{"id":7176,"date":"2005-05-11T16:40:18","date_gmt":"2005-05-11T20:40:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7176"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:10:47","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:10:47","slug":"contagion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7176","title":{"rendered":"Contagion (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span>Some of the citizens of\u00a0Virginia City become upset when\u00a0the\u00a0Cartwrights let a gypsy family take temporary residence on the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T (7,560 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Contagion<\/strong><\/p>\n

Backing up slowly, away from the angry mob, Ben Cartwright gasped as he bumped solidly into the wall behind him. There was nowhere else to go. Fear gripped at his heart and shortened his breath. He knew these people! He knew them well! Why did they want to hurt him?<\/p>\n

A gun shot startled the mob for a moment and suddenly Ben\u2019s youngest son, Joe, was standing there in front of him. Joe holstered his gun, knowing that it was useless against so many. \u201cHold it!\u201d he cried.<\/p>\n

His words were ignored as the crowd surged forward again. Joe tired valiantly to brace himself, but there was no way he could stand against so many. Hands grabbed for Ben and he fought them off, trying to reach Joe. But he was too late. The mob surged forward again and Joe vanished beneath their feet only moments before the first hands reached for Ben. He fought furiously, but there were too many people pummelling him. The world went dark as he cried for his son. \u201cJoe!\u201d<\/p>\n

**************************************<\/p>\n

\u201cI see we\u2019ve got visitors again,\u201d Adam commented, as he stopped his horse on top of a rise. He cast an exasperated glance at his brothers. \u201cI wonder who they are this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGypsies, by the looks of them,\u201d Joe commented, as he looked down on the brightly coloured wagons below. For a long time, Joe had hoped that Tirza, the gypsy girl he had hoped to marry, would one day return. Now, with the passage of a few years, he fervently hoped that she wouldn\u2019t. With all his youthful fervour, Joe had thought he was in love with the exotic girl, but time and maturity had shown him what an idiot he had been. He just hoped that no one would think to bring up the unfortunate liaison in conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter go down an\u2019 say hello,\u201d Hoss suggested. \u201cMake sure they know where they are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on,\u201d Adam agreed and put his heel to his horse. He glanced back to see a look of extreme reluctance crossing Joe\u2019s face and for a moment, he was tempted to make a teasing comment. But he restrained himself. Adam wasn\u2019t completely unfeeling and he was aware that his younger brother was embarrassed by thoughts of Tirza. He simply gave Joe a small smile when his brother glanced at him and then rode on.<\/p>\n

It was a huge relief to see that the gypsy band was not the same one as had been home to Tirza. Joe relaxed as he sat on Cochise, watching Adam talking to the leader. He looked around at the cooking fires, his stomach rumbling as appetising smells drifted over to him. \u201cSmells good, don\u2019 it?\u201d Hoss mumbled, grinning at Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cForget it, big brother,\u201d Joe teased. \u201cThey ain\u2019t gonna invite someone as big as you to eat with them! They want some supplies left for the winter.\u201d The agile black and white pinto moved sideways at Joe\u2019s command to avoid the mock blow Hoss threw at his brother.<\/p>\n

Heaving a martyred sigh that he didn\u2019t mean, Adam rolled his eyes. Neither of his younger brothers looked in the least repentant. He turned his attention to the camp and the tall, lean, dark haired man that approached them. Adam guessed that the man\u2019s age was close to his own. \u201cI\u2019m Adam Cartwright,\u201d he announced, dismounting and offering his hand. \u201cThis is the Ponderosa, my father\u2019s ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGreetings,\u201d the other replied. He shook Adam\u2019s hand with a firm grip. \u201cI\u2019m Peter Lovell. I\u2019m glad to know where we are.\u201d He gave Adam a searching look. \u201cWe are only stopping for a few days. One of our tribe is about to have a baby and we can\u2019t travel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re welcome to stay here as long as you need to,\u201d Adam responded. He glanced over his shoulder to see Joe shooting his heart-stopping grin at a young woman who was smiling coyly back. \u201cThese are my brothers, Hoss and Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that is my sister Elena,\u201d Peter replied. His accent suggested that he had European origins. \u201cShe spends her life breaking hearts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems your sister and my brother have a lot in common,\u201d Adam responded wryly. The two men exchanged a rueful glance. \u201cWe\u2019ll be heading home now, but if you need anything, don\u2019t hesitate to ask,\u201d Adam went on. \u201cThe house is about 4 miles that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Peter smiled. \u201cWe appreciate your hospitality and I assure you that we won\u2019t leave a mess behind us when we leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope all goes well,\u201d Adam nodded and remounted. Joe looked rather disappointed that he wasn\u2019t going to be formally introduced to Elena, but he obediently followed Adam, casting a last, long look over his shoulder before he copied his brothers and put his heel to his horse.<\/p>\n

*******************************************<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll let the men know that the camp is there, Pa,\u201d Adam concluded. \u201cJust so that there are no problems.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood idea, son,\u201d Ben approved. He looked tired and thin \u2013 the results of a recent bout of flu that had decimated the population of the Ponderosa. No one had escaped it, but there had been no deaths. Ben had succumbed last and had had a very bad dose, probably because he fought so long to deny his symptoms so that he could care for his sons. When he did go down, both Adam and Hoss were back on their feet and Joe joined them a day or so later. Hop Sing had been the least ill and somehow, they all managed to keep things running between them. However, Ben\u2019s recovery was slow.<\/p>\n

Glancing around, Adam allowed a grin to cross his face. \u201cIf you\u2019d seen the look on Joe\u2019s face,\u201d he laughed. \u201cHe thought Tirza had come back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoped or feared?\u201d Ben enquired. If he never saw Tirza again, Ben would be more than happy.<\/p>\n

\u201cFeared, I think,\u201d Adam replied honestly. \u201cIt was on the tip of my tongue to say something to him, Pa, but then I decided that wouldn\u2019t be kind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got that right,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cI don\u2019t think we\u2019ll mention her name, all right, son? No point in bringing up bad memories.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI agree,\u201d Adam nodded. \u201cBut you should have seen his face.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam that\u2019s not nice,\u201d Ben chided, but he couldn\u2019t hide the smile that crossed his face. He and Adam chuckled quietly together. At that inauspicious moment, Joe came round the corner of the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d he demanded, as he heard the laughter. He glanced down at himself, but could see no visible cause for the laughter.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nothing to do with you, son,\u201d Ben told him but didn\u2019t divulge their conversation. \u201cAdam is going to go and tell the men tomorrow about the gypsies.\u201d Ben was pleased to see that although Joe looked tired, he still had colour in his cheeks, unlike the pasty colour he sported whist ill. \u201cTomorrow, Joe, I need you to go into town. I\u2019m expecting a wire that needs a quick response.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing, Pa,\u201d Joe agreed. None of them ever turned down a trip to town.<\/p>\n

***************************************<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s yer pa, Little Joe?\u201d Roy Coffee asked, as Joe stepped down from his horse in front of the telegraph office.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a lot better, thanks, Roy,\u201d Joe replied, wrapping his reins around the hitching post. \u201cHe\u2019s still pretty tired, but Doc Martin\u2019s letting him ride out now and Hop Sing is stuffing him full of food.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCain\u2019t ask fer more\u2019n that,\u201d Roy agreed, nodding. \u201cTell him I was askin\u2019 fer him, Joe, an\u2019 I\u2019ll see him real soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will do, Roy,\u201d Joe grinned. \u201cTake it easy.\u201d He walked across the boardwalk into the office and then had to cool his heels for over an hour before the expected wire arrived.<\/p>\n

Before he had been taken ill, Ben had been negotiating with a company back east to buy some furniture. The order was ready at last and all that was required was for Joe to forward the final payment and the furniture would be on its way. Ben had been waiting for these bookcases for quite some time and felt that the sooner the money was wired, the sooner he would have his new belongings. His chore finally completed, Joe left the telegraph office and headed over to the store.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hearing the hail, Joe turned around and saw one of their neighbours, Jim Johnston waving at him as he crossed the street. Joe obligingly stopped and waited, although Johnston wasn\u2019t his choice of a companion. The older man was very opinionated and out-spoken and downright rude into the bargain. But ignoring him would be a monumental mistake, as Johnston would then lecture Joe interminably about his abysmal manners, then tell everyone on the street before finally making his way out to the ranch and telling Ben that he had no idea how to raise sons that were respectful. \u201cJim,\u201d he greeted the older man.<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard your pa is sick,\u201d Johnston started.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s much better thanks,\u201d Joe replied and shifted his weight away from Johnston, hoping the other man would take the hint. He didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a surprise,\u201d Johnston responded. \u201cI\u2019ll be surprised if your pa does pull through this illness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy is that?\u201d Joe asked, pushing down amorphous fears that Ben was ill; that he had had more than just flu. Joe knew that this fear he had of his father dying was connected to losing his mother all those years ago, but he had never admitted it to anyone, even Ben.<\/p>\n

Making an impatient noise, Johnston stuck his face right up to Joe\u2019s. \u201cAre you stupid, boy?\u201d he bellowed and Joe winced. Somehow, his interviews with Johnston never seemed to go very well. \u201cYou\u2019ve got those people on your land! What do you expect?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat people?\u201d Joe asked, wondering who they had had on the ranch when Ben got sick.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean to tell me you don\u2019t even know what\u2019s going on on your own ranch?\u201d Johnston bellowed. By now, he had attracted a lot of attention, but nobody was willing to risk his ire to save Joe\u2019s hide. \u201cYou\u2019ve got squatters, boy! Squatters, I tell you! I saw them yesterday!\u201d<\/p>\n

It was as though a light had switched on in Joe\u2019s brain. He took a tiny step backwards and sought to focus his thoughts now that he was breathing fresh air again and not Johnston\u2019s rank breath. \u201cThe gypsies are only there for a few days,\u201d Joe explained. \u201cWe spoke to them yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re gypsies, boy!\u201d Johnston hollered. \u201cThey carry disease! They\u2019ll say anything they think you want to hear! They\u2019re planning on staying!\u201d<\/p>\n

Fighting back his temper at Johnston\u2019s ignorance, Joe glanced around at the crowd and saw that the word was already being passed from person to person. Gypsies were universally hated and although people would buy pegs and the like from them, it was more in fear of having a curse laid on them if they refused. Joe wondered how on earth he could defuse this situation. It irked him that an intelligent and educated man like Johnston could still harbour such senseless prejudice.<\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Joe tried his best. \u201cPa had the flu,\u201d he insisted. \u201cAsk Doc Martin if you don\u2019t believe me. And the gypsies only stopped at the Ponderosa yesterday, because one of their women is having a baby.\u201d Joe knew that wasn\u2019t the kind of thing you were supposed to say aloud, but his anger was pushing him on.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow dare you say that!\u201d hissed Johnston, pushing Joe hard against the wall of the store. \u201cHasn\u2019t your father brought you up any better? If you were my son, I\u2019d have laid you out for that!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe knew this last was true, for he had seen Johnston punching his son once. But now, Joe was too angry to care. \u201cI do know how to behave,\u201d he hissed back. \u201cIf you hadn\u2019t been implying something that isn\u2019t true, I would never have said anything!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou impudent pup!\u201d Johnston couldn\u2019t contain himself any longer and backhanded Joe across the face before turning and stomping off angrily.<\/p>\n

Dazed, Joe simply sat where he had fallen, watching the other man leave. He still didn\u2019t know why his meetings with Johnston went so badly wrong each and every time, but this one had the prize as the worst. It was only when he raised a hand to his throbbing face that he found his nose and mouth bleeding. Allowing some of the milling crowd to help him to his feet, Joe reluctantly made his way over to the doctor\u2019s office where he could get cleaned up in relative peace.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll be getting a visit from Johnston, if you haven\u2019t already had one,\u201d Joe reported sullenly as he went into the house. He stopped by the credenza and doffed his jacket, hat and gun belt, standing side on to his father, who was sitting in his red leather chair by the fire.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Ben asked, sounding resigned. According to Johnston, Joe should never be let out without a keeper. He gasped as Joe turned to walk over to sit on the sofa. \u201cJoe! What happened to your face?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe slumped down on the sofa. \u201cJohnston,\u201d he replied. \u201cI really riled him this time, Pa and he let me have it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Ben\u2019s ire was easily roused by one of his sons being mistreated. \u201cTell me the whole story.\u201d<\/p>\n

As honestly as he could, Joe repeated the conversation. \u201cThere were plenty of witnesses, Pa,\u201d he concluded. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to be rude and say that, but he goaded me.\u201d Joe looked shame-faced. \u201cI let my temper get the better of me.\u201d He shrugged and met Ben\u2019s gaze again. \u201cI don\u2019t see why we have to be so coy about it. Women have babies every day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThose are the rules of polite society, Joe,\u201d Ben chided him gently. \u201cI don\u2019t know why, and who knows? It may all change in the future.\u201d He sighed and looked at his son closely again. Joe\u2019s face was bruised, his nose slightly swollen and his lip split. \u201cBut I don\u2019t understand why Johnston hit you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoin the club,\u201d Joe remarked, wryly. \u201cDoc Martin cleaned me up and says my nose isn\u2019t broken. It\u2019s just gonna be sore for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad you weren\u2019t hurt any worse, son,\u201d Ben assured Joe, patting his knee. \u201cI wish you hadn\u2019t got hurt at all. But this business about the gypsies worries me. I just hope he doesn\u2019t go and do anything stupid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope not either,\u201d Joe agreed and they shared a worried glance.<\/p>\n

***************************************<\/p>\n

It was the following morning before Johnston appeared on Ben\u2019s doorstep. Ben bit back a sigh with great difficulty as he beheld the man standing there, but invited him in nonetheless. \u201cCome in, Jim,\u201d Ben offered in the most cordial voice he could manage. \u201cWhat can I do for you today?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake a belt to that youngest son of yours,\u201d Jim snarled, his temper seemingly undiminished from the previous afternoon. \u201cI\u2019d beat a temper and a mouth like that right out of him. And if you won\u2019t, I will.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll do no such thing!\u201d Ben snapped, his good intentions of placating his neighbour abandoning him at once. \u201cJoe is a man, not a child and even if he was, I don\u2019t believe in beating a child like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSpoiled, the whole lot of your sons,\u201d Johnston snorted derisively. \u201cDo you know what he said\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I do,\u201d Ben interrupted. He had his temper under control again. \u201cJoe is nothing if not honest. He admits that he shouldn\u2019t have said what he did, but after all, we all know it\u2019s the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThose bloody gypsies!\u201d Johnston swore. \u201cYour boy is hanging around with them far too much, or he wouldn\u2019t be spouting their nonsense. You\u2019d better beware, Ben. He\u2019s liable to run off with them!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really none of your business who I allow to camp on my land,\u201d Ben told the other man, his patience quickly running out. \u201cNor is it your place to discipline my son. I\u2019m giving you a fair warning here, Jim; if you strike one of my sons again, I will have you charged. There were plenty of witnesses, yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment, Ben thought the other man was going to have an apoplexy, for he went scarlet in the face and seemed to swell. However, to Ben\u2019s relief, he didn\u2019t. \u201cI can see where your sons get it from,\u201d he blustered. \u201cI\u2019m leaving and I won\u2019t be back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe choice is always yours,\u201d Ben informed him, showing his irate guest to the door. He watched Johnston mount and ride out of the yard before he shut the door firmly and leant on it. \u201cBut I won\u2019t be sorry if you decide not to come back,\u201d he mentioned to no one in particular.<\/p>\n

*********************************<\/p>\n

\u201cWow,\u201d Hoss commented thoughtfully. He applied himself to his meal again, waiting to hear the next revelation, glancing up expectantly.<\/p>\n

At the other end of the table, Adam laid down his knife and fork and frowned. \u201cYou threw him out?\u201d he asked incredulously.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t throw him out!\u201d Ben retorted, exasperated. \u201cHe took offence when I told him that I\u2019d charge him if he hit one of you again and he left.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t imagine why he would take offence at that,\u201d Adam commented dryly and then the smile he couldn\u2019t hide any longer crept across his face. \u201cI wish I\u2019d been here to see that!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo do I!\u201d Joe agreed, with some feeling. His cheek was marred with a dark bruise and the split lip still made eating uncomfortable.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just as well you weren\u2019t here, either of you,\u201d Ben reproved them gently. \u201cIt was bad enough that I had to fall out with Jim Johnston without you two being present.\u201d He frowned slightly. \u201cStill, I\u2019d be happier if we just casually wandered down to the gypsy encampment and gave them a warning about Jim. I don\u2019t want to frighten them off, especially with a new baby in the camp, but I don\u2019t want anything to happen to them either.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take care of that tomorrow,\u201d Joe offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cThat puts my mind at rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a wicked twinkle in his eye, Adam reposted, \u201cAren\u2019t you afraid Joe will run off with the gypsies?\u201d<\/p>\n

He ducked as he was showered with napkins.<\/p>\n

***********************************<\/p>\n

Next morning, Joe arrived at the gypsy camp in time to wave goodbye to the travellers, who were pulling out, heading for their next stop \u2013 wherever that might be. Peter Lovell came out to meet Joe and his lovely sister, Elena, flashed Joe a welcoming smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just came to see how you were,\u201d Joe explained. \u201cOne of our neighbours has been making some noises, and we wanted to warn you to keep your eyes open. We didn\u2019t want any trouble while you were staying on the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI appreciate your kindness,\u201d Peter responded. \u201cYour brother Adam sent us some food yesterday. It was very kind of him and unnecessary.\u201d He smiled. \u201cBut very welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to move on if you aren\u2019t ready,\u201d Joe reminded Peter.<\/p>\n

Again came the smile and Joe could see the resemblance between Peter and Elena. \u201cYou are very kind, but thank you, no. We must move on.\u201d He gestured to the field where they had been camped. \u201cAs you can see, we have tidied up after ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSafe journey, then,\u201d Joe responded. \u201cOh and by the way \u2013 can I ask about the new arrival?\u201d<\/p>\n

Once more, Peter smiled and Joe could see the pride in his stance. \u201cMy wife delivered a fine, healthy son,\u201d he reported. As if given a cue, there was a loud wail from one of the wagons. \u201cHis lungs are very good,\u201d Peter added, a touch wryly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy congratulations,\u201d Joe told him, warmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you and goodbye.\u201d Peter shook hands with Joe and then started the wagons rolling. Joe watched for a few minutes, then mounted and rode back home.<\/p>\n

****************************************<\/p>\n

For the next several days, the Cartwrights were busy around the ranch, with Ben gradually picking up the reins again as he regained his strength. They thought no more about their nomadic visitors until Joe and Ben went into town with Hop Sing to get supplies.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt sure is quiet today, ain\u2019t it, Pa?\u201d Joe queried as they rode into town. On the wagon seat, Hop Sing muttered to himself in his native tongue. There was something ominous about the nearly-deserted streets.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it is,\u201d Ben agreed, looking around. \u201cI wonder where everyone is.\u201d He guided his horse over to the hitching rail by the store and dismounted. Joe copied him, still looking anxiously over his shoulder. A number of the people who were on the street were giving the Cartwrights very dark looks.<\/p>\n

Mounting the steps, Ben was astounded to discover the store was closed. Perplexed, he rattled the door, as though that would make any difference, he reflected wryly. \u201cI wonder what\u2019s wrong?\u201d Ben mused.<\/p>\n

Frowning, Joe briskly crossed the road, noticing that a significant number of people he knew didn\u2019t return his greetings. He wasn\u2019t altogether surprised to find the other store closed, too, although this one had a notice on the door. Closed due to illness.<\/p>\n

Going back across the street, Joe could see Ben frowning and looking around. \u201cThe other store is closed, too,\u201d Joe reported. \u201cIllness, apparently.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, there\u2019s nothing we can do about it, I guess,\u201d Ben sighed. \u201cHop Sing, I am sorry to drag you all this way into town for nothing. But until the stores are open again, we\u2019ll just have to make do with the stores we have. Was there anything we desperately needed?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFlour low,\u201d Hop Sing replied. \u201cBut we manage.\u201d He picked up the reins. \u201cI go home now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, all right,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cI think I\u2019ll stay for a while, though and try and find out what\u2019s going on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll stay, too,\u201d Joe offered. \u201cI just don\u2019t understand any of this. There are people on the street that we know, but they aren\u2019t talking to us. What do you think has happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2018m really not sure, Joe,\u201d Ben replied slowly. \u201cI\u2019ll meet you in the Silver Dollar later on, all right? I\u2019m going to talk to Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll come with you to see Roy,\u201d Joe decided, \u201cand then we can split up. After all,\u201d he added, as Ben gave him a quizzical look, \u201cRoy probably knows exactly what\u2019s going on \u2013 then we can go and have a drink before we go home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rolling his eyes, Ben agreed and together they walked towards the sheriff\u2019s office, painfully aware of the people on their side of the street crossing to the other as they approached. There was an unease growing in both Cartwrights.<\/p>\n

******************************************<\/p>\n

The jail was deserted. This was not an unusual occurrence. Although Roy spent a good part of his time there, he did have a home to go to and he was often to be found prowling the streets, making sure that everything was in order. But somehow, Ben found he couldn\u2019t make himself believe any of these possibilities. His unease grew.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I think we should split up,\u201d he suggested. \u201cWe need to look for Roy and it wouldn\u2019t hurt to find Doc Martin, either.\u201d<\/p>\n

The look Joe gave Ben showed that his son\u2019s concern was as deep as his own. \u201cWhat do you think has happened, Pa?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI simply don\u2019t know, son,\u201d Ben replied, frustrated.<\/p>\n

**************************************<\/p>\n

The person Ben found was Doctor Paul Martin. The physician was leaving his office, looking bone weary. His normally cheerful face was careworn and there were dark circles under his eyes. \u201cPaul!\u201d Ben hailed and waved at his friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen.\u201d Paul straightened wearily and heaved a big sigh. \u201cWhat are you doing in town?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe came for some supplies,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cBut both the stores are shut. What\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s been an outbreak of a particularly virulent strain of influenza,\u201d Paul answered. \u201cI think almost everyone in town is sick. If they aren\u2019t sick yet, they most probably will be. There have even been some deaths.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no!\u201d Ben gasped. \u201cI was trying to find Roy\u2026 Is Roy\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s all right,\u201d Paul assured his friend. \u201cRoy only had a mild dose \u2013 like the one you had.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was mild?\u201d Ben cried, disbelief in his tones. \u201cYou could have fooled me!\u201d<\/p>\n

For once, Paul\u2019s sense of humour failed him. \u201cIt was mild,\u201d he insisted. \u201cAfter all, you\u2019re still alive aren\u2019t you?\u201d He saw the shock in Ben\u2019s dark eyes and immediately apologised. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Ben \u2013 I didn\u2019t mean that the way it sounded. I guess I\u2019m tired.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there anything you can do for the sick people?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNope,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cBut that doesn\u2019t stop them sending for me. I don\u2019t know when I last slept.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I\u2019d say you\u2019d better start making sleep a priority right now!\u201d Ben decided. \u201cThis town needs you, Paul.\u201d He steered his friend towards his house. \u201cMeanwhile, Joe and I will see if there\u2019s anything we can do to help. We\u2019ve all had the flu, as you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Ben.\u201d Paul staggered into his house. He couldn\u2019t remember the last time he had eaten, but sleep was more important. His eyes were barely open as he slumped down on his sofa and curled up. He was asleep within moments.<\/p>\n

*************************************<\/p>\n

Walking briskly back up the main street, Ben was surprised and pleased to see a crowd of people heading towards him. He would have some help going around and making sure that everyone was all right. He paused to wait for them, but the smile that had been on his face began to fade away as he beheld the angry and frightened countenances that greeted him.<\/p>\n

Spotting a familiar face in the crowd, Ben hailed Jim Johnston. \u201cJim! Are you looking for another helper?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t need your kind o\u2019 help, Cartwright!\u201d snarled a man whose name Ben didn\u2019t know. \u201cYou\u2019ve done enough ta help us already!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d Ben asked, dropping a hand warily to his gun.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is your fault,\u201d Johnston told him. \u201cAll your fault! All those deaths on your conscience!\u201d He shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t know how you can sleep at night.\u201d<\/p>\n

By now Ben was totally confused. \u201cJim, what are you talking about?\u201d He took an involuntary step forward, anxious to find out what was so upsetting his neighbour.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe gypsies!\u201d Jim spat. \u201cThe gypsies you invited onto your land. The gypsies that brought this disease that\u2019s killing us all!\u201d His voice had risen until he was shouting hysterically. Ben was appalled. He glanced at the others in the crowd and saw the same anger on their faces. He started to retreat.<\/p>\n

Backing up slowly, away from the angry mob, Ben Cartwright gasped as he bumped solidly into the wall behind him. There was nowhere else to go. Fear gripped at his heart and shortened his breath. He knew these people! He knew them well! Why did they want to hurt him?<\/p>\n

A gun shot startled the mob for a moment and suddenly Ben\u2019s youngest son, Joe, was standing there in front of him. Joe holstered his gun, knowing that it was useless against so many. \u201cHold it!\u201d he cried.<\/p>\n

His words were ignored as the crowd surged forward again. Joe tired valiantly to brace himself, but there was no way he could stand against so many. Hands grabbed for Ben and he fought them off, trying to reach Joe. But he was too late. The mob surged forward again and Joe vanished beneath their feet only moments before the first hands reached for Ben. He fought furiously, but there were too many people pummelling him. The world went dark as he cried for his son. \u201cJoe!\u201d<\/p>\n

****************************************<\/p>\n

On his travels through Virginia City, Joe had happened across Roy Coffee, the sheriff, who was just coming from his house. Joe had explained that Ben was going to see if he could help anyone. Roy nodded and told Joe that he would go and find Mrs Arbuckle, who was keeping track of all the sick folks, and steer her towards Ben, if Joe would find Ben and steer him towards Mrs Arbuckle. Chuckling, Joe agreed.<\/p>\n

He was approaching the main street again when he heard the shouting. Not having a clue what was going on, Joe quickened his step. He saw the mob and realised that someone was in trouble. Drawing his gun, Joe raced into the middle of the street. From the corner of his eye, he saw his father pressed up against the side wall of the store. He fired his gun, but it had no discernable effect. Joe shoved the gun back into his holster and braced himself as best he could. For a few moments, he kept his feet and then he was overwhelmed. The last thing Joe remembered was the feeling of people trampling on him.<\/p>\n

Then the world went mercifully dark.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben cried despairingly, before he, too, went down under the crush of angry men. He threw up his hands in a futile attempt to defend himself. He could see no outcome of this situation except death for himself and his son and his heart grieved for Joe.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, the deafening roar of a shotgun sounded from somewhere close by and Ben found himself on the ground, alone in a space. Slowly, he sat up, shaking uncontrollably. He realised that there was someone familiar standing beside him, but his thoughts were focused elsewhere. He scrambled unsteadily to his knees and began to crawl over to where his son lay in a crumpled heap on the dirt of the street. It didn\u2019t occur to him to wonder where the crowd had gone.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe.\u201d Ben knelt by Joe, afraid to touch him. Joe\u2019s face was pale and smeared with blood and dirt. He reached for Joe, but other hands got there first.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t move him, Ben,\u201d Paul warned. The physician still looked tired, but the fierce look on his face stilled Ben\u2019s hands. \u201cI need to check him out first.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Paul bent over Joe\u2019s ominously still form, Ben sank back onto the ground. He felt rather peculiar, and for a moment thought he might pass out. Clearly, someone else entertained the same thoughts, for a hand gently pushed his head between his knees. When Ben raised his head, he was startled to see that his helper was Hop Sing.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2026?\u201d Ben stuttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing wonder what wrong in town, too,\u201d the Chinaman explained. \u201cI ask cousin.\u201d He nodded vaguely and Ben saw one of Hop Sing\u2019s innumerable cousins standing near Deputy Clem Foster. \u201cHow Lil Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI need to get him to my surgery at once,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cI need something flat to carry him on \u2013 a door or the like.\u201d<\/p>\n

It seemed to be a matter of mere moments before a door was procured from somewhere and Joe was carefully rolled onto it. Ben was shaken by the fact his son didn\u2019t even groan as he was moved. He moved to help carry Joe, but Paul shook his head. \u201cNo, Ben. You\u2019ve had a shock. Just follow us.\u201d Paul, Clem, Roy, Hop Sing and the cousin carried Joe to the doctor\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

Once they arrived at the doctor\u2019s, Ben was parked in a chair and Hop Sing hovered over him for a minute. \u201cI get sons,\u201d he declared and scurried out of the door. Ben grunted something in acknowledgement, but he doubted if Hop Sing heard him. \u201cHow\u2019s Joe?\u201d he asked Paul, who was bending over the young man, listening to his chest and stomach.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis heart beat is quite strong,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cHe seems to have cracked or broken ribs on the left side.\u201d Paul palpated Joe\u2019s abdomen, relieved that, at the moment, it was soft. But that didn\u2019t mean that Joe didn\u2019t have some internal injuries \u2013 it just meant that they hadn\u2019t shown up as yet. And in truth, Paul wasn\u2019t sure what he could do if Joe was bleeding internally. Operations on the abdomen tended to be a death sentence. He continued with his examination. \u201cThere are broken bones in both hands,\u201d he reported, seeing the concerned look on Ben\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cBad?\u201d Ben asked. He wanted to rise, but his legs seemed to lack strength.<\/p>\n

\u201cBad enough, since he won\u2019t be able to do much for himself till they heal,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cHe\u2019s going to be badly bruised.\u201d Already, there were dark discolourations on Joe\u2019s body. Paul passed the stethoscope over Joe\u2019s abdomen, hearing, to his great relief, the sounds he associated with a normal bowel.<\/p>\n

Putting aside his worries about ruptured spleens, or livers or\u2026 Paul shook himself. He turned his attention to Joe\u2019s head. He knew there was head trauma, since Joe was deeply unconscious and he wasn\u2019t surprised to feel several lumps under Joe\u2019s luxuriant curls.<\/p>\n

There was so much the medical profession didn\u2019t know about the human body, Paul reflected. But it knew least of all about the head. He couldn\u2019t feel any obvious depressed skull fractures, but there was no way to tell for sure. If only there was a way to take a picture of the bones of the skull, he thought in frustration. He probed more deeply a bump that had been bleeding and was mightily relieved when Joe made an incoherent sound and pulled away.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe? Can you hear me?\u201d Paul beckoned to Ben to come over and Ben suddenly found his legs belonged to him again. \u201cSpeak to him, Ben. Your voice is the one he is most familiar with.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe? Can you hear me?\u201d Ben leant over Joe, seeing the growing black eye and grazed cheek only subliminally. \u201cJoe? Its time to wake up.\u201d<\/p>\n

It took more than a few moments for Joe\u2019s eyes to flutter open and they were the longest moments of Ben\u2019s life. He fought to hide his fears and managed to smile as Joe\u2019s slightly glassy green eyes focused on his face. \u201cPa?\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m right here, Joe and you\u2019re safe,\u201d Ben told him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2026 what happened?\u201d Joe asked and gulped. Paul, experienced doctor that he was, recognised the signs and had Joe on his side in an instant, holding a basin for Joe to puke into. By the time Joe was finished, he looked, if possible, even worse than he had before.<\/p>\n

\u201cConcussion,\u201d Paul observed. \u201cNot surprising, really.\u201d He smiled sympathetically at Joe. \u201cI\u2019ll bandage your ribs, Joe. That should make them a little less sore.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Paul continued to treat Joe, splinting and bandaging his broken hands, binding the ribs and a nasty gash on Joe\u2019s thigh, Ben was worried by the way his son drifted in and out of consciousness. He knew head injuries were dangerous and it frightened him to see how disoriented Joe was. He hadn\u2019t realised how much time had gone past and therefore was startled when the door opened to admit Adam and Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Adam demanded. \u201cHop Sing said Joe got hurt\u2026\u201d His voice trailed off as he beheld his brother. \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be all right, boys,\u201d Paul assured them. He drew back the blanket and palpated Joe\u2019s abdomen once more, relieved that it was still soft. After this amount of time, he could stop worrying about internal bleeding. But as he started to draw the blanket back up, a hand stopped him.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that really\u2026 a boot print?\u201d Adam asked, his tone a mixture of awe and nausea. Unfortunately, there was no mistaking the shape.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it is,\u201d Paul replied, softly. He looked at Adam and Hoss. The big man was standing by Ben, a hand resting comfortingly on his father\u2019s shoulder. Paul hadn\u2019t yet had a chance to do anything for Ben, but luckily, the older man seemed to be suffering from nothing worse than cuts and bruises. \u201cJoe got trampled.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrampled?\u201d Hoss echoed. \u201cWhat happened? Hop Sing said there had been trouble\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Speaking quietly, Ben sketched in the details. He still found it hard to believe that Johnston had led the mob \u2013 he found it hard to believe that a mob had gathered in the first place. \u201cBut the epidemic that has them so worried is the flu, isn\u2019t it, Paul? The same flu I had before the gypsies came.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Paul agreed. He dropped into a seat by Ben and started to check out the older man. Seconds later, the front window of the office splintered as a bullet sang across the room, narrowly missing Adam before it smacked into the back wall. \u201cGet down!\u201d Paul yelled.<\/p>\n

It was unnecessary advice. Both Adam and Hoss were already on the floor, Adam leaning protectively over his injured sibling. Joe was still drifting and hadn\u2019t acknowledged his brothers at all. But he chose that moment to open his eyes. \u201cHi, Adam,\u201d he murmured drowsily. He squirmed uneasily, eliciting a whimper of pain from his movement. \u201cI hurt,\u201d he complained.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Joe,\u201d Adam assured him, although he had no idea if it was all right or not. \u201cJust stay still.\u201d<\/p>\n

They could hear angry, raised voices in the street. An argument seemed to have broken out, although they didn\u2019t have the least idea who was arguing with whom. Adam eased himself away from Joe and drew his gun. There was another shot outside and Adam almost returned fire until he realised that the shot was not aimed at them. \u201cWho is out there?\u201d he wondered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben replied, as another shot sounded. The noise of the crowd died away as the people moved off, seemingly cowed. \u201cBut I intend to shake his hand when I do find out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Joe cried and his voice seemed somehow strangled.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh-oh,\u201d Paul commented and grabbed for the basin with one hand while he tried to turn Joe onto his side with the other. Luckily, Hoss quickly got the message, and between the two of them, they got Joe turned before he could vomit in earnest.<\/p>\n

Gazing at Joe in revolted fascination, Adam almost missed the surgery door opening. He whirled, his gun raising and realised that the person entering was a friend, not a foe. \u201cRoy! What was going on?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe mob thought it would be safe to try an\u2019 get you in here,\u201d the sheriff replied. \u201cClem an\u2019 me thought they might try somethin\u2019 an\u2019 we was ready an\u2019 waitin\u2019 fer them. I don\u2019 think they\u2019ll try again, but we\u2019ll hang around an\u2019 make sure.\u201d He glanced around. \u201cEveryone all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine, thanks to you,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cI\u2019ll come out and help you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t deputised ya,\u201d Roy protested, but Adam simply held up his hand and waited. The few necessary words were spoken and Adam was duly made a deputy. He smiled down at Joe before going outside to help protect his family.<\/p>\n

******************************<\/p>\n

It was a long night. The mob \u2013 growing fewer and fewer in number \u2013 made a few attempts to reach Joe and Ben, but was driven off each time. By dawn, the mob was gone, the killing madness driven away by tiredness and the re-emergence of common sense. The people who had been a part of the mob would regret it for ever more. Some of them would go to prison for a time, for the sheriff, his deputy and temporary deputy recognised almost everyone and by nightfall, the jail was filled to overflowing.<\/p>\n

In the surgery, Joe\u2019s level of consciousness continued to improve and he was more and more oriented when he was wakened each time. When the vomiting was finally over, Paul gave Joe something for the pain from his hands and ribs and Joe slept soundly for several hours, barely noticing when he was roused to make sure he hadn\u2019t fallen into a coma. It was only when he wakened naturally that his situation finally struck home. Simply sitting up unassisted was beyond him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI need\u2026\u201d Joe started and couldn\u2019t continue, his breath panting away from him as he tried to control the pain in his ribs and head. For a moment, the room wavered, but Hoss\u2019 strong arm supported Joe until the dizzy spell wore off.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere,\u201d Paul offered and put down a chamber pot as discreetly as he could. However, Joe\u2019s embarrassment was not over yet. \u201cDon\u2019t worry if there\u2019s some blood in your urine,\u201d he warned Joe.<\/p>\n

His face flaming, Joe accepted the necessary help and sighed with relief as he was gently helped to lie back down. Every movement was agony and he couldn\u2019t remember ever having a headache as bad as this one. He groaned unintentionally when Paul pulled back the blanket to check his abdomen once more. It was only then that Joe realised he didn\u2019t have on any clothes and this time, he could feel the blush mounting from his bare toes\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cThe good news is that we can now discount the possibility of internal bleeding,\u201d Paul announced. There were sighs of relief all round.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the bad news?\u201d Joe murmured. His eyes were closing again.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe bad news is that you\u2019re going to be very sore for quite some time and I\u2019m afraid that this experience will only be the first of many until your hands have healed up some.\u201d Paul manfully bit back a chuckle at the expression that crossed Joe\u2019s face. He patted his patient\u2019s shoulder gently. \u201cNever mind, Joe. You should be able to go home in a few days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA few days?\u201d Joe cried, his drowsiness receding for the moment. \u201cBut I want to go home now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot until I\u2019m sure you\u2019re ready,\u201d Paul declared. He counted it a good sign that Joe was arguing with him. However, he wasn\u2019t giving way on this one, regardless of any \u2018puppy dog eyes\u2019 looks Joe might send his way. It was less effective with the black eye anyway. \u201cAnd there\u2019s no point in wheedling, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

No wheedling was forthcoming, but the pout on Joe\u2019s face sent the others into hysterics. Ben was forcibly reminded of how a much younger Joe had looked when his wishes were thwarted. \u201cIt\u2019s only for a couple of days,\u201d he soothed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Joe sighed. \u201cIt\u2019s just\u2026\u201d He didn\u2019t elaborate. Instead, he allowed his eyes to drift closed, his fit of pique already over. His healing body demanded the rest it needed and Joe was powerless to resist that siren call.<\/p>\n

*************************************<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand why they were angry,\u201d Joe commented. He was finally home and in his own bed. He was still very sore, his abused body every colour under the rainbow. Joe was adapting to the lack of hands and finding his way around needing help for certain matters. It was simply a matter of perseverance, Joe had told Ben and Ben privately thought it was simply a matter of being stubborn. Joe was nothing if not stubborn at times.<\/p>\n

\u201cJohnston caught the people in town at a vulnerable moment,\u201d Adam explained. He had helped Roy Coffee for a couple of days. \u201cThe flu had started sweeping through the town and it was a particularly nasty flu, Paul says. And Johnston believed that the gypsies had stopped because there was illness amongst them, not for the birth of a baby. And we all know how people feel about gypsies \u2013 remember the reaction Paul had when he met Tirza?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben winced. He wished Adam hadn\u2019t brought Tirza\u2019s name up. He glanced at Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wasn\u2019t wrong there though, was he?\u201d Joe commented, before anyone else could. \u201cBut I still don\u2019t see why that crowd was so angry with Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, Ben set his son straight. He knew that Joe was still suffering from headaches, courtesy of his concussion and consequently, his thinking was not as clear as usual. \u201cThey thought it was my fault for allowing the gypsies to stay here. Fear is contagious. And when all those frightened people got together, it proved to be as much a contagion as the flu and overtook them, causing them to act in a way they wouldn\u2019t have done alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what\u2019s going to happen to them?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s up to the circuit judge,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cBut I imagine some of them will go to prison. Johnston almost certainly will. Roy said the charge against him would be rioting with intent and grievous bodily harm.\u201d He shrugged. \u201cIf you break the law, you have to accept the consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing carefully, Joe tried to find a comfortable position. It was an impossibility, but that didn\u2019t stop him trying. He knew he would never forget seeing the mob charging towards his father \u2013 he had seen it in his dreams more than once.<\/p>\n

Then Ben\u2019s big, warm hand closed gently on his arm and Joe met his father\u2019s eyes. \u201cThe only thing that matters is you\u2019re safe,\u201d Ben told him.<\/p>\n

Smiling back, Joe corrected him. \u201cThe only thing that matters is we\u2019re all safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: \u00a0Some of the citizens of\u00a0Virginia City become upset when\u00a0the\u00a0Cartwrights let a gypsy family take temporary residence on the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T (7,560 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":9822,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7176","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1808,"today_views":1},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Bonanza12.jpg?fit=250%2C188&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":14009,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14009","url_meta":{"origin":7176,"position":0},"title":"The Prodigal (by Susan G)","author":"SusanG","date":"December 13, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Joe runs from the law to avoid facing a lynch mob after he is accused of murdering a woman. Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (19,840 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\/LJshadow1.jpg?fit=720%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/LJshadow1.jpg?fit=720%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/LJshadow1.jpg?fit=720%2C576&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/LJshadow1.jpg?fit=720%2C576&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":47236,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=47236","url_meta":{"origin":7176,"position":1},"title":"Anything for Family (by Lynnette Smith)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"May 31, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: When Richard Darvey is out for revenge on Ben Cartwright for the death of his son, Joe must decide how much he is willing to give to protect his father. When Darvey fails to claim his revenge on the Cartwrights it becomes quite clear that someone other then Darvey\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Action\/Adventure"","block_context":{"text":"Action\/Adventure","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":47233,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=47233","url_meta":{"origin":7176,"position":2},"title":"Vengeance (by Lynnette Smith)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"January 31, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Story Summary: When a Jack Devon is out for vengeance for the death of his son, Joe is severely wounded and almost killed. Devon is thrown in jail and all seems to quiet down but it soon becomes clear that more then just Devon's son Jimmy would like to finish\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Action\/Adventure"","block_context":{"text":"Action\/Adventure","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1353,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=1353","url_meta":{"origin":7176,"position":3},"title":"Shadow of the Noose (by KateP)","author":"KateP","date":"May 13, 2001","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Adam races against time to save Joe from hanging. 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