"BEN IS MISSING"
By:
Lynne G.
"
Adam, Hoss, I want you both to go to
" I'd like that Pa, and I know that I can do it just by watching and learning from big brother here," Hoss replied. " That's a wonderful idea Pa, and I know that Hoss will do great too," Adam responded, totally agreeing.
Little Joe Cartwright stood by the front door as he was just about to walk into the house when he stood still and listened to Ben as he told Adam and Hoss about them going to Sacramento.
" Hi Pa, Adam, Hoss," the boy said as he walked into the house. " Did you finish up your chores?" Ben asked. " Yes sir," the boy replied. " Good boy," Ben told him.
" Hey Pa, can I go with Adam and Hoss so I can learn how ta do the business stuff too?" Little Joe asked as he hoped that Ben would say 'yes'.
" I'm
sorry son, but you are still too young yet. I want you to please go and
do your homework now," Ben stated. " That ain't
fair
" Joseph, enough ! Now go and do your homework," Ben again told his youngest son. With that said, Little Joe angrily stormed up the stairs to his room and he slammed his door shut.
Ben stood there shaking his head and he turned to look back at the his older sons. " That boy. Why does he always have to do that?" Ben said softly.
" Little brother just thinks he can do anything he wants to do. That kid thinks he is old enough to do what we do, and ya know Pa, he won't give up on that either, and he won't stop hounding us until we leave," Adam said. " Yes I know. He has to learn what ' no ' means," Ben replied.
That
following Monday, Adam and Hoss left on the morning stage for
On Tuesday
after Little Joe returned home from school, Ben told the boy that he needed to
go to
" Can I come with ya Pa ? Please !" the boy begged. " Sorry son, but you have school tomorrow," Ben told him. Little Joe was angry and hurt, as he said, " I never get ta do nuffin'. Ya treat me like a baby er a little kid !"
" Don't you raise you vioce at me young man ! Do you understand that? You are a little boy, now go and do your chores please !" Ben explained.
" Do this, do that ! Geez !" the boy shouted as he ran out the door and he loudly slammed the door behind him. Ben pinched the bridge of his nose, slowly shook his head, and sighed.
Little Joe went straight to his room as soon as he finished up his chores. He was very upset at being a young boy. He decided that he didn't want any dinner that night, as his stomach was upset. He slowly began to do his homework, even though he didn't have much homework that night, but he just wanted it finished.
Ben went up to Little Joe's room to get him for dinner. " I ain't hungry. Side's, I got homework ta do !" the boy loudly told Ben. Ben decided that he didn't want to start another fighting match with his youngest son, but he did tell the boy, that he had two minutes to get downstairs for dinner or else. Little Joe almost asked, " or else what?", but he decided to keep quiet.
As Ben was eating his dinner, he noticed that Little Joe was pushing his food around his plate with his fork. " Joseph, please eat your dinner," Ben nicely said. " I told ya, I ain't hungry. I have homework ta do," the boy quietly said. " EAT !" Ben shouted.
Little Joe didn't say anything as he continued to push the food around on his plate. " Why do you always have to be like this anyway?" Ben asked as he was getting angry. " Like what?" the boy questioned.
Ben sighed as he tried to control his temper. " Just go to your room !" Ben finally shouted. " Thank you," the boy softly said as he went up to his room.
The next morning, Little Joe refused to eat breakfast, which made Ben very upset. He didn't want to leave with his son being so unreasonable, but he didn't have any choice.
" I'll be home for dinner. Have a good day at school son. I love you Little Joe," Ben said as he was getting ready to leave. " Ya dunt need ta come back ya know. Stay away as long as ya want. I dunt care no more," the boy youngster told Ben. " Joseph !" Ben said as he was shocked at what his son had just said. " Just leave me alone !" the boy shouted as he ran out the door.
All day at school, Little Joe felt very bad at what he had told Ben that morning. He couldn't wait for Ben to get home so he could apologize for the way he been acting lately.
As soon as
school was over for the day, he quickly headed for home so he could get all of
his chores and homework finished before Ben returned home from
All day Ben had thought about everything Little Joe had said to him, and he knew that the boy didn't mean any of it. He also knew that his young son was just upset about being left out of the business ends of the ranch. As soon as the boy was older, then he would be taught the business end of running the ranch, just as Adam and Hoss had learned.
As Ben was
on his way home from
Buck suddenly stumbled, catching Ben by surprise, and he found himself falling off Buck. As he landed hard on the ground, his head struck a large rock and his world turned black.
" Little Joe, come eat dinner now," Hop Sing suggested. " I can't Hop Sing. Pa's late. He said he'd be home fer dinner," the boy nervously said. " Maybe business take longer than father thought. He be home soon," Hop Sing replied. Little Joe hoped that Hop Sing was correct, but something kept telling the boy that something was wrong.
" Hop Sing, somethin's wrong. Pa needs me. I gotta go find him !" the youngster anxiously said. " No, you stay here. It be dark soon. No find father in dark," Hop Sing explained. Little Joe ran up to his room, and closed his door. He then opened his window and he snuck out of his room and once he was on the ground, he ran to the barn to saddle Tony so he could go looking for Ben. He grabbed three canteens and filled them with fresh water. After Tony was saddled, he rode off to find Ben.
As soon as Little Joe raced out of the yard, Hop Sing heard him and he ran outside. " LITTLE JOE, GET BACK HERE NOW!" Hop Sing shouted, but it didn't do any good. Hop Sing was worried and also angry at the boy for leaving after he had told him to stay home.
Hop Sing ran over to the bunkhouse to get Charlie and Hank, but they hadn't returned yet from their work day.
Little Joe continued to ride until it was too dark. He was scared to be out in the dark by himself, but he knew that his Pa needed him. He finally stopped for the night, and he unsaddled Tony and he tied his reins to a tree. The boy sat down on the ground next to the tree which he was now leaning against. He was much too nervous to sleep, so he stayed awake all night. He had never heard so many scary sounds in his life, and he was sure there were monsters out there somewhere and that they were watching him, which was another reason he didn't sleep either.
As soon as Charlie and Hank arrived back at the bunkhouse, Hop Sing ran out to meet them.
" Mr.
Charlie, Mr. Hank, Mr. Cartlight not come home from
" Don't worry Hop Sing, we'll head out at first light and track down Little Joe, and look for Ben too," Charlie told a very nervous Hop Sing. " Thank you," Hop Sing replied as he headed back to the house.
Just as it started to get daylight, Little Joe quickly saddled Tony. He was very happy that the monsters didn't get him or Tony during the night. Soon he was on his way to look for Ben
Ben had regained consciousness, but he so dizzy that he just laid on the ground where he had fallen. He was confused as to where he was, and he couldn't remember much about what had happened to him. He slowly fell back to sleep.
About an hour later, Ben woke up again, and he decided to try to move, so he crawled over to a tree and he leaned up against the tree. He had a terrible headache, and he was still very dizzy. He thought if he stayed put, then soon his headache would most likely go away, then he could head for home again.
Charlie and Hank left at first light to go after Little Joe and hopefully find Ben as well. They were both very worried for Ben and Little Joe.
Ben called Buck over him and he managed to grab hold of Buck's reins, and he tied them to the tree. He was very thankful that Buck hadn't run off.
Ben reached up to his saddle bags to get a sandwich that he had in there. He thought that maybe if he ate something, it might help his headache. He was glad that he had bought some sandwiches to eat on his way home. He now realized that he had a badly sprained right ankle too.
Little Joe had ridden slowly for what seemed like hours, and he getting very tired and he was also hungry too. He did stop at a stream so Tony could get a drink of water. He had ridden off the main road from time to time to see if maybe Ben had gone off the main road for some reason.
After a few minutes, Little Joe headed off again to look for Ben. Every couple of minutes, he would yell out Ben's name in hopes that if Ben was near by, he would hear the boy calling out to him, and that Ben would yell back to him.
Charlie and Hank soon picked up Little Joe's trail and they followed Tony's tracks. They knew they were several hours behind the boy, so they continued on.
As it got towards evening again, Ben woke up and again his head was still very sore, but just a tad bit better. He was still dizzy, but even that was a little better, and he was very thankful for that. He still wasn't sure if he would be able to get home by himself though. So he just sat there leaning up against the tree as he talked to Buck.
Suddenly as Ben was sitting there, he thought he could hear a distant shouting of " PA !" being yelled. He kept listening, and a couple of minutes later he heard it again.
" That sounds like Little Joe," he said to Buck. He heard it again, and this time it sounded closer. Ben reached for his gun and he fired three times in the air. " Easy Buck," Ben gently told the horse.
As soon as Little Joe heard the gunshots, he stopped Tony and listened, and again he heard three more shots. As his heart raced, he yelled, " PA ! PA ! "
Three more shots could be heard. Little Joe figured out which direction the shots had come from, so he headed off in that direction. A couple of minutes later he stopped Tony, and he again yelled for Ben. " PA, WHERE ARE YOU ?"
Ben knew the boy was very near to him now, so he yelled, " OVER HERE SON !" Little Joe quickly headed for the sound of Ben's voice, and soon he found his Pa sitting on the ground.
The
youngster leaped off Tony and he ran over to Ben's waiting arms. "
Oh
" Little Joe, sweetheart, I am so happy to see you son," Ben told his crying and trembling son. " Oh Pa, are ya alright? What happened to ya?" the boy asked as he was still in Ben's arms. Ben told him what had happened.
" Oh Pa, are ya thirsty?" the boy asked. " I sure am son," Ben replied. Little Joe got up and he went to get one of the full canteens that he brought with him. He quickly returned to Ben and handed him the canteen. Ben thanked his son as he took a long drink of the cool water. Ben didn't realize that he was so thirsty, as he continued to drink.
Ben looked up at his son, who had tears in his eyes, and he realized that boy seemed to be by himself. " Little Joe, are you out here all by yourself?" Ben asked.
"
Ben handed his young son a sandwich which the boy glad accepted as he was starving. " Thanks Pa, the boy said as he took a bite of his sandwich.
"Pa, is yer ankle busted?" Little Joe asked as he was so concerned about Ben. " No, I don't think so, but I think it is just badly sprained," Ben answered.
" Oh
Pa, I am so sorry I was so nasty to ya. I
really am. Please fergive me
" Oh Little Joe, I forgive you sweetheart. I know you didn't mean any of that. You were just upset. I love you son, more than you can ever know. You are such a brave boy to come to look for me on your own. I am so very proud of you. We can leave for home in the morning," Ben said, as he was very happy that he wasn't alone anymore.
" I love ya Pa," the boy said as he laid out his bedroll for Ben. "Pa, ya need ta leave yer boots on, 'secially on yer hurt ankle until we get home. It will help yer ankle lots," the youngster suggested.
As soon as it was daylight, Ben woke up. He looked down at his sleeping son and he thanked God for allowing his young son to be able to find him. If it wouldn't have been for Little Joe finding him, Ben had no idea how long he would have to stay where he was, since he was still dizzy and he had a headache. He just didn't trust himself that he could make it home by himself. He did feel a little better that morning, for which he was very grateful for.
" Little Joe, it's time to wake up now, so we can head for home," Ben said as he woke up his son. Ben could tell by looking at his son, that boy hadn't slept very well that night, and the boy had told him that he didn't sleep at all that night before.
Little Joe slowly opened his eyes and at first, he didn't know where he was, but as he became more awake, he looked up and he saw Ben looking at him with a big smile on his face.
" Good morning Pa," the boy said as he yawned several times. " Good morning to you too sweetheart," Ben replied. " How ya feeling Pa?" Little Joe asked as he carefully looked at Ben.
" My head feels better this morning. We better get ready and head for home," Ben suggested. " Ok Pa, but you just rest while I get my bedroll rolled up and get the horses saddled," Little Joe suggested to Ben. Ben smiled at his son as the boy got everything ready so they could leave.
Ben hopped over to Buck and he slowly climbed up on the saddle. Little Joe stood there to make sure Ben was safely on Buck, then he leaped up on Tony, and they were now on their way home.
As they rode home, Little Joe kept looking at Ben to see if he seemed alright. About two hours of slow riding, the boy could tell that Ben was getting tired, so he decided that they would take a break. Ben was very grateful for that idea.
Charlie and Hank continued their search at first light that morning. They had ridden for a couple of hours, when they found Ben and Little Joe sitting on the ground.
They jumped off their horses and went right over to Ben and Little Joe. " Ben, Little Joe, are you two alright?" Charlie asked. " Oh Charlie, Hank, we are so glad to see you. We are fine, but just a little tired is all," Ben replied.
Ben then told Charlie and Hank what had happened to him, and about Little Joe finding him the night before. Charlie and Hank were so thankful that Ben and Little Joe were alright, and so proud of the boy for finding his father.
" Have you two had anything to eat yet today?" Hank asked. " No, but we did have a sandwich last night, and that is all," Ben replied.
Charlie and Hank quickly made a fire, got some coffee going and heated up some beans. As soon as the four ate their lunch, Charlie and Hank both told Little Joe how proud they were of him for the way he had gone out by himself to find Ben, and actually finding Ben and taking good care of him, the best he could for being so young.
Both Charlie and Hank noticed how tired Ben and Little Joe looked, and they were very happy that they could help the youngster get his father back home. They also knew that Hop Sing was worried sick about his missing family too.
About three hours later, the four rode into the yard, and they were quickly met by a very anxious Hop Sing.
" Welcome home !" Hop Sing shouted in delight. " Hop Sing very happy to see Mr.Cartlight, Little Joe, Mr. Charlie and Mr. Hank." Where you find Cartlights?" Hop Sing asked Charlie. Charlie told Hop Sing where he and Hank had found Ben and Little Joe. " Hop Sing very proud of little boy for finding missing father," Hop Sing told the youngster. " Thank you Hop Sing," the boy softly said.
Hank and
Charlie helped Ben off Buck and helped him into the house, and up to his
room. Then they left to take care of the horses. Hank then left for
Hop Sing and Little Joe helped Ben get his boots off, so they could get a look at his sprained ankle. Beside being badly sprained, Ben's ankle was also very black and blue too.
Hop Sing left to get some hot water and his special mixture of herbs for for sprained ankles. Little Joe helped Ben get into his nightshirt. That made the boy feel grown up to be able to help his father the way he had been. They both sat on the edge of Ben's bed and waited for Hop Sing to return with the hot water so Ben could soak his ankle.
As soon as Hop Sing returned, and set the bowl on the floor, Ben put his foot in the water, and that felt wonderful on his ankle, and he let out a big sigh.
Hop Sing noticed how tired Little Joe looked. " Little Joe go take nap. I stay here with father," Hop Sing suggested. " I ain't tired Hop Sing. I wanna stay with Pa, please? the boy begged as he yawned. That made Ben and Hop Sing smile.
" Sweetheart, why don't you just lay down here on my bed and rest while I soak my ankle," Ben suggested. " Ok Pa," the youngster agreed as he kept yawning. Just a couple of minutes later, Ben noticed that Little Joe was sound to sleep. " Little boy very tired," Hop Sing said as he smiled at the boy, who was like a son to him.
" Yes he is. He didn't sleep much last night, and he told me that he didn't sleep at all the night before that either. He told me that he was scared that there were monsters around and they were watching him, so he stayed awake all night, so as he put it, " so that them monsters dunt get me," Ben told Hop Sing as they watched the boy sleep.
As Ben finished his coffee, Dr. Paul Martin walked into the room. " Hi Ben. How are you feeling?" Paul asked. " Fine except for a dull headache and a sprained ankle," Ben answered. Paul looked over at Little Joe, who was still sleeping.
" Hank told me that Little Joe found you," Paul said. " Yes he did, and I am very grateful that he did, but I don't like the fact that he went looking for me by himself though. He's just a little boy and who knows what could have happened to him," Ben explained. " He's some boy, Ben. That is for sure," Paul said as he smiled at the boy as he slept.
" You are very lucky that your ankle is only sprained Ben, and not broken. Ben, you also have a very slight concussion as well. Your headaches will be gone on a couple of days. I want you to keep soaking your ankle twice a day for several more days. Keep it wrapped when you get out of bed. I really want you to stay in bed for a couple of days and rest. I also want this boy of yours to rest too, and you both need to eat," Paul told Ben.
" Thanks Paul, we will," Ben replied. " I'll be back out here to check your ankle in about two days," Paul said as he started to leave the room.
By the third day, Ben was up and limping around the house. It felt great to get out of bed. Little Joe was very helpful and he wouldn't let Ben do anything. He wanted to wait on his Pa, which he did. He also kept up his chores, plus those of his two big brothers while they were away.
By the end
of the week, Adam and Hoss had returned home from
As soon as Little Joe returned home from school, he took care of Tony, did his chores, and then he ran into the house to check up on Ben.
When he saw his big brother sitting there talking to Ben, he was so happy to see them, as he had missed them very much. Hoss stood up and grabbed the youngster and he gave the boy a big bear hug.
" Hi Punkin. It is so wonderful to see ya. I am so proud of you for finding Pa and helping him all by yourself. You sure were a brave boy," Hoss proudly told the boy. " Thanks Hoss. I missed you and Adam so much too," the boy happily replied.
" I'm so proud of you too little buddy. You saved Pa, that is for sure," Adam said as he ran his fingers through his baby brother's soft thick curly hair. " Thanks Adam," Little Joe replied.
" Hey Pa, how ya feelin' taday?" the boy asked. " I feel just fine son. My headaches are gone, and my ankle feels so much better too," Ben declared as he hugged his youngest son.
Hop Sing was very happy to have his family all safely back at home again. He had made a special dinner that night, of pork roast, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, rolls, coffee and milk for Little Joe. There was also a freshly baked apple pie for dessert.
After
dinner, Adam and Hoss told Ben and Little Joe about their trip to
"
There is much to learn about all the business in running a ranch the size of
the Ponderosa,
It's going to take me a while to be able to be as good as Adam though," Hoss told Ben.
" Yes, it does take a while to learn all the in's and out's of running a business, that's for sure," Ben explained.
Ben, Adam and Hoss had been so busy talking, that they didn't realize that they hadn't heard a sound out of Little Joe for a long time.
" Pa look," Adam said as he looked at Little Joe. " I wonder when he fell asleep?" Ben asked. " I don't know, but I'll take him up to his room and put him to bed," Adam suggested. " I'll help ya," Hoss said as he got up from his chair, and he gently lifted his little brother up in his arms and he carried the sleeping boy up to his room.
Adam and Hoss quickly but gently got their little brother undressed and into his nightshirt, and safely tucked into bed. Once the boy was all covered up, both Adam and Hoss each gave him a kiss, and they left the room.
Ben watched as his two older sons returned downstairs. " Is he still asleep?" Ben asked. " Yup, he didn't move at all Pa," Hoss replied.
After talking for about another hour, Ben, Adam and Hoss went up to their rooms for the night. Ben stopped in at Little Joe's room to check to make sure the boy was still covered. He looked down at his sleeping son, leaned down and kissed the boy on his forehead, and he brushed back the curls that were laying on the boy's forehead.
" I love you Little Joe," Ben whispered into the boy's ear. " Sweet dreams baby boy." Ben then left his son's room and he went to his room and he went to bed.
The End