{"id":3101,"date":"2002-04-24T22:42:37","date_gmt":"2002-04-25T02:42:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3101"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:05:53","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:05:53","slug":"the-grandest-of-homecomings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3101","title":{"rendered":"The Grandest of Homecomings (by Camera Chic)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span>A prequel. Little Joe has been excitedly awaiting the arrival home of Adam from college, but he hasn’t considered how different things will be now. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rated:<\/span>\u00a0K+ (5,690 words)
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Grandest of Homecomings<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Hoss slowly rolled over<\/strong> and then stretched his arms over his head. Taking a deep breath, he held it for a moment before letting it out with a contented sigh. The slamming of a door farther down the hall startled him out of his morning reverie, and he groaned and rolled onto his stomach. He heard his bedroom door crash open, and then his little brother yelled, \u201cAdam\u2019s comin\u2019 home today! Hoss! Hoss, get up! Adam\u2019s comin\u2019 home today!\u201d Hoss grunted as his breath was suddenly knocked out of him by the solid weight of Little Joe landing on his back. \u201cGet up!\u201d Joe yelled.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDadburnit,\u201d Hoss gasped. \u201cHe ain\u2019t comin\u2019 home \u2018til late tonight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut ain\u2019t you excited?\u201d Joe asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss pictured the nine-year-old\u2019s face, and had to sigh. He rolled over, dumping Joe onto the floor. \u201cHey!\u201d Joe yelped.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019m excited. But it\u2019s also 5:30 in the morning, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but you normally get up now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss sighed again, and then smiled at Joe. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you go out and get started on the chores, since you\u2019re already up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe thought for a moment, but obviously didn\u2019t realize the multiple purposes of that suggestion because he scrambled off the floor and said, \u201cOkay. But hurry down, Hoss. We got a lot to plan today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe planned everythin\u2019 yesterday, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t hear him, as he was already racing out of Hoss\u2019s room. He turned the corner, and plowed directly into Hop Sing. Much to Joe\u2019s relief, it was he, and not their cook, who ended up on his backside on the floor. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Hop Sing!\u201d he exclaimed as he stood up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYell! Yell too much, early in morning!\u201d Hop Sing admonished.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, but Adam\u2019s comin\u2019 home today!\u201d Joe grinned.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLucky father not here, not be happy with you yell. Brother not happy either.\u201d Hop Sing put his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder and led him down the hall and downstairs. \u201cYou go; go get eight fresh eggs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you making Hop Sing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFlapjacks, eggs, ham, toast.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe grinned. \u201cSounds great!\u201d He turned and tore out the front door, yelling as he ran across the yard, \u201cAdam\u2019s comin\u2019 home today! Adam\u2019s comin\u2019 home today!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing chuckled, and then turned back towards the kitchen. He set out some bowls, and then went to a counter near the door and picked up a sheet of paper and a pencil. He read it over, and then added two more things to the bottom, just in case the youngest Cartwright finished the other 27 chores before Adam and Ben arrived home.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Hoss turned from the window as he heard Hop Sing walk up behind him. He did his best to hide the disappointed look on his face. \u201cI guess it took \u2018em longer than we thought.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing nodded sympathetically. \u201cLong ride from San Francisco. Be home tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss nodded, and then glanced back towards the window. \u201cI guess I should make Joe come in now.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing glanced out the window, where Joe paced back and forth along the porch step, occasionally glancing towards the trees bordering the darkening sky. \u201cLet him wait few more minutes. I call him in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Hop Sing. Good night,\u201d Hoss said, and then went upstairs, glancing once more towards the window and his brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

Outside, Joe sank onto the step, and reached out, breaking a twig off of one of the bushes that grew near the house. He was tired, and disappointed. He ground the twig between his fingers, before tossing it aside. The door opened behind him, and Joe glanced back to see Hop Sing coming outside. The man settled into a chair near Joe, and looked out into the yard.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After a few minutes, Joe sighed. \u201cThey\u2019re not comin\u2019 tonight, are they?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLong journey,\u201d Hop Sing replied. \u201cThey arrive tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut Hoss and me worked so hard to get things ready today. We cleaned everything, and made decorations, and put up the sign\u2026\u201d Joe glanced up where the long strip of cloth still hung off the front of the house. Welcome home, Adam! it exclaimed. He and Hoss had worked on it for days.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTonight\u2019s disappointments be gone tomorrow. Go now, sleep. Father and brother be here tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe sighed, and then stood up reluctantly. \u201cGood night, Hop Sing,\u201d he said, and then went inside to his room to wash and change. Just as he was ready to climb into bed he paused. He quickly left his room and then went to the next one. He knew Adam\u2019s room was spotless, even though it was too dark to see. Hop Sing had cleaned it a week ago, and then Joe insisted on cleaning it again himself. And again. There wasn\u2019t one speck of dust anywhere. Joe closed the door behind him, and went to the bed, feeling around with his hand until he found the object he was looking for. He sat down, holding it. It was Adam\u2019s drawing set.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before Adam left, their father had purchased him a special technical set to take east with him, and he had left this one behind. He had given it to Joe to take care of for him until he returned. Now, Joe knew what had had been doing; but as a child, it was quite an important responsibility, and he took it very seriously. He made sure the tools were clean, and he kept the box in a special place in his room. He had left it for Adam today, and a small part of him really hoped that Adam remembered giving him the responsibility, and would praise him for doing it well. The rest of him knew that it wasn\u2019t something that even needed to be done to begin with; yet, he still craved that praise.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe sighed and put the set down on the nightstand, and then sank back onto the bed with his eyes closed. What would Adam be like now?<\/span><\/p>\n

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

A few hours later, Ben and his eldest son stumbled exhausted into the house. Neither of them had wanted to stop, being so close to home, so they had pushed on. Ben glanced at the clock. \u201cIt\u2019s almost one o\u2019clock. You\u2019d better go get some sleep. I\u2019m sure Joe will be waking you bright and early tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam chuckled, and Ben noted once again how much, and how little, his son had changed. \u201cI\u2019ll welcome that greeting. I can hardly wait to see them both.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben smiled and patted Adam on the arm. \u201cGood to have you home, son.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad to be home. Goodnight, Pa,\u201d he said, and then went upstairs quietly, after grabbing a lamp. He reached his room, and then paused as he entered. With a smile, he closed the door behind him and then set the lamp down. For a few minutes, he just stood next to his bed, looking down at his youngest brother. He was all arms and legs now it seemed, and his hair was a mess of thick curls, unlike the baby-fine locks they had been. He had thick curly lashes, and a small defined nose, and those ears! Well, he hadn\u2019t quite grown into them yet. Even so, he was becoming quite a handsome young man, Adam had to admit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally Adam shook his head, and moved to pick up his brother, but then paused. He didn\u2019t want to wake him. Carefully, Adam got changed, and then pulled a couple of blankets from the chest at the foot of his bed. He covered Joe up, and picked up the light and walked to the other side of the bed, where he got settled in. He looked once more to make sure Joe was still asleep, and then put out the lamp.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cAdam! Adam! Adam! Adam, you\u2019re here! You\u2019re here, Adam! Adam!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally Adam opened his eyes, to see his brother jumping excitedly up and down on the bed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re home! You\u2019re home! You\u2019re home! Adam!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam burst into laughter, and then swept Joe into his arms. \u201cI missed you, buddy!\u201d He felt his brother\u2019s arms wrap around tightly around him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI sure missed you,\u201d Joe whispered. After a few minutes he pulled away. \u201cWait til you see; we have so much to do today! We\u2019re going on a picnic at the lake, and we\u2019ll go see everything, we can go fishing, and tomorrow\u2019s your surprise party, and Hoss and I built a new corral in the back, and you have to see the horse I raised and she\u2019s a month away from having her foal, and\u2026and\u2026\u201d Finally Joe ran out of air and words, and Adam grinned at him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like fun.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe grinned back, and then stood up on the bed. \u201cWahoo!\u201d he shrieked, and then jumped off the bed and charged for the door. \u201cHoss! Hoss! He\u2019s here! He\u2019s here!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam watched him leave, laughing, and then sighed and got out of bed. He wasn\u2019t likely to get a full night\u2019s rest for a couple of days, he was sure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, come on, come on!\u201d Adam heard Joe coaxing impatiently, and after a few seconds, Hoss half stumbled into the room with Joe right behind him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d grinned Hoss, and stepped forward and gave him big bear hug. \u201cHow was your trip?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was fine. Glad to finally be home.\u201d Adam appraised his middle brother. He had grown too, since he left, and was now a bit taller than him, and definitely bigger.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben appeared in the doorway just then, rather ruffled, admonishing, \u201cBoys.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe and Hoss turned to him. \u201cSorry, Pa,\u201d they said in unison.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam laughed. Things hadn\u2019t changed that much.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cWhat was the east like, Adam?\u201d Joe asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam glanced over at Joe, and past him towards Hoss, who was looking interested as well. \u201cWell,\u201d he started, settling back against the rock he was leaning on. \u201cThere were lots of people, and buildings. They have paved streets, not just dirt roads.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do paved streets look like?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s like rock\u2026laid down in a path between the buildings. And there are gas lamps along it to light the way at night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWow\u2026\u201d breathed Joe. \u201cHow big are the buildings?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey are really big. So high, they have a lot of layers in them. Remember the drawings I was showing you, of some of the buildings I was reading about before I went?\u201d Joe nodded. \u201cJust like that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t imagine what they would look like in person,\u201d Joe said. \u201cThey must be amazing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey certainly are. I\u2019m sure soon you\u2019ll get to see some large buildings. More and more people are moving out this way, and pretty soon those people are going to want some of the things they were used to in the east.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI got one!\u201d Hoss yelled, pulling at his fishing line.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t lose him! Don\u2019t lose him! Easy now!\u201d Joe dropped his line, and leaned over Hoss, yelling encouragement in his ear.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, get off me, you\u2019re going to make me lose \u2018em!\u201d Hoss yelped.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWatch out! Watch out, he\u2019s gettin\u2019 away!\u201d Joe yelled, and reached out and pulled at Hoss\u2019 line.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I mean it!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe yanked the line out of the water, flinging the fish into the air and his brother into the lake. \u201cYa got him, Hoss!\u201d Joe yelled, oblivious to the fact that Hoss was now in the water under the branch he had been seated on. \u201cYa got him!\u201d he shouted happily and put the fish on the line with the others they had caught, and then looked back, finally noticing the empty branch. He looked at Adam. \u201cWhere\u2019d he go?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam let out a guffaw at his obvious confusion. There was a splash, and then their wet and rather angry looking middle brother scrambled out of the water. He started towards Joe, who moved towards Adam. \u201cSorry Hoss!\u201d Joe yelped, expecting Adam to protect him. Instead, he yelled in surprise as Adam caught his arms and held him in a bear hug.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want to do with this younger brother of ours?\u201d Adam asked, trying to keep from laughing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, this isn\u2019t right! Let go, Adam! I didn\u2019t mean it Hoss, honest!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss grinned. \u201cI think he wants to go for a swim too, seein\u2019 as how much I enjoyed it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo! No!\u201d screeched Joe, as his brothers grabbed his arms. \u201cIf I drown, Pa will tan ya both!\u201d he yelled. They tossed him in, and then Adam laughed along with Hoss, waiting for Joe to come back up. After a few seconds, the water was still only rippling from the original splash.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, he can swim, right?\u201d Adam asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss laughed. \u201cSure he can,\u201d he said, and then looked nervously into the water. \u201cI mean, we were both swimmin\u2019 just fine last summer\u2026he can swim\u2026\u201d he trailed off, all his confidence lost.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam quickly stripped off his shirt, and dove into the water, trying to look through the murky haze for his brother. The splash nearby told him that Hoss had joined him, and he swam, searching for a while before coming up for air. Hoss splashed to the surface just after him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam was about to go down again when the sound of laughter stopped him. Turning towards the edge of the lake, he saw Joe doubled over on the ground. \u201cJoseph!\u201d he roared. \u201cThat wasn\u2019t funny!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe stopped laughing for a full second, and then started giggling again, scrambling to his feet. \u201cSorry, older brother. Serves you right for throwing me in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. \u201cNot the same at all. I wasn\u2019t intending to kill you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but I got you wet,\u201d Joe replied, before collapsing in a fit of laughter again. Adam splashed water at him, and Joe, instead of leaping out of the way, moved forward and extended his hand for his brother. Adam sighed and accepted it, and then they pulled Hoss out of the water.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go home and get dried off before someone gets sick,\u201d Adam said, putting an arm around Joe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, you wouldn\u2019t want to be sick for your surprise party,\u201d Joe said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Hoss hissed, and Joe clamped a hand over his mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam chuckled. \u201cIt\u2019s all right, Joe. I think you\u2019ve mentioned it about three times so far.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, it was called \u2018surprise\u2019 for a reason!\u201d Hoss admonished.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, I didn\u2019t realize I was sayin\u2019 it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. \u201cIt\u2019s all right, I\u2019ll just pretend I didn\u2019t hear it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Joe said, and happily wrapped his arm around Adam as they walked back towards their horses, lines and fish in tow.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Joe glanced around carefully, tugging at the tie around his neck. Certain that no one was looking at him, he dipped the ladle into the punchbowl, and then poured the liquid into his glass. He dropped the ladle back into the bowl, and then turned quickly; right into Adam.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, little brother,\u201d Adam said, taking the drink out of his hand. \u201cAllow me return the favor by getting you a lemonade.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe rolled his eyes at him, and then took the glass he handed him with a sigh.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know you\u2019ve already had at least one glass of punch tonight,\u201d Adam said. \u201cAnd unless you want Pa to notice, this,\u201d he held up the glass he was holding, \u201cHad better have been your last dip in the punchbowl for the evening.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Joe sighed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben walked up to them just then, a young woman trailing him slightly. \u201cAdam, Joe,\u201d Ben greeted. \u201cAllow me to present Ms. Abigail Jones. This is my eldest son, Adam, and Joseph you already know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She giggled slightly as Adam took her hand, and Joe wrinkled his nose. \u201cA pleasure to meet you,\u201d Adam said, bowing slightly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI am so happy me meet you. Your father tells me you just arrived home from the university. It\u2019s so wonderful to meet a cultured and educated gentleman in these parts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe quickly stepped away. \u201cExcuse me, please,\u201d he said, and when the adults nodded, he hurried away to find Hoss. Finally locating him in the kitchen where he was sampling some of the desserts Hop Sing had prepared, Joe sank into a chair with a frustrated sigh. \u201cCan you believe her, Hoss? \u2018So happy to meet you\u2026such a cultured gentleman\u2026\u2019,\u201d he mimicked Abigail. \u201cIt\u2019s sickening. I bet she conned Pa into introducing her to Adam just so she could talk to him about that stupid school idea.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you\u2019re talking about Ms. Jones,\u201d Hoss responded. \u201cPa doesn\u2019t think the school idea is stupid.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut it is!\u201d Joe protested. \u201cI don\u2019t want to go to school!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBoys.\u201d Joe and Hoss turned to see Ben standing in the doorway. \u201cMaybe you two should leave the kitchen and help entertain our guests.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d they replied together, and then followed their father back into the main room.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That evening, after the last guest had left, Joe finally cornered Adam as he was wiping down the dining room table. \u201cI\u2019m not going to school,\u201d he said. \u201cI already know all I ever need to know to run the ranch. There\u2019s no need for me to learn any other nonsense about readin\u2019 and writin\u2019. I\u2019m good enough, and I\u2019m not going.\u201d It was a carefully rehearsed speech, and he was a little taken back when his brother laughed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, they don\u2019t even have a building yet, and already you refuse to go.\u201d Adam handed him two glasses.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe took them with a frown. \u201cShe wants to use the backroom in the mercantile until she builds a school.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, she\u2019s not going to build it. The men in this growing community of families are going to build it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere aren\u2019t enough children to go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s at least ten.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNine,\u201d Joe argued stubbornly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam turned to him with an exasperated sigh. \u201cJoe, do you think I\u2019d travel for weeks, move all the way across the country, and live there away from my family for years if I didn\u2019t think that education was important to the growth of society?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe thought for a moment. \u201cI don\u2019t matter that much to society.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam snorted and turned away from him. \u201cWhen you\u2019re helping run this ranch, you will.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI already know everything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, why don\u2019t we save this argument until there\u2019s actually a school to fight about going to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The opening of the school came very quickly. Ben was just as interested in starting the school as Adam, and with the two of them influencing the other leaders of the small but growing Carson City, plans for a schoolhouse were drawn up quickly. Books were ordered from San Francisco, and it was arranged to use a small room in back of the mercantile until the school building was constructed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe observed all this with a sinking heart. He tried several different tactics to delay the inevitable, but with both his brother and father pushing for the new school, he knew it was a hopeless battle before he even started to fight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The night before the first day of school, he lay awake in bed, trying to think of any other argument to get out of going. He\u2019d already tried convincing them he was too old, that he was needed much more around the ranch, that it wasn\u2019t fair because Hoss didn\u2019t have to go, and that he already knew everything he needed too. He grumpily rolled over. It wasn\u2019t fair.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There was a gentle knock on the door, and then it was opened. \u201cI know you\u2019re not asleep yet,\u201d Adam said. Joe rolled over and sighed. His brother walked across the room and sat down next to him. \u201cLook, I got these for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe sat up, and looked at the objects Adam was holding. A slate and pencil, a paper tablet, three books, and a pen and ink bottle. \u201cAdam\u2026\u201d he breathed. He leaned over and gave his brother a hug. \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll leave these here,\u201d Adam said, setting them on the table next to his bed. He turned back, and then smiled slightly at his brother. \u201cI\u2019m so proud of you, buddy. You know, you\u2019re getting something I always wanted growing up; the chance for a real education. I know you don\u2019t want to go, but you\u2019ll see\u2026you\u2019ll really like it, I know you will.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked down at his hands. \u201cBut I really don\u2019t want to go. I don\u2019t want to leave the ranch, and Pa, and Hoss\u2026or you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam put his hand on the side of Joe\u2019s face. \u201cHey, I know. I didn\u2019t want to leave either. But at least you\u2019ll get to come home every day, and you\u2019ll still see all of us when you get here.\u201d Joe forced himself to smile at his brother, and then Adam smacked him gently and said, \u201cGo on, get some rest. You don\u2019t want to fall asleep on the first day of school.\u201d He got up and left the room.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Ben looked up as Adam pulled the wagon to a stop in the yard. Adam set the brake, and then hopped down and started unhitching the team. Ben walked forward to help him. \u201cHow is our little scholar?\u201d Ben asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam laughed. \u201cYou\u2019d think he was being led to his death rather than a schoolroom.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWere there many children?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbout seven, I think. There weren\u2019t any older boys though.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben nodded. He and Adam had suspected that would happen, but didn\u2019t let on to Joe, knowing it would cause yet another argument. Most of the boys Joe\u2019s age were needed around their farms and ranches this time of year. Once most of the work was done they would be sent to school, but for now, Joe was likely to be the oldest boy there for a few months.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat exactly did you tell Abigail Jones about me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean, what did I tell her? I told her I had a son who valued education a great deal, and she seemed excited to present the school idea to you, to try to get it going. Why?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe seems to have some ideas, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbigail Jones?\u201d Ben said in surprise. \u201cI don\u2019t see why\u2026she doesn\u2019t even know that much about you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yes she does,\u201d Adam said. \u201cShe knows where I went to school, what I studied, how long I was there\u2026and my favorite meals,\u201d he finished almost in a mumble.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben tried to keep from laughing. \u201cHow did that come up in conversation?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe invited me to her house, to have dinner with her and her mother and discuss the school.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cCome on, Pa, it isn\u2019t funny. All she keeps talking about is how sophisticated I am, and how wonderful Boston must be\u2026do you know she\u2019s never been there? She was born in Iowa. She said it was her lifelong dream to visit Boston some day. And New York, and Philadelphia.\u201d Adam sighed as he pulled one of the horses away from the wagon and tied the lead rope to a rail. \u201cI just want to know who told her everything about me.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think that was Joe\u2019s doin\u2019.\u201d Ben and Hoss looked towards Hoss, who had joined them. \u201cHe talked about you to anyone who would listen the last month or so. Ms. Jones listened a lot.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWonderful,\u201d Adam muttered.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think he intended anything,\u201d Hoss said quickly. \u201cHe was just so excited that you were coming back home, well\u2026I guess he said a lot. He made you out to be quite a hero.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam looked down intently at the buckle he was trying to undo as his anger quickly faded. He knew Joe had been excited to see him, but he hadn\u2019t realized just how much.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright!\u201d They all looked up to see one of their hands quickly riding towards them. He came to a stop. \u201cWe\u2019re gonna need some help\u2026there\u2019s about six cattle and two little ones stuck in a mud patch. We can\u2019t get near \u2018em.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben, Adam, and Hoss quickly went into the barn, saddling their horses and grabbing ropes and axes, in case they needed to cut a few branches. Within a few minutes they were ready, and followed the man back to where the animals were trapped.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Joe sighed and stood up. He\u2019d been waiting almost a half hour for someone to come get him. All he had been looking forward to all day was seeing Adam outside, waiting with the wagon; but the street was still empty.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

School had been long and difficult. They had done reading and writing in the morning, and then after lunch it was arithmetic, spelling, and history. All through the day, she had corrected them when they used improper language, made too much noise, or even spoke without raising a hand first. It was hard to remember all that, and then with the added difficulty of learning new things, and having no one his age to talk to\u2026it had turned into a rough day.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

He turned and looked back as Miss Jones walked out of the mercantile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is your brother?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He glanced back down the street. \u201cI dunno, maybe somethin\u2019 held him up on the ranch. Ma\u2019am.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI see. Would you like me to wait with you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shook his head, trying not to appear to be too against the idea. \u201cNo, ma\u2019am, there\u2019s no need, really. He\u2019ll be here soon, I\u2019m sure.\u201d Joe looked down the street again, and to his relief saw the familiar wagon coming closer. \u201cThere he is,\u201d he said, picking his books up and moving closer to the street.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the wagon drew closer, Joe was slightly disappointed to see Hoss driving. \u201cSorry I\u2019m late, Joe. Some critters got stuck in a mud hole, and me and Pa and Adam spent all day gettin\u2019 them out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Hoss.\u201d Joe climbed onto the wagon next to his brother. \u201cGoodbye, Miss Jones,\u201d he called.<\/span><\/p>\n

As soon as they were away, Hoss let out a laugh he had obviously been holding back.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it? What\u2019s so funny?\u201d Joe asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou and Miss Jones,\u201d Hoss chortled. \u201cThe two of you had practically the same face when you saw it was me drivin\u2019 and not Adam.\u201d He started laughing again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not funny!\u201d Joe snapped. \u201cShe had no right to be disappointed that he didn\u2019t come. I\u2019ve been waitin\u2019 all day. Where is he, Hoss?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBack home, of course.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When Hoss didn\u2019t say anything else, Joe tried again. \u201cHoss\u2026why didn\u2019t Adam come and get me? He said he would!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026it was on account of Miss Jones\u2026she said somethin\u2019 to him this mornin\u2019, I\u2019m not sure what, but I know he didn\u2019t want to see her again today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cI already told you, I don\u2019t know. And he was mighty upset that she knew so much about him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you talkin\u2019 about?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll that talkin\u2019 you did with Miss Jones\u2026tellin\u2019 her all about him. You better not do that anymore, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d Joe was quiet for a few moments. He hadn\u2019t realized the effects his talking had. \u201cWell, at least there\u2019s nothin\u2019 left to tell her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss let out a guffaw, and urged the horses a little faster. They were almost home.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Joe dropped his head to the table with a sigh. They were just meaningless numbers staring at him. He knew how to add and subtract, but this whole multiplication thing was confusing. Miss Jones had explained it to the children a couple of different ways, and all of the others seemed to understand. That frustrated him the most. He picked his head back up, and then looked at the paper again. She had given them two assignments for arithmetic\u2026to solve 20 problems and to write out the multiplication table three times.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you working on?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked up at Adam, glad for his company. \u201cMultiplication,\u201d he replied. \u201cCould you help me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCertainly,\u201d Adam said as he pulled a chair next to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI already wrote out the multiplication table, but it\u2019s not really helping.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHmm\u2026\u201d Adam looked at the paper with Joe\u2019s solutions written. \u201cYes, that certainly\u2026isn\u2019t right.\u201d He glanced up. \u201cSorry,\u201d he said in response to the glare Joe gave him. \u201cWell, it isn\u2019t that hard to figure it out. The difficult thing is remembering the rules\u2026here\u2026\u201d Adam took his slate and pencil, and wrote down the problem. \u201cNow, you just use the table to help solve it. You have 125 multiplied by 21\u2026is she really starting you off with problems this hard?\u201d Joe nodded. \u201cWell, never mind, once you get the principle\u2026here, you start on the right, and look at your table\u2026what\u2019s 1 times 5?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c5,\u201d Joe replied.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood, so you put 5 underneath the line I just drew, and now move onto the next number\u2026\u201d Adam finished the problem, talking it out as he went, and when he finished, Joe had a little more understanding of the process, even though he didn\u2019t quite understand the reason. Adam talked him through the next two, and then let him solve the remaining ones on his own, only speaking up when Joe got confused. \u201cVery good\u2026pretty soon you\u2019ll be on to division.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe sighed. \u201cI don\u2019t want to be on to division.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam only smiled and clapped him warmly on the shoulder, and then glanced over at the clock. \u201cDo you have anything else?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo. She only wanted us to work on the arithmetic and write out a paragraph from the Bible, which I already finished.\u201d Joe opened his paper tablet and showed him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell done. Very neat writing,\u201d Adam praised. \u201cNow you better get to bed. I\u2019m taking you to school tomorrow.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe grinned, and then stood up and gathered his books. He was really happy to receive Adam\u2019s praise, and now he would get to spend time with him tomorrow morning as well. School might turn out better than he thought.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cAdam, please promise.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlease?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if something comes up at the ranch?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss and Pa can handle it. Someone has to come get me, why not you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam chuckled. \u201cWe could just leave you there. You could spend the time brushing up on your reading.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not funny. My reading is really good. Miss Jones made us all read in class yesterday, and I did better than everyone except Jane Kelso, and Agnes and Martha Seton.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It must have been the way Joe said their names that prompted Adam to ask, \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with them?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe sighed grumpily. \u201cJane and Martha are younger than me.\u201d Adam was about to answer, when Joe continued, \u201cAnd they\u2019ve been to school already where they lived before.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I was just about to say that they\u2019ve been to school before. As long as you, Joseph Cartwright, are improving, that\u2019s all that really matters. If you compare yourself to everyone else, there will always be someone better.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Adam. Are you coming to get me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam laughed and pulled the wagon to a stop.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Mr. Cartwright!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe hopped off the wagon as Abigail stepped outside the mercantile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning to you, Miss Jones,\u201d Adam said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, I know you said you weren\u2019t available for dinner this evening, but I do have a surprise for you when you come back this afternoon!\u201d Abigail twittered, all smiles.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe watched as his brother\u2019s face reddened. \u201cActually, um\u2026ma\u2019am, I won\u2019t be back to pick him up this afternoon. I\u2019ll be busy all afternoon and tonight. I am sorry,\u201d Adam said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe stared at him, but Adam didn\u2019t look his way. Joe barely heard the rest of the conversation, and then Adam pulled away from the building. He didn\u2019t look back. Joe turned, feeling his forehead tighten in anger. How could he? How could he let a silly woman come between them?<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe sank onto the bench, and stared at the floor. Miss Jones started the first lesson, and he didn\u2019t hear her when she called his name. He didn\u2019t even realize that she had spoken until she was standing directly in front of him. \u201cJoseph.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked up at her. \u201cYes, ma\u2019am\u2026?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you paying attention? What did I just ask you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe glared at the girls on the other bench, who had started to giggle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d Miss Jones said loudly, and Joe looked up at her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry ma\u2019am, I wasn\u2019t paying attention,\u201d Joe answered. He saw the disappointment come over her face, but he couldn\u2019t feel bad about it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, please try to pay attention for the rest of the day, Joseph. Now, I asked you about the history chapter we read yesterday. What was Columbus looking for when he first set sail?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

All Joe could think about was the unfairness of it. She was coming between him and his brother. Adam was his brother, and he had known him longer, and missed him longer than she had even known he existed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

Miss Jones was silent for a few moments, and then she picked up a history text from her desk and opened it to the chapter they had read yesterday. \u201cI want you to reread the chapter, and to write out the answers to the questions that are at the bottom of each page.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2019am,\u201d Joe answered quietly, and pulled out his paper tablet. He worked as slowly as he could, which wasn\u2019t that difficult; his hand was sore from writing so much yesterday. By the time they stopped for lunch, he was only halfway done with the chapter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe picked up his lunch pail and went outside. He sat on the steps of the mercantile, well away from the girls who were talking and giggling. There were only two other boys, and they were brothers who were 6 and 7. They weren\u2019t in class today. Joe sighed as he slowly ate his sandwich. He should really be at home too. He used to be useful around the ranch. But now that Adam had come home, it was as though Pa didn\u2019t need him anymore.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The five girls stood up and stood in a circle, and then began to play a game. Joe had never seen it before, and it looked sort of silly. He stood up and walked down the street. He had a few minutes until lessons started again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He wandered down the street, looking around at all the rudely fashioned tents and buildings. There was a spot near the end of the little cluster where the school was being built. Some men were working on it now. Joe knew that his father had supplied a lot of the wood for the building, and other men were doing their part by doing the labor. He stood and watched them work for a couple minutes. They were still working on the framework, but it looked like it was almost done and soon the walls and roof would go up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe turned and continued down the street, and then when he passed the last house, he turned and walked back. When he reached the mercantile, his heart seemed to stop. The girls were gone, no longer playing in the clearing. \u201cOh no, I wasn\u2019t gone that long,\u201d he whispered, and then hurried towards the building, rushing inside and into the back room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Miss Jones was standing at the front of the room, and when Joe came in she stopped writing on the board and looked at him. \u201cJoseph, where were you?\u201d she asked sternly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, ma\u2019am, I went for a walk and I didn\u2019t realize I walked so long.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She didn\u2019t seem placated. \u201cTake your seat and finish the history chapter,\u201d she said, and then waited until Joe was seated before continuing her lesson.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe stared at the page with his head down to hide the angry look on his face. This just wasn\u2019t fair\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cHoss!\u201d Joe exclaimed as soon as he saw his brother in the store. He didn\u2019t realize his brother had been talking to someone until he got closer. Hoss reached out and put his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder as he finished his conversation, and then when he was done looked down at his brother. \u201cHow was school?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t answer, but instead tried to tell the whole story with his expression. He knew his brother understood when Hoss nodded and sighed sympathetically. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, little brother. Hop Sing\u2019s made a mighty fine dinner.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Hoss, I wonder if you might do me a favor?\u201d Abigail asked, walking out of the back room. \u201cCould you please take this to Adam? I know he was too busy to come back and get Joseph this afternoon, but I wanted to make sure he got it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes ma\u2019am,\u201d Hoss said, and took the plate from her, lifting the corner of the cloth that was over the top. \u201cWell, dang but does that look like the best tastin\u2019 pie I ever did see.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy thank you, Hoss,\u201d Miss Jones said, smiling modestly. \u201cPlease let me know how he enjoys it.\u201d She smiled and walked away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss was shaking his head, and Joe grabbed his arm and tugged him towards the door. \u201cLet\u2019s GO,\u201d he said, and Hoss laughed and followed him out. Joe jumped up on the wagon seat, and then frowned as Hoss got up next to him and handed him the pie. \u201cI don\u2019t want to hold it, Hoss.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I gotta drive,\u201d he responded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet me drive,\u201d Joe said, pushing the pie at his brother.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss sighed and handed him the reins. \u201cYou know Pa don\u2019t want you to drive for a little while longer, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou told me yourself, he let you drive when you were nine, and Adam too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know, I know\u2026\u201d Hoss took the pie. \u201cDon\u2019t tell him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI never do,\u201d Joe grinned at him, and then urged the horses on. After a few seconds, he said, \u201cI bet it tastes awful.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s Adam\u2019s pie, we\u2019ll have to see what he thinks about it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked with curiosity at the grin on Hoss\u2019s face. \u201cHoss? What\u2019s so funny?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss laughed. \u201cYou\u2019ll see,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cIt\u2019s not funny!\u201d Adam roared, but Hoss did nothing to contain his guffaws.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe was laughing too, but it was mostly at Hoss\u2019s reaction to Adam\u2019s outrage. He didn\u2019t understand just what his brother was so upset about.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Adam, Abigail Jones\u2026is\u2026well\u2026\u201d Ben trailed off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs what Pa? Ridiculous? I don\u2019t know where she got all these crazy notions, but I\u2019d just as soon she get them out of her head, even if I have to avoid going into town for a month!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe stopped laughing. \u201cAdam, no!\u201d he protested, shocked and disappointed that his brother would even think such a thing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe we even ought to take Joe out- never mind, I don\u2019t mean that.\u201d He turned to Joe, who had begun to have hope. \u201cEducation is more important than that. But I think Hoss might have to take you to school for awhile.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe angrily stood up. \u201cFine!\u201d he snapped at Adam. \u201cSee if I care!\u201d He turned and tore up the stairs, slamming his door but instantly regretting it. Ben was strict about things like that. Joe waited awhile, but there was no sound of anyone coming. After a few minutes he just got undressed, and pulled on his nightshirt. He wasn\u2019t really hungry anyway, and right now he was too angry to face the rest of his family. Within a half hour, he was asleep.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, he didn\u2019t even hear when Ben came into his room right before dinner, to talk to him and bring him down. His father just shook his head slightly and then tucked him in.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Joe sighed and shifted his weight again. He heard the children behind him finishing their work, and because it was Friday, as soon as they were done she was letting them leave. Joe had informed Hoss of this policy when he dropped him off this morning, and so he was hoping his brother was here soon. He had been standing in the corner at the front of the room for most of the afternoon, after refusing to do his work. When he told her he didn\u2019t want to do the problems, she didn\u2019t really have anything to say, and then sent him to the front.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe sighed. It was worth it if it meant he would never have to come back. He was hoping she got frustrated enough that she\u2019d either leave Adam alone, or ask that he stay out of school. Either one would be fine with him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe listened as another child left.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Joe turned back to the room. It was empty. He walked to the front of Miss Jones\u2019s desk. \u201cI am very disappointed in you,\u201d she said. \u201cYou\u2019re older than most of the other children, you need to set an example for the younger ones. I know how much your father and brother wanted you to come, and now I have to ask, why are you doing this? Do you have anything at all to say for yourself?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cNo, ma\u2019am,\u201d he said quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll need to speak to your father about this. I\u2019m going to write a note, and I wish to see him by Monday. If he\u2019s not able to come into town, I\u2019ll even make a trip to the ranch.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe cringed as she started to write the note. Adam would certainly be angry with him if that happened.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe froze at the sound of his father\u2019s voice, and then closed his eyes and dropped his head down.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright,\u201d Abigail said, standing up. \u201cI was just writing you a note\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe winced. It wasn\u2019t a good \u2018Oh\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder, if you have some time now, I need to speak with you about Joseph.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCertainly,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cJoseph, go wait outside.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe picked up his books and turned and walked past his father. He couldn\u2019t bear to look up at him. Outside, he climbed onto the wagon, and then sank against the seat with a sigh. He was in trouble. This was going to have the opposite effect he intended, he was sure.<\/span><\/p>\n

After about 15 minutes, Joe watched as his father walked out of the mercantile. He didn\u2019t look at all happy, and he said nothing as he climbed onto the wagon and unlocked the brake. \u201cHyaa,\u201d he urged the horses on, and Joe tried to distract himself from the feeling of doom by watching the landscape.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When they pulled into the yard, Joe got down and started to help unhitch the team. \u201cGo to the barn, and check on your horse. She foaled today,\u201d Ben said. Joe stopped, staring at him, and then almost ran towards the barn.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben watched him go, and then turned to the wagon with a sigh. \u201cAdam,\u201d he called.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Pa?\u201d Adam said and walked to him, where he started to help unhitch the team.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour brother refused to do his work in school today. Do you have any ideas why he might do that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam let out a sigh and thought for a moment. \u201cDo you think he\u2019s trying to get kicked out of school?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cI think it\u2019s a good possibility. Can you think of any reason why?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t want to go to begin with, even before this thing with Abigail Jones,\u201d Adam replied, rather defensively.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, he\u2019s in the middle of this. It\u2019s not fair to him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m not taking him to school anymore.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s hardly the solution, Adam. I\u2019m going to talk to him, and I\u2019m going to tell him he\u2019d better not get in trouble at school again. I\u2019m also telling him that you\u2019re taking him to school tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa-\u201c Adam protested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, it\u2019s real important to Joe,\u201d Hoss spoke up, quietly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam glanced down. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I guess I didn\u2019t think about Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Adam. And I know it\u2019s difficult. You\u2019ve been on your own for the past few years, you\u2019ve hardly had to think about anyone else. But Joe has grown up a lot, and you need to realize it,\u201d Ben said, and then went to talk to Joe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe missed you, Adam,\u201d Hoss said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam couldn\u2019t reply. He knew all they had said was true.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Ben walked into the barn and towards the mare and her new colt. As he got closer, he saw a small figure huddled in the stall with her.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy had obviously been crying, and he had a scowl on his face. Ben sat down next to him, and Joe turned and leaned against his chest. Ben wrapped his arms around his son.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was supposed to be here,\u201d Joe said quietly. \u201cHow come no one came and got me from school when she started to deliver? She was mine, Pa. I wanted to do this, from start to finish. I\u2026worked so hard. It\u2019s not fair.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cI know, Joe. But she delivered quite quickly. By the time we would have gone out to get you and came back, the colt would have been born.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe sank against Ben. \u201cI know,\u201d he whispered. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m not going back. I miss out on too much here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben waited a few seconds before asking, \u201cYou\u2019re not just talking about the colt, now, are you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. He started to say something a couple times, but then just sighed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou miss your brother a lot, I\u2019m sure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe just got back, Pa! And now I never get to see him. He never even takes me to school anymore; not ever since Ms. Jones started chasing him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbigail Jones is not chasing your brother,\u201d Ben said firmly. \u201cWho told you that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shrugged. \u201cI heard a couple of the women in the mercantile saying it. They didn\u2019t know I heard them, I think.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure,\u201d Ben responded with a sigh. Joe probably didn\u2019t even know what it meant. \u201cJoe,\u201d he said, changing the subject. \u201cI certainly want you to go back to school. There is a lot to learn yet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut I don\u2019t need it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou certainly do. Suppose you took 450 head of cattle to sell, and you knew they went for, lets say, four dollars a head. Now suppose the man buying gave you one thousand four hundred dollars for them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe let out a whistle. \u201cThat\u2019s a lot.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but one thousand eight hundred dollars was what you were supposed to get.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe was quiet for a while. \u201cOh,\u201d he finally responded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot to mention contracts. There are a lot more settlers moving this way, and buildings and mines being built. A contract protects you. You need to learn how to read well, and how to understand words you don\u2019t know. You never sign a contract without understanding everything in it, son, and the schooling will help you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally Joe nodded. \u201cYes, Pa,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, I don\u2019t want to get any more notes or anything like that about you from Miss Jones. You\u2019re to behave well in school, just as though I was there. As for Adam, he\u2019s going to be taking you into school tomorrow. Why don\u2019t you go inside and start working on your schoolwork, and I want to check it before dinner.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked up at him. \u201cPa, please don\u2019t tell Adam about what happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Joe looked away, and then finally said, \u201cI don\u2019t want him to be disappointed in me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben smiled slightly. \u201cHe\u2019s not, son.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

“Hey, Joe?” Adam asked at breakfast.<\/span><\/p>\n

“What is it, Adam?” Joe replied, but he knew what the question was going to be.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Well, you know I’m going to meet with some mining companies today. I was wondering if it would be all right if Hoss takes you to school this morning, so I could get a early start for my trip. If it’s not, that’s okay, but I just thought I’d ask and see what you think.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked at Ben, who didn’t give any indication of what he was thinking. He looked at Hoss, who gave him a slight wink and a nod. “Sure, Adam,” he said, finally. “When will you be home?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“I’ll still be able to pick you up from school, but this way I’ll have a little more time to discuss the contract.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe smiled. “Good,” he said, and then dropped his fork next to his plate. “I’ll go get the wagon ready, Hoss.” He got up and ran out the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

When he left, Adam glanced over at Ben, who caught his eye and nodded. He turned back to his breakfast. It wasn’t that he needed permission from Ben for his request, but he just wanted to make sure he had approached it correctly and that Joe wasn’t secretly upset with him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

“Hoss? What do you think we could do to get Miss Jones to leave Adam alone?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“What do you mean, Joe?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“You know what I mean. There’s got to be something we can do.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“That’s Adam’s problem, and I’m gonna let him deal with it.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Please Hoss?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Well…” As much as Hoss just wanted to stay out of it, he knew that Joe wasn’t likely to give up anytime soon, nor would Adam stop dreading the daily rides into town. “Well, I do have an idea…”<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Joe was waiting when Adam pulled up outside the mercantile. “Hi, older brother!” he greeted him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam laughed. “Well, hello, younger brother. How was school?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Good and bad. We have to memorize the times-table.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“I see…what was the bad part?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Adam!” Joe punched his arm as his brother started laughing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Oh Adam!”<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked behind him with surprise at Miss Jones. He thought his and Hoss’s plan had worked.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Good afternoon, Miss Jones,” Adam replied.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Her eyes were teary, and she held her hands clasped in front of her. “Oh, Adam, Joseph told me all about it. And I just wanted to say, an unrequited love is the heart’s deepest sorrow. I was thinking perhaps you would care to join me on a picnic this Saturday? I would love to listen, if you’d like to talk about it.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe stared at her, his mouth slightly open. Adam had a similar expression. “I’ll let you know,” Adam choked, and then urged the horses quickly away from the store. As soon as they were away from the town, he pulled the wagon to a stop. “Joseph, what did you do?” he almost shouted.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe flinched. “It wasn’t all me! Hoss came up with the story, and I just told it to her!”<\/span><\/p>\n

“What story?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“I didn’t mean it, Adam! I thought it would help!”<\/span><\/p>\n

“What story, Joseph?”<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe was almost in tears. “We…Hoss and I thought if we told her that you were in love with someone else, she’d leave you alone.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“And? Is that all?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Well, I mean I told her that you had a girl you were courting in the east, but when you moved back she didn’t want to come, and so you had to leave without her.” Joe watched as Adam closed his eyes and leaned back in his seat. “What is it?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Joe…” Adam finally said, exasperated. “Don’t you know anything about romance?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“I’m nine,” Joe replied, in a small voice. What had he done wrong?<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam just shook his head, and then opened his eyes and urged the horses on. They got home, and Hoss was standing outside, smiling. “Hiya, Joe, Adam! How was school…” He trailed off, seeing the look on Adam’s face.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam jumped off the wagon, and then pulled Joe down and took hold of his arm, marching him towards the house. “Hoss, inside,” he barked as he strode past.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Pa!” Adam shouted once he was inside, and then seeing Ben seated at his desk, dragged Joe with him to it. “Pa, do you know what your son did?”<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe squirmed, trying to get out of Adam’s hand. “You’re hurting me, Adam…” His brother released him, and Joe rubbed his arm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did he do?\u201d Ben asked, looking from Joe to Adam, and then to Hoss.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam glared at Joe and Hoss, and then explained to his father what they had done. Ben managed to keep a straight face. \u201cI see,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat do you have to say for yourself, Joseph?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, I was only trying to help,\u201d Joe whispered. \u201cI started it, by telling her all those stories about how wonderful Adam was, and I was just trying to get her to not like him as much.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben nodded and stood up. \u201cTelling stories that are lies isn\u2019t going to help, son,\u201d he said walking around to the front of the desk where he leaned against the edge. \u201cAnd Hoss, I\u2019m surprised at you, putting these ideas in his head.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry Pa,\u201d Hoss said quietly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben sighed. He knew he could easily sit down with them individually, tell them what they did wrong and how to make it right, but they wouldn\u2019t learn how to get along that way. Hoss was fine; he had been older when Adam left for school, and they still had pretty much the same relationship. Joe had just been a child though. He hardly remembered his older brother as a person; the entire time he was gone, he did nothing but talk about how wonderful Adam was. He failed to see his failings and mistakes, shortcomings and stubbornness. Adam, too, seemed to not know what to make of his older younger brother. Just a few years makes a large difference in a child that young, how he reacts to the world around him, and what he thinks about his place in it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll not discuss it anymore today,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben gave him the best stern look he could muster. \u201cThat\u2019s enough, Adam. Your brother didn\u2019t intend to do anything wrong.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, he didn\u2019t mean to do anything wrong, but he hasn\u2019t done anything right!\u201d Adam missed the intense hurt look that came over Joe\u2019s face as he turned to him. \u201cYou caused this whole mess. What do you suggest doing to get out of it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe thought for a moment, and then looked up at him. \u201cI could tell her that you really are a horrible person, that I made up everything nice that I said about you, that\u2026that\u2026\u201d Joe struggled to find the right words. \u201cThat you\u2019re a mean, stuck-up, and selfish\u2026hussy, that you don\u2019t care about anyone else and you\u2019re so stupid you can\u2019t tell a skunk from a house cat!\u201d Joe turned and started to run out of the room, but Adam grabbed him, stopping him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere in the world did you get \u2018hussy\u2019?\u201d Adam asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe turned, puzzled, as Ben and Hoss burst into laughter. \u201cWell, Hoss told me it meant someone who wasn\u2019t a nice person.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben reached forward and ruffled his son\u2019s hair. \u201cIt usually implies a woman, Joe, not a man. And it\u2019s not a word I want to hear you say.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Ben stood up, and Joe watched as he and Hoss left. He wondered where they were going, but then when Adam didn\u2019t let go of him, knew it was so the two of them could talk. Adam left his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder, and led him behind the desk where he pushed him gently into Ben\u2019s chair. He knelt down in front of him, and Joe was glad. He felt really small with Adam standing over him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026\u201d Adam shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t even know what to say.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Adam, that I caused all this trouble for you,\u201d Joe said quietly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m sorry. I\u2019m sorry that the only time we\u2019ve spent together has been on the wagon on the way to school.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked down, and traced over the patch on his pants with his finger. \u201cI just missed you, Adam.\u201d He looked up. \u201cCan\u2019t to talk Pa into letting me stay out of school?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. \u201cNo, I\u2019m not going to do that.\u201d He paused for a moment. \u201cJoe\u2026I know you missed me, and I missed you too. But\u2026it can\u2019t ever go back to the way it was before I left. We\u2019ve both changed. It will never be that way again.\u201d When Joe started to cry, Adam quickly swept him up. \u201cNo, no, no\u2026\u201d he said. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean we wouldn\u2019t be close like we used to. I meant that things change. I\u2019ve been gone for a few years, Joe. Things have changed during that time, but not the way I feel about you, buddy. That\u2019s always been the same.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe pulled away from him a little, so he could see his face. \u201cAdam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam smiled slightly, and ran his hand over Joe\u2019s face, wiping the tears away. \u201cI love you, little brother. That will never change.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe smiled and hugged him. \u201cLove you too, Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTell you what,\u201d Adam said as Joe pulled away. \u201cLet\u2019s go shooting tomorrow, just you and me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe grinned. \u201cThat would be great, Adam,\u201d he exclaimed. \u201cAnd you know, I think I know what you can say to Miss Jones.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam stood up, putting Joe down. \u201cI\u2019m not sure if I want to hear this, but go ahead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe smiled up at him, bright and helpful. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you just tell her she smells? That really works to keep girls away.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam managed a straight face for a few seconds, but then the image of him telling Miss Jones that she smelled became too much, and he burst into laughter. \u201cHow about you just let me worry about that, Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Joe smiled at him.<\/span><\/p>\n

***THE END***<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
Disclaimer:<\/span>\u00a0All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

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

Summary: \u00a0A prequel. Little Joe has been excitedly awaiting the arrival home of Adam from college, but he hasn’t considered how different things will be now. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0K+ (5,690 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":92,"featured_media":14921,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,1007,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3101","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-joe-cartwright","category-prequels","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1007-id","wpcat-30-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2369,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/stage-coach.jpg?fit=285%2C177&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13630,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13630","url_meta":{"origin":3101,"position":0},"title":"A Cry for Freedom (by JennieA)","author":"JennieA","date":"January 7, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 It started with Ben giving Little Joe more responsibility for the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Little did the family realize the course Ben was setting in motion. Rating:\u00a0 R\u00a0 (65,725 words) Due to subject matter contained in this series, the stories are only available via e:mail from the author -- ryjennie@comcast.net","rel":"","context":"In "Action\/Adventure"","block_context":{"text":"Action\/Adventure","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/4Cs.jpg?fit=400%2C401&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12147,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12147","url_meta":{"origin":3101,"position":1},"title":"He Said Not To Tell (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"May 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"The author requests those who wish to read this series contact her via eMail: DLB1234@aol.com","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\/11\/1-joe.jpg?fit=238%2C226&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12120,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12120","url_meta":{"origin":3101,"position":2},"title":"Blundered Seduction (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"December 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Caught with his pants down and in a compromising situation by the one person he'd least likely want to find him as such, Joe learns three valuable lessons; no one ever died of embarrassment, chose your friends carefully, and being 16 and still a virgin is nothing to be\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":13631,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13631","url_meta":{"origin":3101,"position":3},"title":"Freedom from Fear (by JennieA)","author":"JennieA","date":"January 14, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 The aftermath of Joe's kidnapping and subsequent rescue. Rating:\u00a0 R\u00a0 (33,760) Due to the subject matter contained in this series, the stories are only available via e:mail from the author -- ryjennie@comcast.net","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\/2015\/09\/4Cs.jpg?fit=400%2C401&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2979,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2979","url_meta":{"origin":3101,"position":4},"title":"Captain Joe (by frasrgrl)","author":"frasrgrl","date":"November 24, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 \u00a0This story is in response to November's Chaps and Spurs Challenge. Joe on the high seas.\u00a0 Word Count: 546\u00a0\u00a0Rated: K","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ponderosa-lj.jpg?fit=640%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ponderosa-lj.jpg?fit=640%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ponderosa-lj.jpg?fit=640%2C475&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7307,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7307","url_meta":{"origin":3101,"position":5},"title":"Home Alone (by Sibylle)","author":"Sibylle","date":"May 7, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0\u00a0Hoss and Joe\u00a0alone at home. 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