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The autumn sunshine was warm, though the cloudless sky presaged a frosty night ahead. Beneath the trees, still dusty from hot, dry, summer days, two young boys were gathering pine nuts that had fallen among the undergrowth.
The taller of the two, a
blonde, stocky child clad in ill fitting pants and faded shirt, straightened up
from his task and turned to look back at his friend. “Hey, Joe! It’s getting
late, time I got on home.”
Joe Cartwright looked up at his friend’s call. He was the very antithesis of the blonde youngster, shorter and slight of build, with glossy brown curls and hazel-green eyes alight with mischief. Squinting up through the trees, he saw that the sun was already beginning to drop low in the sky, afternoon was turning into evening. He hadn’t realised how late it was, engrossed as he had been on the task in hand.
“I’d better head for home as
well,” he said, walking across to join his friend. “Or I’ll be late for supper,
and then I’ll be in trouble with
The boy nodded and watched
for a moment as Joe headed back to where he had left his horse, tethered by the
side of the path. Joe’s home was a considerable distance away and Andy would be
surprised if his friend did make it back in time for supper. And knowing how
insistent Joe’s father was about punctuality at meal times he would indeed be
in trouble. Andy grinned, there were compensations, he thought, for having a
family like his, no one bothered overmuch if he was on time for meals. Slinging
the heavy bag of pine nuts over his shoulder he started off towards his home.
Behind him, concealed in the
bushes, the man hesitated for a moment, then began to follow.
****
A knock on his bedroom door
roused Joe from sleep early the next morning
“C’mon Joe,” his brother
Hoss called, opening the door and peering around it. “Better be on time for
breakfast, especially after last night.”
Joe yawned and stretched,
reluctant to leave the warm bed and get ready for another day at school. School
was not the boy’s favourite place, he was an able but reluctant scholar, doing
just as much as was necessary to keep the teacher and his father happy.
Tossing the covers aside, he
headed for the washstand. Hoss was right, he thought, his father had been
annoyed at his tardiness last night, best not aggravate matters further by
being late this morning.
Dragging a brush through his
tangled locks Joe was surprised to hear hoofbeats from beneath his window as a
horse galloped into the yard followed moments later by a frantic knocking on
the door.
The boy was just about to go
and investigate who could be visiting this early in the day when he heard his
father call his name. Descending the stairs rapidly in response to the summons
Joe found the visitor revealed as Mr Perkins, his friend Andy’s father.
“Joseph,” Ben came over to
his son and put his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Did you see Andy Perkins
yesterday, after school?”
“We went down by the river,
collecting pine nuts,” Joe looked from his father to Mr Perkins, puzzled. “Why,
did we do something wrong?”
“No, no,” his father
reassured him. “It’s just that Mr Perkins wants to know where Andy was going
when you saw him last, he didn’t go home last night and his family are worried
about him.”
“He said he was going home,”
Joe told his father, he glanced across at Mr Perkins and saw the fear that
crossed the man’s face at his answer.
“I guess I’d better let the
sheriff know.” Perkins said, turning to leave. “I hoped maybe it was some kind
of prank the boys were playing. I just pray he’s all right.”
“I’ll ride in to town with
you Bob,” Ben’s eldest son Adam spoke up, rising from his place at the table.
“Seems to me you’ll need as many people as you can to search. You coming Hoss?”
he asked his brother as he went to collect his gun belt and hat.
Hoss nodded. “If that’s all
right Pa?”
“You go on,” Ben told him.
“Work can wait till the boy is found. I’ll take Joe to school and then I’ll
join you.”
“Take me to school!” Joe
exclaimed, staring at his father in dismay. “I don’t need taking to school
“Somebody needs to tell Miss
Jones why Andy isn’t there,” Ben told the boy soothingly, hoping his son would
accept this explanation. He would speak to Joe’s teacher of course, but the
main reason for escorting Joe to school was the uneasiness Ben felt over Andy
Perkins disappearance, he wanted to be sure his son was safe until they found
out what fate had befallen the boy.
****
“Good morning, Joe,” the speaker was a young man, standing by the schoolhouse door when Ben and Joe walked up. “I assume that you are Joe’s father,” the man continued holding out a hand to Ben.
“Ben Cartwright,” Ben
affirmed, shaking hands. “I’m afraid you have the advantage of me Mr…?”
“Johnson,” the young man
supplied, smiling affably. “Peter Johnson. I’m here to take over from Mr
Roberts for a while. He’s been called away on family business.”
Ben looked the man over. He
seemed a little youthful to be taking on the job of school principal, but no
doubt the school board had approved his appointment. “I’m afraid Andy Perkins
won’t be joining you this morning Mr Johnson,” he told the young man. “It
appears he didn’t get home last night. There’s a search party out looking for
him now.”
Johnson looked down at Joe.
“Go along in now,” He told him. “We don’t want you to be late for class do we?”
As soon as the boy had gone into the schoolhouse Johnson turned back to Ben.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” he asked. “Andy’s parents must be
frantic.”
“They’re very worried
naturally. I’m just going to help with the search myself. I think the best
thing you can do, Mr Johnson, is to keep the children from speculating too much
on what has happened, after all Andy could turn up safe and well.” Ben hoped
that this would be the case, but he knew that each passing hour made it more
unlikely.
“I’ll do that Mr Cartwright,”
Johnson assured him. “It’s been a pleasure to meet you, sir,” he added as Ben
turned to leave. “Your son has spoken of you often. Joe is a fine boy if a
trifle high spirited at times.”
Joe was certainly that, Ben
reflected with a wry smile, as he headed out to the Perkins’ place to join the
searchers, though it was odd that his son hadn’t mentioned Mr Johnson to him.
****
Reaching the Perkins’ home
Ben was met by the sheriff of
“Adam and Hoss are out with the searchers,” he told Ben. “They’re combing the area between the river and here, the route young Andy should have taken last night. If that turns up nothing we’ll have to spread out some more.”
Ben rode to join the men,
keeping alert along the way, eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary.
Seeing the search group he dismounted and walked towards them, he was still
some distance away when he heard a yell go up from one of the men, “Over here!”
Ben’s heart sank as he saw the man who had called out. He was down on his knees
beside the river, one arm reaching into the swift flowing water.
The group had gathered on
the bank by the time Ben reached them. A strange stillness had descended upon
them as they caught sight of what was in the water. Andy was just below the
surface. His clothes appeared to be caught on some underwater branch or root,
stopping him from being dragged along by the current, blonde hair flowed out
around his head like a halo.
“Dear Lord,” Adam broke the
silence. “Poor kid,” he moved forward to assist with dragging the body from the
river.
“I’m so sorry Bob,” Ben
turned to Andy’s father, who stood, shocked into immobility, just staring into
the water, his gaze blank.
As they pulled the boy onto
the bank it became obvious what had killed him, the back of Andy’s head was
smashed in. The deputy sheriff, Clem, stepped forward to examine the body.
“Sure don’t look like no accident to me,” He said gravely. “But we’ll wait and
see what the Doc reckons.”
****
It was a dejected group of
men who waited while one of their number went to fetch a wagon to transport the
body to the doctor’s office.
“How do I tell his Ma?” Bob Perkins asked Ben miserably. “How do I tell her our boy’s never coming home again Ben?” he stared over at the small figure lying on the riverbank. “My poor Andy,”
Ben could only squeeze the
man’s arm in silent sympathy. He was desperately sorry for Perkins, but could
not help the feeling of relief that his own young son was safe. It could so
easily have been Joe lying there, he realised. Whatever had happened to Andy,
and like Clem, Ben suspected foul play, the boys had been together just a short
time before.
“I’ll take you on home if
you’d like, Bob,” Adam offered, “Help you break the news.”
Accepting the offer, Bob
Perkins left with Adam, looking back despairingly at his son’s body as he left
the scene.
Ben went to stand beside his
middle son, Hoss. The seventeen-year-old was looking pale. Like his father he
was only too aware that it could have been Little Joe they pulled from the
river.
“I feel bad for the Perkins
family,” he said looking at Ben. “But I’m glad it’s not our family that’s
grieving. Is that wrong of me Pa?”
Ben looked up at his son. Though
only seventeen, the boy was taller than his father, a gentle giant of a man.
“It’s understandable, Hoss. I feel the same way myself.” And, he thought to
himself, he was going to have to tell Joe what had happened, the thought filled
him with dread. Joe and Andy had been friends for a long time; his youngest was
going to be devastated by the news.
****
It had been a strange day at school for Joe, wondering where Andy was and hoping he would show up. Just after lunch the sheriff’s deputy had arrived to speak with Miss Jones and Mr Johnson. Although neither teacher had said anything about the visit, Joe had begun to feel a sense of unease. He had half expected his father to meet him after classes and was startled when he came out of the school house to find his eldest brother waiting in the yard for him. Looking around he was surprised to see that most of his schoolmates were being met. “Did you find Andy?” he asked Adam urgently.
In reply his brother just
grasped his arm and drew him towards the street, where their horses waited.
“Adam!” Joe demanded loudly,
pulling away. “I asked if you found
Andy?”
Adam glanced down at his
younger brother. “Why don’t we just get on home. Pa will be there soon and
he’ll tell you all about it.”
Adam’s answer sent a shiver
of fear through Joe and he halted beside the horses. “I want you to tell me
now. I’m not a baby Adam, Andy’s my friend and I want to know what’s happened
to him.”
Adam sighed; he looked down
at Joe, seeing the determination on the boy’s face, “All right,” he conceded.
“I agree, you should be told.” He put his hands on his brother’s shoulders. Pa
wasn’t going to be happy about this, he thought, he had wanted to tell Joe
himself. “I’m sorry buddy. The search party found Andy’s body in the river.”
For a long moment Joe just
stared up at his brother, unable to take in the news. His thoughts flashed back
to the previous afternoon, Andy searching happily for pine nuts. “No!” he
exclaimed softly. “What happened Adam, did he fall in?”
“Pa’s at the doctors’ with
him at the moment. He’ll let us know what happened later.”
Joe’s gaze fell away from
his brothers’ as the enormity of what had happened began to sink in. He had
known Andy since the Perkins’ family arrived in
Adam swung up into the
saddle. He had heard the emotion in the boy’s voice and knew his little brother
was grieving for his friend. Wordlessly, the two brothers headed towards home.
****
Reaching the ranch house Joe slid down from his horse and made for the door. Dismounting behind him Adam grasped the reins of the boy’s horse and looped them round the hitching post. He was doing the same with his own horse when Hoss came out to join him
“You told Joe? You know Pa
said to leave it to him.”
“I had to tell him, Hoss,”
Adam started towards the house. “He knew something was wrong and he wanted to
know what. What did he say?”
“Nothing. He just ran up the
stairs like the devil himself was chasing him.”
Taking off his gun belt and
putting it down on the credenza, Adam crossed over to the couch and sat down
heavily. “He’s taking it badly. He never spoke all the way home, but I could
see he was crying. I don’t know how Pa’s going to break it to him that Andy was
murdered.”
“You think he was?”
Leaning back, Adam closed
his eyes for a moment, remembering what he had seen on the riverbank. “I don’t
think it was an accident. Looked to me like someone had beaten that boy to
death.”
The sound of a horse riding
in to the yard caused both brothers to look up. “That must be Pa,” Hoss said.
“Guess we’ll find out if it was murder now.”
Ben entered the room moments
later; his expression grave as he looked at his two eldest sons “Did you pick
Joseph up all right?” he asked Adam who nodded in reply. “I’d better let him
know what’s happened,” he continued heading for the stairs. “I take it he’s in
his room?”
“Adam already told him,”
Hoss told his father. “He knows Andy’s dead.”
Ben halted on the first step
and turned to face Adam. “I thought I told you to let me handle this.”
“I know you did,” Adam
agreed. “But Joe knew something was wrong. You know what the kid is like, he
wanted to know what happened and I thought he had a right to know.”
“You’re right I suppose,”
Ben conceded, coming back to stand before the hearth. “Trouble is the doctor
says Andy was murdered,” Adam and Hoss glanced at each other as their father
confirmed what Adam had thought. “I have to tell Joe and then
“He was pretty upset, as
you’d expect. He’s been friends with the Perkins boy for years.”
Ben looked up the stairs and
sighed. “I wish I could spare him this,” he said softly.
****
Entering Joe’s room Ben
found his youngest son lying face down on the bed, head buried in the pillow,
trying vainly to contain his sobs.
Ben sat down beside the boy, laying a sympathetic hand on Joe’s shoulder. Joe twisted round to face his father, eyes red rimmed from crying looked up at Ben. “Adam told me about Andy,” the child’s voice was thick with tears. “What happened Pa? Did he fall in the river?”
Ben looked down at his son,
seeing the distress written on his youthful features. “No Joseph, I’m afraid he
didn’t. It seems that after Andy left you last night he was attacked by
someone. Andy was killed, Joe, murdered.”
He saw shock leap into Joe’s eyes as he took in his father’s words. Gently Ben pulled his son into his arms and held him tightly as the boy cried for his friend.
****
“Now, Little Joe,” Roy
Coffee, seated in the chair by the fire looked at the boy across from him. Joe
was pale and grim faced but composed. Ben sat beside his son, Adam and Hoss
stood behind. The Cartwright family, Roy thought wryly, what touched one
touched them all. “I’ve got to ask you a few questions. So we can try and find
out who killed Andy, you understand that?” Joe nodded mutely. “Right,”
Slowly, Joe told the sheriff
all the details he could remember of the previous afternoon.
“Then I just said goodbye
and went back to my horse,” he finished.
“And you saw no-one around? Just
you and Andy?”
“I didn’t see anyone.”
“No,” Joe’s denial was
quick. “Andy was my friend.”
“And he was fine when you
left him?”
“Yes, he was.” Joe too had
realised what these questions meant. “I didn’t hurt Andy, Sheriff Coffee,”
“
“No, of course not Ben,”
****
Ben looked across the open
grave at Bob Perkins and his wife. The couple seemed to have aged ten years in
two days, Mrs Perkins’ clinging despairingly to her husband as they watched
their young son being laid to rest.
Feeling Joe’s hand clasp his, Ben looked down at his son. Joe had been
very quiet since Andy’s death, he hadn’t been sleeping well and had little
appetite. Ben had allowed the boy to stay home from school but had decided that
he would send him back tomorrow. Perhaps the company of the other children
might help him come to terms with what had happened.
Joe hardly heard the words
the minister was saying, he held fast to his father’s hand, seeking comfort
from the touch. It was hard to take in that Andy was gone, that he would never
see him again. Memories of his friend chased through his mind, Andy fishing
with him by the lake, playing games in the schoolyard and that last fateful
afternoon beneath the pines. He shuddered as he recalled a conversation he had
overheard yesterday between his brothers when Adam told Hoss the extent of
Andy’s injuries.
Feeling the shudder, Ben put
an arm round his son’s shoulders and drew him to his side. The service was
almost over. It was a shame, Ben thought, that the minister was new to
As the service finished, Ben
left Joe with Adam and Hoss and went across to offer his condolences to Bob
Perkins. Mrs Perkins, distraught, was being led away by her sister.
“Bob, I can’t tell you how sorry
we all are,” he said, putting a consoling hand on the man’s shoulder.
Bob looked up at him. “Thank
you for coming, it helps to see so many people here, to know others are
thinking of us,” he glanced around the cemetery, at the many friends who had attended
the funeral, his eyes falling on Mr Johnson talking to the minister beside the
grave. “Even the school principal,” he said wryly. “Though he didn’t know my
boy very well and I don’t think Andy liked him much either.”
Ben followed Perkins’ gaze.
Johnson was standing alone now looking down into the grave, the minister having
walked off to speak to Adam.
As other friends came over
to speak to Bob, Ben excused himself and went to join his sons.
“Ah, Mr Cartwright,” the
minister turned to greet him as he reached Adam’s side. “I was just saying to
your son what a sad duty this has been for me to perform. I don’t know the
Perkins’ very well but Andy seemed a fine boy.”
“He was. The service went
very well, I’m sure the Perkins’ are most appreciative.”
“Has the sheriff any idea of
who killed the poor child? I hate to think of the murderer still being at large
in
Feeling Joe’s hand slide
into his, Ben realised how much this conversation was upsetting his young son.
Adam had seen the look that
crossed Joe’s face as the minister asked his question and guessed the boy was
close to breaking down. Looking around he was thankful to catch sight of Roy
Coffee by the cemetery gate. “Why don’t you ask Sheriff Coffee?” he said. “I
see he’s just over there, and we really have to be getting back to the ranch.”
Grateful for Adam’s
intervention, Ben led his sons away.
****
“How was school?” Ben asked
as Joe entered the house, Hoss right behind him. To Joe’s disgust he had been
escorted to school by Adam and met by Hoss, he had tried arguing against this
with his father that morning but Ben had held firm.
“It was all right,” In truth
it had been an ordeal. All his schoolmates were very subdued, and every time
Joe had caught sight of Andy’s empty chair grief had swept over him, leaving
him close to tears.
As Joe went up to his room
Adam returned from town. Entering the house he came straight over to see his
father. “I just spoke to
Ben sighed. “I hate to think
that the murderer of an innocent boy like that is still at large,” he said
sadly.
****
Joe slid down from his horse and walked across to the lakeside. He knew his father wouldn’t be pleased that he was out here alone, he was supposed to stay at home. In the last two weeks, since Andy’s death, his father and brothers had rarely let him out of their sight. This morning, however, Ben and Hoss had gone into town and Adam was down at the corral with the horses. Left to his own devices, Joe had decided to ride out to the lake. He knew that if he asked Adam if he could go, as he should have done, the answer would be no. Telling himself that as long as he was still on the Ponderosa his father couldn’t complain too much, he saddled up his horse and headed out.
Skimming stones over the calm
waters of the lake he felt guilty about leaving the ranch, but pleased to be on
his own for a while. Leading his horse he headed off along the lakeside
intending to walk to the place where he, Andy and Mitch used to go fishing. Joe
hadn’t bothered to bring his jacket and the breeze struck chill through his
shirtsleeves, the weather had turned much cooler this past week as summer
passed into autumn. Walking head down, looking for smooth stones to skim, Joe
was startled to hear the sound of a scream.
Looking around he could see
no sign of anyone, but then the scream came again, and it seemed to come from a
stand of pines some distance away over to his right. Joe hesitated, unsure what
to do. Someone was obviously in trouble, and if he went back to the ranch for
help, it could take too long. Deciding to go and see what was wrong, Joe
mounted his horse and rode rapidly towards the trees. As he drew nearer he
heard the sound of galloping hooves and caught sight of a chestnut horse
heading away.
He walked his own horse in
beneath the trees, looking around him for the source of the scream. His
attention was caught by what looked at first to be a heap of rags beneath the
pines. As he drew close though, he realised that he was looking at the crumpled
form of a young boy. Sliding from his horse, Joe walked slowly toward the
unmoving child. He was still some distance away when recognition hit him, he
knew the boy from school. He was a couple of years younger than Joe, a quiet
little boy called Danny Rogers. As Joe moved closer he saw the spread of red
under Danny’s head and was seized with horror.
Trembling and sick to his stomach Joe turned away from the dreadful sight. He knew he had to get back to the ranch quickly and fetch Adam.
****
Adam was angry, he had come
back to the ranch house for lunch and found Joe gone. Going outside to the
stable he saw that the boy’s horse was also missing. He was about to saddle up
and go look for his brother when the sound of galloping hooves caused him to
rush to the stable door. He sighed with relief as he saw Joe rein in his horse
and slide down from the saddle. Heading for his brother with the intention of
giving the boy a stern lecture he stopped as he saw Joe’s face.
“What is it Joe? What’s
happened?”
“Out by the lake,” Joe
stumbled over the words. He was shaking, Adam saw, and white as a sheet.
“Danny, Danny Rogers. He’s dead Adam, someone killed him, just like Andy.”
Adam put an arm around his
brother, he had feared that this might happen when
Joe nodded. He was scared to
go back to where Danny lay but knew it would be difficult for Adam to find the
body without him.
“Good boy,” Adam gave his
little brother a reassuring hug. Instructing one of the hands to go and fetch
Sheriff Coffee, he went to hitch up a wagon to transport the body. Tying his
own and Joe’s horse to the wagon, the two brothers’ set out on their grim
mission.
****
“Did you recognise the man
on the horse?”
Joe shook his head. “He was
too far away, and I only saw him for a moment,” his gaze looked beyond
“All right, Joe,”
As
“Joseph,” Ben reined in his
horse and dismounted quickly, heading for his youngest son.
Ben had been in town when he
heard the news that another child had been murdered, and that his son had found
the body. He and Hoss had ridden out as fast as possible.
Reaching his son, Ben looked
with concern at the boy. Joe’s eyes were wide with horror, his face ashen. He
looked up at his father blankly, scarcely registering his presence.
“Joseph,” Ben said again,
enfolding the boy in his arms. At his father’s touch Joe shuddered violently,
then flinging his arms around Ben he broke into despairing sobs.
“It’s all right,” Ben soothed. “I’m here now son, it’s all right,” over the boy’s head Ben saw Adam and the doctor lift the still form of Danny Rogers into the wagon.
****
“
“I know that,”
“Joe’s a child!” Adam was
just as angry as his father. “He’s upset enough over this business without
this. How can anyone possibly suggest he could be involved?”
“It wouldn’t be the first
time a child had killed other children,”
“So the kid has a bad
temper,” Adam was incredulous. “That hardly makes him a murderer!”
“Joe wouldn’t hurt anyone.”
Hoss said. “He didn’t do it sheriff.”
“I had to get Doc Martin to
give him something to calm him down,” Ben told him now. “Joe is devastated by
this
“Besides, you saw the trail left by the rider Joe saw,” Adam put in.
“How’d the
****
“Children talk Mr
Cartwright,” Mr Johnson stood uneasily in front of Ben’s desk. He had come to
suggest to Ben that it might be better if Joe stayed away from school for a
while and he had found Joe’s father in a very angry mood.
“Are you telling me not to
send Joseph to school?” Ben inquired, his voice icy.
“I’m just saying that I feel
it would be best for Joe,” Johnson’s voice was calm, trying to take the heat
out of the situation. “I’m sure you don’t want the boy upset.”
Ben didn’t answer; he had
seen his youngest son at the top of the stairs. “Joe,” he called. “Come down
here please.”
Slowly Joe descended the
steps. Reluctance apparent, he walked over to his father and Mr Johnson.
“Hello, Joe,” Mr Johnson put
his arm around Joe’s shoulder. Ben saw his son stiffen beneath the man’s touch.
“I just called in to see how you were.”
“I’m fine,” Joe mumbled.
“Thank you, sir.”
“Mr Johnson thinks it might
be a good idea if you stayed home from school for a while,” Ben told his son.
“What do you think?”
Joe looked from his father
to Mr Johnson. He had overheard part of what had passed between the two men. He
knew some of the kids were saying that he could be the one who killed Andy and
Danny. It was tempting to stay away from school, to remain on the Ponderosa
where he knew his father and brothers’ believed him implicitly, but he felt
that staying away might give the kids more reason to think him guilty. “I reckon
I should go to school, Pa,” he said firmly, his father’s pleased smile telling
him that Ben thought he was doing the right thing.
“Very well,” Johnson said,
dropping his arm from Joe’s shoulder. “I’ll expect to see you Monday morning
then. Goodbye Mr Cartwright.”
As Johnson left, Ben turned
to Joe. “You don’t have to go if you’d rather not. I’m not going to make you.”
“I’ll be fine Pa,”
Regarding his son’s downcast
face, Ben reached out and tousled the boy’s hair. “How about you come into town
with me tomorrow? Perhaps we could have dinner together.”
Joe smiled wanly. “Sure. That
would be good.”
“Joe,” Ben was suddenly
serious again. “Why don’t you like Mr Johnson?”
Joe looked up in surprise,
he hadn’t realised his father had picked up on his feelings towards the school
principal. “He’s all right,
Ben regarded the boy
gravely. He could tell from Joe’s tone that this wasn’t the reason, but he
didn’t want to push him at the moment.
For his part, Joe hoped his
father would accept what he said. It would be difficult to say why he really
disliked Mr Johnson. Perhaps it was just that the teacher was too friendly. He
was always touching. Bending close to Joe when helping him with work, putting
an arm round his shoulders, patting his knee. It wasn’t just Joe, some of his
friends had experienced it too. It made Joe feel uncomfortable.
“Why don’t you go out and
help Hoss in the barn?” Ben suggested. He saw how relieved Joe was that he had
dropped the subject and resolved to try and get to the bottom of it tomorrow.
****
“Hello there Little Joe, Mr Cartwright,” Abe Lewis, the storekeeper looked up as Ben and Joe entered. “What can I do for you?”
“I’ve a list of goods Hop
Sing needs,” Ben said, walking over to the counter. “How are you, Abe?”
“Just fine, Mr Cartwright,
just fine,” The little shopkeeper beamed, taking the list from Ben. “I think
I’ve got all this in stock. It’ll take me a while to get it ready though.”
“That’s fine,” Ben told him.
“Joe and I are going to have dinner at the International House.”
Abe looked over at Joe who was
standing quietly waiting for his father. Bustling out from behind the counter
he walked over to the boy. “I haven’t seen you in here for a while Little Joe,”
he said, tousling Joe’s dark curls. “How about I get you some candy for after
that fine meal your father’s buying you?”
Joe grinned at the little
man. “Thanks, Mr Lewis. I’d like that.”
Ben saw Joe’s grin with
relief. It had been a long time, he realised, since he had seen his son’s
dazzling smile.
Abe reached up for one of
the large glass jars on the shelf beside him. He took a sheet of paper and,
with a quick twist, formed it into a cone in which he placed several pieces of
candy and handed it to Joe. “On me, Mr Cartwright,” he said quickly, as he saw
Ben reach for his wallet. “Enjoy your meal Little Joe,” He added, turning back
to the boy.
“I will, Mr Lewis. And
thanks.”
Abe watched as the
Cartwrights left, then began to fill Ben’s order.
****
“Mr Cartwright!” Ben looked round as he heard the shout, to see the minister walking rapidly towards him. “Good afternoon Mr Cartwright, Joseph,” he said, reaching Ben where he stood waiting on the boardwalk outside the telegraph office. “I’m glad I saw you.”
“Is there something I can do
for you minister?” Ben asked. “Joe and I are just on our way to get dinner.”
“I won’t keep you long. It’s
about Danny Rogers’ funeral tomorrow. You will be there I take it?” He saw
Ben’s nod of affirmation and glanced down at Joe. “I thought you would be. And
I feel it’s my duty to warn you, Mr Cartwright, that feelings are running high
in town. It might be better if Joe wasn’t there.”
“But I didn’t do anything,”
Joe spoke up angrily. “And I’m not going to hide away as if I did!”
Ben placed a warning hand on
his son’s shoulder. Truthfully he was pleased to see a flash of the boy’s
temper, Joe had been far too quiet these last two weeks. “As my son says,” Ben
told the minister coolly. “He has done nothing wrong and I won’t have him
vilified for a crime he didn’t commit. We will all be at Danny Rogers’ funeral
and anyone who wants to accuse my son of these horrendous crimes will have me
to answer to.” He glared angrily at the minister who, unable to meet his gaze,
looked at the floor. “Good afternoon to you,” Ben finished. “Come along, Joe.”
****
Standing by the graveside, Joe was acutely aware of the whispers around him. He tried to do as Adam had told him. “Keep your head high and face them down, Joe,” he’d said as they walked into the church. He could feel his father’s hands on his shoulders and was aware of his brothers either side of him, but he could almost feel the accusing glances of some of the townsfolk. Lifting his head defiantly, he saw his friend Mitch looking his way. Seeing Joe look up Mitch gave him an encouraging grin. Joe felt instantly cheered, at least one of his friends believed him.
Ben, Adam and Hoss kept
close to Joe, watching the people around them for any sign of trouble. Ben was
finding it difficult to contain his anger. Joe had insisted that he wanted to
attend the service and Ben had agreed, proud of the boy’s attitude, but he was
worried about how all this was affecting him. Joe had been quiet and withdrawn
for a long time now and Ben could only hope that Roy Coffee’s investigations
would lead to the killer, clearing Joe’s name.
He had tried to make dinner
the day before as light hearted as he could but Joe wouldn’t be cheered up and,
not wishing to make matters worse, Ben hadn’t asked him any more questions
about his aversion to Mr Johnson.
“Good afternoon Mr
Cartwright, Adam, Hoss,” Abe Lewis came over as the service ended. Leaning down
he spoke softly to Joe. “Don’t you worry none, Little Joe,” he said. “There’s
plenty of people in this town know you didn’t do anything wrong.”
Ben felt a lift in his
spirits as Joe smiled at Abe, pleased by the little shopkeepers’ words.
****
“You just let me know if you get any trouble, I’ll sort it out,” Hoss said anxiously as he parted from his brother in the schoolyard.
“Thanks, but I can stick up
for myself, you know that,”
Hoss nodded; he knew Joe was
well able to fight his own battles. “You’d better not get into any fights,” he
warned the boy. “Pa’ll have your hide.”
“I’ll be fine. I’ll see you
after school.”
Hoss bent suddenly and
hugged him. Joe squirmed away, embarrassed, but secretly feeling glad of his
brother’s support.
“See you,” he said and
headed for the schoolhouse.
Hoss stood and watched till
Joe was out of sight then started back to the ranch.
****
“Good morning, Joe,” Mr Johnson said as he entered the schoolroom. “Hurry and take your seat and we’ll get started.”
Mitch looked up as Joe slid
into the seat next to him. “Glad you’re here,” he whispered.
“Now children,” Mr Johnson
began loudly. “I’ll be taking the lessons today as Miss Jones is busy with the
little ones.”
The morning dragged on for
Joe much as normal. He tried hard to concentrate on the lessons but, as usual,
found his thoughts more occupied with things he could be doing if he wasn’t in
school.
Eventually, lunchtime
arrived and Joe and Mitch settled down together to eat their meals.
“What’s Hop Sing packed for
you today?” Mitch asked curiously, Joe’s lunches always seemed far more
appealing than his did.
“Chicken,” Joe answered,
delving into the bag. “And there’s some apple pie. I guess Hop Sings' trying to
cheer me up with my favourites.”
“Well I know you didn’t do
anything wrong,” Mitch declared staunchly. “And lots of the kids agree with
me.” He watched as Joe put the chicken down untouched. “If you’re not gonna eat
that…”
Joe grinned and passed the chicken
over. As Mitch tucked in hungrily Mr Johnson came across to talk to them. “How are
you getting on today Joe?” he enquired, hunkering down beside the boy and
putting an arm round his shoulder. “Any trouble?”
“No, Sir,” Joe replied
stiffly. “Everyone’s been fine.”
“Good, good. Well you let me
know if you get any problems,” Johnson patted Joe’s leg then stood and walked
away.
“I wish he wouldn’t do that,”
Joe exclaimed angrily. “I just don’t like it.”
“That’s nothing,” Mitch told
him. “You know Danny Rogers used to sit next to my sister in class?” Joe
nodded. “Well he told her what Mr Johnson did to him,” Mitch’s tone was
scornful.
“What?” Joe asked, puzzled.
Mitch looked around then, leaning close, told his friend what he had been told.
****
“Sleep well, Joe,” Ben reached over to turn down the lamp. He was glad to find Joe hadn’t run into any trouble at school, it had been a worrying day for him, thinking of the problems his young son might be facing.
“Pa, can I speak to you about something?”
“Of course,” Ben came back
to stand beside Joe’s bed. “What’s the problem?”
Joe hesitated. He had been
thinking about this all afternoon, ever since Mitch told him what Danny had
said. He knew that what Mr Johnson had done to Danny was wrong, but it was an
embarrassing subject to speak about to his father. Joe knew, however, that Mr
Johnson should be stopped. If what Danny had said was true, who knew how many
other small children might have been involved.
“Mitch told me something,”
Joe said at last. “Something real bad. About Mr Johnson.”
Ben sat down on the side of
the bed, seeing the troubled look in his son’s eyes. “What did Mitch say?”
Joe looked across at the
window, unwilling to meet his father’s eyes. “You know I don’t much like Mr
Johnson.”
“I kind of guessed that,”
“Well it’s because he’s sort
of,” Joe found himself stumbling over the words. He began to feel himself
blushing, this was very embarrassing. “He touches,” he finally got out. “He’s
always putting his arm round you, stuff like that, and Danny Rogers told
Mitch’s sister that he…” Joe stopped, his face flaming.
Ben looked closely at his
son. He guessed what Joe was trying to tell him, but needed to hear it from the
boy before he did anything. “What exactly did Mr Johnson do to Danny?” he
asked, trying to keep his voice calm.
“He touched him,” Joe said,
his voice so quiet that Ben had to strain to hear. “Places he shouldn’t have,
“Joe,” Ben’s tone was
urgent. “He’s never touched you that way, has he?”
“No!” Joe’s denial was immediate
and Ben gave a sigh of relief. “Don’t worry,” he told his son, tucking the
sheets around him. “I’ll deal with it. You just get off to sleep.”
Joe settled down for the
night, happy to leave his father to deal with the problem of Mr Johnson.
****
“Calm down, Pa,” Adam said. “You’re shouting, and you’ll wake Hoss and Joe.”
Ben took a deep breath,
trying to bring his anger under control. “It’s just the thought of that man. Taking
advantage of children like that.”
“I agree. But at the moment
we only have what the
“We can’t let him carry on
at the school!”
“The school board took him
on,” Adam sat down on the couch. “First thing in the morning I’ll go see if I
can get a look at his references, find out where he taught before. We could
make a few discreet inquiries at his previous schools.”
“That doesn’t solve the
immediate problem,” Ben paced the floor in agitation. “We can’t take the risk
that he’s doing that to other children.”
“I’ll speak to Miss Jones. Let
her know what Joe said and ask her to keep an eye out for any suspicious
behaviour on Johnson’s’ part. She’s a sensible woman, and she’s very good with
the little ones, I’ll ask her to talk to them, see if anyone else backs up
Danny’s story.”
Reluctantly Ben agreed to
his oldest son’s plan.
****
“You’re sure about this
Adam?” Miss Jones was shocked at what Adam had told her. She didn’t hold any particular
affection for Mr Johnson herself, considering him a bit aloof and stand-offish,
but would never have suspected this.
“Joe says Mitch’s sister was adamant that Danny was telling the truth.”
“I have seen Mr Johnson put
his arm round the boys,” Miss Jones mused. “I thought he was just being nice.
Come to think of it though, he doesn’t do that with the girls. If anything he’s
quite remote with them.”
“You’ll speak to the
children? Discreetly of course, try not to frighten them.”
“I’ll see what I can find
out,” she shuddered suddenly, her eyes worried as a thought occurred to her. “You
don’t suppose? I mean if he was abusing Danny, then Danny gets killed.”
“I’d thought of it,” Adam
admitted. “Especially when Pa told me Andy Perkins didn’t like Johnson either.
But there’s no proof of anything at the moment.”
****
Adam waited impatiently for
a reply to his telegraphs. He had seen the head of the school board, only to be
told that Johnson had come to them with excellent references. The man had taught
at two previous schools, one in
“Something coming in Adam,” Jimmy called over. Adam left his seat by the wall and went to stand by the counter as Jimmy rapidly translated the blips and bleeps of the telegraph machine.
“Here you go,” Jimmy handed
over the message. “From
Adam scanned it quickly. “I’m
going to see Sheriff Coffee,” he told Jimmy. “If the message from
“Sure thing,” Jimmy assured
him as Adam left the office.
****
“I reckon the school board
will act on this and remove the man from his post,”
“You can’t arrest him?” Adam
asked.
“I’ve got a problem,”
“And have you thought that
he could be your murderer? You can’t just let him go.”
“Of course I’ve thought of
it. And I shall be investigating Johnson carefully, you can be sure of that.”
“What if he just leaves
town?” Adam leaned on the sheriff’s desk and fixed his dark eyes on
“Let me do my job, Adam,”
“And I’ve got it,” Both men
turned at the words. Miss Jones stood just inside the door; neither man had
noticed her come in. “I spoke to the children as Adam suggested,” she told
Sheriff Coffee. “There are two other youngsters who Johnson had been,” she
paused, searching for the right word, “‘interfering’ with. Two of my six year
olds, I know the parents well and I’m sure they’ll want to press charges.”
The sheriff stood up and
reached for his hat. “Then let’s get over to the school house.”
****
“Hey Pa,” Joe came charging into the house looking for his father. “Guess what happened?”
“What are you doing home at
this time?” Ben asked, glancing at the clock. It was only just past lunchtime.
“We got let out early,” Joe
told him eagerly. “Adam came over to the school with Sheriff Coffee and they
took Mr Johnson away. Then Miss Jones said we might as well all go home for the
rest of the day.”
Obviously Adam had found the
proof he needed to get Johnson jailed, Ben just hoped that didn’t mean other
children had been involved.
****
Over the next few weeks
****
“Joseph, answer the door
please,” Ben looked up from where he was working at his desk. Adam was sitting
in the chair by the fire engrossed in a book and Hoss and Joe were playing
checkers.
With a resigned sigh Joe
left the game and went to answer. “It’s Sheriff Coffee, Pa,” he called over to
his father.
“Evening Ben, boys. Sorry to
disturb you so late, but we’ve got another child missing and I’m looking for
volunteers to join the search party at first light.”
“Of course,” Ben rose from
his desk and walked across to join his old friend. “Who is it
“Tommy Rogers,”
“We’ll ride in for daybreak,”
Adam assured him as Ben showed the sheriff out.
Standing on the porch in the
cool night air, Ben turned to his friend. “At least there’s no way anyone can
say Joe was involved this time. He came straight home from school and he’s been
here ever since.”
“Nor Johnson either. He’s
locked up in
“No suspects at all?”
“Like everyone else I’ve
assumed it was Johnson. But now I just don’t know. There’s a couple of new
folks in town, that I’ll be checking out. I’d hate to think it could be anyone
I’ve known for years doing this.”
Ben nodded. Like
****
There had been a heavy frost
in the night and the ground was icy in patches as Adam and Hoss rode into
A small group of riders
waited by the sheriff’s office in the cold, grey light of dawn, ready to start
the grim search, all well aware of what they were likely to find.
“Morning, folks,”
****
Joe was clearing out the
stable, one of his least favourite jobs, when Adam and Hoss returned late that
afternoon. He could tell by the grim look on his brother’s faces that the news
wasn’t good.
Ben came out of the house when
he heard the horses ride in. He watched as his two eldest sons reined to a halt
and dismounted.
“Same as the others,” Adam said as his father walked across to join him. “Found him about a mile out of town, head stove in like the other two.”
“Hop Sing kept some lunch
for you,” Ben told his sons. “Go in and eat, Joe and I will see to the horses.”
Obediently, Adam and Hoss
trudged dispiritedly towards the house. Ben took the reins of their horses and
headed for the barn. He felt desperately sorry for the
Joe came to take one of the
horses from his father. “I heard what Adam said. Poor Tommy.”
“You knew these boys well. Is
there anything you can think of that might help Sheriff Coffee find who killed
them? Did Andy or Tommy ever mention having any trouble with anyone, anything
that was worrying them?”
Joe shook his head. “I’ve
thought and thought about who could have killed Andy. And I just can’t think of
anyone, everyone liked him.”
“They didn’t even have
anything in common,” Ben said, taking the saddle off Adam’s horse and hanging
it over the edge of the stall. “I know Tommy and Danny were brothers but they
had different friends, different interests.”
“Except for the Bible
reading class,” Joe said. “They were all in that. The Perkins and the Rogers
are real religious and they used to send all their kids to the minister’s house
for Bible reading.”
“They did?” Ben assumed that
Roy Coffee must know about the Bible class, he had spoken to Andy and Danny’s
parents about the boys. Wouldn’t hurt to be sure though, Ben thought, resolving
to mention it to
****
“Yes I checked up on the Bible
class,”
“Just thought you should
know,” Ben told him, looking across the street to the mercantile where Joe was
talking to Abe Lewis as the little shopkeeper helped the boy load provisions
into the wagon.
“Thanks,”
Crossing the road to join
his son at the mercantile Ben knew how the townsfolk felt. He had kept a very
close watch on Joe lately, and he was beginning to fight against it. Watching
his son speaking animatedly to Abe, his face alight with laughter Ben thought
he would never be able to bear it if anything happened to the boy.
“Hello, Mr Cartwright,” Abe
looked up from his work. “We’ve just about finished here.”
“Thank you, Abe,” Ben pulled
his wallet from his pocket. “How much do I owe you?”
“Come on in the shop while I
reckon it up,” Abe told him. He smiled over at Joe. “See if we can find some
more candy for this young man, eh?”
Taking up his pencil, Abe
began to add up the long column of figures whilst Ben waited and Joe wandered
around the store looking at the merchandise.
“There you go,” Abe turned
the paper around to show Ben the final figure. “Bad business about Tommy
Rogers,” he said softly, glancing at Joe. “You must be pleased that it lets Joe
off the hook though?”
“I don’t know that pleased
is the right word where a boy’s death is concerned,” Ben said, handing over the
cash payment. “But yes, I’m relieved that everyone knows Joe wasn’t involved.”
“Hey, Little Joe,” Abe
called across to the boy, who was examining a display of multicoloured glass
marbles. “Can I get you that candy?”
“Yes, please,” Joe grinned,
digging in his pocket for a coin. “I’d best get some for Hoss as well,” he
said. “You know how much he likes candy.”
****
“Please can I go fishing with Mitch?” Joe begged his father. “I haven’t been anywhere for ages now and we’ll be together.”
Ben was torn. There had been
no further incidents in the past few months. Christmas had come and gone and,
gradually, the killings had faded in people’s memory. Once more the children of
It was early March and the
snows had melted after a harsh winter; everywhere were the signs of spring and
Joe was desperate to escape the close confines of the ranch and get on with
enjoying life.
“Go on, Pa,” Hoss urged,
siding with his little brother as usual. “As long as he stays with Mitch, he’ll
be fine.”
“I don’t know so much,” Adam
warned. “Whoever killed those boys is still out there somewhere.”
“That was months ago,” Joe
protested, glaring at his eldest brother. “All the other kids get to do what
they want now.”
Ben raised his hands in
defeat. “All right,” he agreed reluctantly. Joe threw a look of triumph at Adam
but it was short lived as Ben continued. “On one condition. Adam rides in to
town with you to meet Mitch. He’s got a few errands to do, so he’ll meet you
and Mitch after your fishing expedition and you’ll ride back together.”
“That’s not fair,” Joe
responded angrily. “You don’t need to keep watch on me all the time.”
“Take it or leave it,” Ben
told him firmly.
“All right,” Joe grumbled
moodily. “I guess it’s the only way I’m going to get to go.”
****
Adam watched his young brother ride off with his friend, then strolled across to the mercantile. He was surprised to find Jim, Abe’s assistant alone in the shop.
“Abe not about?”
“Taken a couple of days off,”
Jim told him. “Gone to see a friend in
Adam handed over the order,
then headed for the bank to take care of some business for his father.
The transaction took less
time than Adam had anticipated so, with plenty of time on his hands, he headed
across to the saloon for a couple of drinks.
He just had time to order a
beer when Roy Coffee entered through the swinging doors.
“Thought I saw you coming in
here,” he said. “Haven’t seen you Cartwrights for a while. Everything all right
up at the Ponderosa?”
“Fine. Been pretty busy
round the ranch is all,” he turned to take the beer that the bartender had
poured him. “Anything new on the killings?”
“Did you say the minister
worked in
“That’s right,”
“I worked in
“Why didn’t you tell me this
before?”
Accompanying the sheriff,
Adam was surprised to see Mitch leading his horse toward the blacksmiths.
“Where’s Joe?” he asked him. “You two were supposed to stay together.”
“My horse threw a shoe so I
came on back,” Mitch explained. “I told Joe I’d ride out and meet him later,”
he saw Adam’s anxious look. “Don’t worry, he’s not on his own,” he explained.
“We met Mr Lewis out by the river. He said he’d keep Joe company till I get
back.”
“Abe?” Adam said, puzzled.
“But Jim told me he was in
“Damn!” At
Cold fear clutched at Adam
as realisation dawned that Abe Lewis could be the killer that had evaded them
all this time. “Get someone to go out to the Ponderosa and fetch my family,” he
told Mitch quickly. “I’m going after them. Come on
The two men ran for their
horses.
****
Joe was enjoying himself. It
seemed like forever since he had been away from his father and brothers, and he
was relishing the freedom. The spring sunshine was warm on his back as he bent
over to bait the hook on his fishing pole.
Abe Lewis leaned back against a tree watching the boy. “Shame about Mitch’s horse,”
“Means I get a head start,”
Joe grinned. “Catch a few before he gets back here.”
This one was such a good
looking boy, Lewis thought, and so trusting of his old ‘friend’ Abe. It was so
easy to get these kids to like you, he mused, a bit of candy, a few kind words.
Of course he hadn't really meant to kill any of them, things just got out of
hand and the only way he could stop anyone finding out what he had done was to
finish them off. He closed his eyes, momentarily remembering Danny Rogers and
the way he had screamed. He hadn’t realised Little Joe Cartwright had caught a
glimpse of him that day.
Returning to
He smiled to himself in
anticipation, there were two boys here for his amusement, he thought, first
there was Joe, and then Mitch would be riding out to join them.
“Would you like to fish Mr
Lewis?” Joe offered politely. “You can use Mitch’s pole if you want.”
“Thanks, Little Joe, but I’m
no fisherman. I’ll just watch you,”
Joe cast the line into the
water. Engrossed in what he was doing he was vaguely aware that Abe had come to
stand behind him, but was totally shocked when the little shopkeeper suddenly
reached forward and looped his arm around his chest pulling him back towards
him.
“Don’t struggle Little Joe
and I won’t hurt you,” Abe whispered, his mouth close to Joe’s ear. “I just
want you to be nice to me.”
Repulsed, and very
frightened, Joe struggled desperately to get away. He was hardly aware of
shouts behind him and a dark clothed figure running his way.
****
Adam urged his horse forward,
“Down there!”
Reining in beside them Adam
jumped down from his horse and ran for his brother as
“Joe,” Adam sank to his
knees beside the boy. “Joe, are you all right?”
Lifting his head Joe looked
up at his brother, eyes glistening with tears. “It was horrible, Adam,” his
voice quavered slightly as he spoke. “If the minister hadn’t come along...” He
shuddered violently and allowed himself to be drawn gently into his brother’s
arms.
****
“He’s fine, Pa,” Adam reassured his father as Ben rushed forward to meet them on their return to town. “Bit shocked but otherwise fine.”
Not convinced until he had
checked for himself, Ben waited as Joe scrambled down from his horse. “Joseph?”
he put his hands on the boy’s shoulders, studying his son’s face.
“I’m all right,” Joe told
him. “But if the minister hadn’t been there I don’t think I’d have been so
lucky.”
“I’m just thankful I was
able to help,” the minister said, walking across to join them. “I often go
riding out by the river when I’m in need of inspiration for my sermons. It’s
usually a very peaceful place.”
“I don’t know how I can ever
thank you enough,” Ben told him warmly. “If anything had happened to Joe…” he
shivered at the thought.
“And just moments before we
thought you were the killer,” Adam told him shamefacedly. “Apparently there
were some similar killings when you were serving in
“Yes there were,” the
minister smiled grimly. “But that was all cleared up before I came here, they
hanged the man who did it.”
“Joe!” Hoss thrust through
the group of people now surrounding his father and brothers “What happened? I
got back to the ranch and one of the hands told me you were in trouble.”
“I’m fine,” Joe grinned;
enjoying all the attention now the danger was over. “I’ll tell you all about it
when we get home.”
“I just can’t believe it of
Abe Lewis,” Ben said, watching as
“Especially the kids,” Adam
put in quietly. “They thought of him as a friend. When he met up with them they
had no reason to be wary of him, they trusted him.”
Heading back to the
Ponderosa, Ben could only be profoundly grateful that the minister had arrived
in time to stop Abe Lewis. The triumph of good over evil, he thought, the Good
Lord had surely been watching over Joseph today.
© Kathleen Pitts 1999