07x21 - The Lost Ones: Part 1

[bunniefuu]

[Colt whinnies]

Get the rest
of the supplies
left, andy.

Yes, sir.

There's some jerky
in the top drawer.

Ok.

I'm glad you can
take this load out
for me, charles.

I'm already
3 weeks behind.

Well, if you're that
grateful, how come
you don't pay me more?

It's already
taken care of.

What are you
talking about?

These folks
is paying top dollar.

No reason why you
shouldn't share
in it, is there?

No reason
I can see.

Man:
excuse me.

I'm looking for
mr. Garvey.

Well,
you found him.

What can
I do for you?

Well, the fella
at delivery said

You bought up
all his horses.

Guess
that's true.

Business has been
better than
I expected lately.

He also says
you're taking supplies

Into the hiramsville
gold fields.

Uh, that's right.
My son and I
are gonna leave

Right after we eat.

I see. Oh, uh,

My name's alvin cooper.
This is my wife sarah.

-Howdy.
-Hi.

Those are our
2 young'uns, cassandra
and james.

How are ya?
I'm charles
ingalls.

Very pleased
to meet ya.

We're part of
that wagon train
to hiramsville.

That train
went through here

More than 2 weeks ago.

Well, what happened
was, our...

Our mare decided
to give birth
on the trail.

[Whinnies]

Charles: that does
tend to slow you
down a little bit.

Sarah: we thought
she was a mite plump
when we bought her.

Alvin: heh!
Yes, sir. It came
by surprise.

Anyways, what
we're needing is
a fresh horse

And somebody to
lead us to hiramsville.

I'm told some of
that country is
awful rough.

Yeah,
you hear right.

This old girl over here

Is not gonna be going
any further right now,

But, uh,
she'll be fine in just
a couple of weeks.

If you could see
your way to tradin'
me a fresh horse,

I'd be glad to
throw in that colt.

Well, uh, i--

We'd enjoy
the company.

Well, uh, I guess we
could add some cash to--

No. No.
That's, uh,

That's
more than fair.

Uh, I'll be
glad to deal
with you.

Fine, fine.

That's real
nice of you,
mr. Garvey.

Uh, listen.
I'm not minding
my manners.

We're just
getting ready to
make some breakfast.

Would you care
to join us?

Oh, why don't you
let me tend to it.

We've got some fresh eggs
and a whole side of bacon.

I'm not
gonna argue.

Sounds good
to me! Heh heh.

James, cassandra,
you fetch 'em
from back there.

Yes'm.

Heh heh. Yeah, uncle jed's
a strange old coot.

Now, alvin.
[Charles chuckles]

Oh, I ain't
being critical.

It's the simple
truth, is all.

Uncle jed spent
near all his life

Gophering around in
one gold or silver mine
after another.

Albert:
did he ever
find any?

Plenty of times.
A few of 'em some
pretty big strikes, too.

He ought to be rich
by now.

Heh! He ought to be,
but he ain't.

Well, how come?

Oh, he'd spend it

Or lose it
or give it away.

It's hard to tell
with uncle jed.

If we have anywhere
near his luck,

We won't be
squandering it.

Are we gonna
be rich, ma?

Well,
I don't know
about rich.

We are sure
gonna try.

Anyways,
when his letter come

Invitin' us
to join him, well,

We didn't take
none too serious...

Till the crop failed.

Then it hit me
how farming

Can be just as risky as
hunting for gold,

And the rewards
not near as good.

So, sarah and me
talked it over,

Packed up,
and here we are.

Any more eggs,
anybody?

Jonathan:
none for me, thank you.

Charles: we ought
to be heading out
pretty soon.

Ok, I'll just
clean up.

No, no,
not necessary.

Andrew and I can
take care of that.

No, it'll
only take
a few minutes.

Cassandra,
will you hand me
those plates?

Well, you're
all secure
and ready to go.

I hope this horse
works out for you.

Thanks for everything,
jonathan.

-Thank you.
-You're welcome.

Here's your
bill of lading,
charles.

All right. See you
in a couple of days.

Yeah, listen.
That load
from mankato

Will be ready
for you when
you get back.

I'll be ready for it.

Have
a good trip.

-Take care, now.
-Bye.

[Crickets chirping,
frogs croaking]

Yeah, it seemed like
the world was
always getting

Too crowded
for my pa.

No sooner
settle on a place,

Then he'd
pack us all up
and we'd move on

To the big woods.

I guess
we carried on
that tradition,

But we're
pretty well
settled now.

Did you ever
fight any indians,
mr. Ingalls?

No, no. I never
fought any.

I had some that were
good friends of
mine, though.

-Honest?
-Mm-hmm.

What were
they like?

Pretty much
like you and me.

Really?

Oh, yeah.
Oh, they dress
different.

Their customs
are different.

That's about it,
when you boil it
all down.

Sure not
what I heard.

I heard
they're all mean.

Who told you
that?

From stories
I've read.

Charles:
oh, some were.
Some weren't,

Never any of
the ones that I
met, though.

Although they had
plenty of reason
to be mean.

The white man
never treated them
too well.

Still doesn't.

How come?

Well, mostly greed,
I think.

Sarah: james?

You best
get ready for bed.

Yes'm.

You, too, son.

Yeah. I'm tired.
Good night, pa.

Good night.

Nice boy.

Oh, so is yours.

Yeah. I'm right pleased
with my children.

James has taken
quite a shine to you.

Yeah? Oh, I thought
he was pretty much

Like that
with everybody.

Well...

Maybe not quite.

See, uh...

We ain't been
many places. We, uh,

Spent near all
our lives in michigan.

Oh, it's a nice place
and all,

But, uh...

It's getting
kind of crowded--

Like that story
about your pa.

Yeah, I know
what you mean.

Heh.

See, to james, you're
a true pioneer--

A romantic figure,
you might say.

Ho ho ho!
Come on.

Well, don't laugh now.
I am, too.

He looks at me
that way.

But, in some ways,

Well, both my children
look at grownups

As kind of heroes.

Got everything
figured out,

Can't do no wrong.

Heh! Heh! You should
have heard them

Go on about jonathan--

Regular giant out of
a storybook.

Yeah, well,
jonathan's son
feels the same way.

Well...

We might be seeking
riches in the gold fields,

But, uh...

That would be extra.

We already got
what's most important.

Amen to that.

Sure is pretty here.

Prettiest country
I've ever seen.

Well, don't get
too used to it.

It's all gonna be
different tomorrow.

We got some
rough road ahead.

I'm kind of tired.
I think I'll turn in.

I'll sit
a spell longer.

-Good night, then.
-Good night.

Good night, ma'am.

Good night.

Ohh.

Are you tired?

A little.

Are you
as happy as I am?

I think maybe I am.

Pretty steep hill here.

Can't wait to get
a look at it
on the other side.

Heh heh.

Hey, alvin?
It's a pretty bad one.

So I see.

Well, let's not
take any chances.

I'll drive
my wagon down,

Then come on back
and drive yours.

Uh, thanks,
but I'll manage.

-You sure?
-Yeah.

All right.
Suit yourself.

But take it slow.
Use that brake a lot.

Don't let the wagon
push on those horses.
Could spook 'em.

I'll be
real careful.

James: oh,
be careful, pa.

-I will, son.
-Here we go.

You walking or riding?

Given the choice,
I'll always
choose riding.

It sure is steep.

Yeah, that it is.

Our pa's
almost the best
wagon driver around.

I don't think
he's as good as
mr. Ingalls,

But he sure is brave.

Heh heh heh.
I'll bet he is, james.

You two sit down, now.
We're almost
at the bottom.

Yes, sir.

Whoa!

All right, alvin.
Bring her down.

Well, let's
get her done.

You best sit down.

Come on.

Easy.

Come on.
Slow that wagon down.

Easy!

Tongue's broke!
We're running loose!

Jump!

-No!
-I said jump, sarah!

-No! No!
-Jump!

No!

No! No!

-No!
-Jump!

-Aah! No!
-Come on! Jump!

No!

-Oh, ma! Pa!
-[Sobbing]

-Oh, my god!
-Jump.

[Both scream]

-Ma! Pa!
-Keep 'em here.

Oh, god!
Ma! Pa!
[Sobbing]

Mommy!

"I am the resurrection
and the life, saith the lord.

"He that believeth in me,

"Though he were dead,

"Yet shall he live.

"Whosoever liveth
and believeth in me,

Shall never die."

We'd best be going.

We'll give him
a little more time.

Man: 320...

32 And 50 cents.

Thank you
very much.

Folks are sure
gonna be happy
to see all this.

Here. New order
for you.

Yeah, well, I can't
promise delivery
for under 2 weeks.

Tell you what.
You get it here
in 10 days,

A $50 bonus.

50?

Goods are in
short supply.

And there's
plenty of money
around.

Things are
that good, huh?

You might say
for some.

Listen, you know a man named
jed cooper by any chance?

-Old jed?
-Yeah.

-Sure.
-Well, I've got
some business with him.

Do you know where
I could find him?

Uh, head north.

Follow the river
about 2 miles.

Good enough.
See you in about 2 weeks.

A man just told me
your uncle jed is about
2 miles downriver.

Mr. Ingalls?

Yeah, son?

We never met
uncle jed.

Suppose he
don't want us?

Well, he invited you
to come here, didn't he?

Yeah, but it just
being the two of us,

He might
change his mind.

James, let's not
worry about that

Until after we talk to
your uncle jed, all right?

Yes, sir.

We'll be there soon.

Excuse me.

I'm looking
for a jed cooper.

Next tent down.

Man with
a white beard.

Thank you
very kindly.
Come on.

You all wait
in the wagon
till I find him.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Cooper?

Yeah?

You're jed cooper?

Yeah,
that's me.

What can I
do for you?

I've got james
and cassandra cooper
in that wagon.

Alvin's young'uns?

Yeah.

Well, where's alvin
and sarah?

I'm afraid there's
been an accident, sir.

Bad?

Wagon went off the road.
They were both k*lled.

Good lord
have mercy.

Good lord
have mercy!

I was always
terrible fond of
alvin and his lady.

We ain't seen
that much of each other,

But they was the only
family I had.

You're all the family that
james and cassandra have.

I'm terrible sorry,
children.

Your ma
and your pa, well,

They meant
an awful lot to me.

We're glad to meet you.

Well,
I'm your pa's uncle,

So, uh, you can
call me uncle jed.

Ok, uncle jed.

Now, how about you,
little lady?

She's in shock--has been
since the accident.

Oh, poor little thing.

I, uh, I brought
their personal
belongings,

And brought
this.

It's what
little money
they had.

It's not much,
but it'll help.

Uh, mr. Ingalls,

I'd appreciate
a private talk.

Certainly.
We'll be right back.

You see this, uh,
claim I'm working?

Well, it'll, uh,

It'll probably
be my last.

I haven't been able to
come up with much yet,

But I got a funny feeling
I will in time.

[Sighs]
being alone...

Being alone,
it don't worry me
too much,

Uh, till lately.

'Cause i--i, uh,

I don't know how many
years I got left.

My, uh, bones are
starting to creak.

I get tired too easy,
and all that.

So--so
I got to thinking,

If alvin and his family
wanted to come here
and join me--

Well, you see,
I live alone
in the woods.

I've little more
than a shanty.

And alvin and me,
well, we could
build a proper house--

Proper cabin.

And, uh, with sarah
to take care of
the children

And the household
chores,

Well, we could work on
our claim together.

And everyone would be
a lot better off.

Am I making any sense?

Yeah, I think
I get your meaning.

[Sighs]
mr. Ingalls,

I can barely
take care of myself.

So, how can I see
to the needs of
the young'uns besides?

They need
schooling and...

Oh, if there...

If there were only
some way on god's earth.

I know this ain't
your problem, son,

But will you
take this, please?

And try to see
they get a good home.

Mr. Cooper, if there's
one thing this part of
the country's

Got plenty of,
it's orphaned children.

Well, couldn't you
just please try?

Uh, there's
an orphanage
in sleepy eye.

I suppose I could
take 'em there.

What else can I do?

I'll give them this
as a donation.

[Sighs]
you can--

You can see what
my position is, huh?

Yes, sir.

Don't blame
yourself.

It's hard not to.

If only I hadn't asked
alvin in the first place.

[Gulps]

I'll explain this
best I can.

You sit out here and wait.
It won't be too long.

Well, there's no denying
they're beautiful children.

It wouldn't surprise me
if they both found a home...

In time.

How much time?

No. That's
impossible to say.

Sometimes only a few
weeks.

And sometimes months,
even years.

I have to also tell you
this, sometimes never.

The older children get,
the more difficult it is

To place them.

I understand.

They'll be right
here in sleepy eye.

Andrew and I
could visit

And pay some
special attention.

And you're gonna be
coming through town

Quite a bit,
charles.

It wouldn't be like
they'd just be

With total
strangers.

Gentlemen, I hate
to tell you this,

The fact is they
can't stay here.

Why not?

We simply don't have
the room.

The orphanage has been
filled to capacity

For several months.

Well, what's gonna
happen to them?

Man: well, this is not
to say that we can't

Be of assistance.

I'm sure the state
facility outside

Minneapolis
can place them.

Minneapolis?

Woman: it's
a large orphanage

And very well-staffed.

Man: now, the train will be
through here tuesday morning.

I don't think there'll
be any problem.

And until then, well,

I'm sure we can
squeeze them in somehow.

That won't be
necessary.

They can stay with
me till then.

Well, I was just
thinking,

If jonathan and I really
work at it,

Maybe we could find
a family here in sleepy eye

That could adopt them.

Well, you're welcome
to try, of course.

But we are quite sensitive
to new availabilities.

Mr. Ingalls,
would you mind
if I made a...

A rather personal
recommendation?

No. Go right ahead.

Well, your sense of
responsibility

To the cooper children
is highly commendable.

It's something we don't
encounter often enough.

Yet it has to end
somewhere,

For your own sake.

Now, I think that
you have done everything
humanly possible

For the welfare
of these children.

There are just
so many like them...

So many.

Except these two
I know.

Well, then
unless you're prepared

To care for them
yourself...

I can't do that.

Then let go.

From here on out,

It's the state's
responsibility.

Thank you both
for your time.

Well, we got it
all talked out.
And, uh,

It looks like
you won't have to be
staying here after all.

You mean,
they already found
someone to adopt us?

No, not exactly.

You're gonna be
staying with me
for the next few days.

Charles: but why
don't you come on.

We'll--we'll
tell you about it
on the way.

Well, the little boy's
taking it awfully bad.

The little girl, uh...

I just can't
leave them right now.

It'll--it'll just be
until tuesday.

I love you.

Good-bye, darling.

[Sighs]

Charles, if--

If there was a way
of working it out, I'd...

Take them in myself.

Oh, I know that.
Me, too.

[Sighs]
I just feel
so useless.

[Exhales]

How is he?

He's
a little better.

Albert's
talking to him,

Trying to
convince him

An orphanage
isn't all that bad.

Jonathan, I'll be back
in a minute.

Where are
you going?

I just want to try
one more thing.

Why didn't you
ever tell me

You were
an orphan?

Just never
came up, I guess.

Look, being
in an orphanage,
it's not so bad.

Bad enough.

Hey, listen, there--

There are all these
other kids.

And you'll have
lots of friends.

I just wish
I didn't have to go.

Yeah, I know.

I know.

Well, what do
you say?

I don't know
what to say.

Look, there's
some money.

It's not a lot,
but they're not
gonna be

A burden
for a while.

-Charles--
-and jonathan and me,

We can scrape up
more when you
have to have it.

I've never seen you
like this.

Hester-sue, I have
to do something.

I know, but this is
a blind school.

They wouldn't fit in.
It wouldn't be right.

Well, just let 'em
live here.

They can go to
regular school.

Heh heh...

2 White children?

You have
white students here.

Blind students, charles.

And the blind
don't seem to have

Any problems
with color.

But you think james
and cassandra would?

No. What I'm saying is,

For those children
to live here with me...

I would have to
legally adopt them.

And there's no way
the state would allow that.

Yeah...

I suppose you're right.

Charles, you know me
well enough to know

That if I could take
those children, I would.

I know.

[Door opens
and closes]

There we go.

A good night's sleep
is what you need.

Mr. Ingalls?

Yeah, son?

Couldn't we...

Couldn't we
live with you?

I'm afraid not.

Why?

Well, if you could
see my house,

You wouldn't ask that.
It's kind of small...

Way too small for
the family I got.

Cassandra and me,

We wouldn't
take up much space.

We'd be real good
about our chores.

I mean, when
she gets better.

You don't know how much I
wish I could say yes, boy.

Please?

I don't want to
go on that train.

I'm sorry, son.

Now, get some sleep.

[Sighs]

[Footsteps descend ladder]

You want
some coffee?

Yeah, thanks.

That boy...

It really tears
your heart out.

I know.

But it's like
mr. Case said,

You got to let him go.

The state's
responsible for him now.

I just wish...

Just wish I had
a big house

And the means to
take care of them.

But you don't.

All this wishing ain't
gonna solve anything.

You got to
let them go, charles.

You got to let them go.

I know.

I'm going to
take a walk.

Excuse me. Are you
mr. Stevens?

That I am.
And I'll just bet

That these are
the cooper children.

Yeah,
that's correct.

Well, sir, don't you
worry about a thing.

I'll see that they're
well taken care of.

Appreciate that.

Have you ever
been to minneapolis?

We passed through there
with our ma and pa.

Oh?

Yeah. They've
only been orphaned
about a week.

Oh. Sorry.

Well, uh, we best be
getting aboard.

Mr. Stevens will
take good care of you.

Mr. Ingalls?

Yes, son?

I want you to know
that I understand

About you not being
able to take us in.

Uh, well,
I hope you do.

I mean, you have
your own family.

But you took
real good care of us.

We thank you.

Look, if you...

If you need anything,
you just write me,
all right?

Yes, sir.

There's just one thing.

I'm a lot better now.

And we're gonna
be just fine.

I know you are,
james.

Good-bye.

Good-bye, son.

Right there to
your right, son.

Now, I'll be by
and check on you.

Ok. Thank you.

Are we gonna
leave on time?

Uh, we're gonna be
about 10 minutes late.

Cassandra...

-Cassandra...
-[Sobbing]

I meant what
I said to mr. Ingalls.

You and me...

We'll always
be together.

We're family...

Even if there's
never anybody else.

We're going to be just...

Just fine.

[Whistle blows]

I'm glad the boy
said what he did.

You know, it's gonna be
hard for them.

Leastwise,
he seems determined
to get through it.

Then maybe
he will.

You don't sound
very hopeful.

Like you said,
it's a hard thing.

I overheard what
you were telling him
about orphanages.

You didn't make them
sound so bad.

I had to say something
to make him feel better.

What about the one
in sleepy eye? I mean,

Folks running that
seem decent enough.

Children seem to be
well treated.

Sure.

Small ones
like that
can be ok.

The ones
I'm talking about
are the big ones,

Like where
they're going.

None of the work
never seems to end.

Always being
bossed around
by people

Who don't
seem to care.

It's always too
hot or too cold.

Always feeling like
you never get
enough to eat.

Hmm, but the worst
is the fighting.

What fighting?

The big
over the little.

It never
seems to let up

Unless you can b*at
everybody else.

And I couldn't
b*at everybody else,

'Cause I was
too little.

And I tried.

By the time
I ran away,

I didn't trust
anybody or anything.

And I don't have to
tell you how I was.

Anyway, that's--

What's gonna
happen to them...

Leastwise, james.

[Train whistle blowing]

I'm going to try
to stop that train.

Hyah!

[Train whistle blowing]

[Hiss]

[Brakes hissing
and squealing]

You stay here.

What's the meaning
of this?

I want to talk to
the cooper children.

Well, what are you
talking about?

You--you just
put 'em aboard.

Do you realize
what this is doing
to my schedule?

It'll just
take a minute.

Now, I want you
to listen to me.
I've been thinking--

What if you two
come with me
to walnut grove?

Yes! Oh, yes!

Hey, now, hold on.
This is not permanent.

You just stay with us
long enough till we can
find you a proper home.

What if you can't?

Well, then I'm gonna
have to take you on
to the orphanage.

But at least it's a chance.
What do you say?

We'll go with you.

All right. Come on!

Hey, hold on there!
What--what are you doing?

Now, just a minute.
You can't do that!

Why not? I'm the one
that brought them here
in the first place.

Well, I don't know if
I can allow that.

Well, that wagon of mine's
gonna sit on the tracks.

For as long as
you don't allow it.

What do you think that's
gonna do to your schedule?

-Well, you wouldn't dare.
-I already have.

And how long you
want to spend
arguing about it?

Well, all right.

Just get that thing
off the tracks.

Dadburn kids!

We're all set, albert.
Climb aboard.

There you go, darling.

Give me those, james.

In you go, son.

-Pa?
-Yeah?

You sure are
something.

Say that after we find
these two a home.