{"id":4177,"date":"2007-09-14T15:30:02","date_gmt":"2007-09-14T19:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4177"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:11:19","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:11:19","slug":"family-scenes-in-the-ponderosa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4177","title":{"rendered":"Family Scenes in the Ponderosa (by ViveAdam)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: <\/span>A collection of short stories giving a restitution of the atmosphere in Ponderosa<\/p>\n

Rated: K \u00a0WC 6300<\/p>\n

Family Scenes in the Ponderosa\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lightly exasperated,<\/strong> the three sons of Ben Cartwright were waiting for the stage. They had nothing against the idea of having guests in the Ponderosa but they hated when the guests were old friends of Ben\u2019s who remembered him just because they thought he was a great provider of husbands for their daughters.
\nIt happened over and over and, depending from the girl\u2019s age, either Adam or Hoss or Joe would have to stay with the girl, take her for a ride or a picnic or a dance, whatever other plans (or date) they could have. And it was impossible to say no to Ben. He would immediately speak of bad manners, lack of hospitality and so and so\u2026<\/p>\n

This time it was worse than ever : the Morgans, the expected couple, happened to have three daughters, just fitting to each of them.<\/p>\n

Adam sighed deeply. \u201cOh, shut up, Adam\u201d snapped Joe, \u201cPa said that the mother of these girls was your wet nurse. Her eldest is your milk sister so, you can make an effort. In my opinion, you should have been ordered to take care of the whole family, since you are related by milk to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam was first out of words. Then, chuckling, he answered : \u201cWell, since they are my sisters, at least, I can\u2019t marry any of them, which is not your case\u201d.<\/p>\n

Joe had not the time to send a replica : the stage was turning round the bend. A tall, slender man with short white hair and blue eyes appeared first, just followed by a strong woman in a black gown and black hat. They hurried towards the boys : \u201cBen\u2019s sons, aren\u2019t you\u201d asked the man without waiting an answer to shake the hands. His wife also was frantically catching their hands so they could not see the girls as they were leaping down the stage with the driver\u2019s help.<\/p>\n

At last the couple left their hands and turned to the girls. Surprise : they were four. Three of them were fair haired pleasant maids but no more. The fourth one was a pure beauty : a slender figure, curly auburn hair appearing under her dark blue hat, and eyes which seemed to be exactly the same colour as the hair.<\/p>\n

The three Cartwrights staid out of words, as paralysed. \u201cSurprise !\u201d said joyfully Mr. Morgan, \u201cthere is a girl too many. We came with our daughters and my niece, Julia. She\u2019s staying with us while her parents are travelling to Europe, so we couldn\u2019t leave her in Boston, could we\u201d
\nThe boys nodded silently. Each of them was thinking : \u201cthere isn\u2019t a girl too many, there are three girls too many !\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u00a0!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The tone was final.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut why, Pa\u00a0? I can\u2019t understand why you perpetually refuse to clear up this parcel of the Ponderosa. We could make a good pasture there\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Ponderosa is big enough to have our cattle graze without this parcel. Now Adam, stop harassing me with that. It\u2019s definitely no. You certainly have a lot of work to do, leave me alone\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pulling his hat down over his eyes, Adam moved away angrily. Ben watched him pensively as he strode across the year. He felt sad to keep a secret from his son whom he trusted so much but he was convinced that he had to conceal it even from him. Once a secret has been told to one person, it\u2019s no longer a secret.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The brushwood in the parcel in question was hiding a cavern and in this cavern, Ben had once founded gold. And he didn\u2019t want anybody to know it because he knew that, as soon as the rumour will going about, he would be unable to hold back the stampede. It would be the end of the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben sighed. He knew that he could not keep eternally the secret. One day, he would have to say it to his sons. But this day had not come yet.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He headed to his desk, opened a drawer, took a file out, opened it and started reading. It was a report made by Adam about Ponderosa\u2019s North District, the driest part of the domain. Burying in it, Ben was admiring his eldest son\u2019s clear vision, his capacity to select the most important and, at the same time, the precision with which he was giving in detail the procedure for irrigating the ground and turn this rocky part into a tree nursery.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

His eyes skimmed through his son\u2019s analysis and recommendations and their author\u2019s picture seemed to be hovering above the beautiful and firm handwriting. He couldn\u2019t suppress from his mind the vision of Adam striding away from the house after having received what he couldn\u2019t but feel as a rebuff. Was he right in his decision not to confide him what he knew\u00a0? Why did he distrust him ? Didn\u2019t he know that Adam loved the property as much as he did and would never abandon solid resources as wood and cattle just for the lure of gold\u00a0?<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Speaking of gold, this loyal and hardworking son wasn\u2019t he worth much more than all the gold in the world ? Why would he hurt him by keeping fiercely silent, without any legitimate reason\u00a0?<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben closed the file he wasn\u2019t reading any more. He had made up his mind : to-night, at the moment of going to bed, he would hold back Adam. They were used to these kind of private conversations, late, by the fireside, sipping a brandy. Yes, to-night, he would reveal Adam the secret of the forbidden plot of land, on condition that he would, one day, transmit it to his brothers or his sons, if ever he had some.<\/p>\n

\u00a0To-night, Ben Cartwright\u2019s secret was to become the Cartwrights\u2019 secret<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sosthene\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

My name is Sosthene and my job is dog in Hoss Cartwright\u2019s team. The other member of the team is Rennie, a female. She\u2019s an Irish setter, pure blood; Hoss calls her a princess but she\u2019s nothing arrogant. She likes me very much although I\u2019m no pure blood at all. I\u2019m what they call a mongrel, white with random black hair\u00a0; the tousled style.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rennie is a pal but twice a year she becomes uncontrollable, completely scatty. Last time, there was this Gordon setter, Upsa they call him, Mark Chappaline\u2019s\u00a0 dog. She went away with him. I fled across the woods, trying to find her. Didn\u2019t. Came back three days after, she was back and pregnant.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our master doesn\u2019t know who\u2019s the father. Thinks it could be me. Technically, I can\u2019t, she\u2019s tall, I\u2019m small. What can I do with these short legs of mine. But in my mind, I\u2019m the father. I watch Rennie. A week ago, I had to chase a wolfhound fussing around. I fell and broke my leg. Hoss put a plaster on it so I can walk.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To-night, it\u2019s obvious, Rennie\u2019s time has come. She\u2019s stolen one of Adam\u2019s shirt (Adam is my master\u2019s brother, a good fellow). She\u2019s lying on it with a faraway look. I\u2019ve got to let Hoss know.<\/p>\n

\u00a0 Adam\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Full night\u00a0! I had a strange dream. I was with Isabella de la Cuesta, playing my guitar for her when a Spanish dancer came very close to us, making with his feet this insistent noise, toc-toc-toc, toc-toc-toc\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But I\u2019m not dreaming. This toc-toc-toc is real. That\u2019s the noise that awoke me and it comes from downstairs. Where\u2019s my gown\u00a0? And my gun\u00a0? Easy now, if it\u2019s an intruder, he\u2019s going to be over the moon\u00a0!<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s this\u00a0? Is that you, Sosthene\u00a0? Knocking the door with your plaster, I can\u2019t believe it. Go away. Go away, you sleep outside. But\u2026 Let go of me. Don\u2019t pull my gown, you\u2019ll tear it. Let go of this belt. Give it back to me. Oh, nothing to do with you, I\u2019m calling your master and watch you\u00a0!<\/p>\n

\u00a0 Hoss\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I was soundly asleep when I woke up with a start. Adam was shaking me up and down.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDadburnit, Adam, what\u2019s the matter with you\u00a0? What are you doing, half nekkid in my room. Can\u2019t you shut your gown\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I can\u2019t because the belt is presently between your dog\u2019s teeth\u201d, he replied. And he explained how Sosthene had knocked at the door with his plaster. I understood immediately that this so smart dog had something to show me. I went downstairs, my brother on my heels, picked up the belt, gave it back to Adam so he could remain decent. Sosthene wagged his tail and led us to the barn. Good dog\u00a0! Instantly, I caught sight of Rennie. My little princess was pushing.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Adam\u201d, I said, \u201cshe\u2019s having her puppies.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cOn my yellow shirt\u201d, he retorted grimly but, a moment later, he had forgotten his damned shirt because the first puppy was appearing.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Hoss\u201d, he said, very excited, \u201cd\u2019you think it\u2019s Sosthenovitch\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean, Sosthenovitch\u00a0?\u201d, I asked, confused.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cIn Russian, it means Sosthene\u2019s son\u201d, he replied. \u201cBut no, Hoss, it\u2019s a setter, it\u2019s Upsovitch\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I really didn\u2019t understand this sudden need to speak Russian (didn\u2019t know Adam could speak Russian) but I didn\u2019t care. I was more interested in the puppies. I came closer and there was no doubt, this puppy was a setter, a red one with a white star on the chest. So cute\u00a0! Then, I turned back to Rennie because the second one was showing his muzzle. In less than two hours, it was over, six perfect puppies, males and females, some red, some black, some black and red and one, nearly yellow.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis one must be Sosthenovitch\u201d, Adam said, laughing, \u201che\u2019s the less beautiful, will you give it to me\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Typical of Adam to do that\u00a0: taking the less beautiful to protect him. I was opening my mouth to answer when a horn voice called out\u00a0:<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat on earth are you two doing here, bare feet, one in his night shirt and the other in his night gown\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut Pa\u201d, I replied, \u201cyou too are in your night gown.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, it\u2019s five o\u2019clock\u00a0! Just answer me, Hoss, what are you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cSh, Pa\u201d Adam whispered, a finger on his lips, \u201cyou\u2019re in a new mother\u2019s room. Come on and look at the puppies. Let me introduce you to Sostenovitch.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
<\/form>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\u00ab\u00a0Look at that, Hoss. Don\u2019t you think it\u2019s thrilling to have the ranch of Ponderosa turning into a hive for the preparation of the Independence Day celebration.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Pa! It\u2019s really a fantastic idea you had and all our neighbours are very excited. Everybody\u2019s taking his share. No doubt, it\u2019s bright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHave you finished your own task?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah, Pa. I volunteered to help Hop-Sing for the food but he didn\u2019t give me much work. Peel the potatoes, nothing else. I could have done far more. Pastry, for instance\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Ben laughed: \u201cWell, I think I guess why Hop-Sing was not enthusiastic at this prospect\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u00a0?\u00a0\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Ben turned his head to the voice he had heard. His eldest son was standing there with an annoyed look on his handsome features.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Adam\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe said that you gave him carte blanche to prepare a surprise, is that true\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s true.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut Pa, he\u2019s only sixteen,\u00a0 it\u2019s not wise, not wise at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on Adam. At sixteen, a boy can take an initiative.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt least, did you ask him what he intended to do\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo. He insisted it had to be a secret and I didn\u2019t want to disappoint him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d better inquire.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you afraid of, Adam. You\u2019re always nursing our little brother as if he was six\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStay out of that, Hoss, I\u2019m talking to Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss is right, Adam. As far as your brother Joe is concerned, you\u2019re always brooding and worrying.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI proved to be right many times. Pa I do think you should take an interest in what he\u2019s up to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s enough, Adam\u00a0! I told Joe I was trusting him. I\u2019ll let him go to the end of his plan.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right. In that case, I will not attend the feast. I\u2019m leaving with Sport and Beauty. I think I\u2019ll spend the night in town\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Ben suddenly, felt uneasy\u00a0: \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter, Adam\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStop being grumpy, Adam\u201d, said Hoss. \u201cI don\u2019t know what trick that little brat played on you but you should be a good sport. You don\u2019t want to miss Pa\u2019s speech, do you\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, I\u2019m not grumpy, I just want to warn Pa but it seems that I\u2019m worrying for nothing. I\u2019m the perpetual brooding man and I\u2019m smothering my young brother with my overprotective temper. It\u2019s all right, I just don\u2019t want to be there when my forecast will become reality.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut what are you fearing, Adam\u00a0? Be clear, you\u2019ve been beating about the bush for a quarter of an hour, it\u2019s exasperating. WHAT IS THE MATTER ?<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNothing. He\u2019s just settling fireworks behind the barn. No doubt the horses will appreciate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss rushed forward while Adam was watching them with an ironic smirk lifting up his right lip. They arrived behind the barn . Joe was busy setting up his fireworks.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you here, Pa, you had promised\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, what are you doing ? Do you realize the danger ?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat danger, Pa, I\u2019m setting up my fireworks in a place from where nobody will see me. The rockers will appear in the sky as by miracle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the horses, crazy boy, did you think of them\u00a0? They will be scared to death. They will kick and try to escape.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Joe stood open mouthed, voiceless for once, and then he articulated with difficulty\u00a0: \u201cI hadn\u2019t thought of that\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs usual, you don\u2019t think much\u201d, Ben couldn\u2019t prevent himself to say. \u201cWell, Hoss, move a little and help me to undo this setting up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026 but\u2026\u201d, Joe mumbled, almost crying, \u201cwhat will I do ?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A black figure came next to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy, easy, little brother, don\u2019t worry. I will show you the good place to set up your fireworks. Let\u2019s go to the bank of the lake. Hoss and I, we take the job of bringing you a public and you\u2019ll shoot the rockers over the water. It will be beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked at Adam, grinning broadly. Then, he turned to Hoss\u00a0: \u00ab\u00a0I think you should apologize to your brother, Hoss. After all, he\u2019s not so grumpy.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

The atmosphere was peaceful. At his desk, Ben was writing a letter to an old friend of Boston. Hoss and Joe were playing chequers, for once not too noisily and Adam was reading in his favourite chair, the blue one. You could only hear the tick-tock of the grandfather\u2019s clock and, coming from the kitchen, the discrete noise of Hop-Sing washing the plates.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly, the silence was broken by a laughing snort. Ben, Hoss and Joe raised their head, surprised. It wasn\u2019t so frequent to hear Adam laughing while reading. All the more so since the book he was reading seemed to be very serious. It was : \u201cThe Other Worlds or States and Empires of the Moon\u201d by Cyrano de Bergerac.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you laughing, Adam\u00a0?\u201d, Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSomething I\u2019m reading\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t believe\u201d, Joe retorted, \u201cthat there is something funny in such a book\u00a0!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Joe\u201d, Ben noticed, \u201cyou\u2019re obviously wrong. Can we share your hilarity, Adam\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis man, the author\u201d, Adam replied, \u201cwas living in France at the beginning of the seventeenth century. Nature had endowed him with an overactive imagination. He\u2019s writing about the seven manners he could think of to reach the moon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReach the moon\u00a0? What an ambition\u00a0!\u201d Joe exclaimed.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAn ambition you\u2019ll never have, Joe\u201d, Hoss said, chuckling. \u201cIf I remember well, you can\u2019t bear leaving the ground even for a few inches.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShut up, boys\u201d, Ben said. \u201cI\u2019m eager to know what made your brother laugh aloud.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the ways to go to the moon. Let me read : \u201cI seat on an iron plate. Then, I throw up a giant magnet. The plate rises to stick to the magnet. Then, I throw it up again, a hundred times, two hundred times, a thousand times, until I reach the moon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The four men laughed heartily. After calming down, Hoss remarked\u00a0: \u201cThis is a weird man, this, how do you call him, Cyrano Dubjack\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCyrano de Bergerac.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you come to order this strange book, Adam\u00a0?\u201d Ben asked, intrigued as always by his son\u2019s curious centres of interest. \u201cWhat is attracting you in such subjects\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVisions\u201d, Adam answered with a dreamy look. \u201cVisions of where science can lead humanity to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFive years ago, you were only dreaming of the railway.\u201d Ben whispered.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a dream and now, it\u2019s done. And as your regretted friend demonstrated, man will soon be able to fly. Why could I not dream of a travel to the moon\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you seriously think men will walk on the moon one day, Adam\u00a0?\u201d, Joe asked, startled.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes Joe, I\u2019m sure. It\u2019s not a pipe dream. I will not live long enough to see it, but in one hundred years, well, let\u2019s say two hundred years, I\u2019m certain man will walk on the moon. I believe in progress. Look at all the discoveries that have been made during the ten last years. Sometimes, I wonder if there is an end to our ability to dominate the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, there is, Adam\u201d. Ben\u2019s voice was solemn. \u201cRemember the man you\u2019ve been called from. His excess of pride led God to turn him out of the Garden of Eden. We\u2019ve got to stay humble. If not, we\u2019ll be the authors of our own ruin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam lowered his eyes. \u201cYou\u2019re right, Pa. Anyway don\u2019t blame me, but I think I can\u2019t help having my head full of dreams for future.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben smiled\u00a0: \u201cI can\u2019t blame you, son. You get it from me. But as me, one day, you\u2019ll reach the wisdom I found.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cAnd now\u201d, Hoss concluded, \u201cwho wants a sandwich before going to bed ?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How beautiful she was\u00a0! Hidden behind the thickness of a grove, he was watching her intently. The scene was priceless\u00a0: at the bottom of a clearing, under the moonlight, a wagon and, not very far from it, two horses grazing. On the left side, an old man, dressed with grey pants and vest and a white shirt, sleeves rolled above elbows, pacing with a gun resting on his arm. And in the middle, a fire and two women cooking. One, an old lady, obviously a servant, her servant, and her, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. The fire was drawing lights and shadows on the perfect oval of her face and reddening her long hair. Such as he saw her, she looked like the Titania of\u00a0 \u201cA midsummer night\u2019s dream\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After a few minutes spent in admiring and also wondering if he was dreaming, he decided that it was time to reveal his presence. He stepped out of the forest and approached the group. Immediately, the man took up a position between him and the two women, pointing his gun to him.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEasy, easy\u201d, he said, \u201cI want you no harm. I\u2019m Adam Cartwright, you\u2019re camping on my father\u2019s land.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPut down your gun, Aristide\u201d, the young lady said. She stood up and came close to Adam\u00a0: \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I didn\u2019t know I was in a private property. Will you be kind enough to let us have our dinner before leaving\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean to chase you out. You can stay. You\u2019re not far from the house and it\u2019s safe. I just wanted to say welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you very much. Would you like to share our meal\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like to. It smells very good, but I can\u2019t. My father is waiting for me and I\u2019m still late. But, if you don\u2019t mind, I could share your meal to-morrow evening\u2026 That is\u2026 If you\u2019re still there \u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t plan to stay but it sounds fine to take one day for rest. My servants are tired.\u201d She staid silent a while, looking thoughtfully at her feet and then, meeting Adam\u2019s eyes and smiling at him, she declared\u00a0: \u201cIt\u2019s all right. But I\u2019m short in supplies. What could you bring me ? Game, for a change\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam grinned back at her\u00a0: \u201cI can catch a rabbit or two, to-morrow morning. Is it all right\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPerfect\u00a0! And please, bring me a few carrots and a bunch of onions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI will. And now, good night, see you to-morrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0 And he went away, lost in his thoughts. Just at the moment he was reaching the house, it occurred to him that he didn\u2019t know who she was.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt last, you\u2019re here, young man\u201d said his father. \u201cI was worrying.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re worrying every time I go to Virginia City for the payroll money. You should not have waited for me. Your dinner is going to be cold.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDinner is cold, anyway\u201d, Ben retorted. \u201cHop-Sing received this morning a letter from one Mrs Krystina. He went pale while reading it and told me he had to fly away for a few days. I tried to have an explanation but he urged me to trust him and, for God sake, not to replace him. He promised he would soon be back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss and Joe were going downstairs during this speech. Hoss asked\u00a0: \u201cAnd how are we going to do for the meals\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEach of us will have his turn to cook. Since Adam and Joe are cheating when we draw lots with matches, I put our names in a hat. Joe, pull out a paper, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe obeyed and gave the paper to Ben who read it\u00a0: \u201cAdam\u201d, he called out. \u201cIt\u2019s Adam\u2019s day to cook to-morrow\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut Pa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo buts, no that-is-to say, Adam. It\u2019s your turn to-morrow. Besides, you had a hard day to-day. You have the opportunity to stay at home to-morrow and rest, provided that you will give the floor a quick sweep. Now, come on, let\u2019s eat this cold meal Hop-Sing left us\u00a0 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam didn\u2019t say much during the dinner and went to bed early brooding on his disappointment. He woke up at dawn, took his gun and went downstairs. He rummaged through the kitchen and found a dozen of sausages and a basket full of potatoes. \u201cThat will do for dinner\u201d, he thought. \u201cNow, where are the carrots and onions\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Having found what he was looking for, he headed to the barn, mumbling\u00a0: \u201cAnyway, I promised her a rabbit or two and I must keep my word. I\u2019ll bring her what she asked for and tell her I can\u2019t honour her invitation. But dadburnit, as Hoss should say !\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

No sooner said that done. He caught two rabbits and went to the clearing where the mysterious young woman was staying. She greeted him warmly and asked him if he could joint his game.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know how to do it and Aristide isn\u2019t very bright at this task.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI will do it but, unfortunately, I will not eat these rabbits.\u201d In a few word, he explained what was happening.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, instead of savouring your feast, I will have to content myself with grilled sausages and boiled potatoes. That\u2019s the best I can do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She had a bright smile and said\u00a0: \u201cI just had a fantastic idea. Let me cook for you. And don\u2019t say anything. Let them believe you did it by yourself. Finally, you\u2019ll know the taste of my rabbit\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s face enlightened\u00a0: \u201cSplendid !\u201d, he shouted. But only on one condition\u00a0: you will have dinner with us. I\u2019ll present you as my guest. Have we a deal\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood. I\u2019ll come this afternoon and take you to the house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cHoss\u201d, shouted Joe, \u201cit\u2019s nearly seven. Why aren\u2019t you coming. Call it a day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss groaned. \u201cThere\u2019s no hurry, Joe. Remember it\u2019s Adam the cook, to-night. I can tell you the menu: grilled sausages and boiled potatoes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s not so bad if the sausages aren\u2019t burnt and the potatoes raw.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss sighed\u00a0: \u201cA thing I always liked in you, Joe, is your optimism. But you\u2019re right, there\u2019s no point in delaying what can\u2019t be avoided. Let\u2019s go\u00a0!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Approaching the house, they met Ben who was coming back too. The kitchen\u2019s windows was opened and they stopped suddenly\u00a0: \u201cWhat is smelling so good\u00a0?\u201d, Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss passed his head across the casement and saw Adam, an apron around the waist, bustling about a saucepan.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt last, you\u2019re coming\u201d, he said. \u201cHurry up, I\u2019m ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Overwhelmed, they entered the house and found the table dressed for five people. Adam went out of the kitchen carrying a dish with tomatoes and eggs mimosa. \u201cIt\u2019s the entr\u00e9e\u201d, he announced, \u201cafter we have a rabbit stew and, as sweet, a plum crumble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The three staid paralyzed as if they had been struck by the lightning. \u201cMove\u201d, urged Adam, \u201cyou just have time to clean up your hands while I\u2019m calling my guest.\u201d And not letting them the time to ask questions, he ran upstairs.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A few minutes later, they saw him coming downstairs, holding the hand of a gracious and elegant woman\u00a0:<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, may I introduce you to Christine de Beauregard. She\u2019s your unknown guest on the Ponderosa and she accepted to share our meal to-night. That\u2019s why I had to take care over the dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe mumbled\u00a0: \u201cThat\u2019s the explanation. This is the cook.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss hit him with his elbow. \u201cShut up, Joe. This is obviously a great lady. She can\u2019t cook. Besides, we just met her. Why would she come home just to cook for us\u00a0? \u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut do you think Adam\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShut up, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam and Christine pretended not to have heard them. Christine sat at Ben\u2019s right while Adam served.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Ben made an effort to be equal to the situation. He took part to the conversation but absently. Only a question was piercing him\u00a0: who, on Earth, is the cordon bleu who cooked this meal\u00a0?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

On the Upper Truckee river that is flowing into Lake Tahoe, there was a bridge. A bridge that had been built where the river upstream was a succession of rapids, by the Cartwright family under Adam Cartwright\u2019s supervision. It was a suspension bridge completed in 1856. The material had been ordered by the young engineer, just after his return home, from Troy, shipped around \u201cthe horn\u201d of South America to San Francisco. Then, they came up river to Sacramento and by wagon to the future bridge\u2019s location. The bridge spanned 27\u00a0feet of river bed and was 10\u00a0feet above water level.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Such a structure needed to be regularly and carefully maintained and this was exactly what the four Cartwright, Ben and his three sons were doing. Ben was at one end, Joe and Hoss at the other and Adam was suspended with two ropes, fixing the deck at the centre of the bridge. They had conceived a system with double fixed blocks that allowed them to send the worker the tools he needed. Hoss and Ben were pulling the ropes while Joe was supplying the tools as soon as Adam was requiring it with appropriate gestures.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, gentlemen\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thus called out, Hoss and Joe turned their head and saw a tiny middle-aged man, clad with a black suit, white shirt and black tie. He wore no boots but town shoes and looked exactly like what he was, a lawyer.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want\u00a0?\u201d snapped Joe while Hoss returned his attention to the rope he was holding.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m looking for Elisabeth Stoddard\u2019s son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t know her. She\u2019s not living in this area. Go your way. What does he want, now, Hoss\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe big hammer\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Not without mumbling, the little man withdrew.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Three hours later, the four men came back to the ranch house. Hop-Sing had prepared a bath for Adam and, while they were waiting for him to be cleaned, Ben proposed his two younger sons a fresh beer and sat down with a sigh of relief.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHappy to know this work is over. I\u2019m always afraid that an accident might happen. A rope could break and Adam could fall in water\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a good swimmer, Pa\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know but the bridge is high and you don\u2019t know how he would fall. Anyway he didn\u2019t so everything is all right. Tell me Joe, what was this man who came to you and what did he want. I didn\u2019t expect any visit at this place \u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNeither did I, Pa. He was asking for Elisabeth Stoddard\u2019s son and I answered I didn\u2019t know her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A voice came from the top of the stairs\u00a0: \u201cYou don\u2019t know who Elisabeth Stoddard is\u00a0! Glad to see how much you care for me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe blushed suddenly realizing that the man was looking for Adam and putting his hand before his mouth, stammered\u00a0: \u201cOh Adam, I\u2019m sorry\u2026 I was so engrossed in my work\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Just at this moment, somebody knocked at the door. Hoss opened it\u00a0: the man in black was here. Recognizing Hoss, he looked puzzled : \u201cSorry, I\u2019m still looking for Elisabeth Stoddard\u2019s son\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you say Elisabeth Cartwright\u00a0? We would have known you were looking for our brother\u201d, Hoss answered, a little angry.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ignoring the remark, the man smiled and asked\u00a0: \u201cSo, I\u2019m at the right address. Is Elisabeth Stoddard\u2019s son there\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Intrigued, Ben stood up. Adam moved forward\u00a0: \u201cElisabeth Cartwright\u2019s son is there\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs it you\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam nodded\u00a0: \u201cIt\u2019s me. I\u2019m Adam Cartwright\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI would like to talk to you\u2026 alone\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben frowned and Adam noticed it. Annoyed, he answered\u00a0: \u201cThere are no strangers in this room, except for you. These are my father and brothers. I\u2019ve no secret for them. Sit down, Mister and say what you have to say\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The man hesitated a moment then, seeing that Adam was determined, he took the seat Joe was presenting and said\u00a0: \u201cI\u2019m representing your grandmother\u2019s family, the Rochester family and I come for a legacy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u00a0?\u201d the shout came from Ben. \u201cA legacy from the Rochester family?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter, Pa\u00a0?\u201d, Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Adam, I never told you because after your mother\u2019s death, it seemed, it was\u201d, Ben corrected, \u201cnot important. When I married your mother, her own mother was dead but her grandmother was alive. She adored her granddaughter but never accepted our marriage. For her, I was not wealthy enough to marry her little treasure. When she saw that she could not lead your mother to change her mind, she broke with her. She never met me and never got in touch again, even at the burial.\u201d Then turning to the lawyer\u00a0:<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened\u00a0? She can\u2019t still be alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe died twenty-eight years ago, leaving her fortune to her grandson, Henry Rochester. Henry Rochester never married. He died, three months ago, leaving all his goods to Elisabeth Stoddard\u2019s son. This is the letter\u00a0\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He held an envelop to Adam who opened it and read aloud\u00a0:<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u201c To Elisabeth Stoddard\u2019s son,<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Dear boy,<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I can\u2019t call you by your name because I ignore it. I only know from my grandmother that my regretted cousin, Elisabeth Stoddard, died giving birth to a son.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

My grandmother, your great grandmother died without having changed her mind about your mother\u2019s marriage but she deeply regretted not to know you. She wanted to raise you and she asked your grandfather, Abel Stoddard, where she could find you. She thought that, in exchange of a big sum of money, your father could leave you to her cares but Abel Stoddard\u00a0 energetically refused to tell her where you could be found, depriving you of a fortune.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Being at the end of my life and having no child, I want to make up for the prejudice that was done to you. Mr Lawson is in charge for finding you and give you your inheritance.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

God bless you<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Henry Rochester\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam looked at his father: \u201cWhat do you want me to do\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben looked at him with a tender smile\u00a0: \u201cTake it, boy. Your great grandmother was a shrew but her grandson seems to have been a good man. Take it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0Then Adam turned to Mr Lawson\u00a0: \u201cElisabeth Stoddard\u2019s son doesn\u2019t accept but Elisabeth Cartwright\u2019s does.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam was working in the sawmill with a dozen of hands when he caught sight of his brother Hoss stopping the buggy in front of the door and coming to him.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00ab\u00a0Adam\u00a0?\u00a0\u00bb<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00ab\u00a0Yes, Hoss\u00a0\u00bb<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00ab\u00a0Would you mind lending me a few planks and tools?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat for? I believed you had obtained a special day off from Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, that\u2019s why I need what I\u2019m asking for.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTake what you want. Sorry not to help you but, as for me,\u00a0 I\u2019m not in a day-off, so I go back to work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss didn\u2019t wait for being told again, took his supplies and went away. Adam couldn\u2019t help raising his head from his chores and watching him disappear with an intrigued look.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss followed the road for a while and then turned left on a path bordering a brook. Looking straight forward, he didn\u2019t see Joe riding among the strays but Joe couldn\u2019t miss the buggy.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d give anything to know where he\u2019s going\u201d, Joe thought<\/p>\n

\u00a0*******************************************************************\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At five o\u2019clock, Adam called it a day and dismissed the hands. He washed his hands and face, buckled his belt, took his gun and saddled Sport.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWith the buggy\u201d, he thought, \u201cit will not be difficult to find his trail\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The tracks led him to the Belleck\u2019s farm. When he realised Hoss was inside, he discreetly dismounted and tied Sport next to the buggy. Then, he leant not to be seen and approached as silently as an Indian would have.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He went round the hedge, seeking a hole. A hole there was, and somebody had already passed his head across.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u201d, Adam whispered, \u201cwhat are you doing here\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSame as you, I suppose. I wondered what Hoss was doing with the buggy during his day off, so I followed his trail to find out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what do you see\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI see big brother sweating blood to build what seems to be a kennel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA kennel\u00a0? Why has he to build a kennel for the Bellecks\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot exactly the Bellecks, for Susie Belleck. She is the boss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam pushed little Joe to take his place. Just at this moment, a high-pitched voice shouted\u00a0:<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot this way, Hoss, I want a pointed roof.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Susie\u201d, the giant mumbled, \u201cyou already had me start over again four times. Sometimes it\u2019s too narrow, sometimes it\u2019s too low, another time, the door isn\u2019t as you want. I\u2019m exhausted.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The little girl began snivelling: \u201cBut Hoss, Dolly is going to have puppies. It needs a large and beautiful home to welcome them. You promised you\u2019d build a magnificent one and what you do is just\u2026 just\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust what\u00a0? Say it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust shabby-looking\u201d said Susie, letting herself go.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what you think. Well, I that case, I quit, you\u2019re too hard to satisfy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Susie burst in tears\u00a0: \u201cOh please, Hoss, don\u2019t do that, I\u2019m sorry, so sorry. Please\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss rushed to the child and raised her in his arms\u00a0: \u201cStop crying, Susie, stop crying. I\u2019ll try to make this kennel as you say but, for God sake, stop crying.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam winked at Joe\u00a0: \u201cMaybe we could give him a hand, what do you think\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure\u201d, Joe answered, \u201cespecially you\u201d. And not waiting for his brother\u2019s answer, he shouted\u00a0: \u201cHoss, Hoss\u00a0!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss turned his head and saw the two heads of his siblings appearing in the hole of the edge that had become wider.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing here, you two\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBringing help\u201d Adam answered. \u201cOpen the door, we\u2019re coming.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHi Adam, hi Joe\u201d, said Susie, not knowing if she had to be pleased with this unexpected helpers.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHello Susie\u00a0!\u201d Joe answered with a smile while Adam was already examining Hoss\u2019s work.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u201d, he said, \u201cI think we\u2019d better destroy it and start again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u00a0?\u201d the big man shouted. \u201cAll that work for nothing\u00a0!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt will never be finished on time\u00a0!\u201d the child cried.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam turned to them\u00a0: \u201cTrust me. I\u2019m an architect, remember. If everybody lends a hand, we can finish this kennel, a beautiful one\u201d, he added with a smile, \u201cwithin an hour.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

No sooner said than done. At half past six, when Mrs Belleck called Susie for dinner, the kennel stood up, wide, with pointed roof and curved door.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs that all right, Susie\u00a0?\u201d Hoss asked, \u201cDo you think Dolly will be pleased\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Susie\u2019s head nodded gently\u00a0: \u201cWell, it\u2019s nicely done but what about the painting\u00a0? I\u2019d like the roof to be red and the walls yellow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Susie\u201d, Adam answered, \u201cbut it\u2019s impossible to-day. You\u2019ll have to wait for the painting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Susie\u2019s eyes became wet again\u00a0: \u201cBut it\u2019s urgent, Adam. Dolly\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I know, Dolly is about to have puppies but your mother is calling you and our own father is waiting for us. It\u2019s Hoss\u2019s day off, not ours.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll come to-morrow for the painting\u201d, decided Joe.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHold on Joe\u201d Hoss said, \u201cI had only one day off, not two. How can you promise I\u2019ll be back to-morrow\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe had a crooked smile\u00a0: \u201cWell, big brother, you just have to get up very early, put the first coat and come back on the evening for the second one. This is what you have to do\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss sent a questioning look at Adam\u00a0:<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYep\u00a0!\u201d the latter said.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He lowered his eyes to Susie\u00a0:<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYep\u00a0!\u201d she repeated.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He went back to Joe\u00a0: \u201cYep\u201d went one better his young brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Then he rolled his eyes\u00a0: \u201cYep\u201d, he concluded<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: A collection of short stories giving a restitution of the atmosphere in Ponderosa\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rated: K \u00a0WC 6300<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":130,"featured_media":3478,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4177","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","wpcat-23-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/4Cartwrights.jpg?fit=849%2C541&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4177","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4177"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4177\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3478"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4177"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4177"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4177"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}