{"id":3283,"date":"2011-04-20T09:41:05","date_gmt":"2011-04-20T13:41:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3283"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:23:30","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:23:30","slug":"the-first-day-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3283","title":{"rendered":"The First Day (by Fozrulz)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span>THIS IS MY FIRST STORY WITH ELLIE, A CARTWRIGHT DAUGHTER. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rated:<\/span>\u00a0K+ (11,460 words)
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0This story adds a character.\u00a0 The Cartwright boys have a little sister, Eleanor,\u00a0 that was born when Joe was 5, right before his mother\u2019s death.\u00a0 Pa goes off to San Francisco for Cattleman\u2019s Association meeting and leaves Adam in charge of the children.\u00a0 Eleanor is 6, Adam is 23, Hoss is 17 and Joe is 11.<\/em><\/div>\n
\n

 <\/p>\n

The Night Before School<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Adam sat with his head in his hands.\u00a0 He was tired.\u00a0 It was a chore to run the ranch and handle the 3 children.\u00a0 Oh, Hoss wasn\u2019t a child really and he helped a lot with Joe and Ellie.\u00a0 But, he was still tired and wished he could just read his new book without all the responsibility of the ranch at the back of his mind.\u00a0 He smiled to himself and thought, well at least he didn\u2019t have school tomorrow.\u00a0 He was mulling over the fact that his baby sister was starting school tomorrow and that Pa was not here to take her.\u00a0 He fervently wished his Pa were here.\u00a0 He knew that Joe would be no help and that Ellie was scared witless.\u00a0 Just then, the front door opened slamming against the credenza and in bounced Joe and Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHeh, older brother\u201d, shouted Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u201d, said Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, quit shouting, I\u2019m right here. \u201cDid you get the fences mended in the North Pasture?\u201d groused Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wow, touchy, touchy\u2026.\u201dsaid Joe with amusement in his eyes, \u201cSomeone sure seems grouchy.\u00a0 Heh, Hoss does older brother seem a mite grouchy to you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam shot Joe one of those looks.\u00a0 The look that said \u201cstop now, while your still standing, or all you will be doing is standing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss caught the \u201clook\u201d in Adam\u2019s eyes and said, \u201cWell, we\u2019ll just get washed up for supper, won\u2019t we Little Joe.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With that he grabbed his younger brother by the arm and dragged him upstairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHeh, what did you do that for?\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe asked Hoss with a stunned look in his eye.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCuz I don\u2019t want you go and makin\u2019 him mad or nuthin, didn\u2019t you catch \u201cthe look\u201d?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAww, Hoss, I was just teasin him a lil.\u00a0 He always looks like that when Pa\u2019s gone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well\u00a0 iffin you don\u2019t stop, you\u2019ll be standing up at supper.\u00a0 I\u2019d step real easy \u2018bout Adam tonight and don\u2019t give him no trouble \u2018bout goin\u2019 school tomorra and for Pete\u2019s sake don\u2019t sass him none.\u201d\u00a0 Pa had warned Joe not to sass Adam before he left for San Francisco.\u00a0 Everyone was always telling him not to sass.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t really sass that much, well at least he didn\u2019t think so.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d\u00a0 Joe\u2019s face fell, \u201cI almost forgot about school.\u00a0 Gee, Hoss thanks for remindin\u2019 me.\u201d\u00a0 Joe slunk off to get washed up.\u00a0 \u201cdon\u2019t sass\u2026, he mimicked under his breath.\u00a0 Good Lord, what did he ever do to deserve having\u00a0 3 Pa\u2019s.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou say sumpin, boy?\u201d asked Hoss with his eyebrows raised.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m telling you, you watch that sassy mouth of yours or I\u2019ll wallop ya myself.\u00a0 Ya hear me, Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, yeah, I heard ya.\u201d Joes said irritably.\u00a0 Hoss never tanned Joe, well, almost never.\u00a0 Joe was about to say something and thought better of it.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t real sure if Hoss was truly mad.\u00a0 Boy, this evening wasn\u2019t turning out to be any fun at all and it being his last free day before school.\u00a0 What was all the fuss about anyway?\u00a0 Adam is always had that look, especially when Pa is gone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHeh, Hoss, tell Ellie it\u2019s time for supper,\u201d\u00a0 called Adam from the bottom of the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe ran down the stairs, skipping the last few steps and landing his two feet on the floor with a loud bang.<\/span>
\nAdam yelled, \u201cWhat on earth\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWashed and ready for supper.\u201d\u00a0 said Joe amiably.\u00a0 Adam just shot him a dark look.\u00a0 Joe gave him an innocent glance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss knocked on Ellie\u2019s door.\u00a0 \u201cHeh, lil princess it\u2019s time for supper.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot hungwy, Hoss,\u201d came a muffled answer from the bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss thought for a minute.\u00a0 Oh, Lordy another sassy youngin.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t sure he could take Adam\u2019s temper if Ellie was going to cause trouble.\u00a0 He\u2019d rather go back to fence mending.\u00a0 Hoss stuck his head in the door, to see his sister\u2019s back turned to him.\u00a0 He went to her bed and turned her toward him.\u00a0 He leaned down to her face and said as seriously as he could\u00a0 \u201cListen here Ellie, Adam is in no mood to puttin\u2019 up with sassin\u2019 youngins tonight.\u00a0 Ya jes git yourself down there for supper.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d she said petulantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss was getting mighty frustrated with the youngin\u2019s tonight.\u00a0 He grabbed her by the waist, lifted her off the bed and stood her on her feet in front of him and in his best \u201cPa\u201d voice he could muster, \u201cELEANOR GRACE CARTWRIGHT, you have 2 choices, you can go down stairs and sit down in your chair and eat supper or you can go downstairs and stand up and eat supper, now what\u2019s it gonna be?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Her eyes got big as saucers, Hoss never ever called her by her full name.\u00a0 Not only that he sounded so much like Pa, she had to look again and make sure it was Hoss.\u00a0 She snuck another look at him and his eyes were glowering.\u00a0 She thought about what he\u2019d said and when she took on the full meaning of Hoss\u2019s words,\u00a0 she gulped and scooted by Hoss with her backside away from him and ran for the stairs.\u00a0 Hoss chuckled, he\u2019d never spanked her and doubted he ever would, but she didn\u2019t need to know that, did she?<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam looked up the stairs to see Ellie standing at the top.\u00a0 She was such a pretty little girl, she had the look of Marie about her.\u00a0 She was so tiny, petite, with big green eyes and a mass of dark soft curls on her head spilling down to her shoulders.\u00a0 She was like a copy of Joe, only in girl form.\u00a0 They both looked so much like their mother.\u00a0 He smiled, remembering how cute Joe was at that age.\u00a0 Her lower lip was trembling and she was glancing back toward her room.\u00a0 Oh my word, thought Adam, what\u2019s gotten into her.\u00a0\u00a0 She was usually such a good girl.\u00a0 She almost never disobeyed Adam or Hoss for that matter.\u00a0 Adam wished Little Joe would learn a lesson from her.\u00a0 \u201cCome on Ellie, time for supper.\u201d\u00a0 Adam smiled at her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cComing\u201d, she said as she lingered and took the stairs very slowly, one at a time, still looking back.<\/span><\/p>\n

At this rate, dinner would be cold, Hop Sing would be yelling about late suppers and leaving \u201cungrateful\u201d family and going back to China and Adam would be having one big headache.\u00a0 Exasperated, Adam said , \u201cNOW ELEANOR GRACE, not next week.\u00a0 Hop Sing will be mad if you don\u2019t get down here and eat this supper before its time for you to go to bed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 Uh Oh, he said \u201cELEANOR GRACE\u201d she thought and Hoss just said it, why is everyone mad at her.\u00a0 Usually when someone started a sentence with ELEANOR GRACE, it ended up with a swat on her behind.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Just then, to show that he wasn\u2019t really angry with her, Hoss stopped on the stairs and grabbed her up in his arms and carried her into the dining room.\u00a0 \u201cAnd now the Princess of the Ponderosa has been placed on her throne..\u201d as he deposited her in her chair.\u00a0 She giggled.\u00a0 Hoss always made her laugh.\u00a0 Adam was grateful to see that she was smiling.\u00a0 He figured she just missed her Papa, but it was getting tiresome watching her sulk around the house, but still he couldn\u2019t be sure\u2026..<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam said grace and as supper got underway, Joe and Hoss starting telling Adam about their day and how Cochise got away from Joe and well, how they ended up taking a swim, and how\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..\u00a0 But Adam wasn\u2019t really listening.\u00a0 He was watching his baby sister.\u00a0 She wasn\u2019t eating.\u00a0 She was just pushing her food around on her plate.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>
\nEllie was miserable, she just wanted to go to her room and pretend tomorrow wasn\u2019t going to happen.\u00a0 She just knew school was going to be awful.\u00a0 She knew bigger kids teased the little kids and that they were mean.\u00a0 Joe was always coming home with a black eye or something.\u00a0 He was always saying how mean they were.\u00a0 He was always saying how \u2026. She just knew that she was gonna get teased because she was a Cartwright, because she was small, because she had curls, because she was the baby, because she was left handed like Joe. And worst of all she couldn\u2019t say all her sounds right.\u00a0 She tried real hard, but she just couldn\u2019t.\u00a0 Papa said she would grow into it.\u00a0 She was so lost in thought, she didn\u2019t even notice Adam was talking to her.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss squeezed her leg and whispered,\u201d Heh, lil princess, Adam\u2019s talkin\u2019 to ya.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She looked up at Adam startled.\u00a0 He saw the tears floating in her eyes.\u00a0 She had those beautiful green eyes, like her mama and Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam said, \u201cEverything ok princess?\u201d\u00a0 Ellie didn\u2019t even look up, she was worried she cry in front of everybody and Joe would tease her about being a baby.\u00a0 Again.\u00a0 Boy, she was powerful tired of Joe telling her what a baby she was.\u00a0 Why just that afternoon he had told her she couldn\u2019t go with him and Hoss because she was still a baby and she couldn\u2019t ride the pony Joe had because she was a baby and she couldn\u2019t do anything by herself because she was a baby.\u00a0 Then worst of all, Joe said she still talked like a baby.\u00a0 She knew she talked funny.\u00a0 It was on account of the shooting accident when she was 2, which took some of her hearing away.\u00a0\u00a0 Pa told her she would learn in time and it was ok.<\/span><\/p>\n

She was on the verge of tears.\u00a0 She just wanted to go to her room. \u201cMay I be \u2018cused?\u00a0 \u201d she asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExcused,\u201d\u00a0 Adam automatically corrected.\u00a0 He\u00a0 didn\u2019t know what to do.\u00a0 He knows Pa never allowed the children to leave the table without at least eating something.\u00a0 Pa usually had the rule, eat 4 more bites of everything and you could go.\u00a0 But Ellie hadn\u2019t eaten anything.<\/span><\/p>\n

Well, missy, what\u2019s the rule?\u00a0 Adam asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking down at her plate, Ellie said \u201ceat 4 more bites of everythin\u2019 on your pwate.\u00a0 But, Adam, I\u2019m not hungwy.\u00a0 I think my tummy huwts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam waivered, but stuck firm.\u00a0 He said in his most serious \u201cPa\u201d voice, \u201c4 bites..\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie choked down 4 very tiny bites of everything on her plate.\u00a0 \u201cNow, may I be \u2018cused?\u201d\u00a0 she asked plaintively?<\/span>
\n\u201cDrink your milk.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She gulped her milk.\u00a0 \u201cNow?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam sighed and glanced at the clock, it was 7:00.\u00a0 \u201cOk, it\u2019s bed time anyhow, with school being tomorrow.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be up to hear your prayers soon.\u201d\u00a0 Adam couldn\u2019t figure out what was going on in her little 6 year old mind.\u00a0 He sorely wished Pa was home.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the mention of school, she took off up the stairs.\u00a0 Once she had fled to the sanctuary of her room, Hoss said to Adam, \u201cAin\u2019t you bein\u2019 a mite hard on her Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, she needs to eat something\u201d,\u00a0 he said tiredly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know Adam, I\u2019m just thinking she\u2019s a missin\u2019 Pa and mehbe a lil scairt bout tomorra.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe so, maybe so\u201d said Adam as he looked up those empty stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once supper was over and the boys cleared the table, Adam was still deep in thought about Ellie.\u00a0 Joe was just about to sit down for a round of checkers with Hoss, when the clock chimed 8:00 and Adam said, \u201cHeh, Joe best be getting up to bed so you can get up for school tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe got a dark look on his face. Going to bed at 8:00, why that was for little kids.\u00a0 He hated Adam telling him to go to bed, like he was a little kid.\u00a0 After all he was 11.\u00a0 Joe scowled.\u00a0 He wanted to make a smart aleck comment to Adam about being too old to be told to go to bed, too old to go to school and about school being too boring and about how he was needed at the ranch.\u00a0 But, Hoss\u2019s and Pa\u2019s warning about sassing Adam was still ringing in his ears.\u00a0 Besides, he caught the \u201clook\u201d earlier and wasn\u2019t taking any chances about having a sore backside and having to sit on a hard bench at school tomorrow.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGoodnight, Joe\u201d, Adam and Hoss chorused.<\/span><\/p>\n

Without saying goodnight, Joe sighed and trudged up the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s with him?, asked Adam.\u00a0 Hoss just shrugged.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam took a look at Hoss and said, \u201cI\u2019ll go check on Ellie\u201d.\u00a0 He sighed as he headed upstairs.\u00a0 Maybe if he offered her a story, she would shake that ornery mood.\u00a0 As Adam approached her room, he heard a soft sobbing.\u00a0 He opened the door and saw Ellie lying on her bed fully dressed, her little body just shaking.\u00a0 He quickly grabbed her up in his arms, shushing her.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s ok baby, big brother is here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot a baby.\u00a0 Pwease, pwease, I want Papa,\u201d\u00a0 she wailed.\u00a0 She buried her face in Adam\u2019s chest and grabbed his shirt with her tiny fists.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s heart skipped a beat.\u00a0 Her crying just about unwound him.\u00a0 \u201cSsh, ssh baby, Papa\u2019s not here, but I am.\u00a0 Papa will be home tomorrow.\u00a0 What\u2019s wrong baby, tell big brother.\u201d\u00a0 With that, Ellie just broke into hysterical sobbing.\u00a0 She was having one of her meltdowns.\u00a0 You could always tell when was about to happen, the lower lip starting quivering, her body starting shaking, yup, you could always tell.\u00a0 Usually the boys left that to Pa and made themselves scarce.\u00a0 But, Pa wasn\u2019t here, so Adam rocked her and rocked her until she was quieted down.\u00a0 When Ellie had finally calmed down, Adam smoothed her hair and wiped her tears away with his hands.\u00a0 She was still hiccupping, when he said, \u201cLet\u2019s get you changed and then you can tell me what\u2019s wrong.\u201d She just nodded.\u00a0 He unbuttoned her dress and pulled it over her head and got her dressed in her nightgown.\u00a0 He pulled her onto his lap and turned her face toward him with his hand and said, \u201cNow what\u2019s this all about?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI ca\u2026ca\u2026can\u2019t go to \u2018cool.\u00a0 Adam,\u00a0\u00a0 Joe, says they are mean to all the wil kids, I can\u2019t talk good.\u00a0 They gonna make fun of me\u2026\u00a0 I just can\u2019t go.\u201d\u00a0 She buried her face deeper into Adam\u2019s chest.\u00a0 All the while, Adam was still rocking her.\u00a0 He stopped and then tipped her chin.\u00a0 \u201cPrincess, you have to go to school.\u00a0 You talk just fine.\u00a0 Remember it\u2019s hard to learn to talk right when you can\u2019t hear all that good on one side.\u00a0 The doctor said you will learn to talk just as perfect as anyone, it just takes time.\u00a0 Not all the kids are mean, most of them are real nice.\u00a0 You know, Marybeth will be there tomorrow.\u00a0 You don\u2019t want to miss your chance to see her do you?\u00a0 Besides, you know that Joe will be there and he won\u2019t let anything happen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie stopped sniffing long enough to think about Marybeth.\u00a0 Marybeth was her best friend and all of 7.\u00a0 Ellie sure wanted to see Marybeth.\u00a0 \u201cYou sure, Adam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cUm hm ,\u201d he soothed as he stroked her hair.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about how I tawk?\u00a0 Joe says I tawk wike a baby still.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u2018\u201cHe said that did he?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh, huh, he was real mad!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, don\u2019t worry about Joe, he didn\u2019t mean it.\u00a0 He knows you can\u2019t hear well.\u00a0 You talk just perfect for being 6.\u201d<\/span>
\n\u00a0With that, Ellie breathed a huge sigh of relief, and relaxed her grip on Adam\u2019s shirt.\u00a0 Adam knew everything.\u00a0 He went to college.\u00a0 He almost knew as much as Pa.\u00a0 If he said she talked ok, he must be right.\u00a0 What a relief!\u00a0 She started to yawn.\u00a0 He just sat there with his arms around her tiny body and rocked her until he felt her relax and fall asleep.\u00a0 He laid her down on the bed and pulled the covers over her.\u00a0 He kissed her head and said, \u201cSleep tight my little princess.\u201d and he walked out of the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Talks like a baby, huh?\u00a0 I think I\u2019ll just go have a talk with baby brother\u2026. Joe was in his room, he hadn\u2019t gotten ready for bed yet.\u00a0 He was still steamed that Adam told him to go to bed.\u00a0 So, he just sat there staring out the window.\u00a0 He wished he were bigger like Hoss, so he didn\u2019t have to go to school and take orders from Adam.\u00a0 He was so lost in his thoughts, he didn\u2019t even hear Adam open the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam walked in his room without so much as a knock.\u00a0 Joe nearly jumped out of his skin.\u00a0 Adam walked over to Joe\u2019s bed.\u00a0 \u201cWell, little brother, I see you aren\u2019t even ready for bed yet.\u201d he said disgustedly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anger flashed in his eyes,\u00a0 \u201cUmm..yeah, well\u2026..I\u2019m not tired\u201d,\u00a0 he said defiantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh really, and what were you told?\u201d\u00a0 Adam said very quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Uh oh, that quiet voice of Adam\u2019s was nothing to mess with.\u00a0 When Adam got real quiet like that, that was the time to start praying.\u00a0 But Joe\u2019s temper got the best of him as usual.\u00a0 Pa always said his temper was going to be the death of him and Joe.\u00a0 Joe just couldn\u2019t help himself, he exploded.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, yeah I know to get ready for bed.\u00a0 I\u2019m tired of you bossing me around.\u00a0 I\u2019m sick of you telling me what to do.\u00a0 You\u2019re not Pa!\u00a0 You don\u2019t get to tell me what to do!\u201d\u00a0 He clamped his mouth shut, he knew he shouldn\u2019t have sassed Adam, the moment it came out of his mouth.\u00a0 Lord, he just couldn\u2019t control his temper.\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss told him not to sass, but it just came out as natural as the day is long.\u00a0 Joe looked at his feet.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh \u2013 huh\u201d said Adam quite calmly, \u201cand uh, Joe, what is Pa\u2019s rule?<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe just couldn\u2019t help himself as he dug himself a deeper hole, he rolled his eyes and said staunchily mimicking Pa\u2019s voice, \u201cWhen you talk to Adam, it\u2019s like you\u2019re talking to me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUmm hmm, so, I suppose you would have talked to Pa like that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe scowled. \u201cNo, but \u2026..\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere are no buts, Joe\u201d, said Adam, \u201c I told you to get ready for bed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell you\u2019re not Pa and I told you, I am too old for you to be telling me to go to bed.\u201d\u00a0 Joe shot back.\u00a0 Joe sat on his bed, glaring at Adam, daring him to do the inevitable.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam closed his eyes and sighed.\u00a0 He had had just about enough of 11 year old Joe\u2019s sass.\u00a0 In one swift moment, he yanked Joe to his feet, turned him around and gave him a two very hard swats on the backside.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s look was one of surprise and anger.\u00a0 \u201cNow Joe, there is a whole lot more of that coming your way, if you don\u2019t stop sassing me.\u00a0 I\u2019m tired, I have a lot of work to do and I just spent the last half hour dealing with Ellie and her \u201cmeltdown\u201d because you told her she talks like a baby.\u00a0 What were you thinking, Joe.\u00a0 You know she can\u2019t hear very well out her left ear and the doc says that\u2019s what\u2019s making it hard for her to get all her sounds.\u00a0 How could you be so mean to her?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe was rubbing his behind, his eyes tearing from the swat.\u00a0 But as Adam spoke, the tears starting rolling down his face.\u00a0 He was so ashamed.\u00a0 He felt bad that he sassed Adam, he felt even worse that Adam swatted him, but he worst of all because he loved his baby sister like nobody\u2019s business, he felt bad that she was having a meltdown on account of him.\u00a0 Joe hung his head and asked misrabley, \u201cThat what she said, Adam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what she said.\u201d\u00a0 Adam didn\u2019t even need to ask if it was true, the look in Joe\u2019s eye\u2019s was enough.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u00a0 I was just so sore.\u00a0 She was being such a pest this morning.\u00a0 I\u2019ll go tell her I\u2019m sorry Adam\u201d he said his eyes looking down the hall to her room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot tonight, Joe.\u00a0 I finally got her calmed down and I don\u2019t want you stirring her up.\u00a0 But you tell her tomorrow and you make sure that you watch her.\u00a0 It\u2019s your job to protect her and make sure nobody hurts her.\u00a0 You\u2019re not suppose to be the one that hurts her.\u00a0 Just like it\u2019s my job to protect you and Hoss and Ellie and it\u2019s Hoss\u2019s job to protect you and Ellie.\u00a0 You understand, me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Adam\u201d, Joe said chastised.\u00a0 Joe knew he had been mean to Ellie and he felt awful.\u00a0 He knew he had crossed the line and wasn\u2019t looking for anymore swats from Adam.\u00a0 Adam swatted a lot harder than Pa most of the time.\u00a0 Surprised by the show of respect, Adam just smiled to himself.\u00a0 He knew his brother felt like he was in a bunch of trouble, especially if he told Pa.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUhh – Adam, I didn\u2019t mean it you know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cThat\u2026. you know\u2026.., what I said before you swatted me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam stood up and pulled his little brother into his embrace.\u00a0 He felt Joe go a little limp as he relaxed in his brother\u2019s arms.\u00a0 \u201cI know buddy, let\u2019s move on and start new in the morning.\u201d\u00a0 He released Joe and said with mock severity, \u201cNow, get ready for bed young man.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir\u201d Joes said as he saluted Adam and dissolved into giggles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u201d Adam asked pausing in the door way.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou ain\u2019t\u00a0 gonna tell Pa what I said to Ellie?\u00a0 I promise I won\u2019t do it again.\u201d Joe said pleading with Adam. Joe knew that teasing Ellie about her speech was one of the worst offenses he could commit, even worse than sassing Pa.\u00a0\u00a0 The last time he made a comment to Ellie about her speech, he had a \u201cprivate\u201d talk with Pa, which was Cartwright code for a tanning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Joe, I think those two swats handled it.\u201d Adam said, pulling Joe\u2019s door shut.\u00a0 As Adam closed his door, Joe breathed a sigh of relief, relieved that he only got two swats.\u00a0 He lay down on the bed exhausted from all the effort.\u00a0 He went to bed thinking \u2013 it\u2019s a good thing this family starts new in the morning.\u00a0 Even after the worst tanning, Pa always said, \u201cLet\u2019s move on and start new in the morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam started downstairs, but thought he should just go on to bed.\u00a0 Playing Pa to those two was as hard a thing as he\u2019d ever done.\u00a0 He\u2019d rather be doing anything else.\u00a0 How did Pa do it with the four of them?\u00a0 He just didn\u2019t know.\u00a0 Please Lord he thought, let Pa come home soon.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Adam was turning down his lamp, Hoss tapped on the door.\u00a0 \u201cYou, ok big brother?\u201d Hoss asked, his voice dripping with concern.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEverything is ok lil brother, go get some sleep.\u00a0 I think tomorrow is going to be a long day.\u201d\u00a0 Adam said tiredly.<\/span>
\nHoss said good night and smiled to himself.\u00a0 He checked on the younger two and found them fast asleep.\u00a0 He covered both of them and gave them each a kiss on their matching masses of curls.\u00a0 All was right with the Cartwright children once again.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Next Morning<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss were sitting at the breakfast table, when Little Joe raced down the stairs and skated into his chair with a big smile on his face.\u00a0 \u201cMorning big brothers!\u201d he sang.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMorning Joe.\u00a0 Go, get Ellie up.\u00a0 And remember Joe, you were going to apologize to her.\u201d said Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFer, what?\u201d\u00a0 asked Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked fearful.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want Adam telling anybody about what he\u2019d said to Ellie.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam just said, \u201cOh, he was just teasing her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss raised his eyebrows at Adam with a silent understanding that passed between them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe wanted to stay and see if Adam told, but he knew he better go get Ellie.\u00a0 Besides, Joe knew it was his job to help Ellie get ready in the morning, school or no school.\u00a0 Just like it was Hoss\u2019s job to see to Joe being ready for the morning.\u00a0 Joe ran up the stairs and knocked on Ellie\u2019s door.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t answer.\u00a0 He pushed the door open and found her sitting on her bed in her nightgown.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cHeh, Sissy, you better shake a leg and get dressed, so you can get yourself some breakfast.\u201d\u00a0 Joe had always called her Sissy.\u00a0 He had called her that since she was born.\u00a0 It was his special name for her, a name that no one else got to use.\u00a0 Not even Adam and Hoss.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo \u2013 don\u2019t wanna go!\u201d she said shaking her curls.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAww, come on Sissy, what\u2019s the matter?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot goin\u2019!\u201d, she said sticking her chin out as she crossed her little arms over her chest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSissy, please, if you don\u2019t come down, we\u2019re both gonna get in trouble with Adam.\u201d\u00a0 She just sat there and glared.<\/span>
\nJoe thought for a minute and realized something.\u00a0 \u201cSissy, you scared cuz today is your first day of school or you mad about what I said yesterday?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Her resolve faded and she dissolved into quiet tears.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Sissy I\u2019m so sorry I said that you talk like a baby.\u00a0 You don\u2019t really.\u00a0 I was just sore.\u00a0 You forgive me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She nodded.\u00a0 Whew, thought Joe, that was easy.<\/span><\/p>\n

But she was still crying.\u00a0 Something else was bothering her.\u00a0 \u201cOh,\u201d said Joe wisely, \u201cyou afraid kids are gonna make fun of ya, huh, because of how ya talk sometimes?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cYou know, Pa told you that will come with time.\u00a0 It\u2019s a little harder to learn when you can\u2019t hear so good out of one side. Right?\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ll tell you what, how \u2018bout if I promise to beat up anyone who says anything?\u00a0 Besides, Ms. Jones won\u2019t let nobody be mean to you.\u00a0 She\u2019s real understandin\u2019,\u201d well she is most of the time he thought.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReawy, bubby ?\u201c she sniffed.\u00a0 Wow, she hadn\u2019t called Joe \u201cBubby\u201d for a long time.\u00a0 Bubby was her pet name for him when she was a baby.\u00a0 When she turned 5, she decided she had to call him Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYep!\u00a0 Cross my heart!\u00a0 Any ways, what\u2019s a big brother for?\u201d\u00a0 Joe was happy to be the big brother for once.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s ok bubby, I wuv you!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jeez, this was getting to be too much.\u00a0 \u201cI love you too Sissy, now come on before Adam comes looking for us.\u00a0 Joe helped her dress quickly before they went down to breakfast.\u00a0 Joe grabbed her by the hand and went downstairs.\u00a0 Ellie ate a very good breakfast that morning.<\/span><\/p>\n

The clock chimed 7:00 am.\u00a0 Adam and Hoss looked up at the clock, then looked at the two children at the table.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYa\u2019ll need to git goin\u2019\u201d said Hoss.\u00a0 Hoss looked at Adam, \u201cYou wanna flip to see who\u2019s taking \u2018em to school?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Standing at the front door, Joe\u2019s eyes narrowed, \u201cI don\u2019t need no big brother taking me to school, like I\u2019m some 6 year old.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but you are taking \u201csome\u201d 6 year old to school and she isn\u2019t allowed to ride by herself yet and neither are you for that matter.\u00a0 So, how do you plan on getting her to school?\u201d Adam pointed out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, she can ride behind me on my pony.\u201d Joe stated flatly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, when is the last time that you rode into Virginia City by yourself?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t like where this was going.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t allowed to ride into town by himself.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s eyes were brimming with indignation, \u201cYou know Pa don\u2019t let me ride into town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExactly, and since school is in town, I think someone needs to take you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe just harrumphed and turned around and slammed the door.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t imagine how embarrassing it would be for one of his brothers to escort him to school.\u00a0 Truth be told, he was a little jittery about riding in by himself, but he wasn\u2019t about to say it.\u00a0 Besides, he could use Ellie as an excuse.\u00a0 Ellie just stood there looking at her feet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam scooped her up in his arms and said, \u201cCome on princess I have to run some errands in town, you can ride with me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss was shaking his head.\u00a0 That little brother of his needed to control that temper.\u00a0 Good thing it was Adam instead of Pa.\u00a0 If Joe been sassing Pa, the way he\u2019d been sassing Adam.\u00a0 Hoss didn\u2019t even want to think of what Pa would say.\u00a0 He sure couldn\u2019t wait until Pa got back that evening.\u00a0 Still shaking his head, he thought better Adam than me.\u00a0 Then he thought, a whole day without Adam or the youngins, what a blessing this day was going to be.\u00a0 Hoss starting whistling a merry tune as he headed out to do his chores.<\/span><\/p>\n

The ride to Virginia City was quiet, each one of the Cartwright children were lost in thought.\u00a0 Joe was thinking about when Pa got home, how he was tell him that he was too big to have someone taking him to school and that he could take Ellie by himself.\u00a0 After all, Hoss took Joe to school when he was that age.\u00a0 Adam was thinking, boy I can\u2019t wait until Pa gets home and I hand these children off to him.\u00a0 All Ellie could think about was how scary the first day of school was going to be.<\/span><\/p>\n

By and by, the trio finally arrived at the school yard.\u00a0 Adam dismounted and pulled Ellie off his horse.\u00a0 She was still in his arms when she spotted MaryBeth, she struggled away from Adam.\u00a0 \u201cWhere you going Princess?\u201d\u00a0 Adam laughed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMawybeth, Adam.\u201d she said as she ran toward her best friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, Liza\u201d, Adam greeted Marybeth\u2019s mother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u201dMorning, Adam.\u00a0 Where\u2019s your father?\u00a0 I thought he\u2019d bring Ellie on her first day of school.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, he\u2019s in San Francisco for a Cattleman\u2019s Association meeting.\u00a0 He\u2019s coming in on the 3:00 stage.\u00a0 He\u2019s going to pick Ellie up, but it\u2019s a surprise.\u00a0 Don\u2019t let on, ok?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure\u201d, she said smiling.\u00a0 She called Marybeth over for some last minute instruction and encouragement.\u00a0 She reminded Marybeth to watch out for Ellie.\u00a0 She told her, \u201cDon\u2019t forget, some of the bigger kids can tease and Ellie won\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, mama, I always watch for Ellie.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam noticed the school teacher, an unfamiliar face to him, he wondered where Ms. Jones was.\u00a0 The teacher was about to ring the bell.\u00a0 He called Ellie over to him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Adam.\u201d she looked up at him with those big green eyes filled with dread.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOk, Princess, I\u2019m going now.\u00a0 I want you to be a good girl.\u00a0 Obey the teacher like he was me or Pa. OK?, Now, give me a kiss to last the whole day!\u201d\u00a0 She gave him a big loud kiss and giggled.\u00a0 It was a little private joke for her and Adam, he always told her he need a big kiss in the morning so it would last the whole day.\u00a0 She took a step back and her lower lip started to quiver.\u00a0 Adam felt so helpless, he felt like he was throwing his baby sister to the wolves.<\/span><\/p>\n

Marybeth\u2019s mom walked over and whispered, \u201cAdam, she\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLiza, where is Ms. Jones?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, she is still back east and she won\u2019t be back until the Spring term.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHmmm,\u201d thought Adam, that didn\u2019t sit with him very well.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t entirely convinced Ellie was going to be ok at school.\u00a0 He just had a bad feeling.\u00a0 He had always been able to sense when things weren\u2019t right with Joe and Ellie.\u00a0 He shook off the feeling and decided he was being way too overprotective of Ellie.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHeh, Joe,\u201d Adam called, \u201cCome take Ellie in to school.\u201d\u00a0 Ellie still looked petrified.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe came over and grabbed her hand and said, \u201cReady, sissy?\u201d\u00a0 Adam knew better than to kiss his little brother in the school yard, so he just ruffled his hair and said, \u201cHave a good day buddy.\u201d\u00a0 Just then, the school bell rang and Joe took off with Ellie.\u00a0 He looked back at Adam and gave a wave and a smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the children filed into the room, they all took seats except Ellie.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t know quite where to sit, it being her first day and all.\u00a0 Joe pushed her toward the front, where the younger kids sit.\u00a0 Ellie took a seat in the second row.\u00a0 Tommy Mayfield grabbed her by the dress and pulled her out of the seat and said, \u201cHeh, dope that\u2019s my seat.\u00a0 All you babies have to sit in the first row.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSowwy,\u201d she whispered.\u00a0 Marybeth grabbed her hand and hauled her into the first row.\u00a0 Joe was watching, but he didn\u2019t want to get into trouble for getting out of his seat on the first day of school.\u00a0 He looked up and realized Ms. Jones was not standing in the front.\u00a0 There was a very strict looking man standing at the front.\u00a0 He was already glaring at Ellie and Tommy.\u00a0 Joe thought, he would just keep an eye on things, since Ellie seemed to be getting settled next to Marybeth.\u00a0 Joe was glad, Marybeth always seemed to watch out for Ellie.\u00a0 He supposed it was because she knew about Ellie\u2019s hearing and speech problems.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy name is Mr. Caruthers.\u00a0 I will be your teacher for this term.\u00a0 The proper response in class will always be \u201cYes sir or No sir\u201d or \u201cYes Mr. Caruthers or \u201c No, Mr. Caruthers.\u00a0 Is that understood?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u201cYes, sir \u201c the class intoned.\u00a0 Well, all the class but Ellie.\u00a0 She was just too scared to talk.\u00a0 His voice was loud and scary and sitting in the front with him looming over her just made her more scared.\u00a0 Not only that he was walking around the front of the class, smacking a ruler against his palm.\u00a0 He was standing on her left side.\u00a0 She strained to hear what he was saying, but she didn\u2019t catch it all.\u00a0 He was going over the rules.\u00a0 He told the class that each student will stand when spoken too, that he made no allowances for rudeness, late work, late students, fighting, fidgeting, day dreaming, \u2026\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mr. Caruthers then pulled out the roll to make sure each student was present.\u00a0 He explained how each should answer, \u201cHere, sir.\u201d\u00a0 He starting calling the roll, \u201cEleanor Cartwright\u201d.\u00a0 Ellie just froze.\u00a0 Marybeth nudged her but she didn\u2019t move. \u201cEllie,\u201d hissed Marybeth. \u201cEleanor Cartwright, Eleanor Cartwright\u201d\u00a0 The other children starting sniggering.\u00a0 Joe was watching, but he wasn\u2019t sure what to do.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want to get in trouble on the first day of school.\u00a0 Much to his relief, with much nudging from Marybeth, Ellie finally said \u201cHere.\u201d\u00a0 But Joe\u2019s relief was short lived.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mr. Caruthers looked very angry.\u00a0 \u201cEleanor, didn\u2019t you listen just now. What did I say the proper response was for roll?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie looked up at him nervously and said \u201cI didn\u2019t hear you, sir\u201d.\u00a0 \u201cSowwy, sir.\u201d\u00a0 Her lip started to tremble and her body starting to shake.\u00a0 Joe recognized the signs of a full blown meltdown coming.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mr. Caruthers stormed, \u201cNot hear me?\u00a0 You are sitting in the front row.\u00a0 I said the proper response is \u201cHere Sir\u201d and there is no such word as sowwy in the English dictionary, the word is sorry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cLet\u2019s try this again, shall we?\u00a0 Eleanor Cartwright?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHere, sir\u201d she trembled.\u00a0 Joe breathed a sigh of relief. He was very grateful that Ellie didn\u2019t have a meltdown.\u00a0 He was very unsure about how to handle the situation.\u00a0 He was proud of himself that he didn\u2019t go punch the teacher and tell him to quit being mean to his little sister.\u00a0 There, for once he controlled his temper.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mr. Caruthers went on with the whole roll.\u00a0 Ellie was miserable.\u00a0 She couldn\u2019t believe how stupid and babyish she felt.\u00a0 At least she didn\u2019t cry.\u00a0 She couldn\u2019t focus at all on school.\u00a0 She was so humiliated.\u00a0 Fortunately, Mr. Caruthers gave the youngest children letters to practice and that didn\u2019t take much concentration for her, Ellie was very good at her letters.\u00a0 Adam had taught Ellie and Joe their letters, numbers and some reading before they ever started school.\u00a0 In fact Ellie was very good at reading, but she had a lot of trouble reading out loud.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally the recess bell rang and the children filed out of the school house.\u00a0 Joe ran over to Ellie.\u00a0 \u201cSissy, sissy, you done so good.\u00a0 You showed that mean Mr. Caruthers.\u201d\u00a0 Ellie started to tear up.\u00a0 \u201cOh, jeez, Sissy, don\u2019t cry, it\u2019s going to be ok.\u201d\u00a0 Joe tried to pull her into his lap and hold her.\u00a0 She pulled away.\u00a0 Just then, Marybeth came over and put her arm around Ellie.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s ok Joe, I just think Ellie wants to play with me, not some yucky old boys.\u201d said Marybeth.\u00a0 Marybeth grabbed Ellie by the hand and dragged her over to a group of girls playing hopscotch.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked from Marybeth to Ellie and wondered what to do.\u00a0 But, it seemed that Ellie was going to quit crying so she could play with Marybeth.\u00a0 So, he shrugged his shoulders and went to find his best friends Mitch Devlin and Michael, Marybeth\u2019s brother.\u00a0 Joe found Mitch and Michael playing marbles.\u00a0 Joe hunched down next to Michael.\u00a0 Michael noticed Joe looking at Ellie and Marybeth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLittle sisters sure are a pain, ain\u2019t they?\u201d Michael asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re telling me\u201d said an exasperated Joe.\u00a0 He wondered if Adam and Hoss ever felt like this when they were looking out for him.\u00a0 Just then, the bell rang signaling that school was back in session.<\/span><\/p>\n

The rest of the day went smoothly, until Mr. Caruthers asked the youngest children to stand and read.\u00a0 Joe heard him ask Ellie to stand and read.\u00a0 Joe was petrified, he didn\u2019t know how Ellie was going to handle it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEleanor read the page 3 of the reader.\u201d\u00a0 He was standing on her left side.\u00a0 She was so engrossed in practicing her arithmetic, she didn\u2019t even hear him.\u00a0 Marybeth tried to nudge her to stand, but Ellie just didn\u2019t notice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mr. Caruthers glared at her and repeated louder, \u201cEleanor, read page 3 of the reader.\u201d\u00a0 She finally noticed that he was staring at her, taping that ruler in his palm.\u00a0 She gulped and looked up at the teacher, she started to tremble.\u00a0 She sat frozen in her seat.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t want to tell him that she hadn\u2019t heard a word he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEleanor, put your hand on the table.\u00a0 If you aren\u2019t going to be obedient and listen to me, you must be punished. \u201c<\/span>
\nJoe, started to stand up.\u00a0 He watched horrified.\u00a0 He knew Mr. Caruthers was going to smack her hand with that ruler.\u00a0 Michael stopped him.\u00a0 He whispered, \u201cDon\u2019t Joe,\u201d as he dragged Joe into a sitting position.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eleanor meekly put her hand on the table.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t know why he wanted her hand on the table.\u00a0 Quickly, he brought the ruler down on her hand three times.\u00a0 Ellie yelped and grabbed her hand back.\u00a0 He grabbed her hand and turned in palm side up and smacked again.\u00a0 Ellie was so stunned, no one had ever smacked her like that in her whole life.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t know what to do.\u00a0 Big crocodile tears started to roll down her face, her lip began to tremble and her body began to shake.<\/span><\/p>\n

Oh no, Joe thought, please Sissy don\u2019t have a meltdown.\u00a0 That will just make things worse.\u00a0 Joe prayed, please Lord keep her from having a meltdown.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thankfully, after Ellie\u2019s punishment, Mr. Caruthers said, \u201cClass is dismissed and now you will understand what it is to be obedient in my class.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As soon as the teacher rang the bell, Joe pushed his way upfront to Ellie.\u00a0 \u201cCome on Sissy, let\u2019s go.\u201d\u00a0 He tried to grab her hand, but she cried in pain and he dropped her hand like a hot potato.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, pwease don\u2019t tell Papa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked uncertain.\u00a0 He knew the teacher had been wrong and that he obviously didn\u2019t know about Ellie\u2019s hearing problem.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t sure whether he should tell Pa or not.\u00a0 \u201cUmmm, Sissy, I don\u2019t know\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Her lower lip started to tremble, he knew she was headed for a meltdown.\u00a0 She\u2019d been heading for one all day.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want it to happen on his watch.\u00a0 He knew that Adam and Pa would be there any moment to pick them up from school.\u00a0 He quickly sushed her, \u201cOk, Sissy, ok, just don\u2019t cry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Across town, the stage had just come in.\u00a0 As Pa stepped off the stage, his first thought was that he couldn\u2019t wait to see his children, especially the two youngest children.\u00a0 The first day of school for Ellie, she was getting to be such a big girl.\u00a0 He looked around for one of his eldest.\u00a0 One of them would have brought the buckboard into town to pick him up.\u00a0 He was anxious, even though he left them in capable hands, he just didn\u2019t like being away from the children.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>
\n\u201cWelcome home, Pa,\u201d he heard.\u00a0 He turned around to see his oldest son.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood to see you son!\u00a0 How did things go while I was gone?\u2019 Pa said while giving Adam a warm embrace.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.\u00a0 \u201cWell, Pa, um\u2026. I\u2019m glad your home and the children are yours once again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyebrows raised.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, what happened while I was gone?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNothing, I couldn\u2019t handle Pa.\u00a0 But those two, surely do wear a body out.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know how you keep up with them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben just chuckled, \u201cIt\u2019s a father\u2019s job, son.\u00a0 Now, let\u2019s get over to the school house and pick them up.\u00a0 I can\u2019t wait to see them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam and Ben rode over to the school house.\u00a0 As they arrived at the school yard, Ben jumped out of the buckboard searching the grounds for his two babies.\u00a0 He saw Joe try to grab Ellie\u2019s hand as she stuck her hand in the pocket of her dress.\u00a0 He thought it odd, but figured, I guess she is a big girl and doesn\u2019t want to hold her brother\u2019s hand anymore.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph! Eleanor! \u201c<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie squealed when she saw her father.\u00a0 Ellie tore away from Joe and flew into her father\u2019s waiting arms.\u00a0\u00a0 Ben picked her up and hugged her tight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMissed you Papa,\u00a0 missed you! \u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI missed you more!\u201d he laughed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Ad\u2019m,\u201d she greeted Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cHi, yourself princess.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe walked non-chalantly over to his father for a more dignified greeting.\u00a0 Still holding Ellie in his arms, Ben didn\u2019t care, he grabbed Joe into his hug with Ellie.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u201d, Joe muttered, \u201cpeople is watching\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre watching\u201d\u00a0 Adam corrected.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe just rolled his eyes.\u00a0 Secretly, he was grateful that Pa was home.\u00a0 Maybe things would get back to normal with Ellie and she wouldn\u2019t want to be having a meltdown every 5 minutes.\u00a0 They all climbed in the buckboard and headed for home.\u00a0 Ben still had not let go of Ellie and she was still in his arms when they climbed in the buckboard.\u00a0 She snuggled close to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPapa can I stay wight here, all the way home?\u201d\u00a0 She put her left arm around his waist.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t want him to see her hand, which was turning ugly red and purple from getting smacked by the ruler.\u00a0 Joe got in the back of the buckboard for the ride home.\u00a0 He noticed Ellie\u2019s hand was starting to swell and turn ugly colors.\u00a0 He thought that there is no way that Pa is going to not notice that hand.\u00a0 He wondered if they were both going to get in trouble.\u00a0 He felt so guilty that he hadn\u2019t taken care of his baby sister like Adam hold told him was his job the night before.\u00a0 He was lost in his own thoughts all the way home.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure baby, sure.\u201d\u00a0 Pa just wrapped his arms around her and stroked her head.\u00a0 She relaxed against his broad chest, just being comforted by his steady breathing and strong arms.\u00a0 Before they were even on the edge of town, Ellie had fallen fast asleep.\u00a0 Adam looked over at Pa and said, \u201cBoy, I guess the first day of school tuckered her out.\u201d\u00a0 Pa just smiled.\u00a0 He loved times like this, when the children were very small and still wanted to sit in his lap and fall asleep.\u00a0 The trip home was quiet, as no one wanted to wake up Elllie.\u00a0 When they got home, Pa carried her upstairs and laid her on her bed and put a quilt over her.\u00a0 He would wake her up for supper.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa came downstairs looking for Joe.\u00a0 \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d Joe looked up from his homework.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cUmm, yes sir, sorry Pa, I wasn\u2019t thinking\u201d,\u00a0 Joe said sheepishly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, is something wrong?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cHow was school?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFine, sir\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Well Pa thought, this is not a very informative conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

\u201cAre you sure everything is fine?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir, just a lot of homework.\u00a0 That Mr. Caruthers is real hard.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said hesitantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFinished your chores, yet?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cYou have an hour to work on your homework, then get your chores done.\u00a0 I expect you to watch the clock yourself. You can finish up the rest of your homework after supper.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Pa didn\u2019t know what was wrong with his youngest son.\u00a0 He certainly wasn\u2019t acting himself.\u00a0 Normally, he would be jumping around, following him around trying to tell him about his day at school.\u00a0 Joe was unusually subdued.\u00a0 Joe was never this compliant unless he knew he was in trouble.\u00a0 He usually had to be cajoled or threatened to do chores and to do homework.\u00a0 Pa let it be for now, he was tired and happy to be home.\u00a0 He would sort it out later.\u00a0 He walked over to his desk to work on the ledgers.\u00a0 Adam came in and they started to discuss the ranch business that had transpired while Pa was in San Francisco.<\/span><\/p>\n

A couple hours later, Hop Sing came in, \u201cMissur Carwrigh\u2026Deener ready in 15 minute.\u00a0 No late\u2026make good deener for you\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa took up from his desk as Joe came in from doing his barn chores.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph, please get Ellie, supper is almost ready.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir\u201d Joe flung over his shoulder as he raced up the stairs.\u00a0 Pa just shook his head, does that boy ever walk anywhere?<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe tapped on Ellie\u2019s door.\u00a0 She was still asleep.\u00a0 \u201cHeh, Sissy, wake up, wake up.\u201d\u00a0 Joe gave her a little shake.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHuh,\u201d she said sleepily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWake up sleepy head, supper\u2019s almost ready.\u00a0 Wash up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie put her hands down to push herself off the bed.\u00a0 \u201cOw\u201d, she cried cradling her hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSissy, does your hand hurt real bad?\u00a0 Let me see.\u201d\u00a0 Ellie put her hand out to Joe.\u00a0 It was black and blue and purple on both sides.\u00a0 It looked so bad, Joe looked worried.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie looked confused.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s matter, Joe?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEllie there is no way you can hide that hand from Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie sat on her bed chewing her lip.\u00a0 \u201cI cain\u2019t eat supper, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cCuz, this is my eatin hand and Papa\u2019ll see and he\u2019ll get mad and he\u2019ll give me spanking for being bad in school.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSissy, you know Pa\u2019s gonna make you come downstairs and sit at the table even if you don\u2019t eat unlessin you is just sick.\u00a0 You ain\u2019t sick.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot going,\u201d she shook her head.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Pa was getting agitated sitting at the table looking at two very empty seats.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, please go see what\u2019s taking those two children so long.\u201d\u00a0 Adam just sighed, those two are going to give me gray hair he thought.\u00a0 Pa glared at Adam\u2019s sigh, \u201c On second thought, I\u2019ll get them myself.\u201d\u00a0 Pa pushed back from the table and started up the stairs.\u00a0 Hoss gave a questioning glance to Adam.\u00a0 Adam just shrugged his shoulders.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie and Joe were so engrossed in their conversation, they didn\u2019t even hear Pa come up the stairs or see him standing at the open door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPwease, Pwease, Joe don\u2019t tell papa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa cleared his throat, \u201cDon\u2019t tell papa what?\u201d he demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Joe and Ellie heard him at the door, they both froze and looked up with stark fear in their eyes.<\/span>
\n\u201cJoseph, go down to supper.\u00a0 Tell Adam to say grace and get started.\u00a0 I want to talk to your sister.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cJoseph!!!\u201d\u00a0 Pa said darkly, you have until the count of 3, 1..2..\u00a0 Joe took off for the supper table, you never ever let Pa get to 3 unless you were wanting to stand for a very long time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie sat on her bed, hanging her head in utter misery.\u00a0 She just knew what was coming.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEleanor, what were you asking Joe not to tell me?\u201d Papa\u2019s voice was gentle, but firm.\u00a0 He did not abide his children keeping secrets or involving the other children in deception.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie didn\u2019t look up.\u00a0 \u201cEleanor, stand up and look at me when I\u2019m speaking to you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie\u2019s lower lip started to tremble as she slid off her bed, she put her hand behind her back and looked up at her Papa with the biggest saddest green eyes imaginable.\u00a0 The tears started to run down her face like a leaking water pump.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEleanor, I\u2019m waiting.\u00a0 What\u2019s behind your back?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She stood there for a moment not knowing what to do.\u00a0 Pa stood in front of her looking very angry.\u00a0 He said, \u201cEleanor Grace, what is behind your back.\u201d his voice rising.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m waiting,\u201d his voice rising a bit further.<\/span><\/p>\n

She showed him her hand and began to sob.\u00a0 \u201cSowwy Papa, sowwy Papa, I be good tomorrow, honest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa saw her hand, red, black and blue.\u00a0 Her hand was swollen and ugly.\u00a0 He felt his blood pressure rising, he was blind with fury.\u00a0 How could her hand be so badly hurt and why didn\u2019t any of the boys know about this.\u00a0 Then he remembered, Joe knew.\u00a0 He\u2019d have to have a discussion with that young man.\u00a0 He was so enraged that he didn\u2019t notice the telltale meltdown signs right away.\u00a0 When he looked up, Ellie lip was trembling and she started to shake like a leaf.\u00a0 Hoping to stave off the meltdown, he pulled her into his lap and hugged her tight.\u00a0 Too, late she let loose those gut wrenching sobs into his chest.\u00a0 He rocked her and rocked her until she calmed down.\u00a0 \u201cBaby, tell Papa, what happened?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201ctweacher\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTweacher?\u00a0 oh, the school teacher?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cHe did this to your hand? But, how, why\u2026..\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cwooler,\u201d she sobbed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRuler?\u00a0 What are you trying to tell me? \u201c\u00a0 She told him all about how she was scared and everything that had happened at school, from Tommy until the final swats with the rule.\u00a0 He had a hard time understanding her through her tears and sobs, but got the jist.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPapa, are you going to paddle me?\u201d she questioned nervously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not, why do you think that?\u201d\u00a0 He pulled her close to give her a hug.\u00a0 Now he knew why she asked Joe not to tell.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCuz, I heawd you tell Joe, that if he got trouble in \u2018cool, you\u2019d paddle him when he got home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d\u00a0 Pa smiled.\u00a0 \u201cSo, a very naughty girl must have been listening at the stairs?\u00a0 Hmmm?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSowwy, Papa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa continued to rub her back and stroke her hair.\u00a0 He was so angry, that the only way to keep calm was to focus on Ellie.\u00a0 He was so angry, the hair on the back of his neck was standing up.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He was furious that Mr. Caruthers would see fit to strike a 6 year old child, let alone a 6 year old who couldn\u2019t hear well and had speech problems.\u00a0 He steeled himself against that anger, he would fix that situation tomorrow.\u00a0 Now, he was hungry and he wanted to eat supper.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on baby, it\u2019s time for supper.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t Papa,\u201d she whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEleanor\u201d he said his voice rising.\u00a0 He was using his \u201cGod, help me voice\u201d, that one where he looked to the ceiling as if asking for some divine intervention.\u00a0 He used that voice with Joe an awful lot. She didn\u2019t know what divine intervention was, but that\u2019s what Adam said he was doing.\u00a0 She only knew when Joe didn\u2019t obey, he got a tanning.\u00a0\u00a0 Ellie didn\u2019t want a tanning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPapa, my hand huwts, can\u2019t hold nothin\u2019,\u201d she stated matter of factly.\u00a0 She knew her Papa was very serious about good table manners and the Cartwright children did not eat with their fingers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, \u201c he said nodding understandingly.\u00a0 He knew she couldn\u2019t hold a fork or a spoon with her right hand.\u00a0 In fact, her right hand was pretty useless.\u00a0 She was sorely left handed.\u00a0 \u201cHow about if I just cut up your food and just this once you can use your fingers?\u00a0 Besides Hop Sing made fried chicken and you don\u2019t need a knife and fork for that.\u201c\u00a0 She nodded relieved.\u00a0 She really was very hungry.\u00a0 He hefted her up and carried her downstairs.\u00a0 As he deposited her in her chair, Adam and Hoss looked questiongly at Pa.\u00a0 He just shook his head no and mouthed the word, \u201clater\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0 When the meal was finally finished, Pa looked at the clock and it was 7 pm, time for Ellie to go to bed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, please take your sister up for bed.\u00a0 You too Joe, I think it\u2019s time for bed.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be up in a few moments to tuck you in and hear you prayers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure Pa,\u201d said Hoss.\u00a0 Hoss moved to scoop up his baby sister.\u00a0 \u201cAnd the princess was carried away on her magical carpet to her palace\u2026\u2026\u201d She giggled as he carried her up the stairs.\u00a0 He turned around and gave Joe that look.\u00a0 That don\u2019t be messin with Pa look.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe started to protest, he usually had another hour.\u00a0 But, he took one look at Pa and decided it was in his bottom\u2019s best interest to be obedient.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYes, sir.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As the youngest three trooped off upstairs, Pa motioned for Adam to follow him into the great room.\u00a0 Pa flopped down in his favorite chair and motioned for Adam to sit across from him.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, did you mention to the new school teacher about Ellie\u2019s hearing and speech?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam looked startled, \u201cUh\u2026 No,sir.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t think about that.\u00a0 I expected Ms. Jones and she knows about Ellie.\u00a0 I was very surprised to see the new teacher.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t I tell you to mention that to the new teacher before I left?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, sir.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t even know Ms. Jones wasn\u2019t going to be back for this term.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI, see\u201d said Ben morosely.\u00a0 He knew that Ms. Jones had left notes about the students in case she didn\u2019t come back to Virginia City in time for the beginning of school.\u00a0 He meant to tell Adam to mention Ellie\u2019s issues with the interim teacher.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t believe he forgot to tell Adam and that he wasn\u2019t here himself to take Ellie to school.\u00a0 He felt the weight of the world bearing down on him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, what\u2019s going on?\u00a0 I don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa went on to tell Adam the whole story, well as much as Ellie was able to tell him.\u00a0 He ended with how ugly the bruises on Ellie\u2019s hand were looking.\u00a0 Adam went white with rage.\u00a0 He jumped out of his chair, \u201cWhy that son of a \u2026\u2026\u2026.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t even think of using that language in this house young man\u201d Pa thundered.\u00a0 Looking at his oldest and knowing how he felt, Pa put a hand on Adam\u2019s arm.\u00a0 Pa took a deep breath and calmed himself, \u201cAdam, we will work this out in the morning.\u00a0 The damage is done.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut Pa, how could he beat a baby\u2019s hand so black and blue, she can\u2019t even hold a fork to eat.\u00a0 For that matter, she probably won\u2019t be able to hold a pencil in school tomorrow to write.\u00a0 Even, if she didn\u2019t have hearing and speech problems, why would anyone hurt a child like that?\u00a0 I just don\u2019t understand.\u201d\u00a0 Adam was seething.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure son, I\u2019m not sure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSay Adam, will you check on Joe.\u00a0 Hoss is with Ellie.\u00a0 I just want to sit here for a little while and think about the best way to handle this situation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Pa. Pa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHmmm?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid Joe know?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, when I went to get them for supper Ellie was begging Joe not to tell me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam headed upstairs to check on Joe.\u00a0 Joe had been acting awfully strange this evening. He figured out that Joe had been struggling with whether or not he should tell Pa.\u00a0 He remembered countless times when Joe or Hoss asked him not to tell Pa.\u00a0 He knew the feeling.\u00a0 He walked up to Joe\u2019s door and tapped on the door, \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe was sitting dejectedly on his bed.\u00a0 His shoulder\u2019s were slumped and his eyes were red.\u00a0 Adam smiled to himself, he walked over to Joe and put his arms around his baby brother.\u00a0 \u201cYou want to talk about it, buddy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe just looked at him with a tear stained face.\u00a0 \u201cI couldn\u2019t \u2018tect her Adam.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t get up and make Mr. Caruthers stop hitting her hand.\u00a0 I just sat there,\u201d\u00a0 he sobbed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam rubbed his back and took Joe\u2019s chin in his hand and looked him square in those big green eyes.\u00a0 \u201cJoe it\u2019s not your fault, there was nothing that you could have done that would have not made the situation worse.\u00a0 I would have done the same thing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cB, b,but, Adam,\u00a0\u00a0 did you see her hand.\u00a0 It\u2019s an awful mess and it\u2019s her left hand.\u00a0 She cain\u2019t even write now.\u00a0 That will probably make Mr. Caruthers even madder.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam enveloped Joe in a big bear hug.\u00a0 Don\u2019t you worry, Joe, Pa said he would take care of it in the morning.\u00a0 Just get some sleep, buddy.\u201d\u00a0 Adam helped Joe get in bed and he pulled the covers up over Joe and tucked him in. \u201cNight buddy,\u201d he said as her turned the lamp down.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Adam walked out of the room, he turned to his little brother, \u201cJoe, it really will be ok.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Adam, I love you!\u201d Joe smiled relieved.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLove you too, buddy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As Adam walked down the stairs, he saw Hoss and Pa sitting in the great room.\u00a0 Pa had just finished telling Hoss the story.\u00a0 Hoss was clenching his fists and looked like he was going to tear something or somebody in two.\u00a0 Adam walked up to him and put his hand on Hoss\u2019 arm.\u00a0 \u201cSimmer down Hoss.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI knowd it Adam, I know, but I\u2019m just so mad.\u201d Hoss stormed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBoys, boys, we need to approach this whole situation with care.\u00a0 Let me think about it.\u00a0 Are Joe and Ellie asleep?<\/span>
\nHe heard a \u201cYes, sir\u201d from both boys.\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t you boys go on up to bed, tomorrow may prove to be a long day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss exchanged glances as they looked at their father.\u00a0 They knew he was struggling with his anger and thought best to leave him to his own thoughts.\u00a0 \u201cNight, Pa\u201d, they said as they headed up the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa sat in his favorite chair with his head back and eyes closed, thinking about the situation.\u00a0 He felt a small tug at his knee.\u00a0 He looked down to see his youngest standing in her nightdress with bare feet.\u00a0 \u201cEllie, I thought you were asleep.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHad a dream Papa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbout what?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWoolers.\u00a0 They was chasin me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa\u2019s smiled to himself, what an imagination that child had, he picked her up and cuddled her to his chest.\u00a0 \u201cDo you want to sit in the rocker?\u201d\u00a0 Ellie nodded.\u00a0 Pa had used that rocker with all his children.\u00a0 He had soothed many bad dreams and many illnesses in that rocker.\u00a0 Truth of the matter was that Ellie was the only one who still wanted to sit in the rocker with her Papa.\u00a0 With her still in his arms, he went and sat in the rocker and rocked her to sleep.<\/span>
\nPa carried her upstairs and tucked her in bed.\u00a0 He stopped by each of the boy\u2019s rooms to drop kisses on their heads and straighten out the covers.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t care how old they were, each of them were still his babies and he loved them unconditionally.<\/span><\/p>\n

The next morning Pa was sitting at the breakfast table with Adam having coffee.\u00a0 They were discussing Pa\u2019s plan.\u00a0 Hoss lumbered down the stairs, \u201cMorning Pa, Morning older brother,\u201d he greeted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMorning Hoss.\u201d they returned.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, is your brother up and ready for school?\u201d Pa asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir.\u00a0 He\u2019s getting Ellie ready.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on Sissy,\u201d Joe pleaded, \u201cyou gotta get ready.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cNot goin\u2019!\u201d, she said sticking her chin out as she crossed her little arms over her chest.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe thought, oh boy, this is just like yesterday morning.\u00a0 I\u2019m not doing this again.\u00a0 Joe went down stairs to get his breakfast.\u00a0 \u201cMorning,\u201d Joe sighed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph?\u00a0 Where is your sister?\u201d Pa asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe says she\u2019s not going, Pa\u201d, he gulped.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa\u2019s eyebrows raised and his eyes narrowed.\u00a0 \u201cWhat?\u201d he thundered.\u00a0 Adam and Hoss exchanged amused glances.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe said she\u2019s not going,\u201d Joe squeaked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa grabbed his napkin off his lap and started for the stairs.\u00a0 He counted 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.\u00a0 He was calming himself.\u00a0 He told himself, she\u2019s scared, she\u2019s just a baby, don\u2019t yell, don\u2019t be angry\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEleanor\u201d, Pa pushed the door open.\u00a0 \u201cGet dressed, NOW!\u201d he demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellie hesitated.\u00a0 \u201cNo! Can\u2019t!\u201d she said squaring her little shoulders and looking her Papa right in the eye.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean No! Can\u2019t\u201d.\u00a0 Lord that child could be so obstinate.\u00a0 He just couldn\u2019t imagine where that trait came from.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cYes, you\u2019re going!\u201d Pa\u2019s voice was rising.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Pa took a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cEleanor, I won\u2019t let him hurt you again.\u00a0 Do you understand?\u00a0 I won\u2019t let him hurt you!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Exasperated, Pa asked, \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t button dress,!\u00a0 Can\u2019t button shoes? Can\u2019t brush hair! Can\u2019t do nuthin\u2019! Hand huwts.\u201d she said stamping her foot with each statement.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Pa\u2019s eyes smiled, \u201cThe logic of a 6 year old.\u00a0 \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you tell Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t ask!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI see.\u00a0 So you need some help?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She nodded her head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome hear baby, Papa can help you.\u201d\u00a0 Once Pa helped her get dressed and brush her hair, they went downstairs for breakfast.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was the problem,\u201d asked Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cButtons,\u201d said Pa.<\/span><\/p>\n

The brothers just exchanged curious glances.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I want you to ride into town and talk to Ms. Wilson.\u00a0 Hoss, I want you to finish branding the new stock in the south pasture, I\u2019ll be taking the children to school this morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir.\u201d he heard both boys.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, Eleanor,\u00a0 are you finished with breakfast?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cGood, it\u2019s time to go to school.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Pa, it\u2019s too early to go to school.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know son, but I need to have a conversation with Mr. Caruthers before school starts.\u00a0 So, go get in the buckboard, it\u2019s hitched up outside.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The children scrambled outside and Adam followed to lift Ellie up into the buckboard.\u00a0 Adam said \u201cGive me kiss, princess, one to last the whole day.\u201d\u00a0 She gave him a big hug and kiss, but she wasn\u2019t smiling.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s ok princess, Pa will take care of everything at school.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss caught Adam, while he was saddling Sport.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, how come you talking to Miz Wilson?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss knew that Miz Wilson was Adam and Hoss\u2019 teacher.\u00a0 She had gotten married and quit teaching school about 2 years ago.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, wants her to tutor Ellie until Ms. Jones returns.\u00a0 He is not letting her go back to the school as long as Caruthers is there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAhhhhh, good idear.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

Boy, Joe thought, this is going to be a bad day.\u00a0 First all his friends were going to see him get to school with his father and then, Mr. Caruthers would probably be even meaner.\u00a0 He sighed, yep, this is not going to be a good day.\u00a0 They got to the school yard about 30 minutes before school started.\u00a0 The yard was just starting to fill with children.\u00a0 Pa caught sight of Liza, Marybeth and Michael walking into the yard.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cMorning Liza,\u201d greeted Pa.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, good morning Ben?\u00a0 How was your trip to San Francisco?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust fine, just fine Liza.\u00a0 Liza, can you keep an eye on Ellie for a few moments, I need to have a word with the schoolmaster.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCertainly.\u00a0 Ben, is anything wrong?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNothing that can\u2019t be handled.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With that Pa steeled himself and walked up the steps to the school house.\u00a0 He rapped lightly on the door.\u00a0 Mr. Caruthers was sitting at his desk grading papers.\u00a0 \u201cExcuse me, Mr. Caruthers?\u00a0 My name is Ben Cartwright, I would like to have a few words with you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, sir, this is not a convenient time.\u00a0 I must get ready for class.\u201d\u00a0 Mr. Caruthers said not even looking up from his desk.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a voice that brooked no argument, Ben inhaled sharply and placed his hands on Mr. Cauthers desk.\u00a0 \u201cI will have a moment of your time, right now!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Startled, Mr. Caruthers looked up.\u00a0 Who was this man?\u00a0 He racked his brain, Cartwright, Cartwright wasn\u2019t that the name of the president of the school board?\u00a0 Or, then he remembered, no that is the last name of the little girl he disciplined yesterday.\u00a0 \u201cYes, Mr. Cartwright, I assume you are here to discuss your disobedient daughter and her punishment yesterday.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI certainly am, Mr. Caurthers.\u201d he said slowly.\u00a0 \u201cFor your information, you beat her hand so badly she couldn\u2019t even pick up a fork for supper last night.\u00a0 She can\u2019t hold a pencil to write, today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBu, Bu\u2026\u2026But, Mr. Cartwright, I punished her left hand, not her right hand.\u201d\u00a0 Mr. Caruthers stuttered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa poked his fingers in Mr. Caruthers\u2019 chest.\u00a0 \u201cOh I\u2019m not done, sir, you will not interrupt me.\u00a0 That\u2019s right, you beat her left hand.\u00a0 Did you hear me sir, you beat the child\u2019s hand.\u00a0 This was not just a slap for being disobedient.\u00a0 The fact is she is left-handed, not right-handed.\u00a0 So her hand is currently useless.\u00a0 Exactly, why did you find it necessary to punish my 6 year old daughter?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mr. Caruthers gulped and then stood up to face Pa and said, \u201cShe did not listen on several occasions yesterday.\u00a0 I had to repeat myself several times for her benefit.\u00a0 I will not tolerate day dreaming in my class.\u00a0 Then, she refused to stand or read when asked.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d said Pa seething with rage.\u00a0 \u201cDid it occur to you that there might be a reason other than day dreaming?\u00a0 Did you check the notes form Ms. Jones?\u00a0 I know that she left the interim teacher a note regarding my daughter.\u00a0 My daughter has a hearing loss in her left ear and as a result she can\u2019t always hear and she hasn\u2019t mastered all her sounds, especially r\u2019s, l\u2019s and s\u2019s.\u00a0 I assure you we work with her at home.\u00a0 Her older brother taught her to read already.\u00a0 She probably did not want to read out loud because she was afraid the other children will make fun of her.\u00a0 If you speak to her you must stand on her right side so she can hear you.\u00a0 And above all, sir, she is 6 years old and is in school for the first time.\u00a0 Surely, you should be more compassionate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Mr. Caruthers just stared at Ben Cartwright.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust one more thing, sir, she will not be attending school here until Ms. Jones returns!\u00a0 Nor will you take any of this out on my son, or you will answer to me personally!\u201d\u00a0 with that final statement Ben Cartwright walked out into the school yard.\u00a0 As he walked out of the school house, Adam was walking toward him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll set Pa,\u201d said Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

He called Eleanor over to him.\u00a0 \u201cEllie I\u2019m going to take you to Mrs. Wilson, she was Adam\u2019s teacher.\u00a0 She will be your teacher until Ms. Jones returns.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hand and hand, Ellie and Pa headed toward Mrs. Wilson\u2019s house.<\/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

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

Summary: \u00a0THIS IS MY FIRST STORY WITH ELLIE, A CARTWRIGHT DAUGHTER. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0K+ (11,460 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":93,"featured_media":378,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[7,23,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3283","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-a-u","category-drama","category-prequels","wpcat-7-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-30-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1397,"today_views":1},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/bonanza-1.jpg?fit=193%2C140&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3119,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3119","url_meta":{"origin":3283,"position":0},"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":3113,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3113","url_meta":{"origin":3283,"position":1},"title":"Of Hounds and Harlots (by Fozrulz)","author":"Fozrulz","date":"April 21, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0This is my second story with Ellie.\u00a0 Christmas time brings a hard lesson for Ellie and Joe. Rated:\u00a0K+(7,805 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":3283,"position":2},"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":3132,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3132","url_meta":{"origin":3283,"position":3},"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":3158,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3158","url_meta":{"origin":3283,"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? 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":3176,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3176","url_meta":{"origin":3283,"position":5},"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":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3283","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=3283"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3283\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/378"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3283"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3283"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3283"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}