" THE VISIT "

BY: Lynne G.

Ben Cartwright had been looking forward to this day for a longtime.  A very dear friend of his, Roger Morgan and his wife, Sara, were coming to the Ponderosa for a visit.  Ben had been wanting Roger and Sara to come for a visit for almost eleven years now.  Ben and Roger had been best friends since they were young boys.  They kept in touch with letters, but it wasn't the same as being together.

Ben had told his sons, seventeen year old Adam, twelve year old Hoss and five year old Little Joe stories about he and Roger when they were kids.  Adam and Hoss remembered almost every story Ben had told them, but Little Joe had only heard a couple of stories, even though he didn't pay very good attention to them.

Ben also had known Sara as a child too.  Roger, Sara, and Ben were always together and Roger and Sara had always talked about getting married when they were old enough.  They now had four children.  Their twin son's were five years older than Adam, and their two daughters were eighteen and nineteen years old.  All the childreen were now married with children of their own. 

Adam and Hoss were almost as excited as Ben was that Roger and Sara would be there in just a few short hours.  Even though they had never met them before, they felt that they knew them from all the stories Ben had told them.  All Little Joe knew was that his Papa's friends were coming for a visit, which was fine with him, but all he wanted to do was go outside and play.

After breakfast the three boys had gone to the barn to do their chores.  Ben wanted to finish his monthly book work so he could enjoy his month long visit with Roger and Sara, and not have to worry about the book work.  He figured that it would take him about two hours or so to finish his work.

Hop Sing had everything ready for Roger and Sara.  He too had heard all the stories about Roger, Sara and Ben as kids and he was also very excited about their visit.

When Adam and Hoss had finished their chores, they had left to go to the Western pasture to check the herd of cattle there and to also check the fences, in the pasture as well.  Little Joe was playing in the yard with his soldiers and indians.  He also had one of his toy boats in the water trough that he was playing with too. 

While Little Joe was playing in the trough he suddenly had an idea in his mind, so he walked into the barn and found a small bucket.  He headed back to the trough and he filled up the bucket with some water.  He then sat down on the ground next to the bucket.  He poured some of the water on the dirt and made a nice pile of mud.  He spread out the mud, then he put some of his soldiers and their horses in the mud, for they were having a major battle with the indians now.

Little Joe was having a great time in the mud with his soldiers and indians, but from time to time he would play in the trough with his boat.  He loved to make big wind storms hit his boat and sink the boat.  Of course, he would have to rescue the boat which ended up getting him all wet.

Ben proudly finished up his book work, and he let out a big sigh.  He decided he had better check on his little son, since he could hear the child giggling while he was playing.  Ben opened the front door and when he spotted his son, he couldn't believe what the little imp was doing.  " Joseph, what are you doing?"  The very wet, and very dirty child looked up from his muddy toys, smiled and said, " hi ya Papa, Imma playin' like a big old wind storm and wiv my boat, and my soldiers and unjuns are havin' a big old battle."

Ben walked over to his filithy little boy, looked down at him with his hands on his hips.  Little Joe looked up at Ben with his huge green puppy dog eyes, trying to look as innocent as possible.  " Joseph, why did you have to get this dirty today of all days?"  asked Ben.  " I's justa playin' Papa," the little boy softly said as he kept looking up at Ben.  Ben wasn't sure if he should laugh or not, because his little son looked quite funny all dirty.  " Tell you what, lets put some water in the bucket, then rinse off your toys, so they will be nice and clean again.  Alright?" Ben suggested to Little Joe.  " Kay, Papa.  After all the toys were cleaned, Ben and Little Joe laid them on the table on the porch to dry.

Luckily, Hop Sing had lots of hot water sitting on the stove, because ready or not, Little Joe was going to have a bath.  " Come on Joseph lets get you all nice and clean now so you will look good for Roger and Sara. 

" I dunt want no baf Papa," begged Little Joe.  " Sweetheart, I know you don't, but it would make Papa very happy if you have a bath now.  Don't you want Papa happy son?" asked Ben hoping his baby son wouldn't give him any trouble about having a bath.  Little Joe didn't say anything, as he was too busy thinking.  " Kay Papa.  I's wanna make ya happy," the little boy said with a big grin on his sweet, but dirty face.. " Thank you son, you have made me very happy.  Father and son headed off to the washroom.  Ben felt very proud of himself, for he had just out smarted his five year old son into having a bath.

As Little Joe went down for his nap, Ben headed off to Virginia City to pick up Roger and Sara.  Adam and Hoss had finished their lunch and they asked Hop Sing if he needed any help before Ben, Roger and Sara arrived back.  " Hop Sing no need help.  Thank you for asking.  Just make sure house stay nice and clean like it is now," Hop Sing told them.  " Sure thing Hop Sing," Hoss said.  " It's a good thing our baby brother is having a nap, because that way the house will stay clean," Adam said as he laughed.  " Ain't that the truth," agreed Hoss as he too was laughing. 

Ben stood there waiting for the stage to arrive.  " Howdy Ben," greeted Sheriff Roy Coffee.  Hi Roy," Ben said.  " So todays the day your friends arrive, huh Ben?" Roy said.  " Yes it is Roy.  It's been so long since I've seen them.  I sure hope the stage is on time," said a nervous Ben.  " I'm sure it will be Ben,"  Roy reassured him.  No sooner had Roy said that when the stage came into view.  " See Ben, there it is and it's early too," Roy pointed out.  Ben stood there smiling. 

After the stage had stopped, the stage door opened and out stepped Roger.  " Roger !" shouted Ben with a big smile on his face.  " Ben !" Roger shouted back.  Both men hugged each other.  " It's great to see you, " both men said at the same time.  Roger turned around to help Sara down from the stage.  " Sara, you look lovely," Ben told her as he hugged her and kissed her.  " Ben it is wonderful to see you too," greeted Sara.  " Thank you," Ben told her.  " Ben, we have been looking forward to coming out here for years now, but just never found the time," Roger said.  " I'm so happy you finally made it," Ben said.  After Ben had introduced Roger and Sara to Roy, Roy had to leave to finish making his rounds.

After the luggage had been put into the surrey, Ben, Roger and Sara were off to the Ponderosa.  They talked about their families, their trip out west and about the beauty of the Ponderosa, that they had been on now for a while. 

As they entered the yard, Sara said," Oh Ben, this is wonderful !  I love your house.:  " Thank you Sara," Ben proudly said.  " This house is you Ben," Roger said.  " Yes, I guess it is Roger," Ben agreed.  Adam and Hoss came out of the house to welcome Roger and Sara to the Ponderosa.

" Roger, Sara, these are my two older boys, Adam and Hoss.  " Nice to meet you Mr & Mrs. Morgan," both Adam and Hoss said.  " It's nice to meet both of you also, but please call us Roger and Sara," Roger told them.  " Adam, is Little Joe still sleeping?" Ben asked.  " He was the last time I looked in on him," Adam said.  " We can't wait to meet him Ben," Sara said.  " As soon as he wakes up, you can meet him," Ben told them.

" Adam, Hoss, your father has told us all about your little brother.  He sounds like a real little character," Sara said with a big smile on her face.  " Oh, that he.  We never know what that little imp will do next," laughed Adam.

After Roger and Sara had freshened from the trip, they joined Ben, Adam and Hoss in the livingroom for lemonade and cookies.  As they were talking and laughing,Sara looked up towards the stairs and she saw Little Joe standing there with a sleepy look on his face, thumb in his mouth and his hair all messed up.  " Ben, your little angel is looking at us," she said with a big smile on her face.  Everyone turned around to see the little boy standing on the stairs.  " Come on down Little Joe.  I want you to meet my best friends," Ben told his youngest son.  Little Joe walked down the stairs and over to Ben.

Ben put the child on his lap.  " Roger, Sara, this little one is Little Joe," Ben said.  " Hi" said Little Joe softly as he leaned against Ben's chest.  " Hi Little Joe.  It's very nice to meet you honey.  Did you have a nice nap?" asked Sara.  " Yes ma'am," the child said.  Ben handed him a cookie and a glass of lemonade.  " Fank ya Papa," he said.  Little Joe continued to sit on Ben's lap as he ate his cookie and drank his lemonade.

" Papa, can I's go outside ta play please?" asked Little Joe.  " Sure son, but no making mud now, OK?" Ben told the child.  The little boy smiled and said, " Kay Papa," as he ran off.  " Oh Ben, he's beautiful !  What a precious face," Sara said.  " Thank you Sara," Ben said.  " He's a wonderful looking boy, Ben," Roger told Ben.  " Thank you Roger, we think he's pretty special," Ben proudly said.  " It's just too bad he doesn't act like that all the time," laughed Adam.  " It would be nice, but then he wouldn't be our little imp, Ben said.  " That's fer sure," Hoss said laughing.  Ben told them all about  how dirty the child was earlier that day.  They all laughed.  Adam and Hoss also told some Little Joe stories, which made everyone laugh even harder.  " Ben, you are sure right about him being a little imp," Roger said still laughing.

The next day Hop Sing found Little Joe in the berry patch playing and eating berries.  " No play in berry patch.  Go eat wild blackberries over there," Hop Sing said as he pointed to the large area of wild blackberry bushes.  " Kay Hop Sing," the child said.

Little Joe was having a good time playing by the wild blackberry bushes, but he was having more fun eating the big ripe juicy blackberries.  Besides having dirt on him, he also had blackberry stains all over him as well. 

After he had his fill of berries, the dirty little boy came running into the yard to play.  He got on his stick horse and he rode over to the chicken pen.  He saw a long white feather laying on the ground, so he laid down his horse, and walked into the chicken pen to get the feather.  He picked up his horse and rode into the barn, and he went looking for a peice of leather that he could around his head.  Once he had the leather strip around his head in place, he stuck the feather in his hair which would be held in place by the strip of leather.  Then he got back on his stick horse and he rode around the yard yelling, " Oooh wooh wooh !"

As Ben, Roger and Sara rode into the yard, they could see the ' little indian ' running around the yard on his stick horse yelling, " Oooh wooh wooh !"  They stopped their horses to watch Little Joe.  " Oh no, he's playing indian again !" Ben said.

As Little Joe got closer to Ben, Ben could see how dirty the child was again, and they stood there laughing at him.  " Joseph, how did you get so dirty this time?" asked Ben, almost afraid to hear what his little son would say this time.  After all, the little boy was a dirty mess and he looked very funny with the leather strap around his head and the white feather in his hair.

" Me not Joseph.  Me Chief Dirty Face. UGG !" the little boy said as he stood there looking at Ben, Roger and Sara.  The three adult were laughing hard at the sight of Little Joe.  Hop Sing came out to the yard when he heard laughing.  When he saw Little Joe, he stared at the dirty child, and he asked," What you do?  Why you so dirty?  You need to get clean for lunch."  " NO BAF, NO BAF !  Chief Dirty Face dunt want NO BAF !" shouted the little boy as he ran around the yard.  " Oh Ben, I love his, " no baf " statement," laughed Sara.  " This is typical Little Joe," Ben said.  Ben then told them what happened the last time the little boy played indian, and he 'scalped' Adam.  " You've got to be kidding, right?" asked Roger.  " No, I'm not kidding Roger.

" Little Joe, come here son," Ben said.  " Hi ya Papa," the child said as he looked up at Ben.  " You don't need a bath, but we need to get you washed up for lunch," Ben told his baby boy.  " Oh goodie !  I dunt need no baf.  Them blackberries is really good Papa.  Wants me ta get ya some?" asked bright eyed imp.  " No, not now sweetheart, but lets get you washed up," Ben said as they all started to walk towards the house. 

When Adam and Hoss got a look at their little brother, they just laughed.  " Oh no, he's being an indian again.  Look little buddy-no scalping anyone this time, alright?" Adam said.  " Me no scalp no one.  Chief Dirty Face friendly injun !" the child announced.  " That's good.  Pa, why don't you let Hoss and me wash him up for lunch," Adam suggested.  " Yes, thank you Adam," Ben agreed.  " NO BAF ADAM !" shouted Little Joe.  Adam looked at Ben, and Ben said, " no bath."

After lunch Little Joe had to go down for his nap, which he didn't want to.  He wanted to go riding with Ben, Roger and Sara.  " Papa, please I's wanna go too," begged the sleepy little boy.  " No son, you need your nap.  You can come with us tomorrow alright?" Ben told him.  " Kay Papa," agreed Little Joe.

When Little Joe woke up from his nap, Hop Sing had some cookies and a glass of milk for him.  " When you finish snack, you go out to play," Hop Sing told him.  " Kay, Hop Sing," the child said as he took another bite of his cookie.

Once he was outside playing, he decided to play with his boat again.  So off to the trough he went.  He got down on his knees so he could be closer to the trough with his boat in the water.  He was having a great time making his go back and forth in the water.

Then he decided to make waves in the water, so he put his arms in the water and began to move them back and forth as fast as he could.  His little boat was rocking and rolling in the water, and Little Joe was giggling loudly at the sight of his boat in the rough water. 

He stood up so he could really splash water which kept sinking his boat.  He was totally soaking wet, but he didn't care as he was sure having a fun time.  He was even making sounds like a big wind storm too.

As Little Joe was playing in the water, Ben, Roger and Sara rode into the yard.  They started to laugh at Little Joe as they got off their horses.  " Oh no, not again!" groaned Ben.  " Ben, what is he doing?" asked Sara.  " He's being a big wind storm, and the waves are sinking his boat, Ben said as he shook his head slowly at the sight of his little imp.  " I love his wind sounds," laughed Roger.

" BANNED SHIP !  BANNED SHIP !  WE'S SINKIN' FAST !! Yelled Little Joe as he leaned way over the trough to get his boat, but he fell into the trough.  " Uh oh, I's dun sunked too," the little boy said as he giggled.  Ben, Roger, and Sara were enjoying their afternoon entertainment.

" Joseph, what are you doing?" asked Ben still laughing.  Little Joe looked over at Ben, Roger and Sara and he had a big smile on his face.  " Hi ya everyone.  I's dun sunked wiv my boat.  That big old wind storm gotts us," the child said as he sat in the trough holding his boat.

About that time, Adam and Hoss rode up, got off their horses and walked over to the trough where Ben, Roger and Sara were standing.  " What's Little Joe doing in the trough?" asked Adam.  " Well son, it seems a big wind storm got him and his boat," laughed Ben.  Both Adam and Hoss stood there laughing at their baby brother.

Ben reached in the trough and pulled his wet little son out of the water.  " Come on and lets get you out of these clothes.  Adam, Hoss could you please get some towels and dry clothes for your little brother, and take them to the wash room?" asked Ben.  " Sure Pa," they said.

Ben walked with Little Joe into the wash room while Roger and Sara went to freshen up from their ride.  When Adam and Hoss got to the wash room, they told Ben that they would take care of Little Joe.  " Thank you boys," Ben said.

Ben, Roger and Sara were sitting in the livingroom talking and drinking lemonade when a dry Little Joe came running into the room. 
 Save me Papa.  Adam and Hoss is gonna gets me !" yelled the naked little boy as he ran over to Ben.  " Joseph, where are your clothes?" asked a shocked Ben.  " In da wash room Papa," Little Joe said as he stood there not caring if he was naked or not.  Roger and Sara were having a hard time not laughing.  Ben's face was red from embarrassment.  " Sorry Pa, but this little imp ran off without his clothes on," said Adam as he picked up his little brother and carried him back to the wash room to get him dressed.  Loud giggling could be heard all over the house.  " I'm so sorry about that," Ben softly said.  " You have nothing to be sorry about Ben.  That little angel was just having fun.  Our kids did that same thing when they were little too," Sara said.  " The only time that little boy is an angel is when he's sleeping," laughed Ben.

Little Joe really liked Roger and Sara.  He especailly loved to sit on Sara's lap, and he love at how good she smelled too.  It reminded him of the way his momma smelled, and he missed her very much.  Sara loved to hold Little Joe on her lap and tell him stories about Ben, Roger and her when they were kids.  Little Joe loved to hear stories about his Papa when he was young.

The next morning just as Ben had promised, Little Joe could go riding with him, Roger and Sara.  He was so excited about that, that he was having a hard time not to get in trouble with his Papa.  " Little Joe, why do you have toy gun and holster with you?" asked Ben.  " Cuz Papa, I's need ta purtected ya from bad mens.  Ya never know when they will show up," the little boy said.  " Oh, I see.  Well, that is very good of you sweetheart to want to protect us from the bad men," Ben told his son as he smiled at him.  " Sure looks like we will be safe with Little Joe protecting us Ben," Roger said as he and Sara were smiling.  They were absolutely loving this little boy.

The four some were soon on their way to another part of the Ponderosa.  Roger and Sara were so impressed at all the rugged beauty of the Ponderosa.  They were also very impressed at all the wonderful looking cattle and horses too. 

Ben explained about the different logging camps, and that for every tree that was cut down, a new one was planted in it's place..  Ben told them that way there would always be trees on the Ponderosa.

" Ben,  how did you learn so much about the logging business and replacing tress?" asked Roger.  " I was very lucky to meet men who had lived in this area all their lives, and they taught me everything I know about the land, the trees and about running a cattle ranch.  I also learned about how to run and work the minds too," Ben told them.  " It's all so interesting Ben," both Roger and Sara said.  " Yes it is, and I have been teaching Adam and Hoss about all of it too, and when this little one is bigger, he too will learn it all too," Ben said as he looked at his little boy with a big smile on his face.  " I already knows some fings Papa," stated Little Joe.  " I know you do sweetheart, and I am very proud of you too, Ben said with a big smile on his face.  " Fank ya Papa," Little Joe with that big special smile of his.

" You are a very lucky little boy to live in a place like the Ponderosa honey," Sara said.  " I know," agreed Little Joe.  " Papa, can we's go and see momma fer a couple of minutes please?  I wants her ta meet uncle Roger and aunt Sara," the child said.  " If you want to son.  Sure we can stop there on our way home," Ben said.  " Oh goodie.  Fank ya Papa," the child happily said.

The month that Roger and Sara were visiting was going by much too fast.  They were going to leave in two days to head back home, which made them sad. 

The next day was which was Sunday, the family was going to have a big picnic after church.  Little Joe knew that he was going to have to have a bath that evening, Saturday evening, and he really hated to have a bath, so he had an idea that he thought just might save him from having to have a bath that evening.

After dinner when he, Adam and Hoss had gone out to the barn to do their evening chores, Little Joe made up his mind to do his plan.  After he had finished up his chores, he told his big brothers that he was going to play in the yard. 

He walked over to the trough, took off his boots, and clothes and he climbed into the trough.  He sat down and played with his boat.  He was splashing and having a fun time and giggling like crazy.  " Sounds like little brother is having a good time in the yard," Adam said.  " Sure does.  He sure is giggling a lot too," Hoss said.

About thirty minutes later, Adam and Hoss walked out of the barn and it was then when they saw what Little Joe was up too.  " Little Joe, what the heck are you doing playing in the trough for?" Adam.  " Hi Adam.  I's a playin'," said the boy.  Hoss was just laughing.  " I's just figured if'n I just played in this here trough, I's would gets clean and then I wouldn't need no baf," Little Joe told his brothers.  " Oh, Little Joe !" Adam said shaking his head in disbelief at what his baby brother had just said. 

Both Adam and Hoss stood there looking at their little brother.  " Well, he does have a point there big brother," Hoss said to Adam.  " Little Joe, what are we going to do with you?" asked Adam as he was laughing.  " Well, just wuv me please," the little boy said as he looked up at his big brothers with his big puppy dog eyes.  " You realize little buddy, that I'm going to have to carry you into the wash room, so you don't get your little feet dirty?  I'm glad you took off your boots and clothes.  At least we don't have to get wet clothes off of you, but I'm still going to get wet just by carrying you, you know," Adam said as he started to tickle his little brother.  That made Little Joe giggle even louder, as he was very ticklish.

In the livingroom loud giggling could be heard coming from the yard.  " Something must be funny out there," Ben said.  " I just love his giggle Ben.  It really fits that little boy," Sara said.

Ben, Roger and Sara got up to go outsdie to see what was so funny outside.  When saw his baby boy in the trough again, he said, " OH NO !"  Roger and Sara started to laugh.  " Hi Pa," Adam and Hoss said.  " Hi ya Papa,  I dunt need no baf tanight cuz Imma in the water and I's all nice and clean now," Little Joe proudly announced.  " Oh you are, are you, you little imp !" Ben said, as he watched his naked little boy in the trough.  " How long have you been in the water?" asked Ben.  " Dunno," Little Joe said.  " He's been in there a long time now Pa.  He better get out before he turns into a prune," Adam said.  " I ain't no prune Adam," Little Joe said.  " No you aren't, but if you don't get out of that water, you will be little brother," laughed Adam.  By now everyone was laughing at this precious little boy.

Adam picked up the dripping wet child and carried him into the wash room.  Hop Sing just looked at Little Joe, shock his head and went to get some towels.  Hoss went to get a clean nightshirt for his little brother.  Ben, Roger and Sara went back to the livingroom, and Ben said, " that little boy will try everything to to get out of having a bath."  " Ben, is that the frist time he has tried that one?" asked Sara.  " Yes, but I have a feeling, it won't be the last time either," Ben said as he shook his head.

Adam and Hoss were busy trying to get Little Joe dried and into his nightshirt.  Then they both started to tickle him again.  Little Joe was laughing so hard, that he yelled that he had to pee.  Luckily there was a chamber pot in the wash room.  Finally Little Joe felt better, but he was cold.

Hop Sing had already made some hot chocolate for anyone who wanted some.  Adam had to hold down Little Joe long enough for Hoss to put a pair of socks on the giggling child.  Adam released the giggling little boy who took off running for the livingroom, and he jumped onto Ben's lap.  " I's all dry now Papa," said the bright eyed little boy.  Hop Sing had brought in the hot chocolate, and some cookies.  " Need to warm up little boy," Hop Sing said.  " Thank you Hop Sing," Ben said.  Ben handed Little Joe a cookie and a mug of hot chocolate.  " Ok, little boy, you drink your hot chocolate and eat your cookie now, then it's off to bed with you," Ben told his youngest boy.  " Kay Papa.

Little Joe sat on Ben's lap and he took his time drinking his hot chocolate and eating his cookie.  Hoss also had hot chocolate with his cookies.  Adam, Ben, Roger and Sara all had coffee with their cookies.  Little Joe was having a hard time keeping his eyes open, but he did finish his hot chocolate and cookie, even though he still was holding his mug.  He felt nice and warm as he sat on Ben's lap with his head against Ben's chest.  He had put his thumb in his mouth, closed his eyes and was soon in a deep sleep.

" Ben, Little Joe is sleeping," Sara said as she looked at the little boy with a chocolate moustash.  Ben looked down at his baby boy, smiled and said, " he sure is."  Ben kissed the top of the boy's curly head, as Adam got up to take the sleeping child from Ben and up to his room.  Hoss went along so he could move the covers and Adam could lay the child down in his bed, and cover him up.  Both Adam and Hoss looked down at their sleeping ' angel ', smiled and wished the boy sweet dreams.  They both kissed him, then they left the room.

After church the next day, the Cartwrights, Roger and Sara headed for the lake and their picnic.  Hop Sing had made fried chicken, potato salad, biscuits, cookies and lemonade for the picnic.  " Ben, Hop Sing is the best cook ever.  You are so lucky to have him," Sara said.  " Thank you.  Yes we are very lucky to have him, as he is one of the family.  We'd be totally lost without him.  He seems to know everything we need and when we need it too.  I still don't know how he does that," Ben proudly said.  The picnic turned out great.  Hoss kept Little Joe busy playing, so Ben, Adam, Roger and Sara could visit.  The afternoon was perfect for everyone.

Hop Sing had made a special dinner that night.  He had made steak, potatoes, vegetables, a fruit salad, bscuits, coffee and cake.  This was Roger and Sara's last night at the Ponderosa, which made everyone sad.  Roger and Sara had thought about moving out here, but it was just too far away from their family.

The next morning after breakfast, Ben drove Roger and Sara into Virginia City so they could get the stage for home.  Roger and Sara thanked Hop Sing for all the wonderful things he had done for them and for all the wonderful meals he had made while they were there.  They would really miss him and they considered him as their good friend as well.  Hop Sing told them he was very happy to have met them and he told them to come back again.

Adam, Hoss and Little Joe rode thier horses into town with Ben, Roger and Sara.  They really hated to see them leave, especially Little Joe.  He thought of them as part of the family, and he didn't want them to leave.  Roger and Sara were so very touched by this.  They too would really miss this little boy.  He had brought so much fun and love into their  lives while they were at the Ponderosa.

It was very hard to say ' good bye ' for the Cartwright, Roger and Sara.  There were lots of hugs, kisses and tears as the final ' good byes ' were said, and soon the stage had left.  The Cartwrights stood there watching until the stage was out of sight, then they sadly left Virginia City and headed back to the Ponderosa, with memories of the fun of the past month.

THE END

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