“Breakfast be ready soon! Mr. Adam keep out of Hop Sings’ way!”
“ I just want some coffee!” Protested Adam as their excitable Chinese cook threatened him with a large wooden spoon.
“Humph!, you no sneak in, no surprise Hop Sing.” The little man grumbled as he turned to grab a mug from the rack by the sink and pour Adam some coffee from the pot simmering on the back of the stove.
Adam smiled and made a long reach to snatch a freshly baked sweet roll from the table just opposite the stove. The little cook turned, his sharp eyes taking in the tray of cooling sweets less one and Adam’s quick jump hiding his hand behind his back.
“All you boys, thieves! Out, Out!”
Grinning, Adam escaped out the side door of the kitchen. Hop Sing appeared to be profoundly irritated but Adam knew their faithful cook and houseman would be even more upset if he and his brothers didn’t occasionally pull such pranks on Hop Sing.
In the gray pre-dawn darkness Adam was one shadow among many as he fled the well-lit kitchen. Light could also be seen in the barn as Justin one of the older hands, too crippled up to ride the range was already up tending to the headquarters stock.
Adam heard the stir of footsteps on the dusty ground. A sandy haired young puncher emerged from the dark into the spill of light from the kitchen.
“Morning Adam!”
“Morning Tom.” Adam returned as they passed.
It was Toms’ turn to fetch breakfast to the bunkhouse.
Adam crossed the short distance from the kitchen to the great porch of the main house. Leaning against the railing he set his coffee down and took an appreciative bite of the sweet roll.
Watching Tom deliver the food, Adam thought, not for the first time that there were more efficient ways to handle that chore. Adam wanted to build an addition onto the bunkhouse and hire an assistant for Hop Sing. He had argued his case more than once with his father. Ben didn’t like what it would cost. Adam countered that it would be a long-term investment in the health and well being of the ranch employees. A wry smile tugged at his lips as he considered Ben Cartwright’s legendary stubbornness.
Deliberately putting aside issues of Ranch Administration Adam chased his sweet roll with some coffee. He took a deep breath and released it with a sigh. The good smells of the land and ranch came to him. This was one of his favorite times. The forest stood silent on the hills as night gave way to day. The rising sun touched the hills first while the ranch still lay in the gray dark. The silence of the high country could be felt like a physical presence. One could almost hear the sunlight touch the earth. At such times Adam often felt the urge to whisper, as if he was in a great cathedral.
In the stillness he could even hear the merry sound of the creek running through the south meadow. As the air began to warm with the sun the dawn wind would begin to blow. In the forest the trees would start murmuring together in slow endless conversation.
More felt than seen a dark shape slipped through the crisp morning air. Adam’s head swung to find a great horned owl overhead. Adam held himself very still. The great owl was a silent flyer, making him a deadly hunter. The animal had a splotch of white on its’ breast, which meant that it was ‘ole Herman’. Years ago Hoss had found the bird, hurt, and nursed it back to health. Hoss had pleaded with Adam for help in devising a splint to support the injured wing. Adam smiled, his big soft hearted brother would be pleased to hear that ‘Herman’ was still around and doing well.
Behind him Adam heard the main door of the ranch house open, boot heels rang on the boards of the porch, a distinctive stride that belonged only to one man.
“Morning
“Good Morning Son.”
Ben Cartwright enjoyed the mornings as much as Adam. Often the two, father and eldest son could be found enjoying their coffee in companionable silence. Ben regularly made a point of finding his eldest in the mornings. He never pushed. Ben was just intent on letting his son know that his father was there for him.
Adam smiled slowly, appreciating the company.
It had taken a long time, but Adam at last seemed happier, more peaceful. Losing Ruth and then within the same year, being forced to kill his childhood friend Ross had deeply wounded the eldest Cartwright son. The dour moods that had been so frequent in the last few years were finally gone. Ben was pleased to see it, for Adam in a mood was difficult if not impossible to handle.
His temper and acid comments could make life a misery for anyone unable to avoid him. At such times Adam almost seemed to go out of his way to invite trouble. Hoss would be the only one that could stand him, and at times even Hoss’s rock steady patience would run thin. When that happened Adam would take off for long solitary trips. There were nights when Ben would lie awake, nearly in despair how he could help his eldest. Little Joe with his outrageous schemes had never caused Ben such outright worry.
Across the yard sunlight reached the roof of the barn. Tiny curls of steam curled off the shingles; the dew of the night evaporating under the warm touch of the sun. Shouts and laughter rang from the bunkhouse as the men sat down for breakfast. The horses in the big corral squealed and shoved intent on their own morning meal.
With a quiet sigh, Ben turned away. Inside the ranch house he could hear the typical clatter of Joe and Hoss coming down for breakfast.
“Pa, I’d like to go up to the
Ben stopped in surprise, “Of course son, we can spare.. “
“
“All the chores are caught up.” Adam smiled crookedly, “Let’s just take the day off.”
Ben recovered quickly, came back and clapped Adam on the shoulder. “I think that’s a fine idea Adam. Sam can handle the men today. I’ll get Hop Sing to pack a lunch.”
Amused at his fathers’ quick agreement Adam followed Ben inside to join Hoss and Joe for breakfast.
The morning sun lay warm upon the land, as the Cartwrights rode away from the ranch house. The dawn wind had moderated to a gentle cooling breeze. Adam led the way. Sitting easy in the saddle he abruptly left the main road and took the Piney Ridge Trail. Without comment Joe sent Cochise to follow Sports’ lunge up the hill, both men moving in the saddle with an easy grace to match their mounts. Chased from the trail by the first two riders a pair of bushy tailed squirrels clung to the bark of a ponderosa pine, scolding the pair left behind. Ben and Hoss exchanged looks and hastened to follow.
Adam was taking the long way to their destination but it was by far the most beautiful. The way first led through a forest of mixed pine and aspen. This near the Ranch the forest was relatively open, kept so by a constant need of firewood. Dust raised from their passing drifted on the light breeze, a pair of hopeful camp robber jays flew overhead. Adam smiled to see them; he often found their cheeky antics entertaining.
Sport tossed his head as the trail leveled out into a series of grassy meadows. Cochise surged alongside to match her stable mate in an easy ground-eating lope. The grass was scattered with the purple flowers of mountain lupine, the white corn lily and yellow buttercup. At the edge of the meadow where the trees began salmonberry bushes grew. The bush was a favorite browse for the mule deer or the occasional elk. The sun overhead rode warm in the sky with only a few white clouds for company. Adam shifted in his saddle, urging Sport to shorten his stride a bit, and match Cochise step for step.
Little Joe’s grin at this easy demonstration of his oldest
brother’s horsemanship easily matched the sun in warmth and brilliance. Adam kept a straight face, but his eyes were
alive with laughter. Hoof beats sounded
behind the brothers, as Chubb and Buck swept in on either side, urged by their
riders to match Adam’s lead. For the
space of a hundred yards or so all four animals kept perfect time, step for
step as pretty as if on parade. Finally
Adam gave in to the laughter, and urged Sport up the last part of the trail
that topped out on Piney Ridge and some of the best views of
One after another they reached the top of Piney Ridge. They pulled their horses to a halt taking in
the beauty of
“Dang, she sure is purty today!” Hoss said quietly. The big man shaded his eyes as he followed the flight of an eagle that idly rode the rising thermals from the heat of the day.
Hooking one leg around his saddle horn Little Joe took a
long drink from his canteen. Cochise
craned her neck snuffling a nearby salmonberry bush for some tasty new growth. “Say Pa, what was it like the first
time? The first time you saw the
The eagle’s call echoed through the sky. Ben spotted the eagle’s mate winging up into the sky as he considered his answer. “Well Joe to me it was like the smile of God resting upon the earth.” Bens’ voice was hushed, his statement a truth that resonated with each of his sons. The breeze murmured through the trees, the robin’s song was joined by the quick sharp call of the blue jay.
“Adam was all for stopping and dropping out of the wagon train right then and there,” Ben continued, “He was mighty put out that we had to go to California first but it was too late in the season to stop and Hoss still needed a wet nurse.” Ben chuckled, “In California I thought we were settled. Adam here he had other ideas, he worked like the dickens to get his brother weaned, and schemed to get me in a business deal so that next Spring we could go back.”
“Ha,” Joe declared with a teasing grin, “Even as a kid Oldest Brother was bossy!”
“Hmm,” Adam leaned forward, swatting away a horsefly from
Sport’s ear. “Littlest Brother if it wasn’t for me you wouldn’t be around.”
Adam’s voice was at his driest, ”It was my idea for Pa to take his
furs when he went to
Not knowing quite what to say Joe closed his mouth and turned to his Father. Hoss was already sniggering, Adam was grinning. Repressing his smile with difficulty Ben slowly nodded yes.
“I give up!” Joe shouted. Cochise started sidestepping in reaction to her rider’s exasperation.
“Hey Joe.” Adam’s quiet voice intruded on Little Joe’s temper. Green eyes met hazel and Joe’s flaring anger washed away. Hoss and Ben exchanged glances. Adam gave a serene smile and sent Sport down the trail to what the Family had dubbed Marie’s Meadow.
The sun was high in the pale sky; it’s warm light enfolding
the Cartwright men as they lounged at ease on a small rise overlooking the
“Urrp,” Hoss made himself comfortable leaning back into his overturned saddle. “Hop Sing still makes the best fried chicken.” Hoss had snagged his share of cake and washed it down with a generous swallow of coffee.
Equally comfortable Joe stretched out his wiry form lacing his fingers across a full stomach his hat tilted for shade against the sun. “What I’d like to know is how he does it. We didn’t know until breakfast and yet he had everything ready for this picnic.”
“Hmmm,” Ben was noncommittal he was working on his own cake and coffee watching Adam check the horses. Sport, Buck, Cochise and Chubb had all been unsaddled, hobbled and allowed to seek their own lunches. As Ben watched his eldest straighten up from checking Buck, it came to him in a weird flash of vision that there was a destiny riding close to his son. He couldn’t quite see it, but he knew that a change was near. As a father he was a little afraid, he’d built the Ponderosa for his sons. He naturally expected Adam to take over. But Ben knew suddenly that it was Joe who would see to the Ranch. Adam the oldest had worked and sweated all his life for his father’s dream. But for Adam the Ponderosa was no longer enough. Where would Adam go?, and Hoss What of Hoss?
Behind him a soft breeze stirred the long grass and wildflowers beneath which Marie Cartwright rested. It reached out with warm fingers, disordered Ben’s hair and tugged at his shirt. Ben started; a sweet perfume teased his senses. . . .The vision was gone.
“Dadburnit Joe,” Hoss’s plaintive voice intruded. His father turned to listen with a fond smile.
Hoss, ever mindful of his personal comfort could always be counted on to defend their cook and houseman. “I don’t care how he does it, just so he keeps on doin’.”
“I think he keeps some little green men in the pantry.” Joe raised his hat with one finger eyeing his brother with a wicked teasing grin.
Ben spluttered in his coffee. Hoss’s enduring childhood obsession was a family legend.
“Some day little brother,” Hoss replied with offended dignity, “You are going to get what you ask for …”
“Never fear Hoss,” Adam had returned and was crouched by the little fire getting his own coffee and cake. “Our youngest brother did get what he asked for.”
Ben turned to look at his dark visaged son. Adam was smiling, his mirth barely held in check. Alerted by their brother’s statement, Joe and Hoss immediately dropped their idle wrangling. Adam settled into his own saddle taking an appreciative bite of Hop Sing’s cake. The breeze that had been dancing in the grass, circled around the men, playing briefly in the fire, and came to rest again in the tall wildflowers behind Ben.
“I saw Miss Ellie in town the other day.” Adam continued his lips twitching as he repressed a smile.
A wary look crossed Joe’s face.
Ben and Hoss exchanged amused glances.
Miss Ellie was the new pre-school teacher. The young woman had been taking a buggy ride
when the horse spooked. Little Joe had
happened to be nearby and rescued her.
Miss Ellie was immediately smitten.
She quickly became the leader of the
Hoss guffawed, poking at Joe who rubbed his shoulder with a long-suffering air. Normally Joe enjoyed the attention. But Miss Ellie was making him feel hunted.
“It was for the School Board Meeting, wasn’t it” Ben said, speculation suddenly alive on his face.
“That’s right
Hoss’s quick gaze touched his father and brothers. Adam had returned from the meeting and Joe and Ben still hadn’t come home. The two oldest brothers had waited up for their return. Hoss remembered a brief comment Adam had made that night. The big man’s shoulders began to shake with laughter.
Joe sat up. He was beginning to look truly worried.
Watching his youngest brother Adam could no longer repress his grin. “The board voted to approve Miss Ellie’s petition to fund a new course.”
Ben began to chuckle.
Joe’s head swiveled from father to brother, a look of doom on his face.
“There are more town children in school now than ranch children.” Adam continued his voice solemn but his hazel eyes alive with laughter. “She wants to start an animal husbandry course and she specifically asked for Joe here to help.”
“Adam you didn’t!!” Joe moaned.
“What could I do?” Adam was the picture of innocence. “The Board voted.”
“I’ll just bet it did!” Joe’s temper flared as he shifted to a crouch ready to launch himself at his brother. Hoss and now Adam were both collapsed in helpless laughter.
“Joseph!!”
Ben’s voice cracked out. Joe sank back.
“But Pa!” Joe appealed to his father, but he found little sympathy.
Ben was having trouble holding in his own mirth. “If I remember son, it’s only a short course. Just three weeks.”
The offer did little to comfort Joe Cartwright. Wagging a finger at his son, Ben joined in the laughter.
Hoss reached over giving Joe a playful shove. Unresisting Joe toppled into the grass.
“You’ll survive Shortshanks,” Hoss snickered.
“The Cartwrights always survive.” Chimed in Adam.
“Amen.” Agreed Ben.
Seeing that he was out voted and outgunned Joe relented, even joining in the laughter.
The soft afternoon breeze gently stirred the grass of Marie’s Meadow. The wildflowers on her grave gently nodded together. The sunlight fell warm and comforting on the Cartwrights. The cost was high, but Joe figured it was worth it to see Adam laugh. It had been a long time since his brother had been so at ease. Besides that, Little Joe was already considering how to turn things to his advantage. A breeze scented with wildflowers stirred his curly hair. “To the Cartwrights!” Joe silently toasted his family.
***********
Fini
Marcia Lee
May 2003