HAPPY EVENT
March 1877. The Cartwrights were busy with rounding up the herd and branding of the young cattle. Only Hoss Cartwright was at home because his wife Betsy could give birth to their 2nd child any moment. Their sister-in-law Sally was also at home but then for the housekeeping.
On the morning of March 11 Sally sat by Betsy.
“What will I be glad when the baby is born. I have become so big the last few weeks”, the mother to be sighed.
“I will believe that. If I hadn’t lost Caroline I was as big as you now”, said Sally.
“I hope that this en comes quickly too. Inger did that anyway”, answered Betsy.
“Rose too. She didn’t even wanted to wait for the doctor”, said Sally.
“Her cousin neither”, was the answer of her sister-in-law.
They laughed but suddenly Betsy grabbed her belly tight.
“Sally, just let the doctor come. The baby is coming”, she said with a painful look on her face.
Sally went straight downstairs and warned Hoss and Jace, a hand. Jace left for Virginia City and Hoss flew to his bedroom, followed by Sally.
“Sally said that it was time”, said Hoss.
Betsy nodded and grabbed the hand of her husband. She almost squeezed it.
“That was a painful contraction”, Betsy sighed after the pain.
“We will get through it together”, Hoss said with encouragement.
“I am just as big as when Inger came so probably we get a girl again. Oh, there comes another contraction”, said Betsy.
She puffed the contraction away but felt that the waters had been broken.
“Grape, you can do it. Before you know lies the little one in your arms”, Hoss said with encouragement.
“Hoss, you will have to help me again with the birth. The baby won’t wait for the doctor”, said Betsy.
Hoss looked how far his wife was and said, “Soon we will have 2 children. The little one is almost coming.”
“Hoss, you receive the baby and I support Betsy”, said Sally.
Betsy began to push which had effect.
“Hoss, quickly get the baby”, she screamed.
Betsy pushed again and Hoss received their 2nd child.
“We have another daughter”, Hoss said smiling.
He put the baby by his wife and kissed her. Betsy began to cry of happiness when she held her 2nd daughter.
“She is called Petra Cartwright”, said Betsy.
“A beautiful name for our 2nd beautiful daughter”, the proud father said.
“It’s a sweetheart”, the proud aunt said.
Suddenly the door went open and Doc Paul Martin came in.
“Sorry Paul, but this Cartwright also didn’t want to wait any longer. May I introduce you to our daughter Petra Cartwright?”, asked Hoss.
“Congratulations both with your daughter. I will help mother and child further”, said Paul.
That happened and soon the delivery was over.
“Hoss, they are both perfectly healthy. I suggest that you let get your other daughter to see her sister”, said Paul.
Hoss went downstairs and said to Hop Sing, “Hop Sing, go get Inger right away.”
The Chinese cook went away at once. The doctor went away again.
Meanwhile Hop Sing reached the herd where the other Cartwrights were.
“Mr Adam quickly go home with little Inger”, the cook just said.
Adam picked up his niece and put her up on his horse Sport. Together they rode back home. Hop Sing did the same thing.
Once at home Inger ran straight to her parents and sister. Sally came to her husband Adam.
“By the way you have become uncle again from a niece called Petra”, said Sally.
“Well, I fear that with the birth of Mitch the end of the arrival of boys has come and Pam took care of that there only came girls. Mitch is 5 minutes older than Pam”, reacted Adam.
In the bedroom of her parents Inger saw her new sister.
“Inger, this is your sister Petra”, Betsy said to her eldest daughter.
The girl was fond of the baby right away and not even jealous.
It didn’t take much time before the other Cartwrights were at home.
“Pa, I think that you better can go straight upstairs because Hoss and Betsy have a big surprise for you”, reacted Sally.
The rancher went straight upstairs where he got to know his newest granddaughter.
“Congratulations boys. You couldn’t make me any happier”, Ben said smiling.
The arrival of Petra Cartwright took care of that it not only became cozier at the ranch but also busier.