Series: Adam: The Early Years ( 6 of 6)<\/p>\n
Summary:\u00a0 After four years at Harvard\u2019s Lawrence Scientific School, Adam Cartwright is returning to the Ponderosa with a gift for his family.<\/p>\n
Rating: T \u00a0WC \u00a053,200<\/p>\n
Adam: The Early Years Series<\/strong>:<\/p>\n The World was all Before Them<\/a> Story Notes:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n First, I must thank my friend and beta reader, Lis.\u00a0 I\u2019ve said it before but it bears repeating: her skills as an editor are invaluable to me as is her support and encouragement.\u00a0 Next I want to thank Englishgirl.\u00a0 This story owes its existence to her; if she hadn\u2019t kept requesting it, I probably wouldn\u2019t have written it.\u00a0 I must also thank Gabriel-Landon and Fan d\u2019Adam for their help with some of the Spanish phrases used by the Cartwrights\u2019 vaqueros.\u00a0 Finally, I want to acknowledge that nearly all the characters in this story\u2014the Cartwrights, Hop Sing, the McKarens, the Johnsons, the Edwards, the Reagans, Ross and Delphine\u2014are not my creations and I intend no copyright infringement by making use of them.<\/em> <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Note:<\/strong> I want to remind everyone that when I write my prequels, I try to achieve a compromise between American history and \u201cBonanza\u201d history by moving events forward six years, which means Adam was born in 1836 rather than 1830.\u00a0 This story begins in the summer of 1858 with Adam\u2019s return from Harvard.\u00a0 Virginia City does not exist yet but there are some settlements in what was then known as Western Utah: Genoa (formerly Mormon Station) and the brand-new Carson City (formerly Eagle Station).\u00a0 I also work on the premise that Adam designed and built the ranch house after he returned from college so when the story begins, the Cartwrights are living in the cabin Ben and Adam built when they first settled on the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Finally, while doing research for an earlier prequel, I found a very interesting web site about cowboys in northern Nevada that states cowboys in that region used some slightly different terms than cowboys in other parts of the West.\u00a0 The one that I want to point out here is<\/em>caviata, which is their term for the pool of saddle horses and is known elsewhere as<\/em> <\/em>remuda.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n ~ ~ ~ ~<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Therefore, when we build, let us think that we build for ever. Let it not be for present delight, nor for present use alone; let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for, and let us think, as we lay stone on stone, that a time is to come when those stones will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say as they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them, \u201cSee! this our fathers did for us.\u201d Building on Forever<\/strong><\/p>\n Chapter 1<\/em><\/strong> Ben smiled as he remembered the evening he\u2019d read Adam\u2019s last letter from Cambridge.<\/p>\n ~ ~ ~ ~<\/p>\n . . . Aaron and Elsie are getting married one week after graduation.\u00a0 The wedding will be held in Shelburne Falls and Aaron has asked me to be a groomsman.\u00a0 His brother David will be his best man and I\u2019m honored that he also wanted me to stand with him.\u00a0 Elsie\u2019s older sister will be her matron of honor and Aaron\u2019s little sister Docia will be a bridesmaid.\u00a0 Elsie\u2019s sister and brother-in-law are the only members of her family attending the wedding.\u00a0 Her parents are angry that she\u2019s marrying a farmer so they refuse to attend.\u00a0 Thomas, Rob and Fred are all traveling to Shelburne Falls to attend the wedding and show their support for Aaron and Elsie.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Once the wedding is over, I\u2019ll return to Boston to say goodbye to Grandfather and book passage on the next ship for San Francisco.\u00a0 I\u2019m looking forward to seeing all of you more than I can say.<\/p>\n Affectionately yours, \u201cI wish Adam was comin\u2019 straight home,\u201d Ben\u2019s middle son said wistfully when Ben finished reading the letter aloud after supper.\u00a0 Hoss and his older brother had been inseparable for the first eleven years of Hoss\u2019s life and when Adam went away\u2014first to San Francisco to study with a tutor and then to Cambridge\u2014Hoss had missed him dreadfully.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo do I, Hoss, but Adam and Aaron are very close friends; it\u2019s only natural Adam would want to witness such an important event in his friend\u2019s life.\u00a0 And chances are they won\u2019t see each other again,\u201d Ben said gently.<\/p>\n \u201cI would\u2019ve liked to meet Aaron,\u201d Hoss said then, smiling slightly.\u00a0 \u201cI jest don\u2019t see why Elsie\u2019s family don\u2019t want her to marry a farmer, but I\u2019m glad Aaron\u2019s friends are gonna be there at the weddin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cElsie\u2019s family is high society, and they think they are better than farmers or ranchers,\u201d Ben explained, his tone making it clear that he didn\u2019t agree.\u00a0 \u201cI think Elsie is a very special young lady since she has the strength of character to marry the man she loves even if it means she\u2019ll be living a life very different from the one she knew in Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n For a moment, Ben\u2019s thoughts turned to the three very special women who had briefly graced his life.\u00a0 Liz had been willing to leave her father and her comfortable life in Boston to follow his dream.\u00a0 Inger had already been uprooted once to follow her father\u2019s dream of a new life in a new land, but she did not hesitate to uproot herself again to travel west with her husband.\u00a0 Marie had left behind the convenience of life in a large city\u2014in her case, New Orleans\u2014to settle on a remote ranch and take on the responsibility of raising her two stepsons.<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s youngest son Joseph, known affectionately as Little Joe, was uncharacteristically quiet as his pa and brother discussed Adam\u2019s letter.\u00a0 Little Joe enjoyed listening to his pa read Adam\u2019s letters aloud.\u00a0 The descriptions of a life so different from his own were entertaining, but as far as Little Joe was concerned, it was the same as when Pa read stories about Jack the Giant Killer or Aladdin and his magic lamp.\u00a0 Adam was no more real to Little Joe than they were.<\/p>\n Now the brother who seemed like a character in a story intended to come live on the Ponderosa, and Little Joe could see how happy the news made his pa and brother.\u00a0 Even their cook, Hop Sing, was clearly delighted by the news.\u00a0 Little Joe felt left out since he couldn\u2019t share their joy.\u00a0 He wished he could remember Adam.\u00a0 He stared at the daguerreotype of Adam and his grandfather that Adam had sent the first year he was away and Pa had placed on the mantle.\u00a0 Both men were dressed in dark frock coats, starched white collars and neckties; Little Joe didn\u2019t remember ever seeing men dressed so formally, and it made Adam seem more alien.\u00a0 Little Joe gazed intently at Adam\u2019s features, willing himself to remember doing things with his oldest brother, but his mind yielded no memories.<\/p>\n That night the eight-year-old managed to keep awake until his older brother climbed the ladder to the loft where they slept.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss,\u201d he whispered, not wanting Pa to overhear.<\/p>\n \u201cYer supposed to be asleep,\u201d Hoss whispered back.<\/p>\n \u201cI needed to talk to ya,\u201d Little Joe said, and Hoss recognized the urgency in his little brother\u2019s tone.\u00a0 He changed quickly into his nightshirt and then got into bed beside his little brother.\u00a0 He was surprised by Little Joe\u2019s question.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you remember Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCourse I do,\u201d Hoss replied, forgetting to speak softly, so Little Joe put a finger to his lips as a warning.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t.\u00a0 I tried and tried, but I can\u2019t remember him at all,\u201d the little boy said sadly.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s he like?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s smart,\u201d Hoss said without hesitation.<\/p>\n \u201cI figured that,\u201d Little Joe said impatiently.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, he loves to read,\u201d Hoss said slowly, trying to decide the best way to describe his older brother to his younger.\u00a0 \u201cWhen we was growin\u2019 up, as soon as Adam finished his chores, he\u2019d stick his nose in a book.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe frowned slightly, finding it difficult to comprehend anyone spending his spare time reading books.\u00a0 \u201cAnd he liked our lessons, \u2019specially arithmetic,\u201d Hoss continued.<\/p>\n \u201cYer joshin\u2019 me,\u201d Little Joe said, poking Hoss with his elbow.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I ain\u2019t,\u201d Hoss said firmly.\u00a0 \u201cAdam could figure arithmetic problems in his head faster than I could usin\u2019 my slate.\u00a0 And he didn\u2019t make no mistakes neither.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDidn\u2019t he like to do anything fun?\u201d Little Joe asked then.\u00a0 This brother sounded awfully dull.<\/p>\n \u201cSure he did,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cHe liked to go fishin\u2019.\u00a0 He\u2019s the one taught me how.\u00a0 And he taught me to skip stones, and helped me teach you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe did?\u201d Little Joe said.\u00a0 He sure wished he could remember that.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Hoss said very emphatically.\u00a0 \u201cHe sings real good too and plays the guitar.\u00a0 Ma taught him the guitar,\u201d Hoss added, sounding wistful at the memory.\u00a0 \u201cAdam\u2019s pretty serious,\u201d he said then, \u201cbut when he thinks somethin\u2019 is really funny, he just throws back his head and laughs.\u201d<\/p>\n At that moment they heard their pa call up, \u201cBoys, stop talking and get to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n There was silence from the loft so Ben headed back to the lean-to that served as his bedroom.\u00a0 As he lay in the dark he told himself, Little Joe will remember Adam once he spends time with him.\u00a0 Besides, they\u2019ll be making new memories, and that\u2019s what\u2019s really important. <\/em><\/p>\n ~ ~ ~ ~<\/p>\n \u201cPa, do ya see Adam\u2019s boat?\u201d Little Joe asked, bringing Ben\u2019s thoughts back to the present.\u00a0 He and Hoss and Little Joe had traveled from the Ponderosa over the Sierra Nevada, and had arrived in San Francisco late yesterday.\u00a0 They were staying with Dave and Opal Townsend.\u00a0 Dave was now Ben\u2019s banker, but Ben had first met the Townsends when they all traveled west by wagon train from Independence, Missouri.<\/p>\n \u201cShip,\u201d Ben corrected his youngest automatically.\u00a0 \u201cNo, I don\u2019t see\u2014\u201d\u00a0 He stopped and smiled broadly.\u00a0 \u201cI do see some sails on the horizon, and they just may be Adam\u2019s ship.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled at his boys.\u00a0 \u201cThe ship won\u2019t dock for some time.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t we look for a place to get some lunch?\u201d<\/p>\n It had been several hours since they\u2019d eaten breakfast with the Townsends so both boys agreed readily.\u00a0 When the three Cartwrights returned to the wharf, they didn\u2019t have long to wait before the clipper ship\u2019s passengers began to disembark.\u00a0 Ben and Hoss scanned them carefully, but it was Ben who first spotted the tall, dark-haired young man dressed informally in a corduroy jacket, checked shirt and canvas work pants.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam!\u201d he shouted, running toward the young man, and he saw his first-born\u2019s big, dimpled grin\u2014the one he remembered so well.<\/p>\n Little Joe started to run after his pa, but Hoss put his big hand on the boy\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 Little Joe glared up at his older brother but Hoss said softly, \u201cGive \u2018em a minute alone.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe shrugged and quit trying to wriggle away.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam.\u00a0 Son,\u201d Ben said, hugging his first-born and blinking back tears.\u00a0 \u201cLet me look at you,\u201d he said then, stepping back but keeping his hands on his son\u2019s shoulders.\u00a0 They were broader now, Ben noted.\u00a0 The gangly boy of seventeen had been replaced by a young man of twenty-one with broad shoulders and chest that tapered to a slim waist.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s so good to see you, Pa,\u201d Adam said then, his hazel eyes suspiciously bright.\u00a0 \u201cYou haven\u2019t changed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou have.\u00a0 Four years ago I said goodbye to a boy, but now I welcome home a young man,\u201d Ben said with a big smile.\u00a0 \u201cA young man who graduated third in his class at Harvard.\u00a0 I am so proud of you, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Ben gave his son\u2019s shoulders an affectionate squeeze.\u00a0 He grinned broadly as he added, \u201cYou\u2019ll find your brothers have also changed quite a lot while you\u2019ve been gone.\u201d\u00a0 He turned and saw his younger sons and waved them over.<\/p>\n \u201cHowdy, Adam,\u201d Hoss said, grinning broadly as he enveloped his older brother in a bear hug.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have grown, Younger Brother,\u201d Adam said with a smile, as he looked up at Hoss for the first time in his life.\u00a0 The stocky twelve-year-old he remembered had been replaced with a tall, burly youth of sixteen, but the bright blue eyes and friendly smile hadn\u2019t changed.<\/p>\n \u201cLast time I measured him, he was six feet and two inches,\u201d Ben said proudly.\u00a0 \u201cTwo inches taller than his father.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd one inch taller than his older brother,\u201d Adam remarked with the crooked grin Hoss remembered.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s still growing,\u201d Ben added, smiling affectionately at his middle boy while Adam playfully punched his brother in the arm.<\/p>\n Little Joe stared up at Adam.\u00a0 He looked older than he did in the daguerreotype, but not as stern.\u00a0 Little Joe could see he and Adam had one thing in common\u2014curly hair.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s curls weren\u2019t dark blond like his though.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s curls were so dark they were almost black.\u00a0 Little Joe noted that Adam\u2019s eyes weren\u2019t blue like Hoss\u2019s, green like his own or dark brown like Pa\u2019s; Adam\u2019s eyes were more of a golden brown.\u00a0 Little Joe remembered overhearing Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Edwards talking once.\u00a0 Mrs. Edwards said it was hard to believe Hoss and Little Joe were brothers since they didn\u2019t look anything alike, and Mrs. Johnson said they were only half brothers.\u00a0 Little Joe worried that meant he and Hoss weren\u2019t really brothers, so that night he\u2019d asked his pa what a half brother was.\u00a0 Pa explained that he and Hoss and Adam were all his sons but they were half brothers because they had different mothers.<\/p>\n Now, Little Joe saw Adam smiling down at him.\u00a0 \u201cI think Little Joe has grown the most though,\u201d Adam commented, and his dimples deepened.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s good to see you again, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, good to see ya,\u201d Little Joe said politely, holding out his hand.<\/p>\n Adam raised one eyebrow, but solemnly shook his little brother\u2019s hand as their father sighed softly and Hoss looked puzzled.\u00a0 Adam said to his father, \u201cI need to arrange to have my trunk and books delivered to the Townsends.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded, saying, \u201cWe\u2019ll come with you and then I thought we\u2019d go for a walk so we could talk.\u201d<\/p>\n As they walked along Washington Street, Adam said, \u201cOh, before I forget, Grandfather wanted me to extend his best wishes to all of you.\u201d\u00a0 He reached into one of the flapped pockets on the side of his jacket and pulled out a folded piece of paper sealed with wax, then handed it to his father.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope the Captain is in good health,\u201d Ben said as he accepted the paper, recognizing Captain Stoddard\u2019s handwriting.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s in good health for a man of eighty-one,\u201d Adam said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cPolly and Biddy look after him as well as his house, so he\u2019s in good hands.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wrote and thanked him fer the spurs he got me fer my birthday,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re beauties.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll be glad to know you like them,\u201d Adam said, smiling warmly at his brother.<\/p>\n \u201cWe brought Beauty and your tack with us,\u201d Ben said then.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re going to buy some supplies so I also drove the wagon and mules and left them at a livery.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled just a little as he added, \u201cI know you haven\u2019t done much riding, Adam, so we can take turns driving the wagon on the way home.\u201d\u00a0 His smile broadened at the relief on Adam\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cSay, Adam,\u201d Hoss said then, \u201cwe got a surprise fer ya.\u00a0 Pa bought a McCormick reaper.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFlint Johnson has one and it\u2019s made an enormous difference in the amount of time and men needed to harvest his hay and oats.\u00a0 It\u2019s expensive, but I determined it would more than pay for itself,\u201d Ben commented, and never noticed Adam\u2019s sardonic expression.\u00a0 He\u2019d totally forgotten that not long before Adam had sailed to Boston he\u2019d recommended his father buy a reaper.<\/p>\n \u201cDid we tell ya that that when we did the brandin\u2019 this spring, we counted 950 head?\u201d Hoss asked, grinning at his brother.<\/p>\n Adam whistled at the figure.\u00a0 \u201cI see the Ponderosa has prospered while I\u2019ve been away.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, it sure has.\u00a0 We bought another bull from Don Alejandro to improve our stock and hired three more vaqueros,\u201d Hoss said proudly.\u00a0 \u201cAnd Pa made Will Reagan foreman.\u201d\u00a0 The sign outside one of the shops they were passing caught his eye, and he stopped.\u00a0 \u201cHey Pa, this is the place that sells the chocolate bars.\u00a0 Do ya mind if I stopped and got me one?\u00a0 Shoot, I\u2019ll buy everyone a chocolate bar.\u201d\u00a0 His blue eyes looked pleadingly at his pa, reminding Ben of when he was Little Joe\u2019s age.<\/p>\n \u201cWould you like a chocolate bar, Adam?\u201d Ben asked, and his sons saw the twinkle in his brown eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cSure,\u201d Adam drawled.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd what about you, Little Joe?\u201d Ben then asked his youngest.<\/p>\n Little Joe didn\u2019t remember eating a chocolate bar years before so he glanced over at Hoss questioningly.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re real good, Little Joe.\u00a0 Ain\u2019t they, Adam?\u00a0 Pa?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI think you\u2019ll like the chocolate bar,\u201d Ben said, smiling down at Little Joe.\u00a0 He reached into a pocket and pulled out a quarter.\u00a0 \u201cHere,\u201d he said, handing the coin to Hoss, \u201cbuy each of us a chocolate bar.\u00a0 My treat.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d Hoss said with an enormous grin.<\/p>\n As soon as his younger brothers disappeared inside Mrs. Ghirardelli & Co., Adam turned to Ben and said, \u201cI wanted to ask you about Ross and Mr. Marquette.\u201d\u00a0 He\u2019d been worried about his childhood friend ever since the previous autumn when his pa had written about the tragedy that had befallen the Marquette family.\u00a0 Ross\u2019s sister, who was a month or two younger than Hoss, had been bitten by her dog, which turned out to have rabies.\u00a0 Mrs. Marquette nursed her daughter, watching her suffer terrible headaches, hallucinations and convulsions, knowing that she was doomed.\u00a0 The night of her daughter\u2019s funeral, Mrs. Marquette went out to the barn and hung herself.\u00a0 Ross and his father found her body the next morning.<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s happy visage darkened at Adam\u2019s words.\u00a0 \u201cRoss seems to be handling his grief,\u201d Ben said, choosing his words carefully.\u00a0 \u201cHe joins us on Sundays and in the afternoon he\u2019ll come with the rest of us to bowl with the miners at Sun Mountain.\u00a0 I believe a few times Todd and Carl even persuaded him to join them at the grand balls the miners hold on Saturdays.\u201d\u00a0 Ben sighed as he added, \u201cBut Dan Marquette has become a recluse.\u00a0 He never leaves their cabin.\u00a0 Ross is running the ranch with Pedro\u2019s help.\u00a0 He\u2019s obviously not comfortable talking about his pa so Andy and I stopped asking.\u201d\u00a0 Ben looked quickly in the direction of the shop to make sure the boys were still inside before adding, \u201cYour brothers were very upset by Betsy\u2019s death.\u00a0 I, uh, didn\u2019t tell Little Joe how Mrs. Marquette died.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t think he was old enough to understand how she could have been driven to take her own life.\u00a0 Hoss and I talked about it.\u00a0 You know how sensitive he is and he grieved for her as much as he did for Betsy.\u201d<\/p>\n Just then they saw Hoss and Little Joe in the doorway of the candy store so their somber expressions changed to cheerful ones.<\/p>\n \u201cThis chocolate bar is dee-licious,\u201d Hoss said as he chewed his first bite, causing his pa to roll his eyes in exasperation.\u00a0 He despaired of ever teaching Hoss not to talk with food in his mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, it sure is!\u201d Little Joe added, nodding his head for emphasis.<\/p>\n Looking about him at the buildings and people as they turned down Kearny Street, Hoss asked his older brother curiously, \u201cSay, Adam, is Boston as big as San Francisco?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smiled just a little as he replied, \u201cI\u2019m not sure how many square miles either city is, but I\u2019d guess Boston has at least twice as many people.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTwice as many,\u201d Hoss repeated, his eyes widening, while Little Joe looked at Adam skeptically.<\/p>\n \u201cRemember I wrote you last year about visiting New York City with my friends?\u201d Adam said then, and his brothers nodded.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I think New York City has more than twice as many people as Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYer joshin\u2019 us!\u201d Little Joe exclaimed.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, he\u2019s not, boys,\u201d Ben said firmly.\u00a0 \u201cNew York is the biggest city in the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I don\u2019t ever wanna go to New York City or Boston,\u201d Hoss said emphatically.\u00a0 \u201cSan Francisco is plenty big enough fer me.\u00a0 And there ain\u2019t no city can compare with the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re right, Hoss,\u201d Adam said, placing an arm around his brother\u2019s shoulders and smiling at him.<\/p>\n By the time the four Cartwrights arrived at the Townsends\u2019 home in the exclusive neighborhood of South Park, Adam knew all about the three new vaqueros his pa had hired and the new families that had settled in the area, as well as the fact many of the miners in Gold Canyon had given up their dream of striking it rich and left the area.\u00a0 Ben and Hoss did all the talking.\u00a0 Little Joe was quiet unless he was asked a question, but Ben and Hoss had so much to tell Adam that the others didn\u2019t really notice his silence.<\/p>\n As they stopped in front of the four story townhouse with its bright blue front door, Adam smiled.\u00a0 Before sailing to Boston, he\u2019d spent several months living with the Townsends so he could study with their son\u2019s tutor, and his memories of that time were happy ones\u2014his singing lessons, Mrs. Townsend teaching him to waltz before his first ball, and the surprise birthday party the Townsends gave him.\u00a0 It was during his stay that he\u2019d had his first opportunity to spend time with females his own age, and he remembered them very well: the flirtatious Cooper sisters, pretty little Kitty Miller who loved to discuss her favorite novels with him, and Sally Stevens who was a talented pianist and introduced him to the sonatas of Mozart and Beethoven.<\/p>\n Adam had also made a good friend during that time.\u00a0 He and Charles Seaton came from very different backgrounds but they shared a love of music and literature.\u00a0 They had opposing views on the abolition of slavery and States\u2019 Rights and had many lively debates, but never let the issues drive a wedge between them.\u00a0 The two had remained in touch while Adam was at Harvard and Charles at the College of William and Mary in Virginia.<\/p>\n Adam was startled when the Townsends\u2019 maid answered the door.\u00a0 He\u2019d been expecting the pretty brunette who\u2019d been the maid when he\u2019d stayed there.<\/p>\n \u201cGood evening, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d the new maid said.\u00a0 \u201cMrs. Townsend asked me to tell you that dinner is at seven and everyone will gather in the music room first.\u00a0 Oh, and I was told to tell your son Adam that his baggage arrived and was taken to his old room.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d Ben replied with a smile and the maid curtseyed before holding the door open for them.<\/p>\n As Adam walked down the hallway and up the elegantly curving staircase with his father and younger brothers, he had a new appreciation of the townhouse\u2019s design gained from the two summers he\u2019d worked at an architectural firm in Boston.<\/p>\n When the Cartwrights reached their bedrooms on the top floor, Adam entered his but Ben paused to give instructions to his youngest son.<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe, you\u2019ll need to put on a clean shirt,\u201d he directed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d Little Joe asked, his expression puzzled.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause dinner here in the city is more formal than it is at home,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0 \u201cAnd comb your hair.\u00a0 Then wait and the four of us will go down together.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSeems a lot of foolishness havin\u2019 to put on a clean shirt just to eat supper,\u201d Little Joe grumbled to Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cYer right, but I remember when we visited the Townsends before Adam went away to school, we put on clean shirts to eat dinner,\u201d Hoss said patiently.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s just bein\u2019 polite.\u201d\u00a0 As he put on his only clean shirt, he was embarrassed to see the cuffs didn\u2019t reach his wrists and he could feel the fabric strain across his back and chest.\u00a0 He hoped no one would notice.<\/p>\n He and Little Joe finished changing first and waited in the hallway for the rest of the family to emerge from their rooms.\u00a0 Adam was the first to appear and to Little Joe he looked like the daguerreotype come to life, but as soon as Hoss saw him, he began to laugh.\u00a0 Little Joe immediately began to laugh as well.<\/p>\n \u201cDadburnit, Adam, if you\u2019d been wearin\u2019 such fancy duds when you got off the boat this afternoon, I\u2019d never have recognized ya,\u201d Hoss got out between guffaws.\u00a0 Adam grinned and then began to chuckle too.\u00a0 Just then their pa stepped out of the room next to Adam\u2019s attired in a frock coat, silk waistcoat, and necktie just like his oldest son.\u00a0 Little Joe\u2019s green eyes opened very wide and seeing his astonishment, his two older brothers laughed harder, Adam throwing his head back exactly as Hoss had described.<\/p>\n Opal Townsend was waiting for them in the music room.\u00a0 This room, papered in pale green with a floral design, tall narrow windows overlooking the tiny garden in the backyard and Mrs. Townsend\u2019s Broadwood piano in one corner, had been Adam\u2019s favorite during his stay.\u00a0 Opal smiled warmly at Adam as she patted the space beside her on the green brocade settee.\u00a0 The other Cartwrights sat down on the adjoining settee.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s wonderful to see you again, Adam,\u201d Opal said sincerely.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Atherton, David and Mr. Townsend will be here shortly.\u00a0 We\u2019re all so proud of you for graduating third in your class, especially Mr. Atherton.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf it hadn\u2019t been for his tutoring, I never could have passed the entrance examination so I am greatly in his debt,\u201d Adam said earnestly.<\/p>\n \u201cNonsense, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d said the tutor\u2019s voice from the doorway, and he smiled at his former pupil.\u00a0 \u201cMy tutoring would have been in vain if you hadn\u2019t studied so diligently.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam felt his cheeks grow warm as he said quietly, \u201cYou are too generous, Mr. Atherton.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo did you have to study all the time at Harvard?\u201d David asked as he and Mr. Atherton sat down on side chairs.\u00a0 David had grown so much that Adam only recognized the fifteen-year-old by his freckles.<\/p>\n \u201cNot all the time,\u201d Adam replied, his lips turning up in a little smile.\u00a0 \u201cI had time to play town ball, tennis and billiards.\u00a0 In my junior and senior years I rowed.\u00a0 I even found time to see some plays and attend some balls.\u201d\u00a0 He grinned at the relief on David\u2019s face.<\/p>\n Opal smiled slightly as she said, \u201cDavid is going to attend Yale and he\u2019s been worried that he\u2019ll have to spend all his time with his nose buried in a book.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCollege isn\u2019t like that,\u201d Adam assured David.\u00a0 \u201cYou do have to study and attend lectures and recitations, but that doesn\u2019t take all day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are recitations?\u201d David asked.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re where a group of students and a professor discuss the assigned texts.\u00a0 I used to dread being called on to stand up and discuss what I\u2019d been assigned to read, and all my friends hated it as well.\u00a0 Now I realize that it helped me to think on my feet and to be more confident speaking in public.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSpeaking of your friends,\u201d Opal inserted smoothly, \u201chow was the wedding?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe ceremony was nice,\u201d Adam replied, smiling fondly as he thought of Aaron and Elsie.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did the bride wear?\u201d Opal asked eagerly.\u00a0 Seeing Adam\u2019s blank look, she said with a trace of impatience, \u201cCan\u2019t you describe her dress?\u201d\u00a0 He still looked at her blankly so she said, \u201cMen!\u00a0 What color was it?\u00a0 Surely you remember that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was blue,\u201d Adam said quickly.\u00a0 \u201cI was surprised she didn\u2019t wear green since it suits her red hair,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n \u201cOh no,\u201d Opal said firmly.\u00a0 Then she quoted, \u201c\u2018Married in blue you will always be true.\u00a0 Married in green ashamed to be seen.\u2019\u201d\u00a0 She said speculatively, \u201cI\u2019d read white is now the fashionable color for brides.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know about that,\u201d Adam said, \u201cbut I know Elsie was a very pretty bride.\u00a0 Her sister and brother-in-law loaned Aaron and Elsie their cottage at Martha\u2019s Vineyard for their honeymoon.\u00a0 Of course, they\u2019re back at the Whartons\u2019 farm now.\u201d<\/p>\n Just then, Dave Townsend appeared in the doorway.\u00a0 \u201cAdam Cartwright!\u00a0 It\u2019s good to see you,\u201d he said, smiling as he walked over and joined his wife and Adam.\u00a0 \u201cLooking at you now, it\u2019s hard to picture the little chap we first met at Independence just before we began our journey west.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled a little as he added, \u201cI thought maybe you\u2019d want to ride the stage from Missouri to Genoa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can imagine just how uncomfortable a trip that must be,\u201d Adam said with a wry grin.\u00a0 \u201cNo, until the day comes I can ride the train from Boston to Genoa, I prefer a clipper ship.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat day will come and within our lifetimes,\u201d Townsend said enthusiastically.<\/p>\n \u201cI agree,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cThe East is crisscrossed with railroads now.\u00a0 Cities and towns are also connected by canals like the Erie and the Pennsylvania and by the Cumberland Road.\u00a0 When I first arrived in Massachusetts, I was amazed by how easy it was to travel from one city to another.\u201d<\/p>\n Dave smiled at Hoss and Little Joe then.\u00a0 \u201cI hope you boys are enjoying your visit to San Francisco.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYessir,\u201d Hoss said, smiling shyly.<\/p>\n \u201cPa bought us chocolate bars and they was good,\u201d Little Joe added with a happy grin.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I liked the big boats.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShips, Joseph,\u201d Ben said patiently.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s the difference between a ship and a boat, Mr. Cartwright?\u201d David asked curiously.<\/p>\n \u201cA ship has three or more masts rigged with sails; a boat might have one or two, or it might not have any masts,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I rowed back at Harvard, our boats didn\u2019t have masts,\u201d Adam added, winking at David.<\/p>\n As they were speaking, the maid appeared in the doorway and Opal said with a smile, \u201cWe can continue our conversation over dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n When they were seated around the table in the elegant dining room with its marble fireplace and elaborate chandelier, Dave turned to Adam and asked, \u201cSo what are people in Massachusetts saying about the Supreme Court\u2019s decision in the Dred Scott case?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMost people are angry but not surprised since the majority of justices are from slave states,\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0 \u201cWhat really enrages most is the ruling that the Missouri Compromise prohibiting slavery north of 36o 30\u2019 was declared unconstitutional.\u00a0 Charles Seaton wrote me that Southerners are delighted since now they can bring their slaves in any territory, even if the majority in that territory are against slavery.\u00a0 Popular sentiment in the North is just the opposite.\u00a0 Members of the new Republican Party are declaring the Dred Scott decision is no more binding than the opinions of a Southern debating society.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss listened amazed as his brother easily discussed current events with Mr. Townsend and Mr. Atherton.\u00a0 Hoss had occasionally listened to his pa, Mr. McKaren and Mr. Reagan talk about the spread or abolition of slavery, but not with Adam\u2019s authority.\u00a0 Then the conversation turned to the \u2018panic\u2019 the previous year.\u00a0 Hoss had heard Pa and Mr. McKaren discuss it, and he knew his pa had lost some of the money he\u2019d invested, but many others had lost everything.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve seen firsthand the effects of the \u2018panic\u2019 and \u2018revulsion\u2019 in Massachusetts: families left destitute because the father lost his job,\u201d Adam said in response to Mr. Townsend\u2019s comment.\u00a0 \u201cFactories are closing because people don\u2019t have the money to buy the goods they produce.\u00a0 According to the newspapers, it\u2019s the same in all the cities back East.\u00a0 I think that Congress should raise tariffs on foreign goods.\u00a0 If foreign goods are more costly, then people will be more likely to buy American goods, and thus create jobs here in our country,\u201d he added earnestly.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, but high tariffs are a double-edged sword, Adam,\u201d Mr. Townsend said with an intensity that matched Adam\u2019s.\u00a0 \u201cGreat Britain or France could raise tariffs on American goods in retaliation.\u00a0 I think a better solution to the poverty in Eastern cities would be giving the men who\u2019ve lost their jobs homesteads from the public domain.\u00a0 With some hard work, families could grow their own food and could sell the surplus at a profit.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben listened to his first-born debate political and economic issues with a mixture of pride and wonder.\u00a0 The quiet and diffident boy he knew had been transformed to an assured and knowledgeable man who articulated his beliefs with clarity and confidence.\u00a0 Liz, you would be so proud of our boy<\/em> he thought.<\/p>\n Little Joe found the adults\u2019 discussion boring; however, Pa had stressed he must be on his best behavior so he concentrated on his food and thought about their return to the Ponderosa.\u00a0 He\u2019d wanted to see San Francisco and boats\u2014no, ships, he mentally corrected himself\u2014like the ones Pa sailed when he was young.\u00a0 Now that he\u2019d seen them, he was eager to go home.<\/p>\n After dinner, Opal suggested they return to the music room and sing.\u00a0 They sang many old favorites and everyone was having a wonderful time.\u00a0 Knowing it was growing late and the Cartwrights planned to leave early the next day, Opal said, \u201cBefore this evening has to end, I was hoping Adam could sing a song he learned in Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smiled and asked, \u201cHave you ever heard Kiss Me Quick and Go<\/em>?\u201d\u00a0 They all shook their heads and he said, \u201cIt\u2019s very popular back east.\u00a0 I\u2019ll sing it a capella<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n The other night while I was sparking Sweet Torlina Spray, <\/p>\n Kiss me quick and go my honey, Soon after that I gave my love Kiss me quick and go my honey, Everyone applauded except Little Joe, who didn\u2019t like songs about kissing girls.\u00a0 Hoss always enjoyed hearing his older brother sing, but listening to the lyrics, he felt his cheeks grow warm.<\/p>\n Opal persuaded Adam to sing one more song and when he finished, the Cartwrights thanked their host and hostess for their hospitality, promised to drop by for a visit the next time they came to San Francisco, and then headed for their bedrooms.<\/p>\n Ben decided to read Captain Stoddard\u2019s letter before going to say goodnight to Hoss and Little Joe.\u00a0 Lighting the oil lamp and setting it on the secretary desk, he sat down, broke the wax seal, and unfolded the paper.<\/p>\n June 19, 1858<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Benjamin,<\/p>\n Since you are reading this letter, Adam has arrived safely in San Francisco, and I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the gift of the past four years.\u00a0 I know it was hard for you to be separated from Adam, but it meant a great deal to me to have the opportunity to get to know my grandson.\u00a0 When he first arrived, I looked to see if there was anything of Elizabeth in him.\u00a0 I found her in him, just as I found you, but I soon realized Adam is a person in his own right, not merely a composite of his mother and father.\u00a0 He is now as dear to me as his mother was.<\/p>\n I return him to you and his brothers, whom he has sorely missed during his time here.<\/p>\n Sincerely, Ben smiled as he refolded the letter and placed it at the bottom of his carpetbag.\u00a0 I always felt guilty taking him away from you, Captain, and the fact he could spend time with you was one of the chief reasons I agreed he could go to school back east.<\/em><\/p>\n Ben found Little Joe in his nightshirt, waiting for him, and Hoss had gone ahead and gotten ready for bed as well.\u00a0 Sitting beside Little Joe, Ben asked, \u201cHave you said your prayers, Joseph?\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe nodded and Ben smiled at him.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s been quite a day, seeing your brother again after all this time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure is good to have him back,\u201d Hoss said with a huge grin.<\/p>\n \u201cIt sure is,\u201d Ben agreed, and his grin was just as big.\u00a0 \u201cNow, right after breakfast Little Joe and I will go to the livery stable and bring back the wagon, mules and Beauty.\u00a0 Hoss, you help Adam bring his trunk and crates downstairs and out back.\u00a0 We\u2019ll get them loaded on the wagon and be on our way home.\u201d\u00a0 He ruffled Little Joe\u2019s hair and then said, \u201cGoodnight, boys.\u00a0 Don\u2019t stay up talking because we want to get an early start in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n As soon as their pa left, Hoss turned to his little brother and asked, \u201cYou remember Adam now, don\u2019t ya?\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe shook his head and said, \u201cNope.\u00a0 But you\u2019re right:\u00a0 He does sing real good.\u201d\u00a0 He wrinkled his nose as he added, \u201cDon\u2019t know why he wanted to sing about kissin\u2019 a girl.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll know when yer bigger,\u201d Hoss said with a smug grin, and Little Joe scowled at him because he hated being told he was too little to understand things.\u00a0 Hoss just ignored the scowl and leaning over, he blew out the lamp on his bedside table and said, \u201cGoodnight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGoodnight,\u201d Little Joe said, lying down beside him.\u00a0 This mattress was more comfortable than the one at home and he was asleep almost immediately.<\/p>\n When Ben left his younger sons\u2019 room, he walked across the hall and knocked softly on Adam\u2019s door.\u00a0 \u201cCome in,\u201d he heard Adam say and opened the door.<\/p>\n Adam was sitting at his secretary desk, writing in a leather-bound book.\u00a0 He had removed his coat and tie and unbuttoned his collar, but he was still dressed.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going to make an early start, Adam, so you should be getting to bed,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n \u201cI plan to as soon as I finish,\u201d Adam said, and Ben frowned slightly.\u00a0 Adam didn\u2019t notice and added, \u201cI\u2019ve been writing in my journal every night since I sailed for San Francisco.\u00a0 And I want to write short letters to Grandfather and Aaron so the Townsends can mail them for me.\u201d\u00a0 He finally noticed his pa\u2019s frown and said, \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Pa.\u00a0 I brought some postage stamps with me from Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n For heaven\u2019s sake, Ben Cartwright, Adam has been putting himself to bed for the past four years<\/em>, Ben scolded himself.\u00a0 Still, he couldn\u2019t stop himself from adding, \u201cWell, don\u2019t stay up too late.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t.\u00a0 Goodnight, Pa,\u201d Adam said, turning back to his writing.<\/p>\n \u201cGoodnight, Adam,\u201d Ben said, shutting the door gently behind him.<\/p>\n All four Cartwrights were up at first light.\u00a0 Opal had warned her cook to prepare an early breakfast so when the Cartwrights entered the dining room, the maid was bringing their food.\u00a0 They ate quickly and then Ben and Little Joe set out for the livery stable.<\/p>\n \u201cDadburnit, Adam, you sure gotta a lot of books,\u201d Hoss commented as he carried down his fourth crate.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess I do,\u201d Adam agreed, smiling sheepishly as he set down the crate he was carrying.\u00a0 \u201cMost are my textbooks, and I have some other books on architecture, mathematics and engineering.\u00a0 I also bought myself the complete works of Shakespeare, and Grandfather gave me my mother\u2019s books.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss smiled at that.\u00a0 \u201cI remember Pa sayin\u2019 ya got yer love of books from yer ma.\u201d\u00a0 He sighed as he added, \u201cIt ain\u2019t gonna be much fun carryin\u2019 all these crates up the ladder to the loft.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought I might build a bookcase,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cDuring the winter when we\u2019re snowed in.\u00a0 I figured I\u2019d just leave the books in the crates downstairs until then.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss nodded and then the two of them headed back upstairs for the last two crates.\u00a0 They didn\u2019t have to wait long before Ben drove the wagon in the area where deliveries were made to the Townsends.\u00a0 Hoss and Adam both saw his eyebrows shoot up as he surveyed the trunk and ten wooden crates.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t realize you\u2019d brought so many books,\u201d Ben commented while Little Joe whistled before exclaiming, \u201cI didn\u2019t know there was that many books in the whole world!\u201d<\/p>\n Adam grinned just a little as he said, \u201cI follow Erasmus\u2019s advice: \u2018When I get a little money, I buy books; and if any is left, I buy food and clothes.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Ben shook his head, his expression bemused.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not sure where we\u2019ll put all these, but we\u2019ll manage.\u201d<\/p>\n Just then, Adam noticed the chestnut mare with three white socks and a white blaze tied behind the wagon.\u00a0 \u201cBeauty,\u201d he said, smiling as he walked toward the mare.\u00a0 \u201cI expect you don\u2019t remember me, girl, but I remembered you like sugar lumps.\u201d\u00a0 He reached into the pockets of his pants and then held out his open hand with a couple of lumps of sugar on his palm.\u00a0 The mare whickered softly and then delicately ate the sugar.<\/p>\n As Adam stroked Beauty\u2019s nose, Ben said, \u201cThere\u2019s one more thing you\u2019ll need before we head home.\u201d\u00a0 He opened the carpetbag that contained his, Hoss and Little Joe\u2019s clothing and searched for an object buried at the bottom.\u00a0 After a minute he held up Adam\u2019s gunbelt, holster and Colt pocket revolver.<\/p>\n Adam accepted the items from his pa, and slowly slid the revolver from the holster, admiring the shiny silver plating he remembered.<\/p>\n \u201cI cleaned it fer ya,\u201d Hoss said and Adam said, \u201cThanks.\u201d\u00a0 Then he put the gun back in the holster and buckled the gunbelt around his hips, adjusting it so it hung lower on the right before tying down the holster.<\/p>\n \u201cGuess I\u2019ll have to get used to the weight of a gun at my hip all over again,\u201d he commented, grinning wryly.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t they use guns in Boston and Cambridge?\u201d Little Joe asked curiously.<\/p>\n \u201cMost of my friends like to hunt, and they use shotguns or rifles,\u201d Adam replied, \u201cbut, no, in Boston men don\u2019t wear revolvers like this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s get the wagon loaded so we can be on our way,\u201d Ben inserted then.<\/p>\n It didn\u2019t take long to load the crates and trunk into the wagon, and then the three brothers mounted up.\u00a0 Little Joe watched how Adam swung into the saddle and decided that while last night this brother may have dressed like someone who\u2019d spent his life in a city, he did know how to ride.\u00a0 The brothers followed the wagon with Adam riding on Hoss\u2019s right and Little Joe on his left.<\/p>\n \u201cSay, is this Chub?\u201d Adam asked, gazing admiringly at the big dark bay gelding with a white blaze and three white socks Hoss was riding.\u00a0 While he\u2019d been away, Pa had bred Beauty to the Marquettes\u2019 bay Quarter Horse stallion, and Adam had promised Hoss the resulting foal if he wanted him.<\/p>\n \u201cSure is,\u201d Hoss said proudly.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s a beauty, ain\u2019t he?\u00a0 Just like his dam,\u201d he added as Adam chuckled.<\/p>\n Then Adam looked over at Little Joe, who was riding a small dun mustang that Adam judged wasn\u2019t much more than thirteen hands high.\u00a0 \u201cButtermilk is a real beauty, too,\u201d Adam commented, smiling warmly at Little Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cHe sure is,\u201d Little Joe said emphatically.\u00a0 \u201cAnd he\u2019s the smartest horse on the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Ain\u2019t ya, boy?\u201d he asked, reaching down and patting the gelding\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we git back to the Ponderosa, ya need to take a look at Beauty\u2019s latest foal, Adam,\u201d Hoss said then.\u00a0 \u201cWe bred her to the Marquettes\u2019 stallion again and she had another colt\u00a0 This one is chestnut.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s got a blaze like Beauty\u2019s and four white socks,\u201d Little Joe added.\u00a0 \u201cI wanted to name him Blaze, but Pa said you\u2019d pick a name when you came home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa \u2018n\u2019 me thought you\u2019d want him for your string in a couple of years,\u201d Hoss said with a grin. \u201cReady to change places, son?\u201d Ben asked, trying unsuccessfully to suppress his grin.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you don\u2019t mind,\u201d Adam replied, smiling ruefully.<\/p>\n \u201cNot at all,\u201d Ben said with a chuckle.\u00a0 Pulling back on the reins, he said, \u201cWhoa mules.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow come we\u2019re stoppin\u2019?\u201d Little Joe called.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam and I are going to trade places,\u201d Ben replied as he applied the wagon\u2019s brake.\u00a0 He jumped down while Adam swung out of the saddle.\u00a0 As Little Joe noted how stiffly his oldest brother moved, he decided his brother wasn\u2019t much of a rider after all.\u00a0 Adam saw his youngest brother\u2019s disdain and it stung, but then he shrugged it off.<\/p>\n Hoss asked, \u201cMind if I ride with ya, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGlad of the company,\u201d Adam answered with a big dimpled smile, so Hoss dismounted and tied Chub behind the wagon while Ben mounted Beauty.\u00a0 (He\u2019d left his buckskin gelding back at the Ponderosa since he\u2019d planned on driving the wagon most of their journey.)<\/p>\n Once Adam and Hoss were both sitting on the driver\u2019s seat, Adam slapped the reins and called, \u201cGiddap mules.\u201d<\/p>\n As the wagon lurched forward, Little Joe turned to his pa with a puzzled expression.\u00a0 \u201cHow come Hoss wanted to ride with Adam instead of with us?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I imagine Hoss wanted a chance to spend some time alone with Adam,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n \u201cHow come?\u201d Little Joe asked, looking even more puzzled.<\/p>\n Ben smiled at his youngest before answering.\u00a0 \u201cHoss is your big brother and you like doing things together, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure do,\u201d Little Joe answered, nodding his head for emphasis.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Adam is Hoss\u2019s big brother, and when Hoss was your age, he and Adam did things together just like you and Hoss do now.\u00a0 If Hoss went away for a long time and then came back, wouldn\u2019t you want to spend time with him?<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I guess so,\u201d Little Joe said slowly.<\/p>\n Ben saw the child was troubled and thought he knew the cause.\u00a0 \u201cHoss\u2019ll still want to spend time with you.\u00a0 In fact, now you have two older brothers to take you fishing or play catch with you.\u201d\u00a0 He saw his youngest wasn\u2019t convinced so he smiled reassuringly before adding, \u201cI know you probably don\u2019t remember, but the three of you used to do lots of things together.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what Hoss said,\u201d Little Joe commented thoughtfully.\u00a0 \u201cI guess me \u2018n\u2019 Adam just need to get reacquainted.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Ben said, smiling affectionately at his youngest. After a bit, Hoss sighed gustily and then he spoke.\u00a0 \u201cWhen ya sang that song last night\u2014the one about kissin\u2019\u2014it got me thinkin\u2019.\u201d\u00a0 Adam turned his head and glanced at his brother.\u00a0 \u201cWhen was the first time ya kissed a girl?\u201d Hoss asked slowly, not quite able to look his older brother in the eye.<\/p>\n \u201cThe first time was when I was staying with the Townsends.\u00a0 I was curious and wanted to know what it was like, so as an experiment, I asked one of the girls I knew if I could kiss her,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n \u201cYou just asked her, and she let you kiss her?\u201d Hoss said wonderingly.<\/p>\n \u201cI was lucky she didn\u2019t slap me,\u201d Adam responded with a wink.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s what lots of girls would have done, but I think she was just as curious as I was.\u201d\u00a0 Then his voice grew quieter as he added, \u201cAt least, that\u2019s what I thought at the time.\u201d\u00a0 Now he was the one who couldn\u2019t meet his brother\u2019s gaze.\u00a0 \u201cShe told me later that she\u2014\u00a0 She said she liked me as more than just a friend.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe loved ya,\u201d Hoss said gently.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess,\u201d Adam said, tugging on an earlobe.\u00a0 \u201cI was so ignorant that I missed all the signs that she cared for me.\u00a0 I know I hurt her, and I feel bad about that,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s thoughts shifted then to Julia Quincy.\u00a0 He had misread her as well, thinking she loved him enough to leave her life in Boston, but she hadn\u2019t.\u00a0 Then he\u2019d become involved with Thomas\u2019s sister, but that affair had ended abruptly.\u00a0 Afterward, he\u2019d buried himself in his studies and taken up rowing as a way of channeling his physical energy.\u00a0 His involvement with the fair sex had been limited to lighthearted flirting at balls and cotillions.<\/p>\n In contrast to his ill-fated relationships, Aaron and Elsie\u2019s romance had blossomed and flourished.\u00a0 As pleased as Adam was for his friends, he couldn\u2019t help envying their happiness.\u00a0 Adam wondered if there was a chance he would find his true-love now that he\u2019d returned home.\u00a0 He smiled sardonically as he remembered his pa writing him all the settlers joked that if they gathered everyone from Eagle Valley, Carson Valley and Washoe Valley, they\u2019d have enough for three sets in a dance.\u00a0 No, not much chance for romance in Western Utah.<\/p>\n \u201cHey Adam!\u201d Hoss said loudly, chortling as he saw his brother\u2019s sheepish expression.\u00a0 \u201cCaught ya\u00a0\u00a0 woolgathering, didn\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u00a0 Sorry.\u00a0 What were you saying?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI asked if Ross had written you about Delphine,\u201d Hoss replied.\u00a0 When Adam shook his head, Hoss added, \u201cHer family settled here in the spring.\u00a0 There\u2019s a boy about my age and another around thirteen and three girls.\u00a0 Two of \u2018em are jest little girls, but Delphine must be seventeen or eighteen.\u00a0 I think Ross is kinda sweet on her but most of the fellers are tryin\u2019 to court her cuz she\u2019s pretty.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd because there aren\u2019t many girls to court, pretty or not,\u201d Adam commented mockingly.<\/p>\n \u201cYer right about that,\u201d Hoss said with a sigh.\u00a0 He grinned as he added, \u201cI heard Carl Reagan tried to steal a kiss and she slapped him so hard his teeth rattled.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss\u2019s grin grew broader as he remarked, \u201cI guess you was lucky that time, older brother,\u201d and then he and Adam both chuckled. \u201cI expect this is the first time you ever camped out,\u201d Little Joe remarked condescendingly and was surprised to see his oldest brother\u2019s lips turn up in a crooked little grin.<\/p>\n \u201cNope,\u201d Adam replied, his hazel eyes twinkling, \u201cI\u2019ve camped out plenty of times.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn Boston?\u201d Little Joe said incredulously.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, with Pa,\u201d Adam replied, and Little Joe saw his brother\u2019s grin grew broader and his dimples deeper.\u00a0 \u201cWhen I was a little boy, littler than you, Pa and I used to camp out all the time as we traveled west.\u201d\u00a0 Adam smiled down at his kid brother.\u00a0 \u201cI think we have enough wood so let\u2019s get the fire started.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe helped stack the wood the way his pa had taught him, noting his brother clearly knew what he was doing.\u00a0 He was still surprised when Adam pulled a flint and steel from a pocket and expertly lit the fire.\u00a0 As Ben and Hoss joined them, Adam said with grin, \u201cI haven\u2019t lost my touch.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss grinned back at him and punched his arm.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam says that he camped out when he was even littler than me,\u201d Little Joe stated, his tone a mixture of skepticism and accusation.<\/p>\n \u201cOnly because we were traveling,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 He still felt guilty for the years his first-born had had no home of his own, just the old farm wagon.<\/p>\n \u201cHow long did ya travel?\u201d Little Joe asked then.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Adam wasn\u2019t three yet when we left Boston and he was between six and seven when we built our cabin on the Ponderosa,\u201d Ben answered, and saw his youngest son\u2019s eyes open very wide as he stared at his oldest brother.<\/p>\n \u201cYou camped out for three years?\u201d Little Joe asked in amazement.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the winters, I\u2019d find work in a town and we\u2019d stay in a boardinghouse,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0 He smiled at his middle boy, adding, \u201cWhen I married Hoss\u2019s mother, we lived in her house one winter before we headed west.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid you camp out with \u2018em, Hoss?\u201d Little Joe asked then.<\/p>\n \u201cShucks, Little Joe, I was just a baby then so I don\u2019t remember nothin\u2019 about it,\u201d Hoss replied.\u00a0 \u201cI know I\u2019m mighty hungry so I hope we\u2019re gonna start supper soon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll start the beans,\u201d Ben said with a grin.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, you remember how to stir up johnnycakes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure do.\u00a0 Just show me where you\u2019ve packed the cornmeal and salt,\u201d Adam replied with a wink.<\/p>\n As the four Cartwrights gathered around their campfire, eating off tin plates, Adam remarked, \u201cBeen a long time since I\u2019ve eaten beans and johnnycake around a campfire.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t compare to Hop Sing\u2019s roast pork \u2018n\u2019 sweet taters,\u201d Hoss said with a big grin.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve missed his pot roast with potatoes, carrots and onions,\u201d Adam said then.<\/p>\n \u201cMy favorite is his chicken pot pie,\u201d Ben said, smiling at his sons.<\/p>\n \u201cI like Hop Sing\u2019s Joe Froggers,\u201d Little Joe inserted, and the other three grinned at his picking Hop Sing\u2019s molasses cookies as his favorite food.<\/p>\n \u201cHis Joe Froggers are mighty good,\u201d Hoss agreed, \u201cbut I\u2019d rather have his gooseberry pie.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI like his Joe Froggers and his gooseberry pie, but it\u2019s his raspberry cobbler that I\u2019ve been looking forward to,\u201d Adam said fervently.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m afraid it will be too late for raspberry cobbler when we get home, son, but Hop Sing put up lots of raspberry jam for you,\u201d Ben said to Adam, whose disappointment was obvious.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe he\u2019ll make gingersnaps.\u00a0 I like them better than Joe Froggers,\u201d Adam said then.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you ask, I\u2019m sure he will,\u201d Ben said with a warm smile.<\/p>\n That night as Adam lay in his bedroll, he breathed in the clean air, unpolluted by the smoke from Boston\u2019s thousands of fireplaces and stoves.\u00a0 All around he heard the chirping of tree crickets and the chirping mixed with the sound of Hoss snoring beside him.\u00a0 Far off in the distance, he made out the howls of a pack of wolves.\u00a0 He looked up at the clear night sky, dotted with stars, remembering the nights when he was small and Pa had shown him the North Star and told him how sailors used it to navigate.\u00a0 At Harvard he\u2019d taken a class in astronomy and gazed at the heavens through the observatory\u2019s telescope, but somehow the stars seem to shine more brightly tonight.<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s thoughts turned to the plans for the house he\u2019d designed, which were packed away in his trunk.\u00a0 The house would be a way of thanking his father for allowing him to attend Harvard as well as a demonstration that what he\u2019d studied did have practical applications.\u00a0 He\u2019d have to find the right time to present his plans to his father; he knew this was the busiest time of the year with the hay and oats to harvest and the cattle to round up and drive to market.\u00a0 He\u2019d have to wait until life on the Ponderosa was less hectic, but he was a patient man.\u00a0 He smiled as he thought of his father\u2019s reaction and let the crickets lull him to sleep.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 2<\/em><\/strong> \u201cSomethin\u2019 wrong, Adam?\u201d Hoss asked as he drew Chub up beside Beauty while Little Joe also halted.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, there\u2019s nothing wrong,\u201d Adam answered, smiling at his brother.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s just that after four years, I\u2019d forgotten how beautiful it is.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAren\u2019t there mountains and trees in Massachusetts?\u201d Little Joe asked curiously.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, they call them mountains, but they don\u2019t begin to compare with the Sierras,\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0 \u201cMassachusetts has plenty of sugar maples, black cherries and white oaks.\u00a0 There are even lots of pine trees, but they aren\u2019t as majestic as ponderosas.\u201d\u00a0 He grinned as he asked Hoss, \u201cRemember how we used to argue about whether ponderosa bark smells like cinnamon or vanilla?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure do,\u201d Hoss replied with a chuckle.<\/p>\n \u201cIt smells like cinnamon,\u201d Little Joe said forcefully.<\/p>\n \u201cI know,\u201d Adam said, winking at his youngest brother, \u201cbut I never could get Hoss to agree.\u201d\u00a0 He reached over and lightly punched Hoss\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like you\u2019re outvoted, buddy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou \u2018n\u2019 Little Joe can say ponderosas smell like cinnamon all ya want, but I know they smell like vanilla,\u201d Hoss said with a big grin.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s as stubborn as a Missouri mule, isn\u2019t he?\u201d Adam remarked to Little Joe and Little Joe grinned as he replied, \u201cHe sure is!\u201d\u00a0 All three brothers laughed and hearing their laughter as he drove the wagon, Ben smiled. \u201cGood!\u00a0 I can hardly wait to take a bath,\u201d Adam said fervently.<\/p>\n \u201cYou wanna take a bath!\u201d Little Joe exclaimed.\u00a0 This new brother was a puzzle.\u00a0 By the time they\u2019d reached Sacramento, Adam could spend all day riding and Little Joe could see that his oldest brother was a good rider.\u00a0 In fact, he seemed like a regular vaquero\u2014until he opened his mouth.\u00a0 Adam talked fancier than Pa.\u00a0 And now he was saying he actually wanted to take a bath!<\/p>\n \u201cDadburnit, Adam!\u00a0 I forgot how much ya like takin\u2019 baths,\u201d Hoss said, chuckling. \u201cHola Ad\u00e1n, \u00a1Bienvenido a casa!\u201d<\/em> Jos\u00e9 called as he hurried over, a warm smile softening his normally stern expression.<\/p>\n Diego, who like Jos\u00e9 had worked for Ben ever since he\u2019d begun raising cattle when Adam and Hoss were just boys, held out his hand to Adam saying, \u201c\u00a1Estoy feliz de verle!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Adam smiled broadly at his old friends and mentors.\u00a0 \u201c\u00a1Es maravilloso estar en casa!\u201d<\/em> he exclaimed, shaking their hands.\u00a0 Then he turned to the Reagan father and son.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Reagan, Carl, it\u2019s good to see you again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood to have you back,\u201d Will Reagan said, clapping Adam on the back.<\/p>\n \u201cShucks, Adam, I thought after livin\u2019 back East all this time you\u2019d be wearin\u2019 a coat and one of them shirts with a high collar and a necktie,\u201d Carl said with a snide smile.\u00a0 \u201cBut here you are, still lookin\u2019 like a vaquero.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam replied coolly, \u201cWell, Carl, I follow the dictum \u2018When in Rome, do as the Romans do\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n Carl\u2019s eyes narrowed and then he said, \u201cLike I said, Adam, you ain\u2019t changed.\u201d<\/p>\n Will Reagan said hurriedly, \u201cWe\u2019ll take care of the horses and mules and we\u2019ll unload the wagon for you, Boss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Will,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cC\u2019mon, boys.\u00a0 Let\u2019s see what Hop Sing\u2019s fixing for our supper.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m starved,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t you starved, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI sure am,\u201d Adam replied with a big grin.\u00a0 \u201cHow about you, Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, me too,\u201d Little Joe answered before yelling, \u201cWe\u2019re home, Hop Sing!\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing appeared in the doorway and Little Joe ran ahead of his brothers, shouting, \u201cWhat\u2019s fer supper, Hop Sing?\u00a0 Me \u2018n\u2019 Hoss \u2018n\u2019 Adam are starved.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSupper surprise,\u201d Hop Sing replied.\u00a0 As Adam and Hoss walked over, the cook bowed respectfully.\u00a0 \u201cIs good to see Number One Son safely returned to his family,\u201d he stated solemnly.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s good to be back,\u201d Adam replied, keeping his tone and expression as grave as the cook\u2019s.\u00a0 His dimple flashed as he added, \u201cI\u2019ve sure missed your cooking, Hop Sing, especially your biscuits.\u00a0 No one in Massachusetts makes biscuits as good as yours.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI make batch for supper,\u201d the cook said with a beaming smile.<\/p>\n \u201cI was hoping to take a bath,\u201d Adam began but Hop Sing interrupted.<\/p>\n \u201cBath after supper.\u00a0 I heat plenty water so all Cartwrights take bath.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben was behind his boys and hearing Hop Sing\u2019s suggestion said with a smile, \u201cYes, we could all use one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw, Pa, do I gotta?\u00a0 It ain\u2019t Saturday,\u201d Little Joe whined.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, you have to take a bath, Joseph,\u201d Ben replied firmly.\u00a0 \u201cYou missed a couple of Saturdays while we were traveling.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cC\u2019mon, Adam,\u201d Hoss said, swatting his brother\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s help carry in all those crates of yers.\u201d<\/p>\n When Adam stepped into the cabin, it took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dim light.\u00a0 He\u2019d grown accustomed to lamps burning whale oil and the tallow candles lighting the cabin didn\u2019t produce as much illumination.\u00a0 In fact, the cabin\u2019s chief source of light was the fireplace.\u00a0 He looked about him, seeing the red calico curtains Belle-m\u00e8re<\/em> had sewn and the rug she\u2019d braided, the plain wooden settee, the washstand by the door with the earthenware pitcher and bowl, the kitchen dresser, rectangular kitchen table, chairs and benches.\u00a0 Most of the furniture was very plain, rather crude even, which wasn\u2019t surprising since except for Mama\u2019s dresser, he and Pa had made the furniture themselves, learning as they went along.<\/p>\n Yes, everything was the same, and yet, somehow different.<\/p>\n Adam was delighted to discover that Hop Sing had prepared all his favorites for supper: pot roast with potatoes, carrots and onions plus green beans from the garden.\u00a0 The hot biscuits, slathered with fresh butter, were even better than he remembered.<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing, I think I\u2019ve died and gone to Heaven,\u201d Adam exclaimed with a big dimpled smile as he reached for one last biscuit.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Hop Sing you\u2019ve really outdone yourself,\u201d Ben agreed and the cook\u2019s face shone with pleasure.<\/p>\n \u201cHave special surprise,\u201d Hop Sing said.\u00a0 He stood and walking over to the kitchen dresser, he opened one of the doors at the bottom.\u00a0 With a flourish, he brought out a pound cake.<\/p>\n \u201cCake!\u00a0 And it ain\u2019t even someone\u2019s birthday!\u201d Little Joe exclaimed.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll share this with the men,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, you go ahead and start cutting the cake and I\u2019ll be back with the others.\u201d<\/p>\n The three new hands hung back, feeling a little awkward since they didn\u2019t know the oldest Cartwright son.\u00a0 Ben saw this and motioned Adam over.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, I\u2019d like you to meet our newest vaqueros: Tex Reynolds, Billy Wallace and Frank Smith.\u00a0 Men, this is my oldest son, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m pleased to meet you,\u201d Adam said, shaking each man\u2019s hand with a firm grip, and they voiced similar sentiments.<\/p>\n Since the cabin was crowded, the three hands took their cake to the porch and Billy said to the others, \u201cThat oldest Cartwright brother sure seems different than I expected.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I figured he\u2019d be scrawny and pasty-faced from spendin\u2019 all his time studyin\u2019 books,\u201d Tex agreed.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Adam\u2019s a smart boy,\u201d said Carl, who\u2019d stood in the doorway eavesdropping.\u00a0 He continued, keeping his voice down.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, he\u2019s smart and he knows it.\u00a0 He was a pretty good vaquero, but that was a long time ago.\u201d<\/p>\n Just then, Ben stepped out on the porch, followed by Adam.\u00a0 \u201cYou all enjoying the cake?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYessir, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Tex replied enthusiastically while Billy nodded and Frank added, \u201cIt\u2019s mighty fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood, glad to hear that,\u201d Ben said, and touching Adam\u2019s shoulder lightly, he went back inside.<\/p>\n \u201cSay, Adam, did ya meet any pretty girls in Boston?\u201d Carl asked then.<\/p>\n \u201cI met plenty,\u201d Adam said with a slow smile.\u00a0 \u201cThe problem was that they tended to be as prim and proper as they were pretty.\u201d<\/p>\n All the young men grinned at that and Carl added with a smirk, \u201cI like a challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoes that mean there are some pretty girls in these parts now?\u201d Adam asked slyly, remembering the pretty girl Hoss had said slapped Carl for trying to steal a kiss.<\/p>\n Carl looked at Adam suspiciously before replying, \u201cThere\u2019s a couple in Genoa and a couple of new families in the valley have pretty daughters.\u00a0 Trouble is their daddies are free with their shotguns.\u201d<\/p>\n They all laughed at that and Billy slapped Carl on the back, saying, \u201cYou oughta know.\u201d<\/p>\n So, Carl sees himself as a ladies man.\u00a0 Well, I think he\u2019s going to find he has some competition,<\/em> Adam thought, and a corner of his mouth turned up in a tiny grin.<\/p>\n \u201cThe miners over on Sun Mountain hold what they call a grand ball every Saturday night.\u00a0 You oughta come with us, Adam,\u201d Carl said then.<\/p>\n \u201cAre there any women to dance with?\u201d Adam asked skeptically.<\/p>\n \u201cA few,\u201d Carl replied.<\/p>\n Tex added, \u201cThey ain\u2019t much to look at.\u201d<\/p>\n Winking broadly Carl said, \u201cThey\u2019re female though and they\u2019d rather dance with good lookin\u2019 young men like us than a bunch of scruffy old men.\u00a0 Right, boys?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI just want to spend time with my family now, but in a couple weeks I\u2019d be happy to come with you,\u201d Adam said. Ben said, \u201cSince Adam is so eager to take a bath, we\u2019ll let him go first.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe grinned since normally he went first.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, why don\u2019t you get the washtub from the woodshed,\u201d Ben suggested, \u201cand I\u2019ll hang the sheet up in the corner while Adam unpacks his nightshirt.\u201d<\/p>\n As Adam gazed at the wooden washtub before he stripped off his dirty clothes, he thought longingly of the combination washhouse and bathhouse he\u2019d designed for their new home.\u00a0 It would have a full-circuit plumbing system.\u00a0 He hoped to convince Pa to purchase a copper bathtub like the one the Whartons had\u2014a bathtub where a man could lean back and soak.\u00a0 If he couldn\u2019t convince Pa, then he\u2019d buy one himself.\u00a0 He had enough money in his savings.<\/p>\n With a sigh, he stepped into the washtub and then he smeared some of the slimy homemade soap onto a washcloth and quickly scrubbed his body.\u00a0 Next he washed his hair.\u00a0 By the time he finished, he was shivering so he dried himself as quickly as he could.\u00a0 Once he was dry, he pulled the striped cotton nightshirt over his head and walked out from behind the bed sheet.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll empty the tub,\u201d Hoss offered, knowing the tub was too heavy for Little Joe to manage, while he struggled to hide his grin at the sight of his older brother\u2019s untamed curls.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s Adam gonna sleep?\u201d Little Joe asked as Hoss carried the tub outside to empty the dirty water.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the loft with you and Hoss,\u201d Ben answered, surprised at Little Joe\u2019s question,<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s not enough room!\u201d Little Joe exclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cHe better go sleep in the bunkhouse.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam could imagine how cramped they would be sleeping in one bed and was about to open his mouth to agree with Little Joe when Ben snapped, \u201cThis is your brother\u2019s home, Joseph Francis Cartwright, and this is where he\u2019ll be sleeping.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAin\u2019t no empty bunks in the bunkhouse anyhow,\u201d Hoss said from the doorway.<\/p>\n As Ben took the tub from Hoss and put it behind the sheet, Hoss said softly to Adam, \u201cI reckon it will be a mite snug with all of us sleepin\u2019 in the one bed, but we\u2019ll manage.\u201d<\/p>\n As Little Joe headed behind the sheet, Ben instructed firmly, \u201cDon\u2019t forget to wash your neck and behind your ears, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smiled, remembering when Pa would give him the same orders.\u00a0 Then he asked, \u201cPa, would it be all right if I rode over and visited Ross and Todd tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben smiled and replied, \u201cThey\u2019ll be busy harvesting their hay tomorrow, but they\u2019ll be coming here on Sunday and they\u2019re looking forward to seeing you.\u201d\u00a0 Then he added, \u201cBefore I forget, would you rather help Hoss with the haying tomorrow or round up strays?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHelp Hoss with the haying,\u201d Adam said without hesitation.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d like to see how the reaper works.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI ain\u2019t never used one before neither,\u201d Hoss said with a grin, \u201cso we\u2019ll both be learnin\u2019 the ropes.\u201d \u201cYeah, I\u2019m all right,\u201d the boy answered gruffly so his brother went back to sleep.\u00a0 Later Little Joe woke because he was chilled and discovered the covers had all been pulled off.\u00a0 He decided to offer to sleep in the middle tomorrow night.<\/p>\n The next time Little Joe woke it was because he heard someone moving in the room, which was still pretty dark.\u00a0 Since Hoss was snoring beside him, it must be Adam.\u00a0 He heard the sound of Adam\u2019s flint and steel and after a minute or so, Adam lit the tallow candle on the bedside table.\u00a0 Little Joe closed his eyes almost shut and pretended to be asleep.\u00a0 He saw Adam set the candle on the little shelf where Hoss kept his razor, which was by the shaving mirror over the washstand.\u00a0 Adam poured some water from the pitcher into the bowl and before splashing it on his face, Little Joe heard him mutter, \u201cWish it was hot.\u201d<\/p>\n Since Adam\u2019s attention was focused on what he was doing, Little Joe opened his eyes wide.\u00a0 He watched Adam place a piece of round soap in the bottom of his shaving mug and then add a little water before swishing his badger bristle shaving brush round and round the mug.\u00a0 Next Adam used the brush to lather his face and neck, humming softly as he moved the brush in a circular motion.\u00a0 When he was satisfied, he set the brush down and got his razor from the shelf and began to strop it, using a leather strap that hung from the washstand.\u00a0 When he finished, he applied more lather before picking up the razor.<\/p>\n As Little Joe watched his brother deftly apply the razor, he thought excitedly, I remember watching Adam shave when I was little.\u00a0 Hoss was asleep just like he is now and I\u2019d sit on the bed and watch Adam.\u00a0 I remember!<\/em><\/p>\n After Adam wiped off any traces of lather, he reached up to the shelf and picked up a brown bottle Little Joe hadn\u2019t seen before.\u00a0 Adam opened the bottle and poured a little of the contents onto his palms and then rubbed it on his cheeks.\u00a0 Little Joe noticed a pleasant fragrance.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019d ya put on your face?\u201d he asked and Adam whirled around.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t realize you were awake,\u201d Adam said and his little brother smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cI watched ya shave.\u00a0 Like I did when I was little.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI remember,\u201d Adam said and the two brothers smiled at the shared memory.<\/p>\n \u201cBut what did you put on your face?\u201d Little Joe asked.\u00a0 \u201cIt smells good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s called Dominica Bay Rum Aftershave,\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0 \u201cWould you like to put some on your face?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah!\u201d the eight-year-old replied excitedly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou just need a little,\u201d Adam cautioned as he poured a small amount in his brother\u2019s cupped hands.\u00a0 He grinned as the youngster slapped the liquid on his face.\u00a0 As Adam put the lid back on the bottle, he realized he\u2019d need to save his aftershave for special occasions so it would last longer.<\/p>\n Hoss opened his eyes then and sitting up said, \u201cMornin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe jumped on the bed, saying happily, \u201cI watched Adam shave just like I did when I was little and he let me use some of his\u2014\u00a0 What\u2019d ya call it, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBay rum,\u201d Adam replied as he emptied his shaving water into the slop jar.<\/p>\n \u201cYa both smell real nice,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cI hope you saved me some water to shave with.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 Then he grinned and added, \u201cI think we need to bring up another blanket so one of us doesn\u2019t hog all the covers.\u201d\u00a0 His grin grew wider at his youngest brother\u2019s enthusiastic agreement.\u00a0 He opened his bottle of Macassar oil and, pouring a little on his hands, he rubbed it through his hair and then combed it, smoothing his recalcitrant curls.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019d ya put on your hair, Adam?\u201d Little Joe asked.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a hairdressing,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s it for?\u201d Little Joe asked, his curiosity insatiable.<\/p>\n \u201cTo make older brother\u2019s hair not so curly,\u201d Hoss interjected with a chuckle.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, your hair is really curly, Adam,\u201d Little Joe giggled.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s lots curlier than mine.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam rolled his eyes and then said, \u201cI used to wonder where I got such curly hair since Pa\u2019s hair doesn\u2019t curl at all and my mother\u2019s hair doesn\u2019t look that curly in the daguerreotype.\u00a0 Grandfather told me that my grandmother had curly dark hair just like mine.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled then and said, \u201cWe\u2019d better get dressed so we aren\u2019t late.\u201d<\/p>\n He walked over to the corner where he\u2019d put his trunk.\u00a0 As he looked through the clothing he\u2019d brought back from Cambridge, he realized he should have bought another pair of canvas work pants at Levi Strauss & Co. while he was in San Francisco.\u00a0 He selected his oldest pair of trousers, which were made of black twill, and a white cotton shirt and began to put them on.\u00a0 While Hoss shaved, Little Joe put on his clean overalls and a shirt and then started down the ladder saying, \u201cI gotta milk Blossom and feed the chickens.\u201d\u00a0 \u201cGuess I might as well get started on my chores,\u201d Adam said after he put on his boots.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m right behind ya,\u201d Hoss said, hastily pulling up his pants and reaching for his boots.\u00a0 The brothers walked into the barn together and Adam saw the reaper beside the empty haymows.<\/p>\n \u201cHere it is, Adam.\u00a0 It came all the way from Chicago, Illinois,\u201d Hoss stated proudly.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s see,\u201d Adam said as he studied the machine.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like this master wheel carries most of the machine\u2019s weight and supplies the power to the knife that cuts the grain.\u00a0 Ingenious.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOne of us rides the mule,\u201d Hoss said, \u201cand the other walks along side and rakes the grain from the platform into piles.\u00a0\u00a0 I figured we could take turns rakin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam grinned as he said, \u201cSounds fair to me.\u00a0 You wanna ride first or rake?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think I wanna rake first,\u201d Hoss said. \u201cToday I want you to help Hop Sing,\u201d Ben replied, and Little Joe\u2019s disappointment was obvious.\u00a0 Ben smiled at his youngest and added, \u201cTomorrow you may go with your brothers and trample down the hay in the hay-rack for them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHurrah!\u201d Little Joe shouted and the men all smiled.<\/p>\n Hoss and Adam worked hard that day and were excited to see they\u2019d done what would\u2019ve taken them two or three days cutting the hay using scythes.\u00a0 Little Joe worked hard helping Hop Sing pull the crop of navy beans and pull up beets, turnips and carrots.\u00a0 He liked helping Hop Sing but he was really looking forward to working with his brothers.\u00a0 Trampling down the hay was fun and he liked the way the freshly cut hay smelled. \u201cGosh, you sure cut a lot of hay!\u201d he exclaimed.<\/p>\n \u201cThe reaper did the cutting; Hoss and I just raked,\u201d Adam corrected with a wink.<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss began to pitch the sweet-smelling hay into the hay-rack and Little Joe walked back and forth, trampling the hay beneath his bare feet.\u00a0 When the hay-rack could hold no more, Adam joined Little Joe on top of the mound of hay and Hoss drove them to the barn.\u00a0 He and Adam pitched the hay into one of the empty haymows while Little Joe went to help Hop Sing until it was time to head back to the hayfield with the empty hay-rack.<\/p>\n By the time they\u2019d finished their last load of the day, the sun was beginning to set, and when they were three-quarters of the way home, it was growing dark.<\/p>\n \u201cFull moon tonight,\u201d Adam said, lying on his back in the hay.\u00a0 \u201cSee the Man-in-Moon?\u201d he asked Little Joe, who was lying beside him.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, and I can see the North Star,\u201d Little Joe replied.<\/p>\n \u201cOver there is the Big Dipper,\u201d Adam said, pointing.<\/p>\n \u201cIt does look like a dipper!\u201d Little Joe exclaimed.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd just above the North Star,\u201d Adam continued, \u201cis the Little Dipper.\u00a0 See, it\u2019s an upside down dipper.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see it!\u201d Little Joe said excitedly.\u00a0 \u201cDo you know anymore, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s Orion, but he\u2019s harder to spot.\u00a0 He\u2019s supposed to be a warrior who was placed in the sky.\u00a0 Those three bright stars are his belt.\u00a0 Then that really bright star there\u2014it\u2019s called Rigel\u2014is his foot.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe watched carefully as Adam gestured.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s his club and his shield, and that bright star up there is his shoulder.\u00a0 Its name is Betelgeuse.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStars have names like people?\u201d Little Joe asked wonderingly.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n \u201cTell me some more names,\u201d Little Joe begged.<\/p>\n Pointing, Adam said, \u201cSee that bright, bright star over there?\u00a0 It\u2019s called Sirius.\u00a0 The only star that appears brighter to us is our own sun.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe sun is a star?\u201d Little Joe asked doubtfully, and Adam replied, \u201cYes.\u00a0 You see, all those stars we see have planets orbiting them just the way we orbit the sun.\u201d<\/p>\n As he listened to his brother talk about the stars, Little Joe thought, Adam sure knows a lot.\u00a0 He\u2019s the smartest person I know.\u00a0 Except for Pa.<\/em> Every day since their return from San Francisco, Little Joe had begged to be allowed to come on the drive this year.\u00a0 Adam and Hoss would both grin smugly, remembering when they\u2019d been Little Joe\u2019s age and had made the same request.\u00a0 They were both caught by surprise Sunday morning at breakfast.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, can\u2019t I come on the drive this year?\u00a0 Please,\u201d Little Joe pleaded for what Hoss figured must be at least the one hundredth time.<\/p>\n \u201cDiego has been telling me that he needs a helper so I\u2019ve decided you can come on the drive and be that helper,\u201d Ben announced, wiping the smirks off his two older sons\u2019 faces.<\/p>\n \u201cHurrah!\u201d Little Joe shouted.\u00a0 \u201cThanks, Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n Adam snapped his mouth shut before he voiced his opinion of his father\u2019s decision and he kept his eyes glued to his plate lest his face give him away.<\/p>\n Hop Sing looked at his employer as if he\u2019d gone stark raving mad, but like Adam, he remained silent.<\/p>\n Hoss\u2019s expression was a mixture of astonishment and resentment.\u00a0 Pa hadn\u2019t let him go on a drive until the year before last when he\u2019d turned fourteen, and Adam had also been fourteen when he\u2019d gone on his first.\u00a0 \u201cIt ain\u2019t fair,\u201d he muttered as he stabbed a bite of flapjack.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did you say?\u201d Ben asked, drawing his eyebrows together in a frown.<\/p>\n \u201cHe said he needs some fresh air, and so do I,\u201d Adam said smoothly, kicking Hoss in the shin as a signal to keep quiet.\u00a0 \u201cMay we please be excused?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAfter you\u2019ve finished breakfast,\u201d Ben replied, eying both his older sons suspiciously.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t forget we have company coming today so you need to change clothes.\u00a0 By the way, Adam, do you have a necktie Hoss could borrow?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I do,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone is sure gonna be surprised me and Buttermilk are goin\u2019 on the drive,\u201d Little Joe crowed while Adam said under his breath, \u201cThey certainly will be!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cButtermilk\u2019s not going,\u201d Ben said evenly.\u00a0 Seeing Little Joe\u2019s confusion, he explained, \u201cYou\u2019ll be riding in the wagon with Diego; you won\u2019t need Buttermilk.\u201d\u00a0 He added in a stern tone, \u201cDiego is going to be your boss, Little Joe.\u00a0 Whatever he tells you to do, I expect you to do it without complaining.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t, I\u2019ll bring you back home myself.\u00a0 Do you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Pa,\u201d Little Joe replied seriously, but then he smiled joyfully, oblivious of his brothers\u2019 reaction to their father\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss ate quickly and then headed outside.\u00a0 Hoss could barely contain himself as Adam grabbed his arm and led him to the corral.\u00a0 \u201cIt ain\u2019t right!\u201d he exploded as soon as they were far enough from the cabin to avoid being overheard.\u00a0 \u201cWe begged just as hard as Little Joe and Pa never paid any heed to us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI agree,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cBut Pa sets the rules.\u201d\u00a0 A thought suddenly came to him and he added slowly, \u201cThere may be a method in Pa\u2019s madness.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh?\u201d Hoss said, looking at his brother in bewilderment, and Adam smiled at him.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cIt just occurred to me that Pa may have a reason for letting Little Joe come.\u201d\u00a0 Seeing Hoss looked skeptical, Adam asked, \u201cDid you have fun on your first cattle drive?\u201d<\/p>\n For a minute Hoss just stared at Adam, and then he began to chuckle.\u00a0 The brothers were laughing as they headed back to the cabin. \u201cDadburnit, Adam!\u00a0 Yer chokin\u2019 me!\u201d Hoss exclaimed as he tried to squirm away.\u00a0 \u201cStop laughin\u2019, Little Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, why don\u2019t you go downstairs,\u201d Adam suggested, frowning at the giggling boy.<\/p>\n \u201cCuz I don\u2019t want to,\u201d Little Joe replied, sticking out his tongue.<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s eyes narrowed as he stared at his youngest sibling and then he called down, \u201cPa, do you have something for Little Joe to do?\u00a0 He\u2019s not helping me get Hoss\u2019s necktie tied.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome down, Joseph, and let your brothers finish dressing,\u201d Ben commanded, and sticking out his tongue one final time, Little Joe climbed down the ladder.<\/p>\n A few minutes later Adam and Hoss came down the ladder, dressed in the white linen shirts and dark gray broadcloth trousers that Hop Sing had pressed the night before, and both wore black silk neckties.\u00a0 As soon as Little Joe saw Hoss, he began giggling.<\/p>\n \u201cYou look funny, Hoss,\u201d he managed to get out and Hoss blushed furiously.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, that will be enough,\u201d Ben scolded.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, you look very nice. You both do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just glad I only have to wear this tie on Sunday,\u201d Hoss said with a sunny smile as his blush faded.\u00a0 \u201cAdam told me he had to wear one every day in Cambridge.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI told him that I got used to it, but I must confess I certainly don\u2019t miss wearing one,\u201d Adam remarked with a little grin.<\/p>\n Just then there was a knock at the door and Ben called, \u201cCome in.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s face lit up when he saw Ross in the doorway.\u00a0 The two old friends were soon thumping each other on the back and saying how good it was to see each other.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay if we go for a little walk?\u201d Adam asked Ben.<\/p>\n Ben smiled as he replied, \u201cThat\u2019s fine but Andy and Todd will be here soon and they\u2019re anxious to see you, too.\u201d<\/p>\n As the two old friends walked toward the pasture for the Cartwrights\u2019 caviata, Ross said, \u201cYou did it; you went back East to school just like you always said you would.\u00a0 That must feel mighty good.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smiled warmly at his friend.\u00a0 \u201cYes, it does, but now it feels mighty good to be home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe got some new neighbors while you was gone,\u201d Ross said then.\u00a0 \u201cI expect you\u2019ll meet some of them today.\u00a0 There\u2019s one family, the Talbots, that have a daughter\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDelphine?\u201d Adam interrupted with a big grin.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss told ya about her?\u201d Ross asked and Adam nodded, adding, \u201cHe said she\u2019s pretty and all the fellows are trying to court her.\u201d<\/p>\n Ross smiled and added proudly, \u201cBut I think she likes me.\u00a0 We\u2019ve gone riding together a few times.\u00a0 First couple of times her little sisters tagged along, but now her parents trust me.\u201d<\/p>\n Just then they heard the sound of horses riding into the yard and recognized the McKarens, so they hurried over.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, Ross,\u201d Andy and Todd said as they dismounted.\u00a0 Then they both turned to Adam.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s good to see you again, Adam.\u00a0 Welcome back,\u201d Andy said, smiling affectionately as he gazed up at the young man and shook his hand.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m eager to hear about your time back East.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI want to hear about the boat races you were in,\u201d Todd said, shaking his friend\u2019s hand.\u00a0 \u201cThey sounded like fun.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFrom the looks of you, all that rowing kept you fit,\u201d Andy said, noting the breadth of Adam\u2019s shoulders and chest.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s even better exercise than chopping wood,\u201d Adam said with a wink as his family came out to greet the McKarens.<\/p>\n Little Joe immediately tried to tell everyone he was going on the drive, but Ben said firmly, \u201cNot now, Little Joe.\u201d\u00a0 When the boy attempted to join the others, Ben put his hand on his youngest\u2019s shoulder and said, \u201cLet Adam have a chance to visit with his friends.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss is with \u2018em,\u201d Little Joe complained but his pa only said, \u201cJoseph,\u201d and the boy, recognizing his tone, was silent.\u00a0 The scowl on his face made his feelings abundantly clear, however.<\/p>\n \u201cMust be nice having both your brothers home,\u201d Andy said jovially, but Little Joe only shrugged.\u00a0 Then his expression brightened and he asked, \u201cDid you know stars have names, Mr. McKaren?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t say,\u201d Andy said with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cYup,\u201d Little Joe said, nodding his head for emphasis.\u00a0 \u201cAdam showed me some and told me their names.\u00a0 They was funny names and I can\u2019t remember \u2018em.\u00a0 I can find the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan you now,\u201d Andy said, but just then a wagon drove into the clearing and he and Ben went to greet the new arrivals.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, glad you could come,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 Then he called, \u201cAdam, come here please.\u201d\u00a0 As Adam walked over, trailed by Ross, Todd and Hoss, Ben turned to the middle-aged couple and said, \u201cGeorge and Angeline, I\u2019d like you to meet my oldest son, Adam.\u00a0 Adam, this is Mr. and Mrs. Talbot and these are their children:\u00a0 Delphine, Evangeline, Celestine, Matthew and Rueben.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo you\u2019re the feller went back East to school,\u201d George Talbot said, shaking Adam\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u00a0 It\u2019s nice to meet you.\u00a0 All of you,\u201d Adam said, smiling warmly at the Talbots.\u00a0 Delphine certainly is pretty.\u00a0 If Ross wasn\u2019t interested in her . . .\u00a0 But he is<\/em>, Adam reminded himself.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t see much use in book learnin\u2019 but it don\u2019t seem to \u2019ve hurt ya,\u201d George commented.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, sir, I don\u2019t think it\u2019s hurt me,\u201d Adam agreed, keeping his tone polite.<\/p>\n \u201cHere come the Edwards,\u201d Andy said then.\u00a0 \u201cNow all we\u2019re missing are the Johnsons.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Flint sent word Billy\u2019s runnin\u2019 a fever so they can\u2019t join us this Sunday,\u201d George said then.<\/p>\n After everyone had a chance to greet Tom and Joyce Edwards, they all gathered in the cabin.\u00a0 Angeline, Joyce and Delphine sat on the settee while the men sat on the chairs and benches the Cartwrights used at the dinner table and the three children sat on the floor.\u00a0 Ben read from the Bible and Andy prayed.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam was startled when his father asked, \u201cAdam, would you lead us in a hymn to close our service?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCertainly,\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0 \u201cDoes everyone know A Mighty Fortress Is Our God<\/em>?\u201d and they all nodded.\u00a0 He noted Delphine and Mrs. Edwards had lovely clear sopranos and the oldest Talbot brother and Todd were strong tenors.\u00a0 Since they were doing an excellent job singing the melody, he decided to harmonize on the second and third verses.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, you have such a lovely voice,\u201d Delphine said when they finished the hymn.\u00a0 \u201cIt was so nice when you harmonized.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam took singin\u2019 lessons,\u201d Hoss said proudly.\u00a0 \u201cYa can read music, can\u2019t ya, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Adam replied, adding, \u201cI like to sing.\u00a0 I sang in the choir at the Park Street Church when I was at Harvard.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI like to sing,\u201d Little Joe said then.\u00a0 He was missing Billy Johnson and he certainly wasn\u2019t going to spend time with Evangeline or Celestine, so he decided to hang around his older brothers.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s nice, dear,\u201d Mrs. Talbot said mechanically, and then asked Adam, \u201cAfter we eat, would you sing something else for us?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d be happy to,\u201d Adam said with a smile, \u201cif you\u2019ll all sing some songs with me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think that\u2019s a wonderful idea,\u201d Joyce said.\u00a0 \u201cRight now, we need to get the food on the table so we can eat.\u201d<\/p>\n As the families began to eat the food Angeline, Joyce and Hop Sing had prepared, Delphine, who was sitting between Ross and Adam, asked, \u201cWhat did you do on Sunday afternoons in Boston, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOn a beautiful afternoon like this, my friends and I would row up the Charles River to the Spring Hotel.\u00a0 We\u2019d have supper there and then row back to the college,\u201d Adam replied, smiling at the memory.\u00a0 \u201cIn the winter, we\u2019d go ice skating or sledding.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGuess what I\u2019m going to do,\u201d Little Joe interjected, but his father said sternly, \u201cJoseph, don\u2019t interrupt.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSounds like you didn\u2019t spend all your time with your nose buried in a book,\u201d Tom Edwards commented with a grin.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, but I think what I\u2019ll miss the most about Cambridge and Boston is the Corner Bookstore,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n Hoss laughed at that and said, \u201cYou brought back enough books to open your own bookstore.\u201d\u00a0 He said to the others, \u201cSee all those crates along the wall?\u00a0 They\u2019re full of Adam\u2019s books.\u201d<\/p>\n Ross and Todd both whistled as they looked at the crates and Delphine said, \u201cGoodness, you must love to read!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI do,\u201d Adam said with one of his crooked smiles.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I love books.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2019m not that interested in books,\u201d Todd said with a grin.\u00a0 \u201cWhat I\u2019d like to hear about are the boat races you were in.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe listened with growing resentment as everyone, including Evangeline and Celestine, served as a rapt audience while Adam talked about his time in Cambridge.\u00a0 When Hop Sing began to serve the sugar cookies Joyce had brought for dessert, Little Joe couldn\u2019t take it any longer.\u00a0 He interrupted Adam in mid-sentence, saying, \u201cGuess what I\u2019m going to do!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat you\u2019re going to do is apologize to your brother for your rudeness,\u201d Ben stated firmly, but Little Joe scowled and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cAll right,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cThen go up to the loft until you\u2019re willing to apologize.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe lay down on the bed and listened as the others finished their cookies and then began to sing.\u00a0 That dumb old Adam!\u00a0 I wish he\u2019d stayed in Cambridge<\/em>, the boy thought angrily.\u00a0 Then he thought of riding in the hay beside Adam as his brother talked to him about the stars.\u00a0 No, I guess I don\u2019t wish that.\u00a0 But I sure wish everybody\u2019d quit makin\u2019 such a fuss over him just cuz he went away to school.<\/em><\/p>\n Once he knew the neighbors had gone, Little Joe came quietly down the ladder.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t see his pa or brothers so he walked outside.\u00a0 He saw them standing by the pasture gate, looking at Beauty\u2019s chestnut colt, so he walked over.\u00a0 As he drew closer, he heard Adam say, \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to training him in a couple of years.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you know what you\u2019re gonna name him?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019ll name him Sport,\u201d Adam replied, and the colt neighed and tossed his head.\u00a0 \u201cSee, he approves,\u201d Adam said with a chuckle.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam,\u201d Little Joe said loudly and all three men turned toward him.\u00a0 \u201cI- I\u2019m sorry I was rude and interrupted you,\u201d he said gruffly, kicking at the grass.<\/p>\n \u201cApology accepted,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 Then he winked and said, \u201cDon\u2019t worry, kid.\u00a0 The next time we all get together, no one will want to hear about my time at Harvard; it\u2019ll be old news.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe grinned and Adam grinned back at him.\u00a0 Hoss chuckled and added, \u201cOh, I think Evangeline might.\u00a0 That little gal couldn\u2019t take her eyes off you.\u00a0 I think you got yourself a little sweetheart, older brother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam\u2019s got a sweetheart,\u201d Little Joe chanted while Adam rolled his eyes. If he puts me riding swing in place of one of the other vaqueros, that\u2019s going to create lots of resentment, especially among the newer men who don\u2019t know me, Adam thought.\u00a0 What can I do to change his mind?<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI think it would be better if I rode drag,\u201d he suggested, and the others stared at him in disbelief.<\/p>\n \u201cHave you been eatin\u2019 loco weed?\u201d Hoss asked.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t ya remember what it\u2019s like ridin\u2019 drag?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I remember,\u201d Adam said, smiling ruefully.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not looking forward to eating everyone else\u2019s dust, but I haven\u2019t been on a cattle drive for five years so I belong in the greenhorn position of riding drag.\u201d<\/p>\n There was silence for a minute and then Hoss said, \u201cWell, if Adam\u2019s gonna ride drag, then so will I.\u201d\u00a0 Adam smiled at his brother, warmed by his loyalty.<\/p>\n Ben smiled at both his older sons, pleased by Hoss\u2019s decision to endure the discomfort of riding drag along with his older brother.\u00a0 \u201cAll right.\u00a0 But I think you\u2019ll find your skills coming back to you, Adam, so I\u2019ll tell Will to rotate riding drag and flank.\u00a0 You and Hoss will start off riding drag.\u201d \u201cI never thought Mr. Cartwright\u2019d have his boys ridin\u2019 drag,\u201d Tex commented as they ate.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam\u2019s probably only fit fer ridin\u2019 drag, and I expect Hoss\u2019s goin\u2019 along to keep his brother company.\u00a0 Those two seem pretty close,\u201d Frank said.\u00a0 Tex and Billy nodded their agreement.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, mi amigo,\u201d<\/em> Jos\u00e9 said.\u00a0 \u201cAd\u00e1n is a fine vaquero.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe was,\u201d Carl said, \u201cbut that was years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe might be a little rusty, but after a few days, it\u2019ll come back to him,\u201d Will said firmly.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s why Mr. Cartwright is rotatin\u2019 ridin\u2019 drag and ridin\u2019 flank among his boys, Frank and Billy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, and that way nobody gets stuck havin\u2019 to ride drag the whole drive,\u201d Tex said.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s fair.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, that\u2019s what I like about workin\u2019 on the Ponderosa,\u201d Frank said.\u00a0 \u201cYer treated fair,\u201d and the others all agreed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 3<\/em><\/strong> \u201cSit down, Little Joe,\u201d Ben said firmly.\u00a0 \u201cYou haven\u2019t eaten more than two bites of your breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut I\u2019m not hungry, Pa.\u00a0 Honest,\u201d Little Joe said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll be hungry long before we stop to eat if you don\u2019t finish what\u2019s on your plate,\u201d Ben stated in the same unyielding tone, adding, \u201cYour brothers and I aren\u2019t finished and we\u2019re all leaving together.\u201d<\/p>\n Sighing loudly, Little Joe sat back down, causing his brothers to exchange knowing grins.\u00a0 The boy forced down a few more bites of scrambled egg and bacon, practically twitching with impatience as he watched his pa and brothers clean their plates.\u00a0 Finally, the three of them put down their forks so Little Joe jumped to his feet and raced to the door and the other three chuckled as they walked after him.<\/p>\n \u201cHey Little Joe!\u00a0 Ya forgot yer bedroll,\u201d Hoss called, but realizing his little brother was out of earshot, he scooped up Little Joe\u2019s bedroll along with his own.<\/p>\n When they walked outside, they saw Tex herding the caviata<\/em> to the meadow where the cattle going on the drive had been rounded up, but there was no sign of Little Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cI bet he\u2019s in the barn saddlin\u2019 up the horses,\u201d Hoss said with a grin and they hurried to see if Hoss was correct.<\/p>\n Little Joe was indeed putting Buck\u2019s bridle on, and it wasn\u2019t long before the four Cartwrights were on their way, Buck carrying Little Joe as well as Ben.\u00a0 They reached the meadow ahead of the caviata<\/em> and found the others ready to move out.\u00a0 Ben wanted to talk with his youngest one more time before he joined Diego.<\/p>\n He put his hand on the boy\u2019s shoulder and said very seriously, \u201cJoseph, you remember that Diego is your boss and you\u2019re to follow his orders without complaining.\u00a0 Understand?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYessir.\u00a0 I understand,\u201d Little Joe replied, squirming with impatience to join Diego at the wagon with its watertight bonnet\u2014the same one his pa and oldest brother had used traveling west from Massachusetts.<\/p>\n \u201cAll right then,\u201d Ben said, smiling, \u201cI\u2019ll see you tonight.\u201d\u00a0 His smile grew as he watched his youngest hurry to join Diego.<\/p>\n \u201cDate prisa, muchacho,\u201d<\/em> Diego said as he helped Little Joe scramble beside him.\u00a0 Then he slapped the reins and the team of mules pulling the wagon set off at a trot, leaving the herd of cattle behind.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re gettin\u2019 ahead of everyone else,\u201d Little Joe said, his surprise obvious.<\/p>\n \u201cNaturalmente,\u201d<\/em> Diego replied with a grin.\u00a0 \u201cThis way we keep ahead of the dust.\u00a0 And we must arrive at the campsite early to cook the food.\u00a0 The beans are soaking in that bucket,\u201d and he nodded toward the back of the wagon where the boy saw a bucket hanging.\u00a0 \u201cWe must cook them, prepare the johnnycakes, fry the steaks and fix the coffee.\u00a0 I will show you how to make the coffee and that will be your job at every meal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Little Joe said, and Diego grinned more broadly at the boy\u2019s lack of enthusiasm.<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing gave me dried apples so for supper tonight I\u2019ll bake an apple pie,\u201d the cook added and Little Joe smiled because he loved apple pie.<\/p>\n As Diego and Little Joe drove off, Will Reagan rode over to the remaining Cartwrights.\u00a0 \u201cGoliath is wearing his bell so we\u2019re ready whenever you give the word, Boss,\u201d he said to Ben after they exchanged greetings.<\/p>\n \u201cGoliath\u2019s still the lead steer, huh?\u201d Adam queried, lifting his eyebrow.<\/p>\n \u201cYup,\u201d Hoss replied with a grin.\u00a0 \u201cThis\u2019ll be his eighth drive.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s dimples flashed as he added, \u201cWell, he\u2019s too old and tough to make a decent steak.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s get started moving these steers,\u201d Ben said, urging Buck toward the front of the herd.\u00a0 Will followed since he and Jos\u00e9 were riding point.<\/p>\n Hoss turned to Adam and said with a little grimace, \u201cBest make sure you tie that kerchief real snug, older brother.\u201d<\/p>\n The herd of five hundred steers moved slowly, their hooves churning up thick clouds of dust.\u00a0 Riding behind the herd, urging them forward and rounding up the occasional stragglers, Adam and Hoss had to eat a sickening amount of dust, even wearing their kerchiefs over their noses and mouths, and their eyes were red-rimmed and watering from the constant irritation.<\/p>\n The herd moved slowly, intending to cover no more than twelve miles a day.\u00a0 Adam had chosen to ride Beauty first, knowing that if his skill at herding cattle was rusty, hers was not.\u00a0 As the day wore on, he found the dust, the noise of the cattle\u2019s hooves and their lowing were giving him an excruciating headache, so he was more than ready to halt when the herd reached that night\u2019s campsite.<\/p>\n As soon as he dismounted, he began trying to beat off some of the dust that coated him, and thereby raising his own dust cloud.<\/p>\n \u201cWhoa there, Adam,\u201d Hoss expostulated as he walked over to join his sibling.\u00a0 \u201cI done ate enough dust today.\u201d\u00a0 He took a swig from his canteen and swished it around his mouth before spitting it out.\u00a0 \u201cLordy! Hop Sing could plant his vegetable garden in my mouth.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam followed his brother\u2019s example before adding, \u201cAnd he could plant flowers in mine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s go hobble our horses and see what\u2019s fer supper,\u201d Hoss said then, slapping Adam on the arm and raising a puff of dust.<\/p>\n The brothers were the last to arrive at the camp; the other vaqueros were sitting cross-legged in a semi-circle, holding their tin plates on their laps.<\/p>\n \u201cThought you boys got lost,\u201d Carl said with a smirk as Adam and Hoss approached the others.\u00a0 Then he added, \u201cNow I ask ya: ya ever seen a sorrier looking\u2019 pair?\u201d\u00a0 Even Ben had to smile while Frank and Billy began to guffaw loudly.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe you boys forgot that in a couple of days you\u2019ll be the ones ridin\u2019 drag,\u201d Adam said, winking at the two vaqueros.<\/p>\n \u201cAw, why\u2019d ya have to remind me?\u201d Frank said, and then grinned at Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m starved so I hope you fellers left some grub fer me \u2019n\u2019 Adam,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n \u201cListen to him, will ya,\u201d Carl said.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s worried about us leavin\u2019 him grub.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss grinned good-naturedly as the men all laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cHowdy, Hoss!\u00a0 Howdy, Adam!\u201d Little Joe yelled from behind a pot, holding a spoon.\u00a0 \u201cCome have some beans.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t mind if I do,\u201d Hoss said after first grabbing a johnnycake and placing it on his tin plate.\u00a0 Adam followed his example and they held out their plates to their younger brother before heading over to Diego, who gave them each a fried steak.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I baked an apple pie,\u201d Diego said, grinning at Hoss, whose face lit up in anticipation, and Little Joe put the lid back on the pot and went to join his brothers.<\/p>\n \u201cYou two sure are dirty,\u201d he giggled and then added, \u201cI helped Diego make the coffee and he told me that\u2019s gonna be my job.\u00a0 You know how?\u201d he asked, and without waiting for a reply he continued.\u00a0 \u201cFirst ya gotta roast the coffee beans in a skillet\u2014Diego says he\u2019s gonna do that part\u2014then ya put \u2018em in the grinder and grind \u2018em.\u00a0 Ya add the ground up beans and water to the coffeepot and let \u2018em boil.\u00a0 It\u2019s easy!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm, you\u2019re supposed to move the pot off the fire as soon as it boils,\u201d Adam said and Little Joe scowled at him.<\/p>\n \u201cI know how to make coffee,\u201d the boy said belligerently and Adam held his hands up in surrender and concentrated on his supper.<\/p>\n Hoss and Adam were almost finished when Tex called out, \u201cMan at the pot!\u201d and Little Joe asked curiously, \u201cWhat\u2019s that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt means that Miguel has to fill everyone else\u2019s cup with coffee besides his own,\u201d Hoss explained as he and Adam held out their cups to Miguel, who was walking around the circle with the coffeepot.<\/p>\n After the men polished off Diego\u2019s apple pie, they carried their plates, which had been scraped clean, over to the wreck pan and carefully stacked them.<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe, ven ac\u00e1<\/em>,\u201d Diego called, repeating in English, \u201cCome here.\u201d\u00a0 Reluctantly, the boy walked over to join the cook.\u00a0 He was certain Diego had a job for him and he wanted to stay with his brothers and the other vaqueros.\u00a0 Diego handed him a cloth saying, \u201cIt\u2019s time to clean up; I will wash and you dry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo I hafta?\u201d the boy whined.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Diego said calmly and the boy\u2019s face brightened.\u00a0 \u201cI will tell tu papa<\/em> that you refused and he will take you home.\u00a0 But it is your choice, muchacho<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll dry,\u201d Little Joe said sulkily, holding out his hand for the cloth.<\/p>\n Carl and Billy had the first watch and as the others relaxed around the campfire, Tex asked Adam, \u201cHow many drives did ya go on before ya went away to school?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust two,\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0 \u201cI thought I\u2019d remembered what it was like riding drag, but it\u2019s much worse,\u201d he added, grinning ruefully.\u00a0 \u201cWhat I really remember about my first drive is how Miguel saved my life.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh yeah?\u201d Tex asked, and he and Frank glanced curiously at Miguel.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019d been on the trail a couple of days and Pa assigned the two of us the job of gathering firewood,\u201d Adam began.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d picked up several pieces of wood and then I heard a rattle and saw a rattlesnake coiled and ready to strike.\u00a0 I knew there was no way I could draw my gun before the snake bit me and figured my time had come, but before the snake could strike, I heard a gunshot and the snake\u2019s head was shot off.\u00a0 And there was Miguel, putting his revolver back in his holster.\u201d\u00a0 As Tex whistled, Adam smiled warmly at Miguel.<\/p>\n Miguel smiled slightly and said diffidently, \u201cI had forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI never will,\u201d Adam said firmly and Ben added, \u201cNor will I ever forget what I owe you, Miguel.\u201d<\/p>\n Miguel was a little embarrassed and to cover it, he said, \u201cIt\u2019s too bad you didn\u2019t bring your guitar, Adam.\u00a0 We could have had some music.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe could sing without the guitar; I\u2019d be happy to start us off,\u201d Adam said then, looking at the other faces around the campfire.<\/p>\n \u201cSure, I\u2019d like to sing,\u201d Tex said.\u00a0 \u201cEveryone know Lily of the West<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe listened longingly to the men singing as he dried.\u00a0 As soon as he finished, he hurried over to the campfire and sat down beside his pa.\u00a0 Ben smiled warmly at his youngest and put his arm around the boy\u2019s shoulders.\u00a0 Little Joe was happy to be included with the vaqueros but he was very disappointed when the group around the campfire broke up after only more song and the men got out their bedrolls.\u00a0 Feeling grumpy, he got his bedroll from Hoss and put it between his brothers.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sleepy,\u201d he grumbled softly so their pa wouldn\u2019t overhear.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2019m tired and Hoss and I have the last watch so we want to sleep now,\u201d Adam stated in a firm but quiet tone.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Hoss added, lying on his back, using his saddle for a pillow, and Adam quickly followed suit.<\/p>\n Scowling, Little Joe followed their example.\u00a0 He lay in the dark and looked up in the sky for the stars Adam had pointed out to him.\u00a0 Soon he could hear the sound of Hoss snoring beside him.\u00a0 It seemed only a few minutes later a hand was shaking him awake.\u00a0 He opened bleary eyes to discover it was still dark and Diego\u2019s voice said in his ear, \u201c\u00a1Despi\u00e9rtate, muchacho!<\/em>\u00a0 Wake up!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s still dark,\u201d the boy replied, trying to burrow back under his blanket.<\/p>\n Diego shook him more firmly and said softly, \u201cWe must get up now to have breakfast ready at sunup.\u201d<\/p>\n Reluctantly, the boy sat up.\u00a0 He saw his brothers and their bedrolls were both gone and realized they must be on their watch.\u00a0 Sleepily he put up his bedroll and stumbled after the cook.<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss were the first to arrive for breakfast.<\/p>\n \u201cThat bacon sure smells good,\u201d Adam said as he grabbed a couple of Diego\u2019s sourdough biscuits from the Dutch oven.<\/p>\n \u201cIt sure does,\u201d Hoss agreed.<\/p>\n Once he and Adam filled their plates, they held out their cups to Little Joe, who was manning the coffeepot.\u00a0 Hoss took a sip and promptly spit it out while Adam coughed and grimaced as he swallowed his mouthful.<\/p>\n \u201cDadburnit!\u201d Hoss complained, \u201cthat\u2019s the worst coffee I ever tasted!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI told you that you needed to take the pot off the fire once it started to boil!\u201d Adam scolded his youngest brother.<\/p>\n Diego frowned at his helper before saying, \u201cAs did I.\u00a0 There\u2019s no time to make more.\u00a0 Try adding sugar.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Little Joe said, his voice reflecting his misery while his posture was hunched, and he scuffed one boot in the dirt.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not so bad with the sugar.\u00a0 Is it, Adam?\u201d Hoss asked after adding a couple of lumps and using his fork to stir.\u00a0 He felt sorry for his little brother and wanted to reassure him.<\/p>\n \u201cThe sugar helps,\u201d Adam agreed, giving his youngest brother a crooked smile.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I\u2019m certain Little Joe won\u2019t let the coffee boil again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI sure won\u2019t!\u201d the boy said fervently and both brothers grinned at him. As the sky grew darker, the temperature dropped, and the cattle\u2019s lowing increased in volume.\u00a0 The vaqueros all knew one good flash of lightning and roar of thunder could set them off.\u00a0 Soon the men could see bolts of lightning arc across the sky but the length of time between the lightning and the thunder told them the storm was still in the distance.<\/p>\n Ben, who\u2019d been scouting ahead, came riding up to Will and Jos\u00e9, his clothes soaked clean through by the heavy rain.<\/p>\n \u201cHailstorm up ahead,\u201d he called.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s stop here and see if we can wait out the storm.\u00a0 It may break up before it reaches us.\u201d<\/p>\n The vaqueros patrolled the herd, alert for any sign of a stampede.\u00a0 The intervals between the flashes of lightning and the thunder grew shorter and shorter and then men and steers began to be pelted by cold raindrops.\u00a0 The wind began to pick up and Adam felt his hair stand on end and almost simultaneously there was an earsplitting roar of thunder and a lightning bolt struck so close he felt singed by the heat.\u00a0 His horse reared up in terror and as he worked to regain control, the cattle began to stampede.<\/p>\n The vaqueros rode hard, attempting to head off the stampede, lashed by the wind and rain, then pounded by hailstones.\u00a0 Hoss and Adam saw Miguel\u2019s horse stumble and go down.\u00a0 They shouted and waved their hats as they rode hell-for-leather, managing to turn the stampede away from Miguel.<\/p>\n In spite of the men\u2019s best efforts, the herd covered several miles before they were able to regain control.\u00a0 It was dark by the time they reached the campsite but Diego and Little Joe had beef stew, biscuits and hot coffee ready for the bone-weary vaqueros.\u00a0 Miguel walked up to Adam and Hoss after they dismounted his expression somber.<\/p>\n \u201cI owe you my life, mis amigos<\/em>,\u201d he said earnestly as he placed a hand on their shoulders.<\/p>\n \u201cAw, you\u2019d \u2019ve done the same fer us, Miguel,\u201d Hoss said, embarrassment making his sunburned face redder.<\/p>\n \u201cTrue, but if you had not acted so quickly, I would have been trampled.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re just glad we were able to turn back those steers,\u201d Adam said quietly, his expression as grave Miguel\u2019s.\u00a0 Then one corner of his mouth turned up slightly and he added, \u201cI guess you and I are even now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSi, mi amigo<\/em>, we are even,\u201d Miguel said, returning Adam\u2019s grin. \u201cFirst thing I\u2019m gonna do after I get paid is go over to the Old Crow and get me a nice cold beer,\u201d Tex announced as the vaqueros carried their plates over to the wreck pan.<\/p>\n \u201cThat sounds mighty good to me,\u201d Frank said with an enormous lazy grin.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, me too,\u201d Hoss added.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I get to the saloon, I\u2019m lookin\u2019 for a pretty gal who\u2019ll let me buy her a drink,\u201d Carl drawled.\u00a0 \u201cWhat about you, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA pretty girl and a cold beer both sound inviting,\u201d Adam replied with a dimpled smile, \u201cbut I have something else to take care of first so I\u2019ll meet you fellows at the Old Crow.\u201d<\/p>\n As Hoss and Adam saddled their horses, Hoss asked in a worried tone, \u201cWhat about Little Joe?\u00a0 He sure can\u2019t go to the Old Crow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI imagine Pa has plans for Little Joe,\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think he\u2019d expect us to nursemaid him.\u00a0 After all, he\u2019s the one who decided to bring him on the drive.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd if his plan was to stop Little Joe from pesterin\u2019 him to come next year, I think it worked,\u201d Hoss said with a laugh.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, he sure doesn\u2019t like getting up before dawn to make breakfast,\u201d Adam said, chuckling.<\/p>\n \u201cOr havin\u2019 to wash and dry the dishes,\u201d Hoss added.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd any of the other chores Diego gave him,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cPretty smart of Pa.\u201d\u00a0 The two brothers were laughing as they mounted their horses. \u201cI wanna go with Hoss and Adam,\u201d Little Joe announced as he stood by Ben and watched the men set off down the dusty street while his brothers waited for their wages.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, you and I are going to register at the Cary House Hotel and then we\u2019re going to explore the town,\u201d Ben said to his youngest, smiling down at him.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I wanna go with Hoss and Adam.\u00a0 Please, Pa,\u201d Little Joe begged, looking at his pa pleadingly with his big green eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, but little boys don\u2019t belong in saloons,\u201d Adam said with a wink, and then reached over and tipped Little Joe\u2019s hat over his eyes.\u00a0 Little Joe scowled up at his brother.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, Adam\u2019s right, Little Joe.\u00a0 \u2019Sides, you wouldn\u2019t have no fun,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n \u201cYour brothers are both right,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cI promise you\u2019ll have a better time exploring Placerville with me than you would tagging after Adam and Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Little Joe said, but he didn\u2019t sound convinced.<\/p>\n \u201cActually, I\u2019ll walk to the hotel with you,\u201d Adam said then.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not necessary,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m reserving a room for you and Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks,\u201d Adam said and Hoss added, \u201cYeah, thanks, Pa.\u00a0 I\u2019ll see you at the Old Crow, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Then he hurried after the other vaqueros.<\/p>\n Adam explained, \u201cI need some information and I think the hotel can provide it.\u00a0 I\u2019ll catch up with the others.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSuit yourself,\u201d Ben said with a shrug.\u00a0 As they walked along, Ben and Adam leading Buck and Beauty, Ben commented, \u201cThe hotel we\u2019re going to stay at is new.\u00a0 Two years ago Placerville had a terrible fire and many of the buildings were burned, including the hotel where we used to stay.\u00a0 Dave Townsend told me the new hotel here, the Cary House Hotel, is one of the finest around.\u00a0 It\u2019s made of brick so it won\u2019t burn easily.\u201d<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t long before they came to a handsome three-story brick building with a balcony on the second floor.\u00a0 All three Cartwrights were impressed, Adam in particular.\u00a0 The lobby with its grand staircase was even more imposing.\u00a0 The front desk clerk looked disdainfully at the Cartwrights in their dusty trail clothes.\u00a0 Ben ignored the contemptuous glance and said, \u201cI\u2019d like to reserve two rooms for tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n The clerk named the price, obviously thinking that would scare Ben off.\u00a0 His eyebrows arched in surprise when Ben pulled out a handful of half eagles.<\/p>\n \u201cThat should cover it,\u201d Ben said with a sardonic smile.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, indeed,\u201d the clerk said, all traces of condescension wiped off his face.\u00a0 \u201cI have two rooms that open onto the balcony if you\u2019d like those?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben looked down at Little Joe\u2019s hopeful expression and told the clerk, \u201cThat will be fine,\u201d and picked up the pen to sign the register.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll sign for our room,\u201d Adam said, \u201cand I\u2019ll take our key.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s go see our room,\u201d Little Joe begged his pa.\u00a0 Adam watched the two of them head up the staircase and turned to the clerk.<\/p>\n \u201cCould you tell me where there\u2019s a bathhouse?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, but we have a bathroom with hot and cold running water on every floor for our guests\u2019 convenience,\u201d the clerk replied.<\/p>\n \u201cSplendid!\u201d Adam said and then hurried to retrieve his saddlebags, which contained his change of clothes and shaving paraphernalia.<\/p>\n He stopped at his room first, noting it was neat and clean although not as elegant as the lobby, which had been finished with expensive mahogany and cherry.\u00a0 He gathered up what he needed and set off in search of the bathroom.\u00a0 It was empty so he locked the door and draped his clean clothing over the cane back chair in one corner.\u00a0 He filled the copper bathtub with hot water and then lay back and let the water ease his sore muscles.\u00a0 Once the water began to grow tepid, he washed quickly, using the bar of hard soap provided by the hotel, and then dried off.\u00a0\u00a0 Wrapping the towel around his waist, he brushed his clean hair until his curls were tamed and then he shaved off the beard he\u2019d begun on the trail.<\/p>\n \u201cThat feels much better,\u201d he said aloud as he rubbed his fingers across his smooth cheeks.<\/p>\n He dressed hurriedly in a pair of brown gabardine trousers and a shirt of unbleached muslin, happy to be out of his filthy red flannel shirt and waist overalls.\u00a0 He whistled jauntily as he walked to the Old Crow.\u00a0 He paused just outside the swinging doors and peered inside, giving his eyes a minute to adjust to the dim, smoky interior.\u00a0 He spotted Hoss sitting at a table with Tex, Frank and Billy, sipping their beers.\u00a0 Then he saw Carl sitting at a table with a petite, dark-haired woman.\u00a0 Grinning, he pushed the doors open and strode inside.<\/p>\n \u201cHey Adam!\u201d Hoss called.<\/p>\n \u201cLookee, Adam done got hisself all prettied up,\u201d Tex said loudly, causing the other patrons and saloon girls to turn and look at Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cAw, Adam jest likes to be clean,\u201d Hoss said quickly, but the others all snickered.<\/p>\n Adam merely smiled at Tex and walked over to the bar and ordered a beer.\u00a0 While he waited for his beer, he checked out the saloon girls.\u00a0 The one sitting with Carl was definitely the youngest and the prettiest in his opinion.\u00a0 A buxom, brassy blonde approached and asked with a sultry smile, \u201cBuy me a drink, Sugar?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe later,\u201d Adam lied.\u00a0 \u201cRight now I want to join a friend.\u201d\u00a0 The blonde flounced off in search of another customer.<\/p>\n As Adam approached Carl\u2019s table, he noted the girl gazed at him demurely beneath her lashes.\u00a0 Then she looked up at him and smiled invitingly.\u00a0 He thought she\u2019d be much prettier if she washed off the powder and rouge, but she had enormous brown eyes in a triangular face and full pouty lips that begged to be kissed.\u00a0 She was also slim and dainty, which he preferred to voluptuous.\u00a0 \u201cMind if I join you, Carl?\u201d he asked, flashing a dimpled smile at the saloon girl.<\/p>\n Before Carl could open his mouth to refuse, the girl said quickly, \u201cPlease do,\u201d gesturing at the empty seat to her left.<\/p>\n Adam grinned broadly as he sat down and placed his hat on the table.\u00a0 \u201cAren\u2019t you going to introduce me to the young lady, Carl?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n Carl scowled at Adam and said grudgingly, \u201cHelen, this is Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam continued to smile and look into Helen\u2019s soft doe eyes.\u00a0 \u201cYour name suits you,\u201d he said softly.\u00a0 Then he quoted:<\/p>\n Was this the face that launch’d a thousand ships \u201cMy, you talk pretty,\u201d she said.\u00a0 She might have blushed, but it was hard to tell under the powder and rouge.<\/p>\n \u201cPretty enough to be rewarded with a kiss?\u201d he asked.\u00a0 She smiled and leaned over to give him one quick kiss.\u00a0 When she pulled away, Adam couldn\u2019t help a tiny smirk at Carl\u2019s angry glower.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you know any more of that pretty talk?\u201d Helen asked eagerly.<\/p>\n \u201cSure I do,\u201d Adam drawled.\u00a0 \u201cHere\u2019s another I like:\u201d<\/p>\n Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, \u201cThat\u2019s pretty, but it\u2019s sad,\u201d Helen said quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, who wants to hear a poem about dyin\u2019?\u201d Carl asked scornfully.\u00a0 Then reaching to put an arm around Helen\u2019s shoulders and draw her close, he added, \u201cMe, I\u2019d rather talk about lovin\u2019.\u201d\u00a0 He tried to steal a kiss, but the girl turned her face away.<\/p>\n \u201cI know poems about love,\u201d Adam said, gazing into her eyes.\u00a0 She seemed mesmerized and shrugged off Carl\u2019s arm and leaned toward Adam.\u00a0 Not breaking their eye contact, he began to recite:<\/p>\n Drink to me only with thine eyes \u201cThat\u2019s beautiful,\u201d she breathed.\u00a0 He leaned over to capture her mouth in a kiss and she didn\u2019t resist.\u00a0 When they broke apart, she moved closer and said breathlessly, \u201cTell me more, Adam.\u00a0 I like to hear you say those pretty poems.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWill ya look at that!\u201d Frank exclaimed, pointing at the table where Adam, Carl and Helen were sitting.\u00a0 \u201cOl\u2019 Carl wasn\u2019t gittin\u2019 nowhere with that little gal, and she can\u2019t take her eyes off yer brother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGuess it was pretty smart of Adam to git all cleaned up,\u201d Billy commented speculatively.<\/p>\n Just then Adam got his third kiss and Carl stood up angrily and walked away.\u00a0 As he stalked past the table where Hoss and the others sat, Tex commented snidely, \u201cLooks like yer not the ladies\u2019 favorite no more.\u201d<\/p>\n Carl glared wrathfully at the other man and for a minute Hoss thought a fight might break out, but then Carl shrugged and said with a sneer, \u201cI\u2019m goin\u2019 over to the Exchange where there\u2019s real women who appreciate real men\u2014not ones that spout off poetry!\u201d\u00a0 He ignored the guffaws behind his back as he exited the saloon.<\/p>\n Chapter 4<\/em><\/strong> \u201cYou are so right,\u201d Adam agreed, grinning at his brother.\u00a0 \u201cTonight I can sleep in my own bed.\u00a0 Uh, I mean our own bed,\u201d he corrected himself and shook his head slightly.<\/p>\n As Ben dismounted, Hoss leaned over and said quietly to Adam, \u201cI gotta admit that it was nice at the hotel only sharin\u2019 a bed with one brother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt sure was,\u201d Adam said with a wink before he dismounted.\u00a0 As they walked into the barn, he said, \u201cWhat I liked best about the Cary House was the bathroom.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou would!\u201d Hoss chuckled and Adam playfully punched his stomach.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t tell me you didn\u2019t enjoy soaking in the hot water,\u201d Adam teased.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was relaxin\u2019,\u201d Hoss admitted with a grin.\u00a0 \u201cI could kinda understand how come ya like takin\u2019 baths so much.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI must admit I was glad to have the use of the bathroom,\u201d Ben commented then.\u00a0 He chuckled as he added, \u201cAs far as your younger brother is concerned, a bath is a bath and he hates them.\u201d<\/p>\n The three cared for their mounts and then headed for the cabin.<\/p>\n \u201cThink Hop Sing would mind heating me some water for a bath and a shave?\u201d Adam asked.\u00a0 \u201cSupper won\u2019t be for another three hours.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere ya go, wantin\u2019 another bath,\u201d Hoss laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cActually, I\u2019d like for you and Little Joe to have one as well,\u201d Adam said, grinning at his brother, and Ben chuckled.<\/p>\n \u201cWe all need a bath and everyone except Little Joe needs a shave,\u201d he said, smiling broadly. His brothers looked up from their game and smiled a greeting while his pa said, \u201cI\u2019m glad to see you, Little Joe.\u00a0 Hop Sing has hot water heating for your bath.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw Pa, do I gotta,\u201d Little Joe complained and Ben replied firmly, \u201cYes, you have to take a bath.\u00a0 Now hurry and get it over with before supper.\u201d<\/p>\n After Ben blessed the food and they began to eat, he said, \u201cEnjoy yourselves tonight, boys, because you won\u2019t have much spare time for the next couple of weeks.\u00a0 Adam and Hoss, I want you to concentrate on replenishing the woodshed so we have enough to last through the winter.\u00a0 I\u2019ll butcher a couple of pigs and a steer and take care of smoking and salting the meat.\u00a0 Little Joe will help Hop Sing with the sausage and lard and making candles.\u201d<\/p>\n They all nodded and then Hoss asked, \u201cPlay another game of checkers, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wanna play,\u201d Little Joe inserted quickly.\u00a0 Hoss seemed to want play checkers with Adam all the time and Little Joe was feeling left out.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll play the winner,\u201d Adam said with one of his crooked grins.\u00a0 \u201cI want to write in my journal first.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll play the winner of the second game,\u201d Ben offered and his sons smiled at him.<\/p>\n As Hop Sing began to clear the table, Adam asked his brothers, \u201cDo you mind setting up the checkerboard in the middle of the table so I can write at this end?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t mind,\u201d Hoss said and Little Joe shrugged.\u00a0 Adam hurried up to the loft and returned a few minutes later with a leather-bound book, a steel nib pen and an inkwell.\u00a0 While Hoss set up the checkerboard, Little Joe watched with interest as his oldest brother unscrewed the lid of the inkwell, dipped in his pen and began to write.\u00a0 Little Joe had never used a pen to write with, only pencils.\u00a0 The only other person he\u2019d seen write with a pen was Pa.\u00a0 He walked over to get a closer look.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019re ya writin\u2019 about?\u201d he asked curiously.<\/p>\n Adam straightened up, managing to block his brother\u2019s view of what he\u2019d written.\u00a0 \u201cHow much dust I had to eat on the drive and how loud Hoss and Diego snored.\u00a0 Oh, and the pretty girl in Placerville who let me steal a kiss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYa got more than one,\u201d Hoss commented, grinning at his older brother while Little Joe made a gagging sound.<\/p>\n Adam couldn\u2019t help grinning, knowing that Little Joe\u2019s attitude would change radically in a few years.\u00a0 He glanced toward the end of the table and saw his pa looking at him with one eyebrow raised, and feeling bold, he winked.\u00a0 Pa wouldn\u2019t approve of his kissing Helen but he\u2019d enjoyed it, and he\u2019d enjoyed making Carl jealous.<\/p>\n Little Joe started to rejoin Hoss, and Adam realized that he was letting an opportunity to grow closer to Little Joe slip through his fingers.\u00a0 He quickly closed the journal and put the lid on the inkwell before standing up.<\/p>\n \u201cWait, Little Joe,\u201d he said and the boy turned toward him.\u00a0 \u201cI have something up in the loft that\u2019s more interesting than my journal.\u00a0 Would you like to see it?\u201d<\/p>\n The boy\u2019s expression was skeptical, but he shrugged and said, \u201cOkay,\u201d and followed his brother up the ladder.\u00a0 When Hoss started to go after them, Ben put a hand on his arm and shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cLet them spend some time together,\u201d he said quietly and Hoss nodded to show he understood.<\/p>\n Up in the loft, Adam quickly walked over to the corner where he\u2019d stored his trunk and opened it.\u00a0 As he moved his clothes out of the way, he said to Little Joe, \u201cWhile I was at college, I designed a house for us, one where each of us would have his own bedroom and his own bed.\u201d\u00a0 Pulling out a roll of papers from the bottom of the trunk and flourishing them, he said, \u201cHere are the designs.\u00a0 I\u2019ll spread them on the bed so you can see.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam unrolled the papers carefully and pointed to the top sheet, which was a watercolor presentation drawing.\u00a0 \u201cThis shows you what the house will look like when it\u2019s finished.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGosh, it\u2019s big!\u201d Little Joe exclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019s my room?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour bedroom is at the back.\u00a0 You can see it better in the floor plan.\u201d\u00a0 He pulled a sheet from the bottom of the pile and placed it on top of the drawing.\u00a0 \u201cHere\u2019s the floor plan for the second floor.\u201d\u00a0 He pointed, saying, \u201cThis is your room, right next to Pa\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe\u2019s face lit up and he shouted, \u201cPa!\u00a0 Hoss!\u00a0 Come see the pictures of Adam\u2019s house!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben called up, \u201cWhy don\u2019t you bring them down here?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam rolled up the plans and then the brothers went down the ladder.\u00a0 Hoss cleared off the checkerboard and Ben moved his ledger to make room for the plans.<\/p>\n \u201cShow \u2018em the pictures, Adam,\u201d Little Joe commanded.<\/p>\n Adam unrolled the plans, spreading them on the table, and as he did so he said, \u201cI was telling Little Joe that while I was at Harvard I designed a house for us.\u00a0 I think we\u2019ve outgrown this cabin.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss whistled as he looked at the watercolor drawing Adam had made of the finished house while Ben gazed at it intently.<\/p>\n \u201cI used what\u2019s known as timber frame architecture,\u201d Adam explained.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s been around for hundreds of years and it seemed perfect for us.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe was too excited to wait for his brother to discuss the design of their new house.\u00a0 He pulled out the floor plan for the second floor and pointed to one of the rooms marked bedroom.\u00a0 \u201cLook Pa!\u00a0 Adam said that room could be mine.\u00a0 And this big one next to it is yours.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI, uh, planned for this one at the front to be mine,\u201d Adam said, pointing to the floor plan.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about me?\u201d Hoss asked.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019s my room?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere are five bedrooms upstairs,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cYou can have the one right across the hall from mine or this one next to Little Joe\u2019s room.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss studied the floor plan and then said, \u201cThe room by Little Joe\u2019s looks smaller.\u00a0 Is it?\u201d\u00a0 Adam nodded and Hoss said, \u201cI\u2019ll take the room across from yours.\u00a0 It looks nice and big.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe pointed to an area on the floor plan and asked, \u201cWhat\u2019s this room here, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not a room,\u201d Adam answered.\u00a0 Seeing three puzzled expressions, he explained, \u201cYou see, this area will be open to the great room on the first floor.\u00a0 The great room will have what we call a cathedral ceiling that goes up to the roof.\u201d\u00a0 Then he looked over at where Hop Sing was drying dishes and said, \u201cI\u2019ve designed a new house for us, Hop Sing, and I wanted to show you your bedroom and your kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n As Hop Sing joined the others around the table, Adam spread out the floor plan for the first floor.\u00a0 \u201cSee this wing,\u201d he said gesturing.\u00a0 \u201cIt has a nice big room for you and next to it will be a combination washhouse and bathhouse.\u00a0 Both rooms have their own doors leading outside.\u00a0 The washhouse and the kitchen, which is in this smaller wing, will have full circuit plumbing and that means there will be pipes to supply clean water and pipes to carry away the dirty water.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean like the bathroom at the hotel?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n Adam smiled a little and replied, \u201cThat\u2019s right.\u201d\u00a0 He saw his younger brothers looking at him skeptically and said firmly, \u201cFull circuit plumbing has been used since ancient times; it won\u2019t be that difficult to install.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDadburnit, Adam, you sure learned a lot at college,\u201d Hoss said admiringly.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d better have, considering the money Pa spent on my education,\u201d Adam responded with a chuckle.<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing very thankful for water pipes,\u201d the cook said, smiling happily,<\/p>\n Ben hadn\u2019t said anything yet, just carefully studied the plans spread across the table.\u00a0 Now he smiled at his first-born, and placing a hand on his son\u2019s shoulder, he said, \u201cI can see you have real talent, son, and I\u2019m proud of you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d Adam said quietly.\u00a0 Ben saw the happiness in his son\u2019s hazel eyes, and gave his shoulder a quick squeeze before dropping his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s start buildin\u2019 tomorrow!\u201d Little Joe demanded enthusiastically.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, we have lots of things to do before we\u2019re ready to begin building the house,\u201d Adam said, the corners of his mouth turning up in a tiny grin at his brother\u2019s eagerness.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat things?\u201d his little brother asked impatiently.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to cut and mill the lumber we\u2019ll need.\u00a0 I\u2019ll have to meet with whomever is in charge at the sawmill, so I can let him know how many board feet of rough-sawn timbers and boards we\u2019ll need and how many of dressed boards,\u201d Adam answered.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I need to find out if our sawmill can cut the shingles for the roof or if we\u2019ll need to buy them in Placerville.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled at Little Joe before adding, \u201cWe have to decide where to build our new house and then we have to prepare the site by removing any trees and rocks.\u00a0 All that has to be done before we can start building the house.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe\u2019s disappointment showed clearly on his expressive face.<\/p>\n \u201cAny work on the house will have to wait until the butchering is done and your brothers have finished chopping this winter\u2019s firewood,\u201d Ben stated firmly.\u00a0 Then he smiled at his sons, saying, \u201cWe can all be thinking about where we should build our new home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I\u2019m hoping we can finish the site preparation before winter sets in so as soon as the spring thaw we can begin constructing the foundation,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cOh, and we should try and build two cabins near the site for the workmen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWorkmen?\u201d Ben repeated.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, I thought the four of us would build the house just as we built this cabin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, building a house like this isn\u2019t like building a cabin,\u201d Adam explained.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll need men with experience in carpentry, masonry, plumbing and plastering.\u201d\u00a0 He saw his father frown slightly but before he could think of any additional arguments to convince his father, Hoss spoke up.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam\u2019s right, Pa.\u00a0 I can build a cabin or a barn, but I wouldn\u2019t know how to build a grand house like this one here,\u201d and he pointed at the drawing of the completed house.\u00a0 \u201cIf it\u2019s gonna look the way Adam planned, then we gotta hire men who know how to build a house like this.\u00a0 I expect we could find some in Placerville, maybe see where they hired the men who built that hotel.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a great idea, Hoss,\u201d Adam said, smiling warmly at his brother before gazing warily at their father.<\/p>\n Ben was quiet for a minute but then he smiled at his boys and said, \u201cAll right, Adam, you designed the house so you\u2019ll be in charge of its construction.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wanna help build our house,\u201d Little Joe insisted, and Adam smiled down at him.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s one way you can help and you won\u2019t need to wait.\u00a0 We\u2019re going to need lots and lots of wooden pegs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow come?\u201d Little Joe asked curiously.<\/p>\n Adam saw the same curiosity on the other faces so he said, \u201cI\u2019ll show you.\u201d\u00a0 He turned over one of the floor plans and asked Little Joe to get him a pencil. \u201cYou see, Little Joe, a timber frame house has tall posts that make up the walls and support the roof,\u201d he said as he quickly sketched them.\u00a0 \u201cThe posts connect with beams, rafters and braces that form the roof and support the walls,\u201d he continued, adding to his drawing as the others watched.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll use the pegs to lock the places where the posts, beams, rafters and braces are joined together,\u201d and he pointed to places on his rough sketch.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re joined by a method called mortise and tenon; the pegs make sure they stay joined.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled at his youngest brother.\u00a0 \u201cIf I show you how, do you think you can whittle a hundred or more pegs?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure I can,\u201d the boy said confidently.\u00a0 \u201cShow me how right now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought me \u2018n\u2019 you was gonna play a game of checkers,\u201d Hoss protested.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you start on the pegs tomorrow,\u201d Ben suggested, smiling fondly at his youngest, and the boy nodded. \u201cYeah, and I\u2019ll have a bedroom where I can stand up without bumpin\u2019 my head,\u201d Hoss declared while his brothers chuckled, and Adam added, \u201cDitto.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you have any ideas about where we should build?\u201d Adam asked as they got into bed.<\/p>\n \u201cNah, but I\u2019ll give it some thought,\u201d Hoss promised and Little Joe chimed in with, \u201cMe, too.\u201d \u201cI hope I have a letter from Aaron,\u201d Adam said as he spread raspberry jam on a biscuit.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, can I help Hoss \u2018n\u2019 Adam?\u201d Little Joe begged, but Ben shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cYour brothers don\u2019t need your help, but Hop Sing does,\u201d he replied kindly.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2019Sides, you know you like grindin\u2019 the sausage,\u201d Hoss interjected, grinning at his little brother.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I\u2019ll give you your first lesson in carving the pegs tonight. Okay?\u201d Adam asked with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cSure!\u201d Little Joe replied enthusiastically. \u201cYou want a favor from me?\u201d the boy said in surprise.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0 \u201cI know I said that I\u2019d teach you how to whittle pegs tonight, but I really want to read my letters.\u00a0 Would you mind if I waited until after I read them to show you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll play a game of checkers with ya while Adam\u2019s readin\u2019,\u201d Hoss added quickly.<\/p>\n Little Joe really wanted to learn how to carve the pegs, but as he looked at the faces around the table, he could see they all thought he should let Adam read his letters first.\u00a0 It\u2019s not fair!\u00a0 He said he\u2019d show me and he can read his dumb ol\u2019 letters some other time.<\/em>\u00a0 Then he saw the hopeful look in Adam\u2019s eyes and realized how badly Adam wanted to hear from his friends.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, you can show me after you finish readin\u2019,\u201d Little Joe forced himself to say.\u00a0 He was immediately rewarded by his brother\u2019s big dimpled smile.\u00a0 Seeing Adam\u2019s happiness, made Little Joe feel happy too, and then Pa reached over and tousled his curls and Little Joe could see Pa was proud of him.\u00a0 Little Joe felt good all over as he basked in his family\u2019s approval.<\/p>\n As soon as Hop Sing cleared away the supper dishes and while his brothers set up the checkerboard, Adam moved one of their tallow candles nearer and opened Aaron\u2019s letter.<\/p>\n July 11, 1858<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dear Adam,<\/p>\n Elsie and I returned from Martha\u2019s Vineyard a few days ago but I\u2019ve been too busy with the haying to write until today, Sunday being a day of rest.<\/p>\n Adam, being married to Elsie is even more wonderful than I had imagined.\u00a0 She is trying so hard to be a good wife and my mother is very impressed with her willingness to learn all the things a farmer\u2019s wife needs to know.\u00a0 When I told her that I felt guilty taking her away from the life she was born to, she laughed and told me not to be a goose.\u00a0 She said she enjoys learning to cook and bake and how to churn butter and put up jams and jellies.\u00a0 I did get her to admit that she\u2019s not fond of scrubbing floors or doing the washing, but she assured me it\u2019s not so bad since they share the work.<\/p>\n I guess it\u2019s a little crowded with six of us living in the farmhouse but David is a good sport about moving to the attic.\u00a0 In a year or so I will probably build a house for us, but right now Elsie couldn\u2019t manage a house on her own.\u00a0 Fortunately, she and Docia have become good friends; I imagine it hasn\u2019t been easy for Docia growing up with no sisters so she\u2019s happy to have one now.<\/p>\n I sure wish I could persuade my father to buy a McCormick reaper.\u00a0 It\u2019s not that I mind cutting the hay with scythes; it\u2019s the inefficiency that galls me.\u00a0 When I told my father that we could cut the hay in half the time using a reaper, he just looked at me and said, \u201cWhat would you do with the extra time, son?\u00a0 \u2018Idle hands are the devil\u2019s tools.\u2019\u201d\u00a0 I don\u2019t think I\u2019m ever going to persuade him, but I\u2019ll keep on trying.<\/p>\n I look forward to receiving a letter from you and learning how you\u2019re adjusting to life back on the ranch.\u00a0 Oh, and I want to know how your family reacted to the house you designed.<\/p>\n Sincerely, P.S. Elsie says to say hello and that she\u2019s also looking forward to hearing what your family thinks about your house.<\/p>\n Adam smiled as he put the pages back in the envelope and set it to one side before picking up Thomas\u2019s letter.\u00a0 He glanced at his brothers and saw Little Joe yawn, obviously struggling to keep awake.\u00a0 Ben noticed as well and announced firmly, \u201cAs soon as you finish the game, it\u2019s time for you to go to bed, Little Joe.\u00a0 Adam can show you how to whittle the pegs tomorrow night.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw, I\u2019m not tired, Pa,\u201d the boy protested but Ben only said sternly, \u201cJoseph,\u201d and the boy sighed in defeat.<\/p>\n One corner of Adam\u2019s mouth turned up in amusement as he opened the envelope containing Thomas\u2019s letter.<\/p>\n July 15, 1858<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dear Adam,<\/p>\n I hope this letter finds you safely restored to the bosom of your family.\u00a0 After four years at Harvard, I imagine life on a remote ranch is going to take some getting used to, but I know how much you wanted to return to the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n As for me, I will be leaving for Europe in two days.\u00a0 I\u2019m really looking forward to visiting places that I\u2019ve read about: Chartres Cathedral, Versailles, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter\u2019s Basilica and so many more.\u00a0 I\u2019ll spend some time in London first seeing St. Paul\u2019s, the Tower, the British Museum, Westminster and the London Zoo.\u00a0 I also plan on visiting Stonehenge and probably Oxford and Cambridge before I cross the Channel.<\/p>\n I plan on touring Europe for a year.\u00a0 I asked Rebecca if I could write her and she promised to write me as well.\u00a0 I think our separation will be either a case of \u2018Absence makes the heart grow fonder\u2019 or \u2018Out of sight, out of mind\u2019. If the latter, it\u2019s best we find out now.<\/p>\n By the way, Aaron and Elsie visited me on their way back to Shelburne Falls.\u00a0 They are the picture of marital bliss.\u00a0 I confess to being a bit envious but they deserve their happiness.<\/p>\n The next letter you receive from me will be sent from London.<\/p>\n Sincerely, As he put the pages back in the envelope, Adam said, \u201cI\u2019m really tired so I think I\u2019ll go on up to bed when you do, Little Joe.\u00a0 I\u2019ll write to Aaron tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGuess I might as well turn in then too,\u201d Hoss said with a shrug.<\/p>\n \u201cNo one else is back from their cattle drive yet and since it will just be the four of us and Hop Sing, I think we can dress less formally this Sunday,\u201d Ben said, smiling at his middle boy\u2019s expression of relief at not having to wear a necktie.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, could we go over to Gold Canyon and bowl tomorrow afternoon?\u201d Little Joe asked hopefully. \u201cPlease?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam ain\u2019t never seen the bowling alley the miners built,\u201d Hoss added.\u00a0 Then he turned to his older brother and asked, \u201cYou ever bowled?\u00a0 It\u2019s fun.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, my friends and I bowled lots of times,\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0 \u201cI prefer billiards, but I like bowling.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s an excellent suggestion, Little Joe,\u201d Ben said, smiling broadly at his sons.\u00a0 His expression grew more serious as he said to his youngest.\u00a0 \u201cRight now, you need to finish your game and get on up to bed.\u201d \u201cThere aren\u2019t nearly as many miners as there were four years ago,\u201d Ben informed Adam as they rode along.\u00a0 \u201cMost of them eventually realized they were wasting their time and pulled up stakes.\u00a0 A few are too stubborn to admit defeat so they stay here, living in their little shacks, and Andy and I sell them the occasional steer so they have some fresh meat.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBeats me why a man\u2019d wanna spend his time diggin\u2019 rocks lookin\u2019 fer gold,\u201d Hoss added, his expression bemused.<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t want to be a miner,\u201d Adam agreed, \u201cbut being a mining engineer might be interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s a mining engineer?\u201d Little Joe asked.<\/p>\n \u201cA mining engineer is the person who determines whether an area can be mined profitably and he also designs the mine to make it as safe as possible for the miners,\u201d Adam answered.<\/p>\n \u201cHow does he do that?\u00a0 Make it safe, I mean,\u201d Little Joe wanted to know.<\/p>\n \u201cHe applies engineering and mathematical principles to solve the problem,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you think that\u2019s interesting?\u201d Little Joe asked incredulously.<\/p>\n \u201cI do.\u00a0 I\u2019ve always enjoyed solving problems, especially if they\u2019re mathematical,\u201d Adam stated with one of his crooked grins.\u00a0 Little Joe rolled his eyes while Hoss chuckled.\u00a0 Ben managed a smile, but he felt uneasy as he recognized the truth in Adam\u2019s statement, and he found it disquieting that Adam would even consider a life separate from the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t borrow trouble<\/em> he scolded himself.\u00a0 If Adam had wanted to be a mining engineer, he could have.\u00a0 He chose to return to the Ponderosa<\/em>.<\/p>\n As the four Cartwrights approached the ramshackle building that served as a combined saloon, store and bowling alley, Adam grimaced.\u00a0 \u201cNow that is an ugly building,\u201d he muttered under his breath.\u00a0 \u201cViolates all seven lamps of architecture.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat d\u2019ya say?\u201d Hoss asked but Adam quickly replied, \u201cNothing,\u201d and Hoss shrugged.<\/p>\n The door was wide open to allow in the fresh air and sunshine but there weren\u2019t many windows and they were sooty so the building was still dark and dingy, especially when contrasted with the brilliant sunlight outside.\u00a0 The Cartwrights heard the wooden ball striking the wooden pins before their eyes adjusted to the dim light.\u00a0 They heard a man laugh and say loudly, \u201cYa missed two and you needed a spare to beat me.\u201d\u00a0 Just then a man with a scraggly beard who was dressed in a ruffled shirt, brocade waistcoat and a threadbare black frock coat noticed their entrance and walked toward them with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Cartwright, always a pleasure to see you, sir, and your sons.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled at Hoss and Little Joe before turning to Adam and extending his hand.\u00a0 \u201cAnd this must be the young scholar fresh from his academic triumphs at Harvard College, that bastion of knowledge and learning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Comstock, allow me to introduce my eldest son, Adam.\u00a0 Adam, I\u2019d like for you to meet Mr. Henry Comstock,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 He then quickly introduced Adam to the other miners gathered at the bowling alley:\u00a0 Patrick McLaughlin, Peter O\u2019Riley, Manny Penrod, Sandy Bowers and James Finney.<\/p>\n \u201cCall me \u2018Old Virginny\u2019,\u201d Finney told Adam as he shook his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cI expect you come over to do some bowling,\u201d Bowers said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf it\u2019s all right,\u201d Ben replied and Bowers smiled at Little Joe, who was looking hopefully at the miners.<\/p>\n \u201cSure it is,\u201d Bowers said, and the others all nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWe was fixin\u2019 to stop for a while anyways,\u201d Old Virginny added, \u201cso the alley\u2019s all yours.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks!\u201d Little Joe said, smiling happily at the miners before running into the bowling alley.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll set up the pins,\u201d he called to his family.<\/p>\n Adam picked up one of the wooden bowling balls.\u00a0 \u201cThese balls are smaller and lighter than the ones we used in Cambridge,\u201d he commented.\u00a0 \u201cAnd the lanes are shorter.\u201d\u00a0 He shrugged, saying, \u201cGuess I\u2019ll adjust.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe let Little Joe stand closer when he bowls to compensate for the difference in size and strength,\u201d Ben said then.<\/p>\n Little Joe finished setting up the pins and ran toward the others yelling, \u201cI wanna go first!\u201d\u00a0 He lifted the smooth wooden ball, which was really too big for his hand, and walked to his accustomed spot.\u00a0 He cradled the ball in his left hand and then stood with his right foot a little ahead of his left and in line with the center of the lane.\u00a0 He moved the ball until it was a little lower than his waist and then as he stepped forward, he moved his left arm back and down, releasing the ball.\u00a0 He jumped in excitement at the sound of the ball hitting the pins.<\/p>\n \u201cYou got four.\u00a0 See if you can get a spare,\u201d Ben said, giving the excited eight-year-old\u2019s shoulder an affectionate squeeze.<\/p>\n Little Joe knocked down three more pins and then ran to reset them for the next player.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you go next, Pa,\u201d Hoss suggested so Ben picked up the ball.\u00a0 His stance was the same as Little Joe\u2019s, hardly surprising since he\u2019d taught both his younger sons to bowl.\u00a0 He bowled a spare and then turned to Adam and Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019s next?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you go, Adam,\u201d Hoss suggested but Adam shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d rather go last.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSuit yerself,\u201d Hoss said and lifted the ball in his large hand.\u00a0 He knocked down all ten pins and Little Joe jumped up and down, shouting, \u201cA strike!\u00a0 Hoss got a strike!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood job,\u201d Adam said to his younger brother, giving his arm a playful jab.\u00a0 He had learned to bowl in Cambridge and his stance was different from the others.\u00a0 He bent slightly and held the ball in front of his face before swinging it back and down.<\/p>\n \u201cHow come he\u2019s standin\u2019 like that?\u201d Little Joe asked Hoss in a loud whisper.<\/p>\n \u201cI dunno.\u00a0 I reckon that\u2019s how they bowl in Cambridge,\u201d Hoss replied.<\/p>\n Adam ended up knocking down six pins that frame and Little Joe was delighted because he\u2019d knocked down seven.<\/p>\n Hoss won easily and Ben came second while Adam and Little Joe were tied at 193 points each.<\/p>\n \u201cCan we play another game?\u00a0 Please?\u201d Little Joe begged.\u00a0 A couple of the miners had drifted in to watch and Ben looked at them inquiringly.<\/p>\n \u201cGo ahead and play another,\u201d Bowers said with a friendly grin and Little Joe ran to set up the pins.<\/p>\n The Cartwrights bowled in the same order, and Little Joe got a spare in the first frame.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m gonna get a higher score than you this time, Adam.\u00a0 You wait \u2018n\u2019 see,\u201d Little Joe exclaimed gleefully.\u00a0 Adam only grinned crookedly.<\/p>\n Hoss had a strike and Ben a spare.\u00a0 Then it was Adam\u2019s turn.<\/p>\n \u201cYou got a strike!\u201d Little Joe exclaimed, astonishment written all over his expressive features.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019m getting the hang of this smaller ball,\u201d Adam said with a wink.<\/p>\n Hoss scored at 291 points in the second game and Adam scored 289.\u00a0 Little Joe was proud of both his brothers\u2019 bowling skill, and he begged to play a third game.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, Little Joe, but we have to leave now or we\u2019ll be late for supper,\u201d Ben said in his no-nonsense voice so Little Joe knew it was pointless to try and cajole him into staying.\u00a0 \u201cThanks for letting us use the bowling alley, gentlemen,\u201d Ben said to the miners who\u2019d gathered to watch the game.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re always welcome, sir,\u201d Old Virginny said, bowing with a flourish.<\/p>\n After an early supper Little Joe, Hoss and Ben gathered at one end of the table to play jackstraws while Adam sat at the other end with his pen and ink to write Aaron.<\/p>\n August 29, 1858<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dear Aaron,<\/p>\n It was good to hear from you and to know that you and Elsie are so happy.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know anyone who deserves happiness more than the two of you.<\/p>\n You ask how I\u2019m adjusting to being home: pretty well I\u2019d say.\u00a0 The most difficult aspect of life here is the isolation.\u00a0 Six days out of the week I don\u2019t see anyone but my family and our vaqueros.\u00a0 On Sundays all the neighboring ranches get together; the families take turns hosting the gathering.\u00a0 A few new families have moved into the area since I\u2019ve been away, but I\u2019ve only had one chance to meet them.\u00a0 One family has daughters, but two are little girls and my friend Ross is courting the oldest.\u00a0 She\u2019s very pretty and seems pleasant, but Ross is really sweet on her so we can never be more than friends.<\/p>\n I miss little things like the way you and I and Thomas, Rob and Fred would decide on the spur of the moment to go rowing or to play town ball or tennis.\u00a0 We work from sunup to sundown and at the end of the day we\u2019re too tired to play games.\u00a0 However, Sunday being a day of rest the only chore we had today was to feed and water the livestock.\u00a0 It seems some of the miners at Gold Canyon built a bowling alley and so this afternoon the four of us bowled a couple of games.\u00a0 It was nice doing something fun as a family.\u00a0\u00a0 Little Joe enjoyed it most of all.<\/p>\n I\u2019m happy to report that Little Joe and I are getting reacquainted.\u00a0 He likes to watch me shave in the morning just as he did before I went away.\u00a0 He still likes to do things with his big brothers.\u00a0 The three of us had a good time harvesting our hay.\u00a0 Now, my father did buy a McCormick reaper.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t listen to me but one of the other ranchers got one and he convinced my father to buy one.\u00a0 We got our cattle to market a week earlier this year because of the reaper.<\/p>\n In fact, we got back from the drive just two days ago, and when we did, I showed my family the design for our new home.\u00a0 My brothers are excited about having their own bedrooms and I could tell Hop Sing was pleased with his kitchen and washhouse.\u00a0 My father said he could see I had real talent.\u00a0 I\u2019m hoping in a couple of weeks we\u2019ll have selected the site and can begin preparing it.<\/p>\n That\u2019s all my news for now.\u00a0 Tell Elsie and the rest of the family that I said hello.\u00a0 I look forward to hearing from you.<\/p>\n Sincerely, Adam carefully folded the sheet of paper and then placed it one of the envelopes he\u2019d brought with him from Cambridge and after addressing the letter, he added one of his postage stamps.\u00a0 Wish I\u2019d thought of buying more at the post office in Placerville but I guess I have enough to last until spring.<\/em><\/p>\n He stood up and asked Little Joe, \u201cAre you ready to learn how to whittle wooden pegs?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI sure am!\u201d Little Joe exclaimed, jumping up from the table and running over to Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cGuess you \u2018n\u2019 me will hafta finish this game on our own,\u201d Hoss said to Ben, and they both grinned. \u201cYes, Carl?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cMe \u2018n\u2019 Tex \u2018n\u2019 Frank \u2018n\u2019 Billy were wonderin\u2019 if\u00a0 we could get off work an hour early so we can go to the miners\u2019 grand ball.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCertainly,\u201d Ben replied with a warm smile.<\/p>\n Carl looked at Adam and grinned.\u00a0 \u201cWanna come with us?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam grinned back and said, \u201cSure, Hoss and I\u2019ll come.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam\u2014\u201d Hoss said, a note of desperation in his voice.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re leaving at five,\u201d Carl said as he walked out, and Adam called after him, \u201cWe\u2019ll be ready.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, I can\u2019t go to a ball!\u201d Hoss said indignantly.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not?\u201d Adam asked, one eyebrow arched.<\/p>\n \u201cCuz I don\u2019t know how to dance,\u201d Hoss muttered, his face hot.<\/p>\n \u201cTime you learned then,\u201d Adam said with a wink.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure they won\u2019t be doing any waltzing, maybe some polkas, schottisches and reels.\u00a0 I can teach you the basic steps of a reel before this evening, and reels are easy.\u00a0 All you have to do is listen to the caller and do what he says.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI dunno, Adam,\u201d Hoss said anxiously, his face still red.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s a good idea, Hoss,\u201d Ben said gently.\u00a0 \u201cA gentleman should be able to dance.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you boys take some time this morning and Adam can teach you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wanna learn too!\u201d Little Joe said excitedly, his green eyes sparkling.<\/p>\n \u201cSure, the more the merrier,\u201d Adam said, grinning at his brothers.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll need an even number.\u00a0 Do you mind helping, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot at all, but I haven\u2019t danced in years so I\u2019m not sure how much help I\u2019ll be,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n After breakfast they moved the table and settee against the walls to create space and Adam turned to his brothers with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cA reel always begins with the caller announcing \u2018Bow to your ladies\u2019 so the men all take a step forward and bow to the lady across from them and then the ladies curtsey.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t wanna dance with no ladies,\u201d Little Joe complained and Adam said with a chuckle, \u201cThere aren\u2019t going to be very many ladies at this dance.\u00a0 I expect Hoss and I will be dancing together a lot of the time.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to Ben.\u00a0 \u201cPa, why don\u2019t you and I be the ladies and we\u2019ll let Hoss and Little Joe be the gentlemen.\u201d\u00a0 Ben smilingly nodded his consent so Adam continued.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, you be my partner and Little Joe can be Pa\u2019s, and partners stand facing each other.\u201d\u00a0 As Hoss and Little Joe moved to face their partners, Adam quickly added, \u201cPartners stand about six feet apart,\u201d so they moved farther apart.\u00a0 Once they were lined up, Adam said, \u201cBow to your ladies,\u201d and Hoss and Little Joe managed credible bows.\u00a0 Little Joe couldn\u2019t help giggling at his pa\u2019s and oldest brother\u2019s curtsies.<\/p>\n The lesson continued with Adam explaining how to perform \u2018stripping the willow\u2019, a \u2018do-si-do\u2019, and other moves.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not too bad,\u201d Hoss said, smiling happily after a few practice reels.<\/p>\n Adam clapped him on the shoulder and grinned.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s fun, and all you have to do is listen to the caller and do what he says.\u201d \u201cI was just remembering the first ball I ever attended,\u201d he said conversationally, and Hoss glanced over at him.\u00a0 \u201cIt was when I was staying with the Townsends.\u00a0 Belle-m\u00e8re<\/em> had taught me the Virginia reel and the polka and I was pretty sure I could manage those, but I found out I would be expected to waltz.\u00a0 Mrs. Townsend gave me some lessons on waltzing but I was so nervous that I was glad I had to wear gloves so no one could tell my palms were sweating.\u00a0 But after I\u2019d danced a couple of times, I was having so much fun that I forgot all about being nervous.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled at Hoss, who managed a little grin.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll have a good time, Hoss.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure you will.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m glad there ain\u2019t gonna be any pretty girls,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cI guess it won\u2019t be so bad if I make a mistake tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be your partner for the first reel,\u201d Adam promised.\u00a0 \u201cWhen they have a polka or a schottische, you can just watch how it\u2019s done.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Hoss said and this time his smile was broader and his eyes twinkled.<\/p>\n As the group from the Ponderosa approached the combined saloon, store and bowling alley, they saw Todd McKaren ride up.\u00a0 After they exchanged greetings, Adam asked Todd if Ross was coming.<\/p>\n \u201cI stopped by his place but Pedro told me that Ross got an invitation to have supper with the Talbots,\u201d Todd replied with a grin.\u00a0 \u201cSounds like he and Delphine are gettin\u2019 pretty serious.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt sure does,\u201d Adam said, smiling broadly.<\/p>\n \u201cNow if only some more families with daughters would settle here, maybe you and me could get ourselves sweethearts,\u201d Todd said to Adam with a wink.<\/p>\n Carl, who\u2019d been standing nearby, said sneeringly, \u201cI don\u2019t know why you boys are in such a hurry to get yourselves a ball and chain.\u00a0 I gotta lot of wild oats to sow before I worry about settlin\u2019 down,\u201d and he leered suggestively before entering the building followed by Tex, Frank and Billy.<\/p>\n \u201cThat Carl, he\u2019s a wild one,\u201d Todd said, shaking his head.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I don\u2019t think he\u2019s as much of a ladies\u2019 man as he pretends,\u201d Adam said thoughtfully.<\/p>\n \u201cI bet you\u2019re right,\u201d Todd said and then added quickly, \u201cwe\u2019d better go on inside.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss saw most of the miners and several vaqueros from neighboring ranches were gathered in the room and one miner was tuning a fiddle.\u00a0 Adam looked to see if there were any women, and he spotted three:\u00a0 There was a woman with sandy brown hair who towered over most of the men and he figured she must be at least ten years his senior.\u00a0 There were two dark-haired women and they were both on the heavy side, but one looked about his age and she had a pretty face.\u00a0 She was talking with Carl who spotted the Cartwright brothers and motioned them over.<\/p>\n \u201cMinnie, I\u2019d like for you to meet the Cartwright brothers,\u201d Carl said with a grin.\u00a0 \u201cThis is Adam and this is Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHorse?\u201d she repeated doubtfully.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, ma\u2019am, not horse.\u00a0 It\u2019s Hoss,\u201d he answered, his face reddening.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss,\u201d she repeated and then smiled at him.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m mighty glad to meet you, Hoss.\u00a0 And you, too, Adam.\u00a0 Let me introduce you to the other ladies.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss learned the tall woman was named Myrtle and the other dark-haired woman was Ida.\u00a0 The introductions were barely complete when the fiddler began and Old Virginny said loudly, \u201cLet\u2019s start this here ball with a Virginia reel.\u201d<\/p>\n The women had already been claimed for the first dance and Adam and Hoss found themselves in a line with Todd, who was partnered with one of the vaqueros.\u00a0 Adam quickly tied his kerchief around one arm as he saw the other men dancing the women\u2019s part do.\u00a0 As Adam and Hoss followed Old Virginny\u2019s calls, and whooped and hollered with the others as each couple sashayed up and down the line, Hoss began enjoying himself so much that he forgot to be nervous, just as Adam had predicted.<\/p>\n Hoss danced several reels and the last one with Myrtle.\u00a0 As he and Adam rode home, he told Adam enthusiastically, \u201cI had a good time tonight.\u00a0 Do ya think by next Saturday ya could teach me to how to polka?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure I can,\u201d Adam replied with a big grin. \u201cReally?\u201d Adam commented, lifting one eyebrow quizzically.<\/p>\n \u201cOh yes,\u201d Ben said emphatically.\u00a0 \u201cAbraham Curry is a man with a vision.\u00a0 He\u2019s hired a surveyor to lay out a town and he told me the last time we spoke that he intends to set aside ten acres for a future state capitol.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow, that\u2019s a true visionary,\u201d Adam commented.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d like to meet him.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben smiled at Adam and then said, \u201cNow that we\u2019ve finished the butchering and replenishing the woodshed, I thought the four of us could pack some food and bedrolls and head toward Washoe Lake and look for a site to build our new home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll go get my bedroll,\u201d Little Joe said excitedly, starting to jump up, but Ben said firmly, \u201cAfter breakfast, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe might as well bring axes and shovels so we can start preparing the site once we choose it,\u201d Adam said and Ben nodded his agreement.<\/p>\n As the four Cartwrights and their pack mule headed northeast, Ben asked Adam, \u201cDo you have any requirements for the site?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI want to build a springhouse for Hop Sing where he can store eggs, butter and milk so I\u2019d like the site to be pretty close to a creek,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n \u201cI know of a couple of creeks around by Washoe Lake,\u201d Hoss said then.<\/p>\n Adam grinned at him and said, \u201cLead the way brother!\u201d<\/p>\n It took them about two hours to reach the first creek, and then they decided to split up.\u00a0 Ben and Little Joe would explore on one side of the creek and Hoss and Adam the other.<\/p>\n As Hoss finished hobbling the pack mule, Ben said, \u201cWe\u2019ll all meet back here,\u201d and he checked the position of the sun, \u201cat noon.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss and Adam returned first with a pair of rabbits they\u2019d shot and by the time their father and brother returned, they had the rabbits skinned and a fire started.\u00a0 As soon as Little Joe saw them, he started shouting.<\/p>\n \u201cWe found it!\u00a0 Me and Pa found the place!\u00a0 C\u2019mon!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll come after we eat,\u201d Hoss called.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m gonna fry this rabbit and Adam\u2019s gonna make us some johnnycakes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd Hop Sing sent us some Joe Froggers,\u201d Adam added as Little Joe and Ben rode up.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe Froggers!\u00a0 Hurrah!\u201d Little Joe said as he dismounted.\u00a0 Then he added hurriedly, \u201cBut let\u2019s eat fast.\u00a0 Me and Pa wanna show ya the place we found.\u201d \u201cAnd that will make an excellent pasture for the caviata,\u201d Ben added, pointing off to the west.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess we might as well get started,\u201d Hoss said, swinging out of the saddle.\u00a0 He walked over to the pack mule and got his axe and Adam quickly followed suit.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile your brothers are chopping down trees, we can start moving stones,\u201d Ben said to his youngest.<\/p>\n \u201cPile \u2018em up over there,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re going to need stones for the foundation and the fireplace.\u00a0 And for the foundation of the workers\u2019 cabins.\u201d As the sun began to set, Ben announced it was time to begin preparing supper.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve made a good start, boys,\u201d he said as the four of them sat around their campfire, eating beans and johnnycakes.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, you can chop down the last tree tomorrow while Adam begins chopping the other trees into logs for the bunkhouse and I\u2019ll see if Rufus here,\u201d and he nodded at the pack mule, \u201ccan pull up these stumps.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about me, Pa?\u201d Little Joe asked.\u00a0 \u201cWhat can I do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re going to go fishing at the creek and see if you can catch us some lunch,\u201d Ben replied with a smile. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 5<\/strong><\/em> Sitting up and yawning, his two older brothers exchanged grins over his head.<\/p>\n \u201cLemme see, what day is it?\u201d Hoss asked, rubbing his stubbly chin.\u00a0 \u201cI think it\u2019s October 31st.\u00a0 Ain\u2019t that right, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, today is October 31st,\u201d Adam agreed, scratching his chest.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd ya know what\u2019s special about October 31st,\u201d Little Joe said firmly.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, what\u2019s special about October 31st?\u201d Hoss asked, running his fingers through his sandy brown hair.\u00a0 Adam suddenly snapped his fingers.<\/p>\n \u201cI know!\u00a0\u00a0 When I was in Massachusetts, I learned that on October 31st, the Irish celebrate \u2018Mischief Night\u2019.\u00a0 They carve hideous faces in pumpkins and pull practical jokes like unhinging gates.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, that\u2019s not why it\u2019s special!\u201d Little Joe exclaimed angrily.<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss realized that they\u2019d teased him enough and Hoss said quickly, \u201cOh, I reckon Little Joe means it\u2019s special cuz it\u2019s his birthday.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I guess, that does make it special,\u201d Adam said, smiling warmly at his youngest brother.\u00a0 \u201cHappy Birthday, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, Happy Birthday,\u201d Hoss said, ruffling Little Joe\u2019s curls.<\/p>\n \u201cI- I knew you was just teasin\u2019,\u201d Little Joe said, grinning up at his brothers. \u201cDadburnit!\u00a0 Adam, can you help me with this danged contraption?\u00a0 And you stop that gigglin\u2019, little brother!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBoys, the McKarens and Ross are riding up.\u00a0 Aren\u2019t you ready yet?\u201d Ben called.<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe\u2019s ready,\u201d Adam replied, \u201cand Hoss and I will be down in a minute.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re ready, then come on down, Little Joe,\u201d Ben commanded and the boy scurried down the ladder just as Ben welcomed their neighbors.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s the birthday boy,\u201d Andy said with a big smile while Todd and Ross chorused, \u201cHappy Birthday, Little Joe.\u201d\u00a0 Andy added, \u201cTodd, Ross and I got you a little something,\u201d and he handed Little Joe a paper sack.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d Little Joe said with a big smile.\u00a0 His smile grew even broader as he peeked inside the bag.\u00a0 \u201cMolasses candy!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can share it after dinner,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t you put the bag on the dresser for now.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss came down the ladder then and Little Joe told them excitedly, \u201cMr. McKaren and Todd and Ross got me molasses candy.\u201d\u00a0 All the adults smiled at the boy\u2019s exuberance.<\/p>\n \u201cThat fire sure feels good,\u201d Andy commented, moving closer and holding out his hands.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, it is cold for the end of October,\u201d Ben agreed, joining his old friend by the fireplace.\u00a0 \u201cI think we\u2019ll have an early winter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know I\u2019m gettin\u2019 old,\u201d Andy said with a small sigh.\u00a0 \u201cI feel the cold in my bones now and my joints are gettin\u2019 stiff.\u00a0 I\u2019m glad Todd\u2019s old enough to handle more of the responsibility of running the ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, that young man has a good head on his shoulders,\u201d Ben said, smiling warmly at his friend and placing a friendly hand on his shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re both blessed in our sons,\u201d Andy agreed.\u00a0 He added quietly, \u201cI know you were worried about Adam, but he\u2019s home now and he\u2019s seems to have fit back into his old life without any difficulty.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy prayers were answered,\u201d Ben said earnestly.\u00a0 Then he added thoughtfully, \u201cI do wish some more families with daughters would settle here.\u00a0 I know it\u2019s hard on Adam and Todd, especially when they see how happy Ross and Delphine are.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAt least our boys aren\u2019t as wild as Carl Reagan,\u201d Andy said.\u00a0 \u201cI feel for poor Will.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, so do I,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n The Talbots, Edwards and Johnsons all arrived a few minutes later and after everyone had wished Little Joe Happy Birthday, Mrs. Talbot turned to him and said, \u201cSince it\u2019s your birthday, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Edwards and I made you something as our gifts.\u201d\u00a0 Each woman produced a small package she\u2019d hidden in her coat pocket.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d Little Joe said, positively beaming at the three women, who smiled fondly at him.<\/p>\n \u201cOpen ours first,\u201d Billy Johnson said eagerly so Little Joe took the package from Mrs. Johnson and tore off the wrappings to reveal a blue wool cap.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s like mine \u2019cept mine\u2019s red,\u201d Billy said with a grin.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Mrs. Johnson,\u201d Little Joe said, smiling brightly.<\/p>\n \u201cOpen ours next,\u201d Celestine commanded.<\/p>\n When Little Joe opened the package, he found a new pair of mittens that matched his hat.\u00a0 Mrs. Edwards had made him a new muffler of the same blue yarn.\u00a0 Ben felt his eyes burn and had to blink back tears since these were gifts Marie would have made for her little boy. As soon as their neighbors departed, Little Joe turned to Ben and asked hopefully, \u201cCan I open the rest of my gifts?\u00a0 Please, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, you may,\u201d Ben corrected with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cDiego is hidin\u2019 my gift and Adam\u2019s in the bunkhouse,\u201d Hoss said, grinning at his brother, \u201cso we gotta go get \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n In a few minutes the four Cartwrights gathered in the cabin with Little Joe seated in the rocking chair.<\/p>\n \u201cHere\u2019s my gift,\u201d Hoss said, handing Little Joe a package wrapped in brown paper that Adam had decorated with ink drawings of horses.<\/p>\n \u201cA new bridle for Buttermilk!\u201d Little Joe exclaimed in delight.\u00a0 \u201cThanks, Hoss.\u201d\u00a0 He quickly tore the paper off the gift Adam handed him, then stared in puzzlement at the oddly shaped board covered with rows of holes and a bunch of white pegs and one black.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a Fox and Geese game,\u201d Adam explained.\u00a0 \u201cI know how much you like playing checkers, so I thought you\u2019d like Fox and Geese.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour Uncle John and I used to play Fox and Geese when we were boys,\u201d Ben said with a reminiscent smile.\u00a0 Little Joe was pleased to have a game his pa used to play when he was a little boy.\u00a0 He grinned up at his oldest brother.\u00a0 \u201cThanks, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll teach you how to play after supper,\u201d Adam promised.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, too,\u201d he added with a grin.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, here\u2019s my gift,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n \u201cA jackknife!\u00a0 My own jackknife,\u201d Little Joe said joyfully.\u00a0 \u201cNow I don\u2019t have to borrow Hoss\u2019s or Adam\u2019s.\u00a0 Oh, thank you, Pa,\u201d and he ran over and hugged Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re welcome, son,\u201d Ben said, ruffling his youngest\u2019s thick golden-brown curls.\u00a0 \u201cI know you\u2019ll take good care of it.\u201d<\/p>\n After supper the three brothers gathered around the table while Ben looked on.<\/p>\n \u201cThe white pegs are the geese and you set them up on the board like this,\u201d Adam explained as his long, slender fingers deftly maneuvered the pegs.\u00a0 \u201cThis black peg is the fox,\u201d he continued, \u201cand he goes here, facing the geese.\u00a0 Now, the fox moves one hole each turn and he can move forward, backward or sideways.\u00a0 He can\u2019t move diagonally.\u00a0 The fox \u2018kills\u2019 a goose by jumping over it and landing in an empty hole.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust like checkers,\u201d Little Joe said enthusiastically and Adam smiled at him.<\/p>\n \u201cExactly.\u00a0 Now, one goose moves on each turn and geese can only move forward or sideways.\u00a0 Also, geese can\u2019t jump,\u201d Adam stated.<\/p>\n \u201cHow do ya win?\u201d Hoss asked, feeling a little confused.<\/p>\n \u201cThe geese win by surrounding the fox so he can\u2019t move; the fox wins by \u2018killing\u2019 so many geese that they can\u2019t surround him or by breaking through the geese and getting behind them,\u201d Adam answered.<\/p>\n \u201cWill you play a game with me, Pa?\u00a0 Please,\u201d Little Joe asked, turning his most winning smile on his pa.<\/p>\n \u201cCertainly,\u201d Ben replied, sitting down across from Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cDo you want to be the fox or the geese?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wanna be the fox,\u201d Little Joe declared.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m gonna watch,\u201d Hoss decided, sitting at the head of the table.<\/p>\n Adam went to the crate of books he\u2019d opened and selected one of his favorites, The Seven Lamps of Architecture<\/strong>.\u00a0 Moving the rocking chair so the fire would provide enough light, he sat down and began to read.\u00a0 He was soon so engrossed in his reading that he jumped when Little Joe shouted, \u201cI win!\u201d\u00a0 He shook his head slightly and grinned before returning to his book.<\/p>\n \u201cCan I play a game?\u201d Hoss asked and Little Joe replied, \u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben decided to read the newspaper.\u00a0 He lit a candle and set it at the other end of the table and then retrieved the Placerville Mountain Democrat<\/em> from where he\u2019d set it on the dresser.\u00a0 Before sitting at the table, he glanced over at his first-born and seeing Adam totally absorbed in his book, Ben smiled.\u00a0 Some things never change<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cI won again,\u201d crowed Little Joe triumphantly a short time later.\u00a0 \u201cYou wanna play, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll right,\u201d Adam said, standing up and stretching.<\/p>\n Little Joe smiled in anticipation of another victory, and this one would be especially sweet.\u00a0 He won about half the checker games he played with Hoss and he occasionally won a game against his pa, although he had a niggling suspicion that Pa let him win.\u00a0 He\u2019d never won a game he played with Adam, but after defeating both Pa and Hoss, he was confident of victory.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanna be the fox,\u201d he declared as Adam sat in the chair Hoss vacated.\u00a0 Ben turned back to his newspaper and Hoss sat down on the settee in front of the fireplace and began to whittle a wooden peg for the new house.<\/p>\n Little Joe frowned in concentration but no matter how hard he looked, Adam never moved a goose where he could \u2018kill\u2019 it.\u00a0 Suddenly, he spied his chance and gleefully made his move.\u00a0 As he smiled up at his brother, he saw Adam grin his crooked grin before moving a goose so Little Joe\u2019s fox was surrounded.<\/p>\n \u201cLooks like the geese win this game,\u201d Adam remarked with a wink and Little Joe frowned at the board.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s play again and you be the fox,\u201d he said, his tone just a little belligerent.<\/p>\n \u201cYou and Adam can play tomorrow after supper,\u201d Ben said firmly.\u00a0 \u201cRight now, it\u2019s past your bedtime.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe realized he was sleepy so he didn\u2019t try to wheedle his pa into letting him stay up and play one more game.\u00a0 \u201cGoodnight, Pa,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cGoodnight, Hoss and Adam.\u201d\u00a0 He started for the ladder, then stopped, turned back toward them and said with a beaming smile, \u201cThis was my best birthday ever!\u201d He got out of bed carefully to avoid waking his siblings and walked to the window.\u00a0 It was already glazed over with ice.\u00a0 Guess we won\u2019t be going to the Talbots today.\u00a0 Poor Ross.\u00a0 He\u2019s really going to miss seeing Delphine.<\/em>\u00a0 Thoughts of Ross and Delphine brought Aaron and Elsie to his mind.\u00a0 I\u2019m surprised I haven\u2019t gotten a letter from Aaron.\u00a0 Or from Grandfather.\u00a0 Hope they didn\u2019t get lost.<\/em><\/p>\n Sleet or no sleet, the livestock in the barn still needed food and water.\u00a0 The cow had to be milked and stalls had to be mucked out.\u00a0 Adam began to dress quickly.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t face the thought of shaving with the icy cold water in the washstand pitcher; he\u2019d do his chores and then bring up some hot water to shave with.<\/p>\n When he turned to get his mackintosh from where it hung on the wall by his brothers\u2019, he heard Little Joe ask sleepily, \u201cAren\u2019t you gonna shave?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAfter I do my chores,\u201d he replied, adding, \u201cYou and Hoss need to hurry up.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss said through an enormous yawn, \u201cI\u2019m up.\u00a0 Guess I\u2019ll shave afterward too,\u201d and he sat up and swung his legs out of bed.\u00a0 He looked at Little Joe and they both grinned as they said, \u201cHappy Birthday Adam!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been away so long I wasn\u2019t sure you\u2019d remember,\u201d Adam said with a big smile.<\/p>\n \u201cYour birthday\u2019s easy to remember cuz it\u2019s exactly two weeks after mine,\u201d Little Joe declared, and then he winked at Adam.\u00a0 (He liked the way Adam winked and he\u2019d been practicing.)<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d forgotten that,\u201d Adam said with a chuckle.\u00a0 Then his smile grew wider and he added, \u201cYou\u2019re in luck, Hoss.\u00a0 It\u2019s too icy to travel so you won\u2019t have to wear a necktie.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYahoo!\u201d Hoss shouted but Little Joe looked disappointed and said, \u201cI wanted to play with Billy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ll be other Sundays,\u201d Adam said, \u201cbut right now you two need to get dressed.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam came down the ladder just as Hop Sing was coming out of his room to start preparing breakfast.\u00a0 The cook smiled and said, \u201cHappy Birthday, Mistah Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam returned Hop Sing\u2019s smile and thanked him.\u00a0 Then he added, \u201cWhen we come back, could Hoss and I have some hot water for shaving?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have ready for you,\u201d the cook promised as Little Joe and Hoss clattered down the ladder with their mackintoshes. \u201cIt ain\u2019t fair, is it, Little Joe, since he\u2019s got them long legs?\u201d Hoss complained, grinning at his older brother, who playfully punched his arm.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d say the advantage is with Little Joe,\u201d Adam said, winking at his youngest brother.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s more agile than the two of us combined.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe was smiling at the compliment as they entered the cabin. \u201cOh, I think we should wait until after dinner,\u201d Ben said gently.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you \u2018n\u2019 me whittle some pegs fer our new house,\u201d Hoss suggested.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Little Joe agreed and Ben said, \u201cI\u2019ll join you.\u00a0 What about you, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow about I read to you while you whittle?\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n \u201cThat sounds like a wonderful idea,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 Hoss and Little Joe were less enthusiastic, but it was Adam\u2019s birthday so they would humor him.\u00a0 They sat side by side on the settee and began to whittle while Adam hunted through his open crate of books.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, I think you\u2019ll like this one,\u201d he said as he extracted a volume.\u00a0 He moved the rocking chair closer to the fireplace, opened the book and began to read:<\/p>\n Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show. To begin my life with the beginning of my life, I record that I was born (as I have been informed and believe) on a Friday, at twelve o’clock at night. It was remarked that the clock began to strike, and I began to cry, simultaneously. . . . \u201cThat was mean to make poor little Davy wear that sign,\u201d Hoss commented indignantly as he walked to the table.<\/p>\n \u201cI would\u2019ve bit that awful Mr. Murdstone too!\u201d Little Joe declared as he sat down.\u00a0 Then he asked his brother hopefully, \u201cWill you read more of the book?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I\u2019d like to know what happens to poor little Davy,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d be happy to read in the evenings while you whittle,\u201d Adam said, smiling at his brothers.\u00a0 His smile grew bigger when he saw Hop Sing had prepared pot roast with potatoes, carrots and onions just the way he liked it.<\/p>\n When everyone finished, Hop Sing said apologetically, \u201cNo eggs to make you a cake, Mistah Adam, so I make apple pie instead.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d just as soon have apple pie as cake,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cThank you for preparing such a delicious meal, Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe waited impatiently for the rest of the family to finish eating their pie before asking eagerly, \u201cCan- I mean may Adam open his presents now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose so,\u201d Ben said with a chuckle and Little Joe looked at Hop Sing, who smiled at him and then went into his room.<\/p>\n \u201cMe and Little Joe went together on your present and asked Hop Sing to keep it in his room,\u201d Hoss explained.<\/p>\n \u201cI have my present to you in my room,\u201d Ben said, \u201cbut I\u2019ll let you open your brothers\u2019 first.\u201d<\/p>\n When Adam removed the paper from the package Hop Sing handed him, he saw brand-new saddlebags.\u00a0 \u201cThanks, Hoss and Little Joe.\u00a0 I sure needed new ones,\u201d he said enthusiastically.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what we figured and they go with Pa\u2019s gift,\u201d Little Joe said, and then clapped his hand over his mouth looking stricken.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all right, son.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to give Adam his gift now anyway,\u201d Ben said, grinning at his third born.\u00a0 He went into his room and returned a moment later with a new saddle.\u00a0 \u201cSure glad I got this from where I\u2019d hidden it in the barn last night before it began sleeting,\u201d he commented as he handed it to Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, it\u2019s beautiful,\u201d Adam exclaimed, admiring the tooling on the brown leather.\u00a0 \u201cThank you so much,\u201d he said, smiling at his father, his hazel eyes shining.\u00a0 Ben reached over and put an arm around his son\u2019s shoulders and gave him a quick hug.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s hard for me to believe it\u2019s been twenty-two years since I first picked you up and held you in my arms,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cYou were so tiny.\u00a0 Thank God for Margaret Baldwin because the Captain and I didn\u2019t know anything about taking care of an infant.\u00a0 But I learned fast.\u00a0 Over the years, I\u2019ve watched you grow from a baby to a boy to a man.\u00a0 I want you to know that I am proud of the man you\u2019ve become.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve been the best father anyone could ask for,\u201d Adam said, \u201cand I know Hoss and Little Joe agree.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure do!\u201d Hoss said, nodding his head for emphasis, and Little Joe said, \u201cYou are the best, Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know about the best, but I\u2019m the most blessed,\u201d Ben told them.\u00a0 \u201cNow, how about Hoss and Little Joe and I whittle while Adam reads us more about David Copperfield?\u201d Hop Sing was beginning to fuss about supper being ruined when Hoss came through the door that evening.\u00a0 \u201cThat wind is cold,\u201d he said as he closed the door, and then he reached into his saddlebags.\u00a0 \u201cHere\u2019s your Mountain Democrat<\/em>, Pa.\u00a0 You got two letters and a package from your grandfather, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTwo letters?\u201d Adam said in surprise as he held out his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u00a0 One from Massachusetts and one from Miss-is-sip-pi,\u201d Hoss replied as he handed over the letters.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know anyone in Mississippi,\u201d Adam said, clearly baffled.\u00a0 \u201cOh, it\u2019s from Charles Seaton.\u00a0 But I figured he\u2019d be back in San Francisco; wonder what he\u2019s doing in Mississippi.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can find out after supper,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n \u201cRight,\u201d Adam said and reluctantly set his letters and package on the dresser by his father\u2019s newspaper. \u201cBad news, son?\u201d Ben asked solicitously.<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose that depends on one\u2019s point of view,\u201d Adam replied quietly.\u00a0 \u201cCharles writes that he met a young woman who was visiting relatives in Richmond.\u00a0\u00a0 They fell in love and they\u2019re going to be married.\u00a0 Actually, they are married now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat doesn\u2019t sound like bad news,\u201d Ben commented.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not.\u00a0 But Eugenia\u2014that\u2019s his wife\u2019s name\u2014is the only child of a rich plantation owner in the Mississippi Delta and she\u2019ll inherit the plantation and all its slaves.\u00a0 A wife\u2019s property goes to her husband so Charles will be a slave owner.\u00a0 We\u2019ve had lots of philosophical discussions about slavery and abolition, but now he will actually own men, women and children.\u201d\u00a0 Adam sighed again.\u00a0 \u201cI just don\u2019t see how anyone can believe he has the right to own other people, to treat them as property.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe neither,\u201d Hoss said emphatically while Little Joe grappled with the concept of one human being owning another.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll just congratulate Charles on his marriage and not mention the plantation,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 Then he eagerly opened the letter from Aaron.<\/p>\n October 3, 1858<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dear Adam,<\/p>\n It was good to receive your letter and learn that you are readjusting to life on the Ponderosa.\u00a0 I had to smile as I read your comment about how isolated you felt because Elsie and I have experienced the same isolation since we moved to the farm, although not quite to the same degree since we do drive to Shelburne Falls every Sunday to attend church and sometimes we go to town on Saturdays.\u00a0 Still, during the week we typically only see our family.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t really have a lot of news to share.\u00a0 The price of potatoes is down so we didn\u2019t get as much money for the crop as we\u2019d hoped.\u00a0 Still, it could be much worse, especially when I think of all the families left destitute by the panic and revulsion.\u00a0 We have plenty to eat and a roof over our heads.<\/p>\n In your last letter you wrote you were hoping to find a site for your house and start preparing it.\u00a0 Have you found one?<\/p>\n Here\u2019s some news for you:\u00a0 Fred finally got up the courage to propose to Cynthia.\u00a0 They are planning to marry this coming June.\u00a0 We should be finished with spring planting so Elsie and I will plan to attend.\u00a0 I know she\u2019ll enjoy a visit to Boston so she can visit her old friends and we\u2019ll see a play at the Boston Museum.<\/p>\n That\u2019s all the news from Shelburne Falls.<\/p>\n Sincerely yours, Adam put Aaron\u2019s letter to one side and reached for his grandfather\u2019s package.\u00a0 He opened it and discovered a letter setting on top of a small wooden box.\u00a0 Adam opened the box and saw some good quality stationary.\u00a0 He smiled as he saw engraved on the top sheet:<\/p>\n Adam Cartwright He set the box of stationary by Aaron\u2019s letter and opened his grandfather\u2019s.<\/p>\n October 11, 1858<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dear Adam,<\/p>\n I hope your first birthday back on the Ponderosa with your family is a happy one.\u00a0 You\u2019ll be in my thoughts that day as well as Polly\u2019s and Biddy\u2019s.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t have a lot of news to report.\u00a0 I\u2019m in good health, or as good as I can expect at my age.\u00a0 One thing that\u2019s changed since you\u2019ve been gone is that these newfangled letter boxes are being attached to lampposts all over Boston.\u00a0 I suppose it will be handy to walk to the street corner to mail a letter instead of all the way to the post office.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve been reading in the Herald about the debates between the two men running for senator in Illinois: the incumbent, Stephan Douglas and his opponent, Abraham Lincoln.\u00a0 When I read these words of Mr. Lincoln, I thought of you:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now, I confess myself as belonging to that class in the country who contemplate slavery I know you share Mr. Lincoln\u2019s sentiments.\u00a0 I think the time is not far off when the issue of slavery will be settled, but I greatly fear it will not be settled peacefully.But enough of an old man\u2019s rambling.\u00a0 Polly and Biddy wish me to send you their best.\u00a0 We all enjoyed reading about how you and Hoss went to a dance where there were only three women and the men had to take turns dancing the women\u2019s part.<\/p>\n Give my best to your father and brothers.<\/p>\n God bless you, Adam \u201cGrandfather sends everyone his best,\u201d Adam announced as refolded the letter.<\/p>\n \u201cIs he well?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cHe says he\u2019s as good as can be expected for an eighty-one year old man,\u201d Adam answered with a slight smile.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019d he send you for your birthday?\u201d Little Joe asked curiously.<\/p>\n \u201cStationary engraved with my name and address,\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0 \u201cSee,\u201d he added, holding up the top sheet.\u00a0 The others all came over to get a closer look and admire the gift.<\/p>\n As Adam went to get his pen and ink to write his replies on his new stationary, Ben said to Little Joe, \u201cI\u2019ve finished the paper so let\u2019s get started on your lessons, young man.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t I finish the peg I\u2019m whittlin\u2019?\u201d Little Joe asked hopefully but his father shook his head, so with a sigh the boy went to get the American Spelling Book<\/strong> and McGuffey Reader<\/strong> that his brothers had used before him for their lessons. \u201cHowdy, Little Joe, Hop Sing.\u00a0 I don\u2019t suppose Mr. Cartwright is around, is he?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa \u2018n\u2019 Hoss \u2018n\u2019 Miguel went to hunt a pack of wolves,\u201d Joe replied.<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d Ross said then, obviously disappointed.\u00a0 Then he asked quickly, \u201cWhat about Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe just left for the lumber camp and sawmill,\u201d Little Joe said.\u00a0 \u201cWants to see how they\u2019re comin\u2019 on the lumber for our new house.\u00a0 Ya can catch up with him if ya hurry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy horse is pretty spent.\u00a0 Okay if I borrow one of yers?\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing nodded as Little Joe replied, \u201cSure.\u201d \u201cHey, Skinny!\u00a0 What brings you over to the Ponderosa on such a freezing cold morning?\u201d he called, smiling at his friend.\u00a0 The smile disappeared as his friend rode up beside him.\u00a0 \u201cRoss, what\u2019s wrong?\u201d he asked, his expression and his tone displaying his concern.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s my pa, Adam.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t get up for breakfast and when I went to check on him, I saw he was dead,\u201d Ross said quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cRoss, I\u2019m sorry,\u201d Adam said sincerely.<\/p>\n \u201cI know I should be sad, but I don\u2019t think I am.\u00a0 It felt like I really lost him back when Betsy and Ma died; that\u2019s when I grieved,\u201d Ross said, his voice flat.\u00a0 Adam was silent, but he put a comforting hand on his friend\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 After a minute or two their mounts became restive and so Ross said, \u201cI was hopin\u2019 your pa might be willin\u2019 to read from the Bible when we bury Pa, but Little Joe said he\u2019s away huntin\u2019 wolves.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, and I have no idea when he\u2019ll be back,\u201d Adam said slowly.\u00a0 \u201cWhat about Mr. McKaren?\u201d<\/p>\n Ross nodded and said, \u201cI\u2019ll ride over to the McKarens\u2019 place now.\u201d<\/p>\n He started to leave and Adam said quickly, \u201cI\u2019ll get someone at the sawmill to help me make a coffin for your pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Adam,\u201d Ross said, smiling for just a moment before riding off. When they returned home from the burial and went in the barn to care for their mounts, Little Joe said excitedly, \u201cLook!\u00a0 There\u2019s Buck and Chub!\u00a0 They\u2019re back!\u201d\u00a0 He started to run for the cabin and felt Adam\u2019s hand on his shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve got to take care of Buttermilk first,\u201d Adam said firmly and reluctantly Little Joe nodded.<\/p>\n A few minutes later, the barn door opened and Ben and Hoss walked in.<\/p>\n \u201cSo here you are!\u00a0 We wondered where you\u2019d had gotten off to,\u201d Ben said, his voice a little gruff since he\u2019d been worried to arrive home and find the cabin empty and no sign of Little Joe and Hop Sing.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, where ya been?\u201d Hoss asked, grabbing a hoof pick and then starting to work on one of Buttermilk\u2019s hooves while the little mustang contentedly ate the hay Little Joe had been giving him.<\/p>\n \u201cWe buried Mr. Marquette,\u201d Adam answered quietly.\u00a0 \u201cYesterday morning Ross discovered his pa had died in his sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow is Ross?\u201d Ben asked, his voice full of concern, and Adam replied, \u201cI think he\u2019s all right.\u00a0 He\u2019s been really quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPoor Ross.\u00a0 He\u2019s all alone now,\u201d Hoss commented sadly.\u00a0 He remembered how much it had hurt when they lost Ma, and he didn\u2019t want to imagine how great the pain would be if he lost Pa, Adam and Little Joe as well.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, that young man has had to bear a heavy load of grief these past two years,\u201d Ben said bleakly.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. McKaren invited Ross to stay with them; he doesn\u2019t think Ross should be alone at the Marquette\u2019s cabin now,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n \u201cAndy is a good man,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cI hope Ross agreed?\u201d he asked and Adam said that he had.\u00a0 Then Ben said, \u201cI expect you buried Dan by Abby and Betsy.\u201d\u00a0 At Adam\u2019s nod, he said, \u201cI would like to pay my last respects.\u00a0 Don\u2019t hold supper for me, Hop Sing, if I\u2019m late.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled at his youngest son and, noting his forlorn face, said, \u201cWhen I come back, we can play a game\u2014checkers or Fox and Geese.\u00a0 All right?\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe\u2019s expression brightened immediately and he smiled happily as he said, \u201cSure, Pa.\u201d \u201cCan we go pick out our tree today, Pa?\u201d Little Joe asked just as he had every morning that week, but this time Ben smiled and replied, \u201cYes, I think today would be a good day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI pack sandwiches for lunch,\u201d Hop Sing said.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd some cookies?\u201d Hoss asked hopefully.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd cookies,\u201d Hop Sing replied with a smile.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t long before the four Cartwrights were ready to set out.\u00a0 Little Joe was wearing his birthday mittens, cap and muffler.\u00a0 He ran ahead of the others and quickly scooped up a handful of snow from the yard and formed a snowball.\u00a0 Smiling gleefully, he threw and watched it explode on Hoss\u2019s chest.\u00a0 He was laughing so hard that he never noticed Adam\u2019s snowball until it hit the back of his neck and it was followed almost immediately by Hoss\u2019s snowball hitting his back.\u00a0 He was forming another snowball when he saw Pa\u2019s snowball knock Adam\u2019s hat off.\u00a0 Snowballs whizzed back and forth until they were all covered in snow and bareheaded except for Little Joe, and his blue cap was dusted with snow.<\/p>\n Trying to stifle his laughter, Ben held up his hand and said, \u201cAll right, boys, if we\u2019re going to find our tree we need to get started.\u201d<\/p>\n They were all laughing as they helped each other brush off the snow and retrieved their hats. \u201cI wish we\u2019d gotten a bigger tree,\u201d Little Joe complained.\u00a0 His favorite had been as tall as Pa, but Hoss pointed out it was lopsided and Pa and Adam agreed with him so that tree was rejected.<\/p>\n \u201cNext Christmas we can have a much taller tree,\u201d Adam said, smiling at his little brother.\u00a0 \u201cWe can have one almost twice as tall as this one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d Little Joe asked excitedly.<\/p>\n \u201cAbsolutely,\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0 \u201cWe can have a tree so tall we\u2019ll have to stand on a ladder to put the decorations on the top branches.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s next Christmas,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cI think the tree we picked out is perfect for our cabin and it will be beautiful when we add our decorations.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt sure will,\u201d Hoss said emphatically.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a lot like the first tree we had,\u201d Adam remarked with a little smile.\u00a0 \u201cRemember, Pa?\u201d\u00a0 Ben nodded and then Adam said with a snigger, \u201cI remember Hoss tried to eat the popcorn off the tree.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid you really, Hoss?\u201d Little Joe asked, giggling while Hoss said, \u201cAw, Adam, yer joshin\u2019 me.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were only three,\u201d Ben said, chuckling at the memory. \u201cLooks like we have company,\u201d he remarked, gesturing at the gelding.<\/p>\n They worked quickly and when they entered the cabin, they found Ross sitting on the settee beside a small pile of letters and packages, drinking a cup of coffee and eating a gingerbread man.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, Ross,\u201d Ben said, smiling warmly at the young man while the Cartwrights began removing their heavy coats.<\/p>\n After greeting the Cartwrights, Ross said, \u201cI went to Genoa to check the mail and old Jake mentioned he had lots of mail for the Ponderosa so I volunteered to deliver it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you very much,\u201d Ben said, accepting a cup of coffee from Hop Sing.<\/p>\n \u201cGlad to do it,\u201d Ross said.\u00a0 Then he added, \u201cIf I want to get to the McKarens\u2019 before dark, I\u2019d best be on my way.\u00a0 Thanks for the coffee and cookie, Hop Sing.\u201d\u00a0 He started putting on his heavy coat.<\/p>\n \u201cYou welcome, Mistah Ross,\u201d Hop Sing said with a beaming smile.\u00a0 \u201cYou take these cookies for you, Mistah Todd and Mistah McKaren.\u201d\u00a0 (Ever since Jessie McKaren\u2019s death eight years earlier, Hop Sing had always made a batch of Christmas cookies for the McKarens.)<\/p>\n \u201cThanks,\u201d Ross said, grinning broadly as he took the cookies from Hop Sing and headed for the barn.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think one of the packages is for me?\u201d Little Joe asked excitedly as Ben sat down on the settee.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re all from Adam\u2019s grandfather.\u00a0 Here\u2019s one addressed to Master Joseph Cartwright,\u201d Ben replied, holding up one of the brown paper parcels.\u00a0 \u201cAnd there\u2019s one for Adam, one for Hoss and one for me.\u00a0 And this one is addressed to The Cartwrights of the Ponderosa Ranch and it says to open it on Christmas Eve. \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m gonna open mine now!\u201d Little Joe announced excitedly, making a grab for the package.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll open our packages on Christmas,\u201d Ben said firmly, ignoring Little Joe\u2019s scowl.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like the letters are yours,\u201d he said to Adam as he handed them over.\u00a0 \u201cOne has a foreign stamp.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s from Thomas,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe said the next letter I\u2019d receive would be from London.\u201d\u00a0 He moved the rocking chair closer to the fireplace and sat down.\u00a0 When he opened the envelope containing Thomas\u2019s letter, he discovered a small card along with the letter.\u00a0 The card showed a pretty winter scene with snow-covered buildings and at the bottom A Happy Christmas<\/em> was printed.\u00a0 He turned the card over and saw a drawing of a branch covered with blossoms and underneath he read:<\/p>\n Christmas Greeting \u201cThomas sent us a Christmas card,\u201d Adam said, holding it up.<\/p>\n \u201cLet me see!\u201d Little Joe exclaimed as he ran over.\u00a0 Adam handed him the card, saying, \u201cLet Pa and Hoss see it, too.\u201d<\/p>\n While the others admired the card, Adam read Thomas\u2019s letter.\u00a0 When he put it down, Ben asked, \u201cIs Thomas spending Christmas abroad?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0 \u201cHe wrote that now he knows what it was like for me at Harvard, but that there is a family of Americans who are also staying at his hotel, and they\u2019ve invited him to spend Christmas with them.\u00a0 He said that he\u2019s enjoying London and that he wished I could have been with him when he visited St. Paul\u2019s because he knew I would have appreciated the architecture and the structural engineering.\u00a0 He walked to the top of the dome and said the view of London is amazing.\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s expression grew wistful as he said softy, \u201cI wish I could have seen the cathedral.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled at his brothers and added, \u201cHe also wrote that Hoss and Little Joe would have enjoyed the London Zoo because when he visited he saw an orangutan named Jenny, a hippopotamus named Obaysch, and lots of monkeys.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d sure like to \u2018ve seen that hippopotamus,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cIt was a mighty strange lookin\u2019 critter in that book you gave me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like to have seen the hippopotamus and all the monkeys,\u201d Little Joe added.<\/p>\n \u201cSupper ready,\u201d Hop Sing announced then, and all thoughts of cathedrals, hippopotami and monkeys disappeared from the minds of the four hungry Cartwrights. \u201cYeah, I just need to use the chamber pot,\u201d Little Joe replied in a whisper as he stuck his feet in his slippers.<\/p>\n It was cold in the loft, even wearing his flannel underwear under his flannel nightshirt, but when he finished, he didn\u2019t get back into bed.\u00a0 Instead he crept over to the bedside table and quietly felt for the flint and steel and the candlestick.\u00a0 When he\u2019d found them, he put them inside his undershirt so his hands would be free to grasp the ladder, shivering when the cold objects touched his bare skin.\u00a0 He carefully climbed down the ladder in the dark, and just as carefully made his way over to the dresser where Pa had placed the gifts from Captain Stoddard.\u00a0 He stubbed his toe on one of the settee\u2019s legs, uttering a loud, \u201cOuch!\u201d\u00a0 Then he froze.\u00a0 When he didn\u2019t hear any sound from Pa\u2019s or Hop Sing\u2019s rooms, he continued as quietly as he could manage.\u00a0 When he reached the dresser, he extracted the candle, flint and steel from his undershirt and began striking the flint and steel.<\/p>\n Ben had been startled awake by noise in the main room.\u00a0 He lay still, listening, and heard the sound of someone stealthily creeping about in the dark room.\u00a0 He reached for the revolver he kept by his bed every night, and then slowly and quietly walked to his door.\u00a0 He opened the door silently just as Little Joe succeeded in lighting his candle.\u00a0 Ben let out his breath in a rush, then replaced his gun before stalking out of his bedroom.<\/p>\n Little Joe was so intent on finding his gift that he didn\u2019t hear his pa\u2019s approach and when Ben put a hand on his shoulder, the boy gave a yelp of terror.<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe!\u201d Adam yelled from the loft and Hop Sing burst out of his room.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all right,\u201d Ben said loudly enough for Adam to hear.\u00a0 \u201cGo back to sleep.\u201d\u00a0 Once Hop Sing had returned to his room, Ben turned to his youngest and said sternly, \u201cAll right, Joseph Francis Cartwright, explain to me what you are doing down here in the middle of the night.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014\u201d but the nine-year-old couldn\u2019t think of any explanation that would satisfy his pa and just looked at him as his eyes began to fill with tears because he knew he would be punished.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were going to open your gift from Adam\u2019s grandfather, weren\u2019t you?\u201d Ben demanded and the boy just nodded miserably, dropping his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cEven though I specifically told you that you were to wait until Christmas.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe just hung his head.\u00a0 \u201cWell, Joseph, since you chose to disobey me, you must face the consequences.\u00a0 Bend over.\u201d\u00a0 Ben gave the boy three swats.\u00a0 \u201cNow get up to bed,\u201d he ordered, and the child stumbled up the ladder.<\/p>\n Adam remembered how he\u2019d felt after a tanning so he pretended to be asleep as his little brother climbed into the bed, trying to hold back his tears.\u00a0 Adam found he couldn\u2019t go back to sleep with Little Joe crying right beside him so very softly he asked, \u201cYou okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cY- yeah,\u201d Little Joe replied in a quavering voice.\u00a0 Then he asked, \u201cAdam, d- did you and Pa ever have necessary talks?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure we did,\u201d Adam replied and Little Joe could hear his smile even though he couldn\u2019t see it in the dark.\u00a0 \u201cI was no angel.\u201d\u00a0 He paused and then said, \u201cThere are worse things than Pa\u2019s necessary talks.\u00a0 I remember once a couple months before you were born Ross and Todd and I were all angry because our fathers wouldn\u2019t let us come on the drive, so we all decided that instead of doing our chores, we\u2019d sneak off and go fishing without telling anyone.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled wryly at the bittersweet memory before continuing.\u00a0 \u201cWas I ever in trouble with your ma and Hop Sing when I got home!\u00a0 First, I was sent to bed with no supper, and then Hop Sing and your ma had all kinds of chores for me to do as a punishment.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat kinda chores?\u201d Little Joe wanted to know.<\/p>\n \u201cI had to do the laundry, dig a new hole for the outhouse, clean and whitewash the henhouse plus all my regular chores of chopping wood, slopping the pigs, milking the cow and mucking out the barn.\u00a0 Oh, and your ma made me write that I wouldn\u2019t leave the ranch without permission one hundred times.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGosh!\u201d Little Joe exclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s a lot of chores!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI would much rather have had one of Pa\u2019s necessary talks,\u201d Adam said firmly.<\/p>\n \u201cMe too!\u201d Little Joe said and the fervor in his voice made Adam smile.\u00a0 \u201cG\u2019night, Adam,\u201d Little Joe added sleepily.<\/p>\n \u201cGoodnight,\u201d Adam said softly, closing his eyes. Once the angel had been placed, they all reached into the box for an ornament.\u00a0 When they got to the bottom of the box, Adam pulled out a wooden figure obviously carved by a child.<\/p>\n \u201cSo you still have my horse,\u201d he said, smiling as he held the little carving in the palm of his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cWe put your horse up every Christmas,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cIt was a way to have you with us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa said it was the first ornament you ever carved,\u201d Little Joe added.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right.\u00a0 I was the same age you are now,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cI thought it was ugly and wanted to get rid of it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut it was precious to me,\u201d Ben said quietly.<\/p>\n When the last ornament had been hung, Little Joe asked eagerly, \u201cCan we open Captain Stoddard\u2019s gift to all of us?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAfter we\u2019ve read the Christmas story, we\u2019ll open the gift,\u201d Ben promised.\u00a0 \u201cIs supper ready, Hop Sing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlmost,\u201d Hop Sing replied.\u00a0 \u201cEverybody wash up, and then be ready.\u201d<\/p>\n After supper, the brothers turned the settee and the rocking chair so they faced the Christmas tree in its corner while Ben got the family Bible.\u00a0 Ben, Hoss and Little Joe sat on the settee while Adam chose the rocking chair.<\/p>\n \u201cAll right, Little Joe, we\u2019re ready for you,\u201d Ben said, smiling fondly at his youngest.\u00a0 Last Christmas Little Joe had begged to be the one to recite A Visit from St. Nicholas<\/em>, and he\u2019d been working on memorizing it for several weeks.<\/p>\n Little Joe stood up and cleared his throat.\u00a0 He looked at the expectant faces of his pa and brothers, and suddenly his mind went blank.\u00a0 He swallowed hard and asked nervously, \u201cC- can Hoss say it with me?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss grinned at him and said, \u201cBe happy to.\u201d\u00a0 He got up and stood beside his brother, who smiled up at him, and they recited the poem together.\u00a0 Then they sat back down on either side of their pa, who opened the Bible to the first chapter of Luke.<\/p>\n As his father read, Adam found his thoughts drifting back to their very first Christmas in the cabin.\u00a0 He and Pa and Hoss had sat on the settee facing the cheerful fire since they had no Christmas tree.\u00a0 Pa had held baby Hoss on his lap while he\u2019d recited the poem about Santa Claus.\u00a0 When he had finished, he\u2019d put Hoss on Adam\u2019s lap and then he\u2019d read the story of the birth of Jesus from the big family Bible.\u00a0 Adam could remember how happy and secure he\u2019d felt, sitting beside his pa in the circle of his arm, holding his baby brother, who\u2019d smiled and gurgled at him.<\/p>\n Adam was startled from his reverie by his father\u2019s voice saying his name.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, will you read the story of the Wise Men?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d be glad to,\u201d Adam replied as he stood up.\u00a0 Little Joe moved closer to Ben, not sure if he liked this change to the Christmas tradition.\u00a0 However, as he listened, he decided it was only right Adam should participate as he and Hoss had.<\/p>\n When Adam finished, Little Joe said, \u201cNow we can open our gift.\u00a0 Can I open it?\u00a0 Please?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, you may,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n Little Joe ran and got the package from under the tree and carried it back to the settee.\u00a0 He tore off the paper, revealing a paper bag and some long strips of colored paper with shiny pieces on them, and a piece of paper.<\/p>\n \u201cLet me read the note,\u201d Ben said, picking up the paper and unfolding it.<\/p>\n Dear Benjamin, Adam, Hoss and Little Joe,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n People here in Boston are using these streamers and bits of foil to decorate their Christmas trees so I thought you would like to use them on yours.\u00a0 You drape them over the branches.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve also included some chestnuts you can roast.\u00a0 Adam said you can\u2019t get them in Western Utah.<\/p>\n Merry Christmas!<\/p>\n Abel Morgan Stoddard<\/p>\n \u201cI told Grandfather I was going to miss roasting chestnuts at Christmas,\u201d Adam said with a happy smile.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s put the streamers on the tree,\u201d Little Joe commanded, not much interested in nuts.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll drape the tree and then we\u2019ll roast a few chestnuts,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cI haven\u2019t had any in years, but I remember how good they are.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe streamers are a nice touch,\u201d Adam said as they sat around the tree, eating their chestnuts.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd these here chestnuts are dee-licious,\u201d Hoss declared.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter we finish eating, you boys need to get to bed or Santa Claus may skip over us,\u201d Ben said, and his older sons exchanged grins over their little brother\u2019s head.<\/p>\n After the boys had gone up to the loft and Ben was sure that Little Joe was asleep, he got the gifts from Santa Claus and put them under the tree.\u00a0 Then he filled the three stockings with almonds, raisons, licorice sticks, molasses candy and one orange each.\u00a0 He smiled in satisfaction as he looked around the room at the gaily decorated tree and the bulging stockings hanging over the mantle.\u00a0 He banked the fire and put out all the candles but one, which he carried into the lean-to.\u00a0 The room was chilly so he got ready for bed quickly, blew out his candle, and got under the blankets and quilts.\u00a0 As he lay in the dark lean-to, his thoughts turned to past Christmases in the cabin.<\/p>\n ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben was awakened from a sound sleep by his first-born shouting, \u201cLookee, Hoss!\u00a0 Look at our stockings!\u201d\u00a0 He opened his eyes and saw his two little boys jump out of bed and run for the fireplace.\u00a0 He grinned as he watched Adam stand on tiptoe to unhook first his own stocking and then his brother\u2019s.\u00a0 Ben quickly got out of bed and hurried over to them.\u00a0 \u201cEmpty your stockings on the table, boys,\u201d he commanded.\u00a0 He smiled fondly as he watched Adam\u2019s golden-brown eyes and Hoss\u2019s sky-blue ones widen as they spilled the contents of their stockings on the table.\u00a0 Adam reached for one of his peppermint drops and Hoss for one of his licorice sticks, so Ben said quickly, \u201cNo candy before breakfast.\u00a0 Besides, you haven\u2019t looked under the Christmas tree yet.\u201d<\/p>\n The two boys instantly whirled around and Ben wished he had some means of preserving the moment when they saw the gifts under the tree:\u00a0 their eyes were so big and round and their mouths formed an \u2018O\u2019.<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s long legs got him to the tree first.\u00a0 \u201cThis one says it\u2019s for me and this one is for you, Hoss,\u201d he said as he handed a package to his baby brother before ripping his open.\u00a0 \u201cA book!\u201d he exclaimed in delight.\u00a0 \u201cThe Deerslayer by James Fenimore Cooper.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI guess Santa Claus didn\u2019t think you were a bad boy after all,\u201d Ben said as he ruffled his son\u2019s dark curls.\u00a0 Then he turned to his younger son who was struggling with the wrapping paper on his gift.\u00a0 \u201cLet Pa help,\u201d he said with a smile as he tore away the paper revealing ten flat blocks painted with Biblical scenes.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a Jacob\u2019s Ladder,\u201d he said to the child.\u00a0 \u201cWatch,\u201d and he picked it up on one end and the pictures flipped over.\u00a0 Hoss\u2019s eyes grew even wider and then his pa picked up the other end and the pictures flipped over again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe!\u00a0 Me!\u201d Hoss shouted and with a grin, Ben handed the boy his toy.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s more, Hoss,\u201d Adam exclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cHere\u2019s one for you and one for me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThese are from your grandfather,\u201d Ben explained before he helped Hoss unwrap his gift, which was a hand-spun top.\u00a0 Ben was grateful Captain Stoddard had been thoughtful enough to send a gift for Hoss as well as Adam.\u00a0 \u201cThis is how it works, son,\u201d Ben said as he spun it between the palms of his hands.<\/p>\n \u201cI got a pennywhistle,\u201d Adam announced happily.\u00a0 \u201cI told Grandfather that I\u2019d like to have one.\u201d\u00a0 He turned and smiled at his pa.\u00a0 \u201cThis was the best Christmas ever.\u201d<\/p>\n ~ ~ ~ ~ ~<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Hoss.\u00a0 We gotta wait until Pa says we can come down,\u201d Ben heard his oldest whisper loudly while beside him Marie giggled softly.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I wanna see what Santa Claus brung me,\u201d Hoss\u2019s voice replied loudly.<\/p>\n \u201cQuiet!\u201d Ben and Marie heard Adam hiss.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll wake up the baby and he\u2019ll start cryin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n As if on cue, whimpering sounds came from the cradle on the other side of the sheet separating the lean-to into two sections.<\/p>\n \u201cI will feed Joseph and then I think we should let Adam and Hoss come down, n\u2019est-ce-pas?\u201d Marie said softly as she sat up, and he nodded.<\/p>\n While Marie sat in the rocking chair and nursed the baby, Ben added wood to the fire as quietly as he could, but not quietly enough.\u00a0 Almost immediately Hoss called down excitedly, \u201cPa, can me \u2018n\u2019 Adam come down?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot yet.\u00a0 In a few minutes,\u201d Ben called back.\u00a0 \u201cYou boys go ahead and get dressed.\u201d<\/p>\n As he was dressing in the lean-to, Ben heard Hoss squeal, \u201cAdam, that water\u2019s too cold!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t be such a baby.\u00a0 I washed my face in it, didn\u2019t I?\u201d Ben heard Adam reply.\u00a0 \u201cJust do it quick and get it over with.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben rejoined Marie, who was burping the baby, and they heard Adam say, \u201cWe\u2019ve gotta comb our hair.\u201d There was a slight pause and then they heard Adam comment, \u201cYours is fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet me take Joseph while you get dressed,\u201d Ben said softly and Marie handed him the baby.\u00a0 As she was entering the lean-to, they both heard Adam say angrily, \u201cThese dang curls!\u00a0 I don\u2019t know why my hair couldn\u2019t be straight like yours.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben and Marie couldn\u2019t hear Hoss\u2019s giggles for their own smothered laughter.<\/p>\n Marie dressed as quickly as she could, leaving her hair in its long braid that hung down her back, and then hurried to join Ben and the baby.<\/p>\n \u201cAll right, boys, you can come down now,\u201d Ben called and the boys quickly climbed down the ladder.\u00a0 Hoss\u2019s clear blue eyes opened wide at the sight of the packages under the tree they\u2019d decorated the night before, and then he saw his bulging stocking hanging from the mantle.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s save the stockings until after breakfast,\u201d Marie suggested, Ben knew she didn\u2019t want Hoss filling up on lemon drops and licorice sticks.\u00a0 Adam didn\u2019t have quite as much of a sweet tooth, but they couldn\u2019t be certain he wouldn\u2019t eat his candy first.\u00a0 The boys were too eager to open their gifts to mind waiting.<\/p>\n \u201cWe always start with the youngest,\u201d Ben explained to Marie, \u201cand this year that means Joseph.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled at Hoss and said, \u201cWould you like to open one of your brother\u2019s gifts for him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll open the gift me \u2018n\u2019 Adam made him,\u201d Hoss said, a happy smile lighting up his face.\u00a0 He ran to where he\u2019d placed the gift under the tree the night before.\u00a0 He quickly tore the paper off the bulky package and revealed about a dozen small wooden blocks that had letters of the alphabet carved on two sides.\u00a0 \u201cPa helped us,\u201d the six-year-old confessed, \u201cbut I rubbed \u2018em with a piece of pumice until they was real smooth and then Adam carved the letters.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a wonderful gift,\u201d Marie said, her eyes beginning to fill with tears.\u00a0 Ben knew she shared his joy at this proof that Hoss, and especially Adam, loved their baby brother.<\/p>\n ~ ~ ~ ~ ~<\/p>\n Ben was awakened, as he always was on Christmas mornings, by his sons\u2019 voices.<\/p>\n \u201cYa can\u2019t go down yet, Little Joe,\u201d he heard Hoss\u2019s voice say patiently.\u00a0 \u201cWe don\u2019t go down until Pa says we can.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd since we\u2019re all up, why don\u2019t we get dressed so we\u2019ll be ready when he does call,\u201d Adam suggested, his tone reasonable.<\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u00a0 I wanna see what Santa Claus brought me!\u201d Little Joe\u2019s voice was loud and impatient.<\/p>\n Ben heard the sound of running feet and then Adam\u2019s voice saying, \u201cYou\u2019re not going anywhere, little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI guess we better tie him up while we get dressed,\u201d Ben heard Hoss say and then Adam added, \u201cGood idea.\u00a0 We can use my neckties.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u00a0 You\u2019re mean!\u201d Little Joe yelled.<\/p>\n \u201cMean!\u00a0 Why, we\u2019re only tyin\u2019 ya up fer yer own good,\u201d Hoss said cheerfully.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Adam agreed.\u00a0 \u201cWhy, if we let you sneak downstairs before Pa gave his permission, Santa Claus would come back down the chimney and exchange your present for a bundle of switches.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe would not,\u201d Little Joe said, but Ben heard the uncertainty in his youngest\u2019s voice and smiled as he began to dress.<\/p>\n \u201cIfn I was you, little brother, I wouldn\u2019t take a chance,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 After that, there was no more talking and Ben knew his boys were dressing.<\/p>\n As soon as Ben announced they could come down, Little Joe practically flew down the ladder and made a beeline for the tree.\u00a0 His brothers followed at a slightly slower pace and Hop Sing emerged from his room.<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe, don\u2019t open yours until we each have a gift,\u201d Ben cautioned, and sighing loudly, the child complied.<\/p>\n Everyone was delighted with his gifts.\u00a0 Hoss was especially pleased to have some new shirts and pants, underwear and nightshirts since he\u2019d outgrown everything.\u00a0 Adam was delighted with a new bottle of bay rum aftershave, a new pair of canvas work pants, a black suede vest and a chess set.\u00a0 Little Joe was thrilled with everything he received: marbles, a whirligig, a bilbo catcher and a subscription to the children\u2019s magazine Robert Merry\u2019s Museum<\/em>.<\/p>\n After a big Christmas dinner, they all sang Christmas carols until they were hoarse.\u00a0 Then Little Joe settled down with the first issue of his magazine while Adam taught Hoss to play chess and Ben borrowed Adam\u2019s copy of The Pickwick Papers<\/strong> and lost himself in Dickens.<\/p>\n \u201cI think this was the best Christmas ever,\u201d Little Joe announced before heading up to bed.\u00a0 Then he turned to his oldest brother and said with a warm smile, \u201cI\u2019m glad you were here, Adam, and not at college.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo am I,\u201d Adam said, smiling at him.\u00a0 Then he looked at the rest of the family and added in a voice that wasn\u2019t quite steady, \u201cEvery year I was away, I missed all of you so much at Christmas and it\u2019s so wonderful to be here with all of you.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s heart overflowed with joy at Adam\u2019s declaration.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 6<\/strong><\/em> \u201cYes, it is,\u201d Adam agreed, smiling warmly, \u201cand it\u2019s the perfect morning for me to go to Placerville to begin hiring workmen to build our new house, starting with stonemasons to build the foundation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYahoo!\u201d Little Joe shouted and the others shared his eagerness so Ben didn\u2019t reprimand him for shouting at the table, but just grinned at him.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, we have to dig the foundation before we\u2019ll need the stonemasons,\u201d Adam said with a wink.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can start diggin\u2019 today, right Pa?\u201d Hoss asked.\u00a0 \u201cMe \u2018n\u2019 Adam already put out the stakes showin\u2019 where to dig.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think that\u2019s an excellent idea,\u201d Ben said with a smile for his middle boy.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll just speak with Will and let him know where we\u2019ll be in case something comes up,\u201d Ben stated then, his dark eyes alight with enthusiasm.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I\u2019ll see if I can get some volunteers to help with the digging.\u00a0 Hop Sing and Little Joe, you\u2019ll be on your own for a while; Hoss and I will stay at the cabin there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut I wanna help dig!\u201d Little Joe protested and Hop Sing added, \u201cHop Sing good with shovel and want to help.\u00a0 Diego be happy take care of pigs and chickens for Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t just need people to dig the foundation,\u201d Adam interjected.\u00a0 \u201cI checked the other day and we need more big, flat stones we can use for bond stones and footing stones.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow big?\u201d Hoss asked, reaching for his coffee cup.<\/p>\n \u201cThe foundation is going to be six feet high, and two and a half feet thick so the footing stones need to be about eight inches thick and three feet wide,\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0 \u201cThe bonding stones need to be just as thick, but they don\u2019t have to be as wide, only about thirty inches.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have an idea of where there\u2019s the kind stones yer needin\u2019,\u201d Hoss declared.\u00a0 \u201cYa wanna come with me, Little Joe, and haul the stones over to the new house?\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe quickly swallowed the milk he\u2019d just drunk and said with a grin, \u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam finished his breakfast and, as he put down his napkin, he said, \u201cPa, I\u2019m also going to need to buy supplies\u2014more wheelbarrows, tools and Portland cement for the mortar.\u201d\u00a0 He glanced at Hop Sing and then quickly added, \u201cHop Sing\u2019s given me a list of items the cook I hire is going to need as well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll right, I\u2019ll give you a bank draft,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cSince you\u2019re keeping the books now, you know how much we can afford.\u201d\u00a0 When Adam had offered to take over the bookkeeping duties, Ben had accepted with alacrity.\u00a0 He was amused that Adam actually enjoyed a task he loathed.\u00a0 He was his mother\u2019s son in that respect because Liz had liked keeping the chandlery\u2019s books, Ben remembered, with the wistfulness that always accompanied any memory of his first love.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you mind if I ask Carl to come with me?\u201d Adam asked.\u00a0 Hoss would have been better company but he and Little Joe were eager to find the stones they needed, and Adam wasn\u2019t looking forward to traveling through the mountains alone.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that\u2019s a fine idea,\u201d Ben said. \u201cThe Ponderosa is my home; I always intended to return here,\u201d Adam replied quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd ya never thought of stayin\u2019 back East?\u201d Carl asked skeptically.<\/p>\n Adam was quiet for so long that Carl thought he wasn\u2019t going to answer, but then he said slowly, \u201cI thought about it.\u00a0 The architectural firm where I worked the last two summers offered me a position, and I had another offer from a mining company to work for them as a mining engineer.\u00a0 They were good jobs and I considered them very seriously, especially the one from the architectural firm.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled crookedly as he added, \u201cBut I missed my family and I missed the Ponderosa so I turned down the offers and came home.\u201d<\/p>\n Carl just shook his head and changed the subject. \u201cMexico?\u201d Adam said, surprised.\u00a0 \u201cWhy Mexico?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s gotta be more excitin\u2019 than around here,\u201d Carl replied.\u00a0 \u201cAnd there\u2019s all those pretty, black-eyed se\u00f1oritas<\/em>.\u00a0 A good-lookin\u2019 fellow like me shouldn\u2019t have no problems gettin\u2019 all the women he wants.\u201d\u00a0 He grinned slyly at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cYou could most likely find some that\u2019d like hearin\u2019 you spout off poetry\u2014if you know any Spanish poems.\u201d\u00a0 Adam just smiled, refusing to take the bait.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s your father have to say about your plan,\u201d he asked curiously, sipping his coffee slowly as he gazed at Carl over the rim of his cup.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, he\u2019d be against it\u2014if he knew anything about it,\u201d Carl admitted.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t wanna hurt him, but I don\u2019t wanna spend my life chasin\u2019 cows neither.\u00a0 I want some excitement!\u201d\u00a0 He sat up straight then and looked at Adam intently.\u00a0 \u201cCome with me, Adam.\u00a0 We\u2019d have a good time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u00a0 Just leave for Mexico now?\u00a0 Without a word to anyone?\u201d Adam asked, setting his cup down and staring at Carl.<\/p>\n \u201cWe could send a letter and let \u2018em know where we\u2019re headed once we get to a town,\u201d Carl answered, his dark eyes glowing with enthusiasm.<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t do that to my pa,\u201d Adam said decisively.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I don\u2019t wanna leave the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know you, Adam,\u201d Carl said with a slight sneer.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve had a taste of bein\u2019 on yer own, of seein\u2019 other places.\u00a0 Ya ain\u2019t gonna be happy here livin\u2019 under yer pa\u2019s thumb.\u00a0 Ya know ya ain\u2019t.\u00a0 Come with me, and we can see the world.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Carl,\u201d Adam said firmly.\u00a0 He held up his hand to let Carl know he wasn\u2019t interested in hearing anymore.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe someday I\u2019ll want to travel, to be on my own.\u00a0 Not now.\u00a0 Now I want to stay here with my pa and brothers.\u00a0 I want to build the house that I<\/em> designed and I want to live in it.\u00a0 I want to help my pa make the Ponderosa the most successful ranch in Western Utah.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSuit yerself,\u201d Carl said with a shrug, and they finished their meal in silence. \u201cNice of you to leave me the job of telling your father that you\u2019ve run off,\u201d Adam muttered as he stood up.\u00a0 When he started to fix his breakfast, he discovered most of his supplies were gone and shook his head.\u00a0 Just have to be sparing with them until I can buy more in Placerville<\/em>, he thought, heaving a sigh of resignation. \u201cHey Little Joe,\u201d he called, \u201cbring me some water.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe grinned as he walked over carrying a bucket of water and a tin dipper.\u00a0 It was his job to fetch water from the well they\u2019d dug the previous autumn, and he also snared rabbits and caught fish for food.<\/p>\n As Hoss lifted the dipper to his mouth, Little Joe said excitedly, \u201cI think I see a wagon and some riders.\u00a0 Look!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYer right.\u00a0 I bet it\u2019s Adam and the men he hired,\u201d Hoss said with an enormous grin.\u00a0 \u201cPa,\u201d he shouted, pointing.\u00a0 \u201cLook yonder!\u201d<\/p>\n Adam drove the mules up to the bunkhouse and then set the wagon\u2019s brake before jumping down.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like you\u2019ve been working hard while I\u2019ve been away,\u201d he said with a grin as he removed his hat and ran his fingers through his mop of curls.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right, son,\u201d Ben agreed with just the hint of a smile.\u00a0 \u201cTomorrow your stonemasons can begin work.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGreat!\u201d Adam exclaimed happily.\u00a0 Then his exuberance dimmed a little as he added, \u201cActually, I couldn\u2019t find any stonemasons, but I hired some bricklayers who\u2019ve done the masonry for foundations.\u201d\u00a0 His expression brightened as he added, \u201cI was able to hire some carpenters who have experience in post and beam carpentry.\u00a0 While the bricklayers are working on the foundation, they\u2019ll use the second cabin as a workshop to prepare the mortise and tenon joints.\u00a0 They\u2019re bringing their tools in a separate wagon.\u00a0 Oh, and I hired a cook.\u00a0 They should all be right behind me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey are,\u201d Ben said, pointing at the approaching wagon.\u00a0 He naturally wanted to meet the men Adam had hired.\u00a0 He and Adam showed the workers the cabin serving as a bunkhouse and the one that would be a workshop.\u00a0 Then they began unloading their tools and the supplies Adam had purchased.\u00a0 Once that was done the workers began to inspect the site while Adam rode Beauty to the sawmill to request the lumber be delivered to the construction site the next morning.\u00a0 Just before he left, he told the men that he would return so they could haul the sand they needed for the mortar from the lakeshore.<\/p>\n It was about an hour later when the work of digging the foundation was completed.\u00a0 The three Cartwrights, Hop Sing, Tex and Billy all packed up their gear and headed back to the old cabin.\u00a0 Ben drove the buckboard and Hop Sing sat beside him while the boys sat in the back with the picks and shovels.<\/p>\n \u201cPa,\u201d Little Joe asked, \u201ccan, I mean may, I go back tomorrow and watch \u2018em build the walls?\u00a0 Please?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think that\u2019s a good idea,\u201d Ben began.<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t get in the way and I wouldn\u2019t pester \u2018em with questions.\u00a0 I promise,\u201d Little Joe pleaded.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d kinda like to go too,\u201d Hoss said then.\u00a0 \u201cJust for a bit.\u00a0 We\u2019d stay outa the way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour brother is in charge of the construction site.\u00a0 If he agrees, you can go and watch for an hour, but no more.\u00a0 Understand?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d Little Joe said, his smile lighting up his face.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, thanks,\u201d Hoss said quietly.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t so sure that Adam would agree. Adam walked inside and saw all the vaqueros except Jos\u00e9 and Mr. Reagan were playing cards.\u00a0 Jos\u00e9 was mending his tack but Mr. Reagan wasn\u2019t in sight so Adam figured he was in the lean-to that served as his room.<\/p>\n \u201cHowdy Adam,\u201d Billy said.\u00a0 \u201cWe thought it was Carl.\u00a0 His pa\u2019s wonderin\u2019 where he is since we told him you were back.\u201d<\/p>\n Jos\u00e9 was watching Adam\u2019s face and said quietly, \u201cSe\u00f1or<\/em> Reagan is in his room.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smiled slightly as he said, \u201cGracias<\/em>, Jos\u00e9,\u201d and walked over and knocked on Reagan\u2019s door.\u00a0 He saw the disappointment on the older man\u2019s face before he masked it with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cGood to see ya, Adam.\u00a0 I heard ya was back and I\u2019ve been lookin\u2019 fer Carl.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCarl didn\u2019t come back with me,\u201d Adam said gently.\u00a0 \u201cWhile we were traveling, he told me that he wanted to go to Mexico.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want to hurt you, but he didn\u2019t want to stay here either.\u00a0 One morning when I woke up, he and his horse were gone.\u201d\u00a0 Seeing the pain in the other man\u2019s eyes, he added quickly, \u201cI\u2019m sure he\u2019ll write to you when he gets to a town.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI knew he was restless, but I didn\u2019t believe he\u2019d just up and leave.\u00a0 I- I guess he figured he\u2019d go when I wasn\u2019t around to talk him out of it,\u201d Will said sadly.\u00a0 Then with an effort, he squared his shoulders and said, \u201cHe\u2019s over twenty-one and he\u2019s got a right to choose his own way, and I have to respect that.\u201d\u00a0 He managed a smile that didn\u2019t reach his eyes and said, \u201cYer pa\u2019s probably wonderin\u2019 where ya are.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I- I\u2019d better go,\u201d Adam said and left quickly.<\/p>\n As soon as Adam opened the cabin door, Ben looked up from the newspaper he\u2019d been pretending to read and Hop Sing hurried out of his room.<\/p>\n \u201cThere you are!\u201d Ben said, and Adam heard the relief in his pa\u2019s voice.\u00a0 \u201cI was beginning to worry, and I know Will is wondering where Carl has gotten off to.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMexico,\u201d Adam said wearily.<\/p>\n Before Ben could react to Adam\u2019s statement, Hop Sing scolded, \u201cSupper all dry up!\u00a0 Throw away!\u201d But then his severe expression softened and he added, \u201cCan make you sandwich.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Hop Sing, but I\u2019m not hungry,\u201d Adam replied quietly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry I\u2019m so late.\u00a0 It took longer than I thought to haul the sand, and then I had to talk to Mr. Reagan about Carl.\u201d\u00a0 He repeated the story, and at the end, Hop Sing shook his head and muttered in his own tongue and Ben said sadly, \u201cPoor Will.\u201d\u00a0 Then he put a hand on Adam\u2019s shoulder, saying, \u201cYou look tired, son.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t want to eat, you may as well go on up and get some rest.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded and headed for the loft.\u00a0 It seemed he\u2019d just fallen asleep when he felt someone shaking his shoulder and heard Hoss\u2019s voice saying, \u201cGet up, Adam, or yer gonna be late.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m awake,\u201d Adam replied with a yawn.\u00a0 As soon as he swung his legs over the side of the bed, Little Joe asked excitedly, \u201cCan we watch \u2018em build the wall?\u00a0 Pa said we could if it was all right with you.\u201d<\/p>\n Seeing his older brother\u2019s frown, Hoss added quickly, \u201cJust fer an hour.\u00a0 We\u2019d keep outa the way and Little Joe promised not to ask questions.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam sighed as he put on his shirt.\u00a0 This was his first time being \u2018the boss\u2019, and he was a little nervous, especially since all the men he\u2019d hired were older and more experienced.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t think having his younger brothers underfoot would add to his confidence, but Little Joe looked at him so pleadingly that he reluctantly said, \u201cAll right, but come after dinner.\u201d\u00a0 Seeing his little brother\u2019s face light up, he cautioned, \u201cIf you get in the way or start bothering the men with questions, then you\u2019ll have to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe won\u2019t.\u00a0 Thanks, Adam,\u201d Little Joe said happily. The most experienced carpenter, John Miller, normally worked as master builder on his jobs.\u00a0 At first he hadn\u2019t been interested working under an architect, and particularly such an inexperienced one.\u00a0 However, when Cartwright had offered to pay ten cents more an hour than the going rate, he decided the offer was too good to pass up.\u00a0 Besides, young Cartwright was in over his head, and Miller was ready to take charge when the time came.<\/p>\n He and the other carpenters gathered around the table in the workshop as Adam spread out the drawings, pointing out the details.\u00a0 Even Miller grudgingly admitted Cartwright knew what he was doing when it came to design.\u00a0 Managing a construction site, however, was a different matter, he reminded himself.<\/p>\n They were just finishing going over the drawings when the lumber began to arrive.\u00a0 The carpenters were eager to check the quality of the wood they would be working with.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is excellent,\u201d Miller stated authoritatively as he examined the timbers and boards for cupping, bowing and twisting.\u00a0 \u201cPonderosa pine, right?\u201d and Adam nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll need oak or maple for the floors and stair treads,\u201d Miller said then.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I\u2019ve ordered quartersawn oak boards from the lumberyard in Placerville for them and the wainscoting.\u00a0 They should be here within the week,\u201d Adam said, pleased to be able to demonstrate his competence.\u00a0 Miller began to think that perhaps he\u2019d misjudged the young architect.<\/p>\n He turned to the other carpenters and said, \u201cLet\u2019s get started on these timbers.\u201d \u201cHowdy, Adam,\u201d Hoss said with a grin.\u00a0 Then he held out a package wrapped in one of their red gingham napkins.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing made gingersnaps and he sent these fer ya.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks,\u201d Adam said, smiling with pleasure as he accepted the cookies.\u00a0 \u201cIf you go sit by the sand, you can watch without being in the way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Little Joe said happily, and he and Hoss hurried to the spot Adam had suggested.\u00a0 As they sat down, they watched one of the bricklayers mix sand and something from a big sack with water.\u00a0 When he was satisfied, he took a trowel and scooped up some of the mixture he\u2019d made and spread it on the existing wall where he\u2019d left off at dinnertime.\u00a0 Next he selected one of the long stones that Hoss remembered Adam had called a bond stone and placed it in the mixture next to several smaller stones.\u00a0 Then he rubbed it in and hit it with the trowel.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess he hit it to make sure it\u2019s in the paste,\u201d Hoss whispered to Little Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam didn\u2019t call it paste,\u201d Little Joe whispered back.<\/p>\n \u201cI know, but I don\u2019t remember what he called it,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n As they watched, the man used some of the smaller stones and repeated the same process of rubbing and pounding until he\u2019d covered the \u2018paste\u2019 with stones.\u00a0 Then he used pebbles to fill in the cracks, rubbing and pounding just as he had with the stones.\u00a0 He turned toward the bucket containing the \u2018paste\u2019 and as he did, he glanced up and spied Hoss and Little Joe.\u00a0 With a friendly smile, he walked toward them and then asked, \u201cWould you boys like to help?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure would!\u201d Little Joe replied enthusiastically while Hoss answered cautiously, \u201cIf we won\u2019t be in the way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou won\u2019t.\u00a0 My name is Ike, by the way,\u201d the man said.\u00a0 He had a barrel chest, muscular arms and a friendly face with twinkling blue eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m Little Joe and this is Hoss,\u201d Little Joe said with an engaging grin.<\/p>\n \u201cHorse?\u201d the man said in surprise and Hoss said quickly, \u201cNo, not horse, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, Hoss,\u201d Ike said.\u00a0 \u201cWell, you boys come on down and I\u2019ll show you how to build a stone rubble foundation for your new house.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss and Little Joe ran quickly down the dirt ramp and over to Ike, who greeted them with a friendly smile.<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe, you can go first,\u201d he said, handing the boy his trowel.\u00a0 \u201cFirst thing you have to do is put down a bed of mortar,\u201d and Little Joe nodded.\u00a0 He remembered now that mortar is what Adam had called the paste.\u00a0 He scooped up some mortar and began to spread it the way he\u2019d watched Ike do.<\/p>\n \u201cNot too thin,\u201d Ike cautioned.\u00a0 When he was satisfied, he told Little Joe to get a stone and put it in the mortar next to the dirt wall.\u00a0 After that was accomplished, Little Joe began to rub the stone into the mortar, and Ike smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI see you were watching carefully.\u00a0 All right, now you need to pound it with the trowel to make sure it\u2019s set.\u201d<\/p>\n Under Ike\u2019s supervision, Little Joe covered the bed of mortar with stones and then filled in the crevices with pebbles and set them in the mortar.\u00a0 While he was working, Adam came over to check on his brothers.\u00a0 When he saw where they were, he almost yelled at them, but before he opened his mouth, he realized Ike must have invited them to come down.\u00a0 He saw with a smile that Little Joe was concentrating on following Ike\u2019s instruction.\u00a0 Hoss had already played a part in building their house by helping to dig the foundation, and now Little Joe would always know that he\u2019d played a part as well.<\/p>\n When Little Joe finished, Ike smiled at him.\u00a0 \u201cGood job,\u201d he said and then turned to Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cNow it\u2019s your turn.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss spread the mortar and then reached for one of the bond stones, but Ike said quickly, \u201cNo, we don\u2019t want a bond stone here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow come?\u201d Little Joe asked as Hoss picked up one of the smaller stones and began the process of setting it in the mortar.<\/p>\n \u201cWe put the bond stones every three feet in height and every four feet of length,\u201d Ike replied.\u00a0 \u201cThe bond stones bind the stones of the wall together so the foundation doesn\u2019t split crosswise when it bears the weight of the house.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled down at Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cYour brother\u2019s designed a big house, so he needs us to build a good, strong foundation.\u201d\u00a0 He glanced over at Hoss and said, \u201cYou\u2019re doin\u2019 a fine job.\u201d<\/p>\n When Hoss finished, he and Little Joe thanked Ike for letting them help.\u00a0 As they walked up the ramp, Hoss said, \u201cWe\u2019d better get goin\u2019 cuz Pa said to stay about an hour and then head back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWait\u2019ll we tell him that Ike let us help build the foundation,\u201d Little Joe said with a happy grin. \u201cGood,\u201d Adam said with a big smile.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll read it tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n When they got home, Hoss told Ben goodnight and headed up the ladder while Adam spotted his letter on the dresser.\u00a0 He lit a candle to read by and then sat down at the table and hurriedly opened the envelope and pulled out the letter.\u00a0 A few minutes later, Ben happened to look up from his Mountain Democrat<\/em> and saw Adam\u2019s face was lit up by a happy smile.<\/p>\n \u201cAaron\u2019s news was good I take it,\u201d Ben said with a little grin.<\/p>\n \u201cThe best!\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0 \u201cListen:\u00a0 \u2018Adam, Elsie and I wanted you to be among first to know our wonderful news.\u00a0 Around the end of October or the first of November, our little family will increase.\u2019\u00a0 Aaron\u2019s going to be a father!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, that is the best news,\u201d Ben said, smiling broadly.\u00a0 \u201cWhen you write to Aaron, be sure to extend my congratulations.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will,\u201d Adam said enthusiastically.\u00a0 \u201cPapa Aaron,\u201d he added with a chuckle. \u201cI\u2019ve been waitin\u2019 to talk with ya, Adam,\u201d Ross said excitedly as Adam swung out of the saddle.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s go over by the corral,\u201d and he grabbed Adam\u2019s arm and hurried him along.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m coming,\u201d Adam said with a chuckle.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t have to drag me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted ya to be the first to know,\u201d Ross stated, beaming at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cI- I got Mr. Talbot\u2019s permission to ask Delphine to be my wife and last night she said yes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s wonderful!\u201d Adam exclaimed, thumping his friend on the back.\u00a0 \u201cWhen\u2019s the wedding?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re thinkin\u2019 late June, and I wanted to ask ya to stand up with me,\u201d Ross replied.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d be honored,\u201d Adam said, smiling at his friend.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re gonna talk with that circuit preacher, Rev. Bennett, about havin\u2019 the weddin\u2019 here,\u201d Ross added.\u00a0 \u201cThere was somethin\u2019 else I wanted to ask ya.\u00a0 I- I don\u2019t want to take Delphine to our old cabin; I want to build her a little house and I was hopin\u2019 ya could help me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course I will,\u201d Adam said emphatically.\u00a0 \u201cAfter dinner, the three of us can get together and talk about the kind of house you want.\u00a0 I can probably have some preliminary, uh, I mean rough sketches for you next Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Adam.\u00a0 I really appreciate it,\u201d Ross said warmly. Everyone congratulated Ross and wished Delphine happiness.\u00a0 After dinner, all the women gathered around Delphine.\u00a0 Ross and Adam saw they didn\u2019t have a prayer of prying her away so when her brother Matthew suggested riding over to Gold Canyon to bowl, they joined the group.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll bowl one game and then come back,\u201d Ross suggested.\u00a0 \u201cBy that time the womenfolk should be talked out.\u201d<\/p>\n As they headed for the door, Delphine\u2019s eleven-year-old sister, Evangeline, came running over.\u00a0 \u201cAre you leavin\u2019, Adam?\u201d she asked, staring up at him with big blue eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI was hopin\u2019 that you\u2019d sing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSome other Sunday,\u201d Adam replied, smiling down at her.\u00a0 \u201cRight now Ross and I are going to bowl.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d Evangeline said, sighing tragically while at the same time, Little Joe\u2019s voice could be heard shouting impatiently, \u201cC\u2019mon, Adam and Ross!\u201d<\/p>\n As they headed to their horses, Ross said with a smirk, \u201cIf Evangeline has her way, you \u2018n\u2019 me are gonna be brothers-in-law.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVery funny,\u201d Adam replied, rolling his eyes.<\/p>\n When they arrived at the bowling alley, they found O\u2019Riley and McLaughlin drinking whiskey and bemoaning the annoying blue stuff they kept digging up.<\/p>\n \u201cOur claim\u2019d be as rich as Gold Hill if it weren\u2019t fer that blue stuff,\u201d O\u2019Riley declared.\u00a0 \u201cLook at it!\u201d he added, practically shoving a piece of crumbly black rock in Adam\u2019s and Ross\u2019s faces.<\/p>\n \u201cNo thanks,\u201d Ross said, shoving the rock away, but Adam said quickly, \u201cMind if I have a closer look, Mr. O\u2019Riley?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKeep it, lad,\u201d O\u2019Riley replied.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s plenty more where that came from.\u00a0 More\u2019s the pity.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cC\u2019mon, Adam,\u201d Ross said so Adam slipped the rock into the pocket of his jacket.<\/p>\n When Adam and Ross returned after their one game, they found the Edwards had gone home and the Johnsons were on their way to get Billy and head home.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll give your brothers time enough to finish another game and then we need to be headed home ourselves,\u201d Ben remarked to Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cFine,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 Then he turned to Mrs. Talbot and asked, \u201cDo you happen to have some paper and a pencil I could use?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll get it for you, Adam,\u201d Evangeline said, running from the room, causing her parents and Ben to grin.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam said he\u2019d help me with our house,\u201d Ross said to Delphine, who turned to Adam, saying, \u201cOh thank you!\u201d<\/p>\n Evangeline ran in with the paper and pencil.\u00a0 \u201cHere you are, Adam,\u201d she said breathlessly as she handed them to him, and he smiled at her as he said, \u201cThanks, Evangeline.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam, Ross and Delphine sat down at the kitchen table.\u00a0 (Evangeline would have joined them but her mother shooed her away.)\u00a0 \u201cTell me what kind of house you want,\u201d Adam began.\u00a0 \u201cFor example, how many rooms?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet me see,\u201d Delphine said.\u00a0 \u201cThree bedrooms, a parlor, a nice big kitchen and pantry and a washhouse.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo six rooms,\u201d Adam said as he wrote down her requirements.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it should have two stories, don\u2019t you, Del?\u201d Ross asked her.<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d she agreed, smiling lovingly at Ross.\u00a0 Then she turned to Adam and said, \u201cTwo of the bedrooms should be upstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded and then asked, \u201cWould you like a porch?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I\u2019d like a porch,\u201d Ross said and Delphine nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll have some rough drawings for you next Sunday,\u201d Adam promised.<\/p>\n \u201cI know you\u2019re awfully busy building your own house,\u201d Delphine said hesitantly, but Adam smiled reassuringly.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not busy in the evenings.\u00a0 And I want to do this for the two of you.\u00a0 Consider it a wedding gift.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Adam,\u201d Ross said with a huge smile.\u00a0 Then he gazed at Delphine and their happiness was palpable.\u00a0 Adam was annoyed with himself for the sharp stab of envy he experienced.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got to stop and get Hoss and Little Joe,\u201d he said, \u201cso I\u2019d better be on my way.\u00a0 I\u2019ll see you next Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben was talking with Andy McKaren and George Talbot by the corral, and when he saw Adam leave the cabin, he excused himself.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you tie Beauty behind and ride in the buckboard with me,\u201d Ben suggested.\u00a0 \u201cWe haven\u2019t had much of a chance to talk,\u201d and Adam nodded.<\/p>\n Once they were on their way, Ben turned to Adam and asked, \u201cHow is everything going at the construction site?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s going very well.\u00a0 We\u2019ll be finished with the foundation by the end of the week as I planned and the plumber will be here next Monday\u2014\u201d\u00a0 He stopped suddenly and smacked his forehead.\u00a0 \u201cI forgot!\u00a0 Can you spare someone to go to Sacramento?\u00a0 I talked with the manager at the Cary House and learned they bought their plumbing equipment from a company in Sacramento.\u00a0 I purchased a bathtub, a kitchen sink and pipes there, and I need someone to haul them back here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to start planting the hay and oats,\u201d Ben said, his eyebrows drawing together in a frown.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll send Jos\u00e9,\u201d he said slowly.\u00a0 \u201cWhile he\u2019s in Sacramento, he can hire a new vaquero to replace Carl.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d Adam said, relieved.\u00a0 Forgetting to have the plumbing fixtures and pipe delivered before the plumber arrived would have been a costly mistake and would have made him appear incompetent just when he felt he was gaining the men\u2019s respect.<\/p>\n As they rode along, Adam thought of the rock O\u2019Riley had given him and pulled it out of his pocket and began to study it.<\/p>\n Ben glanced over and asked, \u201cWhat do you have there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a rock I got from O\u2019Riley.\u00a0 When I was at the bowling alley, O\u2019Riley was complaining about the blue stuff they have to remove to get at the gold on their new claim.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u00a0 He and Comstock, McLaughlin, and Penrod complain about it all the time,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cComstock told me the deeper they dig for gold, the more blue stuff they find.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI asked if I could see some and he gave me this rock,\u201d Adam said, continuing to examine it.\u00a0 Then he said slowly, \u201cPa, you know I studied mineralogy.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded and said with a little grin, \u201cYes, I remember thinking it sounded very dull, although it was clear from your letters that you didn\u2019t share my opinion.<\/p>\n Adam smiled crookedly, but his expression quickly sobered.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t be absolutely certain without running the proper tests, but I think this annoying blue stuff is silver ore.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben hauled back on the reins, halting the horses.\u00a0 \u201cHave you told anyone else what you suspect?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u00a0 I just now took a good look at the rock.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, I don\u2019t want you to say a word about this to anyone,\u201d Ben commanded.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t want to see the same madness here that destroyed John Sutter when gold was discovered on his land.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t say anything but, Pa, someone else is bound to discover the silver eventually,\u201d Adam said earnestly.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll deal with that when it happens, but I\u2019d like to postpone that day for as long as possible,\u201d Ben said somberly, and Adam nodded his agreement. Every evening after supper, he worked on the design and when he was satisfied with it, he created the meticulous working drawings.\u00a0 As the men played cards or checkers, they would glance over through the lean-to\u2019s open door and see him bent over his work.<\/p>\n \u201cSomeone needs to tell young Mr. Cartwright that all work and no play make him a dull boy,\u201d Ike remarked with a grin.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, but I don\u2019t think he regards designing this house for his friends as work,\u201d Miller said with a wink.<\/p>\n Ike shook his head slightly, his expression bemused.\u00a0 \u201cI think you\u2019re right.\u201d\u00a0 Then he shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cSure looks like work to me, but to each his own.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m sorry, but I wanted to finish the design for Ross and Delphine,\u201d Adam apologized.\u00a0 \u201cI promised them I\u2019d have it tomorrow.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to Hoss who was playing Fox and Geese with Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I\u2019m sorry you missed the ball because of me.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss dismissed his apology with a wave of his hand.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019ll be plenty more.\u00a0 If ya wanna make it up to me, play a game of chess after Little Joe goes up to bed.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe stuck out his tongue at this reminder that everyone else could stay up later than he could.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph!\u201d Ben said warningly and the boy muttered, \u201cSorry.\u201d\u00a0 Ben turned back to Adam.\u00a0 \u201cSo the plumbing supplies were delivered today?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Jos\u00e9 and the new vaquero\u2014Hank, uh, Hank Meyers\u2014dropped them off around sundown,\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0 Then he said to Hop Sing, who was fixing him a sandwich, \u201cI hope you like your kitchen sink.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing sure very nice,\u201d the cook said, smiling happily.<\/p>\n \u201cSo is our bathtub like the one at the hotel?\u201d Hoss asked then while Little Joe made a face at the mention of bathing.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, it\u2019s copper lined,\u201d Adam replied, \u201cbut I bought the biggest one they make: six feet long and twenty-six inches wide.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow that\u2019s a bathtub!\u201d Hoss exclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cI think I\u2019m gonna like takin\u2019 baths as much as you do, older brother.\u201d\u00a0 He and Adam both chuckled.<\/p>\n \u201cUm, Adam, you are keeping within the budget we set up?\u201d Ben asked, not wanting to sound as if he didn\u2019t trust his son, but a little concerned.<\/p>\n Adam just grinned at him.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Pa.\u00a0 Not that many people are interested in a bathtub that big so I convinced the storeowner I was doing him a favor buying it and got it for almost half price.\u201d\u00a0 They all smiled and then Adam reached into one of his jacket\u2019s pockets and pulled out an envelope.\u00a0 \u201cCould you see this gets mailed, please?\u201d he asked, handing it to Ben.<\/p>\n Ben glanced at the address.\u00a0 \u201cOpal Townsend?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know she can tell us where we can get good quality furniture at the best price,\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re going to need five beds, wash stands, and chest of drawers at the very least.\u201d\u00a0 He glanced over at Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re still growing so I think we\u2019d better have a bed especially made for you.\u00a0 I\u2019ll ask John Miller if he knows of someone we can hire.\u201d\u00a0 Then he snapped his fingers.\u00a0 \u201cAlmost forgot.\u00a0 Pa, you and Hop Sing need to get over to Placerville and buy his kitchen range and haul it back here.\u00a0 I saw several but I don\u2019t know which he\u2019d prefer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe can\u2019t go until after the branding is done,\u201d Ben stated.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no hurry,\u201d said Adam with a little shrug. He unrolled the watercolor presentation drawing first, and Delphine\u2019s face lit up as she gazed at the drawing of the two-story clapboard house.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, it\u2019s lovely,\u201d she breathed.\u00a0 Then she turned to Ross and said happily, \u201cIsn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure is,\u201d he replied, gazing lovingly into her eyes.<\/p>\n Adam cleared his throat and once he had their attention, he smiled and spread out the floor plan, gesturing as he talked.\u00a0 \u201cWhen you enter, the parlor is to your left and one of the three bedrooms is on your right.\u00a0 As you go down the hall, the kitchen and pantry are on the left and the washhouse on the right.\u00a0 The stairway leading upstairs is at the end of the hall.\u00a0 Upstairs are two bedrooms.\u00a0 As you can see, one faces the front yard and one the back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s perfect,\u201d Delphine said, then added, \u201cexcept for one tiny thing.\u00a0 Could you add a mud room by the backdoor?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course,\u201d Adam replied with a little grin.\u00a0 \u201cDo you have any other changes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt really is a lovely design, but if you don\u2019t mind, there is just one,\u201d she said hesitantly and he replied with a wink, \u201cIt\u2019s your house, Delphine.\u00a0 I\u2019m just the architect.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like the parlor to be a little larger and the kitchen can be a little smaller,\u201d she said, and Adam made another note.<\/p>\n \u201cUh, as long as we\u2019re makin\u2019 changes,\u201d Ross said, \u201ccould the downstairs bedroom be a little larger?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs long as Delphine doesn\u2019t mind her washhouse being smaller,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, that\u2019s fine,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cAll right, next Sunday I\u2019ll bring the final set of floor plans, and I\u2019ll be able to tell you exactly how many board feet of lumber you\u2019ll need.\u201d\u00a0 Adam started to roll up the drawings but Delphine said quickly, \u201cCould I have the one of the finished house?\u201d\u00a0 He handed it to her with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Cartwright, do you have lumber to sell?\u201d Ross asked Ben then.<\/p>\n \u201cWe certainly do,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cAnd at a special discount for newlyweds,\u201d he added with a warm smile.<\/p>\n \u201cAs soon as you\u2019re ready to start building, the boys \u2018n\u2019 I will be there to help,\u201d George Talbot said.<\/p>\n \u201cTodd and I will be glad to help as well,\u201d Andy said then.\u00a0 Flint Johnson and Tom Edwards also promised to help.\u00a0 Not to be outdone by their menfolk, the women all volunteered to help Delphine sew curtains and hook rugs for her new home.<\/p>\n \u201cWe thank you all,\u201d Ross said, putting an arm around Delphine\u2019s shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cAs soon as I\u2019m finished brandin\u2019, I\u2019m gonna start work on the house.\u00a0 Already picked out a perfect spot.\u201d<\/p>\n As they returned to their own homes, everyone was happy for the young couple and the wives were wondering if they could persuade their husbands to replace their log cabins with houses.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As Ben and Hoss were returning from the spring roundup and branding, Hoss turned to his pa and suggested, \u201cLet\u2019s go see how work is comin\u2019 on the new house.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood idea.\u00a0 I\u2019m anxious to see their progress myself,\u201d Ben said, smiling warmly at Hoss.<\/p>\n As they approached the clearing, Hoss\u2019s face lit up in an enormous grin.\u00a0 \u201cThey raised the walls!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd it looks like they\u2019re about half finished with the roof,\u201d Ben said and his grin was as broad as his son\u2019s.\u00a0 \u201cC\u2019mon, let\u2019s go have a closer look.\u201d<\/p>\n It was noon so the men were eating dinner.\u00a0 They\u2019d brought the table out of the bunkhouse so they could eat outside in the sunshine.\u00a0\u00a0 Ben was surprised to see Little Joe sitting beside Adam, eating fried chicken with the men.<\/p>\n Adam spotted Ben and Hoss and got up quickly.\u00a0 As he did, Little Joe turned and saw his pa and brother and ran to greet them, calling, \u201cHowdy, Pa!\u00a0 Howdy, Hoss!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHowdy yerself, little brother,\u201d Hoss said as he swung out of the saddle while Adam walked over to join the rest of the family.<\/p>\n Smiling proudly, Adam asked Ben and Hoss, \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think you have all been working hard,\u201d Ben said, returning Adam\u2019s smile.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam invited me to have dinner here with him while you and Hoss was away,\u201d Little Joe interjected.\u00a0 \u201cMe \u2018n\u2019 Hop Sing was both here the day they raised the walls,\u201d he added excitedly.\u00a0 \u201cYou shoulda seen it!\u00a0 We hitched up Rufus, Horatio, Caesar and Pompey to help,\u201d he added, naming their four mules, who\u2019d all been christened years before by a young Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cWish I coulda been here,\u201d Hoss said dejectedly.<\/p>\n \u201cI would\u2019ve like to have been here, too, but the calves needed to be branded,\u201d Ben said quietly.\u00a0 Then he turned to Adam.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re on schedule?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded and added, \u201cWe should finish the roof by Saturday, and Ike will be back on Monday with the other bricklayers and the plasterers and joiners.\u00a0 They\u2019ll be working on the interior while the carpenters put the rough-sawn boards on the exterior.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s a joiner?\u00a0 And what\u2019s he do?\u201d Little Joe asked, wrinkling his nose in puzzlement.<\/p>\n \u201cA joiner is a kind of carpenter but he specializes in fine woodwork,\u201d Adam replied, smiling down at his little brother.\u00a0 \u201cThe joiners working on our house will build the doors and stairs and the wainscoting.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWainscoting?\u201d Little Joe and Hoss asked at the same time, causing their pa and brother to chuckle.<\/p>\n \u201cWainscoting is wooden paneling on the lower part of a wall,\u201d Adam answered, still grinning.\u00a0 \u201cI decided the hallway upstairs will have wainscoting, and the joiners will be working on that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe, why don\u2019t you finish your dinner while Hoss and I look around,\u201d Ben suggested.\u00a0 \u201cThen we\u2019ll ride back to the cabin together.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, Pa,\u201d Little Joe said and scampered back to the table.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Adam,\u201d Hoss said then.\u00a0 \u201cOur herd has grown to 1,200 head!\u201d<\/p>\n Adam whistled.\u00a0 \u201cHard to believe our herd could have grown from the dozen cows and bull calf we started with to 1,200 head.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben smiled as he said, \u201cWe don\u2019t want to keep you from your dinner, Adam.\u00a0 We\u2019ll look around on our own.\u201d\u00a0 Adam grinned as he went to rejoin the workers at the table.<\/p>\n Ben and Hoss walked around the house, looking closely at how the horizontal pieces were joined with glove-like precision to the vertical posts.\u00a0 The same precision was seen in the joining of the diagonal braces that added rigidity to the structure.\u00a0 As they walked together, Ben said to Hoss, \u201cYou\u2019re awfully quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss smiled at his pa.\u00a0 \u201cOh, I was jest thinkin\u2019 what a wonder it is that Adam can picture a house like this in his head and then put it down on paper so other people can build it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, your brother is talented, no doubt about that,\u201d Ben said, looking admiringly at the structure.\u00a0 \u201cThe house will be magnificent when it\u2019s complete.\u201d Keeping his tone firm but pleasant, he said, \u201cAfraid I don\u2019t allow drinking on the job, Petersen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLi\u2019l drink never hurt anyone, sonny,\u201d Petersen stated, looking at Adam defiantly.\u00a0 Petersen\u2019s nose was swollen and his skin was a sickly yellow tone, Adam noted, along with a slight tremor in his right hand.\u00a0 All signs of a hard drinker Adam knew.\u00a0 He wished now that he hadn\u2019t relied on Ike to hire the plasterers, but he\u2019d thought he could trust Ike\u2019s judgment and his experience in construction.<\/p>\n Keeping his tone even, Adam said, \u201cYou can drink as much as you want on your time, but not while I\u2019m paying you to work.\u00a0 There won\u2019t be any more warnings.\u00a0 If I catch you drinking on the job again, you\u2019re fired.\u00a0 Do I make myself clear?\u201d\u00a0 Petersen nodded, his expression surly.<\/p>\n Adam hoped that would be the end of it.\u00a0 Ike heard about what happened and explained to Adam that Petersen had been the best plasterer in Placerville, and still was\u2014when he was sober.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t know his drinking had gotten so out of hand or I\u2019d never have hired him,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Adam reached back to rub the tension from his neck, saying to Ike, \u201cI made it clear if I caught him drinking on the job again, he\u2019d be fired.\u00a0 He must want this job because so far he\u2019s stayed sober.\u201d\u00a0 The corners of his mouth turned up in a wry smile.\u00a0 \u201cAnd you\u2019re right:\u00a0 When he\u2019s sober, he does excellent work.\u201d \u201cLet \u2019m try,\u201d Adam heard Petersen reply.\u00a0 \u201cNo fancy-pants arch\u2019tect who\u2019s still green \u2018s gonna fire me.\u00a0 No sir!\u201d<\/p>\n Adam stepped into the room and saw the botched job the drunken plasterer had done.\u00a0 \u201cPetersen, I told you what would happen if I caught you drinking on the job.\u00a0 I\u2019ll pay you for four days and then I want you on your way back to Placerville,\u201d he said coldly.<\/p>\n With an enraged roar, Petersen lurched toward Adam, thinking to throttle him, but Adam pushed him away easily.\u00a0 The drunk wasn\u2019t ready to quit and managed to punch Adam in the eye before Adam hit him on the jaw and he passed out.<\/p>\n \u201cCan you fix the mess he made of that wall?\u201d Adam demanded of the other plasterer, who\u2019d watched the altercation warily.<\/p>\n \u201cYessir, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d he said quickly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll fix it up so you\u2019ll never know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine,\u201d Adam said curtly.\u00a0 \u201cWhen Petersen comes to, tell him that he\u2019ll find his wages and his gear outside the bunkhouse and he\u2019s to take them and be on his way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll tell him, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d the man promised, his tone and demeanor demonstrating an increased respect.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 7<\/strong><\/em> \u201cWhere are Pa and Hoss?\u201d Adam asked, and they sensed his pent-up excitement.<\/p>\n \u201cMistah Cartwright go to lumber camp,\u201d Hop Sing replied and Little Joe added, \u201cHoss is down in the south pasture, checkin\u2019 on some cows with bloat.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe finished the house!\u201d Adam said excitedly, his face lit up by a big, dimpled smile.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanna see it!\u201d Little Joe exclaimed joyfully.<\/p>\n \u201cYou two go get Pa and I\u2019ll get Hoss and we can all see it,\u201d Adam said, still smiling proudly.\u00a0 He mounted up while Little Joe and Hop Sing headed for the corral. \u201cI wanna see the house,\u201d he whined, scuffing his boots in the dirt.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen your brothers get here, we\u2019ll see it together,\u201d Ben said in his best no-nonsense tone.\u00a0 \u201cMeanwhile, Buttermilk would like a drink and so would Buck and Lily.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He smiled at Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cOnce that\u2019s done, we\u2019ll look around the outside.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Little Joe said, his expression brightening.<\/p>\n As Ben tied Buck to the hitching post, he said, \u201cI\u2019m pleased Adam agreed to leave these two pine trees standing.\u00a0 It makes the yard seem more welcoming.\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing looked at the porch and said thoughtfully, \u201cNeed color.\u00a0 Plant flowers that grow over roof.\u00a0 And plant more flowers in front of porch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s an excellent idea,\u201d Ben said, smiling at the cook.\u00a0 As he looked over the front of the house, he added, \u201cI like the way Adam used the rough-sawn boards on the exterior so the house reminds me of our cabin.\u201d<\/p>\n They were looking over the back of the house when they heard Adam and Hoss calling their names and hurried around to the front yard.<\/p>\n \u201cNow we can go in!\u201d Little Joe said, starting to open the door, but Adam said, \u201cWait.\u00a0 I want Pa to be first, then the rest of us.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben stopped as he stepped through the door, gazing appreciatively at the large great room with its cathedral ceiling and massive fireplace.\u00a0 As he walked inside, he heard Hoss whistle behind him while Little Joe exclaimed, \u201cGosh, it\u2019s bigger than I thought!\u201d<\/p>\n Adam walked over by the fireplace and leaned against it as he watched his family explore the house, a smile of contentment on his face.\u00a0 His father walked over to his study while Hoss, Little Joe and Hop Sing moved toward the dining room and from there to the kitchen.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Pa!\u201d Little Joe shouted, \u201ccome see the brick walls in Hop Sing\u2019s kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m coming,\u201d Ben called.\u00a0 Then raising one eyebrow quizzically, he asked Adam, \u201cBrick walls?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBrick is easy to clean,\u201d Adam replied with a hint of a grin.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s why it\u2019s recommended for kitchens.\u00a0 The washhouse has brick walls as well.\u201d<\/p>\n When they joined the others in the kitchen, Hop Sing was so happy he was beaming.\u00a0 \u201cCan hardly wait to use new sink and kitchen range.\u00a0 Many thanks, Mistah Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYa pump water right into the sink and then it drains out,\u201d Hoss said with a big grin.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t that somethin\u2019!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan ya pump water in the bathtub?\u201d Little Joe asked.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s go see,\u201d Adam said with a big grin and they followed him to the washhouse.<\/p>\n \u201cThat sure is a big bathtub!\u201d Little Joe exclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cOh, do you turn these knobs to get water?\u201d he asked and answered his own question by turning them.<\/p>\n \u201cThe one on the right is for hot water and I hope someday we\u2019ll have hot and cold running water, but now we only have cold so the stove is for heating water as well as heating the room,\u201d Adam stated.<\/p>\n \u201cStill beats takin\u2019 a bath in one of Hop Sing\u2019s wash tubs,\u201d Hoss said with a laugh, clapping Adam on the back.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanna see my bedroom,\u201d Little Joe said impatiently.<\/p>\n \u201cAll right.\u00a0 We\u2019ll go upstairs and see ours, and Hop Sing can go ahead and take a look at his,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n No sooner were the words out of Adam\u2019s mouth, than his youngest brother sprinted off, heading for the stairway.\u00a0 He flew up the stairs and then ran down the wainscoted hallway, ignoring his brothers\u2019 rooms and his pa\u2019s, and flung open the door to the room he knew was his.\u00a0 He gazed in delight at the freshly plastered walls and then ran to open the shutters and push up the sash on his window.\u00a0 He whirled around at the sound of his brother\u2019s voice, asking, \u201cSo, do you like it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I sure do!\u201d Little Joe exclaimed, smiling up at his brother.\u00a0 \u201cI wanna see the other rooms,\u201d he declared, running out his door and into the room adjoining his.\u00a0 \u201cYour room is big, Pa,\u201d he said admiringly.<\/p>\n \u201cPa is the master of the house, so he has the biggest bedroom,\u201d Adam explained as he leaned against the doorjamb.<\/p>\n \u201cNow I wanna see Hoss\u2019s room,\u201d Little Joe said, running past his pa and brother and then around the corner.\u00a0 When he entered Hoss\u2019s room, the first thing he noticed was that while his window and his pa\u2019s looked out at the pine trees surrounding the house, his brother\u2019s overlooked the front yard.<\/p>\n \u201cSure is nice havin\u2019 our own rooms, ain\u2019t it?\u201d Hoss asked as he grinned at his brothers.<\/p>\n \u201cSure is!\u201d Little Joe agreed.\u00a0 \u201cNow I wanna see Adam\u2019s room.\u201d<\/p>\n While his room and Hoss\u2019s each shared a wall with their pa\u2019s, Adam\u2019s room was across the hall, separate from the others.\u00a0 Like Hoss\u2019s room, Adam\u2019s overlooked the front yard.\u00a0 Little Joe thought it over and decided that he liked his own room the best.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanna sleep in my room tonight,\u201d he declared.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no bed, son,\u201d Ben said with a chuckle.<\/p>\n \u201cI can sleep in a bedroll on the floor,\u201d the boy stated firmly.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not a bad idea,\u201d Hoss said slowly while Adam added, \u201cThere\u2019s some clean bedding over in the bunkhouse and some food and tin plates and cups.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll right,\u201d Ben said, shaking his head slightly, \u201cif you boys want to spend the night here, that\u2019s fine.\u00a0 Hop Sing and I will be back tomorrow morning with the dishes, kitchen dresser, and table.\u00a0 We\u2019ll also bring your clothes press and Adam\u2019s trunk and books.\u00a0 Or at least as many of the crates of books as we can fit on the wagon.\u00a0 Then I guess we\u2019ll be on our way to San Francisco to choose the furnishings for our new home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m glad Mr. McKaren and Mr. Johnson agreed to let us borrow their wagons and mules because I\u2019m sure we\u2019re going to need them,\u201d Adam stated.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I\u2019m glad we got such a good price for our cattle because I\u2019m sure we\u2019re going to need the money,\u201d Ben said with a wry grin.<\/p>\n Once Ben and Hop Sing rode off, Adam said to his brothers, \u201cYou two go get the bedding for our bedrolls and I\u2019ll see what food is left.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam only found a little lard, cornmeal, coffee and bacon in the bunkhouse along with the skillet, kettle and coffeepot he\u2019d purchased.\u00a0 \u201cWe better save the bacon for breakfast,\u201d he decided, \u201cand I can make johnnycakes but we\u2019ll need more than that for supper.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s go fishin\u2019,\u201d Little Joe suggested and his brothers readily agreed.\u00a0 They cut themselves some fishing poles and set off for the creek.<\/p>\n A couple of hours later, Little Joe said despondently, \u201cThe fish aren\u2019t bitin\u2019 and I\u2019m gettin\u2019 hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah and I want more fer supper than johnnycakes so I hope there\u2019s plenty of bacon,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n \u201cI told you the bacon is for breakfast.\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry; I\u2019ll get us some meat,\u201d Adam said, standing up and stretching.\u00a0 He peered up into the branches of the tree they\u2019d been sitting under and suddenly drew his revolver with lightening speed and fired into the branches twice.\u00a0 \u201cGot \u2018em both,\u201d he said with a satisfied smile.<\/p>\n \u201cGot what?\u201d Little Joe asked, jumping to his feet, adding admiringly, \u201cyou sure can draw fast, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSquirrels,\u201d Adam replied, picking up the two he\u2019d shot.\u00a0 \u201cWhen Pa and I traveled west, we ate a lot of squirrel and rabbit.\u201d\u00a0 He looked over at Hoss and grinned lazily.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re gonna need a lot more than two squirrels to feed Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll find my own squirrels,\u201d Hoss said, punching Adam\u2019s stomach lightly while Little Joe giggled.\u00a0 \u201cYou just take care of your supper and Little Joe\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cC\u2019mon, Little Joe, and bring these two,\u201d Adam commanded.\u00a0 \u201cTwo or three more ought to be enough for us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, would you teach me a fast draw like yours?\u201d Little Joe asked as he trotted to keep up with Adam\u2019s much longer stride.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you\u2019re old enough, I will,\u201d Adam replied, smiling down at his little brother.\u00a0 \u201cMostly it just takes practice.\u201d\u00a0 He stopped suddenly and aimed his revolver at a tall pine and fired three times.\u00a0 \u201cGot one but the other one was too fast,\u201d he said, sounding disgusted.\u00a0 While Little Joe got the squirrel, Adam reloaded his gun.\u00a0 As he and Little Joe continued walking, he said seriously, \u201cDon\u2019t mention anything about me having a fast draw around Pa.\u00a0 He doesn\u2019t like it.\u00a0 I hadn\u2019t used a revolver since I went to Harvard, so I had to practice in secret to be as fast and as accurate as I used to be.\u00a0 But I don\u2019t want him to know about it because I know he wouldn\u2019t approve.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, Adam, it\u2019ll be our secret,\u201d Little Joe said, feeling very proud that his big brother trusted him. Adam grinned as he said, \u201cThis reminds me of when I was a little boy.\u00a0 Pa and I would sit around the campfire, eating off of tin plates like these.\u00a0 After we\u2019d washed up, he\u2019d tell me stories about when he was a sailor or we\u2019d sing songs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike the one about the drunk sailor?\u201d Little Joe asked eagerly.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, that was one of my favorites,\u201d Adam replied with a wink.\u00a0 \u201cAfter we wash up, do you want to sing?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss and Little Joe both thought that would be fun.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can wash the dishes in the new sink,\u201d Hoss suggested, but Adam frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cI think Hop Sing would like to be the first to use the sink,\u201d he said and Little Joe agreed, so they took everything over to the bunkhouse and washed up there.\u00a0 It was growing dark so Adam got the oil lamp he\u2019d purchased in Placerville and used his flint and steel to light it.\u00a0 Little Joe kept close to his brothers as they crossed the yard, the lamplight casting ghostly shadows in the dying light.\u00a0 The dark empty house now seemed sinister to Little Joe and he wished he was back at the cabin, but he didn\u2019t want his older brothers to think he was a baby, scared of the dark.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s sing about the drunk sailor,\u201d he suggested as he hurried toward the fireplace and its light.\u00a0 Their voices reverberated through the empty house as they sang the sea shanties their father had taught them and then other favorites.\u00a0 Little Joe enjoyed the singing so much that he didn\u2019t feel nervous, but when Adam said it was time for them to go to bed, he noticed the house was totally dark except for the dying fire in the fireplace and the meager illumination provided by Adam\u2019s lamp.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want to go up the dark stairs and down the dark hallway and sleep by himself, but he didn\u2019t want to admit it to his brothers.<\/p>\n \u201cYa know, Adam,\u201d Hoss said, \u201cI got an idea.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t we all put our bedrolls in Little Joe\u2019s room?\u00a0 This big empty house is kinda spooky.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe sighed in relief.\u00a0 Hoss thought it was scary too.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is eerie without the furniture,\u201d Adam agreed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll lead the way,\u201d he added, picking up the lamp.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe, you\u2019re next and, Hoss, you can bring up the rear.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t walk so fast!\u201d Little Joe snapped as Adam started off at his usual pace.<\/p>\n Adam immediately slowed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u00a0 I forgot my legs are lots longer than yours.\u201d<\/p>\n After stopping first in Adam\u2019s room and then Hoss\u2019s for their bedrolls, the three brothers arranged their bedrolls on the floor of Little Joe\u2019s room.\u00a0 Little Joe moved his close to Hoss\u2019s while Adam put his near the window and set the lamp on the windowsill.\u00a0 Once he saw his brothers were settled, he blew out the lamp and lay down.\u00a0 In the quiet, they could hear the tree crickets outside and the call of a burrowing owl.\u00a0 Further in the distance they heard a pack of wolves howling to each other.\u00a0 Hearing these familiar sounds and knowing his brothers were nearby, Little Joe relaxed and fell asleep.\u00a0 Hoss said quietly to Adam, \u201cYa know, it really was kinda spooky downstairs,\u201d and Adam chuckled softly.<\/p>\n ~\u00a0 ~\u00a0 ~ ~<\/p>\n Two days before Ross and Delphine\u2019s wedding on the last Saturday in June, the Cartwrights returned from San Francisco with three wagons and a buckboard loaded down with furniture.\u00a0 Hop Sing drove the buckboard with the pieces of everyone\u2019s bed but Hoss.\u00a0 (Hoss\u2019s bed wasn\u2019t finished yet.\u00a0 The joiner in Placerville told them it should be ready in another week.)\u00a0 The buckboard also contained bed linens, blankets, pillows and mattresses and some rugs.\u00a0 Adam drove the Johnsons\u2019 wagon and it was loaded with armchairs and tables of different sizes, their washstands, plus the standup desk he\u2019d purchased for himself.\u00a0 Hoss drove the McKarens\u2019 wagon containing the dining room table and chairs, a buffet, a credenza and Ben\u2019s partner\u2019s desk and chair.\u00a0 Ben drove the final wagon, which held a grandfather clock, a breakfront, a large bookcase with glass doors and five chests of drawers.<\/p>\n As soon as they pulled into the front yard, Ben took charge.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, I want you to water the mules.\u00a0 Then I want you to return the Johnsons\u2019 wagon and mules.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay if I stop by Ross\u2019s place to let him know we\u2019re back?\u201d Adam asked.\u00a0 \u201cHe may be thinking he needs another best man.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s fine, but don\u2019t stay too long.\u00a0 We\u2019ve got lots to do here.\u201d\u00a0 Adam nodded as he unhitched their mules first and led them to the horse trough.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing and Little Joe, you start carrying the mattresses, bedding and pillows to the different bedrooms,\u201d Ben instructed next.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, you and I will start unloading the Johnsons\u2019 wagon first and then the McKarens\u2019.\u00a0 Once we have the McKarens\u2019 wagon unloaded, then you\u2019ll return it and their mules.\u201d<\/p>\n By the time Adam had finished with the mules, the Johnsons\u2019 wagon was empty so he set off, stopping first at the cabin to get Beauty and his tack.\u00a0 It was a beautiful summer day\u2014warm enough he didn\u2019t need his jacket but not enough to be uncomfortable.\u00a0 He was feeling so happy that as he drove along he began to sing:<\/p>\n Black, black, black As he sang, he found his thoughts turning to Julia Quincy.\u00a0 Her hair had been golden brown but he\u2019d certainly thought her heart-shaped face with its large brown eyes, retrouss\u00e9 nose and soft mouth was the prettiest he\u2019d ever seen.\u00a0 He could still remember what it had felt like to hold her in his arms and taste her sweet kisses.\u00a0 He recalled how he\u2019d longed for the day when they married and he could make her truly his.\u00a0 He was so sure that he\u2019d found his true love, but how wrong he\u2019d been.\u00a0 She\u2019d loved the ease and security of her life in Boston, her position in society more than she\u2019d loved him.<\/p>\n His thoughts turned then to Ross and Delphine.\u00a0 They were so much in love; one only had to be in the same room with them to see it in the intimate glances they shared or the way Ross would reach for Delphine\u2019s hand and entwine their fingers.<\/p>\n Ross found his true love here in Western Utah so maybe I will, too.\u00a0 Or maybe Carl was right,<\/em> he thought. Oh, not about a wife being a ball and chain, but I am only twenty-two and I\u2019m not sure I want to settle down and start a family like Aaron is doing.\u00a0 There\u2019s plenty of time for that.<\/em><\/p>\n He wasn\u2019t in the mood to sing love songs now so he switched to the comic adventures of Betsy from Pike.\u00a0 As he pulled up in front of the Johnsons\u2019 cabin he was singing:<\/p>\n The Shanghai ran off, and the cattle all died, Mrs. Johnson hurried out, smiling a welcome.\u00a0 \u201cAdam Cartwright!\u00a0 I thought I recognized your singing.\u00a0 When did your family get back?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust this morning, ma\u2019am\u201d he replied with a smile of his own.\u00a0 \u201cPa asked me to return your wagon and mules, and thank you for their use.\u00a0 I\u2019ll take care of them for you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d appreciate that, Adam,\u201d she said, smoothing back a tendril of her carrot-colored hair.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re shorthanded right now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat so?\u201d Adam queried.<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u00a0 Our hand, Harrison, just up and left today.\u00a0 Said he was headed to Placerville with a piece of rock he got from one of the miners.\u00a0 Got the fool notion it might be worth something,\u201d she added with a snort.<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose he went to have the rock assayed,\u201d Adam said, talking to himself.\u00a0 Then he smiled again at Mrs. Johnson, and tipping his hat, he drove the wagon toward the barn.<\/p>\n I won\u2019t say anything to Pa<\/em>, he told himself.\u00a0 If I\u2019m right about it being silver ore, we\u2019ll all find out soon enough. At least the silver is in the mountain and not on the Ponderosa.<\/em> Ross called, \u201cDel, Adam\u2019s here!\u201d and she and her sisters stopped hanging curtains and hurried onto the porch with Evangeline in the lead.<\/p>\n As Adam swung out of the saddle, Ross grinned at Delphine, saying, \u201cI told ya Adam\u2019d be back in time for the weddin\u2019.\u201d\u00a0 Then he called out, \u201cHowdy, Adam.\u00a0 Whatta ya think of the house?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam tied Beauty to the hitching rail and then said with a big smile, \u201cThe house looks wonderful.\u00a0 I like the brown paint you chose.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe all went to Placerville so Del and Ross could choose the paint,\u201d Evangeline said, smiling shyly at Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had a hard time choosing between dark brown and medium brown,\u201d Delphine said, \u201cbut we finally decided on medium.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd we\u2019re gonna paint the shutters green,\u201d Ross added.<\/p>\n \u201cPalm green,\u201d Evangeline corrected.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s very pretty.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you come inside and take a look,\u201d Delphine invited, but regretfully Adam shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI wish I could, but I\u2019d better get going because we have a lot of unloading to do.\u201d\u00a0 He grinned at Ross, saying, \u201cI\u2019ll see you Saturday morning at 10:30 sharp at the Talbots\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou be on time,\u201d Ross said as Adam mounted Beauty, \u201ccuz I\u2019m gonna need help with the durn tie I hafta wear.\u201d\u00a0 Adam was laughing as he rode out of the yard. \u201cI\u2019m glad you\u2019re back,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing is fixing dinner and in the meantime we need to unload the last wagon.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam let Beauty drink and then unsaddled her and staked her on the picket line with their four mules.\u00a0 Ben carried Beauty\u2019s saddle into the cabin that had served as a workshop and now would be a temporary barn.\u00a0 That accomplished, they began the task of unloading the remaining furniture.\u00a0 They had finished unloading the last chest of drawers when Hoss and Chub rode up.\u00a0 He took care of Chub and then the three of them carried in the breakfront, the large bookcase and the grandfather clock.<\/p>\n \u201cThere, that\u2019s done,\u201d Ben said, dusting his hands as Adam and Hoss set the clock by the front door.<\/p>\n Hop Sing came out of the kitchen then, trailed by Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cDinner ready so you wash up,\u201d he commanded.<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing had me fill the pitchers on your wash stands,\u201d Little Joe added with a sunny smile.\u00a0 \u201cI got to use the new sink.\u201d<\/p>\n When the three men came back downstairs, Little Joe was just finishing setting the new dining room table, which Hop Sing had covered with a red-and-white checkered tablecloth.<\/p>\n \u201cYou only set four places, son,\u201d Ben commented and Little Joe said, \u201cThat\u2019s how many Hop Sing told me to set.\u00a0 He said he\u2019s gonna eat in the kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing entered the room then with a tureen of beef stew and Ben said, \u201cHop Sing, now what\u2019s this nonsense about you eating in the kitchen?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot nonsense, Mistah Cartwright,\u201d replied Hop Sing as he sat the tureen in the center of the table.\u00a0 \u201cYou have fine house now so not proper I eat with family.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s ridiculous!\u201d Adam exclaimed, but Hop Sing shook his head and said, \u201cHop Sing know what proper if Cartwrights do not.\u201d\u00a0 Then he headed back to the kitchen.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can\u2019t force him to eat with us,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n \u201cI never dreamed that he\u2019d react this way,\u201d Adam stated, his expression baffled.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe he\u2019ll get tired of eatin\u2019 by himself in the kitchen,\u201d Hoss suggested.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess we\u2019ll just have to wait and see,\u201d Ben commented and just then Hop Sing returned with a platter of hot biscuits.\u00a0 They were a darker brown than usual and Hop Sing explained, \u201cCooking with range different, but learning.\u201d<\/p>\n As they enjoyed the beef stew and biscuits, Ben laid out his plans for the rest of the afternoon.\u00a0 \u201cAfter dinner we\u2019ll put the beds together.\u00a0 Once that\u2019s done, Hoss will go bring a load of hay and our horses here.\u00a0 Adam, you\u2019ll take the buckboard and bring back the chickens and their coop and tie Blossom behind the buckboard.\u00a0 Little Joe and I will make the beds and then we\u2019ll put everyone\u2019s clothes up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s put my bed together first.\u00a0 Please,\u201d Little Joe begged.<\/p>\n \u201cAll right,\u201d Ben said with a smile for his youngest.\u00a0 When they finished eating, they walked up the stairs and down the hall to Little Joe\u2019s room.\u00a0 His chest of drawers was sitting by the window while his washstand was by the door.\u00a0 The bed\u2019s headboard and footboard were propped against a wall and the bed rails were on the floor.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere do you want the bed?\u201d Ben asked, and Little Joe pointed.\u00a0 \u201cHere, across from the window.\u201d<\/p>\n The four of them quickly fit the bed rails to the bed posts.\u00a0 Hoss noted the bed fit together with the same mortise and tenon joints that the carpenters had used in constructing the house.\u00a0 Once the frame was assembled, Ben suggested, \u201cAdam and Hoss, why don\u2019t you go put my frame together while I tie the ropes for Little Joe\u2019s bed.\u201d\u00a0 They left and while Little Joe watched, Ben deftly tied a sailor\u2019s knot and then quickly began roping lengthwise, wrapping the ropes around the pegs on the bed rails.\u00a0 When he finished, he said to Little Joe, \u201cNow I\u2019m going to need your help.\u00a0 We\u2019re going to weave the rope back and forth between the side pegs, going under and over the lengthwise rope.\u00a0 You take the left side and I\u2019ll take the right.\u201d<\/p>\n They worked quickly and when they got to the last peg, Ben tied the rope around it.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re a good helper,\u201d he told Little Joe, smiling affectionately, \u201cbut I\u2019ll do the tightening myself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI could help,\u201d Little Joe insisted, but his pa only smiled at him.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I\u2019m afraid you\u2019re too young to be able to pull the ropes tight enough,\u201d Ben said kindly.\u00a0 \u201cJust watch.\u201d\u00a0 Ben went back to the first peg and began pulling the rope as tight as possible.\u00a0 When he finished tightening all the pegs, he retied the last knot and then he and Little Joe lifted his new mattress, which was stuffed with cotton and wool, onto the ropes.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s see how your brothers are doing,\u201d Ben said, ruffling his son\u2019s hair.\u00a0 \u201cHmm.\u00a0 Pa\u2019s going to cut your hair tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw, do ya hafta?\u201d Little Joe complained.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I have to,\u201d Ben replied while thinking how different his oldest and youngest were when it came to their hair because Adam always kept his curly hair cut short.<\/p>\n Adam was tightening his rope when Little Joe and Ben found him.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019s Hoss?\u201d Little Joe asked.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s bringing up my desk,\u201d Adam replied and they heard footsteps coming up the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s going to put it in the corner by the window.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe had been standing there and quickly moved out of the way.\u00a0 Just in time because Hoss appeared in the doorway with the desk.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy do ya want a desk where ya have to stand up to work?\u201d Hoss asked, puzzlement written all over his expressive features.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s easier to stand up and work on drawings and plans,\u201d Adam explained.\u00a0 \u201cWhen I have to bend over a desk like Pa\u2019s, my back starts to ache after a while.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, that makes sense,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 Then he slapped Adam on the back saying, \u201cI guess we\u2019d better be on our way.\u00a0 I\u2019ll help ya catch the chickens; we can put \u2018em in the empty crates yer books was in.\u201d The house no longer seemed menacing to Little Joe so he didn\u2019t complain any more than usual about having to go to bed before everyone else.\u00a0 He took a candle and started up the stairs and Ben called, \u201cI\u2019ll be up in a few minutes to say goodnight.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe walked quickly down the dark hallway to his room.\u00a0 He smiled when he saw his new bed, and setting his candle on his chest of drawers, he quickly changed into his nightshirt and then knelt by his bed and said his prayers.\u00a0 He was just getting into bed when Ben entered the room.<\/p>\n Sitting on the bed beside Little Joe, Ben asked, \u201cHow do you like your new room, son?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI like it a lot,\u201d the boy said, and then yawned sleepily.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure glad Adam learned about how to build houses when he was at school.\u201d\u00a0 He could hardly keep his eyes open as he said, \u201c\u2019Night, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGoodnight,\u201d Ben said, smiling.\u00a0 Then he dropped a kiss on his youngest\u2019s forehead.\u00a0 He realized that he\u2019d forgotten to cut Little Joe\u2019s hair.\u00a0 He\u2019d do it tomorrow before Little Joe took a bath so he\u2019d be clean for the wedding the day after tomorrow.<\/p>\n When he came back downstairs, he saw Hoss was ready for their game of checkers while Adam was sitting in one of their new leather armchairs, a leg dangling over one of the chair arms, his nose buried in a book.\u00a0 Ben smiled at the sight.\u00a0 Adam might be a grown man now, but some things would never change.\u00a0 He let his gaze travel around the great room, thinking that it was both grand and homey at the same time.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s idea of arranging the three leather armchairs and the red velvet wingchair in a semicircle around the fireplace and placing the pedestal table in the center gave it a cozy feeling.<\/p>\n I\u2019m also happy Adam learned how to design and build houses<\/em>, he thought.\u00a0 I can picture future generations of Cartwrights living here in this house.\u00a0 It will be part of their legacy here on the Ponderosa.<\/em><\/p>\n ~\u00a0 ~\u00a0 ~ ~<\/p>\n The morning of Delphine and Ross\u2019s wedding the Cartwrights were awakened by deafening claps of thunder and sheets of rain lashing their windows.<\/p>\n I sure hope the rain lets up before the wedding<\/em>, Adam thought as he sat up and stretched.\u00a0 He dressed quickly and then hurried out to the temporary barn to care for Beauty and Blossom.\u00a0 His father and brothers joined him a few minutes later.<\/p>\n \u201cSome storm, ain\u2019t it?\u201d Hoss commented as he and Adam mucked out the makeshift stalls.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cToo bad cuz I bet Ross and Delphine was hopin\u2019 fer a sunny day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe wedding\u2019s at eleven o\u2019clock and the storm will most likely be over before then,\u201d Ben said as he used a hoofpick on Buck while Little Joe milked Blossom.<\/p>\n They finished their chores and then went to their bedrooms to dress in their best clothes for the wedding, Adam taking some hot water to shave with.\u00a0 He just finished tying his necktie when Hoss appeared in the doorway, holding his tie.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, can ya help me with this?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, \u2018fraid not,\u201d Adam replied as he put on his bluish-gray frockcoat.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll have to ask Pa because I\u2019ve got to leave now.\u00a0 I promised Ross I\u2019d be there to help him with his tie,\u201d he added with a wink and Hoss chuckled.<\/p>\n \u201cSay, could I use some of yer bay rum?\u201d he asked as Adam hurried by him.<\/p>\n \u201cSure, help yourself,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n The rain had stopped, but the sky was a sullen gray so Adam brought his mackintosh with him just in case the rain started up again.\u00a0 He arrived at the Talbots and found Ross pacing in front of the cabin, in a black frock coat and a black and white striped silk waistcoat, but no necktie.\u00a0 Adam had never seen his friend attired so formally and couldn\u2019t suppress a grin.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam\u2019s here,\u201d Ross shouted, and Matthew Talbot, wearing a starched white shirt, ran out of the cabin and over to Adam.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll take care of yer horse, Adam,\u201d he said with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t never seen anyone dressed as fancy as you and Ross and Pa, and I wouldn\u2019t want ya to get yer clothes dirty.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks,\u201d Adam said as he swung out of the saddle and handed Matthew Beauty\u2019s reins before hurrying over to join Ross.<\/p>\n \u201cYou sure look different all dressed up,\u201d Adam said, grinning crookedly.<\/p>\n \u201cSo do you,\u201d Ross said, eyeing Adam\u2019s bluish-gray frock coat, trousers of a lighter shade of bluish-gray and blue silk waistcoat.\u00a0 \u201cDid ya really dress like this every day when you were in college?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t say as I miss it,\u201d he added, winking at Ross.\u00a0 \u201cNow, where\u2019s your tie?\u201d\u00a0 Ross reached into one of his pockets and pulled out a rumpled necktie.\u00a0 \u201cUm, I think we\u2019d better trade,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 He tied his tie on Ross and said, \u201cNow I need a mirror to tie mine.\u201d\u00a0 Matthew had been watching the proceedings with interest and offered the use of his pa\u2019s shaving mirror.<\/p>\n However, it was Evangeline who brought the mirror outside.\u00a0 She was the maid of honor and so had a new dress of pink muslin and new pink ribbons on her pigtails.\u00a0 \u201cHere\u2019s the mirror, Adam,\u201d she said with a shy smile.\u00a0 \u201cOh my, you sure are handsome,\u201d she said as she handed him the mirror, but then her face turned fiery red and she ran back in the cabin.<\/p>\n \u201cYou certainly have a way with women, or should I say, little girls,\u201d Ross chuckled as held the mirror for Adam, who rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you have the ring?\u201d Adam asked and Ross reached into a pocket and pulled it out.\u00a0 He handed it to Adam, who carefully put it in his pocket, as Rev. Bennett arrived followed by the McKarens, Johnsons, the rest of the Cartwrights and the Edwards.<\/p>\n It was too wet and muddy to have the wedding outside as planned so all the guests crowded into the cabin.\u00a0 Rev. Bennett, Ross and Adam stood in front of the fireplace and as soon as everyone was inside, Rueben knocked on the door of the lean-to that served as his sisters\u2019 bedroom.\u00a0 Evangeline came out first, followed by Delphine on her father\u2019s arm.\u00a0 Adam saw that like Elsie, Delphine was dressed in blue, and remembered the old rhyme Mrs. Townsend had quoted: \u201cMarried in Blue, you will always be true\u201d.\u00a0 Delphine wore a lace veil that been in her mother\u2019s family for three generations, passed from mother to daughter.\u00a0 After her father gave her away, she lifted her veil back, so Ross could see her face, radiant with love for him.<\/p>\n The ceremony was brief but moving.\u00a0 Mrs. Talbot cried throughout and Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Edwards were dabbing at their eyes by the time the young couple exchanged their vows.\u00a0 Ben had to blink back tears as he remembered the three times he\u2019d promised to love and to cherish, only to be parted all too soon by death.\u00a0 Adam and Hoss found themselves wondering if they would be as lucky as Ross.\u00a0 Little Joe was just in a hurry to eat a piece of cake.<\/p>\n ~\u00a0 ~\u00a0 ~ ~<\/p>\n A few days later, Ben and Adam were riding to the northeast corner of the Ponderosa to see about moving the herd there so they wouldn\u2019t overgraze the south pasture.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, Pa,\u201d Adam said suddenly.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s smoke!\u201d<\/p>\n They galloped toward the smoke, reining Buck and Beauty in abruptly at the site of five men and their pack mules, loaded down with pickaxes and shovels.\u00a0 Their campfire was still smoldering and the men were obviously preparing to leave.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re trespassing on my property,\u201d Ben said evenly, \u201cand you\u2019d oblige me by putting out that fire and getting off my land.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll right, mister,\u201d one of the men said, getting a shovel and smothering the fire with dirt.\u00a0 Another man said, \u201cWe\u2019re leavin\u2019 anyway but they\u2019ll be plenty more men cuttin\u2019 through here on the way to Sun Mountain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSun Mountain?\u201d Ben repeated, then glanced at Adam, who shrugged slightly.<\/p>\n \u201cAin\u2019t ya heard?\u201d a third man asked.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s rock on Sun Mountain yielding thousands of dollars worth of silver!\u00a0 It\u2019s a bonanza!\u201d<\/p>\n As Ben and Adam watched the men ride off with their mules, Ben stated somberly, \u201cAnd so it begins.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd our lives will never be the same,\u201d said Adam, his tone a mixture of apprehension and exhilaration.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Author\u2019s Note:<\/strong>\u00a0 There are many discrepancies on Bonanza about the ranch house.\u00a0 In \u201cThe Philip Deidesheimer Story,\u201d Gil Fenton tells Deidesheimer that Adam designed and built the house, but in other episodes it\u2019s stated that Joe was born in the house.\u00a0 Since Adam is only twelve years older than Joe, they can\u2019t both be true.\u00a0 I choose to believe Adam designed and built the house because it makes more sense to me.\u00a0 Another inconsistency is the location of the bedrooms.\u00a0 For example, in \u201cThe Magnificent Adah\u201d Hoss explains he took so long because Adam\u2019s door was open and tells Joe he\u2019s lucky that he lives at the other end of the house.\u00a0 Yet, in \u201cVengeance\u201d it appears Hoss\u2019s room is next to Joe\u2019s.\u00a0 Since \u201cThe Magnificent Adah\u201d is a first season episode and closer to the time frame of this story, I put Hoss\u2019s room at the front of the house by Adam\u2019s.\u00a0 The furniture in the great room is different in the first season and I used \u201cA Rose for Lotta\u201d and \u201cMr. Henry Comstock\u201d as my guides for the furniture the Cartwrights purchase for that room.\u00a0 My description of Hop Sing\u2019s kitchen comes from \u201cFeet of Clay\u201d and I plead guilty to moving the kitchen, washhouse and Hop Sing\u2019s bedroom around to where they made sense to me.\u00a0 I used a combination of \u201cElizabeth, My Love\u201d and \u201cThe Spitfire\u201d for how Adam\u2019s bedroom was furnished, but mostly \u201cThe Spitfire\u201d.\u00a0 For the furnishings in Joe\u2019s bedroom, I used \u201cMarie, My Love\u201d and \u201cMy Brother\u2019s Keeper\u201d.\u00a0 I used \u201cThe Outcast\u201d for descriptions of the front yard.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n References: I found the lyrics to Kiss Me Quick and Go<\/em>, which was written in 1856, at the following web site: I learned about Joe Froggers, a type of cookie that existed in 1858, at: I found information on the McCormick reaper at the following web sites: I used this web site to describe what Little Joe saw as he watched Adam shave: I used the following web sites for information on cattle drives: For information on Placerville, I used http:\/\/ci.placerville.ca.us\/our_city\/about\/history.asp and Wikipedia.\u00a0 For information on the Cary House Hotel I used http:\/\/www.caryhouse.com\/history_new.htm<\/p>\n Adam quotes from the works of Christopher Marlowe, Robert Herrick and Ben Jonson in Chapter 3.<\/p>\n I used the following web sites to get information about bowling during this time: I found information on the history of Halloween in the U.S. at the following: I used the web site http:\/\/www.onlinequilter.com\/MommyMe\/19thCenturyChildrensGames\/tabid\/275\/Default.aspx for information on Fox and Geese<\/p>\n I used the following web sites for information relating to Adam\u2019s house: The Christmas card Thomas sends comes from http:\/\/www.emotionscards.com\/museum\/xmas13.html<\/p>\n I checked www.winklerandmoss.com\/images\/heritage-color.jpg for the colors Ross and Delphine could paint their house.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n
\nA Real Nice Lady<\/a>
\nA Gentleman and a Scholar \u2013 Part 1
\n<\/a>A Gentleman and a Scholar \u2013 Part 2<\/a>
\nVeritas<\/a>
\nBuilding on Forever<\/a><\/p>\n
\nJohn Ruskin The Seven Lamps of Architecture<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
\nBen Cartwright scanned the horizon with his spyglass, searching for a sign of the clipper ship bringing his first-born home.\u00a0 Adam had been in Cambridge, Massachusetts four years, studying at Harvard\u2019s Lawrence Scientific School.\u00a0 During those four years, his letters to his father and younger brothers had made it clear how much he enjoyed college life.\u00a0 They were full of descriptions of trips to the Corner Bookstore to check out the new arrivals, rowing on the Charles River with his friends or in races with his crew, writing and acting in plays with other members of the Hasty Pudding, and attending balls and cotillions where he could dance and flirt with pretty young girls.\u00a0 With each passing year, Ben worried more that he would lose his oldest son.\u00a0 Cambridge and Boston had so much to offer a young man; how could an isolated cattle ranch in western Utah compete?<\/p>\n
\nAdam<\/p>\n
\nThe more we whispered our love talking,
\nThe more we had to say;
\nThe old folks and the little folks,
\nWe thought were fast in bed,\u2014
\nWe heard a footstep on the stairs,
\nAnd what d’ye think she said?
\nO! kiss me quick and go my honey,
\nKiss me quick and go!
\nTo cheat surprise and prying eyes,
\nWhy kiss me quick and go!<\/em><\/p>\n
\nKiss me quick and go;
\nTo cheat surprise and prying eyes,
\nWhy kiss me quick and go!<\/em><\/p>\n
\nA moonlight promenade,
\nAt last we fetched up to the door,
\nJust where the old folks stayed;
\nThe clock struck twelve, her heart struck (too)
\nAnd peeping over head
\nWe saw a night cap raise the blind,
\nAnd what d’ye think she said?
\nO! kiss me quick and go my honey,
\nKiss me quick and go!
\nTo cheat surprise and prying eyes,
\nWhy kiss me quick and go!<\/p>\n
\nKiss me quick and go;
\nTo cheat surprise and prying eyes,
\nWhy kiss me quick and go!<\/p>\n
\nAbel Morgan Stoddard<\/p>\n
\nAfter the four Cartwrights had traveled about an hour, Adam rode up alongside the wagon.<\/p>\n
\nThe two older Cartwright brothers rode along in companionable silence at first.\u00a0 Adam sensed Hoss wanted to talk with him about something, and he was content to wait until Hoss was ready.<\/p>\n
\nAdam switched places with Ben late in the afternoon and finished that day\u2019s trek on Beauty.\u00a0 Ben had decided the family would avoid towns until they reached Sacramento so once they picked a good spot to set up camp, he gave his oldest and youngest the task of gathering wood for their campfire while he and Hoss cared for the horses and mules.\u00a0 Little Joe was disappointed not to be working with Hoss.\u00a0 He reluctantly trailed after his oldest brother and watched as Adam began gathering wood, whistling softly as he worked.<\/p>\n
\nAdam pulled Beauty up and gazed admiringly at the magnificent vista before him.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWell, boys, I think we should be home before sundown,\u201d Ben stated one morning after they had crossed the Sierras.\u00a0 The four of them were sitting around the campfire, eating their breakfast of johnnycakes and bacon, washed down with black coffee.\u00a0 (Little Joe had begged to try some coffee, but quickly decided he preferred water.)<\/p>\n
\nIt was a couple of hours before sundown when the four Cartwrights rode into the clearing comprised of two cabins\u2014the family\u2019s and the one serving as a bunkhouse\u2014plus a barn with a large corral near it, and nearby a fenced-in pasture for the caviata<\/em>.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s eyes widened as he took in the small cabin with lean-tos added onto each end.\u00a0 \u201cBe it ever so humble,\u201d he muttered under his breath.\u00a0 Just then the barn door opened.\u00a0 Jos\u00e9 Mendoza, Will and Carl Reagan hurried out while Diego Vasquez, who\u2019d been preparing supper for the hands, came out of the bunkhouse.<\/p>\n
\nAfter the men returned to the bunkhouse, Hop Sing announced, \u201cI heat water for baths.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nLittle Joe flatly refused to sleep between his older brothers, so Adam and Hoss tossed a coin and Hoss ended up sleeping in the middle of the bed.\u00a0 As Hoss had commented, it was a mite snug.\u00a0 Little Joe was awakened from a sound sleep when he landed on the floor with a thump.\u00a0 Hoss slept right through it but Adam was startled awake and asked, \u201cYou all right, Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n
\nAs the four Cartwrights and Hop Sing gathered around the table to eat breakfast, Little Joe asked, \u201cPa, can I help Hoss \u2018n\u2019 Adam with the haying?\u201d and he smiled hopefully.<\/p>\n
\nThe next morning after breakfast the three brothers set out.\u00a0 Adam drove the hay-rack to the hayfield while Hoss and Little Joe rode inside.\u00a0 Little Joe whistled when he saw how much his brothers had accomplished the previous day.<\/p>\n
\nAdam had forgotten how much plain hard work was necessary to run the Ponderosa.\u00a0 After a day spent in the fields, he was too tired to attempt to write in his journal and he was too tired to care that he was sharing a bed with his younger brothers.
\nBy Sunday the haymows were filled and Adam and Hoss, with Little Joe\u2019s help, had harvested over half the oat crop.\u00a0 Since the Cartwright brothers had been able handle the harvest on their own, all the other vaqueros had been available to round up the Cartwrights\u2019 herd.\u00a0 With the harvest and the roundup nearly finished, the Ponderosa would be able to begin the cattle drive almost a week early.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cStand still,\u201d Adam commanded as he struggled to tie Hoss\u2019s necktie while Little Joe sat on the bed and laughed.\u00a0 He\u2019d watched Adam let Hoss use some of his bay rum and his Macassar oil, and then he\u2019d watched as Adam deftly tied his own necktie.\u00a0 The fun began when Adam attempted to tie Hoss\u2019s.<\/p>\n
\nThat night as they ate supper, Ben announced, \u201cAdam and Hoss, I\u2019ve decided the two of you will ride swing on the drive.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAll right, boys,\u201d Will Reagan announced as the vaqueros gathered for supper Monday evening, \u201chere are your assignments on the drive: Jos\u00e9 and I will ride point.\u00a0 Miguel and Carl will ride swing.\u00a0 Tex will be wrangler.\u00a0 The boss has decided to rotate ridin\u2019 flank and ridin\u2019 drag.\u00a0 Frank and Billy\u2019ll start off ridin\u2019 flank and Hoss and Adam ridin\u2019 drag.\u00a0 Every two or three days, you\u2019ll switch.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nLittle Joe let his fork fall to his plate with a clatter and dropped his napkin.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m done,\u201d he announced, jumping to his feet.<\/p>\n
\nThe third day of the drive Adam and Hoss switched places with Frank and Billy.\u00a0 They both were delighted not to be eating everyone\u2019s dust, although Adam noted the change was more a matter of degree.\u00a0 About mid-afternoon he began to notice ominous black clouds rolling in.\u00a0 He knew that signaled a thunderstorm was headed their way, which meant there was a real danger the herd would stampede.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWe should reach Placerville by noon,\u201d Ben announced at breakfast several days later.\u00a0 They\u2019d been lucky and there\u2019d been no more stampedes and they\u2019d found enough grass and water for the cattle.\u00a0 He expected a good price for the Ponderosa\u2019s herd.<\/p>\n
\nOnce the vaqueros had been paid, most headed for the Old Crow or Exchange saloons.<\/p>\n
\nAnd burnt the topless towers of Ilium?
\nSweet Helen, make me immortal with a kiss.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nOld Time is still a-flying:
\nAnd this same flower that smiles to-day
\nTo-morrow will be dying.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAnd I will pledge with mine
\nOr leave a kiss within the cup
\nAnd I’ll not ask for wine.
\nThe thirst that from the soul doth rise
\nDoth ask a drink divine
\nBut might I of Jove’s nectar sip
\nI would not change for thine.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u201cIt sure is good to be back home,\u201d Hoss said as he, Adam and Ben rode into the clearing containing their cabin, the bunkhouse and the barn.\u00a0 They\u2019d ridden ahead of Diego and Little Joe traveling in the wagon and the other vaqueros, who were herding the returning Goliath and the rest of the herd to the winter pasture.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI\u2019m home!\u201d Little Joe called as he ran through the cabin\u2019s open door.\u00a0 He squinted as his eyes made the adjustment from the bright sunshine outside to the cabin\u2019s dim interior.\u00a0 He saw his brothers sitting at one end of the table playing a game of checkers while his pa sat at the other working on his ledgers.<\/p>\n
\nThat night as the brothers got ready for bed, Little Joe said to Adam, \u201cI\u2019m sure glad you decided we needed a new house.\u00a0 I can\u2019t wait until I can sleep in my own bed, by myself.\u201d\u00a0 He grinned up at his big brothers.<\/p>\n
\nThe next morning as the Cartwrights and Hop Sing sat down to breakfast, Ben said, \u201cI asked Carl to ride over to Genoa.\u00a0 While we were in Placerville, Little Joe and I stopped by the postmaster\u2019s office.\u00a0 He told us he\u2019d given Snowshoe Thompson a couple of letters for the Ponderosa so they should be waiting for us in Genoa.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nWhen Adam returned home with Hoss that evening, he was tired, stiff and sore.\u00a0 His spirits lifted when he discovered Carl had brought him two letters: one from Aaron and one from Thomas Collingsworth.\u00a0 As they ate supper, Adam turned to Little Joe and said very seriously, \u201cI need to ask a favor, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nAaron<\/p>\n
\nThomas<\/p>\n
\nSunday was a beautiful day.\u00a0 The cloudless sky was a brilliant blue and the sun shone brightly so it was unusually warm for the end of August up in the high country.\u00a0 After a big dinner of pork chops (they always had pork chops after Pa slaughtered the pigs), the Cartwrights set off for Gold Canyon.<\/p>\n
\nAdam<\/p>\n
\nSaturday morning as the Cartwrights were finishing breakfast, Carl knocked and walked inside the cabin.<\/p>\n
\nBy the time Adam and Hoss had had a quick supper, bathed and put on clean clothes, Hoss was beginning to regret agreeing to attend the ball.\u00a0 He just knew he\u2019d make a mistake and look like a durn fool.\u00a0 Adam knew his brother well enough to interpret his silence as they rode together, a little behind Carl and the others.<\/p>\n
\nOne morning about the middle of September as the four Cartwrights and Hop Sing gathered for breakfast, Ben said, \u201cI\u2019ve been giving a good deal of thought to where we should build our new home, and I think we should look for a site in the northeastern section of the Ponderosa near Washoe Lake.\u00a0 We\u2019d be closer to this new Carson City, and I think in time it will become more important than Genoa.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cOh yes,\u201d Adam said as the Cartwrights approached the site Ben and Little Joe had discovered, \u201cthis is a wonderful site.\u00a0 It\u2019s level and we won\u2019t need to cut down many trees to make room for the house, plus a bunkhouse and barn.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nAll afternoon Adam and Hoss worked on chopping the young ponderosa pines to make a clearing.\u00a0 Although the temperature at this elevation was cool, they both soon had wet spots on their shirts where the sweat soaked through.\u00a0 Meanwhile, Ben and Little Joe cleared the area of stones and then took the pack mule to get more stones from the creek.<\/p>\n
\nThat night as Adam lay on his bedroll beside Hoss, he smiled as he gazed at the stars scattered across the velvety black sky.\u00a0 If I close my eyes, I can see the house I designed, standing tall and rugged, at one with the forest around it, a house built for ever, just as Ruskin described<\/em>.\u00a0 He drifted to sleep, thinking of his house and how happy they would all be living in it.<\/p>\n
\nAs soon as the first rays of the sun began to brighten the night sky, Little Joe sat straight up in bed and began to shake his brothers.\u00a0 \u201cWake up, Hoss!\u00a0 Wake up, Adam!\u00a0 Do you know what day it is?\u201d he asked excitedly.<\/p>\n
\nSince Little Joe\u2019s birthday fell on a Sunday, the Cartwrights had to dress in their best clothes before their neighbors arrived.\u00a0 Adam and Little Joe were ready first while poor Hoss struggled with his necktie.<\/p>\n
\nDinner, as always, was potluck with the host family providing the meat and the others providing the side dishes.\u00a0 Even though the Cartwrights\u2019 hens had almost stopped laying, Hop Sing had managed to come up with enough eggs to make a cake with two layers and boiled icing, and he served it after dinner to the great delight of Little Joe, Billy, Evangeline and Celestine.\u00a0 However, Hoss and the Talbot brothers ate it with as much relish as their younger siblings.<\/p>\n
\nTwo weeks later on November 14, Adam woke to the sound of sleet beating against the loft\u2019s only window.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t matter if I\u2019m in Massachusetts or here on the Ponderosa, it always seems to rain on my birthday<\/em>, he thought.<\/p>\n
\nThe brothers managed to cross the yard to the barn without slipping and falling and did their chores quickly.\u00a0 On the return trip they had a contest to see who could slide the furthest and Adam won although Little Joe was a very close second.<\/p>\n
\nAfter breakfast and their normal Sunday routine of reading from the Bible, praying and singing hymns, Little Joe immediately wanted to know if Adam could open his gifts.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cDinner ready,\u201d Hop Sing announced so Adam picked up the piece of paper he used as a bookmark and closed the book while the rest of the family put down their knives and sticks of wood.<\/p>\n
\nTuesday afternoon the sun came out and the temperature rose so by evening the ice had melted. Wednesday morning Hoss volunteered to ride to Genoa and get the mail.<\/p>\n
\nAfter supper Hoss and Little Joe moved to the settee and began to whittle, Ben sat in the rocking chair and started to read his newspaper while Adam lit a candle and set it at the end of the table and opened the letter from Charles.\u00a0 A few minutes later he sighed audibly as he refolded the letter and put it in the envelope.<\/p>\n
\nAaron<\/p>\n
\nThe Ponderosa Ranch
\nWestern Utah<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nas a moral, social, and political evil, having due regard for its actual existence amongst
\nus and the difficulties of getting rid of it in any satisfactory way, and to all the constitutional
\nobligations which have been thrown about it; but, nevertheless, desire a policy that looks
\nto the prevention of it as a wrong, and looks hopefully to the time when as a wrong it may
\ncome to an end.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nYour Grandfather<\/p>\n
\nAbout three weeks later, Little Joe was drying the breakfast dishes that Hop Sing was washing and they were both startled by a knock at the door.\u00a0 Before Little Joe could answer it, Ross stepped inside.<\/p>\n
\nAdam was riding Beauty, thinking he\u2019d enjoy the beautiful scenery all around him more if only it weren\u2019t so cold, when he heard someone calling his name.\u00a0 He reined Beauty in and waited for the other rider to catch up.\u00a0 He was surprised to recognize Ross.<\/p>\n
\nIt was a small group the next morning that gathered around the grave Ross, Adam and Todd had managed to hack out of the frozen ground:\u00a0 Adam, Little Joe and Hop Sing represented the Cartwright family and the two McKarens stood by them.\u00a0 On the other side of the grave, Delphine stood by Ross, holding his hand comfortingly.\u00a0 As Andy McKaren recited the Twenty-third Psalm, Little Joe moved closer to Adam, finding comfort in his presence.\u00a0 He wished Pa and Hoss would come back so he\u2019d know for certain they were all right.<\/p>\n
\nA few days before Christmas, the cabin began to fill with the delicious aromas of Hop Sing\u2019s baking:\u00a0 gingerbread men cookies and sugar cookies cut in the shapes of stars and Christmas trees.<\/p>\n
\nIt took quite a while for the four of them to agree on a tree but they finally found one about five feet tall and perfectly pyramidal in shape.\u00a0 They marked it and would return on Christmas Eve to cut it down.<\/p>\n
\nWhen they reached home and were caring for their horses, Adam recognized Ross\u2019s dappled gray quarter horse in one of the stalls.<\/p>\n
\nChristmas bells are pealing,
\nAnd I think, I hear
\nTheir sweet echoes stealing,
\nThrough the closing year;
\nJoyous thoughts of loved one\u2019s
\nIn their echoes ring,
\nHeaven bless and keep thee,
\nThus the sweet bells sing.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nLittle Joe woke up in the middle of the night, and he tried to climb out of bed without disturbing his brothers.\u00a0 Hoss, as always, slept like a log, but Adam stirred and asked sleepily, \u201cYou okay, Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAll right, boys, we\u2019re ready to put on the ornaments,\u201d Ben said as they finished tying apples and gingerbread men on the tree and winding the strings of popcorn around the branches.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe, you can put up the angel first.\u201d\u00a0 He reached into the box that held the little animals carved from wood and pulled out the lace angel Marie had made for Little Joe\u2019s second Christmas.\u00a0 He handed the angel to Little Joe, who held it reverently, knowing his mama had made it.\u00a0 Then Ben lifted the boy so he could reach the top of the tree.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cSure is a beautiful mornin\u2019, ain\u2019t it?\u201d Hoss commented as the four Cartwrights and Hop Sing were eating breakfast.\u00a0 The hens had started laying again so Hop Sing had scrambled eggs to go with their sausage, biscuits and gravy\u2014first eggs they\u2019d had in months.<\/p>\n
\nAs Carl rode along side the wagon, he glanced over at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cYa know, Adam, there\u2019s somethin\u2019 I\u2019ve been wantin\u2019 to ask ya for a long time.\u201d\u00a0 Adam turned to look at Carl with one eyebrow raised.\u00a0 \u201cWhy the hell did ya come back?\u00a0 If I\u2019d had a chance to strike out on my own, I\u2019d \u2019ve grabbed it with both hands, but ya came back here to work for yer pa.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThat night around the campfire as they ate, Carl remarked, \u201cI\u2019ve been thinkin\u2019 of headin\u2019 down to Mexico.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe first thing Adam noticed when he woke up the next morning was that Carl and his bedroll were gone.\u00a0 He sat up quickly and glanced at their picket line.\u00a0 Both mules grazed contentedly but Carl\u2019s brown gelding was gone.<\/p>\n
\nHoss stopped digging long enough to mop the sweat running down his face, using his sleeve.\u00a0 Digging the foundation was backbreaking work.\u00a0 The vaqueros had all taken turns helping but he and Pa and Hop Sing had been either digging or hauling the dirt away every day.\u00a0 They were just about finished, and if he never saw a shovel or wheelbarrow again, it would be too soon.<\/p>\n
\nBy the time Adam reached the cabin, the moon had risen high above the horizon.\u00a0 He was tired, but he had a duty to perform.\u00a0 He cared for Beauty first, and then reluctantly headed for the bunkhouse.\u00a0 He knocked and Tex called out, \u201cC\u2019mon in!\u201d<\/p>\n
\nWhen Adam arrived at the site, the bricklayers were already at work, laying a bed of mortar and setting the footing stones.\u00a0 He hurriedly took the saddlebags containing his clothes and shaving paraphernalia and put them in the lean-to that would be his room.\u00a0 Then he grabbed his working drawings to confer with the carpenters.<\/p>\n
\nAdam and the workmen had just finished dinner when Hoss and Little Joe rode up.\u00a0 They dismounted, looking about with interest at the changes since they\u2019d left the day before.\u00a0 Adam said to the men, \u201cMy brothers were curious about how the foundation is built and asked if they could watch for a bit.\u201d\u00a0 The bricklayers shrugged and all the men went back to work while Adam hurried over to his brothers.<\/p>\n
\nSunday being a day of rest, late Saturday afternoon Adam paid the workmen and then he headed for the cabin.\u00a0 He and Hoss went to the miners\u2019 grand ball and on the way home Hoss said, \u201cDadburnit!\u00a0 I knew there was somethin\u2019 I shoulda told ya.\u00a0 Tex brought back the mail from Genoa and you got a letter from Aaron.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe Sunday gathering was at the Talbots\u2019 cabin and the Cartwrights were the first to arrive\u2014the first except for Ross.\u00a0 He was pacing in front of the cabin when the brothers rode up, just ahead of Ben, who was driving the buckboard with their contribution to Sunday dinner.<\/p>\n
\nWhen everyone had arrived, George Talbot said, \u201cNeighbors, before we get started, Angeline and I are very happy to announce Delphine and Ross\u2019s engagement.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nAdam had supper with his family and then he returned to the construction site with his drafting tools, India ink, watercolors, and roll paper.\u00a0 He discovered he was the first one to return and since he\u2019d been thinking about Ross and Delphine\u2019s house on his ride, he immediately sat down at the small table in his lean-to and began working on \u201cnapkin sketches\u201d.\u00a0 By the time the men returned about two hours later, he was hard at work with his square, triangles and compass.<\/p>\n
\nAdam didn\u2019t get home until after dark Saturday, earning a scolding from Hop Sing for being so late his supper was ruined.<\/p>\n
\nThe next day the neighbors gathered at the Johnsons\u2019 cabin and after dinner, Delphine asked Adam eagerly if he\u2019d brought the drawings of the house.<\/p>\n
\nThe bricklayers and the plasterers and joiners Ike had hired on Adam\u2019s behalf arrived Monday morning and immediately started working.\u00a0 Adam began to walk around, watching the men work, and spotted one of the plasterers, Petersen he thought his name was, drinking from a flask so he walked over.<\/p>\n
\nThree days later as Adam walked down the upstairs hallway to check on the progress in his pa\u2019s and Little Joe\u2019s bedrooms, he could hear one of the plasterers working in Ben\u2019s bedroom say, \u201cPetersen, go sleep it off.\u00a0 If Cartwright catches you, you\u2019re through.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe last Friday in May while Hop Sing and Little Joe were weeding the kitchen garden, Adam came riding up to the cabin.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing!\u00a0 Little Joe!\u201d he shouted as he swung out of the saddle.\u00a0 They came running around from the garden as Adam continued to shout their names.<\/p>\n
\nLittle Joe, Ben and Hop Sing were the first to arrive at the house.\u00a0 The workmen and their tools were all gone giving the clearing a deserted look.\u00a0 Little Joe immediately dismounted and sprinted toward the house.\u00a0 He stopped reluctantly at his pa\u2019s command.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cFried squirrel tastes pretty good,\u201d Little Joe said as he licked the grease from his fingers.\u00a0 The three brothers sat on the hearth of the immense fireplace where Adam had cooked dinner, holding their plates on their laps and eating with their fingers.<\/p>\n
\nis the color of my true love’s hair
\nHer lips are like a rose so fair
\nAnd the prettiest face and the neatest hands.
\nI love the grass whereon she stands
\nShe with the wondrous hair. <\/em><\/p>\n
\nThat morning the last piece of bacon was fried
\nIke got discouraged, Betsy got mad,
\nThe dog drooped his tail and looked wonderfully sad.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nWhen Adam left the Johnsons, he headed for Ross\u2019s new house.\u00a0 As he approached, he saw Ross was painting the house while his future father-in-law and brothers-in-law were using mules to raise the walls of a new barn.\u00a0 Young Matthew was the first to spot Adam approach, and yelled, \u201cHey Ross!\u00a0 Here comes Adam!\u201d<\/p>\n
\nIt was a little past noon when Adam rode up to the new house.\u00a0 There was no sign of the McKarens\u2019 wagon and mules so he knew Hoss must be delivering them.\u00a0 His father walked out onto the porch, having heard Adam ride up.<\/p>\n
\nThe Cartwrights and Hop Sing spent a quiet first evening in their new home.\u00a0 Hoss and Little Joe played checkers using the new game table while Adam and Ben put Adam\u2019s books in the new bookcase behind Ben\u2019s desk.\u00a0 When they filled it, they put the remainder on the middle shelf of the breakfront that stood by the fireplace.\u00a0 Meanwhile, Hop Sing was busy organizing his kitchen and pantry.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The basis of Adam and Dave Townsend\u2019s conversation in Chapter 1 comes from The American Pageant: A History of the Republic by Thomas A. Bailey.\u00a0 For information about Nevada in the late 1850s, I used The Roar and the Silence: A History of Virginia City and the Comstock Lode by Ronald M. James and the following web sites:
\nhttp:\/\/www.nevada-history.org\/beginning.html#invasion
\nhttp:\/\/www.nevadaheritage.com\/timeline\/timelinemainpage.htm<\/p>\n
\nhttp:\/\/www.pdmusic.org\/1800s\/56kmqag.txt<\/p>\n
\nhttp:\/\/www.cakespy.com\/2008\/08\/not-joe-mammas-cookies-legend-of-joe.html<\/p>\n
\nhttp:\/\/www.vaes.vt.edu\/steeles\/mccormick\/harvest.html
\nhttp:\/\/inventors.about.com\/library\/inventors\/blmccormick.htm<\/p>\n
\nhttp:\/\/www.en.nassrasur.com\/razorcentral\/index.html<\/p>\n
\nhttp:\/\/findarticles.com\/p\/articles\/mi_m3741\/is_n12_v39\/ai_12111899\/
\nhttp:\/\/www.foodtimeline.org\/foodpioneer.html#cowboy
\nhttp:\/\/www.cowboyshowcase.com\/cowboy_chuckwagon.htm<\/p>\n
\nhttp:\/\/www.bowlingballs.us\/bowling.htm
\nhttp:\/\/helpwithbowling.com\/history-origins-of-bowling.php
\nhttp:\/\/www.tenpinbowling.org\/view.php?page=the_game.history
\nhttp:\/\/www.hickoksports.com\/history\/bowling.shtml<\/p>\n
\nhttp:\/\/halloween.monstrous.com\/mischief_night.htm
\nhttp:\/\/www.jeremiahproject.com\/culture\/halloween.html<\/p>\n
\nhttp:\/\/www.northwoodstimberframes.com\/why-timberframe.htm
\nhttp:\/\/www.popularmechanics.com\/home\/improvement\/outdoor-buildings\/4213580?click=main_sr
\nhttp:\/\/chestofbooks.com\/architecture\/Building-Construction-V2\/Stone-Rubble-Foundation-Walls.html
\nhttp:\/\/chestofbooks.com\/architecture\/Building-Construction-V4\/Plumbing-Fixtures-Sinks.html
\nhttp:\/\/chestofbooks.com\/architecture\/Building-Construction-V4\/Baths.html
\nhttp:\/\/chestofbooks.com\/architecture\/Building-Construction-V4\/Locating-Fixtures.html
\nhttp:\/\/sawdustmaking.com\/Wood\/wood.html
\nhttp:\/\/www.fpl.fs.fed.us\/documnts\/fplgtr\/fplgtr113\/ch05.pdf
\nhttp:\/\/www.bhg.com\/home-improvement\/maintenance\/construction-basics\/selecting-and-buying-lumber\/
\nhttp:\/\/www.essortment.com\/all\/wherecanfindi_rqep.htm
\nhttp:\/\/www.nps.gov\/history\/hps\/TPS\/roofingexhibit\/wood.htm
\nhttp:\/\/www.nps.gov\/hps\/tps\/briefs\/brief19.htm
\nhttp:\/\/cool.conservation-us.org\/coolaic\/sg\/bpg\/annual\/v05\/bp05-05.html
\nhttp:\/\/www.connerprairie.org\/Learn-And-Do\/Indiana-History\/America-1800-1860\/19th-Century-Building-Trades.aspx
\nhttp:\/\/ohioantiques.com\/rope.htm#3<\/p>\n