" DON'T LEAVE ADAM "

By: Lynne G.

The Cartwright family was dreading this day, the day Adam was leaving to go back East to college.  Nineteen year old Adam had wanted to go to college for several years now and he was excited that the day had finally come, but the thing that bothered him the most was leaving his family especially his baby brother, Little Joe, who was two and a half months away from his sixth birthday.  He tried to explain to the little boy why he wanted to go to college, but the child still couldn't understand why anyone would want to leave home for so long.

Ben Cartwright was happy that Adam was finally able to do the thing he wanted so badly and he knew that he would miss his oldest son dearly, but he knew that Adam had dreamed of this day for such a longtime.

Hoss, Adam's thirteen year old brother was also happy for his big brother, but he also knew that he would miss him terribly.  Hoss knew that he had to be strong for his baby brother, Little Joe, who was too young to understand what was going on.

The Cartwrights were saying their final ' good byes ' to Adam just before the stage was ready to leave.  Little Joe was crying while Adam was holding him.  Adam felt bad for the youngest member of the family, that he almost changed his mind.  He looked over at Ben with pleading eyes, that Ben needed to take Little Joe so he could climb aboard the stage.

" Come on now Little Joe, Adam needs to get on the stage. It's time for him to leave," Ben said as he took his little son from Adam.  " Listen little buddy, I know you don't want me to leave, but I really want to go to college.  I will write you lots of letters, and I will come home for visits, OK?  I love you Little Joe," Adam said as he climbed in the stage.  " I wuv ya too Adam," Little Joe said as he cried while standing next to Adam.  The final ' good byes ' had been said and the stage headed down the street. 

A very upset Little Joe ran after the stage crying, and yelling," ADAM DUNT GO !" over and over.

The child collasped to the ground crying hard.  Ben and Hoss ran after the hysterical child, and when Ben reached  his little boy, he reached down and picked up the crying child and he held him tightly.  " Shh, please don't cry baby.  It's alright," Ben said as tears ran down his face as well.  Hoss just stood there watching his father and baby brother in tears as he softly talked to his little brother.  " Hey Punkin, I'm gonna miss big brother too ya know.  It's gonna be fun to get letters from him and he can tell us everything he is doin'.  Please dunt cry Punkin.  Yer gonna make me cry too,"  Hoss said softly to his little brother as he ruffled up the little boys hair.

Hoss and Ben who was holding Little Joe in his arms walked over to Sheriff Roy Coffee's office so Ben could wash Little Joe's face and hands.  He also thought it would give him a chance to settle the child down too.  " Hi Roy," greeted Ben as he carried a crying Little Joe , with Hoss following.  " Howdy Ben, Hoss, Little Joe," Roy replied back.

" Hey, little deputy, give me that big smile of yours," Roy said as he tickled Little Joe in the ribs.  Soon Little Joe was giggling.  Roy knew why the little boy was so upset and he felt sorry for Little Joe.

" Roy, is it alright if I clean Little Joe's face and hands?" asked Ben.  " Sure Ben," said Roy as he got a wash cloth and towel for Ben.  After Little Joe was all cleaned up, Roy asked him if he would like to look at some ' wanted posters'.  " Kay," the little boy said, with a small smile on his face.  Roy handed Little Joe a stack of posters.  " Fank you," he said as he and Hoss headed into one of the empty cells.  They sat down on a cot and began to look at the posters.  Little Joe loved to look at ' wanted posters ' to see what the bad men looked like.

Roy had a special ' wanted poster ' made up for Little Joe and he had it put into a wooden frame.  The poster was a drawing of Little Joe that looked just like a photo.  The poster said, " LITTLE JOE CARTWRIGHT WANTED FOR MISCHIEF AND MELTING HEARTS."  This poster was in color which showed off the little boy's big beautiful green eyes, brown curly hair and that special smile of his. 

After the boys had looked at all the posters they brought them back to Roy.  " Fank you fer weddin' us woke at da posters, Mr. Coffee," Little Joe said.  " You are very welcome.  Little Joe, would you like to keep those posters?" asked Roy.  " Oh yes, I's sure would !" said the excited little boy.  Roy handed the posters back to Little Joe, plus the special poster, that was wrapped up.  " Here ya go Little Joe, this is for you," Roy said as he handed the package to the child.  Little Joe stood there with a big surprised look on his face.  Hoss took the stack of posters from Little Joe so the child could open his package.  Ben and Hoss knew nothing about this surprise for Little Joe, and they waited excitedly for the little boy to open the gift too.  Little Joe was so excited as he opened the package, and he gasped as he was looking at his special poster.  " Oh fank you so much. Papa it's me on dis poster.  I'mma wanted !" said the excited little boy. 

Ben and Hoss looked at the poster and smiled as they read it.  " Well son, I guess you are wanted, aren't you?" Ben said laughing.  " Gosh Punkin, just think, you are wanted fer mischief and melting hearts," Hoss said as he too was laughing.  " I'za wuv it !" Little Joe said as he gave Roy a big hug.  " I'm so happy that you like it Little Joe," said Roy, feeling very proud that he cheered up the sad little boy.  They were all amazed at how the poster looked like a photo instead of a drawing.

Ben, Hoss, Little Joe and Roy headed over to Daisy's cafe for lunch.  Ben had safely tucked away all the posters and Little Joe's special poster in the buckboard while on their way to lunch.  Little Joe told Daisy all about his 'special wanted poster', and she said that no truer words were ever said.

After lunch as they were getting ready to head back to the Ponderosa, they said ' good bye' to Roy and Little Joe again thanked Roy for all the posters and especially for his 'special poster'.  He couldn't wait to show it to Hop Sing.

By now Little Joe was very sleepy as they were on their way home.  He was soon in a deep sleep leaning against Ben's side, so Hoss picked him up and turned him so his head could rest in his lap. 

When they got home, Ben jumped down from the buckboard and Hoss handed him Little Joe down to him and Ben carried his baby son into the house and laid him down on the sattee and covered him up.  Then he went back outside to help Hoss unload the buckboard.

Ben had to wake up Little Joe for dinner.  The little boy was still sleepy, but Ben didn't want him to sleep too long or he wouldn't sleep at bedtime.  Little Joe showed Hop Sing his poster, and Hop Sing smiled and said,  " Isn't that the truth !"

During dinner, Little Joe kept looking over at Adam's empty chair, and he was sad again.  Ben noticed the child looking at the empty chair, and he said," Joseph, please eat your dinner son."  " Kay Papa," the child said.  Ben didn't like seeing the empty chair either.  After dinner which Little Joe didn't eat very much of, Ben suggested that they go up to Little Joe's room and find a special place for the special poster.  Little Joe took off running up to his room to look for that special place on the wall for his poster.  After the poster had been put up on the wall, Hoss and Little Joe went out to the barn to do their evening chores.  Little Joe was very quiet while he did his chores.  He was missing Adam and Hoss could tell when he saw tears in the little boy's eyes.

" DUNT GO ADAM !  NO ADAM DUNT GO !" shouted Little Joe in his sleep.  Ben and Hoss rushed into the child's room to find the little boy tossing and turning in his bed yelling for Adam.  The sight of this little boy calling out to his big brother was just so heart breaking.  Ben sat down on the bed and he picked up his little boy and rubbed his back.  " Shh, Little Joe.  Wake up sweetheart.  Joseph, come on, wake up," Ben kept saying.  Little Joe slowly opened his eyes.  " Oh Papa.  I want Adam ta come back home," cried the child.  " I know you do son.  I wish he were home too, but he wanted to go away to college," Ben told his little boy.  " Papa, dunt he wuv us no moe?" asked the teary eyed little boy.  " Sweetheart, Adam still loves us very much, and I know that he misses us too, but as I said before, he wanted to go to college," Ben told his youngest hoping that the little boy would understand.  Hoss stood there in tears at the sight of his little brother being so upset.

As the weeks went by, Little Joe was really missing his big brother so much, that one day he snuck off on his pony and he rode into Virginia City by himself.  He was scared, but he was on a mission.  He had his carpet bag packed with some clothes, his teddy bear, and family photos.  He also had all his money with him too.

Once he was in Virginia City, he rode over to the stage depot, got off his pony and he walked inside the depot.  When Dan Thomas looked down at Little Joe who looked very sad, he wondered where Ben was.  " Hi Little Joe.  What can I do for you son?" Dan asked.  I wants a ticket ta go back East ta college ta see Adam.  I's gots my money," Little Joe said very seriously.  " Son, where is your Papa?" asked Dan.  " Uh, mmmm, he's at home," the child said.  " Does he know that you are here?" asked Dan.  " Nope, he dunt know.  I'za by myself," the child told Dan as he was still looking up at Dan with his big bright green eyes.  " How much money do have for your ticket son?" Dan asked.  " I'za gots a dollar," he said.  Little Joe, you need more than a dollar for your ticket," Dan said.  Little Joe was now very upset and he started to cry.  Dan felt so bad for the little boy.  He kneeled down in front of Little Joe and put his arms around the child trying to comfort him.  Little Joe just cried.  " I wanna go see Adam," he cried.  " I know you to see him Little Joe, but he's very busy at college," Dan told the sad little boy.

As Roy was walking past the stage depot he noticed Little Joe's pony tied up in front of the depot, which seemed strange.  " Why is the child's pony here?" Roy wondered.  He decided to check that out.  He opened the door and walked in only to see Dan, who looked up at Roy.  Roy saw that Dan was holding a crying Little Joe.  " Dan, whats goin' on?  Why is Little Joe here?" asked Roy.  " Hi Roy.  This little one wanted to buy a ticket to go see his big brother.  Ben doesn't know he's here either," Dan told Roy.

" Little Joe, you can't go all the back East by yourself son.  Your Papa would be worried sick about you.  You don't want him to be worried do you?" said Roy as he looked down at the very sad looking child with tears running down his sweet little face.  This was breaking his heart, as it was Dan's also.  Roy picked up Little Joe and held him.  He sat down and softly talked to the distraught little boy.  Roy had figured that be now Ben would realize that his baby boy was missing.

" Tell ya what Little Joe, why don't I take you back home and you can write a nice letter to Adam?  I bet he would really love to get a letter from you.  It would really make him very happy," Roy told the crying child.  " Ya fink he'd wike a wedder fum me?" questioned Little Joe.  " Yes, he sure would.  Come on, and let's get you home so you can start that letter," Roy said.  " Kay," Little Joe agreed.

Soon Roy and Little Joe were on their way to the Ponderosa.

Ben was frantic with worry when he found that his little son was missing, along with his clothes, teddy bear and photos.  He was getting ready to ride out to search for his baby son when he heard horses coming into the yard, so he looked out the barn door to see who was there.  When he saw his little boy, he ran over to the boy and grabbed him him off his pony and he held him tightly.  " THANK GOD !" he said.  Ben, Little Joe was at the stage depot wanting to buy a ticket to go see Adam," Roy told Ben.  Ben was both relieved that his baby was safely back home, but he was also very angry at the little boy for leaving the yard by himself and that he had gone off to Virginia City by himself too.  " Thank you Roy for bringing him back home.  Can you come in for some coffee?" asked Ben.  " No Ben.  I have to get back to town.  Maybe next time," Roy said.  " Bye Roy, and thank you again for bringing Little Joe home.  I didn't know what to think when I found him missing," Ben said.  Roy rode off to Virginia City.

" Joseph, I'm very angry with you.  You know that you aren't allowed to go off like that-don't you?  I don't EVER want you to do that again !  DO YOU HEAR ME?"  The child just looked at the floor as he continued to cry.  " GET UP TO YOUR ROOM NOW !" yelled Ben.  Little Joe ran up to his room as fast as he could go.

Little Joe was laying on his bed when Ben opened the door and walked in.  He sat down on the bed and said," Joseph, would you please tell me why you went to Virginia City by yourself?"  " I wanned ta go back East ta see Adam," the child softly said.  " I don't ever want you to do that again.  I am very disappointed in you Joseph," Ben told his son.

 Ben spanked his son, then he left the child's room.  He really hated to spank his baby, but the boy needed to know that when he disobeyed, then he would be punished.

Little Joe was now angry and he was blaming Adam for his spanking.  " It's all yer fault Adam.  If'n ya woulda stayed home then dis wouldn't have happened !"  he said outloud.

Ben, Hoss and Hop Sing couldn't figure out why Little Joe seemed so angry all the time now.  Everytime they would ask him what was wrong, all he would say was " nuffin' !"

Little Joe wouldn't do all of his chore, and he talked back to his family.  Ben had spanked him several times, but even that didn't stop the angry child.

One afternoon while he was suppose to be having a nap, Little Joe went into Adam's room and he started to throw all of Adam's books on the floor.  Just about everything Adam owned was thrown all over the room.  The room looked like a tornado had hit it.  Even the bedding was all over the floor.

Ben and Hoss had just ridden into the yard when they saw Hop Sing walking back towards the house with all the dried laundry.  " Hi Hop Sing, is Little Joe having his nap?" asked Ben.  " Yes boy sleeping when Hop Sing go outside," Hop Sing told Ben.  " That's good.  Thank you Hop Sing," Ben said.

When Ben and Hoss walked into the livingrrom, they suddenly heard loud noises coming from upstairs.  " WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON UP THERE ?" shouted Ben, as he and Hoss ran up the stairs to find out what all the noise was about.  They followed the noise to Adams' room.  When Ben opened the door, both he and Hoss stood there in shock at the trashed room.  Little Joe didn't know he was being watched as he continued to throw things around the room.

" JOSEPH, WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?" shouted Ben, as he was extremely angry with his youngest son.  Little Joe turned around, looked at Ben and Hoss and he yelled," IT'S ALL ADAM'S FAULT FER GOIN' AWAY.  HE HATES US, THAT'S WHY !!!!!"  Ben grabbed his son's arm and he shook the child-not hard, but enough to let the boy know that he was in big trouble.

Ben pulled the boy to his room and spanked him.  After the spanking, he told his crying son to get back to Adam's room and to clean it up.  Then he shouted to the boy, that Adam didn't hate his family.  That all he wanted to do was go to college to learn even more than he had been taught in school in Virginia City.  Ben told Hoss to leave his little brother alone, and to come back down stairs with him, while Little Joe cleaned up Adam's room.  Hoss felt bad for his little brother, but there was nothing he could do to help this time.

A couple of hours later Ben quietly walked up the stairs and over to Adam's room.  As he peeked into the room he saw that all the books were back on the shelves, and the rest of Adam's things were also put away.  The only thing still on the floor was the bedding, with Little Joe laying on the bedding sound to sleep.  Ben walked into the room and he looked down at his sleeping son.  He looked like a little angel laying there with his thumb in his mouth.  Ben was pleased at the sight of the cleaned up room.  He bent down, picked up his sleeping boy and carried him into his room and laid him on his bed.  He took the child's boots off then covered him with a quilt.  He leaned down and kissed the child on his forehead, and he left the room and went back to Adam's room and made the bed.

About an hour before dinner was ready, Ben went to wake up Little Joe.  " Joseph, wake up now son," Ben said as he gently rubbed the child's back.  Little Joe slowly opened his eyes, yawned and he then rubbed his eyes and yawned again.

When he saw Ben looking at him, he wasn't sure if he was still in trouble or not.  " Hi sleeping beauty," Ben greeted him with a smile.  " Hi Papa.  I'm still in trouble, ain't I?" asked the boy softly as tears started to run down his face.  Ben felt so bad when he saw the tears.  " Joseph, you don't have to cry.  I'm not sure if I'm still angry with you or not.  Yes, I'm very angry at you for what you did to your brother's room.  I don't like the way you lose your temper like that.  You need to learn how to control that temper of yours.  Now, I am very pleased at the way you cleaned up Adam's room, but that's the only good thing you have done today," Ben told his crying and trembling son.

" For the next several days, you will only be allowed out of your room to do your chores and to eat.  Do I make myself clear on that?" asked Ben.  Little Joe just nodded.  " I'm sawee Papa," the child said in a whisper.  " You stay in your room until you are called for dinner, and be sure to wash your face before you come to down to dinner," Ben told the child as he left the room.  Little Joe laid on his bed and cried.

Over the next several days, Little Joe barely said anything to Ben or Hoss, as he was still angry. He did everything he was told to do without complaining.  Little Joe's behavor was really bothering Ben and Hoss.  When Little Joe was angry or upset, he hardly ate anything, which bothered Ben the most.  The boy was also not sleeping well either.  Ben, Hoss and Hop Sing had tried to talk to Little Joe about what was bothering him so much, but the boy wouldn't open up.  He always seemed to have tears in his eyes lately too.  Ben was at a loss at what to do.

" Pa, would it be alright if I take Little Joe fishing?  Maybe I can get him to open up," Hoss suggested.  " Hoss, he is on restriction, but maybe he would open up to you.  It's worth a try.  I'll get Hop Sing to make up a picnic for you two, and you can spend the day fishing and relaxing," Ben said.  " Thanks Pa.  I sure hope Short Shanks will let me help him.  I'm really worried about him Pa.  He's barely talking to us, hardly eating or sleeping.  Pa, could you maybe send Adam a telegram and ask him to write a letter to Little Joe?  Maybe he could help- ya know, kinda long distance," said Hoss.  " That's a great idea Hoss.  I have to go into Virginia City today, so I can send a telegram to Adam.  Thank you Hoss.  Tomorrow you and Little Joe can go fishing.  You can mention it to him while you two do your chore today," Ben said, feeling so proud of Hoss for suggesting this plan.

" Hey Punkin, how would you like it if just you and me spend all day tomorrow fishing and relaxing, and having a picnic too?" asked Hoss.  Little Joe looked at Hoss and said," really, just you and me?   Do ya fink Papa will let me go?" asked the child.  " I already asked him and he said yes you can and he wants us to have fun and catch lots of fish," Hoss told his little brother, as he hugged the little boy.

The next morning after breakfast, Hop Sing handed Hoss the picnic basket, while Ben told his two sons to have a good time, and get lots of fish.  " We will Pa.  Bye, Pa, Hop Sing," Hoss said.  " Bye bye," said Little Joe.  " Mr. Cartlight, I hope Hoss can help Little Joe," said Hop Sing, as he watched the boys head off to the lake.  " Me too Hop Sing," Ben said.

" I sure hope the fish are bitting today, little brother.  Doesn't fresh fish sound good for dinner?" asked Hoss.  " I guess so Hoss," said Little Joe softly.  " Tell ya what Punkin, who ever gets the most fish won't have to do their chores for one week.  The loser will have to do all them chores.  Wanna make a bet on that?" asked Hoss, hoping his little brother would take him up on his offer.  " Kay.  Yer on big brother," Little Joe excitedly said.

After a couple of hours, Hoss had only caught one fish, while Little Joe had caught four fish.  " Hey little brother, what's yer secret to getting all the fish?" asked Hoss.  " I dunno.  Maybe they just like me moe, and they want me ta win the bet," giggled Little Joe.  Just hearing his baby brother giggling made Hoss feel good.

" How bout we take a lunch break Short Shanks?  I'm gonna starve to death if'n we dunt eat soon," said Hoss as he rubbed his stomach.  " Sounds good ta me Hoss.  I'm kinda hungry," announced Little Joe.  The boys brought their fishing lines in and headed over to their picnic basket.  Hoss spread out the blanket and the two boys sat down to eat their lunch.

" Will ya look at what Hop Sing put in here !   Fried chicken, potato salad, and cookies," said Hoss.  " Hey Hoss, Hop Sing made us some punch too," Little Joe said.  Hoss poured each of them a cup of punch.

" This is fun Hoss.  I'm so glad you thought of fishin' taday.  Hoss, I really sawee that I've been so mad lately," said Little Joe as he looked up at Hoss.  " Ah, Punkin, I fergive ya.  Ya know what, I was kinda mad at Adam fer goin' away, but I know how bad he wanted to go, so it's OK with me now," Hoss told his little brother.  " You was mad too Hoss?  I dunt knowed that !" said a surprised Little Joe.  " Yup, but I know that Pa was sad that Adam left, but he also knew at how much Adam wanted to go to college since he was a kid," Hoss said as he grabbed another piece of chicken.  " Hoss are you gonna go ta college too?" asked Little Joe.  " No way little brother.  I'm gonna stay here and work.  I HATE school !" Hoss said.  " I dunt wanna go ta college either, and I dunt fink I wanna go ta school next September either.," Little Joe said to Hoss.  " Pa will make you go to school in September little brother.  We can go together, OK?" Hoss said.  " I guess so," the boy softly said.

After lunch, they talked some more, and Hoss suggested that they go for a swim.  They took off their clothes and ran into the water.  " Brrrr, this water is freezin'.  Maybe swimmin' wasn't such a good idea after all little brother," said a cold Hoss.  " I fink yer right Hoss.  I'm freezin'.  Let's get out now !" Little Joe shouted as both he and Hoss ran out of the water, and they used the blanket to get dried off.  Little Joe was shivering badly, as he tried to get dressed, so Hoss helped him to get dressed.

" Hey Hoss, did Papa teach ya all bout fishin?" asked a now warmer Little Joe.  " Well, not so much Punkin.  Adam was the one who taught me all bout fishin'.  Pa taught big brother some things, but old Adam learned from books, about all the different kinds of fish that are in lakes and rivers.  Our big brother knows a lotta stuff.  He knows lots more than me, and ya know what, he's even taught Pa about things too," Hoss told his little brother who was listening to every word Hoss was saying.

Little Joe looked at Hoss and looked at his fishing pole.  " I guess he does know lots of stuff.  He taught me bout fishin' and swimmin'.   He also taught me all bout horses too," Little Joe told Hoss..

" Little Joe, ya know how ya wanna learn everything bout horses and how to break horses when ya get bigger?  Well big brother wants ta know everything bout everything, and stuff from all over the world too.  He wants to know all bout buildin' stuff too, and ya know how Pa always tells us, that when ya cut down a tree, that we need to plant one in it's place, so there will always be trees here.  Well, big brother will learn better ways to do all that too.  Heck, Little Joe, our big brother will be the smartest person in the Nevada Territory, and then we can proudly say that old Adam is our big brother," Hoss said.  " I guess so, but Hoss, why did he have ta go so far away ta learn stuff?" asked Little Joe.  " Well kiddo, that is where all the best colleges are," Hoss said.  " Oh, I see," said Little Joe.

The boys continued to do more fishing and by the time they were ready to go home, Hoss had caught a total of three fish, while Little Joe had caught an amazing thirteen fish.  " Well little brother, looks like I will be doin' all yer chores for a week.  You are the BEST fisherman in the family, that's fer sure.  Ya know Punkin, I'm so proud of you, and I'm so happy you are my baby brother.  I love you Little Joe," said Hoss with tears in his eyes.  " I love you too Hoss, and I'm so happy you are my big brother.  You are so big and strong, and I feel really safe when yer wiv me," Little Joe told Hoss as he softly cried.  Hoss gave his baby brother a big old bear hug, which made the little boy giggle.

When Hoss and Little Joe got home, Hoss took care of the horses while Little Joe took the cleaned fish into the kitchen for Hop Sing.  " Lookit Hop Sing.  We gots lots of fish !" Little Joe said as he proudly held up all the fish for Hop Sing to see.  " You sure did get a lot of fish.  They will make good dinner," Hop Sing said with a big smile on his face.  It made him very happy to see that Little Joe was happy again, and to see that special smile of Little Joe's again too.

Little Joe looked up at Hop Sing and he said, " Hop Sing, I'm really sawee that I've been a naughty boy lately.  I'm better now," the child said as he continued to look up at Hop Sing.  " Hop Sing very happy little boy feel all better again.  Make family feel better too," Hop Sing told Little Joe as they hugged.

Ben had seen Hoss go into the barn, so he went to talk to Hoss to find out how he had made out with Little Joe.    " Hoss, how did it go with your little brother today?  asked Ben.  " Everything is great now Pa.  Little Joe opened up and told me everything that was bothering him, and I told why Adam wanted to go to college.  He seems like his normal self again Pa.  We had a really fun time together.  He caught lots more fish than me, as usual.  I made a bet with him.  Now don't get me wrong Pa, you just might like this bet.  I bet him who ever caught the most fish wouldn't have to do their chores for a week, and so little brother gets a week off," said Hoss.

" Thank you Hoss.  I'm so very proud of you for helping your baby brother.  I can't thank you enough son," Ben said as he gave Hoss a big hug.

" Papa, where are you?" yelled Little Joe.  " In the barn son !" Ben answered back.  Little Joe came running into the barn all excited.  Ben held his out his arms as his little son jumped into his Papa's strong arms.  " Hi sweetheart, did you have a good time today?" asked Ben.  " Sure did Papa.  I caughts lots of fishes, more than Hoss did, and he gots ta do all my chores fer a whole week!" the excited child said.  " Is that so ?  You sure are a wonderful fisherman, son," Ben told his baby.

Little Joe looked Ben straight in the eyes as he put his little hands on each side of Ben's face.  He began to apologize to Ben.  " Papa, I'm really sawee fer bein' such a bad boy lately.  I hope ya can fergib me.  Ya can tan me if'n ya wants ta.  I'm sawee Papa,"  Little Joe said softly as the tears began to run down his face.  " Sweetheart, I forgive you.  I'm so happy you are felling better.  I'm not going to tan you son.  I love you baby, " Ben said as he hugged his little son, and kissed the child's forehead.  " I wuv you too Papa,"  Little Joe said.

Dinner was very happy that night.  Everyone enjoyed the fish.  There was enough fish left over for sandwiches the next day.

Little Joe only managed to get through one game of checkers  before he started to fall asleep as he sat there looking at the checker board.  Ben carried his almost asleep little son up to his room where he undressed the now sleeping child.  He  put a nightshirt on Little Joe and he covered him up.  He leaned down and kissed his baby and he said softly, " Sweet dreams precious.  I love baby," Ben said.  Then he left the room.

THE END

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