{"id":6622,"date":"2012-09-04T15:43:37","date_gmt":"2012-09-04T19:43:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6622"},"modified":"2026-07-22T09:11:06","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T13:11:06","slug":"to-save-a-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6622","title":{"rendered":"To Save a Life (by Rider)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span>A Little House on the Prairie fic. While visiting his brother and sister, Charles is severely beaten. WHI for “Journey in the Spring”<\/p>\n

Rated:<\/span>\u00a0K+ (2,490 words)
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Author’s Notes:<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n

Thanks to Annie K Cowgirl, who helped me write this & kept me going!!<\/em><\/p>\n

To Save a Life<\/strong><\/p>\n

A groan was the first thing that escaped the wounded man’s lips.<\/strong> His head felt like it was on fire and his left leg…well he didn’t even want to think about the shockwave of agony radiating from the limb.He tried to pull himself up; but a shock of pain sent him back down, gasping for breath. He couldn\u2019t remember why he was there then, he remembered. He had been leaving the house to go and see his Pa.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s it, I was going to see, Pa, but what then?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

He walked up the hill when two men came up to him.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018You\u2019re new here,\u2019 they had said. I told them that I was just visiting family, when they wanted my bag. After I had given it to them, and they saw that I nearly had fifty dollars, then jumped me.\u00a0 Well, that explains the pain.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

After several attempts, he finally managed to pull himself up and lean against a tree. He looked around for help and saw just what he was looking for. A pathway; the pathway that led to Peter and Eliza-Anne\u2019s house! He knew that if he just reached the house, he\u2019d be alright. Slowly and painfully, he managed to walk to their house.<\/p>\n

Finally, after almost an hour of walking, he came to the front door. Exhausted, he collapsed onto the stoop. Painfully, he pounded on the door, to see it finally opened by Eliza-Anne. Horrified, she knelt down by the wounded man.<\/p>\n

\u201cCharles! What happened to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo men\u2026.\u201d was all he could say.<\/p>\n

Immediately, Eliza-Anne raced behind the house to get Peter.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeter! Peter!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEliza, what\u2019s wrong?\u201d he asked frantically.<\/p>\n

\u201cCharles, it\u2019s Charles. He\u2019s hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn front of the house\u201d<\/p>\n

Peter ran past his wife and to his brother as fast as he could. When he got to him, he didn\u2019t wait for Charles say anything. Within seconds he lifted his little brother and carried him into the house. He laid him down on the bed and checked to see what was wrong with him. Eliza-Anne came in with some water.<\/p>\n

\u201cWas he able to tell you what happened?\u201d Peter asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll he could say was \u2018two men\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, his leg is broken. He\u2019s got some pretty badly busted ribs here too\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe should get your Father over here\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s where Charles was going. Lansford needs to see him, Peter. Go get him, I\u2019ll take care of Charles.\u201d<\/p>\n

Peter turned to see his wife. He knew she was right. As he went to go get their Pa, he couldn\u2019t help but think he should stay with Charles.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Just a little while later, Peter arrived at Lansford\u2019s house. He knocked on the door; but there was no answer. He knew why, Pa was asleep again. He opened the door and quietly walked over to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa? Pa, wake up. Pa, it\u2019s important\u201d<\/p>\n

Lansford opened his eyes, and looked angrily at his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t you let me sleep in peace?! What now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, it\u2019s Charles. He came by to see you, but he was hurt. He\u2019s at my house now with Eliza-Anne\u201d<\/p>\n

Lansford\u2019s eyes shone with horror.<\/p>\n

\u201cCharles? Charles is here?\u201d
\n\u201cYes, Pa. Come on, I\u2019ll take you to him\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Back at Peter & Eliza\u2019s house; Eliza was trying to take care of Charles. As Peter had already stated; his leg and ribs were broken. She did her best to bandage Charles\u2019 chest.\u00a0 As soon as she finished; Peter came in with Lansford.\u00a0 Immediately; Lansford went into the bedroom and knelt down beside his son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCharles? Charles, can you hear me boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Charles\u2019 eyes fluttered open.<\/p>\n

\u201cPapa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Charles. Your Pa\u2019s here. I\u2019m here boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charles raised his hand to touch his Father\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Papa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry? Sorry for what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t\u2026..come sooner. I should\u2019ve been here\u2026.sooner, Papa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh Charles, you have a wife and a family. The fact is, you\u2019re here now! You\u2019re here & now we\u2019re gonna take care of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then Eliza-Anne spoke up.<\/p>\n

\u201cLansford, we should take Charles home. He should be home with Caroline.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s right,\u201d Peter answered.<\/p>\n

He walked over and knelt down by his little brother.<\/p>\n

Putting a hand to his brother\u2019s face; he said \u201cCharles, tomorrow morning, we\u2019re taking you back home.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

XXXXXX<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Back in Walnut Grove; it was nearly midnight and Caroline and the girls were all asleep. Even though it was dead silent, Caroline suddenly awoke; as if something was wrong. Her thoughts immediately centered on Charles. No matter what; she couldn\u2019t stop thinking of her husband. She, at once, began to pray for Charles\u2019 safety. Then she, uneasily, went back to sleep. Now; back in the Big Woods, Lansford and Peter just finished preparing for their journey to take Charles back to his family. They put the canopy over their wagon and got some supplies ready. As they entered the house; Eliza-Anne was coming from taking care of Charles.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeter?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUm\u2026I think you should take a look at Charles\u2019 leg. He\u2019s in a lot more pain.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Peter checked Charles\u2019 leg; Lansford sat next to his youngest son.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s running a fever, Peter,\u201d Lansford informed.<\/p>\n

Peter placed a hand on his brother\u2019s forehead.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right. It\u2019s pretty high too. Charles, can you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Charles nodded his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you feel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTired\u201d, Charles answered.<\/p>\n

As Peter moved to check Charles\u2019 leg; Lansford took a hold of his ailing son\u2019s hand. Charles gave his father a weak grin. Finally, Peter discovered why Charles was in so much more pain.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did I not see it before?\u201d Peter said aloud.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? See what before?\u201d Charles asked painfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cCharles, try to move your leg for me a little.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charles moved his leg; yet almost cried out in pain.
\n\u201cPeter? What is it?\u201d Lansford asked fearful for his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cCharles, you knee\u2026.your knee is dislocated. I need to put it back into place. Try to hold him still, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lansford held his son while Peter prepared to put Charles\u2019 leg back into place. \u00a0Charles\u2019 body convulsed in pain as he thrashed against his father\u2019s restraining grip when Peter snapped his leg back into place. His efforts to restrain from yelling weren\u2019t fulfilled as he let out a cry of pain. Eliza-Anne came in immediately looking awfully worried.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d she yelled as she went to Charles.<\/p>\n

As Peter explained to her what happened; Lansford was quietly calming his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust relax, Charles. You\u2019re alright now. You\u2019re gonna be fine,\u201d he cooed.<\/p>\n

Peter and Eliza went into the kitchen to talk.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to get him home. Pa and I will leave in a few more hours,\u201d said Peter.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlong with me,\u201d Eliza spurt.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou? Eliza, this\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t even try to stop me, Peter. I\u2019ve already talked to Lansford and Charles and I\u2019m going. Besides; I haven\u2019t seen Caroline\u00a0or<\/em>\u00a0the girls in ages; and Caroline could use some help when Charles gets home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Peter rolled his eyes and laughed at his wife.<\/p>\n

XXXXXX<\/p>\n

The next morning, Peter was hitching up the wagon while Lansford and Eliza helped Charles inside. On their way, they stopped by Eliza\u2019s sister Docie, to ask her to care for the children. Of course, she was more than happy to do so. Well, about a day into the trip, Charles began to take a turn for the worst. He started running a fever, but Eliza couldn\u2019t bring it down. She went to Peter to see what he could do. When told, both he and Lansford went inside. Without putting a hand to his face, Peter could tell his little brother was very ill. He bent over Charles and began to speak.<\/p>\n

\u201cCharles? Can you hear me, brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

Charles half-way opened his eyes. The look on his face assured Peter he needed medical attention. He went back to drive the wagon, asking their Pa to watch Charles. Eliza also stayed to help. Back in front of the wagon, Peter was desperately trying to think of ways to help his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow can I help him? I\u2019m no doctor! I know he\u2019s in pain, but there\u2019s nothing we can do. Oh Charles, how can I help you?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

XXXXXX<\/p>\n

Well, about a day later, Laura saw a covered wagon coming to the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cMa! Someone\u2019s coming.\u201d<\/p>\n

Caroline went outside to just as Eliza and Lansford were coming down.<\/p>\n

\u201cEliza!\u201d she called as she hugged her big sister. \u201cAnd Lansford! Oh, it\u2019s so good to see\u2026\u201d she stopped because she saw Peter carrying Charles towards them. \u201cCharles,\u201d she whispered, followed by yelling, \u201cOh my God! Charles!\u201d as she ran to him. \u201cWhat happened?!! Oh Charles!!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCaroline. Where is the bedroom?\u201d Eliza asked her.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. It\u2019s this way,\u201d Caroline replied through her tears.<\/p>\n

She led them to the bedroom and pulled the covers down for Charles. After she was in the bed, she sat next to him, supporting his head with her hands. Before she could ask what happened, Mary came in with Laura, who was holding Carrie.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Laura called in shock.<\/p>\n

Eliza took them into the kitchen while Peter tried to explain things to Caroline. As she was told of the accident, Caroline was driven to tears. Just before Peter was about to leave for the doctor, Charles began to wake-up.<\/p>\n

\u201cCharles?\u201d Caroline whispered.<\/p>\n

She hadn\u2019t seen Laura, Mary, and Carrie walk in behind her. As Caroline spoke to Charles, Little Carrie walked up beside her and began to stroke her father\u2019s hair. Charles weakly smiled as his youngest daughter.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, darling`,\u201d he said in a low tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cPapa, are you going to be okay?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

Charles nodded. \u201cSure. I\u2019m gonna be fine, baby.\u201d<\/p>\n

As he spoke to the girls, Peter left to get Doc Baker. Caroline also asked him to bring Rev. Alden. She felt that a little more pray would help.<\/p>\n

XXXXXX<\/p>\n

About an hour later, Peter returned with Doctor Baker and Reverend Alden.\u00a0 By now the pains in Charles\u2019 leg and chest had begun again, and were getting worse. Doc and Reverend came into the bedroom, greeted warmly by Caroline. Charles lay in the bed, weak and in pain, yet conscious enough to greet them. As Doc set Charles\u2019 leg and ribs, Caroline sat next to him, helping. Once finished, Doctor Baker gave Charles some sleeping powders. Once he had fallen asleep, Caroline made some coffee for everyone. When she placed the cups on the table, she noticed that the girls weren\u2019t there.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are the girls?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI put them to sleep, Caroline,\u201d Eliza informed.<\/p>\n

Caroline thanked her sister. Doc Baker and Reverend Alden said that they had better leave. It was getting late, and tomorrow was Sunday. Peter saw them out.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

About 3 o\u2019clock that morning, Charles woke up to see Caroline asleep in the chair beside him. He tried to move to a more comfortable position, but a pain in his chest convinced him that he\u2019d better stay put. Hearing her husband moving, Caroline woke up.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean to wake you,\u201d Charles said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s alright. How do you feel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTired\u201d<\/p>\n

Caroline placed a hand of Charles\u2019 head to check for fever.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a bit warm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally? I feel cold\u201d<\/p>\n

Caroline unfolded the quilt at the foot of the bed and quickly covered Charles with it.<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Charles nodded, smiling at Caroline. He took a hold of her hand, kissing it affectionately. She smiled, and sat on the side of the bed next to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure you\u2019re alright?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

XXXXXX<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nearly two weeks later, Charles was beginning to start walking with the aid of a pair of crutches. Peter and Eliza-Anne had gone home to their children, but Lansford decided to stay.<\/p>\n

By the next week, they were all able to go to church together. \u00a0During the sermon, Rev. Alden expressed the well wishes of the congregation to the Ingalls family. After Mass, the Ingalls\u2019, Edwards, and Garveys, & Olesons were sitting outside talking as the children played. Charles introduced his father to all his friends, and they were all very glad to meet him. By lunchtime, Reverend Alden & Doc Baker decided to join them.<\/p>\n

\u201cCharles, how\u2019s that leg holding up?\u201d Doc asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, fine, Doc!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo pain, soreness, anything?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNope!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Three days later, a man ride up to the Ingalls\u2019 place with a wagon. When Caroline went out to see who he was, he introduced himself as Marshall of the nearest county.She led him to the house and introduced him to Charles, who was having coffee with Lansford.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Ingalls, I heard what happened. Did you get a good look at the men?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI got a pretty good look,\u201d Charles stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cCould you tell me your description?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure. Uh\u2026let me see. They weren\u2019t adults, seemed like kids. They weren\u2019t too much bigger than me,\u201d Charles continued telling the Marshall all he remembered.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Ingalls, would you mind stepping outside with me for a moment?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, of course not\u201d<\/p>\n

Caroline helped Charles as the Marshall led them to his wagon. They got to the back, and the Marshall opened it.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre those the fellas, Mr. Ingalls?\u201d<\/p>\n

As Charles look at them, he couldn\u2019t believe it. Here, the two people who had nearly killed him, were sitting there looking so helpless and afraid. They couldn\u2019t have been more than 15 or 16 years old!<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Marshall, they aren\u2019t,\u201d Charles lied.<\/p>\n

The boys looked shocked. Why didn\u2019t Charles tell the Marshall who they were? Marshall Jones unlocked the door and let the boys go free before he left. As the pair stood in front of Mr. and Mrs. Ingalls, they couldn\u2019t help but wonder.<\/p>\n

\u201cMister? Why\u2019d you let us go?\u201d the younger one asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you\u2019re young. You still got a chance to make something with your life. And besides, I\u2019m not so sure you two would like growing up in prison,\u201d Charles joked.<\/p>\n

The boys couldn\u2019t believe what they were hearing! Here was a man with a family to take care of, who after all they had done to him, found it in his heart to forgive them. As they were leaving, the youngest of the pair ran back and pulled money out of his pocket. He handed it to Charles.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis belong to you\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep it,\u201d Charles said. \u201cYou need it more\u201d<\/p>\n

As they ran off, Charles couldn\u2019t help but pray that this was the last time those boys would steal. Little did he know, that he would see them again, five year later, as Frank and Jesse James.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*THE END*<\/p>\n

Disclaimer:\u00a0All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0A Little House on the Prairie Fic. While visiting his brother and sister, Charles is severley beaten. WHI for “Journey in the Spring” \u00a0<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0K+ (2,490 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":201,"featured_media":6085,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6622","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-other","wpcat-33-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/When-dawn.jpg?fit=635%2C480&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6622","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\/201"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6622"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6622\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6085"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6622"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6622"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6622"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}