Late June 1889
"BEN! Get down from there!" Ben looks over his shoulder to his angry older brother.
"I'm going up to see Ginger. She climbed up here just a while ago and I want to see her." He says continuing to climb the ladder up to the middle loft.
"You're going to get hurt climbing with a broken arm! Get off of there before I go tell Uncle Ethan!" Joseph tells him firmly.
"Just leave me alone, Joseph. I know what I'm doing!" Ben replies but stops climbing when he see Joseph turn and go to the barn doors. When he hears Joseph call for his Uncle he starts climbing faster.
"Uncle Ethan come in here, please." Joseph calls to his Uncle who is right outside helping George brush one of the horses. At Joseph's call he comes into the barn. When Joseph just points up to the ladder he looks up to see Ben climbing and about to reach the top of the ladder.
"BEN! FREEZE!" Ethan's voice is loud inside the barn.
Ben immediately stops moving. When his Uncle gives that command he means Do Not Move! Disobeying would not be a smart thing to do. Ben knows from experience if he continues to move he won't be sitting comfortably later. Hearing a sound he looks over his shoulder again. This time he sees his Uncle climbing the ladder behind him. It doesn't take long before he is right below where Ben is standing.
"All right Ben, we are going back down this ladder. You step down right next to me."
When Ben is standing on a rung right in front of him, Ethan wraps one arm around the child and says "When I step down you follow, understand?" At Ben's nod he begins to climb down holding Ben and watching as the boy follows him rung by rung until they reach the bottom.
Stooping down and taking the boy firmly by the shoulders, Ethan looks Ben in the eyes and asks "Just what did you think you were doing young man? Giving the boy a slight shake he says "You know you are to stay off of that ladder!"
"I wanted to go see Ginger. She's up there somewhere." Ben answers pouting at being scolded so harshly.
"Ben, Ginger needs some time alone away from everyone and even away from those energetic kittens of hers. If she climbed up there then she wants privacy. Just the way
you do when you climb up to the treehouse and pull the rope ladder up. When she's ready to play again she'll come back down. Son, do you understand what I'm telling you?"
"Yes sir, I do. You want me to leave her alone so she can be by herself."
"That's it exactly. Now let's talk about you being on that ladder. Ben, I do NOT want to see or hear about you being on that ladder again especially since you have that broken arm. You could have easily fallen and really hurt yourself! It's dangerous enough to climb up that ladder even without one arm being in a sling! "
When he sees Ben nod his head he continues wanting to scare the boy just enough to show that he is very serious "Ben, if you disobey me on this you will have a sore backside and be confined to your room for one whole day! Do I make myself clear? YOU STAY OFF THAT LADDER!"
"Yes Uncle Ethan, I'll remember."
He's feeling a little surprised at not only the harsh scolding but the promise of a spanking. His uncle hasn't even scolded him at all since he broke his arm two weeks ago. Not even when he called George a 'crybaby' one time during a checkers game.
"Good, now I need to go out and finish helping George. It's almost time for you to help Claire get supper ready so don't stay out here much longer."
Ever since Ben broke his arm most of his outside chores have been taken over by Joseph and George so he has to help Claire inside.
"Yes Sir." Ben answers quietly.
As soon as his Uncle leaves the barn, Ben turns to see Joseph putting horse feed in the bucket in each stall. Feeling very angry at his brother he first checks to see if his uncle is out of hearing range and then says "YOU just had to tell didn't you. Joseph you are a big tattle tale! You got me in trouble with Uncle Ethan. Just you wait, I'll get you back!" Before Joseph can respond he turns and runs out of the barn to the house.
"It's too bad Uncle Ethan didn't wallop him. He's deserved one since last week. Talking back, arguing, calling people names and now being on the ladder again. If I were Uncle Ethan I would have spanked him even if he does have a broken arm!" Joseph mutters to himself as he put the feed in another bucket.
That night at supper, Ethan tells the children his big news.
"On Thursday, in honor of Claire's fifteenth birthday, she and I are taking the train to Denver for three days. I've asked Mitch to come out and stay here while I'm away.
"Uncle Ethan, I can look after the boys. We really don't need Mitch to come stay with us. I'm old enough to stay here by myself and keep the boys. I'm almost thirteen! Please let me." Joseph says feeling a little resentful at the idea his uncle thinks he needs someone to watch him.
"Joseph, I understand how you feel and I agree you are capable of looking after your brothers. I asked Mitch to come because I feel better knowing there are two people here to look after not only the boys but the horses and chores as well.
"Those twelve horses we just received from the army have not been gentled yet and could be dangerous. I want Mitch here to look after them. I plan on working with them when I get back. Our contract with the army is for two months. They will pay for the horses when they come to collect them. So do you understand now why I want Mitch here? "
"Yes sir." Joseph answers thinking "I understand but I don't agree we need him."
"Papa, why can't Ben and I go too? We would behave and do whatever you told us to do. Please, can't we go too? I don't want you to leave us." George says beginning to tear up.
Ben answers before Ethan gets a chance. "George, we can't go because it's not our birthday. This is something special just for Claire."
"But Ben, I wanna go too! " George says beginning to cry.
"Stop it George! You're acting like a little baby. Only babies whine like that! Ben says angrily
"BEN! That's enough! " Ethan says, his eyes giving Ben a warning to watch his behavior.
"But he is being a big crybaby!" Ben protests.
"Go to your room Ben. We'll talk about this in a few minutes." Ethan tells him.
Ethan gets up, goes over to George and lifts him up. Carrying him over to the settee in the front room he sits down with the boy on his lap.
"George, listen to me please. I'm not leaving you and I'm not taking Claire away from you. Both of us will be back. I would never leave and not come back."
Ethan knows the boy has a fear of being abandoned because of what he went through when his Mother died.
The children had been sent by their Mother's doctor to stay with a friend of hers during the last three weeks of her illness. To the young five year old it seemed his Mama just disappeared and never came back. Then he was left there with just his brothers and sister until his Uncle was notified over a month later. By the time Ethan arrived to take custody of the children the boy was terrified of losing any of his family and wouldn't let them leave his sight.
Holding George close, he motions for Claire to come over. Both she and Joseph come over to comfort their young brother. Claire sits on the settee beside Ethan as Joseph stands beside George.
"George?" Claire asks softly. When the boy looks at her she says "I won't leave you either. I'm going to come back. I promise! I'll even find you a special gift and bring it back just for you. I'd really like to go with Uncle Ethan but I won't go if you don't want me too."
"Claire! You shouldn't make that promise." Joseph whispers to her.
"It's okay Joseph. I won't be a baby anymore. I want you to go Claire. I'm sorry I acted like I didn't want you to go. I'm better now." George says reaching out to her.
Claire pulls him onto her lap and hugs him .
Joseph says "I'm proud of you George. I know you get scared of people leaving you but I'm going to be here. I'll take care of you and we'll have fun. You'll see."
Ethan stands up giving Joseph's shoulder a squeeze letting him know he approves of Joseph's way of calming George down. He goes into Ben's room to talk with him.
"Ben, I think I know what you were trying to do. You were trying to help George to not be upset. Am I right?" Ethan asks the boy as he sits on his bed.
Seeing Ben's nod he continues "That was a good thing to do, Ben. It was nice of you to try to help your brother, but calling him names doesn't help. This is the second time I have heard you call your brother names in two weeks. I do not like name calling Ben. You know this.
Ben whispers "Yes Sir, I know." feeling ashamed of what he said to George.
"Ben, I want you to go out there and tell George you didn't mean what you said to him. After you apologize you are to come back to your room and get ready for bed.
Tonight you will go to bed early and I want you to spend that extra time thinking about how words can hurt people."
Ben goes out to apologize to his younger brother. "I am sorry George. I don't really think you are a baby." Ben says wiping away the tears that insisted on running down his face.
"I know Ben." George tells him. "I forgive you."
Watching Ben wipe tears off his face George looks over to the kitchen area to see that Joseph and Claire are busy washing dishes. He leans over and whispers "Did you get walloped?"
"No, I wasn't walloped. I just have to go to bed right now. I hate going to bed early!" Ben whispers back.
"I'm glad Papa didn't wallop you Ben cause I wouldn't want him to do that. I knew you didn't really mean those things you said." George continues in a whisper.
Thursday Morning
"Mitch, I left a list of the chores the boys are responsible for so you will know what they should do. They may try to get out of doing them so just stay firm. You are in charge and I want you to handle any problems the way you think is best. What I mean is, if the boys give you any trouble feel free to punish them."
At this Mitch says "Ethan, relax and don't think about the boys. We'll be just fine. I won't allow them to run wild any more than you do. I pretty much know the limits you have established and will stick to them."
"That's good to know. There's one more thing, Joseph is not allowed to go to town until next week. He knows this and shouldn't give you any trouble about it but I thought you should know anyway."
"Ok. Ethan. Now will you stop being such a Mother and get in the wagon? I need to get you all to the train before it leaves you! "
"Just let me have time to talk to the boys and we'll be off." Ethan says walking out to the wagon where Claire is saying goodbye to her brothers.
"Boys, I expect to hear good things about your behavior when I get home. We've already talked about this but remember that Mitch is in charge. You do what he tells you. We'll be home Sunday afternoon. "
Joseph sees George beginning to cry and picks him up whispering to him "Don't cry George. That'll make Claire cry and spoil her fun. I know you don't want to do that."
Later that afternoon
Walking into the barn and finding Joseph in the lowest loft just sitting and staring at the wall. Mitch asks "Joseph, Ethan said you are not allowed to go to town. Does that mean you are confined to the ranch?"
"I can't go into town but I can go other places as long as you are with me. I can't go anywhere by myself or to town at all. I'm being punished." Joseph answers with disgust.
"Yes, I figured that out though thank you for telling me anyway." Mitch says grinning at the boy. "What is it you did to earn such a horrible punishment?"
"Ben caught me in the pasture yesterday while I was working with one of the horses the army brought us. He went and got Uncle Ethan. I got a long lecture and now I'm being punished." Joseph answers and then before Mitch can say anything Joseph complains
"It's not fair! I can train the horses just as good as he can. He just won't let me have a chance to show him. If he'd just give me a chance I could prove it. He still treats me like I'm some dumb ten year old kid like I was when we first came here."
"Well Joseph, I know for a fact he doesn't think of you that way. He's proud of how much you help with the ranch chores and your younger brothers. He just has a fear of one of you children getting hurt again by a horse. That's why he refuses to allow you near the wilder horses." Mitch answers. He sees Joseph roll his eyes at this.
Ignoring the display of disrespectful behavior Mitch continues "Joseph, I know you may not think so but considering how many times he's warned you to keep away from those horses I'd say you got off pretty lucky as far as punishment. I'm actually a little surprised he didn't come down on you harder." Mitch hoists himself up to sit near Joseph.
"Yeah I know. He hasn't whipped me since that time with the bank. Actually, he hasn't even punished me until now. He has been using other punishment with Ben too."
"Well, speaking of Ben, let's go get him and George to go fishing! I sure would like a mess of fried fish for supper tonight. I'll catch 'em and you can skin 'em. How's that sound Joseph?"
"You've got that wrong Mitch. I'll be the one catching the fish so you'll have to be the skinner." Joseph says jumping down from the loft. "Come on, let's get the boys."
On the train to Denver
Sitting in the high backed cushioned seat, Ethan looks across at his niece. Claire seems lost in thought as she stares out the window.
"Claire? I was wondering what you might like to do first after we get settled in the hotel and freshen up. Would you like to take a carriage ride or go to some shops first? Tomorrow night we'll get tickets for a theater show if you'd like to go. I've seen one here in the paper that is advertised as being very entertaining."
"I think I'd like to look at some shops if we can before dark. After being in this train so long I'd like to stretch my legs and get outside. I'm just not used to being still or staying inside so long at one time." Claire answers smiling at him.
"I'm not either. This four hour train ride seems eight hours to me. I'm ready to hop off and run the rest of the way! Those sandwiches they sold us for lunch tasted like two pieces of paper with meat between them." Ethan whispers to her.
Giggling Claire says "The water is so warm it tastes like we're drinking water from a hot bath! I sure could use a cold drink It is so warm in here with the windows up."
Ethan looks up to see a man wearing a porter's cap walking up the aisle. "Excuse me sir? Is there a dining car on this train?" Ethan asks.
Claire whispers "Uncle Ethan! We're trying to save our money, remember?"
"Yes Sir, our dining car is three cars back. Ya'll just go on back there and I'll watch out for your satchels." The porter tells Ethan.
"Come Claire, let's go find a cooler place to sit and we'll get a cool drink. Don't worry we'll not spend much." Ethan says.
When they reach the dining car, Ethan orders two glasses of lemonade with ice along with two pieces of pie.
Claire says "You know I don't think I've heard a southern accent like that man had since we left Missouri. It was kind of surprising to hear him say "Ya'll. I'm not used to it anymore. People usually say You without adding in the all part."
"He has a deep south accent. I doubt he's from the Missouri area. Possibly Mississippi, or Georgia. I'll ask him if "Ya'll" want me to." Ethan teases.
"Uncle Ethan, stop teasing! You're not being nice." Claire tells him giggling again.
Friday afternoon at the ranch
George, Ben and Joseph are sitting in the lower barn loft listening to the rain falling on the roof.
"Joseph?" George asks "Can we go out and play in the rain? Papa lets us when he's here."
"It's thundering out there George. We can't go out when it's thundering because lightning could strike us. Besides Mitch told us to stay in the barn while he went to town. You'd be in trouble if you left the barn when he said stay here." Joseph answers.
"Do you think he'll get us a pie for dessert? I'm really hungry for some pie. I miss Claire."
"George, is it Claire you miss or her desserts?" Joseph teases tickling him.
"Both! I miss her and I especially miss her cooking. Mitch is a terrible cook. Even youare better than he is, Joseph. At least you can fix pancakes and cook eggs. He burned both this morning!" George says giggling at Joseph's pretend mad face.
Ben climbs over George to the ladder. "Well I'm not going to sit here and do nothing. I'm going to go find the kittens. I saw the black and white one climb up there a little while ago."
As Ben starts to climb Joseph says "Tell me Ben, just when was it that Uncle Ethan gave you permission to go to the middle loft? I seem to remember him saying just the other day he would spank you if you tried to go back up there."
"So what? Uncle Ethan's not here and neither is Mitch. I can go up there if I want too. No one's here who can stop me." Ben replies defiantly.
"I'm here, I can stop you." Joseph says grabbing hold of one of Ben's legs.
"LET ME GO!" Ben yells trying to pull away. Joseph continues to hold on so Ben says "Joseph, let me go or I'll tell Uncle Ethan how you snuck out last night to work with one of those horses he told you to leave alone. When I tell him that you snuck out to be around those horses, you will probably get a whipping! Now Let Me Go!"
When he feels Joseph's hand still holding his leg he kicks back with his other leg and kicks his brother in the nose. Feeling the blood running down his lips and in pain Joseph grabs his brother around the waist and jerks him off the ladder. Then still holding him around the waist he climbs the few rungs down to the barn floor.
Joseph attempts to drag Ben over to a hay bale intending to wallop his brother's backside. Ben has gone limp and is refusing to move.
"Get Up Ben and walk. I'm going to wallop you good for kicking me in the face!" Joseph says ominously, leaning down and speaking in Ben's ear. When Ben tries to butt him in the face with his head Joseph reaches out and smacks him hard on the side of the leg.
Infuriated Ben launches himself off the floor and pushes Joseph down. In minutes they are both rolling across the floor hitting and calling out ugly names for each other. Ben is too angry to care that his broken arm is being banged into the barn floor.
George just stands there watching in amazement. Somehow in all the noise he hears a horse come up. George runs to the door and pulls it open finding Mitch standing just outside with his hand out to open the door.
Seeing the two older boys fighting he claps his hands loudly and yells "STOP! NOW!" The two boys on the floor instantly break apart and stand up. Mitch walks over to them and clasps both of them by an arm. Walking them over to the hay bales he sits down and stands the boys in front of him.
"Which one of you wants to talk first? I want to know what is going on and I Want To Know Now!" Mitch says glaring at the boys. When neither boy speaks he says "Joseph, you talk first."
Joseph having been busy studying the floor looks up to see a very angry and very wet honorary uncle waiting impatiently for his answer.
"Ben tried to go up to the middle loft again after Uncle Ethan just told him not to. I stopped him. He kicked me in the face. I pulled him down and hit him on the leg. He tried to butt me in the face with his head and then he jumped on me hitting me. I lost my temper and was hitting back." Joseph answers as quickly as he can get it all out.
"Ben, what do you have to say about this?" Mitch asks turning to look at Ben.
"I just wanted to go up and play with a kitten. He started bossing me around and threatening me. When I told him I was going to tell on him for sneaking out last night he grabbed me and pulled me down to the floor. I was defending myself, Mitch." Ben says pleadingly as he sees Mitch's eyes get even darker.
Noticing George still standing by the open barn door, Mitch says "George, untie the bags of food from my horse. Go ahead and take them inside but don't touch the stove. I'll warm the food after I'm finished here. You can just set the table and put out the food that doesn't need to be warmed up. Your brothers and I will be there in just a little while."
"Yes Sir. I'll be happy to Mitch." George says walking out. The look on Mitch's face makes him extremely glad he's not the one in trouble.
"George!" Mitch calls minutes later.
"Sir?" George asks coming back into the doorway holding the food bags.
"Close the door to the barn please and stay in the house until I come inside."
Thirty minutes later Mitch is standing at the stove stirring a pot of beans while the fried chicken warms inside the stove. He takes the pot off the stove and pours the beans into a bowl. Opening the oven door he uses a kitchen towel to remove the pan with the chicken.
Placing both on the table he says "Let's eat boys while it's still warm. We also have apple pie for dessert for those who eat all of their supper."
George looks over at his brothers who look much cleaner now that the dirt and hay have been washed off. Both are being very quiet and neither of them will look at Mitch. Picking up the bowl in front of him George passes it over to set it down next to Ben's plate.
"Here Ben, have some of this. I don't know what it is but it's good. Try it."
Ben looks up to see Mitch watching him so he carefully takes the spoon and dips some of the strange looking food on his plate. George gets up and takes the bowl to Joseph.
"Thank you George for the lovely bowl of brussel sprouts." Joseph says giving the bowl a sour look.
Chuckling Mitch says "I take it you aren't fond of brussel sprouts Joseph."
"No sir." Joseph answers without looking at him.
Ah, I see, he's mad with me. Mitch thinks. Well he can just be mad. He deserved that punishment! " So George, did you say you like the vegetable?"
"Yes Sir, it's very good. What is it called again?"
"Brussel sprouts. It's a kind of cabbage, George." Mitch tells him. "Since you like it so much you can have Ben and Joseph's. It doesn't look like they will be eating theirs."
"Thanks Mitch!" George says.
"You are welcome young sprout!" Mitch teases him.
During evening chores George says "Ben, what happened when I took the food inside? Did Mitch give you both a whipping?"
"No George, but he did punish us. He made us sweep out all of the hay in the stalls and on the barn floor. We had to put down fresh hay."
Joseph says making a face "Tomorrow we have to clean out the chicken coop and hen house."
"Did he say if he was going to tell Uncle Ethan? If he does you both are in big, big trouble." George says.
"Mitch didn't say. I guess we'll just have to wait and hope he doesn't tell on us. If he does we might get a walloping. I sure don't want a spanking." Ben answers.
Right after the boys came in from doing the barn chores, Mitch tells them it's time for bed. As Ben and George leave the room, Mitch put his hand on Joseph's arm. "We need to talk. Let's walk out on the porch, Joseph."
Joseph follows him to the side porch where Mitch says "All right let's have it. Exactly why are you going out when you are supposed to be sleeping? What is it that you are up to? "
When Joseph doesn't answer he says "You don't have to tell me. You are allowed to wait and tell Ethan when he gets home. It's all up to you. If you tell me I might be able to help with the problem. Whereas if you wait for Ethan, I believe you know what will happen when he hears about you sneaking out at night."
"Yes Sir, I certainly do. If I tell you won't you just tell Uncle Ethan anyway? It seems like I'm in trouble no matter what I do." Joseph says.
"I need to know Joseph. You need to tell me and to trust me to help." Mitch says quietly. "I know you are angry that I punished you this afternoon. You deserved it. You're too old to be rolling around on the floor punching and kicking. Did you even think about the fact that Ben has a broken arm? It could have been badly hurt."
"I know and I feel bad about it. He just made me so mad when he kicked me in the face. It really hurt and I just lost control of my temper. If you hadn't stopped us I might have really hurt him. I hope we didn't hurt his arm again." Joseph says.
"I can certainly understand how you could be angry. I've been punched in the nose and the pain is terrible. What you should have done is let Ben go ahead and do what he wanted. Then you should have told me about it and I would have taken care of it.
Joseph is quiet for a few minutes just thinking then he says "Mitch, instead of telling you what I was doing could I show you instead?"
"All right Joseph, just show me where to go."
Joseph leads Mitch back to the barn where he lights two lanterns and then takes them out to the small fenced in pasture back behind the barn. He hangs the lanterns on fence posts and climbs through the fence.
Quietly he walks up to a young mare, takes the bridle and harness he's carrying and slips it over her head. Whispering in the horse's ear he leads her around to the far side fence. Climbing up on the fence while keeping the horse close he slips a leg over the horse's back and gently sits down.
Watching Mitch has to bite down on his lip to keep himself from calling out as Joseph mounts the horse. Not taking his eyes off the boy and the horse he begins to walk slowly across the pasture towards Joseph. He doesn't want to spook the horse. "When I get hold of this kid I'm going to blister his butt! He knows he's not to be up on one of these horses!" Mitch thinks as he walks closer to the young horse.
Watching Mitch approach and seeing the downright furious look on the man's face Joseph decides to walk the horse. Leaning over he quietly clucks to her and she begins to walk around the pasture. In a few minutes Joseph gently touches his knees to her and she begins to gallop.
"JOSEPH, stop her right now before you get hurt." Mitch calls out.
Joseph leans over again and whispers to the mare. She slowly comes to a stop after circling two more times. Joseph slowly lifts his leg up and slides off to stand beside her.
When Mitch walks to him Joseph says "This is what I've been doing for the last three weeks. I now have her tame enough to let me sit on her back. She is really responding well don't you think?"
"Take your harness off, get the lantern and come with me Joseph." Mitch tells him walking back over and taking one of the lanterns down.
Joseph does as he was told to do following Mitch as he goes back into the barn. At the barn door Joseph hesitates not really wanting to go inside to face Mitch.
"Come inside Joseph." Mitch says seeing the boy just standing there in the doorway.
When Joseph comes in Mitch walks over and closes the barn door. As he sees this Joseph's hands start sweating and he swallows deeply. In his experience, closing the barn door is never a good sign when he's in trouble. From the look on Mitch's face he's pretty sure he's in trouble.
"Joseph, I said I would try to help you. I'm not sure I can. You know that you have deliberately disobeyed Ethan don't you? I'm sure you are also aware of exactly what he will do when he finds out. I don't need to tell you this. This leaves me in a difficult position. I don't quite know what to do."
"Mitch, please don't tell Uncle Ethan about the horse. If you tell him about the fight and then the horse too, he'll probably whip me! Please don't tell him. Maybe you can punish me again instead." Joseph pleads.
"No Joseph, I don't want to do that. I can see you have really been working with the horse. She responds well to you. Yes, I was angry at first but now after seeing how well you handle the mare, I'm not. I'm also not going to mention this to Ethan."
"Thank you Mitch. I'll do any punishment you want."
"Joseph, I'm not going to punish you. Let me think on it some and see if I can't figure out a way for you to show your Uncle how much you have done with the horse without putting your backside at risk. You think on it too and we'll see what we can come up with."
"Ok, thanks so much Mitch."
"You're welcome Joseph but don't push your luck by going back to that pasture by yourself again. Now let's go to bed."
Denver Day 3
"Uncle Ethan what do you think the boys will say when they see me like this?" Claire asks as she twirls her new skirt around.
"Claire, they may not even know who you are you look so different. I wonder what happened to my little girl. I used to have one you know. She wore boy's clothes but her hair was in long pigtails. I kind of miss that little girl even though she didn't know how to cook yet."
"Stop teasing me Uncle Ethan. I haven't changed on the inside. I'm still the same person you've known. I just look different now." Claire tells him a bit saucily.
"Hmm. Maybe, but that little girl never talked back or had a saucy way about her. I hope she comes back soon. This new attitude isn't as nice as the one the little girl had."
"I apologize, Uncle Ethan. I didn't mean to be rude."
"I know Claire. Go try on that dress we bought. I want to see you all decked out in the newest fashions."
When Claire comes out of her room Ethan has trouble finding his voice. She looks so much like her Mother that for just a second he thought he was seeing his sister Lucy.
Claire is dressed in a long two tiered skirt with a fancy bodice. The skirt is gathered at each side to drape in a set of three scalloping folds with a white underskirt showing. The bodice is fitted just to the waist with long pointed flowing sleeves ending with lace. It is the same dark blue material as the overskirt. It has many small, round, fabric covered buttons up the front.
Claire notices her uncle's strange look. "Do you like it Uncle Ethan? If it's too fancy we can take it back."
"Claire we are keeping this dress. You look beautiful and so much like your mama. I can't get over how much you look like her with your new haircut."
"Well I'm glad you like my hair. I thought you might not like it that I went ahead and got it cut without asking first. I was all caught up in being grown up and didn't even think."
"Sweetheart, it was a shock at first. You went from long hair in a braid to shoulder length and tied back on the sides. I do like the way it looks now. Just promise me you won't start putting your hair up in a bun just yet. I don't want my girl to look quite that old!" Ethan tells her.
Laughing at his expression, Claire says "I promise you I won't put my hair in a bun. I think I might wait a long time before I'm ready to do that. The boys will be men by then."
"You know what Uncle Ethan? I really do miss the boys. It's funny. I always thought if I could just get away from them for a while it would be so nice. Now all I want to do is go home and see them. It's very strange not having them around. This is the first time I've ever been away from them for so long." Claire says wistfully.
"Well Claire, we'll be back home tomorrow so you will be seeing them then. They will be very surprised to see such a grown up looking sister. I want to see how they like the presents you picked out for them. Here it is your birthday celebration and you pick out gifts for the boys. We won't mention the saddle I bought for Joseph. I'm having that stored in Mr. Anderson's back room until his birthday in a few weeks." Ethan tells her.
"Uncle Ethan Joseph will just be thrilled with that saddle. He really does need a better one. The one he uses is coming apart and it's too heavy. He's not going to tell you that though. Joseph doesn't want to complain." Claire answers.
"I know Claire. He puts up with a lot without complaining and I do notice it. I also know he's been drooling over the boy's rifles at Mr. Axelrod's. I'm just not going to buy one. Fun is one thing but his safety is more important. He'll just have to get over it. I'll be glad to get home and see the rascals. I just hope they haven't run poor Mitch out of the house with their wild behavior. I guess we'll find out tomorrow won't we?" Ethan says.
"Uncle Ethan! The boys aren't as bad as all that. They will behave for Mitch. Especially since you told them he could wallop their backsides if they didn't!" Claire tells him.
"Yes I did tell them that and I also told them if they caused Mitch any problems at all they would answer to me also!
Paradise
"Well Joseph, I think I have an idea about how to handle the horse problem. I'll just get your uncle to walk out to the corral with me. You come along too and then tell him how smart the mare is. I'll tell him we have something to show him. After you put the horse through her paces I'll tell him how you taught her to do it."
Seeing how Joseph has a doubtful look on his face, Mitch says, "It's all I can come up with. We'll just have to talk fast and hope for your sake that he is so impressed with your training of the horse he won't be angry."
"All right I guess that's a good plan. Thanks Mitch for trying to help me out. I really do appreciate that you want to try to help me instead of just telling Uncle Ethan how I defied him." Joseph answers.
Sunday afternoon
"I'm so glad you're home Papa. I missed you and Claire a lot!" George says as he sits on Ethan's lap.
"We missed you boys too. Denver is too noisy and busy for my tastes. I'd rather stay here in our little town." Ethan says. Then he asks "Mitch, how did everything go? Were there any problems?"
"We went fishing one day and Sprout over there caught the biggest fish. I brought out supper from town the next night and then Joseph cooked us all pancakes for supper last night. For some reason, they didn't like my black bottomed pancakes. They weren't too happy with brown colored scrambled eggs or black toast either. I'm afraid if Joseph hadn't stepped in we would have gotten quite hungry! I hate to admit it but a twelve year old boy can cook better than I can!" Mitch says giving Joseph a head rub.
"Yes, he's a great cook for breakfast foods. Just don't ask him to fry up some fish. He has a tendency to forget to watch them and they burn up!" Ethan says enjoying teasing the boy.
"Uncle Ethan! That only happened one time. I was only ten and had never watched anything being cooked on a fire before! I could do better now!" Joseph complains.
Mitch says "I'm sure Joseph can do many things better than he could at ten. He's very talented at working with horses for example." He looks over at Joseph and raises his eyebrow in a silent question. Sighing to himself Joseph takes the hint.
"Uncle Ethan, would you come outside with me please? Mitch and I have something we'd like you to see." When they reach the corral Joseph opens the gate and walks to the honey colored mare he's been working with. Moving quickly before his uncle has a chance to stop him he pulls himself up to sit on her back. Having come out earlier to lead the horse to the corral and to put on the harness and bridle, Joseph takes the reins and gently taps the horses sides with his feet. The young horse trots around the pasture. Every time Joseph gives the horse an instruction using the reins or his legs the horse responds.
"Good girl!" Joseph whispers in the horse's ear. "Now let's show how we gallop." He whispers kicking a little more firmly. The horse responds instantly, galloping around the circular corral. Bringing the horse to a stop Joseph slides off and gives her neck a good rub before turning to look at his uncle.
"Unbridle the horse and take her back to the pasture, Joseph." Ethan says as he turns and walks back to the house.
Mitch comes over to help Joseph walk the horse back to the pasture. "Well, what do you think? Is he angry with you? I couldn't tell."
"When he goes quiet like that it's not a very good sign. He's definitely mad. I'm just not sure if he's mad enough to whip me. I guess I'll find out when I go inside. You didn't tell him about the fight did you?" Joseph asks anxiously.
"No, I didn't mention it. He does seem to suspect something went on because he's asked twice now if I had any problems. Both times I changed the subject without really answering him. I'm going to go on home now so he won't be asking me again. I doubt I can keep putting him off. Please tell Ethan I'll see him tomorrow." Mitch says.
At the side door to the house Joseph stops and closes his eyes for just a minute hoping he isn't going to be in huge trouble when he walks in the door. Knowing he can't put it off any longer he opens the door. Glancing around the front room he sees his little brothers playing with the small wooden spinning tops Claire brought them. His uncle is sitting on the settee watching the boys but when he sees Joseph he stands up.
"We need to have a talk Joseph. Let's take a walk out to the barn. Boys stay inside with Claire." Ethan tells them.
Joseph's eyes meet Claire's for just a few seconds. She has a questioning look on her face. Without saying anything he just turns and follows Ethan to the barn. Joseph has the same quiver in his stomach he usually feels when told to have a talk in the barn.
As he walks into the barn he sees Ethan already by one of the two stack hay bales. "Come over here Joseph." Ethan says. Absolutely dreading what he fears is about to happen, Joseph walks slowly over to his uncle. When he reaches the hay bales Ethan sits down and motions for him to sit also.
"Joseph, I can tell from your face that you expect to be getting a whipping. You can relax because I won't be giving you a whipping today. I want you to tell me why you went against what I told you to do. After all of our talks, why did you ignore what I've told you?"
"I didn't really ignore what you've told me Uncle Ethan. You've always told me to be calm and gentle with the horses and to speak quietly to them. The mare came to me one day when I was just sitting on the fence watching the horses. When she came up and stood still right in front of me I reached out and patted her. She seemed to want me to touch her so I did. A couple of days later she did the same thing. She walked right up to me and seemed to ask me to pet her. This time I went into the pasture and when she didn't run away I decided to train her. I started working with her at night."
Joseph stopped talking to see what his uncle's reaction to this would be.
"So you're telling me you have been leaving the house when everyone is asleep to work with this horse. Is this right?" Ethan asks sounding just a little angry now.
Swallowing nervously, Joseph says "yes sir."
"Joseph, I know it takes much longer than three days to train a horse to do all of the things you showed she can do. How long have you been going out at night to work with her?"
Closing his eyes at this question Joseph answers in a whisper "Three weeks, sir." Not hearing the expected scolding he opens his eyes to look at his uncle.
Ethan seems to be deep in thought. He's just sitting on the hay bale staring across the barn. After several tense minutes pass he says "Well Joseph, you have done a very good job for only having worked with her for three weeks. I see that you have the techniques needed to work with some of the horses. As soon as your punishment is over I will let you work with this mare and another mare of your choice."
"Thank you Uncle Ethan. Uncle Ethan? You just said punishment but I thought you said I wasn't going to get a whipping."
"I did that's true, but I never said you wouldn't be punished. You deliberately disobeyed me and you have been sneaking out at night to do it! Not only that but you put yourself in danger by working around untamed horses without someone even knowing where you were! Your punishment is that you are confined to the house tomorrow and will be confined to the ranch for two weeks with extra chores."
Hearing Joseph's groan at the news of the punishment, Ethan says sternly "If I were you I would consider myself extremely lucky that I promised I wouldn't whip you. After hearing what you have done I should be taking that strap to your backside! Especially when you caused trouble for Mitch by getting into a brawl with Ben!"
At Joseph's surprised look he says "George was very informative about how this barn became so clean all of a sudden. He was also disturbed by the two of you slugging each other. If Mitch had not already punished you I would be providing a much different punishment."
"What about Ben? Is he going to get a whipping? He's the one who started the whole thing. He was trying to go up to the middle loft and then when I stopped him he kicked me in the face. I'm sorry I lost my temper and fought with him. He just hurt me and made me so mad." Joseph says.
"How I handle Ben's punishment is not your business Joseph. You can be sure he will be punished. I won't discuss your punishment with Ben so it's only fair not to discuss his with you. Now I want you to go inside and stay there. Also, tell Ben I want to see him out here."
"Yes sir." Joseph says.
When Ben comes into the barn Ethan sits him down on the hay bales for a talk similar to the one he just finished with Joseph.
"Ben, George told me about the fight you had with Joseph. I've heard what Joseph had to say also. It's your turn to tell me about the fight. What happened Ben?"
"Joseph was being so bossy and telling me what I couldn't do. I got mad and accidentally kicked him. He got mad and grabbed me and was going to wallop me. I wouldn't let him move me so he smacked me. Then we were both rolling and hitting until Mitch broke us up. He punished us for fighting."
"Ben, did you try to go back up to the middle loft after I told you not to? Isn't that what Joseph was stopping you from doing and why you kicked him?"
"Yes sir." Ben answers.
"Both of you boys were wrong in what you did. Neither one of you should have behaved in that way. I ought to wallop your backside the way Joseph wanted to do. Instead you are going to be confined to your room tomorrow and the ranch for one week. If you ever kick someone again I will put you over my knee and paddle your bottom with Claire's hairbrush young man! You'd best remember that!
As Ben leaves the barn Ethan looks over at the ladder leading to the middle loft and thinks "Tomorrow I'm coming in here and taking that ladder off. We'll just have to put it up when we need to go up to the loft."