{"id":35219,"date":"2020-12-14T00:14:42","date_gmt":"2020-12-14T05:14:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=35219"},"modified":"2026-07-29T12:34:37","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T16:34:37","slug":"harrys-horse-by-patina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=35219","title":{"rendered":"Harry’s Horse (by Patina)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bonanza
\n~*~*~ Advent Calendar ~*~*~
\n* Day 14 *<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Summary:\u00a0 The brothers toil over a gift the Widow Hawkins intends to give the local orphanage.<\/p>\n

Rating: G\u00a0 2,365 words<\/p>\n

This story was written for the Bonanza Brand 2020 Advent Calendar, originated in the Forums.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Harry\u2019s Horse<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDucky!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben cringed, lowered his hat, and tried, to no avail,\u00a0to hide behind\u00a0a\u00a0table piled with\u00a0bolts of fabric.<\/p>\n

Hoss snickered at the sight of his father behaving like Little Joe might if sighted by the irate father of a pretty gal. \u00a0He elbowed the older man in the ribs and\u00a0said in a low voice, \u201cDon\u2019t slouch.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clementine Hawkins swooped \u2018round the corner of the table, the swaying feathers in her hat lending the impression of a hawk descending upon a frightened rabbit.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow fortunate I\u2019ve run into you, Ducky! \u00a0I need a strong man to fetch down my donation\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0little ones at the\u00a0orphanage.\u201d \u00a0She sighed and sorrow colored her eyes for the briefest of moments as she said, \u201cIf only my \u2018Arry, bless his soul, were still with us.\u201d \u00a0Joy once again blossomed on her face. \u00a0\u201cCome along and I\u2019ll fix you a spot of tea\u00a0for your trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked like a panicked rabbit. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Clementine, I just can\u2019t. \u00a0I um . . . I have business with . . . um\u00a0. . . .\u201c\u00a0He looked at Hoss and nudged him. \u00a0\u201cYou know\u00a0. . .\u00a0I have to take care of that . . . thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

The corners of Clementine\u2019s mouth drooped down.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat thing, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked. \u00a0He crossed his arms over his chest and smiled, enjoying his father\u2019s discomfort.<\/p>\n

Ben glared at his largest son. \u00a0Before he could think up some excuse, he was saved by the bell jingling over the mercantile\u2019s door.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got papers for you to sign, Ben,\u201c said Hiram Wood. \u00a0\u201cDo you want to come over to my office? \u00a0I can bring them out to the Ponderosa if you\u2019d prefer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seeing a safe refuge,\u00a0a smile of relief crossed Ben\u2019s face and he tipped his hat as he bowed his head to Clementine. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ve got to take care of this. \u00a0Hoss is more than happy to help you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now it was Hoss\u2019s turn to look glum. \u00a0And just as the afternoon\u2019s entertainment was getting wound up.<\/p>\n

Clementine managed to hold back a sigh of disappointment. \u00a0\u201cCome along, Hoss. \u00a0I suspect this won\u2019t take long at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss meekly followed her to her boarding house and he silently reminded himself to leave Harry\u2019s weight alone. \u00a0Last time he\u2019d ruined a table when didn\u2019t take the time to set down the weight with care.<\/p>\n

She led the way up the stairs to the attic doorway. \u00a0Hoss reached for the knob at the same time and she gave his hand a gentle slap. \u00a0Clementine made her way through chairs, a couple of desks, a bed frame, and other items to open the attic shutters. \u00a0Light flooded into the room, revealing treasures of a long-ago life.<\/p>\n

While theater posters, and Harry\u2019s tights, hung downstairs for all to see, items of a more personal nature were hidden away. \u00a0A white-painted crib, a red-painted cradle with a\u00a0line of small grey elephants\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0side,\u00a0and a small trunk which Hoss supposed held baby clothes. \u00a0Despite his pleasure at his father\u2019s discomfort any\u00a0time\u00a0Clementine\u00a0approached, Hoss felt a sadness rising in him and he wiped the corner of his eye to prevent a tear from falling.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019Arry\u00a0and I desperately wanted little ones but it\u00a0weren\u2019t\u00a0in the cards for us.\u201d \u00a0She\u00a0made her way back to Hoss and\u00a0took\u00a0his\u00a0arm. \u00a0\u201cCome along and get the rocking horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

He followed along behind her to a\u00a0wooden rocking horse he supposed Harry had made. \u00a0The horse\u2019s legs were outstretched, forever in mid-gallop, neck arched and mouth open. \u00a0Hoss lightly ran his fingers down the neck before lifting the toy from under the horse\u2019s belly. \u00a0It was lighter than he\u2019d thought it would be\u00a0although it felt to be solid wood. \u00a0He cradled it against his chest as he followed Clementine out of the attic then down the stairs. \u00a0Once in the living room, he got a better look at the\u00a0toy. \u00a0One of the rockers was split and would have to be replaced; carving a new one wouldn\u2019t take long. \u00a0He wiped off some of the dust, and\u00a0flaking\u00a0paint, with his sleeve\u00a0yet it remained a dingy grey with a faded red saddle\u00a0and bridle. \u00a0It could again\u00a0be magnificent\u2014a bright white body with horsehair added for the mane and tail, shiny black hooves, and flowers\u00a0on the rockers.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow much do you think it\u2019d cost to fix up?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d be right pleased to do it for\u00a0nothin\u2019,\u00a0Miz\u00a0Hawkins.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCoo, paint\u00a0ain\u2019t\u00a0free. \u00a0And you should be compensated for your time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss scrunched up his nose. \u00a0\u201cYou said it\u2019s for the orphans, right?\u201d \u00a0She nodded. \u00a0\u201cIt don\u2019t seem right to ask you to pay for\u00a0somethin\u2019 that\u2019ll bring those little shavers some\u00a0joy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clementine smiled up at him, happiness radiating from her face. \u00a0\u201cYou remind me of my \u2018Arry, you\u00a0do. \u00a0He was always one for\u00a0doin\u2019\u00a0a kind deed. \u00a0Now \u2018ave\u00a0a seat and I\u2019ll bring in a\u00a0cup oftea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no, ma\u2019am. \u00a0I\u2019m a firm coffee man. \u00a0I\u2019ll bring your rocker back in a few days, good as new.\u201d He tipped his hat and picked up the rocking horse, making it clear Clementine couldn\u2019t negotiate him\u00a0into\u00a0staying for tea.<\/p>\n

As he was crossing the street, Hoss saw his father trying to hide in the shadows outside of the mercantile. \u00a0He was tempted to turn back for Widow\u00a0Hawkins but decided he ought not while carrying a delicate relic.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it safe?\u201d \u00a0Ben asked in a stage whisper.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom what?\u201d asked Hoss. \u00a0He hoped his snort was mistaken for a sneeze.<\/p>\n

As Hoss adjusted items in the back of the wagon to make room for the rocking horse, he noticed his father was peering up and over the wagon like a prairie dog.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u00a0ain\u2019t\u00a0comin\u2019 after us, if that\u2019s what you\u2019re worried about.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss didn\u2019t successfully hold back a chuckle at the sound of his father\u2019s sigh.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that you put back there?\u201d Ben asked as he clambered up onto the seat.<\/p>\n

Hoss climbed up and flicked the reins to get the horses going. \u00a0\u201cWidder\u00a0Hawkins wants me to fix up a rocking horse for the orphans.\u201d \u00a0One corner of his mouth turned up as he said, \u201cThat\u00a0horse\u2019ll\u00a0probably be wore out in a day\u2019s time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder why she\u2019s parting with it,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t\u00a0none of us\u00a0gettin\u2019 any younger, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

*<\/p>\n

The next morning, Hoss brought the rocking horse out of the barn for a good look. \u00a0He ran his hands over the body of the horse, checking for splits or the beginnings of cracks\u00a0but found none, likely because it hadn\u2019t suffered rough treatment from a hard-riding child.<\/p>\n

A high-pitched giggle was followed by, \u201cYou\u2019re a mite too big for that\u00a0horsie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss only responded with a glare.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t look like mine. \u00a0Where\u2019d you get it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWidder\u00a0Hawkins.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another giggle. \u00a0\u201cHow bad did Pa squirm?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you got\u00a0somethin\u2019 to do, someplace else?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably.\u201d \u00a0Joe squatted down beside the horse and whistled at the craftsmanship that had produced the toy. \u00a0\u201cWhy\u00a0is\u00a0Widow Hawkins parting\u00a0with it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s for the orphans.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI bet we could fix it up real nice.\u201d Joe snapped his fingers. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll braid reins for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

A shadow fell across the rocking horse. \u00a0\u201cAren\u2019t you boys happy with the real thing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat have you got against toys?\u201d asked Joe. \u00a0\u201cBesides, it\u2019s for the orphans.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u00a0bent over, resting his hands on his knees, to get\u00a0a look at the\u00a0child-sized horse. \u00a0\u201cThe saddle could use a good soaping.\u201d \u00a0He unfastened the cinch and carried the saddle into the barn.<\/p>\n

Hoss followed into the barn for tools\u00a0and spare wood. \u00a0Neither he nor Adam had ever had the luxury of such toys. \u00a0Money had been sparse and what little spare wood remained from preparing logs for building the house had gone into the fire to keep them all warm. \u00a0Joe was the only one to have had a rocking horse, which he\u2019d rode near to death. \u00a0Hoss dropped the chisel and the thud of it reminded him\u00a0of the toy tipping over, trapping Little Joe beneath. \u00a0His little brother hadn\u2019t so much as whimpered, just said his horse fell jumping a fence.<\/p>\n

With Joe\u2019s help, Hoss removed the split rocker from the horse and they set the animal on its side. \u00a0While Hoss started carving a repair piece, Joe got a couple lengths of leather and started braiding.<\/p>\n

\u201cWidder\u00a0Hawkins would\u2019ve probably made a great ma,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe could still be a mother, our mother, if she corners Pa and wears him down,\u201d said Joe.<\/p>\n

Hoss laughed and\u00a0told Joe about the encounter at the mercantile. \u00a0\u201cPa would\u2019ve slipped\u00a0into\u00a0a dress and bonnet if he\u2019d thought it would\u2019ve saved him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both guffawed at imagining their father in a calico dress and pert bonnet.<\/p>\n

Drawn by the laughter, Adam emerged from the barn, rag and tin of soap in hand. \u00a0\u201cWhat\u2019s so funny?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u00a0bein\u2019 afraid of\u00a0Widder\u00a0Hawkins.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe gripped my arm as tight as a tourniquet when I was last at her boarding house with him, like he was a frightened mouse,\u201d said Adam. \u00a0He shrugged a shoulder and said, \u201cMama Inger chased Pa but she was subtle about it, made him think courting was his idea.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam sighed. \u00a0\u201cMama Inger was a real nice lady.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHarry Hawkins might have been the strongest man on Earth but he must not have been strong enough to fend off Widow Hawkins\u2019 advances,\u201d said Joe.<\/p>\n

Hoss blew wood shavings off of the rocker he was carving\u00a0and measured it against the intact rocker. \u00a0\u201cI figure she didn\u2019t have to chase hard.\u201d \u00a0He recalled the baby furniture in the attic. \u00a0\u201cHe probably\u00a0woulda\u00a0done anything to make her happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

All three fell into silence again. \u00a0Adam and Joe returned their focus to the horse\u2019s tack while Hoss worked the rocker over with a shagreen to smooth the roughness away. \u00a0Once finished with the reins, Joe held the horse steady while Hoss attached\u00a0the rocker. \u00a0Both were satisfied with the horse\u2019s smooth motion.<\/p>\n

*<\/p>\n

Red clouds streaked the evening sky as Hoss put the finishing touches on the horse\u2019s flowing mane and tale, made from generous contributions of hair from Buck and Cochise. \u00a0He wiped his palms on his trousers then pressed his fists into his lower back as he stretched. \u00a0Adam approached from the house with an extra cup of coffee and offered it to Hoss. \u00a0Joe, having completed the evening\u2019s chores, came out of the barn and joined his brothers. \u00a0The three men admired the results of their labor\u2014the gleaming saddle, trim reins, and shiny black hooves contrasting with the glossy white body.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeems almost a shame to give it away,\u201d said Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe\u00a0young \u2018uns\u00a0will be\u00a0grinnin\u2019 from ear to ear when they catch sight of this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you taking it directly to the orphanage?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cFigure I oughtta take it over to the boarding house for Widder Hawkins\u2019 approval.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded and accepted Hoss\u2019s proffered coffee cup. \u00a0Hoss carried the rocking horse into the barn and settled a soft blanket over it.<\/p>\n

*<\/p>\n

After breakfast, Hoss loaded the rocking horse into the wagon and head for town. \u00a0Most of the orphans were miners\u2019 children and toys had been few and far between before their parents\u2019 deaths. \u00a0Miners couldn\u2019t afford real horses, much less toy ones. \u00a0Hoss wished no child had to be an orphan but he hoped the rocking horse would bring them a bit of happiness.<\/p>\n

Reaching the boarding house, he nimbly jumped down from the wagon and tied the reins to the hitching post. \u00a0After rapping against the door, he removed his hat and smoothed down wisps of hair.<\/p>\n

A large smile broke across Clementine\u2019s face when she opened the door. \u00a0\u201cWere you able to restore it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome see, ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss offered his elbow and he escorted the widow to the rear of the wagon. \u00a0He lowered the tailgate and carefully pulled back the blanket to reveal the glossy rocking horse.<\/p>\n

Clementine gasped and the fingertips of both hands lightly rested against her cheeks. \u00a0She stretched forth one arm and gingerly ran her fingers along the toy horse, feeling the supple leather and the natural tail.<\/p>\n

Joy radiated from her face and tears glistened in her eyes. \u00a0\u201cMy \u2018Arry\u00a0would be so pleased.\u201d \u00a0She sniffled and dabbed a lacy handkerchief to her eyes and nose. \u00a0\u201cYou done a right fine job of this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow about we take it on over to them orphans?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cWill you \u2018ave\u00a0a spot of tea first?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe after.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss resettled the blanket and assisted Clementine onto the seat. \u00a0He ran the back of his hand across one eye as he pulled the reins from the hitching post.<\/p>\n

At the orphanage, Clementine went in to speak with the matron while Hoss got the rocking horse from the wagon. \u00a0At the widow\u2019s wave, he brought the toy inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want it in the middle of the room or to the side?\u201d he asked the matron.<\/p>\n

\u201cSet it down in the center and I\u2019ll have it moved later if need be,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Two ladies who volunteered at the orphanage entered the room and approached the rocking horse as if it were an ancient relic worthy of reverence, tracing the lines of it with their fingertips and lifting the strands of horsehair at the mane and tail.<\/p>\n

\u201cGather the children,\u201d ordered the matron.<\/p>\n

\u201cPer\u2019aps\u00a0it\u2019d be best if we were\u00a0on our way,\u201d said Clementine.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you want to see the children\u2019s excitement and receive their thanks?\u201d asked the matron.<\/p>\n

Clementine wrapped her hands around Hoss\u2019s forearm and rested her cheek against his broad upper arm. \u00a0She was positive the warmth in her heart was Harry\u2019s spirit assuring her that children for years to come would enjoy the rocking horse he\u2019d created for the babe they\u2019d never had.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow \u2018bout that cup of tea, ma\u2019am?\u201d Hoss asked, looking down at his petite companion.<\/p>\n

Widow Hawkins smiled up at him. \u00a0\u201cCoo, won\u2019t take but a minute to brew a pot.\u201d<\/p>\n

As they neared the orphanage\u2019s front door, the children\u2019s delighted cries caught their ears and added a spring to the pair\u2019s\u00a0step.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Character: Clementine Hawkins<\/p>\n

Gift: Rocking horse<\/p>\n

Inspired by:\u00a0 The Burma Rarity
\nDirector:\u00a0 William Witney
\nWritten by:\u00a0 N.B. Stone, Jr., David Dortort (creator)<\/p>\n

Link to Bonanza Brand 2020 Advent Calendar – Day 15 – Christmas Spirit by Cheaux<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/p>\n

Rating: G\u00a0 2,365 words<\/p>\n

This story was written for the Bonanza Brand 2020 Advent Calendar, originated in the Forums.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":5835,"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_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[1009,23,13,40],"tags":[1062],"class_list":["post-35219","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-brothers","category-drama","category-whn","category-challenges","tag-advent-calendar","wpcat-1009-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-13-id","wpcat-40-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35219","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\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=35219"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35219\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5835"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=35219"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=35219"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=35219"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}