The evenings became shorter so that the Cartwright family got together more often. Usually they played games then. So also that certain evening.
Because it was Saturday evening 5 year old Mitch was allowed to stay up a bit longer of his father Adam Cartwright. Already during supper Ponderosa ranch owner Ben Cartwright had said that they were going to play Monopoly. His 2 youngest sons Hoss and Joe looked at each other laughing.
Adam saw that and suggested, “Pa, because Mitch is playing too shall we let him be the bank?”
“That is a very good idea of yours, Adam”, said Ben.
Mitch thought it was a good idea too but his uncles of course didn’t.
Ben helped Mitch with setting up the game. The rancher let his grandson count the money whereby the boy learnt to count.
“Grandpa, I know that we are rich but this money included we are more richer”, Mitch suddenly said.
“If it was real money yes, son. Tonight it’s your job to control this money. You pay to us and we to you”, said Ben.
Mitch looked at him with almost squeezed eyes and asked, “You and daddy a bit more and uncle Hoss and uncle Joe a bit less?”
“That is your job. But mouth shut about this deal”, was the answer of the rancher.
Mitch nodded.
The Cartwrights began to play.
“Gentlemen, first we do a short round because the banker needs his night rest”, Ben said before start.
Now Hoss and Joe looked at each other amazed and worried.
“Pa, you are not going to tell us that Mitchy really is the banker, are you?”, Hoss asked concerned.
Hoss always called his nephew Mitchy.
“Yes, I tell you that indeed. Mitch learns to count by this and to play together”, answered Ben.
The brothers understood the reason why their nephew controlled the bank but still they weren’t at ease.
Once busy Mitch gave unnoticed more money to Ben and Adam so that later on they had more money than Hoss and Joe.
When Joe came on the most expensive street of the Monopoly game and it was property of Adam he had to pay the full price.
“Adam, I have no more money”, said Joe.
“Then your rent is for me and the rest is for the bank”, said Adam.
With reluctance Joe gave his money and property to Adam and Mitch. Not much later Hoss could do the same thing but then to Ben. Because Mitch wanted that his grandpa won the boy decided to go his father go bankrupt. By playing sneaky and with help from his grandson Ben could easily help his oldest son to get rid of his money.
“I have the strange feeling that someone in this house has worked together with another family member”, Adam said when he had lost his money and property too.
“Grandpa, can you bring me to bed?”, Mitch asked then.
“Of course”, said Ben.
The brothers wished Mitch good night and the other way around.
“Are you preparing the game for another round? Then I bring Mitch to bed”, said the rancher.
That happened and none of the brothers ever discovered what had happened during that 1st game.