Summary: Adam gets a Fourth of July surprise.
\nRating: G, Word Count: 720<\/p>\n
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Fourth of July Fun<\/strong><\/p>\n Ben took eight-year-old Adam and two-year-old Hoss to town for their 4th of July celebration. Adam sat in the front of the wagon looking around and holding on tight to his baby brother so he didn\u2019t fall off. There was so much to see and Adam couldn\u2019t swivel his head fast enough. Ben parked the wagon at the livery and helped his boys down. He knelt in front of Adam and put a hand on his small shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, I want you to watch out for your brother. There are many things going on and he could get hurt. I need to go see a man about a horse and I\u2019ll find you when I\u2019m done. Here\u2019s some money to get something,\u201d Ben said handing his oldest son a few coins.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Pa. I\u2019ll look after Hoss,\u201d Adam promised.<\/p>\n \u201cGood boy. I\u2019ll see you in a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben stood and walked away.<\/p>\n Adam held onto Hoss\u2019 hand tight as they made their way around the street. Different smells assaulted Adam\u2019s nose as he walked by the different booths selling food. He saw a competition to catch a greased pig. He wanted to join but that would mean leaving Hoss on the side and he promised his father he\u2019d watch out for his brother. He had also seen three legged races but Hoss was too little to participate so Adam couldn\u2019t join in. He sighed and walked on.<\/p>\n Ben looked over the colt. It was a chestnut with a white stripe down its nose and four white socks on his legs.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll be just fine,\u201d Ben said smiling.<\/p>\n He gave Mr. Sykes the money and took the horse to the wagon and tied him to it. He couldn\u2019t wait to see Adam\u2019s face when he would see the horse. Ben patted the horse\u2019s rump then went to find his boys. He found them near a hot air balloon display.<\/p>\n \u201cWould you like to go for a ride, son?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n Adam turned to his father and shook his head vigorously.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, sir. I\u2019m fine on the ground.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben laughed. \u201cIt\u2019s starting to get dark. Let\u2019s go find some food and a place to sit where we can watch the fireworks.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben picked up Hoss and put him on his shoulders as they walked to find something to eat.<\/p>\n They had got fried chicken, corn on the cob, and watermelon. They also bought three pieces of cake and found a place to sit and eat. After they ate, it was dark and the fireworks show started. Hoss whimpered as the fireworks screamed, whistled and boomed. Adam turned to his younger brother.<\/p>\n \u201cCome sit on my lap, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n He climbed into Adam\u2019s lap and curled into him. His left ear was against Adam\u2019s chest and blocked out half the noise. Adam put his hand over Hoss\u2019 right ear to block the noise out completely. Adam positioned himself so Hoss could still see the fireworks.<\/p>\n After the show was over, everyone made their way to their wagons, buggies, or to the hotel. Before the Cartwright family went to the hotel for the night, Ben led the boys to the livery stable.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought we were going to the hotel?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are but I have a surprise for you, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n In the dimly lit stable, Adam saw the colt tied to their wagon.<\/p>\n \u201cIs that for me?\u201d He asked in surprise.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, it is. It\u2019s for you to raise.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam rushed to the pony and stroked him.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s beautiful. Thank you, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHorsey!\u201d Hoss said excitedly.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Hoss, a horsey. Come and pet him,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n Hoss went up to the horse and patted him.<\/p>\n \u201cNice, horsey.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you going to name him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019ll name him Sport,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a good name. All right how about we go to the hotel and get some sleep,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n The three went to the hotel room as Adam excitedly told his father about the three- legged races, the arm wrestling the older men did, listening to the women talk about their preserves or quilts, watching the older boys racing horses or pitching horseshoes. Ben smiled as he listened to Adam\u2019s descriptions of his day. It had been quite a day for the young family.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Brandsters.\u00a0 The story was originally written and published on the Bonanza Trail Riders site.\u00a0 Brand is happy to offer this story a new home.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Summary: Adam gets a Fourth of July surprise.
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