{"id":29578,"date":"2020-08-17T16:19:10","date_gmt":"2020-08-17T20:19:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=29578"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:39:00","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:39:00","slug":"epidemic-by-vcls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=29578","title":{"rendered":"Epidemic (by Puchi Ann)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong>\u00a0 A silent killer stalks the streets of Virginia City, and all Ben Cartwright\u2019s sons are at risk.<\/p>\n

Rating:<\/strong>\u00a0 K<\/p>\n

Word Count:<\/strong>\u00a0 14,210<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

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Damp . . . dark . . . shivery cold . . . miserable.\u00a0 Good!\u00a0 He deserved it.\u00a0 Maybe it would be enough.<\/p>\n

A month earlier<\/em> . . .<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright clamped a firm hand on the slumped shoulder of his friend.\u00a0 \u201cYou look like you have the weight of the world on those shoulders, Paul,\u201d he said, when the good doctor turned around.\u00a0 \u201cBeen delivering babies into the wee hours of the night?\u201d\u00a0 It was an old joke between them, for even though men outnumbered women three to one in the town atop Sun Mountain, the doctor always seemed to be delivering a baby when the Cartwrights had dire need of him.<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin gave him a wan smile.\u00a0 \u201cI wish,\u201d he said with all sincerity.\u00a0 Even the longest, hardest delivery would be child\u2019s play, compared to what actually faced him and the citizens of Virginia City.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me buy you a drink,\u201d Ben said, sensing his weary-eyed friend could use a stimulant.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe later,\u201d the doctor said.\u00a0 Then his eyes brightened.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re still on the school board, aren\u2019t you, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably doomed to it until Little Joe finishes school,\u201d Ben said with a sour twist of his mouth.\u00a0 Oh, he didn\u2019t really mind the responsibility and considered it, in fact, an honor to serve, but the monthly meetings always seemed to come when he was most tied down with the ranch.\u00a0 At least, with Adam back from college, he had an able surrogate to send in his place or, if his vote were genuinely needed, to leave in charge of the Ponderosa.\u00a0 The boy had come home with a good head on his shoulders, even if it was crammed with newfangled ideas that weren\u2019t altogether practical in his father\u2019s opinion.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can use your help, then,\u201d Dr. Martin said.\u00a0 \u201cI was on my way to the schoolhouse.\u00a0 There\u2019s a problem.\u201d\u00a0 Catching sight of the look on Ben\u2019s face, he smiled.\u00a0 \u201cNo, it\u2019s not Little Joe, at least I hope not.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben felt embarrassed at his reaction, but who could blame him?\u00a0 His youngest had a penchant for trouble, both in school and out.\u00a0 He straightened his shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is the problem and how can I help?\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul Martin sobered at once.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s been an outbreak of measles.\u201d<\/p>\n

Breath caught in Ben\u2019s throat.\u00a0 When he was able to release it, he said, \u201cMeasles.\u00a0 Oh, Paul.\u00a0 How many cases?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFive that I know of here,\u201d Dr. Martin said.\u00a0 \u201cI wired some colleagues in Genoa and Carson City; another eight or nine cases.\u00a0 No response from Dayton yet, but you can probably add a few more there and in other outlying communities.\u00a0 I assume you know how contagious it is?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yes,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cIt went on a rampage on board ship when I was a cabin boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn close quarters like that, it would,\u201d the doctor agreed.\u00a0 \u201cYou?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I had it,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cLight case, but several of my mates weren\u2019t so lucky.\u00a0 Three died.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin nodded.\u00a0 \u201cIt can be a killer.\u00a0 That\u2019s why I was on my way to the school, to recommend closing it down.\u00a0 In a way, a school is worse than a ship packed with sailors.\u00a0 The little \u201cmates\u201d make port every night to share it with their families, and it can quickly get out of hand.\u00a0 Can I count on your support with Miss Jones?\u201d<\/p>\n

As he pictured the measles racing through Virginia City and, perhaps, even the Ponderosa, Ben spread his hands in a gesture of helplessness.\u00a0 \u201cOf course,\u201d he finally answered, \u201cbut I\u2019m only one member of the board.\u00a0 I can\u2019t speak for them all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShouldn\u2019t have to,\u201d the doctor said.\u00a0 \u201cBetween us, I think we can exert enough influence to close it for the rest of the day.\u00a0 Then, this being Friday, we have the weekend to schedule a meeting of the board to make it formal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, yes, that should work,\u201d Ben said, still feeling a little dazed.<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin quickly perceived that his friend\u2019s concern was for something more personal than just the community.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re not likely to take it a second time yourself, of course, but I know for a fact that Little Joe hasn\u2019t had it.\u00a0 And, well, neither has Hoss, at least since I\u2019ve known him.\u00a0 He was very young then, so I\u2019m assuming he\u2019s never had it, either.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed.\u00a0 \u201cNo, nor Adam.\u00a0 All my boys are at risk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the more reason to get Little Joe home, then, and not risk further exposure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben agreed, although he wasn\u2019t looking forward to confining his youngest to the ranch.\u00a0 Little Joe, naturally, would take that as punishment, when the ones actually being punished were him, Hoss and Adam, who\u2019d have to put up with the restless youngster.\u00a0 Maybe he could come up with some creative chores to keep the boy busy, but he couldn\u2019t think about that now, as he and the doctor walked toward the schoolhouse.<\/p>\n

Little Joe, along with all but the most diligent students, looked up when he heard the door open, and his eyes widened with surprise when he saw his father enter and then narrowed with puzzled concern when the doctor followed him in.\u00a0 Much as he liked Doc Martin, when he came to dinner or for a game of chess with Pa, he hated him just as much when he came carrying his black bag of horrors . . . like he was now.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder if we might have a word, Miss Jones,\u201d Ben said, trying to keep his voice pleasant.\u00a0 \u201cIt might be best if the children could have an early, or possibly a second, recess so that we can speak privately.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if it\u2019s important, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Miss Jones said hesitantly.\u00a0 She disliked disrupting her students\u2019 routine and wouldn\u2019t have done it for just anyone, but as Dr. Martin had suspected, a member of the board carried considerable weight.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s important,\u201d the doctor said.<\/p>\n

Fear flickered in the teacher\u2019s eyes as she correctly read who was actually making this unusual request.\u00a0 \u201cOf course.\u201d\u00a0 Walking to the center of the room, she said, \u201cAttention, students.\u00a0 There will be another short recess this morning, so please line up as usual and leave the classroom in an orderly fashion.\u201d\u00a0 She frowned into silence the whoops that greeted her announcement.\u00a0 Eager to leave, all the students formed their lines and proceeded to march out.<\/p>\n

As his youngest passed him, Ben pulled him out of line.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d like you to stay, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, Pa?\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe protested.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s recess!\u201d\u00a0 With a small pout, he added, \u201cAnd I\u2019ve been good.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben soothed, \u201cbut . . .\u201d\u00a0 He really didn\u2019t know how to finish without upsetting the boy more.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomewhat akin to closing the barn door after the horse gets out, Ben,\u201d Dr. Martin observed with a wry smile.<\/p>\n

Ben cut a sharp glance toward his friend, and then, understanding that he\u2019d meant the short time on the playground probably wouldn\u2019t expose his son more than he already was, he sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI suppose so.\u00a0 All right, Little Joe.\u00a0 Go on . . . but stay close to the building.\u201d\u00a0 Hopefully, that injunction would put a little distance between Joe and most of the other children.<\/p>\n

He turned to see Miss Jones bending over a boy who was still at his desk.\u00a0 \u201cJohnny doesn\u2019t have to go, does he, Doctor?\u201d\u00a0 she asked.\u00a0 \u201cHe hasn\u2019t been feeling well this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe definitely should stay,\u201d Dr. Martin replied.\u00a0 \u201cIn fact, I\u2019ll just have a look at him before we begin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, good,\u201d the teacher said.\u00a0 \u201cJust a cold, I think, but he feels quite warm to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

A quick look at Johnny\u2019s throat revealed the tiny white spots with bluish-white centers that were telltale signs.\u00a0 Straightening up, Dr. Martin looked first at Ben.\u00a0 \u201cHe has it, too,\u201d he said.\u00a0 Seeing Miss Jones\u2019 questioning look, he added, \u201cMeasles, I\u2019m afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, dear,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2014I should have sent him home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou weren\u2019t to know,\u201d the doctor consoled her.\u00a0 \u201cEarly symptoms aren\u2019t different from a cold.\u00a0 This is why we came, Miss Jones.\u00a0 Johnny here makes six cases in Virginia City, with more scattered throughout the territory, so I feel it only makes sense to close the school to limit exposure.\u00a0 As a member of the schoolboard, Ben agrees.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do, as well,\u201d the teacher said, \u201cand upon Mr. Cartwright\u2019s authority, I will do so at once.\u201d\u00a0 She started toward the door when the doctor stopped her.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot quite yet,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d like to examine each student before he or she leaves, so we can know what we\u2019re up against.\u00a0 If you could call them in one at a time . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, Doctor!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe might start with Little Joe,\u201d Dr. Martin suggested.\u00a0 \u201cThen Mr. Cartwright can be on his way.\u201d\u00a0 With a grin toward his friend, he added, \u201cMight as well start with the worst patient, eh?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben winced slightly at the all-too-accurate appraisal of his son.\u00a0 God help them all if Little Joe did take the sickness.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cReckon Pa\u2019s home,\u201d Hoss said from his perch atop the barn roof.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t turned to look, but had drawn his conclusion from the sound of horses pulling the buckboard.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot just Pa,\u201d Adam, who was working with Hoss to mend the roof, said.\u00a0 \u201cLittle brother\u2019s with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss swiveled to see, almost losing his balance.\u00a0 \u201cWhy, you reckon?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t be anything good,\u201d Adam observed.\u00a0 \u201cI think it bears checking out, brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t about to argue with anything that got him off the roof and out of the sweltering sun for a few minutes.\u00a0 \u201cYup.\u00a0 \u201cReckon you\u2019re right.\u00a0 What kind of trouble you think the kid could have got hisself into this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething inventive, no doubt.\u00a0 You comin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss went down the ladder first, and Adam followed, but it was the oldest Cartwright brother who spoke first.\u00a0 \u201cPick up a stray along the way, Pa?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot exactly,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 Frankly, he wasn\u2019t in a joshing mood.<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t<\/em> a stray!\u201d Little Joe snorted.\u00a0 \u201cDidn\u2019t they teach you the difference \u2018tween a boy and a calf at that fancy eastern school?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you\u2019ve strayed away from school, haven\u2019t you?\u201d\u00a0 Not picking up on his father\u2019s mood, Adam continued to tease.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I ain\u2019t,\u201d Little Joe smirked.\u00a0 \u201cI was sent home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUh-oh,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cWhat you done now, little brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothin\u2019,\u201d Little Joe said.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t take offense with Hoss because\u2014well, because he was Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cWe all<\/em> got sent home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d\u00a0 Adam finally took note of his father\u2019s sober expression.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s going on, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed.\u00a0 \u201cMeasles.\u00a0 Quite an outbreak.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPoor little kids,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve heard that can be right uncomfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s too bad,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cHow long will the school be closed?\u201d\u00a0 Despite four years of college chapel, he wasn\u2019t much of a praying man, but the plea that went through his mind at that moment came close to a petition to the Almighty.\u00a0 Have mercy.\u00a0 Don\u2019t let it be long<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cUntil further notice,\u201d Ben replied, looking like he\u2019d just prayed the same thing.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine with me,\u201d Little Joe said.\u00a0 \u201cI can use a vacation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you\u2019re not getting a vacation, little boy,\u201d Ben said, planting a light swat on his youngest\u2019s ill-padded posterior.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve brought home all your schoolbooks, so you\u2019re going to be studying right along.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Pa,\u201d Little Joe whined.\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t a kid have any fun?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, maybe a little,\u201d Ben chuckled, making Adam shake his head at his father\u2019s laxity.\u00a0 \u201cRun inside now and see if Hop Sing can spare some cookies and milk for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a happy grin, Little Joe ran inside, with Hoss trailing after him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re worried,\u201d Adam said to his father once the door to the kitchen had closed behind his brothers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve seen what measles can do,\u201d Ben said, looking grim.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut he doesn\u2019t have it, does he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t seem to,\u201d Ben answered, \u201cbut doesn\u2019t mean he won\u2019t.\u00a0 Dr. Martin says it can take up to two weeks for the first symptoms to show up.\u00a0 He could have it now, Adam, and not know it and spread it to others, and I am specifically talking about you and Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I wouldn\u2019t worry, Pa,\u201d Adam said, laying a hand on his father\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cAfter all, I\u2019m young and fit, and Hoss is strong as an ox.\u201d\u00a0 He stroked his chin.\u00a0 \u201cNow, let\u2019s see: cookies and milk or a trip back to the roof?\u201d\u00a0 With a decisive nod, he headed for the kitchen.<\/p>\n

Fool boy<\/em>, Ben thought, though he couldn\u2019t help chuckling.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t often his eldest gave in to the child within, and he liked to see it.\u00a0 Still, Adam wasn\u2019t giving the matter as much concern as he ought, but then it was the prerogative of the young to think themselves invincible.<\/p>\n

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

The three older Cartwrights were convinced that the next week was the longest of their lives.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t, of course.\u00a0 They\u2019d all experienced far worse, but current miseries always seem more vivid than faded memories, and currently, Little Joe was making all of them miserable.\u00a0 Ben had tried to lay out a routine for his youngest that would keep him occupied and out of mischief, but it was a busy time on the ranch, and it was hard to supervise Little Joe and get any of his own work done.\u00a0 He\u2019d designated mornings for schoolwork, but set the little boy free to play in the afternoons, provided his chores were done.<\/p>\n

Adam had offered to oversee the boy\u2019s lessons and been sharply refused, despite being the obvious best choice for the job.\u00a0 As much as possible, Ben wanted to put distance between his older sons and his possibly contagious youngest.\u00a0 Mornings were no problem in that regard.\u00a0 He just let Little Joe sleep as long as he wanted, so Hoss and Adam had left for their day\u2019s work by the time their brother reached the breakfast table, and he contrived to keep them away from the house and Joe close to it throughout the day.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t think of a reasonable way to keep them apart at supper, but their usual seating arrangement provided a little distance, and he did his best to keep Little Joe close to him and away from his brothers the rest of the evening.\u00a0 Being a bright little boy, Joe soon figured out that Pa thought he was a danger to his brothers and declared to the rafters the unfairness of it all.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t sick and he wasn\u2019t gonna be sick, he announced, and Pa was just plain mean!<\/p>\n

Ben had set the boy down and explained to him about how measles worked, emphasizing that they just needed to be careful a couple of weeks, and then everything could go back to normal.\u00a0 \u201cTry to be patient, son,\u201d he urged as he fought to hold on to his own patience.\u00a0 \u201cTell you what, why don\u2019t you draw up a calendar, so you can cross off each day, and when we get past Day 14, we\u2019ll all do something special together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike what?\u201d Little Joe demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Ben said, stalling for time to think, \u201cum, how about a fishing trip?\u00a0 We can stay the whole day.\u00a0 We\u2019ll take a picnic lunch and swim and fish, and cook up the fish for supper.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd sleep out?\u201d Little Joe asked, brightening a little.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, maybe.\u00a0 We\u2019ll see.\u201d\u00a0 When a pout formed on the boy\u2019s face, Ben amended his answer to \u201cProbably.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll of us?\u201d Little Joe pressed with narrowed eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, all of us,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0 After two weeks, he could be fairly satisfied that they were all in the clear.<\/p>\n

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

Having attended some business in town, Adam came in early that afternoon, and Little Joe quickly took advantage of Ben\u2019s brief absence to run over to show his brother the calendar he\u2019d drawn up.\u00a0 \u201cSee?\u00a0 In two weeks, everything\u2019ll be normal, and we\u2019re gonna have a big trip to the lake and swim and fish, all of us together!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but that\u2019s in two weeks,\u201d Ben said, coming in from the kitchen with a cup of coffee and waving his youngest away from his eldest.\u00a0 Little Joe scowled, but moved back.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019ll be quite a day,\u201d Adam said, adding with a significant look at his father, \u201cA double celebration.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDouble?\u201d Little Joe asked, thinking that sounded promising.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s Pa\u2019s . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d Ben cut him off sharply.\u00a0 He took the calendar from his oldest son and handed it back to Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cRun put that in your room, son,\u201d he instructed.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, Pa,\u201d Little Joe said, still frowning.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t see what the fuss was.\u00a0 Even if he had the evil measles, he couldn\u2019t hand it to Adam on a piece of paper, could he?\u00a0 To further show his displeasure, he dragged up the stairs, step by slow step until Pa yelled at him to get a move on.<\/p>\n

\u201cMind telling me what I said wrong?\u201d Adam drawled out once his little brother finally disappeared.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot wrong, exactly,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cI just didn\u2019t want Joe to know.\u00a0 I picked the first Saturday after two weeks had passed and forgot . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam exploded with laughter.\u00a0 \u201cYour own birthday?\u00a0 I\u2019ve heard that happens as people age, but . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019ll be just enough out of you, young man,\u201d Ben chided, half in play, half seriously.\u00a0 \u201cI want this to be Little Joe\u2019s day.\u00a0 He shouldn\u2019t have to share it with his aged father.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt he\u2019d mind.\u201d\u00a0 Seeing his father frown, he quickly added, \u201cBut we\u2019ll do it your way, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 He\u2019d caution Hoss not to mention Pa\u2019s birthday, either.\u00a0 These days Pa was getting as touchy as his youngest son, and it didn\u2019t pay to cross him.\u00a0 Secretly, however, he planned to have Hop Sing bake a cake and include candles in that picnic basket.<\/p>\n

But that cake was never baked, and that year they didn\u2019t celebrate Pa\u2019s birthday, because a week before the planned release from quarantine, everything changed.<\/p>\n

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

Ben was already disgruntled when he woke up that Saturday morning.\u00a0 If there was anything he didn\u2019t need in the leadup to spring roundup, it was an unscheduled meeting of the school board.\u00a0 He understood the necessity, and considering the topic, this was not a meeting he could palm off on Adam.\u00a0 The measles had not abated, as everyone had hoped.\u00a0 Instead, case numbers were spiking throughout the territory, and Virginia City was now a hotbed of contagion.\u00a0 It had become obvious that its children wouldn\u2019t be returning to school soon, so whether to close it for the rest of the school year was the main item on the agenda for the meeting tonight.\u00a0 Ben tended to favor that, except it made him question anew what to do with Little Joe, once he could no longer argue the necessity of keeping up his studies.<\/p>\n

His first reaction, when the summons had been delivered late yesterday afternoon, was disgruntlement, but it quickly melted into sorrow, compassion and reawakened fear with the message that had come with it.\u00a0 Virginia City had seen its first death, and it struck closer to home than Ben would have liked.\u00a0 Little Johnny Bayless, the boy who\u2019d felt so sick the day he and Dr. Martin had gone to the school, had passed away, and there\u2019d been no hiding the news from Little Joe, for he\u2019d been sitting at the dining table, drawing, when the messenger blurted it out.\u00a0 His boy had been both heartbroken and terrified.<\/p>\n

Johnny wasn\u2019t a particular friend, being two years younger than Little Joe (a massive gulf at that age).\u00a0 However, he was someone his son knew well, as all the students in the small school did, and the news had exploded Joe\u2019s innocent belief that this dumb disease couldn\u2019t touch him.\u00a0 Now he knew it could kill friends\u2014and brothers, and when that possibility hit home, Ben had a near-hysterical boy on his hands, especially since Hoss had, apparently, patted him on the head a few times.\u00a0 Ben had tried to assure him that measles wasn\u2019t that<\/em> easy to catch, and he determined then and there that he wouldn\u2019t rebuke Hoss for the contact, either.\u00a0 Life had come to a pretty pass when such a small show of affection created fear.<\/p>\n

The funeral, he had been told, would be at ten that morning, with the board meeting following, over lunch at the Washoe Club, and, of course, he planned to attend both.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t know the Bayless boy\u2019s parents well, but they\u2019d always struck him as good, hard-working people, scraping to make ends meet.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t sure what he could say in the face of such devastating loss, but he\u2019d learned from past experience that it meant something to people to have a community leader like him show respect at such a time, and at any rate he wouldn\u2019t want to be the only board member not there.<\/p>\n

As he took his hat from the peg beside the door, he turned to give Adam his final instructions.\u00a0 \u201cBest to let Joseph sleep as long as he wants,\u201d he advised.\u00a0 \u201cEasier for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam barely averted rolling his eyes.\u00a0 He\u2019d read \u201ceasier\u201d with its true meaning: safer, and Pa\u2019s concern about keeping him and Hoss away from Little Joe had reached ridiculous proportions.\u00a0 Oh, sure, he\u2019d keep the restrictions, but only because his hide (meaning his ears at this age) would suffer if he dared violate them.<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter for him, as well,\u201d Ben continued, oblivious to the reception of his words.\u00a0 \u201cHe had a rough night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPoor kid,\u201d Adam murmured.\u00a0 Death was hard to face at Joe\u2019s age.\u00a0 He knew.\u00a0 He\u2019d had to face it early himself.<\/p>\n

Ben frowned slightly.\u00a0 \u201cYes, well, keep your sympathy . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt a distance?\u201d Adam suggested with a lordly lift of one corner of his mouth.\u00a0 At least, so it looked to his father.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s frown deepened.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s not quite how I\u2019d put it.\u201d\u00a0 Although that was probably an accurate reading of his thoughts, he admitted, only to himself.<\/p>\n

Adam was sorely tempted to say something like, \u201cOh?\u00a0 And just how would you put it?\u201d\u00a0 But sound judgement, coupled with previous admonitions about his smart mouth, overcame the urge.\u00a0 Pa was an old mother hen, but he couldn\u2019t help that, and he had been under a lot of pressure lately.\u00a0 Most of it self-induced, of course, but he couldn\u2019t help that, either.\u00a0 He\u2019d had the burden of raising three sons on his own for so long that he\u2019d become an inveterate worrier.\u00a0 So, wisely, Adam simply said that he understood and would, of course, respect his father\u2019s guidelines.\u00a0 Ben would later note that he hadn\u2019t said follow.<\/p>\n

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

Adam closed the ledger with a sigh of satisfaction.\u00a0 Unlike his father, he enjoyed working on the books.\u00a0 It gave him a chance to put his education to use, as well as insight into improvements that might be made.\u00a0 So far, Pa wasn\u2019t too receptive to those, feeling that he still knew better than the young college graduate how to run a ranch, but at least he seemed more willing to trust that Adam could tally a column of figures without feeling the need to check them himself.\u00a0 In fact, he was leaving more and more of the hated bookwork to his son.\u00a0 That pleased Adam, though sometimes Pa let it pile up before handing it over to him, and that could make for long sessions at the desk, as it had this morning.\u00a0 Adam needed a break.<\/p>\n

He pushed back from the desk, intending to get a cup of coffee and read a bit in his comfortable blue chair, but as he stood, he saw Little Joe trailing down the stairs.\u00a0 Inconvenient timing, of course, as Joe was prone to, but it was certainly time the little fellow was up.\u00a0 It was almost noon.\u00a0 \u201cWell, good morning,\u201d he called, adding with a teasing grin, \u201calthough I should probably say \u2018good afternoon.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry,\u201d Little Joe said, rubbing at his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo problem,\u201d Adam assured him.\u00a0 \u201cPa said to let you sleep as long as you wanted.\u00a0 Now, the question is: do you want a very late breakfast or an early lunch?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t care.\u201d<\/p>\n

That response should have triggered suspicion in the older brother, but to Adam the kid just sounded tired, like he hadn\u2019t quite woken up or, perhaps, that he\u2019d had a rough night, as Pa had said.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s make it lunch, then,\u201d Adam suggested, \u201cand I\u2019ll join you.\u201d\u00a0 He frowned at the little boy\u2019s bare legs and feet below his nightshirt.\u00a0 \u201cIs that how we come to the table nowadays, little brother?\u201d\u00a0 It certainly hadn\u2019t been in his younger days!<\/p>\n

Little Joe yawned and said, \u201cUh-huh,\u201d and Adam decided to let it slide.\u00a0 Pa probably was letting the kid get away with murder, and if he wasn\u2019t going to uphold the family standards, Adam certainly wasn\u2019t going to bother.\u00a0 As Pa had frequently reminded him in the months since he\u2019d finished his education at mid-term, he was not the boy\u2019s father.\u00a0 \u201cWell, come on to the table, then, and I\u2019ll let Hop Sing know we\u2019re ready for lunch.\u201d\u00a0 He went into the kitchen, prepared for a minor explosion when he delivered that message, but he was generally good at smoothing things over with their Chinese cook.<\/p>\n

Little Joe dragged to the table and slumped into his usual seat, close to the head of the table\u2014very close these days.\u00a0 He used to sit halfway between Pa and Adam, with Hoss straight across, but Pa\u2019d moved his chair until he felt like he was practically sitting in Pa\u2019s lap.\u00a0 He\u2019d been frustrated by it, but today he didn\u2019t care.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t care much about anything.<\/p>\n

His eyes lighted with puzzled interest, however, when Adam sat down in Pa\u2019s chair, close enough to reach out and touch.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t do it, of course.\u00a0 Touching wasn\u2019t allowed, but he hadn\u2019t been this close to his brother in days, and he wasn\u2019t about to risk reminding Adam of the rules.<\/p>\n

Grousing under his breath, Hop Sing delivered two plates of food and retired again to the kitchen.\u00a0 \u201cMy, this looks good,\u201d Adam said, loud enough to be heard in the next room.\u00a0 There were situations where a lathering of soft soap was called for, and asking for a meal to be served early constituted one.\u00a0 He laid it on thick, enthusing over practically every bite.\u00a0 Little Joe, on the other hand, mostly pushed his food around the plate, with an occasional bite reluctantly making its way to his mouth.<\/p>\n

Adam didn\u2019t press him; he\u2019d seen his brother\u2019s red eyes and figured he\u2019d been crying about Johnny.\u00a0 He congratulated himself on being wise enough not to mention it.\u00a0 Joe would only deny it and that would lead to friction between them, something he was anxious to avoid.\u00a0 If he could show Pa how well he could manage Little Joe, he might be able to take some of the load off his mother hen of a father.\u00a0 \u201cWhat would you like to do this afternoon, Little Joe?\u201d he asked as he finished off his own plate.\u00a0 \u201cPlay outside or stay in?\u00a0 We could play checkers, if you like.\u201d\u00a0 He figured his little brother would go for that.\u00a0 He seemed a little droopy for outdoor games, and having finished all the bookwork, Adam had some time on his hands.<\/p>\n

But Little Joe shook his head and swiped his nose with the back of his hand.\u00a0 Wanting to forestall any tears, Adam brought out his best kid-pleasing guns.\u00a0 \u201cHow about a story, then?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe looked up for the first time.\u00a0 \u201cOkay,\u201d he said.\u00a0 He always liked to hear Adam read.<\/p>\n

Adam went in search of a book he thought would interest his little brother without straining his own, more refined interest.\u00a0 In the end he found an old friend of his youth, Robinson Crusoe<\/em>, and carried it back downstairs, only to find Little Joe curled up like a baby on the settee.\u00a0 At first, he thought the boy had fallen asleep again and wondered whether he\u2019d slept at all the night before.\u00a0 Then he saw Joe look up, and as he stood on the landing, he announced his choice of book.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll like it,\u201d he said when he didn\u2019t get a response and came the rest of the way down after snatching up the Indian blanket that covered the stair rail.\u00a0 Given how lightly the kid was dressed, he might need some cover, and it would also hide those feet on the furniture that Pa was forever chiding Little Joe about.\u00a0 They were bare at the moment and no more than usually dirty, so Adam didn\u2019t think they could do the upholstery much harm, but just in case Pa came in, the disobedience wouldn\u2019t be immediately visible.\u00a0 Not that he probably had much need to worry; Pa seemed especially lenient with his youngest during this quasi-quarantine.<\/p>\n

Within a few pages, Adam was caught up in the story and was reading with only an occasional glance at Little Joe to make sure the little fellow was still awake.\u00a0 \u00a0With one of those glances, he caught the now-familiar swipe of the hand beneath the nose, this time accompanied by a slight cough, which his brother tried to smother with the same hand.\u00a0 It took another paragraph or two for the connection to register, but when it did, Adam slammed the book shut and was kneeling at Joe\u2019s side within two seconds.\u00a0 Dear God<\/em>, he thought, let it just be a cold<\/em>.\u00a0 In his heart, of course, he knew it wasn\u2019t.\u00a0 Cartwrights, especially the youngest, didn\u2019t have that kind of luck, and his suspicion was confirmed as he laid his hand across Little Joe\u2019s forehead, shocked by the level of dry heat that met his touch.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, baby, you have a fever,\u201d he sighed.\u00a0 Then he sucked his lips into his mouth, as if to pull the word back, for one of the first mistakes he\u2019d made on getting off the stage from the East was to call his youngest brother by what had been a pet name when he left.\u00a0 Little Joe had immediately and vehemently informed him that he was not<\/em> a baby. \u00a0Always a quick learner, Adam hadn\u2019t made that mistake again . . . until today, when concern and compassion had brought it bursting up his throat.\u00a0 It should have provoked an eruption.\u00a0 That it didn\u2019t only heightened Adam\u2019s apprehension that all his father\u2019s fears weren\u2019t as foolish as he had thought.<\/p>\n

The fear filled Little Joe\u2019s eyes, too, as he asked, trembling, \u201cDo I got it? \u00a0Do I, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Much as he wanted to say no, Adam couldn\u2019t lie.\u00a0 Too much his father\u2019s child, he supposed, not crediting that the honesty was innate inside him, as well.\u00a0 Besides, he wanted his brothers to know they could always trust what he said, so he answered, \u201cProbably.\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019d wrongly attributed the red eyes to tears before.\u00a0 Now they were real, pouring down his little brother\u2019s cheeks.\u00a0 Pa would kill him, but he saw nothing else to do.\u00a0 Wrapping the blanket around his brother, he lifted him in his arms, carried him to Pa\u2019s big chair and cradled him in his arms as he patted the small back and tried to soothe him with assurances that everything would be all right.<\/p>\n

\u201cAm I going to die?\u201d Little Joe cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d\u00a0 Feeling his brother flinch at the sharpness of his tone, Adam immediately softened his voice.\u00a0 \u201cOf course not, little buddy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Johnny did,\u201d Little Joe insisted, quavering.<\/p>\n

\u201cJohnny wasn\u2019t a strong, healthy little boy like you,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 The words carried weight because they were true.\u00a0 The Baylesses always had a lean look about them, as if they didn\u2019t get enough to eat, and though he didn\u2019t know where they lived, it was more likely to be a shack with wind blowing through the cracks than a tightly constructed, comfortable home like theirs.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t bother explaining all that to Joe; it was enough that he understood he had a better chance at recovery than his schoolmate.\u00a0 Most kids did come through the measles without much problem.\u00a0 That, he did tell his brother, and slowly Little Joe calmed down, although he clung to his oldest brother.<\/p>\n

Adam was happy to let him.\u00a0 After the enforced separation, it felt good to cuddle and comfort his little brother.\u00a0 He\u2019d had a harder time reconnecting with Little Joe than with Hoss after the four years apart, and they\u2019d just started to reestablish their relationship when the crisis began and Ben had dictated they keep their distance.\u00a0 It hadn\u2019t been good for either of them, Adam felt.\u00a0 Holding the boy, however, felt right.\u00a0 It reminded him of the closeness they\u2019d shared after Marie\u2019s death, and so he was content to sit, holding the blanket-wrapped bundle, long after Little Joe fell asleep.<\/p>\n

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

Ben was weary as he rode into the yard.\u00a0 The two-hour ride from Virginia City usually left him that way, but this day had been particularly draining, although, at least, shorter than he\u2019d originally anticipated.\u00a0 The schoolboard meeting had gone quickly, with all but one of the members opting to close school for the remainder of the year.\u00a0 There\u2019d been some minor discussion about whether to reopen it earlier than usual to make up for lost time, but in the end, they\u2019d decided to let the lost time just remain lost.<\/p>\n

What had been much harder had been the earlier scene at the funeral.\u00a0 Mrs. Bayless had held herself together for the service at the church, but when she saw that open grave, ready to receive her little boy, she\u2019d completely given way and had barely been restrained from throwing herself into it when the casket was lowered.\u00a0 Ben had been the one to restrain her and had taken it upon himself to assure her that the pain would lessen over time.\u00a0 It should have been her husband, of course, but he was paralyzed by shock and his own grief, and Ben, having felt similar devastation when he\u2019d buried three wives, seemed best equipped to console both of them.\u00a0 They\u2019d thanked him afterwards, but it had taken a lot out of him and had revived his own sense of loss, as well as the fear that he, too, could lose a son to this scourge.\u00a0 The board meeting, while not contentious, had tired him further, and the long ride home had left him with no desire but to collapse in his chair and enjoy an almost unheard-of mid-afternoon nap.<\/p>\n

When he walked in, though, he found a scene that froze him in his tracks.\u00a0 His oldest son sat dozing in his chair, and in his lap, ignoring all his orders, lay his youngest.\u00a0 \u201cWhat the . . .\u201d he shouted.\u00a0 Then, seeing that Little Joe was asleep and deeming it wise to keep him that way, he abruptly lowered his voice to hiss, \u201cWhat do you think you\u2019re doing, boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam, who was only sleeping light, had awakened at the first shout.\u00a0 \u201cPa, I can explain.\u201d\u00a0 He, too, was mindful of the boy sleeping in his arms, and kept his voice soft.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid I not make myself clear?\u201d Ben fumed, like a tea kettle starting to steam.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Adam whispered back, \u201cbut, well, he\u2019s sick, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 He figured he might as well get to the crux of matter at once.<\/p>\n

Ben blanched, pale as the white hairs just beginning to weave themselves among his dark ones.\u00a0 \u201cAll the more reason,\u201d he sputtered. \u00a0\u201cGive him to me!\u201d<\/p>\n

With a sigh Adam started to transfer Little Joe over to his father, but stopped when he felt the boy stirring, awakened by either the movement itself or, more likely, the volume the men found increasingly difficult to curb.<\/p>\n

\u201cGive him to me!\u201d Ben repeated, more sharply.\u00a0 He reached again for his son.<\/p>\n

Little Joe reacted violently.\u00a0 \u201cNo!\u201d he demanded, squirming away.\u00a0 \u201cI want Adam!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think you\u2019ve had quite enough of Adam,\u201d Ben declared with a glare at his eldest as he pulled the boy into his arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe kicked and fought.<\/p>\n

Ben was tempted to swat his flying legs, but reminding himself that the boy was sick, he held him all the tighter, instead, and headed toward the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cYou need to be in bed, child,\u201d he said, determined to keep his voice soothing, despite the bare feet pummeling his midriff, \u201cand Adam has work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

No, I don\u2019t<\/em>, Adam thought, but kept that particular dose of truth to himself.\u00a0 Pa hadn\u2019t raised him to be a fool, and only a fool fought a battle he was doomed to lose.<\/p>\n

Ben got his youngest settled into bed and then checked him over for telltale signs.\u00a0 The fever was obvious; he\u2019d felt it just holding the child.\u00a0 Careful questioning revealed a sore throat, in addition to the symptoms Adam had already noted, and while, like his oldest son, Ben would have liked to convince himself that they were dealing with a simple cold, he knew better.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a strong, healthy little boy,\u201d Little Joe said, chin trembling as he quoted Adam\u2019s words.\u00a0 \u201cNot like Johnny.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s right.\u00a0 You\u2019ll be just fine,\u201d he said, smoothing damp curls from the boy\u2019s forehead.\u00a0 He sounded certain, and his assurance was enough to quiet his son\u2019s fears.\u00a0 As Little Joe drifted to sleep, however, his father wondered just how difficult a siege they were in for and how far its reach might be.<\/p>\n

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

Though Ben kept a watchful eye on his disobedient eldest, it was Hoss, who had mostly kept the rules, who succumbed a day later to the disease that had attacked his little brother.\u00a0 For him, the distancing had come too late.\u00a0 As Dr. Martin had indicated the first day, that horse had already left the barn by the time they knew to shut the door, and Ben could only hope they\u2019d shut it in time to spare Adam.\u00a0 After all, he didn\u2019t normally spend as much close time with Little Joe as Hoss did, so there was still reason to hope.<\/p>\n

That hope died two days later, though Ben didn\u2019t realize it for several days more.\u00a0 For one thing, first Little Joe and then Hoss had begun to break out with the characteristic red spots, covering first their faces and gradually spreading down arms and torso, legs and thigh, and in Hoss\u2019s case, even the soles of his feet.\u00a0 Hoss bore the discomfort manfully, miserable as he was, but Little Joe soon lived up to his reputation as the territory\u2019s worst patient.\u00a0 He was continually either throwing off his covers or scratching the spots he\u2019d been told to leave alone, and Ben was at his wits\u2019 end, as well as the end of his patience.\u00a0 The whole struggle left him too exhausted and distracted to catch subtle signs his oldest boy was only too anxious to hide.<\/p>\n

Adam, of course, knew at once when he started coming down with the same thing his brothers had; he also knew he had two or three days before any visible symptoms would appear and felt nothing was to be gained by letting Pa in on his secret any sooner.\u00a0 After all, someone had to keep the ranch going, and Pa was looking more haggard by the day.\u00a0 Since he wouldn\u2019t let Adam help out by caring for his brothers, he was determined to keep working as long as he could, taking the load off his father and leaving him free to nurse the other boys.\u00a0 Frankly, Adam thought that was the harder job, especially in Little Joe\u2019s case, and welcomed the extra load he was carrying as a further opportunity to prove his worth and the value of his education to his father.\u00a0 But it was beginning to wear on him.<\/p>\n

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

When Adam woke that morning, he knew that time for his charade was almost at an end.\u00a0 His throat, only slightly sore when he\u2019d gone to bed, felt like he\u2019d become a flame-eater at the circus, and as he pulled himself out of bed, every muscle in his body ached.\u00a0 Stumbling to his washstand, he leaned close to the mirror above it and pulled the straggling black locks from his forehead.\u00a0 As he\u2019d feared, light red spots graced the hairline, but he thought careful combing could disguise them a little longer.\u00a0 This would probably be the last day he\u2019d have, though, so he\u2019d better make the best of it.<\/p>\n

He took his time, making sure there was nothing out of the ordinary in his appearance.\u00a0 Then, after carefully peeking into the hall, he slipped across it and into his brother Hoss\u2019s room.\u00a0 \u201cHey, big fellow,\u201d he said softly, all too aware that Pa was probably in the next room with Little Joe.\u00a0 He leaned on the closed door behind him.\u00a0 \u201cHow you feelin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPretty miserable,\u201d Hoss admitted.\u00a0 \u201cYou know you ain\u2019t \u2018sposed to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Adam said with a conspiratorial wink.\u00a0 They went through this same song-and-dance every morning.\u00a0 Just in case Pa walked in, Hoss covered his own behind with the reminder and then gave his big brother a welcoming grin.\u00a0 To cover his own, Adam always stayed near the door.\u00a0 Surely, even Pa couldn\u2019t complain since there was a good ten feet between them.\u00a0 Besides, he and Hoss had been working together up until he took sick, so it was another case of the horse already being out of the barn, and by tomorrow Pa would know that and they could all be together again.\u00a0 \u201cAnything I can get you?\u201d he asked, as he did every morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cA new birthday suit?\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cThis one\u2019s \u2018bout driving me crazy with itching.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2019re making bad jokes, you must be feeling some better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s face scrunched up.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe some.\u00a0 Who\u2019d\u2019ve thought a kid\u2019s disease could lay a man so low?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u00a0 Works that way, I think.\u00a0 Harder on older ones than younger.\u201d\u00a0 As he\u2019d soon have cause to know, Adam thought with a grimace.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, seems to have passed over you, at least, you lucky cuss,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 Then, seeing something in Adam\u2019s face, he asked, \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe not so lucky.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, shucks,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cSorry, big brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot your fault,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cBound to happen from the beginning.\u00a0 No telling Pa that, of course.\u201d\u00a0 He paused and with a significant look, reiterated, \u201cNo, seriously, don\u2019t tell Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss winced.\u00a0 \u201cDoggone it, Adam.\u00a0 If he finds out I knew and didn\u2019t say nothin\u2019 . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know,\u201d Adam pointed out.\u00a0 \u201cI only said, \u2018Maybe not so lucky,\u2019 so you\u2019re in the clear, big fellow.\u201d<\/p>\n

A relieved grin split Hoss\u2019s speckled face.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, that\u2019s right.\u00a0 Big brother pulled the wool over my eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t tell him different,\u201d Adam promised, and Hoss knew he could count on it. \u00a0\u00a0Keeping secrets from Pa was an old tradition between the Cartwright brothers, especially the older two.\u00a0 \u201cWell, time I put in an appearance next door, or Pa might come looking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t have that,\u201d Hoss said with a chuckle.\u00a0 \u201cGet on out of here.\u00a0 Nice seein\u2019 you, big brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam lifted a hand in farewell.\u00a0 Then, after a careful peek out the door, he moved into the clear hallway.\u00a0 He checked to make sure his hairline was still covered and then opened the door to Little Joe\u2019s room, intending to say a quiet good morning to his father, as he did each day.<\/p>\n

Perhaps it was because he\u2019d arrived later than usual, but Little Joe was awake for a change.\u00a0 The little boy gave a happy bounce when he sighted his oldest brother and chortled, \u201cAdam!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben planted two palms on his youngest\u2019s shoulders and pressed him down to the mattress.\u00a0 \u201cKeep still,\u201d he said firmly as he turned toward Adam with a reproachful look.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Pa,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cI wasn\u2019t expecting him to be awake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re later than usual,\u201d Ben said, giving the covers a tight tuck, much to Little Joe\u2019s squirming dissatisfaction.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know; I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben turned warm eyes toward his eldest this time.\u00a0 \u201cNo need, boy.\u00a0 You\u2019ve been carrying an extra load these past few days, and you probably needed some extra rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam was quick to take advantage of the excuse, but chose to do so with a dash of humor.\u00a0 \u201cYes, taking on Joe\u2019s chores has been most taxing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled, as he\u2019d been intended to do.\u00a0 Everyone (except Joe himself, of course) knew that any chore done by a boy the age and size of Little Joe was an easy task for a grown man.\u00a0 \u201cI would imagine you\u2019re finding it harder to fill Hoss\u2019s shoes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s for sure,\u201d Adam admitted.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could stay and read me a story,\u201d Little Joe offered.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019d rest you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grinning, Adam shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s not how I remember it.\u201d\u00a0 Joe could make even reading a job with his constant interruptions and questions.\u00a0 Sadly missing the day he\u2019d taken ill.\u00a0 \u201cSorry, little buddy, but I\u2019ve got work to do.\u00a0 Just wanted to check with Pa to see if there\u2019s anything specific he wanted me to handle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think you have it well in hand,\u201d Ben said, \u201cthough I\u2019m sorely tempted to hand the job of getting this one to eat his breakfast over to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe was quick to leap into the opportunity.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll eat for Adam,\u201d he said cheerily, proving, Adam thought, that absence really did make the heart grow fonder.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll eat for me,\u201d Ben stated with an arch of his eyebrow that told his youngest he meant business, \u201cand you know the rules.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Little Joe said, slumping down in the bed again with a protruding lower lip.<\/p>\n

Adam moved into the hall.\u00a0 By tomorrow the rules wouldn\u2019t matter, so maybe he could grant Joe\u2019s wish then.\u00a0 As he headed for the stairs, though, he shook his head.\u00a0 Once Pa knew that he, too, had the measles, he wouldn\u2019t be feeding his little brother.\u00a0 He\u2019d be tucked up in bed himself, and if his luck ran really bad, being spoon-fed his own breakfast.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d just as soon have skipped it today, but didn\u2019t want to arouse Hop Sing\u2019s suspicions.\u00a0 Most of the time the Cartwright boys could count on their Oriental factotum to keep their secrets.\u00a0 Adam felt certain he didn\u2019t share a thimbleful of the mischief Little Joe got up to, for instance, but even for Joe, Hop Sing drew the line at hiding anything harmful, and measles was definitely that.\u00a0 They\u2019d been fortunate that the man himself had already had the disease, brought to his homeland by white tradesmen when Hop Sing was a boy.\u00a0 It had decimated his village, but there, as here, the young had fought it off more successfully than their elders, and Hop Sing had survived the white man\u2019s plague.<\/p>\n

Adam slid into his seat at the foot of the table and tried to smile cordially at the cook when he entered from the kitchen.\u00a0 \u201cI just want a light breakfast this morning, Hop Sing,\u201d he said, masking how he was feeling behind a calm countenance.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy Mistah Adam not eat good breakfast?\u201d the cook demanded.\u00a0 \u201cHe work hard, taking place of father and brothers; he need.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but I\u2019m running late and I have a great deal to do today,\u201d Adam argued, \u201cso just coffee and\u201d\u2014unable to think of anything else he wanted, he finished weakly, \u201cmaybe toast?\u201d\u00a0 Crispy toast actually sounded like torture to his sore throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot save time if pass out from hunger,\u201d Hop Sing said, crossing his arms and regarding the oldest Cartwright brother sternly, lips pursed.<\/p>\n

Later, Adam would blame his impending illness for his inability to counter that argument.\u00a0 Instead, he just sighed and said, \u201cEggs, then, but I\u2019d like them scrambled, if it\u2019s not too much trouble.\u201d\u00a0 Soft scrambled eggs, at least, had less potential for assaulting his aching throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo trouble,\u201d Hop Sing said, as his lips eased into an approving smile and he headed back to the kitchen.<\/p>\n

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

Knowing that he\u2019d soon be off his feet, Adam felt that the first order of business was to put someone else in charge of the various areas he\u2019d been overseeing.\u00a0 They weren\u2019t easy decisions for him, because he\u2019d only been home a few months and didn\u2019t know the men as well he\u2019d like.\u00a0 Back when they first became aware of the sickness, he and Pa had questioned the men as to whether they\u2019d had the measles, and while Pa, with his immunity, felt free to approach any of them, Adam had kept his contact confined to those for whom possible contagion was no risk.\u00a0 It was Pa\u2019s decree, and he had, at first, scoffed at it (though only to himself and Hoss).\u00a0 Now that he knew the risk was real, he saw the wisdom of Pa\u2019s policy and was glad he had followed it.\u00a0 It meant, of course, that he\u2019d been around fewer men and, therefore, had fewer to choose from as overseers.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t sure he\u2019d be able to select the best men that way, but at least it made the choices seem obvious, and of course, Pa could always override them if he thought Adam had chosen poorly.\u00a0 That might prove awkward, so he\u2019d make clear that the appointments were temporary and would only become permanent with his father\u2019s approval.<\/p>\n

Someone to head up the lumber camp was the easiest choice.\u00a0 Jake Webber was already doing a fine job as straw boss, and Adam was confident Pa would approve his advancement to bull of the woods.\u00a0 Since he was confident of Jake\u2019s acceptance, he\u2019d leave the long ride up to the camp to the end of the day.<\/p>\n

Pa had agreed to appoint him trail boss for the upcoming drive.\u00a0 That was impossible now, and he\u2019d lain awake for hours last night, trying to decide who should take his place.\u00a0 He\u2019d finally settled on Dick Latimer, who though only five or six years older than Adam himself, had proven himself a top hand.\u00a0 In a sudden burst of wisdom, he only told Dick that he was making him his lieutenant, to act in his stead, if necessary, and that he wanted him to treat today as a dry run for that responsibility.\u00a0 That would make it easier for Dick to accept demotion if Pa dictated it later, but would put him in place for the top spot, should Pa see sense and let someone besides a Cartwright head up this year\u2019s drive.<\/p>\n

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

By the time he rode into the yard that evening, Adam was slumped over his horse, and he was ready to admit that he\u2019d tried to do too much that final day.\u00a0 Assigning supervisors to the various tasks had proven the easiest part of the day.\u00a0 All the men he\u2019d selected had been pleased to serve and had, for the most part, been accepted by the other hands, when they were told.\u00a0 One man had taken umbrage when Latimer was chosen over him and stormed off, spewing loud denunciations of kids lording it over their elders and betters.\u00a0 Adam wasn\u2019t sure whether the man meant him or Dick, but it didn\u2019t really matter.\u00a0 Good riddance to bad rubbish, he figured, certain Pa would back him up on his decision to let the man go.<\/p>\n

After that, one thing after another seemed to go wrong or, at least, to take more time than planned, and he began to rue leaving the long ride up to the lumber camp to the end of the day.\u00a0 He\u2019d been feeling progressively worse as the day wore on, but he managed to disguise his depletion so long as he was in front of the men.\u00a0 That effort, in itself, was taxing, and by the time he reached home, he could barely stumble into the barn to care for his mount.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t about to let the animal suffer, though, so he gave the chestnut a thorough rubdown, watered and fed him.\u00a0 He made it through the front door before he collapsed, literally, on the floor.<\/p>\n

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

Hop Sing spied Number One Son through the kitchen window and frowned his disapproval at the late arrival as he headed into the barn.\u00a0 He understood that helpless animals must be cared for, but so must people and Mister Adam was very late to supper.\u00a0 Still, he was reluctant to scold Ben Cartwright\u2019s eldest, the way he would easily have done sons number two and, especially, three.\u00a0 As the eldest, he was accorded greater respect to begin with, and his status as a scholar added yet more honor; however, the steadfast character of the young man, in particular the way he was walking in his father\u2019s shoes during this crisis, meant he would be given the same regard as Ben Cartwright himself.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mister Adam could eat late, and nothing would be said.\u00a0 Should he try to refuse, however, he would be treated like a bad little boy, the same as Mister Ben when he did that which was foolish.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing cut a couple of slices of bread and put them on a plate, along with a generous amount of freshly churned butter and took it to the table, but he waited until he heard the front door open to take the warming supper plate from the oven.\u00a0 Hot food was best to tempt weary appetites.\u00a0 As he was carrying the plate into the dining room, however, he heard a loud thump that set off alarm bells in his head.\u00a0 He hurriedly set the plate down to investigate.\u00a0 Rounding the corner to the entry, he saw Number One Son sprawled in the floor and began to shout, \u201cMister Ben, Mister Ben!\u00a0 You come!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben came barreling down the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are you bellowing about, Hop Sing?\u201d he demanded.\u00a0 \u201cI just got Joseph to sleep!\u201d\u00a0 He stopped abruptly on the landing at the sight of the Chinese cook bent over the motionless figure of his oldest son.\u00a0 Then he ran down the final few steps and came to Adam\u2019s side.\u00a0 \u201cAdam?\u00a0 Son?\u201d he asked anxiously.<\/p>\n

Adam stirred groggily.\u00a0 \u201cSorry, Pa,\u201d he whispered hoarsely.<\/p>\n

And suddenly Ben knew exactly what was wrong.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Adam,\u201d he sighed.\u00a0 \u201cYou, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot . . . invulnerable,\u201d Adam croaked.<\/p>\n

Despite his concern, Ben choked back a chuckle.\u00a0 Who but Adam would spout such a large word when he could barely talk at all?\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s get you into bed, boy,\u201d he said.\u00a0 With Hop Sing\u2019s help he got Adam to his feet and managed to walk him up the stairs.<\/p>\n

Once they\u2019d settled him in bed, Adam lay on the pillow, hardly able to keep his eyes open.\u00a0 \u201cDick Latimer,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Ben stared.\u00a0 \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrail boss,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cJake Webber . . . bull of . . . woods.\u00a0 Pete Jernigan . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHush,\u201d Ben ordered, laying his hand on his boy\u2019s forehead.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019ll all be taken care of.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlready . . . taken care . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben said grimly.\u00a0 \u201cFool boy, I know.\u201d\u00a0 Fool, indeed, he thought.\u00a0 How long had this fool of a son known he was ill and kept it to himself so he could keep the ranch going?\u00a0 Why did the young never understand what was truly important?\u00a0 He\u2019d been that young and foolish once himself.\u00a0 Now he was old . . . and full of dread.<\/p>\n

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

Dark clouds lowered over the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Ben reminded himself often that they just indicated spring storms, the type that visited them every year, but this spring they seemed like portents of a more sinister pall spreading over the territory.\u00a0 When Dr. Martin came to call, he reported that the measles had reached epidemic proportions in Virginia City, as well as the capital in Carson City.\u00a0 What was worse, some of the local Indians had come to town to trade and taken the infection back to their tribes, and while the white residents had some acquired immunity, the Washos and Paiutes did not.\u00a0 For them, it was as if the bubonic plague of the Middle Ages had struck their camps, leaving in its wake wanton destruction and wailing women.\u00a0 The Army doctors were doing what they could to heal the sick and prevent a fear-based uprising, but a sense of unrest pervaded the territory.\u00a0 Dark clouds, indeed.<\/p>\n

Ben scarcely had time to think about the concerns of the larger community, though; he had enough concerns of his own to manage.\u00a0 Little Joe, at least, was well on the mend, though that was a mixed blessing.\u00a0 Now that his father had other things on his mind, the little boy was all too prone to pop out of bed and scamper barefoot down the hall to visit Hoss or peek in on Adam.\u00a0 After all, he cheerily told his father, they all had the measles now, so they didn\u2019t need to keep apart any longer.\u00a0 Technically, that was true, but Ben was not about to give his youngest that kind of liberty.\u00a0 Hoss was still feeling poorly and needed his rest, and Little Joe shouldn\u2019t be out of bed yet, either.\u00a0 Not accepting either of those propositions, Little Joe watched and waited for opportunities to do as he pleased, however many times he was caught and returned to his bed. \u00a0Ben still refused, on principle, to swat a sick child\u2019s naughty bottom, but he was beginning to ask himself if, maybe, his youngest wasn\u2019t well enough to begin considering it.<\/p>\n

Early in his illness, Adam rattled almost incessantly about the preparations he\u2019d made for roundup and the continuing work of the ranch, more feverishly when Ben tried to stop him than when he let him ramble.\u00a0 He only quietened when Ben agreed to consider his choices, and since he was a man of his word, he did.\u00a0 He knew Jake Webber well and agreed that he was the best man to run the lumber crew.\u00a0 He was less sure about the Latimer boy, who seemed young for such a heavy responsibility.\u00a0 He\u2019d always bossed the trail drive himself, only agreeing to let Adam do it this year when first Joe and then Hoss took sick, and then primarily because he hadn\u2019t wanted Adam exposed to their illness.\u00a0 Adam was even younger than Latimer, of course, but he was a Cartwright, and Ben knew his steadiness.\u00a0 He just didn\u2019t have that confidence in a young man he barely knew.\u00a0 He seriously considered not sending any cattle to market this year, but that would mean a huge loss in income.\u00a0 Adam had confidence in this young whippersnapper, and Ben finally decided to trust his son\u2019s judgement and send young Latimer off with his blessing.\u00a0 If the boy robbed him blind, so be it.\u00a0 He had bigger worries.<\/p>\n

Hoss still felt miserable, but he seemed to be improving, and Ben was certain he\u2019d recover, so long as he didn\u2019t suffer some setback.\u00a0 Adam, however, sank rapidly into a state of real danger.\u00a0 All the boys had had high fevers at the start of their illness, as was typical of measles, but Adam\u2019s persisted, and he began to babble incoherently about everything from windmills to Latin conjugations. \u00a0Or maybe it was Greek; Ben couldn\u2019t tell.\u00a0 All the symptoms of ordinary catarrh seemed heightened in Adam.\u00a0 His eyes were more inflamed, his cough deeper, his breathing more labored, and the day came when Dr. Martin finally confirmed Ben\u2019s worst fear: pneumonia.<\/p>\n

Ben swallowed hard.\u00a0 \u201cWill he . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin spread his hands in a gesture of helplessness.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know, Ben.\u00a0 I\u2019m throwing every medicine in the book at him: aconite, pulsatilla, bryonia, but so far, they don\u2019t seem to be helping.\u00a0 I\u2019d say it\u2019s touch and go.\u00a0 We\u2019ll hope for the best, but you may want to prepare the other boys for losing him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, no, not until the last hope is . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, Hoss is still weak himself,\u201d Dr. Martin said.\u00a0 \u201cA sudden shock is the last thing he needs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Ben said with a sigh and then looked up with firm resolve.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll tell Hoss, but not Joseph, not until we\u2019re certain.\u00a0 He shouldn\u2019t have to face such things at his age.\u201d\u00a0 With grim humor, he added, \u201cAnd I don\u2019t have the time or energy to deal with that boy right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

The doctor nodded, but fixed a firm gaze on his friend.\u00a0 \u201cFor the love of mercy, Ben, get some rest, or I\u2019ll have you as a patient, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben waved away the concern.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve already had measles.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that is not the only disease that can lay a man low,\u201d the doctor said sharply, \u201cand exhaustion increases the risk that something will.\u00a0 Get some rest!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll try,\u201d Ben said, though he couldn\u2019t imagine how he\u2019d keep that edict.\u00a0 Who was there, after all, but him to care for the others?<\/p>\n

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

A terrified little boy sped down the hall and dived beneath the covers of his rumpled bed.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t afraid of being found out\u2014well, actually he was, \u2018cause then Pa would know that he knew what Pa didn\u2019t want him to know.\u00a0 He\u2019d heard that loud and clear through the keyhole.\u00a0 Pa had warned him about eavesdropping on grownups\u2019 conversations, and for the first time, he understood why.\u00a0 Grownups could say just awful things when they thought no kid was listening.\u00a0 With all his heart, he wished he could unhear what Doc Martin had said about Adam, but it kept clanging in his head.\u00a0 Adam had the pew-moan-ya, and it might take him away for more than the four years that stinkin\u2019 college back East had.\u00a0 It might take him forever . . . and it was all Joe\u2019s fault.\u00a0 He buried his face in his pillow to hide his tear-streaked face and muffle the sound of his sobbing, while one thought pounded in his brain: what could he do to stop it?<\/p>\n

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

Ben opened the door to Little Joe\u2019s room, praying the boy wouldn\u2019t be fractious tonight.\u00a0 He\u2019d just repeated the doctor\u2019s difficult verdict to Hoss and spent some time reassuring his middle son that he wasn\u2019t giving up hope yet.\u00a0 He was anxious to get back to Adam, but wanted to, at least, look in on his youngest.\u00a0 If he didn\u2019t, that in itself might alarm the boy and set his inquisitive mind going in goodness only knew what direction.\u00a0 He sighed with relief when he found Little Joe asleep and after smoothing his bed covers and placing a kiss on his damp curls, he slipped out of the room and back across the hall into Adam\u2019s.\u00a0 Later, he would blame his exhaustion for his failure to realize that Little Joe was only pretending to be asleep so early in the evening.<\/p>\n

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

As soon as Ben left, Little Joe rolled over, folded his arms under his head and stared at the ceiling, trying to figure out the puzzle.\u00a0 He was the reason Adam was sick, so it stood to reason that getting his brother well again was up to him, but what could he do that Doc Martin and Pa couldn\u2019t?\u00a0 Nothing.\u00a0 Nothing except feel bad and say he was sorry, but that wouldn\u2019t be enough, would it?\u00a0 Maybe he\u2019d better say it anyway.\u00a0 God kind of frowned on folks not saying they were sorry for bad things they\u2019d done.\u00a0 And he sure needed God not to frown.\u00a0 It hit him all of a sudden that if Pa couldn\u2019t help Adam and Doc Martin couldn\u2019t help Adam, then God was the only one who could, so what he had to do was give God some reason to do it.\u00a0 Figuring that out took a long time, but he\u2019d have to wait even longer, \u2018cause before he could do what needed doing, the house had to be dead quiet and everyone in bed.\u00a0\u00a0 Except Pa, of course.\u00a0 Pa never slept when one of them was sick, so he\u2019d have to tiptoe, quiet as a mouse, when the time came.<\/p>\n

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

The house was the stillest Little Joe had ever known it when he slipped silently into the hall.\u00a0 He\u2019d made sure by listening at his cracked door for a long time.\u00a0 Listening at doors was the right thing to do this time; he was sure of that, too, \u2018cause what he was doing was right, and since it was, God was bound to help him get it done.\u00a0 Confident in his purpose, he was still careful to tiptoe down the hall and watch where he stepped on the stairs.\u00a0 God helps those that help themselves, after all.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t sure where he\u2019d heard that.\u00a0 Hoss, maybe, or Pa.\u00a0 Probably not Adam; he didn\u2019t talk about God much, but he could spout more Scriptures than any of them.\u00a0 He\u2019d been made to learn \u2018em in college, he\u2019d said.\u00a0 He just loved to spout stuff like \u201cBe sure your sins will find you out\u201d to his little brother.\u00a0 Well, he\u2019d been righter about that one than Little Joe liked to think.\u00a0 Anyway, he was gonna make it right, and that\u2019s what counted.<\/p>\n

And God was helping him.\u00a0 He made it all the way into the kitchen and found it dark.\u00a0 Hop Sing had already gone to bed in the room next door and hadn\u2019t gotten up to fix breakfast yet, so he was safe.\u00a0 Tiptoeing again, in case his friend was a light sleeper, Little Joe reached his destination and opened the door to the cellar.\u00a0 He started to close it behind him, but then realized the cellar would be pitch black once he did, and he didn\u2019t want to fall going down the wooden stairs.\u00a0 So, he hustled back into the kitchen, went to the drawer where he knew Hop Sing kept candles and helped himself to a handful, filling his other fist with matches.\u00a0 Pa didn\u2019t like him playing with matches, but he wasn\u2019t playing.\u00a0 This was work, God\u2019s work at that, so breaking that rule would be fine, and if it wasn\u2019t, well, he\u2019d just have to do it anyway.\u00a0 Whatever he needed to do to save Adam, that\u2019s what he was gonna do.<\/p>\n

Since he didn\u2019t want to be found too soon, Little Joe worked his way among the crates and barrels to the very back of the cellar.\u00a0 It smelled like apples, not fresh, crispy ones, but it wasn\u2019t a bad smell.\u00a0 He sat down, pulled his nightshirt over his knobby knees and tucked his bare feet beneath its hem.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t exactly the correct position for prayer, but he thought God would understand.\u00a0 \u201cOkay, Jesus,\u201d he began and then stopped, frowning in thought.\u00a0 Maybe it was Jesus\u2019 pa he should be talking to.\u00a0 No, Jesus was the one who healed people when he was down on earth, so he was probably the one to talk to about Adam.\u00a0 To cover all bases, though, he invited Jesus\u2019 pa to listen in and began again.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, I reckon you know why I\u2019m here\u2014on account of Adam\u2019s real sick, with the measles and the pew-moan-ya. \u00a0They\u2019re even talkin\u2019 like . . . like he might be comin\u2019 to live with you.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe swallowed the lump in his throat and plunged on.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t take him, Jesus!\u00a0 Not when it\u2019s all my fault.\u00a0 I brought the measles to my brothers, and I didn\u2019t stay away from \u2018em like Pa told me, and I\u2019m real sorry, so I was hopin\u2019, maybe, we could make a trade.\u00a0 Pa really needs Adam, so you could leave him here and take me, instead.\u00a0 I hope you think that\u2019s a fair trade, but I guess we\u2019ll see.\u00a0 So, I\u2019m just gonna stay here and let you talk it over with your pa.\u201d\u00a0 At first, he didn\u2019t know how to end, but then he remembered what he\u2019d heard in church.\u00a0 \u201cOh, yeah.\u00a0 Amen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Something else occurred to him, so he added a postscript.\u00a0 \u201cAnd, well, I know heaven\u2019s a great place and all, but the Ponderosa is, too, and I\u2019ll miss it and\u2014and Pa and Hoss and Adam and Hop Sing.\u00a0 So, if you do decide to trade, could you bring my mama with you when you come for me, so\u2019s I\u2019ll feel less lonely?\u00a0 It\u2019d help.\u00a0 Uh, amen again.\u201d\u00a0 He shivered a little, telling himself it was just because the cellar was so chilly.<\/p>\n

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

Hop Sing balanced the breakfast tray on his left forearm as he opened the door to Little Joe\u2019s room.\u00a0 Setting the tray on the bedside table, he frowned at the empty bed.\u00a0 Naughty little boy<\/em>, he thought.\u00a0 Never where he supposed to be<\/em>.\u00a0 The cook sighed.\u00a0 He hated to trouble Mr. Ben, who was so worried about Mr. Adam, but the honorable father would want to know.\u00a0 He moved across the hall and entered, asking at once, \u201cMr. Ben, you know where Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben heaved an exasperated sigh.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s supposed to be in his room.\u00a0 I take it he\u2019s not?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Mr. Ben,\u201d Hop Sing said and waited, perhaps for an explosion at least as loud as firecrackers on Chinese New Year.<\/p>\n

There was no explosion.\u00a0 By now, Ben was too weary to care about his youngest\u2019s disobedience any more.\u00a0 Though he\u2019d never actually lifted the restrictions, neither could he be bothered to enforce them when they no longer made a difference anyway.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s probably in Hoss\u2019s room,\u201d he told the cook.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing shook his head. \u00a0\u201cI take Number Two Son his breakfast before take Little Joe\u2019s.\u00a0 He not there.\u00a0 Not here, either?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s brow furrowed with concern.\u00a0 \u201cNo, he\u2019s not here.\u00a0 Well, check the yard and send him straight to me when you find him.\u00a0 I think it\u2019s time for a very necessary little talk with that boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing noticed that Mr. Ben had not said \u201cif,\u201d but secretly thought that was the word to use.\u00a0 He\u2019d been outside earlier, to gather eggs and feed the chickens, and hadn\u2019t seen the little boy, but there were many places for a small one to hide.\u00a0 He would check again and try to spare Mr. Ben any further worry.<\/p>\n

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

Damp . . . dark . . . shivery cold . . . miserable.\u00a0 Good!\u00a0 He deserved it.\u00a0 Maybe it would be enough.\u00a0 Enough to convince God that he meant business about the trade.\u00a0 He\u2019d fallen asleep sometime, and the candle had gone out.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t try to light it again, \u2018cause it might be daytime by now, and Hop Sing might need something from down here, and he couldn\u2019t risk being seen \u2018til he got an answer.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t know how long he\u2019d been in this place that seemed like a grave already, but it felt like forever.\u00a0 God couldn\u2019t tell the difference between one day and a thousand years, though.\u00a0 He\u2019d heard a preacher say that. \u00a0Maybe Jesus was having a hard time convincing his pa that it was a fair trade: one smart, good son for one everyone said was full of mischief and orneriness.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll try hard to be good,\u201d he whispered, snuffling his stuffy nose, \u201cif you\u2019ll take me, instead.\u201d\u00a0 He listened as hard as he could, but couldn\u2019t make out yes or no.\u00a0 Maybe it was only preachers who could actually hear from God.\u00a0 He\u2019d just have to wait and see what happened.<\/p>\n

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

Hop Sing had put it off as long as he dared.\u00a0 He\u2019d checked the yard and then the house, every place large enough to hide a small boy.\u00a0 Nothing.\u00a0 There was nothing left to do but tell Mr. Ben and add to his already heavy burden of worries.\u00a0 Ben looked up as the door opened and Hop Sing slid silently in on soft slippers.\u00a0 \u201cWell, that took long enough,\u201d he said gruffly.\u00a0 \u201cWhere was he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing not know, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d the cook said quietly.<\/p>\n

Alarm instantly sharpened Ben\u2019s features.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t . . . you mean you haven\u2019t found him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot in yard, not in house,\u201d Hop Sing reported.\u00a0 \u201cSorry, Mr. Ben.\u00a0 Not know where else look.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s mind was racing.\u00a0 Not in the yard, not in the house.\u00a0 Dear God, had he run away from home?\u00a0 No, that couldn\u2019t be it.\u00a0 Certainly, his youngest had chafed at staying in bed, and he should have let him up before now.\u00a0 There\u2019d been no one to keep an eye on him, though, and it was never a good idea to leave Little Joe on his own too long.\u00a0 He sighed.\u00a0 That was exactly what he had done, though, with his orders to stay in his bed, stay in his room, orders he\u2019d kept in place past the time they were really needed.\u00a0 He should have known the little mischief would rebel against that.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s all it was, surely.\u00a0 He\u2019d just run off to play, maybe over to the Devlin place or the Pruitts.\u00a0 Ben looked back to the bed, torn.\u00a0 Someone would have to ride over to see if Little Joe was with his friends, and it wasn\u2019t a job he could delegate to anyone else.\u00a0 But how could he leave Adam, when he was so sick?\u00a0 Then he squared his shoulders.\u00a0 It was time to enlist some help.<\/p>\n

He crossed the hall and entered Hoss\u2019s room.\u00a0 He plastered on a smile he prayed wouldn\u2019t look as fake as it felt.\u00a0 \u201cWell, how are you feeling today, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPretty good, Pa,\u201d Hoss said, adding with a lopsided grin, \u201cI\u2019d feel a mite better if\u2019n I could get some solid grub.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sat on his edge of his big son\u2019s bed.\u00a0 \u201cThe doctor\u2019s coming later today.\u00a0 We\u2019ll see what he says, but you\u2019re probably ready for more than invalid\u2019s fare.\u201d\u00a0 Probably long since ready, he realized with chagrin.\u00a0 In his concern for his sickest boy, he hadn\u2019t paid as much attention to the needs of the recovering ones.<\/p>\n

As he moistened his lips, Hoss sensed his nervousness.\u00a0 \u201cPa?\u201d he asked, forehead wrinkling with concern.\u00a0 \u201cIs it . . .Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben reached out a soothing hand.\u00a0 \u201cNo, no.\u00a0 Not much change, but if anything, he seems a little cooler, a little quieter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut that\u2019s good, ain\u2019t it?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss still looked worried, sensing something was wrong.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s good, but\u201d\u2014Ben sighed.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s no good way to say it: Little Joe\u2019s gone missing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss threw back the covers and tried to scramble out the other side of the bed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll find him,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, no,\u201d Ben said sharply.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Pa, Little Joe and me\u2014let me find him, Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll find Little Joe,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re not fit enough for that job, but I do need your help, son.\u00a0 Now, please, hear me out.\u201d<\/p>\n

If Hoss had a rebellious streak, it was no more than a quarter inch wide, so he settled back with only a troubled frown to hint at resistance.<\/p>\n

Ben told him about the need to check with some neighbors that his little son might be visiting.\u00a0 \u201cBut I need you to watch over Adam, if you think you\u2019re up to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Course, I am,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

Ben smiled at him.\u00a0 \u201cI knew I could count on you, son.\u00a0 Now, get your robe on.\u00a0 Dr. Martin says you need to avoid taking a chill with the measles, but I think if you\u2019re well covered, it\u2019ll do you no harm to sit with your brother.\u00a0 He probably won\u2019t need much attention, but if he does, you sing out for Hop Sing.\u00a0 He\u2019ll be working somewhere about.\u201d\u00a0 He didn\u2019t explain that Hop Sing\u2019s main task would be rechecking any spot big enough to hide a small boy or, if Little Joe made his way home, to take charge of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir; I\u2019ll do it, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

As he stood, he pressed a hand to his son\u2019s muscular shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cI knew I could count on you.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Cold . . . so very cold.\u00a0 What was taking God so long?\u00a0 Little Joe tried to pray about it some more, but he felt so sleepy.\u00a0 Maybe it would be all right to take a nap while he waited.\u00a0 His eyes closed, and he began to dream of seeing his mother soon.<\/p>\n

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

Ben dropped, exhausted and dismayed, into his padded armchair.\u00a0 Raking his hand through his graying hair, he asked himself, as he had a hundred times that afternoon, where his boy could be.\u00a0 None of the neighbors had seen him, which made sense, as he should have realized sooner. \u00a0Little Joe hadn\u2019t taken a horse from the barn, but Ben had been too frantic to notice when he\u2019d rushed out.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t noticing much these days, apparently.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t even notice when Hop Sing appeared at his side with a steaming cup of coffee.\u00a0 \u201cNo find?\u201d the cook asked, though he knew the answer by the ashen look on Mr. Ben\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

Shaking his head, Ben raised blank, hopeless eyes to the other man\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s not back, I suppose.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Mr. Ben,\u201d the cook said softly.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing tell you right away if he find little boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben sighed.\u00a0 He stirred.\u00a0 \u201cI guess I\u2019d better check on Adam, get Hoss back to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo need,\u201d Hop Sing said.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Adam sleep.\u00a0 Mr. Hoss, too, in chair.\u201d\u00a0 He touched his right ear.\u00a0 \u201cYou hear?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled softly.\u00a0 He could, indeed, hear Hoss\u2019s characteristic snore, although muffled by the walls and distance between them.\u00a0 \u201cStill, he should be in bed,\u201d he said, standing.\u00a0 Just then he heard the sound of a team pulling into the yard.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s probably the doctor.\u00a0 I\u2019ll let him in; you fetch him a cup of coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing frowned at the unnecessary instruction.\u00a0 He knew how to treat guests, especially the honorable doctor, but making concessions for Mr. Ben\u2019s worries, he decided to make no complaint, this time.<\/p>\n

Paul Martin gave his friend a scrutinizing look as he was ushered into the great room.\u00a0 \u201cI see you failed to follow my advice,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s brow wrinkled in puzzlement.\u00a0 \u201cHmm?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo get some rest,\u201d Dr. Martin said, shaking his head and pursing his lips.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cWell, there\u2019s been a development that ensured I couldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

The doctor\u2019s eyes narrowed with concern.\u00a0 \u201cAdam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook himself more alert.\u00a0 \u201cNo.\u00a0 No, I think he\u2019s better . . . or was before I left.\u201d\u00a0 Seeing his friend\u2019s growing puzzlement, he said, \u201cLittle Joe\u2019s gone missing.\u00a0 I\u2019ve looked everywhere I can think.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin groaned audibly.\u00a0 \u201cOh, that boy.\u00a0 He\u2019d try the patience of a saint, which neither of us is.\u00a0 Well, the good news is that he was almost well, so you can pretty much treat it as ordinary mischief.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFeel free to warm his bottom, in other words?\u201d\u00a0 Ben almost smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah.\u201d\u00a0 Laying a compassionate hand on his friend\u2019s shoulder, he said, \u201cHe\u2019ll turn up, Ben . . . probably about meal time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben uttered a grim \u201cHuh!\u201d\u00a0 Then he said, \u201cSpeaking of meals, Hoss is beginning to complain about the quality of his.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s have a look,\u201d Paul said, mounting the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cWe can probably take him off light rations, if he\u2019s doing as well as the last time I saw him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is.\u00a0 In fact, I left him in charge of Adam while I . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

Surprised, the doctor turned to face his friend on the landing.\u00a0 For Ben to take that step, he must have been truly concerned about Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cNeeds must,\u201d he said to alleviate the haunted expression he caught on Ben\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

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

Muttering in Mandarin, Hop Sing scuffed around the kitchen to prepare the meal Hoss had requested.\u00a0 Mashed potatoes with gravy and canned peaches.\u00a0 What kind of meal was that?\u00a0 Not what he wanted to cook, not what he considered good food, but it was what Number Two Son wanted, so he would do it.\u00a0 He was a good boy, and he was better, and Number One Son was small bit better, too. \u00a0Reason enough to celebrate . . . except . . .\u00a0 Hop Sing sighed.\u00a0 Number Three Son still missing.\u00a0 Could not have true celebration without his boy.\u00a0 Mashed potato and peaches good enough celebration until Little Joe back with them.\u00a0 Then Hop Sing would do better.<\/p>\n

As he started to peel the potatoes, though, he realized there might not be enough.\u00a0 No problem.\u00a0 Plenty more in cellar.\u00a0 As he went down the steps, the earthy odors of root vegetables and dirt and musty apples came to his nostrils.\u00a0 To Hop Sing, the aromas were pleasant and always sparked in him ideas of good food to prepare.\u00a0 Today, they sparked the idea of apple pie.\u00a0 Ah!\u00a0 That would tempt Number Two Son to better food than canned peaches!\u00a0\u00a0 And, perhaps, Honorable Doctor would stay long enough to share the pie.\u00a0 Honorable Doctor did not eat enough, and he looked weary to the bone, like Mr. Ben.\u00a0 So, yes, Hop Sing would bake a pie, too, for Number Two Son and the doctor and save back a piece for Number Three Son, even though he was too naughty to deserve it, because apple pie was his favorite.<\/p>\n

Taking a burlap bag, he started to fill it with apples, but stopped, frowning, when he heard something moving in the deepest part of the cellar.\u00a0 It was only a small sound, but that made it more ominous to Hop Sing.\u00a0 It could be mice, and there was no enemy of the pantry he hated more.\u00a0 If they had invaded again, he would need to get the barn cat down here after them.\u00a0 It would have to wait, though.\u00a0 He needed to start the apple pie right away.\u00a0 He had just started to fill his sack again when he froze, for he\u2019d heard another sound, one that no animal, except the human one, would make: a cough.\u00a0 Someone was down here!\u00a0 Instantly, Hop Sing knew, and he called into the darkness, \u201cLittle Joe?\u00a0 That you?\u201d<\/p>\n

For a long minute no response came.\u00a0 Then a small voice he knew and loved cried faintly, \u201cMama?\u00a0 Did you come for me?\u201d\u00a0 And Hop Sing scurried into the depths of the cellar and gathered his beloved boy into his arms.\u00a0 The light from the open door guided him back up the steps into the kitchen.<\/p>\n

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

When Ben and Dr. Martin had come downstairs, they\u2019d found a tray with coffee service on the low table in the open living area.\u00a0 Too inviting to be resisted, they sat down at once to relax from their labors and their worries, blessing Hop Sing for having provided it.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll stay for a bite to eat, of course,\u201d Ben said as he poured them each a cup of steaming brew.<\/p>\n

\u201cMashed potatoes and peaches?\u201d Dr. Martin chuckled.<\/p>\n

Ben smiled as he handed over the doctor\u2019s cup.\u00a0 \u201cAnd gravy; don\u2019t forget the gravy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNever,\u201d the doctor said, his own smile broadening.\u00a0 With all the calls he\u2019d made, he hadn\u2019t taken time for lunch, and breakfast had been early.\u00a0 He\u2019d follow his own advice, for once, and look to his personal health, while setting a good example for the man who regularly ignored it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere might be more,\u201d Ben said as he sat in his comfortable leather armchair, \u201cknowing Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine if there isn\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0 Paul Martin took another sip of his coffee.\u00a0 \u201cBest in the territory,\u201d he declared, raising the cup.\u00a0 Having taken samples from virtually every coffee pot in the surrounding area, he had reason to know.\u00a0 And the food prepared by the same hands would be as good as he found anywhere, too, even if it did turn out to be only potatoes and gravy.\u00a0 (The canned peaches he might safely forego without offending either the cook or his growling stomach.)<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout Adam,\u201d Ben said after taking a taste of the coffee.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t like to say much in front of Hoss, but . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

The doctor nodded soberly.\u00a0 \u201cNot completely out of danger,\u201d he said, \u201cbut I think he\u2019ll make it.\u00a0 Just keep that fever down and . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Ben!\u00a0 Mr. Ben!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben turned toward the piercing voice and bolted to his feet as he saw the small, limp figure in Hop Sing\u2019s arms.\u00a0 \u201cWhere was he?\u201d he cried as he covered the space in long strides, the doctor right behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn cellar,\u201d Hop Sing said.\u00a0 \u201cSo sorry, Mr. Ben.\u00a0 Not think to look there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNor did I,\u201d Ben said as he took his little boy.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Paul, he\u2019s like ice!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me have him, Ben,\u201d Paul directed, calling to Hop Sing to bring some blankets.\u00a0 The cook at once went to the credenza beside the front door.\u00a0 Taking two blankets from the top drawer, he brought them back to the settee, where the doctor was laying Little Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to warm him up,\u201d Dr. Martin said.\u00a0 Then, seeing Ben\u2019s stricken face, he added, \u201cDon\u2019t panic, my friend; it\u2019s probably not as bad as you think.\u201d \u00a0Turning to the cook, he requested a hot drink.\u00a0 \u201cTea would be best, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n

Concurring with that opinion, Hop Sing hurried out to prepare the teapot, as Dr. Martin called, \u201cMake it sweet.\u201d\u00a0 He began to chafe the boy\u2019s hands, while directing Ben to give his bare feet the same treatment.<\/p>\n

The friction against his skin made Little Joe stir again, and he stared into his father\u2019s face with, first, confusion and then fright.\u00a0 \u201cWhy\u2014why are you here?\u201d he blathered.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019s Mama?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, baby,\u201d Ben groaned, fearing the worst.<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy, Ben,\u201d the doctor said.\u00a0 He gently turned the boy\u2019s face toward him.\u00a0 \u201cYou know where your mother is, son\u2014in heaven, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2014but she\u2019s supposed to take me!\u201d Little Joe cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, God,\u201d Ben moaned softly.\u00a0 \u201cWhat have I done?\u201d<\/p>\n

The doctor silenced him with a raised hand.\u00a0 \u201cNo, son, you\u2019re going to be with us for a long time yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Instead of the comfort intended, the words heightened Little Joe\u2019s agitation.\u00a0 \u201cNo!\u00a0 She\u2019s supposed to take me,\u201d he insisted.\u00a0 \u201cWe made a trade . . . leastways, I tried.\u201d\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t sure now that God had ever said they could trade.\u00a0 \u201cFor\u2014for Adam,\u201d he said as the tears rolled down his cheeks.\u00a0 \u201cSo\u2019s he can stay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aghast, Ben could say nothing, do nothing but shake his head in horror at the thought of exchanging one son\u2019s life for another\u2019s.<\/p>\n

But Paul Martin knew what to say.\u00a0 \u201cAdam can stay, Little Joe,\u201d he promised.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s no need for a trade; he\u2019s getting better.\u201d\u00a0 As he\u2019d told Ben, he couldn\u2019t really promise yet, though the signs were good, but this child didn\u2019t need to hear anything but a positive prognosis.\u00a0 Surely, God in His mercy would not demand so great a sacrifice from either the little boy or his distraught father.<\/p>\n

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

And He didn\u2019t.\u00a0 It took time, but all the Cartwright boys recovered: first, Hoss and then Little Joe, who suffered no more than a bad cold from his time in cellar, and finally, Adam.\u00a0 Ben never intended Adam to know what Little Joe had attempted on his behalf, but he made the mistake of telling Hoss, remembering too late that Hoss could never keep a secret, at least from his brothers.\u00a0 If anything, the sacrifice the boy had made, though unneeded and, thankfully, unsuccessful, touched his oldest brother deeply and brought them closer together.\u00a0 The days they\u2019d been forced to spend apart during the epidemic did the same for all the brothers, and when they were finally declared well and healthy again, Little Joe insisted on the outing he\u2019d been promised at the very beginning.<\/p>\n

The third of June dawned bright and sunny, a perfect day for a trip to the lake, for swimming and fishing and picnicking.\u00a0 As promised, the Cartwrights spent the whole day enjoying their newfound freedom and the joy of being alive and together.\u00a0 \u00a0That day became, for them, a new annual celebration, dubbed Cartwright Independence Day.\u00a0 It mattered not a whit that the nation celebrated something called by the same name a month later.\u00a0 For all the years they spent together, the Cartwright brothers celebrated independence twice each summer: \u00a0once for the birthday of the nation and once for the day that brought liberation from the dreaded measles that had almost torn their family apart.<\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

Author\u2019s Notes: My poker hand consisted of the following words and phrases: measles, cellar, at a funeral, 3rd<\/sup> of June, Pa\u2019s birthday<\/p>\n

Before 1963, major measles epidemics occurred every two to three years, causing an estimated 2.6 million deaths each year.\u00a0 The development of the vaccine has vanquished that fear for almost everyone.\u00a0 May we one day say the same about covid-19.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 A silent killer stalks the streets of Virginia City, and all Ben Cartwright\u2019s sons are at risk.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 K
\nWord Count:\u00a0 14,210<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":48,"featured_media":29680,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1008,40],"tags":[158],"class_list":["post-29578","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-family","category-challenges","tag-pppt","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-40-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":3734,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/MS-Dixie-cc.jpg?fit=600%2C390&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6007,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6007","url_meta":{"origin":29578,"position":0},"title":"Practice Makes Perfect (by Patina)","author":"patina","date":"November 3, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Rating: K Word Count=3699 Summary:\u00a0Marie is entering the final weeks of her pregnancy with the newest Cartwright. Will the baby's birth go according to plan?","rel":"","context":"In "Humor"","block_context":{"text":"Humor","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=4"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Marie-2.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Marie-2.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Marie-2.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Marie-2.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13965,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13965","url_meta":{"origin":29578,"position":1},"title":"One Night in Bear River (by Susan G)","author":"SusanG","date":"December 12, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Having delivered the herd, the Cartwrights were only planning to spend one night in town before heading home. 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Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (13,900 words) A Life Lived Series, links to all the stories within the series are included.","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/four.jpg?fit=298%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":13964,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13964","url_meta":{"origin":29578,"position":4},"title":"Nothing But the Truth (by Susan G)","author":"SusanG","date":"December 12, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 On the precipice of an Indian uprising; can Ben prevent the unimaginable? Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0 (23,200 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Best-Day-He-Ever-Saw.jpg?fit=630%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Best-Day-He-Ever-Saw.jpg?fit=630%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Best-Day-He-Ever-Saw.jpg?fit=630%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4330,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4330","url_meta":{"origin":29578,"position":5},"title":"Whatever it Takes – # 1 (by Wrangler)","author":"Wrangler","date":"April 20, 2001","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0When Joe is seriously injured, the remedy serves to be much more harsh than anyone expected. \u00a0 Rated: T \u00a0WC 22,000 Whatever It Takes Series, links to all stories of this series included.","rel":"","context":"In "Ben \/ Joe"","block_context":{"text":"Ben \/ Joe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1015"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Joe-Matter-of-Circumstance.jpg?fit=590%2C705&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Joe-Matter-of-Circumstance.jpg?fit=590%2C705&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Joe-Matter-of-Circumstance.jpg?fit=590%2C705&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29578","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/48"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=29578"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29578\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/29680"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=29578"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=29578"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=29578"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}