Beppina

Summary: This is the very first fanfiction that I wrote on the spur of the moment. It is written from Joe’s POV. It may not suit all tastes, but I hope you enjoy it.

Word Count: 3455

Chapter 1. Birth.

“Ouch … ow …” I don’t like this, “what’s happening … I’m afraid …” Pressure is pushing and pulling at my body. I’m helpless. I cannot resist the movement. My warm, wet environment is being disturbed. Something is propelling me forward, painfully!

“Noooo …” I don’t want this to continue, but I am powerless to stop it. I hear sounds, different sounds, not the swoosh, swoosh that has become part of me for the last nine months. Harsher, urgent sounds.

“Come on sweetheart … one more push … you can do it.”

“Come on Marie, just one big push and, the baby will be here …”

“Ohhh, I can’t … it hurts too much …I ‘m scared … ohhh …”

A scream fills my ears as cold air surrounds my body, and I am released from the warmth of my mother’s womb. I’m limp, not breathing. Something grabs my lower body, my feet. “Come on child…breathe…breathe.”

“Ben … is the baby …?”

“Breathe little one, come on …”

A resounding slap on my bottom. “Owww, that hurt,” and I draw a huge breath and begin to scream.

“Good boy, that’s right. You get some air into those lungs.”

The hand that slapped my butt now cradles me tenderly against a broad chest. “It’s a boy Marie. We have a beautiful, perfect baby boy.”

I’m handed across to someone else, gentle arms surround me and hold me close to soft sweet-scented skin. Another hand strokes my face. “Oh Ben,” a soft voice coos above me, “he’s beautiful, my little Joseph.”

Another voice breaks the moment, “He’s very small, but considering he’s almost two months early, he’s breathing well, and certainly has some lungs!” I guess this is the Doctor who has delivered me.

“May I take him for a moment, Marie, just to check him out?” I’m handed across again, a bit like a little parcel, though very, very carefully so as I don’t break.

“We need to be very cautious for the next couple of days,” the voice spoke softly. “He seems fine, but we must just keep a close eye on him. Marie, you must stay in bed and rest. It’s been a difficult birth, and you need to recuperate well enough to be able to care for this little chap!”

“I will, Paul. Thank you for everything. I don’t think I could have done it without you,” a gentle voice replied.

I was handed back to this soft-skinned, sweet-smelling person’s embrace. My eyes searched out the smiling face gazing down at me. “Wow, you sure are a pretty lady!” I felt my heartbeat quicken as I looked up into her sparkling, emerald, green eyes.

“Hello, my darling boy, I’m your mama. I will be here for you always, and love you forever,” the soft voice cooed over me, the breath warm and sweet on my cheeks.

“Okay,” I’m thinking, my face nuzzling against my mama’s body, “I could get to like this. Gosh, my mama sure is pretty … hmmm … I’m hungry after all that pushing and pulling … ohh … that’s what that’s for.” Both Mama and Papa smiled down at me as I took my first milk from my mother’s breast.

Chapter 2. Death.

“Mama’s coming,” Papa tells me, as we can hear the approach of a fast-moving horse. I smile up into his warm brown eyes. Papa kisses my head. “Sit still till she gets here. Don’t want you falling under Gold, do we?”

“No Papa.” I’m still sitting on Papa’s lap as the big golden gelding hurtles into the yard. Papa’s arm wrapped around my shoulders, his book still resting on the table in front of us.

I start to call a greeting to my mama, “Hiya, Maaa …”

A shrill scream breaks the scene. The golden horse tumbles, his rider, my beautiful mama strikes the ground hard, her leaf green hat thrown to one side, her blonde hair swept in wild disarray around her head. The horse tries to stand, only to fall back onto the inert form lying in the dust.

“Marie …” I can hear my father’s cry of anguish, “Marie … no!”

“Mama, Mama …” I can hear screaming then realise it’s my screams I am hearing.

Papa puts me on the porch, “Stay here. Don’t move.” I stand riveted to the spot. I want to run to my mama but cannot move. Tears begin to stream down my cheeks, my heart is thumping hard in my chest, “Mama…” a whisper now.

Two arms encircle me then lift me from the deck.

“Little boy come with Hop Sing. Come now.” Hop Sing turned away from my mama and papa and stepped towards the front door. I can hear more sobbing, more voices, my father crying out for my mother. I twist to see my father, but Hop Sing stops me.

“Look at me, Little Boy,” his voice catching. “Little boy not need see this now.” He carried me into the house.

Adam stood watching Papa, “Keep the boys inside, Hop Sing, please.” he asked softly.

“Go to father, Missa Adam,” came the reply. “Hoss, you come with Hop Sing. We find cookies, ok?”

Hoss sat at the kitchen table. Hop Sing held me on his hip as he opened a tin of cookies and poured milk for my brother and me.

“I want Mama,” I grizzled. I’m afraid. Why can’t I go out to help my mama?

Time passed, Adam came into the kitchen, his face pale, his eyes red-rimmed. He looked at Hop Sing. Sadly, shook his head’ then rubbed his eyes wearily.

“Keep them in here, Hop Sing. Doc Martin has arrived. Pa’ll be in when he’s done.”

“The guest room is ready, Missa Adam. You put missy in there, ok? I put boys to bed later.”

“Thanks. I’ve got to help Pa an’…”

“Where’s Mama, Adam? What’s wrong with Mama?” I can hear my voice rising in panic.

“With Pa, Joe,” he murmured, “you stay here with Hoss’n Hop Sing, ok. You be a good boy now.”

We heard voices in the living room, quiet and hushed, words incomprehensible through the door or walls. Adam looked in on us, “Okay boys?”

Hop Sing nodded, “You want coffee, sandwiches?”

Adam just shook his head, “Maybe later.”

Sometime later, or maybe only a little while, it just seemed like forever, Papa came into the kitchen. His face was white, his eyes like Adam’s, red-rimmed and swollen. He picked me up onto his hip then sat on my chair, his other hand touching Hoss’ cheek.

“Mama’s had an accident.”

“Pa, is she ok?” Hoss interrupted.

“Mama,” I whispered.

Papa shook his head, tears slipping down his cheeks onto my hair. “You need to go to bed boys. I’ll explain everything in the morning.”

“I wanna see my mama …” I was getting quite angry now. I wanted my mother. Why couldn’t I go to her?

“Not now Joseph. Mama is … resting. Tomorrow, you can see her.” Papa’s voice sounded so sad and scratchy.

“Come on.” Hop Sing took me back onto his hip and Hoss by the hand. “Let’s get you to bed. Say good night to your Papa.”

We both did as instructed and were duly taken up to our beds. Washing was done quickly, clothes changed for nightshirts, and prayers said. Hoss climbed into his bed and looked at me. I’m sure he knew more than me, just by the tragic expression on his face. I kissed him ‘nighty-night’ then allowed Hop Sing to take me to my bed.

“Good night, Little Boy.” He tucked the covers around me, bent to kiss my forehead, stroked my hair then left the room. Voices drift up through the floor and the stairs. I can hear Papa and the doctor talking, occasionally Adam’s voice could be heard. Much later, I heard my father and brother go to their rooms. I lay listening to the house noises, trying to go to sleep, wondering why I hadn’t seen Mama. She always came in to say goodnight and to hear my prayers. Why hadn’t she come in tonight?

Then, in the distance, from my father’s bedroom, I could hear weeping. I slipped from my bed and crept along to the big bedroom at the end of the hall, my parents’ room. The sobbing was louder here. Nervously I tapped on the door, my papa said I must always knock and wait for a reply before entering. “Papa … can I come in. Mama, please?”

“Go back to bed, Joseph,” my father’s voice filtered through.

“Papa … Mama …”

“I said go back to bed!” this time harsh and angry.

I began to sniffle, I was cold, I wanted my Mama, then I began to cry.

“Hey, little buddy” Adam pulled me into his arms. “Whatcha doing out of bed?”

“I heard Papa cryin’. I want to see Mama.”

“Come on …” my big brother picked me up and took me into his room. “Now you go to sleep ok, we’ve got a lot to do tomorrow.” Wrapped in the warmth of my big brother’s arms, I fell asleep.

Papa sat us all down for breakfast. Dr. Martin was still with us as he’d stayed over last night. Papa made us eat before explaining the previous day in detail.

I sat next to Papa where Mama normally would sit ’cause she would help me cut my food. Hoss opposite and Adam beside him. Dr. Martin sat on the other side of me. Papa called Hop Sing in to come to sit at the table with us.

“Where’s Mama?” I ask before my father could say anything. “Why isn’t Mama here?”

My Papa took a deep breath, sighed, breathed in again. “Your Mama, your Mama … she … hurt herself badly when her horse fell.”

“Goldie’s dead, Pa?” Hoss asked quietly, his face sad at the thought the beautiful horse had died after the fall.

“Yes, Son,” Papa replied. “He was hurt too badly, like Mama.”

Hoss looked up at Papa, his eyes full of tears.

“Joseph, look at me, Son. Hoss, Joe, your Mama went to Heaven yesterday.”

“No … no …” I was screaming again, just like when I have a bad dream, “I want Mama, Mama.”

Hop Sing came round the table to pick me up. He whispered soft words in Cantonese to calm me though I screamed and struggled and fought his hands and arms.

“Joseph.” my father’s voice cut above everything else, “Calm down, Son.”

I cried for my Mama, long pitiful sobs. I held my arms out to my father to be held as he turned to my oldest brother. “Adam, we’ve things to be done!”

I couldn’t understand why my father had just turned from me, so I cried louder and harder. Hop Sing held me close. The doctor spoke to him whilst feeling my forehead.

“I’ll give him something to calm him down. It’s an awful lot for a five-year-old to deal with. Hoss are you ok, Son. Let me have a look at you, too?”

The doctor made me drink some yucky medicine then suggested I was put to bed for a while. I didn’t want to go to bed but didn’t seem to have much choice. Neither did Hoss for that matter as he followed us up the stairs to our rooms.

“Can Joe come in with me?” Hoss asked. “I think he’ll be happier than on his own.”

“Good idea, Hoss, you both keep each other company, ok?” Hop Sing replied and set me down on Hoss’ bed.

“What’s Papa doin’?” I asked. “I can hear Mrs. Jamison an’ Mrs. Devlin downstairs. Why are they here?”

“They’re helping your pa with your mama,” the doctor said as he checked us both again, before telling us to try to sleep for a little while.

Unbeknown to Hoss and me, the ladies were preparing Mama for her funeral, to be held in two days. They would wash and redress Mama in her most beautiful gown, comb her hair and make her look as beautiful as possible. Of course, we were forbidden to go into the guest bedroom for any reason at all. The door was kept locked unless Papa was in there, but he would lock it from the inside, so we were still excluded.

These two days were awful. Hoss and me were kept to the house or the yard. We were expected to be on our best behavior the whole time as there were people visiting pretty much all day to see Papa. Hop Sing would keep us in the kitchen as much as he could or left us to play in our bedrooms. Adam was at Papa’s side constantly. We hardly got to see him at all. When we did, it was just to check on us. We didn’t see Papa at all.

Two days later saw us in our Sunday clothes. Papa looked so tired and so sad, Adam at his side helping him with everything. Hop Sing had prepared food and drinks and was now just waiting for Papa to give the word that we would be leaving.

Dr. Martin was at the house with us. It seemed to me like he had moved in for a few days. Sheriff Coffee was also present, along with the town mayor and a couple of Papa’s closest friends. They stood surrounding my father, all holding a glass of brandy. Adam stood at Papa’s side.

“Ben,” a voice called from the guest room. “When you are ready.” Papa drank his glass back in one, turned and walked across the room. He hesitated at the guest room door, wiped his eyes, and entered the room.

“I’ll give you a few minutes Ben, to say …”

“Thank you, George. George, d’you think I should let my boys see their mother before …?”

“Only you can decide that Ben.”

Adam stood at the door, “May I, Pa?” He moved to the coffin head, looked down at Marie, tears trickling down his cheeks. He bent forward and kissed her brow. “Goodbye Ma, I love you.”

Ben swallowed at his eldest’s words. “Go get Hoss for me please?” he asked softly.

Hoss stood as Adam had stood, his face tear-streaked, eyes red, his fingers lovingly stroked his mother’s cheek. “Bye Ma. Love you.”

Adam carried me into the room. I’d seen Hoss follow him and Papa, and I had wanted to follow too, but Dr. Martin held me back till Adam came and picked me up. “Be a good boy,” he whispered. “Be brave for your mama.”

Adam handed me across to Papa. “Time for you to say goodbye, Joseph,” Papa said gently and held me up to see my Mama. Mama looked so beautiful. I thought she was asleep. “Mama’s asleep,” I said. “Why won’t she wake up an’ see me?”

“Mama’s not asleep, Joe,” Papa murmured, “I explained, she’s gone to Heaven.”

I looked at Papa, “But she’s here?”

Papa pulled me close. “Say goodbye, son, we have to go now.”

“Wait Papa, give this to Mama … please” I held out my stuffed pony Mama had made, “so’s Mama don’t get lonesome.”

Papa took my toy and laid it in my mama’s hands. “Thank you, Joseph,” he whispered then passed me back to Adam’s waiting arms.

Minutes later, Papa came to us boys and led us out to the waiting buggy. He and Adam returned to the house and along with the sheriff and doctor carried the slender wooden coffin out to the wagon. Then very gently slid it into place behind our foreman, Charlie, who sat silently watching the black horses waiting to take their precious cargo to her final resting place.

Hop Sing held me on his lap, Hoss sat at his side, my papa and Adam sat facing us as another of our hands clicked the horses into movement. Charlie eased the blacks forward; the wagon slowly shifted and led the way from the yard. The ranch hands all stood to the side, each with his head bowed, hat in hand paying their respect to my mama. They mounted up as we left the yard then followed us in silence.

Mama’s favorite spot on the ranch is a small grassy clearing overlooking Lake Tahoe. We slowly made our way there, to where Papa had decided would be a fitting resting place. Other buggies and wagons joined our progress along the way until we reached the clearing just before the lake. Many people were already standing around waiting. The preacher is standing to one side waiting for Papa, in his hand, his Bible.

We stopped. Papa and Adam left us to go see Mama. Hop Sing helped Hoss and me down then stood holding both of us by the hand. “You be good boys now for your mama,” he said softly and stroked my hair, then Hoss’ cheek. We stood in silence, Hoss still sobbing softly, me just watching Papa and Adam, not understanding what I could see before me.

We stood by a gaping hole in the ground, the box was set on some rests to one side and the preacher began talking. I didn’t understand anything he said. To be truthful, I didn’t hear much either. I was just looking at the big box and the big hole in the ground, my mind working overtime to make out what was happening.

The preacher finally stopped speaking, nodded to my papa. To the sound of sobbing, Papa helped lower Mama into the hole. I watched in horror then ran to my father’s side sobbing and shouting. “No Papa no. I want my Mama,” my voice shrill and insistent, my hands pulling at his pants leg.

Adam pulled me back, shushing me as I struggled.

Hop Sing swung me up into his arms, “Hush littl’ boy, hush now.” With his face close to mine, his eyes were as tear-filled as mine.

Adam stepped forward and dropped a white rose down into the hole to rest on the coffin. He held Hoss’ hand as he stepped forward to do the same. Hop Sing approached the grave, still holding me as close as he could, he leaned over and dropped two white roses, one for him and one for me. He whispered something in Chinese then stepped back for my father to take his place. In his arms, a small bouquet of red roses. He knelt on the damp grass and reached down to place the flowers on his wife’s casket. I heard his whispered words.

“Goodbye, my love. Until we meet again, I love you.” He stood, wiped his eyes, and turned to Adam and the preacher.

“Thank you,” his only words.

Papa didn’t look at Hoss or me; just at the place he’d placed Mama.

People filed by. All spoke words of condolences, a gentle pat on the arm, a hug or, a soft kiss on the cheek for my father and Adam. People dabbed at their eyes, spoke soft words to each other as they passed by. Occasionally, a gentle pat or word for Hoss and me. We waited until we were the only people there, save our two teamsters who waited patiently by the wagon and buggy and tended the horses. Papa knelt by the filled-in grave. He touched the soft mound of earth that marks Mama’s resting place.

“Take the boys back home, Hop Sing, if you would, please, you too, Adam,” Papa instructed.

We climbed aboard the buggy, me safe in Hop Sing’s arms, my brother Hoss beside us, brother Adam again facing us, and slowly we headed home, leaving our father standing in mourning at my mama’s graveside.

Epilogue.

I’m a grown man now. I still love and miss my mama. I go to talk to her whenever I have a problem or when I’m in trouble with Pa. Just after Mama died, Doc Martin came out to the Ponderosa to talk to Pa. He had some sad news to share, which was eventually shared with my brothers and me. The reason my mother had ridden into the yard at such a rate was that she wanted to tell my father her good news. She was going to have another baby. Another sibling for me, a baby brother or sister for us three boys. He said she had been overjoyed at the news when he confirmed her suspicions of being ‘with child’. I think she was so excited she just wanted to get home to tell Pa he was going to be a father again.

End.

by JoeC

It was Christmas Eve, and he was still miles away from home.

For the past few days, Joe Cartwright had been negotiating a contract for a new delivery of telegraph masts for Fort Churchill. Negotiations dragged on, and Joe was worried he might not be home for Christmas. Only in the final minutes did both parties agree on the price.

To reach the stagecoach station, Joe needed to run because he was late. When he came around the corner he saw people standing at the coach.

“Ma’am.  Gentlemen.” Joe tipped his hat. 

Four men and a woman answered his greeting. After the five passengers climbed into the stagecoach, Joe realized there was no seat for him. One of the men brought a second seat because he was very corpulent. Joe made himself as comfortable as he could at the bottom of the carriage. He pulled the collar of his winter coat up to the brim of his hat. Like Joe, the other passengers were also cold from the winter chill.

On the way, the people put the roller blinds of the carriage down because snowflakes kept flying into the interior. The woman pulled a scarf over her head so that only her eyes peeked out. A slight tremor indicated to Joe that she was wearing clothing unsuitable for driving in the cold countryside. Joe would have loved to give her his coat, but that would have meant him freezing to death.

Hour after hour, the carriage moved away from the fort in the direction of Carson City. On their way through the hilly landscape, they passed a small telegraph outpost. Here the driver watered the horses, and the passengers could go outside and walk around to warm up.

Joe went to the lady.  “Ma’am, my name is Joseph Cartwright.” Joe tipped his hat and gave his nicest smile.

“Hello Mr. Cartwright, my name is Charlotte Jordan.”

“Sorry you’re feeling the cold, but there’s not much we can do to keep warm, I’m afraid.”

“You are right, Mr. Cartwright.” Charlotte agreed with Joe.

He wanted to offer his first name, but the driver was shouting to get on the stage. The three men went in, but the fourth had problems to get onboard.  It took one of the men inside pulling and Joe on the outside pushing.

The stage was on its way again. The route became more difficult. Joe noticed a few times how the wheels slipped on small ice surfaces. The driver had so far, been able to avoid all impassable obstacles. Two times the side of the stage, where Joe was sitting, was pushed against ledges and bushes.

“Driver, driver, you have to slow down.” Joe’s warning was lost in all the noises.

Another tilt of the carriage to Joe’s side caused the door to pop open. Joe fell backward out of the Carriage. The woman who tried to hold on to him also flew out.

The corpulent man was also thrown in the direction of the open door, but he stuck fast!

Ahead of them, a sharp bend appeared. Unable to stop, the stagecoach drove into the abyss. The screams of the passengers and the horses were deafening.

 ____________________________________________________

“Pa, do you think Joe will get home today?”

Ben was standing by the open fire, deep in thought, so he didn’t hear Hoss’ remark.

Adam stood next to Hoss and saw their father hadn’t heard. “Pa?” he repeated. “Do you think Joe is coming today?”

Ben turned around and looked into the eyes of his sons.

“I hope he’ll make it to dinner tonight. After all, it’s Christmas Eve.”

“Are you worried?”

“A little, the weather has changed, and because of the snow and cold, I fear, he’ll be stuck in Carson City tonight. If he’s not there by tomorrow morning, we’ll ride out to meet him.”

____________________________________________________

“Damn it, what’s going on here?”

Joe was lying face down on the ground, and there were bushes all around him. It took him a few minutes to remember everything.  Joe stood slowly up. His clothes were torn in places, and scratches were scattered over his body and face. Still dazed, he remembered that a young woman had fallen out of the stagecoach with him.

“Ma’am, where are you?” Joe shouted. When he heard a voice, he went in that direction.  “Are you hurt, ma’am? “

“Help me out of here. I’m under this bush, and stop calling me, ma’am.”

First, Joe saw only the feet and stockings. After a while, the woman stood in front of Joe, and she had some rips in her clothes. In addition, like Joe, she had small scratches on her neck and face.

“Are you all right, Ma’am?

“All well, Mr. Cartwright, I’m fine. I’m mad because this is the second accident with a stagecoach since traveling to Carson, and stop calling me, ma’am!”

It took both a few minutes to straighten their clothes.  Then Joe heard a horse screaming in pain.    

“I’m going down the ravine to put that animal out of its misery and look after the other passengers.”  

A shot echoed up the hill. Minutes later, Charlotte Jordan saw Joe crawling up the hill with some things in his hands. 

“How about the other passengers? Did anyone survive?” The young woman looked worried.

“No, they are all dead.”   

For a minute, Joe and Charlotte went quiet. Both were thinking of the men in the stagecoach, and a shudder went down their spines.

“Miss Jordan, we have no time to stay here. Carson isn’t far away, but the cold weather can be dangerous for us.”

Joe put the clothes, he brought up with him, in front of Charlotte’s feet and urged her to put them on.

“In case you haven’t noticed, Mr. Cartwright, I’m already dressed.”

“You are a real sunshine, Lady, and I like your sense of humor.     Now, put them on.”

“These are men’s clothes. Why should I wear them?”

“If you don’t, you will freeze to death.”

Charlotte looked at Joe with big eyes and she knew this cowboy was right.  A pair of trousers with suspenders, a sweater, a coat, three pairs of socks, and men boots were quickly put on.

“Please excuse my smart mouth. I always talk first and think later.  Shouldn’t we head for the military post?” 

“Carson City is closer.  We must hurry because we need to be there before dark. It will become very cold tonight.”

With every step that Joe and Charlotte took, the woman became calmer.

“Can you still walk?”

“I find it difficult to walk in these boots. Do you know how heavy men’s boots are?”  Charlotte gave Joe a challenging look, and the next moment she realized that her question was plain stupid.  “Oh, that was stupid to ask.” 

“You think?”  Joe’s grin grew very wide, and Charlotte had to laugh too.

“Let’s start over again. My name is Miss Charlotte Jordan, and you can call me Charly.”

“Hello Charly, my name is Joseph Cartwright, and you can call me Joe.”

__________________________________________________

Two hours later, they arrived Carson City and went straight to the sheriff. There they told him everything, and the sheriff told them he’d organize some men to collect the bodies the following morning. 

“If I have any questions, where can I contact you?”

Charlotte said that she was going to see her sister. Joe wanted to get a hotel room until tomorrow and then ride to the Ponderosa.

First, Joe escorted Charly to her sister’s house. She was working, but Charly knew where the key to the house was. It was difficult for both to say goodbye. Joe took Charly’s hand and gave her a light kiss.

“It was nice to meet you, even if the circumstances were rather tragic.”

“Thanks, for your help.”

“We’ll definitely see each other again. I’m often in Carson City.”

“I really hope so, after all we have a common experience, and you now know where I will be living.”

Joe grinned and gave Charly a big hug. Then he headed in the direction of the hotel.

Joe bought new clothes on the way to the St. Charles Hotel. When he arrived at his room, Joe first took a hot bath. The water washed around his naked body. The comforting warmth let Joe’s muscles relax, and a slight moan escaped his slightly parted lips.

After the bath, Joe ordered two big steaks and all the fixings. He was very hungry, but he also realized that it was the first time in his life that he was alone on Christmas Eve. A longing for his family overcame him. Christmas at home was always something special. The moment of sadness passed when the waiter brought the copious meal.

Before Joe could eat the first bite another knock on the door sounded. He thought it was the waiter, and Joe called him in. First, a champagne bottle appeared behind the door, then a box of chocolates. 

A female voice said softly, “Merry Christmas.”

Joe got up from the table and went to the door.

“Charly?”

“Yes. I thought because you are alone on Christmas Eve and my sister must work, we could spend the evening together.” Joe closed the door and conjured up a smile.

“So, you’re Santa Claus then?”

“I wouldn’t go that far. I’m more of the female version of Santa Claus.”

A resounding laugh filled the room.

Joe had ordered so much food that Charlotte could eat with him.

After dinner, Joe opened the bottle of champagne. He handed Charlotte a glass, and both toasted to a special Christmas Eve. After two more glasses, she took the box of chocolates and put one of these delicacies in her mouth. As she did so, she approached Joe. The chocolate held between her red lips, Joe approached, and his lips touched hers. The shared praline was just the beginning of Charlotte’s love game. She opened slowly, button by button, Joe’s shirt. Joe quickly overcame his astonishment that a woman would take the lead, but he got involved in her game. Kiss after kiss followed and her lips traveled down Joe’s body. A groan escaped Joe, and he looked down at the woman. Her red lips shone seductively as she reached for the waistband of Joe’s pants. With delicate fingers, Charlotte opened the buttons. Joe’s excitement rose to extremes. Before he could take her hands in his, she pushed Joe onto the bed.

“It’s unfair, Charlotte, I’m completely naked in front of you, and you’re still wearing all your clothes. Let me help you.” A big grin appeared on Joe’s face.

“You won’t do that, my dear Joe. I’ll undress myself, and you can watch.”

Charlotte stood in front of the bed and began to take off her clothes very, very slowly. The excitement that Joe felt was almost unbearable.  Her slow movements increased Joe’s desire to take Charlotte into his arms. Now, she was sitting on Joe and was moving her pelvis back and forth. Joe closed his eyes to take in the erotic movements of this beautiful woman. Making love with this woman was something very special. She took the time to touch Joe’s body. When she licked his nipple with her tongue, Joe closed his eyes to take in the erotic moment. After a while, Joe straightened up and pulled Charlotte’s face towards him. Intense kisses paired with light movements were the highest form of lovemaking for Joe.

A few hours later, Joe and Charlotte lay exhausted in bed.   

Joe looked directly into Charlotte’s eyes.  “You are a wonderful woman, you know?”

“Thank you, and you are a delightful lover.”

“What will you do after Christmas?”

“I’m going to go work with my sister at Ormsby’s Casino. We’re going to save our money and open our own casino in San Francisco or Los Angeles.”  Joe looked surprised by Charlotte’s statement.  “I can see in your eyes you don’t think much of our plans?”

Joe could hear the hurt in Charlotte’s voice and added, “I think you could do anything and become a good businesswoman. I like that you know what you want. I am glad that we met and that you came to see me. Charlotte, you made my Christmas Eve a very special experience. “

With one move, Joe pulled Charlotte back into his arms.

___________________________________________________

Joe woke up all alone in his bed. Charly having returned to her sister’s house. He looked at the clock and saw that it was almost noon. Joe got up from bed with a swing when a knock disturbed the silent room. Joe pulled on his pants and opened the door.

A big “hello” filled the room as his family entered.

“Oh, I see our little brother spent the night in a warm bed.”

Ben and Hoss agreed with Adam’s comment.

“How are you, Joseph? We saw the sheriff and he told us about the accident. Good to see you’re safe and sound, son.

“I’m fine, Pa.”

Joe told them about the accident and how he and Charly survived. 

Joe put a few things in his saddlebag and told his family they could ride home now.

“Did you have a Christmas party in your room?” Adam saw the dirty dishes on the table.

“Oh that, no, no party. Only Charly and me.  We celebrated our luck at having survived. Neither of us wanted to be alone on Christmas Eve.

“I’m happy you weren’t alone on that special evening. Come on, Hop Sing will be waiting for us.”

All four left the room and Joe’s look turned back to the bed. A big grin appeared on his face, and he said in a low voice, “Yes, really a very special Christmas.”

The End

December 2021

Thanks to my Beta June

  http://parks.nv.gov/learn/park-histories/fort-churchill-history

https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/nevada/stc.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ormsby_House

by JoeC

Finally, the day I had feared the most since my childhood had come.

No more than a week earlier my life was at ease. I had run the ranch as always in the last years and my father had helped me from time to time. But mostly in these days he went to Virginia City to visit old friends like Roy Coffee and Doc Martin.

Today, in the morning, Pa had gone to my mother’s grave and at lunch time he wasn’t back. I was worried and so I went after him. I found my father sitting on the ground by the grave. He was weak, like he had been for the last few days. When I realized he wasn’t able to get up alone, I helped him into the surrey and we slowly drove home.

In the last years my father’s bedroom has been next to the dining room because of his knee problems and his inability to climb the stairs anymore. It was a happenstance that now came in handy for me. Carefully I laid him down in his bed and sent a hand to fetch the doctor. Daniel Huffman, the doctor who had taken over the practice from Paul Martin four years ago, knew my father very well. Even though Pa still went to Paul Martin for consultation my father also trusted in Doc Huffman’s skills – occasionally. After his arrival Daniel examined my father for a whole hour. When he left the bedroom, Pa had fallen into an exhausted sleep and Daniel came to sit beside me at the dining table.

“Daniel, how is he?” My voice trembled and I feared the answer.

“Oh Joe, in all the time I’ve known your father he’s always been a agile person who was – for his age – in a good shape, aside from his back and knee problems. But now… ” I saw that Doctor Huffman was searching for the right words.

“What now, Daniel?”

“Joe, your father is very fragile and I think he… he is dying.”

“Dy…, dying? But he is not sick.” I jumped out of the chair and my hand searched for a hold at the table.

Daniel Huffman stood up and put a reassuring hand on my arm. Then he explained that my father wasn’t ill but nevertheless he was dying.

“But if he isn’t sick why is he dying?” I couldn’t understand this at all.

“Joe, your father is dying because his time has come. No one lives forever, Joe, not even your pa.”

His words made me numb and I couldn’t talk anymore. Daniel sat for a while by my side.

Later I pulled myself together and saw Daniel out. As quietly as possible I entered my father’s room and sat beside him in a chair. There he lay, only a shadow of the man I had known for all my life and now he was even more fragile than he’d been in the morning. My strong father with his booming voice was dying? I couldn’t believe it and yet it was already happening. Maybe the Doc was wrong and Pa only had a little cold. I tried to fool myself desperately. Maybe… my heart felt like it was in chains. I could hardly breathe and tears were running down my cheeks.

I felt so alone and suddenly I wished my brothers were there with me.

I held Pa’s hand in mine for a long while, my thumb caressing the back of his hand unceasingly. I did not want him to feel alone. His hand was cold and that just was not right. Pa’s hands were always warm. ‘Maybe I should give him a extra blanket?’ I considered after a while. He needed to be warm – I needed for him to be warm.

Memories, there are lot’s of them and at that moment they were threatening to overwhelm me. Memories of my father, my brothers and of our former lives together, on the Ponderosa. Adam and Hoss, riding at my father’s side, and now…. I’m the last one. The last son.

I yearned for my brothers so much in that very moment.

I remembered how Pa had grieved so much after we had gotten the message of Adam’s death, that I had feared my father was going to lose his mind. We couldn’t even have Adam’s body to bury, since my brother had lost his life at sea – the life he had chosen after he had left us and the Ponderosa. Back then Hoss had explained to me that Pa had always grieved that way. The only thing he would need was time. In the end, Hoss had been right. Little by little Pa got involved in the ranch work again.

Years later, when Hoss had died, Pa had been broken-hearted anew. But once more life had carried on – we had carried on. Side by side the two of us. We had worked hard until over the years the Ponderosa grew further.

“Joseph?” His voice was unnaturally weak when Pa called out for me.

“I’m here, Pa.” I took my father’s hand in mine while I stroked his head with the other one.

“It’s time Joseph. They are calling me.”

“Who is calling you, Pa?”

“Your mother and Inger… Elisabeth. Adam and Hoss are also waiting for me. Joe… I’m happy. I will see them again. Not long and we will… will be together.” A weak smile appeared on my father’s face.

“But Pa, I need you here – with me.” I almost shouted. Tears came into my eyes and I buried my face in his shoulder.

“Joe, it’s time for me to go. I’ve lived a long life and now I need to go. But I have to ask one last favor of you.” At this I lifted my head and looked at him, expectant. His unsteady hand reached for my face and without a second thought I leaned my head into it.

“What is it, Pa? I will do whatever you want from me.”

“I want you to go on with your life. Grief is only one part of life, my son. The other is happiness and I want you to be happy. Go on with your life, be happy and remember me with love. Will you?”

I bent down to my father and kissed his cheek.

“I will, I promise.” Later on I would be wondering how I had been able to regain enough calmness in this moment to do so. But at that moment, and for my fathers sake, I was only grateful for it.

“I love you, Papa.” I stroked my father’s face again.

” I love you too, son.” His voice had been so weak I barely heard him anymore. Then my Pa’s eyes grew dark.

***

The house was quiet. I was sitting in the blue chair, feeling lonely and weeping for the loss of my father. Memories came and went, but before they could take me away the door opened.

“Joe?” Alice came in.

“I met Daniel in town, he told me… .” When Alice reached the chair she got on her knees and took my hands in hers.

“Pa is gone, Alice, he died in my arms.”

Alice took me in her arms and I wept for a long while. Later she gave me comfort and warmth.

And then I knew what my father had meant with his last words.

The End

Many Thanks to my Betas Stetson1859 and Freyakendra

© February 2011, JoeC

By JoeC

The flames ate into Joe’s hands. The pain that ran over his fingers into his arms was clearly felt. Joe ignored it anyway.  A greater pain gripped his heart. Alice, his Alice was in the burning house. With all his might, Joe pushed the burning beams aside. When he tried to run into the house, hands held him back.

“Let go of me, I have to go to Alice.” With a booming voice, Joe tried to pull the burning beams aside.

Any further attempts to get into the house failed. Candy held him as tightly as he could to prevent Joe from going to the burning hell. The hot flames gripped Joe’s jacket, the smoke burned in his lungs and breathing became difficult.

“Let me go to Alice.” The tears running down his cheeks dried instantly in the heat of the fire. The hands that held him were stronger. They pulled him away from the burning house.

Joe heard his name being called.  It was Candy’s voice.  However, he did not want to give up, he had to find Alice. Joe tried to tell Candy that Alice was in the house. His voice broke and a strong coughing attack robbed him of his words.

“Joe…Joe, it’s too late.”

Candy appeared in front of him and shouted the words Joe never wanted to hear. The house burned down. Joe had resisted until all strength left his body and he fainted to the ground.

***

Jamie drove the team into the courtyard of the Ponderosa. At the top of his lungs, he screamed for Ben. “Pa, Pa.  The house is on fire. Come quickly.”

Ben stormed out of the house and saw Jamie stop the wagon in front of the house.

“Jamie, slowly, boy. What’s wrong?”

In a voice choked with tears, Jamie said, “Pa, we need help. The house is on fire and Joe ran inside to save Alice.”

Ben had blankets and water placed in the wagon and sent Hank for the doctor.  Ben got on his horse, followed by Jamie and two workers with the team.  

Arriving at the house, Ben saw the burning remains and the smoking ruin of the house. The only thing left was the chimney. Ben jumped off his horse and ran to Candy, who had bent over Joe.

“How’s Joe?” Ben’s voice had a panicked undertone. 

“He’s alive, but his hands look bad.”

Candy’s voice kept breaking. A coughing fit gripped him so hard that tears ran down his cheeks.

Ben took Joe’s head in his lap. Black shreds of skin hung down from the inner surfaces of his hands. Although his son had to be in severe pain, Joe did not make a sound.

The arriving wagon with the ranch hands stopped next to them. Henry, an older worker, took the water containers and poured the contents over Joe’s hands.

“Mr. Cartwright, we need more cold water.”

Jamie took the empty containers and ran to the small stream that flowed near the house.

Joe’s rattling breath, which was drowning everything out, worried Ben. He knew that inhaled smoke was dangerous.

“Let’s get him in the wagon.  Doc Martin’s on the way.  What about Alice?”

Ben looked into Candy’s eyes and they were as black as the burnt wooden beams of the house. Candy lowered his eyes and shook his head. Hopelessness filled Ben’s heart.

Like a procession, the wagon drove back to the Ponderosa.

***

The waiting had demanded all the patience Ben could muster.

“Pa, please sit down. If you keep walking around the room like this, you’re going to fall over.”

Ben gave Jamie a look that silenced the boy. The silence of the house was repeatedly interrupted by Joe’s cough. After what felt like an eternity, Doc Martin came down the stairs.

“How is he?” Ben’s voice had a rough and desperate sound.

“Calm down, Ben. There is no danger to life. His hands are burned and he has inhaled a lot of smoke, but he is a healthy young man. He will survive. The situation is different with his state of mind. He has lost his wife and baby and that will have a powerful impact on his healing.”

Ben’s gaze sought a point behind Doc Martin. His eyes burned from tears that had not yet been wept. His heart became heavy.  First they had lost Hoss and now Alice and the baby. Ben felt like life was running through his fingers.

Ben snapped himself out of his thoughts to ask, “Did you find Alice?”

“Not yet, sir, but Candy wanted to check the ruins, “Jamie’s voice threatened to fail.

 The doctor walked toward the door.  He gave Ben a telling look. “Watch out for Joe, Ben.”  Then left the house.

***

Joe dreamed of a mighty fire dragon. The heat was everywhere as this animal opened its mouth and an orange-red flame escaped. The people standing around him started screaming. The noise pierced Joe’s head like a sword. Now he, too, was screaming. Louder and louder until the flame touched him. Pain, pain everywhere. Then everything was silent. A cool breeze could be felt on his forehead. It felt good. His head, which had wanted to explode, felt lighter. The pain subsided. Joe heard his father’s reassuring words. He didn’t understand what he was telling him, but before he could understand a dark void settled over him.

Sitting at Joe’s bedside, Ben heard loud voices outside the house. Candy was shouting for Doc Martin.  He also noticed how Joe reacted to the shouts. His son reared up and started to cry out as well.

Ben tried to calm Joe with gentle words and put a cold wet cloth on his forehead. Only then did Joe calm down.

Ben left the now quiet Joe to investigate.

***

Again and again, Joe’s consciousness drifted into reality. He opened his eyes and saw Ben or Jamie sitting at his bedside. Before Joe could ask something he fell asleep. The next time he woke up, the sun shone into his room.

“Hello, Joseph.  It’s nice to see you awake. I have some water. Come let me help you.”

Joe looked at his bandaged hands and remembered what had happened.

“She’s dead, Pa! Alice was in the burning house. I couldn’t help her.” Despair gripped Joe. The heartbreaking sobs were only interrupted by a coughing attack.

“Joe, calm down. Alice lives. She lives Joe.”

“She’s alive?”

“She survived in the little earth cellar you built. Candy found her there. She’s in the next room.

“I need to see her.”

Joe wanted to leave the bed but Ben stopped him.

“First you need to know what happened with Alice. She was beaten unconscious and then they set the house on fire. Alice was also to be killed because she saw her brother’s murder. She awoke and was able to flee into the small cellar. That saved her life, but she lost the Baby.”         

Joe looked at his father in horror. His mouth opened but no words came out. Tears appeared in his eyes.

“Please Pa, take me to Alice.”

Ben help Joe to get to Alice’s room and sat him down next to her bed. She was sleeping. 

With a last look Ben left the room.

***

Two weeks later, the whole family sat together at the table for the first time since the disaster. Despite his bandaged hands, Joe was already able to use them. Alice was very pale. The miscarriage was difficult for her to cope with. Both were still filled with the grief for the lost baby and the loss of Alice’s brother.

“As soon as my hands are healed I will go out and get wood for our new home.”

Joe had already spoken to Alice about the new house. He wanted to think positively and plan a future together, despite the pain they both felt. The new house would stand a little away from the ruins of the old house. Candy and Jamie had also expressed their willingness to help.

In the days that followed, Joe got more and more involved in planning. The new house would be larger than the old one and have a porch. Joe’s enthusiasm also gripped the others and gradually the heavy mood on the Ponderosa cleared.

Ben was grateful that his son saw a hopeful future for himself and Alice. The only thing that made him a little thoughtful was how Alice reacted to the situation. As more and more hope filled the Ponderosa, she became paler and quieter.

***

Over the next few weeks, Ben noticed the mood between Alice and Joe shifting. Joe expected Alice to be happy about the new plans he was making for both of them, but Alice was never seized by his joy. 

On a warm October day, she sat on the porch and sewed. Ben sat down next to her.

“I know I shouldn’t interfere in your relationship, but something is wrong.  Want to tell me?” Ben looked at his daughter-in-law. His worry reflected in his smile.

“Oh Pa, I don’t know. I’m still crying for my baby. I can’t forget it so quickly. I know Joe still feels grief, but he can distract himself with the plans for the new house.”   

Her desperate look hit Ben’s heart. “There’s more that weighs on you. I can feel it.”

Alice lowered her gaze and tears ran down her cheeks. Even though Ben would have liked to urge her to tell him everything, he gave her the time she needed.

“Today, we met Sheriff Coffee.  He told us the men who murdered my brother were killed in Carson City when they resisted arrest.  The music box was found in their leader’s hotel room.”

“Thank God.” Ben folded his hands.

“Joe wanted to go after these criminals, but he realized he couldn’t hold a gun. That’s why he left everything to the sheriff. That’s also why he’s concentrated on the new house.”

“I understand but isn’t that wonderful news?  Now that danger is over you can think about your future again.”

“That’s the problem.” Alice covered her face with her hands and began to sob. “I … I never want to move into a house where I will be left alone.”  The trembling in Alice’s voice increased.  “The fire … the fear of dying, the loss of the baby … I never want to feel that again.”  

“So that’s what’s been bothering you for weeks? The fear of being alone and defenseless. Did you talk to Joe?”

“Oh my goodness, Pa. Joe is obsessed with the new house.  He is paying no attention to anything else.”

Before Ben could say anything, Alice jumped up and ran into the house.

***

“Joe, a word, please.”  Ben had thought long and hard about whether he should interfere. But he also saw how fanatically Joe organized the house construction and did not pay attention to Alice. “Alice is not feeling well. You should sit down with her and talk.” Ben’s statement was carefully worded so as not to offend. He knew how sensitive his son could be to interference.

“I know Alice is miserable. We have lost our baby. Of course, she is suffering. I am too.”

“It’s not just the miscarriage. Go upstairs and take your time to listen to her.”

The undertone of Ben’s speech made Joe take notice. He nodded and went to his wife.

***

Epilogue

The snow-runners of the sleigh glided gently through the freshly fallen snow. Two people snuggled up close to each other and covered with a warm fur drove in the direction of Lake Tahoe.

“Which direction now?” The voice under the thick scarf had a hollow tone. Wordlessly, a gloved hand pointed toward the lake. After a few minutes the path ended. “That’s Thunderbird, what are we doing here?” Joe turned to his wife and looked at her questioningly. Without another word, Alice got out of the carriage and offered her hand to Joe.  

“A surprise”.  

Laughing, Alice pulled Joe over to a rock formation a few feet from the water. There, well hidden among the rocks, Joe saw a small cabin.

“Since when is a cabin here?” Joe’s astonishment was great as he looked at Alice.

“A surprise for you, my love. You gave up a new house for me. Now that we live on the Ponderosa, we need privacy too. A love nest for both of us.”

Beneath the thick scarf Joe could only see Alice’s eyes, and the deep love she felt for him. Overwhelmed by the gift he gave Alice a big hug.

“Thanks.”

Arriving at the door, Joe grabbed Alice and with an elegant swing he carried her into the cabin.

The End

[December 2022]

If you have enjoyed this story, please consider leaving a comment.

by ljlover

***

October 31^st had finally arrived and for the Cartwright family, this meant one day when they didn’t have to tussle with the youngest member of the family, in order to get him out of bed. Little Joe was still new to the routine of being up early enough, in order to make the ride into town, in time for the start of school. He was only six years old, and it was still not that long ago since he’d lost his mother in a tragic riding accident. Not only had this resulted in the little boy missing his mother, but it had made him even more clingy towards the rest of the family. At first, Joe had been very reluctant to attend school, but he was finding it easier, what with having his big brother Hoss, still there. And his two closest friends, Mitch and Sara, were also pupils, and so he was, slowly, adjusting to the idea. However, he still wasn’t good at waking up in the mornings and it usually took the combined efforts of all of the household to get him up, dressed, fed and ready to leave on time.

But today was different, as it was Halloween. Adam had promised to take them trick or treating after school, so this morning saw Little Joe sat at the table at the same time as his older brothers.

“This is a lovely surprise,” commented Ben. “All three of my boys eating breakfast together.”

Joe was stuffing scrambled eggs into his mouth, like his life depended on it, and looked up at this remark, saying, “Want the day to go fast,” although Ben wasn’t completely sure what he said, as the little boy had a mouthful of egg at the time.

“Slow down, Little Joe,” admonished Ben. “You cannot possibly be enjoying that food at the rate you are eating it. And please don’t speak with your mouth full.”

“No, please don’t,” added Adam, who was sitting opposite his baby brother, and had been liberally sprayed with partly chewed scrambled egg, when his little brother answered their father.

“Sorry, Adam,” said Joe, when he realised what he’d done. He wanted to keep his big brother on side, seeing as how their father said they could only go trick or treating if Adam was with them.

“Apology accepted,” replied Adam, smiling at Little Joe. There were times when Adam could get quite exasperated by his little brother’s antics, but mostly, the three boys got on very well, despite the large age gap between each of them, and the fact they all had different mothers. However, the one constant in all of their lives, their father, Ben, was raising them to be a close-knit family. He would often say there were enough enemies at the door, without fighting amongst themselves.

No sooner had Little Joe cleared his plate of food, he was down from the table and heading across the main room to the front door.

“Hold your horses, young man,” commanded Ben.

“I’s not on a horse, yet, Papa,” replied Joe, scratching his head.

Ben tried not to laugh at his son’s misunderstanding of his words, and struggled to keep a stern expression on his face.

“First of all, you haven’t finished your milk.”

“Aww, I don’t want no more,” whined Joe, interrupting his father.

“And secondly,” went on Ben, choosing to ignore the interruption, “You did not ask permission to leave the table. So, place your backside on your chair, before Papa has to give you a reminder as to what bad manners leads you to.”

Joe completed the journey back to his chair, with his two hands protecting his bottom, and swiftly sat down, again. He picked up his glass of milk and rather noisily drank the rest of it, and then looked up at his father, with the most angelic, but milky smile, lighting up his face.

“Please may I leave the table, Papa? I gots ta get to school so’s me and Sara and Mitch can plan our tricks for tonight.”

“You may leave the table, but please remember what I said. You only play a trick if you don’t get any candy, and Adam must agree with whatever you decide to do. I don’t want anybody knocking at my door with bills for damages to their homes. This is supposed to be a bit of fun; nothing more, okay?”

The little boy appeared to be taking in everything his father said to him, and nodded his head, in agreement. “Okay, Papa.”

“I will come and meet you at the sheriff’s office at 4 o’clock,” said Adam. “So, wait there for me.”

“We will,” affirmed Hoss. “And thanks for saying you’ll come with us, Adam.” Hoss knew that his older brother felt he was a bit too old for trick or treating, but Ben would not allow the younger boys to go wandering around, after dark, on their own, so he was grateful Adam had agreed.

Once the two younger boys had left the room, Ben looked over at Adam and said, “I know you don’t really want to go trick or treating with them, but I am glad you agreed to it.”

“Well, I didn’t really have a lot of choice, did I, Pa? You just used your ace card and reminded me how much the boys are going to miss me when I go to college and that by doing this, I am leaving them with happy memories of me. I could hardly refuse, then, could I?”

Ben just smiled at his boy, knowing that even though Adam didn’t want to admit it, he was looking forward to the evening with his younger brothers.

Hoss and Little Joe were soon on their way to school, riding on Shadow, Hoss’s pony.

Little Joe was so excited, it was a wonder that he managed to stay out of trouble all day, at school. All he could think about was the fun he was going to have, trick or treating with his two best friends from school, Mitch and Sara, and his big brothers.

Several times, throughout the day, Miss Jones, the children’s teacher, had to call for quiet, as Joe and his friends weren’t the only ones excited about Halloween.  Eventually, Miss Jones had to concede defeat, and she began telling the children a bit more about the origins of the Halloween traditions. This kept their attention more than when she had been trying to explain fractions to the older ones and getting the younger ones to read to themselves.

“Halloween, or Samhain, as it was originally called, was a festival to celebrate the end of summer and the safe gathering in of the harvest,” explained Miss Jones. “People dressed up in scary costumes to chase the ghosts away. They were worried that mischievous spirits would come out on this night and spoil their crops so they dressed up to chase the spirits away. Then later on people started asking for treats or else they would act like naughty spirits and play tricks on those who refused to give them any treats.”

“And they would say it was the spirits who did the tricks, so no one would know who it really was,” piped up Hoss, who although he was prepared to go along with the tricking part of the evening, if necessary, was not too happy about the possible consequences, if they got caught.

“Yes, Erik, you are correct,” said Miss Jones, and Hoss breathed a sigh of relief, having heard a teacher telling him that this part of the legend was, indeed, true. “It is one night of the year when mischief is almost expected. But that doesn’t mean that any of you should do anything too nasty. And I am sure your parents have already told you the same thing,” and several children nodded. “Halloween is supposed to be a fun evening for everyone. Now then, pack up your books and get your coats on. It is time for lunch, but please wrap up well before you go outside.”

At lunch time, the children were encouraged to go out into the yard and although it was now fall, it was still warm enough for the children to play outside for a while.  Hoss, Little Joe, Mitch and Sara stood together, under a tree, and enjoyed thinking up tricks to play on unwilling treat givers.

“Now, remember what Pa said, Little Joe,” cautioned Hoss, as his little brother’s ideas became more and more outrageous.

“Aww, we’re only joshing,” replied Joe, but he kept his hands behind his back, so that Hoss couldn’t see he had his fingers crossed, when he suggested dropping snakes down a person’s chimney.

Mitch and Sara also tried to reassure Hoss, although they both thought the snake idea was a good one. However, none of them had thought as to how they were going to catch a snake, nor how they would be able to get up on the roof of a house, in order to drop the poor creature down the chimney, if they were ever successful in catching one.

It began to feel a lot colder, especially as the children had been standing still for nearly all of recess. Most of the leaves had fallen off the trees, near to the school, and the children loved running through them, where they had piled up against the schoolyard fence, during recess time. The four youngsters did this for a few more minutes and then it was time to go back indoors.

After lunch, Miss Jones had the younger children making Fall pictures out of twigs and leaves, while she had each of the older ones go up, in turn, and read to her. Hoss was not fond of reading aloud and wished he could be with his little brother making a picture, but he took his turn and Miss Jones was pleased with his progress. ‘I’ll havta thank Adam fer his help with how ta say some of them long words,’ thought Hoss, after he had returned to his seat.

Finally, the hands of the clock made their way round to Joe’s favourite time of the day, home time.

However, he was even more excited about not going home, as he knew they would be trick or treating first.

The children all had costumes made by Sara’s mother, waiting for them to change into, over at Sheriff Coffee’s office. After school, the three six-year-olds and Hoss, who at twelve, was just as excited as the little ones, but was pretending otherwise, made their way over to the office. They were to get ready and then wait for Adam to arrive. Then they were going to call on all the stores and houses, within walking distance of the sheriff’s office.

It was a clear evening, but because it was the end of October, and summer was long gone, it meant there was likely to be a frost.

As the four youngsters made their way over to Sheriff Coffee’s office, they were laughing about the tricks they could play on the people who didn’t give them any candy treats.

“We could ‘tend to be Indians, and make lots of whooping noises,” said Mitch, making the noise to illustrate what he meant.

“Or we could nail up their door, so they couldn’t git out,” said Hoss.

“Or we could push over their outhouse,” said Little Joe, giggling at the thought.

They arrived at the sheriff’s office and, with a little help from Roy, the children were soon dressed up, ready to go out and knock-on doors. Hoss was dressed as a mummy, covered from head to toe in bandages. Roy insisted the boy used the outhouse, before he began wrapping the bandages around him. Hoss was rather embarrassed, especially in front of a little girl when Roy suggested such a thing, but he quickly saw the sense of doing so and nipped out the back.  Sara was a witch, Mitch was a devil, dressed all in red, with horns on his head, and Joe was a wizard. Both he and Sara were dressed in black, with long cloaks and pointed hats.

Neither Hoss nor Joe knew what Adam was coming as, but on the stroke of 4, someone knocked at the door of the office, and in walked a ghostly figure, entirely covered up with a large white sheet.

“Is that you, Adam?” asked Hoss, and the figure nodded.

The children followed Adam out into the street and they began knocking on doors. As they waited for the owners to come, Joe laughed and said to Hoss, “It looks like I’m smoking like Papa does, wiv his pipe, cos smoke’s coming outta my mouth.”

Hoss blew some air out of his mouth, too, and said, “So am I, little brother. It’s doin’ that ‘cos it’s so cold, ain’t that right, big brother,” and he looked over at Adam, who just nodded, again.

The children went round to a lot of houses and stores. They mostly received a favourable response, but at a couple of houses the door was slammed in their faces. Joe looked over at Adam, the first time this happened, and said “They deserve a trick, don’t they?” and Adam nodded, producing some eggs from under his sheet. He handed one to each of the children and kept one for himself. He then turned to face the house and threw the egg, which broke against the door, and ran down it, leaving the wood stained with the yellow, gloopy liquid.  The four children also threw their eggs. Hoss’s hit a window, but the three smaller ones only managed to hit the porch, but they were still satisfied with the mess they left behind them. They all ran away, laughing, especially when they heard someone come out on the porch and exclaim about the ‘slimy stuff’ everywhere.

The children took refuge by the side of a building and stopped to catch their breath.

“That was real funny, sure enough,” said Hoss. “And ‘specially as Miss Jones says the evil spirits git blamed, so no one will be after us. That’s right, ain’t it, Adam,” and, once again, their big brother just nodded. Hoss did think it was a bit odd that Adam hadn’t said anything to them, but he rather suspected his brother was annoyed at having to take part in a kid’s activity, and so was sulking. Big brother could do that, better than any of them. Neither he or Joe could keep up a good, silent sulk, for long, but they had known Adam to do it for days.

At the next couple of houses, the children were offered plenty of candy and they shared it out into their bags, so that everyone got the same amount. They had offered a bag to Adam, but he refused one.  However, Hoss was planning on sharing his candy with his older brother, once they got home.

The next house they called on was just on the outskirts of town, and the owner refused to even open the door, although it was obvious someone was in.

“Shucks, that ain’t being very friendly, and I helped ole man Peters home with his supplies, only the other day,” said Hoss, grumpily.

“Then he deserves a scare, too, don’t he?” said Mitch, and the younger children all started making whooping noises and banging on the walls of the cabin.

Adam fumbled under his sheet, again, and this time held up some firecrackers. He threw them up in the air and shot at them, causing them to ignite and start to make some very loud bangs. It did sound like the place was under attack, and Adam hurried the children away to a small grove of trees, in case the occupier began firing back. As they waited to see what Mr Peters was going to do, Hoss noticed that Adam had picked up a lantern off the porch and lit it. He started making his way back to the cabin, keeping to the shadows, and Hoss realised Adam was going to throw the lantern through a window. Hoss caught up with his big brother and grabbed the lantern off him, before he could do so.

“That’s too dangerous, Adam. You could burn the whole place down. Let’s git back to the others.”

Adam let out a low moan, but said nothing and returned with Hoss. The children enjoyed the spectacle of old man Peters, running out of his cabin, wearing only his winter long johns and brandishing a shotgun.

By now it was starting to get really cold and as they all had a sack full of treats, each, it was decided it was time to end their Halloween fun. They began their walk back to the sheriff’s office, in order to change into their ordinary clothes. As they got closer, they heard an angry voice calling out to them; a voice that was very familiar.

“Where on earth have you been? I came to the sheriff’s office, to collect you, and Roy said you’d already gone. You were supposed to wait for me. Pa will have all our hides when he finds out you have been knocking on doors without me.”

Adam was bearing down upon the children, and he was dressed in a bright orange pumpkin costume.

“But, but you were wiv us, Adam,” said Joe, looking up at his brother, whose face was almost the colour of Mitch’s costume; he was that mad.

“No, I wasn’t; don’t lie, Joe,” snarled Adam.

“You were with us, Adam,” insisted Hoss. “Quit your joshin’. You were dressed as a ghost, before. And we got loads of candy,” and Hoss held up the bulging sack.

“I was not with you, but I am now and I think it’s time we got dressed and went home,” replied Adam.

Joe turned around and looked for the ghost, who had accompanied them on their trick or treating trip, but he was nowhere to be seen. But all of them heard an unearthly scream, and Joe swore that he caught a glimpse of something white running straight through Sheriff Coffee’s jailhouse wall.

All the while, as they were getting changed, Joe continued to insist he saw the ghost running through the wall of the jailhouse. Adam, who was still mad that the children had gone off without him, was very angry that Joe wouldn’t let up on his story.

“Joe, that’s enough. You know Pa doesn’t like you telling lies. You know you are in the wrong for going off without me, and now you are trying to make something up in order to distract me from being angry with you. But it isn’t going to work.”

Roy hadn’t said much, up to this point, but seeing how upset the youngsters were, he felt he had to speak up.

“To be fair, Adam, I also thought it was you who’d come to collect the young’uns. When Hoss asked if it was you, the person just nodded and so they all happily left with him. I had no cause ta worry about ‘em, as I was sure it was you, as well. But after hearing what young Joe hadta say, ‘bout the ghost running through the wall, I reckon I do know who it was.”

Adam was about to respond to this comment, but Roy held up his hand.

“Now jest hear me out, afore ya say anything more, son,” and so Adam sat down, and Joe climbed into his lap.

The children were very intrigued as to what the sheriff was about to tell them and they all settled down to listen. Sara’s mother had come by, and she made the children some hot cocoa to warm them up for their journey back home. She also allowed them to eat a few pieces of the candies they’d collected.

“Many years ago, afore I came here to be sheriff, there had been a jailhouse on this site,” began Roy. “One particular Halloween night, the sheriff was holding a murderer in the jail. He was a drifter and he’d tried to rob the general store. The owner fought back and the drifter shot and killed him. They were waiting on the circuit judge to arrive, but it was a pretty cut and dried case and the man was destined to hang. Anyway, this particular night, like I said it was Halloween, and there were lots of people out on the streets taking part in trick or treating. The sheriff was off duty that night, and the deputy should have been at the jailhouse guarding the prisoner, but he wanted to take his little girl out trick or treating, so he’d left the building unattended. Some youngsters came by and banged on the door. They were expecting the deputy to be there, and when he didn’t answer, they decided to play a trick on him. Unfortunately, their trick was to throw a lighted lantern through the window. Now, if the deputy had been there, he would’ve put out the fire, immediately, but as he wasn’t, it took hold of the whole building and burned it to the ground. They managed to drag the prisoner out and he was still alive, but only just. He said he was gonna make sure other people suffered on Halloween night, like he had. He died, but it must have been a very painful death. Since then, people have said he’s come back and played some pretty nasty tricks, but tonight is the first time I’ve ever heard anyone say they actually saw him run back into the jailhouse.”

The others looked over at Little Joe, expecting him to reiterate on what he’d seen, but the little boy had fallen asleep.

“Well, maybe it was the murderin’ drifter, or just some guy having a bit of fun,” said Adam. “But I think it’s time we started for home, or else someone else will be after our hides, and it most definitely won’t be a ghost.”

“No,” chuckled Hoss. “Not a ghost, jest one Papa Bear worried ‘bout his cubs.”

“You got that right,” replied Adam, and they said goodnight to Roy and headed off to the Ponderosa, with the sound of that blood curdling scream still ringing in their ears.

THE END

Little Joe forever

October 2022