It was that time again to drive some cattle to Ogden. That was also the case for Ponderosa ranch owner Ben Cartwright. His sons (Adam, Hoss and Little Joe) got involved in this.
When the twins of Adam, 15 year old Mitch and Pam, heard about this the couple suddenly was very nice and helpful towards their parents, uncles and grandpa. Of course this was noticed very quickly. A few days before leaving the twins got questioned.
“Mitch and Pam, why are you so nice and helpful to us? It has nothing to do with the cattle drive to Ogden, has it?”, Ben asked when his youngest grandchildren were already sleeping.
Mitch looked nervous around him and his sister moved her look at the burning open fire. Now the grownups knew for sure that they really wanted something but didn’t dare to ask.
Finally Mitch had found the courage and he asked, “We are not allowed to come along to help driving cattle, are we?”
His sister supported him by saying, “You want that we help at the ranch. Then we must learn this part too.”
“We shall work hard and behave ourselves nicely”, said Mitch.
“So that’s why our saddles were so nicely clean”, said Little Joe, the youngest son of Ben.
“And our horses being taken care of”, said his brother Hoss.
Adam looked on turns at his wife Sally and his father.
“I will miss them but I also think that it will be good for the twins. What do you think, Adam?”, asked Sally.
“Well, if Mitch and Pam come too my little brothers will have to behave well. Pa, what do you think about it?”, asked Adam.
Mitch and Pam now looked begging at their grandpa. But the rancher also got questionable looks from his sons and daughters-in-law (Sally, Betsy and Cora).
“Alright, the twins may come”, Ben said finally.
“Thanks grandpa”, Pam said on behalf of her brother.
The twins thought it was great that they were coming too but also knew that it was hard work. When the sisters Lisa and Rose heard that their brother and sister would be away for a few weeks they didn’t like that at all. One afternoon the twins got confronted with this by their younger sisters.
“You get and may do all nice things. Nicely going away with grandpa and those cows”, said Lisa.
Rose remarked, “And we must do your chore: feeding the animals!”
Mitch and Pam looked at each other amazed.
But the eldest of the couple had soon his reaction ready, “We may do all the nice things? We are stuck day and night with uncle Hoss and uncle Joe. They also with us but that’s their bad luck. Hop Sing also stays at home so you get delicious food. And lots more too because uncle Hoss has to share his food with us. You sleep in a warm bed with a soft pillow but we on the cold ground with a hard saddle as pillow. Cody, Skip and Lucky also stay at home with you.”
“If you look at it this way Rose and I are much better off than you are”, said Lisa.
They laughed but Pam said, “In 10 years time Lisa may go in our place. And Rose when she’s 15.”
The twins noticed that especially Rose had trouble that they were going away. The youngest daughter of Adam and Sally was crazy about the twins and was often to be found with them..
Mitch took his youngest sister into his arms and said, “We really do come back. Just ask if mamma, aunty Betsy and aunty Cora will bake a very big cake under supervising of Hop Sing.”
He kissed her loving full.
“How big must that cake be?”, asked Lisa.
“Well, make it a very big one because uncle Hoss must have a piece of it too”, answered Pam.
Although Mitch had decided to come along with the men to drive the cattle to Ogden the boy hadn’t kept in mind with his baseball training schedule. Ben and Adam had that and were looking for a solution for that.
Three days before leaving Mitch saw Ben and Adam talking to each other in the office. As usual Ben sat in his desk chair and Adam at a corner of the desk. The young Cartwright suspected that it was about him because Adam had his baseball training schedule in his hands. He went up to them and looked at his grandpa and father questionable. The men understood at once what Mitch wanted to ask.
“Mitch, we know how much you would love to come with us but in 2 months time you and Pam become 16 and that means that soon after that you leave us. Your father and I rather have that you do your trainings at the ranch than to go with us. After all you are the 1st Cartwright who will to become a pro baseball player”, said Ben.
“Are Griff and Dusty going to?”, asked Mitch.
“No, they stay here for the chores they must do. But when we are away you are the man in the Cartwright home”, answered Adam.
“I might be the only man in the house with all those women”, reacted his son.
“You know Mitch, in the far East live rich sheiks. And they have also a lot of women around them. That is being called a harem”, told Ben.
The eyes of his grandson turned into little laughing eyes right away.
“I dare to bet that those sheiks often wear ear plugs. Al that chatter of those ladies. Sometimes I become bonkers from my sisters and”, Mitch remarked dry.
Three Cartwright generations laughed.
“Gentlemen, this remains among us. What that harem is concerned”, the rancher said seriously after they had stopped laughing.
Adam and Mitch nodded.
Lisa and Rose were deliriously glad that their brother stayed at home but not that Pam went along anyway. Because Mitch had stayed at home to keep on training he also did the work at the ranch. His sister had gone along but not for long.
One evening Mitch lost control over the horses and wagon and the young Cartwright got injured seriously. He fell on the ground and got trampled by the horses. Dusty Rhodes and Griff King saw the horses and wagon without driver coming and suspected trouble.
Griff stopped the horses and said to Dusty, “You go to find Mitch. He was away with this.”
The deputy foreman left at once. He followed the track of horses and wagon and found the boy quite soon. Dusty dismounted and examined Mitch.
“Mitch, can you hear me?”, asked Dusty.
Mitch looked up slowly and asked, “What has happened?”
“You may tell me that. The horses and wagon came home damaged but without you”, answered the deputy foreman.
Mitch went to sit and blinked a few times with his eyes. Then he felt his painful left ankle.
“Dusty, help me up”, said the boy.
That happened but Mitch couldn’t stand on his injured ankle.
“I help you on my horse and then we go home together”, said Dusty.
So said, so done.
At home Griff already had warned Sally and she had taken pre causes to take care of her son. They stood waiting on the porch when Mitch and Dusty came home. Sally saw right away how badly injured her son was and walked up to them. With support of Sally and Dusty Mitch came inside. Griff went to get the doctor.
“Sally, Mitch can’t walk or stand on that ankle”, said Dusty.
“Just put him into the guest room. I’ll get some ice”, said Sally.
Dusty helped Mitch to bed and also with taking off the walking brace and the boot.
“That doesn’t look great son. You are tied to bed for the time being”, said the deputy foreman.
“As long as I am better in January so that I can go to New York, then I am already satisfied”, answered Mitch.
“I hope so for you but just make sure first that you get better”, reacted Dusty.
When Sally came into the bed room Dusty went to the living room.
“How is it with Mitch?”, Cora asked worried.
“Well, let me put it this way: Mitch won’t be running around for the time being”, answered Dusty.
“Then I know enough”, said Cora.
In the bed room Sally put the ice bag on the painful ankle.
“Mom, it hurts so much”, Mitch said with tears in his eyes.
“I can imagine that. Perhaps the ice will help a bit”, she said caring.
The young Cartwright slowly fell asleep but Sally remained by him though.
With the cattle drivers Pam suddenly a heavy pain. They had made camp and the young Cartwright sat against a tree when she felt pain. Adam sat by his daughter and noticed that there was something.
“Pam, what is the matter?”, he asked concerned.
“I just have a sudden pain in my ankle”, answered Pam.
She sighed heavily and held her ankle tight. Ben came nearer and kneeled down by his son and granddaughter.
“Pa, Pam needs to go to a doctor”, Adam said worried.
The rancher noticed how much pain Pam had and said, “Ogden isn’t far away from here. I go along.”
They got up and went to Ogden. Pam got into more pain but she didn’t let anything show.
Arrived in Ogden the doctor got visited right away by the Cartwrights.
“Doc, we are not far from here with a herd of cows to sell and to let them move by train. Two hours ago this young lady got heavy pain in her ankle. Can you examine her?”, asked Ben.
“Just go lying on the examine table. What’s your name?”, asked Doc.
“Pam Cartwright. Oh, I feel another pain coming”, answered Pam.
Doc examined her and looked doubtful at Ben and Adam.
“Doc, what is the matter with my daughter?”, Adam asked worried about the answer.
“Pam, do you happen to have a twin sister or brother by accident?”, Doc asked then.
“I have a twin brother who is 5 minutes older than me. Why?”, Pam asked amazed.
“He has stayed at home at the ranch”, Ben explained.
“Then it can be that he has become injured in his ankle and that you feel that. But I want to keep you here tonight for observation”, answered the doctor.
“That’s alright. We come to get you again tomorrow”, said Adam.
Ben and Adam went back to the others while Pam got a hospital bed. To her relief the pain stayed away.
“Doc, I don’t feel that pain of last night anymore”, said the young Cartwright.
The doctor examined her again and declared her 100 % healthy.
When Adam came to get his daughter she was already out of bed.
“How are you?”, he asked.
“Fine”, said Pam.
They thanked the doctor and went to the others. Though Pam walked a bit lame. Though nobody knew yet what had happened at home at the ranch.
At the ranch Doc Paul Martin examined the young Cartwright. Sally and Mitch saw the very serious look on the face of the doctor.
“Doc, just say how badly serious it is”, Mitch said finally.
Doc answered, “Up till now only your ankle was lame. But because that horse kicked against it your whole under leg has become totally lame.”
“So I can forget my dream about becoming top baseball player now too?”, the boy asked worried.
The doctor nodded and said, “Your wounds will heal but not your lameness. Tomorrow I will came again to see.”
He went away. Sally looked at her stepson questionable.
“Mom, what am I going to do? Daddy really won’t let me go now anymore”, Mitch said despondent.
Sally went to sit on the bed, grabbed his hand and said, “First you must get better. After that we will see. Just leave your father to me.”
She looked at him with a meaningful look and a smile whereby Mitch knew enough..
The boy said teasing, “Rose also looks at me that way when she wants something. So that gal has that from you.”
Right away he got thrown a pillow at him teasing from his stepmother. Right after that Sally gave Mitch a loving full cuddle.
“I am really glad that I got to know your father via you and Pam. I love you very much”, she said thereafter.
“We love you too”, answered Mitch.
He fell asleep so that Sally left him alone and told the others what had been said. Of course they were shocked too by the news.
The cattle drive was over so that the Cartwrights could return to their ranch again. Especially Pam has missed her brother.
At a certain moment she said to Ben, “Grandpa, the next time I only come when Mitch comes too. But if he goes to New York I stay at home.”
“That’s alright”, said the rancher.
He noticed though that his eldest granddaughter had learned something during the cattle drive.
The journey home went very fast and soon the Cartwrights were home again. Already at the yard they noticed that something serious had happened.
“What is the carriage of Doc Martin doing here? Is there something with one of the children?”, Hoss asked amazed.
Adam and Pam looked at each other quickly for a moment and jumped off their horses. They ran into the ranch house where Sally and Doc just came out of the guest room.
“Doc, what are you doing here?”, Adam asked worried.
“Adam, Mitch has been trampled by a horse. Hereby his left under leg has become totally lame. I fear that he doesn’t realize it yet completely”, was the answer.
“When did it happen?”, Pam asked carefully.
“Two evenings ago. Why?”, the doctor asked on his turn.
“Then I got bothering in my left ankle”, the girl explained.
“Then you must have felt his pain. That happens often with twins”, said Doc.
Adam and Pam went into the guest room and saw a very silent Mitch lying in bed. The pup Skip laid by him. He was also very pleased to see Adam and Pam because he barked loudly and wagged his tail.
“Skip, go greet the others”, Pam said after she with Adam had greeted him.
The pup ran out of the room. Adam went to sit on the bed and looked at his oldest.
“Are you keeping it up a bit?”, asked Adam.
Mitch shook of no and answered, “What sort of future do I still have now? That baseball club from New York won’t take me anymore. Or which other club too.”
“Mitch, we always can use your help here very well. Just make sure that you recover so that you can get out of bed. After that we will see further”, said his father.
Mitch looked away from his father and sister.
To change the subject Adam asked, “Have your sisters behaved themselves a bit while we were away?”
“Did we have to then?”, Mitch asked teasing.
Adam sighed deep and answered, “You know that I want that you behave yourselves all the time. Also when I am away for a few weeks.”
“Of course we have behaved ourselves. Mom, aunty Betsy and aunty Cora were at home too. Plus Dusty. He found me by the way”, told Mitch.
“I am going to keep myself busy with the little ones. Pam, you remain by your brother. I know for sure that you have a lot to tell each other”, said Adam.
He left the guest room and went to occupy himself with Lisa and Rose. Hoss and Joe already had their daughters around them. Meanwhile Ben had heard from Sally what had happened to Mitch. Of course the rancher was deeply shocked about what had happened to Mitch.
To know if he had to arrange other future plans for his son Adam wrote a long letter to Steve Johnson about the accident of Mitch. The answer of Steve came in the person of the coach himself.
Mitch recovered quickly from his wounds but remained notable lame. Hereby he couldn’t do the heavy work at the ranch anymore but watching the little ones and feeding the animals.
One morning when he was busy feeding the chickens Rose saw Adam coming per carriage. He also had someone with him.
“Mitch, visitor with daddy”, Rose said who helped her brother each day.
The boy looked up and recognized Steve.
“I don’t think he comes to see grandpa but me. He is that coach from New York”, answered Mitch.
Adam stopped the carriage and whistled at Mitch. His son came smiling to him and Steve.
“I do now that I’m a real handsome heartbreaker but that even my father whistles at me is a low point”, Mitch said laughing.
The coach thought it was amusing but Adam said to him, “Now you see and hear for yourself why I deliriously want that Mitch goes with you. ”
“Hello Mitch. Your father wrote to me about your accident. I want to see with my own eyes how badly you walk. Shall we go inside and talk further?”, asked Steve.
Mitch nodded. They went inside to discuss everything. Pam took over the chore of her brother and also babysat her little sisters and cousins.
Adam introduced Steve to his wife.
“Sorry that I don’t look at my best but I happen to be the wife of a rancher’s son”, Sally said apologizing.
“Doesn’t matter”, said Steve.
They went to sit down in the living room. The grownups noticed that Mitch didn’t feel comfortable.
“Just give me the bad news right away that I can’t and won’t be a pro baseball player”, Mitch said in an attempt to open the conversation.
“No pro baseball player but despite that you are lame you can teach others to play baseball. Have you ever heard of Alexander Cartwright?”, asked Steve.
Mitch nodded and answered, “He wrote down the rules of baseball.”
“He is a cousin of ours”, Adam made clear.
“Well, on the way from his journey from New York to San Francisco Alexander taught everyone he met baseball. I think that we have something like that for you too. I can use an assistant coach. Plus you can teach the younger children how to play baseball. But only if you have permission from your parents and if you want it yourself too. You get paid for it”, Steve explained.
Adam and Sally looked at each other and in silent they already had given their permission.
Mitch asked, “When do you want me to start?”
“Yesterday”, answered the coach.
Everybody laughed.
Steve said, “The papers has to be arranged yet. But if you come to New York early next year you can start right away. I have taken these 2 instruction books so you can prepare yourself.”
He gave Mitch 2 instruction books for baseball.
“Thanks Steve”, Mitch said very relieved about the outcome of the conversation.
Steve said goodbye to the Cartwrights and went away again. Adam brought him back to Virginia City.
Mitch said to Sally when they were alone in the living room, “I will be only for a short time here at the ranch.”
“And you will spend that time by learning those 2 books from a to Z and vise versa. We just have to get used to it that you are away. Your father said that grandpa, uncle Hoss and uncle Joe did run the Ponderosa when he studied in Boston. So now that’s the case too. Even though you go to New York instead of Boston. And we have a reason to go on holiday to New York. Just count on that”, said Sally.
The boy nodded. He only realized far too well that his youth was now really over. With the instruction books Mitch took hold of the office. Sally went back to the kitchen.
When Ben came a bit later on he stood a bit amazed looking when he saw that his grandson was studying in his office. The rancher was used to that Mitch was studying a lot but normally the boy did that in the living room. But now the young Cartwright was doing that in the office. Ben walked to the desk and coughed out loud.
Mitch looked up and said, “Hello grandpa.”
“Hello Mitch. May I ask why you are reading in my office?”, asked the rancher.
“You surely may do that and I will give the answer too. I am not reading but studying. Earlier this day Steve Johnson came by and he offered me the job of assistant-coach. I also can teach younger children to play baseball. I got these 2 instruction books and mom gave me permission to study. I leave shortly after the change of the year for New York”, answered the boy.
Ben didn’t know what he heard.
“So you leave us Cartwright men for a job in New York? Now I know for sure that Adam has raised you the wrong way”, he said teasing.
“I can’t help it either. But I surely will return one day”, reacted his grandson.
“I know that. But I don’t really like it. You understand that, don’t you”, said Ben.
Mitch nodded.
Then Ben suggested, “What do you think if we organize a farewell party for you on December 27?”
Mitch asked carefully, “This isn’t a suggestion of uncle Joe, is it?”
“He doesn’t even know that you leave in January. It’s the least I can do for you”, answered the rancher.
“Alright. Just organize it then”, the boy finally said.
Ben left the office and went to the kitchen where his daughters-in-law and Hop Sing were.
“Ladies and Hop Sing, on December 27 a farewell party is being held here at the Ponderosa in the honor of Mitch. I leave the food and drink to you”, said the rancher.
That was a good idea.
A few days later somewhere else at the Ponderosa Pam got to hear bad news. For a few years now she was going steady with Matthew Walker, the youth friend of her twin brother.
“Pam, I go to New York to study. My parents are coming with me”, Matthew said one afternoon.
Pam looked at her boyfriend and said amazed, “First Mitch goes away and then you go after him. You boys are all the same!”
The young Cartwright had a lot of trouble not to start crying. Matthew took her into his arms and kissed the girl tenderly.
“Why don’t you come with us? Mitch can’t be without you and neither can I Pa has a big house with enough room for us”, was the suggestion of Matthew.
Pam looked at him and said, “I come too.”
Matthew kissed her of happiness.
That evening during supper suddenly Pam let it become deadly silent.
“Mitch, I go with you to New York. Matthew also leaves for that town with his parents and we can live with them”, she said in between 2 bites.
“Great sis”, Mitch said right away.
Adam put down his cutlery and asked amazed, “So my 2 eldest children will leave home at the same time?”
“Yes. So my farewell party is also that of Pam”, answered Mitch.
“Then I am the eldest of daddy and mom. Does that also mean that I get your room?”, Lisa asked prompt.
Now the twins came in action at once by saying, “That won’t go through. We do come home for sure. You and Rose must take good care of Cody, Skip and Lucky.”
That was promised by Lisa and Rose.
Then Hoss said, “Adam, soon as the twins are away you have more time to help us with the work.”
“Hoss, you forget that I together with Sally still have 2 gals to raise them well and polite. You have 2 yourself too and Joe even 3. Poor wives of yours”, reacted Adam.
Then Betsy said, “Adam, sometimes you are weeks away so that Sally is stuck with the children.”
“That’s for the ranch. Besides the last few weeks I took the twins with me”, was Adam’s reaction.
“In the early days it would like that sometimes I had 4 fathers”, Mitch remarked.
“And still you have come out right. How is that possible?”, Joe asked teasing.
“Well uncle Joe, not in any case by you”, was the quick reaction of his nephew.
Everybody laughed.
“Because I’m his father, little brother”, Adam said dry.
Cora said, “Then the triplets and I may watch out when Joe comes up with a plan again.”
“The little ones will spoil it anyway or uncle Hoss will ruin it for him though”, said Pam.
Joe sighed, “What will I be glad when you both are away soon.”
His wife said, “Joe doesn’t want to admit it but he will miss you, Mitch and Pam, too.”
Mitch looked at his sister and asked, “Sis, shall we stay after all?”
“We do want that the little ones tease our uncle and father too when we are not around, don’t we?”, asked Pam.
Her brother nodded.
Then Mitch asked a for Ben nasty but for Hop Sing a funny question, “Grandpa, is it okay if Hop Sing goes with us? Mom, aunty Betsy and aunty Cora can take over his chores in the house. Alright?”
Yet before the rancher could react the cook said who had heard the question of Mitch, “Hop Sing eager to go along to New York.”
“Hop Sing, that’s a deal then”, said the young Cartwright.
“Mitch, you may be then my eldest and only grandson but that doesn’t mean yet that you also may take my, I mean our, cook take with you. I happen to know by coincidence that Mrs Walker can cook very excellent as well”, said Ben.
“It was worth a try”, said his grandson.
Not much later Joe came home with the post. He gave it straight away to his father.
Ben saw that there was a package from Honolulu included and said, “Joseph, get your nephew because post has arrived for him.”
Joe went outside where Mitch was busy teaching to pitch Rose and Inger over to each other.
Their uncle just watched it for a moment and said then, “I don’t understand why you go all the way to the other side of the country when you can be coach here too.”
“There I can be busy fulltime with baseball and here not”, answered Mitch.
“You have to come by grandpa because there is post for you”, said Joe.
Mitch walked to the ranch house and went inside.
“Uncle Joe said that there was mail for me”, the boy said.
“That’s right. I think that you will be very pleased with this”, the rancher said while he gave Mitch the package.
The boy looked at the address and said smiling, “It’s from Alexander Cartwright.”
He opened it and found in the package a book.
“‘The rules of baseball’. I can use this book very well too”, said Mitch.
He showed it to Ben and he was also impressed.
That same day a thank you letter went from the Ponderosa Ranch to Honolulu.
On December 27 a big farewell party was being held at the ranch. All known, friends and acquaintances of the Cartwrights were invited and had come too. Of course sheriff Roy Coffee and deputy Clem Foster were there too.
“Adam, how does it feel now the twins are leaving soon?”, asked Roy.
“Strange. But I do know that Lisa and Rose may leave home until they get married. And that happens when they are 35”, answered the eldest Cartwright boy.
“I wish you and Sally a lot of strength and success with that”, reacted the sheriff.
“Thanks”, Adam said smiling.
Then Ben took the word, “
First, I would like to say welcome to everyone at this farewell party for Mitch and Pam Cartwright. Normally they celebrate their birthday with their friends on this date but not this year. As most of you know is the dream of Mitch to become pro baseball player. Unfortunately due to an accident he can’t do that anymore. But my only grandson goes on January 2 to New York to become assistant coach with the New York Nuggets. His twin sister Pam goes with him because they can’t be without each other. We don’t like it but it’s their own decision and we must respect that. Let’s have a toast to 2 young and special Cartwrights: Mitch and Pam.”
Everybody toasted on the twins.
“Enjoy the party and the twins as long as you still can”, said Hoss.
Everybody laughed.
But there was harder laughter about the remark of Mitch, “As long as uncle Hoss can enjoy all the food. Especially the cheese and carrot snacks.”
Hoss threw a very indignant look at his nephew and said, “I really won’t miss his remarks!”
Again there was laughter which led to the reaction of Mitch, “I won’t miss his ones either.”
It was a very cozy party and the twins realized that they had to miss these sort of parties but they had made their decision to leave anyway.
Date: January 2 1879. The twins woke up with a strange feeling.
“Sis, today our new life starts”, Mitch said after a long yawn.
“Indeed. Would daddy come with us to New York?”, asked Pam.
“Till the train maybe. Mom won’t let him go to New York for sure. She won’t allow it. Daddy is older but he has nothing to say by mom”, answered her brother.
“But uncle Hoss and uncle Joe neither”, giggled his sister.
They laughed.
Specially for the twins Hop Sing had prepared a very extended breakfast. The Cartwrights let it taste themselves very well but yet the sphere was different than usual at the table.
“You are coming back, aren’t you?”, Lisa asked for the security.
Pam answered, “Of course we do come back. We will write too.”
“We will write to you as well”, promised Hoss.
“Uncle Hoss gets the addresses from all restaurants in town”, said Mitch.
Everybody laughed. Hoss gave his nephew an angry look.
After breakfast the luggage got brought downstairs and began the saying goodbyes..
Mitch went to sit by the old dog, stroke him and said, “Cody, it breaks my heart to leave you here behind. We have been through so much together. Take good care of Skip and Lucky and look out for the gals. But also be aware of them.”
He kissed him and Cody gave a few licks in return. Skip and Lucky came to sit by them as well. Lucky gave Mitch cuddles and Skip licked his little master. In return they got a stroke. Pam also said as first goodbye to their pets.
It cost everyone trouble to say farewell to the twins. While Hoss and Joe loaded the luggage into the wagon the twins said farewell to the others. Especially Sally had difficulty not to start crying when she said goodbye to Mitch and Pam.
“Mom, promise me that you come in the summer to us on vacation”, said Pam.
“I promise that. With Lisa and Rose on my side your father really can´t say no. Just leave now quickly before I´m really crying due to your leaving”, promised Sally.
Then Hop Sing came with 2 shoulder bags.
“Hop Sing present for twins. Bags full with cake and cookies”, said the cook.
“Thanks Hop Sing. We keep this with us”, said Mitch.
Then Adam came inside and he asked, “Are you coming?”
“I come too”, Rose said spontaneous.
“Let her go too”, said Sally.
That way Rose also went to Virginia City.
At the station Adam gave his twins each a package.
“What’s in it?”, asked Pam.
“Just open it. Then you know it”, answered her father.
The twins opened it and saw that is was a book. Adam got 2 questionable looks.
“This is the diary of your mother. She wanted that you got a copy of it when you left home. From the day that we met each other till the day she died. I have made 3 copies of it. You have each one and Lisa gets hers later”, he explained.
“Thanks daddy”, Mitch and Pam said at the same time.
Adam took his 2 eldest into his arms and kissed them loving full. Meanwhile Dan, Laura and Matthew Walker had come there too.
“Boys, your biggest fan also wants to say goodbye to you”, said Ben.
Now on turns Mitch and Pam took their little sister into their arms.
“We will miss you too. But if you go with us and daddy and momma stay at home they will miss you totally. Just ask if you want to come to us in the summer on vacation”, said Mitch.
“Alright”, Rose said with tears in her eyes.
She kissed the twins. Her brother and sister also had tears in their eyes. Fortunately for them and the Walkers the train was just coming. They grabbed their luggage and got on the train. Adam had his daughter tight and had it difficult too.
“They will make it. You have raised them well and so independent as possible, together with Mary and Sally”, said Ben
Adam answered, “That is so but New York is so far away and they are still very young.”
“You were barely 2 years older when you went to Boston. And you were alone. Mitch and Pam have each other + the Walkers. Dan and Laura see the twins as their son and daughter too”, said Ben.
They saw the train leaving. Rose waved until the train had disappeared out of sight.
“Let’s go to the ranch because life goes on. For you there is more work to be done now the twins are away”, the rancher said.
Adam nodded and with his father and daughter he went back to the ranch.
Now the twins weren’t living at the Ponderosa anymore that didn’t mean of course that there came peace and rest at the ranch.