU like t\u2019 starve t\u2019 death?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt least for ME, starving to death is a very real possibility.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBoys, settle down,\u201d Ben admonished his two younger sons with a warning glare.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Pa . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, I SAID . . . settle down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow why don\u2019t you boys see to Cousin Clarissa\u2019s luggage?\u201d Ben said. \u201cAfter you get it loaded in the buckboard, you can pick us up at the C Street Caf\u00e9.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing, Pa,\u201d Hoss murmured, acutely aware of his stomach just starting to rumble.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, c\u2019mon, Hoss . . . don\u2019t tell me you\u2019re hungry after that big lunch we just had?!\u201d Joe teasingly admonished big brother.<\/p>\n

Hoss exhaled a long, melancholy sigh. \u201cNo, it ain\u2019t so much that I\u2019m hungry NOW . . . it\u2019s more that I know I\u2019m gonna BE hungry, especially after Cousin Clarissa gets through with Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cActually, we\u2019re ALL gonna be pretty hungry after Cousin Clarissa gets through with Hop Sing,\u201d Joe hastened to point out.<\/p>\n

Hoss frowned. \u201cOh yeah? How do ya figure?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter the way she worked him like a slave driver the LAST time she came to visit. . . well, you KNOW the very first time Cousin Clarissa opens her mouth, Hop Sing\u2019s gonna high tail it out to San Francisco to help his cousin with that restaurant . . . THIS time for real!\u201d<\/p>\n

For a brief, intense, terrifying moment, Joe half feared Hoss was going to lose the big lunch he had consumed earlier, right then and there. Instead, the biggest of the Cartwright offspring, sighed again. \u201cOh, Lordy . . . . \u201d he murmured very softly, under his breath.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin, how very . . . quaint,\u201d Clarissa said with a tight, forced smile, as she dusted the seat of the chair with her napkin.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes . . . I, uhhh . . . think this place is charming myself,\u201d Ben said, darting an occasional worried glance toward the open kitchen door, \u201c . . . and the fact that they serve up the best lemonade and cherry pie in town, certainly doesn\u2019t hurt business any.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe very best lemonade I ever had was from a street vendor of all things, in Philadelphia,\u201d Clarissa said, as she continued to sweep the seat of her chair, growing more and more vigorous with each stroke. \u201cTart with just the right amount of sweetness. I was there helping Cousin Hepzibah when her mother . . . poor thing, may she rest in peace . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

Ben darted another quick, furtive glance back toward the kitchen. \u201c . . . uuuhh, Clarissa . . . . ?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . when she broke her hip,\u201d Clarissa blithely rambled on. \u201cCousin Hepzibah isn\u2019t related to YOU, Benjamin, since she\u2019s related to me on my MOTHER\u2019S side of the family. But, on days nice and sunny, she and I would take her mother to the park across the street, where\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa!\u201d<\/p>\n

She straightened, pulling herself up to full height. With her iron, rock hard fists planted down hard just below her waist, Clarissa turned and favored her cousin with an angry murderous glare. \u201cBenjamin, that was inexcusably rude\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa . . . would you PLEASE sit down?!\u201d Ben said sternly, all the while taking care to keep his voice low.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will in a minute.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow!\u201d he growled, in the same tone of voice he had, over the years, used to call his four children to order whenever they behaved in a manner best described as extra and \u2018specially unruly.<\/p>\n

Clarissa defiantly gave the seat of her intended chair one last vigorous swipe with her napkin, before primly seating herself, poised on the very edge of her seat, with back stiffly erect and hands folded on top of the table.<\/p>\n

They had gone to the C Street Caf\u00e9, a small restaurant owned and operated by Maxine Pettigrew and her widowed sister, Letty Mae Harris. It had a cheerful, if small, dining room, with its whitewashed walls, and tables adorned with fresh flowers and covered by red and white-checkered tablecloths. There was a large round table in the back corner, able to comfortably sit six, and a line of tables for two lining the wall next to the enormous picture window looking out onto the street.<\/p>\n

The table for four, located next to the small window overlooking the alley, was kept in perpetual reserve for one Mister Elbert Sweeney, the very first customer to walk through the door of the establishment. He was an elderly man, widowed for the better part of thirty-two years, more often than not given to eccentricity. He arrived promptly at seven fifty-two every morning for breakfast, and every afternoon at four minutes past twelve for lunch . . . except on Sunday, when the restaurant was closed.<\/p>\n

Ben had chosen the table placed directly in front of the large picture window, and positioned square in the center under the words, \u201cC Street Caf\u00e9,\u201d carefully lettered in white paint, edged with red. He was comfortably seated, hands folded on the table in front of him, with one eye glued to the street, watching for his sons, and the other trained on his cousin.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey! Ben Cartwright, long time no see!\u201d Maxine Pettigrew greeted the clan patriarch with a big, bold smile and deep, booming baritone voice. Aged in her mid-forties, she stood nearly as tall as Ben, in her stocking feet. Her hair, long ago gone to salt and pepper gray was worn in a single braid that reached almost to the small of her back. By nature, she was a friendly, gregarious woman, always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need, be they friend or stranger.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it has been a long time,\u201d Ben agreed, returning Maxine\u2019s greeting with a warm smile of his own. \u201cHow\u2019ve you been keeping yourself?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t complain. I expect you\u2019ve been kept pretty busy with that li\u2019l gal o\u2019 yours fixin\u2019 to graduate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHardly a LI\u2019L gal anymore,\u201d Ben said with a touch of regret.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I expect not. Accordin\u2019 t\u2019 Letty Mae, kids grow up mighty quick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTOO quick, if you ask me! By the way . . . how\u2019s Letty Mae doing? I heard she\u2019s been a mite under the weather lately.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWinter sniffles, turned into pneumonia,\u201d Maxine said, \u201cbut, the worst is past. Soon as she gets some more o\u2019 her strength back, she\u2019ll be around.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou tell her I was asking about her,\u201d Ben said. \u201cYou hear?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hear ya.\u201d Maxine turned to Clarissa and smiled. \u201cSo. Who\u2019s your lady friend?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa, much to her horror and chagrin, felt the telltale prickle of blood rushing to her face. She rolled her eyes heavenward, desperately wishing for a very large, very deep hole into which she might crawl.<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled. \u201cMaxine, this is my COUSIN, Clarissa Cartwright. Clarissa, this is Maxine Pettigrew. She and her sister, Letty Mae own and pretty much run this place single handed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHowdy,\u201d Maxine acknowledged the introduction with a smile and extended hand. \u201cGlad t\u2019 make your acquaintance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa tried very hard not to grimace, as she gave Maxine a limp, \u2018dead fish\u2019 kind of handshake. \u201cI\u2019m also pleased to meet YOU, Mrs. Pettigrew,\u201d she murmured.<\/p>\n

Maxine laughed out loud. \u201cHoney, only Mrs. Pettigrew I ever knew was my ma, now gone to her reward, God rest her soul. I\u2019m MISS Pettigrew, though most folks generally call me Maxine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy apologies, MISS Pettigrew,\u201d Clarissa said stiffly.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo. What can I getcha, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll have a couple o\u2019 glasses of that wonderful lemonade of yours,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I getcha a hunk o\u2019 pie with that? It\u2019s apple . . . hot, just outta the oven.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTempting, but I\u2019d better pass,\u201d Ben said with heartfelt regret. \u201cThe boys\u2019ll be along soon with the buckboard and my cousin\u2019s luggage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d best g\u2019won \u2018n fetch that lemonade, then,\u201d Maxine said. \u201cI hope you enjoy your stay, Miss Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin, I have never . . . NEVER . . . not ever . . . been so embarrassed in my entire LIFE,\u201d Clarissa moaned softly, after Maxine had retreated to the kitchen in the back of the establishment.<\/p>\n

Ben looked over at her in complete bewilderment. \u201cI\u2019m afraid I . . . I don\u2019t . . . understand,\u201d he murmured, shaking his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour LADY friend! She actually referred to me as . . . as your lady friend!\u201d Clarissa moaned again, and buried her beet red face in her still gloved hands. \u201cHow crass! How rude, how impertinent, and . . . and how VULGAR! By rights we should get up and walk right out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?!\u201d Clarissa echoed, incredulous. \u201cHaven\u2019t you heard a single word I\u2019ve said?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean because she mistakenly assumed you to be a friend?\u201d Ben queried, equally incredulous.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot just a friend, Benjamin . . . a LADY friend,\u201d Clarissa said scathingly. \u201cYou know very well that a LADY friend is something far different than a friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa . . . she didn\u2019t mean anything by it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t believe this!\u201d Clarissa gasped, outraged. \u201cY-You\u2019re actually taking up for that woman!?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaxine is a good friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA friend?!\u201d Clarissa sighed disparagingly, and rolled her eyes heavenward. \u201cA friend?? Benjamin, don\u2019t you realize that people judge you by the company you keep?! That woman is . . . well, let\u2019s face it! She\u2019s loud, crude\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI get the picture, Clarissa,\u201d Ben said stiffly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019M not so sure you do. If we were in Boston\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere y\u2019 are. Two lemonades, ice cold,\u201d Maxine announced as she sauntered back into the dining area, carrying two tall glasses, filled to the brim with fresh lemonade, one in each hand.<\/p>\n

Though exceedingly thankful that Maxine\u2019s return had effectively nipped Clarissa\u2019s nascent tirade in the bud, Ben couldn\u2019t help but anxiously wonder how much she might have overheard.<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . and WHAT, may I ask is THIS?\u201d Clarissa demanded in a cold, imperious tone of voice, as she gingerly lifted a small piece of greenery from the edge of her glass.<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa . . . . \u201d Ben hissed, as he shot her a warning glare.<\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin, I am NOT used to finding grass in my lemonade.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben could feel the blood draining right out of his face, as vivid remembrances of what happened the last time his cousin came for a visit trooped unceremoniously through the places of mind and memory. \u201cM-Maxine, I . . . I . . . I\u2019m sorry , I . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Ben,\u201d Maxine said, as she placed a friendly, reassuring hand on his shoulder. \u201cYou \u2018n me . . . we\u2019ve been friends for quite a spell. We pretty much understand each other.\u201d She gave him a friendly wink, then, turned her attention to Clarissa, and smiled. \u201cAs for the greenery in your lemonade, Miss Cartwright, it\u2019s a sprig o\u2019 mint for garnish. Letty Mae grows it herself out back yonder.\u201d She inclined her head toward the back door, standing open to admit the fresh air, and to the backyard beyond.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see.\u201d Clarissa responded in a voice that dripped icicles.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Maxine. How much do I owe you?\u201d Ben interjected very quickly, before Clarissa had a chance to say anything more.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo lemonades, ten cents apiece . . . your total\u2019s twenty cents.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben dug into his pocket and extracted a half dollar. \u201cHere you are, Maxine, and please! Keep the change.\u201d<\/p>\n

She grinned. \u201cThank you, Ben. That\u2019s right neighborly of ya,\u201d she said, as she pocketed the coin. \u201cIf ya need anything else, just gimme a holler. I\u2019ll be in the back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will, Maxine . . . thank you,\u201d Ben called after her.<\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly, Benjamin . . . I don\u2019t believe you sometimes,\u201d Clarissa lamented.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter NOW?\u201d Ben asked, with a bewildered frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, for one thing, I can\u2019t even begin to understand WHY you gave her a thirty cent tip on a bill totaling TWENTY cents,\u201d Clarissa fumed. \u201cIt might be different, if the service had been something exceptional and sterling, but\u2014 \u201d An exasperated sigh exploded from between her lips.<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cAre you STILL upset over her reference to you as my lady friend?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf COURSE, I\u2019m upset. Benjamin, I was humiliated!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa, you\u2019re making a mountain out of a molehill. I could understand you being upset if there were others present, maybe . . . but . . . you and I are the only ones in here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Miss Pettigrew?\u201d Clarissa wailed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat ABOUT Miss Pettigrew?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin, what is going to stop HER from telling everyone that I\u2019m your newest . . . lady friend?\u201d She grimaced.<\/p>\n

\u201cI set her straight,\u201d Ben quickly assured her. \u201cRemember? I told her that you\u2019re my cousin. Even if I hadn\u2019t, Maxine Pettigrew is the soul of discretion. She wouldn\u2019t have told a soul, unless I had given her permission.\u201d<\/p>\n

The withering glare on her face told Ben that Cousin Clarissa was far from being convinced. He sighed, wondering if Joe\u2019s very bad feeling about all this, might have been right on the money after all. \u201cBetter finish your lemonade, Clarissa. The boys are pulling up outside now.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 2<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Miss Esther Johnson, teacher at the schoolhouse in Virginia City, stood next to her desk, smiling proudly at the graduating students, this year numbering seven. Aged in her mid-to-late forties, she was a diminutive woman in stature, barely reaching five feet tall, with girth measurement to match. Her light brown hair, slightly wavy, was pulled away from her plump, round face, and styled in a very tight, very severe chignon. Her eyes were as Joe Cartwright\u2019s . . . hazel, with the chameleon ability to change color according to their surroundings. This afternoon, Miss Johnson\u2019s eyes were deep blue, a reflection of her navy blue suit, with skirt, matching jacket, and a plain white blouse.<\/p>\n

\u201cStudents, you ALL did very well,\u201d she said in a clear voice, while standing atop a stoutly reinforced wooden soap box, to better see the faces of all her graduating students. \u201cVery orderly and dignified. You need to remember the order in which you\u2019re lined up now, so please take a moment to make note of who\u2019s in front of you . . . and who\u2019s behind you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stacy Cartwright noted with a grimace that Millicent Adams, daughter of Seth Adams, president of the First Mercantile Bank of Virginia City, was seated on her right, and Julio Fernandez on her left. Julio was ok, but the prospect of having to sit next to stuck up Millicent through the entire graduation ceremony was the one tiny cloud marring an otherwise much-anticipated event.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s only for a couple of hours . . . maybe not even THAT long.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

She could hear Pa now, speaking the same words he had spoken two nights ago, when she had groused about the horrible prospect over supper.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter that, you don\u2019t have to associate with her ever again.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

That, of course, was very true, especially since none of the Cartwright funds were invested with Seth Adams\u2019 bank. \u201c . . . thank goodness,\u201d Stacy murmured very softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was that?\u201d Millicent demanded in that imperious, condescending tone usually guaranteed to set Stacy\u2019s teeth on edge.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing,\u201d Stacy returned, favoring her arch nemesis with a smug, secretive, Mona Lisa kind of smile. \u201cI was just thinking out loud.\u201d<\/p>\n

Millicent snorted derisively and tossed her head, thankful beyond words that none of the Cartwright funds were invested at the First Mercantile Bank of Virginia City, even if her father WOULD have given his eyeteeth for things to be otherwise. The thought of having to go through life toadying up to the likes of a backward bumpkin like Stacy Cartwright was beyond imagining.<\/p>\n

\u201cMillicent, if I might have your attention for just a few moments more, I could finish giving everyone their instructions,\u201d Miss Johnson said in a clear, succinct tone of voice, while favoring the tall, blonde haired girl with a stern glare.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Miss Johnson,\u201d Millicent muttered through clenched teeth.<\/p>\n

Stacy had to bite her lip to keep from laughing out loud.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will have our final rehearsal Monday afternoon, at three-thirty,\u201d Esther said. \u201cThe honors awards will be announced at that time. In the meantime, have a nice weekend. I\u2019ll see each and everyone of you in school Monday morning.\u201d She paused briefly. \u201cOh yes. Just in case anyone is tempted to cut class on the last day, he who gives in to temptation will be barred from participating in the commencement ceremonies. Do I make myself clear?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Miss Johnson,\u201d the seven graduating students all responded in unison.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery good. See you all Monday morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, tell me. What WAS so funny, Stacy?\u201d Julio asked as the seven made their way toward the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cMillicent mostly, though the irony of us graduating seniors staying after school on our very last day before graduation exercises isn\u2019t lost on me either.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought of that, too,\u201d Julio admitted with a chuckle.<\/p>\n

\u201cOk, Julio . . . now it\u2019s your turn to tell ME,\u201d Stacy said. \u201cWhat are your plans after graduation?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs if YOU didn\u2019t know . . . . \u201d Julio smiled. \u201cI\u2019ll be attending college in San Francisco, of course, but I got a letter from Angela Drake herself yesterday afternoon, telling me that she is willing to take me as a student.\u201d [3]<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s wonderful, Julio. I\u2019ll be looking forward to your first concert at Piper\u2019s Opera House right here in Virginia City in a few years,\u201d Stacy said with a broad grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see that you and your pa have front row seats,\u201d Julio promised. \u201cDo me a favor?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI don\u2019t know when I\u2019ll see him next . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do,\u201d Stacy said with a smile. \u201cHe\u2019ll be at our graduation ceremonies with bells on . . . leastwise he\u2019d BETTER be. I\u2019m putting myself through all this for HIS benefit, not mine. If I had MY druthers, I\u2019d have asked Miss Johnson to mail my certificate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI AM very grateful for Mister Cartwright putting in a good word for me with Miss Drake,\u201d Julio said with a warm smile. \u201cI shall tell him so on Tuesday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey . . . Stacy!\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned and saw Susannah O\u2019Brien and Molly O\u2019Hanlan, heading in her general direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d best move along, Stacy,\u201d Julio said, sparing a smile and a wave for the Cartwright daughter\u2019s closest friends. \u201cI leave for San Francisco two days after graduation and I have lots yet to get done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, Julio. See you Monday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStacy, Susannah and I are going to do some shopping this afternoon,\u201d Molly said. \u201cYou want to join us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid I can\u2019t,\u201d Stacy declined reluctantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee? I told you!\u201d Susannah said with a smug grin and extended hand, palm up. \u201cYou LOSE. Cross my palm with a half buck, or else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr else WHAT?\u201d Molly demanded as she withdrew a half dollar coin from her purse and placed it square in the center of Susannah O\u2019Brien\u2019s open palm.<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . or else I bring the curse of the Shoshone nation down upon your head,\u201d Susannah threatened, as she pocketed the half dollar.<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . which wouldn\u2019t last two seconds against a good, old-fashioned IRISH curse,\u201d Molly countered, her blue eyes sparking with pure mischief.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was this bet all about?\u201d Stacy demanded, looking from one to the other.<\/p>\n

\u201cI bet Molly that you WOULDN\u2019T go shopping with us this afternoon,\u201d Susannah said smugly. \u201cShe lost.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSusannah ALSO said that the REASON you wouldn\u2019t go shopping with us is . . . because you\u2019d be in a real big hurry to reach the post office just as her brother gets off from work,\u201d Molly added, her words ending in a squawk of protest, courtesy of a sharp elbow jab to the rib cage from Susannah.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish,\u201d Stacy sighed. \u201cHowever, today, such is not the case. Pa\u2019s Cousin Clarissa arrived on the stage earlier, and I promised I\u2019d go straight home. So . . . it looks like you owe Molly a quarter back, Susannah.\u201d<\/p>\n

Susannah dug two dimes and a nickel from her pocket and dropped them one by one onto Molly\u2019s outstretched palm. She then turned and stuck her tongue out at Stacy.<\/p>\n

Stacy merely smiled and returned the gesture.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey! Come on, You Two, cut it out!\u201d Molly hissed. \u201cPeople are STARING!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got to get moving,\u201d Stacy said. \u201cSee you guys on Monday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs MY sainted Irish grandmother would say . . . Ooooh, Lordy!\u201d Susannah heaved a melodramatic sigh, after she and Molly had parted company with Stacy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d Molly asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMister Cartwright\u2019s cousin . . . MISS Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter with her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlenty,\u201d Susannah replied. \u201cLast time she was here . . . . \u201d She sighed again, and rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Molly demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell . . . thanks to HER, the Cartwrights not only lost a lot of friends, but there were also a few folks ready to tar, feather, and run \u2018em out of town on a rail,\u201d Susannah said grimly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s AWFUL! What did this cousin DO?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s enough to curdle your blood!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Stacy, meanwhile, had led her horse, Blaze Face, over to the small stream behind the schoolhouse for a cool drink of water, before starting off on that long ride home. \u201cWell, Big Fella, we\u2019re coming up on the end of an era,\u201d she said softly, while gently stroking the top of his left thigh, just in front of the saddle. \u201cGot one more full day of class, on Monday, followed by yet another rehearsal . . . . \u201d She sighed and rolled her eyes. \u201cThen the big day is Tuesday.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wednesday morning, she would go to work for her father on the Ponderosa, full time, just like her brothers, earning wages instead of being given an allowance. Though Pa had not, as yet, decided exactly where she would begin, he had come to a hard and fast decision as to what she would NOT do . . . ever, if he had his way in the matter . . . .<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I could really use The Kid\u2019s help in saddle breaking that string of horses we brought in off the range a couple o\u2019 days ago,\u201d Joe said gamely, at the breakfast table just his morning.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Pa . . . may I?\u201d Stacy asked, with eager anticipation. \u201cPlease? PRETTY please?!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Pa said, his voice carrying within it all the finality of that last nail being driven into a coffin.<\/em><\/p>\n

The disappointment mixed with surprise she saw in Joe\u2019s face mirrored the way she felt. \u201cBut, Pa . . . . \u201d she protested, \u201cI can\u2014 \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI KNOW you can, Stacy, but my answer is still NO.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

She knew better than to argue when Pa used THAT tone of voice. The remainder of the meal was taken in strained silence, broken only when she had asked to be excused in order to finish getting ready for school . . . .<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe LEAST he could\u2019ve done was tell me why,\u201d Stacy groused, as Blaze Face finished drinking his fill, and lifted his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy what?\u201d<\/p>\n

Stacy turned, and much to her pleasant surprise, found Jason O\u2019Brien standing at her elbow, gazing down at her with a warm smile that turned her knees to jelly. \u201cJason, what are YOU doing HERE?\u201d she asked as she draped her arm over the saddle for support.<\/p>\n

\u201cI figured YOU\u2019D still be here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t get fired or anything like that . . . did you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jason chuckled softly, and shook his head. \u201cWe didn\u2019t get much mail in today, so Mister Blevins let us all off an hour early.\u201d Mister Blevins was the postmaster at the Virginia City post office. \u201cSo what were you muttering under your breath about just now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Stacy sighed, then shared with him the conversation she, her father, and brothers had at the breakfast table that morning. \u201cHe just plain, flat out said no,\u201d she concluded, her ire rising once again. \u201cHe didn\u2019t even tell me WHY.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t ask?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot when Pa uses THAT tone of voice, I don\u2019t,\u201d Stacy said, as she and Jason climbed up into their respective saddles, and headed for the road that would take them out of town, toward the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt might have a lot to do with Marie,\u201d Jason said thoughtfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s ma?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jason nodded. \u201cThey ever tell you how she died?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa and Joe said she was thrown from her horse,\u201d Stacy replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was a baby when that happened, but I remember Pa and Crystal saying she was an accomplished horsewoman,\u201d Jason continued, \u201cwith a real keen eye for horseflesh to boot. Your pa had given her a mare named Clover for her birthday. Clover was a real fine horse, but very high strung.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClover\u2019s the horse that ended up throwing Joe\u2019s ma?\u201d Stacy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. Marie had been working very diligently with her every day. That last morning, according to MY pa, she and Clover went out as usual, and when they came back . . . I don\u2019t know whether something had spooked her or if she stumbled in a chuck hole, but Pa told me that the only thing your pa could do was stand there and watch helplessly as Clover tossed poor Marie to her death,\u201d Jason said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s . . . awful!\u201d Stacy murmured softly, her heart going out to her father. \u201cYou think, maybe he\u2019s afraid the same thing will happen to ME . . . if I help Joe bust broncs?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDeep down, I think he may be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stacy silently digested all that Jason had told her. \u201cI\u2019m glad you told me, Jason,\u201d she said in a small, contrite voice, barely audible.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust promise me you won\u2019t tell your pa what I told you. I COULD be \u2018way off the mark about this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think you are, Jason. I\u2019ve got a real strong hunch that you\u2019re right on the money,\u201d Stacy said. \u201cI just wonder why I didn\u2019t think of that myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably because, now that you\u2019re about to go to work on the Ponderosa full time, you\u2019re real eager to prove yourself,\u201d Jason said with a smile. \u201cJust like Susannah, now that SHE\u2019S going to be working for Pa and Crystal. But, I\u2019ll tell you the same thing I told HER, Stacy Rose . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou DON\u2019T have to prove yourself,\u201d Jason said earnestly. \u201cCertainly not to your pa and your brothers. They\u2019re REAL proud of you. I can tell by the looks on their faces when they talk about you . . . and I daresay your pa, especially, knows everything you\u2019re capable of doing . . . and WILL be capable of doing . . . probably better than YOU do right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou really think so?\u201d she asked, awed by the idea.<\/p>\n

\u201cI KNOW so,\u201d Jason quickly assured her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin . . . SURELY there must be SOMETHING I can do!\u201d Clarissa implored, growing more and more exasperated with each passing second. She had spent the better part of the last half an hour pacing up and down behind the settee, anxiously wringing her hands.<\/p>\n

Ben glanced up from the open book he cradled in his hands, and smiled. \u201cYes, Clarissa . . . yes. Now that you mention it, there IS something you can do.\u201d<\/p>\n

The anxious scowl on her face instantly vaporized, leaving behind a smile, bright as the sunshine of a beautiful summer day. She abruptly ceased her interminable pacing behind the settee, and turned to face her first cousin, comfortably ensconced in the maroon leather easy chair. \u201cWhat?\u201d she demanded. \u201cPlan meals? Help with the cooking . . . the housekeeping? You name it, Benjamin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou needn\u2019t worry about any of THAT,\u201d Ben said, as he marked his place, then closed his book. \u201cHop Sing has all that very well in hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen . . . what . . . WOULD you like me to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI would like you to sit down . . . and relax.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa\u2019s face fell.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean it, Clarissa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cB-But . . . with Stacy\u2019s graduation exercises on Tuesday . . . that big party you have planned for her AND her two closest friends\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI already told you, Clarissa . . . though we\u2019re holding the party here at the Ponderosa, Hugh O\u2019Brien and Molly O\u2019Hanlan\u2019s parents are co-hosting this shindig with me,\u201d Ben patiently explained once again. \u201cThe O\u2019Briens are providing the fatted calf, we Cartwrights are providing the fatted PIG and a few fatted chickens, the O\u2019Hanlans are providing the music, the liquor, and the cake. The rest of the costs are being split three ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the cooking, the cleaning, the decorating\u2014 ?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing will oversee the cooking and the cleaning,\u201d Ben replied, \u201cand Stacy, Molly, and Susannah have volunteered to take charge of the decorating. Joe will probably help out, of course, and I\u2019d be REAL surprised if Susannah\u2019s brother, Jason didn\u2019t lend a hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about fresh flowers?\u201d Clarissa suggested hopefully. \u201cFlower arrangements are my forte, you know . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I know,\u201d Ben sighed, upon remembering how, on the occasion of her last visit, Clarissa had taken it upon herself to fix things up inside, with an over abundance of tatted lace doilies, and vase after vase after vase of fresh flowers sitting on virtually every flat surface available.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d she prompted.<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa, we won\u2019t be needing any flowers, except for a vase full on the food table perhaps.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cThe morning of the party, Stacy, the boys, and I will be moving the furniture into the store room, so we\u2019ll have plenty of space for dancing,\u201d Ben explained. \u201cWith the McGuire brothers providing the music, it\u2019s gonna be awfully hard to keep your feet still.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa gasped, as her hands flew right up to her cheeks. Her mouth moved, but no words, no sound issued forth, as she stared over at her first cousin through eyes unblinking, round with shocked horror.<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa? Are you . . . alright?\u201d Ben queried anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cY-Yes . . . NO!\u201d Clarissa very quickly pulled herself up to full height, and glared murderously at Ben as she slammed a pair of dainty, rock hard fists down hard onto her hips. \u201cBenjamin Cartwright . . . do you mean to tell me that you expect a . . . a . . . that you and your boys actually expect a delicate young lady, like Stacy, to help you move furniture?!\u201d she sputtered, giving full vent to the righteous ire and indignation rising swiftly within her. \u201cYou ought to be ashamed of yourself, do you hear me?! ASHAMED!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa, I am very pleased to report that there is nothing delicate or weak about my daughter in the least,\u201d Ben said complacently, \u201cand, if I were you, I wouldn\u2019t refer to her as a lady, young or otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n

This pronouncement drew a bewildered frown from Clarissa.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid Stacy doesn\u2019t accept that as much of a compliment . . . as Hoss found out the hard way, not long after she came to live with us,\u201d Ben explained. \u201cHe was left limping for the better part of a month.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . and y-you . . . you let her get away with that?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCertainly not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, you just WARNED me about\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I warmed her backside good and proper for kicking Hoss in the shins,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut . . . what about this business of . . . well . . . of not referring to her as a lady . . . young or otherwise?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can see her point, and respect her feelings, even if I don\u2019t completely agree,\u201d Ben said. \u201cNow . . . in the meantime . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you please stop that frantic pacing and sit down?! I\u2019m tiring myself out just watching you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa exhaled a soft, melancholy sigh, as she circled around to the other side of the settee, and sat down. \u201cBenjamin . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Clarissa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to help,\u201d she said, her voice unsteady. \u201cPlease . . . let me help?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa, you\u2019re our GUEST.\u201d Though his tone was kindly, even gentle, there was an underlying firmness that signified the end of this particular topic of conversation. \u201cAfter all these years of caring for one sick or infirm relative after another, it\u2019s high time you sat back, put your feet up, and allowed someone to wait on YOU for a change.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d Clarissa murmured softly, before lapsing into sullen silence . . . .<\/p>\n

\u201cHELPFUL? HELPFUL!? YOU CALL REDECORATING MY STUDY . . . MY STUDY MIND YOU . . . WITH AN OVER ABUNDANCE OF . . . OF LACE DOILIES AND FLOWERS HELPFUL?!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The voice of one James Burgess, raised in anger and frustration, once more echoed in Clarissa\u2019s ears. He was the husband of her second cousin, the former Rosalyn Jones, and father of Amelia Hatcher, second cousin once removed, who, at the time was expecting her first child, due any day.<\/p>\n

\u201cTHAT\u2019S IT! THAT\u2019S THE FINAL STRAW!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cJames . . . please!\u201d Rosalyn meekly begged, in a voice barely audible.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNO! I WON\u2019T HAVE IT, ROSE. I WON\u2019T! BY HER OWN ADMISSION . . . BY HER OWN ADMISSION . . . SHE MADE GERTIE CLEAR OFF THE TOP OF MY DESK . . . IN MY STUDY . . . NOW, I CAN\u2019T FIND A BLESSED THING!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cJames, please keep your voice down . . . she\u2019ll HEAR you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI HOPE THAT INTERFERING, BUSYBODY SECOND COUSIN OF YOURS DOES HEAR ME,\u201d James ranted. \u201cHALF THE PAPERS THAT WERE ON MY DESK ARE GONE . . . MISSING . . . I HAVE A SICK FEELING SHE THREW THEM OUT\u2014 \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll ask her to stay out of your study, James,\u201d Rosalyn said wearily, \u201cas for your papers, I\u2019m sure they\u2019ll turn up. Jenkins is searching through your study, and Ellen has the scullery maids sifting through the trash right now.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cRose, I want that woman OUT of my house.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, James . . . no, please. She\u2019s got no where to go\u2014 \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t wonder,\u201d James snapped back sardonically.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201c . . . and she HAS been a big help in looking after Amelia . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Amelia\u2019s husband, Jeremy Hatcher was away, in Philadelphia, on a business trip. Because Amelia was so near her time, she had gone into her confinement at her parents\u2019 home.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cA HELP!? YOU CALL SCARING OUR POOR DAUGHTER TO DEATH HELPFUL?!\u201d James echoed, incredulous<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, James . . . I asked Doctor Jaeger and Kristen, the mid-wife, to talk to Amelia . . . to answer her questions, and to allay her fears and concerns, and they have,\u201d Rosalyn said. \u201cAmelia\u2019s feeling a lot better about things.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cTHAT\u2019S a mercy anyway . . . but, I STILL want that woman out of my house, at the earliest possible convenience.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cJames, please\u2014 \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Rose. I\u2019m putting my foot down.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tell her to stay out of your study.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s NOT JUST my study,\u201d James protested. \u201cIt\u2019s . . . it\u2019s going through and undoing all the hard work YOU\u2019VE done to furnish and decorate this house to suit HER tastes, HER idea of what\u2019s proper. Her obsession with cleanliness has been driving poor Ellen crazy . . . last week, she was ready to quit, Rose, did you know that?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI told her that from NOW on, she takes her orders from you or me, period. As for the rest, she\u2019s to continue as she always has. I also instructed Ellen to pass that on to the other maids.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Dear, I had no idea.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201c . . . and I\u2019d just as soon hire a proper nurse to look after Amelia,\u201d James continued. \u201cI know it\u2019s natural for her to be concerned, even fearful right now, and I feel it would be far better to have someone looking after her who\u2019s knowledgeable in matters of the human body, than someone who doesn\u2019t have the common sense the Good Lord gave a sparrow. The very idea, telling poor Amelia about all the women who died in childbirth.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cShe HAS been a help, James . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThat woman has been about as helpful as . . . as . . . as a fifth wheel on a wagon. I want her out of here, Rose. As soon as humanly possible . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

As useful as a fifth wheel on a wagon.<\/p>\n

The very same words her father used, and used often, as his illness and forced invalidism turned him bitter and cantankerous. Hearing those words on James Burgess\u2019 lips hurt just as grievously as they did all those many long years ago, when Papa spoke them.<\/p>\n

As useful as a fifth wheel on a wagon.<\/p>\n

After overhearing that altercation between Rosalyn and James, Clarissa had gone to her room straightaway, with tears streaming down her face, to pack her things. Far be it from her to stay where she wasn\u2019t wanted! She had every intention of leaving first thing in the morning.<\/em><\/p>\n

That night, however, Amelia went into labor, giving birth to a fine healthy baby boy. Clarissa stayed on, intending to be of help with the baby. However, Amelia had insisted on caring for her newborn son herself, as she was able, and, true to HIS word, James had hired a young woman, not much older than Amelia, yet trained as a nurse, to look after mother and son. After two days of enforced idleness, she left for Virginia City . . . .<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin, bless his heart is a lot more polite about it,<\/em>\u201d she mused sadly, in silence. \u201cBut, underneath it all . . . he\u2019s still saying the exact same thing Cousin Rosalyn\u2019s husband did . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

. . . . and Papa.<\/p>\n

\u201cTea time for Missy Cousin Clarissa,\u201d Hop Sing blithely announced, mercifully drawing Clarissa from her less than happy reverie. He entered the great room carrying a tray bearing the silver tea service, along with cups, saucers, and teaspoons for two.<\/p>\n

Clarissa sighed and shook her head. \u201cHop Sing . . . how MANY times do I have to tell you . . . I am NOT your cousin,\u201d she stated primly, all the while favoring him with a withering glare.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. So sorry,\u201d Hop Sing apologized. An impish grin spread slowly across his lips, as he set the tray down onto the coffee table directly in front of Clarissa, who sat perched on the very edge of the settee, knees pressed close together, hands folded in her lap. \u201cTea time for Missy Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s supposed to be MISS Cartwright,\u201d Clarissa corrected him in a peevish tone of voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cHorses, Mister Cartwright . . . in yard,\u201d Hop Sing said, pointedly focusing his attention solely on Ben. \u201cMiss Stacy home. Mister Jason come, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Hop Sing,\u201d Ben said, as he set his book down on the coffee table.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s this Mister Jason?\u201d Clarissa asked, as she reached for the teapot.<\/p>\n

\u201cMister Jason special somebody Miss Stacy like very, very much,\u201d Hop Sing said with a broad grin.<\/p>\n

Before Clarissa could even think of pursuing the matter further, the front door opened. Stacy entered first, with Jason following close behind.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 3<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin . . . is that Stacy?\u201d Clarissa asked, sotto voce.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm hmm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s beautiful!\u201d Clarissa exclaimed with a genuine, almost childlike delight, upon catching first sight of the tall, slender young woman, with her long, dark brown hair plaited in a single braid. She had never, not in the whole of her long life, ever seen a woman walk the way Stacy did, with back straight, shoulders back, with such confident sureness of foot. \u201cShe\u2019s . . . absolutely beautiful!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, she is,\u201d Ben immediately agreed before walking over to greet his daughter and Jason.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s going to be the belle of the ball when she makes her societal debut,\u201d<\/em> Clarissa mused silently, with a dreamy smile. That, of course, would happen in two years, upon completion of her studies at the Sarah Lynn Portnoy Academy for Young Ladies, a venerable institution, known far and wide as THE finest finishing school Boston, and the whole of the east coast for that matter . . . had to offer. Clarissa herself would have gone there. In fact, she was all set to go there, when her father had taken ill.<\/p>\n

Ben, meanwhile, greeted his daughter with a customary hug and kiss on her forehead. He, then turned and politely offered Jason his hand, while keeping one arm draped protectively around his daughter\u2019s shoulders. \u201cGood seeing you, Jason.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Sir. Good seeing you, too,\u201d Jason said, as he shook hands with the Cartwright family patriarch.<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . and how was YOUR day, Young Woman?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur rehearsal went very smoothly, Pa,\u201d Stacy said with a smile, as she gave her father an affectionate squeeze around the waist, \u201cand Julio said he heard from your friend, Miss Drake, yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u201d Ben queried, not without a slight bit of trepidation. \u201cWhat did she say?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s agreed to take him as a student.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s wonderful!\u201d Ben declared with much heartfelt relief. Angela Drake was a famous opera diva many years ago, and had recently found new acclaim as a very fine, if, more often than not, very tyrannical, teacher and mentor. Her artistic temperament was every bit as mercurial as it had been in her heyday. Though he had made a point of warning young Julio Fernandez of this when he had offered to write on the young man\u2019s behalf, he was happy to know everything had gone well.<\/p>\n

He turned to his cousin, now standing beside him. \u201cClarissa . . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

Her mind was thousands of miles away, in Boston, to be exact, wholly lost in a vivid reverie of herself and dearest Cousin Mirabelle Jones Standish looking on proudly, as the most handsome young man in all of Boston, the very cr\u00e8me-de-la-cr\u00e8me of Boston high society, bowed, and asked Stacy to dance on the momentous occasion of her society debut . . . .<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa?!\u201d<\/p>\n

She started violently, and opened her eyes to find Benjamin standing in front of her, with his arm around the shoulders of a young lady, with the brightest sapphire blue eyes she had ever seen. The young man, Jason, stood a little behind them, to their right.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Clarissa,\u201d Ben immediately apologized. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to startle you like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI should be the one to apologize, Benjamin,\u201d she said ruefully. \u201cHere I am . . . a woman of my advanced years . . . wool gathering, of all things, like a silly young school girl . . . . \u201d She looked over as Stacy, and gasped. \u201cOh dear! I\u2019m so sorry, I . . . I didn\u2019t mean to imply that YOU\u2019RE a silly school girl . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa, this is my daughter, Stacy,\u201d Ben proudly made the introductions, \u201cyour first cousin, once removed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Stacy, I\u2019m so pleased to meet you . . . finally . . . face-to-face,\u201d Clarissa gushed. \u201cYour father\u2019s told me so much about you in his letters, I . . . well, I feel like I half way know you already.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m pleased to meet you, too, Cousin Clarissa,\u201d Stacy acknowledged the introduction with a warm smile.<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . and this is Jason O\u2019Brien,\u201d Ben continued, motioning for the young man to move forward. \u201cHis father and I have been friends and neighbors for more years now than I care to count. He\u2019s . . . lately . . . become a special friend of Stacy\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t have the pleasure of meeting you when you last came to visit,\u201d Jason said with a smile. \u201cI\u2019m pleased to meet you this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy thank you,\u201d Clarissa beamed, as she offered Jason the same dead fish of a handshake she had offered Maxine Pettigrew earlier. \u201cYoung Man, I must say . . . your manners are quite lovely.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Miss Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s such a rare and wonderful surprise finding a young savage with such exquisite manners.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stacy felt the blood drain right out of her face, as she pointedly stepped over to Jason\u2019s side and slipped her arm through his. Jason merely smiled over at her and reassuringly patted her hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cCuh-Cuh-Cuh . . . Clu-Clarissa . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Benjamin?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa . . . J-Jason\u2019s . . . well, h-he\u2019s HARDLY a savage . . . . \u201d Ben stammered, as his own face rapidly turned ten different shades of red, one after the other after the other.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, of course not,\u201d Clarissa readily agreed. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to imply that he was.\u201d She turned and favored Jason with a condescending smile. \u201cI was trying to say that for a young savage to have so diligently applied himself to learning proper etiquette . . . well, that\u2019s quite an accomplishment.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a brief, insane moment, Ben heartily wished that the earth would open and swallow him right up. \u201cJ-Jason, I . . . I\u2019m really sorry about . . . . \u201d he barely managed to stammer out his apology.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s quite alright, Mister Cartwright,\u201d Jason readily and graciously accepted Ben\u2019s apology, unable to quite hide his own smile of amusement. \u201cI understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you like to sit down and perhaps . . . visit with Stacy for a little while?\u201d Ben invited, gesturing toward the settee with a broad sweeping motion of his arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like nothing better, but I really need to be off,\u201d Jason said with genuine regret. \u201cI still have chores to get done before supper, and while PA might let me slide just this once, my sister, Crystal WON\u2019T.\u201d He turned and favored Clarissa with a feral grin. \u201cIn fact, SHE just might lift my scalp.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa gasped and shuddered.<\/p>\n

\u201cStacy, why don\u2019t you g\u2019won and see Jason off, while I have a little, ummm CHAT with Cousin Clarissa,\u201d Ben said, regaining a small measure of his composure.<\/p>\n

\u201cOk, Pa,\u201d Stacy murmured, her voice a flat monotone.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Benjamin, you never told me how lovely she is,\u201d Clarissa effused with a big, bright smile, after Stacy and Jason had stepped through the front door, and closed it behind them. \u201cSHE is going to take Boston high society by storm, you just mark my words.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cB-Boston?!\u201d Ben echoed, suddenly feeling as if someone had sucker punched him hard in the stomach.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell of course, Boston,\u201d Clarissa said, favoring her cousin with a look that clearly questioned the completeness of his mental faculties.<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa, wh-who said anything about . . . Boston?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStacy IS going to finishing school . . . isn\u2019t she?\u201d Though phrased as a question, it was more than clear that Clarissa took this as a given, set in stone.<\/p>\n

\u201cI . . . well, to be honest?! We\u2019ve, ummm . . . never . . . actually . . . t-talked about it,\u201d Ben stammered, completely taken aback. It was assumed all the way around that Stacy would go to work for him here on the Ponderosa, as her brothers had. In fact, from all indications, Stacy herself was looking forward to that every bit as much as he, Hoss, and Joe were looking forward to her joining them.<\/p>\n

Clarissa sighed disparagingly, and rolled her eyes. \u201cBenjamin, arrangements SHOULD have been made by this time LAST year,\u201d she castigated her cousin very soundly. \u201cAll of the best schools have waiting lists a year long, some even TWO.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben closed his eyes and took a deep breath. \u201cClarissa\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, YOU needn\u2019t worry, Benjamin,\u201d she said, rudely cutting him off, mid-sentence. An eager smile began to spread slowly across her face. By golly, she would show Mister and Mrs. Think-They-Know-Everything-James Milton Burgess that she WASN\u2019T as useful as the fifth wheel on a wagon, thank you very much . . . and while she was at it, she\u2019d show her father, too, may he rest in peace. \u201cYou needn\u2019t worry about a blessed thing,\u201d Clarissa said again, her eyes glowing now with a fierce, determined inner light.<\/p>\n

Ben remembered with a sinking heart having seen Clarissa\u2019s face and eyes glowing with that very same unholy inner light, just before she had set about to making herself useful on the occasion of her last visit. In the space of a single day, she had forced poor Hop Sing to clean the already spotless house from top to bottom, stem to stern, before cheerfully overhauling the decor. Ben had never, not in all his born days, EVER seen such an over abundance of flowers and lace doilies gathered together in one place. The final indignity was having to wear those blasted slippers whenever he, Hoss, and Joe came into the house, to preserve the clean floors.<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa\u2014,\u201d Ben ventured with a shudder.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI . . . n-needn\u2019t worry a b-blessed thing . . . about . . . WHAT?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout Stacy. Cousin Mirabelle lives in Boston . . . and SHE is a most distinguished alumna of the Sarah Lynn Portnoy Academy for Young Ladies,\u201d Clarissa blithely rambled on, wholly oblivious to Ben\u2019s growing trepidation.<\/p>\n

\u201cC-Clarissa . . . wh-what . . . is this . . . Sarah Lynn Portnoy A-Academy for . . . Young Ladies . . . and WHAT in the world does it have to do with Stacy?\u201d Ben asked, trying to ignore the thoroughly discomfiting feeling of having just fallen in \u2018way over his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is the Sarah Lynn Portnoy Academy for Young Ladies?!\u201d Clarissa echoed, incredulous. \u201cBenjamin, I don\u2019t believe you! I honest and truly DON\u2019T!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head and shrugged his shoulders helplessly in response.<\/p>\n

Clarissa sighed disparagingly, and shook her head. \u201cThe Sarah Lynn Portnoy Academy for Young Ladies happens to be THE finest finishing school, not only in Boston, but on the whole of the east coast . . . and maybe in the whole COUNTRY as well!!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Clarissa, but . . . I\u2019ve never heard of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat comes of being a man, and having been the father of SONS for the most part, I suppose,\u201d Clarissa said, her stern tone of voice at complete odds with the smile trying to burst forth on her face. \u201cAll I can say is . . . thank heaven Cousin Amelia recovered from having that baby as quickly as she did, because it\u2019s plain to see that I\u2019ve got my work cut out for me HERE.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben felt his heart plummet to his feet. \u201cClarissa, what . . . exactly . . . do you mean when you say that you have your work cut out for you h-here?\u201d he ventured with much reluctance, fearing that he already knew the answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cI meant that you and Stacy don\u2019t have a thing to worry about,\u201d Clarissa said brightly, with a rapturous smile now on her face. She clasped her hands together in wondrous glee. \u201cBenjamin, Cousin Mirabelle is not only a distinguished alumna of the Sarah Lynn Portnoy Academy for Young Ladies, but over the years, she\u2019s been a very generous contributor as well. One word from her to the headmistress and I guarantee Stacy will be accepted immediately, right on the spot, sight unseen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAccepted?! Accepted where?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo the Sarah Lynn Portnoy Academy for Young Ladies!\u201d Clarissa said, with a touch of exasperation.<\/p>\n

\u201cN-Now just one minute here\u2014 \u201d Ben tried desperately, in vain, to get in a word edgewise.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Benjamin, Benjamin . . . all the golden opportunities . . . all the lovely prospects that young lady has ahead of her . . . . \u201d Clarissa blithely rambled on, as if her first cousin had not even tried to speak. \u201cWhen she makes her society debut in two years, Miss Stacy Rose Cartwright is going be the absolute belle of the ball, you mark my words.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it, Benjamin?\u201d Clarissa demanded impatiently.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you think you ought to ask Stacy first before you start planning her whole life for her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAsk Stacy?!\u201d Clarissa laughed with genuine mirth. \u201cAsk Stacy? Surely you jest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Clarissa, I am NOT joking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin, she may be about to graduate from school, but she\u2019s STILL hardly more than a child,\u201d Clarissa said severely, \u201cand a GIRL child at that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s THAT supposed to mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa sighed again, wondering how a man intelligent enough to build and run a vast empire, like the Ponderosa, could, at the same time be so infuriatingly dense. \u201cGirls tend to be very capricious, always changing their minds from one minute to the next, with their pretty little heads in the clouds, carried away by one fanciful whim or another,\u201d she patiently explained. \u201cPerhaps you CAN allow a young man a certain amount of say in his future, since boys generally tend to have their feet planted more firmly on the ground, but to trust a GIRL to make the kind of crucial decisions that are going to affect the whole rest of her life?!\u201d Clarissa vigorously shook her head. \u201cNever. Older and wiser heads MUST prevail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa, Stacy\u2019s NOT\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, if you\u2019ll excuse me, Benjamin, I have a million things to do.\u201d With that, she turned and flounced out of the room, and up the stairs.<\/p>\n

Ben, pale and shaken, lifted his eyes to the heavens. \u201cHelp . . . . \u201d he whispered softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJason, I\u2019m so sorry for what Cousin Cla\u2014 \u201d Stacy, meanwhile, began to apologize the instant they had stepped out onto the porch, closing the front door behind them.<\/p>\n

Jason quickly silenced her apology mid-sentence with a gentle, feather light kiss on her lips. \u201cIt\u2019s all right, Stacy Rose.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo . . . it\u2019s NOT all right,\u201d she protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Cartwright is old, she\u2019s from a different generation. She doesn\u2019t know any better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut . . . PA\u2019S older than SHE is, and . . . HE certainly knows better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour pa\u2019s traveled a lot,\u201d Jason hastened to point out. He slipped his arm about her shoulders as they stepped down off the porch, and started across the yard toward the hitching post, where both their horses remained tethered. Stacy, in turn, automatically placed her arm about his waist. \u201cHe not only traveled all the way from Boston to Virginia City . . . but, he also spent many years traveling all over the world back when he was a sailor. He\u2019s had lots of opportunity to meet and get to know a lot of different people from many, many, many different places and backgrounds.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Cartwright, on the other hand, probably never ventured more than ten miles from the place of her birth, until her father died, and even though she\u2019s traveled a lot since, it\u2019s been from one relative to the next . . . all of them, more than likely, people very much like herself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTHAT\u2019S a scary thought . . . but, you\u2019re probably right,\u201d Stacy had to agree.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe means well, Stacy Rose, she\u2019s basically harmless,\u201d Jason said, \u201cand, as I just said, she doesn\u2019t know any better. I don\u2019t take people like that seriously, and neither should YOU.\u201d He punctuated his words with a playful kiss on the tip of her nose.<\/p>\n

\u201cI STILL don\u2019t like the way she was going on and on about you being some kind of ignorant savage, who barely has enough brains to learn table manners,\u201d Stacy growled. She, then cast a quick, furtive glance over in the direction of the front door, noting with great satisfaction that it remained closed. \u201c . . . and another thing, Jason Thundercloud O\u2019Brien . . . how many times do I have to tell you . . . if you\u2019re going to kiss me, then for heaven\u2019s sake, KISS me?!\u201d With that, Stacy threw her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly on the lips.<\/p>\n

Jason\u2019s arms automatically encircled her waist and shoulders, tentative at first, then more firmly as his initial shock faded, and he began to return her kiss with equal ardor. \u201cNOW who\u2019s the savage?\u201d Jason demanded with a warm smile, when their lips finally parted.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was wondering about that myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stacy and Jason glanced up sharply, and found Joe leaning against the corral fence, with his arms folded across his chest, chuckling.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long have you been standing there?\u201d Stacy demanded indignantly, her complexion significantly more ruddy than usual.<\/p>\n

\u201cLong enough to begin wondering whether or not you two were gonna come up for air,\u201d Joe teased, taking great delight in his sister\u2019s discomfiture.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou should\u2019ve made your presence known.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMade my presence known?! Are you KIDDING?!! I would have not only spoiled that, ummm tender scene between the two of you, but I would have also blown what could be my biggest ace in the hole ever,\u201d Joe said with a mischievous grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean your biggest ace in the hole ever?\u201d Stacy demanded warily.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean you take my turn mucking out the stalls for the next six months, and maybe . . . MAYBE, mind you . . . I won\u2019t tell Pa what goes on out here in his very own front yard when he\u2019s not looking,\u201d Joe said smugly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah, Grandpa? Well I have a COUNTER proposal for ya,\u201d Stacy said, returning his smug grin with a cat-that-just-ate-the canary one of her own. \u201cHow about you keep the details of what goes on out here in the front yard when Pa\u2019s not looking to yourself, and I\u2019ll keep Lilly Beth Jared\u2019s new pet name for ya to MYSELF.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe blanched. \u201cWhuh\u2014wait a minute! How did you\u2014 \u201d His scowl deepened as the evil laughter Stacy could no longer keep back assailed his ears. \u201cHey! Who do you think you\u2019re trying to bluff?! You don\u2019t even know what her new pet name for me is!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYOU know that and I know that . . . but PA doesn\u2019t know that,\u201d Stacy said, taking no pains to hide the smug, triumphant note in her voice. \u201cAll I have to do is come up with something suitably naughty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWouldn\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n

The fierce scowl on her face and the rigid set of her jaw answered the question she posed in a way mere words couldn\u2019t even begin. \u201cWhere in the ever lovin\u2019 world did you ever learn to be so daggoned devious, Little Sister?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom my venerable honorable older brother sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNever!\u201d Joe immediately declared in tones of mock indignation and righteous outrage. \u201cI\u2019ll have YOU know, Miss Stacy Rose Cartwright, that I am the heart and soul of the whole, the pure, and the unvarnished truth. I would never even think of lying, except when I turn in every night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWhat about that little chat YOU had with Pa about the dress I had made for The Wedding of the Century?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWHAT chat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe one that left him absolutely convinced that I was having a dress made like the ones the girls, who work at the Silver Dollar, wear.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUh oh. On THAT note, I think I\u2019d better get while the gettin\u2019s good,\u201d Jason said, with an amused smile. \u201cJoe, a piece of advice, if I may?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Joe growled.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it comes to being sneaky, and devious, a SISTER will beat ya every single time,\u201d Jason said with a broad grin. \u201cI know. I grew up with TWO.\u201d He, then, turned his attention back to Stacy. \u201cI\u2019ll see you Tuesday, at the graduation exercises, Stacy Rose. I\u2019ll be right there in the front row cheering you and my sister on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be looking for you, Jason,\u201d Stacy said. \u201cThank you for riding home with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy pleasure as always.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe and Stacy waited until Jason had mounted his horse and ridden off.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo tell me something, Kid . . . where in the world did you ever learn to kiss like THAT?\u201d Joe demanded, as he and Stacy turned and started toward the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou promise me you won\u2019t get mad?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUh oh. Don\u2019t tell me it was from watching me and Lilly Beth,\u201d Joe groaned.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid so, Grandpa,\u201d Stacy said, as she slipped her arm through his.<\/p>\n

\u201cI tell ya . . . . \u201d Joe murmured, shaking his head in dismay. \u201cAll I gotta say is . . . it\u2019s a darn good thing for you and Lilly Beth that Jason and I are honorable, trustworthy gentlemen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just hope I haven\u2019t seen the last of Jason,\u201d Stacy said sadly, with a healthy dose of trepidation.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeen the LAST of Jason?!\u201d Joe echoed, favoring her with a look that asked which rock did she just crawl out from under. He immediately stopped walking, then turned and looked her straight in the face. \u201cStacy Rose Cartwright, I want you to listen to me and listen real good,\u201d he said sternly. \u201cSpeaking as a guy who\u2019s been engaged a couple of times, I know what I\u2019m talking about when I tell ya . . . Jason\u2019s in for the long haul, Kid. I know the look when I see it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cY-You really think so?\u201d<\/p>\n

The eager, almost childlike hopefulness he saw in Stacy\u2019s face and in her eyes killed the smart retort sitting right on the tip of his tongue. \u201cHey! I KNOW so,\u201d Joe reiterated gently. \u201cWhere\u2019d you get the idea you\u2019d seen the last of Jason anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCousin Clarissa,\u201d Stacy said dolefully. \u201cWhen Pa introduced her to Jason, she complimented him on his manners, then gushed about how diligently a . . . a young savage had to have applied himself to have learned proper etiquette in the first place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoo boy!\u201d Joe murmured, rolling his eyes. \u201cWhat did PA say?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Stacy said miserably. \u201cI was too busy wondering which one of us was gonna faint first.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI sure hope Pa gets Cousin Clarissa a good, stout, leather muzzle this time,\u201d Joe said grimly. \u201cIf he doesn\u2019t, our family\u2019s not gonna have a single, solitary friend left in the whole wide world.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben, now seated behind his desk, glanced up wearily as his two younger children trudged in through the front door. \u201cJoe! I didn\u2019t know you were home,\u201d he exclaimed in mild surprise.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I rode in as Jason was leaving,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cHoss and I made real good time getting the needed supplies out to that broken section of fence surrounding our winter pasture. We got everything unloaded, ready to start work first thing tomorrow morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d Ben said with an approving smile. \u201cWhere\u2019s Hoss? He came back with you . . . didn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Pa . . . he didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u201d Ben\u2019s smile faded. \u201cWhere did HE go?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cValhalla.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cValhalla?!\u201d Ben echoed with a puzzled frown. \u201cWhat for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHis exact words were . . . \u2018A decent meal, dadburn it.\u2019 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would Hoss have to go to Valhalla to get a decent meal?\u201d Stacy asked, with a perplexed look on her face.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause Cousin Clarissa vowed to put him on a diet . . . again! Just like she did the LAST time she came to visit,\u201d Joe said with a scowl. \u201cIt was awful, Kid. She had him down to eating nothing but lettuce and turnip greens.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPoor Hoss,\u201d Stacy murmured softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss\u2019ll be alright,\u201d Ben said. \u201cI\u2019m more worried about what she said to Jason.\u201d He turned his attention to his daughter. \u201cStacy, is . . . is everything all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Jason\u2019s ok,\u201d Stacy said. \u201cI think you and I were more upset than HE was.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very relieved to hear THAT,\u201d Ben declared with heartfelt sincerity.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa . . . where\u2019s Cousin Clarissa now?\u201d Joe asked, taking great care to lower his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe said something about having a million things to do, then went on upstairs,\u201d Ben replied, as he cast a uneasy glance over toward the steps . . . .<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHEEEELLOOOOOO! GOOD MOOOOORRRRNING!\u201d Clarissa called out, as she pounded insistently on the fast closed door of the bunkhouse with her balled fist.<\/p>\n

No answer! This was the third time she had knocked on the door and called.<\/p>\n

Scowling, she pounded on the door as hard as she could, rattling its very hinges. It was seven o\u2019clock, and the sun had been up for nearly an hour now. It galled her no end the way Benjamin\u2019s servants took such outrageous advantage of his good nature. At the very least, they should have been up, washed, shaved, dressed, and about the business for which her cousin no doubt paid them very handsomely.<\/p>\n

It was Candy who finally answered the door, groggy with sleep, his hair mussed, eye lids half opened, clad only in a pair of pajama bottoms.<\/p>\n

Clarissa stood, as if rooted to the very spot, with a crimson face, her mouth hanging wide open.<\/p>\n

Candy yawned in her face. \u201cS-Sorry, Miss Cartwright . . . . \u201d He yawned again. \u201cWha\u2019 can I do f\u2019r ya?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can make an effort to look half way presentable before you come to the door,\u201d Clarissa angrily sputtered, the minute she found her voice.<\/p>\n

Candy just stared over at her blankly, with a puzzled frown on his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re positively indecent! Benjamin\u2019s daughter should not have to endure being exposed to\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSta\u2014 uhhh, Mister Cartwright\u2019s daughter doesn\u2019t make a habit of barging into the bunkhouse this early in the morning . . . or at any other time, either, for that matter,\u201d Candy said stiffly.<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . and speaking of early in the morning, Young Man, WHAT are the lot of you still doing in bed?!\u201d she cried, outraged. \u201cYou should have been up and about your duties HOURS ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMISTER Cartwright expects us to report to work PROMPTLY at eight-thirty, unless, of course, HE says otherwise,\u201d Candy said, his own ire beginning to rise. He yawned again, much to Clarissa\u2019s annoyance and vexation. \u201cNow if you will excuse me . . . . \u201d He started to close the door.<\/p>\n

Clarissa angrily thrust out a hand to stop him. \u201cJust a moment, Young Man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNOW what?\u201d Candy groaned, taking no pains to conceal his own irritation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have an URGENT message that MUST be wired to my cousin in Boston, as soon as possible,\u201d Clarissa said imperiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Miss Cartwright, but we all have our assigned duties for the day,\u201d Candy said stiffly. \u201cWe\u2019re not going to have the time to stop and\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMister Canaday?\u201d a sleepy voice spoke out of the darkness of the bunkhouse interior.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Kevin?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMister Cartwright asked me to go into town this morning and pick up his mail,\u201d Kevin O\u2019Hennessy, one of the younger hands said. \u201cI can take Miss Cartwright\u2019s message to the telegraph office.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you very much, Young Man,\u201d Clarissa said, smiling, though her tone remained faintly imperious. She stepped toward the open door.<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . uhhh, Miss Cartwright, I . . . . \u201d Candy thrust out his hand, as the blood drained right out of his face. \u201cI\u2019LL see that Kevin g-gets the message.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you DON\u2019T mind, MISTER Canaday,\u201d Clarissa said as she pushed her way past Candy, and sauntered into the bunkhouse. \u201cI\u2019d prefer handing Kevin the message my\u2014su, su, su . . . . \u201d With a feeble groan, she fainted dead away at the sight of Kevin standing to the right of the door, in the complete altogether.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 4<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben gazed over at his cousin\u2019s prostrate form stretched out on the settee, with her feet propped up on the arm, groaning softly, as Hop Sing alternated between fanning her and holding a bottle of smelling salts under her nose. He, then, turned and glared over at Joe and Stacy, both of whom were leaning against the back of the settee, trying desperately not to laugh. Their success in that arduous endeavor was dubious at best.<\/p>\n

\u201cCandy, I believe you,\u201d Ben said, placing a reassuring, paternal hand on the junior foreman\u2019s shoulder. \u201cI know my cousin can be very forceful when she sets her mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Candy exhaled a long, heartfelt sigh of relief.<\/p>\n

\u201cI . . . don\u2019t THINK Miss Cartwright will up and try to barge in again like she did just now,\u201d Ben continued, \u201cbut, just in case? Perhaps it might be wise for you and the other men in the bunk house to wear a modicum of SOMETHING to bed, while she\u2019s here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sir.\u201d Candy turned to leave.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Candy . . . one more thing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Mister Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know some of the men keep flasks for, ummm shall we say medicinal purposes?\u201d<\/p>\n

Candy nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt might be a good idea for them to keep their flasks well out of sight while she\u2019s here, too,\u201d Ben added, remembering how Clarissa had sauntered into the bunk house, hung curtains, then dumped every last container of whiskey she could find, when she came to visit last. That had prompted half the men to quit on the spot.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess it kinda figures she\u2019d be a teetotaler,\u201d Candy sighed. \u201cI\u2019ll tell the others, Mister Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Candy . . . I\u2019d appreciate that.\u201d Ben waited until his junior foreman had left, before turning his attention to Clarissa.<\/p>\n

\u201cOohhh, Benjamin, I . . . I feel so silly,\u201d she groaned, as Ben seated himself on the coffee table next to the settee.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no need to feel silly, Clarissa,\u201d Ben said gently, as he took her hand in his own. \u201cI\u2019m just glad you\u2019re all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin, you need to be FIRM with these people,\u201d Clarissa moaned. \u201cYou need to let them know exactly WHO is in charge here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCousin Clarissa, take it from me . . . there\u2019s no doubt at all in anyone\u2019s mind as to who\u2019s running things here,\u201d Joe spoke up for the first time.<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . and I\u2019ve already spoken to Mister Canaday, and asked HIM to pass the word on to the others.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood!\u201d Clarissa said, as she started to rise.<\/p>\n

\u201cCousin Clarissa, not sit up so quick,\u201d Hop Sing warned.<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing, I am NOT your cousin,\u201d she said with a grimace. She rose, only to fall back down with a feeble moan, as her head started to spin.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing sighed and sarcastically rolled his eyes heavenward. \u201cMister Cartwright, Missy YOUR cousin. YOU stay with Missy. Time for Hop Sing start make breakfast,\u201d he said tersely, before turning heel and making tracks toward the kitchen.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, B-Benjamin . . . I\u2019m so sorry . . . . \u201d she groaned . . . .<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry?! Hell! You\u2019re pathetic, Child, utterly pathetic . . . about as useful as a fifth wheel on a wagon!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Her father, the first night Clarissa tried to cook their supper. They could no longer afford the housekeeper, the maids, or the gardener because his medical expenses, the doctor, the nurse who came each day, his medicines, all cost a small fortune. They had kept Cook on as long as they possibly could, but in the end, they were forced to let HER go as well . . . .<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re pathetic, Child, utterly pathetic . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

What did he expect?! She had never learned to cook or clean. She never had to learn . . . never thought she\u2019d EVER have to learn.<\/em><\/p>\n

. . . every bit as helpful as . . . .<\/em><\/p>\n

. . . a fifth wheel on a wagon.<\/em><\/p>\n

. . . a fifth wheel . . . .<\/em><\/p>\n

. . . on a wagon.<\/em><\/p>\n

She squeezed her eyes shut against Papa\u2019s angry, jeering face, and brought her hands up to her ears, pressing so tight, she half feared she was going to end up crushing her own skull . . . and still his cruel words poured in, relentlessly, without even the slightest sign of let up.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll show YOU,\u201d she adamantly vowed. \u201cI\u2019ll show you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa?<\/p>\n

Clarissa, wake up.<\/p>\n

Her eyes snapped wide open, and she found herself staring up into three anxious faces of her first cousin, and his two younger children.<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa? You all right?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI . . . yes, I\u2019m f-fine,\u201d she murmured softly. \u201cBenjamin?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Clarissa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI . . . I\u2019m not very hungry,\u201d she murmured softly, her voice barely audible. \u201cWould you mind too terribly much if I went back upstairs to rest for a little while?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot at all,\u201d Ben said quietly. \u201cFeel up to having a slice of toast and a cup of tea?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa responded with a tremulous smile. \u201cThat would be wonderful, thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing will bring it up when it\u2019s ready. In the meantime, why don\u2019t you rest, maybe even have a nap,\u201d Ben said. \u201cAfter lunch, if you\u2019re feeling up to it, maybe we can persuade Stacy to take you out to Ponderosa Plunge . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Benjamin, what a delightful day this has turned out to be!\u201d Clarissa exclaimed, her face aglow with an almost rapturous delight, as she and Ben stepped out onto the front porch together. She had spent most of the morning napping, despite her intentions to the contrary, and it had proven a much needed, much welcome tonic. Now, with her normally abundant vim and vigor, for the most part, restored, she was ready and eager to face the afternoon.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, indeed it HAS turned out to be a fine day,\u201d Ben agreed, \u201cperfect for a nice ride out to Ponderosa Plunge. I\u2019m glad to see you\u2019re feeling better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I am, thank you,\u201d Clarissa said, with a smile as bright as the sun shining overhead. To her own mind, she was fashionably attired in a riding costume, with jacket, hat, and skirt, long and flowing, hued in a sensible dark brown most suitable to a lady of her advanced years. She also wore a cream colored blouse with a subdued ruffle at the collar and at the wrists, peeking modestly out from the sleeves of her jacket. Her leather kid gloves were the same dark brown as her riding habit, while the scarf, which held her hat in place, was made from a translucent, diaphanous material dyed to match her blouse.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Benjamin, I\u2019m so glad you suggested that Stacy and I ride out together this afternoon,\u201d Clarissa said, as they made their way across the yard to the corral fence<\/p>\n

\u201cI know you\u2019re going to enjoy it. I . . . wish I could go with the two of ya, but I\u2019m afraid I\u2019ve put off doing the ledgers for too long already.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s quite alright,\u201d Clarissa said. \u201cNot that I wouldn\u2019t enjoy your company, but I feel this will be a nice chance for Stacy and me to get better acquainted.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben was gratified and relieved that there had been no further mention of Boston, finishing school, or debutante balls since yesterday afternoon. He fervently hoped and prayed that Clarissa had decided not to press the matter any further, that she would just relax from here on out, and enjoy the company of her relatives.<\/p>\n

Stacy and Candy stepped from the coolness of the dimly lit barn into the bright morning sunshine, leading Blaze Face and Gentleman Jim, Clarissa\u2019s mount, respectively. Clarissa was horrified to see that Stacy\u2019s horse was outfitted with the kind of saddle MEN use . . . and Stacy herself attired in a pair of britches, a shirt, and a wide brimmed Stetson, just like one of her father\u2019s hired hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh dear . . . . \u201d she murmured, as the blood drained right out of her face, leaving it a sickly, ashen gray. \u201cB-Benjamin . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cY-Yes, Clarissa?\u201d he queried with sinking heart. He had come to learn all over again, very quickly, that he was in for a big, long diatribe of a lecture when she got that horrified look on her face, and spoke in that particular bell like tone of voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t Stacy have a proper riding costume?\u201d she demanded, taking great care to lower her voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean . . . for riding side saddle?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean for riding as a lady ought to ride,\u201d she snapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa, during the time Stacy lived with the Indians, she learned to ride a horse astride,\u201d Ben explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid no one ever try to teach her otherwise?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe tried once or twice before letting it be known that she would ride as she already knew how to ride,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou should have been firm, Benjamin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa, very few women out here ride side saddle,\u201d Ben tried to explain. \u201cWith the work we do . . . rounding up horses or cattle\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can assure you that Stacy will be doing NONE of those things when she reaches Boston,\u201d Clarissa said severely. \u201cThe only kind of riding she\u2019ll be doing . . . IF she does any at all, will be to promenade around the square on Sunday afternoon, AFTER she attends church.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoo boy!\u201d Ben sighed, as he paused to gaze upward to the heavens, silently, desperately beseeching. \u201cClarissa\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI . . . think you and I need to come to an understanding on a few things\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa glared over at him, with her posture ramrod straight, and arms folded tight across her chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want you exerting a lot of undue pressure on Stacy about going to that finishing school in Boston,\u201d Ben said, feeling very disconcertingly on the defensive.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t talk to her about it . . . mention it as a possibility?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t say you couldn\u2019t MENTION it, or suggest it as a possibility,\u201d Ben said in a very quiet, very firm tone of voice. \u201cBut, I WON\u2019T have you browbeating my daughter into doing something she doesn\u2019t want to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you saying that . . . that you don\u2019t want her to g-go to Boston?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBetween you and me? No. I DON\u2019T want her to go to Boston, but\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa looked over at Ben, stunned, for a moment, before suddenly bursting into tears. \u201cBenjamin . . . B-Benjamin, h-how COULD you?!\u201d she sobbed, grief stricken and very angry. \u201cHow COULD you?!!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cH-How could I . . . what?!\u201d Ben stammered, wholly taken aback by her tears.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow could you be so selfish?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cS-Selfish?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, SELFISH!\u201d Clarissa said angrily, then softened. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Benjamin, I . . . well, I guess not having had children myself, it\u2019s very difficult for me to understand how hard it must be for a parent to let them go, but . . . surely . . . you\u2019re NOT going to put YOUR desires . . . what YOU want . . . above Stacy\u2019s happiness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not. If . . . I had been allowed to finish, I would have said that it\u2019s not for ME to decide . . . or YOU either, for that matter,\u201d Ben said. \u201cIt\u2019s up to STACY to decide what she wants to do after she graduates, and I mean to stand by that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you ever once ASKED Stacy about going to finishing school?\u201d Clarissa pressed with all the stubborn relentlessness of a pit bull.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell . . . no . . . not in so many words . . . . \u201d Ben replied, feeling very much like a criminal, who had been caught in the very act, standing before judge, jury, and executioner, without a proverbial leg to stand on. \u201cBut . . . we\u2019ve talked about things\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWHAT things . . . other than this ranch?\u201d Clarissa demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cStacy knows what her options are, Clarissa,\u201d Ben said, bristling at her unspoken insinuations.<\/p>\n

\u201cCousin Clarissa?\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned and found Stacy standing at her elbow.<\/p>\n

\u201cReady to ride?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I am,\u201d Clarissa said with an emphatic nod of her head . . . .<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Cousin Clarissa? What do you think?\u201d Stacy asked, eagerly watching for Cousin Clarissa\u2019s reaction to the wondrous landscape spread out before them.<\/p>\n

Clarissa Cartwright gasped in awe at the magnificent vista, of deep blue lake, tall ponderosa pine trees, mixed with aspen, oak, cottonwood, and birch spread out before her. The dark forest, deep pine greens, mixed with the lighter greens, lush almost succulent over the long stretch of many, many miles, gradually faded into a uniform blue green hue, which, in turn melted away into the bluish-purple mountains in the far distance. \u201cOh, Stacy . . . it\u2019s . . . it\u2019s magnificent,\u201d she murmured softly. \u201cNothing less than . . . magnificent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you like to get down and stretch your legs a bit?\u201d Stacy asked. \u201cI can help you, if you need it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Stacy . . . thank you. I\u2019m fine,\u201d Clarissa replied, though, in truth, she would have liked nothing better. Unfortunately, Benjamin didn\u2019t employ a proper groom, a man, who, under normal circumstances, would have accompanied them on their ride, and deftly seen to it SHE at least was assisted in dismounting and climbing back onto the saddle once again, when they were ready to move on. She was gratified, even touched by Stacy\u2019s generous offer to assist her in dismounting, but doubted very seriously that the child possessed sufficient strength to accomplish so arduous a task.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa told me that Adam named this place Ponderosa Plunge, the first time they came here together,\u201d Stacy said, speaking softly, reverently, as Molly and Susannah did whenever they entered the sanctuary of Saint Mary\u2019s in the Mountains. \u201cAdam used to come here a lot, especially when he needed to think, or simply to be alone. So do I.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt IS quite lovely and peaceful here,\u201d Clarissa said, her stiff tone of voice at odds with the smile on her face. \u201cBenjamin . . . your father . . . allows you to ride out here . . . alone?\u201d<\/p>\n

Stacy nodded. \u201cAs long as my morning chores are done, and I\u2019m back in plenty of time to get Blaze Face properly stabled by the time Hop Sing has breakfast ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa added \u2018 NO riding alone\u2019 to the rapidly expanding list, of things Stacy must know and understand before starting at the Sarah Lynn Portnoy Academy for Young Ladies, come fall. She would also have to be fitted with a proper riding costume, maybe two or better yet, three. It wouldn\u2019t do at all for her to be seen promenading around the square on Sunday afternoons in the same one too often, not among the wealthy elite making up the very cream of Boston high society.<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . and, most important, she MUST be taught to ride in a manner proper for a young lady . . . using a side saddle,\u201d<\/em> Clarissa mused darkly, in silence.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll have to come out here one morning to watch the sun rise,\u201d Stacy said with a dreamy smile, blissfully ignorant of her companion\u2019s silent, dire musings, \u201c . . . that is . . . if you wouldn\u2019t mind getting up before dawn.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a firm believer in early to bed and early to rise,\u201d Clarissa said quickly. \u201cMay I ask you a question?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess . . . . \u201d Stacy replied, suddenly wary.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing personal . . . well, maybe a little personal.\u201d Clarissa\u2019s disgruntled frown faded into a warm smile. \u201cI was just wondering what your plans for the future might be, now that you\u2019ll be graduating in a few days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d Stacy relaxed slightly, and even returned Clarissa\u2019s smile. \u201cWednesday morning, I go to work for Pa, just like Hoss and Joe,\u201d she replied with confidence, and a touch of pride. \u201cHe\u2019ll be paying me wages, too . . . just like he does them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa was appalled. Absolutely appalled! \u201cWhat . . . kinds of things will you, uhhh b-be doing?\u201d she forced herself to ask that question.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa hasn\u2019t exactly come to a decision as to where I\u2019m going to start,\u201d Stacy replied, feeling oddly on the defensive. \u201cI HAVE been working with Joe and Hoss training horses after they\u2019ve saddle broken . . . some.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly some?\u201d Clarissa triumphantly snapped right back.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs school and . . . homework have allowed.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWhat else?!\u201d Stacy echoed. A bewildered frown creased her normally smooth brow.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat else do you do around here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have MY morning chores, of course . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that all?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I\u2019ve also been teaching people how to ride,\u201d Stacy said, warming now to a favorite topic. \u201cKids mostly, but I\u2019ve also taught a couple of adults. Just this past summer Mrs. Hansen . . . she\u2019s one of our neighbors . . . she came with her youngest daughter, Meribeth . . . and I got to teach BOTH of \u2018em at the same time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you . . . enjoy that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery much,\u201d Stacy replied, her bright blue eyes shining with adoration and deep reverence. \u201cI love horses, Cousin Clarissa. They\u2019re not only useful as work animals, but I\u2019ve found them to be wonderful companions, too . . . especially Blaze Face.\u201d She punctuated her words with a gentle, loving caress along the side of his neck. \u201cIf I can teach someone else not only how to ride, but also how to take care of their horse, I feel like I\u2019m doing something really worth while.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI . . . see,\u201d Clarissa said stiffly, with a grimace.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa says I also pass along my love of horses to the people I teach. I think I like that idea best of all,\u201d Stacy said, finding it hard to speak past that sudden lump in her throat, upon remembering the love and pride shining in her father\u2019s eyes when he had told her that. \u201cNow that I\u2019m graduating, I\u2019ll have lots more time to give lessons.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStacy, have you ever thought about . . . well, about doing something else? ANYthing else?\u201d<\/p>\n

No,\u201d Stacy replied, \u201cbecause everything I\u2019ve ever wanted is right here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat poor child!\u201d<\/em> Clarissa mused silently. \u201cTHIS . . . . \u201d<\/em> she grimaced, \u201c . . . is all she\u2019s ever KNOWN!<\/em>\u201d Benjamin meant well, but no matter how much he, his sons, and even Stacy herself tried to pretend otherwise, the real fact of the matter was . . . running a ranch, especially a ranch the size of the Ponderosa, was work for a MAN. The boys would someday marry, and start their own families . . . and they would eventually take over the duties and responsibilities of running things when Benjamin finally became too old, too infirm to effectively run things himself.<\/p>\n

But, where would that leave Stacy?<\/p>\n

The only future Clarissa could possibly envision was an empty life, not unlike the way her own had been, after Papa took sick. The thought of Stacy spending year after lonely year caring for a cantankerous, invalided father . . . never marrying, or having her own family, because there was no time for such folderol . . . .<\/p>\n

Papa\u2019s words.<\/p>\n

. . . and what would happen to her after Benjamin finally shuffled off this mortal coil, as all men and women eventually must? Would Stacy end up as SHE had? Left bereft of hearth and home because Papa\u2019s last will and testament said share and share alike, and she had no money to buy out her brothers\u2019 and sister\u2019s shares of the old homestead?!<\/p>\n

No!<\/p>\n

A glint of the old Cartwright steel flashed in Clarissa\u2019s gray green eyes, and her mouth thinned to a near straight, determined line.<\/p>\n

NO!<\/p>\n

That would NOT be Stacy\u2019s future. Not while SHE was around to prevent it. And she silently vowed, then and there, that she would do all that lay within her power to save poor Stacy from such a fate.<\/p>\n

\u201cStacy,\u201d she snapped out the girl\u2019s name.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Cousin Clarissa?\u201d she queried, suddenly wary. There was something unsettling about the look in her companion\u2019s eyes . . . .<\/p>\n

\u201cWill you be going away to finishing school?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Stacy\u2019s reply was succinct, emphatic, no beating around the bush.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a fine one in Boston,\u201d Clarissa continued, as if Stacy had not even spoken. \u201cIn fact, it\u2019s the finest on the entire east coast, if not in the entire country. Young ladies come from far and wide to attend . . . even from as far away as England and France. What would you say if I told you I could get you admitted there as a student . . . even now at the eleventh hour?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI would say thank you very much for your offer, Cousin Clarissa, but I DON\u2019T want to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment, all Clarissa could do was stare over at her young cousin once removed through eyes round with shocked astonishment, too stunned to even speak.<\/p>\n

\u201cI . . . Cousin Clarissa, I . . . think, maybe we ought to be getting back now,\u201d Stacy said, suddenly desirous of being free of the older woman\u2019s company.<\/p>\n

\u201cStacy\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCousin Clarissa, I don\u2019t want to go to finishing school,\u201d Stacy said in a firm tone that brooked no argument, no further discussion of the matter, sounding very much like her father when HE came to a final decision.<\/p>\n

An exasperated sigh exploded from between Clarissa\u2019s rapidly thinning lips, as astonishment and shock began to give way to anger, and a very real, all consuming fear for Stacy\u2019s future. \u201cStacy Cartwright, do you realize that you literally have the world . . . the WHOLE WORLD . . . lying right here, at your feet?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI-I don\u2019t understand\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf COURSE you don\u2019t understand! How could you POSSIBLY understand?!\u201d Clarissa exploded, rudely cutting Stacy off, mid-sentence. \u201cGiven all the right resources . . . completing your studies at one of the finest, if not THE finest finishing school, making your societal debut, and finally . . . making a good marriage to a man of impeccable breeding with generous financial means . . . do you realize there\u2019s nothing you can\u2019t do?! Nothing you can\u2019t have??\u201d<\/p>\n

She opened her mouth fully intending to tell Cousin Clarissa that she already HAD everything she could possibly want . . . right here. Not even the best finishing school, or a grand and glorious societal debut . . . whatever THAT was . . . could ever take the place of the kind and loving family, who had unconditionally accepted her as the beautiful, unique young woman she was, who had always encouraged her to follow her own heart. With Pa, Hoss, Joe, and Hop Sing behind her, she already knew there was nothing she couldn\u2019t do . . . or have. All she had to do was simply make up her own mind to go after it.<\/p>\n

As for making a good marriage, she would be hard pressed to find anyone better than Jason O\u2019Brien. He was every bit as loving and kind as her biggest brother, Hoss. She saw that not only in the gentle, respectful way he touched and handled the animals entrusted to his care, but in the kind, gentle, loving, and respectful way in which he treated HER. Jason loved and accepted her as she was, for the person she was, every bit as much as Pa, Hoss, Joe, and Hop Sing did. Would the social climbing, blue blood, Cousin Clarissa had in mind, who in all likelihood looked down his long thin nose with disdain at everything west of the Appalachians . . . . Could such a man truly love and cherish her as Jason did? Stacy doubted very much that would be the case.<\/p>\n

\u201cStacy, you have been blessed with so much,\u201d Clarissa\u2019s voice, made harsh and strident by her increasing anger and fear, dissipated Stacy\u2019s thoughts and words, before she had the chance to give them voice. \u201cSo many opportunities, so many advantages . . . . Do you realize how many young ladies would give literally give their eyeteeth for the chance to attend a prestigious finishing school, like the Sarah Lynn Portnoy Academy for Young Ladies . . . to be presented to society at a grand and glorious debutante ball . . . and to make a brilliant marriage to a man of means who could provide for them and their children a life of comfort with a secure future?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, I\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was all set to go, you know . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa\u2019s anger and fear gave way to the deep, profound sadness and bitter regret that consumed her for so long. \u201cI had been accepted at the Sarah Lynn Portnoy Academy for Young Ladies,\u201d she continued, her head tilted downward, her eyes riveted to her gloved hands, now tightly clasped to her chest. \u201cI was packed . . . all ready to go, when . . . a week before I was supposed to leave f-for Boston, Papa h-had an attack of apoplexy that . . . that left him unable t-to . . . to look after himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Cousin Clarissa . . . I\u2019m so sorry,\u201d Stacy murmured softly, her heart going out to her companion.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the money we had went to pay for doctors, nurses, medicines, and hospital stays,\u201d Clarissa went on, surprised at how powerful those initial feelings of pain, grief, even anger remained, despite the passage of nearly half a century. \u201cThere was no money left to pay my tuition at the Sarah Lynn Portnoy Academy for Young Ladies, or purchase a stage ticket so I could travel to Boston. My cherished dream of being presented to society was dashed, too, along with any shred of hope for making a good marriage. Stacy . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Cousin Clarissa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMore than anything, I want to drag you down off that horse and shake you, and SHAKE you . . . good and hard . . . until I finally shook some sense into you,\u201d Clarissa furiously rounded on her young cousin once removed. \u201cHere YOU are . . . with the world literally at your feet . . . with all the wonderful advantages I had to give up . . . and you want to throw it all away with both hands! I don\u2019t understand you! I don\u2019t!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCousin Clarissa, I think we\u2019d better go back now,\u201d Stacy said in a hollow monotone, feeling suddenly, overwhelmingly afraid.<\/p>\n

\u201cStacy, you\u2019re being silly, do you know that? Silly, childish, and . . . and very, very SELFISH!\u201d<\/p>\n

Stacy paled in the face of Clarissa\u2019s dark angry scowl, her cheeks and forehead beet red, her steadily rising fury, teetering on the edge of hysteria.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of impoverished young ladies out there who would absolutely JUMP at the chance I\u2019m offering you . . . JUMP! Do you hear me?! . . . and here YOU are . . . ready to cheerfully throw it all away without a single thought. It . . . it makes me SICK.\u201d With that, she abruptly turned her horse and rode off at a fast gallop, leaving Stacy staring after her feeling terribly sick at heart, and utterly dumbfounded.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 5<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMore coffee, Mister Cartwright? Hop Sing make fresh.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben glanced up from the ledger, lying open on the desk before him, and found Hop Sing standing there with a smile on his face and coffee pot in hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Hop Sing,\u201d Ben said as he grabbed the empty mug sitting at his elbow, to his left. \u201cSay . . . . \u201d He paused a moment to sniff the air. \u201c . . . do I smell peanut butter cookies?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing nodded as he filled Ben\u2019s mug. \u201cFresh, right out of oven. Mister Cartwright want cookie? Hop Sing go get.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou needn\u2019t bother, Hop Sing,\u201d Ben said. \u201cI can help myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh NO! By time Mister Cartwright help himself, Little Joe and Miss Stacy help THEM-self, and MISTER HOSS finally help himself . . . no cookie left for supper,\u201d Hop Sing declared with a scowl and an emphatic nod of his head. \u201cNo APPETITE left for supper either . . . except Mister Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue,\u201d Ben was forced to admit.<\/p>\n

\u201cMister Cartwright drink coffee. Hop Sing go back in kitchen, get\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

The sound of horse hooves pounding against the earth rudely cut Hop Sing off mid-sentence. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ben shoot right up out of the chair, with a dark scowl on his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I\u2019ve told that young man once, I\u2019ve told him a thousand times . . . . \u201d Ben muttered under his breath as he came out from behind his desk, and beat a straight path toward the front door, moving at a very brisk pace.<\/p>\n

\u201cOohhh . . . that Little Joe, he never learn. Little Joe in big trouble now,\u201d Hop Sing observed with a mournful shake of his head. \u201cHeap deep, very, big, big, BIG trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUh oh. What did I do NOW?\u201d It was Joe, sauntering down the steps, with his green jacket over his arm.<\/p>\n

Ben and Hop Sing watched, their faces twin masks of astonishment, as the youngest Cartwright son skipped over the last two steps to the floor. \u201cHey!\u201d the latter said. \u201cIf Little Joe in here . . . who gallop horse in yard?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI intend to find out,\u201d Ben growled under his breath, as he threw open the front door.<\/p>\n

Joe and Hop Sing exchanged anxious, puzzled glances, before falling in behind the clan patriarch.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Outside, Clarissa, with tears streaming down her face like rivers, pulled hard on the reins, with force sufficient to elicit a grunt of pain and protest from her mount, the patient, elderly Gentleman Jim.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey! Take it easy, Miss Cartwright,\u201d Candy quietly admonished her, as he took hold of Gentleman Jim\u2019s bridle. \u201cYou can do some serious injury to his mouth pulling like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp me down!\u201d Clarissa snapped, as she angrily wiped her eyes with the heel of her hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cY-Yes, Ma\u2019am,\u201d Candy murmured warily, as he took the horse\u2019s lead and quickly secured it to the corral fence. He, then, moved to help Clarissa down.<\/p>\n

Ben, meanwhile, had stepped outside, just in time to see his cousin entering the yard at a full gallop. She had stopped Gentleman Jim abruptly, just short of the horse actually careening into the corral fence.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n

He turned and found his youngest son standing beside him, his face, his hazel eyes mirroring the look of surprise he knew had to be on his own face. Hop Sing stood quietly behind them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWas that C-Cousin Clarissa galloping into the yard just now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Joe . . . it was,\u201d Ben said quietly, as he moved to step down off the porch. He grimly noted that Gentleman Jim was lathered and breathing heavily. There was an angry scowl on Clarissa\u2019s face, and, in her exchange with Candy, she seemed upset, agitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Joe queried, as he fell in step along side his father. \u201cDidn\u2019t Cousin Clarissa and Stacy go out together?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben replied, as his initial surprise at Clarissa galloping into the yard at break neck speed began to fade into anxious concern. Where WAS Stacy? Was she lying somewhere hurt? Was that the reason Clarissa was so upset? He saw Clarissa push past Candy, to beat a straight path towards him, her face darker than the worst thunderstorm he had ever experienced.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m gonna saddle Cochise,\u201d Joe said grimly. \u201cStace was taking Cousin Clarissa out to see Ponderosa Plunge, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded, then turned and made his way toward the barn door, standing open.<\/p>\n

Ben, meanwhile, turned his attention to his distraught cousin. \u201cClarissa?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin, I don\u2019t want to talk about it!\u201d she declared, resolute and angry, as the tears continued to stream down her face.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t want to talk about what?!\u201d Ben pressed, as he fell in step beside her.<\/p>\n

\u201cStacy!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa . . . . \u201d He placed his hand on her shoulder, effectively halting her hasty retreat toward the house.<\/p>\n

She turned to his with an exasperated sigh. \u201cWhat!?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStacy . . . she\u2019s not hurt . . . is she?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Clarissa snapped. \u201cShe\u2019s not hurt! She\u2019s throwing away a bright, secure future with both hands, but she\u2019s not hurt!\u201d<\/p>\n

Had she tried to coerce Stacy into going to Boston to attend that Sarah Leah . . . or whoever Academy for Young Ladies? Ben\u2019s heart sank at the prospect, knowing all too well how forcefully persuasive his cousin could be when she got a notion firmly entrenched in her head. \u201cClarissa . . . what . . . exactly . . . do you mean Stacy\u2019s throwing away a bright, secure future with both hands?\u201d he queried anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cI DON\u2019T want to talk about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa, please\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI could do so MUCH for that child, Benjamin! So . . . very . . . MUCH! You\u2019ve GOT to talk to her!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout WHAT?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHer FUTURE! Benjamin, you know as well as I do that THIS . . . \u201d Clarissa took in the yard, the house, and barn with the dramatic, sweeping gestures of both hands, \u201c . . . THIS . . . is no proper life for a young lady.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWHAT is no proper life for a young lady?!\u201d Ben demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cLife HERE on this ranch . . . on ANY ranch,\u201d Clarissa pressed. \u201cOh, Benjamin, please! Listen to me! You know as well as I do that there\u2019s nothing that Stacy can do here . . . not really! You have HOP SING to do the cooking, the laundry, and the house cleaning. As for the rest of the chores around here . . . they\u2019re jobs for MEN, not for a young lady. Stacy just plain and simply doesn\u2019t have the strength and stamina to do what needs to be done, no matter how much YOU want to pretend otherwise. She\u2019s going to end up being as useful around here as . . . as . . . as a fifth wheel on a wagon! That\u2019s the way it IS! Benjamin, please! If you honestly and truly love her . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa and Ben entered the house, taking the former\u2019s tirade right along with them. Neither one of them saw or heard the hooves of another horse ride into the yard, a big bay gelding, with a rich reddish brown coat, black mane and tail, with a wide, white stripe stretching down the length of his face. Nor did they see the pale face of his rider, her bright blue eyes riveted to their backs as they entered the house, too stunned to speak or even move.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs THAT the real reason why Pa hasn\u2019t been able to decide what he wants me to do?\u201d<\/em> Stacy wondered silently, as Cousin Clarissa\u2019s words churned within her troubled thoughts as the sea churns with the approach of a storm. The thought of being as \u2018useless as a fifth wheel on a wagon,\u2019 to use Cousin Clarissa\u2019s blunt assessment of things, troubled her deeply. But, the alternative . . . the future her father\u2019s cousin envisioned for her . . . seemed a fate worse than death.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Boy,\u201d Joe said softly, as he led Cochise, saddled and ready to ride, out of his stall. \u201cLet\u2019s you and me head out for Ponderosa plunge and see of we can find Stacy and\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

The soft snort of another horse entering the barn immediately drew Joe\u2019s attention. He glanced up sharply, just as Stacy entered the barn, leading Blaze Face. A wave of relief washed over him, upon noting that neither his young sister nor her horse seemed in any way hurt or injured. A second glance, that took in the bowed head, the tell tale slump of her shoulders, brought an anxious frown to his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Kid . . . glad you\u2019re back,\u201d Joe said by way of greeting, as he tethered Cochise to one of the beams that helped support the barn roof.<\/p>\n

Stacy paused, and glanced up sharply upon hearing her brother\u2019s voice, but said nothing.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything . . . ok?\u201d Joe probed cautiously, as he set himself to the task of unbuckling the cinch.<\/p>\n

\u201cGrandpa, can I ask you something? Theoretically?\u201d Stacy asked, as she tethered Blaze Face\u2019s lead to another support pole, several yards from the one to which her brother had tied Cochise.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Joe replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cAm I as . . . as useless around here as a . . . as a fifth wheel on a wagon?!\u201d It took every ounce of will she possessed to utter the words forming that question. Stacy immediately braced herself, fully expecting to hear the worst.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe immediately blurted out his answer. \u201cWhere in the world did you get THAT idea?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOutside just now,\u201d Stacy said in a very small, very sad voice.<\/p>\n

Joe frowned. \u201cSurely PA didn\u2019t\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

Stacy immediately shook her head. \u201cNot Pa,\u201d she said and she bent down to undo the cinch of her own saddle. \u201cCousin Clarissa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did PA say?\u201d Joe asked, laboring mightily to keep his own voice calm and even.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Stacy said, her voice catching on the last word, as she removed her saddle. \u201cHe and Cousin Clarissa went into the house at that point.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStacy, it\u2019s NOT true what Cousin Clarissa said,\u201d Joe told his sister in a firm, no nonsense tone of voice. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot that you can and have done around here . . . and a lot you\u2019re going to be learning how to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why is Pa having such a hard time deciding what he wants ME to do?\u201d Stacy asked, her voice catching, as the two of them started toward the tack room, carrying their saddles and blankets, \u201cand . . . why won\u2019t he let me help you with the saddle breaking? I can do it . . . I KNOW I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be perfectly honest with ya, Kid, I haven\u2019t the faintest idea why he won\u2019t let you help me bust the broncs,\u201d Joe said with a bewildered frown. \u201cBut, if you want MY two cents on your first question, I think he\u2019s having a hard time trying to decide where you should start is because you\u2019re able to do so much. On the one hand, Pa and I both know that I could use your help in TRAINING that string of horses we just brought in off the range, after they\u2019ve been saddle broke. On the other hand, it\u2019s time for us to be moving out cattle out to the summer pastures, now that the branding\u2019s done . . . and Pa\u2019s also thinking he\u2019d like you to start learning how to do THAT.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, the bottom line here is . . . we NEED you, Stace, and . . . we WANT you. Pa, Hoss, and I\u2019ve been looking forward to you starting to work with us full time every bit as much as YOU have.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cY-You have?! Really?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, we have . . . really.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stacy carefully placed her saddle on its rack, all the while carefully searching Joe\u2019s face. She knew immediately by the open and earnest look on his face, that he had told her the truth. \u201cThanks, Joe,\u201d she said very softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnytime,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cStacy?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cCan I ask a real big favor of you?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWould you finish stabling Cochise for me?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cI just remembered something urgent that needs doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOk,\u201d Stacy agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI owe you one, Kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stacy immediately shook her head. \u201cNot THIS time, Grandpa. I owe YOU one, and you can consider stabling Cochise as payback.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa?!\u201d Joe burst into the house like a juggernaut. \u201cPa, I need to talk to you about\u2014 \u201d He was surprised to find that his father was no where in sight. \u201cPA?\u201d Joe called out again raising his voice slightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Ben appeared at the top of the stairs, his face pale, his dark, chocolate brown eyes round with apprehension. \u201cDid you find Stacy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. She\u2019s out in the barn.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben quietly descended the stairs. \u201cIs she all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPHYSICALLY, she\u2019s fine and dandy,\u201d Joe said curtly. \u201cEmotionally . . . Pa, I think you need to sit down and have a heart to heart talk with her . . . pronto!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor openers, Stacy overheard everything Cousin Clarissa said to you in out in the yard,\u201d Joe said, taking no pains to conceal his rising anger.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout her being as useful around here as a fifth wheel on a wagon . . . among other things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no,\u201d Ben groaned softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yes. Pa, right now . . . if I could have but one wish . . . it would be that Cousin Clarissa could turn into a great big, strapping Cousin CLARK . . . so I could pound him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed and rolled his eyes. \u201cJoseph, I\u2019m going out to the barn to have that heart to heart talk with Stacy. In the meantime, I want YOU to get hold of yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake a deep breath.\u201d Ben quickly and succinctly nipped his youngest son\u2019s tirade in the bud. \u201cCount to ten . . . twenty . . . or a hundred if you have to . . . whatever it takes, but put a rein on that temper of yours.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . and after you get a good hold on your anger, if you can\u2019t say anything nice to Cousin Clarissa, I don\u2019t want you to say anything at all. Is that clear?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClear, Pa, but\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo buts, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome ON, Pa . . . you\u2019re not going to let Cousin Clarissa get away with\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will take care of Cousin Clarissa,\u201d Ben said very firmly, \u201cAFTER I see to your sister.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was about to remind his father how every single time he had tried to talk with Cousin Clarissa on the occasion of her LAST visit, she would burst into tears and prattle on about how she needed to be useful. The end result was that she cheerfully kept right on driving the family crazy, and alienating their friends. The dark, angry glare he saw on his father\u2019s face, however, made the words die a sudden, quick death before giving them utterance.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph?\u201d Ben prompted.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

Satisfied that his mercurial youngest son would refrain from having it out with Cousin Clarissa, at least for the time being, Ben hurried outside to the barn.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNeed a hand?\u201d<\/p>\n

Stacy turned from the task of brushing her horse, and found Ben standing at her elbow. Though her eyes blinked excessively, there was a glint of steel there, as well. \u201cThanks, Pa . . . but, I can manage,\u201d she replied. \u201cHonest . . . I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI KNOW you can, Stacy,\u201d Ben said quietly, as he picked up the extra brush on the small table Hoss kept next to Chubb\u2019s stall.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Stacy?\u201d he replied, as he moved in alongside her and began to brush Blaze Face\u2019s rear flank.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I ask you a question . . . will you give me an honest answer?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do my best.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you . . . oh, Pa . . . do . . . YOU . . . want me to finishing school?\u201d she asked. Though her voice caught, her gaze never wavered.<\/p>\n

Ben put the brush aside. \u201cStacy, it\u2019s what YOU want that matters,\u201d he said earnestly, taking both of her hands in his own. \u201cIf YOU want to go to Boston, to finishing school\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t,\u201d Stacy said with that firm, resolute set of mouth and chin that signaled a decision was made, end of conversation. \u201cTo be completely honest? I think it\u2019s a waste of time, even if Cousin Clarissa DOES think it\u2019s the best thing in the world that could ever happen to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Stacy said firmly. \u201cI KNOW how to use a knife, fork, and spoon . . . and if it\u2019s ever a case of WHICH knife, fork, or spoon . . . all I have to do is watch YOU guys. I also know how to conduct myself in public like a half way civilized human being, despite what Grandpa says sometimes . . . AND I know how to waltz.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, that\u2019s all very true,\u201d Ben agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . and not even the best teacher and the very best of finishing schools could teach me any of that stuff half so well as YOU have,\u201d Stacy declared, as she slipped her arms around Ben\u2019s waist and gave him a gentle, affectionate squeeze, \u201cand besides . . . I\u2019d miss you, Hoss, Grandpa, Hop Sing, Jason and Blaze Face terribly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . and we\u2019d miss YOU terribly, Young Woman,\u201d Ben said, as he placed his arms around her shoulders, and hugged her close. \u201cHowever . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever . . . what?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben set her apart, just enough that he might look her straight in the eye. \u201cWhile it\u2019s true that finishing school IS learning about proper etiquette, how to dance, run a household, and how to conduct yourself properly in different social situations, it\u2019s also an opportunity to further your education, especially in the arts, to learn another language\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m already pretty fluent in Paiute.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you are,\u201d Ben agreed with a chuckle, \u201cand if you someday find you have burning questions about art or music, I suppose you COULD always write and ask your brother, Adam. But, Stacy . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the most important aspect of attending a finishing school is the opportunity it presents to meet and interact with other young women in and around your age from all over the country. Are you sure you want to pass that up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPass up the opportunity to interact with mean, spiteful, social climbing young women, like Pruella Danvers, Millicent Adams, or that dreadful little snot, Jenny Lind!?\u201d Stacy said with a comically grotesque shudder that brought an amused smile to her father\u2019s face. \u201cHeck . . . YES! They can be so sugary sweet to your face, but the minute you turn your back, they\u2019re sticking a KNIFE in it. If THAT\u2019S the way the cr\u00e8me-de-la-cr\u00e8me of high society acts . . . well, I want no part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s . . . unfortunate . . . that the likes of Miss Danvers, Miss Adams, Miss Lind . . . and Cousin Clarissa, too, for that matter . . . have come to define what high society is,\u201d Ben said quietly, as they set to finishing the task of brushing down Blaze Face.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMost of the people I was privileged to know when I lived in Boston, who could be considered the cream of its high society, were and are wonderful people, kind, generous, and very down-to-earth,\u201d Ben replied, as he turned his attention to Cochise<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cBetween you and me, Young Woman, I think snobbish people, like Pruella Danvers, Millicent Adams, Jenny Lind . . . AND Cousin Clarissa . . . are terribly insecure people trying very hard to convince themselves that they\u2019re something . . . they\u2019re . . . not.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake Mrs. Wilkens, f\u2019r instance,\u201d Ben continued, as he removed Cochise\u2019s bridle and blanket. \u201cSHE came from a wealthy southern family, who can trace its roots back to the founding of Jamestown. She went to a finishing school in Charleston, then spent the following year touring Europe to round out her education. When she returned home, she was presented to society at a great big, grand and glorious debutante ball . . . and it was there she met and fell in love with MISTER Wilkens, a kind, decent man, who was every bit as down to earth she is.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow I ask you . . . have YOU ever once known Mrs. Wilkens to ever go about with her nose in the air, putting on a lot of fancy airs?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Stacy replied, as she changed Blaze Face\u2019s water, and gave him fresh hay.<\/p>\n

\u201cNeither have I . . . and I\u2019ve known her almost from the time Hoss, Adam, and I first came here,\u201d Ben said. \u201cOf course you won\u2019t see someone like Mrs. Wilkens putting on airs . . . because SHE doesn\u2019t have to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stacy silently set to work helping her father brush Cochise, all the while digesting the import of his words. \u201cI . . . think I understand what you\u2019re saying, Pa,\u201d she said slowly. \u201cPruella Danvers, Millicent Adams, and Jenny Lind are all sow\u2019s ears trying hard to be silk purses . . . while Mrs. Wilkens doesn\u2019t try to be a silk purse at all . . . because she really IS one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll bet MOST of the young women who go to finishing school are very much like Mrs. Wilkens.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPoint taken, Pa . . . but, I still DON\u2019T want to go,\u201d Stacy said very firmly, \u201cbecause everything I want and . . . and everyone who really matters to me . . . are all right here.\u201d<\/p>\n

On impulse, Ben slipped his arms around her and hugged her tight for a moment. \u201cCousin Clarissa\u2019s going to be terribly disappointed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Pa,\u201d Stacy said sadly, as she slipped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his chest. \u201cI wish I could do something about that, but I can\u2019t . . . because the only thing that\u2019s going to make her happy is for me to go with her to Boston. I\u2019m sorry if I\u2019m being selfish\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you\u2019re NOT being selfish, Young Woman.\u201d Ben\u2019s tone of voice was gentle, yet firm. \u201cYou\u2019re entitled to live your life as YOU see fit . . . whether you decide to stay here with Hoss, Joe, and me . . . go to Boston with Cousin Clarissa . . . or travel and see the world like Adam did. The decision has to be what you want . . . not what Cousin Clarissa wants . . . not even what I want, because we\u2019re not the ones who are ultimately going to have to live with what comes of that decision.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa . . . for letting ME decide.\u201d Stacy hugged him again, then reached up to kiss his cheek.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want me to tell Cousin Clarissa?\u201d Ben offered, knowing only too well how daunting such a prospect could be.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for offering, but I think I need to be the one to tell her,\u201d Stacy said. \u201cIf I\u2019m old enough to MAKE my decisions, I\u2019m old enough to stand by them. But, there is one thing I\u2019d like you to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like you to be with me when I DO tell Cousin Clarissa what I\u2019ve decided . . . to help me pick up the pieces.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSurely not YOURS?!\u201d<\/p>\n

Stacy shook her head. \u201cMostly Cousin Clarissa\u2019s,\u201d she said, \u201cand . . . well, maybe mine, too . . . a little . . . but, only because I feel so sorry for her. Pa, between you and me? I think COUSIN CLARISSA\u2019S the one who wants to go to finishing school.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI\u2019m serious.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s a little old for that, don\u2019t you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that, Pa . . . and YOU know that . . . and most of all Cousin Clarissa knows that,\u201d Stacy explained. \u201cWhile we were out at Ponderosa Plunge, she told me about how much she looked forward to going to some finishing school in Boston. . . then her pa suddenly took sick. The cost of doctors, medicines, and hospital stays took nearly every cent they had. Between that, and having to look after her pa all the time, Cousin Clarissa told me she had to give up everything she had ever wanted . . . going to Boston, having her society debut, her opportunities to meet decent young men of good background . . . HER words, Pa, not mine.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I told her that I didn\u2019t want all those things . . . that I wanted to stay HERE, Cousin Clarissa got very upset with me. She went on and on and on about how lucky I am, about all the advantages and opportunities I have, and . . . how stupid, selfish, immature, and silly I am in wanting to pass all that up. By the time she got through, I felt really guilty because I honestly DON\u2019T want all the things she had to give up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right to feel sorry for Cousin Clarissa,\u201d Ben said. \u201cI can\u2019t help feeling sorry for her myself. But, that doesn\u2019t obligate YOU to live the life she couldn\u2019t have.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa. It\u2019s still not going to be easy to tell her, but at least, now, I don\u2019t feel so guilty because I don\u2019t want all the things SHE wanted,\u201d Stacy said, then frowned. \u201cDoes that make any sense?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat makes PERFECT sense,\u201d Ben said, with a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Stacy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have that final fitting with Madame Darnier Monday afternoon . . . you know, for the dress I\u2019m wearing for graduation,\u201d Stacy said. \u201cThink maybe YOU could come along, too? That way, I could tell Cousin Clarissa about not going to finishing school with just the three of US.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat time is that fitting?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFour-thirty,\u201d Stacy replied. \u201cThat\u2019s to give me enough time to get there after school lets out . . . and we do the final rehearsal for the graduation ceremony.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCousin Clarissa and I will meet you there,\u201d Ben said. \u201cWe\u2019ll come in the buggy. When we leave Madame Darnier\u2019s, you can hitch Blaze Face to the back, and ride home with us. You can tell Cousin Clarissa your decision on our way home.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Clarissa grimaced with distaste as she and Ben stepped into the dress shop of Madame Camille Darnier, the following Monday afternoon. The walls, ceiling, and floor were all of rough hewn lumber. In the middle of the sales room lay a large, round rug, made from pieces of fabric interwoven, its bright colors bleached to their pastel variants from long years exposure to sunlight. The only adornment on the walls were a half dozen small etchings, depicting the French country side, that hung behind the counter, and a full length mirror hanging beside the door, leading back to the large room that served as fitting and sewing room. Six straight backed chairs, with no cushions, four matching, the other two odd pieces, completed the furnishings in the sales room.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Benjamin . . . this is AWFUL!\u201d Clarissa declared, wrinkling her nose in disgust. \u201cSimply AWFUL!\u201d She shuddered delicately.<\/p>\n

Ben looked over at his cousin surprised, and not without trepidation. He silently, fervently hoped and prayed that the proprietress of the establishment hadn\u2019t overhead Clarissa\u2019s remark. \u201cWhat\u2019s so awful?\u201d he asked, taking care to keep his voice low.<\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin, this is supposed to be a fine ladies\u2019 dress shop, not a . . . a hardware or feed supply store,\u201d Clarissa said, unconsciously lowering her voice to the came decibel level as Ben\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Ben stared over at her with a bewildered frown.<\/p>\n

Clarissa sighed disparagingly, and shook her head. \u201cI can\u2019t expect YOU to know any better, being a man, but when I go into a fine dress shop, I expect certain amenities.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike wallpaper to start with . . . white with tiny pink rose buds or blue forget-me-nots . . . curtains in the windows . . . a ladies\u2019 maid to offer me tea and refreshments . . . a COMFORTABLE chair . . . matching furniture . . . and with a name like Madame Darnier, I expect the furniture to be French provincial, white with gold trim.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo Madame Darnier doesn\u2019t offer all those amenities you\u2019re used to,\u201d Ben said in a dismissive tone. \u201cThe thing that\u2019s most important to me is she\u2019s got to be the best dressmaker in Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

The pale face, eyes round with horror, her gloved hands clasped tight over her open mouth all seriously questioned Ben\u2019s sanity.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe first came to her a couple of years ago to have a dress made up for Stacy that was suitable to wear to a wedding,\u201d Ben continued. \u201cMadame Darnier came up with something that was lovely, that looked very well on Stacy, AND was to Stacy\u2019s taste. That last was no picnic I\u2019m sure, because my daughter has very definite ideas as to what she will and won\u2019t wear.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stacy\u2019s taste?! Clarissa groaned inwardly. Incredible as it seemed, Stacy was even more ignorant of what constituted appropriate women\u2019s attire than her father. No dressmaker in her right mind would or should pander to the dictates of a backward, unaware young girl, like Stacy.<\/p>\n

\u201cAhh, Monsieur Cartwright . . . bonjour.\u201d A portly woman, tall, with silver gray hair, and bright emerald green eyes greeted Ben with a warm smile of genuine delight, as she flounced in from the room beyond. She wore a green dress that enhanced the color of her eyes, with a cameo broach pinned just below her throat. \u201cMademoiselle Stacy said you would be coming by this afternoon,\u201d she continued, extending a hand, well manicured, with a simple pearl ring on her third finger. \u201cIt is always a delight. I wish more men would take an interest in the clothing their wives and daughters wear.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben took her hand and kissed it. \u201cHalf the delight is seeing my beautiful daughter in a new dress. The other half is seeing YOU.\u201d<\/p>\n

Camille Darnier laughed, low and throaty. \u201cYou have the honeyed tongue of a rogue, Monsieur.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom YOU, I\u2019ll accept that as a compliment,\u201d Ben declared with a bold grin. \u201cMadame Darnier, I\u2019d like to present my cousin, Clarissa Cartwright. She\u2019s here for Stacy\u2019s graduation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am delighted to make your acquaintance, Madame Cartwright,\u201d Camille acknowledged the introduction with a smile, and an offer of her hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s MISS Cartwright,\u201d Clarissa said stiffly, with a pained smile. She declined to shake Madame Darnier\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cMISS Cartwright,\u201d Camille said, nodding. \u201cIf you will excuse me, I will see how Mademoiselle Stacy is coming along. Please, have a seat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Ben said. He took Clarissa by the arm and steered her over to the line of chairs, sitting against the wall perpendicular to the same facing the street.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 6<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin, she is cheap, vulgar, and that phony French accent is absolutely DREADFUL!\u201d Clarissa declared, as she removed a clean handkerchief from her purse.<\/p>\n

\u201cHardly cheap, though I feel it IS money well spent,\u201d Ben said, as he took a seat on one of the end chairs, \u201cand personally, since I\u2019ve gotten to know her a little, what with having a daughter, who on occasion needs to have a dress made . . . I find Madame Darnier to be a very charming, gracious woman, with a wonderful sense of humor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa sighed and sarcastically rolled her eyes heavenward, as she made a point of thoroughly dusting the chair beside Ben with her handkerchief. \u201cShe\u2019s also after YOU.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed out loud.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe IS, Benjamin, you mark my words,\u201d Clarissa admonished him primly, as she seated herself stiffly at the very edge of the chair. \u201cA woman KNOWS when another woman is after a man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa, you couldn\u2019t be more wrong,\u201d Ben said, as his laughter subsided. \u201cThough Madame Darnier is flirtatious by nature\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can certainly see THAT.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . and while occasionally she occasionally enjoys the company and companionship of a man\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust one?\u201d Clarissa queried in a tone dripping with acid sarcasm.<\/p>\n

\u201cTHAT was beneath you and completely uncalled for,\u201d Ben admonished her, taking great care to lower his voice. \u201cIf I had been allowed to finish, I was also going to say that Madame Darnier has made it perfectly clear that she has no desire to marry again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe actually SAID that?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot in words\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin, honestly! How in the world can you be so DENSE?!\u201d Clarissa admonished him severely, her voice rising slightly as each word tumbled from her mouth. \u201cNo woman throws herself at a man . . . the way that . . . that WOMAN did at you just now\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa, please! Keep your voice DOWN.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrankly, Benjamin, I don\u2019t care if she\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I DO. Please, Clarissa . . . for ME?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright,\u201d Clarissa agreed stiffly, with much reluctance. \u201cThough how you can actually sit there and tell me that woman has no interest in marrying again\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSimple,\u201d Ben said, taking care to lower his voice to the decibel of a stage whisper. \u201cMadame Darnier is a warm, gracious woman, with a keen interest in music, art, and literature as well as being a very shrewd business woman. A woman with all THAT going for her can have just about any man she wants . . . IF she\u2019s of a mind. The fact that she\u2019s not taken a husband in all the years she\u2019s lived and done business here in Virginia City . . . well, that tells ME she\u2019s not looking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa sighed mournfully, then lapsed into sullen silence.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa? Cousin Clarissa? What do you think?\u201d Stacy asked, as she entered the room. The dress was white, made from fine linen, light and cool for the hot summer days soon to come. It had a full skirt, and long sleeves, slightly puffed at the ends. The tailored bodice, with its clean, simple lines displayed her burgeoning womanly figure to full, yet very tasteful advantage.<\/p>\n

Ben rose to his feet, smiling. \u201cBeautiful,\u201d he said immediately, \u201cand very grown-up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the occasion of her graduation from school, I thought a more mature, adult style appropriate,\u201d Camille Darnier said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI agree completely,\u201d Ben said, his eyes suddenly misting.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa? Are you all right?\u201d Stacy asked anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right . . . just . . . realizing my little slip of a gal is fast becoming a beautiful young woman.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stacy slipped her arms around Ben\u2019s waist and gently squeezed. \u201cYou keep that up, Pa, and you\u2019re going to have ME blubbering right along with you,\u201d she said, her voice catching on the last word.<\/p>\n

Ben slipped his arms around her shoulders and hugged her close for a moment. \u201cWe, ummm . . . can\u2019t have you getting tear stains on that beautiful dress before Madame Darnier has a chance to finish it,\u201d he said, as he gave her an affectionate squeeze, before letting her go. \u201cYou\u2019d best get changed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stacy nodded, then turned and headed back toward the sewing room in the back.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will be right with you, Mademoiselle Stacy,\u201d Camille called after her. She, then, returned her attention to Ben. \u201cAll I need do is put in the hem, and the dress will be complete.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long will that be?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have no more fittings today,\u201d Camille said with a smile. \u201cI can have it ready within the hour, Monsieur Cartwright. Do you wish to wait, or shall I send it out to the Ponderosa this evening?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think you\u2019d better have the dress sent to the Ponderosa,\u201d Ben decided. \u201cIf I tried to squeeze it into the buggy between Stacy, Miss Cartwright, and myself . . . it\u2019s going to end up a hopeless mess of wrinkles.\u201d<\/p>\n

Camille smiled. \u201cMademoiselle Stacy shall have her new dress before you and your lovely family sits down to supper,\u201d she promised.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Madame Darnier.\u201d<\/p>\n

This prompted a sarcastic roll of the eyes from Clarissa.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, non, non, non, Monsieur Cartwright. I am the one who should be thanking YOU,\u201d Camille insisted graciously. \u201cNow if you will excuse me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad SOMEBODY around here knows which side her bread is buttered on,\u201d Clarissa growled, as Camille made her way to the back room, to help Stacy take off the dress. It rankled her no end the way Cousin Benjamin insisted on treating service people, shop keepers, and even the people who worked for him as equals.<\/p>\n

Ben sat back down, and looked over at Clarissa as she made it a point to wipe off the chair she had just occupied, yet again. \u201cDidn\u2019t you just do that?\u201d he queried with a puzzled frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne can\u2019t be too careful,\u201d Clarissa said stiffly. \u201cSo much for this supposed Frenchwoman\u2019s reputation as the best dressmaker in Virginia City!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do you say that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh come now, Benjamin,\u201d Clarissa responded with a stiff, pained smile that came no where close to reaching her eyes. \u201cThat dress!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought it was lovely.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLovely?!\u201d Clarissa echoed, staring at him as if he had taken complete leave of his senses. \u201cLovely? It\u2019s so PLAIN. No ruffled hem . . . no lace on the neckline or sleeves . . . no ruff at the waist\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what Stacy prefers,\u201d Ben explained. \u201cSimple, straight lines. She doesn\u2019t like ruffles.\u201d He refrained from adding that Hop Sing had a very strong aversion to ruffles, too, especially if they happened to turn up in the laundry.<\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin, has it never occurred to you . . . . ?! Has it never occurred to you AT ALL that maybe, just maybe . . . growing up in a household with a father, two older brothers, and a male servant . . . that Stacy has no idea in the world WHAT she likes or even wants??!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNever,\u201d Ben said immediately. \u201cEven from the time she was just a little slip of a gal, Stacy has ALWAYS had a very clear idea as to what she likes and doesn\u2019t like, what she wants and doesn\u2019t want . . . AND how SHE wants to spend the rest of her life.\u201d This last Ben added as a preamble for the talk Stacy would be having with Cousin Clarissa on the ride home.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat poor, poor child!\u201d Clarissa moaned, shaking her head. \u201cYOU have done your daughter a terrible disservice, Benjamin.\u201d She sighed, and shook her head again. It was becoming very clear that she and Cousin Mirabelle would have their work cut out for them when she arrived in Boston with Stacy.<\/p>\n

Ben scowled, bristling against Clarissa\u2019s allegation. \u201cHOW have I done Stacy a terrible disservice?\u201d he asked in a tone cold enough to generate an early frost.<\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin, when a lady makes an entrance, especially on an occasion as important as her graduation, the first thing people notice is what she\u2019s wearing,\u201d Clarissa said in a tone, faintly condescending. \u201cIs it stylish? Is it something appropriate for the occasion? Is it something suitable given the lady\u2019s age? All these things are going to reflect back on Stacy, whether of good or for ill.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben closed his eyes for a moment, and slowly counted to ten. \u201cClarissa,\u201d he began upon opening them, and looking her square in the face, \u201cwhen you look at a very fine painting, do you ever see its frame?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo . . . not if the painting has the right frame.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa favored him with a quizzical smile. \u201cBecause a frame is supposed to compliment and enhance the picture,\u201d she replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cMadame Darnier once told me that a woman\u2019s dress, especially when it\u2019s for a special occasion . . . like her school graduation . . . is like a picture frame,\u201d Ben said. \u201cIt should enhance and compliment the women, so that you see HER first when she makes her entrance, the same way you always see a picture first, when its set in the right frame.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin, that\u2019s ludicrous!\u201d Clarissa declared with a derisive snort. \u201cTo call attention to herself . . . especially in the manner YOU suggest, well . . . it\u2019s not done! It\u2019s simply NOT done! THAT kind of thinking breeds arrogance and conceit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa, I assure you, Stacy is a very far cry from arrogance and conceit,\u201d Ben said, his ire rising all over again.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot so far as you\u2019d like to think,\u201d Clarissa argued. \u201cWhen I look at Stacy . . . the way she walks and carries herself . . . the way she looks you straight in the eye when she\u2019s speaking to you . . . even in the way she speaks, I see a confident, independent young lady who thinks extremely well of herself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . all qualities I\u2019ve tried not only to instill in Stacy, but in Hoss, Joe, and Adam, as well,\u201d Ben returned, without missing a beat. \u201cI learned a long time ago that earning the lasting respect of others begins with a healthy respect for yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich is FINE for your sons, Benjamin. A man NEEDS to cultivate the respect of his fellow man in order to make his way in the world,\u201d Clarissa ardently pressed. \u201cBut, a LADY . . . especially a YOUNG lady . . . is supposed to be modest, retiring, demure, and humble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI happen to love my daughter very much the way she IS,\u201d Ben said stiffly.<\/p>\n

An exasperated sigh blasted out from between Clarissa\u2019s lips. \u201cBenjamin, I warn you . . . that kind of independent spirit will NOT be tolerated in Boston high society. She should have been broken of THAT a long time ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked over at his cousin, appalled. \u201cYou don\u2019t know anything about breaking and training horses, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not,\u201d she snapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I speak of breaking a horse, I\u2019m taking about bringing him to the place of accepting bridle, saddle, and harness . . . of bringing him to a place where he will work with a man, or woman for that matter,\u201d Ben patiently explained. \u201cOn the Ponderosa, at any rate, we NEVER break a horse\u2019s spirit. In the long run, it produces a cowed, frightened animal, I don\u2019t feel is of much use to anybody.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve also found that the same holds true for people. I\u2019d no more break the spirit of my own daughter or my own sons, than I would one of my horses . . . and besides, Stacy\u2019s bold, independent spirit is one of the things about her that I admire and cherish the most. Do you remember what you said when you first saw her the day you arrived?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. I said that she\u2019s beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the things that makes her beautiful is her bold, independent spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stacy emerged from the back room a few moments later, attired in the long split riding skirt and plain cotton shirt she normally wore to school. \u201cPa . . . Cousin Clarissa . . . I\u2019m ready to head for home,\u201d she said, casting a nervous glance in Clarissa\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am, too,\u201d Ben agreed, noting the nervous glance. He placed a paternal hand on her shoulder and gave her a gentle squeeze to reassure, and as a reminder that he was with her.<\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin . . . I just remembered . . . I need to purchase a few personal items,\u201d Clarissa said, as an afterthought. \u201cWould you mind? I shouldn\u2019t be any more than an hour . . . if that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t mind at all, Clarissa,\u201d Ben said. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you meet Stacy and me here in an hour?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright,\u201d Clarissa said with a smile. \u201cSee you in an hour.\u201d With that, she quickly scurried off.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Stacy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do I all of a sudden feel like a lamb being led to the slaughter?\u201d Stacy asked, as she and her father set themselves to the task of watering Blaze Face and the horse hitched to the buggy.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re probably feeling a little apprehensive because of having to put off telling Cousin Clarissa about not wanting to go to Boston,\u201d Ben said sympathetically. \u201cTell you what. After we get the horses watered, why don\u2019t the two of us g\u2019won over to the Silver Dollar, and get something to wet our whistles while we wait for Cousin Clarissa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good to ME, Pa,\u201d Stacy readily agreed. \u201cI, ummm . . . don\u2019t suppose you\u2019d let me have a mug of beer . . . would you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnytime AFTER your next birthday, Young Woman,\u201d Ben said, then smiled. \u201cThat\u2019s not so far off, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess not,\u201d Stacy replied, \u201cand I guess I don\u2019t really need a good mug of beer or something stronger to help bolster my nerve to tell Cousin Clarissa about my decision to stay right here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m certainly glad to hear THAT.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cActually, I have something better,\u201d Stacy said as they secured their horses to the nearest hitching post.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou do, \u2018ey. And just what might that be?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou,\u201d Stacy declared, as she took his arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cStacy Rose Cartwright, I love you,\u201d Ben said as he gave her hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love you, too, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ready for that drink, Young Woman?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Clarissa, meanwhile, had fled around the corner and down the street to the Western Union telegraph office, where she desperately hoped against hope that word from Cousin Mirabelle in Boston would be waiting. As she peered in through the window, she was heartily dismayed to find the George Ellis, the telegraph operator, seated at a small table within, with his back to the window, scribbling fast and furious, almost keeping time with a series of odd clicking noises she heard inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cYoung Man . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

There was no response.<\/p>\n

\u201cYOUNG MAN.\u201d Clarissa raised her voice slightly, so to be heard above those loud, annoying click-clacking sounds.<\/p>\n

Again, no response. George continued to scribble almost like a man possessed, trying desperately to keep pace with the clicking of the telegraph machine. He remained as he was at the table, making no effort whatsoever to even acknowledge her presence.<\/p>\n

Clarissa discreetly cleared her throat a few times, then impatiently drummed her fingers on the window counter as she stood there fuming. She cleared her throat again, then coughed loudly.<\/p>\n

Still no response.<\/p>\n

A sigh borne of pure and utter frustration exploded from between her thinned lips and clenched teeth. \u201cYOUNG MAN !\u201d she yelled.<\/p>\n

George yelped, then whirled in his seat with momentum sufficient to send his chair, and himself toppling to the floor. He lifted his head slowly and gazed up at her with a dazed, almost stupid look on his face, before turning to stare helplessly over at the telegraph still clicking.<\/p>\n

\u201cYoung man, I am not accustomed to being so rudely ignored !\u201d Clarissa rebuked him severely.<\/p>\n

\u201cMA\u2019AM, THE MACHINE!\u201d George wailed, his eyes round with apprehension.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, the clicking stopped leaving behind a near deafening silence in its wake.<\/p>\n

\u201cUhh! Finally!\u201d Clarissa sighed disparagingly. \u201cAnother minute of that inane clicking and I would have almost certainly gone right out of my mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cB-But, Ma\u2019am . . . that was the telegraph machine,\u201d George stammered as he slowly rose to his feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care WHAT that was,\u201d Clarissa said imperiously. \u201cThe least you could have done was turn that noisy thing OFF.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was trying to get down an important message for Sheriff Coffee,\u201d George tried to defend himself. \u201cHe sent a wire to the sheriff over in Carson, and he\u2019s been waiting for this reply all day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I happen to be conducting some urgent business for my first cousin who just so happens to be a very important man here in Virginia City,\u201d Clarissa argued. \u201cI have been standing here for the better part of the last fifteen minutes now, trying desperately to get your attention in such a way so as not to make a complete public spectacle of myself and you just SAT there, ignoring me completely . . . writing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Ma\u2019am, but . . . I HAD to get that message for Sheriff Coffee. As it was, I missed getting\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe constable is the LEAST of your worries, Young Man . . . because I fully intend to let my cousin, Mister Benjamin Cartwright, know about your rudeness and the inexcusably shabby way you treated me,\u201d Clarissa declared, highly indignant.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Ma\u2019am,\u201d the boy murmured softly, not quite knowing what else to say.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow . . . do you have any messages here addressed to Miss Clarissa Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll check, Ma\u2019am.\u201d The boy walked back over to the table and began to leaf through the stack of envelopes piled in the center. \u201cYes,\u201d he said, finally. \u201cI DO have a message here that\u2019s addressed to you, Miss Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa snatched the envelope out of the boy\u2019s hand and ripped it open. \u201cPlease, please, please, please, oh, please!\u201d she murmured softly, just under her breath, as she drew out the folded slip of paper. Clarissa closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. Then, upon opening her eyes a moment later, and exhaling, she quickly slipped the message out of the envelope, and unfolded it.<\/p>\n

The message read:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCousin Clarissa [stop]<\/p>\n

Made inquiries [stop] Portnoy Academy will accept Stacy [stop] Willing to board Stacy and sponsor debut upon graduation [stop] Please wire regarding ETA [stop] Look forward to visit and meeting Stacy [stop]<\/p>\n

Regards [stop]
\nCousin Mirabelle [stop; end of message]\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, this is wonderful, just WONDERFUL!\u201d Clarissa exclaimed with delight. She smiled and clasped her hands. \u201cI can\u2019t wait to tell Stacy the news!\u201d Clarissa returned the message back into the envelope, folded it, then stuffed it into her purse.<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . uuhh, Ma\u2019am?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Clarissa sighed, taking no pains to conceal her annoyance.<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . will there be a return message?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Clarissa immediately replied. \u201cYes, there will. Do you have paper and pencil?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u201d George procured both and slid them across the counter toward Clarissa.<\/p>\n

\u201c \u2018Cousin Mirabelle,\u2019 \u201d she wrote, \u201c \u2018Thank you for your kindness and generosity. Leaving Virginia City Thursday morning. Will wire one week before arrival. Regards, Cousin Clarissa.\u2019 \u201d She tore the sheet with her message off the pad and thrust it into George\u2019s face. \u201cPlease send that to Mrs. Mirabelle Standish . . . Boston, Massachusetts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Ma\u2019am,\u201d George said, taking the sheet of paper. \u201cDo you expect a return reply?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa quickly drew herself up to full height, with posture ruler straight. \u201cI\u2019m not expecting one, but if one should come, please deliver it to me at the Ponderosa,\u201d she said in a tone, faintly condescending, accompanied by a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u201d George took a moment to count the words. \u201cThat will be two dollars and forty cents.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can put that on Benjamin Cartwright\u2019s tab.\u201d<\/p>\n

George looked over at her askance.<\/p>\n

Clarissa\u2019s smile faded. \u201cI AM his first cousin, Clarissa Cartwright,\u201d she stated imperiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Mister Cartwright don\u2019t keep no tab here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t!\u201d Clarissa snapped. \u201cMister Cartwright DOESN\u2019T keep no . . . I mean doesn\u2019t keep a tab here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just said that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa sighed and rolled her eyes, as she yanked on the cord, opening her small reticule. \u201cHere. Two dollars and thirty cents.\u201d She slapped the money down on the counter.<\/p>\n

\u201cMa\u2019am . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWHAT?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI said two dollars and FORTY cents.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa exhaled a short, curt, exasperated sigh, as she dug down into the bottom of her purse and extracted two nickels. \u201cHere.\u201d She slapped them down onto the counter with the remainder of the money.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Ma\u2019am. It\u2019s a pleasure doing business with you,\u201d George said in a wry tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d she snapped. \u201cNow if you would be so kind as to give me directions to the stage depot? I need to purchase two tickets for the stage leaving Thursday . . . at once.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u201d George gave her the directions, then very dutifully wrote them out for her on a scrap sheet of paper. He exhaled a very long, heartfelt sigh of relief when Clarissa Cartwright finally turned heel and left, half running, half skipping down the street.<\/p>\n

\u201cGeorge, I need to send a telegram.\u201d<\/p>\n

He turned and found Eloise Kirk standing before his window. She and her daughter, Rita Mae owned Kirk\u2019s Hostelry, one of the better boarding houses in town. Though Rita Mae handled most of the day-to-day operations these days, Eloise still did the meal planning and cooking.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s for my daughter, actually,\u201d Eloise continued, as she slipped the scrap sheet of paper, with the message already written out. \u201cIt\u2019s to a Mister Charles Wainwright Smith in Saint Jo, confirming his reservation at our hostelry at the start of August.\u201d<\/p>\n

George nodded and took the slip of paper from Eloise.<\/p>\n

\u201cGeorge . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Mrs. Kirk?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat woman who was just here . . . isn\u2019t that Ben\u2019s cousin?\u201d<\/p>\n

George sighed and rolled his eyes. \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am, it is,\u201d he sighed disparagingly, then set himself to counting up the letters and spaces in Eloise\u2019 brief message. \u201cThat\u2019ll be a dollar eighty, Mrs. Kirk. Does Rita Mae expect a reply?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Eloise replied as she counted out the amount and placed it on the counter. \u201cBut if there is one, would you please have it delivered to Kirk\u2019s Hostelry?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Ma\u2019am, I certainly will.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder who she was sending a wire to . . . . \u201d Eloise wondered aloud, as she watched Clarissa\u2019s fast retreating back.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems Stacy Cartwright\u2019s changed her plans for after graduation,\u201d George said. \u201cCan\u2019t figure it, though . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan figure what, George?\u201d Eloise asked, as she quickly turned her full attention back to the young telegraph operator.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d thought Stacy was gonna be workin\u2019 for her father and brothers once she\u2019s done with school, but . . . . \u201d he shrugged. \u201cSeems she\u2019s changed her mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. Stacy\u2019s gonna be goin\u2019 to some fancy finishin\u2019 school back east,\u201d George said. \u201cI saw the wire myself, sayin\u2019 Stacy\u2019d already been accepted. It was from some cousin o\u2019 theirs in Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I do declare,\u201d Eloise murmured softly, with a big bright smile on her face. \u201cWill wonders never cease.\u201d Best of all, she had the exclusive. \u201cThank you, George. Thank you very much.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh . . . Mrs. Kirk?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour change. You just gave me two dollars. The cost for sending this wire to Saint Jo\u2019s only a dollar eighty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, George, you just keep the change, you hear?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, M-Mrs. Kirk . . . thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eloise turned heel and fled back down the side walk, eager to spread the word about the Cartwright daughter\u2019s very sudden, very unexpected change of plans.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHowdy, Ben . . . howdy, Stacy,\u201d Sam, the bartender greeted father and daughter as they stepped into the nearly deserted Silver Dollar Saloon. \u201cYour usual?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I think I\u2019ll have a sarsaparilla this time,\u201d Stacy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow \u2018bout YOU, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have a beer, Sam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Stacy, it won\u2019t be long now . . . no more school, no more books, no more teachers\u2019 dirty looks?!\u201d Sam quipped, as he opened a bottle of sarsaparilla for her, and filled a beer mug for Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot exactly,\u201d Stacy said, with a smile. \u201cSchool will be in session come Wednesday morning out on the Ponderosa . . . I\u2019ll be learning more about our LEDGER books, and when it comes to dirty looks . . . no teacher I ever had can compare with Pa, Hoss, and Joe . . . except maybe for Miss Tess.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sam chuckled. \u201cSo you won\u2019t be heading east after all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter all?!\u201d Stacy echoed with a bewildered frown. \u201cI never had any plans to go east.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Sam murmured, then shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere in the world did you get the idea Stacy WAS going east?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cSally said she overheard Emmeline Jenkins \u2018n Paula Henry talking about it with Mrs. Kirk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben frowned. \u201cWhen was this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust now, I think . . . right out in front of the notions shop.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no,\u201d Stacy groaned.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like my cousin\u2019s somehow become acquainted with Eloise Kirk,\u201d Ben sighed, as he reached over and gave Stacy\u2019s hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze. \u201cSam, I\u2019m afraid Clarissa\u2019s . . . misunderstood a few things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat explains it,\u201d Sam said. \u201cI hope you don\u2019t take offense, Stacy, but I\u2019d always figured you to be the last gal in the world t\u2019 ever attend a finishin\u2019 school.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo offense taken because you figured right,\u201d Stacy said, trying to fight down a rising tide of panic. \u201cI sure wish I was old enough to order whiskey,\u201d she sighed morosely. \u201c \u2018Cause right now . . . I could sure use something a lot stronger than sarsaparilla.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d Ben said. \u201cWe\u2019ll set Cousin Clarissa straight on the way home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStacy, I got a little something for ya,\u201d Sam said. \u201cA graduation present.\u201d He reached down under the bar and produced a small, flat package wrapped with brown parcel paper.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Sam,\u201d she said, as he placed the package in her hands. \u201cCan I open it now . . . or do I have to wait until tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sam chuckled at the eager, childlike hopefulness he saw reflected in her bright blue eyes. \u201cI couldn\u2019t to THAT to ya, Stacy. G\u2019won and open it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stacy needed no further urging. Within less than the space of a heartbeat, she had removed the brown wrapper, and found herself staring at a miniature watercolor set in a simple wood frame. \u201cPa, look!\u201d she exclaimed, her eyes shining with delight. \u201cIt looks like Sun Dancer and me!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it sure does!\u201d Ben declared with a smile, as he peered over her shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt should,\u201d Sam said with a smile. \u201cThat IS Sun Dancer and you. My aunt was visiting the summer you and that big golden palomino ran in the Independence Day Race. She made some sketches of you and that big stallion . . . and that water color is one of \u2018em. She gave me that one and some others she did in Virginia City and of the surrounding country side. I\u2019ve been saving that one for the right time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Sam.\u201d On impulse Stacy leaned over and kissed his cheek. \u201cI\u2019ll always treasure it. Your aunt\u2019s very good.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah . . . she IS, if I do say so myself. When I write her next, I\u2019ll tell her how much you appreciate her work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you give me her address, I\u2019LL write and let her know, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing, Stacy. I\u2019ll copy it down \u2018n give it to your pa or one of your brothers next time they come in,\u201d Sam promised.<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . uummm, Mister Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben turned and found Sally Tyler, one of the saloon girls at the Silver Dollar, standing at his elbow. \u201cYes, Miss Tyler?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lady waiting out on the sidewalk,\u201d Sally said, \u201csays she\u2019s your cousin. She, uhhh . . . doesn\u2019t look real happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoo boy,\u201d Ben sighed, and rolled his eyes. \u201cThank you, Miss Tyler.\u201d He, then, turned to his daughter. \u201cCome on, Stacy. We\u2019d best get a move on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stacy nodded, as she grabbed up her virtually untouched bottle of sarsaparilla in her free hand. \u201cThank you again for the picture of Sun Dancer and me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re welcome, Stacy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin Cartwright, it\u2019s bad enough that YOU and your sons patronize saloons, but to take your daughter in there with you\u2014 \u201d Clarissa, her face darker than the thunderclouds that came with the worst of summer storms, immediately lit into her cousin the instant he stepped out onto the sidewalk.<\/p>\n

\u201cStacy, why don\u2019t you g\u2019won ahead and get Blaze Face securely attached to the buggy,\u201d Ben said quickly, cutting off his cousin\u2019s tirade mid-sentence.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll be ok, Pa?\u201d Stacy queried, as she inwardly shuddered at the sight of the murderous frown on Cousin Clarissa\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be fine. Now scoot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow COULD you, Benjamin?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa, Stacy NEVER goes into a saloon, without her brothers or me,\u201d Ben said, cringing away from the indignant scowl on Clara Mudgely\u2019s face as she sauntered by on the sidewalk, \u201cand she doesn\u2019t drink anything stronger than sarsaparilla or root beer.\u201d Yet.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think THAT makes it all right?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor a few minutes, at THIS time of day, as long as she\u2019s with Hoss, Joe, or me . . . I don\u2019t see that there\u2019s been any harm done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo HARM done?! What about that poor child\u2019s reputation?!\u201d Clarissa wailed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat ABOUT her reputation?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin, I keeping telling you . . . Stacy is a young LADY,\u201d Clarissa admonished him sternly. \u201cLadies, no matter what their age, do NOT patronize saloons. Ever!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBack east, no,\u201d Ben agreed, \u201cand I freely admit that not very many women in THIS part of the country patronize saloons either, but a few of them DO in the company of their men folk, early on in the day.\u201d There were exceptions of course, like Amy Wilder [4], but he wisely decided not to open THAT particular can of worms. \u201cAn occasional stop in at the Silver Dollar Saloon with her father during the late afternoon is NOT going to tarnish her reputation one bit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCousin Mirabelle and I are certainly going to have our work cut out for us,\u201d Clarissa groused in silence.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They found Stacy waiting next to the buggy, with Blaze Face already hitched to the back.<\/p>\n

\u201cCousin Clarissa, I\u2019ve given thought to everything you told me when we rode out to Ponderosa Plunge a few days ago\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa smiled and clasped her hands. \u201cYou have?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, and I\u2019ve decided . . . \u201d Stacy reached over and touched her father\u2019s arm for support, for strength, \u201c . . . I DON\u2019T want to go to the . . . whatever academy\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Sarah Lynn Portnoy Academy for Young Ladies,\u201d Clarissa graciously supplied the information.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to stay right here,\u201d Stacy continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cStacy, I\u2019m going to ask you a question and I expect an honest answer,\u201d Clarissa said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right . . . as long as it\u2019s not something real personal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa shot Ben a dark scowl at Stacy\u2019s reply, then returned her attention back to her young cousin. \u201cIf you could live anywhere in the world, do absolutely anything you want . . . anything! Where would you go? What would you do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of places I\u2019d like to VISIT someday,\u201d Stacy said slowly. \u201cPa\u2019s told us about a lot of interesting places he\u2019s been, back when he was a sailor. I\u2019d also like to visit Ireland someday . . . see where my mother was born, and I\u2019d like to see Boston, where Pa came from, and places there he and Adam have talked about.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you would like to go to Boston,\u201d Clarissa beamed.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeday, with Pa, or maybe Adam,\u201d Stacy said. \u201cBut, I don\u2019t want to LIVE in any of those places. When it comes to living somewhere, to settling down, and calling someplace home, that place is right HERE. I just can\u2019t see myself living anywhere else.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Ponderosa is a beautiful land, and a good land. She and Pa have taken real good care of each other, and she\u2019s taken good care of my brothers, Hop Sing, and me, too. Pa\u2019s taught Adam, Hoss, and Joe a lot about taking care of the Ponderosa, and he\u2019s taught me a few things, too. Once I\u2019ve graduated, he\u2019ll be able to teach me more. I want to learn, so I can help look after the Ponderosa, and teach MY children . . . when I have them, someday . . . how to look after her, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStacy, how do you KNOW?\u201d Clarissa pressed. \u201cHow in the world can you POSSIBLY know?! All you\u2019ve ever seen, ever known is THIS small piece of the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to travel all over the world to find your heart\u2019s desire,\u201d Stacy said. \u201cAll you have to do is look in here.\u201d She touched the place over her heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that one of YOUR pearls of wisdom, Benjamin?\u201d Clarissa asked, leveling a scathing glare in his direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cMy daughter\u2019s reached THAT conclusion entirely on her own. However, speaking as someone who HAS been all over the world, there\u2019s a lot of truth in what Stacy just said.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, Benjamin,\u201d Clarissa said in a dismissive tone, allowing the entire matter drop . . . for now. She leaned back into the seat, and closed her eyes. All the arrangements were finally in place. A happy smile slowly spread across her lips. Tonight, she would spring her surprise after an exquisite supper fit for a king. Stacy couldn\u2019t help but accept, and gladly, with the trip to Boston, her acceptance at the Sarah Lynn Portnoy Academy for Young Ladies all but guaranteed, along with Cousin Mirabelle\u2019s generous sponsorship. Clarissa couldn\u2019t wait to see the expression on her young cousin\u2019s face . . . .<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 7<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

\u201cYes, Missy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa sighed and shook her head. \u201cThat\u2019s MISS, Hop Sing, as in MISS Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Missy Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa sighed wearily as she rolled her eyes upward toward the heavens beseeching The Almighty for a large dose of patience and calm. \u201cInstead of the usual COFFEE in the living room, I\u2019d like you to bring in the champagne I have cooling in the sink,\u201d she ordered in a tone, faintly imperious.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, right away, immediately Missy COUSIN Clarissa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing, HOW many times do I have to tell you . . . I am NOT your cousin,\u201d Clarissa reprimanded him severely.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, so sorry, Missy,\u201d Hop Sing said. \u201cHop Sing forget. Must be old age catch up. So sorry. So very sorry.\u201d He immediately turned heel and beat a hasty retreat back toward the kitchen, chuckling softly every step of the way.<\/p>\n

An explosive sigh borne of pure exasperation exploded out from between her lips. \u201cBenjamin, I KNOW good help is hard to come by out here in this barbarous, uncivilized, Godforsaken part of the country, but HONESTLY. His complete and utter lack of respect for his betters is absolutely appalling. You\u2019ve GOT to talk to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll talk to him,\u201d Ben said, making a mental note to tell Hop Sing how much he admired and appreciated his restraint. \u201cIn the meantime, Clarissa . . . what are we celebrating?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCelebrating?!\u201d Clarissa echoed, her brows coming together to form a bewildered frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou asked Hop Sing to serve up this scrumptious supper . . . no! BANQUET would be a better word, and now champagne,\u201d Ben prompted. \u201cI took that to mean we\u2019re celebrating some good news that you have to share with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Yes! Yes, I DO have good news to share with you,\u201d she said, all smiles once again. \u201cOh, Benjamin, I\u2019ve been dying to tell you all day.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we adjourn to the living room?\u201d Ben suggested, as he rose, and gallantly held her chair. \u201cWe can toast your good news there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSplendid,\u201d Clarissa beamed.<\/p>\n

Smiling, Ben turned and offered her his arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t want to say anything about this until I knew for sure,\u201d Clarissa said, as she demurely took Ben\u2019s arm, \u201cbut, I finally received a wire from Cousin Mirabelle in Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCousin Mirabelle?!\u201d Joe echoed, with a bewildered frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn Boston,\u201d Clarissa said with a complacent smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, where does SHE fit into the family?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cUncle Joseph . . . your paternal grandfather . . . and my father were first cousins to Cousin Mirabelle\u2019s mother,\u201d Clarissa explained. \u201cSHE was married to a man by the name of Clive Benedict Jones.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSay! Is this Cousin Mirabelle any relation t\u2019 ol\u2019 Cousin Muley?\u201d [5] Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Clarissa replied with a grimace. \u201cCousin Muley is her youngest brother. HE was a late-in-life baby, born soon after Cousin Mirabelle married Edward Standish. Their mother died when Cousin Muley . . . . \u201d she grimaced again, and shuddered delicately, \u201c . . . was quite young, so Cousin Mirabelle and her late husband ended up raising him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you wrote to Cousin Mirabelle about Stacy fixin\u2019 to graduate?\u201d Ben asked, steering the conversation back to its original track.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Clarissa replied. \u201cCousin Mirabelle\u2019s a widow now . . . her husband died a few years ago, when an influenza epidemic hit the city. Her children are all off on their own. Her youngest boy just started Harvard last year, and the others are married, the older two with families.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben led Clarissa to the red leather chair next to the fireplace, and gestured for her to sit down. Hoss, meanwhile, sat down in the big blue chair, while Joe and Stacy seated themselves on the settee, leaving a space for Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe is also a most distinguished alumna of the Sarah Lynn Portnoy Academy for Young Ladies,\u201d Clarissa continued, without pause, \u201cand in the years since her marriage, has been one of its most generous patrons. I told Cousin Mirabelle about Stacy\u2019s upcoming graduation, and asked her to speak to the headmistress of the academy about accepting her as a student.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stacy\u2019s face suddenly lost every bit of color it had. She stared over at Cousin Clarissa, through eyes round with sheer horror.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis afternoon I got a wire from Cousin Mirabelle. Oh, Stacy, it\u2019s all been arranged. Everything,\u201d Clarissa blithely rambled on, wholly oblivious to Stacy\u2019s horrified dismay. \u201cNot only have you been accepted as a student at the Sarah Lynn Portnoy Academy for Young Ladies, but Cousin Mirabelle has graciously offered to act as a sponsor when you make your debut to society, after you graduate. Oh, Stacy, with luck, you\u2019ll make a fine marriage with a young man of good breeding and you\u2019ll get to live in BOSTON, instead of an uncivilized mining town like Virginia City, on the edge of this godforsaken frontier.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cC-Cousin Clarissa\u2014 \u201d Stacy began, as she suddenly saw the brief span of her whole life flash before her eyes.<\/p>\n

Clarissa turned to Stacy, and favored her with a condescending smile. \u201cDon\u2019t interrupt, Dear,\u201d she rudely cut her young cousin, once removed, off, in a sugary sweet tone that set Stacy\u2019s teeth on edge. \u201cIt\u2019s not polite, and I can tell you right now, it won\u2019t be tolerated at the Sarah Lynn Portnoy Academy for Young Ladies. I was also going to tell you that I\u2019ve made arrangements for us to leave for Boston on the morning stage, day after tomorrow. Benjamin?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cY-Yes, Clarissa?!\u201d Ben stammered, every bit as stunned and horrified as his daughter.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve also arranged for Stacy and me to stay at the hotel the night before we leave,\u201d Clarissa said. \u201cThat way we won\u2019t have to get up at the crack of dawn to make the stage and\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cN-No,\u201d Stacy murmured, while vigorously shaking her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was that, Dear?\u201d Clarissa asked, her smile never wavering.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said NO! Cousin Clarissa, didn\u2019t you hear a single word I said when we were coming back from town this afternoon?!\u201d Stacy demanded, as her initial shock underwent a quick metamorphosis to outrage, even anger.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou told me that you wanted to go to Boston, Stacy,\u201d Clarissa said, her smile still fixed firmly in place.<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . with Pa, or maybe Adam, to see the places THEY\u2019VE talked about,\u201d Stacy shot right back. \u201cI didn\u2019t say I wanted to live there or . . . or go to finishing school there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut . . . it\u2019s all been arranged,\u201d Clarissa said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you . . . on our way home from town this afternoon . . . I want to stay right here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Stacy, for heaven\u2019s sake . . . open your eyes! There\u2019s no future for you HERE! None! But, in BOSTON . . . . \u201d A dreamy smile appeared on her face, as her eyes locked onto the marvelous future she had envisioned for her young cousin, once removed. \u201cAfter you complete your studies at the Sarah Lynn Portnoy Academy for Young Ladies . . . and you have your debut? YOU are going to take Boston society by storm. You\u2019ll have your pick of fine, eligible young men . . . the very cream of society, Dear, with an impeccable lineage that stretches all the way back to the Mayflower. You won\u2019t have to settle for a young man, half savage\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst of all, Cousin Clarissa, when the Mayflower landed, Jason\u2019s relatives were there to meet the boat,\u201d Stacy said, directing a dark, murderous glare over in Clarissa\u2019s general direction, \u201cand furthermore, his ma was daughter, GRANDdaughter, and GREAT granddaughter to a long line of many chiefs. Among the Shoshone, THAT\u2019S like coming from royalty, which makes Jason\u2019s lineage a heckuva lot more distinguished than somebody who can ONLY trace his back to the Mayflower and the pilgrims.<\/p>\n

\u201cSecond . . . I told you this afternoon AND the day before yesterday . . . when we rode out to Ponderosa Plunge, that I DON\u2019T want to go to finishing school, I DON\u2019T want to make a debut in polite society, and I sure as shootin\u2019 DON\u2019T want to end up leg shackled to some fancy pants dandy who doesn\u2019t know the butt end of a rifle from the barrel,\u201d Stacy continued, carried along by the momentum of her growing fury. \u201cI want to stay right here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cB-But, Stacy . . . everything\u2019s all arranged!\u201d Clarissa protested, her smile drooping noticeably. \u201cC-Cousin Mirabelle is expecting us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCousin Clarissa . . . I\u2019m sorry YOU couldn\u2019t go to finishing school in Boston and have your society debut,\u201d Stacy said, as she slowly rose from her place on the settee, \u201cbut . . . no matter how much I DO feel sorry for you, I\u2019m NOT going to do all those things for you. I have to live my life as I see fit. I can\u2019t . . . I WON\u2019T . . . live the life YOU couldn\u2019t have. Excuse me\u2014 \u201d With that, Stacy beat a swift, hasty retreat outside, slamming the front door behind her.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss . . . Joe . . . why don\u2019t you g\u2019won out and see to your sister,\u201d Ben said quickly, upon noting the sudden lack of color in Clarissa\u2019s cheeks and the way she pointedly bowed her head and fixed her gaze on her hands, folded demurely in her lap.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Pa,\u201d Hoss murmured, as he rose. \u201cC\u2019mon, Li\u2019l Brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben waited until his sons had gone out of the house, and Hoss had closed the front door firmly behind them. \u201cClarissa\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow DARE she?!\u201d Clarissa wailed, now looking every bit as horrified as Stacy did a moment ago. \u201cHow dare she speak to me like that?! Benjamin, so help me . . . if YOU don\u2019t take her to task, I WILL.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa, first of all . . . I am Stacy\u2019s father,\u201d Ben said, his own ire suddenly rising. \u201cIf there\u2019s any discipline to be meted out, I will be the one to do it, not YOU . . . not anybody ELSE. Second, I am NOT inclined to discipline my daughter or my sons, either, for that matter . . . for telling the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s THAT supposed to mean?!\u201d Clarissa demanded, hurt, angry, and very bewildered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean that Stacy was absolutely right when she said just now that she\u2019s got to live her own life, as SHE sees fit . . . not the life YOU were forced by circumstance to give up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin, that\u2019s a . . . a horrible . . . monstrously CRUEL thing to say! Everything I d-did . . . all the arrangements I made . . . it was all for STACY . . . because I . . . I care about her. I c-care about her a great deal! I DO, you know. I really and truly DO.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know you do, Clarissa,\u201d Ben said, \u201cbut, I ALSO believe there\u2019s truth in what STACY said about you making all those arrangements for another young woman, about the same age as my daughter is now, who WASN\u2019T able to go to Boston, to live with her cousin, Mirabelle, while she attended the Portnoy Academy, OR have a society debut.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa digested Ben\u2019s words in cold, stony silence. \u201cWell,\u201d she said at length, in a small voice. \u201cI had no idea you thought so poorly of me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa, no. I don\u2019t think poorly of you at all,\u201d Ben protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou . . . and Stacy, too . . . y-you\u2019ve BOTH just let me know . . . in n-no uncertain terms that . . . that I\u2019m a . . . that I\u2019m a selfish old w-woman, with n-no thought for anyone b-but herself.\u201d With that, she turned and fled across the great room toward the stairs, sobbing heartbrokenly.<\/p>\n

Ben stood, as if rooted to the spot, watching in stunned silence as Clarissa fled to the upper environs, weeping every step of the way.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI TOLD her!\u201d Stacy said, as anger began to give way to regret and remorse. \u201cI KNOW I told her . . . I know it, I know it, I KNOW it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Kid, you\u2019re preachin\u2019 to the choir here,\u201d Joe said gently. \u201cWe\u2019re on YOUR side. Now, try \u2018n calm down a little . . . I think you\u2019re upsetting poor Blaze Face.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no.\u201d Stacy immediately made her way over to his stable. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Blaze Face,\u201d she murmured softly, as she stroked the length of his muzzle. \u201cI AM upset, but it\u2019s certainly not YOUR doing . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

Blaze Face nickered softly in response then lowered his face and mouth down to pocket level.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s lookin\u2019 for a treat, Li\u2019l Sister,\u201d Hoss said, smiling.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately dresses don\u2019t come with pockets,\u201d Stacy sighed, gazing down at her attire in dismay.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I think ol\u2019 Hoss can fix you \u2018n Blaze Face right up,\u201d the biggest of the Cartwright offspring said. \u201cI always keep a secret stash right over here.\u201d He walked over to the stool and small table he kept next to Chubb\u2019s stall, and bent down.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019d better be enough in that secret stash over there for Chubb and Cooch, too,\u201d Joe said, \u201cor they\u2019re gonna be mighty jealous.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you worry none about THAT,\u201d Hoss said, as he retrieved a small bag out from among the straw lying under the small table. \u201cThere\u2019s plenty.\u201d He parceled out treats to Joe, Stacy, and himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cI . . . I wish Cousin Clarissa had ASKED me, before she made all these big plans to take me to Boston,\u201d Stacy sighed dejectedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven if she HAD asked you, Stace, I doubt seriously she\u2019d have listened to your answer,\u201d Joe said. \u201cCousin Clarissa gets a notion in her head, decides it\u2019s the best thing in the world for you, and does it. The LAST time she came to visit, she worked poor Hop Sing like a slave, then had Pa, Hoss, \u2018n me wearing slippers inside the house so we wouldn\u2019t get the floor all muddy . . . half the men working for us up \u2018n quit because she insisted on hanging curtains in the bunkhouse . . . and we nearly lost all our friends after she insisted on telling \u2018em how important a man Pa is and how lucky they were to have us doing business with \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPoor woman,\u201d Hoss sighed and shook his head. \u201cShe tries so hard t\u2019 be useful \u2018n needed, she . . . well, she ends up bein\u2019 about as useful t\u2019 folks as a fifth wheel on a wagon.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sound of the barn door opening immediately brought all conversation to a complete halt. As he stepped into the barn, Ben found himself staring into three anxious faces, all turned expectantly toward him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked, half fearing he already knew the answer, given his father\u2019s face, drawn and pale, and the sadness he saw mirrored in those dark brown eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe . . . wouldn\u2019t listen,\u201d Ben said ruefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry everything went so badly, Pa,\u201d Stacy said with remorse. \u201cIt\u2019s just that . . . well, the more she went on about finishing school and the rest of it, I . . . I actually saw my life pass before my eyes! . . . and when she said what she did about Jason\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Stacy,\u201d Ben said gently, as he slipped his arms around her and held her close. He felt her arms encircling his waist, and the weight of her head resting heavily against his chest. \u201cI\u2019m sorry things turned out the way they did, too . . . and, I want you to know that none of this is your fault. You were absolutely right in telling her that you have to live YOUR life, not the one she missed out on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d Stacy murmured softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo . . . what, exactly . . . happened?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe and I . . . well, I guess you might say we had words,\u201d Ben sighed. \u201cThen, she ran upstairs crying her heart out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, maybe she\u2019ll see things different in the morning, after she\u2019s had a good night\u2019s sleep, \u2018n a li\u2019l time t\u2019 think things over,\u201d Hoss suggested hopefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so, Son,\u201d Ben said with a heavy heart.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, Benjamin . . . good morning, Hoss,\u201d Clarissa greeted them in a brisk, no nonsense tone, as she strode purposefully into the dining room, her face set with iron willed determination. \u201cAren\u2019t Joe and Stacy up yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re out in the barn gettin\u2019 the buggy hitched,\u201d Hoss replied. \u201cThe graduation exercises start at eleven o\u2019clock, \u2018n Stacy needs t\u2019 be there by ten-thirty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d she murmured softly. \u201cHoss . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Ma\u2019am?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy things are all packed. Two trunks, a suitcase, and three carpetbags. Would you mind fetching them down for me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben frowned. \u201cClarissa . . . y-your things are all packed? I . . . don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin, may I speak with you?\u201d Clarissa asked, directing a furtive glance over at Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be outside, Pa,\u201d Hoss said very quietly, as he rose from his place at the dining room table.<\/p>\n

Clarissa immediately seated herself in the chair Hoss had just vacated.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s this all about?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin, first of all, I want to let you know that I don\u2019t harbor any ill feelings toward Stacy at all,\u201d Clarissa offered magnanimously, with a small, sad smile. \u201cIf anything, I feel sorry for her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou feel sorry for Stacy?!\u201d Ben echoed, incredulous. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause THIS is the only kind of life that poor child is ever going to know,\u201d Clarissa wailed. \u201cUp at the crack of dawn, working her fingers to the bone . . . outside, I have no doubt . . . in all kinds of weather . . . . \u201d She shuddered. \u201cWorst of all, in a couple of years she\u2019ll probably end up married to some cowboy!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike her father and her brothers?\u201d Ben queried in a wry tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean that to be a slight against you or your sons, Benjamin,\u201d Clarissa said immediately. \u201cYou, Hoss, and Joe have worked hard and done very well for yourselves. You\u2019ve also made a good life here for yourself AND for your sons, but . . . oh, Benjamin, Benjamin . . . don\u2019t you see?! This is no suitable kind of life for a young lady.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa sighed, and dolefully shook her head. \u201cI honestly . . . really and truly thought Stacy would jump at the chance to go to the Sarah Lynn Portnoy Academy for Young Ladies, and the prospect of being presented to proper society if those things were actually offered to her,\u201d she continued. \u201cThen . . . last night, it occurred to me that not only does she KNOW nothing else, but\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Benjamin, you HAVE to talk to her! It\u2019s NOT too late for her to change her mind about accompanying me to Boston. If you care ANYTHING about Stacy . . . anything at ALL, then please . . . talk to her,\u201d Clarissa begged. \u201cIf you tell her YOU want her to go to Boston, she\u2019ll listen to YOU. I know she will! Please\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa, Stacy\u2019s made her wishes abundantly clear,\u201d Ben said quietly. \u201cI know you MEANT well, when you made all of your arrangements, but\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not going to talk to her, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen, there\u2019s nothing more to say,\u201d she said in a very small, very tight, angry voice. \u201cI would greatly appreciate it, if either you or Hoss could take me into town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish you would reconsider your decision to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa resolutely shook her head. \u201cI think my leaving at the earliest possible convenience, would be best for all concerned.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut the next stage doesn\u2019t leave for another three days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI intend to check myself into the International Hotel in the meantime.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill you be attending Stacy\u2019s graduation?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Clarissa said ruefully. \u201cNot after that set-to between Stacy and me last night. Why, I\u2019m probably the very last person she wants to have there . . . ch-cheering her on . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish you\u2019d reconsider.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I think it best this way. Benjamin . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I came to visit a few years ago . . . do you remember what I told you, then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, but I think you\u2019re going to have to refresh my memory.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou and the boys invited me to live with you,\u201d Clarissa said. \u201cI told you that I couldn\u2019t just sit around, and be idle. I had to be a useful, contributing member of this family.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell . . . . \u201d Her voice caught. \u201cLast night, it became very clear that HERE . . . I\u2019m just about the m-most useLESS creature on the face of the earth. I wanted so MUCH to help Stacy . . . to offer her something better. Then . . . it was bad enough t-to have HER s-so . . . so callously . . . so cruelly throw aside all my hard work, but when you and Stacy BOTH accused me of . . . of acting SELFISHLY\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

Ben reached over and covered her trembling hand with his own. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I didn\u2019t mean to imply that you had KNOWINGLY acted from selfish motives,\u201d he said kindly, as he dug into his pocket for a handkerchief. \u201cAs I just said, I think you meant well, and I believe that you did what you did because you genuinely care about Stacy.\u201d He pulled a clean handkerchief from his pocket and offered it to his distraught cousin.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d she said stiffly, as she accepted the proffered handkerchief.<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa, folks OUR age . . . well, we\u2019re at a place now where most of our future lies behind us,\u201d Ben continued. \u201cIt\u2019s a natural thing, I think, for US to look at young folks, especially young folks like Stacy, who have their whole future ahead of them with just about everything in the world to choose from, and wonder what would WE do if we had it to do all over. I found myself wondering when Adam, Hoss, and Joe came of age, and yes . . . I\u2019ve caught myself wondering again now that Stacy\u2019s about to come of age. It\u2019s fine to wonder, as long as we don\u2019t let it turn into something unhealthy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d Clarissa asked, warily.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean . . . when a parent forces a child to follow in THEIR footsteps, for example, or to follow in footsteps, they, for whatever reasons, couldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you saying I did this . . . with Stacy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m suggesting that as a possibility.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa buried her face in the handkerchief Ben had given her, and began to sob in earnest. \u201cOh, B-Benjamin, I . . . I . . . I d-don\u2019t want H-HER t-to . . . to end up like ME!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben silently reached over and gently touched her forearm.<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . all those y-years!\u201d Clarissa sobbed. Ben had never, ever heard the depths of bitterness, of remorse and regret from any human being, that he heard welling up and spilling out of his cousin, as freely as the copious tears now running down her cheeks. \u201cAll those y-years of . . . of s-so diligently c-caring for Papa . . . d-day and night . . . did h-he care? Was he . . . was he in any w-way . . . appreciative?! NO!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben remembered Uncle Reuben, Clarissa\u2019s father, as a cold, bitter man, as much filled with anger, even hatred, as his own father, Joseph, was filled with warmth and love. His uncle had always looked so much older than his siblings as well, even though he was the youngest. Once, in the company of Ben\u2019s father, and their older sister, Aunt Leah, a stranger had actually thought Uncle Reuben was their father. As a child, Ben had always been afraid of him, and had always gone out of his way to avoid him. There was one exception however . . . .<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A family picnic, held out on the Boston Commons. Grandfather and Grandmother Cartwright were there, along with his aunts, uncles, cousins, and of course, his own father and mother, his brothers, and baby sister.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cPapa?\u201d Ben could hear the voice of, then, five year old Clarissa, as clearly now as his had all those many, long years ago. \u201cPapa, may I play with the other children?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d came the reply, terse, clipped, and very angry.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, Papa?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Your stepmother needs you to help look after the baby.\u201d There was a slight, yet unmistakable emphasis on \u2018step.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cReuben, it\u2019s all right . . . I can manage.\u201d It was one of those rare times Ben remembered Aunt Doreen, Reuben\u2019s second wife, actually stringing together more than two words.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI SAID no.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Aunt Doreen sighed, and quickly averted her eyes to her hands, folded in her lap, with fingers interlacing.<\/em><\/p>\n

Clarissa turned and watched her cousins romping and frolicking, her eyes filled with longing and envy, as their children\u2019s games took them all over the thick, lush, carpet of well manicured grass, that lay between the picnic area and a vast pond, filled with ducks. Tears flowed from her eyes, and ran down her cheeks, like rivers.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa.\u201d Uncle Reuben\u2019s voice cracked like a whip.<\/em><\/p>\n

The girl turned and stared up into her father\u2019s angry face, through eyes round with horror.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cStop that damned crying.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

His words, and the anger behind them, had the opposite effect. Despite her valiant efforts to the contrary, Clarissa began to cry even harder.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI TOLD you to STOP that damned crying.\u201d Reuben grabbed his daughter in a painful, vice like grip, eliciting an involuntary cry of pain mixed with surprise. He hauled her unceremoniously to her feet, and slapped her across the face with force sufficient to rattle her teeth. When he drew back his arm to slap Clarissa again, eleven-year-old Ben immediately sprang into action, without thought or consideration, in manner not unlike his own impulsive youngest son.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSTOP IT!\u201d Ben cried as his hands grabbed hold Uncle Reuben\u2019s arm mid-swing.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cLet go of me, Boy,\u201d Uncle Reuben snarled, in a voice barely audible.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cLeave her alone!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m WARNING you . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNO!\u201d Ben shouted.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou let go of me right now or so help me . . . as God is my witness, Boy . . . I\u2019ll give you the thrashing of your life.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cReuben, you so much as lay a finger on my son, I\u2019ll not only thrash YOU within an inch of your miserable life, but I\u2019ll have you jailed for assault and battery as well.\u201d Ben turned and found himself staring into the face of his father. Never, not in the whole of his brief span of life upon this earth, had he ever seen him look so angry.<\/em><\/p>\n

Father and Uncle Reuben stood with backs ramrod straight, glaring at one another. For one brief terrifying, exhilarating moment, Ben was sure the two men were going to come to blows. Then, Uncle Reuben shook Ben off, sending him tumbling to the ground in an ungainly heap.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYour boy owes me an apology, Joseph,\u201d Reuben said.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019M NOT GOING TO APOLOGIZE,\u201d Ben shouted, his voice, his entire body shaking with anger and a lot of healthy trepidation. \u201cYOU\u2019RE . . . YOU\u2019RE NOTHING BUT A MEAN, NASTY, COWARDLY SON OF A SEA SNAKE!\u201d With that, he turned and fled, as far and as fast as his legs could carry him.<\/em><\/p>\n

His father found him somewhere on the other side of the pond, listlessly tossing one stone after the other into the shallow water near the bank.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBen . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

He drew himself up to full height as he turned to face his father.<\/em> \u201cYou . . . you can take me out behind the back house and thrash me within an inch of my life if you have to, Father, but I won\u2019t apologize.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m NOT going to whip you, Ben,\u201d his father said quietly.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben gazed up into his father\u2019s face, shocked and astonished. For a long moment, he was too stunned to move or speak. \u201cY-You\u2019re . . . you\u2019re N-NOT?!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWalk with me?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben nodded as he fell in step alongside his father.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou took up for your cousin against . . . well against some pretty tough odds, Son,\u201d his father said. \u201cUncle Reuben\u2019s a big man.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI . . . I didn\u2019t think about that, Father,\u201d Ben said quietly, his voice barely audible. \u201cI only saw that he was gonna hit Clarissa . . . and maybe really hurt her . . . all because she asked if she could go play.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI know.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cFather?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Ben?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy does Uncle Reuben hate Clarissa so much?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause her mother died bringing her into the world,\u201d Father answered, his voice filled with sadness. \u201cUncle Reuben loved your aunt, Anna, very much.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben remembered staring up at his father with a bewildered frown on his face. \u201cDoes that mean . . . Uncle Max didn\u2019t love Aunt Etta?\u201d Uncle Max, short for Maxwell, was his father\u2019s oldest brother.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Uncle Max loved your Aunt Etta very much . . . and to this day STILL cherishes her memory.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBut . . . he doesn\u2019t hate Cousin Abby because Aunt Etta died bringing HER into the world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all in how you look at things, Son. When your Aunt Etta died . . . Uncle Max told me that your cousin, Abby was the very last gift Aunt Etta ever gave him,\u201d Father explained. \u201cIn HIS eyes, that made her all the more precious. Your Uncle Reuben, however . . . . \u201d He sighed, and very sadly shook his head, \u201call he sees is the loss of a woman he claimed he loved more than life itself . . . and he blames poor Clarissa for it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cUncle Reuben doesn\u2019t love Aunt Doreen?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI think he does . . . after a fashion,\u201d Father replied. \u201cBut, not in the same way he loved Anna.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cPoor Aunt Doreen . . . and Clarissa, too,\u201d Ben murmured softly, as tears welled up in his chocolate brown eyes. \u201cThey love Uncle Reuben so much . . . and they . . . they try so hard to make him love them back, but he won\u2019t. He won\u2019t EVER love them back, will he, Father?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Ben . . . I don\u2019t think he ever will.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy NOT?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause he\u2019s blinded himself to everything except Anna dying,\u201d Father patiently explained. \u201cHe\u2019s not living . . . not really, and he won\u2019t let those around him live either.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why he won\u2019t let Clarissa play with us?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Father nodded. \u201cWorst of all, I think is . . . he won\u2019t ever let himself know and feel how much Aunt Doreen and Clarissa love him. That\u2019s why . . . as much as I do feel sorry for Aunt Doreen and Clarissa . . . I think the one I feel the sorriest for is Uncle Reuben . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 8<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The sounds of Clarissa\u2019s agonized weeping drew Ben back to present time and place. He quietly rose, then walked over and gently helped his grief stricken cousin rise to her feet. He put a gentle arm around her shoulders and led her away from the dining room table over to the settee. There, they sat down together, and Ben held Clarissa close, as she poured forth the torrent of anger and sorrow, she had carried around with her for so long, in the same way he held his own sons and daughter close in their times of grief and anguish.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll those y-years . . . all those y-years of . . . of looking after him . . . c-caring for him . . . giving up m-my life . . . m-my future . . . all my chances t-to marry . . . to have a family and . . . and a h-home of m-my own . . . . \u201d she looked up and favored him with a defiant, angry glare. \u201cI . . . I H-HAD prospects, Benjamin. I d-did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben said in a quiet, gentle tone.<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . and I g-gave it all up . . . threw it all away . . . t-to . . . to care for Papa,\u201d Clarissa sobbed. \u201cAll he did . . . all h-he ever did was . . . c-complain and . . . and f-find fault. N-Not once d-did he ever s-so mush as s-s-say . . . thank you. It would have m-meant so much if he had . . . .<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . and . . . when h-he died?! He l-left me d-destitute, Benjamin . . . destitute, h-homeless . . . without anything t-to call my own, except . . . except the clothes on m-my back. M-My sister and brothers were . . . they were n-no better! You\u2019d have thought they would h-have had pity and . . . and let m-me k-keep my home . . . the only h-home I\u2019ve ever known, but no! They wanted their share of the m-money. So . . . here I am . . . always m-moving f-from pillar to p-post, helping c-care for relatives every b-bit as . . . as mean, and ungrateful as P-Papa was. I d-don\u2019t want the s-same thing to h-happen to Stacy\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa, that will NEVER happen to Stacy,\u201d Ben said gently, yet firmly. \u201cWhen my time comes, HER share of the Ponderosa . . . and of my OTHER worldly goods . . . will equal that of her brothers. Should THEY decide to sell their portions and move on, her home will still be here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut . . . what if YOU become ill and . . . and infirm l-like . . . like Papa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStacy won\u2019t be saddled with the full responsibility of with caring for me alone,\u201d Ben promised. \u201cI KNOW my sons, Clarissa. Hoss and Joe WILL pitch in and help with my care, should such a thing come to pass. They\u2019ll insist on it. I daresay Adam will, too, though HIS help will, more than likely be of a financial nature, seeing that he lives out in Sacramento. But, they will all share equally.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, B-Benjamin . . . I\u2019m s-so s-sorry\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou needn\u2019t be,\u201d Ben said, understanding now some of the complexities that had prompted Clarissa to make the arrangements for Stacy to go to Boston, to finishing school. \u201cYou cared enough about Stacy to take steps to make absolute certain her future was secure. I can\u2019t fault you for that. Perhaps . . . I should be the one to apologize for accusing you of wanting to live the life you couldn\u2019t have through Stacy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo . . . . \u201d Clarissa wearily shook her head. \u201cWhile I DID want to make certain that Stacy had a . . . a comfortable home and secure f-future . . . I\u2019m afraid I\u2019d be less than honest if I didn\u2019t admit to a secret desire deep down to . . . to live the life I had to give up . . . through her. It\u2019s not a bad kind of life, Benjamin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . and there\u2019s a p-part of me that just plain can\u2019t understand why in the world Stacy wants to stay HERE, when she could go to Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps you need to ask STACY about that,\u201d Ben suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf she\u2019s even talking to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStacy\u2019s a very forgiving young woman, once she\u2019s had a chance to cool off. In fact, she feels every bit as badly about how things went last night, as you do.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOk, Kid . . . now that the buggy\u2019s hitched, it\u2019s time for YOU to jump into that bath Hop Sing\u2019s got ready for ya upstairs and get dressed,\u201d Joe said, as he quickly double checked the harness and fastenings to make certain everything was secure. \u201cYou\u2019ve got an hour before we have to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stacy nodded mutely.<\/p>\n

An anxious frown creased Joe\u2019s brow upon noting that his sister\u2019s eyes blinked excessively. \u201cYou all right, Stace?\u201d he asked gently, as he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. \u201cYou\u2019re not getting all sentimental on us now . . . are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo . . . I\u2019m not getting sentimental about leaving school, I . . . well, I still feel bad about what I said to Cousin Clarissa last night,\u201d Stacy said contritely.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry it finally had to come to that, too,\u201d Joe said quietly, \u201cbut from where I sit . . . it was either take the stand you did or let her drag you clear across country to that finishing school in Boston. You TRIED to tell her nice and polite, I KNOW you did, but she wouldn\u2019t listen.\u201d He gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze and favored her with a reassuring smile. \u201cPa, Hoss, Hop Sing and I are all with ya, Kid. You just remember that, and try not to let Cousin Clarissa mar what should be one of the biggest days of your life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Joe,\u201d Stacy said as she impulsively turned and gave the youngest of her three older brothers a big hug.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re welcome,\u201d Joe said as he returned her hug with an affectionate one of his own. \u201cNow scoot! That hour\u2019s dwindling away fast!\u201d<\/p>\n

Stacy nodded, then turned and started walking briskly toward the barn door. She nearly ended up in a head on collision with a very shocked, very astonished Clarissa Cartwright, before she had gone a half dozen steps. \u201cOh dear . . . I-I\u2019m sorry, Cousin Clarissa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStacy, I want to speak with you,\u201d Clarissa said, in a flat monotone that somehow lent her voice an unintended, yet faint, imperious air. \u201cNow.\u201d Her eyes moved over to Joe, standing next to Stacy. \u201cAlone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCousin Clarissa, anything you have to say to my sister . . . you have to say to me, too,\u201d Joe said quietly, as he stepped up beside her and placed a protective arm around her shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . uhhh, Grandpa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Kid?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI . . . don\u2019t think you have to worry,\u201d Stacy said slowly, taking due note of the older woman\u2019s puffy upper lip, her red, swollen eye lids, and the unusual brightness of her eyes. \u201cI\u2019ll be ok.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cYeah. I\u2019m sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn that case, why don\u2019t the two of you step outside and talk?\u201d Joe suggested. \u201cI think maybe I\u2019d kinda like to check the harness . . . make sure everything\u2019s properly fastened.\u201d<\/p>\n

A smile tugged hard at the corner of Stacy\u2019s mouth, as she silently nodded her head. She refrained from pointing out that the two of them had already double-checked the fastenings.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh! . . . and one more thing, Kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that, Grandpa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf ya need me . . . I\u2019m right here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll remember that, Grandpa. Thanks.\u201d Stacy slipped her arm around his waist and gave him one more gentle, affectionate squeeze, before following Clarissa out into the yard. \u201cCousin Clarissa . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Stacy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry about the way things went last night,\u201d Stacy said contritely. \u201cPa\u2019s always warning me about my temper. I try to find better ways to work it out, but last night . . . well, I\u2019m afraid it got the better of me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStacy, I\u2019M the one who should be apologizing,\u201d Clarissa said, equally remorseful. \u201cAll things considered . . . you . . . had . . . every right . . . to be angry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll accept YOUR apology, if you\u2019ll accept mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

A tiny smile played at the corner of Clarissa\u2019s mouth. \u201cIt\u2019s a deal,\u201d she said quietly, holding out her hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cDone,\u201d Stacy agreed as they shook hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Stacy . . . . \u201d Clarissa murmured, her voice tremulous. \u201cIf you could only realize what you\u2019re giving up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe I have no idea what I AM giving up, but I know very well what I\u2019m NOT giving up,\u201d Stacy said quietly.<\/p>\n

Clarissa favored her young cousin once removed with a bemused smile. \u201cOh? And what are you not giving up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid Pa ever tell you anything about my life before I came here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot very much. He said that you lived with your mother\u2019s family until you were five or six, and after that with a family of Paiutes.\u201d Clarissa shuddered at this last, unable to help it.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Paris . . . my mother . . . didn\u2019t tell Pa she was going to have me,\u201d Stacy began. \u201cShe just left, without telling anyone where she was going . . . or why she was leaving. She didn\u2019t even say good-bye. I know she was a very proud woman, and I think maybe she left because she didn\u2019t want Pa to feel obligated to marry her. What she didn\u2019t know . . . unfortunately . . . was how much Pa DID love her . . . and . . . and that he was about to ask her to marry him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI . . . I had no idea,\u201d Clarissa murmured softly. \u201cWhat . . . finally happened to her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe ended up going back to HER family, to her parents and sisters. They looked after her until I was born. After that, her pa told her that they would give me a home, but SHE had to leave and never see them . . . or me . . . ever again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Stacy . . . what a terrible, cruel thing to do,\u201d Clarissa murmured softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mother\u2019s family didn\u2019t like her . . . or Pa either for that matter,\u201d Stacy said, unable to keep the sadness and rancor out of her voice. \u201cThey did what they saw as their duty by me, but I think it was more to spite Pa and Miss Paris than out of any great love for me.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Paiutes who took me in and raised me cared a great deal about me. In fact . . . I don\u2019t see how any mother could love her child more than Silver Moon, my Paiute foster mother, loved me,\u201d Stacy continued. \u201cBut, SHE was told in dream that she had been entrusted with me until the time came for me to go live with my real family . . . so, even though they loved me, we all knew I wouldn\u2019t be staying.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I came to live here, I finally knew what it was to belong somewhere . . . to have a family and a home I could really and truly call my own for the very first time in my whole life. You asked me if I knew what I was giving up . . . well . . . if I had agreed to go with you to Boston, gone through with all the plans you had for me? THAT\u2019S what I would\u2019ve had to give up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa winced at the catch in her young cousin\u2019s voice. \u201cOh, Stacy, I\u2019m so sorry,\u201d she murmured, with deepening remorse. \u201cI . . . I had no idea. No idea at all. Can you ever forgive me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course I can, Cousin Clarissa,\u201d Stacy replied. \u201cOn ONE condition.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . and that is?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat you\u2019ll come with Pa, Hoss, Joe, and Hop Sing to my graduation? Please?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Stacy, I . . . I\u2019d be happy to,\u201d Clarissa cried, smiling through the new tears forming in her eyes, as she enveloped her young cousin into her arms.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c . . . soon, all TOO soon, the seven of us will go our separate ways,\u201d Molly O\u2019Hanlan, valedictorian for her graduating class, spoke in a clear, crisp, voice, filled with excitement. She stood before the podium, drawn up to her full height, gazing out into the sea of faces spread before her with confidence. \u201cJulio Fernandez leaves Virginia City in a couple of days for San Francisco, where he\u2019ll be attending the Amadeus School of Music and taking voice training with renowned singer and teacher, Miss Angela Drake.<\/p>\n

\u201cLiam Sullivan leaves in two weeks for New Haven, Connecticut, where he\u2019ll be attending Yale University, studying medicine. His schoolwork has always been outstanding; from the time I\u2019VE known him anyway. I can\u2019t ever recall a time when his name didn\u2019t appear on the teacher\u2019s honor roll. He\u2019s also received a four-year scholarship from the university and he\u2019s been chosen as recipient of the Jeremiah Edward Martin Memorial Scholarship, established by Doctor Martin in honor of his father, to give financial aid to a student, who has proven himself an exemplary scholar and a young person of strong moral character. Liam, we\u2019re all expecting great and wonderful things from you in the years to come.<\/p>\n

\u201cMillicent Adams and her mother leave Thursday morning for Boston, where Millicent will be attending the Sarah Lynn Portnoy Academy for Young Ladies for the next two years. According to Mrs. Adams, Millicent will be the first of HER generation to attend this venerable institution . . . a tradition that began with her maternal grandmother.<\/p>\n

\u201cCarol Ann Thompson will be getting married at the end of the month, then moving back east to Philadelphia, where her husband-to-be will be learning all about the newspaper publishing business from his uncle.<\/p>\n

\u201cStacy Cartwright and Susannah O\u2019Brien will remain right here in Virginia City, working for their fathers on the Ponderosa and Shoshone Queen, respectively.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs for myself, I leave for Minnesota the day after Carol Ann\u2019s wedding, where I\u2019ll be attending normal school to get my teaching certificate.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, no matter where we go . . . whether it be to the far flung corners of the world or whether we stay right here . . . no matter what we do . . . whether we become well known, or remain largely UNknown to the world at large . . . I know I can safely speak for all of us when I say that we\u2019ll look back on our time here, in the school house behind me . . . and remember with affection and gratitude, not only our teachers, but our parents, and the entire community as well, for caring enough to properly teach us about the three \u2018R\u2019s\u2019 . . . and how to be decent human beings.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Molly\u2019s valedictorian speech earned her a rousing standing ovation. Ezekiel Abercromby, the head of the school board, rose, finally, and pounded his cane on the floor of the platform, assembled the day before, to call for order. One by one, the people, assembled for the graduation exercises, sat down, until only Francis O\u2019Hanlan, Molly\u2019s proud father, was left on his feet, still applauding. A gentle tug on his arm from his oldest daughter, Colleen Nikolas, seated beside him, brought the proud father back down to earth.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, uhhh . . . sorry,\u201d Francis, his face beet red, hastily stammered out an apology, as he dropped back down into his chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s quite alright, Mister O\u2019Hanlan,\u201d Esther Johnson said with a big smile, as she stepped up to the podium. \u201cYou have every reason in the world to be proud today.\u201d She, then looked up into the expectant faces of the gathered assembly. \u201c . . . and now, Ladies and Gentlemen, we come to that portion of these exercises for which you have been anxiously awaiting . . . the presentation of graduation certificates.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about time,\u201d Joe Cartwright quipped, as the gathering of family members and friends of the graduating class all politely applauded.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d Ben hissed, favoring his youngest son with a dark glare.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo present the certificates,\u201d Esther continued, once again raising her voice slightly, in order to be heard above the applause, \u201cI give the podium over to Mister Ezekiel Abercromby, head of the school board.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no,\u201d Ben groaned softly, as he lifted pleading eyes to the heavens, beseeching whoever might be listening for mercy.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Joe queried, as he and Hoss turned toward Ben with anxious frowns.<\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin? What\u2019s the matter?\u201d Clarissa pressed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat man is the biggest . . . and I do mean THE BIGGEST windbag that ever walked on two feet,\u201d Ben groaned again, shaking his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2019s right about that,\u201d Hoss murmured ruefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe be here all afternoon, almost to suppertime,\u201d Hop Sing added his own gloomy two cents worth.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had a speech all prepared, but in the interests of moving along, we\u2019ll go right to the presenting of the graduation certificates,\u201d Ezekiel said, his words eliciting a collective sigh of relief not only from the Cartwright men, but from the rest of the people assembled as well. He picked up the first certificate from the pile. \u201cMiss Millicent Abigail Adams.\u201d<\/p>\n

Millicent rose from her place on the first row and mounted the stairs to the top of the platform, with a stiff, regal bearing to a smattering of polite applause from her parents, seated directly behind her. She walked to the podium, where Ezekiel Abercromby stood, with head slightly upraised, and expectantly held out her hand. The elderly head of the school board handed her the certificate, shook her hand, murmuring a soft, \u201cCongratulations, Miss Adams.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Sir,\u201d she murmured softly, before stepping back and taking her place a few feet behind Ezekiel.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Stacy Rose Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her father, brothers, Hop Sing, and Jason O\u2019Brien were all on their feet a split second before she was, applauding and cheering.<\/p>\n

\u201cWAY TO GO, STACY!\u201d Joe yelled at the top of his voice, while Hoss whistled and Jason let out a loud war whoop eminently worthy of his Shoshone ancestors. Even the prim and very proper Cousin Clarissa had risen to her feet and clapped loudly, grinning from ear-to-ear. Molly, Susannah, and Julio also applauded with enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

Stacy mounted and crossed the stage with an easy confidence, smiling broadly, glad beyond measure that this phase of her life was finally completed. She eagerly looked forward to joining her father and brothers first thing tomorrow morning as a full time partner.<\/p>\n

\u201cCongratulations, Miss Cartwright,\u201d Ezekiel murmured, as he handed Stacy her certificate and shook her hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Mister Abercromby.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell! THAT was quite a cheering section,\u201d Millicent said, her voice heavy laden with acid sarcasm, as Stacy took her place standing beside her. She punctuated her remark with a haughty toss of her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter, Millicent?\u201d Stacy immediately returned, sotto voce, without missing a beat. \u201cJealous?\u201d<\/p>\n

Millicent gasped in outrage.<\/p>\n

\u201cMister Julio Xavier Fernandez.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Fernandez family all leapt to their feet, clapping and cheering in English and in Spanish, their numbers easily surpassing the Cartwrights for volume, if not enthusiasm. The only one who remained seated was Mrs. Fernandez, who was one week from the projected birth date of the ninth child she carried within her. Even so, her ovation was no less spirited than the same offered by her husband and their other children. Julio was the oldest boy in the family, placing him third among his siblings, with two older sisters, four younger brothers, and a younger sister. He had set a fine example for his younger brothers, inspiring them to put forth their best efforts, not only in the classroom, but in other areas of their lives as well.<\/p>\n

Susannah O\u2019Brien leapt to her feet, clapping and cheering, followed closely by Molly, and the rest of their class, still seated. On stage, Stacy quickly tucked her certificate under her arm and added her applause to the grand standing ovation. Millicent sighed, and finally joined in, clapping her hands with insulting lackluster.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs many of you no doubt know, Julio Fernandez has been given the award for the most improvement shown over the course of his career as a student,\u201d Ezekiel explained as the applause and cheers began to fade, and people returned to their seats. \u201cThis young man has had to endure many hardships, not the least of which was a language barrier during his first couple of years, being fluent only in Spanish. His schoolwork has not only steadily improved over the years, but he has also discovered a love of music and a rare gift for song. Though not the first in his family to complete his basic education, he IS the first to go on to college.<\/p>\n

\u201cCongratulations, Mister Fernandez.\u201d Ezekiel beamed, as he handed the young man his certificate and heartily shook his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Mister Abercromby,\u201d Julio murmured softly, returning the older man\u2019s smile with an equally warm one of his own. He walked over and took his place on the stage next to Stacy.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Susannah B. O\u2019Brien.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not to be outdone by either the Cartwrights or the Fernandez family, Hugh, Crystal, and Jason immediately leapt to their feet, clapping and cheering. Robert McShane, the eldest of Crystal\u2019s two sons, stuck his two little fingers in his mouth and whistled, just as their uncle, Jason, had recently taught him. Molly, Stacy, Julio, and Liam also cheered and applauded.<\/p>\n

Susannah looked over at her nephew and smiled her thanks and approval, as she climbed up the steps, toward the top of the platform.<\/p>\n

\u201cCongratulations, Miss O\u2019Brien,\u201d Ezekiel murmured, as he handed Susannah her certificate and shook her hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Mister Abercromby,\u201d she returned gratefully, grinning from ear-to-ear. Like Stacy, she also looked forward to working for her father and her older sister, learning about the day-to-day operations involved in running the Shoshone Queen. She walked over and took her place next to Julio.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Molly O\u2019Hanlan.\u201d<\/p>\n

Molly rose and mounted the steps, smiling, with back straight, shoulders back, displaying all the attitude she could possibly muster.<\/p>\n

\u201cMolly, it\u2019s not how big you are . . . how smart you are . . . or even how big a gun you carry . . . that counts for anything . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

She could hear those words again, ringing in her ears, speaking just as clearly to the places of mind and heart now, as they did when Stacy first uttered them six years ago, almost seven, the first day they met.<\/p>\n

Her father and sister both smiled broadly, as they clapped their hands. Her brother-in-law clapped and whistled.<\/p>\n

\u201cHEY, MOLLY . . . \u2018WAY TO GO!\u201d Stacy smiled and shouted, as she applauded every bit as enthusiastically as Molly\u2019s family.<\/p>\n

Susannah O\u2019Brien whooped clapped her hands with much energy and enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

\u201cCongratulations, Miss O\u2019Hanlan,\u201d Ezekiel murmured as he handed Molly her certificate, and shook her hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Mister Abercromby,\u201d Molly responded.<\/p>\n

As she walked over to take her place beside Susannah, Molly noted with a pang of regret the absence of her mother, Myrna O\u2019Hanlan, and brother, Frankie. The former had suffered an attack of the vapors early this morning, the absolute worst ever, brought on, no doubt by the row between herself and her son the night before.<\/p>\n

\u201cMister Liam Patrick Sullivan.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Sullivan clan, every bit as numerous and vocal as the Fernandez family, the O\u2019Briens, and the Cartwrights, all leapt to their feet, clapping and cheering.<\/p>\n

\u201cCongratulations, Mister Sullivan,\u201d Ezekiel murmured, with the same warm smile he had given Julio and Molly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Sir. Thank you very much,\u201d Liam said, smiling back, as he shook hands with Ezekiel. He walked over and took his place beside Molly. \u201cModest as always, aren\u2019t you, Girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLiam, what are you talking about?\u201d Molly queried, taking great care to keep her voice down.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot one mention of the straight A average you\u2019ve carried in all the years I\u2019ve known YOU,\u201d Liam chided her gently. \u201cMolly O\u2019Hanlan, between you \u2018n me? I\u2019m expecting great things of you, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Carol Ann Thompson,\u201d Ezekiel Abercromby wearily called the last name.<\/p>\n

Carol Ann mounted the stairs, to the polite applause offered by her parents, her younger sister, her husband-to-be, and her perspective parents-in-law. Her mother smiled, and looked on proudly as she crossed the platform to receive her certificate.<\/p>\n

\u201cCongratulations, Miss Thompson . . . on your graduation from school, and upon your up coming marriage,\u201d Ezekiel said as he handed Carol Ann her certificate, and shook her hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Mister Abercromby,\u201d she murmured listlessly, before walking over and taking her place beside Liam Sullivan.<\/p>\n

\u201cLadies and Gentlemen,\u201d Ezekiel said, as he turned to the assembly of parents, of brothers and sisters, and of close friends. \u201cI give you our graduating class and their teacher, Miss Esther Johnson, who is herself, one of the three finest teachers I have ever had the pleasure of working with during my long tenure as head of the school board. One was a woman known to us and to our children simply as Miss Tess, and the other was my own daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone leapt to their feet, applauding, cheering, and whistling.<\/p>\n

\u201cI agree with him about Miss Tess and Miss Johnson,\u201d Ben growled under his breath. \u201cBut Miss Abercromby, I\u2019m afraid left a whole lot to be desired.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Abercromby was the WORST teacher the Virginia City School\u2019s ever had,\u201d Joe dutifully explained to Cousin Clarissa, \u201cbar none.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 9<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss . . . Joe, it was lovely . . . just lovely!\u201d Clarissa declared with a big smile, after Ben had set off toward the platform where Stacy still remained with her graduating class, receiving the congratulations and good wishes of others. \u201cI\u2019m so glad now, that I stayed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo am I, Cousin Clarissa,\u201d Joe said, with all sincerity, \u201cand I know Stacy was glad that you were able to be here, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope you\u2019re feelin\u2019 a mite better about Stacy,\u201d Hoss said quietly. \u201cPa said you were kinda worried about her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel much better about her, Hoss, knowing that she has you, Joe, and Benjamin around,\u201d Clarissa replied, \u201cthough deep down, I still can\u2019t quite understand why she would prefer the kind of life she\u2019s going to have here . . . to the kind of life she COULD have in Boston. But . . . . \u201d she shrugged, \u201cto each his . . . or HER own.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMissy Cartwright wise woman,\u201d Hop Sing declared with a big smile.<\/p>\n

Clarissa smiled inwardly, gratified that Hop Sing had, at long last, stopped referring to her as cousin. Though she had realized, and grudgingly come to accept the fact that Benjamin, his sons, and his daughter looked upon the man as part of their family, she just plain and simply could not bring herself to claim any kind of familial relationship. \u201cPerhaps it IS wrong of me, but I\u2019m too old . . . too set in my ways to try and change now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Ben found himself feeling oddly disgruntled, as he made his way over toward the platform, upon seeing his daughter turn and catch Jason O\u2019Brien up in a great big bear hug. Those feelings deepened as Jason hugged back with equal energy and enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

\u201cMister Cartwright!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben turned, and smiled as he saw Julio Fernandez walking toward him. His smile, however, came no where close to reaching his eyes. \u201cCongratulations, Julio,\u201d he said, as he shook hands with the young man. \u201cYour family has every reason in the world to be very proud of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Sir,\u201d Julio said, as two bright splotches of red appeared on both cheeks. \u201cI also want to thank you putting in a good word for me with Miss Drake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was certainly more than happy to do that,\u201d Ben said, as he cast a quick, furtive glance over toward Stacy and Jason. He was gratified to see them just standing now, and talking quietly with each other. \u201cMister Abercromby was absolutely right when he said you have a rare gift,\u201d he continued, returning his attention at once to Julio. \u201cI\u2019m just very glad . . . and relieved . . . that your initial contact with Miss Drake went as well as it did. To put it very politely, she can be somewhat mercurial.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I\u2019ve heard. Still . . . she\u2019s one of the best, if not THE best, voice teacher there is. I\u2019m deeply honored that she\u2019s agreed to take me as a student. I\u2019m looking forward to working with her and learning from her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . and I\u2019M looking forward to your first concert in Piper\u2019s Opera House right here in Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

Julio smiled. \u201cI promised Stacy that I\u2019d save the two of you front row seats.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d better, Young Man. If I don\u2019t see ya before you leave for San Francisco, Julio, I wish you all the best along with a safe trip.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJulio . . . Julio!\u201d The young man turned and found his next youngest brother, Ramon, standing beside him, his complexion a few shades paler than normal and his dark brown-black eyes round as saucers. \u201cPapa said to ask you to run, tell Doctor Martin that Mama\u2019s having the baby.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cN-Now?!\u201d Julio queried, incredulous.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, now!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJulio, you\u2019d best get a move on,\u201d Ben quietly urged the stunned young man. \u201cTell your folks, I\u2019m thinking about \u2018em, and that I\u2019ll remember them and the new baby tonight in my prayers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Mister Cartwright,\u201d Julio said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sir . . . thank you,\u201d Ramon voiced his gratitude, before left to return to his parents, and his oldest brother ran to find Doctor Martin. \u201cJulio and I will tell them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

Ben turned and smiled, upon finding Stacy, with certificate in hand, standing at his elbow. \u201cCongratulations, Young Woman,\u201d he murmured softly, as he slipped his arms around her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

He was pleased, and gratified, as he felt her arms encircle his waist and squeeze with every bit of the exuberance he had seen her hugging Jason with a few moments before.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure glad it\u2019s behind me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo regrets?\u201d Ben asked, as he and his daughter made their way over to the place where Hoss, Joe, Hop Sing, and Cousin Clarissa waited.<\/p>\n

\u201cNone,\u201d Stacy replied. \u201cI think the only thing that remains is for you to decide where I\u2019m going to start come tomorrow morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been giving the matter a lot of thought,\u201d Ben said, as he slipped a paternal arm around her shoulders, \u201cand I\u2019ve decided to let Joe finish up training this string of horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYep,\u201d Ben nodded his head solemnly, then smiled. \u201cTomorrow morning, you\u2019re going to be helping Hoss and me move the cattle out to the summer pastures. I hope you\u2019ve been practicing your roping.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI sure have,\u201d Stacy declared with a big smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Pa . . . you \u2018n Stacy ready to g\u2019won down to the International House for some lunch?\u201d Joe asked, as his father and sister joined the rest of the family. He glanced over at Hoss, his eyes dancing with impish delight. \u201cThe way Big Brother over there keeps looking at me and licking his chops is giving me a real case of the willies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stacy laughed out loud at Joe\u2019s comically grotesque shudder, while Clarissa looked on, uncertain, until she heard Ben laugh.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe, Miss Stacy . . . better show Mister Hoss lotta respect,\u201d Hop Sing immediately admonished both. The mischief dancing in his black eyes and the amused smile tugging hard at the corner of his mouth gave lie to his stern tone of voice. \u201cLittle Joe, Miss Stacy couple of puny appetizers to appetite like Mister Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got that right, Hop Sing,\u201d Hoss guffawed. \u201cIn fact the two of \u2018em are too puny t\u2019 even bother with.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Sister, I think we\u2019ve just been insulted,\u201d Joe alleged with mock severity.<\/p>\n

\u201cI KNOW we have,\u201d Stacy immediately replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, Children, settle down . . . all FOUR of ya!\u201d Ben\u2019s glare took in Hop Sing as well. The twinkle in his eyes, however, was not lost on his two sons, his daughter, or Hop Sing.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Pa,\u201d Hoss, Joe, and Stacy chorused together in unison, before dissolving into more laughter.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sir, Number One Boss of Ponderosa. Hop Sing go now, visit with papa, Hop Ling.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure you don\u2019t want to come have lunch with us first?\u201d Stacy asked, looking a little crestfallen.<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing miss good company, but food at International House . . . NOT good.\u201d Hop Sing shuddered and made a face. \u201cLady cook at restaurant lousy, not good cook, not nearly good as Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one\u2019s as good as YOU, Hop Sing, \u2018n that\u2019s a fact,\u201d Hoss declared.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly one cook better,\u201d Hop Sing said. \u201cThat Hop Ling, Hop Sing papa. He teach Hop Sing to cook before Hop Sing and papa leave China.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa, I . . . don\u2019t know what your plans are, but I want to let you know that you\u2019re welcome to stay with us for as long as you wish,\u201d Ben said, as he and his cousin followed behind Hop Sing and his exuberant children at a slower pace.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Benjamin,\u201d she murmured gratefully. \u201cI appreciate that, very much. Truth to tell, I\u2019m kind of at loose ends right now. That letter for me in this morning\u2019s mail was from Cousin Rosalyn . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I saw you reading it before the graduation ceremonies started. Who\u2019s Cousin Rosalyn?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAmelia\u2019s mother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh yes. The one who not long ago had a baby.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Clarissa affirmed. \u201cIt seems Jeremy . . . that\u2019s Amelia\u2019s husband, and the baby are both down sick, Amelia\u2019s hysterical, and from the sound of the letter, poor Rosalyn\u2019s beside herself. She begs me to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Clarissa replied, miserable and clearly torn. \u201cBefore I left them to come here, Rosalyn\u2019s husband and I . . . well, I guess you might say we had words. Though they need me . . . they don\u2019t really WANT me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen don\u2019t go. As I just said before, you ARE welcome to stay with us for as long as you like,\u201d Ben said with a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought maybe I\u2019d send a wire to that home for the elderly out in Sacramento,\u201d Clarissa said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe place you were going to when you stopped to visit us the last time?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa nodded. \u201cI was too young to go in then, but now . . . well, let\u2019s just say I\u2019m close enough and leave it at that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa . . . . \u201d Ben stopped walking. \u201cMay I ask you a personal question? You certainly don\u2019t have to answer it, if you don\u2019t want to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s fair enough, I suppose.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about your sister and brothers?\u201d Ben asked. \u201cHaven\u2019t any of THEM asked you to come live with them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Clarissa shook her head. \u201cI haven\u2019t seen them since we laid Papa to rest. I get a Christmas card from my sister, but that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou needn\u2019t be, Benjamin. They were a cantankerous lot, anyway,\u201d Clarissa said ruefully. She started walking again. Ben fell in step along side her. \u201cIn fact, I don\u2019t think they have very much to do with each other, and . . . as much as I would dearly love to live with you, Hoss, Joe, and Stacy, I think I\u2019m at a time in my life that I want someplace of my own to call home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can set you up in a nice little house right here in Virginia City,\u201d Ben offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve been very generous to me over the years, Benjamin.\u201d She smiled. \u201cStarting from the time you attacked Papa because you thought he was going to hurt me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m surprised you even remember that. You were pretty young.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFive years old, and I\u2019ll never for get it,\u201d Clarissa declared. \u201cBut, I won\u2019t take charity.\u201d<\/p>\n

A strained silence fell between them.<\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin, that place out in Sacramento . . . it\u2019s not a bad place,\u201d Clarissa said, sounding for all the world as if she might be trying to convince herself as well as her cousin. \u201cIt\u2019s small . . . a one room efficiency, but that\u2019s more than enough room for me . . . and, it\u2019s more than I\u2019ve ever had. It\u2019s within walking distance of the general store, and I have a lovely view of the river.\u201d<\/p>\n

She had purposefully neglected to mention such things as hauling her own water up from the well to a room, more than likely on the third, maybe even the fourth floor, or that she would be expected to share the bathroom facilities, located at the end of the hall, with eleven others.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure this is what you want?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin, you ask what I want . . . well, what I want right now is to have a nice lunch, in what looks to be a very nice restaurant, and celebrate Stacy\u2019s graduation with her, and with you and your boys,\u201d Clarissa said firmly. \u201cFor today, at least, I don\u2019t want you, Hoss, Joe, or Stacy to be worrying about me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright,\u201d Ben agreed, \u201cbut, this conversation\u2019s far from over.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMISS CARTWRIGHT? MISS CLARISSA CARTWIGHT?!\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa and Ben turned and found George Ellis, from the telegraph office, huffing and puffing as he ran up the steps, his face beet red, waving a piece of paper clutched in his right hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Miss Clarissa Cartwright,\u201d Clarissa said, when George stepped up on the hotel porch beside her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just now got a reply back from a Mrs. Mirabelle Standish to the wire you sent her earlier this morning,\u201d George said.<\/p>\n

\u201cTh-Thank you,\u201d Clarissa murmured as she received the message with trembling hands.<\/p>\n

Ben reached into his pocket and drew out a half dollar. \u201cThank you, George. Here\u2019s a little something for your trouble,\u201d he said quietly, as he pressed the coin into the telegraph operator\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank YOU, Mister Cartwright. Thank you very much,\u201d George said, grinning broadly, from ear-to-ear. He turned and made his way back down the hotel steps with a definite spring in his own.<\/p>\n

Ben turned his attention back to Clarissa. An anxious frown deepened the lines already present in his brow, upon noting her pale face, the eyes, round with shock, glued to the paper she clutched in her trembling hands. \u201cClarissa?\u201d he murmured gently, as he reached out to touch her shoulder. \u201cClarissa . . . it\u2019s not bad news . . . is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned and looked up at him, with a tremulous smile and eyes glistening with the brightness of tears yet to be shed. \u201cNo, Benjamin . . . no! It\u2019s not bad news . . . far from it,\u201d she said, pausing to wipe the stray tears that had slipped over her eyelids, and started to run down both cheeks. \u201cNo . . . this is good news . . . very good news . . . Cousin Mirabelle has asked me to come to Boston, Benjamin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled. \u201cTo visit?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo . . . not t-to visit . . . Benjamin, she . . . she actually wants me to come and live with her!\u201d Clarissa exclaimed, laughing and crying at the same time.<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa, that\u2019s wonderful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be going home,\u201d she murmured, smiling, yet not quite sure she dared believe. \u201cI\u2019ll finally be going home.\u201d She gasped. \u201cOh dear!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got to wire Mirabelle immediately\u2014 \u201d Clarissa turned, with every intention of running all the way to the telegraph office.<\/p>\n

Ben reached out and placed a gentle restraining hand on Clarissa\u2019s forearm. \u201cWe\u2019ll have plenty of time to do that . . . AFTER lunch,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, I . . . oh, Benjamin, I have a million things to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . not the least of which is getting a good meal inside ya, now that we have two things to celebrate,\u201d Ben said, as he steered her into the hotel and over to the French doors that opened up into the restaurant.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know we\u2019re celebrating Stacy\u2019s graduation,\u201d she said, wholly bemused, \u201cbut . . . what ELSE are we celebrating?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled. \u201cI think YOU have some good news to impart . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I do,\u201d Clarissa said, smiling back. \u201cSo I do!\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Epilogue<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Cartwright family assembled together at the Overland Stage depot the following morning, attired in their Sunday-go-to-meeting finest. Ben wore his best gray cotton summer suit, with a clean white shirt, black string tie, and black hat. Hoss had on his royal blue cotton suit, recently made, a freshly laundered white shirt, with a dark navy blue string tie and his white ten gallon hat. Joe wore the greenish gray linen suit that brought out the emerald in his eyes, a white shirt, freshly laundered, pressed, and starched. He held a black hat in one hand, and his black string tie was tucked away in the left hand pocket of his jacket. Stacy wore her graduation present from Cousin Clarissa, a light blue dress, made from fine linen, with rounded collar, and sleeves, slightly puffed, with a ruffled trim, that reached to her elbows. There was a thin edge of white lace around the sleeves and neck.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry you won\u2019t be here for the big party Saturday night,\u201d Stacy said with genuine regret, \u201cbut I\u2019m glad to have met you, and that you were able to come for my graduation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . and I\u2019m very glad I met you, too, Stacy,\u201d Clarissa said with a big smile. \u201cNow when Benjamin tells me about you in his letters, I\u2019ll have a very lovely face to go with the words.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Cousin Clarissa,\u201d Stacy said, as they embraced.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave a safe trip, Cousin Clarissa,\u201d Joe said with a smile. \u201cIt was good seeing you again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was very nice seeing you, too, Joe.\u201d Clarissa offered Joe her gloved hand. She was surprised and very pleased when he raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. \u201cBenjamin, you mark my words . . . THIS young man is going to leave a string of broken hearts stretching from one end of Nevada to the other.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe already HAS,\u201d Stacy quipped.<\/p>\n

Hoss sighed and sarcastically rolled his eyes heavenward. \u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the way Li\u2019l Brother over there\u2019s preenin\u2019 \u2018n struttin\u2019 his stuff . . . looks like you\u2019re gonna need t\u2019 start buyin\u2019 his HATS \u2018bout ten sizes larger.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery funny, Big Brother,\u201d Joe growled, as Stacy burst into a fit of the giggles. \u201cTHAT was so-ooo-ooo funny . . . I plumb forgot to laugh!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe . . . Hoss . . . and you, too, Stacy! Settle down!\u201d Ben admonished his three younger children, while trying very hard not to smile. He, then, turned to his cousin. \u201cClarissa, I know you\u2019re going to be very happy living in Boston with Cousin Mirabelle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know I will be, too, Benjamin . . . though it seems very odd to be traveling someplace where . . . no one\u2019s sick, injured, or just had a baby,\u201d she said with a tremulous smile and a helpless shrug. \u201cI just hope I can . . . somehow . . . find the wherewithal to resign myself to living a life of idleness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI prefer to think of it as living a life of leisure,\u201d Ben said, taking both of her hands in his own. \u201cAfter all the years you spent looking after your father, and a whole passel of relatives, I can\u2019t think of anyone more deserving.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI need to be useful, Benjamin,\u201d Clarissa said in a very small, very sad voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cClarissa, you\u2019re going to be taking on what just may be the most important job in the whole wide world,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?!\u201d She brightened slightly at the prospect. \u201cWhat job is that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCompanionship. You said yourself that Cousin Mirabelle\u2019s widowed, her children are all grown, and living their own lives, some with their own families,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cIt can get very lonely rattling around in a big mansion up on Nob Hill.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell . . . yes, I suppose it can,\u201d Clarissa said slowly, thoughtfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou also told me that Cousin Mirabelle had been a generous contributor to the Sarah Linda? Sarah Lea, perhaps?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSarah Lynn Portnoy Academy for Young Ladies,\u201d Clarissa adroitly supplied the name of the institution.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf she\u2019s given so generously there, I\u2019ll bet you anything she\u2019s involved in a lot of other charity work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re probably right, Benjamin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf she is, she\u2019ll more than likely get YOU involved as well,\u201d Ben continued. \u201cI have a real strong feeling that Cousin Mirabelle\u2019s gonna keep you so busy, you\u2019re gonna find yourself wishing for an idle existence.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d it was Hoss. \u201cCousin Clarissa\u2019s bags\u2019ve been stowed on top. Since she\u2019s the only passenger t\u2019 Carson City, Mister Dawson says he\u2019s ready to go, whenever she is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clarissa pulled herself up to full height and took a deep breath. \u201cWell, I guess this is it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have a safe trip, Clarissa,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Benjamin,\u201d she murmured softly as they embraced, \u201cthank you so much . . . for everything. I hope you\u2019ll write.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCount on it. You\u2019ll wire us when you reach Boston?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I will,\u201d Clarissa promised. After bidding the Cartwrights one last good-bye, she allowed the driver to help her up into the coach.<\/p>\n

Ben, his sons, and his daughter stood together, watching as the coach traveled down C Street and turned the corner.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope she\u2019ll be happy living with Boston with Cousin Mirabelle,\u201d Stacy said quietly, as they turned to leave.<\/p>\n

\u201cI pretty sure she will be,\u201d Ben said. \u201cShe won\u2019t be going to finishing school, or making any kind of societal debut, but she\u2019ll be more in her element.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just hope Cousin Mirabelle\u2019s able to keep up with Cousin Clarissa,\u201d Joe said, his voice filled with doubt.<\/p>\n

\u201cActually . . . I\u2019m hoping Cousin Clarissa can keep up with Cousin Mirabelle,\u201d Ben said with a chuckle.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u201d Joe queried, his voice filled with doubt.<\/p>\n

\u201cSurely you haven\u2019t forgotten that Cousin Mirabelle\u2019s youngest brother is none other than Cousin Muley?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, that\u2019s right,\u201d Hoss laughed out loud. Joe began to giggle, and Ben also joined in the laughter.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s so funny?\u201d Stacy demanded, looking from one to the other, in complete bewilderment, \u201c . . . and who\u2019s this Cousin Muley?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tell ya all about Cousin Muley on the way home, Young Woman,\u201d Ben promised. \u201cBoys?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cY-Yeah, Pa?\u201d Joe queried, as the laughter began to subside.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d best get on down to the Livery Stable and pick up your horses,\u201d Ben said, \u201cand be sure you come straight home. The four of us have a lot of work to do this afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End
\nFebruary 2004
\nRevised September 2008<\/p>\n

Next Story in the Bloodlines Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trial by Fire<\/a>
\nMark of Kane<\/a><\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \u00a0Miss Clarissa Cartwright appears in Bonanza Episode #267, \u201cClarissa,\u201d written by Chester Krumholz.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    2.\u00a0\u00a0See Bonanza Episode #267, \u201cClarissa,\u201d written by Chester Krumholz.<\/p>\n

    3.\u00a0\u00a0Angela Drake appeared in Bonanza Episode #201, \u201cThe Spotlight,\u201d written by Dick Carr.<\/p>\n

    4.\u00a0\u00a0Amy Wilder\u2019s story is told in Bonanza Episode #350, written by Jack Miller and John Hawkins.<\/p>\n

    5.\u00a0\u00a0Cousin Muley Jones appeared in two episodes: #160, \u201cThe Saga of Muley Jones,\u201d written by Robert Barron and Alex\u00a0 Sharp; and # 193, \u201cHound Dog,\u201d written by Alex Sharp.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Tags:\u00a0 Ben Cartwright,\u00a0Family,\u00a0Hop Sing,\u00a0Hoss Cartwright,\u00a0Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright,\u00a0Sister<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Summary:\u00a0 Cousin Clarissa Cartwright returns to the Ponderosa to visit her cousin, Benjamin, and \u201chis lovely family,\u201d on the occasion of Stacy\u2019s graduation from school.<\/p>\n

    Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (40,200 words)<\/p>\n

    Bloodlines Series, links to stories of this series included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":15412,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[7,23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15411","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-a-u","category-drama","wpcat-7-id","wpcat-23-id"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Clarissa-07-Ben-and-Clarissa.jpg?fit=470%2C349&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15411","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\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15411"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15411\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/15412"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15411"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15411"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15411"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}