Summary: This is an adaption of the Big Valley episode Boy Into Man, S2, E18 written by A. I. Bezzerides. Part of the Bonanza Trailriders Legacy.<\/p>\n
Rating: G, Word Count: 6976<\/p>\n
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Chapter 1<\/strong><\/p>\n Hoss wheeled around when he heard yelling in the street. The next thing he knew, fifteen year-old Jake Turner bounced off of him and landed in the arms of Sam Dawson. The mercantile owner quickly extracted a couple of potatoes and an apple from the boy\u2019s jacket pockets and handed them to Hoss.<\/p>\n Grabbing the lad by the lapels of his jacket, Dawson shouted into the boy\u2019s face, \u201cI\u2019m going to take you to the sheriff!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOver a potato or two.\u201d Hoss held out the produce in disbelief. \u201cNo, now jest hold up a minute, Mr. Dawson, I don\u2019t think Roy Coffee would wanna be bothered with this. You can put these on the Ponderosa account. Why don\u2019tcha jest leave him with me and I\u2019ll take Jake home to his ma.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t need anybody standin\u2019 up for me\u201d, the dark-haired teen protested.<\/p>\n Hoss ignored the boy\u2019s comment. \u201cWhaddya say, Sam?\u201d<\/p>\n The store owner reluctantly released the boy, \u201cAll right, Hoss, if you say so, but you tell his ma that if he ever takes anything from my store again, he\u2019s going to jail!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShore \u2018nough, Mr. Dawson.\u201d<\/p>\n Jake stood glaring at Sam Dawson as he walked back to his store.<\/p>\n Hoss shoved the produce into Jake\u2019s hands. \u201cMight as well take this with us since it\u2019s paid fur.\u201d The big man took hold of the boy\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n \u201cYou ain\u2019t takin\u2019 me anywheres!\u201d Jake rolled his shoulder out of Hoss\u2019 grasp.<\/p>\n \u201cWell now, that\u2019d be where yur wrong, Jake. I\u2019m gonna take you\u00a0ta yur ma\u2019s. Now you\u00a0kin do this easy like or hard, but yur goin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n Jake\u2019s face was rock hard as he turned to walk toward his mother\u2019s dress shop. Minutes later, Hoss knocked on the door of Laurel Turner\u2019s shop. He was forced to reach out and grab hold of Jake by the arm when the boy attempted to bolt. Hoss held onto his young charge as he continued to knock. When no one came, Hoss opened the door and pushed Jake inside.<\/p>\n \u201cMiz Turner? Robbie? Maddie?\u201d Hoss peered into a room off the kitchen and then turned toward Jake. \u201cWhere\u2019s yur ma — yur brother and little sis?\u201d The lad made a point of looking away and refusing to answer Hoss\u2019 questions. The big man picked a dirty glass from the table and examined it. \u201cWell, I guess wherever she went, she took Robbie and Maddie with her.\u201d Setting the glass back on the table, \u201cGuess we might as well go.\u201d Hoss placed his hand on the boy\u2019s back and Jake angrily pulled away. \u201cNow Jake, yur stayin\u2019 with me \u2018til I talk with yur ma. Come on.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss forced Jake toward the door. The door barely got closed when they heard a child\u2019s pleading voice coming from inside the shop. Throwing the door back open, Hoss saw the younger two Turner children, Robbie and Maddie, come running toward him.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t go! Please, don\u2019t go!\u201d Robbie hollered.<\/p>\n Jake gave his brother a hard look, \u201cI told you to stay put!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou was gonna leave us!\u201d Robbie shouted back at his older brother.<\/p>\n Hoss looked down at the younger boy, \u201cRobbie, where\u2019s yur ma?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe went away.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShut up!\u201d Jake yelled.<\/p>\n Hoss persisted, \u201cWhere\u2019d she go?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t tell him nothin\u2019.\u201d Jake continued, trying to dissuade his brother.<\/p>\n Hoss paid no attention to Jake and remained focused on the smaller boy. \u201cHow many days has she bin gone?\u201d<\/p>\n Robbie held up both hands displaying ten fingers.<\/p>\n Jake slapped his brother\u2019s hands down. \u201cShut up!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t say nothin\u2019!\u201d Robbie spit out.<\/p>\n \u201cTen days, Robbie?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMore than that. Only I ain\u2019t got enough fingers.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss grimaced in frustration. \u201cWhere\u2019d she go?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRobbie!\u201d Jake reprimanded.<\/p>\n The younger boy gave his brother a look of resignation before turning back to Hoss. \u201cI can\u2019t tell you that cause I don\u2019t know. Jake knows. Ma told him before she went away.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m hungry\u201d, Maddie gave Hoss a pitiful look.<\/p>\n Hoss squatted down to the little girl\u2019s level and gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze, \u201cWell, I bet you are at that, sweetie pie, so I tell you what, I\u2019m gonna take you\u2019ll back ta my ranch. How would you like a tall glass of milk and some bacon an\u2019 eggs?\u201d<\/p>\n Robbie grinned. \u201cI like ham better.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss gave the boy a nod. \u201cWell then, ham it\u2019ll be.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWith hotcakes?\u201d Robbie displayed his enthusiasm on his sweet cherub face.<\/p>\n Hoss rose up to his full height. \u201cHop Sing’ll make you a heapin\u2019 stack o\u2019 hotcakes oozin\u2019 with melted butter and hot syrup.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTell him you don\u2019t want any!\u201d Jake fired at his brother. \u201cIt would probably poison you if you took it anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n Maddie looked with longing at her older brother. \u201cI\u2019m hungry, Jake.\u201d<\/p>\n Jake dropped his head realizing that he was fighting a losing battle and causing his siblings even more grief.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Jake is bigger an\u2019 he kin take care of himself, but you two gotta have somebody look after you an\u2019 see that you get fed. Come on along now.\u201d<\/p>\n Robbie hesitated on the porch and turned to look back at his brother who was standing in the doorway. \u201cYou could come too, Jake.\u201d The younger boy paused and then went on with an earnest voice. \u201cyou got to. you promised you wouldn\u2019t leave us. you promised Ma.\u201d<\/p>\n Conflicted, Jake thought for a moment, then closed the door behind him and followed the others. Hoss glanced down to find Maddie beaming up at him. He picked her up and the group headed for the livery to rent a rig.<\/p>\n Later at the ranch, Jake sat at the dinner table beside Ben staring at the plate of food in front of him while his siblings were eating their fill with gusto.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter, Jake? Why aren\u2019t you eating?\u201d Ben\u2019s brows knit together with concern as Jake remained silent and uninterested in eating.<\/p>\n Joe piped up. \u201cMaybe he doesn\u2019t like ham and potato salad.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s crazier than I am about ham and potato salad\u201d, Robbie told Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe he isn\u2019t hungry. Ben added.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s hungrier than I am, too.\u201d Robbie gave his brother a questioning look. \u201cHe\u2019s been giving his share to Maddie and me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou feeling OK, Jake?\u201d Joe asked with sincerity.<\/p>\n When Jake refused to answer, Joe excused himself from the table and headed for the corral. Ben left also and went upstairs to check with Hoss on the preparation of the room for the children. With no adults present, Jake scolded Robbie for readily accepting and eating the food, then he sneaked up the stairs to listen in on any conversations that might be occurring.<\/p>\n Ben ran a hand through his hair. \u201cI just can\u2019t understand why Laurel went away and left those children. And why wouldn\u2019t Jake talk to you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I don\u2019t get it either, Pa, but mebbe things jest got so bad, she kinda lost her head. Laurel always was an independent sort. You don\u2019t s\u2019pose she really left \u2018em fur good do you?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben heard a noise in the hallway and put a finger to his lips. By the time he stuck his head out of the the room all he could see was Jake\u2019s back as the boy made his way toward the stairs.<\/p>\n Ben spoke loudly enough so that Jake would be able to hear what he was saying. \u201cNo, Hoss, Laurel was a good wife to Colton and a wonderful mother. No, if she went away, she had a very good reason.\u201d Ben placed his hand on his big son\u2019s shoulder. \u201cWell, it\u2019s time we get the children bathed and in bed.\u201d<\/p>\n Later, the three Turner children appeared from the washroom freshly bathed and in clean nightshirts. Joe, back from the corral, was polishing off an apple as they entered the living room.<\/p>\n \u201cGuess it\u2019s a good thing Hop Sing found some of our old nightshirts in the attic. Who are these good lookin\u2019 kids, anyway?\u201d Joe winked at Maddie.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, you promised to read us a story\u201d, Maddie whined.<\/p>\n \u201cThat I did. Come on over here and have seat. You, too, Robbie.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben looked up from his desk. \u201cReady to finish your supper now, Jake?\u201d<\/p>\n Jake stormed off up the stairs practically running into Hoss on the landing. Ben looked at his sons with dismay. Maddie yanked on Joe\u2019s arm and he began to read.<\/p>\n Ben nodded toward the kitchen. \u201cI could use a cup of coffee. Care to join me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, me too.\u201d Hoss followed his father past the dining room table.<\/p>\n Ben poured two cups and offered one to his middle son who was already seated at the small kitchen table.<\/p>\n Wrapping his big hands around his coffee cup, Hoss mused. \u201cI thought Jake liked it here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe used to or at least he seemed to, but that was over three years ago. Do you remember when I hired Colton on about five years back? Colt and Laurel lived in the cabin over by the meadow. Before that, things had been pretty tough for them. They were happy here, especially Jake. But then there was the accident. Laurel was adamant about moving into town and starting the dress shop. Didn\u2019t want to accept charity.\u201d Hoss gave his father a nod of recollection. \u201cSome of that must have rubbed off on Jake. He\u2019s definitely got a burr under his saddle.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, no doubt \u2018bout that. Sure hope he comes around.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben let out a deep sigh. \u201cYes, hopefully sooner rather than later.\u201d<\/p>\n Initially, Jake had headed to the guest bedroom, but then detoured to have a look around since none of the family was currently upstairs. He happened to pick Adam\u2019s room first. He noticed the music box that had belonged to Adam\u2019s mother on the dresser. Running his fingers over the decorative detail, he then lifted the lid. Sweet music met his ears and for the first time in a long while he smiled. Quickly closing the lid, Jake returned it to its proper place. After taking quick peeks into the other rooms, the boy went to the guest room and flopped onto the bed. He folded his arms behind his head and began to concoct a plan.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 2<\/strong><\/p>\n The following day, Hoss asked Jake to join him on a trip into town to get supplies. The boy was sullen and uncommunicative until the big man offered him the reins to the team. Hoss was pleased that things in town went without incident regardless of the fact that Jake seemed distracted. Loaded up and ready to head for home, Hoss suddenly remembered an item he had forgotten and went back into the general store. Jake realized once Hoss was out of sight that he possibly had his only chance to dash unsupervised to the stage office and ask about the price of a fare to Placerville. When Hoss returned, he was not pleased to find the seat of the buckboard empty. Laying his package on the seat, he took off down the street calling Jake\u2019s name.<\/p>\n Wally Barnes, an old miner who was well-known in the area for his perpetual lack of success, was leading his donkey in the street and called out to the preoccupied Cartwright. \u201cHoss! Hoss! I got somethin\u2019 ta tell ya!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHello Wally.\u201d Hoss glanced briefly at the old man who was dressed in typical miner\u2019s garb with a floppy hat and tall boots. Hoss then turned away and continued scanning the street for Jake.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re gonna be the first one ta hear my big news.\u201d Barnes shook his finger at Hoss and laughed. \u201cMe and Eunie, we jest got down from Cedar Hill. We\u2019re on our way to the assay office with a great big sack full o\u2019 ore, and this time, Hoss, we hit it big! Really big! Didn\u2019t we, Eunie!\u201d Wally Barnes practically danced with excitement. \u201cMe and Eunie finally struck it rich! Rich, I tell ya! Why Hoss, I got gold nuggets in these here packs as big as yur head! Yes sir!\u201d Barnes gestured with his hands for emphasis.<\/p>\n \u201cWell that\u2019s fine, Wally. Right fine.\u201d Hoss nodded, though unconvinced of Barne\u2019s story based on his tendency to exaggerate.<\/p>\n Wally Barnes reached into his pack and got a handful of sugar for his donkey and spoke to it as the scruffy gray beast licked the sweet granules from his hand. \u201cYes sir. Eunie ain\u2019t never gonna hav\u2019ta carry a pack no more, no sir. You hear that, Eunie? No more packs!\u201d Barnes spoke loudly into the donkey\u2019s ear. And you know what else? Tonight we\u2019re gonna sleep in that livery stable over yonder. I don\u2019t care how much it costs!\u201d<\/p>\n Just then Hoss spied Jake running down the street toward the buckboard. \u201cExcuse me, Wally, but I gotta go.\u201d Hoss took off jogging toward his rig.<\/p>\n \u201cHe don\u2019t believe me, Eunie.\u201d Wally Barnes pointed his thumb in the direction Hoss was running. \u201cNobody believes me! They all think I\u2019m crazy!\u201d<\/p>\n Jake was seated in the buckboard acting as if nothing had happened by the time Hoss got there. Hoss chose not to say anything about the boy\u2019s disappearance since he was back. He told Jake to take the reins and drive them home. The boy responded with a genuine smile.<\/p>\n At dinner that evening, Jake ate the food on his plate for he was finally so hungry that the needs of his body just took over. He only spoke when spoken to and kept his conversation to a bare minimum. It was a sharp contrast to Robbie and Maddie who chattered away about all they had done while Hoss and Jake were in town. Adam\u2019s return from a business trip to Sacramento came up in the dinner-time conversation. Though he was quite interested in that information, Jake focused only on clearing his plate.<\/p>\n After supper, Jake insisted that Robbie and Maddie head to bed early. He answered their loud complaints with a promise to read to them in bed. The Cartwrights praised him for caring for his siblings, but Jake had other reasons for his perceived good behavior. Because Adam was due back by suppertime the next day, he knew it might be his only opportunity for a long while to execute his plan. Jake managed to get his siblings in bed and to sleep in short order. He cautiously slipped out of bed and back into his clothes and proceeded to sneak into Adam\u2019s room and take the music box, tucking it into his jacket pocket. Back in the guest room, Jake paused at the window when Robbie rolled over in the bed. Jake inched his way out and into the nearby tree. Soon he was on the ground. Once in the barn, he saddled Ginger and led her around the corner before mounting up and riding away.<\/p>\n Though is was quite late by the time Jake reached town, the saloon was still alive with patrons. Jake hesitated, but then worked up the gumption to approach a table where four men were playing poker. One of the men took notice of him and asked what he wanted. Pulling the music box from his pocket, Jake said he wanted to sell it for eleven dollars and fifty cents. The men at the table laughed him off and offered the boy four bits. Suddenly Jake was drawn to a drunk old man who was shouting about having struck it rich. Jake walked over as the man poured himself another drink of whiskey and opened the music box. The sweet strains of the song captured Wally Barnes attention, and the old miner pushed himself out of his chair and did a little wobbly jig. The distraction was short lived when Barnes suddenly realized he was going to be late getting to the assay office. Jake watched intently as the miner poured gold dust into a scale to pay his bar bill. He followed Barnes out of the saloon and down the boardwalk listening to the inebriated man\u2019s rants.<\/p>\n \u201cNobody believes old Wally, but I\u2019m gonna show \u2018em!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI believe you, Mr. Barnes.\u201d Jake offered with sincerity as he quickly caught up to the old man.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m gonna be the richest man around town cause I got millions just waiting for me to dig it outta the ground. Millions!\u201d<\/p>\n Jake opened the music box again so Barnes could listen.<\/p>\n The old miner grinned at the boy. \u201cSay, that tune sure is a toe-tapper. Makes a fella wanna dance.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can buy it and play it all you want! All I want is eleven-fifty!\u201d Jake replied, breathless with anticipation. \u201cThat\u2019s not hardly a speck of dust outta your poke.\u201d<\/p>\n Barnes groaned and waved the boy off before he turned and continued down the street.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Barnes! Mr. Barnes!\u201d Jake shouted as he followed after him. \u201cMr. Barnes, please, Mr. Barnes. I\u2019ll give you the music box for free — for nothing, if you\u2019ll just loan me eleven-fifty. I promise to pay you back some day! I promise!\u201d<\/p>\n Barnes ran a finger under his nose and then grabbed his bag of gold dust and poured a little into Jake\u2019s waiting handkerchief. The boy carefully folded the hankie and put it into his pocket. He disappeared before Barnes could even get the music box open. Neither Jake nor Barnes had seen or heard the man waiting in the shadows. Moments later, Wally Barnes was lying dead in the alley from a blow to the head. His bag of gold dust taken while the music box continued to play.<\/p>\n The next morning, Roy Coffee showed up at the Ponderosa asking to speak with Jake. The shocked expression on Ben\u2019s face turned to intense frustration when the boy was nowhere to be found. Not even Robbie or Maddie had any idea where their older brother had gone.<\/p>\n Unbeknownst to the Cartwrights and his siblings, Jake had taken the early morning stage to Placerville. Upon arriving the following day, Jake went to the boarding house his mother had mentioned before leaving Virginia City. He questioned the older woman who ran the establishment and was shocked when she told him he would find his mother at one of the local saloons. The look of condemnation Jake gave his mother as he watched her dancing with a cowboy brought the woman up short. Laurel Turner pointedly interrogated her son about Robbie and Maddie\u2019s whereabouts. Disgusted at seeing his mother as a common saloon girl, he ran out leaving the distraught woman restrained by her next dance partner and calling for son. For the the better part of a day, Jake hid in Placerville avoiding being found by his mother. Laurel Turner was afraid to leave town without her son, but she was also terrified at the thought that her smaller children were in danger.<\/p>\n The Cartwrights, with Roy\u2019s help, had pieced together the story and determined Jake\u2019s destination. Hoss took off on Chubb and took an extra mount for Jake knowing that he could make better time than a stagecoach riding there himself. He found the angry boy begging for coins along the boardwalk in Placerville. Seated with his head down, Jake did not see Hoss approaching.<\/p>\n \u201cJake! Jake, did you find yur ma?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, she ain\u2019t here,\u201d Jake lied; so despondent and absorbed in his troubles he barely acknowledged the big man.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure,\u201d Jake was adamant as he stared off in the opposite direction. \u201cMade the trip for nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFinding her kin wait. Lucky I caught you b\u2019fore the sheriff did.\u201d<\/p>\n Jake\u2019s head jerked around and up toward Hoss. The big man pulled off his hat and sat down beside the boy.<\/p>\n \u201cJake, yur in a heap o\u2019 trouble. The sheriff thinks you killed Wally Barnes.\u201d For a moment Jake looked at Hoss and then focused again on the long stem of grass he was chewing on. \u201cThey found Adam\u2019s music box beside Wally\u2019s body. And there was sev\u2019ral witnesses that said they saw you tryin\u2019 ta sell it. So you musta dropped it.\u201d Jake kept chewing on the stem. \u201cWhatya got ta say fur yurself, Jake?\u201d The stone-faced boy blew out a breath and looked away from Hoss. \u201cJake, you was there! you musta seen somethin\u2019!\u201d Jake examined his feet. \u201cWell, you got some time b\u2019fore we get back ta Virginia City. you kin be thinkin\u2019 on what yur gonna tell the sheriff. Now come on.\u201d Hoss huffed. \u201cWe gotta ourselves a long ride.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss took Jake by the arm and urged him to his feet. The boy gave him a cold look and Hoss released him..<\/p>\n Two days later, Hoss and Ben stood facing an agitated Jake. \u201cDo you want us to believe that you did it? Do you want us to believe that you picked up that rock and you killed that helpless old man?\u201d Jake looked away and then turned back to face Ben. \u201cThat you sneaked behind him and brutally murdered the man?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s obvious frustration and tirade pained Hoss. \u201cPa! Jake, come on, son. You gotta defend yurself!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cListen to me Jake, and you listen good. If you continue to refuse to talk, you may hang. Do you understand what I\u2019m telling you?\u201d<\/p>\n When Jake turned to the wall, Hoss grabbed his father\u2019s arm. \u201cIt ain\u2019t no use, Pa. Looks like all the yellin\u2019 in the world ain\u2019t gonna change things. Come on. Let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben released a deep sigh of defeat. \u201cAll right.\u201d He left the cell and entered into the Roy Coffee\u2019s office.<\/p>\n Hoss moved toward Jake and placed a big hand on the boy\u2019s shoulder. Jake pulled angrily out of his grasp.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, Jake, whether you think so or not, we\u2019re yur friends. Iffen that ain\u2019t good \u2018nough, then you best be thinkin\u2019 \u2018bout Robbie and Maddie. What\u2019s gonna happen ta them if you ain\u2019t around? And think on how yur ma would feel.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy ma!\u201d Jake responded with disdain.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, yur ma!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt wouldn\u2019t matter one bit to her! She wouldn\u2019t stay awake for one second.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh now, Jake, you know that jest ain\u2019t so!\u201d Hoss reached out, but thought better of it and jammed his hands into his pockets.<\/p>\n Jake wheeled around with fury in his eyes. \u201cDon\u2019t you tell me about my ma! I know all about my ma! She\u2019s a saloon girl! A cheap, painted saloon girl!\u201d<\/p>\n Laurel Turner had taken the stagecoach from Placerville after giving up on finding her son. It did not take long arriving in town shortly after Hoss and Jake to find out that her son was in jail for murdering Wally Barnes.<\/p>\n \u201cJake!\u201d Laurel surprised Hoss and her son as she now stood at the cell door. She was dressed in her normal modest clothing, but her face was a mix of sadness and relief. She ran in and tried to pull her son into her arms. \u201cOh, honey.\u201d Jake pushed away and faced the wall.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll wanna talk ta Jake private like,\u201d Hoss offered as her began to walk out of the cell.<\/p>\n \u201cNo! No, Hoss! Please stay!\u201d Laurel pleaded. Jake stood with his hands pressed against the cell wall. \u201cJake! Look at me! I heard about what happened as soon as I set foot in town. They say you killed a man. That isn\u2019t true, is it?\u201d Laurel\u2019s voice broke as tears filled her eyes. I wanna know, Jake!\u201d The woman leaned into her son\u2019s back. \u201cSon, if your trying to hurt your mother, you can\u2019t do a better job than I\u2019ve done myself already.\u201d The broken woman dissolved into sobs.<\/p>\n Hoss watched the mother and son with tears in his eyes, wishing with all his might that he could do something to change the situation.<\/p>\n Laurel stroked her son\u2019s hair. \u201cJake, I did what I thought was best. It seemed the only way. But you didn\u2019t do what I asked you to, Jake! Mr. Cartwright said that Hoss found you and Robbie and Maddie still living in the house. Why didn\u2019t you go to Mr. Cartwright like I asked you to — tell him what I told you?\u201d<\/p>\n Laurel turned and looked up at Hoss. \u201cI would have wrote your father, but I can\u2019t write.\u201d The embarrassed woman rung her hat in her nervous hands. \u201cThat\u2019s why I told Jake to tell him — if he was to take care of my young’ns for a spell.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you take care of us!\u201d Jake spat out and pointed to his mother. \u201cShe ain\u2019t no Ma!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow hold up, Jake. Ma\u2019am, he don\u2019t get why you went away. Mebbe you could explain it ta him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI had to go, Jake.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut pardon me, ma\u2019am, that ain\u2019t tellin\u2019 him why. I don\u2019t think Jake understands why you weren\u2019t here when he needed you.\u201d<\/p>\n Laurel wrapped her arms around herself and then took a seat on the bunk. \u201cI guess I thought when your Pa was alive, he was always going to be there to count on. He was a true blessing that we took for granted. And then one day, he died.\u201d Laurel\u2019s voice cracked with emotion. She got to her feet and walked over and place her hands on Jake\u2019s shoulders. \u201cAnd I didn\u2019t know which way to turn. It\u2019s been two years, now and I need a husband — a man to help raise you children up proper.\u201d She turned to face Hoss. \u201cBut how? How is a woman to meet someone when working all day and mending and sewing and children to take care of? Besides who wants a widow and three children?\u201d Laurel reached out again and squeezed her son\u2019s shoulder. \u201cYour Pa was a good man. That\u2019s why I went back to Placerville. That\u2019s where I met your Pa. I thought if I went back there I might meet somebody like him. But I soon saw that was no use. Wasn\u2019t any man that could measure up to Colt.\u201d Looking up at Hoss, \u201cI would have come back right away, but I thought they would be better off with your family.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss\u2019 expression was soft and his voice gentle. \u201cWell, ma\u2019am, nobody knows better than me how important family is. It sure \u2018pears like it was you that yur kids needed even if it didn\u2019t seem like you could give \u2018em everything you thought they needed.<\/p>\n Laurel nodded in resignation and then turned with determination of grab Jake\u2019s shoulders and caress them. \u201cJake, they say you killed a man.\u201d She turned her son to have him face her. \u201cThat ain\u2019t true, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n With his head hanging down, Jake answered, \u201cI didn\u2019t kill nobody, Ma!\u201d The young man fell into his mother\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n \u201cThen talk to us! How can we help you if you don\u2019t talk!\u201d Laurel Turner implored her son.<\/p>\n \u201cIffen you didn\u2019t kill Mr. Barnes, then you ain\u2019t got nothin\u2019 ta be afraid of.\u201d Hoss added earnestly.<\/p>\n Calming herself, Laurel tried again. \u201cTell us what happened, Jake.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou saw him? You saw Wally Barnes?\u201d Hoss queried.<\/p>\n \u201cI knew you were in Placerville, Ma, and I needed some money to get there.\u201d Jake craned his neck all around the room trying to avoid looking at Hoss and his mother. \u201cSo I stole the music box from Adam\u2019s room and I sold it to Mr. Barnes, but in the street! And that\u2019s the last time I saw him! He was drunk, but he was fine!\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss\u2019 sincere blue eyes bore into the boy. \u201cAnd you ain\u2019t got any idea who killed him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo Hoss, and that\u2019s the truth! I only know that it wasn\u2019t me!\u201d Jake fell into his mother\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n Hoss heaved a great sigh and left the repentant mother and son to themselves.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 3<\/strong><\/p>\n Hoss met his father and Adam in the Silver Dollar after leaving the jail. The Cartwrights sat for a time nursing their beers and discussing Jake\u2019s situation.<\/p>\n Hoss pushed his hat back on his head. \u201cI believed Jake when he said he didn\u2019t kill Barnes, but that don\u2019t put us any closer ta figurin\u2019 out who did it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJake didn\u2019t see anybody and Roy\u2019s got no ideas?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n Hoss took a drink and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. \u201cNope, not a soul, but the way old Wally was mouthin\u2019 off around town the other day, it coulda bin anybody,\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll the same, Jake could hang for it if the guilty party can\u2019t be found.\u201d Worry was etched into Ben\u2019s forehead.<\/p>\n Adam sat rotating his mug in his hands as he pondered the dilemma. \u201cYou know, it just doesn\u2019t seem logical that whoever killed Barnes was after the little bit of gold dust he was carrying. They must have wanted him dead.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019d wanna kill that old man, anyway. It don\u2019t make no sense.\u201d Hoss added.<\/p>\n Ben cocked his head to the side. \u201cYou\u2019re right, especially with so many false claims in the past.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam began tapping his mug as he thought more about Barnes. \u201cHoss, you said that he was on his way to the assay office when you saw Wally the other day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYep. That\u2019s what he said.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam raised his index finger and pointed toward his brother. \u201cSuppose, now just suppose, that for once he was right, that he had struck it rich.\u201d<\/p>\n Initial looks by Ben and Hoss of incredulity changed quickly to possibility. Following a brief discussion, Ben returned to the sheriff\u2019s office as Adam and Hoss made their way to the assay office. Walt Sherman, the claim agent, came out from the back room when he heard the jingle of the door.<\/p>\n \u201cHey Walt.\u201d Hoss greeted the man who was wearing a black visor.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss. Adam. What can I do for you?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam leaned on the counter. \u201cWally Barnes brought some ore in here the other day, didn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right. He was in a big hurry.\u201d The agent folded his hands on the counter and snorted lightly. \u201cWanted me to do the test right then and there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam was jest sayin\u2019 that wouldn\u2019t it be funny if after all these years he really did make a strike.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMake Eunice a mighty rich donkey.\u201d Adam surmised. Walt Sherman forced a smile. \u201cAnyway, did you run a test on it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe said he was coming in later that night; so I hurried up and did the test, but he never got here.\u201d Sherman shrugged.<\/p>\n Hoss shook his head sadly. \u201cI guess he was on his way here when it happened.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. Too bad. He was a nice old man.\u201d Sherman shifted his weight slightly. \u201cI guess that kid took his talk serious about being rich, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, well, did you make out a report?\u201d Adam pressed on.<\/p>\n \u201cAbout the assay? I sure did.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMind if we take a look at it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot at all.\u201d The agent turned to get his ledger. \u201cUh, I have to make a report on every assay, no matter what the result. It\u2019s government regulations.\u201d Sherman laid the open ledger on the counter for the Cartwrights to read for themselves.<\/p>\n \u201cYes the government is strict about keeping records.\u201d Adam commented as he read.<\/p>\n \u201cOne hundred percent pure rock.\u201d Hoss noted.<\/p>\n \u201cJust like all the other samples old Wally brought in.\u201d Sherman examined the ledger. \u201cOh, his hopes were big, but his luck was so bad.\u201d He gave the Cartwrights a confident look with his summation. Hoss nodded. \u201cI just went on and did the tests each time and told him the bad news. I never charged him. Funny thing, though, he never believed me.\u201d Sherman smirked. \u201cKept claiming that I made a mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, ever the optimist.\u201d Adam grimaced and pushed the ledger toward Sherman. \u201cThanks for your time, Walt.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo trouble. Have a good day.\u201d Walt Sherman gave the brothers a quick wave.<\/p>\n The loud bray of a donkey could be heard as Adam and Hoss exited the assay office.<\/p>\n Hoss paused and leaned on the hitching rail. \u201cHey, Adam, don\u2019t that sound like Eunice, Wally Barnes\u2019 old donkey?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s dark brows shot up. \u201cIf so, she’d be the sole survivor to a sack full of rocks.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss slapped his brother on the arm. \u201cWhatya say we buy her and turn her out ta pasture?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam slipped his hands into his back pockets and gave Hoss a skeptical look. \u201cWhat do you mean? Establish a foundation for bereaved donkeys?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss shrugged. \u201cWell, why not?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI guess that\u2019s the least we could do for old Wally.\u201d Adam nodded toward the livery. \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss entered the livery, but found that the proprietor was out. Barnes\u2019 donkey, Eunice, was tethered in a stall and complaining less now that there was someone around.<\/p>\n Adam smacked the donkey on the rump. \u201cWell, Eunice, old girl, looks like your going to spend your last days in clover after all. Come on out here. Let\u2019s have a look at you.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam loosed the donkey and attempt to back it out of the stall, but Eunice did not budge. Adam clicked his tongue and tried to coax the animal, and still the donkey refused to move. Hoss chuckled at his brother\u2019s frustrated attempts.<\/p>\n \u201cWell come on, Eunice!\u201d Adam pulled hard on the donkey\u2019s lead but to no avail. He gave Hoss a look of resignation. \u201cKind of stubborn, isn\u2019t she? I wonder how old Wally got her to move.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSeems to me he always had a handful o\u2019 sugar. Kept it in his pack. Let me see if there\u2019s any in here.\u201d Hoss lifted the flap on the pack that was hanging over the side of the stall.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, let\u2019s give it a try and see if we can get to be friends.\u201d Adam stroked the donkey\u2019s back while Hoss searched the pack.<\/p>\n A piece of ore fell out of the pack and Hoss bent down to pick it up. \u201cHey, whaddya know. Here\u2019s a piece of Wally\u2019s big strike.\u201d Hoss stood up and tossed the rock with his big hand as he examined it. He stopped abruptly and ran a finger over the sample.<\/p>\n Adam took note of the change in his brother\u2019s expression. \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhaddya make o\u2019 that? Hoss handed the rock to his brother.<\/p>\n Adam tossed the rock in his hand. \u201cA lot heavier than it looks, isn\u2019t it? Looks like tellurium. Look how it\u2019s seeded in here like mustard.\u201d Adam pointed to spots on the rock.<\/p>\n \u201cLooks like gold, don\u2019t it, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes it does and somebody knew it.\u201d Adam looked up at his brother. \u201cI think we better have another visit with Walt at the assay office.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cyou think Walt killed Barnes?\u201d Hoss\u2019 disbelief showed on his face. \u201cHe\u2019s run the assay office for a couple of years.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, but I\u2019ve got an idea how we might find out.\u201d Adam cocked a brow and held the ore sample out to his brother.<\/p>\n Minutes later, Hoss entered the assay office alone carrying the ore sample that he had found in Wally Barnes\u2019 pack. \u201cOh — hey Walt. Sorry to bother you again.\u201d Walt Sherman was putting a bag of ore on the bench behind the door as Hoss came in. \u201cI was jest wonderin\u2019 \u2018bout that ore that Wally brought in the other day. Did he say where he dug it up?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot that I recollect.\u201d Sherman moved to lean on the counter.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, you know, the day b\u2019fore Wally was killed he told me he\u2019d bin up on Cedar Hill.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat covers a lotta territory. Could be almost any place. Why\u2019d you ask?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, you know how Wally was always crowin\u2019 \u2018bout how he\u2019d struck it rich.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShoot — that was just talk. Nobody believed him.\u201d The agent deadpanned.<\/p>\n \u201cI know that, but I got some kinda fool notion — well jest s\u2019pose that he had tapped inta that mother-lode. There must be millions of dollars o\u2019 gold up there somewhere, and I thought if I could jest locate his diggin\u2019s, I\u2019d jest poke around a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, you\u2019d just be wastin\u2019 your time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, mebbe yur right.\u201d Hoss turned for the door and then quickly came back around. \u201cAhh, I furgot, Walt, I was jest curious \u2018bout this here rock.\u201d Hoss handed the ore to Sherman. \u201cWhaddya say that is?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, looks like just another piece of rock to me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam thinks it looks like tellurium.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLotsa rock looks like tellurium.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah but that yeller there in that crack — don\u2019t you think that looks like gold?\u201d Hoss pointed at the ore.<\/p>\n Sherman nodded. \u201cYeah, \u2018fools gold\u2019 maybe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd we wouldn\u2019t really know \u2018til you ran a test on it, now would we Walt?\u201d Hoss placed a hand on the agent\u2019s shoulder and looked him directly in the eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you leave it here, I\u2019ll get to it as soon as I can.\u201d Sherman\u2019s tone remained light and congenial.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2019d kinda like ta get it done now. I know yur powerful busy, but I\u2019d be willin\u2019 ta pay extra.\u201d Hoss reached into his pocket for some cash.<\/p>\n Sherman shrugged at the big man. \u201cWell, whatever you say.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss forced a smile. \u201cGood. That\u2019s real good!\u201d<\/p>\n The agent moved behind the counter and pushed the piece of ore against the grinding wheel and began working the pedal.<\/p>\n \u201cSay that sack o\u2019 ore that Wally brought in, it should still be \u2018round here somewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n Sherman paused and turned toward Hoss. \u201cIt\u2019s over on top of that pile. It\u2019s got a tag with his name on it.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss found the bag and brought it over to the counter. Walt Sherman had his eyes fixed on the big man as he pulled a piece of rock from the canvas bag.<\/p>\n \u201cYou must be mistaken, Walt. I want the sack o\u2019 ore that looks like that\u2019n.\u201d Hoss pointed in Sherman\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, all he brought in was those rocks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, yur holdin\u2019 what he brought in. This fell outta his other pack. Walt, Adam\u2019s worked in mines and he said he\u2019s seen lotsa ore like that, an\u2019 it should assay out ta \u2018bout five percent pure gold.\u201d<\/p>\n Suddenly Walt Sherman leaned down to his desk. He pulled out a pistol and aimed it at Hoss.<\/p>\n Hoss face went hard. \u201cYou killed him, didn\u2019t you, and you were gonna let Jake hang fur it? And after while you were gonna file on Wally\u2019s claim.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDrop it, Walt!\u201d Adam suddenly appeared in the doorway to the back room with his gun drawn.<\/p>\n Sherman turned and fired an errant shot, but Adam\u2019s aim was better. Walt Sherman was laid dead on the floor.<\/p>\n The brothers shared looks of relief thankful that neither were hurt, and yet they stood staring down at Sherman wishing things would have been different. Adam bent down and picked up the agent\u2019s revolver.<\/p>\n \u201cWally\u2019s samples musta bin loaded with gold.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded his confirmation. \u201cHe must have made the mistake of telling him where the claim was\u201d, pointing down at the dead agent.<\/p>\n \u201cSomewhere up on Cedar Hill.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam sighed. \u201cLike Walt said, that covers a lot of territory. Could be almost anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah — guess we better get on over ta Roy\u2019s office.\u201d<\/p>\n Robbie Turner was playing in the little fenced yard at his home a while later when Hoss and Jake walked up to the gate.<\/p>\n \u201cMa! Ma! Jake\u2019s home!\u201d Robbie heralded as he ran into the house.<\/p>\n Laurel Turner pulled her older son into her arms when he came through the front door. She clasped his hands in hers. \u201cIt\u2019s good! It\u2019s good to be together as a family again! Oh, Hoss, come in. Please come in! Hoss, there just aren\u2019t words enough to thank you and your family. Will you please tell your pa for me?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss nodded in confirmation. \u201cI\u2019ll do that, but the next time you decide ta leave town, don\u2019t send a message. Deliver it yurself. Might save a lot o\u2019 trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMight save a lot of trouble.\u201d Maddie parroted.<\/p>\n Hoss chuckled at the girl.<\/p>\n Laurel stooped down and took hold of her daughter. \u201cWell, one thing\u2019s for sure, and you can count on this, I\u2019ll never leave my youngins again.\u201d She kissed her little girl on the cheek. \u201cIf there\u2019s a man for my family, it will have to be someone from right here in Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMa, I\u2019m gonna try to get a job and help you all I can.\u201d Jake offered sincerely. \u201cI think I can work at the grocery store.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell now Jake, that\u2019s a job fur a boy, not a man. you know one o\u2019 our line riders quit this week I was jest thinkin\u2019 mebbe you could hit up my pa fur the job.\u201d<\/p>\n Jake gave Hoss a hopeful look. \u201cDo you think he\u2019d hire me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell — could be– iffen somebody put in a good word.\u201d Hoss winked at Jake and his mother and then broke into a toothy grin.<\/p>\n Epilogue:<\/p>\n Six months later, the Turner family was sitting at the dinner table with the Cartwrights. Jake, now sixteen, looked much more like a man than he had just a few months earlier. He had taken to ranch work despite Ben\u2019s objections that the boy should still be in school. Having quit school at fourteen, Hoss convinced his father that not everyone was cut out for school, and that Jake really needed to feel like he was doing something to help his family. Jake\u2019s change in attitude bore out what Hoss had said. He did what he was told and was a quick study at learning new tasks. It turned out that Robbie became Sam Dawson\u2019s errand boy at the mercantile; so Laurel Turner was getting a bit of financial relief despite the fact that she was still a widow. There were strong ties once again between the Turners and the Cartwrights, a situation that was pleasing to both families.<\/p>\n