Synopsis:<\/b>\u00a0Adam, Hoss and Little Joe manage to test their father’s patience many times over in the space of one day. All four encounter a ‘first ever’ for the Cartwright family.
\nRating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 (12,200 words)<\/p>\n
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The Brandsters acknowledge that the authors are the owners of their stories.\u00a0 Should an author included in this project reach out to us and indicate they do not wish their work to be archived in the Bonanza Brand Fanfiction Library, we will remove their stories.\u00a0 We would also be happy to change the contact information for any authors who wish to continue to have their stories archived in the Library.<\/p>\n
ONE HELLUVA DAY<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The day the Cartwright family had been dreading had finally come; the morning that Little Joe wished would never arrive.<\/p>\n The carefree innocent days of summer playing, fishing and hunting were gone, replaced by a looming sense of foreboding that saturated the Ponderosa like a wet blanket.<\/p>\n A storm was brewing in the Cartwright household, one that had been hatching steadily over the last few weeks of summer and was now about rear it\u2019s ugly head. Ben, Adam and Hoss had all feared this day for their own reasons, but none more so than Little Joe.<\/p>\n The air was crisp and Little Joe\u2019s new blue tailored jacket provided a breaker from the early morning chill. A slight, but comforting wind blew a soft brown curl out of the little boy\u2019s stoic face. Not far from the freshly painted barn, Joe stood his ground amongst none other than the rest of the Cartwright clan.<\/p>\n Glancing from his left, then right, Little Joe saw three stunned faces and three pair of eyes staring, slightly menacingly at him. Had it been any other day than this, he might have thought twice about his actions, especially those of recent. But not today. Today wasn\u2019t just any other day. It was the first day of school.<\/p>\n Joe stood; arms akimbo, next to his pony, Roman, who whinnied, snorted and then stomped the ground, in apparent mock appearance to his master. Adam watched Joe with disdain, who didn\u2019t even blanch at the sight of his angry older brothers and father staring him down like they were being challenged to a duel. Not two minutes earlier, to everyone\u2019s surprise, in a display of outright displeasure, Joe had hastily removed the new stained leather saddle and matching bridle from Roman and dropped the heavy tack unceremoniously at his feet.<\/p>\n Roman was unquestionably surprised at his sudden nakedness. Immediately, he reared his head back and pinned his soft brown and white spotted ears, exhibiting distaste in the imbroglio. Roman had been a gift from Adam this month past. He had hoped that it would dampen the continuously sour mood of his baby brother as well as provide him a pony he could mount himself. However as camaflouged as his littlest brother wanted to appear, it was obvious to Adam that Joe took to the beautiful spotted Shetland Pony at first sight. Adam was even pleased to hear Joe announce the very same day that he named the pony Roman, after the people in the ancient city Adam told him countless stories about.<\/p>\n However, none of this mattered to Joe at the moment. Giving himself room for fight or flight, Joe pushed his pony\u2019s flanks as hard as he could with crossed elbows. Roman gratefully stepped away, his hooves scratching the ground surface loudly in the quiet stillness between father, brothers and son.<\/p>\n Finally, after a minute that dragged on for eternity, Little Joe could take no more silence. He stomped the ground with one tan, new boot, stirring up a cloud of dust around his pant legs. Roman, in his own game of copycat, imitated his master\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n “I ain\u2019t goin\u2019!” Little Joe\u2019s yells cracked through the crisp air like a whip. He\u2019d made his argument before and saw no reason for it to change on this very day. “Hoss ain\u2019t goin\u2019 neither, are you Hoss?” demanded Joe as he looked, green eyes narrowed at his middle brother. In spite of his size, Joe did his best to put the fear of God in his much larger older brother. What he received from Hoss was a smirk hidden behind one meaty hand and an unguarded snort from Adam. Pa, however, wasn\u2019t quite as amused.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben Cartwright had had about enough of this. At first, it was amusing to see his little ruffian in such a display of temper. Everyone had been caught off guard when Joe began his animated protestation. Admittedly, the shock of seeing his youngest son pull his little saddle off his pony looked as comical as it sounded. On more than one occasion, Ben and his oldest sons had enjoyed a good-humored joke about Joseph and his uncontrollable temper. The little rascal and his disposition always gave them “ammunition” as Adam called it, to tease the pretentious, yet sensitive little boy. After six years, Ben had learned to laugh off the less significant of Joseph\u2019s many transgressions instead of continuously punishing him.<\/p>\n But now he was pushing it. At Joseph\u2019s last remark, Ben raised his dark eyebrows to Joe, then to Hoss, who stood with his own eyes wide, hands up in surrender. Ben knew that his peace-loving son didn\u2019t have anything to do with his six-year-old brother\u2019s present temper tantrum.<\/p>\n Little Joe began to lose confidence when he saw his father\u2019s eyebrows rise high on his forehead, causing four wrinkles to show clearly. Flinching inwardly, Little Joe knew undoubtedly that this was a sign his Pa\u2019s patience had been put to the test. This action alone would stop Adam and Hoss in their tracks. Joe had a point and he was going to get it across if it caused his Pa to yell loud enough to cause an avalanche, which Little Joe didn\u2019t hesitate to think, would and very well could happen. He had to make his feelings clear. No words would convince his Pa to let him stay home.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With a mixture of desperation, frustration and rebellion, Little Joe picked one bantam, dusty boot off the ground, brought it behind him and proceeded to kick his saddle as hard as his little legs could muster. Unfortunately, the anger proceeded the action, as the padded leather only scooted two inches from the spot it had landed. Not exactly the affect Joe was going for. The next few seconds were a haze as he heard the unstiffled guffaws from his brothers and what Joe thought sounded like the hiss of a snake from Pa. This tore it with Ben.<\/p>\n He bellowed in his usual chorus, “Joseph Francis Cartwright! I\u2019ve already let this tantrum of yours go on too long. Now I\u2019ve had enough.” Placing his large hands on his waist, Ben began his ominous stride toward the now wilting boy.<\/p>\n Little Joe stepped sideways, nearly falling over his saddle in the process. Frantic now, he little tyke gave it one last try. “Papa! I\u2019m not going! You can\u2019t make-” Before he could finish his sentence, Ben was on his son, grabbing firmly a hold of his small arm. He was snatched up instantly, which was good, because if his Pa hadn\u2019t caught his arm, he would have ended up heels over shoulder blades across his saddle.<\/p>\n Pulling Joseph in the direction of the house, he shouted, “Not another word, Joseph!” his voice boomed through the air, startling Adam, Hoss and Little Joe. Judging from the loud squawks, flapping wings and flying feathers, Ben\u2019s thunderous voice had also startled the chickens in the nearby coop. Ben called sternly to his middle son, “Hoss, I suggest you get on your horse and get to school before you\u2019re late.”<\/p>\n “Yes sir.” Hoss made no argument with his Pa. Before his Pa could say another word, he was on his horse and out of the yard. He strode off quickly, arms flapping up and down on his ribs with the rhythm of his galloping, overtaxed charge.<\/p>\n Eyes darting from the coop to his Pa, Adam leaned on the hitching post and watched the debacle as his Pa dragged his wriggling and struggling little brother to a chair on the front porch.<\/p>\n Ben was aware of his oldest son staring and barked a little too loudly, “Adam, saddle Roman again and replace his bridle.”<\/p>\n Adam jumped at his words, suddenly reminding himself of a scared chicken in the coop. He groaned, “Yes sir.” Seventeen-year-old Adam was not immune to the wrath of his father and answered as quickly as his brother Hoss.<\/p>\n Joe couldn\u2019t believe what a predicament he\u2019d gotten himself into. After Adam had helped him saddle Roman, Little Joe was overcome with feelings he wasn\u2019t quite sure of. His stomach felt as if he\u2019d be sick at any moment and his hands and knees were shaky. Tears stung the back of his eyes, threatening to spill. Confused as to why he felt like crying, Little Joe reacted with the emotion that masked fear and hurt. Anger. Before he knew what he was doing, he\u2019d uncinched the harness from the underbelly of Roman, grabbed the horn and dragged the saddle to the ground.<\/p>\n When the flash of anger had subsided and Little Joe looked down to see what he\u2019d done, he felt relieved. He\u2019d solved his problem. Of course, the mind of a six-year-old doesn\u2019t think logically enough to see how simple that it would be to just re-saddle his horse and send him off to school. The knot that had been in his belly for the past month returned and tightened again, causing Joe to groan.<\/p>\n In an instant, Joseph was trying to pry his papa\u2019s fingers from around his arm as he was being dragged to a ladder-backed chair on the planked front porch. He found himself stuck between two strong legs and staring directly into the fuming face of Ben Cartwright. With Joe\u2019s arms trapped in Ben\u2019s large hands and wiggling body secure, Ben began his reproach.<\/p>\n “Joseph.” He began slowly, growling his words, “I thought we had already discussed this, did we not?” He was rewarded with a silent nod from Little Joe. “Then what is the meaning of this tantrum?” Ben gave Joe a slight shake.<\/p>\n Eyes watering, Joe didn\u2019t know how to answer him. He hadn\u2019t thought about doing what he did this morning, it just happened. “I don\u2019t know\u2026” Joe half-heartedly shrugged.<\/p>\n Ben ignored his son\u2019s futile attempts at an answer. “Now, didn\u2019t we discuss countless times about the importance of you going to school?” He stared Joe in the eyes. His son said nothing. “Answer me, Joseph.” Ben\u2019s voice was gaining volume again.<\/p>\n “Yes, sir. We did.” His eyes, always so full of expression, showed fear, regret and sadness as tears billowed down his dusty cheeks. His pa was hurting his arms; he had them grasped firmly at the elbows, bending his forearms towards his face. “You\u2019re hurting me, papa.” Joe managed to whisper.<\/p>\n Ben immediately loosened his grip and lightly grabbed Joe\u2019s shoulders. “Joseph. I don\u2019t want to have to spank you, but I will if you don\u2019t quit this attitude. I know you don\u2019t want to go to school, Joseph, you have made that perfectly clear. But the fact of the matter is you have no choice. You will go because I say so. Do I make myself clear to you?”<\/p>\n Little Joe stared down at his feet. He didn\u2019t want to admit defeat. Hesitating too long for Ben\u2019s approval, Joe found himself turned around and halfway bent over his father\u2019s left knee. A hard wallop stung his backside before he could answer.<\/p>\n Ben held him there. “Do I make myself clear to you, Joseph?” He held his hand outward, ready to strike again if needed.<\/p>\n Shocked, Little Joe blurted out, “Yes sir! Yes! I\u2019m sorry, sir. I\u2019m sorry. Please don\u2019t spank me, I promise I\u2019ll go to school, Papa, promise I will.” Speaking through tears, Joe pushed himself off his father\u2019s knee and into his open arms.<\/p>\n After hugging his son, Ben pulled Joe from his grasp and held him there. “Now, now, Joseph. Don\u2019t cry.” He wiped a tear from Joe\u2019s cheek. “You\u2019re going to love school. And you have your big brother there to protect you. So, please, Joseph, stop this nonsense. You\u2019re already going to be late on the first day. You don\u2019t want Miss Jones mad at you on your very first day of school, do you?” Ben stood and began to walk Joe to his saddled horse.<\/p>\n Joe obediently, but hesitantly walked toward Roman where Adam was leaning across his new saddle. “Hey, little buddy. You\u2019re going to have the best looking pony and the smartest saddle of all the other kids.” He bent down, grabbing Joe about the waist. “C\u2019mon. Let\u2019s go.” Adam placed Joe softly in the saddle, retrieved his own horse and gracefully mounted.<\/p>\n “Pa, I\u2019ll have him there safely, then I\u2019ll see about those errands in town. I\u2019ll be back here by lunch for the meeting. See you later.” Adam was relieved to see his father\u2019s mood changed as he smiled and nodded to his eldest son.<\/p>\n Ben tosseled Little Joe\u2019s hair and gave him a kiss on the forehead. “You be good today, young man. Hoss will bring you home this afternoon and I don\u2019t want to hear you\u2019ve been in trouble.”<\/p>\n “Yes sir.” Little Joe did his best to smile, but sadness seeped through the cracks of his exterior. Ben saw through the smile that he had seen often since the death of his mother, Marie. Little Joe always tried to be strong and brave and smile for his papa, but Ben could always look straight to the little boy\u2019s heart. It was his eyes; he had the most expressive eyes that told the true story of his heart, no matter how hard Little Joe tried to mask it. He gave one last pat to Joseph\u2019s back and kissed his forehead again.<\/p>\n “I know, son. I know.” Ben smiled warmly at his son as he nodded for Adam to lead the way to town.<\/p>\n As Joe and Adam rode off, Ben waved a silent good-bye and allowed a single tear to stream down his cheek before he wiped his face and strode quickly to his desk. He tried hard to concentrate on his books, contracts, biddings and all the formidable work of the Ponderosa; but he couldn\u2019t. He kept seeing the sadness in his son\u2019s green eyes as tears billowed down his little cherubic face.<\/p>\n As much as he tried, concentrating wasn\u2019t working, so Ben retreated by pulling out the gold picture frame of his last love, Marie. He stared lovingly into the eyes of his late wife. He had just looked into the matching jade eyes of his baby son. Marie\u2019s eyes were smiling and sparkling much like they were when she\u2019d watch from the front door as her husband and sons played together in the yard or when she\u2019d been forced to interfere while her husband and youngest son challenged each other to a battle of wills.<\/p>\n “Marie, our baby is growing up.” He caressed her smooth porcelain cheek and touched an unmoving curl of the sepia toned photograph. “He\u2019s so much like you. Of course, you know that already, don\u2019t you? I know you watched that little boy in a fit of temper this morning.” He smiled, envisioning his wife standing right behind Joe, arms also akimbo, chin jutting forward, shoulders thrown back. He was so much like his mother.<\/p>\n Ben laughed to himself. “Thank you, Marie,” Placing his frame gently next to the others, Ben turned back to the paperwork on his desk, “for that temper and that little boy.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam stared down at his little brother, as he rode in silence. Little Joe\u2019s eyes were filled with thoughts of his first day of school and Adam watched as the expressions in the shiny green pools changed as his thoughts moved from good to bad. He felt sorry for Joe. He knew what it was like to be thrown into a new way of life. When he was Joe\u2019s age he was traveling to unknown places and meeting unknown people while hungry most of the time and caring for an infant. He knew what it was like to not trust what lie ahead. He thought he could help Little Joe with his mixed feelings.<\/p>\n “You know, Little Joe,” Adam began thoughtfully, “I know exactly what you\u2019re feeling.” He was rewarded with a surprised look from his little brother.<\/p>\n “Really, Adam?” Curiosity was sparked.<\/p>\n “Sure. When I was your age, there wasn\u2019t a school for me since Pa and I traveled and most of the areas we stayed were inhabited with Indians. But, I can remember the dread in my stomach when we started out for another farm, another town\u2026” Adam removed his hat and replaced it catiwumbus on his head. “Pa was always moving us to look for work.”<\/p>\n Joe didn\u2019t quite understand. “Adam what was dead in your stomach and what does that have to do with me not wanting to go to school?”<\/p>\n Adam laughed. “That\u2019s dread not dead, little buddy. And that\u2019s the little knot in your stomach you feel when you\u2019re scared. I can figure that feeling in your stomach must be like the feeling that I used to get when we would leave behind a farm or ranch we stayed on. See, we\u2019d stay somewhere for a while, but sooner or later we\u2019d have to move on to find our home. So, when Pa decided it was time to leave, it was hard, because we\u2019d gotten used to the cowhands, the ranchers, and well, the foreman\u2019s wives were awfully nice to Hoss and me.” Joe was still staring, mouth agape at Adam. This made Adam chuckle again.<\/p>\n “Let me ask you a question, Joe. Why is it you don\u2019t want to go to school?”<\/p>\n Joe answered quickly. “Adam, I just don\u2019t want to leave Pa. And what if I don\u2019t like Miss Jones, or the kids don\u2019t like me? I want to stay home with Pa, Adam. It just ain\u2019t fair-”<\/p>\n “Isn\u2019t fair,” Adam corrected.<\/p>\n Joe didn\u2019t falter. “See, you get it. You get to be with him all day and now I don\u2019t.” Again, Joe\u2019s eyes began to fill with tears. “Why can\u2019t I? I don\u2019t want to be with dumb Ol\u2019 Miss Jones!”<\/p>\n “Watch it Little Joe, don\u2019t be disrespectful.” Adam pointed a finger at him. “I don\u2019t ever want to hear you say that again, understand? Else we\u2019re going to have a talk with Pa about your attitude.”<\/p>\n Sighing, Joe resigned himself to being in trouble again. “Sorry, Adam. I didn\u2019t mean it. Honest.” The schoolhouse was within sight now and Adam pulled his horse to a stop, prompting Little Joe to do the same.<\/p>\n “I know, little buddy. And I also know that this is scary for you. You\u2019re going to miss Pa, just like all the other kids your age will be missing their pa\u2019s, too. But, before long, you\u2019ll be itching to go every day. You\u2019ll have friends and learn new things. Why, you already know your letters and can write your own name!” Adam dismounted and approached Joe who was openly crying now.<\/p>\n “Joe, baby, c\u2019mon. Think how proud you\u2019ll make Pa when you come home today, from your very first day of school. And you know he\u2019ll be chomping at the bit to see you. Be happy, Joe. Be a good boy for Pa.” As Adam rubbed Joe\u2019s back and wiped his tears he looked at how small the boy seemed. However petite his frame was, however, Adam knew his little brother\u2019s spirit was strong like his mother\u2019s.<\/p>\n Sniffling, Joe agreed, “Okay, Adam. I\u2019ll go, but I ain\u2019t promisin\u2019 that I\u2019ll like it!”<\/p>\n Adam led Joe\u2019s horse to the others. “Deal. Now, Hoss is there for you. And remember, he\u2019ll be taking you home.”<\/p>\n “Okay, Adam.” Joe said impatiently.<\/p>\n “One more thing, little brother. You\u2019d better be good.” With that, Adam hugged and kissed the top of Joe\u2019s head. He gave him a slight swat to the seat of his pants to send him along. Some other kids were running into the school, also late on the very first day. Joe walked to the front doors, stopping only once to turn and look to Adam. He then disappeared behind the large oak double doors of the little white schoolhouse.<\/p>\n Adam sighed deeply as his little brother disappeared behind the doors. One huge dilemma down, and before he knew it, there would be another for the little boy to face. If this was how Joe reacted to the first day of school, how was he going to take the news of his big brother leaving for four years? The time for him to leave may not be for a while, but the thought of having to deal with that made him want to\u2026 well\u2026 Adam picked up his foot and deftly kicked the hitching post. The old wood frame jiggled loosely within its encasements in the dry dirt and startled every horse attached to the framework. Adam screamed silently as he grabbed his bruised foot and pulled the reins of the closest startled horse in an effort to calm the animal and steady his footing. Hopping on one foot, Adam bit his lip not to swear out loud and ruefully thought about repeating his little brothers actions.<\/p>\n As the morning etched on, the Cartwrights went about their business. Adam was at the general store, purchasing some supplies for Hop Sing and his Pa, being sure to pick up candy surprises for Little Joe and Hoss. Ben was finally able to concentrate on the books, and managed to sort out payroll for the hands. Hop Sing was busy preparing a light lunch for Adam and Ben, all the while cooking up something wonderful for dinner to please the littlest Cartwrights. Hoss kept a dutiful, but disproving eye on his little brother the entire morning, even though his friends demanded much attention of him during morning break. The brief recess was spent sharing details on everyone\u2019s summer trips and adventures. Little Joe, well, was being Little Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He sat solidly on his bench with the other boys his age, not looking at anyone but his teacher. He listened to what she said and obeyed, but yet again showed his obvious dissatisfaction by keeping his arms crossed and lower lip out the entire morning. During Meet and Greet, Little Joe stood next to his brother and frowned at the little girls trying to get his attention. Students came forward to introduce themselves to Miss Jones except for Joseph. Hoss tried unsuccessfully to pull his little brother off the bench and respectfully shake hands with his teacher, but he refused.<\/p>\n Miss Jones was quite aware of the pouting six-year-old in front of her and it was wearing on her nerves to say the least. She finally decided she needed to make peace with the little one and walked over to him and gracefully kneeled, which was a trick in her constricting dress of blue gingham and lace and modest, but fashionable heeled black lace-up boots. Little Joe stared in amazement at the woman in front of him. Was she smiling at him?<\/p>\n Her hair was swept off her neck in a conservative, loose bun that allowed renegade strands of wavy chestnut hair to swim down her neckline and float around her face as she walked. Her smile was pretty, Joe thought. In his youthful angst, Joe said, “You are pretty like my mama was. \u2018Cept her eyes were green an\u2019 yours are brown. She died ya\u2019 know. Pa says she\u2019s in heaven. Watchin\u2019 me.”<\/p>\n Miss Jones was taken aback at the warm confession of the little boy who sat still as petrified wood just a few seconds ago. Her breath escaped before her words and she choked on air. “My, Joseph, that is very kind of you to say, but I think your mother was much prettier than I. And, yes, I believe your mother is smiling down on you right now, proud of her handsome little boy. And you know what? I bet she wants you enjoy school. What do you think?” Abigail was grasping at straws, but she hoped that she could get Little Joe to feel more comfortable. Joe gave her one of his best grins.<\/p>\n “Yes ma\u2019am.” Abigail smiled inwardly. She\u2019d won him over. And vise versa.<\/p>\n The rest of the afternoon went quickly for Little Joe as he finally began making friends with the other little boys his age. Hoss and he conversed at lunch and when they were allowed to play. They played kick the can and tag after they wolfed down their extravagant lunches Hop Sing had prepared.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n However, back at the ranch, things were not quite as peachy. Adam had arrived late for lunch. So late, in fact, he missed it altogether.<\/p>\n “Pa, I\u2019m sorry, I just got\u2026hung up is all.” Adam shrugged his shoulders much the same way his littlest brother did that morning.<\/p>\n Ben was a little more than agitated as he had wanted to go over some contracts that he\u2019d asked Adam to handle while they ate their lunch of roast beef sandwiches, sliced apples and fresh lemonade. “Would you mind telling me what you just got hung up about?” He mocked Adam\u2019s sheepish reply.<\/p>\n Adam thought seriously for a moment. Should he tell his father that he got hung up because the object of his affection, Miss Leslie Sue Parker sashayed into the general store just as he was purchasing lemon drops for Little Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n “Howdy, Adam.” The words dripped like honey out of her sweet red lips. Nobody could throw Adam quite like Sweet Leslie Sue Parker. Her pristine lavender dress was complete with lace, ribbons, bows, gathered perfectly here, cut just a little too low there and hugged perfectly\u00a0there<\/i>. Adam was speechless as she removed her matching silk bonnet. Her honey colored hair hung in ringlets about her face, which was heart-shaped, blue-eyed, button nosed and flushed with perfect color on her cheeks.<\/p>\n “Howdy\u2026”<\/p>\n Before he knew what he was doing, Adam was at the International House leaning over the table kissing the pouty lips of Leslie Sue while others watched, some in admiration, some in disgust, others in jealousy. None of that mattered to Adam, however, as long as he was with Leslie Sue. He knew how many guys in Virginia City would pay to be in the very same spot he was right now. Life couldn\u2019t get any better, he thought. The prettiest girl in town was willingly kissing him right in front of everyone. She hardly even pulled her lips away to eat the lunch Adam insisted on buying for her. Adam was in teen-age bliss.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t until he looked outside the lace-curtained windows of the International House that Adam realized the errs of his way. While kissing Leslie Sue, he had glanced over her bare shoulder and seen his little brothers playing in the schoolhouse yard. Hoss was picking up Little Joe and swinging him around, causing an eruption of giggles and carefree laughter from the smaller children.<\/p>\n This sight alone shouldn\u2019t have caused the blood to drain from his face and his breath to disappear from his chest. No, it was something different altogether. He\u2019d missed lunch. Pulling his mouth from Leslie Sue\u2019s caused a slight popping sound that made Adam flush with embarrassment. He looked to the large grandfather clock that stood in the dining room of the restaurant and muttered, “Damn!” just a little too loud.<\/p>\n Shocked, Leslie Sue rose from her wooden chair. “Adam!” The loud scratching sound of the chair as it scraped across the wood floor caught the attention of the other diners. Adam flushed hotly again as everyone stopped their various tasks and started intently at them once again, forks half-way to their open mouths. Not a single person averted their eyes from the couple.<\/p>\n Adam jumped from his seat. “Leslie Sue, I\u2019m sorry, I didn\u2019t mean to use that language. I mean, it wasn\u2019t directed at you. I\u2019m late. I have to go home.” Leslie Sue\u2019s face was unconvinced. Adam added briskly, “My Pa\u2019s going to kill me.” He saw the contempt in Leslie Sue\u2019s eyes fade to be replaced with s look of understanding. A small smile crept across her lovely lips as she said, “Oh. Why didn\u2019t you just say so?” She leaned over and favored Adam with a sweet kiss that lingered just a little too long.<\/p>\n She pulled away first. “You in trouble?” She smiled coyly. Adam sighed heavily. “Should have been home an hour ago, Leslie Sue. You sure know how to make a man lose all track of time.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam decided to throw caution to the wind. “I ran into a girl, Pa. Leslie Sue Parker. She asked me to take her to lunch and I just couldn\u2019t refuse. I lost all track of time, Pa. Honest. I\u2019m sorry I forgot about being home by noon.”<\/p>\n Adam waited for a reaction from Ben. All he got was, “I wondered why your face looked all red and bruised. Were you kissing her?”<\/p>\n “Yes sir.” Honesty seemed to be working toward his advantage.<\/p>\n “Where?”<\/p>\n Uh-oh, Adam thought. The International House was a place the Cartwrights frequented and everyone there knew Ben. He figured sooner of later he would hear the details of their kissing from someone\u2019s prudish wife at a town meeting, at the saloon by the town drunk, or worse yet, at church.<\/p>\n “Uh, at the International House, Pa.” Adam flinched at his own answer. He backed away a precautionary step.<\/p>\n “What? You were kissing Leslie Sue Parker in front of God and everyone at the International House in broad daylight?” Ben nearly screamed.<\/p>\n \u2018Damn,\u2019 Adam thought, honesty\u00a0was<\/i>\u00a0working. He muttered another curse under his breath. Bad idea.<\/p>\n “Adam Cartwright, did I just hear you swear under my roof? What has gotten into you, young man? Kissing some filly in a respectable place, missing what was going to be an important business meeting between you and me, and now you\u2019re swearing! In my house, nonetheless!” Ben\u2019s face was turning purple from yelling.<\/p>\n Ben had always prided Adam on his premature maturity and ability to be reliable, even-tempered and level headed. At this moment, all designs on being mature and even-tempered went out the window for Adam.<\/p>\n “Pa! Leslie Sue is not a filly! She\u2019s a respectable young lady who just happens to like me as much as I like her!”<\/p>\n “Don\u2019t you dare fly off at me like that! I\u2019m your father and you have no right to raise your voice under my roof. Only I am allowed to yell here!” Ben\u2019s face was turning shades of crimson. “Upstairs! Now!” was all Ben managed to yell.<\/p>\n Adam hesitated. “What? Are you sending me to my room like a child? What am I? Little Joe?”<\/p>\n Ben was beginning to lose all the temper he was restraining. “Young man, I suggest you get upstairs now or you will regret that I had to haul you to your bedroom. Do you understand?”<\/p>\n “Yes sir.” A physical threat of any kind did it for Adam. Unlike Little Joe, who usually prompted their father to carry out the threats, Adam had learned many years ago that his Pa spoke the truth when he used the phrase \u2018you will regret\u2019.<\/p>\n Adam half-ran up the first landing on the stairs when he stopped. “Pa,” he called weakly. Ben stared, eyes furrowed in confusion at why his son would disobey him.<\/p>\n “Yes, Adam?” Ben used his most intimidating voice.<\/p>\n Adam reached into his vest pocket and pulled out a brown paper bag that had been twisted closed at the top. Gingerly, Adam unfurled the wrapper and reached into the bag, as if trying not to spook a horse or alarm a bear. He removed a yellow sugary lemon drop and plopped one into his mouth. He gave his father a dubious smile. “I got candy for the boys. Want some?”<\/p>\n For the third time that day, Ben\u2019s patience had been tried to the very end from one of his sons. “NO!” His voice reverberated off the exposed timber ceilings and stone walls. At this, Ben was rewarded with dozens of tiny yellow, sugarcoated candies that impaled his face, scattered to the floor and imbedded themselves into his furniture. Both father and son stood in silence for a moment before Ben heard Adam let out his breath.<\/p>\n “Uh-oh. Sorry, Pa, you ah\u2026 er\u2026 kina\u2019 startled me.” He gave a nervous laugh. Ben reached a renegade lemon drop that landed in his front shirt pocket and swiped a granule of sugar from the corner of his eye. The quiet equanimity coming from his father was not a good sign. It was the calm before the storm.<\/p>\n “GET UPSTAIRS NOW! NOT ANOTHER WORD!”<\/p>\n “Yes sir.” This time, Adam didn\u2019t stop to make any amends.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n After an hour or so of peace and quiet, Ben heard the familiar sound of hoof beats entering the yard. Smiling, he raised himself from his large oak desk and moved to greet his sons at the door. He had been anxiously awaiting Little Joe and Hoss\u2019 arrival. He\u2019d missed his baby being home to keep him occupied all afternoon.<\/p>\n Once again, Ben had received more than he had bargained for, which was his two youngest sons riding excitedly into the yard to stutter through the excitement of the first day of school. Riding along side Hoss and Little Joe sat a very pristine Miss Jones, riding sidesaddle on her horse. His sons looked nervous and agitated, as did Miss Jones.<\/p>\n “Why Miss Jones, what brings you out to the Ponderosa this afternoon?” Ben crossed his fingers, hoping it was a social visit that brought here there.<\/p>\n Little Joe dismounted Roman quickly, catching his foot in the stirrup. With a thump, he landed at Ben\u2019s feet, but didn\u2019t let it disturb his proclamation. “It\u2019s all Hoss\u2019 fault, Pa!”<\/p>\n Hoss angrily answered back, “It weren\u2019t my fault. If you hadn\u2019t bet them boys\u2026 Pa! I\u2019m gonna clobber him!”<\/p>\n Miss Jones didn\u2019t even try to reply, she just quietly dismounted and moved her horse to the rail while the boys argued with each other.<\/p>\n “Stop it! Now!” Ben ordered over their feuding voices, dragging Little Joe to his feet. “I don\u2019t want to hear another word out of either of you. Go take care of your horses while I talk to Miss Jones.” He pointed stern-faced toward the barn. Both boys ran without another word.<\/p>\n “Hello, Mr. Cartwright.” Miss Jones sweetly called to Ben. “I\u2019m sorry about the interruption on your afternoon, I just thought it\u2019d be best if I escorted Hoss and Little Joe home today.” Abby smiled at Ben\u2019s perplexed expression. “Perhaps I should explain.”<\/p>\n Ben led her to the front door and guided her inside. “Indeed, Miss Jones. Forgive me for being rude. Would you care to sit down and have a cup of coffee?”<\/p>\n “Thank you, yes. And call me Abby, please.”<\/p>\n “My pleasure, Abby.” He turned his body toward the kitchen, standing close to Abby. ” Hop Sing! HOP SING!” Abby nearly fell off her chair from the resounding echo of Ben\u2019s yell. In a heartbeat, Ben had gone from pleasant to quite vociferous.<\/p>\n “Always yell, yell, yell. Hop Sing right here. Hear you in China. Not deaf. What want Mr. Cartlight?”<\/p>\n Ben lowered his voice an octave or two. “Coffee and cookies for Abby and me, please.” The little Chinese cook retreated to the kitchen without another word.<\/p>\n “Abby, please forgive me for being so abrupt, but what did my sons do now?”<\/p>\n “Well Mr. Cartwright-”<\/p>\n “Ben.”<\/p>\n Abby continued, “Well, Ben, it was a tough day for the little ones. Especially Little Joe. I\u2019m not excusing his actions, but I think you need to know he made progress today. It started out rough for him, but before the day was over he\u2019d made friends with the other boys. Even the older ones.” Hop Sing interrupted silently as he sat a shiny silver tray with blue china coffee cups and saucers and warm ginger snap cookies down on the table next to the fireplace. He padded away quickly to the kitchen.<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s eyebrows formed a V. “The older ones?” He hadn\u2019t missed the emphasis Abby had placed on her last statement.<\/p>\n “Yes. Which is why I\u2019ve come out here this afternoon. It seems after lunch Little Joe made a bet with some of the older boys that they couldn\u2019t whip his big brother. I didn\u2019t know this of course, but after I let the children out this afternoon I heard quite a ruckus coming from the front yard of the schoolhouse. It was Hoss and some of the other boys, some older than he was, some younger. Mostly older, though. Little Joe was standing aside cheering Hoss on as he beat up a few of my students, Ben. Some were quite bloody before I managed to stop the fighting.”<\/p>\n Abby could tell Ben was furious. He hadn\u2019t touched his coffee and she\u2019d resorted to apprehensively nibbling on gingersnaps while squeezing her coffee cup with her palm. He began mumbling before Abby could tell what he was saying.<\/p>\n “Those boys\u2026 I\u2019m going to teach them a lesson\u2026 They ought to know better\u2026”<\/p>\n Abby figured what Ben was thinking and felt sorry for the boys immediately. “Ben, try not to be too hard on them. Little Joe was just being mischievous when he\u2019d started making bets. He only charged one dollar a fight\u2026”<\/p>\n “ONE dollar a fight!” Ben exploded, startling Abby, causing her to drop her cookie in her coffee. She nervously tried to fish it out while Ben stuttered over this news but gave up and set her cup on the table. She sighed.<\/p>\n “That\u2019s why I\u2019m here, Mr. C- Ben. The boys older than Hoss weren\u2019t too happy about losing money to a six and twelve-year-old. I thought you should know before any parents came to you. Or any angry boys try to retaliate.” Abby stood, brushing sugar off her dress. She spied a yellow lemon drop in the chair she was sitting in and placed it on the coffee table next to her cookie sodden coffee. Shame these boys don\u2019t have a mother, she thought.<\/p>\n Finally gaining composure, Ben took Abby\u2019s hand and kissed it. “Thank you so much for making the trip here this afternoon. Shall I have Adam take you home in the buckboard?” Abby smiled, thinking about Ben\u2019s oldest driving her home. She was about to say yes, when she\u2019d remembered hearing some little girls giggling about Adam kissing Leslie Sue Parker at the International House that afternoon. “No, thank you, Ben. It\u2019s a beautiful afternoon and I wish to make the trip on my own. And Ben, don\u2019t be too hard on them. Little Joe was just making friends so fast. The other children took to him so quickly. He\u2019s a loveable boy, as is Hoss.”<\/p>\n Ben watched as she strode out the door and mounted her horse, straddling it this time. “Thank you, Miss Jones.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Just as Ben shut the front door he realized the unnatural quietness of the room. Hoss and Little Joe hadn\u2019t come in from bedding down their horses. Ben angrily strode to the barn, hoping that they had started their chores in an effort to lessen their punishments. What he heard when he reached the barn door demolished any hopes that they were attempting to procure his good side.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s your fault.”<\/p>\n “Is not. You didn\u2019t have to fight.”<\/p>\n “Pa\u2019s gonna be mad.”<\/p>\n “At you. You\u2019re the one that knocked out Jeremy Jenkins\u2019 front tooth.”<\/p>\n “Dadburnit, Little Joe, where did you learn to make bets anyhow? You\u2019re just a kid.”<\/p>\n “Which is precisely what I want to know.” Ben\u2019s voice interrupted. There was hay scattered about the barn, where, judging from their clothes, they\u2019d wrestled in. Their horses were in their stalls, but not yet unbridled. There was a bruise forming on Hoss\u2019 cheek, either from the scrap with Joe or the schoolyard fight.<\/p>\n “Pa!” Both Hoss and Little Joe jumped like soldiers. Hoss shook the hay off him and Little Joe instinctively put his hands behind his back.<\/p>\n “Don\u2019t\u00a0Pa<\/i>\u00a0me! You two have a lot of explaining to do! What do you two boys have to say for yourselves?” Ben hovered precariously over his two youngest children.<\/p>\n “It was Hoss\u2019 fault!” Little Joe nudged Hoss with his elbow. Hoss elbowed him back. They stopped just as they noticed their father\u2019s hand move quickly to his belt buckle.<\/p>\n “Keep it up boys. We\u2019re in the right place for me to have to use this. And I will if you two don\u2019t straighten up right now.”<\/p>\n Again, Little Joe placed his hands behind his back as if it would ward off any attack his father gave his backside.<\/p>\n Hoss spoke up. “Aw, Pa. It were both our faults. I kinda tol\u2019 Little Joe in secret and all that I could whip all the other boys at school. I didn\u2019t know he was goin\u2019 to go and bet them boys I could! Well, then, Pa, when they called me out- I ain\u2019t no chicken, Pa. I didn\u2019t even know Little Joe knew what a bet was!”<\/p>\n “You an\u2019 Adam taught me!” Little Joe looked imploringly at Hoss, then Pa.<\/p>\n Hoss was losing composure at this point. “Now Little Joe, you know that ain\u2019t true. Adam and me would never teach a little boy like you how to make bets. Pa, you have to believe me, we wouldn\u2019t ever do that.”<\/p>\n Ben looked at the honest eyes of his middle son and addressed his youngest. “Joseph, I would like to know why you believe Hoss and Adam taught you this kind of behavior is acceptable. Please explain. And you know how I feel about lying, boy.”<\/p>\n Little Joe still had his hands planted firmly behind his back, shoulders squared, chin down. “Well, Pa. They didn\u2019t exactly teach me.” Hoss stood beside Little Joe, crumbling his hat brim while waiting for an explanation that wouldn\u2019t incriminate he and Adam.<\/p>\n Ben was growing more frustrated with his youngest. “Continue, Joseph.”<\/p>\n “Well, they didn\u2019t exactly know they were teachin\u2019 me, Pa. I kinda\u2019 learned by accident. It\u2019s funny. They was bettin\u2019 each other with that poker game, Pa. I watched them play and learned poker and how to bet!”<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s eyes were raging as he stared at his middle son once again. Hoss started at the sheer anger in Ben\u2019s face. “Pa, now let me explain. He\u2019s tellin\u2019 the truth, Pa, but Adam and I were alone and Little Joe was supposed to be in bed. We didn\u2019t know he was watchin\u2019 us.”<\/p>\n “I see. But, Hoss didn\u2019t we,” he pointed at himself, “me,” then at Hoss, “you,” then toward the house, “and Adam have an agreement that YOU DON\u2019T GAMBLE OR PLAY POKER?”<\/p>\n Hoss put his chin to his chest and turned his hat around and around in his hands. “Yes, sir, we did. Err, that is, we do, Pa. We do have an agreement. I guess Adam and I sort of disobeyed you, Pa. We was just havin\u2019 us some fun. I\u2019m awful sorry.”<\/p>\n Ben snapped his fingers at Little Joe. “Hand over the money, Joseph.”<\/p>\n “The money, Pa?” His voice squeaked, a tell tale sign Little Joe was either lying or hiding something.<\/p>\n “Don\u2019t play coy with me young man. Hand over the money you accrued this afternoon. Now, Joseph.”<\/p>\n “Oh! That money. Sure Pa.” Little Joe dug into the front pocket of his pants and produced a small wad of crumpled bills. “Here it is, Pa. Six dollars!” Little Joe beamed at the fortune in his hand. Ben snatched the stipend from his son\u2019s hand, depleting the youngster\u2019s pride in his cash earnings.<\/p>\n Ben remained silent for a moment, then suddenly grabbed Hoss and Little Joe by their upper arms and strode out of the barn toward the house. The youngest Cartwrights shared nonplus reactions as they practically allowed Ben to drag them across the yard.<\/p>\n They ended up being helpfully but not gently seated side by side on the settee in the living room. They looked sheepishly at their father pacing the floor.<\/p>\n Finally, he stopped. “Not a word. Don\u2019t move off this settee, either one of you, or it\u2019s your hide.” He strode back out the front door and slammed it behind him. Ben took a deep breath and counted to ten twice on the front porch before he returned to find his two sons sitting motionless where he put them.<\/p>\n “At least sometimes you can obey me.” He muttered rhetorically. “Adam! Adam, come down here!” He yelled.<\/p>\n A door creaked open slowly upstairs. From the bottom of the stairs, Ben watched a head of black hair pop out of the door. “Yes, Pa?” He asked cautiously.<\/p>\n “Adam Cartwright, I said \u2018get down here!\u2019 Now, before I get angry!” At the last sentence, Little Joe and Hoss stared at each other in dismay. Little Joe whispered to Hoss, “You mean he ain\u2019t angry yet?”<\/p>\n Behind his back, Ben heard whispering, which agitated him further. He silenced his young sons with one look as Adam descended the staircase slowly.<\/p>\n It was evident that Adam had been sleeping. His usually combed hair was in a disheveled mess and his customarily immaculate clothes were wrinkled and twisted about his body.<\/p>\n Ben gave Adam a glare. “I see, son, that you\u2019ve been in your room contemplating for hours your many errs of the day.” His voice dripped with angry sarcasm.<\/p>\n Adam swallowed heavily. “Yes, Pa. Err, no Pa. I fell asleep while contemplating my errs, sir.” Trembling hands untwisted his shirt from his waist, straightened his vest and his sweaty palms successfully matted down his tufted hair. “I\u2019m sorry, sir.” He added quickly for good measure.<\/p>\n Ben gestured with a wave of his hand for Adam to place himself next to his two younger siblings on the worn checkered sofa and he did so quickly and quietly. Placing his enormous hands on his hips, Ben stood directly in front of his sons. His eyebrows were high, eyes, wide, nostrils flaring and his jaw was jutting forward slightly. All three boys knew they were in for a long night. He was mad. Madder than they\u2019d ever seen him.<\/p>\n Ben began a lecture in clipped tones, trying with all his might not to scream at his sons like he wanted to. “You three have been trying my patience since first light this morning. Joseph, your behavior today was appalling at home as well as at school. I think you know what I mean.” At this, Little Joe put his chin on his chest.<\/p>\n Ben continued, “Hoss, to agree to what your six-year-old brother puts you up to is beyond irresponsible. You\u2019re supposed to be the older brother here. There is no excuse for your schoolyard fighting or picking up nasty habits from your brothers. Which brings your big brother Adam into the picture.” Hoss\u2019 eyes began to well up with tears and Adam sat stunned, not knowing what this had to do with him kissing Leslie Sue Parker in the International House in broad daylight in front of God and everyone.<\/p>\n “-Adam? Are you paying attention to me, boy?”<\/p>\n Adam jolted. “Yes, sir. Sorry.”<\/p>\n Ben espied the fearful faces of his sons and entertained the thought of letting them off the hook, but that thought faded quickly as he thought of all the chaos his three sons had put him through today.<\/p>\n “Well, Adam, your behavior today has been less than appropriate as well. First, you display a lewd act in front of my peers in broad daylight in town, then miss a lunch meeting, swear in my house, now I learn that you\u2019re involved with teaching Hoss how to gamble and play poker!” Ben\u2019s arms were flailing upward, causing all three sons to lean back considerably with each wave that neared their heads.<\/p>\n Adam winced again. \u2018How could this day get any worse?<\/i>\u2019 “Pa, yes, I did teach Hoss to play poker. We were bored, Pa and I wanted to teach Hoss so I could practice for when you let me go into town alone at nights.”<\/p>\n Ben seethed. “I see. And did you know that your baby brother was watching and learning right along side of Hoss? You apparently taught Hoss so well, Joseph became very well oriented with betting!” For the time being, Ben purposely avoided the subject of letting his son go into town alone. That was a subject he\u2019d handle alone and in private with his oldest son, who, on a general basis, would be able to handle the responsibility of entering town without escort.<\/p>\n “But Pa! I didn\u2019t know he was watching! I wouldn\u2019t have ever let Little Joe play poker or watch us. He was supposed to be sleeping. Honest, Pa. I would never teach Little Joe such things.” Adam\u2019s mouth began to feel as if he\u2019d swallowed cotton. They were all in for it. With every fiber of his soul, Adam knew they\u2019d all come to the end of their Pa\u2019s very long rope.<\/p>\n “Well,” said Ben as he carefully placed a dusty boot on the coffee table, a gesture he did not encourage his sons to do. “It seems all three of my sons managed to disobey me today. Isn\u2019t that right?”<\/p>\n The three sons in question sat in stunned silence.<\/p>\n Ben asked again, this time much louder, “I said,\u00a0isn\u2019t<\/i>\u00a0that right, boys?”<\/p>\n “Yes, sir!” they chorused.<\/p>\n Ben gazed deftly at his sons, deciding what to do next. His emotions were disordered; the boys were looking at him wide-eyed and obviously worried at their father\u2019s reactions to their transgressions. Little Joe\u2019s eyes were the size of saucers and he sat ramrod straight on the settee. Hoss kept turning his hat around in his hands over and over and the fluid pattern distracted and hypnotized Ben for what seemed like minutes. Finally breaking his eyes from the rotating hat, he noticed the pallid look of his oldest son. His usually smug face was wracked with worry about being disciplined.<\/p>\n His sons were so perplexed, however, that a slight amusement crept across their father\u2019s face, clearly confusing his boys even more. Realizing that he must put his foot down and instill the castigation his boys needed, Ben wiped away any trace of amusement and replaced the expression with a calm, but austere face. After all, the offenses his sons committed today, however slightly humorous, were serious discipline issues he needed to address with all three of his children. His temper moderately cooled for the time being, Ben looked to the kitchen where he smelled the pleasant aroma of Hop Sing\u2019s cooking. The scents alone lifted weights from his shoulders like steam rising from a freshly cooked platter.<\/p>\n “Well, sons, let\u2019s have an agreeable dinner and we\u2019ll discuss each of your infractions privately after we have a full stomach.”<\/p>\n As if on cue, Hop Sing entered the semi-formal dining area where the Cartwrights feasted together as regularly as possible.<\/p>\n “Hop Sing cook food, you boys eat. Growing boys need supper. Come sit down or I throw away!” The little cook barked his usual song, emphasizing the \u2018throw away\u2019 part, knowing it would definitely have the results he wanted. The four Cartwright men sat in their respective seats at the table, each mulling over how their pa would \u2018handle\u2019 them after supper.<\/p>\n Adam sat staring at his plate, thinking about Leslie Sue Parker and mildly contemplating his mistakes of the day. He weighed his infractions against those of his little brothers and concluded that their behavior was worse than his. Just as he thought he would be spared the brunt of Pa\u2019s anger, he remembered that pesky little brother of his, spying on him and Hoss playing poker when he was supposed to be in bed. Before he knew what he was doing, he spouted out at Little Joe, “Just how is it, you little brat, that you can manage get ME into trouble when you disobey Pa by\u00a0spying<\/i>\u00a0on Hoss and me?”<\/p>\n “ADAM!” Ben didn\u2019t even give Little Joe a chance to respond. “Stop this nonsense at once! I told you I wanted a peaceful dinner and I meant it. I\u2019ve had enough temper tantrums for one day.” Ben\u2019s chocolate eyes narrowed on his oldest son. “I suggest you tone down, boy, you\u2019re not doing yourself any favors.”<\/p>\n Adam jumped from his seat at the table and his eyes, the color of murky water, flashed with anger and defiance. “I won\u2019t tone down, Pa! I\u2019m sick of that little boy always getting his way around here! If\u00a0he<\/i>\u00a0can get away with throwing temper tantrums and breaking rules, then why can\u2019t\u00a0I<\/i>? At least try to be less transparent in your favoritism, Pa!” The words exited his mouth before Adam could stop and even he could apperceive the puerile angst in his voice. Adam knew he\u2019d just dug his own grave and judging from the utter stillness that followed his pretense, his Pa did, too. Angered, Ben knew he had to remain silent before gaining composure to speak. After he\u2019d ingested the hasty words his oldest son spoke, Ben gathered his napkin from his lap and precisely dabbed at the corners of his mouth before placing it over his unfinished meal.<\/p>\n Little Joe watched the interaction between his oldest brother and father with amusement. He\u2019d managed to get his brother into trouble again! A small giggle escaped Little Joe\u2019s lips and infectious as it was, he giggled louder and harder, causing Hoss to join in. Little Joe\u2019s giggles increased when he was rewarded with a curled lip and sneer from Adam.<\/p>\n Their festivities were cut off abruptly when two meaty fists blasted the table. Every dish, cup saucer, knife and fork flew from their positions and landed in a loud clank back to the table in disarray. “ENOUGH! ENOUGH!” Ben stood from his position at the head of the table.<\/p>\n Three sets of wide eyes watched their father work to tone his fury. Surprisingly, he was quiet when he spoke his next words. “Eric, Joseph, upstairs now. Do it quickly and quietly, please.” Like burglars, Hoss and Little Joe tip toed up the stairs to the sanctuary of their rooms.<\/p>\n “Adam, I\u2019d like to continue this discussion in the barn.” Adam blanched visibly and swallowed hard.<\/p>\n This time, Ben didn\u2019t see any amusement in the situation. In fact, for the first time that day, he decided his rope wasn\u2019t only at an end; it was frayed. He\u2019d tried to be patient. He\u2019d tried to understand. But enough was enough. After taking three slow, deep breaths he grabbed Adam\u2019s arm firmly and hauled him out the door.<\/p>\n “Pa.” Adam pleaded. It was all he could manage to say. His father ignored his supplication and planted his feet near a hay bale in front of his son. Ben deposited his hands at his hips, much like he had while handling Joseph early that morning.<\/p>\n “Son, I think we should discuss some things before I give you the tanning you so richly deserve. You\u2019re an intelligent young man, I\u2019m sure you know since we\u2019re continuing this discussion in the barn instead of enjoying a nice meal, that I\u2019ve been very disappointed in you today. You are usually my right hand man around here Adam and today, you\u2019ve behaved as if you are Little Joe\u2019s age.”<\/p>\n Ben held up his thumb and forefinger, holding them nary an inch apart. “Never in my life have I ever struck any of my sons in anger, but tonight I came this close to slapping you right at the dinner table, Adam. I have not raised you to speak to me or anyone in that manner and I\u2019m appalled that you did. I don\u2019t care what the situation is, or how old you are, next time you speak to me in that fashion I\u2019ll tan the skin off your hide. Understand?”<\/p>\n Adam swallowed. “Yes, sir.”<\/p>\n “Now,” Ben moved his large hands from his hips and hooked his thumbs to his belt buckle. “We have other infractions to handle, don\u2019t we?”<\/p>\n Adam looked beseechingly at his father\u2019s stern face and then the thick leather of his belt. “Pa, I know I acted horribly today. But a tanning? You haven\u2019t resorted to that in a while. I\u2019ll be eighteen soon. Aren\u2019t I a little too old for spankings, Pa?”<\/p>\n Ben merely unbuckled his belt and pulled it from the loops of his tan pants. “No, Adam. You\u2019ve proved to me today that you are still a child in many ways. You will be punished as Hoss and Little Joe do when they are disobedient, or when they fly off at their father, young man. In one day, you\u2019ve managed to disgrace the family name, get your brother Hoss into more trouble by teaching him to play poker and then you talk back to me, twice in one day! And, Adam, I don\u2019t think you\u2019ll be practicing your poker hand in town any time soon son. You\u2019re restricted to the ranch. There\u2019ll be no seeing Leslie Sue for a month. And I suggest that you watch what comes out of that smart mouth of yours, son or your month will be spent standing up. Shall we get this over with?” Ben took a step away from the bale and pointed to it.<\/p>\n Adam walked slowly to the bale and bent over it, a flush of embarrassment rising in his cheeks. He knew deep down that he deserved this. He\u2019d pushed his father too much today. But his feelings of accepting his comeuppance ended as the first of many licks landed hard across his backside. In a matter of seconds, Adam remembered just what his father meant when he said, \u2018you will regret.\u2019 And he most assuredly did.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After Adam\u2019s tanning was over, Ben replaced his belt and addressed his son. “Adam. I\u2019ve got your brothers do deal with. You may stay in the barn until you have composed yourself.” Ben waited until he got a fast nod from his crying son and retreated to the house.<\/p>\n Before this day, it\u2019d been months since he\u2019d resorted to spanking any of his sons. Strangely enough, it had been Hoss, his least pretentious son that he\u2019d punished last. Prior to that day, Hoss had asked his father if he could spend an afternoon fishing with his new friend Pete Lauger. Ben had responded with a stern \u2018no\u2019. He didn\u2019t like Pete Lauger\u2019s defiant, disrespectful attitude and wasn\u2019t fond of his son hanging around him. Eventually, Pete\u2019s cajoling worked and he convinced Hoss that he deserved a break from Saturday chores. So, when the day came, Hoss skipped his chores and escaped to the lake, notifying no one. Later that afternoon, Ben returned early from checking the north fences with Adam and was shocked to find Hoss missing and his chores undone. Realizing where his son might be, Ben sent Adam to the lake to search for his wayward middle boy. When Adam returned with the confirmation, Ben waited patiently for his son to return home to face the consequences. Hours after he\u2019d left, Hoss walked into the yard with a string of fish and a smile on his face, unsuspecting of the amount of trouble he\u2019d be in.<\/p>\n Hoss panicked when he saw the anger on his Pa\u2019s face and clumsily dropped his line of fish on the ground. Instead of confessing immediately when asked of his whereabouts, he\u2019d uncouthly stammered and lied about Hop Sing wanting to cook a fish dinner. Ben knew the truth behind his escape to the lake and made a mental note to have a more serious talk with Hoss about Pete Lauger. Ben had planned on restricting Hoss to the ranch for a month as punishment, but as soon as the fabrication departed his son\u2019s lips, Ben stripped off his belt and sent Hoss to his room. And now, here he was again, ascending the wooden staircase, hand gliding over the polished wood, mentally preparing himself for the handling of his second of three sons.<\/p>\n Without knocking, Ben entered his middle son\u2019s room. “Hoss.” His eyes landed on the back of a blond head staring out the bedroom window.<\/p>\n Hoss turned and glanced worriedly at his Pa. He had obviously been crying. “I\u2019m sorry, Pa. Really, I am.”<\/p>\n It was hard for Ben to stay firm with his blue-eyed, good-natured son. Nonetheless, there was a lesson here and Ben felt strongly about the edification.<\/p>\n “Son, I\u2019m going to tell you the same thing I told Adam. I\u2019m very disappointed in your actions this afternoon. You should have known better than to listen to your little brother\u2019s antics. Hoss, you have to remember that you are the older brother and just as Adam takes care of you in my absence, it is your duty in the same situation to take care of Joseph. That includes when you\u2019re at school. You and Joseph both know fighting is against the rules, as well as gambling. Tomorrow I\u2019m riding to school with you and Joseph so I can personally watch you return those boys\u2019 money and apologize to them and Miss Jones and any parents who wish escort their children to school in the morning. You will also be paying with your allowance any doctor bills any of the children may have needed. I seem to remember Miss Jones telling me you knocked out a boy\u2019s tooth! I have not raised a bully, son and I don\u2019t ever want to hear the townspeople referring to you as such.”<\/p>\n Walking to Hoss\u2019 bed, Ben reiterated, “Hoss, I will not tolerate you fighting at school or betting or playing poker. I\u2019m sorry son. I didn\u2019t like doing it the last time and I certainly won\u2019t enjoy it again.” For the second time that evening, Ben removed his belt.<\/p>\n “Come here, son.”<\/p>\n Hoss obediently approached his bed and bent over it, again wishing he were still small enough to be put over his father\u2019s knee like his little brother.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Shutting the bedroom door, Ben glanced across the hall at his baby son\u2019s room. He knew that it was torture for the young boy to be waiting so long for his punishment and he was most likely listening dreadfully to the yelps coming from his big brother\u2019s room.<\/p>\n Ben squared his shoulders, preparing mentally and physically for the battle with his youngest and braced himself for whatever Joseph would throw at him. Noiselessly, he opened the thick pine door to Little Joe\u2019s room and glanced to the few places his son might be. Upon first glimpse, Joe was no where to be seen. He wasn\u2019t on his bed, or under it, nor was he cowering in any corners. Finally, his eyes landed on his target. What he saw before him was Little Joe\u2019s small backside, one leg keeping balance on the floor and the other already stuck out of his window along with his head, upper shoulders and arms. Ben seethed.\u00a0\u2018He was trying to escape!\u2019<\/i>\u00a0Little Joe had decided to take fate into his own hands. Unfortunately for him, he picked the wrong night to do it.<\/p>\n “JOSEPH FRANCIS CARTWRIGHT!” The words were all too familiar, but undoubtedly pertinent to the situation. The overused phrase reverberated across the bedroom wall and echoed to the bedroom window where the little scamp was perched. Startled by the yell, Little Joe nearly fell headfirst out his second story window and had it not been for the steadfast hands of his father wrapping around his midsection, he probably would have.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “What in heaven\u2019s name do you think you\u2019re doing, son?” Ben set Little Joe on the floor none too gently and his grip didn\u2019t loosen as he kneeled face to face with his son.<\/p>\n Eyes wide, Little Joe answered by turning his head away from his father.<\/p>\n Ben was familiar with this tactic. “I asked you a question, Joseph.”<\/p>\n The little boy managed to look into his father\u2019s deep brown eyes, but averted his eyes slightly before answering. “I was going outside, Pa.”<\/p>\n “Through your window, Joseph? And what for, may I ask?” Ben contained his fury.<\/p>\n “To\u2026 To go see Roman, Pa.” Little Joe gave his father a guilty smile.<\/p>\n “Joseph. Do not lie to me. I know as well as you do that you were not climbing out your bedroom window to see Roman. Were you trying to escape your punishment?”<\/p>\n Little Joe knew he\u2019d been caught. “Yes, Pa. I didn\u2019t want you to spank me.”<\/p>\n Ben hauled Little Joe over to his bed and sat down, placing him between his legs like he had early that same morning of this hellish day. “Well, son, do you think that running off will prevent you from getting that spanking?”<\/p>\n Tears were forming in the little boy\u2019s eyes and his loosened curls fell limply onto his forehead, making the impish boy look like a toddler once again. Even at six, Little Joe understood how he was supposed to answer. He also knew that he would undoubtedly get that spanking he\u2019d tried diligently to avoid.<\/p>\n “I\u2019m sorry, Papa. I wasn\u2019t thinking, I guess. I thought you\u2019d forget, maybe if\u2019n you couldn\u2019t find me.”<\/p>\n Ben nodded. “Yes that\u2019s what I thought. Do you know why I was coming in here to spank you, son?”<\/p>\n “Yes, Papa.” His voice was barely above a whisper. Ben raised his eyebrows, signaling to Little Joe that he expected further explanation. “I was bad this morning, \u2018cause I didn\u2019t want to go to school and then I broke your rules and got into a fight and made bets. I laughed at my big brother when he gotted into trouble.” Little Joe looked at Ben with his angelic face and gave his most infectious smile.<\/p>\n Ben didn\u2019t waver. “This isn\u2019t a smiling matter son. You have been a serious discipline problem today. I\u2019ve already informed Hoss that you and he will be returning all the money to the other boys and you will be paying with your allowance any medical bills they have. Can you understand that?”<\/p>\n After getting a nod, Ben continued. “You will also be apologizing to the other children and Miss Jones. As well as any parents who wish to accompany their children to the schoolyard tomorrow. You also seem to forget that I had to pull you out of your bedroom window not five minutes ago to keep you from either running off or falling to your death. Joseph that is a long fall and I don\u2019t want to catch you in or on the other side of that window ever again. That incident alone would have earned you a spanking, as well as the lying, but today I suppose we\u2019re just going to have to add it to the file.”<\/p>\n On that note, Ben released his son from between his legs and in one swift movement placed him across his lap and began a spanking that Little Joe wouldn\u2019t soon forget.<\/p>\n Of course, because of his age, Little Joe cried harder than his brothers did, making Ben feel slightly guilty. He stayed with Little Joe for a few minutes, laying him down on the bed and rubbing his back with the flat of his hand; the same stinging palm that he\u2019d just spanked his son with. Removing his hand from his son\u2019s small back, Ben looked at his palm and saw redness and felt the soreness of it. Frowning ruefully, he thought,\u00a0imagine what his backside feels like?<\/i>\u00a0He shook his head and closed his fist, not wanting to regret the lessons he\u2019d intended to teach his sons. Since Ben had been on the receiving end of spankings as a child, he knew how his children felt. But now, as an adult, he understood more than ever\u00a0why\u00a0<\/i>his father tanned him and just how difficult it was for him to do. Ben hoped he was half the man his father was and irrefutably tried to teach his sons to be responsible, upstanding people.<\/p>\n He looked down again at Little Joe. It had been a long day for the little boy and he was fast asleep, tears dried half way down his face. Rubbing away tear tracks with his thumb, Ben wondered if his staying next to Joseph was more for the little boys\u2019 benefit or his own. Smiling, he leaned forward to kiss Joe\u2019s cool cheeks and forehead.<\/p>\n Ben whispered into Little Joe\u2019s ear. “Good night, son. I love you.” He gently ruffled his son\u2019s curls, thankful that he could start tomorrow anew with his young sons.<\/p>\n He closed the door behind his back and remained there for a moment, back pressed to the door. For the umpteenth time that day, he sighed a deep ungovernable sigh, feeling neither a sense of contentment or explicit unrest. He\u2019d never before spanked all three of his sons in one day and was surprised at how the emotion of it taxed him. At the same time, Ben felt strongly about accepting the repercussions for your actions, even if it meant feeling the after affects of it for a while.<\/p>\n Walking toward his room, Ben felt his stomach grumble and contemplated asking Hop Sing to reheat tonight\u2019s dinner, but before he walked down the stairs, he\u2019d remembered that neither of his sons had eaten dinner either. He slapped the newel post lightly and walked slowly back to his bedroom and turned the squeaky marble doorknob. Hearing a slight cough from an indiscernible direction, the over-cautious father stopped dead in his tracks and pivoted, marching to a bedroom. He knew his sons were fine, but Ben furtively used any excuse he could to check on his sons nearly every night.<\/p>\n He put his ear to Adam\u2019s door and cracked it open slightly, hearing the sound of Adam\u2019s deep breathing. Entering silently, Ben looked at the sleeping figure of his oldest son. He leaned forward to better look at him. Adam was on his stomach; his clothes still on and he was lying on top of the bedclothes. He pulled a blanket off of Adam\u2019s grandfather\u2019s fisherman trunk and draped it over him, tucking the soft cover under his shoulders and legs.<\/p>\n “Good night, son. I love you.” Ben closed the door quietly, suddenly remembering that Adam must have retreated to his room while he was with Joseph.<\/p>\n The next room he went to was Hoss\u2019. Ben smiled as he listened to his son\u2019s snoring from the hallway. Entering, he softly approached his son\u2019s bed. Like his other two sons, Hoss was sleeping on his stomach, his nightshirt twisted about his legs and bedclothes in a heap on the floor. Ben chuckled cautiously as he with one finger, closed Hoss\u2019 slightly agape mouth. The gesture only halted Hoss\u2019 snoring for an instant and soon the clamorous ring of it drowned out any sound Ben\u2019s boots made upon the hard wood floor. For the third time that night, Ben whispered to his son as he straightened the sheets and blankets around beefy shoulders, “Good night, son. I love you.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He never was quite sure why he went to bed hungry that night. The growling and slight pains of hunger kept him from falling asleep immediately like he\u2019d wished to. Once he did, however, Ben fell into a deep and contented sleep. The next morning, Ben was wakened to the sounds of his stomach growling and the friendly banter of his sons talking downstairs. He smiled as he hurriedly dressed to join his sons for breakfast.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Thankfully, each of his sons had accepted their misdeeds from the day before and respectfully asked for their father\u2019s forgiveness. Ben gave it willingly and announced that the slate had been wiped clean. He received smiles and hugs from Hoss and Little Joe while Adam chose to formally shake his Pa\u2019s hand. Outside looking in, you\u2019d never know about the day of hell each family member experienced the day before.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As they approached the breakfast table, Hop Sing entered the dining room with three large, soft pillows, placed them in Adam, Hoss and Joe\u2019s seats and plumped them vigorously. Ben stifled a laugh as he watched each of his sons\u2019 gingerly hunker down and fought the urge chuckle as they squirmed uncomfortably all through their harried breakfast. Every morsel of anger Ben had felt the day before was now washed away and replaced with the warmth, admiration and unguarded paternal companionship that he and his sons normally shared. He knew that he\u2019d have to discipline his sons again in the future; Joseph would invariably find ways to push his father over the edge. Ben smiled and surveyed his sons half-shoveling their eggs into their mouths. Closing his eyes, Ben prayed that a day like yesterday would never happen again. He looked toward the heavens and internally asked,\u00a0“Dear God, if my sons ever again decide to test me in the way they did yesterday, please, please let each of them do it on a DIFFERENT day!”<\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This story is dedicated to Lorrie, whose help, kind words and encouragement pulled me through. This wouldn\u2019t be finished if it weren\u2019t for her. And also thanks to Lori for helping me edit.<\/span><\/p>\n