Only Helping a Friend

By: Lynne G.

ThisTyler Connor had been in trouble with the law since he was twelve years old. Ty started his life of crime by stealing items from stores in his home town of Gerlach, Nevada Territory. As Ty got older, he began to rob banks and stages.

When Ty was fifteen years old, his family had had enough of him and they kicked him out of the family. They had tried everything they could think of to help their son, but nothing seemed to get through to the boy, and the Ty wanted nothing to do with them.

That move by Ty's family had really surprised everyone in Gerlach as Ty's father was the minister of Gerlach, but yet everyone knew how hard the family had tried to to straighten up Ty, without any success.

Ty had made his way around the Nevada Territory by robbing banks and stages and by now, he had an extremely bad reputation, and no one wanted anything to do with him. The law was constantly after him, but they could never seem to catch up to Ty, who was always two to three steps ahead of them.

At age seventeen, Ty was finally captured and was sent to prison. The only good thing Ty did during all his robberies, was that he never hurt anyone at all, for which everyone was very grateful for.

While Ty was in prison he began to think back about his life and he didn't like what he had become. He missed his family very much and he knew how badly he had treated them and that bothered him the most.

Ty decided to turn his life around and if he could make a go of it at working very hard at ranches once he got out of prison, and become a better person, then maybe his family would let him be part of the family again. Ty prayed very hard to God to please help him to be a better person.

When Ty turned twenty two years old, he was released from prison. That same day, Ty decided to look for a job so he could keep his promise to turn his life around and be the new Ty.

It was very hard for Ty to find a job because of his bad reputation, but he was finally able to find work at a couple of small farms.

He was surprised at how well he could work and he felt very proud of himself, and the ranch owners seemed very pleased at how well Ty worked. He worked for a few months at the ranches until they no longer needed him.

Ty was adjusting extremely well to his new life of hard work, and he thoroughly enjoyed working at ranches. He had almost written to his family several times to let them know what he was doing and that he had turned his life around, but at the last moment, he always changed his mind in thinking that they probably wouldn't care and wouldn't want him back.

One day several months later, Ty rode to the Ponderosa looking for work. He had heard that Ben Cartwright, owner of the Ponderosa had been hiring.

Sixteen year old Little Joe Cartwright was the only member of the family at home, except for Hop Sing. The boy was getting over a very bad case of bronchitis and he wasn't allowed to go on the two week cattle drive where the rest of his family was.

Little Joe was in the barn grooming his beloved pinto, Cochise when he heard a horse enter the yard, so he went outside to see who had just ridden in the yard.

" Hi, may I help you?" the boy asked as he looked up at Ty and smiled. Ty smiled back at Little Joe and said, " Hi. I'm looking for a Ben Cartwright. I heard that he was hiring and I need a job."

" That's my Pa, but he ain't here. He and my older brothers are on a two week cattle drive, but they will be home next week," Little Joe explained.

Ty was disappointed by that news, but he asked, " do you know if he is still hiring?" " Um I think so, but not really sure. My name is Joe, but everyone calls me Little Joe," the youngster said.

" Nice to meet you Little Joe. My name is Tyler Connor, but I go by Ty," Ty replied. Ty liked the boy, and he could see mischief in those very large green eyes.

" Since I'm gettin' over bein' sick and can't do much yet, I could use some help. Would ya be interested in that till my Pa gets home?" the boy explained, hoping that Ty would say yes. Little Joe liked Ty right from the beginning.

" Yes, thank you very much. I would love to help you. Just show what you need doing and I'll be more than pleased to help you Little Joe," Ty responded excitedly.

Little Joe showed Ty where he put his horse and where he could bunk down. Ty told Little Joe about his life including his life of crime, and being in prison. At first Little Joe seemed nervous, but he also felt really sorry for Ty.

Little Joe was a very good judge of a person's character and he could tell that Ty was trying very hard at turning his life around and the youngster decided that he wanted to help Ty and hopefully he could get Ty back with his family.

Ty had also told Hop Sing about his life, and Hop Sing knew that he could trust Ty and he also felt very comfortable around the young man as well.

Ty was a big help to Little Joe and he worked very hard. He also helped Hop Sing. Little by little, Joe was feeling better and a little stronger each day. He was still coughing a lot though.

One day while Little Joe and Ty were in the barn moving grain sacks, Ben, Adam and Hoss rode into the yard.

" Finally home at last and doesn't it look wonderful?" Ben said as he got off Buck. " Sure does, and everything looks normal too," Hoss declared.

Little Joe ran out of the barn to greet his family back home. " Hi ya Pa, Adam, Hoss ! It's great ta see ya again!" the boy excitedly shouted.

Ben looked at his young son, smiled and said, " Hi son, it's great to see you too. Looks like you took good care of the ranch while we were gone. How are you feeling?"

" I'm feelin' alright, still coughin' a bit though. I did take really good care of everything Pa. Um...um..Pa, I sorta hired a new hand while ya was gone. He's really done a great job too. I hope ya dunt mind," the boy nervously said as he looked up at Ben.

Ben, Adam and Hoss looked at Little Joe, before Ben asked, " Where is he now?" Ben didn't like the idea of his youngest son hiring anyone without his approval.

" He's in the barn Pa. Want me ta get em for ya?" the boy asked as he could tell that his Pa didn't look very happy about him hiring anyone.

" In a minute son. Joseph you know you aren't suppose to do the hiring around here. That is up to Adam, Hoss or myself, and I want you to remember that," Ben explained.

Looking down at the ground, Little Joe softly repiled, " Yes sir. I'm sorry, but I needed help cuz I didn't feel up ta all that work yet."

" I understand that son, but like I have said before, you can go to any of the ranches close by and get help from their hands," Ben suggested. " You go and get the man you hired so I can meet him," Ben added. Little Joe nodded and went back into the barn.

" That kid never learns, does he Pa?" Adam stated. Ben just nodded and replied, " He's young Adam and he thought that he was doing right."

Ty and Little Joe came walking out of the barn together and Ty was smiling. " Pa, this is Ty. Ty, this is my father Ben Cartwright, and these are my two older brothers, Adam, and Hoss," the boy said.

" It's nice to meet you sir, Adam and Hoss," Ty nervously greeted. " It's very nice to meet you also Ty," they all said. " Little Joe tells me that you have done a good job helping him out while we have been gone," Ben told Ty.

" Yes sir, and thank you. I try my best at all times sir. I like Little Joe and he is a good kid too. You should be very proud of him," Ty said.

" Let's just say that he is good sometimes," Ben teased. " Ah Pa, I ain't that bad. He's teasin' Ty," the boy explained as he looked at Ben with those big puppy dog eyes. Everyone laughed including Little Joe.

" If you would like a job here Ty, then we could certainly use the help," Ben offered. " I would sir, and thank you very much. You won't be disappointed with my work sir," Ty excitedly replied as he had a big smile on his face.

Over the next several weeks Ty worked very hard and the Cartwrights were very pleased indeed. " Looks like Little Joe was right with hiring Ty. He certainly is a hard working man, and very pleasant to be around too," Adam said. " I'll second that Pa. I really like him," Hoss added. " Yes, I have to agree with both of you also," Ben said.

One evening Little Joe explained to his family about Ty's life, including his life of crime. He realized that his family should know about that, so they wouldn't hear it second hand and be shocked by the news.

Needless to say, Ben, Adam and Hoss were totally shocked by the news. Of course they had heard all about Ty and his very bad reputation. Ben wasn't one bit happy about Ty working on the ranch and especially, he certainly didn't want his youngest son to be around a man like Ty.

" Pa, Ty has changed and he has turned his life around. Ya even had said how good he works, and he ain't caused any trouble around here. You have hired ex-cons before and I know that most of em didn't work out so good, but please, just give Ty a chance. That's all I ask. Please Pa?" Little Joe begged.

" JOSEPH, enough ! What I say is final ! Ty will leave here in the morning !" Ben explained in not so many words. " But...Pa..." was all Little Joe could say before Ben raised his hand to quiet his son.

" Joseph, I will NOT have you being around a man like Ty. Do you understand me? He has a very bad reputation and I don't want you to associate with him. NOW that's all I'm going to say about that !" Ben angrily said.

" Fine !" the boy shouted as he stormed up the stairs and loudly slammed his bedroom door shut. Ben stared at the boy as he ran up the stairs, and he wasn't happy about all the anger that had just taken place.

" Pa, can't you give Ty a chance. After all, you've given other men chances, and I know that most of them didn't work out, but I don't think Ty is like the others, meaning, he he is trying very hard and hasn't done anything wrong here, and you yourself have commented on what a wonderful job he is doing and what a hard worker he is," Adam tried to explained to Ben. Hoss nodded his approval at what Adam had just said.

" I've made up my mind about Ty and he will leave here in the morning !" Ben announced.

" But Pa, what about Little Joe. Ya know how he much he likes Ty, and how well they work together. Plus little brother is a really judge of character. If he didn't like something about Ty, he never would have hired him in the first place. Just think about that Pa," Hoss tried to explain to Ben.

" Hoss, I said all that I'm going to say about this, and so help me, Little Joe had better accept my decision or else !" Ben angrily replied.

Adam and Hoss didn't like the way Ben was acting and they felt sorry for both Ty and for their little brother.

The next morning Little Joe packed up some extra clothes and took them to the barn in his saddle bags and he saddled Cochise, before he went back in the house. He was anrgy and Ben still still very angry, and they were both being extremely stubborn, especially Ben.

Earlier that morning Ben had told Ty that they didn't need him anymore since all the extra work had been caught up now. Ben gave Ty his wages plus a bonus.

Ty was disappointed, but he understood what Ben had told him about all the extra work being done now. At least Ben didn't tell Ty the real reason for him being let go.

When Little Joe came back in the house, Ben looked at him and loudly asked, " Joseph, where do you think you are going young man ?" " I'm going with Ty and help him get back together with his family again," the boy responded, as he looked Ben in the eyes.

" You most certainly are NOT doing any such thing ! Ty is gone and that's FINAL !" Ben shouted. Feeling very nervous and scared, Little Joe replied back, " Pa, I'm sorry, but I know I can get Ty's family to accept him back into their family again, and I'm gonna do it too !"

Adam and Hos were beginning to get worried at what was going on with Ben and Little Joe. Ben was being hard headed while Little Joe was being stubborn as usual, but they knew that their little brother just might be able to get Ty back together with his family, and they knew how important that was to Little Joe.

" Pa, I ain't a child anymore, and I wanna help Ty, and I will, but I promise you, that when I'm finished helping Ty, I will come back home. Please Pa, I really need to do this," Little Joe pleaded.

Adam and Hoss were feeling proud of their little brother for standing up to their Pa at that moment, in pleading with him to let him do something that was extremely important to him.

Ben was furious by now with his youngest son for disobeying him, and without thinking of what he was saying,
he shouted, " If you leave here to help the likes of Ty, then don't you ever come back here again. You will no longer be welcomed on the Ponderosa again ! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?"

Little Joe stood there in tears totally shocked at what Ben had just shouted to him as his body was now trembling. Adam and Hoss were in shock was well.

Little Joe wanted to say something back at Ben, but the words wouldn't come out. He suddenly ran out the door and leaped up on Cochise and raced out of the yard.

Ben ran to the door to call his son back, but he was too late. The boy was gone. In his heart, Ben didn't want really want to ban his son from his home, but his stubborness took control of him.

" Pa, you can't be serious what you told Little Joe. Please say you really didn't mean what you shouted to him?" Hoss cried as he was in shock. Ben didn't say anything back to Hoss or Adam who was staring at Ben still in shock at what Ben had shouted to his little brother.

Little Joe knew what direction Ty would be heading so he rode quickly after him. Finally after about an hour, Little Joe caught up to Ty.

" TY WAIT UP !! the youngster shouted. As soon as Ty heard the boy call out to him, he stopped his horse and waited for Little Joe to catch up.

Before Little Joe had caught to Ty, he quickly stopped at his mother's grave to explain to her what he was doing.

" Oh mama. I can't believe what Pa said to me. He really can't mean it. All I wanna do is help Ty and get his family to accept him back. I know that you would want me to do that. I'll come back one day mama. I love you so much," Little Joe cried as he talked to his mother.

" I'm sure glad I was able to catch up ta you Ty. I'm comin' with ya cuz I know that I can get yer family ta take ya back. I can feel it in my heart. I really can," the youngster explained.

" Little Joe, I really appreciate that, but what did your family say about that?" Ty asked. Little Joe took a deep breath, and he told Ty that it was fine with them. He prayed that God wouldn't mind his little lie that he had just told Ty.

Ty carefully looked into the boy's eyes and he could see hurt in them. " Little Joe, are you sure that they don't mind?" " I'm sure," the boy replied. Ty wasn't totally convinced that the youngster was telling the truth.

After a week of long hours in the saddle, Ty and Little Joe finally reached Gerlach, and they slowly rode over to Ty's family's home.

As they got off their horses, they both looked at the house where Ty's parents lived. They were both extremely nervous, especially Little Joe. He hoped and prayed that he would be able to say the right words to Ty's family.

Taking a deep breath, Little Joe looked at Ty, and said, Ya better stay here Ty, while I talk with yer parents. Wish me luck." Ty wished the boy ' good luck', as he now stood there and watched Little Joe slowly walk up to the front porch of the house. Little Joe tuned around and smiled back at Ty, before he knocked on the door.

With all the confidence he could find, Little Joe knocked on the door. What seemed like hours for the door to open was only a couple of seconds.

As the door opened, Little Joe's heart skipped a beat as he looked up at the very tall gentleman standing there looking down at him.

" May I help you son? Morton Connor asked as he smiled at the nervous looking youngster in front of him.

" Yes sir. My name is Joe Cartwright and I was hopin' ta have a few words with ya sir, if ya don't mind," the boy softly explained. In his mind he telling himself, " You can do this Little Joe. Just take it easy and say the right words and everything will be alright."

" I don't mind. Please come in and sit down son," Morton suggested. " Thank you sir," the youngster replied as he walked into the large livingroom and he sat down and he swallowed.

" Joe, this is my wife, Mary. Mary, this youngster is Joe Cartwright," Mortan said as he smiled at the boy and Mary.

Little Joe stood up in front of Mary, smiled and said, " Pleased ta meet ya ma'am." " Nice to meet you also Joe," Mary said as he smiled at the very handsome boy standing in front of her.

" Thank you ma'am. I'd like to talk with both of ya if ya don't mind," Little Joe softly said as he looked at Morton and Mary. " Go ahead son. What do you want to talk to us about?" Morton asked as he carefully looked into the boy's big green bright eyes.

" Before ya say anything, please let me explain all of this ta ya." They agreeded. " It's about your son, Ty. Ya see, he's out of prison now and he has been for a while now. Well he came ta our ranch looking for a job," Little Joe began.

" My family was away on a cattle drive, and I had ta stay home cuz I was still recoverin' from bronchitis. Well, Ty rode into the yard one day and he asked if we needed any help. I told I needed help cuz I wasn't up to workin' yet. So I decided ta hire him."

" He told me all about his life and that he had decided to change his life and be a better person. I could tell that he was tellin' the truth. He told me about the ranches he had worked at and how much he enjoyed workin'."

" He worked very hard and he is a very nice man too. He told me how much he had hurt his family and he wanted ta prove ta ya that he could be a good son ta ya."

" Please Mr, and Mrs. Connor, please, please see it in your hearts ta forgive Ty and please give him a chance to prove ta ya that he has changed for the better. Please take him back into your family sir," Little Joe finished saying as tears filled up his eyes.

The Connors listened very carefully to everything Little Joe had told them. They could tell by the way the boy had explained to them, that he meant everyword of it. Little Joe had spoken from his heart and they could tell.

The End of part one.

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