The following includes original characters from "Bonanza". The following also contains historical and fictitious characters. Any characters may not actually be factually portrayed.

The Boston Brahmin

1: Old Meets New

The citizens of Virginia City faced significant changes, after longtime schoolteacher Abigail Jones married her longtime admirer, Hank Myers, and retired. Each school term started with a new teacher barely lasting the entire year. When the latest teacher, Miss Barbara Scott, decided to move back east at the end of her term, it was seemingly unlikely they would find yet another replacement. That is, until a young schoolteacher from back east responded to the inquiry.

Elizabeth Abigail Adams, or "Violet," as she was often called, had never travelled this far west before; only as far as the train rail would go. For that matter, the only Virginia "City" she had ever been to was in a Commonwealth along the Chesapeake Bay. This "Nevada Territory" would be a new and different place. (It hadn't even existed while she was attending school!) Forgetting her life behind, she was excited for a new beginning. Back east in Boston, everyone knew who she was. Anytime she met a new person, the first thing they'd ask is, "which side of the family are you from—that of the Revolutionary War Hero, or those Politicians from Quincy?" She'd be ecstatic if she never heard that again. Being an Adams, she already knew her heritage and the expectations set by those knowing her family history: it meant being a part of a large, affluent, highly respected, and well-connected family who mastered success; typically with no less than a degree from Harvard (and generally by practicing law, nonetheless). For once, to be normal, without the social pressures, would be a relief.

The stagecoach had reached. She looked out the window, looking at the new, seemingly hastily built structures, wide dirt roads and what appeared to be a main drag. The few roads here were very straight, unlike the winding, narrow, cobblestone streets in Boston and where she grew up in Quincy. When the coach halted, the driver escorted out a fair skinned young woman in her early twenties, with long dark hair, violet-blue eyes, and reddish-pink lips, in a fitted blue buttoned dress, bonnet, and matching shawl. She was greeted by the Colonel, a distinguished man with silvery-gray hair.

"Good afternoon, you must be the new schoolteacher, Miss Elizabeth Adams."

"Yes, but, you may call me Violet," she smiled. "My given name is much too formal."

He laughed. "Pleasure to meet you. I'm Colonel Scott, one of the board members. This is Mr. Hank Myers and his wife Abigail Myers. You'll be staying with them for the school year." She greeted a mousy-haired man and a brunette women with glasses. They appeared to be very welcoming.

The Myers lived in a lovely two story house with a balcony, with Abigail's mother, Mrs. Jones, not far off the main street. Mrs. Jones was quite jovial for an elderly gray-haired woman. Once reaching Abigail and Hank's house, they mentioned having a welcoming dinner at the Ponderosa later on.

"What is the Ponderosa?" She asked Abigail, as she saw her to her room.

"Oh, it's the biggest ranch in all of Nevada Territory. Hank has been working there for years."

She initially asked Hank what the Ponderosa was like.

"Oh, it's such a vast property. You'll see nothing for many miles...then, beyond the trees, you'll see the Main House." He described it as a large, two story building built by wooden logs. It included stables with horses and cattle, and a bunkhouse, which Hank initially stayed in with other cowhands before he married. She kept imagining it as an immaculate log cabin, as it didn't seem to resemble anything she'd seen back in New England.

The next challenge was wondering what she'd wear to such an occasion. Abigail and her mother helped her choose.

"I'd like to thank you for taking me in."

"It's no bother. Taking you in is like having another daughter around the house!" Mrs. Jones said gleefully while fitting her corset. "Well, if I were ever as well-proportioned—"

"Mother! She's our guest! Don't embarrass her!"

"What's there to be ashamed of? I was going to add she would certainly catch the eye of quite a few of the men in town, including the Cartwright's."

"The Cartwright's?"

"Yes. They're the owners of the Ponderosa Ranch. Ben and his three sons are well-respected around here."

Eventually, Violet had picked out a green, ruffled, off shoulder, evening dress, and had her hair braided around her hairline with a few curls around her face. The final touch? A two-layered beaded necklace which wrapped around her neck.

"My, what a lovely necklace!"

"Thank you Mrs. Myers. I have a few others, but this is my favorite. It initially belonged to my great-grandmother, and was handed down by a relative."

"Ah, a family heirloom...from four generations!" Abigail mused.

Meanwhile, back on the Ponderosa, Ben Cartwright, a well-built, silver-haired male was arguing with his eldest son, Adam, a tall black-haired distinguished man, about the new hire.

Adam was standing with his hands resting atop a chair. "I don't understand Pa, why hire another schoolteacher from back east? You know how long they last out here... ."

Ben stood near the fireplace. "Do you have any better ideas in that educated head of yours? Given the turnover and the options we have, we haven't much choice. Besides, the best teachers are from back east. And, need I remind you, unless Abigail Jones Myers comes back from retirement, the other alternative is you, son. In any case, she should be arriving today and we need to prepare for this evening. Remember, Adam, as you and I are members of the school board, we agreed to host a welcoming dinner here to meet her."

"Well, at least one of us did."

Ben's younger sons, Hoss, a tall heavyset man with lighter brown hair, and "Little"Joe, a smaller distinguished young man with darker brown hair, were coming down the stairs catching part of the conversation.

"Who's meeting who?" Joe inquired.

"Virginia City's new schoolteacher is arriving today, from Boston."

Joe whistled. "That's a long ways away from home!"

What's she like, Pa?" Hoss asked.

"I don't know yet. Hopefully she's smart, considerate, and dedicated. Most Boston girls usually are, from what I recall living there... ."

"Well, as long as she's kind and pretty, she'll be my kind of gal."

"Oh, Little Joe—to you, everyone is your 'kind of gal'." Adam's response annoyed Joe.

"Well, it's a darn shame Adam isn't a substitute this time around. He'd be too busy and tired to boss us around." Joe stopped himself short of laughing when Adam shot him a dirty look.

"C'mon Little Joe, Adam did a fine job fillin' in for Miss Scott some while ago."

"I know Hoss, but I doubt Adam wants to deal with rowdy kids again."

"I grew up with you two, didn't I?!" He was right, being six years older than Hoss and twelve years older than Joe, Adam was essentially "Pa, Jr.," when Pa wasn't around. "Well, coming from a large city like Boston, she'll have her work cut out for her adjusting to life out West."

"Now, Adam," Hoss reasoned, "I'm pretty sure everyone comin' here has to. It wasn't easy when we were still youngin's ourselves!"

"Alright, boys, that's enough! We'll have guests arriving soon... ."

While driving out to the Ponderosa, she was amazed at how spread out everything was, just as Hank had described. Having to ride out onto the property, but seeing nothing but trees here and there, some desert scrub, and suddenly a large wooden house appearing out from a clearing of trees, was something she imagined in folklore. It was truly a remarkably grand property.

After the men were ready, they heard horses halting out front. Ben opened the door and greeted familiar faces from the school board, and Mr. and Mrs. Myers. Then Colonel Scott ushered in a new face. "Hello Ben, good seeing you again. Mr. Benjamin Cartwright, this is Miss Elizabeth 'Violet' Adams, our new schoolteacher from Boston."

Ben offered a kind smile, a firm handshake and a "How do you do?" Before introducing Adam, Hoss and Joe.

"It's a pleasure meeting you," Adam managed to say, before being brushed aside by his brothers.

"My, your hands are soft," Hoss commented while greeting her. She laughed.

Joe kissed her hand and took her shawl. "Welcome to The Ponderosa. I'll be happy to show you around." He proceeded to show her around the great room where she noticed a massive fireplace, with longhorns on the mantle. "We have several thousand head of cattle with horns just like this...and over here is our special collection... ." There were several rifles lining the wall.

These men certainly like guns... . She thought, also noting the many who carried so openly this side of the Mississippi. She nearly expected to see moose or deer antlers, or even heads like the 'Mountaineers' of Northern New England."Do you enjoy hunting?"

"Sure, I suppose. We have mountain lions, wolves—"

Adam folded his arms. "Well, certainly on occasion, if need be, we have, but I can assure you that's not all we do around here."

"Nah, we mostly use them to scare off trespassers." He winked. "I like this one, myself." He pointed to one.

"If you're interested, we do have several books in the study."

"Yeah, I'm sure she's seen a lot of those back home, Adam."

"Well, we do have a library, but I wouldn't mind...is this where we are?" A map on the wall caught her eye.

"Yes. That's the entire spread of the Ponderosa in the Territory. On the other side of this Lake is California."

"Well, perhaps Adam can show you his and Pa's collection after dinner. Please, allow me! Our chef, Hop Sing has prepared roast chicken, peas, and mashed potatoes, tonight." He then offered his arm to bring her to a seat.

Adam rolled his eyes as he took his seat. "And here we go," he whispered to Hoss while motioning his head toward Joe.

Hoss chucked and shook his head, "I know, I know. 'Short Shanks' is always fallin' for the first filly he sees."

Meanwhile, everyone wanted to know about the new guest as Hop Sing, an Asian man with a long black ponytail, brought out more food.

"Well, Miss Adams, I don't reckon I've seen anyone eat peas so daintily." Hoss remarked at her sticking peas to her mashed potatoes on the bottom of her fork.

"It's hard to see anything when you eat too fast, Hoss!" Joe remarked. Hoss scowled while Ben shot Joe a look. His laughter was cut short.

"I suppose I picked up a few habits visiting my great-aunt. She initially lived overseas and insisted on European etiquette."

"I see," said Ben. "She must've been quite a lady… ."

"That she was."

Adam sipped his drink quietly, with a thoughtful expression on his face.

"How was your travel from Boston?" Ben asked.

"Quite long, but not horrible. It was fairly smooth until I reached the end of the rail in Kansas City. By the time I reached Carson City, the coach must have hit every rock on the way here!" Everyone laughed.

"I used to live in Boston many years ago...I met my first wife there...my father-in-law was a Sea Captain, and I was his First Mate. I used to enjoy the views of the Harbor in the wee hours... ." Ben was reminiscing.

"Sounds wonderful Mr. Cartwright."

Everyone wanted to hear of her experiences... her last school, the English High School...where she found her dress, about her peculiarly proper accent, which she hadn't realized made her stand out until she came here... . All the extra attention only made her more self-conscious.

She eventually excused herself to go outside on the porch. She looked out at the stars in the clear sky. They seemed so much bigger and brighter out here, somehow. It was then she heard a whinnying noise from a barn. She trudged over, and opened the door, finding a black stallion kicking his legs. She proceeded cautiously, waving her hands out in front of her to calm the horse down.

"Easy boy!" By now he had slowed down enough for her to pat his head. "My, aren't you a good sport! Your dark hair reminds me so much of my Thoroughbred back home. Her name is Shadow. Very spirited and restless. Except you're likely a Spanish horse? Now, I wonder what your name could be... ?"

"His name is Jupiter."

She turned to see Adam standing in the doorway. "I'm terribly sorry. I only intended to get some air, and heard a noise in the barn."

"It's alright." Adam led Jupiter back to his stable. "We heard the noise and I suspected Jupiter went loose, again. I'm just surprised you're unharmed. He's not one to stay contained...nor heed well to others, for that matter." Gauging her interest, he named off the other horses before turning back to her. "So, you keep a Thoroughbred? That's quite a horse."

"Well, a friend of the family boards her at their stable." It was actually not far from a racetrack north of the City. She wasn't going to give out too many details. (The last thing she wanted to give off is the impression that she was wealthy, reared in a large, inherited estate, whose family owned and occasionally raced for sport, when she really preferred to be average.)

"That must get expensive."

"They give us a reasonable price and have trusted them for years.."

"Good friends," he mused. They were walking back toward the house. "So, does everyone call you 'Violet'?"

"Most everyone. There are quite a few relatives named 'Elizabeth' in my family."

"Sounds like quite a large family."

"Something of the sort."

"Are any of them around here, or are they all back east?"

"They're mostly back in New England, save for some along the coast, and a few further away."

"So, you came all this way by yourself... ?"

"Yes, although I've never been out this far before... ."

"I imagine you travel often?"

"From time to time, mostly cities along the coast, such as to Charleston, and especially New York. On a few occasions I've visited Chicago, and St. Louis. And once, I went to New Orleans."

"Do you always travel by yourself?"

"Only to New York to visit someone." Then she added, with a polite smile. "You ask many questions, Mr. Cartwright."

"Well, you're particularly evasive, Miss Adams." He returned a slight grin.

"Oh, is everything alright?" Joe cracked open through the door.

"Yes, Jupiter went loose again."

"That 'ol Jupiter," he rolled his eyes. Then he winked. "Sweetheart, I saved you desert."

"Why thank you, Joe."

She decided had she stayed out any longer she would've forgotten the other guests; and that would be quite rude of her. Adam gestured for her to re-enter first. "After you," and followed behind her, annoyed at his brother's timing.

As the night wore down, she thanked Ben and his sons for their hospitality before leaving with the Myers for the night. On the way to their house, something she noticed kept pressing her mind. She asked Abigail once they got settled in.

"Mrs. Myers, is Mr. Cartwright married?"

"No ma'am. He's a widower. He, along with his sons are the most eligible men in these parts."

"Hmm... ."

Violet went to sleep revisiting her night with these four men. Ben seemed so welcoming, Hoss was shy, but very humorous...Joe was very much the charmer...and Adam she couldn't wrap her head around. Apart from their conversations outside, he was very reserved most of the evening; not saying much besides his few 'remarks', and listening to conversations and the occasional glance, or was it the other way around? Nonetheless, he was clearly articulate, but why was he asking so many questions? Why was she even thinking so hard over this instead of going to sleep?! Never mind that. These men...all seemingly so different, yet related...were quite interesting to her, and admittedly easy on the eyes...not that she was interested.

Meanwhile, Joe was raving about Violet. "Dear God, Pa, she's a beauty...and those eyes!"

Even Hoss seemed to go along in awe. "So smart, well-bred, classy... ."

"High class indeed." Adam appeared to be thinking out loud, and shook his head. "I don't know, Pa. There's something strange about her traveling out here alone."

"Well how else would she get here?" Ben inquired. "All the other teachers have done similar."

"This is different, Pa; they're either already living nearby or have family or relatives here to help them. Or they're poor and have nowhere else to go. She's different than most of the ladies that come here... ." There was something to be said about her refined manners and speech, her well-tailored, quality clothing of simplistic elegance, the absence of blemishes on her skin, being well-travelled, and owning a racehorse: they all suggested a certain understated privilege without boastfulness.

"Well, Adam, it appears you paid more attention to details than the rest of us. Sounds like quite a lady: Unusually independent for her age. Come to think of it, her last name is a fairly common one in Boston. Most I've come across, or heard of were involved in the community, and contributed to charities and such... . You know, before I was sailing with Captain Abel Morgan Stoddard, your grandfather, Adam, I once met a man from Quincy during a Presidential campaign, named Adams." Ben was scratching his chin and stopped with recollection. "John Quincy Adams. He won that election."

Adam was still thinking. "It would be quite a coincidence if they were somehow related."

"Oh, I don't know that for certain, Adam. Though I can imagine, even if by chance she were, she wouldn't want the attention. The Old Money, Boston Brahmin types, tend to be very private. I'm not one to assume these things."

"Neither am I, but she does seem to be private. She gave very vague details of traveling and not much about her actual family."

"You know older brother, if I wasn't used to how you pester people with questions, I'd tell you to 'mind your own business'!"

Adam was about to pound his youngest brother before Hoss stopped him. "C'mon Adam, y' know he's just foolin' around. He don't mean any harm now."

"Maybe Miss Adams can teach you English, Hoss."

This time Hoss picked up Joe by the collar. "And you—some manners—'Short Shanks'!"

"Alright boys! Stop this at once! We had quite a night already, and we have an early morning tomorrow!"

"You were right Hoss," Joe admitted. "I was fooling around."

The boys made their apologies, and all was well again.

"Pa, do you still have the teacher file?" Adam inquired.

Ben, confused, replied. "Oh, yes, I think Colonel Scott left it on my desk this evening."

Adam found a large file on his father's desk.

Puzzled, Ben asked, "You, um, looking for something Adam?"

"Mhmm." He replied, not looking up, as he flipped through the pages to the latest entry.

"Did you find anything?" Ben asked after a few minutes.

"Mhmm." He plopped the file down and grabbed a large book from the bookshelf. "Well, I'm off to bed," he announced, as he headed up the stairs. The brothers exchanged puzzling glances and shrugged shoulders before following after him.

Ben was the last to go up the stairs. "Why do I have a feeling there's going to be trouble on this Ranch?" He sighed.