{"id":47173,"date":"2003-12-31T03:55:10","date_gmt":"2003-12-31T08:55:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=47173"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:08:39","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:08:39","slug":"strength-by-kimberley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=47173","title":{"rendered":"Strength (by Kimberley)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: While the lives of Adam, Hoss and Joe hang in the balance, Ben reflects on the gifts he’s received from each of his sons.
\nRating:\u00a0 Teen
\nWords:\u00a0 3,575<\/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

\n


\nStrength<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cRemember, you\u2019re only going up there to get things back on track,\u201d Ben reminded his sons as they saddled their horses. \u201cOnce things are running smoothly again, I want you back here. There\u2019s plenty to do right here on the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight, Pa,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cOnce the mine\u2019s up and running again, we\u2019ll come right back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I didn\u2019t have to send all three of you,\u201d Ben grumbled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got to be at that meeting, Pa,\u201d Hoss reminded him. \u201cThat lumber contract is too important to lose and they won\u2019t deal with anyone but you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know, I know,\u201d Ben waved his hand in dismissal of the reminder. \u201cThis strike couldn\u2019t have come at a worse time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll take care of it,\u201d Joe promised. \u201cThat mine will be running again in no time, one way or another.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNever mind one way or another, young man,\u201d Ben scolded strictly. \u201cI\u2019m sending you up there as negotiators, not thugs. I don\u2019t want any violence, do you understand?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe chuckled as he placed a reassuring hand on his father\u2019s shoulder. \u201cI only meant that we\u2019ll make whatever changes are necessary so that the miners feel it\u2019s safe to go back to work.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Ben nodded grudgingly. \u201cOK, good. The safety of those men is of utmost concern. If I\u2019d had any idea what was really going on up there, I\u2019d have never bought so many shares.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure you woulda, Pa,\u201d Hoss grinned as he swung himself into the saddle. \u201cYou woulda just bought \u2018em sooner so you could make the changes that shoulda bin made long ago.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben looked at his middle son in surprise for a moment before chuckling softly. \u201cYou\u2019re probably right, Hoss,\u201d he replied. \u201cNow go on, get out of here and whatever you do\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBe careful,\u201d the three younger Cartwrights finished in unison.<\/span><\/p>\n

As his three sons rode off together, Ben turned to walk back into the house. Reaching for the door handle, he paused and turned for one more glimpse of his family. After pondering the sudden feeling of unease he tried to shake it off, chalking it up to one of those frequent, unfounded fears every parent experienced from time to time. Attempting to clear his mind of any lingering doubts, he went through the door and closed it slowly behind him.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Three days later, Ben sat at the large table in the hotel, signing the final papers that would give the Ponderosa the lumber contract they\u2019d worked so hard to secure.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Ben,\u201d Alan Cheevers smiled as he shook the eldest Cartwright\u2019s hand. \u201cAs usual it\u2019s a pleasure doing business with you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe pleasure is all ours,\u201d Ben grinned, returning the handshake. \u201cWith all the changes afoot, I wasn\u2019t sure we were going to be able to compete this year.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSince Bob Landers bought that new patch of timber up near Whitehead Creek, he\u2019s definitely closer to the supply lines,\u201d Cheevers agreed. \u201cThe truth is, he\u2019s just not as reliable. My client would rather go for dependability and tack a few extra days onto the schedule.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad to hear that,\u201d Ben smiled. \u201cNow, how about a drink to close the deal?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As they were about to leave the room, Clyde Samson burst through the door, his breathing heavy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen,\u201d he gasped. \u201cThank God you\u2019re still here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it, Clyde?\u201d Ben frowned, the first strains of worry beginning to make themselves known.<\/span><\/p>\n

Clyde hesitated only briefly before delivering his news. \u201cIt\u2019s the mine,\u201d he stated. \u201cThere\u2019s been an accident.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As the major stockholder, Ben felt a knot in his stomach. Despite the fact that he\u2019d only owned the shares a short while, and that he hadn\u2019t known how truly unsafe the working conditions were at the time, he felt somewhat responsible for the men working there.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow bad?\u201d he asked grimly. He didn\u2019t need to ask if anyone had been hurt; Clyde\u2019s solemn expression had already verified that fact.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA dozen men trapped,\u201d Clyde answered. \u201cWe don\u2019t know if they\u2019re dead or alive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben shook his head slowly, letting out a long breath.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid that\u2019s not all, Ben,\u201d Clyde continued, steeling himself for the news he had to deliver. \u201cYour boys were in there at the time. I\u2019m not sure how far down.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It took a moment for Ben to grasp what he\u2019d just heard. \u201cMy boys?\u201d he repeated in a barely audible whisper. \u201cAll three of them?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Clyde only nodded. \u201cThey may have them out by now,\u201d he suggested hopefully. \u201cI rode as fast as I could to get here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on,\u201d Ben stated grimly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Clyde followed him out of the room needing no further explanation. He knew Ben well enough to know what he must be feeling. There had never been any doubt in his mind that when he returned to the mine, Ben Cartwright would be with him.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

They rode as long as they could into the night, but it was still nearly noon the next day by the time the reached the area of the mine. Despite the unsafe conditions, a rescue mission was well underway. Ben scanned the crowd of men, frantically looking for even a glimpse of his sons.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re still down there, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d a burly man greeted him as he dismounted. \u201cWe managed to get three men out, but that was yesterday.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd nothing since then,\u201d Ben murmured, more to himself as his gaze fixed on the entrance to the mine.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot yet, sir,\u201d the man answered. \u201cWe\u2019re working as fast as we can.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben immediately took stock of the situation, his keen gaze noting every detail of the rescue effort. Rolling up his sleeves, he headed to where the men were busy trying to dig through the rubble.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t go in there, Ben,\u201d Clyde said, stopping him with a hand on his arm. \u201cThese men know what they\u2019re doing. It\u2019s a part of the job that they\u2019re trained to handle. I suggest we let them do it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben glanced pointedly at the hand on his arm before raising his gaze to lock with that of his friend. \u201cMy sons are down there, Clyde,\u201d he said simply.<\/span><\/p>\n

Clyde took in the depth of fear and desperation in the other man\u2019s eyes and let out a short sigh. \u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d he said, clapping Ben on the back.<\/span><\/p>\n

The work was slow and hard. After hours of digging, it seemed to Ben as though they\u2019d made only a small dent in the daunting task. When his arms felt like lead, he was forced to take a much-needed break. Clyde brought him a canteen of cold water and sat silently beside him as they watched a crew of fresh men enter the mine.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThree sons,\u201d Ben finally said quietly. \u201cAfter the death of my wives, the pain of each compounded with that of the one before, I thought I\u2019d never again know such sorrow.\u201d He paused for a moment, struggling to swallow the lump in his throat. \u201cBut three sons, all at once\u2026 fate couldn\u2019t possibly be that cruel.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Knowing he had no reassurance to offer, Clyde simply listened compassionately.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben mercifully allowed his weary mind to wander as he thought of the lives trapped amid the rubble. Three strong sons, so different from one another, yet each demanding an equal share of his love and respect.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d he smiled slightly as he thought of his first-born. \u201cThere\u2019s a quiet strength in that one, Clyde. No matter what life threw at him, even as a child, he always rallied to the challenge. While I grieved the loss of three wives, he suffered through the death of three mothers, but he never let it break him. He channelled his grief into a strength that I\u2019ll always admire. All his life he\u2019s been there for me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve been there for each other, Ben,\u201d Clyde smiled slightly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s more than a brother to Hoss and Joe,\u201d Ben continued. \u201cHe\u2019s like a second father in a lot of ways.\u201d He chuckled softly as he brought the memories forth. \u201cSometimes he can be a little hard on them, I suppose, but that only shows how fiercely he loves them. He doesn\u2019t always express it openly, but it\u2019s always there in the way he watches over them, even now, and in the pain that shows in his eyes when one of them is suffering. He feels it all, every bit, and then he uses it to make him even stronger.\u201d He allowed his voice to trail off for a moment while he thought silently about his eldest son. \u201cYes,\u201d he finally murmured, \u201ca quiet strength.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Clyde heard the catch in his voice and tried to bolster his friend\u2019s spirits while they waited. \u201cWhen I think of strength I picture Hoss,\u201d he joked lightly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss,\u201d Ben chuckled. \u201cYes, that\u2019s strength all right. That boy can pull a steer out of the mud with his bare hands,\u201d he smiled fondly. \u201cAnd at the same time, he\u2019s one of the most gentle men I\u2019ve ever known.\u201d His smile turned slightly more wistful. \u201cEven with his imposing size, he radiates a sort of peace that still mystifies me at times. You can see every emotion in his eyes; the love he feels for his brothers, the compassion he shows others, the anger at injustice\u2026 you always know exactly where you stand with Hoss. His is a calming strength, one that garners deep trust and respect. Talking to him can remind the most cynical of men that there\u2019s joy in all life.\u201d He paused for a moment, his mind conjuring up memories of his middle son. \u201cHe\u2019s slow to real anger, but he\u2019s never backed down from anything in his life. You know, I don\u2019t think I ever told him this, but I believe his influence has made me a wiser, gentler man. Some think wisdom comes merely from the lessons we\u2019ve learned through experience, but I know for a fact that it can be seen through the eyes of another, one who takes adversity in stride and never lets it get him down. He\u2019s taught me a lot about what strength really is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can tell you first hand, it\u2019s not always easy being the middle brother,\u201d Clyde offered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I suppose it isn\u2019t,\u201d Ben smiled softly. \u201cBut no one could fit the role like Hoss. When I think of how many times he\u2019s served as mediator between Joe and Adam\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Clyde mused as Ben\u2019s voice trailed off. \u201cIt\u2019s easy to see how close he is to his brothers, especially Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe can use plenty of looking after sometimes, let me tell you,\u201d Ben chuckled. \u201cI swear there were times when it took all three of us just to keep him in line.\u201d After a moment, he continued. \u201cIt\u2019s his passion. It shows in everything he does. He has a zest for life that I admire, but it sometimes causes him to jump into a situation without giving it due consideration. Then there are times when he plans things out a little too well for his own good.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Clyde smiled. \u201cYou mean like some of those schemes he drags Hoss into.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss has never found it easy to say no to Little Joe,\u201d Ben concurred. \u201cWhen they were younger, I think he went along just to keep his little brother out of trouble, but now it\u2019s grown into a camaraderie that rivals most I\u2019ve seen.\u201d His thoughts wandered idly through the past, rekindling memories of his youngest son. \u201cJoe always has been a charmer,\u201d he mused. \u201cBut what stands out most to me is the struggle that always seems to be waging within him. Maybe it\u2019s being the youngest, I don\u2019t know, maybe it\u2019s just his temperament. It\u2019s like he\u2019s always trying to prove something, even to himself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s grown up in the shadow of three strong men,\u201d Clyde reminded him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019m sure that has something to do with it,\u201d Ben sighed. \u201cSometimes it\u2019s hard to think of him as anything but the baby in the family. But he\u2019s a strong as any of us, Clyde, that\u2019s a fact. He\u2019s had to be. Having two older brothers to watch out for him has never made him reliant. On the contrary, he\u2019s fought harder for his independence than any of us. Of my three sons, Joe\u2019s the quickest to anger, but he\u2019s also the quickest to laughter.\u201d Ben let out a low chuckle, \u201cI swear, there were times when I should have been so angry at him, but that giggle of his just cuts through any annoyance until it\u2019s all you can do not to laugh right along with him.\u201d He was silent for a moment. \u201cJoe\u2019s strength comes from his convictions. He\u2019d fight to the death for something he believes in. That gives him the courage to face anything life has to offer.\u201d He thought for a moment about Joe\u2019s greatest gift to him. \u201cHe keeps me young, Clyde,\u201d he smiled sadly. \u201cI sometimes wonder what kind of man I\u2019d be without the qualities each of them have taught me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Both men were suddenly distracted by the sound of shouts coming from the entrance to the mine. Ben was on his feet in an instant, hurrying toward the commotion with Clyde close behind.<\/span><\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t even realize he\u2019d been holding his breath until he felt it escape his lips in a ragged rush as five men blackened by dust and debris, stumbled from the darkness. \u201cJoseph,\u201d he whispered, unable to call out to his son around the lump in his throat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Joe croaked as he coughed on the dust. \u201cPa, Adam and Hoss\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben cut him off as he grabbed him in a fierce hug, saying a silent prayer of thanks for the fact that he was alive.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know, son,\u201d Ben replied grimly, releasing him and checking the deep cut on his forehead. \u201cWe\u2019ll get to them; you just have to have faith.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got to help,\u201d Joe muttered, trying to shrug off his father\u2019s ministrations.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou stay here and take it easy,\u201d Ben scolded firmly. \u201cThere\u2019s no way you\u2019re going back in there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe locked eyes with his father. \u201cThey\u2019re my brothers, Pa. They were further down in the mine than I was.\u201d He paused only for a moment. \u201cThey\u2019ll be running out of air,\u201d he added in a low voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben saw the look of pain in his youngest son\u2019s eyes and had to fight back tears. \u201cLet\u2019s go, son,\u201d he urged, clapping him on the back as they both headed for the entrance to the mine.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe directed the men to the area where the others were most likely to be and everyone resumed digging. Joe\u2019s emergence from the hole had given Ben a renewed strength and hope and he worked like a man half his age.<\/span><\/p>\n

After what seemed like hours, he pulled Joe reluctantly from the mine, ordering him to rest even for only a couple of minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re alive, Pa,\u201d Joe breathed, chest heaving with exhaustion as he watched a group of rested men resume the task.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course they are,\u201d Ben replied firmly as he handed Joe a canteen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe took a long drink of the cool water. \u201cBut they won\u2019t be for long if we don\u2019t get to them,\u201d he added, wiping his mouth with the back of one hand. With that, he turned to head back, only to have Ben stop him with a firm hand on his arm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you rest a few minutes,\u201d he urged.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI will,\u201d Joe forced a slight smile. \u201cOnce Adam and Hoss are here resting with me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben sighed wearily as he watched his son disappear into the darkness of the mine. \u201cYeah, he keeps me young all right,\u201d he mumbled, heading for the spot where he\u2019d last seen Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

An hour later, they had opened a hole big enough for Joe to squeeze through. Ben\u2019s heart leapt with joy when he heard his excited voice calling back to them. \u201cThey\u2019re all here! He shouted triumphantly. \u201cAnd they\u2019re alive! All of them!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A cheer went up from the crowd as the weary men mustered all their strength to finish the job they\u2019d started. Soon, seven men were emerging from the would-be tomb, some walking, others limping and one being carried by two others.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben immediately recognized one of the carriers as his middle son. His elation was quelled only briefly when he realize the one being carried was Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right, Pa,\u201d Adam assured him hurriedly. \u201cJust a busted leg.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss and another man propped Adam against a large rock while the doctor tended to his leg.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s good to see you, Pa,\u201d Hoss beamed, catching his father in a strong hug.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou too, son,\u201d Ben whispered, eyes closed against the tears that threatened to fall as he clung to his son.<\/span><\/p>\n

Both turned to see Joe on one knee beside his brother, watching intently as the doctor examined the broken limb.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow is it, doc?\u201d Ben asked, concerned.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems to be a clean break,\u201d the doctor answered. \u201cI\u2019ll have to set it and splint it, but it should heal fine.\u201d Turning back to Adam, he frowned. \u201cThis is going to hurt, son.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam took the hand that Joe offered and clasped it tightly. As their eyes met, Joe offered a small smile of reassurance and Adam nodded briefly in response to the silent communication between them. Turning back to the doctor, he braced himself, squeezing Joe\u2019s hand. \u201cDo it,\u201d he stated simply.<\/span><\/p>\n

The doctor jerked quickly on the lower part of the leg, causing Adam to let out a sharp cry. Joe slipped his other arm firmly around his brother\u2019s shoulders as though in an attempt to shield him from the pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss both cringed slightly as they saw the colour drain from Adam\u2019s face momentarily. They could see Joe\u2019s lips moving, but couldn\u2019t make out he soft words of encouragement from where they stood. One thing Ben could see from his vantage point, however, was the pain mirrored in Joe\u2019s eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once the bone was set to the doctor\u2019s satisfaction, Adam\u2019s body relaxed and slumped back against the boulder. \u201cThanks, doc,\u201d he whispered, eyes closed. Then, opening them, he focused on Joe\u2019s face and offered a slight smile. \u201cYou too, little brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe returned the smile and patted him on the shoulder before getting to his feet and turning to Hoss. \u201cThe two of you gave us quite a scare, you know,\u201d Joe scolded, trying to hide the grin from his face as he hugged his brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean the three of you, gave ME quite a scare,\u201d Ben corrected.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Hoss frowned, holding his brother at arms length. \u201cYou weren\u2019t down there too, were ya? I thought Adam told you specifically to stay topside and handle things up here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat and leave the two of you to have all the fun?\u201d Joe grinned. Then, seriously, he added, \u201cI had to go, Hoss. Charlie Parker told us that a section was collapsing. We managed to get most everyone else out before the whole thing came down.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, least wise you\u2019re all right,\u201d Hoss grinned, clapping Joe on the back with such force that he almost lost his balance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I was,\u201d Joe shrugged, a look of feigned pain on his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss laughed at his brother\u2019s antics before turning back to Ben with a frown. \u201cWhen did you get here, Pa?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAround noon,\u201d Ben explained wearily. \u201cAnd let me tell you, every hour seemed like an eternity.\u201d Looking back in the direction of the mine, he took a deep breath. \u201cLooks like this place is out of business,\u201d he stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot necessarily, Pa,\u201d Adam interjected from the spot where he still sat. \u201cThat\u2019s why we were down there in the first place, we were checking the foundation. It\u2019s good for the most part. If we do some shoring up, some reinforcing, it can be as safe as any mine in a couple of months.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018We?\u201d Ben frowned, trying to look stern. \u201cIf you think I\u2019m letting you boys back down there, you\u2019ve got another thing coming.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA figure of speech, Pa,\u201d Adam chuckled. \u201cCharlie knows just what needs to be done. He\u2019ll oversee the operation and get the best men for the job.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s more like it,\u201d Ben replied, nodding. \u201cI\u2019ll tell Charlie to go ahead and order whatever he\u2019ll need.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As he went in search of Charlie Parker, he ran into Clyde.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA happy ending, huh, Ben?\u201d Clyde smiled.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben looked back to where Joe and Hoss were helping Adam to his feet. \u201cYeah, Clyde, the happiest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou talked today about the gifts each of your sons have given you,\u201d Clyde reminded him with a pat on the shoulder. \u201cMost men would consider themselves lucky to receive such blessings even once in their lives. Today you were fortunate enough to experience the gift of three sons for a second time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben agreed, as he struggled around the lump in his throat. \u201cThat\u2019s very true, Clyde.\u201d With a slight shake of his head, as though to rid himself of the threat of imminent tears, he mustered up the sternest expression he could. \u201cNow if they\u2019d only learn to listen. The last thing I specifically asked them to do before they left the Ponderosa was \u2018Be Careful!\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The End<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: While the lives of Adam, Hoss and Joe hang in the balance, Ben reflects on the gifts he’s received from each of his sons.
\nRating:\u00a0 Teen
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