{"id":3138,"date":"2011-04-25T23:30:03","date_gmt":"2011-04-26T03:30:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3138"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:23:27","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:23:27","slug":"brothers-brothers-and-more-brothers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3138","title":{"rendered":"Brothers, Brothers and More Brothers (by Fozrulz)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span>Sometimes Ellie can just get a fill of all her brothers, but sometimes she really needs all of them. \u00a0<\/span>Rated:<\/span>\u00a0K+ (4,885 words)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\n<\/span><\/span>A story in which Ellie learns the value of her big brothers.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Brothers, Brothers, and More Brothers<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Ellie Cartwright was having the worst imaginable day in her 12-year-old life. Well, it actually started out the day before, when everyone, except Joe and Pa, saw fit to swat her backside. By the end of the day, she couldn\u2019t sit down anywhere. She stuffed extra clothes under her skirt when she sat down for dinner. It didn\u2019t work that well, but she knew she had to sit through dinner or Papa would be asking questions. She gratefully escaped to the sanctuary of her room before Papa was any the wiser. She thought to herself, good Lord, how many brothers does a body need? That year, her half-brother Clay had come to live at the Ponderosa. Clay was 4 years younger than Adam and her mama\u2019s first born. If that wasn\u2019t bad enough, her cousin Will, two years younger than Adam had come to the Ponderosa. Even though Will was her cousin, he acted more like one of her brothers. The only saving grace is that Joe hadn\u2019t starting threatening to swat her.<\/span><\/p>\n

She was so angry about yesterday when she came down to breakfast the next morning, she didn\u2019t even great her older brothers, except Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMorning Sissy,\u201d said Joe brightly, completely oblivious the day before\u2019s events.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, Joe,\u201d she said glaring at her older brothers and cousin. She slunk into her seat and sat glaring at her breakfast. She didn\u2019t notice that her Papa was looking none too pleased. Papa was a stickler for proper manners and respect for those older, even if those older were her older brothers. She was still sulking and didn\u2019t hear Papa call her name more than once. She didn\u2019t realize that she hadn\u2019t greeted her father either. In the Cartwright house, you never failed to acknowledge the patriarch of the house. He would consider it insolent and deserving of a spanking.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cELEANOR!\u201d Pa\u2019s voice boomed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWHAT?\u201d she almost shouted. She was so involved in sulking that she didn\u2019t realize it was Papa who called her name.<\/span><\/p>\n

The entire table froze, you never ever answered Pa with a \u201cWhat\u201d or a \u201cHuh\u201d, the answer was always and only, \u201cYes, sir.\u201d Even as old as Adam and Will were, at 29 and 27, they wouldn\u2019t have said \u201cWhat?\u201d to Pa either.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be \u201cYes, sir\u201d to you young lady.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir\u201d she said sulkily.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa\u2019s face was turning red. \u201cEleanor, I will not tolerate that tone of voice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She looked up and saw her Papa\u2019s face. He continued, \u201cNot only did you not greet me, you did not greet your brothers and your cousin. That rudeness is inexcusable. What do you have to say?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She stood up and looked at her brothers and her cousin and said testily, \u201cI have nothing to say to them, there all mean and I hate them.\u201d With that she ran out the front door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cELEANOR GRACE, come back here this instant!\u201d Pa shouted. As the last word came out of his mouth, the front door slammed. Pa was on his feet in an instant, \u201cWhen I get hold of that little missy, she won\u2019t be sitting at this table or anywhere else.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow Pa,\u201d Hoss, always the peace maker, said softly, \u201cEllie is just in one of them moods. She didn\u2019t mean nuthin\u2019 by it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

His father glared, \u201cI will not tolerate such behavior in this house.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUmmmm, Uncle Ben,\u201d ventured Will. Will stood up to move toward his uncle.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa turned toward Will, \u201cWhat?\u201d he demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

Will just stood there with his eyes on the floor. He wasn\u2019t sure how to tell Uncle Ben that he had swatted Ellie.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUmmmm, well, sir\u2026.\u201d Will couldn\u2019t believe he was 27 years old and the stare his uncle fixed him with made him feel like he was 10.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOut with it William,\u201d his uncle spat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEllie is mad at me because I gave her a couple of swats yesterday. I\u2019m sorry sir if I overstepped my bounds. I know I\u2019m not her father or one of her brothers. She just made me so mad and scared, I swatted her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The eyebrows of all her brothers, except Joe, went up with eyes blazing. \u201cPa, I swatted her too\u201d said Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMe too,\u201d said Adam and Clay.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe just sat there dumb founded. Ellie had gotten herself swats from all of them? And with that outburst she was bound to get more. He shook his head, he thought and people were always telling him, he had a bad temper.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, you are excused, see that Ellie gets to school. I want to talk to your brothers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe took off like a scared rabbit. Will started to get up, brothers didn\u2019t include him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa fixed Will with a look that would have melted ice, \u201cOh no young man, you will sit down right now. When I said brothers, that includes you. You are as a son to me and I will treat you as such in all things.\u201d The emphasis was certainly on the word \u201call\u201d. Will got his drift immediately, he understood that no matter how old he was, his uncle felt like he could met out any punishment necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n

Will sat down, \u201cYes, sir.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa held his head in his hands. He was very angry with every child of his, except for Little Joe. How Little Joe escaped getting in this mess was beyond him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, let\u2019s get started on explanations. Since, you volunteered first William, you can start.\u201d Ben Cartwright\u2019s voice brooked no disobedience from any sector.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUmm\u2026Uncle Ben\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWilliam\u201d, the simple word was a command.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir. Well, ummm,\u201d he took a deep breath. \u201cI caught Ellie with Joe\u2019s pistol in the south pasture firing at a bunch of tin cans.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The other three brothers sucked in air and looked at their Pa. His eyes were smoldering, he was starting to breathe hard, if you looked closely you could see steam coming off the top of his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, sir, it seems that Little Joe let Ellie have his old gun and she decided she needed a little practice. I knew that if you found out, you would be angry, so I thought I\u2019d just handle it. I turned her over my knee, gave her a couple of swats and sent to her back to the ranch to her room. I told her that if I didn\u2019t find her in her room when I came home, I would tell you what happened. Uncle Ben, I was just so worried about her getting hurt, I guess I over reacted.\u201d He looked down at the table. I\u2019m sorry Uncle Ben, I just did what I thought was right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa didn\u2019t even answer Will. He eyed the other boys and said, \u201cOk, who\u2019s next.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss cleared his throat. \u201cUh, Pa, I\u2019d reckin\u2019 that\u2019d be me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGo on son,\u201d Pa said with steel in his voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEllie came into the yard riding Windy so hard, I thought the pony was gonna just keel over. I was so mad at her for treating her pony like that, I just pulled her off her horse and swatted her behind. I didn\u2019t even ask her what was wrong. I guess she was ridin\u2019 that away cuz she had just gotten paddled by Will. I told her to go set in her room until supper time and iffin\u2019 she didn\u2019t I was going to tell you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUmm hmm. Ok who\u2019s next.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Clay sighed, \u201cI guess that would be me, sir.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa just fixed him with a stare that would make any man shake.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it must have been after she got sent up to the house, she walked in the house, swearin\u2019 up a storm. I told her you better not hear the language comin\u2019 out of her mouth. She started sassing me, saying I wasn\u2019t her Pa and I couldn\u2019t tell her what to do and I could go to hell.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cClayton, I won\u2019t tolerate that language in this house!\u201d Pa roared.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo sir. I know. Anyway, I turned her over my knee for a couple of swats and sent her to her room. I told her that if she came down before dinner I would have a little talk with you.\u201d Clay finished with his eyes down.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, what have you got to add to this?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam had been listening to all this and knew that Ellie had gotten everything she had deserved and he knew Pa wasn\u2019t really angry, at least not at the boys. He cleared his throat. \u201cPa, I caught her in my room getting a book. I didn\u2019t ask any questions, I just took her over my knee, gave her a swat and sent her to her room.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright sat back with his fingers steepling in front of his face. He fixed each of the boys with a hard look and said, \u201cBoys, I appreciate the fact that you are willing to discipline your sister and I agree with everything you did to Ellie. However, there seems to be a vein of deception that runs through this entire story. If you feel the need to swat Joe or Ellie, I expect you to come tell me. I don\u2019t want you to handle the situation and then try and hide it from me. I need to know what they are up to and about any disobedience. Do I make myself clear?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Choruses of \u201cYes, sir\u201d came from around the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnother thing, I need one of you to go pick her up from school. I don\u2019t think Joseph will be sitting his horse very well this afternoon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go\u201d, all the boys chorused.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa smiled, \u201cWell, I don\u2019t care which of you goes, just someone make sure they go pick her up after school. Now I believe, my young men have some work to do, so, get to it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The boys chorused a hasty \u201cYes, sir\u201d and made for the door quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa laughed to himself as they left out the door. It was really wonderful to be the father or uncle of four boys that cared so deeply for their sister. Oh he knew Will was his nephew, but to him, Will was just another one of his boys. Still he thought, I need to have a serious talk with one younger son.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, on the way to school, Joe caught up with Ellie. \u201cJeez Sissy, you really did it. Pa\u2019s gonna tan your hide so hard, you won\u2019t be sitting down for a month of Sundays.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLeave me alone, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa told me to see you to school and that\u2019s what I\u2019m doing, like it or not.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie sighed. Joe was her best friend in the whole world. He didn\u2019t treat her like a baby like the rest of her brothers. She wasn\u2019t mad at him. \u201cSorry, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shrugged. \u201cSissy, why you so mad at our big brothers?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie hesitated, \u201cPromise not to tell Papa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh Sissy, it\u2019s too late for that now. I bet by now, whatever happened between you and them\u2019s been spilt by now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie looked horrified.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked at her \u201cSissy, what\u2019s a matter, you look white as a sheet on laundry day?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, they all tanned me yesterday.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know, they said as much, but why?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d she hesitated, \u201cI was practicing in the south meadow with your old gun\u2026.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou what!\u201d he shrieked. \u201cOh my Lord, Pa\u2019s gonna find out I\u2019ve been teaching you again and he\u2019s gonna\u2026.I don\u2019t even want to think about it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, that\u2019s not all\u2026.\u201d she proceeded to tell him about riding Windy hard, swearing, sassing Clay and being in Adam\u2019s room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhooo wee, girl, you are in some kinda of trouble.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d she said miserably.<\/span><\/p>\n

Right about then, they arrived at the school yard. Ellie jumped off of Windy. Joe took Windy\u2019s reigns and said, \u201cI\u2019ll stable Windy, you go on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She nodded gratefully.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Sissy, it will be ok. It\u2019s bound to blow over by the time school is out. Pa won\u2019t tan you if the others already did.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know Joe, but I sassed Papa something awful this morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah,\u201d said Joe giving her a sympathetic look. The school bell rang and Ellie dragged herself into school.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe headed for home and thought about the tanning he was going to get when Pa found out he had been teaching Ellie to shoot. He thought about taking the long way home, but figured Pa was pretty hot and he better not make him any madder. He thought he was way too old to be tanned at 17, but he knew he had crossed the line so far, that his age wasn\u2019t going to save his behind. Joe got into the yard, he went into the barn to put up Cochise. Hoss was in the barn tending to Chubb. \u201cJoe, ya better git up to the house, Pa\u2019s awaitin.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe gulped. \u201cBest git it over with lil brother. Pa\u2019s not gonna git any happier with you stallin\u2019 out here.\u201d Hoss went to Joe and gave him a hug, \u201cGo, on boy.\u201d as he gave him a little shove toward the house. Hoss\u2019s heart went out to him. He knew there was no way of escaping a tanning this time.<\/span><\/p>\n

With his shoulders slumped and his head down. Joe went into the house to face the patriarch of the Cartwright family. He opened the door and looked toward his father\u2019s desk. Pa\u2019s head was down studying some paperwork. Joe cleared his throat. Pa looked up at him. Joe saw Pa\u2019s eyes mixed with anger and disappointment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou wanted me, Pa?\u201d Joe asked in a very small voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome here, Joseph.\u201d Pa commanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe moved slowly until he stood directly in front of his father. He hung his head, \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, look at me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe forced himself to look at his father and gulped.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid I or did I not tell you that you were not to teach your sister to shoot until she was older?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir, but\u2026..\u201d Pa held up his hand to forestall any explanation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut you decided on your own that you would disobey me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir, but\u2026.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, do you think I make these rules for no reason?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, sir.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, I make the rules for the safety of you, your brothers and especially your sister.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cI think you have forgotten a lesson in disobedience that needs to be relearned.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe knew that the \u201clesson\u201d was going to make him awfully sore.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, you will not leave your room the rest of the day. I\u2019ll be up in a moment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe trudged up the stairs. Pa entered Joe\u2019s room a moment later. In one swift movement, Pa had taken off his belt and had Joe over his knee. When he was done, he stood Joe up, turned Joe toward him gave him a fierce hug and said, \u201cI\u2019m sorry son, I love you and all is forgiven.\u201d He left Joe laying face down on his bed, his face awash in tears of pain and shame.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Ellie was pondering her punishment during recess. Her best friend Marybeth came over.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter, Ellie?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow can you stand having four brothers? I\u2019ve got five and they are about to \u2026.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbout to what?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I don\u2019t know\u2026.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With a big sigh, Ellie told Marybeth the whole story.<\/span><\/p>\n

Marybeth looked at her wide-eyed. \u201cOh, Lordy, after all that, you sassed your Papa this morning?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know, I don\u2019t know what got into me. I\u2019m probably gonna get paddled again when I get home, I don\u2019t think my backside can take anymore.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly, Marybeth, what did I do to deserve those 5 brothers? Well, Will is my cousin, but its just the same.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Marybeth knew how she felt. She had four brothers of her own. Andrew was same as Adam, Mark and Matthew were a year older than Hoss and Michael and Joe were the same age. \u201cI don\u2019t know Ellie. Andrew\u2019s paddled me plenty of times, but I still love him. Mark and Matt, well they pretty much leave it to Papa or Andrew and well, Michael wouldn\u2019t even think about it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie sighed, \u201cso you only have four after you including your Papa, and Mark and Matt are probably like Hoss. I can count on my one hand the number of times Hoss has paddled me. I sure can\u2019t say the same about Adam. So, you really only have Andrew and your Papa. Me, I have Papa, Adam, Will, and Clay. They all have a heavy hand. It\u2019s not that I don\u2019t love them, but you know, I just get tired of all those bossing me around all the time and swatting me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Just then, the school bell rang and the children filed back into the school house. The day just dragged for Ellie. She didn\u2019t want to rush home. When the school day was finally over, she and Marybeth walked out of the school house together, waiting for someone to come pick them up. Shortly, Michael came to pick up Marybeth. Ellie sat there waiting for one of her brothers. She thought about just riding home on her own, but she didn\u2019t want to get in any more trouble than she already was. She decided that she should at least get Windy out of the stable and be ready.<\/span><\/p>\n

Back home, the older brothers were coming into the yard. They all stared at each other. Pa opened the door when he heard horses in the yard. He scanned the faces of his boys, Adam, Will, Clay and Hoss. Pa looked a little perturbed. \u201cBoys, where is your sister?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

They all started talking at once. Each one thought the other would have gotten Ellie or maybe Joe. Pa held up his hand to quiet the bunch. No one took notice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, Pa roared, \u201cQUIET!\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam spoke, \u201cPa, I think we all thought one of the other\u2019s were going.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Pa growled, \u201csomeone better go and I mean now!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With that, the four took off for Virginia City. Pa chuckled to himself, he was sure that Ellie was in no mood to see all four. Little did he know, how grateful she would be.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie started walking toward the stable, when she saw a bunch of older boys hanging around the stable. She hesitated, she didn\u2019t know those boys. They looked to be at least Joe\u2019s age. Maybe she should wait for whoever was picking her up. She decided, its ok she was just getting Windy, what was the harm in that? She slowly approached the stable.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHeh, Ely who is that pretty thing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, don\u2019t know Tom.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou think she wants a kiss?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I don\u2019t know Rufe, maybe she does.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHeh, you know her, Bobby?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYup, I\u2019m thinking she is a Cartwright. She looks just like Little Joe. I think I\u2019ll steal me a little kiss.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on honey, let\u2019s have a little kiss.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie was petrified. She started backing up. \u201cPl, pl , please leave me alone,\u201d she stuttered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, we isn\u2019t gonna hurt ya, \u201c said the one called Bobby. \u201cIt\u2019ll be fun,\u201d he said. The other boys snickered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, one of my brothers will be here to pick me up any minute.\u201d she stammered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, they ain\u2019t here now, so let\u2019s have us a little fun.\u201d said the one named Rufe. He started to walk toward her, grabbing her arm. She was twisting and squirming. Then the one named Tom grabbed her other arm. Ellie started to cry. \u201cPlease leave me alone,\u201d she begged.<\/span><\/p>\n

The boys road into the school yard and saw no sign of Ellie. Adam was furious, where is that girl? She knows to stay here until someone comes and gets her. She thinks the swat she got from me yesterday was bad, just wait until I get my hands on her. He looked at his brothers and cousin and saw they were all thinking the same thing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss noted the dark look on his oldest brother\u2019s face. He said, \u201cCalm down Adam. Afore you assume she is doing wrong. She\u2019s probably in the stable getting Windy. Let\u2019s just go have a look see.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As the boys came up on the stable, they noticed a lone figure struggling surrounded by four others. Hoss placed his hand on Adam\u2019s arm and whispered, \u201cThat\u2019s Ellie.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam placed his arm out in front of Will and Clay, he whispered \u201cEllie\u201d as he nodded toward the group. He signaled for Will and Clay to go to his left and he signaled for Hoss to go to his right.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie looked up briefly from her struggle and saw Adam and her other brothers surround her and her tormentors. Adam caught her eye and put his finger to her lips. She looked down and ceased struggling with the boys.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s more like it.\u201d sneered the one named Bobby.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet go of my sister .\u201d Adam said, his voice cold as steel.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bobby whirled around to face Adam. Bobby was pretty big, but not as big as Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEllie, come here.\u201d Adam\u2019s voice commanded. The boys parted and faced Adam as Ellie walked over to Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on boys,\u201d said Bobby, \u201cit\u2019s four agin one, we can take him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t do that if I were you.\u201d Adam said coldly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019s just one of you and four of us, you ain\u2019t that good.\u201d said Bobby nastily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps, however\u2026..\u201d Adam started.<\/span><\/p>\n

Clay stepped up behind one of the others. \u201cHe has a little help.\u201d Clay said smiling tightly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it wouldn\u2019t be right four agin one,\u201d said Hoss as he stepped behind one of the other boys.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I don\u2019t take kindly to you bothering my little cousin, here.\u201d Will said as he stepped behind the third boy.<\/span><\/p>\n

The four tormentors froze and turned to face the other three Cartwright boys.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bobby cringed looking at Ellie. \u201cI thought you had only two brothers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh no, you didn\u2019t ask. If you had, I would have told you that I have 5 brothers, Adam, Will, Clay, Hoss and Joe. Only Will\u2019s my cousin, but he may as well be my brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Will smiled to himself. He liked that Ellie thought of him as one of her brothers.<\/span><\/p>\n

The boys looked like they were going to bolt. But, each one was grabbed by the shirt collar by one of the Cartwright boys. Hoss grabbed two. \u201cI think we ought to haul these boys on down to the sheriff.\u201d With that, Hoss, Clay and Will dragged the offending boys down to the sheriff.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the brothers headed for the sheriff, Adam held his arms out to Ellie, \u201cEllie,\u201d he whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n

She fell into his arms crying with relief. \u201cAdam, I was so scared. I\u2019m sorry I was so mean to you. I don\u2019t hate you. I don\u2019t hate you. Please forgive me Adam,\u201d she sobbed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSssh, baby, all is forgiven. Ellie, I have to ask you a question.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He steeled his breath, \u201cEllie did those boys touch you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean, Adam?\u201d she sniffed through her tears.<\/span><\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t know how to ask. He said in a very low voice, \u201cEllie, just tell me exactly what happened from beginning to end.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie described the ordeal to him in very exact detail. Adam blew a sigh of relief. \u201cThat\u2019s it Ellie, nothing else happened. They just tried to kiss you and then grabbed you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She nodded her head. Thank God, he thought. Ellie is way too young for the possibility of what could of happened here today.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, are you going to tell Papa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I have to Ellie.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlease Adam, don\u2019t tell?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cCuz, he\u2019s already mad at me. I don\u2019t want him to be madder.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa won\u2019t be angry Ellie.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She didn\u2019t look convinced.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam took her face in his hand, \u201cBaby, what those boys did was very wrong, there is no way you could have stopped them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

By this time, Hoss, Clay and Will had returned and were standing off to the side listening. Hoss couldn\u2019t stand it anymore. He went and grabbed her from Adam, \u201cEllie, baby, are you ok?\u201d he whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie reached for Hoss and he swept her up in a big bear hug. \u201cI\u2019m ok now Hoss. Hoss, I\u2019m sorry I said I hated you this morning. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d she whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n

She looked at Will and Clay, \u201cI\u2019m sorry, I\u2019m sorry\u201d she cried. \u201cI love all of you.\u201d With that each of her brothers took a turn holding her and hugging her.<\/span><\/p>\n

Over Ellie\u2019s heads, Adam mouthed to the boys, \u201cNothing happened.\u201d The relief was visible on the faces of all the boys.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOk, princess, it\u2019s time to go home\u201d said Adam. \u201cCan you ride or do you want to ride with me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, can I please ride with you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He smiled, all was right with him and his baby sister again. She leaned against his chest and finally relaxed. He held her tight. His mind was just raging at what could have happened. By the grace of God, nothing had happened. Had he just gone to get Ellie on time\u2026.Tears dropped from his eyes onto Ellie\u2019s head. Ellie snuggled against Adam, feeling safe and secure. She knew her brothers, all five of them would always be there to protect her.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa heard the horses in the yard and came out to see them. He saw Ellie sitting with Adam. He knew something was amiss and Adam signaled him by shaking his head. Ellie caught one look at Pa and burst into tears. Pa reached his arms up to catch her as she fell into his arms.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPapa I\u2019m sorry. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d she sobbed. Pa knew there was more to this than her rudeness from this morning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I think we need to put Ellie to bed for now and let her rest.\u201d said Clay.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need to go to bed,\u201d Ellie sobbed. \u201cI just want Papa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa eyed the boys. He took Ellie into the house and up to her room despite her protests that she did not need to be in bed. Pa helped her change admid all the protesting and tucked her into bed. Pa smiled at his baby shushing her and telling her everything would be fine, she fell asleep within minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa walked heavily down the stairs to find the four older boys waiting for him. Adam looked at his father eye to eye. His eyes told Pa, that something was very wrong. He looked at each one of his boys and could see the distress in each one of their eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, you better sit down.\u201d started Adam. Adam went on to tell the story, watching his father\u2019s face go from disbelief to rage to smoldering anger.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s it Adam. You sure nothing else happened?\u201d Pa asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir. Ellie would have told me. She didn\u2019t even understand what I was talking about when I asked her if those boys touched her. We got there before those boys did anything else.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa heaved a huge sigh of relief. He looked at each one of his boys and said, \u201cI know all of you are feeling guilty because you didn\u2019t pick her up on time and you are thinking that if you had picked her up on time that none of this would have happened. I want each one of you to understand that you have no idea whether or not this would have happened. I want each one of you to remember that the important thing is that you were there to prevent anything else from happening and I will always be eternally grateful to you and God for that. I want you to stop beating yourselves up. That\u2019s an order boys, not a request.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The boys just stared at him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid I make myself clear?\u201d Pa stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

He heard four \u201cyessirs\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to check on Ellie.\u201d With that he turned on his heel and headed for the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Clay looked at the others and said, \u201cHow\u2019d he know what we were feeling?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss just chuckled, \u201cHe always knows. You and Will haven\u2019t had him as a Pa for very long, but believe me, he always knows, he always knows.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa went up stairs to check on his youngest. She looked so young laying in her bed, her long black hair fanning across her pillow. Pa realized that his baby was growing up before his eyes. He knew he needed to have that \u201ctalk\u201d with her about boys. Then he chuckled to himself, he also needed to have a \u201cprivate talk\u201d with her about all the disobedience from the day before and this morning. He thought, she\u2019s growing up, but she is still so young. He closed her door thinking, all those talks he needed to have with her could wait another day.<\/span><\/p>\n

THE END<\/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

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

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

Summary: \u00a0Sometimes Ellie can just get a fill of all her brothers, but sometimes she really needs all of them. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0K+ (4,885 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":93,"featured_media":376,"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-3138","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":1645,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/coming-soon-4.jpg?fit=320%2C240&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3124,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3124","url_meta":{"origin":3138,"position":0},"title":"The Circus (by Fozrulz)","author":"Fozrulz","date":"April 24, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Ellie, Joe, Marybeth, and Michael get into some trouble when the circus comes to town. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ \u00a0WC \u00a07000","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\/frontporch.jpg?fit=439%2C305&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3140,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3140","url_meta":{"origin":3138,"position":1},"title":"The Carson City Rodeo (by Fozrulz)","author":"Fozrulz","date":"May 1, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Ellie's trip to Carson City with the Family - what could possibly go wrong......\u00a0 Famous last words. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (10,355 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\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3134,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3134","url_meta":{"origin":3138,"position":2},"title":"Meeting Clay (by Fozrulz)","author":"Fozrulz","date":"April 25, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Just imagine if Ellie had met Clay.... \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (7,210 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":3176,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3176","url_meta":{"origin":3138,"position":3},"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":3186,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3186","url_meta":{"origin":3138,"position":4},"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":3128,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3128","url_meta":{"origin":3138,"position":5},"title":"Placerville (by Fozrulz)","author":"Fozrulz","date":"April 25, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Two men show up from Adam's past.\u00a0 What do they have against him? \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ \u00a0wc\u00a0 7300","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3138","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=3138"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3138\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/376"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3138"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3138"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3138"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}