{"id":25354,"date":"2019-12-25T12:14:35","date_gmt":"2019-12-25T17:14:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=25354"},"modified":"2025-12-25T11:47:54","modified_gmt":"2025-12-25T16:47:54","slug":"the-tipping-point-by-patina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=25354","title":{"rendered":"The Tipping Point (by Patina)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bonanza<\/span><\/strong>
\n~*~*~ Advent Calendar ~*~*~<\/strong><\/span>
\n* Day 14 *<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Summary:\u00a0 It’s looking more and more like lumps of coal are likely gifts this year.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 G
\nWord Count:\u00a0 3,070<\/p>\n

The Tipping Point<\/strong><\/p>\n

December 23<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe and Hoss wrestled the large pine through the front door, shedding needles and smearing muddy boot prints as they made their way to the spot cleared for the tree. Adam rubbed his hands together before extending his arms towards the fire to thaw them out.<\/p>\n

Ben closed the front door behind him and said, \u201cYou boys get this mess cleaned up. Hop Sing is still in a foul mood from spending two days cleaning the kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t expect him home early,\u201d said Joe as he and Hoss muscled the tree upright.<\/p>\n

The Cartwrights had dirtied every dish, utensil, and pot or pan in Hop Sing\u2019s absence. They\u2019d intended to clean it up before their cook returned but their good intentions didn\u2019t get the job done.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet a broom, Adam,\u201d said Ben. \u201cSweep up those needles before Hop Sing sees them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToo late,\u201d said a familiar voice.<\/p>\n

All four Cartwrights stopped what they were doing.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing stood near the dining table, arms across his chest. His glare could have set the pine tree ablaze.<\/p>\n

\u201cHouse mess. Live like barbarians.\u201d The cook\u2019s scowl echoed his tone of voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll clean this up,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cBah! Humbug!\u201d said Hop Sing.<\/p>\n

Joe turned away from the tree, leaving Hoss to keep it from toppling over. Hoss peeked through a gap in the branches. Adam tucked his thumbs into his pockets and studied a spot on the rug.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing trembled for a moment as a dark flush crept up his neck. \u201cMake more work when plenty to do. Alla time leave mess for Hop Sing clean up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCalm down,\u201d said Ben. He held his hands up in an attempt to defuse the situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe appreciate you, Hop Sing,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou only think with belly.\u201d Hop Sing turned on his heel and said, \u201cGo where appreciated\u2014Honorable Father\u2019s house.\u201d He muttered in Chinese as he turned the corner to his room to pack his carpet bag.<\/p>\n

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

Ben drove Hop Sing into town in the wagon used to carry home the tree. The fresh scent of cut pine didn\u2019t cheer either man.<\/p>\n

Ben handed his cook money that would have normally been placed within an envelope and tucked inside Hop Sing\u2019s Christmas present.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing reached for the money but hesitated. Loyalty to his employer battled with the desire to throw it back at him and tell him to find another cook. He took the money without meeting Ben\u2019s eye and mumbled his thanks. Clutching his carpetbag, he shuffled up the street towards the Chinese section of Virginia City.<\/p>\n

Reaching his father\u2019s small home, he hesitated, unsure whether to knock or open the door. He opted to knock.<\/p>\n

A few minutes passed and Hop Sing was about to knock again when the door opened.<\/p>\n

The older man gazed upon his son with a quizzical expression. He stepped to the side, allowing Hop Sing to enter the snug room.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat bothers you, my son?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing set his bag down and walked over to the small fireplace, noting the faint streaks of dust on the floor. \u201cNot appreciated by Cartwrights.\u201d<\/p>\n

The chair creaked as his father sat down.<\/p>\n

\u201cClean and cook all the time, never a grateful word.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is not their way,\u201d said Hop Ling. \u201cDo they not treat you as more than a servant?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlace to sleep not problem.\u201d He turned away from the fireplace, searching his father\u2019s face. \u201cIf I go away tomorrow and never come back, they will find someone else. I will be as forgotten as the dirt on the bottom of their boots.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Ling leaned back into his chair and steepled his fingers. His son was middle-aged and made a good living working for the Cartwrights\u2014he lived on the Ponderosa, not in the confines of Chinatown. His son could walk into any business in Virginia City and be welcomed because of his employer.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sleep on this dilemma. An answer will come to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

December 24<\/span><\/p>\n

In the morning, Hop Ling was meditating when he was disturbed by a knock on the door. He cracked open one eye, hoping whoever it might be would go away. At another knock, the elderly man shuffled across the room. He opened the door and was surprised at the sight of Adam Cartwright. The Chinese man bowed in greeting.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, Mister Adam. How can Hop Ling be of help?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam took off his hat and rubbed his fingers on the brim. \u201cI was hoping to talk with Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy son is out back, feeding my few chickens.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d said Adam as he put his hat back on. He walked around the side of the little house to the pen at the rear.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing sprinkled corn to lure the chickens into a false sense of security in order to catch one for the pot. Something out of place caught his eye and he looked over to see Adam. He turned back to the chickens.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like to have a word,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n

The cook kept his attention on the birds.<\/p>\n

Adam stepped into the pen and turned a bucket upside down for a seat. Once settled, he cleared his throat. \u201cI remember coming here as a boy. With Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was no reply.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were newly arrived and Pa needed someone to cook and help look after Hoss. Someone had told Pa that there was a man in Chinatown with a son looking for work and gave us directions. Your father introduced you and I said I was too big for a minder.\u201d Adam chuckled a low sound. \u201cPa and I had a necessary talk that night.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing hesitated with his hand in the bowl of corn. \u201cNext morning, Hop Sing come where you stay. You sit very careful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded. \u201cThat I did.\u201d He clasped his hands around one knee and leaned back. \u201cYou were the first up and the last to bed, working as hard as Pa. Lord only knows how you never cut off any fingers while keeping one eye on Hoss and the other on the potatoes you chopped for stew. We didn\u2019t have a lot of money but it didn\u2019t matter\u2014you made sure we had food in our bellies and clean clothes. You became part of our family.\u201d<\/p>\n

The chickens pecked the ground at Hop Sing\u2019s feet and squawked for more corn. Memories of those lean years flickered in Hop Sing\u2019s memories. Helping Mister Ben chop trees for the large house. Collecting nuts, berries, and wild vegetables with Hoss to go along with the fish or game cooked over an open fire. Lecturing Adam on a son\u2019s duty to respect his father as they collected firewood. Mending frayed clothing until another shirt or pair of pants could be purchased. Mister Ben dozing in his chair after a long day of planting grass for pasture or hewing logs for the house. Adam reading a borrowed book by flickering firelight. Hoss playing with small toys carved from chunks of wood discarded from logs being prepared to build the house. Despite the lack of material goods, the cabin was filled with a warmth created by love.<\/p>\n

Adam stood and righted the bucket then headed to the other side of the pen to leave. He stopped and looked over his shoulder at Hop Sing. \u201cTurned out I did need a minder. Someone to tell me I wasn\u2019t yet a man but no longer a boy, show me which chores I should take from Pa and how to do them well, and remind me I would be missed if I ever went through with a threat to run away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing threw more corn at the chickens as Adam departed. Part of Hop Sing longed to go back to the Ponderosa but his pride was still wounded.<\/p>\n

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

Another visitor arrived at Hop Ling\u2019s house in the early afternoon. At a knock, Hop Ling set his cup of tea down and crossed the small room. He bowed in greeting. \u201cWhat brings Mr. Hoss to my door?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss took off his hat and smoothed down his wispy hair with the other hand. \u201cI came to talk to Hop Sing. Is he around?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy son is at the laundry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Mr. Ling,\u201d said Hoss. He set off for the tents where the Chinese scrubbed the stains out of clothes for a pittance.<\/p>\n

Entering the tent where Hop Ling did business, Hoss found Hop Sing up to his elbows in a bucket of sudsy water. Hoss cleared his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo more clothes today. You bring clothes tomorrow,\u201d said Hop Sing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t here for laundry,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n

An awkward silence passed between the men.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou gotta come home, Hop Sing. It won\u2019t be Christmas without you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour belly will be filled even if Hop Sing not there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t talkin\u2019 about food,\u201d said Hoss. He rubbed a finger under his nose.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing wrung out a shirt and scrubbed a stubborn stain against the washboard. He hoped Hoss would go away if he didn\u2019t talk.<\/p>\n

\u201cDadburnit, Hop Sing. I know we done wrong by leavin\u2019 your kitchen a mess. We meant to clean it but dishes kept pilin\u2019 up as we had to check for sign of wolves or panthers in the pastures. A couple of line shacks also needed fixin\u2019. Then we got caught up in findin\u2019 a tree for the house. We plumb got caught up in the excitement of Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCattle treated better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat ain\u2019t true. We get you the best pots and pans and any vegetables or spices you need. You know we all appreciate the hampers you make for the hands so they can have Christmas dinners. It\u2019s a lot of work to cook for every man on the ranch but you make it seem easy. If we offer to help, you chase us out of the kitchen. I know it ain\u2019t because we ain\u2019t capable of helping, but the kitchen is your piece of the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

The cook remained silent so Hoss turned to a subject other than food.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe an\u2019 me come to you, not Pa, with problems we can\u2019t solve because we trust you\u2019ll keep our secrets. All of us come to you for doctorin\u2019 cuts and sprains.\u201d Hoss jammed his hands into his pockets and scuffed a boot against the thin floor boards. \u201cYou\u2019re part of our family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seeing that Hop Sing wasn\u2019t going to stop laundering the shirt, Hoss gently squeezed the cook\u2019s elbow. Hop Sing let the shirt fall into the bucket of water. The two men stepped into the narrow street and Hop Sing shielded his eyes against the glare with his hand. Two children, playing outside a tent, saw the large man and ran over to him. Hoss reached into his vest pocket and pulled out two licorice bits, handing them over with a smile. The children thanked him in Chinese, popped their treats into their mouths, and resumed their play.<\/p>\n

Hoss rested a hand on Hop Sing\u2019s shoulder. \u201cFolks\u2019 sons and daughters have work in houses and other ranches \u2018round here, thanks to you. Anyone lookin\u2019 for a cook or housekeeper knows they can trust your word when you vouch for someone as a hard worker. If you leave, what\u2019ll happen to those young\u2019uns as they grow up? Will they find work in places other than the laundry?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing studied his shoe, battling back a feeling of shame. He felt a weight of responsibility for the children of Chinatown. His knew his father boasted of the generosity of the Ponderosa and it was that generosity that had brought in money to build small cabins to replace the flimsy tents.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou put as much sweat and blood into the Ponderosa as me or Joe or Adam or Pa. It\u2019s your home as much as ours. We\u2019ll try to do better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss gave the cook\u2019s shoulder a gentle squeeze before heading out of Chinatown.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing watched the large man until he was mounted on his horse and enveloped in a cloud of dust. The cook always pretended he didn\u2019t have a favorite but, deep in his heart, Hoss held a special place. He was the one son who was slow to judge and quick with an apology. A healthy appetite didn\u2019t hurt, either. He returned to the laundry to finish the day\u2019s washing before going back to his father\u2019s cabin.<\/p>\n

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

Father and son were taking their evening meal of soup when there was a rap against the door. They exchanged quizzical looks and Hop Ling shoved away from the table to greet their guest.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe. You should be home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was delivering a few Christmas presents in town. I\u2019d like to talk to Hop Sing, if I may.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Ling allowed Joe entry into his humble home. \u201cI must deliver soup to one who is in need of a hot meal.\u201d He ladled soup from the pot and set a bowl in front of Joe before filling another bowl he covered with a napkin. He gave a slight bow to Joe before leaving on his errand.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing looked into the patterns in his soup as he dragged the spoon around. At a gentle pressure on his arm, he met Joe\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to come back. The Ponderosa is your home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStay here. No more disrespect.\u201d The corners of Hop Sing\u2019s mouth turned down.<\/p>\n

Joe realized he was on the verge of losing before he\u2019d begun. He took a moment to swallow down a couple spoonsful of soup then rested his arms on the table so they enclosed the bowl. \u201cMama left, then Adam. You were always there, the one person who didn\u2019t abandon me. Oh, I know Pa and Hoss were still around but they were off working cattle and sometimes Pa was away for a week or so on business. I always knew where to find you if I had a problem with kids at school or after a night of bad dreams. How would I have turned out without you to steer me right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrouble,\u201d said Hop Sing. He couldn\u2019t prevent one corner of his mouth turning up.<\/p>\n

Joe reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a tarnished chain with a small medallion hanging from it. He held it out and Hop Sing turned up his hand to receive it in his palm.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis belonged to Mama. I remember pulling it away from her neck so I could get a better look. When I asked her what it was for, she said it was to remind her that she no longer needed to ask Saint Jude for help every day.\u201d Joe let the chain and medal puddle in Hop Sing\u2019s hand. \u201cWhen I was older, I asked Father Krauss about Saint Jude and he told me Jude is the patron saint of hopeless causes.\u201d Joe placed his palm across Hop Sing\u2019s and gave the other man\u2019s hand a gentle squeeze. \u201cI know it seems we\u2019re hopeless a lot of the time. Without you, the Ponderosa would look as if a strong wind blew through the house all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing couldn\u2019t hold back a chuckle.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome home, Hop Sing. We\u2019ll try harder.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe finished his soup and stood to leave. \u201cI left a horse in the first stall over at the livery.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Ling returned to his house as Little Joe walked out the door. \u201cI hope your Santa is good to you, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe placed a finger against the brim of his hat and gave the older man a smile. \u201cMerry Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Ling closed the door behind him as his son studied the medal in the candlelight. \u201cWhat do you have?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCartwright charm for talk to ancestors.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it they say?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d said Hop Sing. He set the chain on the table and took the bowl from his father. Gathering up the dishes on the table, he washed them while his father read.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you made a decision, my son?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing sighed and set the bowl in its place. He crossed the room and knelt at his father\u2019s feet. \u201cMy head says pride more important but my heart says to forgive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Ling placed his hand on his son\u2019s head. \u201cThe Cartwrights are not bad people. You say they had many other things to do and did not find time for cleaning. Sleep on your dilemma, my son. You will have your answer in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Hop Sing was too restless to sleep and he rose from the pallet. He stopped in front of the small ancestral altar and whispered a plea for guidance. After several minutes, he paced to the table and the glint of the chain caught his eye. Picking it up, he rubbed his thumb across the medal, feeling the faint outline of a person\u2019s head. \u201cIs it hopeless, saint?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

December 25<\/span><\/p>\n

In the morning, the Cartwrights were in the kitchen, determined to fix a Christmas feast. Hoss and Joe had gone out before dawn to bag a goose when the sun came up. They\u2019d succeeded in shooting a large one for their dinner and brought it home to prepare.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you\u2019re making a dadblamed mess with that bird,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re just jealous because I shot it and you didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat ain\u2019t true.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s that large pan Hop Sing uses for the Christmas goose?\u201d asked Ben as he rummaged through the pots.<\/p>\n

Adam swore under his breath as he spilled flour down his leg and on the kitchen floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou tryin\u2019 to turn yourself into a snowman?\u201d Hoss asked as Joe cackled at the sight. Joe didn\u2019t help matters any by sprinkling flour on Adam\u2019s back.<\/p>\n

\u201cMess, mess, mess!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Cartwrights stopped what they were doing as if they were children caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Hoss gave Joe\u2019s shoulder a light punch and both men smiled at the cook.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing walked to a drawer and pulled out the tools for preparing the goose and accompanying vegetables. \u201cGet out of kitchen before Hop Sing go back China!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMerry Christmas,\u201d said Ben as he ushered his sons out of the cook\u2019s domain.<\/p>\n

The cook rubbed his fingers on the medal. \u201cYou speak truth, saint. Cartwrights hopeless without Hop Sing.\u201d He then tucked the chain back into his shirt, put on an apron. and began preparing the goose for cooking.<\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

Merry Christmas!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Link to 2019 Advent Calendar – December 15:<\/p>\n

Christmas Child by AC1830<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: It’s looking more and more like lumps of coal are likely gifts this year.<\/p>\n

Rating: G
\nWord Count: 3,070<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":25241,"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":[23,1092,40],"tags":[1062],"class_list":["post-25354","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hoss-joe","category-challenges","tag-advent-calendar","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1092-id","wpcat-40-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1204,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/advent.jpg?fit=480%2C413&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":38025,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=38025","url_meta":{"origin":25354,"position":0},"title":"Snowball Fight! (by rh2006fan \/ HeatherF)","author":"heather","date":"December 25, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Summary: Joe and Hoss have a snowball fight on a winter morning. Written for day 13 of the 2021 Advent Calendar. Rating: G Word Count:\u00a0 339","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\/2017\/12\/30wreath.jpg?fit=450%2C549&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":61188,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=61188","url_meta":{"origin":25354,"position":1},"title":"Timber! (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"December 24, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Oh, what fun there is on the Ponderosa at Christmas Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 (110 words) Written for the 2025 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar","rel":"","context":"In "Humor"","block_context":{"text":"Humor","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=4"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":19224,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=19224","url_meta":{"origin":25354,"position":2},"title":"Pennsylvania (by Hart4Ben)","author":"Hart4Ben","date":"December 25, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Written for the 2018 Advent Calendar, based on the quilting prompt, Pennsylvania. The past inspires the true meaning of the season. 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