{"id":2216,"date":"2005-01-26T22:31:43","date_gmt":"2005-01-27T03:31:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2216"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:09:09","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:09:09","slug":"judge-not-lest-ye-be-judged","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2216","title":{"rendered":"Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/strong>Ever been accused of jumping to the wrong conclusion? <\/span><\/p>\n

Rated: \u00a0T \u00a0 (4,205 words)
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Disclaimer:\u00a0All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/span><\/p>\n

Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was only when Adam raised a clenched fist that Joe realised that he had finally pushed his oldest brother too far. He stood, frozen, panting from the force of his anger and the shouting he had been doing. Adam was in a similar state. The brothers glared at each other across a gulf so wide that it seemed it might never be breached.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d bellowed an angry voice. Ben Cartwright pushed between his sons, eyeing Adam\u2019s fist with disbelief and then seeing the look on Joe\u2019s face and knowing who had been at the back of this argument. \u201cStop it, both of you!\u201d he ordered, his voice rough with the worry he felt.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slowly \u2013 oh, so slowly \u2013 Adam lowered his fist and forced his hand to open. His dark brown eyes never left his youngest brother\u2019s face and at that moment, Adam knew what it was to feel his emotions beyond his control. If Ben had not arrived when he did, Adam knew that he would have lost control. There was only one person in the world who could goad him to such extremes and Joe had done that this night. But worse, he had hurt Adam, judged him unfairly and the sting of that would never entirely leave him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Without a word, Adam turned and stalked away. He had no idea where he was going, but he knew that if he stayed for one minute longer, Joe would be lying bleeding on the ground and Adam didn\u2019t want to see that happen. He loved Joe \u2013 but there were times when he hated him also.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhat\u2019s the meaning of this?\u201d Ben demanded. It wasn\u2019t often he felt the need to use his size to dominate his youngest son, but tonight, he felt it quite justified and loomed over Joe, using his superior height and weight to try to intimidate his slighter son.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIts nothing,\u201d Joe replied, sullenly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNothing?\u201d Ben repeated in disbelief. \u201cMy sons are about to come to blows and you say it\u2019s nothing? Joseph, I suggest you stop lying to me and tell me what is behind this unseemly behaviour.\u201d His dark eyes fixed Joe with a stony glare. \u201cThat wasn\u2019t a suggestion,\u201d he added after a moment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unable to bear the weight of Ben\u2019s gaze a moment longer, Joe ducked his head. \u201cI\u2026 eh\u2026 I accused Adam of stealing my girl,\u201d Joe replied.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow could you think that of him?\u201d Ben gasped.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh that\u2019s right, protect the perfect son!\u201d Joe retorted. \u201cDon\u2019t even give me the benefit of the doubt; just assume that Adam is in the right! Well, not this time, Pa!\u201d His temper fuelled again by the betrayal he felt, Joe turned on his heel and stormed off into the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stunned, Ben just stood there. He could hardly believe that Joe was talking to him like that and yet\u2026 A small, niggling doubt crept into his mind. Had he jumped to the wrong conclusion \u2013 again? Surely, he above all should check both sides of the story. After all, he had learned this lesson the hard way.<\/span><\/p>\n

Frozen, unsure which son he should go after first, Ben remembered\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cYou want to go to sea? Are you mad?\u201d demanded Jack Holloway, Ben Cartwright\u2019s best friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d Ben replied, coolly, hurt by his friend\u2019s disdain. \u201cBut I\u2019ve signed up now and it\u2019s too late to change my mind.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Rolling his eyes, Jack snorted in exasperation. \u201cWho have you signed up with?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCaptain Abel Stoddard,\u201d Ben replied softly. He waited for Jack\u2019s reaction and wasn\u2019t disappointed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbel Stoddard? Are you completely crazy? He\u2019s the toughest captain sailing out of this harbour!\u201d Jack rolled his eyes again and shook his head. \u201cIf you had to go to sea, surely you could have picked an easier master!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI want to be the best,\u201d Ben answered. It was something that would be with him throughout his life. \u201cI want to learn from the best and if Captain Stoddard is the best, that\u2019s who I want to learn from.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wordlessly, Jack looked at Ben. Jack\u2019s family were as poor as Ben\u2019s was, but he wasn\u2019t trying to earn himself a living. He helped the family out by stealing. Ben knew that, and he hated that his friend was dishonest, but they had been friends for a long time and Ben pretended not to know how Jack came by his money. The whole thing made Ben very uncomfortable, but at 13, he didn\u2019t know what to do about it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI sail at dawn,\u201d Ben told his friend. \u201cI just came to say goodbye.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For a moment, Jack\u2019s tough, all-knowing persona cracked and Ben saw the vulnerable, lonely young boy he strove to hide. In a blink of an eye, the vulnerability was gone and he nodded casually. \u201cDon\u2019t say I didn\u2019t warn you,\u201d he advised Ben. \u201cSee ya around \u2013 assuming you get back, that is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks for the vote of confidence,\u201d Ben joked. He watched his friend leave, unable to tell him that he was suffering from severe doubts. Now that the time had come for him to leave home, he wasn\u2019t sure he was ready to do so.<\/span><\/p>\n

But come morning, Ben was at the docks while it was still dark and as dawn broke, he looked back at port just once before turning his gaze out to sea.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Blinking, Ben came back to reality. He had to speak to Adam and hear his side of the story. He had to speak to Joe to get his side of the story, too. Which one should he speak to first? It didn\u2019t matter which son he chose, Ben realised; the other would most likely take it as a slight, or an indication that the other was the favourite, when he wasn\u2019t. The truth was, Ben didn\u2019t have a favourite son. He loved them all as they were and tried very hard not to favour one over another. Now, faced with Joe\u2019s accusation of treating Adam as though he was perfect, Ben began to wonder if he had been as successful in this endeavour as he had thought.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sighing, Ben decided to track Adam down first. He crossed to the barn as he once more plunged back into his memories of the past.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Life at sea was hard and brutal. Ben learned that discipline was extremely important. Hesitation in obeying an order could cost a man his life. In his months at sea, Ben had already seen one man lost overboard in a storm and another badly injured. He returned a man, not a boy.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was difficult for Ben to reconnect with his family when he first got back. He had left on\u00a0The Wanderer<\/em>\u00a0as a child, immature in body and mind, but he returned as an adolescent, his mind matured, his body grown dramatically. He was slender to the point of emaciation, but his muscles were strong from hard work and while he was at home, Ben continued to fill out and grow.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was hard for him to find common ground with Jack. They had met one night at the tavern by the docks. Jack had grown a lot, although not as much as Ben, but he was thin and wary and bad habits had already taken over his life. He was drunk whenever he had money and he had had a few brushes with the law.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t keep on stealing, Jack,\u201d Ben told him. \u201cWhat would happen to your mother and sister if you get caught?\u201d Jack\u2019s father had died from influenza over the winter while Ben was away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t preach at me, Cartwright,\u201d Jack cursed. \u201cI hear enough of it at home!\u201d With an Irish-catholic mother, Ben was pretty sure he did hear a lot of preaching, but he wasn\u2019t willing to drop the subject. Ben didn\u2019t want to see his friend in trouble.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m only saying this because you\u2019re my friend!\u201d he replied. \u201cJack, this is important. It\u2019s not too late to turn your life around.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, save it!\u201d Jack shook Ben\u2019s hand off his arm. \u201cWould you give up going to sea just because I asked you to?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I was pirating, or doing something else illegal, then yes, I\u2019d give it up.\u201d Ben sighed. \u201cJack, please?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d the other boy nodded. \u201cI\u2019ll give it up.\u201d He gave Ben a hard look. \u201cBut I\u2019m not going to sea!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t going to suggest it,\u201d Ben grinned, although it had been on the tip of his tongue.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure.\u201d Jack looked at Ben and smiled. He would give up stealing while his friend was home; they had enough to live on for the moment. But once Ben was gone\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

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There were no two days alike at sea. Ben learned to live on his wits and he turned his hand willingly to every job he was given. His months at sea brought changes to his physique and his face was tanned from the wind and salt. By the age of 17, he had attained his full height, although he still had some filling out to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

Home from his latest voyage to Europe, Ben waited eagerly for Captain Stoddard to give him permission to disembark. On the pier, Jack was waiting for him, leaning nonchalantly against a bollard used for securing vessels. His clothes were threadbare and Jack was painfully thin, but he threw Ben a cheerful grin and a jaunty wave.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning, Ben was slightly surprised to see the grim expression on his captain\u2019s face. \u201cYes, sir?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA word with you before you disembark.\u201d Stoddard jerked his head in the direction of his cabin and Ben obediently followed, wondering what on earth he had done wrong. He couldn\u2019t think of anything, but perhaps that was just his ignorance speaking.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whatever Stoddard had to say seemed to be difficult as he hesitated for a long moment before starting. Ben grew more and more nervous, resisting the urge to wipe his hands on his pants legs. \u201cIt\u2019s about that young man out there, Jack Holloway,\u201d Stoddard began. His usual commanding tones were gone and Ben was rather surprised by the gentleness of his voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir?\u201d Ben was confused.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know how well you know him, Ben, but I think you should be aware that he\u2019s bad news. He\u2019s been in trouble with the law.\u201d Stoddard looked closely at Ben. He had a soft spot for the youth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know he did a few silly things a couple of years ago, but Jack stopped, Cap\u2019n,\u201d Ben replied, earnestly. \u201cLast time we were home, he was waiting tables.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut when you aren\u2019t home, he\u2019s in trouble,\u201d Stoddard told him. \u201cHe\u2019s been arrested a few times, but the police have never found any evidence to convict him. But it\u2019s only a matter of time, Ben. And I wouldn\u2019t want you to get caught up in any of his schemes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Shaken, Ben just looked at Stoddard. \u201cBut he told me he\u2019d stopped,\u201d he muttered, almost inaudibly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Putting a sympathetic hand on the youth\u2019s shoulder, Stoddard shook his head. \u201cBe careful of him, Ben,\u201d he advised.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI will, sir,\u201d Ben nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDismissed,\u201d Stoddard added and watched Ben walk from the office. He had hated having to do that, but he was too fond of Ben to see the boy dragged off the rails by bad company.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cAdam, can I talk to you, please?\u201d Ben asked, finding Adam in the barn, grooming Sport. A humourless smile passed over Ben\u2019s lips as he realised that more often than not, this is where he would find Joe, grooming Cochise to relieve his feelings. The brothers were more alike than they would admit to.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slowly, Adam turned to face his father, his face unreadable. Ben often regretted that Adam had learned the necessity of having a poker face, not admitting to vulnerabilities or fears. \u201cWhat did Joe say?\u201d he asked, tonelessly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not talking to Joe right now,\u201d Ben replied quietly. \u201cI\u2019m talking to you, because I want to hear your side of this story. What were you arguing about that made you so angry that you were threatening to hit your younger brother?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sighing deeply, Adam gathered his thoughts. \u201cJoe got mad when he saw me talking with Anne-Marie,\u201d Adam declared. \u201cHe accused me of stealing his girlfriend. I told him he was being a fool, but it wasn\u2019t my fault if he couldn\u2019t keep her interest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd?\u201d Ben knew that this wasn\u2019t the end of the story. He raised an eyebrow.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam glanced down and sideways before straightening up again. A hint of colour stained his neck and crept up to his cheeks. \u201cWhen Joe came back from town, he told me he and Anne-Marie broke up. I laughed and said that she obviously preferred a real man. I was joking, Pa!\u201d he added hurriedly. \u201cJust joking. The next thing, Joe was calling me for everything and\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust joking,\u201d Ben echoed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Anne-Marie wasn\u2019t the girl for Joe,\u201d Adam protested. \u201cShe\u2019s not good enough for him. After all, she\u2019s no better than she should be!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I suppose you were proving that by flirting with her?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026 Yes,\u201d Adam admitted. \u201cI didn\u2019t think he would take it like this! It\u2019s not like they were serious about each other!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s up to Joe to decide who is good enough for him,\u201d Ben replied. He didn\u2019t have a good opinion of Anne-Marie either, but Joe was a grown man and entitled to make his own mistakes. He said as much to Adam. \u201cI didn\u2019t say a word when you brought home Sue Ellen Terry,\u201d he reminded Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Adam responded. \u201cBut he had no call to call me those things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m sure he didn\u2019t,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cBut you had hurt him and he was hurting you right back. Son, you two know each other too well. You both know how to go for the jugular. I think you owe Joe an apology.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know.\u201d Adam sighed. \u201cBut he owes me one, too!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not denying that.\u201d Ben patted Adam\u2019s arm. \u201cHowever, I am going to speak to him before that. I have an apology of sorts to make, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou?\u201d Ben was touched by the note of surprise in Adam\u2019s voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, me,\u201d he replied. A wistful smile crossed his face. \u201cEveryone makes mistakes, Adam. Everyone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhere are you working now?\u201d Ben asked, as he and Jack walked towards Ben\u2019s home. For the first while he was on shore, Ben found it rather disconcerting that the shore didn\u2019t go up and down. He often found himself stepping more heavily than intended.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m between jobs,\u201d Jack evaded. \u201cI didn\u2019t like the last place and so I\u2019m looking for something else. But since you\u2019re only home for a short time, I thought I\u2019d wait until you\u2019re away again before I look seriously.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Knowing that Jack\u2019s mother had been very ill the last time he was home, Ben was rather surprised by this. \u201cWhat about your family?\u201d he ventured.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Mama died a few months back,\u201d was Jack\u2019s careless response. \u201cAnd Minna,\u201d his little sister, Ben remembered, \u201cwent to live with Aunt Jane.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Ben murmured, not having any idea what to say and embarrassed by the thought that Jack might be upset.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shrugging, Jack looked unmoved. \u201cShe was sick,\u201d he replied. \u201cI couldn\u2019t afford to get the doctor.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d Ben didn\u2019t have a clue what to say to that. They walked in silence for a while.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut things got better after I didn\u2019t have to look after Mama and Minna any more,\u201d Jack stated. \u201cI do all right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d Ben muttered. He was relieved when they reached his house and Jack turned away with a careless comment about seeing Ben later.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cHe\u2019s trouble!\u201d Ben\u2019s father declared in no uncertain terms. \u201cI don\u2019t want you going anywhere near him, you hear?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hear,\u201d Ben muttered, sullenly. He knew his father had a point, but Ben wanted to be allowed to make up his own mind about Jack and the old ties of friendship were still strong. Later, he left the house to meet Jack anyway.<\/span><\/p>\n

The meeting between them was strained. Ben had never been good at dissembling and this was no exception. Finally, Jack put down his beer and looked at Ben. \u201cSpit it out, pal,\u201d he advised. \u201cI can\u2019t bear the suspense any longer. What\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know the truth,\u201d Ben replied, quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe truth?\u201d Jack looked uncomfortable. \u201cAnd what truth would that be?\u201d His tone had cooled off.<\/span><\/p>\n

Glancing around the crowded tavern, Ben lowered his voice even further and leant forward. \u201cI know what you\u2019re doing,\u201d he finally said. \u201cI know you\u2019re still stealing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For a moment, a look of relief flitted across Jack\u2019s face. It was there and gone so fast that Ben wondered if he had imagined it. And then Jack smiled and it was the cold smile of a killer. Jack looked feral; dangerous. Ben felt a shiver work its way down his spine.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad,\u201d Jack declared. \u201cI was getting pretty fed up of lying to you, Ben and your innocent belief in hard work was getting really hard to take. Now, are you ready to dump that old fool you work for and earn some easy money?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEasy money? Stealing?\u201d Ben looked as disgusted as he sounded. \u201cHow easy is it to quieten your conscience?\u201d he asked. \u201cTell me that, Jack!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEasier than you think,\u201d Jack boasted. He grabbed Ben\u2019s arm as the other youth tried to leave. \u201cBen, listen to me! You could come in with me. Your life would be a lot easier than it is aboard that stinking ship. I know just the job, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShut up, Jack!\u201d Ben warned, but Jack was determined to tell Ben all the details, in the hope that he would sway his friend into joining him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to rob old man Leibling\u2019s house. Everyone knows that old man has got money to spare. His wife goes around in fur coats and a carriage and they\u2019ve got more servants than a dog has fleas! They won\u2019t miss what we take, Ben.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Shaking the hand off his arm, Ben rose. \u201cJack for the last time; no!\u201d He turned and walked out of the tavern without a backward glance.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The news was all over town by the following afternoon. Not only had the Leibling\u2019s house been robbed, but Mr Leibling had had the misfortune to meet with the robbers and was stabbed to death. The robbers had escaped empty handed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shaken to his core, Ben had to sit down when he heard the news. His heart was pounding so loudly in his ears that he barely heard his mother ask if he was all right. He nodded distractedly \u2013 there was no way he could tell his mother what was on his mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

Several hours \u2013 and several miles \u2013 later, Ben came to the conclusion that he had no choice. Much as he regretted it, he would have to tell the police what he knew. Turning around, Ben set about retracing his steps back to town, his mind still churning and his stomach keeping it company. Despite knowing that Jack had done something dreadfully, completely wrong, Ben couldn\u2019t help but feel he was betraying his friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

Therefore, he was utterly dismayed when the first person he met on his return was Jack. Not the Jack who had left him the previous night, but a Jack who had had a bad beating from someone and was in obvious pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow could you?\u201d Ben hissed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot now, Ben,\u201d Jack replied. He tried to brush his friend\u2019s hand off his arm, but failed. \u201cI don\u2019t need to hear another sermon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou broke into that house and now Mr Leibling\u2019s dead!\u201d Ben accused. \u201cJack, how could you? He was an old man!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t do it!\u201d Jack protested, but his innocence didn\u2019t sound convincing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo?\u201d Ben scoffed. \u201cYou told me you were going to! You asked me to help!\u201d He shook his head, furiously angry. \u201cAnd now I\u2019m expected to believe that you didn\u2019t do it? Pull the other one, Jack!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Swearing, Jack shoved Ben away. \u201cGet lost!\u201d he cried. \u201cTake your self-righteous carcass back onto that stinking boat and drown! I won\u2019t miss you!\u201d With an odd kind of dignity, Jack turned and stumbled away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben headed straight for the police station.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n

 <\/p>\n

The sick feeling didn\u2019t go away for ages. Ben barely slept that night. He couldn\u2019t shake the feeling he had betrayed his friend. And yet, he knew he had done the right thing. Ben had always believed in law and order, even though he lived most of his life in an environment where the police were less than welcome. So he was apprehensive when he was called to the police station a day or so later.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJack didn\u2019t do it,\u201d the sergeant repeated, beginning to wonder if the tall youth before him was \u2018all there\u2019. \u201cWe arrested the man who did late last night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was so sure,\u201d Ben whispered. \u201cHe told me he was going to do it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure he planned it,\u201d the sergeant agreed. \u201cBut Big Benny met him at the gates and beat the living daylights out of him. The only reason we know this is because one of my men found Jack on the road and tried to get him to go to the doctor. Jack refused, but we know that this happened at the time the Leibling house was being robbed, because Mrs Leibling told us what time it occurred.\u201d The man sighed. \u201cI dare say we\u2019ll get Jack for something else one of these days, but just not today.\u201d He frowned. \u201cAre you all right, son?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, thank you,\u201d Ben murmured and wandered vaguely out of the building to stand on the sidewalk, oblivious of the crowds bustling around him.<\/span><\/p>\n

What had he done?<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you do?\u201d Joe asked, as Ben paused in his story. He was enthralled, caught up in his father\u2019s simple, compelling narrative.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sighing deeply, Ben looked at Joe. \u201cI tried to apologise,\u201d he admitted. \u201cBut not surprisingly, Jack didn\u2019t want to know. He had told me the truth and I didn\u2019t believe him. I\u2019d jumped to a conclusion, acted on impulse and all it cost me was a friend.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid he ever forgive you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben replied. His eyes softened as he looked back across the years. \u201cI met Elizabeth and went back to sea and the next time I got back, Jack was dead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDead?\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes were out on stalks. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe hadn\u2019t changed his ways at all,\u201d Ben explained sadly. \u201cAnd he was shot by a man whose home he was robbing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There didn\u2019t seem to be anything to say to that revelation, so Joe said nothing. He ducked his head slightly and looked at Ben covertly out beneath his lashes. The point of Ben\u2019s story wasn\u2019t lost on him; he knew exactly what Ben was trying to say.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll apologise to Adam for what I said to him,\u201d Joe offered. \u201cAnd\u2026 I\u2019m sorry, Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know you are, son,\u201d Ben responded. He put his hand on the back of Joe\u2019s neck. \u201cAnd I\u2019m sorry, too, for any actions that might have led you to believe that I always take Adam\u2019s part over yours.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As Joe started to shake his head, Ben smiled. \u201cI\u2019m sure that either of your brothers would say that I usually take your side, Joe.\u201d He sighed. \u201cBut I try not to favour one of my sons over the others. I love you each for what you are. But there are times, Joe that I look at you and see me at your age. We\u2019re more alike than you realise.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d The disbelief was clear in Joe\u2019s voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReally,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cBut after what happened with Jack, I learned not to jump to conclusions quite so quickly. I hope you\u2019ll learn to do that, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll try, Pa,\u201d Joe agreed. He made a face. \u201cI\u2019d better go and say sorry to Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, good idea.\u201d Ben smiled. \u201cYou\u2019re lucky you just fell out with your brother \u2013 they usually tend to be more forgiving than anyone else.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Smiling, Joe acknowledged that with a nod. \u201cI guess you\u2019re right,\u201d he agreed. \u201cAnd Anne-Marie wasn\u2019t worth fighting over. I should have just admitted that instead of letting my pride and anger do the talking.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Watching Joe leave the room, Ben knew that the brothers would apologise to and forgive the other. The storm would be over and neither of them would ever know the feelings of guilt and anguish that had haunted Ben when he had learned of Jack\u2019s death. Since then, he had tried never to jump to conclusions and he lived in hope of teaching that hard lesson to all of his sons.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

To Lillian \u2013 thanks for the idea!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: \u00a0Ever been accused of jumping to the wrong conclusion?<\/p>\n

Rated: \u00a0T \u00a0 (4,205 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":9517,"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":[23,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2216","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-humor","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-4-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1871,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/brothers.jpg?fit=399%2C299&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6200,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6200","url_meta":{"origin":2216,"position":0},"title":"What Do You Want in A Man (by Annie K Cowgirl)","author":"Annie K Cowgirl","date":"June 27, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0A poem I wrote for the Man In Black's birthday. Rated:\u00a0K+ (260 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Poetry"","block_context":{"text":"Poetry","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Adam-Stories.jpg?fit=637%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Adam-Stories.jpg?fit=637%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Adam-Stories.jpg?fit=637%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6493,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6493","url_meta":{"origin":2216,"position":1},"title":"We Dance (by MissJudy)","author":"missjudy","date":"May 4, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0This was a poem I wrote shortly after Pernell Roberts death, remembering his accomplishments and wonderful character. It's not sad! Those who love Adam or Pernell or any of his other characters will understand exactly what I'm writing about. Sweet dreams! \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ \u00a0WC \u00a0200","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/the-friendship3.png?fit=400%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6191,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6191","url_meta":{"origin":2216,"position":2},"title":"A Father’s Gift (by Annie K Cowgirl)","author":"Annie K Cowgirl","date":"July 17, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0Ben's thoughts as one of his sons lies in an Army hospital. Rated:\u00a0K+ (1,515 words) The Long Road Home series, links to other stories within the series are included.","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Adam-and-Ben-2.jpg?fit=400%2C320&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7936,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7936","url_meta":{"origin":2216,"position":3},"title":"Counterpoint – Alleluia (by sklamb)","author":"sklamb","date":"December 30, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0A double-vision exploration of the conclusion to \u201cThe Crucible,\u201dAlthough these stories can stand alone, they were written in close coordination and benefit from being read in sequence. Rated:\u00a0T \u00a0(1000 words) Michael Rode the Butter Shore by Joanie Paiute Alleluia by SKLamb","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\/05\/Crucible286.jpg?fit=640%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Crucible286.jpg?fit=640%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Crucible286.jpg?fit=640%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7595,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7595","url_meta":{"origin":2216,"position":4},"title":"She Left (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"May 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0Adam\u2019s love is leaving him. Rated:\u00a0T\u00a0\u00a0 Word count:\u00a0 599 The Wheelchair Series The Wheelchair She Left","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Springtime-Vignettes.jpg?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Springtime-Vignettes.jpg?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Springtime-Vignettes.jpg?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Springtime-Vignettes.jpg?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7313,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7313","url_meta":{"origin":2216,"position":5},"title":"For Honor (by Sibylle)","author":"Sibylle","date":"May 7, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0The consequences of a fight at school.\u00a0\u00a0Prequel (1854) \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ \u00a0WC 600","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2216","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\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2216"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2216\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9517"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2216"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2216"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2216"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}