{"id":2545,"date":"2005-09-08T23:53:01","date_gmt":"2005-09-09T03:53:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2545"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:10:38","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:10:38","slug":"conquering-the-stillness-within-part-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2545","title":{"rendered":"Conquering the Stillness Within – Part 3 (by Kenda)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span>“Conquering the Stillness Within” is an alternate universe story to the 12th season aired episode “The Stillness Within.” Or maybe better put a, “What if it would have happened like this. . .” story. Although the character of Jamie Hunter appeared in “The Stillness Within,” he doesn’t appear in “Conquering.” Candy, who did not appear in “The Stillness Within,” is included in this fan fiction story.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rated:<\/span>\u00a0K+ (31,570 words)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Conquering the Stillness Within Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Part 1<\/a>
\nPart 2<\/a>
\nPart 3<\/a><\/p>\n

Conquering the Stillness<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 47<\/strong><\/div>\n
\n

Ben Cartwright sat in the chair<\/strong> he\u2019d come to realize was Joe\u2019s favorite and opened the morning newspaper dated, Tuesday, November 12th, 1872. He paid scant attention to the headlines; letting the newspaper rest in his lap as he reflected back upon the time he and Hoss had now spent in Boston.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ten days had passed since Edward Brockington\u2019s driver, Elliot, picked them up at the train station in a gleaming white carriage with Adam on board. Thus far, those ten days had been spent in a variety of ways. Eating dinner at some of Adam\u2019s favorite restaurants, getting to know Laddie \u2013 who Ben thought was a wonderful young woman \u2013 getting to know her family, making two visits to the institute, and walking all around the city with Hoss on a day when Adam and Joe were at work. Ben showed Hoss places familiar to him from when he\u2019d lived here forty-five years ago. Ben did the same thing with Adam when he\u2019d visited shortly after Adam lost his arm, and had another such father and son outing planned with Joe for Saturday afternoon. Even though Joe wouldn\u2019t be able see the places on their agenda, Ben knew Joe would enjoy hearing the stories that went along with those old haunts of his father\u2019s, and appreciate their time alone together.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another event that had taken place during their first ten days in Boston \u2013 Joe\u2019s surprise party \u2013 was a great success. One of the warmest memories Ben would always carry of that party, other than the moment when he saw his youngest son walk in the front door, was watching the blind children playing alongside the sighted ones. It gave Ben hope that Joe\u2019s future held the ability for him to live comfortably in both the blind and sighted worlds.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben would forever be grateful to Adam for organizing the party. It was Adam who wrote his father in late September, suggesting the date of Ben and Hoss\u2019s arrival, and then detailing the proposed party, and that it would be kept a secret from Joe. After that, telegrams flew back and forth between Boston and Virginia City, finalizing the arrangements. While all of this planning was going on without Joe\u2019s knowledge, Ben continued to write his youngest son letters that never failed to mention he wasn\u2019t quite sure when he and Hoss would be traveling to Boston, other than to say sometime by mid-November.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rather than mid-November, however, Ben and Hoss had arrived in early November, completely fooling Joe in the process. They\u2019d had to work a few longer days on the ranch in order to get ready for their departure, but the effort was well worth it. After the cattle drive, the seasonal help was let go for the winter, though many of them would return come spring \u2013 the same men who came back year after year seeking employment on the Ponderosa. Some of them were now the sons of men Ben had at one time employed. He supposed if he lived long enough, he\u2019d even begin to see some grandsons of his first generation employees on his payroll.<\/span><\/p>\n

Candy had been left in charge of things, which caused Ben no worries at all. The reliable foreman had a capable, veteran crew of twenty men; the number they normally kept on year round.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing had left on a stage for San Francisco on the same day Ben and Hoss caught the train in Reno. He planned to visit his bounty of cousins for three weeks, then return to the ranch. Ben took advantage of the house being empty of her men to hire Harriet Guthrie and her daughter to give the home a thorough cleaning and airing out. Or as Hoss referred to it, \u201cSpring cleanin\u2019 in the winter.\u201d By the time he and Hoss returned, every window would be sparkling, every rug free of dirt, and every nook and cranny free of dust.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s thoughts skipped from spring cleaning, to the two times he and Hoss visited the school where Adam and Joe worked. Adam hadn\u2019t been employed there yet the last time Ben was in Boston. Ben\u2019s oldest son was at loose ends then, unsure of what life held for him. He knew he didn\u2019t want to continue running his grandfather\u2019s business \u2013 Stoddard Shipping \u2013 and had sold it while Ben was there. The money Adam got from that sale, along with everything else he\u2019d inherited from his grandfather, had left him set for life. He could have chosen not to work again, but Ben was glad that Adam didn\u2019t ultimately make that choice. He\u2019d thought all along it would be a mistake for Adam to sit in this house and wallow in regret, guilt, and self-pity. He\u2019d prayed that Adam would find a purpose again, much like, more recently, he\u2019d prayed the same for Joe. How ironic that the job Adam took not long after Ben left for home, would turn out to be a way that he could eventually offer his youngest brother employment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s roommate in college, Lindell Taylor, had been the headmaster at the institute for ten years, when he was offered a more lucrative position running a boys\u2019 preparatory school in New York. He knew of Adam\u2019s situation \u2013 was probably one of the few friends of Adam\u2019s who did \u2013 and came calling on Adam one afternoon. Lindell told Adam about the vacancy at the institute, and said he wanted Adam\u2019s permission to recommend him to the school board.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben could only imagine how Adam must have protested that. His college studies hadn\u2019t been in the field of education, and aside from that, he didn\u2019t know the first thing about the financial aspects of running a school. But as Lindell likely pointed out, Adam had taken some business courses while in college, and had years of experience under his belt when it came to running many aspects of a business, from the Ponderosa\u2019s holdings, to Abel Stoddard\u2019s shipping company. What made Adam finally decide to interview with the institute\u2019s school board, Ben never knew. He\u2019d never bothered asking either, because he was just happy that his oldest son was ready to get out and live life again. That Adam was having great success as the institute\u2019s administrator and headmaster came as no surprise to Ben. Adam was the kind of man who would be successful at almost anything he tried.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the first day Hoss and Ben had visited the institute, Adam gave them a tour of the building and the grounds. Though the building was old, Ben found it to be clean and well maintained. Later, without Joe\u2019s knowledge, they stood in the doorway of his classroom, watching him teach. Ben was so proud of him that it was a wonder he hadn\u2019t popped the buttons on his shirt. That\u2019s how far his chest stuck out that morning. Adam had said Joe possessed a gift for teaching, and he wasn\u2019t lying. There was a lot of laughter and fun going on in that room, but there was a lot of learning going on too, along with liberal doses of encouragement for each boy from Joe. It gave Ben insight to what kind of father Joe would be, and made his heart ache as he wondered if a woman would be willing to look past Joe\u2019s blindness and take the time to learn that, even without his sight, he\u2019d be a good husband, father, and provider.<\/span><\/p>\n

Upon their second visit to the school, Ben and Hoss sat in on one of Adam\u2019s literature classes, and then spent the rest of the day in Joe\u2019s class. As was true to their personalities, Adam\u2019s class was conducted far differently from Joe\u2019s. It was quieter for one thing, more orderly, and Adam\u2019s suit coat wasn\u2019t tossed haphazardly over his chair, nor was his shirtsleeves rolled up, his tie missing, and his top collar button undone. He was an excellent teacher to his students, just like Joe was to his, but again, as true to their personalities, their methods weren\u2019t anything alike. Ben was grateful to Adam for allowing Joe to conduct his class in his own way. He knew it must have been hard for his oldest to stand back and keep his opinions to himself, as he watched Joe struggle those first few weeks. Ben and Hoss hadn\u2019t been aware of those struggles until after they arrived. Joe entertained them for a good hour one evening after supper, telling about his first two disastrous weeks as a teacher. Joe could laugh about it now, but he probably hadn\u2019t found it so funny when he was wondering if he\u2019d made a mistake in coming to Boston and accepting the job.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In Adam\u2019s class, Hoss and Ben were quiet observers in the back of the room. In Joe\u2019s, they got away with no less than active participation all day, helping the boys do whatever Joe directed. Ben was surprised at how much fun he had, and how much the experience poignantly reminded him of what it was like to have little boys in your life. Of course, once he got a reminder of what it was like to have teenagers in your life, in the form of the irrepressible Henry, John, Tony, and Pete, the feeling of nostalgia didn\u2019t burn quite so strong.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lost in thought as he was, Ben didn\u2019t hear Mrs. O\u2019Connell approaching until she was at his elbow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWould yeh like another spot of coffee, Mr. Cartwright Senior?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben glanced up at the woman and smiled. \u201cNo, thank you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

From the end table at Ben\u2019s elbow, Mrs. O\u2019Connell picked up his empty cup and the saucer it sat on.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll just be gettin\u2019 this outta yer way then.\u201d The woman\u2019s eyes traveled the room. \u201cWhere\u2019s Eric this morning? I thought he might be ready for a morsel or two of a snack.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben chuckled at the way Adam\u2019s housekeeper had quickly grown accustomed to Hoss\u2019s appetite. His merriment also came from her insistence on using Hoss\u2019s given name. Upon first meeting Ben\u2019s middle son, she said it wouldn\u2019t be proper to call him Hoss, but before Hoss had the chance to tell her, \u201cReally, Ma\u2019am, Hoss\u2019ll be just fine,\u201d as Ben knew he was about to do, Joe jumped in.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think you should call him Eric, Mrs. O\u2019Connell. That\u2019s his given name. Don\u2019t you think it sounds like a nice, manly sort of name?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy yes, Joseph, I do. Quite manly, and quite proper, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh. . .Ma\u2019am, now ya\u2019 don\u2019t have to go callin\u2019 me that, despite what my little brother here says.\u201d It was then that Joe got a strong jab between his shoulder blades. \u201cHoss\u2019ll do just fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo no no. T\u2019ain\u2019t proper for a housekeeper to use nicknames and such. Which is why I don\u2019t call yer dear younger brother anything but Joseph.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss grinned. \u201cJoseph, ya\u2019 say?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

A big hand came to rest on Joe\u2019s shoulder, probably squeezing just a little too hard on purpose \u201cWell, I reckon if Little Joe here is goin\u2019 by his proper name, then you can go right on ahead and call me Eric.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Joseph, yeh never told me about that nickname. It\u2019s quite cute, it is. Perhaps you\u2019d be more comfortable if I call yeh Little Joseph.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For reasons not fully understood by Ben, this provoked gales of laughter from Adam. Joe shot Hoss a dirty look, then turned to Mrs. O\u2019Connell and said meekly, \u201cUh. . .no, Mrs. O\u2019Connell, please don\u2019t do that. Just plain Joseph is fine. Really it is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, okay, if yeh say so, Joseph. But Little Joseph is pleasin\u2019 to the ear, if yeh be askin\u2019 me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe to your ears,\u201d Joe mumbled under his breath, \u201cbut not to mine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite Adam\u2019s laughter over the entire matter, Hoss\u2019s smugness at getting one up on his younger brother for a change, and Joe\u2019s mock anger regarding, \u201cHoss and his gosh darn big mouth,\u201d by the end of that first evening at Adam\u2019s, Mrs. O\u2019Connell had the names worked out to her satisfaction. Joseph would remain known as such, Hoss was now Eric, Adam remained Mr. Cartwright, and Ben was once again christened, Mr. Cartwright Senior, to distinguish from Adam. Which was exactly how Mrs. O\u2019Connell had referred to him the last time he\u2019d visited.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mr. Cartwright Senior answered the housekeeper\u2019s question regarding Hoss\u2019s whereabouts by saying, \u201cHe went out for a walk. Said he\u2019d be back after while.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh, enjoyin\u2019 a little peace and quiet then, is that it, Sir? Two boys away at work, \u2018an one takin\u2019 his morning constitutional.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben chuckled politely, not telling the woman that with both Adam and Joe gone from the Ponderosa now, he\u2019d had more peace and quiet on many days than he could stand.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I guess that\u2019s it.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI surely hope Eric will be back in time for lunch. I made that Irish stew of mine he likes so much.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I don\u2019t think you have to worry about Hoss missing lunch, Mrs. O\u2019Connell.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d shudder at such a thought, I would. A big, strapping boy like Eric needs to eat, he does.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAllow me to assure you, that big, strapping boy of mine has been eating me out of house and home since the day he came into this world.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The woman smiled and patted Ben\u2019s shoulder. \u201cYeh have three fine lads yeh can be real proud of, Sir. Good men, ever\u2019 single one of \u2018em.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you. I think so too, but then, I\u2019m their father, so I might be a bit prejudiced.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nary a thing wrong with a father takin\u2019 pride in his sons. Nary a thing wrong with it at all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The woman then told Ben lunch would be ready at noon, and walked away carrying his dishes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben attempted to return to his newspaper, but found his concentration greatly lacking. With a heavy sigh, he folded the paper and put it on the end table. He sat lost in thought again, though this time he wasn\u2019t smiling over treasured memories, but instead, frowning with worry while thinking of the news Joe had disclosed the previous evening after supper.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly feeling ten years older, Ben pushed himself up from the chair and headed for Adam\u2019s office. There was something sitting in the center of the desk he wanted to review. It hadn\u2019t seemed to hold any answers last night, but perhaps, in the light of a new day, answers of some sort would be revealed that didn\u2019t involve Joe\u2019s death as the likely outcome.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter 48<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Joe sat behind his desk that Tuesday morning enjoying a few minutes without someone needing his help or attention, as the older boys took an arithmetic test, and the younger ones wrote a short story in Braille about the best day they\u2019d ever had.<\/span><\/p>\n

There were just five weeks left until the month-long Christmas recess. Most of Joe\u2019s boys would be going home for the holiday, though a couple, like John, would remain in Boston, because their parents could only afford travel expenses for the three-month summer break. In some cases, these children had relatives nearby, and would be staying with them. In John\u2019s case, he\u2019d remain at the institute, along with other students who were staying behind. Adam had told Joe that the staff made things as festive as possible for the children, with an evening of Christmas caroling throughout the neighborhood, a visit from Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, a church service on Christmas morning, a big holiday meal afterwards, along with presents to open, games to play, and a sledding expedition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe we can stop by on Christmas Day,\u201d Joe had suggested, \u201cbefore we have to be at the Brockingtons\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe will,\u201d Adam assured. \u201cI always drop by for at least a little while to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It was hard for Joe to believe that when Christmas arrived, the school year would be getting close to halfway over. It seemed like he\u2019d just started his teaching career, and yet, with not quite three months into it, he felt like he\u2019d been doing the job for years. As though, if ranching weren\u2019t in his blood, this would have been his calling. But ranching was in his blood, had been since the day he was born, and he couldn\u2019t deny that. Despite the rewards teaching brought Joe, he still missed his old life, and would rather spend most of his time outdoors on the Ponderosa, rather than cooped up in a building from 8 to 3:30, five days a week.<\/span><\/p>\n

One aspect of teaching Joe had no challenges with any longer was the behavior of his students. Caleb continued to make great strides with his studies, and would likely meet his goal of being caught up to his classmates come Christmas break. The older boys hadn\u2019t given Joe problems in so long that it was difficult to think these were the same kids he\u2019d been on the verge of thrashing to within an inch of their lives the first two weeks of school. Sure, they possessed the normal impulsiveness and zest for life most teenage boys do, but they seemed to respect Joe more and more each day. At first this puzzled Joe, but then he realized word had gotten around that he was blind, just like them. Caleb had likely told Jacob, who was now his best friend, and Jake had probably told Billy, and Billy. . .well, Billy was like the town crier, and not just when it came to his tears. He was always eager to share what he knew with everyone else. Especially if he thought it was a secret.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once Joe knew the boys were aware that he couldn\u2019t see, he brought the subject up in class. He shared with them what had happened to him, and invited them to share the stories behind their blindness. It seemed to help everyone to realize that their situations were similar \u2013 some blind since birth, some blind at an age so young they had only vague memories of being able to see, and then others, like Joe and Caleb, who had lost their sight more recently to accidents. The afternoon of sharing something so personal seemed to be the last step needed to bring them together as a group of boys who cared about one another, and thought of themselves as a family. That didn\u2019t mean there still wasn\u2019t the occasional family argument, but then, Joe and Adam still had arguments now and again, so Joe figured both the good and the bad really was what being a family. . .or even a class, was all about.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thinking about the good and the bad where being a family was concerned, caused Joe\u2019s thoughts to drift to last evening. His father and Hoss were due to leave Boston in a week and a half. That, combined with the headache Pa had seen Joe suffer on Sunday morning, meant Joe couldn\u2019t put off telling them about his visit to Dr. Warren. Or so Adam said as they\u2019d walked to school the previous morning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got to tell Pa and Hoss tonight, Joe. It\u2019s not fair to wait and spring this on them just a few days before they\u2019re getting ready to go home. Besides, Pa\u2019s been asking me too many questions ever since you had to leave church yesterday in the middle of the service.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat questions?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLike if you\u2019ve had any other headaches since you got here, and if I\u2019ve taken you to see a doctor, and if you\u2019ve said anything about not feeling well–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019d you tell him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNothing, other than you had some things to discuss with him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what did he say?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat you\u2019d better start discussing soon, or he was going to take you to a doctor himself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

So, given that he could no longer \u201cput off until tomorrow what must be done today,\u201d Joe prevented anyone from leaving the dining room table on Monday evening by telling Pa and Hoss there was something he needed to talk to them about. He waited until Mrs. O\u2019Connell had cleared the table and was in the kitchen doing the dishes, then broke the news about the headaches, the brief moments when his black world sometimes turned a misty gray, and what he\u2019d been told by Dr. Warren.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe could have predicted what happened the moment he finished speaking. His father turned to Adam and demanded, \u201cWhy wasn\u2019t I told about any of this?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam was no fool. He wasn\u2019t about to take the blame. \u201cBecause Joe thinks you have one foot in the grave.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd just what is\u00a0that<\/em>\u00a0supposed to mean?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe winced at his father\u2019s tone, and was actually glad, for once, that he couldn\u2019t see Pa\u2019s face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI asked Adam not to tell you, Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t want you to worry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, in the future, I\u2019d appreciate it if you\u2019d allow me to decide what I should and shouldn\u2019t worry about.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cAnd for your information, young man, your father does\u00a0not<\/em>\u00a0have one foot in the grave.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh. . .no. No, Sir. Besides, that\u2019s not actually what I said. Adam. . .he kinda made that part up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh he did, did he?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell. . .maybe not completely, but those weren\u2019t my exact words.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt this moment, your exact words aren\u2019t of great concern to me. These headaches, and this surgery you spoke of, are.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There wasn\u2019t much Joe could say to that. Of course those would be Pa\u2019s concerns.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhatcha\u2019 gonna do, Joe?\u201d Hoss asked, the worry in his tone easy for Joe to detect.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shrugged. \u201cI don\u2019t know. I\u2019ve thought a lot about it. Seems like I\u2019m damned if I do, and damned if I don\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Silence lingered around the table. A silence that told Joe his father and brothers were exchanging looks, trying to figure out if any one of them had advice for him. When the silence did nothing but continue, Joe stood.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t made a decision yet and have gotten along okay, so I don\u2019t suppose another couple of days\u2019ll matter. I\u2019m kinda tired. Think I\u2019ll go to bed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Although Joe wasn\u2019t nearly as tired as he claimed to be, he did what he knew his family needed him to \u2013 left the room so they could discuss the situation without him present. That thought would have rankled him when he was younger \u2013 probably would have caused a magnificent display of his notoriously short temper \u2013 but with age comes insight. And because of that insight, Joe understood why his father and brothers had to talk things over without him there to hear. Besides, if they could come up with an answer for him, all the better, because God knew Joe had no idea what choice to make.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nothing was said this morning at the breakfast table about the surgery, but then, there hadn\u2019t been time for a family discussion. Adam was in a hurry to leave. A carriage from the school pulled up outside the house before Adam managed to finish his eggs. He had a business meeting scheduled with a group of the school\u2019s financial supporters at Edward Brockington\u2019s office.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam said to Joe on his way to the front door, \u201cI should be back at school around lunch time.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right. And hey. . .don\u2019t worry! I\u2019ll run a tight ship while you\u2019re gone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s voice came from the vicinity of the front closet. \u201cWhy do I find \u201cJoe Cartwright\u201d combined with the phrase, \u201ctight ship\u201d to be an oxymoron?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAn oxy what?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOxymoron,\u201d Pa said. \u201cIt means two contradictory terms.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMakes sense then,\u201d Hoss agreed. \u201cI\u2019d say you runnin\u2019 a tight ship is an oxymoron, little brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Before the discussion could continue, Adam called goodbye to his family and dashed out the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t long before Joe had to leave, as well. Pa wasn\u2019t any keener about Shakespeare being Joe\u2019s guide than Adam initially had been. But like Adam, after Pa watched the dog at work, and upon Adam vouching for this rather odd practice of Joe\u2019s, Pa came to accept it without too many worries. Or at least not worries he voiced. Joe knew his father trailed him at a distance this morning during his walk to school because he hadn\u2019t traveled very far, when he heard the front door open and close, and then boots hurrying down the sidewalk, as though the person didn\u2019t want to let Joe get out of his sight. The footfalls behind him weren\u2019t heavy enough to be Hoss\u2019s, and although it was tempting to turn around and call, \u201cHi, Pa!\u201d Joe didn\u2019t do it. If following him to school gave Pa peace of mind, then so be it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s musing was interrupted by a young voice beside his desk.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m done with my story, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, good for you, Caleb.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWant me to read it to ya\u2019?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI sure do, but quietly. The older boys are still taking their test.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy dropped his voice to a pitch just above a whisper. \u201cOkay.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe could picture Caleb\u2019s hands moving across his Braille slate as he read softly,<\/span>
\n\u201cThe best day I ever had was at Mr. Cartwright\u2019s birthday party. It was a surprise. We ate lots of good food, and played games, and–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright! Mr. Cartwright!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe \u201clooked\u201d in the direction of the frantic voice. \u201cBilly, I\u2019m with Caleb right now. Wait your turn, please.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Mr. Cart–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBilly, what have I told you before about interrupting?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Mr. Cartwright, I smell smoke!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe sniffed, not detecting anything that caused him alarm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s probably just our lunch cooking down in the kitchen, son.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Sir! It\u2019s not lunch. I really do smell smoke!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Several of the boys took deep, noisy whiffs of air. Joe expected to hear them gang up on Billy, telling him he was being the class crybaby again. But instead of that, Tony\u2019s voice rang out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not jokin\u2019, Mr. Cartwright! Come \u2018ere! Over here by the windows! I can smell it, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe stood and walked around Caleb, heading for the bank of windows on the west side of his classroom\u2019s wall. \u201cIt\u2019s probably just smoke from one of the factories over on Bridge Street, Tony.\u201d Joe felt for the window latch, flipped it upwards, then lifted the window. \u201cThere\u2019s no need to wor–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Thick dense smoke blew into the room from somewhere directly below Joe. He thought he could hear the roar of fire, but he wasn\u2019t certain. He slammed the window shut, coughing and gasping for a breath of fresh air.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe quickly moved away from the windows, grabbed Shakespeare\u2019s leash off of his desk, and called for the dog. He secured the leash to the dog\u2019s collar, grabbed Caleb by the hand, and said to his class in a calm tone that nonetheless broadcast his urgency, \u201cCome on, boys, we have to get outta here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter 49<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Ben approached Adam\u2019s desk, walking around it until he was standing in front of Adam\u2019s chair. He looked down at a piece of paper, seeing the column entitled, Reasons For Surgery, and then the column opposite it entitled, Reasons Against Surgery. Ben, Adam, and Hoss, had composed the list last night after Joe went bed. By looking at the list, you\u2019d think this was an easy decision to make. The column containing the reasons why Joe should have surgery was so short it only held two phrases \u2013 \u2018Might give Joe his eyesight back,\u2019 and \u2018Might prevent an early death.\u2019 The column containing the reasons why he shouldn\u2019t have the surgery was long, and held everything from the phrase \u2018Possible paralysis,\u2019 to \u2018Death from infection\u2019 to \u2018High risk of death taking place on the operating table.\u2019\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

By length alone, the Reasons Against column should have put an end to further discussion. But there was no arguing that the only two items listed below Reasons For, made a man pause in long thought. What made things worse, was that regardless of what decision they reached \u2013 for Joe to have surgery, or for Joe not to have it \u2013 the risk of death seemed equally as high.<\/span><\/p>\n

Right after Joe lost his sight, Ben had seen him suffer through a series of painful headaches that Paul Martin attributed to the concussion. Then the headaches eased, and soon thereafter disappeared all together, not returning, according to Joe, until he and Adam were on the train headed for Boston. The headaches came frequently now, Joe had confessed after supper on Monday. Some were mild enough that he\u2019d been able to keep their existence from Adam, while some were so severe that they incapacitated Joe for hours. From what Joe said, the headache he\u2019d suffered at the Brockingtons\u2019 church on Sunday morning was somewhere in-between mild and severe. One moment he was seated between Ben and Hoss, and the next moment he was telling Ben that he needed some fresh air.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Ben whispered, trying not to disturb anyone around them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s request came through gritted teeth. \u201cPa, I need you to help me outside.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben would have chided his son, telling him he should have used the water closet before they left home, if he hadn\u2019t noticed the tremble to Joe\u2019s hands, and the way all color seemed to have drained from his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben was seated next to the aisle, making it easy for him to get up, and then help Joe stand. They\u2019d just gotten outside into the crisp air, when Joe sank to the top step leading into the building.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben sat down beside his son, wishing he\u2019d grabbed their coats from the vestibule.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, what\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe took several deep breaths. \u201cNoth-nothing. Just a headache. I-I\u2019ll be okay. Just. . .just need some fresh air.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet me get your coat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo. . .no, don\u2019t need it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben felt Joe\u2019s forehead. He wasn\u2019t hot to his father\u2019s touch, though his skin was damp and clammy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, maybe I should see about finding a doctor. Will you be okay while I go get Adam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t nee-need a doctor, Pa. It\u2019ll pass.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJus-it\u2019s just a headache. I\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI might have been more inclined to believe that if you hadn\u2019t winced while you said it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A small portion of Ben\u2019s fear subsided when Joe managed to smile at that remark. But before Ben could say anything more, Adam came out of the building. He sat beside Joe, asking him if he was all right, and lifting his hand to the back of Joe\u2019s neck where he gently massaged. This action on Adam\u2019s part, and the way the two conversed back and forth as though whatever was going on was familiar to them, made Ben immediately suspicious that this wasn\u2019t an isolated episode.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoes he need to see a doctor?\u201d Ben had asked his oldest son.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so, Pa. Give him a few minutes. He\u2019s says he\u2019ll be okay.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust give him a few minutes, Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It took more than a \u201cfew minutes,\u201d but by the time the church service ended forty-five minutes later, Joe was back on his feet and claiming to be fine. If he was anything other than that, Ben couldn\u2019t detect it throughout the afternoon hours they spent at the Brockington estate. That the Cartwrights were in the Brockington house was Adam and Joe\u2019s saving grace where further explanations were concerned. But Ben cornered his oldest child after they arrived home on Sunday night, and let him know that he expected to hear the full story surrounding Joe\u2019s health sooner rather than later. Adam refused to break his brother\u2019s confidence, while at the same time promising an explanation would be forthcoming.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I\u2019m sorry, but I can\u2019t tell you anything other than Joe has some things he needs to discuss with you. I\u2019ll make sure he understands he has to do that as soon as possible.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben nodded his head. \u201cYou make sure he does.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

And now, because of that discussion, Ben was delaying the return trip to Nevada. The original plans were to be in Boston for three weeks. Although the Transcontinental Railroad made travel much easier and safer than it was all those years ago when Ben headed West in a wagon with little Adam on the seat beside him, he still didn\u2019t fancy the notion of being laid over in some Iowa town for a couple of weeks, because the train couldn\u2019t get through the snow. Therefore, he\u2019d wanted to be traveling towards home before December arrived, but in light of Joe\u2019s health, delays due to snowstorms no longer seemed important, and when the trip home would actually take place, Ben couldn\u2019t guess.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben picked up the list and studied it closer. Regardless of what conclusion he might come to about the prospect of surgery, or what conclusion Adam reached, or Hoss decided upon, the decision was ultimately Joe\u2019s. That Joe had gone up to bed early the previous evening, knowing full well what his father and brothers would discuss once he was out of earshot, meant he wanted their input before he decided one way or another. Unfortunately, Ben didn\u2019t know what advice to give his youngest son, any more than Adam or Hoss seemed to know what side of the fence to fall on where this issue was concerned.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was getting late when Adam and Hoss had finally gone up to bed, leaving this list in the middle of the desk. Ben remained on the main floor another hour. He took long, slow puffs from his pipe, while staring absently out the front window at the glow given off by the streetlamps, then headed up to bed himself. He stopped as he passed Joe\u2019s room. He reached for the knob, quietly opened the door, and stepped inside.<\/span><\/p>\n

The light from the full moon shining through a separation in the curtains was enough for Ben to see by. He never gave it a thought that he could have lit the gas lamp on the wall, and Joe wouldn\u2019t have known the difference.<\/span><\/p>\n

Out of the darkness, Ben heard, \u201cPa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Joe. How\u2019d you know it was me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben heard the smile in his son\u2019s voice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA mixture of Bay Rum cologne, pipe tobacco clinging to your shirt, and worry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben stepped farther into the room. \u201cI\u2019m sorry for waking you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t wake me. I haven\u2019t really fallen asleep yet. Just been dozing on and off.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe scooted over as Ben sat on the edge of his bed. It seemed like the logical time for them to discuss the list Adam had devised, to discuss the pros and cons of surgery, but for some reason, neither of them mentioned it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben felt Joe\u2019s hand questing for his. He encased his son\u2019s palm in a strong grip, hoping that action told Joe everything he couldn\u2019t find the words for at that moment.<\/span><\/p>\n

It must have, because Joe squeezed his hand and said, \u201cI know, Pa. Believe me, I know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben swallowed the sudden lump in his throat. \u201cYou mind if I sit here with you for a while?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo. You can sit here as long as you want to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right. But you\u2019d better go to sleep. You\u2019ve got school in the morning, young man.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

That comment made Joe chuckle, like Ben hoped it would. His presence seemed to ease Joe of all the concerns swirling through his mind, because soon, Ben heard the soft, even rhythm of breathing that translated to deep slumber.<\/span><\/p>\n

He sat beside Joe a while longer, then gingerly let go of his son\u2019s hand so he wouldn\u2019t wake him, and tucked Joe\u2019s arm beneath the covers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nothing was said about the surgery at breakfast this morning, what with Adam having to rush off, and then Joe leaving not too long afterwards, but Ben knew they\u2019d have to discuss it soon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Still holding the list in his hands, Ben read through it again, and then again, and then one more time. It seemed an effort in futility, but there had to be an answer here somewhere. Just as Ben let out a sigh of frustration and reached up to kneed the bridge of his nose, the front door was thrown open so hard that it banged against the wall.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa! Hey, Pa! Where are you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn here, Hoss. In Adam\u2019s office! And go easy on the door. Your brother\u2019ll have your hide if you dented the–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss rushed into the room with his father\u2019s coat in his arms.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on where?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a buncha men with buckets runnin\u2019 toward the school.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSchool?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere Joe and Adam work. One of \u2018em said the school\u2019s on fire!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOn fire!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben tossed the hated list toward Adam\u2019s desk and grabbed his coat from Hoss. He followed his son from the room at a run, almost knocking over Mrs. O\u2019Connell in the process.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere yeh men be goin\u2019 in such a haste? Don\u2019t yeh want yer lunch, Eric?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben placed his hands on the woman\u2019s shoulders, and tried not to alarm her.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSeems there might be some trouble down at the school. If Adam comes home, send him there right away.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut he said he\u2019d be goin\u2019 to the school as soon as his meetin\u2019 ended, he did.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know!\u201d Ben shouted, as he ran for the front door. \u201cBut if he stops by here, tell him to get to the institute as quick as he can!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben didn\u2019t wait for Mrs. O\u2019Connell\u2019s answer. He hadn\u2019t sprinted down a set of steps at a full gallop in a good many years now, but today he did, following Hoss over the long concrete path that descended from the house to the sidewalk. A surge of fear made Ben\u2019s heart pound harder at the sight of a team of horses rushing past pulling a fire wagon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The clang of a bell from somewhere behind Ben indicated another fire wagon was on its way. Men flew out of their homes and businesses throughout Beacon Hill, joining Ben and Hoss in their dash to the school.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The only thought in Ben\u2019s mind as he ran, was of all those children who couldn\u2019t see. . . . How many would be able to get out safely? And Joe. . .Joe all the way up on the fourth floor of that old building, along with Laddie. Did they have enough notice to get their students and themselves to safety, or were they still teaching, ignorant of the fire that could cut off all escape routes in a matter of minutes?<\/span><\/p>\n

For just a moment, Ben was awestruck when he reached the school. Flames shot out of first and second story windows. Flames no bucket brigade and fire wagons were going to be able to tame, no matter how many men arrived to help.<\/span><\/p>\n

Children screamed and cried with fear as adults led them from the building, rushing them down the sidewalk and out of harms way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLook for Joe and Laddie!\u201d Ben shouted to Hoss over the roar of the fire, instinctively knowing that Joe wouldn\u2019t have left the building without Laddie and her students accompanying him. \u201cI\u2019ll meet you back here in ten minutes!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben barely heard Hoss\u2019s, \u201cRight, Pa!\u201d as they ran in opposite directions, looking for a head of shaggy salt and pepper curls amongst the people who\u2019d safely fled the raging inferno.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter 50<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFire! Fire!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Elias Cross screamed, \u201cFire!\u201d again, as he hurried his students toward the staircase. \u201cCome on! Let\u2019s go! Go, I said! Faster! Move faster!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The proximity of the man\u2019s voice led Joe to him. He grabbed Cross by the arm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHave you told the other teachers?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter, Cartwright? Are you deaf as well as blind? I just yelled fire, didn\u2019t I?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid you knock on their doors?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo I didn\u2019t knock on their doors. Unhand me! I have a responsibility to my students!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have a responsibility to every student on this floor, Cross! Now help me notify the rest of the teachers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cross wrenched himself from Joe\u2019s grasp, and shoved Joe aside.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGet away from me, Cartwright, and stay away!\u201d He turned back to his students, running until he was at the head of the line. \u201cCome on! We\u2019re at the top of the stairs. Start moving down! Follow my voice! Hurry! Hurry! Come on now, hurry!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou jackass of a coward,\u201d Joe muttered, fury burning so strong that if it weren\u2019t for the children relying on him, he\u2019d have followed Cross and beaten him to a pulp. The man could see. He should have been the last one to leave this floor, not the first.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe turned back to his boys. He could smell wispy tendrils of smoke starting to fill the hall. He quickly moved among his students, identifying each one by nothing other than a touch to a shoulder, or to the top of a head, or the side of a face, and gave orders they were too scared to question.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHenry, get to the front of the line. Billy, get behind Henry. Pete, you\u2019re next. Jacob, get behind Pete. Tony, get behind Jake. Caleb, stand here behind Tony. . . .\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

On and on Joe went, until he had all the boys lined up with a younger child in-between two older ones.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow grab the hand of the boy in front of you and don\u2019t let go.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Once Joe\u2019s human chain was formed, he shoved Shakespeare\u2019s leash into Henry\u2019s hands.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHang onto Shakespeare, Henry. Keep everyone here. I\u2019ll be right back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, but–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHenry, keep everyone here!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

That Henry offered no further protest was a testament to his fear, as well as his trust in Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe hurried down the corridor, his right hand gliding across the wall. He didn\u2019t hear any noises coming from the other classrooms that indicated Cross\u2019s cry of, \u201cFire!\u201d had penetrated their closed doors.<\/span><\/p>\n

Keeping one hand on the wall for bearing, Joe did what Cross could have accomplished in half the time. He pounded on the first door he came to, while opening it and yelling, \u201cFire! Everyone out! Fire! Get your students out!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When there was no sound of a teacher taking charge, or students jumping to their feet, Joe paused to listen. The room had an empty air about it that even a blind man could detect.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe moved on. He repeated the pattern of pounding on the door and calling fire with the next room he came to, and then the next, and then the one after that, only to find each one empty. With the exception of Cross, no other teacher on this floor would leave under these circumstances without making sure everyone got out of the building. Joe didn\u2019t have time to dwell on where these teachers and students might be \u2013 in the school\u2019s newspaper office, on a field trip, outside at recess \u2013 the \u201cwhere\u201d wasn\u2019t important right now. What was important was the fact that all the sighted teachers on the floor were gone, leaving Joe and Laddie to get their students to safety without help.<\/span><\/p>\n

Music came from Laddie\u2019s room \u2013 the sound of a piano, and girls\u2019 voices singing \u201cOh, Come, All Ye Faithful.\u201d Laddie\u2019s students were among several dozen slated to perform at the school\u2019s benefit concert scheduled for the second week in December. The practice session explained why Laddie hadn\u2019t heard anything going on in the hallway.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe pounded on Laddie\u2019s door and thrust it open.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLaddie, come on! Get your girls outta here!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Notes still vibrated from the piano keys even as Laddie stopped playing. The girls\u2019 voices slowly dwindled out with confusion at the interruption.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe. . . ? What\u2019s going on? Why. . .\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a fire.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cI don\u2019t know, but the hallway\u2019s already filling with smoke. Get the girls out here. I\u2019ll help line them up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Laddie instructed her students to place their songbooks on their desks, and then make their way to the door in an orderly fashion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, girls,\u201d Joe urged, touching each shoulder that passed by him. He couldn\u2019t identify Laddie\u2019s girls like he could his boys. \u201cCome on, get out in the hall. Line up along this wall.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The smoke was thicker now. Joe coughed, and for a few brief seconds when he squinted, he swore he saw the foggy haze that was filling his lungs with noxious fumes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLaddie, have your girls line up so an older one is in front of a younger one, then make them hold hands!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Laddie could identify her students by touch as easily as Joe could identify his.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMary, stand at the front of the line. Beatrice, there\u2019s no time for crying, honey. We\u2019ll be all right. Now you stand here behind Mary. Jane, stand behind Beatrice. Martha, stand behind Jane.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Laddie hurried along until she had all twenty of her girls lined up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReady?\u201d Joe questioned.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cI\u2019m gonna lead your girls to my boys. Come on. Take my hand!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Laddie grasped Joe\u2019s left hand. He placed his right hand on Mary\u2019s shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, girls! We\u2019re moving about thirty steps forward. Hurry, but no running! Don\u2019t trip anyone, and keep holding hands.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When they reached Joe\u2019s class, Joe put Mary\u2019s free hand into the free hand of John, the teenager bringing up the rear of boys\u2019 line.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLaddie, have the girls call off their names! I\u2019ll do the same with the boys, then we\u2019re gettin\u2019 outta here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe started with Henry, ordering the boys to call off one by one. He mentally took attendance, confident all twenty of his students were present when the last boy in line shouted, \u201cJohn!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe was just about to tell Laddie to grab the hand of the last girl in her line, with his own plans to take Shakespeare\u2019s leash in one hand, and Henry\u2019s hand in the other, when Laddie cried, \u201cCharlotte! Charlotte, where are you? Charlotte! Does anyone know where Charlotte is?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shouted, \u201cDid we miss one?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, she was here, Joe! I know she was. But she\u2019s so little. She won\u2019t be six for another month. She might have gotten scared and ran back to my room!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right. I\u2019ll go find her!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019ll go. She\u2019ll come to me if she\u2019s frightened!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Smoke blanketed the hall now, causing the kids to cough and wheeze. Laddie was gone before Joe could stop her. He hurried to the front of the line again, barely taking notice that he could see the shadowy outlines of the children through the haze, and the rusty red color of Henry\u2019s hair. He grasped the teenager by the shoulders.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHenry, you\u2019re gonna have to lead the kids outta here. Our boys, and Miss Brockington\u2019s girls, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Mr. Cart–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Henry, you can do it. I know you can. Shakespeare knows the way. He\u2019ll keep you safe. Just hang onto his leash and go wherever he leads you. He\u2019ll take you outside, I promise.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cO-okay. If-if you say so.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI do. I\u2019m counting on you, Henry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Those seemed to be the words Henry needed to bolster his confidence.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can do it, Mr. Cartwright. I can.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe briefly cupped the side of Henry\u2019s face. \u201cI know you can, son. Now get moving. You\u2019re at the top of the stairs. Tell Shakespeare, \u201cForward,\u201d and he\u2019ll go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As Henry did that, Joe moved down the line, instructing the children to hang onto each other\u2019s hands no matter what.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Caleb stopped his progress. He grasped Joe\u2019s arm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t do it, Mr. Cartwright! I didn\u2019t!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe knelt beside the child. \u201cYou didn\u2019t do what?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t start the fire!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe smiled, running a hand through the boy\u2019s hair \u2013 hair that he could faintly see was the color of winter wheat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know you didn\u2019t, Caleb. Now come on. Take Tony\u2019s hand again, and don\u2019t let go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut I don\u2019t wanna leave without you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you worry \u2018bout me. I\u2019ll be outta here in two shakes of a lamb\u2019s tail. Now do as I say. Take Tony\u2019s hand.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Without realizing he didn\u2019t fumble at all when seeking out the boys\u2019 hands, Joe cleanly slipped Caleb\u2019s into Tony\u2019s.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe kept reminding the kids to hold hands, while assuring them they\u2019d be all right as they passed by him in a linked line. Those in front were already making their way down the stairs, as Shakespeare led them toward the third floor. Joe could only pray the dog would find them safe passage to the first floor, and then to one of several doors that led outside. Or, better yet, he prayed they\u2019d meet up with a sighted person who could take charge of them. He imagined that, by now, caretakers and groundskeepers were doing all they could to help the students from the building.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the last girl reached the top step, Joe ran for Laddie\u2019s classroom. Black would give way to gray, then reappear, then give way again, as though Joe\u2019s sight was fighting to return. There was no time for Joe to worry about what this meant. If a blood clot killed him instantly \u2013 well, it was a better way to die than burning up in a fire, that was for sure. However, before death claimed him, no matter what the cause, Joe was determined to get Laddie to safety. Adam had suffered enough in recent years. He didn\u2019t need to lose this woman he loved more than he was willing to acknowledge.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe could hear Laddie yelling, \u201cCharlotte! Charlotte!\u201d as he ran in to her room. He joined in the search.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCharlotte! Charlotte, where are you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe dropped to his knees, trying to think of places a child would hide.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFeel under the desks, Laddie!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t wait for an answer as his hands traveled a row of cupboards that held books and paper. He opened door after door, feeling inside while calling the child\u2019s name. When he didn\u2019t find the missing girl, he searched under Laddie\u2019s desk, then beneath the piano, and then crawled to every corner of the room, trying not to think of how much precious time they were losing. Trying not to think of how even just a few seconds could make the difference between life and death when attempting to escape a fire. He crossed the room next, and searched the cupboards lining another wall. It wasn\u2019t until he reached the very last cabinet that he saw a flash of blue gingham topped by a white pinafore, then heard sobs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Charlotte. It\u2019s okay, sweetheart. We\u2019re gonna be fine.\u201d He reached inside, pulling the huddled child out and into his arms. Over his shoulder he yelled to Laddie, \u201cI found her!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cIn one of the cupboards. I\u2019ve got her in my arms. Now come on, let\u2019s get outta here!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shifted Charlotte to his right hip. He held out his left hand, snaring Laddie\u2019s arm as her shadow came into view through the smoke. She moved her hand up to clasp his, so she and Joe, too, formed a human chain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Laddie crooned words of comfort to the crying Charlotte, as Joe led the way out of the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStop crying now, Charlotte. It\u2019ll be okay. We\u2019ll be outside soon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI want my mama!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know you do, sweetheart, but Mama isn\u2019t here, so you must be a brave girl and do what Mr. Cartwright and I say. Can you do that for me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe felt a small nod against his shoulder. He assumed the child verbally answered Laddie as well, but between the sound of fire burning somewhere below them, and his own coughs, he couldn\u2019t hear what she said. She\u2019d calmed down a little though, so at least Laddie\u2019s presence was soothing her.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, where are we?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe squinted, no longer knowing if his world was gray because his eyes were playing some sort of tricks on him, or because he was actually seeing what was ahead of him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAlmost to the stairs. Hang onto my hand! We\u2019re headed to the first floor as fast as I can get us there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut the fire! I can hear it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNever mind the fire! Let me worry about that. Just don\u2019t let go of my hand, Laddie. I\u2019ll get us outta here! I promise.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In many ways, all of this time spent without his sight was an asset for Joe. Even with perfect vision, he wouldn\u2019t have been able to see through the smoke. Therefore, he had to rely on how well he\u2019d come to know this building in order to get himself, Laddie, and little Charlotte to safety. Joe hugged the wall with his body, silently counting each stair step as he led Laddie to the third floor, and then continued down toward the second.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The fire roared louder now, and the smoke was so thick that tears streamed from Joe\u2019s burning eyes. Charlotte had her head buried in Joe\u2019s shirt, trying in vain to keep the smoke out of her lungs, while Laddie\u2019s choking coughs spoke of how little fresh air she was getting. As Joe rounded the corner to the landing that would drop them off on the second floor, or allow them to continue down the stairs to the first, a flash of orange through the gray caught his attention. He looked the other way, seeing fire roaring from that direction, too. The flames were just seconds away from gobbling up the second floor landing.<\/span><\/p>\n

He turned around, dragging Laddie along with him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019re we going?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t get out this way! We\u2019re going back to the third floor!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Joe, we can\u2019t go up there! We\u2019ll be trap. . . \u201c<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLaddie, just hang onto my hand! Now come on, let\u2019s go!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe dashed up the stairs. The speed of his sprint forced Laddie to lift the hem of her skirts with her free hand so she wouldn\u2019t trip.<\/span><\/p>\n

When his boots hit the third floor landing, Joe turned left, pulling Laddie into the first classroom he came to. It was directly below his room, meaning that it, too, had a long bank of windows that faced the street below.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shut the door. The room was filled with smoke, but by closing the door, Joe hoped to keep more smoke from drifting in. He ran to the windows, steering Laddie clear of the vague outline of desks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He thrust Charlotte into Laddie\u2019s arms.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHang onto her! Whatever you do, don\u2019t set her down!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Coughing and gasping, the sweat-soaked Joe unlatched a middle window and raised it. He stuck his head out, and was immediately overwhelmed by the smoke rising from below. He pulled his upper body back into the room. He\u2019d seen enough fires in the timberlands of the West to know that the smoke could shift quickly, depending on a change in the wind. Just because he was obscured from view now, didn\u2019t mean someone below wouldn\u2019t be able to see him a minute from now.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked around the room. Everything was fuzzy and out-of-focus. His sight suddenly went black again, as an excruciating stab of pain ripped from one temple straight through to the other like a bolt of lightning streaking across the sky.<\/span><\/p>\n

No! Not now! No!<\/em>\u00a0Joe silently pleaded.\u00a0Not now!<\/em>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He doubled over for a just a second, clutching his head. Then, as quickly as the pain came, it was gone, and that fuzzy, out-of-focus world was back.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe took in smoky gulps of air as he looked around the room again. He spotted what he wanted and dashed for it. Laddie\u2019s soft words of comfort to the terrified Charlotte droned on in the background, as the roar of a fire rapidly digesting a stairway grew ever closer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe ran with the American flag like a soldier charging a hill. He thrust it out of the open window and waved it back and forth, all the while praying someone saw it as he yelled, \u201cUp here! We\u2019re up here! Hey, we\u2019re up here!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter 51<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Adam tucked his wool scarf a little deeper inside his topcoat. The wind ruffled his hair and nipped his cheeks almost numb, reminding him that winter would soon settle in for good. The blustery, gray day didn\u2019t dampen Adam\u2019s spirits, however. The meeting at Edward\u2019s office had been a profitable one, both figuratively speaking, as well as literally. Next year\u2019s budget should now allow for additional dorm parents, three additional teachers, and some necessary improvements to the school building. And Joe\u2019s dream of starting a school in Virginia City might even have taken on the beginnings of roots today. Of course, roots were a long way from a full-grown tree, but if nothing else, Adam would be able to offer his brother some solid advice and guidance when they sat down together in December and discussed, \u201cJoe\u2019s Western School,\u201d as Adam was already thinking of it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The headmaster tried not to allow troublesome thoughts of his brother\u2019s health to intrude into his plans for the future. Whether or not Joe should have surgery. . .well, Adam hadn\u2019t formed an opinion yet. He\u2019d venture to guess his father and Hoss hadn\u2019t, either. How the hell does a man help his brother decide whether or not to undergo an operation that would likely kill him? Yet, choosing not to have the operation might prove to be just as deadly. It was a dilemma Adam had avoided thinking about that morning, when he needed to concentrate on the meeting instead. But now that the meeting had ended, Joe\u2019s fate pushed its way to the forefront of Adam\u2019s mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

He paid little attention to the passing scenery, not registering at first, the fire wagon that passed them, or the men running behind it carrying buckets. It wasn\u2019t until the stable boy driving the carriage pointed toward the east.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Headmaster. Smoke there in the distance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam stared at the thick black cloud billowing upward.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever\u2019s a\u2019 burnin\u2019 is sure burnin\u2019 hot and fast.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it certainly is,\u201d Adam agreed, leaning forward in his seat. \u201cHave the horse pick up his pace, Darby. If that fire\u2019s anywhere near the school, we\u2019d better evacuate the building just to err on the side of caution.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The young man slapped the horse\u2019s rump with the reins. \u201cGid-up! Gid-up, there now! Gid-up!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The sudden change in speed threw Adam backwards, but he didn\u2019t complain. Fire could burn through a city quickly, especially on a windy day like this one. If even the smallest flicker of flames danced close to the school, Adam wanted the students and staff out as fast as possible. A couple of hours standing in the cold while waiting for the danger to pass, was better than being trapped in a burning building.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam reviewed his options for housing the students, if the safest choice was to leave the school empty throughout the night. Edward would be the first to volunteer to put up a good portion of the children in his home, and Adam could probably make room for Joe\u2019s boys, even though they\u2019d have to sleep on the floors throughout the first and second story. At least Pa and Hoss were there to help keep an eye on the kids. And then there were other staff members who lived in Boston, too, who could temporarily house students, as well as house teachers who resided at the school.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

All in all, Adam thought he was prepared for what he might be facing, until the carriage turned a corner, and he saw it wasn\u2019t a building near the school that was on fire, but the school itself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter 52<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Adam jumped from the moving carriage. He shoved people aside, looking for anyone he recognized. Of the two hundred students in the building, fifty were gone on a field trip to a candy factory owned by a blind man. That covered many of the students on the fourth floor. Amongst the exceptions, however, were Elias Cross\u2019s students, because he found field trips to be \u201cfrivolous endeavors,\u201d and refused to allow his class to participate in them. The remaining exceptions were Joe\u2019s class and Laddie\u2019s class, because this wasn\u2019t an excursion first-year students went on.<\/span><\/p>\n

A cry of, \u201cHeadmaster! Headmaster, over here!\u201d drew Adam\u2019s attention to the grounds north of the school. He weaved through firemen and ordinary citizens with buckets of water, fighting his way to Killian Murphy. As he got closer, Adam saw Killian\u2019s wife, Maggie, the entire kitchen staff, teachers, nurses, caretakers, groundskeepers, stable boys, and children \u2013 the beautiful sight of scores of children milling about, being tended to by adults attempting to calm their fears and dry their eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam scanned the crowd for a glimpse of Laddie or Joe, while asking, \u201cKillian, is everyone out?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not certain, Sir. We were just \u2018bout to take a headcount, we were.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The man reeked of smoke; his clothes and face were smudged with soot, and his eyes bloodshot. Adam wondered how many times Killian had risked his life to run into that building in an effort to get children to safety. He noted groundskeepers and caretakers in the same condition, their continuous coughing and streaming eyes a testament to multiple trips in and out of the burning school.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam stood on the toes of his boots, straining to see over the crowd. \u201cMy brother and Miss Brockington. . .?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Headmaster, I \u2018aven\u2019t seen \u2018em yet. But surely they got out. Mr. Cross did.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam moved amongst his staff and students, searching for Elias Cross. He took careful note of everyone he passed. Other than the teachers away on the field trip, the only names he hadn\u2019t silently recited in his own form of taking attendance were Laddie Brockington and Joe Cartwright.<\/span><\/p>\n

Elias Cross stood at the far edge of the crowd, forever the outsider by his own choice. Adam ran over to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cElias, where\u2019re my brother and Miss Brockington?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean, you wouldn\u2019t know? You didn\u2019t leave them behind, did you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReally, Headmaster, your brother is a most stubborn man. Wants to do things his own way, like a cowboy on the range, I quite imagine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoes that mean you saw him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I saw him. He tried to keep me and my students from leaving.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf he tried to keep you from leaving, then he had a good reason.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot one that I could see.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid he ask for your help, Cross?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When Elias refused to answer, Adam grabbed a fistful of the man\u2019s suit coat and jerked him forward.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI asked you a question, Elias. Did my brother ask for your help?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The man paled in the face of Adam\u2019s fury. \u201cHe. . .he might have. Something about notifying the other teachers on our floor. But I\u2019d already yelled fire, and besides, my first responsibility was to my students, wouldn\u2019t you say?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I wouldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

And with that, Adam let go of the man\u2019s coat, drew back his fist, and punched Elias in the jaw. The teacher flew backwards; landing sprawled on the ground, his limbs akimbo like some kind of ill-manufactured long-legged doll a child had discarded.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam glared down at the man, not caring who\u2019d just witnessed his assault on the teacher.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, Cross, my brother\u2019s right. You\u00a0are<\/em>\u00a0a whiney jackass.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam turned away from Cross, unable to stand the sight of him. He put one foot forward, almost in motion to dash into the burning school, when someone hailed him over the roar of the fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam! Hey, Adam! Adam, over here!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The voice belonged to one of Adam\u2019s brothers, but not the brother he was searching for.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter 53<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Adam looked to his right, seeing his father and Hoss running toward him. He didn\u2019t bother asking them how they\u2019d known about the fire, or how long they\u2019d been on the grounds. The only question of importance came from his mouth the instant they reached his side.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHave you seen Joe and Laddie?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

By the looks on their faces, Adam knew the answer before Hoss gave it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHaven\u2019t seen neither of \u2018em. Hoped they\u2019d be over here somewhere with the other teachers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re not.\u201d Adam said. \u201cNo one\u2019s seen them. And I haven\u2019t seen their students, either.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa\u2019s eyes traveled to the flames shooting from a second story window. \u201cWe tried getting in the building. The firemen wouldn\u2019t let us near it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s gaze locked with his father\u2019s. \u201cSince when do the Cartwrights let something like that stop them?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s exactly what I said to Hoss right before we spotted you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on,\u201d Adam beckoned, pointing toward the rear of the building. \u201cThere\u2019s a back hall where supplies are delivered. Maybe we can get in that way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The three men ran together toward the back of the school. The wind blew smoke over their heads, but that didn\u2019t prevent them from swallowing a good dose of it. The closer they got to the building, the harder it was to breathe. Adam wondered how much longer anyone trapped in the school could possibly survive. Did they have minutes left, or only seconds, or had Laddie, Joe, and their students, already perished?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam stopped short, stunned and almost disbelieving, when through the gray haze, he saw Shakespeare emerge from the door that opened into the back hall. Following Shakespeare was Henry, gripping the dog\u2019s leash. He passed the leash off to the child behind him, Billy Fitzgerald. Henry briefly said something to Billy, then remained where he was and held the door open for the rest of the students, who appeared one by one, holding hands, coughing, and in some cases crying, but alive. Very much alive.<\/span><\/p>\n

The boys came first \u2013 Adam counted all twenty of them as he sped toward them \u2013 and then came the line of girls. Shakespeare knew exactly where he wanted to take his charges \u2013 to the ball diamond they often played on, that was far enough away from the burning building to provide safety.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam was barely aware of other people joining him and his family \u2013 Killian, Maggie, and several of the caretakers, ushered the children over to their fellow students and teachers. He heard Maggie\u2019s, \u201cThey\u2019re all here but one!\u201d which he took to mean a student of Laddie\u2019s was missing. He waited by the open door, straining to see down the smoke-filled hallway, sure that at any moment, Laddie, Joe, and the missing child would appear.<\/span><\/p>\n

Henry\u2019s shouts of, \u201cIs everyone out? Are they all here?\u201d drew Adam\u2019s attention to the teenager. He put his hand on Henry\u2019s shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHenry, where are Miss Brockington and my brother?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy bent over at the waist, his hands on his knees as he took big gulps of fresh air. Adam bent down so he could hear the teen.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey wen-went ta\u2019 look for Charlotte,\u201d Henry explained between coughs. \u201cShe ra-ran way-away and hid. Mr. Cartwright made me take Shakespeare and lead the rest of the kids out. Are they all here? Did they get out?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone\u2019s here, Henry. You did a top-notch job.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut what about Mr. Cartwright and Miss Brock–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll find them. Now come on. Go with Mr. Murphy. He\u2019ll take you to where everyone\u2019s gathered. You\u2019ll be safe there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam passed the teenager off to the dorm father. He looked at his own father and Hoss, both ready to enter the building with their kerchiefs tied around their noses and mouths. If Joe could see them, he\u2019d laugh and say they looked like a couple of misfit bank robbers, but now wasn\u2019t the time to think of Joe\u2019s quick wit. Now was the time to try and find him and Laddie.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam didn\u2019t bother asking his father or brother to tie his own kerchief around his face. With the toe of his boot, he knocked a block of wood they kept by the door beneath its frame, so it would stay propped open. He then dashed into the building with Pa and Hoss right behind him. Smoke immediately filled Adam\u2019s lungs and burned his eyes. As thick and solid as a wall, the black smoke obscured Adam\u2019s vision in a way that gave him an idea of what it must feel like to be blind.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite their determination, the three men didn\u2019t make it beyond the point where that supply hallway opened onto the main corridor of the first floor. A wall of fire rolling at them from both ends of the corridor drove them back. Hoss grabbed onto his father\u2019s coat and yelled, \u201cCome on, Pa! Come on! We gotta get outta here!\u201d when it appeared as though Pa didn\u2019t plan on letting anything stop him from finding his youngest son.<\/span><\/p>\n

They tumbled out into the yard, coughing and gasping for air, Pa and Hoss pulling their kerchiefs from their faces and using them to wipe their burning eyes. Just as the first powerful waves of grief washed over Adam as he thought of what must have happened to his little brother, the woman he loved, and a child so young that he almost hadn\u2019t accepted her for this year\u2019s school term, two of his caretakers rounded the corner.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHeadmaster! Headmaster, \u2018round front! They\u2019re around front!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam didn\u2019t have to ask who \u201cthey\u201d were. He followed Ray and Boyd, shouting to his father and Hoss, \u201cCome on!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As Adam reached the front of the building, he expected to see Laddie, Joe, and Charlotte standing somewhere on the sidewalk, but instead, his eyes were directed thirty feet upward by Ray\u2019s pointing finger and instruction of, \u201cLook!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam wasn\u2019t sure who mumbled a shocked, \u201cOh my Lord. . .\u201d – himself, his father, Hoss, or some other bystander altogether.<\/span><\/p>\n

An American flag waved back and forth from an open third story window. Seconds later, the flag\u2019s movement stopped, and Joe stuck his head out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re up here! Hey, up here! We\u2019re up here!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, you\u2019re up there, all right,<\/em>\u00a0Adam thought, watching with dismay as flames ate their way through the first and second floors, showing no signs of slowing in their hungry quest for the remainder of the building.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019re up there, and I have no idea how the hell we\u2019re going to get you down.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter 54<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The room grew hotter with each passing minute, as though someone was shoveling coal into an already overheated boiler. That meant just one thing \u2013 the fire was burning fiercer, and getting closer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe coughed through the film of smoke, calling again, \u201cWe\u2019re up here! Hey, we\u2019re up here!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At first, the call back was faint and garbled by all the noise below. But the second time it came, it was louder and clearer, as though everyone outside the building had been ordered to be quiet.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe! Joe, we\u2019re right below ya\u2019! Are Laddie and the little girl with you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It was Hoss\u2019s voice, and as the smoke momentarily parted and blew off to the north, Joe saw the shadowy image of his middle brother. His vision wasn\u2019t clear enough to make out Hoss\u2019s features, but he could see the burly brown coat his brother wore, and the ten-gallon hat sitting on top of his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d Joe called back.<\/span><\/p>\n

With his hands cupped around his mouth so the sound would travel better, Hoss repeated, \u201cJoe, are Laddie and the girl with you?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah! They\u2019re right here behind me!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay! Joe, now listen ta\u2019 me, and listen ta\u2019 me good! You\u2019re gonna have ta\u2019 throw \u2018em down ta\u2019 me, then you\u2019re gonna have ta\u2019 jump!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Before Joe could yell,\u00a0\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0in a voice he was certain would have come out three octaves above his normal range, he noticed Adam and Pa for the first time. Like Hoss\u2019s features, theirs were indistinct. Nonetheless, just by their wild gestures, Joe could tell they were saying a few, \u201cWhat\u2019s?\u201d of their own to Hoss\u2019s plan, and probably a good number of other things as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe knew the raging fire wasn\u2019t going to allow for any kind of a logical plan on Adam\u2019s part, or a safe plan on Pa\u2019s. Therefore, the only possible plan to follow was the one Hoss had already lain out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The man didn\u2019t wait for his family to finish their discussion. He charged to the front of the room and tossed the teacher\u2019s chair out of the way. He grabbed one end of the teacher\u2019s desk and pushed it across the floor, stopping when he reached the open window. In this classroom, like in all the rest, the windows were long and wide, probably built that way to allow as much of a breeze in as possible during the warm days of September and May. Right now, the reason for their size didn\u2019t matter. What did matter was, the length and width just might be an asset.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Laddie asked, \u201cJoe, what are you doing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMoving the desk.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo I have something to stand on.\u201d Joe scrambled onto the desk, then turned to the woman. \u201cGive me Charlotte.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She tightened her grip on the child with a questioning, \u201cJoe. . .?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Laddie had evidently heard enough of what Hoss said to have strong reservations about implementing it. Not that Joe blamed her, but if his father and brothers were gathered on the street below, then that meant it was no longer possible for anyone to get into the building.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGive her to me, Laddie.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust give me Charlotte. It\u2019ll be okay. We\u2019re gonna get outta here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cHoss is down below us. Adam and my pa, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When all Laddie said was a hesitant, \u201cBut. . . .\u201d Joe surmised the fear filling her mind prevented her from wondering how he knew his father and Adam were with Hoss.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry. As my pa would be the first to tell you, Hoss and I have pulled off some pretty \u201cdarn fool\u201d things in our day, without a scratch to either one of us. We won\u2019t let you or Charlotte get hurt.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut what about a ladder? Can\u2019t they set a ladder up?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey must not have one tall enough to reach us,\u201d Joe answered. He left out the other reason a ladder would no longer be of any help to them. Flames were shooting out of the windows below them. A ladder would be incinerated seconds after being propped against the building.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although Laddie didn\u2019t like Hoss\u2019s plan, she must have come to the same realization Joe had. That if Adam was on the street, as opposed to racing up the stairway to rescue her, then the only possible escape was through the window. She reluctantly passed the sobbing Charlotte to Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he turned toward the window, Joe ordered, \u201cStay right here behind me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Laddie let out a small, uneasy laugh. \u201cI don\u2019t think my options for going anywhere else are very good at the moment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe agreed, with a small laugh of his own \u201cI don\u2019t think so, either.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe held Charlotte\u2019s upper body tightly against his chest with his right arm; her legs sprawled over his left. He couldn\u2019t allow her to clamp her arms around his neck. If she managed to get in that position, he\u2019d never be able to get her loose and toss her to Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

He stuck his head out the window again. If his family\u2019s debate wasn\u2019t over yet, he\u2019d put a quick end to it. He could hear the crackle of burning wood as the flames climbed the stairway. There was no time left for anyone to come up with another escape plan.<\/span><\/p>\n

Through the smoke, Joe caught a glimpse of a black top hat to Pa\u2019s left, and a white carriage parked on the other side of the street. Somehow, word of the fire had reached Edward Brockington. Joe didn\u2019t tell Laddie her father was below, as he focused solely on communicating with Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m right here, Joe!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust like at home, Hoss! It\u2019s no different than when I\u2019m in the loft!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGottcha\u2019, little brother!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

That, \u201cGottcha\u2019, little brother!\u201d told Joe that Hoss understood what he\u2019d meant by the reference to the loft. Now that he was on the desk in front of the big open window, it was similar to standing in the barn\u2019s hayloft. Joe couldn\u2019t count the number of times over the years that he\u2019d cleanly tossed sacks full of feed down to Hoss, and Hoss had cleanly caught them. Of course, he was thirty feet off the ground this time, not fifteen. And between his wavering eyesight and the smoke, not to mention the flames at the windows right below him, this would likely be a lot more challenging than what he and Hoss were used to, but they didn\u2019t have any choice. Besides, Charlotte weighed less than a sack of feed, so at least that was in their favor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got the girl, Hoss! I\u2019m sending her down!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay! I\u2019m at the edge of the sidewalk, Joe! That\u2019s as close as I can get! I\u2019m right outside the window you\u2019re at, standin\u2019 at the edge of the sidewalk!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right!\u201d Joe called in return, not telling Hoss he could make out the outline of his body. This wasn\u2019t the time to get everyone excited about the return of his eyesight. First of all, Joe wasn\u2019t holding out any hope that it would last long. And second of all, if he died today, he didn\u2019t want Pa grieving over a miracle Joe hadn\u2019t lived to enjoy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss kept calling instructions, telling Joe how many feet he was from the building, so Joe would have a way to judge how far he\u2019d have to toss Charlotte. It was a risky enough action if a man possessed good vision. Joe\u2019s was indistinct at best, and the smoke wasn\u2019t helping any. But it was either this, or stay up here with Laddie and Charlotte and wait to suffocate to death, or burn to death. Neither option appealed to Joe. If he was going to meet his Maker today, then he was doing it on his own terms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe spoke briefly to Charlotte. He had no regrets about lying to her. After all, regardless of age, no one wanted to be told they were about to be thrown out a window.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCharlotte, honey, my brother is standing right outside waiting for me to hand you to him. He\u2019s a big, strong, friendly man. He\u2019ll keep you safe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether the girl heard him or not, Joe didn\u2019t know. Her sobs continued without interruption, and he thought maybe it was better that way. Maybe it was best if she was frightened to the point that she could no longer process what was happening.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss! You ready?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m ready, Joe!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe weighs about 40 pounds!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right! Send her down!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe said a fast prayer, waited a second longer for the smoke to part again, saw the outline of Hoss standing at the edge of the sidewalk, judged the distance he needed to cover, and then pitched Charlotte out of the window like he\u2019d pitch a sack of feed out of the hayloft.<\/span><\/p>\n

The child\u2019s hysterical screams followed her all the way to Hoss\u2019s arms. Joe didn\u2019t have to be able to see clearly to know Hoss had caught her. The cheers that filtered up through the sound of the fire told him Charlotte was safely on the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seconds later, Joe heard Hoss\u2019s holler of, \u201cJoe, I\u2019m ready for Laddie!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe turned around. \u201cCharlotte\u2019s down, Laddie. It\u2019s your turn next.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs she okay?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe fine. Hoss caught her, just like I knew he would. Now come on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe put his hands on Laddie arms and helped her climb onto the desk. She was close enough now for Joe to get his first good look at her. By any account, she was a beautiful woman. Pale blue eyes, an unblemished, fine-boned face, tiny hands that fit perfectly on a petite body that couldn\u2019t have weighed more than a hundred and five pounds, topped by hair the color of desert sand \u2013 a cross between gold and ivory.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe scooped up Laddie, holding her the same way he\u2019d held Charlotte. Tossing her beyond the flames below would be a little trickier, since she was larger than Charlotte, but Joe knew he could do it, just like he knew Hoss could catch her. He felt the woman trembling against his chest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry. Hoss\u2019ll catch you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In a firm voice that nonetheless wasn\u2019t able to hide her fear, she said, \u201cI know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe moved to the edge of the desk, and again waited for the wind to part the smoke so he could judge the distance he needed to throw Laddie. Hoss shouted from below, guiding Joe with his voice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, come on! I\u2019m ready!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe weighs about a hundred pounds, Hoss!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Joe laughed at Laddie\u2019s scolding tone. \u201cSorry about that, but he has to know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hope he\u2019s caught a hundred pounds before.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no need to fret about that. He\u2019s caught a lot more than a hundred pounds, and I\u2019ve tossed a lot more than that to him.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll. . .all right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe gave the woman a quick kiss on her temple. \u201cWhen this is all over, if that oldest brother of mine doesn\u2019t ask you to marry him, then you tell him\u00a0I\u2019m<\/em>\u00a0gonna ask you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor him, or for you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, of course. Pa\u2019s always sayin\u2019 I need a wife to keep me on a straight and narrow path.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Laddie laughed, which is what Joe wanted her to do. She didn\u2019t have time to say anything else before Joe called, \u201cHoss! Here she comes!\u201d and threw her out the window.<\/span><\/p>\n

Laddie didn\u2019t scream going down, but Joe knew she must have wanted to. Her arms and legs flailed as her skirts billowed above her thighs. It wasn\u2019t the most modest way for a lady to travel, but modesty was hardly important at this moment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Again, cheers from below told Joe that his brother had caught the woman. Seconds later, Hoss\u2019s call came again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe! Come on! Hurry!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe stood at the edge of the desk, looking below. His vision was no clearer, but that\u2019s not what made him hesitate. He paused because he had no idea how to jump without hurting Hoss. He didn\u2019t think he could jump in a seated position, like he\u2019d tossed Charlotte and Laddie. Yet, slamming into Hoss by going down feet first could injure both of them.<\/span><\/p>\n

The shouts escalated from below, as Adam and Pa joined with Hoss in urging Joe to jump. Joe knew that meant the fire was spreading even more rapidly. As he stepped out onto the window ledge, still trying to decide how he should proceed, the door rattled behind him, as though someone was trying to break into the classroom. That \u201csomeone\u201d was the fire. It gobbled up the door with a whooshing roar. Just as the man bent his knees to leap, an explosion rocked the building, sending glass, wood, bricks, and Joe Cartwright, soaring through the air.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

For a few moments, Joe felt like he was flying. He went up, instead of down, and seemed to hang in mid-air for several seconds, before he plunged toward the ground. With no warning, his vision was suddenly as clear as it had been before he\u2019d lost his sight. As he fell toward the sidewalk, Joe saw the terror in his father\u2019s eyes, the disbelief in Adam\u2019s, and the determination in Hoss\u2019s. Then, as unexpectedly as his plunge started, it was over, and Joe saw nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter 55<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Adam trudged up the sidewalk toward home, Shakespeare at his side. Exhaustion and the smell of smoke both clung heavily to the headmaster, making him long for a hot bath and a soft bed. He\u2019d been moving non-stop throughout the afternoon, and well into the evening hours. So much had needed to be done, from making arrangements to house the students, to assuring the children that everything would be fine, to assigning various staff members the responsibility of wiring parents to let them know about the fire, that their child was unharmed, and that Christmas break was starting right now. It would likely be a week or two before most of the children were headed home, and some would probably have to remain with family, friends, or school staff members here in Boston, but at least the notification process was underway. Adam didn\u2019t want any parent to read of the fire in a newspaper, before having heard about it first from the institute.<\/span><\/p>\n

The fact that no children had been harmed was the best news of all. The building was gone, other than a few walls that stood as charred and blackened reminders of the school Adam had grown to love. The fire still smoldered, and would do so for days yet, but at least it hadn\u2019t spread to other parts of the city, or to any other area of the school\u2019s grounds. The boys\u2019 dormitory was still standing as well, and other than needing a good cleaning and airing out to get rid of the soot and smoke that had drifted in, it could be occupied again in January. Since the girls\u2019 dormitory was attached to the school, it had been lost to the fire.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Like the children, all of Adam\u2019s staff members were accounted for and unharmed. Well, all except for Joe. He\u2019d been unconscious when Hoss carried him to the carriage Edward insisted they use. Joe was taken back to Adam\u2019s house, pale and limp in Hoss\u2019s arms, with Pa and Hiram Nichols riding in the carriage, too. Hiram had arrived at the school to see if he could be of any help just seconds before Joe\u2019s dramatic exit from the third story. Amongst the blessings God provided that day, Hiram\u2019s timely appearance was one of them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As much as Adam had wanted to be in that carriage with his family, his responsibility to the school forced him to remain behind. Pa understood, because he was the first to say, \u201cWe\u2019ll take care of Joseph. You stay here and do what you need to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

So, Adam had stayed at the institute, all the while hoping his father would send word about Joe. But word never came, which worried Adam now, as he walked home after dark with the gas streetlights glowing overhead. Even this far from the school, he could still smell the smoldering wood and paper.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam hadn\u2019t seen Laddie for several hours, either. As long as he lived, he knew he\u2019d never forget the fear and apprehension that lodged in his throat as he watched Joe throw little Charlotte out of that window, followed by Laddie. Adam trusted Hoss, but this was hardly the escape plan he wanted to see put into action. Trouble was, neither Adam nor his father could come up with any other way to get Joe, Laddie and Charlotte out of the building. Every second counted by then, and Hoss\u2019s plan was the only one available to them. To think that Hoss could guide their blind brother with nothing but his voice when it came to throwing two human beings out a third story window of a burning building. . .well, Adam hadn\u2019t thought it possible at first. However, he should have known that with all the crazy things Hoss and Joe had done over the years, they were well-matched to pull off something this crazy, too. And praise God that they were.<\/span><\/p>\n

After Joe was taken from the scene, Laddie insisted to Adam and her father that she was fine. She had her father carry Charlotte to where the other children were, going along with him, and taking charge of her girls again. Seventeen of Laddie\u2019s students were staying at the Brockington mansion tonight, while three of them who lived in Boston, including Charlotte, were already at home with their families. Whether Charlotte would ever get over her fright remained anyone\u2019s guess. The last time Adam had seen her, she was crying quietly in her father\u2019s arms, still trembling yet, and having a hard time verbalizing what she\u2019d been through. Due to her young age, though, Adam thought her resiliency would kick in after some time had passed. Charlotte came from a wealthy old Boston family, not that dissimilar from Laddie\u2019s family. Therefore, Adam knew she\u2019d get all the love and attention she needed in the coming weeks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Long after Edward could have gone home, he remained on the school grounds, helping Adam in any way possible. Adam would forever be grateful to the man. It was Edward who wouldn\u2019t allow the headmaster to consider not resuming classes until next September.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have a building we can convert to a temporary school. It\u2019s only a few miles from here. Killian can bring the boys over from the dormitory each morning. We\u2019ll find a way to get a dormitory in operation for the girls by the time they return from Christmas break.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Edward, that\u2019s a lot to accomplish before January.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Adam, I suppose it is, but we shall get it done. You\u2019ll have stable boys, groundskeepers, caretakers, and cooks, all eager to continue drawing a salary. I can\u2019t imagine it will make much difference to them if they have to draw that salary by setting up classrooms, as opposed to doing their regular tasks, can you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I guess I can\u2019t. I\u2019m sure they\u2019ll do whatever job I ask of them, but as for pay. . .until I talk to the school board, I have no idea if the school can even be rebuilt.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMark my words, it\u2019ll be rebuilt. And you go right ahead and tell the board members I said that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam had too many other things on his mind to question what Edward meant, but an educated guess told him Laddie\u2019s father planned to solicit donations from amongst his wealthy social circle in order to get a new school constructed.<\/span><\/p>\n

At this point, Adam was too tired, and too worried about Joe, to think any more about the school. He\u2019d talked to most of the board members throughout the afternoon, as they showed up one by one, drawn to the institute by the news of the fire, and bringing blankets, hats, mittens, and coats along with them that were distributed amongst the children. Adam was to meet with the board on Friday morning at Robert Sheridan\u2019s home. There would be time enough then to discuss the school\u2019s future.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam walked through the open gate, and traveled up the steps to his house. Lamps burned from all the downstairs rooms. If there was a light on upstairs in Joe\u2019s room, Adam couldn\u2019t see it, because that bedroom window faced the south yard.<\/span><\/p>\n

The man opened his front door, allowing Shakespeare to walk in ahead of him. It didn\u2019t surprise Adam when the dog headed straight for the kitchen, intent on reaching his food and water bowls.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam removed his smoky coat and scarf, hanging them outside over the black iron stair railing. He shut the door and stepped farther into the house. The parlor was empty and quiet, though someone had a fire burning in the fireplace. Movement from his right drew Adam\u2019s attention to the dining room. Laddie rose from a chair.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d She questioned, her voice hoarse and raspy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it\u2019s me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She ran to him, laying the side of her face against his chest as he pulled her close.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t,\u201d he scolded, as he kissed the top of her head. \u201cI smell like smoke, and you, pretty lady, look like you\u2019ve already had a bath.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She nodded, but wouldn\u2019t step out of his embrace. \u201cMother drew one for me after I got the girls settled. I must say it was the most appreciated bath I\u2019ve ever taken.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam chuckled. \u201cI understand the feeling.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt Mrs. O\u2019Connell\u2019s insistence, I\u2019ve been sitting here nursing a cup of tea with lemon and honey in it for my throat, while waiting for you to get home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Elliot? I didn\u2019t see the carriage outside.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe went to eat supper. He\u2019ll be back for me in a little while. Mother, Helen, and Margaret are at the house with the girls. They were all sleeping when I left. Even the older ones.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI surmise we have a lot of tired students who are already asleep for the night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I surmise so, as well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes wandered to the stairs. \u201cDo you know how Joe is?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Laddie stepped back just enough to \u201clook\u201d up at Adam. \u201cUnconscious or sleeping, I\u2019m not sure which. I don\u2019t believe your father is certain, either.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPardon?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe regained consciousness about two hours ago \u2013 shortly after I arrived. Mrs. O\u2019Connell said that he didn\u2019t open his eyes, and he wasn\u2019t aware of his surroundings, but he did mumble an apology to your father regarding some accident with a horse, then threw up on his bedcovers, and then lapsed back into a state of unawareness. For as much as that alarmed your father and Hoss, it seemed to be what Hiram wanted to happen. He said Joe should wake up on his own time now, and God willing, with no serious repercussions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Hoss?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo quote that big \u201clittle\u201d brother of yours, \u2018I\u2019m juz fine, Miss Laddie. Thanks fer askin\u2019.\u2019 Now if you want Mrs. O\u2019Connell\u2019s observation, Hoss is, \u2018bruised, battered, and a wee bit sore, but Eric\u2019ll be fit as a fiddle after a few good meals, he will be.\u2019 \u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam smiled with amusement. \u201cHoss always seems to be fit as a fiddle after a few good meals. He was lucky he wasn\u2019t seriously injured \u2013 or even killed \u2013 with the way Joe landed on him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what Hiram told me. And he said Joe was lucky he did land on Hoss, otherwise he\u2019d have very likely been killed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss never gave up on trying to catch him. That\u2019s why Joe slammed into Hoss\u2019s chest and knocked him off his feet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou told me once that Hoss and Joe have always been partners in crime, in every way that phrase can be defined. I think their partnership paid off today, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVery much so. I imagine Pa will probably forgive any future shenanigans on their parts for quite a while to come.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI imagine you\u2019re correct.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre they upstairs?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour father and Hoss?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh huh,\u201d Adam said, as he pulled the woman to his chest again, and rested one cheek on top of her head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour father\u2019s sitting with Joe. At his insistence, Hoss went to bed a little while ago.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Mrs. O\u2019Connell?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s puttering about here and there, trying to make sure everyone\u2019s comfortable. She has your supper in the warmer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll eat in a few minutes. After I check on Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Laddie\u2019s arms tightened around Adam\u2019s waist at the mention of Joe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf it hadn\u2019t been for Joe, Charlotte and I would have perished in that fire, Adam. He wouldn\u2019t leave me when I went back to look for Charlotte. He sent the other children out, and then came to help me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Adam said softly. \u201cHenry told me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd then once we found Charlotte, Joe carried her and held my hand, leading me down the stairs. When we reached the second floor, Joe stopped. He turned and ran back up to the third floor, dragging me along behind him, even when I told him we\u2019d be trapped up there. He knew exactly what he wanted to do, and nothing I said could stop him.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam smiled. \u201cSounds like my youngest brother, all right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019d have been killed if he\u2019d listened to me and kept going down the stairs. Even though that\u2019s what I thought we should do, he somehow knew we couldn\u2019t get out that way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe must have heard the fire getting closer,\u201d Adam deduced, \u201cor the smoke smelled stronger to him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOne of those things must have been it,\u201d Laddie agreed. \u201cWhatever it was, I\u2019ll always be grateful to him. Charlotte and I wouldn\u2019t have gotten out of there had it not been for Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll always be grateful to him, as well.\u201d Adam kissed the woman\u2019s forehead, and then got down on one knee.<\/span><\/p>\n

Laddie noticed his shift in body position. \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m kneeling.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever for?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam took her left hand. \u201cThis isn\u2019t how I planned to do this, but the time seems right. . .that is, if you can forgive a man for smelling like he needs to throw his clothes away, and then soak for two hours in a bathtub.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can certainly forgive you for that. But the time seems right for what?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor me to ask, Laddie Rose Brockington, will you marry me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWill you marry me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The woman backed away from Adam, bringing her hands to her mouth with surprised shock as tears flowed from her eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYe-yes! Yes, of course, yes! Yes, I will! Oh, Adam. . .I. . .oh, I wasn\u2019t expecting you to. . .oh my goodness. . .when? When. . . .\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen did I decide to ask you?\u201d Adam stood. \u201cOr when should we get married?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI-I don\u2019t know,\u201d Laddie laughed. \u201cBoth, I guess.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve known I wanted to marry you since the first day I met you. I just. . .well, maybe I just needed a good swift kick in the seat of the pants to get me to ask you. And today, when you were safely out of that building and standing beside your father, your only concerns being for Joe and your students, rather than how you looked, or how quickly you could get away from there, I guess you could say that\u2019s about the time the swift kick came.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I\u2019d have known that\u2019s what it would take, I\u2019d have had Joe toss me out of a window months ago.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam laughed as he walked forward and embraced Laddie again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI still have to ask your father\u2019s permission, and buy a ring, so I suppose I\u2019m doing things out of order.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPapa will say yes without a moment\u2019s hesitation, and as for a ring \u2013 there\u2019s plenty of time to make that purchase.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot if we\u2019re going to get married before the end of the year.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Laddie practically shouted, \u201cBefore the end of the year?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like us to be married while my family\u2019s still here. But until Joe\u2019s back on his feet, and I can talk to Pa about how long he and Hoss might be staying, and depending on whether or not Joe has that surgery–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Laddie brought a hand up to Adam\u2019s lips to shush him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThose are all valid concerns. There\u2019s no need to set a date now. If you want to get married next week, we\u2019ll do so. If you decide upon next month, we\u2019ll do that. If it\u2019s next summer, then so be it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam tightened his hold on his fianc\u00e9. \u201cWhat I want is to get married as soon as possible. I don\u2019t think I can wait until next summer.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen you\u2019d better plan on asking Papa\u2019s permission tomorrow, because once my mother hears how quickly we have to put a wedding together, she\u2019ll have every dressmaker in Boston working overtime.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam kissed the woman deeper and more ardently than he ever had before, murmuring, \u201cI\u2019m sure she will,\u201d against Laddie\u2019s lips.<\/span><\/p>\n

When the kiss came to its natural end, Laddie laid her head against Adam\u2019s chest and let out a little laugh.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pretending to be offended, Adam asked, \u201cWas that a comment on how I kiss?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, dear Sir, it wasn\u2019t a comment on your kissing at all. I like how you kiss very much, thank you. I was laughing about something Joe said right before he threw me out that window.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019d he say?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe said I was supposed to tell you that if you didn\u2019t ask me to marry you, he was going to ask me to marry\u00a0him<\/em>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam cocked an eyebrow. \u201cOh he did, did he?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he did.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen I think I\u2019d better go upstairs and wait for that little brother of mine to wake up. It sounds like I need to straighten him out on just who\u2019s marrying who around this place.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt sounds like you do. But please assure him that I\u2019ll be the best sister-in-law a man could have.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam laughed. \u201cBelieve me, he already knows that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The \u2018clop clop clop\u2019 of horses\u2019 hooves approaching Adam\u2019s house indicated Elliot had arrived. Adam waited while Laddie put on her coat, scarf, and hat, then walked her out to the carriage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After he\u2019d seen his fianc\u00e9 safely off, Adam returned to his house with renewed energy brought on by Cupid\u2019s arrow. He took the stairs to the second floor two at a time, and headed down the hall toward Joe\u2019s room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter 56<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Joe floated in a dream-like world where he wasn\u2019t quite asleep, and yet, not quite awake, either. It was confusing more than it was frightening. Hop Sing suddenly had an Irish brogue, and a nurturing touch to go along with it. Heavy footsteps in and out of the room were easy to identify as Hoss\u2019s, and the calloused hand that rested against the side of his face from time to time, and brushed his hair away from his forehead, belonged to his father. He\u2019d heard another voice once, drifting up from the main floor, that he hadn\u2019t been able to identify \u2013 a woman\u2019s \u2013 a young woman with a frog in her throat from the sound of it, and then he thought he\u2019d heard Adam talking to Pa, but how could that be? Adam lived in Boston.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He\u2019d tried to apologize to Pa for the trouble caused by the horse, but his tongue seemed too thick for his throat, and like the mystery woman\u2019s, his voice was raspy and rough also.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Stupid storm. It wasn\u2019t the horse\u2019s fault that the lightning frightened him, but Pa might not see it that way. He was a good horse, too. Joe didn\u2019t want to have to get rid of him. But Joe supposed between the mess in the barn, and then the mess he\u2019d made in the house when he\u2019d tried to give himself medical treatment, Pa wasn\u2019t going to take too kindly to that animal staying on the Ponderosa.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe moaned as he restlessly rolled his head back and forth. He moaned again when a painful lump came in contact with the pillow. How\u2019d he get that goose egg, and why did he smell like he\u2019d just spent an entire day burning grass off the south slope of Horseshoe Pasture?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Wincing, Joe pushed himself to his elbows, feeling the tug of bandages wound around his forearms, and the sting of cuts beneath them. He struggled to a seated position on the bed, fighting the blankets tangled around his legs. He kicked the blankets aside and opened his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Puzzlement settled heavily over Joe\u2019s face as he frowned and his brow furrowed. Where was he? This wasn\u2019t his room.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He looked up, down, and around. His bed wasn\u2019t this big, and his curtains weren\u2019t blue, and he for darn sure didn\u2019t own an Oriental rug, nor did he have a gas lamp mounted on the. . .\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shot off the bed. His mind was no longer muddled by thoughts of an accident with a horse that had happened over a year ago. He ran to the window and slid the curtains open. It was light out! He could see the daylight! He could see the side yard, and the black iron fence that surrounded the house, and the stone path that led to the back, and that bird bath way over in the far corner, and. . .<\/span><\/p>\n

He raced to the dresser. Joe splayed his hands on the mirror, not able to believe he was seeing his own reflection. His face was dotted with tiny cuts, and when he lifted his hair away from his forehead, he could see the vivid colors on the lump he sported.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It all came back to him in a rush then. The fire. Running with Laddie and Charlotte to the third floor. His wavering, cloudy vision. Throwing the woman and child down to Hoss, then trying to figure out how to jump without hurting Hoss. Before he could make his decision, it seemed like the whole world blew up. He remembered tumbling toward Hoss, and trying to turn his body so he wouldn\u2019t land on his brother. Was Hoss all right? And Laddie and Charlotte? Were they all right? And the rest of the children? Did they get out? Was everyone safe?<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s mind was processing questions faster than he could fully acknowledge them. He turned around twice, unable to believe he could see the room so clearly. Every color in the Oriental rug was bright and brilliant \u2013 the maroon, the deep blue, the pale gold, the shades of red and green, all against a black background. The quilt on his bed was the same deep blue as the curtains at the windows and the deep blue in the rug. He ran a hand across the smooth wood of the dresser \u2013 it was maple. When he was blind, he\u2019d somehow known it was maple. He\u2019d somehow expected it to look just like it did.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe stumbled toward the open door, not caring who might be in the house, and that he was in his nightshirt. He didn\u2019t put any thought into whom he\u2019d call for first, or what he\u2019d say. His words came out automatically. As though the child he\u2019d once been, that still lived on in some part of his soul, couldn\u2019t wait to share the news with the man who\u2019d silently grieved a son\u2019s lost eyesight ever since the day old Charlie\u2019s shack was blown to kingdom come.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa? Pa! Pa, I need you! Pa! Pa, I need you!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe couldn\u2019t stop the tears of joy from running down his face as he fell back against the doorframe. He tilted his head upward in way of silently saying, \u201cThank you,\u201d and then yelled again, this time with a catch in his raspy voice, \u201cPa? Pa! Pa, I need you! I need you, Pa!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As both his voice and legs gave out on him, Joe slid toward the floor, not worried that he was weak, dizzy, and felt like he\u2019d swallowed a smoking chimney. He could see! He could see, and the first person he wanted to tell that to was his father.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter 57<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

At Joe\u2019s first call from above, three chairs flew backwards from the dining room table. Mrs. O\u2019Connell was just entering with a platter in her hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam glared at the woman. \u201cYou said you\u2019d sit with Joe while we ate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI-I\u2019m sorry, Mr. Cartwright. I came down fer just a wee bit of a minute to see if Eric needed more eggs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEric can get his own eggs,\u201d Adam growled, throwing his napkin onto the table and following his father and Hoss up the stairs at a run.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Under other circumstances, Joe would have found the sight funny \u2013 his father, Hoss, and Adam, scrambling up the stairs, and then barreling down the hall at full speed as if he\u2019d just hollered, \u201cThere\u2019s gold in these here hills!\u201d Although figuratively speaking, he sure felt like he\u2019d struck gold. All the gold in the world and then some.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa was the first to reach him. He knelt down, placing a hand on the side of Joe\u2019s face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe? Joseph, it\u2019s Pa. Are you all right? Here, let Hoss and me help you back to bed, then we\u2019ll have a look at you and–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe grabbed the hand and squeezed it. \u201cPa. . .Pa, I know it\u2019s you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa smiled. \u201cWell now, that\u2019s good to hear. Dr. Nichols said you might be confused for a while after you woke up. You\u2019ve got quite a bump on your fore–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa. . .Pa, listen to me for a minute,\u201d Joe said in a raspy voice he barely recognized. \u201cI know it\u2019s you, because I can see you. I can see you, Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa\u2019s smiled wilted. By the doubt radiating from the brown eyes, Joe knew his father thought the bump on his head was making him delusional.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell. . .uh. . .young fella\u2019, why don\u2019t Hoss and I get you back in that bed.\u201d Pa turned to Adam, saying softly, \u201cYou\u2019d better get Dr. Nichols. I think the concussion is causing–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe put his hands on his father\u2019s arms, drawing Pa\u2019s attention back to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I can hear just as well as I can see. Adam doesn\u2019t need to get Dr. Nichols. I know exactly what I\u2019m saying. I can see! You\u2019re wearing the tan shirt I gave you last Christmas.\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes traveled up to Hoss. \u201cAnd Hoss has the ugly green one on that Miss Lucy says makes him look handsome, which always makes Hoss blush, just like he\u2019s doin\u2019 now.\u201d Joe looked beyond Hoss to Adam. \u201cAnd Adam. . . well, Adam just plain looks like he hasn\u2019t taken a bath in a year.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa\u2019s hands cupped Joe\u2019s face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can see? You can really see?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe nodded, moisture coming to his eyes again as tears filled his father\u2019s. \u201cI can see.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs. . .as good as before, Joe? Clear?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs good as before,\u201d Joe confirmed. \u201cClear. Real clear, Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa seemed to forget about his son\u2019s bumps, bruises, and cuts. He pulled his youngest to him, cradling Joe\u2019s head against his chest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can see again,\u201d he murmured, running a hand up and down Joe\u2019s back. \u201cYou can really see again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Pa,\u201d Joe whispered, \u201cI can really see again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For a time that morning, the world seemed to hold only a father and his youngest child, both silently rejoicing together over what the father deemed a miracle, and the son was simply more thankful for than he\u2019d ever be able to express.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter 58<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Joe wasn\u2019t sure how long he sat on the floor enveloped in his father\u2019s arms. When Pa finally released him, Hoss helped both of them to their feet. Joe was barely steady before Hoss gave him a bear hug, and said in a husky voice, \u201cAlways knew ya\u2019d somehow come out a winner in all this, little brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When Joe was released, he playfully punched the big man\u2019s shoulder. \u201cSure ya\u2019 did, ya\u2019 big lug.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe felt Adam\u2019s congratulatory pat on the back next. He turned around and grinned at his oldest brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLike I said, you sure do need a bath, Adam, but still, as the expression goes, you\u2019re a sight for sore eyes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you get a chance to do more than admire your pretty face in the mirror, you might realize you need a bath just as badly as I do.\u201d Adam smiled and held out his arm. \u201cCome here, you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Another brotherly hug took place, then Adam stepped back and gave Joe a mock glower.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, I hear you were planning to propose to my fianc\u00e9.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if you don\u2019t get around to doing it soon, I figure someone has to make Laddie a member of this fam. . .\u201d Joe paused, his eyebrows drawing together as he cocked his head. \u201cDid you say fianc\u00e9?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI sure did.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean. . .does that mean. . .did you. . .you asked her? You finally asked Laddie to marry you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I finally asked Laddie to marry me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe pretended to be shocked. \u201cAnd she said yes?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy you little. . .of course she said yes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe wasn\u2019t certain who let out the loudest, ear shattering \u201cYee haw!\u201d \u2013 himself, or Hoss. This news brought about another round of hugs and pats on the back, though Pa summed it up best when he put one arm around Joe\u2019s shoulder\u2019s, and the other around Adam\u2019s, and said with a big smile, \u201cIt looks to me like the Cartwrights have a lot to celebrate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss agreed. \u201cI reckon we do, Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

After all the good news sank in and everyone calmed down, Joe found himself back in bed at his father\u2019s insistence, and Adam, after apologizing to Mrs. O\u2019Connell for being sharp with her downstairs, was off for a long, hot soak in the bathtub, courtesy of the housekeeper who had run the water for him.<\/span><\/p>\n

To further assuage Mrs. O\u2019Connell\u2019s feelings, Hoss went downstairs for a second helping of breakfast, thereby insuring Adam would retain the services of, \u201cThe best durn cook in all a\u2019 Boston,\u201d as Hoss phrased it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While Joe waited for Adam\u2019s housekeeper to bring his breakfast up on a tray, he scooted over, making room for his father to sit on the side of the bed. He took the man\u2019s hand in a firm grip and smiled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can still smell the Bay Rum cologne and pipe tobacco, but this time, no worry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa smiled in return. \u201cNo, Joe, no worry. No worries at all. Though many years of experience when it comes to having Joseph Cartwright as my son, tells me I\u2019d better enjoy those \u201cno worries\u201d to the fullest, for the short period of time they\u2019ll actually last.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe laughed. \u201cYeah, Pa, I guess you\u2019d better.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa sobered as he looked into the eyes that looked back at him now, and not at some point over his shoulder. \u201cI\u2019m happy for you, son. I\u2019m so happy for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe squeezed his father\u2019s hand. In every line on the man\u2019s face, he saw what a toll his blindness had taken on Pa. When he spoke, he said simply, \u201cThank you for being my father,\u201d because those six words conveyed Joe\u2019s understanding of how much Pa had suffered right along with him each time he\u2019d tumbled down stairs, walked into furniture, and lashed out in bitterness and anger because he could no longer see.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa couldn\u2019t seem to do more than nod at Joe\u2019s words. Joe smiled, adding, \u201cAnd thank you for not trying to change my mind when I decided to come to Boston with Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a good choice for you, then?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe best choice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd now?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe sat in silence a long time, thinking about the boys in his class, the opportunity Adam had given him, and the teaching career he\u2019d never thought he\u2019d excel at, let alone enjoy. Nonetheless, when Joe\u2019s answer came, he had no doubt it was the right decision for him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd now, the best choice is for me to go back to the Ponderosa. But not right away, Pa. I\u2019ve gotta stay here and help Adam in any way I can. Even teach until the end of the school term if he needs me to, but as soon as possible, I\u2019ll be coming home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa smiled. \u201cI think Hoss and I\u2019ll be staying a while to help Adam, too. And as far as when you return home, remember what I said on the day you told me you were leaving?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou said a lot of things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa chuckled. \u201cYes, I guess I did. The one in particular I\u2019m thinking of, however, was when I told you there\u2019d always be a place for you on the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe studied his father a moment, seeing sincerity, desire, and the hope that his youngest son would return to the ranch he\u2019d been born on.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI never doubted it for a minute, Pa,\u201d Joe said. \u201cI never doubted it for a minute.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

And with that confirmation, Pa squeezed Joe\u2019s hand in return, then stood and moved out of the way as Mrs. O\u2019Connell arrived with a breakfast tray.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Joe ate with Pa sitting in a chair beside his bed, he decided that if his sight was granted for this one day only, then he\u2019d seen all he needed to for the rest of his life \u2013 the smile on his father\u2019s face that never quite faded.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter 59<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The house was quiet late that afternoon when Joe eased himself into a steaming tub of water with a sigh of pleasure. Mrs. O\u2019Connell had added a concoction of some sort that made the surface of the water team with bubbles that smelled like Adam\u2019s flower gardens in full bloom. Joe wasn\u2019t sure a rose scented bubble bath was exactly his style. God knew it would get him laughed right off the Ponderosa by Candy and the other hands, but he couldn\u2019t deny that the hot water felt good against his cuts and bruises, and that the smell of roses saturating his skin was preferable to the smell of smoke and stale perspiration.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe washed his body, gingerly running the washcloth over the arms he\u2019d unbandaged before climbing in the tub. He washed his hair next, then slid all the way under the water to rinse it off. He\u2019d have to rinse it again at the sink after he got out of the tub to get rid of the remaining soap, but at least the smoky smell that had been clinging to it was finally gone. Mrs. O\u2019Connell was changing the sheets on his bed while he bathed, and that morning he\u2019d asked Pa to throw out the clothes he\u2019d been wearing yesterday, so maybe the overpowering odor of smoke that seemed to follow him everywhere would now finally be gone.<\/span><\/p>\n

The water was almost hotter than Joe could stand, but not quite. The temperature would allow for a long soak before he either had to add more hot water, or get out of the tub. He leaned his head back against the massive tub and closed his eyes. His arms were just barely above the surface of the water, as he hung onto the tub\u2019s sides so he didn\u2019t slip beneath the surface.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s mind drifted back to the fire yesterday. He\u2019d gotten his most important questions answered by Pa while he ate breakfast that morning. Charlotte and Laddie were fine, other than poor little Charlotte being frightened out of her wits. At least she was now at home with her parents.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s boys and Laddie\u2019s girls had gotten safely out of the school, thanks to Shakespeare and Henry. All of the other students, teachers, and staff members also managed to escape unharmed. Pa said the students were now boarding with various staff members, and parents were being notified of the fire by telegram and asked to make arrangements to get their child home as soon as possible. There wasn\u2019t much left of the building, and whether classes would resume after Christmas, Pa wasn\u2019t sure. He\u2019d said something about Mr. Brockington volunteering a building he owned for use as a temporary school, but by then, Joe had finished eating and was drifting off to sleep, so if Pa had given him any further information in that regard, Joe hadn\u2019t heard it.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Joe woke up again, it was mid-afternoon. His father and Adam were sleeping in their rooms, and Mrs. O\u2019Connell said Hoss, or Eric rather, had gone to the school to help the caretakers and groundskeepers salvage whatever they could from the ruins. Mrs. O\u2019Connell couldn\u2019t have kept Joe in bed if she tried \u2013 and she did, but Joe was feeling well-rested and secure on his feet, so he sat at the kitchen table in his nightshirt, robe, and slippers, eating the sandwich she made for him, then he returned upstairs to fetch clean clothes from his room and enjoy this soak in the bathtub.<\/span><\/p>\n

The hot, sweet smelling water had just lulled Joe into a light doze, when someone knocked on the bathroom door. He opened his eyes and turned his face sideways so his voice would carry.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m in here, Hoss, and I ain\u2019t plannin\u2019 on comin\u2019 out any time soon, so you\u2019re just gonna have to wait your turn.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As Joe knew would be the case, Hoss had more than a passing affection for Adam\u2019s modern water closet, and spent hours soaking in the tub whenever he got the chance. Joe assumed he\u2019d come back from the school and wanted to wash off the soot and grime he\u2019d undoubtedly picked up during the course of his work.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not Hoss, Joe. May I come in?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I\u2019m in the tub!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam didn\u2019t wait for permission that wouldn\u2019t be forthcoming anyway. He opened the door, entered the room carrying a chair, and then closed the door behind him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d he said with a smile to the scowling Joe, \u201cit\u2019s not like I haven\u2019t seen your naked behind before. As a matter of fact, I changed more of your diapers than I care to remember.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen do us both a favor and don\u2019t \u2013 remember, that is.\u201d Joe eyed the chair as Adam placed it by the side of the tub and then sat down. \u201cYou plannin\u2019 on staying a while?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust until you\u2019re done in here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam. . .\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you suffered a concussion barely twenty-four hours ago. Therefore, you have no business being in a tub of water up to your chin without someone in here with you.\u201d Adam smiled impishly. \u201cBesides, you look kind of cute in the midst of all those bubbles.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe scowled again. \u201cThe bubbles weren\u2019t my idea.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe not, but you sure are going to smell pretty when you\u2019re done.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou say anything about this to Hoss, and I swear I\u2019ll drown you in this tub. Then we\u2019ll see who smells pretty.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d take that under consideration, except I know something you don\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss loves taking these bubble baths of Mrs. O\u2019Connell\u2019s.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss? He\u2019s the reason I keep smelling lilacs, roses, and lilies, every time we all sit down together at the dinner table?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYep. He\u2019s the reason.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe laughed. \u201cOh, this is the kind of information I\u2019d pay to have.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I\u2019d known that, I wouldn\u2019t have offered it free of charge.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cToo late now, big brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cApparently so.\u201d Adam studied his sibling. \u201cYou feeling all right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m feeling fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo dizziness?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo headache?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot any more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd your sight?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing wrong with that, either.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGlad to hear it, though Pa\u2019s still going to make you see Dr. Warren for a checkup.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he said something about that this morning. I tried to tell him it wasn\u2019t necessary, but I have a feeling that\u2019s a battle I\u2019m not gonna win.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u00a0know<\/em>\u00a0it\u2019s a battle you\u2019re not going to win, so you might as well concede defeat gracefully.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI never concede defeat gracefully.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t need to tell me that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSpeaking of Pa, is he still asleep?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam nodded. \u201cHe was exhausted. He didn\u2019t get any sleep last night. I\u2019d venture to guess we won\u2019t see him much before supper time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood. He needs his rest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he does.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe told me that everyone got out safely yesterday.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey did,\u201d Adam confirmed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s left of the building?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot much. The boy\u2019s dorm is still standing. Other than that, just a couple of walls here and there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam shrugged. \u201cYou have nothing to be sorry for. Besides, the important thing is that everyone got out. If it hadn\u2019t been for you, Laddie and Charlotte–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLaddie would have found a way out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe says she wouldn\u2019t have.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what she thinks now, but yesterday, if she\u2019d been on her own with Charlotte, she\u2019d have figured out how to get both of them to safety.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think you\u2019re being far too modest about the role you played in that regard.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I think you\u2019re giving me too much credit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Joe told Adam then, about how his eyesight had returned during the fire. How he saw shadowy, grainy images, and how even that distorted vision was better than no vision at all.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVision or no vision, Joe, the fact remains that your quick thinking saved Laddie and Charlotte\u2019s lives. Not to mention your own. And then you and Hoss. . .well, let\u2019s just say I won\u2019t ever again chide the two of you over whatever cockamamie schemes you dream up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHearing you say that almost makes jumping out a window worth it.\u201d Joe gazed up at the ceiling, wiggling his toes and enjoying the hot water gently lapping at his body. \u201cDo you know what caused the fire?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe think it was a surge in a gas line. Some of the cooks said flames suddenly started shooting from two ovens. They tried to get the situation under control, but couldn\u2019t. If there\u2019s any blame to be had at all, it\u2019s that they attempted to fight the fire too long, rather than making the evacuation of the building their first priority.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe turned his head so he could look at his brother. \u201cI\u2019m sure they meant well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure they did too, which is why they\u2019ll still have jobs with me if the school is rebuilt.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t think it will be?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s put it this way, Edward says it will be. As for me, I\u2019ll take it one day at a time for a while. The first step will be setting up a temporary school for the children to return to in January.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa mentioned something about that. He said Mr. Brockington has a building we can use?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam nodded. \u201cI\u2019m going to take a look at it tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWant some company?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, if you think you\u2019ll be feeling up to it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be feeling up to it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoes this mean you\u2019re going to stay?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor a while,\u201d Joe said. \u201cIf school resumes in January, then I\u2019ll stay until summer vacation if you want me to. I think you\u2019ll have enough on your plate without worrying about trying to hire a new teacher.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think you\u2019re right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBesides, I don\u2019t wanna abandon my boys in the middle of the year.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve grown quite fond of \u201cyour boys,\u201d haven\u2019t you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe smiled. \u201cYeah, despite all they put me through, I guess I have.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow you know how Pa\u2019s felt for the last forty-two years.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe chuckled. \u201cI do at that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd after the school term ends?\u201d Adam questioned.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll. . .I\u2019m not gonna make you false promises, Adam. After the term ends, I\u2019ll be heading home to the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor good?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor good.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought as much.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry. I don\u2019t mean to seem ungrateful. You\u2019ve done more for me these last few months than I can ever repay. It\u2019s just that–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just that now that you have your eyesight back, you\u2019ll be happiest on the ranch,\u201d Adam said with understanding. \u201cIt\u2019s where you belong.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe nodded. \u201cIt\u2019s where I belong.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing wrong with that, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo hard feelings then?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNone at all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe thought a moment before asking, \u201cAdam, if you still had your arm, would the Ponderosa be where you belonged?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI. . .you know, I\u2019m not really sure. Before the accident, I was happy here in Boston running my grandfather\u2019s business. Very happy. That doesn\u2019t mean I didn\u2019t miss you, and Hoss, and Pa, but I think I would have gone on running the business for many years to come, however. . .well, let\u2019s just say that\u2019s not the hand life dealt me.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat hand did life deal you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The familiar wariness came to Adam\u2019s voice. The same wariness that was always present when Joe probed about this subject.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what I mean. How did you lose your arm?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was an accident.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell I didn\u2019t exactly think you did it on purpose.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For a few seconds, Joe thought he\u2019d made his brother angry, but then Adam\u2019s scowl changed to a smile, and then he started laughing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right. I didn\u2019t do it on purpose.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf. . .I just want you to know, that if there was any way I could give you that arm back, I would.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t feel guilty about my arm just because your eyesight returned. I\u2019m not jealous, Joe, and I\u2019m not asking God why, either. I\u2019m happy for you. I really am.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but still–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam held up his hand. \u201cEnough. I don\u2019t want you regretting things neither one of us can change. Besides, do you want to hear my story or not?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re finally gonna tell me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll. . .I\u2019ll tell you, but when I\u2019m done, I don\u2019t plan to speak of it again. I\u2019ve put it behind me as much as I can. Reminders. . .well, reminders aren\u2019t something I need, or appreciate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cI know you do,\u201d Adam said, in way of voicing his trust in his brother\u2019s word.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Silence filled the room for a good thirty seconds before Adam spoke again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you remember old Gabe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGabe Meyers?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure I remember him. Pa was in a bad way for a while after Gabe died.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd do you remember what was going on before Gabe\u2019s death?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. A lot of hard work, long hours, and Pa was as grumpy as a grizzly bear who\u2019d gotten woken up in the middle of his winter nap, all because of that timber contract with the railroad.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExactly. And I should have learned something from that experience, but I didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhatta ya\u2019 mean?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI pushed too hard, Joe. We were backed up with cargo that we had to get out of our storerooms. We had a ship out at sea somewhere, delayed in returning to port by a storm, another was on its way to South America, and another was docked for repairs. The only ship available to us needed an overhaul, too. I don\u2019t know, maybe I wouldn\u2019t have been so foolish as to set sail on her, if my grandfather hadn\u2019t been determined to do just that. Not that I\u2019m blaming him, mind you. I could have vetoed his decision. He\u2019d given me that kind of authority by then. He was retired more or less.\u201d Adam gave a sad smile. \u201cOr as retired as Abel Stoddard would ever agree to be. But the trouble with my grandfather, and with me, as well, is that we\u2019re men who put a high value on our reputations.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not a bad way to be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right. Usually it\u2019s not. But when you let concern for your reputation overrule your common sense, things can go from bad to worse in a short period of time. Or so I discovered. We had a deadline on our cargo, and both Grandfather and I were going to meet that deadline come hell or high water. In the end, we encountered a good deal of both those things. You\u2019ve heard the expression, \u2018Red sky at night, sailors\u2019 delight, red sky in morning, sailors take warning\u2019?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve heard it,\u201d Joe confirmed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s true. Or at least more often than not, it is. I should have heeded that expression, Joe, instead of giving the order to set sail that day. I knew then that I should have heeded it, but a part of me \u2013 the part that said I wasn\u2019t a superstitious man, but rather a businessman, ignored the inner voice that told me we were asking for trouble by setting sail on a ship that should have remained docked. Grandfather insisted on coming along to help. We left port with thirty men that morning. When I woke up ten days later, half those men had drowned at sea, including my grandfather, and my arm had been amputated.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA storm?\u201d Joe asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam nodded. \u201cA storm. Though not just any storm. The \u2018mother of all storms,\u2019 Grandfather called it. And with a grin on his face, too, I might add. Pa said my grandfather died doing what he wanted to, and I should never harbor regrets about that. Maybe I shouldn\u2019t, because I know Pa\u2019s right. Abel Stoddard\u2019s one true love was the sea. But fourteen other men died, too. Many of them with wives and children. That\u2019s part of the reason I sold Stoddard Shipping as soon as I was back on my feet \u2013 so I could give those widows financial compensation for a lifetime of lost wages.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat was generous of you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen a man feels responsible for the deaths of others, he can\u2019t be generous enough.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe said quietly, \u201cI don\u2019t suppose he can.\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes traveled to Adam\u2019s empty shirtsleeve. \u201cAnd your arm?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen the storm caused the ship to capsize, my arm got tangled in the lines of a sail. What kept me from drowning \u2013 the buoyancy of the mast \u2013 also cut off the circulation to the arm. I took a pretty hard knock on the head, too. I was in and out of consciousness for most of my time in the water. Three days after we capsized, another ship came along, rescued those of us who were still alive, and brought us back here to Boston. I was too out of it by then from a combination of gangrene in the arm, sunburn, a concussion, and dehydration, to know what was going on. Which was why I told you that I never had to make a decision about whether or not to have my arm amputated. And even if I\u2019d been capable of making that decision, the outcome would have been the same. The arm had to go, or I would have died.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot an easy thing to wake up to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBelieve me, there was nothing about that time in my life that was easy to wake up to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure there wasn\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When a minute passed and his brother offered no more, Joe said, \u201cThanks for telling me, Adam. I\u2019m sorry if I brought up painful memories.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot as painful as they once were. When Pa came to visit me while I was recuperating, he told me I had to learn to accept what happened and put it behind me. I didn\u2019t think that would ever be possible, but time has proven me wrong. I\u2019ll never forget that day, Joe, and I\u2019ll never completely absolve myself of the guilt I feel is mine to bear, but I have learned how to move on with my life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn a way you have every right to be proud of.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re welcome.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo see, Joe, I\u2019m not \u201cPerfect Adam.\u201d I make mistakes just like any other man. I have regrets, I have experiences in my past that I wish I had the opportunity to live over again and rectify, I–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I\u2019m sorry. I never should have said that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou said it because there were a lot of things I\u2019d kept from you that I shouldn\u2019t have. You didn\u2019t know what I\u2019d been through.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I said it because I was bitter, and angry, and jealous, and probably a hundred other things I can\u2019t remember right now. I took a lot of stuff out on you that I shouldn\u2019t have at a time when you were only trying to help me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam smiled. \u201cI\u2019ve taken things out on you a time or two over the years that I shouldn\u2019t have, so how about if we call it even.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose we could do that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGlad you agree.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

After some time passed with no further conversation ensuing, Joe broke the silence.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know I never told you that I was sorry about what happened between you and Laura Dayton, but I should have. When you left. . .well, the decision seemed so sudden, and you wouldn\u2019t talk to Hoss and me about it, and while Hoss–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHas a forgiving heart,\u201d Adam teased, \u201cyou hold a grudge.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t deny that. I held onto that grudge until about five minutes after you left on the stage, then I was kicking myself for my stubbornness, and wishing I\u2019d told you all the things I\u2019d wanted to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think I knew that all along, little brother. And though this information comes six years too late, it\u2019s not just because of Laura Dayton that I went to sea.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s not. I went to sea to find Pa in myself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI had to prove something to myself, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cProve what?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat I\u2019m my father\u2019s son.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow that\u2019s the stupidest thing I\u2019ve ever heard you say. Of course you\u2019re your father\u2019s son. You\u2019re the one who\u2019s the most like Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s laughter confused Joe, and continued to confuse him the longer it lasted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Adam, I\u2019m the one with the head injury here, not you. If you don\u2019t quit laughing like that, I\u2019m gonna start worryin\u2019 that you swallowed too much smoke yesterday.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo need to worry about that,\u201d Adam said as his laughter finally calmed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen what in tarnation is so all-blamed funny?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMe?\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes you just can\u2019t see the forest for the trees, little brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that supposed to mean?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you\u2019re the one who\u2019s the most like Pa. Always have been.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo I\u2019m not.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you are. Ask Hoss if you don\u2019t believe me. He thinks so too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe does?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he does.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Joe shook his head. \u201cI\u2019ve never thought that myself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s because Pa spent so much time over the years telling each one of us how much we\u2019re like our mothers, that he tended to forget to tell us in what ways we\u2019re each like him. Therefore, allow me to tell you that half the reason Pa often \u201cspared the rod and spoiled the child\u201d when it came to you, is because most of the mischief you got into was the same exact mischief he got into as a boy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you know?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause while you were out making that mischief, Pa was telling me stories about himself as a kid. And the next time he says to you, \u201cJoseph, mark my words, someday I hope you have one just like you,\u201d rest assured that Pa grew up hearing, \u201cBenjamin, mark my words, someday I hope you have one just like you,\u201d and take comfort in the fact that Grandpa Cartwright has probably spent the last thirty years looking down from heaven, laughing so hard that he can no longer stand upright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It was strange for Joe to hear Adam say that both he and Hoss thought Joe was the one amongst them who was most like their father. All of his life, he\u2019d been told he looked like his mother, and that he possessed a good number of her personality traits as well. But somewhere along the line, more and more of the man who raised him was evidently seeping into his soul. And there was no doubt who Joe inherited his prematurely graying hair from, and the wider, powerful build to his chest and shoulders that had developed in more recent years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure hope I don\u2019t inherit Pa\u2019s belly as I get older,\u201d Joe mumbled, which made Adam laugh again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think you have to worry about that. You\u2019re too \u201chigh spirited,\u201d as your mother used to say, for you to ever slow down enough to gain weight around your middle.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood. \u2018Cause I\u2019m happy to go on lettin\u2019 Hoss be the Cartwright brother with the weight around the middle.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMe too.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, can I ask you one more question?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you went searching for Pa in yourself, did you ever find him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam nodded. \u201cI did.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad you realize that, because if you didn\u2019t, I was gonna tell you that doing what you did for the widows of those sailors is exactly what Pa would have done.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s probably when I realized it myself, Joe.\u201d Adam stood. \u201cNow it\u2019s my turn to ask you a question.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGo ahead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWill you be my best man at my wedding?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Hoss?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI already asked him the same question.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he said no?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, dummy, he said yes. I have two brothers, so as far I\u2019m concerned, I can have two best men. So what do you say?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe grinned. \u201cI say yes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood, then it\u2019s all settled. I\u2019ve asked Pa to read one of Shakespeare\u2019s sonnets during the ceremony. And don\u2019t roll your eyes.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow? Or when Pa\u2019s doing the reading?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBoth.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBoy, Adam, you sure know how to ruin all my fun. So, when are you two getting married?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe haven\u2019t set a date yet, but we\u2019ll be doing that soon. We want to be married before Pa and Hoss return home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like you\u2019ve got a lotta work ahead of you, brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI imagine I do, though not as much as the bride, I\u2019m sure.\u201d Adam grabbed the towel Joe had placed on the sink. \u201cNow come on, get out of that tub while I\u2019m still in here, and before you start smelling like a five acre rose garden on the verge of blooming.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe climbed from the tub, snatching the towel as soon as he was on his feet and wrapping it around his waist, much to Adam\u2019s amusement. Joe was sure Adam would make some smart remark about having seen his bare behind numerous times before, but thankfully, Adam kept his jokes to himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe rinsed the remainder of the soap from his hair at the sink, dried it with another towel Adam handed him, and then got dressed.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Joe and his brother exited the bathroom, Adam with a solicitous hand on Joe\u2019s back, as though he expected the man to topple down the stairs at any moment, Joe looked at his sibling and smiled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn case you still have any doubts, you\u2019ve got a lot more of Pa in you than you might think.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

If Adam had anything to say to that, he didn\u2019t get the chance. Mrs. O\u2019Connell was just letting Laddie in the front door. When Joe spotted her, he bounded down the stairs, picked her up, twirled her around, kissed her cheek, and welcomed her to the family. His enthusiasm woke Pa, but as Adam could have predicted, Pa\u2019s admonishments weren\u2019t very harsh, because after all, the apple hadn\u2019t fallen too far from the tree.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter 60<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

When school resumed in mid-January at the Boston Institute for the Blind, numerous changes greeted the children. Their familiar building was gone, of course, replaced temporarily by a building several miles down the road from the school\u2019s grounds. The boys\u2019 dormitory had been aired out and scrubbed from top to bottom, which allowed the boys to be housed there once again. Edward Brockington had found a rambling, vacant house to serve as the girls\u2019 dormitory. Mr. Brockington was paying the monthly rent on the house, and wouldn\u2019t entertain the notion of it being handled any other way, even when Adam tried his best to split half the cost with him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Elias Cross didn\u2019t return to school after Christmas break. Rumor had it that his own father dismissed him for the way he\u2019d left Joe and Laddie to fend for themselves and their students on the day of the fire. Adam wouldn\u2019t confirm or deny that rumor for Joe, but the grin he sported told Joe that Cross\u2019s father had indeed, released him of his teaching duties. For the time being, the man\u2019s students were divided up amongst other teachers. Before the new school year started again in September, Adam would have to hire someone to replace Cross.<\/span><\/p>\n

Charlotte was present in Laddie\u2019s class that first day of school in January, but not before her parents had stopped in Joe\u2019s classroom to thank him for saving her life. The little girl seemed fine to Joe. A bit shy and reserved when her parents made her say, \u201cThank you, Mr. Cartwright, for saving me,\u201d but prior to the fire he hadn\u2019t known the child, so her quiet demeanor didn\u2019t surprise him. He was glad to see she\u2019d returned. He thought being back in school with her friends would prove to be the best thing for Charlotte over time.<\/span><\/p>\n

At his father\u2019s insistence, Joe had seen Dr. Warren and Dr. Nichols before the winter school term resumed. He\u2019d been given a clean bill of health by both of the men. Dr. Warren had no explanation for the return of Joe\u2019s eyesight, other than to mention the same things he had the last time Joe visited him. Perhaps a blood clot had dissolved, or inflammation of the optic nerves was no longer a factor. Or perhaps there were numerous other reasons his eyesight had returned, that medical science didn\u2019t have the knowledge to understand yet. Or, perhaps too, it was nothing other than a miracle. Dr. Warren smiled at that point and told Joe he could take his pick. Joe didn\u2019t attempt to pick anything. He was just thankful his vision was normal, and the headaches were gone. Pa seemed to feel the same way, because he didn\u2019t press the doctor for further explanations, either. If Joe knew his father, Ben Cartwright was putting this under the \u201cmiracle\u201d category. Joe wasn\u2019t sure he\u2019d ever believe that, but then, Pa put considerably more stock in his religious faith than Joe put in his own.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Adam and Laddie set a wedding date of New Year\u2019s Eve, Pa set New Year\u2019s Day as the date he and Hoss would leave Boston on the first leg of their journey to Nevada. In the meantime, they pitched in at the temporary school, helping to set up classrooms with desks, books, shelves, and supplies. Joe had fun working alongside them again. It made him even more eager for June to arrive, when he, too, would return to the Ponderosa.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of the children giggled over the thought of a \u201cMrs. Cartwright,\u201d now teaching at their school, along with a Headmaster Cartwright, and a Mr. Cartwright. Joe supposed all those Cartwrights were a bit confusing at times, and yes, he had to admit, it was as funny as the teenagers in his classroom found it to be, whenever someone mistakenly assumed Laddie was married to him, rather than to Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

But on the afternoon of the actual ceremony, there hadn\u2019t been any giggling going on. There\u2019d been a lot of crying, from what Joe could see as he stood between the groom and Hoss, looking out at the guests who filled the pews at the First Presbyterian Church, though the tears were happy ones. Despite the short period of time for the planning of the wedding, the ceremony went off without a hitch, and the reception afterwards at the Brockington estate was a lavish one. All of Laddie\u2019s sisters stood as her attendants, while Hoss and Joe stood with Adam, and Pa read the love sonnet Adam dedicated to his bride. Joe thought he and Hoss did a good job of keeping straight faces throughout the reading. Joe silently repeated to himself, \u201cJust don\u2019t look at Hoss. Just don\u2019t look at Hoss. Don\u2019t look at him, and you won\u2019t laugh.\u201d Likewise, Joe suspected Hoss was saying much the same thing \u2013 \u201cJust don\u2019t look at Joe. Just don\u2019t look at him,\u201d as the sonnet filled with twisted English no normal man could ever hope to understand, went on and on, seeming never to end.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mrs. O\u2019Connell wailed loudly at the close of the ceremony, then hurried over to the Brockingtons\u2019 to help in any way she could, not trusting the cooks there to have the wedding feast prepared in the fashion she deemed it should be.<\/span><\/p>\n

Later that evening, the couple departed on a weeklong honeymoon in New York City. Joe, Hoss, and the Brockington grandsons decorated the carriage driven by Elliot that took Laddie and Adam to the train station.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before the couple climbed in the carriage, Pa took the first turn at kissing the bride, then at hugging Adam. Hoss was the next one in the Cartwright family to give the bride and groom final congratulations, followed by Joe. After Joe kissed the bride, he teased, \u201cI\u2019m glad he got around to asking you sooner, rather than later.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMe too, or I might be Mrs. Joseph Cartwright by now,\u201d Laddie teased in return, \u201cinstead of Mrs. Adam Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can bet money on that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe turned to Adam, giving him a hug. \u201cYou\u2019re a lucky man, Adam. You\u2019ve got yourself a beautiful bride, and a wonderful woman to boot.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As the brothers parted, Joe said, \u201cWhen you get back, I\u2019ll be gone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGone? What do you mean, gone? I thought you were staying until June.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI am. I mean gone from your house. I found a room to rent.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat for?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Joe said softly, so as not to be overheard by the large crowd gathered on the Brockingtons\u2019 front lawn, \u201cif I have to explain that to you, then you\u2019ve got a lot to learn on this honeymoon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWha–oh, that.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that. You and Laddie need your privacy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, when we want privacy, I\u2019ll tell you to get lost. In the meantime, cancel whatever arrangements you\u2019ve made to rent a room.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve already discussed this with Laddie. She\u2019s in complete agreement with me. You\u2019re staying at our house until June. We won\u2019t have it any other way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBy June, you might feel differently.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if I do, you\u2019ll be going home then anyway, so it won\u2019t matter, will it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam ended the discussion there. He climbed in the carriage and told Elliot they were ready to leave. Rice and good wishes showered the couple as the carriage pulled away. The next day, after seeing his father and Hoss off on the train, Joe did as Adam had told him to, and canceled the arrangements he\u2019d made to rent a room in a boarding house a block from the temporary school.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam and Laddie returned from their honeymoon looking happy and well rested. School started the following week. There never was a time when Adam told Joe to \u201cget lost,\u201d but maybe that\u2019s because Joe made sure the newly married couple had plenty of time alone. On some days he stayed later at the school, and he spent numerous Saturdays doing things with the boys in his class, and even escorted several of Boston\u2019s eligible young women around the city. Because he wasn\u2019t going to make Boston his home, Joe didn\u2019t allow himself to grow serious about any of the women, but he wouldn\u2019t deny he\u2019d missed the enjoyment of a lady\u2019s company \u2013 in the many ways a man might define that \u2013 during the past six months.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite three adults living in the same house, two of them newlyweds, things went smoothly on the home front that winter and spring. When Adam and Joe had occasion to exchange heated words, Laddie always managed to tactfully put an end to their disagreement, while allowing both men to retain their pride.<\/span><\/p>\n

The end of May seemed to arrive all too quickly that year. Thanks to funding from the state of Massachusetts, wealthy men like Edward Brockington, wealthy alumni of the institute, and donations, the new school was under construction on the exact spot where the old school had stood. If things went as planned, it would be ready for the students upon their return in September. If progress were delayed for some reason, the children would return to the temporary school until their new one was ready for them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The last day of school found the students having a picnic on the Brockington estate. One of the wonders that had come with the return of Joe\u2019s eyesight was the ability to see all of the things he\u2019d only been able to imagine, based on descriptions given to him. The Brockingtons\u2019 Victorian mansion was just as sprawling and luxurious as he\u2019d pictured it to be, right up to the peaks of its two, fourth story turrets, and the large verandas that spanned the front and back of the house. Joe had even played golf with Edward a few times that spring, when he\u2019d wanted to give Adam and Laddie some privacy. He found himself to be fairly skilled at the game now that he could actually see where he was hitting the ball. It might have even grown to become the kind of \u201cgentleman\u2019s game\u201d Joe would have enjoyed had he planned to be a Boston businessman, instead of a Nevada rancher.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe hadn\u2019t been sure of how to tell the boys in his class that his eyesight had returned, or if he even should tell them. But both Laddie and Adam thought he should give them that news within a day or two of the winter term resuming, so he took their advice. All the boys expressed their happiness for him. None of them appeared to be jealous, except for Caleb. Although it wasn\u2019t really jealousy Joe sensed from the boy, as much as he sensed sadness. The first few times Joe tried to discuss it with Caleb, the boy had turned away and said woodenly, \u201cI\u2019m happy for you, Mr. Cartwright. I really am.\u201d But finally on one snowy February Saturday when Joe had taken the boys sledding, he got the chance to talk to Caleb alone. They were standing together by the fire Joe had built so the boys could warm theirs hands and feet when they needed to.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Joe warmed his own hands over the flames, he said, \u201cIt must not have been easy for you to hear that I got my eyesight back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Caleb shrugged. \u201cI told you I was happy for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know. And I\u2019m sure you are. But if I were you, I\u2019d be a little sad too, because I\u2019d want it to be me who could see again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

That seemed to be what Caleb needed \u2013 permission to admit that he wanted the same miracle Joe had gotten. He buried his face in Joe\u2019s coat and cried for the eyesight he wanted so badly, but would never have again. After that, little by little and day by day, Joe watched Caleb come to better terms with his lost vision, and watched too, as the boy who had arrived at the institute as a ten year old, turned eleven, and in so doing, seemed to leave the child behind, while making way for the young man he\u2019d eventually grow to be.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, on this last day they were to have together as teacher and student, Caleb sought Joe out while his fellow schoolmates played games and ate ice cream. They walked together across the grounds of the Brockington home in a direction that took them away from the other students and teachers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wish you weren\u2019t leaving, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes I wish I wasn\u2019t leaving either, Caleb.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI want you to be my teacher again next year.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe smiled. \u201cEven if I did come back next year, I wouldn\u2019t be your teacher, son. I\u2019d be teaching the new boys who are coming into the school for the first time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen I\u2019d just be a new boy again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe laughed as he placed a hand on top of Caleb\u2019s blond head. \u201cYou\u2019re got it all figured out, is that it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo. \u2018Cause if I had it all figured out, you wouldn\u2019t be goin\u2019 back to Nevada.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThings changed, Caleb. That\u2019s why I have to return to my home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you got your eyesight back?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cSo that means you don\u2019t wanna be with us blind kids any more?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, that\u2019s not what it means. It doesn\u2019t mean that at all. It just means that my place is on the ranch I help my brother and father run.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs your father making you go back there?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he\u2019s not. It\u2019s my choice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh. I. . .well, I guess if I got my sight back, I\u2019d wanna live on my pa\u2019s farm too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo you kind of understand then?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d the boy sighed. \u201cI reckon I do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCaleb, listen to me, you\u2019re going to have a lot of success in your life. I know you are. All it\u2019s gonna take is for you to stay in school \u2013 keep coming back to the institute each year \u2013 and you\u2019ll be surprised at all you\u2019ll learn, and all you can eventually do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI. . . I\u2019ve been thinking that maybe someday, after I graduate and all, that maybe I can teach the new boys, like you taught me. I can show \u2018em stuff, and make \u2018em do their lessons, and do fun things with \u2018em too, just like you did with us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe put an arm around the boy\u2019s shoulders. \u201cThat sounds like a fine goal. I know you\u2019ll achieve it if you set your mind to it. And you know what else?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf that\u2019s still what you\u2019d like to do after you graduate, I\u2019ll put in a good word for you with the headmaster.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

That comment made Caleb laugh. As his merriment died away, he asked, \u201cWill you write me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cAt the school? And when I\u2019m at my parents\u2019 farm, too?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou bet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut you don\u2019t have to write in Braille any more. How will I read your letters?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll write to you in Braille, don\u2019t you worry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReally.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe stopped walking then and reached into the left front pocket of his pants. He pulled out a box and handed it to Caleb.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHere. I didn\u2019t get any of the other boys a going away present, so keep this between us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOpen it and find out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Caleb opened the box and took out a gold pocket watch attached to a chain. After he\u2019d explored it with his fingers, he flicked open the lid and smiled with delight when he discovered the numbers were in Braille. His fingers next traveled over the inscription on the inside of the watch\u2019s lid.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018May, 1873. For Caleb. Best Wishes Always. From Your Teacher, Joe Cartwright.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy\u2019s arms encircled Joe\u2019s waist. \u201cThank you, Mr. Cartwright. I\u2019ll use it forever and ever. I\u2019ll never want another watch, no matter how old I live to be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe placed one hand on Caleb\u2019s head, and the other on his back. \u201cYou\u2019re welcome. Whenever life seems hard, you read what I had inscribed on that watch and remember that I\u2019m thinking of you, and that I believe in you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Caleb held onto the watch with the same reverence some people hold onto a Bible, until their walk brought them back to where the other children were playing. He put the watch in his pocket then, and joined his classmates in a game of croquet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When the day ended, it was hard for Joe to hold back his tears as he said goodbye to all of \u201chis boys.\u201d Like Joe, most of them would be heading home over the next few days. Though unlike Joe, they\u2019d all be returning to the institute in the fall. Every single boy told Joe they\u2019d never forget him, just as he assured them of the same. His teenagers got him with one final prank by dousing him from behind with a bucket of ice-cold water straight from the pump. Joe stood there dripping and laughing, while trying not to regret his decision to give up his teaching career.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the line of carriages that were taking the students back to their dormitories pulled away, Joe stood on the sidewalk watching the departure. He glanced to his right when an arm came to rest across his shoulders, and saw that Adam had joined him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not easy saying goodbye, is it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe shook his head. \u201cEven after everything they put me through, it\u2019s not easy saying goodbye at all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou could change your mind,\u201d Adam said, not able to hide the hope in his voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI could, but I won\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As Joe knew he would, Adam accepted that answer without further discussion. The headmaster patted his brother\u2019s back, then walked away, leaving Joe alone to say a final, silent goodbye to his students.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter 61<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Another difficult goodbye came Joe\u2019s way three days after the school year ended. He was headed home, eager to board the train, and yet, dreading it at the same time. Boston was a long way from Virginia City. He\u2019d miss having the luxury of Adam\u2019s counsel any time he needed it, and he\u2019d miss the sister-in-law who\u2019d brought so much joy to Adam\u2019s life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe said his goodbyes to Mrs. O\u2019Connell before he, Adam, and Laddie departed for the train station in one of the Brockington carriages. It was only fitting that Joe\u2019s parting mirrored his arrival, which included Elliot doing the driving.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll miss yeh, Joseph,\u201d Mrs. O\u2019Connell had said tearfully. \u201cI surely will.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I\u2019ll miss you, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t yeh be fergetin\u2019 to give that Hop Sing fella\u2019 me recipe for Boston Cream Pie that yeh love so much.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, I won\u2019t forget.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd tell Eric and yer da I said hello to \u2018em, and to come back and visit soon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be sure and do that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe bent to receive the little woman\u2019s hug, gave her a kiss on the cheek in return, and then followed Laddie and Adam out the front door. He stopped at the gate to bend down and say goodbye to Shakespeare, who had trailed along behind the little group, as though he, too, was mourning Joe\u2019s parting. At least the dog would still have a chance to \u201cwork,\u201d as Laddie was now using him for guidance around the house, and for short trips throughout the neighborhood, in the same manner Joe had when he couldn\u2019t see.<\/span><\/p>\n

When they arrived at the station, Joe shook hands with Elliot and thanked him for the many trips he\u2019d chauffeured.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was my pleasure, Joe,\u201d the man said, before walking off to find a porter to take care of the luggage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe say goodbye to his sister-in-law next. He kissed her cheek, and then said softly so only she could hear, \u201cThank you for making Adam so happy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re welcome.\u201d She patted the slight bulge just above her waistline. \u201cDon\u2019t forget to tell your father about our \u201csurprise\u201d as soon as you get home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I won\u2019t forget,\u201d Joe promised, while silently congratulating himself on all that privacy he\u2019d given his brother and sister-in-law these past few months. Obviously, it had born fruit, in a manner of speaking. \u201cYou\u2019ll hear his shout all the way here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe moved from Laddie to Adam. He stood looking at his brother a long moment, not sure how to put in to words all he wanted to say. \u201cThank you,\u201d seemed so inadequate, considering everything Adam had done for him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHave a safe trip,\u201d Adam said.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cTell Hoss and Pa I said hello.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do that.\u201d Joe chewed on his lower lip for a second. \u201cAdam, I–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to say it, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I do. The only thing is, saying thank you doesn\u2019t seem to be enough.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s enough.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can never repay you for all you\u2019ve done for me since last summer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I\u2019d never ask for repayment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but still. . .\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow about if we just settle on, \u201cGoodbye, brother,\u201d and leave it at that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe smiled as he stepped forward to give Adam a hug. He patted the man on the back. \u201cGoodbye, brother. I\u2019ll miss you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll miss you too, Little Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s smile widened at this form of address Adam so rarely used. It spoke of their history together as brothers, and spoke of the affection Adam couldn\u2019t voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

When the two men parted, they shook hands, Joe not letting the handshake break until the train whistle blew, and he had no choice but to board.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d tell you to behave yourself,\u201d Adam said as he and Laddie walked with Joe to the boarding platform, \u201cbut I know it won\u2019t do me any good.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right. It won\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStay safe, Joe!\u201d Laddie called over the crowd that was quickly surrounding Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI will!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHave a good trip!\u201d Adam shouted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe was swept up with those boarding the train. When he reached the car a porter directed him to, he chose a seat by a window that faced the platform he\u2019d just been standing on. He soon caught sight of Adam walking along the platform with his wife, his gaze never leaving the train. When Adam spotted Joe, he stopped and said something to Laddie. They stood there holding hands and smiling. When the train finally began to chug away from the station, Adam started waving. Joe waved in return, not halting the motion until Adam was out of view.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe settled back in his seat, his eyes never leaving all that was passing by outside his window. After all, the last time he\u2019d ridden on a train, he hadn\u2019t been able to enjoy the scenery. This time, he was determined not to miss out on a single sight as he traveled from state to state.<\/span><\/p>\n

In many ways, it seemed like years since he\u2019d come to Boston. Maybe it was because so much had happened in such a short period of time, or maybe it was because when Joe left Virginia City last August, he never thought he\u2019d be returning to the Ponderosa for more than just an occasional visit.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the train traveled out of the city, a porter stopped to ask if Joe needed anything.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot right now, thank you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf ya\u2019 don\u2019t mind me a\u2019 sayin\u2019 so, Sir, ya\u2019 seem real happy to be travelin\u2019 with us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe smiled at the black man. \u201cI am real happy. I\u2019m going home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat be nice, Sir.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe turned to look out of the window again, saying softly as the porter moved on, \u201cYeah, it is nice. Nicer than anyone can imagine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe had heard someone claim once, that the wheels of a train seemed to say exactly what you wanted them to as they traveled over the tracks. If that was true, then every mile he traveled west, the wheels said, \u201cYou\u2019re going home, you\u2019re going home, you\u2019re going home,\u201d until the day came when Joe saw his first glimpse of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, and knew the wheels were right \u2013 he was home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter 62<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Joe wasn\u2019t certain if his father or Hoss would be waiting for him when he got off the stage in Virginia City. Estimating a date of arrival when traveling from as far away as Boston, wasn\u2019t an exact science. Joe had wired his father from Omaha, letting him know the train was running on schedule. He hadn\u2019t sent a wire since then, because there hadn\u2019t been any delays to notify Pa about.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the stage traveled down Virginia City\u2019s main street, Joe spotted a familiar ten- gallon hat. He barely waited for the stage to come to a stop before opening the door and jumping out. Within seconds of Joe\u2019s feet hitting the ground, Hoss was squeezing the life out of him. When the exuberant greeting between the brothers finally ended, Pa took his turn at hugging his youngest son.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome home, Joseph,\u201d the man greeted with his son firmly encased in his arms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa. It\u2019s good to be back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa broke the hug and held Joe at arms\u2019 length. \u201cYou\u2019re sure about that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe nodded and grinned. \u201cMore sure than you\u2019ll ever know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As they got Joe\u2019s luggage from the stage and secured it to the cargo area at the rear of the buggy, they talked of all the things a person would expect after a loved one had just returned from an extended time away. How Joe\u2019s trip was. What kind of progress was being made on the new school building in Boston. How Adam and Laddie were.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re just fine, Pa,\u201d Joe assured. \u201cHappy. Very happy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, now, I\u2019m glad to hear that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe said, as he finished helping Hoss with the luggage. \u201cAs a matter of fact, they\u2019re so happy, you\u2019re gonna be a grandpa come about the middle of November.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s good new. . .\u201d Pa did a double take, his right foot falling back to the ground as he was about to climb in the buggy. \u201cWhat\u2019d you just say?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI said Adam and Laddie are so happy, that you\u2019re gonna be a grandpa–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA. . .a grandpa? They\u2019re going to have. . .I\u2019m going to be. . .there\u2019s going to be a baby?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe exchanged smiles with Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYep, there\u2019s going to be a baby.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA baby,\u201d Pa said with wonder. \u201cI\u2019m going to be a grandpa. I\u2019m finally going to be a grandfather.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Pa, you finally are, and the best news of all is, there doesn\u2019t have to be a shotgun wedding.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, that\u2019s not funny.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you had a little more respect for the state of matrimony, you wouldn\u2019t make jokes about something like that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Sir.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you. . .\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

While Pa carried on about Joe\u2019s views on marriage, Hoss sidled up to Joe, whispering, \u201cYa\u2019 just had to go and put yer foot in yer mouth not five minutes after gettin\u2019 off that stage, didn\u2019t ya\u2019, little brother?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but it sure sounds good, Hoss.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe smiled and winked as he climbed in the back next to his father. \u201c \u2018Cause it sounds like home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss couldn\u2019t help but smile in return. He got in the front of the buggy, picked up the reins, and headed the rig toward the Ponderosa.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Supper that night was a celebration \u2013 or so it seemed to Joe. It was just Joe, his father, and Hoss at the table. Candy and most of the hands were camping out on the range since it was branding season, which was fine with Joe. He looked forward to seeing Candy, but right now, on his first night home, he wanted it to be just family.<\/span><\/p>\n

The conversation skipped from one subject to the next, as Joe\u2019s father and brother caught him up on news of the ranch, and things going on in Virginia City. Likewise, Joe shared news of Boston, trying to remember every message Adam had told him to pass on to Pa and Hoss in the days before he left.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even Hop Sing seemed in a celebratory mood, as he kept popping in to the dining room, checking to see if Joe wanted anything else. After dessert was eaten, Hop Sing cleared the dishes, saying a final time, \u201cIs good have you home, Little Joe,\u201d before scurrying off to the kitchen.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the three men sipped at the coffee in their cups, Joe looked at Hoss and nodded. Hoss raised an eyebrow, and Joe nodded again.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s eyes traveled from Joe to their father. \u201cUh. . .Pa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, son?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUm. . .Joe and me\u2019s been writtin\u2019 back and forth these past few months, and\u00a0<\/span>
\nhe. . .I mean, we, kinda have a few thoughts we wanna share with ya\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThoughts?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d When Hoss looked to Joe for help, Joe simply nodded again.\u00a0<\/span>
\n\u201cUm. . .money makin\u2019 kinda thoughts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben sat back in his chair. \u201cOh. Money making kind of thoughts, is it? Well now, it\u2019s been my experience that whenever you two have those kind of thoughts, trouble generally follows close behind.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot this time, Pa,\u201d Joe assured.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHmmm. Not this time, uh? And just what makes this time different, Joseph?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, see, it\u2019s like I\u2019ve been telling Hoss in those letters we\u2019ve exchanged. There\u2019s a lot of money to be made by letting people come on the Ponderosa to ride horses, fish, camp, hunt–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd just why would we let people come onto the Ponderosa and do those things?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor fun.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhose fun?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTheirs, of course. Our visitors.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if I don\u2019t\u00a0want<\/em>\u00a0visitors hunting and fishing on the Ponderosa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, come on. We own so much land, you\u2019ll hardly know they\u2019re around.\u00a0<\/span>
\nWell. . .except when they stop here at the house to pay me and Hoss, that is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo pay you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, the fee. To pay us the fee.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor camping, fishing, hunting, and riding horses?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Joe grinned. \u201cYou\u2019ve got the idea.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Pa,\u201d Hoss agreed with a grin of his own. \u201cYou\u2019ve got the idea.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I think I\u2019ve got the idea, all right, and the answer is no.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s smile faded. \u201cNo?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s smile died too, as he echoed, \u201cNo?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Pa, in Boston people pay a lot of money to do stuff like this. Why, you should have seen some of the crazy things they\u2019d pay for. Hoss and I\u2019ll do all the work, I promise. You won\u2019t have to do a thing. . .except maybe collect money when we\u2019re off being guides.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGuides?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, you know. Showing people around. For an extra fee, of course.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d Ben took a deep breath. \u201cJoseph, now you listen to me, and listen to me good. I will not have people traipsing all over the Ponderosa like she\u2019s some kind\u00a0<\/span>
\nof. . .kind of. . .kind of . . .\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn Boston, they call it a tourist attraction,\u201d Joe said helpfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right then, tourist attraction. I will not have people traipsing all over the Ponderosa like she\u2019s a tourist attraction. Need I remind you, this is a working ranch.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know it is. But see, Pa–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t see, and I don\u2019t plan to. End of discussion.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Pa–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, if I so much as spot one tourist on my land, I\u2019ll get out my rifle, and it\u2019ll be\u00a0your<\/em>\u00a0backside that\u2019s riddled with buckshot. Do I make myself clear?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes dropped to the table with disappointment. \u201cYes, Sir.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa looked at Hoss next. \u201cHoss?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sir, you\u2019ve made yerself clear.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right then. Now I don\u2019t want to hear any more of it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, Pa,\u201d Joe agreed, looking at his father again. \u201cBut what about the water closet?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss and I have been talking about remodeling it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRemodeling it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, so it\u2019s more like the one Adam has.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, we don\u2019t have any type of public water system that reaches the Ponderosa, like Adam has in Boston, or a public sewer system, either.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know. But I\u2019ve been reading up on it quite a bit, and if we dig a septic field, and then dig another well, and pipe the water in, and then–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben threw up his hands. \u201cAll right, all right. I\u2019m too tired to hear about it at this moment. You two go ahead and see just what kind of remodeling is feasible, but before you tear anything out, or put anything in, I want to approve it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSounds fair to me, Pa. Doesn\u2019t it sound fair to you, Hoss?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon it does.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Good, let\u2019s get to work then.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWork?\u201d Pa questioned. \u201cJoe, it\u2019s getting late.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot too late to do some measuring. Come on, Hoss.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The two men rushed from the table. Their father shook his head over their enthusiastic departure, and wondered if his water closet would ever be the same again \u2013 or even usable, for that matter.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben heard the washstand being moved, followed by a crash, and then shattering glass. The man rolled his eyes, easily guessing the washbowl and pitcher had just hit the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d Joe yelled in strangled whisper. \u201cBe careful! What if Pa hears?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell dad burnit, Joe, I thought you was holdin\u2019 onto it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMe? I told you to hold onto it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou did not!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I did! I stood right here and said. . .\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben chuckled as the argument continued. Joe had arrived just six hours ago, and it already sounded as though things were back to normal around here.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The man stood, carrying his coffee cup to his leather chair. As he sank into the comfortable old seat, he lifted his cup toward the second floor in way of a toast, and said with a contented smile, \u201cWelcome home, Joseph. Welcome home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Epilogue<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

As dawn broke on New Year\u2019s Day, snow began to fall on the Ponderosa. By the time the Cartwright men finished eating lunch, a fierce northwest wind was driving the snow sideways. Ben was thankful the snow hadn\u2019t started the previous evening, when the house was filled with friends and neighbors on hand to help him and his sons ring in 1874. Everyone left shortly after midnight, which meant their guests had reached the safety and warmth of their own homes hours ago.<\/span><\/p>\n

The stock had been fed and cared for after breakfast. No one would have to venture out again until late afternoon, when Joe and Hoss would trudge through the snow to do any necessary chores, break ice on water troughs, and check on the animals. Candy and the other hands were in the bunkhouse, either napping or playing cards, Ben surmised. Tomorrow would be a regular working day again. Today, well today was a holiday, and Ben didn\u2019t blame anyone for taking advantage of it by staying inside near a roaring fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben and his sons rose from the table, all of them headed for their own roaring fire burning in the great room. Before Joe and Hoss could settle down in front of the checkerboard, Ben walked to his desk and took an envelope from a drawer. A letter arrived from Adam two days ago. Ben had put it away without reading it, knowing New Year\u2019s afternoon would be a good time to share it with the boys.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s old habit of writing to only his father had ceased after Hoss and Joe found out about his missing arm. Now, letters arrived addressed to each member of the Cartwright family, and some, like the one Ben was holding, arrived addressed to everyone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBefore you boys get involved in your game, I\u2019ve got a letter here from Adam to read.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben walked back to the sitting area, heading for his chair. Hoss sat on the settee, while Joe perched on a corner of the coffee table. Ben slit the envelope open that was addressed to, \u2018Benjamin Cartwright and Sons\u2019 and pulled out the tri-folded letter.<\/span><\/p>\n

He glanced over at Joe and Hoss before he started reading. For just a moment, he was taken back twenty-five years, to a time when his youngest would sit in his lap on a blustery winter afternoon just like this one was, and his middle boy would sit on the floor at his feet, while he read to them from a book, or told them a story of his time at sea, or of his travels west.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben was brought back to the present by Joe\u2019s voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa. . .the letter. Are you gonna read it to us or not?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Oh. . .oh, yes. Yes, I am.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben looked down at the ivory paper.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDear Family, Happy New Year. Good wishes for a safe and prosperous year to the three of you. All continues to go well here. Elizabeth Josephine seems to grow another inch every day. I look forward to June, when Laddie and I bring her to see you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPoor kid,\u201d Joe muttered. \u201cShe\u2019s gonna hate me for that middle name her parents saddled her with.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben stopped reading and addressed his youngest. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing wrong with her middle name. You should be pleased that your brother and his wife honored you in such a way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI am pleased, Pa. It\u2019s just that if she\u2019d been a boy, Joseph would have been a good choice for a middle name, I suppose. But Josephine?\u201d Joe wrinkled his nose. \u201cDon\u2019t like that much myself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it doesn\u2019t matter whether you like it or not. Little Elizabeth is Adam and Laddie\u2019s baby. When you have a child of your own, you can name him or her whatever you want to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Joe,\u201d Hoss said, \u201cyou can name the little shaver after me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMmmm. A daughter named Hoss. Sure, why not? I guess it\u2019ll grow on me after a while.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss gave his brother a good-natured shove.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Knowing how his sons could get side tracked when horseplay started, Ben resumed reading before he lost their attention.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cElizabeth looks quite a lot like Laddie, which means she\u2019s a beautiful baby. Though everyone says she has my eyes and chin. What little hair she has is dark, so if it stays that color, she\u2019ll take after me in that regard, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe new school building is everything we hoped it would be. The children have settled in nicely. Laddie will resume teaching in January. She will bring Elizabeth to class with her, which should work out fine, as Elizabeth is a calm, sweet natured child. Far more like her Uncle Hoss in personality, than her Uncle Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss beamed with pride. \u201cSee, she\u2019s like me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood thing she didn\u2019t start out weighing what you did,\u201d Joe quipped. \u201cIf she had, she\u2019d be the biggest dang baby girl Boston has ever seen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben smiled slightly as his sons\u2019 bantering, but kept on reading.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen Elizabeth can\u2019t be in class with Laddie for some reason, she will be with me in my office. As Laddie said, it\u2019s a good thing we teach at a private school. In any other teaching situation, Laddie would have been forced to quit her job. But she loves what she does, and I don\u2019t want her to give it up unless she chooses to. And, of course, I have my own selfish reasons for wanting her to continue teaching. I\u2019d have to find someone to replace her if she didn\u2019t return to her classroom.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, your boys often ask me about you. Caleb keeps me abreast of the weekly letters you mail him. He is growing into an upstanding young man. He told me of his desire to be a teacher here at the institute some day. In return, I told him that when he\u2019s a little older, we\u2019ll talk about the education he\u2019ll need after he graduates from here. I promised him if he follows through and gets that education, that I\u2019ll hire him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAlso, Joe, Laddie and I want to thank you for all the work you\u2019ve been doing in order to get a school for the blind started in Virginia City. I wish I could talk you into being the headmaster, but I know what your answer will be, and I understand why. Therefore, Laddie and I are seriously considering moving to Virginia City and running the school ourselves. Since it will be at least another year before the school is ready to be open to students, we have time to get things in order here. I don\u2019t want to leave Boston until I\u2019m certain the school board has chosen the right headmaster to take my place, and of course, I want Laddie to be sure that moving so far from her family is really what she wants to do. She says it is \u2013 she says she knows we\u2019ll both enjoy working together as headmaster and headmistress of a school with a smaller student body.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid ya\u2019 hear that, Joe?\u201d Hoss asked. \u201cAdam and Laddie might be movin\u2019 out here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI heard it,\u201d Joe confirmed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the return of his eyesight, Joe hadn\u2019t forgotten about his thoughts of a school for the blind on this side of the Rocky Mountains. Ever since he\u2019d returned home, he\u2019d been working on getting the necessary financial backing to start such a school. He\u2019d found a building in Virginia City that, given some remodeling, would initially be suitable for the children. At a later date, a new school would likely have to be built, but that need probably wouldn\u2019t come to pass for several years.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s good news, huh, Pa?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben smiled. \u201cYes, Hoss, that\u2019s very good news. Now let\u2019s see what else Adam has to say.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The man slipped the top sheet of paper beneath the second sheet, and resumed reading.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll talk about our plans further with all three of you when we visit in June. I\u2019m eager to see what you\u2019ve found for us, Joe. For a while, Laddie and I will probably live at the school, or very near it. But eventually, I\u2019d like to have a house built on the Ponderosa for us, if that\u2019s all right with you, Pa.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI must say goodbye now. Laddie tells me that Elizabeth wants her papa to rock her. Oh, and speaking of Elizabeth, she received far too many presents for Christmas from her Uncle Hoss and her Uncle Joe. Laddie says Elizabeth is the only seven-week-old baby in Boston with enough toys to last her until she\u2019s long outgrown playing with toys, and that the two of you are going to spoil her terribly if you keep it up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll write again soon. In the meantime, take care of yourselves. Love from, Adam, Laddie, and Elizabeth.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben folded the letter and put it in his shirt pocket. While Hoss and Joe played checkers, he\u2019d write to his oldest son.<\/span><\/p>\n

For a period of time, the three men sat and talked over the various pieces of news Adam told them, then drifted off to their own pursuits. Ben stood and walked to his desk, as Joe and Hoss set the checkerboard up on the coffee table.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Ben opened his top desk drawer, he encountered a piece of paper folded in the middle. Without unfolding it, he knew exactly what it was. He\u2019d picked it up off of Adam\u2019s desk a few days after the fire and put it in his suitcase. He\u2019d never told Adam or Hoss where the list went, but then, they\u2019d never asked. They probably assumed he\u2019d thrown it out, or Mrs. O\u2019Connell had done so when she was cleaning. But it hadn\u2019t been thrown out, because for a long time, Ben had harbored the fear that Joe\u2019s eyesight would leave him again just as quickly and unexpectedly as it returned. If that had happened, then Ben wanted this list to refer to.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He slowly unfolded the paper and read the words written on it \u2013 all of them painful reminders of a decision that, most likely, would have had a tragic outcome. The memory of those months when Joe was blind washed over Ben. The hopelessness he felt when Joe refused help of any kind, the way that hopelessness transformed to hope when Adam arrived to teach Joe, and then the sorrow he\u2019d kept well hidden when Joe said he was moving to Boston.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, all of that was now behind them. Joe\u2019s eyesight had returned over a year ago. He\u2019d had no incidents of blurred vision since then, or loss of vision, nor had he suffered any headaches.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As Ben crinkled up the list and walked toward the fireplace, he knew a man was better off not to question miracles. He paused in front of the flames a moment, then tossed the list into them and watched it burn. He turned toward the coffee table when Joe asked, \u201cWhat\u2019re you burning, Pa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben smiled. \u201cOh, just something I don\u2019t need any more.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When there was nothing left of the paper but ashes, Ben headed back to his desk. He sat down and spent this snowy New Year\u2019s afternoon writing to his oldest son, while the laughter, joking, and teasing going on between his two younger sons, warmed his home in a way no fire ever could.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Readers are encouraged to read:\u00a0 A Fitting Goodbye<\/a> as a follow up to this story.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

*Many thanks to Jane L. and Wrenny for their time spent beta reading this story. I appreciate your friendships, and your sharp eyes!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

*The Boston Institute for the Blind was fictionalized for story purposes. The well-known Perkins Institute for the Blind was the school actually present in Boston during the time period this story takes place.<\/span><\/p>\n

*Unlike what was fictionalized in this story, it wasn\u2019t until shortly after World War I that the first German Shepherds were trained as guide dogs for the blind, or \u201cseeing eye dogs,\u201d as they were commonly called for many years. And again, unlike what was fictionalized in this story, the name \u201cGerman Shepherd\u201d wasn\u2019t bestowed on the breed until the latter part of the 19th century\/early part of the 20th century. The German Shepherd wasn\u2019t recognized as a pure bred breed until 1919, and then due to tensions with Germany, was referred to as the \u201cAlsatian Wolf Dog\u201d for several years. Prior to World War II, the name \u201cGerman Shepherd\u201d came into fashion again for the breed. The dogs were highly valued by American and British Armed Forces during the Second World War because of their intelligence, bravery, and loyalty.<\/span><\/p>\n

*Virginia City didn\u2019t actually exist until 1859. Since the \u201cBonanza\u201d writers ignored this fact, and made references to the existence of Virginia City during Joe\u2019s boyhood, I chose to go along with their fictional liberties during the writing of this story.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

*During the writing of this story, research was done regarding the Transcontinental Railroad, and what was available to the wealthier Boston citizens during the 1870s in the way of indoor plumbing luxuries, as well as other amenities such as natural gas. Research was also done regarding games, \u201camusements,\u201d and the typical lifestyle led by upper class Americans. Any misinterpretations are \u2013 oh drat \u2013 solely the fault of the author.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
Disclaimer:<\/span>\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><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
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<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0“Conquering the Stillness Within” is an alternate universe story to the 12th season aired episode “The Stillness Within.” Or maybe better put a, “What if it would have happened like this. . .” story. Although the character of Jamie Hunter appeared in “The Stillness Within,” he doesn’t appear in “Conquering.” Candy, who did not appear in “The Stillness Within,” is included in this fan fiction story.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0K+ (31,570 words)<\/p>\n

Conquering the Stillness Within Series, links to all the stories within the series included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":73,"featured_media":2540,"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":[7,23,27],"tags":[14,16],"class_list":["post-2545","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-a-u","category-drama","category-whi","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-joe","wpcat-7-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-27-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2207,"today_views":1},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Stillness-Within-copy.jpg?fit=629%2C470&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2537,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2537","url_meta":{"origin":2545,"position":0},"title":"Conquering the Stillness Within – Part 1 (by Kenda)","author":"Kenda","date":"September 8, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0\"Conquering the Stillness Within\" is an alternate universe story to the 12th season aired episode \"The Stillness Within.\" Or maybe better put a, What if it would have happened like this. . . story. 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