Summary: A grateful Virginia City wants to both reward and exploit Little Joe’s valiant defense of the town, but Adam fears his young brother may be unable to handle his sudden newfound fame.\u00a0 Written for BoNaNo 2021.<\/p>\n
Rating: K+<\/p>\n
Word count: 13, 175<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Town Hero<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ben Cartwright charged up the Geiger Grade at a pace he would ordinarily have rebuked in any of his sons.\u00a0 Hoss and Adam were right behind him, riding with only slightly more care.\u00a0 None of them slowed down until they reached Virginia City and were forced to by the traffic in the crowded streets.\u00a0 For Ben, even that much delay was agonizing, but he finally reached the side street he wanted and didn\u2019t even bother wrapping his horse\u2019s reins around the hitching post outside the office of Paul Martin, M.D.\u00a0 He trusted his sons to take care of that insignificant detail as he rushed for the door and burst through it.\u00a0 Seeing no one, he called out, \u201cPaul!\u201d and was rewarded by the doctor\u2019s exit from the next room.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s in here, Ben,\u201d the doctor said and stepped quickly aside to avoid the one-man stampede he knew would ensue.<\/p>\n Adam soon followed, Hoss having delayed long enough to secure all three horses.\u00a0 By unspoken consent, the brothers had divvied up the duties, with Adam accepting as the obligation of the eldest the unwelcome one of reining in their father, in the likely event that was needed.<\/p>\n Ben had, of course, gone directly to the cot on which lay his youngest son and by the time Adam entered the room, was stroking back the boy\u2019s wayward chestnut locks from a pale forehead.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s unconscious?\u201d he asked anxiously.\u00a0 The event he\u2019d been told of must have happened hours before, and continuing unconsciousness would indicate serious injury.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Ben,\u201d Dr. Martin assured him.\u00a0 \u201cI sedated him; he\u2019s sleeping.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben exhaled the breath he\u2019d been holding.\u00a0 \u201cGood, good,\u201d he murmured, smoothing his gray hair back in unconscious imitation of the treatment he\u2019d just given his slumbering son.\u00a0 Then he gathered himself and asked, \u201cHow bad is it?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss came in just as the doctor answered, \u201cBad enough, but it could have been worse.\u201d\u00a0 Much worse<\/em>, he might have added, but he knew Ben didn\u2019t need to hear that.\u00a0 He\u2019d worry enough as it was.\u00a0 \u201cI removed three bullets . . .\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThree!\u201d Ben exploded.\u00a0 \u201cI was told he was shot, but not . . . three?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThree,\u201d the doctor confirmed, \u201cbut by his legendary good fortune, none damaged any vital organs.\u00a0 He\u2019s lost a lot of blood, though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut he\u2019ll be all right,\u201d Adam said, knowing his father would need to hear that reassurance.<\/p>\n \u201cHe should be . . . if he follows his doctor\u2019s advice and doesn\u2019t overdo it too soon.\u201d\u00a0 The doctor\u2019s words were spoken in a tongue-in-cheek tone, for as everyone in the room knew, this particular patient was noted for doing the exact opposite.<\/p>\n \u201cIf he don\u2019t, I\u2019ll sit on him, Doc,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n Dr. Martin chuckled, \u201cI wouldn\u2019t recommend that, Hoss.\u00a0 The damage was spread out enough that you\u2019d be bound to put weight on some part you shouldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw, Doc, you know I wouldn\u2019t,\u201d Hoss protested.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s enough foolishness, boys,\u201d Ben said, earning a raised eyebrow from Adam, who was certain he hadn\u2019t exhibited any.\u00a0 \u201cCan we take him home?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot tonight, Ben.\u201d\u00a0 The doctor\u2019s tone was almost scolding, but he moderated it as he continued, \u201cIt\u2019s almost sundown now, and that\u2019s a long, rough ride in the dark; besides, I\u2019d like to observe him a little longer.\u00a0 You\u2019re welcome to stay here, of course, though you\u2014as well as Joe\u2014might be more comfortable at the hotel.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded.\u00a0 \u201cOf course.\u00a0 Whatever you think best, doctor.\u201d\u00a0 Paul Martin was a friend with whom he was on first-name basis, but in medical discussions, he automatically adopted the more reverential title.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t I go ahead and make the arrangements?\u201d Adam suggested.\u00a0 \u201cThen we can take Joe straight to his room.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, yes, that would be good.\u201d\u00a0 Ben was still a man in a daze, trying to absorb each new bit of information and fit it in with all he\u2019d had to process since the messenger first arrived at the Ponderosa with the news of what had happened in town.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll go along with Adam, Pa, and see to the horses,\u201d Hoss offered.<\/p>\n \u201cHmm?\u00a0 Oh, yes, thank you, son.\u201d\u00a0 Ben turned back to his youngest, his hands again running over any uncovered bit of fevered flesh within reach.<\/p>\n \u201cWhew,\u201d Hoss said, once he and his brother were outside in the cool air of early evening.\u00a0 \u201cSure wish Pa wouldn\u2019t worry hisself to distraction.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot unusual in the circumstances,\u201d Adam observed, \u201cespecially given the unexpected number of wounds.\u00a0 You gonna stay over tonight, too?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReckon so,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cYou?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo real point in going back to the ranch, if we actually can take Joe home in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t think we can?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoc Martin doesn\u2019t believe in giving false hope, so I think there\u2019s a good chance,\u201d Adam said, \u201cbut things can change overnight.\u00a0 How does the kid always manage to get himself in the middle of things like this?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss\u2019s shrug was almost undiscernible in the darkening streets.\u00a0 \u201cMagnet for trouble,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cAlways has had sort of a leanin\u2019 toward bein\u2019 in the wrong place at the wrong time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s for sure!\u201d Adam laughed, and the small joke at Little Joe\u2019s expense released the pent-up anxiety in both older brothers. \u00a0The town bank, in the middle of a robbery, was, to say the least, the wrong place at the wrong time, and becoming the target for what was, evidently, a melee of bullets was just the sort of magnetism their little brother was famous for.<\/p>\n They separated at the International House.\u00a0 \u201cOnce you get the horses settled,\u201d Adam said, \u201chire a buggy and head back to Doc\u2019s.\u00a0 Easier on Joe that way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlready thought of that,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cI got a mite of sense, older brother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know you do.\u00a0 Probably more than me when it comes to taking care of someone injured.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw, I wouldn\u2019t say that.\u201d\u00a0 But Hoss flushed with pride at the praise.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t have to; I already did.\u201d\u00a0 With a clap on the shoulder, Adam turned and went directly to the clerk behind the registration desk.\u00a0 \u201cHello, Tom,\u201d he said pleasantly.\u00a0 \u201cWe need some rooms for the night.\u00a0 A quiet suite off the street and a double as close as you can fit us to that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe suite for Joe and your pa?\u201d Tom asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, that\u2019s right, and the other for me and Hoss, so please make it separate beds.\u00a0 I\u2019d like a little room to turn over.\u201d<\/p>\n Tom smiled perfunctorily at the time-honored joke about Hoss\u2019s size, but his attention was elsewhere.\u00a0 \u201cSure hope the boy\u2019s gonna be all right.\u00a0 Town owes him a big debt.\u00a0 Why, that Clancy gang would have wiped us all out, if Joe hadn\u2019t stepped in!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what I hear.\u201d\u00a0 Adam still hadn\u2019t heard the full story, of course, but while he knew Tom would have been only too eager to give him every detail, now wasn\u2019t the time.\u00a0 The clerk took two sets of keys from the rack behind him.\u00a0 \u201cThis is our most comfortable suite,\u201d he said, \u201cand the other room is just two doors down.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMore interested in the location than the comfort,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 With any luck, Little Joe\u2019d be heavily sedated enough to sleep through the night, and as for Pa, he probably wouldn\u2019t touch his own bed.<\/p>\n \u201cQuietest suite in the hotel\u2014on the house,\u201d Tom assured him.<\/p>\n \u201cThat really isn\u2019t necessary,\u201d Adam protested.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m perfectly prepared to pay.\u201d\u00a0 Out of his own pocket, if Pa were too wrapped up in Joe to remember such mundane details.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, sir,\u201d Tom insisted.\u00a0 \u201cManagement won\u2019t have it any other way.\u00a0 Nothin\u2019 but the best for our town hero!\u201d<\/p>\n Adam arched an eyebrow at that phrase and prayed that his little brother would never hear it, but he accepted the keys with a smile and an acknowledging nod.\u00a0 \u201cWe should be bringing him here within the hour.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir. \u00a0We\u2019ll be ready.\u201d<\/p>\n Walking out onto the boardwalk, Adam exhaled slowly.\u00a0 Now, what did that mean?\u00a0 Hopefully, nothing.\u00a0 Little Joe certainly didn\u2019t need a welcoming party of hero worshippers, just a bed with clean sheets and pillows, and that was standard at the International House.\u00a0 It occurred to him, though, that his brother might need another item or two, so even though it was late, he made his way to Cass\u2019s Mercantile.\u00a0 Will Cass was an old friend and would probably be willing to open up for a small purchase.<\/p>\n Fortunately, Will was just closing for the night when Adam arrived, and when he saw who was knocking, he quickly opened the door.\u00a0 \u201cAdam!\u00a0 Good to see you, son.\u00a0 Come in.\u201d\u00a0 He did, however, pull the shades down behind the door he closed behind them.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019s the boy?\u201d he asked as soon as they were alone.<\/p>\n A wry grin lifted one side of Adam\u2019s mouth.\u00a0 News traveled fast in Virginia City, especially when the news was as sensational as a bank robbery, and more especially when a Cartwright was involved.\u00a0 \u201cDoc thinks he\u2019ll be all right,\u201d he said, \u201cbut he wants him to stay in town overnight, at least.\u00a0 Sorry to bother you so late, but I wanted to pick up a few things for him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnything you need, Adam.\u00a0 Town owes that boy a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n Don\u2019t say it<\/em>, Adam begged internally.<\/p>\n But of course, Will did.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe\u2019s quite a hero to all of us, me as much as anyone.\u00a0 Why, most everything I own, except what was in today\u2019s till, was in that bank.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded.\u00a0 Of course, and it was probably true for most of the citizens of the mountain-top town.\u00a0 Their gratitude toward his brother was both natural and right.\u00a0 \u201cWell, with three bullets shredding his clothes, I\u2019m afraid the hero is practically naked,\u201d he joked, \u201cso I\u2019d like to get him a set of clothes to wear home and, perhaps, a nightshirt for tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, sure,\u201d Will said.\u00a0 \u201cI know his size, so I can fix you right up.\u00a0 No trouble at all.\u201d\u00a0 He rifled through a pile of nightshirts until he found the right size and laid it on the counter.\u00a0 \u201cWhat about the rest of you?\u00a0 I figure Ben, at least, is stayin\u2019 over with the boy.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam laughed aloud.\u00a0 \u201cOh, you could bet the bank on that one!\u00a0 I doubt he\u2019ll need anything, though.\u00a0 Probably a waste of money getting a suite at the hotel, since Papa Hen will probably spend the night hovering over his baby chick.\u201d<\/p>\n Will cackled right along with him.\u00a0 \u201cProbably got that right!\u00a0 I\u2019ll put a nightshirt for Ben in, too, though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI really doubt there\u2019s any need, Will,\u201d Adam said, but the storekeeper cut him off.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can bring it back if he doesn\u2019t use it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, all right,\u201d Adam agreed, thinking it was easier than arguing the point.\u00a0 \u201cJust put it on our bill, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNope,\u201d Will said and when Adam started to remonstrate with him, raised a silencing palm.\u00a0 \u201cLike I said, I owe that boy plenty, and this ain\u2019t much to repay him for what he saved me.\u201d\u00a0 He was pulling together trousers, shirt and socks in Little Joe\u2019s size as he spoke, and as he laid them all on the counter, he asked, \u201cNow, is that all?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, that\u2019s all,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t about to mention that he and Hoss were staying over, too.\u00a0 He understood Will\u2019s need to express his gratitude, but there was no need to bankrupt himself doing it.<\/p>\n Will wrapped the package in brown paper, but just before he handed it to Adam, he snapped his fingers.\u00a0 \u201cI know just what you need.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWill . . . no,\u201d Adam protested.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, no, you\u2019re gonna want this,\u201d the shopkeeper insisted.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe\u2019s gonna need to be kept quiet, ain\u2019t he?\u00a0 Sure, he is, and I just got a new shipment of Beadle\u2019s books in.\u00a0 Let me get him one or two.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll right,\u201d Adam conceded easily.\u00a0 Will\u2019s point was well taken, and at a dime apiece, the gift wouldn\u2019t cost the man much, unless he donated the entire library of the trashy little books Joe\u2019s adventurous soul relished.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Hoss had stabled his family\u2019s mounts, happily finding his little brother\u2019s beloved Cochise at the livery nearest the bank, where he suspected Sheriff Coffee had had him taken after everything settled down.\u00a0 Hoss had hired a buggy at the same place and driven it back to the doc\u2019s.\u00a0 Just before stepping down from the rig, he took a deep breath and, lifting his face to the heavens, whispered a brief prayer of thanks.\u00a0 Then he hurried inside, going straight to his little brother\u2019s bedside.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019s he doin\u2019, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStill sleeping,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cYou have everything ready?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir, the buggy\u2019s right outside, if\u2019n\u2019 you\u2019re ready.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoctor?\u201d Ben inquired.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can take him,\u201d Paul Martin said, having checked on his patient no more than five minutes before.<\/p>\n Ben pulled back the covers and for the first time realized that his youngest son was clad in nothing but his underwear and socks.\u00a0 \u201cWhere are his clothes?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n The doctor chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cIn the rubbish bin.\u00a0 What the bullets didn\u2019t destroy, I cut off.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, of course; I wasn\u2019t thinking.\u00a0 Unfortunately, we didn\u2019t bring him a change of clothes.\u201d<\/p>\n The doctor\u2019s grin broadened.\u00a0 \u201cNo reason you would have thought of that, not knowing the scope of his injuries, but it\u2019s June, not January, Ben.\u00a0 Just wrapping him in the blanket should be enough for a short trip.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben didn\u2019t exactly laugh, but for the first time that evening his lips turned slightly upwards.\u00a0 \u201cYes, that should do, though nights are cool up here on the mountain, even in June.\u201d<\/p>\n Perhaps it was the cool breeze through a nearby window on his bare flesh, but as Ben began to wrap his son in the blanket, Little Joe at last stirred.\u00a0 His eyes fluttered open to rest on his father\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cPa?\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m right here, son,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n Little Joe\u2019s face wrinkled a bit.\u00a0 \u201cSorry,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Ben smoothed comforting hands against his son\u2019s cheeks.\u00a0 \u201cYou haven\u2019t done anything to be sorry for, Joseph.\u00a0 Quite the contrary, from what I hear.\u201d<\/p>\n For a moment the young man looked puzzled.\u00a0 Then he said, \u201cWorry.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben looked at his boy with tenderness and love.\u00a0 \u201cWell, yes,\u201d he said, \u201cthere is that.\u201d\u00a0 He chuckled softly.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s all right, son.\u00a0 You just rest, and I\u2019ll do my best not to worry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDeal,\u201d Little Joe said, and his eyes closed as he again sank into exhausted sleep.<\/p>\n As quickly as they could, Ben and Hoss wrapped the boy up, and Hoss\u2019s strong arms easily lifted and carried him outside to the waiting buggy.\u00a0 Ben climbed in first and received his youngest son; then Hoss rounded the buggy and stepped in, gathering the reins for the ride to the International House.\u00a0 Thankfully, it was a short one, because three on a seat made for a tight squeeze, especially when Hoss was one of the three.\u00a0 Once they arrived, they reversed their actions, and Hoss carried his little brother through the hotel\u2019s double doors.<\/p>\n The clerk came around the desk to meet them.\u00a0 \u201cGlad to have you with us, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d he said.\u00a0 Then remembering why they were there, he flushed.\u00a0 \u201cI mean, I\u2019m not glad about the circumstances, but it\u2019s . . . well . . . an honor to have you, and especially your boy, stay here.\u201d<\/p>\n If he hadn\u2019t been so concerned to get Little Joe into bed, Ben might have been amused by the stammering welcome.\u00a0 As it was, he only said, \u201cThank you, Tom.\u00a0 What room are we in?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNumber 23, second floor,\u201d the clerk said.\u00a0 \u201cAdam\u2019s up there now.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded his appreciation and preceded Hoss up the stairs.\u00a0 They quickly found the suite, and Ben opened the door, holding it for Hoss to pass through.<\/p>\n Adam stood from the settee in the main room.\u00a0 He headed toward the bedroom on the right.\u00a0 \u201cI thought this would be best for him,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s no window, so it should be quieter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVery thoughtful, son.\u201d\u00a0 Ben went through the door, intending to turn down the bed, but saw that Adam had already foreseen that need.\u00a0 His eyes fell on the nightshirt folded at the foot of the bed.\u00a0 \u201cVery thoughtful, indeed,\u201d he said, thinking how typical it was of Adam to anticipate everything needed for his brother\u2019s comfort.<\/p>\n Hoss laid Little Joe gently on the mattress.\u00a0 Then, with Adam\u2019s help, he got his younger brother dressed and situated comfortably in the bed.\u00a0 \u201cHas he been awake at all?\u201d Adam asked, since Joe hadn\u2019t stirred at all throughout the process of bedding him down.<\/p>\n \u201cBriefly,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cTired boy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s natural, I think,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 Blood loss, coupled with shock would account for the exhaustion.\u00a0 He felt it himself, even without the added stress of three bullet wounds to drain his strength.\u00a0 \u201cThe next room is for you, of course.\u00a0 If you\u2019d like to turn in, Pa, I can watch Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I\u2019ll stay with him,\u201d Ben responded, pulling a chair up to the bedside.<\/p>\n Adam permitted himself a small roll of the eyes, although it was exactly the answer he had expected.\u00a0 \u201cHow about something to eat, then?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey, I\u2019m all for that!\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re always all for that,\u201d Adam said dryly.\u00a0 \u201cI was asking Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I\u2019m not hungry,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cYou boys go ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n Another predictable answer, so Adam didn\u2019t argue.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, big guy,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s head downstairs and see what\u2019s on offer tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n For a moment Hoss looked like he wanted to say something to his father.\u00a0 Then, apparently thinking better of it, he agreed and quickly followed his brother out the door.\u00a0 \u201cDoggone it,\u201d he said as soon as they were in the hallway.\u00a0 \u201cPa ought to eat somethin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll bring him back a sandwich,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cIf he doesn\u2019t have to leave his baby son\u2019s side, he might discover he\u2019s hungry, after all.\u201d<\/p>\n A wide, toothy grin crossed Hoss\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, might at that.\u00a0 He frets over that young\u2019un somethin\u2019 fierce, don\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2018That young\u2019un\u2019 gives him plenty to fret over.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReckon he does,\u201d Hoss conceded.\u00a0 \u201cI also reckon neither you nor me would\u2019ve done any different if we\u2019d been in that bank.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPossibly,\u201d Adam admitted.\u00a0 He wished it had been him, instead of Joe, but he didn\u2019t know that he could have handled the situation any more safely, especially since he still didn\u2019t exactly know what the situation had been.\u00a0 Maybe Joe\u2019d acted hastily; maybe there\u2019d been no other way.\u00a0 What difference did it make, anyway?\u00a0 No doubt his little brother had done the best he knew to do, and now certainly wasn\u2019t the time for recrimination in any case.\u00a0 Any lectures, if needed, could wait until later . . . much later.<\/p>\n Though it was still early, Hoss was yawning widely when the brothers came back upstairs.\u00a0 \u201cReckon I shouldn\u2019t have had that second piece of pie,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cPlumb makin\u2019 me sleepy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWant to turn in now?\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n \u201cFigured to check on Shortshanks before I did.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam fished the room key from his pocket.\u00a0 \u201cI can do that, when I deliver Pa\u2019s sandwich.\u00a0 It\u2019s room 21.\u201d<\/p>\n After trying futilely to stifle another yawn, Hoss took the key with a sleepy \u201cThanks\u201d and headed for the room.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t long before Adam joined him and, like Hoss, stripped down to his drawers before crawling between the clean sheets.\u00a0 \u201cSure was good of you to fix Joe up with a nightshirt,\u201d Hoss said, thumping his pillow.<\/p>\n \u201cI would\u2019ve fixed you up with one, too,\u201d Adam said, \u201cif circumstances hadn\u2019t forestalled me.\u201d\u00a0 He explained about Will Cass\u2019s generous offer to outfit the entire family and how he\u2019d kept quiet about his own and Hoss\u2019s intent to stay over.\u00a0 \u201cTom insisted on free rooms for us all, too,\u201d he commented. \u201cNothing too good for the town hero.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou jealous of Joe?\u201d Hoss asked, forehead wrinkling at the note he\u2019d heard in his older brother\u2019s voice.\u00a0 With Adam, it could be hard to tell the difference between wry and just plumb sour.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course not!\u201d Adam declared.\u00a0 \u201cHe did the town a service, and he deserves some honor for that.\u00a0 I just don\u2019t want him getting too caught up in that \u2018town hero\u2019 business.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hope he does,\u201d Hoss said soberly.<\/p>\n Adam looked at him in surprise.\u00a0 Then with the intuitive knowledge of each other\u2019s thoughts that these two brothers shared, he smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYou hope he can . . . as do I.\u00a0 He\u2019ll be all right, Hoss, but there is a difference between being all right and having a head the size of a hot air balloon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw, Adam, he\u2019s a good kid, and if his balloon needs puncturing\u2019, I reckon, between us, we can tend to it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI reckon you\u2019re right.\u00a0 Good night, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNight, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss was soon rattling the windowpane with his snores, but Adam lay awake for a while, still hoping against all common sense that his youngest brother would never hear the adulation being heaped on his inexperienced head.\u00a0 Pa\u2019d always promoted the adage that too many sugar plums weren\u2019t good for growing boys, and he hadn\u2019t been talking solely about candy. \u00a0Hoss was right: Joe was a good kid, but he could also be a cocky one.\u00a0 A diet heavy in hero worship might have a worse effect on him than that second piece of pie had on his other brother.\u00a0 Still, he told himself, they were lucky, very lucky, indeed, to only have that to worry about . . . instead of what type of coffin to bury the kid in.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n It was still dark when Adam awoke.\u00a0 He plumped up his pillow and tried to get back to sleep, but if anything, Hoss was snoring louder than usual, and with most of his weariness already assuaged, Adam couldn\u2019t manage to drift off again.\u00a0 Deciding there was a better use of his time, he rose and dressed and made his way down the hall to the suite shared by his father and brother.\u00a0 He still had the key, having forgotten to give it to Ben, but he didn\u2019t need it.\u00a0 The knob turned easily in his hand, and he slipped quietly inside.\u00a0 Passing the settee, he entered Joe\u2019s bedroom, and by the light of the bedside lamp, he saw his father awkwardly sprawled in the chair.\u00a0 He stepped quietly past the slumbering man and laid a hand across his brother\u2019s forehead.\u00a0 With a nod of satisfaction, he turned and shook his father\u2019s arm, softly calling, \u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben jolted awake and his gaze flew toward the figure in the bed.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is it?\u00a0 Is he all right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s fine, Pa,\u201d Adam soothed.\u00a0 \u201cResting easy, and his fever\u2019s down.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben, of course, had to verify that good news for himself, and he exhaled with visible relief when he, too, placed his hand against his son\u2019s forehead.\u00a0 He smiled as he patted Little Joe\u2019s cheek and started to sit back in the chair.<\/p>\n Adam stopped him with an outstretched palm.\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t you get some sleep, Pa?\u00a0 There\u2019s a perfectly good bedroom going to waste, and I can sit with Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know, but he\u2019s my son, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd my brother . . . or don\u2019t you trust me?\u201d<\/p>\n As Ben stammered his protest against that accusation, Adam gave him his most persuasive smile.\u00a0 \u201cThen take advantage of that trust.\u00a0 If you\u2019re going to have anything left to give him today, you should see to your own need for food and sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI ate,\u201d Ben argued as petulantly as his youngest son might have.<\/p>\n \u201cHalf a sandwich does not constitute a meal,\u201d Adam countered with a glance at what remained on the plate, although he was secretly surprised that even that much had been consumed.\u00a0 \u201cHalf a night\u2019s sleep isn\u2019t much, either, but you need to take it while you can . . . unless you want me to call you Papa Hen to your face.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cInstead of behind my back,\u201d Ben retorted huffily.\u00a0 \u201cI know the three of you do that!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe do, with considerable justification,\u201d Adam said with a crooked smile, \u201cbut I\u2019m offering you the chance to prove us wrong.\u00a0 Come on, Pa.\u00a0 You know I\u2019m right about the need for rest.\u00a0 You\u2019d insist on it for any of us.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben raked a weary hand through his tousled gray hair.\u00a0 \u201cOh, all right,\u201d he conceded.\u00a0 \u201cI suppose it isn\u2019t long \u2018til morning, anyway.\u00a0 You\u2019ll wake me if he needs me?\u201d\u00a0 It was less a question than a command.<\/p>\n Adam resisted the temptation to salute and promised that he would.\u00a0 Some jokes weren\u2019t worth the cost.\u00a0 Once his father left, he took one of the orange-backed books Will Cass had donated to his little brother and sat in the chair by Joe\u2019s bed.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He sighed when he saw the lurid illustration on the cover, then shrugged and opened it. \u00a0It wouldn\u2019t have been his normal choice of reading material, but as it was the only sort available, it would have to do.<\/p>\n He\u2019d finished almost half of a tale totally inappropriate for a recovering invalid when he heard the first stirrings from the bed, and the faint moans brought him directly to Joe\u2019s side.\u00a0 With soft, soothing sounds he tried to ease him into rest, but at length a set of leaf-green eyes fixed on his face.\u00a0 \u201cHey, Adam,\u201d he heard.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, little buddy,\u201d Adam said with a light caress of his brother\u2019s curls.\u00a0 \u201cLittle early for you, isn\u2019t it?\u201d\u00a0 When Little Joe only looked puzzled, the older brother concluded it was, indeed, too early for the kid to take in the traditional jokes about his love of sleeping late.<\/p>\n Instead, Joe slowly gazed around the unfamiliar surroundings and asked weakly, \u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe International House,\u201d Adam replied, and when Joe responded with a perplexed and slightly troubled expression, he quipped lightly, \u201cNothing but the best for the town hero.\u201d\u00a0 If he\u2019d been given to such gestures, he would have clapped a hand over his errant mouth.\u00a0 Exactly the words he hadn\u2019t wanted Joe to hear from anyone, and he was the one who\u2019d spewed them into the air!\u00a0 No doubt that ridiculous Beadle\u2019s dime novel was to blame, with its glorification of a young man whose heroism was noted for a reckless abandonment of self-preservation and good sense that might even exceed Joe\u2019s own.<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d Little Joe asked.<\/p>\n Grateful Joe didn\u2019t seem to have paid much attention to his careless remark, Adam said at once, \u201cIn the next bedroom, sleeping.\u201d\u00a0 More hesitantly, he added, \u201cI can get him, little buddy, if you need him.\u201d\u00a0 A small, side-to-side gesture answered him.\u00a0 \u201cHoss is close, too.\u201d<\/p>\n A frown greeted that.\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t . . . hear him,\u201d Little Joe said.<\/p>\n Adam chuckled and patted his little brother\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cCouple rooms away.\u00a0 Lucky you.\u00a0 I was sleeping in the next bed.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe smiled then.\u00a0 \u201cLucky,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were, indeed,\u201d Adam said, and he, of course, of thinking of luck far greater than escaping Hoss\u2019s snores for the night.\u00a0 Those thoughts he kept to himself as long lashes fell on his youngest brother\u2019s cheeks and he again slept.<\/p>\n When Little Joe next woke, his entire family was with him.\u00a0 Asked how he felt, he gave the typical response of \u201cFine\u201d and followed it with the question that told all of them he actually was.\u00a0 \u201cWhen we goin\u2019 home?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen the doctor says you may,\u201d Ben answered.<\/p>\n \u201cPa.\u201d\u00a0 The whine, while soft, was drawn out and thoroughly petulant.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen the doctor says, Joseph,\u201d Ben repeated, more firmly.\u00a0 \u201cThere are worse fates, young man, than having a breakfast in a fine restaurant.\u201d<\/p>\n The pooched out lower lip was another typical response and, therefore, easily ignored, but Hoss decided to give breakfast a hearty endorsement.\u00a0 \u201cSounds good to me.\u00a0 How \u2018bout steak and eggs, little brother?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe something a little lighter to start with,\u201d Adam chided.\u00a0 \u201cNot everyone has your unperturbable appetite.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think that might be wiser,\u201d Ben agreed.\u00a0 \u201cScrambled eggs and toast?\u201d he suggested to his youngest son and was pleased to see it met with a small nod and smile, both signs that the boy was, indeed, feeling better.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n It was midafternoon when Adam pulled the buckboard, complete with mattress and blankets, up to the front of the International House.\u00a0 The whole family had waited for the doctor\u2019s visit before making any plans for the day.\u00a0 By the time he\u2019d examined his patient and agreed that he could be taken home, if certain precautions were followed, it was closing on ten o\u2019clock.\u00a0 Adam had quickly volunteered to ride home and get the buckboard and apprise Hop Sing of their arrival that afternoon.\u00a0 Except for their father, he\u2019d spent the most time with Joe already and knew that Hoss would be happier if he could stay with their brother.\u00a0 The bond between those two was something extraordinary, and each would benefit from the time together.\u00a0 For his own part, Adam felt the solitude of the drive home had helped replenish him for whatever lay ahead, which he fervently hoped would be a straightforward recovery.<\/p>\n Seeing Tom again behind the desk when he entered, Adam stopped long enough to tell him that the family would be checking out soon and to thank him for the gift of such comfortable rooms.<\/p>\n \u201cNo trouble at all, Mr. Adam,\u201d Tom said.\u00a0 \u201cWelcome to stay longer, in fact, if the boy needs to.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDr. Martin feels he\u2019s ready to go home,\u201d Adam said, \u201cAgain, please thank the management for their kindness.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnytime,\u201d Tom said earnestly.\u00a0 \u201cAnything for the . . .\u201d<\/p>\n Adam hurried up the stairs, hoping not to hear the predictable closing words.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t get far enough fast enough, of course, but he settled for a wave of acknowledgement and a quick escape.\u00a0 As he walked briskly down the hall, he wondered how they could possibly get Joe past the adulating clerk without his<\/em> hearing them.<\/p>\n It proved to be more impossible than he\u2019d imagined, for the word had gone out (Tom\u2019s doing, probably) and a crowd awaited them, practically blocking the foot of the stairs.\u00a0 As Hoss carried his little brother through the gauntlet of well-wishers, each felt compelled to say something to the young hero of the day or, worse, to clap him on the shoulder.\u00a0 Hoss managed to protect the injured one, but Ben and Adam finally had to step between the crowd and the other two Cartwrights.\u00a0 Clearly, a speech was called for, and Ben made it, thanking everyone for their kind words, but reminding them that Joseph was still recovering and needed to get home to his bed.\u00a0 The crowd parted then and allowed the family through, but followed them out and sent them away with three cheers as they lined the porch of the International House.\u00a0 Little Joe was all smiles and even managed a small wave with his uninjured arm.\u00a0 More cheers followed that valiant effort.<\/p>\n Seated beside his father as he guided the horses down C Street, Adam glanced over his shoulder to gauge how his younger brother was handling all the attention and saw, with both relief and concern, that Little Joe was already asleep.\u00a0 Ordinarily, the kid would be in his element, receiving accolades from\u2014well, anyone\u2014and it certainly wasn\u2019t modesty that made him so indifferent to them now.\u00a0 Modesty was not a trait the youngest in the family had in any great measure, whatever the circumstances, and Adam had also noticed that Joe made no objection when told Hoss would carry him downstairs.\u00a0 That, in itself, had told the rest of them he was still weak from blood loss, and since they had a long drive ahead of them, it was best he spend it resting, if he could.<\/p>\n Adam drove slowly down the Geiger Grade and then at a steadier pace across the smoother ground of Washoe Valley.\u00a0 He considered his efforts a success when Little Joe did not wake until they reached the rougher climb into the foothills leading to the Ponderosa.\u00a0 There was no avoiding all the jolts then, and the winces that wrinkled the boy\u2019s face and the occasional moans told them he felt them.\u00a0 By the time they pulled up before the ranch house, he was obviously drained and again made no objection to being carried inside.\u00a0 Better days would come\u2014and worse; better for Joe, worse for them, as his strength improved and his disposition deteriorated.\u00a0 Still, that was typical for Joe when recovering from illness or injury, and they were used to handling the ups and downs of his quixotic moods.<\/p>\n Little Joe, at first, accepted the coddling with good grace, but the compliant behavior lasted only a few days.\u00a0 Then he began fussing to get out bed.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd do what?\u201d Adam asked pointedly.\u00a0 \u201cYou can\u2019t walk on that leg, not unless you want to open the stitches Dr. Martin so carefully put in.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe pouted, mostly because he knew his older brother was right.\u00a0 \u201cI could rest on the settee, good as in bed,\u201d he said, \u201cand less trouble to anyone else if\u2019n I was closer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d have to be carried down,\u201d Ben stated.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd back up later,\u201d Adam added.\u00a0 \u201cScarcely fair to Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss don\u2019t mind,\u201d Little Joe said confidently, and then fixing the eyes of a forlorn puppy on his next-older brother, asked, \u201cDo you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I don\u2019t mind,\u201d the ever-congenial Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cWhatever makes you feel better, Shortshanks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, all right then,\u201d Ben agreed, while Adam rolled his eyes and wagged his head disapprovingly at his youngest brother, who was suddenly all smiles again.<\/p>\n The smiles lasted a few more days, and then the settee by the fireplace became too confining, too.\u00a0 \u201cI could ride in the buggy,\u201d Little Joe pointed out.\u00a0 \u201cThat wouldn\u2019t strain my leg.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere is absolutely nowhere you need to go,\u201d Adam stated flatly.<\/p>\n \u201cI have to agree,\u201d Ben said, and for a moment Adam looked triumphant.<\/p>\n Little Joe pouted, but everyone was pretty much invulnerable to that by this time.\u00a0 \u201cI was only thinking of going to church, come Sunday.\u201d\u00a0 His first thought had actually been the Bucket of Blood on Saturday night, but the second destination seemed more likely to succeed.<\/p>\n Neither Hoss nor Adam was fooled by that ploy, but Ben mellowed.\u00a0 \u201cWell, we\u2019ll see how you\u2019re feeling Sunday morning,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n By Sunday morning Little Joe declared himself fit as a fiddle, and while no one believed that, neither could they deny that he seemed much better.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019ll tire you, son,\u201d Ben said, \u201cbut if your desire for worship is that strong . . .\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, it is,\u201d Little Joe insisted.\u00a0 \u201cI got a lot to be thankful for, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam choked and Hoss grinned at what even he knew was a mouthful of soft soap.\u00a0 They suspected Pa did, too, but he let the crafty kid get away with it.\u00a0 Pa, after all, could be pretty indulgent with any of his sons at this stage of recovery, and of them all, Little Joe knew best how to play on Pa\u2019s heartstrings.<\/p>\n If Joe found the long ride into town tiring, he didn\u2019t show it.\u00a0 Pride kept him from using a cane when he walked into church Sunday morning, but he did make use of Hoss\u2019s strong arm for support.\u00a0 When he walked slowly down the aisle, the crowd at first hushed in surprise and then erupted in applause.<\/p>\n Adam moaned under his breath.\u00a0 When Pa had spoken, perhaps facetiously, of Joe\u2019s strong desire for worship, he certainly hadn\u2019t meant hero worship.\u00a0 Immediately, Adam rebuked himself for the unworthy thought, for Joe looked just as stunned as any of them and, though he acknowledged the greeting with a smile and a nod, he seemed eager to take his place in the family pew.<\/p>\n The pastor went to the lectern and said, \u201cWe are, indeed, glad to welcome young Joseph Cartwright back to our services and happy to see that you are recovering, young man.\u00a0 To express our gratitude to God, I suggest we change our opening hymn to \u201cNow, Thank We All Our God.\u201d\u00a0 The suggestion seemed to have the approval of the congregation, who immediately launched into an exuberant rendition of the song.<\/p>\n At least<\/em>, thought Adam, our young hero had enough grace to blush at this!<\/em><\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n Much to Ben Cartwright\u2019s surprise, a trio of businessmen arrived at the Ponderosa the following Wednesday.\u00a0 Since the prime hours of a working day were an odd time to pay a social call, he assumed they were there with some sort of business or political matter to discuss and wondered whether he should suggest that his youngest son retire to his room.\u00a0 Little Joe\u2019d already had a short nap after lunch and was now lackadaisically braiding a bridle in his father\u2019s well-padded leather chair, so he couldn\u2019t plead a need for rest.\u00a0 He decided to take his cue from the other men.<\/p>\n His concern was first heightened and then relieved when Will Cass moved directly to the boy\u2019s side and extended a bundle of orange-backed paperback books.\u00a0 \u201cThought you might be ready for a new Beadles or two,\u201d the shopkeeper said.<\/p>\n \u201cSure am,\u201d Little Joe said with a grin.\u00a0 \u201cThanks, Mr. Cass.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLeast I can do,\u201d Will said, taking care to pat the uninjured shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cWon\u2019t you sit down, gentlemen?\u201d Ben requested, gesturing toward the settee.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll have Hop Sing bring us coffee or whatever else you might like.\u201d<\/p>\n All three men said coffee would be fine, so Ben nodded at the cook, who, typically, was hovering at the doorway between the kitchen and dining area.\u00a0 Turning back to the trio of businessmen, he smiled and said, \u201cI know you didn\u2019t drive all this way into the country just for a cup of coffee, excellent as Hop Sing\u2019s is.\u201d<\/p>\n The men chuckled at the leading statement and Eli Henderson, the town\u2019s chief greengrocer, said, \u201cYou guessed it, Ben.\u00a0 We\u2019re here to discuss a mite of business with you . . . and with young Joe here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWith . . . Joe.\u201d\u00a0 Ben felt a sudden fluttering of his father-hen feathers.<\/p>\n Will Cass, who knew him best, laughed at the instinct he was sure he had guessed.\u00a0 \u201cNow, settle down, Ben.\u00a0 This is a good thing.\u00a0 We wanted to talk about the Founders\u2019 Day celebration.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh.\u201d\u00a0 Ben\u2019s relief was evident.\u00a0 \u201cYes, well, whatever I can do to help out,\u201d he said, and then remembering the mention of Joe\u2019s name, he added, \u201cI don\u2019t think Little Joe will be competing in the footrace this year.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe grimaced.\u00a0 He was the defending champion in that yearly race and hated to give up his title unchallenged, but he knew Pa was right.\u00a0 He could barely walk without assistance, so running was definitely out of the question.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, no, of course not,\u201d Henderson said with a nervous laugh.\u00a0 \u201cWouldn\u2019t expect it.\u00a0 In fact, we\u2019ve thought of a way the young\u2019un can help out that don\u2019t even involve walkin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh.\u00a0 Well, that\u2019s good.\u201d\u00a0 Ben spoke slowly, somewhat hesitantly, still wary of what might be asked of his son.<\/p>\n \u201cGettin\u2019 the cart before the horse,\u201d huffed the third member of the party, lawyer Jack Murray.\u00a0 \u201cFirst thing we want is to honor our town hero, present him a medal and a certificate of our thanks for what he did to save our town.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, that\u2019s not necessary,\u201d Ben said at once.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, no, sir,\u201d Little Joe protested so quickly that Ben wasn\u2019t sure whether he was speaking on his own or responding to his father\u2019s reaction.<\/p>\n Murray patted the air with both palms.\u00a0 \u201cNow, now, modesty\u2019s a fine thing, especially in a young fellow, but so is appreciation and we want to show ours.\u00a0 Let us do this, Ben.\u00a0 Whole town wants it.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben doubted that the whole town had even heard this idea, but he\u2019d overheard enough comments in town to judge that the councilmen were probably right about its universal acceptance.\u00a0 Seeing Little Joe look to him for guidance, he slowly considered the proposition and even more slowly nodded his head.\u00a0 \u201cI suppose it would be all right,\u201d he said, \u201cbut nothing elaborate, please.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, no, nothing elaborate,\u201d Murray promised promptly.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, about our other idea,\u201d Henderson began.<\/p>\n Ben responded with an arched eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cOther idea?\u201d\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t keep the note of suspicion from his voice or the concern that he was being led down a primrose path from his thoughts.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, Ben, I mentioned it before,\u201d Henderson chided.\u00a0 \u201cThe way Joe here can help that doesn\u2019t involve walking.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, yes,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cI thought you meant the medal or whatever.\u201d<\/p>\n Henderson\u2019s laugh seemed slightly forced.\u00a0 \u201cWell, much as we want to do that, it doesn\u2019t help raise money for the schoolhouse and town benevolent fund.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd your other idea will?\u00a0 And without walking?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGlad to help if I can,\u201d Little Joe put in.\u00a0 Frankly, anything that got him out the house at that point was a welcome change, and while he wasn\u2019t eager to get back to mundane chores, he\u2019d welcome feeling useful.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can always count on the Cartwrights to support the town,\u201d Will Cass said with the loyalty of a longtime friend.\u00a0 \u201cSo, you know how we always set up booths along C Street, for selling pies and cakes and shooting galleries and kissing booths and such?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 His mouth quirked upward.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I for one would not want to taste a cake baked by my son, so I assume you want his help with the shooting gallery.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, no,\u201d Murray said.\u00a0 \u201cYour other boys can help with that if\u2019n they want, but Joe here\u2019s got different talents.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe does?\u201d\u00a0 The eyebrow arched higher, giving Ben a skeptical expression.<\/p>\n Will Cass laughed out loud.\u00a0 \u201cWe want Joe for the kissing booth, Ben.\u00a0 You gotta admit the boy\u2019s got natural talent in that direction.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll paint a banner\u2014something like \u2018Kiss the Town Hero\u2019 and charge a dollar a kiss,\u201d Henderson explained.\u00a0 \u201cI think it\u2019ll be a real money-raiser.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s head began to shake side to side.\u00a0 \u201cOh, I don\u2019t know about this.\u00a0 Scarcely seems proper.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re not sayin\u2019 the girls have done anything improper in selling their kisses in a good cause, are you, Ben?\u201d Will asked with a twinkle in his eye.\u00a0 \u201cWhy, my own Sally has done it, more than once.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, no, of course not,\u201d Ben said at once.\u00a0 \u201cThat seems perfectly natural and civic-minded, but\u201d\u2014he looked at his son and was dismayed to find him grinning ear to ear.<\/p>\n \u201cI can be civic-minded, too, Pa,\u201d Little Joe declared.<\/p>\n Will Cass clapped him on the back.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s the spirit, boy!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben had sincere doubts about how civic-minded his son\u2019s motives were, but he couldn\u2019t think of any reason to refuse.\u00a0 \u201cAll right,\u201d he agreed, \u201cbut I want some regular rest periods planned into this enterprise.\u00a0 I would remind you that my son is still recovering from his injuries and may tire quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n The councilmen assured Ben that whatever Joe needed by way of rest and refreshment would be provided; then, well satisfied with their afternoon\u2019s work, they left before the list could grow longer or further objections found.\u00a0 They knew that, once given, a Cartwright\u2019s word was a well-nigh-sacred bond.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n \u201cYou have got to be kidding!\u201d was Adam\u2019s explosive response to the latest news from the Founders\u2019 Day committee when Ben announced it over supper that evening.<\/p>\n Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cI assure you I\u2019m not.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss gave the youngest Cartwright a wink, accompanied by a broad grin.\u00a0 \u201cOught to be right up your alley, little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cToo far up his alley,\u201d Adam muttered.\u00a0 \u201cPa, you can\u2019t let him.\u00a0 It\u2019s . . . it\u2019s unseemly.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I admit that was my first reaction, but as Will Cass pointed out, no one thinks less of young ladies who do the same.\u00a0 He even pointed to his own daughter as an example, and I couldn\u2019t argue that it was any different for my son to offer his kisses in the same good cause.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re just jealous, Adam,\u201d Hoss cackled.\u00a0 \u201cMe, too, Shortshanks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am not jealous,\u201d Adam bit out, \u201cand I\u2019m a bit weary of that accusation from you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNaw, it ain\u2019t jealousy,\u201d Little Joe said, a touch of bitterness in his voice.\u00a0 \u201cAdam here\u2019s just afraid my head\u2019ll blow up like a hot air balloon.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s mouth dropped as he recognized his own words.\u00a0 \u201cHoss shouldn\u2019t have told you that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d Little Joe demanded.\u00a0 \u201cBecause it\u2019s so much better for you to say it behind my back?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI took it for a joke,\u201d Hoss protested.\u00a0 \u201cDidn\u2019t see no harm in passin\u2019 it on.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, no.\u00a0 Older brother was dead serious, weren\u2019t you, Adam?\u201d Little Joe snorted.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s all this?\u201d Ben demanded.\u00a0 Three voices at once gave their individual opinions on that question until Ben raised a silencing hand at the cacophony.\u00a0 \u201cNever mind.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry I asked.\u201d\u00a0 His pointed gaze fell on Adam as he said, \u201cWhatever anyone thinks of this idea, I\u2019ve already agreed that Joseph can participate, and we will keep that commitment.\u00a0 If it feeds his ego to any serious degree, I will be the one to deal with it.\u00a0 Is that clear?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cClear to me, Pa,\u201d Hoss said, head bobbing rapidly up and down.<\/p>\n \u201cI wasn\u2019t worried about you, son,\u201d Ben said, \u201cbut you other two hardheads had best quit locking horns, because come Founders\u2019 Day, this family will present a united front to the citizens of Virginia City.\u00a0 I repeat, is that clear?\u201d\u00a0 The firmness of his tone brooked only one answer, and his eldest and youngest son quickly and meekly gave it.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n Ben wasn\u2019t sure what had wakened him in the middle of that night.\u00a0 Fatherly instinct or, perhaps, years of experience, although he was sure those naughty boys of his would have made some crack about something ruffling his feathers.\u00a0 Either way, as he made his way down the stairs, he knew: a son needed him.\u00a0 So, he wasn\u2019t in the least surprised to find one sitting on the fireside table, barefooted, chin cupped in hands.\u00a0 Nor was he surprised by which son it was or that the boy didn\u2019t stir until he sat beside him and snaked an arm around the slim shoulders.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Pa,\u201d Little Joe said softly, leaning into the embrace.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Joe,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cCouldn\u2019t sleep?\u201d\u00a0 He felt, rather than saw, his son\u2019s head move sidewise against his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cWould it help to talk?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think he\u2019s right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe?\u201d Ben asked, although he instinctively knew whom Joe meant.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam.\u00a0 Is he right?\u201d Little Joe asked.\u00a0 \u201cIs all this hero nonsense makin\u2019 my head swell?\u201d<\/p>\n The very fact that his son could refer to the nonsense as nonsense canceled any concern Ben felt about where the boy\u2019s head was, but he chose to deal with more important matters first.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think Adam was saying that he thought you had a swelled head, but that he feared you might, if you listened to too much of the nonsense.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSame thing,\u201d muttered Little Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re thinking that your older brother thinks the worst of you, when the truth is he thinks the world of you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure must have a dim view of the world, then.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s laugh was barely audible.\u00a0 \u201cSometimes.\u00a0 Certainly, it\u2019s a less optimistic view than either you or Hoss share, but then Adam\u2019s seen more of the world than either of you.\u00a0 And sometimes, son, he\u2019s seeing perils he feels prone to himself and wants to spare you from.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike a big head?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike pride, yes,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s something he\u2019s struggled with in the past.\u00a0 Hard for anyone as gifted as Adam not to battle pride at some point in his life.\u00a0 I think he\u2019s managed it well, conquered his demons, but he remembers the struggle and doesn\u2019t want that for his little brother . . . especially if what that brother feels pride in is recklessly risking his life, even in a good cause.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe don\u2019t seem to worry about Hoss gettin\u2019 prideful.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe sounded so much like a petulant two-year-old that Ben again laughed.\u00a0 \u201cWho could worry about that with Hoss?\u00a0 Despite his considerable gifts, he\u2019s one of the humblest men I know.\u201d\u00a0 He paused and reached out to ruffle his youngest\u2019s unruly mane of chestnut curls.\u00a0 \u201cAs for you, young man, you\u2019re more like your eldest brother than you know.\u00a0 Although that might shock Adam as much as I can see it does you, I think he instinctively knows it, and it makes him all the more protective of a weakness he\u2019s seen in himself and fears in you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe,\u201d Little Joe conceded and then grinned.\u00a0 \u201cBetween Papa Hen and Brother Hen, it\u2019s a wonder I don\u2019t spew feathers with every breath.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, go on with you,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cSeriously, Joe, go on to bed.\u00a0 You probably need a week\u2019s rest if you\u2019re gonna have enough stamina for all the ladies who want to kiss the town hero.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat part I\u2019m lookin\u2019 forward to!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know you are!\u00a0 But you know, Joe, they won\u2019t all be pretty, young girls.\u00a0 Some may be old enough to be your grandmother and some, well, less than beautiful, to put it kindly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know, Pa,\u201d Little Joe said.\u00a0 \u201cFact is, I\u2019ll be surprised if I don\u2019t get more of that kind than the other.\u00a0 Pretty young things got beaus of their own to kiss \u2018em, but them that don\u2019t and the grammas need kissin\u2019 even more, don\u2019t you think?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s smile was warm with affection.\u00a0 \u201cI do, and the fact that you do tells me all I need to know about the size of your head, young man.\u00a0 It\u2019s just the size it should be, so you go ahead and enjoy all those kisses, son, and I hope there will be some young, pretty ones mixed in with \u2018the other kind\u2019 to reward your efforts with some well-earned pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 He stood and wrapped his arms around his father, and then side by side, they went up to bed.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n \u201cYour suite\u2019s ready for you, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d said Tom as he handed over the keys to the rooms at the International House without even being asked.<\/p>\n \u201cSame rooms as before?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n The clerk beamed.\u00a0 \u201cYes, sir.\u00a0 Quiet and back from the street, just like before.\u00a0 Same terms as before, too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot necessary,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cReally.\u00a0 Not necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n Tom frowned at the slow, deliberate firmness with which each word had been said.\u00a0 \u201cOur pleasure,\u201d he insisted.<\/p>\n Ben, who had never been told about the previous terms, looked puzzled, but anxious to get his youngest upstairs and settled in, he merely said, \u201cThank you, Tom.\u00a0 The rooms were excellent before and I\u2019m sure will be just what we need now, as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Clearly happier with the more appropriate response, Tom grinned broadly and said, \u201cLike I told Adam before, anything for the town hero.\u201d<\/p>\n Cutting a quick glance at his older brother, Little Joe saw him roll his eyes, but otherwise make no response.\u00a0 Over the week since the Founders\u2019 Day committee had come to the Ponderosa, he and Adam had made their peace about the \u201chero nonsense,\u201d and he was pretty sure that older brother now felt that younger could handle the attention without taking flight from the heights of Sun Mountain like a hot air balloon.<\/p>\n They all trooped upstairs to the second-floor suite, and Hoss carried his little brother\u2019s carpetbag into the room he had occupied before.\u00a0 \u201cThere you go, Shortshanks,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks,\u201d Little Joe said.<\/p>\n Hoss flashed a toothy, teasing grin and pointed at the bed.\u00a0 \u201cNo, I mean, \u2018There you go.\u2019\u00a0 Pa said he wanted you lying down, soon as we got here, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe groaned.\u00a0 \u201cHow could I forget?\u201d\u00a0 Papa Hen had laid down so many restrictions on his activities over the next twenty-four hours that he really did feel he was choking on feathers.<\/p>\n \u201cGood to hear,\u201d Ben said from the doorway.\u00a0 \u201cLie down and rest until suppertime, son.\u201d\u00a0 His eyes twinkled as he continued, \u201cThen, if you\u2019re a very good boy, I won\u2019t insist on you taking your meals in the room.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlways good,\u201d Little Joe said, echoing a phrase for which he had become justly famous as a toddler.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I\u2019ll trust the lovely ladies of Virginia City and the surrounding territory to reward me for my virtue tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, the surrounding territory now, too, is it?\u201d Adam snorted, although he smiled immediately afterwards.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, yeah, Adam,\u201d Hoss thrust in.\u00a0 \u201cThe word\u2019s gone out, and ladies is comin\u2019 from far and wide to smooch our young hero.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa,\u201d Little Joe said with exaggerated soberness, \u201cI don\u2019t see how I can be expected to rest with such foolishment goin\u2019 on.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA point well taken,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll clear out and let you rest.\u201d\u00a0 He motioned his older sons out of the room, and after Hoss had given his little brother one hearty slap on the back, they all left, closing the door behind them.<\/p>\n Little Joe stretched out on the bed, finally admitting, to himself at least, that coming to town the night before the big doings and the elaborate schedule of rest his father had dictated really was a good idea.\u00a0 The trip to town had been pretty tiring, and as much as he liked kissing girls, two hours at a stretch was probably too much of a good thing.\u00a0 Tomorrow, he\u2019d willingly escape back to this room for the 30-minute breaks Pa had dictated to the committee, although he\u2019d already enlisted Hoss to make sure he didn\u2019t actually fall asleep and miss one minute of his commitment.\u00a0 Commitment to kiss<\/em>, he thought, yawning as his eyes closed.\u00a0 Shame they ain\u2019t all that easy<\/em>.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n Little Joe noticed with some relief that a stool had been provided for him inside the kissing booth.\u00a0 He\u2019d already been standing for some time during the medal ceremony, and while he could walk unassisted now, too much time on his feet still made his injured leg ache.\u00a0 From the size of the line queuing up to pay for kisses, though, he wouldn\u2019t be making much use of that stool, at least for a while.\u00a0 \u201cHello, Mrs. Jenkins,\u201d he said to the first lady in line, a widow he would have put at 75 and not a day less.\u00a0 \u201cYou gonna show the young fillies how it\u2019s done?\u201d<\/p>\n Gray-headed Mrs. Jenkins tittered into her cupped hand and then presented her puckered lips for what turned out to be a lingering kiss.<\/p>\n Little Joe whispered in her ear, \u201cThanks for bein\u2019 brave enough to go first,\u201d and was rewarded with a grandmotherly peck on the cheek before Mrs. Jenkins marched away, head held high.\u00a0 Over her shoulder, she called boldly, \u201cI\u2019ll be back for more, sonny.\u00a0 Got to get my cake entered in the contest.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBring me back a slice, and the kiss\u2019ll be free,\u201d Little Joe said.<\/p>\n \u201cI could get you a piece of cake, Little Joe,\u201d said the next customer in line, as she swished her gingham skirt around her bony ankles.<\/p>\n Little Joe grinned at the twelve-year-old.\u00a0 \u201cSorry, Lizzie,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cThat was a one-time offer.\u00a0 Can\u2019t have me gettin\u2019 to be size of Hoss, now can we?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou could never get that size, Little Joe,\u201d Lizzie giggled, \u201cbut you\u2019re \u2018bout the right size for me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI \u2018spect you\u2019re right,\u201d Little Joe said and leaning in, he gave her an innocent kiss.\u00a0 For the next couple of hours, one girl, woman or granny after another presented herself for a kiss, and the young hero made sure to gear what he gave to their age or marital status.\u00a0 With the young ones or those who were married, he kept the kisses brief and circumspect, while he was especially indulgent with the widows or elderly ladies.\u00a0 He figured they were the ones who hadn\u2019t had a good kiss in a while, so he tried to give them one to remember.\u00a0 Much as he wanted to do the same with the handful of unattached and lovely young women who stood in that line, he held back, not wanting his intentions to be misunderstood.<\/p>\n He was surprised when his father appeared at his side. \u00a0\u201cSorry, ladies,\u201d Ben announced, \u201cbut it\u2019s time our young hero took a break.\u201d\u00a0 Woeful sighs of disappointment rippled like a wave down the lengthy line of women.<\/p>\n Little Joe glanced up at the clock in front of the bank and noted, with surprise, that both hands pointed straight up at twelve.\u00a0 Well, Pa had always preached punctuality, so he could hardly expect him not to practice it.\u00a0 As another groan went down the line, he said soothingly, \u201cNow, ladies, I\u2019ll be back soon, rested up and ready to give you my best, and you\u2019ll be first, Mrs. Ward.\u201d\u00a0 He winked at the lady who was first in line.\u00a0 He turned to the sign behind him that said, \u201cOn break.\u00a0 Back at\u201d above a hand-drawn clock dial.\u00a0 He positioned its moveable hands to 12:30.<\/p>\n Ben calmly reached over his shoulder and adjusted them to 1:00.\u00a0 \u201cThis is your lunch break, young man,\u201d he said in response to Joe\u2019s protesting look.\u00a0 \u201cYou need time to eat, as well as rest.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw, Pa,\u201d Little Joe muttered.<\/p>\n \u201cNo argument,\u201d Ben said, taking his young son by the elbow and escorting him up the street to the hotel.\u00a0 Hoss and Adam fell into step as they neared the International House.\u00a0 \u201cFigured you\u2019d be wantin\u2019 lunch about now,\u201d Hoss said with a toothy grin.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd wanted to be sure you left plenty for him,\u201d Adam put in.<\/p>\n Hoss\u2019s appetite was a time-honored joke, so Little Joe smiled dutifully, but it was obvious to all of them that it was nothing more than duty.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll leave it all for him,\u201d the youngest Cartwright said.<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s brow furrowed in concern.\u00a0 \u201cYou need to eat, son.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI just want to go up to the room,\u201d Little Joe insisted.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re that tired, perhaps we should . . .\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Little Joe interrupted.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m fine, Pa, just want a little time to myself.\u00a0 You were right in sayin\u2019 I\u2019d need that, but I\u2019ll be ready to go again after an hour.\u201d<\/p>\n Seeing that Ben was still frowning, Adam suggested that they go ahead and eat and take a sandwich up to Joe afterwards.\u00a0 \u201cPa\u2019s right; you should eat something,\u201d he told his brother, although, perhaps, the more pertinent audience was their father.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a good idea,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cAgreed, Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, Pa; that sounds fine.\u201d\u00a0 The tone in which the question had been asked told Little Joe he had no choice but to agree, but once he\u2019d said the words, he found that they did, indeed, sound like what he really wanted.<\/p>\n Watching as his son slowly climbed the stairs, Ben said, \u201cI don\u2019t know; he is tired . . . and favoring that right leg.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI noticed, but he\u2019s got an hour.\u00a0 That should help.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEnough?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss answered.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019ll be enough, Pa, and this kissin\u2019 thing is doin\u2019 him more good than harm.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure he thinks so,\u201d Adam said, quirking a half-smile.<\/p>\n \u201cNaw, I mean it,\u201d Hoss insisted.\u00a0 \u201cThe kid ain\u2019t done much of nothin\u2019 since that bank fracas, nothin\u2019 fun, for sure, and he needs it, Pa, even if it does tire him some.\u00a0 He\u2019ll probably sleep clean \u2018til noon tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cAnd, for once, I\u2019ll let him.\u00a0 Well, let\u2019s get some lunch . . . and a nice thick sandwich to carry up to the room.\u201d<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n \u201cPa,\u201d Little Joe all but whined as he left the hotel and started down the street under the protective wing of Papa Hen.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t need an escort back to the kissing booth.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI just happen to be going the same direction,\u201d Ben argued, \u201cbut if you\u2019re embarrassed to be seen with your father, young man, I suppose I can take another route.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe rolled his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll make you a bargain, Pa.\u00a0 You can walk alongside me to wherever it is you\u2019re goin\u2019, but you don\u2019t need to show up when it\u2019s time for my next break.\u00a0 I can see the bank\u2019s clock from my booth, and I can find my way back to the hotel all by myself. \u00a0I ain\u2019t five nor six, neither!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSometimes, Joseph,\u201d Ben said, \u201cyou do sound all of five years old\u2014or, perhaps, four\u2014 but to spare your manly dignity, I\u2019ll accept your terms.\u201d<\/p>\n His reward was a bright smile and an effervescent \u201cThanks, Pa!\u201d worthy of a bouncing four-year-old.\u00a0 Chuckling to himself, Ben gave his son\u2019s backside a couple of light pats and turned to walk up to B Street, where the family barber was doing brisk business on this festive day.\u00a0 Frankly, his young son\u2019s lengthening locks could have used a shearing, too, but he\u2019d let it ride a little longer.\u00a0 \u201cPapa Hen can be indulgent, even if that rapscallion of a chick doesn\u2019t think so!\u201d he muttered to himself as he climbed up the mountain.<\/p>\n Little Joe arrived at the kissing booth, setting off a ripple of excited greetings from the line of ladies already forming.\u00a0 Seeing them start to surge forward in most unladylike fashion, he said, \u201cNow, now ladies, no pushing.\u00a0 There\u2019s plenty for everyone.\u201d\u00a0 He spotted the face he was looking for and said, \u201cThere\u2019s my girl!\u00a0 Mrs. Ward, you\u2019re first, like I promised.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood to see a young\u2019un can be a man of his word.\u201d\u00a0 With uplifted chin, Mrs. Ward marched past all the sighing young things that had tried to keep her from her rightful place.<\/p>\n The afternoon went much as the morning had, and though he still enjoyed the pleasure of kissing, Joe began to tire enough that he found himself looking fondly at the bank\u2019s clock down the street.\u00a0 With only twenty minutes to go, he looked into the eyes of a lovely girl he would genuinely enjoy kissing . . . except for one small problem.\u00a0 \u201cUh, hi, Margie,\u201d he said tentatively to his old schoolmate.\u00a0 \u201cMatt\u2019s not\u2014uh\u2014with you?\u201d<\/p>\n The flounce of Margie\u2019s golden ringlets set them shimmering in the sun.\u00a0 \u201cHe was,\u201d she said, \u201cbut he\u2019s so determined to win top prize at the shooting booth that he\u2019s got no time for me, so I\u2019m givin\u2019 him a taste of his own medicine.\u00a0 See how he likes bein\u2019 ignored!\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe bit his lower lip.\u00a0 \u201cHey, girl,\u201d he said softly, \u201cyou sure you wanna play that game?\u201d\u00a0 Matt was a good guy, at least most days, but he had a volatile temper when provoked, as Joe had reason to remember from many a schoolyard battle.<\/p>\n \u201cSomethin\u2019 wrong with my money?\u201d Margie demanded, waving a dollar under Joe\u2019s nose.<\/p>\n \u201cLooks fine to me.\u00a0 Get a move on!\u201d hollered the middle-aged lady behind her, who\u2019d been waiting a good while for her chance at that handsome lad\u2019s enticing lips.<\/p>\n Deciding the best policy might be to kiss and run, so to speak, Little Joe planted a chaste peck on Margie\u2019s puckered lips and sent her on her way.\u00a0 Looking up and down the street, he gave a sigh of relief when there was no sign of Matt and turned, smiling, to the next lady in line.\u00a0 Since she\u2019d been kept waiting and because she was one of the kind who \u201cneeded kissing,\u201d he let his lips linger long enough to give her real satisfaction for her dollar and then it was on to the next one.\u00a0 Fifteen minutes to go and then he could take a break.\u00a0 He was ready for one.<\/p>\n The clock at the bank read almost two o\u2019clock when Little Joe announced that he\u2019d be taking a break after the next kiss.\u00a0 \u201cOnly half an hour this time,\u201d he promised, \u201cand I\u2019ve got your order memorized, ladies, so no cheating.\u201d\u00a0 If pushed, he probably couldn\u2019t have gotten the order right, past the first half dozen, but he was trying to ward off any disputes.\u00a0 Until this afternoon he\u2019d never known that ladies could be so . . . well, unladylike when vying for a man\u2019s kisses.\u00a0 There were a few weak whimpers of disappointment, but no outright protests when Little Joe set the dial to show when he\u2019d return and limped slowly down the boardwalk toward the hotel.\u00a0 At the rate I\u2019m goin\u2019, it\u2019ll be time to head back soon as I get there<\/em>, he mused, rubbing the thigh that had taken a bullet in the bank fracas.<\/p>\n He was passing the final alleyway before reaching the hotel when a heated voice called out, \u201cHey, Hero!\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe instinctively turned toward the voice and involuntarily moaned, though so softly the other man didn\u2019t hear, if he even could have over anger\u2019s roar in his own ears.\u00a0 \u201cHey, Matt,\u201d Joe called back.\u00a0 \u201cHow you doin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n A snarl curled Matt\u2019s upper lip.\u00a0 \u201cWhat you<\/em> doin\u2019, kissin\u2019 my girl?\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe spread his hands in a placating gesture.\u00a0 \u201cHey, Matt, that was only for charity, you know, and she had the dollar in hand.\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t say no, could I?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, you could!\u201d\u00a0 To emphasize his point, Matt grabbed Little Joe and dragged him into the alley.<\/p>\n Unfortunately for Joe, the arm Matt had grabbed was the one injured in the bank robbery, and his treacherous leg took that moment to give way, as well.\u00a0 This ain\u2019t gonna go well<\/em>, he thought as the fist plowed into his jaw.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n Hoss had no sooner seen the empty kissing booth and the dial set to 3:30 than he looked up and noticed his older brother, heading for the same destination.\u00a0 Seeing him at the same moment, Adam started to chuckle.\u00a0 \u201cOh, no.\u00a0 Not you, too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh?\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n \u201cPapa Hen send you to check on his chick, too?\u201d Adam asked with a smirk.<\/p>\n \u201cOh . . . yeah.\u00a0 The both of us, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe both of us,\u201d Adam agreed.\u00a0 He\u2019d deduced, more than been told, that Pa had promised Little Joe not to check up on him that afternoon, but he was evidently relying on the fact that neither of the boy\u2019s brothers had made that promise.\u00a0 What Adam had not deduced was that his father would exact the same pledge from Hoss, too.<\/p>\n \u201cLooks like the young\u2019un did like he was told,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n \u201cLooks like.\u201d\u00a0 The arch of Adam\u2019s eyebrow reminded his younger brother that looks could be deceiving where the youngest Cartwright was concerned.<\/p>\n \u201cThink we oughta check the hotel?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWorth our lives if we don\u2019t,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n \u201cDoggone,\u201d Hoss groused.\u00a0 \u201cJoe ain\u2019t gonna like that.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cIf we\u2019re lucky, he\u2019ll never know.\u00a0 Tom will have noticed if the town hero came in, so we can just ask at the desk.\u00a0 Hopefully, he\u2019ll have seen Joe, and we can slip away without the kid ever knowing we were there.\u201d<\/p>\n A slow grin spread across the perpetually optimistic middle brother\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cYeah!\u00a0 And I reckon he\u2019ll be there.\u00a0 He looked plumb tuckered at noon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCause for hope.\u201d\u00a0 After the laconic reply, Adam lazily laid an arm across the big man\u2019s massive shoulders and steered him toward the boardwalk.\u00a0 They had almost reached the hotel when the noise in the alley caught their ears.\u00a0 Having served as big brother to Little Joe for eighteen years, they instinctively turned toward the sound and saw their little brother curled defensively on the ground as another fellow stood over him, repeatedly kicking his ribs.<\/p>\n They both ran into the alley.\u00a0 Having reacted more quickly, Adam reached the combatants first, although in truth, Little Joe could scarcely be called one at this point.\u00a0 Indignant that anyone would attack the boy in his weakened condition, Adam grabbed the assailant and plunged a rock-hard fist into his gut that doubled the man over.\u00a0 Hoss took over from there, wrestling the man and pinning him to the ground while Adam moved at once to Little Joe and began checking him over.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d Little Joe said, in a wavering voice that belied the words.<\/p>\n \u201cSure you are,\u201d Adam said tersely and then called over his shoulder, \u201cGet that trash to the sheriff, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw, let him go, Adam,\u201d Little Joe said as he struggled to rise.\u00a0 \u201cIt was just a little misunderstanding.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Joe.\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s voice was firm.\u00a0 Even a quick look had shown him that the other man, whom he now recognized as Matt Walters, had inflicted enough damage to warrant some time in the town lockup.\u00a0 If Joe refused to press charges (and Pa let him get away with it), so be it, but he, at least, would set the example of justice served.\u00a0 \u201cTake him to Roy, Hoss; we\u2019ll be at Doc Martin\u2019s.\u00a0 Then find Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe groaned but didn\u2019t bother trying to talk his older brother out of a trip to the doctor or the worse fate that might befall him under the feathers of Papa Hen.\u00a0 Hoss might have caved to a pouting plea for mercy, but Adam could be downright intractable once he\u2019d taken a stand.\u00a0 And when it came to intractable, they all had to give way to Pa, who could make even Adam look soft as a marshmallow.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n Even solid doors had to give way to Ben, who burst through the one to the examining room without so much as knocking.<\/p>\n Though startled, Paul Martin had the presence of mind to say immediately, \u201cHe\u2019s all right, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben was already at his boy\u2019s side, checking for himself.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m all right, Pa,\u201d Little Joe said, deliberately echoing the doctor\u2019s words.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t fuss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll fuss all I want to, young man,\u201d Ben huffed, though he was beginning to breathe easier.\u00a0 \u201cWhat about his ribs?\u201d he demanded, having seen the doctor binding the boy\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n \u201cDefinitely cracked,\u201d Dr. Martin reported, \u201cbut I don\u2019t think there\u2019s any broken.\u00a0 Adam and Hoss got there in time.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben sent appreciative looks toward his older sons.<\/p>\n \u201cNothin\u2019 to keep me from goin\u2019 back to my job, right, Doc?\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe tried to follow the question with a charming and confident smile, somewhat dimmed in its effect by his split lip.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are going back to the hotel, Joseph,\u201d Ben said in his laying-down-the-law voice.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe proved by his tone that he could be just as rock-hard stubborn as any other Cartwright.\u00a0 \u201cI got an obligation, and I\u2019m already late gettin\u2019 back.\u201d<\/p>\n A collective family eyeroll met this pronouncement, and Ben spoke for them all when he said, \u201cI think you\u2019ve fulfilled any obligation you had to the women of Virginia City, young man.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Pa,\u201d Little Joe insisted with even firmer determination.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s only about an hour to go, and ain\u2019t no reason I can\u2019t do it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExcept, possibly, sore lips,\u201d Adam observed dryly.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ll be gentle, once they see I\u2019m hurt,\u201d Little Joe said with a worldly I-know-women air.<\/p>\n The others might have laughed, but for the fact that they\u2019d all had some experience with how a man\u2019s injuries could bring out the protective instincts in a woman, so their humor was only reflected in slight smirks.<\/p>\n \u201cDoctor?\u201d<\/p>\n If Ben had hoped for support from that quarter, his hopes faded when Dr. Martin chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I don\u2019t suppose kissing should put too much strain on those ribs . . . provided you come up for air once in a while, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt wouldn\u2019t be very heroic not to finish,\u201d Little Joe put in, \u201cand Cartwrights keep their word.\u201d\u00a0 Though Ben frowned, the granite of his resolve cracked in that moment.<\/p>\n It broke apart completely when Adam said, sounding serious, as only he could, \u201cIt would appear the hero\u2019s reputation, as well as the family honor is at stake.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, all right,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t fight the lot of you.\u201d\u00a0 He wagged a finger under his youngest son\u2019s nose.\u00a0 \u201cHowever, one of your brothers will stay with you at all times, just in case some other fool decides you\u2019re monopolizing too much of his lady\u2019s attentions.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe started to protest, but then a cunning look flickered briefly across his face.\u00a0 \u201cSure, Pa,\u201d he said, his pleading puppy eyes making him appear all the more vulnerable.\u00a0 \u201cIn fact, can I have both of \u2018em?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, son.\u201d\u00a0 Ben looked concerned, but Cartwrights did keep their word and he\u2019d already given his.\u00a0 Besides, he knew he could trust his older sons.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n For the first time that afternoon there was no line at the kissing booth.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like business has plumb dried up, Shortshanks,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cYou wanna go on back to the hotel, lie down?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ll be back,\u201d Little Joe said confidently, \u201cand you promised to stay with me.\u201d\u00a0 He let his lower lip pucker out a little.<\/p>\n It did the trick.\u00a0 \u201cOh, sure, sure,\u201d Hoss said with an earnest bob of his head.\u00a0 \u201cYou can count on me, little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hope I can count on both of you,\u201d Little Joe said, taking a side glance at his oldest brother.<\/p>\n Adam nodded, but with a suspicious lift of one eyebrow.\u00a0 He\u2019d suspected little brother was up to something when he\u2019d given in to Pa\u2019s restriction so easily, but as was often the case with Little Joe, he couldn\u2019t figure out what it was.<\/p>\n Word quickly spread that the hero\u2019s kissing booth was back in business, and soon that business was bustling again.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t take long for Little Joe to reveal what he had in store for both his brothers.\u00a0 \u201cLadies,\u201d he announced, \u201cI\u2019m not at my best this afternoon, and since we only have an hour left, I may not be able to accommodate all of you.\u201d\u00a0 A collective moan rippled down the line of women until Little Joe held up a quieting hand.\u00a0 \u201cNow, now, ladies, not to worry!\u201d\u00a0 Spreading both palms toward the brothers who flanked him on either side, he announced, \u201cI\u2019ve recruited some help from a couple of the best kissers I know.\u00a0 So, take your pick, ladies.\u00a0 One dollar to kiss the Cartwright of your choice!\u201d<\/p>\n Excitement didn\u2019t ripple, but roar as this invitation went forth.\u00a0 \u201cJoe,\u201d Adam growled, while Hoss greeted the news with gaping-mouthed, but grinning surprise.\u00a0 For good or ill, the offer had been made and there was no graceful way out for either brother.\u00a0 The line divided into three parts, with Adam\u2019s section being slightly longer than Little Joe\u2019s, since many of the women had already kissed the younger man earlier in the day and were eager to try fresh meat.\u00a0 Though Hoss\u2019s queue was considerably shorter than either of his brothers, it represented more kisses than he\u2019d ever enjoyed in a month, much less a single hour, and the lucky ladies who lined up before him got more than their money\u2019s worth.<\/p>\n The only problem the big man faced was the sudden appearance of Bessie Sue Hightower, who plunked a silver dollar down on the board between them and said with a vinegary edge, \u201cNever thought I\u2019d have to pay for the privilege of kissin\u2019 my man.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss turned beet red.\u00a0 \u201cSorry, Bessie Sue.\u00a0 I was just helpin\u2019 out Little Joe, him bein\u2019 hurt and all.\u00a0 Didn\u2019t mean to rile you none.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw, shut up and pucker up,\u201d Bessie Sue commanded.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t riled at ya.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, ma\u2019am,\u201d Hoss said and in sheer gratitude for her understanding, he planted a kiss on her waiting lips that was the envy of women at least six deep down the line.<\/p>\n At first, Adam had resented being roped into Little Joe\u2019s scheme, but he soon found himself taking pleasure (as well as giving it) in kissing a number of attractive young ladies, the older widows and grandmothers still preferring the youngest Cartwright, especially now that he so obviously needed nurturing.\u00a0 He\u2019d just given his longtime friend Sally Cass an especially warm kiss when he caught sight of the next woman in line and blanched a sickly white.\u00a0 \u201cMiss Jones,\u201d he croaked.\u00a0 \u201cI presume you\u2019re here to check on how well we\u2019re doing for the school fund.\u201d\u00a0 He presumed no such thing, but was praying he could divert her from what he feared she was after.<\/p>\n However, Miss Jones\u2019 iron-willed purpose was not to be diverted.\u00a0 She placed a twenty-dollar gold eagle on the counter and presented her puckered lips.<\/p>\n \u201cLet me see if we have change for that,\u201d Adam said desperately.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t need change, Adam,\u201d the old maid schoolteacher said.\u00a0 With a side glance toward the clock in front of the bank, she added, \u201cI believe there\u2019s just enough time left in this festival for you to give me what I\u2019m due.\u201d<\/p>\n As he surrendered to his disagreeable duty, Adam pondered just how long it might take his little brother to recover enough to take a well-earned thrashing.\u00a0 Before he was halfway through the purchased endearments, he was calculating how successfully he might argue justifiable homicide before the circuit judge.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n Little Joe was completely done in by the time the three Cartwright brothers reached the hotel.\u00a0 The ladies had been gentle enough, out of respect for the beating he and his poor lips had taken that afternoon, but the day\u2019s events, both fair and foul, had been exhausting.\u00a0 \u201cStraight to bed,\u201d Adam decreed, all thoughts of retribution lost in his solicitude for the boy, which was only heightened when his youngest brother acquiesced without argument.\u00a0 He\u2019d no sooner gotten Joe tucked in than Papa Hen showed up to cluck over his chick and insist on his having dinner in the room.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I do mean a full meal, young man,\u201d Ben stated firmly.\u00a0 \u201cNothing so paltry as a sandwich this time.\u201d\u00a0 Again, there was no argument, although Little Joe ate no more than half of his roast and potatoes.<\/p>\n Hoss, perched at the foot of his little brother\u2019s bed, appeared to be deep in thought.\u00a0 \u201cHey, Adam,\u201d he finally said, \u201csince we saved the hero\u2019s hide, does that make us the heroes now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI sincerely doubt it,\u201d Adam said dryly.\u00a0 \u201cIn fact, when the community realizes what we\u2019ve foisted upon them, they might be more likely to put us behind bars than pin a medal on us.\u201d<\/p>\n When Hoss laughed in hearty agreement, Adam started to amplify dramatically on that subject, but was silenced by a slender set of fingers wrapped around his lower arm.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you know, Adam?\u201d Little Joe asked with a quizzical cock of his head.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve always been my hero.\u201d\u00a0 His gaze moved to his other brother.\u00a0 \u201cYou, too, Hoss.\u201d\u00a0 His eyes grew warmer still as they turned toward his father\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cAnd you most of all, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n An \u201cAw, shucks,\u201d expression moved across Hoss\u2019s features, while Adam\u2019s face, as he looked into his father\u2019s eyes, clearly communicated, \u201cWhat do we do with a boy like that?\u201d\u00a0 As for Ben, his face was filled with love for all his boys.\u00a0 Little Joe released Adam\u2019s arm, burrowed into his pillow and was soon asleep, dreaming of lovely ladies all night long.<\/p>\n The End<\/p>\n \u00a9 January, 2022<\/p>\n Tags:\u00a0 Family<\/p>\n