{"id":24658,"date":"2019-10-14T11:51:28","date_gmt":"2019-10-14T15:51:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=24658"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:39:24","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:39:24","slug":"blue-mist-hauntings-by-ac1830","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=24658","title":{"rendered":"Blue Mist Hauntings (by AC1830)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary – Recovering from a terrifying stagecoach accident, Adam tries to discover why he is haunted by ghostly images.\u00a0 My entry for the October Spooktacular and October Chaps and Spurs double challenge.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Word count – 3980<\/p>\n

Rating – K<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Blue Mist Hauntings<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Arms and legs were flung in every direction. Globs of sticky goo covered him. Moans and snapping wood assaulted his ears. Breathing was a struggle; a fight for any fresh air. Can\u2019t…breathe…can\u2019t–<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam! Wake up. Easy son, you\u2019re alright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He felt moisture on his lips, cold and pleasing. His eyes flicked open to see the familiar face that went with the calming voice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa? Where…?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re at the way station. Do you remember what happened?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben propped Adam up with a few pillows so he could hold the glass himself. Closing his eyes, Adam sipped more water from the glass, giving himself time to put the frightening fragments of images in order. What was real and what was the nightmare?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe stagecoach…something happened. There was a heavy fog, then a thunderous noise. The coach spun…the world turned upside down, mud was everywhere. I couldn\u2019t move, couldn\u2019t breathe.\u201d He tried hard to slow his accelerating breathing and heart rate as the images coalesced in his mind. \u201cThere was a family, did they make it? How did I get here? Last I remember was being sucked down into the mud. I couldn\u2019t move at all and everything was dark.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As Adam recounted the horrors of the mudslide, Ben carefully schooled his reactions. His son was agitated enough without seeing those worries and fears reflected in his father\u2019s face. \u201cI\u2019m sorry son, there was no one else found at the site. The station manager told us you staggered in, covered in mud, collapsing at the door. With injured ribs, bruises everywhere and a bad gash across your back, he couldn\u2019t figure out how you made it out at all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes lost their focus as he tried to recall any memories of what his father had just described. His voice was distant, reflecting his inner focus, \u201cI kept hearing screams and moans, a woman and a…child. It felt like a man\u2019s arm wrapped around me and pulled me out from wherever I was. I promised I would get help. I-I recalled the driver yelling that the station was coming up, so I figured it had to be close.\u201d Adam squeezed his eyes shut, trying to remember more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s alright son. You need to rest. I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll recall more later.\u201d Ben rose and placed the empty water glass by the pitcher. \u201cI\u2019ll bring you some broth then you can get some more sleep.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

\u201cHow did you know? I mean, you\u2019re here. Joe and Hoss, too?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben sat by the bed again, resting his hand on Adam\u2019s arm. \u201cYes, they\u2019re here too. We received a wire about the accident and arrived yesterday. You\u2019d been here for about two days before we arrived. The stationmaster cleaned you up and treated you as best he could. He also said you floated in and out of consciousness with bouts of calling for someone, like you were trying to help them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam acknowledged the details with a slight nod, keeping his eyes closed in an attempt to get the images in his head to coalesce. He could see the faces of a man, woman and child so clearly but if he tried to talk about them they became wispy and evaporated away with his words. Thus, he was unwilling to share the mixed up images in his mind with his father.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRest now. I\u2019ll be back in a few minutes with some broth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Once Ben closed the door behind him he allowed his own face to reflect his worry and confusion over Adam\u2019s condition. Hoss saw the change immediately as he nudged Joe\u2019s foot with his boot. The brothers stood and followed their Pa to the stove as he worked on the broth for Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s awake. He can recall the accident but\u2026\u201d\u00a0 He felt a large hand resting gently on his shoulder giving him strength to continue. \u201cHe mentioned others, a man, a woman, and a child. Said he heard their screams and pleas for help. He said someone pulled him out of the mire, and he promised to get help.\u201d Unable to continue, Ben leaned heavily against the stove.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, come sit down. Joe can take the broth to Adam and sit with him for a bit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The brothers shared anxious looks when their stalwart father didn\u2019t fight the suggestion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Well after dark, Adam awoke to the sound of metal hitting against wood. Too stiff and sore to move anything more than his eyes he spied a spindly shadow near the water pitcher.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The small man jumped, nearly dropping the pitcher. \u201cBy golly, you scared a year\u2019s growth outta me, an\u2019 I ain\u2019t got that many years left.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A faint smile crossed Adam\u2019s face in the moonlit room. \u201cSorry. Who are you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

After turning the lamp up a bit more, the old man brought a chair near the bed and dropped into it. \u201cName\u2019s Blake Smith, but everybody calls me Smithy. I run this way station. Didn\u2019t mean ta wake ya. Jest wanted to make sure you had some good clean water \u2018fore I turned in fer the night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay. My father said you helped me when I first got here. Thanks for all you\u2019ve done.\u201d Adam raised his hand a few inches off the bed. Smithy took it in his own hand and gave it a gentle shake.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou was in pretty bad shape when you got here. At first I thought you was a creature from a swamp somewheres, you were that dirty. Leastwise, you were alert enough to be of some help gettin\u2019 you inside.\u00a0 Listen, you need your rest. I\u2019m thinkin\u2019 your family\u2019s gonna be wantin\u2019 ta get you home tomorrow.\u201d He started to rise out of the chair.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh, Smithy, wait. Um, did you go out to the wreck? Did you see it?\u201d Adam grimaced as his sore body protested but managed to inch himself up a bit higher to lean against his pillows.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d Smithy wasn\u2019t sure he wanted to dredge up those memories again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI guess that family didn\u2019t make it then.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFamily?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, a man and a woman, and a little boy. I don\u2019t really know where they were but I heard them after everything stopped moving. They were calling for help. It must have been the man who pulled me out of the mud.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cListen, Mister Cartwright. What I saw out there I don\u2019t rightly wanna ever see again. There was mud and trees ever\u2019where from half that mountain comin\u2019 down after them rains. The stage was in pieces and the poor animals half buried. We never did find the driver. But I can tell you I didn\u2019t see nobody else, and the stage people said you was the only passenger. That road\u2019s been bothersome for some years when the rains come. It\u2019s a wonder we ain\u2019t lost people on it every year. It\u2019s some kind of miracle that this is the first bad accident since the one that happened just after I took over here.\u201d Smithy\u2019s tone became edgy as rubbed at his chin whiskers and stood up. \u201cListen, you need your sleep. I shouldn\u2019t be talkin\u2019 your head off like this.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Alerted by Smithy\u2019s last words, Adam sat up a bit straighter. \u201cWait. There was another mudslide? What happened? I\u2019m not very tired right now, so I don\u2019t mind the company. Will you tell me about it, please?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Smithy hesitated, smacked his lips, and sat back down. \u201cAlright. But I tell you, it\u2019s the last time I\u2019m gonna tell it.\u201d He looked across the bed and out the window before his scratchy voice filled the room.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI took over this station about five years ago. Not more than a month later there was a mudslide between here an\u2019 Dayton. Back then, this road was used by travellers and the stage line that took it over. Well, a young family came through from Virginia City headin\u2019 toward Dayton. They was in one of them big covered wagons, packed full of everything imaginable. I offered \u2018em some vittles and feed for their horses. Said they was gonna buy some land to farm. They were real friendly, and their little boy took a shine to me pretty quick. As they ate, the man asked about the road ahead, what it was like. It\u2019d been rainin\u2019 over the last couple o\u2019 days but I told \u2018em it was safe to go that way, as I\u2019d just checked it myself for the stage comin\u2019 in later. They thanked me for the food and headed on their way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

While Smithy talked, Adam listened intently to the description of the family. Familiar images filled his head as he anxiously waited for the station manager to continue. Smithy scrubbed his face with gnarled hands before jumping from the chair and striding over to the window. Adam strained to hear his next words.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt weren\u2019t much later, when I was out gettin\u2019 the horses ready for the next stage, that I looked up the road and over behind a hill. I saw the trees movin\u2019.\u201d Smithy turned wide eyes toward Adam. \u201cIt weren\u2019t the <\/span>wind<\/span> blowin\u2019 \u2018em neither, but them trees were falling down that mountain. I jumped on the nearest horse and hightailed it down the road. When I rounded the bend, I ran straight into a mountain of muck and mud, and debris, an\u2019 what was left of the hillside was still comin\u2019 down. Weren\u2019t no way possible to get through so I just sat there on the horse, starin\u2019 and scanning everything for any sign of life. I finally saw a wagon wheel, then a pair of arms sticking out from looked to be part of the wagon. I grabbed the man\u2019s arms and pulled him part way out. But the sorrow, and forgiveness, I saw in those dying eyes was more than I could take.\u00a0 A moment later the man\u2019s hand when limp and his eyes closed.\u201d Smithy turned away as his shoulders shook. \u201cHe didn\u2019t deserve to die like that an\u2019 I for sure didn\u2019t deserve any forgiveness. After taking a few moments to get my wits back, I rode back to the station to wire the stage depots in Dayton an\u2019 Virginia City.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Smithy took a long deep breath and returned to the chair. He leaned close to Adam after eyeing the door. \u201cNow I don\u2019t believe in <\/span>ghost<\/span> stories an\u2019 such, an\u2019 what I\u2019m gonna tell you next stays here. I ain\u2019t told another soul but after hearing some o\u2019 the things you been sayin\u2019 I think you oughta hear this. When I rode away from that wreck it was close to <\/span>nightfall<\/span>, and I never looked back, but I did notice a strange blue glow around me just as the stars were comin\u2019 out. An\u2019 I\u2019ve seen it several times since then, just after it rains. I\u2019ve also heard some of the stage drivers sayin\u2019 they\u2019d seen strange things like a sudden fog appearing or somebody standin\u2019 in the road right where that hillside came down. It was enough to make \u2018em slow the coach down and drive real slow through that area. After hearin\u2019 what you said \u2018bout a family, I figured you should know. So there, I\u2019ve said my peace, an\u2019 I ain\u2019t talkin\u2019 \u2018bout it no more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Smithy shot out of his seat making a beeline for the door. He turned back long enough to share a stern look with Adam. Neither man knew what to think about the light or the images, but Adam managed a shaky smile and a flick of his hand in gratitude. Smithy nodded, closing the door behind him. Still fretting over his memories, the old man missed seeing Hoss slip quickly through the front door. Standing on the stoop, Hoss attempted to sort through the story he\u2019d overheard after he was awakened by voices coming from Adam\u2019s room. He chose to keep it all to himself and only speak of it if the need arose. As an owl hooted, Hoss made his way to the barn to seek more sleep, that is if he could get his mind to settle down. After seeing the results of the mudslide for himself and realizing just now lucky his brother was to be alive made him mighty glad they\u2019d all be heading home in the morning.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Ben finished updating the payroll book when he noticed a shadow cross his desk. He closed the book as Joe made himself comfortable on the corner of the sturdy desk. When the silence continued Ben leaned back into his leather chair and steepled his fingers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs something on your mind, Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, yeah. I guess.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben studied his youngest son\u2019s features as he ran his hand through his hair while collecting his thoughts. He could pretty well determine the subject before Joe finally spoke.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s Adam. It\u2019s been a month since we got home and he\u2019s still not out of his dark mood. Something\u2019s still bothering him about that accident but he won\u2019t say what. I know he\u2019s still got to let those ribs heal but he won\u2019t even go to town with us.\u201d Joe trailed off not knowing what else to say. Hoss, coming down the stairs, overheard Joe\u2019s comments but settled in the blue chair to see what his father had to say.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI understand your concerns, and I\u2019ve tried myself to speak with him, but you know your brother. He\u2019ll talk when he\u2019s ready. As for his mood I think he might be perking up a bit. He\u2019s actually going to town with me this morning. So perhaps you and Hoss should get going to check those horses for the Army. We\u2019ll be back in time for a late lunch.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, okay.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe turned around, hopeful for a different answer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know it\u2019s hard right now but give your brother a little more time, alright?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Pa. I\u2019ll try.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben took a deep breath as he heard the front door close. Whenever one son would come to him about another, he knew that was the time to get involved. He hoped this trip to town would get Adam out of his doldrums, if that\u2019s what it was. Ben suspected something other than the mudslide itself had affected his son deeply, but he had no proof, yet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even though his ribs were still healing, Adam insisted on riding Sport to town rather than taking the buggy. Ben reluctantly agreed, knowing this was not something to argue with Adam about. The ride was pleasant enough with conversation remaining in neutral territory, but Ben wanted to push for more on what was bothering his son since they had returned home after the mountain slide. Nearing town, Ben took his last opportunity. He slowed Buck to an easy walk forcing Adam to do the same with Sport.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, can you tell me what\u2019s got you so preoccupied lately? Does it have anything to do with the accident?\u201d\u00a0 There he\u2019d finally addressed the proverbial elephant considering nobody wanted to talk about it directly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam took a long time to answer, and to Ben\u2019s relief, finally did. \u201cIt does but I\u2019m sorry Pa, I can\u2019t explain further. I don\u2019t really understand it myself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is there left to understand? After Smithy told us all about how dangerous that road was, you made it your mission to convince the stage company to either fix it or find an alternate, and safer, route.\u201d Ben touched Adam\u2019s arm. \u201cAnd son, I\u2019m proud of how hard you worked to get the changes made so quickly. Now the stage lines are using that new route between here and Dayton that you proposed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam lowered his head and smiled half-heartedly. \u201cThanks Pa, but I think it was more Smithy\u2019s doing than anything I could have said.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Before Ben could say more, they were entering town. Adam went his way and Ben his, to the bank to get the payroll. An hour later, Ben was ready to leave, but Adam wasn\u2019t at the meeting place. So Ben went searching for him and found Adam leaving the minister\u2019s home. Not wishing to be seen, he backtracked and waited by the livery for Adam to ride that way. When Adam saw his father he reined Sport to a stop.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you ready to leave? I\u2019ve got to get this home.\u201d Ben indicated the saddle bags.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot quite yet. Go on without me.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Noting a distant expression in his son\u2019s eyes, Ben was hesitant to leave but he had to get the payroll safely home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAlright. Don\u2019t be too long. Joe wants you to check out the horses this afternoon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam remained silent, so Ben gave a curt nod and turned for home. Adam watched until his father was out of sight then headed to the saloon. He had a lot of thinking to do, and little whiskey might help things along.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing announced lunch despite there being only one Cartwright present. Just finishing his meal, Ben heard the front door open to emit Hoss and Joe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t wait to see Adam\u2019s expression when I tell him I broke that stallion in record time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, you might just keep that record for a long time little brother. Even if you won\u2019t be sittin\u2019 fer a spell yet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, now. I told you I\u2019m fine.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben left the table, hating to spoil their jovial moods.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHave either of you seen your brother?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The laughter stopped and Joe twisted around while unbuckling his gun belt. \u201cOf course not. We\u2019ve been with the Army horses all morning. Sorry we missed lunch but we were so close to getting the rest of the string green broke.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, why are you asking. Adam didn\u2019t come home with you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo. He said he needed more time to complete his errands. He said he would be right behind me but I\u2019ve been home for almost two hours. Listen you two get something to eat, then we\u2019ll head to town and try to find him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, is there somethin\u2019 you\u2019re not tellin\u2019 us?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, well, I don\u2019t know what your brother wanted to do in town, but after I left the bank, he wasn\u2019t at our meeting place so I went looking for him. I saw him leaving the minister\u2019s home but I don\u2019t think he saw me. I rode back and waited for him at the livery. That\u2019s when he said he was staying a bit longer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on Joe, let\u2019s eat what we can while Pa saddles his horse. I think I may know where he is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben and Joe wanted to press Hoss for more details but decided it was better to let the man get some food. The ride to town would supply its own opportunities for discussion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

As the stars began to appear in the sky, three riders silently approached the tall wooden gate at the Dayton cemetery. Seeing Adam\u2019s horse tied nearby, Hoss, Joe and Ben quietly dismounted. Ben and Joe took up spots near the gate to wait. Hoss looked to his brother and father one last time before swinging the gate open and starting his search through the lonely headstones.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With difficulty, Hoss managed to convince his family that they would find Adam at this cemetery. He was thankful they accepted that without him having to reveal what he\u2019d overheard Smithy tell Adam that night at the station. Upon arriving in Dayton, Hoss alone inquired at the Sheriff\u2019s office about the family killed in the mudslide a few years back. Hearing the tales of blue lights and misty figures only confirmed his suspicions about Adam.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now as night fell, he cautiously made his way toward the area of three graves surrounded by a short wrought iron fence. Sure enough he caught sight of a familiar black silhouette hunched near the fence. Removing his hat he waited but Adam didn\u2019t acknowledge him. As the evening grew darker Hoss settled his large frame on a small stone bench nearby.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A heavy <\/span>mist<\/span> began to roll in causing the <\/span>temperature<\/span> to become uncomfortably cold. Not usually affected by the cold, Hoss shivered internally as he felt like the atmosphere was influenced by something other than a change in the weather.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam slowly rose but remained standing at the low fence surrounding the three graves. His voice was quiet, almost reverent in tone. \u201cI don\u2019t really know why I came here. It just seemed the right thing to do, to pay my respects to this young family.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss kept his eyes on his brother\u2019s back as he spoke. \u201cBut maybe there\u2019s another reason too?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s shoulders rose and fell with a deep sigh. \u201cYeah, I guess there is.\u201d He turned slowly to look at his brother. \u201cYou know don\u2019t you, about the…the other events?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss broke his gaze and dropped his head. \u201cReckon I do. I overheard Smithy tellin\u2019 you the story that night in the cabin. Didn\u2019t know what to make of it, so I just kept it to myself, until you up and disappeared this afternoon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam gave an understanding nod. \u201cI\u2019ve seen them, Hoss, the lights. And heard the voices in my sleep. I talked to the minister and even had some whiskey but nothing made it go away. I finally decided to come here. I took the old road, stopped at the old station house, and where the slide happened. The voices and feelings grew stronger as I rode closer to town. That\u2019s when I knew I had to come here. It was like they were drawing me here, for some reason I can\u2019t fathom.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss lifted his head to look into his brother\u2019s exhausted eyes. It was as if Adam was pleading for a way to get away from what was haunting him.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe it\u2019s to say good-bye. You know I don\u2019t cotton to the idea of someone\u2019s <\/span>spirit<\/span> roamin\u2019 the earth but maybe they was tryin\u2019 to warn others of the danger, an\u2019 well, once you an\u2019 Smithy got the route changed, maybe they can rest now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Another slow nod came from Adam as he turned back to look at the graves once more. Hoss saw him shimmy with the cold but remained still, waiting for his brother to make the next move.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam finally turned and walked to his brother. \u201cLet\u2019s go home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss stood up and followed Adam through the narrow paths of the <\/span>graveyard<\/span> and out of the cold mist.\u00a0 As they approached the outer gate, Adam paused and glanced over his shoulder. Hoss followed his gaze. Adam saw the mist, and a hint of blue light fading away. Hoss saw the trees and grave markers reappear as the thick mist dissolved. He never saw the blue light.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam took another deep breath and glanced at his brother. Both nodded in silent agreement to keep all of this just between them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Heading toward their horses, Hoss nudged his brother. \u201cI\u2019m assumin\u2019 you ain\u2019t had much to eat. I got a couple of <\/span>apples<\/span> in my saddle bag. Want one?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam offered a lopsided smile and placed his arm around his big brother\u2019s shoulders, beginning to feel more like himself. \u201cSure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

After rejoining the family, Adam looked back one last time. All he saw was a peaceful graveyard lit by the full moon. In his thoughts, he felt the family was finally at rest, and so was he.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

———–<\/span><\/p>\n

Founded in 1851, Dayton Cemetery is the oldest constantly maintained cemetery in Nevada. Virginia City\u2019s namesake, Tom Finney (known as Ole Virginie), is buried here.\u00a0 Paranormal investigators say they saw paranormal activity on two different visits including a strange blue mist hovering above a family gravesite, a drop in temperature, and what appeared to be the ghost of a small boy standing at the plot railing.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tags: Adam Cartwright,<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary – Recovering from a terrifying stagecoach accident, Adam tries to discover why he is haunted by ghostly images.\u00a0My entry for the October Spooktacular and October Chaps and Spurs double challenge.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Word count – 3980\u00a0
\nRating – K<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8333,"featured_media":24659,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_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":""},"categories":[1005,39,29,40],"tags":[872],"class_list":["post-24658","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adam-cartwright","category-chaps-spurs","category-halloween","category-challenges","tag-hchallenge","wpcat-1005-id","wpcat-39-id","wpcat-29-id","wpcat-40-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1113,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Dayton-Cemetery-1.gif?fit=320%2C240&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2979,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2979","url_meta":{"origin":24658,"position":0},"title":"Captain Joe (by frasrgrl)","author":"frasrgrl","date":"November 24, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 \u00a0This story is in response to November's Chaps and Spurs Challenge. Joe on the high seas.\u00a0 Word Count: 546\u00a0\u00a0Rated: K","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ponderosa-lj.jpg?fit=640%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ponderosa-lj.jpg?fit=640%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ponderosa-lj.jpg?fit=640%2C475&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6720,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6720","url_meta":{"origin":24658,"position":1},"title":"Conflict (by pbeaking)","author":"pbeaking","date":"April 30, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: This was written for the Chaps & Spurs Literary Challenge in April.\u00a0 Adam and Joe fight and Ben steps in to help. Rating:\u00a0 K+ 800","rel":"","context":"In "Action\/Adventure"","block_context":{"text":"Action\/Adventure","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/adam-joe-c.jpg?fit=245%2C230&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2981,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2981","url_meta":{"origin":24658,"position":2},"title":"Brothers and Mud (by frasrgrl)","author":"frasrgrl","date":"April 24, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 \u00a0This is my entry for April's 2013 Chaps & Spurs\/Pinecone Trifecta.A WHIB for Springtime. Have you ever wondered what happened between the brothers making a \"Joe sandwich\" and the mud fight? Well, here's my answer to it. Word Count: 708\u00a0\u00a0Rated: K","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/springtime6.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/springtime6.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/springtime6.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/springtime6.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5468,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5468","url_meta":{"origin":24658,"position":3},"title":"College Days (by deansgirl)","author":"deansgirl","date":"May 1, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0For the June Chaps and Spurs.\u00a0 Adam had a crazy romance in college. Rated: K+ (865 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":24942,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=24942","url_meta":{"origin":24658,"position":4},"title":"The Mysterious Death of Amos Snead (by Bakerj)","author":"Bakerj","date":"October 31, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Hoss\u2019 suspicions over a death leads him and Joe to an unexpected encounter. This is my entry for the October Chaps & Spurs and the Bonanza Spooktacular challenge for October 2019. Word Count: 1735 Rating: K","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\/2019\/10\/01-9-1.jpg?fit=577%2C433&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/01-9-1.jpg?fit=577%2C433&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/01-9-1.jpg?fit=577%2C433&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2929,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2929","url_meta":{"origin":24658,"position":5},"title":"No Coffee (by frasrgrl)","author":"frasrgrl","date":"April 24, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 \u00a0The Cartwrights are out on the trail. Rated: K\u00a0 (700 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/cutthroat-junction.jpg?fit=301%2C303&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24658","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\/8333"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=24658"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24658\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/24659"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=24658"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=24658"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=24658"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}