{"id":1718,"date":"2013-10-11T17:44:20","date_gmt":"2013-10-11T21:44:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=1718"},"modified":"2025-08-01T13:29:18","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T17:29:18","slug":"the-telegram","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=1718","title":{"rendered":"The Telegram (by BluewindFarm)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>:\u00a0 Ben Cartwright receives an incomplete telegram.\u00a0 What is the message and who is it about?
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Rating<\/strong>:\u00a0 K \u00a0\u00a0(2,695 words)<\/span><\/p>\n

The final page contains comments\/reviews from the Old BonanzaBrand Library.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE TELEGRAM<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDear Mr. Cartwright,<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

It is with deepest regret that I must inform you\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all?\u201d Ben Cartwright asked of the telegraph clerk who handed him the partially received message.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all there was\u2026\u201d the elderly man stated as he turned back to the telegraph machine and tapped out a message asking for confirmation that there had to be more. \u201cLines musta gone down, didn\u2019t receive a response accepting the message received.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere did it originate? Less, where did this wire originate from?\u201d Ben asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the funny part, now that I think of it, there weren\u2019t no origination code,\u201d replied Less.\u00a0 \u201cLines musta been unstable and prevented that part of the message from coming through, and then we only got that much of the message in\u2026 I\u2019m sorry Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Stepping from the telegraph office, Ben Cartwright, owner of the most prosperous ranch in the Nevada territory was at a loss on what to do regarding the partial message he\u2019d received. It couldn\u2019t be\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen!\u201d Paul Martin hailed as he saw one of his dearest friends step into the roadway that was the main street of Virginia City and almost be struck down by the incoming stage coach. Pulling the man back to the boardwalk, Paul continued, \u201cBen, what\u2019s wrong? Didn\u2019t you hear the stage?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? I\u2019m sorry Paul? What about the stage?\u201d Ben inquired.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re coming with me to my surgery.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Brokering no refusal, Doctor Martin sternly steered his patient down the boardwalk and into one of his examination rooms.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen, have a seat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPaul, this isn\u2019t necessary,\u201d Ben answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I see you so distracted that you almost get yourself killed\u2026 Something\u2019s wrong.\u201d Paul turned from the sideboard and held out one glass tumbler half filled with an amber colored liquid. \u201cDrink.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Waiting for the color to return to his friend\u2019s face, Paul asked, \u201cCare to tell me about it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what there is to tell\u2026 Less handed me a partially received telegram.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben handed the sheet of paper to the physician.<\/span><\/p>\n

Upon reading what Less has transcribed, Virginia City\u2019s long-time doctor knew his friend and there was nothing he could prescribe to alleviate his friend\u2019s grief. \u201cWhere are the boys?\u201d Paul asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt may not be the boys? It could be John\u2026 my brother\u2026 or Will. Then there\u2019s always the possibility of it being Clay. Or Clarrisa\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid Less attempt to confirm the message?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben nodded as the pit of his stomach churned even with the warmth of the brandy calming his nerves\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI need to get home,\u201d Ben softly spoke.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Paul Martin advised Roy Coffee that he would see their friend home as he tied Buck to the back of his buggy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll stay with him tonight,\u201d Paul solemnly spoke.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t envy Ben right now\u2026 Take care of him,\u201d Roy answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI will.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Years of knowing the man who sat to his right, Paul Martin allowed his friend this quiet time, a time for him to worry without any platitudes or false airs that all would be fine. The beauty of the land they crossed could do nothing to quell a grieving heart. Over the years the good doctor knew how many times each member of the family had come too close to taking their final breath. He prayed that God would grant Ben Cartwright one last miracle.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cPaul? What\u2019s wrong with Pa?\u201d Hoss Cartwright asked, as the large man lumbered from the doorway, across the wooden porch, and onto the hard-packed dirt that lay between the horse barn and the main house.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt least he knows it\u2019s not Hoss,\u201d<\/em> Paul thought. \u201cHe\u2019s received a distressing wire that was only partly delivered and we can\u2019t confirm.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did it say?\u201d Hoss absentmindedly asked as he untied Buck from behind the buggy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know\u2026 The wire abruptly ended.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning to a long-time ranch hand who offered to take care of the graying Buck, Hoss spoke\u201cThanks Charlie, I know Pa\u2019ll appreciate you takin\u2019 care of ol\u2019 Buck.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing hovered at the doorway and quietly followed the men across the great room and up the stairs. The ever faithful servant quietly slipped from the room as the other two settled Ben into his bed; returning shortly with a tray bearing the coffee pot, three mugs, and the brandy decanter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEver knowing, Hop Sing. Thank you for your thoughtfulness,\u201d Paul stated as he measured out the brandy into each coffee cup. \u201cFor medicinal purposes, gentlemen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Weary from worry and unfathomable grief, Ben\u2019s eyes closed in sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe best medicine for him,\u201d Paul spoke as he set his cup aside and waited.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be alright, won\u2019t he Paul?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe will. With us here, he will.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Visions of distant memories and quiet voices surrounded Ben Cartwright in an effort to prove him strong enough to handle God\u2019s plan.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen?\u201d was quietly voiced in a feminine voice with a New England accent. \u201cGod gave you strength, be strong my love.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With a sweet, Swedish tone, another voice spoke, \u201cBenjamin? God has blessed you with courage and compassion. There is no other man like you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen, with God\u2019s strength, you picked me up from the depths of my despair, know you will rise again as does the Phoenix.\u201d The words sounded like a song spoken with quiet French inflection.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Those in the room turned to the doorway at hearing, \u201cPa?!\u201d called from the first floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a long time since we\u2019ve heard his voice,\u201d Paul stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cToo long,\u201d answered Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI go make sure all is ready,\u201d Hop Sing replied.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

A dark clad figure entered the great room, allowing two others to precede him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?!\u00a0 Pa?!\u201d he called out as he tossed his hat on the credenza behind the door, after setting their luggage beside the grandfather clock.<\/span><\/p>\n

A figure from the top of the stairs called, \u201cPlease, lower your voice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is everyone?\u201d the man asked looking up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you?\u201d asked the man looking down to the bearded figure with a bald pate on top.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Adam Cartwright. Where\u2019s my father, and my brother?\u00a0 And who are you?”<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI’m Doctor Evers.\u00a0 Ben Cartwright is up here in his room, I\u2019ve had to sedate him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam Cartwright raced up the staircase, taking the steps two at a time; leaving the woman and young man alone in the house they had never been inside.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Adam asked as he sat in the chair beside his father\u2019s bed and caressed the man\u2019s hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know, exactly. I mean for a man of his age\u2026 One of the hands found him unconscious on the porch and sent for me. Even though he was unaware of what was happening, he was quite agitated when I arrived.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s supposed to be on his way back from Reno.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cPa! I\u2019m\u2026\u201d Joe yelled and stopped mid-sentence seeing the strangers standing in the great room of his home. \u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Millicent Cartwright and this is Benjamin Eric, my son,\u201d the woman spoke as she pulled the teenage youth close behind her as the man\u2019s hand rested on the butt of his gun.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen\u2026\u201d Joe looked left and right, then demanded, \u201cWhere\u2019s Adam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy pointed upstairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

As his brother before him, Joe took the stairs two at a time, ran down the hallway to the only room with an open door and froze in the entry way, hands braced against both sides of the doorframe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa?! Adam?!\u201d Joe cried and raced into his father’s room.\u00a0 Falling to his knees beside his father\u2019s bed, next to his brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sensing the need to wake, Ben struggled against the heavy pull of sleep. Moments passed as his eyelids fluttered open.<\/span><\/p>\n

A smile appeared on his weathered face and tears spilled from his eyes as he bore witness to his oldest and youngest, side by side after so many years apart.<\/span><\/p>\n

Breathily he spoke, \u201cElizabeth, Inger, and Marie are waiting for me.\u201d Slowly his hand patted the hand of his eldest and then his youngest\u2019s hand. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, I\u2019m not making this trip alone, Hoss and Paul are here, so are Roy and Hop Sing.\u00a0 They\u2019ll see me safely home.\u201d Struggling to say what he needed to say, “Remember boys, love each other as I loved you. This land is yours, it always was. You two take care of each other, I\u2019ll be watching.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes closed once more as his chest fell for the last time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Returning his stethoscope to his black bag, the physician stated, \u201cHe\u2019s at peace. His last wish was finally granted, to see you two together again. He lived a long life; I hope I can live to see ninety.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t get to say goodbye,\u201d cried Joe with tears streaming down his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe did Joe, just the fact that the two of us were here,\u201d answered Adam as he pulled his youngest brother into his arms.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cBen, you weren\u2019t supposed to know. How did you\u2026\u201d Paul asked as he took the hand of his old friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI knew that Joe and Adam were alright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCould have fooled me,\u201d Paul announced. \u201cThis was all planned so it would appear to be any other day. How did you know that the telegram was about you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPaul, I sensed when Hoss died, even before Joe told me; and this didn\u2019t feel like that. I couldn\u2019t let that wire be delivered in full; not with Adam on his way home. Not until I knew that Adam would be there for Joe, and Joe for Adam. I didn\u2019t want either of them to be alone. Besides, I couldn\u2019t let on that I knew the truth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa? Do ya think I\u2019ll get inta too much trouble for what I dun? I mean, cuttin\u2019 that wire off like I did,\u201d Hoss asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo Hoss, you were doing what needed done. I knew my time was short, but your brothers needed to be here, together, before I\u2019d let God call me home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on Ben, your wives and a lot of old friends are waiting for us to get back so they can say hello, again. And I\u2019m sure Hop Sing has a pot of hot coffee just waiting for us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~The End\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 October, 2013<\/span><\/p>\n

Written in response to the Kill a Cartwright Challenge<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

END NOTE:<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Kill a Cartwright…\u00a0 It sounds easier said than done.\u00a0 Since Jamie was kicked out as an option from the git-go, the decision became extremely difficult.\u00a0 If Jamie was out, then by logical association, I presumed so too would Will, Laura (by marriage), and Clay (though not a Cartwright by birth, he could have been adopted by Ben after he married Marie and assumed the Cartwright name).\u00a0 There was also Ben\u2019s brother John and cousin Clarrisa, both I also presumed would also not be acceptable as a Cartwright to kill.\u00a0 Maybe I read too much between the lines, but I thought killing any one of these would be avoiding the literary intent of this challenge…\u00a0 Can one write of the death of one of our beloved Cartwrights?<\/span><\/p>\n

I may have taken the cowards way out in the story I’ve submitted, and some will think I have failed at this challenge. But maybe just the fact that I wrote of the death of a Cartwright, and I survived<\/strong>, will be enough to satisfy the requirement that I did indeed \u201cKill a Cartwright\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some say the act of Killing a Cartwright is liberating; me\u2026 I\u2019m going back to all the Cartwrights being healthy and together.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

PS:<\/strong>\u00a0 With the right kind of prompting, Killing a Cartwright became easier than I ever imagined.\u00a0 A few other stories morphed to meet this challenge..\u00a0 Rattlesnake (aka After the Gunfight)<\/a> and The Crucible (WHN)<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Story Tags: Adam Cartwright, <\/span>Ben Cartwright, <\/span>Hoss Cartwright, <\/span>Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright, <\/span>Paul Martin, <\/span>Roy Coffee<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

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Reviewer: <\/span>sklamb<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
Date: <\/span>09 Nov 2013 01:35 am Title: <\/span>The Telegram<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Intriguing and complex tale that keeps the reader somewhat mystified right up to the end–thank you for putting a bit of a spin on your response to this challenge!<\/span><\/div>\n
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Author’s Response:<\/i><\/i>sklamb, thank you for taking the time to read and review.\u00a0 The challenge was difficult enough to write, but I know I wanted a spin<\/em>, as you stated, to keep the readers confused until just the right moment of the story.<\/span><\/div>\n
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Reviewer: <\/span>Young Lady<\/span>
\n Date: <\/span>19 Oct 2013 02:56 pm Title: <\/span>The Telegram<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
I, too, needed to reread it to fully understand it. Very well done.I just have one question – who is Clarissa?<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Author’s Response:<\/i><\/i>Glad you gave my story a second chance in order to understand what was happening.\u00a0 Thank you!As for Clarissa, she was\/is Ben’s cousin who travels around the country staying with one family member or another,\u00a0causing all sort of havoc in the process.\u00a0 She means well, but has definite ideas on the lines of employer\u00a0vs. employee as well as respected member of the community vs public servant (Sheriff \/ Doctor) and the lines don’t cross or mingle.<\/span><\/div>\n
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Reviewer: <\/span>Jan<\/span>
\n Date: <\/span>16 Oct 2013 11:14 pm Title: <\/span>The Telegram<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
I had to read this twice – didn’t really get it the first time, but on the second go round, I saw how cleverly you wove this story together. Well done.<\/span><\/div>\n
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Author’s Response:<\/i><\/i>Hi Jan, thank you for taking the time to read the story twice in order to understand it.\u00a0 I found it was not so easy to write a story\u00a0regarding this challenge posted in the forums and not have\u00a0it be apparent from the beginning ‘who’ it was about.\u00a0 So, I kind of came at it in a round about method.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Reviewer: <\/span>Cheaux<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>
\n Date: <\/span>11 Oct 2013 10:39 pm Title: <\/span>The Telegram<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The end was a little confusing, but it was an interesting take on the challenge. \u00a0I liked the bit of mystery at the beginning and the mention of all the possible Cartwrights.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Author’s Response:\u00a0 <\/i><\/i>Cheaux, sorry that\u00a0my story\u00a0was a little confusing,\u00a0it was the only way to not have the reader know up front ‘who’. But\u00a0I\u00a0do\u00a0 believe that those who meant the most to us and have passed on before will be there to see\u00a0us across to the other side.\u00a0 As for who would see this individual across, I’m sure there was quite a long line of people. \u00a0As for the ending regarding\u00a0Paul’s comments, without giving away too much of my plot, the beginning happened while this individual was unconscious.<\/span><\/div>\n
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Reviewer: <\/span>jfclover<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
Date: <\/span>11 Oct 2013 01:16 pm Title: <\/span>The Telegram<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Interesting concept, bwf. \u00a0Our Cartwrights are dropping like flies. \u00a0Just look what Inca has started! \u00a0Well done!<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Author’s Response:<\/i><\/i>JFCLover, I’m glad you approve.\u00a0 If people don’t like the idea of the boys dropping like flies, as you said, Inca started this!\u00a0 ;o)<\/span><\/div>\n
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Reviewer: <\/span>JoeC<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>
\n Date: <\/span>11 Oct 2013 11:39 am Title: <\/span>The Telegram<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
I was amazed how much information about our Family and the doctor you put in this story. The plot remains me a little like x-factor.Well done. Thanx for sharing. Helga<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Author’s Response:<\/i><\/i>Helga, I’m glad we both wove a little bit of suspense into our stories in allowing the reader to not know exactly ‘who’, but for them to realize as the events played out.\u00a0 Thank you for reading and leaving a comment.<\/span><\/div>\n
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Reviewer: <\/span>Inca<\/a><\/span>
\n Date: <\/span>11 Oct 2013 11:35 am Title: <\/span>The Telegram<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Very cleverly done, BWF.\u00a0 had me going there, trying to work that one out!\u00a0 And you actually had two dead Cartwrights, not one!\u00a0 Well done!<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
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Author’s Response:<\/i><\/i>Inca, I’m glad I could stump you for a short time.\u00a0 And you’re right about the number of dead Cartwrights, I didn’t think of it that way when I was writing the story, I only killed the one.\u00a0 Thank you for taking a moment to read and review.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Reviewer: <\/span>dmc824<\/span>
\n Date: <\/span>11 Oct 2013 06:18 am Title: <\/span>The Telegram<\/span><\/p>\n

This was wonderfully done. A bit of a suprise ending but very tastefully done.<\/span><\/p>\n

Author’s Response:<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

DMC, thank you for taking a moment to read my story and leave a review.\u00a0 I’m glad you enjoyed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 Ben Cartwright receives an incomplete telegram.\u00a0 What is the message and who is it about?\u00a0<\/p>\n

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