{"id":49931,"date":"2024-12-10T16:08:27","date_gmt":"2024-12-10T21:08:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49931"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:37:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:37:14","slug":"a-new-friend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49931","title":{"rendered":"A New Friend (by AC1830)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Summary: One of the Cartwrights gets a big surprise for his birthday. Written for Dan Blocker\u2019s Birthday.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Rating: G, Word Count: 2294<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>A New Friend<\/b><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A horse is a thing of beauty &#8211; head raised proudly, mane and tail flying in the wind as it parades around. It\u2019s enough to excite any horse enthusiast. To sixteen year old Hoss Cartwright and his little brother Joe, more than twenty of them in one place was more than exciting, it was sheer ecstasy. All the power, grace, and beauty of the animals did something to each one of them nobody else could understand, except maybe their older brother, Adam. The two brothers sat on the top rail of the fence watching their father and older brother maneuver the small herd out of the pasture and on to the trail. They were taking them to a nearby Army fort to be trained as military horses. Hoss released a deep sigh as his father and brother gave their final waves before disappearing over the hill.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The young brothers jumped down from the fence in unison and Little Joe began dancing around his gloomy bigger brother.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI can\u2019t wait till I&#8217;m as big as Adam and can bust broncs and drive the horses to the Army. Won\u2019t that be somethin\u2019 Hoss. Sure wish I was goin\u2019 with \u2018em now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYeah, it\u2019s somethin\u2019 alright.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss kicked at a clot of dirt as he turned toward the barn to finish his chores, lowering his head against a strong gust of wind as he walked.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHey, what\u2019s got you so down in the mouth. Pa an\u2019 Adam\u2019ll only be gone a week. That ain\u2019t that long. An\u2019 when they get back you know what? It\u2019ll be time for your birthday. Oh boy, I can\u2019t wait. So come on, Hoss, cheer up.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI just wish they\u2019d left just one o\u2019 them horses fer me. I\u2019ve told Pa so many times, an\u2019 Adam has too, that I need a new horse. A good cuttin\u2019 horse ifn I\u2019m gonna be able ta ride with the men in the Spring after school gets out. Ol\u2019 Copper\u2019s getting on in years and \u2018sides that I\u2019m gettin\u2019 too big for him.\u201d Hoss\u2019 foot found a good rock to kick at and sent it clattering against the barn wall.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Little Joe sank his hands into his pants pockets. \u201cOh, I\u2019m sorry Hoss. Say, maybe you an\u2019 Adam can get you a horse from that herd of wild horses Adam found.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYeah, maybe.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Joe paused to watch his brother\u2019s hunched body disappear into the barn. He sure wished he could find something to cheer his brother up. As the wind kicked up the dust devils in the yard, Little Joe felt sure it carried the sweet smell of cookies. Taking off toward the house, his hat barely staying on his head, he planned to beg Hop Sing for a few treats to cheer up his big brother.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the barn, Hoss grabbed a comb and began working it through his horse\u2019s mane. He sighed again as he talked about nothing at all to Copper, who perked up his ears and gave a gentle nudge to his master. Despite him needing a new horse, Copper was still his best friend and time with him would always lighten Hoss\u2019 heart.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*****<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adam Cartwright leaned against the tall fence, his chin resting on his arms folded across the top rail. He watched the herd drift around the Army paddock, admiring the form and myriad of colors of the horses as they adjusted to their new location. He\u2019d helped capture this group from the wild, broke about half of them, and drove them to the fort alongside his father. While his father completed the sale, Adam was content to watch the horses trot around. Hoss\u2019 favorite words about horses was right, they were a thing of beauty.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ben Cartwright and Sergeant John Marshall joined Adam at the fence. Glancing between his son and the herd as he pocketed the money from the Army, Ben guessed where his son\u2019s thoughts lay. During the trip to the fort, all Adam could talk about were the quality of the horses and how a stallion or two could be used to improve the Ponderosa herd. Although Adam pleaded to keep a few, even one for his ever-growing middle brother, his father said they all had to go to the Army if they were going to have enough money to buy another bull in the Spring.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThese horses are excellent quality, Mister Cartwright. If Captain Blair approves then I\u2019m sure we\u2019ll wish to purchase more in the future.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThat\u2019s good to hear, Sergeant. You\u2019ll contact me when the Captain returns?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOf course. And sir, I\u2019ve been authorized to offer you gentlemen a celebratory drink if you like, before you head home. Compliments of Captain Blair.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adam turned with a smile for his father.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ben gave a quick nod. \u201cLead the way, Sergeant.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The three men headed to the Captain\u2019s office and enjoyed a round of fine brandy. During a lull in the conversation, Adam made an inquiry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSergeant, the black horse we passed that was corralled near the barn, who does it belong to? He looks to be a fine animal.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Marshall took a deep breath before setting down his glass. \u201cHe is that. He belonged to Colonel Mark Wells. The Colonel was killed in action last month during an uprising with the Shoshone. He brought the horse with him from the East, trained him himself for military duty. Captain Blair contacted the Colonel\u2019s family about taking the horse back but no one wanted him. We\u2019re at a loss as to what to do. No one can get near him. We have a couple of men who are considered experts with our horses and even they can\u2019t approach him.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Marshall offered to refill their glasses which Ben accepted but Adam declined. \u201cWhat\u2019s the problem? He seemed calm enough when we passed by.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWell, he\u2019s a one-man horse. The Colonel, as good a man and leader as he was, refused to let anyone else care for his horse. That\u2019s why if anyone gets close the horse becomes agitated and wild. We put out feed and water for him but that\u2019s it. We can\u2019t even groom him. And to tell you the truth, he\u2019s been off his feed lately. I\u2019m afraid we\u2019re going to have to put him down soon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cNo. He\u2019s a beautiful animal. I bet he\u2019s fast when he runs, judging by the muscles in his legs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Marshall regarded Adam before responding. \u201cYou sure know your horses, young man. The Colonel said he was half Thoroughbred, and he is a wonder to behold. He\u2019s one of the most intelligent horses I\u2019ve been around. He\u2019s graceful and strong. If given his head, he\u2019ll leave our other horses behind in a full out run.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As Adam pondered the Sergeant\u2019s words and finished his brandy, Ben took that moment to redirect the conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSergeant, I\u2019d like to discuss some other business with you before we leave.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cCertainly, Mister Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adam caught his father\u2019s eye as he set his glass down. \u201cPa, if you\u2019ll excuse me, I\u2019ll go saddle our horses.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Receiving a nod from his father, Adam left the office. He saddled their horses and tied them near the corral where the Colonel\u2019s horse stood, his head hanging low. Watching from the corner of his eye Adam could tell the horse was watching him back. After checking the cinches on both saddles, he inched his way over to the gate. The dark horse followed his every move but with his eyes only. Adam leaned with his back to the rails and began humming a tune, one he used when grooming Sport. When he started the song a second time, he heard a snort behind him. Remaining still he kept humming. Soon there was a damp nose pushing against his shoulder. Adam turned slowly to find the horse inches from his face. Still humming, he reached across the gate to rub the arched neck, slowly moving his hand up to the ears and down along the jawline.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ending the song, he spoke to the horse, keeping his voice soft, \u201cSo you like music, huh? Missing your master no doubt. My brother Hoss keeps telling me that animals have feelings, and I reckon I have to believe him now.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The horse snorted, as if in response, then leaned into the rubbing he was receiving, arching his long neck. Seeing a few brushes nearby, Adam reached for one. Working his way around the gate, he now stood beside the large horse, slowly brushing the dust out of the dark silky coat, and humming a new tune.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Across the yard, Ben and Sergeant Marshall stepped into the sunshine, and stopped in their tracks upon seeing Adam with the Colonel\u2019s horse. Marshall started to rush over but Ben quickly grabbed his arm.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cNo, you\u2019ll spook the horse. Let\u2019s see what he does.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After a few more minutes, Adam patted the horse on the neck, and left the corral. The horse pranced around, holding his head and tail high.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIf I\u2019d not seen this with my own eyes\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Marshall moved forward and met Adam in the middle of the yard. \u201cWhat did you do?\u00a0 How\u2026?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI sang and talked to him.\u201d All three men turned to watch the horse now trying to interact with the Cartwright horses. Adam turned his eyes to his father. \u201cPa, I have an idea\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*****<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After a quiet homecoming dinner, Hoss said he was heading straight to bed. Joe, disappointed in not getting to play at least one game of checkers, followed his brother upstairs. Ben and Adam shared concerned looks, knowing Hoss was not his boisterous self. However, they stayed up a while longer taking care of last minute preparations for Hoss\u2019 birthday. Soon, they were sound asleep as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The next morning brought clear skies and a round of excitement as Hoss opened his gifts. Ben eyed his quiet middle son as he reached for his pipe and tobacco. \u201cHoss, are you feeling alright? You seem a bit glum this morning. You do like your gifts don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOh yeah, Pa, they\u2019re real nice. I definitely needed a new hat and some real nice gloves for work. An\u2019 the books Adam gave me will be real helpful when I can start workin\u2019 the ranch next Spring.\u201d He paused to look around the room. Little Joe was stomping around the room, munching on a piece of bacon. \u201cWhere\u2019s Adam? I wanted to ask him something about the books.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ben pulled his pipe from his mouth and pointed it towards the door. \u201cI believe he\u2019s checking on the animals. In fact I think I hear him coming now. Why don\u2019t you open the door for your brother, son. Joseph, please stop marching around the room and go eat at the table!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When Hoss reached the door, Ben rose and gathered Little Joe with him. Hoss opened the door just as Adam was about to push it from the other side.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThere you are. Come out to the barn for a moment. I need you to help me with something.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hoss nodded and grabbed his hat, too busy to see the wink Adam gave to his father. Together the brothers entered the barn, Ben and Little Joe quickly catching up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWell, what do you need doin\u2019 Adam. It all looks pretty clean to me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt\u2019s over here. I was wondering if you\u2019d be able to take care of this.\u201d Adam reached into the shadowy stall and led a large dark horse into the center of the barn. With one hand holding the halter, he rubbed the white blaze with the other. \u201cWhat do you think, Hoss? He was at the fort and lost his master and, well, he needs someone to take care of him. Think you can do that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hoss\u2019 blue eyes filled with happy tears and his grin stretched from ear to ear. \u201cYou know I can do it, Adam. You know I can.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The growing teen slowly stepped forward and held his hand for the horse to sniff, then he turned it over and rested it against the velvety nose. The horse pushed into Hoss\u2019 hand and moved forward a step. Hoss took hold of the halter from Adam and began to talk quietly to the horse. \u201cHey, fella. I\u2019m gonna take good care of you. You an\u2019 me are gonna be the best of friends, you\u2019ll see.\u201d Blinking hard a couple of times to clear away the moisture from his eyes, he turned back to see his family grinning at him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHe sure is a thing of beauty, ain\u2019t he?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYes, he is. Happy Birthday, son.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThanks, Pa. Uh, where\u2019d he come from?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adam rested his hand on Hoss\u2019 shoulder. \u201cWe saw him at the fort. He belonged to a Colonel who died last month. I can tell you the rest of the story a bit later.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOh yeah you did say that. That\u2019s sad, but I would like to hear the rest, Adam. Um, does he have a name?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adam scratched his neck as he glanced at his father. \u201cYeah, well, his real name is Lord Ferguson after the Colonel\u2019s grandfather.\u201d Hoss screwed up his face as Adam leaned a bit closer and whispered, \u201cbut I\u2019m told he called him Chubby \u2018cause he was rather big and round as a colt.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grinning, Hoss turned back to his new friend to rub his white blaze. \u201cI like that much better. Hi ya, Chubby.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The horse gave a whinny and bobbed his head. Laughing, Ben, Little Joe and Adam gathered around Hoss and his new horse. Hoss\u2019 face lit up. \u201cThis is the best birthday ever!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">The End<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Happy Birthday, Dan!<\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_49931\" class=\"pvc_stats all  \" data-element-id=\"49931\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 14 -18 113 -40 219 -37 178 -43 195 -70 221 -36 32 -101 37 -139 11z\"\/><path d=\"M1163 3073 c-36 -7 -73 -59 -73 -102 0 -56 133 -378 171 -413 34 -32 83 -37 129 -13 70 36 67 87 -16 290 -86 209 -89 214 -129 231 -35 14 -42 15 -82 7z\"\/><path d=\"M3689 3066 c-15 -9 -33 -30 -42 -48 -48 -103 -147 -355 -147 -375 0 -98 131 -148 192 -74 13 15 57 108 97 206 80 196 84 226 37 273 -30 30 -99 39 -137 18z\"\/><path d=\"M583 2784 c-38 -19 -67 -74 -58 -113 9 -42 211 -354 242 -373 16 -10 45 -18 66 -18 51 0 107 52 107 100 0 39 -1 41 -124 234 -80 126 -108 162 -133 173 -41 17 -61 16 -100 -3z\"\/><path d=\"M4250 2784 c-14 -9 -74 -91 -133 -183 -95 -150 -107 -173 -107 -213 0 -55 33 -94 87 -104 67 -13 90 8 211 198 130 202 137 225 78 284 -27 27 -42 34 -72 34 -22 0 -50 -8 -64 -16z\"\/><path d=\"M2275 2693 c-553 -48 -1095 -270 -1585 -649 -135 -104 -459 -423 -483 -476 -23 -49 -22 -139 2 -186 73 -142 361 -457 571 -626 285 -228 642 -407 990 -497 242 -63 336 -73 660 -74 310 0 370 5 595 52 535 111 1045 392 1455 803 122 121 250 273 275 326 19 41 19 137 0 174 -41 79 -309 363 -465 492 -447 370 -946 591 -1479 653 -113 14 -422 18 -536 8z m395 -428 c171 -34 330 -124 456 -258 112 -119 167 -219 211 -378 27 -96 24 -300 -5 -401 -72 -255 -236 -447 -474 -557 -132 -62 -201 -76 -368 -76 -167 0 -236 14 -368 76 -213 98 -373 271 -451 485 -162 444 86 934 547 1084 153 49 292 57 452 25z m909 -232 c222 -123 408 -262 593 -441 76 -74 138 -139 138 -144 0 -16 -233 -242 -330 -319 -155 -123 -309 -223 -461 -299 l-81 -41 32 46 c18 26 49 83 70 128 143 306 141 649 -6 957 -25 52 -61 116 -79 142 l-34 47 45 -20 c26 -10 76 -36 113 -56z m-2057 25 c-40 -58 -105 -190 -130 -263 -110 -324 -59 -707 132 -981 25 -35 42 -64 37 -64 -19 0 -241 119 -326 174 -188 122 -406 314 -532 468 l-58 71 108 103 c185 178 428 349 672 473 66 33 121 60 123 61 2 0 -10 -19 -26 -42z\"\/><path d=\"M2375 1950 c-198 -44 -350 -190 -395 -379 -18 -76 -8 -221 19 -290 114 -284 457 -406 731 -260 98 52 188 154 231 260 27 69 37 214 19 290 -38 163 -166 304 -326 360 -67 23 -215 33 -279 19z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/i> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif?resize=16%2C16&#038;ssl=1\" border=0 \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Summary: One of the Cartwrights gets a big surprise for his birthday. Written for Dan Blocker\u2019s Birthday.\u00a0 Rating: G, Word Count: 2294 A New Friend &nbsp; A horse is a thing of beauty &#8211; head raised proudly, mane and tail flying in the wind as it parades around. It\u2019s enough&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8333,"featured_media":49932,"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_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[30],"tags":[17],"class_list":["post-49931","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-prequels","tag-hoss","wpcat-30-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":549,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Hoss-and-Chubb-2.jpg?fit=404%2C300&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":15348,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15348","url_meta":{"origin":49931,"position":0},"title":"Joe Cartwright &#8211; Magician! (by Questfan)","author":"Questfan","date":"October 26, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"SUMMARY: A Bonanza story celebrating that fun side of Michael in his role as Joe Cartwright. Make it scary, funny, or dramatic . . . or all three! Rating: K Word Count: 660","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Humor&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Humor","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=4"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/1C673A90-35E7-41AC-8BB3-F8707550AF36.jpeg?fit=700%2C525&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/1C673A90-35E7-41AC-8BB3-F8707550AF36.jpeg?fit=700%2C525&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/1C673A90-35E7-41AC-8BB3-F8707550AF36.jpeg?fit=700%2C525&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/1C673A90-35E7-41AC-8BB3-F8707550AF36.jpeg?fit=700%2C525&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10359,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=10359","url_meta":{"origin":49931,"position":1},"title":"Hoss Defined (by bahj)","author":"bahj","date":"September 15, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: You'll find it under \"H\" in the dictionary :0) Rated: Family Friendly \/ Word count: 1140","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Prequel&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Prequel","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=30"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Hoss.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Hoss.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Hoss.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15004,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15004","url_meta":{"origin":49931,"position":2},"title":"The First Roundup (by Starlite)","author":"starlite","date":"September 14, 2000","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: A look at a very enthusiastic little boy's first roundup. Rated:\u00a0 G\u00a0 \u00a0(2,400 words)","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Humor&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Humor","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=4"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/two.jpg?fit=300%2C257&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":29031,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=29031","url_meta":{"origin":49931,"position":3},"title":"Rendezvous (by AC1830)","author":"AC1830","date":"May 18, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Why are Joe and Adam's wife sneaking around town? A fun story for Pernell's birthday. Rating: K, WC: 1575","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Alternate Universe&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Rendezvous.jpg?fit=400%2C400&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":10197,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=10197","url_meta":{"origin":49931,"position":4},"title":"A Tiny Preprandial Tale (by Puchi Ann)","author":"Puchi Ann","date":"December 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0An old short story, which I was inspired\u00a0to post by the Dan Blocker Literary Birthday Challenge. \u00a0It was originally written in response to a challenge to use the word \"preprandial\" in a story. Rating: K \u00a0 Word Count: 770","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Short Stories&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Short Stories","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=8"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/Hoss-Emily.jpg?fit=328%2C253&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":62756,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=62756","url_meta":{"origin":49931,"position":5},"title":"Lady in Waiting (by VickiC.)","author":"vickic","date":"March 6, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A young lady invites the Cartwrights to her birthday party and then waits for the right man to ask her to dance.\u00a0 But who is the right man? 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