{"id":7151,"date":"2014-05-07T16:09:15","date_gmt":"2014-05-07T20:09:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7151"},"modified":"2025-02-18T19:12:18","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T00:12:18","slug":"courage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7151","title":{"rendered":"Courage? (by JoaniePaiute)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span>A comic story inspired by a\u00a0long-ago challenge at\u00a0Bonanza World. Thanks to lminzer for her wonderful story \u201cShield,\u201d which made me realize just how much Hoss protects Joe, and to\u00a0sklamb for her thoughts on the Virtues.<\/p>\n

Rated:<\/span>\u00a0K+ \u00a0WC \u00a06000<\/span><\/p>\n

Courage<\/strong>?<\/p>\n

By JoaniePaiute<\/p>\n

\u201cOw!\u201d Seventeen-year-old Joe jerked back in the chair as Hoss applied straight whisky to the cut on his cheek. \u201cTake it easy, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHold still,\u201d Hoss ordered. \u201cYou give me one good reason\u2014just one\u2014why I should take it easy. I oughta thrash you good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe grinned up at him. \u201cYeah, but you won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss glared and poured more whisky on the cloth he was using. \u201cYou\u2019re so doggone sure of yourself. Cocky little\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, come on, Hoss. They were asking for it. They said the Cartwrights\u2019re too big for our britches!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, and then you had to go and prove \u2019em right. You\u2019re sure too big for yours, anyway.\u201d He came toward Joe with the towel again, and Joe slid down in the chair. Hoss grabbed him by the front of the shirt and yanked him up. \u201cSit up there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCut it out, Hoss! What are you trying to do, kill me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. You\u2019re doing a good job of getting killed without me.\u201d Sighing heavily, Hoss sat down on the bed opposite Joe. \u201cPa sent us into town to do business, Joe, not make trouble. And he told me to look after you. Now how am I supposed to do that when you go into a saloon all loaded for grizzly?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked sheepish. \u201cYou’re right, Hoss. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d He gave Hoss his most charming rogue\u2019s grin. \u201cCan we go back to the saloon now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat smile might work on the ladies, little brother. Not on me. We\u2019re not going anywhere else tonight.\u201d Joe opened his mouth to protest, but Hoss put up his hand. \u201cWe\u2019re staying right here in this hotel, and we\u2019re going to sleep. Or else.\u201d He let the threat hang. Joe, of course, couldn\u2019t leave it alone.<\/p>\n

\u201cOr else what?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss stood, towering over his brother. \u201cOr else I\u2019ll pound the living daylights out of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The confident grin again. \u201cNo, you won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss clenched trembling fists. \u201cWhy the Sam Hill do you think I won\u2019t?\u201d he bellowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm\u2026\u2019cause I\u2019m your little brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, you are. Too bad for me!” Hoss retorted. At Joe\u2019s crestfallen look, he added quickly, \u201cOh, Joe, I didn\u2019t mean that. It\u2019s just that\u2026oh, dadgum it, I just don\u2019t understand you sometimes, kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t call me kid,\u201d Joe said automatically.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen quit acting like one,\u201d Hoss snapped. He turned and stalked to the dresser, picked up his hat, put it down, and began to pace. Back and forth, back and forth, as if he was trying to walk off his agitation. Joe watched him. Back and forth.<\/p>\n

\u201cCut it out,\u201d he said finally. \u201cYou\u2019re making me dizzy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss halted, fixed Joe with a glare, and said, \u201cCan\u2019t you be serious for one minute?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe appeared to consider the question, but only for a second. \u201cNope,\u201d he said, and laughed. Then, just as quickly, he sobered. \u201cCan\u2019t\u00a0you<\/em>\u00a0admit that those guys needed punching?\u201d he asked earnestly. \u201cWhat if I\u2019d stood for their guff? Then they\u2019d have added \u2018coward\u2019 to their list of what the Cartwrights are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo? Didn\u2019t you hear what Pa said last night?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said a lot of things,\u201d Joe said, sounding bored. \u201cDon\u2019t drink too much, don’t stay out too late, don\u2019t go romancing, don\u2019t…\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout courage, Joe. Pa said something about courage. And he was talking straight at you, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe rolled his eyes and said in a baritone imitation of Pa\u2019s voice, \u201cSometimes it takes more courage to walk away from a fight than to…\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDurn your hide, Joe,\u201d Hoss shouted, and Joe realized he\u2019d crossed the line. \u201cDon\u2019t you mock Pa! I oughta whale you good, just for that if nothing else!\u201d He raised a fist, and this time it wasn’t trembling.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, I\u2019m sorry,\u201d Joe said quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re always sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, really, I am this time. I wasn\u2019t thinking, Hoss. I won\u2019t do it again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood.\u201d Hoss\u2019s approval was grudging but inevitable. He could never stay mad at Little Joe for long. \u201cAll right. Let\u2019s go to sleep. We\u2019ve got a long day tomorrow and a long ride home when it\u2019s done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Hoss.\u201d Joe stood and began taking off his shirt. Hoss did the same, but he kept his eyes on his younger brother. Joe, in turn, was obviously trying to pretend he wasn\u2019t giving Hoss furtive glances.<\/p>\n

Just before he turned back his covers, Hoss muttered, \u201cI oughta tie you in a chair.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d Joe\u2019s voice was innocent. Too innocent.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t even think about it, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Just before he dropped off to sleep, Hoss leaned out of bed and placed his boots strategically in front of the door. An hour later, Joe stumbled over them and yelped, \u201cOw!\u201d for the second time that\u00a0night.<\/p>\n

Hoss sat up in bed. \u201cWhere do you think you\u2019re going?\u201d he growled.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm\u2026to the privy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo I look that stupid, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s dark, so I can\u2019t really see you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGit back in that bed, Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe got.<\/p>\n

Another hour elapsed before Hoss\u00a0began snoring evenly. Joe sat up and eased his legs over the side of the bed. His pants were hanging on the chair between the beds, and he slid them on. Shirt. Belt. The buckle clinked a little, and he froze. Hoss grunted and rolled over, then was still. Cautiously, Joe picked up his boots. Dangling them in one hand, he only glanced toward the door. The moonlight gleamed through the window, illuminating the tower of objects Hoss had piled in front of the door, including his boots, their two packs, their canteens, a coil of rope\u2014and balanced on the very top, a camp coffee pot. Dismissing that exit route, Joe turned toward the window\u2026actually, toward the large sugar pine right outside the window.<\/p>\n

He licked his lips. All he had to do was put on his boots and ease that window open\u2026<\/p>\n

It stuck for a moment, but a little jiggling was all it took. That made a bit more noise than the belt buckle had, but Hoss continued to sleep like a rock\u2014if rocks snored. Joe stuck one foot out, glanced back at his brother, and put his foot on a limb. Ducking under the window, he grasped a higher branch and eased his other foot out.<\/p>\n

Sugar pines are beautiful, tall, and strong. They can live as long as three hundred years. This one was only about fifty years old and twenty or so feet tall. Unluckily for the tree\u2014and for Joe\u2014its branches had been weakened by several ice storms.<\/p>\n

Weakened branches tend to snap off at the place they join the trunk. Even a few pounds can do it.<\/p>\n

Joe weighed exactly one hundred and sixty-three pounds. Plus, he\u2019d eaten a big meal that night.<\/p>\n

Crash. Crunch.<\/em>\u00a0\u201cOw!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss sat up in bed, saw the open window, and bolted for it. Sticking his head out, he saw Joe sitting splay-legged on the ground under the tree, rubbing his head with one hand and his right leg with the other. \u201cDurn your hide, Little Joe! You get up here right now!\u201d Hoss yelled.<\/p>\n

A gruff voice came from the room below. \u201cWhat the devil is going on out there?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss hissed, \u201cJoe! If you run, I\u2019ll hunt you down and tan you good, don\u2019t think I won\u2019t!\u201d<\/p>\n

Stiffly, Joe climbed to his feet. \u201cI\u2019m hurting too much to run, Hoss,\u201d he called up meekly. \u201cBe there in a minute.\u201d He hobbled around the corner toward the front of the hotel.<\/p>\n

It took Hoss all of about three minutes to realize that Joe had given him the slip.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Hoss found him in the third saloon he looked in, playing poker with three cowboys. An auburn-haired saloon girl sat on Joe\u2019s lap. She had one arm around him so that every time he looked at his cards, her bosom was in his direct line of sight. Joe seemed pleased with this arrangement.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph Francis Cartwright,\u201d Hoss roared, and his little brother\u2019s smirk was replaced\u00a0with a look of wide-eyed, unadulterated terror. The redhead on his lap\u00a0gazed at Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cFriend of yours?\u201d she asked Joe, playing with his curls. Joe appeared to be uncharacteristically tongue-tied.<\/p>\n

Hoss strode forward. \u201cI\u2019m his older brother, ma\u2019am,\u201d he said firmly.\u00a0The other card players were snickering. \u201cNow I\u2019d be obliged if you\u2019d get off his lap so I can get him back to the hotel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPast your bedtime, sonny?\u201d one of the cowboys asked with a chuckle. He swept a shock of greasy blond hair away from his eyes.<\/p>\n

Joe clenched his fists, standing up so fast the girl went tumbling. Hoss caught her elbow and helped her up as she glowered at Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou take that back, mister,\u201d Joe said, just before Hoss grabbed his arm and hauled him toward the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like the big feller\u2019s takin\u2019\u00a0you<\/em>\u00a0back, sonny,\u201d the\u00a0greasy blond cowboy\u00a0responded, and the sound of laughter followed them out to the street. Joe tried to jerk away, but Hoss was apparently in no mood for nonsense. He dragged Joe to the hotel, past the baleful eye of the night clerk and up to the room. Once there, he threw Joe unceremoniously into the chair and tied him securely. It took only one sock in his mouth to make him shut up. After that, Hoss slept soundly until morning.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t speak to him all the way home. He didn\u2019t even ride close enough to make speech practical. As they rode up beside the porch, Adam looked up from chopping wood.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo how did it go?\u201d he asked, leaning on his ax handle.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt went\u2026all right, I reckon,\u201d Hoss said without dismounting. Joe had kept going and was already halfway to the barn. \u201cI did everything Pa said, went over things with the lawyer, and got everything signed and sealed. I think I did it right.\u201d He shook his head. \u201cI sure wish Pa had sent you with me, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

His brother looked at him quizzically. \u201cSounds like you carried the whole load yourself. Joe was supposed to help you, wasn\u2019t he?\u201d Hoss nodded darkly, and Adam demanded, \u201cWell, where was he?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss sighed. \u201cHe was right there with me. But not saying a word. Being surly and ornery and not helping me out one bit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes narrowed. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Hoss admitted, \u201cit might\u2019ve had something to do with the fact that I tied him to the chair last night.\u201d<\/p>\n

A slow smile grew on Adam\u2019s face. \u201cI take it he deserved it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Hoss thought a moment, then grinned. \u201cYep,\u201d he said. \u201cHe did at that.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Even though Joe had a head start on rubbing down his horse, Hoss worked fast and they finished at the same time. Joe glared at him as they headed for the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Joe,\u201d Hoss said, offering his hand. \u201cLet\u2019s start fresh, brother.\u201d Joe just sped up, and Hoss followed him, shaking his head sadly.<\/p>\n

Inside, Joe threw his hat on the credenza and headed straight for the stairs. Ben looked up from his desk as Hoss entered. \u201cWell, boys,\u201d he said heartily, rising. \u201cHow was the trip?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss worked his jaw back and forth, watching Little Joe make his escape. Ben\u2019s eyes flicked back and forth between his sons, narrowing a little more with each flick. Joe set one foot on the bottom step, just before Hoss said loudly, \u201cWhy don\u2019t you tell Pa how the trip was, Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe halted. Turned slowly. If a look could have laid Hoss six feet under, he would have been at least twelve deep.<\/p>\n

Before Joe had turned, the left side of his face had been away from Ben. Now it was toward him.\u00a0That was the side with the cut Hoss had been tending the night before. It was also the side with the shiner, a nice shade of purplish green by now.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Joseph.\u201d Ben sounded more tired than angry. Joe darted one last\u00a0poisonous look\u00a0at Hoss, then stared at the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey asked for it, Pa,\u201d he said in a small voice, sounding more like seven than seventeen.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey always do,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Supper was at least as tense as the trip home had been. First Hoss filled Ben in on the results of their business trip, and then he made Little Joe fill him in on the rest. To his credit, Joe didn\u2019t hedge or try to shift blame. Ben fixed him with a fierce stare the entire time. When the sorry story was done, Ben demanded, \u201cDid you hear one single word I said to you before you left?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Pa,\u201d Joe said. \u201cDon\u2019t drink too much, don\u2019t stay out too late, don\u2019t go romancing\u2026was there anything else?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t get into fights!\u201d Ben yelled, slamming his fist on the table. The plates jumped. So did Joe. \u201cI said that at least three times before you left, Joseph!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Pa,\u201d\u00a0Joe protested, \u201cyou didn\u2019t hear the way they were talking. I couldn\u2019t let them think I was yellow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben pressed his fingers to his forehead. \u201cJoseph,\u201d he said between clenched teeth, \u201cdo you by some\u00a0slight<\/em>\u00a0chance recall what I said about courage?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was silent.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d Ben asked, more loudly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Joe mumbled.<\/p>\n

Ben just looked at him. \u201cWell?\u201d he repeated.<\/p>\n

Joe sighed. When he spoke, there was no mockery in his voice this time. \u201cYou said sometimes it takes more courage to walk away than to stand and fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben and Joe eyed each other for a long time. Finally Ben said, \u201cYou don\u2019t believe that, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe hesitated, then told the truth. \u201cNo, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. He didn\u2019t look angry anymore. He just looked worried.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope you come to believe it, son,\u201d he said. \u201cI hope you learn that lesson before you get badly hurt. Or worse.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cPlay again?\u201d Hoss asked after Joe had beaten him a third time in checkers. With Pa\u2019s \u201cencouragement,\u201d Joe had reluctantly agreed to a truce. Supper was over, and all four of the Cartwrights were sitting in front of the fireplace.<\/p>\n

\u201cNah,\u201d Joe told Hoss. \u201cYou\u2019re too easy. How about you, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked up from his book. \u201cI don\u2019t feel like checkers tonight, Joe. But if you\u2019re up for a game of chess\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChess takes too long.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChess is a thinking man\u2019s game. And that, brother, is your\u00a0essential problem.\u201d He tapped his forehead. \u201cYou don\u2019t think.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe glared at him. Slammed down the checker he was holding. Stood up. Adam raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n

\u201cTemper, temper,\u201d he murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to bed,\u201d Joe said curtly and turned toward the stairs.<\/p>\n

Ben hadn\u2019t looked up from his own book. Without raising his eyes, he said mildly but firmly, \u201cSit down, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have to stay here and take this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s voice took on a hard edge. \u201cI said, sit down.\u201d Now he looked straight at Joe. \u201cDon\u2019t be rude on top of everything else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, rude? What about Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPointing fingers won\u2019t help, Joe.\u201d He glanced at his older son. \u201cAdam\u2019s comment was unsolicited, but it was correct. You do tend to act without thinking.\u201d Adam smiled smugly, and Joe scowled at him as he sat back down, perching on the edge of the settee as if poised for flight.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if the Almighty Adam Cartwright said it,\u00a0it must be true,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s enough, Joseph!\u201d Ben snapped. Joe dropped his eyes, and Ben continued, more gently, \u201cI think we\u2019re all trying to help you here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need any lectures from Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam put down his book and held up his hands in mock surrender. \u201cAll right, no lectures. How about that game of chess?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine. How about if I read aloud?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cGood idea,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat\u2019s that you\u2019re reading now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam picked up the book and read the cover. \u201cSeven Sins, Seven Virtues<\/em>, by S.K. Lamb.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe snorted. \u201cSounds fascinating.\u201d
\n\u201cOh, it is,\u201d Adam said, ignoring the sarcasm. \u201cListen to this.\u201d He turned the pages until he found what he wanted, then read, \u201cThe Church fathers, borrowing from Plato and Aristotle, identified the following as the seven virtues, roughly corresponding to the seven deadly sins\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe flopped backward on the settee and gave a loud snore. Hoss, whose eyes had glazed over, came to and chortled.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoys,\u201d Ben said severely, \u201cif you\u2019ll listen, you might learn something.\u201d He steepled his fingers and nodded for Adam to continue.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe virtues are prudence, justice, temperance \u2013\u201d He paused, giving Joe a meaningful look.<\/p>\n

\u201cTemperance?\u201d Hoss repeated, confused. \u201cYou mean not drinking?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Adam said. \u201cTemperance is self-restraint. Not going off half-cocked. Thinking before acting. Keeping one\u2019s temper. Controlling one\u2019s passions. Demonstrating\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Ben cautioned. Joe was rolling his eyes toward the ceiling.<\/p>\n

With a wry smile, Adam\u00a0read again, \u201cThe virtues are prudence, justice, temperance, courage, faith, hope, and charity. Some say that courage is the greatest virtue, since without it, none of the others can exist.\u201d He closed the book and asked pointedly, \u201cWhat do you make of that, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing much,\u201d Joe said sullenly. \u201cAm I supposed to make something of it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrankly, I\u2019d be surprised if you did.\u201d Adam leaned forward. \u201cIt means, younger brother, that courage is what enables us to behave prudently\u2014that is, with wisdom and common sense. Or to demonstrate temperance, which is self-restraint. Get it now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Under his breath, Joe muttered, \u201cYeah, right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben asked sharply, \u201cWhat was that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stood. \u201cI said good night.\u201d He stalked upstairs, and this time Ben didn\u2019t stop him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was a little heavy-handed,\u201d he told Adam once Joe had disappeared.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d Adam admitted. \u201cI\u2019m just trying to get through to him, Pa. Like you said, if he keeps this up, he\u2019s going to get hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2019s right, Pa,\u201d Hoss put in. \u201cAfter last night, I don\u2019t want to take him into town again, that\u2019s for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm,\u201d Ben mused. \u201cMaybe it would be good for Joe to go into town with someone else, Hoss. Someone who\u2019s less willing to rescue him when he gets himself into hot water.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded. \u201cGood idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGlad you approve,\u201d Ben said, smiling broadly. \u201cHop Sing needs some flour, meal, and a few other things, and we need paint for the barn, a new block and tackle, and\u2026well, I\u2019ll just make a list for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe?\u201d Adam protested, alarm in his eyes and his voice. \u201cI thought you meant you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no,\u201d Ben replied seriously. \u201cIn this case, I think an older brother\u2019s guidance will mean more than a father\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss was grinning from ear to ear. \u201cHey, Adam,\u201d he said, \u201cthat temperance thing\u2014could that mean keepin\u2019 quiet when you want to bust out laughin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shot him a dark look. \u201cYes,\u201d he said shortly. \u201cIt could.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes showed both pleasure and suspicion at Ben\u2019s announcement at breakfast the next morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you\u2019ll be going into town with Adam today,\u201d Ben said, spreading preserves on a slice of toast. \u201cThere are a few things you and Hoss didn\u2019t finish yesterday, so Adam will need to see\u00a0the lawyer\u00a0again. And there are some supplies I didn\u2019t think about until last night.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe glanced warily at Adam, who was glaring at his plate as if it were the one sending him to town with Little Brother in tow. \u201cUm, Pa,\u201d Joe asked\u00a0hopefully, \u201cdo you think it\u2019ll take all day?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably,\u201d Ben said. \u201cSo you may as well stay overnight.\u201d He pointed a finger at Joe and said sternly, \u201cBut you, young man\u2014behave yourself. You\u2019re getting a second chance. Don\u2019t waste it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes widened innocently. \u201cSure, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Pa,\u201d Adam mimicked softly. Joe ducked his head, too late to hide his grin.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

While Adam discussed business with the lawyer, Joe quickly made the purchases and loaded them onto the buckboard. Unfortunately, they were about to be finished with their chores,\u00a0and it was long before dusk. Leaning against a wheel, Joe eyed Adam through the office window. \u201cHmm, older brother,\u201d he murmured, \u201chow can I get you to let us stay overnight?\u201d He chewed his lip, and was still chewing when Adam exited the building.<\/p>\n

Adam rubbed the back of his neck. \u201cWhat do you say we stay here overnight?\u201d he suggested.
\nJoe\u2019s mouth dropped, but he recovered quickly. \u201cAll right,\u201d he agreed with feigned reluctance. \u201cBut\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing. Nothing at all. Just wondering\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re wondering why?\u201d Adam sounded both resigned and amused. \u201cNo reason. Maybe I\u2019m just in the mood for a little relaxation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou?\u201d Joe burst out.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, me,\u201d Adam snapped. \u201cPa\u2019s not expecting us until tomorrow anyway.\u201d He looked sternly at his brother. \u201cNot too much relaxation, you understand. Remember what Pa said. Behave yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe gave him his best\u00a0Who, me?<\/em>\u00a0look.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t look at me that way,\u201d Adam said. \u201cNo drinking, no womanizing, no fights. Got it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGot it, Adam. Cross my heart. Hope to die.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat,\u201d said Adam, \u201cis exactly what I\u2019m trying to prevent.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

No drinking. But was it Joe\u2019s fault that bartenders always offered him a beer as soon as he set foot in their saloons? And another before his mug was completely drained?<\/p>\n

No womanizing. But was it his fault when girls, like that cute redhead\u00a0the other night, winked at him?\u00a0And wouldn\u2019t it\u00a0be\u00a0rude to snub those girls?<\/p>\n

And no fights. Well, honest to Pete, Joe never went into a saloon\u00a0looking<\/em>\u00a0to fight, no matter what Hoss said about him being loaded for grizzly. It was just that whenever something exciting happened, he always seemed to be right in the middle of it. He didn\u2019t ask for it to happen. He could see how it might look that way, but that really wasn\u2019t how it was.<\/p>\n

Things happened, that was all.<\/p>\n

Nothing happened while Joe and Adam ate lunch at Mrs. Brunzel\u2019s kitchen, and nothing happened as they checked into their hotel room and threw their gear on their beds. Nothing happened as they stabled their horses in the livery. Then they were left with an entire afternoon, which Adam suggested they use by reading or visiting with various businessmen. Joe made a face.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m parched, Adam,\u201d he complained. \u201cLet\u2019s get something to drink first.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSasparilla for you,\u201d Adam retorted, but he followed him into the saloon, where Joe promptly accepted the bartender\u2019s offer of a beer. Adam glared at him, but miraculously said nothing, only ordered another beer for himself.
\nSo\u00a0was it Joe\u2019s fault that the same three cowboys were there? The three cowboys from two nights before, who had talked about \u201cthem uppity Cartwrights,\u201d forcing Joe to defend his family\u2019s honor? The three cowboys Hoss had taken on for him at the last minute?<\/p>\n

Was it his fault that the redhead was sitting on the lap of the cowboy with the greasy blond hair? Or that she winked at Joe from her place on Greasy\u2019s lap?<\/p>\n

Greasy nodded at Joe and said loudly, \u201cWell, looky who\u2019s here. And he ain\u2019t got his big ole guard dog with him this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe lifted his chin. \u201cDon\u2019t need a guard dog,\u201d he said. He glanced beside him where Adam had been, then frowned as he took in the fact that\u00a0his brother\u00a0was no longer there. The cowboys laughed as Joe looked around.\u00a0Adam was at the other end of the bar, deep in conversation with a prospector, apparently oblivious to the coarse laughter ringing through the saloon.<\/p>\n

Joe sidled up to him. \u201cAdam!\u201d he hissed. \u201cDon\u2019t you hear that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHear what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat! They\u2019re laughing at us! Are you going to stand there and drink your beer while they make fun?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam lifted his mug, turned to lean against the bar, and gazed speculatively at the three men. They met his eyes, and their laughter slowly stopped. Joe tensed. Greasy\u00a0nudged the girl off his lap. Pouting, she stood and backed away. Greasy stood too.<\/p>\n

The two men stared at each other for a long moment. Then Adam, with a smile playing at the corners of his mouth, touched the brim of his hat, bowed slightly, and deliberately turned his back. He leaned his elbows on the bar and took a long swig of his beer.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d Joe whispered urgently. \u201cWhat the heck are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked pensively at the wall behind the bar. \u201cIt\u2019s what I\u2019m\u00a0not<\/em>\u00a0doing that\u2019s important, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, what you\u2019re not doing is standing up for yourself! Or for me! Or for\u2014for\u2014for the family name!\u201d he stammered.<\/p>\n

Adam smiled serenely. \u201cCourage, younger brother,\u201d he murmured. \u201cTrue courage makes possible the other virtues. Such as prudence. And temperance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe slammed his hat down on the counter and stomped out. A minute later, he reentered the saloon to retrieve his hat, to a chorus of laughter and catcalls.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Yeller\u2019s back!\u201d hollered Greasy. Swaggering up to Joe, he patted his cheek in mock affection. Joe jerked back, his eyes snapping. He looked over at Adam, who just took another swallow of beer. Joe turned back to Greasy.
\n\u201cDon\u2019t touch me,\u201d he said in a low tone.<\/p>\n

Greasy leered. In a high, squeaky voice, he mimicked, \u201cDon\u2019t touch me.\u201d Reaching out\u00a0his forefinger, he\u00a0tapped Joe on the shoulder, then on the chest. He raised his finger toward Joe\u2019s chin.<\/p>\n

And Joe swung. There was a satisfying\u00a0thwack<\/em>\u00a0as fist connected to jaw, and the fight was on.<\/p>\n

Adam turned again, watching with an amused expression as Greasy went flying backward into a table. The redheaded girl screamed. The other two cowboys were on Joe in two seconds flat. Joe threw a left punch that took one of them by surprise, but then Greasy leapt back into the fray, and Joe didn\u2019t stand a chance. The two sidekicks pinned Joe\u2019s arms, and Greasy squared off to punch him in the face.<\/p>\n

Adam sighed. Despite his convictions, despite his promises to Pa, surely he wasn\u2019t expected to watch Baby Brother get\u00a0completely<\/em>\u00a0pummeled. Resigned, he pulled his Colt and fired a shot at the ceiling. Red screamed again, Greasy whirled in mid-punch to face Adam, and the other two cowboys dropped Joe. He thudded to his knees, nose bloodied, squinting up at Adam.<\/p>\n

Greasy reached for his own pistol. Adam fired again, this time\u00a0with a more definite target. Greasy grabbed his right hand, his face screwed up in pain. The other two men froze.<\/p>\n

\u201cOut,\u201d Adam said, barely moving his lips. \u201cNow.\u201d He motioned toward the door with his pistol. The three men left quickly, Greasy gripping his hand under his other arm.<\/p>\n

Joe struggled to his feet, holding onto a chair. He glared at Adam. \u201cSure took you long enough,\u201d he complained.<\/p>\n

Adam shrugged, replacing his gun in\u00a0its holster. \u201cYou\u2019re welcome,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Joe looked around for the girl. She had run behind the bar and was standing beside the bartender, clinging to his arm. His face was as white as the towel he was holding.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, honey,\u201d Joe coaxed, \u201ccan you get me a towel? And maybe some water?\u201d<\/p>\n

With a look of disgust, she tossed her head and flounced around the bar, across the room, and up the stairs. Joe\u2019s eyes followed her, and his mouth dropped open. \u201cWhat\u2019s with her?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Adam turned back to the bar and picked up his beer. \u201cYou don\u2019t look your most charming right now,\u201d he said without even bothering to glance at him.<\/p>\n

Joe wiped his nose with his hand and stared at his bloody fingers. \u201cI know,\u201d he said ruefully. \u201cThat\u2019s why I asked her for a towel.\u201d<\/p>\n

The bartender was still standing there, stunned. Adam reached for his towel. \u201cMay I?\u201d he asked politely. Gently taking the towel from the man\u2019s frozen fingers, he tossed it over his shoulder to Joe.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cOw!\u201d Joe jerked back in the chair as Adam applied whisky to the cut over his eye. \u201cTake it easy, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHold still,\u201d Adam commanded, dabbing harder.<\/p>\n

\u201cOw! You got some of that in my eye, Adam!\u201d Joe twisted away, wincing as his aching ribs made themselves known.<\/p>\n

Adam sat down on the bed across from him. \u201cDon\u2019t blame me, Joe. I\u2019m not the one who picked a fight with those yahoos.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t either!\u201d Joe protested. \u201cIt just happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMm-hm. I wonder why things like that never \u2018just happen\u2019 to Hoss\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr Pa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr me. Why do you think that is, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, all right?\u201d He looked like he was about to cry with rage. Bolting up, he kicked the straight-backed chair he\u2019d been sitting in. It went over with a clatter, and a voice came from the room below.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the devil\u2019s going on up there?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe raked his hands through his hair in frustration. \u201cDang it, why did you have to come this time? Hoss would have jumped in a whole lot earlier.\u201d At Adam\u2019s raised eyebrow, he demanded, \u201cWhat were you going to do, let them kill me before you did anything?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam appraised him coolly. \u201cWhat did you want me to do?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cDurn your hide, Adam,\u201d he said, not even realizing he was echoing Hoss, \u201cyou\u2019re my\u00a0brother.<\/em>\u00a0You\u2019re supposed to…to…\u201d He halted and looked away.<\/p>\n

Adam smiled calmly. Infuriatingly. \u201cTo protect you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Joe slammed his heel backward against the chair leg.<\/p>\n

Adam eyed him for a long moment. Then, leaning forward, he said slowly and clearly, \u201cJoe, listen to me. To the best of my ability, I will protect you from kidnappers, bushwhackers, pirates, and vampires. I will protect you from goblins and beasties and things that go bump in the night. I will protect you from wild animals, including the purple alligator that used to live under your bed. But from the consequences of your own stupidity\u2014that\u2019s your responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a long speech, even for Adam. Joe opened his mouth to reply, then shut it. Opened it. Shut. In the end, he resorted to a few choice words that would have made Ben bellow, \u201cJoseph!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled. Clearly, he had won this round.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

The next morning, Adam let Joe sleep in. He figured the kid was in some pain from the sucker-punch he\u2019d taken to the ribs, not to mention the cut over his eye, not to mention the one that had started healing on his cheek, not to mention the shiner that was now a sickening brownish gold. No, Joe did not look very charming at the moment.<\/p>\n

Adam ate a hearty breakfast in the hotel dining room. The pancakes were almost as good as Hop Sing\u2019s, and the hotel had a tasty maple syrup they said came all the way from Vermont. Wiping his lips with a napkin, he paid the bill and stepped out on the porch. A rocking chair looked inviting, and he dropped into it.<\/p>\n

Of course, he had a book in his vest pocket. He pulled out a thin, dog-eared copy of\u00a0King Lear<\/em>. He had read it many times, each time underlining key phrases and making notes in the margins. There were almost as many notes as text now. Fondly, he ran his fingers across the cover before opening the book.<\/p>\n

Half an hour later, he was so lost in the story of Lear and his daughters that he didn\u2019t see the greasy-haired cowboy coming toward him with vengeance in his eye.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Joe limped down the stairs. He didn\u2019t know why Adam had let him sleep so long, but he was grateful. The ride home wasn\u2019t going to be any fun, that was for sure. The buckboard was going to bounce his poor ribs around like a sack full of marbles.<\/p>\n

A loud voice from the hotel porch caught his attention. \u201cYou prob\u2019ly thought I\u2019d lost the use of that hand, didn\u2019t you, Cartwright?\u201d someone was shouting. \u201cJust nicked it, that\u2019s all you did, but you coulda ruined me! What\u2019s a cowboy with one good hand?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe moved to the door. Adam and Greasy were standing nose to nose, and Adam was quietly replying to Greasy’s accusations. Joe had a sudden vision of cyclone whirling around the base of a great stone mountain.<\/p>\n

Which is stronger?<\/em>\u00a0he wondered.\u00a0The cyclone or the mountain?
\n<\/em>
\nAt that moment, he honestly didn\u2019t know.<\/p>\n

Then Joe saw something else: Greasy\u2019s two companions were edging toward the porch, ready to pounce as soon as their leader gave the word. Adam, standing there with his ever-present book in his hand, was so focused on his immediate adversary that he probably didn\u2019t see them.<\/p>\n

Joe considered. Should he step through the door and give Adam a hand? Or should he do as Adam had done to him last night, and let them pound his brother a few minutes before acting? It was a cinch that older brother was going to do absolutely nothing. True courage and all that. Prudence. Temperance.<\/p>\n

Well, temperance Joe could understand…the concept, anyway. So Adam wanted to prove he could restrain himself. Goody. But prudence? What was so noble about letting yourself get beaten up? That made as much sense as trying to cross an ocean in a stagecoach.<\/p>\n

Not sure what he wanted to do, Joe watched the scene play itself out. Greasy\u2019s nose was almost touching Adam\u2019s as he ranted. His two friends moved in for the kill. Adam stood stoically, impassively, and Joe wanted to scream at him,\u00a0Do something, for Pete\u2019s sake, do anything!
\n<\/em>
\nAnd then Greasy made his fatal mistake.<\/p>\n

Snatching Adam\u2019s book, he threw it over the porch rail. It landed in the mud, and one of his friends ground it under his heel.<\/p>\n

Adam stiffened. Joe stepped out onto the porch, and saw his brother\u2019s nostrils flare. His eyes had lost their calm, superior, maddening gleam. They were the eyes of a madman.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet \u2019im, Adam!\u201d Joe hollered, and that was all Adam needed. He landed an uppercut that snapped Greasy\u2019s head back, and he went down into the arms of one of his friends. The friend stumbled and fell under the weight, but Adam wasn\u2019t through. Grabbing two fists full of Greasy\u2019s shirt, he hauled him up like a sack of grain and hit him again.<\/p>\n

Joe leaped into the battle as the second friend tried to jump Adam from the side. Shoving Adam out of the way, Joe tackled Greasy\u2019s friend, yelling a gleeful, \u201cYahoo!\u201d Later, his ribs would tell him that hadn\u2019t been a good idea\u2014but for right now, it sure was fun.<\/p>\n

In less than a minute, the two brothers stood side by side and surveyed the damage. A broken porch rail. A busted-up rocking chair. Three busted-up cowboys, lying in various prone positions and moaning piteously. A window that had unfortunately been in the way of someone\u2019s elbow or foot\u2026or something. Two flowerpots in shards on the ground.<\/p>\n

The hotel manager was somewhat mollified when Adam wrote him a handsome check for repairs. At least, he quit screaming at them.<\/p>\n

As they left the scene, Adam reached into the mud and pulled out his beloved copy of\u00a0King Lear.<\/em>\u00a0He tried to open it, but the pages were hopelessly stuck together. The cover was so dented and torn that the book hardly looked like a book. Dismally, Adam stared at it. Joe was struck with a sudden fear that his brother was going to cry.<\/p>\n

\u201cCourage, Adam,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

Startled, Adam looked at him. Then he began to laugh.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Later, Ben gaped at his two sons, both of them mud-stained, Joe with a new cut and walking stiffly, and Adam with a stunning shiner.
\nAdam looked sheepish. \u201cThey asked for it, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe agreed. He looked sideways at Adam and couldn\u2019t suppress a giggle. \u201cThey always do.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0A comic story inspired by a\u00a0long-ago challenge at\u00a0Bonanza World. Thanks to lminzer for her wonderful story \u201cShield,\u201d which made me realize just how much Hoss protects Joe, and to\u00a0sklamb for her thoughts on the Virtues.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0K+ \u00a0WC \u00a06000<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":214,"featured_media":1242,"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":[2,1009,23,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7151","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-actionadventure","category-brothers","category-drama","category-humor","wpcat-2-id","wpcat-1009-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-4-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1730,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza31.jpg?fit=573%2C389&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7161,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7161","url_meta":{"origin":7151,"position":0},"title":"Dah-Gey: A Fable Told by Hop Sing (by JoaniePaiute)","author":"JoaniePaiute","date":"May 7, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0An extremely silly response to a Chaps & Spurs challenge. Also partly inspired by the thread \"Feminizing the Cartwrights.\" Little-Little Joe is driving Adam crazy. Hop Sing has the solution: it's story time! Rated:\u00a0K \u00a0WC \u00a01400","rel":"","context":"In "Adam \/ Joe"","block_context":{"text":"Adam \/ Joe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1091"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/vsy.jpeg?fit=248%2C203&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":29690,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=29690","url_meta":{"origin":7151,"position":1},"title":"Revelation and Resolution (by BettyHT)","author":"BettyHT","date":"August 16, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Second in the Adam and Selina series, this is a short story about love and expectations that features\u00a0 conversations among brothers especially one between Adam and Hoss. Rating = T\u00a0 Word Count = 2106 Selina Series, link to the stories are included within.","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/A-H.jpg?fit=276%2C284&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":18230,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=18230","url_meta":{"origin":7151,"position":2},"title":"Gusty Gumption (by PSW)","author":"PSW","date":"August 19, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: A little vignette following (at some point later) the events of 'A Dime's Worth of Glory'. Written for the Sept 1 Pinecone challenge and expanded for inclusion here. Prompt: Whisky for my men, beer for my horses (by Scott Emerich\/Toby Keith).\u00a0 Contains phrases from both the song and the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Humor"","block_context":{"text":"Humor","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=4"},"img":{"alt_text":"newspaper","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/A8B95BC9-E53D-40E8-BD21-6DC03B08C9BF.jpeg?fit=1178%2C1034&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/A8B95BC9-E53D-40E8-BD21-6DC03B08C9BF.jpeg?fit=1178%2C1034&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/A8B95BC9-E53D-40E8-BD21-6DC03B08C9BF.jpeg?fit=1178%2C1034&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/A8B95BC9-E53D-40E8-BD21-6DC03B08C9BF.jpeg?fit=1178%2C1034&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/A8B95BC9-E53D-40E8-BD21-6DC03B08C9BF.jpeg?fit=1178%2C1034&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7174,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7174","url_meta":{"origin":7151,"position":3},"title":"Don’t Let Him Kill Us (by JoaniePaiute)","author":"JoaniePaiute","date":"May 7, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0A comedic prequel featuring 5-year-old Little Joe and introducing Tommy Coffee, Roy's 7-year-old son. Oh, Hoss...why did you take your eyes off those two? Poor Adam... Rated:\u00a0K WC \u00a03400 Little Joe, Tommy, and Annabelle Series Don't Let Him Kill Us Word of Honor","rel":"","context":"In "Brothers"","block_context":{"text":"Brothers","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1009"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7187,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7187","url_meta":{"origin":7151,"position":4},"title":"While Shepherds Watched (by JoaniePaiute)","author":"JoaniePaiute","date":"December 20, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0\"Real shepherds can be downright ornery,\" Hoss tells his little brother, but 6-year-old Joe is determined to see for himself. Rated:\u00a0K+ \u00a0WC \u00a02900","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/sheperd.jpg?fit=356%2C472&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1697,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=1697","url_meta":{"origin":7151,"position":5},"title":"One Special Night (by BluewindFarm)","author":"BluewindFarm","date":"December 20, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: The Cartwrights await a VERY special delivery, leaving one of them to wonder what their future will hold. Rating:\u00a0 K (1,705 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/frontporch.jpg?fit=439%2C305&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7151","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\/214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7151"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7151\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1242"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7151"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7151"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7151"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}