New Beginnings ch. 3
The next morning after Ethan, Claire and the boys arrived home from Colorado Springs. Ethan is in town talking with Mitch.
"Mitch, Rob told me you came out early the morning of the fire. Can you tell me what you found when you checked the rubble?"
"I couldn't find a clear cause if that is what you are asking. The boys said the fire seemed to start in the back left side in the last stall. From what they told me the wall was on fire and that spread to the second hayloft and it just went up after that. Those two boys of yours were level headed enough to save the horses. It amazed me how a thirteen and fiftteen year old could be that calm in such a disaster. Rob was very calm even afterwards. I don't know if the shock did it or if he's always that way in a crisis. Joseph fell apart when he came to get me that morning. He seemed to think it was all his fault. I told him it wasn't."
Hearing this makes Ethan ask "Did you find anything at all in the rubble? Even if the item seems unimportant."
"Well, yes there was the pipe. I found a pipe under some of the boards. When did you take up smoking Ethan?"
"I haven't and won't be taking up smoking. I never use tobacco. I've seen too many man lose their teeth because the tobacco rotted their gums. Those same men had so much trouble with their lungs I made up my mind then I wouldn't use tobacco. Even if I did smoke, I'm smart enough to do it away from combustible hay!"
"Do you think someone else was at the ranch that day? Could someone else have been smoking in that back stall? How long would it take for a pipe left burning to start a fire?" Mitch asks guessing what Ethan is thinking.
"In answer to questions one and two, it's possible. To answer the last question, I believe a pipe left smoldering on either a railing or on the floor could take several hours to start a fire. I feel it would most likely have been on the floor and the hay would have caught on fire then it went from there. I'm going home to talk to the boys. I'll try to let you know what they say later today."
"Sure thing Ethan. I'll be here. I'm going to go ask around town to see if anyone has seen a stranger around." Mitch answers.
The Ranch
Riding into the ranch yard, Ethan sees the boys walking through the mound of blackened boards.
"Ben! George! Come HERE!" he calls out trying to keep his temper in check.
When both young boys are standing in front of him he asks "What did I tell you this morning before I left for town?"
"To stay away from the burned up barn." George whispers.
When he doesn't get an answer from Ben, Ethan reaches out and tips the boy's face up so he has to look at him instead of the ground. "Well Ben?"
"You told us to stay away from the burned wood. I'm sorry Pa. I guess I wasn't thinking right today. I just wanted to look at it up close."
"We're sorry Papa. We won't do it again. It makes me sad to see our barn all burned like that." George tells him.
Looking at the two sorrowful boys Ethan has to control himself not to smile at the long faces. "Ben, George, you both seem to be having trouble remembering to mind me lately. First, you leave the hotel room after I told you to stay inside it, now you go walking in a place I distinctly told the two of you to stay away from. That makes me think you need a strong reminder to do what you are told. So boys the question is; Do you need me to tan your backsides today?"
Seeing his Uncle's hands resting on his belt, Ben quickly answers "I don't need a reminder Pa. Really I don't."
George answers shaking his head "I'm fine Papa. Honest! I don't need you to do anything."
Both boys hold their breath waiting for Ethan's response. "Well, can you remember to do as I say from now on?"
"Yes sir!"
"Then listen to me right now. STAY AWAY FROM THAT WOOD! It could still burn you. There is heat inside those timbers. Let me hear of you going near it again and you will feel my belt! That will also happen the next time you disobey me! Understand?"
"Yes Papa." George whispers as Ben says "Yes Sir, I understand."
"Papa, why did our barn burn up? We need a barn. The horses don't have a place to stay. What are we going to do without a wagon and tack? We can't buy supplies if we can't get them home. We can't even ride our cart to town because we can't hook up Dobbin."
"I don't know yet, why the barn burned, George. We will have a new barn soon. I'm borrowing some saddles and bridles so we can use the horses. The Andersons have also loaned us their wagon until we get one of our own. Being in town, they don't need it right now. You two go inside and help Claire. Are Rob and Joseph inside?"
"No Pa. They left this morning just after you and I don't know where they were going. Rob said we were to mind Claire and they would be back in time for lunch." Ben replies.
Then seeing the frown his answer caused, he decides to follow George inside before his Pa decides he needs a whipping after all.
Two hours later Ethan hears the boys riding into the yard. They are loud enough to be heard inside. As they turn their horses into the corral, Ethan goes outside to meet them.
"Well boys, you have some explaining to do. Just Where Have You Been?! " He asks angrily.
"We went fishing Uncle Ethan. We caught enough for us to cook for lunch." Rob tells his Uncle showing him the fish.
"Take the fish inside Rob and then come back out. All three of us are going to have a private talk in the woodshed."
Joseph gasps as Rob says "Yes Sir, I'll be right back."
Feeling the tears threatening, Joseph swallows to try to keep them back. His eyes are watering and his nose is beginning to run. He has to sniff every now and then.
Coming back to the corral, Rob sees how upset Joseph is and puts his arm around his younger brother. "Calm down, I'm sure it's alright." he whispers to him.
"Come with me. As I said, we need to have a private talk." Ethan leads them to the woodshed and motions for them to go in. Once inside he says "I have a few things to say and then ask so pull over a stump and sit down."
When both boys are seated he begins "First, you both broke one of our family rules today. You never leave the ranch without permission and you tell someone where you are going! When I asked Ben, he didn't know where you went. Neither one of you has my permission to wander off whenever you feel like it. I know you have been through a hard time recently but that doesn't excuse you from disobeying now does it?"
"I am sorry. It's my fault Uncle Ethan. I didn't even think about asking if we could go fishing because I didn't think of it until after you left. Joseph cooked fish while you were in Colorado Springs and they were so good I wanted more. All I could think about was how good the fish would be with Claire's biscuits and beans. I talked Joseph into going along. Again, I'm sorry. I just wasn't thinking clearly I guess. Being in charge for two days made me forget I wasn't in charge anymore."
"Thank you for explaining Rob. Joseph? Do you have anything to say?"
Just seeing his uncle look at him makes Joseph break down completely. Putting his head down on his knees he starts sobbing. Ethan can make out a few words in the sobs "I didn't mean to. I'm sorry. It's my fault."
"What is it Son? It can't be this fishing trip that has you so upset can it? You've been upset like this since Friday morning according to Mitch and Rob. Sit up and talk to me Joseph."
Hearing the command in Ethan's voice, Joseph sits up trying to get control of himself. "Now boys, I don't know if you have been told this but Mitch found a pipe in the ruins of the barn. What I want to hear now is the truth. Were either of you smoking a pipe either in the barn or out behind it on Thursday? Look at me when you answer."
Rob speaks first "No Sir! I haven't smoked anything since Uncle Vernon blistered my butt for doing so about a year ago. That was a whipping I'll never ever forget! Not that I forget any of them! You both have a way to make me remember!" He finishes grinning at Ethan.
"Joseph?" Ethan asks looking at the younger boy.
"I wasn't smoking that day, Uncle Ethan. I went fishing with the twins so I was gone from right about lunch until almost suppertime. When I came in, I didn't put Brown Betsy up in her stall the way I always do. I turned her out into the corral. I went back after Rob, uh, that is I went back later and put her in her stall for the night. There was not any smoke in the barn then."
"Not any at all? You didn't smell anything?" Ethan asks.
"No sir, I didn't see anything or smell anything strange. Just the same as always."
"Joseph, you said something about you went to the barn after Rob… After Rob what? Explain please."
Rob jumps in to the conversation then. "He was going to say after I punished him. You see Uncle Ethan, Joseph got himself a spanking that day and he doesn't want to let you know because it's embarrassing. I spanked him for not coming back when I told him too. He came in an hour later so I walloped him with my hand. I think it embarrassed him to be spanked by me!" Rob grins at Ethan again at this statement.
"Is this true Joseph? You disobeyed Rob and he punished you for it?"
"Yessir, I did and he walloped me really hard too! Uncle Ethan? I'm sorry I misbehaved while you were away and didn't stay to take care of the ranch as you said. It's all my fault the barn burned that night. If I had stayed home and not followed the twins fishing then it wouldn't have happened. I didn't watch the ranch like I promised I would. I broke a promise. That's like telling a lie. I'm so sorry! I deserve the thrashing you are going to give me."
Sobbing loudly after he manages to get this out, he doesn't hear Ethan say "Joseph, I'm not mad at you!" Then turning to look at Rob, he says "Will you please leave us, Rob? I need to talk to him alone for awhile. We'll talk together some more later, alright?"
"Sure, I understand. He's been like this since the fire. I can not convince him it wasn't his fault. I asked him that day and afterwards if he'd been smoking in the barn because he kept saying it was his fault. He keeps insisting he wasn't. I believe him, Uncle Ethan!"
"I believe him too, Rob. I'm not keeping him here to punish him. I just need to talk to him alone."
"Joseph! Sit UP and Listen to me right now! " Ethan commands harshly after Rob leaves.
When Joseph sits up, Ethan says "I want you to stop blaming yourself for the barn burning. YOU are not at fault any more than Rob or myself. I wasn't here when the barn burned so that would mean in your way of thinking, that I made the barn burn too. You and Rob were here. You took care of the house, the animals and each other! If you had not acted as quickly as you did we would have lost all the animals too."
Ethan stops talking to get his own emotions under control. Then he says "Joseph, I am very proud of you! I couldn't ask for you to do any better during that time! Will you please stop blaming yourself now? If you need to blame someone, blame me. After all, I left two boys alone and they had to deal with this catastrophe."
Seeing Joseph wipe his face and begin to calm down. Ethan says "Come Here Joseph!"
Standing up and walking the four steps to his Uncle, Joseph looks at him questioningly.
Ethan taking him by the arm, spinning the boy around, gives him two firm smacks on his backside. "There that should take care of any more guilt you might have. One for having the audacity to go off and have fun or to sleep when you should have stayed and babysat the ranch all day and night. The other smack was for thinking for one second that you were responsible for this after many people told you it wasn't true."
"Are you still feeling guilty or responsible Joseph? If you are, I can add a few more smacks!" Ethan asks looking into the boy's shocked eyes with a smile.
Smiling back now, Joseph falls into his Uncle's arms to be hugged close. "I'm good now, I don't need any more smacks. I know I didn't have anything to do with the fire. I love you Uncle Ethan!" Joseph whispers into his Uncle's shoulder.
"I love you too, Joseph. I'm sorry if I hurt you when I spanked you. I just couldn't think of any other way to get you to let go of those guilty feelings. You wanted punishment so I punished you."
"You didn't hurt me. Those smacks were so light they barely stung! Are you losing your touch?"
"What? Why you just wait, young man. I'll show you whose losing their touch." Flipping the boy over his knee he hears "WAIT, I'm kidding! I didn't mean it!"
Standing him back up Ethan says "I'm not losing my touch, so you best watch it young man. You might not get so lucky next time. I might not just be pretending!"
At Joseph's goofy look, he pulls him back into his arms for another hug. "I was kidding too, son. Just relax. Let's go inside so Rob can see I didn't do any damage to you. He really didn't believe me when I told him I wasn't going to punish you! Rob loves you a lot, I hope you know that son."
"I know. If he didn't care about me he wouldn't treat me the way you do and punish me when I mess up. He was right to spank me that day. I was an hour late."
"Why didn't you come in on time? Were you testing him?" Ethan asks.
"Yes sir. I didn't really think he'd punish me or tell you either. I thought he would yell or lecture me but that would be all. He's never spanked me before and he's known of many times I deserved it."
"I believe the difference would be that this time HE was in charge of you and wanted to keep you safe. I'm sure he was very worried when you didn't come in on time. The other times, he knew I would take care of any problems that came up. It's different when you are responsible. Haven't you ever felt that way when you were in charge of the boys?"
"Yes sir, I have. Actually I feel that way with them most of the time. I just don't trust them to do as they know they are supposed to do. Maybe now that they are turning nine and ten they will be better behaved. Did you buy the special present you wanted to get for them in Colorado Springs?"
"Yes I did. It should arrive by train next Tuesday. I couldn't bring it with me because there would be no way to keep the boys from seeing."
"Okay son, you've stalled around long enough, we need to go in and talk with Rob so he can tell me about what went on during the time I was away. He may have something to tell me that helps us figure out what happened that night. Joseph, you've already been punished for missing curfew and I don't plan to be punishing you for it again. I believe Rob handled it. So you can relax now."
"You knew about that before I told you didn't you?" Joseph asks.
"Yes, Rob told me all about what he did and why earlier this morning. I let you tell me again because you needed to get rid of the guilt. There isn't much that goes on that I don't know about, Joseph. It might be a good idea for you to keep that in mind."
"Yes Sir." Rob must not have told him where I went fishing. If he had, my backside would be burning like the barn by now! If he finds out we both went back there today, well I don't even want to think about that! Joseph thinks as he follows his uncle inside.
Alright boys, let's go back over what happened that afternoon and night. Joseph you were with the twins fishing. Rob did you happen to see or hear anything while he was gone that seemed unusual?"
"One time about an hour before Joseph came in, I thought I heard the barn door open and close. It squeaks when you open it slowly. I mean it used too. Anyway it was time for Joseph to come home so I didn't look out. Not then anyway. I did look out when he never came in. I even went to the barn but he wasn't there. I didn't see any fire or smell smoke then. That was around five thirty I guess."
"Joseph you said you came in late that night so would that make you getting home around six?" Ethan asks.
When Joseph hesitates, Ethan says "Remember, I told you I wasn't going to punish you. Rob has taken care of that. You need to tell me the truth."
"Yes sir, I think it was around six. I put Brown Betsy in the corral and went inside because I knew Rob would be worried. I wanted to let him know I was home before I took Betsy to the barn and settled her."
"When you came back out, about what time do you think that might have been?" Ethan asks.
"I'm not sure, I guess about six thirty or a little later. It was really dark by then and I had to take a lantern out to the barn to be able to see well enough to brush Betsy and feed her. After I finished I brought the lantern back and put it back on the porch. It's still sitting next to the door where I put it."
"Yes, I've seen it. Then what did the two of you do?"
"Rob made me cook the supper and we ate. He said he was tired and wanted to go to bed so we both went to bed. I stayed awake and read for a little bit then went to sleep. I woke up later when the horses started whinnying. I went in and woke up Rob."
"It was about midnight then. I looked at my watch because I was ready to spank Joseph again for waking me up."
Having been sitting quietly listening all this time, Ben and George burst into giggles at the idea of Rob spanking Joseph.
"Boys HUSH and listen. Go ahead Rob." Ethan says frowning at the younger two boys.
"It was around midnight when he came in. I threatened to spank him if this was some kind of trick. He kept insisting there was something wrong in the barn so I got up. We both went outside and then we saw smoke coming from underneath the barn doors. We both ran in and grabbed horses and took them out. Joseph ran back in again and brought out Betsy with the pony cart. He tried to go in a third time for the wagon or a saddle but I tackled him and pinned him down."
"Yeah he lay on top of me and wouldn't get up. He's heavy too. Then when he finally let me up we had to run back to the house because the barn was about to fall. Rob pulled me all the way and wouldn't let go of me. You didn't have to treat me like a little kid, Rob!" Joseph says angrily.
"Joseph! That is enough of that kind of talk! Rob saved your life! If you had run back into the barn to try to get anything else you wouldn't have made it back out! Apologize to him and don't let me hear of you snapping at him like this again!"
"Yes, Uncle Ethan. I'm sorry Rob. I didn't mean it the way it sounded. Sometimes I just want you to treat me more grown up."
"Well Joseph, I do when you act it. That night you were not behaving much like a grown up. I couldn't trust you to do what I needed you to do so I pulled you and made you do what I said."
"Thank you again Rob for keeping a clear head and taking care of Joseph the way you did. I'm sorry he doesn't see it that way. It will come to him though, one way or another." Ethan says giving Joseph a firm look.
"That's all we know Uncle Ethan. After the barn collapsed we threw buckets of water over it for about an hour. Then Joseph volunteered to go get Mitch and I stayed with the barn. Mitch came out and walked around some, had us put even more water on the mess and then went back to town. A little while later Mr. Anderson and Mr. Axelrod came out with their wagons and barrels of water. They poured water all around the pile and on it. They left Mr. Anderson's wagon for us to use and went back to town. No one else has been out here since."
"Thank you Rob and Joseph for such a detailed report. You knowing the times helps quite a bit. Mitch and I will get together and write all this down. He is good at solving mysteries so I'm turning this over to him. We will find out what happened."
"Pa?"
"Yes Ben?"
"Do you think there was someone bad in the barn that night and they set our barn on fire by accident? Maybe someone was sleeping in there and caused the fire."
"That's certainly one thing that could have happened. When I find out anything, I'll let all of you know. For now I'm going back to town to talk with Mitch. Until I come back, I want all of you to stay inside except for trips to the outhouse. You must not go anywhere else."
In town- Sheriff's Office
"Ethan I've asked around but so far, no one has seemed to have seen any strangers hanging about. It doesn't look as if we'll be able to find out what happened to your barn that night. I will keep checking and listening though. If anything comes up I will be sure to tell you."
"Thank you Mitch. I didn't think it was going to be easy but I was hoping for some kind of news. I just don't believe the boys had anything to do with the fire. I know young boys often try their hands at smoking but at this time I believe both Rob and Joseph when they deny doing that. Both tell the truth most of the time even when they know they will be punished. I just don't see them covering this up."
"You know them best Ethan. If you believe they were not involved then that is good enough for me. Joseph just seemed so distraught over it, I couldn't help but wonder if he was involved somehow."
"I think nearly seeing his beloved pet be burned and the shock of the barn being destroyed despite his attempts to save it have caused him to act the way he is. He seems to think he should have been able to stop the fire."
A week after the living nightmare of waking to find the barn on fire, Joseph and Rob find themselves dealing with the burned wood again. The family is working to clear the debris from the yard. Mr. Anderson has organized the townspeople to hold a barn raising at the Cord Ranch on Saturday.
"Alright boys, I want Rob and Joseph to pick up the larger pieces while Ben and George get the smaller ones. I'll start lifting the heaviest timbers. As soon as we have a wagon load, which means the wagon bed is completely covered, we'll take them over to the dry gulch and toss them. All of you keep the gloves on and watch for any nails that could be in the wood. Let's get to work."
After two hours of loading crumbling, burned wood into the wagon, Ben is ready to stop. "Pa? Can't I please go inside and get a cool drink? I'm so hot and thirsty."
"Ben, Claire will bring us something to drink soon. I don't want to have anyone go inside right now as you are covered in soot. Try to wait a little longer. If she doesn't come soon, I'll go remind her."
"Yes Pa." Ben answers but looking over at George he's thinking; George, I'm tired of doing this! I don't want to pick up burned wood anymore! My throat is hurting and I feel hot! I want to go inside! George just nods his head at Ben in agreement.
Joseph is also feeling tired of loading wood into the wagon. Getting closer to Rob he whispers "My back is damn sore! So are my knees from lifting this damn wood over and over! We almost have a load and we're not even to the middle of the pile! We'll be having to do this again tomorrow!"
"Probably so, Joseph and if I were you, I'd be keeping a close watch on what my mouth says. If you get caught swearing you'll have sore knees, sore back and your butt will match them! Surely you haven't forgotten what Uncle Ethan told you just yesterday!"
"I know he said he's going to whip me if he hears of me swearing again. Why do you think I'm whispering?! I am watching what I'm doing, Rob." Joseph reassures his friend and brother.
"Good, because I don't want to see you in trouble again so soon. It was just last week when I had to use my "metal hand" on your backside. I know you don't want to feel his hand or worse his belt!"
Ethan, having been watching the two boys whispering calls out "Robert! Joseph! Do you plan to stand there talking and be punished? Or are you going to skip the punishment and get to work?"
"Work, sir!" both boys answer in unison as they begin loading the wagon again.
Later that afternoon, they are all at the site where the Big Gulch is located. The area is used mostly as a dumping ground. The deep canyon is littered with broken wagon wheels, wagons, even a few pieces of broken furniture. Ethan plans to back the wagon to the side and have the older two boys help pitch the wood over the cliff.
"Ben! George! Both of you come over here and listen to me carefully. You two are to stay far away from the edge. Do you see the little cactus?" He asks. Getting an affirmative answer, he continues. "That is your boundary line and you are forbidden to cross it. You stay on this side of the cactus or I promise you, you will be wishing you had!"
Joseph, Rob and Ethan began throwing the debris into the canyon. Claire and the younger boys were watching and letting the horse graze. A little later, George whispers his need to Claire. "Alright, I'll take you into the woods over there. Ben, you stay with the horse."
"NO Claire! You're a girl, you can't take me! I want Papa to take me. Can you get him for me and hurry please!"
"George! I used to change your diapers! I've seen everything so what is the problem?"
"Claire! PLEASE just get Papa now!"
"Yeah Claire, if you don't you're going to be changing his wet pants again!" Ben giggles at his joke.
Giving Ben a stern look, Claire walks close to the wagon. "Uncle Ethan, George needs to go to the woods and he won't let me take him. He's in a hurry and wants you to go with him." She says in a huff.
"Alright. Boys, I'll be right back. Neither of you toss anything without me here. I don't want you to slip. Hear Me?"
"Yes Sir." Rob and Joseph both answer.
As soon as Ethan disappears into the woods with George, Ben eases up behind the wagon. Crouching down he creeps up to the edge and looks over. Surprised at how deep the canyon is he starts to scoot back and slips. Joseph having seen something out of the corner of his eye turns just as Ben begins to creep towards the edge. Knowing not to call out and startle the boy, he nudges Rob to look and then walks behind Ben. Just as he reaches the boy, Ben starts to fall over the side. Joseph throws himself down on the ground and grabs the boy's legs.
As Joseph tries to keep himself from sliding over the side, Ethan and George come out of the woods. Rob's shout of "Uncle Ethan HELP!" brings Ethan at a dead run. Seeing Rob desperately trying to hold Joseph and keep him from sliding, he grabs hold of Joseph and pulls quickly. Pulling Joseph back brings Ben up from over the edge. Startled, Ethan says "BEN! Are you hurt? What in God's name were you doing boy?"
"I was …. Um …. Well I wanted to see how deep the canyon was and I slipped. Thank you Joseph for saving me!" Ben says to his brother who is still sitting on the ground with his head down on his knees.
"Are you alright Joseph?" Ethan asks the quivering boy.
Nodding his head and looking up at his Uncle, Joseph gives him a shaky smile. "I'll be okay when I stop shaking Uncle Ethan. When I do, I request permission to paddle his butt! " he says pointing to Ben.
"I'll take care of that myself, Joseph! Let's go, Ben!" Ethan tells the young boy beside him.
Taking a firm hold of Ben's arm he takes him into the woods. Once far enough inside to be hidden from sight, he stops. "Ben, tell me what you have done wrong today."
"I deliberately did what you said not to do." Ben answers sorrowfully, bottom lip trembling.
"Yes you did disobey. What else did you do?"
"I put myself and Joseph in danger. I'm really sorry Pa, I didn't mean to fall off."
"Of course you didn't. But,you wouldn't have fallen if you had obeyed me now would you?"
Tears threatening and choking him up, Ben manages to say "No sir."
"Ben, this is the third time in two weeks you have deliberately disobeyed me. I told you to stay in the room at the hotel but you did not. I told you to stay away from the burned wood and you walked through it and now I told you to stay far back from the edge and you didn't do that either. I told you then I would be giving you a whipping if you disobeyed me once more."
"What was the boundary line and what did I tell you about it Ben?"
"It was the cactus and you said not to go past it. I'm sorry! I just wanted to see where the wood was going! I won't disobey you again. I'll be good!" Ben says turning pleading tear filled eyes on his Pa.
"I'm sure you believe your promise Ben. However, putting yourself and someone else in danger, plus deliberately doing what I told you not to do has earned you severe punishment. You have a choice to make. Either you have a bare bottomed spanking right here and then we handle the rest in the woodshed at home or you choose to have a pants down whipping right here. Which do you choose Ben?"
Knowing from what Joseph has told him, a trip to the woodshed means a razor strap whipping, Ben says "I choose to do it all here."
Well then, drop your pants and lean over with your hands on the tree trunk, Ben. Keep your hands on the tree trunk until I say move them."
When Ben has obeyed his instructions, Ethan unfastens his belt and pulls it free of the loops. Then after wrapping the buckle end around his hand with the buckle inside his fist, he raises the belt a few inches and brings it down quickly across the young backside. Raising it again he lets the belt fall sharply in the same spot as before. Feeling the streaks of fire across his bottom, Ben sobs into the tree trunk. This is the worst whipping he's ever felt from Ethan.
After six more licks Ethan stops and rethreads his belt through the loops. As he buckles it, he tells Ben "Alriight Ben, You may turn around and come here in front of me." When Ben reaches him he pulls the boy into his chest holding him tight. Ethan remains quiet letting Ben cry out his hurt feelings. Several minutes later he feels Ben beginning to calm down.
Feeling Ben is calm enough to listen to him now, Ethan begins to talk. "Ben, what you did today was extremely dangerous and foolish. Because of your actions, you put not only yourself but Joseph in danger. The whipping you just received was harsh compared to what you have received before. This time you nearly killed yourself and Joseph also! When you put yourself or someone else in danger you will receive harsh punishment. If you ever act so foolishly again to put yourself in danger, I will take the razor strap to your backside! That will be a thrashing! You are old enough to think before acting and I want you to do just that. No more of these life threatening escapades! Do you hear me young man? Ben, if Joseph had not grabbed you the way he did…" Ethan can't finish because of the lump in his throat.
Looking up to see why his Pa didn't finish the talk, Ben sees tears rolling down Ethan's face. Shocked to see his Pa crying and feeling awful for being the one to cause it, he wraps his arms around Ethan.
"I'm really really sorry! Please Pa, don't cry anymore. I won't ever be stupid like that again. If I do I want you to thrash me until I can't sit for a whole week and take away all my clothes and take away all my toys and anything else you want to do."
"Ben, I'd never thrash you like that or take away all your things either. I punish you to teach you to make better decisions not to make you miserable." Ethan says hugging the child close.
"We better get back and let them know you are not too badly hurt. Claire is probably upset with me for punishing you so harshly. You just remember to do as I tell you and it won't have to happen again."
"Yes Pa, I will. I'll be the best boy ever from now on. You'll see. I'll be even better than George used to be before he turned bad too."
"Ben, you are not bad and neither is George. You just make bad decisions that cause you to get in trouble."
The next morning Rob asks Ethan "Will you come outside with me? I have something I want to show you."
Once outside, Rob shows Ethan the wooden crate he has fixed. "I've been thinking of a way to be able to lift the wagon bed off the wheels so we could tilt it up. If we could back the wagon up to the side of the canyon and lift the bed up, all of the burned pieces would slide out. We wouldn't have to lift it out one or two pieces at a time. I put hinges on the crate and it lifts up easily."
"This is a good idea, son, but where would we get hinges big enough to lift a wagon bed? The other thing to think about is this; the wagon doesn't belong to us so we can't alter it."
"I thought about that. We wouldn't need big hinges if we used many small ones. I gathered up all of the hinges from the barn doors plus a few we had in the old corral gate. If you let me, I can fix the wagon where it will do what the crate does. I can also take the hinges back off, once we finish with the job of hauling the burned wood away. May I have your permission to try? Please?" Rob asks.
"How long would it take you to fix the wagon like this? We really need to be hauling at least one load if not two today. With the near accident yesterday, I just didn't feel up to hauling a second load. As it is, I'm not going to allow the two younger boys to go along anymore. It's just too risky because we can't keep watch over them and empty the wagon at the same time." Ethan answers.
"I could have it ready by lunchtime today if you let me work on it instead of helping clean the house."
"Alright then, you have my permission to try. But, don't get discouraged if it doesn't work out the way you have planned. Many great plans have been thought of but didn't turn out the way the person wanted."
"Yes sir, I hear you. I promise not to get mad or upset if it doesn't work." Rob reassures him.
Later that morning, Joseph asks "Uncle Ethan? Where is Rob? I thought he was to help me wash the bedding this morning. I've been waiting for him to help me haul the washtub out to the yard."
"Rob has my permission to work on an outside project this morning. He'll help with the cleaning tomorrow. Besides, you don't need help to haul the washtub out. It's not that heavy."
"It isn't heavy unless it's full of water and bedding." Joseph answers smiling.
"Why did you put the water and bedding in before moving the tub, Joseph?" Ethan asks curiously.
"I didn't. My two young and not thinking straight assistants were the ones who did that. Now I can't lift it to take it out in the yard where the wringer is. I don't look forward to carrying wet, soapy bedding one at a time to the wringer. If I drop part of it, I'll have to wash it again. Claire's already fussed at me for not washing the sheets separate from the blankets. I tried telling her it wasn't me who did that but she wouldn't listen. If she sees me having to wash one of the sheets or blankets over again, she'll whack me with the spoon. She already got George!"
"What did George do?"
"She told him to wipe the windows out before washing them but he went right ahead and started washing first. She found the dirt streaked window and smacked him three times with the spoon for not minding! If she'll whack George, she'll really get me! George is her special buddy."
"I understand Joseph. Well, let me help you move the tub. I sure don't want to see you get spanked by your sister. I hear she has a mean snap to her wrist when applying a spoon!" Ethan grins at the boy as they walk to the washtub.
After an hour and a half of hard scrubbing, rinsing and wringing sheets and blankets, Joseph has them hanging on the clothesline. He's just hung the very last of the three sets of bedding when he hears Ben whoop. Looking up he sees Ben and George playing Cowboys and Indians. Ben is chasing George with a stick in his hand, pretending it's a gun. Both are heading straight for the clothes hanging on the line. Before Joseph can even call out the boys run into one of the blankets causing it to come unclipped and drop into the dirt."
"BEN! GEORGE! Damn it, why don't the two of you ever think before you do something? Couldn't you even see the blanket? Are you both blind as well as stupid? Just look what you did! Now I have to wash the damn thing all over again!" Joseph yells at his younger brothers. He's so caught up in his fury, he doesn't notice Ethan standing on the porch. He's just about to light into his brothers again when he hears "Joseph. Come inside right now."
"Go to your room. I'll be there in just a minute to talk to you." Ethan says as Joseph reaches the porch.
Nodding but not answering, Joseph walks glumly to his room. He doesn't have to think very hard to figure out why he is being sent to his room.
Ethan walks down to talk to Ben and George. "Boys, you need to be a little more careful about where you are running. You could get hurt if you don't. Joseph didn't really mean the things he said to you. He was just angry because the two of you ruined what he worked hard to get finished. I'm going to put this blanket back in the washtub. I want the two of you to take turns pushing it with the paddle until you get all the dirt out. I'll come back and help you rinse it and put it through the wringer. Then we'll all hang it on the clothesline together. Alright?"
"Yes sir." The boys answer.
Walking into Joseph's bedroom, Ethan sees the boy face down on his bed. "Sit up Joseph. We're going to talk about what I heard outside." Once the boy was sitting up, Ethan continues "I am surprised at you Joseph. I've known you to get angry at your brothers but I've never heard you be cruel. Calling them blind and stupid was cruel and unnecessary. That kind of talk is unacceptable in this family and you know it. Then there is the swearing. I imagine Claire could hear you, you were so loud. What did I tell you about swearing?"
"You said it was a poor man's way of communicating. Those kinds of words were used by people who were unsophisticated."
"Correct. What did I tell you boys would happen if I heard you using that kind of language? I reminded you of this just the other day."
"You said you would whip me if I kept swearing. I'm sorry it just slipped out! I didn't really mean to say it." Watching Ethan unfasten his belt and pull it from his pants, Joseph tries one more time "PLEASE don't. I'll watch what I say from now on."
"You've had several warnings since we first talked about this. In fact one of them was just yesterday. You knew what would happen if you used swear words, even before you lost your temper with the boys. Now, stand up and bend over the bed, Joseph. You are getting ten. You were warned but you chose to disobey the warning. Now you have to pay the consequences! You will watch your mouth or you will be sleeping on your stomach again another night!"
He then follows through with his promise. When he's finished, Joseph is face down on the bed again but this time it's because it hurts too much to be on the bed any other way. He didn't have to whip me so hard. I said I was sorry and I wouldn't do it again. This just proves he loves the other boys more than me! He let Rob go do stuff other than all this stupid cleaning that I had to do! If things don't get better I may just leave and let Rob be his other son. Joseph thinks as the tears roll down his face.
A few minutes later he hears a soft knock on the door. After calling "Come In." Joseph hears Rob's voice. "Joseph? What is it? Uncle Ethan just said to come get you so we can load more debris in the wagon. He didn't say you were upset. What's going on?"
"I got mad at Ben and George for running into the wet blanket on the clothesline and I yelled at them. Uncle Ethan heard me and he whipped me.
"There must be more to the story because I know he wouldn't whip you just because you yelled at them. What else did you do?"
"I didn't do anything! I just yelled at them. Uncle Ethan's just being mean to me."
"What exactly did you say?" Rob asks knowing Ethan wouldn't punish Joseph for nothing.
"I said something like 'Damn it, don't you ever think? Couldn't you see? Are you blind and stupid? Just look what you did! Now I have to wash the damn thing over again! ' I didn't know Uncle Ethan was on the porch and could hear me. He gave me a hard whipping! It hurts to sit down!"
"Joseph! I tried to warn you this morning and you were bound and determined to do it anyway. I knew you would wind up like you are right now! You are just as hard headed as you say Ben is! You deserved that whipping and you know it too! Now come on before Uncle Ethan has to come get us. Somehow I don't think we would be very happy if he did. He wants us outside and ready to load the wagon so let's move!"
Standing on the other side of the door after having come in to find his older boys, Ethan smiles at Rob's last comments. He agrees with Rob. No, he isn't happy about having to come get the two boys. Having heard Rob scolding Joseph though makes him decide to go back outside to wait for the boys.
When the two boys come up to him at the debris pile, he's busy loading the wagon. "Okay boys, let's load this quickly so we can go to the canyon and back before the sun sets. Joseph, Rob has been working all morning on a way to make this job easier for us. We are going to see if it works once we get up there. For now, grab some wood and throw it in! This is one time when I give you permission to throw things. Let's have a race. You two against me. You start on this side of the pile and start tossing the wood into the wagon bed. I'll start on the other end and we'll see which team clears the most wood."
Both boys grab pieces of wood and start throwing. Joseph is running back and forth in his hurry to beat his Uncle! "Hurry Rob, he's stronger and can lift more at one time than we can!" he urges his brother.
"I'm hurrying Mr. Bossy Britches! Maybe you need to slow down a little before you wear yourself out. It's just a game." Rob answers.
"Yes it is and I want to win so hurry up! "
"Okay okay, I'm hurrying. I bet your teacher at school would like to see you try as hard at his lessons as you are right now with this game. You really ought to try more at school. You're a smart kid." Rob tells Joseph as he rushes by with another piece of burned wood.
"Rob, I'm not a kid! So don't call me one. Stop talking about me and school and get BUSY! Why am I the only one who wants to do anything today?"
"HEY! I'll have you know I spent all morning fixing up the new wagon bed! You'll see when we get up to the canyon. You'll eat your words then my brother!"
"Okay boys the wagon bed is full. Climb on and we'll go see how well Rob's idea works. I'm anxious to see it Rob. Joseph, Rob really did spend the morning working. Also you are still a kid, I'm sorry to have to spoil it for you but you both are still kids. The legal adult age is twenty one so since one of you is thirteen and the other is fifteen, I'd say you are both still kids."
Seeing Joseph's frown, Ethan says "One other thing, you two kids just went out and beat me in filling the wagon bed! Good way to work boys!"
"Thanks Uncle Ethan." Rob says meaning it for more than just the game. He recognized Ethan's plan to get Joseph out of his bad temper. It worked as Joseph is now smiling.
Reaching the canyon, Ethan tells the boys to get off so they can help him back the wagon. They guide the wagon to the edge of the canyon before Ethan stops the horse. Walking back to the back of the wagon, Ethan lowers the tail. With the tail now swinging on the chains, Rob and Joseph lift the sides of the wagon bed right behind the driver's seat. Rob smiles as the wagon lifts easily off the frame. As they tilt it up the wood begins to slide down and eventually off the end.
"It's working Uncle Ethan! I can't believe I got it to work! Look Joseph, this is my invention. A wagon bed which will lift up to dump something out. Isn't it great?"
"Yeah Rob, it's a wonderful, fabulous, terrific thing." Joseph says snidely.
Suddenly feeling a presence behind him, Joseph spins around to face his displeased uncle. "Try speaking more kindly to Rob this time Joseph. Let him know how you really like what he worked so hard at to make this task easier. Do it RIGHT NOW." Ethan's voice is low but very sincere in Joseph's ear. Sincere enough for Joseph to understand he had better do as he is told or he may feel the consequences on his backside.
"Rob, I think this really is a wonderful, fabulous, great and terrific idea. I'm sorry I didn't sound that way before but I really do like it. It sure would help other people on ranches and farms! I'm proud to be your brother since you have such good ideas. Let's sell these so we can be rich. I'll be your partner and we can make lots of money!"
"I'm sorry to tell you this, Joseph but Rob isn't going to be making money off of this and neither are you. It is a grand idea but I don't think it will catch on. Men just don't take to newfangled ideas too well around these parts. We will definitely be using it on our new wagon when we get one. You two will just have to settle for that for now." Ethan tells them.
"There goes my money. I really wish I could have money more than two minutes." Joseph sighs causing Rob to chuckle.