HORSES RACES

For a few weeks now there was publicity for horses races in Virginia City. As usual the Cartwrights also heard about it. Especially the 2 youngest Cartwright brothers, Hoss and Little Joe, got dollar signs in their eyes when they heard what the first prize was.

“Hoss, we both enter that horse race. Then we have more chance to win the prize of 100 dollars”, said Joe.

“We do enter but everyone for himself. Because I know exactly how you are. I win and you take 99 % off my money prize”, reacted Hoss.

Reluctantly Joe finaly said, “Alright then. We do it your way.”

They walked down to the office of registration and found there deputy Clem Foster.

“Clem, what are you doing here?”, Joe asked amazed.

“I am appointed to see if everything goes fair including the enterings. What are you doing here?”, the deputy asked on his turn.

“We come to enter us for the horse race on May 30”, said Hoss.

“Which race? That for the children or the grown-ups?”, Clem asked teasing.

“That of the grownups of course. Speaking about that race for the children: if our nephew Mitchy wants to enter, isthat allowed then? I mean he is lame and rides with an adjusted saddle”, said Hoss.

Clem replied, “Of course Mitch may enter if he wants to. The only rule is that the horse has a saddle.”

“Thanks. Then you can both enter us now”, said Joe.

Clem wrote down their names and got the entry fee. Satisfied the brothers went home again.

At the Ponderosa zat Adam Cartwright sat outside on the porch with his six year old son Mitch.

“What a peace and quiet now uncle Hoss and uncle Joe are away”, said Mitch.

“Say that again. Let’s enjoy it as much as possible while it lasts”, his father replied.

He knew that when his younger brothers were there the peace was gone again. Father and son got the company of the Ponderosa owner Ben Cartwright and their dog Cody.

“Am I imagining it or is it really so quiet?”, asked Ben.

“No, it is really true because your 2 biggest rascals are away”, his eldest son Adam replied.

“What are you still doing here then?”, Ben asked teasing.

“Very funny pa”, said Adam.

Mitch got all the attention from Ben and Adam.

At a certain moment Hoss and Joe came riding upon the yard.

“Daddy, the peace is gone again”, called Mitch.

Ben and Adam were reading and understood what the boy meant. Hoss and Joe dismounted and walked to their father and brother.

“Pa, Adam, we have good news for you”, Joe said rubbing his hands.

“Let me guess: you are gonna live together in a cabin on a heath so that Mitch can grow up her into a nice young man”, said Adam.

“Very funny Adam. We keep on living here nicely. No, we have entered the horse race on May 30. The first prize is 100 dollars”, said Hoss.

“Interesting”, said Ben.

“There will also a children horse race being held”, said Joe.

Mitch heard that and came with Cody to the porch.

“Daddy, may I enter with Caramel? You know how fast he is”, Mitch said hopeful.

“If you really wants it you may of me”, replied Adam.

Mitch nodded.

“He may enter. Even though he has an adjusted saddle. We have asked Clem who goes about the registrations about it on purpose”, said Hoss.

“Then we are gonna registrate you then”, said Adam.

They got their horses and rode to Virginia City. Hoss and Joe brought their horses to the stable to take care of them.

More people had registrated for the race for grown ups. But that was also for the children race. So also Jason Harris, the arch enemy of Mitch.

He announced full of pride, “Nobody else is entering the children horse race so the money is for me!”

“The first prize is not money but a cup”, said Clem.

“What can you do with such a stupid cup? Then I rather not enter”, replied Jason.

“That is up you”, said Clem.

Then he saw Adam and Mitch coming and knew enough.. Jason saw them coming too and went home. Adam and Mitch stopped near Clem and dismounted.

“We heard that there will also a children horse race being held. This boy wants to enter eagerly”, said Adam.

“That is possible. There is only 1 registration for the children horse race”, said Clem.

“Not that Jason Harris?”, Mitch asked worried.

“Unfortunately yes. He keeps announcing that he will win because nobody else is entering. But now you are joining in he won’t like that”, replied Clem.

He registrated the young Cartwright and Adam paid the registration fee.

Days went by and the day of the races came closer. Mitch was training seriously for the race but his uncles did that too.

May 30 1869.

Whole Virginia City was prepared for the festive day and especially the races. Juliet Harris, the mother of Jason, attracted all the attention by rowing with everyone. That was until deputy Clem stepped in.

“I have te right to be here as well”, she said.

“Yes, but that doesn’t mean that you have to start a fight with everyone. In jail there is plenty of room for you”, replied Clem.

Juliet promised to do better and walked on by stately.

The race for the cildren began first. Jason saw Caramel standing and got a sneaky idea. He walked to the brown stallion and cut a saddle belt through for 3 quarters. Here after he walked back to his horse. The little competitors mounted on and got brought to the starting line by their companions (Adam and Juliet).

Clem said, “Ready? Go!”

Both boys gave their horses the spurs and quite soon Mitch had quite a head start. Suddenly he fell down which Jason found laughable. Mitch got up, jumped on his horse and noticed then that his saddle was broken. Though the young Cartwright rode ahead and he was the only one who made it to the finish while Jason stayed behind at the spot where Mitch had fallen.

“Mitch Cartwright is de winner”, called Clem.

Adam stopped the stallion and noticed then that something had happened.

“My saddle is broken. I fell down halfway and dare to bet that Jason has something to do with it”, said Mitch.

Adam helped his son on the ground and noticed that Mitch had an injured wrist.

“First you go along to the doctor’s for your wrist”, said Adam.

Ben and Candy looked after Caramel and Cody.

Doctor Paul Martin examied the injured wrist.

“It is broken. I will set your wrist in plaster and your wrist and arm must rest in a sling”, said Paul.

Mitch sigheddeep.

“Now I am again the target of all pesterings at the ranch”, he said.

“That won’t be so bad. Besides you know well enough to get back at them”, Paul said while he set the wrist into plaster.

The boy knew that as well.

Back again with the others Mitch got the cup handed over.

“Mitch, you have earned it fair and square”, Clem said while he handed over the cup.

“Thanks dep”, said the young Cartwright.

Then Juliet and Jason came nearer.

“Í deserve that cup and not Cartwright!”, Jason said angry.

“Mitch finished but you didn’t niet”, replied Clem.

“Jason said that only he was allowed to enter the children race”, Matthew Walker said suddenly.

Everybody looked at him.

“Matthew, how do you know that?”, vroeg Mitch asked amazed.

“Because Joey Taylor wanted to enteras well but his mother couldn’t miss the money for the registration That’s why Jason said that he was not allowed to enter”, his best friend replied.

“Or is it bcause Joey is different from us?”, asked Mitch.

“Joey is a child who does’t belong in our town. That’s why he may not enter”, snapped Juliet.

“I was allowed to enter and I am lame. Or does that not count?”, asked Mitch.

“I pay the money for Joey and we let the kids ride again”, Adam suggested.

“Then I want that Joey rides Caramel but then with a normal saddle”, reacted Mitch.

Clem agreed and so did Ann Taylor. Mitch and Matthew wnt to tell it to Joey and he entered.

“If that reatarded kid enters I am out”, Jason said determined.

“You do enter because that cup is for us!”, his mother snapped.

Adam saddled Caramel with a new saddle and helped Joey on it. Reluctantly Jason mounted on and the second children race began. Again Jason lost and this time Joey did get the cup. But he gave it quite soon to his other to go along with Mitch, Matthew and Cody.

“Adam, how can I thank you? Joey can’t stand up for himself like your son can”, said Ann.

“It is alright. Just see it as a friedly service”, answered Adam.

Some time later the race for grownups began. Hoss and Joe also entered this. A least that was their plan. But they found it so cozy in the saloon that they totally forgot about it. Ben and Candy stood at the start but didn’t see the brothers anywhere.

“Mr Cartwright, I thought that Hoss and Joe also joined in.But I don’t see them anywhere”, the foreman said amazed.

“I thought so too but apparantly they have forgotten it”, replied the rancher.

Clem gave the starting shot and the men rode away.

“Well, then your grandson is the only winner today”, Candy remarked.

“I fear that Mitch will rub it in to them when they find out about this”, said Ben.

“Or Adam will”, Candy reacted smiling.

Just when the race was way over the brothers came out of the Silver Dollar Saloon.

“Joe, we are too late for the race. And that is your fault”, said Hoss said indignant.

“My fault? It is your fault too”, Joe replied fierce.

“Had a nice ride uncle Hoss and uncle Joe?”, Mitch asked them at that moment.

The brothers first looked at each other and then at their nephew.

“Shut up Mitchy! You ain’t gonna tell me that you did ride?”, asked Hoss.

Mitch nodded and told everything that had happened.

“Jason Harris got exacty what he deserved. You and Joey derserve that cup much more than he does”, said Joe.

By this news their angry mood was over again.

“Who has actually own the race for grownups?”, asked Hoss.

“You certainly didn’t”, said Matthew.

The friends laughed but the brothers didn’t fnd it funny.

“Matthew, Mitch and Joey, are you coming to eat pancakes?”, asked Dan Walker, the father of Matthew.

“Of course but why?”, Matthew asked amazed.

“Because I have won the race and I treat you to pancakes”, was the answer.

“May Cody come along as well?”, Mitch asked hopeful.

“Why not? As long as your big uncle doesn’t come along”, said Dan.

He took the children and dog along to his wife for the delicious meal.

“Joe, I am afraid that we will have to hear this for a long time. Beer?”, vroeg Hoss.

Joe nodded and they went back inside.

Very late the Cartwrights came home from a nice day for a few and for the others a disasterous day.