Charity Diner
It was early December 2004 when Ponderosa ranch owner got an invitation for a charity diner. He opened the letter and read it. Although the letter was addressed to him the rancher didn’t feel like going on his own. He decided to give the invitation to 1 of his sons (Adam, Hoss and Joe) and grandchildren (Mitch, Lisa, Benji, Inger and Petra). The wives of Adam, Sally, and Hoss, Betsy, were exempt from going.
That evening the rancher said to his sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren, “This morning I got an invitation for a charity diner. I suggest that 1 of the grownups goes with 1 of my grandchildren.”
“Pa, shall I represent us?”, asked Hoss.
Hoss was the 2nd son of Ben.
“That is a good idea of you”, answered Ben.
“Then there must be a lot to eat”, Joe responded.
Everyone laughed because they knew Hoss could eat a lot and did.
“Why must one of us come along?”, asked Mitch.
He was the eldest son of Adam (Ben's eldest son) and also the oldest grandchild.
“Well Mitch, the proceeds of the dinner party go to the orphanage. There are children who are much less good than you do. Here you get a meal 3 times every day and they don't always. Moreover, the building of the orphanage is in bad condition and you have a firm roof above your heads”, the rancher explained.
“I'll come with me. Even if it's to try to keep Uncle Hoss in check in terms of food”, Mitch offered.
“That'll be arranged. It's next December 13th. It starts at 6:00 p.m. in Virginia City”, said Ben.
Satisfied Mitch went to sleep because the other little ones were already asleep.
Monday December 13.
Adam and Sally took care of that their eldest son looked neatly.
“Mitch, you behave yourself and don’t make too many sarcastic remarks. Make sure that everyone sees that we have raised you nice and polite”, said Adam.
“I promise all that”, said Mitch.
“I expect nothing else”, Adam said smiling.
Hoss and Mitch went away on time to come at the diner in time.
“What would we have for diner?”, Mitch suddenly asked.
Hoss answered, “I wouldn’t know. But what I do know is that it will be small portions.”
“So that is bite, chew course. Besides for you every portion in a restaurant is small for you”, was the reaction of his nephew.
“Very funny Mitchy”, said Hoss.
Arrived at the community house Virginia City uncle and nephew went to pay and sit at a table. Mitch looked around but didn’t say anything to big relief of Hoss.
Mitch was right because it were small bites they got served.
Hoss whispered, “Shall we on the way home get an XXL burger? These are all for me an aperitif.”
“If I get a milkshake we do it, Mitch said also on a whispering tone.
Hoss nodded smiling. Then a woman came up to the Cartwrights toe. It was Blanche Summer.
“Mr Hoss Cartwright, how nice to see you here with your son”, she said.
Hoss and Mitch looked at each other amazed.
“Miss Summer, this isn’t my son but my nephew”, answered Hoss.
Mitch looked away so that Blanche said to him, “You don’t have to be so shy. I am very good friends with your family.”
“If that is so, how come that I have never seen you before at the ranch?”, the boy asked then.
“Well, I am so very busy with everything that it just didn’t happen”, Blanche answered giggling like a teenage girl.
“You certainly must come by because my younger brother is still single”, Hoss suggested.
Blanche walked away screaming so that the Cartwrights had rest again.
“What a rest”, sighed Hoss.
When the dessert was served, Mitch quickly gave it to his uncle.
“Don’t you like it?”, Hoss asked amazed.
He knew Mitch had a good appetite, too, just like the other Cartwrights. “That is semolina pudding and I really don’t get that through my throat”, answered the boy.
“All the more there is for me”, Hoss said smiling.
After the meal the Cartwrights thanked the organizers and they went away quickly.
“Up to McDonald’s for an XXL burger, milkshake and a dessert because I didn’t have gotten that yet”, Mitch said in the car.
“I think about that too”, said Hoss.
The gentlemen made it taste good before they drove to the Ponderosa.
“Mitchy, next time we are not the volunteers to eat”, Hoss said on the way home.
The boy fully agreed with his uncle. They also decided not to tell their last course to the others.