The Missing Secret Gift

By Jan

The little boy was praying school would soon be over with. Only one more day and tomorrow didn't count. Parents were coming tomorrow to see the Christmas program and Little Joe was excited that school would be over with for at least two weeks. Hopefully after that he could wish for some snow to prevent him and his older brother Hoss from traveling to town to attend. Pa kept them home he remembered last year when it looked like the snow would make it dangerous for them to go and he was hoping there would be days like that again. He had a dim remembrance of Adam and Hoss staying home when his Momma was still alive from school when it snowed but that was almost two years ago now.

A slight smile came across his face as he remembered the snowball fights the Cartwright boys had against the ranch hands. At six years of age Little Joe was getting pretty good at hitting what he aimed at. This year he had been practicing throwing rocks to get that aim right so when the snowballs were ready to throw He would be ready to hit his targets. This year he was not going to be the one who got bombed by everyone. This year he was going to get Charlie and Matt and Jim and.........

Suddenly Little Joe felt the ruler on his shoulder and jumped. The classroom started to giggle at the sight of the dark hair boy landing on the floor startled by the teacher tapping him on his shoulder. His shining green eyes looked up “Why you do that, Miss Jones?” he asked as he pulled himself up.

"Class quiet, please. Joe, Could you please read the next paragraph for me?"

Joe looked down at his primer. He did not even have it open let alone know what paragraph the rest of the second graders were on. He opened the book slowly trying to figure out how many paragraphs were read. He hadn't notice which one of the other classmates had read he would have to take a guess. He knew the story He had to read it to his Pa last night but where were they? He looked at the Mitch who had his finger tapping on a paragraph. Joe looked at his book and thought, “Let's hope".

“The man looked at the horse and said ‘This is a good horse. I will buy it from you. He will be a good addition to my stock. He is very strong. He will be able to haul the logs for my house’."

“I am sorry, Joe. Mitch had already read that paragraph. You were not listening. Class, you may all go out to recess now. You, young man, will stay in and read the whole story to me." Miss Jones did not have to repeat her orders. The room emptied quickly leaving just one very disappointed boy and the teacher.

"Joe, I want you to read this story to me, and also tonight you are to write out 50 times I will pay attention in class and turn it in first thing tomorrow. This was the last day of classes before the Christmas break and you were all told I would not tolerate slack behavior if you wanted a fun day tomorrow. It is not be fair to punish the whole school because you are the only one not trying. I will send a note home asking your father to bring you in with him tomorrow. You may still participate in the program but you will not be allowed to enjoy the morning activities." Miss Jones spoke harshly at Joe. She hoped she would be able to get through to him. His daydreaming was getting more and more frequent. She would have to speak to his father tomorrow about it. He was a very bright student if she could just keep in on task of his studies. But if she left him on his own, he never would finish with his assignments.

Joe was getting angry at his teacher. He was not going to stay in and read while the others were having fun. “Miss Jones, please, I read it last night to my Poppa and he said I did a fine job. Can't I go outside and play for a little bit? "

"Joe, no you may not! Now start reading! When you finish, then you may go outside but until you stop daydreaming, you are going to be punished. The next time will be something you and I neither one wants to happen. Knowing what happened to you last year and your brothers, I know you will receive a double serving of the same. Now I know it is uncomfortable to sit after that happens but I have to get you to pay attention. NOW READ!"

Joe looked at Miss Jones. In tears, he started to read. He knew he would get no where and also that when Pa got the note about bringing him in with him; he probably would not be sitting that well tomorrow either. But he had a chance to change Miss Jones' mind if he did what he was told the rest of the day. He looked at the story and started to read it. He read it without a mistake and in no time at all.

Miss Jones listened to him read but also was thinking how to help Joe. When he finished, she looked at the clock. “You have ten minutes. I will give you a choice. You can remain in and start writing your punishment or you may go outside."

Joe's mind was working overtime now. “If I finish it, will you still send the note home to my Pa? I promise, Miss Jones, I won't daydream anymore today," Joe finished and looked at his teacher with those pleading green eyes. He knew how to play adults already but today Miss Jones was not gullible.

“Well, Joseph, you have to prove that to me. Come up after school and we will discuss it. If - and that is a big IF - you are a perfect student, I might reconsider. But you only have one chance. One mistake -- talking, daydreaming, not getting your assignments done -- you WILL be taking a letter home. Now you better start writing and I want it neat."

Joe smiled and hurried back to his desk. He took his tablet and pencil out, then started writing. All of a sudden, he raised his hand. “Miss Jones, I have a problem. How do you spell attention?"

Miss Jones went to Joe and wrote the sentence out for him on top of the paper. Joe worked hard for ten minutes as the other children were outside playing Miss Jones gave him an extra few minutes to work on it. He had ten sentences done by the time the children returned and was ready for the class to resume.

Joe spent the rest of the morning trying extra hard to do everything right. He found when he actually started doing his assignments and kept at task, he finished with time to spare. When he had a few minutes he wrote his sentences. By lunch time, he had twenty-five sentences done.

As the rest of the children headed for their lunch pails, Joe pulled out his tablet again and started to write. With 45 minutes, he figured he would be done with it. Miss Jones noticed he did not get his lunch.

"Joseph, where is your lunch? Did you forget it?" She asked him.

"No ma'am, it is sitting back there. But I figured I would write and try to finish this. If I have time when I am done, then I will eat. I am not really hungry anyway

,." Joseph spoke but kept on writing as he did.

"I think it would be better if you ate and then finished it. Go get your pail and at least eat part of it." Miss Jones did not like him going without eating.

“It is okay, Miss Jones, Most of the time I don't eat it anyhow. I usually give it away or Hoss eats it on the way home." Joe spoke with authority on what happens to his lunch.

"But what does your father say about you not eating your lunch? Or does he know that you don't eat it?” Miss Jones was making a note to start checking whether Joe was eating anything at all. She knew Hop Sing would not let him leave in the morning without breakfast, but going all day without eating and still having all the energy that young boy had amazed her. And it also explained to her why he was the smallest second grader. For his size he did not look like he should even be in school yet.

Joe pondered a moment to think what to tell his teacher. “Well, Miss Jones, he never asked me if I ate it and I never told him I did or didn’t. I just make sure the pail is empty before I get home so I don't hurt Hop Sing's feelin's none. There are some kids out there who don't get no dinner and I just figured they need it worse than me. So I usually give some to them and keep a something for Hoss to eat on the way home."

"They don't get ANY dinner, Joseph. And while I think that shows a very kind heart to give up your lunch, I am sure your father and Hop Sing are sending you with it for you to eat. So let's see you eat at least something out of your pail."

Miss Jones thought she would mention this to Mr. Cartwright. Maybe at least they would pack enough for Joe to eat and give some to the poorer children. Joe went to his pail and brought it to his desk. He pulled out one of several sugar cookies. And while he was writing, he nibbled on the cookie. By the end of lunch time, he had eaten all the cookies and had written all the sentences. It helped that Miss Jones walked over to him and looked at how many he had. She seen he was almost finished so she let recess go another 10 minutes for him to finish.

He walked up to her and handed her the paper. She looked at it. Though not the neatest paper she had seen, for Joseph it was as neat as she could expect.

"Alright Joseph. Now if you do as good the rest of the day as you finished this morning, I will not send a note home. But I will remind you -- ONE thing that I have to speak to you about and you will be taking that note home. Now why don't you go get a drink and ring the bell to let the other children know it is time to return to class." Miss Jones smiled at her young pupil who walked very slowly out to the door. He grabbed a drink of water from the pail, then went and pulled on the rope.

The children all ran in hurrying. Hoss came up last. “Hey Short Shanks! I think if we get home straight from school, and get all your chores done before you show Pa that note , he might not be too mad at you......"

"If I stay out of trouble this 'fternoon, I ain't going to take no note home. I finished my sentences already. I just got to keep my mouth shut and my butt in my seat, and my hands to myself. It sure going' be hard to control me all afternoon. But I sure don't want to get in trouble with Pa now. Not this close to Christmas. He would leave a note to Santa not to leave me anything." Joe spoke as they started into the schoolroom a little nervous. Hoss smiled at him and ruffle his hair.

“AHH, Short Shanks, I don't think you got be a worrin' about that man not coming to see ya. I think he knows you try real hard to be good," he whispered to him as they reached Little Joe's seat. Joe smiled at his big brother. It sure was nice to have him in school with him.

But this was going to be Hoss' last year. Next year he would be by himself. Joe didn't want to think about that. He listened real hard to Miss Jones the rest of the day. By the time school was over, Joe was proud of himself. He had all the work done and even had some time to work on the program with Mitch. With Miss Jones permission to talk, of course. The second graders were doing something real special and they worked hard making it just right. Tomorrow everyone was going to be surprised at how well they did, Joe thought to himself.

School was dismissed and all the children ran outside grabbing their horses or walking back toward the main part of town. Hoss walked slowly. He knew he had to wait on Joe, who had to talk to Miss Jones.

Inside, Joe sat at his desk. He had folded his hands on his desk and was sitting so straight and tall, Miss Jones was not sure he was even breathing.
" Well, Joseph, I am quite pleased with your behavior for the most part of the day. So no letter will be sent home. But now since we both know how well you can do your work and how well YOU CAN behave, I will expect it happening a lot more after our holiday is over. Now go on home before your father thinks I kept you after school." Miss Jones smiled as Joe thanked her and left the school room.

As soon as he reached the bottom step he took off in a run to where Hoss had their horses already for him.

“I did it HOSS! I really did it! Miss Jones said she was pleased with me today. Boy that is a REALLY big load off my mind. I couldn't come to school tomorrow with Pa. He would know our surprise and I don't want him to know it yet." Joe spoke as he jumped on his small pony. Hoss turned his horse around and started to follow Joe home.

“Hey Hoss, what did you get Pa for Christmas? I made him somethin' really really special. Hop Sing helped me make it." Joe was wondering if his gift was okay, but since he didn't want to ask his father for money to buy him something, he had to make something that didn't cost him any money. Poppa had promised Joe that while he was in town tomorrow, he would take him to buy something for his two brothers. Joe had to help carry in more wood and help Hop Sing gather his eggs and whatever else he was asked by the cook to earn the money he had. But it was not much. Pa said it was the thought that counted and not how much you spent on a gift. But he sure hoped he had enough.

But Little Joe had to write Santa a letter. He knew what he wanted more than anything. And Santa was the only one who could get it for him.

"Hoss, how does Santa get a letter? Where do I send it?" Joe asked so serious that Hoss smiled at him. He pondered the question a minute.

“Well, I reckon you write it and give it to Pa and he will give it to Mr. Cass to mail to the North Pole. You thinkin of writing a letter, uh?"

"Sure, Hoss. How else is he going to know what I want? But will you help me if I need help spelling some of the words? I want it so he understands me." Joe asked again with a serious tone. He HAD to make sure Santa understood his request this year.

"Sure Short Shanks, what you askin’ for this year?" Hoss still had not gotten his little brother anything. He needed a hint.

"Pa already asked me that. But I told him I didn't care because I know he couldn't get me what I really want. Only Santa Claus can do that for me."

Hoss had his curiosity piqued. What did Joe want? He thought over the last couple of months and could not think of anything Little Joe wanted. Since Adam had left for college in August, Little Joe had not mention any toy or anything he wanted to him that he could remember. Hoss was sure he would help his youngest brother write the letter.

"Santa just gotta give me what I ask for this year Hoss, He just gotta." Joe was so serious that Hoss was sure he would read the letter so he could tell Pa what he wanted so bad. He hoped it was something they could get at the store as it would be hard to get something from San Francisco now.

Soon they were at the ranch house. Ben seen the boys riding up and he walked over from the corral where had been watching the men work on breaking the new horses. Joe seen him and waved and jumped off his pony and ran to him jumping into his arms. His Pa gave him a big hug which produced the biggest smile this side of the Mississippi.

"Pa, you still coming to school tomorrow for our program; we worked on it today some more. It is going to be SOOOOOOO good. Us little kids are going to do a better job than the big kids too. Wait and see. What have you been doing today? You got anymore new horses? What are Charlie and the guys doing? Can I go watch the guys ride the horses? Where is Hop Sing? I want him to come tomorrow too. Think he will come too? Pa, why aren't you talking to me?" Little Joe took a breath and looked at his father who was laughing.

“Well Little Joe, I was not going to interrupt you and you seem to be on a roll here. Let's see. Yes I am going to school tomorrow. I have been working on my books and watching the men and I checked on the fences today. No more horses, and Charlie is down in the south pasture with the other men working on the pond. I think the men are going to quit with the horses today son. You will have to ask Hop Sing if he would like to come but he is more than welcome to ride into town with me. Now did I answer ALL your questions, son?" Ben looked at his son who so intently listened to all he was saying.

"Yea Pa, I think you did. May I go get some cookies from Hop Sing? I am sure hungry." Joe wiggled to get down from Ben.

"Yes you may but first, how was school, boys, and how much homework do we have?" Ben looked sternly at both boys. Joe for a change had a smile on his face.

"Pa, I got it all done in school today. Miss Jones said she was real proud of me. I listen to her all afternoon and did exactly what she said. And I got it done. Even had time to go over our parts with Mitch," Joe said proudly, not mentioning the threat of punishment if he didn't.

Ben looked at Hoss, who nodded his head. "That is right. We were promised a fun morning if we all behaved today so everyone did their best. But I got some more reading to do. Wish I could read faster. Just seems like it takes me forever to get it done."

“Well, Hoss, what if Joe and I did your chores for you tonight? Then you go on and try to get your homework done. If you get done early, I think Hop Sing was going to let you two help him finish the cookies for the party tomorrow." Ben gave his middle son an encouraging smile. Hoss smiled right back at him as Ben reached for the reins of the horse.

Hoss walked on into the house with his books while Ben and Joe entered the barn. Together they groomed the horses and fed them and did the rest of the chores. Somehow with his Pa helping him, it did not seem such a bad thing to be doing. Not work, like when Pa told Joe to do it by himself. Today was a fun day. Pa made it fun for Joe. Laughing and teasing him and just making it a wonderful time.

By the time they were done, Hoss had finished his homework. They went into the kitchen. Hop Sing was ready for them. He gave the boys the colored sugar and they enjoyed sprinkling it over the cookies.

Ben looked on as they giggled and laughed. He was thinking last year was a hard Christmas for them. It was just a few months after they had lost Marie. He was happy that this year they seemed to be happy and content with life. Thinking of Marie brought a smile to Ben's face. Memories came of her doing this same thing -- two years ago, trying with such patience to let a 4-year-old cut out gingerbread cookies. The laughter and giggles rang throughout the house on those days.

Ben looked at this youngest son. He is a happy boy; I think we have helped him. He sure did miss his mother in the beginning. Then Adam left him; Ben thought about how hard that departure was. It was just like Marie had died all over. Little Joe just couldn't understand where his big brother went to. Fearing that he too would never be back, it took all of them to make him realize that indeed one day Adam would be back. Adam sent Joe a letter as soon he made St. Louis and then when he made Boston, which helped ease the boy's mind that indeed Adam was still alive and would be back again. Ben indeed was thankful for today his little ray of sunshine was beaming so brightly. Hopefully that dark cloud would not return.

After supper, Hoss sat out at the dining room table with Little Joe. Little Joe worked on his letter only having to ask the spelling of a couple words. When he finished he looked at it with pride. “Okay, now I need to get an envelope off of Pa so I can send this!" Joe exclaimed as he folded it.

“Don’t you want me to check it for you, little brother? Make sure you got all the words right?" Hoss wanted to read what his brother wanted so bad.

Joe thought for a minute. "No reckon not, Hoss. I think it is like a secret between a boy and Santa. Only Santa needs to know what is in the letter." With that said, he walked over to his father, who was sitting in his favorite chair smoking his pipe and reading a book Adam had sent him. "Pa, may I have an envelope so I can send my letter tomorrow? Will it get to the North Pole before Christmas if I send it tomorrow? I sure hope so."

“Yes son, I am sure Santa will get your letter in plenty of time. I will address the envelope for you and take it to town with me when I come in to see your program tomorrow. How is that?" Ben responded to his son with all sincerity.

Joe thought about that for a while. "Well, as long as you don't forget. I don't want Santa not to get my letter. It is real important he gets it." Joe thought some more than handed his father the prized letter. "You sure Pa you won't forget it tomorrow? You promise me you won't forget it?" Joe looked so serious Ben could not help but smile at him. He opened his drawer, pulled out an envelope and placed the prized letter inside it. He wrote on the envelope SANTA CLAUS and then laid it with the rest of the mail that was to be taken to town.

"There, Joe, It is with the rest of the mail going out tomorrow. Is that satisfactory? If I forget your letter, then I will forget all the mail," Ben replied with a smile again for his youngest son.

Joe was smiling now. “Yes, Pa, that is great. I know Santa will bring me what I want on Christmas. I know he will."

Ben curiosity was peaked now. He thought he knew what Joseph wanted for Christmas. “Joe, can you tell me what is so special you want?”

“No Pa. I am afraid if I tell someone, Santa won't do it. And I want it more than anything in the world."

"Well, son if that is the way you feel about it, it is settled. Why don't we head upstairs and get you ready for bed?" Ben looked at his youngest son, waiting for a discussion on bedtime.

"Oh Pa, I can do it myself. And I ain't tired yet. I wanted to play a game of checkers with Hoss," Joe pleaded hoping for once his father would give in and give him just a few more minutes.

"Joseph, what time do you go to bed every night?" Ben responded sternly.

"8 o’clock, Sir. I'm going but I just want you to know I don't like it." A dejected Joe turned and started running up the stairs. At the landing, he turned. “Oh, Good night Pa, Good night Hoss.” He paused then turned again looking at his brother. “Hoss, how old were you before you got to stay up later?”

Ben looked at Hoss,

"I think I was twelve before I got to stay up until 9. But I won't be long behind you little brother. Not tonight,” Hoss responded.

Joe continued up the stairs, muttering, not thinking anyone else heard him. "I got 5 long more years of being treated like a baby. I'll be running this ranch and still be sent to bed at 8."

Hoss tried to conceal his laughter, at least until Little Joe went into the hallway. "That boy sure wants to grow up fast, don't he, Pa?"

"Yes, I am afraid so.” Ben responded and then turned seriously. "Hoss, Little Joe tell you what he wants for Christmas? I have been trying to think and I can't figure it out."

“He wouldn't tell me but he is sure acting like it is something real important to him," Hoss responded.

“Well, keep an eye for him while “Santa" takes a peak what he wrote. I can't think of anything he has said he wanted that was that important. I don't want him disappointed on Christmas morning if I can help it."

Hoss stood by the landing listening for any sound that told him Joseph was coming out of his room. Ben picked up the letter and started to read it. His face showed the pain as he read it. "Hoss, we are going to have problems here.”

“What is it, Pa.? What does he want?" Hoss glanced over and saw the pain look on his father's face.

“His brother and his Momma to visit him on Christmas."

"WHAT? I thought we had him understanding about his Momma, and why Adam wouldn't be able to be home this year."

"Well, he has this idea that Santa can talk to God and let his mother come and visit us so we could all be happy again. And Santa could stop and pick up Adam and bring Adam with him. I don't know how to deal with this one." Ben sat at his desk pondering what he was going to do to get his youngest son to understand life's most difficult lesson.

“One thing is, we can't let him know we seen this. Maybe Doc Martin or Reverend Bowers would have an idea how to handle this. I was looking forward to this year. Last year was not so happy time but I thought we had all came to grip with our grief, and I know I think of Marie and the happy times we had. At least most of the time. What am I going to tell him? He has to understand his mother will never be here in the physical form. If need be, I can get Adam home. I wasn't going to have him come back yet. We talked before he left. He thought it would be easier on Joe if he didn't make the trip. Better one good-bye instead of several. Maybe that was a mistake. It took him two weeks to get to Boston."

"Pa that is a month traveling time. He wouldn't no more get here and he would have to leave. Christmas is just 6 days away. He won't make it back. Not now," Hoss explained solemnly.

Ben had walked over by the fireplace looking into the fire as if an answer would appear for him. Hoss heard Little Joe's door open.

"PA! I am ready for you. Are you coming up?" Joe yelled.

"Be right there," Ben replied as he started toward the steps. At the bottom of the stairway, he paused, took a deep breath and placed a smile on his face. He bounded up the stairs. Joe heard him coming and ran back and pulled the covers up. Ben entered and looked at his son. "We forgetting something?"

"Oh yeah." Little Joe jumped out of bed and knelt beside his bed. "Thank you God for my day. It was great. Bless Pa, Adam and Hoss, and Hop Sing and all the ranch hands, and my friends. Take care of the animals and the people who got themselves sick. And tell Momma I said Hi. Amen."

Joe got back in bed as Ben picked up the book they were reading. He looked at Joe. “You missing your Momma tonight, Joseph? Something bothering you, something you want to talk about?"

"I miss Momma everyday, Pa. Seems right now I miss her a whole bunch. I wish I could talk to her. I need to ask her something," Joe said with such sincerity.

"And you can ask me or Hoss or Hop Sing?"

“You weren't with us, Pa. Only Momma knows where they are,” Joe exclaimed.

Ben was getting more baffled. "Where what are? Maybe if you told me we could look for them."

"No, Momma took me somewhere and we did something. She told the man she would be back to get her pi - packages. We came home and then she left and has never come back. I want the pi -- Package."

“Where did you go, Joseph?” Ben was going back over those last few weeks before Marie died.

“‘Member Pa, Momma and I went to visit those people she takes me to where I have to be in my Sunday best all the time. That big city."

"Sacramento? The Jamison's? Joe is that what you are talking about?" asked Ben, at last seeing a ray of hope to the mystery.

“Yeah that them folks." Joe was glad someone remembered their name.

"Well, I can write to them to see if your Momma left packages there, Joe." Ben thought maybe the problem was solved.

" REALLY, Pa? Think they would know where Momma hid the package? “Joe thought maybe there was still hope he would get the wish.

"Well we can sure try, son. Can you tell me what was in the package?" Ben questioned his son.

Joe thought a moment. “No, Pa. Momma said it was a surprise for you and Adam and Hoss. I still want to surprise you."

Ben thought enough had been said. “Well, then, let's read this chapter, then you get to sleep. Still have to get up for school one more day."

Ben started to read but only read two pages when he realized Little Joe was already asleep. He tucked the covers up and lowered the light down. He would be back later and put it out completely

Downstairs Hoss had been trying to come up with an idea on how to help Little Joe realize his Momma was not coming back to see him. His thoughts were broken by the sounds of his father's footsteps coming down the stairs.

“Hoss, I will be riding in with you two tomorrow. You remember when Marie took Joe to Sacramento to see the Jamieson's? They did something as a surprise. I need to find that surprise. I may be making a fast trip there. That is what Joe wants his Momma for: so that they can give us that surprise.”

"I think I will wire them tomorrow. See if they know what Marie did that week they were there. Worth a shot. The Adam business, I think I can help him with that. But I don't know how to tell him his Momma will never be coming back any differently than we have been."

Ben spent the night wondering how to solve the problems his youngest son had given him that night. He slept very little.

************

The next morning, the boys awoke and were up doing their chores without any further comments being made. Both were anxious to get this day over with. Then vacation time.

Hoss had saddle his horse and the buckboard for the ride to town. He would be coming straight home from school while Little Joe stayed in town with Ben. Hop Sing said he had to visit family so he would bring buggy in later and see the program. It had made him very happy that Little Joe wanted him there.

Ben dropped his youngest son at school and went straight to the telegraph office. With a silent prayer, he went on with his errands that had to be completed before returning back to school for the program.

Finishing with a good hour to kill, Ben walked on over to his friend's office. Sheriff Roy Coffee was just pouring himself a cup of coffee. Also visiting was the man Ben also had to see, Dr. Martin.

“Ben, it is good to see you. Thought you might drop by sometime today. Care to have a cup of coffee with us?

"Sounds good. Think it just might be snowing before the day is over with. What does our weatherman say?" Ben teased his old friend.

"Well, this body calls for snow in the next few days anyhow and should be a pretty good one," Roy responded with a rub of his leg.

“Paul, I was going to stop by and talk to you. You being here saved me a trip. I have a problem with Joseph and I don't know how what to do about it. I was hoping maybe you could shed some light on it for me." Ben took on a more serious note when he spoke. His two friends knew it was serious from Ben's tone of voice.

"Seems Joseph has written his request to Santa for Christmas this year. One is he wants Santa to bring Adam home with him to visit him. I think I can handle that one but the other is he asked Santa to ask God to let him mother visit him on Christmas Day. Paul, I thought we had finally gotten him to understand about death and that his mother was not coming back ever but I don't know. But he is determined Santa can do this." Ben ended telling his problem looking very defeated at the moment.

Paul thought a little bit. " Ben, has something happened that makes Little Joe want his mother? Something said in school, at home, anywhere that would make him feel the need to have his mother with him? What about at home? Anything seem to trigger it?"

"Not that I know of. I want to be able to have a word with Miss Jones to see if she knows why all of the sudden, so I am hoping I get that chance today.
The only thing I have been able to think of is Joe said he wanted to talk to his mother to ask her where the packages were. You remember it was just a week after Marie and Joe had gotten back from Sacramento that she ........ that she had her accident. Seems she and Joe did something and Joe said his Momma was to go back and get these packages but obviously did not get them. For some reason, he has remembered the packages and wants them."

Roy looked puzzled. “And you have no idea what they did? Joe won't tell you? Does he remember where they were or what they did?"

"Oh he remembers. Says he promised his Momma he would not tell what they did and he won't break his promise to his Momma. So I sent a telegraph to Jim Jamison to see if he knew or his wife knew something that would help me. You men think of anything else I can do? I am open for suggestions."

Both men felt for their friend.

"Ben, it’s just he misses his mother this time of the year. Marie did make the holidays exciting, you have to admit that. How much have you done to continue the things she did for Little Joe? Maybe you need to start some new traditions for him to remember, instead of doing the same ones. Although don't go changing too much. That won't be good either. Is it affecting him any that I need to look him over? Eating, sleeping, playing alright? "

Ben smiled, “He is fine that way, anyhow. In fact, he is being such a good boy I almost hate Christmas to come. He wants what he asked for so bad he isn't taking any chance of not getting it because he has been “naughty". I have not had to have any ‘necessary talks’ with him for two weeks now.

“Well, Ben, you aren't complaining?” Roy teased his friend trying to lighten his friend’s mood. "Why, I can hear a dozen conversations with you as to you didn't know what to do, it seeming you spent more time looking at that boy’s behind than you did his face. That must be a record for that boy. 2 weeks, uh?”

“But kidding aside, Ben, he will be alright. He just has a little more adjusting to do. But he knows he is loved by a lot of people, not just you and Adam and Hoss and Hop Sing. That cook of yours hovers over him like a mother hen. He may be disappointed a little but he will forget all about it in a week or two. We get this snow, he will be enjoying the snow and getting outside and a playing in it. He will be alright. He is a Cartwright, after all."

“I am probably just making too much out of this, but if you could have seen his face last night… So sincere about what Santa and God could do together. I will just have to wait and see. But right now I had better make my way back to the school; that program will be starting in a few minutes and I don't want to be late. The last year for Hoss. Doesn't seem possible for that to happen. My sons are all growing up." Ben started toward the door.

“Wait up, Ben. We were both going too." Roy spoke as he grabbed his hat and Doc Martin started toward the door too. They headed toward the school house. Bill McMasters, the telegraph operator, had just closed his door when he noticed Ben coming down the street.

"Oh Ben! I got that telegram for you," he yelled. Ben hurried over to him. Quickly opening the envelope, he scanned the note. Disappointment spread through his face as what he had hoped for was not there. “Jim doesn't know anything. Margaret has been away visiting her sister. She is enroute back home. Won't be there until Monday. He will ask her and let me know as soon as possible. Roy, if a telegram comes, can you make sure someone brings it out to me? "

"I'll bring it myself, if it at all possible, Ben. But I will see you get it. Bill, if it comes, get it over to my office right away." Roy spoke with the authority his office required.

"Sure thing. I know I would do anything to make sure my kid got what he wanted. And this is not a selfish request to me. That little boy of yours has a heart of gold, Ben. Sure is a joy to be around. Always stops in, even if only to wave at me." Bill spoke fondly.

"Well, if we don't get a move on, we will be late getting to the program. Don't want to miss this one. Been told it is special this year. Not sure what to expect," Ben smiled.

Soon there was a crowd of parents all heading toward the building that housed the school for the Virginia City residents and surrounding area.
Many spoke to Ben and his friends as they entered the school. Hop Sing arrived and Ben made sure there was a place next to him for his friend and cook.

The program was a nice one. Ben enjoyed it but did not see anything of special that the boys had mentioned. Then Miss Jones stepped to the center.

"This year we have a special ending. Our second grade class will be presenting a special collection of carols. Master Joseph Cartwright is our soloist this year. I think you find yourself pleasantly entertained. Now may I present the Second Grade class of our school.

The four boys and three girls making up the class came forward. Joseph stood in front. He started the songs with the other children joining in on the choruses. Little Joe stood tall and sang all the songs that Adam had taught him the previous year. Before the final song, Joseph spoke, “We would like everyone to join in singing ‘We wish you a Merry Christmas.’ And thank you for coming. Merry Christmas!”

With that, he led in the singing of the familiar song.

The parents gave the children a round of applause. Then the children went to their respective parents. Joe walked over to his father. Ben gave him a big hug. “Joseph, you did a marvelous job. I am very proud of you. So would your brother, Adam. I am glad he taught you the words."

“That is why I got to sing solo this year, Pa. I knew the words to all the songs and the other kids didn’t. So they just learned the choruses.” Joseph was happy his father was proud of him. School and proud were not usually the two words that went together with Joseph Cartwright. Though Little Joe tried, he did not put any extra effort in his work -- especially if there was something fun to do instead.

Miss Jones walked over to Ben. "Mr. Cartwright, I was glad to see you here. I need to speak to you for just a minute, if I may. And no, Joe, is not in any trouble this time." She smiled at a Joe, who gave a sigh when she said the last sentence. Hop Sing took Little Joe's hand and smiled at him. “I take care of our boy Mister Cartwright." The two excused themselves, and went over to the corner.

"Mr. Cartwright, it has just been brought to my attention, and I thought you should know, it seems Joseph does not eat his lunch except maybe a cookie. He gives it to the children who bring very little in their lunch. Now I know Hop Sing and you send your son with a good size lunch and I know the pail is not returned with any food left. That would give you the idea that Joseph had eaten it himself. Now he has an abundant of energy in the mornings but I have noticed he seems a little sluggish toward the last hour or so of school. Now I think I know the reason. I don't want you to yell at him for something so unselfish as sharing. But he needs to know how important it is for him to eat at least some of his lunch. Oh, and if there is anything left, Joseph says he gives to Hoss so he can have something to eat on the way home." Miss Jones spoke quickly and quietly.

Ben looked at her in disbelief. Twice in one afternoon he had heard of the unselfish acts of his youngest son. "Thank you, Miss Jones, for showing your concern for my son. I will try to talk to him about eating his own lunch. Maybe the board needs to help out with the needy children. I will get back with you on that. But for one thing, Joseph will be able to continue with his sharing.

Ben paused then continued. "Miss Jones, I have a question to ask you.
Has there been any mention of Joe not having a mother or anything that would make Joe think of his mother?"

Miss Jones thought for a minute. "No, not in the classroom. I can't say anything about the playground. But I haven't noticed Joseph upset or moody, really. This time of year, your wife made life very enjoyable. I have heard comments about the Christmas parties she held at the ranch each year. She must have loved Christmas very much. Maybe he is just remembered and is saddened by not having her with him.”

Ben smiled as he remembered how much Marie was like a child around Christmas. How she loved the decorating and the special time Christmas was. She had already passed that on to their son.

"I wished that would be the reason. But thank you for your concern, and I will think of a way to get Joseph to eat at least part of his lunch." Ben shook her hand and then went back over to Joe who was telling something to Roy and Dr. Martin to make them laugh.

As Ben walked over, Joe looked at him with a worried look. "Everything okay, Pa? I am not in any trouble, am I?" Joe asked just a little worried about yesterday.

"No, son, you are not in any trouble. But we need to have a little talk about something. We can wait, though. Now, you about ready to go off on this great shopping spree of yours? I thought maybe I might spring for some supper at the International House, if you want, before we go back home. What do you think?"

Joseph looked at him. “Pa, I don't think Hop Sing would like it if we ate someplace out with out telling him before hand. But I can eat some ice cream at the parlor, if you want to do that."

All three laughed. Ben responded, "You have a point there, Joseph. Hop Sing does get mad at us when we don't show up for supper. Hop Sing, just fix something small for Hoss, and we will stay in town for some ice cream.”

Hop Sing nodded. "Though I have never fixed anything small for Mr. Hoss. He eats extra when someone is missing. I never have to cut back.”

They all laughed and then departed there own ways.

 "Well , we had better get this shopping done if you want to stop at the parlor and still get home in time .”

Joe looked at his father but decided to keep his secret with Hop Sing.
When the party left, there was one little boy and three grown men walking down the street. The men would laugh at the stories the little boy was telling them of things going on. Roy left them to go back to the office and Doctor Martin went on to his office. Ben and Joe made their way down to the mercantile. Ben took Joseph into the store.

"Well, Mr. Cartwright, how can I help you today?"

“Oh it isn't my Pa who is shopping today. It is me, Mr. Cass. I need to buy for Hoss and Hop Sing with this.” Joe laid out his money. Mr. Cass counted it. “Now Pa, you go out on the street, please, so I can buy you something. I promise I will behave myself. Please, Pa," Joe pleaded with his father.

The two gentlemen smiled down at the little boy. “Son, why don't you look for Hoss something first and let me talk to Mr. Cass just for a few minutes. Then I will step out and let you do your shopping on your own," Ben said as he looked at his son.

"Oh okay but you promise you will only talk a few minutes. I don't have all day to do this." Little Joe turned around and started to go back the aisle looking.

Ben put some money with what his son laid out for Mr. Cass. "If you need more, let me know. Not anymore than 5 dollars, though. I don't want him to think he has a free rein on money. He had more money but spent some of it the other day for some candy for him and Hoss probably. "

"Sure thing, Ben. I will keep him within his allotment. Sweet kid you got there. I know he had money. He came in the other day and bought 50 cents worth of candy. Went out the store and gave it to the miner's children. Those kids thought they had a million dollars. Think only thing he had was a gumdrop. Sure likes to think of others, that one. You have done a good job with him, Ben. You being a big ranch owner sure don’t seem to affect him like some of the ranchers’ kids that come in here." Mr. Cass spoke with great fondness for the boy.

“Well, thank you for sharing that with me. I thought he had unwisely spent his money. I better get out of here before he decides I am taking too long." Ben smiled as he walked out the store. Yes sir, Joseph was going to grow up to be a fine young man before too long. Now if he could just figure out what kind of surprise Marie had had planned for him and his family. Little Joe had not really mentioned anything he would want for Christmas this year. Ben had already bought him a new winter coat and snowshoes. A wooden soldier set to go with the one he had received a few years earlier. It sure would be nice to give him what he wanted. He knew he couldn't give him his mother nor could Adam be home. But he could work with Adam on that part. If things went well this winter, he just might make the trip with the two boys back to Boston to see Adam for a while. Or maybe meet him halfway. With the train coming now across the nation, it sure would be a lot faster to make the journey than when Adam and he made it.

Joe came out, caring his treasures all wrapped up in brown paper. He had a smile of contentment on his face. He had used his money and bought all the presents, including a little something for his father to go with the gift he made, and still had a few cents left. He might be able to treat his father to the ice cream parlor.

"Pa, I am all done. We have time to go to the ice cream parlor. I have 35 cents left. Is that enough to buy us ice cream?"

“You keep your money. This is going to be my treat today, son. I don't get to bring you anymore like we use to, with you being in school. Let's go before we don't have time." Ben hoisted his son's packages into the back of the backboard then headed to the ice cream parlor. They spent the next hour picking out the flavor they wanted, then sitting there eating it. Soon it was time to go on home.

The weekend passed with no new clues on the mystery gifts. Hoss tried to get out of Little Joe what they were but he was firm on not telling. Santa and his Momma would take care of it. He was not worried.

Monday came and Ben hoped a telegraph would arrive. Roy came out with one but not with what he wanted. Seems Margaret had not arrived; the stage was delayed. Ben was beginning to believe it was hopeless.

Tuesday arrived. Christmas Eve. The tree was decorated. The stockings were hung. The Cartwright family attended Christmas Eve services at the church.

Ben had spoken to the Reverend on Sunday. With no news about the mystery gifts, Ben needed guidance on how to deal with the problem of explaining again that Joseph would not be seeing his mother until he too, one day many years from now, he himself would die.

"Ben, I will be out for dinner at noon tomorrow for sure. Can't wait to enjoy some of Hop Sing's good cooking again. Hoss, Little Joe, you two ready for the morning?" the Reverend asked with a gentleness few men could enjoy.

“Yes sir, Reverend. We got our stockings hung, just waiting for Santa to come see us tonight. Pa, we better get on home before this young’un falls asleep on the way," Hoss said.

Joe looked up at him and rolled his eyes. "I ain't even sleepy. Not at all. Besides we got some more things to do. Pa has got to read to us from the Bible too. Ain't you, Pa?" Joe spoke but his eyes told a different truth. Ben picked him up and carried him on to the buggy, and the Cartwright family headed home.

Joe slept on the way home but as soon as Ben tried to carry him inside, he woke. “You ready to read the story, Pa? I want to hear you read it to me again. Momma really liked you doing that. "

"Yes, Joseph. Let's get our coats off. And tell you what. Run up and get ready for bed. Then come back down and I will read to you. Give me time to get a cup of coffee and the Bible," Ben instructed his sons. Hoss and Joe ran up the stairs while Ben went to the kitchen. He grabbed his coffee cup and poured himself a cup. He continued out with his cup in his hand. Hop Sing carried out cups of hot chocolate and sugar cookies he and little Joe had made earlier. Soon the boys were back. Joe settled down on Ben's lap as Hoss sat near them on the couch. Ben opened the Good Book to Luke Chapter 2 and proceeded to read the story of the birth of Our Savior, the baby known as Jesus.

Joe did not make it through the whole story as the hot chocolate and warm fire took their toll on the young boy. When Ben was finished, he closed the Bible and handed it to Hoss. He proceeded to carry Little Joe up the stairs and into this bed. Turning the light down low, he walked back down the stairs. Tomorrow would bring with it happiness and sadness as he knew Joe would be faced with the realization that his mother would not be visiting him tomorrow.

As he was coming down the stairs, he heard the front door opened. He froze for a minute as he seen his oldest son walk through the door. But he quickly regained his composure and hurried to him. "Adam, how did you get here? I don't care. You sure are an answer to prayer, boy," Ben said as they hugged each other.

“Well, you won't believe this, but there was a fire at the school. Twenty of the classrooms have been destroyed . They could not decide how to continue classes. So they dismissed us until the end of January. I figured I could come home for a couple of weeks before I was needed. I missed seeing a certain little boy. Is he in bed already?" Adam replied.

“I just put him to bed. But I am glad you didn't see him today. Tomorrow is a great day for him to see you. Seems he feels Santa could stop and pick you up in Boston before he came here. He also wants Santa to talk to God and let his mother come visit him tomorrow," Ben explained to his oldest son.

"I thought he understood about his mother, Pa. I hadn't heard anything from him before I left that he didn't understand. I even took him to her grave and we talked.” Adam said surprised at this development. Then he smiled. “So I came by way of Santa Claus, uh?” This could be an interesting day, tomorrow. Hoss, how are you?"

Hoss had stood by waiting for his chance to greet his brother. "I want to know how in the world you knew to come home? At least he will be happy you came to see him." Hoss gave his big brother a big old hug.

Adam went over and stood by the tree. “You won't believe the fire at the university. One whole building of classrooms and one dorm went up in flames. They didn't have room to put the boys anywhere else nor were there enough rooms to hold all the classes. So they let us free from classes until the first of February. I just figured I could just make it home for Christmas. Stay a couple weeks and head back. Grandfather paid for the ticket as my Christmas gift and here I am. I brought shortshanks a gift too. Maybe it will keep his mind off the other thing. "

Adam looked around as the memories of other Christmas filled his mind. Here was where he remembered the best Christmases. The ones with Marie sharing her love for them and the love she had for the God served. The love and laughter felt in this room she left where ever she was. It had been a more quiet time last year. The pain and grief had not had its time yet. This year it was different. In place of the pain were the memories of the happy years. Those five Christmases they shared.

Adam listened for a moment. "You know, Pa, she is still in this house. I can still hear her laughing and singing that carol she loved. Remember how she tried to teach Little Joe to sing in French? He could hardly talk one language and she was trying to get him to learn those French words." They all laughed as that memory of Joseph telling his Momma in no uncertain terms he was not going to "teach" those words, no matter what came, to each of them.

"Yes, and she is in that boy's life. He is the spitting image of her. Her eyes, her hair, her personality, everything about that boy is his mother....” Ben thought out loud.

"Well Pa, he got a double dose of hot temper and plain old stubbornness from both of his parents and it sure shows. Poor kid ain't going' to have a chance with that temper of his. Gets it just so natural. Now Adam and I had calm, peaceful Ma’s. They balanced the law of nature but Joe? Boy howdy, he got it with both barrels and ain't a thing he is going to do about it but somehow learn to control it." Hoss spoke with a twinkle in his eye. Ben looked at him with a stern look, then notice the eyes and he laughed.

"Well, I guess you do have a point there. But I do not have the temper Marie had. She could sure show her true colors when she felt strongly about something. On more than one occasion, I had to do some quick talking or end up sleeping down here on the couch at nights. But she was the best woman God could give me at the time. I needed her temper and her stubbornness to get through those first few years here. Just doesn't seem fair. She struggled with me the first four years of our lives and when we finally started to see the light of day that this was going to work, God saw fit to take her away." Ben thought out loud.

Going into himself for a moment, he looked into the fireplace remembering the love the two of them shared. He smiled at himself. Yes, the good memories were replacing the pain. Now he could think of her and smile instead of feeling the hurt of his heart.

The clock struck 11 and brought Ben out of his thoughts. "You know he will be up before daylight in the morning. We better get to bed. Long day tomorrow. Good to have you home, son. It will be a good day tomorrow if for no other reason."

"Good night, Pa." Both Adam and Hoss spoke as they started up the stairs. Ben lingered just long enough to take the gifts he had for his two youngest sons out of their hiding places and placed them under the tree. He paused at the foot of the stairs. Looking toward heaven, Ben said a prayer to God and to Marie.

"God help me tomorrow to get that boy to understand and, Marie, if you can help, please do also. Thank you for giving him to me but I sure could use your wisdom and understanding right now. "

He continued up the stairs and to his room. Lights were out but in three rooms thoughts of how a young boy would handle not getting his wish for Christmas would affect all of them.

***********

 

True to his father's words, a young, dark hair boy woke long before the sun was going to be up. He looked around his room when it struck him what day it was. He hurried to find his clothes he had laid out the night before and soon was heading for the door. He went first to his big brother’s room and jumped on his bed.

“Hoss, come on. You have to get up and help me get Pa up. He won't get up if it is just me up. We go together, he will get up. Come on, Hoss. Wake UP! I got to see what Santa brought me. PLEASE, HOSS, WAKE UP!!!!!" Joe was almost in tears as he tried so hard to get Hoss awake.

Hoss turned over and looked at his brother. "Short Shanks, what time is it?" The clock downstairs starting striking one, two, three, four. "FOUR O'CLOCK! Come on, Pa will have both of our hides if we get him up this early. Come on in here with me and maybe you can go back to sleep for another hour. Five o'clock is early enough. It will all still be there for you when we do get up. "

"But HOSS, it's CHRISTMAS! Can't we get up early just one day of the year?" Little Joe was pleading with him.

Hoss looked sternly at his brother. "Short shanks, if you don't get in bed here and lay down, I will tan your bottom for you, just like Pa will if you get him up this early. Now come on. Just rest your eyes and it will be soon time to get up. Come on."

Little Joe climbed in bed with Hoss. He cuddled next to his warm body as Hoss put his arm around him. "Well, I will just close my eyes and rest but I ain't goin' back to sleep. NO siree, I ain't goin' back to sleep.

Within ten minutes, Hoss heard the heavy breathing of his little brother and smiled. “No siree, you ain't goin' back to sleep."

Ben woke at his usual time. Looking at the clock by his bed, he was a little surprised he had not been wakened earlier. "Funny, Little Joe is usually in here by 5 on Christmas morning. Can't believe he didn't come in and wake me." He dressed and made his way down the hall. He opened the door to his youngest room and was shocked to see the bed was empty. He hurried down to Hoss' room and opened the door. With a sigh of relief, he saw his missing person all snuggled up against his brother.

Hoss looked at this Pa, whispering, "He wanted me to come with him and get you up at 4 but I told me no. So he has been in here ever since. You want to wake him now? "

Ben walked over to the bed. "Try to get up. Maybe we can get our chores done before he wakes up. Then we can spend the whole morning with him."

Hoss slowly moved on his bed. Ben kept stroking Joe's face and he slept right through Hoss getting dressed. As they entered the hallway, Adam's door also opened, and together they walked down the stairs. With all three doing the morning chores, it did not take long to finish them. As they reentered the house, the clock was striking 7. They could smell breakfast cooking. They had just taken off their coats when they heard the sounds of young feet running across the hallway upstairs. Soon the terror of the Ponderosa made his entrance. He got to the landing before he looked at who was standing with his father. One look at Adam and the little boy let out a warhoop and came running over to his oldest brother. Adam picked him up and swung him around.

Hey, you growing on me boy? Pretty soon I won't be able to pick you up like that. Missed me? "

"You betcha, Adam, I missed you bunches. You going to stay now? You don't have to go back, do you? You’re all done with goin' to that big school? I love you, Adam, and I sure did missed you." Joe hugged his brother. Adam looked at his father, then he knelt down and looked at Joe eye to eye.

"No, Little Joe, I have to go back. But not for a while -- a couple of weeks. I can stay. But I will not be back for quite a while once I leave again. You understand that, don't you? I have to leave so I can go back to school. But I will be back. Remember the calendar I gave you? You been marking the days on it like I showed you?"

Little Joe nodded his head at his brother. "But Adam, see I asked Santa to let you come visit me and he did! Did he bring you with him? What does he look like? All dressed in red and white? What do reindeers look like? "

Adam smiled. "I didn't come with Santa, Little Joe. I came by train and then the stage. But I hear tell that he does have a red outfit. Why don't we go see if he left you anything this year?"

Little Joe looked a little disappointed that Santa didn't bring Adam with him but soon forgot that when he turned to look at the presents under the tree. He looked around the tree and didn't see any package the size he thought it would be.

"Guess Momma couldn't fit in a package. Maybe he put her someplace else. Maybe she will come later," Joe said with determination in his voice.

Ben decided he would let the statement ride for now. He did his duty of passing out the gifts. As each one opened their gifts and expressed their gratefulness to the one who purchased it, the morning continued on. Hop Sing had breakfast on the table when all the packages were unwrapped. They all ate their fill and talked. Adam was impressed with the toy soldiers and started a conversation of battle strategy with Little Joe.

Soon after breakfast, there was a knock at the door. Joe ran to the door with a smile on his face. He thought maybe this is Momma. But no, it was the Reverend.

"Hello Little Joe. Merry Christmas, son." The reverend spoke in gentle tone.

"Merry Christmas to you, Preacher. Come on in. My Pa is by the fireplace." Joe responded.

About an hour later, Roy Coffee and daughter Nancy arrived, followed by the Martins. Little Joe answered the door thinking this time it was his mother, he just knew it. But each time he was disappointed. By lunch time, he did not fill like eating and was upset. Why couldn't God let his mother come visit him? Just one afternoon would be okay. Why God? Why not let her come?

By mid-afternoon, Little Joe was getting a little tired. Adam decided he would try to get him to lie down for a while and thought maybe he could talk to him. He pretended to take him up for a horse back ride but soon made it into Little Joe's room.

"Little Joe, why do you want your mother now? I thought you understood once someone dies, they can't live here anymore. What don't you understand about it? Your Momma, as much as I would love for her to be still with us, is not and she won't be, so let's get this settled. Pa is upset that you don't understand. He doesn’t want to hurt you, Little Joe, but he doesn't know what is behind this.

"Adam, Momma forgot to tell someone what she was doing. We did something when we visited Ssssaaccrem... that big town, and it was suppose to be a secret between her and me. Now I won't tell her secret but I only know what we did, not where the package is now. I need to give the packages to people. That is why I need to see Momma, Adam, just so I can give her gifts to the people she wanted them to go to." Little Joe had tears in his eyes. “Why don't God just let me talk to her for just a few minutes so I can find out? I have tried so hard to be good and now it looks like it was not worth my effort to be good. It didn't matter to God. I thought He loved us and He wanted good things to happen to us if we did what He wanted us to do."

Adam held his little brother in his arms. He prayed for guidance to say the right words to the little boy. He heard a buggy coming up and carried Little Joe over to the window. He looked out. “The Jamisons? From Sacramento? Wonder why............ "

Joe climbed out of Adam's arms and ran out the door. "Mrs. Jamison knows, Adam. She knows!!!” He ran down the stairs and was at the door as Hoss opened it. Mr. and Mrs. Jamison came in carrying four packages. Ben went over to them but Joe was the first one to talk.

"Please, Mrs. Jamison, do you know what happened to Momma's secret gifts? Tell me you know where they are?" Little Joe was almost in tears as he held his breath. Mr. Jamison knelt down beside Little Joe and cradled him in her arms.

"Yes, little one, I know. I forgot about them. I am sorry. But when my Jim told me what was going on, I raced over to Mr. Phillips and he still had your Momma's secret gift, Little Joe. So I got them, along with what your Momma had left for me to put with them... I forgot about them because Mr. Phillips was to tell me when they were done. He finished them and before he could tell me, we all heard about your mother and her accident. With everything else going on, I soon forgot to check on them. Here they are, Little Joe, with the name of the one they belong, too. I am sure your mother would want you to hand them out."

She took the packages one at a time and handed them to Little Joe who in turned gave them to Ben, Adam and Hoss. The last one had his own name on it. They all sat down by the fireplace. Roy, Paul, Nancy, the Reverend and even Hop Sing came out to see what the missing secret gift was. Mrs. Jamison looked at Ben.

"Ben, I am so sorry, but you know when I was at the way station when the stage broke down. It was like Marie came to me in a dream and told me to get the packages to you. That it was important to Little Joe to get them this year. Then Jim told me how upset the boy was about it. I ran to the store and got them and we started here. I am so thankful we made it today. I am sorry. I should have given them to you earlier. "

Ben smiled at his wife's best friend. "I think it was meant to be this way. Thank you for the trouble you went to for us. I will always remember it.” They all opened the packages at the same time. Enclosed was a picture of Marie and Little Joe. In Ben's were two. There was also one of just Marie for him. In each package was a letter. It was from Marie, sharing her thoughts with each of them on why they met so much to her. To her stepsons, the love they both freely gave her meant so much to her.

Encouraging Adam to persuade his college dream and remembering to always strive for the dreams he had so he had something to reach for.

To Hoss, his gentleness would always be something special to her. His gentle ways for both man and beast would surely leave a special spot in the hearts of all who ever met him.

To Ben, the love they shared would never in a million years be shattered. She would be with him forever, and when they were parted in the physical being, she knew she only had to look at the stars that were theirs and know he was looking at the same ones.

Little Joe looked at his. He also had two plus one more item. It was a locket and inside she had put a picture of herself in it. There was a note but Little Joe could not read it all. He carried it over to Ben. "Pa, can you read this to me? I can't understand all the words."

Ben took the note, and picked Little Joe up, then sat him on his lap.

Dearest Joseph,

Thank you for keeping our secret. I knew I could count on you.

I want to give you this locket. Keep it with you always. When we are apart you can hold on to this and know I am thinking of you always. I wanted you to have a special picture like your father of just me so you can know that your Momma is always looking out for you and will take care of you no matter what. With the help of God and your father, we will take care of you and make you into the great man you will become some day. Not great in some people eyes, but great in the things that count: that you already show the gift of caring for those less fortunate than you, caring for the animals in this world God has given to us to care for on this earth, and the gift of love and laughter. The joy you have brought into this house is immeasurable.

Remember that your Father and I love you so very very much and that we will always be with you. Guiding you along the way. God Bless you my precious Joseph Francis Cartwright.

Love,
MOMMA

Ben folded the letter and handed it to his son. Joe took it and looked at it for a moment.

"Pa, God did let Momma come back, didn't he? He wanted us to know Momma would always be with us in our hearts and what I was thinkin’, ‘cause Momma would be telling me just like God tells me when I am doing something bad. She will help me if I listen for her.”

“And I did keep her secret didn't I?” Little Joe hugged his father and then looked at the locket. "I will put this in my drawer by my bed so I won't lose this. I don't ever be without this. I just need to look at this and know my Momma is close by. Merry Christmas, Pa. This is the best one yet! "

Ben hugged his little boy. Yes it was a good Christmas. For a moment, Marie was sitting in the room with them again and the secret gift would be with them for years to come.

"But, Joseph, the gift your Mother and you shared is not a secret. It has been around for ages and m y prayer is that it will be around for ages to come. The gift is the gift of love and caring. I hope there is never a secret about that."

*****THE END*****

If you would like to send comments on this story, click on the author’s name at the top of this page.