{"id":3936,"date":"2005-01-27T02:40:10","date_gmt":"2005-01-27T07:40:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3936"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:09:09","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:09:09","slug":"all-in-a-days-work-a-day-beyond-endurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3936","title":{"rendered":"All in a Day’s Work: A Day Beyond Endurance (by Puchi Ann)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0<\/span>In this final story of my trilogy, Hoss faces a day that only he could be strong enough to endure. \u00a0Please read these stories in order.<\/p>\n

Rated: K+ \u00a0WC \u00a04600<\/p>\n

All in a Day’s Work Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A Near-Perfect Day
\nA Day for Respect
\n<\/a>A Day Beyond Endurance<\/a><\/p>\n

All in a Day’s Work: A Day Beyond Endurance<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hoss flung open the door to the washroom with such force that it hit the wall with a resounding bang.\u00a0 \u201cGet out,\u201d he growled at the relaxed figure in the tub.<\/p>\n

Adam took one look at the glowering giant covered in muck and decided it would be imprudent to argue either his status as older brother or the privilege of prior possession.\u00a0 He climbed out of the tub with alacrity, wrapped a towel around his naked, dripping body and fled for the safety beyond the door.\u00a0 As he passed his brother, a whiff of something unsavory only accelerated his flight.<\/p>\n

Hoss felt a twinge of conscience, but ruthlessly stifled it.\u00a0 Maybe he had cut his big brother\u2019s bath short, but after the day he\u2019d had, there was no way Adam had more need of that tub than he did. . . .<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He\u2019d instinctively known what kind of day lay ahead when Pa first mentioned the blocked stream near Cutler\u2019s Ridge.\u00a0 Clearing out debris always was a miserable job: it meant, at best, wading cold water in bare feet to spare your boots, and depending on what was blocking the flow of water, it could get worse\u2014a lot worse.\u00a0 A fellow just never knew what he was getting into \u2018til he was in it, and then it was too late to get out.\u00a0 All three Cartwright brothers knew it, and none of them trusted his luck if he drew that assignment.<\/p>\n

Luck.\u00a0 That was the sticking point.\u00a0 Hoss knew it as soon as Pa said they\u2019d decide who got the nasty chore by the usual fair method.\u00a0 Luck was what he needed to keep his match burning longer than either of his brothers\u2019, but Hoss couldn\u2019t remember a single time his luck had held in previous contests.\u00a0 No, he always, so to speak, drew a pair of deuces to Adam\u2019s royal flush or Joe\u2019s full house.\u00a0 Not once had he beaten either of his brothers in that blame match race, and he just plain couldn\u2019t figure out why.\u00a0 \u201cDadgum ornery critters gotta be cheatin\u2019,\u201d he grumbled as he saddled his big black, but he immediately chided himself for the suspicious thought.\u00a0 Wasn\u2019t any way they could cheat, was there?\u00a0 How could any man control how long a match burned?\u00a0 No way he knew of, so it must be a matter of pure luck.\u00a0 And his was just plain bad\u2014every single time.<\/p>\n

His mood wasn\u2019t improved when he led Chubby out of the barn and saw his brothers gabbing away at each other, all smiles.\u00a0 Easy for them to smile.\u00a0 Joe didn\u2019t have nothin\u2019 ahead of him but fixin\u2019 a fence, and Adam wasn\u2019t much worse off.\u00a0 He\u2019d have to put up with Pa supervisin\u2019 him on the roof job, but he\u2019d get a hot plate of Hop Sing\u2019s good cooking, come noon, to smooth any feathers Pa happened to ruffle.<\/p>\n

When he went into the kitchen to pick up his own lunch, for a minute Hoss thought that he, too, might be eating a piping hot meal.\u00a0 Pa\u2019d promised to have Hop Sing pack an extra fine one for him, and when Hoss saw the cook ladling stew into a tin pail, his lips smacked in anticipation.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing turned at the sound and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNot enough for you.\u00a0 This Little Joe lunch.\u201d\u00a0 He pointed to a large package wrapped in brown paper and tied with twine, which was lying on the kitchen worktable.\u00a0 \u201cThat for you, Mr. Hoss.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled broadly.\u00a0 \u201cNo worry.\u00a0 Plenty roast beef.\u00a0 No cheese.\u00a0 Hop Sing remember.\u201d<\/p>\n

Heaving a sigh, Hoss snatched the package from the table and strode outside, banging the kitchen door behind him.\u00a0 Dadbern that Little Joe, <\/em>he muttered as he stuffed his lunch packet into his saddlebag. \u00a0The lucky little cuss not only got the best job of the day, but the best lunch, too!<\/em>\u00a0 Distractedly neglecting to fasten the flap of the saddlebag, he stalked off to find a spade.<\/p>\n

Joe tried to wish him a good day as he was tying the spade to his saddle, but since Hoss was still feeling disgruntled by the disparity in their days, he barely acknowledged his younger brother.\u00a0 He\u2019d no sooner split from Joe, though, than he regretted the surly way he\u2019d cut the boy off.\u00a0 Wasn\u2019t Joe\u2019s fault he was doomed to such a hard day.\u00a0 Wasn\u2019t even his fault he got the better lunch.\u00a0 From the size of that pail, it wouldn\u2019t hold enough stew to satisfy any appetite but Joe\u2019s.\u00a0 Hop Sing wasn\u2019t playing favorites, just doling out the vittles where they\u2019d get the best use.<\/p>\n

The ride up to the stream should have been pleasant on a sunny day like this one, but a guilty conscience kept Hoss\u2019s face down-turned.\u00a0 As attuned to Nature as he normally was, on this day he perceived none of the beauty around him.\u00a0 The jack rabbit jumping through the lush meadow grass, the fragrant scent of pine, the chatter of chipmunks\u2014all went unheeded today, lost in remorse for his earlier attitude toward both his brothers.\u00a0 \u201cHad no right to blame them for my bad luck,\u201d he muttered.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m a low-down snake in the grass.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unfortunately for Hoss, there really was a low-down snake crawling through that meadow grass.\u00a0 He was as blind to it as he was to Nature\u2019s beauty, but Chubby was not.\u00a0 The dark, slithering shape spooked the horse, even though the snake was not a dangerous one. \u00a0Chubby reared up on his hind legs and then when he came down, he kicked out both back legs just before taking flight, leaving the snake, a brown paper package and a prone Hoss all scattered somewhere behind in the grass.<\/p>\n

Slowly, Hoss pulled to his feet and winced as he put weight on his right leg.\u00a0 \u201cDagnabit!\u201d he bellowed as he slammed his tall hat against his thigh.\u00a0 Rubbing the aching hip on which he\u2019d landed, he limped after the horse.\u00a0 \u201cGet back here, Chubby!\u201d\u00a0 When Chubby just kept going, Hoss threatened dire retribution at the feedbag, never realizing that he was unwittingly leaving behind his own feedbag, the unfastened flap of the saddlebag having given his lunch free exit during Chubby\u2019s cavorting.<\/p>\n

The horse wasn\u2019t hard to track for a man as gifted in that art as Hoss, but the pursuit robbed his time and gave nothing in return but sore feet as he trudged after the horse in boots never meant for walking.\u00a0 \u201cNo oats for you tonight,\u201d he muttered when he finally caught up and grabbed hold of the big black\u2019s reins.\u00a0 Chubby gazed languidly back at his master, as if to say he knew an idle threat when he heard one.\u00a0 Hoss was too soft-hearted to ever let an animal go hungry, and every man and beast on the Ponderosa knew it.<\/p>\n

Drawn into those luminous eyes, Hoss\u2019s crooked, gap-toothed smile emerged for the first time that morning.\u00a0 \u201cAw, well, doggone it, it ain\u2019t your fault, is it, fella?\u00a0 But you oughta know a little ole whipsnake ain\u2019t gonna hurt you none.\u00a0 You\u2019d think it was a Basin rattler, the way you took off.\u201d\u00a0 He patted the horse\u2019s sweating flank.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s okay, Chub; ever\u2019thing\u2019s gonna be all right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

He noticed that the spade had shaken loose during Chubby\u2019s wild gallop, so he pulled it up and tied the rope snug around it.\u00a0 \u201cWouldn\u2019t do to lose this, would it?\u00a0 Bound to need it for the job we got ahead.\u201d\u00a0 Glancing just past the spade, he suddenly saw the loose flap on the saddlebag and gulped down the big lump that gurgled up his throat.\u00a0 Cautiously, as if a Basin rattler might lie inside, he inched his hand into the bag and felt around.\u00a0 Nothing.\u00a0 Not so much as a crumb.\u00a0 Withdrawing his hand, he eyed the black again with disfavor. \u00a0\u201cDidn\u2019t know you had it in you to be so ornery,\u201d he muttered.\u00a0 \u201cToo much stable time with that consarned Cochise and that snooty Sport, that\u2019s what\u2019s done it!\u201d<\/p>\n

He checked the cinch\u2014loose, naturally\u2014and swung up into the saddle.\u00a0 The packet of food had to lie somewhere in Chubby\u2019s wake, so turning the horse around, he began backtracking.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t tacklin\u2019 a sorry job like that mucked-up stream on an empty stomach,\u201d he offered the horse as excuse for the wasted time.<\/p>\n

Having no idea at what point his lunch had escaped the saddlebag, he went slowly and kept his eyes peeled for a glimpse of brown paper amidst the blades of grass.\u00a0 He saw nothing \u2018til he\u2019d almost made it back to the spot where he and Chubby had parted company, and what he saw then sent an involuntary groan rumbling up his craw. Quickly he clapped a hand over his mouth.\u00a0 His lunch was there, all right\u2014what was left of it\u2014and if he wanted it back, he\u2019d have to keep mighty quiet, walk mighty soft.\u00a0 The paper had been torn open, and the syrupy filling of his fried apple pie was dribbling down the chin of a black creature with white spots on its head and irregular stripes down its back and sides.<\/p>\n

Ordinarily, Hoss would have given the spotted skunk a wide berth.\u00a0 Skunks were nocturnal, and there was always a chance that one moving about in the daytime was rabid.\u00a0 This one wasn\u2019t acting anything but hungry, though, and since he was, too, Hoss ignored what he knew about animals and set about retrieving his lunch.\u00a0 The only explanation he could offer later was that his string of foul luck that morning had made him take leave of his senses.<\/p>\n

Slowly he dismounted and began inching his way forward.\u00a0 The contented churring stopped, and the skunk stamped his forepaws in warning.<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy, little fella,\u201d Hoss said softly.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t mean you no harm, and I ain\u2019t gonna ask for that pie back.\u00a0 You\u2019re welcome to it, but them sandwiches is mine, and I aim to have \u2018em.\u201d\u00a0 He crept another half-step forward.<\/p>\n

The skunk stiffened and began to strut around.<\/p>\n

Hoss patted the air.\u00a0 \u201cNo, no, easy now, easy.\u201d\u00a0 Heedless of the skunk\u2019s warning dance, he edged closer, his hand stretching forward through the grass.\u00a0 Just a few more inches and he\u2019d be able to snatch the sandwiches and beat a fast retreat.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, the skunk stood on its front paws and waved its bushy white-tipped tail in the air, pointing it at the intruder.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Hoss cried as the pungent musk assaulted his nostrils.\u00a0 He backpedaled fast, but not fast enough.\u00a0 The fumes stung his eyes, and the scent permeated his shirt and pants, probably clear through to his underwear.\u00a0 And without a doubt it had saturated the sandwiches lying between him and the spotted thief.\u00a0 \u201cDadbern it!\u201d Hoss growled, stalking toward his horse.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like I\u2019m gonna be workin\u2019 on an empty stomach after all.\u201d<\/p>\n

The black backed away from the potent aroma, but Hoss lunged forward to grab the reins.\u00a0 \u201cOh, no, you don\u2019t\u2014not this time!\u201d<\/p>\n

Chubby snorted his protest as the fragrant load landed on his back, but he responded to Hoss\u2019s firm hand on the reins and moved where the big man directed him\u2014to the nearest waterway.<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s first thought was to plunge into cold, rushing water and scrub himself raw, but the stream, when he reached it, wasn\u2019t exactly rushing.\u00a0 It had, in fact, narrowed to a trickle, just like Pa\u2019d said that morning.\u00a0 \u201cDoggone it, I\u2019m gonna have to find where it\u2019s blocked and do the job before I can get a decent bath,\u201d Hoss rumbled.\u00a0 He kept riding upstream \u2018til he spotted the source of the problem.\u00a0 Leaning his head back, he gazed imploringly at the heavens.\u00a0 \u201cCouldn\u2019t it have just been dead leaves or somethin\u2019?\u00a0 You know how I hate this kind of thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

What Hoss Cartwright hated was having to displace one of God\u2019s creatures for the benefit of others.\u00a0 That, however, was the choice facing him as he climbed down from his horse and tied the reins to the branch of an alder growing beside the stream. \u00a0What had blocked the flow down from Cutler\u2019s Ridge was no random act of Nature, but the deliberate work of an industrious beaver.\u00a0 Hoss sighed.\u00a0 Either he tore down that beaver\u2019s carefully constructed home or he let the Ponderosa\u2019s cattle go thirsty.\u00a0 For a minute he considered just moving the cows, but he knew it wouldn\u2019t work.\u00a0 They needed every acre of good pastureland they had; besides, there were other critters who depended on that water, too, and still other plant and animal life being destroyed by the pond spreading behind the dam.\u00a0 Like it or not, Mr. Beaver and his family were just gonna have to move.<\/p>\n

Hoss sat on the creek bank and took off his boots and socks.\u00a0 But for his encounter with the skunk, he would then have simply rolled up his pants legs and gone in.\u00a0 Since he figured to take a bath and wash his duds as soon as this job was done, however, he stripped down to his underwear before stepping into the mud downstream from the dam.\u00a0 Even the lightweight cotton garments smelled pretty ripe, but not wanting the wind to whip across his bare backside, he decided to put up with that much stench.\u00a0 Maybe\u00a0 the sweat he\u2019d work up would dilute it\u2014or change it some, at least.<\/p>\n

Spade in hand, Hoss plodded toward the beaver dam, wincing as the mix of cold mud and decomposing leaves and grass squished through his toes.\u00a0 First he thrust the blade into the mud, so the tool would stand upright while he tore down what he could with his bare hands.\u00a0 He worked slowly, making his way down the interwoven layers, using the spade when he had to dislodge some stubborn stick or clump of debris.\u00a0 He\u2019d gotten about halfway down when he felt something swish past his bare foot.\u00a0 Before he had time to react, sharp teeth fastened into the side of his left foot. \u00a0With a reverberating yowl Hoss stumbled back and plopped on his backside in the mud.\u00a0 He rolled to his side, got up on his knees and scrambled for the bank.<\/p>\n

He limped upstream, to the deeper water beyond the beaver\u2019s lodge, and sat there for a minute, injured foot crossed on the opposite knee as he assessed the damage.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t blame the dadgum beaver and didn\u2019t worry that the critter\u2019s behavior signaled rabies.\u00a0 Nope, nothing odd about a body defending his home; he\u2019d\u2019ve fought, too, if someone had been tearing down the Ponderosa, log by log, but dagnabit it, it hurt, and he still had the job to do.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss ripped off the sleeve of his undershirt, dipped it in the water and cleaned out the wound as best he could; then he wrapped his foot in the soggy cotton and limped back to the dam.\u00a0 At least, having the injury on the opposite side from his sore hip evened out his gait a mite, he acknowledged with a grimace.<\/p>\n

Keeping a close eye out for the beaver, he worked straight down the middle of the dam this time, so he could start draining that pond sooner.\u00a0 Twice he had to shoo the beaver away, and when the critter still persisted, the third time Hoss gave his rump a swat with the backside of the spade.\u00a0 The beaver\u2019s flat tail slapped the water in outrage, but he got the message and vacated the premises.\u00a0 The water from the pond had begun to pour through the opening Hoss had cleared, anyway, so there wasn\u2019t much left to fight for.\u00a0 \u201cSorry, little fella,\u201d Hoss whispered as he watched the animal swim away.\u00a0 \u201cJust weren\u2019t no way I could let you stay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sympathy for the dispossessed creature and the growling of his stomach colored Hoss\u2019s mood as he finished the job, but finally, the stream was flowing freely again.\u00a0 He cleaned the spade and dried it with the rest of his undershirt.\u00a0 Then, bare-chested, he knelt on the bank and set about scrubbing his outer clothes in the running water.\u00a0 They\u2019d need soap and a good boiling before they were really clean again, but he wanted to get some of the stink out of them before he put them back on.<\/p>\n

Laundering accomplished, at least to the extent he could do it here, Hoss spread his shirt and pants on the grass to dry, stripped off his underpants and tossed them aside.\u00a0 Unlike the top half, the under-drawers might be salvageable, but for now all he cared about was getting cleaned up and heading for home.\u00a0 He scrubbed a bit first, though he doubted it would do much good without soap; then, having done what he could, he\u00a0\u00a0 stretched his whole, tired, aching body in the bed of the stream and let the rippling water wash over him.\u00a0 He closed his eyes, and the warmth of the late afternoon sunshine beating on his face soothed him into a somnolent stupor.\u00a0 It had been a hard day, but thankfully, his troubles were almost over.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, Hoss Cartwright, I never knew you was one to lay down on the job.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s eyelids flew open.\u00a0 He recognized that voice and the towering figure that went with it. \u00a0As his gaze traveled up the denim britches, past the plaid shirt and settled on the blonde-fringed face peering down at him, he frantically burrowed into the mud beneath his buttocks and spread his palms protectively across his chest.\u00a0 Hopeless attempt.\u00a0 His hands might be broad, but his chest was broader still; most of it was gonna show, no matter how he tried to cover it.\u00a0 And this was no way to meet a lady.\u00a0 \u201cMiss Bessie Sue,\u201d he croaked.\u00a0 \u201cWha\u2014what you doin\u2019 up this way?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust cuttin\u2019 across to the Townsend place,\u201d the girl said.\u00a0 \u201cWhat you<\/em> doin\u2019 up here, Hoss?\u00a0 Mighty strange spot for a swim.\u00a0 Ain\u2019t hardly deep enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t swimmin\u2019,\u201d Hoss snorted.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m just cleanin\u2019 up after tearin\u2019 down a beaver dam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bessie Sue\u2019s nose wrinkled as she caught a whiff of musk.\u00a0 \u201cMust\u2019ve worked up a powerful sweat, Hoss, \u2018cause you\u2019re a touch on the ripe side.\u00a0 Not that the scent of a workin\u2019 man bothers me none.\u201d\u00a0 Then a grin spread ear to ear as she spotted his shirt and pants spread on the grass.\u00a0 \u201cYou mean you\u2019re\u2014why, Hoss Cartwright,\u201d she said with a naughty twinkle in her eye, \u201care you in the altogether?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMa\u2019am!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss tried, futilely, to sink further into the stream bed.<\/p>\n

Bessie Sue hooted at his predicament.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t this a fine howdy-doo!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMa\u2019am, please turn your head,\u201d Hoss pleaded.<\/p>\n

Bending over to grasp both her knees, she guffawed.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I\u2019ll try not to look, but a gal don\u2019t get a chance like this every day.\u201d\u00a0 She stood up and set her gaze on the alder to which Chubby was still tied.\u00a0 \u201cI been expectin\u2019 to hear from you, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMa\u2019am?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout the dance Saturday night,\u201d she explained.\u00a0 \u201cYou ain\u2019t been by to ask me yet.\u00a0 Leastwise, Pa ain\u2019t mentioned it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss gulped.\u00a0 \u201cUh, no, ma\u2019am, I ain\u2019t been by.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bessie Sue turned her head toward him, though she was discreet enough to keep her eyes above his chin.\u00a0 \u201cYet,\u201d she finished for him.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s what you meant, ain\u2019t it, Hoss?\u00a0 You ain\u2019t been by yet<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014uh\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Bessie Sue folded her muscular arms across her solid chest.\u00a0 \u201cYou was<\/em> aimin\u2019 to ask me, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss flushed crimson.\u00a0 The truth was he\u2019d been trying to work up the courage to ask petite Margie Owens to the dance.\u00a0 Not wanting to hurt her feelings, though, he couldn\u2019t bring himself to say that to Bessie Sue.<\/p>\n

She sensed his hesitation.\u00a0 \u201cYou already asked someone else?\u201d she demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, no, ma\u2019am, I ain\u2019t exactly asked no one,\u201d Hoss admitted.<\/p>\n

Her chin dipped decisively.\u00a0 \u201cThen you\u2019ll be takin\u2019 me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s nostrils flared.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t have any objection to taking Bessie Sue to a dance.\u00a0 He\u2019d squired her around some, off and on, and he wouldn\u2019t mind doing it again sometime.\u00a0 This time, though, he had his sights fixed on sweet little Margie, and he didn\u2019t much fancy a girl telling him who he was taking, instead of him asking her.\u00a0 Still, he couldn\u2019t bring himself to be rude to any girl, much less one he liked as much as Bessie Sue Hightower.\u00a0 \u201cWell\u2014I, uh\u2014I hadn\u2019t exactly decided if\u2019n I was goin\u2019 a\u2019tall,\u201d he stammered.<\/p>\n

Planting her hands on her hips, Bessie Sue stared down, her eyes slipping below chin-level this time.\u00a0 \u201cOh, you\u2019re goin\u2019,\u201d she announced, \u201cand you\u2019re takin\u2019 me.\u00a0 Least you can do after compromisin\u2019 me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss sat up with an abrupt splash and almost came up out of the water before he caught himself.\u00a0 \u201cCompromise!\u201d he squealed.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t done no such thing!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou been sportin\u2019 around in front of me in the altogether, ain\u2019t you?\u201d Bessie Sue retorted.<\/p>\n

\u201cSportin\u2019 around!\u201d Hoss protested with a high-pitched squeak.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t doin\u2019 nothin\u2019 but takin\u2019 a bath.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn broad daylight in a mighty public tub,\u201d she snorted.\u00a0 \u201cIf my pa was to hear about such goin\u2019s on, I reckon he\u2019d be reachin\u2019 for his shotgun.\u201d\u00a0 She leaned forward and gave him a butter-wouldn\u2019t-melt-in-her-mouth smile.\u00a0 \u201cNow, what time did you say you\u2019d be pickin\u2019 me up?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s face wrinkled up in mute melancholy.\u00a0 \u201cAbout 6:30?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be ready.\u201d\u00a0 Bessie Sue gathered up the reins of her horse.\u00a0 \u201cIf I was you, I\u2019d get out of that tub soon, Hoss, else you\u2019ll turn into a prune, and I don\u2019t relish cuddlin\u2019 up to no prune.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2019m,\u201d Hoss mumbled miserably.\u00a0 He kept a wary eye on the statuesque woman as she rode away, and as soon as she\u2019d passed the crest of Cutler\u2019s Ridge, he sprang from the water, scuttled up the bank and hustled into his almost-dry clothes.\u00a0 Hastily untying Chubby\u2019s reins, he moved to the horse\u2019s side and prepared to mount and gallop for home.<\/p>\n

Evidently, though, enough skunk perfume remained to keep the big black skittish, for Chubby snuffled once and then sidestepped, his rump colliding powerfully with Hoss\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 For one hopeful moment Hoss teetered on the edge before toppling back into the stream.\u00a0 He sank beneath the water, but surfaced almost immediately, spewing mud from his mouth and swiping decayed grass from his hair.\u00a0 With a scowl he charged out of the water, grabbed the reins, swung aboard the horse and raced for the safety of home before more bad luck could chase his tail.\u00a0 The day couldn\u2019t end soon enough.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

. . . Someone rapped on the door to the washroom.\u00a0 \u201cWait your turn!\u201d Hoss bellowed.<\/p>\n

The door opened slowly.<\/p>\n

Hoss gripped both sides of the tub and rose up, glowering.\u00a0 \u201cI said . . . oh, hi, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 He settled quickly back down in the water.\u00a0 \u201cDidn\u2019t know it was you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben walked into the room and lifted the steaming pail he held in his right hand.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not laying claim to the tub, son.\u00a0 Just thought the water could use some freshening up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss gave his father a sheepish look and nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, Adam done soaked up \u2018most all the hot water.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled softly.\u00a0 \u201cYes, he was in here long enough to do just that.\u00a0 That\u2019s why I came.\u201d\u00a0 He slowly poured in the hot water.\u00a0 \u201cSay when.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep it comin\u2019,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

When he\u2019d poured in the entire pail, Ben set it down, moved to the head of the tub and began to knead the tense muscles in his middle son\u2019s massive shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cTough day, son?\u201d he asked quietly.<\/p>\n

Beginning to relax beneath his father\u2019s ministering fingertips, Hoss sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t seen a tougher day in a month of Sundays\u2014no, make that a full year of Sundays.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Ben said as he continued his massage.\u00a0 \u201cWant to talk about it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss moaned.\u00a0 \u201cPa, I\u2019m afeared if I start in, I\u2019ll either bite your head plumb off or sit here and blubber salt water into the tub \u2018til an ocean critter would feel right at home in it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s hand moved up to sympathetically clasp his son\u2019s neck.\u00a0 \u201cI knew you\u2019d draw the raw end of the deal today\u2014well, whoever drew that chore would\u2014but I can promise you a better day tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss scowled with complete lack of conviction.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t think you can, Pa. \u00a0Some way, I always lose out when we burn matches to divvy up the chores.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a parting compassionate stroke of Hoss\u2019s back, Ben moved to the side of the tub, resting his hand on the rim.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, you do seem to end up with more than your share of the unwanted assignments.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t reckon . . .\u201d\u00a0 Hoss couldn\u2019t finish the unworthy suggestion.\u00a0 Not that his brothers wouldn\u2019t cheat\u2014Joe would, for dadgum sure, and he wouldn\u2019t put it above Adam, either\u2014but he still didn\u2019t see any way they could.<\/p>\n

Ben raised an inquiring eyebrow, but Hoss shook his head, reluctant to put his unsubstantiated suspicions into words.\u00a0 \u201cJust plain unlucky, I guess.\u00a0 Don\u2019t see as how that\u2019s ever gonna change.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s gonna change tomorrow,\u201d Ben promised, \u201c\u2018cause you\u2019re gonna get first pick of any job you want.\u00a0 I think you\u2019ve earned the privilege.\u201d<\/p>\n

A spark of hope flickered in Hoss\u2019s alpine blue eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI get to pick?\u00a0 No match burnin\u2019?\u00a0 No luck involved?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo luck involved,\u201d Ben vowed.\u00a0 \u201cYou just take your pick\u2014and, incidentally, one of those chores involves a trip to town.\u201d<\/p>\n

A genuine smile lit Hoss\u2019s face like a lamp was burning inside.\u00a0 \u201cThanks, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, son.\u00a0 Fair is fair.\u201d\u00a0 Ben moved toward the door, pausing as he reached it.\u00a0 \u201cTake all the time you need in here, Hoss.\u00a0 Joseph isn\u2019t even home yet, and if he does come in wanting a bath, he can wait his turn.\u201d\u00a0 He laughed lightly as he reached for the door handle.\u00a0 \u201cThat is who you were yelling at when I came in, wasn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss didn\u2019t get a chance to answer, for his father left before he could.\u00a0 Not that there was any need: Pa had him pegged right, like he so often did.\u00a0 Hoss sank back in the tub, planning to take Pa\u2019s advice and have a good, long soak.\u00a0 The hot water felt good, downright soothing, and it went a long way toward washing his troubles away, along with the dirt and pungent scent of skunk.<\/p>\n

It had been a rough day, no doubt about that, but it was ending better than it had started.\u00a0 In fact, the worst he had to show for it was a sore foot and a date with the wrong gal.\u00a0 Hoss grinned.\u00a0 Aw, shucks, since when was Bessie Sue the wrong gal for him?\u00a0 They got along good together, and she\u2019d probably hold up better through a night of steady dancing than that little Margie Owens, anyway.\u00a0 Maybe he was better off.<\/p>\n

Hoss picked up the bar of homemade lye soap and began to scrub with vigor.\u00a0 Maybe he was one unlucky cuss; maybe he wasn\u2019t, but what did it matter?\u00a0 When a fellow had a pa good enough to even things out\u2014to make \u2018em fair, even when they wasn\u2019t\u2014what need did he have for luck?\u00a0 Love would beat out luck, every time, and when it came to that, he had a full house.<\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

\u00a9 January, 2005<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0In this final story of my trilogy, Hoss faces a day that only he could be strong enough to endure. \u00a0Please read these stories in order.<\/p>\n

Rated: K+ \u00a0WC \u00a04600<\/p>\n

All in a Day’s Work Series, links to all the stories within the series included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":48,"featured_media":2192,"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":[4],"tags":[17],"class_list":["post-3936","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-humor","tag-hoss","wpcat-4-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1753,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/hoss1.jpeg?fit=300%2C168&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":10417,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=10417","url_meta":{"origin":3936,"position":0},"title":"The Contest (by bahj)","author":"bahj","date":"January 7, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Hoss finds out you can be a winner in more ways than one. Rated: Family Friendly \/ Word count: 1085","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/serious-Hoss.jpg?fit=269%2C298&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3934,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3934","url_meta":{"origin":3936,"position":1},"title":"All in a Day’s Work: A Day for Respect (by Puchi Ann)","author":"Puchi Ann","date":"April 28, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0The 2nd story in a Trilogy, which recounts the events of a single day for the Cartwright brothers. \u00a0Please read the stories in order. \u00a0Neither winner nor loser in Pa's assignment of chores, Adam still faces a challenging day. 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Rated T\u00a0 (1,100 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\/2014\/04\/Da-brothers-bonanza-16935311-400-264.jpg?fit=400%2C264&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4308,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4308","url_meta":{"origin":3936,"position":3},"title":"Requiem (by Wrangler)","author":"Wrangler","date":"February 24, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: A man seeking revenge makes three attempts at killing Little Joe, will the third time be the charm? Rated T, WC 36,000","rel":"","context":"In "Ben \/ Joe"","block_context":{"text":"Ben \/ Joe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1015"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2002\/02\/Screenshot_20250529_030335_Chrome.jpg?fit=602%2C499&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2002\/02\/Screenshot_20250529_030335_Chrome.jpg?fit=602%2C499&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2002\/02\/Screenshot_20250529_030335_Chrome.jpg?fit=602%2C499&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3931,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3931","url_meta":{"origin":3936,"position":4},"title":"All in a Day’s Work: A Near-Perfect Day (by Puchi Ann)","author":"Puchi Ann","date":"January 27, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0The first story in a trilogy, \u00a0detailing the events of a single day in the life of the three Cartwright brothers. \u00a0Please read them in order. \u00a0Pa has divvied up the chores according to his \"usual fair method,\" and Joe is exceedingly happy with his assignment. Rated: K \u00a0WC\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Joe Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Joe Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1007"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/joeshirtone.jpg?fit=350%2C311&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6756,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6756","url_meta":{"origin":3936,"position":5},"title":"The Crazy Lady (by Jayne)","author":"Jayne","date":"May 4, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe and Hoss scare themselves one night, come to Adam's room and tell him the story of the crazy lady. Prequel\/Young Cartwrights\/Humor \u00a0Rated:\u00a0K+ \u00a0WC \u00a0700","rel":"","context":"In "Brothers"","block_context":{"text":"Brothers","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1009"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3936","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/48"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3936"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3936\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2192"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3936"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3936"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3936"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}