Summary:  Caught in the middle of a family argument turned ugly and having to face his own irate father, Joe bears the brunt of both family’s wrath.  He isn’t the only one who learns something from the experience. Rated:  PG Deals with domestic violence (6,250 words)

Summary:  Little Joe is kidnapped. Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:  24,477   "I'm sorry, Joseph, but I did warn you what would happen if you failed to bring in your homework this morning, didn't I?” Miss Breckenridge said as she looked down at the small child in front of her. The little boy looked … Continue reading Blue Ice Crystals (by Carla) →

Summary: Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:  3844 Runaway Sleigh [Adam Encounters A Special Christmas Eve Visitor]   The sun had only just set, but the trail through the woods was already growing dark. Adam Cartwright urged his mount to a brisk pace through the light dusting of snow that covered the path. Sport … Continue reading Three Christmas Cards (by Debra P.) →

Summary:   (With appreciation to John T. Dugan who wrote ‘The Crucible’)  Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:  6600   PART 1 - THE ENCOUNTER   The noisy bustle of San Francisco’s streets was bittersweet music to the ears of Adam Cartwright as he walked from his hotel to the stage depot, his traveling … Continue reading Encounter with the Past (by Debra P.) →

Summary:  (With acknowledgement to Laurence Mascott who wrote the original episode)  Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:  1560 Previously:    For those who might not be familiar with this episode, I will summarize very briefly: Sam Bryant is the boss of a group of thugs who are terrorizing Virginia City and extorting protection money … Continue reading The Night After “Death at Dawn” (by Debra P.) →

Summary: Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:  2943   I knew that new jewelry store in town, Maxim’s, was gonna be trouble right from the start.  It’s a shame too, ‘cause Virginia City really needed something like that.  A lot of folks around here have been goin’ pretty far away to find an … Continue reading A Gem Without Price (by Debra P.) →

  Summary: Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:  2212   It was the end of a tiring day for the three Cartwright brothers as they made camp for one last time on the way home from a cattle drive. They had hoped to make it back to the Ponderosa before nightfall, but with … Continue reading The Tin Cup (by Debra P.) →

Summary:  (With appreciation to Norman Lessing who wrote the episode “The Actress” in which we learned of Adam’s friendship with the famous actor Edwin Booth.)  Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:  16,225   June 1865 - approximately two months after the assassination of President Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth   It was turning into … Continue reading Wandering Stars (by Debra P.) →

Summary: Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:  9955 PART I:   THE STAIN Ben Cartwright felt very strange as he watched the scene unfolding before him. He saw his oldest son walking down the alley toward the side entrance of the large building. There was an urgent feeling in his mind that he should … Continue reading Out of the Shadows (by Debra P.) →

Summary: Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:   14,000   As Adam Cartwright emerged from the Virginia City Post Office, he noticed that the stage was pulling in across the street. It was always a matter of interest to see who might be arriving in town, and Adam looked on curiously as the door … Continue reading Not Such a Stranger (by Debra P.) →