I couldn't come up with a story to go with the POW, but I did write
the following, after seeing the picture of Ben, on the September page
of the Legacy calendar. I hope you like it.

WHERE IS LITTLE JOE?
by
Lynne C.

Ben sat in his favourite armchair, a huge book on his lap, but he
wasn't making any attempt to read it. In fact, up until about five
minutes earlier, he'd been pacing the floor. He'd taken the book off
the shelf, and sat down with it. It was as if he'd picked the largest
book he could find, in order to force himself to stay put, as the book
was pinning him to the chair.

Although he hadn't actually spoken the words, Ben knew that Adam, who
was sitting opposite him, and was really reading his book, was getting
angry that his father was unable to settle. But he wasn't angry with
his father; he was angry with his youngest brother, for causing their
father to be so anxious.

Little Joe had never been a good timekeeper, he'd even been born
prematurely, but he was now over three hours late, returning from
town. He'd assured his father that he was going to be back in time for
supper. However, the meal had been consumed more than two hours
earlier, even though they delayed eating it, for as long as they could.

"Where on earth can he be?" said Ben, not for the first time that evening.

"Probably in the Bucket of Blood, playing poker," replied Adam.

He, too, was worried about Joe, but was trying to give the impression
that he wasn't, as he wanted to calm Ben's fears. The truth of the
matter was that it was very likely that Joe was all right, at least
until his father got hold of him, he was. And the reason for his non
appearance, was because he had made a detour into the saloon, instead
of walking past the door, collecting the wagon and coming home, as
he'd been instructed to do. But there was always that tiny seed of
doubt, desperately trying to take a hold in Adam's brain, and wipe out
the logical part, which was telling him that Joe was fine.

"If that is the case, then that boy is not going to be sitting
comfortably, for about a week, after I've finished with him," said
Ben, who had been alternating between being cross and worried, all
evening. "He knows how I feel about any of you, but especially him,
visiting the saloon, during the working day. Joe is still young, and
not yet as strong, as you or Hoss. He finds it difficult enough,
controlling a loaded wagon, when he has all his wits about him. But,
if he's had a couple of beers, then his reflexes won't be as sharp,
and if he encounters trouble, then he won't be able to deal with it."

"Do you want me to go and have a look for him?" said Adam, preparing
to stand up.

"No, I don't think so, son. It's still light and the roads are good
between here and town. I'm sure he will be okay."

Just then, the door opened and Ben looked up, hoping to see Joe, but
it was Hoss.

"Stock's all bedded down, Pa," said his middle son. "Still no sign of
shortshanks, though. I dunno what gits into that boy, he never seems
able ta git back on time."

"No, he doesn't," said Ben. "Adam and I were just saying the same
thing. I think he'll be late for his own funeral."

Ben realised what he'd said and was quick to retract it, as he felt he
was jinxing Joe, by making reference to his son's death.

"Not that I think anything's happened to him, of course, but you know
what I mean?"

"Yes, we know what you mean," said Adam. "I really don't think he
appreciates just how much he worries you, Pa, when he's late, like
this. Because if he did, I am sure he wouldn't keep on doing it."

"No, you're probably right, big brother, he don't appreciate how we
fret about him," said Hoss. "When that little fella finally shows
hisself, I think I'm gonna be doin' some poundin' on his sorry hide.
Mebbe that way, he'll git the message and show us all a mite more
consideration."

Adam laughed at Hoss' words.

"That'll be the day when you actually carry out your threat and do
pound on that boy's hide. I wish I had a dollar for every time you've
said you were going to do it, I'd be a very rich man. But I definitely
wouldn't be rich, if I only collected that dollar each time you had
given him that pounding, as you've never done it."

"Aw, dadburnit, Adam, you know danged well why I never have. He jest
turns on that beaten puppy dog look and I ain't got the heart to do
it. And I know, full well, that it's all an act, but at the time, I
fall for it."

"You and Pa, both," said Adam. "He does it to Pa, too, and he melts,
just like you do. And that's why Joe keeps behaving in such a cavalier
manner, because he gets away with it. Now, if it's down to me, to deal
with him, then I make sure that he feels the full force of my anger,
where he's going to remember it, for some time. And because he knows
that, he doesn't try it on with me, so much."

"Are you trying to tell me that I allow Joseph to get away with
things, Adam, and that's why he's so irresponsible?" asked Ben. "I am
more inclined to think it's because he is only sixteen years old, and
when you are that age, you don't tend to think as logically as an
adult. You are inclined to be rather selfish, and just pursue your own
needs, without thinking of others. And don't try and pretend you are
immune to that look, because I know that it would be a lie, if you did."

"Yes, Pa, that is what I am saying," said Adam. "You are too lenient
with him, and instead of repaying you for that leniency, by getting
home on time, he just does it again, as he knows there are no
consequences for him to face, if he's late. You never let me get away
with acting so irresponsibly, but then I had more respect for you to
do that kind of thing, in the first place. And I can resist the look,
although I might not choose to, every time he uses it."

"Well, I don't intend to let Joe get away with it," said Ben. "And as
I remember it, there were times when you and Hoss acted in exactly the
same way as your brother is doing, now. It's all part of growing up,
making mistakes and learning by them."

This time, Adam did rise out of his chair, and he moved closer to his
father.

"Please don't ever say that Joe and I are alike, Pa. I didn't have the
luxury of being able to mess up and play the fool, like he does,
because the circumstances were completely different when I was
sixteen, to what they are, now. We didn't have as much money, or as
much land. I was expected to work as hard as any other hand on the
ranch and in addition to that, go to school and obtain the
qualifications I needed, to get into college. Joe's had it easy, all
his life, and it's about time he started doing his fair share around
here, instead of always messing up and then expecting us to bail him out."

Hoss was not happy about the way that an argument was building up
between his father and his brother, but he did agree with Adam. Hoss
usually played the peacemaker, but in this instance he did feel that
Adam had raised some valid points.

"You know, Adam's right, Pa, we're all guilty of lettin' that boy walk
all over us, and Adam did havta work a lot harder, sure enough, when
he was Joe's age. Heck, so did I, in fact I did when I was even
younger, though I know that was ma own choice, as I hated school and
pleaded with ya, ta let me leave. And you do make excuses fer him and
don't wear him out, half as much, as ya would've done us, fer the same
thing."

If Ben was being totally honest with himself, he knew that Adam and
Hoss were speaking the truth. However, no one likes to be criticised
and, besides, Ben was still upset over the non-appearance of Little
Joe, so he reacted badly to what the boys said. Before long, the three
of them were shouting across the room at each other.

Little Joe finally arrived in the yard of the ranch house and the
first thing that greeted him was the sound of raised voices, coming
from the living room.

`Uh oh,' he thought. `Doesn't sound like a good time to show myself,
when they're all so angry, already.'

Joe unhitched the team from the wagon and took the horses into the
barn, to bed them down, for the night. He then unloaded the supplies,
put them away, and entered the house, through the kitchen door. Adam
was right, Joe had spent the evening in the saloon, playing poker,
but, for a change, he'd won, and so was feeling rather pleased with
himself. However, he knew that even the fact that he'd come home, with
money in his pocket, was not going to save him from the wrath of his
father. According to Ben, Joe was too young to go into a saloon,
unless he was with one of his brothers, and he was most definitely not
allowed to gamble.

Joe stood in the kitchen, listening to his father and brothers
arguing. He decided that it might be best if he went to his room,
without confronting Ben, considering the mood his father was in, so he
headed off, up the back stairs.

`Hopefully, by the morning, he'll be a lot calmer,' thought the boy,
as he settled down to go to sleep.

It was some time later that Ben, Adam and Hoss realised Joe was home
and by then, the boy was fast asleep. The three of them gathered
around Joe's bed and looked down on the sleeping boy. They were now
friends, again, after realising that the one they were fighting about,
Little Joe, wasn't even there, to hear what they were saying about
him, and so it was a bit of a waste of time.

"He looks like a little angel, lyin' there, sure enough," whispered Hoss.

"Yep, the butter wouldn't melt in the mouth routine is up and running,
even though he's asleep," said Adam.

"Well, at least we know he's safe," said Ben, gently pushing a stray
strand of hair off Joe's forehead. "It's about time he had a haircut."

Hoss grimaced at these words, as Joe always made a fuss about going to
the barber's.

"Well, don't ask me ta take him, I've still got the scars from last time."

"Don't worry, Hoss," said Adam. "Getting Joe to the barber's is about
as likely to happen, as Pa taking him to the barn for being so late home."

"I will decide if a trip to the barn is necessary, or not," said Ben.
"A lot was said, in the heat of the moment, earlier tonight. But now
that we know Joe's safe, and we've all calmed down, all that might be
required is for me to have a good talk to him. And now, I think it's
time that we all went to bed. Daylight comes early in the Sierras."

The three men left Joe's room, and once they were gone, Joe smiled and
said to himself, "You sure ain't lost it, kid, you've got them right
where you want them," and he turned over and, this time, really went
to sleep.

THE END
Little Joe forever
Lynne
September 2006

RETURN TO LIBRARY