week146



To A Convention We Will Go

By:  Gail

 

 

“Dang it, Adam, we’re lost again.” Hoss whipped off his hat, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

 

Adam rolled his eyes.  “Pa, did we take a wrong turn someplace?”

 

Ben reached in his pocket and fished out a map.  “Let me see, go past the river, find Lake Tahoe.  I can’t see where we’ve made our mistake.”

 

“May I please see the map, Pa?” Adam held out his hand.

 

“Are you saying I can’t read a map, young man?” Ben asked, raising an eyebrow.                     

 

“Of course not, Pa.  I’m merely suggesting that I help you navigate our way.” Ben handed his eldest the map.

 

Adam looked over it carefully.  “Hmmmm. . .I can’t tell. . . where does this river lead?  And what’s the name of it?”

 

Hoss reached over, snatching the paper from his brother’s hand.  He looked at it carefully, studying the lines.  “Well, here’s the problem.  That there ain’t no river, it’s just a pencil line, like someone was drawing some pictures on this here map.”

 

Ben, Adam, and Hoss turned their head’s toward the youngest Cartwright. 

 

“Who me?” Joe’s voice squeaked as he pointed to himself.  “I didn’t. . .I mean . . .I didn’t draw an extra line on that map.”

 

“I’m sure you didn’t, Joseph.  Hoss, just tell me which way we need to go.  We’re going to be late for this convention we’ve been invited to, and personally, I can’t wait to meet this young lady named ‘Vicki’, is it?  She is the one that sent an invitation to us.” Ben shifted in his saddle.

 

Hoss handed the map over to Adam.  “Here ya go brother, you can look at it.”

 

Adam turned the paper around,  took his thumb and wiped away the line.  “Oh, I see now, Pa.  We can go into Carson City, then, once we reach there, we go northwest toward some place called Crystal Bay.”

 

“Fine, lets get going.” Ben nudged Buck on his way.

 

The four men rode for several miles.  “Pa, I sure hope this convention is worth all the trouble.” Joe said, wiping his forehead with his handkerchief.

 

“Yeah Pa, who are these people that’s gonna be there?  One of the men’s names was Matthew Carmody, and the other was called. . .ummmm. . .Drew Powell.  Do you know these fellows, Pa?” Hoss asked.

 

“No, no, I can’t say that I do, but the invitation said that is was very important that we attend.  We are the guests of honor, and I think it would be rather rude if we were late.”

 

“I agree, Pa.  If we quit all this jabbering, perhaps we can make better time.” Adam huffed.

 

“Fine, older brother.  I just hope the trip is worth it.” Joe said, frowning at the thought that they still had a long way to go.

                                                           

Once the Cartwright clan reached Crystal Bay, they went in search of this ‘so called’ convention they had been invited to.

 

Upon finding the meeting place for the group, they pulled their horses to a stop along side some strange looking machines.

 

“What in tarnation do you reckon that is?” Hoss pointed to a parked car, the first he had ever seen.

 

“I haven’t a clue, Hoss, but I’m hot and I’m tired.  Let’s see if we can find the meeting room, then we can get a room at the hotel.” Ben said, sliding off Buck’s back, tying the reins to the tin machine that was in front of the place.

 

Ben headed for the door of the building and slowly opened it.  He stepped inside and the cool air hit his face, causing him to shiver.  Behind him were his sons, following in age order.

 

The room was crowded with a few gentlemen, but it was mostly ladies attending.  Joe found himself smiling from ear to ear.

 

When no one noticed they had entered,  Ben cleared his throat, causing the crowd to become silent.  Everyone in the room stared in disbelief at the four men before them.

 

One young lady in the back of the room was heard whispering,  “Is it really them?”

 

“I think it is.” another replied.”

 

“OH MY GOSH!!  It’s them!!  It’s really them!!” A group of ladies screamed, rushing toward the men.  Each young woman started to grab at the clothing of the four Cartwrights.

 

The next thing the Cartwright men knew, they were standing in the room in practically nothing but their long underwear.  Joe was also missing his hat.

 

“Oh Lordy.” Hoss blushed.

 

“For Pete sakes.” Ben yelled.

 

“Ummm. . . would you care to introduce yourself, before you tear my clothes from me?” Adam asked, the ladies, through gritted teeth.

 

Joe grinned.  “And you didn’t think it would be worth the TRIP!”

 

 

The End

 

Hope everyone has a wonderful time at the Convention!!!

 

Gail G.

 

 

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