{"id":47252,"date":"2004-12-31T16:34:19","date_gmt":"2004-12-31T21:34:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=47252"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:09:12","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:09:12","slug":"drive-on-by-val","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=47252","title":{"rendered":"Drive On! (by Val)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Story Summary: Joe assists Dr. Paul Martin, a recent widower, on his rounds.
\nRating and Reader Alerts: G
\nWords:\u00a0 6,500<\/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

\n

Drive On!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright walked briskly into Campbell\u2019s General Store.\u00a0 He paused momentarily in the doorway while his eyes, accustomed to the bright sunlight, adjusted to the indoor setting.\u00a0 The store was a clutter of counters and display tables, all covered with merchandise.\u00a0 Clothing hung on racks.\u00a0 Bolts of cloth and blankets were stacked on shelves. Sacks of flour and sugar were propped up against a wall.\u00a0 Hardware and household goods were displayed.\u00a0 Bottles, jars and barrels, filled to their brims, were everywhere. Ben feared moving before he could see clearly. He smiled and nodded his greeting to Mrs. Campbell.\u00a0 His three sons were all present, chatting with the other patrons and shopping, but as each realised their father had come into the store, they left off what they were doing and walked toward him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBoys,\u201d said Ben, \u201cI\u2019ve just come from Paul\u2019s.\u00a0 He\u2019s had a little accident and needs someone to drive his buggy for him so that he can tend to his patients.\u00a0 I know that one of you would only be too happy to show Dr. Martin your gratitude for everything he\u2019s done for you in the past, and will offer to be his driver.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of accident did he have?\u201d asked Adam, his voice full of concern for their old friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh, let\u2019s move over here so that we\u2019re not overheard.\u201d Ben showed his sons over to a quiet corner away from the rest of the patrons and dropped the volume of his voice considerably as he explained the situation.\u00a0 \u201cSeems that Mrs. Alice Bradley has set her cap for Paul, and Paul is less than anxious to re-marry right now.\u00a0 He saw her coming for him over at the caf\u00e9 yesterday and he tried to sneak out the back.\u00a0 He tripped on the porch stairway, and fell and sprained his wrist.\u00a0 Now he can\u2019t hold a set of reins very comfortably.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At first, the boys took the news without expression, but that changed as each imagined the dignified doctor trying to stealthily exit a building in an attempt to outrun sweet, kind-hearted Widow Bradley.\u00a0 They tried, but they couldn\u2019t contain themselves.\u00a0 In a moment, all three of the Cartwright sons were laughing so hard they could barely breath.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re joking!\u201d gasped Adam.\u00a0 \u201cDid she catch up with him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNever mind that now!\u00a0 One of you will to have to help him out.\u00a0 Which of you is it to be?\u201d\u00a0 Ben looked at his sons sternly and then checked over his shoulder to make sure they were not being overheard.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell Pa, me and Adam have plans for this afternoon, but I\u2019m sure Joe here won\u2019t mind a bit escortin\u2019 Doc while he visits his patients.\u201d Hoss folded his arms over his chest and smiled as he looked over at his younger.\u00a0 \u201cWith one thing and another, Little Joe has needed a doctor more than the rest of us put together.\u00a0 I think it\u2019s only fittin\u2019 that he should be the one to make sure Doc gets to where he needs to go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBesides that, Joe is running away from a gal too.\u201d Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cBetty-Ann Stiller has set HER cap for HIM and I happen to think it\u2019s only right that the two fugitives from matrimony spend their day together.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, I\u2019d much rather spend time with Doc than with you two anyhow.\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry, Pa, I\u2019ll look after him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s settled then,\u201d said Ben.\u00a0 \u201cYou can meet Paul over at the livery.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe walked over to the stable.\u00a0 He entered just in time to see Paul Martin tying a wooden crate to the back of his buggy.\u00a0 \u201cHey Dr. Martin.\u00a0 Let me get that for you.\u201d Joe took the box and the rope that Paul was struggling with. \u201cI\u2019m your driver for today.\u00a0 It\u2019s a great morning, isn\u2019t it?\u00a0 The sun is shining, birds are singing\u2026\u201d Joe smiled as he finished up with the crate.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGet in the buggy.\u201d Dr. Martin barked at him.\u00a0 Joe was startled by Dr. Martin\u2019s very curt words.\u00a0 Paul Martin was a very kind and caring man.\u00a0 To be discourteous was unheard of!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of greeting is that, on this very fine morning, for the son of one of your oldest friends?\u201d Joe looped his thumbs through the front of his gunbelt and rocked on his heels.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh I beg your pardon, Joe,\u201d began the doctor sarcastically.\u00a0 \u201cYes indeed it is a lovely morning and I\u2019d have been a good deal more effusive on the topic except for my dratted, confound, flaming, dad-blamed wrist is giving me more pain that I can bear with a smile.\u00a0 Now get in the buggy!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I hear ya did that while you were running away from the widder-ladies again.\u201d Joe pointed to Paul\u2019s bandaged wrist.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll thank you to lower your voice, Little Joe, and get in the buggy!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know,\u201d said Joe as they both climbed up onto the seat, \u201cI\u2019m not quite sure what all those women see in you.\u00a0 It can\u2019t possibly be your sparkling personality.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the suit,\u201d Paul looked down at his dark coat and paisley vest.\u00a0 \u201cFine feathers do wonders for strange old birds.\u00a0 Drive on!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe laughed.\u00a0 \u201cWell, where would you like to head to first, Doc?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got several stops to make this morning.\u201d\u00a0 Paul pulled a piece of paper from his coat pocket and read the notations on it.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d like to drive over to see Sam DeWitt first.\u00a0 After that, we can head over to the post office and check the mail, and I need to get over to see Denise Carter.\u00a0 Then we\u2019ll go over to my office, have dinner and sort out our afternoon schedule.\u201d\u00a0 He placed the page back in his pocket.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shook the reins and started the grey mare at a brisk trot.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s a pretty busy day,\u201d said Joe.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry to hear that Sam\u2019s not feeling well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing really wrong with Sam except he\u2019s all alone in that big house of his and he hasn\u2019t got anyone but himself to think about.\u00a0 There\u2019s not much I can do for him, and he\u2019s given up on my lack of prescriptive medicine for all of his aches and pains.\u00a0 He\u2019s decided to try hydrotherapy treatment out east.\u00a0 All the same, I thought I\u2019d like to drop in on him and pay my respects and, incidentally, see if he remembers to pay me for services rendered in the past.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat in tarnation is hydrotherapy?\u201d asked Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, apparently the doctor at some fancy sanatorium is going to wrap him up in a couple of wet sheets, throw a blanket around him and tuck him into bed in an over-warm room until Sam sweats out all his bad humours.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re joshin\u2019 me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI never josh about quackery, Little Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t think it\u2019ll do him any good?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019ll do him any harm, and it\u2019ll be the closest thing to a bath he\u2019s had in months.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Joe said as he shook his head, \u201cI don\u2019t have to ask why he\u2019s alone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

They drove only a short distance through the busy streets of Virginia City.\u00a0 As soon as they reached their first destination, Joe jumped out of the buggy.\u00a0 He was about to walk around to the other side to help Dr. Martin but stopped short as Paul held up his hand.\u00a0 \u201cStay where you are, young man.\u00a0 I still have my pride, if not the full use of my wrist and hand.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever you say, Doc.\u201d Joe watched Paul step down from the buggy, walk up the front sidewalk, and tap on the door of Sam DeWitt\u2019s house.\u00a0 Paul turned and winked; he faced the door again just in time to see DeWitt standing in the open doorway, beckoning him inside.\u00a0 Joe waved as the two men disappeared into the house.\u00a0 About half an hour later, Doctor Martin returned, looking quite pleased.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt appears that it\u2019s going to be a better day than I thought,\u201d said Paul as he climbed back up onto the seat of the buggy.\u00a0 \u201cHe paid his tab, and I swear I saw a moth fly out of his wallet.\u00a0 Next stop is the post office.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, Doc.\u201d Joe smiled and snapped the reins.\u00a0 They drove back through downtown Virginia City, occasionally waving or touching their hat brims to acknowledge their acquaintances.\u00a0 They soon pulled up in front of the post office.\u00a0 Joe leapt out of the buggy and bounded up the two steps to the rail in front of the building.\u201d He flashed a quick smile at Paul and said, \u201cI\u2019ll wait out here for you, if that\u2019s alright?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s fine.\u201d\u00a0 Paul patted Joe\u2019s shoulder as he walked past the young man.\u00a0<\/span>
\nJoe tucked his hands under his crossed arms, leaned against a post and looked out onto the street.\u00a0 Virginia City was rarely quiet, and that day was no exception.\u00a0 The streets were full of activity as shopkeepers attended to their businesses, carts and wagons laden with goods and merchandise were driven past, a stagecoach burdened with passengers and baggage stopped outside of the depot.\u00a0 Pedestrians were everywhere.<\/span><\/p>\n

Three young ladies standing in front of a dress shop across the street caught Joe\u2019s attention.\u00a0 They were talking and laughing with great animation.\u00a0 Occasionally one of them would point to something in the display window of the shop.\u00a0 Joe had no thought of going over and interrupting.\u00a0 It was pleasant enough to stand back and watch.\u00a0 There was something about the sway of their skirts when they moved, the way they placed their gloved hands to cover their mouths when they laughed, the flash of colour as they twirled their parasols or swung their handbags.\u00a0 It would never have occurred to him to negatively contrast the girls\u2019 relative beauty.\u00a0 Joe was far too democratic in his admiration of women.\u00a0 He simply enjoyed the view as a particularly pretty and lively scene.\u00a0 In fact, he was enjoying the scene so much he didn\u2019t hear Paul come out of the post office and speak to him.\u00a0 \u201cJoe!\u201d laughed Paul.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Doc.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t hear you come out.\u201d Joe\u2019s cheeks flushed slightly and he\u00a0 looked sheepish.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you ever think of anything except girls?\u201d Paul teased as they walked towards the buggy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes,\u201d Joe smiled.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019d you like to think about when you were 30 years younger.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was never 30 years younger,\u201d laughed Paul wearily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t believe that.\u00a0 You must have had SOME fun when you were my age.\u201d Joe looked over at Paul.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose I did, but I was an embarrassingly solemn young man sometimes.\u00a0 I wanted to be a doctor and I worked pretty hard to get what I wanted.\u00a0 Along the way, I was lucky enough to find a good woman who was willing to put up with all of my peculiarities.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s look turned sympathetic. \u201cYou miss Mrs. Martin a lot, don\u2019t you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes I do, Little Joe.\u00a0 I surely do.\u201d Paul smiled sadly at the younger man.\u00a0 \u201cWhere do you think you\u2019ll be 30 years from now?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOn the Ponderosa; where else would I be?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you so very sure about that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course I am.\u00a0 There\u2019s places I\u2019d like to visit, like New Orleans because my mother came from there, but there\u2019s no place else for me to live, Doc.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul looked at Joe affectionately.\u00a0 How easy it would have been to patronise the boy and tell him all about the strange and various ways life could surprise a man and give him cause to change his plans.\u00a0 Wasn\u2019t that how he found himself working in Nevada?\u00a0 He had a medical degree, a relative rarity in the west for those who called themselves doctors.\u00a0 He could have had a prosperous and prominent career in the east without all of the violence and perpetual danger of the frontier.\u00a0 But life had presented him with different challenges and different choices.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t what he had originally planned, but he had no regrets.<\/span><\/p>\n

He and Joe got back into the buggy and Paul unwrapped the package he had brought with him from the post office.\u00a0 \u201cWonderful!\u201d Paul shouted as the wrapping fell away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood news, Doc?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019ve been waiting for this book to come for some time.\u00a0 I\u2019m glad it\u2019s finally here.\u201d\u00a0 Paul passed the volume over to Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c \u2018The Nature and Treatment of Disorders Particular to the Human Digestive System, With Detailed Diagrams from Dissections,\u2019 \u201d Joe read from the cover and grimaced.\u00a0 \u201cWell, there\u2019s no accounting for what some fellers like to read.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul chuckled at the expression on his young companion\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cI suppose you\u2019re right.\u00a0 It\u2019s not a book most people would get excited over.\u201d\u00a0 He took the book back from Joe and tucked it under the dash of the buggy.\u00a0 \u201cOur next stop is the Carter place at the end of this road.\u00a0 Mrs. Carter is expecting her fourth baby and I\u2019d like to check on her.\u201d\u00a0 Paul waved his good hand forward. \u201cDrive on, Joseph, drive on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe snapped the reins and they were off.\u00a0 Paul looked down at his watch as they drove into the Carter\u2019s yard.\u00a0 It had taken them about 20 minutes to drive the length of the road, and it was now 10:30 in the morning.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll just check on Denise and then be on our way, Joe.\u00a0 We can get at least three more calls in today if we don\u2019t tarry long.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe place looks deserted.\u00a0 The Carters must be away for the day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt Mrs. Carter would be going very far so close to her time.\u201d Paul looked out from the buggy to see if he could spot any sign of the family.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou stay here, Doc,\u201d said Little Joe as he jumped down from his seat. \u201cI\u2019ll just check things out a bit and see if there\u2019s anyone around.\u201d\u00a0 Joe walked toward the house.\u00a0 It was old and weathered, but the yard was neat and tidy.\u00a0 He tapped on the door and listened for a moment.\u00a0 There was no reply.\u00a0 Joe knocked harder, and this time the door creaked open under the weight of his hand. He cautiously pushed it open wide.\u00a0 What he saw made him shout back to Paul:\u00a0 \u201cDoc, you better get over here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul grabbed his medical bag.\u00a0 He could feel the ache in his wrist as he leaned on it to jump out of the buggy, but he knew that Joe would not shout for him like that for no reason.\u00a0 When Paul got to the door, he saw Joe crouched beside a kneeling woman.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood heavens, Denise.\u00a0 What in the world are you doing on the floor?\u201d Paul stepped through the doorway, moved toward Denise Carter and went down on his haunches on the other side of her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m\u2026having\u2026a\u2026baby,\u201d The woman gasped.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can see that, but don\u2019t you think it would have been a better idea to make sure there was someone with you?\u201d Paul smiled as he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cI know, my dear.\u00a0 Now is no time to be teasing you.\u00a0 How close are you to delivering that child?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow!\u201d She gasped again and grabbed Paul\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s\u2026happening\u2026now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, help me get Mrs. Carter up off of the floor and into her room.\u201d\u00a0 Joe and Paul each took one of her arms and led her into the small bedroom.\u00a0 Denise Carter groaned as she lay down on the bed.\u00a0 She rolled onto her side and rocked back and forth as a contraction gripped her.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe swallowed hard at the sight.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll go wait outside,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s fine, but don\u2019t wander too far away.\u00a0 I may need you to help me.\u201d Paul poured some water into a basin, and took a cloth from the washstand.\u00a0 He bathed the woman\u2019s forehead, and smiled down at her.\u00a0 \u201cEverything is going to be just fine, Denise.\u00a0 You and I are both old hands at delivering babies.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe wondered at the calm in Paul\u2019s voice.\u00a0 He felt anything but calm.\u00a0 He walked around the yard and waited as patiently as he could.\u00a0 He was torn between wanting to be as much help as he could be, and terror that he might actually be called on to assist.\u00a0 After an hour and a half of pacing and waiting, he heard his name being called.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, come here,\u201d called Paul.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlease,\u201d Joe silently prayed, \u201cPlease don\u2019t ask me to help deliver that baby!\u201d\u00a0 Joe walked into the house, with his eyes closed and feebly called back \u201cI\u2019m here if you need me, Doc.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need you to do anything except open your eyes before you trip and fall.\u00a0 I could do without having you as my patient right now.\u201d\u00a0 Joe cautiously opened his eyes and looked at a tiny bundle in Paul\u2019s arms.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey! It\u2019s a baby!\u201d Joe laughed with relief.<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul looked at Joe derisively.\u00a0 \u201cI hope you weren\u2019t expecting something else, because if you were, we\u2019re going to have to have a little talk when we get back on the road.\u00a0 Of course it\u2019s a baby!\u00a0 A beautiful, healthy, baby boy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At that moment the door swung open and a heavy-set man walked into the house.\u00a0 Following closely behind him were three young children.\u00a0 They clung to the man\u2019s hands and to his legs.\u00a0 He looked over at the bundle in Paul\u2019s arms.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s about time,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cDenise is alright, ain\u2019t she, Dr. Martin?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s right as rain, Dylan, and she\u2019s given you another son.\u201d Paul walked closer to Dylan Carter so that the father could see his child.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dylan Carter put his hands on his hips.\u00a0 \u201cLike I need another mouth to feed.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked over at Dylan in surprise.\u00a0 Dylan\u2019s face was turned away from him and Joe couldn\u2019t see the slight smile that played across the other man\u2019s lips.\u00a0 Joe had only heard what sounded like a sarcastic tone of voice.\u00a0 \u201cHey, wait a minute…\u201d he began angrily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d said Paul sternly.\u00a0 \u201cYou go and wait out in the buggy for me.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be right with you.\u201d\u00a0 Joe hesitated and looked over at Paul.\u00a0 \u201cYou heard me,\u201d said Paul.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be out in a short while.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled and nodded his head toward the door.\u00a0 Joe shot Dylan Carter one last look and then walked out to the buggy.\u00a0 He stood and waited for Paul, fuming at what he thought was a lack of gratitude for the safety of mother and child, and for the services of a good doctor.\u00a0 About fifteen minutes later, Paul and Dylan Carter walked out of the house toward a small shed on the other side of the yard.\u00a0 Paul waved as he walked past Joe.\u00a0 A mere five minutes after that, Paul returned from the shed holding two chickens\u2014one tucked under his arm and one in his good hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo me a favour, Little Joe,\u201d said Paul.\u00a0 \u201cPop these chickens into that crate we\u2019ve got tied to the back of the buggy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cChickens?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh yes.\u00a0 This is why I bring that crate with me,\u201d said Paul.\u00a0 \u201cI know it didn\u2019t seem like it to you, but Dylan Carter is a very happy man right now.\u00a0 He\u2019s not the most forthcoming chap with his affections, but he loves his wife and children, and he\u2019s proud as a peacock about having another son.\u00a0 The chickens are payment for my services, and I\u2019m sure they\u2019ll taste mighty good once Mrs. Smythe gets her hands on them!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoc, you must be a mind reader.\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t have figured on that man\u2019s attitude as anything more than being vexed at the thought of caring for someone other than himself.\u201d Joe shook his head, took the chickens from Paul and put the squawking birds in the box as Paul got back in the buggy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not a mind reader, Joe.\u00a0 But I\u2019ve known this family long enough to understand that things on the inside aren\u2019t always what they appear to be on the outside.\u00a0 Matter of fact, I suspect that the same is true with a lot of folks.\u201d\u00a0 Paul grinned as he settled himself back on the seat of the buggy.\u00a0 \u201cDylan certainly doesn\u2019t wear his heart on his sleeve.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can say that again.\u201d\u00a0 Joe smiled as he finished with the crate, walked to the front of the buggy and climbed up onto the seat beside Paul.\u00a0 \u201cHey Doc, that sure was a pretty baby.\u00a0 Everything about him was so tiny:\u00a0 tiny little fingers, and a tiny little face\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, stop yacking, get up here and drive on!\u201d Paul laughed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe urged the grey mare on, and they were on their way toward the centre of town.\u00a0 Joe and Paul were quiet for most of the drive back.\u00a0 The Carter house was on the outskirts of town.\u00a0 Much of the land around Virginia City and Gold Hill bore the marks of mining and lumbering, but this section of road had very little of interest on it to anyone except those who lived there.\u00a0 As a result, the few trees lining the sides of the road had escaped the logger\u2019s axe.\u00a0 Sunlight shone through the branches and reflected off of the shiny black buggy.\u00a0 Birds flitted about and a sweet smelling cool breeze blew down from the mountains.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t too long, however, before the bustle of the town became more apparent, and in no time at all they had reached the doctor\u2019s combined office and residence.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on in, Little Joe.\u201d\u00a0 Paul walked to the front door, book in hand, placed his key in the lock and opened the door.\u00a0 Joe followed Paul into the house.\u00a0 The front rooms had been converted into Paul\u2019s office and examining room.\u00a0 There were books and papers stacked up on the desk.\u00a0 Paul added his latest acquisition to one of the stacks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mrs. Smythe bustled in from the kitchen and, without prefacing her chatter with even a word of greeting, started at once to talk.\u00a0 \u201cDr. Martin, Mr. Greenfield has sent word that his daughter has had one of her fainting fits and wants you to get there as soon as ever you can to put her to rights again.\u00a0 If you ask me, all that girl needs is to loosen her corset and she\u2019d be fine.\u00a0 Mr. James\u2019 grandson was by also.\u00a0 I guess the old man isn\u2019t doing too well and they\u2019d like you to stop in if you have a minute.\u00a0 Isn\u2019t that just the way with folks:\u00a0 the one that don\u2019t have nothin\u2019 wrong with her except her vanity demands you come immediately and the one that\u2019s on death\u2019s door says come when you got a minute.\u00a0 I can hear the racket those chickens are making all the way in here.\u00a0 You can put them near the back porch, Joe Cartwright.\u00a0 One of \u2018em will do nicely for supper tonight.\u00a0 In the meantime, I\u2019ll get dinner for you.\u00a0 I\u2019ve no doubt you\u2019re both famished.\u201d\u00a0 She looked them both up and down and then bustled back out of the room before either Joe or Paul could say anything.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe always like that?\u201d asked Joe as he walked toward the front door of the house to fetch the chickens.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u00a0 And by the way, not only do I rely heavily on her for her excellent housekeeping and her skills in the kitchen, but I\u2019m also scared to death of her, so I make it a point to say as little as possible.\u00a0 That way I can\u2019t get into any trouble.\u00a0 I\u2019d appreciate it if you\u2019d do the same.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMe? Get into trouble?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul laughed and shook Joe gently by the shoulder.\u00a0 As he did so, he winced slightly.\u00a0 \u201cDelivering that baby was a strain on this wrist,\u201d Paul responded to Joe\u2019s look of concern. \u201cIt\u2019s fine though, and we have a couple of calls to make this afternoon.\u00a0 We\u2019ll start with the Greenfields, since that\u2019s not likely to take too much time, and then we\u2019ll head over to the James place.\u00a0 We might be there for a while, providing Jake is still with us.\u00a0 It grieves me to think that he\u2019s dying, but there\u2019s nothing I can do to stop old age from taking its course.\u00a0 I\u2019ve known Jacob James almost as long as I\u2019ve known your Pa, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t imagine going over there without Mr. James being around.\u00a0 Pa used to take us over to visit with the James family when they lived out on their claim.\u00a0 When they struck it rich and moved into Virginia City, we\u2019d come in and see them when we could.\u00a0 Mr. James would always give Hoss and me peppermints when we were kids.\u00a0 The smell of peppermint always makes me think of him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe completed his errand to the back porch, and just as he was returning to the front rooms, Mrs. Smythe called them to the table.\u00a0 \u201cAh, Mrs. Smythe, I see you have managed to find us some butter for our bread.\u00a0 You really are an excellent manager.\u201d Paul winked at Joe as they both pulled their chairs out and sat down to their meal.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy thank-you, Doctor.\u201d Mrs. Smythe flushed with pleasure at the compliment.\u00a0 \u201cI do the best I can.\u201d\u00a0 She turned on her heel and exited the room again.\u00a0 Joe and Paul enjoyed their dinner immensely, for Mrs. Smythe truly was an excellent cook.\u00a0 They chatted amiably about one thing and another:\u00a0 the war back east, the silver mines, local politics, Nevada\u2019s bid to become a state\u2026\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They had each just finished a sticky piece of molasses pie and were sitting back to drink their tea when there was a sharp rap on the front door.\u00a0 Paul and Joe both straightened up and listened attentively while Mrs. Smythe went to answer it.\u00a0 They heard her greet the caller, and then emit a loud exclamation:\u00a0 \u201cBut the Doctor is eating his dinner.\u00a0 You can\u2019t just push your way in here!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A short balding man burst through the doorway of the dining room.\u00a0 He was sweating and breathing heavily.\u00a0 \u201cDr. Martin! Ya gotta come quick.\u00a0 Eddie Reitz has gone and got himself shot up over at the Bucket of Blood!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Eddie Reitz was a lawyer who had been drawn to Virginia City by the prospect of rich clients and the litigious climate that often prevails in areas where claims and counter-claims can mean the difference between being a millionaire or being completely broke.\u00a0 He had built up a very busy law practice preying on misfortune and the less commendable elements of human nature.\u00a0 In twenty-first century terms, he would be thought of as an \u2018ambulance chaser\u2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe and Paul jumped from their chairs and headed for the door.\u00a0 \u201cWhat happened?\u201d Paul asked the man as he grabbed his medical bag.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know for sure, Doc.\u00a0 I got there after the shootin\u2019 and the barkeep hollered at me to fetch you over before I could get a good look or catch a word about what was goin\u2019 on.\u00a0 All I could see was Eddie on the floor and a whole lot of blood.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When Joe and Paul arrived at the Bucket of Blood Saloon, there was a sizeable crowd gathered around the fallen figure of a man in a suit.\u00a0 Joe gently pushed the patrons aside so that Paul could get through to Eddie.\u00a0 Paul stooped down beside the man and began to examine him.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, help me turn him onto his side.\u201d\u00a0 As Joe and Paul turned Eddie, Paul grimaced from the pain in his wrist.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou okay, Paul?\u201d Joe looked over at him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to have to be,\u201d said the doctor as he pulled back Eddie\u2019s jacket.\u00a0 He took a penknife from his pocket and slit away the shirt from his patient\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cHit twice.\u00a0 One bullet went through and the other just grazed him.\u201d\u00a0 Paul looked up at the bartender.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m going to need some bandages to staunch this.\u00a0 Got a clean sheet or shirt to tear up?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see what I can dig up for you, Doc,\u201d the bartender said as he headed up a set of stairs.\u00a0 A moment or two later, the batwing doors swung open and Roy Coffee strode into the bar.\u00a0 \u201cWhat in blazes is going on in here?\u201d he demanded.\u00a0 There was quite a commotion as everyone began to speak at once.\u00a0 \u201cAlright!\u00a0 Alright!\u201d Roy shouted holding up his hands.\u00a0 \u201cI need to hear from ya one at a time.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The bartender had just returned and handed a bed sheet over to Joe.\u00a0 \u201cI can tell ya what happened.\u00a0 Eddie won that big land-claim case against Bill Kearn, and he come in here with his clients to celebrate.\u00a0 Well you know what the mine crowd can be like.\u00a0 They got Eddie all liquored up just for the fun of it, and Eddie got to flappin\u2019 his gums and braggin\u2019 good \u2018n loud \u2018bout how he was the best lawyer in the territory.\u00a0 He was goin\u2019 on and on about it when Kearn\u2019s men come in, including young Jimmy Kearn.\u00a0 Eddie was so darn drunk he didn\u2019t know what he was doin\u2019 and ended up bracing Jimmy.\u00a0 Jimmy took exception.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Jimmy now?\u201d asked Roy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon he\u2019s headed home to his daddy.\u00a0 I\u2019m not over-fond of Eddie or Jimmy so I guess you could say I don\u2019t have a side in this.\u00a0 Eddie was askin\u2019 for trouble and Jimmy delivered.\u00a0 That\u2019s it, Sherriff\u2014plain and simple,\u201d the bartender said.\u00a0 Several men who had been watching nodded their agreement on the bartender\u2019s retelling of the events.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe gonna live, Paul?\u201d Roy peered over Joe\u2019s shoulder and watched the doctor bandage Eddie\u2019s shoulder with strips of sheeting that Joe had torn for him.\u00a0 Eddie was groaning and babbling incomprehensibly, all the while trying to brush Paul\u2019s hands away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBleeding has already slowed down considerably and everything looks nice and clean.\u00a0 Barring any putrefaction of the wounds he\u2019ll be fine.\u201d Paul looked down at his patient and then rolled his eyes at Roy.\u00a0 \u201cYou know, Roy, I\u2019m always grateful when a patient\u2019s life is spared, but we could both do with a few less customers like Eddie Reitz and Jimmy Kearn.\u00a0 Any way we can run them out of town?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Roy laughed.\u00a0 \u201cWell, unless a judge and jury get a hold of this case, there\u2019s no legal way that I can think of.\u00a0 I guess I better get over to the Kearn place and get Jimmy\u2019s side of this story.\u00a0 I\u2019ll come back and talk to Eddie when he\u2019s sobered up a bit more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe knew that Roy and Paul would never have joked about Eddie Reitz if his condition wasn\u2019t good.\u00a0 All of the tension that had built up inside him while he had been helping Paul eased. \u201cNow what do we do with him?\u201d asked Joe as Paul finished up with Eddie\u2019s shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood question.\u201d\u00a0 Paul looked up at the bartender, \u201cBill, you got someplace to stash Eddie for tonight?\u00a0 I don\u2019t want him moved around too much if it can be helped.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Doc.\u00a0 There\u2019s a room in the back we keep just special for bullet-ridden, drunken, loud-mouth lawyer-types.\u00a0 He can stay there.\u00a0 Joe, give me a hand carrying him will ya?\u201d\u00a0 The barkeeper looked at Eddie Reitz with distaste.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure.\u201d Joe and the bartender carefully picked Eddie up off of the floor and carried him to the back room.\u00a0 By the time Joe returned to the bar, Paul had washed up and was ready to go.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll stop back in tomorrow to check on him.\u00a0 In the meantime, I think we\u2019ll postpone visiting Miss Greenfield.\u00a0 I\u2019d really like to get over to the James place now.\u00a0 I\u2019m beginning to fret about my old friend.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo problem, Doc.\u00a0 And if we don\u2019t get all of your errands done today and you need me to help you out tomorrow, I\u2019m sure Pa won\u2019t mind if I stick around.\u201d\u00a0 They returned to the buggy, and Joe drove off toward the James house.\u00a0 Paul was truly afraid that his old friend might already have passed on.\u00a0 They talked about it a little bit in the buggy as they drove along.\u00a0 \u201cYou see, Joe, there\u2019s nothing I can do for him.\u00a0 He\u2019s an old man and that\u2019s that.\u00a0 All the same, I\u2019m worried that he might need me to be with him, and I\u2019d hate like heck to miss seeing him one last time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The James house was a mansion located in what was becoming a very prosperous neighbourhood.\u00a0 Joe whoa-ed the horse and he and Paul both got out of the buggy and walked up to the door.\u00a0 Paul pulled back the knocker and banged it three times.\u00a0 After a short pause, the door was opened by a young servant.\u00a0 \u201cGood day, Dr. Martin, sir.\u00a0 The family is with old Mr. James.\u00a0 Young Mr. James said you\u2019re to come right in.\u00a0 Paul and Joe both handed their hats to the girl and walked into the house.\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2019ll follow me, please,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe glanced around as they were led through the hallway.\u00a0 He had been in this house plenty of times before.\u00a0 He had visited the James family with his father and brothers. He had danced under the crystal chandelier and flirted with pretty girls at parties the James family had thrown.\u00a0 Joe Cartwright\u2019s own family was rich, but the opulence of the mansion was something he was not altogether comfortable with.\u00a0 He had enjoyed himself in that house many times, but it lacked the cosiness of the Ponderosa ranch house.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They were led into a large bedroom.\u00a0 The massive bed was surrounded by the James family.\u00a0 In the bed lay a tiny, fragile old man.\u00a0 \u201cJacob James,\u201d said Paul sitting down in the chair by the bed and picking up the old man\u2019s hand. The fingers were thin and the skin had the texture of paper.\u00a0 \u201cThis is quite a gathering you\u2019ve got in here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPaul.\u00a0 It\u2019s good to see you,\u201d whispered Jacob James.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m glad you could come, though I\u2019m sure I\u2019m beyond your professional concern now.\u00a0 It is my last visit with everyone, I\u2019m certain of that.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think that\u2019s true, old friend.\u201d Paul stroked Jacob\u2019s hand. \u201cI think your time is almost over.\u00a0 Are you in any pain?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if there\u2019s a potion in that bag of yours that would ease off the ache I got in my\u00a0 back, I\u2019d appreciate it.\u00a0 I\u2019d just as soon enjoy the time I\u2019ve got left as much as I can.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not a problem, Jake.\u201d Paul got up from the chair and placed his bag on top of a dresser.\u00a0 He opened the bag and took a small bottle from it.\u00a0 He measured some of the bottle\u2019s contents into a glass and added water.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019ll be a little while before you feel any better from this.\u00a0 Joe, could you please raise Mr. James up for me?\u201d\u00a0 Together, they helped the old man drink and then, with the help of Jacob\u2019s daughter-in-law, Paul gently tucked the blankets back up around him.<\/span><\/p>\n

The corner\u2019s of the old man\u2019s mouth turned upwards slightly.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe, I didn\u2019t see you come into the room.\u00a0 I\u2019m glad you\u2019re here too.\u00a0 You tell your Pa that I always thought kindly of him, even if he is a cantankerous old cow chaser,\u201d Jacob whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tell him, Mr. James,\u201d said Joe quietly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like you to do something else for me, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Mr. James, whatever you want.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you know my granddaughters.\u00a0 They\u2019re lovely girls, aren\u2019t they?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes they are, Mr. James.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBlack is such a sombre colour.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think such pretty, young girls should wear black, and I have made them promise me that if they must wear mourning, that they\u2019ll choose some other colour that\u2019s appropriate\u2014white or grey or silver, but no black.\u00a0 You\u2019ll see that they keep their promise to their old granddaddy, won\u2019t you, Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see to it, Mr. James.\u201d Joe smiled down at the old man and then glanced over at the three pretty girls standing by the large windows on the other side of the room.\u00a0 Paul and Joe kept vigil with the James family for quite some time.\u00a0 There were tears from the women; the men took turns standing by the head of the bed or holding the old man\u2019s hand.\u00a0 Occasionally, he would open his eyes and smile or squeeze gently whichever loved-one\u2019s fingers were cradling his.\u00a0 Finally, at seven-thirty in the evening of May 23, 1862 Dr. Paul Martin, M.D. pronounced the life of Jacob James, Esquire to be over.\u00a0 There was a slight quaver in his voice as he said the words.<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul and Joe stayed a little longer to comfort the family.\u00a0 Paul reminisced about his old friend, while Joe stood and talked with the younger members of the James family.\u00a0 When they finally walked back out towards the buggy, it was dark and both Joe and Paul were tired.\u00a0 They climbed up onto the seat of the buggy a little more slowly than either had done throughout the day.\u00a0 \u201cWell, Little Joe, it\u2019s been a pretty long day.\u00a0 I hope you plan on staying in Virginia City tonight.\u00a0 You can help me eat that supper that Mrs. Smythe mentioned, and then bunk at my place.\u201d Paul looked over at Joe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSounds great,\u201d Joe said absently.\u00a0 He cast a thoughtful glance toward the doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGot something on your mind, Little Joe?\u201d asked Paul.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou must see a lot of death, huh Doc?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I see a lot of everything.\u00a0 I see folks when they\u2019re at their very best, and when they\u2019re at their very worst.\u00a0 I\u2019ve seen \u2018em get born, and I\u2019ve held their hands when they\u2019ve died.\u00a0 Handing a brand-new, healthy baby to a mother who shows all signs of surviving her child\u2019s birth is a joy and a blessing that can keep a doctor going for many a day.\u00a0 And making sure an old man\u2019s journey out of this world is as easy on him and his family as can be, well, I guess that\u2019s kind of a blessing too.\u00a0 Everything in between is just helping people out as best I can.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a pretty special man, Dr. Paul Martin.\u201d\u00a0 Joe looked over at the gentleman beside him with admiration.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank-you, boy, I appreciate that.\u00a0 Drive on, then.\u201d Paul said gently.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir.\u201d said Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Story Summary: Joe assists Dr. Paul Martin, a recent widower, on his rounds.
\nRating and Reader Alerts: G
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