Summary: Little Joe finds himself in trouble when he is caught stealing from the mercantile. There\u2019s no denying that he did do it, but why? Now he must face his father and explain his actions. This was my first story ever. Warning: it does contain corporal punishment.<\/p>\n
Rating: T \u00a0WC \u00a01900<\/p>\n
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Little Joe Cartwright, Thief<\/strong><\/p>\n Joseph Cartwright, age 10, sat next to Sheriff Roy Coffee\u2019s desk crying softly. The boy knew he had done wrong. How was he ever going to explain this to his father? His brother, Hoss, was on his way to get him right now and Little Joe knew it would be only a matter of time before his Pa walked through that door. The thought of what would follow brought on another wave of tears. Roy looked over at the boy with little sympathy. He had much experience dealing with the wayward youth of Virginia City, but Ben Cartwright\u2019s son? It just didn\u2019t make sense. He hated to see the boy suffer so, but then again a lasting impression needed to be made. He looked down at the knife lying on his desk and shook his head.<\/p>\n Just then, the door to the jailhouse opened and in walked Ben Cartwright.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s the meaning of this, Roy?\u201d he asked in a stern voice.<\/p>\n Joseph scrunched down further in his chair, trying to become invisible.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Ben\u2026. I hate to be the one to tell you this, but Joe was caught stealing this here knife from the mercantile.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHE WHAT!!!!\u201d Ben bellowed.<\/p>\n Sheriff Coffee let out a deep sigh and continued.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was caught red handed with this knife in his pocket.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben studied his youngest son for a moment. His body language was all the proof he needed to know that what Roy had just said was true. After a long moment, Ben stated, \u201cI believe my son and I should continue this discussion in private.\u201d Roy made quick to honor Ben\u2019s request by excusing himself to do his rounds. Hoss was instructed to wait outside in the wagon.<\/p>\n After a moment, Ben approached his son and asked him to stand. Joe slowly complied, protectively positioning his backside against the sheriff\u2019s desk.<\/p>\n \u201cLook at me, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n Tears welled in the young boy\u2019s eyes and he just couldn\u2019t bring himself to look at his Pa.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph! Look at me.\u201d<\/p>\n This time his father helped with the matter by pushing upward on the boy\u2019s chin.<\/p>\n \u201cI can tell there\u2019s no need to ask if<\/strong> you did it, but I do expect an explanation as to why.\u201d<\/p>\n Joseph swallowed and tried to speak, but the shame was too much and he burst into sobs.<\/p>\n \u201cOh Pa\u2026. I\u2019m sorry\u2026 so sorry. Please forgive me\u2026 Don\u2019t let them put me in jail!\u201d<\/p>\n Joseph flung his arms around his father hoping to gain some comfort. Ben wanted to take the boy in his arms and tell him everything would be fine, but he knew he needed to stand firm. He pried the boy\u2019s arms from around his waist and again repeated his request.<\/p>\n \u201cI asked for an explanation, Joseph, and I want it now.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe wanted to tell his father everything, but at the same time he was so ashamed.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026I\u2026 I don\u2019t know, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t know or you don\u2019t want to tell me?\u201d was his father\u2019s retort.<\/p>\n Again, there was silence.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright young man, have it your way.\u201d<\/p>\n Quick as a lick, Ben escorted his son into one of the empty jail cells. He promptly sat down on the cot, positioned Joseph over his lap and proceeded to give the boy a well deserved tanning. When done, Ben looked deep into the eyes of his youngest son and said sternly,<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, you have committed a crime. Any adult man caught stealing would find themselves locked in this very jail cell! I have never been more disappointed in you than I am at this very moment.\u201d<\/p>\n Joseph averted his eyes. A soft \u201cI\u2026I\u2019m so sorry, Pa\u201d could be heard between the sobs. Ben ignored and continued the lecture.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have not accepted responsibility for your actions, nor have you offered an explanation. Until you come to terms with your wrong doings, you\u2019ll have to stay here.\u201d<\/p>\n With these words, Ben quickly walked to the jail cell door and locked his boy inside. Joseph sprung from the cot and pleaded with his father as he watched him storm out of the room. Soon, all was quiet, except for a 10 year old boy, hands covering his face in shame, sobbing uncontrollably.<\/p>\n Ben entered the street and walked over to the wagon.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s Joe, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n \u201cHopefully doing some thinking, Eric\u201d was his cold response.<\/p>\n Hoss knew when his father called him by his real name that meant you didn\u2019t ask any further questions.<\/p>\n \u201cI need to find Roy and talk with Mr. Anderson over at the mercantile.\u201d<\/p>\n As Ben and Hoss pulled up in front of the mercantile, they recognized a group of Joe\u2019s friends hanging out nearby. The boys saw Mr. Cartwright and tried to pretend like they didn\u2019t see him. Ben noticed their evasive nature and approached the bunch.<\/p>\n \u201cAfternoon, Boys,\u201d he said, distinctly and clearly. His greeting was met with silence.<\/p>\n He then continued, \u201cI assume you\u2019ve all heard what happened with Joseph? Do any of you care to shed some light on this issue?\u201d<\/p>\n Again, silence. A few boys fidgeted with their hands in their pockets, kicking the dirt around with their feet. Ben was losing his patience, so he decided to alienate Joe\u2019s best friend, Mitch.<\/p>\n \u201cMitch, come here.\u201d he said sternly. Poor Mitch was startled. He stepped forward apprehensively.<\/p>\n \u201cMy boy is down at the jail right now refusing to talk. I can tell by your actions that he is not the only one involved in this little adventure. I demand to know what prompted Joseph to steal, and I want to know the truth right now!\u201d<\/p>\n Mitch looked back at his friends who were shaking their heads slightly to encourage him to remain quiet. He heaved a big sigh and nervously began.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, you see Mr. Cartwright, sir\u2026. Uh\u2026well\u2026 um\u2026. It was kind of a dare. We didn\u2019t mean to get him into trouble, honest, Mr. Cartwright. It was all in fun.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFUN!\u201d Ben boomed. \u201cYou call stealing, fun?\u201d<\/p>\n Mitch looked down at the ground.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir\u2026 I mean no sir, Mr. Cartwright. But it really wasn\u2019t stealing. You see, we kind of have this club and well, to be a part of it you have to take something from the mercantile, bring it out and show it to us and then go back in and return it. Joe got caught on his way back with it. He wasn\u2019t going to keep it, honest. It was an initiation is all.\u201d<\/p>\n This time it was Mr. Cartwright who was silent. After several moments, he spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cBoys, taking something that doesn\u2019t belong to you is stealing, regardless. You can try to justify your actions, but that\u2019s just making excuses. You were wrong and I think you all know that. Now the question is what are you going to do about it?\u201d<\/p>\n With that, Ben turned and walked slowly toward the wagon. He couldn\u2019t help but hear the conversations beginning between the group of boys.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think he\u2019s going tell my pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, shut up Clem, you know he\u2019s gonna.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen my pa hears, I won\u2019t be able to sit down for a week.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMore like a month you mean.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat should we do?\u201d<\/p>\n Mitch quietly separated himself from the others and approached Mr. Cartwright\u2019s wagon.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Cartwright, please tell Joe I\u2019m sorry for what happened. I know we were all wrong to think up a stupid stunt like that. I can\u2019t speak for the rest, but I plan on talking with Mr. Anderson about what has been going on and\u2026. Well, my pa, too. Maybe if I\u2019m honest with him it will save a few inches of my backside at least.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben noticed the boy inadvertently rubbing his bottom and it was all he could do to hide the smirk on his face. He nodded at the boy and gave him an affirmative, \u201cThat a boy, Mitch,\u201d as he rode away.<\/p>\n Joseph sat on the cot with his elbows on his knees. His tear streaked face filled with worry, shame, and sadness. If he had only been honest with his Pa, he wouldn\u2019t be in this situation. Tears started to well in his eyes again as he felt true remorse for his actions. Suddenly, he heard the jailhouse door open and muted conversation from the other side of the wall. He could tell it was his Pa\u2019s voice, which brought both relief and fear. Slowly, the door to the jail cell room opened and Ben Cartwright entered. He unlocked the cell his son was in and was greeted with an instant bear hug around the middle.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Pa! I knew you\u2019d come back. I just knew it. I\u2019m…\u201d<\/p>\n Joe tried to continue, but couldn\u2019t. Ben immediately scooped up his sobbing youngest son in his arms and sat cradling him on the cot for quite some time.<\/p>\n \u201cShhh\u2026 It\u2019s okay, son. I know everything now\u2026. I talked with Mitch and the other boys, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n The pain on the boy\u2019s face was instantly replaced with relief, which made him hug his Pa even tighter. In time, Ben spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph. There\u2019s no denying what you did was wrong. I know you are sorry for your actions, but you are still going to have to face the music young man\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you going to tan me again?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, son. That\u2019s not the kind of music I\u2019m talking about.\u201d<\/p>\n There was a long silence as Ben studied the boy\u2019s puzzled face.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone makes mistakes, Joseph, but it\u2019s your actions afterwards that determine what people think of you in the long run. What do you think Mr. Anderson, Sheriff Coffee, and the other townspeople thought of you when they heard you stole that knife?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey probably thought I was a thief and no good.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben noticed the boy\u2019s lower lip protruding.<\/p>\n \u201cIs that how you want them to continue thinking of you?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cGolly, no Pa!\u201d Joseph exclaimed.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, what can you do to change their opinion?\u201d<\/p>\n The boy pondered his father\u2019s question for a few moments and then said, \u201cI suppose I could start by apologizing to Sheriff Coffee and Mr. Anderson and explain to them what happened. Oh, I need to return that knife, too.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben smiled at his boy and said, \u201cWell, that\u2019s a start, Joseph, and there\u2019s no time like the present.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben lowered his son to the floor and escorted him out of the cell. As they reached the door, Joseph turned around and took one final look. He glanced up at his Pa and smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cIt sure will be nice to be in my own room tonight, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben gave his boy\u2019s hand a squeeze and replied, \u201cI\u2019m sure it will, Joseph. In fact, something tells me you are going to be seeing a lot of your room the next couple of weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n