Stop The Press!!
Notes:
Characters – I thank David Dortort and Bonanza Ventures for allowing fans like myself to use the four Cartwrights, Hop-Sing, and Roy Coffee in fanfic stories. I hold no rights to these characters. I use them for entertainment only. I’ve created my own quirky characters, so don’t take them seriously…just enjoy them.
Historical Facts - The International Hotel did, in fact, serve oysters. I could not find anything that said they ever served them raw on a half shell. I fudged this fact for the humor of the story. Virginia City did have several newspapers, but mine did not exist. Tramp newspapers were real and were known to go into a town or area, work for a while, and then leave. So did tramp reporters & printers.
* * * *
Silver Dollar Saloon, One Afternoon in Virginia City
Hoss laughed and slapped his knee while he half-joked with his little brother. “Joe, we talkin’ about the same Adam?”
“Sure we are. Brother Adam. He’s at the bank,” Joe leaned back in his chair a little as he took a big gulp of beer. He swallowed and let out a composed, confident sigh of pleasure.
“And you know why he’s over at the bank?” Hoss continued. “Cuz’ he’s counting his money, little brother. We ain’t, cuz’ we’re broke.”
“Hoss, you worry too much,” Joe commented.
“No, Joe, it’s not worry. I just know Adam well enough to know he ain’t gonna give us money as easy as you think.” Hoss said, laughter still in his voice.
“What’d ya talking about? We’re family,” Joe confidently stated. “We take care of each other.”
“Uh-huh! So if we’re family, then how come we don’t go to Pa with this idea of yours and ask him for the money?” Hoss asked.
“Don’t you think Pa has enough problems? Now Adam is bothered by what’s happened just like we are.” Joe stated.
Joe picked up the previous edition of “The Freedom Courier.” This was a tramp newspaper that came into town right after Ben began his pursuit to be the head of the cattlemen’s association. In order for Ben to be chosen, it’s the voting members that will actually perform the election. But these people are aware that favorable public opinion of anyone they choose is very important. So putting doubt in the public’s minds would help anyone that did not want to see him in the position. This newspaper ran article after article that attacked Ben and his efforts toward his goal.
There wasn’t much talk around town, but all of the Cartwrights knew that Agnes Finster was behind the entire campaign. She invited the paper to do business in Virginia City on a promise of profits. Agnes Finster was one of Virginia City’s resident widows. For the past three years, she pursued the attention of Ben Cartwright with no success. Her bitterness grew at not being a part of the Cartwright clan that she fantasized would bring her wealth and popularity. Agnes had no cattle to deal with, but this was just her personality and revenge was how she handled her unhappiness.
“Joe. I’m just not sure we should be involved in this. What’d we know about the newspaper business?” Hoss asked.
“I told you. Jake Willis will be our partner and his entire family has been in the business for years,” Joe persisted. “We’re only gonna be in the business until Pa is elected.”
Hoss nodded his head cautiously. “And how harmful can Agnes be anyway?”
“I don’t know. But to just sit back and doing nothing while Pa is drug through the dirt is hard for me to do,” Joe said, then he perked up. “I’ll get the fight back in you. Listen to this article about Pa.” He unfolded the paper and began to read.
“Most of the cattle ranches in this area are small and not always well run. These ranches are managed by inexperienced, poor farm boys trying to feed their families. Nothing wrong with that, but no matter how many ranches there are, most of the cattle in this region cover the landmass of the Ponderosa, which is headed by Ben Cartwright. Fair opinions? With one man rich and powerful, how can any poor farm boy have an opinion? How will he feel that he can have an independent opinion or even challenge this cattle baron? Some say favorably that he is a big man. We say that this big man is pushing his weight around for his own benefit.”
Joe noticed that Hoss had the expression he usually wears when he didn’t like what he just heard. Joe continued, he had to erase any doubt that Hoss might have about starting their own newspaper to defend their pa.
“…Ben Cartwright claims to stand for the support of these small ranchers. Seems like this is the wolf in lamb’s clothing. He’ll listen to them while they give him their support…”
“Dadburn those people,” Hoss burst out, “They don’t know, Pa,” the tone in his voice then turned from disgust to defensive, “But Joe, remember the other night when Pa told all three of us to stay out of his business?”
“Sure, but Pa hadn’t read this article then, either. Now listen. There’s more,” Joe urged. He needed Hoss and didn’t want to lose him now.
“…But afterwards, if they decide on an issue that keeps this powerful man from getting the beef or tallow prices he wants, will these innocent victims, who are now his supporters, be as important?”
“They should stop conjuring up a wordy war of misinformed facts,” Joe said matter-of-factly. He kept his head still, but his eyes rolled to the side of his head to see if he was getting a reaction from Hoss.
It was working. Hoss looked puzzled, “Huh? How come you talkin’ like that?”
Joe giggled at Hoss, “Jake said that. He’s smart, huh?”
“He’s smart, little brother. But those of us who know you might think you’re touched in the head talkin’ like that,” Hoss claimed, he laughed with his brother.
Joe read a little more,
“…What we think is fact: Wealth doesn’t come from compromise nor feeling sorry for someone. It’s built by good business decisions. We think that when the cards are laid out and Ben Cartwright has his position that he will turn a cold back to these very supporters he says he wants to have a bigger voice. Simply put…he won’t need them any longer.”
“Agnes Finster probably thinks she’s gonna come out of this smelling like a rose,” Joe casually commented.
Hoss was feeling perturbed,”Yeah, Well I don’t care what Agnes smells like. I’m with you, little brother. Let’s go in with Jake. We’ll explain to Pa when we need to.”
Joe was elated at what Hoss just said, “Great! I knew you’d see it the way I did. Now, we just gotta come up with the money that I told Jake we would get for the office and equipment.”
“And you think our brother is gonna just give us the money? Just like that!” Hoss asked.
“I think when we tell Adam what we’re gonna do, he’ll want to help,” Joe replied.
Hoss chuckled. He knew Adam better than Joe. “And I think you fell off your horse, little brother, and it kicked you in the head.”
“We’ll give back his money,” Joe insisted.
“You bet he’ll want his money back…with interest.” Hoss bounced his head in a big nod and widened his eyes to accentuate his point. “That is if you can convince him in the first place.”
“I thought you were all for this. Now you sound like you’re in doubt,” Joe said, sounding a bit surprised.
“No, little buddy, I still think it’s a good idea. I just doubt the financial help from Adam.”
“Hoss, you need to know how to talk to Adam,” Joe assured him.
That comment provoked a bigger chuckle from Hoss. “You know how to talk to Adam? Now I know you been kicked in the head by a horse.”
“Let’s go. I’ll show you how to handle our brother.” Joe swallowed the last of his beer and stood up.
“Okay, Joe. But I think you’re plumb crazy,” Hoss responded. He slapped Joe on the back as they walked out of the saloon.
“Hey Adam!” Joe called out. He picked up his pace almost to a run.
Stopping dead in his tracks, Adam looked up to see his two brothers hurrying in his direction.
Joe, maybe you should let me handle this?” Hoss offered as he stood behind Joe.
“Handle what?” Adam responded innocently.
“Uh, Adam…uh…Joe and I wanted to talk to you…uh ‘bout Pa.” Hoss tried to find a good beginning.
“Hoss, let me handle this!” Joe demanded.
“Handle what?” Adam inquired again with curiosity.
“Hoss and I been talking and we don’t like all this stuff about Pa in the paper,” Joe began. He cleared the lump in his throat, and then continued. “You said yourself that you think it’s wrong.”
“Yeah, Adam, I remember you sayin’ that the other night,” Hoss said. He grinned wide.
“Hoss. Will you please be quiet and let me handle this?” Joe’s voice squeaked as he forced his tone.
The grin Hoss had dissolved.
Adam stared at Hoss. “I remember expressing my feelings to you two.” Then he looked at Joe, “Handle what?”
When his brothers tried to explain something to him, but failed at getting right to the point, it was usually an indication to Adam that trouble was brewing.
“Adam, Adam,” Joe shot back with confidence. “What’s the best way to stop a newspaper from printing up lies and about Pa? Hmm?”
“Tell the truth by those who know…” Hoss volunteered. He couldn’t stay out of it.
“Hoss, please. I can explain this all to Adam,” Joe pled with Hoss.
“Please do,” Adam said. He leaned on the post of the porch, keeping his arms crossed over his chest.
“Hoss and I have a chance to get some printing press equipment and set up an office with Jake Willis. You know Jake? His uncle was a printer at the Sierra Bulletin in Genoa.”
“I see. So, you and Hoss are going into the newspaper business?” Adam remarked with suspicion.
“Yep!” Joe declared. He grinned so big the sun sparkled off his teeth.
Hoss nodded to show his support.
“If I recall correctly, Pa told you two to stay out of his business,” Adam declared.
Joe jumped right in. “We’re not in Pa’s business. We just want truth and justice to be heard in Virginia City.”
Adam twisted his mouth in response to his little brother’s logic. “Truth and justice? And the two of you are going to right all wrongs?” Adam knew what was coming, but let his brothers take the lead.
“Somebody’s got to,” Hoss said. Innocence rang throughout his voice.
“And you want me to finance it?” Adam added.
“Well, Adam…not exactly,” Joe said in a business-like manner. “We don’t want you to finance anything.”
“Oh,” Adam said in a silent exaggerated gesture. He asked, “Well then, what are you trying to handle?”
“A loan. All we want is a little tiny, small loan,” Joe answered quickly.
“A loan? So you DO expect me to finance this little venture of yours,” Adam said with no surprise in his voice. “And how much money are you going to put in?”
Joe hesitated and then offered, “Well, uh, Hoss and I have our money tied up in other, uh, ventures.”
“We do?” Hoss responded as he wrinkled up his nose and look at Joe for some kind of answer.
Adam smirked. They were up to their old tricks. They were speculating a new venture and trying to drag him into it. “You’re broke and I’m about to hear a very sad tale.”
“Just get us started. That’s all we want,” Hoss noted.
“There is no sad tale,” Joe said, “It’s true that our money is tied up.”
“Uh-huh.” Adam said dryly. He looked at Joe, “Well, your money would be tied up in ladies.” Then he looked over at Hoss, “And where’s your money tied up?”
“Ah, Adam. What difference does it make? You’re our brother and we thought you’d like to help,” Hoss said.
“Look Adam, after the first month, we’ll pay you back every cent,” Joe offered.
“With interest,” Hoss volunteered.
Joe glared at Hoss. He tried to shore up his confidence, but Adam’s expression melted it like ice in the sun.
“How much?” Adam asked.
“We’ll give you more interest than the bank would give you in one month,” Joe said timidly. Adam just had too many questions.
“How much?” Adam asked again.
“You’ll never believe this, Adam. All we need is five hundred dollars,” Joe continued, trying not to give Adam too much time to think. “Ain’t that something? Just five hundred measly little dollars.” Joe held his breath.
“Five hundred dollars?” Adam bent a little forward towards Joe, and furrowed his brows. “You have no experience and you want me to put five hundred dollars into your hands and trust I will get it back.”
“Yeah, Adam…and don’t forget the interest,” Hoss added.
Joe glared at Hoss again. Then asked Adam, “Don’t we trust each other?”
“Oh we trust each other, all right. And as a trusted family member, I’m gonna save the both of your hides and say…No!” Adam responded adamantly.
“No? Don’t be so hasty. It’s good equipment and Jake has experience. We can’t go wrong,” insisted Joe.
Hoss couldn’t help but think Joe should have been an attorney. He probably wouldn’t win many cases in court, but he was sure putting on a good case with Adam.
Adam chuckled, “How many times, little brother, have you and Hoss been involved in some kind of adventure to help someone and the intended victim never wants to see you again?”
“We can’t go wrong!” Joe stressed, “Hoss and I would never do anything wrong to Pa.”
“If you two are involved, then just by nature it’s going to go wrong.” Adam then thought of a good obstacle. He cocked his head and a little smile appeared. “Speaking of Pa, what about him?”
“Pa?” Joe choked.
“Oh yeah. We weren’t gonna to say anything to Pa, at least, not right away,” Hoss admitted.
“And how do you think you will keep him from finding out?” Adam asked, continuing his interrogation.
“Well, we thought we’d put out a couple of editions and he’ll see the good it’s doing and he’ll be thankful for it,” Joe explained.
“Ah, thankful. He’d be more thankful if the two of you just stayed on the ranch and stayed out of his business,” Adam reprimanded.
Hoss began to lose his patience with Adam’s continuous questions. “Dadburnit, Adam. We’re doin’ a good thing and just want you part of it. Now, you in or you out?”
“Out! But I must give you credit. Where you lack intelligence, you make up for it with gumption,” Adam said, starting to walk away. “I’ll see you two around.”
Joe called after his fleeing brother. “Later, Adam. We can talk about this later.”
“Gumption? You think he’s trying ta fun with us, Joe?” Hoss asked.
“Naw!! He just means we have spunk to get it done,” Joe answered.
As an idea suddenly came to him, Hoss’ confused look turned to a big smile. “Hey, Joe. Let’s use our gumption and go into the bank and get a loan.”
“Good idea, Hoss. Good idea.” Joe’s voice brightened. The family name has been around for a long time and securing a loan shouldn’t be a problem. He patted his brother on the shoulder. “I knew I had the real brains in the family with me.” He grabbed Hoss’ arm and led him inside.
Inside the bank, Mr. Whitley, the banker and loan officer, was sitting behind his desk in a back corner while Solomon Harris, the teller, quietly worked behind the front counter. Hoss and Joe knew Harris better than Mr. Whitley, so they approached him first.
“Hey Joe! Hey Hoss!” Solomon called out softly as if he was glad to see them.
Joe leaned towards the teller and asked in a whisper, “Solomon, we’re here to talk to Mr. Whitley. Is he in a good mood? ‘Cuz this is important.”
“Mr. Whitley is never in a good mood. But today he seems to be worse,” Solomon replied, his voice still low.
“Why’s that?” Hoss whispered back, worried.
“Well, earlier he said something about having to sleep in the parlor because Mrs. Whitley was mad at him. Then when your brother Adam left, he made some comments about the Cartwrights always wanting things their way.”
“Oh. We won’t take up much of his time. And we’re not demanding like our brother, Adam. Can we see him?” Joe requested confidently.
“I’ll go check. You wait here.”
Solomon walked over to Mr. Whitley. He bent over towards Mr. Whitley and whispered. Mr. Whitley looked at Joe and Hoss then back at Solomon. He did not smile and the wrinkles between his eyebrows seemed to deepen. Mr. Whitley said something to Solomon and then Solomon came back to Joe and Hoss.
“He’ll see you. Just be careful,” Solomon warned.
After walking over to the loan officer’s desk with Hoss in tow, Joe extended his hand to shake Mr. Whitley’s. Mr. Whitley just sat there and stared at the younger Cartwright boys.
“Did Adam send you in here?” Mr. Whitley inquired in a gruff voice.
Joe responded right away. “No. Hoss and I know you’re a solid businessman and that you have business sense.”
Hoss gave a nervous chuckle, “Yep, Mr. Whitley, Joe and I were just talkin’ about how solid you are. Real solid.”
Mr. Whitley leaned back in his chair with his head bent forward. He stared at the two Cartwright boys through his bushy eyebrows. “I see. You sound like you’re here for some kind of business deal,” Mr. Whitley observed.
Joe took the lead. “Hoss and I would like to take out a very small loan.”
“A loan, huh? Do you have any collateral?” Mr. Whitley asked and then frowned at the boys. He knew they had no money in his bank.
“Collateral?” Hoss repeated. His head stayed straight, as his eyes shifted to the side of his sockets and looked at Joe.
“Well, it’s such a small loan that we didn’t think about needing any collateral.” Joe laughed nervously
“How much?” Mr. Whitley asked.
“You know, it’s such a small amount that we thought we’d just give it all back after one month,” Joe stated.
Hoss nodded, giving his little brother all the support needed.
“How much?” Mr. Whitley asked again in a more serious tone.
Putting a big grin on his face, Joe answered, “Just five hundred dollars. That’s it! A little bit of money for a big business that gives you back a tidy profit.”
“I see. Five hundred dollars to two men who can’t provide any collateral?” Mr. Whitley now sat upright in his chair. He impatiently tapped the top of his desk with a pencil while he stared at the boys. The room was so quiet that nothing could be heard but the pencil and the monotone ticking of the wall clock.
”Well, we figure the Cartwright name is good collateral.” Joe said, clearing his throat nervously.
“The Cartwright name, huh?” Mr. Whitley asked, a little confused at this response. “I’m sorry but the Cartwright name can’t be considered collateral. So, what do you have of value that is worth five hundred dollars or more that could support a loan?” Mr. Whitley said.
Joe frowned. He had been holding the brim of his hat in both hands, and his nervousness caused him to subconsciously roll the brim into a tight roll.
“Why don’t you go to your Pa?” Mr. Whitley interjected. “He’s got money in my bank.”
“Pa? Well, you see Mr. Whitley, we’re gonna help Pa out and asking for money wouldn’t be doing that,” Hoss said.
Joe tried to rescue them. “What he means Mr. Whitley is that our pa has enough to take care of right now and doesn’t need to worry about putting some money into a good business idea. Besides, we want to do this on our own.”
“I see. Did you ask your brother, Adam? He has money in my bank,” Mr. Whitley remarked with curiosity. He felt Adam would have been a good choice.
“Uh, yeah…but you know Adam.” Joe laughed again. He elbowed Hoss who tried to laugh. But the chuckles stuck in the big man’s throat.
“Adam supports us. Well…uh, not with money, but he believes in truth and justice. Just like Joe and I,” Hoss reassured the banker.
Mr. Whitley eyed both young men suspiciously. “Truth and justice?”
“You know, Adam. He wants to be so bossy, so Hoss and I decided that we should do this ourselves since we have business sense,” explained Joe.
“Business sense?” Mr. Whitley commented with surprise in his voice. “So, Mr. Cartwright, what kind of business venture is this where you have more sense than collateral?”
Joe moved to the edge of his chair. “You see, Mr. Whitley, we’re gonna go in with Jake Willis who has lots of experience with running a newspaper. We believe that the truth should be told. And who better than us?”
“Yeah, that’s right, Mr. Whitley. Truth and justice.” Hoss repeated the phrase, making it sound like it would become their motto.
That didn’t help the Cartwright boys at all. Mr. Whitley frowned now just as much as he did when the boys first sat down. “I think this idea is just to get revenge for your father. Don’t you boys think that the people of this city know your pa well enough to just let all this blow over?”
“We know most trust Pa. And we aren’t after revenge. We just want to tell our side of all this,” Hoss blurted out.
“Will you give us the money, Mr. Whitley?” Joe begged, starting to feel a little defeated.
Mr. Whitley cleared his voice before he spoke. “I’m sorry, boys. But I’m afraid I can’t loan you any money.”
“Why?” Joe asked, his voice almost falsetto.
“I admire your need for the truth. But I can’t run a bank on admiration. You come up with collateral and I’ll give it a second consideration.” Mr. Whitley stood up to indicate the meeting was over.
“Yes sir,” Hoss responded obediently. He got up and turned for the door. Joe followed him and glanced at Solomon on their way out.
Outside the bank, Hoss turned to Joe. “Well, ya wanna go back to the Silver Dollar? Jake should be there by now.”
“Yeah, might as well. He needs to know the bad news.”
“Hey, Joe, Hoss. Over here,” Jake called out over the laughter of a small crowd of men at the end of the bar.
As Hoss and Joe walked where Jake was sitting, neither smiled nor signaled for a beer. Cosmo, the bartender, followed them with two beers in hand. In the corner of the room, the piano clanked out a familiar tune. The atmosphere in the saloon was gay, but did not match the mood of the boys. Jake noticed.
“Well, did you get the money for the equipment?” Jake asked.
Joe shook his head as he spoke. “Not yet. We tried Adam and then Mr. Whitley at the bank. Just not interested.”
“Joe, you gotta get the money. That’s our agreement. I’d get the equipment and you’d get the money. My uncle was all excited about this when I told him,” Jake pleaded.
“I know, Jake, but we tried. We tried real hard.” Joe took a sip of his beer. All that talking to Adam and Mr. Whitley made him dry. “We need to think of something else.”
“I got Mr. Hatfield to agree to let us have that vacant office to use and get paid later,” Jake whined. “But we gotta get the money for the equipment. My uncle will sell it to someone else if we wait too long.”
“We know, Jake,” Hoss acknowledged. The wrinkles in his forehead showed that he was thinking hard for an answer. “We’ll get the money. Just gotta think of something.”
“Geez, I figured with your family and the Cartwright name, you wouldn’t have any trouble. I mean the Willis name is nothing in Virginia City, yet I was able to get the vacant office,” Jake said in a very disappointed voice.
“We know, Jake, we know. Don’t give up on us yet. We said we’ll get the money, so we’ll get the money.” Hoss declared a bit defensively.
“I trust you. I just thought you’d have it by now, that’s all,” Jake responded.
“Tell you what, Jake.” Hoss was now talking in a different tune. “You go tell your uncle that he can deliver that equipment and in about a day, we’ll have that money.”
“Really!!! I’ll go right now.” Jake stood up and hurried out the door. “Are you sure?”
Hoss immediately responded, “Yep, I’m sure.”
Joe looked at Hoss a little dumbfounded. You’d think that Hoss had been absent during their discussion with Adam and then with Mr. Whitley.
“See you two later,” Jake said and dashed out the door before Hoss said something different.
Just then Bill Best, a miner of the Savage mines, came into the Silver Dollar carrying a copy of the “The Freedom Courier.” He saw the Cartwright boys setting at the table, but went directly to his group of friends at the bar. After saying something to his friends, he faced Hoss and Joe and began to read the latest article.
“It was noticed that the high and mighty Ben Cartwright walking around town Saturday afternoon in his normal arrogant manner. He preaches in his saintly voice about giving the small rancher a vote in the prestigious cattlemen’s association. When confronted on the street to question him further of his convictions, he stayed silent and walked away, completely ignoring our staff that pursues the truth and intends to reveal his true motives.”
“Just thought you boys might be interested. This edition just came out and you know this paper is trying to ruin your pa’s reputation,” Bill called out and then turned to face the bar.
Both Hoss and Joe stared at him for a moment.
Although the article was new, it was the same rhetoric about their father that has been printed almost on a daily basis. But the articles didn’t sit well with the Cartwright boys.
“Dadburn it, Joe. Ever time I hear or read what that dang paper says about Pa, it just makes me want to take their office apart piece by piece,” growled Hoss.
“Yeah, I know,” Joe acknowledged. “But you watch. I’m the genius that’s gonna think of something.”
“I’d rather you not be a genius ‘cuz that gets us into trouble. I’d rather you try and think of what Adam would do,” Hoss stated.
Joe defended himself, “Now, Adam’s been in trouble with Pa don’t forget.”
“The only time Adam has been in trouble with Pa is when he follows us,” Hoss lectured.
“All I know is that we made a promise and somehow we’re gonna keep it,” Joe commented.
Both Hoss and Joe were quiet for a moment. But then Hoss thought of another person. When his brother wasn’t cluttering up his mind with ideas, Hoss could see things a little clearer.
“There’s one person we forgot about, Joe,” Hoss said, poking his index finger into Joe’s shoulder.
“Yeah, who’s that?” Joe asked, rubbing his poked shoulder.
“The widow Mindlebrice,” Hoss said and grinned big.
“Oh no, Hoss. I’d rather not ask her,” Joe begged a little. “In fact, why don’t we just go get Adam, sit him down with a nice beer, and talk sense into him?”
“Adam’s got sense,” Hoss advised his brother. “Sometimes I still can’t help but think we should just stay on the ranch.”
“Hoss!! You think way too much. We can’t let Pa down. Maybe you’re right. We’ll talk to the widow Mindlebrice. Where else can we go?”
“Now you’re thinking, little brother. We can make her the same deal as we were going to make Adam and Mr. Whitley,” Hoss suggested.
Joe perked up. “See, Hoss? Didn’t I tell you earlier that I had the real brains in the family with me?”
“Yeah,” Hoss said in a weak voice. He wasn’t that sure if he agreed.
Joe got up from his chair. “Come on, let’s go home. We’ll do this right and call on the Mrs. Mindlebrice this evening.”
Hoss scrunched up his nose at Joe. “How we gonna do this right?”
“Get cleaned up,” Joe answered.
“Cleaned up?” Hoss leaned over and smelt the sleeve of his arm. “I’m clean.”
Joe playfully
swatted at Hoss. “Come on. Let’s go home and eat, get cleaned up and then we’ll
call on Mrs. Mindlebrice.”
Hoss grinned, “Food. Now you’re talkin’.”
Hoss paced the great room floor as he occasionally glanced up at the top of the stairs, hoping Joe would come down and they could leave before their father became suspicious. They managed to get through the family dinner with the subject of them going out for the evening mentioned only once. Even Adam’s comment about staying on the ranch and out of trouble was stated without any response from their father. This was the one time Hoss was happy that Pa was consumed by the latest problem of the railroad right-of-way possibly crossing the southern tip of the Ponderosa.
Adam was reclined in his favorite blue velvet chair, trying to keep his mind on his reading. But Hoss’ unusual pacing kept distracting him.
”You’re about as antsy as a chicken staring at a Dutch oven. What’s wrong?” he finally asked.
Hoss stopped pacing to answer his brother. “Oh, nothing. Nothing. Just wishing Joe would come along before it gets late.”
“Where are the two of you going in town?” Adam asked in a probing manner.
Hoss nervously glanced over at his father who still had his nose buried in his papers. “You know, just into town for a while. Nothing else.”
“Uh-huh! Gonna see someone special?” Adam inquired, as he was lining up all the logical factors to determine the real answer to his question. Which weren’t many when it came to his brothers.
“Nah! Just have a beer,” Hoss replied, trying to keep his answers short and hoping Joe would appear anytime.
The sound of a door slamming shut upstairs caused Ben, Adam, and Hoss to look up. A few moments later, Joe appeared. He wore a clean dress shirt, a black string tie and a brown jacket worn often to church on Sundays.
Hoss put a broad grin on his face when he saw his brother. Now they could get out of there. The way Joe could dress was bound to get them the money they needed. How could anyone turn Joe down when he was dressed up like this?
Ben looked completely confused and said nothing. He got up from his desk, kept his stare on Joe, and walked slowly to where Hoss and Adam stood.
Adam’s expression was more of a smirk than a smile. After their afternoon conversation with him, he knew this was no little beer-drinking trip to town.
Gliding down the stairs, Joe used his hands to smooth down the front of his shirt.
Adam broke the silence. “Joe when it comes to dressing to impress the females of our community, you take the prize.”
“Thanks, Adam,” Joe said, but not with gratitude. He wished his older brother would just stay quiet. He felt in his bones that Adam knew something.
“Is it someone I know, Joe?” Ben asked his son anxious to know who the girl was.
Before Joe could answer, Adam answered. “It’s the widow Mindlebrice.” Through deduction, he figured she was the only one that might lend them the money. The widow Mindlebrice is another woman that’s been pursuing the attention of Ben.
Ben’s pleased expression immediately turned confused. “You courting the widow Mindlebrice?”
Joe gave Adam a hard, unpleasant look. Then he smiled at his father and responded. “Naw, Pa. You know I wouldn’t court the widow. Uh…me and Hoss…we…”
“Hoss and I, Joe,” Adam interjected. Then he stayed silent while he stared at his uncomfortable brothers.
Joe turned to his father once more to answer him. “Hoss and I thought we’d just go pay the widow Mindlebrice a visit. You know, she’s been so supportive in the last charity we all were involved in.”
“A visit?” said Ben. “That’s nice of the two of you, but why are you so dressed up for this visit?”
Joe struggled to find some answers. “Well, you know, Pa…uh, the widow is an elegant woman and she would expect her visitors to dress well.”
Oh,” Adam said and looked over at Hoss. “I didn’t know she liked beer.”
“Well, I meant after we go see her,” Hoss replied uncomfortably.
Adam couldn’t help himself. “Her money lets her be quite elegant. Right, Joe?”
Joe ignored Adam.
“Oh, that’s not a bad idea.” Ben answered back. Then he glanced over at Hoss. “Why aren’t you dressed up?”
Hoss became defensive. “Well, I’m gonna do just that, Pa. I’ll put on my nice coat and a tie.” He immediately raced upstairs as if he was trying to escape the Sheriff from a long interrogation.
“The widow Mindlebrice can be very charitable to a good cause. I’m sure she’ll appreciate your visit.” Adam continued his torture of Joe.
Joe twisted his expression at Adam and looked like he just bit into a sour cherry.
“I’m very pleased with the two of you for being so considerate. You must give her my best and thank her for all she did,” Ben told Joe.
“Yes, Joe,” Adam agreed. “You’ll have to thank her for all of us. Maybe she will do something for you in return.”
Joe didn’t want to respond to Adam’s comments and was afraid he’d say something that would alert his father to their true intentions. But Joe no more thought that when Hoss came to the rescue by coming down the stairs.
“Okay Joe, you ready?” Hoss asked.
Joe headed to the door. “More than ever.”
“You boys enjoy your evening,” Ben remarked. “I’m very proud of you.”
Adam slapped his father on the back of his shoulder. “Your baby boy will make us all proud, Pa.”
At last, Hoss and Joe were able to escape to the front yard. As they climbed up into the buggy, Hoss asked, “I don’t know, Joe. Maybe we’re not doing the right thing. You think Adam might be right?”
“Naw, Forget Adam. He always thinks the answers are in his books.”
“Yeah, but Pa didn’t seem to be bothered at all by that latest article in the paper,” Hoss noted.
“Pa’s thinking about that railroad. Anyway, if that paper were attacking one of us, Pa’d be down there in that office and they’d be answering to him.”
“Yeah, I reckon you’re right,” Hoss agreed, his voice full of doubt.
“Then we should defend our Pa,” Joe declared.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Hoss responded no more confident than his last answer.
Joe pulled the buggy up to the front of the Mindlebrice house. Both he and Hoss stared up at the front window where a bright light shone from a lantern that sat on a table between the curtains.
Rose Mindlebrice was a young widow living with her unmarried, 18 year old daughter, Marigold. Rose was not pretty, but had some very handsome features. She carried her broad shoulders well. Her upper body tapered down to a not quite slim figure. When she walked, it was graceful.
Rose was married to Clarence Mindlebrice until he died. He wasn’t rich, but he was very thrifty and built his wealth from stringent methods. During their twenty-year marriage, Clarence rarely allowed his wife and daughter new dresses. After he died, the widow gave him the frugal funeral he requested. But after that, she had afforded herself and her daughter luxuries that would put a horrified look on her dead husband’s face.
“Come on, Joe, get out. Or are you gonna sit there all night?” Hoss said as he nudged his little brother. “We’re always welcome here.”
Joe finally spoke. “Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of.”
“As nice as she is, Joe, maybe we should be doing what we told Pa. Thanking her.” Hoss elbowed him in the side and Joe slid off the seat of the buggy.
Taking a big breath, Joe walked to the front door. Rose opened the door and Hoss saw her hook an arm through one of Joe’s, as she appeared to pull him inside.
“What a delight to have you for a visit, Little Joe,” Rose said. “Are you alone?” She was so focused on Joe that she failed to see Hoss waiting outside in the buggy.
“Oh no, Mrs. Mindlebrice. Hoss is waiting outside. I can go get him,” Joe exclaimed and tried to turn around for the door.
Grabbing him by the arm once more, Rose helped Joe sit down into a chair. Returning to the front door, she acknowledged Hoss, but didn’t offer to invite him in. Instead, she turned away and then walked to the settee a short distance across from Joe.
“And how is your father?” Rose was eager to know. She hated it when he wasn’t in town for long periods of time.
Joe answered back, “He’s fine. Just fine. Ah…Mrs. Mindlebrice.”
“Oh you Cartwright men are so handsome.” Rose said as if she didn’t hear the answer. “But you, Little Joe, you are very handsome. Of course, your father is the most handsome of the Cartwright men. But then, that’s where you would get your looks.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Joe acknowledged. “I…uh…I mean, Hoss and I…”
“But how many times have I told Marigold that looks aren’t the most important thing in a man,” Rose said. She adored Ben Cartwright and wanted to keep the conversation on him as much as possible.
“Marigold?” Joe answered. His voice rose a little. He tried to ward off any turn in the direction of the conversation. “Mrs. Mindlebrice. You see…”
“A man, like your father, knows and understands the finer things in life are very important. He must provide for his family, you know?” she interrupted.
“Yes, his family…Mrs.…” Joe tried again.
“His family. The wife and the children they have together. Although, children that each man and woman bring to the family counts, too.”
“Yes ma’am. I agree…uh…as I was saying…” Joe tried once more after he took a quick sip of the tea she poured him earlier.
“Oh Joseph!!! How wonderful that you and I see eye-to-eye. I just knew you were a bright boy.” Rose declared, her voice full of glee and delight. “If I had a son, I’d want him to be as handsome and smart as you.”
“Yes ma’am, thank you,” Joe answered quickly. But he wasn’t quick enough to stay ahead of Rose.
“Isn’t Marigold a beautiful name?” Rose asked.
“Yes, it’s beautiful.” Joe swallowed hard and twisted his mouth a little in his discomfort.
Rose continued, “The women in our family were always named after flowers because they are so delicate.”
“Flowers!” Joe said, then tried again, “Mrs. Mindlebrice, my visit tonight…”
“I always wanted a granddaughter to be named Camellia, after my mother.” Rose didn’t hear Joe’s statement. “What’s your mother’s name, dear?”
“Yes it’s beautiful, too,” Joe agreed, “Uh, Marie…it’s Marie.” This was going to be harder than he thought. “Mrs. Mindlebrice…I have come here to talk some business.”
“I know, Joe. I know exactly why you are here,” she said in a more serious tone of voice. “Don’t worry, you and Hoss have the money. I’ve already notified the bank to give you a draft tomorrow morning.”
Joe was silent and caught off guard by her statement. How did she know, he thought.
“I haven’t liked the way that tramp newspaper has conducted itself since its first edition,” she continued with a smile. “And to attack your wonderful father the way they do just shows how despicable those people are. They should be put out of business.”
Joe’s eyes lit up. “That’s just what Hoss and I thought. But instead, we decided that we should…uh…fight fire with fire.”
“Joseph, get off your soapbox. Just tell the truth and you’ll be fine,” she softly scolded him. “When I first heard that that awful, uncultured Agnes Finster was involved with this paper, I knew that I wanted to do something.”
Joe beamed and began to stand up. “I’m surprised that Agnes would have the power to bring a business like that to Virginia City.”
“Sit down, young man!!!” Rose demanded. “We’re not finished.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Joe immediately plopped himself back down into the chair as if he was in school and the teacher ordered him to sit.
“Agnes Finster most likely promised something down the road that she will not be able to produce. She has always had a liken’ to your pa. But since she finally figured out that he didn’t feel the same for her, she’s tried to spread rumors about him and you boys because you all like to indulge.”
“Indulge?” Joe asked, his brows drew upward and close together in puzzlement.
“Indulge, of course. Everyone has seen that you and your brothers occasionally frequent the saloons. And your father frequents the smoking room of the International Hotel with the other businessmen having their brandies and such.”
She stopped long enough to dab her lips with her napkin, but didn’t give Joe a chance to say anything. “Now mind you, Marigold and I certainly don’t think a man indulging in his liquor now and then is something of concern. But that’s just the bullet that Agnes needs to put into her temperance gun.”
“Temperance gun? Oh…yes…” Joe giggled. “My brother and I thank you for the support and the money and I know we will do a good job.”
“So do I, Joseph. I certainly trust that you will write articles with fact and honesty. Besides, if a young man like yourself is going to produce a family in the future, you need to make sure you have established yourself in the community.”
“Yes…and as far as our newspaper is concerned, truth and justice seems to be our motto. That’s just what Hoss and I talk about all the time.”
“I can imagine that your pa is very proud of you to do this for him,” Rose said in a serious tone.
“Pa? Well, I’m sure he’s always proud of what we do. Right now, Hoss and I won’t bother him with this because he’s so busy,” Joe replied, staring at her.
“Oh yes, Joe, I understand. Your poor, dear father. He must have his hands full all the time with the ranch. Sounds like a woman in his life would be good for him.” Rose said, trying to sound a little humble.
“Oh,” Joe said defensively, “Hop Sing is wonderful taking care of the house and cooking. You know, things like that?”
“I realize that, but Hop Sing is a man, Joseph. A woman’s softness and understanding can bring peace and calm to a man during a crisis. And it’s a woman’s touch that soothes when a man or his sons are sick.” Rose watched Joe’s reaction.
“Pa’s had three wives and they’ve all been great,” Joe defended his family.
“Yes, but they are gone now. And I bet his life is…well…kind of empty. Hop Sing and you boys taking care of each other is wonderful. But when the bedroom door closes, no man should be alone.”
Joe blushed a beet red. “Yes ma’am.” He was surprised at Rose’s boldness. Or maybe she was just so comfortable with him that she felt she could say that. Either way, he was speechless and figured she saw herself as the woman behind his father’s door.
Rose wasn’t finished, “Marigold is shy, as you know. She never has any men callers and the girl is getting beyond courting age.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Joe answered and began to wonder what he got himself into.
“You see, Joe. Marigold needs to be seen in the company of a man and not so much her mother.”
“I…uh…with a mother like you, I’m sure she will find a good man someday,” Joe tried to end this conversation. “Hoss and I are grateful for the money…very grateful.”
“I know you are a man of manners. Sometimes not as refined as your brother Adam’s, but you always mean well.” She saw him settle down.
Joe smiled at the compliments she paid him. “Thank you, Mrs. Mindlebrice. I appreciate your confidence in me.” Joe said and sounded as grateful as he said he was.
He decided that this was a good time to leave. He stood up. “I really need to go, Mrs. Mindlebrice. Hoss will be getting tired of waiting for me.”
Rose stood and extended her hand to him. “Oh Joseph, I just knew you and I have like minds and could agree on so much. We would get along just grand if I saw you more.”
Joe gave a nervous nod. “Yes, ma’am…I’m sure.”
She put her arm into the crook of his left arm and walked to the door with him. “Make sure you say ‘hello’ to your father,” she said, then became more stern, “Make sure, Joseph, he knows who really supports him.”
“Oh, I will. I will,” Joe hurriedly said and practically tripped while trying to get to the buggy fast.
A few moments later, Joe climbed back into the buggy and sat down next to Hoss. He didn’t say one word and stared straight ahead.
Hoss was elated at Joe’s return and just knew that all would be fine. They would be able to meet Jake with their share of the money. “You got the money, huh, Joe?” But when Hoss saw Joe’s sullen expression, he lost all of his excitement. “You did get the money, didn’t you?”
Joe looked at Hoss and nodded. But the expression that Hoss saw on Joe’s face was the same sick, droopy-eyed look that was on the puppy Hoss once rescued and nursed for two days.
Hoss questioned his little brother further. “If you got the money, then how come you look like that?”
Finally Joe spoke. “Yeah, we got the money.”
“Well, you don’t look too happy about it.” Hoss looked puzzled by Joe’s lack of excitement about anything.
“I feel like I’ve just survived some kind of battle.”
A confused Hoss asked, “Huh? What kind of battle?”
Joe glared at Hoss. “It’s called women. You know, where a man has to lay low and escape the bullets of matrimony. If she didn’t have an admiration for Pa, we may not have gotten the money.”
Hoss belted out a belly laugh. “Little brother, you got us into this and if you had to marry the widow Mindlebrice yourself, me and my shotgun would escort you to the wedding.”
“Yeah, easy for you to say. But it’s Pa and I that wear targets.” Joe protested.
“Well, when I was waiting for you, I thought about something that just might work,” Hoss said.
“What’s that?” Joe asked.
“Let’s give the money to Jake like we planned. He can go ahead and set up this business, make his profit, and give us the five-hundred back to give to Rose,” Hoss explained.
“Hoss! I thought that up. So, what’s different?” Joe asked.
“What we’ll do is meet with Agnes. Try and talk some sense into her. You know, you said this is all about Pa not showing her attention…”
Joe interrupted, “So, what are we gonna to try and do? Take his place?”
“Naw, but let’s meet with her and see if we might be able to solve this whole thing by talking. Reason with her.”
Joe lit up like a lantern, “You’re brilliant. We’ll talk to her and sweeten her up. Then we tell Pa and Adam and we solved the problem.”
“Yeah, talk. Pa always said that if you can get an enemy to talk, you’ll solve the problem faster than a fight,” Hoss said confident.
Joe’s thinking didn’t stop. “I got this all figured out.”
Hoss looked at Joe confused, “I thought this was my idea?”
“It is, it is. But the details, big brother, you just leave those to me.”
“Uh-oh,” Hoss exclaimed with caution.
Joe offered, “Tomorrow, we’ll go looking for her. She’s always around town somewhere.”
“What if she doesn’t agree with us?” Hoss asked.
“Hoss! Why are you such a big doubter about everything? We have experience with ladies,” Joe pled his case.
Hoss chuckled, “Yeah, we’re good with ladies, but this is Agnes.”
Both of them broke out into laughter together. They knew, along with Adam, that it was because Agnes was abrasive in her words and actions that this was the primarily reason their father showed no interest in her. She was head smart in business, but that’s where her personality ended.
“I think we should go have a beer and then get home,” Hoss offered.
“Yeah, bargaining with a woman over Pa can get me thirsty.” Joe joked.
Hoss and Joe hurried into town right after their breakfast. Jake was setting up the office and Joe and Hoss promised to help. But “first things came first,” as Joe commented earlier to Hoss. They needed to find Agnes.
Joe was right when he said she was always around town. The boys found her in a favorite local cafe.
Agnes was never hard to spot. She wore her usual dark colored skirt and waist jacket. Her black hat with dull colored flowers and ribbons made her appear as if she was always in mourning for her late husband.
Joe and Hoss stood at the edge of her table. “Agnes, Hoss and I would like to talk to you,” Joe asked.
She was silent.
“Uh…if you don’t mind.” Joe said, trying to get a reaction out of her.
She buttered her last piece of toast and glared at them as if Joe had just insulted her.
Joe tried again, “You see Hoss and I…”
“I know what you are trying to do. I think it’s ridiculous,” she snapped, still chewing her bread
“Ridiculous?” Joe asked.
“Yes, ridiculous. The thought that the two of you are running a newspaper. It’s all over town and everyone, including me, are laughing.” Agnes said as she kept glaring at them.
Hoss stood next to Joe and said nothing. He had his hands on his hips and rolled his eyes up to the ceiling after her last comment. He had decided that wrestling with a mad grizzly would be more fun than talking to Agnes.
Joe kept his composure and asked her to let them sit down.
“I’m in a hurry. I don’t have time to dawdle. But I’ll listen to what you have to say if it doesn’t take all day,” Agnes commanded.
The boys sat down fast before she changed her mind. Hoss was going to let Joe take on their enemy. She was petite, but Hoss didn’t want to tangle with her.
“Well, what is it?” Agnes said. Her voice always had an edge to it.
Joe didn’t hesitate and spoke right up. “It’s that tramp newspaper you brought into Virginia City that is constantly attacking our father.”
“That’s true, I invited them here. What they print is their business,” Agnes replied coldly.
Joe became stern, “I suppose what they have been writing about Pa doesn’t have any of your influence.”
“Why do you think I’d have any influence with them?”
Joe took a risk. “Maybe because you’re mad at Pa.”
“Mad? Why would I be mad at your father? I like your father; I just don’t think he would be a good leader for the cattlemen in the area.”
Hoss became impatient, “Agnes, everyone around here knows that you liked Pa and he didn’t return your interest. This is your way of getting back at him.”
“He’s hurting himself,” Agnes defended herself. “A man who lives alone can think and do odd things. He needs a woman to balance his life.”
“He doesn’t live alone. He lives with us,” Hoss volunteered.
“But not with a woman, Hoss. There’s a difference,” Agnes responded. Her voice was now a little softer.
Hoss blushed. Joe ducked his head so Agnes wouldn’t see his chuckle.
“Well, what does living with a woman and my pa wanting to head the cattlemen’s association got to do with each other?” Hoss asked.
“What’s the matter with your thinking, young man?” Agnes asked indignantly. She was beginning to get bored. “If your father was with a woman, she would straighten him out. How absurd for him to think that it is a good idea for the small ranches to have a voice in cattle matters. Why, a woman would get him to understand the disadvantage of doing such a thing.”
Joe decided to take a different approach for his father’s sake, “Agnes, you’re alone. Now, shouldn’t a…(it caught in his throat)…lovely lady like you use your time to find a gentleman to spend evenings with?”
“Oh Joseph. You are a sweet boy, at times,” Agnes said in a flattered voice. But then she took a deep breath and became tough once more. “Young man, I am not going to continue this conversation. I have to meet with the ladies of the temperance and I don’t have time to delve into my private life.”
Joe apologized. “I’m sorry, Agnes. But I did mean what I said. Putting your energies into your personal life, instead of this newspaper…” Joe tried to calm her down.
“This conversation has come to an end. Get out of the newspaper business, Joe. You don’t know what you are doing. And a little competition for your father isn’t a bad thing.” Agnes said abruptly, got up from her chair, and left them before anything else was said.
“You know, Joe. A woman like that sure makes a man happy he ain’t hitched,” Hoss offered.
Joe sighed, “Yeah. And we didn’t accomplish a thing. Well, I guess we’re still newspapermen.”
“Dadburn it we tried. And I was hoping that we’d get Jake started and then just get back to the ranch and be ranchers.”
“We will. But our father’s reputation is at stake and like I said in the beginning, who better than his sons can report his side and defend him from these vultures?”
“Yeah, I reckon. But sometimes, little brother, I think you are a good politician and should run for office.”
“Well, right now let’s go help Jake. Adam said he would meet us later at the Silver Dollar. We’ll let him know that we tried.”
It was now after mid-afternoon and Rose strolled down “C” Street. She stopped by several stores as she conducted her business. The town seemed serene until she got closer to the Silver Dollar Saloon and heard the distinct sound of Agnes’ drum pounding the same drone note as always. It was the sound of the temperance ladies conducting their campaign against the saloons. Today, they targeted the Silver Dollar.
Rose spotted Agnes at the head of a group of ten women. Agnes banged on her drum while the other women waved their signs of different warnings about the evil of liquor. The drumming stopped and Agnes, head of the Virginia City temperance committee, began her same old speech…
“How many times have you seen the drunken man stagger and fall after he has emerged from the sinful pit of the saloon? His clothes soiled from his fall and his direction for home is forgotten. His home is filled with children afraid of him and a wife who lives a miserable existence. Shame, shame, shame on all of you who find the taste of alcohol satisfying.”
Rose kept walking, but attempted to cross the street to avoid the group. The way Agnes directed her anger at Ben was disgusting, Rose thought. She never had any right to the man. The Cartwright boys have often frequented the saloons in town. But none of them had caused anyone any misery. It wasn’t fair to Ben or his boys. It didn’t matter to Agnes. Ben was the main focus of her bitterness.
Agnes saw Rose coming her way and before Rose could get across the street, Agnes confronted her.
“Rose! I demand to know why you insist in putting money behind the Cartwrights!” Agnes commanded.
Rose was cool in her response. “Where I put my money, Agnes Finster, is my business.” She tried to move forward, but Agnes stopped her.
Agnes was relentless and stood close to Rose’s face. “You are supporting a man who believes in the sins of the world. And obviously, he has raised his sons to be just like him.”
“I am supporting a man who realizes what kind of a woman you really are. Why don’t you just admit that you are sour because Ben Cartwright just wasn’t interested in you? Now the poor man has to suffer all because he has taste.”
“Taste? You’re right, Rose. He has taste enough to certainly not be seen having dinner with the likes of you. And I know you. I’ll bet you gave the Cartwright boys money and one of them will have to court your skinny, undesirable daughter for it.” Agnes said with a sarcastic tone. “At least, I don’t have to buy men.”
“You’re so ugly, Agnes, you couldn’t attract a man even if you had a full case of whiskey for them. Ben Cartwright is more interested in a woman who has some class. Who is a little refined. Not a barn cleaner who has to bring in a tramp newspaper to do her dirty deeds,” declared Rose.
Agnes gasped at Rose’s comments. “I support the truth and it’s coincident that the newspaper mirrors my thinking.”
“Oh Agnes, I’m so tired of your negative attitude. A funeral dirge would mirror your thinking.”
“How arrogant you are, Rose. Oh and who’s the refined woman? Certainly not you! And why would Ben Cartwright want any woman who is known to have men come to her house late at night?”
“How would you know, Agnes? Nothing else to do, but sneak around my house? At least, men come to my house. The truth is that you are a hypocrite,” Rose fired back. She hissed a ribbon of air through her pursed lips to relieve the tension that built up inside her.
The two women got closer to a confrontation as Agnes slapped Rose. Rose, in turn, pushed Agnes backwards. Rose then tried once more to move around her, but Agnes became combative. Soon, the women were in a pushing match. Agnes began hitting Rose with her loosely closed fists. This was all it took for the other women of the temperance committee; they joined in on the fight and all began to attack Rose.
Only a few minutes after the fight started, the three Cartwright boys emerged from the Silver Dollar. None of them had been aware of the confrontation outside, as the noise inside the saloon was too loud for them to hear.
Surprise became their expressions when they saw the women brawling in the street. Rose was now huddled down on the ground with her arms folded over her head for defense.
Hoss was the first to speak. “I hate seeing women fight. But more ‘n that, I hate an unfair one.”
“I think we’d better break this up before it really gets out of hand,” Adam told his brothers as he stepped forward. Hoss and Joe were right behind him.
Each Cartwright took hold of a women’s arm or elbow in an attempt to pull her off of the pile of battling women. The vicious women made this task harder than trying to pull a calf out of some mud.
“Ladies, ladies,” each would say, trying to get the women’s attention.
“Ladies, please. Let’s break this up,” Hoss was heard to say over the shouting women. “You ought to be a shamed of yourselves fighting like this in the street.” He no more said that when a pokey elbow came upward and pushed his nose into a painful direction.
Arms and signs kept flying around in the air. Occasionally, a sign would come down on someone’s head or upper body part. But Adam, Hoss, and Joe kept trying their best to get the women to stop fighting.
At one point, Joe stopped long enough to comment to Adam, “You’d think this wouldn’t be so hard. These are women.” Suddenly, Joe’s head jerked back as someone got a handful of Cartwright hair.
“Ouch!” he said, but when he looked behind him, he couldn’t tell who pulled his hair, as there was nothing but a pile of women flinging their arms.
One of the brothers would finally succeed in pulling a woman away from the ruckus, but then she would find her way back into the fight.
In no time, the sound of “ump…” “ouch,” and “dadburn it,” came from the crowd as the women managed to get an advantage on an unsuspecting Cartwright. They used their signs and fists to pelt the boys.
Over the sound of the fighting, laughter was heard from spectators who gathered to watch. But instead of cheering for the Cartwrights in their attempt to stop the fight, the crowd enjoyed each punch, poke, or prod delivered by the women.
Rose, who was not hurt but was stunned, took advantage of the Cartwrights becoming the new victims and crawled to a safe place. She watched in bewilderment as the Cartwrights tried and tried to stop the fighting and calm the women down.
“Ladies, ladies, let’s try and resolve our differences in a civilized manner,” Adam cried out. But instead, he was answered with a right upper hook from Esmeralda, who was the size of a big lumberjack. Her punch to Adam’s jaw was hard enough to knock him backwards and onto the ground. His usual black outfit became baptized in Virginia City dust.
Hoss managed to wrangle two women at one time, holding both around their waists. “Now ladies, don’t you think we’ve had…ump!” He didn’t finish his sentence as the end of a pole that held a sign came crashing into the middle of his stomach. It caused him to double over and let out a big wind of air while he let the women go.
Joe made his attempt at quelling the fracas. “Ladies, let’s have some hot tea and discuss this.” His answer came with a si