Little House on the Ponderosa
Part Two
By
Sara and Valerie
Albert then looked at the scenery some more. As the scenery started to bore him, and he felt tears forming in his eyes, he turned to the first of his two books. They had been gifts. One from his family, and one from Doctor Baker as a going away gift. Both were thick medical tomes - full of knowledge he was sure he'd need when he started practicing, if ever.
As Albert was starting to get into the new medical book given to him by Doc Baker as a going away gift, and realizing the importance and relevance of the information contained therein, his seatmate was deeply engrossed in an architectural tome, equally academic.
Hours passed, when the train stopped and the conductor called "Last stop! Change trains for further travel." Albert quickly packed away his book and got his luggage. His seatmate did the same, and they reached for their baggage above the seat simultaneously.
"Excuse me," said Albert.
"Excuse me," said the other man.
The two men retrieved the remainder of their luggage and continued on their respective ways to their connections.
When Albert arrived on the new train, he saw his previous seat companion. As it had been a restful, quiet trip thus far, Albert went to sit next to the gentleman again, hoping for a similar experience on this leg of the trip as well.
As Albert sat down in the seat, Adam glanced up. It was the same young man who had sat next to him on the previous train. "So we meet again," he said. "I'm Adam Cartwright, and you are?"
"Albert Ingalls," Albert said softly, shaking the
proffered hand. Was this one of the Cartwrights he was hoping to find in
Adam realized this young man must be shy and not used to traveling from the way he was looking about and everything. "So, where are you from?"
"Walnut Grove," said Albert. Then, realizing his lapse in manners, he quickly added, "And you?"
Adam smiled inwardly - this young man was just like Hoss.
"I live in
Where are you traveling?" Adam asked, wondering where such a young man would be going out West.
"I'm hoping to get a job somewhere out West, maybe near the Comstock mines," Albert explained, blushing a little at the brazeness of this statement.
"Well, my father has a ranch near there, and we're always looking for good workers, what do you do?" Adam asked.
Albert couldn't believe his luck - what good luck - he might even have a job before arriving. "A little bit of everything I guess. My Pa has a farm, and I help him out with everything, and I help Ma in the restaurant kitchen sometimes when she needs a hand, or with the sewing at the blind school if it gets to be too much for them." Albert kind of mumbled this last part - he was ashamed of having such a 'feminine' skill.
Adam looked him over. Albert looked a little thin, but Adam knew that looks could be deceiving - look at what Little Joe was capable of when he put his mind to it.
"Well, if you want a job, you can come home with me and we'll see what we can find for you."
Albert looked at him gratefully. "Thank you kindly sir, I would greatly appreciate that."
Then, thinking he should offer something in return to such a generous man, Albert stood up and got his picnic basket. "Might I offer you some lunch?" he asked, opening the basket.
Adam sniffed the aromas gratefully. It smelled wonderful - not as good as Hop Sing's, of course, but close. "Are you sure there's enough?" he asked politely.
"Of course. Ma always packs plenty, she thinks I eat three times as much as I do."
Adam thankfully accepted a chicken leg from Albert. "Take as much as you want, please. I'd hate to see this food go to waste," Albert offered.
"Thank you, I am mighty grateful. This train doesn't
stop for a meal break until at least
Albert nibbled at a bit of pie, not sure if he would be able to eat much more, as he was quite homesick still and the taste of Ma's cooking was not helping.
"Homesick?" asked Adam kindly, feeling towards this young man as he would feel towards Joe in such a situation.
Albert nodded slowly, "Yeah, kinda . I've never been this far away from home before, and I really did love staying with the Ingalls."
Adam wondered at this - he thought Albert had said his name was Ingalls, and filed it away for future reference. "It seems like your Ma is nice, to pack such a lunch for you," Adam said instead.
"Yeah, she is. I never knew my mother, and Ma is just like one," Albert said.
"Yeah," Adam said, "I never knew my mother
either, but Inger and Marie both became like mothers to me when they married
This was getting kind of personal for first time
conversation, but travel on the train, and knowing they would be together in
Adam took a good look at this young man next to him. For some reason, he looked vaguely familiar, but Adam couldn't figure out why. "What was your father's name?" Adam asked, trying to see if he could figure this out.
"Quinn," Albert said. "His Pa was originally
from
Adam kept staring for a few more moments, then realized that Albert looked like Little Joe. That was why Adam was so drawn to this stranger instead of focusing on his new architectural digest. "By any chance, do you know if you had an aunt Marie?"
Albert looked at Adam - how did this stranger know of his family? "There's a Marie written in the Bible I got when my biological father passed away," Albert said. "I have it packed in my trunk," he added.
Adam nodded and decided to let this topic rest. "So, what are you reading?"
Albert showed his book on modern medical cures.
"Looks like deep reading," Adam commented. "You're interested in medicine?"
"I studied with the doctor in our town for two years, and then he said he couldn't teach me any more, so I decided to come out West," Albert explained. "What are you reading?"
Adam nodded at Albert's explaination . "I'm reading about building dams and bridges," he explained, showing the cover of his book. "I studied this at college back East, and want to show my Pa some ideas on improving the ranch when I get back. I use my travelling time to read as there's not much free time on the Ponderosa."
Albert could barely contain his intake of air. So this was a Cartwright of the Cartwrights of Ponderosa. How lucky he was. "I'll let you get back to your reading then ," Albert said, putting away the picnic basket. "If you get hungry, feel free to take more, don't bother asking me. I usually don't realize people once I start reading," he explained.
Both young men immersed themselves in their books, until it was close to nighttime, and the porter came through the car offering pillows for rent. Adam rented one for himself. Then, seeing as his seatmate wasn't doing so, and having realized that this boy probably didn't have much money, rented a second.
Albert looked at Adam in surprise at the proffered pillow. "No, I couldn't, it's okay," Albert said.
Adam pushed the pillow at Albert. "I already rented it, and after saving all that money eating your ma's food, the least I could do is rent you a pillow," Adam said.
Albert felt guilty accepting more from this generous man - after all, he already had received a job and place to stay. "I couldn't," Albert said.
Adam pushed it at him again, "Well, it's already rented, and if you don't use it, I'm just going to have to hold it and that won't be comfortable for me," Adam said.
Albert admitted defeat. "Thank you very much," he said sincerely.
The porter came around collecting the pillows. The trip West
seemed to take little time to both Albert and Adam. They had companionable seatmates in each
other, and were able to hold intellectual discussions, as well as sit together
quietly and read. Sooner than they would
have thought possible, a conductor came around announcing the soon arrival at
Though he had told Adam about studying medicine, Albert hadn't mentioned that he didn't want to practice it, though he loved studying it. Ever since that time, Albert still couldn't think about it without shivers running down his back, Albert couldn't stand to
doctor another patient. Doc Baker had understood, and kept Albert learning but not ever working alone on a patient again after it.
Doc Baker had kept telling him it wasn't his fault, it could happen to anyone, but Albert just couldn't believe that himself. Maybe starting over would enable him to eventually practice medicine again. Albert could only hope. But now, he had prospects of a job on a ranch, so maybe things wouldn't be so bad. Mr. Edwards had said good things about working for the Cartwrights , they were fair employees. Things seemed to be looking up, if only Mr. Cartwright would take him on.
Albert wiped his sweaty hands on his pants, then took up his luggage, skimpy as it was, it was all that he had left of his family. Then he slowly followed behind Adam.
Adam turned and looked at Albert, "Come on, I promise my family doesn't bite," he said with a smile. He had spotted his family, and braced himself for the whirlwind approaching him, otherwise known as Little Joe. "I'm glad to see you too Little Buddy," Adam said, mussing Joe's hair. Joe smiled up at Adam and took his bags, "Come on Adam, let's go home. I want to hear all about your trip. What kinds of horses did ya get? When are they coming? Who's that with you?" The last question came out
as he saw the strange young man standing slightly behind Adam.
At this point Ben and Hoss had approached Adam at a more sedate pace and were welcoming him home as happily, if not as violently, as the youngest Cartwright. Ben's eyebrows rose as he noticed the object of Joe's question.
Adam gestured towards Albert. "This is Albert Quinn Ingalls," he said, looking at Albert for confirmation of his name. Albert nodded shyly. He was trying to hid the tears in his eyes. This family looked so loving - just like the family he had left behind. Adam
looked at Ben, "Pa, he's looking for work, and I figured we could always use another hand on the ranch ...." Adam trailed off.
Ben trusted Adam's judgement , and if Adam felt this young stranger was a good choice to hire, then he would go along. "Of course, if you're willing to accept employment at the Ponderosa, I'd be more than happy to have you if Adam here recommends you."
Albert nodded his head, "Thank you kindly sir," he said politely, offering his hand. "I greatly appreciate the opportunity and take you up on it," he said.
Ben shook his hand in return. "Let's get all your gear up on the wagon, then we can head home," he told both young men.
Hoss and Joe went to help with the baggage. Ben noted when Joe and Albert ended up next to each other how much the two young men looked alike. The name Quinn had sounded familiar, but right now Ben just couldn't place it. Maybe later he would remember where he had heard it before.
Adam climbed up to sit with Ben on the bench, and Joe jumped up to sit next to him - "Pa, can I drive the team?" he begged, as usual. Adam smiled, it was great to be home.
Ben thought for a moment. "You can drive after we get out of town, just like last time." He looked over at Adam who's mouth had dropped in surprise. This was the first Adam knew of Joe's driving. "He's very good at it," Ben said, "but only when we're not in town, right Joseph?" Ben said sternly.
"Yes sir," Joe was quick to say, not wanting to lose his chance of driving the team.
Albert smiled, this sounded just like home - James kept begging to do everything he did because he was older. He then climbed in the back with Hoss. Ben noticed Albert not saying a word about being in the back, and figured this boy had been raised well.
"So, Albert, Adam tells me you're from Walnut Grove, and looking for a place on a ranch," Ben said.
Albert nodded, then realized he couldn't be seen. "Yes sir," he said. "My family is still there, but there were no opportunities for me so I came West like Pa was always telling us about his doing."
Ben could agree with that wanderlust feeling. "What kind of work can you do?" he asked.
"Well, I grew up on a farm sir, I've helped in the fields, at the mill where my Pa works, and I've helped Ma in the kitchen at the restaurant where she works, and done whatever was needed at the blind school where my sister Mary teaches," Albert said, studiously avoiding Adam's eyes as he did not mention his medical studies .
Adam wondered why Albert wasn't mentioning his medical training, but figured this might not be the best time or place to discuss it.
Little Joe was too busy with appearing adult driving the team to pester Albert with questions - for which Albert would have been thankful had he known.
Ben looked at Albert's profile, and then saw Little Joe's. They looked so similar. Ben got lost in thought as he tried to remember all of what he knew about Marie's family. Marie had been reticent with information about her family and her past, but something in his
mind was nagging him about the name Quinn and the similarity between Albert and Joe's looks. Ben thought back and tried to remember what Marie had told him.
Before Ben could remember, he saw the Ponderosa. Adam turned to Albert, "That's our home. See behind it, over there? That's the bunkhouse," he pointed out.
Albert managed to keep his mouth shut in his surprise, but barely. It was so big - the Olesons' was but a sod house compared to this. He nodded his head at Adam, "It looks nice," he said, feeling this was inadequate, but not sure what to say.
Joseph skillfully brought the team to a stop right before the barn, as if he had been doing it all his life. Adam was impressed by his little brother's abilities - how did he grow up so fast? - but didn't want to say anything.
Little Joe stopped the wagon, and jumped down to take care of the horses. He looked toward Adam, as if hoping for some kind of praise, and his face went down a bit when none was forthcoming. Still, the horses came first, and if he wanted Pa to let him drive again, Little Joe knew he had to take care of them immediately. He unhitched the team and led them into the barn. Hoss got off the wagon and started to take Adam's bags upstairs. Albert got off the wagon, and, leaving his bags behind, helped with Adam's.
Ben smiled at the politeness of the young man, and wondered if this was his real way or if he was just trying to impress. Ben leaned toward the former, though he wasn't positive. He wanted a chance to talk to this young man alone, and to see if he could figure out why he looked so familiar, so like his youngest son.
Before Ben could follow his thoughts any more, Hop Sing came
running out, "Supper ready - all come in eat." Then he saw Albert,
"Why no one tell Hop Sing more for supper?" Then Hop Sing did a
double-take. "Another Little Joe? Hop Sing return
Ben went over to Hop Sing to try to calm him down. "Sorry Hop Sing, I didn't know. Adam met this young man on the way back to the Ponderosa. We have decided to hire him as we need more help. For supper he'll be eating with us, and then I will talk with him and decide where he will stay. I admit he looks a lot like Little Joe, which is why I'm having him take supper with us. I'd like to learn a bit more about him before deciding what to do."
Hop Sing muttered in Chinese as he returned to the house to try to salvage his supper to feed one more person.
Hoss had seen Albert's face, "It's alright, he's always like that," he reassured Albert.
Albert looked up. "I can find something to eat somewhere, or <gulp> make myself something," he offered hesitantly, knowing his cooking skills were not great, but not wanting to anger anyone. He clearly remembered the last time complaints had been made about food at home. Albert thought back, to it, and rubbed his bottom in memory while his stomach protested inside.
Ben came over at the second part of this sentence. " It's okay, Hop Sing just likes to rant, he's not really angry. He wants to make sure he's appreciated, that's all. Why don't you and I go talk about what you can do and what your chores will be here?"
Albert snapped out of his reviere , catching what Ben said. Albert felt a little better, he really didn't want to have to face his own cooking. "Yes sir," he said, taking his bags and following Ben.
Ben pointed to the floor, "You can leave your bags there," he said. Albert neatly piled his bags where instructed and followed Ben to the desk.
"Have a seat," Ben said, pointing to the chair next to the desk. Albert remained standing next to the chair until Ben sat, then sat down himself. Ben was impressed by the manners being displayed. If nothing else, the boy had been well brought up.
Ben looked at Albert, again amazed by the similarity between
this young man and his youngest son. "Adam tells me you're from
"Yes sir, I lived there with the Ingalls for many years."
"And you were adopted by them?" Ben asked.
Albert nodded his head, "Yes sir, Mr. Ingalls found me in the city, and when he heard I had no place or family, he took me home and adopted me."
"Do you remember anything about your parents?" Ben asked gently. He knew how it felt for a young man to not remember a parent, as his children all had that experience.
"I remember my father was Mr. Quinn, he had a farm, but he died. I don't remember my Ma at all," Albert responded. He wasn't upset about remembering, he didn't like his father, and his mother was a vague memory. Mr. and Mrs. Ingalls had been his real parents as far as he was concerned.
"Do you know if either your mother or father were French?" Ben asked.
Albert thought for a moment, trying to recall. "I think my mother might have been, I have a book of hers that Laura said was a Bible in French."
Upon seeing the questioning look in Ben's eyes, Albert explained, "Laura is my sister - one of the Ingalls children. She became a school teacher."
Ben nodded at Albert's explanation. "Do you still have that book?"
Albert nodded. "It's in my bags." He then paused. He hated to let anyone touch it. Pa and Ma had understood, and wouldn't let any of the kids near it. Then, realizing this man was going to be his employer and he should obey anything requested of him, "Would you like to see it sir?"
Ben nodded, "If I might?" he said.
Albert acquiesed , and rose to root through his baggage, to the exact place where he had placed the carefully wrapped book among his medical supplies and Braille slate and stylus and special paper needed for using it. Rising and returning to Ben, Albert carefully opened the packing and handed the book to him.
Ben took the book gently. He realized the importance and
value of such an item to Albert, and treated it accordingly. Ben opened the
front of the book, and looked, it was a Bible. There was a family tree listed
in the front. Near the bottom of the page was listed a name, Marie Quinn
Cartwright, with a date of birth but no date of death. Ben took a deep breath.
This was the reason Albert looked so much like Little Joe, their mother's were
related. Ben remembered Marie's talking about how her sister had married a man
with the same last name as theirs, having changed it when he came to
Ben carefully closed the book and returned it to Albert. "Thank you for sharing this with me."
Albert rewrapped the book and held it, awaiting his next instruction.
"Why don't you put it away and come to supper?" Ben asked, as the rest of the Cartwrights came in to supper. "We can continue this discussion after supper," he said .
Albert nodded, "Yes sir," and went to put the book away. Then he came to the table, and stood behind his chair, waiting for Ben to sit down before he did.
"Well trained indeed," thought Ben to himself. "Wonder if he'll rub off on Little Joe?"
Ben bowed his head to say grace, and everyone followed suit. After a brief grace, all raised their heads and started eating the food placed on the table by Hop Sing.
Albert was shocked by everyone reaching over for the food - he was used to Pa serving himself first, and then either the food being passed around or Pa serving everyone. He waited patiently until everyone else had taken food from what seemed like an overabundant amount of food.
Hoss saw Albert waiting, "Go ahead, take some, it's good," he said encouragingly with a smile.
Ben noticed Albert's empty plate, "It's okay, you'll insult Hop Sing if you don't eat."
Albert nodded his head, and took the plate Ben was offering him, "Yes sir, thank you sir," he stammered out. Mr. Edwards had been right when he said things were different out here than in Walnut Grove.
Soon, everyone was eating. Adam and Ben were discussing his business trip, while Hoss kept busy eating and Joe stared at Albert. Albert felt eyes on him and realized it was Joe staring at him. Albert smiled shyly at him and tried to be as polite as possible in his
eating, figuring he was doing something wrong.
When Adam and Ben had finished discussing the business, Ben cleared his throat. "Boys, I know you must be wondering why Albert is eating inside with us rather than in the bunkhouse."
All three nodded. Albert looked ashamed, and felt his face going red. He didn't want special treatment.
Ben saw Albert's discomfort and went on, giving him a reassuring smile. "Albert and I had a discussion before supper and we found out that his mother and Joseph's mother were sisters," as everyone's jaws dropped open, Ben hurried on before anyone could say anything uncomfortable for any of them. "Remember how Marie never told us of her background because ... well, anyways, that's why they look so much alike."
Joe was the first to find his breath, "Pa, ya mean he's my cousin?"
Ben laughed and nodded, "Yes son, that's what I mean."
Joe smiled broadly. "Did you know my Ma?" he asked Albert.
Ben was about to say something, not knowing how this type of question would affect Albert. Adam too was about to admonish his youngest brother for such a lapse in manners.
Before either of them could say anything, Hoss' arm almost about to nudge Joe, Albert answered. "No, I didn't know her nor my mother," he said softly.
Hoss' arm dropped, and both Ben and Adam swallowed the words on their tongues. If Albert was willing to answer Joe's questions, they wouldn't say anything.
"Ya lived with your Pa?" Joe went on.
Albert sighed. Pa and he had discussed this, he would have to tell his history, and it might as well be now rather than later. But it was so hard. He and Pa had decided in one of their talks not to mention what had happened that time he ran away back to his biological father. That was just too tough to mention. Not only had it been rough in terms of the punishment, but what he had done, burning down the blind school and killing Mary’s baby and Mrs. Garvey, that was horrid. Albert thought back to it, rubbing his bottom again, and fidgeting, feeling the harsh burning pain from the consequences of running back to his father’s farm.