July, 1899
Inside the barn, Joseph stands watching as his uncle cleans the metal sections of the bridles stacked beside him. It isn't Joseph's favorite thing to be doing on a warm Saturday afternoon but he has a reason to be here. Gathering up his nerve he asks "Uncle Ethan, can I ask you something?"
"Of course, Joseph. What is it you want to know?"
"Is my punishment over now? You said I was housebound for two weeks and I counted it up and I think it's over now. I didn't really know if I should count the day you said it or the next day as the first day I was housebound." Joseph says watching his uncle with a hopeful look on his face. He's a little worried he won't like the answer.
Glancing up and seeing Joseph's face, Ethan smiles a little before answering.
"Well, usually the punishment begins the day of the misbehavior. Since we were in town that day for the Independence Day celebration we probably shouldn't count that day. You can't be housebound if you are not at a house now can you?"
"No sir, I guess not. So I still have to stay here today." Joseph says sounding disappointed.
"I think we can say your punishment is officially over now, Joseph. You have done everything I asked of you these two weeks without complaining. You've been getting along well with your brothers and sister also. So, to answer your question: Yes, your punishment is over now." Ethan tells him watching the glum look on Joseph's face turn into a bright smile.
"Thanks, Uncle Ethan! Uncle Ethan, can I go visit Jeff and Jason this afternoon? I'd like to invite them out here for my birthday celebration tomorrow. Is that alright with you?"
"The Anderson twins are not necessarily on my list of favorite people at this time, Joseph. I believe you know why. If you want to spend time with them then I won't forbid it. I trust you to know not to be pulled into any more of their schemes. Those two seem to have no trouble finding mischief to get into! What did you have planned to do if they come out?" Ethan asks as he cleans the next bridle.
"Well, I thought we could have a race to see which horse can run the fastest!" Joseph says teasing.
Seeing his uncle's glare as his head shoots up, Joseph involuntarily takes a step back before saying "I'm kidding Uncle Ethan! I'm just kidding, I swear it!"
"If I were you, considering the trouble you got in for that very thing, I wouldn't even be teasing about having a horse race!" Ethan tells him firmly. "It's not something to tease about!"
Swallowing nervously at the look on Ethan's face, Joseph answers quietly "Yes sir. I'm sorry."
"I accept your apology, Joseph. Now go on and have fun. Remember to be back here ready for supper at six o'clock. Also, remember what I said about the twins attraction to trouble so keep yourself out of anything they come up with. "
"Yes Sir. I'll behave and come back on time." Joseph assures him as he quickly leaves the barn. He wants to make sure he's out of hearing range before his Uncle can add more to the list.
Later that afternoon Joseph and the twins are fishing at a pond just outside of town. Joseph asks "Guys, are you being punished for anything right now? Did you get housebound for the fireworks problem?"
Jeff answers "We're not on punishment right now. Why, what do you have in mind to do?"
Before Joseph can answer Jason says "Jeff! We're not going to DO anything for a long time. Remember what Papa said!"
Bursting to know what the boys punishment was and what Jason means Joseph says "Jason, what did your Pa do about you playing with firecrackers?" Joseph has always felt Mr. Anderson didn't punish the boys nearly as bad as Uncle Ethan did him.
"We were confined to our room for two days and that was after we got a whipping from your Pa and our own! So we got two whippings ! Then he made us go and clean up any leftover paper or other things around the gazebo."
"Yeah, then he told us the next time we got into any trouble at all he was going to whip us with the razor strap! He's only whipped us one time with the razor strap. That time we all went up to Mr. Adam's place. When we ran his animals out and tied the outhouse up in the tree." Jeff says.
"I got a thrashing with the strap for that too. Those things really burn!" Joseph tells his friends. "I was asking about your punishment because I want you to come out to our house tomorrow afternoon. We're having my birthday celebration then. Do you think you can come?"
"Sure we can come. Papa will let us since your Pa's the sheriff and he knows we won't act up with him around. Not after what happened last time!" Jason says grinning at his brother. "Your Pa whips hard! He nearly took the skin off my backside with his hand and then he used his belt!"
"If it makes you feel any better, I got the same thing that day. Mitch caught me just as I was going to be in the horse race. Uncle Ethan was not happy with me. I just got off being housebound today!"
"Jason, it's too hot to fish anymore. Let's go swimming! C'mon Joseph let's get cool!" Jeff says as he starts to pull off his clothes.
Watching the twins pull off all their clothes, Joseph says surprised "Aren't you going to even keep your underwear on?"
"We swim here like this all the time. Come on! Get in! You can swim in your underwear if you like." Jeff tells him.
"No thanks guys." Joseph says remembering Ethan's admonition to keep himself out of trouble. "I'm not allowed to swim without an adult. I'll just pull up my pant legs and wade over here while you swim."
Twenty minutes later as Joseph is walking up the road back to the ranch he's talking to himself. "Dumb boys. I didn't think that was such a funny trick. They didn't have to do that just cause I wouldn't swim! The dummies think everything is so funny. Just wait I'll get them back. I better not get in trouble because of this or they'll really hear about it! "
When he gets home he opens the door hoping he can just go into his bedroom. No such luck though as his whole family is inside getting ready for supper.
"Hi Joseph, come see the pictures I'm drawing. It's for your birthday." George announces causing everyone to look at Joseph.
Seeing his nephew standing in the doorway dripping wet, Ethan asks "Joseph, what happened? Have you been swimming?" With his last question he's sounding a bit stern.
"No sir, just wading. The twins were swimming though. When I wouldn't get in with them they grabbed me and pulled me down into the water. I know we're not allowed to swim unless there's an adult nearby." Joseph answers hoping Ethan believes him.
Nodding his head to show he understands, Ethan says "I see. Well young man, it seems you need to take a warm bath. Go on out to the barn and I'll bring the clean clothes when I bring the hot water. You can go ahead and pump two buckets of water to pour in the washtub. "
After his bath and having finished clearing up the dishes from supper, Joseph settles on the long bench to read in his latest "trash book" as Claire calls it. He likes to read about the bad guys that used to roam the west. Reading about Jesse James and Billy the Kid is exciting.
Ethan comes in from outside and seeing Joseph stretched out on the bench says "Joseph, I need you to come with me to the barn." Joseph looks up at his uncle wondering what he's done wrong. He didn't see the wink Ethan gave his brothers and Claire.
Putting his book down and biting his bottom lip he follows Ethan towards the barn.
"Uncle Ethan, I did all of my evening chores when I was out here waiting for the warm water."
"Good to know Joseph." Ethan says calmly continuing to walk towards the barn.
"Uncle Ethan, I didn't go swimming today! Honest! I told you the truth when I said they pulled me down into the water!" Joseph says beginning to panic now that they are near the barn doors.
At the doors to the barn Ethan stops him by putting his hand on the boy's arm. Then he says kindly "Joseph, you need to calm down. I keep telling you that just because I ask you to come to the barn does not mean you are in trouble or going to be punished. Tonight I asked you to walk out here because I want to show you something."
He opens the doors to a brightly lit barn. "Joseph, go look in the middle stall on the left side." Ethan tells him.
Joseph walks over and sees the brown mare he has been working with. Ethan walks up beside Joseph as he stands in front of the stall.
"Joseph, I know how hard it was having to lose Midnight last November. I'm sorry the horse had to be put down. Horses get sick at times and there was nothing we could do. I know you only had him a little over three months but he was still your horse. Tonight I want to give you the brown mare. Since you are the one who trained her you should keep her. I've sent the Army captain a telegram outlining the purchase of this horse."
"Brown Betsy is Mine?" Joseph asks astonished. "I get to keep her as my own horse?"
"Yes son, she's all yours. Happy thirteenth Birthday, Joseph!" Ethan answers putting his arm around the boy's shoulders . "I hope you don't mind that we didn't take a trip together as I did for your sister's birthday. I just thought this would mean more to you than a trip to the big city."
Tears shining in his eyes, Joseph says "Oh thank you Uncle Ethan! You're right. I'd rather have my own horse than any trip to the city! I wanted to keep her so bad. I wasn't going to ask you though. I thought we needed the money from the army for gentling her."
"We can do without the money for one horse, Joseph. You need her much more than the army does."
Hearing a sound behind him, Joseph turns and sees Claire, Ben and George in the doorway.
"Hi guys, come see my new horse. Her name is Brown Betsy and I'll let you have a turn riding her once I train her to accept a saddle that is." He says wiping the tears out of his eyes.
Early the next morning
Ben and George carefully open the bedroom door and tiptoe to the bed with one of them on each side. "Ready?" Ben mouths to George. When George nods, Ben holds up his fingers to show counting. On the third finger they pounce on the boy in the bed tickling him. "Happy Birthday Joseph!" they yell. Joseph rolls over and captures the two holding one boy in each arm.
"You two need work on your sneaking. I could hear you coming ! Trying to scare me on my birthday are you? Well, I have a good punishment for that. Let's see how you like it." He says as he begins tickling them with one hand on each of them. In seconds they're both laughing so hard they can barely breathe.
Gasping for breath Ben begs "Stop Joseph, oh stop, I can't take it."
Ethan hears this just as he opens the door to see what all the shrieking is about. "Ok boys. Time to stop fooling around. Let's let Joseph get dressed so we can enjoy his birthday breakfast."
Joseph lets them up as he says smiling "Lucky for you two Uncle Ethan came when he did. I had much more planned for you boys."
After breakfast, Joseph found himself being pulled by two impatient small boys to the front room.
"Sit down here Joseph! " George says pointing to the chair Ethan usually sits in. "Now close your eyes and hold your hands out in front of you!" Obeying orders Joseph feels something put into his hands.
"Can I look now Sir?" he asks George. Giggling, George says "Okay look."
Joseph opens his eyes to find something wrapped in brown paper. He sees pictures drawn all over the paper. Being careful not to tear the paper he unwraps his gift to find a brand new book. "Thank you George. I love my pictures and my book. Now I have something new to read."
Ben stands up saying "I get to go next. Here Joseph this is from me. Uncle Ethan said it's alright."
Joseph looks at the small rectangular box wondering what Ben is talking about.
"Come on Joseph, open it already. You are too slow!" Ben complains
"Ben! That's enough out of you. Leave your brother alone." Ethan scolds him.
Giving in to the pleading look in Ben's eyes Joseph opens the box to find a pocket knife inside.
"Uncle Ethan? You're going to let me keep this?" Joseph asks knowing how his uncle doesn't approve of young boys having pocket knives. He's always said "knives were not to be played with and young boys were too impulsive to be responsible with one."
"Yes son. I believe you are old enough now to be responsible with it." Ethan answers Joseph's question.
"Yes sir, I will be. Thanks Ben, it's great!"
"Alright Joseph, now it's my turn. Happy thirteenth Birthday!" Claire tells him handing him her gift.
Opening it he finds a pair of dungarees. The new pants made of denim are just what he's been wanting.
"Claire? How did you know I wanted these?" Joseph asks amazed.
"You're my brother. I know everything about you." Claire can't help but giggle at the look Joseph gives her. "Okay, I saw you looking at them at the mercantile weeks ago! It wasn't that hard to guess you wanted some."
"Well that means I finally get to give you the gift that's from all of us together. Everyone needs to come to the barn so you can all see Joseph get this." Ethan announces.
"Yeah Joseph, we all get to see you get a whipping for your birthday." Ben teases Joseph as he walks by and then ducks the swat aimed at his backside by Ethan.
"Move it mischief, you're blocking the door." Ethan tells him.
When the twins arrive that afternoon, they hand Joseph a package wrapped in white paper with horseshoes drawn on it.
"Our Mama drew the horseshoes and wrapped it but we paid for it. Go on open it up." Jason tells him.
Unwrapping the paper Joseph finds a new saddle blanket. It's brown with small blue stripes up the sides.
"Thanks guys this is perfect. Come on in the barn and let me show you why I say it's perfect." Joseph says leading them inside the barn. "This is my new mare, Brown Betsy and I also have a new saddle. What I didn't have until now was a good saddle blanket. All of the ones we have are scratchy and older. They're also too long for the smaller horses."
"Joseph, where did you get that saddle? No one around here makes saddles with all of that scroll work in the leather." Jeff asks.
"Uncle Ethan and Claire bought it and sent it out when they were in Denver. Your Pa has been hiding it in his storeroom according to Uncle Ethan." Joseph replies smiling at his friends.
"Gosh Joseph, you really got good presents. A horse and a saddle too, dd you get anything else?" Jeff asks.
"Yeah, I got a book, and a pocketknife from my brothers and Claire gave me a pair of dungarees. She also fixed my favorite breakfast this morning."
"Do you always get this much on your birthday?" Jason asks a little jealously.
"It's only the third birthday I've had while we've been with Uncle Ethan. The first one was when I turned eleven and it was only a month after we came to live here. We didn't do much that time because we were still grieving our Mama and Uncle Ethan really didn't have much money then. Last year Uncle Ethan gave me a horse but he died in November. I don't really know why I got so much this time. It could be that it's that I'm turning thirteen. I'm not a little kid anymore.
"Hey Joseph, let's see that knife. I'll show you what we can do with it." Jeff says.
Joseph pulls the knife from his pocket and hands it over. Jeff opens it and turning throws it straight at the post of the stall. Pulling it out of the post he hands it to his brother.
"We'll see who can throw it to hit the same place I did." Jeff says. Jason pulls his arm back to throw but suddenly finds his wrist grabbed by someone behind him. Looking at his brother's and Joseph's faces he can guess who has just grabbed his wrist. Both boys are looking a little nervous.
"What were you planning to do with this knife Jason?" Jason hears Ethan ask sternly. It amazes him how Joseph's Pa can always tell the twins apart even from behind! Many people in town can't tell them apart at all.
"Uh Um well we were Um you see we just well…." Jason tries to come up with some answer that won't get them all in trouble.
"Joseph! You answer the question. What were you boys doing with this knife?" Ethan asks quietly.
Joseph answers "They were throwing the knife at the post to see if they could hit the same place again."
"Did you throw the knife, Joseph?"
"No Sir, I just watched them." Joseph answers suddenly very grateful he hadn't tried to throw the knife.
"Boys, knives are not to be played with. This is not a toy it is not to be used like one. Joseph put the knife in your pocket and keep it there. If I hear of anymore misuse of the knife I will take it and keep it until you are mature enough to have it." At Joseph's angry look at the twins he continues "Joseph, it is your responsibility to keep the knife away from those who don't know how to use it correctly."
Joseph opens his mouth to tell his uncle, he hadn't known what they would do but before he says anything Ethan cuts him off with just a look. The look is enough to change Joseph's mind about saying anything right now. "I'll explain it later, way later when he's not so mad! he thinks.
"Jeffrey and Jason, if you cause any more trouble today, I will turn you over my knee. Do you hear me boys?"
"Yes Sir." All three boys answer. Joseph thinking It might be best if I agree also just in case he means me too.
"Good. Now, Joseph has asked me to take all three of you to the swimming hole this afternoon. I will take you, but first I want to explain how we are going to do this. There are several rules you must agree to and follow so listen carefully.
The first thing is you must always obey what I tell you immediately. If I say to do something you do it without questioning or arguing. I make this rule for your safety. If there is danger I may not have time to explain or answer questions. You just need to do whatever I tell you.
Second, we swim in our underwear or old clothes and only when there is an adult present. Today you may use your underwear as Claire isn't going to be with us.
Third, you must stay within the boundaries I tell you. You will get one warning about leaving the boundaries and then if it happens again you are out of the water.
Do you both agree to follow these rules?" Ethan asks looking directly at the twins.
"Yes Sir, I agree." Jason answers "I'll obey the rules, Sir." Jeff replies.
After an hour at the swimming hole, the boys are busy having swimming races. The twins are racing each other while Joseph is watching to tell the winner. Watching them Ethan sees something slide off the bank into the water. It looks like a snake.
"Boys! Come here! Out of the water NOW!" Ethan calls out loudly.
Joseph immediately comes to where is Uncle is standing on the edge of the water. Jason comes right behind him.
Jeff has stopped swimming and seems to be watching something in the water.
"JEFFREY ANDERSON COME HERE NOW! " Ethan calls in his sternest voice. Jeff turns and begins to come back to where the others are standing.
Watching him Ethan sees the long snake gliding across the water getting closer to the boy. As soon as Jeff is close enough to grab Ethan wades into the water and pushes him back towards the other two boys. Then pulling his gun out from behind his shirt he aims and shoots into the water. Watching from the bank the boys see the snake lifted out of the water by the shot.
"Didya see that? He shot it right out of the water! That went right through its head!" Jason whispers in awe.
"Yes I saw it. That was at least three feet long! It was big!" Joseph answers him.
"Yes it was Joseph. That snake was also poisonous! That's why I called all of you out of the water. It was swimming right towards you." Ethan says looking at Jeff.
"Jeffrey? What was the very first rule I told you about being at the swimming hole? You agreed to obey the rules today."
Ashamed for not listening Jeff hangs his head but answers "To obey what you told us to do right then."
"What was the reason I told you for this rule." Ethan asks him.
"For our safety, sir." Jeff answers quietly still not looking at Ethan
"So when I called you to come out of the water you knew it was for a good reason, that there was some danger, correct?" Ethan asks sternly. "Jeffrey, look at me when you answer, please."
Hearing the sternness in Ethan's voice, Jeff looks up and answers "Yes Sir, I did. I was looking at the snake but I thought it was just a limb floating until it moved towards me."
"Jeffrey if you had not moved when I called you the second time you may have been bitten by the snake. As it was it came within four feet of you before I pulled you up! There is ALWAYS a reason for what adults tell you to do. When you learn to listen and obey you won't find yourself in danger or other trouble! You disobeyed me today and I'm very disappointed. I expect you to behave much better Jeff."
"I'm sorry Mr. Cord. I'll obey the rules from now on." Jeff replies sounding very subdued.
"Whether you do or not is up to you. I am however going to be sure you remember what happens when you do not obey me. Come with me young man." Ethan says taking Jeff by the arm and leading him off into the trees.
Jason watches Ethan lead his brother away and then asks "What is he going to do to Jeff? Do you think he's going to spank him like he said earlier?"
"Jason, Jeff put himself in danger by disobeying a direct order. I doubt my uncle is going to just use his hand. I know if it were me or Ben he would be giving us a whipping. One way or the other I do know that Jeff won't be enjoying sitting down when we eat birthday cake back at the house later on." Joseph answers trying not to smile.
"Yeah that's about what I thought you would say. Well if he can't sit to eat the cake I'll just have to be a good brother and eat his share. It sure would be a shame if he doesn't get to sit down. Poor boy just doesn't know how to listen." Jason says shaking his head sadly and snickering.
"Joseph, did you know there's a fair coming to Paradise? There was this man in town today passing out posters to the merchants. It's going to be here in three weeks! The advertisement showed a giant wheel with seats and one of those hot air balloons too. One of the other posters I saw had fortune teller on it. I really don't know what a fortune teller is do you?" Jason asks.
"A fortune teller is someone who can tell you what might happen to you before it happens. Uncle Ethan says they are just making it up and those people are not trustworthy. When we went to Colorado Springs last year, we saw one on the boardwalk around a lake. Ben wanted to go visit her but Uncle Ethan said we had to stay away from that type of thing. He wouldn't let us go see the man who said he was the "World's Strongest Man" either. Maybe he'll let us go to this fair. I hope so anyway. It sounds fun."