While snooping in their little brother's room Hoss and Joe discover some writing that makes them believe Jamie has very low opinions of them.
Historical Note: Little Women was published in two separate volumes in 1868 and 1869. Based on the television timeline in Bonanza I believe Ben adopted Jamie somewhere between 1869 and 1870 so hopefully this is somewhat accurate.
Little Men
It was a rainy and gloomy day on the Ponderosa. Since it was raining that meant Hoss and Little Joe Cartright were excused from doing any work they had to do on the ranch. Although their little brother Jamie still had to go to school. Since their brother would be gone until afternoon Joe and Hoss decided to take the opportunity to snoop through their adopted brother's room.
"Awe shucks Joe I don't think we should be doing this. Suppose Jamie comes home and catches us or worse pa decides to come on up." Hoss explained feeling somewhat fearful of the latter.
"Have some courage Hoss were not going to get caught. Jamie never gets in trouble but maybe there is something in here that proves that he isn't perfect. He might have a secret sweetheart we don't know about." Joe explained.
Hoss shrugged and continued snooping. Joe decided to open the drawer at Jamie's desk. He then pulled out a leather bound notebook.
"What do you have there, Little Joe?" Hoss asked.
"Looks like little brother is keeping a journal. You know Adam used to have one and we used to read it. Since he's been gone we haven't really had any real entertainment to read." Joe told his brother as his thumbs fiddled with the front cover.
"I don't know Joe suppose there's something embarrassing in there that Jamie doesn't want us to know about. I don't wanna violate his trust." Hoss said with a worried tone in his voice.
Joe flipped open the cover to the first page. "Oh look, Hoss the book just happened to open to the first page."
"I suppose it can't hurt to read a little bit." Hoss said peering down Joe's shoulder.
They then read the first page which contained some interesting information.
Adam: Very intelligent and enjoys reading and writing short stories. I have never met him but I feel he would identify as Jo because of his strong personality. According to Pa he is very independent.
"Well this is boring he is just rambling about the brother he has never met." Joe let out a woeful sigh.
"Keep reading little brother I think there might be something about us." Hoss told him.
They continued reading.
Hoss: He is very shy and quiet but he has kindness for everyone around him that he comes in contact with. I would consider him to be the peacemaker of our family. I would compare him to Beth. I pray that nothing bad ever happens to him as I know our family would be crushed if he was gone.
"That Jamie is my favorite brother. Look at the sweet words he left for me." Hoss said as he wiped a tear from his eye.
"Although I do wonder who Beth is? Joe asked.
"I don't know but here is something about Pa." Hoss explained moving his hand to the next paragraph.
Pa: He is a good natured man who raises very high morals. He is very charitable to everyone he comes in contact with. He would identify with Marmee. He is the most ideal person to have for a parent. He is always there for his sons offering us guidance as we grow.
"I know that Pa is a good father but Jamie didn't have to get that sappy about him." Joe said as he rolled his eyes.
"Nevermind that look what he wrote about you." Hoss said, moving down to the next paragraph.
Joe: I have a lot of respect for him but I would compare him to Amy. He can be a little vain and self-centered but he does have some redeeming qualities. He is very hardworking.
"Wow Joe, Jamie sure does have a low opinion of you." Hoss commented.
"I can't believe it. He claims to have a lot of respect for me but he goes ahead and writes this about me. How does he know about Amy Bishop? I've never said a word about her to him!" Joe shouted thinking back to his first true love which was about ten years ago.
Ben Cartwright who had been reading downstairs decided to come upstairs when he heard shouting coming from his adopted son's room. He was surprised to find Joe and Hoss standing in there.
"Now sons tell me what all this is about?" Ben asked sternly.
Joe was about to open his mouth but Hoss put his finger up to his lips to silence him. He then grabbed the notebook from Joe's hands and gave it to his father. Ben opened the notebook and scanned the page. He read the writing with a perplexed look on his face.
"It appears we're going to have to have a talk with your little brother when he gets home." Ben said in his deep baritone voice.
Several hours later.
A couple of hours later Ben, Hoss and Joe sat around the living room. Ben was in his usual red chair smoking his pipe. Hoss was sitting in the blue chair twiddling his thumbs. Joe was sitting on the settee during this time he put his feet on the coffee table.
"Joseph get your feet off the table." Ben grumbled.
"Yes sir." Joe mumbled putting his feet flat on the ground.
A few more minutes passed and they heard a horse come into the courtyard. A minute later Jamie Cartwright came walking into the house. He hung up his hat and set down his schoolbooks.
"Hey Pa I'm home." Jamie said as he walked into the great room to see his father and brothers sitting around. From the looks on their faces they didn't seem too happy. "Did someone die?"
"Did someone die? Did you hear that Hoss?" Joe asked as he stood up and ran a hand through his graying hair.
"Yes I wonder who that could be. Could it be that I might be dying soon?" Hoss asked.
"I don't know because I'm too vain to care. Let's go ask Amy Bishop." Joe said as he walked out of the house. Hoss followed after him slamming the door behind them.
Jamie stood in the middle of the room confused. "Did I do something wrong Pa?"
Ben sighed and took a deep breath before standing up. "Yes it appears your brothers found this while going through your room and read it. Care to explain what your intentions were when you wrote this." He then put the notebook into Jamie's hands.
Jamie opened it and read through it. A smile formed on his face. "Oh this is just a rough draft of the book report I wrote for school. You see we had to write a book report from a novel and compare the novel to our own personal lives. I read Little Women and the family in that book reminded me so much of our family. I never meant to offend anyone."
Ben let out a chuckle. "I'm sure your brother's will calm down eventually. Although I do have to ask why read "Little Women"?"
Jamie laughed. "Miss Griggs didn't want to read twenty papers about Moby Dick."