{"id":3785,"date":"2003-12-01T16:51:58","date_gmt":"2003-12-01T21:51:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3785"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:07:36","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:07:36","slug":"coming-home-for-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3785","title":{"rendered":"Coming Home for Christmas (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Christmas is fast approaching on the Ponderosa, but for the Cartwrights, it is not the season to be jolly, for Joe has been missing for two months. What has happened to him and will he ever come home?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0(11,235 words)<\/p>\n

Disclaimer:\u00a0All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Coming Home for Christmas\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAny word?\u201d Ben asked anxiously, as Adam arrived home from town with the mail.<\/p>\n

Dismounting slowly, Adam tried not to wince as he shook his head. \u201cNo, nothing, Pa,\u201d he reported, sadly. \u201cRoy says he\u2019s tried everything he knows.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing, Ben looked discouraged. Adam thought how much his father had aged these last 2 months. The lines on his face were more pronounced and there were perpetual dark circles under his eyes, as though he hadn\u2019t slept properly for a long time. And Adam knew that Ben hadn\u2019t slept properly; neither had he and Hoss.<\/p>\n

None of them had slept properly since Joe disappeared two months before.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cThat weather\u2019s closing\u2019 in fast,\u201d Hoss commented as he came in later that afternoon. \u201cI reckon there\u2019ll be more snow afore mornin\u2019.\u201d He stripped off his big coat and hung it behind the door. He went over to stand in front of the fire, putting his hands out to the blaze to warm them. He diagnosed the silence surrounding his family all too easily. \u201cStill no word, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNone,\u201d Ben sighed. He rose from his chair to pace the floor restlessly. \u201cDo you think we did everything we could? Is there something we haven\u2019t thought of?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, we done everythin\u2019,\u201d Hoss assured him. \u201cThere ain\u2019t a single thing we didn\u2019 do. I hate ta say it, but Joe\u2019s gone.\u201d He blinked back the tears in his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know we\u2019ve done everything, Pa,\u201d Adam added. \u201cAll we can do now is hope that Joe is all right and will come home one day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose so,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cBut if only we hadn\u2019t parted on such bad terms\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI know I\u2019m taking Jonathan to the stage,\u201d Joe snapped. \u201cWhy am I suddenly being reminded of it all the time? Was I complaining? No!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m reminding you that you have to be up on time tomorrow morning,\u201d Adam snapped back. \u201cYou\u2019ve missed breakfast every day this week so far.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBoys!\u201d Ben interrupted. He didn\u2019t want this argument getting out of hand. \u201cCould we please stop shouting at each other? I guarantee Joe will be up on time tomorrow morning, Adam, because I will be wakening both he and Jonathan. Now let\u2019s close the matter there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Pa,\u201d Joe muttered and walked off, but the black look he threw Adam told Ben all too clearly that, for Joe, the matter was not yet closed. Adam walked off the other way.<\/p>\n

Sighing, Ben went back indoors. Adam\u2019s friend Jonathan Millar had been staying with them for a month. He was a bit younger than Adam and had been the year below him in college. Nevertheless, he and Adam had struck up a close friendship and this was the first time that they had seen each other in several years.<\/p>\n

Sitting down at his desk, Ben gazed blankly at the books in front of him. Joe and Jon had become friends, too, much to Adam\u2019s chagrin. Ben wondered if Adam was jealous that his friend had also become close to his youngest brother. Adam was chary about sharing his feelings and surprisingly possessive about his friends. And when Jon had announced that he had been summoned home by his father, and showed the stage ticket that had been sent to him, the breach between Joe and Adam had widened a bit further. That was the very day that Adam had arranged an important meeting to negotiate a lumber contract. He couldn\u2019t back out without making the Ponderosa look bad and so Joe had been elected to take Jon to the stage. Adam would have preferred that Hoss do it, but Hoss was laid up in bed with a bad cold. When Jon seemed to find this quite acceptable and showed only minimal disappointment, Adam had become ominously quiet towards his younger brother.<\/p>\n

To further sour the mixture, Joe had been up before either Ben or Adam the next morning and couldn\u2019t keep the triumphant grin off his face. Adam had ignored Joe all through the meal, talking almost exclusively to Jon. Joe had been quite tactful while his brother took his leave of his friend, and then had ridden away with Jon, chatting 20 to the dozen and laughing aloud. Adam had left for his appointment wearing the most ferocious scowl Ben had ever seen.<\/p>\n

That had been the last time they had seen Joe. He and Jon had never arrived in Virginia City and Jon had never arrived back home. The alarm hadn\u2019t been raised until the next morning, and by then, any tracks there might have been had been washed away by the torrential overnight rain. Roy Coffee had led out a posse searching for the missing men, but had found nothing. Ben and his sons had spent further days searching for Joe, but had found nothing. Wires to other towns had produced no results and despite trying every avenue they could think of, no trace of Joe or Jon was found.<\/p>\n

Sighing deeply once more, Ben muttered, \u201cIt\u2019s the not knowing that\u2019s so hard. How I wish Joe was coming home for Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss exchanged glances. Very few preparations had been made for Christmas, and neither of them had liked to suggest that they buy presents or decorate a tree. They had nothing to celebrate this year. It was a dreadful thought, but they were both sure that Joe was not only not coming home for Christmas, but that he was not coming home ever again.<\/p>\n

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

Two months previously\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a real pity your pa wants you back home so suddenly, Jon,\u201d Joe told him as they rode off towards town.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019ve been here a month, Joe, so I guess he\u2019s entitled to ask me to come home. I do work for him after all.\u201d Jon was taller than Joe, with short blond hair and blue eyes. The ladies of Virginia City thought he was very handsome. Joe had been quite surprised to discover how much he enjoyed Jon\u2019s company, since most of Adam\u2019s friends had not wanted to befriend someone so much younger than them. But Jon\u2019s light-hearted laugh had often rung out in conjunction with Joe\u2019s and Joe was sorry to see the other man leave. \u201cI like it round here, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d Joe replied, pleased. He glanced around at his home, feeling the intense pleasure it always brought him to know that this land belonged to his family. \u00a0\u201cIt looks like there\u2019s rain coming,\u201d he commented. \u201cI hope it\u2019s not too bad, or it\u2019ll make the stage trip real uncomfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been wet before,\u201d Jon replied, philosophically. \u201cI don\u2019t suppose I\u2019ll shrink.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, probably not,\u201d Joe joked back and grinned.<\/p>\n

They had just left the Ponderosa when a group of horsemen rode onto the road ahead. Joe tensed at once, sensing trouble, and his left handed drifted to hover near his gun. He shot a quick glance at Jon. \u201cBe ready to ride when I tell you to,\u201d he warned. \u201cThese guys look like trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, they\u2019re not trouble, Joe,\u201d Jon replied. A small derringer appeared in his hand, aimed at Joe. \u201cThese are my friends, and I\u2019m sure they\u2019ll become friends of yours, too, before long.\u201d He grinned at Joe. \u201cAnd just move your hand away from your gun carefully, Joe. I don\u2019t want to have to shoot you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is this?\u201d Joe asked, as the other men reached them.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are my men,\u201d Jon replied, smiling lazily. It was clear he was finding Joe\u2019s disbelief amusing. \u201cThat wire didn\u2019t really come from my father, Joe. I murdered the old man a few months ago. No, I got the boys here to send the wire. I had hoped to get Adam to join me, but I saw that he was too stuffy. But you; you\u2019ve got much more life in you, Joe and I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll enjoy being one of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t count on it,\u201d Joe retorted. He glared at one man who had lifted his gun from its holster.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you might say that, but since I\u2019ve just told you something incriminating, I can\u2019t just let you go.\u201d Jon sighed dramatically. \u201cI guess I\u2019ll just have to take you along, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

At those words, panic flared through Joe\u2019s gut. He thought he knew what this would involve; a ransom note to his father. Jon had been living with them for a month; he knew that Ben would pay to get one of his sons back. Kicking Cochise, Joe attempted to break through the men in front of him, but Jon had been doing his homework and guessed that Joe would make a break for freedom. His men had been well briefed, and Joe got nowhere.<\/p>\n

As they bound Joe\u2019s hands behind his back, Jon looked around. He wouldn\u2019t be back to this area; too many people knew his face. He would head down into Arizona and continue his career in crime. He was sure Joe would come round before long and be willing to help them. If not\u2026well, there was always a ransom.<\/p>\n

Or death.<\/p>\n

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

Through the long days of riding down to Arizona, Joe discovered more about Jon. The journey was hard, with torrential rains adding to Joe\u2019s misery. But Jon seemed to enjoy telling Joe exactly why he thought the youngest Cartwright would be willing to turn to a life of crime.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen Adam told me about that meeting, I knew this was the chance I\u2019d been looking for. I wasn\u2019t quite sure how to get Hoss out of the picture, but that cold was very fortunate. I made sure my men knew what I wanted, they sent the wire and the stage ticket and then laid in wait for us to pass by.\u201d Jon looked appraisingly at Joe. \u201cI must say, I thought you\u2019d be more up for this, after some of the stories I was told about you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn which one of those stories did I break the law?\u201d Joe asked, acidly.<\/p>\n

Shrugging casually, Jon answered, \u201cNone of them, I guess, but you did come pretty close a few times. Have you really not done anything to tweak the devil\u2019s tail, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, nothing,\u201d Joe replied, truthfully. \u201cI suppose I\u2019ve got into a few bar fights, but that\u2019s been it! I certainly haven\u2019t murdered anyone and especially not my own father!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps telling you that was a mistake,\u201d Jon admitted. \u201cBut, too late now. My father was a rich man when I was a child, Joe. But somehow, the money disappeared. When I discovered that I would have to work for a living, I wasn\u2019t too pleased. I didn\u2019t really want to be an engineer, and they don\u2019t get paid enough to support the kind of life-style I fancy. So I told my father that I wasn\u2019t going to work for him for just my keep and we argued. I killed him. End of story.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot quite, surely,\u201d Joe said, quietly. \u201cThe end of the story won\u2019t come until you are hanged for his murder.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood try,\u201d Jon allowed. \u201cBut you can\u2019t goad me into anger, Joe. Not any more. I vowed to always keep my temper under control from now on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an easy vow to make,\u201d Joe replied, with the assurance of one who knows. \u201cBut it\u2019s not so easy to keep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why I like you, Joe,\u201d Jon laughed, slapping his captive on the shoulder. \u201cYou\u2019ve got a temper, just like I have.\u201d He rose. \u201cYou\u2019ll change your mind, Joe, you\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t hold your breath,\u201d Joe advised him.<\/p>\n

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

After 10 days of riding, they arrived at a ramshackle old house miles from anywhere. The house was barely weatherproof, and the barn leaked like a sieve, but this appeared to be where the outlaws were going to hole up. Joe had been bound the whole time, and barely spoken to. He had kept a sharp eye on the route they took, so that he would be able to retrace his steps when he got free. For Joe never doubted that he would escape at some point. In his mind, he promised Ben every night that he would do what was necessary to survive and get home. The image of the Ponderosa and his family kept him going.<\/p>\n

There were eight men altogether, but Joe never discovered any other names. From the time they arrived at the house, Joe barely saw the other men at all. He was secured in the cellar, fighting the whole way down, to no avail. By the time he was tied to a stout pole, he was bruised and disheveled. For two days, he saw no one; his only way of charting the passing of time was to look at the daylight coming through the dusty, broken glass high above him.<\/p>\n

Weak from hunger and thirst, Joe did not resist when Jon came to get him. In an upstairs room, he was given a little food and a little water and was nursed back to something approaching normality. While he was too weak to try and escape, Joe was left untied, but as his strength crept back, Jon appeared with handcuffs and leg irons. Joe had balked at having them fitted and Jon lost the battle to keep his temper. It only took a few blows to get Joe down, and when the youngest Cartwright was again aware of his surroundings, he was locked into the irons.<\/p>\n

The very next day, Joe discovered that he was to be the servant to the gang by making their meals and looking after the horses. While Jon and his gang were out robbing banks, or making plans for the next robbery, Joe was left, chained like an animal, in the cellar. He never had enough food, although his water was never restricted again.<\/p>\n

Looking after horses was a chore Joe had done all his life, but he had never found it onerous before. Now, with his strength sapped by too little food, and his movements hampered by the chains he wore, Joe found it very hard to keep going. His wrists were raw from the chafing of the irons and he hadn\u2019t seen his boots since his first days in the house. His bare feet were covered in cuts and bruises from working in the barn.<\/p>\n

Joe thought he had been in the house about three weeks when Jon came down one morning to set him \u2018free\u2019 to do his chores for the day. Joe thought of refusing, but he couldn\u2019t face the beating that he knew refusal would bring him. Jon was all too free with his fists.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you changed your mind yet, Joe?\u201d Jon asked, as he unlocked the chain that kept Joe a prisoner.<\/p>\n

\u201cChanged my mind about what?\u201d Joe responded, dully. He wondered if he would get anything to eat that day. He couldn\u2019t remember the last time he had been fed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout joining us, of course.\u201d Jon sighed. \u201cSurely you don\u2019t like living like this? You stink, you know, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not my doing,\u201d Joe answered. He had done his best to keep himself clean, but since he could only wash in the horse trough, and had no way to clean his tattered clothes, he had failed. He raised his head to meet Jon\u2019s eyes. \u201cI would sooner live like this than join you.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment, Joe thought Jon was going to hit him after all, but the other man controlled his temper. \u201cAdam said you were stubborn, but I didn\u2019t think he meant\u00a0this<\/em>\u00a0stubborn!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow you know,\u201d Joe muttered. He felt as though he had never slept, although he had fallen asleep almost before his chain had been locked the night before. Looking at Jon with revulsion, Joe wondered how on earth he had ever been friends with this man. \u201cI\u2019m not going to join you, Jon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSome people are obviously too stupid to see the benefits,\u201d Jon snapped, clearly annoyed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe benefits being getting caught, going to jail or hanging?\u201d Joe retorted, with some of his old fire. \u201cNo thanks! I\u2019d sooner starve!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat can be arranged!\u201d Jon hissed and drove his fist into Joe\u2019s stomach.<\/p>\n

Caught completely by surprise, Joe folded and the next blow caught the back of his neck. Joe tumbled to the floor, where a couple of kicks sent him into oblivion.<\/p>\n

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

All that day, Joe lay shivering in the cellar, his chains pulled into a cruel hogtie. By evening, when Jon finally relented and allowed him his minimal freedom again, Joe\u2019s muscles had been cramping for hours and he was in agony. Moving slowly, Joe reached for the canteen of water that had been tantalizingly close, but so far out of his reach, all day. After slaking his thirst, Joe curled into a ball to try and keep warm. There had been lashing rain and gales all day, and the rain had been driven into the cellar, with the result that Joe\u2019s clothes were quite damp. Now, a sharp frost was setting in and the temperature plummeted.<\/p>\n

Come morning, Joe was chilled to the bone and running a slight fever.<\/p>\n

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

Getting back to work was nearly a relief. Hunched over the stove, Joe was at least able to warm himself for a while. He was even allowed a single slice of bacon to eat \u2013 the first thing he\u2019d eaten in almost a week. Mucking out the stalls and saddling the horses warmed him up, too. He made sure Cochise, also a prisoner, got some hay, for he was sure his horse would starve if it was left to the outlaws.<\/p>\n

As he slowly fastened the last cinch, he heard hoofs on the clear, cold air. Next moment, the man who was guarding him raced into the barn, knocked Joe off his feet into one of the stalls, and jammed a bandanna in his mouth. Joe fought furiously, but he was too weak to throw the man off, and he lay, pinned to the floor, as the hoofs stopped in the yard outside.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, morning, sheriff,\u201d he heard Jon call cheerfully. \u201cWhat can I do for you? Would you like a cup of coffee to help you thaw out?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but thanks for the offer. Have you fellas seen any strangers around here? Someone robbed the bank last night not far from here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t say that I have,\u201d Jon replied, in a thoughtful tone. Joe struggled harder to try and break free, but only earned himself a backhander across the face. \u201cDo you think they came this way?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not really,\u201d the sheriff replied. \u201cBut I thought I\u2019d mention to you folks, seeing as how you\u2019re out here a long way from town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll keep our eyes open,\u201d Jon promised. \u201cThanks for coming out. Are you sure I can\u2019t tempt you into some coffee?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMuch as I\u2019d love to, I got work to do. See ya.\u201d Joe heard the hoofs leaving again.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll clear,\u201d Jon said, from the barn door.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was close!\u201d the other remarked, getting off Joe. Joe reached up and tugged the bandanna away from his mouth, drawing a deep breath. His lip and cheek stung where he had been struck, but he barely noticed. Disappointment raged through him that he had not been able to attract the sheriff\u2019s attention to his plight.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you get your hopes up there, Joe?\u201d Jon taunted him.<\/p>\n

Half-way to his feet, Joe threw himself at Jon, and was chagrined when the man simply stepped aside and let Joe tumble to the floor, caught up in the leg irons. But Jon didn\u2019t allow the challenge to pass by. He pounced on Joe, yanking him to his feet and punching him several times in the stomach. This was his favorite form of punishment, although Joe had had several black eyes by then.<\/p>\n

Lying on the floor, dazed, Joe tried to catch his breath. Jon pulled him to his feet and began to drag him back to the house. Joe could feel new stinging on his feet that meant new cuts for him to worry about. \u201cWhat good would one man have been against all of us, Joe?\u201d Jon asked, as he secured Joe in the cellar again. \u201cWe\u2019d have killed him like that!\u201d He snapped his fingers.<\/p>\n

As the pain subsided, and Joe lay there, alone, he realized that Jon was right. Perhaps it was just as well he hadn\u2019t been able to attract the sheriff\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n

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

The cold and the abuse grew worse and Joe grew weaker. Jon no longer bothered to chain him up at night, secure in the knowledge that Joe would be there the next day. Realizing this, Joe played along, pretending to be too weak to work and so husbanding his strength the best he could. He had planned out his escape route and all he needed was the chance.<\/p>\n

It just a few days later, at the start of the following week. Joe had lost track of how long he had been a captive; he knew it was weeks, rather than days, but was unable to put a number to them. He was lying in the cellar when he heard shouting and gunfire outside.<\/p>\n

Struggling to his feet, Joe peered through the grimly glass as best he could, but he could see very little. However, one thing seemed clear; a posse had found the gang and was closing in on them. Joe\u2019s heart leapt. He tried to climb onto a rickety old chair that was standing there, but in his haste, he neglected to allow for his chains and tumbled headlong to the floor.<\/p>\n

Winded but unhurt, Joe scrambled to his feet again, but the battle had moved on and he couldn\u2019t see anything. Making up his mind to take the chance, Joe made his way to the cellar stairs and climbed laboriously up them. He tried the door, but he didn\u2019t really believe it was unlocked and so wasn\u2019t disappointed. He tugged, pulled and pushed at the door, but it didn\u2019t budge.<\/p>\n

Despairing, Joe threw his entire weight against the door and when it gave unexpectedly, he lost his balance and tumbled headlong down the stairs.<\/p>\n

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

When Joe regained consciousness, there was silence outside. Rising shakily to his feet, he fumbled his way through the half-light to the stairs and climbed them once more.<\/p>\n

The door lay a little open, just as it had when Joe fell. Cautiously, he crept out into the hall, trying to minimize the noise his chains made. There was a hushed air of expectancy about the house. As Joe shuffled towards the door, he gradually realized that the house was empty.<\/p>\n

There were odd stains on the frozen dirt of the yard, and Joe guessed they were blood stains. He headed over to the barn, steeling himself to find it empty, for he thought it unlikely that Cochise would still be there. So it was with overwhelming relief and joy that Joe saw his pinto was still in its stall.<\/p>\n

Standing by his horse, Joe could not stop himself shedding some tears. All through his ordeal, he had refused to allow the tears to come; now he could not stop them. The horse was warm and alive and Joe now had the chance to go home.<\/p>\n

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

Since it was already dusk, Joe knew it would be foolish to set off that night. He searched the barn and finally found the tools he was looking for \u2013 a hammer and chisel. Working carefully, he finally managed to pry the leg irons open, although not without some cost in himself as his hand slipped and struck the exposed skin of his ankles more than once. The handcuffs defeated his efforts to remove, although he was able to split the chain, so that his hands were independent of one another again. It felt distinctly odd, but very nice.<\/p>\n

Going back into the house, Joe found a couple of canteens and a little food. In another room, he found a threadbare blanket, but given the tattered state of his clothes, it seemed like the height of luxury to the frozen young man.<\/p>\n

Taking all the things back to the barn, Joe settled in to spend the night there beside Cochise. He could not face spending a night in that house, free or not. Cochise gave off some heat, and the straw was warm after the bare earth floor. Joe soon fell fast asleep.<\/p>\n

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

Next morning, Joe forced himself to eat a little food before he saddled Cochise. Then, he had to rest for a while before he could pull himself into the saddle. Ruefully, he found himself remembering the times when he had vaulted so effortlessly on board his mount.<\/p>\n

It had been weeks since Joe had arrived here, but he had never forgotten in which direction his home lay. Turning Cochise\u2019s head to the north, he began the long trek home.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cPa,\u201d Adam said, in a low voice as he approached his father\u2019s desk. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be Christmas in a couple of days. Do you want Hoss and me to get a tree?\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking up lethargically, Ben shrugged. \u201cDo whatever you think is best, son,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n

There was so much pain in Ben\u2019s voice that Adam\u2019s heart ached for him. The house had been unusually silent for these last months. None of them had laughed since Joe vanished and Adam was beginning to think that they would never laugh again. Why had they quarreled that last day? Why had he grudged sharing his friend with Joe? Adam stifled a wince as he remembered the wire they had received, telling them that Jon\u2019s father had been murdered. There was no one there to mourn the loss of a son. \u201cWe\u2019ll get a tree,\u201d he murmured.<\/p>\n

As Adam buckled on his gun belt, he heard slow hoofs entering the yard. Wondering who it could be, for most sensible people weren\u2019t going anywhere in the three feet of snow that was lying, Adam opened the door. What he saw caused him to freeze in place, unable to do anything except stare disbelievingly at the apparition outside.<\/p>\n

It was only as the figure slipped from the back of the pinto to the ground that Adam was able to break the spell that held him captive. \u201cPa!\u201d he cried. \u201cHoss! Come quick!\u201d He raced outside, only slowing as the horse shied nervously.<\/p>\n

Kneeling by the body in the snow, Adam gazed and gazed, unable to believe that Joe was home.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Ben asked, then was pushing his oldest son aside as he scrambled to gather his youngest son in his arms, crying his name over and over again, while tears poured down his face. \u201cJoseph! Oh, Joseph!\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cSend someone for the doctor!\u201d Ben ordered, his voice anguished. After the initial joy of seeing his lost son home again, Ben had realized that the scarecrow figure in his arms was burning with fever. As he hoisted the unconscious youth in his arms, oblivious of the rank smell from his tattered clothes and body, Ben became aware of just how much weight Joe had lost. His youngest son had always been slender, but he was positively skeletal now.<\/p>\n

The immobility that had gripped Adam disappeared and he hurried off to the bunkhouse to send one of the men on the tricky journey to town for the doctor. That accomplished, he led Joe\u2019s horse into the barn and stripped off the saddle. Cochise was almost as thin as its master, its coat rank and staring and the bones of its hips sticking out. Adam put a rug over the horse and gave it a measure of grain before hurrying into the house.<\/p>\n

Upstairs, Ben was removing the tattered remains of Joe\u2019s clothes. \u201cHoss, get something to remove these,\u201d Ben ordered as he allowed himself to acknowledge the chains still hanging from Joe\u2019s thin wrists. \u201cOh, Joe, who did this to you?\u201d he asked. There was no answer, for Joe was still unconscious.<\/p>\n

Becoming aware of someone at his side, Ben looked around to see Hop Sing. The Oriental looked appalled. \u201cHop Sing get water for bath,\u201d he announced, for the rank smell from Joe\u2019s body was overpowering. Joe was caked in grime and had quite a substantial growth of beard, despite his brothers\u2019 claims he would never be able to grow one.<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take long for the bath to arrive, and by then, Adam had arrived to help Ben carefully lower Joe into the water. Joe mumbled a bit, but didn\u2019t regain consciousness as they carefully scrubbed the dirt from his body and washed his hair. Then, with Joe clean at last, they laid him carefully on the bed to towel him dry.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been beaten,\u201d Ben muttered. Joe\u2019s stomach was a pattern of differently colored bruises, although most of them were fading now. There were smudges around Joe\u2019s eye that suggested he had had a black eye recently.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at his ankles,\u201d Adam said, in a low voice. The scabs there had barely healed over and the flesh looked red.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt looks like he had chains on his legs, too,\u201d Ben replied, in a despairing tone. \u201cAnd, Adam, look! His feet!\u201d For Ben had noticed the bruises and cuts. \u201cWhat can have happened to him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Adam answered. \u201cI just don\u2019t know, Pa.\u201d He glanced up as Hoss came in with a hammer, chisel and block of wood. Adam held Joe\u2019s arms while Hoss carefully worked to remove the ugly irons. It seemed to Ben to take forever, but actually took a surprisingly short time.<\/p>\n

After that, there was nothing to do but wait for the doctor. Joe seemed slightly cooler after his bath and Ben managed to get him to swallow some water, although his eyes never opened and he seemed no nearer the surface. Ben held Joe\u2019s hand, and constantly urged him to wake up, but there was no movement from the skeletal figure on the bed.<\/p>\n

The light was waning before they heard Doc Martin\u2019s buggy in the yard. Adam rose to let him in, but Paul was an old friend and knew the way. He and Adam met on the stairs. \u201cIs it true?\u201d he demanded. \u201cIs it Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Adam nodded, but he couldn\u2019t return the smile that lit Paul\u2019s face. \u201cHe\u2019s\u2026 changed, Paul.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sobering, Paul looked intently into Adam\u2019s eyes. \u201cAll right,\u201d he replied, understanding that Adam was warning him to prepare for a shock. He followed the oldest Cartwright son into Joe\u2019s room, speculating on the \u2018changes\u2019 he would see.<\/p>\n

They were indeed shocking. Joe was usually deceptively slender, although impressively muscled. Now, the flesh had melted off his bones, leaving him looking like an illustration for a medical examination. His normally golden-toned skin was grey and ashen and even his hair seemed to have lost its curl and bounce. Everything about Joe told Paul that this was a boy desperately sick and although he seldom thought of Joe as a boy anymore, the adjective seemed somehow appropriate, as Joe looked no more than 16 lying there.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood God, Ben, what\u2019s happened to him?\u201d The words were out before Paul could catch them.<\/p>\n

\u201cPaul,\u201d Ben replied, as way of greeting. \u201cWe don\u2019t know. Adam saw him falling from his horse in the yard. He\u2019s been unconscious ever since. But he\u2019s been beaten, and he was in chains.\u201d Ben\u2019s voice threatened to break and he swallowed hard. \u201cHe was filthy, and so we bathed him. His clothes were in rags.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me see,\u201d Paul requested and Ben moved slightly to let the physician in, but he didn\u2019t relinquish his hold of Joe\u2019s hand. Paul\u2019s examination was thorough and when he finished, he sat back on the bed. He could feel three pairs of eyes on him. \u201cAll right,\u201d he began. \u201cAs you can plainly see, Joe is severely mal-nourished. His feet and ankles are infected and his wrists are chafed raw. There\u2019s some sign of infection there, too. As you said, he\u2019s been beaten and I suspect he has some broken ribs that are partially healed. He\u2019s clearly exhausted. I can\u2019t detect any internal injuries, and no broken bones apart from those ribs. You\u2019ll have to build him up very slowly. Fluids for the first while, then start him on soft foods. I\u2019ll give him something for the fever and let\u2019s hope it breaks soon. I think it\u2019s just been caused by the infection, his poor condition and mild exposure. His lungs are clear, although his breathing sounds a little stuffy. I can\u2019t even guess what has happened to him, and frankly, I don\u2019t want to guess!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill he be all right?\u201d Ben asked, his voice a low throb in its intensity.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d Paul replied, hesitantly, \u201cbut I can\u2019t give any guarantees, Ben. It could be that he\u2019s reached a stage in his starvation where his body will reject food. We won\u2019t know until we start to feed him. But at any rate, he\u2019s going to be sick for a long time.\u201d He sighed. \u201cJoe was strong, but all his strength has gone on staying alive, and now that he\u2019s home again, it might be that he relaxes too much and can\u2019t regain his strength. I just don\u2019t know at this stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust tell us what to do,\u201d Ben ordered. \u201cWe\u2019ll get Joe through this.\u201d He stroked Joe\u2019s arm. \u201cI promise, son, I\u2019ll make you well again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking at Ben, Paul found there was nothing more he could say. He had seen Ben dwindling into a shadow of his former self over the last couple of months and couldn\u2019t bring himself to say anything that would knock away the fragile hope that Ben had found in his son\u2019s return.<\/p>\n

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

Snow was falling softly as Paul Martin left the Ponderosa that night. He glanced back over his shoulder as he drove away, looking at the light in the room above the door. He knew Ben would be keeping vigil over Joe until such times as the young man regained consciousness or died. He had done everything he could for Joe, dosing him with quinine until the fever abated somewhat, and bandaging up the various hurts after cleaning them thoroughly with alcohol.<\/p>\n

It was a long, cold journey home that night, but the first thing he did after stabling his horse was call on Roy Coffee, the sheriff. \u201cHello, Paul,\u201d Roy cried, as the doctor shivered his way into the warmth of the jail house. \u201cWhat can I do fer ya?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, nothing, really,\u201d Paul replied, smiling slightly. \u201cI came to tell you that Joe Cartwright is home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Roy echoed, joyfully. \u201cWhen? Where\u2019s he been?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe arrived home early this afternoon, but that\u2019s all we know, Roy,\u201d Paul explained. \u201cHe\u2019s sick, Roy; very sick. He\u2019s like a skeleton and he\u2019s running a pretty good fever. I\u2019m not sure he\u2019ll make it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy\u2019s genial face was a mask of sorrow as he absorbed the news. Like Paul, he had known Joe since \u2018before he was born\u2019. \u201cI\u2019ll look out there come mornin\u2019,\u201d he muttered. \u201cThat\u2019s real sad, Paul, real sad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Paul agreed, before he headed off for his own home and bed. But it was a long time before he slept that night and both he and Roy prayed fervently for Joe to be spared.<\/p>\n

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

Joe slept throughout the night, barely moving at all. Ben\u2019s eyes were burning when dawn finally broke, for he had resisted all Adam\u2019s efforts to make him go to bed. It was as if he feared Joe would die if he was not there to keep urging his son to live. Joe\u2019s fever had broken during the night in a drenching sweat and Ben had accepted Adam\u2019s help to change the bedding. Cradling Joe in his arms, Ben thought how frail his son felt, his every bone threatening to poke through his paper-thin skin. When Joe was settled into fresh bedding again, he had slipped into a deeper slumber.<\/p>\n

A huge sigh from the bed dragged Ben\u2019s eyelids open again. Looking at Joe, he saw his son was mumbling slightly and rolling his head around. \u201cJoe?\u201d he asked tentatively. His voice was hoarse from the hours of talking, keeping Joe anchored to this world. \u201cJoe, can you hear me, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

Another sigh shook the frail man on the bed and then Joe\u2019s eyes opened. For a moment, he gazed at the ceiling in disbelief, then as Ben spoke his name once more, he swiveled his gaze round to his father\u2019s face. Green eyes met brown and locked for an endless moment, when neither of them could speak. Then tears mounted in Joe\u2019s green eyes and silently overflowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Ben questioned, feeling corresponding moisture forming in his own eyes. \u201cAre you in pain?\u201d<\/p>\n

After a moment, Joe shook his head slowly. \u201cPa?\u201d he whispered. He raised his hand slightly and glanced down to make sure that the hand he could feel in his was actually there. He had suffered many hallucinations on the trail home. \u201cIs that really you, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really me, Joe,\u201d Ben assured him. \u201cOh, Joe, we thought you were dead.\u201d The tears broke and spilled down Ben\u2019s cheeks. \u201cWhat happened to you?\u201d A look of distress flitted across Joe\u2019s face and Ben hurried to soothe him. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter,\u201d he comforted him. \u201cJoe, it doesn\u2019t matter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did I get here?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you remember?\u201d Ben asked. \u201cYou rode into the yard yesterday afternoon, Joe. You passed out and you\u2019ve been asleep ever since.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI sort of remember riding home,\u201d Joe whispered. He looked utterly exhausted and defeated. \u201cBut I don\u2019t remember getting here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter now,\u201d Ben repeated. \u201cYou\u2019re home at last.\u201d A thought occurred to Ben and he asked, \u201cJoe, what about Jon?\u201d<\/p>\n

A cry escaped Joe\u2019s lips and he made an effort to move. But his body didn\u2019t have the strength to allow that and he barely twitched. \u201cHe\u2019s not here, is he?\u201d Joe asked urgently. His eyes were huge in his thin face. \u201cPa, please, Jon\u2019s not here, is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Joe, he\u2019s not here,\u201d Ben replied, perplexed by his son\u2019s behavior. It was almost as though Joe was afraid of Jon, yet they had been friends. \u201cHe hasn\u2019t been seen since you disappeared.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gradually, Joe\u2019s tense muscles relaxed, but his eyes were still riveted to Ben\u2019s. \u201cI can\u2019t\u2026\u201d Joe tore his eyes away as the memories of the past 8 weeks swept through him. \u201cPa, I can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, son,\u201d Ben soothed. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to tell us until you\u2019re ready.\u201d Nodding in relief, Joe raised a hand weakly to wipe the tears from his face. The expression when he felt the beard on his face was comical. Ben smiled. \u201cWe bathed you, Joe, but decided to leave shaving until you were awake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, please,\u201d Joe urged. \u201cPa, now!\u201d He was quite vehement, despite the quietness of his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs soon as Hop Sing can heat the water,\u201d Ben assured him. \u201cIt\u2019s very early, Joe. You\u2019ve got to give us time to get organized.\u201d He smiled to reassure his son even more. \u201cNow, what would you like to eat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m allowed to eat?\u201d Joe asked, amazement clear in his tones.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you are,\u201d Ben avowed stoutly, denying the fear those words set up in his heart. \u201cBut I\u2019m afraid that you\u2019re restricted to fluids just now. So how about some broth? Hop Sing made up some beef broth for you last night.\u201d Seeing the uncertain look on Joe\u2019s face, Ben asked, \u201cWere you not allowed to eat?\u201d<\/p>\n

Slowly, Joe fought down the memories again and shook his head. \u201cNot often,\u201d he replied, and the pain in his voice tore at Ben\u2019s heart. How could anyone treat another human being like that? How could anyone treat his son like that?<\/p>\n

Swallowing down the tears and the outrage, Ben said, \u201cWell, you can eat what you like here, Joe. You know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI\u2019ll eat the broth.\u201d He closed his eyes and slipped into slumber again without meaning to, his small reserve of strength already exhausted.<\/p>\n

Looking at Joe sadly, Ben rose to organize the broth and water to shave his son. His heart ached for all that Joe had been through, even though he knew that there were more revelations to come. Somehow, Jon was all mixed up with it, although Ben could not guess how.<\/p>\n

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

Hoss was the person who had the honor of shaving Joe. Adam was allowed to feed him small sips of the nourishing broth Hop Sing had made the night before, while Ben had something to eat and a couple of hours sleep. By the time Joe was once more clean-shaven, he was worn out and more than ready to sleep again. Adam looked ruefully at the broth, thinking that the six small sips weren\u2019t enough to keep a bird alive, but Paul had explained to them the night before that Joe\u2019s stomach had shrunk quite drastically, and that he might find it very difficult to keep anything down. The fact that he had kept down that tiny amount was encouraging, Adam felt.<\/p>\n

\u201cWill you sit with him, Hoss?\u201d Adam whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Hoss agreed. He frowned slightly at Adam. \u201cWhere\u2019re you goin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pulling Hoss away from the bed so that they didn\u2019t disturb Joe, Adam whispered, \u201cI\u2019m going to get a tree. Later, when Pa is sitting with Joe again, you and I can decorate it, so that when we bring Joe down for Christmas, its there to cheer him up.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment, a smile spilt Hoss\u2019 face, then it dimmed to a frown. \u201cWhat if he ain\u2019t up ta gittin\u2019 up fer Christmas?\u201d<\/p>\n

Frowning back, Adam scolded, \u201cDon\u2019t go borrowing trouble! He\u2019ll be able to sit downstairs for his presents, if nothing else.\u201d Adam\u2019s eyes opened wide. \u201cPresents! We don\u2019t have any!\u201d For a moment, Adam\u2019s eyes were drawn back to the still figure on the bed. \u201cI\u2019ll go into town, too. Will you be all right alone with him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNaw,\u201d Hoss replied, sarcastically. \u201cI don\u2019 think I\u2019m able ta pick him up, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHa ha!\u201d Adam sneered back, then smiled. \u201cI\u2019m sorry; I\u2019m just worried about him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re all worried about him,\u201d Hoss corrected him gently. \u201cYou\u2019re feelin\u2019 guilty \u2018cos ya quarreled afore he disappeared. It weren\u2019t none o\u2019 yore doin\u2019, Adam. And Joe don\u2019 hold nothin\u2019 agin ya.\u201d<\/p>\n

Blue eyes locked with brown, and love and understanding poured from one to the other. \u201cPerhaps,\u201d Adam murmured, breaking the eye contact. He often had the impression that Hoss could see deep into his soul, especially when he was troubled, and his younger brother often knew exactly what to say to help him feel better. \u201cBut I still want to spoil him a bit now he\u2019s home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Patting Adam heavily on the shoulder, Hoss nodded his understanding. \u201cSometimes ya can be real stuck-up, Adam,\u201d he teased. \u201cAn\u2019 other times yer just plain nice!\u201d<\/p>\n

Grinning, Adam retorted, \u201cFlattery will get you nowhere!\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The ride to town took longer than usual, thanks to the snow, but at least the sun was shining and Adam didn\u2019t have to fear being caught in a blizzard. As he dismounted outside the store, he was hailed from across the street. \u201cAdam!\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning, Adam saw Roy Coffee coming towards him. He paused, waiting for the sheriff to negotiate the icy street. \u201cMorning, Roy,\u201d he replied. \u201cDid you hear that Joe is home?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure did,\u201d Roy answered. \u201cPaul come by an\u2019 tol\u2019 me last night. How is the boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot too good,\u201d Adam answered truthfully. \u201cBut he was able to eat a little this morning, so we\u2019re taking that as a good sign.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe say what happened to him yet?\u201d Roy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa tried asking him when he wore up, but he couldn\u2019t say, Roy.\u201d Adam bit his lip. \u201cHe\u2019s very weak, Roy. He can barely move without help and he\u2019s so thin\u2026\u201d Adam\u2019s voice trailed off as he envisaged his younger brother\u2019s skeletal frame again. Shaking his head to dispel the image, he concluded, \u201cPa says he became very upset when he was asked what happened, so Pa decided to leave it until he\u2019s feeling stronger.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose that\u2019s sensible,\u201d Roy admitted, although his tone told a different tale. From a lawman\u2019s point of view, Roy wanted to know now what had happened, so he could pursue the person or people who had done this to Joe and get them behind bars. \u201cI intended ta look out this mornin\u2019, Adam, but I was real busy. I might come out later, if that\u2019s all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Adam replied, politely. \u201cBut don\u2019t expect too much of Joe, Roy. You\u2019ll understand when you see him.\u201d He went on into the store.<\/p>\n

It was amazing how quickly word of Joe\u2019s arrival home had spread through the town. A number of people stopped Adam to ask after Joe with genuine concern. Adam was touched that so many people held his brother in such affection. He was also amused at the number of young women who asked after his brother.<\/p>\n

The supplies for Christmas dinner had already been secured, but Adam wasn\u2019t after food, although he bought a few sweets to tempt Joe\u2019s appetite. He bought Joe some new clothes, replacing his brother\u2019s favorite green jacket with an identical one. A new warm dressing gown for him to wear on Christmas morning and slippers \u2013 probably too large for day to day wear, but that would slip on over the bandages on Joe\u2019s feet. He bought a new holster and gun, since Joe\u2019s ones were missing. To top it off, he bought a pile of dime novels. Personally, he hated them, but he knew Joe liked them, and they were light enough reading for someone who was so sick.<\/p>\n

To conclude his shopping, he bought a new pipe and books for Ben and a coat for Hoss, who had been wearing the same old winter coat for many years. Happy with his purchases, he turned his horse for home.<\/p>\n

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

A couple of hours sleep had done Ben more good that morning than all the previous nights had. He went into Joe\u2019s room with a lighter step than of late. Hoss was sitting by Joe\u2019s bed, while the younger man slept. Pausing, Ben was struck afresh by the thinness of Joe\u2019s face. His skin seemed to be less ashen than the previous day, but in no way could it be said that Joe\u2019s color was good.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is he?\u201d Ben whispered, crossing to the bed and stroking Joe\u2019s curls gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cA mite hot,\u201d Hoss replied, \u201cbut he ate a little bit this mornin\u2019. He\u2019s bin asleep ever since.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll sit with him now,\u201d Ben said. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you have a break?\u201d he urged. \u201cWhere\u2019s Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Grinning Hoss relinquished the chair to his father. \u201cHe went into town to buy p-r-e-s-e-n-t-s for someone.\u201d He winked massively at Ben, delighted with his ploy of spelling out the word in case Joe woke up. It had quite escaped his notice that Joe was more than able to spell.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I see,\u201d Ben replied, gravely, fighting not to laugh out loud. There were times when Hoss was just like a little boy and it showed especially around Christmas time. The big man just loved giving presents and he and Joe were very alike in this. Joe loved presents \u2013 giving and receiving.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s gonna git the tree, too,\u201d Hoss continued. \u201cHim an\u2019 me\u2019ll decorate it later.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, son,\u201d Ben replied, smiling. \u201cWe have something to celebrate this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe sure do,\u201d Hoss agreed, huskily.<\/p>\n

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

When Joe stirred a couple of hours later, Ben was still by his bedside. \u201cPa?\u201d Joe whispered. He tried to pull himself up slightly, but his body still wasn\u2019t ready to allow him to do that.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi there,\u201d Ben replied, smiling. \u201cHow do you feel?\u201d Joe\u2019s temperature had dropped again a while before and he was currently cool to the touch.<\/p>\n

\u201cTired,\u201d Joe admitted. He frowned. \u201cPa, I need to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, son,\u201d Ben replied, understanding his son\u2019s embarrassment. He pulled out the chamber pot and assisted Joe in using it. Then he settled Joe back into bed, took away the pot and when he came back into the room, he saw that Joe\u2019s eyes were still open. \u201cHop Sing is bringing up some broth for you,\u201d he told Joe gently. \u201cDr Martin says you have to try and eat every time you\u2019re awake.\u201d He raised his hand to stroke Joe\u2019s head and was horrified when Joe flinched away from him. \u201cJoe? What\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing, I\u2026\u201d Joe looked away, embarrassed afresh. \u201cI thought you were going to hit me,\u201d he admitted, in a low voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Joe, I wouldn\u2019t!\u201d Ben denied, appalled. He sat down on the edge of the bed and looked into his son\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cBut you see\u2026\u201d He paused to try and think how best to say this. Raising sorrowful eyes to his father\u2019s, he blurted, \u201cJon used to hit me all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJon?\u201d Ben echoed. \u201cJon beat you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Joe replied, the relief of finally telling overwhelming him. He could tell from Ben\u2019s voice that his father believed him. He licked his dry lips, not liking to ask for water, but Ben could read the signs, and offered his son a drink, tenderly holding his head while Joe slowly sipped. \u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d he whispered and closed his eyes for a minute.<\/p>\n

It was obvious when Joe opened them again that he had fallen asleep. He could smell something delicious and turned his head slowly to see a steaming bowl of broth on the bedside table. It was about as far away as the moon at that moment, and there was no one in the room with him. For an instant, Joe panicked, remembering how he had been chained after the first few days with Jon and fearing that he had been chained while he slept. Despite finding himself still free, Joe could not quell the fear that they had gone to get chains for him again.<\/p>\n

But just as the panic was beginning to overwhelm Joe, the door opened and Ben came in. He saw at once how distressed Joe was and hurried over to reassure him. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, son, I just stepped out for a minute to ask Hop Sing for something. I didn\u2019t mean to leave you alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Blinking back tears, Joe couldn\u2019t say anything for a minute. \u201cCan I have some of that?\u201d he asked, gesturing to the bowl.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you can,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cIt\u2019s for you.\u201d He helped Joe into a sitting position, and propped him up with lots of pillows. Then slowly, he fed Joe the broth, relieved that his son had more than the few sips Adam had reported him taking that morning, but wishing that Joe had been able to eat more than just half a bowl.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m tired,\u201d Joe complained, as he lay down again. He snagged Ben\u2019s sleeve. \u201cPa, you weren\u2019t asking Hop Sing to get\u2026\u201d he swallowed convulsively and tears filled his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cTo get chains?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not, Joe!\u201d Ben declared. He gathered his son into his arms. \u201cJoe this is your home; nothing like that will ever happen to you here, I promise. You can eat and drink what you like, and no one will chain you up. You have to try and hold on to those thoughts, son, and tell yourself you\u2019re free.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll try,\u201d Joe promised. He leaned his curly head against Ben\u2019s shoulder and was soon asleep. For a long time, Ben just sat there, holding him.<\/p>\n

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

As the hand reached for the chains on his wrists, Joe jerked awake to find himself safe in his own bed, drenched in a cold sweat. Adam was sitting by the bed reading, and as Joe gasped, he glanced up, immediately putting aside the book to tend to Joe\u2019s needs. \u201cWhat is it, Joe?\u201d he asked, seeing the dilated pupils, and hearing Joe\u2019s panting breath. \u201cA bad dream?\u201d<\/p>\n

Slowly relaxing, Joe nodded. \u201cYes,\u201d he panted. He glanced round the room. \u201cWhere\u2019s Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s talking to Roy Coffee and Dr Martin downstairs,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cHe\u2019ll be back in a minute, with something for you to eat.\u201d Taking a cloth, he wiped the sweat from Joe\u2019s brow. \u201cCan I get you anything?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA drink, please?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

Since Ben had told both Adam and Hoss that Joe had been deliberately starved, Adam did not act as though there was anything odd about the way Joe asked for a drink. \u201cYou can have as much water as you like, buddy,\u201d he assured Joe and tried not to notice the way Joe flinched as his hand went past Joe\u2019s face. He was horrified by what had happened to Joe. After Joe was finished, Adam went to the door and called to Ben that Joe was awake.<\/p>\n

A few minutes later, Ben and Hoss arrived with Roy and Paul. Paul went over to the bed first and began to check Joe over, asking if he had any pain and making sure the infection in his feet was dying back. The fact that Joe\u2019s fever had broken told him that it had, but he wanted to be absolutely certain. \u201cHow do your ribs feel?\u201d Paul asked, feeling gently.<\/p>\n

Joe shrugged. \u201cLike they\u2019ve felt for ages,\u201d he responded, dully.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how is that?\u201d Paul persisted. \u201cSore? Sharp, stabbing pains? A grinding ache? What?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey ache,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cBut no more than they have for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Paul nodded. \u201cBen, you can feed him now. I have to say, I\u2019m much happier about his condition than I was last night. It\u2019s going to take a long time, but I think this lad of yours is going to get better!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I talk ta him now?\u201d Roy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly after he\u2019s eaten and only if he feels up to it,\u201d Paul cautioned. \u201cHe\u2019s been through a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can see that,\u201d Roy agreed, for the first sight of Joe had shocked him to the core.<\/p>\n

Again, Joe ate about half a bowl of broth. Ben put aside the rest and took Joe\u2019s hand. \u201cJoe, Roy wants to ask you some questions. Do you think you can tell him what happened? It doesn\u2019t matter if you can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing deeply, Joe wondered if he could bring himself to tell anyone about what had happened to him .He didn\u2019t really want to, yet the words were about bursting out of him. He felt the reassuring warmth of Ben\u2019s hand on his arm and looked up into those compassionate brown eyes that told Joe he was loved very much. \u201cAll right,\u201d Joe sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss and I will leave,\u201d Adam offered, but Joe shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou might as well stay and hear it from me,\u201d he told them. \u201cJon and I left to get the coach,\u201d he began, his voice thin and frail.<\/p>\n

Slowly, Joe told of meeting Jon\u2019s gang, and of being held prisoner while they journeyed into Arizona. His voice faltered as he told of the deliberate starvation and the chains, but Ben\u2019s hand tightened on his arm to remind Joe that he wasn\u2019t alone any more, and Joe\u2019s voice gained strength as he explained about being their servant, and then the final gun battle with the sheriff\u2019s men.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knocked myself out when I fell down the stairs,\u201d he concluded. \u201cWhen I came too, there was nobody there. The posse hadn\u2019t checked the place very well, because Cochise was still in the barn. I managed to get the leg irons off, but I couldn\u2019t remove the handcuffs. Next morning, I got onto Cochise and rode home. I ran out of food on the way home, but it didn\u2019t matter, because I couldn\u2019t keep it down anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was overloading your stomach,\u201d Paul explained. \u201cThat\u2019s why you\u2019re living on broth right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure it was a posse and not another gang?\u201d Roy asked, as Ben unashamedly wiped the tears from his face. He would have given everything he owned to spare Joe the ordeal he had gone through.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m not sure,\u201d Joe admitted. \u201cIt just seemed to me that it had to be a posse.\u201d He yawned suddenly and his eyelids dropped. \u201cI\u2019m tired.\u201d The catharsis of telling his story had drained him emotionally, as well as physically and he slipped quietly into sleep.<\/p>\n

Glancing round, Ben saw that Adam had his hand on Hoss\u2019 shoulder and the big man was wiping away tears. Adam\u2019s eyes were glittering unnaturally, but he wouldn\u2019t allow the tears to fall where others could see it. He would shed his tears alone, if at all. Ben could wish it were otherwise, but there was nothing he could do about it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll find out fer sure, Ben,\u201d Roy whispered, patting his friend\u2019s shoulder. \u201cI\u2019ll let ya know when I know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0 He looked back at Joe as Paul began to feel gently round his head. \u201cWhat are you looking for?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was just checking to make sure I didn\u2019t miss any lumps on Joe\u2019s head. I didn\u2019t think I had, but with Joe saying he\u2019d knocked himself out, I thought I\u2019d just double check.\u201d Apparently satisfied, he straightened. \u201cNo, he\u2019s fine. And I meant what I said earlier. I do think he\u2019ll be all right, but it will be months before he regains that lost weight. I think, now his feet are on the mend, that you ought to try and get him out of bed and doing a little walking as soon as possible. If he lies there too long, he\u2019ll become bed-bound.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow?\u201d Ben asked, astonished, for Joe could still not turn himself in bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, give him another couple of days. By then, he should have gained enough strength to stay awake longer. It will be incredibly difficult for him, Ben. I don\u2019t know how he managed to get home, despite his horse! But you\u2019ll see an improvement in time. If there\u2019s anything worrying you, just call me.\u201d Paul smiled at them and left.<\/p>\n

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

As Adam carried on making preparations for Christmas, Ben continued to sit with Joe, making sure he had everything he wanted. Joe had said no more about his ordeal, but he was having fewer nightmares, so Ben said nothing, either. Joe soon became used to the routine. Whenever he woke, he was given something to eat, and by the end of three days, he was feeling a bit better and was able to stay awake for longer. As Ben noticed this, he enlisted Hoss\u2019 help to get Joe onto his feet again. The first time, Joe could only take a few shuffling steps before he slumped, exhausted, between father and brother, but later he was able to try again and took a few more steps this time.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, how long was I gone?\u201d Joe asked, as he lay thankfully back on the bed. His face glowed with triumph, for he had managed to walk all the way across his room and back, with only Hoss helping him.<\/p>\n

\u201cEight weeks,\u201d Ben replied, watching Joe closely to see his reaction.<\/p>\n

\u201cEight weeks?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0Joe repeated, stunned. The new color drained from his face as he tried to assimilate this information. \u201cI\u2026 I knew it had been weeks, but\u2026 I never thought that long.\u201d Anguish filled his eyes as he looked at Ben despairingly. \u201cYou must have thought I was dead,\u201d he whispered, stricken with the knowledge.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t give up hope,\u201d Ben told him. \u201cWe looked everywhere for you, Joe, you must believe that. And when we realized that you were really gone, we never gave up hoping you would somehow come back to us. We knew that you wouldn\u2019t go off like that, with no word, even after quarrelling with Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid I?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cOh, yes, so we did. I\u2019d forgotten.\u201d He raised his eyes to his father\u2019s again. \u201cI didn\u2019t ask\u2026 I didn\u2019t think\u2026 Adam. Oh, Pa, is Adam all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, of course Adam is all right,\u201d Ben replied, perplexed. \u201cYou saw him this morning, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I know that, but I meant\u2026\u201d Joe took a deep breath and put his thoughts into order. \u201cI never thought what effect telling my story would have on Adam. Jon was his friend, Pa and I just blurted it all out. Adam must be so hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he is,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cHurt for you, that a friend of his could do such a thing.\u201d Ben rubbed Joe\u2019s arm gently. This sudden concern for others was a sign, to Ben, that Joe was on the mend. He could spare time to think of others, not just his own survival. \u201cDid you think Adam cared more for Jon than for you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, of course not,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cBut I didn\u2019t think of how it would make him feel when I told you. Why didn\u2019t I think of it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were pretty sick, Joe,\u201d Ben told him. \u201cYou still are, but you are on the mend. Then, you told us to get it off your mind and to make us go away.\u201d He smiled at the look on Joe\u2019s face. \u201cI know you didn\u2019t think of it that way, but that\u2019s how it was. You needed rest and your sub-conscious told you that the best way to get rest was to get rid of your audience and the best way to do\u00a0that<\/em>,\u201d he grinned, \u201cwas to tell the story. That\u2019s why you didn\u2019t think of Adam. He understands that. After all, he hasn\u2019t been treating you any differently, has he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe admitted. \u201cPa, could I talk to Adam, please?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Ben agreed. He had yet to say no to anything Joe really wanted. Smiling at his son again, Ben rose and went to fetch Adam.<\/p>\n

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

Although he had wanted to talk to Adam and clear the air between them, Joe found it surprisingly hard to begin. He suddenly couldn\u2019t meet his brother\u2019s eyes. \u201cI wanted to apologies for telling you about Jon like that,\u201d he blurted. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to. I didn\u2019t want to hurt you. I know he was your friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought so while he was here,\u201d Adam agreed. \u201cBut he stopped being my friend the moment he took you prisoner, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking up, Joe saw that Adam meant every word. \u201cReally?\u201d he asked, still unwilling to believe that absolution could come so easily. \u201cWe quarreled, although I don\u2019t really remember too well. I thought\u2026 well, to be honest, I don\u2019t know what I thought.\u201d Joe immediately contradicted himself, but Adam didn\u2019t interrupt as he could see how important this was to Joe. \u201cI thought you might hate me for not telling you about Jon when we were alone. But I didn\u2019t really think about that then.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe.\u201d Adam took a deep breath. He found it difficult, always, to say what was in his heart. But this mattered too much for him to keep it private. \u201cAs long as I have my brothers, it doesn\u2019t matter if I don\u2019t have any other friends. A friend could never come before you, or Hoss. I\u2026\u201d he paused and bit his lip. Joe\u2019s green eyes never wavered from his face. Finally, the difficult, important words came. \u201cI love you, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tears spilled down Joe\u2019s face as he reached for his brother. For no matter how they quarreled, they were still brothers and this bond mattered more than anything. Joe knew how difficult it was for Adam to tell them what was in his heart and he felt the last burden of his captivity lifting with those precious words. \u201cThank you,\u201d he whispered. \u201cAnd I love you, Adam.\u201d He smiled through his tears. \u201cYou stubborn Yankee Granite head!\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The next afternoon, December 24th, Christmas Eve, Roy Coffee arrived at the Ponderosa through a light dusting of snow. He gratefully accepted coffee to thaw out and told the Cartwrights his news. \u201cThat weren\u2019t a posse Joe saw, Ben. It were another gang. Jon had moved into their area, and there was a fight. The other gang, led by someone called Big Lem, took Jon and the rest and hanged \u2018em all from the nearest trees. Joe were downright lucky that they never found him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was indeed,\u201d Ben murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cBig Lem was caught the other day robbin\u2019 a bank. He told o\u2019 the killings afore he died from the bullet the sheriff had put in him.\u201d He shook his head. \u201cWell, that\u2019s the mystery solved, Ben. How\u2019s the boy doin\u2019? Paul says he\u2019s improvin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he\u2019s doing much better,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t know this, but we\u2019re bringing him downstairs for Christmas tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right good ta hear,\u201d Roy agreed. \u201cMerry Christmas, folks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd to you,\u201d Ben returned.<\/p>\n

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

Later that night, Ben told Joe what Roy had said, and Joe simply nodded. But Ben could see the last lingering doubts vanishing from Joe\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cGood morning,\u201d Ben said, gently, as Joe wakened the next day. \u201cMerry Christmas, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d Joe responded. \u201cChristmas? Is it Christmas already?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure is!\u201d caroled Hoss from behind Ben. \u201cHere\u2019s yer breakfast.\u201d He plunked a tray with a scrambled egg on it onto Joe\u2019s lap. It was the first solid food he had had since returning home. He ate it slowly, enjoying every bite. He couldn\u2019t remember anything ever tasting so good.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere you go, Joe,\u201d Adam smiled and dropped two packages onto Joe\u2019s lap.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOpen them!\u201d Adam urged and Joe did so, drawing out the dressing gown and slippers.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre these a joke?\u201d Joe demanded, his eyes flashing, as he held up one large slipper. \u201cThey\u2019d fit Hoss!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure would,\u201d Adam agreed, cheerfully. \u201cBut they also fit over those bandages. You\u2019re coming downstairs, so get those things on!\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite Joe\u2019s protests, he was soon warmly wrapped in the dressing gown and slippers and walked out of his room before his strength began to give out. Hoss carried him downstairs, where he was tenderly tucked up on the sofa.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe tree looks great,\u201d Joe whispered as he looked at it with tear-filled eyes. He was suddenly overcome with emotion. He hadn\u2019t know it was Christmas.<\/p>\n

Presents were handed out and Joe was overwhelmed by the things he received. Looking at it all, piled on his legs, while Adam, Hoss and Ben opened their parcels from each other, he could hardly believe it. \u201cBut, I don\u2019t have anything to give to you,\u201d he complained. Tears were standing in his eyes again.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have our gift from you, Joe,\u201d Ben replied, gently. Seeing the non-comprehension on Joe\u2019s face he added, \u201cAll we wanted was for you to come home for Christmas. We got our gift, and we don\u2019t need anything else.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: \u00a0\u00a0Christmas is fast approaching on the Ponderosa, but for the Cartwrights, it is not the season to be jolly, for Joe has been missing for two months. What has happened to him and will he ever come home?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0(11,235 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":13526,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,41],"tags":[16],"class_list":["post-3785","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":3502,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/G-1-DVS.jpg?fit=574%2C690&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3790,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3790","url_meta":{"origin":3785,"position":0},"title":"Christmas Surprise (by Rona)","author":"Rona","date":"September 26, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Written originally for Bonanza Gold, here is a little tale of a surprise at Christmas, funnily enough! Rated:\u00a0 T (1,150 words)","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\/2016\/12\/G-1-DVS.jpg?fit=574%2C690&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/G-1-DVS.jpg?fit=574%2C690&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/G-1-DVS.jpg?fit=574%2C690&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3557,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3557","url_meta":{"origin":3785,"position":1},"title":"The Twelve Days of Christmas (by Rona)","author":"Rona","date":"December 12, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A non-serious look at the song as it might apply to the Cartwrights. Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 (3,075 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Humor"","block_context":{"text":"Humor","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=4"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Troll-the-Ancient-Yuletide-Carol.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Troll-the-Ancient-Yuletide-Carol.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Troll-the-Ancient-Yuletide-Carol.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3337,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3337","url_meta":{"origin":3785,"position":2},"title":"An Undercover Christmas (by ljlover2001)","author":"ljlover2001","date":"December 24, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 It's almost Christmas Day, but ten year old Little Joe can't wait and is desperate to find out what big brother Adam has bought him. \u00a0However, when he goes looking he finds a lot more than he bargained for. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (3,160 words)","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\/2016\/12\/G-1-DVS.jpg?fit=574%2C690&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/G-1-DVS.jpg?fit=574%2C690&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/G-1-DVS.jpg?fit=574%2C690&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":48063,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=48063","url_meta":{"origin":3785,"position":3},"title":"Pictures of Angels (by AH83)","author":"BZTrailRiders","date":"December 21, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: While sorting through Christmas decorations, Ben finds two cherished mementos of a Christmas long ago.\u00a0 Rating: K, Word Count: 917","rel":"","context":"In "Ben Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Ben Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1004"},"img":{"alt_text":"Preserving Their Legacy","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/BTR.png?fit=442%2C255&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5493,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5493","url_meta":{"origin":3785,"position":4},"title":"A Tree for Maggie (by EPM)","author":"EPM","date":"December 20, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0Adam remembers a gift given to him last Christmas. 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