{"id":3583,"date":"2013-12-26T02:46:46","date_gmt":"2013-12-26T07:46:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3583"},"modified":"2025-02-18T19:13:39","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T00:13:39","slug":"a-holiday-homicide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3583","title":{"rendered":"A Holiday Homicide (by Puchi Ann)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span>The Cartwrights are enjoying a festive Christmas party at the Ponderosa, when what to their wondering eyes should appear but a corpse in a closet. \u00a0Oh, my and oh, dear!<\/p>\n

Rated: K+ \u00a0WC \u00a06600<\/p>\n

A holiday mystery written in response to a suggestion by our own Bahj.<\/p>\n

A Holiday Homicide<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 The unexpected downpour had played havoc with the Cartwrights\u2019 annual Christmas party\u2014or, at least, tried to.\u00a0 The children from the orphanage would ordinarily have left by the time the dinner guests arrived, but Ben would not allow them to make that long ride in the icy rain.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019d be drenched by the time you reached Virginia City, Mrs. Brown,\u201d he had told their caretaker.\u00a0 \u201cDripping noses and hacking coughs for Christmas?\u00a0 What sort of gift is that?\u00a0 And, believe me, I speak as a man with years of experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can only imagine,\u201d she had replied, dark eyes sweeping over the three stalwart Cartwright sons, and once assured that there was plenty of room at the Ponderosa for a hoard of overnight guests, she\u2019d accepted\u2014rather quickly, in fact.\u00a0 Due to her responsibilities, she\u2019d never been able to enjoy the evening aspect of the Cartwrights\u2019 Christmas gathering, and having heard from friends how wonderful it was, she frankly relished the opportunity to see for herself.<\/p>\n

The other adult guests hadn\u2019t been affected too much.\u00a0 The men considered a drenching a small price to pay to attend a Cartwright celebration.\u00a0 As for the ladies, those who had seen the storm clouds in time simply packed their party dresses and planned to change at the Ponderosa, while those living far enough away for the rain to have caught them unawares decided to call on their pioneer heritage and endure the hardship.\u00a0 After all, there were worse fates that having some handsome young man hover over a girl while she dried out by a roaring fire; even the older women weren\u2019t exactly averse to that sort of coddling.\u00a0 Each and every guest insisted that he or she wouldn\u2019t have missed this party for the world.<\/p>\n

Ben and his boys were flattered and, frankly, pleased to have everyone stay, although they didn\u2019t really have enough beds for the entire company, should they all decide to stay the night.\u00a0 That problem could be dealt with after the party, however.\u00a0 First, they had to get everyone fed and feted!<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst thing we need to do is put you on a diet.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe jabbed Hoss in his well padded ribs.\u00a0 \u201cThat alone will leave enough for the whole flock of orphans.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you\u2019re funny,\u201d Hoss snorted with a return elbow that nearly knocked his smaller brother across the kitchen, where the quickly called family conference had been convened.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst order of business is food for everyone,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 He turned cautiously to their cook, for Hop Sing\u2019s temper had been known to flare in the face of unexpected challenges. \u00a0\u201cI know you have dinner for the adults well in hand, and I know such short notice is an unspeakable imposition, but do we have enough on hand for you to prepare something simple\u2014sandwiches, perhaps\u2014for the children, as well?\u201d<\/p>\n

Assuaged by his employer\u2019s respectful tone and motivated by his own concern for tiny empty tummies, Hop Sing forewent his usual Cantonese castigation and merely nodded.\u00a0 \u201cPlenty roast beef in pantry, plenty cheese.\u00a0 Still many cookies.\u00a0 Little ones not go hungry.\u201d\u00a0 He considered it a point of personal pride that no one, expected guest or drop-in visitor, ever left the Ponderosa in that dishonorable condition.\u00a0 With his own enigmatic smile, he added, \u201cMr. Hoss not go hungry, either.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAmen to that!\u201d Hoss said with a wide, grateful grin.<\/p>\n

The Chinese cook\u2019s forehead wrinkled.\u00a0 \u201cNot sure what do for breakfast,\u201d he admitted.\u00a0 \u201cNot have enough eggs for whole of Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

Biting back a remark that the \u201cwhole of Virginia City\u201d wouldn\u2019t even fit in their house, Adam suggested practically, \u201cFeed them flapjacks.\u00a0 You don\u2019t need many eggs for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat right.\u201d\u00a0 The little Chinaman gave Number One Son a respectful bob of his chin.\u00a0 \u201cThat what I do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine.\u00a0 That\u2019s settled, then.\u201d\u00a0 Ben turned toward his younger sons.\u00a0 \u201cSo, as soon as the children finish their supper, you two will be in charge of keeping them entertained upstairs until bedtime.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy us?\u201d Little Joe demanded.\u00a0 \u201cOlder brother here\u2019s the one with all the ideas.\u00a0 Put him in charge.\u00a0 I volunteer to keep the ladies\u2014the young, pretty ones, that is\u2014entertained down here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Three sets of knife-sharp eyes stared straight through him, while the cook merely mumbled something about foolishment and, shaking his head, went back to his meal preparations.\u00a0 \u201cWhat?\u201d Little Joe asked, glance shifting from one reproachful face to the next.\u00a0 He lifted his palms toward the ceiling as he shrugged in eloquent innocence.\u00a0 \u201cWell, someone\u2019s got to, and I\u2019m the most charming member of the Cartwright clan.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToo dadgum much charm for your own good,\u201d Hoss grunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s side you on?\u201d his younger brother hissed back before turning his most appealing smile back on his father.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m the best qualified, don\u2019t you agree?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I can handle it,\u201d Adam observed dryly, \u201cand I further feel that no one could be more qualified to entertain children than an overgrown kid and his ever-cooperative cohort.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss looked bewildered and then his eyes narrowed and his full lips puckered.\u00a0 The \u201covergrown kid\u201d was obviously Joe, which, Hoss figured, made him the whatever else Adam had said, something that sounded downright unflattering.\u00a0 Little brother was right: he\u2019d been taking the wrong side.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, come on,\u201d Little Joe protested.\u00a0 \u201cYou ain\u2019t gonna listen to this folderol, are you, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I think I am,\u201d Ben said with a mirthful arch of his silvery eyebrow, \u201cespecially since Adam\u2019s the one with the good ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t say good<\/em> ideas . . . just ideas,\u201d Little Joe pointed out, his voice petering out in recognition of the weak argument.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re good enough for me.\u201d\u00a0 Both the tone in Ben\u2019s voice and the look on his face said that the discussion was over.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t help chuckling at his youngest son\u2019s woebegone face.\u00a0 \u201cPlenty of time for dancing after you\u2019ve put the children to bed, Joseph, and I\u2019m sure the ladies\u2014the young, pretty ones, that is\u2014will be even more dazzled by your fresh, charming presence then.\u201d\u00a0 And that was enough to mollify Little Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s assessment of his brothers\u2019 inclinations proved as accurate as always.\u00a0 After sparing a single sigh over the music striking up downstairs, seventeen-year-old Joe threw himself with abandon into the sport of romping with the youngsters, while Hoss even more easily put his whole, childlike heart into entertaining them.\u00a0 It was a match more made in heaven than in the Cartwright kitchen, though neither of them, of course, would have ever admitted that to their oldest brother.<\/p>\n

Eventually, bedtime was decreed, and inevitably the cry for \u201cone more game\u201d was raised by every young orphan.\u00a0 \u201cWe ain\u2019t played hide-and-seek yet,\u201d freckle-nosed Jimmy Duncan insisted.\u00a0 \u201cWe just gotta have that one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReckon he\u2019s right, Joe,\u201d Hoss agreed, adding in a whisper for his brother\u2019s ear alone, \u201cand it\u2019ll quiet \u2018em down some, less\u2019n they wanna get found right off.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe announced with an impish grin, \u201cOkay.\u00a0 Hoss is \u2018it.\u2019\u00a0 Go hide, quiet as mice, while he counts to 100.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReal slow,\u201d little Jimmy dictated.<\/p>\n

Lower lip pulled solemnly over his upper one, Hoss nodded, laid his head on folded arms against the hall wall and, eyes closed, began to count aloud with exaggerated slowness.\u00a0 The children, according to personal inclination, either tiptoed away quietly or scampered as fast as they could in search of the perfect hiding place.<\/p>\n

Hoss had barely reached 30, however, before the deliberate silence of the upper floor was shattered by the sound of a little girl shrieking.\u00a0 Figuring it came from some girl who\u2019d been ousted from her chosen hiding place, he tried at first to ignore it, but quickly realized he was not hearing an outburst of outrage, but a cry of genuine terror.\u00a0 As his head came up, his ears pricked to determine the direction of the sound, and he hurried into his brother Adam\u2019s room, where five-year-old Molly McBride, arms wrapped around one of the bed\u2019s four posters, was screaming her lungs out.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter, little doll?\u201d Hoss asked, picking her up and patting her heaving back as her head fell to his shoulder and her screams sputtered into hiccupping sobs.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, honey; you can tell ole Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eyes still squeezed shut, Molly lifted one thin arm and pointed toward Adam\u2019s armoire, the doors of which were hanging open.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that where you was gonna hide?\u201d Hoss asked.\u00a0 \u201cThat was a right good spot, Molly.\u00a0 Somebody get there before you?\u201d\u00a0 Her head moved up and down against his shoulder, but her eyes stayed shut and her gasping breath quickened.\u00a0 \u201cOkay, who\u2019s in there?\u201d Hoss called toward the armoire.\u00a0 \u201cYou best come on out and tell me what you been doin\u2019 to give little Molly such a fright.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not a sound came from the armoire, even when Hoss repeated the order more loudly and sternly.\u00a0 He tried to put Molly down on the bed, so his hands would be free to drag the culprit from the cabinet, but she only clung the tighter to him.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t fret none,\u201d he soothed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll fix that ornery youngun\u2019s wagon for you.\u201d\u00a0 With grim visage he stalked over to the armoire, pushed aside Adam\u2019s hang-up clothes with one hand and almost let out a holler to rival one of Molly\u2019s, for lying stiff and still in the bottom of the armoire was the body of a man, dark blood crusted above the coppery fringe that circled his bald pate.\u00a0 Thinking of the child in his arms, he managed to gulp down his own shock and bend over to feel for a pulse.\u00a0 There wasn\u2019t one.\u00a0 He turned and walked quickly out of the room.<\/p>\n

He leaned, panting, against the wall outside Adam\u2019s door and tried to figure what to do.\u00a0 One thing was sure: he had to have help.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe!\u201d he called, hoping his younger brother had hidden somewhere close enough to hear without his rousing the whole house.\u00a0 \u201cGet out here; I need you.\u201d\u00a0 Five seconds later, he cried again, \u201cJoe\u2014now!\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe slowly emerged from his hiding place under Hoss\u2019s bed and came into the hall, face graced with the petulant pout of a four-year-old.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re supposed to come find me,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNever mind that,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cWe got trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of trouble?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWorse than you can imagine,\u201d Hoss grunted.\u00a0 \u201cDidn\u2019t you hear this youngun yellin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHeard something,\u201d Little Joe admitted.\u00a0 \u201cJust figured somebody got found sooner than they wanted.\u00a0 Molly sick or something?\u201d\u00a0 He reached up to stroke the little girl\u2019s arm and was surprised to see her pull away from him with a whimper.<\/p>\n

\u201cBest see for yourself,\u201d Hoss said, pointing toward Adam\u2019s room with his nose as he again attempted to calm the frightened child.\u00a0 As Joe started to enter, he thought to say, \u201cDon\u2019t holler, Joe.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe shrugged and went inside.<\/p>\n

When his younger brother not only didn\u2019t holler, but didn\u2019t return from the eerily silent room, Hoss started to worry.\u00a0 Joe might not be as young as Molly, but he wasn\u2019t half as grown up as he thought he was, either.\u00a0 Hoss himself had been struck speechless at sight of that body in the armoire; how much more a kid Joe\u2019s age? \u00a0Oughtn\u2019t to\u2019ve sent him in there alone, without no warning<\/em>, Hoss scolded himself, and though the last thing he wanted was to take the still shivering girl back into Adam\u2019s room, he forced himself to it.<\/p>\n

Little Joe was standing before the open armoire in shock almost as dead cold as what he was looking at.\u00a0 Hoss came up behind him and said softly, \u201cIt\u2019s okay, little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe slowly shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNot for Mr. Lambert.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, reckon not.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss touched a hand to his brother\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cStep back, buddy.\u00a0 Ain\u2019t nothin\u2019 you can do for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe did exactly as ordered and backed away from the body, step by step.\u00a0 When he got about six feet away, he heaved a huge sigh and looked up at Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cWe gotta do somethin\u2019,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss stood there, staring at the armoire, but no inspiration came from there.\u00a0 \u201cReckon you best fetch Pa,\u201d he finally said; then, as his brother moved toward the door, he changed his mind.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, get Adam, instead.\u00a0 He\u2019ll know what to do and him leavin\u2019 might be less noticed than Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd, Joe,\u201d Hoss added just as his brother reached the door, \u201cdon\u2019t let on to folks downstairs that anything\u2019s wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCount on it,\u201d Joe said with only a slight quaver in his voice as he disappeared into the hall.\u00a0 He paused to collect himself for just a moment, so his face wouldn\u2019t give anything away; then he rounded the corner and headed down the stairs.\u00a0 From the landing he spotted Adam and groaned inwardly.\u00a0 Trust older brother to be in the middle of a dance with one of the prettiest girls in the territory, but even though he could foresee Adam\u2019s reaction, Little Joe didn\u2019t feel he could wait for the end of the waltz.\u00a0 Swallowing the cabbage-sized lump in his throat, he trotted down the remaining stairs and across the room to tap his older brother on the shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cCan I cut in?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAren\u2019t you still busy upstairs?\u201d Adam asked with an ominous arch of his eyebrow, while his partner smiled cordially.<\/p>\n

\u201cMore than you know,\u201d Little Joe muttered.\u00a0 Then he remembered Hoss\u2019s admonition to keep their guests unaware of what had happened above them.\u00a0 With a bow to the lady, he said, \u201cSorry to interrupt, Miss Jessie, but I need to borrow Adam for just a minute.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d\u00a0 Jessie looked disappointed, whether at shortening her dance with Adam or losing the opportunity to waltz with his cute little brother, neither Cartwright could have said.\u00a0 \u201cYes, of course.\u201d\u00a0 She opened her fan and holding it before her mouth, coyly said, \u201cDon\u2019t you forget about me, now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2019am; I mean, no, ma\u2019am,\u201d Little Joe said, although he was not sure whether the remark had been meant for him or his brother.\u00a0 He snared Adam\u2019s elbow and began dragging him toward the kitchen.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis had better be important,\u201d Adam hissed.<\/p>\n

\u201cMore than you know,\u201d Little Joe said again.\u00a0 As soon as he reached the kitchen, he sent furtive glances in every direction and saw only Hop Sing.\u00a0 Not sure whether Hoss\u2019s admonition included their cook, he decided to play it extra cautious and said only, \u201cWe need you upstairs, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d Adam demanded.\u00a0 \u201cI think you and Hoss, combined, should be enough to corral a few rowdy children, although I must say the noise from up there has, at times, been loud enough to overshadow the music down here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKids don\u2019t play quiet, Adam,\u201d Joe protested defensively and then remembered that he was here on much too serious business to be sidetracked.\u00a0 \u201cLike I said, we got problems, and we need you to sort \u2018em out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of problems?\u201d Adam asked tersely.<\/p>\n

\u201cBig\u2014really big.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen, why don\u2019t you let our \u2018big\u2014really big\u2019 brother handle it?\u201d\u00a0 Adam started back toward the dining room, but Joe again grabbed his arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Adam, it\u2019s gotta be you.\u201d\u00a0 He cast another anxious look at the little Chinaman, who was definitely stretching his ear in their direction, and said, \u201cI mean, it\u2019s more than Hoss can handle\u2014and sure more than I can handle\u2014and you\u2019re the man with all the good ideas, remember?\u00a0 Besides, you\u2019re the oldest, and it kind of concerns you, especially, and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam exhaled in exasperation.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t babble, boy.\u00a0 Why does it concern me, especially?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, on account of it bein\u2019 in your room and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy room!\u201d\u00a0 Suddenly, Adam was all business.\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2019ve let those little hellions trash my things, I will personally skin you alive!\u201d\u00a0 He took the back stairs, two steps at a time.\u00a0 Mission accomplished, Little Joe trotted up after him.<\/p>\n

Adam charged into his room, prepared to expel whoever had desecrated that sacred refuge and then to lambaste his brothers for dereliction of duty.\u00a0 He stopped short, however, when all he saw was a room in its usual pristine order, except for the presence of Hoss and one tiny, red-eyed little girl sitting on his bed.\u00a0 \u201cIf this is some ploy of Joe\u2019s to trade places,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey!\u201d Joe, coming in directly after him, protested.\u00a0 \u201cWatch who you\u2019re accusin\u2019.\u00a0 All I done is fetch you, like Hoss said.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Hoss nodded his confirmation, Adam exhaled gustily.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, then.\u00a0 Where\u2019s the big problem I\u2019m supposed to solve?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOver there,\u201d Hoss said, pointing with his chin.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the armoire,\u201d Little Joe added in case Adam wasn\u2019t good at following chin direction.<\/p>\n

Eyebrows meeting in a straight line, Adam crossed the room and looked into the still-open armoire.\u00a0 His eyes widened, but years of schooling his expression stood him in good stead, and when he turned around, neither of his brothers saw the slightest sign that Adam had taken the sight of a dead body in anything but stride.\u00a0 \u201cYes.\u00a0 Well, I do see what you meant by a \u2018really big\u2019 problem,\u201d he said to Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t know what to do about it,\u201d Little Joe explained, needlessly.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re just supposed to help with the kids, not\u2014not . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d\u00a0 Adam nodded his acceptance that being the eldest automatically placed the burden of dealing with dead bodies in the closet on his shoulders . . . especially when the closet was his own.\u00a0 \u201cWhy is Molly in here?\u201d he asked pointedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe found \u2018im,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

That explained the red eyes.\u00a0 Adam squatted beside the bed and called the child\u2019s name as he gently rested his hand on her head.\u00a0 When she looked up at him, he asked softly, \u201cSweetheart, did you see anyone else in here, anyone at all?\u201d<\/p>\n

The little girl rapidly shook her head side to side.\u00a0 Adam gave her a pat and then stood up.\u00a0 \u201cWell, there\u2019s only one thing to do,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve got to get the sheriff out here.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to Joe.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s a job for you, little brother.\u00a0 Sorry about the long, cold ride.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe bit his lower lip.\u00a0 \u201cYou sure?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, I\u2019m sure,\u201d Adam said, just a bit caustically.\u00a0 Of all the times for the boy to question his authority!\u00a0 \u201cThis is a matter for the law.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but . . .\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe\u2019s face crinkled with concern.\u00a0 \u201cI mean, it\u2019s in your room, Adam.\u00a0 Won\u2019t that make it look like you . . . well, had something to do with. . . .\u00a0 I mean, nobody liked Jake Lambert much, but you did have words with him a few days back and . . .\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe raked anxious fingers through his thick chestnut curls. \u00a0\u201cI ain\u2019t sayin\u2019 . . . I know you didn\u2019t . . . you couldn\u2019t . . . but it looks kinda bad, don\u2019t it, him bein\u2019 here . . . dead and all?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam almost laughed; in fact, would have done so, in heart-touched delight, had not the situation been so serious.\u00a0 Not boyish rebellion, then, but honest concern for my welfare and reputation<\/em>.\u00a0 Still, the law was the law.\u00a0 \u201cThank you for the vote of confidence,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cI must admit, suspicion may initially point my direction, but we can\u2019t very well hide it, can we?\u00a0 Even if Cartwrights were prone to such behavior, there is, after all, a witness.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe\u2019s furtive glance fell on the little girl in Hoss\u2019s lap.\u00a0 \u201cOh . . . yeah.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam placed an encouraging hand on his brother\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cGet the sheriff, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShould I tell Pa first?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, leave that to me.\u201d\u00a0 Just before Little Joe left the room, Adam called softly, \u201cJoe?\u201d\u00a0 When his brother turned toward him, he continued, \u201cIt\u2019s not a matter of life and death now. \u00a0No need to tear up the road, either going or coming.\u00a0 Ride safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will,\u201d Joe promised.\u00a0 He disappeared, and then his head popped back inside.\u00a0 \u201cUh, I don\u2019t suppose I could take time for just one dance.\u00a0 I mean, it not bein\u2019 a matter of life and death now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d both brothers drawled with strained patience.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess not,\u201d Joe sighed and this time disappeared for good.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are the other children?\u201d Adam asked Hoss when Joe was gone.\u00a0 \u201cI haven\u2019t heard a peep out of them since I came up here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss winced.\u00a0 \u201cReckon they\u2019re still hidin\u2019.\u00a0 We was playin\u2019 hide-and-go-seek.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam wiped his lips with the back of his hand.\u00a0 \u201cAll right.\u00a0 First, you need to get the children to bed, as far from this situation as possible.\u00a0 Put Molly in a room by herself, and I\u2019ll send Mrs. Brown up to be with her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re hid all over, Adam,\u201d Hoss protested.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019m I \u2018sposed to . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cAs I recall, the correct signal is \u2018Allie allie, all\u2019s in free.\u2019\u00a0 Just tell them it\u2019s bedtime and no excuses.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, all right.\u00a0 What you gonna do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell Pa what\u2019s happened and help him dissuade anyone who thinks of leaving early.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoggone,\u201d Hoss muttered.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t reckon it\u2019s one of them folks downstairs that . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam massaged his temple.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u00a0 But I am sure that Roy will want to question them.\u201d\u00a0 And me<\/em>, he admitted ruefully.\u00a0 The argument with Jake Lambert had been a petty thing, but unfortunately a public one, as well, having taken place before the Saturday night crowd at the Silver Dollar.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Silence shrouded the Ponderosa, a heavy silence diametrically opposite to the gaiety that had prevailed only hours before.\u00a0 Since the sheriff\u2019s questioning had kept everyone there into the wee hours of the morning, most had decided to remain until daylight.\u00a0 There weren\u2019t enough beds, of course, but the men had accepted blankets and headed for the barn, while the ladies packed into whatever sleeping quarters remained in the house.\u00a0 Only Adam\u2019s room was unoccupied, except by Jacob Lambert, now stretched out on the bed, a couple of the women having charitably volunteered to see to his laying out until he could be transported to the morgue.<\/p>\n

The Cartwrights, with one exception, were again gathered in the kitchen, holding conclave with Roy Coffee over steaming cups of his namesake beverage.\u00a0 Since the sheriff had determined that Little Joe had no significant evidence to give, Ben had detailed his youngest to clear the great room of all the plates, cups and saucers from the coffee, punch and cake served to keep the guests content during the endless questioning.\u00a0 No one seemed to notice that the boy came back regularly with rather small loads of dishes, but moved through the kitchen as though he were knee-deep in molasses.\u00a0 Hop Sing, normally eager to clean up his kitchen and get to bed after one of these late-night affairs, was washing the dishes with deliberate care, apparently unperturbed by the snail\u2019s pace at which Little Joe was bringing him more.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid I may have to take you in, Adam,\u201d Roy said with a sigh.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t kill him,\u201d Adam said tersely.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe you, son, but it looks bad, him bein\u2019 found in your room, and you havin\u2019 had a scuffle with Lambert a few days back.\u201d\u00a0 Roy rolled one shoulder to work out the growing kink in his back.\u00a0 \u201cThere was plenty of folks volunteered that information to me tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s fresh on their minds, I suppose,\u201d Ben suggested, \u201csince it only happened Saturday night, but Adam is certainly not the only person Jake Lambert ever had a quarrel with.\u00a0 At one time or another, he\u2019s had cross words with every neighbor within fifty miles.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEnough to kill over?\u201d Roy asked skeptically.\u00a0 He had reason enough to know that Lambert was a contentious sort.\u00a0 The man had been in his office, complaining about some man or another, more times than he could count on all his fingers and toes, but it had always been twaddle that no one else would have blinked an eye over.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you think my issue was?\u201d Adam exploded.\u00a0 \u201cFor the love of mercy, Roy, a few of our cows broke through the fence and trampled his vegetable garden.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you refused to pay him damages,\u201d Roy charged.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did not,\u201d Adam sputtered through gritted teeth.\u00a0 \u201cI offered him reasonable damages, but refused to pay $1,000 for a few peas and beans, just because it was a Cartwright cow that nibbled them!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPretty high-priced greens,\u201d Roy admitted.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly the best for Hop Sing,\u201d Little Joe put in cheekily as he passed through.\u00a0 The dark looks he got from everyone at the table were enough to make him promptly scamper back into the great room.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got to admit it looks bad, Adam,\u201d the sheriff reiterated.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s lips fluttered as he exhaled his exasperation.\u00a0 \u201cWhich is exactly the point.\u00a0 Would I be such a fool as to murder a man and hide him in my own closet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWouldn\u2019t have been too smart,\u201d Roy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Adam\u2019s as smart as they come,\u201d Hoss inserted.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u00a0 Maybe just smart enough to figure he could outsmart the law by acting stupid.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam groaned.\u00a0 \u201cOnly if I enjoyed flirting with danger\u2014which I don\u2019t.\u00a0 Furthermore, there was not a drop of blood in my room, not a single sign of a struggle, which indicates that Lambert was actually killed elsewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEither that or you cleaned up real good,\u201d Roy said.<\/p>\n

Adam rolled his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cIn which case I\u2019d have thoroughly cleaned up, including moving the body!\u00a0 Furthermore, I would certainly have put myself in charge of the children\u2019s games, with the express purpose of keeping them out of that room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, I\u2019ll grant you that,\u201d Roy said huffily, \u201cbut I got no other suspects.\u00a0 You got any to suggest, you\u2019d be wise to start sharin\u2019 \u2018em, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a lot of folks here,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cAny one of \u2018em could\u2019ve\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d \u00a0Adam was blunt, almost to the point of rudeness.\u00a0 \u201cAt a certain point there were too many people here for anyone to have toted a body upstairs without being seen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEspecially after we herded the younguns upstairs,\u201d Hoss said with a glum nod.\u00a0 \u201cWe was all over the halls after that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo we heard,\u201d Adam grunted, his bottled stress almost palpable to everyone at the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right.\u00a0 Let\u2019s, at least, see if we can\u2019t narrow down the time that body could\u2019ve been toted up,\u201d Roy suggested.\u00a0 \u201cWhen were you last in there, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShortly after lunch,\u201d Adam replied at once.\u00a0 \u201cI went up to change clothes before the orphans were expected, at two.\u201d\u00a0 Then, after a moment\u2019s reflection, he added, \u201cI did go up briefly about four o\u2019clock, but only to get my guitar.\u00a0 We knew by then that the rain would keep the children here longer than expected, and we needed extra entertainment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMighty fine entertainment,\u201d Hoss praised proudly.<\/p>\n

The compliment eased Adam\u2019s tension enough that he could give his brother a token smile.\u00a0 \u201cThe armoire was closed then, just as I\u2019d left it, and I had no reason to look inside until Joe called me upstairs, around eight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe took the kids up right after supper,\u201d Hoss added.\u00a0 \u201cThat was around six.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Roy said.\u00a0 \u201cThat leaves almost six hours, then, plenty of time, so what we need to do now is figure out who had opportunity during that time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were in the great room that entire time,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cNo one could have come in without our seeing them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t come through the front door, then,\u201d Roy concluded, \u201cwhich would\u2019ve been plumb foolish, anyway. \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe whole thing\u2019s plumb foolish.\u201d\u00a0 Adam almost spat out the words.<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy, son,\u201d his father said and then called across the kitchen, \u201cHop Sing, did you see anyone come in the kitchen door?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCarrying a body, perchance?\u201d Adam added with a roll of his eyes at the utter ridiculousness of the question.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing scurried over.\u00a0 \u201cNot see no body, Mr. Ben . . . but see some thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sat up in sudden attention.\u00a0 \u201cYes?\u00a0 What?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMud.\u201d\u00a0 The little cook scowled in distaste.\u00a0 \u201cMore work for Hop Sing when not need, with guests coming.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d\u00a0 Adam dropped back into his chair as his first spark of hope fizzled out again.<\/p>\n

The Chinaman slapped his palm against the table.\u00a0 \u201cYou not understand.\u00a0 Hop Sing see mud\u2014muddy boot prints all up stairs.\u201d\u00a0 He pointed urgently at the back stairs that led from the kitchen to the second floor.\u00a0 \u201cCartwrights not go up that way; they use front stairs, so be someone else, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah!\u201d\u00a0 The others quickly hushed Hoss\u2019s cry, which was loud enough to make Little Joe hurry back into the kitchen with his smallest load of crockery yet.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot need muddy boot prints after already clean stairs.\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing\u2019s grimace betrayed his lingering irritation with whoever had dirtied those stairs, a crime apparently on equal par with murder in his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cNever mind all that for now,\u201d Roy dictated.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t suppose you left \u2018em there?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing looked properly horrified at the thought of his having simply left his floors in that disgraceful condition, especially with guests expected.<\/p>\n

Seeing that look, the sheriff sighed.\u00a0 \u201cNo, figured you wouldn\u2019t.\u00a0 Would\u2019ve helped, given us some idea of the size of the man, at least.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing frowned in thought.\u00a0 \u201cBigger than Little Joe, not big as Mr. Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich describes most men of normal size,\u201d Adam said, resisting the urge to roll his eyes yet again.<\/p>\n

\u201cCloser to Mr. Ben than, you, Mr. Adam,\u201d the cook said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNarrows it a bit, but still average size.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNonetheless, those boot prints do prove that someone entered the house,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cNot an expected guest, but someone who didn\u2019t want to be seen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPoints that direction,\u201d Roy conceded.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t see how they could have, though, with Hop Sing in here cookin\u2019 the whole time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNot whole time, Honorable Sheriff.\u00a0 Hop Sing in out, in out kitchen\u2014much work everywhere for big party.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, so it could have happened when you was out for a bit, then,\u201d Roy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but why take the body all the way down to Adam\u2019s room?\u201d Hoss asked.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t make sense.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBringing it into the house doesn\u2019t make sense in the first place,\u201d Adam snorted.\u00a0 \u201cFar easier to dump it in the shrubbery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Hoss agreed, \u201cbut even if there was some reason for that, why not stuff Mr. Lambert into Pa\u2019s room or the one across the hall?\u00a0 They\u2019s both at the head of them stairs\u2014quicker in, quicker out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s right,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cWhy take the chance of going further and running into someone?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam suddenly sat up straight.\u00a0 \u201cBecause someone wanted it to be found in my room, wanted suspicion to fall on me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy gave his head a dubious shake.\u00a0 \u201cHave to be someone who knows this place mighty well, for that to be true.\u00a0 Lots of folks know the Ponderosa, know the Cartwrights live here.\u00a0 Not so many would know who sleeps in which room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure they would,\u201d Little Joe said, having entered the kitchen again just in time to hear the last exchange.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Joe, how could they?\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy,\u201d Little Joe insisted, with a snap of his fingers for emphasis.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you fetch in a few more cups?\u201d Adam suggested testily.\u00a0 \u201cAt the rate you\u2019re going, it\u2019ll be dawn before they all manage to make their way to the sink.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe handed his small load to Hop Sing and glared at his older brother.\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t you?\u00a0 Seems to me you need someone with a little sense in here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam favored his brother with his most provoking smile.\u00a0 \u201cExactly.\u00a0 Which is why I\u2019m at the table and you\u2019re on dish detail.\u00a0 Now, run along, sonny, and let the grownups talk before I give in to my urge to throttle any convenient target!\u201d<\/p>\n

Planting both hands on the table, Little Joe glowered across it at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cI know what I\u2019m talkin\u2019 about!\u00a0 Why doesn\u2019t anybody ever listen to me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSit down, boy,\u201d Roy Coffee ordered.\u00a0 In response to Adam\u2019s arched eyebrow, he added, \u201cI\u2019m willing to listen to any idea at this point, crazy as this one\u2019s likely to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe\u2019s nostrils flared as he took his seat.\u00a0 \u201cLike I said, figuring out which room belongs to Adam is easy.\u00a0 Any passing stranger could do it.\u00a0 All they got to do is stand in the yard at the right time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what, precisely, is the right time?\u201d Adam asked sharply.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost any time you see fit to holler down from that window, and believe me, it happens more than anyone could imagine!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, this is scarcely the time,\u201d his father said sternly.<\/p>\n

The boy flushed.\u00a0 \u201cOh . . . right.\u00a0 Sorry, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 When his oldest brother nodded acceptance of his apology, Little Joe leaned forward eagerly.\u00a0 \u201cBut don\u2019t you see?\u00a0 If it was my room or Hoss\u2019s we were talkin\u2019 about, it\u2019d be different.\u00a0 We sleep at the back of the house, and Pa\u2019s down at the end, but, Adam, you got the only window that overlooks the front yard.\u00a0 You do a lot of your plannin\u2019 and sketchin\u2019 up there, and you do look out that window more than you think.\u00a0 Sometimes you\u2019re hollerin\u2019 \u2018cause you\u2019re mad about something; other times just to tell us something, maybe answer a question we yelled up to you.\u00a0 Sometimes you\u2019re just leanin\u2019 out it, dreamin\u2019 or something.\u00a0 All it takes is for someone to ride into the yard while that\u2019s happenin\u2019, and they\u2019d know which room was yours.\u00a0 For doggone sure, anyone who\u2019s ever worked this ranch knows\u2014not that I\u2019m sayin\u2019 it\u2019s one of them.\u201d\u00a0 He sent a quick glance down the table toward the sheriff, who nodded his understanding.<\/p>\n

Adam slowly did, as well.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s sound reasoning, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, thanks, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe beamed in the glow of his brother\u2019s hard-earned and, therefore, highly valued praise.<\/p>\n

Adam ran a mental list of people who\u2019d had the exact opportunity Little Joe had described.\u00a0 Finally, he said, \u201cHe\u2019s right, Roy\u2014and I\u2019m pretty sure I know who did it.\u201d\u00a0 He paused for one moment\u2019s longer consideration before making such a serious accusation, and then said with somber confidence, \u201cFrank Walters.\u00a0 I had to fire him last week, and he took it badly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t have no choice, Adam,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a strict policy against drinking on the job,\u201d Adam explained for the sheriff.\u00a0 \u201cThis close to the holidays, I might have given him a second chance, for the sake of his wife and children, but Walters is not exactly what one might call a happy tippler; he is, to put it mildly, a belligerent drunk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe went after Little Joe with a pitchfork,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cIf I hadn\u2019t come along when I did, he might\u2019ve killed the boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo choice,\u201d Adam said with a regretful shake of his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d have done the same, son,\u201d Ben added.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou said Walters took it bad,\u201d Roy pressed.<\/p>\n

Adam exhaled slowly.\u00a0 \u201cYes.\u00a0 He begged me not to let him go right before Christmas, and I almost gave in, but decided we just couldn\u2019t take the risk of his actually hurting someone.\u00a0 Then he started spewing derogatory opinions about the Cartwrights in general and me in particular, and he said, \u2018If you ruin Christmas for my younguns, Cartwright, I promise you I\u2019ll ruin yours!\u2019\u00a0 If that\u2019s not an exact quote, it\u2019s close.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe threatened you, then?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed harshly.\u00a0 \u201cWell, yes, I\u2019d call that a threat.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t take it seriously at the time, figured it was the liquor talking, but now . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s certainly worth investigating,\u201d Roy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe Hop Sing could size up his feet, compare \u2018em to those boot prints,\u201d Little Joe suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, son, you know better,\u201d the sheriff chided gently.\u00a0 \u201cA Chinaman can\u2019t testify against a white man.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry, but that\u2019s the law.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a bad law.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReckon it might be,\u201d Roy conceded, \u201cbut still the law.\u00a0 What Hop Sing said means something to me, though.\u00a0 Add that to what you just told us, Adam, and I don\u2019t feel like I got to take you in after all.\u00a0 I\u2019ll bring Walters in for questioning, first thing in the morning.\u00a0 Maybe I can shake him up a bit, get at the truth that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Adam said, more relieved than his expression revealed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Ben said, \u201cthere\u2019s not much night left, but I suggest we turn in and get what sleep we can.\u00a0 Roy, you take the settee.\u00a0 The ladies indicated that having the law in the house would make them feel safer.\u00a0 Adam and I will try to sleep in the chairs, and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd we get sent to the barn,\u201d Little Joe finished.<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter your young bones than my old ones, young man.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe grinned.\u00a0 \u201cOr old Adam\u2019s, either, I guess.\u00a0 I don\u2019t really mind, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 He yawned prodigiously.\u00a0 \u201cComin\u2019, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s mouth gaped even wider.\u00a0 \u201cUh-huh.\u00a0 Lead away, little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two younger men headed toward the barn, and the older trio settled into their assigned spots in the great room.\u00a0 The latter had no sooner drawn blankets beneath their noses, however, before the front door burst open, slamming hard into the credenza, and Little Joe tumbled through.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s here,\u201d he cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cSanta?\u201d Adam asked dryly.<\/p>\n

For a moment the younger man looked perplexed, but then he chided, \u201cDon\u2019t be silly, Adam; it ain\u2019t even Christmas yet.\u00a0 It\u2019s Walters; he\u2019s in the barn.\u00a0 Reckon the rain sort of caught him unawares and he hid in there and fell asleep.\u00a0 Hoss is watchin\u2019 him snore, and I\u201d\u2014he drew himself up to full, self-important height\u2014\u201ccome to fetch the law.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe law\u201d rose from the settee and did his duty, taking Frank Walters into custody and dismissing everyone else from the kitchen, where he set about interrogating his prisoner.\u00a0 He emerged forty minutes later to announce, \u201cIt was him, all right; he confessed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWow, Inspector Foote of the Yard\u2019s got nothin\u2019 on you, Sheriff Coffee!\u201d Little Joe declared with open admiration.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know how to do my job,\u201d Roy said, \u201cif that\u2019s what you mean.\u201d\u00a0 Then he grinned.\u00a0 \u201c\u2018Course, might\u2019ve been a mite harder if\u2019n I\u2019d told him the witness I mentioned was a Chinaman, but I think he\u2019d\u2019ve broke eventually.\u00a0 Admitted he was quarreling with Jake Lambert\u2014who ain\u2019t at one time or another?\u2014but said he never meant to kill him, just happened in the heat of a fight.\u00a0 Then he had to hide the body somewhere, and he remembered how mad he was at Adam and . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the rest is history,\u201d Adam concluded.<\/p>\n

\u201cPretty much.\u00a0 Don\u2019t reckon it\u2019ll make the books, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019d make a great dime novel,\u201d Little Joe suggested.\u00a0 \u201cAdam could write it for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI could not,\u201d his oldest brother stated in a tone that brooked no argument, and Little Joe could only sigh for the wealth and fame that would pass them by.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Before the break of day on Christmas morning, four men stealthily entered the Walters\u2019 front yard.\u00a0 The tallest set a tree, dressed in popcorn-and-cranberry garland, apples, oranges and gold-paper-covered nuts, in front of the window, while the smallest and the broadest quickly placed wrapped packages with bright red bows around it.\u00a0 The snowy-haired one added a box of groceries, including a smoked ham and a bag of assorted candies, beside the other gifts.\u00a0 Then they all crept away, for they knew that the family would never accept the Christmas surprise from them, after all that had transpired that holiday season.\u00a0 With the rest of Santa\u2019s elves safe from sight, Hoss tiptoed to the children\u2019s window, gave a mighty \u201cHo, ho, ho!\u201d and then ran for the secluding woods, eager to get home and see what Santa had left in his own long stocking.<\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

\u00a9 December, 2013<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: \u00a0The Cartwrights are enjoying a festive Christmas party at the Ponderosa, when what to their wondering eyes should appear but a corpse in a closet. \u00a0Oh, my and oh, dear!<\/p>\n

Rated: K+ \u00a0WC \u00a06600<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":48,"featured_media":382,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,32],"tags":[14,15,18,17,16,22],"class_list":["post-3583","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-mystery","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-ben","tag-hop-sing","tag-hoss","tag-joe","tag-roy-coffee","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-32-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1213,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/christmasc.jpg?fit=298%2C369&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":19077,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=19077","url_meta":{"origin":3583,"position":0},"title":"Studio Executives #4 – A Ponderosa Christmas . . . Or Maybe Not (by pjb)","author":"pjb","date":"December 9, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Have you ever wondered why we didn\u2019t see more Cartwright Christmas episodes? Turns out, it wasn\u2019t an oversight. . . . Rating: PG Word count: 1,500","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":19133,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=19133","url_meta":{"origin":3583,"position":1},"title":"Finding Christmas (by Hart4Ben)","author":"Hart4Ben","date":"December 19, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: It's Christmas and Jamie is reminiscing about his time with the Cartwrights. Rating: K WC: 1113","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/finding-2.png?fit=253%2C386&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12133,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12133","url_meta":{"origin":3583,"position":2},"title":"Frightened Beyond Reason (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"June 1, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"DebbieB passed away Christmas 2021. Any reader wishing to read this series should e:mail the Brandsters:\u00a0 Brandsters2020@gmail.com","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/2-joe.jpg?fit=237%2C221&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":25624,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=25624","url_meta":{"origin":3583,"position":3},"title":"Christmas Spirit (by AC1830)","author":"AC1830","date":"December 25, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Little Joe learns something special about Christmas, with the help of his brothers. 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