{"id":3154,"date":"2011-05-01T23:47:40","date_gmt":"2011-05-02T03:47:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3154"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:25:26","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:25:26","slug":"the-spat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3154","title":{"rendered":"The Spat (by Fozrulz)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span>Ellie and Joe get into an argument\u00a0<\/span>– how are they going to solve it and will they get it resolved before Pa steps in. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rated:<\/span>\u00a0K+ (4,760 words)<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 The Spat<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
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Pa could hear<\/strong> the shouting while he was still out in the yard. He couldn\u2019t imagine what all the fuss was about. He opened the front door to find Ellie stamping her foot and Joe standing there with his hands on his hips.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI did not!\u201d Ellie yelled stamping her foot.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou did, too!\u201d Joe yelled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI did not!\u201d Ellie yelled louder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou did too, you little liar!\u201d Joe shouted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cENOUGH!!\u201d hollered Pa.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie and Joe were so intent, that they didn\u2019t even hear Pa walk in. Pa strode purposefully over to Ellie and swatted her backside. He then faced Joe, turned him around and swatted him. The two children stopped in mid shout and stared at their father. \u2018Now, what\u2019s this all about?\u201d he said angrily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNothin\u2019\u201d spat Joe as he took off for the front door, slamming it as he went out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie just glared at the back of the door. Her eyes were just brimming with indignation. She took one look at her father and took off up the stairs crying.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa just shook his head, good Lord, what was that all about, he wondered. Well, best to let tempers cool. Those two youngest of his had the hottest heads, they had tempers to try a saint. Ah, well, they were just like their mother, beautiful, but with a feisty temper.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Joe ran out of the house, he headed toward the barn. He was going for a ride. He ran right into his middle brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss grabbed him by the arm, \u201cHeh watch were ya going Little Joe, what you so all fired up about?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNuthin.\u201d Joe said sullenly as he headed for the barn.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou all upset about somethin\u2019\u201d Hoss remarked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLeave it be Hoss.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere you off to?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRide\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow Joe, you know you ought not to be ridin\u2019 out this late.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor Pete\u2019s sake Hoss, I\u2019m 13, I can go for a ride if I want.\u201d Joe said angrily, shrugging his brother\u2019s hand off his arm.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head. That boy had a temper on him, like no body\u2019s business. He wondered what was going on. Pa\u2019s going to be mighty upset that Joe\u2019s riding out right before dark. He shook his head again, he sure didn\u2019t want to be Joe, when Pa got hold of him.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Hoss walked in the house, Pa was sitting in his chair with his head in his hands, a sure sign that something was not right. \u201cUh, Pa, you ok?\u201d asked Hoss tentatively.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, your brother and sister were having a shouting match when I came in. Joe stormed out and Ellie is in her room crying.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened? Joe ran smack into me on his way out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have no idea son, when I asked, they ran off in different directions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss hesitated. He knew he needed to tell his Pa that Joe had ridden off in a huff. \u201cPa, Joe took Blackie for a ride.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Pa almost shouted. \u201cHe knows not to ride off this close to dark.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know Pa, but he was pretty upset. You know, he\u2019s probably just up at Mama\u2019s grave.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa relaxed a little. Marie\u2019s grave was Joe\u2019s safe haven and thinking spot. \u201cWell son, if he isn\u2019t back in a little while\u2026..\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam came in, \u201cIf who isn\u2019t back..\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAww, Adam, Joe and Ellie was havin\u2019 a spat and Joe took off on Blackie.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis late, that fool kid.\u201d huffed Adam. \u201cDo you want me to go after him?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, son, let him cool off.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing came in. \u201cWhy all this noise? All this screaming! Too noisy! Go back to China and work for quiet family. Deener in 15 minutes. All you go wash, no dirty at dinner.\u201d Hop Sing turned and went back to the kitchen muttering in Chinese.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa looked weary, \u201cWill one of you go get Ellie for supper?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam volunteered, \u201cI\u2019ll go.\u201d He headed up the stairs. He knocked on Ellie\u2019s door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGo away.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEllie it\u2019s time for supper.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot hungry!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam sighed. How many times had he been through this with his baby sister, or his baby brother for that matter? He wasn\u2019t sure who was the most obstinate, Ellie or Joe. \u201cEllie you know Pa is going to make you come down and sit at the table, whether you eat or not. So you may as well come now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Adam was losing patience. He pushed her door open and started toward her. \u201cEllie, you either come downstairs and have your supper sitting down or standing up, which is it going to be?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLeave me alone Adam, you can\u2019t just barge in here!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam sighed again, obstinate and sassy, great, a wonderful combination. Adam walked over to his sister and grabbed her chin in his hand, he forced her eyes up to his. \u201cYou will not talk back to me little girl. You are going to wash your hands and your face and get down supper. And I mean right now!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie glared at Adam. She knew that voice. She and Joe called that the \u201cGod\u201d voice. The voice that you didn\u2019t dare disobey. She thought for a minute and looked at Adam\u2019s dark eyes and the scowl on his face. She extricated herself from Adam\u2019s grip and went to the wash bowl to wash up. Adam stood there with his back against her door and waited for her to finish. When she was done, he escorted her down to the supper table.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie was sullen during supper. She didn\u2019t speak to anyone, she just looked down at her plate and pushed her food around.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEleanor Grace, quit playing with your food and eat your supper.\u201d Pa admonished her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not hungry, may I be excused?\u201d she scowled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWatch you tone, young lady.\u201d Pa cautioned.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie slumped in her chair.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEleanor, eat your supper and for Heaven\u2019s sake, sit up straight. Now!\u201d said Pa, his voice rising.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie looked at her papa. He was getting angry. She could see his temper start to rise. Wisely, she decided she better eat her supper. After she ate enough to satisfy her Papa, she asked to be excused. He nodded his head and she ran back up the stairs to her room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa sighed, \u201cI don\u2019t know what\u2019s got into her and Joe today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMust have been a doozy Pa, I can\u2019t ever remember Joe and Ellie fighting over anything that didn\u2019t last a minute or two. You know she worships Joe, she wouldn\u2019t of done nothin to make him that mad.\u201d Hoss commented.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe took off on Blackie, he headed straight for his mama\u2019s grave. He went to her grave anytime he felt restless or upset. Ellie had really set him off. He just knew he had taken that stuffed bear his mama had given him so many years ago. No one knew he still had that bear. He kept it hidden in his box of treasures underneath his bed. He was too old to be attached to a teddy bear. But, it was the last thing that he remembered his mama had given him. He couldn\u2019t believe she\u2019d had that bear on her bed yesterday. How did she ever find it? She shouldn\u2019t even be in his room. He had grabbed the bear from her and put it back in the box, and now this afternoon it was gone again. He was furious. He poured his heart out to his mama about the injustice of it all and how he was so sorry he didn\u2019t have her last gift anymore. He sat for awhile and suddenly realized it was getting dark. Oh no, he thought, Pa\u2019s gonna be real mad if I don\u2019t get home before dark. He jumped on Blackie and headed for home.<\/span><\/p>\n

The front door opened and Joe walked in.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA might late for you to be out son.\u201d Pa said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Pa I know. I just had to get away and think. I went to see Mama.\u201d Joe said. \u201cI\u2019m sorry if I worried you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa raised his eyebrows at the \u201cyeah\u201d from his youngest son.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe hastily amended, \u201cI meant Yes, sir.\u201d knowing his Pa wasn\u2019t too happy with him riding out the way he did.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa didn\u2019t know what to think, Joe had disobeyed a basic rule about riding after dark, but he hadn\u2019t gone far and was safe and sound. Pa thought of a lecture, but thought better of it. \u201cYou supper is in the warmer, son, best eat and get on up to bed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d Joe muttered as he headed for the kitchen.<\/span><\/p>\n

The next morning found Joe and Ellie in the same mood. Both of them were slouching and sulking at the breakfast table. They were shooting each other dark glances across the table. Pa had had just about enough of this nonsense. He could feel the hairs rising on the back of his neck. He was going to put an end to this ridiculous behavior.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Neither one of the children looked up, which made him even more angry.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBoth of you look right here!\u201d he said pointing at his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie and Joe tore their eyes of their plates and forced themselves to look into their father\u2019s eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour behavior is unacceptable. I don\u2019t know what happened between the two of you. But, whatever it is I want it resolved by supper tonight. If you don\u2019t, I will have a \u201cprivate\u201d talk with both of you before bedtime. Do I make myself clear?\u201d he commanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe and Ellie just sat there.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo I need to repeat myself?\u201d Pa asked his eyes brimming with anger.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe and Ellie looked at their father. They knew that he was really angry. They both realized they better respond and quickly before the \u201cPrivate\u201d talk came a lot earlier than bedtime. The both sighed looking at their father and said, \u201cNo, sir.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFine. You two are excused. Since there is no school today, I expect your chores to be done and then go talk to Adam because I\u2019m sure he can find more chores to keep you busy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam sighed. He sure wasn\u2019t interested in mother henning those two all day.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa caught that sigh and gave him a murderous glance, \u201cProblem, Adam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam was not ready to get on the bad side of his father today. \u201cOh, no sir, not at all.\u201d Adam said giving Pa a thin-lipped smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, weren\u2019t you headed to the fence on the south pasture?\u201d Pa asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cYou know, on second thought take Joe with you. That ought to keep him out of trouble today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir. Come on lil brother, times awastin\u2019.\u201d Hoss was ready to get out of the house and on with his day.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe started to say that he didn\u2019t want to go mend fences, he stole a look at his father. Pa noticed the looked and narrowed his eyes. \u201cJoseph, did you want to say something?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe thought for a minute, he realized how mad Pa was getting and decided that spending the day away from Pa and Adam\u2019s orders wasn\u2019t a bad thing at all. \u201cNo, Sir.\u201d he mumbled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood, then I suggest you and Hoss get along.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir.\u201d With that, Hoss and Joe headed out the door to the buckboard and headed for the south pasture.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam looked at Ellie. Oh, boy, she was going to be a trial today. She was just fuming. Well, maybe a few chores would let her work off a little steam. \u201cEllie, why don\u2019t you get started on the barn chores.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, you know I can\u2019t do them all myself.\u201d she grumped.<\/span><\/p>\n

Oh that mood she is in. He counted to 10. \u201cI know,\u201d he said patiently. \u201cJust go out and get started and I\u2019ll be out to help you in a little while.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie turned on her heel and headed for the door. Ellie headed for the barn trying to think of a way to placate Joe. Pa said if they didn\u2019t solve the problem by supper, both of them were having a \u201cprivate\u201d talk with him, which meant getting spankings. She didn\u2019t want a spanking, especially because she didn\u2019t do anything to begin with. She starting fuming. As she walked out to the barn, she saw her puppy, Shadow was sleeping in the hay. She knelt down to pet Shadow and her mood greatly improved. How could it not, she loved that puppy more than anything. She just couldn\u2019t stay in a sour mood when she had Shadow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on Shadow, come on boy, we\u2019ve got a mountain of chores to do.\u201d Ellie headed into the barn. She had watered and fed the horses, cleaned and straightened the tack, she still needed to muck out the stalls, stack the hay and sweep the floor. She figured that she needed Adam to help with the mucking out, but she could stack the hay. She wasn\u2019t sure, she wasn\u2019t allowed to use the pitch fork. But, she was allowed to use the broom to sweep, she figured there wasn\u2019t much difference between the broom and the pitch fork. After all she was eight. She picked up the pitch fork as Adam walked in.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEleanor Grace, put down that pitch fork, you know you aren\u2019t allowed to use that.\u201d Adam grabbed the pitch fork out of her hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh Adam, you worry too much, I can use the pitch fork, it\u2019s no different than the broom.\u201d she turned to sass her brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Pa\u2019s rule and it\u2019s for your own safety.\u201d Adam stated flatly with his hands on his hips.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie just rolled her eyes. That did it! Adam had had enough. Before, she knew it Adam grabbed her arm and delivered two very hard swats on her bottom. \u201cNow, that\u2019s enough little girl. I\u2019ve had enough sass and bad mood from you. What\u2019s wrong?\u201d Adam demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie\u2019s eyes started to tear. \u201cSorry, Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam sat down on a bale of hay and motioned Ellie to sit down next to him. \u201cOk, Ellie, something is up with Joe. What happened? If you don\u2019t figure out how to fix it by supper, those two swats you just got is going to be nothing compared to what Pa\u2019s going to give you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d she said looking up at Adam. Her eyes were filled with tears just spilling out and running down her face.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s heart twisted, he hated seeing her cry. \u201cEllie, baby, tell big brother. I know I can help.\u201d he said as he gathered her in his arms.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Adam. Joe is so mad at me. He\u2019s never been really mad at me before. He called me a liar and I didn\u2019t do anything. Honest, Adam, I promise I didn\u2019t do anything. Joe just don\u2019t believe me.\u201d Ellie said, all the words spilled out at once.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam still had no idea what she was talking about. He was going to have to redirect her, piece by piece to make any sense of this. \u201cEllie, what doesn\u2019t Joe believe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat I didn\u2019t take his teddy bear.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d asked Adam incredulously, \u201cThis is over a teddy bear?\u201d Adam ran his hand through his hair and thought, this is unbelievable.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie nodded miserably.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEllie, baby, back up a little, I don\u2019t understand, Joe doesn\u2019t have a teddy bear anymore, he hasn\u2019t had one since he was about your age.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoes so,\u201d she said petulantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEllie?\u201d Adam warned.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie took a deep breath, Adam knew this was going to be one of those long sentence one breath explanations of hers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe has his old teddy bear that he said Mama gave him right before she died. He has it in a box under his bed. Well, Shadow got in his room and got Joe\u2019s teddy bear and chewed on it some. And I found Shadow with it and it was missing an eye and I took it to my room to try and sew the eye back on and Joe saw it sitting on my bed. He got really mad and told me to stay out of his room and his stuff and said I had no business with his stuff and it was private and then he took it back to his room and put it back in the box and I got mad and tried to explain it all and\u2026..<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy Lord, Ellie take a breath,\u201d said Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

She took a breath, \u201cAnd today it was missing and he said I took it. But Adam, I didn\u2019t, honest I didn\u2019t. I don\u2019t know how to make Joe believe me, I\u2019ve never lied to him before.\u201d she looked down at her feet. \u201cAnd now he hates me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam hugged Ellie, \u201cBaby, he doesn\u2019t hate you, he\u2019s just embarrassed and upset right now.\u201d Adam was amazed. He hadn\u2019t seen that bear in years. He had no idea that Joe had hung on to that bear. He knew Joe was desperate to hang on to a piece of Marie.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy? It\u2019s just a dumb old bear.\u201d she said crossly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEllie, Joe doesn\u2019t have much from mama. Sometime it just makes him feel better to have something that mama gave him, so he can remember her. He\u2019s probably embarrassed for anyone to know he still holds on to a toy he had as a little boy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I didn\u2019t take it from the box. Honest Adam, I didn\u2019t touch it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam said, \u201cI believe you, but something happened to it.\u201d Adam sat for a minute and then it dawned him what had probably happened. \u2018Ellie, how did the bear get out of the box in the first place?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot sure\u201d she shrugged her shoulders, \u201cI just found Shadow chewing on it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere was Shadow when you found him chewing on the bear?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Uh, oh, Ellie thought. Here is the part where she was going to get in trouble. Shadow wasn\u2019t allowed in the house. He sure wasn\u2019t allowed in her room or in her bed. She had been sneaking Shadow into her room late at night and during the day when Papa was out of the house. She hesitated. She starting swinging her foot and looked at the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam suspected that the dog had been in the house. \u201cEllie, I asked you a question.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUmm, he was in my room.\u201d she said looking at her feet. \u201cAdam, please don\u2019t tell Papa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEllie, how did he get in? You know he isn\u2019t allowed in the house.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie looked at the floor, looked at the ceiling, looked anywhere but Adam\u2019s face. She started playing with the pocket on her dress.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEllie,\u201d Adam repeated more sternly, \u201chow did Shadow get in the house?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI let him into my room to sleep with me.\u201d she said nervously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? How could you do that without anyone knowing?\u201d Adam asked, even though he had a pretty good idea.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie took a big breath. She knew this part was going to get her in more trouble than letting Shadow in the house. \u201cI waited until everyone went to sleep and then I came out to the barn and got Shadow and brought him in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam whistled. \u201cOh my, little girl, if Pa finds out that you\u2019ve been sneaking out to the barn by yourself after dark, you may never sit down again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, please please please don\u2019t tell Papa. I promise I won\u2019t do it anymore. Please!!\u201d she begged, her big green eyes were filling with tears.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEllie, if we can get this taken care of with Joe and you and Joe start acting right, there won\u2019t be any need to tell Pa.\u201d Adam said seriously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut Adam, I didn\u2019t take the bear, I don\u2019t know how to make Joe believe me.\u201d she said sadly kicking the dirt with her foot.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I have an idea.\u201d said Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d she looked at him hopefully.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, so Shadow got the bear out of the box to start with, right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUm hmm.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, it makes sense that Shadow got the bear again and hid it somewhere.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d said Ellie, \u201cwe just have to figure out where Shadow hid it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Adam smiled at her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he usually hides the pinecones we play with in the hay in here. I don\u2019t know why, you\u2019d think it\u2019d make his bed lumpy.\u201d Ellie said walking over to Shadow\u2019s bed in an empty stall. She started digging around in the hay. She found a bunch of pine cones. She had moved all the hay, but she didn\u2019t find the bear. Then she noticed a brown piece of fluff sticking out from under the blanket on the floor in the corner of the stall. \u201cAdam, Adam, I think I found it.\u201d She ran over and dragged the raggedy old bear out by its arm. It was kind of slimy from being chewed on, but it was still in one piece.<\/span><\/p>\n

She ran to Adam with the bear in her hand. \u201cHere it is!\u201d she exclaimed. \u201cThank you, thank you, Adam! I can give it back to Joe and he won\u2019t be mad no more!\u201d She flung her arms around his waist and gave him a big hug.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam smiled, he was glad to help her. \u201cEllie, you best clean that thing a bit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie took off for the house, her chores forgotten. Adam started in on the rest of the barn chores. It was a small price to pay to bring peace to the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe and Hoss headed for the south pasture for the never ending job of fence mending. Hoss looked at his sullen little brother sitting next to him. This was going to be a very long morning he thought. If anyone could get him out of this mood it was Hoss. Hoss\u2019 calm nature and gentle prodding could usually get Joe to open up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHeh, Joe, I think if we work hard, we could get this done by lunch and then maybe you and me could do a little fishing. What\u2019d ya think?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe perked up. He loved fishing, especially with Hoss. \u201cReally Hoss, that sounds great.\u201d Joe said excitedly. The he frowned, \u201cHoss, Pa said I had to ask Adam for extra chores.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you know little brother, I can fix things with Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReally,\u201d said Joe hopefully.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYep, just as soon as you straighten out whatever\u2019s between you and Ellie.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe scowled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBoy, you know you better square things with her or Pa\u2019s gonna set that backside of your\u2019s aching.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know. But Hoss, she took something of mine and won\u2019t give it back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Joe looked at Hoss. He wasn\u2019t about to tell him. \u201cJust somethin\u2019 important mama gave me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cShe tried to tell me that Shadow took it, but I found her with it in her room. And besides Shadow ain\u2019t even allowed in the house, so how would he get it. She\u2019s just lying.\u201d Joe spat out the words.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhoa, whoa little brother. Has Ellie ever lied to you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d Joe admitted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, why\u2019d she start now.\u201d asked Hoss<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know Hoss. Her story don\u2019t make sense.\u201d Joe challenged.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, Ellie\u2019s been letting Shadow in at night to sleep with her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Joe exclaimed, \u201cHow come Pa hadn\u2019t made a fuss about Shadow being in the house?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe he don\u2019t know. But I thought I heard something the other night and I went and checked on Ellie and Shadow was sleeping with her in her bed. I found him there a couple of times.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell how come he ain\u2019t in there when I go get her up in the morning.\u201d Joe questioned.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think she must be puttin\u2019 him out early in the morning. Hadn\u2019t she been awake the last few mornings went you went to get her up?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe nodded his head, \u201cYeah, come to think of it, she has. She must have been awake cuz she got up to put Shadow out.\u201d Joe agreed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you don\u2019t always close your door. So ain\u2019t it possible that Shadow took your, your, well whatever it was that got took, and Ellie is telling the truth?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The light dawned on Joe. He started to feel just awful for the way he treated Ellie. Joe hung his head. \u201cHoss, I called her a liar.\u201d Joe said miserably.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s ok, Joe, we all make mistakes. I just think you need to talk to her. You know, Joe, Ellie worships ya, you are her best friend, she wouldn\u2019t do anything to hurt ya. Ya just need talk to her when we get back and everything will be fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cWell big brother, let\u2019s get on with this fence repair, I\u2019ve got some other fences to be mending at home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss slapped on the back and chuckled, \u201cLet\u2019s get to it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe and Hoss finished the fence repair by lunch time. They jumped in the buckboard and headed back to the house for lunch. When they got home, Hoss offered to put up the buckboard so Joe could go talk to Ellie. Joe headed into the house to find her.<\/span><\/p>\n

He found her sitting on her bed. Joe tapped on the door, \u201cSissy? Can I come in?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cSissy, did Shadow really take my bear?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYep, he did.\u201d and Ellie proceeded to tell Joe the whole story about how Shadow took the bear, she tried to fix it and that\u2019s when Joe found her with the bear.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut Sissy, that was yesterday. What happened to my bear, it ain\u2019t in my room.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReally, Joe, cuz I think you should take another look.\u201d She said mischievously.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe gave her a funny look. He turned around and walked toward his room with Ellie following close behind. He knelt on his floor and pulled out his box of treasures from underneath his bed and there he saw his bear.<\/span><\/p>\n

He looked at her questiongly, \u201cBut, how\u2026.?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie launched into a very long explanation of how Shadow had taken it again and hidden it in his bed in the barn and how Adam had figured it out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe winced, \u201cAdam knows about the bear?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, why?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t bother explaining it. He just sighed and returned the box of treasures to the spot under his bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSissy, I\u2019m sorry I called you a liar. I\u2019m sorry I was so mean. Will you forgive me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Joe. I just don\u2019t want you to be mad at me no more. You never been mad at me like that. I thought you hated me.\u201d Ellie said looking at her feet.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Sissy I really am sorry. I don\u2019t hate you, I could never hate you, you\u2019re my baby sister. It don\u2019t mean I won\u2019t get mad, but I\u2019d never hate you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie breathed a sigh of relief, \u201cIt\u2019s ok, I love you too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The two eldest Cartwright brothers had gone unnoticed standing outside Joe\u2019s door. They smiled to each other and quietly backed down the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHeh, you two,\u201d Adam bellowed, \u201caren\u2019t you coming down for lunch. If you don\u2019t get here quick, Hop Sing says he going back to China and taking those cookies he just made with him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe and Ellie yelled \u201cComing\u201d as they ran down the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t run on the stairs,\u201d admonished Adam. He smiled, well things were back to normal.<\/span><\/p>\n

The four Cartwright children were sitting around the table chattering away, when Pa walked in. He could hear the chatter and realized everything was right with his children again. He was relieved. He didn\u2019t even know what the ruckus had been about and decided he didn\u2019t need to know.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie saw him first, \u2018Hi Pappa!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa stooped down to give Ellie a kiss on her head, \u201cWell, hi princess, how is everything?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust fine Papa, just fine.\u201d she said happily.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa looked over at Joe, who was smiling at his sister. \u201cHow about you son,\u201d he looked at Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEverything is fine Pa.\u201d Joe smiled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, can me and Hoss go fishing?\u201d Joe asked his eyes twinkling.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMay Hoss and I go fishing?\u201d Adam corrected.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, everything was back to normal in the Cartwright household.<\/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: \u00a0Ellie and Joe get into an argument\u00a0– how are they going to solve it and will they get it resolved before Pa steps in. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0K+ (4,760 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":93,"featured_media":1228,"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-3154","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":1211,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3132,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3132","url_meta":{"origin":3154,"position":0},"title":"Meeting Clarissa (by Fozrulz)","author":"Fozrulz","date":"April 25, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0I always wondered what it would have been like if Ellie had met Clarissa. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (6,485 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":3140,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3140","url_meta":{"origin":3154,"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":3119,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3119","url_meta":{"origin":3154,"position":2},"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":[]},{"id":3186,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3186","url_meta":{"origin":3154,"position":3},"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":3158,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3158","url_meta":{"origin":3154,"position":4},"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? 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