{"id":6355,"date":"2008-08-31T00:07:51","date_gmt":"2008-08-31T04:07:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6355"},"modified":"2026-07-22T13:35:19","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T17:35:19","slug":"cartwright-v-cartwright","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6355","title":{"rendered":"Cartwright v, Cartwright (by debpet)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span>One of Ben Cartwright’s sons is suing another!<\/p>\n

Rated:<\/span>\u00a0K \u00a0WC \u00a02600<\/span><\/p>\n

Cartwright v, Cartwright<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\n

The streets of Virginia City were almost deserted,<\/strong> which was rare for that time of the afternoon. It seemed like the entire town had gravitated to the courtroom where the case of Cartwright v. Cartwright was being tried. The news that one of Ben Cartwright\u2019s sons was suing another had caused quite a stir among local gossip mongers and it seemed that almost everyone was eager to find out just what was going on.<\/p>\n

The excited buzz in the courtroom quieted somewhat as Judge Abraham Moyer gaveled the afternoon session to order. Many eyes looked curiously at Ben Cartwright as he sat near the front of the packed venue with his arms folded across his chest and a frown on his face, watching his middle son Hoss, the plaintiff in the case, swear an oath to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.<\/p>\n

Hoss took his place in the witness chair with a troubled expression, as if reluctant to be there. He twisted his hat in his hands nervously as Judge Moyer began to elicit information from him.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright, I have statements here from both you and the defendant, who is, I understand, your younger brother. I\u2019d like to start off by having you expand on yours. Now, the issue in this case is the destruction of a saddle, is that correct?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, your honor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease describe the saddle for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, it\u2019s a beauty, judge…leastwise, it WAS. Just about the best you can get to use every day accordin\u2019 to Mr. Alford over at the harness shop. Real fine leather with all sorts of fancy designs stitched onto it and even some silver trimmins.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what was the value of the saddle, Mr. Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJudge, I paid a hunnerd \u2018n\u2019 twenty dollars for that saddle.\u201d At this a murmur ran through the crowd. Ignoring it, Hoss continued. \u201cThat\u2019s why I can\u2019t just let this whole thing go, ya see…\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d the judge interrupted. \u201cNow can you please tell me the circumstances of its destruction?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, your honor, about two weeks ago I got a message from Mr. Alford, sayin\u2019 that the saddle was ready, and I was real happy about that \u2018cause I\u2019d been waitin\u2019 for quite a while. So the next day I came into town to pick it up and pay him for it, and I was plumb tickled at the way it had turned out. Now, when I got it home I put it back in the part of our barn where we keep our tack and I polished it up a mite, then I threw a blanket over it and I went to bed that night thinkin\u2019 about how I was gonna get to use it for the first time the next day.\u201d<\/p>\n

At this point Hoss seemed to hesitate, but the judge prodded him to continue. \u201cAnd then what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, sir, I was the first one up in the mornin\u2019, and I went right out to start doin\u2019 chores sose I\u2019d have \u2018em all done by the time breakfast was ready. And when I got outside, what did I find?\u201d Hoss paused dramatically. \u201cJudge, someone had taken that brand new saddle that I hadn\u2019t never even ridden on yet and just dumped it in the big water trough out in the yard!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I take it there was considerable water damage?\u201d<\/p>\n

Oh there was some o\u2019 that all right. That leather wadn\u2019t ever gonna be like new again, even if the polishin\u2019 I gave it protected it some. Looked like it had been soakin\u2019 for a few hours at least…though I really can\u2019t say fer sure how long. But that wadn\u2019t the worst of it. There was slash marks all over it from a sharp knife, the stirrups had been cut clean off and some of the silver doo-dads pried off too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you concluded that the saddle was a total loss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYessir. There weren\u2019t no way to fix up everythin\u2019 that had been done to it…not for less than the cost of replacin\u2019 it anyways.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow you are claiming that your younger brother…let me see here…Joseph…is responsible for the damage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss swallowed. \u201cYessir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour statement indicates that you did not actually see him inflicting any of this damage…is that correct?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, your honor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen on what evidence do you base your conclusion as to his guilt?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, judge, for one thing, I know that Joe was right mad at me that day. The day before he tried to get me to lend him some money and I turned him down. Knowin\u2019 I was gonna be payin\u2019 for the saddle, I didn\u2019t have very much on me to spare. An even if I had I\u2019d a thought twice before givin\u2019 it to \u2018im. I\u2019 ve been burned often enough givin\u2019 money to that rascal.\u201d<\/p>\n

At this, Joe Cartwright, who was sitting at the table reserved for the defendant, leaned back in his chair and scowled at his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut the main thing,\u201d Hoss continued, \u201cis the footprints I found around the water trough. It had rained some in the night and there were real clear marks in the mud around the trough and between the trough and the barn. Judge I\u2019d know the marks of my brother\u2019s boots anywhere and those were definitely Joe\u2019s footprints!\u201d A murmur ran through the crowd at his words. \u201cAnd when I checked his boots there were traces of mud on \u2018em…and he hadn\u2019t been outside yet!\u201d The murmur of the crowd grew louder.<\/p>\n

Joe jumped up from his seat. \u201cHoss, I told you how that happened! I pulled a calf out of the watering hole in the north pasture just before I headed home that evening. That\u2019s how I got mud on my boots! Why won\u2019t you believe me?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAn\u2019 why won\u2019t you just admit what you done?,\u201d Hoss retorted. \u201cWhat about the marks left around the trough? Joe, all you had to do is admit it and agree to pay me back and we coulda settled this thing!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head in frustration. \u201cI don\u2019t know about the marks – you must be mistaken about that somehow! But I\u2019m telling you, Hoss, I didn\u2019t do it!!\u201d<\/p>\n

The brothers looked at each other with pain in both of their eyes as the noise of the crowd rose around them. And Ben Cartwright turned his eyes anxiously toward the door at the back of the room, as if waiting for someone.<\/p>\n

Judge Moyer rapped his gavel repeatedly for order. And just as the hubbub was subsiding there was a stir by the door at the back of the room as three figures entered and strode up the center aisle. One was Adam Cartwright. The second was a young man of about the same height and build as Joe Cartwright, dressed in faded plaid shirt and blue jeans with dirty blond hair falling down over his eyes and a sullen expression on his face. Adam kept a firm grasp on the young man\u2019s arm as they made their way toward the judge\u2019s bench. Following them was Sheriff Roy Coffee.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour honor, if I may….\u201d Adam\u2019s strong, clear voice cut through the diminishing din. \u201cI have some information that I think should settle this whole matter.\u201d<\/p>\n

The judge regarded the newcomers curiously. \u201cAnd just who might you be, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam Cartwright, your honor.\u201d Adam\u2019s eyes gleamed with amusement as he looked from Hoss to Joe. \u201cBrother to both the plaintiff and the defendant.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh yes. And just what is your information?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour honor, I am aware that the main evidence the plaintiff has against the defendant in this case is some footprints, identified as belonging to the defendant, found at the scene. My information relates to those footprints. If I might be allowed to question the parties?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well, you may proceed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked over at Hoss. \u201cHoss, you recognized the footprints around the water trough as being made by Joe\u2019s boots. Did you happen to notice any indications of how old the boots were?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss looked back in some confusion. \u201cWell no, I didn\u2019t\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJudge, I also examined the footprints and I am prepared to testify that the marks of the heels and a patch on the sole indicated significant wear. Those prints were made by old boots.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked to Joe. \u201cJoe, when did you get your new pair of boots?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c I got them…just a few days before Hoss got the saddle.\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes widened as he began to realize where Adam was going with this. \u201cThat\u2019s right! I had been wearing my new boots for several days when all this happened!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what had you done with the old ones?,\u201d Adam prodded him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI left them with Mr. Lurry, the bootmaker. He was going to patch them up and sell them used…..\u201d Joe looked at his oldest brother in astonishment.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour honor.\u201d Adam turned to the judge. \u201cThis morning I remembered about Joe\u2019s new boots and how he had mentioned leaving his other ones with Mr. Lurry at the time. Sheriff Coffee and I visited Mr. Lurry and found out that he had sold my younger brother\u2019s old boots to this gentleman,\u201d Adam indicated the young man whose arm he continued to grip tightly, \u201cMr. Jasper Zucker.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJasper Zucker\u201d, the judge said slowly. \u201cSomehow that name sounds familiar, but I don\u2019t quite remember in what connection.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a Texan, your honor,\u201d Roy Coffee chimed in. \u201cArrived here in Virginia City only a couple o\u2019 months ago.\u201d The sheriff paused. \u201cI was goin\u2019 back through some wanted posters that just came to me within the last few days, and it seems this fella has a warrant against him from down there in Texas…for robbery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see. And what exactly is his involvement in the case currently before the court?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour honor, Sheriff Coffee and I both believe that Mr. Zucker here is the one who actually destroyed the saddle,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cAfter getting his name from Mr. Lurry the sheriff and I went to question him. We noticed immediately that he was in fact wearing the boots in question.\u201d All eyes were directed toward Jasper Zucker\u2019s feet. \u201cAnd…,\u201d Adam fished in the pocket of his tan jacket and brought out a couple of small silver discs, \u201cwe found these on the top of the dresser in his room. Do you recognize them, Hoss?\u201d He held them out for his brother\u2019s inspection.<\/p>\n

Hoss frowned. \u201cI sure enough do. Those are a couple o\u2019 the silver pieces that was pried off the saddle!\u201d<\/p>\n

Once more Judge Moyer found it necessary to gavel the onlookers to order.<\/p>\n

The judge was frowning too. \u201cDoes Mr. Zucker have any motive for committing such an action against Hoss Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon he thinks he does, judge,\u201d Hoss himself answered. \u201cI won a little over a hunnerd dollars from him in a poker game about a week before the saddle was ruined.\u201d Hoss blushed slightly. \u201cBest night I\u2019ve had at playin\u2019 cards in a long time. I don\u2019t usually do so well at that. Anyways, Zucker here was pretty upset about it. Funny, ain\u2019t it? – the amount of money I won from him is just about what I paid for the saddle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFunny, yeah!,\u201d Jasper Zucker\u2019s voice cut in angrily. \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t think it was so darn funny if you were the one who lost the money to me and then had to watch me use it to buy the thing you always….\u201d He suddenly realized that he might be saying too much, and his voice trailed off.<\/p>\n

Judge Moyer leaned forward. \u201cMr. Zucker, are you admitting to destroying Mr. Cartwright\u2019s saddle?\u201d<\/p>\n

Zucker stared back at him defiantly. \u201cI\u2019m admittin\u2019 nothin\u2019! And I ain\u2019t sayin\u2019 anything more either!\u201d And he settled into an angry silence.<\/p>\n

The judge settled back in his chair and considered the situation. \u201cWell, whether you confess or not, Mr. Zucker, it seems to me that there is sufficient evidence to charge you with malicious destruction of property. Of course there is also the matter of the warrant from Texas to be considered.\u201d He turned to Roy Coffee. \u201cSheriff, I hereby order you to take Mr. Zucker into custody until it is determined what further action will be taken against him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight, your honor,\u201d the sheriff replied. And he put a pair of handcuffs around Jasper Zucker\u2019s wrists and began to lead the protesting young man away.<\/p>\n

Judge Moyer turned to Hoss. \u201cNow with regard to your suit against Joseph Cartwright…\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout that, judge,\u201d Hoss interjected. \u201cSeems like my little brother there didn\u2019t do it after all, and I reckon the right thing to do is just to drop it, long as that\u2019s all right with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt most certainly is.\u201d A smile flickered across the judge\u2019s face. \u201cThe case of Cartwright v. Cartwright is hereby dismissed!\u201d And he rapped his gavel sharply for the last time.<\/p>\n

The spectators rose from their seats and began to move slowly toward the door, chatting animatedly all the while. The four Cartwrights gathered around the defense table, where Joe had been sitting. Joe rose slowly and glared at Hoss as he approached the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t I try to tell you, Hoss? I told you I didn\u2019t do it, now didn\u2019t I?\u201d Joe said in a wounded tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cShucks, Joe, I\u2019m plumb sorry about not believin\u2019 ya. I guess I shoulda knowed you didn\u2019t do it. You got a streak o\u2019 mischief in you sure enough, but you ain\u2019t mean that way. I\u2019m right sorry.\u201d Hoss spoke tentatively as a blush of shame passed over his face.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s expression softened as he saw Hoss\u2019 remorse. \u201cAw, that\u2019s all right, big brother. If somebody had destroyed my brand new saddle I might not have been thinkin\u2019 so clearly about it either. No hard feelings…OK?\u201d Joe smiled and held out his hand. Hoss took it gratefully and smiled shyly back at him, nodding his agreement.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell I\u2019m glad to see that you two have settled things between you,\u201d Ben Cartwright spoke up. \u201cPersonally, I think you both owe a big thank you to your older brother here for discovering the truth of the matter.\u201d He nodded toward Adam, who had been observing his brothers\u2019 reconciliation with amused satisfaction.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right about that one, Pa,\u201d Hoss admitted humbly, throwing a look of gratitude in Adam\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure are. Thanks, older brother,\u201d Joe agreed, and he also threw Adam a grateful look. Adam accepted their thanks with a simple nod of acknowledgement.<\/p>\n

Now I want to make one thing perfectly clear,\u201d Ben continued in his \u201cno contradiction allowed\u201d tone. \u201cAny future disputes among you boys WILL be settled between yourselves. I will NOT have the Cartwright name dragged into court for the amusement of the Virginia City populace again. Is that understood?\u201d He looked sternly from one son to another and all three nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow,\u201d Ben resumed, \u201cI think we could all use a good meal at the International House.\u201d His sons agreed enthusiastically. \u201cAnd you will be treating.\u201d Ben pointed to Hoss.<\/p>\n

Hoss raised his eyebrows, but then his expression settled into an understanding smile. \u201cI reckon that\u2019s only fair, Pa. Well, let\u2019s get goin\u2019 then. I sure am gettin\u2019 hungry!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs always,\u201d Adam commented drily.<\/p>\n

And with a laugh, the four Cartwrights turned to follow the remainder of the crowd out the door.<\/p>\n

THE END<\/p>\n

Disclaimer:<\/span>\u00a0All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

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Summary: \u00a0One of Ben Cartwright’s sons is suing another!<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0K \u00a0WC \u00a02600<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":53,"featured_media":4810,"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-6355","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\/04\/VC-Courthouse.png?fit=680%2C512&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6355","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\/53"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6355"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6355\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4810"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6355"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6355"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6355"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}