No Greater Fear
By: Karen Faye Rodgers
Mitch brought his lunch over to where Little Joe and Andy Richardson sat eating their lunches and talking. “Hey guys, sorry it took me so long, but I had to write fifty times for your prank Joe,” Mitch took a seat shaking his head as Andy tried hiding a smile.
“Sorry about that,” Joe giggled.
“Don’t mention it, besides it was worth it. Seeing Miss Jones face when that snake came out of her desk,” Mitch started laughing. “Boy was it worth it.”
“You can say that again,” Andy chimed in.
“Andy was just telling me his folks are having a birthday party for him Saturday and wants for us to come by,” Joe explained.
Mitch’s face lit up as he opened his sandwich, “boy I sure would like to. My pa wants me to go help hunting strays, but if he’ll let me out of that, you can count me in.”
“Sounds good,” Andy smiled, “what about you Joe?”
“You can count me in, I’ll be there as soon as my chores are done,” Joe promised.
“Thanks,” Andy was excited that they both wanted to come.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Later that night, Joe sat at the table listening to everything his father and brothers did during the day. He was quickly getting bored hearing about all the work everybody got to do while he was stuck at school.
“How was your day boys?” Ben asked.
“Got those horses ready to start breaking them tomorrow,” Adam started. “There are some fine horses in them.”
“I know,” Ben smiled. He liked the herd his son and the hands had rounded up and brought in. “Should fill that army contract well.”
“I believe so,” Adam smiled as he looked at his brother, “so Hoss, how is that new man working out?”
“Tippin, real hard worker,” Hoss said looking up from his plate. “He put in a good days work.”
“He seems to be very nice. He and I had a good conversation this morning before he headed out,” Adam pointed out.
“That’s good to hear,” Ben smiled as he turned his attention to his youngest son.
At twelve years old Joe felt that his time was best spent working with his family or being with his friends. School to him shouldn’t fit into the equation. ‘Boy what would his father think if he only knew how much he wanted to quit school to work on the ranch.’
“Joseph you need to eat,” Ben said taking Joe from his thoughts.
“Sorry Pa,” Joe picked up his fork and started to pick around his plate. “Hey Pa Andy’s family is having a birthday party for him Saturday and they want me to come over is that alright?”
“That’s fine, but for now will you please eat something.”
Hoss looked at his brother’s plate, “Hey Joe you want that biscuit?”
Ben shot his youngest son a glance.
“I guess I do,” Joe said picking it up taking a small bit.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two days later, Joe and Mitch road into the
Joe smiled as the door opened and Amelia came running out of the house.
Andy was just a step behind her, “Hey Mitch…Joe.”
“I was starting to think no one was here,” Mitch teased.
“Millie was hiding from me and I had to find her first. My
Ma went down to the field to see
“Barn,” she cried stomping her little foot.
“Oh no you don’t you know that Pa don’t want you in there,” Andy reminded her.
Mitch laughed, “She sure don’t like taking orders.”
“My Ma will be back in a few minutes then we’ll get a chance to have some cake.” The four then headed into the house.
Amelia shouting as they went, “I helped bake the cake.”
As their friend promised Roslyn Richardson came into the house a half hour later to rescue the boys from Millie, who was playing dolly with them. Mitch looked over at Joe, “I hope this doesn’t get out.”
“No kidding,” Joe laughed.
“Most big brothers have to play dolls with their sisters,” Andy shook his head, “I’m sure you’ve done your share Mitch with Cassie being at your house all the time with Mrs. Wilkins visiting your Ma.”
“You’ve got me there,” Mitch laughed, “and I’ve seen Joe playing dolls with her too.”
“You said you wouldn’t tell,” Joe sighed.
“Why not tell? After all you are here with us playing with dolls now,” Mitch pointed out.
Joe started giggling, “You’re right.”
Mitch looked at his friend amazed, “what did you say?”
Joe couldn’t win for loosing, but he wasn’t going to repeat himself, “nothing.”
“I heard you…you said that I was right…” Mitch and Andy got to their feet at the same time.
“Let’s get some cake,” Andy piped up before Joe and Mitch could get into an argument.
Mitch frowned, “I wish I could stay longer, but my Pa wants me back to help him this afternoon.”
“That’s alright,” Andy assured him, “we can play after the picnic at church tomorrow.”
“Sure can, but I sure am wanting some of that cake before I have to leave,” Mitch walked over to the table with Andy while Joe got to his feet to follow.
“Boy’s I’m glad that you two got to come over,” Roslyn smiled then turned to her son, “you go ahead and cut the cake while I get some plates.
“Yes Ma’am.”
Andy let his friend show him how much they wanted before he cut their pieces, “this sure looks good,” Joe said as he took a seat and picked up his fork.
“I helped make it,” Amelia giggled.
“So we’ve heard,” Joe tickled Millie who was standing next to him.
Roslyn couldn’t help but laugh at Little Joe, “it’s a shame you don’t have a little sister Joe.”
“What would we do with a little girl on the Ponderosa?” Joe asked.
She shook her head thinking, ‘what in deed.’
Soon the boy had their fill of cake and ventured into the yard where they played a friendly game of marbles. After loosing two of his best marbles to Joe, Mitch got to his feet, “that’s it for me I have to head home.”
“Can’t you stay a bit longer?” Joe asked.
“Nope, my Pa will have my hide if I’m any later this afternoon. I’ll see you guys tomorrow after church.”
“Want help saddling your horse?” Joe looked up at his friend and smiled.
“I think I can handle it,” Mitch headed over to the barn and a few seconds later Joe and Andy came in after him.
“Hey Mitch thanks again for coming over,” Andy smiled at his friend as he went over to help Mitch saddle the horse.
“Anytime and tell your Ma that she sure did make one good cake,” Mitch turned to see Joe nodding agreeing with him.
“Sure was,” Joe piped up.
“What ya doing?” They heard as Amelia came into the barn.
“What have I told you Millie about coming into this barn?” Andy asked going to his sister’s side.
“Can I play?” she asked with puppy dog eyes.
Andy smiled and looked over at Joe, “well, Joe’s going to be here so maybe we should ask him if he mind.”
Joe knelt down next to the two year old, “what do you want to play?”
“Hide and seek,” she squealed.
Mitch lead his horse out of the barn listening to everything that was being said, “what do you say Joe?”
“I think its sounds like fun. What do you say me and you hide first and let Andy find us,” Joe asked.
“Yeah…can we?” she watched to make sure that he wasn’t joshing her.
“We sure can,” Joe got to his feet and headed over to Mitch, “see you tomorrow Buddy.”
“Sure will,” Mitch said his goodbyes and left his friends in the mercy of Millie.
Andy went toward the house, “you two go and hide and I’ll come find you.”
Millie started giggling as she took Joe’s hand, “come on.”
Joe followed her and they both went to her favorite hiding spot next to the creek a few yards from the house. They hid behind some bushes as they heard a horse coming from behind the house.
Roslyn came out of the house, “What are you doing he…” she didn’t get any farther as the man pulled his gun.
“What are you doing?” She asked as the gun went off hitting her square in the chest.
Joe looked up as Andy came running out of the house to be stopped by the man shooting him just as he’d done his mother.
Amelia came running out of her hiding spot shouting at the top of her lungs, “Noo…”
Joe took off after her, but stopped dead in his tracks when the man shot again. He was shocked by what he had witnessed. Joe stood frozen as his eyes met those of the shooters. Those eyes were the last things he saw before he felt a burning pain in his right shoulder.
With an evil laugh the man got down from his horse and started searching the house to find no one else around. Satisfied that he had done as much as he could at the moment he mounted his horse, but still looked around.
Down the trail Mitch heard the shots and rained his horse to
a stop. He turned his horse around and made his way back to the
Coming into the yard Mitch could see a man riding off with his back to him. He could barely make out what the horse looked like but was shocked to see the white splashed on the right back leg of the animal. He knew that horse, but as he looked around at the body’s he got down and rushed over to Roslyn’s body.
He knew by looking at her she was dead. Her dazed look staring at him was enough to bring tears to his eyes. He looked toward the house and saw Andy’s body and slowly went to were his friend laid. He closed his eyes as he felt for a pulse. After checking like his father had taught him he couldn’t find one.
He got to his feet looking around. ‘Where was Amelia and Joe?’ he asked himself he had to find them, “Millie! Joe!” He called out looking around.
He stopped when he heard something. A soft moan… ‘Where is it coming from?’ he asked himself before he heard it again…it was Millie. He looked toward the creek where the sound came from and rushed to the little girl’s side. He smiled when she opened her eyes a little, “Amelia can you hear me?”
She nodded as she started to cough, “Mo….Momma.”
“It’s going to be alright,” he promised as he looked around and saw Joe closer to the creek.
“I’ve got to check on Joe,” he told her as he noticed the wound on her left side, “I’ll be right back alright…”
She nodded slowly and closed her eyes. He patted her on the shoulder and raced over to Joe, “Joe, Buddy can you hear me?” He heard a moan tried talking to him again. “Joe come on buddy you need to wake up for me.”
“Pa?” Joe softly called for his father.
“No, its Mitch…Come on Joe open your eyes.” Mitch was in tears as Joe obeyed and opened his eyes to look at him.
“Mitch?” He asked.
“Yeah, look Joe I’ve got to go get some help. Millie is awake and is going to need someone to look after her until I get back with Doc Martin,” Mitch told his friend not really knowing what to do.
Joe looked confused as he tried to focus on what his friend was saying, “Mitch?”
Mitch looked at his friend’s pale face and then his shoulder and all the blood that Little Joe had lost, “come on Joe you have to say with me here.”
Getting up he headed over to the barn to find the wagon there, “I’ve got to get this wagon hitched up.” He said out loud as he got to work. He just couldn’t leave Amelia and Joe by themselves.
After a few minutes it was hitched up and ready to do. He climbed up to the hayloft and threw down some hay, “this will have to do.”
Running back to the wagon he put what hey he could in the back of it. Climbing into the seat he drove the wagon as close as he could to Joe then raced back to Amelia and put her in the back.
Looking down where Joe laid he was glad to see his friend was still semi conscious, “Joe I need you to help me get you in the wagon.”
Joe just looked at him but as Mitch started to help him up, Joe started to half walk over to the wagon. After making sure that both were safe in the back Mitch went to the up front and started the horses toward town.
Joe could hear a soft voice next to him. He couldn’t seem to make out half of what was being said, but it new that it was important. He put all his will power into hearing what was being said.
“Momma…it hurts…where are ya Ma?” Amelia was saying as loud as she could, but the sounds were just a soft whisper.
“Millie?” Joe asked letting his had wonder to the little girl’s hand.
“It sure is pretty here Momma. Why isn’t Pa here with you and Andy?” Amelia’s voice seemed to be getting softer and softer.
After a few second or more Joe could hear nothing more, “Millie…Millie?” Joe called out trying to get someone to hear him.
Mitch looked back at his friend, “We’ll be in town in a minute Joe.”
Joe could hear the voice of his friend as he surrendered to unconsciousness.
As he entered town Mitch sent up a prayer of thanks for making it that far. He pulled in front of the doctor’s office and pulled the horses to a stop. He jumped down and ran into the building almost running into Doc Martin.
“What’s wrong Mitch?” Paul asked as he looked the young man over.
“You have to help them Doc…Their hurt something bad,” Mitch took Paul’s hand and dragged him out to the wagon.
Paul was quick in the back of the wagon and started checking the two children over, “what happened Mitch?”
“They were shot…Mrs. Richardson and Andy were shot too, but they were already dead. I couldn’t do anything for them…” everything was finally catching up the boy as he tried to explain. He finally sat on the walkway and started to sob.
Paul checked Amelia’s pulse first to find that the little
girl was dead. Then he checked Joe’s to find that he pulse was week, but there.
Paul looked around and spotted
“Let’s get Little Joe into my office and then you can come back for Amelia,” Paul ordered.
“Is she?”
Mitch noticed Paul shake his head at the sheriff’s question and knew that he had gotten Millie to the office too late.
As Joe was laid onto the bed Paul looked up at
Paul had given Mitch something to calm him down before he
went to work on Joe and had told
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ben and Hoss watched as Adam mounted another Bronc and given orders to let the animal go when Ken Mitchell came up to Ben.
“Ben Roy sent me out to fetch you and the boys,” Ken said coming to the older Cartwright.
“What wrong?” Ben asked taking his attention off his oldest son to look at the man.
“Little Joe is at Paul’s and is hurt bad,” Ken wanted to soften the words, but knew that there was no way that he could do that knowing how the Cartwright’s cared about one another.
Hoss turned as he heard the words, “what happened?”
“Not sure what happened, but Mitch Devlin brought him and
the little
“Amelia? How is she?” Hoss asked.
“Died on the way to town I think,” Ken said as he watched Adam ride. “I’d better give you some time to tell your other son.”
Ben watched Ken go to his horse and then turned to watch Adam dismounting and coming their way.
“Was that Ken Mitchell?” Adam asked.
“Yes, we need to get to Paul’s office Joe was brought in a while ago and by the sound of it he’s hurt pretty bad,” Ben told Adam as he headed over to Buck. ‘Let’s ride boys.”
Adam called out some orders to the hands and ran to his horse as Hoss was mounting, “did Ken say what happened?”
“No,” Hoss answered with worry evident in his voice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ben and the boys arrived just as Charlie Devlin was dismounting, “Charlie.” Ben greeted his friend in a weary voice.
“You know what’s going on Ben? Chet didn’t know what was going on just that Mitch was here,” Charlie asked worried about his son.
The four men headed into the door as Ben told what little he knew and was greeted by Paul, “glad to have you here Ben, Charlie…boys.”
“What’s happened?” Ben and Charlie asked in unison.
“
“What about Joe?” Adam asked.
“Was shot in the shoulder, he lost a lot of blood, but I think he’s going to be alright, given time,” Paul explained. “He’s still unconscious but you may go sit with him if you like Ben.”
“What about Mitch? Can I go see him?” Charlie asked.
“Yes, I’ll go with you. I was about to go check on him,” Paul showed Ben and the boys where to go then brought Charlie to where Mitch was resting.”
~~~~~~~~~~~
Ben, Adam and Hoss entered the room to find Joe still sleeping. Ben headed straight over to his son wanting nothing more that hold his youngest in his arms, but knew Joe needed rest. Taking his hand into his Ben was amazed at just how small that Joe’s hand looked in his own.
Adam and Hoss stood on the opposite side of the bed just watching their brother’s chest rise and fall thankful that he was alive.
“Joseph, Pa’s here son and so are your brothers,” Ben said softly just wanted his son to know he wasn’t alone. He was rewarded by a soft moan coming from his son and that brought a smile to his face. He decided not to say another word just to sit there and waiting for Joe to wake on his own.
Adam looked around the room to find three chairs already there. He smiled knowing how well Paul knew their family and how they would all want to be there when Joe woke. He made a mental not to thanks the family doctor when he saw him again.
Taking one of the chairs over to his father Adam placed a hand on Ben’s shoulder, “here Pa, have a seat.”
“Thanks son,” Ben gratefully took the chair and pulled it as close as he could to the bed.
“I’m going to go check on Mitch,” Adam said heading to the door leaving his father and Hoss to look after Joe.
Adam knocked on the door and waited until he heard Charlie call him in. Opening the door he looked over at the bed at Mitch, “how is he?”
Charlie never let his eyes leave his son, “still sleeping. Paul just stepped out to get something if you’re looking for him.”
“No, I was just wanting to see how the little guy was doing. From what Doc Martin said sounds like Mitch thought fast to get Joe and Amelia here,” Adam said walking over to his friend.
“You know how this boy feels about your brother and…” he broke off as he started thinking about Andy and his family.
“Yeah I know,” he put a hand on Charlie’s shoulder, “if there is anything that you and your family need you know where you can find us.”
“Thanks,” Charlie looked up at Adam as Mitch started to wake, “hey son.”
Mitch groggily looked at his father for a moment before all the events of the day came back to him. Tears filled his eyes as he reached out for Charlie’s hand, “Pa?”
“Shh it’s alright son…everything is going to be alright,” Charlie soothed as he pulled Mitch into his arms.
“No, Pa it’s not…their dead and I couldn’t do anything to help them,” Mitch started to sob.
Adam stood to the back of the room giving father and son some room before he went to their side.
“From what I hear you saved Little Joe’s life,” Charlie said trying to say something anything that would make his son feel just a little better.
“Little Joe’s going to be alright?” Mitch asked as he pulled away from his father to look him in the eyes.
“Sure is,” Adam spoke up, “and all thanks to your quick thinking.”
Mitch eyes glanced over his father’s shoulder to where Adam stood, “I was so scared…when I saw all them laying there.”
Adam walked over to the bed, “what happened Mitch…can you tell us?”
The young boy closed his eyes as the event’s played in his mind again. He looked up at his father, “I had left to come back home. A few minutes away I started hearing gun shot’s so I turned back.”
“When I got back to Andy’s everything was over and everyone was…was…” he didn’t want to remember what he has witnessed at his friend’s house just hours before.
“Take your time son,” Charlie said sitting on the bed bringing his hysterical son into his lap.
Mitch shook his head, “they were dead…Andy’s mother…she just
stared at me and I knew she was dead
Adam closed his eyes not wanting the young boy his brother’s best friend to remember such horrible memories.
“Did you see who did this?” his father asked.
“Pa…I didn’t get to see the man, but the horse I knew the horse,” Mitch closed his eyes again.
“Who’s horse was it son?”
“It was Mr. Richardson’s horse…why would he do it Pa?” Mitch asked.
“I don’t know son, but we’ll find out,” Charlie assured him.
Adam watched father and son before leaving the room with one thing on his mind to find Robert Richardson. Closing the door he paused for a moment debating going to his father, but knew Ben would stop him so he headed straight for the door.
That was as far as he got when he noticed
He paused for a moment by the wagon looking in it before
heading over to
Robert just stared at Adam, “what are you trying to say?”
“The horse belonged to you,” the oldest Cartwright said trying to remain calm.
Robert’s face drained of color, “he what?”
Adam glanced over at the sheriff, “you need to lock him up.”
“He’ll be locked up soon enough, but he just lost his whole family. Walt and Hank have been sworn in as my deputy’s and will watch him till we get back.”
“You can’t be serious,” Robert was about at his breaking point, “you can’t rightfully think I had something to do with all this.”
“I’m not saying that you are, but I’ve got to talk to Mitch
Devlin before I can decide what to do,”
“But, he couldn’t have seen me or my horse. I’ve been working all day,” Robert cried out.
“We’ll work it all out,”
“I think it best if I make sure he doesn’t go anywhere,” Adam started to protest.
“You’re coming with me and that is that,”
“Alright, but you know as well as I do there isn’t another horse like his around here.”
“I know that, now you come with me. How’s that brother of
yours doing anyhow?”
“Not awake yet,” Adam said in a low voice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ben and Hoss sat waiting, watching Little Joe sleep. Ben’s couldn’t look away from his youngest wishing that he would wake. It had seemed like days since he’d seen Joseph’s beautiful green eyes, but knew that he had only been since that morning during breakfast.
Life was so fragile one minute all is right with the world and the next pure fear and worry. How many times had he sat next to this young son of his when sick? It never got easier; he would gladly take his son’s place to save him from any pain. Oh, but he knew that life didn’t work like that. No matter what has been passed his way in life he looked to it as something to learn from.
‘What was the lesson in this?’ he wondered as he watched his son sleep. He knew that there had to be one, but what?
A soft moan from his son brought him from his thoughts as he watched Joseph’s eye open. In those sleepy eyes he saw pain that seemed to overwhelm him, “welcome back.”
“Pa?” Joe asked the look of confusion in those green eyes.
“Pa’s here son,” Ben assured the boy as he took his hand and rubbing the back with his thumb.
Tears filled Joe’s eyes as he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder.
“What’s wrong son?” Ben asked.
“How did I get here?” Joe asked as he looked around knowing that he was at Dr. Martin’s office.
“Don’t you remember what happened?” Ben watched as more tears came to his son’s eyes.
“I went to see Andy with Mitch. We were playing marbles,” he smiled. “I was winning too. “ A frown came back to his little face, “after that…I can’t remember.”
Hoss woke to the sound of his bother’s weeping, “what’s going on?”
“Your bother doesn’t remember what happened. Can you go get Paul please,” Ben knew that his son was still in pain, but also knew that Joe would have to be in more pain that he was to admit it.
“Yes Sir,” Hoss got to his feet and headed straight out of the room.
In the hall he met Paul talking to both Adam and Roy, “Hey Doc. Joe’s awake and don’t remember nothing.”
“I’m on my way,” Paul was concerned that Joe had no memory of the shooting and knew that the boy had blocked everything that he has witnessed.
Heading into Little Joe’s room with Hoss and Adam following him Paul smiled at his young patient, “time you woke up young man. How are you feeling?”
“Fine,” Joe said as he closed his eyes and swallowed hard.
“Yes, I can see that,” Paul went to the young man side and checked him over, “I’m going to give you something for the pain.”
”I’m fine I don’t need that stuff…it tastes awful.”
“Joseph, please take the medicine,” Ben shook his head.
“Alright, but it won’t make me sleepy will it?”
Paul shoot his head, “no it won’t make you sleepy.”
“Good, I want to see Andy and Mitch. I need for them to tell me what happened after we played marbles,” Joe said taking the medicine from Paul and looking inside.
Paul and Ben exchanged worried glances.
“You drink it not look at it,” Hoss teased.
“I know that,” Joe said putting the glass to his lips and drinking the bitter medicine.
“Adam can you stay with Joe for a few minutes I need to get some coffee?” Ben asked as he looked at Paul.
“Sure.”
“I think I need a cop too,” Paul gave Joe one last smile, “if you need me let me know.”
“Yes Sir.”
Standing in the hall Ben sighed, “I need to tell him about Andy.”
“Yes, he needs to know. Maybe a visit from Mitch will help
after you break the news to him. Not straight away but maybe tomorrow. Charlie
is fixing to bring him home as soon as he is finished talking to
“That’s a good idea,” Ben then smiled at his friend, “can I get that cup of coffee to bring back to Joe’s room?”
“You go on back in there and I’ll bring it back to you.”
“Thanks,” Ben was grateful for the suggestion he wasn’t looking forward to telling Joe about what happened, but he had to be near his son.
Opening the door to his son’s room he watched as Adam read an article from the newspaper to his brother.
“Pa thanks goodness your back. Adam is trying to kill me with all that boring reading.”
Adam laid the newspaper down with a smile, “glad to see you are feeling better little brother.”
“Adam Hoss I want to have a talk with your brother, can you two give use a few minutes?”
Adam looked across the room to his father with pleading eyes, “you want us too…”
Ben shook his head, “please son.”
Joe let his eyes wander from his brother to his father, “what’s going on?”
“We’ll be just down the hall…” Adam stopped as they heard a knock on the door. He opened it to find Charlie standing there.
“Adam, can I talk to your father for a minute?”
“Sure,” Ben came to the door and went into the hallway and closed the door. “How’s Mitch?”
“Mitch wants to see Little Joe before we leave…he is worried sick about him,” Charlie explained.
“I don’t see why not, but please let him know that Joe doesn’t remember what happened and I need to tell after the visit.”
“I will, but he has to see for himself that Joe’s alright,” a few tears came to Charlie’s eye, “they’re too young to have to face these cruelties.”
“I know they are, but they are both strong boys,” Ben patted his friend on the shoulder. “Go on and get Mitch.”
“Thanks.”
“I think this will help Joe as much as it will Mitch,” Ben said heading back into his son’s room.
Ben smiled at his son as he headed to his bedside, “there is someone that wants to see you Joe.”
Joe studied his father expression, “who is it?”
“You see in…” he stopped as there was another knock on the door, “right now,” Ben smiled as Adam opened the door.
Joe’s face lit up as he saw Mitch come into the room, “I’ve been wanting to see ya Buddy.”
Mitch looked over to Ben as if asking for his approval and waited until his friends father nodded, “I had to see you too Joe.” He made his way over to Joe and sat one the edge of the bed.
Joe watched Mitch and knew something was wrong, “Pa can I see Mitch alone please?”
Ben looked over at Charlie still sitting next to the door who gave him a reassuring nod, “sure. We’ll be just out side.”
Joe waited until the door was closed before he turned his attention back to Mitch, “what’s up? I know something happened and no one’s telling what.”
Mitch stared at Joe, “I can’t tell ya. Your father wants to tell you what happened.”
“You have to tell me. Something bad happened I just know it,” Joe pleaded with his friend.
“I can’t but if you like maybe I can get your Pa in here and he can tell ya now while I’m here,” Mitch offered wanting to be there for Joe when he found out about Andy and his family.
“Sure if that’s the only way I’m going to find out,” Joe said as he looked away. He hated being left in the dark.
Mitch got to his feet and headed for the door. As he opened it he looked back at his friend then sadly going back to the task at hand, “Mr. Cartwright can you come in here please?”
“Is Joe alright?” Ben asked as he came into the room.
“Yeah, but he wants to know what happened and I wouldn’t tell him, but said I will be here when he finds out.”
Ben was hoping to be alone with his son when he told Joe, “let me see what your father thinks about that.”
“Thanks,” Mitch smiled heading over to Joe’s side.
A minute later Ben reentered the room and headed over to his son and Mitch, “son there is something that I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Pa something happened at Andy’s didn’t it?” Joe asked his eyes going from his father to his friend.
“Yes son, Andy his mother and sister are dead,” he said knowing there was no way to cushion the words.
Joe’s eyes filled with tears and he started at his father. He couldn’t have heard him right. They can’t be all dead.
“Joe?” Ben asked.
Mitch had never seen his that look on his face…it was like Joe didn’t believe his father or just didn’t want to which he could understand.
“Pa? Joe looked at Ben as even more tears filled his eyes.
“Yes son?”
“What did you say? I’m not sure that…”
Ben pulled his weeping son into his arms, “shh son it going to be alright.”
Joe continued to cry and Mitch knew that his friend needed sometime alone with his father and left the room. As the door closed behind his friend Joe pulled back from his father, “why can’t I remember?”
Joe looked at his son’s tear stained face realizing just how young his son was, “sometimes our minds blocks things that we see because it is just too hard to remember. You see son, today you’ve must have witnessed what happened to your friend and it was jut too much of a shock for you.”
“Will I ever remember?” Joe asked as he wiped his nose with his shirt sleeve.
“I’m not sure,” Ben answered honestly.
Joe hugged Ben and started to weep once more, “I’m…not sure I want to remember.”
“I know son.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At
“The boy got a good look at your horse as it road away,”
“I know that, but he has to be wrong I mean I was out working when…when…” Robert couldn’t believe his ears ‘how could they think he could kill his family.’
“Was your horse with you at all times?”
Robert shook his head, “not at all time. I was working and you know that horse he is as tame as the day is long. He was eating grass and I never tethered him. I normally do that and when the day is over I always give a whistle and he come straight to me.”
“How long was he out of your site today?”
“Oh a couple of hours I guess. I was busy working and when I was finished I gave him a whistle and he came running.”
“No…not that I know of. “
“But you can’t… I didn’t do anything wrong and I’ve got to make arrangements to bury my family,” Robert pleaded.
“I’m sorry, but it’s my job.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day, Adam pulled the wagon in front of the ranch house and stopped jumping down as he put the brake in place to help Ben get Joe into the house. Paul had wanted to keep Joe in town over night just to be certain the boy’s shoulder looked alright and he was worried about the boy.
Beside the wagon Hoss dismounted Chubb and headed over to his family, “how ya feeling Short Shanks?”
“Fine.”
From across the yard in the barn a pair of eyes watched the three oldest Cartwrights enter the house with the youngest. He cursed himself got leaving without checking everyone was dead. He hated that he left a witness that could ID him to the law. He would just have to make sure he corrected his mistake later.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day came too fast and it was time for the
Joe and Mitch were standing side by side and couldn’t take their eyes off the man they believed killed his family and one of their friends and his family. Each boy dreaded being anywhere near the man and just wanted the service to be over.
Ben watched as each boy ever so slightly moved slowly away from view of the man. Finally Ben looked over and saw the same worries in the eyes of Charlie Devlin. He knew this was too much for each boy and they both nodded at the same time motioning for their two sons’ to follow them to the Cartwright buggy.
Both boys’ eyes were filled with tears and they were both visibly shaking. Ben knelt down beside Joe as Charlie did with his son and pulled them into a hug. They looked up to see Paul Martin coming to their side asking, “How are they holding up?”
Mitch was the first one to speak, “why was he here?”
“Son, his family was being laid to rest today. He had a right to be here,” Charlie tried to explain.
Mitch shook his head, “No, he had no right to be here…he killed them.”
Ben looked up at Paul, “can we bring them to your office?”
Before Paul could answer Hoss and Adam came to their father’s side Adam asked, “are they alright?”
Ben looked up to this oldest son worried about his youngest, “they just need to be away from here is all. You two stay here, there needs to be someone from out family to pay their respects.”
Both Hoss and Adam nodded in agreement as they watched, their father carry Joe right behind Charlie who carried Mitch towards Paul’s office. As the doctor gave them an assuring smile he followed his friends towards town.
After making sure both boys were sitting Paul handed them some water, “drink this.”
Joe looked at his father still not saying anything almost pleading with Ben for what to do.
“Go ahead son,” Ben smiled.
Joe nodded and started drinking the water slowly.
“Joe, Mitch I know that it was hard facing Mr. Richardson at the funeral,” Ben started.
Joe just shook his head for a moment, “it wasn’t.” Joe said softly. “I don’t know why, but it wasn’t hard it just wasn’t anything.”
Ben placed his hand on Joe’s should, “it’s alright son.”
“No it’s not…you don’t know what it is like looking at a man that you know killed someone and just not feel anything toward him. Not anger not fear…nothing,” Joe shouted.
“Joe you need to calm down,” Ben told his son pulling him into what he hoped was a soothing embrace.
Joe pulled away, “you don get it Pa… he killed his family and everyone thinks I saw it, but yet I look at him and there is nothing. I don’t want to have this happening… I just want to remember. Maybe then I can feel something toward him.”
Paul watched as the boy continued to get hysterical and headed straight to get something to calm his nerves mixing some medicine in some water. Coming back to Joe’s side he handed the glass to Joe, “Little Joe, I need for you to drink this.”
“I don’t want anything to drink I…just want to remember,” the boy started to cry as he went into Ben’s arms.
Ben held him as the boy broke down in his arms.
“I just can’t…can’t remember no…matter what…” Joe sobbed.
Paul laid the medicine to the side and prepared a needle and went to Joe who was still crying uncontrollably. The boy tried to jerk his arm away as the needle went into it, but couldn’t, “no…please that hurts I have to…to…”
Mitch had been watching everything with wide eyes not knowing until now how bad it must be not to know. He had felt that Joe was lucky to be able to forget, but now…he wasn’t sure.
Everyone watched as Joe fell asleep and then turned to Mitch, “how are you holding up son?” Charlie asked.
Mitch watched as Ben picked up his son and headed to one of the beds in the back of Paul’s office. Then he turned to look at his father, “I thought Joe was lucky.”
“I know you did son,” Charlie pulled his son closer to him.
“But he seemed really upset…I try to forget the look on Mrs. Richardson’s face and he wants to remember…”
“It isn’t that he does want to remember Mitch. It’s the not knowing that is bothering him,” Paul spoke up. “You see Joe is a kind of person that had to know if a person is guilty not be told and he just doesn’t know what to believe when he looks at Andy’s father and has no reaction. If I know Joe he was hoping to see his guilt by looking at him, but instead he was even more confused.
Ben entered the room and spoke up, “I think you hit the nail on the head there Paul.”
Paul turned to look at his old friend, “he should sleep for a few hours.”
Ben looked at Mitch and didn’t want to talk to Paul in front of the boy, “Paul I have something that I need to talk to you about.”
Paul shook his head, “sure.” He turned to look at Charlie, “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“Take your time I need some time with my son,” Charlie assured the two men.
Ben waited until they were in the next room before he started. “Thanks… I’m not sure how much more he can take…” Ben admitted. “He didn’t sleep well last night. It’s the same as before he went home. He been having bad nightmares and when he wakes he can’t remember them.”
“I could tell he hasn’t had enough rest. Maybe he will feel better once he wakes,” Paul said hopefully.
“I hope so, he’s just so withdrawn…I’m worried about him.”
“I know you are, but things will get better. Day by day…week by week.”
Later that afternoon the Devlin’s had left to head home and Ben was still sitting by his son’s bed watching him sleep, “do you think it’s alright for me to take him on home?” Ben looked across at the doctor.
“I don’t see why not,” Paul said as he checked on Joe. “I’m going to give you a few sleeping powders just in case you need them.”
“Thanks Paul, as soon as Adam and Hoss get back I want to get Joe home in his own bed.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Joe followed Amelia to her favorite hiding spot next to the creek a few yards from the house. They hid behind some bushes as they heard a horse coming from behind the house.
Roslyn came out of the house, “What are you doing he…” she didn’t get any farther as the man pulled his gun.
Joe peaked from behind the bush as he heard the name and was wondering why he had a bad feeling about the man.
“What are you doing?” Roslyn asked as the gun went off hitting her square in the chest.
Joe looked up as Andy came running out of the house to be stopped by the man shooting him just as he’d done his mother.
Joe held on to Amelia praying that he could keep the little girl safe. But it was too late. Amelia came running out of her hiding spot shouting at the top of her lungs, “Nooo…”
Joe took off after her, but stopped dead in his tracks when the man shot again. He was shocked by what he had witnessed. Joe stood frozen as his eyes met them of the shooters. Those eyes were the last things he saw before he felt a burning pain in his right shoulder.
Joe tossed in his bed.
Joe could hear a soft voice next to him. He couldn’t seem to make out half of what was being said, but he knew it was important. He put all his will power into hearing what was being said.
“Momma…it hurts…where are ya Ma?” Amelia was saying as loud as she could, but the sounds were just a soft whisper.
“Millie?” Joe asked letting his hand wander to the little girl’s hand.
“It sure is pretty here Momma. Why isn’t Pa here with you and Andy?” Amelia’s voice seemed to be getting softer and softer.
After a few second or more Joe could hear nothing more, “Millie…Millie?”
Joe started shouting in his sleep, “Millie…Millie.”
Ben ran into the room to find Joe tossing and sat next to his son, “Joe son, please wake up son. It’s just a nightmare.”
Joe opened his eyes, “Pa…”
“I’m here son,” Ben cooed as he rocked his son in his arms back and forth. “You want to talk about it?”
Joe looked at his father, “I can’t remember it…Pa when is it going to stop?”
Ben just held his son as he tried to sooth him, “I’m not sure, but it will get better.”
Adam and Hoss came to the door as Hoss asked, “Is everything alright?”
“Yes,” Ben smiled as he comforted his youngest son.
Adam gave him a smile back, “good thing you’re awake, Little Buddy. Hop Sing has supper on the table.”
Ben nodded, “we’ll be down in a few minutes.”
“Alright,” Adam said turning to leave, “We’ll be waiting for you two.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mitch walked out of their house to do his morning chores. The night before was the first nights sleep he had had since that day. He was headed to the chicken pen with less that his normal rush to get it done.
Charlie watched his son as he fed the chickens and collected the eggs he opened the door for his son as he headed back to the house, “your Ma has breakfast on the table.”
Mitch headed for the door when a shot range out and a bullet hit his left leg. Charlie rushed to his son and pulled him into the house closing the door behind them.
His wife was already at his side looking after Mitch while Charlie got his rifle.
After that one shot everything seemed to slow down for the Devlin’s as they waited for what ever the next move would be from the man that shot at Mitch. Charlie kept his eyes on the yard and on his family at the same time. They waited for over two hours with nothing happening before they dared to open the front door and were relieved that nothing happened and the shooter was gone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A few Hours later, Ben put his gun belt on and looked across the room to the settee, “I shouldn’t be too long, Son. I’ve got a meeting at the bank then I will be straight home.”
Joe listened to his father and gave a half smile, “I’m fine
“I know you will son. Hop Sing is washing cloths so if you need anything you know where to find him,” Ben explained as he opened the door.
“I know
Ben smiled once more as he exited the house.
Joe listened as he heard his father ride out of the yard and then leaned back onto the settee and closed his eyes. Maybe a little sleep would make him feel better. As soon as his eyes closed he was fast asleep.
Joe never knew when the kitchen door opened and a man slowly made his way into the living room. He smiled to himself as he saw Joe sleeping. Walking over to the boy he placed his hand over Joe’s mouth.
Joe eyes flashed open and he stared up at a pair of eyes…the same pair of eyes he had seen before. The man that had killed Andy, Amelia and Rosalyn.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ben had only gotten a mile and a half down the trail when he
saw
“Ben just coming out to see you. Someone shot at Mitch
Devlin this morning and I wanted to warn you. It may be the person that killed
the
Ben eyes widened, “then the killer is still out there.”
“That’s what I think,”
“Joe is at home alone with Hop Sing, I’m going to go back and make sure everything is alright.”
“Thanks,” Ben said as he turned Buck around and headed for home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Joe’s eyes were wide as he looking into the man’s eyes. Everything that happened to his friends coming back to him as he looked at those dark brown eyes that stared at him.
“Surprised to see me?” Rob Tippin asked as he took his hand off the boy’s mouth and grabbed him by the hair, pulling him to his feet.
Joe couldn’t say anything he just stared at the man frozen in place.
“Too bad you had to be at that Ranch that day. You’re going to die for being at the wrong place at the wrong time,” Tippin laughed.
Hearing what the man was saying Joe tried to pull away, “no, you’re not going to hurt me…”
“I bet that is what your friend Mitch said before I shot him this morning,” the man laughed evilly as he saw Joe’s eyes grow wide.
Joe started shaking his head, “No…No…”
“Yeah,” he went down fast,” Tippin added.
“Hop Sing!” Joe shouted as loud as he could.
“Don’t worry about that cook of yours he’s won’t be hearing you.”
Joe started to sob as he heard the words, “No! Hop Sing! Hop Sing!!”
The man laughed as he pulled Joe’s hair tighter, “I’m going to love killing you kid. I’ve been working on this ranch long enough taking orders from those brothers of yours. So killing you will be a little payback to them and well solving a problem for me too.”
Joe was now crying even more believing that both Mitch and Hop Sing had been killed to. He just shook his head over and over again not wanting to believe what was being said.
Tippin let go of Joe and pushed him back on the settee. Pulling out his gun he aimed it at the boy.
Joe’s eyes widened as the gun was being taken out of the holster and aimed at him and he jumped to his feet. He knew that he had to fight or die and he didn’t want to die. Grabbing for the gun the twelve year old held on to it for dear life as he fought with the man praying that he could at least knock it from his hand.
At that moment time seemed to go in slow motion for the boy as he fought with everything within him to stay alive. When he heard the gun go off he let go of the man and just stared at him.
The next thing he heard was the sound of the man’s laughter as he buckled to his knees. Joe could feel the burning pain in his side and could do nothing but stare at the man that had shot him.
Just them the front door burst open and Ben Cartwright came in with his gun drawn. Looking at the man who was still had a gun pointed at his son. “Drop that gun or you’re a dead man.”
Tipped laughed again as he went to pull the trigger, but wasn’t fast enough. Roy Coffee was standing beside Ben now pulling his gun he aimed.
Both Ben and Roy watched as the man fell to the floor next to where Joe had fell just a moment before.
“Joe,” Ben called out as he rushed to his son’s side.
Joe opened his eyes and looked up at his father, “Pa?”
“I’m here son,” Ben assured him as he pulled his son in his arms.
Ben looked up at his old friend, “we can’t worry about him. Can you go check on Hop Sing then please go for the Paul.”
“Sure will,”
Joe pulled on Ben’s arm sobbing, “He said that he killed Mitch and Hop Sing…”
“Mitch is alive son. He was shot, but in the leg and he’ll be just fine,” Ben assured the boy.
As
Ben watched as Hop Sing started fusing over the boy, not caring about himself, “we get boy to boy’s room.”
Ben looked over at Roy who was nodding, “I’ll ride over to the Devlin’s to get Paul then come back to collect the body.”
“Don’t worry about his body. Adam and Hoss will be home soon I will get one of them to take the body to town.” Ben told his friend as he got to his feet and picked his son up.
It was only a few minutes later that Adam and Hoss came home and loaded up the body in a wagon and Hoss sent one of the hands to town with it.
Paul was there an hour later to fix up Joe’s side. He had lost quite a bit of blood, but the bullet had missed any vital organs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two days later, Hoss shook his head in disbelief, “I can’t believe it.”
Adam was feeling the same way as his brother, “I just feel bad for Robert he had to spend all this time in jail and all because of his brother.”
“I can’t believe his brother would kill his own family like that,” Hoss spoke up.
Ben sat down in his favorite chair and started, “Robert was
saying how his brother blamed him for his father’s death fifteen years ago. His
brother’s name was Albert Richardson and was wanted by the law in
“How did his father die?” A voice from the stairs asked.
Everyone turned around to see Joe at the top of the stairs, “Joseph, what in blazes are you doing out of bed?” Ben asked.
“I’m tired of that bed,” Joe said coming down the stairs.
“You are to go right back up those stairs and back to your room,” Ben told him as he got up and followed his son back up stairs.
“Pa, can’t I just sit down…”
“No you may not, you know what Paul said…you are to stay in bed young man.”
“But…”
“There are no buts,” Ben told him making sure Joe was in bed before he sat on the edge of the bed.
Joe looked at the door to where his two brothers stood, “can’t you talk him into it Adam?”
His older brother shook his head, “I’m not getting into that.”
“Well can you at least tell me about what you were talking about?” Joe asked.
“Not now son.”
Adam walked on in the room, “how about I read you a book?”
“Sure,” Joe was beaming.
Ben ruffled his son hair then headed for the door, “you get some rest young man.
Joe nodded as he watched Ben leave the room then turned to look at Adam, “can you make it a long story?”
“Sure.”
Downstairs Ben sat down at his desk and started thinking
about what all had happened during the last couple of weeks and was grateful
that his sons got along so well. He thought about what Robert Richardson had
told him about himself and brother, Albert. The
Ben shook his head as he looked toward the stairs. He counted his lucky stars that his sons were so loving toward each other and knew in his heart they would never turn away from each other like Albert turned from his only brother.
His mind wondered back to what Robert had told him the day
before. Albert had moved his family to
Ben looked back to the stairs as he got to his feet. It was obvious that he wasn’t going to get any work done so he headed up to his youngest son’s room and stood at the door as Adam read. Hoss was sitting in a chair listening and Joe was half asleep. ‘Yes life was gone for him,’ Ben thought.
The End
May 2003