"A LIFE OF CRIME”

Part two

By: Lynne G.

When Hop Sing came back down the stairs, Ben, Adam and Hoss walked in the front door.  " Hi Hop Sing," they all said.  " Glad you all home. Hop Sing talk to Little Joe, and he tell Hop Sing why he so sad.  He cry long time.  He sleep now.  You sit down and Hop Sing tell you what little boy said," Hop Sing told them.

Once they were all seated, Ben asked, " Is he alright?"  " Little Joe know why father put him in jail, but he most hurt , heartbroken that you not go see him.  He still very hurt by that.  He says that Tad and Wally had an uncle work for you many years ago, and his name was Robert Anderson.  They want to get even with Cartwrights for what happened to uncle," Hop Sing explained.

" Anderson was their uncle ?  What he did was against the law.  He was found guilty along with those two drifters, and they were hung.  It wasn't our fault, so I don't know why Tad and Wally would want to get even with us," Ben responded.

" Little Joe tell Hop Sing that Tad and Wally find out that he a Cartwright, your son, so they decide to punish you by taking little boy.  They threaten Little Joe that if he not go along with them, then they kill you Mr. Cartlight.  Little Joe have no choice.  He not want father killed.  Boy very scared.  They make boy disobey father and brothers.  They make son go with them when they knock fence down and stampede cattle," Hop Sing explained.

" Then they keep boy with them until night, when they go into Virginia City to break windows.  Little Joe to scared to run.  They make boy watch.  Before they leave, Wally put board in boy's hand, then they leave, leaving Little Joe behind holding board.  Everyone think Little Joe break windows.  They think he bad boy.  Little Joe much afraid still.  He think family not like him or trust him.  He hurting much," Hop Sing finished telling Ben, Adam, and Hoss.

" My baby, my poor baby !  Why didn't I listen to my heart as it said that my son would never do anything like that.  I have tried to hold him and hug him, but he won't let me.  When I have been able to put my arms around him, he just stiffens up so bad.  I have destroyed my son, when I thought that I was only trying to teach him that if he didn't change his ways, then he would probably spend much of his life jail or prison," Ben sadly said.

" Pa, both Hoss and I have tried to get close to him also, and he does the same things with us too.  He doesn't want anything to do with us either.  That poor kid," Adam sadly said.

Before Little Joe left for school that next morning, he took all the money he had been saving for a long time.  As he counted it, he was surprised that he had $20.  All day at school he kept thinking about everything that Hop Sing had told him.  Part of him wanted to make up with his family, while his other half wasn't sure about that. 

After school instead of going straight home, Little Joe rode over to the shops that had had their windows broken.  He decided to apologize, and give each shop owner the money he had been saving.

The first shop he went into was Brady's, which was a shoe, boot, and hat shop.  Roger Brady owned the shop, and he looked up when he heard the door open.  When he saw Little Joe walk in, he smiled at the boy.

" Good afternoon Little Joe.  Is there something I can help you with?" Roger asked.  " Hi Mr. Brady.  No thank you sir.  I just came into to say how sorry I am about your windows.  I didn't break them, honest.  I would never do something like that sir.  Here is $5 to help pay for the cost of replacing the broken ones.  I'll give you more money when I get some more saved up.  I promise I will sir.  Please forgive me Mr. Brady," Little Joe begged as tears filled up his eyes. 

Roger was very touched at what the boy said, and he felt very sorry for him.  " Little Joe, I know you didn't break any of the windows son.  You're not that kind of boy.  You don't owe me any money.  Your father paid for the new windows.  I really appreciate what you want to do, but there's no need for that," Roger told the boy as he saw how sad the boy looked.  " Are you sure Mr. Brady?" Little Joe asked.  " I'm sure son," Roger told him.  " Thank you sir," Little Joe replied.  He left and headed to the next shop.

The next shop was Carol's Dress Shop.  The same thing happened in the dress shop that had happened at Brady's.  Carol knew that Little Joe didn't break the windows of her dress shop.  She hugged the boy, and she told him that he was a good boy, and she thought that it was very nice of him to offer to pay for the windows even though he didn't break them.  Little Joe thanked her, and he went over to the next shop.  He still felt bad at what had happened to the shop owners.

The third shop was Mr. Cass's General Store.  Mr. Cass told Little Joe the same things that Roger Brady, and Carol had told him.  Little Joe was so relieved that so far none of the shop owners blamed him for breaking their windows.  Tom Cass gave Little Joe some candy.  It broke his heart to see how sad the boy looked, and he did feel sorry for the boy at knowing what he had been through lately.  Little Joe thanked him for the candy.

The fourth and final shop was Nan's Bakery.  Nan Sackett smiled as soon as Little Joe came in the bakery.  Like the other shop owners, she knew that the boy hadn't done anything wrong.  She could tell by looking in the boy's young face that he would never do anything like that.  She could also tell just by looking at him that he had been having a very hard time.

She put her arms around him and she could feel him tremble.  She lifted up his chin so she could look at his face again and could see the tears start to form.  Her heart was breaking for this boy.

" Thank you Mrs. Sackett," Little Joe said as he started to leave.  " Wait a minute honey," she said as she grabbed a handful of cookies, and put them in a sack and she gave them to Little Joe.  " Here you go honey.  I hope you like them," Nan told him.  " Thank you ma'am.  I love your cookies," Little Joe said as he left the bakery.

He hurried home feeling better that none of the shop owners blamed him for their broken windows.

Once he got home, he took care of Cochise, then he did his chores.  When he finished his chores, he went in the house to do his homework from school.

" Where you been?  You late," Hop Sing told him.  " Sorry Hop Sing," the boy said, as he told Hop Sing where he had been.  " You good boy Little Joe.  That very nice of you.  You like snack?" Hop Sing asked as he was very proud of what the boy had done, even though the boy didn't need to do that.  " No thanks Hop Sing.  I got schoolwork to do.  I'll be in my room if ya need me," Little Joe told Hop Sing

When the rest of the Cartwrights returned home, Hop Sing told them what Little Joe had done after school. They too, were very proud of the youngest Cartwright.  " Golly Pa, he didn't need to do that.  He didn't do nothin' wrong," Hoss said.  " I know son, but that was a very thoughtful thing he did," Ben told Hoss.

During dinner that night, Ben told Little Joe that he needed to go to San Francisco for two weeks on business.  " Joseph, how would you like to come with me?  I'd really love to have you go with me," Ben said as he looked at his son.

Little Joe was surprised at what he had just heard from Ben.  As he looked at his plate, he said," No thank you sir.  I have school and chores to do.  I really don't want to go.  Thank you for asking," the boy softly said.  Ben felt very disappointed as he really wanted the boy to go with him.  He had hoped that the two of them might be able to comes to terms at everything that had happened lately.  " Are you sure Little Joe?" Ben asked, hoping the boy would change his mind.  " I'm sure.  May I be excused please?  I ain't hungry," Little Joe asked.  " Sure son, go ahead," Ben responded.  " Thank you sir," Little Joe answered back.  He then went straight up to his room.

" I was hoping he would have agreed to come with me, but I guess I was wrong.  I hate to leave when he is still so hurt," Ben sadly said.  Both Adam and Hoss could see how sad Ben looked.  " Pa, maybe Hoss and I can get through to him while you're gone," Adam suggested.  " God, I hope so son.  I don't know what to do anymore," Ben sadly told them.

The next day Adam took Ben into Virginia City so he could catch the stage for San Francisco. " Don't worry Pa, we'll help Little Joe," Adam tried to reassure Ben.  " Thank you son.  He wouldn't even get up this morning to say 'goodbye' to me," Ben softly told Adam as tears filled up his eyes.  " I know Pa.  I hope the your business goes well, and try not to worry about Little Joe.  Hoss and I have some ideas that might help him.  Take care Pa.  See you in two weeks," Adam said.  " Thank you son.  I know I can count on you and Hoss and Hop Sing too, to help my baby boy," Ben said as he got into the stage.

After all the morning chores were finished, Hoss suggested that he, Adam and Little Joe go fishing.  Both Hoss and Adam were hoping that their little brother would agree to go with them.

" How bout it Punkin, lets go and have a good time getting lots of fish for dinner.  I can almost taste em now," Hoss said to his little brother.  The boy looked up at his big brothers, smiled and said, " OK."  " Great, Hop Sing made a picnic for us," Adam said, as he put his arm around Little Joe's shoulder.  He could feel the boy stiffen up a bit, but not as bad as he had before.  Maybe this was a good sign Adam thought to himself.

The boys were having a good time, and finally Little Joe was  smiling.  Just before they ate their lunch, Hoss and Adam started to tickle their little brother, and the soon the youngster was giggling loudly which sounded wonderful to the older boys.  It had been over a month since their little brother had giggled.

Both Adam and Hoss hugged their little brother and they could both tell that Little Joe was relaxed and enjoying being hugged and held.  He had tears running down his face, which were tears of happiness and relief.  " Little buddy, it's great to have you back again.  We have missed you so much.  Welcome back little brother," Adam said as he continued to hug his little brother.  " It's nice to be back big brothers.  I feel better now," Little Joe told them.

" If'n we dunt eat soon, I'm gonna fall over from lack of food," Hoss said.  " Uh oh, can't let that happen, now can we?" Little Joe said as he giggled.

A few days later, Adam had gone into Virginia City to get the mail and do some banking.  As he was walking back to Sport, his horse, he heard Sheriff Roy Coffee calling his name, so he turned around to see Roy walking towards him. 

" Adam, I'm glad I found you.  It saves me a trip out to the Ponderosa," Roy said.  " Hi Roy.  What's up?" Adam asked.  " Member them two Clarke brothers, Tad and Wally?  Well they dun robbed a bank in Reno, and killed the banker.  Heard they might be headin' this way," Roy explained to Adam.  " That's awful Roy.  Sorry to hear what they did that.  I wonder why they'd come back this way?  I'm surprised they didn't go to Mexico," Adam responded.  " I dunt know, but I hope they aren't coming back to get Little Joe again," Roy answered, who was worried.  " Oh God, I hope not.  Thanks Roy for letting me know about this," Adam replied.

" So that's what Roy said Hoss.  I don't want Little Joe to hear about this.  He's finally got back to being himself again, and now this.  Pa will be home tomorrow morning, so we need to explain to him about all this," Adam told Hoss.

Little Joe was on his way home from school, when he was stopped by Tad and Wally.  " Look who we have here.  If'n it ain't Little Joe Cartwright.  How ya been kid?" Tad asked as he stared at the nervous boy.  " Fine," Little Joe nervously answered, as he didn't like the look on the Clarke brothers faces, as it scared him.  "I gotta get home and do my chores.  See ya around," Little Joe said as he tried to leave.  " Ya ain't goin' anywhere kid.  Yer comin' with us now," Wally threatened.  " No, I ain't !  Leave me alone !" shouted Little Joe as he tried to leave again.

Wally pulled Little Joe off of Cochise and onto his horse.  Tad had jumped down and grabbed Cochise's reins and tied them to his saddle.  Then he took out his gun and hit Little Joe on the head, knocking the boy unconscious.  He took the ransom note he had in his pocket and he tied it onto Cochise's reins.  Then he untied Cochise from his saddle, and slapped the pinto on the rump and Cochise took off running towards the Ponderosa.  The Clarke brothers and the unconscious Little Joe rode off to the Clarke brother's hideout.

" Little Joe's late Hoss," Adam said as he looked at the Grandfather clock.  Hoss nodded as he too looked at the clock.  No sooner then he had said that, when they heard a horse come running into the yard.  " Sounds like Short Shanks is finally home," Hoss said feeling some what relieved.

" Little Joe's horse come home without boy !" Hop Sing shouted as he ran into the livingroom.  Both Adam and Hoss ran out the door, closely followed by Hop Sing.  They ran over to a very nervous Cochise, while trying to calm the pinto down.  " Easy boy, easy boy.  Good boy Cooch," Adam and Hoss were saying to Cochise.  The horse was finally calming down.

" What's that tied in his reins?" asked Hoss as he was looking at the piece of paper tied into the reins.  Adam was  reaching for the paper and he read it.  " Oh my God.  They got Little Joe !" Adam gasped.  " Who's got em Adam?" asked a concerned Hoss.  " The Clarke brothers.  They want $50,000 or they will kill Little Joe," Adam told Hoss and Hop Sing.  Hop Sing was beside himself with worry for the boy.  Both Adam and Hoss were in shock at what the note said. 
 Where we gonna get that much money Adam ?  When do we need it?" Hoss nervously asked.  

" Tomorrow.  We can take what is in the safe, and hopefully get the rest from the bank.  We need to have it at that huge boulder on the road to Reno at 3pm.  Pa will be home by then.  What a homecoming that will be.  Come on, we need to get to Virginia City now and talk with Mr.Taylor at the bank, and then show this note to Roy," Adam explained.

" Don't worry about the money Adam, I'll get it ready.  It's just a good thing we have that much money here  at the moment.  The important thing right now is that you get the boy back safely," Greg Taylor told Adam and Hoss.  " Thank you Mr. Taylor.  We really appreciate it," Adam told Greg Taylor.  

From the bank Adam and Hoss went straight to see Roy and show him the ransom note.  " Adam, if anything happens to Little Joe, it will kill Pa.  Hasn't that boy been through enough lately?" Hoss said to Adam.  " I know Hoss.  I am so worried about our little brother," Adam softly said.

" Roy, the Clarke's kidnapped Little Joe !" Adam told Roy as he handed Roy the ransom note.  Roy read the note and sadly looked at Adam and Hoss.  " How long ago did you get this?" Roy asked.  " A couple of hours ago.  Little Joe was late coming home from school, and then his horse came running in the yard wthout him and we found this note tied in his reins.  Mr. Taylor is getting the money together for us right now," Adam told Roy.

" Don't worry boys.  I'll get a posse together and we'll hideout near the drop off point.  They won't see us.  When's Ben due home?" Roy asked.   " Tomorrow on the morning stage," Hoss replied.

The next morning, Adam and Hoss went into Virginia City to meet the stage.  " Hi boys.  It's great to be back again," Ben said as he noticed the worried looks on his sons faces.  " What's wrong boys?" Ben nervously asked.  " Pa, Little Joe's been kidnapped by the Clarke brothers," Adam softly told Ben.  " OH MY GOD !  When?  How much money do they want?  Haven't they hurt that boy enough ?" Ben responded.

On the way back to the Ponderosa, Adam handed Ben the ransom note, and he explained everything to Ben as well.  Ben was very shaken by all of this.  All he wanted was his baby boy safely back home.

The Clarke's and Little Joe had left their hideout and headed for the drop off point.  They had gagged Little Joe and had him tied up.  The boy was on Tad's horse sitting in the saddle while Tad was sitting behind the boy.  He was really scared as he had heard Tad and Wally talking about killing him once they had the money.

Once they had reached the drop off point, they hid behind some large rocks close to the huge boulder and they waited.

At 3pm, Adam, Hoss and Ben rode up to the large boulder and threw the money bag over to the base of the boulder, and then they rode away.  Once they were out of sight, they got off their horses and waited. 

Tad rode up to the boulder and before he got off his horse, he looked around and he didn't see anyone in sight, so he got off his horse, and picked up the bag of money.  After he checked to see if the money was really in the bag, he got back on his horse and he rode over to where Wally and Little Joe were waiting.

" Got the money.  Tell ya what, untie the boy, get on your horse, then I'll put the boy on behind you.  That way them Cartwrights won't shoot at us cuz they might hit the kid," Tad suggested.  " That sounds good to me," Wally said as he agreed with Tad. 

They untied Little Joe's wrists and after Wally was on his horse, Tad made Little Joe climb on behind Wally.  Tad got on his horse and they rode away.

The Cartwrights, Sheriff Coffee and the posse followed the Clarke's and Little Joe.  They were surprised and upset that the Clarke's made Little Joe sit behind Wally.  Now they could't risk any shots being fired as they didn't want Little Joe hurt, so they just followed.

Tad noticed that they were being followed, so they urged their horses at a faster run.  Little Joe turned to looked behind him and he saw his family, and the posse following.  He was trying to come up with a plan as both Tad and Wally started shooting their guns at the men following them.

Little Joe had had his arms around Wally's waist trying to hang on the best he could.  He slowly unwrapped one of his arms away from Wally's waist, then he did the same thing with his other arm.  He slid both of his hands under his thighs to slowly raise himself up and a little farther back on the horse.  The Clarke's had no idea what the boy was up too, as they were to busy shooting at the men who were still following them.

With one last and sudden move, Little Joe launched himself off the horse, and he landed hard on the gorund, and he rolled several times.  As he came to a stop, his head struck a rock and his world turned black.

The posse began to fire back at the Clarke's, while the Cartwrights rushed over to Little Joe.  Ben was the first to reach his son.  " Little Joe !" he shouted as he kneled down next to the unconscious boy.  He was quickly joined by Adam and Hoss.  " He's alive, Thank God !" Ben shouted.  They checked Little Joe over very carefully for injuries, but thankfully they didn't find anything that seemed broken.

Ben slowly and gently turned his young son over onto his back.  Adam handed him a canteen so Ben could clean off the boy's face.  " Pa, he has a huge lump on his head from where his head must have hit this rock," Adam mentioned.  " I know, I felt it too.  Please baby open your eyes for Papa !" Ben begged.

Roy rode over to the Cartwrights.  " Ben, how is Little Joe?" Roy asked.  " He hasn't moved at all Roy.  We couldn't feel any broken bones, but he does seem to have a head injury.  There's a very large lump on his head where he hit a rock with his head," Ben told Roy.  " Got your money back Ben.  Them Clarke brother are dead," Roy told the Cartwrights.  " Good !  Thanks Roy," Adam said.

" Adam, you go and get Paul while we take Little Joe home please son?" Ben asked.  " On my way Pa," Adam replied.  Ben let Hoss pick up Little Joe while he got on Buck, then Hoss gently handed his little brother up to Ben.  Soon they were on their way home.

Ben, Adam and Hoss waited down stairs while Paul examined Little Joe with Hop Sing helping him.  " He's a very lucky boy Hop Sing that he didn't break any bones when he fell.  He does have a mild concussion though.  I am going to leave these powders for his headaches, which he will have for several days.  He needs to stay in bed and rest.  He also needs to be kept as still as possible which will help his head. 

He's going to be just fine in a week or so.  Thanks for your help Hop Sing.  I need to talk to Ben, Adam and Hoss now," Paul explained to Hop Sing.  " Hop Sing take good care of boy.  Hop Sing loved this boy very much," Hop Sing told Paul.  " I know you do Hop Sing.  We all love this boy so very much," Paul replied.

As Paul headed down the stairs, he was met by three very worried Cartwrights.  " Paul, how is Little Joe?" Ben asked as he looked at Paul's face, trying to read it.  " He's going to be just fine.  He was a very lucky boy that he didn't break any bones, but he does have a mild concussion.  Just keep him in bed and keep him still for several days.  He needs to get complete rest and some of Hop Sing's wonderful cooking in him.  I left some headache powders for him.  He will sleep off and on a lot for the next few days.  He is quite a boy to do what he did, knowing that he might get hurt," Paul told them.  " Thanks Paul.  Yes he is quite a boy," Ben replied.  " Your welcome Ben.  You can go up and see him.  Oh, and he did wake up for a few minutes.  I gave him something for his headache, so he might still be awake.  I'll be out again tomorrow to ckeck on him," Paul said as he left.

The Cartwrights ran up the stairs to Little Joe's room.  Hop Sing was sitting on the bed holding the boy's small hand as Ben, Adam and Hoss walked into the room.  Hop Sing stood up to let Ben sit down on the bed. 

" Hi sweetheart.  You sure gave us a scare.  How do you feel?" Ben asked as he brushed the curls off the boy's forehead.  " Hi Pa, Adam, Hoss.  I'm kinda tired," Little Joe very softly said as he was getting very sleepy.  " You just rest son," Ben said as he smiled at his young son.  Little Joe sleepily looked up at Ben and he said," " I'm sorry that ya lost the money, and that I caused so much trouble."

" Sweetheart, you don't have to be sorry about any of this.  We got all the money back.  So don't you worry now.  I am so very proud of you son, I really am," Ben said.  He wanted to pick up his son so much and hold him, but he wan't sure if the boy would let him.

" Little Joe, would it be alright with you if I held you son?" Ben asked hoping his son would say yes.  Little Joe looked at Ben with tears running down his face, and he softly said, " Please Pa, I'd really love that."   Ben picked up his son and held him tightly, and he closed his eyes to stop his tears, since it had been so long since he held his baby.  Little Joe was crying too as it felt so wonderful to be held by Ben again.  Both father and son stayed like that for a long time.

Adam, Hoss and Hop Sing had left the room so Ben and Little Joe could their privacy.  Even after Little Joe had fallen asleep, Ben continued to hold his son.  He didn't want to let go of this precious boy, so he stayed there holding Little Joe for almost two hours.  He gently laid the boy back down on the bed, and covered him up.  He kissed the boy's forehead and he left the room.

By the end of the week, Little Joe felt better and was allowed out of bed.  Ben spent a lot of time hugging and holding his son, which both Cartwrights seemed to want and need very much.

Everything was now back to normal at the Ponderosa, for which everyone was very thankful for.

The End.

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