In The Nick
by
Heidi
“Daddy, daddy, you must come quickly”, Adam Cartwright heard a voice saying
behind him.
Or better said, calling. The eldest Cartwright boy turned around and saw
his
six year old son Mitch coming towards him. Adam received the boy and let
him
calm down first.
“Why must I come along? Has the school been burned down?”, asked Adam.
“No, something more funnier. Your brothers are behind bars. Clem has caught
them”, Mitch replied with laughing eyes.
“That is indeed much funnier. We go and pay them a visit”, Adam said smiling
Together they walked to the jail where deputy Clem Foster was just making
coffee.
“Hello Clem, Mitch told me that you have locked up my brothers. What have
they done this time again?”, asked Adam.
“They have been playing poker with a false deck of cards”, replied Clem.
“May I see them?”, asked Adam.
“The cards or your brothers?”, Clem asked quick-witted.
“First those little brothers of mine. Mitch, you stay here for a second”,
Adam said for the security.
The young Cartwright nodded. Adam went to the cells where he found his
brothers Hoss and Little Joe.
“Is it feeding time in the zoo?”, Adam asked teasing.
“Aw ..sucks Adam t’weren’t our fault. You must réálly help
us”, said Hoss.
“Clem tells a total different story”, said Adam.
“What has he told you?”, asked Little Joe.
“That you have been playing poker with false deck of cards. Mitch came to
tell me that you were caught by Clem”, the oudste Cartwright boy replied.
“And the boy did that at his own usual way of course”, Hoss said indignant.
“He did that indeed”, Adam said smiling.
“Are you gonna help us or what?”, asked Little Joe.
“I am still doubting. Now you are here we have more peace at the ranch.
But
I believe that pa won’t like it that you sit in the nick”, replied Adam.
“Very funny Adam”, Hoss said a bit indignant.
“With what sort of cards have you played?”, asked Adam.
“Clem has taken them”, said Little Joe.
“Then I will have a talk with him. The coffee will be ready by now. Don’t
go
away”, Adam said teasing.
He walked away laughing, leaving his brothers angry behind.
Meanwhile Clem had heard a whole lot interesting stuff from the youngest
Cartwright. Mitch was not quite shy and once he had started with talking
nothing or no one could stop him anymore.
“Mitch, do you know more about that deck of cards where your uncles played
poker with?”, asked Clem.
“Yes, because I had made it together with Matthew. We were bored one
afternoon and then we made it. We didn’t know that uncle Hoss and uncle
Joe
would take them to town”, replied Mitch.
Clem got the cards and looked at them.
“They are almost real”, the deputy said.
Adam came then in and also got to see the cards.
“My son is capable to con his uncles while normally it is the other way
around”, Adam laughed.
Clem found it also laughable.
“Adam, take your son home. I will release Hoss and Joe in three hours time.
Then you should be home I may assumme”, the deputy said.
“Come son, we go home”, Adam said to his son.
Adam and Mitch went away while Clem went to Hoss and Little Joe.
“Clem, when are we gonna be released?”, asked Hoss.
“Hoe well do you know the deck of cards?”, Clem asked ignoring the question
of Hoss.
“Very well. Do you think we are stupid?”, asked Little Joe.
“I doubt that. Because I have heard of your beloved nephew that you have
been playing with his deck of cards. He had made that once with Matthew
Walker”, said Clem.
Hoss and Little Joe looked at each other amazed.
“That’s why that kid wanted to come along so eagerly. He had seen us with
that deck of cards. Where is he?”, Hoss asked excited.
“Gone home with his father. You knew that children are not allowed to
coeminto the saloon and so Mitch too. But because he has made my day with
your visit I know of nothing. You may go home in three hours time. It is
now
half past three so calculate that for yourself”, the deputy said.
Hoss said, “Then we miss supper!”
“He does that on purpose!”, groaned Little Joe.
Clem left them alone.
But at half past six Hoss and Little Joe got released indeed and they went
straight home. Though they had learned their lesson and they would never
assume something without a reason of their nephew.