It was a hot summer night.  Unlike most.  It can be hot during the day but the nights here in the Sierra Nevada Mountains turn cool no matter what the calendar says.  Adam thought back to the events that brought him to this minute in time.  If he had only trusted in his intuition.  Or, he guessed, just plain common sense was all that was needed where his brother Joe was concerned.  Yup, If he had just stayed home!

"Whatcha all dolled up for, Pa?" Little Joe asked.  He had been on his way to his own room to change from his sweaty work clothes when he noticed his father's door ajar and heard movements from within.  Joe, entered in his usual fashion, without knocking, and was surprised to see his father dressing for a night out.
Ben, accustomed to his son's manner of entry, turned from the mirror with a smile and approached his son placing his hands on either side of Joe's face, leaving the sent of Bay Rum lingering after his hands were removed, "By the smell of you you've been around the horses a bit too long today, son.  You need this Bay Rum more than I do."  Both laughed as Joe realized that yes, he did smell of horse manure and sweat.
"I'm heading to town for the Cattlemen's banquet.  I thought I mentioned it to you boys."
"You probably did, Pa.  I just must have forgot is all." 
"Well, Hop Sing is fixing dinner for you boys.  It should be ready soon.  I'll be late.  Don't wait up," Ben said as more of a suggestion than an order.  Joe was now sixteen and hated to be told what time to go to bed and Ben saw no sense in a battle of wills tonight anyway.  It was hot and it was a Saturday night.  No pressing work tomorrow meant a later night of checkers or the reading of a good book; depending on what son he was referring to.
"I'm going to wash up, Pa.  Have fun tonight," Joe said as he exited the room.
Supper was finished early, the clock striking 6:30.  Joe seemed restless and was not looking forward to a night of checkers or anything like that for that matter.  He wanted some excitement!
"Hey, Adam?  What do you say about going into town for a cold beer?"'
"No Joe, you know Pa doesn't like you in the saloon," Adam answered as he settled himself down in Pa's chair with his current novel. 
"If you're with me it's o.k."
"Well, since I'm sitting here reading that is impossibility then isn't it?"
"Awe, Adam.  Come on.  It's hot and sticky and we've worked hard all day.  We deserve a night out just like Pa does.  What do ya say, Adam."
"It would be kinda nice, Adam," Hoss pitched in, "I sure could use a cold one right about now and I bet things are just hoppin in town on a night like this."
Adam, against his better judgment, told his younger brothers to saddle up the horses while he freshened up a bit.
On the way to town he implanted some stipulations to the evening.  First, Joe was to stay right at the table with his brothers.  No exceptions.  There would be NO gambling of any sort and he was to only have two beers, no whiskey and no buy anything for the ladies of the establishment.  With those stipulations set in place nothing could go wrong.  Oh how wrong he was!
Later that night:
"Excuse me sir.  I'm looking for my pa, Ben Cartwright?" the big man said as he entered the grand banquet room of the Golden Palace.  Hoss looked around.  Cattlemen from all over where in attendance.  Carson City, Reno as well as Virginia City were represented.  The noise was deafening as the chatter of men filled the room.
"I'll find him for you, son," the man nearest the entrance answered.  Hoss sure wasn't looking forward to telling his pa what had transpired.  Nosir, he sure weren't.  The mess his younger brother got his older brother into this time was immeasurable.  Adam was spittin mad and Joe was just plain stupid.  But when it came to a gal in a pretty skirt Joe usually didn't think too much with his head.  Hoss, lost in his thoughts, didn't see the eldest Cartwright rushing towards him.
"Hoss!  What's wrong son?  Is someone hurt?"  All the worst things were going through the father's head.
"No Pa, not yet I recon." 
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well, I recon Joe will be the one hurt by the end of the evening."
"HOSS!  WILL YOU START MAKING SENSE?  What are you DOING HERE?"
"Well Pa, it's like this.........so we decided to come to town and have a quick beer.  Adam done told Joe about the rules but you know that little brother of mine.  He don't listen too good.  Well, he waited for Adam to go get another round of beers, we was only gonna let Joe have two, Pa, honest, and Joe done disappeared!  Just disappeared.  Adam heard a ruckus in the back room and figured Joe must have something to do with it.  He was right.  Joe was in back there with this pretty filly when the boyfriend comes in.  Well, Pa, you know how Joe is."
"Yes, I know how Joe is.  Continue please."
"Well this here cowboy was twice as big as Joe.  Adam came in and told me to take Joe out.  I had to physically do it Pa.  He wanted to fight.  I did what Adam told me to do and the cowboy done clocked Adam.  Adam had to fight him, Pa.  He just had to.
"Where are your brothers now?" Ben asked as he retrieved his hat and started for the lobby. 
"Well, Roy done took Adam and this other feller to his jail.  He made Joe go along too.  Just to sit and wait while I fetched you, Pa."
Ben, furry in his eyes, stomped out onto the street and headed for the sheriff’s office.  Hoss was finding it difficult to keep up though in truth he preferred the distance between them.
And that is what brings us to this moment in time for Adam Cartwright. 
Lorilynne

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