Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bonanza nor any of the original Cartwright characters.
Only thing I can lay claim to is the characters "Mariah", "Jacob" and the old man "Jim"...along with the storyline.
For Jacob's Sake
Chapter Nine
Scene Fifteen
If any theatrical group moving from town to town went looking for the 'tallest, thinnest, ugliest man' to fill a role...they'd find it in William Jones aka 'Lane Johnson'; even if he was clean shaven. His short hair had to be the worst shade of brown and his eyes were actually two different colors! In fact, the people of Virginia City had often commented that the only reason the man kept the job at the bank was because of his friendly nature and disposition-that and his ability with money.
"There has gotta be a way around good old Aunt Jane's will," He muttered to himself, "Why leave it to a blasted kid! For that matter-one that always seem to have an adult handy! Why not..." He cut his muttering short when Miss Hannah Gibson and the Widow Styman walked in. 'Great! Just what I need to do today. Entertain two women who dunno when to shut their traps! How am I goin' figure out how to get my hands on that land and all the minerals my father swears it holds when those two are in here!'
He about dropped when he heard the things they were saying, "I tell ya I heard 'em myself!" Miss Hannah folded her arms and tilted her chin upwards, "Ben Cartwright and Miss Mariah were arguin'. I can not see why though. I mean, if she found a way to give the land to Adam so be it!"
"You seem to forget the rest of what you claim you heard. You really want me to believe that she would make it so if anything happens to Adam that it would revert to the aunt's other relatives? Why do that? He has a son that would be fully capable of runnin' it!"
William couldn't help but smile. He didn't know what Mrs. Cartwright was thinking but she'd just made his problem shrink in size major time. After all; papers could be faked-ones stating that had Adam turning the land over to him. Getting rid of the man was not going to make it so William lost any sleep.
"Mr. Johnson!" the Widow Styman slammed her hand down on the coutner sending the man through the roof, "I am talkin' ta ya! I need to check on a few things."
'The insane asylum is not in Virginia City so I can not help ya!' 'Mr. Johnson' had to bite his tongue from keeping the smart aleck remark to coming out. After all, he still needed this job for awhile and, if anyone could raise enough ruckus to get him fired-it would be this woman!
"I am sorry, ma'am," he smiled politely, "It has been a long day and my mind is wandering. Forgive me."
As soon as the women had finished their business he hurried to close up. He had to make sure that the women were right. He sure hoped they were. He would rather not deal with anyone under sixteen.
Scene Sixteen
'Jacob!" Adam walked in to the house just in time to see his son sliding down the stair rail, "What have I told you about doing that? I do not want your Uncle Joe to have to take yet another one of your pants to Miss Rosa to be mended!"
"It is okay, Adam," Little Joe walked out from the kitchen, "I do not mind." he had a grin on his face a mile wide.
"I am sure you do not," Adam had his hand on his hip as he leaned to one side keeping an eye on his son; mostly to make sure the boy got off the rail and walked down like he was supposed to, "only I do!"
"Is Uncle Hoss outside?" Little Jacob knew his uncle was supposed to be working with his father. The two had planned a fishing trip and the lad was more than eager to go on it.
"He is out there waiting for you after," he sighed, "you go change your britches. Looks like your Uncle Joe gets his wish."
Little Jacob looked down, went red in the face and ran up the stairs. Little Joe couldn't help but chuckle, "He may be your son but I reckon some of mine and Hoss's blood got in him too!"
Adam straightened up, "Maybe, does not make much of a difference at the moment. Right now we need to keep our eyes wide open. Roy just left. Pa and Mariah's little act did exactly what it was intended to do. Mr. Jones hearing is as good as ever and he got to moving. Roy's had men watching Mr. Jones and he said the man was doing exactly what we all thought he'd do. He has been coming up with one excuse after another to check on that land and who really owns it and such."
Joe looked at his oldest brother. He remembered the few times the family thought they would lose him (or had lost him). He hadn't liked the feeling he'd gotten then and he didn't like it any better now. "Ya reckon he will wait long to make his move?"
Adam shrugged his shoulders, "I do not know but I am not going to sit around waiting. I have things to do." He turned towards the door while Little Joe headed for the stairs.
Little Joe had retrieved the few items he'd gone upstairs for and was heading back down the stairs when he heard a shot ring out. His heart skipped a beat, the items in his arms fell downwards while he practically flew through the air and out the front door.