{"id":27954,"date":"2003-05-26T13:56:25","date_gmt":"2003-05-26T17:56:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=27954"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:07:56","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:07:56","slug":"driven-by-hate-by-stephaniej","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=27954","title":{"rendered":"Driven by Hate (by StephanieJ)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0A man driven by hate uses Joe as a weapon to bring Ben to his knees.
\nRated: \u00a0PG
\nWords:\u00a0 6,100<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Driven by Hate<\/div>\n

Inside the little school another day was beginning much like any other\u2026all the children were settling into their seats and the teacher, Miss Abigail Jones, was calling the class to attention.\u00a0 She began the day with a prayer and then proceeded to outline the work for the day.\u00a0 As her voice filled the room, one student struggled to pay attention.<\/p>\n

Here she goes already<\/em>, he mused to himself, the days barely begun and lecturing already.\u00a0 She must just love the sound of her own voice; she just goes on and on and on\u2026.\u00a0<\/em> But then it was that voice, directed at him that pulled him back into the moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, we\u2019re just getting started and already your mind is wandering.\u00a0 You best pay attention young man or you\u2019ll find yourself staying in at recess to catch up on the assignments you\u2019ve not heard me assign.\u00a0 Now, as I was saying JOSEPH, lets take out our arithmetic books and turn to page 76 and begin to work those problems.\u201d<\/p>\n

Twelve-year-old Joseph Cartwright was not a big fan of school, but did what was required to get through each day, barely.\u00a0 So with a humph and a sigh, he slapped his math book onto his desk and pulled out his slate and pressed on, not wanting to give Miss Jones any reason to keep him from recess.<\/p>\n

As the class worked quietly, an older man entered the room and stood in the back.\u00a0 Looking for any distraction, Joe immediately noticed the man and with all the curiosity of a young boy studied his features.\u00a0 He was an older man, maybe as old as his father, he thought.\u00a0 But his face was worn; his beard was scraggly and dirty, as was his grayish hair that stuck out from under a tattered brown hat.\u00a0 His clothes were well worn and faded but it was his eyes that gave Joe cause to pause and shudder.\u00a0 And as he tried to figure out this man and understand the feeling he was getting from his eyes, the man had become impatient for the teacher to notice him.\u00a0 Failing to attract Miss Jones attention, the man loudly cleared his throat.<\/p>\n

Miss Jones looked up from her work and rose from her chair, \u201cYes sir, may I help you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, yes \u2018m, I\u2019ve been sent to collect up Little Joe Cartwright,\u201d the man stated flatly.<\/p>\n

Little Joe jumped up from his seat and whipped his head to look at Miss Jones.\u00a0 Miss Jones held up her hand to indicate to Joe to wait just a moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joseph, why? May I ask who you are sir?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Ma\u2019am, I\u2019m a new hand out at the Ponderosa and things are kinda crazy out there right now\u2026with that big accident and all and since my horse was saddled and nearby, the foreman told me to get into town and send the undertaker back and then come get the kid.\u00a0 Yup, undertaker first and then the kid, that\u2019s what he done told me and that\u2019s what I done did,\u201d explained the man.<\/p>\n

As the man spoke the classroom was eerily quiet.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s eyes grew wide with fright and as he heard the word undertaker he had to grab at his desk to steady himself.\u00a0 Miss Jones was quickly at his side and put her arm around the boy\u2019s slim shoulders drawing him to her side.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Jones,\u201d Joe croaked out in a whisper, \u201cthe undertaker?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow just hold on Joseph, we don\u2019t have any idea what\u2019s going on.\u201d She said with an air of authority and then focused her attention on the man who had become the center of the small classroom.<\/p>\n

\u201cSir, just what are you trying to say? You\u2019re frightening this child,\u201d she said calmly gesturing toward Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just doing like I was told.\u00a0 They said to send the undertaker with three boxes, why they\u2019d need three I don\u2019t know\u2026didn\u2019t look like there was enough of anyone to fill one box let alone three, but with all that Cartwright money they can probably afford they\u2019s own boxes, beside\u2026\u201d the man rambled on unconcerned about his young audience, until he was cut off by Miss Jones.<\/p>\n

\u201dExcuse me sir!\u201d Miss Jones eyes grew in fury as she listened to the callous man and felt Joe cling onto her and tremble.\u00a0 A quick glance down revealed the pale, shocked face she knew she\u2019d see.\u00a0 Desperate to get Joe away from the foolish man\u2019s tale, she knelt before Joe and took his shoulders in her hands and turned him to face her.\u00a0 She saw the tears streaming down his face as he struggled to speak.\u00a0 But she started, \u201cNow Joseph, we don\u2019t know what happened, this man may not know the complete story\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe interrupted her,\u00a0 \u201cBut Pa woulda come for me himself or sent Adam or Hoss, unless\u2026they couldn\u2019t\u2026and if it weren\u2019t bad they wouldn\u2019t have sent for me at all,\u201d he hiccuped and hung his head.<\/p>\n

Miss Jones pulled him toward her and patted his back as she spoke, \u201cMitch, please take Joe and help him saddle his horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mitch nodded and replied, \u201cYes ma\u2019am.\u00a0 Do you want me to ride along with him, Miss Jones?\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Miss Jones could answer, the man jumped in hurriedly, \u201cNo, NO they done told me to bring just the kid. Only one kid\u2026that place is not fitten for a bunch of crying kids\u2026it\u2019s bad enough for men with all that blood and such\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSir please\u201d,\u00a0 Miss Jones interrupted as she gave Joe a gentle push toward the door, \u201ccan\u2019t you see you\u2019re upsetting these children with such talk.\u00a0 Surely the situation is not as bad as all that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell you wasn\u2019t there teacher and I was, but what ever you say,\u201d he said with slight smirk.\u00a0\u00a0 Then the classroom fell silent waiting for Mitch and Joe to return.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s all ready Miss Jones,\u201d Mitch stated as he came into the room and took his seat.\u00a0 Joe waited by the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell then we best be gettin on.\u00a0 Death waits for no man,\u201d the man stated.\u00a0 Then he turned and hurried out of the room ushering Joe along, leaving the occupants stunned and Miss Jones searching for a way to soothe the shaken children.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Jones, Miss Jones,\u201d Mitch called to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes Mitchell?\u00a0 Was Joseph all right to ride?\u00a0 Perhaps I should send the doctor along, but I guess if it\u2019s as bad as that man said, the doctor would already be there,\u201d\u00a0 Miss Jones muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo Ma\u2019am, he\u2019s not all right, he got sick\u2026threw up just outside.\u00a0 He\u2019s really scared,\u201d he answered.<\/p>\n

———————————–<\/p>\n

Joe and the man rode along for about an hour as Joe tried to pull himself together.\u00a0 He figured he\u2019d need strength and composure to face what he feared at the end of the ride.\u00a0 Joe knew he needed to get more information from the man, but he was afraid to ask so he figured he would start with small questions and work up the question he dreaded.<\/p>\n

\u201cMister, where was my Pa workin\u2019 today?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Joe asked in a small shaky voice\u2026but he received no reply.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre we heading to the mill?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked.\u00a0 Again, there was no reply.\u00a0 The man just rode along staring straight ahead.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long you worked for my father?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked\u2026his stomach tightening into a knot, something wasn\u2019t right.<\/p>\n

\u201cMister, was it my pa and brothers who were hurt?\u00a0 Huh, please Mister, please?\u201d\u00a0 Joe begged the man.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure do ask a powerful lot of questions, boy.\u00a0 Ain\u2019t no one ever taught you to speak only when spoken to?\u00a0 The man sneered at Joe and laughed an evil chuckle.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s goin on?!\u201d\u00a0 Joe demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up Kid!\u201d The man shouted, as he grabbed at Cochise\u2019s reins.\u00a0\u00a0 Terrified, Joe turned Cochise and with a quick kick bolted away from the man.\u00a0 \u201cDamn it kid you better get back here,\u201d the man shouted as he took off after Joe.<\/p>\n

Cochise was fast, but she\u2019d already been run hard today.\u00a0 Joe had been running late for school and tried to make up time on the trail and did, thanks to Cochise, but now the horse was tired and had little to give her master as he tried to flee the horrible man.\u00a0 As Cochise slowed, Joe glanced over his shoulder to see the man gaining on them.\u00a0 Before long the man had closed the gap and reached out his arm.\u00a0 He grabbed a handful of Joe\u2019s jacket and pulled him back off his horse.\u00a0 Joe landed in a heap on the ground, hitting his head and fell into unconsciousness.<\/p>\n

————————————<\/p>\n

Back in the schoolhouse, little work was accomplished the rest of the morning.\u00a0 The children were all restless and scared.\u00a0\u00a0 By lunchtime, Miss Jones, who was herself now a nervous wreck, decided to dismiss school for the remainder of the day and go seek out Sheriff Coffee or Doctor Martin and try to find out what happened to the Cartwrights.\u00a0 She was frightened for the family, especially Adam as well as for Joseph and she was beginning to doubt whether she should have let Joseph go with the callous man.<\/p>\n

Miss Jones hurried into town toward the Sheriff\u2019s office in search of answers.\u00a0 She was a determined woman and it showed in her stride.\u00a0 At the sheriff\u2019s office, Ben Cartwright and his two oldest sons were catching up on the town\u2019s news.\u00a0 Ben had accepted the Sheriff\u2019s offer for coffee, but Adam and Hoss were interested in a beer and were heading out the door as Hoss spied Miss Jones marching toward them.\u00a0 Stepping back and quickly closing the door he chuckled to Adam, \u201cOh Lordy brother, you\u2019d better head for the back door or maybe into a cell.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d was the tentative response from Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cCause Miss Abigail is headin\u2019 this way and she looks bound and determined, somebody musta told that gal you was here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery funny Hoss, Miss Jones would be at the schoolhouse this time of day, let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlrightty then, but don\u2019t say I didn\u2019t warn ya, you heard me warn him, right Pa? Right Roy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYup, we heard ya Hoss,\u201d Sheriff Coffee laughed.<\/p>\n

With that Adam pulled open the door and found himself standing nose to nose with Abigail Jones.\u00a0 Miss Jones was overcome with relief at seeing Adam safe and she hugged him tightly.\u00a0 Adam was stunned by the intensity of the embrace, but quickly grabbed her bony shoulders to push her off of him and free himself from her entanglements.\u00a0 The others in the room stood in stunned silence and finally it was Miss Jones who broke the silence.\u00a0 \u201cOh Adam, I am so relieved to see you safe and unharmed.\u00a0 You are unharmed aren\u2019t you?\u00a0 Oh yes, you look quite well, as usual.\u00a0 Oh and Mr. Cartwright, Hoss you\u2019re both fine too, OH thank goodness\u2026I was so worried, well all the children were and Oh my Joseph, he must be greatly relieved as well\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

As she rambled on, the men each exchanged confused looks, completely unaware of what she was taking about yet unable to get a word in edgewise as she continued.\u00a0 Now however her voice took on a more severe tone.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026and speaking of Joseph, Mr. Cartwright surely there was a more appropriate choice as to who could have come and collected the child.\u00a0 That, that man was heartless and completely insensitive in what he said, really, Mr. Cartwright you should have sent one of the boys for Joseph, if you needed him, but really, if you’re all well, I can\u2019t see why you would have had to worry that poor child\u2026 you know he was physically ill at the very idea, really Mr. Cartwright, I was fearful that he would faint as he rode off with that man\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Jones, I\u2019m sorry, I truly have no idea what you\u2019re talking about.\u201d Ben interrupted quickly, as she paused to take a breath.\u00a0 \u201cJoe rode off with what man?\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell surely Mr. Cartwright, you or someone who works for you sent that man to collect Joseph after the accident this morning,\u201d Miss Jones spouted back.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat accident?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe one that required the undertaker,\u201d Miss Jones replied indignantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Jones, there was no accident this morning as far as I know and certainly no need for the undertaker!\u201d\u00a0 Ben retorted.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut that man, he came for Joseph,\u201d she said softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat man?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked quickly, his voice tightening with fear.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh my, oh my goodness he did seem a bit, well, odd and he didn\u2019t want anyone to accompany Joseph.\u00a0 Oh my, oh dear\u2026\u201d Miss Jones paled and Hoss quickly offered her a chair,\u00a0 \u201cThank you, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Jones, I think we need to hear the whole story,\u201d Ben pressed the distraught teacher.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell this man entered the school this morning shortly after school started…\u201d she started telling the whole story, including the upsetting details the man told regarding the undertaker, the need for three coffins and all the other gruesome details.\u00a0 She related how Joe reacted, both emotionally and physically.\u00a0 Ben paled with each detail until he had to sit down.<\/p>\n

\u201cOH Pa, that poor kid, what he must be thinking?\u00a0 Who could that fella be and why would he get Joe out of school?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss asked the questions they were all thinking.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s mind was a whirl of questions:\u00a0 What in the world was going on and more important: Where was Joe!<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Jones, Miss Jones?\u201d Sheriff Coffee called to the shaken teacher.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes Sheriff, could we talk outside gentlemen, I need some air,\u201d she asked demurely.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Ben answered and took her elbow and led her outside.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Jones, can you tell who the man was and what he looked like?\u201d the sheriff asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t get his name, but he said he worked on the Ponderosa,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell that don\u2019t help,\u201d Hoss snapped and then turned to his father, \u201cPa what are we gonna do, whoever it is has got Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCalm down Hoss,\u201d Ben started, \u201cWe need to be smart here.\u00a0 Roy, we\u2019ll need some men for a posse, we should head out from the school and start trackin.\u00a0 Miss Jones, do you have any idea which way they rode off?\u201d But without waiting for her response, Ben continued to issue orders.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, you and Hoss will need to go get the horses, and Roy\u2026\u201d Ben, Roy and the boys set about planning while Miss Jones just stared down the street.\u00a0 She thought she saw someone familiar.\u00a0 Yes, she thought…there\u2019s something about the clothes and the tattered brown hat.\u00a0<\/em> She watched the man walk down the street toward the saloon.\u00a0 Finally she was sure\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright, that\u2019s the man!\u201d\u00a0 She exclaimed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?!\u201d\u00a0 Ben boomed, \u201cWHERE?!!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe just went into the saloon,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, show me,\u201d he cried and pulled the teacher toward the saloon followed closely by Hoss, Adam and Sheriff Coffee.<\/p>\n

Peeking in the door with Mr. Cartwright over her shoulder, she pointed to the older man with the tattered brown hat.\u00a0 \u201cWait here, Miss Jones, come on boys, let\u2019s find out what\u2019s going on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben and his entourage stormed into the saloon, and Miss Jones slipped in quietly behind them anxious to find out what was going on.\u00a0 The man was sitting alone in the corner of the saloon, nursing a beer.\u00a0 He seemed to be waiting.<\/p>\n

\u201cMister, I think you have some explaining to do.\u00a0 What have you done with my son?\u201d Ben demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, well, well, if it isn\u2019t the great Ben Cartwright, as I live and breathe,\u201d the man stated coolly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMister, if you wanna stay that way you\u2019d better answer my Pa\u2019s question, now where\u2019s my brother,\u201d Hoss spat at the man.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d expect a might better manners from a son of ol Ben Cartwrights now sonny,\u201d the man sneered.<\/p>\n

Hoss and Adam were both seething now and were ready to pound the man to get answers, but Ben held them back, \u201cBoys,\u201d Ben commanded through clenched teeth.<\/p>\n

\u201cMister, you may know me, but I don\u2019t know you, but I do know is you took my son out of school this morning and I want to know where he is.\u201d\u00a0 Ben again demanded answers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, let me see now, your son, your son\u2026is he a little fella, with a head of curly brown hair and a big lump\u2026<\/p>\n

Ben grabbed at the man, but he was ready and scooted his chair back, \u201cIf you\u2019ve hurt him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, I can\u2019t help it if the kid can\u2019t ride good, now let\u2019s make sure we\u2019re talking about the same kid,\u201d the man snickered at the families distress.\u00a0 \u201cNow where was I, oh yeah, the kid I got, gots big green eyes, that cry big tears.\u00a0 Really Cartwright this can\u2019t be your kid, cause the one I gots a real baby, who\u2019s afraid of the dark\u2026cryin\u2019 and screamin\u2019 for his Pa\u2026a real baby.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou bastard, where is my SON!!!\u201d Ben screamed.\u00a0 Adam and Hoss just stood horrified at the man\u2019s words.\u00a0 This scum had their brother and was tormenting them with the details.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally Cartwright, I\u2019d have thought that you\u2019d have gotten that temper of yours under control in the last ten years.\u00a0 But now that I think of it, it\u2019s gotta be your kid I have, he looks just like that meddling wife of yours\u2026how is the old hag now Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben exploded on the man beating him with all he had, but the man just took it, didn\u2019t defend himself, he just laughed.\u00a0 Adam and Hoss grabbed their father\u2026\u201dPA, PA stop! Stop now, we need him to find Joe, we need him!\u201d\u00a0 Adam told him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right Sonny.\u00a0 You need me if you ever hope to see that baby again\u201d the man laughed an evil laugh as blood ran down his face from Ben\u2019s beating.<\/p>\n

\u201cMister, I\u2019m gonna arrest you for kidnapping and I\u2019m doin\u2019 it now before you get torn limb from limb.\u00a0 I\u2019m gonna throw you in jail and then you\u2019re gonna tell us where you took the boy,\u201d Sheriff Coffee explained to the man and his murderous audience. Roy pulled the man from the floor and led him to the jailhouse.<\/p>\n

As the man left the saloon he smiled at Miss Jones and said, \u201cThank you for your help today teacher, couldn\u2019t have got him without ya,\u201d and he laughed again.\u00a0 Miss Jones dropped her head and offered a whispered apology, \u201cI\u2019m so sorry Mr. Cartwright, so sorry,\u201d and then she left amid a flurry of tears.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine now boys, let me go.\u00a0 Hoss get me a whiskey,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 Hoss stood shocked.\u00a0 \u201cNow HOSS, Now!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben downed his drink quickly.\u00a0 \u201cYou boys get over to the school and see if there is a trail to follow then meet me back at the jail.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to talk to that scum and God help me I\u2019m going to try not to kill him.\u00a0 You boys hurry up now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben walked quickly toward the jail and burst through the doors to be met by Sheriff Coffee in the main office.\u00a0 \u201cNow Ben, I can\u2019t have you hurtin\u2019 that man\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat, MAN!\u201d Ben shouted, \u201cThat man is an animal and he\u2019s got my son, but I won\u2019t kill him just yet, I need him to tell me where my son is!!!\u201d Ben thundered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know Ben\u2026let\u2019s see what we can get out of him,\u201d Roy offered and the two of them went to the cell.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell Howdy Ben!\u00a0 How neighborly of you to come visitin\u2019.\u00a0 Can I offer you a cup of coffee,\u201d the man laughed out loud.\u00a0 \u201cI promised you I\u2019d come back to see ya, sorry it\u2019s taken me so long.\u00a0 What\u2019s it been ten years?\u00a0 Yup, I\u2019d say ten years, three month and a few days.\u00a0 I\u2019m almost hurt you don\u2019t remember me though, seein\u2019 how our wives were such good friends.\u00a0 But I\u2019m sure it\u2019ll come to ya. Now if y\u2019all excuse me, I think I need a nap.\u201d\u00a0 And with that the man lay down on the cot and turned away.<\/p>\n

Ben sat in the outer office with his head in his hands as he racked his brain trying to place the man and his name.\u00a0 Surely he must know this man.\u00a0 As he sat thinking, Roy was pouring over his arrest record for eight years ago, also trying to place the man.\u00a0 Then Adam and Hoss returned to the office.\u00a0 \u201cPa, there\u2019s not a trail to be had around that school.\u00a0 There\u2019s nothing to follow,\u201d Hoss reported glumly.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid that jackass say anything Pa?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cTen years ago this idiots wife knew Marie\u2026Roy could he be Carl Hutton, look up that name.\u201d\u00a0 Roy was flipping through the records again.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s Carl Hutton, Pa?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

Ten years ago or so, Marie got friendly with a Mary Hutton, she and her son lived in town.\u00a0 Mary worked in the cafe and we all thought she was a widow, but she later told Marie her husband wanted to divorce her but wanted their son. She was running to keep her child and she just wanted to take her son back east and start over.\u00a0 The story touched Marie, especially after what happened with her mother-in-law and her first child. So she desperately wanted to help Mary get away.\u00a0 So we discussed it and offered to help Mary get back to Ohio.\u00a0 About a month after she left Carl Hutton showed up threatening everyone and anyone to find his son.\u00a0 He found out Marie was Mary\u2019s friend and he showed up at the house one day.\u00a0 You boys were at school and Hop Sing was out, and well Marie and Joseph were alone.\u00a0 I came home early, thank God and found him trying to take Joseph.\u00a0 Our son for his, he said.\u00a0 He had hit Marie and tried to take Joe, so he went to prison for assault and attempted kidnapping\u2026\u201d Ben explained until Roy interrupted him.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor ten years and three months.\u00a0 It must be him, Ben,\u201d Roy stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur son for his, again,\u201d Ben moaned.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I remember that time and Marie crying about some friend of hers who went back east only to die a short time later.\u00a0 Both the lady and her son she had said,\u201d Adam stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh God that\u2019s right Adam, both Mary and her son died in a fire at their boarding house,\u201d Ben added.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think he knows Pa, cause if his son is dead, there\u2019s no tellin\u2019 what he would do to Joe,\u201d Hoss asked fearful for his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy let me talk to that animal again,\u201d Ben stated heading toward the cell.<\/p>\n

\u201cHutton, I remember you now. But there\u2019s nothing to be gained from taking my son.\u00a0 You can\u2019t hurt Marie with this, she passed away some time ago,\u201d Ben stated as calmly as he could.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell good for you, Ben.\u00a0 You know my shrew of a wife died some time ago too, but she took my son with her, thanks to you, so I\u2019m going to return the favor.\u201d\u00a0 Hutton smirked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sick piece of trash, he\u2019s just a child!! Where is he!!!\u201d\u00a0 Ben bellowed at the man so twisted by hate.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy son was a child too, and if you and your wife hadn\u2019t sent him away, he\u2019d be with me today, a man!\u201d Hutton yelled back, his blood pressure building in hate.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he would have left you of his own accord, driven away by your hate for his mother!\u201d Ben shouted at the man.<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up Cartwright\u2026let me tell you more about your kid, let\u2019s see you squirm\u2026you know he thinks your dead.\u00a0 I let him think you all died a miserable death this morning.\u00a0 He thinks he\u2019s all alone and made him sick\u2026but best of all is he\u2019s afraid of the dark\u2026all alone, cold and tied up in the dark thinkin\u2019 your dead.\u201d\u00a0 Hutton laughed that same evil laugh he gave in the saloon.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s perfect\u2026I\u2019m here in this comfy jail and he\u2019s all alone with no food or water.\u00a0 I wonder how long he\u2019ll last, Cartwright.\u00a0 What do you think Ben?\u00a0 Of course there could be an explosion and that might get him sooner\u2026you never know\u2026.\u201d\u00a0 Hutton howled with laughter as Ben grabbed him through the bars and yanked him into the iron bars.<\/p>\n

WHERE IS MY SON, YOU SICK BASTARD!!!\u00a0 Ben screamed at the man and thrust him across the cell into the far wall.<\/p>\n

Hutton laughed again while trying to suck in air.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll never tell you Ben, never\u2026you\u2019d better get lookin\u2019 or all you\u2019ll find is bones\u2026I hope\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Hutton stopped laughing and clutched his chest.\u00a0 His eyes grew wide and he slid down the wall to become a heap on the cold hard floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cADAM, get the doctor, this scum can\u2019t die yet!\u201d\u00a0 Ben yelled and then thought to himself: How will I find Joseph?<\/em><\/p>\n

By time the doctor arrived everyone knew Hutton was dead and along with him died the hopes of finding Little Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, what are we gonna do?\u00a0 How are we gonna find Joe now?” Hoss cried and Ben rubbed his big son\u2019s shoulder while desperately trying to figure out what to do.\u00a0 From what Hutton had said, Joe was surely in a desperate situation.\u00a0 His child was alone without food and water.\u00a0 He could only last a few days with out water, but he had been vomiting so he\u2019d dehydrate sooner.\u00a0 Then there was the threat of an explosion.\u00a0 What to do?!<\/em><\/p>\n

Shaken from his fear by the need to find his son, Ben spoke.\u00a0 \u201cOkay boys, we\u2019re getting nowhere sitting here.\u00a0 We need a plan.\u00a0 So here\u2019s what I figure.\u00a0 We need to be looking somewhere dark that could be rigged for an explosion.\u201d\u00a0 Ben started.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike a cave or a mine shaft,\u201d Adam offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight,\u201d Ben continued, \u201cPlus we need to figure how far out of town Hutton could have gotten in an hour or an hour and a half.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d Hoss question.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell look Hoss,\u201d Ben explained.\u00a0 \u201cHutton took Joe from school at around 9 this morning, but we saw him at the saloon at 12:30, right.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss nodded.\u00a0 \u201cSo it stands to reason he rode for about an hour and a half, spent a bit of time hiding your brother and then rode back.\u00a0 So we need to set up a perimeter that encompasses locations within an hour and a half ride from the school and then check all the caves and mines within that perimeter.\u00a0 Understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, lets go,\u201d exclaimed Hoss with renewed hope.<\/p>\n

Roy, Ben, Adam, Hoss and even Doctor Martin gathered at the school.\u00a0\u00a0 Miss Jones had informed the group that Hutton and Joe had headed east from the schoolyard, so that\u2019s the way the search party went.\u00a0 Hoss had his eagle eyes glued to the ground in hopes of finding a sign or a track that his brother had passed this way.<\/p>\n

After riding for about an hour, Hoss let out a shout.\u00a0 \u201cPa, look here at these tracks\u2026I\u2019ve been watching these tracks but now, look, it looks like the rider turns and bolts off that way,\u201d Hoss points to his left.\u00a0 Hoss turned and followed the tracks, \u201csee here Pa there\u2019s a second set like someone getting chased and here\u2019s where he got caught.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss pointed to a spot on the ground where the grass was all smashed and bent over.\u00a0 Hoss and Adam leaped from their horses to examine the ground.\u00a0 \u201cIt sure looks like a little fella like Joe could have fallen here,\u201d Hoss said as he studied the spot.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd look, remember Hutton said he hit his head, well here\u2019s some blood,\u201d Adam stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell at least we know we\u2019re on the right track, now what\u2019s near here where he could have hidden Joseph?\u201d Ben asked anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I can follow this trail, Pa, come on,\u201d Hoss offered and rode off followed by the small group.\u00a0 They hadn\u2019t ridden long when they heard an explosion.\u00a0 Each man pulled his horse up short.\u00a0 They all exchanged frantic looks.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s stomach was in his throat as he cried out, \u201cOh my God, that was an explosion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust like Hutton said, Pa,\u201d Hoss sobbed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt came from this direction, Pa.\u00a0 Let\u2019s ride,\u201d Adam explained.\u00a0 Without sparing the horses, the group charged toward the sound of the explosion.\u00a0 They came upon a mineshaft clouded in dust with rocks still piling in the opening, and across from the mine entrance was a rickety shack nearly engulfed in flames.\u00a0 The men quickly flew from their saddles each racing for the mine.\u00a0 Adam paused for a moment to stare at the shack and the quickly rising flames.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave that Adam, we\u2019ve got to get to Joe,\u201d Ben told his eldest son, then called to his youngest as he began to fling rocks aside,\u00a0 \u201cJOSEPH, JOSEPH, Papa\u2019s coming son!!\u201d<\/p>\n

The others joined Ben as they frantically worked to get into the mine.\u00a0 Adam quickly set to work with his father, but was troubled by his thoughts of Hutton, but he couldn\u2019t put his finger on it.\u00a0 Again, Adam looked over his shoulder toward the burning shack.\u00a0 Then all at once it came to him and Adam roughly grabbed his father and shouted, \u201cPA!\u00a0 This was a trick.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s not in the mine\u2026it\u2019s the fire, PA, Hutton\u2019s kid died in a fire\u2026JOE MUST BE IN THE SHACK!!!\u201d<\/p>\n

The sense of Adam\u2019s theory washed over Ben as he pushed Adam aside and ran toward the shack, which was nearly completely involved.\u00a0 His every instinct as a parent drove him toward the flames, until the heat pushed him back.\u00a0 But determination moved Ben to try again, but Roy and Doctor Martin each grabbed Ben\u2019s arms, \u201cBen you can\u2019t get in there, it\u2019s too late,\u201d they told him.<\/p>\n

\u201cJOSEPH, JOSEPH,\u201d Ben screamed in despair and then crumbled to the ground as Hoss and Adam each moved in to offer support for their father and seek comfort for themselves.\u00a0 They all watched in stunned silence until the flames began to die down.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you hear that?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked to everyone.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Hoss asked as he wiped tears from his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cSHHH, listen,\u201d Adam snapped, \u201cThere, there it is! Do you hear that\u2026someone\u2019s calling for PA!\u00a0 Come on, let\u2019s get some water on the last of that fire.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben leaped to his feet and began throwing aside the charred remains of the shack as the others threw water on the remaining embers.\u00a0 Each was listening for a small voice and looked for where it could be coming from.\u00a0 Finally in a corner of the main room, Doctor Martin stumbled on an iron handle and exclaimed, \u201cBen!\u00a0 Boys!\u00a0 Here, a root cellar!\u00a0 He could have survived down here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Immediately, Ben was there pulling at the hot handle and sending prayers heavenly for his son.\u00a0 With a firm tug the door popped up and smoke billowed from the cellar.\u00a0 But the voice was there\u2026a weak cough followed by the most beautiful sound in the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cPapa, Papa,\u201d It was Joe.\u00a0 He was covered in soot, tied hand and foot sitting in the cellar smiling up at his relieved father.<\/p>\n

Ben jumped into the cellar and gathered his baby to his chest, hugging him tightly and kissing him softly, until Doctor Martin called to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen get him out of there and outside to some fresh air.\u00a0 Quickly now!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben moved as fast as he could, but would not release his precious son to another to carry.<\/p>\n

Once outside, Adam took Joe while Hoss and Ben untied him. The group sat down so Doctor Martin could examine Joe.\u00a0 A lump and cut to the back of his head to be stitched and bandaged and some smoke inhalation.\u00a0 But miraculously, the boy was in good shape.\u00a0 He was enjoying the attention from his father and brothers at the moment.\u00a0 Joe told his father about his day between coughing fits.\u00a0 He had been scared, but knew his Pa would come for him, because once the man had turned on him, he knew he was lying about his family being hurt or killed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was scared\u2026it was dark in the shack and you know I don\u2019t like the dark, well I cried Pa, I tried to be brave, but I was scared.\u201d cough, cough \u201cbut, I knew I just had to wait, Pa,\u201d cough, cough \u201ccause I knew you\u2019d come\u201d cough, cough \u201cI\u2019d seen the cellar when he first brought me here but that man never seemed to noticed it or that the door was up.\u00a0 Then once I smelled the smoke, I figured I should go in just to give you a bit more time to save me.\u00a0 So I just scooted over and rolled in, catching the door with my foot and it closed\u201d Joe explained with an innocent logic.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did great Joe,\u201d Adam praised.\u00a0 \u201cBut weren\u2019t you worried about the cellar door catching on fire, too,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Joe wrinkled his brow, as he thought, then shrugged his shoulders and replied, \u201cNope, I didn\u2019t think of that, but it didn\u2019t so no need to worry now.\u201d\u00a0 Adam smiled at the typical live-for-the-moment answer from his baby brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cYup, smart thinkin\u2019 punkin,\u201d Hoss added.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, baby, you were very brave,\u201d Ben soothed only to have Joe snap back.<\/p>\n

\u201cPA,\u201d Joe whined, \u201cI\u2019m not a baby!\u201d\u00a0 cough, cough.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, precious, you\u2019ll always be Pa\u2019s baby, but you\u2019re right son today you proved you\u2019re also quite the young man.\u00a0 You stayed calm and used your head.\u00a0 I\u2019m very proud of you,\u201d Ben praised, again pulling his youngest into a tight embrace.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks Pa!\u201d\u00a0 Joe beamed.\u00a0 He was full of pride at his father’s praise as he smiled widely at his family.\u00a0 The smile only faded as more coughing beset Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on boys, let\u2019s go home, I need to put my young man to bed,\u201d Ben said concerned over Joe\u2019s cough and other injuries.<\/p>\n

None of the Cartwrights had imagined that Hutton had planned such hateful revenge.\u00a0 Hutton had rigged the mineshaft explosion as a decoy, just as Adam surmized.\u00a0 He had soaked the shack in coal oil and placed a burning candle on the windowsill hoping that the repercussion from the blast would knock the candle over to start the fire.\u00a0\u00a0 What Hutton hadn\u2019t planned on was one feisty and resourceful little boy, one Joseph Francis Cartwright.<\/p>\n

Once home, Joe was overcome by the events of the day.\u00a0 Doctor Martin and Ben settled the boy in his bed and tended his injuries.\u00a0 The cough lingered disturbing Joe\u2019s much needed rest.\u00a0 But Doctor Martin had assured Ben, that while Joe was suffering from smoke inhalation there would be no permanent damage and after a few days\u2019 rest he would again be the rambunctious youngster they all loved.\u00a0 Ben remained at Joe\u2019s bedside the remainder of the day and throughout the night.\u00a0 Ben knew that behind all his bravado earlier in the day, Joe would be in need of comfort should he wake in the night.<\/p>\n

As Ben sat watching Joe, the day\u2019s events replayed over and over in his mind and each time he shook with fear at the thought of losing his son and finally he gave in to his need to hold Joe.\u00a0 Gently Ben climbed onto Joe\u2019s bed and pulled his son close.\u00a0 As Ben held his son and listened to him breath, Joe stirred.\u00a0 He turned his head and sleepily spoke to his father,\u00a0 \u201cHi Papa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHi yourself, sorry I woke you, son,\u201d Ben said softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cPapa, what happened to that man?\u00a0 Why did he want to hurt me?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was a man full of hate.\u00a0 A hate that had grown for a long time son and hate does funny things to a man,\u201d Ben tried to explain.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe hated me, Pa? Why, what did I do?\u201d Joe pressed.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no Joseph, I don\u2019t think he hated you and you didn\u2019t do anything.\u00a0 And besides he\u2019s gone now son and he can\u2019t hurt us any more,\u201d Ben answered gently.<\/p>\n

“Well, I didn\u2019t hate him,\u201d Joe mumbled softly as he drifted back to sleep. But before he was lost to sleep, he looked to his father and said the magic words guaranteed to make everything all right:\u00a0 \u201cI love you Papa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI love you too, baby.\u201d\u00a0 Ben answered with tears in his eyes and after he was sure Joe was asleep, he prayed, \u201cAnd God please forgive me, because I did hate that man\u2026when I knew he had my son, my baby, I knew the hate that had driven that man.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

April 17, 2002<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: A man driven by hate uses Joe as a weapon to bring Ben to his knees.
\nRated: PG
\nWords: 6,100<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12151,"featured_media":378,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[23,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27954","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-prequels","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-30-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/bonanza-1.jpg?fit=193%2C140&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27954","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/12151"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=27954"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27954\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/378"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=27954"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=27954"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=27954"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}