Summary:\u00a0 The Cartwright boys are only too willing to help out the new schoolteacher.\u00a0 This causes a little conflict between them, but Adam and Joe learn that you should never jump to conclusions.
\nRating:\u00a0 G (7,620 words)<\/p>\n
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\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Roy Coffee shifted uneasily in the red leather chair of the Cartwright ranch house, twisting his hat in his hands in some embarrassment.\u00a0 “I didn’t agree with ’em but I said I’d be the one to tell you and Adam, seeing as how you couldn’t be at the School Board meetin’ this month.”<\/p>\n Ben Cartwright leaned back in his chair and sucked on his pipe in a futile attempt to re-ignite it then tapped it against his teeth.\u00a0 “Seems there was little choice if she was the only candidate, but putting a young woman in front of that class of \u2026,” he stopped, lost for a word that would describe the youths who had terrorized the last teacher into resigning.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>“Happens most years, don’t it?\u00a0\u00a0 When the older boys come back after helpin’ on the farms, they don’t want to be there and most teachers sure don’t want to teach ’em.”\u00a0 Roy sighed.\u00a0 \u201cAbigail was a darn good teacher and the kids took notice of her, but the last two we\u2019ve had\u2026well\u2026, they ain\u2019t bin up to much.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam got up from his chair and began to pace.\u00a0 “It doesn’t have to be that way, Roy.\u00a0 I don’t recall any of us causing that much trouble or being violent in our last year at school, even Hoss, and he hated every minute he was there.”\u00a0 He grinned at his brother who smiled back.\u00a0 “It takes a good teacher and Collins wasn’t a good teacher, neither was Miss Barstow.”\u00a0 He dropped a sheaf of papers on the heavy oak table.\u00a0 ” Miss Morris\u2019 references would suggest she is a very good teacher.\u00a0 There’s no hint that she won’t be perfectly capable of controlling a classroom.”<\/p>\n “Glad you think so, Adam,” Roy replied with some relief, “Since I wired her and said you’d meet her from the stage and show her the schoolhouse, help her settle in, like.”<\/p>\n Adam spun around from the fireplace, a look of horror on his face. “Why me?”<\/p>\n “Because you’re the college boy, older brother.\u00a0 Now me and Hoss we ain’t much at talking to schoolmarms but you’ll have her eating outta you’re hand in no time.”\u00a0 Little Joe let loose with his infectious giggled.<\/p>\n Adam made a half-hearted threatening gesture at his young brother, who ducked away, still laughing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam could still hear the laughter as he waited for the stage to arrive from Sacramento; both Hoss and Joe had teased him unmercifully when he had arrived at breakfast in a clean white shirt and dark jacket.\u00a0 A few minutes later he was glad that he had taken the trouble as a vision of loveliness alighted from the stage.\u00a0 Surely this couldn’t be the new schoolteacher!\u00a0 He had been expecting a bespectacled unattractive, serious woman with her hair in a topknot.\u00a0 The only passenger on the stage was a delicate blonde, with an attractive figure and sparkling blue eyes.\u00a0 She was dressed in the latest fashions, her blonde curls escaping from a very fetching blue hat.\u00a0 Adam estimated her to be no more than twenty-two or three and definitely worth the early morning trip to town.<\/p>\n “Miss Morris?” he asked, uncertainly.<\/p>\n The girl smiled and the smile lit up her face making her even more attractive, “Yes, indeed, you must be Mr Cartwright.” She held out at a slim, gloved hand.<\/p>\n Adam took it and almost copied his younger brother’s gesture of lifting it to his lips to kiss it but then corrected himself and shook it gently.\u00a0 “I’m Adam Cartwright.\u00a0 My father and I are on the school board.”<\/p>\n “Ah, you have children in the school?” she asked, politely.<\/p>\n Adam relinquished her hand and answered quickly, perhaps a touch too quickly.\u00a0 “Oh no, I’m not married.”<\/p>\n The girl laughed lightly. “I’m sorry, I broke my own rules of judging people on first acquaintance but in my experience very few single men take an interest in education.”<\/p>\n “I’m very interested in education and so is my father, although even my youngest brother is no longer in school.”\u00a0 He glanced up at the stage driver, “Sam, have Miss Morris’s luggage sent over to the school house, please.”\u00a0 At the driver’s nodded acknowledgement, he took her arm to escort her along the sidewalk. “I’ve set aside today to show you the school and help you in any way I can.\u00a0 The children have been enjoying an enforced holiday for the past two weeks but if it\u2019s acceptable to you, we\u2019ll get them back on Monday.”<\/p>\n She nodded. “I’d like to meet them as soon as possible, I’m looking forward to working here.\u00a0 My last post was in a girls\u2019 school back east, interesting but not very challenging,” she grinned.<\/p>\n Adam looked at the delicate girl by his side and raised an eyebrow, “Oh, this post is certainly challenging.\u00a0 In fact you might find it a little rough.”<\/p>\n They continued to chat about more inconsequential things as they walked and he considered how much to tell her. She was relaxed in his company but did not divulge much about herself.\u00a0 He was clearly avoiding something and, finally, she looked up at him with a smile, “Mr Cartwright, I do know why your last two teachers left.\u00a0 I’m not going into this with my eyes closed.\u00a0 I assure you I will do my best to provide the education the children need.”<\/p>\n “I’m sure you will, Miss Morris but controlling the older boys may be more than you can handle.”<\/p>\n They reached the schoolhouse and as Adam put his hand on the gate to open it for her she stopped him.\u00a0 “Mr Cartwright, I’ve never found trying to control people very successful.\u00a0 I prefer to gain trust and develop friendship, with those, the learning follows and you don’t need to exercise control.” She spoke softly and his concerns grew.<\/p>\n “When you see these boys you may change your mind,” he said firmly.<\/p>\n She tilted her head to one side and looked up at him.\u00a0\u00a0 “I try never to have preconceived ideas of what people will be like and equally I try not judge on appearances.\u00a0 I always find it wiser not to jump to conclusions.\u00a0\u00a0 Appearances can be deceptive, wouldn’t you agree?”\u00a0 With that she swept through the gate and into the house, leaving Adam gaping after her.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “Well, what’s she like?”\u00a0 Joe asked.<\/p>\n The family was seated around the supper table and all were eager to hear Adam’s assessment of the new schoolmarm.<\/p>\n “Different!”\u00a0 Adam replied as he filled his plate with Hop Sing’s fried chicken.<\/p>\n “Whaddya mean, \u2018different?\u2019 ” Hoss asked while Joe raised an eyebrow.\u00a0 Adam was being \u201ccagey about this Miss Morris and his younger brother was suspicious.<\/p>\n Adam ignored them both and turned to his father, “Pa, she’s gonna have problems with the boys.\u00a0 I think I ought to be around for the first few days to keep an eye on things.\u00a0 She’s too young to control them properly.”<\/p>\n Joe’s sixth sense picked up what he suspected his brother was hiding; Miss Morris was a more attractive lady then he was admitting.\u00a0 “I thought you were going to be up at the logging camp all week?”\u00a0 Joe queried with a slightly superior smile.\u00a0 “You know no one else can handle that, but maybe, if you really think it’s necessary, I could get Dusty to take over the branding and I could spare a few hours to look after Miss Morris.”<\/p>\n Adam started to protest and Ben sighed.\u00a0 “Boys…boys…let’s not have an argument about it, perhaps each of you could spare one day just to call by and see that everything is all right.\u00a0 Hoss, since you can’t start work on the forge until you pick up those shoes from the livery stable, why don’t you go in on Monday and see what you can do to help Miss Morris when the older boys return to school?”<\/p>\n Now, all three began to protest.\u00a0 “Aw, Pa, I ain’t the right one to help her.\u00a0 I weren’t no good in school and I ain’t set foot in there since I was fifteen,”\u00a0 Hoss’s protest was the loudest and most vehement.<\/p>\n “As I understand it, it’s your physical presence she requires, not your academic skills.”\u00a0 Ben countered.\u00a0 “And on that basis you are the best qualified.\u00a0 Little Joe and Adam can go in later in the week if you think it’s necessary.\u00a0 We do have a ranch to run.”\u00a0 He saw Adam and Joe starting to open their mouths again. “It’s decided and that’s an end to it.”<\/p>\n Joe sat back in a sulk.\u00a0 He was convinced Adam was stuck on the new teacher and he wanted to get a look at her himself.\u00a0 Adam’s mood wasn’t much better. He had been planning a few pleasant days in Sarah’s company.\u00a0 Sarah, that’s what she had told him to call her, but he hadn’t got much further than first name terms and a beginning of a friendship.\u00a0 He settled back grumpily.\u00a0 He didn’t want his little brother anywhere near her but he guessed it was okay for Hoss to be there.\u00a0 He’d protect her from the bullies.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n On Monday morning Hoss left the ranch like a man facing death, his own!\u00a0 He had hated school, hated the lessons, which he found hard to understand and hated the teasing that went with his size.\u00a0 As he drove he thought back to those unhappy years and the nearer he got to the school yard the younger he became until the cheerful, adult Hoss was replaced with a sullen fifteen-year-old version.<\/p>\n He took the buckboard down to the livery stable and asked Lafe to have it ready and loaded by mid afternoon then reluctantly made his way up town to the school.\u00a0 He walked through the children gathered in the schoolyard to push open the door.<\/p>\n He removed his hat but kept his eyes down until a soft voice spoke.\u00a0 “Can I help you?”<\/p>\n Hoss looked up into the bluest eyes he had ever seen and stuttered,\u00a0 “Yes’m…I’m…I’m Hoss Cartwright…”<\/p>\n “I’m pleased to meet you, Mr Cartwright, but what can I do for you?\u00a0 School is about to start.”\u00a0 She smiled, and Hoss blushed a deep shade of red and stuttered even more.<\/p>\n “My…uh… brother…uh…Adam…well, he thought, maybe, you could use some help…uh, with the boys from…the…uh farms.”<\/p>\n She tidied the books in front of her and started down the aisle to the door.\u00a0 “Well, that’s very kind of him but I think I can handle it.”<\/p>\n Hoss twisted his hat nervously in his hands.\u00a0 “I dunno, Ma’am.\u00a0 Some o’ them are man-sized and you’re…well you’re just a little thing.\u00a0 Maybe I better stick around for a while, anyhow.”<\/p>\n She had reached up and was pulling on the bell-rope.\u00a0 “Please yourself, Mr Cartwright, but please take a chair at the back of the room and try not to be too obvious.”\u00a0 She looked him up and down and grinned.\u00a0 “I guess that’s not easy for someone your size.”<\/p>\n Hoss looked bashful again.\u00a0 “I’ll do my best, Ma’am.”<\/p>\n The children filed in and took their places the older boys noisily vying for seats at the back and eyeing Hoss with some interest.<\/p>\n Miss Morris waited until the noise began to subside and then took up her place by her desk.\u00a0 “Good morning,” she started and there was a slight murmur of a response from the girls and a few of the smaller boys.\u00a0 “My name is Miss Morris and I’m your new teacher.\u201d\u00a0 There was a slight giggle from the back of the class which she ignored.\u00a0 She called the names that were written in her book and took a moment to look up each time to see who answered.\u00a0 When she had finished she came forward and perched herself on the edge of her desk.<\/p>\n “I’d like to get to know you all better but perhaps we’ll start with the older pupils today.\u00a0 I’m a city girl so I don’t know much about farming and ranching.\u00a0 I do know that some of the older boys have been working to bring in a harvest and have had to miss some school.”\u00a0 She pointed at one of the oldest boys, “Perhaps you’d like to come to the front and tell the class what you’ve been doing over the summer. It will give me an idea of how hard you’ve all been working to help your families.\u00a0 Abraham, isn’t it?”<\/p>\n Hoss was amazed that she knew the boy’s name and that she had somehow singled out the ringleader of the group.<\/p>\n The boy got lazily to his feet and grinned at his friends, this one was gonna be easy.\u00a0 “Me name’s Abe,” he said arrogantly, “Abe Dutfield, and my Pa owns a pretty big hog farm, north o’ the town.”<\/p>\n She nodded and indicated he should go on.\u00a0 With much loud encouragement from his friends Abe told how he helped with the hogs, showing much delight in explaining in detail how a hog was butchered and making the smaller girls squeal at the description.\u00a0 There was no interruption from Miss Morris and Hoss wondered if he ought to say something but her manner suggested she knew what she was doing.\u00a0 When Abe stopped talking she came to stand beside him, looking tiny against his hulking frame.\u00a0 “Thank you Abe that was very interesting, but how does your father know how much to feed them?\u00a0 You said the more they weighed the more dollars they were worth but how do you work out if the feed cost is worth the price you get for them?”<\/p>\n Without realizing it, Abe launched into a calculation of weights and feed costs and selling prices.\u00a0 Sarah wrote it all down on the blackboard, and when he had finished she began to show the children how, by feeding the hogs more or less, the profit could change.\u00a0 The morning passed in a mathematics lesson without any of the children realizing they were learning and with the older boys fully participating, if a little vociferously, in how to make more money from hogs.<\/p>\n At recess Hoss joined Sarah on the steps as she watched the children.\u00a0 “That was a mighty clever trick Ma’am,” he grinned.\u00a0 “I’d shore like to stay and see how you twist the history around.”<\/p>\n She laughed.\u00a0 “I haven’t worked that one out yet, we might have to stick with profits for a while and maybe hog farming.”\u00a0 She became more serious.\u00a0 “I needed to start with something they knew about and were good at.\u00a0 It’s always easier to hold someone’s attention when they are interested in the subject.”\u00a0 Looking him up and down appraisingly, she smiled, “Perhaps you could talk to them about the Ponderosa operations. It must take a lot of knowledge to run something so vast.\u00a0 Sheriff Coffee was telling me how extensive and varied your holdings are last night.”<\/p>\n Hoss shook his head. “You want my brother Adam for that, he’s the one with the book learnin’.\u00a0 I just came in to see you were all right with them boys.”<\/p>\n She shook her head.\u00a0 “Those boys need someone to look up to, someone who can talk to them as a friend and not preach at them.\u00a0 I think you are more likely to do that than your brother, even if he does have a college education.”\u00a0 She smiled up at him.\u00a0 “In fact I think a college education could be a handicap with those boys.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “Well, Hoss, how did Miss Morris manage on her first day?”\u00a0 Ben asked and both Adam and Joe leaned forward eagerly to listen.<\/p>\n Hoss smirked at Adam.\u00a0 “Weeell… considerin’ she’s tiny and pretty and delicate she managed just fine.\u00a0 I guess looks can be deceivin’… huh, Adam?”<\/p>\n Joe glared at his older brother. He had known that there was more to his offer to help than a desire to protect some old schoolmarm.<\/p>\n Adam grunted \u201cI didn\u2019t say she couldn\u2019t manage teaching.\u201d<\/p>\n “Pa, she wants me to go in and talk to them kids about the work we do here on the ranch. Would that be all right with you?\u00a0 It’d just be for an afternoon or so now and again.”<\/p>\n Joe let loose with his distinctive cackle, forcing out, “You…oh my…she wants you…to teach school,” between more giggles.<\/p>\n Adam visibly bristled.\u00a0 “I guess she meant me. I could explain what it takes to run a big operation like the Ponderosa,” he suggested.<\/p>\n Hoss shook his head.\u00a0 “Nope, she asked me.\u00a0 She wants me to talk about the work we do not the business stuff and she said she wanted some one who wouldn’t…uh…preach at ’em.”<\/p>\n “PREACH!”\u00a0 Adam almost yelled.<\/p>\n Hoss nodded firmly.\u00a0 “Yeah,” Hoss nodded with another smirk, “that’s what Miss Sarah said, preach.”<\/p>\n Hoss with some\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Joe’s laughter was now at both brothers.\u00a0 “I think I’d better go to school tomorrow and see what this new school teacher is like.\u00a0 I think she needs to get to know ME before she makes any rash decisions,” he chuckled.<\/p>\n Ben shook his head and concentrated on his supper.\u00a0 This was one situation in which he’d prefer not to be involved.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe didn\u2019t make it into the schoolhouse until Thursday, by which time Hoss had attended twice more and Adam had sneaked in a quick visit the day before.\u00a0 Joe had plans, and he dressed carefully in order to give himself the best advantage.\u00a0 He arrived about fifteen minutes before the children were due to start and introduced himself.\u00a0 Hoss was right she sure was pretty.<\/p>\n \u201cMy, you Cartwrights certainly do take an interest in education.\u201d\u00a0 Miss Morris commented with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cWere you this eager as a pupil, Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh sure, Ma\u2019am, and it\u2019s just Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah smiled.\u00a0 \u201cOh, I\u2019m sorry, I was sure your brothers said they called you \u2018Little Joe.\u2019 \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, they would,\u201d Joe muttered.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, since you\u2019re here you\u2019d better take a seat at the back.\u00a0 Perhaps you can help out this morning.\u00a0 We are studying history and I thought I\u2019d try to interest the children by talking about battles.\u00a0 Were you good at history when you were at school?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked up startled and began twisting his hat in his hands, \u201cOh sure, my best subject,\u201d he lied.\u00a0 As Joe took a seat at the back he wondered how Miss Jones would have viewed that remark and hoped Miss Morris wouldn\u2019t call him on it.<\/p>\n At the end of the morning Joe was fidgeting.\u00a0 Miss Morris sure didn\u2019t need him here; she handled the class just fine.\u00a0 He wanted to complete his mission and be on his way.\u00a0 Miss Morris gave more interesting history lessons than Miss Jones, but despite her more obvious attractions he still couldn\u2019t get interested in battles that happened before he was born.\u00a0 As the last child left for recess he heaved himself from his seat, wondering how on earth Hoss ever managed to fit into one these days, and headed for the front of the class.<\/p>\n Miss Morris had her back to him and he carefully turned on his most charming smile before he spoke.\u00a0 \u201cThat was a mighty fine lesson,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cYou handle the children real well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Lit\u2026uh ,Joe.\u201d\u00a0 Sarah dusted off her hands and turned to face him,\u00a0 \u201cHave you seen enough to report back to your father?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe blushed.\u00a0 \u201cI wasn\u2019t here to report back, just to see that you were okay.\u201d\u00a0 She was making him feel most uncomfortable and he didn\u2019t like it.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, it seems as though the whole family is very concerned about me. I wonder why?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe coughed into his hand.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure Pa and Adam didn\u2019t want to make you feel you were being watched. And Hoss\u2026, well, he just wanted to make sure those boys didn\u2019t cause trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you?\u201d\u00a0 Sarah smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I enjoyed listening to your lesson but you can\u2019t spend your whole life in this classroom. You need to meet the other folks in town.\u00a0 I thought maybe this weekend I could show you around, we could go to the dance and I could drive you up to the lake on Sunday.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said, eagerly.<\/p>\n \u201cAre there a lot of people at the lake on Sundays?\u201d\u00a0 Sarah asked, her lips twitching.<\/p>\n \u201cUh\u2026huh\u2026 not exactly but you gotta relax sometime.\u201d\u00a0 This wasn\u2019t going as well as he\u2019d planned.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you for asking, Joe, but I already have an escort for the dance and plans for Sunday after church.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s mouth almost dropped open but he caught himself just in time.\u00a0 Damn Adam all to hell, he\u2019d been here yesterday and must have asked her then.\u00a0 <\/em>\u201cWell, some other time then,\u201d he managed to reply in a hoarse whisper as he backed out of the door.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben Cartwright leaned back in his chair and sipped his coffee as he tried very hard to avoid getting involved in the argument he could see brewing.\u00a0 Joe had been in a bad mood all day.\u00a0 In fact, it had started right after he got back from town yesterday.\u00a0 Ben had pulled him up on it a couple of times when his youngest son had over-stepped the mark with him, but he hoped he could stay clear of this disagreement between his sons.\u00a0 Both Adam and Joe were getting ready to go to the dance in town and getting in each other\u2019s way.\u00a0 At first Adam had been relatively calm in the face of Joe\u2019s obvious attempts to start a fight but in the last few minutes his temper had begun to rise too.\u00a0 Ben sighed.\u00a0 Adam had been in a strange mood since Thursday too.\u00a0 It really was tiring trying to keep up with them.\u00a0 Why couldn\u2019t they be more like Hoss?\u00a0 His middle son had cheerfully gone off to town to run several errands and had made no complaint that he wouldn\u2019t have time to get back home before going to the dance.<\/p>\n Finally, the two of them were ready and Ben gave a massive sigh of relief as he heard the door slam and then moments later the sound of retreating hoof beats.\u00a0 He poured himself a brandy and settled back to enjoy an evening of peace and quiet and an early night.\u00a0 He was awakened from a deep sleep some hours later by the sound of raised voices.\u00a0 Heaving himself up in his bed, he listened.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t hard; none of the participants were making much effort to be quiet.<\/p>\n \u201cSneaky, that\u2019s what I call it,\u201d he heard his oldest son complain.<\/p>\n \u201cHe planned it right from the start,\u201d Joe\u2019s angry high-pitched voice replied.<\/p>\n \u201cTelling her tales about me, saying I was too busy, I bet,\u201d Adam again.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, and he wouldn\u2019t even let us get one dance with her.\u00a0 He hung on to her all evening.\u201d\u00a0 Joe yelled.<\/p>\n Ben heard the front door open and closed noisily.<\/p>\n \u201cShhh\u2026you\u2019ll wake Pa,\u201d came Adam\u2019s voice, none too quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cAin\u2019t you two stopped complaining yet?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss joined in the conversation sounding just a little aggrieved.<\/p>\n Ben heard the sound of furniture being pushed aside then Joe again. \u201cWhat did you tell her?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNuthin\u2019, little brother, I didn\u2019t tell her nuthin\u2019 about you two, and you watch who yur pushin\u2019.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss\u2019 voice again more aggressively this time.<\/p>\n Ben sighed.\u00a0 Sleep was impossible and it sounded as though a fight might be brewing below.\u00a0 He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and reached for his robe.<\/p>\n \u201cAw c\u2019mon,\u201d Adam\u2019s voice rose in anger, \u201cYou expect us to believe that?\u00a0 Joe\u2019s right, you must have said something.\u201d<\/p>\n There was a slight sound from above followed by a cough.<\/p>\n Suddenly all three heads turned toward the stairs.<\/p>\n \u201cBoys, it\u2019s almost two in the morning, time for sleep not arguments.\u201d\u00a0 Ben spoke quietly but his meaning was clear. \u201cWhatever it is can wait.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe started toward his father then changed his mind.\u00a0 Adam turned away and rubbed his nose, waiting for one of the others to speak. Hoss shrugged and headed for the stairs.<\/p>\n \u201cDunno what all the fuss is about,\u201d he said. \u201cBed sounds mighty good to me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hope you can\u2019t sleep,\u201d\u00a0 Joe yelled at him.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph!\u201d\u00a0 Ben cautioned<\/p>\n \u201cBut Pa, you don\u2019t know what he did\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, and I don\u2019t want to, especially at this hour.\u00a0 Now get to bed.\u00a0 And if one of you dares to so much as yawn once at the breakfast table\u2026\u201d He left the threat hanging in the air as he turned and stomped back up to his room.<\/p>\n Hoss followed and Joe turned to his older brother. \u201cDunno why Pa\u2019s so mad,\u201d he grumbled.<\/p>\n \u201cProbably because he\u2019s tired,\u201d Adam yawned heading for the staircase.<\/p>\n Joe was left alone in the great room, tired and disgruntled at the way the evening had turned out.\u00a0 Sarah was so lively and beautiful.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t believe she would choose Hoss over him, or even over Adam come to that.\u00a0 He had been so sure Adam was his rival that he had never even considered Hoss.\u00a0 He\u2019d find a way to get back at Hoss that was for certain.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben sat at the breakfast table with a puzzled expression on his face.\u00a0 Adam was often quiet in the mornings but Joe was usually sparring with one or other of his brothers or teasing Hoss.\u00a0 This morning only Hoss seemed his usual self.\u00a0 It must have something to do with last night\u2019s argument.\u00a0 He resolved not to try to determine the cause it would only lead to a re-hash of some old grievance and he preferred to start the day with everyone co-operating.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, did you remember to tell Jim Shannon that the horses were ready for him to collect?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cSure did, Pa.\u00a0 He said he\u2019d be out this morning.\u00a0 I figured that since all my work is caught up, I\u2019d give him a hand with \u2018em,\u201d Hoss replied through a mouthful of ham.<\/p>\n Ben frowned at that but nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThe horses are my responsibility,\u201d Joe snapped.\u00a0 \u201cIf anyone\u2019s taking them into town with Jim, it\u2019s me.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam picked up his coffee cup and retreated behind it.\u00a0 He could see trouble brewing and he wanted no part of it.\u00a0 He was fairly philosophical about losing Sarah to Hoss, there were plenty of girls in town and Hoss had more trouble than either he or Joe when it came to escorting a lady.\u00a0 She was pretty and would be good company but he didn\u2019t intend to fight over it.\u00a0 He\u2019d had his moan last night and now it was forgotten.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph!\u201d\u00a0 Ben warned.<\/p>\n \u201cHe wants another trip to town,\u201d\u00a0 Joe complained.\u00a0 \u201cHe went yesterday and the day before.\u00a0 In fact he\u2019s been in town most of the week.\u00a0 His work\u2019s caught up because I did it.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s temper was rising and he didn\u2019t heed the warning looks from his older brother or the mounting anger on his father\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cYou did some of it?\u201d\u00a0 Adam muttered, his aggrieved feelings returning at the way Hoss had missed out on some dirty jobs this week.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss has covered your chores more than once. It won\u2019t hurt you to return the favor.\u201d\u00a0 Ben pushed back his chair.\u00a0 \u201cAnd as for doing extra chores, it might help if you finished your own.\u00a0 I seem to remember asking you to get some new supplies up to the line shack on the Truckee over a week ago and they are still sitting in the store room.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was gonna ask Charlie to do it.\u201d\u00a0 Joe became defensive because he had forgotten all about it.<\/p>\n \u201cCharlie is entitled to Saturday afternoons off, so you\u2019ll do it yourself and you\u2019ll do it today,\u201d Ben said, sternly.\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps driving the buckboard instead of riding as though you are on a race track will give you time to think and cool off a little.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam raised an eyebrow.\u00a0 Joe always dug holes for himself and frequently fell into them.\u00a0 If he\u2019d kept his mouth shut he wouldn\u2019t have been stuck with a job that would take the best part of the day.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you understand, Joseph?\u00a0 I want that done today.\u201d Ben added, making his orders crystal clear.<\/p>\n Joe held back the sigh that had been about to escape and would surely have led to another lecture, \u201cYes, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded and leaned back in his chair to finish his morning coffee, satisfied that he had made his point.\u00a0 Whatever it was between Hoss and Joe they would have to sort out for themselves.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n An hour later Joe was in the yard muttering dire threats under his breath as he harnessed the team.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t thought of a way to get even with Hoss yet, but he would.\u00a0 So far his only revenge had been completely fortuitous.\u00a0 Another of his chores, that had been neglected, had been to repair the wheel on the buggy and he had a sneaking suspicion that Hoss planned to use it this weekend, well, he\u2019d just have to repair it before he went out tomorrow.\u00a0 Joe was now certain that Sarah\u2019s Sunday date was with Hoss.<\/p>\n Adam saw the mutinous expression on his little brother\u2019s face and decided that he\u2019d better intervene before Joe got himself into real trouble.\u00a0 \u201cHey, buddy, want a hand?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked up in surprise.\u00a0 \u201cWhy? What d\u2019you want?\u201d he said, belligerently.<\/p>\n Adam held up a hand. \u201cHey, cool off, I\u2019m not Hoss.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t do anything. I\u2019m free today and I was offering to help.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe immediately looked apologetic, \u201cSorry Adam, I guess I\u2019m just a mite riled up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, you sure are.\u00a0 It won\u2019t do any good, you know?\u00a0 You only got stuck with this because you didn\u2019t keep quiet.\u201d\u00a0 Adam grinned. \u201cLook, I\u2019ll give you a hand and we\u2019ll get this job done by mid afternoon then the Cartwright brothers will hit town together.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe relaxed a little and his sunny disposition righted itself.\u00a0 \u201cSure, there must be two pretty girls waiting for such handsome company.\u00a0 Of course I get first pick and no leading me astray.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam slapped his brother on the back, \u201cI claim first, privilege of age and I\u2019ve never led anyone astray in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n Both of them turned back to the work in hand chuckling and Adam was pleased to see that Joe ignored Hoss walking across to the corral.\u00a0 He had a certain sympathy with his younger brother, the horses were his responsibility and it must be galling to have Hoss take over when the sale was complete.<\/p>\n By the time the supplies were delivered to the line shack and they had changed for the trip to town, there was no sign of Hoss.\u00a0 Adam hoped it stayed that way, despite his best efforts Joe had continued to work on plans to wreak revenge.\u00a0 Once in town Adam steered Joe towards the Silver Dollar, avoiding the rougher Bucket of Blood and staying well clear of any restaurants in case Hoss was escorting Sarah to dinner.\u00a0 He sat his younger brother down at a corner table and ordered two beers.<\/p>\n Joe grinned.\u00a0 \u201cMighty generous all of a sudden, aren\u2019t you older brother?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll designed to keep you out of trouble, little brother.\u201d\u00a0 He set his beer down and chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cStory of my life\u2026 keep little brothers out of trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe giggled and looked around the room.\u00a0 No poker games appeared to be in progress and the only girls were part of a crowd gathered around a table in the opposite corner.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like all the action is over there.\u201d\u00a0 He reached out a hand and stopped a girl passing by with a tray of beer.\u00a0 \u201cEdie, what\u2019s happening over there?\u201d<\/p>\n The girl expertly balanced the tray on one hand and waved in the direction of the crowd.\u00a0 \u201cArm wrestling,\u201d she answered.\u00a0 \u201cSome guy\u2019s taking on your brother, best of three.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam raised an eyebrow, \u201cSeems we were wrong, he hasn\u2019t sneaked off to see Sarah after all.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to the girl,\u00a0 \u201cSounds like some big bets being placed.\u201d<\/p>\n Edie chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cBest bet is between \u2018em, winner gets to spend the evening with his choice of the girls and loser buys the drinks and\u2026\u201d\u00a0 she giggled and shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cThis I gotta see,\u201d Adam chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cNo one can beat Hoss unless he let\u2019s \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe giggled.\u00a0 \u201cIf he has to choose a girl to uh\u2026spend the uh\u2026evening with, he could well let \u2018em.\u00a0 He\u2019d be too embarrassed to choose if he won.\u201d<\/p>\n Both boys pushed back their chairs and taking their beer with them sauntered over to join the crowd.\u00a0 Hoss was seated on the far side of the table locked in combat with a man almost as big as himself.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s the score?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n \u201cOne apiece,\u201d replied a burly miner to his right.<\/p>\n Hoss didn\u2019t even look up at his brothers\u2019 approach, there were too many people in the crowd for him to realize they were there watching.\u00a0 The muscles in his arm bulged and his face was wet with perspiration.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s boast that no one could beat Hoss was being put to the test.<\/p>\n Adam nudged Joe.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s gonna do it. Which one do you think he\u2019ll choose as his prize?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, he don\u2019t have to choose Mister, I\u2019m the prize,\u201d said a lilting voice at his elbow.<\/p>\n Joe and Adam both turned to look into the startling blue eyes of one of the prettiest girls either of them had ever seen.\u00a0 At that moment there was a gasp and a bang as Hoss\u2019 opponent gave up the fight and let his arm fall to the table.<\/p>\n \u201cLooks like I got my man for the night, and he\u2019s sure is strong and handsome.\u201d\u00a0 The girl pushed by Adam to get to Hoss\u2019 side.<\/p>\n Joe almost choked on his beer.\u00a0 \u201cHoss!\u00a0 Handsome!\u201d\u00a0 The girl needed help, he concluded.<\/p>\n Adam sadly shook his head as he returned to their table and waved at one of the girls to bring him a bottle of whisky.\u00a0 Joe joined him then raised an eyebrow at the bottle and two glasses which were set on the table; \u201cYou sure about this, older brother?\u00a0 I thought you were supposed to keep me out of trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam shook his head again. \u201cSomewhere I\u2019ve been doing something wrong,\u201d he said morosely.\u00a0 \u201cFirst he walks off with a pretty schoolteacher\u2026 I mean, he had to be dragged<\/em> to school when we were kids.\u00a0 Now he wins the prettiest girl in town for the night!\u00a0 How?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe poured himself a large whisky and then contemplated the amber liquid before tossing it back in one swallow.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s\u2019a matter older brother? You worried you\u2019re losing your charm or sumthin\u2019?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss chuckled as he passed with the blonde on his arm and a smug smile on his face.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re in the wrong company for lessons, too.\u201d\u00a0 He added, nodding at Joe.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t often Hoss had the upper hand and he was going to milk it for all it was worth.\u00a0 Seeing Adam and Joe without girls last night and then again tonight was giving him more pleasure than he\u2019d had in ages.\u00a0 They were always teasing him and it felt good to get his own back once in a while.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSee ya in church, boys,\u201d he grinned as he made his way through the crowd to a table in an alcove.<\/p>\n \u201cThat does it!\u201d\u00a0 Joe growled.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m gonna make him pay\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Adam shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cWith the way his luck is running, ten to one you\u2019ll be the one who pays.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe still hadn\u2019t thought up any revenge by the time they assembled for church next morning.\u00a0 In fact neither he nor Adam had done much thinking they were both too busy fighting the after effects of a bottle of whisky.\u00a0\u00a0 Ben was not amused and made sure they both knew it.<\/p>\n \u201cIf either one of you fall asleep during the sermon, I\u2019ll\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Ben threatened, then glaring at them both he nodded toward Hoss, who was standing holding out Buck\u2019s reins.\u00a0 \u201cHoss managed to have an enjoyable evening in town without getting drunk. Why couldn\u2019t you?\u201d\u00a0 He growled, looking at Joe.\u00a0 Then swinging toward his eldest son he added, \u201cAnd you\u2019re<\/em> supposed to set him an example.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe stared hard at the ground hoping Pa would soon forget all about their transgressions, while Adam tugged at his ear in an embarrassed gesture.<\/p>\n Hoss couldn\u2019t keep his face straight and his smile went from ear to ear.\u00a0 Usually this sort of lecture was directed at him when Joe led him astray.\u00a0 Life sure was good right now.\u00a0 This afternoon he planned to polish up the buggy and take Miss Sarah up to the lake for a picnic.\u00a0 What more could a man want? A beautiful view, pleasant company and food.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, please sit down and stop that pacing,\u201d Ben ordered.<\/p>\n \u201cBut Pa, Hoss shoulda been back by now,\u201d Joe whined.\u00a0 Some seven hours earlier Joe had been in the kitchen when he heard the front door bang and moments later the buggy head out of the yard.\u00a0 There was no way Hoss could have had time to repair the wheel and Joe had been too late to stop him.\u00a0 It was now almost nine and there was no sign of Hoss or the buggy.<\/p>\n Adam gave a derisive laugh.\u00a0 \u201cWhy should he?\u00a0 How often have you taken a pretty girl out on a Sunday afternoon and not arrived back before midnight?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, but this is different,\u201d Joe protested waving his hands in Adam\u2019s direction.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want to explain what he had, or rather hadn\u2019t done, in front of Pa.<\/p>\n Adam took his meaning and at first smirked at Joe\u2019s guilty expression; then he too became worried.\u00a0 \u201cHey, maybe we should check it out, Pa.\u00a0 I mean, it\u2019s not like Hoss to be this late with a work day ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben looked from one son to the other and frowned.\u00a0 Something was going on here that he wasn\u2019t a party to and wasn\u2019t meant to be.\u00a0 He ran several possible scenarios through his head and settled for the most obvious.\u00a0 \u201cI think Hoss is big enough to take care of himself,\u201d he said slowly.\u00a0 \u201cAnd no, you will not sneak up on your brother and tease or embarrass him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, we wouldn\u2019t do that,\u201d Joe exclaimed in surprise.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s not why\u2026\u201d his voice tailed off as he anticipated the next question.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t have long to wait.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd just why do you need to look for him then?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked.<\/p>\n Joe stuttered and flushed a deep pink, \u201cOh, nothin\u2019, Pa.\u00a0 I was just worried, is all.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben grunted, not at all convinced, \u201cYou just sit yourself down and stop worrying about Hoss.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure he\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n A few minutes later there was the sound of a buggy in the yard.\u00a0 \u201cThere you are.\u00a0 Like I said, he\u2019s fine.\u201d\u00a0 Ben settled back with his pipe but kept his eyes on Joe.<\/p>\n Joe kept his eyes on the door; he wanted warning of Hoss\u2019 mood.\u00a0 If that wheel had come off then the best place for him to be was near the stairs or the kitchen door.<\/p>\n The front door swung open and then slammed shut behind Hoss, making Ben wince.\u00a0 It was a wonder that door and its hinges had survived for so long.<\/p>\n Hoss grinned as all eyes were on him.\u00a0 \u201cWhatcha all lookin\u2019 at?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben smiled. \u201cJoe was worried about you.\u00a0 He thought you were a mite late coming home.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss nodded and turned slowly to fix his little brother with a glare.\u00a0 \u201cYou was worried, huh, little brother? Now just why would that be?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe shrugged and started backing toward the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cHuh, n\u2026no reason\u2026Hoss, just worried about ya.\u201d\u00a0 He put up his hands as if to fend off an attack.<\/p>\n Adam watched the whole proceedings with a smirk on his face, while Ben looked from one to the other, trying to figure out what was going on.<\/p>\n Hoss took two strides to reach his younger brother and caught his arm, holding it loosely but firmly enough so that when Joe tried to slip away he could tightened his grip, making his brother wince.\u00a0 \u201cWorried \u2018cos you knew that buggy was gonna lose a wheel, maybe?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe swallowed, hard. Hoss looked pretty mad.\u00a0 \u201cLose a wheel?\u00a0 Now why would I think that?\u201d<\/p>\n Dawn suddenly broke for Ben and he reacted angrily.\u00a0 \u201cBecause you were supposed to fix it last week,\u201d he said, coming to his feet and advancing on his sons.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, are you telling me that Joe neglected to do the work and didn\u2019t tell you that the buggy was unsafe?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss nodded.\u00a0 \u201cWheel came loose halfway down to Sand Harbor.\u00a0 We was lucky that I managed to stop it before we lost it altogether.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe took in his father\u2019s angry countenance and the ever tightening grip on his arm and tried desperately to think of a way out of his dilemma.\u00a0 \u201cI tried to tell you, but you were gone before I got out into the yard,\u201d he pleaded, wriggling his arm in an effort to release it.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019d done the work when you were told to, there would have been no need to tell him.\u00a0 Honestly, Joseph, it\u2019s about time you followed orders.\u00a0 Your brother and Miss Sarah could have been badly hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was gonna do it today, \u201cJoe lied.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t get the time and you were gone before I could tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben was moving back to his chair and it looked as though the storm was over from that quarter for now.\u00a0\u00a0 Joe was pretty sure that some unpleasant task would come his way in the near future though.\u00a0 His sons might be too old for a tanning now, but Pa could still make sure they knew of his displeasure in other subtle ways, like a week clearing ditches or mending fences.\u00a0 He looked up at Hoss and winced, that problem was still unsolved.<\/p>\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t tell me, \u2018cos you wanted it to come loose.\u00a0 Ain\u2019t that the truth, little brother?\u00a0 You wanted to spoil my day out.\u00a0 Couldn\u2019t be you\u2019re jealous, now could it?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss intoned, while still gripping Joe\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n \u201cWho, me?\u201d\u00a0 Joe replied as innocently as he could manage considering the pain in his arm.\u00a0 \u201cWhy would I be jealous?\u00a0 I was just tryin\u2019 to look out for your interests.\u00a0 I mean, Bessie Sue wouldn\u2019t like you seeing another girl.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam grinned and picked up the newspaper to hide his expression.\u00a0 Joe sure was having to work hard to weasel out of this one and it didn\u2019t look as though Hoss was falling for it.<\/p>\n Hoss snorted.\u00a0 \u201cShe wouldn\u2019t take too kindly to me bein\u2019\u00a0 killed neither.\u00a0 Anyhow I don\u2019t need no one to look out for me, Bessie Sue knows all about Miss Sarah.\u201d And with that he gave Joe a final shake and released him.\u00a0 \u201cYou can apologize to Miss Sarah tomorrow; she\u2019s invited us all to supper at her place to celebrate, kinda.\u201d\u00a0 He pushed his way past Joe and headed upstairs with all three occupants of the room below staring up after him.<\/p>\n Joe recovered first.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t think\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Adam snapped his jaw shut and raised an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cThink what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBoys, let\u2019s not speculate,\u201d Ben said, slowly, as he gazed after his middle son.\u00a0 \u201cAnd anyway, why should it be so unlikely?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam and Joe both shook their heads.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe could ask him,\u201d Adam suggested as he and Joe waited in the yard for Hoss and Ben to emerge.<\/p>\n \u201cHow you gonna word it?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked with a grin, \u201cSomething like, \u2018Hey, Hoss, You marryin\u2019 Miss Sarah?\u2019\u00a0 You think that would do it?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam snorted.\u00a0 \u201cFine, so it wasn\u2019t one of my brightest ideas, but I\u2019d sure like to know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe won\u2019t have long to wait, here he comes now with Pa and he looks pretty smart.\u00a0 You think he\u2019s told Pa?\u201d Joe tried his most innocent expression as Hoss approached.<\/p>\n \u201cIf he did Pa isn\u2019t saying,\u201d Adam whispered back.\u00a0 \u201cI guess we\u2019ll just have to wait until dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss drove the surrey and made no attempt to enlighten them as they rode in fact he spent most of the trip talking about logging.\u00a0 Adam and Joe sat behind him and exchanged puzzled glances.<\/p>\n At Sarah\u2019s house, Hoss ushered them up the path and knocked.\u00a0 Sarah herself opened the door and giving Hoss a warm hug and the rest of the family a smile, she showed them into the main room.\u00a0 The table was set for dinner with places for six, Adam counted then nudged Joe. Joe shrugged.\u00a0 He had no idea who the sixth person might be.<\/p>\n Adam was about to ask, when a tall, fair-haired man entered the room.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t quite as big as Hoss, but not far from it.\u00a0 His sandy fair hair fell over his forehead and Adam had a feeling he\u2019d seen him some place before but couldn\u2019t quite place where.\u00a0 Then he remembered; the fella in the saloon!<\/p>\n The man held out a hand to Ben. \u201cMr Cartwright, I can\u2019t thank you and your sons enough for looking after Sarah, particularly Hoss.\u00a0 He\u2019s been so kind.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Then seeing Ben\u2019s puzzled expression he explained further.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m Matthew Anderson, Sarah\u2019s fianc\u00e9.\u00a0 Didn\u2019t Hoss tell you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFianc\u00e9!\u201d Adam and Joe exclaimed.<\/p>\n Three sets of eyes swiveled toward Hoss.<\/p>\n Hoss beamed back at them.\u00a0 \u201cDidn\u2019t I tell you fellas\u2026 why, I coulda sworn I-\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNO, you didn\u2019t,\u201d Adam replied, while Joe glared at his brother.<\/p>\n \u201cShucks\u2026 Musta slipped my mind, what with finding a nice piece of land for a house and looking out for Sarah, keeping other fellas away from her an\u2019 all, until Matt got here,\u201d he chuckled.<\/p>\n Sarah looked at the dumb stricken expressions on the faces of Adam and Joe, suddenly understanding, she laughed.\u00a0 \u201cDidn\u2019t I tell you when I first met you not to jump to conclusions, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The End<\/p>\n May 2002<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n