{"id":7737,"date":"2013-07-10T14:54:48","date_gmt":"2013-07-10T18:54:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7737"},"modified":"2026-07-31T08:32:54","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T12:32:54","slug":"just-at-checkers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7737","title":{"rendered":"Just at Checkers (by DJK)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: <\/span>Little Joe Cartwright would never cheat, well, not at anything but checkers.<\/p>\n

Rated: K=\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Word count:\u00a02918<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Just at Checkers<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe Cartwright was an honest lad. Anyone in Virginia City who knew Ben Cartwright and his sons would vouch for that. Ben had raised all of his boys to never lie or cheat, and as a rule Little Joe stayed true to his rearing, but as has been said many times before there are exceptions to every rule. For Little Joe that exception was checkers. Little Joe cheated at checkers. It would never have crossed his mind to cheat at cards or chess or any form of competition, but he cheated at checkers regularly, often, and well. Of course, he seldom played checkers with anyone outside of his family, and his family knew, even accepted, that when it came to checkers Little Joe was a cheater.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His father and brothers, if asked, would have accepted part of the blame for that fact. When Little Joe first began playing checkers, he had been so little and so much younger that a little cheating had been overlooked; seen as nothing more than an equalizer for the little boy. Not that Joe had been allowed to cheat blatantly as he grew older. Each time that he had actually been caught in the act there had been a comeuppance. Those comeuppances were the reason that Little Joe had become increasingly skillful at the practice of cheating at checkers until at thirteen he was quite adapt and half the fun of playing checkers was found in the challenge of cheating without getting caught. Cheating at checkers never bothered the boy\u2019s conscience because he knew that his family was aware that he cheated and did not hold it against him. He also knew that his elder brothers even had a grudging admiration for his ability to cheat without getting caught. In fact, for Adam trying to catch Little Joe cheating was the main challenge of playing checkers with the boy. It had been almost a year since even Adam had managed to catch his little brother in the act when Alfred Bandburg moved to Virginia City.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Alfred Bandburg could be described with one word. Alfred was pompous. A pompous thirteen-year-old is seldom the most popular of students, and Alfred was soon disliked by all the other pupils in the one-room schoolhouse. However, he also quickly became the teacher\u2019s pet. Another word that described Alfred, especially in relation to adults in authority, was fawning. Alfred fawned, Mr. Haversty preened, and Little Joe and friends became filled with the desire to see Alfred Bandburg receive a comeuppance, the more public a one the better.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Mitch Devlin overheard Alfred declare that he was a master checkers player, Mitch rolled his eyes and reported the declaration to his friends.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI would have thought he\u2019d look down that long nose of his at checkers and declare himself a chess master at the least,\u201d Tuck Johnson observed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Mike Percy said in agreement and his twin, Ike, echoed, \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe leaned back against the tree that shaded the boys. \u201cI wonder if he\u2019s as good as he thinks?\u201d Alfred was pompous, but he was also bright with a good measure of cunning. \u201cBet I could beat him, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBet ya could,\u201d Mitch declared fully confident that his friend was capable of besting their haughty classmate.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, bet ya could!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOf course ya could, Little Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAbsolutely!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I could.\u201d Little Joe had a good measure of self-confidence himself. \u201cI\u2019d like to see his face when I did.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was another round of affirming exclamations which ended with Tuck\u2019s \u201cWhy don\u2019t you!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

By the time the school bell rang to end lunch, the boys had decided that Little Joe would not only challenge Alfred to a checkers match but that an interesting side bet could be placed that would result in the public comeuppance of one Alfred Bandburg, teacher\u2019s pet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Getting Alfred to accept the challenge was effortless; goading him into the bet took only minutes more. Little Joe and Alfred would meet Sunday after church at the Percys’ feed store to play a three-game match. The winner would have bragging rights for the rest of the school year, and the loser would perform whatever act the winner requested. Each of Little Joe\u2019s friends had offered imaginative suggestions as to what he should ask of Alfred when he won, but Little Joe had yet to decide the best means of popping Alfred\u2019s swollen head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Word of the challenge spread through the school population of Virginia City and from the children to their families. Adam and Hoss Cartwright heard of it on Thursday, and Ben Cartwright that night. Luckily, Joe\u2019s family heard only about the checkers match and not about the side bet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe studied his father\u2019s face through his lowered lashes. \u201cYou\u2019re not gonna say I can\u2019t play Alfred, are ya, Pa? It\u2019s just a few games of checkers. We just want to show that Alfred he ain\u2019t the best at everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, Pa. It will look like I\u2019m chickening out if I don\u2019t play.\u201d Little Joe fixed his most pleading gaze upon his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps you should have asked my permission before you committed yourself, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe could not keep his lower lip from slipping out. \u201cI didn\u2019t think I had to ask permission just to play checkers.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d The admonishing edge to Ben\u2019s voice caused the immediate withdrawal of Joe\u2019s lower lip.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, Pa, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben looked at his youngest son. Not being able to voice a clear reason why Joe should not indulge in a boyish challenge that presented no risk to himself or others, Ben relented.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cVery well. A few friendly games of checkers shouldn\u2019t cause any problems. You may play after we have lunch at the International House. I might just challenge Paul to a few games of chess while I wait for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa!\u201d Little Joe jumped up and enveloped his father in an exuberant hug. \u201cCome on, Adam; you can help me practice for the match.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam agreed, and it was not until he set the last checker on the board that the thought of his little brother\u2019s penchant for cheating began to nibble at Adam\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Percy twins had set up a table, two chairs, and the checkerboard before leaving for church. By the time Little Joe and Alfred took the two seats, a couple of dozen on-lookers had stationed themselves in various places around the feed store. Mitch Devlin laid out the rules of the match in an overly officious tone, and play began. Little Joe\u2019s overconfidence led to his downfall in the first game. Alfred\u2019s smirk goaded Joe to more concentrated effort, and the second game went to the youngest Cartwright amid a chorus of cheers. Both boys then settled into the most focused checkers game of their young lives. Small beads of sweat dotted both brows before many minutes had passed. The intervals of concentration between moves lengthened, and the onlookers began to fidget. Little Joe looked at the faces of his friends and noted that concern had crept into their eyes. The sight brought the unthinkable to mind. When he realized he could cheat and assure himself the win, he at first pushed down the thought. Then Alfred made a masterful move, and Little Joe countered with the only skill that could bring success. He cheated. He cheated smoothly, skillfully, and with success. When he was declared the winner, everyone present under sixteen cheered. As their audience dispersed, Alfred gritted his teeth and forced his words through clenched jaws. \u201cOur bet?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little\u00a0Joe felt a wave of guilt and mumbled, \u201cTomorrow. I\u2019ve. . . there\u2019s my brother. See you all at school.\u201d Little Joe had spotted Adam and hurried toward his elder brother. His friends exchanged wondering looks, shrugged, and told themselves tomorrow would be a fine day.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam walked beside Joe toward Paul Martin\u2019s home. In response to Adam\u2019s questions, Little Joe had stated that he had won and that, yes, it had been a hard match. Adam had been reading his brother since the day Joe had been born. As they entered the gate to Paul\u2019s yard, Adam caught Joe\u2019s arm and turned the boy to face him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou cheated, didn\u2019t you, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere were a couple dozen people watching, Adam. How could I?\u201d Little Joe jerked away from his brother and darted to the Martin house.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam stood and watched his brother\u2019s retreating back and rubbed the bridge of his nose. Little Joe\u2019s statement was perfectly true, and his question asked with indignation, but it did not pass Adam\u2019s notice that Joe had not actually denied cheating. Adam sighed. Little Joe had not lied to him, but he had cheated. A flame fueled by anger and disappointment flared deep within Ben Cartwright\u2019s eldest son. Adam turned on his heel and headed to where Sport was tied. He rode back to the ranch ahead of his family.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Throughout the night, Little Joe slid furtive looks at Adam chewing his lower lip and shifting nervously each time. His older brother had barely spoken to him and seemed loathed to even cast eyes upon him. Both Ben and Hoss wondered about the obvious tension between Adam and Little Joe but neither pressed for information. They had found that sometimes it was best to leave a no-man\u2019s-land empty between the two.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was over two hours after Little Joe had been sent to bed that the door to Adam\u2019s bedroom opened. Little Joe slipped into the room and quickly closed the door behind him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam did not even lower the book he had been reading.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou belong in bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCan I talk to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam slowly lowered his book. \u201cNot if you\u2019ve come to offer excuses.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut you don\u2019t understand, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI understand that you cheated. There\u2019s no way that was anything but wrong, but then you know that, Joseph. Pa taught you right from wrong the same as he taught me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAre you going to talk to Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s the one who should hear your confession, little brother, not me.\u201d The book smacked into the bed. The sound was muffled, but it still caused Little Joe to jerk.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t, Adam; I can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam simply raised his right eyebrow.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not that he\u2019ll punish me.\u201d Little Joe fidgeted and dropped his chin to his chest. \u201cYou can tan me \u2018cause I know I deserve it, but I can\u2019t tell Pa. He\u2019d make me admit it to everybody and then Alfred, well, he\u2019d win.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. \u201cTell Pa or live with the guilt, Little Joe. I\u2019ve done too much to turn you into a cheat as it is.\u201d Adam plucked his book from the bedclothes, opened it, and raised it in front of his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe gasped, turned, and ran to his room. Throwing himself down on his bed, he buried his head in a pillow and sobbed. There had never been a single time before in his life that his brother had been so unforgiving.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe arrived at school with dark circles under his eyes. He had avoided questioning by both Hoss and his Pa by dashing down the stairs extremely late, grabbing a biscuit, and darting out the door, but he knew there would be questions when he returned home from the both of them and that Adam\u2019s eyes would still be filled with dark judgment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Joe!\u201d Mitch and Tuck both rushed to greet the hero of the hour.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mitch could not wait to know. \u201cWhat did you decide to make ole\u2019 Alfred do?\u201d Mitch\u2019s most preposterous suggestion had been for Joe to demand that Alfred walk naked into the classroom after lunch. No one, of course, expected Alfred would actually do anything nearly that outrageous, but the suggestion had been greeted with howls of childish approval.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Joe, what\u2019s he gonna have to do?\u201d Tuck\u2019s question was delivered just as eagerly. His suggestion had been slightly milder. In his mind Alfred should have to moon Mister Haversty thereby giving up his status as teacher\u2019s pet forever.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe swallowed, \u201cI… I ain\u2019t decided.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t decided!\u201d Mitch was indignant.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you in such an all-fired hurry to know? I said I ain\u2019t decided, and I ain\u2019t.\u201d Little Joe shoved Mitch and stalked off to the classroom leaving Mitch and Tuck staring at each other with mouths agape.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mr. Haversty corrected Little Joe Cartwright no less than five times for inattention before lunch. The fifth time the teacher stated that Joe would have to remain inside during the luncheon recess. Little Joe managed to keep his sigh of relief inaudible from the other students. Joe\u2019s effort and attention did not improve after lunch, so he remained inside for the afternoon recess also, listening to Mr. Haversty\u2019s pen scratch across the paper upon which he was writing a note to Joe\u2019s pa.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe lingered in the classroom when school was dismissed, but his friends and Alfred Bandburg had lingered outside. The walk toward them was one of the longest in Little Joe\u2019s life.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Alfred growled, \u201cWhat is it you would have me do!\u201d The boy\u2019s tone was arrogant, but Little Joe saw the flicker of fear in Alfred\u2019s eyes. Alfred was pompous, but he had enough pride to abhor the thought of being considered a welcher. He would have to do whatever Joe Cartwright ordered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe had to cough and clear his throat before he could manage the word, \u201cNothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNothing.\u201d It was repeated by no less than five different voices.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNothing. See, you didn\u2019t lose.\u201d Another cough preceded Little Joe\u2019s next announcement, \u201cI cheated.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A chorus of gasps was followed by stunned silence. Then Alfred spoke, \u201cYou couldn\u2019t have! \u201c<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe blinked and stared as Alfred repeated his exclamation. \u201cBut I did,\u201d Joe reiterated.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Alfred snorted. \u201cI was there. No one could fool me that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe slowly focused on the fact that Alfred would rather accept the fact that he had lost than that he had been fooled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is my forfeit, Cartwright?\u201d Alfred demanded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe shook his head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Alfred turned to the other four boys and challenged, \u201cName a forfeit.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His friends all turned questioning stares on Little Joe. Joe shrugged; he was at a total loss with not a thought in his head beyond a grudging admiration for Alfred\u2019s desire to pay what he believed was his debt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Alfred turned his burning face back to Little Joe convinced that the other boy was purposely denying him the chance to prove himself honorable in the eyes of his peers. \u201cWhy won\u2019t you name it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe spoke softly, \u201cWe pushed you into the bet, and it was wrong. We wanted to shame you, and that was wrong. It\u2019s just that sometimes you\u2019re a prig, Alfred, not today but sometimes. I\u2019m the one ducking out on our bet not you, so just go on home. I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe walked away, and not one of his friends called to him or followed. He mounted his horse and rode slowly home.\u00a0 After stabling his mount and doing his chores, Little Joe waited in the barn for Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Adam led Sport into the barn, he found Joe sitting in a hay pile staring at the floor. Adam did not speak to his brother but began unsaddling Sport. When Adam had begun running the currycomb through the horse\u2019s coat, Little Joe spoke.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a bet on the match. Alfred\u2019s a pompous prig, and we wanted to make him embarrass himself or something.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd did he?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI told them I cheated.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s hand stilled, and he turned his eyes toward Little Joe. \u201cYou did?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe nodded. \u201cHim and Mitch and Tuck and the twins. He wouldn\u2019t believe me though.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t like the thought of being fooled, I guess. I don\u2019t know if anybody else believed me, but I told.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam walked over to stand in front of his brother. He placed his hands on the boy\u2019s shoulders. \u201cThat was the right thing to do, Little Buddy. Now the only one you need to tell is Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAfter supper. The chairs at the table are awful hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam dropped to heels to look directly into his brother\u2019s eyes. \u201cI know. Joe, I\u2019m proud you told. Don\u2019t worry, it\u2019s always better with Pa if you go to him and confess. Then he knows that the lessons he taught you are still inside.\u201d Adam tapped Joe\u2019s shirt over his heart.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou were ashamed of me, Adam. I couldn\u2019t stand it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI expect a lot of you, Joe. I just. . .\u201d Adam\u2019s lips slowly curled into a smile, \u201chave to rub really hard sometimes to keep the tarnish off your halo.\u201d As Little Joe\u2019s lips slipped upwards, Adam\u2019s dimples deepened. \u201cIt\u2019s shinning right nicely now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt is.\u201d Then Adam failed to resist the opportunity to tease his baby brother. \u201cAlmost as bright as Pa\u2019s going to have your bottom shining tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe winced. \u201cHe will, won\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAfraid so, little boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBetter an aching backside than an aching conscience, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam nodded, reached out, and pulled Joe into a hug. \u201cCool compresses don\u2019t help an aching conscience,\u201d Adam whispered into his brother\u2019s ear, \u201cbut they do a lot for burning backsides.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe giggled at the image that came to his mind and wished he could remember when Adam was only thirteen.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Summary: Little Joe Cartwright would never cheat, well, not at anything but checkers.<\/p>\n

Rated: K=\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Word count:\u00a02918<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":143,"featured_media":14967,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[1091,1009,23,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7737","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adam-joe","category-brothers","category-drama","category-prequels","wpcat-1091-id","wpcat-1009-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-30-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/checkers.png?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7737","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\/143"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7737"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7737\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14967"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7737"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7737"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7737"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}