It would become a normal and quiet day in Virginia City until Adam en Mitch Cartwright came into town. Adam had to deal with some bank business and Mitch would meet his friends.
“Kid, we meet each other here at the Palace Hotel in 1 hour’s time”, said Adam.
“Alright daddy”, said the seven year old Cartwright.
They went each their own way but not for long. David Baker saw the youngest Cartwright passing by and decided to play a joke on him. David went to stand by his horse and let the horse shook on purpose when Mitch walked by. The horse shook and gave the boy a kick against his left leg. Mitch fell down and screamed it out of pain. David calmed down his horse right away so he wouldn’t get the blame. Adam happened to see what had happened and ran to David. He grabbed him by his collar and pushed him against the wall of the Silver Dollar Saloon.
“Why did you do that?”, Adam asked furious.
“Take it easy Cartwright. It was just a prank. That child is already lame anyway”, laughed David.
Adam gave as answer a smack in the face of the assailant of his son.
“You are probably new here, aren’t you?”, asked Adam.
“Yes. Any objections?”, snapped David.
He hit Adam against the ground and the men began to fight. Meanwhile deputy Clem Foster had come to them as well and he heard from Mitch what exactly had happened.
“Boys, stop it because I know exactly what has happened. David, you come along with me to jail for child maltreatment”, said Clem.
“Why must I come along? That guy started to fly at me for a joke with a little boy. You must arrest him and not me!”, snapped David.
“That little boy whom you have maltreated with your horse happens to be the grandson of Ben Cartwright and his son”, answered Clem pointing at Adam.
David realized now that his joke wasn’t funny anymore. At least not for the victim but for him it was.
“Those damn Cartwrights always gets favored”, he said furious.
Clem didn’t listen anymore and dragged David off to the jail. Adam worried about Mitch who was already sitting again.
“Daddy, it’s alright”, Mitch said brave.
“That can be but I let the doctor have a look at it for the security”, said Adam.
He helped his son up and walked with him to the practise of doctor Paul Martin.
Paul saw the Cartwrights coming and knew that the bill would become higher again.
“Doc, Mitch has been attacked by a horse and has gotten a kick against his left leg. Can you examine him for a moment?”, asked Adam.
“Of course. Just put him on the table”, said Paul.
Adam did that and Mitch got examined.
“Do you have pain in your leg?”, asked Paul.
“Yes, much more than usual”, answered Mitch.
“I will wrap up your leg into ice and then the pain will become less. You will have to stay here though”, said Paul.
“Just give him a pencil and some paper and then he is good for hours. I have to be at the bank for some business”, said Adam.
So said, so done.
After an hour Adam was with his son again and the doctor. Paul remove the ice and the swelling had become less.
“It is very cold though”, Mitch remarked dry.
The men laughed.
“It does look better than before. For the security I set your leg in plaster to your knee and I see you again about a month’s time”, said Paul.
“Fine”, said Mitch.
A while later the Cartwrights came outside where they ran into Clem.
“Adam, that guy has confessed and will get this punishment. How is it with you, Mitch?”, asked the deputy.
“Fine despite my ankle in plaster. I am now of course an easy target for teasing at home”, answered the boy.
“That won’t be so bad as your grandpa takes part for you and you can clip your words quite well”, said Clem.
They said goodbye and the Cartwrights went back again to their ranch so that it became quiet again in Virginia City but not at the Ponderosa.