{"id":28531,"date":"2020-04-23T20:10:48","date_gmt":"2020-04-24T00:10:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=28531"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:39:17","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:39:17","slug":"missy-by-ac1830","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=28531","title":{"rendered":"Missy (by AC1830)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: At a time of great sadness, one lost soul helps another.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rating-K, WC-4150<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Missy<\/b><\/p>\n

The heavy front door of the Ponderosa ranch house slammed against the credenza making the painting above it shake. In the kitchen, Hop Sing cringed as his pots shook on their hangers.\u00a0 He paused briefly while stirring a pot of apples and rolled his eyes upward in a silent plea for help for the ones in the other room.\u00a0 The voices coming from beyond the kitchen told him that the youngest Cartwright was once again on the warpath. Hop Sing had only been with the Cartwrights for a few months and had fallen right in with them as an adopted family member, but the turmoil with the young son was beginning to get to him.\u00a0 A few days after he had joined the family as cook and general housekeeper, Mister Adam had told him of the great sorrow that hung over the family.\u00a0 The loss of Mister Ben\u2019s wife and Little Joe’s mother had brought them all to a standstill.\u00a0 Now that Mister Ben was back with the boys Hop Sing saw that they were trying their best to move on.\u00a0 All except Little Joe.\u00a0 Being so young it was difficult for him to deal with the powerful emotions of losing a mother. Hop Sing had observed that the boy was mercurial anyway and adding grief to the mix was like adding coal oil to a fire.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As he continued to cook the apples for dessert after dinner, he wondered what the problem was this time.\u00a0 He also hoped that soon a solution would present itself that would help Little Joe move past his sadness and be the bright, cheerful child Hop Sing saw in his mind\u2019s eye.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the other room Ben Cartwright\u2019s head snapped up as the heavy door crashed against the furniture. He rose out of his chair at his desk, his dark brows lowering toward his angry eyes.\u00a0 Before he could bellow out the culprit\u2019s name six year old Little Joe rushed past him heading for the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLeave me alone, Adam. I don\u2019t have to listen to you or anybody else.\u00a0 I cleaned out the stalls\u00a0 an\u2019 I\u2019m gonna rest now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Long legs carried Adam rapidly into the room as he attempted to keep up with his brother. He stopped a few feet from the doorway, anger in his eyes and a long finger pointing at his brother. \u201cLittle Joe, you get back here. How can you say you\u2019re finished when you left a huge mess of dirty straw in the middle of the barn?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Joe spun around on the landing of the stairs and put his tiny hands on his skinny hips.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m too little to clean all that up.\u00a0 \u2018Sides, Pa said I didn\u2019t hafta.\u201d\u00a0 With that he turned and scampered up the steps.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Silence filled the large room until Adam huffed and grabbed his hat off his head, throwing it to the floor. Out of the corner of his eye he caught the movement of his father around the corner to the alcove where his father\u2019s desk resided.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam quickly picked up his hat.\u00a0 \u201cUh, sorry Pa.\u00a0 Didn\u2019t mean to yell.\u00a0 I guess you\u2019ve figured out what happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPretty much.\u00a0 Things started out so well when you two headed to the barn.\u00a0 What happened?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam hung his head for a moment then looked straight at his father.\u00a0 \u201cIt was going well till LIttle Joe stopped working.\u00a0 He got all the muck out of the stalls then announced he was done.\u00a0 I told him he had to help me get the muck out back but he stomped his foot, threw down his rake and stormed out, saying I had no right to tell him what to do.\u00a0 You know Pa it was like night and day, we were fine then suddenly he was real mad.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid you say something that could have upset him, son?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Pa, that\u2019s just it. We weren\u2019t talking at all.\u00a0 We split the stalls.\u00a0 I took the side with the larger horses and he took the other, where his pony and the cow stay.\u00a0 After he finished with the cow\u2019s\u00a0 stall he moved onto the next one, you know where we store the extra feed.\u00a0 That\u2019s when\u2026.\u201d\u00a0 Adam stopped and his face went pale.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u00a0 What is it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh Pa, how could I have been so careless?\u00a0 The stall used to be for Marie\u2019s horse.\u00a0 He\u2019s never cleaned that far back before and I wasn\u2019t paying attention.\u00a0 He must have realized it and, well…I guess that\u2019s why he refused to finish the cleaning.\u00a0 Pa, I\u2019m sorry.\u00a0 I\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben put an arm around his distraught son.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, it\u2019s not your fault.\u00a0 If it didn\u2019t happen with the stall, it would have been something else.\u00a0 LIttle Joe just hasn\u2019t been able to make the adjustments the rest of us have made.\u201d Seeing a flash of grief mix with the guilt on Adam\u2019s face, Ben quickly added, \u201cWhy don\u2019t you see if Hoss will help you finish the barn then take some time for yourself until dinner\u2019s ready.\u00a0 I\u2019ll go check on Little Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam glanced at the stairs before responding to his father in a quiet voice. \u201cSure Pa.\u201d\u00a0 He slipped his hat back on, headed to the door and closed it ever so quietly behind him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Releasing a deep sigh, Ben trudged up the stairs.\u00a0 The months after Marie\u2019s death had been so hard on everyone but Adam and Hoss seemed to be finding ways to move on.\u00a0 It was Little Joe who seemed to be stuck in his grief.\u00a0 Of course Ben knew that to the six year old\u2019s mind, death was not something he could easily understand. Joe was a whirlwind child on the best of days but one just never knew when something would trigger a memory of his mother causing the boy to melt into tears or leave a trail of damage after an angry fit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Upstairs Ben took a deep breath and knocked quietly on his youngest child\u2019s door.\u00a0 He turned the handle and stepped inside. \u00a0 \u201cJoseph?\u201d\u00a0 A rush of air then the feel of little arms around his waist assaulted Ben.\u00a0 He bent over to pick up his son and held him tight.\u00a0 Any words could wait for a while.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The next morning Hop Sing took the wagon to the trading post to buy supplies. Hoss and Little Joe rode with him as he would be going right past Tom Baker\u2019s farm.\u00a0 Amanda Baker had offered to teach any children from the surrounding farms and ranches as she had once been a school teacher. Being good friends with the Bakers, Ben took her up on her offer. Now Hoss and Little Joe spent time at the Bakers three days a week from Spring to Fall with a short break during the summer. The brothers waved then headed into the house as Hop Sing drove off.\u00a0 A ranch hand would pick them up in the afternoon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The trading post had been growing steadily as more homesteaders moved in.\u00a0 A few log\u00a0<\/span>buildings had been erected but most business was still conducted in tents.\u00a0 One of the few wooden structures was Cass\u2019 Supplies and Dry Goods.\u00a0 Ben had become good friends with Will Cass and his family a few years back.\u00a0 He always bought his supplies from Will and this day would be no different.\u00a0 Hop Sing pulled the wagon to the side of the building so it could be loaded more easily, and to keep the narrow main street clear for other wagons passing through.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMorning Hop Sing.\u00a0 Is it time for supplies again?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood Morning Mistah Cass.\u00a0 Yes.\u00a0 Take many supplies, much food to feed growing boys.\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing smiled and bowed to the proprietor, handing him the list.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Will took the list and headed inside to check his stores. \u201cI\u2019ve got everything you need.\u00a0 Give me about twenty minutes and I\u2019ll be ready to load it onto the wagon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing nodded and decided to wander through the area to see what new businesses had sprung up and which ones had closed.\u00a0 The Cartwrights didn\u2019t visit the area very often so it was helpful to know about the changes. As he padded along the street, a few folks who knew the Cartwrights greeted him while others ignored him or moved to the other side of the street. It didn\u2019t matter to Hop Sing.\u00a0 He was enjoying his stroll and thinking about how to help Little Joe get happy again.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When he returned to the wagon, Mister Cass had begun loading crates into the back.\u00a0 Hop Sing climbed in so he could place them where they wouldn\u2019t shift during the ride home.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHere\u2019s the last one Hop Sing.\u00a0 Tell Ben he can pay me the next time he comes in.\u201d\u00a0 Will placed the crate in the back then turned to go back to his store.\u00a0 He nearly tripped over a small dog that had wandered up to him. Will scowled and kicked at the mangy mutt.\u00a0 \u201cScram!\u00a0 Get out of here!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The dog yelped which caught Hop Sing\u2019s attention.\u00a0 He jumped down off the wagon in time to see the scared dog scurry behind an empty crate.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStupid dog.\u00a0 It showed up here last week and I can\u2019t get rid of it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Keeping an eye on the dog, which kept peering out from behind the crate, Hop Sing addressed Cass\u2019 comment about payment, \u201cMistah Cass, Mistah Cartwright give me money to give to you for supplies.\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing reached inside his long coat and pulled out a small leather pouch.\u00a0 Cass took it and counted the money.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTell Ben this will cover today\u2019s order and I\u2019ll apply the rest to his account.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing smiled and bowed again. \u201cI tell him.\u00a0 Good day to you Mistah Cass.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cass smiled back. \u201cTell Ben I expect to see his family here next time.\u00a0 It\u2019s been too long.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir.\u00a0 I tell him.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After the door closed, Hop Sing carefully made his way over to where the dog was hiding.\u00a0 He squatted down on his haunches and held a hand out.\u00a0 The dog timidly crept out and let the Chinese man pet it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou good dog.\u00a0 You not have family?\u00a0 You need someone to care for you?\u201d\u00a0 The skittish dog began to lean into Hop Sing\u2019s hand as he rubbed the matted fur. The dog was filthy and favored its right paw. He gently lifted the dog into his arms and carried it to the front of the wagon. With a little work he made a soft bed under the seat with a blanket that was kept there for emergencies.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As he headed home, Hop Sing kept up a quiet conversation with his new companion until it finally fell asleep. After that he worked on what he was going to tell Mister Ben about the lost dog.\u00a0 He knew his boss didn\u2019t allow pets and certainly would not let it into the house.\u00a0 Hop Sing decided he would just handle that when he got home.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Pulling the wagon into the yard, a couple of ranch hands came out from the bunkhouse to unload the supplies.\u00a0 Hop Sing instructed them where to put the crates then returned to the wagon to get the dog while the hands were busy in the store house.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With the dog in his arms he went quickly to his room and placed the dog in a corner on a mat.\u00a0 He filled a small bowl with water from his pitcher and set it on the floor for the dog to drink from.\u00a0 He repeated this several times until the dog rested its head on its paws and drifted off to sleep again.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing remained on his haunches watching the little thing sleep peacefully.\u00a0 He reached out and smoothed down some ruffled fur on the top of its head.\u00a0 \u201cMissy be good dog and stay here.\u00a0 Hop Sing bring food later.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Leaving his room he left the door cracked as well as the back door to the garden, just in case his new roommate needed to go outside. Returning to the kitchen he paused as a small chuckle and smile escaped him. He\u2019d realized he had just named the dog, and he was concerned about the boys becoming attached to the sweet dog.\u00a0 Well, it seemed they wouldn\u2019t be the only ones.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As Hop Sing worked to put the supplies and groceries away he ran different conversations through his head on how he would tell Mister Ben about the dog.\u00a0 Nothing seemed to work so he gave up.\u00a0 He chose instead to focus on getting the dog a bath and fix its injured paw.\u00a0 An hour later Missy sat in the kitchen by the stove, eating scraps of meat and drinking milk from a bowl.\u00a0 Her clean white fur glistened and her paw was bandaged.\u00a0 She had somehow sprained it but with a little care Hop Sing knew it would heal properly. The cook was amazed at how thin she was and how quickly she devoured the food.\u00a0 However, she seemed to know her limits so when she became full she would lay down and sleep, but not without giving him a pleasant, bright-eyed look as if to say \u201cthanks\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Late in the afternoon Hop Sing heard the wagon arrive that brought Hoss and Little Joe from the Bakers.\u00a0 He had moved MIssy back to his room and now he prepared snacks for them.\u00a0 Hoss came in first and devoured his cookies and milk then scooted off to do his chores and homework. All Hop Sing got from him was that it was a good day and a thanks for the snack.\u00a0 Since it was the end of the week Hoss was looking forward to some relaxation and fun.<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Joe was a different matter. The boy dragged himself into the kitchen, let his hat slide from his fingers onto the floor and stood there looking as lost as the little dog in the alley way. Hop Sing slowly approached the child and asked what was wrong.\u00a0 Little Joe shook his head, reached for a cookie and turned to leave.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe.\u00a0 Tell Hop Sing why you so sad, please.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt don\u2019t matter.\u00a0 Nobody cares.\u201d\u00a0 A sniff followed.\u00a0 \u201cNobody loves Mama anymore.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing\u2019s heart ached for the little one. \u201cWhy you say that?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNobody talks about her. Missus Baker starts to then stops and says something else.\u00a0 Hoss just clams up and looks miserable. I miss my mama but I got nobody to love or to love me.\u201d\u00a0 His shoulders began to shake.\u00a0 Hop Sing reached for the boy and turned him around.\u00a0 Joe collapsed into his arms and sobbed.\u00a0 Once the tears stopped, Hop Sing sat on a bench and pulled the boy into his lap.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou listen to Hop Sing, okay?\u00a0 It okay to be sad for Missy Marie.\u00a0 Everybody miss her.\u00a0 With sadness also comes memories. Soon bad memories go away and good memories stay. You ever see father look at picture of your Mama?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Joe thought a moment then nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, he looks sad but then a smile comes out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing smiled.\u00a0 \u201cHe miss her but have good memory to make him smile.\u00a0 Little Joe need good memory to make you smile when sad.\u00a0 You tell Hop Sing what that memory is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy thought hard, his brow furrowing under his dark curls and his small nose scrunching up. A moment later a smile crept across his face like the sun peeking out from a dark cloud.\u00a0 \u201cShe was so gentle when I got hurt or was sad.\u00a0 Mama would hug me and rub my back.\u00a0 She\u2019d speak French ta me an\u2019 sometimes sing.\u00a0 I always felt better after that.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing hugged the boy.\u00a0 \u201cThat good memory.\u00a0 You keep and use it when feel lonely.\u00a0 Family love you very much and love Missy Marie too.\u00a0 They need to talk about her. Find it good to do that.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe scooted off the cook\u2019s lap to the floor. He wiped his eyes and nose with his sleeve and looked up at his Chinese friend.\u00a0 His eyes were still sad but a faint smile was visible. \u201cThanks Hop Sing.\u00a0 I feel better now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing ruffled the boy\u2019s hair then put on a slightly stern face. \u201cNow time for Little Joe get chores and homework done before father and brother get home.\u201d\u00a0 Realizing the time, Joe gulped his milk down and grabbed two more cookies before running out of the kitchen.\u00a0 A second later Hop Sing heard the door close.\u00a0 Smiling he began his task of preparing for dinner.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The following Sunday, Little Joe awoke with the sniffles.\u00a0 Ben was going to cancel going to church but Hop Sing offered to take care of the boy so the rest of the family could attend the monthly services and have some time to visit with friends. Grateful for the offer, Ben, Adam and Hoss headed to church as Hop Sing settled Little Joe at the small table in the kitchen.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe stay and eat all soup.\u00a0 Hop Sing be right back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Joe nodded and tucked into the chicken soup Hop Sing had reheated from the night before. It was one of the few foods the boy would eat. Emptying the bowl and wanting more, he jumped off the stool and went in search of Hop Sing.\u00a0 Hearing his voice, Little Joe tiptoed down the hall that led to Hop Sing\u2019s room.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing I\u2019m still hungry. You got anymore\u2026hey, is that a dog?\u201d\u00a0 LIttle Joe ran over to where Hop Sing was fussing with Missy\u2019s paw.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hiding his frustrated look from the boy, Hop Sing nodded.\u00a0 \u201cDog show up two day ago in settlement. Was hurt and hungry.\u00a0 Hop Sing bring home and make better but now not know what to do with her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe can keep her an\u2019 take care of her.\u00a0 I can do that, Hop Sing, really I can.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo Little Joe. Father not let you keep dog.\u00a0 I take back tomorrow to find good home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Joe began to cry. \u201cNo, please don\u2019t.\u00a0 Let me take care of it, please. She looks so lonely and needs a friend.\u00a0 I can be that friend.\u00a0 I promise I won\u2019t tell Pa or Adam or Hoss.\u00a0 Please?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Seeing the sincerity in those green eyes, Hop Sing couldn\u2019t refuse the boy, at least not right now.\u00a0 He agreed even though Little Joe was known to never be able to keep secrets.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, keep dog till all better, then find family to care for dog.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Joe\u2019s mouth slid into a crooked smile.\u00a0 \u201cOkay, I guess.\u00a0 Say what\u2019s her name?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing call little dog Missy.\u201d\u00a0 At the word the dog\u2019s head rose and the tail wagged.\u00a0 Both humans grinned together.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I guess she likes her name.\u201d\u00a0 Joe leaned forward to rub her head and back while Hop Sing finished wrapping her leg.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, time for Missy to sleep. Come, little boy need more soup and rest too.\u201d Hop Sing stood and ushered Little Joe back to the kitchen.\u00a0 After two more bowls of soup, the youngest Cartwright fell asleep on the settee.\u00a0 Hop Sing spent the time preparing lunch for the family.\u00a0 His heart was happy. Perhaps the little dog and the little boy would be good for each other.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

For the next week, Hop Sing had managed to keep Missy a secret from Ben, Hoss, and Adam.\u00a0 Little Joe proved to be a great helper with feeding her, keeping her fur brushed and generally keeping her entertained.\u00a0 With the scraps fed to her and the care of her paw, she was gaining weight and moving around his room.\u00a0 He left his door open and taught her how to get outside. When no one else was around, Joe would play with Missy in the garden.\u00a0 Hop Sing figured since she was moving about she might wander away at any time but whenever Hop Sing checked on her she was always in her bed in his room.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Joe was also a different child now.\u00a0 He smiled more and did all the little man asked of him.\u00a0 Hop Sing was sure he\u2019d done the right thing in letting Little Joe help with the dog.\u00a0 The boy needed someone to care for and perhaps get some special love in return.\u00a0 It also appeared the rest of the family saw the difference which caused changes in them as well.\u00a0 There was more laughter and Joe began talking about his mother and asking for stories of the time before he was born. Hop Sing felt it was the right time to tell the rest of the family about Missy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He chose an evening when the family was on the front porch enjoying a cool evening.\u00a0 Ben and Adam were reading while Little Joe and Hoss played checkers.\u00a0 Hop Sing approached the porch cautiously, with Missy in his arms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben saw him coming, thinking he was bringing a tray of snacks for everyone.\u00a0 His smile disappeared when he saw what was in the cook\u2019s arms. He laid his book aside and sat straighter in his chair.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing, what have you got there?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As the boys paused in their activities and looked his way, Hop Sing swallowed hard then met his boss\u2019 eyes.\u00a0 \u201cIt little dog. Hop Sing find in settlement last week.\u00a0 She very hungry, scared and hurt.\u00a0 Hop sing bring home to care for but now need to find home for little dog.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Before Ben could say anything, Adam and Hoss had surrounded Hop Sing full of questions and comments.\u00a0 Hop Sing put the dog down and soon she was running round the yard with the older boys.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben noticed that Little Joe had not moved and looked a bit worried, which surprised him. Hop Sing spoke up, \u201cLittle Joe help Hop Sing take care of dog.\u00a0 He very good helper. Dog make little boy happy and little boy make dog happy.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben considered those words, then shared an understanding look with his cook. \u201cLittle Joe, why don\u2019t you go and play for a bit.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled at his son and tilted his head toward the yard.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After Joe left the porch, Ben turned to study Hop Sing.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not sure I understand all that has happened but it seems I have my little boy back. And I believe it\u2019s thanks to you and that little dog.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing bowed, feeling great relief inside and joy outside.\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps someone else to thank?\u201d\u00a0 His eyes rolled every so slightly upwards.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, perhaps so.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although Missy\u2019s fate with the Cartwrights was undecided, that night everyone had more fun than they could remember as they all played tag in the yard with the little white dog.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

A month later, Hop Sing sat in a chair in his room reading while Missy lay at his feet. It was quite late but Hop Sing couldn\u2019t sleep. There was a quiet knock on his door.\u00a0 Missy sat up and waited\u00a0 as Hop Sing opened the door.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe, what you do here so late.\u00a0 You get back to bed or father get angry.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing, I had to come see Missy.\u00a0 I had a bad dream and, well\u2026.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome in little boy. See?\u00a0 Missy happy to see you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Joe dropped to his knees and threw his arm around her. \u201cHop Sing, I did a good job keeping our secret didn\u2019t I, an\u2019 taking care of her?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing smiled and sat on the floor next to this young Cartwright. \u201cYou did very good to keep secret. Missy also help Little Joe get better after mama died, Hop Sing right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Joe looked down for a moment as sadness crossed his face. Missy seemed to notice and lifted her head to lick the boy\u2019s cheek.\u00a0 That brought a smile to the cook and the boy.\u00a0 \u201cShe did help, a lot. Like when she snuck into my bed but was gone by morning, an\u2019 when she let me just sit with her an\u2019 talk about Mama.\u201d\u00a0 Joe\u2019s green eyes flashed with joy as he spoke about all those times.\u00a0 \u201cAn\u2019 now Pa, Adam an\u2019 Hoss know and she\u2019s a part of our family.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe good dog and come at right time to help Little Joe with sadness.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d Missy leaned into Little Joe\u2019s hand as he scratched around her fluffy ears.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Silence filled the room for a few moments, then Little Joe rubbed Missy\u2019s head, hugged Hop Sing and headed back to bed.\u00a0 Hop Sing smiled gently as Missy took up residence in his lap while he continued sitting on the floor. As he stroked the dog\u2019s soft fur, he rolled his eyes Heavenward.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for sending help when we need it most.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The sound of a thumping tail was all that filled the little room behind the kitchen of the Cartwright home, that and the joy shared by dog and master.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Tags:\u00a0 <\/strong>Family,\u00a0Hop Sing,\u00a0Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright<\/p>\n

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Summary: At a time of great sadness, one lost soul helps another.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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