LITTLE JOE TAKES CARE OF HOSS

By: Lynne G.

Ben Cartwright and his oldest son Adam, had been thinking about buying a couple of new bulls that would introduce new bloodlines into their cattle breeding business.  They had both been reading about bulls for sale in Arizona and the bulls that sounded like the ones they most wanted were at the Youngs Ranch near Flagstaff.  The bulls were owned by Tom Young, who had been raising bulls for fifteen years now.

Ben had been in contact with Tom about the bulls and Tom had sent Ben some information on his bulls, their offspring, and the pedigree information Ben was looking for.  The Young's bulls would be a perfect cross with the bloodlines of the Cartwright's cattle.  Tom and Ben had agreed to a date that Ben and Adam would arrive at Tom's ranch.

" I am going to leave Hoss in charge of the ranch again Adam, since he has done such a good job with it before.  Hopefully he can keep Little Joe under control again too.  For some reason that boy has been behaving nicely for Hoss the last two times that I have left him charge," Ben told Adam.

" I just hope Hoss can keep working his ' magic spell ' with our little brother this time too.  We are going to be gone for three weeks this time, and I don't think Little Joe can stay out of trouble that long.  Come to think of it, I don't think he has ever stayed out of mischief for that long," Adam said as he was a little leery this time.

" I know what you mean son, but we have to have some confidence in that youngest brother of yours.  I do know that Hoss can more than handle Little Joe and I have to admit that the boy has been very good for Hoss so, I am going to trust him this time too," Ben declared.

" Dunt worry Pa, Little Joe and me will be just fine.  Even though Hop Sing will be gone too, he has cooked up lots of food for us so all we have ta do is heat it up.  Sides, Hop Sing has been teachin' me how ta cook stuff too.  So with the ranch hands here too, we can take care of the ranch also.  Little Joe hasn't been any trouble the last two times you left me in charge.  We make a good team and that boy can work really hard when we really need him too, plus we make time for fun too," Hoss explained.

" Joseph, as you know Adam and I will be gone for three weeks this time, but this time Hop Sing will be gone as well.  Now I want you to obey Hoss and stay out of mischief.  I know I can count on you this time too.  I was so proud of you the last two times Adam and I were away and Hoss was in charge.  I have full faith in you son, even though Adam isn't so sure, so I want you to prove to your oldest brother that you can be behave yourself," Ben told his youngest.

" I will Pa, I promise.  Old Adam's gonna be surprised that I can behave and not get into any mischief.  Geez, ya'd think that after the last two times you two were gone that he could trust me.  That really hurts ya know Pa," the youngster sadly admitted.

Ben pulled Little Joe into a big hug and he kissed the top of his boy's head.  " I know sweetheart, but you know what that oldest brother of yours is like," Ben responded.  " Yeah do I ever know.  I just feel like I ain't good enough for him and that I'm just a trouble maker," Little Joe sadly replied.  " Sweetheart listen to me.  Adam takes everything in life too serious and he feels everyone has to work as he does.  I don't agree with that and I have tried to explain that to him, but he won't listen.  I even think that he expects too much from Hoss as well.  I know Hoss is big and strong and he can do most everything Adam can do, but not fast enough to satisfy Adam.  So we just have to put up with him," Ben stated.  " I know Pa," the boy replied.

As Ben and Adam were getting ready to leave, Ben told Hoss that if he and Little Joe wanted to have dinner in Virginia City some days, to go ahead since he had left some money in the safe for that reason.  " Thanks Pa, we just might do that, and Pa, really, we will be just fine," Hoss said.  Ben smiled at Hoss and Little Joe.  " Bye Pa, Adam.  Have a safe trip, and Adam, even if'n ya dun't believe it, I can be good, and I will be too.  I promise," the youngster told Adam.  " Sure you can," Adam said even though he didn't believe it.  Ben gave Little Joe a big hug and kiss.  " Bye boys.  Take care now, and we will see you both in three weeks," Ben said as he and Adam left.

" Well Short Shanks, it's just the two of us fer three weeks," Hoss declared as he put his arm around his baby brother.  " Yup.  I'll be good Hoss.  Just ya wait and see," Little Joe stated.  " I know you will little brother," Hoss said, knowing that he could count on the boy to behave.  The rest of the day they kept busy doing their chores.  They even remembered to water Hop Sing's garden.  For dinner that night Hoss heated up some stew that Hop Sing had lovingly made for them.

Another night they cooked up some fish that they had caught earlier that day.  They had made up a fire in the yard and cooked their fish over an open fire.  Little Joe really enjoyed that.  Even though it was summer, the days were unusually cool that summer.  So they enjoyed sitting by the fire as they cooked their dinner.

The next day while Hoss and Little Joe were busy working on repairing a couple of the fence posts on the corral near the barn, Hoss suddenly tripped and fell over which resulted in him spraining his ankle badly.  A startled Little Joe ran over to his big brother with concern and he asked, " Hoss are you ok?"  " No, I hurt my ankle bad and it really hurts somethin' awful !" Hoss said as he gritted his teeth and held onto his ankle.  " Do ya think it's busted?" the concerned boy asked.  " Dunno little brother," Hoss said as he closed his eyes wishing that the pain would go away.

" Come on Hoss, let me help ya up and get ya in the house, so I can get a look at yer ankle," Little Joe suggested.  " Ya can't left me up little brother.  Yer too little," Hoss explained.  " I ain't gonna lift ya Hoss.  Just get on yer feet and ya can lean on me, ok?" the boy replied.

It was a struggle, but Little Joe managed to help Hoss get into the house and over to the sette where Hoss was able to lay down.  " Hoss, I'm gonna get yer boots off and I'll try ta be as gentle as I can," the boy explained.  " Ok," Hoss moaned.

Little Joe got the boot off Hoss's good foot, then he laid some pillows on Hoss' stomach so he could easily put them under Hoss's foot once he was able to get the boot off the foot with the bad ankle.  " Ok Hoss, here goes," Little Joe said as he very gently eased the boot off of Hoss.  It was very painful for Hoss, and again he closed his eyes as the pain shot through his ankle.  Little Joe was a nervous wreck just knowing that Hoss was in so much pain, that he had tears running down his face as he was crying and he was really scared.

Once he had the boot off, he very gently removed the sock from Hoss's foot and he gently laid Hoss's foot down on the pillows.  Both boys looked at the badly swollen ankle that was fastly turning black and blue.  Little Joe felt the ankle carefully checking for any broken bones, but with all the swelling on Hoss's ankle, it was too hard to tell.

" Hoss, dunt move, I'm gonna get some ice fer yer ankle.  I'll be right back.  Do ya need anything before I go?" Little Joe asked as he saw the pain written all over Hoss's face.  " How bout some water?" Hoss asked.  " Sure, I'll get ya some, and some of them powders fer pain," the boy said as he ran towards the kitchen.

Little Joe found the first aid kit and he opened it and quickly found the powders for pain.  He took out one of the packets of powders, put it in a glass, then he poured some water into the glass and he stirred up the mixture in the glass.  Once all the powder was thoroughly mixed with the cold water, the boy hurried back to Hoss.

Little Joe handed the glass to Hoss and said, " here ya go Hoss.  Ya gots ta drink it all down and it will take that pain away."  " Thanks little brother," Hoss said as he drank the mixture in the glass.  Hoss handed the empty back to Little Joe, and he laid his head back down on the pillow his little brother had placed there for him.  Little Joe covered Hoss with a blanket.  " Need anything else Hoss?" the boy asked.  " No thanks," Hoss sleeeply replied.  " Ok, I'm gonna go and get some ice fer yer ankle.  Now dunt move," the boy explained

Luckly, the Cartwrights had a large ice house that had a lot of ice in it.  Little Joe chopped up a lot of ice, so when he needed more it would be already chopped.  He put ice in a large bowl from the ktichen, then he quickly headed back to the house.  He laid out a couple of towels and put ice on them.  Then he wrapped them together.  He ran into the livingroom and very carefully wrapped the towels and ice around Hoss's ankle.  He also added another pillow under Hoss's foot to get it elevated higher.

" How does that feel Hoss?" a concerned Little Joe asked.  Hoss opened his eyes again and said, " It feels much better little brother."  " That's good.  I'll keep doing this fer a while, then I'll start to put heat on it.  I member Dr. Martin doin' that fer my ankle when I sprained it a few months ago.  Need anything Hoss?" the boy asked.  " Well, I'm gettin' kinda hungry.  Must be close to dinner time," Hoss thought.  " Ok, I'll go and get some chicken and potatoes heated up.  Ya want coffee too?" the youngster asked.  " Yeah, if'n it ain't too much trouble," Hoss replied.  " Nah, no trouble at all.  You just relax big brother.  Holler if'n ya need anythin'," the boy suggested.

Just before they had dinner, Little Joe put more ice around Hoss's ankle.  During dinner, Little Joe told Hoss that he needed to sleep in the downstairs guest room, since the stairs would be too hard for him.  Hoss agreed.

After dinner Hoss fell asleep, so Little Joe recovered him and he went out to the bunkhouse to see if Charlie or Hank could go into Virginia City and get Dr. Paul Martin and have him come out to the Ponderosa and check Hoss's ankle.  Hank left right away.  Little Joe returned to the house and checked on Hoss who was snoring away.

Little Joe went upstairs to Hoss's room to get his big brother a nightshirt, hair comb, and clothes.  From there he went up to the attic to get some crutches for Hoss.  There were several pairs of crutches in the attic and when he found a pair that he though would be perfect for Hoss, he grabbed them and the things he took from Hoss's room and he headed back down the stairs.

While Hoss was still sleeping, Little Joe added more ice around Hoss's ankle.  The he went out to the barn to do their evening chores.  " Oh Pa, I sure wish you was here.  Hoss needs ya," the boy said to himself. 

Charlie had seen Little Joe go out to the barn, so he also headed out there to see if the boy needed any help.

" Little Joe how is Hoss feeling?" Charlie asked.  " He's sleeping right now.  His ankle is badly swollen and he is in pain.  I gave him some of them powders fer pain, and they have helped alot," the boy explained.  " Do you need any help with Hoss or anything else?" Charlie asked.  " Nope, not right now.  I just gotta do our barn chores fer the night.  I really appreciate ya asking Charlie, but if ya could take over running the ranch, that would give me more time ta take care of Hoss," the boy replied.  " Sure son, don't worry about the ranch, we can take care of it, and if you need any help with Hoss, just let us know.  Ok ?" Charlie suggested.  " Thanks Charlie.  I will.  I sure hope Hoss's ankle ain't busted," the boy nervously said  " I hope not too Little Joe," Charlie responded.

Little Joe nervously watched as Dr. Martin examined Hoss's ankle.  Paul looked over at the young boy and he was very impressed at everything the boy had done for Hoss.  " You have done a wonderful job with Hoss's ankle Little Joe.  You did everything right.  I am very proud of you son," Paul told the boy.  " Thanks Dr. Martin.  I membered everythin' ya did fer my ankle when I twisted it," Little Joe declared.  " Good boy," Paul told the boy.

" Hoss, you are very lucky that you didn't break your ankle.  It is badly sprained though.  I want you to keep off of it for at least two weeks.  You use these crutches Little Joe found for you, and I want you to keep it elevated too.  When you walk around on the crutches, I want you to make sure your ankle is wrapped.  It will help support your ankle," Paul explained to Hoss and Little Joe.  " Dunt worry Dr. Martin, I'll make sure he does all that what you said," Little Joe proudly said.  Paul smiled at the youngster.  He knew that Hoss would do what he was told, unlike Little Joe when he was laid up.  It was almost impossible to keep that boy in bed when he was sick or injured.

" I'm going to leave some more powders for pain if you need them.  I'll be back out here in a couple of days to check your ankle again Hoss," Paul said as he was getting ready to leave.  " If you need me before that, just send someone to get me," Paul added.  " Thanks Dr. Martin," both Hoss and Little Joe said.

Charlie and Hank were waiting ouside for Paul to come out so they could find out about Hoss's ankle.  Paul told them about the condition of Hoss's ankle.  " Paul, we will keep an eye on the boys.  Little Joe is trying to act so grown up, but that boy is scared for Hoss," Charlie told Paul.  " I know he is, but I have to tell you, that the boy has done everything right for Hoss's ankle since he was injured.  He sure is an amazing youngster.  If Hoss needs me before I come back in two days, just send someone to let me know," Paul suggested.

Hoss was able to get to the guest room safely thanks to the crutches.  Once he was in his nightshirt, Little Joe gently rubbed some lotion on Hoss's ankle, then he wrapped the ankle for the night.  He also gave Hoss some more powders for pain.  " I'm sorry little brother that I'm laid with this stupid ankle," Hoss softly said.  " Oh Hoss, dunt worry, I'll take good care of ya, and take care of all of our chores too.  I can also keep the house clean, and dunt worry about food, cuz I can do that too.  Member, Hop Sing made all that food fer us, so all I gotta do is heat it up.  Now breakfast, I know I can do that, I think.  At least I'll give it a try.  Now, ya get some sleep and if'n ya need anything during the night, I'll be right here in this chair, so just call me," Little Joe told Hoss.  " Thanks Punkin.  Now dunt go wearin' yerself out now," Hoss relpied.  " Night Hoss.  I love ya big brother," Little Joe told Hoss.  " I love ya too baby.  Goodnight," Hoss responded.

Little Joe went out to the kitchen to wash up the dishes, and he also cleaned up the kitchen too.  He was very, as he had had a very nervous day.  He was very concerned about Hoss, but most of all, he didn't want Hoss to worry about him.

Day after day, Little Joe took wonderful care of Hoss, plus he was busy from sunup to well past sundown .  He also knew that he needed to go into Virginia City the next day to get supplies.  Charlie, Hank and the rest of the hands were busy, so he didn't want to bother them by sending one of them into town for supplies.  He wasn't sleeping very well at night as he wanted to make sure he could hear Hoss if Hoss called out to him.  It wasn't very comfortable sleeping in a chair either.  He would never let Hoss know about that. 

Little Joe got up very early the next morning and he went to check on what supplies were getting low.  Once he had his two lists made out, he went to look in on Hoss, and he was happy to see that Hoss was now awake. 

" Hi Hoss.  How ya feeling taday?" the boy asked.  " I Feel better, and my ankle feels even better too.  I'm hungry too !" Hoss declared as he smiled at his little brother.  Hoss had  had a very slight touch of flu for the past few days, and he was very glad that that was over now.  At least his stomach was feeling better too.

" That's good Hoss, and I'm really happy that yer flu is gone too.  I'll go and get ya some water so ya can get washed up.  Then I'll get some breakfast started too," Little Joe said.  " Thanks little brother," Hoss said as he smiled at the youngster. 

Before Hoss got washed up, Little Joe rubbed some more lotion on Hoss's ankle.  He put a sock on Hoss's foot.  He also laid out some clean clothes for Hoss, along with clean towels and a wash cloth.  Then he went off to make breakfast.

" Boy, somethin' sure smells good in here.  Whatcha makin' little brother?" Hoss asked as he sniffed the air.  " Scrambled eggs, bacon, fried potatoes, toast and coffee," the youngster yelled from the kitchen.

As the brothers ate their breakfast, which turned very good, Little Joe wasn't eating much.  " Ya alright Little Joe?  Ya ain't eatin' much," Hoss asked.  " No, I'm fine, just not very hungry," the boy answered.

Little Joe was nervous about telling Hoss that he needed to go into Virginia City for supplies, but he told him.  " Why dunt ya let one of the hands get em.  There's gonna be some heavy stuff there little brother, and you are a little too young ta do that by yourself ya know," Hoss explained.  " I know Hoss, but all the hands are busy, and sides, I can do it.  I know I can.  Dunt worry big brother.  Ya just rest and get yer ankle better," the boy said with confidence in himself.

Once he made sure was Hoss was settled in for the day, he got the horses hitched up to the buckboard, checked to see if he had his two lists, and then he left for Virginia City.

Once in town, he headed over to the grain store and he turned in that list to Mr. Peterson.  He left the buckboard there, then he headed over to the general store and he gave Mr. Cass his other list.  From there, he went over to get the mail.

When Little Joe went back to the grain store, Mr. Peterson had loaded up the buckboard for the youngster, because he knew the sack were too heavy for the boy to lift.  Little Joe was very grateful that Mr. Peterson had loaded the grain sacks for him.

" Thanks you Mr. Peterson fer loadin' the sack fer me.  I really appreciate it," Little Joe said.  " No trouble at all son.  You be sure to have someone unload these sacks for you.  Tell Hoss I hope his ankle gets better fast.  Bye Little Joe.  You take care, and get some rest.  You look tired," Mr. Peterson suggested.  " Thank you Mr. Peterson.  I will.  Bye," the boy replied as he led the horses and buckboard over to the general store.  By then, Mr. Cass had had all the supplies together.

Little Joe picked out Hoss's favorite candy, and Mr. Cass added that onto the bill.  Then Little Joe signed the credit book, then he loaded up all the supplies onto the buckboard.  Then he headed for home.  He drove slowly since he had a very full load of supplies in the buckboard and he didn't want to have an accident by hurrying.

As soon as he arrived home, the first thing he did was to look in on Hoss.  He smiled when he saw and heard his big brother snoring.  He went back outside to unload the buckboard.  Once he had all the supplies for house unloaded and put away, he decided to do the grain sacks too.

He backed the buckboard into the barn so he could unload the heavy grain sacks.  Since no one was around to help him, he had to do that by himself.

He got in the bed of the buckboard and he had to pull each sack of grain to the end of the buckboard, and he slid each sack off the buckboard and onto the floor of the barn.  After he had finished that, he led the horses and buckboard back out of the barn and over to where they kept the buckboard when it wasn't being used.  He unhitched the horses from the buckboard and led them back to the barn, took their harnesses off, rubbed them down, fed and watered them.  It took him over an hour to to do all that, and by now, he was exhausted.  He decided to wait to move the grain sacks to their storage area.

He slowly went into the house to make lunch for Hoss and himself.  He got the coffee going and made several roast beef sandwiches.  By then Hoss was awake as he thought he heard noises from the ktichen and he could also smell the coffee.  He got up from the sette and slowly made his way over towards the ktichen.  He couldn't move very fast because of the crutches.

He walked into the kitchen and saw his little brother putting sandwiches on a plate.  The boy had already put the a coffee cup and plates on the diningroom table plus a plate of cookies too.

" Hey little brother, yer back.  How'd it go in town?" Hoss asked as he continued to watch his little brother.  " Hi Hoss.  It went good.  Got everything we needed and I put it all away too.  Lunch is ready," the boy softly said. 

As they ate their lunch, Hoss got a good look at his little brother, and he noticed how tired the boy looked and that he wan't eating much either, but he decided not to say anything about his concerns.  " Oh Hoss, I gottcha some of yer favorite candy, but ya have eat all yer lunch first," Little Joe told Hoss as he grinned at his big brother.  Hoss always finished his meals, but Little Joe thought it would be funny to say that, since that was always told to him by his family and Hop Sing.  " Dunt worry little brother, I always finish my meals.  Thanks fer the candy," Hoss said as he too was grinning.

After lunch, Hoss sat down to read the newspaper.  He had hoped that his little brother would take a nap, but the youngster said that he needed to get the wood chopped, fill up the wood boxes in the house and then water Hop Sing's garden.

Hoss was starting to get concerned about his little brother as the boy was working too hard and not getting enough sleep or eating very much.  He had tried to get Little Joe to take it easy, but the youngster insisted that he was fine, and that he could handle everything.

Little Joe spent the next three hours chopping wood, then refilling all the wood boxes.  Once he was finished with that, he went to give Hop Sing's garden a good watering.  He had just finished the watering when he heard a horse and buggy enter the yard, so he went to see who was there.  It was Paul coming out to check Hoss's ankle again.  " Hi Little Joe!" Paul greeted the boy as soon as he saw him coming around the side of the house.  " Hi Dr. Martin !" the boy replied. 

Paul took a good look at Little Joe and he wasn't happy at what he saw.  " That boy looks exhausted," he thought to himself.

" How's your ankle feeling Hoss?" Paul asked.  " It feels like normal again, and it barely hurts anymore.  My little nurse has been taking wonderful care of me, and he won't let me do anything," Hoss told Paul as he looked over at his little brother, who had fallen asleep in Ben's chair.

" Hoss, I'm worried about that boy.  He looks exhausted, he's pale, and he looks like he has lost weight too !" Paul explained.  " I know, I've noticed that too.  He sleeps in that chair next to my bed everynight.  He wants ta be there in case I need anything.  He's not eating much, but just barely enough to get by on.  He 's been keeping the house clean and has even done a little laundry, plus all our chores, the cooking and keeping Hop Sing's garden watered and weeded too.  I'm suppose to be lookin' after him, not him lookin'  after me.  I tell doc, for a ten year old, he is totally amazing !" Hoss told Paul.

" Your right, he is an amazing boy.  Your ankle is doing great !  I want you to try to walk on it without using your crutches now.  I want to see how it does," Paul suggested.  Hoss got up and slowly walked.  " Hey, it feels real good.  Just a tiny limp is all !" Hoss excitedly said.  " That's good !  Now I don't want you to try to the stairs yet, at least not for another week.  You don't need the crutches as long as you don't try to over do it.  Just be careful and be sure to keep it wrapped for a couple of more weeks.  That will help support your ankle," Paul told him.

" Hoss, I want you to make sure that Little Joe gets rest and he needs to eat more," Paul ordered.  " I will doc.  Thanks !" Hoss replied as he and Paul headed for the front door. 

Little Joe suddenly jerked awake and when he saw Hoss standing and walking without his crutches, he yelled, " WHAT ARE YA DOIN' ??  USE YER CRUTCHES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Both Paul and Hoss turned to see the boy running towards Hoss.  " It's alright Little Joe, Hoss doesn't need crutches anymore," Paul declared. 

" Little Joe, I want you to go back to sleep for a while.  You need to get some rest and start eating more.  Hoss can do things again as long as he doesn't over do it.  Now, I want you to please do what I told you to do," Paul suggested.  " yes sir," the boy softly replied, even though he had no intention of doing that.  He still wanted to take care of Hoss.

After Paul had left, Hoss made his little brother sit down so they could have a talk.  " Look Punkin, I know you want to do things for me yet, which I really appreciate, but I can do chores again," Hoss said hoping to convince the boy.  " Sorry Hoss.  I'm gonna take care of ya till Pa and Adam get home.  I dunt want ya ta reinjure yer ankle.  Now, stay sitting and rest.  Please Hoss !" the boy pleaded.

" Punkin, I'm worried about ya.  Yer exhausted, pale and too skinny.  What's Pa gonna think when he see's ya ?  Just think about that !" Hoss calmly explained.  By now Little Joe was in tears, and he ran out of the house and out to the barn and up to the hayloft.

For the next two days, Little Joe continued to work non-stop.  Hoss couldn't figure out how to stop his little brother.  He tried to convince the youngster to slow down and get some rest, but the boy refused to listen to reason. 

Later that afternoon, Little Joe was in the barn finishing up putting the new grain sacks into storage and bringing out the next sacks of grain that were to be used.  He was so busy that he didn't hear Ben and Adam ride into the yard with the new bulls.

After Adam had put the bulls into the pasture closest to the house, he and Ben headed towards the house.  " Everything looks normal, and the house is still here," Adam said.  " Yes, your right about that son.  Now Adam, I don't want you to give Little Joe a hard time.  You've got to trust him, please," Ben suggested.  " Ok Pa," Adam replied.

" Pa, Adam, welcome home !" Hoss greeted them as he limped over to them.  " Hi son.  It's wonderful to be home again.  Are you limping?" Ben questioned as soon as he saw Hoss limp.

" Yeah Pa, but dunt worry, my ankle is almost better," Hoss stated.  Ben just looked at Hoss.  " What happened ?  Did Little Joe do something to you ?" Adam asked.  " No.  Why dunt ya two sit down and I'll get some coffee, then I'll explain everything," Hoss suggested as he went to get the coffee.

As they sat there listening to Hoss explain everything that had happened while they were gone, Ben interrupted Hoss, and he asked," Where is Little Joe now?"  " Dadburnit Pa, he's in the barn movin' them heavy grain scaks.  He won't let me help him with anything or the hands either.  That boy is totally exhausted and he's bout ready ta drop !" Hoss voiced his concern for his stubborn little brother.

" He has good intentions Hoss.  Don't be upset with him.  I'll go out to the barn and see him," Ben told Hoss.  " I ain't upset with him Pa, just very worried bout him.  God bless him Pa, he's been so helpful and he has been taking such wonderful care of me, so please dunt be angry with him," Hoss begged.  Ben put his arm around Hoss's shoulder and he said, " I'm not angry with him son, but I am so very proud of that boy, and I am also concerned about him too."

Adam had kept quiet as he listened to everything Hoss had told them.  He was very proud of his baby brother too.  " That boy really comes through when the going gets tough !" he told Hoss.  " Yes he does Adam," Hoss replied.

Ben quickly walked out to the barn to have a talk with his baby boy.  Little Joe was about to collapse as Ben entered the barn, and as soon as Ben saw his youngest son collapse, he ran straight over to him.

" Little Joe, baby, open your eyes for me please," Ben begged.  Little Joe mumbled that he needed to finish the grain sacks, as he closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.  Ben picked up his son and carried him into the house.

As soon as Adam and Hoss saw Ben enter the house with their little brother laying limp in Ben's arms, they jumped up.  " What's wrong with him?" Hoss cried.  " He's exhausted and now he's in a deep sleep.  He mumbled that he needed to finish moving the grain sacks right after he collapsed," Ben expalined.

They soon had the boy into his nightshirt and tucked in his bed.  They watched the youngster sleeping and it made them smile.  " My special little nurse is all worn out.  Sleep well baby brother," Hoss softly said as he leaned down and kissed the sleeping boy.

Little Joe slept through until the next afternoon, when he woke up and realized he was in his own bed.  He got out of bed, got dressed and went downstairs. As soon as he saw Ben, he shouted, " PA, YER HOME !"  He ran over to Ben and leaped into Ben's waiting arms.  " Oh Pa, I missed ya so much !  I'm so happy yer home.  Hoss needs ya," the boy cried.

Ben held his son while he sat down in his chair.  " I missed you too sweetheart.  Hoss is just fine.  I am so very proud of you son.  You took great care of your big brother, the ranch and the house, and also Hop Sing's garden too.  I love you so much baby," Ben lovingly told his little boy.  " I love ya to Pa.  I tried my best ta take care of Hoss and everything, but I got tired," Little Joe replied.  " I know son, and that is why you re going to get a lot of rest and some food into you.  My golly, you're too skinny.  Hop Sing is going to have a fit when he see's how skinny you are," Ben told his son as he continued to hold his youngster on his lap.

Hop Sing did indeed have a fit when he returned later that day, and he saw how skinny the boy was and how tired he looked.  After he heard how Little Joe had taken care of Hoss, the house, done the cooking and kept his garden up, he was so very proud of the boy too.

" Hey little buddy, I am so proud of you.  I couldn't have done a better job at taking care of Hoss the way you did, plus everything else you did.  You did a super job kid.  You are best baby brother there is.  I love you little buddy," Adam proudly told his youngest brother. 

" Thank you Adam.  I really did the best I could.  I just wish I was bigger and stronger though," Little Joe repsonded.  " You will be as you get older, but stay like you are for now, and enjoy being a little boy.  It's more fun than being an adult," Adam explained.  " Ok big brother.  Sides I like being a little kid most of the time," Little Joe answered as he grinned at Adam.

The End.

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