New Beginnings: Life Changes
chapter 72
Decisions have Consequences
By day number four of the cattle drive, Joseph is extremely tired of having to follow the herd. Granted, he and Timothy have not been riding at the back of the herd all day every day, the hours they do ride drag is exhausting. It was easy to tell the first day, Timothy was not going to be one to rely on to do his job. He put on a good show for any of the older men but with Joseph he was lazy. Rob was not seeing the boy for what he was as yet. Joseph was taking care of all the problems alone. He was the cow catcher for any who tried to stray, he kept the cows moving and away from the brambles as best he could. Timothy sat on his expensive saddle and watched Joseph do the work.
"Oh, look Joseph! There go two in opposite directions! However, are you going to get them both?" Timothy asks grinning at his partner.
"You could go after one while I go for the other! You do know you are hired on to bust cows not to sit on the saddle like some prince! Get moving and help me!"
"Oh, no, I couldn't do that. You are bossman's kid brother, so you get to chase smelly ornery cows, not order me about. I'll supervise and support your efforts from here. Better get a move on as they're hightailing it out of here quickly.
That evening around the campfire, Rob asks Joseph "What happened this afternoon when you lost the cow? Were you asleep on the job? I'm paying you to herd cows not to sit and look at the scenery. Timothy reported having to go after two cows at once and couldn't catch them both, so we nearly lost one. Alex wrangled it back for you. Joseph, do your job!"
Tired, feeling dusty, muscles aching, and angry at Timothy getting praised for the job he himself, did, Joseph lashes out.
"Listen big brother, I am doing MY job! I have been eating dust for days, rarely do I get to leave the back of the herd. YOU on the other hand get to lord it over the rest of us while you dash off to speak to ranchers or do who knows what every day. If you stayed around YOUR herd, you'd see what really goes on. Think what you want of me, I KNOW I AM DOING MY JOB! Goodnight to all!" Joseph exclaims standing and leaving the gathering.
"Joseph, stop!" Rob calls after him. Getting no response, he follows his brother into the tent the two younger boys share.
"Joseph! I was talking to you. You are to listen not continue to huff off in a snit."
"Why should I listen? YOU don't listen to me so why should I listen to you? Try listening to me for a change instead of being all high and mighty like some Lord of the manor or something!" Joseph says angrily.
"I do not like your tone, boy! Watch how you speak to me! You are on night watch with Alex, so go begin riding around the herd. No predators are going to attack with us monitoring."
"I am NOT a boy and besides that I was on night watch LAST NIGHT! I rode drag all day today! I'm exhausted, filthy and want to wipe the dust off before I sleep. It's Timothy's turn to do something."
"I told YOU to do it, not Timothy. I'm the head of this outfit and therefore you obey what I say! Gather your blanket to wear as it may be cooler tonight. Don't stand there with your mouth hanging open, get moving!"
"You are letting this boss job get to you. Remember we are brothers! You really aren't listening. I told you I was on night watch last night. Then you had me on breakfast duty, so I was up before anyone getting a fire started! I need rest."
"I remember. we are brothers. You hired on to this outfit, remember? You are part of a paid crew, so you have no special treatment. I also remember our Pa telling you to obey me and that I can discipline you however I see fit. You are on night watch tonight as punishment for shouting at me and arguing. Do you want to continue to argue about the job and force me to cut a switch or do you want to do the job I assigned?"
Later, having had Alex prod him awake twice before and this time nearly falling from the saddle in sleep, Joseph hears from the darkness "Why did you not ask to have night watch off if you are so tired you can't sit in the saddle, Joseph?"
"I did tell Lord Robert I was exhausted. I also told him he should stay around the herd during the day to see what is really happening with one of his "workers". I get blamed for things I did not do. I wasn't the one refusing to do my job. I was the one doing everything as I have been for the entire trip so far. Night watch is my punishment for trying to talk some sense into the boss and for nearly losing a cow as well, I think. I couldn't say more than I said as he threatened to cut a switch! He's acting as if I'm twelve."
"I've also noticed young Timothy is what my Da calls a slacker. He's good at pretending but never actually does anything. Chase doesn't see it as his cousin does the job if he's near but stops when he feels no one is watching. You need to talk to Rob about Timothy not doing his share of the work, Joseph."
"Tried to, Alex. He won't listen. Do you have the jar of coffee on you?"
"You don't like to drink coffee."
"I need a swig to stay awake. Hand it over before I drop to the ground and not get up."
"Here, it's not even warm so it will taste terrible."
"Good, the taste will keep me awake. I've never felt so tired. Every muscle Claire has taught me about feels as if it is going to stop moving. I am too tired to even squeeze my legs to guide the horse. I'm not even sure I still have legs. Do I? Will you look? I think they came apart and fell off some time ago."
"Your legs are still attached, Joseph. I assure you they haven't fallen off. Come, bed down under this tree and rest a while. I'll get you up if I need you."
"Robert, boss, won't like it. Take a switch to me. He said." Joseph mumbles nearly falling off the horse again as he hands the glass jar back to Alex.
"I'll handle Boss, you just get some sleep." Alex says as he guides the exhausted young man to the one tree for sleep.
As he watches his younger brother curl up in sleep, Alex vows to have a talk with Rob about his actions. 'Rob needs to hear how exhausted the boy is and also how he is carrying more than his share of the workload. This isn't the way to run a job." Alex thinks to himself as he circles the herd keeping them in a cluster. The next morning, Alex asks to speak to Rob privately. Going into the larger tent, he, Rob, and Chase share, Alex gets to the point.
"Last night you could have lost your younger brother. He nearly fell off his horse three times as he was exhausted and falling asleep. I've tried not to come between you and Joseph very often as I know Ethan has given you authority over him. However, this situation is different than just a boy fooling around and needing to be reined in. I've been here with Joseph and Timothy much more than you've been able to do. Joseph is a hard worker and is doing twice as much as you give him credit for. It is Timothy who is slacking off not Joseph. Timothy is putting on an act of being efficient whenever you or Chase come around. He doesn't see me as an authority, so he is himself with me. He lets Joseph chase all the stray cows while belittling him for doing it. The boy is acting like a pampered prince, Rob. He orders Joseph to do the work while he sits on his saddle and supervises. You know me, so you know I don't make up tales. If you don't intervene, Joseph is going to either get ill from exhaustion or wind up getting injured as he is too exhausted to keep himself safe."
"Alright Alex, I believe you. I'll keep watch today and see if I spot anything with the boy. We're close to a town so I was thinking we take turns in groups of two to go to town for a meal and a bath plus whatever else we wish to do. You and Chase can go first, and I'll go last."
Having sent Ben upstairs to his room until suppertime, Ethan explains to Delphie what went on that afternoon.
"I'm so disappointed in that boy! He knows better than to act this way! Deliberately misleading us and continuing to steal! He knew from the beginning what he was doing was wrong and continued for weeks! He also knew I was investigating the Tall Man sightings and said absolutely nothing to any of us! You, me, Chris, Matthew, the Abbotts, Mitch, we were all looking for this person or trying to find out what was happening!"
"Calm down, dear. Pacing the floor isn't going to help. What do you plan to do about this? You said you talked to the child's elder brother so what are you planning to do with our miscreant?"
"I already paddled his behind along with his partner in crime. I was extremely tempted to lower his pants and apply my belt right then and there, but I didn't. The gall of the boy to pull something like this! He and I have had conversations about theft and honesty many times. I thought by twelve years of age he had learned better. Apparently, I thought wrong."
"So, you don't plan to add any more punishment?" Delphie asks.
"I didn't say that did I? I'm waiting until Claire and Amelia go to bed and then the lower half of the Tall Man and I will go have a deep discussion in the barn. I want to take time to get my temper under control and let him stew in his own thoughts as well. Wondering what will happen is half the punishment. We won't mention today's actions to the girls. Let them enjoy staying here without having to experience one of the boys being punished."
"I agree and we shouldn't discuss this during mealtime. George will already know what went on, don't forget the connection the boys share. He will feel Ben's emotions. I'll talk to him before we eat and let him know the subject is not to be discussed." Delphie reminds him.
"Do you believe George knew of Ben's actions?"
"No, Ethan, I don't. He may have known only that Ben was experiencing guilt or worry if anything. He wouldn't have known what was happening unless Ben told him and I truly doubt Ben confided in George. George has been extremely upset with John Taylor's passing and hasn't been doing much with Ben."
"I'm aware of George's feelings and I've talked to him but what I had to say didn't seem to help much. In many ways, this is his first experience with the death of a family member. He was too young, only four and a half when my sister Lucy, his mother, died so I'm not sure he remembers that time."
"From our talks, George remembers more than you know, Ethan. He remembers the anxiety Claire had what with having the responsibility of all the younger children. He remembers his mother looking pale, coughing up blood, knowing she was very sick but not knowing she was dying. He remembers the time they stayed with the older couple for the weeks between her death and your arrival to pick them up. He says he was very afraid everyone was going to die but Claire reassured him that wasn't going to happen. I believe John Taylor's illness and now death has George once again concerned about everyone. I've done my best to help him talk through this worry, but he doesn't open up and talk with me as he used to do."
"I'll talk with him as soon as I can. Right now, I'm focused on Ben." Ethan replies.
After what seemed forever to Ben, he hears his Pa's footsteps on the stairs before seeing him in the bedroom doorway.
"Alright young man, it's time for you and I to have a talk in private. Come with me to the barn." Ethan says from the doorway.
Following behind his Pa, Ben can't help but notice how strong the man's arms and hands seem as he thinks of what those hands might be about to do to his backside in a few minutes.
Ushering the child inside, Ethan directs him to a set of haybales along the back wall.
"Let's sit and discuss what has been going on. You know what I'm referring to so don't try to act as if you don't. First question, why did you do this? You have been taught better than to steal and lie."
"Paul said he needed help to find food for his family. He needed me to show him good places to find food and to help him with his plan."
Trying not to show the boy his rising temper, Ethan says "So you were the one who decided where to go. You selected the homes to hit and businesses as well. Am I hearing you correctly?"
"Paul needed my help. I know the countryside he doesn't. He came up with the disguise and I went along with it. It's helping the less fortunate as Reverend tells us to do. Why are you scowling at me like that?"
"Ben, we have discussed that topic before. Helping the less fortunate does not mean you STEAL or LIE! Remember the time you decided to play Robin Hood and stole things? We talked of this at that time. This is not a new topic for us as we've discussed this just last year. I thought I made it clear you were not to steal. You come to me, your mother, your older brothers or sisters, someone, and tell them there is a family who needs our help. We would happily gather what we can from the community to help. We talked about this very thing last year, remember?"
"I wanted to help him myself as he is my friend. Besides, nobody would help him they just chased him out of the store. His Pa would beat him, Paul said so, if he didn't bring food. He said he was told to take things."
"The proprietors of businesses are not inclined to help someone who throws things through their front picture windows or steals from them. I'm pretty sure Paul told you that to convince you to steal with him. You remember, I met the oldest brother, that's his brother not his Pa, and he didn't know the child was stealing. I'm pretty good at reading faces and expressions, so I believe the young man was telling the truth about his knowledge or lack thereof on his brother. Paul is not being honest with you. He was not honest with me when I spoke to him after the window breaking incident. He told me a false name. This is not about Paul, though, this is about YOU. What you did was wrong. You broke several major rules and will have consequences for that. Do you understand me?" Ethan asks sternly.
'"Yessir"
We have rules about honesty, theft, and deliberate disobedience. You, young man broke all three! All these weeks you sat at dinner and listened to me discussing how we were looking for the person responsible for robbing homes and farms as well as businesses. You knew Mitch, Chris and I were looking for this person or persons, and you said nothing. I even asked you if you knew anything about this person we called "Tall Man" and you denied knowing anything. That is a direct lie. Keeping quiet when you knew we were searching for this criminal is also a lie. It's called a lie of omission. Continuing to be part of Paul's scheme after knowing it was wrong and that you were causing harm to other people is deliberate disobedience. When you know something is not allowed and continue to do it, you face consequences. We've discussed this before as well. Correct?"
"Yes Pa. I'm sorry" Ben whispers, ducking his head at the stern scolding.
"I accept your apology, but this discussion is not over. I want you to sit and think of what consequences you feel are appropriate for your misdeeds."
"I have to think up my own punishment?" Ben asks appalled at the idea.
"Yes, and I will decide what is and is not acceptable punishment.
"How about I have to clean the stalls every day for a week?"
"No, not acceptable as you already have that chore. Try again."
"I have to play with Emerson every day for two weeks."
"Ben, that's not a punishment. Playing with the baby is something enjoyable. Now be serious and tell me two real punishments. A punishment is meant to deter or stop you from doing this action again."
"Early bedtime for a week and housebound to the ranch for one week after Claire and Amelia go home."
"Those would be acceptable; can you think of anything else? What else do you deserve for this behavior?"
"I really like desserts so giving up dessert would be a good punishment. No dessert for a week."
"Very well, good thinking. You will go to bed an hour early every night, and no dessert, for the next two weeks. You will be allowed to go with your sisters or the family on outings but other than that you are confined to the ranch for the next two weeks. You will remain in sight of your mother or myself and have an escort for chores. I believe your lack of honesty leads you to needing to be watched until we feel you are capable of being trustworthy again."
"But I said one week, and you changed it to two weeks!"
"True, I did. Now, listen to me, young man. Being trustworthy is an extremely important part of having good character that you seem to have forgotten. This trait is like a foundation of a home, without a strong foundation for a home to sit on, it collapses. When you are not showing good character by lying, stealing, cheating, it is the same as tearing boards off a house as the house will not stand. In a person, not being trustworthy can lead to many problems including criminal behavior. A person who is untrustworthy finds himself unable to conduct business such as bartering, buying, or selling. They may find they have no one to help them when needed. That will not happen to my son. I will see to it you do not forget this trait again. Follow me, Ben!" Ethan says as he moves towards the tack room.
"Pa! Please! Not in there! I don't need it! I punished myself with restrictions, you don't need to spank me on top of that. You paddled me earlier today, remember?"
"That walloping was delivered by me as the Sheriff to both of you boys. Now you both are facing consequences from your father."
"I don't need it though! We don't have to go in the tack room unless it's to polish something. That can be another punishment. I polish all the bridles and wax all the saddles" Ben tries, stalling the inevitable.
"Benjamin! The time for discussion is now over! No more stalling! Let's go."
"I'll remember to stay trustworthy. I Will! I won't forget the good character part! You don't need to take me to the tack room! I'll remember it!"
"Benjamin Ethan Cord! You have to the count of ten to move yourself off that bale and into that room before I add more to what you are about to receive!"
After what seems hours to Ben and having a burning backside, he finally hears his Pa say "Alright son, it's over now. Stand up when you're ready."
Looking into the tear-streaked face of his child, Ethan pulls the boy into his chest for a hug.
"I do love you, son. If you are doubting that, stop. If I didn't love you, I wouldn't punish you and see to it that you grow up into an honest person. Let's not have to go through this again. Alright? You keep yourself from doing dishonest things. You are twelve now, you can do this if you want to do so."
"Yes Sir. I don't want to go through this again. I don't like punishing myself and then you adding even more."
"I'm sure you don't. Let's go inside to bed." Ethan responds.
The following morning, Ben and Peter are escorted by a stern Sheriff Cord to various farms to apologize to their "victims" for their "mischief", as Ethan describes them.
Ben finds himself being sent to Rob's home as soon as they return home and lunch is finished.
"You will go with Amelia, Claire, and George to help do the chores at Rob's. Remember, you are to stay in sight of the girls and do exactly as you are told." Ethan reminds him.
"Ben? What have you done to cause Pa to be so stern with you today?" Claire asks as they walk to Rob's home.
"I don't want to say, Claire. I am being punished for it. He's mad still and is stern because of that."
"From the way you squirmed in your chair at meals today, I'd say he punished you in the barn. Am I right?"
"Yes."
"What do you mean?" Amelia asks confused over this exchange.
"Ben got his backside spanked by Pa. He's under a lot of restrictions too, no dessert, early bedtime, extra chores and being watched by adults all the time. That's no fun at all." George explains helpfully.
"Gee! Thanks for blabbing it all, George!" Ben tells his overly chatty brother.
"You're welcome. Amelia wanted to know." George replies.
"Well, I have some cake left over that needs to be eaten or it will go bad. I think cake would ease the sting of a hard spanking. We'll all just finish it off and then do the chores." Amelia tells the boys.
"If you eat cake in the afternoon between meals, is it dessert?" Ben asks hopefully.
"Not at all. I would say that would be a snack. Wouldn't you George?"
"Oh yes! Dessert comes after a meal. We won't be able to stay for a meal, just a snack. Right Claire?"
"That sounds right to me, George."
