Summary:\u00a0 From the outside looking in, it\u2019s a little much to take in, especially for what could have been.
\nRating: G Words (1440)
\nWritten for the 2022 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Mayhem, It\u2019s all a Part of the Ponderosa<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A howling wind greeted Sheriff Roy Coffee as he stepped to the boardwalk.\u00a0 Having buttoned the fleece collar of his jacket tighter, he pulled the office door closed behind him.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
After a quick shiver, the lawman set out at a lively pace, his first destination was the livery.\u00a0 Young James, the thirteen-year-old son of the telegrapher, had delivered a wire about fifteen minutes earlier, and in return he was paid a dime if on his way back to the shop he\u2019d stop and tell the barn manager the sheriff needed his horse.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Halfway to the Ponderosa Roy mumble to himself about \u2018blame fool people\u2019.\u00a0 Deep down he understood why the message had been addressed to him.\u00a0 The sender hadn\u2019t wanted a child to venture out in the uncertain weather to deliver the news.\u00a0 The lawman had no qualms that had the child successfully arrived and been trapped by the weather, Hop Sing or the Cartwrights would have kept the boy safe; but it wouldn\u2019t have prevented the parents from worrying if he arrived safely only to be stranded on his way home.\u00a0 \u201cStill, blame fool people, sending me out in such weather,\u201d Roy espoused once more while kicking his gelding into a gentle lope.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
*****<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Riding into the yard between the barn and main house, Roy couldn\u2019t help but smile at the site of an over-bundled Little Joe Cartwright running about kicking up tufts of snow, who stopped without warning, his arms out wide, head tilted back, mouth open with his tongue stuck out trying to catch a snowflake or two as they fell.\u00a0 The boy began running, only to trip over a hidden object and fall into a snowdrift that measured almost to the six-year-old\u2019s hips; an infectious laughter emanated from the mound.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
From the high porch, a well-wrapped Hop Sing was first to notice the lawman\u2019s arrival, \u201cSheriff Coffee, welcome!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Giving a quick wave and nodding to the houseman, Roy stepped down from his mount and called out, \u201cDon\u2019t lay there too long Little Joe, wouldn\u2019t take too much more to burry you.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd if that happens, ya wouldn\u2019t be found \u2018til Spring,\u201d Hoss answered as he strode from the doorway across the wooden porch.\u00a0 Calling to the ranch hand exiting the barn, \u201cDodd, would ya take care of Sheriff Coffee\u2019s horse?\u201d Stopping by the lawman, the pre-teen offered his hand in greeting.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cHoss,\u201d Roy answered, extending his own hand.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Knowing the distance traversed between town and the Ponderosa, Hop Sing motioned, \u201cHonorable Sheriff come inside, get warm in front of fire and have cup a\u2019coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll keep an eye on Shortshanks; make sure he don\u2019t get lost,\u201d Hoss stated.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cGet him out of snow. Then both you boys come inside.\u00a0 Foolish boy come out without coat,\u201d Hop Sing admonished, also saying a few words in his native language as he moved to escort Roy towards the ranch house, watching to make sure their guest didn\u2019t trip on anything.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cAh Hop Sing,\u201d Hoss bemoaned.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Roy looked over his shoulder not knowing if Hoss was upset at having to rescue his little brother or Hop Sing chastising him about not wearing a coat.\u00a0 Regardless the boy, rather large boy, was making his way to where Little Joe lay beside the mound, now making snow angels.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
As they disappeared inside the entryway Roy could hear Hoss, threatening Little Joe with bodily harm.\u00a0 One more look saw Hoss \u00a0evading a snow ball.
\n*****<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Removing his gloves and unbuttoning his coat, Roy headed straight for the massive log fireplace in the great room.\u00a0 \u201cAhhhhh,\u201d he sighed, holding out his hands, basking in the warmth.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cRoy,\u201d Ben called as he walked down the staircase.\u00a0 \u201cSurprised to see you out in this weather.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cHadn\u2019t planned on it, but got a message for you and the boys.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you trying to say you don\u2019t you make enough money as a lawman that you had to take on a second job as a messenger?\u201d teased Ben.\u00a0 \u201cPoor James.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cMy salary ain\u2019t got nothing to do with this.\u00a0 But I wouldn\u2019t say \u2018No\u2019 if the town counsel were to offer me more money.\u201d\u00a0 Shedding his coat, \u201cAnd poor James my foot.\u201d\u00a0 Pulling the message from his vest pocket, \u201cThis here was address to me cause the sender didn\u2019t want to possibly trap James out here and worry his parents.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Motioning to one of the chairs, \u201cRoy, have a seat.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure Hop Sing will be out momentarily with a hot cup of coffee for you, and once you\u2019re warmer,\u201d taking the envelope from his friend, \u201cyou can tell me what\u00a0this<\/i>\u00a0is all about,\u201d and then sat down in his own chair.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cHop Sing already offered me a cup of coffee\u2026 ah here he is now.\u201d\u00a0 Taking the delicate cup and saucer, Roy relished the warmth from the cup as well as the liquid brew, while the bearer quickly returned to his domain in the kitchen.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A few minutes later, the heavy wooden front door banging open against the credenza heralded Ben\u2019s sons in the room.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThat there telegram is from Adam,\u201d Roy proclaimed as he finally felt warm enough to take a seat.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam?\u201d Joe excitedly called out, evading Hoss\u2019 attempted grab and tracking wet snow across the wooden floor.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cJoseph,\u201d pointing back the way the boy had come, Ben ordered, \u201cback to the door.\u00a0 Remove your boots and outer gear, then you\u2019ll grab a towel or two and clean up the mess you just made.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Father and lawman both heard the dejected, \u201cYes sir,\u201d whispered and watched the boy sulk to the do as told.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cCain\u2019t blame him too much Pa.\u201d Hoss said, having walked to the dining room table and pulled an apple from a bowl.\u00a0 \u201cHe shore is missing Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all are son.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
*****<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
With Joseph divested of his winter gear, the floor cleaned, and everyone seated comfortably, Ben read the message.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cHave safely arrived.\u00a0 Met grandfather.\u00a0 Detailed letter forthcoming.\u00a0 Missing you.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThat musta cost him a fortune,\u201d Hoss murmured while shaking his head.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, and speaking of letters,\u201d Ben reached for his pipe setting on the small table next to the chair.\u00a0 \u201cI suggest you both write one to your brother this weekend letting him know how much you miss him.\u201d\u00a0 Pointing the mouthpiece specifically towards his youngest, Ben quirked his eyebrows.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWill he get them before Christmas?\u201d Joe inquired.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cProbably not,\u201d Ben answered, tamping down the tabaco in his pipe before lighting it.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThen how\u2019s he gonna get his gifts from us?\u2019<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cHe knows that he probably wouldn\u2019t receive any from us until maybe next year.\u00a0 We didn\u2019t know exactly when he\u2019d arrive in Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes Santa know he moved?\u00a0 He\u2019s gotta get something!\u201d Joe exclaimed.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I guess we could send something small,\u201d Ben suggested, realizing he needed to head off a full-blown tantrum from occuring in front of the lawman.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cPa, ya need to clarify how small.\u00a0 Bet Little Joe here\u2019ll want to try an\u2019 fit inside that crate.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll throw him in jail if he tries that,\u201d Roy warned.\u00a0 \u201cSmuggling is against the law.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Joe\u2019s eyes sparked at the thought and laughed, \u201cI ain\u2019t gonna do that.\u00a0 Pa and Hoss\u2019d miss me too much.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Finishing his apple and tossing the core into the fire, \u201cSpeak for yourself Shortshank.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cHoss,\u201d Ben reprimanded.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cAh, he knows I\u2019s just a teasin\u2019,\u201d Hoss replied.\u00a0 \u201cSides, ya\u2019d miss all the snow outside boxed up for a trip like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cSee, I knew it!\u201d Joe clambered into Ben\u2019s lap.\u00a0 \u201cPa, ya shoulda seen them snowflakes.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI should have seen those snowflakes, Joseph,\u201d Ben corrected.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what I said.\u201d\u00a0 Joe continued to prattle on about his outdoor adventures.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ben was fully engrossed in rereading the wire while half-heartedly listening to his youngest, with Hoss good-naturedly taunting the lad.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Heaving a heavy sigh, Roy rose to his feet, pulled on his coat, and bade his goodbyes as he walked across the floor to the doorway.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Retrieving his horse from the barn, Roy couldn\u2019t stop the corners of his mouth turning up as he remembered Little Joe\u2019s antics. Seeing the ranch hand coming from the tack room, \u201cDon\u2019t know how Ben puts up with such mayhem.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Leaning against a support beam, Dodd teased, \u201cKinda softens the gruffness out of a body, don\u2019t he.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
As the lawman climbed into the saddle, Dodd smiled as he heard Roy say, \u201cBlame fool people, should mind their own business,\u201d before he exited the barn, rounded the corner, and disappeared into the snow-filled landscape.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t gruffness, it was memories of what could have been.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Merry Christmas Everyone!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Character chose:\u00a0 Sheriff Roy Coffee<\/p>\n
Item received: \u00a0 Snowflake<\/p>\n
Second character requested:\u00a0 Not this time<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Link to the 2022 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar – Day 4 – Rethinking San Francisco (by PSW)<\/a><\/p>\n