(Thank you to all who are following or reviewing the story. I appreciate all comments.)

New Beginningsn

ch. 5

The barn raising and the boy's birthday celebrations had taken Ethan's mind of the talk he meant to have with Rob. Deciding now would be a good time, he went in search of his oldest child. Not finding him in the pasture or the barn, Ethan went back to the house.

"Claire? Have you any idea where Rob has gotten to? He's not outside. For that matter neither is Joseph."

"No sir, I don't really know where they went. I went to rest and they were here then. When I got up they weren't. Maybe Ben and George can tell you. They said they were going to take a picnic lunch up to the treehouse."

Walking back behind the house to the large oak tree with the boy's treehouse, Ethan calls "Boys? Are you up there?"

Two heads appear, one in the window and one in the doorway. "Yessir, Yes Papa."

"Hi guys, are you enjoying your afternoon picnic? Claire said you were going to have a picnic up there."

"Yes Papa, we had cheese and bread and apples and lemonade. Did you want some?" George asks wondering why his Papa was looking for them.

Ben asks "Have we done something wrong Pa? We finished all our chores before we came up here. Claire said we could have a picnic up in the treehouse."

"Neither of you is in trouble, Ben. I've already had lunch George but thank you for offering me some anyway. I came to ask if you knew where your older brothers might be. Do you?"

"No sir, I don't know where they are. They were here when we brought the picnic up. Rob carried the lemonade pitcher up the ladder for us." George answers. Ben doesn't answer but nods in agreement.

"Alright thank you boys. Don't eat too much so you'll have room for supper. Claire says she's going to be making pork chops with cheesey potatoes for supper."

"Okay. I mean Yes sir." Ben quickly changes his answer after receiving "The Look " from Ethan at the "okay". His Pa thinks the word 'okay" is disrespectful even though most of Ben's friends are saying it.

The Pond

Stretching out lazily under the tall tree, Joseph asks "Rob, what's it like to know you have so much money you can just ask for some anytime you want?"

"It's nice, Joseph. I don't need to worry about how I'm going to pay for something. If I want it I could get it. Of course, now I have to ask Uncle Ethan first. That usually means I can't get what I want because he won't let me. It's nice to think about getting things though."

"What if you really needed some money and you knew Uncle Ethan wouldn't let you get it. What would you do then?"

"Well, if I just had to have the money, I guess I would just take it out. I'd explain to him I needed it and hope he forgave me. If there was some reason I had to have money and couldn't tell him, I would do my best not to let him know I'd taken any money out!" Rob says giving Joseph a sly grin.

"Rob? Do you remember last month when I was upset in the barn that day and you came home and found me? You asked me what I was upset about and I said school. I lied to you. I was upset because I had been betting and lost. The man I bet with said 'If I didn't get twenty dollars to him he would hurt one of my family.' I was scared so I took the money."

"You took the money from where? Just exactly what do you mean when you say you 'took' the money?"

Joseph is busy playing with the grass and doesn't answer.

"Joseph, tell me you didn't steal it from somewhere! You Did didn't you? Was it from the Mercantile? ANSWER ME!" Rob yells when Joseph doesn't say anything.

"Don't yell at me! No, of course I didn't steal it from the Mercantile, Rob. I'm not that crazy! If I did something like that, Uncle Ethan might take that buggy whip he now has in the tack room and thrash me!"

"WHERE DID YOU GET THE MONEY?" Rob asks already suspecting the answer.

"I got it from the bank in Paradise."

"How? You don't have any money to take out. They don't just give out money for free, Joseph. I know there hasn't been a bank robbery or Uncle Ethan would have said something about having to solve that crime. So you didn't rob the bank. How did you take any money out?"

"Please Rob, don't get too mad and don't yell. I was scared and desperate to protect my family. I found one of the bank drafts in your room and filled it out. I sent it in and your bank in Denver sent back the money order to this bank. I went and got the money. I told them I was picking it up for you because you were working and couldn't come to town. The bank manager believed me. I really didn't think it would work but it did. Are you going to tell? Rob, I'll get a awful whipping if Uncle Ethan hears about this one."

"Oh God, Joseph! You have put both of us in deep trouble here! Uncle Ethan gets a statement of my account every two months. One came in the mail yesterday! On that paper it tells how much money was put in or TAKEN OUT of the account! When he sees the money has been taken out and he didn't do it, he'll think I did! You may have just sentenced me to a whipping! If he tries to whip me then YES, I'm going to tell him exactly how that money came to be taken out! I'm not taking the blame for you this time!"

"Just when did you 'take the blame for me' as you put it, before now?"

"Have you already forgotten what went on in Denver? I didn't tell Uncle Ethan you were lying when you told him you didn't drink any whiskey when we got caught at The Rodeo. I didn't tell him you played a game of poker in the game room at the hotel during that week either! When the game room manager told Uncle Ethan one of his boys was playing poker I let him think it was me. You don't know this but he whipped me that day. You and Claire were downstairs with the boys. He made me drop my pants and he whipped me with his belt. It hurt too. So you see, I have taken the blame for you several times!"

"Rob, we've got to get that report before he sees it! If he finds out about the money being taken out, I'm going to be in serious trouble. It's more than just taking the money from you without permission. If he finds out I was betting on a horse in a horse race... Rob, he'll thrash me! I just know it! I got involved last summer with a horse race at the Independence Day celebration. I lied about my age and signed up to be a jockey. The prize money was going to be a lot, so I signed up and told them I was fifteen but I was only twelve. Mitch caught me right before I could race though. He took me to Uncle Ethan. I got in big trouble for that and he said if I ever did it again he would see to it I didn't sit comfortably for a long time! Please Rob, you've got to help me out!"

"This time Joseph, you are all on your own! You got yourself into this mess so you'll just have to find a way to get yourself out of it too! All I can say is Good Luck. You're really going to need all the luck you can get for this one! I am glad I'm not the one who has to face Uncle Ethan when he finds this out! It's been nice knowing you little brother." Rob answers teasing just a little.

"ROB! What am I going to do? I can't tell him about this! If I do, he'll take me into that tack room make me drop my pants and set fire to my backside! He'll probably use the razor strap on me or something worse! You know how he says gambling, stealing or lying are things he would whip us for. I did all three! PLEASE help me."

"I am helping you. I'm going home now and will leave you alone so you can sit here to figure out an answer. I can't get you out of this one, Joseph. You just have to figure out how to do that yourself. I'll see you at home." Rob says as he stands and walks away.

Leaning back against the tree Joseph lets the tears come. Shaking with the sobs he refuses to let out he slowly gets to his feet. If Rob won't help him then he only has one other choice. Walking back away from the pond Joseph stops to wipe his face. It wouldn't do to have someone see he was crying.

The Ranch

"Rob! You and Joseph are probably in trouble. Papa was asking where the two of you were earlier today. He had to go back to town for some reason but he said he'd be home for supper. I think you better get some exclamation ready for when he gets back!" George says as soon as Rob walks in the door.

"That's ex Pla nation , George." Ben corrects his little brother. "You mean he needs to be able to explain something."

"GEORGE! BEN! STOP THAT!" Claire exclaims as George tackles Ben and they roll across the floor.

When the two roll into Rob he calmly reaches down and plucks them from the floor. Holding one child in each arm he walks over to the bench. He plops George on one end of the bench and Ben on the other. "Do Not MOVE! Either one of you moves an inch and I'll spank you! You know better than to act like this."

When Ben starts to protest, Rob says "You know George doesn't like to be corrected all the time and yet you do it anyway. You do it just to get him mad. George, you know better than to try to attack your brother. What would Uncle Ethan do if he were here?"

"He would spank us both for fighting." George answers. "I'm sorry Ben. I lost my temper."

"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have tried to be a know -it -all." Ben says reaching his hand out towards George. George reaches out too and they grab each other's hand.

Just then the door opens and Ethan comes in. Seeing his two youngest on each side of the bench, he knows they've been into some mischief. Looking at Rob's scowl he suspects Rob is the one who benched them.

"What did these two do now, Rob? I see you sentenced them to bench sitting so that means they did something. What was it?"

"The boys have made up and apologized, Uncle Ethan. They just had a brotherly argument that went a little too far. I put them on the bench to get them to cool down and they apologized to each other very nicely. They won't fuss with each other anymore. Right boys?"

"We won't fuss anymore, Rob. Can we please get down now?" Ben asks looking at Ethan.

"It's Rob's punishment, Ben. He decides when to tell you to get up not me. If it were me, I'd let you sit there until suppertime. You both know better than to have fights with each other!" Ethan answers fixing a stern look on both boys.

Squirming under the look, both boys whisper "Yes Sir."

Ben? Do you think he's going to spank us when we do get off? George asks, thinking the question.

Which one, Pa or Rob?.

Papa! Is he going to spank us you think?

I can't tell. He's mad all right but I think it's about something else. We'd just better be really quiet and go to bed right after we have supper. If we make him any more mad he probably will spank us!

George nods in agreement.

Having watched this silent conversation and witnessing George's nod, Rob grins to himself. Knowing Claire has also witnessed this conversation, Rob whispers to her "I wish I knew what they just said to each other. Whatever it was they have decided something. I only hope it's something good and not a way to get back at me!"

Claire smiles at that. "Don't worry, they won't." She tells him.

"Rob?" Ethan asks coming back into the front room after having gone to his bedroom to put up his gunbelt and take off the sheriff's vest

"Yessir?"

"Where is Joseph? I thought the two of you were together this afternoon. Didn't he come back home with you?"

"We were together at the pond. He stayed later than I wanted too. I guess he's still there but I expected him to come on home before now. I've been home about half an hour or more."

Checking the time on the mantel clock and seeing it read five thirty, Ethan says "I think I'll take a horse and go get him. If for some reason we're not back by supper, go ahead and eat without us."

"Yes sir." Claire answers.

"Oh, by the way Rob, the bank report came in for your account. We have some things to talk about later tonight." Ethan says leveling a look at Rob.

Trying not to flinch under that steely glare directed his way, Rob answers "Yes sir, I'll be ready."

Riding up to the pond, Ethan calls for Joseph. Not seeing the boy or hearing an answer he decides Joseph must have returned home after he left. "I might have caught up to him if I hadn't needed to check out the sound of shots first. It's a good thing someone enjoys hunting around here because I don't. Others can supply the butcher with meat."

Now that Paradise has a butcher shop, the family can buy meat in town and he doesn't have to hunt. They have to eat the meat the same day they purchase it as they have no way to keep it fresh until they get a smokehouse built. This means more trips to town at times but with Rob and Joseph both able to drive a wagon it doesn't cause problems.

Returning home he thinks back to the day before to the boy's birthday celebration.

-Flashback:-

Ethan had their gift delivered to the new barn earlier that morning and after settling it in he calls all the children to the barn.

"Ben and George, in honor of your advanced years you are now the proud owners of a female Shetland Pony. Dobbin needed a friend. Happy ninth and tenth birthdays!"

After much discussing back and forth the boys settled on the name Daisy. "Daisy and Dobbin sound good together don't they?" George asked.

"Very nice choice, boys. I like the name Daisy. It reminds me of the flower chains your Mama made as a girl. She'd pick daisies and weave the stems together to make necklaces. One time, when I was seven, she even made me a crown to wear out of daisies. A bee decided it liked my crown too and it was mad at me for moving around. That bee stung me on my nose! Lucy had to put a mud plaster on my whole face because it swelled up so! I don't care for bees to this day!" Ethan smiled at the children's laughter.

"Pa, can we ride Daisy and Dobbin around the corral?" Ben asked hopefully.

"I'm afraid not Ben. Daisy isn't ready to be ridden right now. We need to let her settle in and get used to us. Don't go into her stall or try petting on her for awhile. She looks and seems gentle but we aren't going to take chances. Hear me boys?"

"Yes Pa. Yes Papa." He hears. Let's go get ourselves dressed for town now. We have a birthday lunch to go to. You boys have permission to order anything on the menu at the restaurant today. Mitch said he'll come join us for lunch. Then when we come home we're going to the pond to fish. We'll have a fish fry for supper tonight."

"Gosh Papa, this is going to be the nicest birthday ever. A new horse, lunch in town, fishing and then a fish fry too! I love you Papa!" George exclaims wrapping his arms around Ethan's waist.

"I love you too George. Now hurry inside to change. We have a reservation at the hotel for lunch."

At the hotel dining room, the boys both bounce excitedly on their seats. Getting to come to the hotel for a meal is extra special for them. Ethan only brings them for very special occasions.

"I want to get the steak, Pa. It comes with creamed corn, green beans and mashed potatoes too! Both corn and potatoes are my favorites. Can we get dessert too? And ice cream? How about a soda from the mercantile later?"

Smiling at the boy's excitement, Ethan says "Let's just have the lunch first, Ben and we'll see how much you want all the rest later. You can have dessert boys, so you need to leave an empty spot in your stomach for it. If we're buying it then you need to eat it."

"Don't worry Pa! We'll always have room for dessert! We love dessert best. It's the yucky green vegetables we don't care much for." Ben assures Ethan.

"Just the same, birthday celebration or not, both of you are to eat whatever "yucky" vegetables come with the meal. Do you understand me boys? That is the rule, remember?"

"Yes sir, I remember. We have to eat the vegetables or we might get punished. I don't want to get walloped today." George answers.

Ben says "Yes Pa, I'll eat my vegetables. I don't want a birthday spanking either."

Rob having listened to all of this, waits for the boys to be distracted before whispering to Joseph "Would he really spank them on their birthday?"

"Yes he would. But it probably wouldn't be for something as little as not eating the vegetables. For that he'd make them go to bed early or something. It would be for something big like fighting, or being disrespectful, or disobeying a direct order. It doesn't matter what day it is, if we don't obey the rules we get punished. I learned that the hard way. On my twelfth birthday, we were coming to town to have a special dessert and I was rude to Claire. She was telling me in that older bossy sister voice she uses, 'To keep myself clean so I wouldn't embarrass her in town.' I got mad and told her she needed 'to cool off her bossiness so go soak your head in the well.' Unfortunately, Uncle Ethan heard what I said. He'd already scolded me that morning for talking back to him and being hateful to the boys. That was my warning but I didn't listen. When he heard me snap at Claire, he stopped the wagon by some trees and took me into them. I had to ride the rest of the way to town with my backside sore. He doesn't hold with children being disrespectful or disobedient." Joseph answers.

--Flashback---Ends-

After returning from the pond, Ethan finds Rob in the new barn busy putting clean hay and oats down for the horses. "Rob, did Joseph say he was going to go visit friends? He isn't here or at the pond so I was thinking he may have gone to a friend's house."

"No sir. He never said anything about that to me. We were talking, then we argued and I came home. He stayed at the pond as far as I know."

"What did the two of you argue about Rob? You usually get along well with each other. What happened?"

"He told me something that really made me mad so I left. I'd tell you about it, except he should be the one to tell you first. Is that acceptable for now?"

"Yes Rob that will be fine. You and I need to have a talk about the Denver account. Did you withdraw forty dollars from your account? Have you been gambling again young man?" Ethan asks looking sternly into the boy's eyes.

"No Sir I haven't and I did not take money out."

"ROBERT! You are aware I received a report yesterday on the withdrawals for the last two months? It plainly shows forty dollars has been taken out. That is a lot of money. You and I are the only two individuals who have access to the account. If I didn't take the money you must have! Now once more and tell me the truth this time, Did. You. Take. The. Money?"

"Uncle Ethan, I am telling you the truth. It was not me who took the money out. Someone else sent the money order in. I knew you'd bust my backside if I took money without permission! It wasn't me." Rob answers meeting the firm gaze of his uncle.

"Alright Rob, I believe you. I also believe you know more about this than you are telling me. Now, if you didn't take the money from the account you know who did. Correct?"

"Yes sir. Please don't make me tell you now. I want to give the person a chance to explain it first. If he doesn't I will."

"We will wait until bedtime, if I haven't heard anything by then, you will have to explain. Rob, it's good that you don't want to get someone else in trouble by telling me but I need to know what happened. We can't just allow anyone to be able to take money whenever they wish to. How did this happen? Did you sign the withdrawal request for the person?"

"No sir, I had the requests in my desk and I guess this person went in to my room, took one, filled it out and sent it in. I had signed one earlier thinking we would need money for the Denver trip. I took it with me at that time but we never needed money. When we came home, I stuck it in the desk and forgot about it."

"Thank you for explaining Rob. This will not happen again. You will not sign slips and then leave them where anyone could find it! Correct? This might have turned out worse. If someone outside the family happened to find it they could have taken a hundred dollars from your account! We were lucky."

Wondering how Ethan knew it was someone in the family, Rob answers "Yes sir, I'll be more careful. I did forget it was even in the desk."

"I understand son, I am not angry with you. You will not make the mistake again I'm sure. Now it must be close to suppertime. You go ahead and I'll be in as soon as I take care of Lightning"

Once inside, Rob finds Claire has the younger boys setting the table. Ben is busy placing the silverware next to each plate as George puts them on the table. Looking up when the door opens he smiles when he sees his Pa come in. Thinking back to the day before, Ben asks "Pa, did you know Claire is a bitch?"

Rob having just taken a drink from a glass of water has to lean over the sink quickly as he spits it back out! Completely shocked by what his young brother just said he stands staring at Ben.

Ethan, believing he must have misunderstood asks sternly "What did you just say Ben? I don't think I heard you correctly."

Rob says a little prayer in his mind for Ben NOT to repeat what he just said. {Please God, spare my little brother from his stupidity. He's only just turned ten and doesn't know to watch his mouth yet! He's about to be killed here!}

Still smiling happily, Ben repeats himself. "I asked if you knew Claire is a bitch."

With two long strides, Ethan is towering over the boy. "Benjamin Ethan Cord! How dare you say such a thing! You'd better not EVER let me hear you use that word again!" With those words, he bends the boy over and rapidly applies his hand to the seat of Ben's pants. After six hard smacks he lets the boy stand up.

"Whattt diddd I ddooo?" Ben sobs out staring at Ethan in surprise. His Pa has never walloped him like this where one minute he was just fine and the next bent over getting his backside lit on fire! He always explains what they are about to be punished for before he hands out punishment.

"You called your sister an unacceptable name, Ben! You know that word is ugly! You do NOT call people by the word bitch! That is very rude! No one in this family will use that word! Do you hear me?"

"Yeesss Ssirrr." Ben tries to answer knowing he must agree but feeling very confused.

"Where did you hear such an ugly word Ben? Who do you know that uses that word?" Claire asks. She can tell from the look on Ben's face that he has no idea what he did wrong.

"Yesterday when George and I were looking at the puppies in the Anderson's barn. Mr. Anderson said the girl dogs were called 'a bitch.' Claire is a girl so I thought I was calling her a new word for girl. Did I say it wrong Pa?" Ben asks sniffling and trying to stop the tears.

Hearing Rob muffle a snort, Ethan sends him a scolding look before answering Ben. "Son, the word you used is not a nice word to use to talk about people. It means something very different for people than it does for dogs. Just to be on the safe side, you and George do not use that word again. Understand me boys? If you do, I will take my belt to your backside! Got it?"

"Got it Papa!" George answers quickly, having witnessed his brother's spanking in silence.

"Yes sir, I got it. I'm sorry I said something bad. I didn't mean to. I'm sorry Claire." Ben answers tearfully.

"I forgive you Ben. You didn't really know what you were saying. Be sure to do as Pa says from now on and forget that word even exists! You don't want to let it slip out." Claire answers coming across the room to give Ben a hug.

Ethan, sitting down, pulls Ben up onto his lap. Feeling how tense Ben is, he wraps his arms around the boy rocking him just a little. "I'm sorry son. I shouldn't have been so quick to spank you. I was wrong when I thought you knew what you were saying. I hope you forgive me for my mistake."

"I forgive you Pa. Now that I got a spanking when I didn't do anything wrong can you forget about spanking me when I do something wrong next time?" Ben asks.

"You mean you want to get by with something you do and not be punished for it?" Ethan asks incredulously.

"UM, well I guess that won't work out too well, will it?" Ben asks holding on to hope.

"No son, that doesn't sound as if it will work out for you. You just keep yourself out of trouble and you won't need to worry about punishment." Ethan says as Ben slides down from his lap.

"Your brother however will need to worry. He's over an hour late and will be hearing from me when he does make it home! Let's go ahead and eat while everything is warm. Joseph will eat when he gets here. If it's cold by then, he'll just have to eat it cold."

Rob whispers to Ben as the boy walks by him to wash up at the sink "Nice try on the getting out of the next spanking, Ben. Too bad it didn't work out."

After they finish supper clean up, the younger boys who have been whispering turn to Ethan. "Papa, can Ben and I go out to say good night to Daisy and Dobbin before we go to bed?"

"Go ahead but remember what I told you, Daisy is new here and uncertain as of yet. Don't go in her stall or try to touch her unless she requests it. If she puts her head down over the stall gate then she's asking to be petted otherwise she is not. She seems gentle but don't take chances. Keep yourselves safe."

"Yes sir, we'll remember." George answers as Ben also answers "Yes Pa."

When the door closes behind the boys, Rob asks "When are you going to tell them about the reason Daisy is so big? They're both going to be thrilled, I think. Being able to have a colt around will be fun for all of us. They already love her as much as Dobbin! I caught George talking to her this morning. He was telling her about school and how he hit a base hit in baseball at recess yesterday. She told him he was going to be a ball player when he grew up!"

"ROB! Stop telling tales! You set a bad example for the boys when you make up tales!" Claire scolds fiercely.

"Awww Claire, I'm just having fun. The boys know the difference in a funny story and a lie. I'm storytelling not lying. I mean no harm here." Rob protests but watches Ethan to check his reaction.

Smiling, Ethan says "It's all right Claire. Rob knows the difference in a lie and a tall tale. So do the boys. You can relax and enjoy their stories. You've raised them right sweetheart."

"Maybe, but Ben can still stretch the truth when he wants to. I don't want to see him encouraged to do it."

Ethan turns to Rob "Let's go have a talk in my room. You had a story you were going to tell me. The person must not be going to tell me so you'll have to do so."

Closing the bedroom door, Ethan motions for Rob to sit on the bed as he takes a seat at the small desk. "Alright Rob, I am assuming the person who took this bank note is Joseph. Am I right?" At Rob's nod he asks, "Do you know why he wanted to take out money? It must not be for something I would approve of or he would have told me about this. What has he done Rob? Don't protect him this time as I know you have before. This is too serious to skip anything so tell me what you know and how long you've known about this."

"I found out today while we were at the pond. He told me about sneaking into my room and taking the bank note, requesting money and getting the money from the Paradise Bank later."

"What did your brother need forty dollars for? Do you know what he did with it?"

"Yes sir, he told me that today too. You're going to be furious and I think that's one reason he's not here right now. I think he guessed what would happen when you saw the report and isn't coming home tonight."

"What did he do, Rob? I need to know."

"He said he met a man in town a few weeks ago who asked him if he would like to make some money. Joseph said he would and went with him. This man told Joseph he could double his money if he'd give him five dollars. Joseph did and the man came back to him with ten dollars. Then he doubled it again for Joseph. After giving him the twenty dollars, the man told Joseph he could get him forty. Joseph gave him the money but lost this time and owed forty dollars to whover they bet with. The person threatened to hurt one of us if Joseph didn't get him the money. That's when he wired Denver with the money order and we lost the forty dollars."

"I see. What kind of gambling was this man doing, do you know?"

Sighing, Rob answers "Yes sir I know. Joseph told me they were putting money down on horse races but lost this last time."

"HORSE RACING! Betting on horses! Wait til I get hold of that boy, he's just earned himself a trip to the woodshed! In fact I think it's past time for him to be home. I'm going to town right now and collect him. I'm pretty sure he's hiding out at the twins' place. You stay here and keep watch on things. I'll be back no later than an hour. I'll send Ben and George back in and I want them to be in bed in an hour."

"Yes Sir, I'll take care of it. I hope you can find Joseph tonight. I don't feel right about him not being home by now. Maybe I should have made him come home with me and tell you when I found out. I was just so mad and a little worried too." Rob answers.

"What were you worried about?"

"I thought you would punish me for taking the money out of the account without permission. I knew the report came in even before you told me about it. Then when Joseph told me he had taken money out I got worried."

"Rob, I will always listen to your explanation. I usually don't jump to conclusions the way I did with Ben tonight. In fact that's the first time in the years I've been with them that I ever reacted without listening first. I wouldn't have punished you for something until I knew you actually did it. Remember that and trust me son."

"I will. Thanks for letting me explain when I was ready and not making me tell you right away. I really wanted Joseph to confess but I guess that isn't happening."

"He will 'confess' as you put it. It may take my hand to his backside first, but he will admit to wrongdoing. He has much to answer for this time. I'll see you later tonight. I'll bring Joseph in to apologize to you when I do get him home."

Leaving the room, he goes to the barn to saddle up, Ethan tells the younger boys "Boys, it's time to go in and get ready for bed. I'll see you in the morning."

George walking out of the barn sees Ben isn't following, "Ben? Aren't you coming?" he asks turning back to his brother.

"In a minute, I have to talk to Pa first."

"Ben, I need to go get Joseph. Could this wait until tomorrow?"

"I have to tell you now. I can't hold it in any more. "Ben says beginning to fidget and having a hard time meeting his Pa's eyes.

"Alright son, just tell me. Whatever it is we will talk it out. I'm sure it isn't as bad as you think."

"The pipe in the burned barn? I put it there. After we got back from Denver, when we had the school kids come see Dobbin and the pony cart, some boys had a pipe. They smoked it back behind the woodshed. I watched. Then when Rob nearly caught us, they put it out and threw it on the ground. There was no grass, it was frozen over. I went back the next day and found the pipe. I put it in the barn behind a barrel."

"I see. Did you ever go out and smoke that pipe Ben? Did anyone else know it was there?"

"No Sir, I never did try to smoke it. The smoke from the pipe made me feel sick. I never told anybody until now. Are you mad?"

"Not at you, no. I'm a little angry at the boys who brought that pipe here. Since that happened in January and it's been so long now, I guess I should just let this go. Thank you Ben, for doing the right thing by telling me. You helped clear up why there was a pipe in the rubble."

"Pa? Did that pipe cause the fire? I think it Is it all my fault" Ben says, with his lower lip trembling.

"No Ben, you are not responsible for the barn burning. You were not even here at the time. Some things just happen and I guess this is one of them. There are times when hay can catch fire on its own. It's called spontaneous combustion. I believe that is probably what happened here. Now, stop worrying and go inside. It's nearly bedtime."

After leaving the pond, Joseph hid out in one of the newest stores being built in town. Everything was finished on the outside but the inside was still being worked on. Knowing the backdoor was unlocked, Joseph stayed inside until he heard the train whistle. Leaving the store he walked quickly to the train station. Winding his way around to the back side of the station he watches to see if anyone he knows is there. He especially does not want to run into Mitch right now. That would be nearly as bad as being caught by his Uncle Ethan. Carefully making his way to the boxcar he climbs inside. Walking quickly he goes behind some large crates and hunkers down waiting for the train to move.

As soon as the train picks up speed he moves out from behind the crates to the center of the car. He's just settled himself against the wall when a voice asks "Aren't you a little young to be out here on your own?"

Gasping in shock, Joseph gapes at the young man who has just stepped from behind the stack of barrels on the other end of the car. "My name's Jack and I've been doing this for a while now. I haven't seen you about so you must be new. What's your name?"

"I'm Joseph."

"Hello Joseph, just relax. You seem a tad jittery. I'm not going to harm you. I am glad for the company because it can get awfully lonely doing this. What brings you out on a trip at this time of night? Running away are you?"

"Why do you ask that? What makes you think I'm running away from something? I could just be traveling."

"You could at that, but most boys who are just traveling don't jump into boxcars. You would be in one of those nice cars with seats if you were traveling with someone. Besides that you have no baggage at all."

"You are right. I am trying to get away from home for a little while. I will be going back but I need to get away for a bit first. How old are you anyway?" Joseph asks curiously. The boy looks older than his own thirteen but he isn't much taller than Joseph.

"I'm nineteen this May. I look younger I know. Will you relax? I'm not going to harm you, I already told you that. Why do you keep looking as if you're about to die or something?"

"Because I am desperate to use a necessary! What do you do about that here?" Joseph asks looking around him.

"I just open the door and go. Be sure to check the wind direction first though. Spit out and if it doesn't hit you in your face then you are in the right direction. If it does then you go over to the other side of the car. "

After Joseph has taken care of his urgent need, he settles back in his spot by the wall. "Feeling better now?" Jack asks smirking.

"Yes thank you for the help. I'm new to this and I need any advice you can give me."

"Joseph, how old are you? You talk like someone about twenty but look twelve."

Grinning at the compliment, Joseph answers "I turned thirteen this year. My sister is the one to thank for my vocabulary. She taught me to read and I've read ever since I was four. She's also the one who insists we use the correct words and grammar all the time. No one is allowed to use what she calls 'common words'. My Uncle doesn't allow that either. We get scolded if we use the words 'yeah' or 'okay' which is what all my friends are saying. If we don't answer with "Yes sir or No sir" he thinks we're being disrespectful and might punish us."

"So you live with an uncle hmm? Where are your parents? How many brothers and sisters do you have?"

Completely forgetting the fact that Ethan has said many times not to tell strangers their business he says "They are dead. I have two little brothers and one older sister. Rob is kind of my brother too. He lives with us. My two younger brothers, my older sister and I were adopted by our Mother's brother last year. We have lived with him three and a half years though. He's been good to us. My own Father was cruel and I hated him. Luckily he died before he could get us away from our Uncle. He probably would have tried too, just for meanness."

"My parents are dead too. I didn't have any relatives to go to so the kind townspeople stuck me in an orphanage. I was ten years old then. Nobody adopts ten year olds so after a year I lit out. I've been on my own since then. If your Uncle is a great man as you say then why are you running away Joseph?"

"It's a long story Jack. I don't know if you really want to hear it."

"We've got nothing else to do. Might as well spill it kid. I might even be able to help you out. Give it a try."

"Well, okay." Joseph says grinning at using the 'common' word without being scolded." A few weeks ago a man I met in town said he could get me some easy money and I wouldn't even have to work to get it. I gave him money that I took from our house butter and egg money and he doubled it. Then he took that money and doubled it again. I tried one more time but that time he lost it. I wound up having to find forty dollars or he said he would hurt my family. My older brother came into some money before he came to live with us and I took a money draft and got some of his money without asking. My uncle just found out the money has been taken out."

"So you said it was your brother's money. If it's your brother's money doesn't it belong to the family an you being in the family can use it too?"

"No, he's not really my brother, he's my uncle's ward. We think of him as our brother though. The money is his from his Father and isn't used by the family at all. Uncle Ethan doesn't allow Rob to use much of it either. He has to give permission for anything Rob wants to buy. When my Uncle finds out what happened with me and the money he's going to be extremely upset with me."

"What will he do to you?"

"I'm in for a thrashing I think. I stole, lied and gambled on horses. Stealing, lying and gambling all add up to a trip to the woodshed. Just one of those, stealing or gambling would earn me a whipping with the razor strap. Both together, I don't even want to think about what that might mean!"

"What would he do to you for running away?"

"I don't know. I've never done this before. I panicked and ran off when Rob told me the bank report had come in. I knew Uncle Ethan would find out what I'd done. I just couldn't face up to that today. Maybe in a few days he'll calm down enough that I can go back home and he won't kill me on the spot!"

"Well if we have a few days together we can have some fun. Right now though it's time to get back to our hiding places and sleep for a little. The train will come into Colorado Springs in about two hours. We'll get some food then. Sleep well Joseph."