Preserving Their Legacy<\/a>. To preserve the legacy of the author, we have decided to give their work a home in the Bonanza Brand Fanfiction Library.\u00a0 The author will always be the owner of this work of fanfiction, and should they wish us to remove their story, we will.<\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\n
RIGHT AND WRONG<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The new teacher did not understand him and, in a matter of weeks, had made his life utterly miserable. He always tried his best and really wanted to do well but learning did not come as easily to him as it did to his older brother and he hated it when people compared him to Adam and found that he fell short somehow.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
It had taken him a long time to get to grip with his numbers when it came to adding up and, when he could not visualise the meaning of the figures on paper, Adam had patiently taken him out to count Hop Sing\u2019s chickens and the pine trees.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Then, when they had moved on to taking away, Adam had been chopping wood as a distraught six year old had held out a page of sums, his words barely distinguishable in the midst of breathy sobs. \u201cI can\u2019t do it, Adam. I can\u2019t work out the answers.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Sighing, Adam had smiled and lay out on the ground the small logs of firewood that he had already chopped. \u201cSee, Hoss. Let\u2019s work it out with these; pretend we\u2019re taking them to put on the fire.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Half an hour later, Ben had rounded the side of the house ready to chastise Adam for taking so long with the chores but stopped in his tracks and watched the boys, his heart warm with pride, as Adam tutored his younger brother in the finer points of subtraction. Unnoticed by them, he retreated.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The maths had been easier then – until the new teacher had arrived and had introduced a whole range of different and more complicated concepts and Hoss, try as he might, could not keep up with the pace of study. He seemed to be in trouble more often lately for work not completed or marred with frenetic crossings out. He was kept in during breaks to finish his lessons but was distracted by the fun experienced by others in the sunshine and freedom beyond the classroom. His concentration wandered and he landed up in even more trouble.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Adam could not help in the lessons themselves because, being six years older, he was seated with the bigger students nearer the back of the room and his anger grew as the days passed and his little brother continued to struggle. He had wanted to tell their father but Hoss had begged him not to, believing that the situation would somehow miraculously improve.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
It had not, and this particular afternoon things reached a head. Long multiplication had been the undoing of Hoss and the teacher, totally unsympathetic to the fearful blue eyes welling with tears, had ridiculed him in front of everyone. The stunned silence that followed was interrupted by the gentle snickering of the brave few and the shuddering sobs of the unhappy boy.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Adam leaped to his feet as his fury erupted. He marched to the front of the class where the teacher loomed over the tormented child and positioned himself as a human barrier between the two. His lanky, twelve year old frame was no match for the burly physique of the mature man but he stood his ground.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t talk to my brother like that! He\u2019s done his best and all you do is make fun of him and tell him he\u2019s stupid. What kind of teacher d\u2019you think you are? He\u2019s finding something hard and you aren\u2019t doing a thing about helping him. All you\u2019re doing is frightening him so he can\u2019t do anything right.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
His tirade had continued and the teacher\u2019s demeanour had changed from initial amazement to a dark menace. In front of everyone, Miles Johnson, newly arrived in town and full of the grandiose notion of bringing a higher level of book learning to the backward children of these poorly educated settlers, seized the cane from its place on his desk.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cBend over, boy,\u201d he had roared but Adam made no sound as the punishment progressed. He had gritted his teeth and was on the verge of thinking that the torture was never going to come to an end when Johnson stopped to relieve his aching arm.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cLet that be a lesson to you all,\u201d he warned, looking at the children in turn and gaining a perverse satisfaction as both boys and girls appeared to shrink beneath his gaze, all horrified at the vicious beating they had just witnessed. \u201cYou will show me respect,\u201d he hissed.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He had then dismissed them for the afternoon but, as the children silently filed past the group of three at the front of the class, Adam had gingerly straightened up. Taking a deep breath, he had held his head high as his clear voice carried across the room.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cMy Pa always tells us that a man has to earn respect; he can\u2019t demand it.\u201d The boy\u2019s eyes narrowed, his expression and attitude a portent of the man he would become. \u201cAnd you\u2019ll never have mine.\u201d His words were soft but deadly serious.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The brothers made their way slowly home in silence, Hoss riding his pony and Adam walking stiffly alongside, leading his own mount and incapable of sitting in the saddle because of the pain.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s Pa gonna say?\u201d Hoss whispered eventually, anticipating that their father was going to be none too pleased at their behaviour in school and, with the way Adam was moving as a result of his beating, there was no way he could conceal it from their vigilant parent for long.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Adam stopped and laid his hand reassuringly on Hoss\u2019 arm. \u201cI\u2019m going to tell Pa what happened, and everything else that\u2019s gone on with you and that man since he arrived. I should have told him earlier – guess that\u2019s the only thing he\u2019s not going to be happy about. But don\u2019t you worry, Hoss. You have done nothing wrong, and neither have I. If anything, it\u2019s that Johnson that\u2019s in the wrong. He shouldn\u2019t have treated you the way he did.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd he shouldna beat you the way he did,\u201d Hoss said defensively.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cPa\u2019s all for punishment that\u2019s deserved but I reckon he\u2019s going to question the toughness of this one,\u201d Adam agreed, wincing as he resumed the long walk home.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam,\u201d Hoss began again, spurring his pony to catch up with his brother.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cPa won\u2019t be cross,\u201d Adam stressed a second time.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI know; you said. I ain\u2019t finished those sums though. Will you help me?\u201d His bottom lip quivered as he feared that Adam would refuse him. After all, the last time Adam had stepped in to help, he had earned himself such a severe thrashing that he probably was not going to be able to sit at the dinner table.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course I will, as soon as we\u2019ve got our chores done and,\u201d he paused, \u201cas soon as we\u2019ve told Pa what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Hoss was satisfied. He turned adoring eyes on his older brother. \u201cI can always understand things better when you explain it to me, Adam. I wish you was my new teacher all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Warmed by his younger brother\u2019s faith in him, Adam tried to ignore the agony of his tanned behind and quickened his step, only too aware that, by having to walk, he was making the pair of them late for their evening chores.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
*********<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The boys were, in fact, much later than they realised and Ben was erring on the side of anger rather than worry – at least for now. The likelihood was that they were messing about with friends rather than coming straight home; either that, or one of them had done something wrong at school and had been kept behind so that the other one remained for them to travel together. He frowned, finding it a little hard to believe. Adam was a keen scholar and apt to become easily frustrated if there was an excess of tomfoolery by his peers but he was not without the occasional misdemeanour, the details of which eventually reached Ben\u2019s ears. Hoss was only six years old but he was easily led and, for a moment, Ben wondered if his middle son might be the miscreant who had been detained but any further speculation was abandoned when he heard the sound of approaching horses\u2019 hooves.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
His relief as the boys came into view was quickly replaced by anger and he propped the axe he was holding against the barn wall and stood, hands on hips and thinking about how he had been chopping wood, Adam\u2019s designated task. Before either of them had a chance to explain, he gave vent to his temper.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd just what time do you call this? There are creatures that are depending upon you to feed and water them.\u201d This was directed at Hoss who knew his father meant the orphaned calf in the barn and the chickens out the back of the house. It was one complaint too many and the child\u2019s blue eyes filled with tears yet again, adding to the misery of the day. It was totally unfair!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, Pa \u2026\u201d Adam began.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cEnough!\u201d Ben roared. \u201cEric may not be old enough to have many chores yet but I do expect him to be on hand to do the ones that have been assigned to him.\u201d He glared at the two boys and Hoss hung his head in shame. It seemed that he could not do anything right at all for anyone and it was all on account of him that Adam was getting into more and more trouble. Pa hadn\u2019t finished yet.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cGet to work, Eric,\u201d Ben ordered and watched the child lead his pony into the barn before turning his attention to his firstborn. \u201cAs for you, young man, I expect you to set your brother a good example; not lead him astray. You were needed home here straight after school. As it is, I\u2019ve had to start chopping wood for you \u2013 a job you could have done this morning had you got up on time instead of oversleeping. And why was that, I wonder? Could it be you were finishing that book you were reading last night?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThe wood pile was low yesterday and with Hop Sing needing to heat water for the washing this morning, he soon ran out. I\u2019ve had to stop what I was doing to chop some so that he had enough to be able to put a hot meal on the table tonight for the rest of the family.\u201d Ben stopped for breath and studied his son\u2019s face, half expecting a disrespectful outburst.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
At twelve, Adam was beginning to assert himself over different issues and Ben was finding it an uncomfortable battle of wills on occasions. Yes, he still maintained the ultimate discipline but he saw in Adam a stubborn streak that was disarmingly familiar. Now, though, was not going to be one of those occasions and it was something of a surprise.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry, Pa,\u201d Adam met his look but there was no defiance in his expression, rather an unexpected passivity. Ben could not know that his son was concentrating more on his aching body and wondering how he was going to get through his tasks rather than raise an objection. \u201cIt won\u2019t happen again. I\u2019ll see to the horses and then get started on my other chores.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ben nodded and was about to add another rejoinder when a thought struck him. \u201cAdam, why were you walking? Did your mount throw a shoe?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Adam cast a sideways glance at the barn doorway where Hoss had reappeared, clinging to the lintel as if for support as he watched the exchange between his father and brother.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, sir. He\u2019s fine,\u201d Adam reassured him.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThen why were you walking?\u201d Ben repeated. It was little wonder that they were so late, but then he recalled that it was only Adam who had been on foot. Heaven only knew how late they would have been if Hoss had been on foot too.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
There it was again, that look between the two boys; they were hiding something. They both knew better than to tell him a downright lie, not that either of them was capable of doing it. Adam might bend or twist a tale if his logical mind saw fit but he was not wickedly devious. Behind the boy\u2019s dark eyes, Ben knew the quick mind was working. Time for another tack then.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy was your brother walking?\u201d Ben fired at Hoss, catching the child off guard. As he made to look at his older sibling for direction, Ben was ready for that one too. \u201cLook at me when I\u2019m talking to you, Hoss, and answer me when I ask you a question.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The child wavered under intense scrutiny. \u201cHe was walking because he couldn\u2019t ride.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ben sighed for he knew the answer was perfectly reasonable to Hoss but he need a little more information than that and so he tried again, his voice much softer this time. \u201cBut why couldn\u2019t he ride?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The child\u2019s answer was mumbled at the ground but Ben thought he had caught the gist. \u201cAnd why couldn\u2019t he sit?\u201d he persisted, although he had a good idea as to the cause.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all my fault,\u201d Hoss burst out, and crumpled into body-shaking sobs. Adam was immediately at his side, rubbing his back comfortingly and repeating over and over again that Hoss was not the one responsible. Ben was totally bemused but all semblance of his previous disapproval had waned. In his heart, he knew that there had had to be good reason for the boys\u2019 tardiness and he berated himself for dismissing the idea out of hand. Something had definitely happened at school and young Hoss was beside himself with sorrow as a result.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and knelt before the distraught child, wiping his eyes and urging him to blow his nose into the cotton square. \u201cThere now, son. Whatever it was, it wasn\u2019t your fault. Your big brother\u2019s told you and I believe him, so dry your eyes and head on into the house and see your Ma. She and your baby brother have been waiting to see you all day. Why don\u2019t you go on in and tell them all about your day while Adam and I have us a little talk.\u201d Ben had meant to sound reassuring but at the mention of \u2018a little talk\u2019 \u2013 a family euphemism for punishment in the barn meted out by their father \u2013 Hoss let out an almighty wail and grabbed at Ben\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, you can\u2019t. You mustn\u2019t hit Adam. That Mr Johnson\u2019s gone and done enough of that. You can\u2019t hit him anymore!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
At that, Ben shot a glance at Adam and noted the fractional nod of admission. He turned his attention back to Hoss and attempted an encouraging smile.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not going to hit Adam. He\u2019s just going to tell me why Mr Johnson did it, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Hoss was not so easily placated. \u201cHe hit Adam because of me. I tol\u2019 you it was all my fault.\u201d The loud weeping began again until Adam intervened.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cDo as Pa says, Hoss. It\u2019ll be all right. I\u2019m gonna tell Pa everything, just as we agreed on the way home. It\u2019s gonna be fine. You go an\u2019 see Ma an\u2019 Joe, but you\u2019d better stop that hollering or else you\u2019ll frighten the little fella,\u201d Adam advised.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Not for the first time, Ben watched the interaction between the two and marvelled at the responsible, mature head on the shoulders of his oldest boy. Hoss sniffed loudly, blinked owlishly at his big brother, nodded and wandered off in the direction of the house.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ben strolled into the barn and Adam followed, but he declined his father\u2019s invitation to sit on a barrel while they talked.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry, son. I forgot.\u201d There was an awkward pause. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you tell me all that\u2019s happened to get your brother so worked up and give Mr Johnson occasion to punish you?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Adam paused long enough to gather his thoughts and launched into a full explanation, beginning with Johnson\u2019s arrival and his immediate animosity towards the big, blond haired child who was slower than the others when it came to his numbers. Even as he spoke, Adam could detect a darkening of his father\u2019s features as the unfairness and unhelpfulness directed towards his middle boy was divulged. Once started, Adam held nothing back, even repeating verbatim what he had said to the teacher before leaving the school building.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess it was disrespectful,\u201d he admitted, trying to gauge his father\u2019s reaction. He had been so sure that his father would understand but now his conviction wavered and he searched the coal black eyes for some reassurance.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ben inhaled deeply. \u201cIt was,\u201d and he saw Adam falter, \u201cbut it was deserved.\u201d A hint of a smile played about the boy\u2019s mouth, relieving his seriousness. \u201cHow about we delay chores until after dinner and I\u2019ll give you a hand,\u201d Ben offered.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The smile widened. \u201cI\u2019d like that a lot, Pa. Thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThen we\u2019 d best get cleaned up or we\u2019ll have Hop Sing after us.\u201d He ushered his son ahead of him in the direction of the well and watched the way the boy moved stiffly with an awkward lean to the right. They washed up together, discussing the more pleasant aspects of the day but when they entered the house, Ben guided Adam to his room, issuing instructions as he went to Hop Sing for water, cloths and liniment.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ben hid a smile at the obvious embarrassment Adam felt at dropping his pants. Oh the trials of burgeoning adolescence! He was about to pass the lighthearted comment, \u201cIt\u2019s not as if I haven\u2019t seen it before, son,\u201d but he bit back the words when he saw the angry welts, some of them bleeding where the skin had broken. Ben was blinded by cold fury at the damage inflicted on his son\u2019s slender frame. No wonder the boy had been unable to sit on anything; it was amazing that he had been able to walk home at all. He struggled to keep his voice level and calm.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cHow many times did he hit you, son?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Adam shrugged. \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam.\u201d The warning note was heavy in Ben\u2019s voice as he suspected that the boy might be holding back further details.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t, Pa,\u201d Adam went on hurriedly. \u201cI can\u2019t remember; honest.\u201d He hesitated and, when he spoke again, it was little more than a whisper. \u201cIt was hurting too much but I wasn\u2019t going to let him see that and get any satisfaction.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A knock at the door heralded the arrival of Hop Sing with what Ben had requested and more. He nodded and retreated, leaving Ben to study the tray he had left behind. A gentle aroma of herbs arose from a basin of warm water, beside which lay plenty of soft cloths and a jar of the housekeeper\u2019s ointment to stave off infection and bring some relief. Ben patted the bed and Adam stretched out on his front, the simple movement eliciting another wince. The boy was definitely struggling.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
As gently as he could, Ben bathed the wounded skin and applied the ointment but long before he had finished, Adam had twisted part of the patchwork coverlet into a creased handful, trying to smother his moans as hot tears of hurt dampened the pillow.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThere, all done now,\u201d Ben said. He pulled off his son\u2019s boots and socks and slid off the pants from around his ankles before lightly rearranging the shirttail. \u201cI think you ought to rest up a while. Do you want me to go get your dinner?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Adam shook his head, not trusting himself to speak and certainly not wanting any food. Ben laid a hand on the raven hair in understanding and felt another disconsolate shudder run through the slim form. Dinner could wait; sometimes there were more important things that came along and fewer were higher in the order than soothing a distressed child. Sitting on the bed, Ben made himself comfortable and eased the boy\u2019s head and shoulders onto his lap, preparing himself for the slightest resistance and secretly pleased when none came. For once relinquishing the fierce independence he had already fostered, Adam was quite content to lie across his father\u2019s lap and feel one hand resting lightly on his back, the other stroking his hair as he waited for the burning and throbbing in his body to abate.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
There they remained for what seemed like an age, Ben cherishing every moment of this closeness with his eldest son and regretting the circumstances that brought it about. Gentle sniffles continued as the boy lay, back to his father, crying out his pain and humiliation and Ben grimaced at the warm, damp patch on his leg that was the legacy of his son\u2019s tears.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very proud of you, Adam,\u201d Ben said, eventually breaking the silence. He felt the boy\u2019s shoulders tense beneath his hand. \u201cI\u2019m proud of the way you look out for your brother, both your brothers. It got you into a whole heap of trouble this time but you did what you thought was right and I support you in that. I\u2019m just sorry you\u2019re hurting so much as a result.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
********<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
When Miles Johnson arrived to open up the school early the next morning, he discovered that he was not the first there. Young Eric Cartwright was already playing on the school swing whilst a tall man, dark hair generously flecked with grey, stood watching him and smiling. As Johnson approached, the smile faded and coal black eyes narrowed with a steely determination as they saw the schoolmaster.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cGood morning, Mr Johnson. I\u2019d like to have a word with you if I may.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cAs long as it\u2019s quick. I do have things to prepare for my students as I\u2019m sure you will appreciate, Mr\u2026. Er?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cCartwright, Ben Cartwright; you have my boys, Eric and Adam, here in school,\u201d he indicated with a nod to where Hoss had stopped playing and stood watching his father and the schoolteacher. \u201cMaybe we can talk inside.\u201d Ben did not want Hoss to overhear what he was going to say.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Johnson merely frowned, led the way up the steps of the small school building, unlocked the door and led Ben into the room that served the growing community as its place of education. Nothing was said until the door had been closed on the child playing outside in the yard.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, Mr Cartwright,\u201d Johnson frowned, \u201cI\u2019m glad you stopped by. I was wanting to see you to raise certain concerns I have regarding your sons.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWell you have your say, and then I\u2019ll raise the concerns I have regarding you.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Johnson was taken aback. \u201cI beg your pardon?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cYou heard me, Mr. Johnson. Say your piece.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Momentarily flustered by the big rancher\u2019s apparent antagonism, Johnson did not know how to begin, but then he took a deep breath and began his grievances.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cEric is lazy, lacking in effort, won\u2019t learn his work and then turns on the tears too readily to solicit sympathy. I\u2019ve seen that ruse too many times, Mr. Cartwright, and it won\u2019t work with me.\u201d Even as he spoke, Johnson failed to notice the warning signs as Ben\u2019s eyes flashed with the intensity of his fury. \u201cAs for your eldest …well, there\u2019s a boy at the crossroads of being a \u2018wrong \u2019un.\u201d He emphasised his colloquial description, a smirk playing on his features as if he deemed himself clever at adopting local expressions. Instead, his remark was patronising, serving only to fuel the tension between himself and the man before him. \u201cHe\u2019s sullen, rude, argumentative, aggressive and an all-out trouble-maker.\u201d Tirade over, Johnson paused and watched as the parent absorbed his words.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you have reached this conclusion because Adam stood up to you?\u201d The voice was calm and dangerously quiet.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve decided this about my son because he stood up to you and your bullying tactics directed at his younger brother.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cBullying tactics? I would hardly describe my teaching methods as bullying tactics!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWouldn\u2019t you? I\u2019d say that\u2019s exactly what they are, Mr. Johnson. You\u2019ve been in this school less than a month an yet you\u2019ve formed an opinion of my sons that couldn\u2019t be further from the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cParents do tend to be blind to the faults of their children,\u201d Johnson dared to interrupt.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ben took a step forward and Johnson shrank back, intimidated by the sheer presence of the big rancher.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not blinded, Mr. Johnson. I know my boys aren\u2019t perfect, never claimed they were, and I know they get into scrapes. It\u2019s only natural and I wouldn\u2019t have it any other way but Eric is only six …\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly six, but I thought …\u201dJohnson seemed to squeak, his discomfort and unfinished comment betraying the fact that he had not carefully read the meticulous records left by his predecessor.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWell you thought wrong, if you bothered to think at all. He\u2019s big for his age and folks tend to expect more of him than is right. I don\u2019t expect him to be a scholar, he\u2019s not like his brother, and he does have trouble with his numbers but that\u2019s why you\u2019re here, to help him, except you don\u2019t. You scare the life out of him. He\u2019s a gentle soul for all his size, and he\u2019s frightened. He has enough to put up with from the other children trying to goad him into a scrap or teasing him about his build without you humiliating him some more in front of them.\u201d Ben was in full flow.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cRight or wrong, Adam will always step in to defend him, that I can promise you, and you have definitely underestimated him. He\u2019s bright, needs constant challenge and wants to learn. He can be moody because he\u2019s a deep thinker, and serious with it. You now nothing of his background, Mr. Johnson; I don\u2019t expect you to but I\u2019ll fill you in all the same.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s had to grow up before other children his age. He never knew his mother, she died the day he was born. We left Boston when he was still a child in my arms and joined a wagon train headed west. I reckon he\u2019s seen more danger and death in his short life than you ever will, Mr. Johnson. He\u2019s known hardship, hunger, flood, wildfires, disease and a whole heap more. He saw his step-mother cut down in front of him by an Indian arrow when he was seven years old and he vowed then to always protect his younger brother, and he\u2019s done just that ever since. He\u2019s devoted to both his brothers and fiercely loyal when that loyalty\u2019s won. You get my boy on side, Mr Johnson,\u201d and here Ben gave a little reassuring smile, although had the teacher known him better, he would have realised that it did not reach his eyes, \u201cand he\u2019ll give you no trouble. No trouble at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Johnson made the mistake of relaxing. Before he knew it, the smile had gone and Ben\u2019s face loomed close.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m normally a reasonable man, Mr. Johnson, but I tell you this. You lay one finger on either of my boys the way you did to Adam yesterday and you\u2019ll regret it.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you threatening me?\u201d Johnson stammered.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cOh yes, don\u2019t you ever doubt it. I admit I give my boys a hiding when they deserve it but I have never,\u201d and his next words were punctuated by repeated stabbing at Johnson\u2019s chest with a forefinger, \u201cnever beaten either of them so badly that I\u2019ve bruised them, drawn blood or left welts that are still visible the next day. Needless to say, because of your treatment of him, Adam won\u2019t be in school today, not until he can sit down properly. Send work for him with Eric; I\u2019ll help him and make sure that he does his lessons at home,\u201d and with that, Ben turned to leave but just as he reached the door, he paused and turned.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cBy the way, Mr. Johnson, I\u2019ve heard what you say about folks around here and you\u2019ve got that wrong too. We\u2019re not all without an education. Rest assured I can read and write only too well. I spent years at sea and worked in business in Boston, and I reckon my spread would not be expanding the way it is if I couldn\u2019t sort out the legalities or get my books to balance,\u201d and he was gone with a slamming of the door.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Pale and sweating at this unpleasant encounter, Johnson sank into a chair, dragged a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his brow. When he had recovered his composure enough for his hands to stop shaking, anger replaced his fear.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Just who did Ben Cartwright think he was, coming in here, his schoolroom, and intimidating him? Well it was clear to see why that arrogant brat of his was so unruly and disrespectful. So Cartwright thought he had the upper hand, did he? He\u2019d soon learn otherwise. Miles Johnson was not one to cower in the face of threats; he would complain to the school board that he was not going to put up with that kind of behaviour and treatment from the parents of pupils. No, sir. He was the professional, good at his job – no, better than good – excellent, ad this uncivilised place should be grateful that he had decide to bring his knowledge and skills to its people. He demanded respect and appreciation. These terrible children would be brought under control, starting with the Cartwright boys, particularly the eldest one.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He had deserved yesterday\u2019s strict punishment and Johnson had no remorse. He\u2019d do it again and again, despite what the father had said. He would do whatever it took to get the boy to toe the line. \u2018Deep thinker, bright and needing a challenge\u2019 indeed. What the boy needed was good, firm discipline and Johnson was the man to hand it out. The boy was wild and no wonder if the father\u2019s words were to be believed. He\u2019d seen violence and, in turn, adopted it as his own twisted moral code. In the man\u2019s mind, as each second passed, Adam\u2019s list of transgressions lengthened.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Miles Johnson was a man to bear grudges, a man with a long memory. If Cartwright thought he could storm in here, throw his weight around and put him under pressure, then he had seriously underestimated the new school teacher.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
As far as Miles Johnson was concerned, Ben Cartwright had just met his match, and he and his boys had made themselves a new adversary.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Summary: The new teacher spells trouble for young Adam and Hoss.
\nRating:\u00a0 PG (Violence)\u00a0 \u00a0Words:\u00a0 5,150<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12436,"featured_media":41001,"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":[1009,23,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45155","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-brothers","category-drama","category-prequels","wpcat-1009-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-30-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\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45155","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\/12436"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=45155"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45155\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/41001"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=45155"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=45155"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=45155"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}