{"id":3113,"date":"2011-04-21T23:04:51","date_gmt":"2011-04-22T03:04:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3113"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:23:29","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:23:29","slug":"of-hounds-and-harlots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3113","title":{"rendered":"Of Hounds and Harlots (by Fozrulz)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span>This is my second story with Ellie.\u00a0 Christmas time brings a hard lesson for Ellie and Joe. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rated:<\/span>\u00a0K+\u00a0 (7,805 words)
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Of Hounds and Harlots<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Ellie and Joe<\/strong> were sitting in his room discussing the Christmas holiday. This was Ellie\u2019s first Christmas holiday from school. She had a private tutor her first year and now was in the same school with Joe. She didn\u2019t talk funny anymore with the help of Mrs. Wilson. Mrs. Wilson taught her the sounds she had trouble with. She still couldn\u2019t hear very well out her left ear, but Ms. Jones was very kind and made sure that Ellie heard every word. She loved school. She was very smart and was ahead of all the other children her age. She was going to miss seeing her best friend, Marybeth, everyday, but she looked forward to staying home with her family. She missed getting to tag along with Adam or Hoss or Papa on the ranch. The ranch was her favorite place in the whole world. Today was the last day for school before Christmas.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on Sissy,\u201d let\u2019s get moving. The sooner we get to school, the sooner we get it over with. Then Christmas vacation, here we come.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The children raced down the stairs to the breakfast table. \u201cGood morning,\u201d they greeted Pa, Adam and Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa raised his eyebrows, \u201cI have told you two a number of times, stop running down the stairs\u201d, he admonished with a smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Pa.\u201d said Joe hastily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Papa,\u201d said Ellie.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie and Joe wanted to go to the mercantile after school to do a little Christmas shopping. They had both been saving their money for weeks, so they could buy presents for their father and brothers. They had decided to put their money together so they could get better presents for everyone. But, they knew that Pa always wanted them to come straight home after school. Pa had finally consented to let Joe take Ellie to school by himself, but he said they didn\u2019t have someone to watch them in Virginia City and therefore, needed to come straight home every day, no exceptions. Joe and Ellie had discussed the desire to go to the mercantile. They reasoned that if Ellie asked, Pa would be more likely to say, \u201cYes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUmmmm, \u2026..Papa?\u201d Ellie asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUmmmm\u2026.\u201d she looked at her plate. She was a little scared, she didn\u2019t want to get in trouble for asking.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEllie, what is it?\u201d Pa asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, being that it\u2019s the last day of school, and it may be awhile\u2026..\u201d she hesitated.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa looked at her and rolled his eyes toward the ceiling. Uh oh, Ellie thought he is doing that praying for devine intervention thing again. \u201cOut with it Ellie, what?\u201d he sighed slightly perturbed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMay we go to the mercantile after school to do some Christmas shopping?\u201d the words rushed out in a blur.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Pa, please?\u201d pleaded Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know that you two need to have me or Adam or Hoss with you to be able to be in town.\u201d Pa was shaking his head no.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss saw the disappointment in the children\u2019s faces. \u201cYou know, Pa, I was needin to go into town to pick up supplies for Hop Sing, I can just do it this afternoon.\u201d He flashed the children a toothy smile. Ellie and Joe looked at their big brother with grateful glances. \u201cPa, I can just meet them youngins\u2019 at Callahan\u2019s after school. I\u2019ll be there anyhow getting supplies.\u201d Ellie and Joe shot hopeful glances toward Pa.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t see the harm, then. Don\u2019t be causing Mr. Callahan any trouble.\u201d Pa smiled indulgently at his two youngest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks Papa! I\u2019ll be good I promise.\u201d Ellie gave her Papa a big hug.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa.\u201d came from Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cSir?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid you forget something?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked bewildered. \u201cSir?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI want your promise that you won\u2019t get into any trouble and you will obey Hoss. You make sure, Ellie stays out from underfoot. Understood?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d he sighed. Why did everyone always assume he was going to get in trouble?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOk, you two are excused. Best be getting you off to school.\u201d said Pa.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe went to get the horses saddled. Adam was buttoning Ellie into her coat, hat and gloves. Adam took her outside and put her on her pony, Windy. \u201cBye princess, give me a kiss to last the whole day.\u201d She gave Adam a big kiss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBye Adam,\u201d the children sang as they trotted off toward school.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you think Papa will let me have a puppy for Christmas?\u201d asked Ellie.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe knew that Pa had already picked out a puppy over at Mr. Atkins place. But, he wasn\u2019t going to let on. \u201cGee, Sissy, I don\u2019t know. You know how Pa hates critters in the house.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She looked so sad. Joe almost burst out laughing. \u201cBut, he could sleep out in the barn with Windy. Couldn\u2019t he?\u201d she asked plaintively.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe got a serious look on his face. \u201cDon\u2019t know Sissy, I guess you\u2019ll have to wait and see.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I guess, I\u2019ll just have to wait.\u201d she said dejectedly. Joe smiled to himself, she sure was going to be surprised.<\/span><\/p>\n

By that time, Joe and Ellie had arrived at school. Joe pulled Ellie off of Windy and went and stabled Windy and his pony, Blackie.<\/span><\/p>\n

All day long, Ellie and Joe watched that clock. The minutes seem to drag on. They couldn\u2019t wait for the school bell to ring at 3 p.m. Finally, the school day wound down. Ms. Jones stood at the front of the class and said, \u201cWell, children it is the end of the term, I will call each one of you up to my desk to receive you grade report for this term.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She handed out all the grade reports and finally rang that bell. The children hooped and hollered and ran out like a bunch of stampeding cattle. Joe searched the school yard for Ellie. She was talking to Marybeth. \u201cSissy, we better get along to Callahan\u2019s or we ain\u2019t going to have no time to shop.\u201d Joe grabbed her hand and dragged her toward Callahan\u2019s.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBye, bye Marybeth, see you after Christmas\u201d called Ellie over her shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, Papa is going to be so happy, he\u2019s just gotta get me a puppy.\u201d Ellie said excitedly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat so, Sissy. Why\u2019s that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCuz, I got all A\u2019s. Look-it.\u201d and she handed Joe her grade report. \u201cHow \u2018bout you Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe hadn\u2019t even looked at his marks until then, \u201cWell, not all A\u2019s, but good nuff. I\u2019m hopin\u2019 Pa\u2019s happy enough to get me that new rifle.\u201d Joe was 12 now and Pa had promised him a rifle if he kept his grades up. The children walked hand in hand to the mercantile with thoughts of puppies and rifles on their minds. They walked toward the mercantile and saw Hoss loading up the buckboard outside of Callahan\u2019s.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHossy, Hossy!! Guess what?\u201d Ellie pulled away from Joe and ran toward Hoss. She ran into his arms and he swung her up on his hip.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, lil princess. Whatcha so fired up about?\u201d Hoss chuckled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLook it! Look it! I got all A\u2019s. Papa\u2019s just gotta get me that puppy now!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFer sure? Lemme see! Well, I\u2019ll be danged, look at that, all A\u2019s. I\u2019m so proud of you, princess.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She gave Hoss a big kiss and hug and then squirmed to the ground looking longingly toward the front door of Callahan\u2019s. \u201cHoss, can I go into the store?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, princess. But you know the rules. No touchin nuthin\u2019 without permission. Understand?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Hoss, I know.\u201d she said solemnly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe was about to follow her in, when he turned to his big brother. \u201cUmm..Hoss can we go in by ourselves?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever fer, Little Joe? You know Pa don\u2019t like you two being alone, anywhere\u2019s in town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on Hoss. We just gonna be in the store. You can wait in the buckboard. We ain\u2019t going anywhere else. Please?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss raised an eyebrow.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe could tell he wasn\u2019t convinced. \u201cWell\u2026. truth is\u2026 well, truth is Hoss, we is trying to buy Christmas presents for you, Pa and Adam and iffin you come in, it won\u2019t be no surprise.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Hoss winked at him. \u201cOk, but don\u2019t be too long. It\u2019s too dad burn cold to make me set out here. Ellie, mind Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Hoss. Come on Sissy,\u201d Joe said pushing his sister towards the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie walked in, \u201cHi, Mr. Callahan.\u201d she had her hands behind her back, so as to not touch anything.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Ellie Cartwright. How\u2019s the most beautiful girl in Virginia City doing? \u201c he teased.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d she giggled.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe, followed her into the store. \u201cSissy, come \u2018ere. What are we gonna git everyone? I know Hoss wants a new pocket knife. What about Adam and Pa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She thought for a minute, \u201cUmm\u2026..Adam, he\u2019s easy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe is?\u201d Joe questioned.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, a book.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOk, let me talk to Mr. Callahan. You set here and don\u2019t touch nuthin\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

While Joe went to the front to talk to Mr. Callahan, Ellie noticed that Lili Martel was in the mercantile with her mother. Lili was a year older than Ellie. Lili never played with Ellie. Ellie had noticed that Lili would play with the other girls, but not when Ellie was around. Whenever Ellie went to play, Lili walked away. Lili was looking at the dolls. She took one off the shelf, it had a beautiful green dress.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHi Lili, \u201c Ellie said shly. \u201cThat sure is a pretty doll.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, \u201c said Lili, \u201cUm\u2026hi Ellie.\u201d She glanced up to see if her mother was watching. Her mother was busy talking to Mr. Callahan.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know,\u201d Ellie said, \u201cI really like the one with the dark curly hair and the blue dress. She kinda looks like the picture of my mama that Papa has on his desk.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you take her down and look at her\u201d asked Lili. \u201cI think that she looks just like you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh uh,\u201d Ellie said shaking her head no, \u201cI ain\u2019t allowed to touch nuthin\u2019 without \u2018mission. My brother, Hoss is outside and iffin he comes in and I\u2019m a touching somein, he\u2019s gonna be awful mad. Say, Lili how come every time I come to play with ya\u2019ll you leave.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Lili kinda fussed with the doll she was holding. She looked down at the ground. She cut her eyes around the store looking for her mama. \u201cUmmm\u2026well\u2026.\u201d She just didn\u2019t know what to say. Ellie seemed like such a nice girl. She didn\u2019t know why her mama didn\u2019t want her to play with Ellie. \u201cI\u2019m not sure, my mama just don\u2019t want me to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d persisted Ellie.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEllie, I\u2019m not sure. Iffin my mama catches me talkin\u2019 to you, I\u2019m gonna get a spanking. I gotta go. OK \u2013 Merry Christmas!\u201d Lili went off to find her mama. Her mama turned around and saw Lili walking away from Ellie. Oh my word, I told that girl to stay away from the Cartwright girl. \u201cLili, come here now!\u201d she bellowed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes mama,\u201d said Lili. \u201cMama, why can\u2019t I play with Ellie.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I said so, that\u2019s why.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut mama, why? She\u2019s real nice. She\u2019s friends with Marybeth. Marybeth is a nice girl.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Marybeth\u2019s mother is not a New Orleans French harlot, that\u2019s why. The apple doesn\u2019t fall from the tree. She looks just like her mother and will undoubtedly grow up to be just like her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Lili looked confused, she didn\u2019t know what a New Orleans French harlot was or what apples had to do with playing with Ellie. \u201cA what? mama?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust never you mind. Mr. Callahan, we will be back when the undesirables are gone.\u201d With that she turned on her heel and walked out of the store, with Lili in tow.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mr. Callahan about dropped the sugar he had been fixing up for Mrs. Martel. He couldn\u2019t believe what he had just heard. He looked over the counter and saw Little Joe Cartwright waiting his turn patiently. He could tell by the look on Joe\u2019s face that he had heard the whole exchange. He could tell Joe hadn\u2019t quite understood the comments. Mr. Callahan tried to distract Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHeh, Little Joe, whatcha lookin\u2019 for?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe struggled, he wanted to ask Mr. Callahan what Mrs. Martel meant. He knew it was something bad, but he wasn\u2019t sure. He decided he wait until he got home , he could look up those words in Adam\u2019s dictionary. \u201cUmmmm..Mr. Callahan, me and Ellie want to buy a book for Adam for Christmas and a pocket knife for Hoss and well, we ain\u2019t sure about Pa. Can you help us? We got 10 dollars.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure boy, sure boy. I know Adam\u2019s been wanting this book here by Mr. Charles Dickens. I think Hoss been lookin\u2019 at this pocket knife here. How about some tobacco for your Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUm..how much Mr. Callahan?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s see, that\u2019s $2 for the book and $3 for that pocket knife and $3 for the tobacco. That\u2019d be $8.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe handed over the $8. \u201cWe gotta go, Hoss is waiting outside. Come on Sissy,\u201d Joe said, \u201cwe gotta go afore Hoss freezes.\u201d Joe looked at Ellie, she hadn\u2019t moved an inch. Her back was to him. Exasperated, he headed to the back of the store, he knew she hadn\u2019t heard him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSissy, come on, it\u2019s time to go.\u201d he said irritably.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, come look at this doll, doesn\u2019t it look just like mama?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe grabbed Ellie by the hand. \u201cNow, Sissy,\u201d he growled.<\/span><\/p>\n

She pulled her hand away. \u201cNo! I\u2019m not done lookin,\u201d she glared at him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI said, Now!, let\u2019s go, \u201c he gave her hand a tug.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe bent down so that he was at eye level with his baby sister. \u201cEllie if you don\u2019t come on now, I going to tell Pa you didn\u2019t mind and you know that will get you a swat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have to mind you, just Hoss and Adam.\u201d she said petulantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh uh, Hoss told you to mind me \u2018afore we came in.\u201d Joe said with a superior smile. Joe just loved being the big brother. Except, how many times had he had that same conversation with Hoss or Adam?<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie thought about it and stalked to the front of the store. Joe thought, Lord that girl is so stubborn.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe walked back to Mr. Callahan. Mr. Callahan wrapped up the purchases and handed them to Joe. He put his arm on Joe\u2019s. \u201cDon\u2019t you pay no never mind to Mrs. Martel. She\u2019s just mean spirited and there is no call for what she said. And Joe, I don\u2019t think Ellie heard her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked at Mr. Callahan with a dark expression, \u201cThanks Mr. Callahan, I hope you\u2019re right, I hope Ellie didn\u2019t hear that.\u201d Well that confirmed it, now he knew for sure it was something bad.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie exited the store before Joe. \u201cHoss, Joe wouldn\u2019t let me look at the doll in the store. There\u2019s a doll, looks just like the picture of mama on papa\u2019s desk.\u201d Ellie\u2019s eyes were just hopping mad.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss was waiting outside. He saw Ellie\u2019s face and knew she was going to be trial. It took a lot to calm down that girl when she was riled. Well, he had had lots of practice with Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe came out of the store. \u201cYou youngins finish up?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe just nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Ellie, you riding with me in the buckboard or you riding Windy home?\u201d She was still mad about the doll. Hoss chuckled at that look on his sister\u2019s face, whew was she mad.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan I ride with you Hoss?\u201d sticking her tongue out at Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, princess. \u201cBout you Joe? You gonna ride in the buckboard or Blackie?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBlackie\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOk, Joe, go get Blackie and Windy. We\u2019ll meet you over at the stable.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEllie, you better not let Pa catch you sticking your tongue out at no body.\u201d Hoss admonished.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie just scowled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI mean it Ellie, if Pa catches you doing that, he\u2019s gonna swat that bottom of yours.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe took off to get Blackie and Windy. He had some thinking to do on the way home. He sure wanted to know what Mrs. Martel meant. Hoss caught up to him at the stable and tied Windy on to the back of the buckboard. Joe just followed up along side. The three Cartwright children headed out of town to the Ponderosa. About half way home, Hoss looked down at his baby sister and she was fast asleep. She was wrapped in blankets with her head in his lap. That girl could fall asleep anywhere. Hoss had to laugh remembering all the places she fell asleep, including the number of times she fell asleep at church sitting on Pa\u2019s or Adam\u2019s lap, much to the chagrin of both. Hoss looked over at Joe. He knew that brooding face of his youngest brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHeh, Joe, what\u2019s eatin\u2019 at ya?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHmm? \u201c<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou ain\u2019t said two words since we left down. Usually, you be chattering like a magpie, especially this bein so close to Christmas.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNuthing wrong Hoss. Cain\u2019t a body just be quiet sometime?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Little Joe, Sure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

They rode the rest of the way home in silence. Hoss decided to leave Joe be and talk to Pa about it. Maybe Joe\u2019s grade report wasn\u2019t all that good and he was worried about Pa\u2019s reaction. He sure hadn\u2019t said anything when Ellie was yammering on about hers. Hoss pulled the buckboard up in front of the house. Hoss carefully picked up Ellie to bring her inside. Pa came out to help unload the buckboard. He opened his mouth to say something to Hoss. Hoss signaled that Ellie was sleeping. Pa gently took Ellie from Hoss\u2019s arms and started toward the house. He looked back at Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn the barn, putting up Blackie and Windy. Pa, somethin\u2019 eatin\u2019 at Joe. He didn\u2019t say two words all the way home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSomething happened in town?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, sir, least ways I don\u2019t think so.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean, you don\u2019t think so. You were with them weren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUm, no sir, not \u2018xactly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa\u2019s temper was rising, \u201cCare to explain that, son?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh Pa, tweren\u2019t nuthin\u2019. I just let them go into Callahan\u2019s while I waited outside?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou what?\u201d Pa hissed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSush, Pa, you gonna wake up Ellie, who stirred in Pa\u2019s arms. The youngins just wanted to buy Christmas presents for you, me and Adam without someone watchin. Cuz, it wouldn\u2019 be no surprise then. I let them go in alone and was right outside the whole time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa relaxed a little. \u201cOh, guess no harm done.\u201d He turned to head toward the house to put Ellie in bed. \u201cHoss, get Joe to help you unload that wagon and get washed up for supper.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The boys finished unloading the buckboard and headed into the house. \u201cYou boys, get washed up for supper.\u201d said Pa.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Ellie, Pa?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019ll get her Pa,\u201d said Adam as he walked in the house throwing his gun belt and hat on the credenza.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam went upstairs to roust Ellie for supper. He pushed open her door. She looked so small and delicate sleeping in her bed. Her long dark curls were spread across her pillow and her thumb was in her mouth. Adam smiled and wondered, she only sucked her thumb when something was troubling her. \u201cHeh, princess,\u201d Adam said shaking her. \u201cTime for supper.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie sat up yawning. \u201cOh, hi Addy! I was so tired.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, its supper time, sleepy head. You better wash up and go downstairs, Pa\u2019s waiting.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOk,\u201d she yawned, \u201cI\u2019m coming.\u201d She hopped off the bed to go wash her face and her hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

As all the children took their places at the supper table, Pa looked around and all their faces and was very grateful indeed. How could he be so blessed? He knew God had blessed him abundantly. Pa said the blessing with a grateful heart.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow was school today?\u201d asked Pa.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Papa, I almost forgot, Ms. Jones gaves us our grade reports and mine was really good and now can I have a puppy?\u201d Ellie said without even taking a breath.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa\u2019s eyes sparkled with amusement. \u201cWow, young lady, that was quite a mouthful. Slow down just a bit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlease Papa, please Papa, can I have a puppy now?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell I don\u2019t know baby, I haven\u2019t seen this wonderful grade report, yet. How do I know you\u2019re not fibbin\u2019? Pa teased her.<\/span><\/p>\n

Her eyes scwunched up with indignation, \u201cNot fibbin!\u201d she declared banging her little fist on the table.<\/span><\/p>\n

The boys were watching this scene with amusement. Adam almost spit out his coffee with that last declaration from his baby sister. Hoss was chuckling behind his hand and Joe was trying to look anywhere other than the table so he wouldn\u2019t laugh.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie pulled out her grade report from the pocket of her dress and handed it to Pa. Pa whistled in appreciation, \u201cMy word, all A\u2019s.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan I have a puppy Papa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we\u2019ll have to see what we can do about that.\u201d he smiled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know Mr. Atkins, Papa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUm hmm, \u201c Pa said knowingly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI heard his hound had puppies and they\u2019d almost be ready to be away from their mama.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs that so? \u201c he asked with the most serious look he could muster. Adam, Hoss and Joe all coughed at the same time, trying to hide their laughter. \u201cWell we just see what we can do about that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cEleanor, the subject is closed for the evening.\u201d Papa stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut,\u2026..\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEleanor Grace the subject is closed for the evening. Understand?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d she mumbled. When anyone said her whole name, they meant business and they usually followed it up with a swat to her bottom. She didn\u2019t want any swats.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell Joseph, you haven\u2019t said a word about your grade report?\u201d Pa looked questioningly at his youngest son.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t even hear Pa. He was thinking about what Mrs. Martel said at the mercantile today. He needed to look up \u201charlot\u201d and \u201cundesireable\u201d, except he didn\u2019t know how to spell either one. He was wondering how he could get in Adam\u2019s room to borrow the dictionary without Adam knowing. Adam always had a way of knowing when Joe had been in his room. It was the source of numerous swats from Adam. He never even got a chance to explain, he usually just got a swat first. Joe was still thinking\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Ellie kicked his leg under the table. \u201cOw!\u201d he exclaimed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPapa\u2019s talking to you Joe,\u201d she whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, \u201c Joe looked up, \u201cUm\u2026Sir?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, I just asked you about your grade report.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, sorry Pa. Here it is.\u201d Joe handed the report over to Pa. Adam and Hoss held their breath, they couldn\u2019t tell from Joe if it was good or bad. Joe\u2019s grades reports were as unpredictable as he was. \u201cWell, son congratulations, this is very impressive. I guess you earned that new rifle for Christmas.\u201d Pa exclaimed. A collective sigh of relief was breathed by the older boys. Funny, Adam thought Joe sure didn\u2019t jump up and down about that new rifle or go on and on to tell Pa what kind and all. He watched Joe thoughtfully, something was up with both the children.<\/span><\/p>\n

When supper was done, the children asked to be excused. Pa nodded his head. As they walked into the great room, Adam said, \u201cEllie, why don\u2019t you get that book we were reading last night. I\u2019ll read some to you tonight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie\u2019s eyes lit up, \u201cReally, Adam?\u201d Adam reading to her any other time than bedtime was a very special treat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Princess, the book is sitting next to your bed. I left it in there last night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She took off running up the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEleanor, stop running on those stairs,\u201d Pa called. He heard a muffled, \u201cSorry Papa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, something is up with Ellie.\u201d said Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean, son?\u201d Pa questioned.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I went to get her for supper, she was sucking her thumb. You know that she doesn\u2019t do that unless something is really bothering her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh Adam, I think she does that when she is over tired. I think she\u2019s fine.\u201d Pa reassured his oldest.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. He always seemed to know when there was something bothering Ellie. They had a special connection. Adam sometimes was more of a father to her than Pa. She came to Adam almost as readily as she came to Pa. Adam walked into the great room as Ellie ran down the stairs with the book in hand. Adam settled her on his lap and started to read a chapter of\u00a0Oliver Twist<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa walked into the great room and went to sit at his desk. He lit his pipe and thought about the day. Hoss had mentioned how Joe didn\u2019t say two words on the way home from town and Adam is sure that Ellie is upset about something. He figured something must have happened either at school or at the mercantile. He guessed at the mercantile. He\u2019d just check with Mr. Callahan the next time he was in town. He supposed it would come out sooner or later. Neither of those youngest of his were very good and keeping things bottled up inside.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe stole a look around the room. Pa was occupied with the ledgers at his desk. Adam was reading to Ellie and Hoss was outside getting wood for the box. He figured he had about 15 minutes before Hoss came in and wanted to play checkers. He quietly went upstairs to borrow Adam\u2019s dictionary. He wasn\u2019t allowed in Adam\u2019s room without permission. He figured no one would know. He sat on Adam\u2019s bed with the dictionary on his lap. He sure didn\u2019t know how to spell either of the words he needed to look up, but he didn\u2019t feel like it was right to ask anyone. He didn\u2019t realize how long he\u2019d been sitting there looking at the dictionary.<\/span><\/p>\n

By this time, Adam had been reading to Ellie for a while and she had drifted off to sleep. Adam closed the book and carried her upstairs to her room. Adam\u2019s door was opened and he was surprised to see Joe sitting on Adam\u2019s bed. Adam quietly put Ellie on her bed and closed the door. He headed off to his room angrily. Joe knew he wasn\u2019t allowed in Adam\u2019s room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph Francis Cartwright, just what do you think you are doing?\u201d thundered Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

Startled, Joe yelped and jumped off the bed as the dictionary dropped to the floor. \u201cUm, um, Adam. Please don\u2019t swat me. I can explain.\u201d he put his hands protectively behind him covering his backside.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the boom of the book on the floor, Pa yelled \u201cWhat\u2019s going on up there?\u2019 Hoss, go see what\u2019s going on upstairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss walked up and could hear Adam talking to Joe. He decided that conversation was well enough left alone. He decided he would check on Ellie.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou better have a darn good explanation Joe or I\u2019m going to paddle that behind of yours.\u201d Adam barked. Adam stood there with his arms across his chest. \u201cI\u2019m waiting, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, \u201c Joe looked at the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor Pete sake Joe, look at me when you are talking to me. I can\u2019t understand you when you are looking at the floor.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe gulped and looked up at Adam, tears were welling up in his eyes. Adam recognized that these were not tears of fear of getting swatted, he was deeply upset about something.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHeh, buddy\u201d, Adam softened, \u201cwhat\u2019s happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure,\u201d Joe said haltingly, trying his hardest not to cry.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam raised an eyebrow, \u201cJust start at the beginning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe told Adam about being in Callahan\u2019s store and about Mrs. Martel and what Mrs. Martel told Lili about not playing with Ellie. And how Mrs. Martel used a word to describe his mama, and something about apples and trees and that he knew that one word wasn\u2019t good, but he didn\u2019t know what it meant. And he came in Adam\u2019s room to look up the word, but he didn\u2019t know how to spell the word.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s mood darkened, he didn\u2019t quite understand what had happened, he frowned. \u201cJoe, what word did she use?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe hesitated. \u201cAdam,\u201d I know it\u2019s a bad word.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you know?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCuz, Mr. Callahan told me not to worry, Mrs. Martel was just mean spirited.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s mood grew darker. There were just some women in town that never liked Little Joe and Ellie\u2019s mother. They couldn\u2019t stand the fact that she was beautiful, a wonderful mother, had beautiful children and was married to one of the richest men in the Comstock.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, what did she call your mama?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe took a breath and looked Adam right in the eye, \u201ca New Orleans French harlot\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam, sucked his breath in. Oh my Lord thought Adam, how am I going to explain that one.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s a harlot, Adam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam took a deep breath. \u201cJoe, it\u2019s a woman who gives herself to men for money or whiskey.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked confused. Oh boy, how to explain this to a 12 year old. \u201cThat don\u2019t make any sense, Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, some women get paid to let men kiss them and buy drinks and such.\u201d Adam said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYuck!!\u201d exclaimed Joe. \u201cWhy\u2019d they do that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam smiled and figured that point of view would be changing in a few years. Adam thought a minute and wished Pa was having this discussion with Joe. \u201cWell, more of the point is that most people don\u2019t think that is a respectable thing for women to do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, you mean Mrs. Martel said that mama did those things? That just ain\u2019t true.\u201d Joe yelled angrily. Joe was shaking, his resolve was crumbling. The tears started to fall from his eyes. Adam grabbed Joe and drew him onto his lap. He was grateful that Joe could still fit in his lap.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, your mama was beautiful. She had two beautiful children. Some were just jealous and never accepted her.\u201d Joe was sobbing into Adam\u2019s shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut why would she say that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know buddy, I don\u2019t know. Why don\u2019t you wash your face and get ready for bed?\u201d Adam said as he stood Joe up and walked him down to his own room. As Adam walked Joe into his room, he asked him, \u201cJoe, did Ellie hear all this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNaw, I don\u2019t think so. She had her back to them and was looking at them dolls. She said she found one that looked like mama\u2019s picture on pa\u2019s desk. Mr. Callahan don\u2019t think she heard neither. Adam, Mrs. Martel, she said one more word I didn\u2019t know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that, buddy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh\u2026 un..un..des.. undesireable. What\u2019s that mean?\u201d asked Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam looked into Joe\u2019s tear stained face, \u201cIt means someone you have no wish to be around.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked at his feet. \u201cOh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam took his baby brother\u2019s chin in his hand and looking into his sad eyes and asked, \u201cHow did she use that word, Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe said that\u2019s what me and Ellie were, Adam.\u201d he whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, get ready for bed. Pa will be up in a little while.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOk Adam\u201d, Joe mumbled.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam headed down the stairs to talk to Pa. Hoss was already sitting downstairs with Pa in the great room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, Pa, somethin is troubling Ellie. I found her up there with her thumb in her mouth. You knowed she only does that when they\u2019s somethin\u2019 a matter.\u201d Hoss said. \u201cAnd, I knowed something was troublin\u2019 Joe on the way home.\u201d he added.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I think I know exactly what the problem is.\u201d said Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa\u2019s eyes raised in surprise. \u201cAdam, what\u2019s going on?\u201d Pa demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam hesitated. Pa started getting agitated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d Pa said with an edge to his voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam was trying to figure out the best way to tell his Pa what was going on.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam Stoddard, out with it!\u201d Pa growled.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam jumped at hearing his middle name. Adam figured he\u2019d better get on with the explanation. \u201cWell, Pa, it seems that Joe and Ellie ran into Mrs. Martel and her daughter Lili in Callahan\u2019s today. Apparently, Lili has been told not to play with Ellie.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam could see the storm brewing in Pa\u2019s eyes. He looked at Adam, \u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam took a deep breath, \u201cI think that she told Lili that Ellie\u2019s mother was a New Orleans French Harlot and that the apple doesn\u2019t fall far from the tree. Or something like that. I\u2019m not sure Joe understood the whole conversation. He didn\u2019t understand the word \u201charlot\u201d. He was in my room trying to look it up in the dictionary, but he didn\u2019t know how to spell it. He just knew from her tone of voice and Mr. Callahan\u2019s reaction that it was something bad.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa started to jump out of his chair. Hoss whistled. Adam held up his hand. \u201cThere is one more thing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Pa exclaimed outraged.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam drew another deep breath, he looked into hi Pa\u2019s eyes already simmering with anger, \u201cShe said that Joe and Ellie were undesirable. I\u2019m not sure exactly what was said.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa jumped out his chair and began pacing back and forth. His anger was boiling over. \u201cI need to take a walk!\u201d he said tightly as he walked toward the front door.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss and Adam watched their father walk through that front door. \u201cAin\u2019t no amount of walking is going to take those words away, Adam.\u201d Hoss said sadly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t I know it, brother.\u201d Adam responded.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright seethed as he walked outside. He had known that Marie had a checkered past when he married her. It didn\u2019t matter to him, he loved her without end. She gave him two beautiful loving children and had treated his older two like they were her own. She was taken too quickly from him. He looked to the heavens with tears in his eyes. \u201cI miss you, mon Cherie.\u201d He wasn\u2019t sure how to handle this, he had kept Marie\u2019s past from Joe and Ellie. He headed back to the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUm, Pa, I told Joe you would go check on him before he fell asleep.\u201d Adam ventured.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t I always?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir you do. I just thought Joe might be waiting.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI check on all my children every night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss smiled, they knew, even at their ages, 24 and 18, that Pa checked on them every night.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa sighed as he headed up the stairs. He tapped on Joe\u2019s door. Joe was ready for bed, he had his nightshirt on and had washed his face. He sat on his bed, just swinging his foot off the bed. \u201cYou still up?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked at Pa, his faced still stained with tears. \u201cPapa, why did Mrs. Martel say that about mama? I don\u2019t understand? Mama was a good person, she loved us\u2026.\u201d Joe started sobbing again.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe hadn\u2019t called him Papa in a very long time, he only did when he was extremely upset. Pa gathered Joe in his arms and stroked his head. \u201cI don\u2019t know son. I don\u2019t know.\u201d He cupped one side of Joe\u2019s face with his hand and looked him in the eyes, \u201cSon we can\u2019t control the hate and anger of people who don\u2019t like people different from themselves. I know that your mama was beautiful and had two beautiful children and was beyond happy. She was different. She spoke French and charmed almost everyone who met her. Some folks are jealous and just can\u2019t be accepting of folks that have what they don\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. Pa could tell he didn\u2019t quite understand. \u201cWhat did she mean that the apple don\u2019t fall from the tree? What does apple and trees have to do with Lili playing with Ellie?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa smiled tightly, \u201cIt means that Mrs. Martel thinks Ellie will be all those things that she didn\u2019t like about your mama and she doesn\u2019t want Lili to be around that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt still don\u2019t make sense,\u201d Joe sniffed, \u201cEllie\u2019s still just a baby, how could she know what Ellie\u2019s going to be like when she\u2019s growed up?\u201d From the mouths of babes, thought Pa.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m not sure son, but I suspect it\u2019s because Ellie looks just like your mama. Now, listen young man, it\u2019s getting late and you should be asleep already. Let\u2019s not discuss this in front of Ellie. She won\u2019t understand.\u201d Pa slipped Joe off his lap and under his covers. \u201cGood night son, I love you.\u201d Pa said as he brushed a kiss along his youngest son\u2019s head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNight Pa, I love you, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa shut his door and went to check on Ellie. She was asleep, but she still had that thumb in her mouth. He breathed a sigh of relief and headed downstairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss looked at their father as he came down the stairs. He looked at them with a great sadness in his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s Joe?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s asleep, but he doesn\u2019t really understand.\u201d Pa said sadly. \u201cYou know boys, this is just going to be one of those tough things that Joe is going to have to work through. All we can do is make sure that he knows his mother loved him and so do we. I want you to watch what you say, I don\u2019t want Ellie catching wind. Only if she asks?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Pa\u201d Adam and Hoss answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

The next morning, the older boys and Pa were sitting at the breakfast table. Hoss was about to stab a stack of flapjacks with his fork, when Ellie appeared. She was rubbing her eyes and yawning. \u201cMornin\u2019\u201d she said sleepily. She went over to her Papa and gave him a kiss. \u201cNo school Papa!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning sleepy head. Yes, no school.\u201d he put his arm around her a pulled her close for a kiss.<\/span><\/p>\n

She slid into her chair. Papa fixed her plate and set it down in front of her.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cComing,\u201d she said through a mouth of flapjacks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEllie, don\u2019t talk with your mouth full.\u201d Papa admonished.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut, you asked Papa.\u201d she said as she swallowed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss had been watching this exchange with amusement and starting laughing. \u201cShe\u2019s got you there, Pa.\u201d Adam laughed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa glared at Adam, \u201cI don\u2019t need any help from you young man. Don\u2019t you have work to attend to?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUmm..yes, sir.\u201d Adam excused himself from the table still snickering. Adam bent down to get a kiss from his baby sister. She gave him a big kiss, \u201cfor the whole day, Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor the whole day, Princess.\u201d Adam agreed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe sauntered in as Adam was leaving the table. \u201cMorning,\u201d he said stretching.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, buddy,\u201d said Adam, still laughing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMorning,\u201d said Hoss and Pa.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, I\u2019m going to ride into Virginia City, I need to see Mr. McAllistar at the bank.\u201d Pa said as he got up from the table.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhose keepin these youngins?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNobody needs to be keepin\u2019 us,\u201d Joe stated flatly, fire in his eyes staring at his older brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!!\u201d, Pa warned.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJeez Pa, I\u2019m 12 I don\u2019t need anybody watching me.\u201d Joe grumped.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, you will not use that tone of voice.\u201d Pa commanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe knew that tone of voice. That was not the voice to disobey. He forced himself to breathe in and look at his father. \u201cSorry Pa, I just meant I can get my chores done and watch Ellie without Hoss or Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure you can son, just the same,\u201d Pa pondered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPapa, can I go with you?\u201d asked Ellie.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEllie, it\u2019s business. Not fun.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlease Papa,\u201d she went to whisper in her father\u2019s ear, \u201cI didn\u2019t get Joe anything for Christmas, I need someone to take me back to Mr. Callahan\u2019s.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Pa smiled, he winked at Ellie. \u201cSure, you can go Ellie. Joe, finish the barn chores and then you are free for the rest of day. Do not leave the yard without permission.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir. Can I go to Michael\u2019s?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho is going to take you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAww Pa, cain\u2019t I go to Michael\u2019s by myself. I promise to be home before supper. Please, Pa?\u201d Joe begged.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa thought for a minute, \u201cOk son. \u201d He wanted to give Joe a distraction after all the talk about Marie last night. He could tell that Joe was still troubled. Maybe a trip to Michael\u2019s was just the thing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe whooped and hollered and ran out the door to get his chores done.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa eyed Hoss, Hoss shook his head in acknowledgment. He\u2019d find a reason to go over to Michael\u2019s before supper to cart his brother home. Hoss didn\u2019t need much of a reason, Michael had three older brothers, the twins, Mark and Matt were a year older than Hoss and good friends.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa got on Buck and Hoss handed Ellie up to him. Pa settled her in front of him and took off for Virginia City. While riding in, Ellie twisted around so she could see her father\u2019s face. \u201cPapa, can I ask you something?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, baby what is it?\u201d Pa asked searching her face with his eyes. He was hoping it didn\u2019t have to do with what happened at Callahan\u2019s yesterday. He hoped it was a question about the puppy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know Lili Martel?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUmm hmm\u2026\u201d he was dreading the rest of the question.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we was at Callahan\u2019s yesterday and Lili and me was looking at the dolls. And Hoss was outside. And Joe was waiting for Mr. Callahan on account of we was getting presents, and Mrs. Martel, you know Lili\u2019s mama was there,\u2026..\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa groaned inwardly. This was going to be a very long question. Ellie liked to give all the details.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cWell, I told Lili I liked the doll she picked out and there was one that looked just like mama\u2019s picture on your desk, and she told me I should take it down and I said I wasn\u2019t allowed to touch, and\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa was losing patience, \u201cEllie, did you have a question for Papa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yes Papa, I almost forgot.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, what was the question?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, how come Lili\u2019s mama won\u2019t let her play with me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d asked Pa.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you didn\u2019t let me finish, so I didn\u2019t tell you the part about how Lili told me her mama don\u2019t let her play with me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa sighed, he pulled Ellie close. \u201cDarling, I don\u2019t know exactly why Lili\u2019s mama won\u2019t let her play with you. I think that she didn\u2019t like your mama very much and because you\u2019re her daughter, she doesn\u2019t like you very much.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie eyes started to water, her lower lip started to tremble, her body starting shaking. Pa felt a meltdown on the way. \u201cBut Papa,\u201d she cried, \u201cWhy didn\u2019t she like Mama?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know baby, but not everyone likes everyone else. She could not have liked Mama because she was beautiful, or because she had two beautiful children, or because she spoke more French than English or because she dressed differently. I just don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut Papa, I\u2019m me I\u2019m not Mama, I don\u2019t understand. How come just because she didn\u2019t like Mama she doesn\u2019t like me?\u201d she sobbed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure baby,\u201d Pa said as he pulled her close. Pa\u2019s heart was breaking. He never thought the hatred that some of the women in town for Marie and her different ways would come back to haunt his daughter at such an early age or his son, for that matter. Hate and misunderstanding often led to so much grief, he thought. Ellie was the spitting image of Marie and she would grow up to be a real beauty like Marie, which would present a whole other set of problems.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie leaned back against her Papa settling into his arms. She was very quiet for the rest of the trip to Virginia City. They arrived in Virginia City at the bank. Pa pulled Ellie off of Buck and set her on the ground. She looked like she had recovered from her meltdown.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEllie, I need to talk to Mr. McAllister. You need to come sit in the bank and wait for me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie looked wistfully at Callahan\u2019s. Then she looked at her Papa\u2019s face and knew that there would be no way he would let her go by herself. She resigned herself to sitting in the bank until he was done. While she was sitting on the bench inside, in walked Lili and her father. Lili\u2019s father told her to take a seat on the bench, while he did his banking.<\/span><\/p>\n

The two girls looked at each other. \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d whispered Lili.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019Bout what,\u201d asked Ellie.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019bout my mama saying not to play with you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, umm, it\u2019s ok, I try and does what my papa says, otherwise I\u2019d get a spanking. I wouldn\u2019t want you to get no spankin\u2019 on my account.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

While the girls were sitting on the bench, Pa noticed Lili\u2019s father coming into the bank.<\/span><\/p>\n

He walked up to him, \u201cGood Morning, Ely, might I have a word with you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood Morning Ben, certainly, just a moment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The two men stood off in the corner. Ben had his hand on Ely\u2019s shoulder, Ely was shaking his head. They glanced at the two girls sitting on the bench and shook hands. They walked over to the two girls on the bench.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSay Lili,\u201d said Ben, \u201cHow would you like to come to the Ponderosa one day during Christmas break to play with Ellie?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie\u2019s eyes got wide.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lili\u2019s eyes got wider. She looked at her father and he nodded his head. \u201cYes, sir. I would like that!\u201d she said shyly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFine, fine, I think Monday would be a good day, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yes, sir, Monday would be wonderful.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben grabbed Ellie\u2019s hand and said, \u201cCome on young lady, I think it\u2019s time we went to Callahan\u2019s and then maybe we just might pay a visit to Mr. Atkins and get that hound.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie squealed with delight at the prospect of Lili coming to the Ponderosa and the thought of getting a puppy.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the Cartwrights walked off, Lili turned toward her father and asked, \u201cWhat about mama?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Her father smiled down at her, \u201cPapa will take care of it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Lili sighed contentedly, she had always wanted to be friends with Ellie.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/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: \u00a0This is my second story with Ellie.\u00a0 Christmas time brings a hard lesson for Ellie and Joe. <\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0K+(7,805 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":93,"featured_media":375,"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":[7,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3113","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-a-u","category-prequels","wpcat-7-id","wpcat-30-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1242,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/coming-soon-5.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3186,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3186","url_meta":{"origin":3113,"position":0},"title":"The Trail Series #1 – Pokey the Baby Porcupine (by Fozrulz)","author":"Fozrulz","date":"April 25, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0First in the trail series. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (4,500 words) Trails series, links to all the stories within the series included.","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Dipsea-grassland-trail.jpg?fit=550%2C413&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Dipsea-grassland-trail.jpg?fit=550%2C413&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Dipsea-grassland-trail.jpg?fit=550%2C413&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3176,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3176","url_meta":{"origin":3113,"position":1},"title":"The Ring (by Fozrulz)","author":"Fozrulz","date":"May 1, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0This is an Ellie story about a lost ring, a naughty little girl, and family. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (14,310 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3117,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3117","url_meta":{"origin":3113,"position":2},"title":"Ellie’s Shadow (by Fozrulz)","author":"Fozrulz","date":"April 22, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0This is my third story with Ellie. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (9,620 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3158,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3158","url_meta":{"origin":3113,"position":3},"title":"The Solo (by Fozrulz)","author":"Fozrulz","date":"May 1, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Ellie is asked to sing a solo at church - she doesn't want to sing.\u00a0 Which brother helps her out? Rated:\u00a0K+ (7,440 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3149,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3149","url_meta":{"origin":3113,"position":4},"title":"Priscilla’s Comeuppance (by Fozrulz)","author":"Fozrulz","date":"May 1, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Priscilla sure was a pain....payback time...but by whom? \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (5,590 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3119,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3119","url_meta":{"origin":3113,"position":5},"title":"The Bully (by Fozrulz)","author":"Fozrulz","date":"April 23, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe and Ellie are beat up by a bully.\u00a0 What to do, what to do..... \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (11,060 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/coming-soon-5.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\/04\/coming-soon-5.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/coming-soon-5.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/coming-soon-5.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3113","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\/93"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3113"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3113\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/375"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3113"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3113"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3113"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}