{"id":3547,"date":"2002-10-25T23:50:13","date_gmt":"2002-10-26T03:50:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3547"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:07:14","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:07:14","slug":"from-ghoulies-and-ghosties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3547","title":{"rendered":"From Ghoulies and Ghosties (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>Something Adam says while he’s telling ghost stories to Joe and Hoss triggers an amazing experience for Joe. Was it real? Or did he dream it? Anything’s possible at Halloween.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0(5,780 words)<\/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.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

From Ghoulies and Ghosties\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The wind howled outside the sturdy ranch house of the Ponderosa. It was October 30th, and Adam Cartwright was telling his two brothers ghost stories. The large room was lit only by the flickering fire, and this lent an eerie atmosphere to Adam\u2019s tales. Joe and Hoss, both long past the wide-eyed child stage, sat wide-eyed and silent, totally enthralled.<\/p>\n

It was late, and they were all tired. But somehow the talk had come round to All Hallow\u2019s Eve, and Adam, bookworm of the family, had told them how it came by its name.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn pagan times,\u201d Adam explained, \u201cthe festival was called samhain (pronounced sow-in) and was the end of the old year. November 1st was New Year\u2019s Day. It was a Celtic festival. When the Christians arrived, they decided to make it a Christian festival, and made November 1st All Hallow\u2019s Day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what is All Hallow\u2019s Day?\u201d Joe asked, interested despite himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll Saints Day,\u201d Adam replied, pleased that Joe was listening for once. \u201cIn the Catholic religion, each day has a certain saint or saints associated with it. But, to make this pagan festival special, they created a day for all the saints. Like placing Christmas on Mid-winter\u2019s Day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDadburnit, Adam, how d\u2019you remember these things?\u201d Hoss enquired.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a natural gift,\u201d Adam replied, modestly, which set his two brothers hooting. He ignored them, and carried on with his story. \u201cOn samhain, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead are said to blur. Ghosts of the dead can come back and walk the earth.\u201d<\/p>\n

Involuntarily, Hoss glanced over his shoulder. Joe, noticing, started to chortle. \u201cExpecting company, brother?\u201d he teased. He ducked as Hoss threw a punch at him. Joe\u2019s infectious giggle made the whole family smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if you boys are going to tell ghost stories, I\u2019m going to bed,\u201d Ben Cartwright said, firmly. \u201cGood night, boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNight, Pa,\u201d they chorused.<\/p>\n

As Ben mounted the stairs, Adam rose and turned off the lights. Hoss brought the bottle of brandy over and poured each of them another drink. Hoss and Joe settled themselves on the settee together, and Joe propped his booted feet on the table. Adam raised an eyebrow at him, but Joe pretended not to notice, and Adam decided to let it go, for once.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt used to be that the pagans sacrificed to the dead on samhain, so that their crops would grow the next season, and that their children would live through the winter. They blamed the spirits for diseases and plagues, for floods and droughts. They thought spirits caused everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad I\u2019m not a pagan,\u201d Joe commented, which comment derived a snort from Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe way you twitch during church each Sunday, I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if\u2019n you\u00a0were<\/em>\u00a0a pagan,\u201d Hoss declared. Joe\u2019s restlessness in church was a thorn in the family\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

That set Joe off again, and he giggled for several minutes before they were able to go on talking. Adam was a natural storyteller. His deep baritone voice added to the drama of the things he said. \u201cThere\u2019s a castle in Scotland,\u201d he said. \u201cIts called Craigievar, and its near Aberdeen. They have a ghost, which has been seen regularly. The ghost is a woman, and she wanders through the nursery, looking for her murdered child. She seems to be quite a nice ghost, for she doesn\u2019t bother anyone. She just walks right through them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss moved uneasily, and slunk down lower on his seat. Joe was still grinning, but his smile looked a little fixed now. Adam kept his own face solemn. \u201cThere are a lot of ghosts in Scottish castles,\u201d he went on. \u201cIt must be all those years of war. They do say herds of phantom cattle haunt the borderlands, driven by ghostly reivers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are reivers?\u201d Hoss asked, apprehensively.<\/p>\n

\u201cRustlers,\u201d Adam answered, laconically. He saw the look on Hoss\u2019s face and elaborated, \u201cScottish or English rustlers who stole cattle from each other over the border.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPhantom cattle,\u201d mused Joe. \u201cI wonder if they are easier to herd than real ones?\u201d He began to laugh again.<\/p>\n

Regaining control of the conversation, Adam went on. \u201cWhen I was at college, I heard about a family who\u2019d been killed when their coach horses ran away. The coach crashed into the parapet of a bridge, and the family were thrown into the river and drowned. On the anniversary of the crash, the locals say you can hear the horses galloping down the road, and the screams of the family. One or two people have even met the coach on that bridge.\u201d He eyed his brothers, who were both wide-eyed again. \u201cAnd you\u2019ll have read in the paper about the Fox sisters in New England, who can talk to the spirits of the dead?\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking apprehensively towards the stairs, in case Ben re-appeared, Hoss mumbled, \u201cPa don\u2019t like us talkin\u2019 about such things, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIts all tosh, anyhow,\u201d Joe asserted, in a less than convincing tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d agreed Adam, who sat there, looking like the cat who\u2019d had the cream. \u201cWhatever you say, fellows.\u201d His tone was so agreeable, that both his brothers instantly began to wonder about what they\u2019d said.\u00a0 \u201cI heard about a theatre that has a ghost. It comes out every now and then, and walks along the upper most tier of seats. Workmen regularly report their things being moved when there is no one around. One man thought the ghost was his mate, until he saw it walk through a wall!\u201d<\/p>\n

Sitting in the darkened room, the fire nearly out, the two younger Cartwrights felt shivers running down their spines. The howling wind outside only added to the tense atmosphere. It was only too easy to believe in ghosts.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Adam rose to his feet and stretched. \u201cwe\u2019d better hit the sack, as we\u2019ve an early start in the morning.\u201d He strode off towards the stairs without a backward glance. \u201cNight, fellows.\u201d<\/p>\n

In total unison, Joe and Hoss rose and followed Adam closely upstairs. At the door of his room, Joe hesitated uneasily. Adam gave him a questioning glance, and Joe hastily propelled himself into his room. He was soon snuggled under the covers, but it was a long time before he slept.<\/p>\n

**********<\/p>\n

The next morning dawned like Indian summer. The sky was a cloudless blue and the air was warm. The slight breeze had a bitter edge to it, reminding them that winter wasn\u2019t far away. The Cartwright sons set off for the various jobs they had lined up for that day. Adam still looked rather amused, because his brothers both looked tired. Neither admitted to anyone how badly they had slept. Ben had looked at them with silent disapproval, but they were men grown, and didn\u2019t need him to tell them that they hadn\u2019t had enough sleep.<\/p>\n

Down at the corrals, Joe was able to take his mind off the stories as he spent the day bronco busting. These were the last of a string of remounts for the army. There would be no more contracts until the spring. After they finished, and were putting away the gear, Joe listened to the men talking about Halloween, and witches, warlocks, ghosts and goblins.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom Ghoulies and Ghosties and long-leggedy beasties, and things that go bump in the night, may the good Lord deliver us,\u201d Joe whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was that you said, Boss?\u201d Jeb asked, but Joe shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, nothing important. Enjoy Halloween.\u201d He walked back across to Cochise, and mounted up. He rode home, his mind still playing over what Adam had told them. It wasn\u2019t the ghost stories that he thought about however. He was caught up with the idea of the boundaries between living and dead being blurred. He wondered what it would be like to meet a ghost. Would you realise it was a ghost? Would it be someone you knew? Someone you loved, or someone you hated? The idea appealed to him, and he mulled it over as he rode home.<\/p>\n

There wasn\u2019t much talk at the dinner table. After they had finished, Joe stretched, and said, \u201cI think I\u2019ll go into town for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frowning, Ben said nothing. Joe correctly interpreted his father\u2019s look, and said, \u201cPa, I won\u2019t be late. I\u2019m just restless, that\u2019s all. I don\u2019t feel I can settle to an evening by the fire.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well, Joseph,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cJust keep an eye on the weather. The fog is starting to close in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Pa,\u201d Joe assured him. \u201cI\u2019ll be careful.\u201d<\/p>\n

*********<\/p>\n

The Bucket of Blood saloon wasn\u2019t terribly busy that night. The fog was settling in, and it was cold. The Indian summer seemed well and truly over. Joe had a couple of beers, and played a hand of cards, but his heart wasn\u2019t in it. Barely an hour after arriving, he set off back home.<\/p>\n

The fog had thickened dramatically since Joe had arrived. In town, it wasn\u2019t too bad, broken up as it was by the buildings. But as Joe left the safety of the streets, he pulled Cochise up, wondering if he would be better to stay the night. The night had an eerie feel to it, and Joe decided he\u2019d rather be at home with his family, and urged Cochise on.<\/p>\n

It was a slow journey. Visibility was poor, and Joe didn\u2019t dare push Cochise faster than a trot. He trusted as much to the horse\u2019s instincts to guide him, as the usual landmarks were obscured. The mist was cold and dank, and Joe soon wished he\u2019d worn a warmer jacket. His green cord jacket had been too warm all day, but it wasn\u2019t warm enough now. Joe clutched the collar round his neck, and was thankful that he\u2019d had gloves in the pockets.<\/p>\n

Joe thought he was about half way home when he first saw the indistinct shape moving in the fog ahead. He peered into the mist, but couldn\u2019t see anything. Then, as he relaxed, the movement came again. \u201cHello!\u201d Joe called. \u201cAre you lost?\u201d<\/p>\n

The fog absorbed his words and echoed them back at him. Joe screwed up his eyes, as if that would help him see, but the shape remained just beyond his reach. Frowning, worried that some hapless traveller was lost, Joe urged Cochise to a faster pace.<\/p>\n

Even moving faster, Joe seemed no nearer the elusive figure in the fog. Sometimes, he heard hoof beats, but he wasn\u2019t sure if it was another horse, or echoes from Cochise. Again he called out, but again his words were thrown back to him, distorted by the eddies of fog.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, it occurred to Joe that he had no idea where he was. He pulled Cochise to a halt, and stroke the silky neck in front of him. \u201cOkay, Coochie,\u201d he said. \u201cWhere\u2019s home from here?\u201d They seemed to be in a particularly thick patch of fog at that moment. Joe could see nothing but the bit of road in front of him. There were no trees, no hills, nothing he could recognise.<\/p>\n

Shivering, Joe realised that he couldn\u2019t just sit there. He urged Cochise into a walk, and let the horse choose its own path. Eventually, they would get back to the barn, although they wouldn\u2019t necessarily follow the road to get there. But Cochise seemed unsure, too, and Joe wondered if the horse was picking up on his own unease. \u201cLet\u2019s go home,\u201d he said, hoping Cochise would be reassured by his tone.<\/p>\n

But Cochise was definitely uneasy now. He whickered, and stopped, his ears flickering backwards and forwards. He pawed the ground, as though being held by a check on the reins. Joe looked around, trying to see what Cochise could either see or smell. His left hand drifted towards his gun. \u201cLet\u2019s go, Cochise,\u201d he said, and urged the horse on.<\/p>\n

Cochise resisted. Joe urged more strongly, but still the horse balked. Truly concerned now, Joe snatched off his hat and brought it down on the pinto\u2019s quarters. Cochise flinched, but still wouldn\u2019t move. Worried now that Cochise smelt a predator, Joe drew his gun and fired a warning shot. It didn\u2019t occur to him that Cochise would be startled. After all, the horse heard gunshots almost every day.<\/p>\n

Perhaps it was the echo. Perhaps it was Joe\u2019s nerves. Cochise reared up. Joe leaned forward, surprised, but unconcerned. He threw out his left hand, still clutching his gun, for extra balance, and a ghostly white hand grabbed his arm and pulled. Caught completely off guard, Joe tumbled to the ground!<\/p>\n

**********<\/p>\n

\u201cJist look at that fog!\u201d Hoss exclaimed, peering out of the door. \u201cWhy, you can\u2019t hardly see the barn!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joining Hoss at the door, Ben looked worried. \u201cI hope Joe didn\u2019t decide to come home in this,\u201d he commented.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I think its likely that he did try to come home,\u201d Adam commented, dryly, coming to look out, too. \u201cJoe is nothing if not perverse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Glaring at his oldest son, Ben peered out into the fog again. \u201cWell, until he arrives, we won\u2019t know one way or the other. Close the door, Hoss, its cold out there.\u201d They all returned to the fireside, but none of them made a move towards bed. They would wait until they knew what had happened to Little Joe.<\/p>\n

*********<\/p>\n

Landing on his back, Joe pulled sharply back on his arm, and he freed himself instantly. He pushed to his feet, his gun raised. A tall, cadaverous man was glaring at him drunkenly. \u201cNow, see here,\u201d he said, in a strong Irish brogue. \u201cIts ain\u2019t polite to go round shootin\u2019 at people.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Joe apologised, holstering his gun. \u201cI thought my horse could smell a cougar or something. I did fire into the air.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be sure an\u2019 you did, son,\u201d the man agreed, and gave Joe a drunken grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing out here?\u201d Joe asked. He caught hold of Cochise\u2019s rein, which dragged on the ground beside him. \u201cAre you lost?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe? Lost?\u201d The man began to laugh. \u201cNo, me boy, Seamus Finnigan never gets lost! I\u2019m the guide, you see. I never get lost. Oh dear me!\u201d And he was off again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Joe Cartwright,\u201d Joe offered. They shook hands. \u201cMr Finnigan, do you live nearby?\u201d\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, to be sure an\u2019 I do, boy. I live near by to everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

Resisting an urge to roll his eyes, Joe nodded as though he understood. He didn\u2019t. He didn\u2019t understand where this man had come from; he didn\u2019t understand why he was still there talking to Finnigan, instead of heading for home. However, when Seamus sat down beneath a tree, Joe sat beside him. It occurred to Joe that he didn\u2019t feel as cold now, but he was more interested in his companion than the weather.<\/p>\n

\u201cI live near everywhere,\u201d Seamus repeated. \u201cI move around a lot, to be sure. I\u2019m here now, but I might be gone tomorrow. Here, young fella, have a drink.\u201d He passed Joe a bottle, and Joe drank obediently.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going home,\u201d Joe told the man, although a tremendous desire for sleep was sweeping over him.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be sure, you are, me boy. But you have a wee sleep first, afore you go home.\u201d And Joe curled up on his side and fell asleep.<\/p>\n

**********<\/p>\n

He woke a short time later, totally disoriented. He was still by the tree, and Seamus was sitting a little distance away, singing an Irish song to himself. But all Joe\u2019s attention was focused on the woman sitting next to him. He had never met her before, but he knew who she was, for he\u2019d seen her picture many times. She was Elizabeth, Adam\u2019s mother!<\/p>\n

\u201cWe haven\u2019t met,\u201d she said, in a soft voice. \u201cBut I know who you are. Please, take a message to my beloved Adam for me. Tell him how proud I am of the man he\u2019s become. I wish I could have had time to spend with him, but I\u2019m watching over him, all the time. I can see that he\u2019s suffered through not having a mother, and I wish I\u2019d been strong enough to live. But the past is past, and can\u2019t be changed. Joe, tell Ben that I love him, and I\u2019ve rejoiced in his happiness, and grieved for his sadness.\u201d She laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aware that his mouth was hanging open, Joe pinched himself savagely to see if he was awake. The pinch hurt, so he decided he must be. Elizabeth was gone, and Joe gulped. He remembered wondering if you\u2019d know the ghosts you met. Well, apparently not, in his case! He turned his head to see if Cochise was still there. The pinto stood slumbering at the end of the rein, which Joe clutched tightly in one hand. Cochise seemed unaware of the spirits nearby.<\/p>\n

**********<\/p>\n

Sound asleep in his bed, Adam stirred slightly as a hand brushed across his head. He snuggled deeper under the covers, and dreamed of his mother.<\/p>\n

**********<\/p>\n

The fog swirled round Joe, and he rubbed a gloved hand over his face. He was still reeling from his encounter with Adam\u2019s long-dead mother. So in a way, it was less of a shock to turn his head and find Hoss\u2019s mother, Inger, sitting next to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cInger,\u201d he whispered, unaware he had spoken aloud.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I am Inger,\u201d she replied, and Joe could hear her Swedish scent. \u201cI so wish to tell Eric that I love him. He was such a big baby, and it was so hard for me when he was born. And Adam. What a sweet little boy he was. So helpful, so loving. How hard it must have been for him to lose another mother. Please tell them both that I love them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will,\u201d Joe promised.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd your father. What a man he was! I loved him dearly. Our time together was one of great joy for me. I am so glad he found another to love after I was gone. I am so glad Eric loves his brothers. This is so important to me. Tell them I love them all, please?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d he replied, now more accepting of the situation.<\/p>\n

**********<\/p>\n

Snoring so loudly that he almost woke himself up, Hoss Cartwright turned over in bed with a creaking of springs. His hand groped for the covers, but they eluded him. Then someone tucked the covers around him, and he murmured \u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d without ever wakening to see that there was no one in the room.<\/p>\n

**********<\/p>\n

Coming awake with a jolt, Joe realised he\u2019d slept again. Cochise was still dozing at the end of the rein. Seamus was still singing the same song over and over. The fog was thicker, for Seamus\u2019 figure was less distinct than before. Joe sighed, and sat up. He thought he ought to try and get home, but he was so tired. Stifling a yawn, he snuggled down at the bottom of the tree, and half turned over.<\/p>\n

It was no surprise to see a skirt on the ground beside him. Raising his eyes, Joe looked at his mother. For a second, he couldn\u2019t believe it, then he lunged at her, throwing his arms round her neck, as he\u2019d done when he was a child. \u201cMama,\u201d he sobbed. \u201cMama.\u201d<\/p>\n

Patting her son on the back, Marie Cartwright held him for a moment before gently disentangling herself. \u201cJoseph! My darling, what a man you\u2019ve become.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Mama, I\u2019ve missed you,\u201d Joe confessed. \u201cSometimes I can hardly remember your face without a picture. Why did you have to die?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was God\u2019s will, my darling,\u201d she replied. \u201cWe can none of us know what is in store for us. We just have to accept it, and go on with our lives. Joe, I never stopped loving you or your brothers, or your father. They were so dear to me. I know that Adam thought he was too old to have a mother, and he resented me when your father brought me back. But he never really meant it. He was just scared to love, as he\u2019d learned, too young, that even people we love can die. But Adam does love you, despite all your quarrels.\u201d She smiled. \u201cAnd Hoss! What a dear boy he was. How easy he was to love. I loved both your brothers as if they were my own.\u201d<\/p>\n

Drinking in his mother\u2019s words, Joe\u2019s eyes remained glued to her face. She smiled at him. \u201cJoe, my time with you here is short. We came because it is samhain. The chance will probably never come again. Remember that I love you. I see so much of myself in you. I will try to guide and protect you whenever I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to come with you, Mama,\u201d protested Joe. \u201cDon\u2019t go away again!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIts not your time, yet, Joe,\u201d Marie replied, enigmatically. \u201cStay here, and pass on the messages you\u2019ve been given. Such a chance comes only once in a lifetime. You\u2019ve been granted a great privilege, and I am so proud of you. Tell your father I love him, still. I love you, Joseph Francis Cartwright. Good bye, my son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bursting into floods of tears, Joe lay on the cold ground, bereft. His mother had simply vanished, and he was left alone.<\/p>\n

**********<\/p>\n

Dozing in the chair by the fire, Ben Cartwright jerked awake. He had been dreaming, and for an instant, he thought he saw his three wives standing by the fireplace. He blinked, and the image disappeared. For a moment, he was swept by a wave of grief for his wives. \u201cElizabeth, Inger, Marie, my loves,\u201d he whispered. \u201cHow I miss you all. How blessed I was to know and love you, and to receive the gifts of three fine sons, which you left to me. Thank you all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pacing to the door, he saw that the fog still lay thickly around the ranch house. Dawn was a few hours away. Admitting to his exhaustion, Ben slowly climbed the stairs. Out of habit, he checked on his sons. Joe\u2019s room was, of course, empty, but the atmosphere was somehow expectant. Adam was sleeping all curled up, with a happy smile on his face. Hoss was sprawled on his back, snoring with vigour, but also smiling.<\/p>\n

Whatever his sons saw in their dreams, Ben hoped that the reality facing them when they woke wouldn\u2019t have cause to negate those happy feelings. He went to his room and lay down on the bed. He was asleep in a moment, and dreamed of his wives.<\/p>\n

**********<\/p>\n

As his sobs subsided, Joe became aware of a hand on his shoulder. Lifting his tear stained face, he saw Clay, his dead brother. The last time Joe had seen Clay, they had both been beaten by a man whose son Clay had killed. There were no signs of any bruises on Clay now. He looked, in fact, exactly like he had the first time Joe had ever seen him.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I\u2019m so glad I was able to keep you safe that day,\u201d Clay said. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to get you involved in my troubles. Trouble had followed me all of my life, and I wasn\u2019t sorry to give it up, not once I knew you would be all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish you hadn\u2019t died, Clay,\u201d Joe said, brokenly. \u201cI miss you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Clay said. \u201cBut I\u2019m with our mother now, Joe. I never had any time with her before, not like you. Its not the same, but both my folks are with me. Its like having a real family again. Its not your time to be with us, Joe, but we\u2019re waiting for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClay,\u201d Joe cried, but his brother was gone. Sitting there instead was Katherine, his lost bride. \u201cKathy!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d she exclaimed, and joy leapt in his heart. \u201cBeloved, I wish I could stay longer, but I can\u2019t. Please know that I love you, and be happy without me. Tell Kelly you saw me. She\u2019ll understand. Our life together would have been wonderful, I\u2019m sure. But it wasn\u2019t to be, and someday you\u2019ll meet a wonderful girl, and get married and have children. Joe, this is a wonderful place, and you\u2019ll love it when your time comes to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone keeps talking about my time. What do you mean? Where is \u2018here\u2019?\u201d Joe\u2019s senses were reeling.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere is heaven, Joe,\u201d Katherine said, gently. \u201cAnd though you\u2019re hurt, you\u2019re not going to die yet. Remember what everyone has said to you. The dead go on loving the living, no matter what. As long as one person remembers us, we stay alive. Don\u2019t grieve too much, darling. Live your life as God intended.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Katherine disappeared, Joe started to cry again. They weren\u2019t all tears of grief. They were tears of confusion and tears of joy. He didn\u2019t understand how he\u2019d come to talk to these loving ghosts from his past, but he did understand the privilege he\u2019d been granted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*********<\/p>\n

A cold wind began to blow as the dawn broke. Mounting Buck, Ben sniffed the air, and felt the metallic scent of snow on the wind. \u201cThere\u2019s a storm coming in,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019d better hurry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Without replying, Adam and Hoss mounted their horses, and the family rode out. Quite when they had become convinced that Joe had become lost riding home in the fog, none of them could say. But they didn\u2019t believe Joe had stayed the night in Virginia City.<\/p>\n

As they rode, the wind picked up in strength. The fog was blown away as though it had never been. Huge, fat, snow clouds began to roll in over the mountains, and shortly, flakes of snow began to fall. \u201cWhat weather!\u201d Adam commented. \u201cIndian summer yesterday, and winter today!\u201d Ben cast Adam a glance that was loaded with worry, and Adam wished he\u2019d kept his mouth shut.<\/p>\n

A whinney sounded from a stand of trees just off the road, and all three Cartwrights drew rein. Chubb neighed back. \u201cCould be Cochise,\u201d Hoss offered, already urging his horse towards the call.<\/p>\n

Indeed it was Cochise. The pinto was standing close by Joe, who lay unconscious on the ground. Ben spurred Buck forward, alarm flaring through his gut. He leapt from his horse to kneel by his prostrate son. \u201cJoe!\u201d he said, urgently. \u201cJoe! Can you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

There was no answer. Joe was cold to the touch, and it appeared that he\u2019d ridden into a low-hanging branch of the tree. There was a line of dried blood along his hairline. Ben started to unbutton his thick coat, but Adam beat him to it. \u201cHere, Pa, take my bedroll.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Adam,\u201d Ben replied, and wrapped Joe in the blanket. \u201cAdam, go and get the doctor. Hoss, help me get Joe back to the house.\u201d<\/p>\n

They needed no further bidding. Adam mounted Sport, and galloped off. Hoss gently lifted his brother, and handed him to Ben, who was mounted on Buck. Hoss took Cochise\u2019s reins and led the pinto. \u201cDadburnit, pa, that\u2019s queer,\u201d Hoss said. \u201cJoe was hangin\u2019 onto them reins somethin\u2019 fierce. How\u2019d he do that when he rid into a tree?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have no idea,\u201d Ben replied, most of his attention fixed on his youngest son, who was in trouble once again.<\/p>\n

**********<\/p>\n

The warmth of Adam\u2019s bedroll, and Ben\u2019s body heat helped to revive Joe on the ride home. He had briefly opened his eyes, sighed, and closed them again. Ben had been unable to get him to respond again. Paul examined Joe thoroughly, and finally got the youth to waken. Joe was dazed, and Paul diagnosed concussion and slight exposure. \u201c Given how cold it was last night, and how long Joe must have lain there, I\u2019d say he was pretty lucky! Just let him sleep, Ben,\u201d Paul advised. \u201cThat\u2019s what he needs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sitting by Joe\u2019s bed, Ben watched his son sleep. After a time, his disturbed night caught up with him, and he slept, too. Joe\u2019s tired voice woke him. \u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIts all right, Joe,\u201d he said, shaking off the sleep. \u201cYou\u2019re home, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I had the weirdest experience last night, coming home.\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes, always the mirror for his soul, were glowing with an inner light. \u201cPa, please get Adam and Hoss. I need to tell them, too. Please?\u201d<\/p>\n

Reluctantly acquiescing, Ben summoned his other sons. While they were coming up stairs, Ben helped Joe sit up, and gave him a drink of water. When they were all gathered, Joe gave them a smile. \u201cLast night, when I was coming home, I met an Irishman called Seamus Finnigan. He told me he lived near everywhere, and that he was the guide. He was drunk. I sat with him a while, and I had a drink with him. Then I fell asleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fixing his gaze on Adam, Joe gave him a special smile. \u201cWhen I woke up, your mother was there, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

At his brother\u2019s horrified in-take of breath, Joe rushed on. \u201cNo, listen, please! I\u2019m not crazy! She came from heaven and spoke to me. She said I was to tell you how proud she is of you. How much she loves you. Adam, your mother is beautiful. She looks just like she does in Pa\u2019s photograph.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sensing the disbelief surrounding him, Joe elected to carry on talking, to try and make his family understand. \u201cHoss, I saw your mother, too. She said she loved you, and is proud of you. Inger sent a message to you, too, Adam. She said that she is proud of you, as well, and loves you. Then Mama came, and she said the same things. She talked about how you tried not to love her, Adam. Mama said she loved both you and Hoss as if you were here own.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tears were pouring down Joe\u2019s face, as he struggled to make his family believe him. \u201cThen I saw Clay and Katherine. Katherine said they were in heaven. Clay said he was with Mama and his father now.\u201d Looking at the faces surrounding him, Joe saw that they still didn\u2019t believe him. \u201cIts true!\u201d he insisted, angrily. \u201cI don\u2019t tell lies! I don\u2019t!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy, Joe, easy,\u201d Ben said, taking his distraught son into his arms. \u201cJoe, these people are all dead. How can you have talked to them?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s reply was muffled against his father\u2019s chest. \u201cWhat?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was samhain,\u201d Joe sobbed. \u201cWhen the boundaries between the worlds blur. Mama said so.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frowning, Ben opened his mouth to speak, but Adam forestalled him. \u201cPa, Joe may have something there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Ben repeated, wondering if this madness was contagious.<\/p>\n

\u201cI dreamed of my mother last night,\u201d Adam admitted. \u201cShe said I was scared to show my love, because I\u2019d lost her, and Inger and Marie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe said that to me, too,\u201d Joe insisted. \u201cShe said she wished she\u2019d been strong enough to live.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Adam whispered. \u201cMother said those exact words to me.\u201d Joe smiled at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cEr,\u201d Hoss cleared his throat uncomfortably. \u201cI kinda had a dream like that last night, too,\u201d he mumbled. \u201cI saw my mama standing by the door in my room, and she was smiling at me. I didn\u2019t hear her speak, but I knew she was proud o\u2019 me. I ain\u2019t never seen her in a dream afore.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Joe said, twisting to look at his father\u2019s face. \u201d Mama and Elizabeth and Inger all told me to tell you they loved you. Inger said she was glad you\u2019d found happiness after she died. So did Elizabeth. And Mama said she loved you still.\u201d<\/p>\n

There were tears in Ben\u2019s eyes. Joe looked at his shaken brothers, wondering if they all thought he was crazy.\u00a0 \u201cI dreamed of them,\u201d Ben whispered. \u201cI woke up, downstairs, and thought I saw them standing by the fire.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was silence for a few moments, all of them thinking about what Joe had said. Joe himself, after the first euphoria of telling his story, was beginning to feel unwell again. He sagged back into his father\u2019s loving embrace. There was one last thing he had to say. \u201cMama said that an experience like mine comes only once in a lifetime, and I was privileged to have it. I know I was. Pa, it was incredible! All that love, from all those people.\u201d A yawn shook him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou rest, Joe,\u201d Ben said, and pulled the covers up. Joe closed his eyes, and was asleep within moments. Silently, Ben, Adam and Hoss left the room.<\/p>\n

Once more gathered by the fire, the Cartwrights exchanged glances. \u201cDo you really think Joe saw all them folks?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben admitted, reluctantly. \u201cWe know he had a bad knock on the head. And as for the Irishman Joe says he met \u2013well I never heard of him. A guide, Joe said. A guide for what?\u201d<\/p>\n

Lifting his head, Adam rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. \u201c Or for whom? You know, Pa,\u201d he said, slowly, \u201cI can\u2019t help thinking about what Shakespeare said. \u2018There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamed of in our philosophy.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a long silence then, as they each thought about the messages they had received. It was Hoss who finally spoke. \u201cI don\u2019t reckon it matters if\u2019n Joe really saw them folks or not,\u201d he said. \u201cThe most important thing is we got them messages they wanted to send us, through Joe and through our dreams. Love never dies, does it? And the bible says that with God, all things are possible. I reckon Joe had his own little miracle, Pa. Them folks protected Joe with their love, or he would\u2019ve died out there. And I believe him!\u201d<\/p>\n

Wonderingly, Ben looked at his middle son. Hoss was so big, and so good-natured that people often thought him slow. But Hoss had as many gifts and talents as his more obviously favoured brothers. And one of his talents was wisdom far beyond his years. Ben knew how blessed he was, and for an instant, felt the presence of his wives. He smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe him, too, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

*****End*****<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

Summary:\u00a0 Something Adam says while he’s telling ghost stories to Joe and Hoss triggers an amazing experience for Joe. Was it real? Or did he dream it? Anything’s possible at Halloween.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0(5,780 words) <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":11266,"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":[23,32,29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3547","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-mystery","category-halloween","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-32-id","wpcat-29-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":780,"today_views":7},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/cutthroat-junction.jpg?fit=301%2C303&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6756,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6756","url_meta":{"origin":3547,"position":0},"title":"The Crazy Lady (by Jayne)","author":"Jayne","date":"May 4, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe and Hoss scare themselves one night, come to Adam's room and tell him the story of the crazy lady. 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