Little House on the Ponderosa
Part Six
By Sara and Valerie
Hop Sing stretched luxuriously in his bed. He loved Sundays - a chance to sleep for an extra hour in the morning was always welcome. Here on the Ponderosa, Mr. Ben insisted Hop Sing do so every Sunday though Hop Sing did not attend church. But now it was time to rise and start the day - start fires, heat water for washing, and start breakfast. What a blessing that Albert had told Mr. Ben about his daily chore at home of setting up the fire and putting water to heat the night before. It made Hop Sing's mornings easier now that these two chores were taken care of by the Cartwrights the night before. Not that Hop Sing didn't want to do it, but every little bit to make his mornings easier, and take work away from him, were welcome. Now all Hop Sing had to do in the mornings was strike one of the new self-igniting matches and the fire would light and soon warm the water - at first strike.
Hop Sing could not imagine life before these matches. The times he'd spent with flint and steel, worrying each night if the fires would go out and he'd be trying to relight it early in the morning with flint and steel - striking and striking until the sparks caught on wood. In 1874 when Mr. Adam had read aloud about this invention, Hop Sing had scoffed at such a thing - a self-striking match? The day the first of these new-fangled matches had arrived in town, Adam had bought some to see firsthand how they worked. Hop Sing hadn't meant to watch, but rather to have a lot of water nearby since anything new with fire could be potentially dangerous to his kingdom, the kitchen. Seeing as they were being 'played with' in front of him, Hop Sing ended up watching the little stick of wood - just in case a fire did pop out. Seeing the ease with which Adam brought flame to the tiny stick of wood, and how fast it burned (Adam dropped the match on the fire in the fireplace when it reached his fingers, then sucked his fingers in pain), Hop Sing had been entranced. Adam had graciously given Hop Sing a few of the matches to experiment with while Adam took grateful advantage of the burn treatment Hop Sing had at the ready (whenever fire was being played with, Hop Sing was prepared!). Once Hop Sing tried one himself, and saw how easy it was to use compared to his faithful old flint and steel, Hop Sing quickly converted from doubter to supporter of these new self-striking matches.
But enough reminiscing. Time to get breakfast for the hungry family. Albert would be down soon to help, and the Cartwrights would need their coffee and snack before starting their morning chores. Hop Sing did not believe anyone should do work on an empty stomach. Not to mention hot water to wash in - well, all except Little Joe who still had to be forced to wash in any water (unless one of his brothers tossed him in the trough). Hop Sing giggled to himself, and set about the task of making coffee, noting the need to remind Mr. Ben of the need to buy more the next trip to town, and mixing up a fresh batch of biscuits to have some ready for before-chore eating.
Soon Albert came down, hair still tossled from sleep, buttoning his shirt, and poured himself some hot water to wash up. "Good morning, Hop Sing," he mumbled as he dried his wet face and drew a comb through his hair in a feeble attempt to tame it. "Guess I need a haircut soon," he thought to himself, thinking fondly of the haircuts Ma gave him in the kitchen. Albert knew he'd have to get a stranger to cut his hair. He was really scared of that - he didn't trust anyone near him with something so sharp. And Ma never cut it too short. Albert made a note to talk to Hoss about this - Hoss seemed to be the one least likely to laugh at such a fear. Then, Albert quickly gave himself a shave with the razor he kept by his hairbrush near the kitchen, to make his mornings easier. Each time he used the razor, he was reminded of the time James had broken his first razor, and he got a sense of, he wasn't sure but maybe anger or regret? But there was usually no time for that, and he quickly finished and waited for Hop Sing's instructions for the morning.
"Morning Albert," Hop Sing finally responded, waiting until Albert was done with his morning 'routine', knowing that before it was over, Albert was not totally awake. Hop Sing was always cheerful in the mornings, just like Ma, Albert thought as he did each morning. Hop Sing took the hot water, and, as usual, carried it carefully to fill the washstands of the sleeping Cartwrights. "Please start sausage and peel potatoes," he instructed on his way out.
Albert nodded at the retreating back of the scurrying man, knowing he wouldn't be heard. Then, he started cutting sausage to fry while a pan preheated. Then he went to gather potatoes from the stores, grabbing an onion and pepper as well as some oregano to make the potatoes more special to suit the Sabbath. Albert was now comfortable enough with Hop Sing to ocassionally change what Hop Sing had asked for. Albert wanted to make the potatoes more special for the Sabbath, to do something special with the meal just like Ma always did. This caused Albert to think of his family back in Walnut Grove.
Ma and Pa had always made Sunday so special - no matter how little there was, it was always special for the Sabbath. In bad weather, Pa would read aloud from the Bible, everyone would learn their verses, and often there'd be a contest among the children to see who knew the most verses - sometimes in teams and sometimes alone. Even if they weren't going to church, everyone would dress up. Only the necessary chores like fetching water, caring for the animals, and keeping the fire going were done - as well as making the beds and doing the dishes and stuff, of course. Church Sundays were great too - a chance to see friends, and Reverend Alden was so nice and tried to make the sermons interesting. And the singing, that was the best part to Albert. He loved music, Pa's fiddle, singing hymns, whatever.
Albert came back to present, dropping a potato on his foot. He jumped, chased down the escaping potato, and returned to the kitchen. Hop Sing had returned and started frying the sausage, having put the biscuits into the oven to bake. "You do potatoes, I do biscuits, gravy and sausage," Hop Sing instructed, his mind on the cough he had heard coming from Adam's bed.
Albert nodded, and started carefully peeling the potatoes, cutting them up, cutting up the onion and pepper, having first put a large pan to warm with fat in it for frying. Then, he started the potatoes, adding salt, oregano, and pepper. Hop Sing nodded approvingly at the extras Albert had put in the potatoes, "Very good cooking," he praised. Then, Hop Sing took the spoon from Albert, having heard the telltale signs of the Cartwrights waking up. "You pour coffee, then go help with barn chores," he instructed.
Albert took up the coffee, and four cups, and placed four full cups on the table, along with sugar and plates for biscuits. Albert then went back to the storage, and took out a little butter and honey for the biscuits, to make them a bit more special for the Sabbath.
Ben was the first one down, and he reached almost blindly for his first cup of coffee, waking with the first sip, as usual. Then he saw the table, "Special addition for any reason Hop Sing?" he asked wonderingly.
Albert suddenly felt embarrassed. He should have asked first. Before he could say anything though, Hop Sing came to his rescue. "Albert feel Sabbath food be special, Hop Sing agree. Mr. Ben no mind?" Hop Sing asked, brandishing a wooden spoon threateningly in the air.
Ben laughed, "No, not at all, I just didn't expect it." He took a biscuit from the basket Hop Sing placed on the table, and juggled it until he could place it down and open it to spread butter and honey. Adam came down as the biscuits came to the table, followed by a smiling, sniffing Hoss. Both young men joined their father at the table, and dug in.
"Honey and butter before chores?" Hoss asked in happy amazement. "Wonderful idea," he said with a full mouth.
Ben reached over and tapped Hoss's hands, "Don't talk with your mouth full," he gently reprimanded his middle son. "And yes, special for the Sabbath," he explained with a wink at Hop Sing and Albert.
Albert joined the family at the table for coffee, skipping the biscuits as usual, since he wasn't used to eating before chores were done. Pa had said things would be different, and he was right. Albert was trying hard to fit in, but some things would just take time he felt.
Ben looked around, "Little Joe's still sleeping?" he asked rhetorically.
Adam and Hoss nodded, both with full mouths. Ben raised his voice, "JOSEPH, get down here NOW!" he called out.
A thud, was followed by, "Coming Pa," was immediately heard. Seconds later, Joe appeared, putting on his shirt, carrying his boots.
"Even with an extra hour, you still have problems rising son? Maybe we'll make your bedtime earlier," Ben suggested strongly.
Joe shook his head violently, "That's okay Pa, I'll try harder tomorrow, I promise." Then he ate his snack quickly. Hoss grabbed an extra biscuit for the way to the barn, and everyone was off to do their chores. Everyone wanted to get done fast since today was a church Sunday, and they had a long ride ahead of them.
Chores were quickly done, there not being as many as on a weekday, and the family quickly cleaned up and were ready to ride to church.
Church went relatively uneventful, Albert was introduced to those members of the community he hadn't yet met, and then the family returned home to a wonderful lunch prepared by Hop Sing.
Albert sat down after helping Hop Sing clear up from the wonderful meal, and started learning a Bible verse, just like he did at home. Hoss and Joe were quietly playing checkers, and Adam was reading one of his novels, while Ben was sitting quietly and enjoying the peacefulness.
Ben stretched, and went to get the paper he hadn't had a chance to finish yesterday. Albert finished learning his verse, and went to the kitchen to see if any help was needed. Upon learning there wasn't, he went upstairs to start a letter home. Seeing as how busy it was here, he realized he should take advantage of whatever time he could get to write his letters, to be sure one went out each week. Albert definitely did not want Pa getting angry - from experience he knew that the time Pa would spend traveling would make the 'consequences' (as Joe called them) that much worse.
Albert came down, and asked Ben if he could use the desk to write a letter. Ben agreed, and Albert took the Braille pencil and started a letter to Mary. He had his chart of letters as well, that Mary had drawn for him, just in case he forgot. This way took a lot longer, but he felt it was only fair that Mary and Adam be allowed to read aloud - and they had given him the slate for that purpose. Albert wasn't sure where to find extra paper for it, but figured he'd cross that bridge when he had to.
Dear Adam and Mary and everyone else,
Today is Sunday, a day of rest even on a ranch as big as the Ponderosa.
We still take care of the animals, seeing as they are G-d's own creatures,
and eat hot food, but that's the extent of the chores, at least today.
We went to church, and it was almost like being at home, except the sermon
wasn't as interesting as Reverend Alden's, and the fact that my family
and friends were not with me. I remembered the text, Genesis,
I just realized something that Pa would like about my being here -
Mr. Cartwright receives at least one newspaper a day. This must mean he
has either some money or else he values current news more than other things.
I try to make an attempt to read at least part of the newspaper on a daily
basis, after Mr. Cartwright and Adam are finished with it. I also pay attention
when they discuss the contents of the newspaper, Laura, so I am keeping
up on my learning as best I can. Between the news, the new books I have access
to thanks to Adam, and working on the accounts for the ranch, I am keeping
up with at least part of my learning.
I realize that a newspaper a day is a luxury, as they are expensive
to obtain, but it sure is wonderful to have new reading material on an
almost daily basis. Someone is always in town, and they make sure to pick
up the mail, which usually includes the newspaper.
At church today, Miss Jones, the schoolteacher here, asked me if I
could take over the school for a week, starting a week from tomorrow, as
she needs to go away and does not want to close the school. She had first
asked Adam, but Mr. Cartwright and Adam, for some reason, did not think
it a good idea, I guess with all the work here and all, that Adam could
not be spared. Then, Adam had recommended me, and Mr. Cartwright agreed.
He is on the school board, just like Pa, and I think he values a good education,
especially for his youngest, Joe, as much as he does the work on his ranch.
So, starting a week from tomorrow I will be a
school teacher, just like Laura.
I already know not to accept payment from the Cartwrights for that
week, as I will not be working on the ranch, and I do not think the school
will pay me, or even if it did, I would not accept as this is a favour I
am performing. I have not broached this subject yet with Mr. Cartwright,
but I assume he will agree, he seems to be a
fair man.
We have not yet told Joe that I will be his teacher in a week, figuring
to do it after supper, so as not to ruin the Sabbath with his mood. I
recall when I knew Laura was going to be my teacher, and feel sorry for
Joe, but it had to be done. I assume after the week of teaching is over,
I'll have even more appreciation for your teaching skills Laura than ever.
It is time to start the evening chores, so I will end the letter here.
My love and prayers are sent to you, I wish I could be with you, but it
was not meant to be.
Your obedient son,
Albert Quinn Ingalls
Albert put the slate aside, as he responded to Hop Sing's call to help in the kitchen. He figured he would address the letter later, as it could not be mailed today anyways. While Albert was helping Hop Sing to make a hot supper, Adam wandered over to the desk, to get better light to finish his novel. Adam saw the slate and letter which Albert had written, and wondered what it was. There were no words there, just bumps on a piece of paper. Adam realized it must be that Braille writing he had heard about. He made a note to himself to ask Albert about it - it looked like something new to learn and Adam loved to learn new things. Maybe getting Joe to learn it would help with Joe's spelling - if they called it a new code or something it might make it more interesting to the young boy.
Adam called Ben over, "
Ben came over, and looked. "Looks that way son. I know you love to learn new things, but you shouldn't have been looking at his things," he gently admonished his oldest son.
Adam looked sheepish, "I didn't mean to Pa, I just came over here to use the light, and saw this on the desk. Do you think Albert would teach us?" he asked.
Ben nodded, "He probably would." Then he felt the paper, it was very thick and heavy, "However," he added, "I think if he does that you should buy your own paper, this feels heavy and is probably more expensive than regular paper."
Adam nodded his head and then broached his second idea. "Pa? Do you think, " he lowered his voice, "Joe learning this as a kind of 'code' to use would encourage him to work on his spelling?"
Ben smiled, "That might work, why don't you discuss it with Albert first?" Seeing Adam start to the kitchen, "But not now, you know how Hop Sing is about people in his kitchen. Catch him after supper. Maybe this will help Joe over the idea of having Albert for a teacher for a week."
Adam saw the logic in this, and nodded his agreement. Both men returned to their respective readings, while the two youngest Cartwrights were still engrossed in their checkers tournament and hadn't heard a thing going on.
Soon, Hop Sing called for the Cartwrights to wash up for supper, and supper was started.
Adam looked at Albert, "I have a confession to make," he said, a little embarrassed.
Albert wondered what this was about, and nodded his head, not sure what else to do.
Joe's ears perked up. Adam making a confession?
And in front of Pa? This would be good. He tried valiantly to keep
his face from smirking. He gave a quick glance at
Adam started again. "I went over to the desk to read by the light and I happened to glance at what you had been working on," he said.
Albert wasn't that concerned. If this was the mistake, it wasn't bad. He hadn't written anything that bad, and anyways, it was in Braille. "That's okay," he reassured Adam. "I shouldn't have left it laying around," he reassured Adam.
Joe was disappointed, he had hoped to see his oldest brother in trouble for a change. He was also upset. If he had done something like this, he would have been in for a 'necessary talking to.' But not Adam! He started fidgeting. Ben saw this, and decided to put the fire out before it got any larger. "We'll talk about your disregard for privacy later," he admonished Adam, with a discreet wink, and a motion towards Joe with his head.
Adam, realizing what Pa was thinking, having glanced at his younger brother,
nodded his head, "
Before Ben could say anything more to Adam, Albert responded, wanting to avoid any conflicts starting between family members due to his carelessness. "Yes it was, I should have realized anyone seeing it would have been interested and looked," he tried to explain.
Ben nodded his head, as did Adam. Then Ben spoke up, "If you wouldn't mind Albert, could you teach me a bit about it? It looks quite interesting, and like a good way to spend the long winter evenings."
Albert felt quite pleased to be able to do something to thank the Cartwrights, even if it meant giving up some of his precious paper. He decided to ask Mary if she could send him some, he'd find a way to get the money back to her. "Sure, if you'd like sir," he offered.
Adam nodded his head, as did Ben, and even Little Joe and Hoss were intrigued by this new way of writing and all agreed to give it a go.
Supper soon ended after this conversation, and while Albert was helping with the cleanup, Hoss and Joe started a game of checkers, and Ben took Adam out for a walk.
Ben turned to Adam as the door to the Ponderosa closed, "You're not in trouble, but I figured to avoid any fights with Joseph over this," he explained. Hearing the sigh of relief from Adam, he continued on, "However, you really do need to watch yourself - it wasn't right to look at someone else's belongs," he admonished his eldest, and with a smack to the rear, led his son back into the house.
Bed came early that night, for Monday would be a busy day of chores at the ranch.
THE END
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