{"id":8255,"date":"2014-05-31T22:10:36","date_gmt":"2014-06-01T02:10:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=8255"},"modified":"2025-02-18T19:11:43","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T00:11:43","slug":"seance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=8255","title":{"rendered":"Seance (by Belle)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/strong>Ben is away, and the boys decide to enjoy a night on the town.\u00a0 An evening of harmless entertainment turns into a\u00a0race to save Joe\u2019s life.<\/p>\n

(10,292<\/em> words<\/em>)<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Rating:\u00a0 T<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Seance<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam knew better.\u00a0 He had certainly been taught better. \u00a0A cautious man avoided this sort of outright chicanery.\u00a0 A spiritual man rejected these activities as superstitious and impious.\u00a0 However, a curious man in a town better known for dance hall girls than Shakespearean troupes had to take his entertainment where he could find it.\u00a0 Moreover, it was his responsibility to ride herd over his younger brothers\u2014that was a long standing obligation.<\/p>\n

Thus, the Cartwright boys found themselves in the darkened banquet room of the Palace Hotel with a whole lot of other cautious, spiritual, and curious Virginia City residents.\u00a0 Grouped around tables set along the perimeter of the room, men and women waited in nervous anticipation for the spiritualist in the center of the room to begin communing with the spirits of their beloved dead.<\/p>\n

All in all, Adam was hoping for a nice diversion.\u00a0 Pa wouldn\u2019t approve, of course, but a s\u00e9ance was harmless.\u00a0 Besides what Pa didn\u2019t know wouldn\u2019t hurt him.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

Originally, the plan had been merely to pick up some supplies and the mail.\u00a0 Those errands didn\u2019t require<\/em> the participation of all three brothers; but their father wouldn\u2019t be home for a few more days, and for once everything from herds to horses seemed to be running smoothly.\u00a0 The circumstances seemed to call for a little recreation, or at least a little relaxation.\u00a0 A few beers maybe, a little poker perhaps, and then the boys would be back on the road to the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

They had barely tied the horses to the hitching rail before all three men adjourned to their various pastimes-with promises to meet before sundown to return home.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0None of them shared his intentions with his brothers-and certainly questions wouldn\u2019t have been well received.\u00a0 Even so, Adam prided himself on being able to discern his brothers\u2019 activities from their demeanors.\u00a0 Actually, Adam figured that anyone with even limited powers of observation and the ability to add simple numbers correctly could figure his brothers out.<\/p>\n

Eyeing Hoss over the supplies they were tying down to the buckboard, Adam took note of his cheerful face and relaxed attitude.\u00a0 It wouldn\u2019t do to ask outright, but Adam figured a little beating around the bush might flush out the answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo . . . did you enjoy the afternoon?\u201d\u00a0 Adam strived to make his voice sound ever so nonchalant as he fussed around the wagon.\u00a0 A quick look in his brother\u2019s direction gave him the clue he needed. \u00a0Hoss\u2019s ears and cheeks were rosy pink.<\/p>\n

\u201cPretty?\u201d\u00a0 Adam prodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cNosy, ain\u2019t ya?\u201d Hoss replied. Although his tone was slightly grumpy, Adam could see that Hoss was fighting to hide a small grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cCall it one of my charming quirks.\u201d\u00a0 Adam gave the rope a final tug and tucked the canvas neatly around the bundles.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well save some of that \u2018charm\u2019 for little brother.\u00a0 I expect him any time now that the two of us have finished loading the supplies,\u201d Hoss grouched.<\/p>\n

Adam looked up and gestured to the latecomer heading their direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs always, Joe, your timing is impeccable,\u201d Adam called out.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWork\u2019s over, and it\u2019s time to go home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe favored his brothers with a brilliant smile.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s eldest brother instincts kicked in at the sight.<\/p>\n

Uh-oh,\u00a0 when the kid turns on the charm for mere brothers, it\u2019s time to check your wallet. <\/em><\/p>\n

Trailed by a man Adam would initially describe as non-descript, Joe threw his arms around his smirking, eye-rolling brothers\u2019 shoulders and gaily announced,<\/p>\n

\u201cFellas, I have an idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

A s\u00e9ance.\u00a0 Joe wanted them all to attend a s\u00e9ance that evening at the Palace Hotel.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis here\u2019s Solomon Hardy.\u201d\u00a0 Joe introduced the man to his brothers.\u00a0 \u201cMe and him have been playin\u2019 poker, and he was tellin\u2019 me all about this stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man at Joe\u2019s side was someone Adam had never seen. \u00a0\u00a0Although bigger than Joe, the stranger was not a large man.\u00a0 The fellow\u2019s stringy brown hair was overdue for a cut and strayed over his watery blue eyes.\u00a0 He wore a suit that had shiny patches at elbows and knees, and the straggly beard decorating his jaw added to the impression of a man who had known better times.\u00a0 The hand he offered to Adam and Hoss as introduction was relatively soft without the calluses and scars so often associated with hard physical work. For Adam, the most surprising aspect was the man\u2019s age-he appeared to be at least ten years older than Little Joe.\u00a0 Why would a grown man be hanging around an eighteen-year old kid like Joe?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe,\u201d Hoss stated, \u201cI ain\u2019t interested in that mumbo jumbo.\u00a0 If you want to waste an evening in town, I can think of better ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSolomon says the lady is real good looking, and that she speaks to folks\u2019 dead relatives and such.\u201d\u00a0 Joe tended to simply ignore objections.<\/p>\n

Adam wasn\u2019t at all sure his youngest brother realized that s\u00e9ances and spiritualists were just elaborate ways to divide gullible folks from their money.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you do know that s\u00e9ances are pure humbug, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, for a smart man, you sure ain\u2019t very curious!\u00a0 How can you decide something is a humbug if you haven\u2019t seen it for yourself?\u00a0 Solomon says that loads of people believe in this stuff, and there must be something to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smirked at his gullible little brother.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, the fact that \u2018loads of people\u2019 believe something doesn\u2019t make it true.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Little Joe said, \u201cI know a thing or two that\u2019s true.\u00a0 If we go on home now, we\u2019ll eat whatever one of us scrounges up from the kitchen since Hop Sing ain\u2019t there.\u00a0 Hoss and I will play checkers by the fire.\u00a0 You\u2019ll read a book.\u00a0 Heck, we\u2019ll probably go to bed early.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo . . . we can do that any night. Dang it, we do<\/em> that every night when Pa\u2019s home.\u00a0 If you two love that routine so much, we can do it tomorrow night.\u00a0 Tonight, let\u2019s do somethin\u2019 different.<\/p>\n

Hoss and Adam exchanged amused expressions.\u00a0 The kid had it pegged.\u00a0 When had they become so boring and predictable?\u00a0 The summer night air beckoned, sweet and warm, carrying tantalizing aromas from a nearby caf\u00e9 and the tinkling sounds of a saloon\u2019s piano.\u00a0 There was no booming, affectionate parental voice urging them homeward.<\/p>\n

Tomorrow was a good time to hop back onto the straight and narrow path.\u00a0 Tonight, well, tonight was a good time for just a little foolishness.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s skepticism was borne out by the \u2018donations\u2019 requested for the evening\u2019s event.\u00a0 When the red-haired young man at the door suggested that five dollars each was a suitable and expected amount, Hoss balked and almost abandoned the enterprise.<\/p>\n

\u201cFive dollars will buy an awful lotta beer,\u201d he muttered.\u00a0 When Joe reached into a surprisingly fat wallet and paid for everyone, including Solomon, Hoss shrugged and gave in.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere did you get all that money?\u201d Adam asked Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s my lucky night! What can I say?\u00a0 The poker game didn\u2019t go so well for Solomon, though, did it?\u201d\u00a0 Joe crowed.\u00a0 Solomon merely shrugged helplessly and offered a weak smile.\u00a0 Adam shook his head at the absurdity of this luckless drifter gambling his poke and tagging along to a s\u00e9ance.<\/p>\n

Soon they were seated at one of the tables pushed against the walls of the banquet hall.\u00a0 Feeble light emanated from the few oil lamps placed around the room.\u00a0 The room filled quickly with the nicely dressed men and women who could afford the entrance fee.\u00a0 The crowd was mainly silent; the quiet was broken intermittently by\u00a0nervous giggles from the ladies and the sounds of gentlemen clearing their throats and shifting uneasily in their chairs.\u00a0 The gloom and lack of conversation added to the crowd\u2019s anticipation.<\/p>\n

His eyes straining in the darkness and his muscles tense, Hoss was particularly uncomfortable.\u00a0 He had just been distracted by movement at the front of the room when he felt something tickle the back of his neck. \u00a0\u00a0The resulting crash when his chair hit the floor was followed by a not-so-quiet exclamation\u2014\u201cDadburn your ornery hide, Little Joe!\u201d\u00a0 Appreciative laughter filled the room then slowly faded away as the spectators became aware of the woman seated alone in their midst.\u00a0 It was quite an entrance.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

It was the same red-haired young man who had solicited their donations that now introduced himself as Lucas, the associate of the renowned spiritualist, Eugenia Hobbes, whom it was his pleasure to present.<\/p>\n

Stunning<\/em>, Adam thought, as he studied the woman.\u00a0 Her maturity was evident in the fine lines around her blue eyes and the silver strands twined through the blond hair coiled attractively at the nape of her neck. The filmy white dress emphasized rather than concealed a figure that might have graced a woman decades younger.\u00a0 Seated at a skirted table in the middle of the room, Miss Hobbes was the portrait of genteel elegance and authority.<\/p>\n

\u201cLadies and gentlemen,\u201d Lucas spoke with a rich, deep voice that carried throughout the space, \u201cMiss Hobbes requires both your silence and concentration while she ascertains the willingness of the spirits present to communicate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Soft gasps were heard as the realization rippled through the audience.\u00a0 The spirits were already present?<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam stole a glance at his brothers.\u00a0 Joe was mesmerized by the woman; knowing his brother, Adam presumed that the kid found Miss Hobbes\u2019s appearance more than worthy of intense concentration.\u00a0 On the other hand, Hoss was regarding the spectacle with a worried frown.<\/p>\n

The lovely Miss Hobbes was sitting with eyes closed, breathing deeply.\u00a0 Every now and then she flinched and shivered as though receiving glancing touches from unseen forces.\u00a0 She opened her eyes slowly and gesturing regally to the crowd, announced,<\/p>\n

\u201cMany spirits are present with us tonight.\u201d\u00a0 Eugenia\u2019s voice was musical . . . enchanting.\u00a0 It was a voice that promised comfort, hope, and answers to questions if one dared to ask.<\/p>\n

Adam nearly snorted in disgust.\u00a0 How corny!<\/em> Surely she could do better than that.\u00a0 Before he could whisper his complaint to Hoss, loud knocks reverberated around the room.\u00a0 Adam swung his attention to Eugenia Hobbes, who sat motionless, seemingly indifferent to the noise.\u00a0 Standing behind her chair in full view of the audience, Lucas remained still as well.<\/p>\n

I know there\u2019s a trick here, but I can\u2019t see it. \u00a0\u00a0<\/em>Adam considered various possibilities of wires, strings, and accomplices, but nothing was evident.\u00a0 The noise rose to a disturbing crescendo before dwindling down to nothing\u2014leaving the audience, including his brothers, shaken by the experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cSkeptics are also here tonight.\u201d Eugenia\u2019s tone was faintly amused and definitely challenging.\u00a0 \u201cYet, the spirits are willing to be put to the test.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Her serene gaze swept the room, seeming to consider the possibilities.\u00a0 Meeting Lucas\u2019s\u00a0 eyes, they traded smiles before she nodded at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d she purred.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll need a volunteer.\u201d<\/p>\n

As soon as he saw Lucas heading their direction, Adam knew who would be approached.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Hobbes would like you to join her.\u00a0 Are you willing?\u201d\u00a0 Lucas was staring at his youngest brother.<\/p>\n

Joe looked nervously at his brothers \u2013should he?\u00a0 <\/em>In response, Adam shrugged and threw his hands up with a why not?\u00a0 <\/em>Hoss didn\u2019t look a bit happy with the situation, but he gave his brother an encouraging wink.\u00a0\u00a0 Joe rose from the table and followed Lucas to the front of the room.\u00a0 By the time Joe reached the lovely Eugenia, he had regained his composure as well as his charm.\u00a0 The brothers watched Joe smile and briefly press the lady\u2019s hand to his lips before taking a seat.<\/p>\n

Adam could see that some mixture of excitement, fear, and skepticism touched every face in the room\u2014with the exception of Solomon Hardy.\u00a0 In contrast, the drifter\u2019s face held no sign of fear or surprise.\u00a0 Instead, he looked very much like someone who had just won a sizeable wager.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

Supplied with ink, paper, and envelopes, Joe had been invited to write the names of three deceased loved ones on separate sheets of paper and then to seal the sheets in separate envelopes. Joe had complied, crooking his arm around the paper to shield his work, all the while keeping a wary eye on Eugenia and Lucas, although neither of them attempted to peer at the sheets.\u00a0 When all three envelopes were sealed and fanned out on the table, Joe sat back in the chair, arms crossed over his chest, waiting to see what would come next.<\/p>\n

Hoss whispered to Adam, \u201cWanna bet which names are in those envelopes?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head in reply.\u00a0 Too easy<\/em>.\u00a0\u00a0 Anyone who knew the kid could guess which three names were inscribed.\u00a0 Joe had lost more than his share of loved ones.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, my dear,\u201d Eugenia was speaking to Joe again.\u00a0 \u201cThis time, write down who that person was to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The audience sat quietly, watching Joe repeat the process.\u00a0 When he finished, he was invited to return to his seat in the audience.\u00a0 Eugenia resumed the pose that indicated a trance.\u00a0 She stretched out her hands with\u00a0fingers spread\u00a0and palms toward the table as if warming her hands above a fire.\u00a0 One of the sealed envelopes appeared to separate from the group and rose to meet her questing fingers.\u00a0 As she held the item lovingly, a single loud rap echoed around the room.\u00a0 Nodding, she gave the envelope to Lucas, who handed it to the gentlemen closest to him.<\/p>\n

Eugenia turned to find Joe among the audience.\u00a0 \u201cMarie,\u201d she announced.<\/p>\n

Lucas gestured for the gentleman holding the envelope to open it.\u00a0 The man hesitated a moment before affirming,\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThis here says, \u2018Marie.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

A commanding gesture from Eugenia halted the growing murmur from the audience.\u00a0 Again, she held her hands over the envelopes, and again an envelope rose to meet her waiting hands.\u00a0 When she announced, \u201cMother,\u201d and a knock echoed around the room as if in assent-it seemed to merely confirm the audience\u2019s foregone conclusion that the letter in the envelope would agree.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarie, are you here now?\u201d\u00a0 A single loud knock was heard nearly before Eugenia finished speaking.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have a message?\u201d\u00a0 Another single knock.\u00a0 \u201cWill you speak with us now?\u201d\u00a0 Two knocks this time were followed by prolonged silence.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, well, perhaps another time.\u201d\u00a0 Miss Hobbes reclined, nearly fainting, in her chair.\u00a0 Her exertions seemed to have caused the lady considerable fatigue.<\/p>\n

Appreciative applause and excited chatter filled the room. A few individuals rose to approach Eugenia\u2014they needed no further demonstration and were intent on contacting their own departed loved ones.<\/p>\n

Lucas took his place between Eugenia and the crowd.\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cThe seance has concluded.\u00a0 Miss Hobbes will be available by appointment tomorrow to speak with individuals desiring her intercession with the spirit realm.\u00a0 I will return to make those arrangements after I attend to Miss Hobbes.\u201d\u00a0 Giving his employer his arm, Lucas led Eugenia out of the banquet hall.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, little brother, that was quite a show.\u00a0 How about a beer before we head home?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss\u2019s cheerful voice was a tad shaky.\u00a0 He patted his brother\u2019s back and tried to get a look at the boy\u2019s face in the dim light.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s head was down and his brothers could see that he was swallowing hard.\u00a0 Joe glanced at Hoss and gave him a quick nod, apparently not yet trusting himself to speak.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s get out of here,\u201d Adam suggested. \u00a0He led the way to the exit followed closely by Hoss, Joe, and Solomon. When they reached the relative quiet of the street, Solomon and Joe exchanged a few words before the drifter headed to his boarding house.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll meet you at the Silver Dollar in a few minutes,\u201d Joe said.\u00a0 Before his brothers could object, Joe turned and disappeared back into the Palace Hotel.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlrighty then,\u201d Adam muttered.\u00a0 Giving Hoss\u2019s stomach a back-handed swat, Adam strode toward the saloon.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe boy sure does like an older woman, don\u2019t he?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss hadn\u2019t moved, forcing Adam to circle back to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, yes.\u00a0 We knew that.\u00a0 Miss Hobbes is certainly alluring.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that what you call it\u2014alluring?\u00a0 I don\u2019t get it.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss was watching the hotel entrance clearly waiting for Joe to reappear.<\/p>\n

Please. \u00a0Hoss may be shy, but he\u2019s not oblivious.\u00a0 <\/em>\u201cYeah, that\u2019s what I would call it.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 What don\u2019t you get?\u201d\u00a0 Adam was curious to hear his brother\u2019s reaction.\u00a0 The response he received made him blink in surprise.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d call it somethin\u2019 else\u2014unclean, maybe.\u00a0 There\u2019s somethin\u2019 seriously wrong with those two folks in there.\u201d<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

Eugenia brushed the hair away from her lovely face.\u00a0 She touched the fine lines tracing the corners of her eyes, but the mirror confirmed her belief in her attractiveness.\u00a0 Satisfied, she turned to watch Lucas study the appointment book.<\/p>\n

At his invitation, she joined him on the settee.\u00a0 \u00a0Lucas leaned in to show Eugenia the book.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have three personal consultations booked for tomorrow.\u00a0 All of them very eager, very hopeful.\u201d\u00a0 He reached for her hand, pressing it to his lips as he spoke.\u00a0 Her other hand he placed gently in his lap.\u00a0 He stifled a moan in response to her touch.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery good,\u201d she cooed.\u00a0 \u201cAnd . . . ?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd . . . ,\u201d Lucas whispered, \u201cJoe Cartwright has asked if you would join him for supper tomorrow.\u201d\u00a0 The book was long forgotten.\u00a0 His fingers tugged at the neckline of her dress, and he bent his head over her mouth.\u00a0 \u201cWill he do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yes,\u201d Eugenia breathed, \u201cHe\u2019ll do nicely.\u201d<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

During the ride home that night, Joe was alternately uncommunicative and combative.\u00a0 When Joe announced that he had invited Miss Hobbes to join him for dinner, Hoss had immediately tried to talk him out of it.\u00a0 Naturally, opposition made Joe more determined.\u00a0 When Hoss had appealed to Adam for support, both brothers were surprised at Adam\u2019s mild response.\u00a0 In fact, Joe forgot to argue when Adam merely suggested he make an early night of the date since they still had a lot to do before Pa returned.\u00a0 The three brothers made it home without much more discussion and\u00a0went immediately to their own rooms.<\/p>\n

Before Adam was settled into his bed, Hoss was knocking on his door.\u00a0 He slipped inside and perched on Adam\u2019s desk chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you back me up about Miss Hobbes?\u00a0 What\u2019s Pa gonna say when he finds out we let\u00a0him take up with another woman?\u201d Hoss demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat would happen if we laid down the law and insisted that Joe avoid her?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss stood and paced around a bit before replying.\u00a0 \u201cI reckon he would hightail it into town at first light and try to see her\u2014just to show us he could if he wanted to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExactly, and knowing our little brother, he\u2019d probably propose to her over brunch.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss stopped pacing to glare at his smirking brother.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t need to be such a smart-aleck.\u00a0 I don\u2019t like her, not one little bit.\u00a0 I think she could cause a lot of trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re making too much of this,\u201d Adam soothed. \u201c At best, Joe will have a nice little romantic interlude.\u00a0 At worst, she\u2019ll relieve him of a few dollars\u2014which he would probably lose playing poker anyway.\u00a0 Pa isn\u2019t here to forbid him; let\u2019s try a little restraint instead.\u201d<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

Over breakfast, Adam mulled over the list of projects that needed to be completed before their father returned in a couple of days.\u00a0 The list included branding, wagon repair, searching for strays, and of course, dealing with Joe\u2019s lack of impulse control.\u00a0 Although to be honest, Adam figured he himself was partially to blame for the latest issue.\u00a0 After all, he had given in to the whole s\u00e9ance idea.<\/p>\n

Despite his midnight conversation with Hoss, Adam still believed he was right.\u00a0 Forbidding Joe to do something was like throwing kerosene on a fire.\u00a0 However,\u00a0Adam had always given Hoss a lot of credit for both common sense and intuition.\u00a0 If Hoss thought that Miss Hobbes might be trouble, that possibility deserved some attention.<\/p>\n

Taking his dishes to the kitchen, Adam considered his options.\u00a0 He could sit tight and attend to his chores; he certainly had plenty to keep him busy.\u00a0 Or he could go into town alone and poke around a little bit.\u00a0 Adam sighed as he rinsed out his cup.\u00a0 He was fooling himself; sitting tight was not going to be an option.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s first stop in town was the Palace Hotel.\u00a0 It was a pleasure to sit down to a hot meal, and it was fortuitous Lucas was sitting at a nearby table holding court with a bevy of matrons.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there any explanation for what Miss Hobbes is able to accomplish?\u201d one of the ladies begged to know.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose of us closest to the manifestations have some theories, of course,\u201d Lucas opined as he dabbed his lips with a napkin.\u00a0 \u201cWe believe there is an infinitesimal influence of sympathy between mind and matter, which permeates all beings and pervades all the delicate niches of human intelligence.\u00a0 This sympathetic influence working upon the affined intelligence of an affinity, coagulates itself into a corporeity, approximating closely to the adumbration of mortality in its highest admensuration, at last acuminating in an acumination.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam watched as the ladies accepted the explanation as if it were chiseled on sacred stones, nodding to each other and murmuring, \u201cJust so!\u201d and \u201cOf course, it is so obvious.\u201d<\/p>\n

This fellow is good.\u00a0 I\u2019m surprised he didn\u2019t throw in \u2018Abracadabra\u2019 for good measure.\u00a0 <\/em>Adam had been certain all along the s\u00e9ance business was a con, but to witness Lucas\u2019s deft handling of these ladies was disturbing.\u00a0 Some of his feelings must have been evident because Lucas took notice of Adam and addressed a remark in his direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cFriend, these are lofty matters.\u00a0 Don\u2019t be discouraged if enlightenment seems unobtainable.\u201d\u00a0 Lucas sneered.<\/p>\n

Lucas\u2019s obnoxious manner made Adam\u2019s blood boil.\u00a0 However, now was not the time for \u2018enlightenment.\u2019\u00a0 Instead, Adam inclined his head graciously to the ladies and departed.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, dear,\u201d one of the ladies said, \u201cI think you may have insulted Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright<\/em>, you say?\u00a0 I certainly meant no insult.\u00a0 Perhaps you can tell me how to approach the gentleman in order to make the proper apologies.\u201d\u00a0 Lucas was pleased to discover that sometimes it required no bait at all to hook plenty of fish.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

A brisk walk toward the sheriff\u2019s office helped diminish some of Adam\u2019s aggravation.\u00a0 Perhaps Roy had some information on the rascals.\u00a0 Wouldn\u2019t it be nice to turn up a warrant or two?<\/em><\/p>\n

Before he could reach the sheriff, Adam was distracted by the sight of Solomon Hardy entering the telegraph office.\u00a0 Odd, drifters don\u2019t normally have business that requires sending telegrams.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0 Adam decided to have a talk with the man who had talked his baby brother into this s\u00e9ance business in the first place. When Hardy left the telegraph office, he found Adam Cartwright falling in step beside him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSolomon,\u201d Adam flashed his own version of the famous Cartwright smile, \u201cwould you like to join me for a beer?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, sure, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Solomon didn\u2019t look very enthusiastic, but he obediently trailed Adam into the Silver Dollar and accepted a beer.<\/p>\n

After allowing a few minutes to savor their drinks and make inconsequential conversation, Adam moved the discussion in a more interesting direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know,\u201d Adam drawled, \u201cI don\u2019t think I ever heard what brought you to Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

Solomon took his time answering.\u00a0 \u201cWell, you know, I reckon I\u2019m just like everyone else.\u00a0 I came to seek my fame and fortune.\u201d He ended his declaration with an ingratiating smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow are you doing with that so far?\u201d\u00a0 Adam questioned.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hold body and soul together.\u201d\u00a0 For just a moment, Solomon\u2019s face was crafty rather than obsequious.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, sure . . .\u00a0 I can see that. \u201c\u00a0 Adam turned around, lounging against the bar.\u00a0 \u201cSo, what do you do, exactly?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOdd jobs, mostly.\u00a0 Things people want doing that they can\u2019t seem to manage for themselves,\u201d Solomon said.<\/p>\n

Adam had the distinct impression Solomon had given him the truth, but the drifter sure hadn\u2019t given him anything useful.\u00a0 The silence stretched out between them.\u00a0 Finally, Solomon sipped the last of his beer and held his hand out to Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, friend, I appreciate the company.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t mind, I\u2019d better be movin\u2019 on.\u201d\u00a0 Solomon tipped his hat and was out the door.\u00a0 Adam watched him cross the street in the direction of the livery stables before finishing his own beer.<\/p>\n

Well, friend, my baby brother had better not be one of your odd jobs.<\/em><\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

Adam nearly stumbled over the Widow Hawkins as he left the sheriff\u2019s office.\u00a0\u00a0 Unfortunately, there had been no outstanding warrants\u00a0for Miss Hobbes and her insufferable associate.\u00a0 I might as well head home<\/em>.\u00a0 Adam absently patted the lady\u2019s arm and began to tip his hat in farewell when he realized his opportunity.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Hawkins, it\u2019s been so long since we\u2019ve seen each other.\u00a0 I wonder if you have time for a visit?\u201d<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all I\u2019m tryin\u2019 to say, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe made a real effort to keep his temper.\u00a0 He and Hoss had spent the day branding; they were tired and grimy.\u00a0 To make it all that much worse, Hoss had spent the day trying to talk him out of going into town and meeting Miss Hobbes for supper.\u00a0 Joe couldn\u2019t quite figure out what had gotten Hoss so worked up.\u00a0 His brother was the most easy-going man you could ever want to meet.\u00a0 He usually gave people the benefit of the doubt long past the time most folks would have called the sheriff.\u00a0 Today, Hoss was showing a real prejudice against someone he knew nothing about\u2014and being a big nuisance about it besides.<\/p>\n

Joe threw up a hand to get Hoss to stop talking.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, it\u2019s just supper and conversation.\u00a0 That\u2019s all . . . probably,\u201d Joe winked and elbowed his brother\u2019s ribs.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs if\u00a0 . . . conversation . . . with that woman weren\u2019t bad enough,\u201d Hoss hadn\u2019t even smiled at his brother\u2019s sass.\u00a0 \u201cLook, boy, you don\u2019t believe any of that stuff she did last night was real, do ya?\u00a0 Every bit of it was some sort of trick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss,\u201d Joe sighed.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s interesting.\u00a0 I like interesting people, especially interesting women.\u00a0 Nothin\u2019 bad is goin\u2019 to happen.\u00a0 She ain\u2019t gonna summon any ghosts to snatch me away.\u00a0 She ain\u2019t gonna swindle me out of a fortune \u2018cause I ain\u2019t got a fortune.\u00a0 Stop worryin\u2019.\u00a0 We need to get home so I can clean up for the evening.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss looked so upset, Joe relented a little and looped an arm around his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, I promise that if anything happens, I give you permission to say \u2018I told you so.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

Adam sipped his tea and reached for one of the cookies Clementine set before him.\u00a0 Better jump in now before she starts another story about her darling Harry.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t see you at the s\u00e9ance last night,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, my!\u00a0 You<\/em> were there? And<\/em> your brothers?\u201d\u00a0 When Adam nodded, Clementine fairly cackled with glee. \u00a0\u201cNow, I would have thought a clever boy like you knows better.\u00a0 Still, I suppose Eugenia gave everyone a good show?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know her?\u201d\u00a0 This was more than he\u2019d hoped for.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I knew her when she a just a slip of a girl, a bit older than Little Joe, I\u2019d say.\u00a0 Ah, she learned from the best.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I knew Eugenia she was assisting John Henry Anderson at the New Strand Theater in London.\u00a0 Now, that man could put on a show!\u00a0 He was a master of illusions\u2014none of this spiritualist tripe for him.\u00a0 Anderson sent her packing after about a year.\u00a0 He had no choice, really, the girl was soaked in scandal.\u00a0 I can\u2019t say I was sorry to see her leave.\u00a0 Eugenia was the most heartless girl I\u2019ve ever known.\u201d\u00a0 Clementine\u2019s expressive face was a mask of distaste.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I suppose many young girls could be described as heartless . . .\u201d Adam began.\u00a0 Clementine cut him off.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t mean she broke hearts although she certainly did.\u00a0 I mean she didn\u2019t have a heart.\u00a0 Eugenia was strange . . . amoral. \u00a0I remember shortly before she left the Strand, the stage manager\u2019s daughter was beside herself over a litter of kittens that had gone missing. \u00a0They were found eventually inside a prop trunk, smothered, I suppose. \u00a0Eugenia admitted doing it and claimed the animals were underfoot. \u00a0She didn\u2019t give them another thought, and she was surprised anyone would object.\u201d\u00a0 Clementine noted Adam\u2019s reaction to the tale.\u00a0 The man looked a little sick. She leaned forward and patted his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cDearie, if I were you, I\u2019d keep myself and anyone I loved far away from Eugenia Hobbes.\u201d<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

Lucas closed the door after the final consultation of the day.\u00a0 Eugenia\u2019s eyes sparkled with triumph.\u00a0 Their donation box overflowed with cash and the valuable tokens guaranteed to ensure Eugenia\u2019s communication \u00a0with the next world.\u00a0 Eugenia hummed a happy little tune to herself while she gave half her attention to Lucas\u2019s story.<\/p>\n

\u201c . . .\u00a0 as we surmised,\u00a0 he comes from wealth.\u00a0 The Cartwrights, in fact, are very prominent people in the territory.\u00a0 The boy himself is barely eighteen and has something of a romantic obsession with his mother\u2019s memory.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0The ladies were very forthcoming regarding details about the poor, departed Marie.\u00a0 More to our purposes, Little Joe, as he is known, has shown himself inclined to dalliances with older women.\u201d\u00a0 Eugenia\u2019s eyebrows shot up as she smiled in amusement.\u00a0 She signaled for Lucas to continue.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems that the family is very close, and the father\u2019s affection for the young man is legendary.\u00a0 I predict that this will be a quite lucrative encounter.\u201d<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

It never failed: when Adam was trying to avoid his brothers, he saw them at every turn; when he wanted one of them, it couldn\u2019t be done.\u00a0 Adam had been hoping to get home before Joe left for town, or at least, see him on the road.\u00a0 Instead, Joe was long gone by the time Adam stepped through the front door.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, Hoss was waiting for him and eager to learn what his investigation revealed.\u00a0 After hearing Adam\u2019s story, Hoss was also eager to hit the trail into town and drag Little Joe back home.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, just stop,\u201d Adam placed a restraining hand on his middle brother\u2019s arm. \u201cWe really don\u2019t have any evidence about this woman.\u00a0 We just think it looks suspicious.\u00a0 Joe wouldn\u2019t come home without a fight, and that would probably make things worse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I reckon I wouldn\u2019t have no problem handlin\u2019\u00a0him no matter how hard he fought.\u201d Hoss finished buckling his gun belt and began to tie his holster down.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease?\u201d\u00a0 Adam let his hand drop and kept a steady gaze.\u00a0 Hoss was the first to break eye contact in surrender.\u00a0 Pounding his fist on the sideboard, he made his displeasure known.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine. I won\u2019t go after him tonight.\u00a0 But tomorrow, you and I go into town and have a talk with this female and that no-account \u2018associate\u2019 of hers. Got it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAgreed, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

There was nothing like a nice ride on a summer\u2019s day\u2014especially when the destination was a beautiful woman.\u00a0 Little Joe was sincerely looking forward to supper with Miss Hobbes, and he wasn\u2019t a bit shaken up by that s\u00e9ance stuff from the night before.\u00a0 Really, he knew it all had to be a bunch of tricks. It had sounded eerie at the time, of course, and it had just surprised<\/em> him to hear Miss Hobbes call out his mother\u2019s name.\u00a0 Those knocks were kinda spooky, of course.\u00a0 But, Joe was sure there was some logical explanation.\u00a0 Joe was also certain he was just the fellow who could weasel the truth out of the lady.<\/p>\n

By the time Joe had arrived at the Palace Hotel, he was feeling quite confident.\u00a0 He gave a tug to his suit coat and brushed his sleeves off before entering the lobby.\u00a0 Joe had been expecting to inquire at the front desk so he was a bit put off when Lucas met him in the lobby and escorted him upstairs.\u00a0 This is odd<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Lucas opened the door to the hotel suite and gestured Joe inside.\u00a0 A table set for two awaited him.\u00a0 His dinner guest had not yet appeared.\u00a0 The prospect of a very private evening was a little unsettling.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Pa would have my head if he saw this<\/em>.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s worries vanished when he glimpsed his dinner partner.\u00a0 Eugenia glided across the room extending her hand which he gladly pressed to his lips.\u00a0 The blond hair that had been elegantly coiffed the night before was now brushed out and lay in golden waves across her shoulders.\u00a0 The dress, made of some sheer fabric Little Joe couldn\u2019t begin to name, was constructed in such a way that stopped just short of being scandalous.\u00a0 As Joe helped Eugenia to her chair, he noticed that she nodded at Lucas, who apparently took this as a dismissal.\u00a0 The small part of Joe\u2019s mind that remained rational started sending out little warning signals\u2014Boy, you are being set up.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou must think me very forward,\u201d Eugenia murmured as she filled his glass with champagne.<\/p>\n

Lord, yes<\/em>.\u00a0 \u201cI find you very charming, Miss Hobbes,\u201d Joe responded smoothly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs you already know, I am quite sensitive to emanations from the spirit world.\u201d\u00a0 She paused to smile and traced a pattern on the back of his hand with a cool finger tip. \u201cI find I am also quite sensitive to those who have a similar affinity for the mystical.\u201d\u00a0 Eugenia immediately noticed his confusion. \u00a0She leaned in close to whisper conspiratorially, \u201cI can see you share my sympathy with the spirit world; indeed, I detect the presence of a familiar, loving spirit within your aura.\u201d\u00a0 Eugenia made her declaration triumphantly as if she were laying a great gift at his feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d Joe lied.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t understand what she was talking about, but he knew he was enjoying her touch.\u00a0 Joe could feel himself wanting to lose control of the situation;\u00a0gently, he withdrew his hand and moved his chair a few inches away.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t the first time Little Joe Cartwright had found himself the target of seduction.\u00a0 He\u2019d learned the hard way that when the attempt was this fast and obvious, it rarely boded well.<\/p>\n

Eugenia was perplexed and just a little miffed by his response to her overtures.\u00a0 Well, he\u2019s just a timid boy<\/em>.\u00a0 She leaned back in her own chair and suggested they commence dinner.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

Lucas paced his room, pausing frequently to listen at the door separating the adjoining rooms.\u00a0 He could barely discern the murmur of conversation.\u00a0 He thrust his shaking hands deep into his pockets.\u00a0 Lucas hated this part\u2014it tore him up to know what had to happen between Eugenia and the boy.<\/p>\n

More worrisome was the feeling the con was about to go bad.\u00a0 This felt too much like a repeat of the last disaster. Eugenia was besotted with the Cartwright kid.\u00a0 She was too eager, too arrogant.\u00a0 If they weren\u2019t very careful, there\u2019d be no money and no boy.<\/p>\n

Damn, it\u2019s hot in here<\/em>.\u00a0 Lucas worked a finger around his collar for some relief and strode over to the window jerking it wide open.\u00a0 He stood there for a moment, letting the night breeze soothe his irritation.\u00a0 Idly, he scanned the street for a few minutes.\u00a0 Plenty of people, mainly miners, were milling around. Before resuming his pacing, \u00a0Lucas watched a couple of cowboys step around a scraggly-haired drifter sitting on the sidewalk across from the hotel with apparently nothing better to do than take up space.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

Joe would never admit it out loud, but seeing Adam waiting up for him was more welcome than exasperating.\u00a0 His brother was seated by the fireplace in his favorite chair with a book in his lap.\u00a0 He watched silently as Joe hung his hat and placed the coiled gun belt on the sideboard.\u00a0 Adam gestured to the settee, and Joe accepted the invitation.<\/p>\n

\u201cEnjoy yourself?\u201d Adam didn\u2019t see any reason to beat around the bush.<\/p>\n

Joe merely shrugged in response.\u00a0 The kid reclined against the back of the settee, stretching his feet out onto the table.\u00a0 The two brothers watched the fire without speaking further.\u00a0 Wait him out; he wouldn\u2019t be sitting here if he didn\u2019t want to talk<\/em>.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s patience was soon rewarded.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Joe said, \u201cdo you think spirits want to communicate with the folks they left behind? I mean, Pa always talks about how our mothers watch over us and stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t mess this up, old man.\u00a0 <\/em>Adam chose his words carefully. \u201cJoe, I don\u2019t know exactly.\u00a0 I think Pa is reminding us that although our mothers aren\u2019t with us physically, their influence and love for us is ever present and eternal.\u00a0 I think he means that it\u2019s possible they intercede on our behalf when we\u2019re troubled or in trouble.\u00a0 What do you think?<\/p>\n

\u201cI think what you said sounds about right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you disappointed?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

Joe shrugged again in response.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to tell you, I can\u2019t really see Marie communicating with knocks and floating envelopes. Can you?\u201d\u00a0 When Joe grinned, Adam pressed on.\u00a0 \u201cNow, if you\u2019d gotten a knock on the head, or something had been thrown across the room, then maybe . . .\u201d Adam was pleased Joe didn\u2019t take offense at the joke.\u00a0 Is there more?\u00a0 <\/em>Joe cleared his throat and looked a little uncomfortable.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cShe . . . Eugenia . . . Miss Hobbes sorta threw herself at me tonight.\u201d\u00a0 Joe kept his eyes on the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t say I\u2019m surprised.\u00a0 Did you \u2018catch\u2019 her?\u201d\u00a0 Please, say no. Please, say no<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t . . . I didn\u2019t want to . . . something just felt really strange.\u201d\u00a0 Adam exhaled in relief.\u00a0 However, Joe continued to speak. \u201cShe was kinda upset.\u00a0 She wants me to go back tomorrow night for some sort of private consultation with the spirit world.\u00a0 I think I\u2019m gonna do it, you know, I don\u2019t want to hurt her feelings.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t owe her anything, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but I said I would.\u00a0 And after tomorrow night, I\u2019m through with her.\u00a0 Okay?\u201d\u00a0 This time, Adam responded with a shrug.\u00a0 Joe gave him a small smile and headed upstairs.<\/p>\n

So much for harmless entertainment.<\/em><\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

Brothers were so incredibly annoying.\u00a0 Joe knew good and well he didn\u2019t need or want anyone hanging around him while he spent yet another evening in town.\u00a0 He planned on visiting Eugenia one more time, sitting through her spirit stuff in his usual state of confusion, and then easing on out of there.\u00a0 But Hoss, in particular, was being pig-headed, and just to shut both of them up, Joe gave in.\u00a0 In a bit of a role reversal, Adam had played peacemaker.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou wrap up your relationship with the charming Miss Hobbes, and then we can have dinner and a few beers before getting a good night\u2019s sleep at the International Hotel.\u201d Adam had cajoled. \u201cThink how much Pa will appreciate seeing all of us meet his stage tomorrow morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Standing in the lobby of the Palace, Joe was regretting he had been so intent on going through with this meeting.\u00a0 Nevertheless, he headed up the stairs.\u00a0 Naturally, the ever-present Lucas answered the door and ushered him into the room.<\/p>\n

The drawn curtains concealed the lingering rays of the evening\u2019s sunset, effectively shrouding the room in an eerie gloom.\u00a0 Two straight chairs were placed facing each other in the center of the room.\u00a0 Eugenia awaited him, posed serenely in front of the fireplace.\u00a0 As soon as Joe entered the room, she hurried toward him, catching his hands while placing a lingering kiss on each cheek.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, what a night we have chosen!\u00a0\u00a0 An unheralded alignment of celestial objects should manifest in a powerful intersection between the earthly and spiritual realms.\u201d\u00a0 Casting aside propriety, Eugenia drew Little Joe in a warm embrace and whispered in his ear, \u201cAll questions shall be answered.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe assumed that he should appear to be the picture of excited anticipation for this event, whatever it was.\u00a0 So he did his best to look enthusiastic instead of looking for a quick exit.<\/p>\n

Leading him to one of the chairs, she seated herself opposite Little Joe. As soon as Joe settled himself into the other chair, Eugenia accepted a heavy, polished board from Lucas.\u00a0 Indicating to Joe that they had to be seated close enough to touch each other, Eugenia placed the board across their laps.\u00a0 Painted upon the board\u2019s slick surface were a few words and the letters of the alphabet.\u00a0 Lucas handed Eugenia a heart-shaped contrivance before stepping back into some concealing shadows.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe spirits are not confined to communicating with knocks.\u00a0 In fact, with this planchette, you can communicate with your familiar spirit and receive direct answers to your questions.\u201d\u00a0 As Eugenia predicted, Joe looked just a little hopeful.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, we must completely concentrate our minds upon this matter at hand.\u00a0 Let no other topic spoil the focus, Joseph. Be serious and respectful.\u00a0 If you approach this with a frivolous spirit, you will naturally get undeveloped influences around you.\u201d\u00a0 She watched in amusement as Joe painfully swallowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we wouldn\u2019t want no undeveloped influences . . .\u201d Joe\u2019s feeble joke caused Eugenia to frown severely at him, and his strained humor died in his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, my dear, put your fingers here upon this tiny table, but do not press.\u00a0 The object must be allowed to move freely.\u00a0 When the spirit is ready, we will be able to communicate.\u00a0 When that happens, it is best only one of us speaks.\u201d<\/p>\n

After placing his fingers upon the little contraption, Eugenia placed her own hand lightly upon his.\u00a0 They waited, scarcely seeming to breathe, when suddenly the little table seemed to come to life under Joe\u2019s fingertips.\u00a0 He looked excitedly at Eugenia.\u00a0 She nodded to him and spoke,<\/p>\n

\u201cIs anyone there?\u201d<\/p>\n

As soon as the words left her lips, Little Joe sensed movement in the planchette, and the item seemed to skip across the board to arrive, trembling before the letter \u201cM.\u201d\u00a0 It paused briefly and moved quickly to \u201ca\u201d and \u201cm\u201d and \u201ca\u201d again.<\/p>\n

Joe had promised his brothers he would be logical about all of this. He\u2019d assured them he knew it was all trickery.\u00a0 But that was before\u2014right now all he wanted was to communicate with his mama.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

He was so very close to becoming hers.\u00a0 Every question asked and answered made him more accepting.\u00a0 Eugenia scrutinized Joe\u2019s expressive face.\u00a0 His green eyes glistened with tears.\u00a0 The hand she balanced lightly on his wrist detected a rapid pulse.\u00a0 Eugenia herself was becoming a bit undone with excitement.\u00a0 Desire clawed at her insides.\u00a0 She would enjoy him soon, and he would serve and worship her until she decided to sell him back to his pathetic family. Unable to wait another moment, Eugenia raised a trembling hand to caress his cheek.<\/p>\n

Startled, Joe looked up from the board. Eugenia stroked the hair around his ear before running her hand across his shoulder and down his arm.\u00a0 He flinched away from her, and she caught his wrist in an iron grip.<\/p>\n

\u201cDearest,\u201d she whispered.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s no need to be confined to the tedium of this method.\u00a0 You have only to ask me; I can give you any answers you seek.\u201d\u00a0 Joe narrowed his eyes in suspicion.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour mother . . . your mother speaks with me, as well.\u00a0 She has a task for you, darling.\u00a0 You need to be with me . . . learn from me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d\u00a0 Joe voice rose\u00a0and he tried to pull away from her.\u00a0 The board between them clattered to the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cHush, beloved.\u00a0 We can leave tonight without argument or trouble from those who lack understanding in these matters.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mother <\/em>wants me to leave my home and family to be with you?\u201d\u00a0 Joe pried Eugenia\u2019s fingers from his wrist.\u00a0 He glared at her.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re a liar. I don\u2019t know what kind of tricks you\u2019re pulling, but my mother would never, ever, tell me to leave home and go with you.\u201d\u00a0 Joe sprang from the chair.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re nothing but a swindler.\u00a0 What\u2019s the real plan, Miss Hobbes?\u00a0 Get me away from my family and then demand money?\u00a0 You\u2019re right to leave town tonight.\u00a0 Sheriff Coffee is goin\u2019 to be mighty interested in what I have to tell him.\u201d<\/p>\n

How dare he!<\/em>\u00a0 Then the arrogant young fool compounded his insult by turning his back on her. Snatching the stout polished board from the floor, she raised it high and brought it down on the back of Joe\u2019s head with all the strength she could muster.\u00a0 The blow brought him to his knees giving her the opportunity to strike him again.\u00a0 Joe lay unmoving at her feet, blood flowing profusely from the wounds.<\/p>\n

Before she could strike again, Lucas caught and held her until her breathing slowed and she stopped struggling.<\/p>\n

Shaking herself loose from his grip, Eugenia Hobbes straightened her clothes and smoothed her hair.\u00a0 Regarding the figure on the floor with distaste, she lifted her skirts and stepped around him daintily.<\/p>\n

\u201cLucas, take care of this would you? You know how I detest disorder.\u201d<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

Lucas tugged fiercely at the ropes tying Little Joe\u2019s hands \u2013pleased when the unconscious boy moaned in pain.\u00a0 He had been afraid something like this would happen; he\u2019d seen it coming.\u00a0 Eugenia was out of control, and Lucas would have to save them if he could.<\/p>\n

Grabbing the kid\u2019s hair, Lucas turned the young face to the lamp light.\u00a0 Cartwright\u2019s complexion was gray and his pulse was weak.\u00a0 Those blows to the head should have killed him outright.\u00a0\u00a0 As it was, he wasn\u2019t likely to last long.\u00a0 Gathering the kid up, Lucas tucked him into the hiding place.\u00a0 He stepped back allowing Eugenia to check his work.<\/p>\n

She crouched beside Little Joe:\u00a0 stroking his face, touching his lips, playing with his hair.\u00a0 Leaning over the still form, she pressed her own cheek against his and kissed the closed eyelids.\u00a0 Her mouth hovered over his and they shared a soft shallow breath.<\/p>\n

Eugenia unwound a length of silk.\u00a0 Tying it firmly across Joe\u2019s mouth, she whispered her farewell.<\/p>\n

\u201cGive my regards to your mother.\u201d<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

\u201cHours, Adam. It\u2019s been hours.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss\u2019s nervous fingers drummed on the table surface. \u201cThe ornery runt has gotten himself tangled up with that female.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s finger traced the damp rim of his beer glass.\u00a0 No point in arguing with the obvious.\u00a0 I really don\u2019t want to go charging over there and interrupt something private. <\/em>A large hand clamped around his bicep and pulled him to his feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re goin\u2019 to get him,\u201d growled Hoss.\u00a0 Throwing a few coins on the table, Adam nodded to his brother and adjusted his hat.\u00a0 Folks don\u2019t give Hoss nearly enough credit for his leadership ability.<\/em><\/p>\n

A few minutes later, they were standing in the corridor outside of Miss Hobbes\u2019s room.\u00a0 The lady herself answered their knock.<\/p>\n

\u201cMa\u2019am,\u201d Hoss said, \u201cWe don\u2019t want to be a bother, but we\u2019ve come to fetch our brother.\u201d\u00a0 When she responded merely with uplifted eyebrows, he continued.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re here for Little Joe.\u00a0 The front desk clerk didn\u2019t see him leave yet, so, just let him know his brothers are here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright, I\u2019m sorry to disappoint you, but your brother left hours ago,\u201d Eugenia stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cMa\u2019am, no one has seen him leave here; go tell him to come on. We\u2019re waiting.\u201d Hoss planted a large foot between the door and the casing, preventing Eugenia from shutting them out.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhether someone has seen him is hardly my concern.\u00a0 Look for yourselves.\u201d\u00a0 Eugenia opened the door wide\u2014no one but Lucas greeted them.\u00a0 Showing an uncharacteristic lack of manners, Hoss stepped into the room uninvited with Adam on his heels.\u00a0 They saw no sign of their youngest brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cSatisfied?\u201d\u00a0 Eugenia sneered.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m hardly in the habit of keeping young men underfoot.\u201d\u00a0 With a regal sweep of her arm, she showed the men to the door and closed it firmly behind them.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

Solomon Hardy watched the Cartwright brothers hustle out of the Palace Hotel. They conferred briefly before splitting up to head in opposite directions.\u00a0 He had a pretty fair idea what was on their minds.\u00a0 He\u2019d seen Little Joe enter, and he had yet to see the kid reappear.<\/p>\n

One of the hotel clerks was loudly supervising a couple of men stacking boxes and luggage to be picked up in the morning by the freight wagon.\u00a0\u00a0 When the pair came staggering through the door heaving a large trunk between them, the clerk shouted at them to quit complaining and drop it alongside the rest of the luggage.<\/p>\n

Hardy made another note in the little book he kept beside him and settled in for the evening.\u00a0 All the signs were there; Miss Hobbes was about to make an exit, probably with Cartwright.\u00a0 It was too bad, really.\u00a0 He was a nice kid.\u00a0 But what happened to Little Joe wasn\u2019t his concern.\u00a0 He had a job to do.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

\u201cHas anyone seen him?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked when he caught up with Hoss.\u00a0 It might be the middle of the night, but the saloons were bustling.\u00a0 Groups of cowboys and miners shouldered roughly past the brothers on their way to good times.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss was frantic. \u201cI\u2019ve done checked everywhere I could think.\u00a0 I\u2019m goin\u2019 back to that hotel and make those two tell me where he is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, let\u2019s find Roy.\u00a0 He can question them.\u00a0 Maybe they won\u2019t tell us what happened, but they\u2019ll have to answer him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what if they don\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re still going to need him,\u201d Adam promised, \u201cbecause if we don\u2019t get a straight answer, I intend to knock on every door in that hotel and question everyone in the place.\u201d<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

It was so hot.\u00a0 He must have wrapped himself up with too many blankets because he was sticky with sweat.\u00a0 He tried to stretch out to untangle the quilt, but he could barely move.\u00a0 Even that small effort made his head throb unbearably, and his stomach lurched.\u00a0 He lay still, his breathing shallow, chest heaving.\u00a0 Can\u2019t someone open a window?\u00a0 A fellow could suffocate here.\u00a0 <\/em>It was just so darn hot.\u00a0 The air itself felt heavy.\u00a0 When he breathed, he didn\u2019t feel restored\u2014he felt sicker, sleepier.\u00a0 Maybe he\u2019d feel better if he slept.\u00a0 He allowed his head to droop to his chest, breathing nice and slow.\u00a0 Let the pain seep away.<\/p>\n

Try as he might, he couldn\u2019t get comfortable.\u00a0 He felt gentle pressure against his shoulder and side.\u00a0 When he carefully turned his head toward the sensation, he caught a whiff of fragrance.\u00a0 Roses, fresh linen, a trace of pine–it smelled like summer, home, and love.\u00a0 He shifted toward the comfortable presence, letting his weight settle against it.\u00a0 He turned his face into the warmth and a little draft of cool air brushed across his nostrils.\u00a0 He took a deep breath and felt better.\u00a0 Joe nestled close to the cool trickle and slept.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

They were losing precious time.\u00a0 It had taken too long to find Roy and too long to explain.\u00a0 Though they nearly ran back to the hotel, Adam had a sick feeling they might be too late.\u00a0 Pausing on the hotel\u2019s porch to allow Roy to catch his breath, they didn\u2019t notice the drifter until he was beside them.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey aren\u2019t there anymore,\u201d Solomon stated.\u00a0 Somehow he looked different.\u00a0 He seemed taller, confident, tougher, even.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you know about all of this?\u201d Hoss grabbed the man\u2019s arm and shook him hard.<\/p>\n

\u201cEugenia and Lucas checked out a little while ago.\u00a0 They sent their luggage down earlier for the freight wagon.\u00a0 I saw the two of them head down to the livery,\u201d Solomon pointed down the street.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy have you been watching these folks?\u201d\u00a0 Roy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been following them since they left Kansas.\u00a0 Every town\u2014it\u2019s the same con.\u201d\u00a0 Solomon gestured toward the livery, and the men began moving in that direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t had any complaints or warrants against them.\u201d Roy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe s\u00e9ance business is small change.\u00a0 It\u2019s not interesting enough for Eugenia.\u00a0 Every now and then, the pair finds something . . . someone . . . more interesting . . . more lucrative.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on,\u201d Adam had a bad feeling he knew what was coming.<\/p>\n

\u201cEugenia prefers handsome young men.\u00a0 She uses her considerable talents to enthrall the fellow and draw him away from his family.\u00a0 To rescue their loved one, the family pays a considerable amount for her to disappear from their lives.\u00a0 Usually, the young men are left sadder but wiser for the experience.\u00a0 The families are grateful to have them home and too embarrassed to press charges.<\/p>\n

“Usually?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss said.<\/p>\n

\u201cA boy in Kansas didn\u2019t make it back alive.\u00a0 By the time the body was found, Eugenia and Lucas were long gone.\u00a0 The family hired me to bring Eugenia to justice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou a Pinkerton?\u201d Roy asked.\u00a0 Solomon nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou used Joe!\u00a0 He was the bait you needed to draw these two out!\u201d\u00a0 Adam lunged for Hardy, but Roy put himself between them.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop it!\u00a0 We got to get to those two before they leave town.\u201d\u00a0 Roy was the voice of reason.\u00a0 They doubled their speed to the livery.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

Lucas\u2019s hands shook as he harnessed the team.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t something he did often, and his anxiety was making him even more awkward.\u00a0 It had taken considerable persuasion to convince Eugenia they had to leave.\u00a0 She had argued, even resorted to tears, and he was forced to be harsh.\u00a0 Now, she pointedly ignored him.<\/p>\n

He figured they had a scant few hours of lead time.\u00a0 The kid\u2019s family was already looking for him, and there hadn\u2019t been time to properly dispose of the body. He paused to settle himself.\u00a0 It will be all right.\u00a0 I\u2019ll take care of her<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is the meaning of this?\u201d\u00a0 Eugenia\u2019s petulant voice rang out.<\/p>\n

Biting back an exasperated sigh, Lucas started to answer he was doing the best he could when he realized\u00a0Eugenia wasn\u2019t addressing him.\u00a0 She was speaking to the man in black who had stepped through the doorway, gun drawn.<\/p>\n

Adam Cartwright moved slowly toward Eugenia followed closely by the drifter Lucas had noticed the night before.\u00a0 An old man with a tin badge pinned to his vest appeared beside Cartwright.\u00a0 The old man yelled out,<\/p>\n

\u201cYou two just\u00a0back\u00a0away from the rig.\u00a0 Keep your hands where we can see them.\u00a0 I\u2019ve got some questions for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Keeping a wary eye on Eugenia, Lucas took a few steps forward.\u00a0 If they had any hopes of salvaging this situation, he needed her to remain calm.\u00a0 Unfortunately, self-control didn\u2019t look to be in the cards tonight.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have no right to detain us!\u00a0 There\u2019s no law preventing travelers from leaving, now is there?\u201d Eugenia sniffed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a law against horse stealin\u2019.\u00a0 Since I don\u2019t see no sign of the livery stable owner, I reckon the sheriff can start with that.\u201d\u00a0 Lucas was startled by the deep voice behind them.\u00a0 The largest Cartwright brother must have come in through the back.\u00a0 The odds were definitely getting worse.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re lookin\u2019 for Little Joe Cartwright.\u00a0 Do you have any idea where he is?\u201d the sheriff asked.<\/p>\n

Eugenia dismissed him with a disdainful wave of her hand.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure he\u2019ll turn up.\u201d\u00a0 At the sight of the brothers\u2019 fury, she graced them with a mocking smile. Then, with a stomp of frustration, she turned to Lucas.<\/p>\n

\u201cLucas, take care of this!\u00a0 I deplore scenes.\u201d\u00a0 When Lucas failed to move, much less resolve the situation to her satisfaction, Eugenia took matters into her own hands.\u00a0 Waving her hands frantically in front of her face, she began to cry and reached into a pocket for her handkerchief.\u00a0\u00a0 She withdrew a lace-edged cloth barely concealing a small pistol she pointed it\u00a0in Adam\u2019s general direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cPut it down, Miss, drop that gun right now.\u201d\u00a0 The livery echoed with shouts.\u00a0 In answer, Eugenia pouted prettily and pulled the trigger.<\/p>\n

Her bullet caught the drifter high on his right arm.\u00a0 He staggered, the opposite hand gripped around the wound.<\/p>\n

Lucas hurled himself forward, wresting the pistol away, and raising it in her defense.\u00a0\u00a0Seeing her look of admiration and approval,\u00a0 Lucas pointed the little gun right at the crowd of men, and he knew whatever happened next, it was worth it.<\/p>\n

When Hoss Cartwright\u2019s bullet tore into his gut, the pain was accompanied by the feeling of deep disappointment that he\u2019d missed his chance.<\/p>\n

Lucas lay at Eugenia\u2019s feet, writhing in pain in the growing pool of blood.\u00a0 When he reached an imploring hand to her, she sank to her knees gracefully, touching his brow.<\/p>\n

\u201cMa . . .?\u201d\u00a0 She put a soft finger on his lips, shushing him.<\/p>\n

\u201cGive my regards to your father.\u201d\u00a0 She turned away, gathering her skirts to get up.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo . . .\u201d Lucas whispered, \u201cWe tell him together.\u201d\u00a0 Before the shocked men could react, Lucas fired the final bullet into his mother\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

The sound of gunfire had drawn a small crowd to the livery.\u00a0 Roy sent a couple of the gawkers to find the doctor and the undertaker\u2014in that order.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are we gonna do?\u00a0 We don\u2019t have a clue where to look.\u201d\u00a0 The fiery determination Hoss had shown throughout the night was gone.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me think,\u201d Adam pleaded.\u00a0 There was something someone had said.\u00a0 \u00a0The poor little things were eventually found dead inside a prop trunk.\u00a0 Eugenia admitted she had put them in the trunk because they were underfoot.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe luggage . . . maybe there\u2019s a trunk.\u00a0 Come on!\u201d\u00a0 Adam tore out of the livery with Hoss and the sheriff close on his heels.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

They interrupted the packing up of the freight wagon.\u00a0 In the gloom of false dawn, they found a heavy trunk with the correct luggage tag.\u00a0 Gently, the brothers separated it from the rest of the packets.\u00a0 Grabbing a mallet the sheriff had found, Hoss mumbled a prayer and broke the lock.\u00a0 Lifting the lid, Hoss\u2019s cry of frustration and grief could be heard up and down the street.<\/p>\n

Inside the trunk was an odd assortment of books, household goods, and a blood-stained polished board.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

Hoss slumped dejectedly against the wagon.\u00a0 Adam paced frantically.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t wrong.\u00a0 He knew that Eugenia must have hidden Joe.\u00a0 Think!\u00a0 She said she wasn\u2019t in the habit of keeping young men underfoot.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0 He stopped pacing and closed his eyes, picturing the scene upstairs. Adam\u2019s eyes flew open.\u00a0 He grabbed Hoss\u2019s arm and pulled him toward into the hotel.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe key!\u201d\u00a0 Adam shouted at the desk clerk, \u201cGive me the key to Miss Hobbes\u2019s room.\u201d\u00a0 The desk clerk barely hesitated.\u00a0 There was a time to argue hotel policy, but that time wasn\u2019t today.<\/p>\n

Bounding up the steps, the brothers burst into the room.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s eye\u2019s swept the interior.\u00a0 There in the corner\u2014a large double-door armoire.\u00a0 Even in the dimness of the unlit room, they could see the doors bulged outward slightly.<\/p>\n

They could tell that something, please God someone<\/em>, was leaning against the doors.\u00a0 The lock slowed them momentarily until Hoss curled his fingers around one door\u2019s edge and with gargantuan effort tore it from its hinges.<\/p>\n

Joe nearly fell out of the armoire into Adam\u2019s arms.\u00a0 He and Hoss gently lowered their brother to the floor and with shaking hands they cut the ropes around his wrists and ankles.\u00a0 The silk gag was thrown away.\u00a0 Aghast at the blood covering his brother\u2019s face and neck, Hoss ran to the corridor and yelled for the clerk to get the doc.\u00a0 When he returned, Joe was on the bed, moaning a little.\u00a0 Adam was holding on to him, talking some soothing nonsense.<\/p>\n

Hoss had to hang onto the footboard for support; he was nearly spent from the effort and emotion of the night.<\/p>\n

That was too close, Lord.\u00a0 I\u2019m grateful.\u00a0 But that was too close.<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam looked up just then and winked, \u201cHe\u2019s going to be fine.\u00a0 He\u2019ll\u00a0have an awful headache, but he\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded in agreement. He bumped Adam\u2019s shoulder with the back of his hand,<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, Pa ain\u2019t never goin\u2019 to leave the three of us home alone again.\u201d<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

Ben arrived soon after the doctor finished tending to Joe.\u00a0 Shaking his head at the now legendary hardness of the Cartwright skull, Doc Martin confirmed that Joe would survive.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t quite the homecoming Ben anticipated, but at least there was cause for celebration and thanksgiving.\u00a0 Joe had been awake long enough to recognize his father and to sip some water.\u00a0 Healing would come in time.<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss\u00a0told him the entire story while he\u2019d fussed over Joseph.\u00a0 Ben still wasn\u2019t certain he understood what had happened.\u00a0 Maybe I\u2019ll get a more coherent story from Roy.<\/em><\/p>\n

Watching his older sons nod off in their chairs, Ben figured it was past time to send them off to get some real sleep.\u00a0 When he caught Adam looking back at him, he figured he might as well say his piece.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I\u2019m so proud of the way you two took care of your brother.\u00a0\u00a0 For the life of me, I can\u2019t see how you knew where to look for him.\u201d\u00a0 Ben paused, \u201cBut, son . . . s\u00e9ances?\u00a0 I thought you knew better.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE END<\/p>\n

My inspiration for the description of the s\u00e9ance, its ghostly effects, and convoluted explanations were inspired by P.T. Barnum\u2019s book, The Humbugs of the World: An Account of Humbugs, Delusions, Impositions, Quackeries, Deceits, and Deceivers Generally, In All Ages\u00a0<\/em>which he published in 1868. Everything that was claimed to be supernatural can be explained by parlor tricks, misdirection, and audience gullibility.\u00a0 Lucas’s explanation of the spirit world to the ladies was paraphrased from a passage\u00a0in the chapter regarding\u00a0spiritualism in this book.<\/p>\n

Although the Ouija board was patented as a game in 1890, the concept had been used by spiritualists for many years.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tags:\u00a0 Adam Cartwright, detective Adam, Hoss Cartwright, Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright, SJS<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: \u00a0Ben is away, and the boys decide to enjoy a night on the town.\u00a0 An evening of harmless entertainment turns into a\u00a0race to save Joe\u2019s life.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

(10,292 words)\u00a0Rating:\u00a0 T<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":9517,"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_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[2,1008,32,40],"tags":[386],"class_list":["post-8255","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-actionadventure","category-family","category-mystery","category-challenges","tag-prslbc","wpcat-2-id","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-32-id","wpcat-40-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2069,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/brothers.jpg?fit=399%2C299&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":15346,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15346","url_meta":{"origin":8255,"position":0},"title":"Our Little Town (by PSW)","author":"PSW","date":"October 25, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Little Joe and Mitch show off their school project.\u00a0 Rating: K\u00a0 \u00a0Word Count: 1490","rel":"","context":"In "Humor"","block_context":{"text":"Humor","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=4"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Moon-Blind.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Moon-Blind.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Moon-Blind.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13696,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13696","url_meta":{"origin":8255,"position":1},"title":"The Art of the Possible (by Gillian)","author":"Gillian","date":"November 24, 2001","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 written to explain how it was that Adam and Ben were both on the four-man Virginia City Council in \"No Less a Man\u00a0 \" -\u00a0 but it doesn't spoil the episode if you haven't seen it yet. 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