Ben awoke that morning and the first thought to cross his mind was, Joe. "Joe has been on my mind a lot recently," Ben mused. As he dressed and got ready to go downstairs he contemplated the problem of his youngest son. Why can't I reach him anymore? Why is he doing this? I've always tried to be an example to him, and Adam and Hoss are excellent role models. I love him and he loves me, so why won't he obey me anymore. Ben thought back to an instance last week when Ben had sent Joe into town on a Saturday to pick up the mail. Adam told me not to send Joe. He said Joe wouldn't be able to resist having fun and we would end up worrying. Of course once Adam said that i was sure as anything going to send Joseph into town. Being the father that I am I just had to prove to Adam he was wrong...I had to give Joe a chance. What a fool you are! Joe was two hours late and you ended up doing nothing during that time but worry. Then Joe comes riding up like nothing is wrong and Adam shoots me that knowing look of his that so irritates his brothers. Why did Joe have to prove Adam right this time. But then Ben reflected with regret on what happened next. The whole thing was blown up way out of proportion, between Joe protesting his innocence and Adam trying to play parent. I did overreact. That was just one instance but with all these fights at school I have to start truly punishing Joe. Lectures and extra chores only affect Joe so much. What do I do now. Ben's eyebrows shifted downward in a worried expression as he contemplated the problem.
He exited into the hallway knocking on Joe's door to wake him up, as he proceeded to the stairs. Ben knew Adam and Hoss were going to try to make in back early this morning so he wanted to have Joseph dealt with before then. The trip to Placerville was really only a small business trip one that either Adam or Hoss could have taken care of by themselves. But Ben had thought they both needed a break so he had sent both Adam and Hoss. They were going to spend the night at a hotel and ride back "early that morning. Only Ben wasn't sure exactly what "early" meant. Regardless he needed to deal with Joe as soon as he could, Adam and Hoss would only be a distraction. As he walked downstairs and sat on the settee Ben noticed that Hop Sing already had the table set. Just then Hop Sing walked into the dining room laden with steaming plates of food.
"Mister Cartlight go wake number 3 son up before breakfast get cold." Hop Sing stated tersely before returning to the kitchen.
"A man can't hardly even sit down in his own living room these days" Ben muttered as he headed back towards the stairs
"JOE, JOE, wake up." Ben yelled as he knocked on the door. Ben didn't really want to face Joe just yet so he decided against going and shaking Joseph awake.
So Ben walked back downstairs and started on his breakfast. Joe came dragging down the stairs shortly looking slightly disheveled and rather tired.
"Good Morning, Pa." Joe said as he sat down.
"Good Morning, Joseph" Pa replied in a equally formal tone.
Joe ran his hands through his unruly curls in an attempt to tame them. He snuck a glance at his father but he had returned to eating his breakfast. So Joe began to dig into his breakfast, his hunger from yesterday coming back with a vengeance. After a few minutes had passed Ben cleared his throat, causing Joe to look up at him.
"Joseph, I am still very disappointed about what happened yesterday, and I think we need to discuss your punishment."
"Yes, sir" Joe replied respectfully, already thinking about all the extra chores this would involve.
"Joseph, as this is not the first incident you have had recently the punishment has to be severe." "And as all my previous efforts to reach you haven't succeeded I am going to have to be more severe this time. " I have decided that first you will be restricted to the house, you will have extra chores, and you will not ride Cochise for the next two months. Or until your behavior -----"
"WHAT?" "Pa, you can't take Cochise away!" Joe interrupted angrily.
"Oh yes I can young man, until your behavior improves!" Ben quickly replied his volume beginning to rise. "Your behavior has been UNACCEPTABLE recently! Maybe not having Cochise will be able to reach you where I haven't"
Joe took a deep breath. "But Pa I have to ride Cochise to school."
"Joseph I always send someone into town for the mail or for supplies, you will ride in on the wagon with whoever is going in the morning and I will have Adam or Hoss come pick you up in the evening. Joseph, I am not going to change my mind on this." Ben finished firmly.
Joe just sat there glaring angrily at his father, not knowing what to say. Finally he rose from the table and stormed out of the house, almost bowling over Adam and Hoss who were opening the front door just as he came storming out.
"Whooooa Punkin! Is the house burning down or sumthin?" Hoss called after Joe as he made his way to the barn.
"What's his problem?" Adam asked Pa as he hung his hat and gun belt up on the credenza.
"Oh he brought another note home from school yesterday, and I was just explaining his punishment." Ben replied with a sigh.
"Wha'd he git into this time?" Hoss inquired as he sat down to eat, rubbing his hands expectantly.
"He had another fight at school."
"Isn't he overreacting to a few extra chores." Adam stated glancing at the door and then rolling his eyes.
"Well I told him he wouldn't be riding Cochise for the couple of months or until his behavior improves. That seemed to be what your younger brother was objecting too." Ben stated as he returned to his breakfast.
"Aw Pa do you really think you had to take Cochise away, you know how he loves that horse." Hoss said with a frown.
"I think it its about time you did something to deal with his behavior." Adam stated
"Are you saying you would do a better job, young man?" Ben questioned rather sharply.
"No, sir." Adam replied respectfully and looked back down at his plate.
"Now will one of you go tell Joseph to come finish his breakfast for me? I think he's been sulking long enough. Besides I have something to tell all of you."
"I'll go git him Pa." Hoss said before Adam could volunteer. No telling what Adam would say to him out there and we don't want to rile Pa any more than he already is...
So Hoss got up, looking regretfully at his plate and walked towards the barn.
"Shortshanks! Hey Joe! You out here?" He walked in the barn and spotted Joe brushing Cochise.
"Come-on Joe, Pa is looking for you."
"I thought that's what he sent you to do."
"Now Joe settle down! It ain't all that bad, I mean he didn't tan you or nuthin."
"I would have rather he done that and got it over with."
"Listen hear Joe, there isn't nothing to do about that now. Ya shouldn't of gotten in that fight to begin with. Now Pa ain't gonna let you brood out here so you may as well come in and eat your breakfast. Besides Pa says he's got something to tell us." Hoss said as he draped his arm over Joe's shoulders and guided him towards the house.
Oh well i might as well go in. At least Hoss means well, even if he doesn't believe me either. Joe thought as he walked towards the house. As they crossed the yard, Joe was surprised to see Hop Sing washing clothes over by the side of the kitchen. I wonder if Pa's news has anything to do with Hop Sing washing clothes on a Saturday...
"Hey Pa! We can't wait to hear what you got to tell us." Hoss said as he noisily threw open the door.
Joe looked at Hoss, surprised at him intentionally flinging the door open with his father in the house. But then he mused Hoss was probably just trying to lighten the mood. His father must have had the same thought as he didn't comment on it when they sat back down at the table.
"Yes boys, this is good news. I am very excited myself." Pa replied cheerily.
"Well what is it Pa?" Adam queried
"Do you boys remember me talking about Joshua Blackwell from back east?"
"Yes, Pa wasn't Mr. Blackwell an old sailing friend of yours?" Adam replied
"Oh yes! Josh and I were the best of friends. Although he stopped sailing soon after I did and became a very successful businessman. What I wouldn't give to go over old times with him. But unfortunately that is impossible as he was killed in an accident last year. However he has a son and a daughter. They both decided to do some traveling recently to get away from things. To many reminders of Josh at home I guess. Anyway his son Clifton sent me a wire yesterday and said it happened that they were going to be in the area and they would love to visit. He remembers all the stories his father used to tell about our escapades and wants to talk and rekindle an old friendship. He also apologized about the late notice but their travel plans have been a bit fluid recently. Anyway I can't wait to meet them, you know his father wrote me about Clifton and then Jacklyn."
"Well ain't that somethin! I'm happy for ya Pa. You always did talk about seeing ole Josh Blackwell again and I reckon this is the next best thing." Hoss said happily
"That's wonderful Pa." Adam said with a smile.
"Congratulations, Pa." Joe said politely. Not really very excited about visitors but despite the recent distance from his father he still welcomed it if it made his father happy.
" How old are they Pa?" Joe inquired
"Well son, Clifton is twenty-three now I think and I believe Jacklyn is just turned 14." Pa replied
"Hey she's just a year younger than you Shortshanks." Hoss said playfully while digging him with an elbow.
Adam interrupted Hoss's ribbing with a serious question,"Pa you said they apologized for the late notice, when are they coming? You know we start roundup on Monday."
"Hey Pa?" Joe interrupted as a thought suddenly came to him. For the last few years he had always taken off school during roundup and helped. Since they always needed more hands for roundup and Joe enjoyed it, Pa had allowed him to do his homework by himself in the evenings for those few weeks. Now being on restriction and being banned from riding Cochise he was suddenly unsure as to whether Pa would allow him to help with round-up. He knew he could drive the wagon and help with the branding and some other stuff but his usefulness would be very limited without a horse. "Can I help with the roundup again this year?"
"Well son, I will allow you to take off school again this year."
"Thank you, Pa."
"However you will not be helping with the roundup, young man."
"But Pa" Joe said confusedly "Why do you want me to take off school if I'm not helping with the roundup?" Joe wasn't very happy about to helping with the roundup but at the moment that was overridden by his confusion at the time off school without work.
"Well let me answer Adam's question first, Clifton and Jacklyn are arriving tomorrow afternoon, for an undetermined amount of time. Hop Sing has already started preparing for their arrival. Now because they are arriving tomorrow and Adam, Hoss and I will be busy starting Monday, you shall have the task of being their main host during the day. "
Joe groaned. Oh no...
" You can show them the Ponderosa, Virginia City, or whatever entertains them. I will of course do my very best to be with them whenever possible but as I have informed our visitors there are some things I simply must do during roundup. I wish they were coming at a better time when I could enjoy their visit more fully but this will have to do."
"Pa how can I show them around if I can't ride Cochise?" Joe objected
"That's what buggies are for," Ben reasoned.
"Pa couldn't Adam be their host, he could talk about Boston and about the east with them."
"No Joseph, I need Adam and Hoss to make this roundup successful and you know that. It won't be that bad son, just be polite. Neither of them are that much older than you and there is a lot for easterners to see around here. Now I don't want to hear any complaints or arguments from you young man."
Joe had opened his mouth to say something but now quickly shut it. As the conversation moved on and others resumed breakfast Joe silently pushed his food around his plate.
It isn't that I don't want to help. It's just that all the people that ever visit from the east act like arrogant condescending snobs. I'm sure they're not always like that but people who aren't used to living like this just seem to think we're barbarians or something. Maybe Clifton and Jacklyn will be different, but with names like that it doesn't sound to hopeful...
As Joe sat there contemplating how unpleasant the upcoming visit might be, he felt a need to go outside and breath some fresh air. Joe had been born and raised on the Ponderosa and he loved the outdoors.
"Pa may I be excused?"
"Why son? You haven't finished your breakfast."
"I'm not hungry Pa, and I have chores to do."
"Alright son but you'd better eat more at lunch."
With that Joe took his leave, walking out into the cool fresh air.
Silently the man watched the boy leave the house. As he observed him chopping wood he thought about the circumstances that had brought him here and that had drawn him to this particular kid.
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Dirk Talon was a man of many talents. Maybe that why he made it to where he was, the head of the most efficient and profitable crime organization out there. It was an organization where people went who wanted something delicate done that would never be traced back to them. Talon's organization could do just about anything and never be caught for the right price. He never did messy stuff like bank robberies or stage holdups he and his agents specialized in the delicate and the exotic. The people who composed this organization were completely capable, trustworthy, and discreet. Only a few times had one his operatives actually been caught and then Talon's influence was so widespread that it was quite simple to get them acquitted and released. On the rare occasion when it was necessary he used violence to free his operatives or he had one killed if he threatened to betray Talon. Dirk Talon wasn't his real name but he'd gone by it so long he had erased his real name from even his own memory. He was Talon and that was it. In fact very few people even knew him by Dirk, it was just Boss or Talon. His current job was a very challenging and interesting one indeed and required the utmost secrecy. He had been hired by Alan Darron one of the richest men it the United States and the word. He had holdings in just about anything you can think of banks, mines, retail, farming and ranching. However Alan and his wife Elizabeth still wanted something, children. Basically his assignment was to find the perfect teenage boy and girl. For years society had been led to believe the Darrons had a son and a daughter. Talon supposed this was because they always planned to have them. Now the Darrons have decided it is time to produce these children. They were two people who desperately wanted children to love. However they had been very specific as to what they wanted. The Darrons wanted a boy and a girl who were good looking, strong, smart, moral, brave, and loyal. Not just average but the very best. Talon had operatives spread throughout the nation who were looking for just these children, after all they were worth a fortune to him. His organization could develop a whole background for these children. All the paperwork and proof would be so complete no one would ever be able to prove these children weren't the children of Alan and Elizabeth Darron. He had a scientist who had discovered a serum that could erase a persons personal history from his memory. It was an incredibly useful tool in his profession. It was completely effective in that no one had ever recovered from it's effects and it was absolutely untraceable. However Talon hadn't gotten to the top by being greedy, after he used the serum on the Darron children he was going to destroy the serum and the scientist. He had already used it as often as was safe without risking its exposure and that would be very dangerous for Talon. Such a serum in common use would pose to many risks, continuing to use the formula wasn't work it. However it was perfect for this last operation, it would make the transformation of these kids complete.
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Now as Talon watched Joe Cartwright chop wood he thought that he had found his boy. He was handsome and strong. He was very smart. Although from the looks of things his own family didn't even realize this. His grades at school were poor and from what he could gather he wasn't considered all that studious, bright but not interested in school. However his operatives had searched Joseph's room and followed him which had revealed something interesting about him. His room contained books that someone not interested in study wouldn't own. Like a book on complete math theory, full of handwritten notes and pages and pages of solved problems. There were books with Adam, his brothers, name in it but full of pages of handwritten notes, in Joe's handwriting. When his men had followed Joseph they found he often went to remote spots to read or work out math problems, not the simple homework assigned by the country school, but difficult and challenging material. From what Talon could gather Joe was bored and uninterested in the simple work assigned in the local school house and so his family thought of him as a bright person but not really smart when it came to studies. To the contrary, Talon had found that Joseph had purchased studious books without his family's knowledge, discretely borrowed books from his brother's shelf, and independently explored deeper studies. What his family had said to Joseph to cause him to study secretly Talon didn't know but his intelligence was obvious. Talon was an excellent judge of human character, you had to be in his line of work, and he figured that Joseph's family had simply expected Joseph to be unsuccessful and uninterested in school and this lack of faith had caused Joseph to withdraw. Regardless of the reasons behind this behavior Joseph appeared to be just what he was looking for.
It was strange because he had come to his attention quite by accident. He had been on a stage that had a rest stop in Virginia City. While he was sitting in front of the stage office waiting to depart a runaway wagon had come barreling around a corner and there was a little boy in it's path. There was no way anyone could get to the child in time or at least everyone would have said that had the impossible not happened. As the screams filled the air suddenly there was a flash of color and the boy flew threw the air sideways as a diving body collided with his. As the boy and his rescuer rolled out of the way, the boy safely tucked in his rescuers arms, the wagon rattled by missing them by inches. As the bystanders rushed to help the two now that the danger had passed Talon studied the rescuer who he discovered was known as Joe Cartwright. He watched the handsome youth pick himself out of the dirt and hand the toddler to the crying mother. He watched as he smiled but humbly deflected any praise of his heroism. Talon realized in that moment Joe was brave and had character, and he just might be worth hanging around this dusty excuse of a town. He just might fit the bill for the youth he needed to fill the Darron's order. In the weeks that followed as he watched Joe he found him to fit every requirement. He was a defender of the weak at his school, another proof of his bravery and morals. His research showed Joseph Cartwright to be an incredibly loyal person to his friends and family. Now as Talon thought of the present he thought, yes, this boy chopping wood would soon be leaving this backwoods wilderness. He had recently received word that a girl from Boston would be visiting the Cartwrights tomorrow. Talon's operatives said she might just be the perfect girl for this job as well. So now Talon continued waiting, watching, and planning. When the time was right he and his operatives would move in before anyone knew what was happening. Talon would add another unsolved crime to his record, he would collect the payoff, and two children would have a new mailing address...
