Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bonanza nor any of the original Cartwright characters.

A/N I can not promise the chapters to this story will be posted on any day but a weekend...as schoolwork has become top priority. (has to if I'm to pass the classes).

"Nothing Else to Do" (1839) The words compiled from an old American Ballad Arranged by W. A. Newland. *This information was gotten off the internet*

For Jacob's Sake

Chapter Three

Scene Four

Jim sat next next to Jacob and watched in amazement as the boy played the guitar Jim had brought along. He played like he'd been doing it for years. "Did ya pa or yer ma teach ya to play like that?" he put down his coffee cup and smiled as the boy's foot was actually tapping out the rhythm as well.

"No one exactly taught me," Little Jacob grinned as he continued picking, "I learned by watching my father. Well," he paused then chuckled, "I guess he did point out a few things."

"Do ya know 'Nothing Else to Do' by chance?" Jim had loved the song since the moment he first heard it. It made him smile from ear to ear but would the nine year old boy actually know it?

"Sure do! Pa has sung it a number of times!" Little Jacob began playing and singing. Again the old man was shocked. The lad had a voice on him like no other! He quickly joined the lad in singing.

The summer being over my flocks were all shorn, My meadows were cut down and I'd harvested my corn, To Mary's sweet cottage so neatly in view, I straight went a courting for I'd nothing else to do, nothing else to do - nothing else to do. I straight went a courting for I'd nothing else to do. 'Twas down in yond' valley together we sat, And passed away the hours in curious chat, I told her I lov'd her, I hop'd she lov'd me too, So we'd love one another for we'd nothing else to do, nothing else to do - nothing else to do. So we'd love one another for we'd nothing else to do. She hung down her head and with blushes replied, I lov'd you from the first you must make me your bride, Without hesitation I made her this vow, I'll marry you my dear for I've nothing else to do, nothing else to do - nothing else to do. I'll marry you my dear for I've nothing else to do. So to the next village away we did roam, In search of a clergy we found him at home, I paid him his fee he made one of us two, And married us straight way for he'd nothing else to do, nothing else to do - nothing else to do. And married us straight way for he'd nothing else to do. We liv'd in felicity in joy and content, And never knew the sorrows of those that do repent Our neighbours around us were loyal and true, And we lov'd one another for we'd nothing else to do, nothing else to do - nothing else to do. And we lov'd one another for we'd nothing else to do. The change which years brought I should tell you in this place, Our table is too small and our cottage wanting space We've a healthy rosy laughing set of lads and lasses too, And we love the little rogues thats caus'd us something else to do, something else to do, something else to do, And we love the little rogues thats caus'd us something else to do. Little Jacob laid the guitar down and found tears running down his cheeks. "My goodness child," the old man rested his hand on his shoulder, "Never saw anyone cry over that song befor'." "The song is okay, I am just missing my pa and the others. How long is it going to take to get to them?" Jim shook his head and shrug his shoulders, "Wish I could give ya an honest answer, boy, only I cin't. As ya can see fer yerself-I ain't exactly a youngin'. Still, I dare say as long as we keep a steady pace I reckon we should be near yer home by nightfall tomorrow." Little Jacob smiled, picked up the guitar and started singing again. Scene Five

By noon Jim and Little Jacob had finally reached the edge of the Ponderosa. The excitement Little Jacob felt shown as the smile on his face went from ear to ear. Jim stopped the horse and dismounted. "Why did we stop?" Jacob was confused, "This is the Ponderosa but I'm not home yet."

Jim put his hands on the back of his hips and stretched the best he could, "Old men do not travel the same speed as ya youngin's. Ya should know that by now. We can rest here a spell before movin' on." Truth was he was trying to figure out how to get the boy to the house and then get himself back home without too much of a confrontation.

'We believed ya! We trusted ya! It was all a lie! A con! Well, have it!' Mariah had thrown the deed to the large spread down at his feet 'Just get off this land! It's still ours and I swear; if ya ever set foot on this property again I will shoot ya then ask the questions!' He'd wound up handing the papers over to the sheriff and walking away from it. Only when the lawman had told him of Mariah's husband's death, her refusal to have anything to do with the land and her departure had he moved onto the property...even then it was only out of a desperate need to have a place for him and his youngest son to live on.

"Are you all right, Jim? Are you sick?" Little Jacob was very observant for a boy his age and he didn't like the way the old man was acting or looking.

"Nothin' wrong with me but old age and there is nothin' either one of us can do 'bout that." He went to stand up and found himself feeling rather dizzy. Quickly he sat back down. What on earth was going on? "Son, tell me this," Jim looked at the young lad who had quickly moved to his side, "Could you make it back to yer grandfather's home now?"

Little Jacob shrugged his shoulders, "Probably could, why?"

Jim didn't like the word 'probably'. The last thing he wanted was to have anything happen to the lad and if he wasn't a hundred sure there was no way Jim was going to send him on his way. "I was just wondering. Go fetch the horse and mule. We need to get movin'."

o0o

Mariah jumped to her feet when Ben, Hoss and Little Joe walked in. One look at their faces told her they'd had yet another unsuccessful hunt. She fought the tears that wanted to come, "Where is Adam?" She worried for him the most. The long days and short nights were starting to show.

"He is in the barn," Ben took off his coat and sat down on 'his' chair, "He will be in shortly."

"Little Jacob will be found," Mariah looked at her husband and stepsons, "We can not go losing hope on that one. At least we finally found that blasted note he left us so we do not have to keep wondering if someone took him." They knew she was talking in response to the looks of frustration and despair on their faces.

"We know that," Hoss did his best to smile, "it's jist, dagnamit! He is only nine! What on earth was he thinkin'!"

"Same thing as the rest of us did at his age," Mariah sighed, "the world is one huge playground and we are invincible."

Little Joe couldn't help but grin a little,"Reckon Hoss, Adam and I all owe pa there an apology."

Ben gave him a small smile, "No need to. It is part of life."

While they talked Adam was sitting on a bay of hay. The long hunts that had spread over the past three days finally caught up with him and he let his tears fall.