Leroy Brown

As Hoss cut through the alley to get back onto the main street boardwalk, he pulled up short when he heard the faint whimpers of a child coming from behind some barrels and crates. He carefully pulled the rubble apart and leaned down. Hoss found a boy he thought to be seven or eight who turned away and hid his face against the wall behind him as he tried to stifle his cries.

"Hey there, young fella. Ya need some help?" Hoss saw the boy's head move back and forth refusing his aid. "Can ya come on out here and let me have a look at ya and make sure yur ok?" Hoss waited a moment and then added, "I promise I ain't gonna hurt ya."

The boy peeked over his shoulder and saw the gap-toothed smile of the man with the tall white hat. Dirty, tired, and hungry, the lad decided to take a chance. He swiped at his tear-stained, grimy face and got up. However, his eyes grew wide and filled with fear when Hoss also raised up to his full height.

"It's ok now, buddy. I know I'm a big 'un, but I ain't gonna hurt ya. What's yur name?"

"Le - Leroy." The boy whispered.

Hoss held out his large hand to Leroy. "Pleased ta meet ya, Leroy. I'm Hoss Cartwright."

Leroy tentatively took hold of the big man's hand. Hoss nodded and winked.

"Now, I'm feelin' mighty hungry. How 'bout you?"

Leroy nodded slowly, but then his chin dropped to his chest. "I ain't got no money, mister."

"Well, ya know what, Leroy, I jest happen ta have enough for both o' us." Hoss gave the boy a reassuring smile that went unseen.

Then Leroy raised his head and squared his shoulders to look Hoss in the eye. "I ain't allowed ta take no charity. My pa always says that Brown's don't 'ccept no charity."

Hoss forced a serious expression. "Well, I ain't one ta argue with my pa neither, that's fur sure." His face then grew soft and sympathetic. "So I was jest wonderin', where is yur pa?"

Suddenly crestfallen, Leroy's head dropped again. "I - uh - don't know. We came ta town yesterday. Pa went into the store and when he came out he said - he said-" The boy paused, unable to continue.

"That's alright, Leroy. Ya don't have ta tell. It don't matter none."

"Bad Leroy Brown - your nothin' but trouble. Bad luck - that's what you are," the boy choked out the words between sobs.

Hoss' eyes narrowed. "Hey now. Ain't nobody bad luck, 'specially not a young fella like you." Hoss reached out and gave the boy's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "I tell ya what, how 'bout we go get ya cleaned up a bit and get us a little somethin' ta eat, and then ya can come ta my ranch and do some chores fur me?"

Leroy looked up at Hoss with uncertain eyes. "You'd really do that for me?"

"Sure I would. Whatdya say?"

Leroy's face brightened. He held out his hand to Hoss. "You got yourself a deal, Mr. Cartwright."

Hoss gave the boy a toothy grin and took Leroy's hand and gave it a firm shake. "Alrighty then, let's not be wastin' no more time!" He placed his hand on the boy's shoulder and urged him toward the boardwalk.

Later at the local cafe, Hoss chuckled as he watched Leroy plow into his meal. "I like a man with a good appetite. Pretty tasty, ain't it?"

Leroy nodded with enthusiasm and continued to shovel beef stew into his mouth. Hoss scraped a portion from his own plate onto Leroy's when he saw that the boy was not slowing up. The big man picked up his coffee and downed what remained in the cup and began thinking about what he was going to do with Leroy Brown.

A few months later, Hoss was sitting at the kitchen table late one evening fiddling with his empty coffee cup lost in thought. His heart ached for Leroy. He had tried his best to find Leroy's father. He wanted to talk some sense into what he felt was a sorry excuse for a man, but apparently Mr. Brown did not want to be found. Hoss could not fathom a man abandoning his son. It brought up something from deep within and potentially ugly when he thought on such things. After many long discussions with his own father and then with Leroy, arrangements were made for the boy to live with the Horton family. The Hortons had a daughter of similar age, but had been unable to have more children. Everything pointed to the fact that Leroy would grow up in a caring home. This, however, did little to fill the void Hoss felt or quell the questions he had about his own life and his desire to have a wife and family.

Ben stepped into the kitchen and paused in front of the stove, interrupting Hoss' thoughts. "Mind if I join you?"

"Uh, oh, sure, Pa." Hoss gave his father a tentative smile.

Ben poured a cup of coffee and took a seat across the table from his son. "You looked like you were deep in thought."

"Oh - yeah. Jest thinkin' on Leroy. Wonderin' how he's gettin' on with the Hortons, that's all."

Ben pursed his lips following a sip of his coffee. "Of course. I'm sure he's doing fine. The Hortons are good people. I believe they will grow to love Leroy and he them."

"Yeah. S'pose you're right on that." Hoss heaved a great sigh. "Jest got real attached ta that little fella."

Ben's eyes grew soft. "Yes, hard not to. He is a good boy, despite all he's been through."

Hoss could only nod.

Ben continued. "Just wants to please and be loved. Like children do."

Hoss forced out a husky response. "Yeah."

They sat together in silence for a time. Though Ben wanted to offer further encouragement to Hoss that he had made the right decision, he also knew that only time would help to heal the wound that his big-hearted son had once more allowed himself to experience. The elder Cartwright rose and placed his hand on the strong shoulder of his middle son and gripped firmly.

"I'll leave you to your thoughts."

Hoss barely lifted his head. "Yeah, thanks, Pa."