Repercussions
"Hoss, will you lend me ten dollars 'til pay day?" Little Joe asked in a hushed tone, as he and his brothers approached the outskirts of Virginia City. Little Joe had kept his voice deliberately quiet as he didn't want his oldest brother, Adam to hear, as he had already borrowed the same amount from him before leaving the Ponderosa. What he hadn't anticipated was Hoss' booming reply, which brought their conversation nevertheless to Adam's ever alert ears.
"I ain't lending ya anymore money this month, little brother; you done owe me enough already.”
Little Joe tried to hush Hoss but it was too late, Adam had already slowed his horse and glanced suspiciously at his youngest brother. "What on earth do you need more money for? I just gave you ten dollars before we left the ranch," he demanded.
"Ah Adam, that's for Pa's present," Little Joe explained hesitantly, his plan of having a good time with Hoss' borrowed cash was now fading away. Their father's birthday was coming up and after much heated discussions on route to town, they had finally decided to pool their money to purchase one large gift between them instead of smaller individual ones. At just over a month shy of his own sixteenth birthday, Little Joe had almost completed his first month as a working ranch hand since being allowed to leave school. He hadn't actually received any wages yet, as the Ponderosa workers got paid at the end of the each month. This had been his excuse when asking Adam for some money back at the ranch.
Just how much money are you figuring Pa's going to pay you, little brother? Because by my estimates, you already owe me at least a month's pay already and lord only knows how much you owe Hoss," Adam said that superior condescendingly tone of his that Joe hated to hear.
"Ya Joe, Adam's right. You keep goin' as ya are and you'll never have any money of your own,” Hoss chirped in with his two cents worth of advice.
"I'll pay you back, don't worry. All I wanted to do was have a good time. This is the first time that I got to come to Virginia City as a working man and I don't have any money. C'mon fellas, give me a break, will ya?” Little Joe looked pleadingly at his brothers hoping to evoke some sympathy and possibly a little extra cash.
Adam glanced at Hoss knowing how soft hearted his middle brother was and how easily Little Joe's pleading looks could turn Hoss around. He, however, was more immune to his little brother's charm and had no intention of giving him any more money. Adam was well aware what Little Joe had in mind -- an afternoon of fun away from his overprotective father which no doubt would end in some sort of trouble, on the proceeds of Hoss' wallet. Smiling to himself, Adam thought how futile his brother's pleas were, considering the last instruction his father had given him before leaving the ranch today:
"Adam, don't let Little Joe out of your sight in town today". Yes, his little brother had a lot to learn if he thought life was going to be that easy; he may no longer be a school boy but he was a long, long way from being grownup in their father's eyes!
"Little Joe, I don't know what you had in mind but you can just forget it. I've no intention of letting you out of my sight in town, so if I was you, I just quit whilst I was ahead." With this, Adam spurred his horse on not bothering to wait for a reply.
Little Joe tried one last pleading look in Hoss' direction but to no avail. Hoss just shook his head and said before following Adam's lead. "Ya heard what the man said, little brother; you're staying with us and that's final."
Little Joe sighed; things were not turning out the way he had planned for his first grownup trip into Virginia City. Spurring Cochise on, he raced the pinto to catch up with his brothers.
Upon reaching the town, the brothers tied their horses to the hitching post outside the Silver Dollar saloon. Jumping down from his horse, Little Joe ducked under the hitching post and leaped up onto the sidewalk, heading directly for the saloon. He was just about to enter the swinging door of the saloon when he was grabbed unceremoniously from behind by his brothers.
"Jus' where do ya think you're goin', young'un?" Hoss demanded as he tightened his grip around the younger boy's arm.
"For a drink, I'm thirsty, as I'm sure you two are too," Little Joe said, a cocky expression on his young face. He knew his brothers always stopped off for a beer in this saloon upon coming into town. He was indeed optimistic that his brothers would concur and so at least this trip to town might bring about some pleasure after all.
Hoss glanced at Adam to check out his reaction as he himself really was thirsty and a cool beer sure sounded good after the long ride from the ranch. Adam shrugged his shoulders, indicating to his brothers that he too was in favor of a saloon visit. However just before they entered the establishment, Adam decided to insure against any forthcoming escapades. “Hand over the ten dollars, little brother," he requested as he tightened his grip on his brother's upper arm.
"What for, don't you trust me?" Little Joe asked, annoyance clearly evident in his young voice.
“No" came the instant reply. "I know you too well, little brother; that money will be burning a hole in your pocket and before you know, it will be gone and I've already told you I'm not lending you any more. Besides if you haven't got any money, you can't cause me any trouble in there. So hand it over and if you behave yourself we might even buy you a drink," Adam finished and extended his hand to receive the money.
Little Joe glanced disgustedly up at his unsympathetic grinning, smug older brother. He had a good mind to punch Adam squarely on the jaw, but he knew that wouldn't get him very far, for his brothers were more than a match for him; so for once good sense prevailed and he reluctantly reached into his pocket to extract the ten dollars. Shoving the money none too gently into Adam's outstretched hand, he swung open the half door of the saloon and proceeded to the bar.
"Three beers please," Little Joe called loudly upon reaching the counter.
Before the bar man could voice his objection, Adam corrected the order.
"Make that two beers and a sarsaparilla, Tom".
"Coming right up, Adam," Tom cheerfully replied, thankful that he didn't have to deal with the youngest Cartwright's renowned temper on his own.
“You said you'd buy me a beer," Little Joe said, annoyed by Adam's correction of his order.
"No, I said I'd buy you a drink and that's exactly what I'm doing, but if you persist in aggravating me I'll cancel the order and let you sit there and die of thirst," Adam declared.
Little Joe resented being treated like a child by his brothers but with no money of his own he didn't have a lot of options. Reluctantly accepting his drink from the bar man, he joined his brothers at a nearby table. This was not the day he had planned when he had departed the ranch.
The Silver Dollar saloon was reasonably quiet for that time of day, just a few patrons sipping their drinks at the bar whilst a handful of men played a quiet game of poker at one of the corner tables as the resident piano player tinkering out a soft tune. Looking over the rim of his glass, Little Joe spied the most beautiful woman he had ever seen descend the staircase in front of him. Maybe this trip wasn't going to be all that bad after all, he thought to himself. Dropping his glass quickly, he attempted to rise when a large hand stopped him in his tracks.
“Forget it, little brother; she's way out of your league. In fact I've heard tell she eats kids like you for breakfast. So just sit yourself back down and finish your drink," Hoss warned. Little Joe scowled back at him and slumped even further in his seat. Adam grinned at his brother's antics; whatever Little Joe had in mind Hoss had just effectively put pay to. Not that the elder Cartwrights had anything to worry about with Miss Sylvia; she would have just dismissed Little Joe as a mere child, but it never hurt to dissuade their young brother from possible situations with saloon girls their father would not approve of.
“Are you two about ready? It's time to go pick a gift for Pa's birthday; after all, ain't that the reason we came into town in the first place?" Hoss announced and finished the last of his beer.
"After you, brother. C'mon Joe"
“Couldn't we stay for one more drink? I'm still thirsty," Little Joe asked. seeing an opportunity to extend their stay and hopefully get his chance to speak to the beautiful Miss Sylvia. His brothers, on the other hand, could read his thoughts like a book and were not in the least bit inclined to pay heed to his request.
"Well maybe if you finished what you had in your glass then perhaps you wouldn't be that thirsty. Come on, get a move on. How long does it take to drink one sarsaparilla anyway?" Adam said getting quite exasperated with his young brother. He knew it was a mistake to bring Joe in here. Whenever would he learn that Little Joe and saloons were not a good combination?
"Okay, okay keep your shirt on," was Little Joe's response. He stood and drained the last of his drink in one gulp. "But I'm sure if I stayed here for just a bit longer, I could have that Miss Sylvia eating right out of my hand. You two are just bound and determined to spoil my day.”
Adam sighed and raised his eyes heavenward in search of patience; finding none he grabbed his young brother by the scruff of the neck and propelled him out of the door.
Out on the street, the Cartwright brothers resumed their heated discussion over possible gifts for their father's birthday, tempers now just a touch more heated.
“Okay, okay let's just simmer down. I don't know about you two but I rather not provide a side show for the inhabitants of Virginia City," Adam intervened after noticing several nosy passersby taking particular interest to the boys’ heated conversation.
“Well what do you suggest then, Mr. Know-it-all?" This of course came from Joe.
"I suggest, we take a stroll over to MacKenzie's and see what he has on offer," Adam patiently said and then noting his brothers agreement took off in the direction of Virginia City's renowned saddle maker, Hoss and Little Joe following in his wake.
This proved to be the right decision as they all stopped dead in their tracks at the sight of the most exquisite saddle, prominently displayed in the shop window. There was an instant unspoken silent agreement between the three that said, this was the perfect gift for their Pa, there was no doubt whatsoever about that. The question was now, how much did it cost and was it still available?
"Hi ya boys, haven't seen you three in a long time. Hope your Pa is keeping well?" A middle aged man with a slightly balding hairline acknowledged the Cartwrights as the brothers entered the store.
"Hello Mr. Mackenzie. Pa is indeed very well and he just happens to be the reason we are here today." Adam shook hands with the friendly storekeeper.
“Oh, how can I help? You know there isn't anything I wouldn't do for your Pa, the fine gentleman that he is.
“Well you see it's Pa's birthday in three days time and we were just wondering how much the saddle in the window costs?"
"You mean the pale leather one with the fancy bridle to match?" Mr. MacKenzie asked and all three boys nodded. “Well boys, you sure know a good saddle when you see it. That one there is the most expensive saddle in the store, but I sure your Pa's worth it.” He took the saddle from the window and laid it on the bench so that the boys could witness for themselves the intricate detail and fine workmanship. Seeing the saddle up close only further compelled the brothers to purchase it.
"You didn't tell us how much it is yet, Mr. MacKenzie," Adam, ever the practical, probed once again for the price.
"Well Adam, the cost of this fine saddle is $120.00, a genuine bargain wouldn't you say?" Mr. MacKenzie was a true salesman and he knew if he played his cards right then he could make this sale. There were only a handful of people in Virginia City after all who could afford this particular saddle and here standing before him were some of those people, well Adam Cartwright anyway, his brothers probably not.
“Whew, that there is one mighty expensive piece of merchandise," Hoss exhaled upon hearing the price. He himself could contribute possibly thirty dollars at most and with Little Joe's borrowed ten that only made forty. That meant that Adam would have to fork out the rest, eighty dollars. Looking over at Adam, he gestured with his eyes to come outside for a discussion. Adam acknowledged and followed his brothers to the street once more.
"What do you think Adam?"
"It's the prefect gift for Pa. Hoss, how much can you contribute?” Adam asked quietly.
“Thirty dollars and that's all I got, sorry." Hoss scuffed his toe of his boot into the ground, disgusted with his meager donation to their father's gift.
Adam nodded and then looked towards Joe and was about to ask him the same question when he remembered he already knew Joe's financial state. No, it looked like he would have to make up the deficit himself, not that it had come as any great shock. He always was the major contributor in any given gift to their father.
"Okay boys lets go do some negotiating.” He smiled and at that his brothers knew that the saddle was as good as theirs.
The saddle maker proved to be a tough negotiator but a deal was eventually struck and both parties shook hands on it, Mr. MacKenzie even managing to wangle an invitation for himself, his wife and daughter to Ben's birthday party. Little Joe groaned behind Hoss at this, Mary Ann MacKenzie had been a thorn in his side nearly all his school life until she left two years ago. She was the biggest tattletale he ever knew, causing him untold trouble both at school and at home. Now she was coming to their home as part of the deal.
Adam, a tough negotiator himself, managed on their side of the deal to get the saddle monogrammed with Ben's initials, for no extra cost. This would take another day, so the brothers would have to make up another excuse in order to come to town again tomorrow to pick it up.
Arriving home later that afternoon, the brothers were astonished to see their father packing for a trip to Carson City. This was an unscheduled trip and so the boys were alarmed that he might be away for the celebration they had been planning for him for weeks now. Totally unaware of the forthcoming party, Ben eased their minds when he announced that he would only be away for a day or two. This suited them to have him out of the way while the preparations were taking place and also for making another trip to pick up the saddle.
“Adam, I've left instructions on my desk for what needs to be done while I'm away; but most importantly, take care of your brothers and yourself and I'll see you in two days." Ben clapped his eldest son on the back as he made his way outside to join his other sons who were saddling his horse for him. “Hoss, take care." He shook hands with his soft hearted middle son.
"You, take care of yourself, Pa."
“Joseph, Adam is in charge, so do as he tells you with no arguments do you hear me young man?" Ben turned his gaze on his youngest son.
"Sure Pa." Little Joe sighed as if the weight of the world was on his shoulders.
Ben grinned as he pulled the boy close to him for a hug, which Little Joe gladly returned. He hated when his Pa was away; the house always seemed so lonely and Adam more bossy than normal. Ben mounted up and bid his sons farewell and the three stood together and watched until he was well out of their vision.
**********
"Will you watch where you're going? That's the third time in the last ten minutes that you're stepped on me," Adam angrily looked up from rubbing his foot as his young brother once again trod on him.
The Cartwright brothers were sitting in front of the fire relaxing after supper, well two of them were anyway, the third one, being of a fidgety nature was pacing restlessly around the room. Adam was becoming increasing annoyed with his youngest brother's antics and was on the verge of sending him to bed.
"There's just nothing to do here," Little Joe yawned as he flung himself into his father's favorite chair. He knew exactly what he was doing; he had to either get Adam mad enough at him or pretend that he was tired -- one way or the other he had to get sent upstairs. It wouldn't do to go on his own admission; his brothers would get too suspicious if he announced that he was going to bed this early. No, He had to put up a fight; that was the only way he could proceed with his plan without drawing attention to his planned escape.
"How about a game of checkers, Shortshanks?" Hoss intervened, determined to get through the first night in their father's absence without a fight between his brothers.
"Ah Hoss, that's boring. Anyway I'm fed up playing." Joe curled his lip in disgust at the request and then looked around until he spotted the one thing that was sure to get Adam's undivided attention. "No, I think I just get one of these epees down and practice some." He jumped up again from his seat and leaped onto the surround of the fireplace to reach the said objects. Adam, put down his book, rising to the bait as Joe knew he would. He rose from his seat and seized the kid's arm just as he was about to remove one of the epee's from its holders.
"I don't think so, kid, put it back."
Little Joe turned and glared at him, still holding the handle of the epee. Adam was getting good and mad; not long now, he thought, and so he forged ahead.
“Who do you think that you are, Adam Cartwright? You're not the boss of me. Let me alone." Little Joe roughly pulled his arm loose of his brother's grip.
Adam's jaw tightened, a sure sign that he was riled; he wasn't about to be spoken to so disrespectfully by his young brother. I'll tell you who I am. I'm the person Pa left in charge and your superior in every way so I'm warning you just mind what I say or else.” He didn't need to elaborate; Little Joe was fully aware of the unspoken consequences if he continued along this path. But this was what he wanted, so throwing caution the wind he continued with his antagonizing, hoping it would only lead to an early dismissal.
“Leave me alone, Adam, I want to practice," he spat these words out as angrily as he could.
Adam was beginning to see red, so grabbing the front of Joe's shirt, he pulled his brother off the surround and returned him to the floor with a resounding thud.
“I'm not about to let you defy me again, little brother, so I'm giving you a choice here. Either you shut up and go to bed this instant or I'll make life uncomfortable for you for the foreseeable future and I'm quite sure you know what I mean by that. Now which is it to be?” Adam lowered himself to look Joe directly in the eyes still holding onto the front of his shirt.
Little Joe gulped. He might have achieved what he set out to do a little too well; Adam was a force to be reckoned with when he was this angry. He started to retort, but Adam cut him off with "I don't want to hear anymore arguments; you have your choice. Now as I have already said, which is it to be?"
Little Joe knew it was time to concede so looking his brother squarely in the eyes he muttered, "Okay you win; I'll go to bed then"
“Good, I glad you at last saw some reason. Well goodnight then." Adam released his hold on his brother but remained standing until Little Joe headed for the stairs.
Whew! That was close, Joe exhaled upon entering his room. Now all he had to do was fix his bed so that it looked like he was asleep. It was good thing that Adam was in charge tonight as he only ever popped his head in to see if Joe was asleep. His father always came over to the bed to check close up on his son so this setup would never have fool him. He exited his room via his window. A good thing about his room was that it faced the side of the house so it was easy to prepare for a soft landing by pitching some hay on the ground just before coming in for supper. Nobody ever noticed and so this made any descent noiseless and reasonably easy. Glancing back towards the house, he hurriedly made his way to the bunk house. Little Joe was a frequent visitor on poker nights and the men welcomed his presence. They even went as far to hide him from his father or brothers, knowing that Ben totally disapproved of gambling in his sons. And whilst both Adam and Hoss adhered to this, the same could not be said for Ben's youngest son. Little Joe truly loved the game and played it every chance he got. Tonight he had to earn some money to contribute more to his father's gift; he had only six dollars to his name but planned by the end of the session to add to that considerably.
"Hi ya fellas, mind if I join in?" he inquired upon entering the bunk house.
"Pull up a chair, son; we've been expecting ya especially since your Pa is away," grinned Barney Evans, a Ponderosa ranch hand for as long as Joe could remember. Little Joe reckoned that Barney was around Adam's age or possibly a year or two older, but looked a lot older, as years of hard drinking and gambling had taken there toll.
Little Joe pulled up a chair and immediately they commenced with a new game. As the night progressed, Little Joe was feeling bleary-eyed, not only from tiredness but also from the smoke that was circling the gambling table. With the exception of himself, all of the other players were puffing on cheap tobacco and so the small room was becoming quite smoky. Things weren't going according to plan either; he was already down thirty dollars. He just had to win the current game or the consequences didn't bear thinking about. Ever the optimist, he dismissed any thoughts of losing from his mind; anyway weren't the cards that he was now holding the best ones he had been dealt all night? If he could just win this, he could cover his loses and still have maybe twenty dollars profit, not bad for one night's work.
"How many do you want, Barney?" Sid Cotter, the dealer asked without taking the cigar he was smoking from his mouth.
"Oh I'll just smoke and that don't mean just my tobacco, fellas, if that's alright with you." Barney rested back in his chair and surveyed the other players, a self satisfying grin plastered on his smug face. The other players glanced in his direction through narrowed eyes trying to see if he was bluffing or not.
"What about you, kid? The pot's getting mighty rich."
Little Joe didn't even hesitate for a moment; to him, Barney was bluffing big time. "I'm in, give me two Sid," he said never taking his eyes from Barney's face.
Sid dealt him his cards and proceeded around the rest of the table. With all the cards dealt, there was nothing left to do but bet and Joe hoped and prayed silently that luck would be on his side for once tonight. The betting was fierce, the last hand of the night was always the one to win and as the last bet hit the swelling pile of money, Little Joe closed his eyes and hoped for the best.
Carl was the first to declare his hand: two pair- two tens and two jacks. It then moved on to Sid who had the better of Carl with his three of a kind.
Little Joe breathed a sigh of relief his full house easily beating both Sid and Carl; now he only had to worry about Barney and he was most probably bluffing. Little Joe beamed as he laid his cards smartly on the table for all to see. Sid and Carl were congratulating him on his fine hand; they too thinking that their work mate was bluffing.
"Not so fast there, kiddo," Barney interrupted the premature celebrations and continued, "I do believe that my little ol’ four sevens takes the pot." He roared with laughter at the stunned faces at the table as he gathered the money to his chest.
"I thought ya where bluffing, Barney," Sid, the first to regain his composure spat out.
"Oh, no, no, no fellas, ya should know that ol' Barney never bluffs." Barney tutted wagging his finger for added effect. “I do believe it's time we settled up"
Little Joe groaned; he now owed Barney $80 and had no way of paying him. Why had he ever left his room in the first place? Now not only was he in trouble with Adam for his earlier performance, he now had this huge debt hanging over his head and no conceivable way to pay it back.
"I'll have to owe you, Barney; I ain't got that kind of money on me but I'll get it for you," he managed to stammer out.
"Well I don’t rightly know 'bout IOU's; I usually prefer my cash up front,” Barney teased, but kept a straight face. Hell, let the kid sweat a bit; let him think that I'm serious 'bout wanting my money. I'll think of something to square it with him later but until then let him squirm.
"You best be goin' back to the house now, young'un; it's gettin' kinda late. But don't you forget none about the money ya owe me; I'll expect it tomorrow some time," Barney warned as Little Joe quickly fled from the bunk house.
Outside in the cold night air, the boy shivered not only from the external cool temperature but also from the fear that gripped him from within. Oh how he wished he had just followed Adam's order and stayed in bed. This was a nightmare the he was fully awake for. His oldest brother was going to kill him when he found out about this. With a heavy heart, he crept back silently to the house and climbed the trellis that led part of the way to his room. Leaping from the trellis to the outstretched branch of the majestic tree that stood at the side of the house, he managed to silently reenter his room unnoticed. Undressing quickly, he lay wearily down on his bed and tried to mentally solve his problems but tiredness rapidly over took him and he soon fell into a fitful sleep.
**********
Little Joe woke to a loud noise close to his ear. The offending object sounded like a mental plate, ones like they used on cattle drives, being banged on by his middle brother with a large spoon.
"Rise and shine, little brother." Hoss bonged several more times to get Joe's undivided attention.
“Will you stop that! I'm awake," Little Joe roared above the deafening sound. He jumped from the bed and tried to wrestle the spoon from Hoss' hand. Hoss just grinned and lifted the plate and spoon out of his much shorter brother's reach.
"Well, it's about time. Hop Sing is just about to throw your breakfast away and Adam has already left for Virginia City so get a move on."
"Adam gone already?" Little Joe perked up upon hearing this. With his oldest brother out of the way for the morning, he could perhaps persuade Hoss to lend him the money or at least give him some advice on how to get some.
"Yeah he is, but don't you go gettin' any ideas. He said to have the fence repaired on the north pasture by the time he got back and that's exactly what I aim to do. So hurry up!" Hoss barked inches from his little bother's face.
"Okay, I'll be down in a minute," Little Joe replied. He knew it would not be in his best interest to rile Hoss further, especially as he needed his help, today of all days.
Ten minutes later, the brothers were seated at the large dining room table, Hoss helping himself to seconds whilst his little brother pushed the food around on his plate.
"Hoss, was Adam still mad this morning?"
"Didn't appear to be. Why?"
"Nothing, just asking. Hoss .......?"
"Mmm, what is it now?" Hoss returned, somewhat annoyed.
"Nothing." Little Joe knew this was not the right time to ask for help, Hoss didn't appear to be in a very receptive mood. Maybe if he worked hard all morning he could ask his brother then.
“In that case, if you're about finished, let’s get to work." Hoss rose from the table and headed for the front door, Little Joe followed close behind.
The brothers worked hard and got the fence repaired and arrived back in the yard just as Adam returned from Virginia City. Beckoning to his brothers to join him, he jumped down from the rig and sauntered to the back of the buckboard. There was their father's birthday gift with the monogrammed initials smartly engraved on the side of the majestic saddle.
"Wow, that sure is one pretty sight there, Adam." Hoss clapped his elder brother on the back.
"It sure is Hoss. What do you think Joe?" Adam asked surprised that his little brother wasn't the first to leap up onto the buckboard and examine it close up. Maybe the kid was still sulking over last night early dismissal, but surely not; Little Joe didn't usually dwell that long on spent arguments. That was one thing Adam admired about his kid brother, his ability to bounce back quickly and not hold a grudge. Well usually he didn't, but today looked like being an exception.
"It's looks great, Adam," Joe managed to get out; he knew his brothers expected a more animated demonstration but he just wasn't in the mood.
“Here, see if you can find a hiding place for it, somewhere Pa won't stumble across it." Adam smiled, letting Joe know the he harbored no ill feelings from last night's altercations.
Little Joe nodded and jumped up on to the buckboard and gathered his father's gift in his arms. Once secure, he made his way to the barn to find a good hiding place. With him out of the way Adam turned to Hoss and inquired "What's up with him then? He can't still be stewing over last night, can he?"
"I don't rightly know, Adam; he ain't been himself all morning." Hoss scrunched his face up as he watched the retreating form of his little brother disappear into the barn.
Little Joe carefully carried the saddle into the barn, stopping off first at Cochise's stall to see how the saddle might look on his horse. Cochise whined as his young master drew near and Joe patted his beloved horse's neck in an affectionate manner.
"What you do think Cochise? Isn't it the finest saddle you ever saw? Pa is just gonna love it"
"What have you got there, Little Joe?" Barney asked having entered the barn unbeknownst to the youngest Cartwright.
Little Joe jumped, startled by the ranch hand's appearance directly behind him.
"It's Pa's birthday gift; Adam's just asked me to hide it," he answered, hoping Barney wouldn't ask for his money.
"That's a mighty fine lookin' saddle; the Boss is sure gonna love that. I bet it cost a fair wad or two." Barney whistled his appreciation of Ben's gift.
"It sure did but Adam paid most of it," Little Joe hastily added in case Barney got the impression that he had more money than he was letting on to.
A plan started to formulate in the ranch hand's brain and a smile slowly crept onto his haggard face. Like all the Ponderosa workers, he was invited to his employer's birthday bash as were his parents who ran the local Post Office and his spinster sister who fancied herself as a bit of a singer. Gertrude Evans was anything but a singer; frankly the woman hasn't got a note in her head, a fact that Barney wasn't afraid to admit to. But like his sister, his father was tone deaf and it was he who encouraged Gertrude to sing every evening. This was one of the main reasons why Barney chose to live out at the Ponderosa instead of returning home every night; his ears just couldn't take any more of the nightly torture that he had endured for years. It had come to Barney's attention that Gertrude had taken quite an interest in Adam Cartwright when she found out he could sing. Every Sunday she managed to seat herself directly behind or in front of the Cartwrights at the service so she could hear his melodious voice sing the chosen hymns. Little did she know that Adam cringed when he heard her screeching in his ear and often tried to relocate himself before the Minister started but was rarely successful.
Barney liked Adam and got on quite well with him, but there were times when he felt that the oldest Cartwright son was just a bit too bossy and uncordial for his own good. Adam, unlike Hoss and Little Joe, liked to keep his distance from the ranch hands and this made him seem a bit unapproachable at times. The ranch hand knew the reason why, of course; Adam, like his father had to assume a position of authority. After all it often came down to him to fire a hand if that man was not up to the job and this would be difficult to do if he was on too friendly terms with the men. Barney had to admit that Adam was likewise bossy with his brothers, especially Little Joe. Barney knew the kid was a handful but Adam never seemed to give him a chance. Barney had lost count of how many times he had seen Adam berate Little Joe and order him back to the house to deal with later. Deep down Barney knew that Adam was just looking out for his brother and didn't want to see him hurt or in some trouble that he wasn't yet equipped to handle. Oh! How he wished that he had an older brother like Adam Cartwright; maybe he would've turned out better if he had. No! All he had was a nagging younger sister who plagued him constantly to ask Adam to sing a duet with her at some social function. How could he explain to her that although he was on friendly terms with Adam Cartwright, he wasn't on that friendly of terms. Now he had his chance to get her off his back once and for all and he didn't even have to ask, not when he had Adam's little brother to do the asking for him.
"I take it you're got the money you owe me, Little Joe." Barney leaned in towards his young friend.
“Ah.... not exactly." Little Joe cringed.
"Not exactly. Well how much ya got then?"
Little Joe rested the heavy saddle on Cochise's stall before he answered the question. “Well..... I ain't got any of it. I'm real sorry Barney, I'll get you the money; it just might take me a tad longer." He gulped and looked up at the tall ranch hand with his most pleading expression.
Barney nearly laughed out right, the kid looked so pathetic. He almost relented seeing how miserable Little Joe appeared but something in the back of his mind urged him forward. One day Little Joe might just find himself in the same position with strangers and they might not look too kindly on unpaid debts. The kid needed to be taught a lesson and if that lesson just helped Barney out of a sticky situation, so be it.
"Ya ain't exactly got any of it -- tut, tut, tut. I don't rightly like to hear that Little Joe." Barney shook his head sadly, playing his part to the full as his eyes strayed to Ben's birthday gift and a devious smile crept slowly on to his face.
"That sure is one good lookin' saddle. I take it you have a share in his gift?"
Little Joe nodded, the fear in his eyes apparent for all to see. Just what was the ranch hand suggesting?
Barney edged his way to Cochise's stall and fingered the initials burned into the soft leather. Turning quickly around to face the boy once more, he voiced what Little Joe most feared.
“Well now it won't take too much work to change that C for Cartwright into an E for Evans, lucky for me that the boss and me have the same first initial. I think this saddle will suit me just fine."
"No, that's Pa's birthday gift, I won't let you take it!" Little Joe finally found his voice and almost attacked the ranch hand for even suggesting it.
"Now back off, young'un. You made the bet last night; ya shouldn't be in games with the big boys if ya can't take the heat. Now this saddle is rightly mine; it just about covers your debt. So it's up to you to square it with your brothers."
Little Joe couldn't believe his ears; he had known Barney practically all his life and never once imagined that he was capable of such an act. How was he ever going to explain this to his brothers, the cherished gift that they had chosen for their father was now gone and it was all his fault. He watched in horror as Barney lifted the heavy saddle and started to leave the barn for the direction of the bunk house. The ranch hand slowed down his exit allowing the boy the chance to stop him and renegotiate the deal. Little Joe didn't know it but he was playing exactly into Barney's plan when he called out and halted the Ponderosa worker progress to the bunkhouse.
“Barney wait, you can't do this. I'll do anything you say but please don't take Pa's present," he pleaded hoping that his petition was not falling on deaf ears.
Before turning around to face his young friend, Barney gave into the smile that had been tugging on his lips all through their last discussion. Now he had Little Joe exactly where he wanted him, the money wasn't important. After all hadn't he rigged the game so that he could win? He had already squared it with the other players and let them in on what he was planning. They had laughed when he had disclosed his plan and vowed to keep his secret from Little Joe. Some of them thought it was a bit mean to put the kid though all that worry, for they all had a soft spot for him but they agreed nonetheless to keep quiet.
"Did I hear you correctly, that you would do anything to get this here saddle back?"
"Yeah, anything" Little Joe swallowed hard and braced himself for the forthcoming request.
Closing the door to the barn so nobody could hear their discussion, Barney moved once more to the interior of the room. He set down the heavy saddle on a nearby stall and motioned to Little Joe to come close.
"There might be just one thing that you could do for me and then we can call it quits. What do you say? Are you interested?"
Little Joe nodded his head and breathed a sigh of relief. Nervously he chewed on his bottom lip as he awaited the request.
“Good. Don't look so nervous it ain't anything illegal or dangerous," Barney assured him before he continued. "Ya know this party you and your brothers are throwing on Saturday for your Pa. Well, ya see...., I want you to arrange with your big brother Adam to do a couple of duets with my sister Gertrude".
Little Joe just stared in disbelief at the request; frankly, this was the last thing that he had been expecting. His mind had been conjuring up the worst possible scenarios that he could imagine but singing a couple of songs what kind of deal was that. Just as he about to breathe again a horrible thought sprang into his head.
"Did you say your sister........ Gertrude?" And as Barney nodded, Little Joe, closed his eyes, fully understanding the enormity of the task ahead of him if he wished to present his father with his chosen gift. He groaned to himself, not wanting to insult a guy's sister to his face, but Gertrude Evans was the worst, loudest and most tuneless singer in all of Virginia City and now he had the unpleasant task of getting his very reserved oldest brother to form a duet with her. Not only to sing but to sing in front of all their family friends and neighbors. Make no mistake, this was an enormous task; Adam was going to kill him. This morning Little Joe's worst nightmare had been admitting to his brothers his gambling debt and hoping they would cover them. Now that seemed like chicken feed compared what he had to convince Adam to do.
"How about I just get the money for you right now? Adam's home now so I'll just ask him." He would never have dreamt of doing this earlier but now he was desperate.
"No, I don't want the money, Little Joe. That's the deal, take it or leave it"
Little Joe looked across at the splendid saddle. God help him, there was nothing he could do but accept, so closing his eyes, he nodded to accept the conditions. Just as they shook hands to seal the deal, the barn door pushed open and Adam appeared.
"Don't tell you still haven’t found a suitable hiding place yet?" Adam said shaking his head in disbelief. He looked squarely at his brother and couldn't help but notice the exchanged glances that went between him and their long time ranch hand. If he didn't know better, he would say that Joe looked both relieved and apprehensive at the same time. Whatever could he be up to now? Not wanting another confrontation so soon after last nights, Adam decided to let it go and not question either one of them too hard on what had obviously just transpired between them. His curiosity was peaked nonetheless and so he vowed to keep a closer eye on his young brother. Barney's gambling feats were legendary on the Ponderosa and Adam knew from past experience that poker was probably behind this secret discussion. They were no doubt planning a little session some time soon. Well, not if he had anything to do with it.
"Hey Adam, I've just this minute found the prefect hiding place," Little Joe said nervously, quickly scanning the area around him for an appropriate place.
"Sorry there Adam I suppose I was distracting the boy," Barney apologized, although the smug smile on his face suggested otherwise. Adam raised his eyebrows, now even more suspicious. Whatever were these two planning?
Little Joe used this time to scoot around Adam retrieve the abandoned saddle and climb quickly up to the loft. With the gift now in a safe place, he returned to the barn floor and bid Barney a goodnight. The conspiratorial wink that placed between them did not go unnoticed by Adam as he followed his young brother out of the barn.
Hoss was already settled at the table and devouring a piece of fried chicken before either of his brothers put in an appearance, if they weren't concern over incurring Hop Sing's wrath, he must certainly was. The Chinese cook was very quick to anger if his culinary delights were left to get cold. He was just about to start ranting and raving when, much to Hoss' relief, Adam and Little Joe took their places.
"Neither of ya have any right riling Hop Sing like that," he muttered as he continued to gnaw his way down a chicken leg.
"Blame little brother here, he was the one dawdling not me," Adam refuted.
Little Joe decided to let the matter drop, no use antagonizing either of his brothers before they had a chance to fill their bellies. Things were always better on a full stomach, or so he told himself but no matter how hard he tried he just couldn't do justice to Hop Sing's delicious supper. He spent the rest of the meal pushing the food around his plate and doing his best to participate in their conversations.
Whilst Adam and Hoss sat to resume a chess game they had started on the previous night after supper, Little Joe took himself off to his father's desk in the alcove. He was hoping that somehow inspiration would come to him, here in the chair were all Ponderosa ranch decisions were made. Maybe Adam wouldn't take it too hard, after all he did love to sing. Glancing over to his eldest brother's bent head he quickly dismissed that thought. There was no doubt about it Adam was going to blow a fuse and Little Joe winced when he thought of the possible repercussions when his big brother found out what was ahead of him. He would have to think long and hard about possible ways to spring the news on Adam with the least amount of consequences to himself. The problem was there was no easy solution and he only had tonight, which was fast drawing to a close, and tomorrow left to make his disclosure, without the faintest idea how to do it. He distractedly shuffled pieces of his father's paper work around his Pa's desk and sighed quietly to himself, he was not looking forward to the next twenty four hours that was for sure.
*************
Little Joe shivered as he stood waiting for the light coming from under the door of Adam's room to be extinguished. He yawned again and wondered how his brother could still be reading at this hour. Finally the light faded and Little Joe said a silent prayer in thanks but waited a few more minutes to let Adam settle and drop off to sleep. After the allotted time had past he tiptoed down the hall past his eldest brother's room and silently made his way to Hoss' door. His middle brother was snoring so loudly it allowed Little Joe to creak open the closed door without alerting anyone. Hoss as usual was on his back, the covers neatly arranged in probably the same position as when he first had gotten into bed. For unlike his youngest brother, who tossed and turned all night long, Hoss was quite the contented sleeper and rarely moved about in his sleep. Little Joe approached his sleeping brother and shook his arm, gently at first but getting more persistent as his brother resisted his probing.
"Huh, huh, dadburnit, will you quit that," Hoss sputtered, pushing Little Joe's hand roughly off him. Becoming more conscience, he shook the sleep from his eyes and yawned "You sick or somethin'?"
Little Joe lit the lamp and shook his head.
"Well if ya ain't sick or the house ain't on fire, will ya please tell me what ya doin' waking me up in the middle of the night?" Hoss was becoming quite loud as annoyance set in.
Little Joe reacted by clamping his hand over Hoss' mouth and glancing anxiously over his shoulder in case the outburst had awoke Adam. “Will you shimmer down? If you keep hollerin' like that, you'll wake the entire household" he whispered, still keeping his hand firmly over his brother's mouth until Hoss quieted down. He released his hold and settled down on the bed. Resting his head and shoulders on the headboard, he pulled some of the warm covers over his body; he had been standing at his door for quiet some time and was now extremely cold. The warm bed was indeed very inviting. Hoss scooted over, allowing his brother to get warm; he knew that there had to be some reason behind this visit and so braced himself for Little Joe's narration.
Hoss refrained from comment during his young brother's confession allowing him the chance to fully tell his story uninterrupted. However he had plenty to say on completion of the sorry tale.
"Have ya got rocks for brains little brother? How many times ya got to be told not to play poker? I wouldn't want to be in your shoes when you tell Adam. He's gonna hit the roof when he hears this but ya can be dang sure that ain't all he's gonna hit"
"I know, I know. But that's where I was hoping that you could lend a hand. Please Hoss, I know I missed up but I only wanted to earn a bit more money for Pa's present," Little Joe whined, his sad face all the more pitiful in the dimmed light.
Hoss knew he was been suckered, but his little brother could always twist him around his little finger especially when he sat shivering in his nightshirt, his hair tossed and looking younger than his almost sixteen years. Hoss heaved a heavy sigh and resigned himself to the task in hand; this seemed to be his lot in life, standing between a mischievous younger brother and his pranks and an often irate older brother on the receiving end of most of them.
"Dadblastit, if you don't get yourself into a heap load of trouble, ya little galoot. I've half a mind to drag ya over to Adam's room and let him deal with ya." Hoss blustery response was anticipated but Joe knew his kind hearted brother wouldn't carry out his threat. Hoss sighed heavily and casting his eyes to heaven continued "Okay, I'll help ya but this is the very last time. If I ever catch you playing poker again I'll skin you alive myself, do ya hear me?"
Little Joe nodded accepting Hoss' terms quickly. Although Hoss was bigger than Adam, Little Joe was rarely afraid of him and he never had to worry over his threats as Hoss, unlike Adam, was all talk and no action. Sure in the past he had dumped him in the horse tough on numerous occasions but that was all he had ever done to his little brother, so Joe knew that his hide was perfectly safe no matter what he got up to in the future.
"Thanks Hoss, I knew I could count on you. I've been thinking about this all night and there's just no easy way around this, I'm afraid I'll just have to come straight out and tell him; so that's where you come in, what I need from you, is for you to stand between me and older brother when I make that statement tomorrow"
"You've got it, little brother, but he sure is gonna be mad and I don't rightly reckon that me standing between ya will be enough to save your butt"
Little Joe gulped and sighed nervously at Hoss' statement.
"Now if ya don't mind, I'd like to get some sleep before we had to face our big brother in the morning. So off ya go to ya own bed little brother." With that Hoss leaned over to extinguish the lamp once more. Little Joe eased himself from the warmth of the bed and plodded back wearily to his own cold room. Sleep was the last thing on his mind, planning a strategy for self preservation seemed the best course of action for the next few hours or so. However sleep won out in the end and Little Joe slept without a solution to his problem.
Having had his sleep disturbed on the previous night, it was Hoss' turn to do a bit of disturbing himself at dawn's early light. He tiptoed noiselessly, not an easy accomplishment for a rather large man, into Joe's room and unceremoniously dragged the covers from the peacefully sleeping boy.
"Hey what's the big idea?" Joe yelled trying in vain to grab hold of his fast fleeting warm blankets. He sat up shivering and demanded his covers back.
Hoss just grinned and dumped the covers on the cold floor, saying as he did so "Now ya know what's it like to be rudely awaken, but at least I had the decency to wait for morning, which is more than I could say about some people".
"That was an emergency. Ya know why I had to wake you up; I had no other choice. Now give me back my blankets".
"No can do, little brother, it's time you were up. I'm only trying to help, after all ain't that the reason ya woke me up last night. Ya seemed mighty anxious for my help in the early hours of this morning. So if I was you, I'd get myself out of that there bed and help me with the morning chores before Adam appears. That will impress him and put him in a good frame of mind and boy do ya need him to be in a good mood today"
"Okay I hear ya. What time is it anyway? It must be really early if Adam ain't down yet." Little Joe yawned and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
Hoss chuckled as he watched his little brother drag himself from the bed. "A lot earlier than ya normally get up, that's for dang sure. So rise and shine, you've got a long and hard day ahead of you." With this remark Hoss left the room.
Joe had to agree with that, what Hoss had just said had made a lot of sense. Doing his chores early might just put Adam in an affable mood and right now that was just what Little Joe needed.
Joe and Hoss were just finishing up with the barn chores, when Adam descended the staircase; he was usually the first of the Cartwrights to surface, but not this morning. He was helping himself to the breakfast that Hop Sing had laid out in front of him, when the door of the ranch house opened to reveal both his brothers returning from morning chores. Adam couldn't quite believe his eyes; he turned around swiftly to check the time on the grandfather clock just in case that it was later than he thought. No, it clearly stated the time of six thirty, a virtually unheard of time for his brothers especially Little Joe to be about their chores.
"What pray tell has the pair of you up and finished chores at this hour?" Adam asked, his eyebrows arched suspiciously and glared at each of his brothers in turn.
Little Joe looked to Hoss for inspiration, but saw none was forthcoming and so answered for the pair of them.
"It's a beautiful day, Adam, much too nice to be lounging about in bed and Pa's coming home today so we just thought we'd get a head start. Ya know what they say - the early bird catches the worm…" His voice trailed off at the end of the sentence when he saw that his eldest brother wasn't buying the explanation. He clearly his throat and turned his attention back to his food, hoping that Adam wasn't going to be too analytical this early in the morning. After not much sleep, Little Joe didn't think he was up to being cross examined by the Ponderosa's chief prosecutor.
Adam knew when the wool was being pulled over his eyes and this was most definitely one of those occasions. All the signs were there, Joe's nervous smile, a definite indication that he was up to something. The covert looks across the table, their more than usual interest in their plates and Hoss' refusal to make eye contact with his elder brother. Whatever Little Joe was up to, he had roped Hoss into his little scheme and he had did so sometime between last night and early this morning by the looks of it. Judging by their muted responses to his questions, Adam decided the best way to uncover the sorry tale was to use the divide and conquer tactic. This method had worked well for him in the past, especially when he used it on Hoss. He returned his own attention to his breakfast and the let the subject drop for the moment at least.
***********
"Ya have to tell him soon, Pa's due home any minute and ya still haven't told him." Hoss grabbed Little Joe roughly and pulled him into the barn. He was beginning to weaver under Adam's onslaught of questions and didn't think he could hold out much longer.
"Well you've been a big help. Ya ain't once come to my defense all day long, siding with Adam over everything. How am I supposed to tell him now? You've gone and got him all riled up over the tack room that I was suppose to put in order yesterday," Little Joe rounded on his brother. It had not been a good day, his brothers ganging up on him over minor jobs left undone.
"Don't you go getting riled up with me little brother, when it's you that caused all the trouble in the first place." Hoss poked his large finger in Joe's chest.
"Yeah well, if ya ain't going to help me, then leave me alone"
"I didn't say I ain't gonna help ya; I'm just sayin' it's time to make your confession."
Little Joe nodded his head; he knew Hoss was right, he was fast running out of time but that didn't make it any easier. So squaring his shoulders he prepared himself to enter the lions den. Hoss clapped him on the back to show his support and the two exited the security of the barn and headed for the house.
"Adam....?" Little Joe said timidly, the fighting spirit that he had just displayed in the barn with Hoss vanished immediately upon seeing his big brother sitting at their fathers' desk.
"Well, what do you want?" Adam asked continuing to write in the ledger as he spoke.
"Ah..... it's just something I have to tell ya." Little Joe swallowed hard unable to find the words he needed to begin.
Adam put down the pen and leaned back in the chair and surveyed his young brother. So! he thought, he has decided to come clean about whatever he has been up to. “I'm all ears little brother"
"It's just ....... I kinda messed up." Little Joe shuffled from foot to foot and chewed on his lip, actions he always did went he was very nervous.
Adam didn't like the sound of this but urged his brother onwards with his revelation. "How exactly did you mess up and how much is it going to cost me to put it right?"
Little Joe brightened a little and quickly replied without thinking. “Honest Adam, it won't cost ya a penny."
“You haven't told me yet what this predicament is or are you conveniently overlooking that fact?"
Hoss decided that it was now time to jump in, Adam was becoming agitated despite his seemly calm composure and Little Joe was taking much too long with his confession. Skirting around the truth never sat well with Adam and Hoss knew the longer Joe stalled the angrier Adam would become.
Positioning himself between his brothers as promised, he braced himself for Adam's wrath.
Seeing Hoss take up his position as shield was all Little Joe needed to complete the telling of his sorry tale.
"If you must know, I played poker the other night in the barn and I owe Barney eighty dollars...." Before he could finish Adam had jumped up from his seat and advanced to where his brothers stood.
"Poker? Eighty dollars? How many times have you got to be told not to play poker with the hands? Wait a minute...” Adam ever alert mind recalled Joe's earlier statement that it wouldn't cost him a penny. "How come it wouldn't cost me a penny? Where did you get the money to pay this debt?"
Little Joe gulped; this was the part he was most dreading.
"I didn't....Ya see Barney doesn't want the money anymore, he wants......... Pa's saddle instead." He winced when he saw Adam's jaw tighten, very glad that Hoss was standing between them.
“He what?" Adam roared, now not even bothering to keep his temper in check.
"Take it easy Adam, Joe didn't.........." was all Hoss got out when Adam rounded on him.
"Joe didn't what, Hoss? Mean for this to happen? There are always consequences to one's actions, I know that, you know that, only he doesn't know that or maybe he does and he still doesn't care. That's great, Joe. You've just lost Pa's gift; I hope you're happy now."
"That's not all, Adam. Joe tell him"
Adam returned his glare to his little brother who if possible had retreated further behind Hoss' massive shield. "Well, let's hear it all?" he demanded.
"I was only trying to earn a little extra cash money to contribute more towards Pa's gift, honest, Adam. I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I was so sure I had the beating of everyone and I had, well all except Barney. I thought he was bluffing you see"
"Well he obviously wasn't, was he? Joe, how do you manage to get yourself into all this trouble? Pa is going to kill you when he finds out," Adam said thoroughly exasperated with his young brother.
"You ain't gonna tell him, are you? You can't, Adam; you can't ruin Pa's birthday and his gift for him," Joe shot back, surprised that Adam would spill the beans and ruin their surprise.
"Wow, back up there a minute little brother, thanks to you we don't have a present to give to our father on his birthday or have you conveniently forgotten about that? Unless of course I've misunderstood, it seems that our ranch hand now sports the best and most expensive saddle in all of Virginia City"
"But that's just it Adam, Barney doesn't want Pa's saddle either, so don't fret, we still have a gift for Pa"
Adam walked back to the desk, turning his back on his brothers. He was now totally confused, Joe had said earlier that he didn't need any money to repay his debt and now it would appear that the ranch hand didn't want the saddle either. Something just didn't add up here. Facing his brothers again he decided to ask more direct questions, ones which Little Joe couldn't skirt around.
"Okay Joe so if Barney doesn't want money or the saddle, then what does he want?"
Adam could not help but notice the grimace on his kid brother's face and the nervous way he shuffled once again as he edged even closer to Hoss for protection. Sitting down on his Pa's desk, Adam folded his arms across his chest and awaited Joe's response to his direct question.
"He wants a couple of...er.... songs." Joe voice trailed off towards the latter end of the sentence it was so low in fact that Adam had to strain his ears to make out the words.
"Can you repeat that and louder this time"
Nervously Joe scratched his head and repeated the answer a bit louder this time.
"Songs? I not quite sure what you mean. Would you care to elaborate?"
Little Joe took a deep breath and painfully outlined Barney's demand for the return of the saddle. Adam sat stunned and didn't move for some time. His stillness made Hoss anxious and so he asked, "Are you okay, Adam? Ya look kinda peaky".
"No! I am not okay, thanks largely to our idiot brother here." Adam rose from his perch, at last finding his voice and rounded on his brothers. Both Hoss and Joe took a few steps back to distance themselves from their irate brother.
"Do you honestly expect me to stand up in front of all our friends and neighbors and sing a song with that.........that woman?" He had murder in his eyes as he starred at his young brother. Little Joe winced when he saw that look and tried to put as much distance between himself and Adam whilst keeping hold of Hoss at the same time.
"I am going to flay you for this, little brother," Adam warned, easing himself away from the table and matching his stride with his retreating brothers"
"Now hold on a minute, Adam," Hoss tried to intervene before he was cut off when Adam rounded on him.
"You keep out of this, Hoss. This only concerns Little Joe and I and believe me I intend to take any grievances I have, out on his hide."
Self preservation was now top of Little Joe's agenda, his brain working overtime to save his butt. He nudged Hoss in the back; he needed help badly for the situation which was fast getting out of control. Adam was livid, to say the least. Little Joe had to think of something and he had to do it fast.
"Talk to him Hoss....tell him what Barney also said," he managed to stammer out, keeping one hand firmly on Hoss' back and the other hand held out in front of him to ward off any sudden attack by Adam.
"Yeah Adam ......" Hoss started to defend his brother but stopped short when he realized that he didn't know what Joe was talking about. "What exactly did Barney say Little Joe?" Hoss asked scratching his head thoroughly confused, he wanted to help his little brother but as he never actually heard what the ranch hand had said, he didn't know what Joe expected him to say.
"Ya know Hoss, he said if Adam laid a finger on me the deal was off," Little Joe prayed silently that Hoss would play along.
Hoss swallowed hard, he didn't want to lie to his elder brother but he also didn't want to see his younger brother in any more trouble.
"Yeah Adam..... ya know how the men are with Little Joe," he said. Now this wasn't exactly a lie because Barney and the other ranch hands were always looking out for their young brother. So it was quite conceivable that Barney had indeed made this stipulation and so Hoss verified Joe's statement with a clear conscience.
"Yes and I wasn't born yesterday either. I don't believe that for a moment, that's not just something he's thought up to save himself. Well think again, little brother. Anyway what makes you think that I give a hoot what Barney Evans thinks? He can keep the saddle, see if I care. And you can explain to Pa why we have no gift for his birthday. One way or the other you are going to pay for this. I don't care what's at stake; I have no intention of singing with that tone deaf soprano, so your little deal is off.” Adam reached around Hoss to grab hold of Joe's arm.
Hoss usually the peacemaker in the family had just about enough of this, he had no intention of letting a ranch hand claim their father's gift even if he had to knock some sense into his brothers. He placed his large hand on Adam's chest and pushed him away. "C'mon Adam, ya don't mean that"
"I most certainly do"
"Look Adam I ain't saying that Joe's not to blame for all this but he was only trying to earn some extra cash for his contribution. He didn't mean to lose the saddle. Pa will be home any minute now and if you don't go along with this deal, we'll have no gift to give to him tomorrow. I for one don't want that to happen, C'mon Adam how hard can it be to sing one song with Gertrude? Jus' imagin' Pa's face when we give him that saddle. What do you say, big brother?"
Adam backed up a bit and listened to what Hoss was trying to tell him. He closed his eyes trying to compose himself, he knew Hoss was right but that didn't stop him for still wanting to throttle his kid brother. Little Joe watched this little by play between his brothers from the position he had secured for himself for all of the discussion, from behind Hoss' back. He could see the initial rage fading from Adam's face, not entirely leaving but receding nonetheless. There was maybe a slight chance that he might just get away with this and he had his quick mind and Hoss' formidable presence not to mention, timely intervention to thank for it. Fortune was indeed smiling on the youngest Cartwright for at that moment a horse could be heard entering the yard signaling the return of their father. Little Joe looked at Adam and gave him a nervous smile. Adam in response threw his hands up to heaven and pointed his finger at his young brother.
"Don't think for one moment that I have forgiven you for this. You're just lucky that Pa chose this precise moment to come back.” He grabbed hold of Joe's shirt and pulled his young brother to him roughly. “And don't think that you're off the hook either. I'll find a way for you to pay for all this, just you wait and see." He released his grip on Joe's shirt just as their father entered the room. Ben greeted his sons warmly as he took off his coat and his gun belt. Little Joe always the most demonstrative with his affections was the first to come hug his father, Adam and Hoss following in turn to shake his hand and welcome him home.
As the evening passed, Ben always very observant when it came to his sons, noticed that Joe seemed reluctant to leave his side whilst at the same time was keeping as much distance as he could from Adam. Ben knew that these two didn't always see eye to eye, he also knew from past experiences that it was no use in confronting the issue with the two of them present at the same time. That only provoked a further argument, no, the best way to deal with it was to speak to them separately and this he decided to do after supper.
Later in the evening, after Little Joe had gone to bed and Hoss was in the kitchen making himself a bedtime snack, Ben saw his opportunity to open the discussion with his eldest son. “Everything all right while I was away Adam?" he asked his son who had his head buried in a book all night long.
“Sure Pa, why do you ask?" Adam returned quickly, not making eye contact with his father.
"Nothing only you seem awfully quiet tonight. No incidents to report?"
"No, nothing I couldn't handle." Adam closed the book he was reading and leaned back in his chair. He had a good mind to tell his Pa exactly what had been going on in his absence but somehow he just couldn't do it. It was his father's birthday tomorrow; the man deserved a precious gift, despite what that entailed for his eldest son.
"Okay if you say so. I think I'll turn in, Adam; it's been a long day. Goodnight son." Ben rose from his chair and spotting Hoss exiting the kitchen bid him a goodnight as well.
Enroute to his own room, he stopped off to check on his youngest son. Little Joe was fast asleep and Ben smiled as he rearranged the covers on his youngest child. When he was asleep, Little Joe looked the picture of innocence, something he most definitely wasn't when awake. Ben couldn't help but wonder what had transpired between his oldest and youngest sons whilst he was away. One thing he did know without a shadow of a doubt that whatever it was, it had been instigated by this sleeping rascal.
**********