Summary:\u00a0 A much-anticipated train trip for the Cartwright family may be spoilt.
\nRating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (6,950 words)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Hoss grinned around the table at everyone before spearing a piece of chicken with his fork and placing it on his plate. \u201cI sure love chicken!\u201d\u00a0 he exclaimed happily. \u201cWill we have chicken at the Miller\u2019s do ya reckon Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben smiled at his middle son. \u201cI\u2019m not sure Hoss,\u201d he said. \u201cMaybe.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMrs Miller\u2019s a good cook,\u201d\u00a0 Adam informed his younger brother. \u201cDon\u2019t you remember her tasty meals when we visited there before?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss scrunched up his nose thoughtfully. \u201cNope,\u201d he replied. \u201cI don\u2019t reckon that I do.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie patted her stepson on the arm. \u201cHoss was only three at the time,\u201d she reminded Adam. \u201cThat was before they moved to Reno \u2026. Before your father had even gone to New Orleans and we were married. Your brother would have been too young to remember that.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI \u2018member!\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe informed his mother.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo dear,\u201d\u00a0 she said, giving the three year old an indulgent smile. \u201cYou weren\u2019t born then.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Little Joe nodded his head stubbornly. \u201cUh huh,\u201d\u00a0 he said stubbornly. \u201cI was borned and I \u2018member.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie was silent, knowing full well that it didn\u2019t do any good to argue with the child when he got that stubborn look on his face. Hoss, however, wasn\u2019t as wise. \u201cYou do not remember,\u201d\u00a0 he said indignantly. \u201cIf I don\u2019t remember, then you sure as heck don\u2019t!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Little Joe pursed his small lips as he gave his brother a dark look from across the table. \u201cI do so \u2018member,\u201d\u00a0 he said. \u201cWe had chicken there too.\u201d\u00a0 He put his head on one side and thought for a moment. \u201cIt was tasty,\u201d\u00a0 he added. \u201cI like chicken.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss opened his mouth to protest, but caught the look on his father\u2019s face and thought better of it. He closed his mouth again ad contented himself with poking his tongue out at his small brother who giggled at the sight.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss looks funny,\u201d\u00a0 he informed everyone. \u201cHe got chicken on his tongue.\u201d\u00a0 He poked out his own small tongue and went cross-eyed as he tried to look at it. \u201cI got chicken on mine?\u201d\u00a0 he asked Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat is enough!\u201d\u00a0 said Ben sternly. \u201cAll of you eat your supper and stop this nonsense.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d\u00a0 said Marie. \u201cYour father is right boys. Finish up your supper quickly and then it\u2019s time for bed.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBed!\u201d\u00a0 exclaimed Hoss. \u201cBut it\u2019s still early! It ain\u2019t time fer bed yet!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie raised her eyebrows at him. \u201cWe are all going to bed early tonight young man,\u201d\u00a0 she said firmly. \u201cWe have to be up very early in the morning if we\u2019re going to catch that train to Reno.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss\u2019 eyes lit up at the sound of the great adventure ahead of them and he wisely said not another word. In his mind, it was worth going to bed early one night if there was a train ride to look forward to. Hoss had never travelled by train anywhere in his life and since the new railroad had come to town had dreamt of the day when he might be able to board that huge machine and travel down the tracks. When his father had informed them that they would all be going to visit the Miller family in Reno, it had seemed like a dream come true to him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam lowered his head at his stepmother\u2019s words and tried to look composed. Being fifteen, he considered himself nearly a man and too old to become excited at the thought of a train trip, but he secretly couldn\u2019t seem to help himself feeling thrilled all over at the mere thought of it. \u201cIt\u2019ll be great going on that train,\u201d\u00a0 he said in spite of himself. \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think we all are,\u201d\u00a0 agreed his father, his own eyes twinkling. He could just as easily have transported his wife and sons to Reno in the wagon, but he considered this train trip just as much a treat for himself and Marie as the boys. He grinned at his wife and when she smiled back at him he thought about how long it had been since he\u2019d seen such a happy look on her face. Yes, it would be a trip to remember, he considered \u2026. For all of them. \u201cTrain travel is wonderful,\u201d\u00a0 he said. \u201cWe\u2019re so lucky that the railroad has finally come to Virginia City. This town is really growing up.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI like that train,\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe informed his father. \u201cI go on it lots.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou do not!\u201d\u00a0 said Hoss quickly. \u201cYou ain\u2019t ever been on a train neither!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI have!\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe countered crossly. \u201cLots!\u201d He looked at Adam. \u201cWhat\u2019s a train?\u201d\u00a0 he asked his brother.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie got up quickly and picked up her small son. \u201cThat\u2019s enough,\u201d she said. \u201cBedtime for you now, young man.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u201d\u00a0 shouted Little Joe. \u201cNo bedtime mama!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d\u00a0 she said firmly. \u201cNow say good night to everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d\u00a0 shouted Little Joe and crossed his small arms over his chest in a gesture of defiance.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie took no notice of her son, but turned to go upstairs with him. \u201cYou\u2019ve been out of sorts all day,\u201d\u00a0 she said to the child. \u201cAnd I have no intention of putting up with a cross little boy tomorrow on that train \u2026 so it\u2019s to bed with you straight away.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben picked up his coffee cup and began to drink it slowly, looking at his two excited boys over the rim as their stepmother and little brother left the room. \u201cBed for you two as well, as soon as you\u2019ve finished that food,\u201d\u00a0 he said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d\u00a0 asked Hoss, as he put in another mouthful. \u201cAre ya sure that Hop Sing will be OK without us while we\u2019re away?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing will be just fine son,\u201d\u00a0 said Ben with a laugh. \u201cHe\u2019ll enjoy the peace and quiet for the week, I\u2019m sure.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd Charlie will look after everything on the ranch,\u201d\u00a0 added Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben nodded. \u201cWe\u2019re certainly lucky to have them both,\u201d\u00a0 he said, thinking how long it was since they\u2019d been all able to get away for a few days. \u201cThis trip will do us all good,\u201d\u00a0 he said happily.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben patted his face and wiped off the last of the lather. He stroked his smooth chin in satisfaction and thought about the fact that he didn\u2019t look too bad for a man his age. It seemed that he was constantly aware of the age difference between himself and his young wife lately and was always on the lookout for an extra grey hair when it appeared. His young family and hard work on the ranch kept him in good health and he considered that he wasn\u2019t doing too badly, considering.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBen!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben turned as he heard his wife\u2019s voice from down the hallway. \u201cI\u2019m nearly ready!\u201d\u00a0 he called back. \u201cI\u2019ll be down to breakfast in a minute!\u201d\u00a0 He tied his necktie and sighed. He would have preferred to be dressing in his work clothes, but with travelling by train as they were that was impossible. It just wouldn\u2019t do to be dressed in anything but their best when travelling by rail.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI need you!\u201d\u00a0 shouted back Marie. \u201cIn Joe\u2019s room!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that boy done now?\u201d Ben muttered to himself as he walked down the hallway. \u201cI suppose it\u2019s too much to ask that he behave himself just this once?\u201d\u00a0 He banged on Hoss and Adam\u2019s doors as he passed them. \u201cHurry up boys,\u201d\u00a0 he said. \u201cBreakfast will be waiting and we can\u2019t be late this morning.\u201d\u00a0 He leant on the doorframe leading into his youngest son\u2019s room and crossed his arms over his chest as he stared at his wife who was kneeling next to the little boy\u2019s bed. \u201cWell?\u201d\u00a0 he asked. \u201cWhat\u2019s he done now?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie looked up, her green eyes anxious. \u201cLook here,\u201d\u00a0 she said, pointing to the naked stomach of her son as he lay on the bed before her.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben looked. \u201cWhat?\u201d\u00a0 he asked, walking into the room and staring down at the child who giggled back up at him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie pointed and Ben gasped as he spied several large red spots on the little boy\u2019s stomach. \u201cThat\u2019s why he\u2019s been so out of sorts lately,\u201d\u00a0 Marie said miserably. \u201cHe\u2019s sick Ben. My little boy is sick!\u201d\u00a0 He eyes filled with tears and Ben knelt down beside her and put his arm around her.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s fine,\u201d\u00a0 he said. \u201cLook at him.\u201d\u00a0 He pointed to the giggling child on the bed. \u201cSee? He\u2019s as fit as a fiddle.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThen what is this rash?\u201d\u00a0 Marie asked, pointing at it. She pulled down his trousers and inspected his legs carefully. \u201cHe has them on his legs as well \u2026 and on his arms,\u201d\u00a0 she said. \u201cHe\u2019s sick Ben!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben cursed silently. \u201cI\u2019m sure he\u2019s not,\u201d\u00a0 he assured his wife. \u201cIt\u2019s probably just some child\u2019s thing.\u201d\u00a0 Marie continued to look at him pleadingly. \u201cI\u2019ll tell you what,\u201d\u00a0 he said after a moment. \u201cWe\u2019ll stop in a see Doc Martin before we get on the train. Will that make you feel better?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie nodded. \u201cYes,\u201d she admitted, picking up Little Joe and pulling his trousers back up again. \u201cBut maybe it would be best if we didn\u2019t go now Ben? I mean \u2026 if Joe is sick and all \u2026 maybe we\u2019d better stick close to home?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There was a gasp from the doorway behind them, and they both turned to see Hoss and Adam standing there giving their parents an appalled look. \u201cWhat do ya mean we ain\u2019t going?\u201d\u00a0 asked Hoss. \u201cWe gotta go! We just gotta go Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam took a step into the room. \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter?\u201d\u00a0 he asked, with a worried look on his face. \u201cIs Joe sick?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe hope not,\u201d\u00a0 replied his father. \u201cWe\u2019ll see when we get into town.\u201d\u00a0 He ushered them all out of the room. \u201cNow let\u2019s get down to breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut Ben \u2026\u201d\u00a0 began Marie.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben held up a hand to silence her. \u201cLet\u2019s not borrow trouble before we know for sure what it is,\u201d\u00a0 he said. \u201cI\u2019m sure Joe will be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019d better be,\u201d\u00a0 muttered Hoss, giving his little brother a dark look. \u201cI ain\u2019t missing out on a train trip just cause he\u2019s sick!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll do as you\u2019re told,\u201d\u00a0 snapped Marie, hugging her little boy to her. \u201cThere there little one,\u201d\u00a0 she said. \u201cYou\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Little Joe struggled to get out of his mother\u2019s arms. \u201cDown mama,\u201d\u00a0 he commanded her.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d\u00a0 she said as she walked down the stairs with him. \u201cYou\u2019re not well.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe looks fine to me,\u201d\u00a0 said Adam, coming down the stairs behind her and giving his little brother an appraising look as he bobbed up and down in his mother\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure it\u2019ll be fine,\u201d\u00a0 said Ben. \u201cIt\u2019ll turn out to be nothing \u2026 you\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not nothing,\u201d said Paul Martin as he straightened up from the examining table. \u201cI\u2019m afraid that Joe has the chicken pox. There\u2019s been a few cases of it around town.\u201d He looked at Hoss and Adam. \u201cHave either of you been feeling itchy?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Both boys shook their heads as Marie swooped up Little Joe and started making anxious clucking noises at him. \u201cThey\u2019ve both had it,\u201d Ben informed the doctor. \u201cTwo years ago.\u201d\u00a0 He put his arm around his anxious wife. \u201cHe\u2019ll be fine,\u201d\u00a0 he said. \u201cJust itchy for a few days \u2026 that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie looked to Paul for confirmation and the doctor nodded. \u201cYes,\u201d\u00a0 he said. \u201cBen is right Marie. The worse part is usually over once the rash begins to develop. Just keep him isolated until the spots disappear and try to stop him scratching them. I\u2019ll give you some salve that will \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIsolated?\u201d\u00a0 squeaked Adam, giving his father a worried look.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s isolated mean?\u201d\u00a0 whispered Hoss to Adam, tugging on his brother\u2019s sleeve.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe were going to Reno on the train this morning,\u201d\u00a0 Ben said hopefully to the doctor. \u201cWe have the tickets all organised.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Paul hesitated and stood for a moment in thought, stroking his chin. \u201cWell I can\u2019t tell you what to do,\u201d\u00a0 he said. \u201cIt all depends on how Joe feels \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s fine Pa!\u201d\u00a0 said Adam, indicating his little brother as he tried to once more wriggle out of his mother\u2019s comforting grasp.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201c \u2026 and if you can keep him away from other people,\u201d\u00a0 finished the doctor. \u201cThat might be pretty difficult on a train though.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow long will Joe be contagious for?\u201d\u00a0 asked Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI not Don Dagious!\u201d\u00a0 exclaimed Little Joe indignantly. \u201cI Joe Cartwright!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cShh darling,\u201d\u00a0 whispered Marie softly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust a day or so considering how advanced that rash is,\u201d\u00a0 replied the doctor.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust a day or so Pa,\u201d\u00a0 repeated Adam, giving his father a pleading look.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben said nothing, but looked from his anxious wife, to his worried eldest son and his angry middle son. Hoss was giving Joe a look as if was his fault that he was sick and Joe was looking quite confused because of it. \u201cThank you Paul,\u201d\u00a0 Ben said finally. \u201cWe\u2019ll go and consider our options.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBen \u2026\u201d\u00a0 began Marie as soon as they were outside the doctor\u2019s office. \u201cWe can\u2019t go!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut Pa!\u201d\u00a0 shouted Hoss, tears springing to his eyes. \u201cWe gotta go! We just can\u2019t miss our train trip \u2026\u201d\u00a0 He glared at Little Joe. \u201c\u2026 just cause of him!\u201d\u00a0 he added.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat is enough,\u201d said Ben quickly. \u201cIt isn\u2019t Little Joe\u2019s fault that he\u2019s got the chicken pox.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe looked even more confused. \u201cI got chicken pots?\u201d\u00a0 he asked. \u201cDid I get em from Uuver One Bob?\u201d (Author\u2019s note:\u00a0 See my story:\u00a0 \u201cUuver One Bob: The Brief Life of a Chicken.\u201d )<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo darling,\u201d\u00a0 Marie assured her son. \u201cNot from Uuver \u2026 I mean \u2026 Other One Bob.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGood,\u201d\u00a0 said Little Joe firmly. \u201cHe go away Mama,\u201d\u00a0 he added. \u201cTo see his friends.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes darling,\u201d\u00a0 said Marie. She blushed slightly, remembering how they had all partaken of her little boy\u2019s pet chicken one evening for supper after Hop Sing had accidently chopped off it\u2019s head. Little Joe was still blissfully unaware of this fact and was convinced that his pet had \u2026 gone away to make friends \u2026 <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhy can\u2019t we still go Pa?\u201d\u00a0 asked Adam. \u201cYou heard Doc Martin. He said that if we just keep Joe away from other people then it won\u2019t be a problem.\u201d\u00a0 He looked at his father hopefully.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben looked at Marie and his wife stared back at him. \u201cYou go,\u201d\u00a0 she said finally. \u201cYou take the boys and I\u2019ll stay here with Joe,\u201d\u00a0 she said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes!\u201d\u00a0 shouted Hoss happily.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben put his arm around his wife. \u201cNo,\u201d\u00a0 he said. \u201cYou\u2019ve been looking forward to this trip as much as anyone. It\u2019s not fair for you to be the only one to miss out.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie sighed. \u201cWell it\u2019s not fair for all of us to miss out,\u201d\u00a0 she said. \u201cI don\u2019t want the boys to be disappointed Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d\u00a0 said Hoss. \u201cMa don\u2019t want us ta be disappointed Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam looked guiltily at his stepmother. \u201cAre you sure you\u2019ll be OK?\u201d\u00a0 he asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOf course,\u201d\u00a0 replied Marie, looking anything but all right. \u201cWe\u2019ll be fine. Joe and I will come and see you off at the train.\u201d She looked up at her husband. \u201cYou go and have a good time,\u201d\u00a0 she said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMarie, I can\u2019t let you do this,\u201d\u00a0 Ben said. \u201cWe all go or none of us do.\u201d\u00a0 He looked at both his sons as their faces fell. \u201cI\u2019m sorry boys,\u201d\u00a0 he added. \u201cThere\u2019ll be another time.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThen we\u2019ll all go,\u201d\u00a0 added Marie quickly, her heart breaking to see the look on Adam and Hoss\u2019 faces. \u201cWe\u2019ll just have to be careful to keep Joe isolated.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou mean it?\u201d\u00a0 gasped Adam, his eyes twinkling.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie reached over and picked up a bag. \u201cHelp me Ben,\u201d\u00a0 she said, handing it to her husband. \u201cGet out a long sleeved shirt for him. If no one sees the spots then they won\u2019t think twice about it. She pulled Joe\u2019s hat down over his face. We\u2019ll keep him covered up and \u2026\u201d\u00a0 she looked at the child\u2019s face carefully. \u201cI can put some of my powder over these couple of spots on his face. No one will know the difference.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure?\u201d asked Ben, pulling a long-sleeved shirt out from the bag.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure,\u201d\u00a0 she said firmly as she began to take Joe\u2019s shirt off. \u201cWe\u2019ll just make sure to sit away from anyone else, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry sir, but the train is very booked,\u201d said the clerk as Ben hopefully asked for a compartment to themselves. \u201cThe best I can do is to give you a small compartment at the back of the third carriage.\u201d\u00a0 He looked over the family of five. \u201cBut it\u2019s really only designed for three people,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll take it,\u201d\u00a0 said Ben quickly. \u201cIt\u2019s just that \u2026.\u201d\u00a0 He searched for a suitable excuse. \u201cWe like our privacy,\u201d\u00a0 he said lamely.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The clerk frowned. \u201cOf course,\u201d\u00a0 he said. \u201cStill \u2026. It\u2019s not very convenient for the \u2026 um \u2026. facilities \u2026 excuse me ma\u2019am,\u201d\u00a0 he said, tipping his cap. \u201cIf you know what I mean. And with three children,\u201d he shrugged. \u201cI would have thought that you\u2019d want to be closer to such things.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam gave the man a dark look at being described as a child.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019ll be fine,\u201d\u00a0 Ben assured the clerk. \u201cPlease show us the way.\u201d\u00a0 The clerk pointed down the narrow passageway and Ben led his two sons forward, followed by Marie with Joe in her arms. The small boy was still struggling to get down, but his mother had a firm grip on him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m hot!\u201d\u00a0 shouted Little Joe crossly. \u201cToo hot mama!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cShh!\u201d\u00a0 whispered his mother. \u201cIt\u2019s just for a little while darling.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cShirt too hot!\u201d\u00a0 shouted Little Joe. He began to scratch his inflamed skin and gave his mother a cross look.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t scratch,\u201d\u00a0 Marie said, holding his hands down. \u201cYou\u2019ll make it worse.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHere we are,\u201d said Ben, ushering them into the small compartment.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss bounced over and immediately seated himself next to the window. \u201cHey this is great!\u201d\u00a0 he announced happily. \u201cI can see lots of things!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam leant over him and stared at a pretty young girl who was walking down the platform just near their window. \u201cYou sure can,\u201d\u00a0 he said appreciatively, his eyes following the young girl and her parents as they entered the fourth carriage. \u201cShove up and let me sit there Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI got here first,\u201d\u00a0 said Hoss, holding onto the sides on the seat tightly. \u201cI ain\u2019t moving!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhere are we all going to sit?\u201d\u00a0 asked Marie anxiously. \u201cThere\u2019s not a lot of space.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben hesitated. \u201cWe\u2019ll be fine,\u201d\u00a0 he assured her. \u201cHere \u2026 you sit over there and Adam and Hoss can share this side. I\u2019ll sit here.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThere ain\u2019t room Pa,\u201d\u00a0 said Hoss. \u201cAdam\u2019s squashing me!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell if you\u2019d move up then I wouldn\u2019t,\u201d\u00a0 retorted Adam. He pushed his brother towards the window.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOw!\u201d\u00a0 shouted Hoss. \u201cAdam done pushed me Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s enough!\u201d\u00a0 said Ben angrily. \u201cKeep still the both of you!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201c Ben it\u2019s too small,\u201d\u00a0 said Marie, struggling to keep Little Joe on her knee. \u201cWe\u2019ll be too cramped sitting like this.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI could sit in another carriage,\u201d\u00a0 suggested Adam suddenly, his eyes lighting up. \u201cI don\u2019t mind.\u201d\u00a0 Ben hesitated. \u201cI\u2019ll be fine Pa,\u201d\u00a0 said Adam. \u201cThere were some seats in the fourth carriage and I could sit there.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLet him Pa,\u201d\u00a0 added Hoss crossly. \u201cHe\u2019s squashing me!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPlease Ben,\u201d\u00a0 added Marie. \u201cWe\u2019re going to have enough trouble keeping Little Joe still without being so cramped.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAll right,\u201d\u00a0 said Ben, standing up. \u201cCome on and I\u2019ll find a seat for you back there.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa!\u201d\u00a0 said Adam. \u201cI\u2019m old enough to find a seat for myself. It\u2019s embarrassing having you do it for me.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben sat down again. \u201cI suppose so,\u201d\u00a0 he said. \u201cNow if you can\u2019t find one come straight back. I\u2019ll come back there once we start off and see how you are.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam sprang quickly towards the door. \u201cI\u2019ll be fine,\u201d\u00a0 he said. \u201cSee you in Reno.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam!\u201d\u00a0 shouted Little Joe, holding his arms out towards his brother. \u201cWanna go with Adam!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u201d\u00a0 said Marie firmly, holding onto the little boy. \u201cYou\u2019re contagious! You stay here with us.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe gave his mother a puzzled look. \u201cI Joe Cartwright,\u201d\u00a0 he told her. \u201cI not Don Dagious.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes darling,\u201d\u00a0 Marie sighed as the train lurched forward and Hoss squealed excitedly in her ear. \u201cNow look out of the window and settle down.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam tried to look as if he was staring out of the window while looking at the pretty girl sitting across the aisle from him at the same time. He blushed slightly as she caught his eye and busied himself with straightening his necktie in an attempt to appear casual.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He silently blessed his little brother who had made it possible for him to be sitting across the aisle from such an attractive girl and he frowned slightly at the thought of the rest of his family sitting in the small compartment without him. He hoped that they weren\u2019t too uncomfortable squashed in there all together, and thanked God that he had been able to escape. It made the trip all the more enjoyable to be sitting here next to a window with nothing to do but look at the scenery and the attractive girl near him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cEverything all right?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam turned to see his father standing beside him. \u201cFine Pa,\u201d\u00a0 he said in a low voice, wishing that his father could for once treat him as grownup and not some little kid who needed to be checked on.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGood,\u201d replied Ben. \u201cWell, come up to see me if you need to.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow is that baby brother of mine?\u201d asked Adam, feeling slightly guilty that he wasn\u2019t experiencing what he considered would be an uncomfortable trip with his family.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDifficult,\u201d admitted his father. \u201cHe\u2019s not at his best in confined spaces, as you know.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam nodded sympathetically. \u201cYeah,\u201d he acknowledged.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCome for a walk later and visit if you feel like it,\u201d\u00a0 said Ben. He turned to go, looking as if he really wanted to stay in the peace and quiet of the fourth carriage. \u201cI\u2019ll see you later son.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBye,\u201d\u00a0 said Adam, happily watching his father disappear back into the third carriage.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWas that your father?\u201d\u00a0 asked the young girl across the aisle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam shrugged. \u201cYeah,\u201d\u00a0 he said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI love little children,\u201d she said with all the authority of her own tender years. \u201cHow old is the baby brother you were talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThree,\u201d replied Adam, wishing that she would change the subject, but happy to talk about anything as long as she kept talking.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The girl\u2019s smile became wider. \u201cOh how cute!\u201d\u00a0 she exclaimed. \u201cI wish I had a little brother or sister. Tell me what he\u2019s like!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam thought for a moment before replying. \u201cHe\u2019s mostly a pain,\u201d\u00a0 he said. \u201cBut kinda cute at times.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The girl glanced swiftly towards her parents who were both nodding off, before leaning closer to Adam. \u201cI wish I could see him,\u201d\u00a0 she said. \u201cDo you think you could bring him back here for a little while so that I could play with him? This trip is so boring, don\u2019t you think?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam thought that it was turning out to anything but boring, but wisely nodded in agreement. \u201cYes,\u201d\u00a0 he sighed. \u201cTrain travel can be like that if you\u2019ve done it as often as I have.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The girl\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cYou\u2019ve travelled by rail before?\u201d\u00a0 she asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh yes,\u201d replied Adam airily. \u201cMany times. This is nothing to me.\u201d\u00a0 He waved his hand around casually, hoping that he was appearing nonchalant.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo can you bring him back here for while?\u201d\u00a0 persisted the girl.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWho?\u201d asked Adam, looking dreamily into her eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYour little brother,\u201d\u00a0 she said impatiently. \u201cWould you be allowed to?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam frowned. \u201cOf course I\u2019d be allowed to,\u201d\u00a0 he retorted. \u201cI\u2019m not a kid you know. I look after him plenty of times.\u201d\u00a0 He looked into her impressed eyes and added. \u201cI sort of help to raise him \u2026 what with my parents being so busy and all.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh that\u2019s wonderful!\u201d\u00a0 the girl breathed. \u201cWhat a lovely young man you seem to be. My name is Martha, by the way.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m Adam,\u201d\u00a0 replied Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam,\u201d repeated the girl. \u201cWhat a lovely name. \u201cSo?\u201d\u00a0 she hinted. \u201cCan you get him now?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam stood up, not knowing what else to do. \u201cAs a matter of fact I just feel like stretching my legs for a bit,\u201d\u00a0 he said. \u201cI\u2019ll see if my parents want me to take him off their hands for a while. I often do that to give them a break.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow wonderful of you,\u201d\u00a0 said Martha admiringly. \u201cHurry back!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam gave her a half-smile, wondering how on earth he was going to get his parents to agree to him taking the contagious Little Joe into another part of the train. He put his hands in his pockets as he headed into the third carriage, thinking how strange it was that a trip could be so good and then turn so bad in an instant. He figured that when he returned to the carriage without his younger brother Martha wouldn\u2019t be too inclined to talk to him for much longer and he cursed himself silently for not thinking of some way to turn the conversation they\u2019d already had away from his youngest brother and onto himself.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As he opened the door into the small compartment where his family was, he was surprised to see both his parents missing. Hoss was looking excitedly out of the window and Little Joe was fast asleep on the seat opposite his brother, curled into a ball and one of his small thumbs stuck firmly in his mouth. He looked incredibly angelic and Adam wondered why he couldn\u2019t always look like that. \u201cWhere\u2019s Pa and Marie?\u201d\u00a0 he asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss turned away from the window, his eyes wide. \u201cAin\u2019t it great Adam?\u201d\u00a0 he said excitedly. \u201cThe ground moves real fast down there \u2026. Have ya seen it?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d\u00a0 replied Adam. \u201cWhere are they?\u201d\u00a0 he persisted.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss turned back to the window. \u201cMa felt sick and Pa took her up the other end of the carriage fer some fresh air,\u201d\u00a0 he said. \u201cThey said if Joe waked up then I had to call out fer em.\u201d\u00a0 He sighed. \u201cJest as well he fell asleep,\u201d\u00a0 he added. \u201cPa said he was gonna knock him out iffen he didn\u2019t soon enuff. He\u2019s being a real pain.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cProbably because he\u2019s not feeling too well,\u201d\u00a0 said Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss shook his head. \u201cNah,\u201d\u00a0 he said. \u201cHe\u2019s always like that \u2026. Remember?\u201d He frowned as Adam picked up their little brother. \u201cHey! Whatcha doing with him Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cShh,\u201d\u00a0 said Adam. \u201cBe quiet! I\u2019m just borrowing him for a couple of minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss immediately looked alarmed. \u201cI don\u2019t reckon you\u2019d better,\u201d\u00a0 he warned. \u201cPa said that I had to keep an eye on him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd he would have put me in charge of him if I\u2019d been here, wouldn\u2019t he?\u201d\u00a0 said Adam logically. \u201cBesides, I\u2019ll only be a couple of minutes. I just need to show him to someone. I\u2019ll be back before they even miss him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d better be!\u201d shouted Hoss, jumping up from his seat and poking his head through the doorway of the compartment as Adam carried Little Joe down the passageway. \u201cI don\u2019t wanna get into trouble cause of you!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry about it,\u201d\u00a0 shouted Adam over his shoulder. \u201cIt\u2019ll be fine!\u201d\u00a0 He grinned as he opened the door into the fourth carriage. \u201cHow lucky can you get?\u201d\u00a0 he said gleefully as his little brother stirred in his arms and rubbed his eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Little Joe looked up into the face of his older brother. \u201cHi Adam,\u201d\u00a0 he said happily. \u201cWhere ya been?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHello,\u201d\u00a0 said Adam. \u201cNow listen here Joe. I\u2019m going to introduce you to someone and I want you to be polite. OK?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOK,\u201d\u00a0 said Joe happily, sitting up in his brother\u2019s arms and looking around excitedly. \u201cHey this is great!\u201d\u00a0 he announced. \u201cWho are all these people Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust people,\u201d\u00a0 replied Adam in a low voice as he approached his seat. \u201cThis is him,\u201d\u00a0 he said to Martha as he sat down.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIsn\u2019t he so sweet!\u201d\u00a0 the girl exclaimed, her eyes wide. \u201cYou are so lucky having a little brother like him Adam. He\u2019s just gorgeous.\u201d She tickled Joe gently under the chin. \u201cHello,\u201d\u00a0 she said. \u201cI\u2019m Martha.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe studied her for a moment. \u201cHello,\u201d\u00a0 he said. He frowned for a moment, struggling to remember the word that his parent had told him that he was. \u201cI\u2019m Don Dagious,\u201d\u00a0 he informed her happily, ignoring the fact that Adam immediately drew him away from the girl at the reminder.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s just the cutest little thing!\u201d\u00a0 Martha exclaimed. \u201cCan I hold him Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam shook his head. \u201cYou\u2019d better not,\u201d\u00a0 he said immediately. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t take too kindly to strangers.\u201d\u00a0 He frowned at Joe who already had his arms out to Martha and was struggling to go to her. \u201cWell, not usually,\u201d he said lamely.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Martha sat Little Joe on her lap and smiled at him. \u201cHello Donny,\u201d she said. \u201cAren\u2019t you a lovely little boy?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d better take him back now,\u201d\u00a0 said Adam, reaching over to grab his little brother, but both Joe and Martha pushed his hands away.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust a few minutes more,\u201d Martha pleaded. \u201cDo you like to be called Don or Donny?\u201d\u00a0 she asked Little Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m Don Dagious,\u201d\u00a0 Joe said again, this time in a much louder voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know,\u201d\u00a0 she said, smiling at him. \u201cAnd it\u2019s a lovely name too.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo \u2026\u201d\u00a0 said Adam. \u201cYou don\u2019t understand.\u201d\u00a0 He stopped as Martha looked at him inquiringly. \u201cI mean \u2026\u201d\u00a0 he fumbled for an explanation that wouldn\u2019t involve Joe being contagious with a disease. \u201cNothing \u2026.\u201d\u00a0 He muttered finally, cringing as he saw Martha cuddle Little Joe close to her and hoping that she had already had chicken pox.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI got chicken pots,\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe informed the girl. \u201cI\u2019m Don Dagious.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cChicken Pots?\u201d\u00a0 Martha asked Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cUm \u2026. His pet chicken,\u201d\u00a0 said Adam quickly, wishing that Joe would shut up. \u201cI need to take him back now.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cUuver One Bob,\u201d\u00a0 said Joe to Martha. \u201cMy chicken is Uuver One Bob. He give me chicken pots.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t understand,\u201d\u00a0 said Martha. \u201cWhat\u2019s he talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh nothing,\u201d\u00a0 said Adam, trying to sound casual. He picked up Little Joe quickly. \u201cI\u2019d better take him back now.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Suddenly Little Joe began to squirm in his brother\u2019s arm. \u201cI gotta go Adam,\u201d\u00a0 he said urgently.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going,\u201d\u00a0 Adam assured him. \u201cI\u2019m taking you back to your Mama straight away.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe held onto himself and gave his brother a desperate look. \u201cNo!\u201d\u00a0 he said. \u201cI gotta pee Adam! Now!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam knew from experience that when his little brother said now<\/em> he meant now<\/em> \u2026. And he looked around for a sign of the facilities. \u201cUm \u2026\u201d\u00a0 he went slightly red. \u201cDo you know where \u2026.\u201d\u00a0 He looked at Martha hopefully.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s right up the other end of the train,\u201d\u00a0 the girl replied. At the front of the first carriage.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t wait Adam!\u201d\u00a0 shouted Little Joe. I gotta go now!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam turned and headed towards the back door, Joe in his arms. He figured that no one would be any the wiser about what he was about to do \u2026. Besides, Joe was only a little boy, so where was the harm? It was certainly better than having his little brother pee all over him in the middle of a crowded carriage full on people. He opened the back door and walked onto the small platform at the back of the carriage, closing the door behind him. He put Joe down onto his feet, making sure that the small boy\u2019s hands were firmly grasping the railing in front of them, before pulling down his trousers. \u201cQuick,\u201d\u00a0 he whispered. \u201cGo down there.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Little Joe looked down at the track that was below them. He giggled delightedly. \u201cDown there?\u201d\u00a0 he asked, looking up at his brother in delight at this new game.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHurry up!\u201d\u00a0 snarled Adam. \u201cQuick!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe giggled again as he sent a stream of liquid splashing down onto the track. Both he and Adam watched as it made a straight line out behind them, spraying in the wind that the movement of the train made. \u201cFunny Adam!\u201d\u00a0 shouted Little Joe happily. \u201cYou go pee too!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cShut up,\u201d\u00a0 said Adam. \u201cHurry up and finish.\u201d\u00a0 He waited until the stream had stopped and began to pull Little Joe\u2019s trousers up again, but Joe pushed his brother\u2019s hands away.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u201d shouted Little Joe. He bent down and began to happily scratch his small legs. \u201cToo hot,\u201d\u00a0 he added.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam pushed his little brother\u2019s hands away. \u201cStop scratching,\u201d\u00a0 he said in imitation of his stepmother. \u201cYou\u2019ll make it worse.\u201d\u00a0 He buttoned Joe\u2019s trousers up again and led him back into the carriage.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe immediately put his arms up to Martha, but Adam pulled him back again. \u201cNo,\u201d\u00a0 he said firmly. \u201cI need to get you back to your mama.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy do you keep saying his<\/em> mama?\u201d\u00a0 asked Martha, looking up at Adam. \u201cIsn\u2019t she your<\/em> mama too?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d\u00a0 said Adam. \u201cShe\u2019s his mother, but my stepmother.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh how interesting,\u201d\u00a0 said Martha. \u201cAre there just the two of you then?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d\u00a0 said Adam. \u201cWe have another \u2026.\u201d\u00a0 He stopped as he saw Martha\u2019s eyes widen. \u201cWhat?\u201d\u00a0 he asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Martha began to giggle behind her hand, her eyes suddenly wide. \u201cI think \u2026\u201d\u00a0 she spluttered into her hand. \u201cI think you\u2019d better \u2026\u201d\u00a0 she pointed and Adam looked down, his eyes widening as he saw his little brother happily taking off his shirt.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cToo hot,\u201d\u00a0 said Little Joe as he proceeded to pull down his trousers as well. He pointed to one of the spots on his tummy. \u201cChicken pots,\u201d\u00a0 he said happily.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat child is covered with spots,\u201d\u00a0 said a loud voice behind them and Adam turned to see a woman looking at them both in horror.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cChicken pots,\u201d\u00a0 said Joe proudly in a loud voice. \u201cI\u2019m Don Dagious.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t care what your name is!\u201d\u00a0 said the woman, standing up. \u201cThis child has chicken pox!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam desperately tried to cover up his little brother, but Joe struggled with him. \u201cNo!\u201d\u00a0 he shouted. \u201cToo hot Adam!\u201d\u00a0 He held his spot-covered little arms above his head and began to wave them, displaying his spot-ridden stomach for all to see.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell I never!\u201d shouted the woman. \u201cI\u2019m not staying here to be contaminated!\u201d\u00a0 She stalked out of the carriage, followed by several others. Martha gave Adam a sad look as she was ushered out of the carriage by her parents. \u201cSorry,\u201d\u00a0 she mouthed as they disappeared into the third carriage.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam began to follow, dragging Little Joe behind him \u2026 but he was suddenly pulled back by a firm grip on his collar. \u201cYou just hold it there youngster,\u201d\u00a0 said a stern voice behind him. \u201cWhere do ya think you\u2019re going with that kid?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m taking him back to our parents,\u201d\u00a0 said Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The clerk shook his head. \u201cOh no you\u2019re not,\u201d\u00a0 he said, indicating the now empty carriage. \u201cYou can just stay right where you are.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut \u2026\u201d\u00a0 said Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBest keep that little boy right away from all them other folks,\u201d\u00a0 said the clerk. \u201cI\u2019ll tell ya parents where you are.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam sighed and sat down heavily on the seat. \u201cNow I\u2019m in for it,\u201d\u00a0 he muttered as he glared at the near-naked Little Joe. \u201cAnd it\u2019s all your fault.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe smiled at his brother as he absently scratched his arms and legs. \u201cI\u2019m Don Dagious,\u201d\u00a0 he informed him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t I know it!\u201d\u00a0 muttered Adam dolefully.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben ushered Marie down the crowded passageway and back into the small carriage, surprised to see that there were two other people there as well. He squeezed them both into on seat and looked across at Hoss who was giving his father a guilty look. \u201cWhere is Little Joe?\u201d\u00a0 he asked. \u201cAnd what are all these people doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Before Hoss could open his mouth, a man leant forward. \u201cWe had to evacuate the fourth carriage,\u201d\u00a0 he said. \u201cI heard tell there\u2019s an outbreak of some plague or other back there.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie put a hand to her mouth. \u201cOh Ben!\u201d\u00a0 she said. \u201cA plague!\u201d\u00a0 She looked around anxiously. \u201cHoss \u2026 where is your little brother? Where is my baby?\u201d\u00a0 She struggled to her feet. \u201cHas anyone seen my baby?\u201d\u00a0 she shouted desperately.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben pulled her down again. \u201cCalm down Marie,\u201d\u00a0 he said. \u201cHe can\u2019t have got far. Hoss? Where is your little brother?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam done took him,\u201d\u00a0 replied Hoss, looking down at the floor guiltily. \u201cI done told him not to \u2026. But he still done it Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSee?\u201d\u00a0 said Ben, putting his arm around Marie. \u201cI told you that he was all right. Where did he take him to Hoss?\u201d he asked, secretly vowing to give his eldest son one huge tongue lashing when he got hold of him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI dunno,\u201d\u00a0 Hoss said, shrugging his shoulders. \u201cBack in the next carriage I think he said.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBen!\u201d Marie grasped hold of her husband\u2019s arm anxiously. \u201cThis man says that there\u2019s a plague back there! Oh Ben!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben stood up. \u201cI\u2019ll get them,\u201d\u00a0 he said. \u201cYou stay here.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Suddenly there was a commotion out in the passageway and the clerk poked his head into the compartment. \u201cMr Dagious?\u201d\u00a0 He shouted. \u201cDoes anyone here know a Mr Dagious?\u201d\u00a0 Ben shook his head and the clerk disappeared again. \u201cMr Dagious!\u201d\u00a0 he shouted as he walked up and down the passageway. \u201cI\u2019m looking for a Mr Dagious!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben ignored him and strode purposely back to the fourth carriage. Marie hesitated for a moment and then followed him. Hoss hesitated for a moment and then followed Marie.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s going on here?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam looked up guiltily as his father, stepmother and brother came into the carriage. \u201cHi Pa,\u201d\u00a0 he said, slumping down in his seat.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you dare Hi Pa<\/em> me!\u201d shouted Ben, waggling his finger at his eldest son. \u201cExactly what is going on here Adam?\u201d\u00a0 He looked down at the near-naked Little Joe who was happily scratching himself all over.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam! How could you!\u201d\u00a0 shouted Marie, scooping up her precious child and hugging him to her. \u201cIt\u2019s all right now darling, mama\u2019s here.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Little Joe struggling to get down again. \u201cI\u2019m Don Dagious,\u201d\u00a0 he informed his mother. \u201cI got chicken pots from Uuver One Bob.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m waiting Adam,\u201d said Ben, still staring at his son.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam cleared his throat and was just about to speak when the carriage door opened once again. \u201cOh \u2026 Mr Dagious \u2026.\u201d\u00a0 said the clerk, poking his head around the doorway. \u201cYou\u2019ve found them.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben blinked a couple of time. \u201cI beg your pardon?\u201d\u00a0 he asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been looking for you everywhere,\u201d\u00a0 explained the clerk. \u201cI think it\u2019s best if you and your family travel the rest of the distance to Reno in this carriage considering \u2026 don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut the Plague!\u201d\u00a0 said Marie, clutching Joe to her chest and putting a protective arm around Hoss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPrecisely ma\u2019am,\u201d\u00a0 agreed the clerk. \u201cAlthough I wouldn\u2019t exactly call one case a plague,\u201d\u00a0 he added. He gave both she and Ben a dark look. \u201cNext time it would be better if you would inform the management of such things before boarding,\u201d he said, pointing to Little Joe before disappearing again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There was silence for a full minute as everyone tried to come to grips with what had just transpired. Finally, Ben spoke. \u201cI have a feeling that Little Joe is the plague they\u2019re all talking about,\u201d he said and looked at Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam shrugged, trying to appear casual, but utterly failing to do so. \u201cI don\u2019t know anything about a plague,\u201d he said. \u201cSome woman just noticed that Joe had spots is all.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd why exactly was he undressed?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI hot!\u201d\u00a0 Joe informed his father. He frowned as his mother slapped his little hands away to stop him scratching.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe was hot,\u201d Adam confirmed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd why did you have him back here in the first place?\u201d\u00a0 asked Ben, putting his hands on his hips and glaring at his son.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam shifted uncomfortably under the stern gaze of his father. \u201cWell \u2026.\u201d\u00a0 he said in a low voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben put up his hand. \u201cNever mind,\u201d\u00a0 he said. \u201cSave it for when we get to Reno, young man. I have a feeling this will be rather a long conversation \u2026 and perhaps a painful one for one of us,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie sat down and began to dress Little Joe, much to that young man\u2019s dismay. \u201cHot mama!\u201d\u00a0 he protested, but Marie took no notice of him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHey this is great!\u201d\u00a0 shouted Hoss. \u201cWe got all these windows to ourselves and we ain\u2019t squashed no more!\u201d\u00a0 He sat himself down on a seat and put his feet up on the one opposite, happily looking out of the window.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss, take your feet off the seat,\u201d\u00a0 instructed Marie. She looked down at Little Joe who was tugging on her sleeve. \u201cWhat is it baby?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCan I go out there again?\u201d\u00a0 asked Little Joe, pointing to the back door of the carriage.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie shook her head. \u201cNo baby,\u201d\u00a0 she said. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing out there. That\u2019s the end of the train.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Little Joe shook his head. \u201cNuh uh,\u201d he informed his mother. \u201cThere\u2019s a railing and you can pee off the back. You wanna see?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie gave Ben a horrified look and Ben turned to glare once again at Adam who slunk even further down in his seat.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t wanna ever get off this train,\u201d announced Hoss happily as he continued to gaze out of the window. \u201cI wish this trip would go on and on forever and Reno was a long ways away. Don\u2019t you Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam pulled his hat over his face and gave his father a quick glance from under it. \u201cI sure do,\u201d\u00a0 he muttered. \u201cA real long ways away.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n For Chris and Will<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Summary:\u00a0 A much-anticipated train trip for the Cartwright family may be spoilt.The End<\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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