{"id":5514,"date":"2011-05-01T17:49:38","date_gmt":"2011-05-01T21:49:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5514"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:25:27","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:25:27","slug":"great-minds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5514","title":{"rendered":"Great Minds (by deansgirl)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span>It’s Christmas time on the Ponderosa and the family is ready to exchange gifts.<\/p>\n

Rated: K+ (2,440 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Great Minds<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam Cartwright woke up on Christmas Eve with a smile. He had to make one more trip to Virginia City before Christmas. He hopped out of bed and dressed quickly. Then he walked down the hall to his brother\u2019s room and pounded on the door. \u201cJoe, Joe, you awake!\u201d he called.<\/p>\n

He heard his brother grunt and he entered the room. His brother was lying curled up in the bed his blankets pulled tightly around him. Adam walked into the room and yanked the coverlet off his brother with a shout, \u201cCome on, Joe, get up! I\u2019m going to Virginia City and if you want to come with me you\u2019d better hurry!\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe Cartwright sat straight up at that. \u201cVirginia City?\u201d he asked rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. \u201cYeah, I want to come. I have to pick up my gift for Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHurry up and get dressed then.\u201d Adam said walking towards his brother\u2019s door. \u201cWe should get some breakfast first.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam walked down the stairs towards the table his heart light and a Christmas carol on his lips. His father and younger brother Hoss sat at the table eating a breakfast of Hop Sing\u2019s delicious flapjacks. \u201cMorning, Pa.\u201d Adam smiled sliding into his seat. \u201cHi, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, Adam.\u201d Ben Cartwright nodded at his son. Hoss said nothing. His mouth was too full of flapjacks and maple syrup. \u201cIs your brother Joe up yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is now.\u201d Adam answered placing some hot flapjacks on his plate. \u201cHoss, pass me the syrup.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou two still going into town?\u201d Ben inquired.<\/p>\n

Adam nodded. \u201cGot some last minute Christmas shopping to do.\u201d Adam answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cStill?\u201d Hoss asked. \u201cI finished mine a week ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled. \u201cI had something ordered from back East. It takes awhile to get here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ordered something from the East, too.\u201d Hoss answered. \u201cMine came in last week.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled again. \u201cYou must have ordered sooner than me.\u201d He answered. He was going to tell Hoss that his was much more expensive and had to be carefully handled. But he decided against it. After all it was Christmas Eve.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could be rite.\u201d Hoss agreed. \u201cI knew what I was agoin\u2019 by a long time ago. But not you, Adam, ya and Joe always wait for the last minute.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wouldn\u2019t be Christmas unless people are all rushing around.\u201d Joe retorted coming down the stairs and taking his place at the table. \u201cAnd \u2018cause you and Pa finished your Christmas shopping early someone has got to keep the rushing spirit alive. Morning, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, Joe.\u201d Ben answered. \u201cIf you two are going into town you had better hurry. We\u2019re expecting a terrible snowstorm and I want you two safely back before that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Pa.\u201d The two boys replied. Adam took a last bite and pushed his plate away from him. \u201cI\u2019ll go hitch the team, Joe.\u201d He told his brother. \u201cWhen you\u2019re done eating, come on out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d his father\u2019s voice stopped him. \u201cWhat about your chores?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChores?\u201d Adam stopped near the door. \u201cRight. I forgot all about my chores. Can we do it when we get back?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d Ben answered. \u201cShopping can wait. Chores cannot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAWW. Go on an git ya\u2019re shoppin\u2019 done.\u201d Hoss smiled standing up. \u201cI\u2019ll do the chores for ya.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, you\u2019re an angel!\u201d Adam smiled. \u201cThanks.\u201d Then he disappeared outside.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, we owe you one.\u201d Joe stood up. \u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben watched his two sons leave and shook his head turning to his husky middle son. \u201cThey\u2019ll never learn anything that way.\u201d Ben told him.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, they needed to git done \u2018fore the snow come in and I was willin\u2019 to do it anyways. \u2018Sides,\u201d he smiled. \u201cI already did Joe\u2019s chores when I got up thins mornin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head and stood up. \u201cI have some things to do for Christmas, Hoss. Do me a favor and stay out of the house, all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Pa.\u201d Hoss replied putting on his coat. \u201cI was plannin\u2019 on looking at some of the cattle anyways. Jist let me know when I cin come back in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll let you know.\u201d Ben smiled. Then he walked over to his desk and watched Hoss leave the house and head towards the barn.<\/p>\n

Hoss was singing gaily as he walked into the barn. In one of the stalls there was a beautiful brand new saddle. Hoss lifted up a corner of the saddle blanket covering the gift and smiled. Then he sat down beside it, took a piece of pretty paper out of his pocket and wrote, \u201cTo Pa, love Hoss.\u201d He tacked the paper carefully onto the saddle and recovered it with the blanket. Then he stood up and walked towards the feed bucket. He had to feed the horses.
\nBen Cartwright looked out the window a few times. Apparently his son was keeping busy. So he reached down under his desk and took out a number of packages still wrapped in the store bag. He sighed, ripped open the packages and spread it on the desk. Then he stepped over to the corner by the Christmas tree where they kept the paper to wrap gifts. He looked at them for a while chose three different colors and headed back to his desk. Now even he was singing and he smiled. He had always loved Christmas. He looked at the gifts spread on his desk shook his head and set a gift and the paper on the floor. Then sitting next to it Ben started to wrap his Christmas gifts determined to finish before Adam and Joe got back.
\nJoe Cartwright watched Adam disappear down the street towards the jewelers. He wondered what Adam was getting but he had to pick up Pa\u2019s girt so he turned and walked towards the home of Sara Louise Andrews. Sara Louise had promised to handstitch a quilt for his Pa\u2019s gift. When he knocked on the door Sara Louise answered it. \u201cCome on, in, Little Joe.\u201d She held the door open for him. \u201cI have the quilt in the drawing room.\u201d<\/p>\n

She led him into the drawing room and picked up the neatly folded quilt. She shook it open and showed it to him. \u201cWell?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

Joe looked at the quilt. It was big and thick and beautiful. There were snowflakes sprinkled throughout it, a star in every corner and the inscription, \u201cMerry Christmas to my, Pa. Love you always, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLovely, Lovely.\u201d Joe took the quilt from her and folded it back up. \u201cHe\u2019ll love it. How much do I owe you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou already paid me.\u201d She answered. \u201cWhen you ordered it, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right.\u201d Joe nodded. \u201cI did.\u201d He turned towards the door. \u201cThank you very much, Sara Louise. Merry Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

She opened the door and smiled. \u201cMerry Christmas, Joe.\u201d And as he disappeared down the street she laughed. \u201cI think Little Joe is in for a surprise.\u201d She smiled and closed the door.
\nAdam stopped at the jewelers and looked around. He saw Joe going into Sara Louise\u2019s then he smiled and ducked into the store. \u201cMerry Christmas, Sam.\u201d He called to the jeweler.<\/p>\n

Sam Long turned from his desk to look at Adam. \u201cOh, Merry Christmas Adam.\u201d Sam Long was a professional jeweler who doubled as a watch repairman. \u201cCome to pick up your gift?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI certainly have.\u201d Adam smiled. \u201cIs it in?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCame in yesterday.\u201d Sam replied reaching into his desk and taking out the jewelry box. \u201cHere you go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam took it carefully and opened the box. \u201cIts even lovelier that it was on paper.\u201d He whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt should be.\u201d Sam replied. \u201cThat\u2019s a real Waltham watch. Good stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt looks it.\u201d Adam took it out and read the inscription on the back. \u201cTo my brother, Hoss. All my love, Adam.\u201d He smiled. \u201cExcellent. I paid you right, Sam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sam nodded. \u201cHave a great Christmas, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou, too.\u201d Adam smiled and walked out the door.
\nHoss saw his brothers coming back first. He was casually riding along the road, watching the sky for the impending snowstorm and the road for his brother\u2019s return. Adam and Joe were laughing and singing as they headed towards the house. The gifts were safely tucked away under the blankets in the wagon. But Hoss\u2019 gift, Adam had carefully placed in his coat pocket. He did not want to risk losing it. Hoss joined his brothers with a smile. \u201cHow was ya\u2019re shopin\u2019?\u201d he asked. \u201cFind everythin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou bet.\u201d Joe nodded and Adam agreed. \u201cNow don\u2019t go pickin\u2019 through that stuff.\u201d Joe warned Hoss as the middle Cartwright son leaned over to see what was hidden under the blankets. \u201cThat\u2019s cheatin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss drew back quickly and grinned. \u201cSorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked up from the floor. His gifts were all wrapped and he had just finished setting them under the tree. He could hear his three voices as the boys came towards the house and walked towards the door. He saw Adam and Joe stop the wagon and take several packages out of the back. Hoss had put his horse away and came into the house. Ben opened the door and smiled at his sons. \u201cWelcome home, boys. How was your trip?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Christmas morning was a beautiful morning. Hoss Cartwright was the first one up. He had to get Pa\u2019s gift out of the barn. He dressed quickly and walked softly down the steps and out the door. Outside the walked quietly to the barn and uncovered the saddle. It was beautiful, Pa would love it, he thought, as he picked it up and headed back towards the house. This Christmas he had gone all out for his family spending every penny he had earned that year. But this gift for Pa and the one he had bought for Adam were the best yet.<\/p>\n

The rest of the family was up and at the breakfast table when Hoss came in with the saddle. \u201cMerry Christmas, everyone.\u201d He smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cMerry Christmas, Hoss.\u201d They answered watching Hoss set the saddle under the tree. His face fell slightly when he saw another saddle under the tree but brightened again sure it was for someone else. After all Joe needed a new saddle. Then he came and sat down at the breakfast table glad to eat a good breakfast of ham and eggs.<\/p>\n

When the family had finished breakfast Ben suggested they do their chores and then open their gifts. The boys grumbled a little bit but agreed. Adam cast an anxious look at the saddle Hoss had brought in. He was too far away to see the label but he hoped the saddle was not for the same person. After all Joe needed a new saddle.<\/p>\n

When the boys had finished their chores they came back into the house. Ben having done what he had to do was waiting for them. The boys grouped around the tree and Ben handed them each a gift silently. He always bought the boys something practical that they could use. This year was no different. He had bought them each a very similar knife. With one difference. The color. Adam\u2019s was red, Hoss\u2019 blue, and Joe\u2019s green. Ben smiled. \u201cI\u2019ll always know whose knife it is.\u201d He told them and they nodded. He never knew that one day many years later one of those knives would serve as an identifier for a lost son.<\/p>\n

Then the boys exchanged their own gifts. Adam handed Hoss his gift from back East. Hoss tore it open with a smile. He opened the box and exclaimed, \u201cAdam, it\u2019s wonderful. Thank you.\u201d He took the watch out and almost laughed. \u201cIs this a Waltham?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d Adam replied surprised that Hoss would know. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss handed Adam a little box without a word. Adam tore off the paper opened the box and started to laugh. \u201cI don\u2019t believe it! I just don\u2019t believe it!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked up from the saddle that was under the tree for him from Hoss. \u201cWhat is it, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam held up his watch and Hoss did the same. \u201cWe bought each other the same gift.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI liked it.\u201d Hoss defended himself. \u201cAnd ah thought ya would, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI love it.\u201d Adam assured his brother reading the inscription on the bottom. \u201cTo Adam, my brother. Your little brother, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we have a problem here.\u201d Little Joe cut in. \u201cThere\u2019s two saddles here. One\u2019s form Hoss and one\u2019s from Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo?\u201d Adam and Hoss asked turning to Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re both to the same person!\u201d Joe laughed.<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss looked at each other. \u201cYou bought Pa a new saddle!\u201d Adam exclaimed.<\/p>\n

Hoss shrugged. \u201cI saw he needed a new one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo did I!\u201d Adam exclaimed.<\/p>\n

Ben, sitting on the settee, started to laugh.<\/p>\n

Joe cut in with a smile. \u201cWell, I saw Pa needed a new saddle, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

A look of horror came into Ben\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I didn\u2019t buy him one.\u201d Joe continued and Ben sighed. Three saddles would be hard to handle. \u201cInstead,\u201d Joe continued, \u201cI bought him something else. Here, Pa.\u201d He handed his father a gift.<\/p>\n

Ben tore it open and held it up. The quilt looked lovely and warm. \u201cSomething you fellows didn\u2019t think of.\u201d Jo looked over at his brothers.<\/p>\n

Ben looked at him strangely.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you like it, Pa?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cSon, I love it.\u201d Then he pointed to a soft gift under the tree. \u201cThat one there, Joe, open it. Go ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe tore off the paper and started laughing. \u201cAnd I thought I had an original idea.\u201d he exclaimed reading the inscription. \u201cMerry Christmas, Little Joe. Love your Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss started laughing. \u201cI think we had a little mistake here.\u201d Adam said. \u201cHoss and I bought you the same gift. Then we bought each other the same gift.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I bought Joe the same gift he bought me.\u201d Ben smiled. \u201cWell, Boys they always say that great minds think alike. I think we are more similar then we care to admit.\u201d<\/p>\n

The boys laughed. What a Christmas! Adam thought. Only in their family could such a mistake occur. But the rest of the family was laughing and Ben was ready to sing a Christmas carol. Adam took out his guitar and smiled up at his father. He had strummed it once and was just about to begin when Ben stopped him. \u201cDo you mind if I give one of the saddles to Joe?\u201d he asked. \u201cHe really does need a new one.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0It’s Christmas time on the Ponderosa and the family is ready to exchange gifts.<\/p>\n

Rated: K+ (2,440 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":170,"featured_media":5348,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5514","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","wpcat-23-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/CartwrightFamily.jpg?fit=259%2C194&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5514","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/170"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5514"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5514\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5348"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5514"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5514"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5514"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}