{"id":851,"date":"2004-04-11T12:28:23","date_gmt":"2004-04-11T16:28:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=851"},"modified":"2026-07-22T13:47:23","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T17:47:23","slug":"the-world-is-the-totality-of-facts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=851","title":{"rendered":"The World Is The Totality Of Facts (by claire)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0U<\/span>npleasant news affects Adam profoundly\u00a0and Joe must battle to help his brother find new meaning in life<\/p>\n

Rated:<\/span> K (8,250 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The World Is The Totality Of Facts<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now that haying was finally complete, Adam Cartwright was looking forward to a well-deserved break eagerly anticipating a few long, cool beers in the Silver Dollar Saloon. His back ached slightly from all the bending and lifting, but he was sure that after a few hands of poker, accompanied by one or two light refreshments, he would be feeling a whole lot better.<\/p>\n

The saloon doors swung open and Susie peeped out, smiling beguilingly, rustling her short skirts beguilingly and flashing a shapely ankle invitingly. \u201cHi there cowboy!\u201d she cooed. \u201cWe\u2019ve missed you lately.\u201d<\/p>\n

Allowing his dimples to show, Adam beamed back happily at her. Good old Susie! This evening was definitely looking up. The spring had returned to his step as he bounded up onto the sidewalk and was just about to enter the saloon, when a firm hand clamped down on his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvenin\u2019 Adam.\u201d Sheriff Roy Coffee looked distressed, Adam realised. The older man shifted uneasily from foot to foot and chewed nervously at his moustache.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Roy. Fancy joining me for a drink?\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy attempted a half-smile, not entirely successfully. \u201cActually, son, I was wantin\u2019 a word with you. In my office, where it\u2019s private.\u201d<\/p>\n

Flinging a regretful smile at Susie and mouthing \u2018Wait for me!\u2019 Adam followed the sheriff along the street.<\/p>\n

\u201cWonder what fool business Joe\u2019s got into now,\u201d he grouched under his breath. His younger brother had a penchant for trouble, attracting it as readily and seemingly unwittingly as blossom drew bees. It seemed impossible for more than a week to go by without Joe landing in some scrape or other.<\/p>\n

Roy sat down and motioned for Adam to do the same. \u201cThis ain’t easy for me,\u201d he began, with a grave look on his face, at which point Adam began to get seriously worried. What on earth had Joe done now? Was the boy all right? He leant forward and regarded Roy steadily.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust tell me, Roy,\u201d he said firmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got a letter from the prison governor over at the State Penitentiary. Seems one of their prisoners made a confession to the priest, just before he was hanged.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd exactly how does that concern me?\u201d Adam asked, wondering what all this had to do with him. Roy moved uncomfortably in his chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about Luther Evans. You \u2018member him, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam felt the hard rails of the chair back digging into his spine, anchoring him to reality, to this hot, dry and dusty office where the dust motes circled in giddy circles and the air was suddenly in short supply.<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember Luther Evans,\u201d Adam said shortly, rubbing clammy hands on his jeans. Yes, of course he did. After all, it was his testimony that had helped to convict Luther and had led directly to his death on the gallows.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Luther Evans was about the same age as Joe, but there the resemblance ended. A pale, studious boy, Luther was educated at home by his father and never socialised with other children. Adam first met the child at an Independence Day picnic and bonfire on the shores of Lake Tahoe.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep an eye on your brother for a moment,\u201d Ben pleaded, anxious to spend a little time with his friends. It was all too rare a treat these days. While he loved his sons dearly, sometimes he missed adult company.\u00a0 Ben choked back a smile as Adam took hold of Joe\u2019s collar and pulled his brother none too gently to his side.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw Adam!\u201d Joe whined, kicking ineffectually at the sandy soil. \u201cI wanna go see the bonfire!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll stay right here beside me, so I can make sure you don\u2019t get into trouble,\u201d Adam said in tones that brooked no argument. Why did Joe always have to make things so difficult?<\/p>\n

\u201cThat kid\u2019s allowed to play by the bonfire \u2013 don\u2019t see why I can\u2019t too!\u201d Joe pouted.<\/p>\n

Looking across, Adam saw a child standing far too close to the fire and staring at the flames, as if he was mesmerised by them. A resin-filled branch gave a large pop and then a tongue of fire flared out, missing the boy by inches.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook after Joe!\u201d he told Hoss, thrusting the boy into the waiting arms and then racing over to the bonfire.<\/p>\n

Luther jumped when Adam pulled him to safety and then looked up at the tall youth with uncomprehending eyes. Seeing his obvious bemusement, Adam tempered his tones.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s dangerous to stand so close to the fire,\u201d he chided gently. \u201cYou could get hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

The boy returned his gaze with a steady regard that was rather unnerving in a six-year-old child. \u201cI like fire,\u201d he announced firmly and then walked off to join the crowd, gathered around the picnic tables. Adam sighed: he would never understand children in a million years!<\/p>\n

It was harvest time before Adam saw Luther again. The hay had been cut and stacked into ricks to dry before being stored for winter and Adam had finally given in to Joe\u2019s pleas to be allowed to ride out with his brother to inspect the fields.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook! That\u2019s Luther!\u201d Joe cried, standing up in his stirrups and pointing to where a figure crouched beside a hayrick. Something struck Adam as wrong \u2013 very wrong.<\/p>\n

\u201cStay right here and don\u2019t dare move!\u201d he instructed Joe, ignoring the inevitable mumbling protests and raced his horse forward. As he approached, Adam saw with horror that Luther was engrossed in striking two flints off one another.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think you are doing?\u201d he demanded, vaulting down to the ground. \u201cDon\u2019t you know that could start a fire?\u201d<\/p>\n

Luther smiled blandly at him.\u00a0 \u201cOf course I do!\u201d he said, in a disconcertingly calm voice. \u201cThe action of the flints against one another produces a spark and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026 and you could burn this entire field down and then your Pa would have to pay for it!\u201d Adam fumed, grabbing the boy and flinging him up onto his horse. \u201cI\u2019ll bet he tans your backside for this!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe saw the look on his brother\u2019s face and wisely decided to keep quiet on the journey into town. The journey home was equally silent, until they pulled into the yard of the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou stay away from that boy, d\u2019you hear?\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

Joe nodded meekly. There was something strange about Luther, something he couldn\u2019t quite put his finger on, but it made Joe uneasy. For once he was quite happy to obey his brother.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Adam took the letter from Roy Coffee and began to read its contents with a growing sense of disbelief.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother man confessed to that arson attack?\u201d he gasped, looking at Roy in the desperate hope he would say this was all an awful mistake. Roy simply sat there, regarding Adam with sympathy, and not saying a word.<\/p>\n

Five years before, Adam had given evidence in the trial of Luther Evans for arson and murder. He was an exemplary witness and his calm, objective testimony had enhanced the prosecution case. Luther Evans, barely turned 18, was hanged.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis other prisoner,\u201d Adam scanned the letter quickly, \u201cThis Simon Burnett \u2013 maybe he was lying?\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy\u2019s mouth twisted into an approximation of a smile. \u201cHe\u2019d nothing to gain from that, Adam. Man was standing right on the scaffold when he confessed. Said he wanted to clear his conscience.\u201d The sheriff sniffed contemptuously. \u201cBit late for that, if you ask me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFive years too late,\u201d Adam said bitterly. \u201cFive years and a boy\u2019s life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy leant forward and placed a hand on Adam\u2019s arm. \u201cTwo men died in that fire, Adam. It was a miracle it didn\u2019t spread and burn down half of Virginia City. You told the trial what you saw, Adam. You can\u2019t blame yourself for this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t I?\u201d Adam jerked his arm away and stalked out of the office. Roy sighed softly. No sense in following Adam now \u2013 he\u2019d better ride out to the Ponderosa and speak to Ben Cartwright. Adam was taking this news badly and he would need the support of his family.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI can\u2019t believe it!\u201d Ben Cartwright ran his hand through his thick, white hair in a manner startlingly reminiscent of his youngest son, Joe. \u201cAfter all these years \u2013 to confess like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no doubt?\u201d Hoss asked hopefully.<\/p>\n

Roy shook his head. \u201cNone at all. The governor investigated the whole affair before he wrote to me. Seems Burnett was in Virginia City that night, with another couple of drifters and he\u2019d been drinking heavily. According to Burnett, they\u2019d snuck into the barn and bedded down for the night. Seems they clear forgot to blow out the lantern and one of them must have kicked it over during the night and Burnett awoke coughing from the smoke and flames. He ran out of the barn and he just kept on running.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t even try to help his buddies?\u201d Joe asked incredulously. He shook his head in disbelief. \u201cNice guy!\u201d he added, with heavy sarcasm.<\/p>\n

Hoss paced up and down the room, a look of deep concern on his face. \u201cI reckon we should go into town and check Adam\u2019s alright,\u201d he said, looking to his father for confirmation.<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cThat\u2019s a good idea. You boys go. I\u2019ll wait here, just in case he comes home.\u201d He could not bear to think of Adam arriving to an empty house.<\/p>\n

The patrons of the Silver Dollar had taken one look at Adam Cartwright and decided to give him a wide berth. Even Susie kept her distance. There was something in the way the man moved, in his whole attitude that clearly indicated company was not welcome. He gruffly ordered a bottle of whiskey and then sat down at a table and began to drink steadily. By the time Joe and Hoss arrived, the bottle was more than half-consumed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi Adam,\u201d Joe said softly, gently laying a hand on his brother\u2019s shoulder. Adam flinched at the touch.<\/p>\n

\u201cChecking up on me?\u201d He glared at Joe, who took an involuntary step backwards.<\/p>\n

Hoss sat down and regarded his brother gravely. \u201cJist wanted to see how you was doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine!\u201d Adam retorted sarcastically. \u201cOf course I\u2019m fine! Why on earth wouldn\u2019t I be? I\u2019ve had a perfectly wonderful time haying, and then I learn my testimony sent an innocent kid to his death. And finally, to cap it all, my little brothers ride into town to check up on me, like I\u2019m the proverbial lost lamb. What could possibly be better than that?\u201d<\/p>\n

With difficulty, Joe choked down an angry riposte, realising that Adam was just lashing out blindly, needing to vent his anger and distress in any way he could. Hoss stared hard at Adam, concern evident in every fibre of his being.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you think it\u2019s time to come home now? I reckon you\u2019ve had enough of that rotgut. Whiskey.\u201d<\/p>\n

He reached out for the bottle, but Adam swiped it away and cradled it to this chest. \u201cAnd I reckon I\u2019m old enough to decide that for myself. You want to make me stop drinking?\u201d He reached forward and poked Hoss in the chest. \u201cReckon you could that, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

With a small sigh, Hoss shot a sideways look at Joe and then swung a fist, catching Adam on his chin. Joe caught the bottle as his brother slumped forward and watched in admiration as Hoss easily hefted Adam over his shoulder and walked out of the saloon without a backwards glance.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood evening!\u201d Joe remarked pleasantly to the startled crowd, tipping his hat in farewell, before making a speedy exit. He could hear the excited conversations already beginning, even as the doors swung shut behind him. This little escapade was liable to be the talk of the town for days to come.<\/p>\n

Adam made only minimal protests as they helped onto Sport and began the journey home, riding one on either side of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI sure hated to do that,\u201d Hoss mourned. He couldn\u2019t bear to look at the large bruise that was forming on Adam\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

Joe flashed him a brilliant smile. \u201cRather you than me brother!\u201d<\/p>\n

Any further conversation was brought to an abrupt halt as Adam lurched forward in his saddle with an ominous moan. With twin sighs of weary resignation, Hoss and Joe dismounted and started to help their stricken brother. Joe looked at the bottle of whiskey in his hand with disgust, and then threw it into the bushes. It was a long and rather dreadful ride home.<\/p>\n

The next morning, breakfast was a much quieter meal than normal. Everyone concentrated on their plates and conversation was kept to a bare minimum. Eventually, Ben could bear the oppressive silence no longer.<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy Coffee came over last night.\u201d<\/p>\n

The statement hung in the air for half a minute, as Adam bent his head and paid great attention to his bacon and eggs, without actually eating a single bite. \u201cI thought he might. You know about the confession, then?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s voice was very soothing. \u201cYes, we know about that. But you mustn\u2019t blame yourself, son. You told the truth at the trial.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExcept it wasn\u2019t the truth!\u201d Adam pushed his plate away and stared wildly around. \u201cI saw Luther Evans near the barn and moments later, the doors opened and a man came running out as flames belched out after him. And I assumed that was Luther too. I put two and two together and I was wrong! How can I live with the knowledge that I helped to condemn a man to death? An innocent man!\u201d Adam\u2019s voiced was choked with emotion and he dashed outside, leaving an untouched breakfast and an overturned chair in his wake.<\/p>\n

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

As he grew, Luther Evans remained apart from the other children of Virginia City. Rigorously schooled at home by an ambitious father, by the age of eleven the boy was already fluent in Greek and Latin and remarkably adept in algebra, geometry and trigonometry as well. Unlike his peers, Luther spent little time outdoors, so as he rode home from school one afternoon, Joe was surprised to see the boy wandering aimlessly along the lake path. For four years Joe had heeded his brother\u2019s warnings and given Luther a wide berth, but now he was feeling rebellious. The Adam who had returned from college a few weeks before was proving to considerably less than indulgent towards his youngest brother and Joe was growing tired of his ceaseless admonitions to work hard at school, to do his homework as soon as he got back from school and to stop reading dime-novels. He gleefully grasped the chance to revolt against Adam and have some fun into the bargain.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi Luther!\u201d he called cheerily and the boy gave a start, then regarded Joe warily.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going for a swim \u2013 want to join me?\u201d Joe invited, tying his pony\u2019s reins to a bush and pulling off his boots.<\/p>\n

Luther shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t know how to swim,\u201d he confided.<\/p>\n

Joe looked astonished. How could you grow up beside a lake and not know how to swim? \u201cI\u2019ll teach you,\u201d he offered, but Luther refused, preferring to sit by the bank and skim stones across the water.<\/p>\n

The water was icy cold, but Joe jumped in regardless, and was soon splashing around with considerably more enthusiasm than style, chattering away all the time. Luther began to smile and even ventured a small, timid laugh at one of Joe\u2019s terrible jokes. Then a thunderous voice interrupted the beginnings of their tentative friendship.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat on earth do you think you\u2019re doing, boy?\u201d Adam stood on the bank, hands on hips, the very personification of righteous indignation. Luther took one look at him and fled, while Joe waded slowly out of the water.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d Adam demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was just swimming,\u201d Joe offered, his voice slightly muffled, due to the fact he was pulling his shirt over his head at the time.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt this time of year! Don\u2019t you have the sense you were born with? You could freeze to death!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe knew his brother was right and concentrated on pulling his socks onto feet that were blue and numb with cold. There really wasn\u2019t much he could say, he reflected sadly, and inwardly steeled himself for another brotherly lecture.<\/p>\n

Adam tried very hard not to smile, as he watched Joe struggle with his boots, yet refusing to admit defeat and ask for help. Joe seemed to grow more stubborn with each year that passed! He missed the little boy who had looked up to him and asked for advice and help and was still not entirely comfortable with this self-assured, supremely confident youngster.<\/p>\n

As anticipated, Adam began to inform Joe, in great detail, of the foolhardiness of his ways. The boy sat stoically on his pony, listening in silence and only contributing a \u201cyes\u201d or \u201cno\u201d when appropriate pauses seemed to deem it necessary. But when Adam started to tell Joe that Luther was not a suitable companion, he finally exploded.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess I\u2019m old enough to chose my own friends!\u201d he yelled, urging his pony into a gallop that left his brother looking stunned and bemused. Quickly gathering his wits, Adam took off after Joe, who was riding far too fast for safety across the meadow.<\/p>\n

High in the clear, cloudless sky above them, a hawk circled lazily around, scanning the ground for prey. The long grasses parted momentarily to show a brief flash of white and the hawk pulled his wings back, soaring downwards after the rabbit. Descending steep and fast, it swooped past the nose of the galloping pony, which reared up in fright and then gave a series of wild bucks. Taken totally by surprise, Joe flew out of the saddle, disappearing from sight among the meadow grasses.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Adam reined his own horse to a standstill and took off on foot, frantically calling his brother\u2019s name as he pushed his way through waist-high foliage. A small, almost involuntary whimper brought him to an abrupt halt and he saw Joe lying in small, huddled heap on the ground.<\/p>\n

Adam fell to his knees and ran gentle hands over his brother\u2019s body. Joe winced in pain and tried to sit up.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake it easy,\u201d Adam advised, trying hard to stop his voice from trembling. \u201cYou took quite a fall there.\u201d Predictably, Joe ignored this.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine!\u201d he said shakily, his words at total odds with his pale face.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure you are,\u201d Adam soothed. \u201cBut I got a real shock. Just humour me and let me check you out, alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded, and then wished he hadn\u2019t, as the pounding in his head increased. He steeled himself, but could not restrain another anguished whimper when Adam gently touched his left arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it might be broken,\u201d Adam said, taking off his bandana and fashioning a sling, which he tied around Joe\u2019s neck. \u201cHow about we get you home?\u201d He knew better than to mention Paul Martin, for Joe\u2019s aversion to the doctor was assuming legendary proportions in the Cartwright household. Meekly agreeing that this would be best, Joe allowed himself to be hoisted onto Adam\u2019s horse and gratefully leant back against his brother as they resumed their journey home.<\/p>\n

As Joe lay sleeping off the effects of the ether Paul Martin had administered before setting his arm, Adam related the events of the afternoon to his father.<\/p>\n

Ben looked concerned: Adam and Joe were bucking heads rather too often for comfort. It seemed as if there was no common ground the brothers could agree upon and the 12-year age gap seemed to stretch into infinity as his eldest son strove to establish his place in the hierarchy of the Ponderosa, while his youngest fought to prove he was no longer a child. Thank heavens he had one levelheaded and sensible son, Ben thought, looking fondly at Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand that you\u2019re wary of the Evans boy, but it has been four years,\u201d he advised. \u201cA lot can change in that time. And it\u2019s always dangerous to interfere in friendships.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss looked at his father and then at Adam. \u201cSeems to me that Luther could do with a friend. I reckon Little Joe just felt sorry for the boy. He aint got no buddies at all and that\u2019s plumb wrong! We all need a friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam clapped him warmly on the shoulder. \u201cYou\u2019re probably right, brother. I\u2019ll try not to ride Joe too hard, but there\u2019s something about that boy that worries me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Three days later, Joe found himself at a loose end. The doctor had advised he stay off school for at least a week, but a broken arm meant he was effectively barred from riding. His father and brothers were busy bringing the herd down to lower pastures before winter set in and consequently Joe was rather bored with life. Hop Sing soon grew impatient with the child getting underfoot and despatched him to the lake, with instructions to get some fish for tea.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t see how I can bring in one of them big perch with one hand!\u201d Joe grumbled, but trotted off contentedly enough. Hop Sing smiled: Joe had never caught anything over two pounds, so he judged the boy was complaining out of sheer habit.<\/p>\n

Nearing the lake, Joe saw that Luther was once more skimming stones across the surface. He watched in awe as the flat pebble bounced four times. \u201cYou\u2019re really good at that! I can only get it to bounce three times. Well, not even that some days,\u201d Joe said, omitting to add that the days he achieved three skips were few and far between. \u201cYou wanna help me fish?\u201d<\/p>\n

Luther had never fished before, so Joe happily showed him how to cast the line out onto the lake and then wait patiently until a fish rose to take the bait. As the boys waited, they chatted idly and Joe was astounded to hear that Luther was expected to study from eight in the morning until dinnertime, and then to do homework for another two hours each evening.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen do you get time to play?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo time for that,\u201d Luther informed him. \u201cThere\u2019s so much to do if I want to go to college when I\u2019m 16.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAint that a bit young?\u201d Joe asked curiously. Adam was the smartest person he knew and he\u2019d been a whole two years older when he went back to college.<\/p>\n

Before Luther could answer, the fishing line drew taught and Joe showed his new friend how to gently bring the fish in.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe should gut it now, but I\u2019m not allowed a knife yet,\u201d Joe said. He was astounded when Luther produced a stout pocketknife and opened it display an array of blades. Selecting a long narrow blade, Joe placed the fish down on a patch of grass and then gave Luther instructions.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did a real good job, there!\u201d Joe looked at the neatly filleted fish and Luther flushed with pride. \u201cYou wanna cook it and eat it here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Luther thought this was a great idea, never having cooked food outdoors and readily agreed. The two boys collected dried branches and carefully built a small fire, surrounded by flat stones. As the fish was cooking, Joe looked at Luther curiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo how come your Pa aint teaching you today?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s over in Sacramento, doing business,\u201d Luther replied. He\u2019d picked up the knife and was gently toying with it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of business?\u201d Joe persisted, not noticing the hesitation in his friend\u2019s voice whenever his father was mentioned.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh banking, meeting with people, buying new books for me,\u201d Luther said vaguely His entire attention was focused on the knife and he watched in rapt fascination as it cut into the skin on his arm, leaving a thin line of blood welling up in its wake. He repeated the motion again, accompanying the action with an almost inaudible sigh of relief.<\/p>\n

Joe was horrified. \u201cDon\u2019t do that!\u201d he begged. \u201cYou\u2019re hurting yourself!\u201d He snatched a handkerchief from his pocket and was about to offer it to Luther, when the elder boy reached forward and pulled a slender branch from the fire. Its tip glowed red and there was a faint hissing noise as he pressed it firmly against the wounds on his arm. Luther repeated the action over and over again and Joe could see the scars of previous wounds.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s getting late! I\u2019ve gotta go!\u201d he stammered. Luther barely paid any attention as Joe scrambled to his feet and ran home as fast as he could.<\/p>\n

Adam was surprised to find Joe waiting for him in his room when he got back home that evening. The boy was obviously miserable, with a woebegone expression.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou feeling alright, little buddy?\u201d he asked. Joe just nodded, refusing to meet his brother\u2019s eyes. \u201cAnything I can help you with?\u201d Adam continued, sitting down beside Joe. He was astonished when the boy cuddled in to him and began sobbing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do people hurt themselves, Adam? Why? It aint nice and I don\u2019t see why they do it!\u201d<\/p>\n

Not understanding, Adam reassured the child. \u201cMost people are good and don\u2019t hurt anyone. However, sometimes\u00a0 men like Sheriff Coffee need to use their guns to keep everybody safe. But you don\u2019t need to worry, because nothing is going to happen to you. You\u2019ve me and Pa and Hoss all looking out for you and for each other. Do you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

Drying his eyes, Joe snuffled his agreement. He understood alright: he understood that Adam didn\u2019t know what his brother was really talking about. For a moment, Joe debated revealing the whole truth about the events by the lake, but he felt sorry for Luther, and if he told Adam, then Luther would just get into trouble with his father. Joe decided it was best just to leave things as they were. And to give Luther Evans a wide berth in future. He didn\u2019t like the sound of Mr Evans and he was sure Luther was frightened of him.<\/p>\n

In fact, it was not until Luther Evans left Virginia City at the age of sixteen that Joe confided in his family about what had really happened, that long-ago day by the lake.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always knew that boy was peculiar!\u201d Adam fumed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think the fault was all Luther\u2019s,\u201d Ben said. It made his heart ache to think of what agonies the child must have gone through, if hurting himself became a pleasurable experience. Then again, perhaps this was the only way Luther could exert any control over his regimented life? He looked at three sons: they might have their differences, but they were strong and independent young men. Perhaps Joseph was a little more strong-willed than his father might have wished, but all in all, Ben felt he had done a good job, bringing up his boys to stand on their own two feet and to accept the consequences of their actions.<\/p>\n

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

Adam felt that he was living through a nightmare, one that had shaken the deepest cornerstones of his belief. He had always prided himself on being a rational and logical man and it was terrifying to think that a personal prejudice might have influenced his testimony. What he had once believed to be facts were merely impressions and false impressions at that. Adam felt a personal sense of responsibility, and could not accept that he had played only one part in the judicial process: other men had given evidence; a jury had found Luther guilty; the judge had passed the death sentence. Adam was haunted by his self-imposed sense of responsibility.<\/p>\n

Gradually, almost imperceptibly, he started to drink a little more each day. It provided a welcome escape from the nagging anxiety that plagued him during each conscious hour.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got to do something, Pa!\u201d Joe begged. Once again, he tried to talk to his brother, but Adam had shut his bedroom door firmly in Joe\u2019s concerned face.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve tried son, God knows I\u2019ve tried!\u201d Ben sounded very weary. Adam\u2019s obvious misery was affecting the whole family and his refusal to accept any help or support was incredibly frustrating.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t just sit here and watch him slowly destroy himself!\u201d Joe insisted.<\/p>\n

Hoss regarded him gravely. \u201cWell what do you suggest? Seems to me we\u2019ve tried just about everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe thought for a few moments. \u201cHow about me and Adam go and round up those strays in the south forty?\u201d he suggested. \u201cIt\u2019ll be hard work, so he won\u2019t have too much time to dwell on things. And we\u2019ll be away from familiar surroundings that might remind him of Luther.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be away from that rot-gut whiskey too,\u201d Hoss added. Adam\u2019s drinking was no secret to his family. It was an outward example of his misery and yet another source of distress for his entire family. Sometimes it was as if the Ponderosa was plunged into mourning<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll try anything,\u201d Ben sighed. \u201cIt\u2019s a good idea, Joe. Hoss and I will keep things running here. You look after your brother now, you hear?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hear you, Pa,\u201d Joe said. It seemed peculiar to be the responsible son, the one in charge, the one to whom his brother\u2019s life was entrusted. For Joe had no doubt that unless something was done soon, Adam would be lost to them irrevocably. He was deeply aware of the trust his father was placing on him and just hoped he repay Ben by restoring his eldest son to him.<\/p>\n

Hoss looked worried, but waited until he and Joe were alone before voicing his fears. \u201cYou be careful, Joe. Just remember Adam aint himself right now and keep a sharp eye out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be fine, Hoss. Don\u2019t worry about me \u2013 I\u2019m a big boy now!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss stifled back a snigger. \u201cYou aint so big little brother \u2013 I can still get you right where it counts!\u201d With that, his fingers roved ruthlessly over Joe\u2019s ribs, tickling mercilessly, until Joe collapsed to the floor in giggles. Upstairs, Adam heard the joyful laughter and bent his head in abject misery before pouring himself another large measure of whiskey. It didn\u2019t quite block out reality, but it helped. It helped just enough to let him continue living, even though he was only going through the motions, existing rather than participating.<\/p>\n

The next morning, Adam accepted the news with equanimity, but his mind was in turmoil. He could not begin to contemplate going even a day without the whiskey. Never quite drunk, he was never entirely sober either, walking a fine line between both. There was no way he could survive several days without a drink, but equally, there was no way he could carry whiskey in his saddlebags. And then, unbidden, a solution presented itself.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re setting off tomorrow, yes?\u201d Joe nodded, pleased that Adam actually seemed to be taking some interest in things at last. \u201cThen, I think I\u2019ll go into town this morning. I could do with some new socks \u2013 nothing worse than having your heels rubbed raw on a long ride!\u201d<\/p>\n

It was all too easy to walk into the drug store and purchase a bottle of laudanum.\u00a0 It was small enough to slip into his hip pocket, but Adam knew it would provide several days respite.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

After four days spent riding and rounding up stray steers from dawn to dusk, Adam was surprised to find that the ache in his bones over-rode the pain in his heart, while spending hours scanning gullies and canyons for stray cattle concentrated his mind wonderfully. He was almost beginning to forget. But at nighttime, there was no escape. That was the worst time, when there was nothing more to do than stare up at the sky and watch as the stars moved along their appointed paths, in a predestined pattern that seemed to mock the disruption in his life.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fault is not in the stars, dear Brutus, but in ourselves, that we are underlings,\u201d he quoted softly. Joe sat up and looked interested. It was the first time Adam had started a conversation in days.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that from?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJulius Caesar. Or from a man railing impotently against fate. Which ever you prefer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stood up and walked over to his brother. \u201cThis isn\u2019t you, Adam. You of all people must see that you only told the facts and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd nothing! And what are facts anyway? They\u2019re what we believe to be true at the time, that\u2019s all. Not so long ago, men believed the world was flat and I believed I saw Luther Evans running away from a burning barn and I assumed he\u2019d set it on fire. Don\u2019t talk to me about facts!\u201d<\/p>\n

Slumping back, Adam placed a weary hand over his eyes. Perhaps if he blocked Joe from his sight, his brother would take the hint and leave him in peace.<\/p>\n

Joe did not move. There was scorn in his voice as he replied. \u201cI thought you looked at things logically, Adam. So facts change! Sure they do \u2013 when we discover something new! Something that forces us to reassess what we thought we knew. You have to learn to accept what happened and then move on. Otherwise, there will be two lives lost here \u2013 yours and Luther\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

A stony silence greeted his outburst and Joe walked away to the other side of the fire and settled down for the night, wondering if he\u2019d done the right thing. Well, they\u2019d tried everything else and there was a limit to the amount of sympathy and understanding of even the most devoted brother, especially when you got nothing in return. Joe gave a resigned shrug. He didn\u2019t know if there was anything more he could do or say, and right now he was bone tired and craved sleep.<\/p>\n

Adam waited until Joe\u2019s breathing slowed down and became soft and regular. Then he poured out a small measure of water from his canteen and added ten drops of laudanum. That was more than usual, but Joe\u2019s words kept revolving around his mind and there was no other way he would get any sleep tonight.<\/p>\n

Just before dawn, a peal of thunder rang out, spooking the herd and setting off a wild stampede. Joe leapt to his feet, grabbed his saddle and ran pell-mell to Cochise as torrents of rain poured down. Adam tried to clear his foggy head and stumbled in his brother\u2019s wake. His fingers worked slowly and the cinch had never seemed so stiff and resistant. Sport seemed to sense pick up on his mood and moved restlessly, making the job twice as difficult.<\/p>\n

Swinging into the saddle, Joe called out, raising his voice above the sound of the rain. \u201cI\u2019ll try to head them off before they reach the head of the canyon. You take the right flank and herd them back around here!\u201d<\/p>\n

Not waiting for a reply, he raced off in pursuit of the herd, racing up a side gorge that would give a vital few seconds advantage and would hopefully allow him to reach the mouth of the canyon before the steers did.<\/p>\n

Sport was thoroughly spooked by the thunderstorm and danced around nervously, making mounting a difficult manoeuvre. Adam cursed the wasted moments and finally sped off up the now-deserted canyon, racing over ground churned up by a myriad of hooves and was now treacherously slippery. And then, before he could school his mind to work clearly, the herd was running back towards him. Directly towards him.<\/p>\n

The opium derivative was treacherous, distorting reality, compressing events into a whirling kaleidoscope that had no beginning and no end. Adam felt totally lost and helpless. One steer raced ahead of its fellows and it nearly gored his right leg as it galloped past, missing him by scant inches. The imminent danger was suddenly a very real possibility. Unable to school his thoughts and act coherently, Adam instinctively reached for his gun and fired three shots into the air, the Cartwright signal for help.<\/p>\n

The effect was immediate. The terrified animals wanted only to escape from this new disturbance and tried to turn around. In the narrow gorge, they became hopelessly bemired in the mud, scrambling over one another in their desperation. Joe saw the chaos ahead of him and frantically reined back, feeling Cochise\u2019s hooves scramble desperately in the mud. There was no time to turn the horse around before the first steer sideswiped them, followed by another and then another.<\/p>\n

A hundred yards away, Adam watched in abject horror. Suddenly, his brain seemed to be working once more and he kicked Sport forward, moving towards the frightened animals and gently herding them down the canyon, back to safety and away from where his brother lay facedown and unmoving in the churned up mud.<\/p>\n

With a sinking, sick feeling, Adam rushed over to Joe. There were hoof-prints all over his back and a large gash on his thigh was bleeding freely.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a good sign,\u201d Adam told himself. \u201cDead men don\u2019t bleed.\u201d It was scant comfort, but at least Joe was alive.<\/p>\n

Joe stirred slightly and then winced as his battered body protested and pain coursed violently through ever fibre and sinew. A gentle hand touched his head and he heard his brother\u2019s voice, although it seemed a very long away.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep still. Don\u2019t try to move,\u201d Adam said and, if things had been different, Joe would have laughed out loud. Moving was the very last thing he felt like doing. He was quite content to lie still and concentrate on trying to control the nausea rising in his throat. Breathing shallowly, he began to isolate the different injuries: thumping pain in his head, a searing agony in his leg and an insistent throbbing running from his shoulders to his hips.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t do that!\u201d he yelped, as Adam tried to staunch the bleeding coming from his gored thigh. The slightest touch was excruciating agony. Fighting against the pain, Joe struggled violently, pushing Adam away and struggled to turn over and face his tormentor.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t touch my leg!\u201d he pleaded, grabbing onto Adam\u2019s hands, trying to fight the dizziness.<\/p>\n

With infinite tenderness, Adam gently pushed Joe back down. \u201cSorry buddy, but this has to be done.\u201d He pressed down firmly on the wound and Joe gave a strangled gasp and then fell back, limp and unresisting.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlways have to do things the hard way, don\u2019t you little brother?\u201d Adam thought grimly, as he started to assess Joe\u2019s wounds. By some miracle, the only major damage appeared to be the leg wound, a blow to the head and some broken ribs. But the leg wound was long, ragged and deep and although the bleeding was slightly slower now, it was still not clotting. The only positive thing to be said was that at least the haemorrhage would have washed most of the dirt out of the wound.<\/p>\n

At least he had something that would help Joe with the pain, Adam thought, knowing the journey back home would take at least a day. He reached into his hip pocket and then winced as something sharp cut into his finger. Sucking the digit ruefully, Adam realised that his precious bottle of laudanum had been broken at some point during the stampede.<\/p>\n

By the time Joe struggled back to consciousness the rain had stopped and the sun was rising. Conscious of the need to get his brother home as soon as possible, Adam waited just long enough for Joe to drink a cup of coffee before helping him into the saddle and then mounting behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cCooch?\u201d Joe\u2019s voice was faint, but urgent.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s fine. A couple of scratches, but that\u2019s all. You\u2019re the one who came of worst, buddy.\u201d He\u2019d tied Cochise\u2019s reins to his saddle horn and the pinto was trotting alongside them, but Joe did not seem to be aware of this.<\/p>\n

\u201cGlad Cochise is alright.\u201d Joe forced the words out. He wanted to reassure Adam that he was all right, but he simply didn\u2019t have the strength to say anything else. He remained silent during most of the torturously slow journey, except for those moments when the pain became too much too bear and a choked gasp of agony would force its way out. Adam pushed on relentlessly, keeping an eye on the still-bleeding wound and watching as the bloodstain on the bandana he had strapped around Joe\u2019s leg grew ever larger. He wondered idly how much blood a man had in his body and how much he could afford to loose\u2026<\/p>\n

Twice that day, Adam had to bind the wound with fresh dressings and his spare shirt was reduced to a tattered remnant. By mid-afternoon, it was obvious they would not reach the Ponderosa by nightfall and he reluctantly looked around for a spot to set up camp for the evening. Joe was barely conscious and he almost slipped to the ground when Sport came to a gentle halt.<\/p>\n

Tending to the ugly wound, Adam noticed it was turning a dark reddish-purple, raised proud against the swollen and bruised flesh that surrounded it. Joe was feverish, with a fierce heat radiating from his body. After tending to his brother, Adam sat back on his heels and surveyed the empty landscape. He had never felt quite so alone in his entire life.<\/p>\n

The night\u2019s rest appeared to have do Joe some good, as the wound had finally stopped bleeding. But he had an inescapable look of fragility and was still tormented by pain.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t go on,\u201d Joe said, his voice faint, but determined. Adam started to protest, but Joe interrupted him, his dogged determination reasserting itself, despite his weakness. \u201cI can hardly lift my head off the ground, far less stay on a horse. You go back and bring help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t leave you!\u201d Adam cried wretchedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to.\u201d Joe\u2019s fragile store of strength was waning fast and he shut his eyes, not wanting his brother to see the tears that were threatening to spill out. He would not let his brother watch him die. How could Adam ever live his life after that?<\/p>\n

Adam knew Joe was right. He had to ride on alone and get help. It was the logical thing to do – he knew that. So why did it feel so wrong?<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be as quick as possible, Joe. I\u2019ll be back with help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know you will.\u201d Joe managed a half-smile, which sat like a mocking echo of his normal insouciant grin. He managed to wait until the hoof beats faded into the distance before he would allow the sob escape from his throat.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHe\u2019s a remarkably lucky young man,\u201d Paul Martin observed wryly. He used to wonder if Joe would ever reach his twenty-first birthday, the boy was that accident-prone. He turned to Ben, who had refused to leave his son\u2019s side since he was brought home, still and unmoving, seemingly more dead than alive.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe leg wound is deep and it took me over an hour to stitch it up, but it should heal without too much trouble. As long as he stays off it for a couple of weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll do that alright, iffen I have to sit on him myself!\u201d Hoss solemnly stated, with only the merest hint of a smile playing on his lips.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s got five broken ribs and a lump the size of hen\u2019s egg on the back of his head, but apart from that\u2026\u201d Paul let his sentence tail off. Only Joe Cartwright could be caught in the middle of a stampede and come off so lightly. The boy must have a whole host of guardian angels working overtime on his behalf.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did a fine job, tending to that leg wound Adam. If you hadn\u2019t acted so promptly, there was a real danger Joe could have died from blood-loss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded abstractly, never raising his gaze from the wan, bandaged figure lying almost motionless in the bed. From time to time he caught himself leaning forward, straining to hear if Joe was still breathing.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph will be alright, Paul, won\u2019t he? I mean, he\u2019s got a bit of a fever and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam glanced up and caught Hoss\u2019 eye and they exchanged a knowing smile: no matter how old Joe grew, to his father, he was still his little boy and therefore in need of love and protection. They foresaw some relentless coddling in the days ahead.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe aint no different when it\u2019s you and me neither, brother,\u201d Hoss said meaningfully. \u201cGuess we\u2019re all like that. What hurts one of us hurts all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

For all his own gift with words, Adam often envied the way Hoss could express the most complex thoughts with such immediate sensitivity. He nodded, realising that it was time to move on.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

The familiar tones of Ben Cartwright exerting the full force of his personality upon his youngest son could be clearly heard downstairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like Pa could do with a break,\u201d Adam observed dryly and loped upstairs. Just as he thought: Joe was assuring his father that he quite well enough to get up. Not to be outdone, Ben was informing his recalcitrant offspring that he most certainly was not. It was an all too-familiar scene and generally indicated that Joe was well on the road to recovery.<\/p>\n

Adam entered the room to find father and son glaring at one another, and tried not to burst out laughing at their resemblance to one another.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t I sit with Joe for a bit?\u201d he suggested smoothly and Ben gave him a harried smile and left the room with evident relief.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re obviously feeling better if you\u2019re up to fighting with Pa,\u201d Adam remarked. \u201cYou should have learned now that he\u2019s the original immoveable object when it comes to obeying doctor\u2019s orders.\u201d Joe just grunted and continued to look put out.<\/p>\n

Sitting down beside the bed, Adam clasped his hands and leant his chin on them. \u201cI\u2019ve been wanting to have a talk with you \u2013 about what happened the other week.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked embarrassed. \u201cYeah, me too,\u201d he agreed. \u201cI never thanked you for looking after me and getting me home. Sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

This was the last thing he would have expected Joe to say and Adam jerked upright. \u201cThat\u2019s not what I meant. Not at all. Quite the reverse in fact.\u201d He could feel his face redden. \u201cI’ve apologised to Pa and Hoss for the way I acted and the things I did, but you were the one who suffered the most.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe toyed restlessly with the fringe of his bedspread, unable to look at his brother. \u201cS\u2019alright,\u201d he mumbled, in an embarrassed voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s not. It\u2019s not alright at all. I acted without thinking and caused that stampede. You could have been killed. I thought that I\u2019d gone through the worst thing on earth, when I found out about Luther, but if you had\u2026 if you\u2026 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I\u2019m fine. I\u2019m here right now because you looked after me and brought me home. And if took an accident to bring you back home to all of us, then it was worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fumbling in his pocket, Adam pulled out a letter. \u201cI got this from Mrs Evans. She wrote to tell me that I wasn\u2019t to blame myself. Luther had a long history of hurting himself and as he got older, he made several attempts to take his own life. When he was arrested for arson and murder, he refused to say a single word in his own defence. Not one word. Mrs Evans says he welcomed death, as a release from his father\u2019s dominance. And she said she\u2019s happy to think he\u2019s finally at peace.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked stunned. \u201cPoor Luther! I knew he was unhappy, but I never thought it was that bad. Still, it was nice of his mother to write. I often thought Luther could have been real nice too, if he\u2019d just had a chance to be normal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked back at the letter. \u201cHis mother wrote something else. Remember that afternoon you and Luther spent fishing? He told her that was the one time he felt totally happy, the only time he ever felt like a regular kid. That\u2019s a good memory to have.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe must have been very lonely,\u201d Joe said sadly. \u201cAll those facts his father stuffed into his head, when what he was needing was love.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLove and the freedom to make your own mistakes and learn from them. We can\u2019t ask for more than that, any one of us. Oh, and the support of your family, through good times and bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben had been standing at the door listening for a few moments, relieved beyond words to realise that Adam had fought his inner demons and emerged a stronger man. \u201cThat\u2019s a good creed to live life by, son. Wise words indeed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked up at the tall, beloved figure of his father and smiled. \u201cOh, I had a good teacher.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe very best,\u201d Joe agreed contentedly. It was comforting to think that some facts were constant and immutable, like the love that bound the Cartwright\u2019s together.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0Unpleasant news affects Adam profoundly\u00a0and Joe must battle to help his brother find new meaning in life<\/p>\n

Rated: K (8,250 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":9639,"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":[1091,23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-851","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adam-joe","category-drama","wpcat-1091-id","wpcat-23-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\/09\/Indiana-Dividing-Line.jpg?fit=716%2C554&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/851","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\/41"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=851"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/851\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9639"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=851"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=851"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=851"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}