{"id":1952,"date":"2009-09-04T09:50:18","date_gmt":"2009-09-04T13:50:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=1952"},"modified":"2026-03-05T08:20:34","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T13:20:34","slug":"timber-conference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=1952","title":{"rendered":"Timber Conference (by JoanS)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span>Joe attends his first business conference as a representative of The Ponderosa<\/p>\n

Rated:<\/span> K (8,065 words)<\/p>\n

Timber Conference<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cPa are you sure?\u201d asked Adam with a worried look at his father. \u201cI mean \u2026 he hasn\u2019t ever had that much responsibility \u2026 not by himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cYes I\u2019m sure,\u201d said Ben, leaning back in his chair and resting his chin on his hands thoughtfully. \u201cI think that Joseph is quite capable of doing all that needs to be done in San Francisco and I think it\u2019s time I gave him more responsibility with our business dealings. This negotiating will be good for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cWell yes \u2026 I agree with that,\u201d said Adam. \u201cOnly can\u2019t you think of a way to give him more responsibility with something that isn\u2019t so important?\u201d\u00a0 He sat down on the edge of his father\u2019s desk and looked at the man intently. \u201cThere\u2019s an awful lot at stake with this conference Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Ben leant forward. \u201cThat\u2019s the whole point Adam. Joseph is looking for approval from us.\u00a0 He\u2019s been trying so hard to prove that he\u2019s capable and I have to allow him the chance to do that.\u00a0 If I choose something that isn\u2019t very important, then I\u2019m not really showing my faith in him am I?\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cI suppose not,\u201d replied Adam slowly. \u201cIt\u2019s not that I don\u2019t trust him \u2026 the kid\u2019s got a good head on his shoulders \u2026 but it\u2019s just that he hasn\u2019t had any real experience with this sort of thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cNeither had you when I first allowed you to represent me in business dealings,\u201d said his father dryly.<\/p>\n

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Adam gave a short laugh and put up his hands in a mock gesture of defeat. \u201cPoint taken,\u201d he said. He turned as the front door opened and Joe walked in.<\/p>\n

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\u201cHi,\u201d said his younger brother as he threw his hat on his father\u2019s desk and wiped his sweaty face with his bandanna. \u201cHoss said you wanted to see me Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cYes I do,\u201d said Ben, sitting back in his chair again. \u201cAdam and I have been discussing the timber conference that is going to take place in San Francisco next week. We\u2019d like to put in a bid for the Anderson contract.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Joe shrugged. \u201cThat sounds like a good idea,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThere will be quite a number of contractors there and it will be a good chance to become updated on what\u2019s happening with prices and a few other things,\u201d continued his father.<\/p>\n

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\u201cYeah,\u201d said Joe, wondering why he was telling him all of this.<\/p>\n

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\u201cSo we were discussing the possibility of you going along to it,\u201d said Ben, watching his youngest son\u2019s face carefully.<\/p>\n

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Joe\u2019s eyes widened and he grinned. \u201cThat\u2019d be great to get a trip to San Francisco,\u201d he said happily. \u201cAm I going with you or Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cNeither,\u201d said his father, winking at Adam. \u201cI thought that you could handle this by yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Joe stared at his father for a moment and then swallowed before replying. \u201cJust me?\u201d he said finally.<\/p>\n

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\u201cJust you,\u201d said Ben with a smile. \u201cUnless you don\u2019t think that you can handle it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Joe stepped forward eagerly. \u201cI can handle it,\u201d he said quickly. \u201cI\u2019m just surprised that you want me to do it by myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cI think you\u2019re capable of handling any negotiations that may be needed,\u201d said his father, grinning at him. \u201cIt will be good experience for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Joe flashed Adam a smile and squared his shoulders, standing up to his full height. \u201cThat\u2019d be great Pa. I\u2019ll do my best for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cWell that\u2019s all I ask son,\u201d said his father, standing up and putting his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cNow why don\u2019t you go into town and get a ticket booked for Thursday\u2019s stage and the boat from Sacramento? You\u2019ll need to book yourself a room in the conference hotel in San Francisco as well. You can send off a wire to organise it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Joe swallowed again. \u201cYou want me to do all that?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

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\u201cYes,\u201d said Ben, trying to hide his amusement at his son\u2019s obvious pleasure. \u201cThis trip is your responsibility Joe. I\u2019m sure you can handle all the details.\u201d Joe nodded at his father and grinned at him before turning away. \u201cOh and Joe? We\u2019ll need to spend some time in the next two days discussing the details of the negotiations,\u201d added his father. \u201cThere will quite a few things I\u2019ll need to fill you in on if you\u2019re going to be representing The Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Joe swaggered a little and shot Adam another glance. \u201cFine Pa,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ll make myself available.\u201d \u00a0He practically skipped out of the room and closed the door behind him.<\/p>\n

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Adam snorted. \u201cHe\u2019ll make himself available!\u201d he said with glee and then laughed.<\/p>\n

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\u201cAdam don\u2019t kid him about this,\u201d said his father. \u201cHe needs to think that we all have faith in him.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cI do,\u201d replied Adam. \u201cOnly I hope he comes through for us Pa. This conference is mighty important.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cSo you\u2019ve said,\u201d replied Ben as he sat down at his desk again. \u201cJust give your brother a chance Adam.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll do well.\u201d<\/p>\n

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++++++++++<\/p>\n

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Hoss nudged Adam, winking at him as he gestured over to where their father and Joe were seated in the study. Adam grinned and shook his head silently at the sight of their younger brother sitting up straight with such an important look on his face as he listened to their father speak. He made a face at Hoss and then looked back down at the chessboard in between them.<\/p>\n

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\u201cYounger brother sure is taking this serious ain\u2019t he?\u201d whispered Hoss.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWell he should,\u201d said Adam softly. \u201cIt\u2019s an important undertaking.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cYeah. Well better him than me,\u201d said Hoss. He nudged Adam again. \u201cLook at him Adam \u2026 ain\u2019t he cute?\u201d<\/p>\n

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Adam looked and stifled a chuckle at the very serious expression on his youngest brother\u2019s face. It was very rare that Joe looked like that and the sight of it was highly amusing to both of them.<\/p>\n

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\u201cNow you can go as high as you feel is necessary,\u201d said Ben. \u201cOnly of course we\u2019d benefit from keeping the figures below the ones I\u2019ve outlines here.\u201d He gestured to the paper in front of him. \u201cI\u2019ll leave it to your discretion Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Joe puffed up. \u201cOK Pa,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ll do my best with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019m sure you will son,\u201d replied Ben. \u201cNow you do realise that there\u2019s more than the Anderson contract at stake here. It\u2019s a good opportunity to meet some of my business acquaintances and find out where the timber market is at. Just make sure that you speak to a lot of people and try to find out whatever information you can about things.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Joe nodded importantly. \u201cLeave it to me Pa,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m good at talking.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s not so much the talking that\u2019s important,\u201d said his father. \u201cYou need to listen a lot and discern whatever information you can. There\u2019s always something to be learned form this sort of gathering. You\u2019ll have three days to make the most of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cYou can count on me Pa,\u201d said Joe.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI hope so Joseph,\u201d said his father. \u201cI\u2019m putting a lot of faith in you son.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019ll make you proud Pa,\u201d Joe assured his father. \u201cYou\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019m sure you will Joe,\u201d said Ben, patting him on the shoulder. \u201cJust make sure that you conduct yourself well and give people confidence in your ability. The good name of The Ponderosa rests with each one of us in these situations and I expect that you\u2019ll uphold it well.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cI will Pa,\u201d said Joe earnestly.<\/p>\n

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\u201cNow you\u2019d better go and pack,\u201d said Ben, gathering the papers together. \u201cYou\u2019ve got an early start in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cOK. Night Pa. Night brothers.\u201d\u00a0 Joe walked happily up the stairs, whistling to himself.<\/p>\n

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\u201cHe\u2019s sure pleased with himself ain\u2019t he?\u2019 observed Hoss when he\u2019d gone. \u201cReal cocky about going to this conference.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cHe\u2019s feeling pleased that he\u2019s been given the responsibility,\u201d replied his father, coming over to sit next to his two sons near the fireplace. \u201cHe\u2019s grown up now and we need to treat him as such.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cYeah,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cBut he\u2019s still cute when he\u2019s trying ta prove he\u2019s a man, ain\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cDon\u2019t let Joe hear you call him cute,\u201d said Adam. \u201cCheckmate.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cHuh?\u201d Hoss looked at the board in wonderment. \u201cHow\u2019d you\u2019 do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

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Adam grinned at him and shook his head. \u201cI\u2019ll think I\u2019ll have an early night,\u201d he said. \u201cMaybe Pa will give you a game and be easier on you.\u201d Hoss gave his brother a dark look as Adam got up. \u201cI might just check that Joe knows what to take with him,\u201d mused Adam. \u201cHe might need a bit of guidance with what he\u2019ll need.\u201d\u00a0 He grinned at Hoss who was still staring at the chessboard and scratching his head. \u201cGoodnight all.\u201d<\/p>\n

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He walked upstairs chuckling to himself at the look on Hoss\u2019 face and stopped outside Joe\u2019s bedroom door. \u201cAll organised?\u201d he asked as he walked into the room.<\/p>\n

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\u201cYeah,\u201d said Joe, closing his bag and clipping it down. \u201cI\u2019ve got everything I\u2019ll need.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cYou know that there\u2019ll be more than just the meetings during the day,\u201d said Adam. \u201cThere\u2019ll be the social dinners at night too. Make sure that you\u2019ve got \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cI know what to take,\u201d said Joe testily. I\u2019m not stupid you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cI didn\u2019t say that you were,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n

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\u201cBut you think it,\u201d replied Joe huffily.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI don\u2019t think you\u2019re stupid Joe,\u201d said Adam. \u201cOnly you haven\u2019t done this before and I just thought that you could use a bit of advice about what to take.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cI know what to take,\u201d repeated Joe. \u201cI\u2019ve been to these things with Pa and you before, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cYes,\u201d replied Adam patiently. \u201cBut that was a while ago. It\u2019s a bit different when you\u2019re by yourself and \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cStop treating me like a kid,\u201d interrupted Joe impatiently.<\/p>\n

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Adam sighed. \u201cWhy are you being so testy about this?\u201d he asked. \u201cI\u2019m only making sure that you know \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cI know what to do and what to take,\u201d interrupted Joe. \u201cPa has faith in me to be responsible \u2026 why can\u2019t you? You always have to go around checking on me!\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cAlright,\u201d said Adam, walking towards the door again. \u201cIf you\u2019ve got everything in control that\u2019s fine. Good luck little brother. Goodnight.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cGoodnight,\u201d said Joe sulkily, smarting over the little brother<\/em> tag that his brother used so frequently. \u201cI\u2019ll show him,\u201d he muttered under his breath as he took his bag off his bed and placed it on the floor. \u201cI\u2019ll do so well at this conference that he\u2019ll be jealous of my negotiating skills.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Joe got out of the carriage that had brought him to the hotel and looked around at all the passing traffic. He always enjoyed the bustle of the city and felt quite excited by the fact that he had the opportunity to experience once again. His enjoyment was only heightened because he was for the first time doing this independently and he vowed once again to himself that he would make it a successful trip not only to prove to his father and brothers that he was capable of it, but also to prove it to himself.<\/p>\n

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Joe had always felt very much the younger brother and this was his opportunity to be Joe Cartwright \u2026 not just Ben Cartwright\u2019s son or Hoss and Adam Cartwright\u2019s younger brother. He straightened his shoulders and picked up his bag, taking a deep breath as he moved forward to the hotel and his opportunity to be the man that he knew he could be.<\/p>\n

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As Joe walked into the foyer, he was very glad that he\u2019d taken the opportunity on the boat to change from his comfortable clothes into his travelling suit, for everyone around him seemed to be very well-dressed. Always one to be acutely aware of others, he sized up the elegant women and men around him eagerly, trying not to appear too obvious while he was doing it. He had stayed here before with his father and brothers, but he had never seen it so crowded. Probably due to the convention, he decided.<\/p>\n

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\u201cGood afternoon sir,\u201d said the desk clerk as Joe put his bag down at the counter. \u201cDo you have a reservation?\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cYes,\u201d said Joe, smiling at the fact that he\u2019d just been called sir. \u201cCartwright \u2026. Joe Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cOf course sir,\u201d said the clerk, turning the large book on the counter around to face Joe. \u201cPlease sign here. Are you here for the Convention sir?\u201d he asked as Joe bent down to sign.<\/p>\n

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\u201cYes,\u201d said Joe.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWell there are drinks available before dinner in the conference room as soon as you are settled in,\u201d the clerk replied, indicating a room off the foyer. He clicked his fingers and a boy in a uniform appeared. \u201cPlease see Mr Cartwright to his room,\u201d the desk clerk said.<\/p>\n

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Joe bent down to pick up his bag. \u201cI\u2019ll take that for you sir,\u201d said the boy.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThat\u2019s OK,\u201d said Joe. \u201cI\u2019ve got it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The boy hesitated. \u201cIt\u2019s \u2026 it\u2019s my job sir,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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Joe flushed slightly. \u201cOh … yeah of course,\u201d he said and gave the boy his bag. He berated himself as he followed him up the stairs for not remembering that no one carried their own bags in a fancy place like this, but then he\u2019d never really taken a lot of notice before \u2026. Tending to leave those sorts of details to his father or brothers when he\u2019d been with them. He\u2019d always just done as they\u2019d done and as they told had him too. He made a mental note to be more aware of things this time.<\/p>\n

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He was very satisfied with his room and after taking a bath in the bathroom down the hallway, felt much better. He looked at his reflection in the mirror and smiled. \u201cLooking good Cartwright,\u201d he said happily. \u201cYou\u2019re a sight to behold.\u201d\u00a0 He flicked an imaginary fleck off the sleeve of his blue suit and straightened his shoulders, feeling very confident about the conference dinner as he left his room. As he walked downstairs to the conference room he thought about his father\u2019s instructions and how he was depending on him to make the best deal that he could.<\/p>\n

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As he entered the conference room, he was pleased to see that he seemed to be dressed correctly.\u00a0 All the men were dressed in suits and the few women who were present were in elegant dresses. As he stopped to pick up a nametag and pin it on, he was startled to hear his own name. \u201cCartwright?\u201d said an older man standing beside him. \u201cWould you be related to Ben Cartwright young man?\u201d<\/p>\n

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Joe turned to face him. \u201cHe\u2019s my father,\u201d he said. \u201cHe didn\u2019t come to the conference though.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cI see,\u201d said the man, looking him up and down appraisingly. He held out his hand. \u201cJohn Anderson is the name \u2026 and you would be?\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cJoseph \u2026\u201d said Joe as he shook the man\u2019s hand. \u201cJoe, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cWell Joe,\u201d said Mr Anderson. \u201cIs your brother Adam representing your father?\u201d He looked around. \u201cWhere is he?\u00a0 I have some business I\u2019d like to discuss with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Joe tried not to show his frustration with the man. \u201cActually sir, I\u2019m representing my father this time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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Mr Anderson\u2019s eyebrows shot up. \u201cOh,\u201d he said. \u201cI see. Well in that case young man, I suppose you and I had best get better acquainted. Come with me and I\u2019ll introduce you to some of the other timber men.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Joe spent the next half hour speaking to most of the men in the room about the timber industry. He concentrated on remembering everyone\u2019s names and tried to listen as much as possible in order to absorb what was happening with their businesses, and the effort of doing so made him long for a beer instead of the small glass of champagne that he\u2019d been offered. He supposed that beer wouldn\u2019t have been the popular choice amongst these society people, but he couldn\u2019t help longing that he was in the Silver Dollar saloon right at this moment instead of here in this stuffy room wearing this string tie that was sitting so tight against his collar.<\/p>\n

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He wondered why no one else was eating many of the small delicacies that the waiters kept bringing around on trays and figured that maybe everyone had eaten before they\u2019d got here.\u00a0 He wished he\u2019d thought of it, as he was quite hungry and had thought that they\u2019d be getting more for dinner than these small pieces of food. He made sure that he ate quite a few while he had the chance and was surprised when he saw that a few of the men didn\u2019t eat anything at all and were looking at him strangely each time he took one. Maybe city folk just didn\u2019t have big appetites?<\/p>\n

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\u201cNice to see a young man with a healthy appetite,\u201d said Mr Anderson, patting him on the back. \u201cWould you like to join myself and my family at our table for dinner Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

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Joe looked across the room to where some waiters were opening a pair of double doors and realised with a start that in the next room there were several tables set for dinner. He swallowed the food in his mouth before replying. \u201cUm \u2026 yes \u2026 thank you sir.\u201d\u00a0 No wonder no one else had been eating very much, he thought as he followed him to one of the tables. The food had only been appetisers!\u00a0 He felt rather foolish as he slid into his seat and then even more so as he realised that everyone else was still standing as if waiting for something. Quickly he stood up again as a couple of women came and were seated at the table.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my wife Martha,\u201d said Mr Anderson. \u201cAnd my daughter Sarah. Joe \u2026 you sit here next to Sarah. I\u2019m sure you young people will have a lot in common.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMa\u2019am,\u201d said Joe, holding her chair out for her and priding himself on his manners. He looked Sarah up and down and thought about how pretty she was, even if she did have rather a sulky look about her. When everyone was seated he noticed the number of knives and forks in front of him and had a sudden anxious moment when he realised that he might not know which ones were needed at which time.\u00a0 He suddenly remembered Adam telling him that he should just follow everyone else\u2019s lead in situations like this and felt better at once.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo Mr Cartwright,\u201d said Sarah as the first course was served. \u201cHave you been in San Francisco long?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d replied Joe. \u201cJust since this afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAre you staying long after the conference?\u201d she enquired.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo ma\u2019am,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m leaving on Monday.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a shame,\u201d she said with a pretty pout. \u201cI don\u2019t suppose you\u2019ll have the chance to go to the opera then while you\u2019re here?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nearly choked on his soup. \u201cOpera? Well no,\u201d he said. \u201cI guess I won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWho is your favourite composer?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t say as I have one,\u201d he said. \u201cWe ain\u2019t too big on opera where I come from.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t<\/em>?\u201d she said with emphasis on the word. \u201cOh … you mean that you aren\u2019t<\/em> too keen<\/em> on opera?\u201d She gave him a withering look that made Joe blush with embarrassment. \u201cMy father said that you\u2019re from Virginia City. I thought that the town boasted quite a large opera house?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell yes it does,\u201d said Joe defensively. \u201cOnly I ain\u2019t \u2026. I\u2019m not too keen on it. My brother Adam likes that sort of thing, but then again he\u2019s into Shakespeare and all that stuff too.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d she said haughtily. \u201c And you\u2019re not into all that stuff<\/em> as you put it, I gather?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked at her through narrowed eyes for a moment. \u201cNo,\u201d he said shortly. \u201cI\u2019m not.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI see.\u201d Sarah said in a condescending tone. She turned to the young man on the other side of her and began to talk to him, ignoring Joe from then on and leaving him feeling a bit out of things. He listened to snippets of the conversations going on around him and realised that he didn\u2019t know much about any of the topics. Suddenly he wished that Adam were there with him. Adam knew so much about the theatre and opera and books and all the things that these people seemed to be interested in, whereas Joe would rather have talked about horses or himself. Somehow he didn\u2019t that either topic would go done well here so he sat and listened to everyone else, taking care to watch carefully which forks and knives to use.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He did quite well, only once using the wrong knife to cut his bread roll with \u2026 but quickly covered up his mistake. By the time the ladies had retired to the next room and the waiters were bringing out the cigars and brandy though, he\u2019d had quite enough of the stuffy atmosphere of the company and excused himself to Mr Anderson and the rest of the men at the table.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose you\u2019re tired after you\u2019re long trip. We\u2019ll see you in the morning then Joe,\u201d said the man pleasantly. \u201cGoodnight.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGoodnight,\u201d said Joe, heading up to his room. He didn\u2019t feel at all tired, and what he really felt like doing was going out and seeing a bit of the city \u2026 but he couldn\u2019t think of a way to go out the front door without being noticed and run the risk of having someone in the dining room think him rude. So with a sigh, he headed on up the stairs to his room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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++++++++++<\/p>\n

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All the next day things were very hectic for Joe as he tried to absorb as much of what was happening at the conference as possible. He had hoped to have some time through the day to go out and see a bit of the city, but even their lunchtime was spent talking business over their meal. He began to appreciate just how much work his father had put into the business side of things with the ranch and to understand with what high regard The Ponderosa and his family were held in. Everyone he talked to seemed to be impressed with the fact that he was a Cartwright and Mr Anderson seemed to accept his suggestions and contract bid favourably.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The only thing was that everyone seemed to be much older than he was and he caught several of the men looking at him occasionally, obviously wondering why someone so young was there.\u00a0 The looks only made him more determined than ever to prove that he could hold his own in the business talk with them and by the end of the afternoon he felt that he\u2019d been quite successful.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

So it was with a cheery outlook that he got ready for the dinner that evening. Now he knew what to expect, he didn\u2019t feel so out of things and the fact that he\u2019d made some acquaintances helped as well. After bathing he dressed in his suit once again and headed downstairs for the usual drinks, wishing that he could take off to another drinking spot out in the town. But his sense of responsibility to do the right thing by his father weighed heavily on him and he forced himself to walk into the room with a smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe found himself seated at a table with some older men and their wives for dinner and spent his time listening to their stories about their families. He had been brought up to always be polite to his elders, so even though their conversations bored him senseless he prided himself on the fact that none of them would ever had guessed it. He noticed several young ladies seated at the other tables and wished he had placed himself closer to them, but figured that they might be snobs like Sarah had been last night anyway.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After dinner he excused himself to the men\u2019s room for a few moments and then stood watching the crowd of people who had begun to dance from a corner of the room behind a large pot-plant. The music from the small band was lively and he wished that he knew one of the young ladies well enough to ask her to dance. He wasn\u2019t sure if it was the done thing in the city to ask someone to dance if you didn\u2019t know them, but he decided that he\u2019d never find out if he didn\u2019t try. He was just looking around for a suitable partner when he overheard a conversation between two of the older women seated at a table on the other side of the pot plant near him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI noticed that you were seated near that handsome young man during dinner,\u201d said one. \u201cHe\u2019s Ben Cartwright\u2019s son, I believe?\u201d\u00a0 Joe pricked up his ears at the mention of his own name and in spite of himself leaned closer to hear the conversation.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d said the other woman. \u201cMy husband says that the Cartwrights are very well off. Apparently they have huge land holdings in Nevada.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The other woman sniffed. \u201cNevada? Well that would explain it then,\u201d she said. \u201cHe\u2019s quite a personable young man, but quite the country lad \u2026 don\u2019t you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow so?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell you would think with money like that his father could afford to dress him correctly,\u201d continued the other woman. \u201cHaven\u2019t you noticed how he\u2019s been wearing the same suit both evenings?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe went red as he looked down at his suit. It hadn\u2019t occurred to him until she\u2019d said it, but he supposed that everyone else had dressed differently for both dinners.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd his boots,\u201d the woman continued in a haughty tone. \u201cDid you ever see the like of them?\u201d\u00a0 Joe looked down at his boots. Granted they didn\u2019t quite match his suit as they were his travelling boots and really went with his travelling suit, but he hadn\u2019t thought that anyone would really have been looking at his feet. Suddenly he felt very out of place and embarrassed, and all thoughts of dancing left his head. All he wanted to do was creep away quietly where no one could see him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The first woman laughed. \u201cOh he\u2019s just a country boy,\u201d she said. \u201cHe\u2019s quite a nice young man, although he\u2019s not sophisticated in any way. He probably hasn\u2019t had much experience with the finer things in life, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe slunk away from the plant, not wanting to hear any more. His embarrassment was overpowering him and he made his way towards the door of the room, wanting nothing more than to get out of there quickly. As he walked, he looked around him at all the elegantly dressed men and women and wondered how many of them had been laughing at him behind his back all this time.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Reluctantly, he turned to see Mr Anderson beckoning to him and he had no choice but to make his way over to the man and his group of friends. \u201cYou\u2019re not going already, are you?\u201d asked the man. \u201cWhy you haven\u2019t even had a dance yet. A young man like you must surely want to take a spin on the dance floor with a young lady.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo … I\u2019m fine,\u201d mumbled Joe, hoping that his face wasn\u2019t quite as red as it felt. It was a new experience for him to feel this way, for normally he was so confident and at ease in social situations. \u201cI\u2019m off to have an early night,\u201d he added, turning away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201dNonsense,\u201d said the man, putting his hand on his shoulder. \u201cThe night has only just begun.\u201d\u00a0 He held onto his daughter\u2019s hand and placed it in Joe\u2019s. \u201cHere you go \u2026 Sarah would be happy to dance with you, wouldn\u2019t you Sarah?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sarah looked anything but happy to dance with him, but neither of them seemed to have a choice and so she graciously nodded her head and allowed Joe to lead her out onto the dance floor. He put his arm around her and they danced stiffly together for a minute or two, neither of them speaking. \u201cI\u2019m sorry about that,\u201d said Joe finally.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s alright,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m happy to help you feel comfortable. It must be hard for you being so far out of your depth at a function like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes narrowed at what he took to be an insult. \u201cI\u2019m doing fine, thank you,\u201d he said stiffly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI must say I\u2019m surprised that you dance so well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe do dance in the country you know,\u201d muttered Joe, trying not to sound indignant.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell yes \u2026 I\u2019m sure you do,\u201d she said sweetly. \u201cBut not this type of dancing surely?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe decided not to pursue the conversation in case he said something that he might regret and as soon as the music finished he walked Sarah back to her father and turned to make a quick getaway. \u201cJust a minute young man,\u201d said Mr Anderson. \u201cI wanted to invite you to my estate tomorrow afternoon. We\u2019re having a get-together for some of the representatives and I\u2019d be most pleased if you would join us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow?\u201d said Joe. \u201cWell I\u2019m sorry sir, but the conference \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh things will wind up here about lunch time so everyone will have the afternoon free,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019d love to have you see our estate, wouldn\u2019t we Sarah?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sarah turned to face her father. \u201cWhat? Oh \u2026 yes of course,\u201d she said and turned away again to watch the dancing.<\/p>\n

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\u201cSarah will have some young friends there,\u201d Mr Anderson continued, smiling at Joe. \u201cWe\u2019re going to make a social afternoon of it and it will be a good chance for you to meet some young people instead of all us old men. What do you say, eh?\u201d He put an arm around Joe\u2019s shoulder and smiled at him so kindly that Joe felt he had no option but to accept.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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\u201cThank you,\u201d he said graciously. \u201cI\u2019ll be happy to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Mr Anderson patted him on the back. \u201cGood,\u201d he said. \u201cThere\u2019ll be riding as well. Wear some suitable clothes and you can try out some of my stock. I\u2019ve heard from your father that you\u2019re quite an expert rider, so I\u2019ll be interested to get your opinion on some of my mounts. I\u2019ve arranged for some carriages to take my guests from the front door of the hotel straight after lunch, so I\u2019ll see you out there then.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded and walked away from him, his heart sinking. He really didn\u2019t feel at all comfortable with these people and now he had to spend another afternoon in their company when he could have spent a pleasant few hours exploring the city instead. His heart was heavy as he left the room.<\/p>\n

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As soon as the conference lunch finished the next day and Joe could excuse himself, he ran quickly upstairs and changed into his normal clothes, feeling much better as soon as he put them on. There was something about his everyday clothes that made him feel more like himself and he started to look forward to trying out those horses that Mr Anderson had spoken of the night before. If there was one thing Joe prided himself on, it was knowing horses and at least this afternoon there would be one thing he\u2019d enjoy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He felt quite good about the way the conference had ended, with many of the men thanking him for his input and asking him to remember them to his father. He knew that he should have felt good about things, but he still had a knot in his stomach about this afternoon and knew that he would relax more when it was over. There was something about these people that made him uneasy and he suddenly had great admiration for his father and Adam who did this sort of thing all the time.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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As soon as he got downstairs, he realised with dismay that he hadn\u2019t understood Mr Anderson\u2019s comment about the riding. Everyone else seemed to be in casual, yet good, clothing and he felt out of place immediately. He was about to turn and disappear upstairs again, when he was hailed by Mr Anderson. \u201cJoe! Good to see you boy.\u201d The man looked him up and down. \u201cI see you\u2019re really ready for that ride.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe blushed. \u201cI think I\u2019d better go back and change,\u201d he said lamely. \u201cI didn\u2019t realise \u2026 I mean \u2026 when you said riding \u2026\u201d He indicated a few people standing near them who were giving him amused looks. He blushed, knowing that he didn\u2019t have anything really suitable to wear and would have to change into his travelling suit. He silently cursed himself for not being prepared for this sort of thing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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\u201cNow don\u2019t you worry about that,\u201d said Mr Anderson kindly. \u201cThere\u2019s no time.\u00a0 Besides \u2026 you can show these people how a real cowboy rides eh? You certainly look the part.\u201d\u00a0 He put his arm around the young man\u2019s shoulders \u2026 sensing his embarrassment \u2026. and smiled at him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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\u201cI think I\u2019d better \u2026\u201d began Joe, but Mr Anderson had already turned away from him and was ushering some of his guests into one of the carriages. Joe bit his lip and got into the second carriage, trying not to look embarrassed as he did so. On the way to the estate he sat quietly, trying not to appear too uncomfortable but wishing that he were anywhere but where he was. If he\u2019d been dressed properly then he wouldn\u2019t have minded so much, but he caught the looks that some of the other guests gave him and he wished that he could just sink through the floor of the carriage in his embarrassment.<\/p>\n

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The Anderson estate was a very large one and Joe could see as they drove up the front drive that the man obviously had money. There were tables and chairs set out on the grassy area in front of the main house, around which several people … including Sarah \u2026 were already seated. As he got down from the carriage, Joe didn\u2019t miss the look of distain that the young woman gave him and heard her say something to the two girls nest to her which made the three of them giggle. With his head held high, he walked over to the refreshments table and pretended to find the food displayed there interesting \u2026 anything rather than let everyone know how uncomfortable he felt.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWell young man,\u201d said Mr Anderson, coming up behind him. \u201cIf you don\u2019t mind talking a bit of business I\u2019d like to see you for a moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Joe followed him gratefully across the lawn, happy to have something to do other than stand around and try to look as if he was fitting in. When they had left the others behind, the man turned to him, holding out an envelope. \u201cI\u2019d like you to deliver this to your father please Joe,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve studied your bid at great length this morning and I\u2019m happy to go with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes lit up. \u201cReally?\u201d he said happily. \u201cI mean \u2026 thank you sir. Pa will be very pleased to hear that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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\u201cTell your father I\u2019m looking forward to doing business with him,\u201d said the man. He put his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cYou\u2019ve conducted your business here very well young man,\u201d he said. \u201cI think your father would be proud of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe smiled at him as he put the envelope into his pocket. \u201cThanks you sir,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow come over here and Sarah can introduce you to some of these young people.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s heart plummeted again as he followed his host towards Sarah and her friends. He didn\u2019t have the heart to tell the man who was being so kind to him that he would not meet them as he didn\u2019t have anything in common with them, so he simply smiled when he was introduced. As Mr Anderson walked away, Sarah looked Joe up and down. \u201cSo \u2026\u201d she said. \u201cYou\u2019re ready to have a ride are you?\u201d The rest of the group laughed and Joe felt himself blushing again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d he said simply.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs this what a real cowboy looks like then?\u201d asked one of the young men, fingering Joe\u2019s green jacket. \u201cI can\u2019t really see the look catching on here can you?\u201d he asked his friends as he smoothed down his own immaculate colour co-ordinated riding jacket and trousers and they all laughed again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Joe pulled away from the man\u2019s touch. \u201cLeave the jacket alone,\u201d he said shortly.<\/p>\n

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\u201cSo \u2026. You think you\u2019re a pretty good rider I suppose cowboy?\u201d the man sneered.<\/p>\n

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\u201cPretty good,\u201d said Joe angrily. \u201cWhat\u2019s it to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

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They all laughed. \u201cNothing really,\u201d the man said. \u201cOnly in a getup like that I suppose you\u2019re trying to create that impression.\u201d\u00a0 He smoothed down his own jacket again. \u201cWell I\u2019m for a ride. Let\u2019s see just how good you are cowboy shall we?\u201d\u00a0 He walked over to where one of the horses was tied and Joe glared after him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter cowboy?\u201d asked one of the other young men. \u201cScared that we\u2019ll show you up with our expert skills?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Joe snorted and said nothing, but simply walked over to one of the horses and did the no-feet swing mount on which he prided himself. It was strange how he felt so much better just being in a saddle. He had an ease on a horse that always made him feel confident and just seeing the look on their faces at his mount was enough for him to feel that is embarrassment had been worth it. He gave a mock salute at the small group and turned the horse as he laughed. \u201cJust be careful not to choke on my dust won\u2019t you?\u201d he said cheekily. He laughed as he kicked his horse forward and galloped away.<\/p>\n

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Joe leant over the railing of the boat and watched San Francisco gradually disappear into the distance. Even though he loved the city, this time he couldn\u2019t wait to see the back of it and he felt a deep satisfaction that he was on his way home. In spite of his success at the conference he felt an empty feeling in the pit of his stomach that he couldn\u2019t shake and he longed to be home with his family again.<\/p>\n

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He hadn\u2019t had a chance to see anything in the city at all and he began to appreciate that these business trips that he\u2019d always envied Pa and Adam for taking weren\u2019t quite what he\u2019d thought they were. He wouldn\u2019t be pestering his father to attend many more of them that was for sure! He had enjoyed the actual business side of the conference and he knew that his father would be pleased with the outcome, but still he had wanted more. He desperately wished that he\u2019d felt more at ease in the company, and wondered what he had done that had made those people scornful of him.<\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

His father had always brought him up to be polite to people and to reach out to those in need, so for the life of him he couldn\u2019t understand how others could behave so differently. With a shake of his head he turned from the railing and walked away from the sight of the disappearing city.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

++++++++++<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell it sounds as if you\u2019ve done very well son,\u201d said Ben, putting his arm around Joe\u2019s shoulder and hugging him. \u201cI\u2019m mighty proud of you Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks Pa,\u201d said Joe, trying to smile at his father. Try as he would, he couldn\u2019t help but feel empty about it all. The memory of his embarrassment was still raw and for some reason he didn\u2019t feel like telling his father how he had really felt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben looked at his son for a moment, sensing that something wasn\u2019t quite right. \u201cIs something the matter Joe?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d replied Joe with a forced smile. \u201cI\u2019m glad you\u2019re proud of me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell you\u2019ve certainly proved that you\u2019ve got a good business head on your shoulders,\u201d said his father proudly. \u201cAdam couldn\u2019t have done any better than you did.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo I couldn\u2019t,\u201d admitted Adam. \u201cWell done Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d replied Joe, smiling at his brother. He knew he should have been feeling much more positive about all he\u2019d achieved in San Francisco, but he still help but feel that it was a hollow homecoming in spite of everything that had gone so well.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAccording to this letter that Tom Anderson sent me he was mighty impressed with you,\u201d continued Ben. \u201cYou certainly made an impression son. You\u2019ve certainly proven that you can represent The Ponderosa now. You can take a turn at other venues from now on.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe smiled, but said nothing and Ben gave him a puzzled look. \u201cWell, I\u2019d better get on up to bed,\u201d Joe said finally. \u201cIt\u2019s been a long day and I\u2019m tired. Goodnight everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGoodnight son,\u201d said Ben. \u201cAnd well done.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d said Joe listlessly and then headed up the stairs towards his room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder what was that all about?\u201d asked Adam thoughtfully.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben stared at the top of the stairs where Joe had disappeared. \u201cSomething isn\u2019t quite right,\u201d he said. \u201cHe\u2019s not his usual self.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI thought he\u2019d be cocky about doing so well,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cBut it\u2019s as if he\u2019s failed or something.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. \u201cMaybe he\u2019s just tired,\u201d he said thoughtfully. \u201cThat might be all it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so,\u201d said Adam. \u201cDo you think he might open up to me about it if I try and get him to talk about it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou can try,\u201d said his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam headed up the stairs after his brother and stood in the doorway of Joe\u2019s bedroom, staring at him for a moment. \u201cYou OK?\u201d he asked finally.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe turned from the window that he\u2019d been staring out of. \u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d he said shortly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam raised an eyebrow as he walked into the room and sat down on the bed. \u201cYou don\u2019t look fine,\u201d he observed. \u201cAnd you didn\u2019t sound it down there either. Why don\u2019t you tell me what\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe sighed and came to sit next to his brother on the bed. \u201cIt was San Francisco,\u201d he said finally.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt sounded like everything went very well,\u201d said Adam. \u201cYou achieved everything that Pa hoped you would. Why are you so flat about it all?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shrugged. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t all that,\u201d he said. \u201cI mean \u2026. The business and all \u2026. It was more \u2026 well, the people I guess.\u201d Adam waited. \u201cYou were right,\u201d said Joe in a low voice. \u201cI should have listened to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRight about what?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe things I needed to take,\u201d said Joe sadly. \u201cI didn\u2019t have the right clothes. At least … not enough of them \u2026 and I didn\u2019t know how to act. They had these fancy dinners and I didn\u2019t know which forks and stuff to use … and one time there was this riding afternoon and they were all dressed up real fancy. I felt dumb and I heard some of em say that I was just a cowboy.\u201d\u00a0 He went red at the memory of the sheer embarrassment of it all.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam put his arm around his brother\u2019s shoulder. \u201cI see,\u201d he said. \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you tell Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I was too embarrassed,\u201d admitted Joe. \u201cSome of them made me feel really stupid and I guess I just felt out of place.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam nodded. \u201cHmm,\u201d he said. \u201cWell it\u2019s easy to feel like that in strange situations. I have many times.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou?\u201d Joe stared at his older brother in amazement. \u201cBut you\u2019re so \u2026 sophisticated and all. You\u2019d never feel like that!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam snorted. \u201cDon\u2019t you believe it,\u201d he said. \u201cEveryone feels like it at some stage. I remember when I first went to college in Boston and I felt exactly like you\u2019ve just described.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d said Joe in amazement. He found it hard to think of his confident older brother at a loss in any situation.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure did,\u201d continued Adam. \u201cYour mother Marie had given me a few pointers about how to behave in society. She was very good at that sort of thing. I had the impression that I was going to do really well, but it didn\u2019t quite turn out that way.\u201d He smiled wistfully as he thought back to his difficult early days in the big city. \u201cI was treated very much as a country boy and I really felt it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you cope?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot too well at first. I thought I was going to set the world on fire you see. I\u2019d always been told by everyone that I was really clever and I expected to find thing easy there, but everyone there was just as bright as I was and I was just one of the crowd.\u00a0 Being from the country didn\u2019t help either. Pa had done his best to outfit me, but I didn\u2019t have a lot of suitable clothing that I needed to go to many places.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you write and ask him for more money then?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t have done that. He didn\u2019t have a lot to start with and sending me to college had really stretched his finances. There was no way I was going to ask for more.\u201d Adam smiled ruefully. \u201cI came to be known as a bit of a country bumpkin.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s how I felt in San Francisco,\u201d said Joe sadly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI soon learnt how to behave in society,\u201d Adam continued. \u201cBut not after I\u2019d made a lot of mistakes along the way. After a while my grandfather realised that I needed a few extra suits and other pieces of clothing and he gave me some for birthday and Christmas presents. I managed a lot better after that. In fact \u2026 I ended up feeling quite at ease there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s probably why you\u2019re so good at it now,\u201d said Joe. \u201cWhy do people have to treat other people like that Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re just ignorant,\u201d said his brother. \u201cI learned real fast that it\u2019s not how you look that\u2019s important, it\u2019s how your manners that count. Unfortunately not everyone realises that fact.\u201d He smiled at his younger brother. \u201cMr Anderson and the other men seemed to be impressed with your business dealings didn\u2019t they?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah \u2026 I think so.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you made lots of contacts and got lots of information for Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2018Well that\u2019s all that matters then. You had a very successful trip by all accounts and achieved what you went there for. That\u2019s what you should focus on.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cYeah,\u201d he said. \u201cI know you\u2019re right. Only it would have been nice to fit in a bit more. Not feel so awkward \u2026 you know?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat will come in time,\u201d said Adam. \u201cIts just experience \u2026 you\u2019ll soon learn how to act and what to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t know if I want to find out,\u201d he said ruefully. \u201cMaybe I\u2019ll be happy from now on to let you and Pa do these things. I\u2019ll just stay here where I\u2019m happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam frowned. \u201cJoe don\u2019t let this experience spoil things for you,\u201d he said seriously. \u201cThere\u2019s whole world out there to be experienced and if you don\u2019t ever get out and try things you\u2019ll miss out on an awful lot. Next time will be easier \u2026 you\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d said Joe ruefully. \u201cI should have listened to your advice Adam. I\u2019m sorry that I was so short with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam laughed. \u201cThat\u2019s OK,\u201d he said, standing up. \u201cNext time I\u2019m happy to give you advice on what to take. Goodnight kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGoodnight,\u201d said Joe, for once not minding the term kid<\/em>. \u201cHey Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam turned from the doorway. \u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCan you teach me about all them knives and stuff too?\u201d asked Joe hopefully.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure can,\u201d said Adam with a smile. \u201cNight.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: \u00a0Joe attends his first business conference as a representative of The Ponderosa<\/p>\n

Rated: K (8,065 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":8499,"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_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[2,23,1007],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1952","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-actionadventure","category-drama","category-joe-cartwright","wpcat-2-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1007-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1639,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Pine-Trees-Mist-01a.jpg?fit=575%2C970&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13014,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13014","url_meta":{"origin":1952,"position":0},"title":"A Different Conversation (by AC1830)","author":"AC1830","date":"June 5, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Imagine the scene in The Ride where Adam and Ben are by the fire having a serious conversation. \u00a0What if father and son discussed something totally different? \u00a0 Rating = K\u00a0\u00a0 WC = 818","rel":"","context":"In "Short Stories"","block_context":{"text":"Short Stories","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=8"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Ben-and-Adam-1.png?fit=629%2C435&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Ben-and-Adam-1.png?fit=629%2C435&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Ben-and-Adam-1.png?fit=629%2C435&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13993,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13993","url_meta":{"origin":1952,"position":1},"title":"Sins of the Father (by Susan G)","author":"SusanG","date":"December 12, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Ben outbids a competitor to win a lucrative contract, setting the man's son on a course of vengeance. Rating:T\u00a0 (29,455 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ponderosapine.jpg?fit=270%2C404&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5793,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5793","url_meta":{"origin":1952,"position":2},"title":"The Timber Contract (by Rona)","author":"Rona","date":"November 17, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 An everyday business venture takes an unexpected turn for Ben Cartwright Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 (9,600 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ponderosapine.jpg?fit=270%2C404&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":13947,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13947","url_meta":{"origin":1952,"position":3},"title":"The Fourth Wife (by Susan G)","author":"SusanG","date":"December 12, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 After receiving an invitation to a neighbor's wedding, Little Joe conspires to find Ben the perfect wife; while the rest of the family holds off an attempted land grab. Word Count: \u00a021,300 \u00a0Rated: \u00a0T","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza31.jpg?fit=573%2C389&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza31.jpg?fit=573%2C389&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza31.jpg?fit=573%2C389&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2119,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2119","url_meta":{"origin":1952,"position":4},"title":"Taking Responsibility (by JoanS)","author":"JoanS","date":"September 7, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe takes responsibility for his actions and as a result finds himself trapped in a loveless relationship \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0T (22,910 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza31.jpg?fit=573%2C389&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza31.jpg?fit=573%2C389&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza31.jpg?fit=573%2C389&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":62774,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=62774","url_meta":{"origin":1952,"position":5},"title":"The British Ally (by VickiC.)","author":"vickic","date":"March 6, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Is Kenney just after the Ponderosa or does he have hidden allies?\u00a0 What of Kit Hammond, is the British heir to the Circle H really Ben's ally or his enemy? Rating:\u00a0 PG\u00a0 (46,905 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Ben Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Ben Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1004"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1952","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\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1952"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1952\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8499"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1952"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1952"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1952"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}