Disclaimer: I don’t own the Cartwrights or Bonanza. No copyright infringement is intended. Original plot and characters are property of the author. This story is for entertainment and no money was made from it.<\/span><\/p>\n Reviews from the Old Library are on the last page.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As Good as the Best Day He Ever Saw<\/strong><\/p>\n Ben Cartwright reined his horse to a stop and then pressed his fist into his lower back; he was rewarded with a loud pop as muscles long underused released their tension. He\u2019d turned the cattle drives over to his sons a few years back as he\u2019d decided they should take greater responsibility for the ranching operations. Last year, though, he\u2019d brooded like a mother hen while his sons were away and fell into a months-long melancholy at the prospect that he\u2019d outlived his usefulness as a rancher.When Ben had announced he\u2019d lead the drive this year, his sons had reminded him in a not so delicate manner that he wasn\u2019t a spring chicken anymore. That alone had provided Ben with the motivation to prove to his sons and the hands that he still had the stamina and gumption of his youth.Now, though, sitting on horseback at the hitching line, Ben regretted his impulsive decision to give up the comforts of home for life on the trail. Ben, determined to dismount without falling to the ground, leaned forward over the saddle horn and swung his right leg over the horse\u2019s rump, brushing the bedroll.Once both feet were on the ground, he lifted his arms and grimaced at the series of cracks exploding from his spine. A contented sigh escaped his lips as stiff muscles loosened.Ben turned his attention to his horse, Buck, and scratched his mount\u2019s neck at the root of the mane. Buck snorted and lowered his head as if he too were removing the kinks from a body no longer accustomed to long hours of work.Patting the horse\u2019s neck, Ben said, \u201cI know how you feel, old boy.\u201d Tying Buck to the hitching line, Ben mumbled, \u201cDriving cattle is a young man\u2019s job.\u201dBen uncinched the saddle and slid it free of the horse. He chuckled as the animal took a deep breath, free to expand its belly without constraint.<\/span><\/p>\n Ambling over to the fire, Ben greeted or nodded at his men.<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss, the eldest of Ben\u2019s sons, sat near the fire, eating from plates loaded with beans cooked up by the trail cook, Lucky, cousin of the Ponderosa\u2019s cook, Hop Sing. Both Adam and Hoss noted their father\u2019s stiff-legged gait but politely kept their thoughts bottled up.<\/p>\n Ben leaned over but a soft hiss of pain escaped his lips as his muscles protested.<\/p>\n Hoss grabbed up a nearby plate, plopped a large scoop of beans onto it, and handed it up to his father along with a spoon. \u201cHere you go, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks,\u201d was Ben\u2019s weary reply.<\/p>\n Amos and Hank, two of the older hands, walked stiff-legged over to the fire and squatted down, their bodies protesting the movement with snaps and cracks.<\/p>\n \u201cI ain\u2019t a spring chicken no more,\u201d Amos said to no one in particular as he filled his plate from the pot.<\/p>\n Hank grunted in agreement, concentrating on shoveling beans into his mouth.<\/p>\n A horse galloped into the camp and its rider, Calvin Walker, pulled the animal to a sudden stop, resulting in clods of dirt flying onto plates and onto sleeping men. Several protests were yelled until Ben calmed the men with an order for quiet.<\/p>\n After securing his mount at the hitching line, Calvin strolled over to the fire and squatted on his haunches as he scooped a generous serving of beans from the pot. As he stood, he surveyed the faces of the older men and laughed. \u201cYou grandpas better drink some milk to settle your stomachs and go to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe may be old but we ain\u2019t wet behind the ears,\u201d grumbled Amos.<\/p>\n \u201cThis isn\u2019t my first cattle drive, old man,\u201d said Calvin with a growl in his voice.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019ll be your last if you don\u2019t show some respect to your elders,\u201d warned Ben.<\/p>\n Calvin swallowed a hard lump of beans. \u201cYes, sir, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d he said. \u201cGuess I\u2019d better get some rest before my watch tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou do that,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n Finishing their suppers, Hoss and Adam pried themselves from the ground and stretched their legs before taking their empty plates over to Lucky.<\/p>\n \u201cYou got any more of that cobbler?\u201d asked Hoss, his hopes as high as his hat.<\/p>\n \u201cAll men eat. No more.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDadburnit,\u201d Hoss grumbled under his breath.<\/p>\n \u201cAt least you\u2019ll stay awake thinking about it,\u201d said Adam with a grin on his face.<\/p>\n Hoss and Adam had the first watch of the night shift. All of the men, including Cartwrights, often dozed in the saddles as their horses circled the herd in the hours between midnight and dawn. The trick was for a man to find something to think on that kept his mind alert.<\/p>\n Adam slung his guitar over his shoulder before hoisting his saddle. He often crooned to the steers to keep the animals calm. A few of the hands complained at the repetitiveness of his repertoire but they appreciated hearing tunes that reminded them of the camaraderie of evenings spent in saloons or nights in soft beds.<\/p>\n \u201cNight, Pa,\u201d said Hoss as he and Adam passed Ben.<\/p>\n Ben grunted a goodnight as he spooned more beans into his mouth.<\/p>\n Across the fire, two of the men played rummy while another read from a bible so worn the print was barely visible even in broad daylight.<\/p>\n After finishing his supper, Ben managed to lurch to his feet without assistance but the prickling pins and needles in his feet made him wish he\u2019d stayed rooted by the fire. As he walked to restore the circulation, he saw Joe arrive at the hitching line.<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019s the herd?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cFat and lazy, like one of my brothers,\u201d said Joe as he flashed a charming smile at his father.<\/p>\n Ben frowned and was about to rebuke his youngest son when another rider arrived.<\/p>\n Thumbs, whose real name was Thomas, was one of the older hands on the crew. He\u2019d earned his nickname as a boy for his spectacular bouts of clumsiness. Now an adult, he\u2019d lost much of the ungainliness of his youth yet he still had his bouts. Most of the younger men prayed for assignments that kept them far from Thumbs, and he knew it, but folks like Joe, Hoss, and Adam made him strive to do his job with as few mistakes as possible.<\/p>\n \u201cEvenin\u2019, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d said Thumbs to Ben. \u201cWith this near full moon the coyotes will be singing tonight. You reckon Adam can teach \u2018em another tune?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben chuckled and he smiled for the first time that day, softening the deep lines etched on his face. \u201cBeans and coffee are still hot. Goodnight.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe watched his father walk away into the shadows beyond the campfire. Even though his pa had done physical labor most of his life, the years were catching up to him. Joe recalled Adam once saying he\u2019d never known a man yet who didn\u2019t think he was as good as the best day he ever saw. In his mind\u2019s eye, his pa might still think he was the young man who\u2019d built a ranch from nothing but a dream but Joe knew his father\u2019s body told a different story.<\/p>\n Thumbs got his horse settled on the line, removed the saddle, and strolled over to the patch of ground he\u2019d staked out for his bed. Tripping over Calvin\u2019s foot, Thumbs stumbled and dropped the saddle, one of the stirrups landing on Calvin\u2019s thigh.<\/p>\n Calvin sprang to his feet and yelled, \u201cYou got no more sense than a jackass!\u201d He balled up his fist and grabbed the front of Thumbs\u2019 shirt. \u201cI oughta thrash you . . . .\u201d<\/p>\n Thumbs threw the first punch and the other hands were drawn to the spectacle like flies to honey, cheering for their favorite. Joe sprinted to quench tempers before the fight turned into a brawl. Calvin and Thumbs fell to the ground within the circle of boots and wrestled for domination as Joe shoved his way through the ring of men.<\/p>\n Joe got his hands on Thumbs, pulling the man to his feet.<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s voice rang out. \u201cBreak it up!\u201d<\/p>\n The circle parted to reveal Ben standing in the firelight.<\/p>\n Calvin stood, wiping his hands along his thighs. He said to Thumbs, \u201cGood thing you were rescued, old timer. You\u2019d have crumbled to pieces anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n Thumbs lunged and Joe shoved Calvin out of the way. Unable to stop his momentum, Thumbs\u2019 fist collided with Ben\u2019s jaw.<\/p>\n Eyes widened and the silence was punctuated by the crack of logs in the fire.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re fired,\u201d said Ben in a low voice that brooked no argument.<\/p>\n Thumbs wiped the back of his hand across his mouth and stared at his employer. Ben didn\u2019t yield and the muscle in his jaw twitched.<\/p>\n \u201cGimme my wages,\u201d said Thumbs. \u201cI didn\u2019t sign on to wet nurse a tinhorn.\u201d<\/p>\n Without taking his eyes off Thumbs, Ben reached into a pocket and pulled forth a wad of bills. He then lowered his eyes to count out Thumbs\u2019 wages earned to date. Extending his hand, Ben held forth the crumpled paper between his fingers.<\/p>\n Thumbs frowned and glared at Ben. He snatched the money from his now former employer and then gathered up his gear.<\/p>\n Joe followed to make sure Thumbs only took what belonged to him.<\/p>\n As the echo of hoof beats faded, Joe returned to his father\u2019s side and stood, hands on hips. \u201cGood thing we\u2019ll reach town in a few days seeing that we\u2019re down a man.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t tolerate my men fighting each other instead of driving the cattle,\u201d said Ben in a low voice. He stalked off to the place he\u2019d claimed as his patch of camp.<\/p>\n Joe rubbed the back of his neck and blew out his cheeks. \u201cGet some rest,\u201d he told the hands remaining in camp. \u201cWe\u2019ve got a few more days on the trail.\u201d<\/p>\n During shift change that night, Adam and Hoss got the story from Hank. Assignments would have to be modified to account for Thumbs\u2019 duties. When Adam and Hoss returned to camp, their father was asleep so they bedded down.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n In the morning, Adam stretched his legs by walking around the camp perimeter while drinking from a steaming cup of Lucky\u2019s coffee. He wanted to catch his father alone, away from the hands, to discuss the fight.<\/p>\n Seeing an opportunity to speak, Adam approached his pa, stood behind him, and said, \u201cShapin\u2019 up to be another hot day.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben answered with a sound more akin to throat clearing. He looked over his shoulder and said, \u201cOut with it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve had men get punchy on drives before and we\u2019ve never fired them for it. Thumbs is a good hand. Loyal. He\u2019s worked for us for nearly ten years. Sure, he\u2019s got a temper but the same can be said for Joe. Besides, from what I understand Calvin goaded Thumbs into it. If you had to fire one of them, why didn\u2019t you . . . ?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben turned, his eyes steely rather than friendly and his face reddening like the ball of fire that was the sun peeking over the eastern horizon. \u201cI won\u2019t tolerate an experienced hand picking fights with cocky pups. As long as I\u2019m in charge . . . .\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre hard work and loyalty no longer the currency of the Ponderosa?\u201d asked Adam, his voice as low and his face as hard as his father\u2019s.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t question my decisions,\u201d ordered Ben, pointing a finger in his son\u2019s face. \u201cNo matter what you boys may think, I\u2019m not ready for pasture.\u201d<\/p>\n With that, Ben stalked off and shouted an order to his men to pack up camp. The hands scrambled to finish their breakfasts and gather their gear before the boss launched into a tirade.<\/p>\n Adam stood rooted, arms crossed over his chest, leaning so his weight was supported more on his right leg than left; one eyebrow was raised in silent question.<\/p>\n Hoss ambled over, a partially eaten apple in hand. \u201cPa sleep on gravel last night?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam scratched at an insect bite on his cheek, rasping the stubble that had taken root. Looking at his brother, he said, \u201cI think he\u2019s feeling his years, maybe trying to prove to himself he\u2019s still got what it takes to be the head man.\u201d<\/p>\n Through a crunch of apple Hoss said, \u201cPa ain\u2019t no spring chicken but he\u2019s far from porch sittin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n The two men returned to camp to attend to their own gear and help Lucky with the chuck wagon.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n The remaining days on the trail passed uneventfully. The hands accepted longer shifts without complaint to make up for the loss of Thumbs. Calvin avoided close proximity to Ben and kept his opinions to himself in regard to the older hands.<\/p>\n A weary bunch drove the herd down the main street of Oroville, California. Once the cattle were confined, Ben collected the money to pay off his men. Afterwards, the hands drew from matches broken into various lengths to determine who got first chance at the bath house. When that was finished, all of the men trudged to the sheriff\u2019s office to turn in their side arms as required by an ordinance posted on a sign on the outskirts of town.<\/p>\n While his men were occupied at the bath house or the saloon, Ben curried his horse over at the livery stable. He\u2019d ordered an extra ration of oats for Buck and the horse contentedly munched the grain.<\/p>\n \u201cWell old boy,\u201d Ben said to his horse as he ran the curry comb along the animal\u2019s back, \u201cseveral people figure it\u2019s time for us to be put out to pasture.\u201d<\/p>\n Buck snorted and shifted his weight.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re still fit to keep men and cattle in line, aren\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n The horse nodded his head as if in agreement.<\/p>\n \u201cWe won\u2019t let anyone tell us any different, old boy.\u201d<\/p>\n Finishing up, Ben hoisted his saddlebags over a shoulder and headed for the bath house. He\u2019d deliberately held back the shortest match stick, figuring his men and sons would want to clean up to preen for the ladies over at one of the saloons.<\/p>\n He paid for a bath to be drawn and when it was ready he stripped off his dirty clothes and settled into the steaming tub to clean off the dust that had become a second skin. Ben\u2019s trail-weary muscles relaxed and he sunk down to rest the back of his head against the porcelain rim. A long sigh of contentment escaped his lips as muscles that that hadn\u2019t seen use in several years let go of their knots and tension.<\/p>\n The sound of water splashing onto the floor caught Ben\u2019s attention and he opened one eye to look over at his neighbor. Hoss was attempting to stretch out his legs in a tub several inches too short to accommodate his body.<\/p>\n \u201cDadburnit! Why do these tubs always seem a mite too small?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe the tubs aren\u2019t too small. Maybe you\u2019re a mite too big.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat ain\u2019t funny, Pa. How\u2019s a man supposed to get comfortable in such a small contraption?\u201d<\/p>\n Through a sigh Ben said, \u201cFor your sake, I hope the beds aren\u2019t as small as the tubs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHmph!\u201d was his son\u2019s only reply as more water splashed out of the tub.<\/p>\n \u201cYou and the boys have big plans for this evening?\u201d Ben asked as he stretched out far enough to recline the back of his head.<\/p>\n Hoss\u2019 jaw cracked as he yawned. \u201cI\u2019m too tired to do more than crawl into bed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA cold beer sure would be good,\u201d answered Ben through a yawn of his own.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe I\u2019ll pass on that beer and maybe just have me a light supper. Lucky\u2019s cookin\u2019 is good but I\u2019m ready for a home-cooked meal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t let Lucky hear you say that,\u201d warned Ben. \u201cHe\u2019s cooked everything from Hop Sing\u2019s instructions.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell dadgummit, food just don\u2019t taste the same with a mouthful of trail dust in each bite.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben chuckled even though he silently agreed with his son\u2019s assessment.<\/p>\n Hoss wriggled around in the tub until most of the water had splashed onto the floor. Declaring he was as clean as he would get, he left his father to his own thoughts and headed for the hotel.<\/p>\n Ben remained in the tub until the water was cool then he climbed out and dressed. With a feeling of renewed vigor, he headed to the saloon for a meal and that cold beer.<\/p>\n Despite the arrival of several Ponderosa hands in town, the saloon was relatively empty. A few regulars sat at tables and girls in flashy dresses loitered at the bar.<\/p>\n \u201cBeer,\u201d Ben ordered and a mug was placed on the bar top. He flipped a coin to the bartender and headed for a table.<\/p>\n \u201cI see that you managed to drive in the herd with all those greenhorns,\u201d said a familiar voice.<\/p>\n Ben stopped and glared at Thumbs. \u201cI\u2019d have thought a man as experienced as you would know better than to pick fights with a man half his age.\u201d He took a swig of beer and wiped the back of his free hand across his mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cI gave the best years of my life to the Ponderosa and how am I paid? With a knife to the back. You had no call to fire me for what Calvin started.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou started it, I finished it,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n The two men glared at each other for close to a minute. Everyone else in the saloon watched as the two cowboys sized each other up. The bartender moved bottles and glasses to safety.<\/p>\n Spurs jingled as Thumbs approached Ben and Ben set his nearly empty glass down on a nearby table.<\/p>\n Ben closed a fist but was punched before he could launch his own attack.<\/p>\n The two men punched at bellies and faces as they fought for domination. An uppercut to the jaw sent Thumbs into a table, which collapsed beneath him. The man shook off the stars fluttering behind his eyes and charged at Ben. Sidestepping, Ben delivered a chop to Thumbs\u2019 back, dropping the man to the floor.<\/p>\n Thumbs regained his feet and warily approached his former employer with both fists ready to find their mark. He launched a roundhouse, connecting with Ben\u2019s jaw, sending him against the bar.<\/p>\n Ben and Thumbs traded punches until the sheriff arrived and broke up their fight with a shot to the ceiling. Neither man could argue with a Colt when their only weapons were fists.<\/p>\n The sheriff hauled both men off to jail and tossed them in separate cells with orders to cool their heels. Ben had ordered that one of his sons over at the hotel be notified to bail him out. A noncommittal grunt had been the sheriff\u2019s answer.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n In the morning, Joe bounded into the restaurant eager for a cup of stove-brewed coffee. His brothers were seated at a table and Hoss was slicing the remainder of a plate-sized steak into bite-sized pieces. Joe glanced around and noted the absence of the remaining Cartwright.<\/p>\n \u201cSeen Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n Both Adam and Hoss answered no.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of you Cartwright?\u201d asked the sheriff as he approached the table.<\/p>\n Joe answered, \u201cAll three of us are. You want one in particular?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFigure it\u2019s your pa I\u2019ve got in my jail. Arrested him last night for busting up the saloon. Bail\u2019s five dollars. Come and get him when you\u2019re ready.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam tossed his napkin onto the table, Hoss stuffed as much of his remaining steak into his mouth as he could. The three Cartwrights hurried to the sheriff\u2019s.<\/p>\n While Adam took care of bail, Joe and Hoss went back to the cells. Joe crossed his arms over his chest and rocked on the balls of his feet while shooting a grin at Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cLooks like Pa\u2019s lost all sense of responsibility, doesn\u2019t it?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n Hoss jammed his hands in his pockets and said, \u201cSeems a man his age would know better.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGet me out of here,\u201d snarled Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe we should leave you in there, let you cool your heels,\u201d said Hoss, his eyes twinkling in amusement at his father\u2019s predicament.<\/p>\n The sheriff came back with the keys and unlocked the cell. Joe and Hoss returned to the office but Ben turned, hat in hand, to look at Thumbs.<\/p>\n Ben said, \u201cI guess we\u2019ve still got some fire in our bellies.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t eat off that,\u201d answered Thumbs in a dejected tone.<\/p>\n \u201cSuppose not.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben looked at the floor, fiddling with his hat. He took a deep breath and raised his head.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe I was too hasty back on the trail,\u201d said Ben. \u201cDidn\u2019t think it over. I\u2019ll raise your salary by a dollar if you\u2019ll come back and ride herd on green hires.\u201d<\/p>\n Thumbs jammed his hat on his head and nodded to Ben. \u201cAlways did like workin\u2019 for the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo did I,\u201d answered Ben.<\/p>\n The End <\/p>\n
\nSeptember 2013<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>03 Oct 2013 05:02 am\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>As Good as the Best Day He Ever Saw\u00a0The boys knew very well what the problem was! \u00a0Their good humored teasing might have taken the edge off. \u00a0Very good story P!(<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>29 Sep 2013 05:46 am\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>As Good as the Best Day He Ever Saw\u00a0Ben?\u00a0 Out to Pasture?\u00a0 NEVER!*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"star\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bonanzabrand.info\/efiction\/images\/star.gif?ssl=1\")
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>21 Sep 2013 11:16 am\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>As Good as the Best Day He Ever Saw\u00a0I’m glad I read this, patina.\u00a0 I enjoy reading stories that take me into the action and that’s what this story did.\u00a0 I love the back-and-forth dialogue among the Cartwrights.\u00a0 It’s like you know them, P!Thanks for sharing!*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n