Guns and Switches Chapter 18: Alexandra Williameena Cartwright
Katherine's story so far….
Katherine; Alexandra's mother, lived with her mother; Williameena, and half sister Molly at the Star & Garter, a theatre in Elk, a small mining town in Utah.
Ten years ago a young Adam Cartwright visits Elk, Utah with his father and forms a relationship with Katherine. A daughter, Alexandra, was the result of that relationship.
Frank Hallett senior owned the Star and Garter. During a dispute with Katherine's mother Williameena; Willy, as she is known to her friends, Frank Hallett threatened and batters both women. Adam bursts in and struggles with the man, killing him when the gun goes off. Adam is seriously wounded in the altercation and lies unconscious for almost four days.
Ben Cartwright settles the legal ramifications and aides Williameena and Katherine.
Ten years later, Katherine having returned to the Start and Garter is found over the body of a young man; Darcy Plummer. She is charged with his murder.
After Molly contacts Adam, he rushes to Elk with Hoss to defend the woman. He finds her in a unfit mental state to defend herself; most of the time she is silent or rambling about her past. While Adam cannot prove her innocence, he does get a reduction on the severity of her punishment. She is transported to a facility in San Francisco, for the criminally insane.
As Adam and Hoss are about to head home, they are called into the local lawyer's office and told of Katherine's will and the existence of one; Alexandra Williameena Cartwright.
Frank Garner-Hallett is the illegitimate son of the Frank Hallett and has made legal claim to the Star and Garter. Alexandra alleges that a man, her mother called Frank Hallett, threatened her and her mother days before Darcy Plummer was killed.
A.N. I thought you all could do with the snippets of Alexandra's back story and the pieces put together. Boy this story got bigger than Ben Hur! Basically there were two murders, one over ten years ago and another one nearly two years ago, when Adam finds out about Alexandra. I hope to provide a whole story that will go into the details of this whole story, or at least about the day Adam got to bring Alexandra home.
Previously:
When visiting Roy, Adam and Alexandra come across a pearl handled gun that belonged to her mother. Frank Garner Hallet is believed to be in town, contesting ownership of the theatre in Elk. Alexandra steals the pearl handled gun.
Warnings: CP of a minor later in this chapter.
~oOo~
It had been two days since Adams and Marty's announcement. Alexandra has managed to keep her mother's gun hidden in the barn near little George's pen. She has been guilt ridden from the start about taking the gun and tried to return it the first day after school. Unfortunately her father picked her up, personally, from Hop Lings laundry and she had had no time to sneak the gun back. She and the gang had talked at length about her dilemma, but as yet no one had come up with an idea to safely return the gun. Alex came to the conclusion that she was just going to have fess up to it all. Besides; there had been some development with the allusive Frank Garner- Hallett and Alex had been assured that the man was no physical threat at this stage, though her father had still ordered her to stay with Hop Ling after school until he or Marty personally picked her up.
Ben and Adam met with Hiram first thing Monday morning. Hiram had received quite a large dossier from Garner – Hallett's lawyer, along with excerpts from his father's will that had been filed with a lawyer in Elk. Unfortunately, Jonathan Dean was the same lawyer that both Williameena and Katherine had used. While that was not unusual, most towns only had one lawyer and Jonathan Dean had managed the portfolios of most of the business' in the small mining town, it was unfortunate in that it could be easily seen as biased, thus one of the reasons Adam had retained Dew Kennedy in San Francisco to deal with Katherine's appeal. So, Hiram had the job of putting all the pieces together and making sure that everything was above board.
Any remaining assets belonging to Frank Hallett senior had been passed onto his next of kin, which had been Frank's brother Robert. There had been provisions made in Frank's will should he have any dependants at the time. But his illegitimate son, Frank Garner- Hallett had never been named nor his mother. Robert had wanted nothing to do with his brother's sordid business. He collected his brother's body, had him buried and left town. Ben had bought Robert's share of Frank's assets and put them in Katherine's and Williameena names. It was not a huge outlay for Ben, as Frank Hallett had gambled away a lot of his profits and shares; one's that Williameena had been slowly taking up. Williameena left Elk soon after, leaving the management of the Star and Garter in the capable hands of Ivan Koslov; Ivan The Magnificent.
Ben, Adam and Hiram had also met with Frank Garner-Hallett. He appeared sincere in his quest and had not threatened them in anyway. He was quite happy to sort this out legally and fairly, probably due to the fact that Adam had promised that; despite the young man' illegitimacy, if it was found that he was truly entitled to compensation, it would be delivered.
Just the same Adam's gut told him to be wary. There was something about the man that made him cringe. Adam put it down to Garner- Hallett's likeness to his father; who had been a despicable person, living off the misfortune of young women who had come across hard times. Additionally Adam believed the man had indeed threatened Katherine and his daughter. While Alexandra could dramatise any situation, she was intrinsically honest. However, Adam didn't want to rock that boat yet; not until they got word from Molly and the sheriff in Elk. So, he wouldn't mention that incident, nor the fact that he knew Garner - Hallett had somehow come into the possession of Katherine's gun.
The other interesting bit of information was the fact that Garner -Hallett knew that Adam had taken custody of Alexandra, but believed Adam had sent her to a boarding school. Frank Garner- Hallett had no idea that Alexandra was living with the Cartwrights. The man believed the child being born out of wedlock had been shipped away and out of sight, just like he and his mother had been all of twenty two years ago. Adam was happy to let him think that, and made sure that Alexandra would not be seen in town, not until they could confront Garner- Hallett on several issues and perhaps call Alexandra in as a witness.
Roy joined the discussion with Hiram, Adam and Ben; once the Hunter brothers had been arraigned. The judge had ordered a stay in the proceedings, as the original charges from Tuleburg, a growing town, now officially called Stockton, had been dropped and a young lawyer from there was on his way to defend the boys. Roy was happy about that. He had developed a soft spot for them and figured if their attempted robbery here was a result of desperation bought about from the false charges from Stockton, he was more than willing to lessen the charges. He impatiently awaited the boy's lawyer.
Frank Garner- Hallett had come in to claim his missing weapon on the Sunday night. Old Henry had been on duty at the jail while Roy slipped out for some much needed rest and food. Roy was happy about that fact, because it meant he was not telling any lies when came to the whereabouts of the man's weapon, or the suspicions that Adam Cartwright had regarding the man's involvement in Elk and the murder of one Darcy Plummer.
Old Henry did not have the keys to the safe and could not provide Garner-Hallett his property. However, he had the foresight to take the man's details and a statement, describing the alleged stolen property. Old Henry assured Garner-Hallett that if the gun turned up, Roy Coffee; the sheriff would contact him and return it.
This meant that Roy would have more time to collect information from the sheriff in Elk about the gun used to shoot Darcy Plummer- the crime Katherine had been charged and found guilty of, yet, thanks to Adam Cartwright's intervention at the time of her trial, had her sentence reduced because of her mental instability. The poor young women had since spent her time in a facility for the criminally insane in San Francisco. If indeed, Frank Garner-Hallett had threatened her or had witnessed any part of the killing, Adam's case for Katherine's appeal would be stronger.
Things had got a bit tricky, when Roy finally had the time to check the safe on Wednesday and found the gun missing. Adam had popped in, before picking up Alexandra that afternoon, to find Roy on all fours searching for it under the furniture.
"Roy? Lost something?" asked Adam coming through the doors.
Roy grasped the side of the desk and pulled himself up stiffly, blushing. "Ahh, Adam, Yes; I've got a bit of a problem?"
"Can I help?" offered Adam as he helped the older man up.
Roy, totally embarrassed about the situation, remained silent. He cursed himself, thinking he had been distracted from his responsibilities. Many of the town folks believed he was getting too old for this job, and while he knew Adam was not one of these, he had stared to doubt himself; misplacing possible evidence was jist downright negligent. "Sure Adam, but I'm sure I cin work it out on my own, If not you'll be the first I will come to. Now, what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"
"Just checking in; any word from Elk and the sheriff? Garner-Hallett is going to want answers by the end of the week at the latest."
Good, thought Roy, I've got some time to find this blasted gun. "None yet, but as soon as it gets here I'll send word. Garner- Hallett came in for his gun; gave a perfect description of it."
"Oh, you give it back to him?"
'Not yet," blushed Roy, "Ole Henry was here, didn't have the keys to the safe."
"Hmm, good, but you may have to give it back to him; if he is in possession of it our case will be stronger."
"Thinking that myself," mumbled Roy as he ran his hand through his hair.
"Roy, you alright?" asked Adam again, noticing the man's distracted demeanour.
"I'm fine Adam. I just have to check on a few things, can you watch the office a bit? I should be about half an hour. The Hunter brothers are still here, waiting for their lawyer from Stockton to show up. You know from what I hear he's a smart young feller; been working on some of the land disputes down there between the orchard growers, the railway and the ranchers. He might have some insights on your case too. He's been pushing land reform. Seems the Hunter brother's first bank robbery attempt arose from a dispute over their mothers land. They were conned out of their title and only went to rob the safety deposit box that held that title. This young lawyer has been able to get those charges dropped and got their land back for them. He jist might be a help to your case as well."
"I'll keep that in mind. Now you better get moving, I have to pick Alexandra up at Hop Ling's. I don't want her coming into C Street, in case Garner-Hallett spots her."
"Yep he's been watchin'. I've been watchin him watchin. He could get a bit skittish, Adam."
"I think as long as he thinks he has a good case, he'll stick around."
"Hope so," said Roy, as he grabbed his gun and headed out the door; determined to ask a few people some questions about the missing gun, including Alexandra, as if he remembered it rightly she was one of the few to have last seen the gun.
~oOo~
Alex twiddled her thumbs nervously as spoke to little George. She sat on the ground outside Carlacipo's stall, contemplating the severity of her actions that Sunday afternoon. At the time she had been so panicked at seeing her mother's gun, she had let it drive her to steal it; with the conviction that the man she had feared would not be able to carry out his threat and kill her father. The child had tossed and turned for the last three nights with guilt, knowing that she had done wrong and which would most probably earn her a switching from her father.
The sheriff coming to see her yesterday afternoon had made things worse. He'd asked about the gun and whether she remembered seeing him put it in the safe that afternoon. While Alexandra hadn't exactly lied, she did see the sheriff put the box in the safe and lock it, she didn't tell the sheriff the gun was not in the box, but tucked into the petticoats of her dress. Sheriff Coffee had looked disappointed, and Alex nearly came clean, but then Roy was gone, mumbling something about seeing Ole Henry.
Alexandra scrubbed at Little George's ears as the fluffy animal purred in her lap. "It ain't so much about the switching little George; though I ain't looking forward to it, I can say, but there's no way it could be worsa then my daddy getting shot or hurt by that bad man. That's why I took it."
Alexandra offered a carrot to her friend. The animal munched away, drawing the pony forward to investigate the smell of the juices. Alexandra pulled another carrot from the back pocket of her overalls and offered it to Carlacipo. Both animals were happy with the deal, but it was short lived as Alexandra continued on with her 'out loud' thinking. Something she couldn't do without moving her hands along with the carrots that she still held onto.
"It's just that I done promised Dad I wouldn't touch a gun without a grown up. Breaking a promise is bad, it's kinda of like lying too, which I also done now to Sheriff Coffee. I'm jist dug myself inta a deeper hole. I done promised dad fer the third time and I broke it for the third time." She gesticulated, with both animals tracking the thin orange treat she waved in her hand using their noses.
"I know he'll understand how I was thinking, and how I jist have a bad habit of panicking and all and not really thinking things through, but that don't mean he ain't gonna be disappointed, cause I broke the promise."
Carlacipo whinnied, before taking hold of the carrot being waved around her nose, and pried from the child's hands. "Oh sorry girl, here ya go." Alex turned back to little George and gave him his carrot, then continued while her confidants munched on.
"Threes a pretty important number ya know and breaking three promises is almost a downright sin. There's the holy trinity, God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, not bad ghost; a good ghost. Then there was the three loaves of bread and two fishes, mighta been three fishes and two loaves- can't remember, but they done fed everybody. Three crosses, Jesus the Lord had the middle one. It was the highest one too. There are three Cartwright sons and three ways ta skin a rabbit… oops sorry Little George. Even Dad says threes important. There's a thing called the golden mean, and the rule of thirds he uses when he's designing buildings and three legs on a tripod are better than two, wonder why we ain't got three legs. Hmmm, come ta think of it; ain't no animal with three legs most got four or two, some none but none with jist three. Spiders have six; guess we could count that as two lots of three."
Alex paused, took a breath and went on, "Anyway three's a real important number and breaking a promise three times is real bad, just like Peter when he denied Jesus in the garden three times; don't reckon I feel that bad though. I'm thinking I'm gonna hafts own up to it, cause I can't stand it. I've tried ta put it back, but I ain't been able ta get to the Sheriff's Office. Besides, I should trust dad more and Sheriff Coffee; they'd know how ta shoot real good. They knows how ta protect their selves… and they been talking to Hiram and I reckon they got things all planned out, cause nothin' bad has happened. I shoulda trusted them more."
Alexandra picked up Little George and put him back in his pen. She then moved to the pile of soiled straw she had removed from her pony's stall and started to pile it in to the wheelbarrow. "Sherriff Coffee gonna be real disappointed in me too. I suppose I done stole evidence in a way, even though it's really momma's gun, and reckon it should rightly be mine, as it was given to my momma from her momma that had been given to her by my grandpa, who I done never met. But I didn't think it through, rightly. Now I'm thinking about that Frank Garner- Hallett. How they gonna ask that Frank Garner-Hallet about how he got my momma's gun when he don't actually have my momma's gun. Sheriff Coffee hasn't figured it was me that took it at all, but that's only a matter of time I reckon. He trusts me, corse that only makes me feel worsa. I'm gonna hafta fess up afore Dad finds out."
"I know I'd just be happy ifin my dad jist give this bad man some money and went away, and never come back but dad ain't gonna do that. Not cause he's stingy mean or nothing; because he don't reckon its right. Wish I had me my own money. I'd give it ta him and ask him never to come back. Thoughs, I don't wanna see him at all. I wish I could sell my share of the theatre and jist give him the money and never come back. I shoulda thought of that instead of stealing the gun."
"I reckon ifin I had a hundred dollars and I gave it to him he'd never come back. I could loan it offa someone, I guess; Grandpa has a lot of money in his safe, but don't reckon he'd give it to me and I ain't takin it without asking or leavin' an IOU there like I done one time with Ivan The Magnificent. He weren't none too happy bout that. Done tanned my backside real good, says it was stealin'. Corse it was his lucky money an all, but I didn't know that. He use ta make it disappear and reappear all the time one time he made it disappear then come back in the Lovely Delia's bosom. Wish I could make money disappear and appear like that then I'd send it to that man and tell him ta go away. Josh would do it fer me. I'd give him a penny ta delivers it and he could say; this is from Alexandra Williameena Cartwright, NOW PIS…"
"Alexandra you nearly finished your chores, breakfast is ready," yelled Adam, as he came through the barn doors.
"Oh, Dad…Jist about!"
Adam walked into the barn and looked around. "Hey look at this; you've mucked out the whole barn, you done your other morning chores?" He asked.
"Yes sir, collected the eggs firsts up."
"Sir?" enquired Adam. Alexandra rarely called him sir, "Alex what's going on? You must have been up since the crack of dawn to get all these chores done?"
"Yes guess I was, only cause I couldn't sleep and well I needed ta think about things."
Adam moved over and took the pitchfork from Alexandra then led her over to the hay bale and sat down. He stood her in front of him, "Okay I'm all ears." He announced inviting her to tell him what was worrying her.
Alexandra giggled, "All ears, Dad, you'd sure look funny with a face full of ears. Don't know that would be the best thing anyway, fer hearin' and all; yer wouldn't be able to tell what was going on from where and who half the time. If I had the chance ta have extra body parts, I think I would have extra … hmm hands then I could do more things at once like…"
"Alexandra," interrupted Adam, "What's the matter, you worried about Frank–Garner?"
"Frank Garner- Hallett, dad, he ain't a nice man."
"He can't hurt you. He can't hurt me, sweetheart."
"He can, Dad."
"You think Roy is going to let that happen or any of your Uncles, they have our backs here too Alexandra. He is in our town; in our space we have the upper hand. He also is attempting to do this the legal way; otherwise he would have carried out that threat. I think he knows that we are not a vulnerable young mother and her child. Besides, Roy has been able to hold off on giving his gun back."
Alexandra fell into her father's arms, relieved. "You are so smart, daddy. I wish I was as smart as you." She mumbled in the crook of his neck.
"You are smart and brave and lots…"
Alexandra lifted her head and put her finger on her father's lips, "No shhh, dad…"
Adam looked surprised, then frowned.
"Oh daddy, keep yer eyebrows still; yer distractin' me." Alexandra laid her small palms on each side of his face and tried to push Adams eyebrows up. She easily succeeded as Adam started to laugh… "I ain't so smart. I did something really stupid and I done broke another promise, and I lied ta Uncle Roy; well sort of. I don't know what I should do about it all."
Adam pulled her hands down and stopped laughing; taking on a more serious tone, he asked. "Start by telling me, Alexandra."
"How bout I show yer, Dad." Alexandra went over behind Little George's pen and pulled out a small flour sack from behind it. She returned to stand in front of her father and then handed him the sack with a huge sigh.
Adam opened it and pulled out the small pearl handled gun that had belonged to Katherine. He looked at it and checked the chamber, finding it empty of its bullets was relieved—somewhat. "How did you get this Alexandra?" he said with his jaw slightly clenched.
"I took it from Uncle Roy's office when he weren't looking."
"You took it from Sheriff Coffee's office…"
"Uncle Roy, dad."
"Young lady, referencing him as a family member instead of the law, on this particular occasion isn't going to save your hide."
"I know dad, I'm giving myself up here; yer ain't making it easy."
"Believe me, little girl, this is the easy part."
"Daddy, I know I done broke my promise again… I…"
"You are not supposed to take or touch a gun without the permission from an adult, Alexandra, or only if you are in an emergency situation. But, it's not only that; you took this from an officer of the law; that is a crime, you have stolen evidence. This is not just about a broken promise to me."
"Dad, I took it because I wasn't thinking. I figured if Frank Garner–Hallett didn't have a gun he couldn't hurt anyone, besides it's my gun, ain't it; really and all? It's like a technicasuality or something like that. Can't we take it back, give it ta Roy. You done said, Frank Garner-Hallett ain't come looking fer it, yet."
"You mean technicality, Alexandra, and that's a matter of opinion. Semantics really…" Adam paused suddenly recalling Roy's behaviour the day before.
"Alexandra, does Roy know this is missing?"
"Yes dad, but he thinks he jist put in the wrong spot."
"Why does he think that, Alexandra?"
Alex went beet red with shame. "Cause he came and seen me yesterday afternoon. He asked me ifin I seen him put the gun box in the safe. And well I did see him put it the safe, but I knowed the gun wasn't in there, cause I done took it out when he wasn't looking. But, he didn't ask me that dad, he jist asked me ifin I seen him put it the safe and I did, so dad it's sorta another techncasualty."
"It's a lie Alexandra, a big lie of omission, which is the same as an out and outright lie and one to the Sheriff, which technically is..."
"Dad, can we take it back or not?"
"We can, that we can do, right after breakfast. Where are the bullets?'
"They're in my room, dad. I'll go get them."
"You do that, and then we'll be coming back here, we're going to have a serious conversation this time, about handling guns. You broke your promise, but I won't be breaking mine. Not this time Alexandra; the technicasuality is going to be your backside."
"I figured as much dad, but I want yer ta know, it's not why I done not told yer till now. I wanted ta put it back. But, I ain't had the chance, and I wanted ta not give that bad man the means ta shoot yer, but, honest, daddy, I didn't like keeping this secret and I know you working on fixing the situation up and I probably done made it worsa."
"I'm glad to hear that you feel remorse, because at least it seems my message is staring to get through. I don't think you've made our case worse, though Roy will have to give him back this gun, when the time is right. We've got lots of things is place, Alexandra, missing evidence would have caused a big problem, but we'll get it back to Roy in time. More importantly it was a very dangerous thing to do. The gun could have gone off; it had been loaded; it could have gone off when you unloaded it or was hiding it. Tell me you weren't thinking of using it."
"No daddy, I unloaded it straight away. I'm real sorry, Daddy," she stated, feeling at least some relief with the confession and well aware that she was not going to get out of the consequences of her actions, though hoping she could lessen the severity. "You want me ta bring yer ma hair brush to yer, you know for..."
"No, Hop Sing found the remnants of that in the fire place, you don't have one, if I remember it rightly."
"Yes, Sir, I been borrowing Uncle Hoss's; he don't need it so much- had him thinking his hair was growing back for a while. I didn't have the heart ta tell him it's was my hair in the brush. I can always fess up there too, dad, I guess he'd lend it to you."
"I'm sure he would, but…"Adam stood up, "but, we have a switch all ready cut; it's in the gun cabinet, there to remind you. It's going to remind you now."
Adam lead Alexandra into the house then sent her upstairs with a swat to her backside, "Get the bullets and bring them to me," he instructed.
"Yes, sir," sighed Alexandra; all hopes dashed, she trudged her way to the bottom of the stairs.
As she arrived, Alexandra then scooted up the stairs and passed her grandfather on the way.
"Hey there, little girl, what about a good morning hug," he asked cheerfully.
"Sure, Grandpa," Alex jumped up and grabbed him around his neck, pulling him down to her level, and then smothered him in kisses.
"Well, now that's an awful lot of kisses this morning. They are sure gonna last me the whole day," he laughed.
"Alexandra!" called Adam from the big room, realising she had been delayed.
Alex let go of her grandfather, and looked back over her shoulder, "Sure hope so, Grandpa," she sighed again and took off to her room.
As Ben came down the stairs he suddenly stopped when he noticed Adam at the gun cabinet unlocking it from a key he'd retrieved on the high hook just above it.
'Adam, what's going on?"
"Alexandra stole back Katherine's gun from Roys office Sunday afternoon."
"What?"
"She wanted to make sure Garner-Hallet didn't get it back."
"Why thet little scallywag, not a safe way to…"
"Yeah," said Adam as he pulled out one of the three switches they had left in the cabinet after Alexandra had hidden all the guns weeks before.
"And now you're going to punish her, using that?" said Ben pointing to the switch Adam now had in his hand.
"Yes Pa, I am, because that was the threat and this is the third time she's disrespected the rules. I know she doesn't think things through and her motivations may be honourable, but she's too impulsive; I have to do something about this recklessness. She is going to get herself killed if I don't get her thinking before she acts, especially about this sort of thing. This method worked on me, worked on Joe, it will work on her too. Plus she burnt her hairbrush."
"Yes, I know, Hop Sing told me about it. Figured she'd been using Hoss'. I didn't have the heart to tell him his hair wasn't thickening up again. He found Alexandra's hair in it. Corse he got worried all over again when there was more hair in it and thought he was losing his new sprout too. Joe nearly gave it away a couple of times, but well it was a bit of fun…"
"Pa! This is serious. This isn't going to be fun," he frowned holding up the switch, "I don't want to use this on her, but… I don't know if I can…"
"You're her father, Adam, and you need to do something about her disobedience and recklessness. Yes, I would have done the same thing; you wouldn't have sat for a month of Sundays, if you'd done something like that. But, don't let what I would have done dictate what to do now. All children are different. You a reasonable man, a good father, trust your instincts Adam; it's worked, not just with Alexandra but also those times you dealt with Joe in my place. Joe and Alex are quite similar in many ways. What would you have done with Little Joe at that age?"
Just then Joe and Hoss walked in from the kitchen, wiping their hands ready for the breakfast Hop Sing had almost finished preparing. They stopped short when they spotted their father and older brother, switch in hand, talking by the big fireplace.
"What's going on?' asked Joe.
"Nothing," said Ben, "Adam is dealing with an issue between him and Alexandra."
"Don't look like nothin'," snapped Joe, and then looked up as Alexandra appeared at the top of the stairs.
Adam followed Joe's gaze and waved her down then held out his hands for the bullets. The child placed them in the palm of his hands looking up into his concerned face, "I'm sorry dad, I'm sorry, I disappointed yer agin."
Adam nodded, "Okay, I know you are, but we're still going to have this necessary discussion."He then pointed towards the big door with the switch, "To the barn, now, off you go."
Alexandra turned on her heal and walked slowly towards the door. Adam followed pausing at the table and stared into the face of a concerned and angry Little Joe.
"You're going to switch her, Adam? She's too, little… what could she have possibly done to…"
"Same as you little brother," said Adam and laid the gun on the table along with bullets. Joe's eyes went wide, realising now, the severity of the situation. "If I remember rightly; I caught you twice with guns when Pa was away," continued Adam. "The first time you were eight, the next twelve."
"Yeah I remember; I remember that switch burnin' like the dickens that second time, but your hand got the message the first time."
Adam smirked then raised an eyebrow at his teenage brother. "Not loud enough or I wouldn't have had to use the switch the second time or a third."
"There weren't any third time, Adam."
"Exactly, Little Joe!" With that Adam headed for the door, more forlorn than Alexandra had been about the fate about to befall her.
As Adam closed the door, Joe turned to Ben, "Pa don't you think he is being a bit harsh?"
"No Joe, he won't be unreasonable, now sit down and start breakfast, and perhaps we can have a discussion about the times I was away and you were playing with guns." Ben asked firmly.
"Oh Pa, it was over five years ago; really I can't even remember the details," Joe laughed nervously. "Why am I'm panicking I'm an adult now, I learnt my lesson way back then and Adam dealt with it; he was reasonable, but stern and he said he was going ta leave it at that and not tell you, unless I did it again. He was…"
"Fair," said Ben, "Now pass the eggs, boy!" Ben glared at Joe, giving him the very distinct message; he was still just that, a boy in his father's house under his father's rule.
~oOo~
Adam walked into the barn to find Alexandra scrubbing Carlacipo's ears. He walked over to the hay bale and sat down, placing the switch beside him. "Come here, Alexandra." He said quietly.
Alex moved over, never stalling, but tentatively just the same. She came and stood between her father's legs. Then took a huge breath and sighed.
"Alexandra, first I want to tell you that I am very pleased you told me you took the gun. You knew what the consequences would be and decided it was better to be honest and tell me what you had done to Uncle Roy. You have a strong sense of right and wrong which makes me proud you are my daughter. I also want you to understand. I never want you to play with guns…"
"I weren't playing dad, I …"
Adam put his finger gently on her lips… "shhh no interrupting. You are my little girl and it would break my heart if something happened to you. I do not want you to ever play with guns, handle a gun or even have to touch a gun, but I know that is unfair of me to ask. I realize we live in a harsh land and it would be unfair and irresponsible of me to ask that from you. You may need to defend yourself, protect your loved ones when you are older. But, you need to think when you make that decision. The rules are, until you are an adult or in immediate danger…"
"But, you were in danger dad," defended Alex.
"I was not, not in any immediate danger. We've talked about this and you know it, otherwise you would not have felt so guilty about it. The other thing you need to understand Alexandra is I love you, so much, I can't even quantify it, it's unconditional and…"
"But, I disappoint you, which is the worst feelin' of all, daddy, because I know how much you love me and I love you."
"Alexandra, you have never disappointed me, only your actions, and only a few of them. But, it angers and worries me when you place yourself in danger. This world is dangerous enough without you placing yourself purposely in life threatening situations. This is why the consequences of your actions at these times will be severe. To scare you some, but mainly to make you think next time before you touch a gun or take a risk and put your life is in danger. I don't enjoy punishing you or reminding you in this way and it hurts me to cause you the pain of the reminder, but..."
"Every time, Dad; does it really hurt you every time you punish me, even when you send me to the corner, or send me to my room, or give me extra chores? Maybe you should jist make me stay home for a whole month and not go ta school. I would have to work my fingers to the bone. I know, Hop Sing would make me work real hard in his garden, Uncle Hoss would make me help with the animals. I could even help Uncle Little Joe with the brandin fires. I could read to Grandpa when his eyes get too tired…And I could help you dad by you not havin ta spank me and be so sad, or mad or guilty…"
Adam smirked, "It doesn't always pain me to swat your backside, little girl, or put you across my knees for a well-deserved paddling for your antics. However, I would feel terribly guilty if I didn't teach you right from wrong, teach you to develop your own principals and stand by them, but most of all I would feel negligent and guilty if I didn't keep you safe."
Alexandra threw herself into her father's arms, "I'm sorry, Daddy."
Adam patted her back then lifted her back to face him again, then started to unbutton the stapes on her overalls. Alexandra's' eyes went wide then she started to tear up.
"You gonna switch me bare daddy, No…" she quivered shaking her head.
"No Alexandra, I'm going to spank you bare first with my hand then add three strikes with the switch, over your cotton bloomers. It should be enough to drive home the consequences." As Adam yanked her overalls down, her night shirt unfolded. "Alexandra, why have you got your night shirt on under your overalls?"
"I got up early dad; it was too cold ta take everything off afore I put everything on. But its right handy now, so I was hopin' that it was a good idea; might give me some extra padding…"
Adam shook his head, "It might have," he quipped, as he lifted her off the ground and out of her pooled britches and then over his knees. He lifted up the tail of her night shirt and bunched it up and her waist. Alexandra started to wriggle almost instantaneously as the cool air signalled the state of her vulnerable bottom.
Adam applied a quick sharp slap, "No kicking Alexandra. Now you tell me why you are over my knee, this very moment."
"Because yer gonna spank me dad, and then feel real guilty about it."
"Not this time, little lady. You're getting this spanking for stealing that gun from Roy's office. This part of the spanking is for that. Stealing," smack, "and then lying," Smack, he herald, punctuating each word with the palm of his hand flat and firm on her upturned bare backside.
Alexandra yelped with each swat, wriggling her feet which dislodged her unlaced boots, and then she flew her hand back to rub at the sting.
Adam grabbed it and pinned it gently to the folds of her nightgown. "What's the spanking for Alexandra?"
"Stealing and lying, Dad."
Adam added another two sharp swats.
"Owww, owwwee," yelled Alexandra.
"And why is stealing and lying a bad thing, Alexandra?" asked Adam, pausing. He rested his hand on her lower back, giving her the time to answer between her sniffles.
"Because, yer can go to jail ifin yer steal and well… lyin'; yer can never trust a liar…That right dad?" asked Alexandra, swinging her face back and throwing her big pleading eyes at Adam.
"Yes sweetheart, stealing is dishonourable. You never take something that doesn't belong to you; that… That you haven't earned."
"But dad," sniffed Alexandra, "the gun don't belong ta him, its momma's."
"Right now; it doesn't belong to you either and it was in Roy' safe for a very good reason. You tricked him to get it; which is just like a lie and you snuck it out; that was a theft. Then you didn't own up to it when he asked you about it; another lie. Your reasons are understandable, but you were wrong. You will not steal or lie again. I need to be able to trust you. No more lies, Alexandra."
Adam continued to pepper her backside, adding another six sharp smacks to each of her small cheeks, stopping when Alexandra stated to sob and her bottom glowing pink. He lifted her up and sat him on her lap and then reached for her overalls, sliding then up her legs. "Alexandra we aren't finished. Do you remember what I said were the consequences for touching a gun?"
"Yes dad, you said I'd be getting a switchin'."
"That's right," He said, pulling her britches up further, so that they covered her backside. "I want it to sting like the dickens so you'll remember, but I don't want it to break your skin. So, lay over the hay bale," ordered Adam.
Tears sprung to Alexandra's eyes just at the thought of the sting about to come her way. She'd always figured this was a likely outcome as soon as she took the gun. But, it had been worth the risk and still, she felt, worth the pain. She kept silent about that though, not knowing whether such an admission would add to her punishment or not.
Adam decided to work quickly; he'd almost faulted when Alexandra had started to tear up again. He really believed he needed to follow through with a harsher discipline, as the other spankings and warnings had not deterred her. He hoped like hell this worked, because he felt like a heel, nothing like he had so many years ago, when he'd administered a similar thrashing to Little Joe. He took a huge breadth as he grabbed the switch. Alexandra went to crane her head over her shoulder to look at him, "Eyes forward, Alexandra", as soon as the child turned back he swung the switch and bought it down with a stinging bite to her denim clad backside.
Alexandra squealed, and immediately jumped up from her place over the hay bale. She hopped up and down on the spot, rubbing her backside furiously; so much for the bunched up hem of her nightdress providing any padding. Her father had managed to strike at the very bottom of her buttocks. "Daaaaadddy…" she barely managed a strangled plea.
"Alexandra Williameena a Cartwright, bend back over the hay bale. You have two more strokes coming."
Alex nodded. With her lip quivering and her tears flowing, she stepped towards the hay bale and leant over. As soon as she was still enough, Adam laid down another quick sharp strike.
This time Alexandra yelped and dropped forward over the bale and scrabbled to her feet. Turning, she faced her father sobbing, "Daddy…. I'm … no more please, it hurts so bad."
"Alexandra, come here," Adam asked quietly. "It's supposed to hurt; it's supposed to be worse than the last time, so that you won't touch a gun again, EVER."
Alexandra shook her head.
"Alexandra do not defy me. "
"I ain't …defy…in yer dad… I ain't ….sayin… no to the…the… switchin'," she sobbed trying to get her breath and to explain to her father.
"One more to go, Alexandra."
Alexandra wailed with frustration and pain, as she slowly lay across the hay bale again. But she could not still her wracking sobs.
Adam couldn't stand it, while he felt compelled to carry out the selected punishment; he believed two smacks with the switch were enough. He was also acutely aware that Alexandra was close to her limit, another switch was not going to impart the message he wanted her to receive in her present emotional and distraught state. He moved over to the hay bale and sat down beside her, then started to pull her overalls down again.
Alexandra panicked and started to cry harder, thinking she was going to receive the last smack on her bare backside; a warning her father had given her long ago. However, she did not move from her position, except for her head. She scrubbed at the tears, trying to still her quavering voice. "Daddy… I promise… never to touch…. A …a… nother gun… not with …out … what…you said, …It hurt so badddd,…but… not as bad, ifin you … got…shot…Not …as bad, daddy, ifin I…didn't have you…as my…my…Daddy," she wailed.
Adam stood her up, and looked into her tear streaked face. He sighed and picked up the switch and then snapped it in half against his thigh and threw it away towards the open door of the barn. Alexandra was right; her first lesson with the switch was one she had learned well. There was nothing that he or his brothers would do if it meant they could save the other; including a severe switching. There was nothing worse than the pain of losing a loved one.
Adam recognised Alexandra's motivations as just that. He wished she could have thought more clearly, but it was not so. He just hoped they both could survive long enough for that maturity to come. But this lesson was over. Any more physical chastisement or reminder regarding this misdemeanour was useless and unnecessary.
Alexandra never took her eyes off her father. She scrubbed at her face calming her breathing as she went. Adam pulled her toward him and leant her on his shoulder. He then lowered her britches and lifted the bunched up hem of her nightgown out of the way and checked her rear end. It was well worn and red, with two distinct horizontal welts across the middle of her bottom. But, no skin had been broken and the red angry welts were barely raised.
"You'll live, little girl," he smirked as he replaced the overalls and pulled her onto his lap. "What am I gonna do with you?" he almost sighed in resignation.
"Don't be sad daddy, you done… warned me," she sniffed, "and it does hurt like the dickens, and I promise I won't touch anymore guns… unless my life… or yours depends on it...or anybody's."
"Alexandra, that's a promise I know you will try and keep. I just don't want what happened to your momma to happen to you. She accidently killed another person. She was scared and believed he would hurt her. She believed she was defending herself, but she was wrong. I know she wasn't quite… well…"
"Right in the head, daddy…Only I don't understand…"Alexandra tried to slow her hitched sobs."Why she thought Darcy would hurt her…Ifin it he was someone else, …or …or… somebody she didn't know, she might shot them or try ta scare them… like she done when people tried ta get outs payin or try ta steal a kiss from one of the girls… But, momma knew Darcy; she knew he wouldn't…hurt her," she hiccupped.
Adam cupped her small face, stroking her cheeks and wiping at the tears. As she calmed, he spoke softly. "She didn't darlin', that just it; she wasn't in her right mind she was re-living another time a long time ago. She imagined she was fighting someone else."
"Daddy, momma was a… good momma. She was sad sometimes and… sometimes she would have bad dreams, and sometimes she would jist lock herself away and paint. She didn't want ta see me even…She'd jist get lost sort of for a little while and… then…then she would be okay."
"Shhh Shhhh, Momma was a good momma, shh shh, now," he soothed. Perhaps if Frank- Garner did come and threatened her she…"
"No, IF, dad; he was there. She thought he was the first bad man. And she was scared then, but she didn't kill him, she got her gun out, but the man took it off her. Then she got real scared when I come in."
"Yes baby; real scared, so scared that three days later when Darcy came up at night, she may have thought it was him again, or his father and she shot Darcy by mistake. She didn't wait to see who it was; she just acted without thinking letting her fear consume her. It consumed her so bad, that she couldn't even talk, she barely recognised me when I came to help, and when she did finally guess who I was she just kept talking about what happened all those years ago."
Alexandra nodded, and then buried her head in her father's chest. "I'm sorry, Daddy; I won't let my fear consummate me agin."
"Consume, sweetheart, and that's good. I don't want you to be scared at all, but there will be times that you will be afraid of different things in this life, even nice things, like being a momma, falling in love, getting a job or having to testify in court; tell on someone for doing something wrong. You can be scared, but you need to learn not to let the fear cause you to make fast or bad decisions; things could get a lot worse."
"Like being scared of Mrs Jones maths test and then cheating?"
"Yes, that's a good example."
"Gosh dad I got a lot of things not ta be scared of and get con…con.."
"Consumed."
"Yeah that. I don't reckon I'll be able ta think clearly every time, dad. Like this time, I needed to practice a trick with Ivan, but he was real busy. He was trying ta work out a trick where he cut his lovely assistant Delilah in half without really cutting her in half, and he couldn't afford ta get it wrong when he was practicing, because the lovely Delilah had real long legs, everyone said it was part of her appeal, not like mommas appeal with the courts and all, but she could afford to lose her appeal or anything else really I guess. Well I needed him ta teach me the trick about making money make babies, little monies, but I was too scared ta interrupt him, in case he slipped, and so I jist borrowed some money and practiced on my own, but he done thought someone stoleded his money and everybody had this real, big row and then…"
Adam put his fingers on her lips, glad to some extent she'd got her breath back. "Just do your best and without touching a gun… EVER!" he firmly reiterated.
"Even iffin I'm grown up? I might wanta be a sheriff, especially ifin I learnt ta control ma fear an all, I'd make a real good sheriff then wouldn't I, dad?"
"Somehow, I think you would, but don't expect people will vote for a girl."
"I'll be a woman, dad, but I'll dress up like a man, then…"
"Come on, enough chatter. Your punishment is over and it's time for school, and you still haven't had breakfast. Little Joe will think I murdered you."
'Okay dad, but jist one more thing I don't understand."
Adam pinched the bridge of his nose. Alexandra had a healthy and powerful gift for bouncing back after one of their discussions. While he was glad of it, it could still give him a headache. "Hmmmm?"
"How did momma shoot Darcy iffin Frank-Garner took her gun when he scared her; what did she shoot Darcy with, Dad, she didn't have another gun? And even iffin Frank gave her back the gun later, or jist threw it down after I done took off. Even iffin momma got it back and did shoot Darcy with her gun, then how did Frank- Garner get the gun after that. Ifin momma shot Darcy with her gun, how come the sheriff in Elk don't have momma's gun?"
Adam stared into his innocent child's face; his innocent and very smart little girl. "They are some very good questions Alexandra… very good questions indeed, ones that I will find the answers to. Sherriff Foster is sending me some information that may shed some light on that, and then I will be asking Mr Garner- Hallett those very same questions."
Alexandra's eyes went wide, "No dad, don't ask him, please just give him the money and tell him to go. Find out another way, dad, please."
"Whoa…We are not going to start this again. Remember to stay calm and I will find a way to sort it out; find the answers without spooking him or putting either of us in danger. He will get his just deserves. If he is innocent I will give him the money, but if he had anything to do with Darcy's death or the reason your mother is jail charged with a murder, he will pay for that."
Alexandra nodded, "Okay, dad."
"Good; stay level headed my smart girl."
~oOo~
Joe jumped up as Adam and Alexandra entered the house. Ben placed his hand on his youngest sons arm, quietly urging him to sit back down. It was obvious to Ben that both his oldest son and granddaughter had been through an emotional experience. Both physically unscathed, it appeared, but for Alexandra's tear stained cheeks and red face. Ben could also tell Adam was deep in thought, and didn't need a confrontation with Joe.
"Come and get some breakfast, you two. You can be late to school for one day, Alexandra."
Alex smiled, "Good idea Grandpa."
"Actually Pa, I want to get to town as soon as possible. We have a meeting with Garner- Hallett tomorrow, and I need to return the gun."
Alexandra looked up worry creasing her brow.
Adam picked up her chin and wiped some of the grime off her face with his thumb, "Alexandra and I might pack ourselves a little picnic breakfast basket and eat on the way. But, she will need to get dressed and washed up for school."
Hoss who had stayed quiet most of the morning and had barely finished his breakfast, jumped up and put his napkin on the table. "I'll help Alexandra, Adam; you get yourself some hot coffee. Whatta say, Pumkin, can I help you get ready fer school?"
"Sure thing Uncle Hoss, I never had a picnic breakfast afore; we can call it a pickfast."
Little Joe laughed, glad to see his niece back to her old self, "Hey, Pip Squeak, that's what we have every morning, you gotta pickfast, if you wanna eat before old Hoss inhales the spread."
Hoss chuckled as he hauled Alexandra up the stairs over his shoulder. "Hmm sounds real good, I'm gonna have me one of them pickfast one of these days."
Once in Alexandra's room, Hoss went to the cupboard while Alex washed her hands and face at the water bowl by her bed. She then grabbed a small long brush; a toothbrush her grandpa called it. Some fancy dentist that had come to Virginia City sold it to him, saying that it was good dental hygiene to brush your teeth every day. Alexandra was happy to comply, when her Grandpa pointed out old Henry toothless grin, saying that she would look like that if she didn't take care of her teeth. The only yucky thing was Hop Sing's paste that he'd concocted, from some Bi -Carb Soda, cloves and the gargle he had made when Alexandra had a throat abscess. She scrubbed at her teeth then rinsed with water, then drank a full glass to wash away the hot taste.
"I wish Hop Sing could make a paste that cleaned yer teeth and tasted like candy," she grumbled.
"Yeah thata be real good. Maybe he could put some lemon drops in it," suggested Hoss, as he laid her petticoat, dress and apron on the bed.
Alexandra surveyed the arrangement. "I reckon I better wear at least three petticoats today, Uncle Hoss."
"Okay Pumkin," he grinned, then turned back to the chest of drawers to retrieve two more petticoats.
Alex took the opportunity to drop her overalls and pull off her socks. She grabbed her cotton drawers and slipped them under the length of her night shirt and tied the drawstring. By the time Hoss returned with petticoats, she was trying to button up the back of them.
"Here let me help you with that," said Hoss sitting down on the bed and placing her in front of him. Hoss was relieved to see no raised welts on the child's backside, and figured while Adam may have been firm, he hadn't been too harsh. "You know, I don't reckon yer daddy will approve of three petticoats; a paddling is supposed ta be a reminder fer a long time."
Alexandra turned around, "Don't need a sore butt ta remind me no more, Uncle Hoss; Dad and I we decided that using our smarts…" said Alex pointing to her head, "is a lot better than letting fear rule yer head and do something dangerous."
"Well that is good news, Sweet Pea, cause I'd be mighty upset ifin you done hurt yerself with that gun. I don't want yer touchin one agin neither. I also don't want yer ever ta have to earn another switchin' from yer daddy, or even one of us; yer hear me, now?" Hoss gave a gentle warning and support for her father.
"Yes, but Uncle Hoss, I gotta be real honest with yer, a switchin' hurts like the dickens, but it didn't hurt near as much as when I thought that man would hurt my daddy. It ain't the switchin that changed my mind about touchin guns without good reasons. I jist figured like daddy says, there is gotta be a better way without anyone getting themselves killed or hurt bad."
"Good Girl, ifin yer need any help with figurin out something, jist ask," smiled Hoss.
"Hmmm, Thanks," smiled Alex, while chewing on her fingernails, thinking about another way she could help out and get rid of Frank Garner- Hallett fer good. An Idea suddenly came to mind. "Ahh…Ummm, Uncle Hoss? Can you lend me a quarter?"
"What fer?"
"Ohh, well it's a surprise, for Daddy."
"In that case; sure thing, Possum. Now, let's see ifin your dress does up with all these petticoats under it, then we better get a start on this hair of yours. You got yer hairbrush there?"
"Oh, ahhh…Nope! I lost it," claimed a bright eyed Alexandra.
"Well then yer best go borrow mine then… like yer been doing these past months."
"What? Yer done knowed all this time?"
"Yup, yer cheeky little squirrel, yer can't beat the Cartwrights fer smarts," chuckled Hoss, tapping the side of his head.
"Even me?"
"Sure, you're; Alexandra Williameena Cartwright."
Alex giggled and threw herself into her Uncle's huge chest then grabbed his round happy face and smothered him with kisses.
TBC
Chapter 19; It Ain't Over Ta The Fat Lady Sings…
A.N. A big humongous shout out to Lajoci for going over this and making it make more sense.