A SPECIAL VISIT
By: Deborah S.
 
 
Ben, Joe and Hoss Cartwright were out front trying to fix a wagon wheel. 
After many tries, Ben shook his head and tossed the wheel to the ground. 
“There’s no use in wasting anymore of our time. There’s just no way to fix 
it. Hoss, go get the spare in the barn,” Ben said.
 
Hoss walked to the barn knowing his father was frustrated. His father hated 
it when he wasn’t able to fix something like that. Why he just didn’t go 
into the barn and get the new one in the first place was beyond him. Adam 
was conditioning his saddle in the barn when Hoss came in. “Uh huh. I knew 
it was just a matter of time before you came for the new wheel,” Adam said 
smirking.
 
“Yeah dadburnit anyway. We must have spent most of the morning trying to 
repair that other wheel. I sure wish I knew why Pa does these things,” Hoss 
replied. Adam stopped his task for a moment, and replied, “It stems back 
from when we didn’t have much and he had to make due with what we had. It’s 
still in him to do things that way.”
 
“I guess so, but danged if it ain’t frustrating as all get out. Hey Adam 
speaking of those days have you heard from your Grandparents lately?” Hoss 
asked.
 
“I got that letter from them a month ago and everything was fine. Grandpa 
was as salty as ever but Hannah said she still loves him. It’s funny isn’t 
it how life works out sometimes?” Adam asked.
 
“Yeah it sure is,” Hoss said looking around for the wagon wheel he 
couldn’t find. “Where the heck is that wheel anyway?” he asked.
 
“It’s up above hanging on the wall,” Adam replied. Hoss took his hat off 
and scratched the top of his head while looking up. He put his hat back on 
and asked, “Now who was the idiot who put it up there?” Adam laughed. “You 
were that idiot,” he relied.
 
“Oh yeah I was, wasn’t I?” Hoss replied. Well I guess I’ll just go up there 
and get it then. Hoss climbed up the ladder while Adam went back to his 
task. A few minutes later Hoss asked halfway down the ladder, “Hey Adam, 
could you take the wheel?”
 
“Sure,” Adam replied moving to the bottom of the ladder, grabbing it when it 
reached him. Adam smiled. “Hoss the view’s not too pretty from down here,” 
he said. Hoss reached the ground. “What do you mean by that?” he asked.
 
“Well you have a hole in your pants in a place where it ain’t pretty,” Adam 
said smiling. Hoss looked down finding the hole. “Dadburnit anyway. First 
the wagon wheel then a hole in my pants. It’s just not my day,” Hoss said 
taking the wagon wheel from Adam.
 
“Hoss where’s that wagon wheel?” Ben shouted from the yard.
 
“I’m coming Pa,” Hoss shouted back. “Danged wagon wheels and holes in pants. 
 Dadburnit it anyway,” Hoss said as he walked out of the barn. Adam 
laughed at his brother. “Oh dear. Poor Hoss,” he said.
 
A few minutes later a buggy drove up into the yard. Ben, Joe and Hoss 
looked at the passengers. Adam walked out of the barn as well to see who 
had driven up. “Well don’t just stand there Benjamin Cartwright help an old 
man down from here,” Abel commanded.
Ben stood there smiling. “Abel? Abel Stoddard?” he said walking over to 
the buggy. He helped Abel down then Hannah. “You must be Hannah. Adam has 
told us so much about you,” Ben said.
 
“Who else would be traveling with the likes of me?” Abel asked. “Where’s 
my grandson?”
 
“Over here Grandfather,” Adam said from behind the buggy. Adam walked over 
to where they stood hugging them both. “Why didn’t you tell us you were 
coming?” Adam asked.
 
“If I had wanted you to know I’d of told you. Hannah and me wanted to 
surprise you,” Abel replied.
 
“Well you certainly did that,” Ben replied. “Come on inside the house and 
sit down,” he said. They all walked into the house. Abel looked at Hoss and 
Joe as they walked in front of him into the house. Ben sat in his chair, 
Adam in the blue chair, Abel and Hannah on the sofa, and Joe and Hoss on the 
hearth. “Would you care for some coffee or tea?” Ben asked.
 
“If we had wanted some I’d of told you,” Abel replied. Joe rolled his eyes 
then said,” Uh Pa, you haven’t introduced Hoss or me to them yet.”
 
“Oh I’m so sorry. I was so shocked by your showing up that I forgot to 
introduce you to Adam’s other brothers. This is my son Hoss, and this is my 
son Joseph,” Ben said. Hoss and Joe waved. They wanted to go over and 
shake hands with Abel, but were afraid to.
 
“Well he’s a big lad isn’t he?” Abel said referring to Hoss. Adam wanted 
to laugh but didn’t. “Abel Stoddard,” Hannah said.
 
“Well look at him Hannah, he’s a big lad. Then that one over there must be 
the runt of the family,” he said. Joe pointed at his chest. “Yeah you. 
Who else would I be talking about?” Abel asked. Adam smiled. He was 
enjoying all of this, because when he came home and told his brothers about 
his Grandfather‘s grouchiness they didn’t believe him. Hoss and Joe looked 
at Adam who just smiled back at them as he nodded.
 
“Abel he’s a handsome young man. That was rude of you to call him a runt,” 
Hannah said.
 
“Woman if I’d have wanted your opinion I’d of asked for it. He’s smaller 
then the rest of them so he’s the runt,” Abel said. Adam cleared his 
throat. Abel looked at him. “And you young man have any prospects for a 
wife yet?” he asked.
 
“Not yet,” Adam replied.
 
“Why not? I gave you that cradle and I expect it to be filled soon. Good 
thing I’m here to help you find a wife,” he said. Adam sat up straight in 
his chair. “Find me a wife?” he asked.
 
“Well seems you can’t do the job yourself so I’ll just have to do it for 
you. I want great-grandchildren, and I want them now,” Abel said pounding 
his fist on the arm of the sofa.
 
“Abel knock it off,” Hannah said.
 
“I gave you that rocking chair of your Mothers not just for you to plant 
yourself in, but to rock Little Abel in as well,” Abel said.
 
“Little Abel?” Ben asked.
 
“Yes Little Abel,” he replied.
 
Adam looked at his family one by one. They all were thinking the same thing 
and he knew it. It was going to be a long, long, long, long visit.
 
The next day was Sunday and Abel and Hannah joined The Cartwright’s at 
church. They sat in the front pew as usual. Abel stood up looking over the 
congregation for possible prospects for his grandson. Hannah pulled on the 
bottom of his coat. “Abel sit down,” she said.
 
Looking down at her he replied, “I’ll sit down woman when I’m good and ready 
to.” Adam closed his eyes and wished he were someplace else. Abel sat down 
when the minister arrived. A little into the service the minister asked Ben 
about Abel and Hannah. Ben told them the story behind them and the minister 
asked Abel to come up and say a few words to them. Abel jumped at the chance 
and walked as fast as he could to the pulpit. Adam put his right hand on 
his forehead. Hannah scooted next to Adam taking his hand in hers. “Maybe 
he won’t do anything to embarrass me. You think?” Adam asked Hannah who 
gave him a sympathetic look.
 
Abel began to speak. “Hello there. I’m Abel Stoddard, Grandfather of young 
Adam Cartwright there. Benjamin Cartwright was once married to my daughter 
Elizabeth. Wanted you to know that in case you didn’t. It was by chance 
that my grandson came into my life again. He’s a fine looking man my 
grandson and strong to boot. He’ll make some lucky woman a wonderful 
husband,” Abel said. Adam rolled his eyes and turned his head to the right.
 
Adam put his head back as Abel continued. “I came out here to find my 
grandson a wife, and I’m not leaving until he does,” he said. The people in 
the church were looking over at Adam laughing to themselves. They could just 
imagine what that poor man was going through right now. Adam wished he 
could slide under all the pews and out the door.
 
Abel continued. “Those of you who would like to be in the running to marry 
my grandson can meet me after church. I will look over all the prospects and 
choose who I believe is perfect wife material for him. It was nice meeting 
you,” Abel said as he walked back to sit next to Adam. “Thanks a lot 
Grandfatjer,” Adam said.
 
“You’re welcome lad. It was the least I could do,” he replied.
 
After church every available young woman was waiting for Abel to come out. 
Adam felt so uncomfortable walking past the crowd of females but had no 
choice. They ranged from thirteen to fifty in age. He walked to where his 
father was talking to Roy Coffee. “Well Adam aren’t we the popular one this 
morning,” Roy said laughing as he commented on the women gathered around 
Abel. “I can’t believe he did that. Oh I’m so embarrassed,” Adam said.
 
Hannah walked up to Adam. “I’m so sorry Adam. That’s how your Grandfather 
is. He gets on something and that’s all he focus’ on,” she said.
 
“I just have to leave. Pick me up along the way,” Adam said to Ben.
 
“You gonna walk home son?” Ben asked.
 
“Just pick me up,” Adam replied as he began to walk. Ben took Hannah by the 
arm, excusing themselves from Roy. “Hannah I remember Abel being outspoken 
and all and it’s just who he is, but he did today was just wrong. I want 
Adam to marry and have a family. Lord knows I want grandchildren very much, 
but I want my son to marry for love and not out of an old man’s 
desperation. Can’t you speak to him before this goes any farther?” Ben 
asked.
 
“I’ve tried Ben. I don’t know what it is but he’s driven to see Adam marry 
and reproduce. It’s all he thinks about anymore,” Hannah replied.
 
That evening a young lady joined them for dinner. She was the one 
grandfather had chosen for Adam out of all those available candidates after 
church. Abigail Jones sat next to Adam smiling like she’d never smiled 
before. She reached for his hand on his lap. “Abigail what are you doing?” 
 Adam asked.
 
“I’m reaching for your hand,” she replied.
 
“That’s not my hand Abigail. Now would you be so kind as to remove your 
hand from my lap please?” Adam asked.
 
Abigail smiled bigger. “Oh I’m sorry,” she said not meaning it as she 
slowly removed her hand.
 
After dinner Hoss drove Abigail home. Adam walked up to his Grandfather 
seated in the blue chair. “I have never been so humiliated as you have made 
me today,” Adam said.
 
“Humiliated?” Abel asked.
 
“Adam?” Ben said. Hannah put her finger to her mouth to stop Ben from 
speaking.
 
Joe and Hoss watched from the hearth as they ate their pie.
 
“Yes humiliated. I felt like livestock up for bids today. I know you mean 
well sir, but I do not want you to tell me who I am going to marry or fix me 
up with anymore dates. Of all people Abigail Jones?” Adam said.
 
“You need my help in finding a wife,” Abel said.
 
“I don’t need your help Grandfather. I don’t want you or anybody else to 
tell me who I am going to marry. I will know when I meet her and if that’s 
a month from now, or two years, or twenty years from now, then that’s the 
way it’s going to be. It is my life not yours,” Adam said sternly walking 
up the stairs. Adam slammed his bedroom door behind him, leaning against it 
for a moment then sitting down in his Mother’s rocker. He couldn’t stay 
there anymore with his Grandfather there. He knew if he did they’d have a 
horrendous argument which could split them forever. He got his traveling 
bag down, packed it full of necessities then climbed out his window.
 
Adam rode to Sarah’s cabin. Once inside he lit the lantern. He sat down 
still very angry. He was so glad Sarah left him this cabin right now so he 
could get away. He needed to be alone. Needed to think things through. He 
fell asleep in the rocking chair and woke the next morning. He made some 
coffee and poured himself a cup. He sat at the table and thought as he 
drank. He scratched the whiskers on his face and knew he needed to shave, 
but didn’t quite feel like it at that moment. He heard a knock on the door 
and reluctantly got up to answer it. He knew who it was before he even 
opened the door. “What are you doing here?” he asked.
 
“I came to talk to you,” Abel said as he walked inside.
 
“How did you know where I was?” Adam asked.
 
“Your father brought me. He went down to the lake and will be back for me 
in awhile. He thought you and I should talk alone,” Abel replied.
 
“Talk about what?” Adam asked.
 
Abel looked around the cabin. “This is where and how Sarah lived for so 
many years?” he asked.
 
“Yes,” Adam replied. Abel shook his head. “She must have really hated me 
to live like this,” he said.
 
“You want some coffee?” Adam asked unenthusiastically.
 
“Sounds good,” Abel replied sitting down at the table. Adam brought a cup 
for him at the table and filled it, then sat down himself filling his own 
cup. “You know Grandfather for a man who wouldn’t talk to his wife about 
what troubled her, you sure talk too much now,” Adam said.
 
“Aye. Maybe it came from what happened between me and Sarah that caused me 
to be so blamed outspoken as you call it,” he replied.
 
“I want you to stay out of my personal life. I plan to marry someday and 
have children but not until I find the right person to share my life with. 
I don’t want to just settle and I won’t to make you happy. I’m the one who 
has to live everyday with that person, not you. I have to wake up to her, 
make love to her and believe me it’s not Abigail Jones. I have no desire to 
you know what with her,” Adam said.
 
Abel stroked his beard at his chin. “Now that I think about it lad she was 
a might thin. You need a woman with some meat on her bones so she can spit 
out as many children as possible,” he said.
 
Adam spit his coffee out. “Spit out? Couldn’t you think of a better term 
for it then that?” he asked.
 
“I remember the day your Mother was born. Oh she was so small and so 
beautiful. It wasn’t just because she was my own daughter either. She was 
pretty. I held her in my arms that first time and it was like nothing I had 
ever experienced before. Suddenly a certain love filled my body that I’d 
never known before. It was a great love and a protective love. I watched 
her grow and wanted to keep her young always. Didn’t want her to marry and 
leave me. She did just that. She married and then left me forever. I 
didn’t want your father to leave with you but he was so dead inside. I knew 
it was best for him to go and follow his dream. Elizabeth would have wanted 
that. She was so unselfish, so caring, so loving, so opinionated,” he said.
 
Adam laughed. “Like mother, like son,” he said.
 
“Aye lad and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I wouldn’t want a grandson 
who was a doormat. I like one with fire in him like you have. One who won’t 
let me walk all over him. One who stands up to me like you do,” Abel 
replied.
 
“I left last night because I was afraid I would say something to you that we 
would both be sorry for,” Adam said.
 
“I know that lad,” Abel replied.
 
“You do?” Adam asked.
 
“Well I should know it. That woman I married told me so all night long. 
Sweet little thing she is most of the time, and then get that woman riled 
and she lets you have it. That tongue of hers flapped for hours last night 
telling me what an old coot I was. Well that’s what I had come to say. I 
hope you can forgive an old man his shortcomings,” he said walking towards 
the door.
 
“Grandfather why don’t you stay here with me and I’ll take you home later,” 
Adam suggested.
 
“Take me home how?” he asked.
 
“On the back of my horse,” Adam said.
 
“On the back of a horse? Why I’ve never ridden on one of those hairy things 
in my life and I don’t intend to now,” Abel replied. Adam rolled his eyes. 
“You’ve never ridden a horse before?” he asked.
 
“Don’t need to in the big city you know. You either walk or take a buggy 
somewhere. Never even touched one of those critters before. Rode a whale 
once though,” Abel said.
 
“You rode a whale?” Adam asked sarcastically.
 
“I sure did. Don’t believe me?” he asked.
 
“No,” Adam replied.
 
“It’s a pretty sad thing when someone’s own grandson doubts his word,” Abel 
said.
 
“If you had ridden a while why wouldn’t my Father had told me about that?” 
Adam asked.
 
“Because I never told him,” Abel said.
 
“Why wouldn’t you?” Adam asked.
 
“I had my reasons,” Abel replied.
 
“What reasons were those?” Adam asked.
 
“I didn’t want to show off by telling him I had ridden a while before,” Abel 
said smiling.
 
“Grandfather you just told the biggest fish story I have ever heard before,” 
Adam said.
 
“Aye I did lad but it felt great to tell it. Haven’t told a fish story in so 
long. I wasn’t lying about the horse though. Never want to ride anything 
that’s bigger or harrier then I am. Know what I‘m saying boy>” he said.
 
“Aye that I do sir,” Adam replied. They both laughed.
 
The next Sunday in church Abel got up to speak again. Adam wished now he 
hadn’t come again. If it wasn’t bad enough that all the female prospects 
from last week were looking at him and waving to him. Abel began to speak. 
“Well, I see there’s a might more young ladies in the congregation this week 
then last. Guess we all know why that is,” Abel said. The congregation 
laughed while looking at Adam who wanted to become invisible.
 
Abel continued. “Last Sunday I made a fool out of myself and my Grandson. 
I am an old man who has lost everyone he has ever loved in his lifetime 
except for his Grandson. I was afraid if I lost him I wouldn’t have 
anybody. Oh I have my Hannah but that’s a different thing altogether. If 
Adam had children then I would have someone else to love. A kind of 
insurance of having someone else if something were to happen to Adam. I 
guess that fear is a terrible thing to have. It’s one of the things I wish 
we didn’t have to have but do. I now understand how fear can control one’s 
life and one’s thinking. I now understand why my dear Sarah did what she 
did, because she did it out of fear. Fear is something so powerful and so 
strong that it can control your every thought. Well ladies I am sorry to 
announce that my Grandson is not up for public auction anymore. Now that 
young man will have the pleasure of finding his own wife like it should be. 
I love my Grandson more then my own life. I am so afraid of losing him and 
yet I almost lost him forever this week. If he hadn’t had the courage to 
leave when he did instead of telling me off for butting into his life, we 
could have lost each other. I’m going to let him decide what is best for 
him from now on. I don’t care now how long it takes him to have children, 
as long as he understands that his first son will be named Abel.” he said.
 
Adam shook his head. Abel continued. “I heard tell by his father that Adam 
was given a stuffed dog for his third birthday. I am told he named that dog 
Abel after his Grandfather. That really touched me. Except for Hannah in my 
life now, I wish I had gone with them the day they left so I could have seen 
my Grandson grow up. I didn’t know for many years if he was even alive. 
One day a letter came from my son-in-law there and I read about his good 
fortune and The Ponderosa. I felt very inadequate. I was afraid after 
getting that letter that my Grandson would be ashamed of me. Ashamed of me 
because all I was, was an old broken down sea captain. I wasn’t important 
like his Father was now. Rather then face a Grandson who might not want me 
in life, I chose to hide from him all those years. Ironically it was just 
as my Sarah had chosen to hide from me all those many years. When I 
happened by chance to meet Adam that day at the cemetery I knew who he was 
at first sight. I saw his mother in his face and his eyes. He had the same 
life in his eyes that she had had. He was just as strong willed and 
opinionated as she was and I am as well. I have said all I tend to say on 
the subject and I need a breath of fresh air,” he concluded walking down the 
aisle and out the doors.
 
Adam got up following him out, closing the doors behind him. Standing before 
his Grandfather Adam looked down and said,” You never told me about 
purposely ignoring me all these years. You didn’t know how to tell me 
before did you?” Adam asked.
 
“No lad. I wanted to but I just couldn’t. I didn’t understand myself. Not 
until I went into that cabin of Sarah’s did it hit me. After finding out 
she had been alive all these years I couldn’t understand her. I was so mad 
that day at the cemetery when we first met. So mad at Sarah for doing that 
to me. The other day at the cabin I realized I did to you what Sarah did to 
me. I pretended to not be alive anymore so you wouldn’t have to know the 
real me. I too found out you can’t run away from yourself. Now I can’t 
forgive myself the years I lost with you. All the years I could have been a 
part of your life and you a part of mine. If Elizabeth could come here 
right now she’d let me have it for sure, for what I have done to her son,” 
Abel said looking down.
 
Adam placed his right hand on Abel’s left shoulder. “I think if my Mother 
could come here right now all she would care about is seeing us again. Not 
judging us. I thought when we first met that you blamed me for her death 
and hated me for it. I’ve hated myself all my life for that. When we had 
special things in school and so many of the kids mothers came it hurt. It 
hurt so much. I had lost two mothers by that time in my life. One that I 
killed, and one that was killed in front of me,” Adam said crying.
 
Abel looked at him and took him in his arms. “You poor boy. I know how you 
feel because my mother died when I was born as well. That’s why I went to 
sea so young. My father blamed me for her death and hated me. I ran off to 
sea when I was just a lad to escape his hate. Just like it was when Sarah 
needed me. I couldn’t stand the thoughts of her hating me as well and so I 
ran back to sea where I was could escape. When your father left with you I 
ran back to the sea to escape your departure as well as Elizabeth’s death. 
When you were born and your mother died I felt so sorry for you. I looked 
over at that tiny little baby who didn’t even know what life was and felt 
sorry for what you would have to endure. Thank goodness you had the Father 
you did and not one like mine,” he said.
 
Adam looked at his Grandfather. “I never knew. I’m more sorry for you then 
for myself. I’m glad we met,” he said.
 
“Aye lad me too,” Abel said.
 
“Grandfather tell me the truth will you?” Adam asked.
 
“If I can son,” Abel replied.
 
“Did you or did you not ride a whale?” Adam asked.
 
“I thought you said it was the biggest fish story you‘d ever heard,” Abel 
replied.
 
“You agreed to that but I have the feeling if anyone was determined enough 
to ride a whale it would be you,” Adam said.
 
“Aye lad,” Abel replied.
 
THE END
 
 
 
ABEL AND HANNAH NEVER WENT TO BOSTON, BECAUSE HE WANTED TO BE NEAR HIS 
GRANDSON. HANNAH LOVED HER HUSBAND ENOUGH TO GIVE UP HER LIFE IN BOSTON AND 
HER FAMILY THERE AS WELL.
 
ABEL DIED AT THE AGE OF NINETY AND GOT TO SPEND ELEVEN GLORIOUS YEARS WITH 
HIS GRANDSON. HE GOT TO SEE HIM MARRY A WONDERFUL WOMAN WHOM THEY BOTH 
APPROVED OF. ADAM MARRIED ELAINE, THE TOO SKINNY GIRL FROM BOSTON WHO CAME 
FOR A VISIT AND STOLE HIS HEART. THEY HAD FIVE CHILDREN, ALL OF WHOM HIS 
GRANDFATHER GOT TO SEE. THE CRADLE THAT ADAM SLEPT IN AS A NEWBORN WAS 
USED FOR EVERY BABY. THE FIRST SON ADAM HAD, HE NAMED ABEL BENJAMIN AFTER 
THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT MEN IN HIS LIFE. THE SECOND SON HE NAMED ADAM 
JOSEPH. THE THIRD SON WAS NAMED BENJAMIN ERIC. HIS FIRST DAUGHTER HE NAMED 
ELIZABETH ANNE AFTER HIS MOTHER. THE SECOND DAUGHTER WAS NAMED AMANDA 
ELAINE AFTER HER MOTHER AND HER FATHER. THROUGH THE YEARS ADAM HAS TOLD HIS 
CHILDREN AND HIS GRANDCHILDREN ABOUT HIS GRANDFATHER. THE STORY OF HOW THEY 
MET AND HIS ADVENTURES AT SEA. THEY ESPECIALLY LOVED THE STORY ABOUT HIS 
RIDING THE WHALE. DID HE REALLY RIDE A WHALE THEY WOULD ASK ADAM. HIS 
REPLY WAS ALWAYS THE SAME. “AYE LAD.”
 
THE END

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