For a few days Adam Cartwright noticed that his eldest son 11 year old Mitch was behaving strange. The boy was silent and absent. He didn’t even play anymore with his little brother Benji and little sister Lisa van 2.
One afternoon Mitch laid on his bed in his room looking at a picture of him with his mother Mary. Suddenly the door went open but Mitch had enough time to put the photo away. The boy saw Benji and Lisa coming in.
“Mitch are you coming to play baseball?”, asked Benji.
The twins had their baseball gloves with them.
Mitch went to sit and said groaning, “Get out of my room!”
The children ran frightened and upset to the living room where their parents Adam and Sally were. They received the children and comfort them.
“What is the matter?”, asked Sally.
“Mitch is angry”, said Lisa.
Adam knew enough and said, “I will talk to your brother.”
He went to the room of his eldest son. After having knocked Adam entered the bedroom.
“What is the matter with you these days? You keep silent all day and now your mother and I had to comfort the twins because you had said something in a rough tone”, said Adam.
Mitch reacted directly fierce with, “She’s not my mother but my stepmother!”
“Sally does see you as her own flesh and blood son though”, answered Adam.
He noticed that something serious was bothering Mitch but knew also that the boy wouldn’t volunteer to tell it.
“Has one of the hands said something to you?”, Adam asked carefully.
“Can grandpa not fire that new hand?”, Mitch asked suddenly.
Adam said, “If you mean that Bert Davis, perhaps yes. But then there must be a very good reason for it.”
Mitch showed then his right forearm and answered, “This is what he had done this morning. I was feeding the animals when he just hit me.”
Adam saw that the right forearm of his son was full of black and blue spots.
“This is a very good reason for firing. And what the little ones is concerned, keep your room door closed from now on. They still can’t get to the door handle”, said Adam.
Mitch nodded. Together they went to the living room where the youngest made his apology with Sally and the twins. Sally put ice on the black and blue spots while Adam discussed the problem with his father, Ponderosa ranch owner Ben Cartwright.
Ben heard everything and said then, “Can you bring Mitch in here for a moment? First I want to hear his story before I undertake action.”
“I will get him”, said Adam.
He went away and Ben reflected the whole situation. The rancher had noticed often that Bert Davis was bothering Mitch very much. Then he saw his oldest son and oldest grandson coming in.
“Mitch, tell what Bert Davis did to you”, Ben said worried about the answer.
Mitch sat down and began to tell, “When that new one came I noticed right away that he had it in for me. That same morning I caught him by my bike. I said something about it and then he hit me with my bicycle padlock. But I wasn’t allowed to say anything. In the afternoon he forced me to do his work. He also pesters me that my real mother doesn’t live anymore. How he knows that is a mystery. This morning he slapped me on my arm because I was feeding the chickens wrong according to him.”
“Mitch, do you miss mama?”, asked Adam.
The boy nodded.
“I still miss her too. Even though I’m very happy with Sally. She knows this and accepts it too. But I also know that mama wouldn’t want that you miss her. She waits for us at the heavenly Ponderosa together with your 3 grandma’s”, answered Adam.
“Mitch, the death of your mother was great local news at the time. But out of respect we kept ourselves at the background then”, said Ben.
The men realized that they had a big problem whereby an 11 year old little boy was involved. But yet before the Cartwrights could do anything about it Bert stroke already.
Bert said one morning, “Mitch, I have 1st row tickets for the San Francisco Giants against the New York Mets. If you want you are going to it.”
At first the young Cartwright didn’t trust it but when the hand showed the evidence Mitch rose to the bait.
“I pack a bag and then we go”, said Mitch.
So said, so done.
In a short time Bert and Mitch were to San Francisco. Arrived in town Mitch noticed that he had fallen into the trap.
“What are you such a big geek. You really don’t think I buy expensive baseball tickets when I don’t even love baseball?”, Bert asked laughing.
“How can somebody not love baseball?”, asked Mitch.
Bert gave him a smack whereby the car slipped and the hand lost control over the wheel and also his wallet. Quickly Mitch took it away and he grabbed the money inside. Here after he grabbed his backpack and fled away. Bert turned the car and drove away laughing in a big speed.
Mitch walked to the bus station.
“Can I help you boy?”, asked Simon Keller, the ticket seller.
“I have been left behind all alone and I want to go home”, said Mitch.
“And where is your home?”, asked Simon.
Mitch answered, “Ponderosa ranch near Virginia City.”
Simon looked into the computer and saw that an hour later a bus left for Virginia City.
“In 1 hour a bus leaves for Virginia City. How old are you?”, he asked.
“Eleven”, Mitch said gave the money.
“Then you still travel for half price”, said Simon.
He grabbed the needed money and gave the ticket and change to the young Cartwright.
“Thanks”, said Mitch.
Simon showed which bus stop Mitch had to have and he went to it. To pass the time Mitch drew the area and the car of Bert who took him away from the ranch.
Ben had told the others what Bert Davis had done to his grandson. The youngest son of Ben Cartwright, Little Joe, discovered as first that his eldest nephew was gone. The door of the room of Mitch stood open while that is normally closed. Little Joe went into the bunk house and looked around.
“Are you looking for someone Joe?”, asked foreman Candy Canaday.
“Bert Davis and my nephew Mitch too. The door of Mitch’s room is open but the boy himself is away”, answered Little Joe.
“Davis is away too?”, Candy asked amazed.
Little Joe answered, “Die Bert Davis has just intimidated, bothered and mistreated Mitch. And now they are both gone.”
They went to the other Cartwrights.
“Pa, Adam and Sally, Mitch is missing”, said Little Joe.
His brother looked at him worried.
“What is the matter with Mitch?”, asked Adam.
“Away, gone, missing”, answered Little Joe.
His father and sister-in-law couldn’t believe it either.
“Bert Davis has also trackless disappeared”, said Candy.
Ben said, “This is no coincidence anymore. Davis is fired and as soon as my oldest grandchild is back again you may have him. On condition: that the children are no witness of it.”
“Deal pa”, said Adam.
Little Joe and Candy also looked forward to it.
The Cartwrights searched for Mitch but didn’t find him.
“Adam, as soon as Mitch is home again we give him a mobile phone”, said Sally.
“I already had planned to do that”, answered her husband.
They looked at their twins who missed their big brother. But they missed their eldest too.
Simon had told the bus driver about Mitch and he kept an eye on him. During the bus ride the young Cartwright was busy with his drawings. Gradually he realized all that had happened. He hoped that his parents would believe him.
Bert parked his car and saw another hand Griff King. He walked up to him.
“Where is everyone?”, asked Bert.
“Mitch is gone. All hands must search. Order of Mr Cartwright”, said Griff.
Bert went into the ranch house and said to Ben, “Mr Cartwright, I just returned from San Francisco. Mitch forced me to bring him there to go to a baseball game.”
“Mitch forced you to drive him to San Francisco? That sounds strange to me”, Ben said amazed.
“It is still so”, said Bert.
Quickly he went away but the rancher didn’t trust it at all.
Quite soon Bert saw Adam.
“Adam, I have bad news for you”, said the hand.
“Tell”, Adam said worried about the news.
“Your son Mitch forced me to drive to San Francisco for something to do with baseball. But when I had dropped him off at the stadium of the Giants the boy got hit by a bus. He was dead at once”, Bert said with a stony-face.
Quickly he went away before Adam started to ask annoying questions. The eldest Cartwright boy got tears in his eyes when the news got through him. He went inside where Sally directly noticed that he needed her.
“Adam, what is the matter?”, she asked worried about the answer.
“Mitch has died. Bert saw it happen near the stadium of the San Francisco Giants. He had delivered our son where after Mitch got hit by a bus and died instantly”, Adam said with tears in his throat and eyes.
Sally took her husband into his arms and let him cry. Betsy came in, felt trouble and went to get her father-in-law, husband Hoss and brother-in-law Little Joe. They came right away and got to hear from Adam the news.
“There are no baseball games in February at all. I’m going to inform if this message is true”, Ben said deeply shocked.
He went to his office and phoned the police in San Francisco.
“My grandson Mitch Cartwright is in San Francisco and has had a deadly accident near the stadium of the San Francisco Giants. At least that’s what my hand says. But I don’t believe the story”, said Ben.
“Mr Cartwright, there has been no deadly accident near the baseball stadium. We can go look for your grandson or is he able to come home on his own?”, asked the policeman.
Ben answered, “Mitch can take care of himself. Thanks for the information.”
He went back to his children and told the news.
“So that die Davis lies through his teeth? I kill him!”, Adam said furious.
“Adam, you take rest with your wife and children. Go with them to our old cabin near the water. We do the rest here”, answered Ben.
“I won’t let me chase away by such a liar”, reacted Adam.
“We go there when Mitch is back too”, Sally said determined.
Adam agreed.
The bus stopped at the bus station in Virginia City. Mitch recognized it because he had been there often. When the bus drove again and the young Cartwright saw what the next stop was he got an idea.
“Driver, do you drive pass by the Ponderosa ranch? I mean the ranch house”, said Mitch.
“I come pass there. Why?”, asked the driver.
“I live there. Would you like to stop there?”, the boy asked hopeful.
“I do it only for you”, was the answer.
The driver drove on a bit faster and stopped at the old bus stop which was still there.
“Good luck son”, said the driver when Mitch had gotten out.
The boy nodded. He grabbed his backpack and walked on the path which led to the big ranch house. Suddenly he saw Cody running towards him.
“Cody! What have I missed you”, Mitch said laughing when the shepherd dog first had run him over and then licked extendedly.
He hugged the dog and together they walked home.
Adam was busy with his work at the yard when he heard Cody barking excited. He looked up and saw his eldest coming
“Mitch!”, he said relieved.
The boy ran into the arms of his father and broke down completely. Mitch started to cry enormously so that Adam brought him to is room on the ground floor.
The dog remained by his little friend. Adam put Mitch in bed where the boy cried himself to sleep. Adam trucked hi son in and looked at the dog.
“Cody, stay with the little boss and make sure that nobody comes in”, Adam said seriously.
“Woof”, said Cody.
He got another stroke on his head. Cody went to lie down in front of the bed of the sleeping Mitch and was guarding. Adam locked the door outside and went via de room door to the hallway through to the living room.
Ben asked, “Why was Cody so excited?”
“Because Mitch is home again. He’s asleep now and Cody guards by him. I don’t know how Mitch got here but he broke down completely. Is that Davis still here?”, asked Adam.
“Unfortunately yes. He claims that he knows nothing about the disappearing of Mitch. But we think that he is behind it. Just deal with him on behalf of your son”, answered Ben.
Adam nodded and went to look for the hand. Underway he ran into Hoss. Quickly Adam told his brother what he was going to do.
“I help je”, Hoss said smiling.
Quite soon they found Bert who became nervous.
“I have permission from pa to deal with you. And Hoss helps me with it”, Adam said smiling.
“I am innocent”, said Bert.
Though he made the mistake to instead of hitting Adam to hit Hoss. Of course Hoss didn’t take that and he hit Bert upon the yard. By his accident the hand ended up against the corral and he broke his neck. The brothers looked at him and came to the conclusion that Bert was dead.
“He is dead”, said Hoss.
“Thanks on behalf of your sweetest eldest nephew”, answered Adam.
“Pleasure older brother”, said Hoss said satisfied.
One morning Adam and Sally sat by their eldest. Mitch was already a few days home but slept most of the time. Suddenly he woke up and saw his parents.
“How is it with you?”, asked Sally.
“Better than when I came home again. I am hungry and thirsty though”, answered Mitch.
Adam suggested, “I will you a nice bath while your mother bakes some eggs with bread for you.”
“Alright”, said Mitch.
That happened.
During the bath Adam said, “If you want to go to the grave of mama to be with her you surely may go. I must try to let you go now you are becoming bigger and older.”
The reaction of his son wasn’t gentle because want Mitch said, “You won’t become any bigger but older. Soon you will see Abraham.”
“That will take another few years. First let me become 44. I really hope that Lisa and Benji don’t become as quick-witted as you”, answered Adam.
“That will be the case”, Mitch said where after he got another gush of water over him.
In the kitchen Sally baked a few eggs.
“How is it with Mitch?”, asked Betsy.
“He is a bit better but not yet the old one. Mitch will tell it us one day”, answered Sally.
Mitch came with Adam into the kitchen and got his meal. Then the boy gave his sketch book. Adam looked at it for a second and knew enough. Sally and Betsy saw the drawings too.
“Mitch, I will scan the drawings and you get a new sketch book from us. I don’t want that you ever see these drawings ever again”, said Adam.
“Fine. Is that Bert still there?”, the boy asked in between 2 bites.
Adam answered, “No, your uncle Hoss has given him a deadly smack. It’s over.”
Adam and Sally took he children to the cabin near the water to get over everything and to come to rest.
After their homecoming the Cartwrights noticed that everything was back to normal because Mitch played outside a lot again with his little brother and sister. By the recent events especially Mitch appreciated his family more than before.