The young man sat on a rock in the middle of a clearing hidden deep inside a thicket of briars. He had a sorrowful look on his face as he desperately tried to pull the burrs from what appeared to be a long white robe; dejectedly he plucked at the pulls, and snares.
“Oh, this is hopeless!” He
muttered in dismay.
This was to be his big chance, he had finally gotten the councilor to give him the opportunity to become an apprentice Guardian Angle, and here he was, it was not only his very first assignment, but the first day of it to boot, how could things have gone so wrong so fast? I mean how hard was it to watch over one boy, one small boy at that!
“Harrumph,” he sighed, putting his elbow on his knee and resting his head in his hand he thought very hard about what he was going to do.
The Heavenly Father was sure to be very upset with him. He absently twirled his halo in his free hand as he mulled over his predicament. He was so very sure he was going to make a big impression on the other Guardian Angles, after all he had heard them often enough talking among themselves in the great hall right before the Gloria and Alleluia choir every night. Again he looked down at the robe he wore, shaking his head sadly, it was a mess.
He had better find his charge and fast; for it wasn't often an Angel was sent to earth to keep watch over a soul!
This little fellow must be something special, as he was summoned by the Father himself and dispatched to earth post haste to find this lost child. Truth be told there were so many implores to find him coming from earth the communication Angel complained all lines were jammed up and something needed to be done, NOW! For the Heavenly Father was needed in so many places this bottleneck was causing great consternation among Heavens work forces.
**********
just had to be true. It
could be nothing else it was a sweet melodic voice, like that
of a small child talking to
some imaginary friend or playing a game out loud. As he burst through the
brush, his heart sank, all hope dashed. What he did find was almost too much
for him.
So deeply rapt in his puzzlement the young man never heard the commotion coming his way. When a man exploded through the brush, it startled the young man so he jumped to his feet causing his wings to unintentionally unfurl. They were tattered, had many missing feathers, and woefully covered with dust, flapping wildly as they sent bits of Downey white feathers scattering everywhere in the air about him.
The look on the man's face panicked him, he was sure no one except who he was sent to find could actually see him, he quickly folded his wings clearing his throat.
.
“Yy-you probably find this
hard to t believe,” he began in an obvious rather uncomfortable voice.
“But I'm an Angel, a
Guardian Angel... well actually an Apprentice Guardian Angel, I-um I was sent
down here to find a child.”
He spoke quickly, the words
gushing out in his frantic attempt to explain himself; he waved his hands
around and ran one repeatedly through his hair. He held a wide gold ring in the
other; he had to think of something fast! This was getting him nowhere besides
the fact the man's face was very pale, he had slumped against a tree, eyes
wide, his heart in his throat.
.
“I - I - my name is Josiah,”
he offered in an effort to calm the frightened man, he was a rather big man,
and at first glance did not seem the kind to frighten easily.
“What did you say?” The man
whispered, regaining some of his color, looking around.
“You see, as I said. Josiah
hurried on I am here to help find a little boy,” the very words struck icy cold
terror in the man's heart, and he staggered into the tree again, closing his
eyes.
Josiah wrung his hands in a
worried manor; this was completely out of his league, as he had no training in
handling frightened adults.
“I- I am supposed to find
this boy. I mean how hard is it to keep an eye on one boy?”
He asked out loud, as he
paced restlessly around the clearing.
“And he's just a little boy
at that, about so high,” he gestured with his hand. “He has big hazel eyes and
curly brown hair, Oh I know that probably fits lots of kids, but this one he-
he's hard to keep up with!”
Josiah did not know why he
felt compelled to tell all this to the man, but he did any way. He sat back on
his rock, deep in thought, absently chewing his fingernails, plainly
distraught, and fretting, over this dilemma.
It was with great
trepidation the man spoke up, “This-this boy,” he began, “The one you are
looking for, how old is he?” He really did not want to know but had to ask.
There was a huge lump in his throat, the knot in his stomach made him queasy.
“Um, I think he's- Oh! Wait
a minute.... I have it right here in my golden book, he fished nervously fumbling in the pocket of
his robe.
“Ah, yes, here it is,” he
drew a small gold book from deep within the pocket carefully opening it. A
burst of dazzling gold light sprang outward as he did so, the man shied back.
Josiah never noticed he was busy paging through the book, finger flying as he
sought the information
“Let me see, yes, yes here
it is, Utah territory, October 31, 1848 now where is the rest of it? Oh, ok,
here it is, humm... has lots of notes, yes this is it,” he looked up a
beautiful smile beamed across his face; he was not more than a youngster
himself.
“The boys name is Joseph Francis Cartwright,
says here he is 5 and a half I think?” Josiah announced pleased with himself.
However the effect it had on
the man was not what he expected, he grabbed his chest, as his heart began to
race, then beat wildly with tremendous irregularity.
He squeezed his eyes shut.
“Tt-tell me... please,” he
asked his voice barely audible, wrought with pain. “Is. is he dead?” the words came out with such
anguish, his mouth dry, his chest so tight he could hardly draw a breath.
Josiah jumped up again.
“Oh, mercy, nooo... no he isn't...I'm so sorry, I never meant to
frighten you! Do you know him?” He asked hopefully. A quizzical expression
crossed the man's face as he answered.
“Know him? He.... he's my
youngest son! I have been looking all over for him since early this morning!”
Suddenly this being became less intimidating in fact his presence was soothing
and reassuring.
“Well then, with
the two of us, we are sure to find one small boy.” The young Angel announced
with much more confidence than he had had a few moments before. The man cocked
his head as he looked at him, realizing for the first time how very ragged this
(angel) looked, he had longish very un kept light brown hair, a smudge on his
cheek, and his robe was a mess. He felt the man’s eyes, prompting Josiah in an
attempted to smooth out his robe and appear at least somewhat presentable;
after all he was a messenger from Heaven.
“A-ha-aha-” He let out a
small apologetic laugh.
“You can't imagine were I
have looked for that boy!”
The man drew himself up. “Oh
yes most assuredly I can.” He replied.
“Then lets get on with it,”
Josiah pounded his fist eagerly in the palm of his other hand. Plopping the
gold ring on the top of his head, it shimmered and rose a few inches into the
air; Josiah stuffed the book back into his pocket things were finally looking
up for the first time. Now positive he could handle this situation he nodded in
satisfaction. It was at that point Ben Cartwright realized this just might be a
real honest to god angel. Swallowing loudly he nodded in agreement.
**********
The tall young man slumped
slightly in his saddle, his dark eyes cloudy,
“No!” he thought.
He looked into the distance
across the big meadow, despite the fact it was an extremely bright sunny day
his mood was somber. Adam Cartwright, had just begun to feel again. It had been
a few months now since his vivacious stepmother had died in a tragic riding
fall that resulted in plummeting his father in to a downward spiral him into in
to a pit of inconsolable despair. Adam shouldered the burden of this horrific
loss; once more it had been his duty to pull things back together. Leaving him
drained and sapping his strength yet again, he was after all only a man-child
barely 17. He raised his weary face to the sun; his father had just begun to
recover-to draw back from the deep despair he had slipped into. The spring and
now coming summer with its sweet smells, welcoming warm days had begun healing
his heart from loss of his beloved Marie. Adam’s own sorrow had been put on
hold; he did not have time for it, and now look.
“Its my fault!” He shook his
head.
“All my fault.”
As usual he immediately
assumed this next round of trouble was directly related to his lack of
attention.
“I should have know--- It
was Way to Quiet---- never let him out of my sight, never let him hear me last
night, should have known he would have been all ears!”
Adam had been relating a
tale from one of his beloved books about a boy and his exciting adventures in
the mountain country. His chin sank to his chest, handsome young face drawn, he
pinched the bridge of his nose, then rubbed the back of his neck, gritting his
teeth with steely resolve. Adam straightened up turning back in his saddle to
survey the land behind him. His eyes scanned the area but no sign of his
father. He looked at his brother next to him. Hoss Cartwright was having the
same misgivings. The big young man sat there his head down a glum expression on
his young face.
“Its all my fault- Dad-gum I
shuda never yelled at him.”
Earlier that morning Hoss
was trying to work on a project in the great room, even as patient as he was,
had limits.
Hoss was a mere 11 but the
size of some adults, his big gentle blue eyes squinting in an attempt to make
it seem it was just the bright sun that made them water, however the slight
quiver of his lip betrayed him. (Hoss had lost his composure after chasing Joe
out of the middle of what he was doing for the third time, stopping to clean up
the mess, delightfully created by his baby brother. Hoss had yelled.
“ Lit’l Joe you get outta
here right now! Will you JUST go away! Quit messing things up.”(Hoss threatened
waving his big hands in the air in a shooing manor) Big hazel eyes danced with mischief,
sufficiently pleased with provoking his brother enough he turned and skipped
outside humming in a merry little voice.
Once outside he paused,
grinning he looked around the yard never one to be bothered by his brothers
yelling at him for long, his irrepressible zest for life made him take a few
hops and jumps. He looked up into the sky it was a deep blue, just perfect for
an adventure; that's what he decided he wanted today, an adventure...yes just
like he heard Adam telling Hoss about. His oldest brother Adam was busy in the
barn, Hoss was inside, Hop Sing was in the kitchen with the breakfast dishes
and Pa, hummm, Pa was in the bunk house, he was seeing to one of the ranch
hands who had gotten hurt on the range yesterday, he didn’t hear Hoss yell
because he hadn't come out. So off he went, skipping towards his adventure,
never giving much thought to his actions was one of Little Joe Cartwrights' problems.
He skipped from the yard into the trees and what ever he might find on this
fine day!
**********
As Adam closed his eyes for another minute he
drew in his breath urging his horse forward. “Common Hoss, m-maybe Pa has had
better luck?” What he spoke was not what he really believed though.
Hoss nodded clearing his
throat he shifted in his saddle.
“Yeah maybe...”
He stole a glance at his
older brother wishing he could ease the strain on his face.
“Bet he’s back home probably
pesting Hop Sing fer a cookie. It would be just like him.”
He clicked to his horse to
pick up the pace. Adam nodded but said nothing. He had failed, he was supposed
to watch out for him, protect him, keep him safe.... he had promised...
Both boys were filled with
concern weighed dawn by pangs of guilt as they looked towards the spot they were to meet their
father.
**********
Just as Josiah and Ben stepped forward there
was a rustle in the brush in front of them, it parted to show-
“Hi - ya! Pa! Look what I
finded--- Puppies, an I'm keepen um.” The small child stood there 4 maybe
Something attracted Ben’s
attention so he chanced a glanced to the side catching a glimpse of Josiah as
his image began to waver then melt into nothing.
As unnerving, as it was Ben
swung his attention back to the boy. His voice leaving no room for question,
very quietly, yet very sternly commanded his son.
“Joseph, put them down. Now!
And walk to me!”
“Nuh-Uh, nooway I'm keepin
them,” he declared, turning slightly as to shield them from his fathers view.
“Do as I say Joseph, Now!”
Ben's voice was sterner and
deeper, he held his sons eyes with his, willing him to obey, Joe's lip
quivered, he nuzzled his armful of puppies.
“But Paaaaa?”
“Now-- Joseph!” Ben growled,
clenching and unclenching his fist yet not daring to make a single move in the
boy’s direction.
Joe s arms were by now to
tired to hold them up anymore, so they slid down his overalls to plop softly
onto the grass.
“Gee whiz!” He sniffled, the
puppies hearing the soft woofs coming from behind Joe, scampered and waddled
happily off to their mother waiting just out of view in the brush. What
happened next was hard to explain, but to the best of Ben's recalling, with
great effort he held the boys attention along with his own breath. At this
point she stepped out into the clearing behind the boy, who stood arms folded
across his chest defiantly pouting at his father. Then she sat for a minute, raising
one front paw, she seemed to smile. With out so much as a sound she disappeared
leading her missing brood, her now reunited children and the rest of the entire
pack into the undergrowth. Once sure she was gone Ben fell on the boy; he
hugged him then sternly looked the boy in the eye.
“Well young man! What have
you got to say for yourself this time? Do you know how long I have been looking
for you? Or how far this is from the house?”
Joe knew instantly now how
deep in trouble he was. In true Little Joe fashion at times like this he looked
up under his thick lashes and put on his most repentant face, hoping against
hope it was enough to ward off the inevitable consequence to this adventure,
after all he was Little Joe.
“Sniff... but p-p- pa? They
was my puppies! I saveded them from the big hole they falled in.” He explained.
“No! You stop right there!
Not good enough! Young man.” His father shook his head.
“You know very well that you
can not leave the yard by your self! Do you not? And you most certainly are not
ever allowed to come this far! Am I right?”
Joe had yet to offer up any
defense for his actions. Shrugging his shoulders, Joe put his free hand behind
him as his father sighing heavily, took his other hand and led him to a fallen
log
“You know what has to happen
now don't you?” He firmly asked, as they reached the log.
“Joseph I am very angry with
you, and you know why?”
Joe nodded.
“I-I didn’t tell ya I was
goin on my adventure?” His big hazel eyes filled and shimmered as he bit his
lower lip.
Ben put on his sternest face
and gave a grave nod.
“Yes, this is not the first
time we had to have this “Necessary talk about wandering off is it?”
“No sir.” It was accompanied
by a soft sniffle.
His father hated this,
really hated to do this, but his words seemed to make little or no impression
on this boy most of the time, so he was forced to back up those words with
action.
“Very well then.”
He lifted Joe and put him
across his knees, raising his hand he went to give the boy a good hard spank
but he was unable to bring down his arm, he tried again, it was as if some
unseen force was holding his wrist, he looked up and around surprised to see
Josiah, who seemed to be floating just above the ground, the glow around him,
warm and sweet, his majestic wings spread wide above him, not a mark on them,
they fluttered silently holding him aloft. He was shaking his head no, he did
not speak but Ben heard his words.
“No Ben not this time, there
will be plenty of others but not this time, after all...I...lost him.” With
that in an almost blinding light he turned and appeared to head up a wide
staircase.
For another moment Ben sat,
spellbound that was broken by the little whimpering sound. Knowingly he let a
big grin spread over his face, the little faker, and instead of a good hard
spanking he lifted the boy into his lap, taking his chin and making him look
up.
“Ok, this time only, you
little scamp, but you ever do anything like this again, and believe you me,
Joseph, you will not sit down for a week! Do you understand me little boy?”
He gave his little boy a big
warm loving father hug. In turn Joe wiggled to his knees in response to wrap
his arms around his father’s neck tight as he could at the same time planting a
very wet juicy kiss on his cheek.
“I—LOVE,” he cooed the word
love in a long and heartfelt tone... You Papa!” the Papa was added for good
measure, he finished with.
“An I pwamiss I will be a
good boy, and not go on no advent-u-res with out you r’ Adam r’ Hoss Okay?
Ever!” He solemnly vowed making sure the ‘ever!’ was most convincing, to seal
the promise he hugged even tighter.
”Umm- Humm sure—”
His father agreed giving him
a few parental pats on the bottom. Standing up holding tight to his errant son,
he retraced his path through the underbrush. Joe nestled down into his fathers
embrace a happy secure sigh escaped his lips to be carried aloft on sun beams
dancing and dappling through the tall pines and other trees that surrounded the
briar patch then stretched outward to the wide green meadow. Some how it seemed
far less difficult on the way out then it had been on the way in.
When he finally reached the
meadow where he was to meet his older sons and the two ranch hands that had
come to help search, Joe was sleeping peacefully on his shoulder.
As soon as Adam and Hoss
realized their father was carrying their little brother they raced up to him
and jumped off.
“Pa?” Adam gasped, the fear
clear in his dark eyes.
“He's, ok, boys, just
asleep.”
“Fewwww. Hoss let out a big breath, where in
tarnation was he?”
“Up in that thicket at the
far end of Larks meadow, you know the one behind the big bramble patch, beyond
that stand of trees.”
“How on earth did he manage
to get all the way out there? What ever was he thinking?” asked Adam in
amazement, “Okay never mind this is Little Joe he wasn’t thinking.”
At that point the ranch
hands rode up, smiling widely.
“Well boss, seems the
maverick's back with the herd huh?” Jake remarked.
“Yes and I don't mind
telling you I hope I never find myself in that position ever again.”
“Why, what could he have
found to get into?”
“Well - it seems Joseph
found himself an arm load of puppies, actually wolf puppies.”
“Sooo that's it!” Charlie drawled interrupting.
“Been seeing them critters
all day, was getting mighty nerve wracking, it was.” He shook his head.
“That's not the half of it,
when I finally got him to put them down, that old she wolf came right out bold
as you please, now I swear this is true! And if I find out one of you makes fun
of me, I will skin them alive!”
Ben scowled threateningly.
“She
sat there and raised one front paw to me, as sure as I'm standing here,” he
paused to shift Joe in his arms then continued. ”She Smiled at me!” His
expression daring any one to question what he had just said.
“Daw-gone!” Hoss almost
chuckled, and then remembered but his big blue eyes misted over and shown with
admiration.
Adam raised his brow, drawing in a sharp breath, and shook his head to say he had no intention of ever questioning or mentioning this to any one ever.
“I tell ya what.” Charlie smirked taking off his hat then put
it back to resettle it.
“That there boy needs to
have his self a Guardian Angel.”
“Ha!” Scoffed Jake.
“What that boy needs is a
whole Passel, of Guardian Angels!” and he slapped his leg with his hand.
(No not really) Ben thought
(Just one, and a very good one at that! Thank You Josiah, very much, oh, and I
hope your next assignment is a little less stressful! It is time we got this
little rascal home.)
Turning Ben began to walk
towards his waiting mount shifting Joe to his other shoulder. As he took the
reins in his free hand he handed the sleeping boy to his older brother. Adam
took his little brother and hugging him, softly murmured in his ear.
“You do this to us one more
time you little imp and I will personally feed you to that pack of wolves.”
However there were unseen
tears in the young man's eyes. Joe's nose wrinkled, he twitched as his big
brother gave him a last warm squeeze before handing him back to their father.
Ben cradled Joe in his arms, Hoss and Adam mounted and riding on either side of
their father the family set out for home.
Before they had gone very
far the three riders instinctively closed ranks until the legs of the riders
all touched at the same time. Adam and Hoss leaned back ever so slightly and
looked at each other behind their father’s back silently exchanging thanks. Ben
glanced from side to side at his two oldest sons as a deep satisfied smile
formed on his face.
Charlie and Jake had hung
back just a bit and watched the three riders move off into the distance
shielding their eyes to the glare of the sun, amidst a few fluffy white clouds.
Quite unexplainably there appeared to be one big beam of sunlight that fell
directly on the small trio as they road towards home. Neither man spoke just
stared finally shrugging they too started home.
Ben Cartwright rode along
deep in thought, he had always felt there really were angles to guide one
during life, but now he knew they existed and would defend with his very
last breath the fact that they were real. Angles hovered all around them. He
could attest to that fact. For on this very day he himself and one of his
son's' had indeed been Touched by an Angel.
THE END.
*(No infringement intended
upon the title used in this story)