Summary: The Cartwright harvest party doesn’t quite go as planned for Ben, or his guests.<\/p>\n
Rating: G, Word Count: 2682<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Jug of Punch<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben was in a relatively good mood as he strode here and there putting the finishing touches to the many decorations in their large cozy living room. They were to have their annual end of harvest party that evening. Why shouldn\u2019t he be happy. He had no way of knowing that one of his beloved sons would later that night admit that he had killed a man.<\/p>\n For all Ben knew all was right with the world and there was nothing on the horizon but a peaceful time with friends and family. Hoss and Joe were in the kitchen helping Hop Sing with the food preparations. No one would have guessed that the experienced cook from China would prefer to work alone. He listened patiently as Hoss and Joe fought over making fresh punch. He dutifully carried out his many tasks and said nothing deciding instead to offer it up for all the blessing God could give to his large extended family.<\/p>\n He made his delicate meat filled pies and sausage rolls managing to completely ignore the ongoing argument in the corner of the kitchen.<\/p>\n Hoss was now trying to take the punch bowl away from Joe sloshing the foul colored liquid everywhere.<\/p>\n \u201cDarn it Joe, you can\u2019t put herbs into the punch, you\u2019re gonna ruin it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTake your hands off the punch bowl, I\u2019ll call Pa an’ he\u2019ll tan you good. Hop Sing, Hoss won\u2019t let me finish the punch an’ you already said I could do it.\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing let them play away with it. It had them distracted long enough for him to get another batch of little pies into the oven.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s more likely Pa will tan you for putting herbs in the punch.\u201d Hoss yelled as he tried to heave the bowl upwards.<\/p>\n 13-year-old Joe was now flaming red with anger.<\/p>\n Ben heard the commotion and stood exasperated at the kitchen door. He then turned and headed for the stairs. Adam was in his room humming to himself as he ran a comb through his fine dark hair.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, can\u2019t you hear the commotion going on downstairs. Kindly stop preening yourself and come down and help.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam let out a sigh, \u201cI am not preening myself. You want me to look scruffy in front of our business partners.\u201d<\/p>\n As Adam left his bedroom Ben took hold of him and steered him towards the stairs. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you just take him out to the barn and tie him to something until the party\u2019s over.\u201d Adam suggested.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is not helpful Adam. Kindly go into the kitchen and separate them. If I go, I am lightly to kill one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n Reluctantly Adam headed into the kitchen, he was glad to see just little Joe. He was stirring a large bowl of punch.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam peered into it. \u201cWhat\u2019s that floating near the top?\u201d he asked pulling a face.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s herbs I\u2019ve gathered. Pa always puts herbs in the punch along with his home remedy alcohol and fruit and cloves.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam had lost interest. Hop Sing was carefully sliding pies out of the oven and they smelt delicious.<\/p>\n \u201cOldest son, must not look at pies like that. Pies for guests.\u201d Hop Sing told him.<\/p>\n \u201cAh go on Hop Sing, just one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf he gets a pie then so should I,\u201d Joe called out in his boyish voice.<\/p>\n Adam turned and ran at him sending Joe scuttling out of the kitchen.<\/p>\n He then came sauntering back and accepted the proffered little pie with a dimpled grin.<\/p>\n Nineteen-year-old Hoss shuffled into the kitchen looking harassed already.<\/p>\n \u201cThe first of the guests are in the yard. I suppose I best tend to their horses,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n In sympathy Hop Sing handed him a little pie. It was gone with one mouthful and a grubby smile.<\/p>\n ~o~<\/p>\n Before long the large living room was full of happy chattering guests. Sheriff Coffee was there and Doctor Lowery and Miss Clementine. Laura Dayton was there with her new beau Billy Tyler. He was a big, cheerful looking cowboy with large ears and an easy grin. He didn\u2019t seem to have much in the way of conversation. As soon as they arrived, he let out a whoop of delight and headed straight to the buffet table. He took a napkin and a plate and loaded it up. Laura went over to Adam and tried hard to make it look like she was just working the room.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, it\u2019s good to see you. You\u2019re looking very fit and well. I\u2019m here with Billy Tyler. I hope that won\u2019t be a problem?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam put his glass down and looked at her. He\u2019d only known Laura Dayton about a month. For some reason she considered that to be some class of relationship.<\/p>\n \u201cYes Adam, I was expecting that look but really Billy doesn\u2019t mean that much to me. He is sensitive and kind and knows to ask a girl promptly and not leave her waiting. He\u2019s everything a man ought to be.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam looked over at Billy. He was knocking into people wrestling little Joe and his face was looking flushed as the young boy seemed to be winning.<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me,\u201d Adam left her side and went over. He pulled his 13-year-old brother away from the bigger man.<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t you show a level of maturity for once in your life? This is an adult party.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe started it,\u201d Joe shot back at his older brother.<\/p>\n \u201cNo I didn\u2019t,\u201d Billy was coming over. \u201dYou took the last pie an I was lookin at it. That means it was mine.\u201d<\/p>\n Laura was flaming red as she took Billy\u2019s hand and led him off in another direction.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll talk soon Adam,\u201d she called to him as she brought Billy towards a chair to sit.<\/p>\n \u201cI could have taken him,\u201d Joe frowned up at his brother.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, but you don\u2019t start in on people at a party, Joe. Why don\u2019t you go get the Sheriff another drink? He\u2019s out of brandy and I suspect you\u2019ll need to keep in his good books for the years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben was having his own problems. He was trying to smile as if everything was normal but there was a very obvious smell in the living room. Ben rounded on Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cDid you walk horse dirt into this house Hoss,\u201d he whispered urgently.<\/p>\n \u201cIt weren\u2019t me Pa, it were Miss Clementine. She got it on her shoe. I tried to stir her away from it, but she just kept on talking up at me an didn\u2019t listen too good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2019ll try to discreetly have a word, get a flannel and try and clean the stains on the floor, oh and open the window behind my desk. It\u2019s a warm enough night.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben smiled to the faces that greeted him as he tried to make his way over to Clementine. Hop Sing was suddenly by his side.<\/p>\n \u201cMister Cartwright, the punch. I was going to throw it away, but somebody brought it out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing, what are you talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe punch, Joe\u2019s punch. They are all drinking it.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben glanced over as Wilber Smith. He was by the punch bowl devouring the rancid looking green liquid.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe made the punch?\u201d Ben turned to his cook.<\/p>\n \u201cI was going to throw it away, but I got busy in kitchen. Someone brought it out.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben startled as one of the ladies cried out. She lifted her dainty shoe to look underneath it.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease Miss Adelaide, let me show you to the washroom,\u201d Ben took her arm and began leading her out.<\/p>\n Wilber Smith watched them go and raised his glass of punch before downing its contents in one go. Adam came up beside Hoss who was looking a tad worried.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, did you take care of the washroom earlier or did you opt for your usual\u00a0lick and a promise?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n Many others followed Ben and Miss Adelaide out to the washroom to clean their shoes and once they got there, they all had a good look at a wet towel on the ground, full bathtub of dirty water and Hoss\u2019s work clothes splayed out on a stool complete with extra large long johns.<\/p>\n Ben closed his eyes and wished himself far enough away as they all cleaned their shoes and muttered about how hard Hoss works and how farming was a dirty business, but someone had to do it.<\/p>\n Soon after, everyone was tucking into a wonderful buffet supper as laid out by Hop Sing. Ben began to feel easy in himself knowing that the evening was winding down. He listened and laughed at the many stories Doctor Lowery was telling. Everyone laughed at the stories Doctor Lowery was telling about his patients and at the same time they all vowed never to visit his surgery.<\/p>\n Suddenly Joe was by Ben’s side.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, Pa please come. I need you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, I\u2019m having dinner. Go and eat something and I\u2019ll talk to you later hmm?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, It\u2019s Wilber Smith. I think he\u2019s dead.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben spluttered on a mouthful of wine. Sheriff Coffee looked over at him.<\/p>\n Ben quickly got up and wiped his mouth with a napkin. He smiled to his guests as he excused himself.<\/p>\n Soon he and Joe were running towards the barn.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat foolishness is this Joe?\u201d he asked, hoping fervently that it was just foolishness.<\/p>\n But no, sure enough Wilber Smith was laid out on the hay with his eyes wide open and staring. He looked ghastly.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, go to the house,\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, maybe it was the punch. He drank quite a lot of it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShhh,\u201d Ben hissed at him. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t the punch. He\u2019s, er, he\u2019s an old man. Keep that dry Joe, he didn\u2019t have much of the punch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean keep that dry Pa, keep what dry?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKeep it a secret, that\u2019s what I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you just say keep it a secret. I\u2019m only 13. I can\u2019t expect to be standing here looking at a dead man and learning new phrases at the same time Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know Joe, I know.\u201d Ben put a hand to his shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cHe didn\u2019t seem tired Pa, he was dancing with Miss Dayton earlier. Pa if my punch killed him does that mean I got my first notch?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe only notch you\u2019ll get is with my belt on your behind if you don\u2019t go in that house.\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone had to be told. Doctor Lowery went out and examined the patient. He came back looking grim and declaring that the man died from extremely badly made punch.<\/p>\n Ben looked with anxious eyes to the rest of the guests.<\/p>\n \u201cOk, who had a glass of punch?\u201d he asked them.<\/p>\n Adam was suddenly by his side. \u201cPa, I had the punch, and it was more than just a glass.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGo throw up outside.\u201d Ben pushed him in that direction.<\/p>\n \u201cWell speak up, who else had the punch?\u201d<\/p>\n His eyes narrowed as he noted Miss Clementine in the corner of the room. She was lying on the couch and Laura Dayton was fanning her. Ben went immediately to her side.<\/p>\n \u201cYes Ben,\u201d Laura answered his questioning eyes. \u201cShe had quite a lot of the punch and she has been feeling unwell ever since.<\/p>\n Ben nodded with a heavy heart.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, help me carry her into the spare room. She will be more comfortable in a bed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes sir,\u201d<\/p>\n Soon the poor lady was tucked up in bed. She did look ghastly pale. She whimpered to herself as she drifted into sleep. Doctor Lowery immediately went to examine her. He came out looking stone faced.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Clementine is a very sick lady Ben. There\u2019s no point in hiding the truth. It\u2019s out of my hands.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoctor, what does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019ll reach a point of crisis tonight, if she passes it, all well and good, if not \u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n The Doctor shrugged, he then went over to help himself to a sausage roll and a glass of brandy. They all just stared after him. Hoss finally broke the silence.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll stay with her Pa,\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n After that there were quite a few guests who needed to lie down. They all stayed in the living room covered in blankets and moaning to themselves. Ben filled basins of water and sponged their foreheads and offered sips of water. Adam and Joe brought down more blankets and pillows to make everyone comfortable. Doctor Lowery went into the kitchen and made up a large bowl of broth with chicken and herbs. He sat down at the table and had it with bread and butter and a glass of wine.<\/p>\n As dawn approached everyone felt weak and worn out but as yet there were no further fatalities. Ben went into the kitchen to make some coffee. He was beyond tired.<\/p>\n \u201cHello Ben,\u201d Wilber said as he washed his face at the sink.<\/p>\n \u201cHello Wilber,\u201d Ben muttered as he poured the coffee. He turned and headed back into the living room sipping the strong coffee with a wince.<\/p>\n \u201cWilber!\u201d<\/p>\n They all looked up as Wilber Smith sauntered into the living room.<\/p>\n \u201cWilber you\u2019re alive!!\u201d Ben called out.<\/p>\n \u201cCourse I\u2019m alive I fell asleep in your barn. That punch was strong stuff. My head feels like I been kicked by a bad-tempered old mule.\u201d<\/p>\n He put a hand up and scratched at his thinning hair.<\/p>\n \u201cBut we thought you were dead,\u201d Laura said, looking up at him in shock.<\/p>\n \u201cI weren\u2019t dead. I was sleepin’ is all. Oh yeah, I sometimes sleep with my eyes open. It used to drive my good lady wife to distraction. She\u2019d put a towel over my face at night.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDidn\u2019t anyone think to check for a heartbeat?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n \u201cBut he was cold,\u201d Doctor Lowery said.<\/p>\n \u201cCold, I was freezing in that there barn. I\u2019ve slept in a good many barns in my time, but that barn would give you frost bite in the middle of a fourth of July dance off. But I forgive you Ben because that was some good party you had last night.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben suddenly broke into a smile. \u201cThe punch hasn\u2019t killed anyone, thank heavens.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss Frowned, \u201cBut what about Miss Clementine Pa, she is mighty sick an I don\u2019t think she has reached that crisis the good doctor was talkin about.\u201d<\/p>\n A door suddenly opened behind them and the lady herself staggered out of the bedroom. They all watched as she walked slowly towards the table and put a hand on it to steady herself. Ben moved forward as she suddenly looked as though she would feint. Instead, she let out an enormous belch.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, that does feel better,\u201d she said as she took a seat at the table. \u201cWhat\u2019s for breakfast?\u201d<\/p>\n Doctor Lowery flounced up from his seat and grabbed his bag.<\/p>\n \u201cI have little time for such nonsense,\u201d he said as he made his exit.<\/p>\n They all laughed as everyone was suddenly feeling better.<\/p>\n Hop Sing stood up and clapped his hands together \u201cWhat everyone want for breakfast?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone wants you to sit down Hop Sing. I\u2019ll make some bacon and eggs for everyone and when you have had some you will go to bed and sleep.\u201d Ben told him.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll help Pa,\u201d Hoss agreed.<\/p>\n Joe built up the fire and everyone sat where they could as Ben, Hoss and Adam began preparing breakfast for the guests.<\/p>\n \u201cImagine that Doctor Lowery didn\u2019t even check Wilber out properly.\u201d Ben said as he fried up strips of bacon.<\/p>\n \u201cBut Pa, remember he was treating Adam. He said that Adam was on the brink of death an you stayed up all night with him. Turns out it was a bad case of gas,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was not gas,\u201d Adam muttered.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, I took a turn to sit with you the next day, I think it was gas. But anyway, I\u2019m sure glad you got better older brother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was not gas,\u201d Adam repeated.<\/p>\n The End<\/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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Summary: The Cartwright harvest party doesn’t quite go as planned for Ben, or his guests.\u00a0\u00a0
\nAdam could hear Joe\u2019s voice as he was yelling at Hoss.<\/p>\n
\nRating: G, Word Count: 2682<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12475,"featured_media":5348,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[1004,23,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-48073","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ben-cartwright","category-drama","category-humor","wpcat-1004-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-4-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/CartwrightFamily.jpg?fit=259%2C194&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48073","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\/12475"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=48073"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48073\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5348"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=48073"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=48073"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=48073"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}