Summary: The Cartwrights find themselves in financial trouble when they try to honour a timber contract.
\nRating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (8,850 words)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A Man\u2019s True Worth<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2018But I don\u2019t understand Pa,\u2019 said Adam, mirroring his father\u2019s worried expression with one of his own. \u2018Why is this happening?\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben leant back in his chair and tapped his chin thoughtfully. \u2018Hard to say son,\u2019 he said. \u2018All I can put it down to is that Barney Fuller has been up to his usual tricks and is spreading the word around town that we can\u2019t make good on that timber contract.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut why?\u201d persisted Adam. \u201cI mean \u2026 I know he missed out on getting the contract himself and he usually doesn\u2019t take that sort of thing lightly, but he\u2019s never resorted to dirty tactics before.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben spread his hands in a perplexed gesture. \u201cI don\u2019t know son,\u201d he sighed. \u201cAll I know is that he\u2019s doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam thumped his fist on his father\u2019s desk in frustration. \u201cWell it\u2019s causing no end of problems for us,\u201d he said angrily. \u201cIt\u2019s hurting our reputation. If this goes on much longer there\u2019ll be on one at all who will want to do business with us.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben smiled at his eldest son as he sat back in his chair and tapped his chin thoughtfully with his finger. \u201cOh I don\u2019t think it\u2019ll come to that,\u201d he said easily. \u201cMost folks around here know us well enough to know that we always keep our word when it comes to business. I\u2019ve spent too many years building up our reputation to have one incident destroy all that Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes I know that,\u201d said Adam. \u201cBut what about all those who don\u2019t us that well?\u00a0 What about the backers in San Francisco who\u2019ve put so much of their money into this venture? If word gets to them that we might not be able to deliver, then \u2026\u201d He stopped as his two brothers opened the front door with a bang and entered the room.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou still going on bout that Barney Fuller older brother?\u201d said Joe as he flung his hat onto the credenza and bent over to unstrap his gun-belt tie from his trouser leg.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell if I am, I\u2019ve got good reason to,\u201d said Adam grumpily. \u201cHe\u2019s got no right to be spreading rumours about us in that way.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI agree,\u201d said Joe as he flung himself down onto the sofa and grabbed an apple from the bowl.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell let\u2019s just be thankful that it isn\u2019t true,\u201d said Ben as he got up. \u201cJoseph, take your feet off the coffee table.\u201d\u00a0 He stared at his youngest son until Joe got the hint and withdrew his feet. \u201cWe don\u2019t have a problem fulfilling the contract and that\u2019s all there is to it,\u201d Ben added.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes but the backers \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201c\u2026 will be satisfied once we deliver on time,\u201d Ben interrupted Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell we\u2019d better deliver on time,\u201d muttered Adam. \u201cWe sure can\u2019t afford not to after the money we\u2019ve borrowed against the herd this year.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOne bad summer doesn\u2019t make a disaster,\u201d said his father as he paced up and down the room. \u201cYes, we\u2019ve lost money on the herd due to the little rain we\u2019ve had, but we\u2019ll still manage.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou know we need the money from the contract to just break even,\u201d said Adam. \u201cWithout it \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe sat up straight and looked over at his father. \u201cAre we in serious trouble Pa?\u201d he asked, his eyes widening in alarm. \u201cI mean \u2026 I know that we had to borrow against the herd and all, but we\u2019ve got plenty of money in other investments we can use, haven\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben tapped his chin again thoughtfully. \u201cNot that I\u2019d like to touch,\u201d he said. \u201cAt least \u2026 none that would have any ready cash available to us at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe swallowed his mouthful of apple and looked worried. \u201cWell then,\u201d he began. \u201cWhat if we don\u2019t get the timber in on time?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe will<\/em> get the timber in on time,\u201d said his father firmly. \u201cThere\u2019s no reason why we shouldn\u2019t.\u201d He turned to Hoss. \u201cYou\u2019ve just come from the timber camp,\u201d he said. \u201cHow\u2019s everything going?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss nodded as he grabbed an apple as well. \u201cThe men are working real hard Pa,\u201d he said. \u201cIf anything they\u2019re ahead of schedule.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou see?\u201d said Ben, turning to Adam. \u201cThere\u2019s no need to worry. Barney Fuller\u2019s threats can\u2019t touch us.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d said Joe, sitting back again and taking another bite of his apple. \u201cYou\u2019re just a worry wart older brother.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoseph?\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe looked backwards over the sofa and grinned up at his father. \u201cYeah Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDo you ever listen to anything I tell you to do?\u201d\u00a0 Ben pointed at his youngest son\u2019s dirty boots, which he\u2019d once again placed on the coffee table.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe swallowed his second mouthful of apple and withdrew his boots, while still grinning at his father. \u201cSorry Pa,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSorry Pa<\/em>,\u201d muttered Ben. \u201cHaven\u2019t you boys got anything to do? Why are you all hanging around here anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam stood up. \u201cI\u2019ll get back up to the timber camp,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll go with ya,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe continued to sit on the sofa enjoying his apple as his two brothers put on their hats and jackets. \u201cJoseph?\u201d hinted Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHaven\u2019t you got any work to do?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe grinned at his father again. \u201cNot that I can think of,\u201d he said easily.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell think harder or I\u2019ll give you some!\u201d shouted his father.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe bounced to his feet. \u201cSure thing Pa,\u201d he said quickly. \u201cI\u2019ll go with these two I reckon.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell then go,\u201d said his father testily. He shook his head as the front door slammed after his three sons. \u201cTimber contracts \u2026. Barney Fuller \u2026 coffee table \u2026.\u201d he muttered to himself grumpily.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n xxxxxxxxxx<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss picked up a branch that was lying at his feet and studied it closely. \u201cSee?\u201d said Charlie, the Ponderosa foreman. \u201cIt\u2019s rotted right through.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI see what ya mean,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cDon\u2019t look good does it?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe men have been noticing them little critters swarming all over the wood,\u201d said Charlie. \u201cReckon they might be responsible fer it being like that Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI dunno Charlie,\u201d said Hoss, scratching his head. \u201cCould be.\u201d\u00a0 He thought for a moment. \u201cI\u2019d better get this down ta Pa and have him take a look at it.\u201d He scratched at the branch with his finger. \u201cSure is flaky,\u201d he said. \u201cSeems right poor timber all right.\u201d\u00a0 He glanced over at Charlie. \u201cTell the men ta keep going,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ll get right on it Charlie.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOk Hoss. Anything ya say,\u201d said the older man and walked back towards where the crew were working.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n xxxxxxxxxx<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss put the branch on the coffee table and pointed to it. \u201cSure beats me,\u201d he said, scratching his head. \u201cSeems ta be an insect of some sort. Them little varmints are all over the trees up there.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat kind of insect?\u201d asked Joe, bending over to inspect the wood closely.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI dunno,\u201d replied Hoss. \u201cI ain\u2019t never seen nothing like em before.\u201d\u00a0 He glanced at his father. \u201cWe\u2019re in luck though Pa,\u201d he added. They don\u2019t seem ta like the pines at all. Only that stand of spruce the men are working on.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cChoosy sort of insect then, wouldn\u2019t you say?\u201d said Adam dryly as he also bent over to look more closely.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI reckon,\u201d said Hoss, scratching his head. \u201cI\u2019ve never seen nothing like it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo you\u2019re telling me that these \u2026. insects \u2026. are climbing all over the spruce trees?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what I\u2019m telling ya Pa,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo what?\u201d said Joe, flicking one off the branch with his finger.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoseph!\u201d shouted Ben as he brushed the small insect off his trouser leg where it had landed. \u201cDo you mind?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSorry,\u201d said Joe contritely.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo what\u2019s the problem Hoss?\u201d asked Adam.\u00a0 \u201cWe have an insect on the spruce \u2026. and?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd they\u2019re doing more than just sitting there,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss speak plain,\u201d prompted his father. \u201cWhat exactly is the problem son?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell \u2026.\u201d Hoss thought for a moment as he scratched his head. \u201cIt\u2019s like this Pa \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFunny looking little things ain\u2019t they?\u201d interrupted Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss?\u201d prompted Ben again, giving Joe a frustrated look.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah \u2026\u201d said Hoss. \u201cWell I reckon they\u2019re \u2026. kinda \u2026 well \u2026 eating the wood.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cEating the \u2026 wood?\u201d spluttered Ben. \u201cWhat do you mean \u2026. eating the wood?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLike termites?\u201d giggled Joe and then changed his expression to a serious one as his father looked at him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust like termites,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cLook.\u201d\u00a0 He grabbed the branch and snapped it in two.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat proves nothing,\u201d said Joe. \u201cThat branch is so small I could \u2026\u201d he stopped as his father shot him another look.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLook inside,\u201d said Hoss, shoving the branch under his father\u2019s nose. \u201cSee?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben looked and then handed the branch to Adam. \u201cLike termites,\u201d he muttered. \u201cBut why just the spruce?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re lucky it ain\u2019t the pine,\u201d declared Joe. \u201cThen we\u2019d really have a problem. Think of all the millions of pines trees we got on The Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d nodded his father. \u201cWe\u2019re lucky it isn\u2019t the pines of course \u2026. only \u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOnly spruce is exactly what we need to deliver at the moment for the contract isn\u2019t it?\u201d finished Adam. \u201cIf I didn\u2019t know better, then I\u2019d say that Barney Fuller had something to do with this.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah sure,\u201d giggled Joe. \u201cMr Fuller just gathered up a bunch of them little critters and sprinkled em on all the spruce trees up there. I can just see him going around \u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, will you please be quiet!\u201d said his father sternly. \u201cThis is serious business we\u2019re discussing!\u201d Joe shut his mouth quickly. \u201cAlright,\u201d continued Ben. \u201cLet\u2019s think about this logically. On one hand we\u2019re lucky that this \u2026. whatever it is \u2026 is only attacking the spruce and the pine trees are immune to it. On the other hand \u2026 our immediate needs are for the spruce \u2026. as we need to deliver it within the specified deadline.\u201d He glanced over at Adam. \u201cAs for Barney Fuller,\u201d he continued. \u201cJoseph is at least right about that \u2026\u201d Joe visibly puffed himself up at his father\u2019s words. \u201cThere\u2019s no way that he could be implicated in something like this. It\u2019s an act of nature \u2026 pure and simple. It\u2019s come at an unfortunate time for us \u2026. that\u2019s obvious \u2026. but we\u2019ll just have to deal with it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd how would you suggest we do that?\u201d asked Adam. \u201cWe don\u2019t even know what this … creature is … let alone how to get rid of it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben bit his lower lip as he thought it through. \u201cWell the first thing is to find out what it is then,\u201d he said. \u201cThen we\u2019ll know how to get rid of it from the spruce.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow do we do that Pa?\u201d asked Hoss, looking at his father trustingly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI \u2026 well I\u2019ll have to think on that one Hoss,\u201d replied his father. \u201cIn the meantime, instruct the men to keep cutting down the trees that haven\u2019t been affected.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss shook his head. \u201cNo can do Pa,\u201d he said. \u201cThere\u2019s no way of knowing which trees have been affected until we cut em down \u2026 and then it\u2019s too late. The one\u2019s with this \u2026 critter all over em are part rotten.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben began to pace up and down the floor in frustration, running his fingers through his hair as he did so. \u201cI shouldn\u2019t have taken on this contract,\u201d he said, half to himself. \u201cI should have known \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow could you know that this would happen Pa?\u201d said Adam reasonably. \u201cYou\u2019re not to blame.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben stopped pacing and faced his sons. \u201cI shouldn\u2019t have over-extended ourselves,\u201d he said. \u201cNormally we could handle something like this, but with the debt we\u2019re already carrying to fund the shortage from the cattle \u2026\u201d He shook his head again. \u201cI blame myself,\u201d he muttered. He paced up and down again for a minute before stopping. \u201cI\u2019ll go and see the Tom Henderson at the bank tomorrow,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ll just have to take out a larger loan in case we can\u2019t deliver the timber.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIs that necessary yet Pa?\u201d asked Adam. \u201cI mean \u2026 we still could make the deadline.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben shook his head. \u201cI won\u2019t take any more risks at the moment,\u201d he said firmly. \u201cWe\u2019ll re-finance in case we can\u2019t deliver \u2026 and if we work out this problem with the spruce then we\u2019ll just pay it back straight away. I\u2019d rather be prepared in case.\u201d He smiled at his sons. \u201cIt\u2019ll work out boys,\u201d he said as he picked up the tree branch again. \u201cHoss \u2026 I want you to see if anyone else in the district is having the same problem with their spruce. You and Joe ride round tomorrow and see if anyone does and if there\u2019s any word on what it might be.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure Pa,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cWe\u2019ll get onto it first thing in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll go up and talk to the men,\u201d said Adam. \u201cKeep things on track up at the lumber camp.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo more cutting that spruce until we get this sorted out,\u201d said Ben, pointing his finger at him. \u201cI\u2019m not delivering second grade wood.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo cutting,\u201d said Adam. \u201cI\u2019ll see to it Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n xxxxxxxxxx<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHey Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam looked up from the book he was reading to see Joe standing in the doorway of his bedroom. \u201cYes?\u201d he said absently.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAre you asleep?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam gave his youngest brother a frustrated look. \u201cDo I look as if I\u2019m asleep?\u201d he said sarcastically.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI guess not,\u201d grinned Joe and bounced into the room as if that was an invitation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDo make yourself comfortable,\u201d added Adam sarcastically as his younger brother flopped down on his bed, sending the bedclothes all awry.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThanks,\u201d grinned Joe, pulling one of the blankets off Adam and around himself as he drew his feet up onto the bed. \u201cI wanted to ask ya something.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam pulled as much of his bedding as he could back on top of himself. \u201cWhat?\u201d he asked in an irritated fashion.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDo you remember what it was like before Pa made all his money?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOf course I do,\u201d said Adam. \u201cNot all of us were as lucky as you to live in the lap of luxury their whole lives.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe ignored his brother\u2019s obvious barb and frowned in thought. \u201cWell, I\u2019ve been thinking,\u201d he said, putting his head on one side.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cReally? That\u2019s a novel occurrence.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe looked at Adam strangely for a moment, as he considered the meaning behind his comment. Finally he gave up trying and continued. \u201cWhat with money being so tight and all at the moment,\u201d he said. \u201cDo ya reckon that we\u2019ll end up poor again?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOf course not,\u201d snorted Adam. \u201cPa knows what he\u2019s doing. He\u2019s a great businessman \u2026 you know that.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I\u2019m sure he is,\u201d persisted Joe. \u201cBut \u2026 well he sounded real worried before. I\u2019ve never heard him like that.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cListen Joe,\u201d said Adam, leaning forward in the bed. \u201cI\u2019ve known Pa for a lot longer than you \u2026 and I\u2019ve been privy to a lot of things on this ranch that you haven\u2019t. We\u2019ve had plenty of problems on The Ponderosa before and I\u2019m sure we\u2019ll have plenty again. This is just one of those things, that\u2019s all. We\u2019ll get through it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam hesitated. \u201cOf course I\u2019m sure,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd we won\u2019t end up poor?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell it depends on your definition of poor,\u201d said Adam. \u201cIf the worst comes to it, we\u2019ve got lots of land as capital to fall back on.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe gave his brother a shocked look. \u201cPa would never sell The Ponderosa!\u201d he said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOf course he wouldn\u2019t,\u201d agreed Adam. \u201cAt least not all of it \u2026 but he might have to sell off some pieces of it if he\u2019s forced to.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe shook his head. \u201cNever,\u201d he said. \u201cPa has always said that he\u2019d never sell even one piece of his land unless he was forced to.\u201d\u00a0 He stopped as he realised what he\u2019d said. \u201cYou reckon this might be the thing to force him to?\u201d he finished in a shocked tone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCould be,\u201d admitted Adam. \u201cYou heard him say that he can\u2019t very well cash in any of his other investments at the moment. But I\u2019m sure that he\u2019ll sort things out with the bankers tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYa know Adam … I\u2019ve always taken our money for granted,\u201d said Joe. \u201cI\u2019ve never really thought about it much, but I reckon that money is something that can come and go pretty easily huh?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d said Adam. \u201cDo you think I could have a piece of my own blanket please? I\u2019m freezing.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe scrunched over and allowed his brother to grab a corner of the blanket he had wrapped around himself. \u201cI reckon money is something that ya don\u2019t really think about till ya don\u2019t have any huh?\u201d he continued thoughtfully.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cProbably,\u201d said Adam, trying to pull the blanket towards him. He succeeded in getting most of it from under Joe and pulled on it, tipping his brother backwards in the process. \u201cI sure thought about it a lot when I was younger,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDid ya?\u201d Joe asked sticking his feet under the bedcover.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam nodded thoughtfully as he remembered a small boy with his face pressed up against the window of a store gazing at all the wonderful things inside that he knew his father could never have afforded to buy for him. \u201cYes,\u201d he said softly. \u201cYou learn to do without when you have to though.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI reckon,\u201d mused Joe thoughtfully. \u201cWell \u2026 I\u2019m off to bed. Gee you\u2019ve got cold feet,\u201d he said as he withdrew his own from under the covers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam gave his brother a dark look. \u201cThey were warm before,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah? Well maybe you\u2019ve got bad circulation then,\u201d suggested Joe blithly. \u201cNight Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGoodnight,\u201d said Adam firmly. He tucked the bedclothes around himself once again and snuggled down under them. He opened his book and stared at the page in front of him for a few moments, seeing not the words printed on the page, but rather the small boy once again \u2026 looking at the delights in that store window with longing in his heart. He smiled to himself. \u201cNo money,\u201d he murmured. \u201cBut there was plenty of love between us. It didn\u2019t take money to make us happy back then.\u201d He smiled once again, closed the book and shut his eyes as he dreamed of a time long gone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n xxxxxxxxxx<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOf course we\u2019ll refinance your loan Ben,\u201d said Tom Henderson. \u201cYou\u2019re a good risk as far as the bank is worth \u2026 you know that.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben breathed a sigh of relief. \u201cThat\u2019s good to hear Tom,\u201d he said. \u201cWe may not even need the money in the long run, but it\u2019s good to know that its there is we do.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tom nodded thoughtfully. \u201cWell from what you\u2019ve told me about the timber problem, you might need it,\u201d he said. \u201cAny idea what these \u2026 insects might be?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben shook his head. \u201cNo not yet,\u201d he admitted. \u201cHoss and Little Joe are seeing what they can find out about it all today.\u201d\u00a0 He leant forward as a clerk came into the office with some papers and put them on the desk in between the two men. \u201cWhere do I sign?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust a minute,\u201d said Tom, looking over the papers. \u201cI need to check these out first.\u201d He looked up at Ben. \u201cYou do realise that we\u2019ll need security on this amount?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben swallowed, knowing what was coming next. \u201cYes of course,\u201d he said. \u201cHow much?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tom slid the papers over the desk towards him and Ben turned them around and began to read. \u201cThat much?\u201d he said, visibly shaken.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry Ben, but I can\u2019t ask for any less. If it were just me personally I\u2019d be willing to take the risk, but my job is \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know,\u201d said Ben, waving the man\u2019s comments aside. \u201cYou have to ask for it. The bank has a right to expect security.\u201d\u00a0 He picked up a pen and hesitated before signing at the bottom of the last sheet. \u201cThere,\u201d he said. \u201cLet\u2019s hope it doesn\u2019t come to that.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tom stood up and shook Ben\u2019s hand. \u201cI hope it doesn\u2019t Ben,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ll be saying a few prayers that it all works out for you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d said Ben, shaking the banker\u2019s hand. \u201cI sure appreciate that.\u201d He walked out of the bank and mounted up on his horse, riding slowly down the street towards the end of town. As he took the trail towards The Ponderosa his heart was heavy, considering for a few moments what he\u2019d just signed. \u201cPlease God let it not come to that,\u201d he said softly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n xxxxxxxxxx<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat much?\u201d breathed Adam. \u201cHow will we ever afford to repay it if we have to?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll have to sell some land,\u201d said Ben wearily as he tapped a pencil on the desk in front of him. \u201cWe won\u2019t have a choice.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam nodded and was silent for a few moments. \u201cWell let\u2019s hope it doesn\u2019t come to it then,\u201d he said. \u201cAny word from Hoss or Joe yet?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo \u2026 they haven\u2019t made it home yet,\u201d said Ben, still looking at the pencil he was tapping. \u201cAdam, I\u2019ve been thinking. It might be a good idea for you to go to San Francisco and try to negotiate for some extra time in delivering that lumber in case we need it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam winced. \u201cOf course I\u2019ll go and try,\u201d he said. \u201cBut you know as well as I do that they\u2019re not likely to agree. The contract was air-tight Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know,\u201d sighed Ben. \u201cBut it\u2019s worth a try.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt actually might be the wrong move to make,\u201d added Adam. \u201cIf they get wind of the fact that we\u2019re having problems then things could get difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI trust you to make sure that it doesn\u2019t happen then,\u201d said Ben. \u201cYou\u2019ll know how to handle it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam raised his eyebrows. \u201cI hope so,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ll do my best anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s all I ask son,\u201d said his father. \u201cAh! This sounds like your brothers coming.\u201d\u00a0 He leant forward as the front door banged open and Hoss entered the room, followed closely by Joe. \u201cAny luck boys?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNope,\u201d said Hoss, sitting on the edge of his father\u2019s desk and taking off his hat. \u201cNo one seems ta know any more than we do about them little critters.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIsn\u2019t anyone else\u2019s wood affected?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNope. Don\u2019t seem ta be,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cBut ya gotta remember that we\u2019ve got the only stand of spruce around here fer miles. Whatever them little critters are, they seem mighty choosy bout which wood they like. They\u2019s only on our spruce.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben slumped in his chair. \u201cIf only we knew what they were,\u201d he said. \u201cHoss?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMaybe if you get the men to try brushing them off each individual tree?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Pa, ya can\u2019t be serious!\u201d exclaimed Hoss. \u201cHave you seen how many trees are up there? Sides \u2026 they\u2019re right inside the wood. There\u2019s no picking em all off even if we had the time. We ain\u2019t got no idea which trees are affected until we get em cut down and that\u2019s an awful lot of cutting ta do.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI suppose so,\u201d said Ben. He stood up and walked to the window, looking outside for a moment. \u201cBoys, I\u2019m afraid we\u2019ve got a real problem here,\u201d he said. \u201cUnless we can find a new stand of spruce to cut \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhich we ain\u2019t got,\u201d said Joe mournfully.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201c \u2026 or unless we can get rid of these \u2026. insects \u2026. Then we\u2019ll have to forfeit on the contract.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy can\u2019t we just cut down the trees and send em with the insects still in em?\u201d suggested Joe. \u201cThey might think that the insect got into the wood between here and San Francisco and we never knew about it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, I have no intention of sending second-rate timber to anyone,\u201d interrupted his father sharply. \u201cI\u2019ve never done business like that before and I don\u2019t intend to start now. No \u2026 we\u2019ll send decent wood or we\u2019ll forfeit the contract. Your brother Adam is going to go San Francisco to try and see if we can get more time before we have to deliver.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat use is more time iffen we don\u2019t know what ta do anyways?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d sighed Ben wearily. \u201cBut at least it will give us some more time to find out what this insect is and how to treat it.\u201d\u00a0 He tapped his chin thoughtfully. \u201cIf only we had someone who was an expert in such things.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam stood up. \u201cThat\u2019s it,\u201d he said, his eyes wide. \u201cWe need an expert!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d said Joe mournfully. \u201cBut where are we gonna get one? I mean \u2026 brother Hoss here knows lots of things, but he ain\u2019t exactly \u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam snapped his fingers. \u201cI think I know just the person,\u201d he said excitedly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWho?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYears ago when I was at college in Boston there was a professor \u2026\u201d he shut his eyes for a moment, trying to remember the name. \u201cCasey I think. That\u2019s it \u2026. Professor Casey. Anyway \u2026 he lectured in botany and science. He was quiet an expert from what I remember. I never took any of his classes of course, but those who did said that \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat use is some old professor back in Boston to us?\u201d interrupted Joe. \u201cEven if you wrote and asked his advice, we\u2019d never get a reply in time. Even if you wired him, then \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut that\u2019s just it,\u201d said Adam quickly. \u201cI remember hearing that he\u2019d actually taken up residence in San Francisco a few years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThere ain\u2019t no where a fellar like that could be teaching in San Francisco,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s not teaching \u2026. he\u2019s retired,\u201d said Adam. He bit his lip thoughtfully. \u201cI\u2019m sure if I wired the college they could let me know exactly where he was living.\u201d He looked at his father. \u201cIt\u2019s worth a try,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt certainly is,\u201d said Ben. \u201cYou\u2019d better get that wire off right away son. Get into town and get a ticket on the next stage as well.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll get ya some samples of the wood ta take with ya,\u201d said Hoss, getting up from the desk.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat will I do?\u201d said Joe, caught up in the excitement of the moment.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben looked at him thoughtfully. \u201cYou and I are going up to the timber camp with Hoss Joseph,\u201d he said. \u201cI want to take a look at the spruce up there for myself.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n xxxxxxxxxx<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThis should do it,\u201d said Hoss, picking up another piece of branch and stuffing it into a bag. \u201cI\u2019d better get this lot inta town ta Adam before he goes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo \u2026 I want you to stay here and help me with the crew,\u201d said Ben. \u201cJoe \u2026 you get this into Adam and bring back any news. Hopefully he\u2019s heard from his contacts in Boston by now. See him off on the stage and then get back here straight away.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOK Pa,\u201d said Joe, grabbing the bag from his brother. \u201cYou can trust me.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben lifted an eyebrow at his son\u2019s statement, but said nothing. He surveyed the expanse of trees in front of him and then looked over to where two-dozen men were idly sitting down chatting. \u201cI wish I knew what to do about all this,\u201d he muttered. \u201cIt\u2019s the waiting that I find hard to bear.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d agreed Hoss. \u201cI\u2019ve always reckoned on knowing lots bout nature Pa \u2026. But this one\u2019s sure got me beat. I wish I were smart enough ta know what ta do.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNone of us knows son,\u201d said Ben, putting his arm around Hoss\u2019 broad shoulder. \u201cYou\u2019re not alone in feeling that way.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n xxxxxxxxxx<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSee ya brother,\u201d said Joe cheerfully as he thumped Adam on the back. \u201cLucky you getting a trip to San Francisco.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam gave his younger brother a frustrated look before he turned towards the stagecoach. \u201cThis isn\u2019t exactly a pleasure trip,\u201d he said huffily. \u201cThis is serious business Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah I know,\u201d replied Joe, still grinning. \u201cBut there\u2019s no reason why ya can\u2019t have a good time while you\u2019re there is there?\u201d He thumped Adam on the back again when he didn\u2019t reply. \u201cDon\u2019t do anything I wouldn\u2019t do.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s little chance of that,\u201d said Adam as he put the bag full of wood into the stagecoach. \u201cNow remember what I told you to tell Pa,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOf course I\u2019ll remember,\u201d said Joe indignantly. \u201cI\u2019m not stupid you know.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam made a face and jumped up into the stage. \u201cYou\u2019d better get straight back out to the timber camp,\u201d he said. \u201cPa will need you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOK,\u201d said Joe and waved as the stage lurched forward. \u201cBye!\u201d he called. As soon as the stagecoach had rounded the corner he rubbed his hands together. \u201cI\u2019ll get straight back out to the timber camp,\u201d he said aloud. \u201cBut I\u2019ll be going by way of the Silver Dollar brother. Pa can\u2019t possibly begrudge me having a drink while I\u2019m in here.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He swaggered down the street towards the Silver Dollar saloon, fingered the coins in his pocket as he did so. \u201cHi Sam,\u201d he said as he came through the swinging doors. \u201cI\u2019ll have a beer thanks.\u201d He plonked down his coins on the bar and turned around to see who else was there.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell if it isn\u2019t the little Cartwright boy,\u201d said a man in the corner and Joe looked across to see Barney Fuller sitting at a corner table with two of his men on each side of him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe frowned at the man\u2019s method of address and then smiled slightly as he nodded his head. \u201cMr Fuller,\u201d he said shortly and turned back to face the bar and pick up his drink.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m surprised your daddy let you into town,\u201d continued Barney Fuller in a louder voice. One of the men stood up and came to stand next to Joe at the bar. \u201cYes sir,\u201d said Barney, aware that now he had everyone\u2019s attention. \u201cI\u2019m sure surprised that Ben Cartwright let one of his boys into town. Specially now that he\u2019s in such trouble. I woulda thought he\u2019d be too ashamed to let any of his family be seen considering what he\u2019s been up to.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe turned, in spite of himself. \u201cWhat\u2019s that supposed to mean?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Barney Fuller shrugged and took a sip of his beer. \u201cNothing for you to worry about I\u2019m sure boy,\u201d he said easily. \u201cYou\u2019re a bit too young for your daddy to let you in on his business dealings \u2026 specially when they\u2019re crooked ones.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe felt himself flush and he took a step towards the man, completely forgetting his beer. \u201cMy Pa would never have anything to do with a crooked business deal!\u201d he said angrily.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Barney shrugged again. \u201cJust what I thought you\u2019d say,\u201d he said with a smirk. \u201cIt\u2019s good that you defend ya Pa \u2026. even if he don\u2019t deserve it. At least your Pa taught you loyalty \u2026 shame he can\u2019t teach you how to be an honest businessman.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe clenched his fists. \u201cYou take that back!\u201d he shouted. \u201cMy Pa is so honest!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNow calm down there sonny,\u201d said the man beside him, holding onto his arm. \u201cMr Fuller weren\u2019t trying to insult ya. He\u2019s only saying the truth.\u201d\u00a0 He winked at Barney who smiled back at him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right boy,\u201d said Barney, leaning forward. \u201cAin\u2019t your fault after all \u2026 it\u2019s your Pa who\u2019s to blame for the way he stole that contract.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMy Pa did not steal that contract!\u201d shouted Joe. \u201cYou don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The man beside him gave him a shove. \u201cNow don\u2019t you speak to Mr Fuller like that,\u201d he said threateningly. \u201cHave a bit of respect for your elders boy.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMy Pa taught me to have respect for them who deserve it,\u201d said Joe, glaring at the man. \u201cSeems to me that no one round here does.\u201d\u00a0 He reeled back as the man drew back his fist and hit him square on the jaw and he toppled over a table. He shook his head to clear it and came up from the floor with both fists clenched. \u201cYou\u2019re asking for it!\u201d he shouted and lunged forward to hit the man in the stomach with both fists. Dimly he heard someone shouting in the background, but all reason was lost to him as the blood started to pound in his head and he focussed on the face in front of the man in front of man. All he could think of was smashing it with his fists again to try and wipe the smirk off it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n xxxxxxxxxx<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHere comes Joe now,\u201d said Ben to Hoss. \u201cIt\u2019s about time that young man showed up.\u201d\u00a0 He stood with his hands on his hips as Joe rode to a halt by his side. \u201cWell?\u201d he said, as his son dismounted. \u201cDid you see Adam off?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe lowered his hat over his face and looked at the ground, shuffling his feet in the dirt. \u201cYeah,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat was that?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe cleared his throat. \u201cYeah Pa. I saw him off. He said to tell you that he got that professor\u2019s address in a wire from Boston before he left. He\u2019s gonna send a wire as soon as he tracks him down.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGood,\u201d said Ben, sounding relieved. \u201cYou took so long to get back that I thought there might have been a problem.\u201d He looked at Joe carefully. \u201cJoseph?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe continued to look at the ground. \u201cYeah Pa?\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLook at me.\u201d Joe reluctantly looked up at his father. \u201cGood Lord boy! What have you done to your face?\u201d Ben exclaimed. His eyes narrowed. \u201cYou\u2019ve been in a fight,\u201d he said sternly. \u201cHaven\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe cleared his throat. \u201cYeah,\u201d he admitted. \u201cBut it\u2019s not like you think Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben nodded. \u201cReally? Well then suppose you tell me what it is like then?\u201d he said. \u201cWhere was the fight?<\/p>\n Joe hesitated before replying. \u201cIn the saloon,\u201d he said finally.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIn the saloon!\u201d shouted Ben. \u201cWhat you were doing in the saloon when I told you to come straight back out here?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe shrugged. \u201cI didn\u2019t think that one drink would hurt,\u201d he said. \u201cAnyway \u2026. It wasn\u2019t my fault! It was that Barney Fuller!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben looked shocked. \u201cYou\u2019re not telling me that you had a fight with Barney Fuller?\u201d he exclaimed. \u201cJoseph!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, not him,\u201d admitted Joe. \u201cBut one of his men. He was saying things \u2026. Well things about you Pa. I couldn\u2019t help it \u2026 really I couldn\u2019t! You woulda done the same thing if you\u2019d been there.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat was he saying?\u201d asked his father.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe said that you stole that timber contract from him and that \u2026 well that you were a crooked businessman,\u201d said Joe defensively. \u201cI couldn\u2019t let him get away with that could I?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben sighed and put his hand on his son\u2019s shoulder. \u201cJoe I understand how you must have felt,\u201d he said. \u201cBut we all really have to remain calm at the moment. It\u2019s not going to do any good to fight.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut Pa \u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben held up his hand to silence the youngster. \u201cI know,\u201d he said. \u201cBut Joe \u2026 I\u2019ve been insulted before and I\u2019m sure that I\u2019ll be insulted again. When a man deals in business there\u2019s always some folks who are going to not like the decisions that are made. You got to learn to not let it get to you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe fingered his sore face. \u201cI guess you\u2019re right,\u201d he said. \u201cI sure came off worse than the other guy.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben smiled at him. \u201cI appreciate you defending my honour,\u201d he said. \u201cBut the fact remains that if you hadn\u2019t been in that saloon then you never would have heard the insults. True?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTrue,\u201d Joe admitted. \u201cI never got my drink anyway,\u201d he added ruefully. \u201cSheriff Coffee made us all leave before I could drink it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell you didn\u2019t deserve it,\u201d said his father firmly. \u201cLet that be a lesson to you. Now \u2026 lets get back to the men. Hoss is trying to find at least some of these spruce trees that haven\u2019t been affected.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIs he having much luck?\u201d asked Joe as they walked over to the camp.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d replied his father. \u201cIt\u2019s just too hard to tell without cutting them down. Seems like the only thing we can do is continue cutting and just inspect each tree when it\u2019s down.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSeems like an awful lot of work when we can\u2019t use all the trees,\u201d said Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt is,\u201d admitted his father. \u201cBut we don\u2019t have much choice at the moment. All we can do is pray that Adam\u2019s professor comes up with something.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut it\u2019ll be at least four days until we hear anything,\u201d said Joe. \u201cWe\u2019re running out of time if he doesn\u2019t get the backers to agree with extending the deadline.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know son,\u201d said Ben in a worried voice. \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n xxxxxxxxxx<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss dismounted and threw the reins of his horse over a low branch. \u201cHey Charlie \u2026 where\u2019s my Pa at? You seen him lately?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s up that way Hoss,\u201d said the foreman. \u201cHe and Joe are getting those trees up there cut.\u201d He shook his head. \u201cSeems like most of em have them little critters crawling all over em but. Seems hardly worth all the effort.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThanks Charlie,\u201d said Hoss. He turned and ran towards the spot where his father was working with a crew of men. \u201cHey Pa!\u201d he shouted. \u201cPa!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben looked up from the tree that he was inspecting with Joe. \u201cHoss!\u201d he called.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss ran up across to them. \u201cHow\u2019s it going?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben shook his head. \u201cJust about all of them are infected,\u201d he said wearily. \u201cI think we\u2019re wasting our time here.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMaybe not Pa,\u201d said Hoss, drawing a piece of paper from his pocket.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam\u2019s wire came?\u201d asked Joe, putting down his axe and wiping his forehead. \u201cWhat did he say? Did he find that professor guy? Does he know how we can get rid of these insects? What about \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss held up his hand to silence his brother. \u201cHold on Joe,\u201d he said. \u201cIf ya shut up fer a minute you\u2019ll find out.\u201d He opened the piece of paper and handed it to his father to read.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben cleared his throat and then read out loud:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n returning on Wednesday\u2019s stage\u2026 Stop \u2026 no extension to deadline \u2026 stop \u2026 only cut older trees with straight tops \u2026 stop \u2026 leave any with crooked or forked tops \u2026\u00a0 stop \u2026 full details Wednesday \u2026 Adam<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s he mean by that?\u201d said Joe in a puzzled voice. He glanced up at the tops of the trees. \u201cLots of em have crooked tops. What\u2019s that got ta do with anything?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben scratched his head. \u201cI\u2019m not sure,\u201d he said. \u201cBut we have to trust that Adam knows what he\u2019s talking about. Hoss \u2026 get the men to start cutting down only the older trees \u2026. And look for the ones with the straight tops.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes sir,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cI sure hope Adam can explain what he means though. Seems kinda strange ta me.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben continued to look at the paper in his hand. \u201cAdam couldn\u2019t very well put the whole explanation in the wire,\u201d he said. \u201cLet\u2019s just hope whatever his reasons for saying this are valid.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe made a face. \u201cYeah \u2026 well brother Adam\u2019s gonna have some explaining ta do if you ask me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben smiled at him. \u201cWell son \u2026. No one really asked you did they?\u201d he teased, grinning at the youngster.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo \u2026 and that\u2019d be about right,\u201d said Joe picking up his axe again. \u201cNo one in this family ever listens to what I have to say.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s cause ya don\u2019t ever say anything worth listening to little brother,\u201d teased Hoss. \u201cCome on shortshanks \u2026 we\u2019ve got work ta do.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n xxxxxxxxxx<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThought you\u2019d never get here brother,\u201d said Joe with a grin as he came across to the buggy. \u201cDid ya have a great time in San Francisco?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened to your face?\u201d asked Adam, looking at his brother\u2019s bruised face with interest.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe looked shamefaced. \u201cI had a run in with someone,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI see \u2026 Where\u2019s Pa?\u2019 Adam asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHere,\u201d said a voice behind him and Ben put his hand on Adam\u2019s neck and patted it. \u201cGlad you\u2019re back son.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam shook his head. \u201cI\u2019m sorry Pa,\u201d he said. \u201cI really tried, but they weren\u2019t going to budge on that deadline.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou did your best,\u201d said Ben. \u201cIt was to be expected. We\u2019ve been cutting the older trees as you said to in the wire.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWith the straight tops,\u201d added Joe with a laugh. \u201cBut ya know what brother? Them ones are just the ones that don\u2019t have the insects on em. How did ya know that?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re weevils,\u201d said Adam. \u201cActually they\u2019re called spruce weevils.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell what do ya know,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cThey\u2019re named after the trees huh?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d said Adam. \u201cProfessor Casey was very helpful. As soon as I showed them to him he knew exactly what they were. Actually he was surprised that we had them here. They usually live further north. British Columbia.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell them little \u2026 weevil fellars \u2026 sure travelled ta get here then,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cI wonder how they did?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam shook his head. \u201cIt could have been a number of ways,\u201d he said. \u201cThe important thing is getting the right timber cut.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve noticed that the older trees aren\u2019t as likely to be infected,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe ones with the straight tops,\u201d giggled Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam ignored his younger brother once again. \u201cGood,\u201d he said. \u201cAccording to Professor Casey the spruce weevil is more likely to attack the younger trees. They burrow under the bark at the top and cause the highest leader branches to droop.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI see,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe said that for the future we need to trim the leader branches off just below where the discolouration stops on the bark. If we do that then we should be able to save a lot of the younger trees as well. Either that or just burn the lot of them.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s worry about the future later,\u201d said Ben firmly. \u201cWhat we\u2019ve got to concentrate on now is getting as many of these trees ready for shipment as possible.\u201d He looked at each of his three sons. \u201cWe\u2019ve got a mighty lot of work ahead of us boys to catch up.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDo ya think we\u2019ll have enough trees that ain\u2019t been infected ta ship?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think so,\u201d replied his father. \u201cNow that we know the ones to cut \u2026 it seems that there are enough. No \u2026 our problem now is time boys. We\u2019ve got to meet that deadline.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIf we don\u2019t then we forfeit the loan,\u201d said Adam, taking off his jacket and rolling up his sleeves. \u201cWe won\u2019t survive that without selling some land.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo we won\u2019t,\u201d admitted Ben. \u201cMuch as I hate to say it boys \u2026 we could be faced with losing a part of The Ponderosa if we don\u2019t make it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll make it,\u201d said Hoss in a determined voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI sure hope so son,\u201d said Ben. \u201cCome on boys, let\u2019s get back to work.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n xxxxxxxxxx<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked around to where Hoss was standing. \u201cThis one\u2019s ready,\u201d he said. \u201cGet the men to drag it away will you Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss looked up. \u201cOK,\u201d he said wearily.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHey Hoss?\u201d asked Joe. \u201cYou really think we\u2019re gonna make this?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t know Joe, but it don\u2019t look good.\u201d He stretched his back and sighed. \u201cI could really go for a rest right about now.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou heard what Pa said,\u201d piped up Adam from the other side of the tree. \u201cNo rest until the job\u2019s done.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOr we kill ourselves,\u201d added Joe. \u201cWhichever comes first \u2026 and I have a feeling that we\u2019re gonna be dead before we get this contract filled.\u201d\u00a0 He looked around at all the trees. \u201cWe just don\u2019t have enough time \u2026 even with every man on the job.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell whether we make it or not we\u2019re going to try,\u201d said Adam grimly as he attacked yet another tree with his axe. \u201cRemember what Pa has always said? A Cartwright never gives up.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I remember,\u201d said Joe. \u201cHe used to say it all the time when I was a kid. I tell you something though older brother, there were many times when I wished I weren\u2019t a Cartwright so that I could give up!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss chuckled. \u201cDon\u2019t let Pa hear ya say that Joe,\u201d he warned. \u201cHe wouldn\u2019t be too pleased. I\u2019ll get the men fer that log.\u201d Joe shook his head and dug his axe into yet another tree.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n xxxxxxxxxx<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMuch and all as I hate to say it boys, I think we\u2019re going to have admit defeat on this,\u201d said Ben in a tired voice. \u201cWe can\u2019t keep working these men like this.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam bit his lip. \u201cI know,\u201d he acknowledged. \u201cOnly five days left until we\u2019re supposed to ship out the timber. There\u2019s no way Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben nodded. \u201cCall the men off the job son,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ll go back to the house and get cleaned up and then get into town. I\u2019ll have to send a wire to San Francisco letting them know and then I\u2019ll go and see Tom Henderson at the Bank.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d said Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes son?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDoes it mean \u2026\u201d Joe swallowed. \u201cDoes it mean that we\u2019ll be selling some of The Ponderosa?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m afraid so son,\u201d admitted his father. He looked around at the trees. \u201cI never thought I\u2019d say this, but we\u2019ll have to let some of it go.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow much?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAbout one quarter.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss and Joe looked at each other. \u201cPa?\u201d said Joe after a moment.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhich part?\u00a0 I mean \u2026 how are ya gonna choose which bit to let go?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat will be up to the Bank,\u201d replied Ben. \u201cI\u2019ll have to negotiate with them over it I expect.\u201d\u00a0 He saw the concern in Joe\u2019s eyes immediately and put his arm around the youngster\u2019s shoulders. \u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d he added. \u201cThere\u2019s no way I\u2019ll let the lake frontage go \u2026 or the section with the house on it.\u201d\u00a0 He knew how important both particular parts of their land were to his boys, for Joe\u2019s mother Marie was buried down by the lake and the ranch house was \u2026 well, it was their home, plain and simple.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He turned towards his horse and wearily began to climb the small incline.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Suddenly Adam\u2019s voice stopped him in his tracks. \u201cPa! Look!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben looked \u2026 and saw a stream of wagons coming up the trail towards the timber camp. \u201cWho is that?\u201d he said, squinting against the strong sunlight. No one answered him as they all waited for the wagons to get close enough so that they could see who was driving them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s Bert Daley,\u201d said Adam. \u201cAnd Tom Pruitt.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd Pete Devlin,\u201d added Hoss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd a bunch of others,\u201d added Joe. \u201cI wonder why they\u2019re all here?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben said nothing, but stood in silence as the wagons drew up beside them. \u201cHowdy,\u201d he said. \u201cSomething wrong neighbours?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bert Daley jumped down from the first wagon and gestured towards the other men. \u201cWe heard you had problems up here Ben,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ve come to help.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHelp?\u201d echoed Ben in surprise.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes \u2026 help,\u201d said Bert. \u201cWe\u2019ve all brought as many men as can spare from our places. We\u2019re at your disposal for whatever you need us for.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben shook his head. \u201cYou\u2019ve all got your own places to look after,\u201d he said. \u201cI couldn\u2019t \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve all made sure there\u2019s someone to left behind to do what needs to be done,\u201d interrupted Bert. \u201cAnd there\u2019s plenty of townsfolk here as well Ben. \u201conce word got round that you were in trouble \u2026 well lots of folks wanted to be part of this.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben was silent as he looked from one face to the other. \u201cI \u2026 I don\u2019t know what to say,\u201d he said finally.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThen don\u2019t say anything,\u201d said Tom with a grin. \u201cIt\u2019s the least we can do after all you\u2019ve done for each of us Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAll I\u2019ve done for you?\u201d said Ben, looked dazed. \u201cI don\u2019t \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve helped plenty of us a time or two in the past,\u201d said Abe Krenshaw, stepping forward. Whenever there\u2019s been someone in need round these parts Ben Cartwright has always been the first to offer the hand of friendship to help him out. It\u2019s about time we got the chance to return the favour.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He picked up a calico bag and held it out to Ben. \u201cThis is for you,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben took the bag and looked at it. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe took up a collection,\u201d said Abe. He held up his hand as Ben began to speak. \u201cNow don\u2019t you say a word Ben. Mind you, we never thought that we\u2019d have to stake a Cartwright for a loan, but there\u2019s a first for everything. Every family put in what they could afford. There\u2019s not enough there of course, but there\u2019s enough to cover the first few repayments to buy you some time. We hope it\u2019ll give you the time you need to get your payment for this timber so you can pay from then on yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut \u2026 but how did you know?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Abe shrugged. \u201cI know it\u2019s not our business,\u201d he said. \u201cBut Tom here overheard you talking to Tom Henderson at the Bank.\u201d He looked sheepish. \u201cWe didn\u2019t think you\u2019d mind.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMind?\u201d said Ben. He looked around at them all again and then at the bag in his hand. His eyes filled with tears and he swallowed several times before he found himself able to speak. \u201cI \u2026 No I \u2026 don\u2019t mind,\u201d he said. He wiped the tears away and cleared his throat. \u201cI promise that I\u2019ll repay you with interest as soon as I can,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo interest,\u201d said Bert. \u201cThis is our thanks to you for being the man that you are \u2026. And the friend you\u2019ve been to all of us. Now let\u2019s get to work men! There\u2019s timber to be cut!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben stood watching as everyone jumped down from the wagons and Charlie directed them to work. \u201cPa?\u201d said Adam beside him. \u201cAre you alright?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben nodded, still looking at the bag of money in his hand. \u201cI\u2019m alright son,\u201d he said. \u201cIn fact I\u2019m more than alright.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled at his three sons. \u201cIt\u2019s times like this that you realise who your true friends are I suppose.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou sure do,\u201d said Adam. \u201cAnd judging by the number of men here you have a lot of friends Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben nodded. \u201cI\u2019m a lucky man,\u201d he said. \u201cYou know boys \u2026 we should always keep things in perspective. Money isn\u2019t what\u2019s important in life. A man can measure his true worth by the friends he has.\u201d He smiled. \u201cAnd right now boys … I\u2019m worth a fortune.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n xxxxxxxxxx<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben sighed in satisfaction as he looked down at the deserted timber mill. \u201cIt sure looks good with no one there,\u201d he said happily.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure does,\u201d agreed Adam. \u201cWho would have thought that we\u2019d get all that timber loaded on time after all? Last week I would have given you two cents if you\u2019d bet that we would have.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt just goes to show what a man can do,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIf he has the help of his friends,\u201d added his father. \u201cDon\u2019t ever forget that son.\u201d He studied the sky. \u201cNow all we need is some rain before our next cattle drive.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI reckon we\u2019ll get some Pa,\u201d said Hoss confidently. \u201cI feel it in my bunions.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben laughed. \u201cWell I hope your bunions are right son,\u201d he chuckled. \u201cIt sure feels good to know that we\u2019ve paid everyone back all that money at least,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss picked up a piece of spruce that was lying at his feet and studied it for a moment. He picked out a small weevil with his thumbnail and held it up against the light to see it better. \u201cWho woulda thought that something so small could cause so much trouble?\u201d he murmured in wonder as he gazed at the tiny insect.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, I don\u2019t know,\u201d said Adam with a grin. \u201cYounger brother here is pretty small \u2026 yet he still manages to cause a lot of trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe turned and gave his eldest brother a glare. \u201cI do not!\u201d he said. Adam winked at him and his glare instantly turned to a grin. \u201cWell \u2026. maybe sometimes,\u201d he admitted with a shrug of his shoulders. He reached over and punched Adam on the arm and Adam grabbed him around the neck as he drew him to his side.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben shook his head and gave each of his three sons a wide smile. \u201cCome on boys,\u201d he said let\u2019s get home. There\u2019s plenty of work to be done.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhen isn\u2019t there?\u201d grumbled Joe, pulling himself free of Adam\u2019s grasp. He poked his tongue out at his brother and nimbly sidestepped as Adam reached for him again, then followed his father down the slope at a run.\u00a0 Adam put his arm around Hoss\u2019 shoulder and together they followed their father and brother down towards the house.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The End<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Summary: The Cartwrights find themselves in financial trouble when they try to honour a timber contract.
\nRating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (8,850 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":3758,"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_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,1008],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-65384","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-family","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ponderosapine.jpg?fit=270%2C404&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65384","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\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=65384"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65384\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3758"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=65384"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=65384"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=65384"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}