"EARNING MONEY FOR CHRISTMAS
GIFTS "
by Lynne G.
Eight year
old Little Joe Cartwright started thinking about Christmas in early
October. He decided that since he was a 'big boy' now, he wanted to give
his family and Hop Sing special gifts this year, but the only thing that stood
in his way was money. So he decided that he would ask some their local
neighbors if he could do chores for them to earn the extra money he
needed. He figured it would take just over a month to earn the money he
would need for what he wanted to buy.
On his way
home from school one day he stopped in at the Young's ranch. Bob and Mary
Young were an older couple whom Little Joe really liked. He had known
them all his life, and they were more like his grandparents rather than neighbors.
Bob was recovering from a broken leg, so he was unable to do things around
their small ranch. Mary did what she could, but most of the chores
were hard for her to do by herself. Little Joe knew that Bob and Mary
really needed help.
Little Joe
knocked on the front door and he waited for Mary to open it. When the
door opened, Mary stood there and when she saw it was Little Joe she got a big
smile on her face. " Little Joe, it's so wonderful to see you
honey. Please come in," she told the boy. " It's
great ta see you Mrs. Young. How is Mr. Young feelin'? I'd like to talk ta
him if'n it's alright," Little Joe asked.
"
Honey, he's doing as well as expected with his broken leg, and yes, you sure
can see him. He always loves to see you sweetheart," Mary said as
she hugged the little boy.
Mary took
Little Joe to the bedroom where Bob was laying in bed with his leg resting on
several pillows. " Hi Mr. Young. How ya feelin'
? I'm really sorry ya hurt yer leg.
I hope ya ain't in too much pain," Little Joe told Bob.
When Bob
saw Little Joe come into the bedroom, he got a very big grin on his face.
" Hi son. I'm so very happy to see you. My leg hurts from time
to time, but it's getting better everyday. Dr. Martin said it will be as
good as new come Dec," Bob told the boy.
" Mr.
Young, since you are laid up, I was wonderin' if'n I could do chores on yer
ranch for ya? I'mma a good worker sir. I
could come over before school and after school," Little Joe said.
" Thank you Little Joe, what a thoughtful idea. Yes, we really could
use the help. Are you sure it won't be too much for you, knowing you have
your own chores to do at home, plus school work too?" Bob said.
" Oh no sir. I can handle it just fine. Just let me know everything
ya would like me ta do, and I will do my best
work," Little Joe said with a big grin on his face.
While Mary
took Little Joe back to the kitchen for some cookies and milk, Bob made out his
list of chores for the boy. When Little Joe finished his snack, he went
back to see Bob, and to get the list. " Here you go son. You
look over the list now and if you have any questions-just ask. I was
going to hire someone to come over and do these chores, but now I won't have to
thanks to you son," Bob said.
" Are
you sure there ain't more chores I can do for ya?" asked Little Joe.
" No, there really aren't. This is a small ranch, so it's just the
daily things-chopping wood, taking care of the animals, mucking out the stalls,
and cleaning out the chicken coop," Bob told the boy. " When
would you like me ta start Mr. Young?"
asked the boy. " Well, we do need some wood chopped now if that's
alright with with you Little Joe. Then tomorrow
you could start the other chores if it's alright with your Pa," Bob
said. " He won't mind. I'll get started on that wood right now
sir, and the other stuff tomorrow. Thank you Mr. Young,"
Little Joe told Bob. " Thank you Little Joe. This means
a great deal to Mary and myself," Bob said.
Little Joe
spent the next hour and a half chopping wood and filling up the wood boxes for
the Youngs. He even chopped some extra wood
too, milked the cow and fed the other other
animals. Bob and Mary were very impressed at all the chores the
youngster had done that day.
Ben
Cartwright was very upset that his youngest son was yet late again coming home
from school that day. " Where is that boy, and why can't he ever
come home on time?" shouted Ben out loud. Both Adam and Hoss looked
at him, wishing their young brother would do what he was asked to do.
When Little
Joe got home, he took care of Tony, his horse, then he did his own chores, even
though he was really tired.
"
JOSEPH, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL THIS TIME?"
Ben shouted
as the boy come through the front door. " Hi Pa, Adam, Hoss. I
was in the barn doin' my chores," the boy softly
said. " It took you two hours to do your chores? Why were you
late getting home in the first place? I told you to get home right after
school, didn't I, and look at me when I'm talking to you," Ben angrily
said. Little Joe looked up at Ben and he could see at how much trouble he
was in again.
"
Well, I had somethin' very important ta do on my way
home from school, and that's all I can say," Little Joe said as he lightly
bit his lip. Ben just stood there with his hands on his hips, and he
looked down at his son. He wasn't happy at what he had just heard
either. Adam and Hoss were wondering what this little mischief maker was
up too now.
" What
was so important Joseph?" asked Ben. " Please Pa, it ain't nuffin' bad-just somethin' good. So I will be late gettin' home everynight fer a
while," Little Joe told his family. Ben didn't know what to think,
but he could tell by the look on the boy's face that what ever he was up too, it
seemed very important to him.
"
Alright son, but this better not affect your chores or your school work
either," Ben told his son. Little Joe's face lit up like a Christmas
tree. " Thanks
Little Joe
worked very hard at the Young's ranch, plus he kept up his chores and school
work, even though he was very tired by the end of each day, but it was well
worth all the extra work to able to help the Youngs,
and to be earning money.
It was now
the end of November, and Bob Young's leg was now healed. On Thursday when
Little Joe came over to his chores at the Young's, Bob proudly told the boy
that his leg was healed, and that he could now do his own chores. Little
Joe was very happy for Bob, but he would miss coming over everyday.
"
Little Joe, we can't thank you enough for all your hard work you did
here. You did a wonderful job, better than most men could do. This
old ranch has never looked so well taken care of. You should feel very
proud of yourself Little Joe. Here are your wages son," Bob said as
he handed an envolope to Little Joe. "
Thank you sir. I enjoyed helping you and Mrs. Young," Little Joe
said. " Why don't you open the envolope
son," Bob said as he smiled at the boy. Little Joe opened the envolope and he stared at the large amount of money
inside. " Oh, Mr. Young, this is way too much money. I can't
take all this," said a very surprised Little Joe. " It's yours
son. You more than earned it, and $50 isn't too much," Bob told the
surprised boy. " But $50, thats way more
than I need Mr. Young," Little Joe tried to tell Bob, but Bob wouldn't
back down. Little Joe got tears in his eyes as he hugged Bob.
" Thank you so very much Mr. Young," the boy softly said. Mary
wiped up Little Joe's tears, and she told him how much he meant to them.
The next
day after school, Adam went to meet his little brother, since he was in town to
get some supplies. " Hi Adam. Whatcha
doin' here?" asked a surprised Little Joe.
" I came to get supplies, and I thought we could ride home together,"
Adam told the boy. " I'd like that Adam. Thanks," the boy
said.
While they
were waiting for their supplies, Adam walked over to where all the books were
and he started to look through the many shelves of books. Little Joe
walked over to where Mr. Cass was getting the supplies together, and he gave
Mr. Cass some money for all the Cartwright's Christmas gifts that he holding
for Little Joe.
" Mr.
Cass, have those two books I want come in yet?" asked Adam. "
No, not yet Adam. Sorry, but I will let you know when they do come
in," Mr. Cass said, as he winked at Little Joe. Mr. Cass told the
boy that those two books came in earlier that day and he had set them aside for
Little Joe, and that made Little Joe very happy. " Is it alright if'n I pick up the gifts after school tomorrow Mr. Cass?"
Little Joe asked. " That's fine Little Joe. Your family will
be surprised at all the wonderful things you've bought for them. Bob and
Mary Young told me about all the hard work you did for them while Bob was laid
up with that broken leg. That was a wonderful thing you did for them
Little Joe," Mr. Cass told him. " I was glad I could help em Mr. Cass," Little Joe proudly said.
"
Adam, the supplies are ready," Mr. Cass said. " Great, thank
you. Come on little buddy. Let's get the wagon loaded and head for
home," Adam told his little brother.
The next
day after school, Little Joe headed straight to the store to pick up all the
Christmas gifts for his family. From there, he went over to Hop Ling's to
pick up Hop Sing's gifts that he had ordered.
" Hi ya Hop Ling. I have the money for Hop Sing's
gifts," Little Joe proudly said. " You are good boy, Little
Joe. Hop Sing very lucky to have little boy as good friend. Hop
Sing will be very happy with gifts from you," Hop Ling told Little
Joe. " I love Hop Sing. He's part of my family Hop Ling,"
Little Joe said as he handed Hop Ling the money.
As soon as
Little Joe had Hop Sing's gifts in the bag that Hop
Ling had given him, he jumped on Tony and headed home with all the treasures
for his family and Hop Sing. He felt so grown up, even though he was
still a little boy.
After he
had taken care of Tony and finished up his chores, he picked up his heavy and
bugling saddle bags and bag, he walked towards the house. His timing was
perfect, as his family wasn't home yet, so he ran up to his room and he closed
the door. He then laid his saddle bags and bag on his bed, and walked
over to his closet to get his two carpet bags. He carried them over to
his bed and he sat down.
As he took
each gift out of the saddle bags and bag, he looked them over to see if they
were perfect. He couldn't wait for Christmas to come. It was three
weeks away, which seemed so long to the excited little boy. He now had
every gift safely in his carpet bags, which he put back in his closet. He
took the rest of money out of his pocket and he counted it. He still had
$30 left. He put the money in his chest of drawers, until he could put it
in the bank, well most of it. He decided to keep out some of the money
just in case he needed it.
During
dinner that night, Ben asked Little Joe if he would like to do his Christmas
shopping that coming Saturday. " Thanks Pa, but I'm all done with my
shopping," Little Joe proudly told his family. They couldn't believe
what they had just heard, " What do you mean, you are finished
shopping? How did you manage that and where did you get money for
shopping?" asked Ben. Adam and Hoss were wondering the same thing.
" Um,
I gotta job ta earn the money," the
boy said. " YOU got a job??? Come on now little brother, where
did you get the money?" asked a shocked Adam. " I dun told ya,
I earned it !" the boy said. His family just kept looking at the
youngster, trying to figure out what kind of job he had been doing.
" Joseph, does this have something to do with why you were late coming
home everynight for almost two months, and why you
were gone for several hours every Saturday and Sunday too?" asked
Ben. " Yes sir," the boy softly said. " Would care
to let us know what kind of job you were doing?" asked Ben. "
Sure-maybe one of these days," Little Joe said as he smiled at his
confused family.
The next
day while Ben was in town to do some banking business, he heard his name being
called. So he turned around to see Bob and Mary Young coming towards
him. " Hi Bob, Mary. How is your leg doing Bob?" asked
Ben. " Hi Ben, my leg is just fine again. Ben, you must be so
very proud of that young son of yours. He was a big help to us while I
was laid up ," Bob told Ben. " I don't know understand Bob,
what did Little Joe do?" Ben asked not knowing what Bob was talking
about. " You mean he didn't tell you Ben?" asked a surprised
Bob. " No, he didn't say anything to us what he was up too,"
Ben stated. " Well Ben, let me tell you what your wonderful boy
did. Everyday for the last two months that boy came over here twice a day
and he did all our ranch chores for us. He worked very hard Ben, and he
did an excellent job I might add. Our sons never worked that hard when
they were young," Bob told Ben.
" I
had no idea what he was doing, but we knew he was up too something. That
boy !!! Bob, I can't thank you enough for telling me this. I really
appreciate it," Ben told the Youngs, as he felt
so very proud of his young son. " We thank you Ben for having such a
caring and wonderful boy as Little Joe," Mary and Bob both told Ben.
Ben was speechless, but he did manage to thank Bob and Mary for all the
wonderful things they had said about Little Joe. Ben couldn't wait to
tell Adam and Hoss what their baby brother was doing. Ben felt like he
was ten feet tall, and he silently thanked God and Marie for Little Joe.
When Ben
got back home, he told Adam and Hoss what Little Joe had been doing the last
two months. They too, felt so very proud of their little brother.
" I tell you Pa, that boy is really something. Sometimes it's a
battle to get him to do his own chores, but when someone needs help, he's right
there to help," Adam proudly said. " I can't wait till Short
Shanks gets home so I can tell him how proud I am of him," beamed
Hoss. " Boys, lets not say anything to him. If he wants to
tell us what he did, then lets just let him tell us. I know it will hard
not to say anything, but I think it's better that way," Ben told Adam and
Hoss. " Your right
Two days
before Christmas, the Cartwrights headed out to get their Christmas
tree. It was bitter cold that day with lots of snow on the ground.
The family was all bundled up in thick warm quilts, warms mittens and caps,
plus their heavy winter coats. Little Joe still hadn't told his family
about his job, and that was driving them crazy.
" Hey,
look at that tree over there !! It's perfect !" yelled Little
Joe. " It sure is sweetheart. What do you and Hoss think
about the tree Adam?" asked Ben. " Just like little
brother said, it's perfect," agreed Adam. After the tree had been
cut and put into the sled, the family headed home.
That night
the Cartwrights decorated their tree while all the wonderful smells of Hop
Sing's baking drifted all through the large cozy
ranch house. The tree looked like a masterpiece with all the colorful
decorations, candles and ribbons on it. " Tree very beautiful,"
Hop Sing said as he walked out of the kitchen with a plate full of freshly
baked cookies, and plenty of hot chocolate. Adam and Hoss had just
finished hanging pine garlands on the stair railing, and in various other
locations in the livingroom and diningroom.
Ben and Little Joe hung a beautifully made pine wreath on the outside of
the front door, that Hop Sing and Little Joe had made earlier that day.
Both Ben and Little Joe were glad to be back inside the warm cozy
house.
" Hey,
guess what?' beamed Little Joe. " What punkin?"
asked Hoss. I already got all yer gifts
wrapped. Now I can sit back and relax," the boy proudly said.
" Well, is that so little brother? You sure got everything finished
early, didn't you?" teased Adam. " Ah huh !" Little Joe
said as he ate his cookie and drank his hot chocolate. He looked very
cute with his chocolate mustache..
Christams
Eve day was a busy time for the Cartwrights, with all gifts that needed to be
wrapped. All Little Joe had to do was his chores. He did help Hop
Sing make sure all the best china and glasses were clean and shiny for the
Christmas Eve party for their friends and neighbors. Hop Sing loved
the parties, and he loved to do fancy baking and cooking. Everyone loved
his cooking and baking.
The party
was a big success. The highlight of the evening was the reading of ,
" T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS " that Ben read. After
everyone had left, Little Joe made several trips up to his room to bring down
all the gifts for his family and Hop Sing.
Ben, Adam
and Hoss sat there watching the excited little boy with a big grin on his face
putting gifts under the tree. " My goodness Little Joe. Look
at all those gifts you just put under the tree. You sure did do lots of
shopping, didn't you son?" Ben said as he looked at the gifts under the
tree. " Yup, sure did. Now, NO snooping till mroning," Little Joe warned his family. "
Can't we just shake em a little?" asked
Hoss as he winked at Ben and Adam. " NOPE, ya gotts ta be good or Santa won't
come ta night," Little Joe said.
Little Joe sat down on the hearth and he yawned several times, as he was very
sleepy.
"
Looks like we better get to bed so Santa can come," Ben said.
With that said, Little Joe jumped up and ran up to his room to get ready for
bed. " I can't believe all those gifts he bought. Do
you think he'll tell us about his job?" asked Adam. " I
hope he does, cuz I wanna
tell him how proud I am of him," Hoss said.
When Ben
went up to tuck his baby in for the night, he was surprised to find the little
boy in deep sleep. Ben stood there looking down at his little son and he
smiled. He then leaned down to kiss the child's forehead. "
Good night precious. I'm so proud of you baby. I love you.
Sweet dreams baby," Ben said as he left the room.
Early on
Christmas morning, Little Joe was the first one of the Cartwrights to get
up. He ran up and down the hall yelling, " MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE
!!!!" Soon the rest of the Cartwrights were up and they joined the
very excited little boy in the hall. " MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU TOO
LITTLE JOE !!!!" they all said. Then they went downstairs.
" WOW
" was all Little Joe could say when he saw all the gifts under the tree
and around the tree. The excited little boy just stood staring at the
tree and all the gifts. " My goodness ! Sure looks like Santa
was here ," Ben said as he winked at Adam and Hoss.
Little Joe
played Santa, and he handed everyone their gifts. Hop Sing was also very surprised
at all the gifts from Little Joe and the rest of the family was as well.
" MERRY CHRISTMAS PA, ADAM, HOSS, HOP SING !!!! I LOVE YOU ALL VERY
MUCH !!!!!! Little Joe told them. " WE LOVE YOU TOO, LITTLE
JOE !" they all said.
As Adam
opened his first gift from Little Joe, his eyes opened wide and he said, "
little brother, how did you know I wanted this book so much?" "
I heard ya talkin' about it," the boy
said. " Thank you so very much little buddy," Adam said as he
hugged the little boy.
" Oh,
Little Joe, where did you find this book? I have been looking for a book
like this for a long time," Ben said as he looked at his new book called,
" HIGH SEA ADVENTURES". " I found it when I was doin' my shopping. It just came in to the store, and
I knew you should have it," Little Joe told Ben. " Thank you so
much sweetheart. I love it !" Ben said as he hugged his son.
" Hey Punkin, this book sounds wonderful. Thank you little
brother. Hey Pa, looks, it's stories about the things people had done to
save animals that have been hurt !" Hoss excitedly said.
"
Little Joe, how you know Hop Sing need new slippers? Thank you !"
Hop Sing said. " Well Hop Sing, yer old
pair looked all worn out, so I knew that you needed new ones," Little Joe
proudly said.
"
Little Joe, you sure knew everything we needed or wanted, didn't you son?"
Ben said. " Yeah Punkin. How did ya
know all that?" asked Hoss. " I just paid attention ta everything I heard ya all say," the boy said.
" Are you going to tell us where you got the money for all these wonderful
gifts?" asked Ben. " I did all the ranch chores for the Youngs, cuz Mr. Young had a
busted leg and he couldn't do anything. I just knew I could help.
That's all. I still have money left Pa, so could I please put it in the
bank?" Little Joe asked Ben. " You sure can sweetheart. I
am so very proud of you. That was a very thoughtful thing you did,"
Ben said as he gave his young son a big hug and kiss. " We are
also very proud of you little brother," both Adam and Hoss said as they
both hugged their little brother.
Little Joe
gave Ben the book of HIGH SEA ADVENTURES, a new pipe, a new and bigger pipe
holder, that would hold all of Ben's pipes, plus there was room for more pipes
too. He also received more tabacco for his
pipes, a new bandana, and some more Bay Rum after shave.
Adam not
only received the book of DICKENS COMPLETE WORKS, but the newly published book
of SHAKESPEARE'S plays, a new bandana, and some Bay Rum after shave too.
Besides the
book, Hoss also received a new wood carving knife, a new bandana, some candy,
and some Bay Rum after shave.
Hop Sing
loved all his gifts from Little Joe. He also received a book he had been
wanting, written in Chinese of course, some of the special Chinese candy that
he loved so much, and a new cap.
Little Joe
loved the looks on everyones faces as they opened
each gift from him. He could see how much they all loved their gifts.
Little Joe
received a new blue jacket, a new book on horses, a new wood carving knife just
like the one he got for Hoss, a new saddle, saddle bags and a new bridle for
Tony, some candy, and a new bandana too. Bob Young had carved a
beautifully made wooden mare and foal for the boy. Mary Young made him a
new quilt for his bed that had horses on it. Little Joe loved the gifts
from the Youngs.
Later that
day, Sheriff Roy Coffee, Dr. Paul Martin and his wife Emily joined the
Cartwrights for Christmas dinner of roasted turkey, smoked ham, mashed potatoes
and turkey gravy, dressing, beans and corn, and fresh wheat rolls. There
was also fresh apple pie, Christmas cookies, and a chocolate cake, coffee and
wine.. Hop Sing totally out done himself with the feast he made for
Christmas dinner.
All too
soon the evening came to an end. After their guests had gone home, the
Cartwrights sat in front of the fireplace and talked about what a wonderful
Christmas they had all had. They never did tell Little Joe that they knew
about how he earned all the money for his gifts to them.
Ben looked
over at Little Joe, only to see the boy had fallen into a deep sleep.
" Looks like all the excitement of the day has finally caught up with
Little Joe," Ben said as he smile at his little boy.
Ben got up
and picked up the sleeping child and carried him up to his room. Adam and
Hoss went along to help get their baby brother ready for bed. Adam turned
down the blankets and quilts, while Hoss got out a nightshirt for his little
brother. Soon the sleeping child was safely tucked into his bed for the
night. As his family looked down at him, they all thanked God and Marie
for the love of their lives, Little Joe. They were all so proud of their
little curly haired, green eyed little imp. " Goodnight little
one. Merry Christmas baby and God bless you !" they all said.
THE END
MERRY
CHRISTMAS EVERYONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!