Summary: \u00a0An old friend of Ben’s comes to visit. Why does he have so much influence over Ben, and will it damage Ben’s relationship with Joe beyond repair?<\/p>\n
Word Count: 82,946\u00a0\u00a0Rated:\u00a0T<\/p>\n
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\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Under the Influence<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Story Notes: <\/strong>A ton of thanks goes to idmarryhoss for all her help in betaing this and all her valuable input.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Authors note:<\/strong>\u00a0 The quote from Marie is an actual quote from another very strong woman. Eleanor Roosevelt. I did tweek the last part of it. The actual quote is “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” I have always liked that quote and I felt Marie was the perfect person to say it.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n ** Historical note:\u00a0 St. Ignatius Academy was issued a charter in 1859 by the State of California under the name of St. Ignatius College. In 1930 St. Ignatius became the University of San Francisco.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The three oldest Cartwrights sat at the dining room table, enjoying their morning meal.\u00a0 Ben Cartwright kept glancing at the staircase waiting for his wayward youngest to appear. As usual, Joe was late.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss would you please\u2026\u201d Ben didn\u2019t finish his sentence to his middle but biggest son because at that moment footsteps were heard coming down the stairs.<\/p>\n \u201cGood morning Pa, Adam, Hoss,\u201d Joe mumbled sleepily as he slipped into his chair.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, it\u2019s about time you graced us with your presence.\u201d Adam, the oldest of the three sons, remarked sarcastically before anyone else could say a word.<\/p>\n Looking towards his father and seeing the irritated scowl on Ben\u2019s face, Joe decided silence was the best course of action. Although he couldn\u2019t help glaring at his oldest brother as he reached for the platter of eggs.<\/p>\n As Joe started on his breakfast, Ben and Adam discussed what needed to be done on the ranch that day.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, I want you to ride out to the south pasture and round up any strays you find. I was out there yesterday and noticed that the herd was starting to wander,\u201d Adam instructed his brother.<\/p>\n \u201cAw, come on Adam, it\u2019s a long ride out there. Just because you\u2019re still mad at me about the other day doesn\u2019t mean ya need to stick me with every lousy job on the ranch. I told ya I didn\u2019t mean to knock ya into the horse trough. It was an accident, I swear,\u201d Joe pleaded with his brother, using his best puppy dog eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cWe all do our fair share, Joe. As I told you yesterday you need to start pulling your weight around here,\u201d Adam lectured.<\/p>\n \u201cI do pull my weight. I work as hard as ya and Hoss do,\u201d Joe looked at Hoss and waited for confirmation. Instead Hoss kept his head down and applied himself to his breakfast as if his life depended on it. \u201cWell Hoss?\u201d Joe pressed.<\/p>\n \u201cNow ya jest leave me out of this, Little Joe. I don\u2019t want ta get in the middle one of your fights with Big Brother here,\u201d Hoss said motioning towards Adam with his fork.<\/p>\n Joe glared at both of his brothers and let his fork fall to his plate, his appetite suddenly gone.<\/p>\n \u201cAlso, make sure you\u2019re home on time, Little Joe\u201d Ben told his son. \u201cRemember the Strouds will be here today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI promise Pa, I\u2019ll be home on time,\u201d Joe said as he stood up from the table and dropped his napkin on his plate. \u201cI better go so I can get out ta the south pasture and back on time, if I wanna ta keep that promise.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou haven\u2019t finished your breakfast. Sit down and finish eating, Little Joe,\u201d Ben instructed.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not hungry, Pa,\u201d With that, Joe walked away from the table. He stopped at the credenza, strapped on his gun belt, grabbed his jacket and hat and was out the door, with a loud bang as the door slammed behind him.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph!\u201d\u00a0 Ben yelled after him. \u201cWhen will that boy ever learn to close a door properly?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t hold your breath if you\u2019re expectin\u2019 that ta happen,\u201d Hoss remarked as he put his fork down.\u00a0 \u201cCuz it\u2019ll never happen, Pa.\u00a0 Well, I best be on my way too. Ya comin\u2019 Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam wiped his mouth with his napkin, laid it on his plate and stood up. \u201cYeah, I\u2019m coming.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben rose with his sons and followed them out the door; he wanted to have one last word with Joe before he left.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 2<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Ben watched Joe ride away after a final reminder about that night and prayed that the boy would keep his promise and be on time for once. Ben was nervous and uneasy about this visit, he just hoped that everything would go smoothly and no major disasters happened.\u00a0 He had been nervous all week and knew he was driving everyone to distraction. Hop Sing was ready to quit after Ben asked him about the readiness of the guestrooms and the menu for the duration of the visit for what seemed like the hundredth time. The boys started making themselves scarce.\u00a0 Adam continually found reasons to go up to the lumber camp.\u00a0 Hoss would head out on the pretense of checking the herds. And Joe, he kept himself busy at the corral with the horses.\u00a0 Ben knew he was driving them crazy, but he just couldn\u2019t help himself.<\/p>\n His mind wandered back to his childhood and the part that Alex Stroud played in it. He had known Alex all his life.\u00a0 Alex was Ben\u2019s oldest brother\u2019s, friend was and twelve years his senior. Whereas Ben\u2019s childhood home was full of laughter and love, Alex was an only child whose parents didn\u2019t care where he was or what he did. While Ben was growing up, Alex had already become a part of the family; the Cartwright\u2019s home, in a sense, had become his, even when Alex went to college, he spent all his breaks with the Cartwrights. In a large hard working family such as Ben\u2019s, the children often didn\u2019t get as much attention as they did in smaller families, for work was the top priority. Being the youngest, this was the case for Ben, but he always knew that he was loved by his family. \u00a0Alex had the opinion that it was up to him to take on the role of a surrogate father to Ben.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s own father was a strict disciplinarian, but in comparison to Alex he was a pussy cat, for Alex demanded absolute perfection and obedience. No one thought anything of Alex taking Ben under his wing.\u00a0 They felt it was a blessing that someone was taking an interest in him and was able to keep the rambunctious child in line. None of them knew the extent of the relationship between Ben and Alex.\u00a0 Ben grew up respecting Alex, but there was something more to it.\u00a0 He felt that he never measured up to the expectations that Alex had.\u00a0 More than once he found himself across Alex\u2019s knee for the slightest infraction, even after he had become a teenager. Ben always promised himself that he would try harder to be what Alex expected him to be, and not a disappointment. He knew that somehow he would make something of himself. He had dreams and someday they would come true.<\/p>\n Alex had gone to medical school and became a well respected surgeon whereas Ben ran off as soon as he could and signed on with the first clipper ship that would have him.\u00a0 Alex made sure that Ben knew he felt that Ben was throwing his life away. One time, when Ben was on leave, and able to visit his family, Alex took him aside to have a little talk with him.\u00a0\u201cBenjamin I\u2019m so disappointed in you. You\u2019ll never make anything of yourself by becoming the basest of society. Is this what you want to become?\u00a0 Sailors are unrefined drunkards; you can be so much more. With the proper education and the right connections you could go far.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0No matter how much Ben protested, he couldn\u2019t make Alex understand that this was what he wanted. \u00a0That was the last thing that Alex said to him during that visit.\u00a0 Alex\u2019s disappointment in him was hard for Ben to accept, and it stayed with him throughout the years. Ben swore that we would prove Alex wrong, that he was not a disappointment.<\/p>\n Alex met and married a woman who had strong connections in all the right social circles of New York. They had three sons, two of which were older than Adam and the youngest was a just a year older than Joe. All three had attended the finest of schools and the older two went on to become successful in their own right. The oldest followed his father\u2019s footsteps and became a surgeon, joining his father\u2019s medical practice\u00a0 His middle son became an attorney and was now pursuing a career in politics. He was on his way to becoming a congressman, but he had his sights set much higher. Alex\u2019s youngest son was still in school and attending one of the finest universities.<\/p>\n Years back, just after Ben had met and married Marie, Alex had made a trip west to conduct a seminar on the latest surgical techniques. On his way to San Francisco, he stopped to see Ben.\u00a0 The Ponderosa at that time was still growing. They had just completed the house, and were quite proud of their accomplishments so far. Adam was ten and Hoss was four when Alex arrived, and nothing that Ben had done was up to Alex\u2019s standards. As far as Alex was concerned, John\u2019s little brother wasn\u2019t making anything of his life by coming out to the middle of nowhere and trying to scratch out a meager living. He even went so far as to make subtle remarks about the newly married couple and Marie\u2019s background.\u00a0 Ben was devastated and offended; he loved Marie so much that he was willing to forget what Alex\u2019s opinion meant to him and defend his wife.\u00a0 Knowing what this man meant to Ben, Marie pleaded with him not to do anything that he would regret.\u00a0\u201cAfter all, mon amour, no one can make you feel inferior unless you allow it, and I refuse to allow it.\u201d<\/p>\n At this time, Alex\u2019s oldest two sons were attending the finest prep schools in the East and were the perfect sons. They had to be since Alex was an extremely strict father and would not stand for the slightest infraction, just as it was when Ben was a child. During the whole visit Alex would comment about how rough and uneducated Ben\u2019s sons were, even going as far as to say that they weren\u2019t much better than the savages that lived in the area. Ben naturally tried to defend his son\u2019s and his way of life, but he was still intimidated by this man, as he had been since childhood. The criticism found its mark in Ben\u2019s heart and stayed there.<\/p>\n Now, nineteen years later, Alex was back and Ben was determined to prove that he had made something of himself and his son\u2019s were just as accomplished and just as perfect. He would do anything to impress this man whose opinion meant everything to him. Ben knew that Alex\u2019s wife has passed away about nine years ago leaving him with a ten year old son to raise. Ben was hoping that Alex would have mellowed over the years, but he wasn\u2019t counting on it.<\/p>\n Chapter 3<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n It was a glorious early spring evening.\u00a0 The meadow grass was green and thick, perfect for grazing.\u00a0 The last of the winter snow had melted away.\u00a0 The sun was setting in a spectacular show of orange, reds and pinks.\u00a0 The trees were green again, and the Ponderosa pines were tall and strong.\u00a0 But all of this beauty went unseen by the young man riding down the road on a black and white pinto.\u00a0 To anyone watching, the horse and rider moved as one, in a graceful show of trust and love, but there was no enjoyment in the ride for the young man.\u00a0 He sat slumped in the saddle from exhaustion, a scowl on his face, soaking wet from head to toe and splattered with mud.<\/p>\n \u201cDarn that Adam!\u00a0 He did this on purpose, Cooch.\u201d\u00a0 Joe Cartwright grumbled to his horse.\u00a0 \u201cHe already knew what that pasture was like before he sent me there.\u00a0 He knew there were large mud holes, and that the waterhole needed cleaning.\u00a0 And those beavers!\u00a0 It felt like it took years to tear that dam apart.\u00a0 And then what happened when it came apart?\u00a0 I got soaked, that\u2019s what happened!\u201d\u00a0 Joe was on a rampage now.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s not even mention that cow getting stuck in the mud.\u00a0 The stupid thing didn\u2019t even have the sense to realize it was being helped.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He stopped his complaining for a moment and sighed.\u00a0 \u201c\u2019Go round up the strays, Joe\u2019, he says.\u00a0 \u2018When I was out there the other day I noticed that the herd was starting to stray,\u2019 he says.\u00a0 But does he say one thing about beavers, waterholes or mud?\u00a0 Heck no!\u00a0 Just send stupid little brother out there ta find it, all by himself.\u00a0 You know darn well Cooch, that if I didn\u2019t take care of any of it, and just rounded up the strays like he told me, he would have said I was lazy and couldn\u2019t pull my weight on the ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe pulled his horse to a stop and looked down the road.\u00a0 The house was now in sight, and there was a buggy and a horse out front.\u00a0 \u201cPa\u2019s going to be fit to be tied, Cooch.\u201d\u00a0 The 17 year old bowed his head as the horse nodded, as if in agreement with his rider.\u00a0 Joe remembered his father\u2019s words from that morning before he rode out of the yard.<\/p>\n \u201cRemember I want you home early today, Joseph.\u00a0 We have guests coming, and I want you here and presentable.\u201d\u00a0 Ben Cartwright ordered as he glared at the bruise that marred the young mans cheek from the fight he had gotten into at the Bucket of Blood earlier in the week.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t matter to Ben that it wasn\u2019t Joe\u2019s fault.\u00a0 Or that the drunken miner became angry because Joe had won yet another hand of poker.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t his fault that said miner grabbed him by the shirt and punched him in the face.\u00a0 By the time Joe knew what was happening, he was lying on the floor, shaking his head to clear it and the miner was gone.\u00a0 \u201cThere will be no sneaking off to town as you\u2019ve been doing all week.\u201d\u00a0 Ben paused for a moment.\u00a0 \u201cI mean it Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir.\u00a0 I promise I\u2019ll be home in plenty of time, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said as he rode off, not knowing what lay ahead of him and that there wouldn\u2019t be any way he could keep that promise.<\/p>\n Now here Joe sat, more than just a little late, and he was filthy.\u00a0 Looking at the house he could tell that the horse belonged to Sheriff Coffee and the buggy to Dr. Paul Martin, both long time friends of the family.\u00a0 But that wasn\u2019t where the problem lay.\u00a0 Both men were well acquainted with the youngest Cartwright and his judgment of time. \u00a0\u00a0The problem was that his father was also expecting an old friend and his son from back East.\u00a0 They were stopping for a visit before continuing on to San Francisco.\u00a0 Joe knew how anxious his father was about this visit and how he wanted everything to be perfect. \u00a0Dr. Martin had been invited because being a doctor Ben knew he would enjoy catching up on the latest medical advancement.\u00a0 Sheriff Coffee was a long time friend and his company was always enjoyed when he could get away from town.<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2019s going to kill me.\u201d\u00a0 Joe swallowed hard, straightened his shoulders and looked straight ahead.\u00a0 \u201cNo use in delaying it, Cooch, it\u2019ll only get worse.\u201d<\/p>\n Chapter 4<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Ben heard a horse approaching, \u201cThat should be Joe now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s awfully late, Ben.\u00a0 Haven\u2019t you taught that boy the meaning of punctuality?\u201d\u00a0 Alex demanded.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s quite inconsiderate of him to keep us waiting.\u00a0 Maybe taking a strap to him will teach him some manners.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think Little Joe\u2019s a might ta old ta be getting\u2019 a tannin\u2019,\u201d Hoss said in defense of his brother.<\/p>\n \u201cNonsense, a boy is never too old.\u00a0 Isn\u2019t that right Ramsey?\u201d\u00a0 Alex turned to his son who was sitting on the settee listening to the conversation around him.<\/p>\n \u201cYes Father,\u201d Ramsey answered promptly.<\/p>\n Adam took this opportunity to once again voice his complaints about Joe.\u00a0 Maybe this time his father would listen to him.\u00a0 \u201cYou know Pa, Mr. Stroud is right to a point.\u00a0 Something needs to be done with Joe.\u00a0 He\u2019s really turning into a handful.\u00a0 He\u2019s constantly sneaking out at night.\u00a0 The drinking, poker playing and fighting is just getting out of hand.\u00a0 I\u2019m getting tired of chasing after him and trying to keep him out of trouble.\u00a0 I\u2019m surprised we didn\u2019t have to bail him out of your jail the other night, Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow Adam, that whole thing was\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Roy\u2019s explanation was interrupted by Alex.<\/p>\n \u201cSee there Ben, that boy is out of control.\u00a0 Mark my words he\u2019ll come to no good if you let this continue.\u00a0 You need to stand up and put an end to it.\u00a0 Do you think you would be half the man you are now if I hadn\u2019t used a firm hand with you?\u201d<\/p>\n Roy and Paul exchanged a worried look.\u00a0 Neither one liked how things seemed to be shaping up for the youngest Cartwright.\u00a0 When Roy opened his mouth to defend both his old friend and Joe, Paul shook his head.\u00a0 Now wasn\u2019t the time.<\/p>\n Ben stared into the flames in the fireplace.\u00a0 The more he listened to Alex, the angrier he became.\u00a0 Unfortunately that anger was directed at Joe.\u00a0 To have to sit here and listen to Alex point out all the shortcomings of his parenting skills, embarrassed Ben, made him feel less than adequate as a parent.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re right, Alex.\u00a0 I need to use a firm hand with Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, Joe\u2019s a bit wild Pa, but he\u2019s young.\u00a0 He\u2019s gonna be okay.\u00a0 How can he not with you as his father,\u201d Hoss argued in his baby brother\u2019s defense.<\/p>\n \u201cNo Hoss, I\u2019m too lenient with him.\u00a0 I have let him get away with too much.\u00a0 As of tonight that all stops.\u201d\u00a0 Ben replied with determination.<\/p>\n Chapter 5<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Joe rode into the yard and slowly dismounted. He led Cochise into the barn, and gave him a thorough grooming, fresh water, hay and a bucket of oats. Joe rested his head against the horse\u2019s neck for a moment before he turned and slowly headed to the house, like a man headed to his execution. He hadn\u2019t taken more than a couple of steps onto the front porch when the door opened and Ben walked out. Ben shut the door behind him and stood there with his hands on his hips, glaring at his youngest son.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere have you been?\u201d Ben demanded.<\/p>\n Joe looked up into his fathers eyes, and saw the anger blazing there. He quickly lowered his head, to avoid looking at his father.<\/p>\n \u201cWell? I\u2019m waiting for an answer, Joseph.\u201d His father\u2019s voice was quiet, deadly quiet. All three boys knew when Ben used this tone there was a storm approaching. And this time wasn\u2019t any different.<\/p>\n \u201cI wwas\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNever mind\u201d Ben interrupted.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t want to hear any of your lame brained excuses, or one of your long drawn out stories. What I want is you cleaned up and downstairs in 15 minutes. Needless to say, I\u2019m very disappointed in you. You made a promise to me this morning, and apparently you could care less that you broke it. What did you do, sneak off to town again?\u201d Ben didn\u2019t wait for an answer before continuing. \u201cNow get upstairs, we\u2019ve waited long enough for you.\u201d<\/p>\n Unable to get any words out past the lump that had formed in his throat when Ben told him he was a disappointment, Joe nodded and headed for the front door.<\/p>\n Ben grabbed Joe\u2019s left arm and stopped him. \u201cThrough the back, Joseph.\u201d He said through clenched teeth. Ben did not notice the condition of his son was in, the exhaustion in the dull green eyes, or the way Joe flinched when he grabbed his arm. All he saw at that moment was his own anger, and embarrassment at having this son absent when his guests arrived.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir,\u201d Joe said quietly, determined to hold back the tears that were brimming in his eyes. He turned and went into the house through the kitchen door.<\/p>\n As soon as he entered the kitchen, he was set upon by a tirade in Chinese from their cook, Hop Sing. Joe\u2019s shoulders slumped even more at the criticism thrown his way. Joe considered Hop Sing, as they all did, a member of the family. He was another father figure to Joe, since he had helped raise him after the death of his mother, just before Joe turned five.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry Hop Sing\u201d Joe apologized, knowing exactly what was being said to him, having learned the language when he was a child.<\/p>\n Hop Sing stopped and really looked at Joe. \u201cNum\u2019er three son go to room and get out of wet clothes. Hop Sing bring hot water so you can clean. Then you come down to dinner, before father get more angry.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe nodded his head, not having the energy to answer and headed up the back stairs. Soon, true to his word, Hop Sing was there with the promised hot water, soap and clean towels.<\/p>\n \u201cLit\u2019le Joe hurry, dinner not wait much longer or be ruined and Hop Sing throw out, and make father more angry,\u201d he grumbled as he walked out the door.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d Joe softly called after him.<\/p>\n Chapter 6<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n After Hop Sing shut the door, Joe removed his gun belt and dropped it and his hat on a chair.\u00a0 He walked over to the wash basin and looked in the mirror and shook his head at the filthy reflection staring back at him. With a sigh, Joe started unbuttoning his shirt. He took a deep breath, and held it for a moment, before slowly releasing it. Slowly, he peeled off his filthy, sodden shirt, and let it drop to the floor. Every time he moved his left arm white hot pain shot down it. Once his shirt was off he stood there staring at the neckerchief that he had tied around his arm. It was already soaked with blood. As quick as he could and with as little pain as possible, Joe quickly stripped off the rest of his clothes and poured part of the hot water Hop Sing had brought him into the basin.\u00a0 He took one of the towels wet it, soaped it up and started the painful process of washing off his dirt encrusted, sore body.<\/p>\n After he had finished washing, he carefully removed the makeshift bandage from around his upper arm. The gash was deep and about three inches long. It had stopped bleeding, but looked red and swollen. Joe took a clean towel and dunked it into the water that remained in the pitcher. After wringing out the excess water, he soaped up the towel took a deep, fortifying breath and started cleaning out the wound that was caused by a sharp rock when he fell in the steam after the dam finally came apart without warning.<\/p>\n \u201cStupid beavers,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n As he cleaned the wound it started to bleed again. Joe gritted his teeth against the pain and continued. Once he was satisfied that he had gotten all the dirt out, he pulled on a pair of dark pants with pinstripes in them, held a clean towel against him arm and went down the hall to a small cabinet where the family kept a supply of first aid items, and clean towels. Joe grabbed some bandages and swatches of cloth and went back to his room. He sat down on his bed and kept the pressure on his arm until he had the bleeding under control. He put a few of the pieces of cloth over his arm and wrapped a bandage around it, using his teeth to help tear the end of it and to tie it in place.<\/p>\n Joe carefully finished dressing, which wasn\u2019t an easy task. Being naturally left handed, it was difficult for him to have to rely mainly on his right hand. After struggling to pull on a pair of stocks, Joe grabbed another towel, wet it and cleaned off his boots. After he had them clean and on, he pulled out a clean white shirt put it on and added a black string tie. He had to move slowly and carefully to avoid causing the wound to start bleeding again.<\/p>\n He tried his best to tame his brown curls into some kind of order. \u201cAll I need is for Pa ta start in on me about my hair tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n Once finished, he took a final look at himself in the mirror, and felt reasonably comfortable that Ben would find his appearance acceptable. Well, for the most part anyhow, Ben still wouldn\u2019t find the bruise on his cheek acceptable.<\/p>\n Joe straightened his shoulders as he turned towards the door. \u201cMight as well go an meet the guests.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 7<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n As Joe came down the stairs, he looked at Ben trying to gage his mood. The anger he saw glowing in Ben\u2019s eyes, when he looked up at Joe, told him he was still treading on thin ice.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry I\u2019m so late,\u201d Joe said quietly when he stepped off the last step.<\/p>\n Ben stood and walked over to his son. \u201cAlex, Ramsey, I\u2019d like you to meet my youngest son, Joseph. Joseph, this is Alex Stroud and his son Ramsey.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe turned to the older man and held out his right hand. \u201cIt\u2019s nice ta, meet ya Mr. Stroud.\u201d<\/p>\n Alex looked Joe over from head to toe, assessing the young man before him, and apparently finding him lacking, before accepting the hand offered to him. \u201cSame here, young man.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe turned to Ramsey and repeated the process. Ramsey looked at the hand offered to him with so much disgust, as if Joe had cow manure all over it. He turned away without accepting the greeting. Joe looked around but everyone had already gone back to their conversations.<\/p>\n \u201cOh this is gonna be good,\u201d Joe muttered.<\/p>\n Joe turned to the other guests, \u201cHey Doc, Sherrif Coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell Hello Little Joe,\u201d Roy said with a fond smile. He had seen the look on Ben\u2019s face and the encounter between Joe and Ramsey, and decided the boy needed to see a friendly face.<\/p>\n \u201cHow are you tonight, Little Joe,\u201d Paul asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m still in one piece,\u201d Joe joked.<\/p>\n \u201cI can see that. I guess that means I can enjoy my evening,\u201d Paul countered. Joe smiled at him and started towards the fireplace. Paul\u2019s frown slipped from his face as he noticed that an area on Joe\u2019s upper arm seemed a bit thicker than the other arm.\u00a0That boy did something to himself again.\u00a0Paul thought to himself, and sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cDinner ready, come eat while hot,\u201d Hop Sing called from the table.<\/p>\n Once everyone was at the table, since there were more people than normal, Ben instructed everyone where to sit. Joe found himself seated at the end of the table, between Adam and Roy.\u00a0 Alex was in Joe\u2019s normal place on Ben\u2019s right, with Paul seated next to him, and Ramsey on the end, across from Joe. Hoss was in his normal spot on Ben\u2019s left, giving the man the extra room he needed. Adam, as always, was at the end of the table.<\/p>\n Platters were passed around the table, and even though Joe wasn\u2019t hungry, he made the pretense of eating, so he wouldn\u2019t draw any attention to himself. When he tried using his left hand he was barely able to stifle a gasp as pain. As dinner progressed he found it increasingly painful to continue using that arm, and ended up switching to his right. For the naturally left handed Joe, this proved to be awkward. Thinking no one else was paying attention to him, Joe just played with his food, pushing it around his plate, trying to make it look like he was eating.<\/p>\n Unknown to him, he had two observers and both men were quite familiar with the youngest Cartwright and his tricks. Paul, who was sitting across the table from Joe, watched Joe as he grimaced with pain each time he moved his left arm. He also noticed when Joe switched to his right hand. With a doctor\u2019s keen eye, he could see the exhaustion written all over Joe, from the cloudy, dull green eyes, to the slump of his shoulders. Paul looked around the table to see if anyone else had noticed. Normally, Ben picked up on every nuance of Joe\u2019s behavior, but not tonight. Ben was deep in conversation with Alex, which Paul was only half participating in. Adam was engaged in a conversation with Ramsey about the places he knew back East, and changes that had taken place. Hoss was talking with Roy about the happenings in Virginia City. When Paul\u2019s eyes met Roy\u2019s, Roy nodded his head towards Joe, silently asking if Paul had also noticed. \u00a0Paul acknowledged that he had.<\/p>\n He definitely did something to that arm.\u00a0Paul watched Joe all through the meal. He noticed the way Joe just picked at his food, with only the barest amount making it to his mouth. He also noticed how Joe was making an effort to not draw any attention to himself, or his injury. By this point, Paul decided that one way or another, he was going to have a look at that arm, whether Joe liked it or not.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After dessert, everyone settled in the great room for coffee, or an after dinner brandy. Joe declined the coffee offered to him as he sat down on the settee.\u00a0He tried to follow the conversation, but found his eyes getting heavier and heavier by the moment.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was a good meal, Ben.\u00a0 Better than I expected,\u201d Alex commented.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you Alex, I\u2019ll be sure to pass that on to Hop Sing,\u201d Ben acknowledged.\u00a0Good?\u00a0 Better than he expected? Hop Sing put himself out trying to make the perfect meal, and it\u2019s only good? What do I need to do to please him?\u00a0\u00a0Ben glanced over to where Joe was sitting next to Hoss, and watched how his eyes were slowly closing.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, is there a problem?\u201d Ben demanded.<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s head snapped up at the sound of his father\u2019s irritated voice. \u201cI\u2019m sorry Pa. May I be excused? I\u2019m awfully tired and I think I\u2019ll turn in.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you must,\u201d Ben replied with more irritation in his voice then necessary. The evening just wasn\u2019t going as Ben had planned.<\/p>\n Joe said his good nights and went up the stairs to his room.<\/p>\n Roy and Paul watched him go.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 8<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry Gentlemen, but if you\u2019ll excuse me, I need to step outside for a moment,\u201d Paul said as he stood up and headed towards the door, where he very discreetly picked up his black bag from the credenza.\u00a0Once outside he turned towards the side entrance to the kitchen and went in.\u00a0Hop Sing turned from the dishes he was washing to see who was coming into his kitchen. \u201cDoctor need something?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNo Hop Sing, I just want to go up and have a private word with Little Joe,\u201d Paul said as he crossed the kitchen and headed up the back stairs.<\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n When Joe started to remove his shirt, there was a knock on the door.\u00a0He quickly pulled it back on and went to answer the door. He was surprised to see Dr. Martin standing there.<\/p>\n \u201cDoc, what are you doin\u2019 up here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou mind if I come in?\u201d He asked as he walked past Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cDo I have a choice?\u201d Joe grumbled, as he shut the door.<\/p>\n \u201cAll right off with that shirt and let me have a look at your arm,\u201d Paul said.<\/p>\n \u201cMy arm?\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 There\u2019s nothin\u2019 wrong with it,\u201d Joe protested.<\/p>\n Paul just stood there looking at Joe with a look that said, \u2018don\u2019t even try it\u2019.<\/p>\n With a sigh, Joe carefully pulled his shirt off.\u00a0He was just too tired to put up a fight tonight.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you sit down and let me have a look at it,\u201d Paul said, motioning to a chair.<\/p>\n Joe did as he was instructed.\u00a0Paul removed the bandage. As he went through the layers a spot of blood started appearing and became bigger.\u00a0As he removed the last of it he shook his head.\u00a0\u201cLeave it to you.\u00a0What happened Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI cut it on a rock when I fell in the stream,\u201d\u00a0When Joe saw the questioning look on Paul\u2019s face he said. \u201cDon\u2019t ask.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul looked over the wound carefully. \u201cI\u2019m going to have to clean it out and put some stitches in it.\u201d<\/p>\n Completely defeated, Joe just nodded.<\/p>\n Paul placed a folded towel against Joe\u2019s arm. \u201cHere, hold this while I tell Hop Sing I need some hot water.\u201d<\/p>\n When Paul headed for the door, Joe called out to him.\u00a0\u201cPlease, don\u2019t tell anyone, \u2018specially Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul looked at the young man sitting on the bed. \u201cJoe, your father would want to know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlease, Doc.\u00a0He\u2019s ta busy ta be bothered with this.\u201d Joe pleaded.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Paul saw the pleading look on Joe\u2019s face, and gave in. \u201cAlright, but you have to promise me you\u2019ll take it easy with that arm.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will,\u201d Joe replied, as some of the tension left his body.<\/p>\n Paul snorted and walked out the door. Paul met Hop Sing on the stairs.\u00a0Hop Sing was carrying a tray with two bowls.\u00a0One was just hot water, the other was one with soapy water.<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing know Num\u2019er Three son hurt if doctor sneak up to see him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you Hop Sing.\u00a0Let\u2019s get this done before I\u2019m missed,\u201d Paul said as he turned around and headed back to Joe\u2019s room.<\/p>\n When they entered the room, Joe looked up at them. He looked at Hop Sing and opened his mouth to say something.<\/p>\n Before Joe could utter a word Hop Sing spoke up. \u201cNo worry, Hop Sing not tell.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d Joe said softly.<\/p>\n Paul picked up the glass on a glass that was on the dresser added a packet of powder to it and some water from the pitcher next to it. He handed the glass to Joe and said: \u201cNo complaining, just drink it.\u201d<\/p>\n With a small smile Joe took the glass and drank it down.\u00a0When he was finished he wrinkled his nose and handed the glass to Paul.<\/p>\n Paul chuckled at the look on Joe\u2019s face.\u00a0He knew that if Joe wasn\u2019t fighting him about taking the medication, then he must be as exhausted as he looked.\u00a0He dropped his needle in the bowl of plain hot water to sterilize it. While he waited he washed his hands in Joe\u2019s water basin and proceeded to clean out the wound with the soapy water.\u00a0Once it was clean he washed his hands again and retrieved his needle. He threaded it and turned to Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know your father will probably know once I start stitching.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou wanna make a bet?\u201d Joe asked through clenched teeth. His arm was still burning from being cleaned.<\/p>\n Paul knew how stubborn this particular Cartwright was.\u00a0Once Joe made up his mind, he carried through with it. \u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019ll take that bet.\u00a0Now, hold still.\u201d<\/p>\n As Paul began stitching the wound close, Joe let out a small gasp, tensed up, closed his eyes and bit down on his lower lip.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, try to relax your arm, it won\u2019t hurt as much.\u201d Joe tried to do as requested, but it was almost impossible.<\/p>\n Once Paul finished, he bandaged Joe\u2019s arm.\u00a0\u201cNow I want you to get in bed and go to sleep.\u00a0You need it.\u201d\u00a0 Seeing Joe nod his head in agreement, Paul packed up his bag and left the room.<\/p>\n Joe got up, changed into his nightshirt then sat down on the edge of the bed.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t understand,\u201d he said to the empty room. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t my fault that I was late.\u00a0Why wouldn\u2019t Pa let me explain?\u201d\u00a0 He sat there a little longer trying to make sense of the situation.\u00a0\u201cWhy was he so angry at me?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe got up and walked over to the window. He pulled back the curtain and stared out into the clear night.\u00a0\u201cWhy?\u201d he whispered as he leaned his forehead against the cool glass.\u00a0 When Joe\u2019s eyes started drifting shut, he made his way over to his bed. He was asleep seconds after his head hit the pillow.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 9<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Adam and Hoss came in the door, after finishing their morning chores. As they rounded the corner to the dining room, Hoss rubbed his hands together. \u201cBoy howdy, I sure do hope breakfast is ready, cuz I\u2019m starvin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam snorted before replying. \u201cWhat\u2019s new? You\u2019re always starving.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw, Adam, I can\u2019t help it, I\u2019m a growin\u2019 boy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re growing alright,\u201d Adam laughed and poked Hoss in the stomach. \u201cYou grow any more and you\u2019re going to founder your horse.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben and Alex joined in the laughter, while Ramsey sat staring at the brothers with a confused look on his face. He didn\u2019t know what to make of the interaction between Adam and Hoss, since he never shared anything like it with his brothers.<\/p>\n \u201cOh you\u2019re real funny,\u201d Hoss replied good-naturedly as he and Adam took their seats at the table.<\/p>\n Ben looked at Joe\u2019s empty chair and sighed. \u201cWas your younger brother outside with you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Pa, we haven\u2019t seen him this morning,\u201d Adam responded as he poured himself a cup of coffee.<\/p>\n \u201cThat boy,\u201d Ben grumbled. \u201cHoss, would you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m already goin\u2019, Pa,\u201d Hoss interrupted, as he got up and headed for Joe\u2019s room.<\/p>\n As Hoss disappeared around the upstairs corner, Alex turned to Ben and started his lecture. \u201cThis is exactly what I was referring to last night. It\u2019s extremely rude, not only to guests but to his own family, not to be punctual.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re right, of course,\u201d Ben agreed, as he remembered Alex drilling that lesson into his head at a young age, and all the years that followed. After all, being punctual had benefited Ben in getting where he was today. It gave him a respectable reputation as a businessman and a leader in the community.\u00a0\u00a0This is a lesson that Little Joe needs to learn.\u00a0Ben told himself.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Chapter 10<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Joe had just put his shirt on when there was a knock on the door.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m up,\u201d he called out.<\/p>\n Hoss opened the door and stuck his head in. \u201cYa best hurry. Ya\u2019re already late, an\u2019 after last night, I suggest ya don\u2019t push it with Pa any more.\u201d<\/p>\n As Hoss started to close the door, Joe called out to him. \u201cHoss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d Hoss asked, letting his annoyance at being kept from his breakfast, show in his voice.<\/p>\n Joe looked at him, and saw the irritation written all over his face. \u201cNever mind, it ain\u2019t nothin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHurry up, Little Joe.\u201d Hoss closed the door, and hurried back downstairs.<\/p>\n Joe stood staring at the door, unable to believe that his brother, his best friend, wouldn\u2019t even listen to him. He finished dressing and headed downstairs. \u201cIt\u2019s a new day, a fresh beginning. Pa will be okay today, he never stays mad at us for long,\u201d Joe said as he walked down the hall.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 11<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Joe came downstairs, wished everyone a good morning, and started to slip into his seat, when Ben\u2019s voice stopped him.<\/p>\n \u201cJust a moment, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d Joe asked as he straightened up.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have chores that need to be done.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll take care of \u2018em right after breakfast,\u201d Joe said as he started to sit down again.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, you\u2019ll take care of them right now,\u201d Ben informed him.<\/p>\n Joe stared at him, dumbfounded. Since he didn\u2019t eat the night before, he was hungry this morning. \u201cBut, but what about breakfast?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSince you decided it wasn\u2019t important enough to be up on time, I guess you\u2019ll have to do without,\u201d Ben paused before adding. \u201cFrom now, on you will be on time for meals.\u00a0 If you\u2019re not, then you\u2019ll go without.\u201d Ben turned back to Alex, received an approving nod, and continued his conversation with him.<\/p>\n Joe stood frozen to the spot, unable to comprehend what Ben was saying.<\/p>\n At Alex\u2019s glance towards Joe, Ben looked at him, \u201cNow, Joseph!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir,\u201d Joe said, turned and left.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, and Joseph,\u201d Ben called out, causing his son to turn back with a hopeful look on his face. \u201cYou\u2019ll be showing Ramsey around the ranch, and I expect you both back in time for lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir,\u201d was all Joe could get past the lump in his throat.<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss looked at each other with questioning eyes.\u00a0 Never had Ben told any of his sons that they would go without a meal, for any reason.\u00a0 Neither one could comprehend what had just happened.<\/p>\n Alex nodded his head in approval, once more.<\/p>\n Ramsey, on the other hand, sat with his head down, in order to conceal the grin on his face.\u00a0\u00a0Now, this could prove to be entertaining, after all.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 12<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Joe had just finished cleaning out the last stall, when Ramsey walked in.<\/p>\n \u201cYour father said you were to show me around the farm today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a ranch, not a farm,\u201d Joe corrected.<\/p>\n \u201cRanch, farm, what\u2019s the difference?\u201d Ramsey mocked.<\/p>\n Joe looked at Ramsey, and saw the haughty expression on his face. Frustrated, Joe took a deep breath, and explained. \u201cThe difference is, on a farm you grow crops. On a ranch ya raise cattle, or horses, or even sheep.\u201d<\/p>\n Ramsey yawned, and studied his fingernails. \u201cDoes it really matter out here? After all, you\u2019re all a bunch of uneducated ruffians.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not\u2026\u201d Joe stopped himself, and turned away from Ramsey.\u00a0Come on, Joe, you’re in enough trouble, ya can\u2019t lose your temper with this arrogant…\u00a0\u00a0Joe stopped that thought, and turned back to Ramsey. \u201cYa can ride, can\u2019t ya?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course I can ride. What do you think I am, uncivilized, like you people?\u201d Ramsey huffed.<\/p>\n \u201cYa don\u2019t want me ta answer that,\u201d Joe said under his breath. He turned, and started saddling a black gelding that had been brought in for Ramsey\u2019s use.<\/p>\n Ramsey walked over to Cochise\u2019s stall, and studied the horse. \u201cI\u2019ll ride this one.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe turned to see which horse Ramsey was referring to. \u201cSorry, that\u2019s my horse,\u201d Joe said, and went back to saddling Maverick.<\/p>\n \u201cSo?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo, no one rides \u2018im but me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI believe, I am a guest here, and if I want to ride this horse, I\u2019ll ride this horse,\u201d Ramsey told Joe.<\/p>\n Joe stood there clenching and unclenching his fists. He took a couple of deep breaths before explaining once more. \u201cAs I said,\u00a0no one\u00a0rides Cochise but me. Now, I have Maverick saddled for ya.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am\u2026\u201d Ramsey started.<\/p>\n \u201cYa\u00a0are\u00a0gonna ride Maverick, or you\u2019re not gonna ride at all.\u201d<\/p>\n They stood there staring at each other, waiting to see which one would back down first.\u00a0 Ramsey felt confident that Joe would be the first because he was, after all, a guest.\u00a0 What he didn\u2019t count on was Joe\u2019s ability to be more stubborn than a Missouri mule.<\/p>\n Joe had finally had it, with a new strategy in mind, he smiled sweetly at Ramsey, turned back to Maverick and started to undo the cinch.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you think you\u2019re doing?\u201d Ramsey demanded.<\/p>\n \u201cUnsaddling him of course,\u201d Joe said slowly, as if he were talking to a small child.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? You\u2019re to show me the ranch,\u201d Ramsey spluttered.<\/p>\n \u201cNope\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour father told you to.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYep, but ya don\u2019t wanna go.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI WHAT?\u201d Ramsey yelled.<\/p>\n \u201cI said ya don\u2019t wanna go.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut, I do,\u201d he protested.<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d Joe stood there acting surprised. \u201cI could of sworn ya didn\u2019t, since ya don\u2019t wanna ride Maverick.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine, I ride him, anything, to get away from this house.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood.\u201d Not bothering to hide the smug smile on his face, Joe turned back to the horse and tightened the cinch.\u00a0First point to me.<\/p>\n Once he finished with Maverick, Joe handed the reins to Ramsey, who led the horse out of the barn, and Joe started saddling Cochise. \u201cThis sure is gonna be a fun day, Cooch,\u201d Joe whispered, and Cochise snorted in agreement. Once finished he led Cochise out into the yard, and swung up into the saddle.<\/p>\n Ramsey sat on his horse dumbfounded. He had never seen anyone mount a horse like that before, he didn\u2019t even know it was possible.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d Joe said as he turned Cochise to head out of the yard.<\/p>\n Just then, Ben came out of the house. \u201cJoseph, hold up a minute. I want a word with you before you leave.\u201d<\/p>\n Now what did I do? And I\u2019m still Joseph,\u00a0Joe thought as he dismounted and walked over to Ben. \u201cYeah, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI want to remind you, that no matter what, you are not to go into town,\u201d Ben instructed his son once more.<\/p>\n \u201cBut what if Ramsey wants ta go?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen Adam or Hoss will take him,\u201d Ben said. \u201cYou are not to go anywhere near Virginia City until I say so. Is that clear?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Joe answered, hanging his head down, and watching the toe of his boot scuffing at the dirt.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat was that? You\u2019ll look at me when I\u2019m speaking to you, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s head snapped up. \u201cI said it was clear. May I leave?\u201d Joe said defiantly.<\/p>\n \u201cWatch your tone, young man,\u201d Ben warned. \u201cRemember to be back on time for lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe will be,\u201d Joe replied, with a trace of defiance still in his voice, as he walked away.<\/p>\n Once he was back on Cochise, Joe looked at Ramsey, but didn\u2019t even notice the wicked gleam in Ramsey\u2019s eyes, and said. \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 13<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re gonna ride over ta Beaver Creek first,\u201d Joe told Ramsey as they rode away from the house.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d Ramsey questioned.<\/p>\n \u201cI tore a dam down yesterday; an\u2019 I wanna make sure it\u2019s not back again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy is it called Beaver Creek?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCuz, we\u2019ve always had a lot of problems with beavers there, seems like there\u2019s more and more of \u2018em all the time. It use ta be called somethin\u2019 else, but I can\u2019t remember what.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d was all Ramsey said.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s Lake Tahoe,\u201d Joe said pointing the lake out to Ramsey. \u201cThere\u2019s a really good fishin\u2019 spot just a little further on. Hoss and I spend lots of time there whenever we can.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t fish.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYa don\u2019t? I can\u2019t imagine not fishin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n As they rode on Ramsey noticed a small, well used trail leading off towards the lake.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s over there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy mother\u2019s grave,\u201d Joe answered, not even glancing towards the trail that Ramsey was inquiring about.<\/p>\n When Joe kept going, Ramsey called out to him. \u201cHey, aren\u2019t you going to take me there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not? You\u2019re supposed to be showing me the ranch. Isn\u2019t that part of the ranch?\u201d<\/p>\n By this point, Ramsey was testing Joe\u2019s already strained patience.\u00a0 He took a deep breath, and slowly released it before answering. \u201cYeah it is, but it\u2019s a place for family only.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a cemetery, they\u2019re public places.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI said no!\u201d Joe snapped. Joe closed his eyes and mentally counted to ten, doing everything he could to control his temper. When he finally spoke, it was slow and clipped.\u00a0 \u201cAs I said; It\u2019s a family place. Now, let\u2019s go and check that creek.\u201d\u00a0Pa would be so proud of me for controllin\u2019 myself,\u00a0Joe thought as a small smile graced his face.<\/p>\n They rode in strained silence, while Joe searched for something to talk about.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, why are ya headed for San Francisco?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFather is sending me to school there,\u201d Ramsey answered with disdain.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat school?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSt. Ignatius College.\u201d**<\/p>\n Joe rolled his eyes.\u00a0Getting him to talk is like getting Hoss away from Hop Sing\u2019s chocolate cake.<\/p>\n \u201cSan Francisco is a long way from New York. Won\u2019t ya miss your family?\u201d Joe persisted.<\/p>\n \u201cNot really, I\u2019m use to it. Father has always sent us away to school,\u201d Ramsey said shrugging his shoulders.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t even begin ta imagine being that far away from my family, or even the Ponderosa.\u201d Joe stopped and thought about it for a minute before continuing. \u201cYa know, Adam wanted me ta go ta college.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou?\u201d Ramsey looked at Joe as if he had grown a second head.\u00a0I can\u2019t imagine any school taking a backwoods bumpkin like him.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s how I reacted. I asked Adam what school in their right mind would take a stupid cowboy like me,\u201d Joe said, not realizing he was echoing Ramsey\u2019s thoughts. \u201cBesides, I hated school. Being cooped up in a room all day ain\u2019t my idea of fun. I\u2019d rather be out here in the open, where I can breathe, ride my horse, and just enjoy life. Now Adam, he\u2019s the smart one. He liked school.\u00a0 He always has his nose stuck in a book. I swear, if he could figure out a way ta drive cattle while readin\u2019 Shakespeare without losin\u2019 nary a one, he\u2019d be in heaven. It\u2019s bad enough he recites it on drives,\u201d Joe stopped when a thought hit him, and laughed. \u201cI guess that would be better than havin\u2019 ta listen ta it,\u201d Joe thought again for a moment as they rode on, before quoting something from memory.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd thus I clothe my naked villany<\/p>\n With odd old \u00a0ends stol\u2019n out of holy writ<\/p>\n And seem a saint when most I play the devil.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI bet you don\u2019t even know what that\u2019s from or what it means,\u201d Ramsey taunted.<\/p>\n \u201cSure I do. Ol\u2019 Adam made sure of it. It\u2019s from King Richard III. Basically, Richard is braggin\u2019 about his deceit and desire ta be king. He\u2019s proud of being able ta make people think he\u2019s a saint when he\u2019s actually the devil. He\u2019ll do whatever it takes ta get what he wants, and to feed his pride, no matter who gets hurt,\u201d Joe explained, not knowing how this was actually going to relate to his life. \u201cJust don\u2019t let Adam know I know this stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI never would have imagined someone like you knowing that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know lots of things.\u201d Joe pulled Cochise to a stop and looked around. \u201cHere we are. Wanna have a look \u2018round with me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d rather not,\u201d Ramsey sneered.<\/p>\n Joe made a quick inspection and once he was satisfied that all was well he turned Cochise around. \u201cCome on, we\u2019ll head over ta where the herd is. Some of the hands are working there. Ya can see a bit of what goes on, on a\u00a0ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have a better idea. Why don\u2019t we go into town,\u201d Ramsey suggested.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe Adam or Hoss will take you later.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRamsey looked at Joe for a minute and noticed the slight slump of his shoulders. \u201cOh, so you\u2019re not old enough to go to town by yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m old enough!\u201d Joe replied hotly. \u201cI\u2019m just not interested. Let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n They rode while Joe was dwelling on the injustice of it all, and Ramsey plotting what kind of trouble he could cause the youngest Cartwright.<\/p>\n \u201cI might as well have some fun on this stupid trip,\u201d Ramsey said quietly enough that Joe didn\u2019t hear him.<\/p>\n When they got to where the herd was Joe started to point out various aspects of the work that was taking place. He pointedly ignored the bored expression on Ramsey\u2019s face. In fact, Joe tried as hard as he could to make it as mundane as possible.<\/p>\n \u201cHey Little Joe, you got a minute?\u201d called Kevin, one of the hands that was working with the herd.<\/p>\n Joe looked over at Ramsey, who was sitting on Maverick with his eyes closed. \u201cSure I do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWould you come over here and have a look at one of the pregnant cows.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be right back,\u201d Joe called over his shoulder as he followed Kevin.<\/p>\n Fifteen minutes later, Joe glanced back to where he had left Ramsey, only to find the area empty. Joe started looking frantically around, hoping to catch sight of him.<\/p>\n \u201cHave you seen Ramsey?\u201d Joe asked Kevin.<\/p>\n \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe idio\u2026 er, the other fella I was with.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNope, not since we rode over here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoggone it!\u201d exclaimed Joe.<\/p>\n Joe stood there, not knowing what to do. \u201cPa\u2019s going to kill me if I\u2019ve lost him,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n \u201cI gotta go,\u201d Joe yelled as he ran to Cochise and took off at a fast gallop.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 14<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Ramsey rode slowly into the yard. He saw his father and Ben sitting on the porch, playing a game of cards. The two men looked up when they heard a horse ride into the yard.<\/p>\n \u201cRamsey,\u201d Alex called as he got up and walked over to his son, with Ben following him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s Little Joe?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, he just left me,\u201d Ramsey said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe left you!\u201d Ben bellowed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d Alex demanded.<\/p>\n While working in the barn, Adam and Hoss heard the commotion in the yard and went to investigate.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean, he left you?\u201d Ben asked, not bothering to keep his voice down.<\/p>\n \u201cHe, uh, said something about town and rode off. I\u2026 I had to find my way back. I got lost, and I didn\u2019t think I\u2019d ever make it back here,\u201d Ramsey explained, letting just the right amount of fear creep into his voice.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is exactly the kind of thing I\u2019ve been warning you about, Benjamin. You gave him a responsibility, and he can\u2019t be trusted to do even the simplest of requests,\u201d Alex said in exasperation\u00a0 \u201cAre you going to tolerate this type of behavior?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben was so angry his face turned crimson, and you could almost see the steam coming from his ears. When he saw Adam and Hoss outside the barn, he turned towards them.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, take the horse and stable it,\u201d he ordered.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss hurried over, took the horse from Ramsey, and led it into the barn. Adam turned and followed Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, ya don\u2019t think Little Joe would do somethin\u2019 like that, do ya?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Hoss. There has to be more to it. Little Joe may be irresponsible at times, but he would never disobey Pa like that, especially with all the trouble he\u2019s already been in.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, he wouldn\u2019t.\u201d Hoss was quiet for a minute. \u201cAdam, I really don\u2019t care for Mr. Stroud. He took a dislike ta Little Joe right from the first. Little Joe ain\u2019t done nothin\u2019 really bad. Nothin\u2019 out of the ordinary, any how.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI agree, Hoss. It also seems like Pa is taking everything Mr. Stroud says to heart. I just don\u2019t understand it. It\u2019s not like Pa to let someone influence him like this, especially where Little Joe is concerned.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are we gonna do?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss asked when he finished grooming Maverick and giving him fresh water and oats.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll talk to Pa. Maybe I can find out what\u2019s going on.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI sure hope so Adam, before somethin happens that can\u2019t be fixed,\u201d Hoss said as they walked out of the barn together.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 15<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Hours later, long after lunch was over, a very dejected Joe rode into the yard. He dismounted Cochise, and after tying him to the hitching post he headed for the house. He slowed when he heard the door open, then close. Ben came striding out. Joe saw the anger glowing in Ben\u2019s eyes and swallowed hard.\u00a0Here\u2019s another meal I\u2019m going to miss, and just wait until I tell him about Ramsey.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, I um, I had a problem. I kinda lost Ramsey.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean, you\u00a0kind<\/strong> of\u00a0lost Ramsey?\u201d Ben growled.<\/p>\n Joe looked down at his feet, unable to look his father in the eyes. \u201cWell, we were at the south pas\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you mean\u00a0you\u00a0<\/strong>were in\u00a0town<\/strong>, and\u00a0left\u00a0<\/strong>Ramsey on his own,\u201d Ben all but shouted.<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s head came up at that. \u201cWhat?\u00a0 No Pa, I wasn\u2019t in town.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben interrupted once more. \u201cTake care of your horse, Joseph, then go to your room, and stay there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut Pa,\u201d Joe pleaded.<\/p>\n \u201cNo buts, Joseph. I gave you very explicit orders, and once again you decided to disobey me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t Pa. Honest.\u201d Joe looked at Ben in complete confusion, not understanding what was going on.<\/p>\n \u201cNOW,\u201d Ben bellowed.<\/p>\n Joe turned, grabbed Cochise\u2019s reins, and headed for the barn. Once in the safety of the barn, Joe poured his heart out to his trusted friend.<\/p>\n \u201cIt ain\u2019t fair, Cooch. I didn\u2019t do nothin\u2019 wrong.\u201d He removed his saddle and the rest of the tack as he talked. Joe made sure he kept his movements slow and gentle, so as not to take his anger and confusion out on his horse.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019d Pa get the notion I went ta town? I\u2019d like ta know what Ramsey told \u2018em.\u201d Joe started grooming Cochise, letting the soothing movements calm him. \u201cHe sure didn\u2019t tell \u2018em I was helpin\u2019 Kevin,\u201d Joe continued to brush Cochise. \u201cI have a feelin\u2019 this visit ain\u2019t gonna go ta well for me.\u201d Joe finished grooming Cochise, gave him fresh water, hay and some oats. As he turned to leave, he took his anger out on a crate by kicking it across the barn. When Cochise whinnied in protest, Joe went back to him to comfort him.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Cooch,\u201d Joe said as he rubbed the horse\u2019s neck to calm him. He leaned his head against the horse for a moment, soaking in the comfort he always gained from Cochise. Joe stood up, straightened his shoulders, and left the barn.<\/p>\n When he got to the house, he went in, hung his hat up, and put his gun belt on the credenza. He turned and headed for the stairs. He looked at his brothers who each gave him a sympathetic look. He glanced at Ramsey, who was sitting in Adam\u2019s favorite blue chair, and noticed the smug, victorious look on his face. Joe didn\u2019t say a word to anyone, nor did he look at his father. Once he gained the sanctuary of his room, it took everything he had not to slam the door as hard as he could. Once the door was closed, Joe leaned against it breathing hard.<\/p>\n \u201cHe ain\u2019t gonna ta get the better of me. I\u2019m not gonna give Pa anything else ta get mad about.\u201d<\/p>\n _ _ _ _<\/p>\n Awhile later, there was a knock on Joe\u2019s door.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, its Adam. May I come in?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGo away, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam stood outside the door, for once respecting his younger brother\u2019s privacy. \u201cJoe, I just want to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere ain\u2019t nothin\u2019 ta talk \u2018bout. Please, Adam, jest let me be.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam didn\u2019t know what to do. He wanted to go in and talk to Joe, but he also knew that unless Joe was ready to talk there wasn\u2019t any force on earth that could make him. To try and force the situation would only push him further away.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, Joe. Just remember, I\u2019m here if you need me,\u201d Adam sighed and continued down the hall to his room in order to wash up for dinner.<\/p>\n _ _ _ _ _<\/p>\n About half an hour after Adam had been at Joe\u2019s door, there was another knock. Joe was standing at his window watching the sun set, taking in the brilliant orange and reds that streaked across the sky.<\/p>\n Joe had to clear his throat before he was able to say anything. \u201cGo away, Adam. I said I didn\u2019t wanna talk.\u201d<\/p>\n The door opened and someone entered the room.<\/p>\n Joe sighed in frustration, but didn\u2019t turn from the window. \u201cI said ta go away.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing not go way. Bring number three son dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe quickly wiped at his eyes before turning around.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re havin\u2019 dinner?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe stood there, staring at Hop Sing in total disbelief. \u201cNo one told me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Cartlight say Li\u2019le Joe not come down, so Hop Sing bring dinner to Li\u2019le Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you Hop Sing, but I\u2019m not hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou eat. You no eat all day and no eat dinner last night.\u201d Joe looked at Hop Sing in surprise. \u201cHop Sing know all of number three son\u2019s tricks. You no eat, you get sick.\u201d Hop Sing set the tray on Joe\u2019s desk and started for the door. Before leaving the room he turned back to Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cEat all, or you deal with Hop Sing,\u201d he ordered.<\/p>\n Joe gave him a small smile. \u201cYes, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Once the door was closed Joe turned back to the window, in complete misery. After awhile, he walked over to the desk, and looked at the tray. On it was fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, a cup of coffee and apple pie. Joe ate some of it, until his stomach turned over in protest. He walked away from it, and laid down on the bed.<\/p>\n After awhile he heard footsteps coming down the hall, by the sound of light steps, Joe could tell it was Hop Sing. He turned over, and feigned being asleep. He just couldn\u2019t face being lectured right now.<\/p>\n Hop Sing softly knocked on the door and entered. He saw Joe laying in bed with his back to him.\u00a0 Hop Sing looked at the tray that had hardly been touched, and shook his head. He wasn\u2019t fooled for a minute that Joe was asleep, but decided tonight wasn\u2019t the night to make an issue out of it. He had seen the sadness in the boy\u2019s eyes earlier, and didn\u2019t have the heart to scold him. He picked up the tray, and silently left the room.<\/p>\n Once Joe heard the soft click of the door closing, he rolled over onto his back, and laid there staring at the ceiling.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen Pa comes up, I\u2019m gonna explain about today, and last night. Once he listens to me, he won\u2019t be mad anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n With that decision made, Joe got up, changed into his nightshirt and laid and waited for Ben to come upstairs.<\/p>\n Later, Joe heard Hoss\u2019 heavy footsteps go by, followed by the opening and closing of the door. Soon after, Adam\u2019s lighter steps followed as he went down the hall to his room. Joe heard him pause outside Joe\u2019s door for a moment before continuing on.<\/p>\n Shortly after Adam went by, Joe heard someone else coming down the hall. He assumed it was Ramsey since the steps were lighter than what he expected Mr. Stroud\u2019s to be.<\/p>\n Joe continued to wait, and an hour later he heard Mr. Stroud go by.<\/p>\n \u201cThat only leaves Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe knew Ben was banking the fire, and making sure all the lamps were extinguished for the night, before he headed to bed. \u00a0Joe heard Ben\u2019s steady and sure steps coming up the stairs. Joe got up, and went out into the hall.<\/p>\n When he saw Ben coming down the hall, Joe started to plead his case. \u201cPa, I can explain everythin\u2019 that\u2019s happened, if you\u2019ll just let me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot tonight, Joseph,\u201d Ben said, as he walked past Joe, and into his room.<\/p>\n \u201cBut, Pa,\u201d Joe pleaded.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe watched Ben go into his room and shut the door. Joe stood in the hall looking at Ben\u2019s door, unable to believe what just happened. Joe went back into his room, and softly closed his doors. He leaned against it, and slowly sank to the floor as tears filled his eyes and slowly slid down his face.<\/p>\n \u201cBut Pa has always listened to me. He\u2019s never turned his back on me before,\u201d Joe said in utter despair.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 16<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n When Adam came down for breakfast the next morning, Ben was already at the table and drinking his coffee.<\/p>\n \u201cMorning, Pa,\u201d Adam said as he sat down and poured himself some coffee.<\/p>\n \u201cGood morning, Adam. Hop Sing should have breakfast ready soon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, I\u2019d like to talk to you before anyone else comes down.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s on your mind, Son.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm, well, it\u2019s Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben looked down at the coffee cup in his hand, and sighed. \u201cWhat\u2019s he done now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothing, Pa. That\u2019s just it; he hasn\u2019t done anything to deserve what\u2019s been happening to him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe hasn\u2019t done anything? You call being late for dinner the other night, after I stressed to him how important it was, nothing? Not to mention, that he\u2019s been late to every meal since. Then yesterday, he left Ramsey alone and went to town\u00a0after\u00a0I forbid him to go. And you call that nothing?\u201d Ben said, as he glared at Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, you know Little Joe\u2019s sense of time isn\u2019t the greatest. It\u2019s never bothered you before when he\u2019s been late for breakfast. Oh, sure you\u2019ve grumbled a bit, but never made him go without, especially knowing how little that boy eats at times.\u201d Adam stopped and watched the thunder clouds roll in, then hurried to continue pleading his case. \u201cDo you honestly believe that Joe would leave Ramsey on his own and go to town? Especially after you specifically told him Virginia City was off limits.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy would Ramsey lie about something like that? He has no reason to. I\u2019m surprised at you, Adam. Aren\u2019t you the one who\u2019s always telling me that I\u2019m too easy on the boy?\u201d\u00a0 Ben grumbled. \u201cAlex says something needs to be done with Joseph, that I can\u2019t let him continue on the path he\u2019s on. He says being late for meals is rude and a display of disrespect. I tend to agree with him, now that I see what\u2019s been happening. I should have listened to you before.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know what I\u2019ve said.\u201d When Adam noticed Ben was about to interrupt he quickly continued. \u201cWait, Pa, hear me out before you say anything.\u201d Ben gave a sharp nod and Adam continued. \u201cWhen have you ever allowed someone to influence you on how to raise your sons? That\u2019s what you\u2019re doing now. You\u2019re letting Mr. Stroud\u2019s opinions and disapproval override your own beliefs and feelings. You have never been like that, especially where Little Joe is concerned. You and I have had many arguments on this topic, and I\u2019ve never been able to sway you. I believe your response has always been, \u2018He\u2019s my son and I\u2019ll raise him as I see fit. After all, I am his father and you are not.\u2019 I never thought I would hear myself say this, but you\u2019re being too hard on him, all because of Stroud\u2019s opinion. He doesn\u2019t like Little Joe for some reason. Both Hoss and I can see that, why can\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHOW DARE YOU!\u201d Ben shouted. \u201cWhat gives you the right to pass judgment on me, and worse, on Alex?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut Pa,\u201d Adam tried to interject.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Adam, Alex is a good man. He has played a big part in my life when I was growing up, and I respect his opinion. He has raised some fine sons and I pray I can do the same.\u201d Ben glared at Adam, ignoring the slight shudder that ran through him. \u201cYou crossed the line this time, Adam!\u201d<\/p>\n Adam sat there, staring at Ben for a minute before throwing his napkin on his plate and standing up. \u201cIf you\u2019ll excuse me, I have some chores to do.\u201d<\/p>\n Unknown to either man, Hoss stood at the top of the stairs, just out of sight, and heard every word.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 17<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Breakfast was a quiet affair; the only conversation at the table was between Ben and Alex. Hoss, for the most part, kept his eyes on his plate. Once in awhile he would glance up at Joe, but his brother never looked up. Hoss would also glance over at Adam\u2019s empty chair. He didn\u2019t know what to do, or say. He yearned to have his family back to how it was, but he knew that wouldn\u2019t happen until the Strouds were gone. As far as Hoss was concerned, that couldn\u2019t happen a minute too soon. He just hoped that by the time they did leave, the damage in Ben\u2019s relationship with his sons wouldn\u2019t be beyond repair, especially with Joe.<\/p>\n Ben finally turned his attention to Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI want you and Ramsey to go out to Carson\u2019s Meadow and check on that herd of horses Hoss spotted last week. See if you think any are ready to be brought in. We have that Army contract coming up soon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, how \u2018bout if Ramsey comes with me today?\u201d Hoss suggested, hoping to give Joe some peace today.<\/p>\n \u201cNo Son, I want him going with Joseph. You\u2019re going to be much to busy today, with getting the hands ready for round up,\u201d Ben said, and turned his attention back to Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cI also want to remind you, once again, that you are\u00a0not\u00a0to go into town,\u00a0no matter what.\u00a0\u00a0Is that understood?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir,\u201d Joe answered softly.<\/p>\n \u201cI mean it, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t go ta town, Pa. I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben turned to Ramsey. \u201cRamsey, tomorrow you\u2019ll go to town with Hoss. He needs to pick up supplies, so he can show you around. Is that alright with you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Mr. Cartwright, that sounds just fine,\u201d Ramsey answered with an innocent smile on his face.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 18<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Hoss finished his breakfast and quickly left the table. When he entered the barn, Adam looked up from the bridle he was repairing.<\/p>\n \u201cI tried talking to Pa this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know, I heard.\u201d Hoss paused and rubbed the back of his neck. \u201cPa\u2019s got Ramsey goin\u2019 with Little Joe again today.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam stared at Hoss, unable to comprehend what he had just heard. \u201cYou\u2019re kidding.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNope.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t understand, Hoss. Pa has always been so set in his ways when it comes to Little Joe.\u201d His stopped and pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. \u201cI\u2019ll be glad when I see the back of them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe too, it can\u2019t happen fast enough, as far as I\u2019m concerned. What\u2019ll we do before then?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, Hoss. What I do know, is that I have a bad feeling about today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBy the look on Ramsey\u2019s face when Pa said he\u2019d be goin\u2019 with Joe, I\u2019d say he was up ta somethin\u2019. I tried ta get Pa ta let him go with me, but he said no.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere are they going today?\u201d Adam asked, as he set the bridle down. He went over and started to saddle Sport.<\/p>\n \u201cCarson\u2019s Meadow, Pa wants Joe ta take a look over them horses, I saw the other day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCarson\u2019s Meadow\u2026 Well they shouldn\u2019t be able to get into too much trouble there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, Adam,\u201d Hoss said as he started saddling Chubb.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on, and stop worrying, we have work to do,\u201d Adam tried to reassure his brother, but he had the same misgivings about today that Hoss did.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 19<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll go out an\u2019 saddle the horses. Come out when you\u2019re ready.\u201d Joe set the napkin on his plate, and started to leave the table.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, remember what I said,\u201d warned Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cI will, Pa.\u201d Joe grabbed his hat, jacket, gun belt, and headed for the barn.<\/p>\n _ _ _ _<\/p>\n By the time Ramsey finally showed up, Joe had Cochise saddled and was almost finished with Maverick. When Joe heard Ramsey enter the barn, he finished tightening the cinch, and turned to him.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, I\u2019m sorry. We seemed ta have gotten off on the wrong foot.\u201d Joe held out his hand as a peace offering. \u201cNo hard feelins?\u201d<\/p>\n Ramsey ignored Joe\u2019s hand and instead said. \u201cI want to go to town today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou heard what my Pa said.\u00a0 I can\u2019t go ta town. Hoss is gonna take ya tomorrow,\u201d Joe finished and lowered his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want to go tomorrow. I\u00a0want\u00a0to go today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s nothin\u2019 I can do about it. I have my orders from Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter,\u00a0Little\u00a0Joe, you chicken?\u201d Ramsey taunted. \u201cAre you afraid Daddy will yell at you again?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not afraid of nothin\u2019. I gave my word, an I stand by it,\u201d Joe snapped. \u201cPa gave us a job ta do an I aim ta get it done.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0The sooner I can finish, the sooner I can get rid of you,\u00a0Joe thought as he tied his jacket to the back of his saddle.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll be sorry, Cartwright,\u201d Ramsey muttered under his breath just low enough that Joe didn\u2019t hear him when Joe led Cochise out of the barn.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 20<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Joe and Ramsey headed out to Carson\u2019s Meadow, and neither spoke to the other. Ramsey tried to figure out how he could get to town. Joe, on the other hand, just wanted to get this over with. He normally enjoyed the ride there on a spring day like today, when the air was fresh and clean with the scent of pine trees, a soft breeze blowing, the sun shining down to warm you, and a good horse under you. The ranch was in all its glory this time of year. All this had always worked together to provide Joe with a feeling of utter peace, and contentment.\u00a0 But not today, today the beauty went unnoticed; it was ruined for Joe but the man riding beside him.<\/p>\n Adam says I\u2019m spoiled, but I don\u2019t hold a candle ta him. What Ramsey wants, Ramsey gets.\u00a0 But not today.\u00a0 There\u2019s no way I\u2019m gonna risk making Pa angry again. I don\u2019t think I can take anymore.<\/em><\/p>\n Not to far down the rode, Joe noticed a change in Cochise\u2019s gait.<\/p>\n \u201cWhoa, Boy, Somethin\u2019 wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe stopped his horse and dismounted. Ramsey, on the other hand, kept on going.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Ramsey, hold up.\u201d<\/p>\n Ramsey ignored Joe and kept going.<\/p>\n Joe sighed. \u201cOh what I wouldn\u2019t give ta knock him on his backside. Okay Cooch, let\u2019s see what\u2019s wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe lifted Cochises\u2019s right front hoof, and examined it. \u201cOh, come on, it\u2019s just a little pebble, ya big baby.\u201d<\/p>\n Cochise looked around at Joe and snorted, showing his displeasure. Joe pulled a knife out of his saddle bag, and popped the pebble out.<\/p>\n \u201cThere, that ought ta do it.\u201d<\/p>\n He mounted up and gave Cochise a kick. \u201cLet\u2019s go catch up with \u2018im, not that I wanna.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe rode at a gallop, expecting to catch with Ramsey pretty quickly. After about two miles he pulled Cochise to a stop.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no way he got this far ahead of me, not the way he was ridin\u2019.\u201d Joe looked around hoping to catch sight of Ramsey.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere the devil is he?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 21<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Joe sat on Cochise, pondering where Ramsey could have gone.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, we know he didn\u2019t go back ta the house, he would had ta go by us.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked up the trail, hoping the answer would come to him. Suddenly, it hit him like a bolt of lightening.<\/p>\n \u201cOh no, not that. Please not that, don\u2019t let it be that,\u201d Joe pleaded. He felt his stomach start to twist into knots. He gave Cochise a kick, and took off down the road. When he reached the Virginia City cut off, he stopped, and look down that road, and back to where he had come from.<\/p>\n \u201cIf Pa finds out I went ta town, he\u2019ll kill me, but if he finds out that Ramsey went, an\u2019 I didn\u2019t do anythin\u2019 about it, he\u2019ll kill me.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe didn\u2019t know what to do. He looked up toward Heaven, seeking advice.<\/p>\n \u201cThis ain\u2019t fair,\u201d he ranted, and he turned Cochise towards town and took off at a run.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 22<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n When Joe entered Virginia City, he kept an eye out for Ramsey or Maverick. When he came to the Bucket of Blood, he spotted Maverick hitched just outside the saloon.<\/p>\n \u201cDoggone it!\u201d<\/p>\n He tied Cochise next to Maverick. \u201cIf we get outta here fast, Pa never needs ta know, right?\u201d Cochise bobbed his head up and down in agreement.<\/p>\n He went into the saloon, and stood just inside the doors, letting his eyes adjust to the low lighting of the room. Joe scanned the smoky room, and spotted Ramsey standing at the bar, with a glass of whiskey in his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Little Joe, haven\u2019t seen you in awhile,\u201d the bartender called out when Joe strode over to the bar.<\/p>\n \u201cHi, Sam, been busy at the ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe walked up to Ramsey, and pulled him around to face him. \u201cWhat are ya doin\u2019 here?\u201d Joe demanded between clenched teeth.<\/p>\n \u201cHaving a drink.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can see that. What I wanna know is why ya came ta town?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI told you, that I wanted to.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe sighed in frustration. \u201cAnd I told ya we couldn\u2019t. Let\u2019s go, I have work ta do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGo on and do it, little boy. I\u2019m staying.\u201d Ramsey turned back to the bar and called out. \u201cGive me another one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Sam, we\u2019re leavin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe grabbed Ramsey by the arm and started to pull. Joe spoke to him as if Ramsey were a small child. \u201cI said\u2026 we\u2026 are\u2026 leavin\u2019. NOW!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I said, no.\u201d Ramsey pulled away from Joe, and in doing so bumped into a miner on the other side of him, causing the miner to spill his drink.<\/p>\n The man turned and grabbed Ramsey by the collar. \u201cWhat the hell you think you\u2019re doin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n Ramsey looked down his nose at the man. \u201cI suggest you take your filthy hands off me.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe closed his eyes, dreading what was to come. \u201cOh Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n The miner balled up his fist and punched Ramsey right in the eye.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m dead,\u201d Joe muttered.<\/p>\n Joe stepped between the miner and Ramsey, who was lying on the floor, and put his hands flat against the miner\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on Ted, ya don\u2019t wanna do that. Let \u2018em alone an\u2019 I\u2019ll buy ya another drink,\u201d Joe pleaded, trying to pacify Ted.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s it to ya, Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a guest of Pa\u2019s, that\u2019s what it\u2019s ta me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn that case\u2026\u201d Before Joe knew what was happening he found himself flat on the floor.\u00a0 By this time Ramsey was on his feet and taking a swing at Ted, who easily dodged it and sent Ramsey sprawling on the floor once more.<\/p>\n Joe was on his feet, but unlike Ramsey, his fist connected with Ted\u2019s jaw. That was all that the other miners in the bar needed to join in, in their opinion, it was two against one.<\/p>\n Joe gave as good as he got. He was able to dodge a whiskey bottle that was aimed for his head, but not the punch that sent him flying over a table. He was right back on his feet, swinging.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Ramsey found himself a nice, safe corner, where he could stand and watch the fight.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is better then I could have hoped for,\u201d he said, laughing, as he watched Joe go down under a pile of miners, who were swinging away, trying to beat Joe to a pulp. \u201cI told you, you\u2019d be sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 23<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAlright, break it up!\u201d Sheriff Coffee yelled as he came in. \u201cYa heard me; ya had your fun for today!\u201d\u00a0 When he was ignored he pulled out his gun, aimed it at the ceiling and pulled the trigger. \u201cSorry \u2018bout that, Sam,\u201d Roy said, turning to the bartender, who just nodded.<\/p>\n The sound of the shot and the falling plaster caught everyone\u2019s attention. Slowly, the miners began moving away from the center of the room, revealing Joe, who was lying on the floor.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe Cartwright! I should of known! If there\u2019s trouble to be had, you\u2019re right in the middle of it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut Roy,\u201d Joe tried to interrupt.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery time somethin\u2019 happens in here, you\u2019re involved.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut Roy,\u201d Joe tried again to explain, but Sheriff Coffee was on a roll.<\/p>\n \u201cBoy, ya need to learn to control that temper of yours. Maybe a night in my jail would teach ya a lesson.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRoy, if ya would only let me explain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t wanna hear one of you cock an\u2019 bull stories. What was it about this time, a girl or a poker game?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe hung his head in defeat, and had to fight to hold the tears of injustice back. Every inch of his body hurt and he was totally miserable.\u00a0Why won\u2019t anyone just listen ta me?<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s go, you\u2019re comin\u2019 with me, Little Joe. I really think that night with me will do ya a world of good. Your Pa can come an\u2019 collect you in the mornin\u2019.\u201d Roy took hold of Joe\u2019s right arm and started leading him out of the saloon.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, so much for Pa not knowing,\u201d Joe mumbled.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 24<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u201c<\/span>Roy, would you stop and listen to the boy,\u201d Sam interjected. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t his fault. He didn\u2019t start it, and he most certainly didn\u2019t throw the first punch or even the second. In fact, Little Joe tried to stop it.\u201d Sam stopped his defense of Joe, and looked around the room. Spotting Ramsey standing in a corner, grinning like a cat that just ate the canary, Sam pointed his finger at him. \u201cIf it\u2019s anyone\u2019s fault, it\u2019s his. Little Joe tried to get him to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n Sheriff Coffee turned to Joe. \u201cIs this true, Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe nodded his head and whispered. \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry ta go jumpin\u2019 ta conclusions. Are ya okay?\u201d<\/p>\n Once Joe had his emotions under control, he looked up at the sheriff. \u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n Sheriff Coffee looked him over, taking note of the various cuts, and bruises, and noticed the blood on the left sleeve of Joe\u2019s shirt.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, you\u2019re fine, alright. Ya get yourself over ta Doc\u2019s, an\u2019 I\u2019ll take care of that one for ya,\u201d he said motioning towards Ramsey.<\/p>\n \u201cI said I\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe grumbled.<\/p>\n \u201cHumor me, will ya?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe stood there and looked around the saloon. \u201cSam, I\u2019ll take care of the damage\u2026some how. Just let me know how much.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe, the damages aren\u2019t your fault,\u201d Sam told him. \u201cFor once,\u201d he added with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I\u2019m responsible for \u2018im,\u201d Joe said motioning towards Ramsey. \u201cSo I need to take care of damages,\u201d he pleaded. \u201cPlease, nothin\u2019 else needs ta be said ta anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe, your Pa needs to know about this,\u201d Roy told him.<\/p>\n \u201cNo! Please, Roy,\u201d he begged.<\/p>\n Sheriff Coffee, stood there studying Joe, and took pity on him.\u00a0Apparently things haven\u2019t improved at home,\u00a0Roy thought.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAlright, but keep him out of town.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n Sheriff Coffee nodded, then pointed at the door, \u201cDoc\u2019s.\u00a0 NOW!\u201d<\/p>\n Joe turned and slowly made his way to Dr. Martin\u2019s.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 25<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Joe slowly walked into Dr. Martin\u2019s office, and looked around. \u201cMaybe he\u2019s not here.\u201d<\/p>\n When Joe turned to walk out the door, there was a noise behind him.<\/p>\n \u201cNo such luck,\u201d Dr. Martin said coming out of the examination room. \u201cWhat brings\u2026\u201d He stopped when he got a good look at Joe and sighed. \u201cNever mind, I see what. Come on.\u201d Dr. Martin turned and walked back into the examination room, reluctantly Joe followed him.<\/p>\n Dr. Martin looked Joe over with a doctor\u2019s well trained eye. He noticed the split lip, the cuts and bruises, the stiff way that Joe was moving, but most of all he noticed the blood on his arm.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, what did you do this time?\u201d<\/p>\n A defiant look crossed Joe\u2019s face. \u201cWhy is it that lately everyone thinks everythin\u2019 is my fault? I didn\u2019t do nothin\u2019,\u201d When Dr. Martin looked at him with a look of disbelief in his eyes, Joe added. \u201cHonest.\u00a0 Ramsey started it.\u00a0 I should of just let that miner beat the, um, daylights out of \u2018im.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Martin held his hands up in front of him. \u201cOkay, okay, I believe you. Now, off with that shirt, and up on the table.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoc, I\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe protested.<\/p>\n \u201cSure you are, you\u2019re always\u00a0fine. But since you\u2019re here, I might as well have a look.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe, don\u2019t make me\u2026\u201d Dr. Martin left the implied threat hanging in the air.<\/p>\n The two men stared at each other, waiting to see who would be the one to give in first. Dr. Martin had the advantage\u2026Seventeen years dealing with this particular Cartwright. Pretty soon Joe was unbuttoning his shirt, unwillingly, but he was doing it.<\/p>\n Dr. Martin chuckled as Joe sat on the table.\u00a0When will you ever learn, you can\u2019t win.\u00a0\u201cHow many were there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think the whole dang saloon. Lest that\u2019s what it feels like.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul ignored the arm at first and looked over the other injuries. Finally he turned his attention to Joe\u2019s arm. Carefully, he removed the blood-soaked bandage, and shook his head in disgust. The stitches were torn out; some had been done before today. The wound was red, slightly swollen, bleeding and not even close to healing. The parts that had actually started to heal were now torn open.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph Cartwright, I thought I told you to take it easy, and take care of that arm!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have,\u201d Joe protested.<\/p>\n \u201cReally? Then how do you explain this mess?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm, tthe fight?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTry again. Some of those stitches were pulled out before today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm, I guess maybe it might have, maybe been the um, swing mount.\u201d Paul kept staring at him. \u201cAnd maybe saddling the horses haven\u2019t helped.\u201d Paul nodded his head and waited for Joe to continue. \u201cAnd helping with that cow the other day.\u201d<\/p>\n That\u2019s what I thought. Haven\u2019t you been taking care of it, and keeping it clean?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDidn\u2019t you notice anything wrong? No bleeding, pain, or swelling? Nothing?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe hung his head, and mumbled. \u201cWell, yeah, um, maybe. But not a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see. It never crossed your mind to come and see me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCouldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd why not?\u201d Dr. Martin was starting to get frustrated with the evasive answers he was getting.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not allowed in town, an\u2019 I\u2019ve been busy with Ramsey.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot allowed in town? Then what the devil are you doing here?\u201d Dr. Martin demanded.<\/p>\n \u201cRamsey,\u201d was Joe\u2019s one word answer.<\/p>\n Dr. Martin nodded his head and continued. \u201cAlright, this is what we have here. Your ribs are bruised not badly, but enough to be quite uncomfortable. I\u2019m going to bind them, and hopefully they\u2019ll be a little more comfortable for you. They should be fine in a few days. You have an array of bruises, which are going to cause you some discomfort,\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey already do,\u201d Joe mumbled, causing Dr. Martin to smile.<\/p>\n \u201cThe split lip, as you know will heal. I\u2019m going to need to put a couple of stitches in the cut above your eye. That arm is a different story,\u201d Paul stopped and examined the arm again. \u201cI\u2019m going to have to clean it out all over again, and then stitch it close. Again.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Martin went over to a cabinet to gathered what he would need. He handed Joe a a piece of cloth, \u201cPut some pressure on that arm until I can get to it. I\u2019m going to clean out the other cuts and stitch the one above your eye first, and then I\u2019ll take care of that arm. I\u2019m going to give you a mild sedative to take the edge off the pain for you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I\u2019ll be fine without it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe, this is going to hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know, but I have ta ride home, an I need ta have a clear head ta make sure I get Ramsey there. I can\u2019t be all dopy, cuz Lord only knows what he\u2019ll do then.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlease, Doc.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Martin shook his head in exasperation. \u201cYou are the most stubborn, most exasperating person I know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve heard that before.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI bet you have. Alright, have it your way,\u201d<\/p>\n Joe flinched when the alcohol made contact with the first cut. Dr. Martin just looked at him and shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cOuch! That hurts,\u201d Joe exclaimed, and tried to shift away when Dr. Martin started on his arm.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s your own fault. Now, hold still.\u201d<\/p>\n Once Dr. Martin finished cleaning, stitching and bandaging the arm, he turned to his patient with a scowl on his face.<\/p>\n \u201cNow you listen to me and take heed of my words. You are to take it easy with that arm.\u00a0 You are NOT to do any heavy lifting or anything that will put any type of strain on it. I want you to keep it clean and put fresh bandages on it at least once a day, more if needed.\u00a0 Understood?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be out to the ranch later, to talk with your father. I want to make sure he keeps an eye on you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u201d Joe insisted, looking up at Dr. Martin. \u201cPlease Doc, don\u2019t do that. Pa\u2019s gonna be mad enough at me for the fight. If he finds out \u2018bout this, he\u2019ll explode,\u201d Joe begged. \u201cNot that he ain\u2019t gonna anyhow,\u201d Joe muttered under his breath.<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe, your father needs to know about this.\u201d Joe kept shaking his head. \u201cHe\u2019ll want to know.\u201d Joe gave him his best puppy dog eyes. \u201cHe needs to keep you from doing anything stupid, again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t, Doc, honest.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Martin stood there studying the young man in front him, and his heart went out to him. \u201cAlright, I won\u2019t tell him, but you have to promise\u00a0you\u00a0will.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe swallowed hard. \u201cSure, Doc.\u201d\u00a0No I ain\u2019t. There\u2019s no way I\u2019m telling Pa about this.<\/p>\n Dr. Martin handed Joe his shirt, and a supply of bandages. \u201cGo on, get out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 26<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Joe left Dr. Martin\u2019s office, and made his way back to the Bucket of Blood. He collected the horses, and headed to the jail. When he walked in to Sheriff Coffee\u2019s office, he was surprised not to see Ramsey sitting in the chair next to the desk.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere is he, Roy?\u201d<\/p>\n Roy looked up from his paperwork. \u201cHe\u2019s here. What did Doc say?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCleaned me up, an\u2019 said I\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUh huh, I\u2019m sure he did.\u201d Roy picked up the keys for the cells.<\/p>\n \u201cYa put \u2018im in a cell?\u201d Joe was astounded that Roy would do that. After all, Joe\u2019s had learned that no one would dare do something like that to Ramsey.<\/p>\n \u201cYou bet I did. He\u2019s darn lucky he\u2019s not spending the night there, after everything I heard from Sam. I\u2019m lettin\u2019 him go as a favor ta you, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Roy. I appreciate that.\u201d<\/p>\n He looked at Joe before going to get Ramsey. \u201cDo you want ta tell me about it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAbout what Roy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t go playin\u2019 with me, Boy. You know what I\u2019m talking about.\u201d\u00a0 He watched as Joe straightened his shoulders in defiance.<\/p>\n \u201cNow don\u2019t you go getting an attitude with me. I could tell there was something wrong at dinner the other night. Now today you don\u2019t want anyone talking ta your Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s nothin\u2019 wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n Roy\u2019s eyebrows lowered, and he stood there waiting for the truth. Years of being a sheriff had taught him to trust his gut instinct, and now they told him something was definitely not right.<\/p>\n Joe started to squirm under Roy\u2019s intense glare. He dropped his head before whispering. \u201cEverything\u2019s fine at home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe, if you need me ta go and talk ta your pa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo! Look, everything\u2019s okay at home. I don\u2019t need ya or anyone else talkin\u2019 ta Pa.\u201d\u00a0I just know I can take care of this myself.\u00a0 \u201cNow, could ya please let \u2018im out, so I can get home.\u201d<\/p>\n Roy stared at Joe for a minute longer before he turned and going to the back of the jail to let Ramsey out.<\/p>\n Ramsey walked right past Joe. \u201cIt\u2019s about time,\u201d he snapped as he walked out the door.<\/p>\n Joe just shook his head. \u201cSee ya, Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRemember what I said, Little Joe. I don\u2019t want him in town with you again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Roy walked out with Joe, watched him take his jacket from the back of his saddle, and slowly put it on before pulling himself onto Cochise. He took off at a gallop, in pursuit of Ramsey.<\/p>\n \u201cSlow down!\u201d shouted Roy. Joe just waved his hand in the air as he continued down the street.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know what we\u2019re going to do with that boy.\u201d<\/p>\n Roy turned to see Dr. Martin standing beside him.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s somethin\u2019 wrong, but I just can\u2019t put my finger on it,\u201d Roy pondered.<\/p>\n \u201cI noticed that too. He didn\u2019t have the normal fight in him, like he normally does when he has to see me.\u201d Dr. Martin stared down the street to where Joe had been just moments before. \u201cHe\u2019s very set on Ben not finding out about that arm, which isn\u2019t like him. He\u2019ll fuss a bit about it, but I think he secretively enjoys those moments with Ben.\u201d Dr. Martin stopped and shook his head in disgust. \u201cI had to stitch his arm up again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI figured ya would \u00a0have to when I saw him in the saloon. He begged us not to tell Ben about what happened, told Sam he\u2019d pay for everything. I reckon that fella has something to do with it all. Seems like he\u2019s nothin\u2019 but trouble. Sam told me the whole ruckus was his doin\u2019. The only thing Little Joe did, was try to calm Ted down, and he found himself on the floor, for all his efforts. Sam said that dandy just stood in the corner laughin\u2019,\u201d Sheriff Coffee chuckled then. \u201cYou should of seen the fit he had when I threw \u2018im in a cell.\u201d Roy started laughing. \u201cIt sure did my heart a world of good ta hear him carry on. I sure would have liked ta keep him there, but I think that would of caused more trouble than it\u2019s worth.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, at least this is one time Little Joe\u2019s not going to get in trouble with Ben for getting in a fight,\u201d Dr. Martin said.<\/p>\n \u201cPoor kid, I tore in ta \u2018im somethin\u2019 awful when I first saw \u2018im.\u00a0 I thought it was his doin\u2019 again.\u00a0 I was goin\u2019 to keep \u2018im over night to teach \u2018im a lesson.\u00a0 Sam sure set me straight on that one.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 27<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Joe caught up with Ramsey a couple of miles outside of town. \u201cI hope you\u2019re happy now.\u201d Joe said through clenched teeth, trying to keep the pain at bay, running Cochise as he did, didn\u2019t do anything to help ease his discomfort.<\/p>\n \u201cHappy about what? Having that scum lay his hands on me, or that backwoods, so called sheriff, putting me in that filthy, flea ridden jail cell. You just wait until my father hears about this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I can wait,\u201d Joe muttered. \u201cYa know, you\u2019re the rudest person I\u2019ve ever met. I\u2019d rather tangle with a grizzly, than be around ya. It sure would be a lot more pleasurable.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy you uncouth, little\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWould ya shut up!\u201d Joe interrupted, giving Cochise a kick.<\/p>\n _ _ _ _<\/p>\n Once they reached the ranch and took care of the horses, they headed for the house, which was the last thing Joe wanted to do.<\/p>\n Ben, Adam, and Hoss were sitting around the great room listening to Alex telling what pillars of society his older sons were. Again.\u00a0 When Joe and Ramsey entered the house, Joe immediately turned, hung up his hat, and removed his gun belt, slowly coiling it up and placing it on the credenza. He heard Adam and Hoss gasp, and just stood there waiting for the inevitable eruption from Volcano Cartwright.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat the devil happened to you?\u201d Ben demanded.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe insisted that we go to town, and to a saloon,\u201d Ramsey whined.<\/p>\n \u201cHe WHAT?\u201d Ben bellowed.<\/p>\n Joe spun around and his voice went up several octaves. \u201cI what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe made me go to town, and he started a fight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJOSEPH!\u201d<\/p>\n Joe cringed. There\u2019s the eruption.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, that\u2019s not what happened. I swear it didn\u2019t happen like that. Ramsey\u2019s the one who took off…\u201d<\/p>\n Ben was fuming by this point. \u201cGet to your room, I\u2019ll be up and deal with you in a minute.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNOW,\u201d he roared.<\/p>\n Joe turned, and headed for the stairs. When he reached them, he turned back to Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, please.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben turned his back on Joe. Joe ran up the stairs and into his room.\u00a0 The sound of the slamming door caused Adam and Hoss to flinch, and look at each other.<\/p>\n \u201cRamsey, go upstairs and get cleaned up,\u201d Alex told his son.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, father.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam was the only one who saw the smirk on Ramsey\u2019s face when he turned and headed for his room.\u00a0They\u2019ll be gone soon, and all this will be over. Pa and Little Joe will be back to normal.<\/p>\n When Ben sat down, Alex turned to him. \u201cBenjamin, that was totally unacceptable. Once again he disobeyed you, forced my son to go to town. He then started a fight, in which my son was badly injured. Then he has the nerve to lie, to try and place the blame on Ramsey.\u00a0 I won\u2019t even mention that tantrum he just threw.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYa just did,\u201d Hoss mumbled.<\/p>\n \u201cEric!\u201d Ben chastised.<\/p>\n Hoss turned to Adam, and mouthed \u2018Eric?\u2019\u00a0 Adam\u2019s only response was to shrug his shoulders.<\/p>\n His son getting\u2019 hurt? He has one measly black eye, where Little Joe looks like the whole durn saloon jumped him,\u00a0Hoss thought.<\/p>\n \u201cBen, you need to do something about this,\u201d Alex demanded. \u201cYou know how I would have handled this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know, Alex,\u201d Ben acknowledged, yet he hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cBenjamin! You can\u2019t let this go. Your father and mother let things go with you. If I hadn\u2019t been there to keep you in line, you wouldn\u2019t be the successful man you are today.\u00a0 Do you want your son to become some hooligan, who ends up in prison, or worse? I was firm with you so you wouldn\u2019t end up there. You have to be the same with him.\u201d Alex glanced up the stairs for a second before turning his attention back to Ben.<\/p>\n Ben ran his hands over his face. \u201cOf course, you\u2019re right, Alex. Ben rose from his chair, and started for the stairs.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, you\u2019re angry. You have always said never to punish when you\u2019re angry,\u201d Adam pointed out.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, stay out of this,\u201d Ben said, and walked up the stairs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 28<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Joe was standing at his window, looking off into the distance, past the majestic Ponderosa pines, towards Lake Tahoe, to a small clearing on a bluff overlooking the lake.<\/p>\n \u201cHow I wish you were here, Mama. If you were, Pa would listen, you would make him.\u00a0 You would see what\u2019s happening.\u201d Joe\u2019s voice cracked as tears slowly trickled down his cheeks. \u201cAm I really as bad as everyone says I am?\u201d Joe stood in silence as his emotions got the better of him.<\/p>\n Ben stopped out side of Joe\u2019s door and took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He entered Joe\u2019s room without knocking. He saw Joe standing at the window, and noticed his shoulders shaking slightly. Ben wanted to go to him, pull him into his arms, and tell him everything would be alright, just like he did when Joe was a child. But then Alex\u2019s words from a previous day ran through his mind.\u00a0See there Ben, that boy is out of control.\u00a0 Mark my words, he\u2019ll come to no good if you let this continue.\u00a0 You need to stand up and put an end to it.\u00a0 Do you think you would be half the man you are now, if I hadn\u2019t used a firm hand with you?\u00a0Ben closed his mind to his son\u2019s pain and sorrow.\u00a0I have to be strong for him. I can\u2019t let him ruin his life.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cJoseph.\u201d Ben saw his son stiffen at the sound of his voice, but he didn\u2019t turn around. \u201cFace me when I\u2019m speaking to you.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe wiped his eyes, took a deep breath, and composed himself before turning to face his father.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben ignored his son\u2019s red eyes and tear-streaked face. \u201cI\u2019m very disappointed in you, Joseph. Your actions today were extremely childish.\u201d Ben\u2019s lecture had started. \u201cFor the last two days I\u2019ve told you that you were not allowed in town, but you chose to defy me.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe lowered his head at his father\u2019s words, refusing to let Ben see the moisture shimmering in his eyes, and the pain his words caused.<\/p>\n \u201cToday you just had to drag Ramsey with you and put him in danger. He was your responsibility, and he came home all beat up. You\u00a0promised\u00a0<\/strong>me that you would\u00a0not\u00a0go to town. How can I trust you, now? This isn\u2019t the first promise you\u2019ve broken in the last few days. Alex has told me before that we need to have a necessary talk.\u201d Ben watched as Joe\u2019s head snapped up, his hands clenching and unclenching, and his jaw jutting out.\u00a0 \u201cAt this time though, I\u2019m of the opinion that you\u2019re too old for that. But, any more of this childish behavior, and I just might change my mind.\u201d Ben watched the defiance built in Joe\u2019s green eyes. The boy before him was angry, and Ben braced for the explosion that he knew would come at any moment. He cleared his throat before continuing. \u201cSince you have insisted on acting like a child, then you will be treated like one. You\u2019re restricted to the yard tomorrow. You will be up early to collect the eggs for Hop Sing. You will also clean the chicken coop and do the chores that I\u2019ve set for you, and any that Hop Sing gives you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut Pa, I haven\u2019t done those since I was a kid,\u201d Joe protested.<\/p>\n \u201cAs I said Joseph, if you act like one, you\u2019ll be treated as such. You\u2019ve acted like a child today, and you threw a tantrum when you were caught doing something you were not allowed to.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c<\/span>Pa, I didn\u2019t do nothin\u2019 wrong.!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou went to town,\u201d Ben shouted.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, but only to get Ramsey.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJOSEPH! Do not add lying to your list of transgressions.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI AIN\u2019T LYIN\u2019!\u201d Joe shouted.<\/p>\n \u201cENOUGH!\u201d Ben stopped and took a calming breath. \u201cYou will stay in your room for the rest of the day. Hop Sing will bring your dinner up to you. I\u2019ll see you in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, please listen ta me,\u201d Joe begged.<\/p>\n Ben turned, and walked towards the door, ignoring Joe\u2019s pleas.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease Pa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Joseph.\u201d Ben walked out the door, shutting if firmly behind him.<\/p>\n \u201cPa,\u201d Joe called out.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 29<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n After Ben had gone upstairs, Adam and Hoss excused themselves, saying they had some chores to do in the barn before dinner.<\/p>\n Once they were safely in the confines of the barn and well out of hearing, Hoss turned on Adam. \u201cWhat the devil is Pa thinkin\u2019?\u201d he shouted.\u00a0 Hoss was angry, and the recipient was someone who Hoss was rarely angry with; Ben. \u201cLittle Joe looks like he took a pretty good poundin\u2019. Heck Adam, normally, Pa would be mad as all get out about Little Joe brawlin\u2019 an\u2019 the damages, but he\u2019d be cluckin\u2019 over Little Joe like a mother hen with her chicks. He\u2019d have Little Joe in bed an\u2019 Doc called out faster than I can eat Hop Sing\u2019s donuts.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know, Hoss. Did you see that cut above his eye? He had had stitches put in, so we know Doc got his hands on him. I\u2019ll also lay odds that his ribs are bound, too. He may have run up those stairs, but I\u2019m sure he regretted every step once he got to his room.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, he seemed pretty stiff. I bet that that ride home was just as bad as a behind full of porcupine quills.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam winced at the image Hoss drew. \u201cYeah, but I think he would have enjoyed the quills more than the company.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAin\u2019t there somethin\u2019 we can do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothing I can think of at the moment. You heard the success I had when I tried talking to Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah I did. He about skinned ya alive. The way he went on, you\u2019d a thought ya told him he had ta marry Widow Hawkins.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll tell you Hoss, I\u2019d rather hear her calling Pa, \u2018Ducky,\u2019 all day than hear one more word out of either of the Strouds.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss and Adam laughed at the image of Ben and the Widow Hawkins together.<\/p>\n \u201cOne thing\u2019s for sure, Adam; once they\u2019re gone things\u2019ll get back ta normal. Well, that is after Pa stops yellin\u2019 when he gets the bill for them damages at the saloon,\u201d Hoss said with a hopeful smile.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u00a0yelling will be a lot different than the yelling now. They\u2019ll be gone soon and we\u2019ll have our little brother back to normal,\u00a0and\u00a0driving me to distraction.\u201d Adam smiled at the image of Joe with that mischievous twinkle in his eyes as he plotted his next prank. Nine times out of ten, Adam was the recipient.\u00a0Just don\u2019t let it be the horse trough, again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 30<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Joe was the first one at the breakfast table the next morning. The fact that he hadn\u2019t slept the night before had helped him achieve this feat.<\/p>\n Adam was the next one down. \u201cGood morning, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMorning,\u201d Joe said as he nursed a cup of coffee, deep in thought.<\/p>\n Adam studied his brother. He noticed the dark circles under Joe\u2019s eyes, and how red they were.\u00a0The kid looks as he hasn\u2019t been sleeping, and I would place money on it, that he\u2019s been crying. Hell, who could blame him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re up awful early, you even beat Hoss up,\u201d he joked.<\/p>\n \u201cMmmm,\u201d was the only sound from Joe.<\/p>\n Hoss\u2019 heavy steps could be heard coming down the stairs, and over to the table. \u201cMornin\u2019 brothers. Breakfast ready? Cuz I\u2019m powerful hungry this mornin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll just have to wait until Hop Sing is good and ready to bring it out,\u201d teased Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cDadburnit,\u201d Hoss grumbled.<\/p>\n Joe hadn\u2019t said a word, not even to poke fun at Hoss\u2019 \u2018hunger\u2019. He just gave them a small smile.<\/p>\n Hoss noticed the same things as Adam. He looked towards his older brother, who just shook his head.<\/p>\n At that moment Hop Sing came out with platters filled with food.<\/p>\n \u201cBoy howdy, that sure does smell good, Hop Sing. Don\u2019t ya think so, Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s head came up, and he looked around the table as if he was surprised to see his brothers there. \u201cYeah, it does. I sure am hungry, Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing looked at Joe and smiled. \u201cPlenty to eat.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss passed the platters, and each of them filled their plates.<\/p>\n \u201cHey! Leave me some eggs, will ya?\u201d Joe exclaimed as Hoss shoveled eggs onto his plate.<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t help it if you\u2019re slow, Little Brother.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben came down and greeted his sons. \u201cGood morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMorning, Pa,\u201d all three of them said at the same time.<\/p>\n Hoss passed the platters to his father and they started to discuss the day\u2019s activities.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, remember you\u2019re taking Ramsey to town with you today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI remember, Pa,\u201d Hoss said, and gave Joe a wink.<\/p>\n Joe thought about letting them know what Roy told him about keeping Ramsey out of town, but decided it was for the best not to bring yesterday up. Besides, Roy told\u00a0him\u00a0to keep Ramsey out. He didn\u2019t say that he wasn\u2019t allowed there with anyone else. Joe was looking forward to a Ramsey free day, no matter what kind of chores he had to do.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, I want you to go up to the lumber camp and see how things are going.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, that list of chores is on my desk. I expect them done by the time I get back. I\u2019ll be checking that they\u2019re done right.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Pa,\u201d Joe responded. \u201cI\u2019ll have everything done, I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben started to say something, but Hop Sing came out with a fresh pot of coffee, and Ben turned to him.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Hop Sing.\u00a0 Did Joseph gather the eggs for you this morning?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNum\u2019re Three son up and had eggs in kitchen before Hop Sing even up.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded his head in acknowledgement. He avoided looking at Joe as he ate his breakfast. He couldn\u2019t afford to, not if he was going to stick with the stand he was taking regarding Joe\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2019ll be, miracles do happen, Adam. Joe was up even before Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe better watch out, or he\u2019ll start making us look bad,\u201d Adam laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cHa ha, ya two.\u00a0 You\u2019re both regular comedians,\u201d Joe joked.<\/p>\n Just as Joe finished eating, Alex and Ramsey came down the stairs, and morning greetings were exchanged.<\/p>\n \u201cMay I be excused, Pa? I\u2019d like ta start on that list.\u201d Joe was in a hurry to get out of the house, now that the Strouds were at the table.<\/p>\n \u201cYou may, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll hitch up the wagon for ya, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYa don\u2019t need ta do that, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI want ta,\u201d Joe responded as he walked away from the table, retrieved the list, and left the house.<\/p>\n After finishing their breakfast, Adam and Hoss excused themselves from the table.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Ramsey, come on out when you\u2019re done, an we\u2019ll head ta town.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRemember to get the list of supplies from Hop Sing, Hoss,\u201d Ben reminded him.<\/p>\n \u201cAlready did, Pa. Got it last night.\u201d<\/p>\n _ _ _ _<\/p>\n When they entered the barn, Hoss looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s probably out cleaning the chicken coop,\u201d Adam said, knowing who Hoss was looking for.<\/p>\n \u201cChicken coop! He ain\u2019t done that for years, Adam. Besides, he hates them chickens.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know. I had a look at that list Pa made for him. A lot of the things on it, he hasn\u2019t done for years.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 31<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n As the day progressed, Joe started to make progress on his list of chores. He was out behind the house working in the garden when Hop Sing came out.<\/p>\n \u201cLi\u2019le Joe no have to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI do Hop Sing, it\u2019s on the list.\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing went off in a rush of Chinese, and Joe cringed at the words. Hop Sing reverted back to English. \u201cYou do child\u2019s work. Not right for you to do child\u2019s work. You not child anymore. Go do other work.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t. If Pa finds out, I\u2019ll be in more trouble. I can\u2019t\u2026\u201d Joe didn\u2019t finish his sentence as he went back to his weeding.<\/p>\n \u201cYou finish, then come to kitchen, and eat lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n When Hop Sing saw Joe start to say something, he added. \u201cNo argue with Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n _ _ _ _<\/p>\n When Joe finished in the garden, he washed up and had lunch with Hop Sing. This was something he hadn\u2019t done a long time, and took solace in something that provided so many fond memories of days gone by.<\/p>\n The two men chatted away, sharing memories and dreams yet to come. The only thing Joe refused to talk about was what was currently happening with his father.<\/p>\n Joe helped Hop Sing around the house with the chores that Ben left for him. When he was done he asked if there was anything else Hop Sing needed. Hop Sing\u2019s response was to chase him out of the house. Joe went out to the barn and started on the next item on the list, cleaning the tack room, then moved on to mucking out the barn. Once he finished and all the soiled hay had been removed and dumped, he climbed up into the loft. While he stood there trying to decide how many bales of hay needed to be brought down, he unconsciously rubbed his left arm, which was already throbbing. One by one, Joe moved some bales to the edge of the loft, hooked the pulley to them and lowered them one by one to the ground. He stacked them with the ones that were already there, completing the last item on his list. There was plenty of light left, and instead of risking his father\u2019s wrath for not taking the initiative to finding something else that needed to be done, Joe looked over at the corral fence. Seeing some loose boards he pulled them off and replaced them.<\/p>\n Finished and not seeing anything else to do, other than chopping the wood, which he didn\u2019t think he was up to, Joe went to his room to clean up for dinner.<\/p>\n When he started to take his shirt off, Joe noticed a small spot of blood on it. He closed his eyes and sighed in frustration. He pulled the shirt off, and threw it in a corner. He pulled off the offending bandage, and surveyed the damage.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, here\u2019s another thing ta add to my list of transgressions. What do I have ta do ta get a break?\u201d<\/p>\n He could hear Dr. Martin\u2019s words in his mind.\u00a0Alright, but you have to promise me you\u2019ll take it easy with that arm.<\/p>\n \u201cAs I\u2019ve been told, I just can\u2019t obey anything.\u201d<\/p>\n He cleaned it up as best as he could, rebandaged it, finished washing up, and went down for dinner. He had already heard his brothers arrive home, followed by Ben and Alex. Joe made sure he was downstairs in plenty of time for dinner. He couldn\u2019t risk being late, again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 32<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Conversation buzzed around the table during dinner. Adam reported that they were ahead of schedule at the lumber camp. Hoss passed on all the latest gossip from town.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess Mrs. Lambert is finally havin\u2019 that baby of hers. Bert at the livery said Doc left town early this morning headin\u2019 out there, an\u2019 hasn\u2019t been back.\u201d Hoss stopped to take a bite of his steak before continuing. \u201cAnd Clem said Roy left last night for Carson City. He said he had ta go an\u2019 testify at some trial up there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss you\u2019re just as good as the Virginia City Ladies Society at gathering information,\u201d Adam teased.<\/p>\n \u201cGotta stay on top of things. Oh, Little Joe, Jenny was askin\u2019 \u2018bout ya, today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d was the only reply Hoss received.<\/p>\n \u201cShe shore is one pretty little gal, and I hear she sure can cook, too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou better look out, Little Brother. If Hoss says that gal can cook, he\u2019s going to start sparking her himself,\u201d teased Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cHmm?\u201d Joe asked, not even looking up at his brothers.<\/p>\n Hoss had hoped the banter about Jenny would cheer Joe up, especially since he knew she was a girl that Joe had started paying attention to lately, but by the looks of it, it didn\u2019t have any affect at all. Shaking his head, Hoss went back to his dinner.<\/p>\n Little did Hoss know, Joe was a thousand miles away, trying to figure out what he could do to get back in Ben\u2019s good graces.<\/p>\n \u201cSo Ramsey how was town today?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was just fine, Mr. Cartwright. After Hoss dropped off the supply list, we picked up the mail, he showed me around, and then we had a beer at the Silver Dollar before picking up the supplies. I had a real nice time, Hoss. Thank you,\u201d gushed Ramsey with a sweet smile on his face.<\/p>\n Ben nodded his head in acknowledgement before he turned to Joe. \u201cI saw that you finished all the chores that I left for you, and even fixed the coral fence. Thank you, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re welcome, Pa,\u201d Joe answered, giving his father a small smile.<\/p>\n _ _ _ _<\/p>\n After dinner everyone adjourned to the great room. Joe accepted the coffee offered to him and sat down in front of the fire. Once again, conversation flowed around the room, but Joe was silent. When Hoss offered to play a game of checkers, Joe declined. Adam tried to start up a conversation with Joe about the church social next month, and who might bid on whose baskets. Adam finally gave up after receiving one word answers, if any answers at all, and left Joe to sit in silence. To Adam and Hoss Joe\u2019s silence was deafening.<\/p>\n I never thought I\u2019d miss Little Joe\u2019s constant chatter,<\/em>\u00a0Adam thought.<\/p>\n As soon as Joe thought it was polite, he excused himself and went to bed.\u00a0 He was exhausted, and his arm was hurting.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 33<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Joe arrived for breakfast at the appointed time. He greeted everyone at the table, taking note that Ramsey was nowhere to be seen. Alex noticed Joe looking around.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re looking for Ramsey, he left to go on an early ride.\u201d<\/p>\n Good, at least I\u2019ll get one peaceful meal, without having to hurry off.\u00a0Joe ate his breakfast in silence, dreading another day around the house, doing jobs meant for a child.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, I want you to check the fences out by Willow Creek,\u201d Ben said, breaking into Joe\u2019s thoughts.<\/p>\n Joe perked up, hearing he was going to be able to leave the yard, even though it was only to ride fence. Even better, he was going alone.\u00a0No Ramsey today. My day couldn\u2019t get any better.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYes, Pa,\u201d Joe responded. He finished his breakfast, and waited for a lull in the conversation. After how the week had been so far, Joe was bound and determined to get back into Ben\u2019s good graces, and if that meant having the manners of a saint, he\u2019d do it.<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me, I\u2019m sorry for interrupting, but may I be excused? I\u2019d like ta get started on my work,\u201d Joe asked in an extremely polite and respectful tone.<\/p>\n Ben glanced at Alex, hoping to see that he approved of the change in Joe, before looking at Joe. \u201cYes, you may, Joseph. Make sure you\u2019re not late for dinner tonight. I expect you here, dressed appropriately, and on time. Understood?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Pa,\u201d Joe laid his napkin on his plate, rose and went to the front door. He put on his gun belt, grabbed his hat, and was out the door. As he started for the barn, Hop Sing came rushing out the kitchen door. \u201cLi\u2019le Joe, Hop Sing make lunch for you. Long day, you need to eat.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe accepted the wrapped package. \u201cThanks, Hop Sing.\u201d He continued on to the barn whistling. When he entered, he turned to Cochise\u2019s stall, and stopped dead in his tracks dropping his lunch on the ground.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat the Hell!\u201d he exclaimed, as he looked at the empty stall. Immediately, Alex\u2019s words came to him.<\/p>\n Ramsey went out for an early ride.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201c<\/span>He went for an early ride alright, on MY HORSE!\u201d Joe quickly saddled Maverick, and walked him out of the barn.<\/p>\n Joe surveyed the ground looking for Cochise\u2019s tracks. He was now thankful to Hoss for putting that new shoe on the other day that had a nick on it. At the time, Joe accused Hoss of doing it on purpose. Which he did. He said it was so they\u2019d have an easier time following him.<\/p>\n Once he spotted the tracks, he mounted up and started tracking Ramsey. Joe paused when the tracks reached a small but well worn trail that branched off from the main road. Joe sat there studying the tracks, trying to make sense of them.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy would he go there?\u201d Then the argument from the first day came to Joe and he knew that Ramsey was going there for a reason.\u00a0But why?<\/em>\u00a0Joe wondered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 34<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Ben and Alex rode out together shortly after Joe left. While they sat on top of a hill, overlooking a pasture with a herd of horses grazing there, Ben turned to Alex.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph wants to take over the horse operation, but Adam thinks he\u2019s too young and isn\u2019t responsible enough. Personally, I think he\u2019d do well. He has a way with horses that I\u2019ve never seen in anyone before.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI believe Adam\u2019s correct, Ben. You really do need to do something with that boy, other than rewarding him for bad behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean by that?\u201d Ben asked, turning his full attention to the man beside him.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s wild, Ben. You were lucky with the other two. They turned out okay, despite everything. But this one, this one is different.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s young Alex. He has a lot of growing to do yet. He\u2019ll learn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s spoiled, he doesn\u2019t have an ounce of respect or responsibility in him. You told me yourself about all the trouble he gets in when he\u2019s in town, the drinking, gambling, and fighting. He\u2019s never on time. I\u2019ve seen it all myself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a hard worker, Alex. He takes his responsibilities on the ranch quite seriously. He\u2019s just high spirited,\u201d Ben said, trying to defend his son.<\/p>\n \u201cDoes he? I\u2019ve heard Adam talking, saying how the boy has to constantly be told what to do, and then his work has to be checked to make sure he\u2019s done it, and done it correctly. Those \u2018high spirits,\u2019 as you call them, will get him into nothing but trouble. Look what happened with Marie and her \u2018high spirits.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does Marie have to do with this?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou told me he\u2019s a lot like her. Because of her \u2018high spirits,\u2019 she rode too fast, because of those \u2018high spirits\u2019 she got herself killed. You\u2019ve even said he rides just like his mother. Do you want the same thing to happen to him?\u201d When he saw Ben shake his head, Alex continued. \u201cI\u2019ve seen a lot of this in my practice. Rich boys, who are \u2018high spirited,\u2019 and allowed to run free, No one has any control over them,\u201d Alex explained.<\/p>\n \u201cThey do what they want, without any consequences, or having to take responsibility for their actions. You have to take control of him, Ben. You have to do something with his \u2018high spirits\u2019, break it, or it\u2019ll lead to his ruination. If you don\u2019t, you\u2019ll lose him, Ben, one way or another.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben sat contemplating Alex\u2019s words.\u00a0Break his spirit? But that\u2019s what makes Joseph, Joseph.\u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t know, Alex.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBen, look at my boys. I was hard on them, true, but I kept them on the straight and narrow. Lawrence is a prominent attorney in Boston, and on his way to becoming a congressman or better. Daniel is a brilliant surgeon. He joined me, and is the talk of the medical community. Look at yourself, Ben. You\u2019re a successful rancher, a leader in the community. Because of me, all of you have become prominent, successful men.\u201d Alex hoped that by trying to acknowledge Ben\u2019s \u2018success\u2019 and making him sound like he was in the same class as his older sons, Ben might take his words to heart and really listen to him this time. Then again, Alex knew he could play Ben just like a fiddle.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re son, Adam, started on the right track. He went to one of the best schools in Boston; he was at the top of his class. But what did he do when he graduated? He came back here and threw everything away. I give him credit for how he is with the boy. He\u2019s hard on him, much harder than you are, but he\u2019s still not hard enough. Hoss, even though he never completed his education, is an extremely hard worker. But he\u2019s worse than you are with the boy. In Hoss\u2019 eyes Joseph can\u2019t do any wrong. You have to do something with Joseph, before it\u2019s too late. That \u2018high spirit\u2019 of his needs to be broken.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou may be right, Alex. The last thing I want is to lose that boy.\u201d Ben sat there thinking hard on this. If he lost Joseph, he didn\u2019t think he could survive it. He had to do something to help him, and if that meant he had to break that spirit, then he would have to do it. He looked back down at the herd of horses, and then looked at Alex.\u00a0If being like Alex means saving Joseph\u2019s life, then I don\u2019t have a choice. I can\u2019t let anything happen to my son.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 35<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Joe turned Maverick and headed up the familiar trail. When he reached the bluff overlooking the lake, he spotted Cochise. He tied Maverick to a bush, and walked over to his mother\u2019s grave. He saw Ramsey standing there looking down at the grass covered mound, with a look of disgust on his face.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are ya doin\u2019 here?\u201d Joe demanded.<\/p>\n Ramsey\u2019s head snapped up startled to see Joe standing behind Marie\u2019s headstone.<\/p>\n \u201cI just wanted to see if it was true,\u201d Ramsey replied with a sneer.<\/p>\n \u201cIf what was true?\u201d Joe asked, who immediately going on the defensive, when he heard the condescending tone of Ramsey\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n \u201cThat your father actually did marry a filthy, Creole whore.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI suggest ya take that back,\u201d Joe demanded through clenched teeth. He was doing everything he could to keep his temper in check. It wasn\u2019t easy; everything he felt told him to bash in Ramsey\u2019s face, to make him pay, and pay dearly for what he said. Out of everything that had happened in the past week, this was the one thing he couldn\u2019t turn the other cheek to. No one insulted his mother and got away with it. For Joe this place was sacred. It was his sanctuary, his place to come and seek the comfort of the mother he could barely remember. When the world seemed to be falling down around him he could come here and tell her all his woes, and not worry about her passing judgment on him.\u00a0 He would tell her his fears and his dreams, he told her everything, even things he never told Hoss. She was the world to Joe, and he loved her dearly. For Ramsey to come here, and say what he did was blasphemy, as far as Joe was concerned.<\/p>\n Ramsey just stood there, with a superior look on his face, not saying a word.<\/p>\n Joe, with his hands tightly clenched into fists, once again demanded. \u201cYa\u2026 Take\u2026 That\u2026 Back\u2026 NOW!\u201d<\/p>\n Ramsey just laughed. \u201cI\u2019m just telling the truth. My father said she was nothing, but a well made up whore, who would give her favors\u2026\u201d Ramsey never got to finish what he was saying. Joe came at him so fast that Ramsey never saw him move. A left hook caught Ramsey square on the chin, and was followed by a right to the face. The next thing Ramsey knew he was lying on his back, on top of the soft, fragrant pine needles that carpeted the ground around Marie.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 36<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Joe stood over Ramsey, breathing hard, his hands clenched so tightly his knuckles were turning white. \u201cI oughta kill ya for saying that,\u201d Joe said as he pulled out his gun, pointed it at Ramsey, and cocked the hammer. Joe was fighting to control the rage that was rushing through his veins. \u201cYa get on that horse, an\u2019 get outta here, before I change my mind.\u201d<\/p>\n Ramsey scrambled to his feet and ran for his horse.<\/p>\n \u201cAN\u2019 DON\u2019T YA DARE TAKE COCHISE!\u201d<\/p>\n Ramsey jumped on Maverick and rode away as fast as he could. \u201cYou\u2019ll pay for this, Cartwright!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure I will,\u201d Joe said softly, as he watched Ramsey until he was out of sight.<\/p>\n After Ramsey was gone, Joe walked over to his mother\u2019s grave, took off his hat and knelt down.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry \u2018bout that, Mama. I just couldn\u2019t let \u2018im say all those lies about ya.\u201d Joe\u2019s voice cracked as his emotions overwhelmed him. \u201cI just don\u2019t understand. Why he\u2019s like that? What did I do to him?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe brushed angrily at the tears that slipped down his face. \u201cYa know, I\u2019m really gonna get it now. Pa told me not ta do anything else childish. But ya know what? I don\u2019t think this was, but I\u2019m sure Pa will. I just couldn\u2019t let \u2018em say that, Mama, not matter how much trouble I get into.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe wiped some of the leaves off the grave. \u201cIf Pa will only listen this time, he\u2019ll understand. He just needs ta listen,\u201d Joe said while he picked up the dead flowers that were lying in front of the headstone. \u201cGuess I need ta bring ya some more flowers, but I have a feeling that I\u2019m not gonna be back here any time soon.\u201d Joe ran his hand over Marie\u2019s name.<\/p>\n \u201cNo matter what I do, I just can\u2019t seem ta do nothin\u2019 right. Ever since the Strouds got here, Pa acts like I\u2019m stupid and a huge disappointment to him. He wants me to be like Ramsey, Mama. Or at least the Ramsey he sees. The perfect son.\u201d Joe sighed and cleared his throat. \u201cIf he only knew.\u201d Joe sat quietly, looking down at Marie\u2019s grave, as if he was listening to what she was saying.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 37<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Ramsey arrived at the house shortly after Ben and Alex. By this time, the bruise on his chin was clearly visible, as was the one on his cheek, and his split lip too.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened, Son?\u201d Alex asked as he took a hold of Ramsey\u2019s face and surveyed the damage.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe hit me, and then he threatened to kill me,\u201d Ramsey whined. He flinched as his father prodded the bruises.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?! Why would Joseph do something like that?\u201d Ben asked, his heart sinking in despair.<\/p>\n \u201cHe got mad because I went up to that bluff, overlooking the lake. I didn\u2019t know his mother was buried there. He told me I had no right to be there, then he hit me. He pulled out his gun and pointed it at me. Before he could do anything, I got on my horse, and rode out of there as fast as I could.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBenjamin, this is the last straw! He\u00a0can not\u00a0go around assaulting and threatening my son.\u00a0 Something needs to be done and done now!\u201d Alex was livid. \u201cThis was an unprovoked attack on Ramsey!\u00a0 He threatens his life, and for what? For going up on a bluff? You need to do something more than sending the boy to his room, without dinner.\u00a0 Apparently, that hasn\u2019t made any type of impression.\u201d<\/p>\n Alex walked over to Ben and stood in front of him, glaring at him. \u201cI would\u00a0never\u00a0have accepted this kind of conduct from you. You knew what the consequences would be if you did, they would be quite severe. You can not let him get away with this, Benjamin.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben looked at Alex, seeing the man who ruled his childhood, the one who demanded complete obedience, and felt like that child again. Ben hung his head, he didn\u2019t realizing how much this reaction was so very much like Joe. \u201cYou\u2019re right, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 38<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Much later, Joe rode made it back to the house. He dismounted and walked Cochise into the barn. He noticed that Maverick was back in his stall, he also noticed that his brothers and father were back, too. While he was unsaddling the horse, he heard a noise behind him. Turning, he saw Ben standing in the doorway of the barn.<\/p>\n \u201cUm, D-did\u2026 y-you\u2026 need something, P-pa?\u201d Joe asked, nervously stumbling over his words.<\/p>\n \u201cFinish taking care of your horse, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI said, finish taking care of the horse,\u201d Ben commanded.<\/p>\n Joe swallowed hard and turned back to Cochise. He knew Ben was standing just outside the stall, waiting for him to finish. He also knew better than to linger over the task as he normally did. Once finished, he stepped out of the stall and faced Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou hit Ramsey today?\u201d Ben asked, in deceptively calm voice.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I did, but he\u2026\u201d Joe began.<\/p>\n \u201cNo excuses, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe deserved it!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe deserved it? I can\u2019t believe that, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWould you listen ta me? He was at Mama\u2019s grave. He\u2026\u201d Joe tried to explain, but just couldn\u2019t get through the cloud of intimidation, and childhood fears that were overriding Ben\u2019s normal intuitions and feelings where his sons were concerned.<\/p>\n \u201cI know where he was, and I know what happened. You had no reason to hit him, or to threaten his life.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen he shouldn\u2019t of said what he did!\u201d Joe argued.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t imagine Ramsey doing or saying anything to deserve that kind of treatment. He\u2019s a polite, educated, well-mannered young man. No man could ask for a better son. You would do well to learn from his example.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s green eyes darkened, and snapped with anger. \u201cHis example!\u201d Joe yelled, throwing all caution to the wind. \u201cHe is nothing but an arrogant, lying bas\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJOSEPH FRANCIS CARTWRIGHT,\u201d bellowed Ben. \u201cYou will watch your mouth and your tone.\u201d Ben turned and walked away, trying to compose himself, before turning back to Joe. \u201cYou really have become a disappointment. You have constantly embarrassed me since Alex arrived. You have done nothing but lied to me. You haven\u2019t been pulling your weight on the ranch, to a point where either myself or your brothers have to tell you what to do and we still have to check up on you. The only thing you seem to care about is going to town, where all you do is cause trouble. Don\u2019t you have any common sense?\u201d Ben didn\u2019t realize he was actually parroting Alex\u2019s own word.<\/p>\n Ben was on a roll, no longer able to hold back. Everything that Alex had said about Joe and all of Alex\u2019s criticisms were ringing in his ears. Ben was completely lost to the influence that the man had over him, and he had lost all common sense in dealing with his own son.<\/p>\n This man was not the father Joe loved and respected. Joe stood glaring at his father, as Ben continued to list his shortcomings.<\/p>\n \u201cYou abandoned Ramsey the first day he was here. Then you drag him to town, where you start a fight, causing Ramsey to be injured. Now, today, you hit him and pulled you gun on him, threatening his life. I\u2019ve had it, Joseph. You\u2019ve pushed me too far.\u201d Ben began unbuckling his belt.<\/p>\n Joe started backing away from his father. \u201cW-what are y-ya gonna d-do?\u201d he stuttered.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat I should have done before.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Pa, please. I\u2019ll\u2026 I\u2019ll be the son you want. I can be like Ramsey. I promise, I can be,\u201d Joe pleaded.<\/p>\n \u201cYou promise? All you\u2019ve done is promise. Your promises aren\u2019t worth anything, after this past week.\u201d Ben took a step forward, and Joe took another one back. \u201cDo not make this worse on yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe straightened, and looked straight ahead with tears glistening in his eyes.\u00a0Who is this man? What happened to my father?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 39<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n After all was said and done, Joe walked stiffly into the house and straight up the stairs, refusing to look at anyone. He wasn\u2019t about to give them the satisfaction of seeing his pain, physical or emotional.<\/p>\n _ _ _ _<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss looked at each other in disbelief. From the way Joe was walking, they both knew what had happened in the barn. They had heard about what happened at Marie\u2019s bluff when they returned home, but they never thought Ben would resort to such extreme measures.<\/p>\n Neither realized what type of hold Alex had on their father.<\/p>\n Pa hasn\u2019t done that since before Little Joe turned fifteen,<\/em>\u00a0Hoss thought as he glared at Ramsey.<\/p>\n Ramsey is the cause of this. Why can\u2019t Pa see that? Little Joe wouldn\u2019t have done anything, unless Ramsey said something about Marie…\u00a0<\/em>Adam thought. He didn\u2019t realize it, but his next thoughts would echo what Joe had been feeling earlier by the lake.\u00a0Joe worships his mother, he\u2019d never let anyone get away with saying something against her, especially there. That place is sacred to him. It\u2019s his sanctuary; he finds peace there with her. As far as he\u2019s concerned, saying something about Marie is blasphemy.<\/em><\/p>\n Alex watched Joe walk up the stairs with a satisfied look on his face.\u00a0It\u2019s about time Ben listened to me, and did something with him.\u00a0Alex looked at his own son and sighed.<\/p>\n Ramsey sat on the settee gloating over what he knew had just happened.\u00a0Better him than me. That\u2019ll teach him to hit me.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 40<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Joe entered his room, softly closed the door, and locked it. The tears he had been fighting so hard to hold back finally escaped and spilled down his face.<\/p>\n \u201cNo more! I\u2019m done with this. He\u2019s not gonna do this ta me again, I won\u2019t let him.\u201d Joe pulled a satchel from his closet and started throwing clothes in it.<\/p>\n Joe wasn\u2019t sure what he was feeling at this moment in time. Was it anger, hurt, disappointment in his father or maybe all three. \u201cIf he doesn\u2019t want me here, if he doesn\u2019t love me anymore, then I\u2019ll leave. I\u2019ll get outta his life. He won\u2019t have ta be bothered with me.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe grabbed his brushes and threw them in the bag. \u201cIf he\u2019d rather have Ramsey, then fine!\u201d Joe grabbed his mother\u2019s picture, started to put it in the bag, but stopped. He stood staring at the picture, and slowly sat down on the bed.<\/p>\n \u201cOw,\u201d he yelped as he jumped off the bed.<\/p>\n He looked back down at his mother then over at the satchel. \u201cIf I leave, I leave you. I also leave Hoss and Adam. Can I do that? Can I leave the only home I\u2019ve ever known? I love the Ponderosa, I\u2019ve never been able ta see myself livin\u2019 anywhere else. How can I leave the only two people that love me? How can I leave you, Mama?\u201d<\/p>\n With a heart felt sigh, Joe put the picture back on his bedside table, slowly unpacked his satchel, and put his clothes away. \u201cI can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n Feeling totally defeated, Joe changed into his nightshirt. He looked up into the mirror on his dresser, and made a promise to his mother and to himself.<\/p>\n \u201cNo matter what it takes, I\u2019ll make \u2018im love me again. I\u2019ll be the son he wants. I won\u2019t cause anymore trouble. I swear, I\u2019ll be what he\u00a0thinks<\/em>\u00a0Ramsey is.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe climbed in bed, laid on his stomach, and fell into a restless sleep. It finally happened; Joe Cartwright\u2019s spirit had been broken.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 41<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Ben sat in the barn, staring at the belt in his hand, lost in a world of his own doing.<\/p>\n \u201cHe didn\u2019t even make a sound. So unlike when he was younger; then he would howl until I just couldn\u2019t do it anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben stopped and remembered looking into Joe\u2019s eyes when the deed was done. \u201cThere was so much anger, so much \u2026hate? In trying to save him, did I actually lose him?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben got up and walked over to Cochise\u2019s stall and rubbed the horse\u2019s neck, trying to find the comfort that his beloved son always found with cherished horse.<\/p>\n \u201cDid I do the right thing? Is Alex right? He must be, look how Ramsey has turned out. How his other sons are. Look at Adam and Hoss, especially Adam. I was much harder on them, harder than I have ever been on Little Joe\u2026 Until now. I\u2019ve always overlooked a lot of what he\u2019s done. Maybe I\u2019ve overlooked too much, given him too much freedom. Just given him too much.\u201d Ben paused, and looked at the horse in front of him. He felt like Cochise was looking at him with condemnation in his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you go looking at me like that, too. I did what had to be done. It was for his own good.\u201d Cochise continued to stare at him.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was.\u201d But who was he trying to convince, Cochise or himself?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 42<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The next morning, Joe made his way stiffly down the stairs and over to the table. On his chair was a cushion from the settee. It had been placed there by Adam, in a show of sympathy. Joe knew who had left is and without really looking at Adam, Joe gave him a small smile of appreciation. Joe picked up the cushion and returned it to the settee. He wasn\u2019t going to give the Strouds even the slightest bit of satisfaction when they came down. He slide gingerly into his seat and did his best to hide the grimace of pain when his back end made contact with the chair. He was hurting, but he refused to let anyone see it.<\/p>\n \u201cMorning, Little Joe,\u201d greeted Adam and Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cMorning,\u201d Joe said softly, keeping his eyes glued to his plate.<\/p>\n \u201cGood morning, Joseph,\u201d Ben said with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cGood morning, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYa want some coffee, Little Joe?\u201d Adam asked, as he picked up the coffee pot.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease.\u201d Joe took the coffee pot from Adam, and poured himself a cup.<\/p>\n \u201cI figured you could use it, since you\u2019re giving us the honor of your presence so early in the morning,\u201d teased Adam.<\/p>\n The only response Adam received from Joe was a small nod of his head.<\/p>\n \u201cHere ya go.\u201d Hoss offered Joe the platter of eggs. When Joe looked up to take the platter, Hoss had to stifle his gasp of surprise. The green eyes that he saw were not Joe\u2019s eyes. There wasn\u2019t any spark to them. Even considering what happened the night before, there should have been something there. When Joe was younger, and he had had a \u2018necessary talk\u2019 with Ben, there was always something in his eyes; whether it was anger or remorse, there was always something there, but now\u2026 there wasn\u2019t anything.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you.\u201d Joe took the platter, and put a spoonful on his plate. He accepted the plate of bacon and took a slice.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Little Joe, whatcha trying ta do? Make sure I have enough for thirds?\u201d Hoss joked, trying to get the normal smart answer from Joe. All he got was a slight shrug of Joe\u2019s shoulders.<\/p>\n Upon hearing Hoss\u2019 comment, Ben turned his attention from his paper to Joe\u2019s plate, and frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, you need to eat more than that. Hoss, pass him the pancakes.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss reached for the pancakes and held them out to Joe. Hoss waited for Joe\u2019s normal \u2018I ain\u2019t hungry,\u2019 and was surprised at Joe\u2019s response.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss watched as Joe took a couple pancakes from the platter, and then passed him the butter and syrup.<\/p>\n Joe put butter and syrup on his pancakes, and cut them up. Ben sat watching him, to see if he was going to eat. When Joe raised his fork to his mouth and took a bite of his eggs, Ben nodded in satisfaction, and went back to his paper.<\/p>\n Joe spent the rest of the meal pushing his food around his plate. His brothers tried to engage him in conversation, but only received the barest of answers or just a shrug. They soon gave up, and concentrated on their own meals.<\/p>\n Adam studied his brother. Joe\u2019s reaction this morning wasn\u2019t normal. Whenever Joe had been punished in this manner, he would be sullen and always dramatize the injustice of his punishment. Usually, after some cajoling, either he or Hoss could usually draw him out and have him laughing again. Today was different. Today; Joe wasn\u2019t sullen, he wasn\u2019t protesting his innocence. Today, Joe just sat there playing with his breakfast, and not saying a word, unless it was required. Only once had he made eye contact with anyone. Other than that, he kept his eyes down.<\/p>\n Both Adam and Hoss knew Joe had been unnaturally quiet the last few days, but today was different. It wasn\u2019t just the silence; it was his whole attitude. Joe was there physically, but that was it. Adam and Hoss could feel him withdrawing from them, and it scared them.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, could Little Joe come with me today? I need some help at the mill,\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Adam. Hoss can go with you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUh, Pa, I was gonna ask if Little Joe could go with me. I need ta get a tally on that herd out by the lake. There ain\u2019t any hands out there ta help.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben looked at his older sons, who were watching him, hoping to get a reprieve for their younger brother, knowing Joe would had been told he was to stay at the house and do more\u00a0chores.\u00a0Ben looked at Joe. Normally, he would be right there in the middle of it, trying to convince him to let him go. But not today; today Joe\u2019s head was down and he was focused on his plate. It was as if he didn\u2019t care what the outcome of the conversation was. It was like he didn\u2019t even hear it.<\/p>\n Ben was about to let him go with Hoss, when he heard a throat being cleared to his right. He looked up, and found Alex and Ramsey standing there; he hadn\u2019t heard them come into the room. Alex gave a quick shake of his head, and a look that said: \u2018You have to be firm.\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Hoss, find a hand to help you. Adam, I\u2019m sure you can manager at the mill on your own. Joseph will be staying here today. He has some work to do around the yard.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Pa,\u201d Both, Adam and Hoss said.<\/p>\n When breakfast was done, everyone went off to their appointed jobs.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, come over here, please,\u201d Ben said, as he walked over to his desk.<\/p>\n Joe followed him. When he reached Ben\u2019s desk, he kept his eye directed to the floor, in a display of submission.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Father?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben looked up at Joe, surprised at his choice of words. He studied his son, who stood perfectly straight, except for the bowed head, while he waited for his assigned chores. \u00a0Ben wasn\u2019t sure what to do or say to his youngest son.\u00a0Maybe I should just\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cBen, when will we be leaving?\u201d Alex asked.<\/p>\n Ben cleared his throat before answering. \u201cAs soon as you and Ramsey are finished with breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben turned his attention back to Joe. \u201cJoseph, you\u2019ll be working around here today. Both the barn and house roofs need to be repaired. I want you doing that today. I\u2019m taking Alex and Ramsey into town, so you\u2019re going to be left on your own, and I want to see results by the time I get home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou will,\u201d Joe said quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, go on and get started.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe nodded his head in silent acknowledgement, and left the house.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 43<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Joe was up on the barn roof when Hop Sing called out to him. \u201cLunch ready, Li\u2019le Joe come eat.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked up from where he was nailing a shingle onto the roof. \u201cI\u2019m not hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou come eat,\u201d Hop Sing ordered, bracing for the argument that was to follow.<\/p>\n Joe nodded his head; he made sure his tools were secured, and came down off the roof.<\/p>\n Hop Sing was stunned when Joe gave in so easily. He expected more of a fight. For Joe to give in without a fight wasn\u2019t normal.<\/p>\n \u201cYou wash, and come to kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe did as he was told. When he entered the kitchen, Hop Sing had a sandwich, and a glass of milk waiting for him.<\/p>\n \u201cLi\u2019le Joe work hard all morning, you sit and eat all on plate,\u201d scolded Hop Sing as he pointed at the table.<\/p>\n Joe sat down, picked up the sandwich and took a bite.<\/p>\n \u201cHow roof go?\u201d asked Hop Sing as he rolled out bread dough.<\/p>\n \u201cAlmost done,\u201d Joe answered. His voice was flat and emotionless.<\/p>\n \u201cThen you do what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe house roof.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFather be happy with you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI guess.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen done, what you do next?\u201d Hop Sing kept up his questions, hoping to get Joe talking.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure, I\u2019ll find something,\u201d Joe answered as he unconsciously rubbed his arm.<\/p>\n Hop Sing saw the movement. \u201cLi\u2019le Joe arm still hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe immediately dropped his hand. \u201cUm, no. It\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou keeping it clean? Washing it at night?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I clean it out every night and put a clean bandage on it just like Doc said.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou let Hop Sing look at it.\u201d Hop Sing started to move around the table towards Joe.<\/p>\n Joe stood up so fast he nearly knocked his chair over, and rushed to the door. \u201cIt\u2019s fine, Hop Sing. I have to get back to work.\u201d Joe was out the door in a blink of an eye.<\/p>\n Hop Sing looked at the door, then to the table where Joe had been sitting. He saw the half eaten sandwich, and the glass of milk that had barely been touched, and shook his head before returning to his work.<\/p>\n _ _ _ _<\/p>\n Joe had just started on the house roof, when Adam rode in. Hoss came in shortly after Adam.<\/p>\n Adam was unsaddling Sport, when Hoss entered the barn, leading Chubb. \u201cYa see \u2018im up on the roof?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. I also noticed the repairs that have been done on the barn already. He\u2019s been working hard.\u201d Adam shook his head. \u201cYou know as well as I do that\u2019s a two man job. He shouldn\u2019t be up there alone. What if he fell?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know. I just don\u2019t understand what Pa\u2019s thinkin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s hard to tell anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n They walked out of the barn together and stood looking up at Joe, who seemed not to notice them.<\/p>\n Adam elbowed Hoss in the side, and motioned towards Joe. \u201cWell, look who\u2019s actually doing some work around here, for a change.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe glanced down at his brothers. \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss looked at Adam. He knew what Adam was trying to do; he wanted to get a rise out of Joe. Hoss decided to give Adam some help.<\/p>\n \u201cIf ya know what\u2019s good for ya, Short Shanks, ya\u2019ll have it done before dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, Hoss. I don\u2019t think the\u00a0boy\u00a0is industrious enough to even get it done right, let alone before dinner.\u201d Adam purposely called Joe a boy, knowing how much Joe hated it.<\/p>\n \u201cI promise, I\u2019ll do it right.\u201d Joe went back to pulling off bad shingles and replacing them with new ones.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t get it, Hoss. Normally, he would\u2019ve been down here swinging away, ready to take my head off.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe didn\u2019t even raise his voice, Adam. He just sounded so\u2026 so not Little Joe if you know what I mean,\u201d Hoss said while they watched Joe.<\/p>\n Adam shook it head, helplessly. \u201cI know, Hoss. Come on, let\u2019s go get cleaned up.\u201d Adam started to walk towards the house.<\/p>\n \u201cHold up, Adam. Hey, Little Joe, Ya want some help?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe glanced back down at his brother. \u201cNo thanks, I\u2019ll get it done.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, if you say so.\u201d Hoss nodded at Adam and started for the house.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 44<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n When Adam and Hoss reached the door, Hop Sing came out the side door. \u201cMr. Adam. Mr. Hoss, Hop Sing talk to you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure,\u201d Adam said. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome in kitchen.\u201d He looked up towards the roof. \u201cWhere more private.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss followed Hop Sing into the kitchen. Once the door was closed, Hop Sing turned and studied the brothers.<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing scared for Num\u2019er Three Son. He gone away.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do ya mean, Hop Sing? Little Joe\u2019s up on the roof,\u201d Hoss asked, completely confused.<\/p>\n \u201cHe here in body, but not\u00a0here<\/em>.\u201d Hop Sing laid his hand over his heart. \u201cHeart and soul gone. No spirit left.\u201d He looked at Adam and Hoss, his eyes pleading for understanding.<\/p>\n \u201cNo spirit? You mean kinda like a horse that\u2019s had all the gumption whipped out of \u2018em\u2026\u201d Hoss stopped in mid sentence and looked at Adam. \u201cDo ya realize that he hasn\u2019t laughed or really smiled since the Strouds arrived?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI believe the last time he laughed was when he accidentally\u00a0knocked me into the horse trough.\u201d Adam chuckled at the memory.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I thought he was goin\u2019 to bust a gut, he was laughin\u2019 so hard.\u201d Both men smiled at the memory that had happened only a few days ago, but felt like a lifetime.<\/p>\n \u201cThat what Hop Sing mean. He no get into trouble, good trouble. No play tricks. He not Li\u2019le Joe no more.\u201d Hop Sing paced the room, ranting in his native tongue, before turning back to the brothers. \u201cThe other boy, he no good. He cause problems for Li\u2019le Joe. And man tell father what to do. Father in\u2019imida\u2019ed by him. Almost like he scared. They not what they say. You watch, you see.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam turned to Hoss. \u201cI think he\u2019s on to something. It would explain a lot. I\u2019m going to try to talk to Little Joe again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet me talk to him, Adam. He might just open up ta me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Hop Sing,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n \u201cNo thank Hop Sing. You bring Li\u2019le Joe back,that thanks enough.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe will,\u201d promised Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 45<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Ben, Alex, and Ramsey arrived home from town shortly before dinner. Joe was still making repairs on the roof. Ramsey hopped out of the buggy and looked up at Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cWorking hard,\u00a0Little\u00a0<\/em>Joe?\u201d he laughed, and put just enough emphasis on the word little, so that no one else other than Joe noticed.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess,\u201d was Joe\u2019s soft reply.<\/p>\n One of the hands came out of the bunkhouse, having heard the buggy. \u201cI\u2019ll take care of the horses for you, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you.\u201d Ben looked up at Joe. \u201cAre you about finished, Son?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe stopped nailing a shingle into place, but didn\u2019t look up. \u201cAlmost, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, why don\u2019t you come down, and get cleaned up for dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm, I\u2019d rather get this done today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can finish it tomorrow. Come on down and eat.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not hungry, P..Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben frowned slightly while he stared up at Joe. \u201cJoseph, you need to eat. Come down, and go clean up.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe sighed, \u201cYes, Sir.\u201d He carefully climbed down the ladder while holding the box with the hammer and nails in it.<\/p>\n Ben came over to the ladder, and reached up. \u201cHere, let me take that for you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you.\u201d When Joe reached the ground, he took the tools from Ben, and went to the barn to put them away.<\/p>\n Alex looked at Ramsey and motioned towards the house. \u201cLet\u2019s go clean up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Father.\u201d Ramsey walked away and into the house.<\/p>\n Ben stayed in the yard, and waited for Joe. When Joe came out of the barn and saw Ben standing there, his heart sank.<\/p>\n \u201cD-did I d-do something w-wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Little Joe, I just wanted to thank you for all your hard work today.\u201d Ben smiled at his son, and reached out to put his hand on the back of Joe\u2019s neck, in a show of affection.<\/p>\n Unconsciously, Joe stepped away from Ben, avoiding any physical contact. \u201cThank you, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs something wrong, Son?\u201d Ben asked, concerned about Joe\u2019s reaction.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I, um, I\u2019m going to go get cleaned up.\u201d Joe practically ran to the house, before Ben could question him any further.<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe,\u201d Ben called, but he was talking to an empty yard. With a sigh he followed the others into the house.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 46<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Alex walked into Ramsey\u2019s room without knocking. \u201cI want a word with you.\u201d<\/p>\n Ramsey turned and raised his eyebrows. \u201cAnything you want, Father,\u201d he said sarcastically.<\/p>\n \u201cYou will watch your tone with me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, and what will you do, take a strap to me?\u201d Ramsey walked over to the basin, and poured some water into it. \u201cI\u2019ve done everything you asked. I\u2019ve been the perfect son. I have them all convinced that I\u2019m as perfect as my brothers. What more do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI want you to back off of Joseph. He may be very undesirable, but if you keep on, they\u2019ll start thinking that you\u2019re not so\u00a0perfect<\/em>,\u00a0as you call it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, I\u2019ve haven\u2019t been able to figure out why you dislike him so. After all he\u2019s such a do-gooder.\u201d Ramsey looked at his father and noticed the frown. \u201cBesides, he\u2019s so much fun and I need to have some fun on this trip. I still don\u2019t understand why we had to come all the way out to this God-forsaken country.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know why. You\u2019re going to school to further your education. And you know why you\u2019re going to that specific school.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI still don\u2019t see why I have to do that. I\u2019m perfectly happy with the way things are.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell I\u2019m not. I think it\u2019s about time things change, and I\u2019m going to make sure they do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd how do you expect to do that?\u201d Ramsey challenged.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll do it the same way I did with your brothers.\u201d Alex growled.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s a little too late for that,\u00a0Father<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c<\/span>It\u2019s never too late.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know about that. After all, there\u2019s going to be a whole country between us. There\u2019s nothing to stop me from doing what I want, when I want.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMark my words, Ramsey, there are always ways and I have the money to insure it.\u201d Alex glared at his son before continuing. \u201cYou will behave while we\u2019re here. I don\u2019t want anymore of this nonsense. Stay away from Joseph,\u201d Alex demanded.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Father, I know. I\u2019ll make sure that I stay the\u00a0perfect son.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYou make sure you do, Ramsey.\u201d Alex left the room.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course I will, like always,\u201d Ramsey mocked, when the door closed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 47<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Joe came down the stairs, stopped on the landing and observed everyone in the great room. As usual, Alex was talking to Ben. Tonight\u2019s conversation was centered on how to run the ranch. Alex had a lot of \u2018suggestions\u2019 on things that would improve it, and how efficient it would be once Ben put them in place.<\/p>\n Ramsey was sitting in the blue chair, while Adam sat on the table in front of Ramsey, and Hoss was sitting on the hearth. Adam and Hoss looked as if they were determined to find something out.<\/p>\n I know that look, I\u2019ve been at the receiving end of it often enough. What are they be after?<\/em>\u00a0Joe\u00a0pondered as he continued down the stairs.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, little brother,\u201d greeted Hoss.<\/p>\n Adam looked Joe over before making a comment. \u201cLooks like you got yourself cleaned up. Did you finish the roof?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, but I will tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSee that you do, and that it\u2019s done right.\u201d Adam was once again egging Joe on, trying to get a reaction.<\/p>\n \u201cI will,\u201d Joe promised, as he sat down on the settee.<\/p>\n Ben knew when Joe came into the room and watched him out of the corner of his eye, and was only paying partial attention to Alex. Because of that, he was able to hear the conversation between his sons and was surprised at Joe\u2019s reaction to Adam\u2019s barbed comments.\u00a0He didn\u2019t fly off the handle, like he usually does. Maybe he\u2019s starting to grow up.\u00a0He watched as Joe sat staring into the fire, seeming to be a thousand miles away. When Alex paused in his lecture, Ben took the opportunity to address his son.<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe.\u201d Joe was so far away, that he didn\u2019t even hear Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cBen, that boy is\u2026\u201d Alex started.<\/p>\n Ben held up his hand to stop Alex. \u201cPlease, Alex, let me handle this, this time. He\u2019s not doing anything wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph,\u201d he said a bit louder.<\/p>\n Startled, Joe looked up at his father. \u201cYes, Sir?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDinner ready, come eat before cold,\u201d Hop Sing announced, as he brought the first platter out.<\/p>\n Ben watched as Joe headed for the table, and his opportunity to talk to him was gone.\u00a0I\u2019ll speak with him later.<\/p>\n Hop Sing continued to bring food out. He purposely went around to Joe\u2019s side of the table to set a platter down. When he leaned over, he whispered in Joe\u2019s ear. \u201cI make your favorites, you eat this time.\u201d Joe nodded his head in response.<\/p>\n Adam watched the interaction between Alex and Ramsey, or rather the lack of any interaction, and frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, Ramsey, why are you going all the way to San Francisco for school?\u201d Adam questioned.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause it\u2019s a good school.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut all the best schools are in the East. I should know – I attended one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n Ramsey glanced at his father before replying. \u201cSt. Ignatius is just as good as any of them.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s mouth dropped open in surprise at Ramsey\u2019s statement, and he quickly shut it. \u201cI see,\u201d was all he could say.<\/p>\n \u201cSay, Ramsey, what do ya like ta do for fun?\u201d inquired Hoss.<\/p>\n I wonder what Father would say if I told them the truth?<\/em>\u00a0Ramsey thought, before answering Hoss. \u201cOh, a lot of things, I like to ride and spend time with my friends.\u201d He looked at his father before continuing. \u201cI enjoy attending parties. You know, that kind of things.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam noticed the slight shudder that ran through Alex\u2019s body, that wouldn\u2019t even been noticed, unless you were watching him.\u00a0Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.<\/em><\/p>\n Hop Sing came out of the kitchen to clear the plates, before he brought out the dessert. When he picked up Joe\u2019s plate and saw that he had hardly touched his food, he went back into the kitchen ranting in Chinese. Joe cringed at Hop Sings words. He was the only one that knew the words were directed at him. When Hop Sing reached the doorway to the kitchen, he turned back to the table. \u201cLi\u2019le Joe come help with dessert.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked up at Hop Sing in surprise, before excusing himself. When Joe got to the kitchen, Hop Sing continued to give him a verbal lashing.<\/p>\n \u201cI ate!\u201d Joe protested.<\/p>\n Out at the table, three heads turned towards kitchen when they heard Joe\u2019s outburst. Adam looked at Hoss and smiled. \u201cLeave it to Hop Sing to get a rise out of him. I\u2019d love to know what he said to Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo would I,\u201d agreed Hoss.<\/p>\n Hop Sing shook his head at Joe. \u201cYou move food around on plate, that not eating,\u201d Hop Sing accused as he lowered his voice.<\/p>\n In a louder more annoyed voice he added, \u201cYou take plates to table.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked at Hop Sing for a minute, ready to defend himself, but then he remembered his vow to himself. One could literally see him deflate and withdraw. He nodded and picked up the plates.<\/p>\n Hop Sing knocked a pan to the floor in frustration. \u201cFoolish boy.\u201d He picked up the apple pie and left the kitchen.<\/p>\n When Joe set the plates on the table next to Ben, his father looked at him. \u201cIs everything alright, Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir.\u201d Joe returned to his seat.<\/p>\n Ben put a slice of pie on each plate and passed them around the table. Joe passed a plate to Adam. When Hoss handed a plate to him, Joe shook his head. \u201cNo, thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut, Little Joe, apple pie is your favorite,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n Joe just shrugged.<\/p>\n Adam watched the interchange, and shook his head in frustration. He looked over at Ramsey, and saw the smug smile on his face. Adam was now all the more determined to get to the bottom of this. Tomorrow he would start looking for answers, and he knew the first place where he\u2019d start.<\/p>\n Shortly after Joe excused himself for the night, Hoss did the same. Adam looked at Hoss, and raised an eyebrow in question. Hoss nodded in response.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 48<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Joe stripped off his shirt then carefully removed the bandage from his arm. Looking at it in the mirror, Joe sighed. \u201cWell, it doesn\u2019t look too bad.\u201d There was dried blood where some of the stitches had been pulled. With a shake of his head, Joe proceeded to clean it out and put a fresh bandage on.<\/p>\n He had just changed into his nightshirt when there was a knock on his door.<\/p>\n \u201cCome in,\u201d Joe called.<\/p>\n Hoss entered the room and closed the door behind him. \u201cYa okay, Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYa sure? Ya seem awful quiet of late.\u201d He saw how tense Joe looked. \u201cMind ya, I\u2019m not complainin\u2019 one bit,\u201d he joked, hoping to put Joe at ease.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss walked over, sat down on Joe\u2019s bed and studied his brother. Joe started to squirm under the intense blue gaze.<\/p>\n \u201cI know better, little brother. Ya being quiet is either a sign that somethin\u2019s wrong, or you\u2019re up ta somethin\u2019. Now, which is it?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe just shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe withdrew into himself even more when he heard Hoss use his full name. \u201cDon\u2019t ya start that too,\u201d he pleaded.<\/p>\n \u201cI ain\u2019t startin\u2019 nothin\u2019. I just wanna know what\u2019s goin\u2019 on.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere ain\u2019t nothin\u2019 goin\u2019 on.\u201d Joe looked away from his brother. \u201cOther than tryin\u2019 ta be the perfect son that Pa wants.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s this about Pa wantin\u2019 a perfect son?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe hadn\u2019t even realized that he had spoken out loud. \u201cI didn\u2019t say nothin\u2019, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, ya did. If ya think Pa wants somethin\u2019 other than what ya are, than you\u2019re mistakin\u2019. Pa loves all of us just the way we are. To \u2018im we\u2019re already perfect, no matter how much trouble any of us get inta. He loves ya, Little Joe, so much that I don\u2019t know what would happen to \u2018im if he ever lost ya.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf ya say so.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI say so.\u201d Hoss was now getting angry. \u201cLittle Joe, just talk ta me. Why do ya think Pa wants ya to be perfect?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust forget it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI ain\u2019t forgettin\u2019 it.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe shook his head and turned away. He walked over to his window and looked into the darkness beyond the glass.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on, Little Joe, tell me.\u201d Hoss waited for Joe to open up, but when he didn\u2019t even turn around, Hoss shook his head sadly. \u201cYa are most mulish person I know.\u201d Hoss waited, and when Joe didn\u2019t turn around, he left the room.<\/p>\n _ _ _ _<\/p>\n Hoss went directly to Adam\u2019s room after he left Joe\u2019s. He knocked softly and went in.<\/p>\n Adam was lying on his bed, and when Hoss entered, he looked up. \u201cWell, how did it go?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot good. He wouldn\u2019t talk. He always talks ta me, Adam.\u201d Hoss\u2019 eyes shimmered with the sadness he felt for his younger brother. \u201cHe did say somethin\u2019 that bothers me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, and what was that?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss sat down in the chair by Adam\u2019s desk. He looked down at his hands for a moment before continuing. \u201cHe said he was tryin\u2019 ta be the perfect son that Pa wants.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe said what?!\u201d Adam exclaimed.<\/p>\n \u201cHe said he wants\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI heard you, Hoss. Where would he get an idea like that?\u201d Adam got up from the bed and started to pace the room. \u201cWhat else did he say?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothin\u2019. I think he let that slip. When I asked \u2018im about it, he looked like he didn\u2019t realize he even said it out loud. I just don\u2019t get where he\u2019d get a fool idea like that. I tried ta tell \u2018im that Pa loves \u2018im just the way he is, but I don\u2019t think he believed me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe said he wants to be the perfect son?\u201d Adam asked again.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, that\u2019s what he said.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, I think it\u2019s tied into all this trouble and what happened last night. Ever since the Stroud\u2019s got here, it\u2019s been nothing but trouble for Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut still, how could he believe Pa don\u2019t love \u2018im?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam sat down on his bed and looked at his brother. \u201cThink about it, Hoss. Put yourself in Little Joe\u2019s shoes. With the way Pa\u2019s been acting towards him, the things that have been done, and said, how could he not feel as he does. Wouldn\u2019t you? I know I would.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam stood again and resumed his pacing. The more he thought about the past week, the more his anger grew. \u201cYou know Hoss, I\u2019m really getting fed up with this. It\u2019s gone to far. In my opinion, Little Joe hasn\u2019t deserved anything that\u2019s happened.\u201d Adam stopped his pacing and looked at Hoss. \u201cThis has to stop and stop now, before we lose out little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI reckon you\u2019re right. But what can we do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure, Hoss, but I\u2019m going to town tomorrow and check into a few things. I have some suspicions about the Strouds, and I want to see if I\u2019m right.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 49<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n At the end of the night Ben headed upstairs. He was headed for his room when he saw a light shining from under Joe\u2019s door. He knocked softly. When there wasn\u2019t any reply, he slowly opened the door. The lamp in the room was turned down low, bathing the room in a soft golden glow.<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe?\u201d When there still wasn\u2019t an answer, Ben walked over to the bed. Joe was lying on his side, facing away from the door. By his slow, even breathing, Ben realized he was asleep. He laid a hand on Joe\u2019s head, feeling the soft curls underneath.<\/p>\n \u201cGood night, Little Joe.\u201d Ben extinguished the lamp, and quietly left the room, closing the door softly behind him so he wouldn\u2019t wake his son.<\/p>\n After Ben was gone, and his footsteps faded as he went down the hall, Joe opened his eyes and rolled over. \u201cGood night,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 50<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The next morning when Joe came down to breakfast, he stopped next to the table and addressed Ben. \u201cDo you mind if I go straight out an\u2019 start on the roof?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben set his coffee cup down and looked at Joe. \u201cI would prefer you to eat breakfast first.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not very hungry. May I please go an\u2019 start on the roof?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI would like you to sit down and have breakfast with us. The roof can wait awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe lowered his eyes. \u201cYes, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam waited until Joe took his seat next to him, then handed him the coffee pot. Adam cleared his throat before speaking. \u201cPa, if you don\u2019t mind, I need to go into town this morning. I have a few things that need to take care of.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s fine, Adam. Hoss, what do you have planned?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI figured to go out and see how the boys are fairing down in the south pasture.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded his head in agreement. \u201cAlex, if you like, you can ride out with me. Ramsey, since the boys are busy this morning, you can do whatever you want.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat sounds just perfect, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d agreed Ramsey.<\/p>\n _ _ _ _<\/p>\n Ramsey excused himself from the table, saying that he wanted to for a ride.<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss finished their breakfast. When they got up from the table, Joe laid his napkin on his plate and followed them out. They walked out into the yard just as Ramsey was mounting up\u2026 on Cochise. Adam and Hoss looked at Joe, waiting for the inevitable explosion. Both were taken aback when none came.<\/p>\n \u201cRamsey, get off that horse,\u201d Adam barked.<\/p>\n Ramsey ignored him, and turned Cochise away from them.<\/p>\n \u201cYou get off that there horse, before I throw you off!\u201d Hoss shouted.<\/p>\n This was also ignored and Ramsey rode off laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry about it,\u201d Joe told his brothers.<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe, are you just going to let him ride off on Cochise?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n Joe shrugged and started for the barn. Hoss grabbed his right arm and pulled him around.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t ya care that he has Cochise? Ya ain\u2019t gonna do anythin\u2019 about it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, he was told he could do whatever he wants. He wanted to ride Cochise, what can I do?\u201d Joe said as he walked away.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat can we do? Apparently he doesn\u2019t care.\u201d Adam looked down the road where Ramsey had disappeared. \u201cI\u2019m going to town.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 51<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Adam rode into Virginia City and straight over to the telegraph office.\u00a0 \u201cGood morning, Rudy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMornin\u2019 Adam. What brings you to town so early?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI need to send two telegrams.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure thing.\u201d Rudy handed him two pieces of paper and a pencil. \u201cHere you go. Just let me know when you\u2019re ready.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam thought about how he wanted to word the telegrams in order to find out what he wanted. Once he was finished, Adam reread them, and was satisfied that they were to the point and would produce the answers that he was hoping for.<\/p>\n \u201cHere you go, Rudy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll get these sent out right away. When I get an answer, do you want them brought out to the Ponderosa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Hold on to any replies. I\u2019ll be in town in tomorrow to check. Whatever you do,\u00a0do not\u00a0bring them out to the ranch, or give them to anyone else but me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWill do, Adam.\u201d Rudy went over to the table, and started sending the first telegram.<\/p>\n Before Adam could get on Sport and leave town, Roy approached him. \u201cHow ya doin\u2019, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m good, Roy. How are you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoin\u2019 good, especially that it\u2019s been quiet around here. Haven\u2019t had any excitement since that ruckus Little Joe was involved in.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, that. How much were the damages? I\u2019ll cover them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe said he\u2019d take care of \u2018em, being he felt responsible.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure he did. I\u2019m surprised though. He usually leaves it to Pa to clean up his mess.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou got it all wrong, Adam. It weren\u2019t his mess.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean? He started the fight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, it was that Eastern fella he had with him.\u201d When Adam\u2019s brow wrinkled in confusion, Roy gestured down the street. \u201cCome on down to the jail an\u2019 I\u2019ll tell you all about it.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam and Roy went down to the jail, and after Roy poured two cups of coffee, he told Adam everything that happened in the Bucket of Blood.<\/p>\n After talking to Roy, Adam was able to piece more of the picture together and things started to finally make sense. If he thought he was angry before, it was nothing compared to what he was feeling now. \u201cIf those telegrams provide the answers I think they will, Pa won\u2019t be the only one who hears them.\u201d He headed out to the south pasture to fill Hoss in on what he had found out.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 52<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Joe was almost finished with the house roof, when he became careless. Not watching where he was placing his foot as he moved across the roof, he hit a loose shingle and slipped. He barely had time to catch hold of an exposed beam with his left hand and stop his momentum. Joe recovered his balance and sat down taking a shaky breath. He looked down at the drop from where he was sitting under his window. He rubbed at his arm, and when he pulled his hand away when he felt something warm and sticky\u2026 it was blood.<\/p>\n \u201cGreat, just great.\u201d<\/p>\n Ignoring the pain in his arm, Joe went back to work and finished the last part of the roof.\u00a0 He had just put everything away and was almost to the house when Hoss and Adam rode into the yard.<\/p>\n \u201cHey ,Little Joe\u2026\u201d Hoss called in greeting.<\/p>\n Joe looked over his shoulder, gave a wave, hurried into the house and up to his room.<\/p>\n Joe sat down on his bed. He hurt all over and was exhausted. All he wanted to do was lay down and sleep for a week. Joe brought his hands up and started to rub his face. \u201cOw!\u201d he yelped He had forgotten about the cut above his eye.<\/p>\n He got up and went over to his basin, and poured some water into it. He took off his shirt, and looked at the bloody bandage on his arm. Dr. Martin\u2019s words come back to him once again.<\/p>\n \u201cNow you listen to me and take heed of my words. You are to take it easy with that arm.\u00a0 You are NOT to do any heavy lifting or anything that will put any type of strain on it. I want you to keep it clean and put fresh bandages on it at least once a day, more if needed.\u00a0 Understood?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Once Joe had the bandage off, he looked at the torn, bleeding, red edges of the wound. \u201cWell, I guess doing the roofs could be called strenuous.\u201d Joe stopped and a small smile graced his face. \u201cSo could hitting Ramsey, but it sure was worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, I won\u2019t tell him, but you will.\u201d\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0Joe shook his head. \u201cSorry, Doc, but I can\u2019t tell him. I just can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe took a towel and washed the blood off his arm, and cleaned it out as best as he could. \u201cNothing I can do about it. I can\u2019t go see Doc, he\u2019ll tell Pa for sure this time. It\u2019ll heal\u2026 sooner or later.\u201d Joe put a clean bandage on it and changed into clean clothes. He was ready for dinner.<\/p>\n _ _ _ _<\/p>\n Dinner that evening was pretty much a repeat of the night before. Joe was moving slowly, he was just too overwhelmed to care about anything else. Adam watched him throughout dinner. He could tell something was wrong with Joe, other than the events of the last few days, but he just couldn\u2019t figure out what.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with him?\u201d he mouthed to Hoss, once he caught his eye.<\/p>\n Hoss shrugged his shoulders. \u201cTired?\u201d he mouthed back.<\/p>\n Once again, after dinner was over, Joe excused himself, saying he was tired.<\/p>\n \u201cYou must be, after all the work you put in on the roofs the past two days,\u201d Ben remarked. \u201cGood night, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood night. Night everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n _ _ _ _<\/p>\n Joe was changing into his nightshirt when there was a knock on the door, and the door knob rattled when someone tried to open it.<\/p>\n Adam stood on the other side of the door, surprised when he found the door locked. He knocked again and called out. \u201cLittle Joe, may I come in?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot tonight, Adam. I\u2019m tired.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not going away until I can come in and talk to you. If I have to bang on this door all night I will. But I don\u2019t think you\u2019ll like that, since I\u2019m sure it\u2019ll bring everyone else up here to see what\u2019s going on.\u201d<\/p>\n On the other side, Joe rolled his eyes before unlocking the door, and walking away. Adam opened the door, and walked in. He watched his brother as Joe turned down the bedding, preparing to go to bed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you want, Adam?\u201d Joe asked without turning around.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to talk to you. Can\u2019t a brother talk to his own brother, anymore?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSince when do you come in here just to talk? You want to know something, now what is it?\u201d Joe asked, completely irritated at Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to know what\u2019s going on.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothin\u2019s goin\u2019 on.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t I believe that?\u201d Adam continued to push.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know. You\u2019re the one with all the book learning, ya figure it out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome on Little Joe, talk to me. You always use to come to me when something was wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, things change,\u201d declared Joe.<\/p>\n Adam was getting annoyed at how Joe was avoiding the subject.<\/p>\n \u201cI know something\u2019s wrong. After all, you told Hoss that Pa wanted you to be a perfect son.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothin\u2019s wrong, and Hoss misunderstood what I said.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think there was any misunderstanding. Look, Little Joe, I\u2019m concerned about you. You haven\u2019t been acting like yourself. Heck, you haven\u2019t tried to pick a fight with me in days.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWould ya just leave it alone, I said everything is fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust leave it alone, Adam. I don\u2019t have anythin\u2019 ta say. I\u2019m tired an\u2019 I want ta go ta bed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll let it be for tonight, but I\u2019m not letting it go.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood night Adam,\u201d Joe said as he walked to the door, and opened it.<\/p>\n Adam nodded his head, and left the room.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 53<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The next morning at breakfast, the daily jobs were discussed and assignments were given out.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, I would like you to go check the fences over by the Montgomery place. Matt was telling me the other day that a few of them looked like they could use some work. Check it out, and let me know,\u201d Ben informed Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou should be done before lunch, so come on back,\u201d Ben added.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Once breakfast was finished, Joe went out and saddled Cochise and headed out to do his assigned job. He was grateful for having an easy, quiet day.<\/span><\/p>\n Adam and Hoss watched Joe ride off when they headed for the barn.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSo, did he talk ta ya?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNope, he wouldn\u2019t say a word except to say everything was fine and to tell me to leave.\u201d They walked their horses out of the barn before Adam continued. \u201cWould you mind going out on your own today? I want to see if there are any answers to the telegraphs I sent.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNo, I don\u2019t mind at all, especially if it\u2019s somethin\u2019 that could help Little Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll see you at lunch then.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n