The Wedding or Which Cartwright is at the Altar?
By Beppina.
The three young men stood in the hotel bedroom. All were booted and suited, and looking their most handsome best. One stood in front of the full length mirror, a final pat on his hair and adjustment of his silk tie.
"You look fine brother..." one of his siblings grinned, "Sam'll be swooning all over you later."
The young man turned to face his brothers, "I reckon I'll be the one swooning as you put it," he laughed, "all gussied up in this heat!"
The brothers cast a final eye over each other. Faces freshly shaved, hair perfectly groomed, shirts, crisp and white finished with black silk ties, black suits of the finest lightweight wool, immaculately cut to show off their fine figures. Black boots so highly polished so as to see their faces reflected in them.
"I never thought this day'd come," one brother remarked, "one of us finally getting' a girl an' getting' married."
"Just took a while finding the right one brother," the groom to be replied with a smile.
"D'you reckon we ever will?" the other brother asked, pulling a face and screwing his nose up at the thought.
"You'd better," his brother cut in, "I don't want to be responsible for all Pa's grandchildren, you two could help me out a bit you know..." They all laughed at the thought of the three of them as fathers and at the idea of their father bouncing numerous children upon his knee.
A rap on the door broke them from their laughter,
"Can I come in...?" a voice well recognised and well loved called to them. One reached the door and flung it open to admit their father.
"Come on in Pa," one son welcomed him, " his highness is nearly ready for the ceremony, just the finishing touches now."
Ben Cartwright surveyed his three sons, pride filling his heart as he took in the sight of them stood before him.
"I thought we'd have a quick toast before we head to church boys..." he held out a bottle of champagne and turned to beckon another young man into the room. Candy, their foreman and Joe's best friend after Hoss, entered, 5 glasses in hand, he stopped, looked at his friends then let out a whistle. "Well, well," he smiled, "don't we all look a sight for sore eyes!" They all grinned and took a glass while Ben opened the bottle and poured a glass each.
"Here's to the groom," he raised his glass, "a long and happy marriage son, we all love you very much and wish you every happiness possible...and maybe a grandchild or two along the way!" he finished, teasing his son.
"Thank you Pa," he replied, "I love you all too, it's going to be a bit strange not living with you all...but I'm sure I'll get used to it...quickly!" a smile hovering on his face.
The glasses were drained, put to one side.
"OK boys," Ben indicated to all bar the groom, "down you go, I want a quiet word with your brother..."
Candy led the way out and down to the waiting buggy. He'd spent hours getting it shining like a mirror and the horses glistened in the sun light. They climbed aboard to await the groom and his father. Towns folk walked by calling greetings, most would be attending the wedding and were making their way to the church.
"See you there boys," Roy Coffee called out, "tell that brother of your'n it's not too late to back out.." then with a wave of his hand and a grin on his face he passed by.
Up in the hotel bedroom father and son stood close together, heads almost touching.
"I wondered if this day would ever come..." the son said softly, a slight smile playing at the corner of his mouth, "we've never had much luck with girls and relationships, have we Pa?"
Ben smiled, "No I guess not, but Samantha's a fine girl, she'll make up for all the bad times I'm sure, and she loves you very much!"
"I know Pa, I love her too, sometimes it just hurts so much loving her as much as I do."
His father gently patted him on the back, "Well, we'd better not keep her wait. It's tradition for the bride to be late..not the groom!"
Together, father and son descended the stairs, at the bottom they hesitated, stood and faced each other again.
"Thanks for everything Pa," the young man spoke softly, tears in his eyes, "you've made me the man I am, thank you for that."
Ben put an arm around his son's shoulder, "I don't need thanks son, I've done everything because you're my son and I love you." They embraced, then shook hands, "Come on then, let's get this show on the road!"
The Cartwright family sat together in the buggy, Joe waved to a couple of friends, tipped his hat to some older ladies, Hoss smiled at everyone her saw, Adam sat quietly observing the town pass by. "Good Luck" rang across the road as Dr. Martin left his house, his wife holding his arm and smiling at the family.
The journey to the wooden and stone built church that dominated Virginia City took five minutes at a gentle pace. On board the groom sat deep in thought, though to all appearances he was smiling happily and waving to the towns folk as they passed by.
The Groom's Thoughts.
"Am I doing the right thing?" he mused to himself, "maybe I'm too old to be doing this...what am I now, 32 coming 33...Pa was 24 when he married first time, about 30 the second time 'n' older than me third time...am I too set in my ways? Do I really love Sam?"
The buggy slowed to a halt yards from the steps leading to the Church doors.
"Come on boys.." Ben encouraged his sons and jumped to the ground. Candy handed the horses off to one of the ranch hands with instructions to deck the buggy out with ribbons and flowers for the return journey.
"Give them a drink and some hay and a quick rub down Fred, then do your worst for me eh?" he laughed and joined his friends on the steps.
Ben led the way into the shady vestibule, many guests were already seated either side of the aisle in anticipation of the bride's arrival. The Church was decked in orange blossom and white roses tied with white silk ribbons. The heady scent of the blossom filled the air as the family of men made their way to the front of the Church. Each row of pews held a spray of the white flowers on the end, and the alter was banked on either side by large white arrangements. The sun shone through the stain glass window creating beautiful patterns around the growing congregation. Mrs. Miller, one of the stalwarts of Virginia City and a leading light of the Church, sat playing the organ very softly in the back ground. This was her pride and joy, and she took great delight in being the one chosen to play at the Cartwright nuptials.
The family made their way down to the front, stopping to speak to friends as they passed by, receiving good wishes and handshakes as they went, until finally they stood in the first pew to the right of the altar. The Preacher shook hands with them all, whispered words of encouragement to the soon to be married man and indicated that he was ready to proceed as soon as the bride arrived. A few nerve racking minutes passed, the groom looked anxiously towards the door more than once. His brothers doing like wise, wondering if she was just observing tradition and keeping her intended waiting.
The Groom's Thoughts.
"Oh no, she's not going to show...she's changed her mind...what have I done? I knew it wasn't a good idea. Please don't do this Sam..."
The music changed from almost unheard to the beautiful Mendelssohn wedding music. The congregation stood as one, whispers hushed as faces turned expectantly towards the double doors.
The groom let out a long held deep breath, then turned to the door.
Outlined against the brilliant sunshine he could see the dark shadow of his bride to be. She stood in the white light, waiting for the moment to take her final walk as a single woman, her arm resting gently on her father's.
The music changed again, swelled up to reach the roof as Samantha slowly and elegantly made her way to the alter. Soft gasps of appreciation followed her progress as the women present saw, for the first time, the simple white gown she wore, The unfussy honey blonde hair, and pretty rose coronet holding her veil clear from her face. Ben smiled as she reached his side,
"You look beautiful my dear..." he whispered, then stepped back.
The groom stood at her side. His face wore an expression of utter astonishment and love. He took her hand from her father's then leaned in close to her, whispered terms of such endearment to make her smile.
The Groom's Thoughts.
"I have done the right thing. How could I have doubted it. Oh she looks so beautiful. Control yourself, everything is perfect...oh how I love her."
The Preacher began the wedding service, words were spoken, hymns were sung. The best man, one of the brothers, handed the ring across.
The groom promised to love,honour, cherish and protect his beautiful bride. Then she with a catch in her voice promised the same.
The Preacher then spoke the time honoured words.
"I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. You may kiss the Bride!"
The newly married Groom stepped close to his new Bride, the gentlest of smiles played on his lips.
"I love you so very much..." he whispered then leant forward to kiss her so softly on her lips.
Her smile lit her face as she gazed into his eyes whispering back, "I love you too..."
A few more minutes passed as they stood to sign the Church register. In the back ground Mrs. Miller continued to play a very pretty piece. The congregation sat chatting quietly waiting for the happy couple to appear. The music took up a rousing beat as the Wedding March commenced.
The couple turned to face their families and friends, smiles glowing on their faces. Then to the strains of the most famous wedding march ever, they made their progress down the aisle to the main doors. The congregation stood applauding as the young couple passed by, words of "Good Luck", "Be Happy", "Congratulations" followed them. Ben and his 2 boys walked alongside Sam's parents as they made their way out into the blazing sunshine.
"We'll be having a small repast at the International," he informed Sam's parents, "then when everyone's had a bit of a rest we'll head back to the ranch for the party."
Both Mr & Mrs. Hutchinson were more than happy with this arrangement, and were looking forward to the afternoon's entertainment on The Ponderosa.
The Bride and Groom climbed aboard the buggy, Candy took charge and eased the horses away from the gathered crowd and off in the direction of the hotel.
Two of the ranch hands had excelled themselves in the preparation of the buggy, white ribbons adorned the sides, flowers were attached to the canopy and doors, plus, a collection of old boots were being dragged from the rear. To much cheering and laughter they made their way towards the hotel.
"Wait.." Sam told Candy quickly, "we forgot to throw the bouquet..."
He stopped the horses as the congregation run up to the buggy, she stood and turned to face them all
"I almost forgot..." she laughed, and positioned herself to throw the flowers over her shoulder.
The crowd began to count down from 5, the young, and not so young, ladies surged nearer the buggy, all eager to catch the bouquet, in the belief they would be next to marry. Plenty of them had dreams of hooking themselves one of the Cartwrights, so maybe they would be the next lucky one.
On 1 Sam threw the flowers in the general direction of the crowd, then turned to see where they had landed and who was the lucky girl.
A cheer went up as the recipient waved it above her head, and the Widow Hawkins took a bow, her face filled with laughter. It was well know in Virginia City that she had "set her cap" at Ben many years before, all though they were good friends, there was no romantic attachment between then.
In fact, when Ben had been widowed, when Marie had died, Clementine Hawkins had helped with the two youngest boys to the degree that both Joe and Hoss had called her Aunt Clemmy. Ben roared with laughter seeing Clemmy now waving the bouquet and making her way to him with a "come hither" look on her face.
"Run Ben," Roy Coffee advised, "she's out to git ya..."
"You're next Ben..." Paul Martin teased.
The laughed continued as the buggy rolled away and people slowly dispersed to make their way home to prepare for the afternoon's affair.
The light luncheon was a family affair, the Bride and Groom, parents and siblings. The hotel had laid on a light meal for the wedding party, just enough to keep them going without getting too full before the up coming big "do".
The happy couple were toasted in Champagne, nibbled on smoked salmon sandwiches, fresh salmon and various dainties. After an hour or so, the newly weds were escorted back out to the buggy. Candy sat up front keeping the horses calm whilst the families said their brief goodbyes.
"We'll be back before you," Ben announced, "our horses are over at the livery, just take your time.."
"Umm. Pa...d'you think Candy could ride back with you...?" his son asked. His father raised his eyebrows quite theatrically at his son's request, then looked at his other boys stood grinning beside him.
"Candy's horse is here too Pa," one chimed in, "bought in...just in case our brother wanted to drive himself an' Sam home...!"
Knowing this had all been discussed and arranged before hand he acquiesced to his son's request.
"Sure glad about that Boss..." Candy spoke as he jumped down, " I really didn't fancy chaperoning these two all the way home!"
Laugher surrounded them again as they waved the couple off on the road to The Ponderosa. Then the remaining Cartwrights crossed the main street to the livery to collect their mounts and head for home.
Meanwhile, life was hectic at the ranch house. Hop Sing and many cousins were putting the finishing touches to food, drinks and decorations for the afternoon festivities. Tables and chairs were set around the yard. A square had been erected as a dance floor, a small stage in place for the musical entertainment, a small band of fiddlers, drummer and guitar player, and a whole side beef turning slowly on a spit was being supervised by Hop Sing himself. Chickens had been roasted along with some pork, there was pretty much enough to feed an army. Not to mention the sweet delights that had been prepared by yet another cousin of the house major domo. As Hop Sing surved his domain he smiled in satisfaction, knowing his boss would be well pleased with everything prepared and ready to go.
Ben and his boys took the short cut back to the ranch, not wanting to cover the newly weds with dust as they rode by, it also got them home in less than an hour which was what they had hoped to achieve. Time to change clothes, sit and have a chat and if they were lucky a half hour doze before the guests arrived around 4.
The party went as all wedding parties do. The Bride and Groom had the first dance, a gentle waltz, soon to be joined by her parents, then Ben who had decided to escort Clemmy, and finally the Groom's brothers who both managed to find dates willing to accompany them for the day, not that it was ever difficult to do this!
Eventually, darkness fell. The moon cast her silver light over the proceedings as people began to think about heading for home. All were well fed and watered, all had had a good time dancing, singing and generally having a good time. The Bride and Groom had disappeared sometime earlier, now only guests and family remained talking.
"Boys, I think we'll head back to town now," Ben announced, "we can go in convoy with our friends, just to make sure there's no stragglers or incidents or accidents."
Both sons nodded in agreement, turned to go collect some clean clothes for the following day and to saddle up their mounts. Ben had offered to escort Clammy back to her home, plus a couple of others who'd rather cadge a ride than try getting home under their own steam. Hop Sing and his cousins would be making their way into town when the worst of the clearing up had been done.
Within an hour, a procession of buggies, wagons, buck boards and horses began the journey back to Virginia City. Much laughter was heard as they chatted and joked along the way.
Ben's boys rode at his side, smiling and mulling over the day's events.
"Well boys..." Ben asked, a sly grin on his face that his sons couldn't see, "which one of you pair is going to be next...?"
The boys looked at each other, eyes wide, was Pa trying to get them all married off or what?"
"See you in town Pa..."one called back, as they kicked their horses into a trot away from their father's laughter echoing in their ears.
Back at the ranch house, the newly weds sat in front of the fire place. A glass of brandy in hand as they relaxed. He had his feet on the coffee table and stretched back towards his wife.
"Peace and quiet...at last!" he announced.
"Get your feet off the table..." Sam laughed, "sorry, couldn't resist that..."
"Pa's not here, 'n' anyway wrong son!" he then leant across to kiss his wife.
Epilogue.
And they all lived happily ever after.
I leave it to you to decide who the groom was, though there is a small clue as to who it isn't!