THE REWARD
By: Deborah S.
 
 
Ben Cartwright met the noon stage. Adam would be on it. When the stage 
driver opened the door several people got out first then Adam. He didn’t 
look at Ben. He just looked down. Adam picked up his luggage and Ben 
helped him with one of the bags. They walked over to their buggy placing 
the luggage in the back seat. “Would you like to have something to eat or 
drink son before we leave town?” Ben asked.
 
“No,” was Adam’s quiet reply as he looked down.
 
“You sure son? It’s a long ride home to The Ponderosa,” he said.
 
“Yes,” was all Adam replied. Ben got onto the front seat of the buggy and 
Adam followed him moving as far away from Ben as he could get. They didn’t 
talk the whole time home. Ben understood why. Adam had been through so 
much. It would take time and Ben knew that.
 
Once home they walked into the house. Ben put his arm around Adam’s 
shoulder. Adam moved away quickly. Ben knew why. He knew it would just 
take time.
 
Ben looked at Adam who looked very tired. “Son you look tired. Would you 
like to go up to your room and take a nap before dinner?” he asked.
 
“Yes,” Adam replied quietly looking down. Ben handed Adam one of the bags 
and took the other. They both climbed up the stairs and to Adam’s room. 
Once inside they placed the luggage down. “Well I’ll leave you now so you 
can get some rest. Dinner won’t be for a couple of hours so you can get 
some good sleep. I know at those stage stops you can’t sleep very well nor 
do they feed you well either. After a good nap and one of Hop Sing’s famous 
dinners you’ll feel much better,” Ben said.
 
Adam didn’t reply. Ben knew why. He knew it would just take time. He 
walked downstairs pausing at the landing and looking upstairs. He hoped time 
would heal the hurt and pain inside of Adam.
 
Adam took off his suit jacket and string tie. He took off his shoes and 
laid down on top of the bedspread. He was so tired that he felt like he had 
melted into the bed. Within minutes he was sound asleep. An hour later Ben 
walked upstairs to check on him. Adam was curled up and cold. Ben went 
into the hallway returning with a blanket and covered him. Adam stirred a 
few moments then went back into a deep sleep. Ben looked at him for a few 
minutes before leaving the room closing the door as he left.
 
When it was dinnertime Ben walked upstairs to awaken Adam. He was so tired 
he almost thought about letting him sleep but knew he would probably wake 
up hungry during the night. He shook him calling his name. It took a few 
shakes to wake him. Adam opened his eyes slowly then closed them again. 
“Son it’s time for dinner. Time to wake up son,” Ben said. Adam opened his 
eyes and fought to hold them open. Laying on his left side he gave a little 
stretch before sitting up. He walked downstairs behind Ben. When Hoss saw 
them coming he pulled out Adam’s chair for him. Adam sat down looking down 
at his plate. Once seated Ben asked Hoss to give him Adam’s plate. Ben 
filled his plate with a steak, baked potato, green beans and a dinner roll. 
Hoss handed the plate back to Adam who dug into the food. He was hungrier 
then he had realized he was. Hoss, Joe and Ben all looked at each other. 
They knew not to ask any questions of Adam. Not yet. It was too soon and 
they all knew it. They talked about general things during dinner. Adam 
never said a word or looked up. They all knew why and knew it would take 
time.
 
Once dinner was over Joe wiped his mouth on his napkin and announced he was 
going to the barn to brush down Cochise. “I’d like to go with you,” Adam 
said. Joe looked at Hoss and his Pa and replied, “Sure Adam I’d like the 
company.” The two walked to the barn. Adam paused at the door. Joe looked 
back at him. “It doesn’t smell real good does it? You can keep a barn just 
so clean you know?” he said. Joe noticed he still wasn’t making any attempt 
to walk in. “Come on in. It won’t kill you,” he said.
 
Adam paused for a moment as he thought. “Come on,” Joe said grabbing Adam’s 
hand and walking him in. “See you didn’t die. You’re still alive,” he said. 
 Adam smiled a small closed smile. “So you do know how to smile huh?” Joe 
said smiling big. Adam smiled a bigger closed smiled as he looked down. Joe 
walked to Sport’s stall and turned him around. Adam walked up to Sport. He 
smiled an open smile. Sport nudged him. “Well go ahead and pet him. He 
wants you to,” Joe said.
 
Adam reached his hand up to touch Sport’s long head. He held his hand there 
not being able to actually touch him. Joe took his hand and placed it just 
above Sport’s nose. Adam smiled. “I’ve never touched a horse before. My 
grandfather wouldn’t allow me to. Said only peasants touched horses. Not 
our kind,” he said.
 
“Well maybe in New York City that’s the case but out here you either touch a 
horse or you don’t go anywhere,” Joe replied.
 
“This has to be my father’s horse Sport. He’s told me so much about him. He 
told me about how he had Beauty before him. How much it hurt him to have to 
shoot her after she broke her leg. How he had to walk to that town carrying 
his saddle, saddlebag and his bedroll. How he found Sport here in a corral 
of horses for sale. The man tried to sell him the most expensive horse 
there but my father said his eyes kept going back to Sport. Maybe because 
Sport looked so much like Beauty but he didn’t know,” Adam said.
 
“My goodness you do talk. I must say you talk a lot like your father. You 
know I can’t get over how much you look like your father. The only thing 
different I can see is you have thicker black hair then he has and you 
don’t have the curls he has in his hair. Also you have green eyes where 
Adam’s are the color of amber and your face is fairer,” Joe said. He placed 
his hand below Adam’s chin and held his face up. “You shave some but don’t 
have a full beard yet. That will come being you’re Adam’s son. You’re only 
sixteen so give it a couple of more years. You also don’t have any hair on 
your chest but I’m sure that will change. If I remember correctly your 
father got chest hair around twenty. You’re tall like your father. I’d say 
you are around six feet tall now. You’ll likely be as tall or taller then my 
brother. You also have his broad shoulders, big hands and big feet,” Joe 
said.
 
“My mother had green eyes and thick black hair as well as fair skin,” Adam 
replied.
 
“I’m sorry about your mother. I know what it’s like to lose a mother,” Joe 
said. Adam looked down. “I miss her a lot but I don’t miss my grandfather. 
I hated him. I hated him for what he did to my mother and my father and me. 
 I hate him and I’m glad he’s dead. He deserved to die and I hope he’s 
burning in Hell,” he said. Joe looked at Adam’s face. The hate on it made 
Joe shiver. Joe knew about his nephew’s life from what his brother had told 
them. That was one reason Adam wanted to send his son here by himself. He 
had so much hatred and anger towards his grandfather and with good reason. 
He wanted his son to get to know their father. To realize that all 
grandfathers aren’t the evil men his grandfather was.
 
“Hey, hey Adam. Want to feed Sport an apple?” Joe asked reaching into a 
bag and pulling out an apple. He placed the apple in Adam’s hand then 
positioned it under Sport’s mouth. Adam smiled as Sport chewed the apple. 
“He likes you Adam. You remind him of your father. Would you like to ride 
Sport someday?” Joe asked. The smile left Adam’s face. “I don’t know. 
Maybe,” was his reply.
 
“Hey Adam come and meet Cochise,” Joe said walking him over to Cochise’s 
stall. Joe turned him around. “Cochise meet Adam’s son Adam,” Joe said.
 
“Hello Cochise,” Adam said reaching up to pet him.
 
“Now you see how far you’ve come along already. You reached up yourself to 
pet him. I didn’t have to help you this time. We’ll make a farm boy out of 
you yet,” Joe said. Adam smiled a big closed smile. Joe handed him an apple 
to feed to Cochise. “You may find this hard to believe Adam but as much as 
Cochise loves apples, coffee is his favorite thing,” Joe said.
 
“Coffee?” Adam asked.
 
“Yeah coffee. I know it sounds strange but he loves coffee. The funny 
thing is when I let him drink coffee he can run all day,” Joe said laughing. 
 Adam smiled. Hoss walked into the barn. “Did you introduce Adam to 
Chubb?” he asked. Adam looked at Hoss. He was the biggest man he had ever 
seen. He felt intimidated by him. “Now young man you come here and meet 
Chubb because if you don’t he’ll get jealous,” Hoss said leading Adam by the 
shoulder. Hoss turned Chubb around and Adam stepped back. He was much 
bigger then the other horses. “He’s bigger then Sport and Cochise ain’t he? 
 Well you see he has to be to carry me or else I’d be carrying him 
instead,” he said smiling. Adam looked at his uncle and smiled. “Joe did 
you see that he has teeth. I was afraid for a moment there our nephew 
didn’t have any teeth,” he said. Adam smiled bigger. Adam pet Chubb and 
fed him an apple.
 
Hoss walked over to Buck. “Hey Adam would like to meet Buck? He’s your 
grandpa’s horse,” he said. The smile left Adam’s face. “No,” he replied. 
Joe and Hoss looked at each other. They understood why. Hop Sing walked in 
announcing he had a bath ready for Mr. Adam.
 
Awhile later Adam waited for Hop Sing to leave the bathing room before he 
would undress. “You have something secret under clothes I never see before 
or you just shy?” Hop Sing asked. Adam just stood there. “Hop Sing leave 
now so you can undress and get in tub. Be back later with water to rinse you 
off,” he said leaving the room. He could hear Hop Sing uttering something 
in Chinese down the hall.
 
Adam unbuttoned his shirt and let it drop to the floor along with his pants 
and his undergarments. He pulled off his socks last. It had been awhile 
since he’d been able to bathe. He’d only been able to sponge bathe most of 
the way and looked forward to feeling completely clean again. Just as he was 
about to get into the tub Ben walked in carrying a razor and a towel. He 
could tell his grandson was embarrassed to have him see him naked. Ben 
couldn’t believe how much he looked like his son. Even his body was the 
same. Adam turned around so his backside was facing his grandfather. “Adam 
we are all men here. We have everything you have. I’m sorry if I 
embarrassed you by coming in here like this. I just noticed you have some 
whiskers there that could use a shave. I thought maybe you would like to 
shave as well as bathe,” Ben said.
 
“I don’t know how to shave,” Adam replied.
 
“Well what do you do back home?” Ben asked.
 
“Our servant shaves me,” Adam replied.
 
“Oh I see. Well here we don’t have a servant that does that. Um if you 
would like I could shave your face for you this time but I expect you to do 
it yourself after,” Ben said.
 
“All right,” Adam replied. Ben gave Adam a towel to put around his middle. 
He worked up some lather in the cup then brought his grandson’s face up with 
his hand. He brushed the lather on his face. Ben felt a surge of love rush 
through him. A love that was different from the love he had for his sons 
but was just as strong. This was his grandson. Adam didn’t pull away. He 
moved his eyes around not looking at Ben but he didn’t pull away. This was 
good. He began to shave his face one stroke at a time wiping the blade off 
on the towel each time. When he was done he wiped his face off with a 
towel. Ben held Adam’s face up again by his chin and said, “Well a perfect 
job if I do say so myself.”
 
“Thank you,” Adam said softly.
 
“You are very welcome young man,” Ben replied. Ben wiped his hands off on 
the towel and said, “Now young man I will leave you to bathe in private.” 
Ben walked to the door looking back on his grandson. If he hadn’t known 
better he would have sworn he had gone back in time. He was looking at Adam 
again at sixteen.
 
When Ben left the room Adam dropped his towel and got into the tub. The 
warm water felt so good. He immediately began to soap up. He thought about 
his grandpa touching his face and shaving him. How his touch was so gentle 
and warm. Not cold like he’d expected it to be. He thought about his 
uncles too. He thought about his mother and how he missed her. Tears came 
to his eyes. His missed his father too. He wished he could be back home 
with him right now.
 
A moment later Hoss and Joe came into the room. Adam was embarrassed to 
have them come in while he was in the tub. They could tell he had been 
crying and looked at each other. “Now you ain’t embarrassed to have us come 
in and talk to you while you ‘re in the tub are you?” Hoss asked smiling. 
Adam smiled back. “You see Adam it’s our favorite past time here on The 
Ponderosa to visit anyone taking a bath,” Joe said. Adam smiled again. 
“That’s not true is it?” Adam asked.
 
“We’re here ain’t we?” Hoss asked.
 
“Hey what do you think of the house?” Joe asked.
 
“It’s nice but small. Very different in the way it looks from anything I’ve 
seen before,” Adam replied.
 
“Small? That’s the first time anyone’s ever said our house was small,” Joe 
said.
 
“It’s small to me. My house in New York is much larger then this. I’m not 
putting down this house I’m just answering your question,” Adam replied.
 
“You know he even talks like his father,” Hoss said.
 
“Yeah, yeah he does. Hey Adam what’s eighteen times twelve?” Joe asked.
 
“Two hundred sixteen,” Adam replied fast.
 
“Yeah he’s his father’s son all right ain’t he Joe?” Hoss asked.
 
“Yeah he sure is. You know Hoss I think we should maybe make Adam here feel 
welcome you know?” Joe said looking at Hoss. Hoss winked and smiled a 
closed smile as he nodded his head. Adam knew something was coming. Hoss 
dunked Adam under the water. Adam came up blowing the water from his mouth 
and nose. Joe handed him a towel to wipe his eyes. Instead of Adam’s 
getting mad like they thought he might he laughed. “My father warned me 
about you two. I was wondering how long it would take you to do something 
like this,” he said. Joe and Hoss looked at each other and laughed.
 
After the bath Adam walked with his towel to his father’s room where he was 
staying. Ben walked in going towards the dresser. He pulled out a 
nightshirt. “This is your father’s nightshirt. Now believe me when I tell 
you it was hardly ever worn. I think Hop Sing took your clothes down to be 
laundered so you can wear this tonight. Joe’s would be too short and a 
might too small in the shoulders for you. Hoss’s well we’d never find you 
once you put that on,” Ben said smiling. Adam smiled a big closed smile.
 
“You miss your father, Adam?” Ben asked.
 
“Yes I do. He’s a wonderful father,” Adam replied.
 
“I’m glad you have each other. I know how proud he is of you,” Ben said.
 
“I’m proud of him too sir,” Adam replied.
 
“You know Adam you could call me grandpa. Lord knows I’ve waited a long 
time to be called that,” Ben said looking at Adam and wondering if he should 
have said that so soon.
 
“Grandpa,” Adam said. “I can call you grandpa but never grandfather.”
 
“That’s fine with me. I always thought of myself as a grandpa anyway,” Ben 
said putting his hand on Adam’s shoulder. “Now why don’t I leave and let 
you get dressed for bed?” he said.
 
“What’s the point. You’ve seen everything I have. You and those two uncles 
of mine,” Adam replied.
 
“Well why don’t I just leave you to get dressed by yourself,” Ben said as 
he left the room. After he closed the door he smiled. He had broken 
through some of the barrier.
 
The next morning Joe and Hoss couldn’t wait to be uncles. After breakfast 
they wanted to teach Adam how to ride a horse. “No, no, no, no, no,” Adam 
replied out in front.
 
“Oh come on Adam you have to ride your father’s horse,” Joe said as Hoss led 
Sport out of the barn all saddled up and ready to go. “Look how excited he 
looks,” Joe said. Adam looked at the house. He didn’t looked excited to 
him. He couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
 
“Come over here little buddy,” Hoss said to his nephew.  Adam walked up to 
Sport. He looked much bigger today then he did last night. He made a face. 
“Now little nephew I have to tell you that if you show fear he’s going to 
know it. If you do he’ll become the boss not you. Now why don’t you just 
get up in the saddle and sit there for awhile and I’ll hold onto Sport. You 
ain’t gonna go anywhere we just want you to get used to sitting on him,” 
Hoss said.
 
Adam scrunched up his face. “My grandfather always told me if you ride a 
horse you’ll get warts,” he said.
 
Hoss and Joe laughed. “Adam we’ve ridden our entire lives and we don’t have 
warts. That just ain’t true,” Hoss said.
 
“You sure?” Adam asked. Joe held out his hands. “See any warts?” he 
asked.
 
“No,” Adam replied.
 
“Then come on. It’s fun. You’ll like it,” Joe said.
 
Adam walked up to the left side of Sport. He looked up at the saddle. It 
looked high. Hoss brought his left foot up into the stirrup then hoisted 
him up onto the saddle. Adam smiled. “Hey this is kind of fun. You can 
see a lot more from up here,” he said. He stopped smiling when Sport moved. 
“Why is he moving?” he asked worried.
 
“He’s alive that’s why. I’m holding onto the reins so he won’t go anywhere 
but he will move,” Joe replied.
 
“Well look at that,” Ben said walking outside.
 
“Ain’t that something Pa?” Hoss asked.
 
“Yeah it sure is. Now you take it slow with my grandson there. I don’t 
want him falling off or anything. Use wisdom here you two. I have to go 
back in and do some more paperwork . You remember what I said,” Ben said 
and then walked into the house.
 
“Boy you know Hoss, I don’t remember Pa acting so scared when we first went 
on a horse do you?” Joe asked.
 
“No. I’ve heard tell though that grandpa’s let their grandchildren get away 
with more and spoil them more,” Hoss said.
 
“Yeah I’ve heard tell that myself,” Joe replied.
 
“Can I ride Sport?” Adam asked. Joe and Hoss looked at each other. “Why 
you bet you can. Just let me go and saddle up Cochise and Chubb and we’ll 
go riding together. We’ll take it slow though,” Hoss said.
 
Adam was having a great time riding Sport. He didn’t ride him very fast but 
it was fun. He pet Sport’s long neck a lot and talked to him. Sport seemed 
to know the passenger on his back was someone special and so was 
extra-gentle. They rode to the lake. Adam got down from Sport on his own. 
He was surprised how far down it was. Hoss tied Sport to a tree branch with 
the other two horses. The three walked to the shore of the lake. “I want 
you to know something right off Adam. This lake is beautiful but it’s 
dangerous. It’s a mile or so deep they say. Someone drowns there and they 
never are seen again. I’m telling you this because I don’t want you 
swimming out into it. You understand me?” Hoss said seriously.
 
“I understand you Uncle Hoss. My father warned me about this as well,” 
Adam replied.
 
“Good because we wouldn’t want anything to happen to you now would we?” 
Hoss asked putting his arm around his nephew. Adam turned and hugged his 
uncle back, holding him for awhile. Joe looked at Hoss who had his head 
down enjoying every moment of it. His large hand going up and down Adam’s 
back. “Hey what about me?” Joe said holding his arms out. Adam smiled then 
gave his Uncle Joe the same kind of hug. Joe looked at Hoss with tears in 
his eyes. He knew if he could hug them it would be hopefully just a matter 
of time before Adam could hug their Pa.
 
They rode most of the day. When they returned home Adam felt like his 
backend was on fire. It was also numb and sore at the same time. He had a 
hard time walking as his legs were stiff. He walked into the house holding 
his backside. Ben looked up from his desk and smiled at the sight. “Have a 
good time Adam?” he asked.
 
“Yeah we did. It was great. They took me to the lake and around some of The 
Ponderosa. It’s so big and so different from back home,” he replied smiling.
 
“Did they warn you about the lake?” Ben asked.
“Yes and so did my father,” Adam replied.
 
“Good. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you,” Ben said and then looked 
down at his paperwork.
 
“Why?” Adam asked.
 
“Why what?” Ben asked.
 
“Why wouldn’t you want anything to happen to me?” Adam asked.
 
“Because you’re my grandson and I love you,” Ben replied.
 
“Why do you love me?” Adam asked his expression going cold. Ben stood and 
walked over to where Adam stood in front of the sofa. Looking at him he 
replied, “I love you because you’re my grandson. You are the son of my son. 
 Flesh of my flesh.”
 
“Well I don’t love you,” Adam said running towards the stairs. He ran up 
into his room closing the door behind him. He breathed heavily against the 
door as he cried. “I hate you. I hate you,” he said.
 
Ben stood there stunned. When Hoss and Joe came in they could tell something 
was wrong. At that moment Ben did something his sons had hardly ever seen in 
their lifetime. Their Pa began to cry. Ben walked into the downstairs 
bedroom to be alone. Hoss and Joe had tears in their eyes. Hoss went 
upstairs to Adam’s room. He knocked on the door before opening it. Adam 
was looking out the window.
 
“My Pa is downstairs crying. I don’t know why but all I know is I ain’t 
hardly ever seen my Pa cry before. Now you tell me what you did to my Pa to 
make him cry like that,” Hoss demanded. Adam didn’t reply. Hoss walked up 
to him turning him around to face him. “I know you had a hard life. I’m 
sorry for that. We’re all sorry for that but that don’t mean you can come 
here and treat my Pa like that. He ain’t your grandfather. From what your 
father has told us he ain’t nothing like him. I never had anybody do to me 
what your grandfather did to you so maybe I’m wrong to expect anything more 
from you. I just know I don’t like seeing my Pa cry. It tears me up 
inside. Ben Cartwright is one of the best men ever born to this world and 
I’m proud to be his son. Your father is proud too. Your father gave up his 
life here to be with you because you had been through so much. He didn’t 
feel he should take you away from what you were used to. Fathers make 
sacrifices like that for their children because they love them. My Pa has 
lost so much in his life. Now he’s lost his son and in his heart I know he 
feels he’s lost his grandson. I feel sorry for you Adam. Sorry because you 
are missing out on a wonderful kind of love that any one of us boys would 
have loved to have had. Not one of us knew our grandparents. Right now I’m 
ashamed you’re my nephew,” Hoss said walking out of the room slamming the 
door behind him.
 
Adam stood there stunned. He wanted to leave this terrible place and never 
come back. He snuck out front door and got Sport out of his stall. He put 
the blanket over his back and put the saddle on top. It took him awhile but 
he got it cinched. He put the reins on and mounted Sport. He rode him as 
fast as he knew how. He didn’t know where he was going but he didn’t care 
either.
 
Joe went upstairs to get Adam for dinner. When Joe realized he wasn’t in 
his room he ran downstairs. Ben and Hoss were at the dining table. “Pa, 
Hoss, Adam’s not in his room. The three men headed out the door calling for 
him. They noticed the barn door open and went inside. They saw Sport was 
gone.
 
It didn’t take very long for the three of them to go after him. They 
followed his tracks. It looked like Adam was heading up to Paiute country. 
Fear ran through Ben. Hopefully they would think it was his son Adam by 
Sport and his grandson’s looks. Once up close they would realize his youth 
and the fact it wasn‘t Adam.
 
They rode up into the Paiute village. There was his grandson scared to death 
by the fire. Ben dismounted and held his hand up. The chief greeted him. 
“Ben Cartwright this boy say he is your grandson. Is this true?” he asked.
 
“Yes he is the son of my son, flesh of my flesh,” Ben said.
 
“He looks like his father looks,” the chief said.
 
“Yes he does. He is not familiar with our ways here. He was foolish to 
ride off alone like he did,” Ben said.
 
“If he were my grandson I would tan his hide for doing that. If my braves 
had not thought he was your son Adam he may not be around to be tanned,” the 
chief said.
 
“Yes maybe that’s what I need to do. Thank you chief,” Ben said.
 
“Have teepee over there. You wish to tan now you may use,” the chief said. 
Adam looked at his grandpa then looked down. “Thank you chief. I think I 
will,” Ben said walking over to where Adam sat. “Get up Adam,” he demanded. 
 Adam looked up at his grandpa. He stood up and followed his grandpa over 
to the teepee. Once inside Ben turned him over his knee and whacked him 
several times as hard as he could. Adam looked at him as he rubbed his 
backside. “I’m sorry I ran off like that,” he said.
 
“You had better believe young man that we will be talking about this later,” 
Ben said sternly.
 
“I was afraid of that,” Adam said walking out of the teepee behind his 
grandpa. Hoss and Joe turned so Adam couldn’t see them smiling. The chief 
did the same. Adam had never been so embarrassed before. He mounted Sport 
without saying anything or looking at anyone. His backside hurt badly 
against the hard saddle. He had never been spanked like that before.
 
Once home Adam didn’t say anything to anyone. He went upstairs to take the 
bath Hop Sing prepared for him. Nobody came in to visit him this time. 
Afterwards he climbed into his bed. He didn’t want to see anybody. He blew 
out the lamp by his bed and put his head down on his pillow. He didn’t 
close his eyes but thought. Thought about his mother. How he missed her. 
How he missed her voice and her touch. It hadn’t been but six months since 
she’d died. It seemed like yesterday.
 
Ben walked into the dark room and sat down on the bed. “I never want you 
to pull another stupid stunt like that again. Do I make myself perfectly 
clear?” he asked sternly.
 
“Yes sir,” Adam replied.
 
“This isn’t New York City. Here you have to be wise to stay alive. You are 
lucky they didn’t kill you. What would your father have said if he had 
known?” Ben asked.
 
“He would have told you not to spank his son,” Adam replied. Ben fought not 
to laugh. He smiled and was grateful the room was dark so Adam couldn’t see 
his face. “From now on you don’t go anywhere without either me or your 
uncles Hoss or Joe. Do I make myself clear?” Ben asked.
 
“Yes sir,” Adam replied. With that Ben left the room.
 
The hours went by and Adam couldn’t sleep. He was hungry and that didn’t 
help. He didn’t want to be alone. He up and walked to his grandpa’s room. 
 He opened the door gently and closed it the same to not awaken him. He 
walked to the other side of the bed and got in under the covers. Ben 
awakened by the bed moving. When he realized who was climbing in bed with 
him he didn’t say anything Once Adam was almost asleep Ben put his arm 
around him.
 
When Ben awoke the next morning Adam was looking at him. “I’m sorry grandpa 
for what I said to you downstairs,” he said. Ben brought his grandson close 
to him and held him. “Apology accepted,” he replied.
 
“Grandpa my grandfather wasn’t a nice person. He had money like you do but 
much more. He hurt people with the power that money gave him as you know. 
I know he loved me in his own way but it’s because of that love my mother 
died,” Adam said.
 
Ben held him closer. “Some men Adam just can’t handle power. I think some 
of your grandfather’s problem was he was afraid of losing your mother and 
you. Everyone is different son. What he did was wrong but he did love you 
I’m sure. In his own way he did,” he said.
 
“Grandpa my father told me that he didn’t want anybody to know I was coming 
here. Why?” Adam asked.
 
“Because if people form here knew you were coming here they would have never 
left us alone. We would have never had a moment to ourselves. Every 
curiosity seeker would have been out here wanting to see you. Your father 
and I wanted to protect you from that,” Ben replied.
 
“My father hates it in New York. I know he only stays there because of me. 
 Do you think we could wire him and ask him to sell the house there and 
it’s belongings and come here to live?” Adam asked.
 
“Is that what you want son?” Ben asked.
 
“Yes. I’ve given it some long thought. I know it’s what I want more then 
anything. I like it here. I want to grow up knowing you and my uncles and 
I want my father to be truly happy again,” Adam said.
 
“Isn’t your father happy Adam?” Ben asked.
 
“Not really. He pretends to be for my sake but I can read between the 
lines. He misses his life here and wishes he could come home. I think 
Sport misses him too,” Adam said. Ben smiled. He realized right then that 
his grandson was a young man. A very unselfish young man. “Well in that 
case young man we had better let you pick out your own horse because once 
your father comes home Sport’s his again,” Ben said.
 
“My own horse? Can I really pick it out?” Adam asked
 
“Yes you may. Let’s get up and go out to the corral and let you pick away 
after breakfast,” Ben replied.
 
After breakfast the four of them walked over to the corral. Adam spotted a 
white horse first off. They paraded all the horses in front of him but that 
white horse had won his heart. “I want the white horse grandpa,” Adam said.
 
“A good choice. She’s a sweetheart,” Ben replied.
 
“What are you going to name here Adam?” Hoss asked.
 
“Sugar,” Adam replied.
 
“That’s a great name,” Joe said.
 
Adam looked at his Uncle Hoss and could tell he was feeling a bit 
uncomfortable after what he said to him the night before. When Ben and Joe 
took Sugar into the barn Adam stayed behind to talk to Hoss. “Uncle Hoss 
thank you,” he said.
 
“Thank you for what?” Hoss asked.
 
“For what you said to me yesterday. If you hadn’t said those words I, well 
let’s just say I needed to hear them. After I went to bed last night I 
thought about how I would feel if someone made my father cry. I’d want to 
hurt them for hurting my father. I’d feel that way if someone hurt you too 
or Uncle Joe or my Grandpa,” he said. Hoss brought Adam close to him and 
gave him a hug. “I love you too little nephew,” he said. Adam smiled up at 
him. “I love you too Uncle Hoss,” he replied.
 
That day Joe took Adam out to teach him how to shoot a pistol. He was so 
good that Joe was amazed. Ben came outside to see how he was doing. “Pa, pa 
he can hit those bottles like nothing. He’s a born shooter. You’d never 
had known he never shot a gun before,” Joe said. Ben put his arm around 
Adam’s shoulder. “Well he must have good hand/eye coordination. Takes 
after his father,” Ben said looking down at Adam with pride.
 
Two weeks passed and Adam had learned to ride Sugar real well. Ben kept 
having to tell him not to go too fast. He was becoming very protective of 
his grandson. Ben and Adam went out riding for the first time together. 
They stopped to give the horses a rest. Looking down at the lake below Adam 
said, “This must be one of the most beautiful places on earth.”
 
“I agree with that. Even though I haven’t seen most of the earth,” Ben 
said.
 
“I have. I’ve traveled all over the world with my mother and grandfather. 
Take my word for it,” Adam replied. Ben wanted so badly to take his 
grandson into his arms and tell him he loved him. He didn’t though because 
he wanted the first time to come from Adam. Things were going so well 
between them that he didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize that. Adam 
looked at his grandpa as if he could read his mind. He walked up to him 
slowly and carefully put his arms around him. He then laid his head on his 
shoulder and held him closing his eyes. Ben put his arms around him and 
held him close resting his head on his grandson’s head. “I love you 
grandpa,” Adam said. Ben breathed in deeply. “I love you too Adam,” he 
said stroking his grandson’s head. This was a moment Ben had looked forward 
to for so many years. This was his reward.
 
The next day was Sunday and the day that Ben Cartwright was going to 
introduce his grandson to Virginia City during church. They arrived late 
but their front pew was waiting for them. Adam walked alongside his grandpa 
down what felt was the longest aisle in history. People looked at him and 
whispered. He heard one lady say to another “That must be the bastard that 
Adam Cartwright sired.” He knew what people must think of his father. They 
didn’t know the truth and they wouldn’t because his father would never tell. 
 His father would let people think what they wanted to, to protect his 
son’s mother and his son. Once seated the minister spoke. Adam looked 
around the church and was amazed at how small it was compared to the grand 
church he attended back home.
 
Awhile into the service Ben was asked to introduce the young man seated 
next to him. Ben proudly stood asking Adam to stand as well. They walked 
up to the pulpit together. The people got their first real look at Adam 
Benjamin Eric Joseph Cartwright. They were amazed how he looked exactly 
like his father. Even his expressions and the way he moved his eyes were 
the same. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that standing before them was 
the son of Adam Cartwright. Every young lady in church sat taller hoping he 
would notice them.
 
“Everyone I would like to introduce you to my grandson Adam. He has been 
with us for a couple of weeks now. I have decided it’s time he gets to 
know you and you him. Ben began to walk back to the pew but Adam didn’t 
follow him. Adam walked over to the minister and whispered in his ear. The 
minister nodded his head. Adam walked up to the pulpit. He had to say what 
he had to say. He couldn’t let these people think the worst of his father. 
Ben walked back to the pew and sat down. He knew his grandson had to do 
what was right for him.
 
“Hello,” were Adam’s first words to the congregation. People were amazed at 
how his voice even sounded like his father’s. A rich baritone. Adam 
continued. “I’m sure you are all wondering why I’m up here. Right now I’m 
wondering the same thing myself,” he said clearing his throat. Everyone 
laughed. “I have come a long ways in many ways to get to this spot here. I 
know you have a lot of unanswered questions where I am concerned. I will 
try and answer some of those questions in what I am going to say. As you 
may already know I am sixteen years old which would mean my father was 
twenty when I was born. My father and mother, Rebecca met in college. They 
fell in love and married,” he said. He could hear the whispers going on 
around the church.
 
“When they married they couldn’t let anybody know about it. Not even my 
grandpa here. The reason being was my grandfather, my mother’s father was a 
very powerful man. My mother was an only child. My grandfather um wanted 
to control my mother and her suitors seemed disappear in time without a 
trace. After they were married unbeknownst to my father my mother became 
with child. My grandfather had been on one of his many round the world 
trips and came home to discover their secret. See my grandfather owned 
people and my mother’s doctor was one of them. The day my mother was going 
to tell my father about me was to be the happiest day of her life. Or at 
least that’s what she thought it was going to be. My grandfather sent a 
carriage to bring her to his house that morning. When she arrived he 
confronted her with what he knew. She couldn’t deny any of it. She knew 
better. My grandfather gave her an ultimatum. He told her either she told 
my father to get out of her life that afternoon and ask for a divorce or 
he’d have him killed by sundown. She begged and pleaded with him. Told him 
how much they loved each other and how it would kill her to have him leave 
her life. To reconsider because of the baby on the way. My grandfather 
wouldn’t listen to her. He had made up his mind. Either she got rid of 
Adam Cartwright or he would. My grandfather wanted the unborn child to 
raise and control as well as his daughter. As much as it killed her inside 
she told my father she no longer loved him and wanted a divorce. She told 
him she never wanted to see him again. She went home and told her father 
she had done what he asked. She never forgot the tears falling down my 
father’s face as he pleaded for her to change her mind. She never forgot how 
hurt and confused he was as well.
 
My grandfather was ecstatic but he still feared my father coming back into 
our lives. He told my mother that if she ever contacted my father or told 
him about their child he’d have my father killed. Now you may think to 
yourself that no man would go through with these threats. That my mother 
was a weak woman. Well you didn’t know my grandfather. If any one of you 
in this room got in his way you would mysteriously disappear without a 
second thought by him. He wouldn’t do the job himself. No sir he had 
specialists he called them to do his work for him. Only once did he try to 
do the job himself.
 
My mother lived a very unhappy life because of my grandfather. If it hadn’t 
been for me I don’t know if she would have wanted to continue to live. She 
was a wonderful mother and protected me from my grandfather my whole life. 
She became good friends with our family attorney. She didn’t love him but 
he loved her and me as well. He was until seven months ago the only father 
I had ever known. See my grandfather told me my father had died. Killed in a 
stage wreck. My mother kept his last name for me and named me after the 
three people my father loved the most. That was one thing she would not 
budge on. I understand now why my grandfather would never take me West with 
him. My father and his family were too well known there. Just the mention 
of my name might bring questions from people.
 
My father tried to see my mother for months after she told him to leave. He 
wrote her and begged her to reconsider and that he still loved her. That he 
would always love her. She never answered any of his letters on paper but 
only with her heart.
 
My mother knew that with my getting older my grandfather would want to begin 
to control me. She couldn’t have me become the monster that he was so she 
and her attorney friend planned to marry and move to Europe. They would go 
somewhere where her father or his specialists would be unlikely to find the 
three of us. Unfortunately for my mother my grandfather found out about 
their plan. He knew right then and there that in order for him to keep me 
he would have to do something fast. He did. He planned a buggy accident.
 
He planned to kill his own child. That tells you how cold a man he was. He 
made it look like an accident the day she had to go out of town. The driver 
was killed but my mother was not. She was badly injured. They brought her 
to the hospital and then to home to die. My mother wrote a letter to my 
father explaining everything. She then told me the story. Until then I 
never even knew my father was alive.
 
One day while I was at school she killed my grandfather. She knew she was 
going to die and she couldn’t let him have me. Before she died she wrote me 
a note and told what had happened. My grandfather had come into her room 
bragging about how he had staged the accident to kill her. That he had 
known of her plans to take me away from him. He bragged about how she would 
die soon and he would have me to do with me as he so pleased. He didn’t 
know that she held a gun under her blankets. She asked her father to come 
closer to hear him better then shot him dead. She died hours later.
 
Adam looked over the congregation and continued. “My mother was a wonderful 
woman. She loved me as much as a mother could love her child and I loved 
her. What she did she did for me not for herself. After she died my father 
received the letter from my mother. Included in that letter was one from 
her attorney asking my father to come claim his son. I can honestly tell 
you that my father was stunned to learn he had a son. Knowing my the way I 
do I know he would have risked his own life had he known I was on the way. 
 My mother knew that of him. He’s a man of deep integrity she told me. He 
is a man who I am proud of in every way. A man I am proud to call my father. 
 So no I am not a bastard as one of you said this morning. My grandfather 
made sure the divorce didn’t go through until after my birth. That’s the 
only thing I am grateful to him for. Now you can think whatever you want 
about me or my grandfather I don’t care. What I do care about is what you 
think about my mother and my father. That’s all I have to say,” he 
concluded walking back to the pew. The church was silent for awhile. Then 
Adam could hear a commotion. He looked back and saw his father walking down 
the aisle. His smile met his father’s smile and he walked quickly into his 
arms hugging him. The congregation clapped at the sight.
 
Adam looked at his son smiling. “That’s quite a son you have there Adam,” 
Barney Fuller said standing.
 
“You know Barney that’s the first thing you’ve ever said to me that I agree 
with,” Adam replied laughing. Everyone joined in on the laughter including 
Barney.
 
That afternoon The Ponderosa gave it’s best party. Word swept fast and the 
women of the church and Virginia City brought food to help make it happen. 
Hop Sing was grateful until they wanted to step foot in his kitchen.
 
Adam took his father aside. “It’s good to be home Pa,” he said.
 
“Son it’s good to have you home,” Ben replied putting his arm around Adam’s 
shoulder. Adam did the same with his pa. Adam looked over at his son who 
was surrounded by young ladies his age. “So grandpa what do you think of 
your grandson?” Adam asked.
 
“Adam I can honestly say that that young man is my reward for growing 
older,” Ben replied.
 
The next day Adam and his son went riding on Sport and Sugar. They stopped 
for a moment to talk. “Son I have the house and it’s contents up for sale. 
Are you sure that you don’t want to keep anything?” Adam asked.
 
“No father no. I don’t want anything from there,” he replied.
 
“What would you say to our building our own home next to the ranch house?” 
Adam asked.
 
“I think it’s a good idea but I would like to wait on that for awhile. I 
think I’d like to live with Grandpa and Uncle Hoss and Uncle Joe for awhile 
yet. Grandpa is just up to where you and Hoss threw Joe in Lake Tahoe in 
his stories. He has lots more to tell me he said,” his son replied.
 
“There is one thing that we need to discuss and that’s your education. You 
aren’t out of school yet. Because of who you are I don’t feel comfortable 
with you riding like that alone everyday. People know your grandfather and 
your grandpa have money. Would you consider my home schooling you? I could 
have the teacher prepare your lessons for the week and I could teach you 
myself. How does that sound?” Adam asked looking down at his son.
 
His son thought for a moment before answering. “Could Uncle Hoss or Uncle 
Joe teach me instead?” he asked with his teeth grabbing his lower lip.
 
“No,” Adam replied.
 
“Oh I guess I have no choice then. I’d still rather have Uncle Hoss or 
Uncle Joe,” he said.
 
“I’m sure you would. It would be fun time all the time instead of learning. 
 Those two spoil you as badly as your grandpa does. I have another 
question for you and that is if you would like to have my old room. I have 
been staying in one of the spare rooms but I could make it a permanent 
situation if you’d like,” Adam asked.
 
“You know Pa I think I’d like to have my own room. I’d like to have a 
picture of Sugar painted and put it on the wall. I’d like it to be my room 
not yours. Do you mind?” he asked.
 
Adam noticed for the first time he called him Pa. “No not at all. I think 
that would be best as well. You know I think we’d better head back for home 
or your Uncle Hoss will eat our dinner,” Adam said mounting Sport. His son 
laughed.
 
That evening around the fireplace Ben sat in his leather chair looking down 
at his grandson as he told him another story. Adam sat on the floor 
looking up at his grandpa with a big smile on his face.
 
Adam, Joe and Hoss watched from the landing. “Look how Pa’s face just 
lights up when he tells those stories,” Adam said.
 
“Look how your son’s face lights up as well,” Hoss replied.
 
“You know it’s still hard to believe sometimes you have a son,” Joe said.
 
“Well what you are seeing on our Pa’s face right now is not so much my son 
but the reward,” Adam said.
 
“The reward?” Hoss asked.
 
“Come upstairs and I”ll explain it to the two of you,” Adam replied.
 
THE END
 
 
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