" SANTA'S MAGIC GLASSES "

By Lynne G.

It was November and the weather had turned very cold, and there had been several early snow storms, with the first storm hitting in mid-October.  These storms didn't last long and the snow soon melted, for which all the ranchers were very grateful.  This gave them time to get their herds moved to the winter pastures.

The only ones who were sad when the early snows had melted were the children, who loved the snow.  Five year old Little Joe Cartwright loved the snow so much that he would stay out doors and play in the snow until he was numb in his snow soaked clothes.  Then one of his family members would have to almost drag this very active little boy into the the house to get him out of his soaked clothes and warmed up.

Ben Cartwright, owner of the Ponderosa the largest ranch in the Nevada Territory couldn't understand why his little boy didn't mind being almost frozen while he played in the snow.  Ben's two older son's, eighteen year old Adam, and thirteen year old Hoss loved the snow too, but when they got too cold, they would come into the house to get warmed up.

Little Joe was also a mischief maker, and he had to be constantly reminded almost everyday that he needed to be a good boy, because Santa was always watching him, and that only good children would be visited by Santa on Christmas Eve while they slept.

Little Joe tried so hard to be a good boy, but it was simply too hard for him.  " Joseph, I want you to be a good boy now because Santa is watching you very closely," Ben told his youngest.  " Oh, Papa, I twi so hod, but it I's jest can't", the little boy said.  " Well, just try the best you can then", Ben told him.

Little Joe walked all through the house looking everywhere for something.  He even looked under the diningroom table, all the closets, under all the beds,, and everywhere in the barn.  He also looked in the outhouse, but he could never find what he was looking for.

His family had seen the little boy searching everywhere for something, so they finally had better find out what he was looking for.  " Joseph, what on earth are you looking for son?" Ben asked.  Adam and Hoss had also asked their little brother that same question, and all that Little Joe would say was, " Imma wookin' fer sompfing bery potant".

" Oh Papa, Imma wookin' fer Sanny caws.  Ya saided dat he ahways see's me, but I's can't sees him nowhere," the child told his father while looking a little sad, and confused.  Ben had to think of something fast to say, since all three of his son's were looking at him.

" Well Little Joe, Santa isn't really here son.  The only way Santa can see you is through his magic glasses.  That's how he can see who is good and who is bad.  That's why you need to be as good as possible, then Santa can put your name on his ' good boy ' list," Ben said hoping that Little Joe would understand that.

Little Joe stood there with his mouth open and his eyes were shinning brightly.  " Sanny Caws gotts magic gwasses?  WOW !! Uh No, what happens if'n he wooses em Papa?" asked a now very concerned Little Joe.  " Yes Pa, what happens then?" asked Adam as he winked at Ben.  " Well Adam, would you please explain that to your little brother," Ben said as he smiled at Adam.  Adam thought to himself, " Oh great.  Why me?"  " Well you see little buddy, Santa's glasses have a little beeper on them, so if he misplaces his magic glasses, all he has to do is close his eyes and he thinks where he was the last time he saw them, and that's when they start to beep, then Santa can find them," Adam said proudly.  " That's right Punkin-just like Adam said," Hoss told his baby brother.  Little Joe stood there with his mouth still open and his eyes wide open as he listened to every word Adam had said, and also what Hoss had just said too.  " Papa, did ya hear whats Adam saided?" the child excitedly asked.  " I sure did sweetheart.  Magic glasses are very special glasses for Santa, and only Santa has them. 

Little Joe was very busy listening all about the magic glasses, when a question popped into his head.  " Papa, whats if'n some bad mens steals Sanny Caws magic gwasses?" asked a very concerned Little Joe.  " If someone would steal the magic glasses they wouldn't work.  They only work for Santa Claus, and Santa does have extra magic glasses just in case he breaks a pair of them.  So you don't have to worry.  Santa will always have magic glasses," Ben told Little Joe.  " Oh, dats good," said a very relieved Little Joe.

One day while Ben was busy doing the book work at his desk, Little Joe came in from outside and he shouted, " Papa, wheres ya at?"  " Over here son at my desk," Ben answered.  The little boy ran over to his father's desk, and he stood next to Ben's chair.  Ben turned to look at his little imp of a son and he noticed that the child had a very serious look on his face.  " Is there something you need Little Joe?" asked Ben. 

Little Joe reached up and put his little hands on each side of Ben's face, looked him in the eyes and said very seriouly, " Papa, ya gotts ta be a bery good Papa, so Sanny Caws can bing ya some pwezants,"  Ben's heart was melting at the look on his baby son's face.  " Oh, Little Joe.  I promise I'll be a very good Papa, son.  I love you sweetheart !" Ben told his little boy as he picked him up and gave him a big hug and kiss.  I's wuv ya too Papa.  Now ya be's good," said Little Joe as he went back outside to play.  Ben was so moved at what his boy had said to him, that he got tears in his eyes.

Adam and Little Joe had to go into Virginia City to get supplies one day.  Once they were in town, they headed for the General store to turn in their list of supplies.  " Hi Adam, Little Joe.  How are you today?" asked Mr. Cass.  " Hi Mr. Cass," they both said.  " We're doing just fine," Adam said.  " I's fine too," Little Joe said with a big smile on his face.  " Mr. Cass, we'll be back later to pick up the supplies," Adam said.

From the store, the two Cartwrights headed over to the bank so Adam could put a check in the family account.  " Adam, Little Joe," greeted Bill Walters, the bank manager.  " Hi Mr. Walters," Adam asnwered back.  " Hi ya too Mr. Walters," Little Joe greeted.  " Well, how's my favorite little ex-bank robber doing?" asked Bill.  " I'za doin' jest fine.  I's gotts ta be a good boy cuz Sanny Caws is watchin' me fu his magic gwasses.  Ebery one hasta be bery good, cuz Sanny Caws can see us all wiv his magic gwasses !" Little Joe told Bill.  " Yes, that's right Little Joe.  I almost forgot about Santa's magic glasses.  Thank you for reminding me about them," Bill said with a big smile on his face.  " Ya's welcome," the child said.

Adam and Sally, the bank teller heard Little Joe tell Bill about the magic glasses.  So Adam explained to her what that was all about.  " Oh Adam, that is so precious.  That little brother of yours is just the sweetest little boy.  I wish you could have seen how cute he looked when he robbed the bank a while back, and he was so polite too," said Sally.  " Thank you for telling me that Sally.  He is a pretty special little boy, and we never know what that little imp is going to say or do next," Adam told Sally as he chuckled.

Sally reached under the tellers window and pulled out a handfull of play money for Little Joe.  " Little Joe, could you please come over here for a minute, honey?"asked Sally.  "Yes ma'am," said Little Joe as he walked over to Sally and Adam.  He stopped and looked up at Sally with a big smile on his face.  " Hi ma'am.  How's ya doin' taday?" asked Little Joe.  " I'm just fine sweetheart.  Here, I have something for you," Sally said as she handed Little Joe the play money.  " Oh, fank you so bery much ma'am," the child said with a big smile on his face, and his big happy green eyes shinning brightly.  " Bye Adam, Little Joe," both Sally and Bill said as the Cartwrights left the bank.  " Bye bye," both Adam and Little Joe said. 

After Adam and Little Joe had loaded up the buckboard with the supplies, they headed back home.  About half way home, Little Joe asked Adam to please stop the buckboard.  After they had stopped, Adam looked down at his little brother and asked," Ok, why did you want me to stop?"  Little Joe looked up at Adam with a very serious look on his face.  He reached up and put his little hands on each side of Adam's face and he said," Adam, ya gotts ta be bery good ya know.  Cuz Sanny Caws is watchin' ya fu his magic gwasses.  So, if'n ya wants sompfing fer Chissmas ya's gotts ta be bery good,"  Adam was very touched at what his little brother had just said.  " I am trying very hard litle buddy.  So you have to help me be good. OK ?" Adam said.  .  " I's sure will Adam.  We can go home now," the child said. 

Later that afternoon, Adam told Ben what Little Joe had told him about being good.  Then Ben told Adam that Little Joe had done the same thing with him too.  " Pa, I almost forgot, but Little Joe reminded Mr. Walters at the bank about being good too," Adam said as he got a big smile on his face.  " That little boy is something else Adam," said Ben.  " That he is Pa.  That he is," Adam said.

A couple of days later while Hoss and Little Joe were in the barn doing their chores, Hoss was telling Little Joe about a Christmas party for the school kids that would be in a couple of weeks and that the students could bring their younger brothers and sisters if they wanted.  " Hoss, can I's come ta da paty too, pweaze?" asked the very excited little boy.  " Ya ser can Punkin," Hoss said as he smiled at his little brother. 

Little Joe walked over to a chair and he climbed on it.  " Hoss I'za gotts sompfing bery potant ta say ta ya," the child seriously said.  Hoss walked over to his baby brother to see what he wanted.  " What's so important Punkin?" asked Hoss.  Little Joe reached up to put his little hands on each side of Hoss's face, looked him in the eyes and said," Hoss, ya's gotts ta be bery good, cuz Sanny Caws can see ebery fing dat ya do.  He's gotts magic gwasses.  So if'n ya wants him ta bing ya pwezants, ya gotts ta be bery good !" Little Joe told him.  " Ok, little brother.  I'll be as good as I can," Hoss said as he picked up his little brother and swung him around in a circle.  The little boy was giggling loudly.

" Hey, what are you two up too?" asked Adam as he led Sport into the barn.  " Oh, hi Adam. Just havin' some fun with little brother," said Hoss.  " Wee.  Hi ya Adam.  I'za swingin'," Little Joe said giggling.  " Now that looks like fun.  I wish I was small enough for that," Adam said as he unsaddled Sport.

Hoss stopped swinging his little brother, and he stood the giggling child on the floor.  Little Joe swayed and fell over, as he continued to giggle.  " Imma dizzy.  Hoss make da bon stop mobin'," said Little Joe as he laid on his back looking at the ceiling of the barn while the barn continued to spin in circles. 

" It will stop moving anytime now Short Shanks," Hoss told the child.  Adam was rubbing down Sport as he laughed at his two brothers. 

" Papa !" yelled Little Joe as he ran into the house, followed by Adam and Hoss.  "Papa, did ya know dat da bon is spinin in a cicle?" an excited  Little Joe told Ben.  " The barn is spinning?" questioned Ben.  " It's OK Pa. I was jest swingin' Little Joe in a circle, and he got dizzy and said  the barn was spinnin'," Hoss said.  " Oh, I understand now," Ben said laughing.

That evening after Little Joe was in bed, Hoss told Ben what his little brother had said about being good, because Santa could see everything a person did through his magic glasses.  " Hoss, Little Joe told Adam and me the same thing.  He sure is trying so hard to be a good boy," Ben said as he smiled.  " Pa, you should have told him that at the beginning of the year.  Just think at how good he might have been all year," Adam said laughing.  " Well, just between us three, I kind of like him getting into mischief  He sure wouldn't be our special little boy if he were good all the time, Ben said.  " That's true.  Mischief and Little Joe just seem to go together," Adam said.  " Yup, and I'm glad they do," laughed Hoss.

Finally the day of the big Christmas party for the school kids arrived, and Hop Sing was very happy to have made cookies, and cake for the party.  He also made ham sandwiches, and beef sandwiches for the children's lunches.  Daisy, who owned a cafe, had also made sandwiches, and potato salad for the party.  The International House had offered the use of their large dance hall for the party.  Several of the students were bringing their younger brothers and sisters with them.  The parents were also there.

Little Joe was very excited about going to a Christmas party, since he had never been to one before.  He told Ben that he would be a very good boy, and Ben figured that his little imp would be good because of Santa's magic glasses.

Ben and Little Joe got into Virginia City around 11:30am.  Hop Sing also came along to help out.  He loved to do that.  By noon everything was ready.  Ben had found out how many children would be there, and he had bought gifts for all the children, and he had put the gifts into colorful gift bags, that he tied with red and green ribbons.  Each bag had candy, and a toy in them.  The bags for the girls had green ribbons and the bags for the boys had red ribbons on them.  There were also gift bags for the older boys and girls.  The bags for the older girls had white ribbons on them and the bags for the older boys had blue ribbons on them.

When Little Joe spotted Hoss, he wanted to run right over to him, but he walked instead.  " Hi ya Punkin," Hoss said as he picked up his little brother and hugged him.  " Hi Hoss.  Imma bein' a good boy," the child proudly said.  " Good boy Short Shanks.  Come on, I want ya ta meet Miss. Jones," Hoss told his little brother, as he led the child over to Miss. Jones.  " Miss. Jones, this is my little brother, Little Joe,"  said Hoss.  " Hi Little Joe.  I'm very happy to meet you, and I'm very happy that you could come to the party," Miss. Jones said as she looked down at Little Joe.  " Hi ma'am.  Fank you ma'am.  Imma gad ta comed too.  Imma a good boy, cuz Sanny Caws can see me wiv his magic gwasses.  Dats how he knows who's been good and who ain't good," Little Joe told her as he looked up at Miss. Jones with his big bright green eyes.  " Yes, that is right.  That is how Santa can see you.  I'm very happy to hear that you are being a good little boy," she said as she smiled at Little Joe.  " Hoss is good too," Little Joe added.

" Mr. Cartwright, I just met your youngest boy, and I have to say that he is so cute, and so polite too.  He proudly told me that he and Hoss are very good because Santa is watching them with his magic glasses," Miss. Jones told Ben.  " Yes, Miss. Jones.  I told Little Joe that he has to be a good boy because Santa was watching him.  Then he went around the house and looked for Santa everywhere, including the barn too.  I told him about Santa wears magic glasses, and that is how he can see everyone.  He is trying so hard to be a good boy," Ben told her.  " I like that about the magic glasses.  I'll have to use that when I tell the students to behave," she said with a big smile on her face. 

Little Joe was true to his word, and he was a very good boy at the party.  Most of the other children ran around yelling and playing.  Ben even told Little Joe that he could play too, but he didn't want to.  Ben was very proud of his little boy. 

The party had been a big success.  Every child was happy with their gifts, and they really enjoyed their lunch as well.  Little Joe ate most of his lunch which made Ben and Hop Sing very happy.  Little Joe had talked to everyone at the party, even though there weren't many children his age at the party.  Little Joe's friend, Mitch Devlin who was a few months older than Little Joe was there, so the two little boys were together most of the time. 

On the way home, Little Joe fell asleep.  He was very tired since he didn't get his afternoon nap.  As they got home, it started to snow.  There were big fluffy flakes coming down that quickly began to cover up the ground.  " Looks like we just got home in time," Ben said as he picked up his sleeping little boy and walked towards the house.  Adam came out of the house to put the horses in the barn and rub them down, while Hoss and Hop Sing unloaded the buckboard.  Ben had taken Little Joe up to his room, where he took off the child's boots, jacket and he covered up his little boy with his warm quilts. 

Ben and Hoss told Adam about the party and at how good Little Joe was.  " Thank goodness for Santa's magic glasses," said Adam.  Ben nodded.

Christmas was now only two days away, and Little Joe was so excited that he almost made himself ill.   He had tried so hard to be a good boy, and he only got into mischief a couple of times.  He had hoped that Santa wasn't looking at him when he got into mischief, because he wanted Santa to come to visit him on Christmas Eve, and leave him some presents.

Little Joe and Hoss had been playing in the snow, and they also had a big snowball fight, and both boys were wet from the snow.  Little Joe didn't want to come in the house, even though he was freezing cold.  " Come on Punkin, we gotta go in the house now.  It's too cold out here," Hoss told his baby brother.  " No Hoss, I's wanna pway some moe," the shivering little boy said.  Hoss had to think fast of something to say to make his little brother come in the hosue.  Then he remembered something.  " Hey Punkin, don't forget that Santa can see ya through his magic glasses," Hoss reminded him.  " UH OH, come on Hoss we's gotts ta go in da house now," said Little Joe as he took off for the house.  Hoss just laughed.

Once they were in the warm cozy house, both boys ran into the washroom to get out of their wet clothes.  Ben and Adam helped Little Joe to get dried off and into his dry clothes.  Both boys sat in front of the fireplacem wrapped in a quilt and they were drinking some hot chocolate that Hop Sing had made for them.  They were now both feeling nice and warm inside and outside.

It was so hard for Little Joe to get to sleep on Christmas Eve.  He wanted to see Santa, but as he laid in his snug and cozy bed, he started to get sleepy. He also wanted to listen to see if he could hear Santa on the roof, but he soon fell into a deep sleep. 

Christmas morning dawned very cold, with several more inches of fresh snow .  Little Joe woke up and rubbed his eyes and he yawned several times.  It took him a couple of minutes to fully wake up.  Then he remembered what today was. He jumped out of his warm bed, and ran over to his bedroom door.  He opened the door, ran down the hall yelling, " IT'S CHISSMAS !"  Ben was in the livingrrom and he laughed as he heard his baby son running and yelling in the hall.  He went up the stairs to greet his excited little son, and to help him get dressed.  Ben knew that in all the excitement of the day, that Little Joe would only be wearing his nightshirt and he would also be barefooted, and he was.

As soon as Little Joe saw Ben, the little barefooted child ran into his Papa's arms.  " Papa, it's Chissmas!  Mewee Chissmas Papa!" shouted Little Joe as he hugged Ben.  " Merry Christmas to you sweetheart.  Come on and let's get you dressed.  Your little feet are freezing," Ben said as he laughed.  By now Adam and Hoss were up and dressed.  They could hear loud giggling coming from their little brothers room which made them laugh.

" Merry Christmas Pa, Little Joe !" both Adam and Hoss shouted.  " Merry Christmas to both of you too," Ben said.  " Mewee Chissmas Adam, Hoss !" shouted a giggling Little Joe with bright green eyes that were full of excitement.

Hop Sing joined the family as they all opened presents.  Even Hop Sing had gifts to open.  " WOW !!  It wooks wike eberyone was good cuz look at all the pwezants Sanny Caws gibbed us !" shouted Little Joe, as he looked at all the prensent piled under the Christmas tree. 

Everyone loved all their gifts.  Adam and Hoss had made a wooden fort for Little Joe.  It was just perfect for all of the little boy's soldiers and horses.  He had also received more soldiers, and horses from Santa.  Adam and Hoss had also made a ranch house, barns, and lots of fences for their little brother.  There were all kinds of carved farm animals that Santa had also brought.  Little Joe could hardly wait to introduce all of his new soldiers and their horses, and the new farm animals that Santa had brought for him to the ones he already had., but first he had to eat breakfast.

Hop Sing had cooked up a true feast for Christmas dinner.  There was fresh roasted turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, fresh rolls, cake, cookies, coffee and milk. 

Dr. Paul Martin, and his wife Emily, Sheriff Roy Coffee and his deputy Clem Foster all had dinner with the Cartwrights.  Little Joe loved his deputy badge from Roy, and he was now a honorary deputy of Virginia City.  Clem gave Little Joe some hand cuffs.  Little Joe was so excited at being a deputy now.  Paul and Emily had given Little Joe a toy stagecoach and Emily had made him a stuffed toy horse, a pinto.  Little Joe loved all of his gifts, and he gave Paul, Emily, Roy and Clem a big hug.

All too soon it was time for Paul, Emily, Roy and Clem to head back to Virginia City.  By now, Little Joe had fallen alseep on the floor while he was playing with his new toys.  After everyone had left, Ben carried his little boy up to his room where he undressed the child, put his nightshirt on him and tucked him into bed.  He covered up his baby son with a pile of warm quilts.  Ben looked down at his little boy, who now had his thumb safely tucked into his mouth. He smiled and said, " Good night my precious baby.  I love you sweetheart.  You sure had a wonderful Christmas, didn't you?"  He leaned down and kissed his little son.  As he walked towards the door, he looked back at his sleeping little boy, then he looked up and he softly said," Thank you Marie my love for the gift of our precious baby boy."

THE END

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