Epilogue: Christmas in October

The next day, Ben rode to school with the boys, carrying three pair of heavy socks, a sweater, and a pair of Joe's boots that he'd just barely outgrown, in his saddlebags with him. When they arrived at the schoolhouse, Ben asked to see Miss Jones, and the two of them spoke in private before she rang the bell to start class. She took the items from Ben as he left, calling Scotty to come in a moment, asking him to go to the cloakroom and put on the socks and warmer boots, hanging the sweater up on his coat hook for him to don when he came in and hung up his jacket.

Ben made an appointment to meet with Miss Jones after school, to discuss some ideas he had and get some information from her, and then rode on to the house of his best friend, the Pastor Fred Fletcher. Finding Fred at home, he and his wife Penelope invited Ben in for coffee which he cheerfully accepted. After talking for about an hour, both he and Fred left to take care of quite a bit of business, feeling more than somewhat like Santa's elves.

Ben had two other important matters to take care of, however, and he wasn't about to be sidetracked. First, he went over to the Mercantile, and bought another fleece jacket, identical to the one Joseph had given Scotty, except this one was forest green. Joe was always partial to green, and Ben thought he'd like it. He also bought Joe a bone handled pocket knife that the boy had been asking for for quite a while. Ben hadn't thought he was responsible enough to carry a knife, but he'd now reconsidered that opinion and planned to surprise the lad. When school let out, before the afternoon meeting there, Ben was going to pull Joseph aside for a moment to give him the green jacket, the pocket knife, and tell him that Ben would be doing his chores for the next week. He held himself just as accountable as the boys for using poor judgment, so it seemed only right.

Then, having found out where Scotty Tucker lived, he rode out to their shack for a little talk with Mr. Tucker. Riding up, he could see the little shack, poorly chinked so the winter wind whistled through, but otherwise neat and tidy. He knocked on the door to have it opened by a grizzled looking youngish man, wearing a number of shirts against the cold, his left arm in splints and a sling. He introduced himself, and James Tucker invited him in. Tucker apologized for the cold and not offering Ben coffee, but he was a bit short of anything to offer for the moment, he said with a shrug but without shame.

"That's perfectly all right, Mr. Tucker," Ben said, knocking the snow off his boots, and removing his hat as he stepped inside. "I think I've seen you a time or two at church, is that right?"

"Please call me Jim, sir," Tucker smiled, "and yes, I like for us to attend church whenever we can. Lately, I've been a bit tied up on Sundays, but I know Scott likes to go when weather permits. It's a bit of a hike from here, I'm afraid."

"I understand, and please call me Ben," he smiled and nodded. "Listen, do you have a horse? Or something you can ride? I'd like to speak with you about something, and I'd like to take you to lunch if you can spare the time."

"Well, sir, I've sold off my horses and most things. I have this mule I ride and use for packing. Would that do?"

"Fine by me, sir. I've known a few good mules of my own in my time. Very practical animals for our terrain, especially when prospecting or mining. I've been wondering if you might could help me out with something..." Ben began, as the two men headed towards the little shed Jim used as a barn for his mule, saddled her up, and jogged towards town.

By the end of their meal, Ben learned that Jim was well experienced and educated in mining, and had been on track towards a supervisor's job with the Comstock until his wife's illness. He had a small claim of his own that he was panning to try to keep their heads above water, but medical bills, food, and the time he'd had to spend at home had just wiped out any cushion or savings they'd had. Then, when he broke his arm and couldn't work, life had gotten beyond hard. But he still felt blest to have his health, a fine son, a roof over his head, and a hearty mule. He expected to get back on his feet soon, and pull them over this rough patch.

"Well, Jim, I have some mining interests of my own, and we could use a clerk, a bookkeeper, recordkeeper for the time being who could keep track of yield, hours, pay and such. You seem to know your letters and ciphers, don't you?"

"Oh, yes, sir. I think that's far more important than most people give it credit for. That's why I insist on Scotty attending school, even though... I know... well..." his voice drifted off regretfully.

"I understand, Jim. We've all been there, I think. I know I have. Sometimes we can't send our boys to school with all the things we know they need. But it's better that they go, than not."

"Absolutely! And, Mr. Cartwright? I mean, Ben? I wasn't entirely surprised to see you today. Scotty came home last night with that jacket, and I can't tell you what a godsend it was. It's the warmest thing in our house right now. And I questioned him sore, I assure you, that he hadn't stolen it or pressed Li'l Joe for it. He said Joe threatened to thump him if he didn't take it, and I laughed being able to picture that, so I've let him keep it. But I was going to ask you about it this Sunday if I didn't see you first. I wanted to make sure that was something Joe was allowed to give away, or that he had your permission. I wasn't comfortable about it, I tell ya."

Ben nodded and smiled, as the men sipped their coffee after a hearty meal. "I understand, Jim. Joe did not have permission before he made that gift, but he certainly did the right thing and we're very proud of him for it. You can be just as proud of your boy, too, as he didn't want to 'accept charity' or take the jacket. There's honor to that.

"But at the same time, I know... I remember... times where I've been up against it, and had to sell my last horse to feed my family. There comes a time in all our lives, when any of us can use a little help to get or stay on our feet. People have given me a leg up more than once when I've been down, and that's just the right thing for folks to do for one another. That's what makes a community out of just a town. So... I'm offering you a job, at $50 a month, and I'm paying in advance. You know where my mining office is, right?"

Jim nodded, as Ben handed him his first month's salary.

"I'm going to send a couple of my hands to go chink your house to stop that wind, and they'll be delivering some groceries, wood, blankets and clothing at the same time. They're going to bring you a horse and tack, and fodder. I saw that your barn has room for a couple more stalls, and you have a little paddock in the back that the men will fix up and be sure is usable. Don't even think about arguing. You can't do a good job in my office, if you can't get a good night's sleep, eating decent meals, or you're worried about your boy."

Jim just sat back with an amazed look on his face, trying to decide whether to argue or weep.

"Now, I wonder if you could do me a favor?" Ben asked, before Jim could argue.

"Of course, sir. Anything. What can I do?" Tucker answered.

"I know you're not the only one hurting with this weather and slow work. I understand a couple friends were helping you out as they could. I'd like you to get with Pastor Fletcher, Miss Jones, and me this afternoon at the schoolhouse so we can put together a plan to get some extra food, clothing, and blankets together for Pastor Fletcher to share as needed, when he makes his rounds on visitation. We want to keep it all pretty low key and understated. But see if you can pull together a list of folks who could use a hand right now, and what would be the most help. I know a few folks who'll be glad to take part, and we'll let the Pastor do what he does so well. And, by the way, don't worry about whether folks are churchgoers or not, that doesn't matter a bit. Would you do that for me?"

"Gladly, Mr. Cartwright... er, Ben. I can use Scotty to do a little scouting for me," Jim smiled.

"Good. Well, I'll look to see you at the schoolhouse at 3:00, where we'll meet with Pastor, and Miss Jones. Meantime, go do some shopping, and my men should be by tomorrow. Tomorrow morning I'll come by and take you to the Mining Office to meet the men. I'm sure you'll be the most popular man in camp, since you'll be giving them their pay from now on, saving the ride back and forth from the House. I'm very pleased that Scotty spends time with Joseph. He's clearly a good influence, and now I see where it comes from." Ben smiled as he rose to shake hands with Jim to go about their business.

"Thank you, sir," was all Jim could say. "Thank you very much."

"Well, thank you. It's hard to find a skilled and honest Office Manager and paymaster. I think I may have just done that, and it will be a real load off me, if you work out."

"I'll do my best, sir."

"I believe that, and that's all I can ask. See you in a few hours." Ben said, as they parted ways.

Ben took the next couple hours to ride out to a rancher he knew had ponies and their tack for sale, selecting a good little mare for Scotty and some plain but very serviceable tack to go along with her. He was going to get Jim's horse and tack from his own stock, he knew exactly the one he had in mind already. Then he rode out to his Mine to let Thomas, the mining supervisor, know that Jim would be joining them. He knew Tom would be thrilled, as he hated paperwork in all forms, and that was his only complaint about the job. As expected, Tom was delighted and he even knew Jim and heartily approved of Ben's choice.

By 3:00, Ben rode to the Schoolhouse just in time to meet Fred and Jim arriving. Ben put the reins of Scott's new pony in Jim's hands, telling him to give the boy his gift when class was dismissed. Jim objected, saying it was too much, it was from Ben, not him.

Ben laughed and said, "I tell you what, Jim. Here's your first assignment as money manager and paymaster. You keep track and tally up my investment here, and create a $5 per month set-aside from your salary to pay it off. This pony and tack ran me $8, and I'll give you an invoice next week. Fair enough? I'll not mess with a man's pride, but that boy doesn't need to be walking to and from school or church anymore, agreed?"

"All right, Mr... Ben, you win. I give up. And... thanks... just... thanks."

Pastor Fred Fletcher had just stood to the side throughout this entire discussion, but now just slapped both of their shoulders in camaraderie as he laughed, "Ah, now THAT's the kind of argument I just love to hear!" and as dozens of schoolchildren suddenly burst forth from their schoolroom, and Jim quietly walked over to have a word with Scotty, Miss Jones smiled as she came to the door to greet her guests.

None of them meant to pry, but they couldn't prevent the small tears that came to each of them, as they watched Scotty grab his father in rapturous hug, learning that this pony was now his very own. Jim barely managed to guard his still healing arm, as he returned the hug with the same passion. Together, they knew, everything was going to work out.

Thanks to Little Joe and his new fleece jacket.

A/N: I enjoy the Bonanza universe, and hope you like some of these short sniglets that bounce past my mental movie screen from time to time. Please feel free to comment and/or review. Thanks for reading, hopefully enjoying! Grace to you, Gentle Reader! - Mort