Good-bye, My Lady (1956)

[bunniefuu]

["When Your Boy Becomes A Man"

by Morris Erby]

* When your boy becomes a man

* It's a glad thing

* You've done the job

that you've set out to do *

* You helped the lad to grow

* Taught him all you know

* 'Most everything

that's him is you *

* The starch in his stance

* The power in his glance

* The way he smiles

* Or doesn't smile

* The things

that make him glad *

* The things that make him mad

* All the things

that make him your child *

* When your boy becomes a man

* It's a sad

* Glad thing *

[crickets chirping]

[animal whimpering]

[laughing]

[animal whimpering]

[animal squealing]

[animal growling]

Uncle Jesse.

- It's you, Skeeter?

- 'Heard it again, uncle Jesse.'

Imagination.

Nothing like a boy's imagination

and him growing.

But I hear it again.

Heard it as plain as day.

This side of the river.

[grunting]

Heard it over yonder.

Like a ghost laughin'.

Only it wasn't scary.

That ain't no way to

tote an axe.

Way to go with a shotgun.

Wished I had me a shotgun.

(Skeeter)

Yes, siree, bobtail.

Little old renegade.

[animal whimpering]

Yonder up ahead,

just like you said,

Dead ahead.

And plain as day.

Downwind from us now.

Smell us sure.

Might as well rest a bit.

Uncle Jesse.

Yeah.

Did I ever have a mama?

Of course you did, boy.

Wasn't no finer woman in all

Mississippi than your mama.

And hair like that foxfire

across river, I told you that.

Never told me

about my papa.

Rain's heading in.

It's coming quick.

Do I ask Mr. Cash

down the store?

I reckon he'd tell me.

Knows something about

everything. Mr. Cash does.

That so?

Don't like him.

So, reckon I won't ask him.

Loves a nickel more than

a goat loves a gourd vine

Mr. Cash does.

Skeeter, don't you go to

running down old Cash

like everybody else do.

It weren't for Cash, you'd be

at the orphanage these 12 years.

I'd be a demon to tell you.

Reckon the cabin will be getting

too small for you to recline.

Maybe the swamp, too.

You run into the wind and be

flyin' off one of these days.

Everybody was

at your mama's funeral

from nigh, except me,

and Papa.

Me being her only brother,

I fetched you here.

And folks got to talking.

See, it ain't fittin'

and right for..

...an old coward

Jesse Jackson rear boy.

Got no call to low-rate

yourself, Uncle Jesse.

Then old Cash put a stop

to that orphanage talk.

"That boy is the swamp's proud,

he says.

"Oh, Jesse is

a swamp hickory.

"They belong together,

just like seed and the burrow.

"Leave 'em be",

said old Cash.

Mr. Cash said that?

Sometimes,

I wonder though

do I did you right?

You learn a young ones a heap

of things at the orphanage.

I know a mess of things.

Read and I can write.

Go to school, don't I?

Do, the road be

passable, you go.

You learn me to grab a snake by

the tail and snap off it's head.

They learn you that

in an orphanage?

Reckon not.

They learn you how to catch

a gator and sell the hide?

- Reckon not.

- Or how to hunt bee gums?

And cut a Cypress knee

so it'll sell good.

They learn you why that river

makes that singing sound..

...when the moon's

just right?

Be John Brown.

Wonder what they do learn

young ones at the orphanage.

[wind howling]

Wind's shifting.

My papa's name is Claude?

Same as me?

Yeah. I never could

go with that name.

I always called you Skeeter.

You want that I should

call you Claude?

Rightly fine name, Skeeter.

[laughing]

That's it!

Great day in the mornin'.

Come on.

Wonder what it is.

Dog.

Lickin' itself like a cat.

Don't know a dog lick itself.

That dog do.

[laughing]

Can't no dog laugh.

That dog can.

It smells us.

Can't nothin' smell that far.

[melodic music]

I'll be John Brown.

It smelled us.

Can't nothin' smell that far.

But that thing did.

Whatcha think, Uncle Jesse?

Just ain't natural.

Like a dog crossed with a cat.

And dogs and cats

ain't supposed to cross.

Like I told you,

sorta figured on catchin' it.

How do you aim to catch

something that can smell a mile

and run like grease lightning?

Might as well go home.

[music continues]

I aim to ask

old Cash about this.

Sharp as a brighter,

old Cash is.

Sorta hate to let

Mr. Cash in on it.

Let us have that sow for 23.75.

Been carryin' this,

from now a year.

Here.

Some day I'm gonna walk

right in to his store

and put every last bit of that

money right on the counter.

Then maybe I'll get me

some score bar teeth.

$65. Whoo!

It's a heap of money.

And there's only cheap

'lil buggers at that.

[melodic music]

Could I have a cup of coffee,

uncle Jesse?

Coffee ain't good for young

ones. Makes the skin yellow.

How big do I gotta be,

till I get a cup of coffee?

Oh, rightly bigger.

Not big like in arms

and legs but...

sorta growed up inside.

'Like a few hickory nuts?'

Reckon not.

You know, it's rightly nice

sittin' here by the fire.

Me and you.

Wanna catch that

swamp stranger myself.

Mr. Cash will try and hunt it

down and maybe k*ll it.

Me and Cash won't k*ll it,

unless it jumps us.

Get a few of his dogs,

come sun-up and run it

and see what it is.

I'll be along?

You'll be along.

Did I laugh at your story?

I'm rightly sorry.

You said you heard it,

I had no call to laugh at you.

[chuckling]

You know, there's one

thing in the world

I like better than

hickory nuts.

That's more hickory nuts.

Get me them roebuckers I'm gonna

eat a plate of hickory nuts

And enough roastiness

to k*ll a goat.

Might get them roebuckers with a

couple of gold teeth in 'em.

You know, I seen a fellow once

had six gold teeth.

Phew!

Say, bein' as you're

going to the store

better pick up some bakin'

powder and salt and things.

Want we should

make a list?

I'll remember.

You'll make it out,

or want me to do it?

You need to practice.

Bakin' powder.

Never can remember

how it spells.

B-A, bay..

'...K-I-N, kin.'

Bakin'.

(Jesse)

'Well, yeah,

Bakin's plain as day.'

'Shouldn't have

to write it twice.'

Don't put down powder.

That's a jaw-breaker.

Salt.

Lard.

Flour.

Tobaccy.

Put down chocolate drops.

Chocolate drops?

Don't think much

of chocolate drops.

Now, take gum drops.

I mean, I rightly

like gum drops.

Me too, all of us like gum

drops. Put down gum drops.

Whoo!

List this long, old Cash's is

gonna want a quart of wood.

I'll cut it before

you get back.

- I'm getting sleepy.

- Go to sleep then.

- Day-bust is still a ways off.

- Aim to.

[blowing loudly]

[instrumental music]

Goodnight, boy.

'Night, Uncle Jesse.'

Say your prayers?

Sayed 'em when

you said goodnight.

'Ought to get on your knees

to say your prayers.

You don't get

on your knees.

And so...I say mine

laying here in bed.

Suits me and the Lord.

'Whatcha you pray for,

Uncle Jesse?'

'Them roebuckers?'

Mostly.

Well, can I pray for that

shotgun? I might get it?

'Might.'

Well, can I pray I might catch

that thing in the swamp?

I might catch it?

'Might.'

Do I pray for both?

What about that?

That's too much prayin'.

It helps folks get

themselves in a mess.

Talkin' to the Lord

is something you do easy.

So, don't never

crowd him, boy.

[engine idling]

[dog barking]

Call that a quart of wood?

You said you'd have a quart.

It wouldn't cut hot butter.

Skeeter, how come it cut so

much wood with such a dull saw?

'You owe me a quart of wood.'

You'll get your wood, but a man

ought to be ashamed

putting off a no good saw

on a fellow.

Skeeter, there ain't nothing

wrong with that saw now, is it?

Brought your dogs,

didn't you, Mr. Cash?

'Course I did. Jesse told me you

jumped something in the swamp.

Ain't no telling

what it is.

Your dogs

will get it.

'Best dogs in the county,

Mr. Cash.'

Jesse, go get your g*n.

Lets get going,

I'll get my wood later.

Get them groceries,

Uncle Jesse?

Sure, he did.

Best list

I ever seen, boy.

Only you

messed up baking.

It's B-A-K-I-N-G.

'Spell it.'

B-A-K-I-N-G.

Now, don't forget it.

'Cause I ain't gonna

be tellin' you again.

You messed up flour too,

but we get to that later.

How about tobaccy?

That's a jaw-breaker.

Had it right.

[bolts rattling]

Come here, boy.

Come on.

[dog baying]

What's his name,

Mr. Cash?

Gabe. Fastest dog

in the country.

He'll catch that thing.

Hurt it?

'More likely not,

just tree it.'

It won't have a chance

against them hog-dogs.

You're not gonna turn 'em

loose less than you have to.

Ain't that so, Mr. Cash?

I aim to see

what that thing is.

If Ol' Gabe can't catch it,

Ol' Bark and Bello here will.

'They'd k*ll a bear,

if they jump him.'

But that thing

ain't big much.

'Size don't count, Skeeter.'

But it ain't hurt nothin'.

Them dogs will k*ll it.

If y'all telling the truth,

I aim to have that thing.

Don't bark, laughs.

Licks itself like a cat.

Skeeter, if I have to run it

all the way to Mobil

I aim to have it.

Here, Gabe.

[Gabe barking]

Gabe catches it.

Soon as he hits

the trail, he'll bait-h*!

Come on, Bello.

Come on.

Come on, Bello.

Come on.

[dogs barking]

Easy now.

Hold it, Bark.

[Gabe barking]

Here's where we seen it, Cash.

Right over yonder.

Sittin' on that log-walk.

Licking itself, just like

a cat, and laughin'.

[Gabe barking]

Never knowed him to take so

long, something's wrong.

He's messed up.

That thing's

just another dog.

Gabe ain't used

to huntin' dogs.

Might as well go on home,

that thing's long gone.

[Gabe barking]

Got it.

He's got somethin'.

[barking continues]

That thing's runnin' hard. Gabe

ain't even about to tree it.

[Bello and Bark barking]

Yonder it is.

It outrun Gabe.

Be John dog running braggit.

[barking continues]

Go get him, Gabe.

Bello's comin' in.

[dogs barking and snarling]

Keep that

head low, Bello.

[barking continues]

- Get off! Get off!

- 'Bello, get off him.'

'Get off him, Bello, Gabe."

'Come on, boy.'

- Come on.

- He got away.

Bark, Bello, you slab-sided

devil, shut up.

Outrun Ol' Gabe.

Jumped my hog dogs,

both of them.

The dog did out-done it!

I'm gonna tell you something.

Anytime a thing can outrun my

Gabe and whoop my hog dogs

I ain't messin' with it,

it's got a right to live.

I know when I'm whooped.

I'm goin' home.

I ain't gonna say nothin' about

that little thing out yonder.

Somebody's liable

to hunt it down.

- Come on, here.

- I'm gladly obliged.

Thought'll be like it's mine,

me seen it first.

Don't you say nothin'

about that

little ol' thing

out-running Gabe.

And whoopin' my hog dogs.

Come on, boy.

[slow instrumental music]

Maybe you won't

need me tomorrow.

Them corns gotta be cut,

but I reckon I can do it myself.

Well, I'd like to go out

and get that thing.

By yourself?

Yes, sir.

Maybe you're aimin'

to whittle it up.

No, sir.

I aim to take food out

in the swamp and just wait.

Got a feelin' that thing

wants us, as much as I want it.

Like a little coffee?

I'd like a little coffee.

[coffee trickling]

Put some cream in it.

You drink yours black.

Well, that's different.

I'm grown up.

That's enough.

[spoon clanking]

Pretty good coffee.

Yes, sir.

That's pretty good coffee.

How do the elements look?

Rainsy, up there.

[door closing]

It ain't gonna rain.

It's a mighty fine day.

One of the good Lord's best,

I reckon.

You see, he worked hard

on this one.

Tuckered hisself out, maybe.

But he made it just right.

- Well, I'll be gone.

- 'I'll be around

Takes after his mamma,

thank the good Lord.

His papa's hidden.

Walks like his papa too but..

...takes after his mamma.

[water gurgling]

[birds chirping]

[motor whirring]

[snoring]

[squirrel chattering]

* Who came to the river

and couldn't get across *

* Pay five dollars

for an old blind horse *

* Wouldn't go ahead

nor he wouldn't stand still *

* So he went up and down

like an old sawmill *

* Went out to milk

and didn't know how *

* Milked the goat

instead of the cow *

* Monkey sittin'

on a pile of straw *

* Winkin' at..

[instrumental music]

How come you're slippin' up

on me like this?

Why don't you come here?

Don't run away.

Now, come on!

Come back here!

Don't run away,

little ol' puppy dog!

Ain't going to hurt you.

Wouldn't hurt you for nothin'.

Please don't run away,

little ol' girl dog.

Got no cause to tremble,

little ol' puppy dog.

He ain't nothin'

but a little ol' dog.

Little old girl dog.

[instrumental music]

She's cryin'.

Be John dog if

she ain't cryin'.

Never seen no dog

that could cry before.

[dog barking]

Now, you're laughin'.

Come on, let's go home.

Me and you.

Come on.

[motor whirring]

[snoring]

(Skeeter)

'Uncle Jesse, I got it.

I got it, Uncle Jesse!'

[motor whirring faster]

[saw screeching]

I got it.

I told you I'd get it!

Well, now, I do declare.

That ain't nothing

but a little old dog.

Little old girl dog.

Does she ought to be barking

and growlin', she just laughs.

- Do tell.

- It's so.

Wonder how she'd

get around here.

Don't know, Uncle Jesse.

But I found her. She's mine.

Hey, that dog's been around

folks. She belongs to somebody.

Belongs to me, I found her.

Yeah. That dog's

a fern dog.

Maybe it's a Yankee dog.

You know how funny Yankees are.

I don't know much about Yankees,

thank the good Lord.

But that dog's been around

folks. Don't belong around here.

It does now.

Got me a dog, Uncle Jessie.

You sure have, boy.

What you aim to call her?

Ain't thought about it.

Maybe, Dicksie.

Half the dogs in this swamp's

named Dicksie.

How about Pal?

That ain't nothing

to brag on, either.

All the dogs ain't named

Dicksie's named Pal.

- And what about Trey?

- How come you think of Trey?

I used to know a song about

a dog named Trey.

"Old Dog Trey."

That'll be John Brown.

How come you think of Trey?

You used to sing that song

when I was a little boy.

That's how come.

Well, now I do declare.

You remember that, huh?

Well, that's a fair name

but it's for a boy dog.

Now, look.

I don't want to butt in.

You found her,

she's yours to name.

I want that you should

help me name her.

Well, how about...Gertrude?

- Gertrude?

- That's a pretty name.

No, I don't think

much of it myself.

I reckoned you wouldn't.

Knew a lady

named Gertrude once.

Way back long before

you got here.

She had p*nsy eyes and..

...was pure as just a God.

She punied up and died

a long time ago.

- We'll name her Gertrude.

- Not unless you want to.

But that dog is a lady

just like Gertrude was.

Keeps herself

as clean as a co*n.

Why, she don't

even smell like a dog.

She's a pure G lady.

Then let's call her "Lady".

How that sound? Lady.

You got it. Now, there's

a virgin name. Huh, Lady?

We got us a dog. Ain't we,

Uncle Jessie? Ain't we, Lady?

Well, I don't aim

for nobody to take my dog.

I have found her

and she is mine.

[instrumental music]

Hear me, Uncle Jessie? Ain't

nobody goin' to take my dog.

I hear, Jamie. Ain't nobody

gonna take your dog.

Come on,

lets get some sleep.

I've got to get that

wood cut tomorrow.

[music continues]

[birds chirping]

[Lady whimpering]

Water rat!

Ain't you got good sense?

Don't go runnin' into

the water after things.

Snake or gator will grab ya.

Didn't go to hurt

your feelings.

Didn't want you

to go get k*lled.

Just doin' it for

your own good.

Now you are gonna stay

right here and wait for me.

It's buttermilk day and I gotta

go over to the Watsons'.

You ain't going.

Now, stay there.

Stay.

[Lady whimpering]

Lay down, stay right there.

None of that bawlin' neither.

You gotta learn when I mean

business and I mean business.

Now lay down.

Lay down. Now stay there.

Stay there.

'Hi, Skeeter.'

- 'Hi.'

- 'Hi, Skeeter.'

- Hi, Skeeter.

- Hi, Skeeter.

- Hi Skeeter.

- Hi Skeeter.

- Hi, Skeeter.

- Hi, Skeeter.

- 'Hi Skeeter, hi.'

- 'Hi, Skeeter.'

- 'Hi, Skeeter.'

- 'Hi, Skeeter.'

How do ya'll Bonnie do?

About time you got here.

Come in and visit a while.

Ain't go long, just get

my buttermilk and head on back.

Thanking you just the same.

'What you gawkin' at?'

'Think you never seen

a white boy before.'

Scat! Scat, all of you.

And you, too.

[chuckling]

How come Jesse Jackson

don't cut your hair?

- Aims to, one of these days.

- Come on in the house.

Got a pitcher of sweet milk

just waiting.

Boys like you need sweet milk.

Don't like sweet milk.

Like coffee myself.

Coffee?

You mean to stand there

and tell me Jesse Jackson

lets a young one

like you drink coffee?

All I want.

Had me a big cup just before

I left the house.

He ought to be shot

with a wash tub.

Where's Gates?

Oh, he is out yonder somewhere.

You ask him about coffee.

Jesse Jackson, ain't worth

the salt to take the field.

And toolings at

the fans slot.

Howdy, Skeeter. How you been?

(Skeeter)

Pretty good. And you?

Ain't complaining.

Everything alright

at over your place?

- What makes you say that?

- 'Something's eatin' you.'

Nothing much.

Just me and Uncle Jesse had

a talk last night about dogs.

Know anything about dogs, Gates?

What's on your mind?

Uncle Jesse says that

almost any kind of a dog

can be trained to hunt birds.

I say that only bird dogs

can hunt birds.

'I'm on your

Uncle Jesse's side.'

You can train a dog

to do 'most anything.

Except maybe..

'...laugh, cry, things like

that, and talkin'.'

I'll tell Uncle Jesse

that you said he was right.

This little talk

Uncle Jesse and me had..

...no words, no hard feelings.

Just talk, you know how it goes.

You drop by anytime

you're over this way.

Much obliged.

Just happened to think, Gates.

Been hearing anything funny

over in the swamp lately?

Like a haunted laughing?

Not a thing.

[rooster crowing]

Heard anything about anybody

losin' a dog or something?

Not a thing, Claude.

[car horn]

Howdy, Cash.

Come for your wood?

Wouldn't do me

no good if I did.

The trouble is, you sold me a

saw that ain't worth a hooray.

Work myself to a frazzle tryin'

to keep it sharp and oiled.

And then it does itself up for

little old sticks of stove wood.

Come here, Lady. Come here.

Leave it alone, Lady. Going to

make a bird dog out of you.

Sure as the Lord

made little apples.

You can't go chasin' rats

or c*ons and stuff like that.

Here me?

[Lady whimpering]

Cut that out, Lady.

That'll learn you to

mess with rats.

Stop that bawlin'.

Now stay there.

Tell you the truth, Cash.

We already got us a dog.

The boy..

Shh.

[chuckling]

Oh no, so that's it.

'That's the thing that out run

Gabe and jumped my hog dogs.'

Mornin', Mr. Cash.

How do you like my dog?

Well it's a..

It's a dog alright, I..

I ain't never seen nothing

like it but it's a dog.

'Rat runner, huh?'

'Cash told me that he is

going to stick around'

'so I told him you

caught that thing.'

(Cash)

'But you didn't

tell me much.'

Never seen such

shut mouthed folks about a dog.

What you two up to?

Aim to hide her?

Can't hide a dog.

Good lookin' dog too.

- She does alright.

- Does she sure enough laugh?

Plain as day, cries too.

[laughing]

That's the beatenest thing

I ever heard of.

What is she good for?

Just rats?

Hunt anything.

Aim to make a bird dog out

of her, don't we Uncle Jesse?

Can't nothin' stop

us from tryin'.

Mr. Cash, you know what kind

of a dog I found myself?

I ain't even beginnin'

to about to know.

Well, you know anything about

anybody losin' a dog?

Ain't nobody around

here lost that dog.

I know one thing though.

'Boy just found himself a dog.'

Finders keepers too,

ain't it, Cash?

Finders keepers.

That the way things is

around here.

Got somethin' to

show both of you.

Come on, boy.

Come on, boy.

Come on, boy.

Here, come on.

Come on out here, boy.

[Jesse barking]

- What's his name?

- Mallard Fillmore.

Sir?

I said Mallard Fillmore.

That's his name.

What you doing namin' a good dog

a crazy name like that?

Tryin' to be funny?

Ain't you ever heard

of Mallard Fillmore?

I have been around

here all my life.

Never hear no such name

from man, boy, dog or goat.

Horse or mule neither.

Mallard Fillmore was

the President of United States.

Never heard of him.

Must not have mattered much.

So, I never heard of him.

Nobody ever named nothin'

after Mallard Fillmore.

- Lot of name to call a dog.

- Well, I aim to call him Mill.

But he is registered

Mallard Fillmore.

Registered? I ain't never seen

a registered dog before.

Ain't leavin' are you?

Reckon your uncle

Jesse will tell you

how come I drove

out here with my dog.

Reckon you oughta tell him,

Cash.

I reckon I will.

It's my place to tell him.

I brought Mill over

here figurin'

you and Jesse might

look after him.

Work him for me.

Figured something like that.

You all didn't aim to keep

that dog around the store.

- He needs workin'.

- But you got a dog.

Never knowed you'd found

a dog till I came out here.

Got room for two dogs.

I'd feed him good and take him

to the swamp every day.

No. I reckon not.

Why don't you come right out

and say it, Mister Cash?

My dog ain't good enough

to run with yours.

Now you actin' like I lower

rated your dog, and I ain't.

It's just that Mill's a very

fine bird dog and there ain't

no telling what yours is.

He runs rats.

If my dog runs with yours, he's

liable of learning bad habits.

I can't take a chance.

My dog's in the book.

Paid a $100 for him.

Your dogs in the book

and mine came from the swamp.

- Well, I aim to keep mine.

- I know how you feel.

I reckon I'll take my dog,

over to Watsons' and..

...let Gates look after him.

Just tell Gates, I said to keep

your dog away from mine.

And I'll keep my dog

away from yours.

You tell Gates,

we both said that.

'Come on, Lady, heel.'

'Heel Lady, come on Lady. Heel.'

Heel Lady, come on.

Might as well get

used to that rope.

Ain't no other way to learn you.

Now, heel. Come on.

Come on, Lady.

Heel. Come on Lady.

Heel Lady.

Can't learn nothing,

sittin' on your tail.

Now, heel. Come on.

Now heel, Lady. Now heel.

Come on, heel.

Come on, Lady.

Reckon we made a bird dog

outta one end of you.

We got ya off

that swamp walk.

Come on, Lady.

Heel. Heel, Lady.

Heel, Lady.

Heel.

[instrumental music]

Heel, Lady.

Reckon that's enough for now.

Innit, middle sun?

Can't no dog learn to heel a bit

faster than you done, Lady.

Maybe you've been

trained before.

You got another master, Lady?

Wish I could make

you understand.

My heart went yonder, it's just

that I love you so badly much.

Bird dogs take

a heap of trainin'.

Come on, Lady.

Come on, Lady.

My legs are plum wore out.

How about you, Lady?

Wish that I had me a shotgun.

Little old 20 gauge.

Me and you and a shotgun.

Yes siree, Bob Dale.

Lady, come back here.

Here Lady, Lady come back.

[bird twittering]

(Skeeter)

'Chicken k*ller, you k*lled

one of Gates' hens.'

'Ain't you got good sense?'

'Folks in the swamp will

sh**t a chicken killin' dog.'

Better, nobody find out

you k*lled that chicken.

Not even, Uncle Jesse.

Gates will miss

his big dominecker.

Sure as the Lord

made little apples.

No, Lady.

Lay down, stay there.

[animal screeching]

Ain't no use in whippin' you.

Ain't scared of a whippin'.

First rat you jumped,

you didn't know better.

Now you done it a second time.

Only way is to shame you good.

[instrumental music]

Maybe she was just hungry.

Maybe that's how come

she did like she did.

Rat dog. It ain't no

two ways about it.

You got a rat dog

on your hand.

Maybe she'll learn better.

It's hard to break a rat dog.

Might even be a chicken dog.

Can't believe the rat on.

Let her get a good bait of it.

- How long?

- All night.

Maybe, tomorrow too.

What do you think?

Hmm.

Dead rat ain't a rightly nice

thing around the house.

Like I told ya..

...maybe she was just hungry.

Any dog will go after

a rat if he's hungry.

Do she be hungry,

how come she don't eat?

Need a little stove wood.

Plenty in the box.

Won't hurt none to fill it.

[instrumental music]

Pink feathers,

chicken feathers.

Do you know

you k*lled a chicken?

Got yourself a chicken k*ller

as well as a rat dog.

[footsteps]

[door slams]

Can of bacon drippings

is too full.

I gave her a little bit of it.

Grease make her hide slick.

Good for the natures too.

Now is that right,

Uncle Jesse?

Me trying to learn

my dog to do right..

...and you up

and give her bacon grease.

Is that right?

You'd reckon not.

Didn't mean to butt in.

Felt sort of sorry for her.

Hungry, hiding under the bed.

Dead rat around her neck.

It's alright.

Just as long as

I didn't do it.

She's got to know I won't

stand for no messin' around.

Like me to read to you?

Yeah, I'd like

a little readin'.

Can't think of nothin'

I'd like any better right now.

Except maybe..

...some roasting ears

or something like that.

I should read

about the spaceman?

Let's have one about cowboys.

You know me.

You know how I...naturally

caught in the cowboys.

"g*n smoke at the Chuck Wagon."

Sure sounds like

a good 'un donut, Uncle Jesse.

Oh!

Hope it don't have

too many big words in it.

Big words sure ruin a story.

(Skeeter)

'"Lead flew like hailstones

around the chuck wagon.'

'"The pots and pans rang out

like a shootin' gallery.'

"And then the wind died away

and there was stillness.

"And gambling Dan lay dead

with his broc..

"...brocaded vest turnin' red

over his black heart.

"Calgo blew the smoke out

of his hot six-shooters

"and jammed them

back on his hips.

"Then he whistled to his mustang

waiting in the dry gulch.

[whistles]

""Let's drift, partner,"

he said softly.

"I'm ready now.""

The end, Uncle Jesse.

Sure was a good one.

cr*cker Jack.

[instrumental music]

Wonder how come ol' Cash didn't

name that dog Buffalo Bill.

Now, there's a name,

there's a name.

But Millard Fillmore?

Said your prayers?

Sayin' them.

[instrumental music]

Here, Lady.

Come here, Lady.

Learned that dog to heel yet?

She's a huntin' fool.

Whatcha mean huntin'?

You standin' here tellin me

that's a huntin' dog?

I'm standing here telling you

she pints anything.

She's doing rightly good

so far, Mister Cash.

Well, just this morning

I took her out and she cast.

(Cash)

What do you mean cast?

Well, just like I told you.

She cast this morning.

I'm from Missouri.

You got to show me.

Come on, Lady.

Heel, heel.

- Mind's good.

- You ain't seen nothin'.

Me and the boy

will show you a dog.

[chuckles]

(Skeeter)

Remember, Lady.

Like you did this morning.

Hup, Lady, birds!

I'll be John Brown. Castin'

a show as I'm standin' here.

Covering the field

like a

Beats all,

castin' like a bird dog.

Hound from pup to papa,

but castin' like a bird dog.

She's workin' fast.

We'll lose her

if we don't move on.

Never seen

nothin' prettier.

Acts like she's huntin',

but will she hunt birds?

Ain't sayin'. Ain't tried

to learn her to hunt birds.

Not yet.

[cicadas chirping]

Now, there's Gates.

What he's up to

this side of the river?

Howdy.

Uncle Jesse.

Chicken dog.

She's pointin' chickens.

She got birds.

You're crazy.

She's pointin' chickens.

She got birds.

I'm standing here

telling you she got birds.

It's chickens, Uncle Jesse.

Ain't no use

in sayin' it ain't.

That dog's pointin' chickens.

Go to your dog, boy.

Flush them birds.

Get her off that point. She'll

stand there till judgment day.

She's telling you

she's got birds

and you got to believe her!

[instrumental music]

[birds fluttering]

Great day in the mornin'.

My little old dog,

my little old dog.

Damn birds, casted,

pointed and held.

I told you she ate birds.

Seen it myself.

Me standin' right there

and seen it.

(Skeeter)

My little old dog.

my little old dog.

A hunter born, a hunter bred.

Can you sh**t over?

Ain't tried.

Can't sh**t quail until a cool

spell hits.

That'll be two,

almost three months.

Knowed she had birds.

Said right out loud

she had birds.

And she had em'.

(Gates)

Sure was a sight.

What them chickens doin'

over yonder?

Them your Dominickers, Gates?

They're mine.

Found a tree leaning

across the river

and got on this side.

How many get across?

(Gates)

'Seven.'

Find em' all?

Yeah, I found em' all.

I lost seven,

and I found seven.

Sure enough?

I'm rightly glad.

Good seeing you, Gates.

Drop by if your over our way.

(Gates)

Sure will, Claude.

Let's go, Skeeter.

Get a pencil and a tablet.

You folks gotta have supplies.

Yes, she...

knowed she had birds.

Spoke right out.

She had em'.

Supplies!

"Yes, sir", said old Cash.

"Jesse Jackson puts down

one of the best lists

"I've ever seen.

"In this order, he's one of the

best orders I ever filled.

"I'm gonna frame this list,

and hang it right

"on the registry", he says.

"Be John Brown, if I ain't.

"Why an order like this

is fittin' for a big house

"or a revival meeting", he said.

Oh, Uncle Jesse. Sure enough,

is that what he said?

Mm, said it right out loud and

the Evan folks heard him too.

Reginald folks will know

who's got credit around here

and who puts

down the best list.

Just look at

all that good stuff.

- Fed the dog?

- Yes, sir.

Gave her the last piece of that

old meat and pork and beans.

Give her some more. Give her

a hunk of that fresh meat there.

You and me is gonna

have us a can of peaches.

This has been a day.

Whoo.

(male narrator)

Dark days came

in steaming heat.

And the moon was red

and there was a ring around it.

The boy wrapped wire

around a stick

and taught his dog to fetch.

And when she bit hard,

she learnt better.

And then he got bird feathers

and tied them to a pine cone.

And she learnt to retrieve it

without crushing the feathers.

He worked her every day

while Uncle Jesse cut

Cypress knees in the swamp.

(Uncle Jesse)

I'll be John Brown.

She picked that thing up

just like she had a toothache.

Beats all, get out,

don't it?

Yeah, mouth's gettin'

rightly soft.

Why don't I cut awhile?

Cash said he could use all

the cypress knees we could cut.

You work the dog,

I'll do the cutting.

Hokes and Moby

must be plum crazy

paying out good money

for something like this.

It's mostly tourist folks

who buy 'em.

We had a tourist here

once, a Yankee

who got bit by a snake.

Snake died.

It's a fact.

She laughs all the time now.

Just laughs like

she's doin' what she likes.

Runnin' and huntin'

and having herself a time.

I do declare.

[raining]

[instrumental music]

Cream?

Cream.

That's enough.

Soon as it chills up,

'em birds are fittin'

aim to sh**t over em',

break it to the g*n.

Then sh**t me and you

a massive partridge.

Huh, Lady?

(male narrator)

And thus it was.

And one day was like the next

and the red moon wasted,

and the circle went away.

And autumn crept

down from the north

and brought the dry winds

that blew the clouds high.

And the ducks began flying.

And all night they passed

high against the moon.

The swamp shook some

of her leaves from her back

and dressed down

for the winter.

And then the trees

were naked and stark.

And waved their hard,

bare arms toward the river

that was belly full

and swelling yellow.

[engine revving]

Looks like he's

got old Mill along.

Up to something

bringin' his dog over here.

[car door shuts]

- Brought old Mill along.

- We was just saying it.

- It sure is a pretty day.

- Never seen one prettier.

Bobwhites whistlin'

through the broom straw.

Nice nip in the air.

Thought I'd come see ya'll,

bring my dog with me.

You are as welcome.

Yes. Don't see

why they can't run together.

Mine and yourn.

You had your say

a while back, Cash.

Now what you sayin'?

Sayin' I was wrong

that's what I'm sayin'.

Keepin' mine on the other side

of the river.

Even Gates said I was wrong.

Be rightly proud to have

your dog run along side mine.

Great day in the mornin'

You are good

to run with old Mill.

What you mean... good?

Means she'll learn

from him.

That's one reason why I brought

him out. To help you out.

That's rightly nice.

How's her hard mouth?

Been able to do

anything about it?

Sit.

Sit.

Sit.

Now, stay.

Stay.

Go pick it up.

Go pick it up.

Go on, Lady,

pick it up.

Bring it here.

Okay, Lady,

bring it here.

Come on.

Mouth soft as eiderdown.

She won't lose birds

when real hunting time comes.

Your dog do that, Cash?

Your dog ain't toed?

That's the trouble with you,

Jesse, always wasting things

like eggs and such.

It ain't wasted.

Me and the boy can eat it.

Hup, Mill. Birds,

birds, Mill. Hup, Mill!

- Quick, ain't he?

- Quick, alright.

And merry hale, too.

Hup, Lady, birds!

She ain't casting,

she just runnin'.

It's her way.

She run herself out.

Bet she'll be all the way

to Mobil pretty soon.

Better slow her down if you aim

to make a bird dog out of her.

- She's on her point.

- What you mean"point"?

Because she ain't casting.

If she's standing still,

then she's got birds.

Yeah, like the boy said,

she's got a point.

You call that a point?

That's a squat.

- She's got birds.

- Where's she got birds?

That clearin' is

as slick as a skillet.

Over yonder,

by that old stump.

- That's where our birds are.

- Now, wait a minute.

It's 50, 60 yards,

that old stump.

Ain't no dog can

smell that far.

He ran right by her.

Ought to honor the point

and backed her up.

She ain't on no point,

or old Mill would honor.

She ain't got no birds

and old Mill's still casting.

Now, there is a point.

He ran right by her.

Didn't honor a point,

didn't back her up.

Your dog's pointin', alright,

as pretty as I've ever seen

but where are the birds?

The birds are there,

I'll flush 'em.

I wish the season was on

and I had my g*n.

- Old Mill's got a covey.

- Sure has, Lady's covey.

Don't stand there saying my dog

sneaked another dog's covey.

Keep your shirt on,

I ain't low-rating your dog.

I'm just tellin'

he can't smell like Lady can.

My dog is a bird dog.

That thing of yours is a hound.

Are you going crazy?

There's quail by that stump. The

boy's dog find 'em first.

Mill can't smell as good as Lady

can. That's why he ran by her.

Got where he could smell

the birds and went on the point.

Pointin' the same birds

Lady's been pointin' all along.

Prove it. You throwed your bait,

back it up or back down.

But I saw--

You're tootin' for the sow and

for groceries you done toked.

I'm layin' the sow again,

double what I owe ya.

Fish and cut bait, Evans.

I'm puttin' the sow on the line

and I'm telling you

that boy's dog's got no

covey of birds over there.

Not that distance.

You go flush them birds.

If she comes off

that point--

You go flush them.

It's right where Lady's been

tellin' to stay on right along.

Come on, now.

Whoo!

Great day in the mornin'!

My little old puppy dog.

[dog panting]

I'm goin' home.

You got yourself a sow, Jesse.

- No hard feelings, Cash.

- No hard feelings.

I'm goin' home.

Stop by our place and have

a cup of coffee, maybe.

No. I'll be goin' home.

When I see a hound dog

that laughs

and points birds

50 yards away

I've had enough.

Don't believe it.

The dog ain't been born that

can smell birds at 50 yards.

- It points quail at 50 yards.

- Heard about it.

Of course, you can't believe

them swampers.

I might drive up there and have

myself a look. Wanna come along?

I wouldn't miss it for all

the catfish in Pascagoula River.

It might be nice to bring

a massive duck with us..

...to show we meant

to be neighborly.

[g*nshots]

(Jesse)

'Folks, I was sittin'

right here in this rocker.

'I'm tellin' you the boy found

this dog in the swamp.'

She can't bark at all,

just laughs.

The beatenest thing

you've ever seen.

'Folks come from north,

east, south, and west'

'to see this dog

you're lookin' at.'

Ain't been so much talk here

since the big freeze of '17.

I'll be obliged if you folks

put your name in the book there.

Daddy says I make the best

pickaninny doughnuts ever.

He wouldn't let me come along

unless I baked you'll some.

I'm rightly obliged, ma'am.

Thank you.

[car engine starting]

Lady. Come here, Lady.

The way folks

been feedin' ya

no wonder you won't eat bacon

ribbons and oatmeal no more.

[car approaching]

Better get set, Uncle Jesse.

Here come some more.

[children shouting]

- Alright, children, come on.

- Come on.

- Follow mama over there.

- Hurry up. Come on.

Come on, son, get out there.

Come on children.

Just don't believe it.

Now, folks, I'm sittin'

right here in this rocker

and I'm tellin' you the boy

found that dog in the swa..

Where's the boy?

He's out in the ridges,

doin' a little convincing.

- What's on your mind?

- Just dropped by.

I'd like to have a look

at the magazines I gave ya.

Help yourself.

What's on your mind, Cash?

What's eatin' ya?

Nothin's eatin' me,

I...just dropped by.

You ain't foolin' nobody,

something eatin' you bad.

This is it.

Quit beatin'

around the stump.

Fella come out from Mobile

last week to sell me some stuff.

Heard folks in the store talkin'

about that dog of Skeeters.

Everybody's talkin'

about her.

He come back this mornin'.

Showed me an ad in the magazine.

Here it is.

It's rightly nice of you to show

me just like I could read.

I ain't enjoyin' this, Jesse.

I want you to know that.

You, plain as day, ain't.

I'm listenin'.

What's it say?

It's about a breed of dog.

A..

A Basenji. Live in Africa.

You don't say.

One of the oldest breeds

there is, Jesse.

Goes way back before

Our Lord and Savior,

Jesus Christ.

Way back before Moses, even.

That old, huh?

Older than that.

Still a few of 'em

left in Africa.

Best huntin' dog there is.

Lady?

- She's got birds.

- Funniest point I've ever seen.

It's Lady, Jesse.

Sure as shootin',

she's one of them dogs.

Do she live in Africa?

What's she doin' way over here?

Workin' up to it,

don't shove me.

I ain't shovin' you.

'"Lost...Basenji female'

'"Lost...Basenji female'

'"in the vicinity

of Pascagoula swamp'

'"in the vicinity

of Pascagoula swamp'

"in Mississippi.'

'"White blaze on chest

and...white collar.'

"Answers to the name of

I...!sis of the Blue Nile.

"Old Brook Kennels.

"Old Lyme, Connecticut.

"Liberal reward for..

...recovery."

Pretty name.

!sis of the Blue Nile.

Never heard a name like that.

What's that got to do with it?

They're talking

about the boy's dog.

I know it.

Knowed it right off.

Just wanted to put off

thinking about it.

[g*nsh*t]

Holds her point

like she's deaf.

Yeah.

But is it 50 yards

to where them birds was?

One, two..

You mean, don't tell the boy?

You mean, you aim to tell him?

He'll find out.

With all these folks

flocking around here

somebody will hear

about it and tell him

with the reward and all.

It's your load.

I'll towed it.

But if it was me,

I wouldn't tell him.

That dog is the only thing

that boy ever had

that he could call his.

No, I wouldn't tell him.

That's you Cash and I am me.

You know how to run a store

and train bird dogs

but me...I gotta raise the 'un.

So I'll tell him.

Like I said..

...it's your load.

Like I said, I towed it.

Sixty, sixty one,

sixty two, sixty three.

Fifty yards is nothing.

That little dog of yours

pointed them quail at 63 yards!

How do you want your eggs?

I'll chop up some ham in little

bitty pieces so you can chew it.

Something eating you,

Uncle Jesse?

[sighs]

Something I gotta

tell you about.

Lady?

There's an ad in here

about a lost dog.

!sis of the Blue Nile.

It's a funny name.

(Skeeter)

'But they call her

Blue for short.'

He's talking about Lady.

I never heard

of a dog like that.

- Bas-Bas..

- Basenji.

Just never heard

of a dog like that.

He come from Africa.

- How do you know?

- Cash told me.

Sure hated to tell me.

Then how come he told you?

Oh, I...sort of trapped him.

Gotta get that ham chopped.

It's Lady, alright.

Ain't saying it ain't.

Just saying I never heard

of a dog like that.

Dogs like that have been

in Africa a long time.

Long before, uh

Our Lord and Savior,

Jesus Christ.

Before Moses, even.

How do you know?

Cash told me.

How does he know?

Someone from Mobile

told him.

If she belongs in Africa,

then what's she doing over here?

Somebody brought her over.

Maybe, them folks in the ad.

Brought her over here

and got lost.

It's about the way

it happened.

Well, I found her.

I found her

and "finders keepers."

That's the way the saying goes

and some folks holds to it.

How do you hold?

I ain't holding. You are

the one who's doing the holding.

Wouldn't know how

to do, Uncle Jesse.

What you think?

I don't know what to do.

I don't rightly know.

Might keep still like

nothing never happened.

Then, again, there's a heap

of folks who knows about it.

Somebody might put

two and two together.

It's all a set reward.

- Mr. Cash?

- Never in this world.

Cash loves money as good as

the next man but not that good.

But whichever way you jump,

I'm jumping with you.

You mean if I keep it, then

it's...it's alright with you?

They can bring the high sheriff,

the governor even

don't make no difference.

If that's the way

you want it

ain't nobody taking

no dog away from no one.

Then I'm going to keep her.

Then if that's the way

it's to be..

...let's get

them ham and eggs.

More likely, them folks

apparently forgot all about her.

It's an old magazine.

She's been lost

a long time.

Put on some oatmeal too.

No one around here

much reads magazines

except for Mr. Cash and Gates

so I'm going to keep her.

You said that once, there's no

use to keep talking about it.

[crying]

I ain't hungry.

You ought to eat.

[slow music]

!sis of the Blue Nile?

You know it.

You know it, alright.

Know it but you don't like it.

He'll find out.

Can't help but find out.

You'll never be mine anymore.

My little old puppy dog.

Poor little old puppy dog.

[crying]

You'd like a cup of coffee?

We got to do it,

Uncle Jesse.

Well, it's like I said,

you're doing the holding.

It's your load,

you got to towed it.

I aim to tow it.

Just don't know how to get

in touch with them folks

way up yonder and all.

Hm, you should

write them a letter.

It'll take too long.

Wanna get shut of it.

Since I got to do it,

I wanna do it quick.

Well, maybe send

them a telegram.

No, don't know how

to send one.

Me neither,

but Cash would know.

Don't want Mr. Cash in it.

Don't be hard on Cash,

he couldn't help it.

Gates would know.

Gates knows about

things like that.

- I'm going over to see Gates.

- Right now?

Right now.

You stay here, Lady.

Dirty damn crazies!

Not one crash and ditch.

[whining]

You telling them

you found her, Claude?

I got to. She ain't mine.

I'm bound to tell them.

We aim to send a telegram

but me and the boy

ain't never sent one.

How you do it?

I'm going into

Pascagoula tomorrow.

I'll send it for you

if you want me to.

Just walk in, big as you

please, and tell them

you aim to send a telegram for

Jesse Jackson and his nephew..

...about a dog.

What you gonna tell them?

That their Basenji has

been found and where it is.

That's all.

Wait a minute, Gates.

You knew about Lady.

Knew all along.

What makes you say that?

The way you said

the name right off.

Easy as you please. You didn't

even stare at the magazine.

Basenji?

You know'd about that dog?

In a way, I did, I suppose.

Since you put it that way.

I knew right off, it was

a Basenji and mighty valuable.

Mr. Evans didn't know about it,

I didn't know about it.

How come you know'd about it?

Well, I heard it

down in the swamps

about the same time

you folks did, Mr. Jesse.

A dog that couldn't bark,

a dog that laughed.

- So I read up on it.

- You tried to catch her?

Yes, sir.

I knew she's worth

a lot of money.

Why didn't you tell me, Gates?

How come you let me play

all along like she was mine?

I just did, that's all.

I was down at the spring

the day you found her.

I put out baits, but she

wouldn't come to me.

(Gates)

'I saw her go to you.'

'And that's all there is to it.'

Should have told me.

Wouldn't have been so hard

to give her up...at first.

I wish now that I had.

But I just couldn't

tell you, Claude.

'You had yourself a dog'

'and I just couldn't

throw you.'

[slow music]

I don't want Claude mad at me

but I just couldn't tell him.

He'll get over it.

You done right.

He'll get over it.

I never saw anybody

aching so hard, Mr. Jesse.

(Jesse)

'It's mighty pretty writing,

I can tell that.'

'But with my glasses busted, I

can't read nothing that close.'

My name's Grover,

Mr. Jackson

from the Old Brook Kennel

in Connecticut.

As soon as we got your telegram,

I flew down to Mobile.

- Rode in an airplane, did you?

- Yes, sir.

Well, now, ain't

that something.

Uh, is the dog here?

It'll be back directly.

Boy's out walking her somewhere.

- Is she in good shape?

- 'Fit as ever.'

How is she eating?

Same as us. Oatmeal, bacon fat,

and things like that.

A valuable dog like !sis

should have meat once a day.

Why, now, I do declare!

Meat every day, huh?

And here we've been feeding her

the same sort of stuff we eat.

You might as well come up

and sit a while.

I'm anxious to get

back to Mobile.

I can get a plane

back home tonight.

I don't wanna hurry you but I've

come a long way for that dog.

You sure have.

What did you say

your name was?

- Grover.

- First or last?

Last. My name's Walden Grover.

Was he a president too?

[slow music]

- If the reward isn't large--

- Reward?

- Done forgot about that.

- Alright.

I don't own the kennel,

I only work for it, Mr. Jackson.

But I've been authorized

to pay you a 50 dollar reward.

- That's a lot of money.

- I ain't saying it ain't.

I'll pay you as soon

as I get the dog.

I don't want trouble,

but legally..

Trouble?

...the dog belongs to us.

You ain't gonna have

no trouble, Mr. Grover.

As soon as the boy gets back,

well, you'll get your dog.

No offence.

I just thought you might not

want to give up the dog.

We don't, but she's yours.

Naturally, I hate to take

a dog away from a boy.

Now, hold on a minute.

Ain't nobody taking

nothing away from nobody.

The boy found your dog,

and she's yours.

But there ain't nobody taking

nothing away from nobody.

I didn't mean it that way.

You know, I don't like this

anymore than you do.

This bozo is a bit touchy.

Come on in and we'll have us

a cup of coffee.

Ain't no sense in us having

a set-to out here

about this thing, is it?

Okay.

Ain't never seen no pants

like them before, Mr. Grover.

[slow music]

Ain't much but it's ours,

mine and the boy's.

I've never been inside

a house like this before.

It'll do.

It's sort of crowded though.

Figure on adding

another room for the boy.

He needs another room.

Is that where he sleeps?

Him and the dog.

You know how it is

with a boy and a dog.

Yes, I know.

Trouble with boys is...

they grow up.

[slow music]

You just drive back down the

road to Mr. Alfie Evans' store.

Tell the old cashier, a friend

of mine, and wait there.

Me and the dog and the boy will

be in as soon as he gets back.

(Grover)

If that's the way you want it,

that's the way we'll do it.

[car engine starts]

[crying]

Some folks say that old

Jesse Jackson ain't no account.

But I say it depends

on how you look at things.

If he said he'd bring that

dog in, they'll bring him in.

So why don't you sit down,

take that load off your feet?

Wait a minute,

here they come now.

Jesse, this here is Mr. Grover.

You two done met.

Howdy, but we ain't shook.

This is Claude.

Sorry, I was late.

Didn't know you'd

get here so soon.

Here's your dog.

You've taken good care

of her, Claude.

She looks good.

She's a bit touchy right now.

Washed her down at the bayou.

She didn't like it.

I'm sorry about this, son.

In a way, I wish we'd never

found out about her.

Know'd all along

I couldn't keep her.

So, that's alright.

Know'd something would happen.

Here's your reward.

You can count it.

- Ain't no use of that.

- It's a lot of money.

It's a lot of dog.

That's more that fifty dollars.

It's a hundred dollars.

The dog's worth

every dime of it.

I suppose, you'd be

breeding her.

Yeah, that's right.

I was just thinking,

with all that money

maybe Skeeter could buy

one of her puppies.

Don't want one of her puppies.

Then I'd always

be thinking of her.

If she's going..

...then I want her to go..

...and not always

to be thinking of her.

I was going to say

I'd write you

and let you know

how she was doing.

But I won't do that, son.

'I know how you feel.'

Ah, I wanna

get back to Mobile.

Better get going, I guess.

Blue, Blue.

Come on, Blue.

Come on, Blue.

'Blue...Blue.'

'Blue.'

'Come on, Blue.'

Lead her out to the truck,

would you, son?

Ain't I done enough, mister?

Brung my dog in.

Why I should be the one to take

her out and send her away?

You're right,

you've done enough.

You paid me fair.

I'll take her out.

Come on, Lady.

I hope Lady don't

cut up none.

The boy's aching, I hope she

don't make it no tougher on him.

Things can get here so tough

and no tougher.

And Mr. Grover's aching too.

I always heard Yankees

are hard and uppity

but he ain't, he'll do.

He's alright,

if you know him.

Oh, some are hard and uppity

and some ain't.

That's the way Yankees are.

They can't help it.

I know myself a lotta

mighty good Yankees.

There ain't no use

in overdoing it, Cash.

There ain't no use

in stretching it.

Come on, Lady.

[Lady whining]

Lady, don't cry.

Lady, don't cry.

[Lady whining]

[whining continues]

Don't cry, Lady.

Goodbye, my Lady.

[whining continues]

[whining continues]

[slow music]

They'll take good

care of her, Skeeter.

She's a very valuable dog.

I reckon so.

We'll be going back home

whenever you're ready.

I had myself a dog.

You can always say

you had yourself a dog.

(Cash)

'Gates was in

early this morning.'

'Me and him figured we might

send ol' Mill out to your place'

'and let you

look after him for me.'

- I'll pay good.

- I reckon not.

We had us a dog.

But I'll look

after him, Uncle Jesse.

Be good to have

ol' Mill around.

And I'll do all the work.

I figured you didn't want

another dog around.

I like ol' Mill.

He barks and everything,

like I'm used to.

Lady will be better off

way up yonder.

Yankees feed dogs

meat every day.

That's what the man

told Uncle Jesse.

Gates will bring him

over in the morning if..

...your Uncle Jesse

don't mind.

I don't mind.

Whatever the boy wants.

The man said it was

a hundred dollars.

That's what it is,

a hundred dollars.

How much 'em Roebuckers cost

for Uncle Jesse?

Good 'uns will ruin

that hundred.

There's cheaper ones

but good 'uns come high.

Now, wait a minute.

We won't do that.

You heard the boy.

He told me to order

'em Roebuckers, it's his money.

That's what I said, Uncle. Told

him to order 'em Roebuckers.

I don't want 'em that bad.

Been talkin' about

roastin' ears and hickory nuts

and things like that

but I didn't mean it.

- I'm doin' alright.

- I want the best ones.

If it takes every cent

of that $100

I want the best ones there is.

You'll get good 'uns,

I'll order 'em tonight.

More than likely,

there'll be enough left over

for a downpayment

on the 20-gauge.

That's what I want..

...if there's enough left over.

Little old 20-gauge.

Me and..

...and ol' Mill

hunting some birds.

I figure you'll might

like some coffee

before you start back home.

There's a nip in the air.

I'd rightly like

a cup of coffee.

Drink mine black.

Think about Claude.

Drinks his black, too.

Claude does.

Black and stout.

* When your boy

becomes a man *

* It's a sad

* Glad thing *