LITTLE JOE’S CHRISTMAS
Written by Katja (Marie, Adam and Hop Sing) and Lynne (LJ, Pa and Hoss)

Little Joe

I woked up and it was vewy cold. I got outta bed and climbed up on my toy box, so’s I could look outta the window. It was all dark and scawy out there, but there was some snow and I fought I heard somefing on the woof. Maybe Santa’s been? I got down and went to the door; I’m not s’posed to go downstairs wivout Mama or Papa, but they’s sleeping and so I go.
It’s vewy dark and I’s scared, but I needs to see if we got pwesents yet. Hoss told me Santa was comin’ soon, but I gets mixed up wiv days, not sure when he said. I’m only free, so I dunno much, well no one finks I does, but I do know a lickle bit of stuff. I know that Papa don’t like witing in his big books, at his desk, and if’n I bovver him, he gets all wed in the face and says, ‘Be quiet lickle boy’ I know that Damdam don’t like me going in his woom and touching his stuff and I know that Hoss gets mad if’n I take his candy fwom him. Mama don’t get mad, much, but she don’t like me messin’ wiv my food and she likes me to go sleep and not play up at night night time. That’s hard, cos I don’t like going to bed all on my ownself. I gets lonely and Mama, Papa, Damdam and Hoss are all downstairs and I’m upstairs wiv no one to talk to; it ain’t fair. Mama says it’s cos I’m the licklest and I needs sleep to makes me gwow big like Hoss and Damdam, but I said I’d stay lickle and go to bed wiv them, okay? Mama said no and that made me cwy, but Damdam picked me up and gived me a cuddle and put me in his bed. Then he weaded me a stowy and then I went to sleep and so did Damdam. Mama says he spoils me, but I say he’s the bestest big bwuvver ever in the world, and she just smiled and gived me a kiss.

I gets to the bottom of the stairs and I looks awound the woom, but there’s no pwesents and I feel sad. When is Santa gonna come? I’s been such a good boy, cos Damdam said Santa don’t bwing pwesents to bad boys. It’s weal hard being so good, cos so much I like to do is called bad, by Mama and Papa. I likes to play wiv the soot in the fire, but that’s a no no, cos I gets all gwubby and make the wug dirty. I likes witing my name on the wall, but Papa don’t like that eiver, and I fought he was pleased cos I could wite ‘Joe’. I don’t do it weal good yet, it don’t look as good as when Mama does it, but that’s cos I needs to do it lots to get good at it. Damdam and Hoss get cwoss if’n I wite it in their school books and Papa does too if’n I do it in his, so’s I did it on the wall, cos there’s lots of that, but they didn’t like that eiver; I don’t get it.
I likes to help people too, but I gets called bad if’n I do that, sometimes. The uvver day I fought I’d help Hop Sing, so I went in the kitchen to make him a cake. I knowed I needed eggs, so I got a bowl and lots of eggs and I bwoke ‘em into the bowl. Then I got a big wooden ‘poon and mixed ‘em up. I knowed I spilled a bit on the floor, but not much, and I twied to put it back in the bowl. Anyway, when Hop Sing sawed me he started yelling and Mama comed wunning in and she yelled too and she ‘macked me wight on my butt, bad Mama. I knows they told me, lots before, not to go in the kitchen on my ownself, and I was s’posed to be havin’ a nap, but I was only twying to help.

I was weal sad, cos there was no pwesents and I was cold, too. I was gonna cwy, but then I sawed Damdam coming down the stairs and I wunned over to him. He said, “Whatcha doing down here all on your own self, lickle buddy?” he always calls me that, and I told him I was looking for pwesents. He said it was too early for Santa and so he made us some cocoa and took me back to bed. I asked to go in his bed and he said I could. So, I had a pee and fetched Bo, my best favouwite bear, and then I snuggled up wiv Damdam. I was still a bit sad cos Santa’d not been, but Damdam said he would come soon and I would havta be patient. Not sure what that is, fink it’s somefink to do wiv being poowly, but I said I’d twy and he gived me a kiss night night.


Adam

I was still awake when I heard something on the stairs. I should have been asleep for hours, but well, even though I’d like everyone to think I’m too grown up to be excited about Christmas, there was just too much to be looking forward to. I mean the presents of course, I had a feeling they were going to be good this year. I knew Pa had made some good business deals and money wasn’t as tight as it used to be.

And then there was the Christmas play. Us older kids were going to do a different kind of play, not the traditional Christmas pageant. *Anne and I had written it, well with help of course, but still, and we were very excited. Everyone seemed to really like it.

It was about a bank robbery the day before Christmas, so no one could buy presents. Of course everything would be alright in the end though. It wouldn’t be much of a Christmas play without a happy ending.

So I was lying in bed thinking about it all, when I heard something on the stairs and got up. I wasn’t really worried about burglars, because by the sound of the footsteps it was a certain little three year old mischief magnet, with a bright smile, that usually got him out of trouble.

I put on my robe and slippers and went downstairs to find my baby-brother looking through the room with a trembling lip. Told me he’d been looking for presents. It’s been a long wait for Christmas for him. Ever since Thanksgiving there’d been talk about Christmas and presents, no wonder the boy couldn’t sleep. And Christmas was still a week away.

I told him he’d have to wait just a little while longer. I would tell him when we could look. Since we were downstairs anyway I made us some cocoa, which we drank sitting in Pa’s chair together and after that I couldn’t say no to his request to sleep in my bed the rest of the night. How can one say no to those eyes?

Thankfully I remembered to let him pee first, because otherwise I’d have ended up with a wet bed again. Wouldn’t be the first time. As he snuggled up to me I felt about the luckiest 15 year old in the world. I gave him a goodnight kiss and watch him fall asleep sucking his thumb.


Ben

I lay in my bed, knowing that it was time I was up and starting the chores, but it was so comfortable lying there, with Marie asleep next to me, that I was reluctant to get up and face the day. I was surprised that we hadn’t had a visit from Little Joe, as it happened fairly frequently that he ended up in our bed; that little boy had real trouble staying put. I guessed that he was in with Adam; the two boys had a very special bond, which had manifested itself from the day Joseph was born. Adam was his baby brother’s hero and he was happy to take on the role, he adored Little Joe. It was lovely to see, although sometimes it caused problems, as it made it harder to get our little whirlwind to do as he was told, when he knew that he only had to run to Adam and his brother would do all he could to make Marie and I back down and let Joe off from his possible punishment. Not that he did get punished very often; it was extremely hard for any of us to remain cross when we took in that little boy’s puppy dog expression, all sad eyes and quivering lip, and he took full advantage of that fact. He would stand in front of us, hands behind his back and say ‘Sowwy’ and that would be it, instant capitulation.

At the moment, though, it was even harder to keep track of him. He knew that Christmas was almost here and this was the first year that he was aware of the significance of it. Every day I was greeted by the words ‘Is it Cwissmas yet?’ and more questions about Santa and his reindeer and whether our chimney was the right sort for Santa to get down and so many other little gems, which popped into his head, that I was dizzy trying to keep up with his train of thought. For all that, though, none of us would have changed him for all the money in the world; he was a blessing and very precious to us. We should have known what we were going to be in for, from the start, as he decided to make his entrance into the world two months earlier than he should have done and bottom first; he was a breech birth. It was touch and go that he would survive the birth, but apart from being a lot smaller than a full term baby, he was fine and full of life, from the moment he arrived.

I had delayed the start of my day, for as long as I could, and I eased myself out of bed, so as not to wake Marie. Seeing as how Joe and Hoss were still asleep, there was no need for Marie to get up yet. Once Joe was awake, her day would be a busy one and so she needed all the rest she could get.  I was less tired putting in a full day on the ranch than I was if I ever found myself left in charge of Little Joe for the day. And so I had great admiration for Marie and her ability to cope, not only with Joe, but with our 9 year old, Hoss and with Adam, who was at that awkward adolescent stage and could be very trying, at times.

As I shaved, I started thinking about Christmas and had to admit, to myself at least, that I was looking forward to it this year, as much as the boys were. The ranch had been doing well and there was enough money in the bank to be able to buy the boys some really nice presents. I couldn’t wait to see their faces on Christmas morning, as they opened their gifts; that was the best bit for me, seeing how much pleasure they got from the day.

Once I was dressed, I walked along the corridor and opened Adam’s door. As I suspected, Little Joe was in bed with his big brother and they were both still asleep. I hated having to disturb him, but I needed Adam’s help with the chores, before he left for school. I gently shook him by the shoulder and was rewarded by a pair of hazel brown eyes slowly opening and a smile gradually spreading across his face.
I left Adam to get dressed and he soon joined me at the breakfast table, for a cup of cocoa and a slice of toast, before we went outside to start the chores.
I noticed the two dirty cups in the kitchen and Adam told me about finding Little Joe downstairs, searching for presents, and how he had made them a drink and then taken Joe back to bed. I could tell that Adam was as excited about Christmas, as Little Joe was, but didn’t say so, as I’m sure he would have denied it, and declared that he was too old for all that nonsense, but we both knew the truth.


Marie

As I felt Ben stirring beside me I kept my eyes firmly closed and snuggled deep under the blankets. I knew that it wouldn’t take long before my rest would be disturbed by our little tornado and I was determined to get as much rest as possible before that. I have never seen a toddler with more energy and mischief.

And a temper! I knew with Ben and me as parents that little boy would be very temperamental and stubborn and we weren’t disappointed. But he was such a sweet little boy too and his smile brightened up a room. No matter how tired Ben was or how bad his day had been he only had to look at Little Joe to smile.

Only a few minutes after Ben had left the room I heard tiny feet toddling through the hall and the door was pushed open. A few more steps and then I felt a little hand on my face, right over my left eye, telling me to wake up. I smiled. Without seeing him I knew how he stood there. I opened my eyes and felt his nightshirt to see if he was wet. He wasn’t, so I picked him up and sat him on my stomach, smiling at him. He always liked that and even though his feet were kicking in my sides because he was so excited, I never let him down.

While we were playing he was constantly chatting and from what he was saying I got the impression he had been out of bed last night. So I asked him and he gave me that look that always works on his Papa, but I told him he knew better than to go downstairs at night. He lay his head down on my chest, saying ‘sowwy’ and I put my arms around my little mischief magnet. We cuddled for a little while, but we couldn’t stay in bed forever.

I got dressed while he was playing on the bed and then I took him to his room to get him ready for the day too.

Now getting that boy dressed was quite an accomplishment, as he was very strong-willed and always wanted something else than I picked out, and I wasn’t ready to let my son take over yet. That morning he wanted to wear a summer shirt and pants and it really was too cold for that. But after a near tantrum and a threatening hand he was dressed and we went downstairs where Hoss was waiting at the breakfast table.

I smiled; you could always count on that boy to be the first at the table. But he wasn’t alone there for long. Soon Adam and Ben came back in and my family was complete.


Hoss

It was only a week til Christmas and I was so excited I reckon I was about ready to burst. Even going to school was fun, cos we were rehearsin’ for our play and big brother Adam had written it, with his girlfriend Anne. She’s not too bad, as gals go. I mean most of ‘em at school are a pain; they cry a lot and giggle a lot and don’t like doing nothing we guys like to do. Show ‘em a worm on the end of a fishing hook and they’re likely to scream and run away. I jest cain’t figure ‘em out. Adam says I will get to like ‘em more when I get older, but he says I shouldn’t count on ever being able to figure ‘em, cos no man can work out what goes on in the female mind. Not a lot, from what I’ve seen, but I didn’t say that to Adam, as he kinda likes gals, ‘specially smart ones like Anne. Little Joe likes her too; she was over the house one night, when Mama and Pa went out, and Adam was babysitting, and he got to know her quite well. He calls her ‘that nice lady’ and I guess she is. Anyway, rehearsin’ the play is better than dumb ole lessons and so I’m happy to do it, even though I ain’t that keen on doing the thing in front of all the parents. I play a bad guy and in one part I havta beat up Adam, who is the good guy. ‘Course I don’t really beat him up, it jest looks like I do. I may be only nine, but I’m big for my age and so I look like I could hurt him, pretty bad. Mama, Pa and Little Joe are gonna come and watch it; hope I can do a good job.

As I sit at the table, enjoying my breakfast, Adam tells us about Joe and his trip down the stairs to look for presents. I never heard a thing, but then I usually don’t; I sleep much heavier than Adam does. He’s always the one who hears Little Joe if’n he wakes in the night, but then it’s always Adam who Joe wants. That don’t bother me, cos I play a lot with him in the day and I’m rather glad he don’t want me in the night, as I like to sleep. We had all tried to explain to Little Joe that it was still a week to Christmas, but I guess the little fella don’t really understand time too good, heck, he’s only three. Mama and Pa tell Little Joe, again, that there are still a few night night times before Santa will be coming, that’s what Joe calls bedtime, kinda cute, ain’t it? in fact, most of what my baby brother does is cute, ‘cepting when he scribbles on my school books or tries to steal my share of the candy. You see, Pa buys us some, once a week, when he goes to town and he divvies it up, ‘tween the three of us. Joe eats his, then comes sniffin’ round mine and Adam’s. I like to take my time, eatin’ mine, but it puts me off when Little Joe stands in front of me, looking like a little puppy dog, begging for scraps. Adam tells him no and Joe don’t bother him, no more, but he knows if he stands in front of me, long enough, I’m gonna give in and so he does and I do.

Apart from that, he’s jest the best little brother ever and I’m real glad that Mama had him. I love playing with him, I let him ride on my back and I ‘gallop’ round the living room, on all fours, being his horsey. More than anything else, Little Joe wants a horse of his own, but Pa won’t let him, yet, cos he says he’s too little. Pa’s right, I don’t think we could find a pony small enough for Joe to ride on and so he hasta make do with using me, or riding with Adam or Pa. When he’s up on Buck, with Pa, his eyes light up and he jest loves it, it’s like he’s the king of the world. We all reckon he’s gonna be a real good horseman, as he sits in a saddle like he was born to be there.

Once breakfast is over, and I have made sure that there is nothing else left to eat, on the table, I go over to the barn, with Adam, and we saddle up our horses. Joe follows us, as he always does, asking a million questions, but not really expecting answers. That’s jest as well, cos I dunno the answers to half the things he asks, like “Why is it dark at night? And how can God see everyone, all at the same time?” Adam tries to tell him the answers, but Joe soon gets bored, as Adam gives him explanations that are too hard for a little boy to understand, heck I don’t even understand half of what he says. Our big brother Adam is real smart, he wants to go to college when he finishes school. Heck, I don’t even wanna go to school, let alone carry on for four years of studying, past the age when I can leave, but then I guess it wouldn’t do for us all to be the same, would it?

Joe didn’t want us to go, he always makes a fuss when we leave without him, and Mama came outta the house and picked him up. He was wriggling, trying to get outta her arms, but she’s a pretty tough woman, our Mama, and she hung on to him. We all knew, that once Adam and me headed off for school, Joe would soon be over his little tantrum and would move on to something else, probably teasing Ginger, the cat, or pestering Hop Sing to let him make cookies, can’t keep still for more than a minute, can’t our little brother.


Hop Sing

Hop Sing not mind boys getting up in middle of night. Hop Sing also not mind boys making cocoa, but why boys always leave dirty mugs on table? Never take to kitchen and wash. Always Hop Sing running after boys, cleaning up.

Middle boy Hoss ate everything on table that morning. But that not unusual. Hoss always eat every last crumb. He appreciate Hop Sing’s cooking. Not like little boy. Little boy throw food, put food on shirt, give Hop Sing more laundry.

Only two days since Hop Sing got supplies, but boys eat much and all gone again. So Missy Cartwright took Little Joe with her to town to get Hop Sing more supplies. With Christmas coming Hop Sing very busy. No rest after Thanksgiving, immediately more work.

So Hop Sing make long list, lots of supplies. While making list, also making cookies. Little boy want to help, but make mess. Also make mess of list, so Hop Sing make new list. And yell at boy, but little boy look at Hop Sing. Little boy know Hop Sing yell a lot, but not really angry. Hop Sing can not be angry with little boy.

Hop Sing watch Missy Cartwright leave with little boy in buckboard and go inside. House empty now. Too empty and too quiet. No one to yell at. Wait for family to be complete again later in day. Till that time Hop Sing has time to work on Christmas presents for family. Special gift for everyone.


Little Joe

Mama said we was gonna go town and I was weal glad, cos you get candy in town and toys, if’n you’re a good boy, and I’s been a weal good boy, honest injun. Hop Sing gived Mama a big list of stuff to get and then she made me put on lots of clothes, cos she said it was vewy cold outside. I had on so much stuff, I’s could hardly walk  and Mama cawwied me to the wagon. That made me cwoss, cos I ain’t no baby, but when I said that, she just smiled at me. We was about to go, when I ‘membered Bo and Mama went back in the house to fetch him. I likes to take him wiv me, cos he gets lonesome if’n I don’t and so do I, wivout him. Mama bwought his blanky too, well it’s my blanky, but I wap Bo in it, to keep him warm. He’s only got a vest to wear and so his bottom is bare, don’t want him catching a cold; he’d hate to be poowly for Cwissmas and miss all the fun.

Mama was wight, it was cold and I snuggled up next to her, under a wug. I asked Mama, ‘gain, when it was Cwissmas and she said it would be, after six night nights, sure seems a long time to wait. Then I needed a pee, weal bad, and I nearly didn’t make it, cos it took Mama so long to get me outta all my clothes. She said I should tell her sooner, next time, but it comes on too quick; one minute I don’t wanna go, next minute I do and it’s coming. She said it’s cos it’s so cold, makes you wanna go more.
We talked ‘bout Cwissmas, some more, and Mama said she hoped I would like the play that Damdam and Hoss are gonna be in. ‘Course I will, my bwuvvers are in it, ain’t they? I’m dead ‘cited, cos it’s on at night and I don’t gets to go out at night time, much.

When we got to town, I wan into the store and went over to the jars of candy; they sure look good, it’s hard to pick which ones to have. Mama sawed me and said we would get some when we came back to get the stuff Hop Sing wanted, but only if’n I was good. I nodded and smiled at her, she left the list wiv Mr Cass, and she took my hand and we went to the bank. There was lots of people in there and I soon got bored and wanted my candy, but Mama said I had to learn to be patient, still dunno what that means.
Then I needed to pee ‘gain, but Mama said I had to wait, cos we were in a queue. I held on for ages, and I just ‘bout bursted, but I did wait and Mama was pleased wiv me, cos I don’t always make it to the outhouse.

Then Mama said I needed some boots and so we went to the store. I wanted some like Damdam’s, but they didn’t have none small enuff for me and so I didn’t want none at all, but Mama said I had to, cos mine don’t fit no more. I folded my arms and stood in the corner of the shop and wouldn’t twy anymore on. She got mad and I fought she was gonna ‘mack me, but she didn’t. Then the lady founded a pair, a bit like Damdam’s and they was okay, so’s I had ‘em. Mama said I was spoilt, but she was glad I didn’t have a hissy.

Next she took me to Daisy’s. I love Daisy, nearly as much as I love Mama, she’s a weal nice lady, and I showed her my boots. She said they was nice and asked me what Santa was gonna bwing me. Mama said it was easier to say what I didn’t want, cos my list was so long, and Daisy laughed. I said I wanted a horsey, but Papa said I was too lickle yet. I also wanted a book wiv horses in it and a spinning top and a lickle wed wagon and Mama said I might get them.
We had a dwink and a cake wiv Daisy and then went to get the stuff fwom Mr Cass. I asked Mama if’n I’d been good enuff to get candy and she said I had, but I wanted to get some for DamDam and Hoss too. So Mr Cass sat me on the counter and I picked out some for us all.
Then it was time to go home and I snuggled next to Mama and cuddled Bo, who nearly got left behind in the store. I sat him on the counter when I got the candy and left him, cos I was cawwying the candy sacks, but Mr Cass bwunged him to me, on the wagon.

As we wode along, Mama told me a stowy ‘bout what Cwissmas was like when she was a lickle gal, but I didn’t hear it all, cos I felled asleep.


Marie

It had been a very exhausting trip, but not too bad, apart from the near temper tantrum over the boots. That little boy idolises his big brother and only boots just like Adam’s were good enough. Of course they didn’t have those, but thankfully they had a pair close enough to avoid a real scene.

Of course I shouldn’t have let him get away with it, but it is so lovely to see those two boys of mine together. My little boy and my big boy. Adam doesn’t say it, but he loves his little brother so much. And his little brother loves him. It’s wonderful seeing them together.

At Daisy’s he was an absolute angel. He loves her very much, well he loves her cakes, and she always gives him hugs and talks to him. Not like some women talk to toddlers, regressing to that age themselves. He told her his entire Christmas list, which of course started with the horse he’s been asking for since he could talk. In fact it was the first word he could say.

I was glad when we were finally on our way back. He had been good enough to earn his candy. And my boy is really growing, because he thought of his brothers too. He actually chose things he knew Adam and Hoss like. I was very proud of him for that.

By the time we got home he was fast asleep, holding on to Bo. He really did look like a little angel when he was asleep. I carried him inside and after I had peeled off his layers of protection against the cold, I took him to bed for his well-needed and belated nap. He didn’t even really wake up. I covered him up, put Bo in his arms and kissed him on his unruly curls before going downstairs to help Hop Sing. I thought of taking a nap myself, but the only time I can help out is when Little Joe is napping. The rest of the time I’m constantly running after that little boy.

By the time Little Joe woke up from his nap the boys were coming home from school and the quiet Hop Sing and I had enjoyed was over. Neither of us minded.


Hoss

I was real glad to see Mama in the living room, when Adam and me got home from school. She always looks so happy to see us and gives us a kiss and asks about our day. She’s really interested, too, and wants to know how we’re getting on; it’s nice to know she cares. I told her we’d been rehearsin’ agin and I also told her ‘bout the party we’re having on the last day of school. We all havta take in some eats for it and so Mama said she’d make up something for us.

As we talked, Little Joe came down the stairs and ran over to say hello. He’d been to town with Mama and wanted to tell us all about it. Mama bought him some new boots and he went and fetched ‘em, from his room, and then had Adam help him on with ‘em. They were very much like Adam’s and I was real envious, as they were very smart. Mama saw me looking at ‘em and guessed what I was thinking. She said it was my turn to have new ‘uns next month and she’d go get some with me.

Then Joe told us ‘bout the candy he’d got for us and I forgot about boots. Mama said we could have one piece now and the rest after supper, as long as we ate all of our meal. She had no worries ‘bout me doing that, it was really said for Joe; I’ve never been known to not finish a meal. I love my grub and cain’t understand them who don’t. Joe’s terrible ‘bout eating, Mama says it’s cos he has a problem with sitting still; he’d much rather be off doing summat, than sitting at the table. Oh well, takes all sorts to make a world.

Pa arrived home and we all rushed to greet him, all talking at once. He picked up Joe, said how much he liked his boots and sat down in his favourite chair, with Joe on his knee. Then he praised Adam on getting full marks in his math test and was pleased to hear that I had remembered all my lines in the play. Next he wanted to know if Mama had managed to get all the supplies we needed in town. I don’t know how he does it, keeps up with all our conversations at once, that is; mebbe it’s summat you learn when you get to be a parent, cos Mama can do it too.

We had our snack of hot chocolate and cookies and then Adam and me went to do our chores, before it got too dark outside. Joe wanted to come help, but Mama said ‘no’ as it was a mite cold for a little ‘un. I could see that he wasn’t happy ‘bout being left out, but I promised to play with him, jest as soon as I’d finished my chores, and so he cheered up a bit. Pa said that we could write our letters to Santa, after supper, and Joe was excited about that, until he realised that he couldn’t write. His bottom lip began to tremble, but Adam saved the day by saying that Joe could tell him what he wanted and Adam would write it down. Adam also said that Joe could draw a picture of the gifts he was hoping to get, to let Santa see what they looked like, and so we left him with Mama, doing that, while Pa, Adam and me went over to the barn to tend to the stock.
While we worked, I began teasin’ Adam ‘bout the present he was buying Anne for Christmas. He’d put a deposit down on a heart shaped pendant and was paying off a bit each week, outta his allowance. He’d pointed it out to me, when we passed the store; it was real purty, and it was the first time that I’d ever known Adam buy a gift for a gal.
Adam was embarrassed, cos Pa was with us, and he glared at me, until I shut up. Pa could see that Adam didn’t wanna talk about it, and so said nothing. He knew that Adam liked Anne; I know they’d had a talk ‘bout how to behave in the company of a gal, after the time that she’d come over, when Adam was babysitting Little Joe. I still couldn’t see why my normally level headed brother went all mushy, everytime he spoke to a gal, but if it made him happy, I guess it’s okay.


Adam

We had a great day at school. I had done really well on my math test and was looking forward to telling Pa. And we had been practising the play for almost the entire afternoon. It was coming along nicely; most people knew their lines and what they were supposed to do. Hoss was very pleased he got to beat up his big brother without getting into trouble with Pa. I didn’t mind, it was only acting. I was the good guy, after all, and would triumph in the end.

When Pa got home, first thing I wanted to do was show him my test, but of course Little Joe got to him first. I can’t blame him, he’s younger and misses Pa whenever he’s not around for a few hours.

It was kinda cute that Little Joe had wanted boots like mine. And I must admit they did look similar enough. He was very proud of his new Adam-boots. I feared what thing he would copy next. My hat?

After Little Joe had finished showing Pa his boots and had got his hug, Pa turned to me. He hadn’t forgotten about my test and it felt good to have him proud of me. Hoss got his hug too, for knowing all his lines and it was great to see how he grew a few inches because of the praise. Better not think of Hoss getting taller. He’s already very tall.

I care for my brother very much, but why did he have to remind me about Anne’s visit, while we were in the barn, with Pa just a few steps away? I could have happily throttled him. I was so embarrassed. That was not a night I wanted to be reminded of. Well, okay, some of it had been all right; maybe it was more the morning after that I didn’t want to be reminded of. It’s no fun having to listen to a very lengthy lecture on proper behaviour around girls, when your backside is on fire. And the talk itself was so embarrassing, I think, for both of us. No, I didn’t want to be reminded and I made that very clear to Hoss as soon as we were alone.

With the rehearsals for the play and Christmas presents to wrap up, the days went by very quickly and before we knew it was only four days to Christmas. I always made sure I didn’t have to do things at the last minute, so my presents were already wrapped up and hidden, under my bed. All except for one gift. That one was going with me to school and I would give it to Anne just before the play started. It was a little heart shaped pendant and I was a bit nervous about giving it to her. What if she didn’t like it?

I carefully put it in my saddlebag just before we left. The play would be performed in the evening and between the gift and the play I was very nervous and it affected my mood a bit. My thoughts were elsewhere while we were doing the chores and I snapped at Little Joe at breakfast. Fortunately Pa understood why and just gave me a warning. I heeded the advice and tried not to think about it until we were in school. The little guy looked heartbroken though when I snapped at him. He hadn’t deserved that. So I gave him a hug and told him big brother didn’t mean it. I got a big wet kiss on my nose for my trouble.


Ben

I know that Adam was rather nervous about how the play was going to be received; he wasn’t only in it, he had helped to write it, too, but he shouldn’t have snapped at Little Joe, like he did. Fortunately, he realised and apologised before Joe got too upset and so I only gave him a warning, on watching what he said. Joe is too young to understand irony, or a sarcastic remark, and if he is told to ‘get lost’, is likely to do just that.

Everyone’s tempers were getting a little frayed. There was so much going on, in the run up to Christmas, and the boys were staying up beyond their normal bedtimes, because of rehearsals for the play and for the carol service. Now it was the day of the actual performance and the next day was the last of the school year and the children were having a party. Marie had volunteered to help out and so Little Joe was going too; I hope that he behaves himself. We had also decided to take him along to watch Adam and Hoss in the play. I wasn’t sure if it was such a good idea, being that it was on in the evening, but Marie was going to try and get him to take a long nap, during the day and so, hopefully, he wouldn’t get too cranky.

But that was all happening later; there were still some more chores to do and the boys had to go through a dress rehearsal, once they got to school.
I asked Marie what she and Joe were going to be doing and she said that she was going to visit Martha Devlin. George and Martha were our closest neighbours and their son, Mitch, was the same age as Joe. They had three older children and Patti, as well as Mitch. The little girl was just one year old, the age that our baby would have been, if Marie hadn’t miscarried. It was unlikely that we would have any more children. Doc Martin said that the reason she was unable to carry the baby to full term, was because she was damaged, internally, when she had Little Joe, as he had been a breech birth. Obviously, we were upset when we lost the baby, but we knew it was God’s will, and we were still well blessed, having three fine sons, already.
The boys helped me with the chores, in the barn, and then they saddled up their horses, in readiness to go to school. I wished them good luck for the dress rehearsal and told them that we would meet them in Daisy’s Kitchen after school. We were going to eat there, rather than have the boys ride home and then have to ride back again, for the performance.
As the boys left for school, I headed out to the south pasture, to check that the fencing was still intact. The heavy snow, earlier in the month, had weakened the fence, but it had still been standing, the last time I checked on it. Marie, with Little Joe in her arms, stood on the porch and waved us off.


Marie

Little Joe and I didn’t stay on the porch for long. It was cold and I had quite a few things to do before the day was over. So I carried my little boy inside and put him down to play with his blocks while I sat down to mend one of Adam’s pair of pants. I don’t know what that boy did with them, but it was torn on the side and I was barely able to do something with it.

Not that I got much chance anyway, because, after five minutes of playing quietly, Little Joe decided he didn’t want his blocks anymore. He wanted to help me. This wasn’t exactly a chore he could help me with, so I told him to play for a little while longer and then we would do something together, thinking we could at least clean up his room together.

A little while was only ten minutes, but even that was too long for Little Joe. He did return to his blocks, but they couldn’t hold his interest much longer. When I looked up from my work, call it a mother’s instinct, he had climbed up onto Ben’s chair, the one at his desk, and was standing on the chair and reaching for the ink well.

I called out his name and he looked at me with those big eyes, almost as if he was asking what he had done wrong. He knew perfectly well what he’d done and he knew he wasn’t allowed to go near Ben’s desk, without permission. I walked over and took his arm. Immediately he put his other hand over his bottom and he said, with a pool of tears in his eyes: “Wanna wite to Santa, Mama. Forgetted pwesent for Bo.”

Now, if it had been Ben dealing with him, I’m sure he would have taken that little boy on his lap and they would have written it down together, but having to deal with this headstrong and energetic child of mine all day long,  I learned pretty quickly that I couldn’t let him get away with disobedience. And we had already been through this only a few days before. So I told him he was a very naughty boy. If he wanted to write down something he’d have to ask me and then I gave him a firm smack on the seat of his pants. He started crying and said he was ‘sowwy’.

Once he had calmed down, we took a ride over to visit the Devlin’s. Martha was one of my closest friends and Joe and Mitch, being the same age, enjoyed each other’s company. The children played happily at our feet, while Martha and I drank coffee and put the world to rights. We were both firmly convinced that if women were in charge of the country, things would be much better for all of us.

Later, when we returned home, Joe and I wrote down the present for Bo, together, and after that we cleaned up his room, also together. Well, sort of together…… Every little thing that was on the floor was something he wanted to play with. Some how he had managed to make quite a mess that morning, so there were quite a few things on his bed and on the floor. I know it would have been a lot easier and quicker if I had done it alone, but that wouldn’t teach him anything, so we took the long and hard road.

It took an hour and after that I was exhausted and frustrated, but my son was still full of energy and wanted to bake cookies. Well, with the party the next day I thought it might actually be a good idea to bake something, but instead of cookies, we made a cake, which suited him just fine, as he got to help me stir and was allowed to lick the spoon.

So finally, when the cake was in the oven I managed to get my child to lie down for a nap. I stayed with him to make sure he stayed in bed, until he was sleeping. We read a story together and on request I did voices like ‘Damdam’ always did for him. And while I was singing him a lullaby his eyes finally got heavy and he fell asleep.

I watched him sleep for a few minutes and then I went downstairs to finish Adam’s pants, which without that little boy around was done in a few minutes, and to help Hop Sing. The latter was a little difficult. I think Hop Sing noticed I was a bit tired myself and refused to let me help him. We argued a bit, as we’re both rather temperamental, but he didn’t give in and he was right. I was very tired myself, so for once I took his advice and went to bed to have a nap.

We both had a long nap. Fortunately I was up just in time to get changed into something nice for the play, before my son woke up and the struggle to get him dressed up began.


Little Joe

I didn’t like it, cos Papa, Damdam and Hoss all went away, but Mama said we was gonna go to see Mitch, after she doned her chores, so’s I was happy ‘bout that. Mama told me to play wiv my blocks, but I gots bored and wanted to wite to Santa, cos Bo needs a Cwissmas pwesent. Mama was busy, mending Damdam’s pants, so’s I went and got up on Papa’s desk. Mama says that’s a ‘no no, naughty Joe’ place and so she was cwoss. She ‘macked my bottom, and made me cwy, cos she’s told me, lots, not to climb on Papa’s desk. She says he has lots of ‘portant stuff on there and I mustn’t touch. She did gived me a kiss, though, when I said sowwy, and then we went to see Mitch.

I like going to his house, he lets me play wiv his toys, but he has a lickle sister, called Patti, and she likes pulling hair, and that hurts. Mama says she’s too lickle to know it hurts and so I mustn’t get cwoss wiv her, but if I don’t tell her, she’ll keep doing it, won’t she? She did it again and so I pulled hers, just to let her see that it ain’t nice, but then Mama got cwoss wiv me and said I was naughty, I don’t get it.

Mitch’s mama gived us milk and cookies, they was nice, but not as good as my Mama’s and Hop Sing’s. I didn’t tell her that, I just said ‘fanks’. Mitch and me played wiv his fort and his soldiers, but Patti kepted knockin’ ‘em down. I was gonna pull her hair, ‘gain, but knew Mama would say it was a ‘no no’ and so I didn’t.

Then we went home and Mama said I could wite to Santa and so we did. Bo said he wants candy and so we asked for that and I said he needs a new vest, so we asked for that, too. Mama said that maybe Santa would get him one like the one she made for Damdam, Hoss and me. I fink he will like that. We are gonna wear ‘em when we go to church on Cwissmas Day.

Next, we had to tidy up my woom. I didn’t wanna do it, but Mama said we had to, cos it was a mess. I just wanted to play wiv my fings, but Mama kepted saying ‘Put this away, Lickle Joe, come on Lickle Joe, you gotta help, too’ so I did, else I knew she’d get mad wiv me and I don’t like her being mad. I was hoping Papa would comed home, cos then I could’ve gone to talk to him, but he didn’t so I had to stay and help.

When it was all done, me and Mama made a cake for the Cwissmas party at the school. I’m gonna gets to go, too, wiv Damdam and Hoss, we’s gonna play games and get a pwesent fwom Santa, Damdam says, and Hoss says we’s gonna have lots of nice fings to eat.

Mama got me some lunch, then it was nap time. She said I was to have a nice big sleep, cos I was gonna be going to see Damdam and Hoss in the play and it was gonna be past night night time when we got back. I had a pee and then I lay down wiv Bo and Mama wead a stowy and singed me a song. It was weal pwetty and then I felled asleep.

When I woked up, Papa was home. I gived him a big kiss, cos I love him lots and lots and I always miss him when he goes to work. Papa said I had to get dwessed in my bestest clothes, cos we was gonna go see the play. He sat me on his knee and said I’d gotta be a vewy good boy, cos it was ‘portant to Damdam that I was quiet when he was doing the play. I told Papa I would be vewy good for Damdam and then I told Bo he had to be good, too, else I would whup his butt. Papa heard me and laughed, but said it wasn’t a nice fing to say. I told Papa that Charlie said it to me when I was being naughty the uvver day and Papa said he’d have a word with Charlie.


Adam

The dress rehearsal started out as a complete disaster. No one remembered their lines, props were lost, two boys started to fight and tore up a costume. Of course they got punished for it, both of them would be missing the Christmas party, but that didn’t make it better for the rest of us.

I was starting to feel sorry I even started this. I knew Anne felt the same. We had worked so hard at this. It had taken hours and hours of writing and re-writing and then we had our own parts in it. We were nervous enough already and even though Mr. Lawson told us that a dress rehearsal wasn’t supposed to go well, we didn’t think it should be a disaster either.

So when two girls started bickering over who got to walk on stage first I lost it. I started yelling at them for ruining the fun for everyone and Anne supported me. Our little rant almost cost us attendance to the Christmas party too, not to mention a note home, but fortunately we got off with a lecture that left us feeling two inches tall.
I don’t think I was ever more relieved to get a lecture. I didn’t want to think about Pa’s reaction to a note. It wouldn’t have been pretty.

The second act went much better anyway. Only three kids forgot their lines and everyone had their props. I managed to get all my lines out alright and Hoss had a great time “beating me up”.  We had practiced the scene at home in the barn, with Pa, so Hoss wouldn’t really hurt me. It would look very real, but wouldn’t leave any bruises. Thank goodness. Those practices had been a lot of fun too. Pa had been relaxed and joked a lot. And it was good to have him to ourselves for a little while.

And it had really paid off too; the other students hadn’t seen the fight yet and they were all very impressed. I hoped the audience would be too.

All of a sudden everyone was in the right mood. Sure we were still nervous, but it was a sort of buzz. It was like we suddenly had all this energy and we were all very much looking forward to the performance. The bickering had long stopped and Mr. Lawson treated us to chocolate cookies and hot cocoa and wished us all good luck for the performance. Actually the expression he used was “break a leg” which made quite a few of us laugh, but he told us that actors considered it bad luck to wish each other good luck or success. He was sure we’d do a great job, though, no matter what expression he used.

After that we were dismissed and told to be back at 7. Outside I took Anne aside and gave her my present. It was wrapped up in a little box with a bow on it and I think she already loved the box. But when she opened it she just stared at the contents for what seemed like minutes. I was starting to think she didn’t like it, but when she finally looked at me I knew I had made the right choice. She didn’t say anything, but she threw her arms around me and kissed me. After that I helped her put it on and we would have kissed again if Hoss hadn’t shown up at the wrong moment. I should have known he’d be in a hurry to get to Daisy’s. She made the best pie in the area and if there’s anything that gets my younger brother moving it’s pie, well actually food in general.

I quickly said goodbye to Anne and Hoss and I went over to Daisy’s where Pa, Ma and Little Joe were already waiting for us.


Hoss

Poor Adam. I really felt for him and Anne. They’d worked so dadburned hard on the play and some of the kids just weren’t taking it seriously and were messing about. I was just about to start knocking heads together, but then Adam had a rant and they all stood, mouths open, and listened to him. After that, they behaved and they were well impressed with our fight scene. It looked like I was really beating up Adam, but it was all carefully worked out, and I didn’t touch him, at all.

My stomach was beginning to think that my throat had been cut and I wanted to get to Daisy’s. Mr Lawson dismissed us and I headed out the door, but then I realised that Adam wasn’t with me. Took me a while to find him; he was with Anne, and they were looking very cozy. He’d given her her Christmas present and she obviously liked it, as she was looking at him, all gooey eyed, like gals do, sometimes. I thought it meant they was feeling poorly, but Adam says it means they like ya, go figure that one!

Finally, we got to Daisy’s and were nearly knocked off our feet, as the human cannonball, also known as Little Joe, came rushing over to greet us. He was so excited at being in town, in the evening, that he was nearly at bursting point. Mama and Pa looked exhausted; they had been waiting a while, and it had been difficult keeping Joe amused.
We ordered some food and I told ‘em about the dress rehearsal, including the fact that Mr Lawson had said that it was expected that the dress rehearsal was bad, as that meant that the performance would be so much better. I said that to cheer Adam up, as he was beginning to look a bit nervous again. Tell the truth, I was too, as I don’t like having to talk in front of a lot of people, but I was determined to give it my best shot, for Adam’s sake.

The meal was great, but even I couldn’t do it full justice, thinking about the play. Little Joe didn’t each much, either, but then he never does, and he talked non stop, until Pa began rubbing his temples. Mama could see that Adam was worried and she reached over and squeezed his hand. She’s so good at knowing how we feel, even though she’s not our real mama, and now that her and Adam get on so well, I find it hard to remember a time when they didn’t, but there was such a time. When her and Pa first got married, Adam was really against her, saw no need for us to have a woman round the place, but he gradually warmed to the idea and now he loves her as much as Pa, Joe and me do.
Daisy wished us good luck and then we left.


We walked over to the hall; Joe insisted that Adam gave him a piggy back, and then we went to get changed, leaving Mama, Pa and Little Joe to find a seat.

When I made my first entrance on the stage, I could see that they were sitting in the front row and Joe began calling out and waving, until Pa told him to be quiet. Because I was a baddie, I was getting a lot of boos, each time I came on, and Joe got mad about that and told people I was nice, not nasty. Again Pa tried to make him be quiet, but it was hard going. I didn’t really mind, thought it was kinda cute when he defended me.
When Adam was on the stage, Joe was just as enthusiastic, telling anyone who’d listen that it was his ‘big bwuvver’ up there.

The play was going very well, and by the time it was the interval, we were all feeling a lot more relaxed. I peeped through the curtains and saw that Little Joe was enjoying some ice cream, it was all round his face and down his front, but at least it was keeping him quiet. I pointed him out to Adam, who laughed at the state he was in and said he was not gonna sit too close, on the drive home. I knew he wouldn’t keep to that, though, cos as soon as we got in the carriage, Joe would be on Adam’s lap and most likely asleep, five minutes after leaving town.

Finally, we got to the fight scene, which was close to the end of the play. I began ‘hitting’ Adam and was real pleased with the way it was going.
Suddenly, from out of the audience, came this loud wail. It was Little Joe, shouting at me and telling me to stop beating up ‘Damdam’. I tried to ignore him and carried on with the scene, but outta the corner of my eye, I could see that Pa was having real trouble keeping Joe in his seat. Eventually, little brother broke free and came rushing up on the stage, arms and legs going like pistons, hitting any part of me that he could get at. I didn’t know what to do, carry on with the play, or fight off Joe. The audience began to laugh, and that made Joe even angrier, as he thought they found it funny that Adam was getting hurt.
Joe was not going to stop, until I did, and so I stopped fighting Adam and turned my attention to Joe. Boy, was he mad with me and although I tried to make him understand that it was only pretend, he was too angry to take it in. Adam took him from me and went over to Mama and Pa. He sat in Joe’s seat, with our little brother on his lap, and gently worked his magic, calming Joe down, as only Adam can. He managed to make Joe understand that I wasn’t really hurting him and we were able to finish the play. We received loads of applause and Mr Lawson said that Joe’s unscripted entrance didn’t spoil it for anyone, in fact several people said how sweet it was.

By the time we had got changed, it was getting very late and we were all tired. It was past my bedtime, never mind Joe’s. We climbed aboard the carriage and I sat next to Pa. I leaned against him and was soon asleep. Mama and Adam sat in the back, Joe on Adam’s lap, wrapped up in a travel rug, and he, too, fell asleep. He was happy, now that he was certain that his beloved big brother was unharmed. It had been a good night.


Marie

Little Joe was obviously still a little too young to be taken to a play. We should have realised it of course, but still, it had been fun. It was so sweet seeing him defending his brothers. First Hoss against the audience and then Adam against Hoss. And I had to admit it looked very realistic. I know Ben had practised with them to make sure they wouldn’t get hurt, but even knowing that didn’t make it look less real. So who could blame a little three year old boy for thinking Hoss was really hurting his big hero, his ‘Damdam’.

I had been a little worried about the boys’ reactions. I knew they had been very nervous about the play and at this crucial scene things had gone wrong. Hoss might be a very easygoing child, but he was only nine and Adam, well, he does have a bit of a temper and sometimes has a hard time dealing with unwelcome surprises. But he was absolutely wonderful with his baby-brother this time, calming him down when no one else was able to do that.

So everything turned out well and the children had a wonderful night. We were so proud of our boys. Adam had written a very good play, together with Anne, and even though he shrugged a bit at the compliments I could see the glow in his eyes. As we walked to the carriage I put my arm around his shoulder and pulled him close. For a moment he leaned his head against my shoulder and then he took Little Joe in his arms and didn’t let go until we were home and he could put him to bed. Ben had a bit more trouble carrying Hoss to bed, but he didn’t want to wake up our big little boy.

Later in bed I remembered that a new challenge was already waiting for me, with the party at school. With all those children, snacks, decorations and games I feared that I would need six sets of eyes and an equal number of hands.

But to be honest Little Joe behaved very well the next day. He had a marvellous time. And the children loved having him there. Especially the older girls, who seemed to think he was very cute and quite frankly I hardly had to watch him at all. Little Joe let himself be cuddled by all of them and enjoyed the attention very much. But after a while he chose to stay close to Adam and Anne. I didn’t mind, those two youngsters were very fond of each other and it couldn’t harm if they had a little distraction on their hands. No chance of sneaking off to steal kisses when you’ve got a three year old to keep an eye on.

My sweet Hoss thought it was the ‘bestest’ party ever. I had a feeling the cake had something to do with it.
We sang some Christmas carols with the children and of course Little Joe insisted on joining in, even though he didn’t know the words and he sang at the top of his lungs, until Anne distracted him by giving him a little piece of cake.
Mr. Lawson, Martha Devlin and I had little presents for all the children. Nothing special, just things like ribbons for the girls and marbles for the boys. And a piece of candy of course. They all received that at the end of the party. That was the only time Little Joe made a fuss. He wanted a present and he wanted the first one. I did make him a present, too, but he would have to learn to wait his turn, especially since this was not his party. So I was quite firm with him and told him to sit with Adam and be good or there wouldn’t be a present for him. For a moment it looked like we were in for a major temper tantrum, but surprisingly he sat down next to Adam, with that angelic face of his, and waited his turn. I was amazed, but didn’t complain, as you can imagine. It had been another wonderful day.


Little Joe

I was weal ‘cited ‘bout the play and Mama said I was gonna bust if’n I didn’t calm down a bit. So’s I twied, as we ate our supper at Daisy’s, but it was hard, cos I couldn’t wait to see Damdam and Hoss in their play.

We sat down and waited for it to start and Damdam comed on first. I called out to him and waved, but Papa shushed me and said Damdam couldn’t say ‘hi’ cos he was acting. Then Hoss comed on and he was acting, too, cos he never said ‘hi’ eiver. It was very ‘citing and lots of peoples was acting wiv my bwuvvers, cos they all was ‘tending to be uvver people and that’s what acting is, leastways that’s what Papa said. There was a bit when nuffing happened and Papa bought me an ice cweam. Mama said it was called the inter somefing, whatever, I liked my ice cweam.

Then they all comed back ‘gain, but I was getting tired and I sat on Papa’s lap, until Hoss started hitting Damdam. I jumped off Papa and yelled at Hoss to leave Damdam ‘lone, but he didn’t and so’s I went up the steps and I kicked Hoss, wight on the leg, cos he was being mean to my bwuvver. Then all the peoples started laughing and I got mad, but Damdam picked me up and told me it was all just ‘tending, Hoss never hurted him ‘tall. Then he went back and finished the play, then it was time to go home and I cuddled up to Damdam; glad he was safe.


The next day it was the party. It was weally for the kids at school, but Mama was helping and so’s I got to go, too. I helped her load up the wagon wiv the cakes and stuff we’d made for the party; I put the fwosting on top of the lickle cakes, and I got all sticky, it was fun.

I felled asleep on the way to school, cos it was my nap time and when I woked up, I was sitting on Anne’s lap, wiv Damdam sat next to us. I used to call Anne, the nice lady, but now I know her name, so’s I call her Anne. The school woom was looking weal pwetty, it had stweamers up and a Cwissmas twee, not as big as the one Papa says we’re gonna have, but it was still nice. The chairs and desks had been moved out of the way and Mr Lawson played some songs on the piano and we all singed ‘em and played party games. I didn’t weally know the words too good, but I can sing weal loud. Mama says she wonders how a lickle fing like me can make so much noise, I just smile, cos I don’t weally know, eiver.

The best bit was the food, well Hoss said it was, but I liked all the fussin’I got fwom the big gals, too. They liked me, said I was cute and they gived me candy and nice fings to eat. They didn’t make me eat the fings I don’t like, like Mama does at home, no nasty veggies or sandwiches, just cakes and candy, yummy. Mind you, I was beginning to feel a bit sick by the end of the party, but I was okay.

When it was time to go home, I was a good boy, Mama said, cos I ‘membered my manners and said fank you to Mr Lawson for letting me go to the party. He shook my hand and said it had been a pleasure to have me. I fink that means I was good, hope so, cos Santa’s coming soon and I would like some pwesents and I won’t get none, ‘less I’m good.
We all went home and I told Papa all ‘bout the party and showed him my pwesent, it was a lickle soldier and a piece of candy. I nearly didn’t get it, cos I made a fuss ‘bout wanting to get mine first, but Mama made me wait wiv Damdam and cos I sat quiet, I got my pwesent; it was a good party.


Adam

It was so cute how Little Joe defended me at the play. And it felt good to have Pa and Ma be so proud of me. Sitting in the back seat of the carriage next to Mama feeling her arm around me I couldn’t imagine how I had hated having her here in the beginning. I still felt ashamed for the way I had treated her back then, but we had gone past that and now I loved her very much. I think I always had, but was just afraid to admit it to myself. It was still hard to say it and she accepted that. The occasional hug was enough.

Mama..um Ma had the right idea letting Little Joe stay with Anne and me, she knows us too well. Or maybe she knows what it is to be young. I don’t know. And that little boy had stolen Anne’s heart so we didn’t mind at all. It was good to play and cuddle with him. And whenever Anne is around he is on his best angelic behaviour.

I was glad he behaved long enough to get his present. I know Ma wouldn’t have let him have it if he hadn’t, but that would have caused a major tantrum, that was for sure.

Just like we had to be very creative the next day, as Pa, Hoss and me went out to get a tree. Of course Joe would have wanted to go with us. So Ma distracted him by taking him into the kitchen to make Christmas cookies, which he loved, so we could leave the house unnoticed by that little boy. We took the sleigh and we didn’t have to go far, before we found the perfect tree.

Both Hoss and I loved doing this together with Pa. No matter how much we loved Ma and our baby brother there were some things that required men to do them. Oh I know Hoss was only nine, but he was as big as I was and we felt very grown up chopping down the tree with Pa. Of course he did most of the chopping, but I got in a few whacks with the axe too and felt really good when Pa praised me for my precision.

It took us all morning to find the tree and take it home on the sleigh. Little Joe was almost bouncing with excitement when he saw us come in with the tree. It was the first year he got to help decorate it too and even though it took more time with him around, it was cute to see him try and help.

We decorated the tree with pinecones and little handmade decorations. Over the years we had made a lot of decorations and some things were even bought in stores. But the best decoration was the angel on top. It was Ma’s surprise to us. She had spent hours in the evening making it, using all sorts of things. A bit of lace from Joe’s baby-dress and bits and pieces she found that had belonged to Hoss’ Mama and even my own Mama. It was the most beautiful angel I had ever seen and it somehow brought us all together. I had trouble hiding my emotions so I offered to make us all cocoa.

While we drank our cocoa we made popcorn strings and Pa put up our stockings by the fireplace. No matter how much fun the previous two days had been, this day was more special to me.

Ben

After the play and the end of term party at school, the boys were well and truly infected with the Christmas spirit. On the first day of the holiday, I told Adam and Hoss we would go and fetch our Christmas tree. This was going to take some delicate planning, as I knew that Little Joe would want to come along, but he was just too little, as yet. Marie would not allow him anywhere near axes and falling trees and I agreed with her, but I knew he wouldn’t.

Marie took him off to the kitchen, to make Christmas cookies, and the boys and I sneaked off. They loved to come with me to perform this annual task, it made them feel that they were grown up and gave them a chance to be with me, without baby brothers and fussy mothers in tow. Oh, don’t get me wrong, the boys and I adore Little Joe and Marie, but we all like the idea of being a bit more reckless, occasionally, and acting the fool, even me; without having to worry about a little boy maybe learning how to do things that he shouldn’t yet be doing.

Once we had selected a tree, we had a bite to eat and then enjoyed a snowball fight, which Adam won, despite Hoss and I joining forces against him. We then built a huge snowman. Hoss insisted it looked just like the Reverend Hammond, when it was finished. Adam stood behind it and did a perfect imitation of the reverend’s voice, he’s very good at mimicry, and Hoss and I laughed until the tears ran down our faces. I know that Marie would have scolded all of us for such disrespect to a man of the cloth, but the boys’ silly mood had got to me, too, and right then, I felt as young as them.

We then got to the task, which we had come to do, and began chopping down the tree. Both boys helped me, it was lovely working alongside them, and I saw, in my mind’s eye, a time when Little Joe would be there, too; I was truly blessed.


When we returned home, a very excited little boy came bounding out of the house, to greet us. Marie had told him where we had gone, but he didn’t appear to be too upset about being left out. All he could talk about was decorating the tree and, as soon as it has dried off a bit, in the barn, we carried it into the living room.
As I’d hoped, it very nearly touched the ceiling; it was an extremely handsome tree.

After a drink of hot chocolate and a few of Joe’s Christmas cookies, the boys headed up to the attic to retrieve the boxes of decorations. They had been collected, over the years, and told a history of the Cartwright family. Some had come all the way from Sweden, with Hoss’ mother, Inger, some from Boston, from my family and from Elizabeth’s, Adam’s mother, and some Marie had brought with her, from New Orleans. In addition to those, there were ones that the boys had made themselves and these were particularly precious to me, and were always hung up very carefully.
Little Joe was given a small section of the tree to decorate, ‘all by his ownself’ and took great care, for one so small, as he placed the ornaments on the branches. Even Joe, as young as he was, seemed to understand how important these things were, and he treated them with the utmost respect.

Eventually, every decoration was hung in place and we all stood back to admire our handiwork. All that was missing was the angel to go right on top of the tree and this was when Marie sprung her surprise. She had made a new one, but had skilfully incorporated something from all of us in the angel’s clothes; a small piece of Joe’s dress, the one he was christened in, a scrap of lace from a handkerchief which had belonged to Adam’s mother, a tiny piece of a camisole that had been Inger’s, and a  square of the shirt I had worn, and the dress she had made for herself, to get married in. It was truly beautiful and all of us, even Little Joe, were lost for words.
Joseph had the honour of placing the angel on the tree and so Marie handed it to him. He held it, as if it was the most precious thing in the world, and I carried him up the step ladder, to enable him to reach the top of the tree. Once it was in place, I lit the candles. Adam made us all cocoa and we sang some Christmas carols. It was a lovely evening, and it didn’t end until Little Joe fell asleep, by which time we were all ready to go to bed.


Marie

I was so happy my boys liked my little surprise. I had been a bit nervous about it. Maybe they wanted to keep the old angel, maybe I’d missed something in the background of that one, or maybe they didn’t want me using the materials. But seeing their faces told me I worried unnecessarily.

On Christmas Eve we sang carols and drank cocoa before we finally managed to get the boys to bed. Even Adam was nervous. Hoss and Little Joe were just too excited to go to sleep, but even they couldn’t stay awake forever.  

So finally all the boys were asleep and Ben went to the barn to dress up as Santa and to bring in the presents. He had been a bit hesitant about dressing up. He didn’t see the point, but Little Joe had come down once already searching for Santa; he might just do it again. If he found Ben placing the gifts under the tree and in their stockings how would we explain that to him? So I convinced Ben to put on the Santa-suit.

While my husband was busy making a work of art out of the pile of presents I made us some cocoa with more than a little drop of brandy in it. I walked back into the main room and saw him standing there in that red suit. The beard looked wonderful on him and I smiled. Somehow even in a Santa suit Ben was attractive. I went over to him and handed Santa his ‘milk and cookies’ asking what my present was. He played his part well and refused to tell me; I’d just have to wait until morning, like my sons. He laughed and he took me on his lap asking me what it was I wanted for Christmas. I almost giggled when he did that, but then I told him there was only one thing I wanted and I had that already. I kissed my husband, cuddling up to him for a while. I had my family and that was all I had ever wanted and would ever need.


Little Joe

I knowed it was this night, cos Damdam and Hoss said so, and Mama put out some milk and cookies and some cawwots, for Santa and the weindeer. It was weally gonna be Cwissmass, after one more night night. I wanted to stay up and seed him come, but Papa said that he wouldn’t come if’n I didn’t go to sleep, and so I wan up the stairs, got into bed and closed my eyes weally tight. I cuddled Bo and told him to go sleep too, but Bo was being naughty and wanted to go see. I told him it was wong, but he kepted on saying we was to go see what Santa bwunged us. So’s I said ‘okay’ and got outta bed.

I went along the landing and I made no noise, cos I knew Mama and Papa would call this a big no no, but Bo so wanted to go and I couldn’t let him go on his ownself, cos he’s too lickle, even lickler than me.

When I gots to the top of the stairs, I peeped down and I could see him, he was weally there and he was leaving pwesents and filling our stockings. I was just about to go down to say ‘hi’ when Mama comed outta the kitchen. She had some cups of cocoa wiv her, and she started talking to Santa. I knew she’d be mad if’n she saw me outta bed and so I stayed at the top of the stairs. Then Mama went and sat on Santa’s lap, just like she does to Papa, and then she kissed him. My Mama was kissing Santa Claus; I wonder what Papa would say? I was just gonna go and get him when I bumped into Adam; he was standing behind me.


Adam

I have to admit I had a hard time falling asleep on Christmas Eve. Of course I wasn’t as excited as Little Joe or even Hoss, but still, there’s always that little buzz. The thought of the gifts, the lights on the tree, the games we’d play. The Christmas party. Well, somehow I couldn’t help being excited about the whole thing.

So when Pa checked up on me I just pretended to be asleep, knowing it was already very late. But I just couldn’t sleep. And when I suddenly heard little feet trotting towards the stairs I knew my little brother couldn’t sleep either and I thought I’d better save his hide. I knew Pa and Ma would be downstairs and if they caught him I’m sure he’d get his bottom smacked for being out of bed. Not to mention the fact that it would probably spoil Christmas for him forever.

I caught Little Joe just before he wanted to go downstairs and quickly picked him up. I shushed him and took him to my own room. I had seen the little scene downstairs and so I knew I had some explaining to do. How do you tell a little boy that this was okay? You can’t. Not without telling him there is no Santa. I could only think of one thing. He dreamt it. He dreamt it all. So I scolded him for coming out of bed. That was very naughty. He knew Santa wouldn’t come if he was downstairs and then none of us would get presents. His eyes got big, but then he remembered what he saw and started telling me about it. I laughed. How could he have seen that? Why would Mama be downstairs anyway? And kissing Santa? Now Mama isn’t Mrs. Santa is she? He must have dreamt it. He was probably a little too excited.

Anyway by the time he fell asleep in my bed he was convinced it had been a dream. I sighed in relief. Why did these jobs always fall in my lap? With Little Joe cuddled up to me I finally managed to fall asleep too.


Ben

It was Christmas morning and Marie and I lay wrapped in each other’s arms, as I woke up, aware of movement, outside our door. I looked over at the clock and could just make out the time; it was around 4am. All three boys were obviously already up, but uncertain of entering our room, not sure of what their reception might be. I smiled, as I visualised the scene. Little Joe would be the one trying to open the door, the excitement of the day and his age, meaning that he would not think of the consequences of disturbing us, this early. Hoss would be the most cautious, as that middle boy of ours hates making waves and Adam would be trying to think of a logical way to rationalise their appearance in our room, without giving away how excited he was about it being Christmas.

Eventually, youth prevailed and the door burst open. Little Joe ran over to the bed and scrambled up to join his mother and me. He was so excited that he couldn’t form his words properly, but ‘Santa’ was the recurring theme. I gave him a hug and was rewarded with a kiss; he’s such a charmer, this little boy of ours. Marie says I should be firmer with him, but I just can’t be. I do try, but all he has to do is give me that puppy dog look and I melt, everytime.

Adam and Hoss hovered at the end of the bed, anxious to go downstairs, but Marie was still not fully awake, and so they had to wait. I wished them a ‘Merry Christmas’ and two happy boys, smiled back at me. As I lay there, with Joe astride my chest, my beautiful wife lying next to me, and Adam and Hoss sat on the end of the bed, I thanked God for my many blessings.

Marie was soon ready and we headed off down the stairs, Little Joe in my arms. As soon as we reached the last step, he struggled to get down, treating us all to a glimpse of his little bare bottom, as his nightshirt rucked up. He practically fell into the presents, in his haste to get to them, and Marie and I had to be pretty quick to prevent him from opening them all. As yet, he can’t read and so couldn’t tell which ones were for him.

For the next half hour or so, all that could be heard was the sound of wrapping paper being ripped off and lots of appreciative noises. Marie bought me a beautiful burgundy smoking jacket, Adam got me some of my favourite bay rum and Hoss gave me a little carving he had made of Buck, it was exquisite. Little Joe, with some help from big brothers, I suspect, had drawn me a picture. It was of him and me and although to most people it probably looked like two blobs on the page, one larger than the other, to me it was a masterpiece, and something that I would always treasure.


Hop Sing

Hop Sing up early on Christmas morning. Always up early, but this morning even more early, because boys would be down at dawn. Boys excited. So Hop Sing must be up before boys to make breakfast.

When first in America Hop Sing found tree in house strange, but now long time ago and Hop Sing used to tree. Like giving presents. Cartwrights Hop Sing’s family now too. And Mister Cartwright say family give presents at Christmas. So Hop Sing make family presents.

Family need protection from bad spirits. Bad spirits everywhere. Threaten family. So Hop Sing make wind chimes to put on porch and in windows. Very important. Wind in chimes make noise and noise keep bad spirits away.

Took long time to make. Hop Sing use little pieces of glass. Put on piece of wood. Hop Sing carve wood with Chinese signs, to help good spirits chase off bad spirits. Good spirits need all help can get. Signs not only useful, signs pretty too.
Chime Missy Cartwright, all white glass, but chime for little boy Hop Sing paint all glass, all colours. Hop Sing know little boy will like colours. Good to teach too. Maybe.

When Hop Sing finish all chime presents, put in box, but box look plain. Not nice wrapped like presents from family, so Hop Sing paint names on boxes in Chinese signs. Hope family like. Put boxes on breakfast table on the plates and go back to kitchen. Know family not look at table until presents under tree all open. Hop Sing smile. Family think no more present, but all have one present left.

Hop Sing go and prepare Christmas dinner. Many guests come. Lot of work for Hop Sing. Always work, work. Maybe go back China.

Maybe not.




Hoss

I couldn’t get to sleep for ages, on Christmas Eve. Before we went to bed, Pa read us the poem all about the night before Christmas and how Santa came down the chimney, and about his belly which shook, like a bowl full of jelly, when he laughed. It made us laugh, too.

I woke up very early and wanted to go see what he’d brought us, but knew I had to wait for the rest of the family. I got outta bed and went along to Adam’s room. He woke up as soon as I went in, but Joe took a little longer to come round, as I think he’d forgotten that it was Christmas that day. For so long we’d been telling him that it wasn’t yet and now it was, he didn’t wanna get up.

Once we’d got him awake, he headed off for Mama and Pa’s room, but I wasn’t sure about us just bursting in, as it was still very early. Adam and I talked about what we should do, but before we’d decided, Little Joe managed to open their door and was soon sitting on Pa. He wasn’t too bothered, though, and we only had to wait a few minutes more, for Mama to wake up properly, and then we all went down the stairs.

What a sight greeted us; there were piles of presents under the tree and we each had a stocking filled with nuts and candy and fruit and chocolate. There was so much stuff that I didn’t know where to start. Joe just ran into the middle of ‘em all and we had to stop him from unwrapping the wrong ones; he was trying to find out what was in all of ‘em.

I got a lovely new winter’s coat from Mama and Pa and a  saddle blanket for Shadow, plus some more soldiers for my fort. Me and Little Joe share the fort and the reason we needed more soldiers was cos my little brother had sent a bunch of ‘em out on a secret mission, so secret that he’d forgotten where he’d sent ‘em. Although we searched through the whole house, we couldn’t find ‘em again. Adam said they’d died bravely, defending our country. He was only joking, but it upset Joe, until Adam explained that he didn’t mean it and that the soldiers had probably jest gone home to visit their Mamas and Papas. Adam got me a new pocket knife, it has loads of blades and gadgets on it, it’s real neat . I also got a couple of books, adventure stories for boys and one on horses, they’re great and Joe loved the pictures in the horse book, he’s crazy ‘bout horses.

Pa loved the carving of Buck that I’d done him and Mama liked the one I did for her, it was of Joe and Mama; it made her cry. Adam liked the scabbard that I’d made him, with Pa’s help, especially when he received his first brand new rifle, from Pa. Adam and me bought Joe the spinning top he wanted, though it was us who played with it more than Joe, as he ain’t quite got the hang of how to make it spin yet, and so kept getting us to do it for him. We didn’t mind, in fact I think that big brother Adam likes the excuse of being able to play with toys, as he usually tries to pretend he’s too old for ‘em.

We all had some terrific gifts and I was enjoying opening ‘em so much, I nearly forgot about breakfast. When we did get to the table, we found the boxes from Hop Sing, with the wind chimes, inside. They were jest about the purtiest things I’d ever seen, and he explained how we should hang ‘em up to frighten away bad spirits. I wondered if they worked on angry teachers, when I failed to get my homework right, but didn’t ask.

After breakfast, we played with our new toys and then went out in the yard to make a huge snowman. Mama and Pa joined us, it was lovely all working together. We gave him pebbles for eyes and a carrot for a nose and one of Pa’s old pipes for him to puff on. We found an old hat of Adam’s for him to wear and I lent him my scarf.
When it was finished, we went back indoors and Hop Sing brought us hot chocolate and Christmas cookies, to keep us going until lunch. Little Joe fell asleep, after such an early start to the day, and Adam and me played checkers.

Later on, our guests were gonna be arriving to eat Christmas lunch with us, but I havta fess up and admit I much preferred the first part of the day, when it was jest the family, though it was nice to see our friends.


Adam

Looking back at it, it was kind of funny. Both Hoss and me standing outside Pa and Ma’s room contemplating whether to knock or wait and Little Joe bursting in. Of course if it had been either Hoss or me bursting in like that their reaction would probably have been different, but sitting there on the big bed with my brothers and parents was the best way to start this day.
    
Of course going down to open the presents was almost as good. As soon as we saw the presents, I saw one particular gift. I hoped it was what I thought it was. It could have been something else, of course. Not that I could think of anything else with that shape, but still I didn’t dare believe it yet. Not until I finally got to open it and saw it with my own two eyes: a brand new rifle. I had been using Pa’s old rifle for a while now and had really wanted to have one of my own, a new one, for quite some time. Last year Pa had told me I was too young, but I was 15 now, so I had hoped he’d see how much I had grown, since then.

As I opened it, Pa was standing behind me, and he put his hand on my shoulder. I turned and gave him a quick hug, even though at 15 I was too much of a man to be this excited about a present, and whispered “thanks, Pa”. He just smiled at me and said he hoped we could put it to good use soon. I hoped that meant that maybe we’d go hunting together soon. I loved our little hunting trips. Made me feel like a man and it was always great to have Pa to myself for a while. Didn’t happen very often.

Well, after opening the presents and breakfast and hanging up Hop Sing’s wind chimes, I didn’t want to feel like a man. We made a big snowman outside and played in the snow. Hoss and I started a snowball attack on Pa and Pa joined in until Ma stopped him. She acted cross, but it was clear she was having fun too.

Later our guests arrived and Anne and her parents were there too. She hadn’t told me she was coming and so I was really surprised. Turned out she hadn’t known either, it was a surprise to her, too. Ma had invited her folks. Even though we weren’t alone, Anne and I had a great time. We talked and played with my brothers and when we sang carols, she stood next to me. I slipped my arm around her shoulders, as we were singing. Pa saw it and he just smiled at me. It was a great day.

Marie

I was glad my little surprise worked out so well. Anne’s parents had taken that bit of trouble when Adam was babysitting Joe, very well, considering everything, and hadn’t stopped their daughter from seeing Adam. I had been talking to Mabel, Anne’s mother, a few times and she had gracefully accepted my invitation to our Christmas dinner. We had quite a few people coming over and it was a wonder Hop Sing managed it all. I had offered my assistance, but was shooed from the kitchen more than once, and had finally given up.

It had been a wonderful day. First with just the family, then later with all our friends. And then after that it was just us again. Hoss and Adam playing checkers and Little Joe playing with his new toys. Ben pulled me on his lap and kissed me. I teasingly reminded him we were not alone, but he whispered it was my own fault, for being so irresistible. I whispered back in his ear that I would show him just how irresistible I was in my new negligee, which he had given me, as soon as we were alone. He looked at the clock and then turned to the boys and said it was time for bed. Sometimes my husband can be very mean to those boys, but what a charmer he is!


Little Joe

It was Cwissmas, it was weally here! Hoss comed into Damdam’s woom and told me it was time to go see what Santa bwunged us. I was so ‘cited and I wunned to Mama and Papa’s woom, to go get ‘em. Damdam and Hoss fought they’d be cwoss if’n we woked ‘em up, but I wanted my pwesents, so I just went in and gived Papa a hug and a Cwissmas kiss, he wasn’t cwoss at all.

We all went downstairs, Papa cawwied me and then I wunned over to look at all the pwesents, there was loads. I got my lickle wed wagon and my spinning top and some cwayons and a book to dwaw in, all for my ownself, so’s I don’t gotta use no one else’s. Papa liked his picture I dwawed him and Mama liked hers, too. It was my handpwints, just so’s she can always ‘member how lickle I was, when I’m all gwowed up. Damdam helped me do it and we put a piece of wibbon wound the card, like a fwame, and Mama can hang it on the wall. I got some picture books, too, and a new scarf and gloves, cos I losted one of mine. Hoss got some more soldiers for the fort, can’t ‘member where the uvvers went, but it might have been down the well; they did wanna know what it was.

I wanted to play wiv my toys, but Mama said we had to have some bweakfast and when I sat at my place, I found anuvver pwesent, it was fwom Hop Sing. It was somefing called wind chimes and Hop Sing told me it keeps bad fings away fwom the house. Sounds like a good idea to me, so I got Papa to hang ‘em up; they were weal pwetty and they made a nice noise when the wind blew.

After bweakfast, we played wiv our new stuff and then we went outside and builded a huge snowman. Damdam lifted me up so’s I could put a hat on his head and I looked up at the woof to see if I could see where Santa had put his sleigh, but it had snowed some more, so there was no twacks. We had a snowball fight, but I got cold and cwied a bit, so Mama took me inside. I had a lickle sleep on the settee and then lots of our fwiends comed over to have lunch wiv us. That nice lady, Anne, comed wiv her Mama and Papa, I like her, and I sat next to her, when we had our lunch. I was telling evewyone ‘bout Damdam kissing Anne, but Damdam started coughing and so no one heard  what I was saying. When he was better, I ‘membered somefing else. I waited until it was all quiet wound the table and then I said, “I saw Mama kissing Santa Claus last night,” and then Papa started coughing, like Damdam had; hope I don’t get their germs, I don’t wanna be poowly.

MEWWY CWISSMAS EVEWYONE
From Little Joe Cartwright and his family

THE END
Christmas 2002

Bo bear appears by kind permission of Helen Adams, who first introduced us to Little Joe’s cuddly friend in her lovely story The Care Package.

*Anne and Adam’s adventures, when babysitting Joe, are recorded in Katja and Lynne’s story, A Night To Forget.


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