{"id":46912,"date":"2004-12-21T09:59:39","date_gmt":"2004-12-21T14:59:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=46912"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:09:14","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:09:14","slug":"trouble-for-a-cartwright-by-itchy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=46912","title":{"rendered":"Trouble for a Cartwright (by Itchy)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 I thought it would be fun to give Adam a daughter who got into as much trouble as Little Joe.\u00a0 This is an account of her troubles as told by her in a Journal.
\nRating: PG (mention of painting with person wearing very little)
\nWords:\u00a0 9,500<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

The Brandsters have included this story by this author in our project: 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

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Author’s Note: Thanks to Lucy for doing a beta read for me.<\/span><\/p>\n

Trouble for a Cartwright<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/center>July 10th\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

My Pa gave me this journal he said to keep track of my daily adventures, or as Pa calls them my \u201cincidents\u201d.\u00a0 He says that without written proof no one would believe half of the stuff I come up with.\u00a0 I told Pa that maybe a Cartwright a hundred years from now will read it.\u00a0 Pa said he hoped not, he would hate to be held responsible because I was a bad influence on some distant family member.\u00a0 I think I should be insulted. It\u2019s not like anybody has ever been hurt by what I have done, not physically anyway.\u00a0\u00a0 I hope Pa\u00a0 never reads this, I am guessing that at some point I will write things I won\u2019t want him to know about.<\/span>
\nI hear Pa yelling, it must be time to eat gotta go.<\/span>
\nI just realized I haven\u2019t said anything about me. I guess I should since this is my journal, and it is all about me. Besides I have lots of time to write, you see I got into a little bit of trouble a couple of days ago. Well a little bit really doesn\u2019t describe it; I got into a whole mess of trouble.\u00a0 How was I supposed to know she would faint?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0I am Kyler Elizabeth Cartwright and I am 10 years old, almost 10 \u00bd but whose counting.\u00a0 I am named after Pa\u2019s mama, but she died along time ago.\u00a0 The only people to call me by my full name are Pa or Pop Pop, and they only use it when I am in trouble.\u00a0\u00a0 Which in my case, can happen a lot.\u00a0\u00a0 I go to school in Virginia City, I can\u2019t tell my friends but I really like school. I want to go to college one day like Pa did, my friend Jack says girls can\u2019t go to college but I\u2019ll show him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are a Cartwright who is reading this in the future, then you know that I live on the Ponderosa.\u00a0 I live with my Pa, Adam Cartwright, his pa Ben Cartwright (my Pop Pop), and his brothers (my Uncle Hoss, and Little Joe).\u00a0 Pa was born in Boston, he and Pop Pop traveled all the way from Boston to the Ponderosa when he was a little boy.\u00a0 Pa helped Pop Pop build the house and everything else.\u00a0 My Pa is the best!\u00a0 He helps me do all kinds of things, and is always willing to teach me stuff.\u00a0 Pa talks to me about the ranch, and what it takes to make it work.\u00a0 He said just because I am a girl, isn\u2019t an excuse not know.\u00a0 He says the ranch is part my responsibility too, I may not go on cattle drives and things like that but it is important to know everything that goes on.\u00a0 I like it that he doesn\u2019t expect me to play with dolls, have tea parties, and be all prissy just because I am a girl.\u00a0 I do have to behave like a young lady, especially when we go places like church.\u00a0 You know what\u2019s funny?\u00a0 My Pa showing me how a young lady should act, stuff like how to sit, and walk.\u00a0 Uncle Hoss and Little Joe sure gave him hard time when they saw that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Back to introducing myself to whoever may read this.\u00a0 Hopefully no one will read it for a very long time!<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa\u2019s mama died when he was born.\u00a0 That\u2019s who I am named after Elizabeth.\u00a0 Pop Pop says I look like her and laugh like her.\u00a0 On the way traveling here Pop Pop got married again to my Uncle Hoss\u2019 mama; her name was Inger. Pa said she was always happy, and willing to help anyone just like Uncle Hoss.\u00a0 Grandma Inger died when Pa was a little boy, and my Uncle Hoss was just a baby.\u00a0 My Uncle Hoss is the biggest man in the whole world, but he is not mean.\u00a0 He is the kindest person you will ever met.\u00a0 My Uncle Hoss teaches me lots of things.\u00a0 Like how to find my way if I would get lost, how to track, take care of animals, and how to fish.\u00a0 When I know I am going to be in trouble, it is Uncle Hoss I go to.\u00a0 He will try to smooth things over with Pa, but if I did something real bad he tells me I have to face the consequences.\u00a0 Uncle Hoss is always there for me when I need to talk, and try to figure things out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Pop Pop got married again when he went to New Orleans.\u00a0 He met grandma Marie; she is Little Joe\u2019s mama.\u00a0 Pop pop said Pa didn\u2019t accept Marie at first, he said Pa was afraid to love her as a mama.\u00a0 But when Little Joe came along, all that changed.\u00a0 Little Joe, he\u2019s my other uncle but he is more like a big brother.\u00a0 He gives me lots of good ideas for pranks (but sometimes he will act like an adult, he says there is a line that I can\u2019t cross), and he plays with me.\u00a0 We are not allowed to sit next to each other at church anymore, the last time we caused to many problems.\u00a0 Little Joe\u2019s mama died in a riding accident when he was 5 years old.\u00a0 Pa said that Pop Pop was very sad for a long time after it happened.\u00a0 Pa had to take care of the ranch and my uncles.\u00a0 Pop pop started to get better, and started to take charge again. It was then Pa went to college in Boston.\u00a0 After college Pa came back home to help out on the ranch.<\/span><\/p>\n

My Pa didn\u2019t stay on the ranch he left again. He said he wanted to travel and see the world before he got to old to do it.\u00a0 I know that everyone was sad that he wanted to leave, and Little Joe was mad for a long time.\u00a0 I am glad that he left, because if he didn\u2019t I wouldn\u2019t be here.\u00a0 Pa met my mama, Carrie, while he was spending some time in Boston visiting some old friends.\u00a0 He had just got back from London, and was getting ready to leave again to go to Australia when he met my mama.\u00a0 Her friend was marred to my pa\u2019s friend; Pa says he was set up.\u00a0 He went to a dinner party, and came out wearing a ball and chain.\u00a0 He said he tried to run, but Ma caught him because she was faster runner.\u00a0 But I know he was only teasing.\u00a0 Pa and Mama were married not long after they met.\u00a0 Mama and Pa went back home to the Ponderosa; Pa said it was time for him to go back.\u00a0 What they didn\u2019t know was that I made the trip with them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I have been told that I am a lot like both of my parents.\u00a0 I like to learn knew things and see how they work.\u00a0 I guess I get that from Pa.\u00a0 I also like to find adventures, will try anything, and give an opinion even when no one asks for it. Pa says I get that from my Ma.\u00a0 Pop pop told Pa that\u2019s not completely true.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Mama doesn\u2019t live with us anymore.\u00a0 She lives in heaven with my little brother, and my grandmothers.\u00a0 I remember when Mama and Pa told me I was going to have a little brother or sister.\u00a0 I had been waiting a long time for someone to boss around, just like Little Joe bossed me around. He said the best thing about having me was there was finally someone younger than him.\u00a0 But I didn\u2019t get the chance to boss my little brother.\u00a0 I heard the doctor tell Pa that the baby came to early and Mama had a hard time.\u00a0 My Pa was really sad.\u00a0 He wouldn\u2019t talk to me or anyone else.\u00a0 All he would do is sit in his room or go to where Mama and my bother were buried.\u00a0 I tried to get him to be with me.\u00a0 I was sad too because I missed Mama very much.\u00a0 I told him she would sing to me every night before I went to bed, and I really missed that, but Pa would just look at me.\u00a0 I thought he didn\u2019t love me anymore.\u00a0\u00a0 Pop Pop told me that Pa needed some time, like he did when grandma Marie died.\u00a0 Pop pop told me that Pa still loved me very much, and that he would get better.\u00a0 I started to spend a lot of time with Pop Pop we would read books, go riding, and go fishing.\u00a0 I also learned then that\u00a0 Pop Pop has a very hard hand, and he doesn\u2019t like it when you disobey him. Finally Pa started to get better, he even started to sing to me at bedtime like my Mama used to.\u00a0 He still gets sad and so do I.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I think I am done writing for now; I need to go see my Papa.<\/span><\/p>\n

July 11th\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I have written all about me and my family, I guess I can no go on to what caused me to have so much time to write.\u00a0 Still don\u2019t see why she fainted, or why that should cause me to get into more trouble.\u00a0 Maybe I should\u2019ve talked to Uncle Hoss, he would have told me it was a bad idea.\u00a0 Anyway this is how the whole thing got started.<\/span><\/p>\n

I was swimming with my friends Jack, Wes, and Sarah; we were trying to come up with ideas on what we could do for the rest of summer vacation. We were already spent so much time fishing and swimming, the we were really bored and wanted something interesting to do.\u00a0 I think this is were we made our mistake, we should have just kept with fishing and swimming.\u00a0 We decided to play a joke on the town spinster, Miss Johnson, and her women\u2019s society club.\u00a0 They are always telling everyone what they do wrong and how they should live their lives.\u00a0 She is always telling Pa that I have no chance being a proper young lady\u00a0 being raised by \u201call you men\u201d.\u00a0 To teach her a lesson to stay out of every one else\u2019s business, she became our target.\u00a0 Now that we had a target, we just had to come up with a plan.\u00a0 But I nearly didn\u2019t get to be apart of our plan.\u00a0 I sorta missed up at home.<\/span><\/p>\n

No more time to write now, I get to help Pop Pop organize papers yeah for me.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lets see where did I leave off?\u00a0 Oh yeah, now I remember causing problems at home.<\/span><\/p>\n

I have chores that I have to do every morning and evening.\u00a0 As soon s I have my morning chores done, I can go play with my friends but I have to be back in time for meals.\u00a0 I started to skip out before finishing my chores.\u00a0 Pa and everyone else had been leaving early and no one was there to check.\u00a0 All I had to do was be back before them, and Pa would never know.\u00a0 This worked for a little while, but then we went to Indian\u2019s Bluff.\u00a0 Indian\u2019s Bluff is a high cliff this is off limits and has been for as long as I can remember.\u00a0 Pa says it is too dangerous, that I could get hurt real bad playing there.\u00a0 We wanted to see if the legend\u00a0 about the Indian Maiden was true .\u00a0 Little Joe told me that a long time ago and Indian Maiden climbed up to wait for her intended, but he didn\u2019t come.\u00a0 She stayed there waiting for him to return, never leaving.\u00a0 Little Joe said if you climbed up to where she waited you can hear her crying.\u00a0 No one has ever made it up there.\u00a0 Little Joe said he tried, but Pop Pop caught him and he got in a lot of trouble.\u00a0 We decided we would go and see about the legend.\u00a0 When we got there, the dares to see who would climbed up started.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jack dared Wes to climbed up and called him a chicken.\u00a0<\/span>
\n\u00a0Wes said \u201cwhy should I be the one to go up, why don\u2019t you?\u201d\u00a0<\/span>
\nThat just made Jack laugh and he told Wes \u201csee told ya you\u2019re a chicken.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>
\n\u00a0That made Wes mad, he pushed Jack and yelled at him \u201cI ain\u2019t chicken. You are!\u201d<\/span>
\n\u201cFine prove it when you climb up there.\u00a0 Go see if you can hear the Indian crying.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sarah and me looked at each other we knew what was gonna happen if we didn\u2019t stop them.\u00a0 Sarah told them to knock it off that it didn\u2019t matter.\u00a0 I told them we were taking enough risk just being there.\u00a0 When I said that Jack turned to me and said<\/span>
\n\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter scared your pa will catch ya?\u00a0 I bet your chicken to go up too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Now I know I should have just ignored Jack, but I really hate it when someone calls me chicken.\u00a0 Before I knew it was telling Jack that me and Wes would climb up. Wes looked at me like I was crazy.\u00a0 I told him everything would be fine, and that we would show Jack that we ain\u2019t no cowards.\u00a0 Looking back I realize this was an other time my big mouth bit off more than I could chew.\u00a0 I really got to learn to think before I speak, that would keep me out of trouble.\u00a0 It was getting late so we left to go home.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t have a warm welcoming when I got there.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s time to go, pa is letting me go to town with him to pick up supplies.<\/span><\/p>\n

July 12th\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Okay back to why I almost didn\u2019t get to be apart of our prank.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When I got home I saw that all the horses in their stall, and that my chores had been done.\u00a0 Not a good thing.\u00a0 I went ahead and saw to my horse, Knight, being sure to take extra time.\u00a0 I was already late; a few more minutes wouldn\u2019t make it any worse for me.\u00a0 I finally got up the courage to go into the house and face Pa. I am not afraid of Pa, he is not mean or anything.\u00a0 I just don\u2019t like it when he is mad, and I am the one who made him mad.<\/span><\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take long for Pa\u2019s wrath to come. As soon as I opened the door, I heard Pa say \u201cYou\u2019re late Kyler Elizabeth.<\/span>
\nI looked at Pa sadly \u201cYes sir, I\u2019m sorry\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa gave me a look that made me nervous and said \u201cHop sing told me this is not the first time you have been late, I also noticed that your chores from this morning were not finished.\u00a0 Am I going to have to guess that this was not the first time you skipped out on your chores or are you going to tell me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

That was a direct question, and direct questions can cause a lot of problems for me.\u00a0 I can\u2019t lie that only makes things worse, but being honest also can get a kid into trouble.\u00a0 So I came up with the idea not to say anything, that didn\u2019t go over real well with Pa.\u00a0 It only succeeded in making him angrier, and he had to repeat himself \u201cYoung lady, I asked you a question and I want an answer.\u00a0 This was not the first time you skipped out on your chores is it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I knew I was gonna have to answer him I took a deep breath, and backed up a step and answered, \u201cNo sir, it\u2019s not the first time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa was able to guess what I had been up to \u201cYou would leave before finishing, making sure to get back in time to do all you chores so I would not find out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This time I didn\u2019t say anything there was no need.\u00a0 I was hoping Pa wouldn\u2019t find out where I had been going.\u00a0 I knew I would be in trouble, how much I wasn\u2019t for sure yet. I had the possibilities of restriction, necessary talk and extra chores.\u00a0 I was praying that since this was my first offense I wouldn\u2019t have to worry about the fist two.\u00a0 Pa doesn\u2019t spank me very often, he usually makes me do some chore that I really hate.\u00a0 But when he thinks I need a \u201cnecessary talk\u201d (that\u2019s what it is called in my family), he does a real good job.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa told me that I took advantage of him not being, and that he was disappointed in me.\u00a0 He said he should be able to leave knowing that I will complete all my responsibilities.\u00a0 When Pa said he was disappointed, I wanted to cry.\u00a0 I love Pa very much, and want to make him proud.\u00a0 I told him I was sorry, and that I wouldn\u2019t do it again.\u00a0 He said he forgave me, but if it happened again I will have more than just extra chores to worry about.<\/span><\/p>\n

I was relieved that all I was gonna have to do was extra chores.\u00a0 It has always amazed me that the same hand the takes care of me, and shows me love everyday, is the same one that lets me know when I have done something Pa doesn\u2019t approve of.<\/span><\/p>\n

July 13h\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I kept my word to Pa, and did all my chores and even the extra ones plus made sure I was home on time.\u00a0 I did go to Indian Bluff again, it turned out not to be a real good idea for more than one reason.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The first reason is that me and Wes nearly killed our selves trying to climb up that stupid hill.\u00a0 We didn\u2019t even make it half way up when some rocks gave away and we slipped down the side.\u00a0 I looked like a mess, my clothes were all tore up, and I scraped up my knees and arms.\u00a0 Wes looked as bad as I did, we decided to put of climbing Indian\u2019s Bluff for now.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sarah and Jack came running over to us asking if we were okay, and what we were going to do about our cuts and our clothes.\u00a0 I figured if I could get home in time, I\u00a0 could change my clothes, and hide the ones I tore.\u00a0 Wes said he liked that idea and he would try it to.\u00a0 Sarah did have to ask about our cuts, and how we were gonna hide those.\u00a0 I told her I would just tell Pa I fell, I think I sounded confident I when said it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa did see my cuts and asked what I happen.\u00a0 I told him that I fell down, but that I was fine and not to worry.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t a lie, but it wasn\u2019t the whole truth either.\u00a0 I was lucky and Pa didn\u2019t ask what I was doing when I got hurt.\u00a0 Pa helped me clean up my scrapes, and told me to be more careful next time.\u00a0 The other reason trying to climb up the hill turned out to be a bad idea comes later.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing\u2019s yelling for me, it must be time for my bath gotta go.<\/span><\/p>\n

Okay so that was whole Indian\u2019s Bluff adventure, after that we moved on to bigger and better things.\u00a0 We moved on to Miss Johnson and the women\u2019s society club.\u00a0 It was while we were swimming that Jack mentioned how much fun it would be to play a joke on Miss Johnson and all the other ladies.\u00a0 We all agreed, Wes asked what we should do.\u00a0 Jack told him \u201cHow should I know?\u00a0 Kyler always comes up with the ideas.\u201d\u00a0 At the time I took that as a compliment, but now I\u2019m not so sure.\u00a0 Sarah decided to pipe in and said \u201cyeah but her ideas always get us into trouble\u201d I told her that I never forced any of them to go along with what I come up with.\u00a0 I said that she was always willing, and not to be blame me for getting into trouble.\u00a0 She said she was making sure we all knew what we were going to get ourselves into.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wes and Jack wanted to know what I had come up with, and were a little put out that I was still thinking on it.\u00a0 It was fun thinking about what we could do to Miss Johnson, but I hadn\u2019t decided on what would be the perfect prank.\u00a0 I told them that what ever we did it needed to do it at the bizarre the women\u2019s society was having next week.\u00a0 That way there would be more people there to witness her embarrassment. They liked that idea, but kept pestering me about what we could do.\u00a0 I finally got fed up with being put on the spot like that and yelled \u201cI\u2019m still thinking give me a chance will ya? Don\u2019t worry I\u2019ll come up with somethin\u2019.\u201d\u00a0 I realized that it was getting late and told them I needed to get home or else pa would have my hide for being late. All the way home I thought about what we could do, I knew it had to be unique and just for her.\u00a0 It had to be something the whole town would remember for many years to come.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I thought about asking Little Joe for some advice, but decided against it.\u00a0 I thought he might tell me I was crossing that line he has.\u00a0 Looking back I think I should\u2019ve went ahead and talked to him, because maybe he would\u2019ve told me not to do it.\u00a0 Then just maybe I wouldn\u2019t have had to sleep on my stomach like I did.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Speaking of laying in bed, I better put this away I\u2019m supposed to be a sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

July 14th\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And so my story continues\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

When I got home that day I took care of my horse and did my chores.\u00a0 I went into the house to get ready for dinner.\u00a0 I needed to get washed up and change my clothes.\u00a0 Pop Pop is very strict about being presentable at the table.\u00a0 I reminded myself that I needed to be extra careful not to say too much and give anything away.\u00a0\u00a0 I heard Pa and everyone else come in while I was finishing up.\u00a0 When I was done I went downstairs to wait for them to get ready.<\/span><\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take my Uncle Hoss long before he was coming down the steps.\u00a0 He smiled when he saw me and asked me about my day.\u00a0 Wanted to know if I knew how much longer until we ate, Uncle Hoss said he was \u201cplum starved to death.\u201d\u00a0 I laughed because Uncle Hoss is always plum starved.\u00a0 Then Little Joe came down to eat.\u00a0 He asked me if I got into any trouble today and I said \u201cnope, you?\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe said he didn\u2019t but tomorrow is a new day.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa and Pop Pop finally came downstairs and it was time to eat.\u00a0 Just like church me and Little Joe can\u2019t sit next to each other, Pa says we feed into each other too much.\u00a0 I\u2019m not really sure what he means by that.\u00a0 During dinner my family will talk about our day, what needs to be done the next day, and things like that.\u00a0 I was glad to just listen and not be apart of any talking, if I didn\u2019t talk then I couldn\u2019t give anything away.\u00a0 But just like every other night Pa asked, \u201cHow was your day sweetheart?\u201d<\/span>
\nI told him \u201cOh, you know, it was just a normal day.\u201d<\/span>
\nThen pa wanted to know if we did anything special, or anything he needed to know about, I just said \u201cno\u201d and left it at that.\u00a0 But Pa wouldn\u2019t stop there, no he had to keep on \u201cWhat did you do?\u201d\u00a0 I told him we did the normal stuff swim, fish, make plans things like that.\u00a0 After I said that I knew I opened myself up for more questions, Pa didn\u2019t disappoint me either he asked more.\u00a0 \u201cWhat kind of things did you talk about?\u00a0 What kind of plans did you make?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I tried to be real careful answering those questions. Too much information was deadly and not enough would cause suspicion.\u00a0 I picked my words very carefully, but I made the mistake of loosing eye contact.\u00a0 I said we talked about what we could do for the rest of the summer, it was nothing much.\u00a0 I think Pa would have believed me had I not looked down at my plate while I was talking to him.\u00a0 He raised his eyebrow up like he always does when he questions what I\u2019m doing.\u00a0 Pa said he hoped none of my plans would include something he would disapprove of.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t know if I was supposed to answer him or not.\u00a0 Thankfully I didn\u2019t have to Little Joe started to talk taking the focus off of me.\u00a0 I know I must have had a look of relief on my face, because Little Joe looked at me and winked.\u00a0 Little Joe told Pa that a kid could never have any fun, because Pa disapproves of just about everything.\u00a0 Little Joe\u2019s comment worked everyone forgot about me, and started in on him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Well time for bed, I\u2019ll have to write more tomorrow.<\/span><\/p>\n

July 15th\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The more I write the closer I get to the unhappy ending.<\/span><\/p>\n

That night after dinner I played checkers with Uncle Hoss, when our game was over I went to sit on pa\u2019s lap.\u00a0 I do this every night before I go to bed, I\u2019ve been doin\u2019 it since Mama died. I love to lay my head on his chest and listen to him read to me, it helps me fall asleep.\u00a0 After a while Pa told me it was time for bed, I got up told everyone goodnight and went up to my room.\u00a0 Just as I finished saying my prayers and was getting into bed, Little Joe came into my room.<\/span>
\n\u201cAll right what do you have planned?\u201d<\/span>
\nI gave him my best innocent look and said, \u201cWhat do you mean Uncle Joe?\u201d\u00a0 He knew I was up to something for sure then; I never call him Uncle Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Joe told me \u201clook you can\u2019t fool me and you almost didn\u2019t fool your Pa.\u00a0 I can tell you have got something planned that you don\u2019t want Adam to know about, I probably don\u2019t want to know either.\u00a0 What ever it is you need to do a better job answering questions or he\u2019ll find out before you know it.\u00a0 Trust me I know from experience, Adam or Pa have a way of getting you to say something without you even knowing it.\u00a0 All I want to know is are you planning something dangerous?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I assured Joe that nothing dangerous was going on, and thanked him for the advice.\u00a0 Just as Joe was walking out Pa walked in.\u00a0 Pa looked at both of us trying to figure out what we had been talking about.\u00a0 If I would have been paying attention, I would have seen that my pa knew I was up to something.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa asked me what story I wanted him to tell me, I asked for him to tell me about coming west.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t get to hear the end of the story, because I fell asleep.\u00a0\u00a0 But that\u2019s okay since it\u2019s not real hard to figure out.<\/span><\/p>\n

The next morning Pa came in to wake me up.\u00a0 I don\u2019t like to get up in the mornings, I haven\u2019t figured out why I have to get up so early all the time.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t take me long to get dressed, and do my chores.\u00a0 All that time I spend eating breakfast and waiting to leave for school or other places could be spent sleeping.\u00a0 I explained all this to Pa told him how much longer I could stay in bed.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t even give it any thought; he just laughed at me and said I was worse than Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anyway Pa came in to wake me up I didn\u2019t want to get out of bed yet so I rolled over with my back to him.\u00a0 Let me tell you that was not a smart move!\u00a0 With my back to Pa I exposed my weak spot, and Pa took advantage of it.\u00a0 All of a sudden my backside was stinging, and I was wide a wake.\u00a0 I turned over and asked Pa \u201cwhat was that for?\u00a0 I was getting\u2019 up\u201d Pa started to laugh at me and said, \u201csure you were.\u00a0 You better get up now or I will be forced to give you more that just one.\u201d\u00a0 Now I don\u2019t know about you but that all the warning I need, so I got up and said, \u201cyes sir Pa.\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t want you to over use your arm.\u00a0 I know you hurt it last week when you were branding, I would hate to be the reason you injured you arm again.\u00a0 In fact I would be willing to pass on any \u2018necessary talks\u2019 just to help you out.\u201d\u00a0 Now for some reason Pa started to laugh.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think I\u2019ll ever understand grown ups.\u00a0 Pa told me thanks, and that he was glad to know I was willing to make such a huge sacrifice. I don\u2019t think he meant what he said, because his voice sounded like mine when he tells me not to get smart mouthed.<\/span><\/p>\n

So anyway, I finished getting dressed and ready.\u00a0 I went to go do my chores and then eat some breakfast.\u00a0 I still hadn\u2019t come up with an idea yet; all I knew is it had to be something that would mortify all those women, especially Miss Johnson.\u00a0 But what could that be?\u00a0 Then suddenly it hit me and I started to laugh, what a moment of inspiration.\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t wait to tell Wes, Jack, and Sarah I knew they would love my idea.\u00a0 The only problem I could see getting in our way was finding what we would need.\u00a0 It was not something you could ask for without causing some suspicion. Boy I wish you could\u2019ve seen the look on their faces when I told them my idea, to say they were shocked doesn\u2019t even describe it.<\/span><\/p>\n

I bet you want to know what my idea was, well your just gonna have to wait.\u00a0 I have to go see what extra chores Pa has planned for tomorrow.<\/span><\/p>\n

Okay so I need to tell you about my idea.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I had to come up with something that would send Miss Johnson and all the other ladies into a hissy.\u00a0 And one thing that was sure to do that you ask?\u00a0 What else but pictures.\u00a0 Not just any pictures either, but ones that so off some skin.\u00a0 Not a whole lot of it just enough to bother them, which wouldn\u2019t take a lot.\u00a0 The only thing was were to find these pictures, like I said we couldn\u2019t just go ask for them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Imagine our surprise when Wes spoke up and said he knew were we could get pictures like that.\u00a0 Jack asked were, me and Sarah wanted to know also.\u00a0 Wes said that his older brother came back from San Francisco with a book full of all kinds of paintings.\u00a0 He said his ma had fit when she saw it, told him to get rid of it before the younger ones saw it.\u00a0 Wes said from what he heard his ma tell his pa, some of the people in the painting didn\u2019t have much on.<\/span><\/p>\n

I asked Wes if he could get this book without his brother or parents finding out.\u00a0 Wes said he could, and that he would bring it for us to look at on Monday.\u00a0 Things were starting to fall into place.\u00a0 We now had a target, a location, and an idea.\u00a0 Now all we needed was a plan to put it into action.\u00a0 The plan was not too hard to come up with.\u00a0 There was going to be auctions at the bizarre lots of people were donating items to be sold.\u00a0 We figured we could put the painting in with the items to be sold and no one would be the wiser, but we had to make sure no one saw us do it.\u00a0 So once again everyone turned to me to come up with an idea. I told them that it would take some time to come up with something.\u00a0 I had to go home to eat lunch and then help Hop Sing finish up some chores.\u00a0 I told them I would see them at church the next day, and that hopefully I would have a plan.<\/span><\/p>\n

I thought about how we could get the painting in with the rest of the stuff to be sold.\u00a0 I though about it so much that I wasn\u2019t paying attention, and dropped the sheet I was supposed to be hanging up.\u00a0 This didn\u2019t make Hop Sing too happy.\u00a0 As soon as he saw it he yelled \u201cWhat you doing?\u00a0 You supposed to be helping not making more work.\u00a0 You pay better attention, or I get wooden spoon to help you.\u201d\u00a0 I promised Hop Sing that I would do a better job and pay attention to what I doing. Hop Sing doesn\u2019t like it when my pa punishes me; he tells my pa I \u2018m only a little girl learning from my mistakes. But if I do something to make Hop Sing mad, he has no problems punishing me.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I made sure to do everything Hop Sing asked without getting into any more trouble.\u00a0 When I was finally done I headed out to the barn, to go sit in the hayloft.\u00a0 When I need to think about stuff or just be alone I\u2019ll go to the hayloft, it\u2019s the best place to think and not be bothered.\u00a0 When I was walking out the door Hop Sing asked \u201cWhere little missy going?\u201d\u00a0 I told him that I was only going to the barn.\u00a0 He said that I couldn\u2019t because I needed to take my bath and get ready for dinner.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t want to take a bath yet I had some serious thinking to do so I decided to wine and beg, \u201cPlease Hop Sing, I just want to go to the barn.\u00a0 Please, I want stay long honest.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Hop Sing put a stop to that pretty quick, he said I sounded like a baby, and I needed to be a big girl and do what he said.\u00a0 I tell ya that baby thing really got me.\u00a0 So I went to take my bath, besides if I caused too much of a fuss Hop Sing would tell pa and I didn\u2019t want that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It was while I was taking my bath that I came up with the idea of how we would get our painting in with the rest of the stuff to be auctioned.\u00a0 The problem was that we would have to go to town without permission, and we had to make sure no one saw us. I couldn\u2019t ask Pa it would be to easy for him to figure out that I was up t something.<\/span><\/p>\n

I finished my bath and went to get ready for dinner.\u00a0 On Saturday\u2019s I eat in my sleeping clothes with church the next day I go to be earlier than normal.\u00a0 I don\u2019t mind because after dinner I sit on Pa\u2019s lap while he\u2019s reading and fall asleep.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

During dinner my family talked all about their day, what needed to be done, all that kind of stuff.\u00a0 I really wasn\u2019t paying much attention to them; I was in my own world thinking how we could get into town unnoticed, so I didn\u2019t hear Pop Pop when he asked me about my day.\u00a0 I was brought out of my thoughts with Uncle Hoss\u2019 and Little Joe\u2019s laughing.\u00a0 I looked at them trying to figure out what was so funny, but then I looked at Pa whatever it was he didn\u2019t think it was funny.\u00a0 I asked Pa \u201cwhat did I do know?\u00a0 I wasn\u2019t even talking.\u201d\u00a0 Pa told me \u201cno but your grandfather has been trying to get your attention for the last 5 minutes, and you have yet acknowledge him.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Being caught in deep thought can cause me a lot of problems.\u00a0 Someone will start to ask what it was that was keeping me so preoccupied.\u00a0 Since I didn\u2019t want them to ask any questions, I decided to try and distract them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry Pop Pop I didn\u2019t mean to be rude\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pop pop looked at me like he knew I was trying to hide something (now I know were Pa gets it) \u201cThat\u2019s all right I just asked about how your day was.\u00a0 But I would be more interested in knowing what had you so distracted.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I thought long and hard before I answered him, if I could just satisfy them with telling about my day then I wouldn\u2019t have to try to come up with a reason why I was day dreaming.\u00a0 So I told them all about Jack trying to do a flip off a rock and landing flat on his belly.\u00a0 I made it sound worse than it really was, hoping Pa and Pop Pop would go off on lecturing me on not doing dangerous stunts.\u00a0 It worked because they spent the next 15 going over what is acceptable and what isn\u2019t.\u00a0 They also reminded me that just because someone else is doing something, doesn\u2019t mean that I should follow. I promised that I would not do any thing dangerous, and to think for myself.<\/span><\/p>\n

After dinner I went to sit on Pa\u2019s lap before bed. I would be really embarrassed if any one saw me on Pa\u2019s lap.\u00a0 After all I do have an image to keep up.\u00a0 But I love spending this time with him; it is very special to me.\u00a0 He will either read me a story or just talk to Pop Pop, Uncle Hoss and Little Joe, it doesn\u2019t matter.\u00a0 If I lay my head down and listen to him, I will always fall asleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

I guess your gonna have to wait to see how we get into town.<\/span><\/p>\n

July 16th\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So now I\u2019ll explain how we got into town, which in the end added to my problems.<\/span><\/p>\n

The next morning Little Joe woke me up for church.\u00a0 I actually got up and dressed with no arguments this time.\u00a0 I think I was really excited to get to church and talk to my friends about getting the painting into town.\u00a0 When we got to church, I had a hard time sitting still. I wanted it to be over so I could go see Wes, Sarah, and Jack.\u00a0 I kept squirming around in my sit waiting for Reverend Richmond to be finished.\u00a0 Pa put his hand on my leg; this is his way of warning me to be still and stop.\u00a0 The second time he did it he squeezed my leg, this is his way of saying I am out of chances.\u00a0 Next time he will take me out of church, which never fairs to well for me so I try to make sure that doesn\u2019t happen very often.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally church was over and I could go find my friends.\u00a0 I found them over by the hitching post, so I ran over to see to talk.\u00a0 The first thing Wes and Jack asked as soon as I got there was if I came up with a plan.\u00a0 I smiled at them and told them I did.\u00a0 My idea was for us to sneak into town Monday night after our families go to bed.\u00a0 It shouldn\u2019t take too long to get there and back, at least that\u2019s what I was hoping.\u00a0 Sarah said she wouldn\u2019t be able to go; her grandma was visiting and was sleeping in her room.\u00a0 She said it would be too hard for her to sneak out. I asked Wes and Jack it they would could do it both said yes, that it would be no problem since Wes is staying at Jack\u2019s on Monday.\u00a0 This was going to be perfect!\u00a0 We made plans t met at the swimming whole on Monday Jack was going to bring his brother\u2019s book for us to look at.<\/span><\/p>\n

It appears that I have come to the part that starts my down hill fall into doom.\u00a0 For any future Cartwright\u2019s who may read this, you have to see that this was just to good to pass up.\u00a0 I mean this prank was calling to me, it was meant to be right?\u00a0 Come on how perfect can you get, they were already having the auction we were just donating to it that\u2019s all.\u00a0 To bad Pa didn\u2019t see it that way then maybe sitting wouldn\u2019t have been painful for so long.\u00a0 You know some girls at school said that their pa\u2019s don\u2019t give them tannings.\u00a0 They said their pa\u2019s don\u2019t think a girl should be spanked.\u00a0 I talked to Pa about hoping that he would see their point.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t oh well it was worth a try.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Only a couple of more entries should end this tail.\u00a0 I\u2019ll give you a little hint, things started off real bad.<\/span><\/p>\n

July 17th\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You would not believe what it took take pull off this prank.\u00a0 We had to do a lot of sneaking, planning, and conniving to make it work.\u00a0 Looking back I realize I should\u2019ve known we wouldn\u2019t get away with it.\u00a0 I always have a way of convincing myself that this time I\u2019ll be able to pull it off and not get caught.\u00a0 But it never works out that way Pa has a way of finding out.\u00a0 When will I ever learn?<\/span><\/p>\n

Okay back to the story.<\/span><\/p>\n

Monday things started out going as planned.\u00a0 We met at the swimming whole and Wes brought his brother\u2019s book.\u00a0 We picked out the perfect painting not real bad, but bad enough to cause a stir. It wasn\u2019t a large painting; we put a cover over it so it would be a surprise.\u00a0 We spent the rest of the day swimming and talking about what we had planned for the next day.\u00a0 Before heading home for the day me, Wes, and Jack made plans to meet later that night so we could take the painting into town.\u00a0 This is were things start to go wrong.<\/span><\/p>\n

We were nearly caught trying to put the painting in with the stuff to be auctioned.\u00a0 Sheriff Coffee came walking down the street, I guess to check on the stuff and almost saw us.\u00a0 What I didn\u2019t know is he did, but at the time he wasn\u2019t for sure.\u00a0 That\u2019s not all Wes\u2019 pa caught him and Jack sneaking back in.\u00a0 Wes was able to convince his pa they were just out for a late night walk.\u00a0 He let them off with a warning not to leave again.\u00a0 I should\u2019ve seen then that things were not going to turn out as planned.\u00a0 Well one thing turned like we expected, the painting did send all the women into a tizzy.\u00a0 It\u2019s what happened afterwards that turned out different.<\/span><\/p>\n

I was able to get out of the house and back in without being caught. But when Uncle Hoss came in to wake me up, I was really tired and didn\u2019t want to get out of bed.\u00a0 Uncle Hoss reminded me about going to the bizarre, I suddenly was very motivated to get up.\u00a0 Though I did pretend like I didn\u2019t want to go, couldn\u2019t act to excited.<\/span><\/p>\n

When we got into town I asked Pa if I could go find my friends.\u00a0 He told me I could, but to make sure I behaved.\u00a0 I started to look for Wes, Jack, and Sarah I found them down by the stables.\u00a0 Sarah asked how everything went, we told her we put it in with the other paintings to be auctioned off.\u00a0 Wes told us about him and Jack getting caught.\u00a0 We walked over to the auction when it was getting ready to start.\u00a0 We stayed back so we could see everyone\u2019s face when they unveiled our donation.<\/span><\/p>\n

While we were waiting Sheriff Coffee walked past us.\u00a0 He gave me this look like he was trying to remember something but couldn\u2019t figure out what it was. That\u2019s when I knew that he had saw us, but was still trying guess if it was really us or not.\u00a0 I should have run then while I had the chance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It finally was time to auction the paintings we were having a hard time keeping ourselves under control.\u00a0 They had to auction off four paintings before they finally came to ours.\u00a0 As soon as the cover was removed it all began.\u00a0 There was a loud gasp, then an other, and an other.\u00a0 One lady said \u201cwell I never\u201d what she never done I\u2019m not sure.\u00a0 The men and kids started to laugh.\u00a0 I could hear Uncle Hoss and Little Joe over everyone.\u00a0 Things were going just as we planned, we were feeling very good about ourselves.\u00a0 But that all changed very quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Miss Johnson was confused about what had the women all upset, and everyone else was laughing.\u00a0 She turned around to see what they were pointing at, and that\u2019s when it all came apart.\u00a0 When Miss Johnson saw the painting she let out the loudest shriek I have ever heard, and then she fainted straight to the ground.\u00a0 Only we didn\u2019t know fainted, we thought she up and died on us right there.\u00a0 I know that at that point all the color went out of my face.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wes wanted to know if they would hang kids, he looked like he was about to loose what ever was in his stomach.\u00a0 I kept thinking how nice Mexico sounded right about then.\u00a0 Pa and Doc Martin went to check on Miss Johnson.\u00a0 As Doc Martin was looking her over, pa looked at me; and at that time I knew I was dead.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know how he knew it was me, but he did.\u00a0 I suggested that we slowly walk away, but we didn\u2019t get a chance to make our escape.\u00a0 Sheriff Coffee put an end to it.\u00a0 He grab me by the back of my neck and said \u201cI thought I saw you in town last night but then I told myself no that can\u2019t be Kyler Cartwright, she\u2019s home in bed.\u201d\u00a0 I tried to say something but the Sheriff wouldn\u2019t let me.\u00a0 He said I know you had something to do with that painting, figured it out when I saw your faces when Miss Johnson fainted.\u00a0 \u201cYou mean she just fainted\u201d but that was all I got to ask.\u00a0 The Sheriff took us to his jail to wait for our parents.\u00a0 \u201cJust wait until I tell your pa\u2019s what you done\u201d he told us.\u00a0 I said my Pa has already figure it out.<\/span><\/p>\n

We waited for what seemed like forever for our fathers to come get us.\u00a0 We had enough time to come up with a hundred different ways our pa\u2019s were gonna kill us.\u00a0 I knew my pa would use the slow and painful method, making sure I had lots of time to think about what I did.\u00a0 About an hour later the executioners (our pa\u2019s) showed up.\u00a0 We could hear them yelling and making all kinds of threats, the scary thing was all the threats were being made toward us.<\/span><\/p>\n

One by one each of my friends left to go home with their father\u2019s.\u00a0 It was not a pretty sight when their pa got a hold of them; there was a lot of begging and pleading going on.\u00a0 Imagine my surprise when they started to sell me out, said the whole thing was my idea.\u00a0 Can you believe that?!\u00a0 My own friends leaving me out in the cold alone like that.\u00a0 And that\u2019s just what I was alone, very alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

July 18th\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Pa is a crafty fellow.\u00a0 Let me tell you what he did to me.\u00a0 Pa made sure I was the last to go.\u00a0 I knew he was doing that so there would be no witness, that way he could kill me right they\u2019re in the cell.\u00a0 My stomach was doing all kinds of flip-flops I felt like I could get sick any minute.\u00a0 I knew for sure that if Pa left me their much longer I would die.\u00a0 He always makes me wait before he punishes me.\u00a0 Why do parents do that, don\u2019t they know waiting is the worse part?\u00a0 The longer I waited the I thought of how Pa was goona kill me.\u00a0 Finally Pa came back for me, and when I saw him I wished he hadn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa gave me this stop you dead in your tracks stare.\u00a0 The one that says just wait until I get my hands on you.\u00a0 He went to open the cell door I started to back up as far away from him as I could, eventually I hit the wall and could go no further.\u00a0 He was still glaring at me when he came inside, he very calmly said \u201cit would appear that you and your friends made a donation to the auction.\u00a0 I had no idea you were so interested in art, maybe we should go visit a museum sometime.\u201d\u00a0 I tell ya this is not what I was expecting.\u00a0 Pa was really calm, and it really scared me.\u00a0 He was smiling, not yelling.\u00a0 No questions about the painting and all the havoc it caused.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Then Pa said, \u201ccome on sweetheart lets go on home.\u201d\u00a0 There was something about the sound of his voice that made me panic.\u00a0 It was like he was the spider I was the fly, and he was trying to coax me into his web.\u00a0 I knew once I was in that web there would be no getting out.\u00a0 Pa told Sheriff Coffee that we were going home. The ride home was long and silent.\u00a0 Uncle Hoss, Little Joe, and Pop Pop had left for home a while ago.\u00a0 I rode double with Pa on pop Pops\u2019 horse.\u00a0 I just knew that some where along the way Pa would stop and put me out of my misery, but he didn\u2019t.\u00a0 I could tell he was mad though, usually when I ride double with him he lets me lean back against him.\u00a0 This time he was stiff, and held on to me really tight.\u00a0 When we got home Pa told me to go sit on the sofa and wait for him there.\u00a0 When I got into the house Pop Pop, Uncle Hoss, and Little Joe were all there.\u00a0 Pop pop gave me a look of disapproval, Uncle looked at me with sympathy, and Little Joe smiled and winked at me.<\/span><\/p>\n

I sat on the sofa and waited for Pa like he asked me to, as soon as he walked into the house it started. When Pa said my full name I knew I was in deep.\u00a0 \u201cKyler Elizabeth Cartwright, just what in the he\u2026heck were you thinking?\u201d\u00a0 I didn\u2019t have a chance to say anything, because Hop Sing walked in carrying the clothes I had hidden when I fell down Indian\u2019s Bluff.\u00a0 Now not only did I have Pa yelling at me Hop Sing had joined in.\u00a0 Boy was he mad, he wanted to know how I could tear my clothes up like that, that he wasn\u2019t gonna fix them, and that I should take better care of my stuff.\u00a0 One look at my face and Pa could tell that I had done something I wasn\u2019t supposed to.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa said it was obvious that we had more than just today incident in town to discuss.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t say anything to him, and found the floor very interesting all of a sudden.\u00a0 This did not make Pa too happy and he yelled \u201cyoung lady I asked you a question I want an answer, and I expect you to look at me when I am talking to you.\u00a0 Now do we have more to talk about than just what happen in town today?\u201d\u00a0 This would be the second reason why climbing up Indian\u2019s Bluff turned out to be a very bad idea.\u00a0 I answered Pa \u201cyes sir we do\u201d I made sure to say sir it is very important to add that when you are in trouble.\u00a0 Pa wanted to know how my clothes ended up like they did, I didn\u2019t have to answer he figured it out all on his own.\u00a0 He took a guess that me being hurt last week had something to do with my clothes.\u00a0 Once again I answered \u201cyes sir\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

I had to tell Pa all about going to Indian\u2019s Bluff, how the dares started, Wes and I climbing, and then falling down the side.\u00a0 When I was done, Pa\u2019s face was red as an apple, and the vein in his forehead was sticking out.\u00a0 I\u2019m not for sure, but I think he had steam coming out of his ears.\u00a0 Pa started to yell \u201cyou WHAT?! You tried to climb Indian Bluff?\u00a0 You know it\u2019s off limits, and you put yourself in more danger by trying to climb it. What were you thinking?\u201d\u00a0 I didn\u2019t answer that question because I knew Pa wouldn\u2019t like it, but I didn\u2019t have to, as Pa answered for me \u201cno that\u2019s it you weren\u2019t thinking.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa went back to asking questions about the auction, I was for sure that my life was about to come to an end.\u00a0 Pa wanted to know when the plans started, why we picked Miss Johnson, who\u2019s idea it was, who came up with the idea to use the painting, and how we got it there.\u00a0 He made me answer each question, let me tell you I had a hard time most of the words got caught in my throat.\u00a0 I thought his head was gonna explode when I told him how we snuck into town at night, that most of it was my idea, and we used Wes\u2019 brother\u2019s book without asking.\u00a0 All he did for the longest time after I told him everything was look down at the floor shaking his head and pinching the bridge of his nose.\u00a0 I waited for him to say something, when he didn\u2019t I asked \u201care\u2026.are you\u2026.gonna um\u2026.punish me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Then Pa really scared me when he started to laugh, \u201cAm I going to punish you?\u00a0 Do you really need to ask that?\u00a0 Go upstairs we will finish our talk in your room.\u201d\u00a0 I looked at Pop Pop for help he gave none.\u00a0 Uncle Hoss gave me a sad look, Little Joe looked like he was trying not to laugh.\u00a0 I went to my room and waited for Pa.<\/span><\/p>\n

July 19th\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa sure had a LOT to talk about that night!\u00a0 All I have to say is that it wasn\u2019t my ears doing the listening. Boy Pa sure can get his point across when he has a mind to.\u00a0 That was one \u201cpoint\u201d that stayed with me for a while.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to my \u201ctalk\u201d I also have extra chores to do. I never knew there was so much stuff that could be found for me to do.\u00a0 I have to clean the barn, the tack room, polish furniture, and help Hop Sing with whatever he needs and he comes up with some REALLY dirty jobs.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be 30 before I can leave the yard alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Oh yeah when Little Joe and Pa came home from town today, Little Joe was laughing and Pa was real mad.\u00a0 Little Joe said that while they were there some men came up to Pa said they wanted to met the father of the kid who was able to render Miss Johnson speechless.\u00a0 They said I was a miracle worker and wanted to thank me.\u00a0 Little Joe said the women yelled at Pa, told him I needed to shipped off to a boarding school.\u00a0 The kids wanted to know if the rumor was true, and he up a killed me.<\/span><\/p>\n

Well that brings me up to today.\u00a0 I\u2019m still restricted and doing extra chores. Pa says he wants to keep me busy I\u2019m less likely to get into trouble that way.\u00a0 I only see Wes, Jack, and Sarah at church I haven\u2019t much of a chance to talk to them.\u00a0 But that will change soon, school starts before too long.\u00a0 At least then I will be able to leave the yard and talk to my friends.\u00a0 Maybe we can come up with some ways to make school more exciting this year!<\/span><\/p>\n

Boy I hope Pa doesn\u2019t read this!<\/span><\/p>\n

THE END<\/span><\/center><\/p>\n
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<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 I thought it would be fun to give Adam a daughter who got into as much trouble as Little Joe.\u00a0 This is an account of her troubles as told by her in a Journal.
\nRating: PG (mention of painting with person wearing very little)
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Rating:\u00a0 G Words:\u00a0 550","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":45647,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=45647","url_meta":{"origin":46912,"position":1},"title":"Sadie Hawkins Dance (by Jenniferk22)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"April 13, 2000","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Adam gets in trouble attending a dance. Rating:\u00a0 PG-13\u00a0 (1,110\u00a0 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12750,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12750","url_meta":{"origin":46912,"position":2},"title":"A Modern Cartwrights Story #3 – A Quarter\u2019s Worth of Glory: Joe in the Infernal Machine (by Robin)","author":"profrobinw","date":"January 23, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Headlines ripped from the daily newspaper in this modern era tale of the Cartwrights. Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (775 word) A Modern Cartwright Story Series, links to stories within the series are included.","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":45545,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=45545","url_meta":{"origin":46912,"position":3},"title":"Faith, Hope, and Family (by Heidi)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"April 12, 2000","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: What holds a man like Adam Cartwright up when his confidence wavers? Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 \u00a0Words:\u00a0 1,825","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":46851,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=46851","url_meta":{"origin":46912,"position":4},"title":"The Voice (by Imogene)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"November 24, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0A voice visits Joe during the night Rating:\u00a0 G Words:\u00a0 1,520","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":45817,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=45817","url_meta":{"origin":46912,"position":5},"title":"Brotherly Love (by JRosemary)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"December 21, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Adam has his hands full with a drunk and disorderly Little Joe in this WHN for 'The Quality of Mercy.' Rating:\u00a0 PG\u00a0 (1,590 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Adam \/ Joe"","block_context":{"text":"Adam \/ Joe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1091"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46912","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=46912"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46912\/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=46912"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=46912"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=46912"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}