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New Beginnings ch. 6
Ethan knocks on the Anderson's farmhouse front door. When the door opens and Bill Anderson is standing there holding a lantern, Ethan asks "Bill would you check to see if Joseph is here? He has not come home yet and I feel he may be hiding here. He's gotten himself into another incident. The twins are not involved though. I just want you to know that right away."
"Ethan, I don't believe Joseph is here but I'll check. The boys have been at the store with me all day. In fact, I haven't seen Joseph since the barn raising. How is Ben by the way?"
"He survived with nothing more than a slight headache and an extremely sore backside. I can pretty much guarantee it will be a long time before he goes anywhere near a stallion again. I did my best to see to that."
"That boy has no fear Ethan. I'm glad I'm not his Pa. I don't think my heart could take the stress!"
"He learned to fear the strap, Bill. After I got through with him, he will think quite hard before he puts himself or someone else in danger again. I didn't want to use it on a ten year old but I felt it was necessary. I needed to make a strong statement that this reckless behavior was not allowed to happen. Ben seems to be at an age where he takes too many risks. This isn't the first time he's nearly been hurt badly in the last few weeks."
Nodding in understanding, Bill replies "It must be the age, Ethan. The twins were just like that at ten. They seemed not to think of the consequences for anything they did, they just acted. I remember once when they dared each other to jump off the second loft. Lucky for them they landed on hay bales. Unlucky for them, I happened to be in the barn milking at the time. After I finished my lecture on safety, neither could sit down for the rest of the day! Let me just get them down here, he says as he calls up the stairs "Jason! Jeffery! Come down here now please! Sheriff Cord wishes to ask you something."
In seconds both boys are standing at the bottom of the stairs. Ethan is impressed with how quickly they obeyed. It wasn't long ago he remembers them as being difficult to deal with. It seems their father's obedience lessons have sunk in.
"Hello Jason. Hello Jeff. I came to ask if you had seen Joseph today. He has not showed up for supper and I don't know where he might be. He and Rob were together at the pond but Joseph didn't leave when Rob did. I checked there but didn't find him. I thought he might have come to visit."
"Hello Mr. Cord" both boys answer as one. "I haven't seen Joseph since the barn raising, sir." Jeff answers meeting Ethan's eyes.
"I talked to him yesterday in town and invited him to come fishing with us at our favorite pond this afternoon. He said he and Rob had made plans to do something together. I haven't seen him since then. We wound up working in the store this afternoon so we didn't go fishing." Jason tells Ethan.
"Thank you for your honesty boys. Thank you Bill for letting me interrupt your evening. I'll just see myself out."
"Wait Ethan and I'll go out with you." Once outside Bill says "Do you think we need to get a search party up? I'll be happy to gather people to go look."
"No thank you, Bill. I don't think that's necessary at this time. I feel he's hiding out somewhere. If he doesn't make it home by tomorrow morning, I may take you up on that offer. Good night." Ethan answers as he mounts Lightning.
"Good night and I hope you find him soon. If he shows up here, I'll be sure to let you know."
"Thank you Bill. I'm going to check in with Mitch just to be sure he isn't there. I'll keep you informed."
After checking with Mitch and not getting any more answers as to Joseph's whereabouts, Ethan heads home. "That boy has a lot to answer for when I do find him. This isn't like him to hide out this way. Maybe he'll be home when I get there. If he is, I'm just going to hug him first, put him over my knee to swat his backside a few times and send him to bed. There will be plenty of time for our long discussion tomorrow." Ethan tells Lightning as he rides home.
Colorado Springs: train station
"Alright Joseph this is the plan. You stay here behind this building while I go rustle up some grub. I'll bring it back here and we'll have ourselves a picnic. Don't let anyone see you though. You are on the run and you have to hide out when you are on the run."
"Okay Jack, I'll stay hidden. Could you bring something to drink too? I'm really thirsty. Wait! Aren't you supposed to be hiding too? What if someone sees you?"
"Me? I'm not on the run. I'm just tagging along with a new friend." Jack says.
"Right and thanks Jack. I'll wait here but hurry because I'm starving! What are you going to do about money? Joseph asks worried now.
"Not a problem for me, so don't fret kid. I'll have us something to eat now and enough to take with us when we ride. Remember stay here out of sight."
Waiting for Jack, Joseph leans back against the building thinking of all that has gone on in the last day. The fight with Rob, the worry over Ethan's reaction to what he'd done, running away, meeting Jack and now sitting in Colorado Springs. All of that in one day. It seemed like two or three days already. He was so tired and scared of what he was doing also.
"If Jack weren't with me I would just be turning around and going home. I really want to go home. Even though I know I'm in tremendous trouble, I want to go home anyway. I don't think I can follow Jack's advice and keep going all the way to St. Louis. I'm bound to get caught since It's a four day trip to get there. I don't have any money or clothes. I sure didn't plan running away very well" he says to himself.
Unbeknownst to Joseph, at that very moment Jack is sending a telegram to Paradise. "Please send this to the sheriff of Paradise, Colorado. He'll know who to deliver it too. This is what to write 'Sheriff, Joseph, boy age thirteen, ran away (stop) lives with uncle (stop) is now in Colorado Springs will stay until you come (stop) Meet inside train station (stop) Thursday afternoon three o'clock. Jack Dempsey friend (stop)"
"How much does all of that cost sir?" Jack asks the telegraph operator.
"That will be two bits young fella. This Joseph is one lucky kid to have you looking out for him this way. Ran away did he? I'm sure his folks are worried and frantic to find him. If I were his Pa, I'd give him a hiding to remember for this. Have you thought that his folks might even give out a reward. You know that?"
"I do not want any reward money. I just want to know the boy gets back with his family where he belongs. Please send that right away." Jack says handing the man fifty cents.
"Hey, young man!" The operator calls to Jack as he opens the door. Turning Jack pauses to listen.
"The telegram only costs twenty five cents and you gave me fifty. Don't you want the change?"
"No, thank you sir. You keep it and use it for something good for someone sometime. Pass the good feelings on to someone else." Jack says as he walks out to the boardwalk in front of the office.
Returning to Joseph with two grain sacks full of food, a long can of milk, blankets, a change of clothes for both of them all in a child's pull wagon. Jack smiles at Joseph's open mouth look of shock.
"How'd you ever get all of that so fast? Where did you even find a container of cold milk? Joseph asks looking into the container. "You got us clothes too! Did you steal all of this? Are the police going to come and haul you off to the jail? What did you do to get all of this? You said to keep hidden so how are we going to stay hidden if the police are coming after you? I can't wind up in jail on top of everything else I'm in trouble for Jack!"
"Calm down Kid. I didn't steal anything and no one is after me. I told you not to worry about the money. I'm never one to worry about money. I know how to get whatever I need when I need it. I can't say more than that so just trust me. I never steal! Now, let's go over to that stable at the end of the street. I for one would like to sit in some clean hay to eat and then take a long nap. How's that sound as a plan?"
"Fine by me Jack. You sure you didn't steal all this? I'm in enough trouble with my uncle without adding in stealing food and clothes on top of everything else!"
"I did not steal a thing Joseph. On my word of honor as a traveler, I did not steal anything. Relax kid. You're not in trouble for stealing. Let's get to that stable, I'm starving!"
As they walk to the stable, Jack says "You sound like you have been in trouble with the police before. You'll have to tell me about that while we eat. I'd like to hear about your family too. I didn't get to grow up with a family you know."
As they eat Joseph tells him about his run in with the Denver police. "We were staying in Denver for the Centennial celebration and my brother decided to go to a place where men gambled. I didn't know what it was but went with him. It was not really open yet that day but this boy we were with took us inside. I'd never been in a place like that. My uncle has strict rules on gambling. We aren't to even think about gambling. Actually doing it leads to not being able to sit for awhile. Rob has had some problems getting involved with gambling before. Anyway, we were just walking around and this policeman shows up. He said he had a tip reported of boys inside the building and came to check it out. Rob and I were taken to the Denver police station and held until Uncle Ethan came to get us."
"What about that other boy? Wasn't he arrested?"
"Well we weren't really arrested, we just got put in what the man called "a holding cell'. Yes, the other boy was held too. He thought he could get out of it because his Pa was an important guy in Denver. It didn't work out that way though."
"What happened when your Uncle showed up? Did he whip you?"
"He was really mad and I thought he might just take his belt to us both right there in front of the officers. He didn't. He took us back to our hotel and made us stay in our rooms."
"You mean he never whipped you at all? You were in a gambling facility and were put in jail but he didn't whip you for it? I'm surprised because I think most Pas would beat a kid for something like that!"
"My uncle does NOT beat us. He loves us and only does what he has to in order to teach us right from wrong!" Joseph answers angrily.
"Don't get mad, I'm not putting your uncle in the same group as others. I was just saying what I thought. Go on with the story."
"He questioned us by ourselves and when he learned Rob knew what the place was before we went, he kind of lost his temper. He took Rob out into the woods behind the hotel and he took a switch to him. Uncle Ethan was upset at Rob for taking me along as well as planning to go gambling. Since I didn't know about what the place was, he didn't whip me or punish me at all. He told us later, if we ever were put in jail again, he would make sure we regretted it."
"Joseph, I've been to Denver. What is the place called you went to? I want to be sure I never go there."
"It's called The Rodeo. I thought when we were told where we were going, we were going to see a real rodeo. I wanted to see one. I didn't get to because it was that gambling place. I was tricked! Would you take me to see a rodeo, Jack? I saw a poster advertising one tomorrow."
"We'll try Joseph. Let's get some sleep."
Paradise – Wednesday afternoon
The telegraph operator finishes copying out the message he just received. Sitting looking at it for a moment he realizes this needs to get to Sheriff Cord as quickly as possible. Looking out the window he sees Jason Anderson across the street.
"Jason! Over here! I need your help come quickly please!" Tom calls to the boy.
After checking for wagons and horses, Jason runs over to the telegraph office. "Yes sir? What can I do to help sir?"
"This telegram just came in for Sheriff Cord. It says Joseph is safe. Can you get a horse and ride out to the ranch with this?"
"No sir, I'm not allowed to go out of town without my Pa's permission and he's not here right now. I know what to do though. I'll run with this over to Deputy Williams place and he can take it out. Okay?"
"That's a good idea. I just want it delivered as soon as possible. I can imagine how much Ethan is worrying about the boy. "
"Yes sir and I sure don't want to be in Joseph's shoes when he catches up to him. He's in major trouble over all of this. I'll just run this over to Mitch's place now." Jason says catching the frown Tom sends his way at the mention of punishing Joseph.
"Mitch! Mitch, open up will you? It's Jason Anderson and it's important!" Jason yells banging on the deputy's door.
"Since when do you have my permission to address me by my first name? Young man this better not be another one of your schemes because if it is I will take my belt to you!" Mitch growls as he opens the door.
"It's not and I'm sorry for being impertinent sir. It's just I'm excited. This telegram came and we know where Joseph is! Mr. Tom says he needs you to get it out to Sheriff Cord as soon as you can." Jason answers having taken a step back from the door after seeing the scowl on Mitch's face.
"Let me see this telegram." After he quickly reads the message he says "Thank you Jason. I'm sorry I was harsh. I'll get this out to Ethan right away. Would you be so kind as to saddle my horse while I get my boots?"
Riding into the ranch yard and seeing Ethan and Rob in the corral, Mitch calls out "Ethan! Rob! Joseph's been found!"
"Where, Mitch? Is he safe?" Ethan asks coming out of the corral.
"Yes he's safe and he's apparently in Colorado Springs. Here is the telegram. Read it."
The front door opens and Ben, George and Claire all come running at Ethan's call of "Children, come Now!" Rob is already standing beside him.
"What is it Uncle Ethan? You scared me with that shout! I thought someone was hurt." Claire says.
"We have a telegram here. Let me read it to you. 'Sheriff, Joseph, boy age thirteen ran away (stop) lives with uncle (stop) now in Colorado Springs will stay until found (stop) Look train station (stop) Thursday afternoon three Jack Dempsey friend (stop)"
"Joseph is found? He's safe? He's coming back home?" Claire sputters excitedly.
"From what this says I would answer Yes to all of those questions. I'm going to go pack clothes for him and myself. I'll take the first train I can get to Colorado Springs to bring your brother home. I don't think one leaves until early in the morning though. I'll have to leave you alone again."
"We can take care of everything. We'll be fine while you go get Joseph." Rob replies as Claire adds "I need to make sure he's alright. This was really bad of him to run off like he did."
"I'm sure he'll be alright, Claire. Joseph is impetuous but he's smart too. He can take care of himself. Don't worry too much if you can help it. I'll bring your wayward brother back home. I want you to know however, he may have a problem sitting after I do get him home!"
"I understand and I won't complain about it." Claire answers.
"Rob, the army is delivering the horses tomorrow. Will you be able to take care of that for me? Just sign the agreement after you read it first. It should say they will pay us ten dollars a head to train the horses. We have two months to get it done and they will pay on pick up."
"Yes Uncle Ethan, I can handle that. I'll make sure the terms are as you say before I sign anything. We'll be fine here. Just get Joseph home again. These past two days have seemed like weeks with him missing! Uncle Ethan? I'm really angry at Joseph for doing this to us. Can I paddle him when he comes home?" Rob asks scowling.
Chuckling a little at the question and the look on Rob's face, Ethan answers "No Rob, you can not paddle him but you sure can give him a tongue lashing for running off. He'll be punished you can rest assured of that. By the time I'm finished with him he won't think of acting this way again."
"Yes sir, I'll get Lightning ready for you in the morning. Will I need to come in to town to get him?" Rob asks.
"No Rob. Mitch will take him to his place until I get home. After the Army horses are delivered, I'll need you to bring Joseph's horse to Mitch's place for him to ride home. Will you do that?'
"Yes sir, I'll get Betsy there without a problem. She's easy to work with and will follow me there. Joseph trained her well."
Colorado Springs -Thursday
"Joseph, wake up, it's morning. We need to go to the bathhouse and wash up. We'll change into the new clothes then. We want to look just like any other travelers out there. If we look unkempt we might make someone suspicious. Now, this is our cover story. I'm your older brother and we're on our way to St. Louis to see our Grandmother. We're the same ages we really are and if asked we'll say we live in Paradise. It's easier to remember the story when you make it as much the truth as possible. "
"I'll have to remember that Jack. Every time I try to lie I get caught. After we wash and change, let's eat. I'm hungry again."
"We'll go over to the boarding house for breakfast. They serve travelers as well as boarders. Tell me about the last time you were caught in a lie. What did you lie about?"
"It was stupid but I skipped school last Friday. We had a test in math and I hate doing math so I skipped and went to this pond I'm forbidden to go to. The fishing is great there but some kid drowned once so it's forbidden for all us kids."
"Mr. Davis, my teacher went to my uncle and told him I wasn't at school. When I got home, Uncle Ethan asked how I did on my math test. Being stupid, I said" I did the best I could." He asked me if I finished all fifty problems and I answered I had. By then I was beginning to get worried because Uncle Ethan never went into details like that. That's when he told me he knew I skipped school that day and was lying. He took me out to the woodshed and whipped me."
"Did he use a buggy whip or a horse whip?" Did he beat you bad? Jack asked.
"NO! Jack, I already said Uncle Ethan never beats us! When I said he whipped me, I meant he spanked me. Where I grew up in Missouri, we would say we got a whipping when we got spanked with something like a belt. If we do something really wrong he uses a razor strap, sometimes on our bare backside. That day he made me drop my pants and he whipped me with his belt. One of his major rules is NO LYING. He would have used the strap if he'd found out where I spent the day. Luckily for me he never did."
"You said your uncle spanks you. Does he ever use just his hand?"
"Yes, he mostly just uses his hand for my younger brothers who just turned nine and ten. He has walloped me a few times with his hand too. His hand spankings hurt almost as bad as the belt does. Jack?"
"Hmm?"
"All this talking about whippings and spanking is really making me nervous. I don't like to think about what is in store for me when my uncle does catch me! I won't be able to sit comfortably for a LONG time! Can we go eat now?"
"Yes and then we'll to the train station. I believe the train to St. Louis leaves at nine this morning. Do you still want to go? We could stay and go to the rodeo and take the late train this afternoon. It doesn't matter to me."
"I'm in such trouble, I want to keep going. I can't go home now. I would like to go to the rodeo first though. Right now, let's go eat!"
At the boarding house they were welcomed in by an elderly lady. "I'm Mrs. Cannon and you are?"
"I'm Jack Dempsey and this is my younger brother Joseph. We're traveling to St. Louis later today and wanted to fill our stomachs first. I heard you have the best and biggest breakfast on this side of the tracks! We're really empty Ma'am. Right Joseph?"
Putting on his best southern charm, Joseph says "Why yes Ma'am. We are very hungry. Jack was able to get us some bread and cheese with a bit of milk for supper. I had nothing to eat before that since breakfast yesterday. That breakfast was oats from a horse's feedbag. Can I help set the table or serve Ma'am? My family insisted that I learn to do both as well as cook."
Bowled over by the boy's charming manner and speech, Mrs. Cannon sputters "Weelll now, here you are a guest so you just sit down and be served. We have two kinds of eggs both fried and scrambled, bacon, ham, sausage, toast, biscuits, gravy, fried potato patties, hominy and johnny cake with applesauce. You may have milk while your older brother may have coffee if he wishes too. Come right this way gentlemen. Breakfast is two dollars a person for all you can eat."
Jack nudges Joseph and grins approvingly.
"Mrs. Cannon? Before we go into the dining area, do you have a place for us to uhm well, a water closet Ma'am?" Joseph asks blushing bright red in his cheeks as she looks at him.
"Joseph! You don't talk about facilities around Ladies! I'm ashamed of you!" Jack pretend scolds.
"I'm sorry Ma'am. I'm raising him by myself and he's slipped some in the manners area. I intend to correct that later this morning by using my belt! Apologize to the lady Joseph!"
"I'm sorry Mrs. Cannon. I didn't mean any disrespect. I just need to ….." That's as far as he gets before Jack gives him what sounds like a hard smack on his backside but Joseph barely even feels a sting at all.
"HUSH!" he says sternly.
"Mr. Dempsey! There is NO need to whack your brother that way. He didn't say anything disrespectful or offend me. Come Joseph, the W.C. is down this hallway. Go right ahead and take care of your need, son. We'll hold breakfast for you. Don't you worry none about your brother. I won't stand for him taking his belt to you!"
Sliding into a seat at the long table moments later, Joseph keeps an eye on Jack. Busy filling a plate with his choices for breakfast, Jack doesn't seem to be upset any longer. Wondering if this business about a whipping was real or an act, Joseph decides to be cautious just in case. Quietly he begins to fill a plate also and then settles in to enjoy the food. Remembering how in most places children were not to speak unless spoken to, Joseph remains quiet.
"Well young man, don't you like my cooking? Most people say it's very good. You however just sit here. Is there something wrong with my breakfast?" Mrs. Cannon asks looking at Joseph.
"No Ma'am! The food is delicious Ma'am! I've just been quiet because I'm not allowed to speak unless spoken to at the table. I don't want Jack to whip me more."
"You can relax Joseph. I 'm not going to be whipping you for your lack of manners earlier. Mrs. Cannon assures me she is not upset. You just watch your behavior though because I won't hesitate to take off my belt if needed!"
"Yes sir." Joseph answers automatically. Jack sounds like he meant what he said. The tone and words remind him of Ethan. Swallowing the lump that has suddenly risen in his throat, Joseph tries to finish his breakfast. Wondering to himself why he has this almost uncontrollable desire to see his family, he tries to keep the tears away.
Noticing the quivering chin and teary eyes the young boy is fighting, Jack smiles to himself. The plan is working pretty well so far. He figures only a few more times and that will be enough. Checking his watch for the time, he snaps it shut.
"Joseph! Stop with the dilly dallying and EAT! If I'm shelling out money for this you dang well better be eating it!" Jack barks at the boy across the table.
Seeing the boy jerk in surprise and the wide eyed look he receives makes Jack smile to himself again. Then turning to their hostess he asks "May I please have a refresher on the coffee Ma'am? I do enjoy a good tasting cup of coffee first thing in the morning. Yours is just perfect!"
"Yes, of course you may, Mr. Dempsey. I'll bring it right back. I'll just need to heat up some water first.
"Take all the time you need Ma'am as it is worth the wait." Jack answers with a smile. As she leaves the room, he puts the next part of his plan in action. Standing and stretching he walks around the table to where Joseph is just sitting looking at his plate.
Reaching out, Jack pulls the boy up and quickly bends him over the table. Before Joseph has time to even realize what is happening his bottom is lit on fire. Jack's hand falls twice more before he lets the boy sit back down.
"What was that for? I thought we were friends! Friends don't wallop their friends!" Joseph says angrily, brushing two tears off his face. He didn't even get a warning or be told why he was to receive a spanking! Uncle Ethan never ever treated the children this way. Joseph feels himself longing to go home even more now.
"I told you to EAT didn't I? Well I meant to do just that. I didn't mean for you to sit and look at it as if it was a fascinating new bug! When I tell you to do something YOU do it! Got that? I'm in charge of you as I'm your older brother and I'm not your friend. You are to mind me or you'll wish you had!"
Shocked at the behavior of this stranger who looks like his friend Jack, Joseph whispers "Yes, Sir."
"Now you have fifteen minutes to eat what you have on that plate. If it isn't all eaten, I'm taking off my belt and blistering your butt in the carriage house. Now EAT!" Jack slams his hand down on the table as he shouts the last word.
Jumping nervously and looking as if he's about to cry, Joseph starts putting the food on the fork and the fork in his mouth. He continues to eat in silence but tears are now leaking out of his eyes. This new person who looks like Jack is frightening him.
In his mind Joseph is repeating I'm scared Uncle Ethan, come find me. I need you. over and over. He's just hoping and praying that somehow his uncle will come rescue him. This adventure is not turning out the way he expected it to yesterday. Jack seems to have become someone else. He's not acting at all the way he did last night on the train or even earlier this morning.
Paradise - The Ranch
Rob walks out of the barn as he hears the sound of horses approaching. Walking up to the lead horseman, Rob extends his hand.
"Hello Sir. My name is Rob Jordan and my uncle left me in charge of receiving the horses."
"Boy. I'm Captain John Thomas Tabb. I'm in charge of this arrangement not you. I doubt a boy even knows how to handle a task such as this. I need to deal with your uncle not you."
Gritting his teeth to keep the words in his mind from flying out his mouth, Rob waits several minutes just maintaining eye contact with the "captain". He really doubts this man is a captain. After all he isn't wearing the correct stripes to be one. Nevertheless, Rob knows he is expected to make this deal so he must remain calm and courteous. It would not be good for his hide if he failed to secure the horse deal!
Just as he decides to try to talk to this man again, the boys come running up from the treehouse.
"Hello, I'm Ben and this is my brother George. Are you here to deliver horses to us? My brother and my Pa are the best horse trainers in the whole state! You'll be so happy with the horses when you pick them back up."
Seeing the look of contempt cross the man's face, Rob orders "Ben! George! Both of you go place your backsides in that wagon and stay there until I say differently! MOVE!" He barks as the boys just stare at him. George immediately runs for the wagon.
"I can help, Rob!" Ben complains. Doing his best to ignore the glaring look coming his way from Rob.
"BENJAMIN! I'm starting to count! ONE!... TWO! ... THREE!..." On the count of three Ben whirls around and races for the wagon. He has learned from experience not to let Rob get to five. With five you get your backside blistered off!
"Are those two boys going to be kept out of our way? I despise children! They are unruly bratty beings that should be kept inside."
"You won't need to worry, sir. I'll make sure the boys do not get in the way. My little brothers are curious but not bratty. Do you have the contract for me to sign? My uncle was called away unexpectedly but he left me in charge." Rob asks.
Reaching into his uniform's jacket the young 'captain' pulls out the folded contract and hands it over. You'll find it in order so just sign it will you? I need to get these horses delivered and back out on patrol. I shouldn't even be here but the person designated for this became ill so I was next in line."
Nodding slightly Rob continues to read the contract as Ethan instructed him to do before signing. The contract states there are fifteen horses to be trained at a cost of four dollars a head. The number of horses and the price is not what Rob knows was agreed upon. Not wanting to even try to discuss this with the man he asks "Sir, my uncle will be home tonight. May I just keep this contract until tomorrow and have him sign it? After all you said earlier you didn't want to do business with me."
"Yes, but your uncle will have to board and feed the horses tonight. I'm not running a ranch and don't plan to take a bunch of smelly animals on patrol with me. I'll be back first thing in the morning to talk to your uncle. Tell him to expect me by eight."
"Yes sir, I'll be sure to tell him and we'll be happy to board the horses tonight." Rob answers keeping the contempt he feels for this man out of his voice the best he can.
As soon as Rob answers affirmatively, the captain whistles loudly and a group of four soldiers bring the fifteen horses into the yard. With all the horses milling about, Rob doesn't notice Ben as he quietly slides down from the wagon bed.
Making sure to keep most of the horses between him and Rob, Ben walks slowly up to the horse he has chosen for himself. Most of the horses are gray or black but this one is a deep brown color. When he walks closer, the horse blows out through its nose, and tosses it's head with nerves. Ben knows the signals horses use to show anxiety but he continues to walk towards the horse anyway.
"Its alright girl, I'm Ben and I'll be your teacher. Just relax and walk to me." Ben croons to the horse the way he has heard Joseph do. Expecting the horse to just walk over to him he's surprised when it puts it's head down and runs at him. Seconds before the horse would have trampled him someone lifts him off his feet from behind.
"Here now young fella! What are you doing in the middle of untamed horses?! Hasn't your Pa taught you better than that? I tell you, if you were mine, I'd flip you over my knee here and now for a blistering! Now where is your Pa, young man?"
"He's not here sir. It's just my brothers and sister here with me."
"Well then I guess we'll just speak to your older brother. What is his name?"
"Rob." Ben says dejectedly. "Please sir, I apologize and I won't do such a stunt again. Please sir, don't tell him."
"I have to young man. You put yourself in a lot of danger just then."
Holding tight to the downcast boy the soldier rides over to where Rob is standing. "Excuse me, are you Rob?" he asks.
"Yes sir, I'm Rob." Rob answers watching as Ben ducks his head and refuses to meet his eye.
"Well Rob we just had a situation you should be aware of. This youngster was right at the edge of the group and nearly got himself trampled. He seemed to be sweet talking a horse but it didn't work. The horse charged him and if I hadn't been able to get there quickly would have run him over! This is no place for youngsters. They should be somewhere safe."
Reaching up to the saddle and taking Ben off the man's horse, he glares at the boy before he says "Go inside to your room and stay there. You and I will have a discussion about this in a little while, Ben!" then turning back to the soldier he says "Thank you so much sir for looking after my brother. He was told to stay in the wagon but apparently decided to disobey. After I get finished he will remember to be obedient from now on."
Coming into the house, Rob tells Claire. "There's a problem with the contract for the horses. I need to go talk to Mitch about it. Will you be feeling good enough to watch the boys? Ben is being punished and can't come out of his room yet. He disobeyed when I told him to stay in the wagon and nearly got trampled by one of the horses!"
"Yes Rob, my arms are not feeling sore today so I'm able to stay up and watch the boys. What do you plan to do with Ben besides keep him in his room? Uncle Ethan has enough to deal with what with having to go track down Joseph. I think we ought to handle this don't you?"
"I agree. I'll take care of it as soon as I get back from town. Don't worry when I get finished he will remember to stay away from wild horses! I'm leaving now and I'll be back as soon as I can."
In town, Rob finds Mitch in the Sheriff's office reading a telegram. "Mitch? May I talk to you please?" Rob asks as he comes into the office.
"Of course Rob, you know you don't have to ask. What problem do you have?"
"What makes you think there is a problem?"
"Because I know you well enough to know you don't leave the ranch when Ethan is gone unless there's a problem. Is it one of the boys or Claire?"
"No sir, not really. Ben got himself into some trouble again but I'm capable of dealing with him. It's this contract from the Army that I need advice about. Uncle Ethan said the contract would be for ten horses at ten dollars a head. They brought fifteen horses and they want to pay only four dollars a head!"
Mitch nods listening carefully.
"Mitch, I can't sign that! I'd be in trouble. But if I don't sign they could take the horses back and we wouldn't get anything. Then I'd be in trouble for not obeying and signing the contract. I don't know what to do so I'm asking for help."
"Rob, I know for a fact that Ethan always gets a written agreement when he sets up a deal such as this one. Whoever drew up this contract probably doesn't know this. What you need to do is go back home and find the paper with the original deal. I'll come out and meet with these men also."
"They're coming back at eight in the morning or at least that's what the captain said." Rob answers.
"You go home and find that paper and I'll be out there at seven thirty in the morning. Don't worry, I won't let them cheat you out of the original deal. Now do you think Ethan would want the extra five horses? If not we'll see to it they take them back."
"I think five more would be alright. If they pay the correct price. With both Joseph and Uncle Ethan working with them that would be seven for one and eight for the other. I don't think that would be too hard. Thanks Mitch for the advice and the help!"
"That's what us honorary uncles are for Rob. Now as your honorary uncle, would you go with me and have some lunch? I'm ready to eat! I'm buying by the way."
"Well if you are going to pay then I will happily take you up on your request. Free lunches are not easy to get. Are we going to the new hotel? I've heard they serve really nice lunches." Rob says.
"Let's go check it out, honorary nephew. Remember though, no ordering beer or whiskey. Ethan would be taking his belt to me if I let you do that!"
"Yes sir, I promise not to order those. If I did, you wouldn't be the only one he would get. He would take the hide off my backside! I know that from experience!" Rob answers chuckling at the thought of Ethan whipping Mitch.
"I don't remember hearing that story Rob. Why don't you tell me about it while we walk. Was this something that happened in Denver? Ethan said he had quite a bit of trouble with you boys in Denver while we were there for the trial."
"No sir, this happened last spring when I stayed with Uncle Ethan those two and a half months. Rob tells Mitch what went on with him sneaking out, drinking, being caught by the sheriff of the time, and Ethan's punishment.
"I've never known Ethan to react so harshly, Rob. I'm a bit surprised that he took a switch to you."
"I think I pushed him over the edge that time. I broke so many of the seven deadly sins that I'm surprised he didn't punish me even more. He'd told me the rules and I knew I was going against them."
"Well it seems you learned from that experience. You are not tempted to try to get by with drinking today. Let's go in and see what they have on the menu. Mitch says as they come to the doors of the new hotel.
Later that afternoon back at the ranch, Rob asks Claire "Where does Uncle Ethan keep important papers in his room? I have to look through them for something Mitch told me to get."
"Rob! You know Uncle Ethan doesn't allow us to go into his room without permission! You'll be in trouble if he finds out about this."
"Claire, MITCH told me to look for that paper. I would say that gives me permission. Besides, it has to do with the Army contract so I have to find it by morning. I'm pretty sure Uncle Ethan won't mind this time. It's really important that I find this."
"Look in the chiffarobe then, there's a metal box and he keeps important things in there. I know because he showed it to me once. Let me know if you can't find whatever you need and I'll help look."
"Thanks, is Ben still in his room?"
"Yes, I let him out to go out back earlier but now he's back in again. What do you plan to do with him?"
"I want to find this paper first. After that I'll take him out to the barn for a talk." Seeing Claire's down turned mouth he adds "I'm not going to whip him if that's what you're worried about. I am going to spank him though. He risked his life again Claire! He got in with the wild horses and was almost trampled! He knows better. What would Uncle Ethan do if he were here?"
"He would take Ben to the tack room for another talk with the strap. Ben's reckless streak is getting worse instead of better as he gets older."
"After my conversation, he'd better hold back that reckless streak or he'll be in even bigger trouble. I can't say he isn't already. I feel for him when I tell Uncle Ethan about this latest escapade! You know, I think I better deal with Ben first and find the paper second. I've kept him waiting and nervous a long time." Rob says walking to the boy's room.
Opening the door he sees Ben lying face down on the bed. "It's time for our talk Ben. Come with me."
Rolling over and sitting up, Ben eyes Rob worriedly. "Couldn't you just let me staying in my room all day be enough? You don't have to do more, Rob. I know what I did was dangerous and I promise you I won't ever ever get in a bunch of wild horses again!"
"I'm going to make sure you remember this promise Ben. Now let's go to the barn for our talk. It's not going to take all that long and you can come back to the room you are asking to stay in."
Sliding off the bed and standing up, Ben walks very slowly to the door where Rob is waiting. When he reaches him, Rob takes him by the hand and leads him outside. He's found Ben will stall and hang back if he doesn't hold on to him. Stopping by the woodpile for a second, Rob leads Ben into the barn and closes the door. Taking Ben over to the side where there are two large, rectangular hay bales he sits on one still holding on to Ben.
"Ben, tell me what you did today to earn this trip over my knee you are about to receive. I want to hear you tell why you deserve to get a spanking today."
"I was told to stay in the wagon and keep out of the way. Instead I snuck down and deliberately went up to one of the wild horses knowing not to but I did it anyway. The horse got upset and charged at me."
"Very good, I see you understand exactly what you did wrong. Now listen to me. You put your life in danger again today! If that corporal hadn't been close by and scooped you up you COULD BE DEAD! Because you risked your life and deliberately defied me today, you are going to get a bare bottom spanking with a paddle. Drop them and get over my lap. You have until the count of six and then I'll add four more licks. ONE…TWO….." Rob notices Ben has his pants pulled down and is face down over his lap by the time he counts to four. HMM, this counting stuff really works, I'll recommend it to Uncle Ethan! Maybe. Rob thinks as he applies the small, thin piece of wood he picked up by the woodpile. He gives Ben four licks with it before helping him stand up.
Crying hard, Ben pulls up his pants wincing as the material goes over his sore backside. "Rob, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for not obeying you and scaring you and making you worry and making you have to paddle me!"
"I love you Ben, I can't just stand by and let you do something so foolish that could cause you to be hurt. I have to do something to get it through that thick head you have that you must keep yourself out of danger! When one of us tells you not to do something, we're telling you to keep you out of trouble not to be mean by making you miss out on something. I was letting you and George watch the horses from the wagon because I thought you would stay safe there. I should have sent you inside to stay."
"I'm sorry I was so bad! I love you too. You are my big brother no matter what the boys at school say. I'm so sorry Rob!" Ben says as he launches himself into Rob's arms to be held close.
"Yes I'm your big brother and nobody can say differently. Now Ben, lean back and look at me for a minute." When Ben is looking up at him he says "Ben, I love you as I said and because I do I have to do things I don't really want to do. One was paddle your bottom and another is tell Uncle Ethan what happened. I can't keep quiet about something as big as this Ben. If it was just you getting down from the wagon after I said not to, yes I would keep that between us. This is putting yourself in danger and I have to tell him. Do you understand that?"
"Yeah, but I sure don't like it! Pa might whip me with the strap for this. Even if he doesn't use the strap, he's still going to give me a walloping!" Ben says sighing.
"You are probably right, but at least you have a day before he does that. Maybe by then your burning bottom will be cooled down." Rob teases getting a small smile from Ben.
"Come on, let's go in so Claire can see I didn't tear you in pieces. She seems to think I would for some reason. Then you can help me look for a very important paper I need for tomorrow. That captain is trying to swindle us and I'm not going to let him do it!"
"I didn't like that man Rob. You know what? He isn't really a captain. He doesn't have the right coat to be a captain. The captains wear a different coat and it has more stripes on the sleeves with more buttons than his does. I know because Joseph, George and I met a friend of Uncle Ethan's last year and he is a captain.
"You'll have to tell me all about this later after we find the paper Ben. I want to hear this story but I just don't have the time to listen right now. Will you tell me later?"
"Sure I will, Rob."