{"id":3349,"date":"2011-02-03T12:56:51","date_gmt":"2011-02-03T17:56:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3349"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:23:35","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:23:35","slug":"mistaken-identity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3349","title":{"rendered":"Mistaken Identity (by ljlover2001)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/span>Written in response to the Valentine’s Day chaps and spurs challenge\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rated:<\/span>\u00a0K+ (5,115 words)
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mistaken Identity<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was a beautiful morning<\/strong> and the Ponderosa was looking at her best.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although it was only mid February, the sun was shining, and the water of the lake was sparkling in response to the rays hitting the surface. However, there was a decided chill in the air, and, away in the distance, there was still snow on the mountains, looking for all the world like frosting on top of a birthday cake. This only served to remind anyone who might think otherwise, that winter had not yet totally given up its tight grip on the land.<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Joe took in the beauty all around him, and despite his misery, smiled at what he saw. But not for long, as behind him was his mother\u2019s grave, and the smile soon left his face, when the sight of it brought him back to why he was there.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Mama, I so wish you were here, right now. I really could use your advice, and one of your hugs,\u201d said Joe, with tears running down his face, as he thought about his mother and her caring ways.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although he was barely five when she died, Little Joe did still recall the way his mother would hold him on her lap, and sing lullabies to him, in her native tongue. He also remembered her teaching him to count and to recite the alphabet, and many other things, before she was so cruelly taken from him and his family.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve really landed myself in a heap of trouble, and I can\u2019t go back to school, or home, or town, or anywhere, ever again,\u201d and Joe threw himself across his mother\u2019s grave, and wept some more.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s problems had started only a few, short weeks earlier.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe hadn\u2019t returned to school, since the Christmas holidays, but because of the fairly mild winter, it was looking very likely that he might be able to go back, in the next few days, as the main roads were now clear.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam, Joe\u2019s oldest brother, had some errands to run in town, and Joe asked if he could go with him.<\/span><\/p>\n

At first, Adam didn\u2019t appear to be that keen on the idea.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not so sure about that, little buddy,\u201d he said to the thirteen year old. \u201cI\u2019ve got lots of things to do, and you are not the best at staying out of trouble, when left to your own devices.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAww, come on Adam, please let me go with you,\u201d implored Joe. \u201cWe\u2019ve been stuck out here on the ranch for ages, and I\u2019m just itching for a change of scene.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam looked over at their father, and Ben gave a slight nod.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, okay then, but you have to promise me that you will behave yourself,\u201d said Adam, and Joe readily agreed.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the two brothers rode together on the buckboard, Joe began teasing Adam about his latest girlfriend.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll soon be Valentine\u2019s Day, Adam, and I bet that Miss Catherine is gonna be expecting a very special gift from her boyfriend. What\u2019s it to be, brother? An engagement ring?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

And Joe began singing, \u2018Adam and Catherine sitting in a tree, K \u2013 i \u2013 s- s- i- n- g. First comes kissing, then comes marriage, then comes Adam with a baby carriage.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam cuffed his little brother, none too gently, around the ear.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat joke is tired, Joe, old and tired. Every time I go out with a girl, either you or Hoss start singing that stupid song. I\u2019ve been courting Catherine for less than a month, and most of that time the weather has kept us apart, so I hardly think I am ready to declare undying love for her. I most probably will buy her a small gift, but it won\u2019t be a ring. And you had better not be spreading such notions around town, or else you and I will be heading for a rendezvous in the barn.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe rubbed at his ear, and as he did so, said, \u201cWhat\u2019s a rendezvous and why would we be having one in the barn?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA rendezvous is French for a meeting, and we would be having one, so that I could tan your sorry little hide for spreading false rumours about me and a lady friend,\u201d replied Adam, crossly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, okay, calm down, brother. I ain\u2019t gonna say nothing \u2018bout you and Miss Catherine, if you\u2019re gonna get so worked up about it. I was only having a bit of fun with you,\u201d and Joe folded his arms and plastered his best pout on his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

The rest of the journey passed in silence, but by the time they reached town, Joe had lost the pout and was happy to talk to Adam, again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMay I have some candy from the store, please?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you can, but why ask me? Pa usually gives you some money to spend when we come into town, so you can buy some with that,\u201d said Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah, I forgot about that,\u201d said Joe, and he reached into his jacket pocket and extracted a nickel.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before Adam had brought the buckboard to a complete stop, Joe jumped out and took off for the general store.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, don\u2019t do that, it\u2019s dangerous,\u201d yelled Adam, but his words fell on deaf ears, as the boy was already too far away.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Joe entered the store, his mind was on the candy that he was going to buy with his nickel, but before he could get to that sweet treat, he found himself attracted to a completely different kind of treat. Standing by the counter was the most beautiful looking girl that Joe had ever set his young eyes upon. She was such a stunner that the boy just came to a halt, in the middle of the store, with his mouth hanging open. He may well have stood like that forever, if it hadn\u2019t been for his friend Seth, who was also in the store.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, kid,\u201d called out Seth, but it took him a while to gain Joe\u2019s attention.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHi,\u201d said Seth, standing right in front of his friend, and obscuring Joe\u2019s view of the vision by the counter.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe tried to rid himself of his friend, much as you would a fly, by swatting at him, with his hands, but Seth remained firm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNice way to greet me, when we haven\u2019t seen each other for weeks,\u201d grumbled Seth, and Joe eventually replied.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, but have you seen what I\u2019ve just seen?\u201d said Joe, and he pointed across the store, to the girl.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoes a donkey like strawberries?\u201d replied Seth. \u201cOf course I\u2019ve seen her; in fact before you arrived I was talking to her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe grabbed hold of his friend\u2019s shirtfront and pulled him into a corner of the store.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou were talking to her? What did you say? What\u2019s her name? Where does she live?\u201d asked Joe, in a rush.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seth leaned back against the wall and appeared to be considering Joe\u2019s questions. For what seemed to Joe, like an eternity, he said nothing, and Joe was ready to strangle him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTell me,\u201d he demanded of Seth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seth laughed; in that infuriating way he did, whenever he was getting the better of his friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, kid,\u201d he finally said. \u201cI guess I\u2019d better tell you before you bust a gut. Her name is Angel and she\u2019s just arrived in Virginia City. She\u2019s working at the Bucket of Blood.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never seen anyone as lovely as she is,\u201d said Joe. \u201cIntroduce me to her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Just then, Adam walked into the store, with the list of supplies for the ranch. He spied Joe in the corner and began walking towards him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDarn it,\u201d said Joe, to Seth. \u201cAdam\u2019s here, so I won\u2019t get to meet her, now. Just tell her that I said \u2018hi\u2019 and I\u2019ll try and meet up with her at the saloon, sometime.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt if that\u2019ll work, Joe,\u201d replied Seth. \u201cI can get in there, cos I\u2019m older \u2018n you, but you don\u2019t stand a chance, being only thirteen and having such a baby face,\u201d and he pinched Joe on the cheek, as you would a baby, and then moved away, before Joe had the chance to retaliate.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam grabbed Joe by the arm and pushed him into the corner that Seth and Joe had recently vacated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you ever jump down off a moving wagon, again, or I will turn you over my knee and set your butt on fire,\u201d Adam yelled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKeep your voice down,\u201d replied Joe, praying that Angel and Seth hadn\u2019t heard what Adam had said to him. \u201cYou\u2019re embarrassing me in front of my friends.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t have any reason to embarrass you, if you didn\u2019t act in such a childish manner,\u201d said Adam, but he did lower his tone. \u201cYou could\u2019ve easily been hurt, doing a fool thing like that, in the middle of the main street.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The reason for Adam\u2019s anger was that he\u2019d feared for Joe\u2019s safety, but Joe just took it that Adam was being a party pooper and spoiling his fun.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the two brothers were talking, Angel was watching them. She had noticed Adam, as soon as he entered the store, and was keen to find out more about the handsome cowboy. Seth was still standing quite close to her and heard her asking Mr Cass, the store owner, who the two young men were.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, they are the sons of the owner of the biggest ranch in these parts, miss,\u201d replied Will Cass. \u201cThat\u2019s Joe and Adam Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d said Angel, and having concluded her transactions, she left the store, with Seth close behind her.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eventually, Angel realised that Seth was tailing her and so she stopped walking, turned around, and confronted him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you following me, Seth?\u201d she asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seth was pleased that she had remembered his name, from their very brief meeting in the store, and temporarily forgot what he was about to say. He just stood there, drinking in her beauty.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d said Angel, awakening him out of his reverie.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell what?\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy were you following me?\u201d she repeated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah, sorry,\u201d said Seth. \u201cI just wanted to tell you that my friend thought you were very pretty and he\u2019ll look out for ya in the Bucket of Blood.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd who is your friend?\u201d enquired Angel.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, sorry, his name\u2019s Cartwright, Joe Cartwright,\u201d said Seth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel was really happy to receive this information and assumed that the Cartwright who was interested in her was Adam, only she thought that he was called Joe. She didn\u2019t even think that Seth was referring to Joe, as to her eyes, Joe was just a little boy and far too young to be frequenting a saloon.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t get the chance to go and see Angel that day, as Adam kept a very close eye on him the rest of the time they were in town.<\/span><\/p>\n

A few days later, once Joe was back at school, a very excited Seth approached him in the school yard, at the start of the day.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Joe, I\u2019ve got something for you,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d asked Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Joe took it from his friend and could immediately smell that it was perfumed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho is it from?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy doncha open it and find out?\u201d replied Seth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe did so, and read the following lines:-<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dear Joe<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I am sorry that we haven\u2019t yet been properly introduced and I expect you will think this very forward of me, but I would really like to spend some time with you. Your friend Seth said you would be coming to see me, but as you haven\u2019t made it into the saloon, yet, I thought I would invite you to come and spend the evening with me, on February 14th.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

If I don\u2019t hear otherwise, I will expect to see you, then.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Yours, in anticipation<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Angel<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

XX<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe couldn\u2019t believe his luck. A beautiful young woman wanted to spend an evening with him, and it was on the most romantic night of the year, Valentine\u2019s Day.<\/span><\/p>\n

His joy was unconfined, until Seth burst his bubble, by saying, \u201cHow are you gonna get into town on the 14th, without your Pa finding out what you\u2019re up to?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe knew that this was going to be a major problem, as his father wasn\u2019t in the habit of allowing his thirteen year old son to frequent town, and especially saloons, after dark.<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy mulled over his dilemma during morning lessons and by lunch time had come up with a plan.<\/span><\/p>\n

As they were eating their lunch, Joe told Seth what he proposed to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Seth was rather jealous that Joe had been the one to catch the eye of such a lovely young woman, but he was Joe\u2019s friend, and so he agreed to cover for him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, you can tell your Pa that, and then, once the date is over, you can come out to my place. I\u2019ll leave the back door open and you can come in that way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI shall tell Pa that you and I are working on a project, for school, and that I am gonna stay over at your house,\u201d said Joe. \u201cThat way, I can go and meet Angel and no one at home needs to know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe spent some considerable time trying to decide what he was going to wear for his big night, and then he suddenly realised that as it was going to be Valentine\u2019s Day, he needed to buy Angel a present.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t have much money, as he usually spent his allowance as soon as he received it, but he managed to borrow a couple of dollars off his family.<\/span><\/p>\n

As soon as school was over on the 14th, Joe headed into town, with Seth, and went to the store to buy a gift for Angel. He\u2019d received a couple of notes from girls in his class, but hadn\u2019t sent any, seeing as he now had a girlfriend, in the form of Angel.<\/span><\/p>\n

It took the boys a long time to decide on a gift, but they eventually settled on a very pretty pashmina. Joe also wrote a little love note for Angel, in which he talked of her beauty and of his love for her. He finished it by saying that he hoped she would allow him to kiss her goodnight, thereby giving their evening together a dream ending. It was a sweet note written by a little boy with romantic notions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe used Seth\u2019s room to get changed in, and then set off for the Bucket of Blood.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBest of luck, kid,\u201d said Seth, punching his friend on the arm.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Joe arrived in Virginia City, he began to feel rather nervous about what he was about to do. Although he had already started to show a healthy interest in girls, he had never been out with one, not even one of his friends from school. The girl he was about to meet was a lot older than any of his school friends were, and seeing as how she worked in a saloon, she obviously had more experience of the opposite sex than Joe did.<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy tied his horse to the hitching rail, outside the Bucket of Blood, and took a deep breath before going through the doors.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he entered the saloon, he felt as if all the patrons were staring at him, and it made him feel very self conscious. He scanned the room, desperately looking for Angel, and was extremely relieved when he finally caught sight of her. She was sitting at a table near the back of the room, with a man, who had his arm round her.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe walked over to join them, and tried to deepen the tone of his voice, as he spoke.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEvening, Angel, I\u2019m here for our date, and I\u2019ve bought you a gift,\u201d he said, putting the scarf and the note on the table.<\/span><\/p>\n

The man sitting with the girl began to laugh at what Joe had said, and more worryingly, to Joe, Angel looked as though she was about to laugh, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlease leave now, sir, as the lady and I wish to be alone,\u201d went on Joe, sounding more in control than he was actually feeling.<\/span><\/p>\n

At this point, Angel did begin to laugh, as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, sonny, but the lady is with me and as it must be well past your bedtime, I suggest that you get along home,\u201d said the man, rising to his feet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe was very alarmed when he saw just how big the man was; he was nearly as tall as his brother Hoss. He knew that there was no way he would win, if the man wanted to fight him, and Angel didn\u2019t seem to be willing to back up what he was saying.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think there must have been some mistake, Adam,\u201d said Angel, causing Joe to look around the room, in search of his brother. \u201cI was expecting Joe to join me here, tonight, not you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe opened his mouth, in order to explain that he was Joe, not Adam, but then the penny dropped and he decided it was best to say nothing. He just turned around and walked out of the saloon, with the man\u2019s laughter ringing in his ears.<\/span><\/p>\n

He mounted up and rode out of town, as though the devil himself was after him. He didn\u2019t stop until he was at his mother\u2019s grave. As he rode along, the words \u2018She was expecting Adam, not me\u2019, were thundering through his head, and the more he thought about it, the worse he felt.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once at the grave, he dismounted and even though he was very upset, he still took the time to take care of his horse. He soon had a fire going and then made himself as comfortable as he could, on the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam had spent the early part of Valentine\u2019s Day evening having dinner with Catherine and after he\u2019d taken her home, he went to the Silver Dollar to play a few hands of poker with some friends. It turned into quite a late night session and so Adam decided to stay overnight in the International Hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n

The next day, as he was just about to leave town and return to the ranch, he saw Seth Pruitt tying his horse up outside the Bucket of Blood.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHi Seth,\u201d called out Adam. \u201cWhere\u2019s that little brother of mine? I thought he stayed out at your place last night?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Seth, who had spent a sleepless night, waiting for Joe to get back from town, jumped when he heard Adam calling to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Oh no,\u2019 he thought. \u2018It\u2019s Adam, and I don\u2019t know where Joe is.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy fixed a smile on his face, as he waited for Adam to join him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hope you are not planning on visiting a saloon before school, Seth,\u201d said Adam. Then, noticing how quiet the boy was, Adam suddenly had a thought.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy little brother isn\u2019t in that saloon, by any chance, is he?\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so, Adam, it looks kinda shut, to me,\u201d replied Seth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, why are you here, instead of at school, and where is Joe?\u201d asked Adam, again.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seth was too worried about his friend to be able to think up an excuse, and so he just blurted out the truth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know where Joe is, Adam. He was supposed to have been coming here, last night, and then returning to my house, but he never came back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam got Seth to tell him the whole story and then suggested that the boy went to school.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry about Joe; I will find him,\u201d said Adam, and Seth was happy to leave things in Adam\u2019s capable hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam managed to track down Bruno, the owner of the Bucket of Blood. He learned that Joe had actually been there, the night before.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe wasn\u2019t drinking, Adam, I can assure you of that, but he did come in and talk to Angel, the new girl I have working here. Seems there was a bit of a mix up and she thought that you were called Joe and Joe was called Adam. She was expecting you to be spending the evening with her last night and when Joe turned up, well, it was rather embarrassing for the little tyke. He didn\u2019t stick around, once he realised the mistake, and I assumed he\u2019d gone home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he didn\u2019t, well, at least Seth doesn\u2019t think he did,\u201d said Adam, and he thanked Bruno for explaining things to him. He asked Bruno where he could find Angel and he went to talk to her.<\/span><\/p>\n

She was rather embarrassed about the whole incident and did say that she wanted to apologise to Joe for laughing at him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI saw you and your brother in Mr Cass\u2019 store, a few days ago,\u201d explained Angel. \u201cI asked him who you were and he said Joe and Adam Cartwright. I don\u2019t know why, but I thought you were Joe and he was Adam. Then, after I left the store, Seth followed me and said that Joe liked me and would try and meet up in the Bucket of Blood. You didn\u2019t come in, but Seth did and so I gave him a note for you, but it was addressed to Joe, because I thought you were Joe. Of course, Seth gave the note to Joe and so then he thought I wanted to see him at the saloon. He showed up, last night, he\u2019d even bought me a gift, and I repaid him by laughing at him. I\u2019m really sorry, Mr Cartwright, but I\u2019m nineteen years old and your little brother only looks about twelve. I just found it rather funny that he should think I would agree to go out with him. But now I\u2019ve had time to think about it, I do feel bad about what I did, especially after reading the note he left with the pashmina. Will you please tell him that I am very flattered that he liked me, thank him for the gift, and tell him how sorry I am?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam was ready to be angry with Angel, as he feared that she may have led Joe on, but once he spoke with her, he knew that it had all been a genuine misunderstanding. He reassured the girl that he would pass on her apology and then set out to find Joe. He had to admit, if only to himself, that he was rather flattered to know that Angel liked him, as she was a very attractive girl.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was early afternoon before Adam finally found Little Joe. After making a thorough search of the town, he\u2019d ridden home, in case Joe had headed there. Ben was really worried when Adam explained what had been going on.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cObviously, I want him found, as soon as possible, as I can well imagine the poor little guy is suffering, right now,\u201d said Ben. \u201cIt must have been so embarrassing for him, finding out, in a saloon full of people, that he\u2019d got things so wrong. However, he should never have lied to me about staying at Seth\u2019s, last night, and he most certainly shouldn\u2019t have been accepting invitations to meet up with a young lady in a saloon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam agreed with his father, but felt more sorrow than anger for his little brother. It was decided that Adam would go and look for Joe and the general consensus was that he was most likely up at his mother\u2019s grave.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf he\u2019s not there, I\u2019ll come back and we can organise a proper search party,\u201d said Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe was sitting staring out at the lake when Adam arrived.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHi, little buddy,\u201d he said, sitting down next to his brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019ve just come up here to laugh at me, then you can go away again,\u201d said Joe. \u201cI\u2019ve had more than enough of being laughed at, thanks all the same.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t come to do anything of the sort,\u201d said Adam. \u201cI just happened to be in town, this morning, when Seth arrived, looking for you. As you were supposed to have been staying with him, last night, I thought it was a bit strange when he didn\u2019t know where you were.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I bet he soon told you all about what I was really doing, last night, didn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it took a while to get the whole story, but between Seth, Bruno and Angel, I eventually pieced together what had happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When Joe heard what Adam said, he jumped up and made to leave, but Adam followed, and soon caught hold of his little brother, by the arm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSlow down, Joe. Where do you think you are going?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnywhere, as long as it\u2019s away from all the people who know about my humiliation,\u201d said Joe, scrubbing at his face, to try and stem the flow of tears.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you\u2019re not going to get far on foot, are you? And if I go home without you, Pa is going to have my hide.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if I go home with you, he\u2019s gonna have mine,\u201d said Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou might be right on that one, little brother, but he did seem to be more worried than cross. And as for people knowing about what happened, none of them are going to say anything. It was all a misunderstanding and Angel is very keen to apologise to you and to thank you for the lovely gift that you bought her, with my money.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I bet you told her that, too?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I didn\u2019t, Joe, what do you take me for? Come on, let\u2019s get Cochise saddled up and then we can go home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go home with you, Adam, but I\u2019m never going back to school, or into town, again. I just can\u2019t face it, knowing that people know what an idiot I made of myself. As if someone as beautiful and sophisticated as Angel would want to go out with a stupid kid like me? What was I thinking?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou were doing what you do best, Joe, thinking big, and why not? Maybe this time, you were aiming a bit high, but give yourself a few years and girls like Angel will be queuing up to go out with you. Don\u2019t ever stop dreaming, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam being so kind to him was the final straw and Joe flung his arms around his big brother and had a good cry, before they headed for home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben was very relieved to see his youngest son ride into the yard, safe and sound. Before he had a chance to say much, Adam took charge.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see to our horses, Joe, you go and get yourself to bed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe was happy to do so, as he hadn\u2019t been able to sleep much, after all that had happened in town, and he was feeling very tired.<\/span><\/p>\n

He ran indoors and was soon in the sanctuary of his bedroom.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben was going to go after him, but Adam suggested that he left talking to Joe until after the boy had taken a nap.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s all right, Pa, just embarrassed by all that happened. He says he\u2019s never going back to school, or into town, again, as he\u2019s sure everyone will be laughing at him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s understandable I suppose, but he\u2019s going to have to face the town and his friends, sooner or later, and it may as well be sooner,\u201d said Ben. \u201cBut we\u2019ll talk about that after we\u2019ve addressed the issue of him lying to me about where he was going, after school yesterday.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m pretty certain that the humiliation he went through, in the saloon, has cured him of the desire to lie to you, Pa,\u201d said Adam, in an attempt to protect Joe\u2019s hide.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think I am the best judge of that, Adam,\u201d replied Ben. \u201cBut thank you for finding him and bringing him home, and for discovering what had been going on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe slept for a couple of hours and then woke up, feeling hungry. At least he was feeling hungry, until he was fully awake and realised that he still had to have a talk with his father.<\/span><\/p>\n

He washed up and changed his clothes, before going downstairs to face the music.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, when he entered the main room, his father greeted him with a smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHi, son, do you feel a bit better, now that you have slept for a while?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, thanks, Pa, I do,\u201d replied Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s almost supper time, Little Joe, but before we eat I want to have a little chat with you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir, I kinda guessed you would. I\u2019m really sorry about lying to you over staying at Seth\u2019s. I have learnt my lesson, though Pa, really I have.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know that you have been through a tough time, Joseph, but it was of your own making. You knew that I would not approve of my thirteen year old son meeting up with a saloon girl, especially not in the saloon, and at night. So, to cover your tracks, you made up a reason to go and stay at Seth\u2019s house, knowing that you had no intention of staying there. And you know how I feel about lying. It\u2019s one of the things I get the most angry about.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe knew that his goose was cooked, but he tried, once more, to save his hide.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI do know all that, Pa, and I am sorry, honest I am,\u201d and Joe tried out his best puppy dog look, but, unfortunately for him, this time it didn\u2019t work, and he received the spanking that he knew, deep down, he deserved.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben insisted that Joe returned to school, the following day, and all was well, although a few of his friends had heard about his adventure. However, they were more envious than derisory, so it wasn\u2019t as bad as Joe had feared.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe did see Angel in town, a few days later, and she apologised for laughing at him, and for getting his and Adam\u2019s names mixed up.<\/span><\/p>\n

And Adam did spend some time with Angel, too, but that\u2019s another story.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Little Joe forever<\/span><\/p>\n

Lynne<\/span><\/p>\n

February 3rd 2011<\/span><\/p>\n

Disclaimer:\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><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 Written in response to the Valentine’s Day chaps and spurs challenge\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0K+ (5,115 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":103,"featured_media":1051,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[39,40],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3349","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chaps-spurs","category-challenges","wpcat-39-id","wpcat-40-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1469,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe1.png?fit=608%2C570&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2979,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2979","url_meta":{"origin":3349,"position":0},"title":"Captain Joe (by frasrgrl)","author":"frasrgrl","date":"November 24, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 \u00a0This story is in response to November's Chaps and Spurs Challenge. Joe on the high seas.\u00a0 Word Count: 546\u00a0\u00a0Rated: K","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ponderosa-lj.jpg?fit=640%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ponderosa-lj.jpg?fit=640%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ponderosa-lj.jpg?fit=640%2C475&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4460,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4460","url_meta":{"origin":3349,"position":1},"title":"The Gift (by JoeC)","author":"JoeC","date":"April 28, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Joe get's a special birthday present Rating:\u00a0 K\u00a0 (553 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/joe-chaps-21.jpg?fit=314%2C547&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2929,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2929","url_meta":{"origin":3349,"position":2},"title":"No Coffee (by frasrgrl)","author":"frasrgrl","date":"April 24, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 \u00a0The Cartwrights are out on the trail. Rated: K\u00a0 (700 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/cutthroat-junction.jpg?fit=301%2C303&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5391,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5391","url_meta":{"origin":3349,"position":3},"title":"The End of a War (by BnzaGal)","author":"BnzaGal","date":"June 30, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Written using the five words (Bachelor, Medieval, Commence, Culmination, and Tassel) from the Chaps & Spurs Challenge, June 2011. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (1,110 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\/Calamity-over-the-Comstock-8.jpg?fit=634%2C563&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Calamity-over-the-Comstock-8.jpg?fit=634%2C563&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Calamity-over-the-Comstock-8.jpg?fit=634%2C563&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4516,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4516","url_meta":{"origin":3349,"position":4},"title":"Coming Home (by Storm)","author":"storm","date":"October 28, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0This was written in response to the October Chaps and Spurs challenge. I hope you like it.\u00a0 A story as it should have happened. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0 K+ \u00a0WC 1200","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/4Cartwrights.jpg?fit=849%2C541&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/4Cartwrights.jpg?fit=849%2C541&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/4Cartwrights.jpg?fit=849%2C541&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/4Cartwrights.jpg?fit=849%2C541&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2981,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2981","url_meta":{"origin":3349,"position":5},"title":"Brothers and Mud (by frasrgrl)","author":"frasrgrl","date":"April 24, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 \u00a0This is my entry for April's 2013 Chaps & Spurs\/Pinecone Trifecta.A WHIB for Springtime. Have you ever wondered what happened between the brothers making a \"Joe sandwich\" and the mud fight? Well, here's my answer to it. Word Count: 708\u00a0\u00a0Rated: K","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/springtime6.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\/springtime6.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/springtime6.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/springtime6.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3349","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\/103"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3349"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3349\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1051"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3349"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3349"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3349"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}