{"id":35245,"date":"2020-12-25T00:16:24","date_gmt":"2020-12-25T05:16:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=35245"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:38:53","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:38:53","slug":"any-gift-of-walters-by-psw","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=35245","title":{"rendered":"Any Gift of Walter’s (by PSW)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bonanza
\n~*~*~ Advent Calendar\u00a0~*~*~
\n* Day 16*<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Summary:\u00a0 When it comes to Joe’s perfect gift to give…<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 1,270 words<\/p>\n

Note:\u00a0 This story was written for the Bonanza Brand 2020 Advent Calendar, originated in the Forums.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Any Gift of Walter\u2019s<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Hey Joe, ya ready to go?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss stuck his head into the Emporium, quickly locating his brother by the hats and shawls displayed near the front of the store. Joseph was braver than him, fer sure, fixin\u2019 to buy one of them frilly things\u2014Hoss woulda been too tongue-tied to ask the price, much less take it up front and pay for the thing in front of everyone\u2014but one look told him that little brother probably weren\u2019t going to be buying anything today either. Joe joined him, expression fixed between a pout and a scowl.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt ain\u2019t there anymore. I knew I should have bought it last week when I was in.\u201d Joe\u2019s frown deepened. \u201cJackson Pierce and Braden Sackett were both sniffin\u2019 around Miss Emma last month, probably one of them beat me to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow Joe, you don\u2019t know that. Coulda been anybody come in and pick it up. Miss Emma ain\u2019t the only gal in town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCoulda fooled me.\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes glazed, as if he was even now seeing her from a distance. \u201cHair the color of corn, eyes like bluebells, shape like a\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if it ain\u2019t there no more, yer\u00a0just gonna have ta buy her somethin\u2019 different.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Joe blinked, and turned a puzzled glance on his brother. \u201cWhat\u2019re you talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Barely. When little brother was distracted by a pretty female, he could be downright distracted<\/em>. \u201cA different present, Joe. Fer Miss Emma.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe went on about that shawl, though.\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes began to drift again. Hoss sighed. \u201cLight blue, deep hood, knee length. Velvet inside and on the trimming. Ribbon wove into the edges, for that little splash of color \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Hoss smacked his brother\u2019s shoulder. \u201cCome on! Any gal got you thinkin\u2019 this much about shawls, ya gotta take a step back. Ain\u2019t right, you goin\u2019 on all gooey eyed about a piece of lacey frippery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLace! There was lace too. It was all \u2026\u201d Joe blinked, and squinted across the street. \u201cIt was just like that one over there.\u201d Hoss followed his gaze. \u201cIt is<\/em> that one! That\u2019s it, Hoss, that\u2019s Miss Emma\u2019s shawl!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss bellowed a laugh, and fetched Joe another good thump. \u201cLooks like it ain\u2019t Miss Emma\u2019s no more.\u201d He raised his voice, waving as he started across the street. \u201cObie! How ya been, you rascal?\u201d<\/p>\n

The old miner turned, a grin splitting his face as he caught sight of the Cartwrights. \u201cWell, Hoss and Joe! What do you know \u2014 I was just tellin\u2019 Walter on the way in that it\u2019d been an age, and he was sure we\u2019d see you today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned, shaking his head. \u201cDon\u2019t that just beat all?\u201d He looked around, and Joe ducked away before Hoss could thump him again. \u201cDon\u2019t that beat all, Joe? Ain\u2019t that Walter somethin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe pasted on a smile. \u201cAin\u2019t he just?\u201d His eyes strayed to the incongruous sight of the frilly blue shawl in the old man\u2019s hand. \u201cHey Obie, what\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWalter\u2019s here, is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah, up the street a ways.\u201d Obie motioned toward a nearby corner, to a rickety wagon topped by a motionless lump of fur. \u201cHe\u2019s right excited to be in town today, can hardly contain hisself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThink I\u2019ll stroll over and say hey.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWalter\u2019d be upset if you didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss and Obie started down the road. Joe skipped around to the prospector\u2019s other side, stretching his grin wider. \u201cSo, you got a lady, Obie?\u201d<\/p>\n

Obie\u2019s eyebrows shot up. Hoss hurried ahead toward the dog. \u201cA lady?\u201d He barked a laugh. \u201cWhere would Walter and I put a lady?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHeh.\u201d Joe leaned against the wagon as they caught up, ignoring Hoss\u2019s enthusiastic tones as he greeted the dog. \u201cDon\u2019t know about Walter, but what about you? Some little gal catch your eye?\u201d<\/p>\n

The old miner actually blushed, tumbling his purchases\u2014including Miss Emma\u2019s blue shawl\u2014carelessly into the dusty wagon bed. \u201cNaw, ain\u2019t got no time fer no lady.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen what\u2019d you buy that shawl for?\u201d Joe squeaked, pointing into the wagon. \u201cWhat do you need a shawl for if you ain\u2019t got a gal?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Hoss rounded the wagon, frowning. \u201cObie bought it, didn\u2019t he, I guess he don\u2019t have ta tell us why.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell yeah, but\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Obie\u2019s cackle cut him off. \u201cOh, that!\u201d He shot a glance toward Walter, then leaned close, beckoning. Hoss and Joe exchanged a glance, and stepped in. \u201cThat\u2019s fer Walter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe squeaked again. Even Hoss seemed confused. \u201cWalter?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYep!\u201d The prospector nodded enthusiastically. \u201cA little Christmas present. He\u2019s been askin\u2019 for one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes widened. Hoss tilted his head, studying the blue mound of fabric. \u201cWalter\u2019s been askin\u2019 fer a shawl? Ya \u2026 ya sure about that, Obie?\u201d<\/p>\n

The old man slapped his knee, chuckling. \u201cWell, he ain\u2019t been askin\u2019 for shawl<\/em>, o\u2019 course.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s high-pitched giggle had a hysterical edge. \u201cCourse not. Then \u2026 what has<\/em> he been, uh, asking for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA nice new bed. Course, he don\u2019t hardly spend any time in the one he\u2019s got\u2014never sits still, does Walter.\u201d\u00a0 A snuffling snore rose from the mound of fur. Joe whimpered. Hoss nodded sagely. \u201cBut it\u2019s nice ta have somethin\u2019 new every now and again, ain\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s he need with a fancy shawl for a bed?\u201d Joe protested. \u201cWouldn\u2019t a blanket do just fine?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Joe \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Obie shook his head. \u201cHe\u2019s real particular, is Walter. Wants somethin\u2019 nice and soft.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe sighed. Hoss took pity. \u201cWell Obie, I do agree that velvet looks \u2026 mighty comfy, but don\u2019t ya think the ribbon and such might be a bit \u2026 much?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah!\u201d Joe nodded vigorously. \u201cAnd that lace might be scratchy. Walter won\u2019t like that. But Obie, it\u2019s okay cause I\u2019ll buy it off of you. Ya won\u2019t even \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right kind of ya, Joe, but I\u2019ll just tear all that fancy stuff off. Won\u2019t be no bother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe cast a desperate glance toward his brother. Hoss shrugged. \u201cI mean, that\u2019d work, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight! Right.\u201d Hoss screwed up his face, thinking. \u201cLook, Obie. Joe sorta had his heart set on that shawl fer Miss Emma Robinson.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh? Miss Emma?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah!\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes glowed. \u201cMiss Emma Robinson.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t know her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe sighed. \u201cCourse not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that don\u2019t matter none.\u201d Hoss patted Obie\u2019s shoulder. \u201cHow much longer ya gonna be in town, Obie? If Joe and I can find a nice soft bed fer Walter, would ya consider sellin\u2019 the shawl ta little brother here?\u201d Hoss leaned in and lowered his voice. \u201cHe\u2019s a little crazy when it comes ta Miss Emma. I don\u2019t rightly know what he\u2019ll do if he can\u2019t give her this shawl. He\u2019s been talkin\u2019 about it for a week.\u201d<\/p>\n

Obie sighed, eyeing Joe. Finally, he nodded. \u201cGuess I could see my way clear. Walter ain\u2019t seen it yet, he don\u2019t\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

They all froze, staring at the empty spot where the shawl had been. Joe gaped. \u201cIt was just here! Where\u2019d it go?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss nudged him, nodding toward the lump of dog on the wagon bench.<\/p>\n

Joe whimpered.<\/p>\n

Walter sprawled across the frilly blue shawl, snoring.<\/p>\n

Obie grinned broadly. \u201cWalter done took a shine to it! Knew he would.\u201d He patted Joe\u2019s shoulder apologetically. \u201cGuess we ain\u2019t sellin\u2019, after all. Sorry, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss thumped his brother. \u201cNever you mind, Joe. We\u2019ll find somethin\u2019 right nice for ya. Think I saw some hand-tooled bracelets in the general store, if ya wanna go look at those. Real nice leather work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe sighed sadly. \u201cMiss Emma \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Merry Christmas!<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

~~~<\/p>\n

Character<\/strong>: Walter<\/p>\n

Gift<\/strong>: Shawl<\/p>\n

Inspired by:\u00a0 Any Friend of Walter’s
\nDirector:\u00a0 John Florea
\nWritten by:\u00a0 Lois Hire, David Dortort (creator)<\/p>\n

Link to Bonanza Brand 2020 Advent Calendar – Day 17 – Family Treasures by Sierras<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 When it comes to Joe’s perfect gift to give….<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 1,270 words<\/p>\n

Note:\u00a0 This story was written for the Bonanza Brand 2020 Advent Calendar, originated in the Forums.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10468,"featured_media":5835,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,1007,40],"tags":[1062],"class_list":["post-35245","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-joe-cartwright","category-challenges","tag-advent-calendar","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1007-id","wpcat-40-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":752,"today_views":0},"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-related-posts":[{"id":61185,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=61185","url_meta":{"origin":35245,"position":0},"title":"The Meaning of Christmas (by PatD in PA)","author":"Pat D in PA","date":"December 24, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 An explanation of Christmas, between brothers. 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