OF HOUNDS AND HARLOTS
Ellie and Joe were sitting in his room discussing the Christmas holiday. This was Ellie's first Christmas holiday from school. She had a private tutor her first year and now was in the same school with Joe. She didn't talk funny anymore with the help of Mrs. Wilson. Mrs. Wilson taught her the sounds she had trouble with. She still couldn't hear very well out her left ear, but Ms. Jones was very kind and made sure that Ellie heard every word. She loved school. She was very smart and was ahead of all the other children her age. She was going to miss seeing her best friend, Marybeth, everyday, but she looked forward to staying home with her family. She missed getting to tag along with Adam or Hoss or Papa on the ranch. The ranch was her favorite place in the whole world. Today was the last day for school before Christmas.
"Come on Sissy," let's get moving. The sooner we get to school, the sooner we get it over with. Then Christmas vacation, here we come."
The children raced down the stairs to the breakfast table. "Good morning," they greeted Pa, Adam and Hoss.
Pa raised his eyebrows, "I have told you two a number of times, stop running down the stairs", he admonished with a smile.
"Sorry, Pa." said Joe hastily.
"Sorry, Papa," said Ellie.
Ellie and Joe wanted to go to the mercantile after school to do a little Christmas shopping. They had both been saving their money for weeks, so they could buy presents for their father and brothers. They had decided to put their money together so they could get better presents for everyone. But, they knew that Pa always wanted them to come straight home after school. Pa had finally consented to let Joe take Ellie to school by himself, but he said they didn't have someone to watch them in Virginia City and therefore, needed to come straight home every day, no exceptions. Joe and Ellie had discussed the desire to go to the mercantile. They reasoned that if Ellie asked, Pa would be more likely to say, "Yes."
"Ummmm, …..Papa?" Ellie asked.
"Yes?"
"Ummmm…." she looked at her plate. She was a little scared, she didn't want to get in trouble for asking.
"Ellie, what is it?" Pa asked.
"Well, being that it's the last day of school, and it may be awhile….." she hesitated.
Pa looked at her and rolled his eyes toward the ceiling. Uh oh, Ellie thought he is doing that praying for devine intervention thing again. "Out with it Ellie, what?" he sighed slightly perturbed.
"May we go to the mercantile after school to do some Christmas shopping?" the words rushed out in a blur.
"Yeah, Pa, please?" pleaded Joe.
"You know that you two need to have me or Adam or Hoss with you to be able to be in town." Pa was shaking his head no.
Hoss saw the disappointment in the children's faces. "You know, Pa, I was needin to go into town to pick up supplies for Hop Sing, I can just do it this afternoon." He flashed the children a toothy smile. Ellie and Joe looked at their big brother with grateful glances. "Pa, I can just meet them youngins' at Callahan's after school. I'll be there anyhow getting supplies." Ellie and Joe shot hopeful glances toward Pa.
"Can't see the harm, then. Don't be causing Mr. Callahan any trouble." Pa smiled indulgently at his two youngest.
"Thanks Papa! I'll be good I promise." Ellie gave her Papa a big hug.
"Thanks, Pa." came from Joe.
"Joe?"
"Sir?"
"Did you forget something?"
Joe looked bewildered. "Sir?"
"I want your promise that you won't get into any trouble and you will obey Hoss. You make sure, Ellie stays out from underfoot. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," he sighed. Why did everyone always assume he was going to get in trouble?
"Ok, you two are excused. Best be getting you off to school." said Pa.
Joe went to get the horses saddled. Adam was buttoning Ellie into her coat, hat and gloves. Adam took her outside and put her on her pony, Windy. "Bye princess, give me a kiss to last the whole day." She gave Adam a big kiss.
"Bye Adam," the children sang as they trotted off toward school.
"Joe, you think Papa will let me have a puppy for Christmas?" asked Ellie.
Joe knew that Pa had already picked out a puppy over at Mr. Atkins place. But, he wasn't going to let on. "Gee, Sissy, I don't know. You know how Pa hates critters in the house."
She looked so sad. Joe almost burst out laughing. "But, he could sleep out in the barn with Windy. Couldn't he?" she asked plaintively.
Joe got a serious look on his face. "Don't know Sissy, I guess you'll have to wait and see."
"Yeah, I guess, I'll just have to wait." she said dejectedly. Joe smiled to himself, she sure was going to be surprised.
By that time, Joe and Ellie had arrived at school. Joe pulled Ellie off of Windy and went and stabled Windy and his pony, Blackie.
All day long, Ellie and Joe watched that clock. The minutes seem to drag on. They couldn't wait for the school bell to ring at 3 p.m. Finally, the school day wound down. Ms. Jones stood at the front of the class and said, "Well, children it is the end of the term, I will call each one of you up to my desk to receive you grade report for this term."
She handed out all the grade reports and finally rang that bell. The children hooped and hollered and ran out like a bunch of stampeding cattle. Joe searched the school yard for Ellie. She was talking to Marybeth. "Sissy, we better get along to Callahan's or we ain't going to have no time to shop." Joe grabbed her hand and dragged her toward Callahan's.
"Bye, bye Marybeth, see you after Christmas" called Ellie over her shoulder.
"Joe, Papa is going to be so happy, he's just gotta get me a puppy." Ellie said excitedly.
"That so, Sissy. Why's that?"
"Cuz, I got all A's. Look-it." and she handed Joe her grade report. "How 'bout you Joe?"
Joe hadn't even looked at his marks until then, "Well, not all A's, but good nuff. I'm hopin' Pa's happy enough to get me that new rifle." Joe was 12 now and Pa had promised him a rifle if he kept his grades up. The children walked hand in hand to the mercantile with thoughts of puppies and rifles on their minds. They walked toward the mercantile and saw Hoss loading up the buckboard outside of Callahan's.
"Hossy, Hossy! Guess what?" Ellie pulled away from Joe and ran toward Hoss. She ran into his arms and he swung her up on his hip.
"Hey, lil princess. Whatcha so fired up about?" Hoss chuckled.
"Look it! Look it! I got all A's. Papa's just gotta get me that puppy now!"
"Fer sure? Lemme see! Well, I'll be danged, look at that, all A's. I'm so proud of you, princess."
She gave Hoss a big kiss and hug and then squirmed to the ground looking longingly toward the front door of Callahan's. "Hoss, can I go into the store?"
"Sure, princess. But you know the rules. No touchin nuthin' without permission. Understand?"
"Yes, Hoss, I know." she said solemnly.
Joe was about to follow her in, when he turned to his big brother. "Umm..Hoss can we go in by ourselves?"
"Whatever fer, Little Joe? You know Pa don't like you two being alone, anywhere's in town."
"Come on Hoss. We just gonna be in the store. You can wait in the buckboard. We ain't going anywhere else. Please?"
Hoss raised an eyebrow.
Joe could tell he wasn't convinced. "Well…. truth is… well, truth is Hoss, we is trying to buy Christmas presents for you, Pa and Adam and iffin you come in, it won't be no surprise."
"Oh," Hoss winked at him. "Ok, but don't be too long. It's too dad burn cold to make me set out here. Ellie, mind Joe."
"Thanks, Hoss. Come on Sissy," Joe said pushing his sister towards the door.
Ellie walked in, "Hi, Mr. Callahan." she had her hands behind her back, so as to not touch anything.
"Well, Ellie Cartwright. How's the most beautiful girl in Virginia City doing? " he teased.
"Fine," she giggled.
Joe, followed her into the store. "Sissy, come 'ere. What are we gonna git everyone? I know Hoss wants a new pocket knife. What about Adam and Pa?"
She thought for a minute, "Umm…..Adam, he's easy."
"He is?" Joe questioned.
"Sure, a book."
"Ok, let me talk to Mr. Callahan. You set here and don't touch nuthin'."
While Joe went to the front to talk to Mr. Callahan, Ellie noticed that Lili Martel was in the mercantile with her mother. Lili was a year older than Ellie. Lili never played with Ellie. Ellie had noticed that Lili would play with the other girls, but not when Ellie was around. Whenever Ellie went to play, Lili walked away. Lili was looking at the dolls. She took one off the shelf, it had a beautiful green dress.
"Hi Lili, " Ellie said shly. "That sure is a pretty doll."
"Oh, " said Lili, "Um…hi Ellie." She glanced up to see if her mother was watching. Her mother was busy talking to Mr. Callahan.
"You know," Ellie said, "I really like the one with the dark curly hair and the blue dress. She kinda looks like the picture of my mama that Papa has on his desk."
"Why don't you take her down and look at her" asked Lili. "I think that she looks just like you."
"Uh uh," Ellie said shaking her head no, "I ain't allowed to touch nuthin' without 'mission. My brother, Hoss is outside and iffin he comes in and I'm a touching somein, he's gonna be awful mad. Say, Lili how come every time I come to play with ya'll you leave."
Lili kinda fussed with the doll she was holding. She looked down at the ground. She cut her eyes around the store looking for her mama. "Ummm…well…." She just didn't know what to say. Ellie seemed like such a nice girl. She didn't know why her mama didn't want her to play with Ellie. "I'm not sure, my mama just don't want me to."
"Why not?" persisted Ellie.
"Ellie, I'm not sure. Iffin my mama catches me talkin' to you, I'm gonna get a spanking. I gotta go. OK – Merry Christmas!" Lili went off to find her mama. Her mama turned around and saw Lili walking away from Ellie. Oh my word, I told that girl to stay away from the Cartwright girl. "Lili, come here now!" she bellowed.
"Yes mama," said Lili. "Mama, why can't I play with Ellie."
"Because I said so, that's why."
"But mama, why? She's real nice. She's friends with Marybeth. Marybeth is a nice girl."
"Well, Marybeth's mother is not a New Orleans French harlot, that's why. The apple doesn't fall from the tree. She looks just like her mother and will undoubtedly grow up to be just like her."
Lili looked confused, she didn't know what a New Orleans French harlot was or what apples had to do with playing with Ellie. "A what? mama?"
"Just never you mind. Mr. Callahan, we will be back when the undesirables are gone." With that she turned on her heel and walked out of the store, with Lili in tow.
Mr. Callahan about dropped the sugar he had been fixing up for Mrs. Martel. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. He looked over the counter and saw Little Joe Cartwright waiting his turn patiently. He could tell by the look on Joe's face that he had heard the whole exchange. He could tell Joe hadn't quite understood the comments. Mr. Callahan tried to distract Joe.
"Heh, Little Joe, whatcha lookin' for?"
Joe struggled, he wanted to ask Mr. Callahan what Mrs. Martel meant. He knew it was something bad, but he wasn't sure. He decided he wait until he got home , he could look up those words in Adam's dictionary. "Ummmm..Mr. Callahan, me and Ellie want to buy a book for Adam for Christmas and a pocket knife for Hoss and well, we ain't sure about Pa. Can you help us? We got 10 dollars."
"Sure boy, sure boy. I know Adam's been wanting this book here by Mr. Charles Dickens. I think Hoss been lookin' at this pocket knife here. How about some tobacco for your Pa."
"Um..how much Mr. Callahan?"
"Let's see, that's $2 for the book and $3 for that pocket knife and $3 for the tobacco. That'd be $8."
Joe handed over the $8. "We gotta go, Hoss is waiting outside. Come on Sissy," Joe said, "we gotta go afore Hoss freezes." Joe looked at Ellie, she hadn't moved an inch. Her back was to him. Exasperated, he headed to the back of the store, he knew she hadn't heard him.
"Sissy, come on, it's time to go." he said irritably.
"Joe, come look at this doll, doesn't it look just like mama?"
Joe grabbed Ellie by the hand. "Now, Sissy," he growled.
She pulled her hand away. "No! I'm not done lookin," she glared at him.
"I said, Now!, let's go, " he gave her hand a tug.
"No!"
Joe bent down so that he was at eye level with his baby sister. "Ellie if you don't come on now, I going to tell Pa you didn't mind and you know that will get you a swat."
"I don't have to mind you, just Hoss and Adam." she said petulantly.
"Uh uh, Hoss told you to mind me 'afore we came in." Joe said with a superior smile. Joe just loved being the big brother. Except, how many times had he had that same conversation with Hoss or Adam?
Ellie thought about it and stalked to the front of the store. Joe thought, Lord that girl is so stubborn.
Joe walked back to Mr. Callahan. Mr. Callahan wrapped up the purchases and handed them to Joe. He put his arm on Joe's. "Don't you pay no never mind to Mrs. Martel. She's just mean spirited and there is no call for what she said. And Joe, I don't think Ellie heard her."
Joe looked at Mr. Callahan with a dark expression, "Thanks Mr. Callahan, I hope you're right, I hope Ellie didn't hear that." Well that confirmed it, now he knew for sure it was something bad.
Ellie exited the store before Joe. "Hoss, Joe wouldn't let me look at the doll in the store. There's a doll, looks just like the picture of mama on papa's desk." Ellie's eyes were just hopping mad.
Hoss was waiting outside. He saw Ellie's face and knew she was going to be trial. It took a lot to calm down that girl when she was riled. Well, he had had lots of practice with Joe.
Joe came out of the store. "You youngins finish up?" he asked.
Joe just nodded.
" Ellie, you riding with me in the buckboard or you riding Windy home?" She was still mad about the doll. Hoss chuckled at that look on his sister's face, whew was she mad.
"Can I ride with you Hoss?" sticking her tongue out at Joe.
"Sure, princess. "Bout you Joe? You gonna ride in the buckboard or Blackie?"
"Blackie"
"Ok, Joe, go get Blackie and Windy. We'll meet you over at the stable."
"Ellie, you better not let Pa catch you sticking your tongue out at no body." Hoss admonished.
Ellie just scowled.
"I mean it Ellie, if Pa catches you doing that, he's gonna swat that bottom of yours."
Joe took off to get Blackie and Windy. He had some thinking to do on the way home. He sure wanted to know what Mrs. Martel meant. Hoss caught up to him at the stable and tied Windy on to the back of the buckboard. Joe just followed up along side. The three Cartwright children headed out of town to the Ponderosa. About half way home, Hoss looked down at his baby sister and she was fast asleep. She was wrapped in blankets with her head in his lap. That girl could fall asleep anywhere. Hoss had to laugh remembering all the places she fell asleep, including the number of times she fell asleep at church sitting on Pa's or Adam's lap, much to the chagrin of both. Hoss looked over at Joe. He knew that brooding face of his youngest brother.
"Heh, Joe, what's eatin' at ya?
"Hmm? "
"You ain't said two words since we left down. Usually, you be chattering like a magpie, especially this bein so close to Christmas."
"Nuthing wrong Hoss. Cain't a body just be quiet sometime?"
"Sure, Little Joe, Sure."
They rode the rest of the way home in silence. Hoss decided to leave Joe be and talk to Pa about it. Maybe Joe's grade report wasn't all that good and he was worried about Pa's reaction. He sure hadn't said anything when Ellie was yammering on about hers. Hoss pulled the buckboard up in front of the house. Hoss carefully picked up Ellie to bring her inside. Pa came out to help unload the buckboard. He opened his mouth to say something to Hoss. Hoss signaled that Ellie was sleeping. Pa gently took Ellie from Hoss's arms and started toward the house. He looked back at Hoss.
"Where's Joe?"
"In the barn, putting up Blackie and Windy. Pa, somethin' eatin' at Joe. He didn't say two words all the way home."
"Something happened in town?"
"No, sir, least ways I don't think so."
"What do you mean, you don't think so. You were with them weren't you?"
"Um, no sir, not 'xactly."
Pa's temper was rising, "Care to explain that, son?"
"Oh Pa, tweren't nuthin'. I just let them go into Callahan's while I waited outside?"
"You what?" Pa hissed.
"Sush, Pa, you gonna wake up Ellie, who stirred in Pa's arms. The youngins just wanted to buy Christmas presents for you, me and Adam without someone watchin. Cuz, it wouldn' be no surprise then. I let them go in alone and was right outside the whole time."
Pa relaxed a little. "Oh, guess no harm done." He turned to head toward the house to put Ellie in bed. "Hoss, get Joe to help you unload that wagon and get washed up for supper."
"Yes, Pa."
The boys finished unloading the buckboard and headed into the house. "You boys, get washed up for supper." said Pa.
"What about Ellie, Pa?" asked Hoss.
"Oh, I'll get her Pa," said Adam as he walked in the house throwing his gun belt and hat on the credenza.
Adam went upstairs to roust Ellie for supper. He pushed open her door. She looked so small and delicate sleeping in her bed. Her long dark curls were spread across her pillow and her thumb was in her mouth. Adam smiled and wondered, she only sucked her thumb when something was troubling her. "Heh, princess," Adam said shaking her. "Time for supper."
Ellie sat up yawning. "Oh, hi Addy! I was so tired."
"Well, its supper time, sleepy head. You better wash up and go downstairs, Pa's waiting."
"Ok," she yawned, "I'm coming." She hopped off the bed to go wash her face and her hands.
As all the children took their places at the supper table, Pa looked around and all their faces and was very grateful indeed. How could he be so blessed? He knew God had blessed him abundantly. Pa said the blessing with a grateful heart.
"How was school today?" asked Pa.
"Oh, Papa, I almost forgot, Ms. Jones gaves us our grade reports and mine was really good and now can I have a puppy?" Ellie said without even taking a breath.
Pa's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Wow, young lady, that was quite a mouthful. Slow down just a bit."
"Please Papa, please Papa, can I have a puppy now?"
"Well I don't know baby, I haven't seen this wonderful grade report, yet. How do I know you're not fibbin'? Pa teased her.
Her eyes scwunched up with indignation, "Not fibbin!" she declared banging her little fist on the table.
The boys were watching this scene with amusement. Adam almost spit out his coffee with that last declaration from his baby sister. Hoss was chuckling behind his hand and Joe was trying to look anywhere other than the table so he wouldn't laugh.
Ellie pulled out her grade report from the pocket of her dress and handed it to Pa. Pa whistled in appreciation, "My word, all A's."
"Can I have a puppy Papa?"
"Well, we'll have to see what we can do about that." he smiled.
"You know Mr. Atkins, Papa?"
"Um hmm, " Pa said knowingly.
"I heard his hound had puppies and they'd almost be ready to be away from their mama."
"Is that so? " he asked with the most serious look he could muster. Adam, Hoss and Joe all coughed at the same time, trying to hide their laughter. "Well we just see what we can do about that."
"Please Papa?"
"Eleanor, the subject is closed for the evening." Papa stated.
"But,….."
"Eleanor Grace the subject is closed for the evening. Understand?"
"Yes, sir," she mumbled. When anyone said her whole name, they meant business and they usually followed it up with a swat to her bottom. She didn't want any swats.
"Well Joseph, you haven't said a word about your grade report?" Pa looked questioningly at his youngest son.
Joe didn't even hear Pa. He was thinking about what Mrs. Martel said at the mercantile today. He needed to look up "harlot" and "undesireable", except he didn't know how to spell either one. He was wondering how he could get in Adam's room to borrow the dictionary without Adam knowing. Adam always had a way of knowing when Joe had been in his room. It was the source of numerous swats from Adam. He never even got a chance to explain, he usually just got a swat first. Joe was still thinking….
"Joseph?"
Ellie kicked his leg under the table. "Ow!" he exclaimed.
"Papa's talking to you Joe," she whispered.
"Oh, " Joe looked up, "Um…Sir?"
"Joseph, I just asked you about your grade report."
"Oh, sorry Pa. Here it is." Joe handed the report over to Pa. Adam and Hoss held their breath, they couldn't tell from Joe if it was good or bad. Joe's grades reports were as unpredictable as he was. "Well, son congratulations, this is very impressive. I guess you earned that new rifle for Christmas." Pa exclaimed. A collective sigh of relief was breathed by the older boys. Funny, Adam thought Joe sure didn't jump up and down about that new rifle or go on and on to tell Pa what kind and all. He watched Joe thoughtfully, something was up with both the children.
When supper was done, the children asked to be excused. Pa nodded his head. As they walked into the great room, Adam said, "Ellie, why don't you get that book we were reading last night. I'll read some to you tonight."
Ellie's eyes lit up, "Really, Adam?" Adam reading to her any other time than bedtime was a very special treat.
"Sure, Princess, the book is sitting next to your bed. I left it in there last night."
She took off running up the stairs.
"Eleanor, stop running on those stairs," Pa called. He heard a muffled, "Sorry Papa."
"Pa, something is up with Ellie." said Adam.
"What do you mean, son?" Pa questioned.
"When I went to get her for supper, she was sucking her thumb. You know that she doesn't do that unless something is really bothering her."
"Oh Adam, I think she does that when she is over tired. I think she's fine." Pa reassured his oldest.
Adam shook his head. He always seemed to know when there was something bothering Ellie. They had a special connection. Adam sometimes was more of a father to her than Pa. She came to Adam almost as readily as she came to Pa. Adam walked into the great room as Ellie ran down the stairs with the book in hand. Adam settled her on his lap and started to read a chapter of Oliver Twist.
Pa walked into the great room and went to sit at his desk. He lit his pipe and thought about the day. Hoss had mentioned how Joe didn't say two words on the way home from town and Adam is sure that Ellie is upset about something. He figured something must have happened either at school or at the mercantile. He guessed at the mercantile. He'd just check with Mr. Callahan the next time he was in town. He supposed it would come out sooner or later. Neither of those youngest of his were very good and keeping things bottled up inside.
Joe stole a look around the room. Pa was occupied with the ledgers at his desk. Adam was reading to Ellie and Hoss was outside getting wood for the box. He figured he had about 15 minutes before Hoss came in and wanted to play checkers. He quietly went upstairs to borrow Adam's dictionary. He wasn't allowed in Adam's room without permission. He figured no one would know. He sat on Adam's bed with the dictionary on his lap. He sure didn't know how to spell either of the words he needed to look up, but he didn't feel like it was right to ask anyone. He didn't realize how long he'd been sitting there looking at the dictionary.
By this time, Adam had been reading to Ellie for a while and she had drifted off to sleep. Adam closed the book and carried her upstairs to her room. Adam's door was opened and he was surprised to see Joe sitting on Adam's bed. Adam quietly put Ellie on her bed and closed the door. He headed off to his room angrily. Joe knew he wasn't allowed in Adam's room.
"Joseph Francis Cartwright, just what do you think you are doing?" thundered Adam.
Startled, Joe yelped and jumped off the bed as the dictionary dropped to the floor. "Um, um, Adam. Please don't swat me. I can explain." he put his hands protectively behind him covering his backside.
At the boom of the book on the floor, Pa yelled "What's going on up there?' Hoss, go see what's going on upstairs.
"Yes, sir"
Hoss walked up and could hear Adam talking to Joe. He decided that conversation was well enough left alone. He decided he would check on Ellie.
"You better have a darn good explanation Joe or I'm going to paddle that behind of yours." Adam barked. Adam stood there with his arms across his chest. "I'm waiting, Joe."
"Well, " Joe looked at the floor.
"For Pete sake Joe, look at me when you are talking to me. I can't understand you when you are looking at the floor."
Joe gulped and looked up at Adam, tears were welling up in his eyes. Adam recognized that these were not tears of fear of getting swatted, he was deeply upset about something.
"Heh, buddy", Adam softened, "what's happened."
"I'm not sure," Joe said haltingly, trying his hardest not to cry.
Adam raised an eyebrow, "Just start at the beginning."
Joe told Adam about being in Callahan's store and about Mrs. Martel and what Mrs. Martel told Lili about not playing with Ellie. And how Mrs. Martel used a word to describe his mama, and something about apples and trees and that he knew that one word wasn't good, but he didn't know what it meant. And he came in Adam's room to look up the word, but he didn't know how to spell the word.
Adam's mood darkened, he didn't quite understand what had happened, he frowned. "Joe, what word did she use?"
Joe hesitated. "Adam," I know it's a bad word."
"How do you know?"
"Cuz, Mr. Callahan told me not to worry, Mrs. Martel was just mean spirited."
Adam's mood grew darker. There were just some women in town that never liked Little Joe and Ellie's mother. They couldn't stand the fact that she was beautiful, a wonderful mother, had beautiful children and was married to one of the richest men in the Comstock.
"Joe, what did she call your mama?"
Joe took a breath and looked Adam right in the eye, "a New Orleans French harlot".
Adam, sucked his breath in. Oh my Lord thought Adam, how am I going to explain that one.
"What's a harlot, Adam?"
Adam took a deep breath. "Joe, it's a woman who gives herself to men for money or whiskey."
Joe looked confused. Oh boy, how to explain this to a 12 year old. "That don't make any sense, Adam."
"Joe, some women get paid to let men kiss them and buy drinks and such." Adam said.
"Yuck!" exclaimed Joe. "Why'd they do that?"
Adam smiled and figured that point of view would be changing in a few years. Adam thought a minute and wished Pa was having this discussion with Joe. "Well, more of the point is that most people don't think that is a respectable thing for women to do."
"So, you mean Mrs. Martel said that mama did those things? That just ain't true." Joe yelled angrily. Joe was shaking, his resolve was crumbling. The tears started to fall from his eyes. Adam grabbed Joe and drew him onto his lap. He was grateful that Joe could still fit in his lap.
"Joe, your mama was beautiful. She had two beautiful children. Some were just jealous and never accepted her." Joe was sobbing into Adam's shoulder.
"But why would she say that?"
"I don't know buddy, I don't know. Why don't you wash your face and get ready for bed?" Adam said as he stood Joe up and walked him down to his own room. As Adam walked Joe into his room, he asked him, "Joe, did Ellie hear all this."
"Naw, I don't think so. She had her back to them and was looking at them dolls. She said she found one that looked like mama's picture on pa's desk. Mr. Callahan don't think she heard neither. Adam, Mrs. Martel, she said one more word I didn't know."
"What's that, buddy?"
"Uh… un..un..des.. undesireable. What's that mean?" asked Joe.
Adam looked into Joe's tear stained face, "It means someone you have no wish to be around."
Joe looked at his feet. "Oh."
Adam took his baby brother's chin in his hand and looking into his sad eyes and asked, "How did she use that word, Joe?"
"She said that's what me and Ellie were, Adam." he whispered.
"Joe, get ready for bed. Pa will be up in a little while."
"Ok Adam", Joe mumbled.
Adam headed down the stairs to talk to Pa. Hoss was already sitting downstairs with Pa in the great room.
"Adam, Pa, somethin is troubling Ellie. I found her up there with her thumb in her mouth. You knowed she only does that when they's somethin' a matter." Hoss said. "And, I knowed something was troublin' Joe on the way home." he added.
"Well, I think I know exactly what the problem is." said Adam.
Pa's eyes raised in surprise. "Adam, what's going on?" Pa demanded.
Adam hesitated. Pa started getting agitated.
"Adam?" Pa said with an edge to his voice.
Adam was trying to figure out the best way to tell his Pa what was going on.
"Adam Stoddard, out with it!" Pa growled.
Adam jumped at hearing his middle name. Adam figured he'd better get on with the explanation. "Well, Pa, it seems that Joe and Ellie ran into Mrs. Martel and her daughter Lili in Callahan's today. Apparently, Lili has been told not to play with Ellie."
Adam could see the storm brewing in Pa's eyes. He looked at Adam, "Why not?"
Adam took a deep breath, "I think that she told Lili that Ellie's mother was a New Orleans French Harlot and that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Or something like that. I'm not sure Joe understood the whole conversation. He didn't understand the word "harlot". He was in my room trying to look it up in the dictionary, but he didn't know how to spell it. He just knew from her tone of voice and Mr. Callahan's reaction that it was something bad."
Pa started to jump out of his chair. Hoss whistled. Adam held up his hand. "There is one more thing."
"What?" Pa exclaimed outraged.
Adam drew another deep breath, he looked into hi Pa's eyes already simmering with anger, "She said that Joe and Ellie were undesirable. I'm not sure exactly what was said."
Pa jumped out his chair and began pacing back and forth. His anger was boiling over. "I need to take a walk!" he said tightly as he walked toward the front door.
Hoss and Adam watched their father walk through that front door. "Ain't no amount of walking is going to take those words away, Adam." Hoss said sadly.
"Don't I know it, brother." Adam responded.
Ben Cartwright seethed as he walked outside. He had known that Marie had a checkered past when he married her. It didn't matter to him, he loved her without end. She gave him two beautiful loving children and had treated his older two like they were her own. She was taken too quickly from him. He looked to the heavens with tears in his eyes. "I miss you, mon Cherie." He wasn't sure how to handle this, he had kept Marie's past from Joe and Ellie. He headed back to the house.
"Um, Pa, I told Joe you would go check on him before he fell asleep." Adam ventured.
"Don't I always?"
"Yes, sir you do. I just thought Joe might be waiting."
"I check on all my children every night."
Adam and Hoss smiled, they knew, even at their ages, 24 and 18, that Pa checked on them every night.
Pa sighed as he headed up the stairs. He tapped on Joe's door. Joe was ready for bed, he had his nightshirt on and had washed his face. He sat on his bed, just swinging his foot off the bed. "You still up?"
Joe looked at Pa, his faced still stained with tears. "Papa, why did Mrs. Martel say that about mama? I don't understand? Mama was a good person, she loved us…." Joe started sobbing again.
Joe hadn't called him Papa in a very long time, he only did when he was extremely upset. Pa gathered Joe in his arms and stroked his head. "I don't know son. I don't know." He cupped one side of Joe's face with his hand and looked him in the eyes, "Son we can't control the hate and anger of people who don't like people different from themselves. I know that your mama was beautiful and had two beautiful children and was beyond happy. She was different. She spoke French and charmed almost everyone who met her. Some folks are jealous and just can't be accepting of folks that have what they don't."
Joe shook his head. Pa could tell he didn't quite understand. "What did she mean that the apple don't fall from the tree? What does apple and trees have to do with Lili playing with Ellie?"
Pa smiled tightly, "It means that Mrs. Martel thinks Ellie will be all those things that she didn't like about your mama and she doesn't want Lili to be around that."
"It still don't make sense," Joe sniffed, "Ellie's still just a baby, how could she know what Ellie's going to be like when she's growed up?" From the mouths of babes, thought Pa.
"Well, I'm not sure son, but I suspect it's because Ellie looks just like your mama. Now, listen young man, it's getting late and you should be asleep already. Let's not discuss this in front of Ellie. She won't understand." Pa slipped Joe off his lap and under his covers. "Good night son, I love you." Pa said as he brushed a kiss along his youngest son's head.
"Night Pa, I love you, too."
Pa shut his door and went to check on Ellie. She was asleep, but she still had that thumb in her mouth. He breathed a sigh of relief and headed downstairs.
Adam and Hoss looked at their father as he came down the stairs. He looked at them with a great sadness in his eyes.
"How's Joe?" asked Hoss.
"He's asleep, but he doesn't really understand." Pa said sadly. "You know boys, this is just going to be one of those tough things that Joe is going to have to work through. All we can do is make sure that he knows his mother loved him and so do we. I want you to watch what you say, I don't want Ellie catching wind. Only if she asks?"
"Sure, Pa" Adam and Hoss answered.
The next morning, the older boys and Pa were sitting at the breakfast table. Hoss was about to stab a stack of flapjacks with his fork, when Ellie appeared. She was rubbing her eyes and yawning. "Mornin'" she said sleepily. She went over to her Papa and gave him a kiss. "No school Papa!"
"Good morning sleepy head. Yes, no school." he put his arm around her a pulled her close for a kiss.
She slid into her chair. Papa fixed her plate and set it down in front of her.
"Where is your brother?"
"Coming," she said through a mouth of flapjacks.
"Ellie, don't talk with your mouth full." Papa admonished.
"But, you asked Papa." she said as she swallowed.
Adam and Hoss had been watching this exchange with amusement and starting laughing. "She's got you there, Pa." Adam laughed.
Pa glared at Adam, "I don't need any help from you young man. Don't you have work to attend to?"
"Umm..yes, sir." Adam excused himself from the table still snickering. Adam bent down to get a kiss from his baby sister. She gave him a big kiss, "for the whole day, Adam."
"For the whole day, Princess." Adam agreed.
Joe sauntered in as Adam was leaving the table. "Morning," he said stretching.
"Morning, buddy," said Adam, still laughing.
"Morning," said Hoss and Pa.
"Hoss, I'm going to ride into Virginia City, I need to see Mr. McAllistar at the bank." Pa said as he got up from the table.
"Whose keepin these youngins?"
"Nobody needs to be keepin' us," Joe stated flatly, fire in his eyes staring at his older brother.
"Joseph!", Pa warned.
"Jeez Pa, I'm 12 I don't need anybody watching me." Joe grumped.
"Joseph, you will not use that tone of voice." Pa commanded.
Joe knew that tone of voice. That was not the voice to disobey. He forced himself to breathe in and look at his father. "Sorry Pa, I just meant I can get my chores done and watch Ellie without Hoss or Adam."
"I'm sure you can son, just the same," Pa pondered.
"Papa, can I go with you?" asked Ellie.
"Ellie, it's business. Not fun."
"Please Papa," she went to whisper in her father's ear, "I didn't get Joe anything for Christmas, I need someone to take me back to Mr. Callahan's."
"Oh," Pa smiled, he winked at Ellie. "Sure, you can go Ellie. Joe, finish the barn chores and then you are free for the rest of day. Do not leave the yard without permission."
"Yes, sir. Can I go to Michael's?"
"Who is going to take you?"
"Aww Pa, cain't I go to Michael's by myself. I promise to be home before supper. Please, Pa?" Joe begged.
Pa thought for a minute, "Ok son. " He wanted to give Joe a distraction after all the talk about Marie last night. He could tell that Joe was still troubled. Maybe a trip to Michael's was just the thing.
Joe whooped and hollered and ran out the door to get his chores done.
Pa eyed Hoss, Hoss shook his head in acknowledgment. He'd find a reason to go over to Michael's before supper to cart his brother home. Hoss didn't need much of a reason, Michael had three older brothers, the twins, Mark and Matt were a year older than Hoss and good friends.
Pa got on Buck and Hoss handed Ellie up to him. Pa settled her in front of him and took off for Virginia City. While riding in, Ellie twisted around so she could see her father's face. "Papa, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, baby what is it?" Pa asked searching her face with his eyes. He was hoping it didn't have to do with what happened at Callahan's yesterday. He hoped it was a question about the puppy.
"You know Lili Martel?"
"Umm hmm…" he was dreading the rest of the question.
"Well, we was at Callahan's yesterday and Lili and me was looking at the dolls. And Hoss was outside. And Joe was waiting for Mr. Callahan on account of we was getting presents, and Mrs. Martel, you know Lili's mama was there,….."
Pa groaned inwardly. This was going to be a very long question. Ellie liked to give all the details.
"Yes," Pa sighed.
"Well, I told Lili I liked the doll she picked out and there was one that looked just like mama's picture on your desk, and she told me I should take it down and I said I wasn't allowed to touch, and….
Pa was losing patience, "Ellie, did you have a question for Papa?"
"Oh, yes Papa, I almost forgot."
"Well, what was the question?"
"Oh, how come Lili's mama won't let her play with me?"
"What?" asked Pa.
"Well, you didn't let me finish, so I didn't tell you the part about how Lili told me her mama don't let her play with me."
Pa sighed, he pulled Ellie close. "Darling, I don't know exactly why Lili's mama won't let her play with you. I think that she didn't like your mama very much and because you're her daughter, she doesn't like you very much."
Ellie eyes started to water, her lower lip started to tremble, her body starting shaking. Pa felt a meltdown on the way. "But Papa," she cried, "Why didn't she like Mama?"
"I don't know baby, but not everyone likes everyone else. She could not have liked Mama because she was beautiful, or because she had two beautiful children, or because she spoke more French than English or because she dressed differently. I just don't know."
"But Papa, I'm me I'm not Mama, I don't understand. How come just because she didn't like Mama she doesn't like me?" she sobbed.
"I'm not sure baby," Pa said as he pulled her close. Pa's heart was breaking. He never thought the hatred that some of the women in town for Marie and her different ways would come back to haunt his daughter at such an early age or his son, for that matter. Hate and misunderstanding often led to so much grief, he thought. Ellie was the spitting image of Marie and she would grow up to be a real beauty like Marie, which would present a whole other set of problems.
Ellie leaned back against her Papa settling into his arms. She was very quiet for the rest of the trip to Virginia City. They arrived in Virginia City at the bank. Pa pulled Ellie off of Buck and set her on the ground. She looked like she had recovered from her meltdown.
"Ellie, I need to talk to Mr. McAllister. You need to come sit in the bank and wait for me."
Ellie looked wistfully at Callahan's. Then she looked at her Papa's face and knew that there would be no way he would let her go by herself. She resigned herself to sitting in the bank until he was done. While she was sitting on the bench inside, in walked Lili and her father. Lili's father told her to take a seat on the bench, while he did his banking.
The two girls looked at each other. "I'm sorry," whispered Lili.
"'Bout what," asked Ellie.
"'bout my mama saying not to play with you."
"Oh, umm, it's ok, I try and does what my papa says, otherwise I'd get a spanking. I wouldn't want you to get no spankin' on my account."
While the girls were sitting on the bench, Pa noticed Lili's father coming into the bank.
He walked up to him, "Good Morning, Ely, might I have a word with you?"
"Good Morning Ben, certainly, just a moment."
The two men stood off in the corner. Ben had his hand on Ely's shoulder, Ely was shaking his head. They glanced at the two girls sitting on the bench and shook hands. They walked over to the two girls on the bench.
"Say Lili," said Ben, "How would you like to come to the Ponderosa one day during Christmas break to play with Ellie?"
Ellie's eyes got wide.
Lili's eyes got wider. She looked at her father and he nodded his head. "Yes, sir. I would like that!" she said shyly.
"Fine, fine, I think Monday would be a good day, don't you?"
"Oh, yes, sir, Monday would be wonderful."
Ben grabbed Ellie's hand and said, "Come on young lady, I think it's time we went to Callahan's and then maybe we just might pay a visit to Mr. Atkins and get that hound."
Ellie squealed with delight at the prospect of Lili coming to the Ponderosa and the thought of getting a puppy.
As the Cartwrights walked off, Lili turned toward her father and asked, "What about mama?"
Her father smiled down at her, "Papa will take care of it."
Lili sighed contentedly, she had always wanted to be friends with Ellie.