New Beginnings: Life Changes

Ch.13

Wranglers

A/N: Thank you to the guest who sent the review in French asking about me. I am close to the end of this long recovery for the broken leg and ankle. I have been cleared to begin walking without an air cast but after nearly four months of not walking, recovery is slow. I am tired easily so writing is slower than I would like. Here is a short update for Paradise. For those waiting for an update for Harry Potter... I am working on it.

"Ben, did you move Brown Betsy this morning?" George calls across where his brother is pitching soiled hay into a cart.

"She is on your side. Why would I have moved her? Maybe Joseph went out early to do something for Papa or Mama."

"Maybe, but Papa would have told us so we wouldn't worry if Betsy was missing. He didn't tell us anything except that we were to gather the eggs first so they could be used for breakfast. Are you almost finished? Speaking of breakfast made my stomach hungry."

"I have three more stalls. I had more dirty hay to rake than you. Why can't we clean stalls after we eat do you think? I hate having to face horse sh..." Ben complains before George cuts him off with "BEN! Watch what you say!"

"Mr. Sensitive! Fine then... I hate having to face horse poop early in the morning. Is that better?"

"I am only trying to keep you out of more trouble, Ben. If a grownup heard you say that word, Pa would warm your backside. You know he would. Even Rob got in trouble once for saying it. Pa housebound him for a week."

"It was for more than just that word. He skipped curfew as well. That was last summer. Now Rob doesn't have a curfew as he is a cowpoke."

"Yeah, it is going to be two long months before he comes home. I'll miss him won't you?" George asks as he places his rake and pitchfork on the nails in the wall. Tools are always hung up according to his Pa's safety rules. Ever since the time twelve year old Joseph left a metal hay rake laying on the floor and Ethan stepped on it, that rule has been in place. For years he and Ben had to have help hanging them up but now they are tall enough to reach by themselves.

"I won't miss him bossing me around and threatening to wallop me. C'mon, let's go to breakfast as I smell fried pork!"

Having loaded his plate with biscuits, fried ham, eggs, and more, Ben has his fork hovering over his plate as his Ma says Grace. At her "Amen" he stabs a piece of ham quickly shoving it in his mouth. Seeing his Pa frowning at him he slows his hand down without stabbing the meat in his next bite.

"Benjamin, I expect you to show better table manners than you have this morning. Do so now, young man." Ethan reprimands quietly.

"Yes, Pa. I am just reallllly hungry this morning. Mama, I love the biscuits and you made white gravy too!"

"Thank you, Ben. I appreciate your enthusiastic eating. I do agree with your Pa, you can show better manners than to stuff large pieces of ham in your mouth. I don't want you choking, sweet boy."

"Yes, Mama."

Taking pity on his brother, George shifts the attention to himself by asking "Is Joseph out running errands already?"

"I believe he is asleep. He was up late visiting with Rob. I was planning to wake him after breakfast. Why do you ask, son?"

"Someone moved Brown Betsy. She is not in the barn."

Rising from the table, Ethan walks down the hall to Joseph's bedroom. Knocking once before opening the door, he finds the room empty. Turning, he strides back down the short hall, past the family at the table, out the front door.

"Where's he going? We aren't allowed to go anywhere until we finish eating." Ben asks.

Being able to see out the front window from his seat, George answers "the barn".

Finding the horse and the boy's saddle missing, Ethan searches both doorways for clues. Seeing partially wiped out tracks leading from the back of the barn, he comes to a conclusion. Shaking his head, he enters the house to curious looks from the family.

"I found tracks leading out the back. Joseph seems to have left as his saddle and tack are missing as well."

"Where could he be going so early this morning? He went to bed around eleven as I heard him enter his room. I was having some milk here in the kitchen." Delphie asks, concern evident in her voice.

"Try not to worry so, you have lines forming on your forehead dear. I suspect he followed Rob. He has himself convinced he can work the cattle drive as well. He was furious when I denied his request to go along."

"He is too young and small to work with those large beasts! Surely this Mr. Campbell Rob spoke so highly of does not allow boys of fourteen to participate! What will we do?"

"If you will pack a bag of food, I will go after him. I don't know where he is so it may take most of today. I will bring him home, Delphie. He is not, despite what he believes, going on any drive as I already forbid it and he will abide my decision! I will be driving that point home when I find him. Please pack up some food for me while I saddle Lightning."

"The important part of what you stated is you will find him and bring him home! We can talk about the rest after he is home safely, Ethan." Delphie replies a few minutes later handing over the deerskin drawbag she filled with bread, cheese, ham and a bottle of buttermilk.

"Thank you for the food. Boys mind your mother and help her. I will be back as soon as I can."

Following Ethan out the side door, Ben watches his Pa tie the food bag next to the two canteens of water.

"Pa? You will come home soon won't you?"

Hearing the anxiety in his son's voice, Ethan lifts the child on to his saddle. "Ben, I will do my very best to come home soon. What has you worried?"

"First Claire left to spend time with Alex at Mitch's home when she is not working, then Rob left for the cattle drive, now Joseph is gone and you are leaving too. What will George and I do if Mama leaves next?"

"Son, Claire is only staying there while she is on baby watch with your Aunt Linnea. Mitch lives much closer to your Uncle Matt than we do. She is planning to help Dr. Amy with the baby. Now, Rob. Yes he has left for a little longer but he will come home. Joseph and I will be home much sooner. Your brother can't have gotten too far as the cattle drive is just beginning. Now, don't fret so. I will come home and your Mama will be with you while I am away. Alright?" Ethan asks rubbing his hand in circles along the child's back as he reassures him.

"Alright. I am the oldest boy at home now. Right?"

"That is true. So as the eldest, you work hard taking care of your Mama for me. Will you do that?"

"Yes sir, I will. Bye Pa. We will take care of everything until you get home." Ben answers as he is lifted out of the saddle.

"Good to know I have nothing to worry about here then. Go in now. I'll be home as soon as I find Joseph."

Having trailed behind the drivers as they started the herd walking, Joseph waits until he decides town is far enough away. It won't do to just be sent back to town when he is to join the drive. Making his mind up, he rides out of the bushes straight to the line of cows.

"Hey! You there! Do not ride straight at the beasts! Do you want them to run? What is the matter with you fool?" one of the cowpokes yells.

The shout drawing Rob's attention from where he is riding on the left side of the herd, he glances back. Shocked and then furious to recognize his brother's horse, he signals another driver. "That is my little brother! I need to go back and straighten him out. He is not to be here!"

"Just hurry. I can only do so much alone."

"Really funny, Cason Campbell. You can handle these cows alone easily. You're trained by your Pa."

"Maybe so but It's Case. Cason is what I am called for reprimands. Now, I saw that look, do not strike your brother. Fathers frown on that. I know mine does anyway. I have been in trouble for that more than once."

"I will do my best not to but I do not promise."

Riding up to the spot where Joseph is talking to one of the other drivers, Rob calls out. "This is my kid brother. I will sort him out and send him packing. Please let us be for a few minutes away from the herd."

"Fine by me. Just get it done before the boss cracks heads."

Reaching out and grabbing his brother's reins, Rob forces Joseph to hold the saddle horn as he takes them both to a secluded spot on the side of the trail.

"What are you thinking?! You know better than to pull a stunt like this! Go home before you make this worse!"

"No. If you can ride a trail as a driver so can I. Pa is just being overprotective and strict!" Joseph responds in the same steely tone as Rob.

"You are going to find out how strict he can be when he does get hold of you! Of all the crazy ideas! Running off to do what you were told you could not do several times! Grow up and take responsibility here. Go home and face Pa, before he has to track you down."

"I am staying!"

"NO, you are not! Go home!"

Being too caught up in their staring and shouting match both boys are startled by a third voice.

"What in tarnation is all this shouting? Do you numbskulls want to start a stampede? Robert. Explain to me."

"Mr. Campbell, sir. This is my fourteen year old brother who ran off to follow me. He refuses to leave."

"Is that so? Well, young man we have strict rules here. Number one is obey instructions. Now, if I remember, we met once before at the rodeo. You expresed a desire to come on a cattle drive."

"Yes sir." Joseph answers, a little cowed by the forceful man with large hands.

"Did you forget I told you then of the age limit? Drivers must be at least sixteen years old. Fourteen is out of the question."

"Please sir, I can do it. Just give me a chance to prove it."

Unable to remain quiet, Rob announces furiously, "Joseph! You heard the boss! Do not argue, now go home!"

"You are my brother, not my Pa so you can not order me about."

A fourth voice is heard by all in this group.

"Rob can not order you but I can! Get on that horse and ride to the end of this road. There is a stand of pines. Wait for me there. We will discuss this when I get there young man! You have taken up enough of this man's time Joseph! Now, go!"

Taking one look at his father's deep flashing eyes, Joseph obeys without comment."

"Mr. Campbell, this is our father, Ethan Cord. Pa? This is Mr. Campbell, trail boss." Rob makes introductions before going back to his position in the herd.

"I apologize for Joseph. He is very headstrong. I will reiterate the importance of obedience and taking no for an answer in just a few minutes. He was told repeatedly, he could not participate. Unfortunately once he has his mind set on something, he tends to go after it for better or for worse! It has been a trait that has led him into the "for worse" often in the nearly five years I have been raising him. If he has held up the drive, bill me for today. Ethan Cord, Paradise, Colorado."

"Mr. Cord, I have boys who fit the description of headstrong as well. My sons Jacob and Cason are very much as you describe Joseph. I have an idea which might dissuade him from his goal. He sees a cattle drive as a fun or exciting adventure, does he not?"

"He does."

"Instead of that tanning you implied you would be dishing out, how about we show the boy the hard side of trail life? I will put him to every hard and disgusting job I can for a few hours. I believe I can cure him of his desire. You can be part of the planning or just watch."

"I like how you think, Mr. Campbell. I agree. We put him through the ropes and then I will haul his tired body home." Ethan replies holding his hand out to seal their agreement.

Alright Joseph, Mr. Campbell is going to give you some tasks to do. We want you to experience trail life This will only be for a few hours as I have work at home and you will be accompanying me back to the ranch. Do as you are told. Mr. Campbell, is now in charge." Turning to the silent man looking on, Ethan says "Mr. Campbell, he will obey you."

"Very well Joseph, the first job I have is for you to move the horses in the rope corral. Set up a new corral and then clean the ground. We want no traces of horses being here whatsoever. While the herd is moving we move our remuda as well, thus the rope corrals. Seth will help you set them up. He is the tall lanky fella in the green shirt."

"Yes sir, I can do that easily." Joseph replies happily.

"Hi! I'm Joseph. I am to move the rope corral." Joseph greets the man he was told to work with.

"Fine, you take the reins of six and take them to the trees over thataway. Mind you don't lose any. Then come back and pick up all horse apples you find. They have been here long enough to drop some."

"Sure. I can do that." Joseph answers taking the reins of one of the horses to lead it out."

"Foolish child! Did I not say to move six? You hard of hearing or just stupid? Take hold of six!"

"Six? You want me to move six at once? How can I do that?"

"You have a mind. Figure it out!" Seth snaps as he leads two horses out of the makeshift corral.

Taking three sets of reins in one hand and three in the other, Joseph attempts to lead six horses behind Seth. Trying not to show exasperation as two horses constantly pull to get loose, he does his best to walk them together. Halfway to the trees, Seth meets him as he comes closer.

"Kid, you are stupid. How do you expect to be a cowhand if you have no mind? These horses are now tangled together! You didn't lead one at a time! What were you thinking? Dumb as a post!`

Opening his mouth to retort "You TOLD me to lead six at a time", Joseph sees the boss and his Pa watching. Deciding to keep quiet, he continues walking. After settling the horses, cleaning up all the manure piles he finds at the old site, he reports to Mr. Campbell.

"I am through with the horses sir. What would you like me to do now?"

"Very well. The cook has a job he needs help with, report to him at the chuckwagon over there." The man replies pointing out the wagon.

"Hello sir. I am Joseph, I was told you have a job for me. What would you like me to do?"

"Take yourself away from me! I do the cooking, not mind children! You go back to where you came from!" The short rotund cook shouts waving his cooking spoon around his head.

"Sir, Mr. Campbell told me you had some work. What do you need me to do?" Joseph replies not at all bothered by the small man shouting at him.

"Mr. Campbell you say? Fine, I have three hens dipped in wax. Take them down from where they are hanging inside this wagon. Pluck them, take a knife, trim off all meat and then report to me. You do know how to pluck chickens, yes?"

"Yes sir. What do I do with the feathers?"

"Why do you ask? Do what you know to do with them. Now get to it! I have fifteen men to feed!"

Across the way, Ethan is observing the boy's interaction with the cook.

"I believe your cook is peeved about having the boy work with him. Are you sure Joseph is regretting this? So far he seems to take it all in stride."

"Juan is a very opionated cook. Your boy just experienced a taste of his orneriness. I believe in biding my time when it comes to teaching boys a lesson. Wait and observe."

"Just out of curiosity how many boys do you have? Just the two you mentioned earlier?"

"Three and one girl as well. Jacob is nineteen, Cason is sixteen and both are here with me. At home are the youngest two, Lynnette is twelve and Samuel is eight. I have used this life lesson approach with Jake before. He hid himself in the supply wagon once. He was twelve at the time. My foreman found him the first night of roundup as we prepared for bedding down. I wanted to haul him across my saddle for a hiding. Lonnie had the idea to put him to work instead. I worked him as a man and rode him as hard as any hand. He was exhausted the first night we had him. He cried himself to sleep the second night. By the time we went home two weeks later, he was convinced he was too young for this work!"

"I am wondering if Joseph will come to that conclusion."

"Time will tell. Let him experience all before you give in. I have an idea in mind. Let's put him to riding drag. Riding at the end of the line today. We will move the herd and let him be right at the back. That dust meal he will eat, plus how the hands ride him ought to do him in. If you will stay another hour after the lunch, we'll put our plan in motion. I will inform the boys to give him a taste of the ribbing they are known for."

"Good plan, that should work. He doesn't like being ordered around so I am a little surprised at how calm he has been so far today. I expected resentment."

"Yes, the boy is trying to show us he can handle this work. As I said, wait a little more. We have yet to really test him."

Three hours later:

Glancing to the dust covered, bedraggled and dejected child riding beside him, Ethan asks "Are you ready for a long hot bath like me?"

"Yes sir."

"Chin up son. All is not lost. You did well today for a greenhorn. You are not ready to handle a job such as that quite yet. A few more years and you will be. Do you understand any better why I insisted you were not prepared for a cattle drive."

"Why did they turn against me? Those guys found every way they could to make the day miserable, Pa. Running the herd and blaming me for not stopping it, making me chase down so many cows I lost count, the cook yelling at me for not being able to pluck the chickens... and more. I never tried plucking chickens covered with wax before, so I didn't know to melt the wax off first. He didn't have to embarrass me in front of everyone. Telling the men I was responsible for them not having meat at lunch. That was his doing not mine! He didn't tell me."

"Joseph, men are like that. You just have to learn to take your lumps and let things go. It isn't easy but that is part of growing up."

"What other punishment will I have. I know that today was part of my punishment. I did learn my lesson. I am not ready for working with cattle yet. I will stay with horses for a while yet. Are you going to give me a whipping for leaving as I did?"

"Well Joseph, if I did would it teach you to listen to my knowledge of what is best for you?"

"I already learned that by what happened today. A whipping would just make me feel better as I know I deserve it."

"In light of all you went through today, your admission that you did learn something, I think a whipping is not needed at this time."

"Truly? You are not going to take the strap to me when we get home?"

"I had planned a more direct at the site punishment thus the order to wait at the trees. Your punishment for defiance will be you are housebound and will do everything you are told without complaint. There will be extra chores and no leaving the ranch yard except for church with the family. You will have to earn back my trust before I consider letting you go anywhere alone. Understood?"

"Yes sir. How long will this be?"

"Three weeks minimum. I reserve the right to extend it if necessary. You broke your Mama's and my trust so for the next three weeks you will be watched until we can trust you again."

"Yes sir." Joseph responds thinking he should have opted for the whipping that morning.

Having finished settling his horse before Joseph, Ethan waits to walk to the house. Having been alerted by George of their arrival, Delphie is waiting on the front porch.

Seeing his Mama waiting for him, Joseph hesitates as he walks near the porch.

"Come here you young scalawag and let me see you are alright."

"I am fine, Mama. I am very tired though." Joseph says as he is pulled into a tight hug.

"You are also filthy and not smelling too nicely either. Go in and take a bath with soap. I will have a plate ready when you are done. I imagine you are both hungry."

"Yes ma'am."

Waiting until Joseph is in the house, Delphie says "He seems to be moving pretty well. I take it you have not had your discussion with him yet."

"I don't plan to whip him if that is your meaning. He has a tale to tell of his adventure. He is confined to the house and yard for three weeks. I want him supervised at all times except in the bath or using the water closet. We will show him what happens to people who can not be trusted."

Finished with his bath sooner than he liked because of a growling stomach, Joseph walks into the kitchen.

"Mama, I am ready for that plate if you are ready to fix it."

"I already fixed one. Here you are, fried chicken, hot beans and cornbread. We have lemonade for you to drink."

Taking one look at the chicken, Joseph says "excuse me" and bolts for the w.c.

Turning to Ethan for an answer, Delphie hears "Unfortunate choice of meat, dear. It is a long story but for now, let me fix him a sandwich to eat with the beans and bread. Do we still have ham from breakfast?"