" MISSING PAYROLL "

By: Lynne G.

" Joseph, I am going to give you one last chance to prove to me that you can do what you are told to do, and that you can be responsible for following orders.  For the past month you have shown me that I can't trust you to follow orders or that you can be dependable to do jobs on the ranch.  It isn't fair to your brothers or the ranch hands who end up doing the jobs that were  entrusted to you.  Do I make myself clear?" Ben Cartwright asked his youngest, and seemingly irresponsible son.

Little Joe just nodded because he couldn't bear to look at the disappointment on his father's face.  He was ashamed of the way he had let his father, brothers and ranch hands down so much lately.

" Yes sir," he very softly said.  " I want you back here by noon with the payroll money.  You come straight home directly from the bank.  Do you understand?  Straight home after the bank !" Ben explained to his son.  " Yes sir, I will," Little Joe quietly replied.

Once Little Joe had the payroll money safely in his saddle bags, he headed straight back home as he had been told to do.  " I'll prove ta Pa that he can trust me and that I can be responsible too," he told Cochise his beloved black and white pinto.

Rex Shields, one of the Ponderosa ranch hands didn't like Little Joe and it pleased him to see the youngest Cartwright in trouble with his father and two older brothers.

Rex had come to work on the Ponderosa from Texas.  He hated his family and he wanted to get as far away from them as possible.  Rex was a tall man in his mid-twenties with reddish brown hair and brown eyes.  He didn't mind his job on the Ponderosa, and he did like the Cartwrights, except Little Joe.   Rex was the youngest in his family and he seemed to be in some kind of trouble all his life.  He never felt any love from his family.  They considered him as being stupid and nothing but trouble.  They also made fun of him with everything he tried to do, so when he turned eighteen years old he left home for good.

When Rex had started his job on the Ponderosa, it upset him when he saw how much Little Joe was loved by his family and by all the ranch hands as well.  They all repected the boy which also bothered Rex.  He wanted to see the boy suffer like he had and to be in trouble with his family too.  He had already done several things that had got the youngest Cartwright in trouble with Ben.

After a couple months, Rex had an idea in his mind that was cause the Cartwrights to lose respect with Little Joe and it would also involve the payroll.

Rex had seen Little Joe leave the ranch that morning on his way to Virginia City to get the payroll, so he rode to an area about half way between the ranch and town and he waited there for Little Joe to return.

As soon as Rex heard a horse coming his way he got on his horse and rode over to the road, where he slowed his horse to walk, knowing that when Little Joe saw him, that he too would slow his horse down with the boy thinking they could ride to the ranch together.

As Little Joe continued to ride towards home, he noticed Rex riding ahead of him.  " HEY REX, WAIT UP !" Little Joe shouted.  Rex smiled and then stopped his horse.  " Hi Rex, where ya headin'?"  " Just back to the ranch," Rex answered.  " Good, we can ride together then," Little Joe happily suggested.  " Sure Little Joe, but I need to stop and check my horses' hoof.  He seems to be walking funny," Rex said as he got off his horse.  Little Joe got off Cochise to have a look at Rex's horses' hoof.

" Can't see anything wrong.  What do you think Little Joe?" Rex asked hoping the boy would look at the hoof.  Little Joe checked the hoof carefully and said, " It looks fine ta me.  There ain't no heat on the leg or hoof.  No swelling of any kind either.  Maybe he just took a funny step is all."  " You could be right," Rex said as he took his gun out of his holster and pointed it at Little Joe as the boy was walking back to Cochise.  When Little Joe reached Cochise he turned around and saw  Rex pointing his gun at him.  " Hey Rex, whatcha doin'?" a nervous Little Joe asked.

" Don't try anything kid.  I want you to slowly hand over the payroll," Rex explained.  " Why Rex?  Why are ya doin' this?" Little Joe asked as he stared at Rex.  " Because I want to see you in big trouble.  Now do as you are told !" Rex angrily said.  Little Joe took the payroll out of his saddle bags that containned $5,000. for the payroll and he handed it to Rex.  Rex took the bag of money and said, " If you say anything to your family or anyone for that matter, I will kill your father !"  " You can't get away with this ya know," Little Joe said, wishing he had a gun, but he was too young to carry one.  " Sure I can kid, and I will too and there isn't anything you can do about it either," Rex said.

" What am I s'pose ta tell my Pa why I ain't got the money.  He will be so furious at me," Little Joe nervously asked.  " That's not my problem boy and don't tell him it was a robbery or anyone else or I will kill him.  You'll just have to come up with some kind of excuse like you always do," Rex threatened.  " But ya dunt understand Rex, this is my last chance to prove to my Pa that I can follow orders.  Please Rex, give me the money back !" Little Joe begged.  " No way," Rex answered back as he smiled at the nervous boy.

Little Joe felt sick and scared to death as he rode slowly home.  " What am I gonna tell Pa.  Can't tell him I was robbed.  God, please help me," Little Joe said as tears ran down his very pale face.  He decided to stop at his mother's grave for a couple of minutes.

" Mama, I dunt know what to tell Pa.  I didn't do nuffin' wrong.  Please make Pa not mad at me.  Oh mama, I dun't know what to do or say," Little Joe cried as he talked with his mama.

" Where is that boy?  He should have been home two hours ago !  I thought that I could trust him, but I was so wrong !

That's it !  I'm not going to put up with him any more !  That boy has disappointed me for the last time !" Ben shouted.  Adam and Hoss felt sorry for their little brother and also for their father.  They couldn't understand why their little  brother couldn't follow instructions anymore.  They had no idea what Ben was going to do with their brother.

Little Joe slowly got off Cochise and tied him to the hutching rail near the house.  He felt like he was going to pass out and his body was trembling badly.  He knew it wasn't his fault as to what happened to the payroll, and he also knew that what ever he told his Pa, that he probably wouldn't accept his excuse this time.  As he stood there and looked at the front door he could feel and hear his heart beating loudly in his chest.

As the front door slowly opened, Ben stood up and turned to look at his youngest son.  Adam and Hoss looked up from their chess board and they could see the distress on their brother's face.  " Adam, Hoss, could you please go find something to do outside now," Ben suggested.  " Sure Pa," Adam said as he and Hoss got up and walked towards the door.  They looked at their little brother who looked very pale and they could see the boy trembling and they felt sorry for him.  They closed the door, but decided to stay on the porch because they wanted to hear what Ben was going to say to Little Joe.

Ben was very very angry with his son.  Little Joe stared at the floor as he continued to tremble.  For the first couple of minutes Ben didn't say anything.  Then he took a deep breath and began to shout.

" Where have you been? he asked.  " Ridin' home, and I stopped ta talk ta mama," Little Joe very quietly replied.  " I told you to come straight home didn't I ?" Ben asked again.  The boy just nodded.  " Where is the payroll ?" Ben asked.  " I..I...I dunt have it," the boy mumbled.  " What do you mean, you don't have it ?" Ben shouted.  " I...I kinda lost it," the boy whispered.  " YOU KIND OF LOST IT ???  HOW DID YOU KIND OF LOSE IT ?"  Ben was now seeing red.  " I..I dunno sir," Little Joe whispered.  " WHAT DO YOU MEAN-YOU DON'T KNOW ???" Ben shouted.  Little Joe just shrugged his shoulders.  Ben was ready to explode.

He graabed his son's arm roughly. " Where is that money and I want to know NOW !" Ben shouted.  Little Joe still wouldn't look at Ben.  " I am asking you a question BOY and I WANT an answer NOW !" Ben again shouted.  As the tears ran down his face, Little Joe said that he lost the money.  " How could you lose $5,000 ?  I can't believe how careless and irresponsible you are !  You have really done it this time !  I have had it with you !  I want you out of here NOW !  GET OUT OF MY SIGHT !" Ben yelled.  " Pa...please.." was all the boy was able to say before Ben shouted again.  " SHUT UP !  GET OUT NOW !!!  JUST GET OUT OF MY SIGHT FOR NOW !!!  Ben yelled.

Adam and Hoss couldn't believe at what they had just heard Ben say to their little brother.  " Adam, Pa can't send Little Joe away.  He just can't.  He 's just a kid !" Hoss said as tears ran down his face.  " Hoss, let's talk to Pa and make him change his mind.  This whole thing doesn't sound right," Adam replied.

Little Joe couldn't believe what he was hearing.  How could his own father send him away like this.  Ben again grabbed the shocked boy's arm and pushed him towards the door.  Ben didn't mean  for his son to leave the ranch, but just to get out of his sight for a while until he calmed down, but the boy took it the wrong way.

Little Joe ran past his brothers with tears running down his face.  He jumped on Cochise and raced out of the yard.  " LITTLE JOE, COME BACK PLEASE !!! Hoss shouted, but Little Joe didn't hear him.

Rex was standing by the barn and he was very happy at the sight of the distraught boy racing off.

" Pa, you can't send Little Joe away.  He's..." was all Hoss was able to say before Ben interrupted him.  " I don't want to discuss it Hoss.  Adam, could you please ride into Virginia City to the bank and get another $5,000. for the payroll.  I won't have the hands go without their pay," Ben said.  " Sure Pa.  I'll get the money.  Pa, how could you send Little Joe away like that?  I have a feeling there's more going on then we know," Adam said.  " I didn't send the boy off the Ponderosa.  I just wanted him out of my sight for a few hours, but I think I said it all wrong," Ben replied as he was starting to calm down a little.

Hoss turned around and went outside with Adam.  The brothers were silent as they were still in shock at what had taken place.  " Hoss, Adam, is everything Ok?" Rex asked.  " Huh ? Oh, hi Rex.  No it ain't.  Pa just sent Little Joe away cuz he lost the payroll money.  Adam's gone to get more money," Hoss sadly told Rex.  " Wow, that's too  bad.  That poor kid, he must be devastated," Rex said, feeling happy at the news that Little Joe was gone.  He thought Hoss meant the boy was gone forever, and he felt very proud of himself for his part in this.

Dinner was very silent that night.  The tension the in the house was very high.  Adam and Hoss didn't hardly talk to Ben, as they were too upset with him.  Hop Sing was also upset as well.  They had all thought that by now Little Joe would have returned to the house, but he hadn't shown up yet, and they were starting to get a little worried.  " Adam, I want to thank you for getting the money for the payroll.  I really appreciate it," Ben said.  Adam just nodded.

Little Joe had ridden for several hours and he was now off the Ponderosa.  He stopped Cochise and he got off the horse, so Cochise could graze.  Little Joe laid down on the ground and cried.  He felt like he was the last person on the earth.  After almost thirty minutes of hard crying, he just laid there and thought about what happened that day.  " It wasn't my fault at all.  I couldn't tell anyone what really happened or my Pa would be killed.  I couldn't let that happen.  What am I gonna do.  I dunt have any food or clothes with me.  Oh God, please help me !" Little Joe said out loud as he started to cry again.  He eventually fell into a very restless sleep.

As Ben laid in his bed that night, he couldn't stop thinking about Little Joe.  " I shouldn't have made him leave like that.  I said the wrong things to him and he thought I meant for him to leave the Ponderosa, and now he's gone.  I was so angry with him, I just didn't think about what I was saying to him.  I hope he will be back home tomorrow," Ben said to himself.

The next morning Little Joe had decided what he was going to do.  He would go to California and get a job on some large horse ranch busting broncs, even though he had never done that before.  He had watched Adam and Hoss do that, plus he had read several books on how to bust broncs.  He also decided that he would stop in at ranches along the way to earn money so he could buy some food and clothes, until he found some of the larger horse ranches he had heard about, and hoped that one of the ranches would hire him.

Life at the Ponderosa went on.  Adam and Hoss didn't say much to Ben, and Ben was realizing that he had been much too hard on Little Joe.  He also realized that the boy wasn't coming back home anytime soon.  It had now been a month since the boy had left. 

One evening, several of the hands had gone into Virginia City and the Bucket of Blood Saloon to have some fun with their pay checks.

Rex was having a good time getting drunk and he started to ramble on about many things.  Charlie and Hank had been working on the Ponderosa since  Ben  first bought the ranch, and they were listening to Rex and some of the other hands talking.  Suddenly Rex told the hands that he had taken the payroll from Little Joe the month before.  He said that he still had the money and that he had hidden it in his saddle bags back in the bunkhouse.  Charlie and Hank and the other hands were shocked at what Rex was saying, and they were all getting angry at Rex for what he had done to the Cartwright family.  " Tell me Rex, how did you get Little Joe to give you the money?" Asked Hank.  By now all the hands were standing by the table where Rex was sitting.

" Ah, that was easy.  I told the boy that if he told his family or anyone else about this, then I would kill his Pa.  What that kid didn't know was that I like his family and I wouldn't hurt them.  It's that boy I didn't like, cuz everyone likes him and his family loves him.  That's why I did it.  I'm glad the boy is gone," Rex told everyone. 

What Rex didn't know, was that Sheriff Roy Coffee had heard everything that he had just told everyone.  Roy was very upset at what Rex had said, and he had felt like punching him, but he worked hard to control his anger.  " Rex, you are under arrest for robbery," Roy announced.

Rex stood up and he swayed and without thinking he pulled his gun out and fired at Roy, but thankfully he missed and the bullet hit the wall.  Roy fired back in self defense striking Rex in the chest.  Rex collasped to the floor moaning.  Roy, Charlie and Hank kneeled down next to Rex.  " I'm sorry I hurt the ....", but he never finished his statement as death claimed him.  " What a shame.  It was all so senseless," Roy sadly said.  " We had no idea that Rex had taken the payroll from Little Joe.  We need to explain all of this to Ben, Adam and Hoss," Charlie said.  " I'll come out to the Ponderosa with you  and find the money.  Rex said it was in the bunk house in his saddle bags.  When we find it, we need to tell Ben and give the money to him, and hopefully we can find Little Joe.  That boy has been gone for a month now," Roy said.

Little Joe had worked his way to California, and he had worked at several ranches along his way.  He now had some extra clothes, a bedroll and some food.  He had also inquired about horse ranches and at one ranch where he had  worked at for a couple of weeks, he was told about a large horse ranch in Stockton called the " Double T."  So that is where he was now heading.

When Roy, Charlie and Hank arrived back at the Ponderosa, they went right into the bunkhouse and over to Rex's bunk.  They looked in his saddle bags and there was the missing payroll.  Roy, Charlie and Hank quickly counted the money and were happy to see it was all there.

Roy took the money bag and he and Charlie and Hank walked up to the front door of the large house and knocked on the door.  " Who could that be this time of night?" Ben questioned.  Adam went ot open the door and he was surprised to see Roy, Charlie and Hank standing there.  " Come in," Adam said.  " Thanks Adam," Roy replied.  " Hi, Charlie, Hank !  Roy, what are you doing out here this time of night?" Ben asked.

" Hi Ben, Adam, Hoss.  Had a bit of trouble in town tonight.  Rex, one of your hands got drunk and he confessed that he had stolen the payroll from Little Joe, and he told the boy that if he said anything about this to anyone, then he would kill you," Roy explained.  " Oh my God !  Then Little Joe didn't lose it ?" Ben sadly said as he put his face in his hands.  " Oh God, I need to find my boy.  Why did I have to get so angry with him?  Those awful things I said to him.  I wasn't thinking right, because I was so angry with him.  I don't even know where to start looking for him," Ben said as tears began to fill up his eyes. 

" Where is Rex now?" Adam asked.  " He's dead.  He shot at me and I fired back and hit him.  Roy then explained everything what Rex had said about why he took the money in the first place, and why he didn't like Little Joe. 

" Rex never mentioned anything about his family, and he never seemed upset about Little Joe that I had seen.  I thought he liked the boy.  I don't know what to say about all this, but I do know, I want my baby back," Ben stated.

" We need to find Little Joe, but I have no idea where to even start to look for him," Ben sadly said.  " Pa, why don't we send out telegrams asking if anyone has seen him, and let's also describe Cochise.  Even if no one remembers seeing Little Joe, then maybe they might remember seeing Cochise Adam  suggested.  " That's a good idea Adam.  We'll do that first thing in the morning," Ben suggested.

Little Joe had finally arrived at the " Double T" ranch, and he rode towards the house, got off Cochise, tied the reins to the hutching post, and said, " Wish me luck Cooch."  He walked up to the front door and knocked, and he waited and hoped that someone was home.

" May I help you?" asked the tall woman who stood before him.  Little Joe looked up at her, smiled and said, " Good morning ma'am.  I was wondering if you could use some help with the horses on the ranch ?  I know how ta break horses."  " We can always use help.  My name is Tess Simon and my husband Tom would be the one to ask," Tess told the boy.  " Yes ma'am, and might where I find him please?" Little Joe asked.  " He's not here right now, but he should be back in about fifteen minutes or so.  Why don't you come in and wait for him.  By the way son, what's your name?" Tess asked.  " Thank you Mrs. Simon.  My name is Scotty Ryan," the boy announced as he had to think of a name fast.

" Please sit down Scotty.  Where are you from?" Tess questioned.  " He sure looks young and he is so cute too," she thought to herself.  " I'm from the Nevada Territory ma'am," Little Joe told her.  " My, you came all the way from there by yourself?  Where is your family Scotty?" she asked.  " I dunt have a family ma'am.  Yes I did come here by myself," Little Joe replied as he was getting rather nervous.  " Scotty, how old are you honey?" Tess inquired.  " Um, I'm eighteen Mrs. Simon," he answered.  " I have a feeling that you are younger than eighteen," Tess questioned as she kept looking at the youngster sitting on the sofa.  She knew an eighteen year old when she saw one, as she and Tom had three sons who had been at eighteen at one time.

About that time the front door opened and Tom Simon, who was a very tall man, walked in the house.  " Tom, I'm glad your home.  This is Scotty Ryan and he is looking for a job," Tess explained.

" Hi son, it's nice to meet you.  Now what type of job are you looking for?" Tom asked.  " Nice to meet you too sir.  I'm lookin' ta work with horses, and I know how to break horses too sir," Little Joe declared.  " Is that your pinto out there?" Tom asked.  " Yes sir.  I trained him.  He's a great horse and he's really smart too," Little Joe proudly explained.  " He' s a very nice looking horse," Tom replied.  " Thank you sir," Little Joe responded.  " Scotty, where have you worked before?" Tom questioned.  " At the Ponderosa and other ranches on my way here sir," Little Joe replied.  " I have heard of the Ponderosa.  Aren't you a little young to be bustin broncs ?" Tom suggested.  " I'm just small for eighteen Little Joe happily told him hoping that Tom wouldn't question him anymore about his age or size.  Tom knew just by looking at the boy that he wasn't eighteen.

" Tell you what son, come with me and show me that you can handle a bronc," Tom suggested.  " Yes sir !" Little Joe excitedly replied.  Tom and Little Joe headed down towards one of the breaking corrals.  " Dan, get one of the broncs ready please," Tom asked.  " Sure Pa," Dan responded.  Once the bronc was in place, Tom looked down at Little Joe and said, " Ok son, let's see what you got."  " Yes sir," the boy replied as he climbed the fence and walked over to the shute.  He climbed up on the shute and lowered himself down on the nervous gelding.

" Easy boy, I ain't gonna hurt ya.  It's ok.  Good boy," Little Joe softly said to the large gelding.  " Ready?" Dan asked.  " Yup, let em go, Little Joe replied nervously.  The gate opened and the gelding charged out trying to unseat the boy on his back.  Little Joe was concentrating hard and moving along with the horse.  He was remembering everything he had seen and read.  " That kid's good !" Dan said.  " He sure is Dan," Tom replied as he was very pleased at what he was seeing.

Once the tired horse stopped bucking, Little Joe was gently rubbing the horse's neck and softly talking to him.  He made the horse trot slowly around the corral, then he slowed the horse into a slow walk.  " Good boy," Little Joe kept praising the horse.  " Great job Scotty.  You do know how to handle broncs," Tom happily said.  " Thank you sir," Little Joe said as he rode the horse over to the fence and he got off.  He continued to talk softly to the horse and gently pet him as well.

" Nice ride kid," Dan told the youngster.  " Thank you Dan.  he's a nice horse," Little Joe suggested.  " Well Scotty, looks like you have earned yourself a job," Tom told the boy.  " Thank you sir. I won't disappoint you !" the youngster excitedly said.  " How would you like to break some more horses today?" Tom asked.  " I'd really love that sir.  Thank you," Little Joe responded.  " Scotty, please call me Tom.  Dan, why don't you show Scotty where he can bed down his horse and get him a bunk in the bunkhouse," Tom suggested.  " Sure Pa.  Come on Scotty.  That's a great looking pinto you have there," Dan said as he looked at Cochise and then back at Little Joe and he smiled at the excited boy.  " Thanks Dan.  He's the best horse in the world !" Little Joe told Dan.  Little Joe broke four more horses that day. 

Little Joe was introduced to the rest of the hands that he would share the bunkhouse with.  There was Slim, Rocky, Reggie, Sherm and Max.  They had all been very impressed with the way the boy had ridden the five broncs that day, and they weren't surprised when Little Joe fell asleep at the table that night.  " Scotty, wake up son," Slim said as he gently shook the boy's shoulder.  " Hum," Little Joe mumbled as he slowly got up and walked over to his bunk, where he laid down and instantly fell back to sleep.  The men got a kick out of that.  Sherm walked over to the sleeping boy, took off his boots and covered him up.  The men went outside to talk so they wouldn't distrub the boy.  " That boy ain't no eighteen years old.  He looks more like fifteen or so," Sherm said.  " You could be right, but he sure can ride a bronc," Rocky replied.

The End of part one.

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