Note to Ellie... Oct. 2019... Thank you for the guest reviews. I can't reply unless you have an account. :-)
New Beginnings
ch. 12
A New Uncle
The Cord Ranch;
"Joseph, would you go look in on the boys please? Just check to see they are asleep but don't go into their room."
"Yes sir." Joseph answers getting off the bench where he has been stretched out reading. Wondering why his Pa wants him to check on the boys, he quietly opens their bedroom door. Peeking in he sees both are asleep, Ben having been sent to bed early as punishment, is asleep on his stomach but the tear streaks are still visible. Joseph thinks, he must have been angry at being sent to bed an hour before George. Maybe next time Claire tells him to fill the woodbox and bring in the eggs he'll do as she says instead of telling her he's too busy. Pa sure didn't like it when he heard what Ben said. Ben's lucky he didn't turn him over his knee and wallop him! He deserved to get spanked for being bratty! If it had been me acting that way, I would have gotten a walloping! Pa still lets the boys get by with much more than me or Rob.
Coming back into the front room, Joseph tells his Pa "Both of them are sound asleep, Pa."
"Thank you Joseph. Now will the two of you come into my room please? I need to talk with you and I don't want to risk either of the boys overhearing."
Claire and Joseph exchange a look before walking behind their Pa to his bedroom. Joseph asks in his mind, "Claire? What does he want?" Getting the answer back almost as if he thought of it she says "I don't know what he wants to talk about, Joseph. Just wait and listen."
Leading the children into the bedroom and closing the door, Ethan says "Sit on the bed, I have something to ask you both." When they are settled, he asks "Do either of you remember having heard of or meeting a person named Matthew Carroll?"
"No sir, I've never heard that name. Who is he? He's not a long lost brother is he?" Joseph asks teasingly. The solemn look on his Pa's face is worrying him a little.
"No Joseph, I'm pretty sure he isn't your brother. Claire, what about you? Do you remember hearing the name?"
"I want to say yes but I'm just not quite sure, Pa. I seem to remember hearing some name kind of like it. Why do you ask? Is he a relative of ours?"
"He claims he is your father's younger brother. I received a telegram from him several weeks ago and had the name checked into. There is a Matthew Carroll from the St. Louis area. He's twenty four. How old would your father be if he was alive, Claire?"
"He'd be thirty seven I think. He was two years older than Mama."
"Pa? Why are you asking us these questions? Who is this man?" Joseph asks quietly.
"Well son, he claims to be your father's younger brother. That would make him be your uncle if it is true. I wanted to ask you just to see if either of you could remember him. He's coming to visit us whether we want him to or not. He'll be here tomorrow afternoon. He claims he wants to get reaquainted with all of you."
"Our uncle? That's right! I remember now. Mama called him Matty and I called him Uncle Matty. He was just a boy then. Probably about Joseph's age. He took us to the park once Joseph and we played with a rubber ball. He taught you to kick the ball that day. I was about seven and you were five That was right after George was born. I guess he came to take care of us for Mama."
"I don't remember that at all. Why does he want to come now? Where has he been all these years? I know he wasn't there when Papa was beating us or Mama was so sick she couldn't get up. Why come now? I don't want him here! I don't want anything to do with Papa's family!" Joseph announces angrily.
"Joseph! Mind your tone, son. You are sounding very disrespectful."
"I do not CARE! I don't want him here! It's my house and I don't want him around!" Joseph nearly yells as his eyes fill with tears.
Reaching out, Ethan pulls the boy off the bed by his arms. Expecting to be at least swatted, if not put over his Pa's knee and spanked, Joseph is surprised when he feels himself pulled into Ethan's chest and hugged instead. Grateful not to have been spanked in front of his sister which would be so embarrassing, Joseph hears his Pa say "I'm sorry this is upsetting to you son. I do understand your feelings. It hurts to be reminded of your father, I know. Shhh, it's all right. Try and calm down Joseph." Ethan pats the boy's back, feeling the hot tears soak his shirt.
When Joseph seems to have calmed down some, Ethan says, "Claire, you go on to bed and we'll talk more in the morning. Good dreams sweetheart."
"Good night Pa, Joseph. It's alright Joseph. He won't stay long I'm sure."
"G'night Claire." Joseph manages to say without lifting his face from his Pa's shirtfront.
As the door closes, Ethan says, "Sit up now son and let's talk this over." Handing the boy a handkerchief, Ethan asks, Can you tell me what it is that has you upset? You need to tell me."
"It hurts to know there was someone who could have helped us and didn't. Why wasn't he around when we needed the help? Why did he leave us to take care of everything all by ourselves? I just got mad about that sir. I apologize for nearly yelling and for being disrespectful."
"You don't need to apologize for getting angry son. I don't blame you at all for those feelings. I'd like to know the answers to those questions myself. But son, there's one thing you are forgetting here. If this young man is your uncle he would have been very young when all of those things you went through were happening. You were about eight or nine so that would have made him be around eighteen or nineteen. That's not much older than Rob is now. Maybe he just couldn't help you."
"Maybe, but I still don't want him here. I don't want to meet him."
"Joseph, you are going to have to meet him and you will be respectful when you do. I won't have rude behavior. Like it or not he is going to be our guest and will be treated respectfully. I will not hesitate to take you to the barn if you ignore this rule. I will remind you twice and then if you continue with the behavior, you will be punished." Ethan says firmly.
"Yes sir." Joseph says knowing his Pa expects an answer. In his mind though, Joseph says I'll only be respectful when you are watching. If I can get the man alone he's going to suffer from several unfortunate accidents! It will be worth the whipping I'll get for doing it, too!
"It's time for you to go to bed, son. I'll see you in the morning. Sleep well."
"Good Night, Pa."
Later that night, Ethan felt someone shaking his arm. 'Humm? What?" Rolling over he sees Ben beside his bed with tears on his face. "What's wrong Ben? Are you sick?"
"Joseph's yelling and making strange noises, Papa. He woke us up. He's scaring us."
"Well let's go check on him, Ben. Where's George?"
"In our room, I guess. He was on the bed crying under the quilt when I left to come to get you. He's scared."
Walking down the short hall between the bedrooms, Ethan sees George standing outside his bedroom door. Ben walks over to him, putting his arm around his brother. "It's alright now, George. Stop crying. Papa will help Joseph."
"Ben's right George. You two crawl back in bed and try to go back to sleep. I'll take care of Joseph."
Inside Joseph's bedroom, Ethan sees the boy is rolling back and forth on the bed, yelling out "No! Stop! Don't touch me! Get away from me!"
Quietly, Ethan walks to the bed and says "Joseph, It's Pa and I need you to wake up now. It's a dream. You are fine. Wake up Joseph. You are alright." Then more sternly "Open your eyes and look at me."
Slowly Joseph stops thrashing and opens his eyes. "Pa? What is it? Is something wrong? Am I late for breakfast?"
"You were having a nightmare, son. Sit up and let's talk. What was your dream about? Remember how you used to have these shortly after you moved in with me?" At Joseph's nod, he says "It always seemed to help when you talked about it. Whatever it is we'll take care of it and be done with it."
Those words cause Joseph to smile. Those are the exact words he often hears when he is in trouble. "I'm not having dreams because I'm in trouble Pa. I promise you I haven't done anything since working with Neptune without permission. My dream was about my father again. He was angry at me again for … well for something."
"Do you know what he was angry about?"
"I don't really remember much. I would rather not talk about this now, if that's alright Pa. I'm sorry I woke you. I'll be able to sleep now. Good night."
Recognizing the boy doesn't want to discuss his father and knowing it is a subject he himself would not like to talk about at this time, Ethan stands. Then leaning over the bed and brushing his hand through Joseph's hair, he says "Good dreams Joseph. When you are ready to talk, I'm here. Remember, it helps if you tell someone about it
"Yes sir, I know. I think I'm better now though."
Meeting Claire in the hallway and noticing the worried look on her face, Ethan says "He's alright, he just had one of those nightmares, Claire."
"What was his nightmare about?"
"He says he doesn't remember much other than it was about your father."
"May I talk to him for awhile before I go back to bed, Pa? Sometimes he'll tell me but wants to keep it private so you don't get upset at how we were treated. He's protecting you. He doesn't want to make you angry."
"He should know, I am never angry at him. Just at how your father treated you children. That boy needs to learn that I'm the one to protect him not the other way around. Go ahead, talk with him tonight. Tomorrow, I'd like to hear what he says."
"Yes sir, I'll tell you. Joseph does know you aren't angry at him. He just doesn't want to make you angry at all."
A few minutes later Claire comes into Joseph's room. "You didn't tell Pa about the dream so you need to tell me. I'll listen and you can go back to sleep. You won't sleep unless you talk. You know that."
"I know but I just couldn't tell Pa this story. He always feels horrible when I tell him stories of how our father acted. He blames himself for not coming for us. He couldn't come because he didn't know."
"Tell me Joseph."
"I dreamed about the time he caught me pitching pennies and was so mad because I was gambling again. When you think about what we know now, I wonder why he got so mad. He gambled too! I didn't see it as gambling though. I was nine and it was just a game to see who could toss a penny closest to the side of the building. The winner got to keep all the pennies. We only used pennies and it's not like any of us were betting. It wasn't like the time he caught us rolling dice and placing bets for money. That time all five of us got our backsides whipped. He took off his belt and whipped me right there in the shed where we were playing at the time. Papa went to all the other boys' fathers, told them what he caught us doing and they got whipped too."
"When he caught me in the alley pitching pennies with the other boys, he dragged me out by my shirt collar all the way back to the boarding house. Then he took me out to the woodshed and thrashed me with that thick saddle strap on my bare bottom. I remember I really couldn't sit without hurting, for a week. Claire, you kept me somewhat comfortable with salve. I heard Mama and him arguing about how he treated me two nights afterwards. He was gone the next day and never came back. I guess that's why I am so upset about seeing his brother."
"I remember that time too, Joseph. He thrashed you so bad you had welts. Mama was furious with Papa that night. She refused to cook for him for two days. On the second day, he got mad and slapped her face. It was the next day that Mr. Henry came and had a long meeting with Papa. Mr. Henry told him if he ever saw him around us again he would shoot him! He said he wouldn't have a man on his troupe who beat women and children. I heard him! I guess Mama told him how Papa was treating us. That night Mama and Papa argued again, which is what you heard. Papa was trying to get Mama to let him stay but she refused. Papa left and didn't come back.
"Mr. Henry? Who was he? I don't know anyone by that name. I'm surprised Papa didn't beat him up for trying to tell him what to do." Joseph replies quietly.
"That was Mr. Henry Albertson, the stage manager. Don't you remember him Joseph? He was really nice to all of us. He used to give us candy and let us play dress up with the costumes backstage. He stayed in the boarding house with his wife. Sometimes she would let all four of us come to their rooms and she'd tell us stories. He wanted us to call him Mr. Henry and he was older than Mama and Papa."
McGinnis Farm week 2
Aaron has been learning the new gentling techniques from Rob very well. Most of the horses they have been working with will now accept a saddle blanket and saddle when he places it on their backs. Scott isn't having as much success as he is more impatient and not as calm as his brother. Several times, Rob has tried to talk to him about talking quietly to his horse, moving slowly, placing the saddle gently on the horse. It hasn't helped much. As long as the boy's Father is not around he's stubborn and hard to deal with. Several times, Rob has threatened to go to the boy's father to get him to cooperate.
The three boys are working the horses to be saddle trained. Aaron has the saddle on his horse with no trouble from the horse. Scott has tried three times to get his horse to accept the saddle. The latest time he had the saddle on the horse, reached under to secure the strap and the horse ran off.
"It's all right Scott. You did a fine job. The horses sometimes panic when you reach under their stomachs. Let's try him one more time and I'm sure we'll have him accepting that saddle." Rob says calmly.
"NO! I DON"T WANT TO TRY ONE MORE TIME." Scott yells at Rob.
Aaron sees his Pa coming from the barn and tries to signal his brother to watch what he says. Scott is too busy yelling to notice.
"I AM TIRED OF YOU ALWAYS TELLING ME TO DO IT AGAIN. I'M THROUGH!" Spinning around to leave the corral, Scott sees his Father standing in the gate.
"Rob, Is there a problem?"
"Scott's horse ran off just after he got the saddle on sir. It made him angry."
"Has Scott been having these temper fits before?"
With a look of apology to Scott and Aaron, Rob answers "A few times, sir."
"Let's go Scott. You and I need to have another lesson it seems. I will make sure this one sticks with you." McGinnis says. "I told you to learn what Rob is here to teach and not cause problems."
"Aaron and Rob, go inside and help Alyssa with lunch preparations."
"Yes Sir." Rob says as Aaron just stands with his mouth slightly open.
"Come on Aaron. You heard your Pa. Get going." Rob says giving the boy a small shove toward the gate.
"He wants us to help Alyssa! He's never allowed us to do what he calls 'woman's work' before. I'm just shocked is all."
"He probably just doesn't want us to hear the whipping he's about to deliver. That's why he sent us inside. You know that better than I do."
"Yeah, he's going to thrash Scotty this time. I don't want to hear it."
"I thought he thrashed him last time. The buggy whip on your butt is a thrashing in my book."
"This time, it will be on his bare butt or he'll use a switch and then the whip. Either way Scotty isn't going to be able to sit comfortable for a few days."
Inside, they find Alyssa lying down on the settee. She quickly jumps to her feet as they come in to the room.
"Aaron, is it time for lunch? Is Pa coming in now? I'm not ready! I was tired and fell asleep! OH, I've got to get lunch ready!"
"Lyssa! Calm down sis. It's not quite lunchtime yet. Pa is having a talk with Scotty in the barn so he sent us in to help you. Just tell me what you want us to do."
"Pa is giving Scotty a whipping right?"
"Yes." Aaron answers her.
"What did he do?"
"Wouldn't mind Rob and threw a temper fit. Pa heard him. It's going to be bad for Scotty since this is the second time since Rob came that he has acted like this." Aaron tells his sister.
"That means Pa'll probably be extra hard to get along with. Aaron, go get some meat, ham and something else from the smokehouse. I'll start soup with the onions and carrots, I have bread made so we can have sandwiches and soup."
As Aaron goes to get the meat she requested, Rob asks "What would you like me to do to help, Miss. Alyssa?"
Having forgotten he was even there the girl stares at him for a brief minute. "Do you know how to cut up carrots? If you could do that, then I could go pick some greens in the garden. I think we have celery out there that could be picked."
When she returns with the celery, Rob has three carrots peeled and chopped into small pieces.
Seeing Alyssa standing at the stove chopping the celery into the pot he says, "If you have any potatoes, you could add one to the soup. I'll peel and chop it up in small pieces for you. This ham Aaron brought could be cut into a few small chunks for the soup also. If you have enough to put in a few chunks that would make the soup taste really good. Aaron went back to find some other kind of meat. He said he didn't think anything else would be good for sandwiches though."
"Um, Thank you! How do you know how to make soup?" Alyssa asks curiously. "Neither of my brothers knows much about cooking at all."
"I didn't know much of anything about cooking, before I moved in with Uncle Ethan. Claire, my adoptive sister, taught me some and Uncle Ethan has taught both me and Joseph a little more. They both say they want us to know enough so we wouldn't starve if we ever lived by ourselves." Rob finishes smiling.
"Yes, that would be good. I'm afraid my brothers and Pa too, would be very hungry by themselves. A neighbor lady used to come cook for us until I was eight. She taught me how to cook some things and I've been the cook and laundress of the house since."
Hearing his sister's words as he comes in, Aaron says "She is the woman of the house alright. She has to do all the inside work. This is the first time Pa has ever let anyone help her. I've tried before but I got whipped for it. Pa said I'm a boy and do boy's jobs."
"In my way of thinking, your Pa is wrong about that Aaron. Men are supposed to help women and boys help girls. My brothers get whipped if they DON'T help their sister with her chores."
"You are joshing us, right? Boys don't really do that do they?" Alyssa asks.
"I'm not joshing you. One time my brother Ben, he's the ten year old, was told it was his turn to stay inside to help Claire with cleaning the windows, washing and changing the bedclothes. Instead of helping, he went out to the treehouse and hid from her. He wouldn't answer when she called him."
"That's mean of him not to answer!" Alyssa comments as she stirs the ham, carrots and potatoes into the boiling water.
"Joseph and I were out in the field helping Uncle Ethan with the planting. My youngest brother George was there too. Anyway, when we got home and Uncle Ethan heard about how Ben had behaved, he took him into his room and spanked him. If Uncle Ethan tells you to do something you had better do it or have a very good reason why you didn't! Ben must not have had a good enough reason since he had to eat his supper with a stinging bottom and then go to bed right afterwards. I don't know which Ben hates the most, getting a spanking or going to bed early!"
"I would say getting the whipping! Your Pa must not whip you all as hard as mine does. When he gets finished we can't even sit down! It hurts too much! Most times we don't get to eat at the table after we get a whipping. He makes us eat in our room and then stay in there until morning chores. Tonight, I'll have to do Scotty's share of chores and tomorrow he'll have to do mine."
Having glanced out the window, Alyssa hisses "Aaron you better HUSH! Pa's coming! Hurry put the bread and meat on the table while I get the bowls for the soup. Rob, please put our cups and Pa's mug on the table."
As the two boys hurry to do as she says, the door opens and Mr. McGinnis comes in followed by Scott.
"To your room boy! Except for going out back, you are to stay there until morning. MOVE!" He commands as Scott walks stiffly and slowly. Seeing the boy speed up, he turns to the table. "Scott will not be eating at the table. He may have a sandwich and drink in his room after we finish. Boys, take your seats. Alyssa you may serve when you are ready."
Watching the young girl try to hold the hot soup pot and dish out the soup at the table is too much for Rob. "Here let me hold the pot while you dip. Aaron, pass me your Pa's bowl please. Here, having the four bowls all together in one spot while you dip the soup is much easier and safer than walking with that hot pot."
Aaron sneaks a look at his Pa to see how he takes Rob telling Alyssa how to handle the soup. Expecting to see anger he's surprised at the way his Pa seems to be accepting the idea. Rob has also seen the man seem to accept the new way of serving soup. He thinks it's time for another idea.
"Mr. McGinnis? Aaron and I helped Alyssa with making the lunch. We are sitting at the table instead of serving, could she please sit too? If whoever cooks is to serve the food, then all three of us should not be sitting."
Aaron and Alyssa swap shocked glances waiting for their Pa to start yelling. To their surprise, he simply says "Have a seat Alyssa. If you don't our houseguest will never hush so we can enjoy this delicious smelling soup!"
Sitting down Alyssa smiles a little at her Pa's words. Aaron pipes up "Rob has three brothers and a sister Pa. The boys all have to help out with the inside chores too. He told us how his little brother got a whipping for not helping when it was his turn."
"Did he now. Well, maybe we need to think about helping Alyssa more. You three sure fixed a great lunch. Alyssa, how did you make this soup so tasty? Who decided to put the meat into it?"
"That was Rob's idea Pa, that and putting potatoes in it too. I was just going to boil celery, onions and carrots until he said try the ham and potatoes. He helps his sister cook at home and knows more than I do about soups."
"Miss. Alyssa, I don't know much about soup. It's just ham soup is something Claire likes to make and I learned how to do it from watching and helping her. You did the work, we just helped." Rob says not wanting to let her Pa think she didn't fix the lunch
"So Rob, does your Pa allow your sister to work with the horses too? If you boys help in the house does she help in the barn?" Mr. McGinnis asks. Rob hears just a little nastiness in his question but ignores it.
"No Sir, he doesn't allow Claire or my youngest brothers to work with the horses. He didn't let Joseph either until last year. Joseph kind of snuck around and trained a horse. When Uncle Ethan found out he punished Joseph for sneaking around but told him he could help work with the horses as long as he was supervising. George and Ben are nine and ten so he won't let them come near the wild horses. They can help brush and comb the other horses except the stallions."
"How many horses do you have at your house, Rob?" Aaron asks curiously.
"Uncle Ethan, Joseph and I all have our own horse. We have a team for the wagon and the boys have a pair of Shetland Ponies for their pony cart. Then we have whatever horses we are training for the Army or someone else. Most of the time we have about twenty horses on the ranch at a time. We only own seven though."
"TWENTY!' Aaron gasps. "How do you take care of all of them?"
"It's a lot of work when we have the wild horses to train. We all work together to take care of them Aaron."
"Well boys, I'd say it's time to go take care of the horses here. You may put your dishes in the dry sink when you are ready. Tonight after supper, we will talk some of the changes we're going to make around here." Mr. McGinnis announces.
Cord Ranch
Ethan is waiting at the train station to meet Matthew Carroll's train. He recognizes the younger man the instant he gets off the train. The man could be an older brother of Ben or Joseph they look so much alike. Stepping out from the shadow of the train station, Ethan asks "Mr. Matthew Carroll? I'm Ethan Cord."
"Mr. Cord! Really nice to finally get to meet you. I remember Lucy talking about her wonderful younger brother. She told me some tales of you as a boy. I adored your sister sir. She was always kind to me. I was really just a kid back then but she treated me decent. How are Claire and Joseph? They were little guys last time I saw them. They must be what ten and twelve now? I'm afraid I've lost track."
"All of the children are well. You do remember there are more than two?" Ethan asks as they start the trip to the ranch.
"I do. It's just I remember Ben as a baby on a blanket. I don't believe I ever met George. If I did, it was brief. Do they know I am coming to visit?"
"Yes, they all know. Please remember they do not know you. Claire remembered you some but the boys don't know you at all. Joseph is having difficulty accepting you as his uncle and may cause some problems. I've had a talk with him and he promised to behave. I want you to let me know if he acts out with you though. I will not allow disrespect from my children. They ARE my children. I adopted them last year. Just so you know."
"I am happy to hear that you are their parent. Lord knows, I don't want to raise children. If I ever do, I want to start with them as babies not half grown! You are a brave man to take on four children without a woman to help!"
"So I've been told more than twice! We had to adjust to each other but we make it work. They are all good children most of the time. Like most children they can get into trouble every now and again. I actually have five children. I have a fifteen year old ward, the son of a close friend. Rob came to live with us last November when my friend was killed. At this time he's working away from home but he will be back next week. "
"So which is easier raising five children alone or hunting down bad guys?" Matthew asks with a grin.
"Definitely hunting down bad guys, Matthew! At least with them I know what to expect!"
Pulling into the ranch yard, Ethan sees the door to the house open. Claire comes out leading Ben and George but Joseph is not with them. Walking up to the wagon, Claire gasps "Uncle Matty?"
"Hello beautiful. Are you really the little girl named Claire I used to know with long blonde pigtails? You can't be her you're too grown up looking! What are you thirteen now?"
"Claire is almost fifteen Uncle Matthew. Hi, I'm Ben and this is George. You might not remember us. We were babies when you knew Claire. I'm ten and he's nine. Joseph is around somewhere and he's the one who is thirteen but he'll be fourteen in the Fall. Claire will be fifteen next month and George and I just had birthdays. When is your birthday and how old are you?"
"Ben!" Claire scolds. "It is impolite to ask grown people their age."
Grinning at Matthew's startled expression, Ethan says "Well Ben isn't known for his shyness. Now that Mr. Talkative has introduced everyone would you like to go inside? The children can entertain you while I round up my missing thirteen year old."
"Yes, I think I would like to do just that. Thank you."
Thinking Joseph might have hidden where he could see but not have to talk, Ethan decides to check the treehouse first. He isn't surprised when the treehouse is empty. Joseph rarely climbs into it. Walking over to the barn he checks the first loft but doesn't find anyone. Climbing the ladder to the second loft, he sees Joseph lying on the hay facedown.
"Joseph! Sit up and look at me! What are you doing up here? Your Uncle Matthew has arrived and I expected you to be polite enough to meet us when he did! Instead, you hide in this forbidden loft! You know you are not allowed up here it's too dangerous."
"I couldn't meet him. I just couldn't! I want to stay here until he leaves Pa. Please don't make me go inside."
"We will talk about this after we climb down. Right now you are going to carefully go down the ladder right in front of me. I get on and you get on after. Understand me?"
"Yes sir."
After they are both on the barn floor, Ethan says "Explain to me why you thought going to the second loft to hide from your uncle is a good idea."
"I guess it wasn't. I just do not want to be reminded of my Papa. I want to forget all about him. Seeing his brother isn't going to help me do that. Please understand."
"I do understand son, but hiding out isn't going to help. You have to face this. Your uncle has come a long way just to meet you and Claire plus Ben and George. You are going to be well mannered and accept his visit. That's all there is to it! I will not say this again, Joseph."
"Yes Sir. Am I in trouble for hiding in the second loft?"
"Let's put it this way, If I ever catch you or hear of you going there again you will be doing everything standing up for the rest of that day or the next! You have received your one and only warning Joseph!"
"I understand and you won't hear of or see me there again. I'll go with you inside now." Joseph answers.
Coming inside, Joseph sees a taller older looking version of Ben. He has the same wavy hair and mischievous sparkle in his eyes that Joseph sees so often in his younger brother.
"Matthew, this is Joseph. Joseph, greet your uncle properly." Ethan says giving the boy a firm look.
"Hello Mr. Carroll. Welcome to the Cord ranch. We hope you enjoy your brief visit. What time does your train leave tomorrow?"
"Joseph! You'd better watch yourself son! You are treading water my boy!" Ethan says sternly as Claire gasps "Joseph, mind your manners. You are embarrassing me!"
Matthew recognizing the boy's feelings says "That was a nice welcome Joseph. Thank you for saying you hope I enjoy my stay. I'm looking forward to spending time getting to know all of you. I will be able to stay three weeks. It's amazing how much you and Ben look like your Pa and myself. Let's don't call each other mister. I'm Uncle Matt."
"Yes Mr. Carroll, you do favor our Pa in some ways. If you notice his hair is longer plus it's more wavy. Let's see he also has a slight beard and mustache, which you do not. If you grow those and put on a gunbelt every now and then, you would look a bit more alike." Joseph replies.
"Your Pa never wore a gunbelt or had a mustache and beard. He had wavy hair like yours." Matthew answers now confused.
"My true Pa is standing right here wearing a blue shirt and tan pants with black boots so look for yourself. Are those eyes of yours so bad you can't see well? Might you need to get some spectacles? I imagine Dr. Amy in town could help you with that problem."
Before Matthew can reply, Ethan has taken Joseph by the arm. "Excuse us please, Matthew. Joseph is the one who now has a problem. He and I need to have a discussion on good manners. Please make yourself at home. We will be back in a few minutes."
As Ethan escorts him towards the barn, Joseph realizes a little late, he has just pushed the limits too far. He tries his best to talk his way out of the trouble he fears is coming. He doesn't like the look on Ethan's face at all.
"Pa, I didn't meant it! I was just playing around. I'm sorry, I know what I said sounded rude. I'll go back in and apologize to him right now. Please Pa? Can't I have one more chance? I'll do much better this time."
Inside the barn now, Ethan answers by telling him "I warned you before he came to be respectful, I gave two warnings today, you ignored all three. I will not allow this behavior Joseph. The man is our guest and he is going to be treated respectfully. If you can not be respectful then you are going to find yourself unable to sit comfortably many times. The first will be now. Bend over the hay bale, Joseph!"
After applying his hand to the seat of Joseph's pants numerous times, Ethan tells him "You may stand up now." Obeying but rubbing his stinging backside, Joseph waits for what his Pa might be about to do or say next. He's pretty sure this isn't over yet.
"Joseph, you deserved a whipping for being so disrespectful but I didn't do it. The reason I didn't is I do understand how you are feeling. Angry, resentful, maybe just a little confused too. I want you to know, you were not punished for those feelings. But son, you have to show respect at all times no matter how you feel. If you act disrespectful towards your Uncle Matthew again while he is visiting, I will deliver that whipping you deserve to get. Consider this your very last warning! Do you hear me?"
Wiping his eyes and nose with his handkerchief, Joseph replies, "Yes sir, I understand, sir. I'll go apologize to Uncle Matthew. Do I have to go to my room for the rest of the day?"
"No, I want you to conduct yourself as you have been taught. You go in there and show your uncle how Joseph Cord can be the young gentleman I usually see."
"Yes sir."
"I will give you a few minutes to get yourself together and then I expect you inside ready to give Matthew a sincere apology." Ethan tells him.
"Yes sir, I will."
Back inside, Joseph walks over to stand in front of Matthew. "I apologize sir, for being so rude and disrespectful to you. Will you forgive me please? I can behave much better and I will. Would you let me start again Sir?"
"You better or you'll get another trip to the barn! Is your bottom sore Joseph?" Ben asks snickering. He wants to tease his brother more but after hearing his Pa say "That's enough Ben!" he knows not to open his mouth.
Watching Joseph's face turn red, Matthew leans over and whispers "I got myself a whipping many times for not watching my mouth when I was growing up. It must be something that boys just can not help." In a normal voice he continues "I accept your formal apology Joseph and yes, let's start all over."
Stretching out his hand he says "Hello Joseph, it's great to see you again. The last time we met you were a little fella. You are so grown up. In case you don't remember me, I am your Uncle Matthew."
"Hello Uncle Matthew, it's nice of you to visit. Welcome to The Cord Ranch and home of badly behaved boys." Joseph replies shaking his Uncle's hand.
"Uncle Matt, we have Shetland Ponies and a pony cart. Would you come outside to meet Dobbin and Daisy and see the cart? Joseph and Rob built it for us and Claire painted it. We got it for Christmas last year. You can ride in it if you want too." Ben says almost in one breath.
"Ben. Let Uncle Matthew have a chance to settle in first before you drag him off to have adventures. He's been traveling all day and is probably tired." Ethan reminds him.
"Are you tired Uncle Matt? Would you like to rest in your room? You're staying in Rob's room 'cause he's off working at another ranch. Rob's our oldest brother but he's not really our real brother we just call him that." Ben explains.
"Ben, you have the run off at the mouth disease. You talk more than any kid I've ever met! Thank you for making me feel welcome though and I would like to rest before we do any exploring." Matthew answers as Ethan just shakes his head at Ben.
"Ben, son, you really need to wind down now. You have been over excited all day today. Let's give the mouth a rest please. Uncle Matthew will have plenty of time to spend doing things with you and George."
"Yes Pa, I'll try to unwind now. I don't know who it was that wound me up in the first place."
This statement sends Joseph and Claire into giggles while George just looks puzzled.
"Papa, Ben doesn't have a little winding up key in his back the way toys do. How could someone wind him up?"
"It's just an expression George. I mean he's over excited and energetic." George nods his understanding while watching Joseph and Claire collapse on the bench still giggling. Thinking to himself, George says I just don't see what they think is so funny. Joseph and Claire seem to just get the giggles sometimes when I talk. I didn't think what I asked was so funny. At least Papa and Uncle Matthew didn't laugh at me. I guess Claire and Joseph are just being silly today.
"Uncle Matthew?"
"Yes George?"
"Papa told us that you are our first Papa's brother. I don't remember him much. Was he a nice brother or was he mean to you? Joseph has told me how our first Papa beat up on him and Ben and Mama too. Maybe he just got mean when he got to be a Papa."
Taken aback by this, Matthew looks to Ethan for help and an explanation. "Ethan? Is this the truth? Did Robert do that?"
"George, come here to me son." Ethan calls not answering Matthew yet.
When George reaches him, Ethan takes him over to a chair and sits down.
"Did I do something wrong Papa? I didn't mean to do or say something wrong!" George says, wondering if he might be about to get spanked.
"No George you didn't. You aren't in trouble young one. Let's just sit here together for a minute. I want to talk to Uncle Matthew and I want you to listen."
"Yes sir."
"Matthew, from the look on your face and your question, I take it you don't know how your brother treated his family."
"No, he treated them well when I visited. I stayed a week with them when George was born and he was a good Pa to the children. He was good to me too. He was thirteen years older than me so he kind of was more my Pa than my brother. He married at eighteen so he didn't live with me for long while I was growing up."
"Matthew, I don't want to get into the details at this time but I will say this. George is correct. Joseph, Ben and Lucy were all treated badly by your brother. If you would like to hear the details we can talk privately later tonight, when the children are asleep."
"I accept that offer, thank you. I find it hard to believe my brother would do such a thing!" Matthew answers, still looking pensive.