Santa’s Little Elves

By: Karen Faye Rodgers

Kathy Balder came out of their small house carrying a book, “Ryan, you about left your books.”

He gave a little giggle, “I wouldn’t want to leave that. Miss Jones might not like it much.”

“She might not at that, you get going or you will be late,” Kathy told her son as she turned back toward that house.

Ryan watched until she was gone then started walking toward Virginia City.

Kathy watched making sure he had left for school before she headed back too her bedroom. Looking across the room at where her husband lay. It broke her heart every time she saw him like he was now. It has been three weeks since he was out of bed. She closed her eyes as she thought about the day he was brought home. He had been hunting and lost his footing on some rocks.

Paul Martin was there not long after he was brought home and said that he was lucky he was hunting with Jackson Carter. Carter thought fast and went for help at the nearest ranch the Ponderosa.

Since that day Mark had been unconscious. The doctor had said he was in a coma and things weren’t looking good for her husband.

“Oh Mark, I wish that you would wake up,” she said in a whisper. She watched as he still lay with his eyes closed. “It has been long enough don’t you think,” she said wishing that there were a magic set of words that would make everything alright for him.

“You rest Sweetheart and I’ll best go get some work done.” She smiled as tears came to her eyes, “you would be so proud of Ryan. He has done so much…a lot of things I didn’t know that he’s old enough to do.”

“You would be so proud of him,” she continued. “I know that I am…” she took a deep breath trying to get herself together, “I’d better get to work.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That afternoon, Joe stood next to the general store looking into the window with his best friend, Mitch Devlin. They had both been eyeing a new rifle that had been displayed there for coming two weeks and stopped there everyday after school to have another look.

“Do you think your Pa will get that for you Joe?” Mitch asked as he stared at the gun even more.

“I’m not sure, I’ve been hinting about it since it’s been put on display about getting it for Christmas, but you know how Pa is. Even if I do get it…I won’t be able to shoot it unless he are one of my brothers are with me.” Joe turned as they both headed on down there boardwalk, “what you want to do?”

“We can go skip rocks down by the creek,” Mitch said not sounding very enthusiastic.

Joe started giggling, “You know… you sound like you are bored or something.”

Mitch smiled, “not me.”

“What do you say we just go for a ride?” Joe asked. “Besides maybe we can come up with something to do while we’re doing it.”

“Sounds good,” Mitch patted Joe on the back. “Race you to the stables.”

Joe watched as Mitch took off running and shouted, “No fair Devlin.”

“You have to be fast to beat me Cartwright,” his friend yelled back to him.

As they entered the stables Joe and Mitch both watched as little Ryan Balder sitting in the corner crying and they could tell that the seven year old boy had been in a fight. Both boys headed over to the sobbing boy and knelt next to him, “What happened Ryan?” Mitch asked.

The small boy looked up at them and tried to wipe the tears from his eyes, “nothing.”

Joe shook his head, “we can see that something is wrong…come on you can tell us.”

“Freddie Milster and his two friends Ed and Carl were picking at me and I got mad,” Ryan started.

Joe eyes widened, “you tried to take on the three of them by yourself?”

“Yeah and they were bigger and faster than me and whipped me good,” Ryan sighed as more tears came to his eyes.

Mitch reached as hand out, “come on let’s get you cleaned up so you can head home.”

Ryan took Mitch’s hand and was soon to his feet, “thanks. I should have been on my way home by now. With Papa being sick and all Momma is needing my help.”

“Then we’d better get you ready to go then,” Joe assured him as they walked behind the school to the water pump.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Adam pulled Sport next to their new hand James Blyth, “it’s getting late we should call it a day.”

James nodded, “yeah, found a lot of strays.”

“That we did,” Adam agreed. “During lunch I noticed you were carving something…do you mind me asking what you were working on?”

“Not at all, there’s a family that helped me out a few weeks ago close to Carson City and with it getting close to Christmas I wanted to make a few little toys for their three kids.”

Adam smiled. “That’s real nice of you. Mind if I see what you were working on?”

“Sure,” James reached into his saddle bad and pulled out a piece of wood. “It’s going to be a horse for little rusty.”

“It looks real nice,” Adam looked at the makings of the wooden horse and nodded. “My brother Hoss likes to whittle some. Maybe you two can sit and work together sometime.”

“That sounds like fun…I haven’t whittled with anyone since I was a little boy, when my father taught me.”

“Then I think it’s about time you started back at it,” Adam told the man as he headed toward home with James a step behind him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Joe came into the house and was met at the door by his father. “Joseph, do you know what time it is?”

“Um Pa, I know that I’m late, but I have a good reason.”

“Ah yes, your explanation for being late,” Ben said as he sat on the edge of his desk. “So what will it be this time?”

“See when me and Mitch went into the stables to saddle up our horses we found Ryan Balder crying in the corner. He looked real bad and had been in a fight.”

“Was he alright?” Ben asked worried about the boy.

“He was just upset and all, but we helped him get cleaned up so that he can head on home.”

Ben got to his feet and patted his son on the shoulder, “I’m glad you stayed to help him out.”

“We couldn’t just leave him Pa. I was wondering could I go to his place on Saturday after my chores are done. Since his Pa got sick he’s been working very hard at his place. I thought I would help him some and see if he can go fishing with me and Mitch afterwards.”

“I think that is a great idea son,” assured his son as he headed around his desk and took a seat. “Tell me Joseph, what is the interest in the Balder boy? You never mentioned him before.”

“I know, he is three years younger than us. We just never thought about doing things with him before…it’s just that he hasn’t got that many friends and well he just looks so lonely at school is all,” Joe explained. “You should have seen him today Pa.”

“It’s good that you and Mitch are befriending him.”

Joe smiled at his father, “well you know there is something that I’ve been wanting to show you at the general store.”

“The rifle in the store window?” Ben asked looking up at his son.

“Yeah, will you look at it…please?” Joe asked with pleading eyes.

“You’re only ten years old and I don’t think you’re old enough to get that kind of rifle.” He sighed as he noticed his son staring at him.

“But Pa…”

“There is to be no but’s. You are just not old enough to get that kind of weapon…and I will hear no more about it.”

It was at that point that Adam entered the room seeing his youngest brother looking at him pleadingly.

“Just the person that I wanted to see,” Joe spoke up.

“Oh no you don’t, what ever you want I’m not going to do it,” Adam spoke up as he took off his gun belt.

“I just have a question for you,” Joe pointed out.

Adam raised his eyebrow studying his brother, “what’s the question.”

Ben could almost hear his Joe’s question before he asked it and smiled.

“How old were you when you got your first rifle?” Joe asked.

Adam looked over at his father who was waiting to hear his oldest son’s answer. He noted that his father’s arms were crossed and his eyes were watching him closely. ‘Great…’ he thought. ‘How do I get in the middle of these things?’

“I was about your age…”

“See Pa, Adam was about my age,” Joe said turning his attention back to his father.

As Joe turned his attention away from his father, Ben gave Adam a wink. Adam knew what his father was planning and he wasn’t about get in the way.

“Joe is this about that rifle again?” Adam asked with a sigh.

“Yes, it’s about the rifle…you know that I’m old enough to have a gun and you two could trust me a little you know.”

“Look Joe, Pa’s right about this…you are just too young.”

“But you just said you were my age when you got your first rifle,” Joe glared at his brother as he got even madder.

“Yes I did, but that doesn’t mean that I was ready for one when I got it…things were different then,” Adam tried to reason with his brother.

“That is all I ever hear…things were different. What does that have to do with me getting the rifle?” Joe shouted at his brother.

“That is enough,” Ben said loud enough for both of his son’s too hear him.

“But Pa?” Joe started to protest.

“Not another word Joseph…I will not hear anything else about that gun tonight.”

At dinner Joe sat listening to his father and brother discussing everything that had happened during the day.

“Finished checking the fences today,” Hoss said happily as he got another helping of fried chicken.

“That good son, how did the south pasture look?” Ben asked as he looked over at his youngest son. Joe looked as if he was a million miles away. “Joe is there something wrong son?”

Hearing his father’s voice snapped him back to the present, “sorry Pa did you say something?”

“I asked if there was anything wrong?” Ben asked again.

Joe shook his head, “I was just thinking is all.”

“Is there anything you want to talk about?” Be asked. Joe looked as if he was still miles away.

“Not yet Pa…” he looked up at Ben, “I’m not very hungry can I please be excused?”

“You have hardly eaten anything,” Ben pointed out to his son.

“I know, but really I’m not hungry,” Joe said looking at his plate. He wanted to get upstairs to his room so he could plan a way to get that rifle. “I’d like to go on up to my room and call it an early night.”

“Alright,” Ben said studying his son. “I’ll be up in a few minutes.”

“Thanks Pa,” Joe said standing up. “Night Adam…Night Hoss.”

“Goodnight Short Shanks.”

“Night Little Buddy,” Adam said watching his bother head over to the stairs. Waiting for his brother to get into his room and shut the door he turned his attention to Ben, “what do you think that was all about?”

Ben shook his head as he looked over at the grandfather clock, “not sure, but it’s just a little after seven.”

“Short Shanks isn’t getting sick is he?” Hoss asked.

“He seemed fine this afternoon. He must just be tired for some reason,” Ben said standing to his feet. “I’d better go check on that brother of yours.”

Joe was already in bed in his nightshirt when he heard a knock on his door, “come in.”

“How are you feeling son?” Ben asked as he walked over to Joe’s bed.

Joe gave his father a smile then moved over so Ben could sit beside him, “I’m fine just a little tired is all.”

“You get some rest them…you have to be up bright and early to be ready for school.”

“I know and I want to talk to Mitch before school so I want to leave a little early if that is alright with you Pa,” Joe forced a yawn and looked at his father. “I’d best get to sleep.”

“Yes,” he said giving Joe a hug. “You have a good night, Son.”

“Thanks Pa, you too.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The night went by fast and Joe was up early then next morning after his planning the night before. He had worked out a way to save up for the gun he wanted so badly. He had some plans to talk over with Mitch, but when he got to school he learned that Mitch was running late.

Through the morning classes Joe was anxious to talk to Mitch and was called by Miss. Jones a few times, “Joseph Cartwright, how many times do I have to tell you to pay attention.”

He looked up as he was brought out of his daydream, “sorry.”

“Pay more attention young man…if I have to call on you anymore you will spend your lunch in here young man.”

“Yes Ma’am,” Joe assured her and for the rest of the morning paid more attention in class.

“Class I would like all the older children to stay seated for a few minutes while the rest of the class is dismissed.” She watched as the youngest children left the room and followed to make sure that she could see them out the window before turning her attention to the boys and girls left behind.

“Today I am going to have the younger children write a note to Santa and want you older children to play along with it. After the letters are written by the children I will let each of you have a letter to answer to and write a letter to them from Santa.”

The boys and girls started to laugh. “You want us to write them back?” Jason Shealy asked.

“Yes, I do. These letters will be graded and you will be handing them over to me along with the letter that they sent to Santa. I will give them to their parent for them to save for their children if they wish,” Abigail explained.

“Now you may all be excused,” she smiled as she watched them talking to themselves and spoke up, “and I don’t want you to make any jokes about this in front of anyone.”

She was rewarded by a few giggles before the students left them room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Joe and Mitch had already talked and were eating their lunches when Joe looked over toward Ryan Balder. He was sitting by himself looking as if he didn’t have a friend in the world. Joe thought for a moment and knew that the little boy didn’t in fact have any friends. “Ryan, would you like to come of here and have lunch with me and Mitch.”

The little boy looked up as a smile came to his lips, “gee thanks.”

“No problem…I just wanted to talk to you about something anyway. I was wondering if you would like to go fishing with me and Mitch on Saturday?” Joe asked.

Ryan’s eyes lit up then he looked down after a moment, “I can’t I have to help my Ma out.”

Joe nodded, “well I thought about that and it you don’t mind me coming out to help you we can get it done faster…then you could come fishing.”

“We’ll that sounds fine with me…I haven’t been fishing since my Pa got sick,” Ryan explained. “That sounds just fine with me…oh boy, fishing,” he said happily.

After eating Joe noticed that Miss Jones was coming out of the classroom when he stood, “I’ll be right back. I have to talk to Miss Jones for a minute.”

Abigail looked toward the young man that headed her way, “Joseph, is there anything that I can do for you?”

She nodded, “can I talk to you inside for a moment?”

She eyed Little Joe suspiciously, “sure.”

After walking into the small building she turned to look at the young man and noticed that he was fidgeting “Is there anything wrong?”

“Well, no there isn’t anything wrong…I was just wondering if you could do something for me?” He asked.

“Tell me what it is and I’ll see what it is that I can do for you,” she explained as they headed over to two desks and took a seat.

“I have been thinking about what you said before lunch…about the Santa letters. If you don’t mind could you let me have Ryan Balder’s?” He asked looking at the woman with pleading eyes.

“Why do you want his?” She asked raising her eyebrow as she studied the boy.

“I just like him is all…and I want to do something nice for him, even if it is only answering his letter,” he explained.

“That is very nice of you and of course I will let you have his letter to answer.”

Joe sat in his room that night reading over Ryan’s letter over and over again. He found the words to say to the little boy hard to put down, so there he was reading the letter for the hundredth time.

Dear Santa

I don’t want nothing much for Christmas. I just want for Papa to get better. My Ma is needing a new pair of shoes if you can do that for her. She worries a lot Santa about Papa and I just want for him to get better so she won’t worry so much. I don’t really need anything, if you will just look after My Ma and Pa that is all that I am wanting.

Thanks

Ryan

Joe’s eyes filled with tears as he thought how selfish he had been. Here he was getting all mad for not getting a rifle he wanted and there was Ryan worried about his parents. ‘What can I do to help Ryan,’ he asked himself.

He pulled out his plan to get the rifle out and looked at it, before balling it up and putting it to the side. He thought for a moment and wondered how he could find out what size shoes Ryan’s mother wore.

He then thought about the amount of money he had that was a little over five dollars and wondered if that would be enough. Then his mind went to Ryan…he has asked for nothing, but Joe knew that the boy needed something special for Christmas.

Then his mind went to Hoss and the conversation that he heard between his two brothers. Seemed that the new ranch hand knew how to whittle real good. “I wonder if he will help me out.” Joe thought as he headed down the stair to where his father sat as his desk working.

“Pa? When is Adam coming home?” He asked knowing that James Blyth was with his brother.

Looking up to his son Ben gave a smile, “not sure, Son. Is there something that I can do for you?”

“No, I really wanted to see James Blyth…I wanted to ask him something.” Joe said heading for the door. “My homework is done. Can I ride down to the lake?”

Ben looked up at his son trying to figure out what was bothering his son, “yes, just be home in enough time to finish your chores.

“I just want to visit Momma for a little while,” he said heading for the door. “I won’t be long.”

Ben watched as Joe left wondering again what was on his son’s mind. Picking up the picture of Marie that sat on his desk he took in a deep breath, “sometimes I can’t figure that boy out. Please look after him my dear.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Joe sat next to his mother’s grave and sighed, “oh Momma, I don’t know what to do. I want to help Ryan, but don’t know how too. How do I get all this done before Christmas with it just a week away?”

He looked over to where his beloved horse stood, “I’ve always known that I was lucky, but been so selfish lately. I guess you already know that don’t ya.” He got to his feet and headed over to where his pinto stood. “I better get going. I wanted to head over to where Adam and James are working. It’s not that far from here and I want to ask James to help me make something for Ryan.”

He looked one more time at his mother’s grave and whispered, “thanks for listening. I love you.” He said as he headed off.

It didn’t take him long to Adam dismounting as he heard his brother calling him, “what are you doing out her Joe?”

“I was about to head home from the lake and wanted to stop by and talk to James for a moment,” he looked over to where James stood and watched the man stop his work.

“What can I do for you Joe?” James asked coming to the young mans side.

Joe sighed, “Can I talk to you alone?”

Adam and James exchanged looked as the man shook his head, “sure thing.”

Watching the two walk away, Adam started packing up the tools that were used on the fences.

Joe and James came to a stop, “alright, what can I do for you?”

Joe thought for a moment and then looked up to see that James was patiently waiting for him to start talking. “I know this boy and I want to do something special for him,” Joe started. “You see his Pa is real sick and I want to do something nice for him this Christmas.”

“And you would like me to help you?”

“Yes Sir, I know that you can make some wooden toys and was hoping that you can make something for Ryan. I would if I knew how, but I am very limited in my whittling skills.” He stopped and studied the man before him. “What do you say?”

“Well, there is enough time for me to make something. I will need some wood, but I don’t think that is a real problem.” A big grin came to his face, “I would love to help you.”

Joe started giggling as his eyes lit up, “oh thank you. This means a lot to me,” he said happily.

“No thanks needed. I like making things and from what you tell me it will make that little boys Christmas.”

“Oh and one more thing…can you not tell anyone? I want to have this our secret for now. I just want to make sure that it works out before I say anything,” Joe asked.

James thought for a moment, “Since it can’t hurt anyone, sure.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The rest of the week past by quickly and it was Saturday before Joe knew it. Riding into the Balder’s yard, Joe smiled as he saw the young boy carrying a bucket of milk toward the house. “Need any help?” Joe asked pulling Cochise to a stop.

“Go ahead and put your horse up, then we can get to work. I started early and got a lot done already,” Ryan said heading into the house.

Joe watched him go and dismounted, bringing his pinto to the hitching post. After making sure that Cochise was alright he headed for the house and knocked. He waited for a moment before the door opened and a woman stood smiling at him, “you must be Joe.”

“Yes Ma’am, it is alright that I am here isn’t it?” He asked waiting for the woman’s answer.

“It sure is, it is nice to see a friend of Ryan’s.” She opened the door a little wider for him to enter, “come on in and have some milk before you start work. It is right nice of you to help out so he can go fishing.”

“No problem, I love to fish and Mitch is going to meet us at the lake.”

That sounds real nice,” she smiled as her and Joe headed for the table.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mitch came into his house and looked to where his mother, Marty sat mending one of his father’s shirts. “Momma, can I get you to do something for me?”

“What is it dear?” She asked looking up from her work.

“Well, I’m wanting to give someone a scarf and some mittens, but don’t know how to sew them…can I get you to do it for you? I’ll get the yarn you need,” he said taking a seat next to Marty.

“You know I don’t mind. When do you want it finished?” She asked.

“We’ll I need it done before Christmas Eve, that is when I want to give it to them.”

“Just how many do you want me to make?”

He fidgeted a little, “Well three scarves and one pair of mittens,” he said giving her his best smile.

She frowned as she thought about it and knew Mitch wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important to him, “sure.”

“Good I have some money saved and want to get to town before heading out to meet Joe and Ryan. Is that alright?” He asked.

“Go ahead,” she watched excitedly headed for the door, “thanks.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later that afternoon, “Joe and Ryan were seated on Cochise followed by Mitch. They were headed back to Ryan’s home and Joe stopped his horse when he saw a buggy in the yard. He knew without having to see the driver that Paul Martin was there.

Ryan was seated in front of Joe when he tapped him on the should, “hey Joe do you think that my Pa is getting better. I mean the doctor was here just this morning and he is back.”

Joe looked down at him and gave a reassuring smile, “I sure home so.” Joe looked over at Mitch before heading Cochise toward the house. As they were dismounting Joe gathered the fish that Mitch was carrying. “We sure got a lot of good fish.”

Ryan nodded absent mindedly, “yeah. If you don’t mind I think…”

Joe knew that he wanted to get straight inside, “go on in and me and Mitch will bring these fish in for you.”

Ryan looked surprised at them, “but you two caught most of them.”

“Yeah, but we can go fishing again some other time,” Joe said as he watched Ryan look toward the house, “go in. We are right behind you.”

Ryan didn’t have to be told again as he headed for the house in a hurry. He didn’t want to tell Joe, but he had a bad feeling and even at his young age he knew something wasn’t right.

As he opened the door he was met by his mother, who was crying hard. “What’s wrong Momma?”

She started to cry harder as she pulled him closer to him, “it’s your father he…”

“No don’t say it…he’s fine. See I will show you,” he said pulling her toward his parent’s room. He stopped dead in his tracks as he saw the sheet over his father’s head.

Across the room, Joe and Mitch watched as Ryan legs went out from under him and he started sobbing uncontrollably.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

James was stopped his horse when he saw the Pinto stopped beside the road. He looked at the young boy sitting there by the lake and dismounted, “Joe.”

Little Joe turned to face the man, “hi.”

Sitting next to the boy James took in the sadness on his face, “what wrong?”

“Remember the boy I told you about?”

James nodded waiting for Joe to continue.

“His father died this afternoon. It was hard seeing him take the news so badly. I still remember when my Ma died. I was younger than Ryan, and I can’t remember a lot about those days, but the sadness I can remember…does that make sense?” Joe looked at the ranch hand with pleading eyes.

“Yeah, it makes a lot of sense Joe,” he looked out at the water, “things like this tend to show us how lucky we really are.”

“I know that I’m luck to have Pa, Hoss and Adam. I just wish that this hadn’t happened know.”

“When is there a good time for death Joe?” James waited a moment and continued. “You know, you can be there for Ryan, give a shoulder when he needs one. Just be his friend more now than ever. Let him know that he has someone to talk to.”

Joe turned to look at him again “thanks.”

“For what?”

“Being here as a friend when I needed someone,” he gave a small smile and got to his feet. “I best be going before Pa sends Hoss or Adam looking for me.”

“I’ll ride with you,” James said as both boy and man got to their feet.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kathy watched as her son slept in his bed. She remembered the hysterical sobs the boy cried just an hour before. She was grateful that Doc Martin had given him something to calm him. Closing the door to his room she walked to the kitchen and looked at the book she was looking at that morning.

‘What was she going to do?’ she asked herself as she looked at the bill at the general store. Mr. Peterson had been very kind letting her get what they needed since Mark had gotten sick, but now with him gone what would she do.”

Fear filled her heart as she thought about finding a job. She had never worked except on the farm and on her parent’s farm. She didn’t know if she knew enough about sewing to get a job doing that. Turning her attention to her bedroom door her eyes filled with tears for the hundredth time that day. What would she do without her husband; she looked back to her son’s room. She would think of something…she had to.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ben was sitting on the porch when Joe and James rode into the yard. He pulled his watch out of his pocket to look at the time and sighed. “Son, where have you been?”

Joe looked up at his father, his eyes still a little red from his crying earlier, “sorry Pa.”

Ben was quick to go to his son’s side as Joe got down from Cochise, “is there anything wrong?”

Rushing into Ben’s arms Joe just held on to his father for dear life, “I’ll tell you later, but can you just hold me for a minute?”

“Come on son, lets get you inside,” he said as he made eye contact with James. The ranch hand just nodded as he took Cochise reins and headed toward the barn to stable the two horses.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They next two days went by slowly and it was just hours before Mark funeral. The four Cartwright’s stood getting ready to head to town. Hop Sing had fixed a basket for the Balder’s and laid it on the kitchen table, “you take to family.”

“Thank you Hop Sing,” Ben said as he looked at the basket. “I’ll make sure that they get it.”

Joe went to Adam after fumbling with his tie for what seemed life for hours, “can you help me with this?”

Adam smiled at his brother as he started working with the sting tie, “you never had trouble with one of these before.”

“I know, but for some reason this thing isn’t doing what it should be,” Joe explained.

It took Adam just a second to get the tie tied for his brother, “there you go.”

“Thanks.”

“No problem,” he said patting his brother on the back. “Are you about ready to go?”

“Yeah, I guess so,” Joe said quietly.

Hoss watched the scene from across the room and headed to Joe’s side, “then let’s go get that buggy hitched up.”

“Alright.” Joe said following his brother out of the house.

The funeral had come and gone. Seemed liked everyone in Virginia City had attended and paid their respects to the mother and son. Joe waited over to the side until just about everyone had left before walking over with his father by his side. “I’m sorry for your loss,” said Ben as he approached Kathy.

“Thank you for coming Mr. Cartwright.”

“If there is anything…anything at all that you need, you just let me know,” he offered.

Joe looked up from where he was looking on the ground. He hadn’t forgotten about what Ryan had asked Santa for, so he had been studying Kathy’s foot trying to remember how long her foot was. Maybe this way he could pick out her some. He then looked over to the side where Ryan stood. He hesitated for a moment before heading over to his young friend, “hi.”

Ryan looked up at Joe, “hi.”

“I’m sorry about… your Pa.”

“Thanks, I hope you don’t mind, but I don’t feel like talking much right now,” with that Ryan walked away.

Joe watched him leave and whispered to no one in particular, “not at all.” Putting his head down and headed toward his family’s buggy and got inside.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later that afternoon, Kathy watched as Ryan looked out the window. It was the 22nd of December and she knew that she had to do something special for his son, but what?

She looked around the room and her eyes stopped as she looked at the corner where the family Christmas tree had always stood in the past. “I think that maybe we should go looking for a tree tomorrow.”

Ryan just kept looking out the window, not letting his mother know that he had heard her…but he had and was wondering how she could think of such a thing on that day of all days.

“What do you say, Son?” She tried once more.

“Why?”

She frowned as she heard the words, “well I think that we need to try to do something.”

“Why do we have to? It won’t bring Papa back…because he’s dead,” Ryan shouted.

“No, it won’t bring your father back, but if he were here he would want us to keep living not shut life out.” She explained. In her heart she knew that she had to believe those words, but what she wanted to do was go to bed and just stay there for however long it took. Looking at her son, she knew that she had something to keep her busy and she had to keep going for him.

“He looked at her his eyes red from crying so much that day, “I don’t want to celebrate Christmas.”

“A tree won’t hurt anything,” she explained. “I think it would do us both some good to get some fresh air while we search for a tree.”

“I guess not if that is what you want to do,” he said leaving the room.

She watched him go to his room and shut the door. How had her son that was normally full of life become a young boy that sounded as if he were an adult? She knew that she had to do something to help him get through this.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next day, Joe stood in the general store looking watching as James and Adam put in the order for supplies. He heard his brother tell Jason Peterson, that he had would come back for the supplies. “Joe, do you want to come with me to the livery?” Adam asked.

“No, I have to pick up a few things while I’m here.”

“Alright, I’ll meet you here in an hour.” He turned to James, “I have to talk to a friend of mine. I’ll see you here a little later.”

James nodded, “alright.” He was looking at some shirts when he heard Joe talking the store owner.

“Mr. Peterson, can you help me pick out a pair of shoes?” Joe asked.

“Sure, Little Joe for your Pa, Adam, Hoss or yourself?” Asked Peterson.

“No, I need a pair of women’s shoes,” he said fidgeting around.

Peterson gave the young man a questioning look as he pointed to the other side of the store. “Yeah, what size do you need?”

Joe held his hands apart, “not sure about the size, but about this long.”

James had to stop himself from laughing, “Joe don’t you know the size you need?”

“No, but ain’t it enough that I know how long the foot is?” He asked innocently.

Peterson shook his head, “that should be enough…if you tell me who it is for I might can help by knowing the size.”

“That’s alright,” he said holding his hand apart again. “Her foot is this long.”

“Alright let’s see what we can do,” Peterson said helping the boy find a nice reasonable pair of shoes.

As Joe mounted his horse he was pleased with the shoes that he had gotten. He was surprised to find that he had enough money left over to get his father and brother’s a small gift too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kathy went straight to the door when she heard a knock at it. She was shocked when he saw Ben Cartwright and Catherine Spill standing there. “What can I do for you folks?”

Ben cleared his throat, “I hope that we are not coming at a bad time.”

“No it’s alright.”

Catherine smiled as Kathy motioned for them to come in, “would you like some coffee?” Kathy asked.

“That would be nice thank you dear,” Catherine spoke up.

“No thank you,” said Ben.

After getting the coffee they all sat around the table, “what is it I can do for you?”

Catherine took in a small breath before beginning, “I was wondering if you do some work for us. I know that this isn’t the best time, but after Christmas I will be needing some extra help at the dress shop.”

She watched Kathy’s face as she continued. “I went to Ben and asked if he knew anyone and he said that you might. I was hoping that if you could I would love to have you working with me at the store.”

She nodded, “I was going to go look for something after Christmas is past. With Mark gone I knew that I had to find something.” She turned her attention to Ben, “thank you for thinking of me about the job.”

“No thanks needed. I’m just glad that it works out well for the both of you,” he smiled.

Catherine beamed, “it sure does. I can’t thank you enough Kathy for agreeing to work with me.”

From another room a sleepy eyed Ryan stumbled in, “what’s all the noise?”

Kathy eyes meet those of her son. He stood there rubbing is eyes, and she couldn’t stop thinking about how much he looked like his father, “we were just talking and I guess we were a little to loud. I’m sorry if we woke you.”

“That’s alright, I’ve got chores to get to anyway,” he said heading out of the house.

“He has been working so hard helping me around her,” she said sadly.

“Do you need some extra help? I can send a hand over to do some extra work,” Ben offered.

“You have done enough.”

“It would be no problem at all to send someone over a few hours a day to help.”

“If it’s no trouble, but for only a little while,” Kathy said as looked out the window toward the barn. “Some of the chores are too much for either me or Ryan.”

“I’ll send someone over everyday, starting tomorrow,” he said getting to his feet. “I best be getting back to the ranch.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Oh Momma, these look great,” Mitch said looking at his mother’s handy work.

“Thanks, I made two hats also with the extra yarn from not making the third scarf. So are you going to tell me who these sets are for?” She asked.

“Nope, and can I ask you a favor?”

She looked at him with raised eyebrows, “sure.”

“Can you not tell anyone that you made these see it is for a Santa gift for someone and their mother,” he explained.

Her face lit up, “really.”

“Yeah, but you can’t tell anyone. Me and Joe are working on this project together,” he explained further.

“Well, then I will make sure that I don’t tell anyone,” she promised.

“Not even Pa?”

“Not even your father if you don’t want me too,” she smiled while shaking her head. “I am proud of you two boys for doing something like this.”

“Thanks.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was not Christmas Eve and Joe stood outside of the Balder’s house and waited a moment before he knocked. After a moment he was pleased to see Ryan’s mother answer the door, “Hello Joe,” she greeted.

“Ma’am, is Ryan around?”

“No, the weather this year is so mild he thought he would take a walk. I told him not to go too far so he should be around somewhere if you want to find him,” she said motioning for him to come in.

“I really came to talk to you, but it is about something that I don’t want Ryan to hear,” he started. “You see Miss Jones gave the class an assignment a little while ago…” he stopped to make sure that she was paying attention and was pleased to see her hanging on his every word.

“She wanted the younger boys to write a letter to Santa and us older boys to answer them. You see I had Ryan’s letter and with his Pa being sick at the time I wanted to do something special for him.” He stopped again trying to read the woman’s thoughts. He has heard his father in the past saying that a lot of people would not take things that they thought were charity.

“So I wanted to give him something nice for Christmas from Santa. I know that it isn’t my place, but I wanted to do something for him.”

Kathy stopped him, “did you father put you up to this. He has been too…”

“No Ma’am and if it is alright I want to keep it that way,” he said with pleading eyes.

“Why not sounds like you are trying to help my son,” she said with tears in her eyes.

“I know, but I just like it to be between us. Do you mind if me and two of my friends bring the stuff by tonight after Ryan goes to bed?”

“No, I don’t mind, but will your father mind you being out late?” She asked worried.

“No,” he said hoping that he was right. He still hadn’t planned out how he was going to get out of the house.

“Thanks you Joe, what ever it is that you have done for my son is just nice of you,” she was speechless. Here in front of her was a ten year old that wanted to do something nice for a friend. She would have to do something nice for this young man.

“Thanks for letting me, I wasn’t sure that you would want me too,” he confessed.

“Normally I wouldn’t, but this year is a bit different and with Mark gone it is nice to see someone care as much as you do for my son,” she looked toward the kitchen, “would you like some milk?”

“Sure.”

Joe watched as Kathy went into the kitchen and asked, “Are you going out to get a tree?”

“No, Ryan didn’t want one. I didn’t want to push him about the issue,” she confessed as she brought the tin cup of milk to Joe.

“Thanks,” he said happily as he brought the milk to his mouth. He didn’t really care for the stuff, but he wanted stay around to see Ryan for a few minutes. It was like Ryan had heard his thought because within just a minute’s time the boy came into the house.

“Ma I’m back and boy is that wind picking up. I think it’s getting colder by the minute,” he said coming in the back door, without seeing Joe sitting at the table.

“How was your walk?” She asked as he looked toward Joe. “A friend stopped by to see us.”

Ryan glanced at Joe as he headed to the front door to and started taking his coat off, “hi.”

“Hey, I just wanted to stop by to see how you were doing. Hoss says that snow is coming by the looks of it.”

Ryan’s eyes grew wide, “you really think so Joe?”

“That’s what Hoss says and it almost always right about these things.” He looked at his heavy coat that he was wearing and sighed when he noticed that Ryan’s was much thinner. He thought that he would change the subject a little. “When the weather clears up some again, do you want to do fishing with me and Mitch again?”

“Sure,” Ryan said shyly.

“Good, I’ll see you then I have to get back home. Pa, said that I can’t be gone long. I have a lot of chores to get done.” He stood and then took his last swallow of his drink, “thanks for the milk.”

“No problem dear,” she walked with him to the door. Ryan stopped Joe as he passed him, “is it alright if you come over and play this weekend?”

“Sure, I’ll come over as soon as my chores are done with the weather isn’t too bad.

“Thanks.”

“Your welcome, I’ll see you this weekend then,” Joe gave them a smile before heading out. “Boy is it cold. I think Hoss might be right.” He told himself as he mounted Cochise.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In deed Hoss was right just a half hour after getting home Joe saw the snow starting to fall. “Oh great and I still need to get the things from Mitch,” he said to himself. He was getting worried as he saw the snow starting to stick to the ground. He came out of the barn and was pleased to see James talking to his father at the porch.

He waited until his father went back into the house before he went to where the man stood, “can you believe this bad timing for the snow?”

“This is not the end of the world…trust me we will make this happen,” James assured him. “You have worked too hard for it not to.”

“I don’t know what I would do with out you and Mitch,” Joe smiled as he looked up at the snow falling down.

“I will ride over and get the things needed at your friend Mitch’s,’ James said as he heard the sound of a horse riding up. “Or maybe not,” he laughed as the young man they had been talking about rode into the yard.

“I thought that I would bring this over,” Mitch said handing a package to Joe. “I was already headed here when the snow started. I had better start back home or my parents will have my hide.”

“Thanks for bringing it by,” Joe watched Mitch shiver as the cold wind started to blow harder. “Would you like something hot to drink before you start back?”

“No, I can get something when I get home.” Mitch looked up at the sky, “I’d better get going. I hope you get a chance to make it to Ryan’s.”

“Don’t worry I will find a way,” Joe promised.

Nodding Mitch knew that his friend was right. Joe had always finished something that was as important as this was to both the boys. “See you later, Joe.”

“See you then.” Joe watched as his friend left the looked back to James. “I’m going to go wrap these.”

James just nodded and looked up at the sky for the tenth time, “I’ll make sure the toys are wrapped some way.”

“Thanks,” Joe said heading to the house with the new gifts in his hands.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After supper Joe went to the barn in search of James. He had three packages wrapped tucked inside his jacket. He was pleased when he saw James sitting over a small wooden crate. “Here’s the few things that I had to wrap.” Joe handed them to his new friend.

“Joe the snow isn’t going to stop anytime soon…I don’t want you to come with me,” he said in a firm voice.

“But…”

“No buts. You need to stay here with you family. I asked you father earlier if I can use the wagon tonight and he has agreed,” he explained.

“Are you sure?” Joe asked not wanting to be left out of this.

James studied the boy. He knew from talking with Adam that Joe was a stubborn as anyone he had ever known. “I want to make sure that you are safe. I know that you want to go with me, but I can handle this on my own.”

“Alright,” Joe said reluctantly.

“Now that that is settled you can help me load this stud into the wagon outside,” James smiled heading to the door and felt a good gust of wind blow by. “On second thought I want you to go straight into the house.”

Joe started to protest, but stopped when he saw someone at the door and saw Adam standing there. “He’s right get inside and I’ll help him.”

Joe looked startled at his brother…did Adam know what he had been planning for over a week? He thought as he headed for the door, “alright.”

Adam watched him go and knew that Joe had agreed to easily. He wondered what his brother was up to.

Joe headed straight to his room and picked up some paper. He smiled as he started writing on them. This would be something that his family could use for a present.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Charlie Devlin came out of his warm house when he heard the wagon coming into the yard. He had been waiting for this visitor for an hour now and knew that the snow was causing James Blyth to be late.

“Hello Mr. Devlin,” James smiled as he rubbed his hands together tying to warm them. Even with gloves on he was freezing in this cold night.

“It’s good to see you again James. The tree is in the barn. I will help you load it into the wagon. You get that tarp off while I get the barn door open. Then we can go inside and get some coffee.”

James didn’t have to be told twice he was looking forward to some coffee to warm him a little before heading over to the Balder’s house.

Mitch was surprised when he saw James come into the house. He knew that his father had gone somewhere early in the day, but didn’t think anything about it until he was told not to go into the barn. He thought that was odd, but now he wondered how many people knew about his ‘secret.’

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The four Cartwright’s sat down after Adam had returned from the barn and started the decorating of the family tree. Joe face lit up as they started putting the decorations onto the tree. This had to be one of his favorite parts of the Christmas season. Of course the thing that he liked most was his father reading the Christmas Story to them as they drink hot cider while sitting together in the great room.

Be looked up as he finished the story and wondered how James was doing. He had been worried when he had told the man that he could take the wagon. Oh he trusted the man, but he was worried that James would get stranded as he tried to make to wherever his was heading or back from there.

He wondered what it was that James wanted with the wagon on Christmas Eve and wondered more to rather or not it had something to do with how close the ranch hand and Joe had become over the past week. He looked across to his youngest son as he closed the bible. What was that young man up to?

All was forgotten for a little while as Adam brought out his guitar and started playing a favorite Christmas song. Before long all four were singing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was late when James pulled into the yard of the Balder home. He looked up at the sky thankful that the snow had finally stopped. He was even happier when the door opened and Kathy came out to greet him.

“I wasn’t expecting to see anyone coming in here in this,” she said as she looked at the wagon them at James, “what is it that I can do for you?”

“I am just delivering the things for Joe Cartwright and well a few other things that a friend if his helped out with. The friend’s father went and got a tree and I hope you don’t mind I got a few things that you might want to cook tomorrow,” he explained.

“A few things?” She said looking at the full wagon.

“The tree takes up most of it. I think it is best if you go get in the warm. I’ll bring the tree in and set it up for you. If there is some Christmas ornaments that I can get from somewhere I’d be pleased to.”

“Thanks, I make you some coffee while you do that…you must be frozen.” As she entered the house she said a silent prayer of thanks for the blessing that she was receiving for her son.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kathy was up early the next morning. She had left the tree decorating for her and Ryan. She wanted him to have that time to make the tree special. She looked around the room and thought about the wrapped presents that were before her. The looking to the corner to where she had a small wrapped gift that she had for her son.

Her thoughts then went to what Mr. Blyth had gotten for her to cook for Christmas dinner. He had even managed to get a small turkey. She was amazed at how her neighbors could be so caring. She also felt bad that she couldn’t giver her son all this without the help of so many others.

“Momma?” A small voice said from across the room.

Kathy smiled as she looked toward her son, “Merry Christmas.”

Ryan walked slowly over to where the big tree stood and looked around, “where did all this come from?”

“It is a true Blessing,” she said honestly.

He was too shocked to say anything, he just looked around again. He heard his mother as she brought over her present for him. “This is a little something that I made for you.”

He took the package from his mother and opened it. He smiles as he saw the shirt, “I love it Momma.”

“I hope that the color is alright…it was from some material that I had left over after making the curtains last spring,” she watched as tears came to his little eyes. “It is alright isn’t it?”

“I just love it,” he said as he looked back down at the light blue shirt. “Just perfect.”

“I’m glad that you like it,” she gave him a hug then looked around the room, “there are more things here.”

She walked over to the fireplace and picked up a letter, “this came with it.” She gave it to him silently wondering what Little Joe Cartwright put in this letter from Santa.”

Ryan opened the letter and started to read. He stopped as he glanced at his mother, “it’s from Santa.”

“What does it say?”

Ryan,

I know that this Christmas you are missing you father a lot. I know that it is hard to loose a parent and it is hard to understand. Just know that your mother is always there for you if you need anything. I hope you have a great Christmas.

Santa

He looked up to his mother, “he’s right I’ve got you and you’re the best Momma a boy can have.”

“Why thank you, I happen to be pretty lucky myself with the best son a mother can have,” she gave him a quick hug.

As he pulled away he looked at the presents, “Let’s keep the biggest for last.”

“Alright,” she said picking up a present that sat next to one with her name on it, “how about you start with this one.”

“Alright, but you have to open that one. Santa remembered you so I want to open my gift at the same time as you.”

She picked up the present and they both unwrapped. “Oh this is just beautiful,” she said looking at the scarf, hat and mittens.

“I have one too,” Ryan said holding up his.

“Seems that Santa knows just how cold it gets here,” she smiled. “Just one more each. You ready to open that big box?”

“Sure am,” he said going over to it,” sure is big.”

“It sure is,” she watched as he opened it and how his eyes got large, “what is it?”

“Wood toys,” He pulled out a horse. “There is this horse and some other carved animals in here.”

Kathy smiled, “that is great. You are going to have a lot of fun with them.”

“Sure am.” He picked up the last package, “your turn.”

She took the package and opened it. He eyes filled with tears, “a pair of boots.”

“I asked Santa for it,” Ryan smiled.

“They are great. I think I will wear them today. Now you get in your room and get dress while I cook up some breakfast.”

“Yes Ma’am,” Ryan started toward his room then stopped. “I almost forgot.”

“Forgot what?” She asked watching him disappear into his room and come back out with something in his hand.

“It isn’t much momma…I didn’t have no money to get you nothing, but I made it for you.”

She took the piece of paper and smiled. On it was a picture that he drew of her and him standing hand and hand. “I could ask for more this is the perfect present.”

“You really like it Momma?” He asked.

“I love it son…just love it.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Joe opened his eyes and looked toward his window. His eyes opened wider as he noticed that is was already daylight. “How could I over sleep. I always wake up early on Christmas morning.” He rushed around the room to get dressed.

Down stairs Adam smiled and looked over at Ben, “I think Joe is awake.”

“I think your right,” he chuckled.

Hoss started down the stairs as Joe came out of his room rushing for the stairs and ran into him. “Dadburnit Short Shanks, watch were you are going.”

“Sorry Hoss,” he smiled as he rushed around his brother and headed to where his father and older brother sat in their chairs. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas Joseph, do you think that you can come down the stairs without running people down.”

“Sorry Pa…” he started before letting his eyes search the nearby tree.

Adam followed his little brother’s eyes and smiled, “you must be about ready for breakfast and getting to your chores,” he teased.

“I wasn’t wanting to do that exactly. I was thinking it was about time…”

Adam stopped him again, “to open presents.”

“Yeah,” Joe said giggling. “So can we Pa?”

“Yes,” Ben said looking toward the kitchen. “We can start with ours then when Hop Sing is finished with what he’s cooking we can ask him to come join us.”

“Why can’t he join us now?” Joe asked.

“I asked him earlier just like I have for years to come join us and that breakfast can’t wait…”

“I know food first,” Joe smiled remembering having heard that several times in the past.

“Sounds good to me,” Hoss chimed in.

“You would,” Joe shot back. “So can we open the presents yet?”

Ben looked over at Adam and smiled, “yes we can.”

They opened all the presents that Hoss and Ben had bought then it was Adams turn. Hoss had already opened his as well as Ben then Adam handed Joe a long crate. “This is for you.”

Joe looked at it for a moment before he looked up at Adam, “what is it?”

“Open it and find out,” he teased handing his brother something to lift the nails that closed it. As Joe took off the lid he started moving a piece of cloth that covered the present. His eyes filled with tears as he saw the rifle that he wanted in that crate box, “oh Adam.”

“James told me what you have been up to lately. I’m proud of you and thought that maybe it was time for you to have a rifle.” Adam paused for a moment then started back up again, “don’t get me wrong. Either Pa, Hoss or myself has to be with you when you are using this rifle, but I couldn’t make you wait for it any longer.”

Joe looked at his father as if asking if it was alright for him to have it, “it’s alright son, Adam told me last night why it was so important that you have this gun. He isn’t the only one who is proud of what you have done.” Ben watched as Joe came to him and he opened his arms and embraced his son. “Merry Christmas.”

“Thanks Adam, Pa this is the best Christmas ever. He them looked at the remainder of the unopened presents and knew that was his presents to his family. He picked the up one by one giving his father and brothers a small package and an folded piece of paper. “It’s not much, but it was all I could get.”

“I’m sure that it’s just fine.” Ben said as he opened his package to fine pipe tobacco. He looked over to Adam who had also opened his to find he had a guitar pick. Hoss had a big grin on his face as he put a lemon drop into his mouth.

“I just love these Lemon drops,” Hoss spoke up.

Finally it was time for them to unfold the paper and read what Joe had written on it. Hoss laughed out loud, “well now I think I may have to take you up on this…this morning,” he teased as he read the letter again.

Hoss,

I will do your chore’s one whole day when you want me to, but this is only a one time deal Big Brother.

Joe

Adam read his letter and then looked at Joe, “I might just do that too.” He read his and then compared it to Hoss to see they both would get a day off from their chores.

Ben on the other hand enjoyed what his son wrote on his. Since he had no chores that Joe could do, his son wrote something a little different.

Pa,

I couldn’t think up anything that I could do for you to give you a little break, but I just wanted to let you know that if you give me some extra chores now and then I will try not to complain about it. Just don’t tell Adam and Hoss. I don’t want then thinking that I want them to give me extra chores too. I love you very much.

Joe

Ben read it one more time before putting the letter away. He looked around the room and knew just how lucky he was. Not only did he have three great sons, he had three best friends. ‘Yes,’ thought Ben he was a lucky man.

The End

June 2003

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