Proud Rebel, The (1958)

[bunniefuu]

Whoa.

Morning, sir.

Can you tell me what

the next town is?

Aberdeen.

Aberdeen?

Not Scotland, Illinois.

Scots settled it, that's

how come it got the name.

There's two miles

over that rise there.

Pretty big town, now.

Big enough to

have a good doctor?

I hope to tell you.

Man or animal, Doc

Davis is the best.

Got his office right across the

street from the barber shop,

can't miss it.

Thank you, sir.

Just a minute, that bridle.

If my eyes are as sharp

as I think they are,

you're a Southerner.

That's right.

Well now, ain't that funny?

Here I am headed south, and

here you are headed north.

That evens things up.

Well I hear you're going in

the wrong direction, mister.

I hear there's a lot of

money to be made down there.

I don't know anything

about scavenging.

Scavenging?

You're pretty huffy for

a grayback, ain't ya?

The w*r's over, mister.

Here we are.

Come on, David.

Sit, Lance.

Wait here, Lance.

Come in.

Dr. Davis?

Yes, friend.

Something I can do for thee?

Well, I don't know.

Then what is it

you want from me?

You both look good and healthy.

I'd like you to examine my boy.

He's a fine looking lad.

What's thy name, son?

David, David Chandler.

Thee tell me, son.

Doctor, he can't talk.

Oh.

Would thee mind if I

had a look at thee, son?

Oh, don't like

doctors, I take it?

Hmm?

I'm not the first he's

been to, I can see that.

Well, I suppose he's tired

of having a lot

of snoopy old men

looking down thy throat, eh?

Come on, I'm not

going to hurt thee.

Come along, now.

That's a good lad.

Now open thy mouth.

No, wider son, wider.

Eh, that's better.

How long has he been this way?

A year.

How did it happen?

He had a shock.

Wait outside, son.

What did the other doctors say?

What do you say, Doctor?

Can you help him?

This isn't as simple as a

broken arm or a broken leg.

This is different.

Come to the point, Doctor.

The point is, that this is something

none of us know much about.

Some doctors claim it isn't

in the throat at all, but up here.

Mr. Chandler, sometimes

I wish I were a minister

instead of a doctor.

A minister could give thee hope.

A doctor can only

give thee facts.

You mean it's hopeless.

No, no, no, there's always hope.

And faith, does thee have faith,

Mr. Chandler?

Some.

They need a lot of it, or

they grow awfully bitter.

And bitterness can

become a bad habit.

Same as w*r.

Now of course, there's

an outside chance

that he can be helped.

Have any of the other

doctors suggested

any kind of treatment?

No.

An operation might help,

an operation by the right man.

By you, Doctor?

No, no, no, I wouldn't try

that kind of surgery.

I was thinking of an

old colleague of mine.

You think he can?

Maybe.

But it's no use

thinking about it.

He's in Minnesota

with a Dr. Mayo.

Whereabouts in Minnesota?

Rochester.

What's his name?

Strauss, Dr. Eli Strauss.

Strauss, Strauss.

Wait, hold on.

He's not going off

just on my say-so.

Wouldn't you?

I don't know.

But I think thee would.

Mr. Chandler, take my advice.

Make the best of what thee has.

Will you write and

tell him I'm coming?

Of course.

I can see it's no

good talking to thee.

Thee's a stubborn man.

I can't pay you now.

But I'd like to know what I owe.

Is money the only way

to pay for something?

The gates of heaven will

open wide to a poor man.

I'll have no trouble getting in.

- Thank you, Doctor.

- Don't thank me now.

Thee may want to damn me

after thee gets there.

Gotta go to Minnesota, David.

There's a doctor there.

I know how you feel, son,

but we gotta keep trying.

He may be the one

we're looking for.

I knew you'd understand.

Come on.

Come on, Lance.

Hey Harry, them

sheep are blockin' the way.

Get them moving, Lance.

Go get 'em boy.

That's what I mean

by sheepdog, Pop.

Come on, guys.

Come on, Lance.

Down, boy.

Be with you in a minute.

No candy this time, David.

We'll need food, good food.

I know.

Thank you Mrs. Schumacher.

Good day sir, what

can I do for you?

My boy and I were

just passing through.

I need a few things.

I could judge that.

Can you judge silver?

Sterling?

$30 worth.

Not anymore, they ain't.

Maybe before the w*r.

A lot of silver coming

up north, lately.

It's worth more now, but

I won't argue with you.

What'll it barter for?

Oh, say $10 worth.

20?

Split the difference

with you, how's that?

$15 will buy a lot of groceries

and a whole case of candy.

- That's the best you can do?

- The best.

I could leave myself a

little room for profit.

Take out what you need,

and we'll total it all up.

What's the matter,

what happened?

Leave that dog alone.

We seen the dog runnin'

loose in the alley

and we figured he's a stray.

Well he's not.

- Our mistake, I guess.

- Shut up, Tom.

- Come on, David.

- Just a minute.

You don't think we were

tryin' to steal him, do you?

That's strong talk

in sheep country.

I don't think anything.

I just don't want any trouble.

You one of them graybacks?

Why, sure he is.

Look at them Wellington boots.

I don't like talkin'

to people's backs,

I ask you something.

Yes?

Yes, what do you mean, yes?

The name's Burleigh,

Jeb Burleigh.

All right, Mr. Burleigh,

I'm from the south,

if that's what you wanna know.

Come on, David.

Wait a minute.

I'd like a little respect.

I told you before, I don't

like people I'm talkin' to

to walk away from me.

Look at me.

You look at me

when I talk to you.

I'm lookin', but I

don't see anything.

Come on, David.

- Come on Jeb, let's get out of here.

- Not so fast.

You just don't go around

accusin' people of stealin'.

How do I know he's your dog?

Maybe you stole him yourself.

Whose dog is he, boy?

I told you, he was mine.

I want the boy to tell me.

Whose is he?

Talk up, boy.

What's the matter with

you, can't you talk?

Whoa, whoa!

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Are you all right?

Are you all right?

What, what is it?

What?

What is it?

My name is David Chandler

of Atlanta, Georgia,

I cannot speak.

I don't expect much

from your brother,

but I certainly do from you.

How many times have I got to--

What do you want me

to do, just stand there

and let that grayback

scum insult me, is

Stop your shoutin'.

- What do you mean?

- Stop it, stop it!

Well he started it, Pop.

Well maybe he did,

and maybe he didn't.

Did he hurt ya?

Give me a drink.

I think he

needs one more than you do.

What happened here?

Gus, looks like the Reb had been

pickin' on my boy, you see.

Smells drunk, doesn't he?

That don't mean he is.

We better let the judge

figure this one out.

You come along, too.

Your father?

Come on, boy.

Let's see what

this is all about.

Can I help you, Linnett?

Come on, up you go.

Oh Linnett.

You know I've been

meaning to come over

and have a little talk with you

the way I used to

with your father.

Your sheep were over yesterday.

Oh, I'm sorry to

hear about that.

See, Linnett, that's

one of the things

I wanted to talk to you about.

I just don't have room

enough for my sheep anymore.

You know that little

dirt farm that you run,

you got me all boxed in there.

I'm gonna be needin'

a lot more space.

Excuse me Harry,

you're in my way.

Now I'd say it's

the other way around.

Gettup, gettup, now!

Are you sobered up

enough to testify?

I wasn't drinking, Your Honor.

All right, we'll drop

the drunk charges for now.

You say they were

stealing your dog, eh?

- Yes, sir.

- Mm-hm.

How about it, Jeb?

The Reb here says you

was stealin' his dog.

He's a liar.

If it's the same

to you, Your Honor,

my name's Chandler.

All right, Mr. Chandler.

How do you explain the fact

that nobody ever saw Tom

or Jeb with your dog,

and Marshal here says your

boy had him all the time.

He was mistaken, Your Honor.

Are you questioning the Marshal?

If he says your boy had the

dog, your boy had the dog.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Fine, now we go on

to the next charge,

that's as*ault.

Now, did Jeb Burleigh strike

the first blow, or did you?

Well it's hard to say.

I don't see what's

so hard about it,

it seems simple enough to me.

Either Jeb Burleigh struck

the first blow or you did.

This is simple,

a lot of wars begin

before the sh**ting starts.

Chandler, did you or did you not

attack this man and

throw him to the ground.

Yes, sir.

All right.

Any witnesses, Gus?

No, sir.

All right, you can step down.

Stay on your feet, Chandler,

and hear the verdict.

And the fact that you're a Reb

had nothing to do

with my decision.

The court has weighed your

story against another man's,

that's all any court in the land can do,

and the way things are now,

I got to find you guilty

of as*ault and battery

and disturbing the peace.

30 days or $30.

30 days, $30.

I haven't got $30.

All right, then, it's 30 days.

Your Honor, I have

a boy to look after.

That has nothing to do with it.

Most everybody I sentence

has got children.

If you give me a little time,

I'll work,

I'll do anything, but

I can't leave the boy.

I'm sorry Chandler, you

should've thought about your boy

before you started drinkin'.

Case closed.

- Come on, Reb.

- Wait a minute.

Now take it easy, friend.

Just a minute, Judge Morely.

- What is it, Linnett?

- I'll pay his fine.

- What?

- He said he'd work.

Well, he can work

it out at my place.

Well, all right, if

that's the way you want it.

Yes, sir.

All right, Linnett,

turn him loose.

Linnett, see me in my chambers.

You and your boy wait here.

Linnett, you're

askin' for trouble.

Are you threatening me?

Yep.

It's always sad to see.

What?

A little boy tryin'

to grow up too fast.

Hm.

Are you sure that

you ain't doin' this

just to get back

at the Burleighs?

They gettin' to be big

herders around here now,

and I don't think that you

or nobody else can stop 'em.

I don't wanna hold anybody back,

but I don't want anybody

holding me back either.

The Burleighs, or anybody else.

I'm just doing this for the boy.

If you're so

concerned about the boy,

why don't you just take him?

It wouldn't work.

That's what I thought at first,

but after watching him, no,

you can't separate them.

Well, I hope you

know what you're doing.

I tell you I know people,

especially Rebs and drunks.

They're troublemakers.

He doesn't look like

any troublemaker to me.

Besides, the boy.

All right, all right, all right.

Have it your own way.

Give me the fine,

give me the $30.

Judge, I haven't

got the money, either.

What's that?

What's that you say, Linnett?

I'm saying I

haven't got the money,

but I think I might be able to pay you

$10 a month when my crop comes in.

Do you mean you deliberately

lied to me out there

in the courtroom?

I mean I just couldn't

let you separate them.

Now I said I'd pay you

the money, and I will.

Besides, with

somebody to help out,

the farm'll begin to pay.

Oh, that farm of yours.

You'd be a durn lot better off

if you got rid of the place

and moved into town.

And do what?

Be a clerk or a waitress or

an overworked hired girl?

No, I'll stay with the farm.

Linnett, you're still

a mighty handsome woman.

And I won't stay young forever.

This is no laughin' matter.

People are beginning

to talk about you.

And they ain't

gonna quit talkin'

until you're

respectably married.

People.

Don't tell me about people.

What am I supposed to do?

Fly right into the

arms of the first man

to offer me lawful marriage?

Just to please them?

Poor Linnett Moore, all

alone on that big farm

as though it were a

crime to live alone,

because I'm a woman

and not a man.

I'm not a man-starved

old maid, Judge Morely.

Now, about the money.

Linnett, you know

that before the w*r,

your father and

your brother and me

were very good friends.

You wouldn't be doing

what you were doing

if they were alive today.

You know, I could throw

you in jail for this

for obstructing justice

and taking advantage

of my position.

But you won't.

That's not a nice place for

a respectable lady either,

is it judge?

Linnett, I swear to you,

that I have put,

oh, what's the use?

Go on, get out of here.

Get out, get out, get out.

And take your Reb with you,

and maybe that's

the worst punishment

I can give both of you.

Thank you, Judge Morely.

Go on, get out.

Ah.

Were you drunk?

They said I was.

I didn't ask them.

I wasn't.

Bitter at our Yankee justice?

Let's say I'm grateful

for your Yankee charity.

Hm.

Whoa.

h*.

Well, here it is.

You can see it for yourself.

Come on, David.

h* boy, h*, h* boy, h*.

h* boy.

I don't want to seem to

you what I'm not, Chandler.

I didn't get you out of jail

out of any sentiment or charity.

I run a 200 acre farm

here, all by myself.

I raise mostly barley.

I know it doesn't look like

much, but it's good land.

Good as you find anywhere.

It'll take care of you

if you take care of it.

A farm's hard to keep up with.

You take care of one thing

and before you know it,

two other things

need takin' care of.

Like that old

barn, for instance.

My brother and I always

meant to tear it down,

put up the new one.

Even my dad talked about it.

But somehow, something

more important

always seemed to come up.

One day, it'll just fall down.

Well, as you can see,

there's a lot of work

to be done 'round here.

There's fences to be repaired,

livestock to take care of,

north field needs plowing,

seed beds need sowing.

Not an easy way to

stay alive, Chandler.

I know about farming, ma'am.

Well then you know what I mean.

Come on, boy, come on.

I'll show you your place.

I'll finish them up later.

Come on, Lance.

Hope I didn't

scare you, Chandler.

I was just tryin' to give

you a run down on the place.

Don't worry, ma'am, you'll

get your money's worth.

Hmm.

Come on.

Well, this is it.

It's nothing fancy, but

it's got two beds in it.

You can put your belongings

wherever you want.

This dresser used to be mine.

Everything just seems

to collect dust.

I've been meaning to

clean up this place.

Well, I'll wash the

windows tomorrow

and hang up some curtains.

Oughta take soap and

water to everything.

Come on, boy, down

you go, down you go.

Come on over here, David.

Let's spread out

this blanket for you.

Gets cold 'round

these parts at night.

Your dog can stay here until we get

a place fixed up for him outside.

Well, that's it, I guess.

Yes.

What did he say?

He wanted to know

if this was our home.

Well, you must be starved.

But before you eat,

you can help me finish

unharnessing the

horses, how's that?

- Ma'am?

- Yes?

The boy wasn't

part of the bargain.

If there's any work

to do, I'll do it.

No.

I said no, David.

Now you go outside

and look around.

Now that was a lot

of fuss about nothing.

If that's the way you

want it, Chandler,

that's all right with me.

That's the way, ma'am.

Where were you

and the boy heading?

Minnesota.

Any reason?

It can wait a month.

Look Chandler, you don't

have to stay if it's important.

We made a bargain, ma'am.

Let's both keep it.

Proud, eh?

Ma'am?

Yes?

I never thanked you.

Mm.

He's got a mind of his own.

Good boy, David.

You were born for farming.

I don't know how I ever

got along without you.

Would you like to take

the cows to pasture?

Here.

He's busy, he feels useful.

It's strange, but when

you're around him,

you never think about

his being the way he is.

He's happy enough.

How's the work coming?

Fine, the field should be

ready for seeding in a few days.

It's hard to make

the plow dig in

with the ground so dry.

It's funny how

different a furrow looks

when you're sliding it

over somebody else's plow.

Even if it doesn't

belong to you,

it's a great

satisfaction to have a

straight furrow, feels good.

You didn't come in to dinner.

It's still on the stove.

Guess I wasn't hungry.

Look Chandler, I know I said

there was a lot of work to do,

but you don't have to do it all.

Well I want to do as

much as I can before,

before we leave, you know.

Of course.

Well if you change

your mind about eating,

you know where to find it.

Giddyup!

Yee-haw!

Friends of yours?

Worse, neighbors.

I had to fence them off.

They'd have run me right

off my land if I hadn't.

Fence won't stop 'em.

Get away, Chandler.

Don't be a fool, g*ns

won't stop 'em either.

They're not going

to get my land.

Wait!

Let's try without g*ns.

Come on, David,

get on your horse.

Let's get 'em, Lance.

Pick them off, Lance.

Hey there, over here!

Hoo-ah!

Yah!

Hey, hey!

Hey, ha, ha, ha!

Hey look, hey, hey, hey back.

Look at that dog.

Look at him work.

All right, David,

let's get back.

No, Jeb!

What's the matter with you boys?

What's the trouble with

you, what's the trouble?

You didn't do any

good down there.

- Dog, dog!

- Let's get out of here.

Good boy, David.

Fine work.

Get Lance a drink.

You can put that

away for a while.

You didn't have to, Chandler.

The Burleighs weren't

part of the arrangement.

I guess it's my

turn to thank you.

I tell you, mister, I've

seen a lot of dogs in my time,

but that's the best

show I've ever seen.

And I've seen quite a few.

Yes, he's a good dog.

Dog, he ain't just

any old dog, mister.

He's a sheepdog.

I've been raisin' 'em all my life,

and I know one when I see one.

What kennel's he from?

My own, my boy raised

him while I was gone.

Well you got a pure

bred dog, mister.

Who sired him?

Lancelot.

Oh yes, the Georgia Kennel.

Well you and me are gonna

talk us a deal, my friend.

What'll you take for him?

Oh, he's not for sale.

Now wait a minute, mister.

You don't have to play

hard to get with me.

I'm talkin' money right

on the barrel head.

Anything's for sale

if the price is right.

Well, I'm afraid you're

wrong this time, mister.

Bates is the name.

I buy sheep and I raise dogs.

I don't mind tellin' you

you've got a champion.

Excuse me, but I've

got some work to do.

I'll give you $150 for him.

Close the deal right now,

that's more than I paid for

Berkshire Queen last year.

No thank you.

$200.

No, the dog is not for sale.

Goodbye, Mr. Bates.

What's the matter with him?

Does he think I was

talkin' through my hat?

Who is he anyway, Linnett?

Name is Chandler, that's

all I know about him.

- Reb?

- Mm-hm.

Stubborn, like all the

rest of 'em, ain't he?

Now I made him a fair

deal, more than fair.

He's either a rich

man or a fool.

Oh, he's not rich, Birm.

Reb.

$200 is a

lot of money, Chandler.

Two dollars is, if

you need it badly enough.

I rejoice to hear

what you say, however,

I rejoice to hear it,

but as the sun is beginning to

turn toward the afternoon sky

had we not better

strike the trail again

and make forward, that

we may get an opportunity

of seeing these

wonderful sisters.

Harry March giving

a cheerful assent,

the remnants of the meal

were soon collected.

Then the travelers

shouldered their packs,

resumed their arms, and quitting

the little area of light,

they again plunged

into the deep shadows

of the forest.

Well, that's the

end of chapter one.

We'll read some

more tomorrow night.

Time for you to go to sleep.

Good night, David.

Down, down.

Shh.

You're good with him.

You're working pretty late.

I kept a stew hot for you,

it's still on the stove.

Thank you.

He's had a wonderful day.

He's gonna miss this, and you.

I'll miss him.

Sit down, Chandler.

Ma'am.

Yes?

I don't mean to seem ungrateful,

but it's not good for the boy

to get attached to something.

It just makes it that much

harder for him to leave.

Minnesota?

- Yes.

- Well, he's your boy,

and I guess you know

what's good for him,

but one day, you'll have

to grow roots again.

We will, when he

gets his voice back.

You know, you're a

strange woman, ma'am.

Am I?

That's not any woman's

idea of a compliment.

Well, not strange, exactly,

it's just you're so

good with kids, that

Oh, I don't know.

There's something about David.

I guess he's just

somebody very special.

I didn't mean that.

Oh?

Oh, why haven't I ever married,

is that what you're

tryin' to say?

Sorry, I didn't

mean to be personal.

Are you beginning to wonder

about me too, Chandler?

I'll tell you why

I never married.

Because, well, because the

right man never asked me.

That answer your question?

Yes, and a lot more

than I was gonna ask.

Chandler, what were

you before the w*r?

Oh, nothing, rich man.

That's too far back to remember.

You don't want to.

Sometimes you can't help it.

How'd it happen?

Hmm?

I mean David.

I wasn't there when it happened.

I wish you'd tell me.

We had a big house

just outside of Atlanta.

They shelled it, was a big fire,

his mother was k*lled, and,

well, David saw it,

that's how it happened.

When I came back, everything

was burned to the ground and,

well, the Union soldiers had

round up all the children

and sent them up north.

I finally found David in an

orphanage in Pennsylvania.

Him and Lance.

Since then, we've seen

a lot of doctors and

a lot of country.

What was she like,

David's mother?

Like David.

Fair, blue-eyed,

good wife, wonderful mother.

Everything a man

could ever ask for.

Not good to remember

that either.

You'd better eat.

There's nothing as

unappetizing as cold stew.

You're so right, ma'am.

Get up, get up, get up!

Whoa.

Easy on the downstroke,

David, the paint will run.

Careful now, just

a little mistake,

and you'll make a B out of it.

That's fine.

Now the E and you're all done.

Hello, Linnett.

Hello, Doctor.

Awful hot riding under that sun.

- Got something cool to drink?

- Water or cider?

Cider, nothing better

than the juice of the apple.

Unless it's the juice

of the berry.

Well friend, I've been wondering

when thee'd be

coming in to see me.

Must be three weeks.

I've been working.

I read all about

thee and Jeb Burleigh.

Of course I can't

condone thy fighting,

but if thy had to give

someone a blackened eye,

I'm glad it was his.

How does thee like

working for Linnett?

She's been good to us.

Ah.

Come on in, Doctor.

She's a fine gal, that one.

I've known her ever

since she was that high.

About as big as thy boy.

How's he doing?

- Fine.

How's he getting along

with Linnett?

Fine.

Doctor, you didn't come out here

just to ask questions. What is it?

Chandler, I have something

thy may consider good news,

but I don't know.

I'm always tempted to

withhold from thee.

Well, what do you mean?

Thank thee, Linnett.

I mean this letter.

In all conscience, I

ought to read it to thee,

it's from Dr. Strauss.

What does it say?

"It's been exciting

working out here, Reverend."

That's what he always called me.

"The boy's case

interests me enormously.

"The symptoms you describe

sound like hysterical paralysis.

"I have treated six

cases just like it,

"and I've had good results

with three of them.

"So you see, there

is a 50/50 chance

"I might be able

to help the boy."

Doctor, tell him

we'll take the chance.

There's more to

the letter, Chandler.

"However, I plan to

leave here on the 30th

"for San Francisco.

"If your patient gets

here before then,

"I will be glad to see him.

"Tell Mr. Chandler

to allow himself

"three weeks for

traveling time, testing,

"and exploratory

operation and treatment.

"Assure the boy's father

that there will be no fee

"for my services.

"Fraternally, Eli Strauss."

Well?

Tell him we'll go.

- Thee sure thee wants to?

- I'm sure.

Is the operation dangerous?

No, no, no, nothing like that.

The operation is very simple.

How much do you take it

for travel and expenses?

It costs $300 for thee

and the boy, Chandler.

300.

Take a little time

to raise that money.

Thee doesn't have

time, Chandler.

Less than a week.

That's no week.

I never figured on this.

As thee know, Chandler,

I'm not a man of money,

but I'll lend thee

$50 if it'll help.

It's all I have.

Thank you Doctor, but no.

Well, I've done my duty.

And duty's always painful.

But if thee shall change

thy mind, Chandler,

let me know.

Goodbye, Linnett.

Goodbye, Doctor.

Fine!

Most I can offer

you fellas is $50.

$50.

You're not serious?

It aint' as easy to

sell a horse as you think.

Till you sell 'em, you

gotta keep 'em and feed 'em,

and that takes money.

Well, I know your problem, sir,

but I paid $200 for the horse

and $100 for the saddle.

That's had a lot of wear.

There's still a lot left in it.

I'll give you $75 for the lot.

Take it or leave it.

Thank you, sir.

Reb.

Anything on your mind?

Whiskey.

Excuse me, excuse me.

You mind if I speak to you?

No, go ahead.

Oh, not like this, Chandler.

We're never gonna get

anywhere, either one of us,

if we don't start being

civil to each other.

Let me buy you a drink, hmm?

That's always a good start.

It's up to you

Chandler, you know,

we can be friends or, well?

- All right, I'll have the drink.

- Good, good.

Now first off, I want to

apologize for my sons.

For that little

visit they paid you.

They're grown up, they can

apologize for themselves.

No, no, Tom's

not man enough yet.

Jeb is a little hard to control,

but you know, they're

not bad boys, really,

you know, a little headstrong,

you know the way kids are.

Well, hey.

Bates.

Chandler, you know, I

can't really blame you

for having hard feelings.

Now plus what the kids did.

I played you a dirty turn

back there in the alley,

I admit it.

But you can't blame a father

for takin' care of his

own sons, now can you?

You know what I mean,

being a father yourself.

Yes, I think I do.

Now, I worked hard all my life.

I started off with

100 head of sheep.

Kept getting bigger and bigger.

Now I gotta chance to

really amount to something.

You know, I could

add 2,000 head easy.

Why don't you?

Linnett's got me all boxed in.

Got hills on one side,

Timber land on the other,

and Linnett's on the other.

Now what does she want

with that rundown farm?

She wants it,

that's reason enough.

Maybe you could talk to her, eh?

Might be some money

in it for you.

Quite a lot of money, say 500.

Well what's on your mind?

How would you like to

come over and work for me.

I've got a job.

I'm offering you a better one.

I'll stay where I am.

I don't think I made

myself clear, Chandler.

I never make empty threats, but

I'm telling you that I'll stop at nothin'

and nothin'll stop me to

get what I want.

You haven't drunk yet.

I'll buy my own.

Sure, sure Chandler.

Before you come in, David,

don't forget to

bring in the cows.

No luck?

No.

Would you like some coffee?

No thanks.

I wish there was

something I could say.

I know.

Chandler, I'd like to help.

I know you're going

to misunderstand this,

but I could get

a loan on the farm.

No, thank you anyway.

Must be something to do.

There is.

What?

I've got to sell the dog.

Oh, no, you can't.

I don't want to, I know

how much he means to the boy,

but there's no other way.

Well, there must be another way.

Right now, Lance means more

to the boy than his voice.

Yes right now, what

about 10 years from now,

20 years from now?

No, you see, I

remember him as he was.

I remember the last day.

My company was riding off,

and David came

yelling down the road.

Johnny, Johnny!

That's what his mother

used to call me.

It's the last thing

I ever heard him say.

Suppose he never speaks.

You've got to be

prepared for it.

- He'll speak.

- I hope so.

As much as you do, but

you can't sell the dog.

Not on a 50/50 chance.

You know how I feel about David.

I'd give anything

to hear him speak,

that's why I'm telling

you these things.

I'm only thinking of

what's good for him.

I'm thinking of

David too, only him.

Then why don't you ask him?

Because it's not his

decision to make, it's mine.

Well, then there's

nothing more for me to say.

Wait, don't go.

Not like this.

Don't make it any worse.

Try to understand.

I do understand.

No, no you don't.

You don't know how it is to

go up and down the country

to doctor after doctor

hearing the same thing,

paralyzed, he'll never

be able to speak.

It's the first time I've

been given any hope.

I can't quit now.

What if it fails?

What'll you do then?

Start roaming and

looking all over again?

Just pick up roots whenever

you hear of a new doctor

who might help?

When does it stop?

When does it end?

When the boy speaks.

Well.

As you say, he's your boy, and

it's your decision to make.

When do you want to leave?

Any time now.

Tomorrow's as

good a time as any.

The sooner you go, the better.

We'll hitch the

horses in the morning,

and I'll drive you to the depot.

Nights get cold in Minnesota.

I'll pack some food and an

extra blanket for the boy.

Thank you.

There's nothing to thank me for.

You did a good job.

Fences are up, fields are

plowed, the barn's repaired.

I got more than my

money's worth, Chandler.

Much more.

Whoa.

Light it.

Light it.

Yah!

Take it easy, son.

What is it?

What do you want?

What is it?

What's wrong?

What is it?

I don't know what you want.

If you'd only tell me.

Chandler!

Chandler!

The water coming.

Let me help.

Let me help.

They're all out, we got 'em all.

Faster, faster!

Chandler, look out!

It's all right, son.

You must forget it, it

was a long time ago.

Is he all right?

Oh, he finally went to sleep.

A month's work, up in smoke.

Maybe you should see

your friend, the sheriff.

What can he do?

You can't go into

court without evidence.

You should know that.

Yes, I should.

Maybe I ought to just give up

and sell out to them.

Don't do it.

I don't think I've

got much choice.

There's some things you

learn to do without,

but you can't farm

without a barn.

I'll need it to store

the winter feed.

I'll build you another.

I thought you were leaving.

Is that what you want?

No.

Then I'd like to stay,

if it's all right with you.

You see, I think you're right

about the boy and the dog.

There must be some other way.

There has to be.

I hope so.

Can I fix you some coffee?

No thanks, you

better get some sleep.

Well you ought to, too.

All right, I'll take the coffee.

Never could sleep

during the daytime.

You know, we gotta

repair this harness

when we get time.

Hey, catch!

Come here.

Now that's better.

Grab around the brake.

Come on, Lance.

I wonder what's keeping her.

You better go tell

her we're ready.

What did he say?

He says you're beautiful.

Thank you, David.

- It's a lovely gown.

- You like it?

It's beautiful.

Thank you.

I'd forgotten what it

felt like to dress up.

You should do it more often.

Well I didn't know

whether I should or not,

my bonnet is

hopelessly out of date.

Hats can never stay in style,

but my father always said

that a woman without a

hat is only half-dressed.

I agree with your father.

Thank you.

David, in the back.

So Linnett finally

found herself a man.

Today is my last day at home.

I'm moving right out.

Yes indeed, starting

off at one dollar.

Look at the Burleighs, huh.

Only one

dollar, just think of it.

Step up folks, and I'll take

'em, miraculous likeness,

of you and your loved ones.

A likeness that will rival

all the artists of Europe.

Step up, folks.

Would you like

your picture taken,

oh, don't be

nervous little lady.

I'll take your picture.

It's strong, Mrs. Ainsley.

Take a strong wind

to break this one.

Good for rain or shine.

Oh, it's you.

Got some silver of yours.

- $15 worth.

- Mm-hm.

Where's your stock of trousers?

Over there on the counter.

Thank you, come on, David.

Linnett, I almost

didn't recognize you.

Such pretty dress, even if

I didn't sell it to you.

I'll be with you in a minute.

Don't you have

any without tassels?

They're making them all

with tassels, Mrs. Ainsley.

If you don't like them,

you can cut 'em off.

I suppose so.

You think about it.

Gorman.

Who's that man with her?

Well, who knows?

All right sonny, are

you buying or looking?

Eh, what'll it be, sonny?

Chocolate, hard candy?

Well make up your mind, sonny.

The chocolate is

short and sweet,

but the hard candy lasts longer.

Oh, in a minute you'll be

sorry you didn't listen to me.

But I was the

same when I was a little boy.

Come sit down, son.

These look good and strong.

They all look

strong to me, Linnett.

You never called me that before.

Matter of fact, I was getting

tired of all that ma'am talk.

You made me sound 10

years older than I am,

and no gentleman would do that.

Do you mind?

No, no, I just mentioned it.

Come here, David, try these on.

There, behind this counter.

Why Linnett, it's been ages.

Nobody ever sees you anymore.

Why, just the other day

at the Union League Social

everybody was talking about you

and nobody knew what to say.

What have you been doing with

yourself out on that farm?

- What?

- Your package, Mrs. Ainsley.

- Oh, excuse me.

- Your purse!

You forgot your purse, Mrs.

Ainsley, just a minute.

- Thank you.

- Thank you.

I'll take a picture of you

and your loved ones.

Well it's, look at

the new picture takers.

Why don't you have a

picture taken, Linnett,

with your pretty

dress and bonnet?

What would I do with it?

Look at it now and then.

In 10 years from now,

you'll know what you

looked like today.

Go on, take a picture

while I fit the boy's trousers.

Go on.

Come on, Linnett.

Now let's see.

I bet these pants

fit like a glove.

Step up, and for one dollar,

I'll take a picture that will

rival the genius of Leonardo.

Only one dollar,

just think of it.

Step up, folks.

And I'll take a miraculous likeness

of you and your loved ones.

A likeness that will rival

all the artists of Europe.

Step up, folks.

Go ahead, Linnett.

I'm nervous.

Oh don't be

nervous, little lady.

Sit right down here,

and do as I tell you,

and you'll have a memento

that will last you

for a lifetime.

There, now get

comfortable, and sit back,

and put your head against this.

There you are, my dear.

Now sir, will you step in,

and take off your hat please?

It's better with your hat off.

And then, if you'll just hold

that pose for a minute now.

Now let me see, oh

yes, that's delightful.

Will you smile a

little please, lady?

And you smile, too?

Thank you very much.

Oh, that's very good,

yes indeed it is.

Now, are we ready?

All right, just let me see.

You're name's Chandler.

I know all about you.

You're livin' at Linnett's.

My father says you

ain't got no tongue.

Is that right?

That's him.

That's the one I was

tellin' you about.

The one you says

ain't got no tongue?

All right, open your mouth.

Let's see if you've

got a tongue.

All right, dummy,

open your mouth!

If he won't open

his mouth, pinch him.

That'll make him open it.

Look, he ain't even alive.

He don't even yell when

you pinch him, watch!

Open your mouth!

Go on, open it!

We just wanna see

if you got a tongue!

Stop it!

Stop this fighting!

What are you doing here?

- Dummy!

- Hey, dummy!

Get outta here!

- Dummy, bye, dummy, beat it!

- Dummy!

- David!

- Dummy!

Hey dummy, go on,

dummy, get outta here.

Hey dummy, beat it!

Are you all right, David?

Take him in and clean him up.

Get him another

pair of trousers.

I'll be right back.

Mr. Bates.

Oh, it's you, deal me out.

I wanna talk to

you about the dog.

Do you still wanna buy him?

Hmm, maybe yes, maybe no.

How much you want for him?

300.

300, that's a

little high, isn't it?

Tell you what,

I'll give you 150.

I'm not bargaining, Mr. Bates.

It's 300, do you want

him or don't you?

200.

Now wait a minute.

You are the hardest

man I ever dealt with.

All right.

You got yourself a deal.

Where is he?

I'll bring him

tomorrow afternoon,

if it's all right with you.

Sure.

And I'd like to

have my money now.

What kind of a deal is

this you're tryin' to pull?

You want the money now but

I don't get the dog now?

That's the deal, you

just have to trust me.

All right.

I'll be waiting.

Thank you.

Deal me in, gentlemen.

Are you going to tell him?

No, now's not the time.

When it's all over,

I'll tell him.

He'll understand better then.

I hope so.

Linnett?

Yes.

About the operation.

I was wondering if

it wouldn't be better

for you to go to

Minnesota with David.

Why?

Oh, I just think he'd

feel better with you and,

I might never come

back but you will.

Besides, I gotta get the barn up,

the wheat needs harvesting,

and you never know what

the Burleighs are gonna do.

Will you, Linnett?

If that's the way you want it.

Yes it is, Linnett.

Well David, you'll be

leaving in a minute.

Say goodbye to Lance.

He'll be all right, David.

You can't take him with you now.

You might be gone a long time.

Now wait a minute.

You're not gonna spoil

everything, are you?

It's best this way, David.

We can't take him with us.

Hey, he's not going

to back out now.

Not after all the

trouble we went through.

Thee wouldn't do that

to us, would thee, son?

Look, I brought thee a

bag of candy for the trip.

Thee scared, David?

No, thee's a fine lad.

And next time I see thee,

thee won't be shaking thy head.

Thee'll tell me.

All right folks,

all aboard, we're ready to go.

- All right, folks.

- Come here, David.

All aboard.

Son, I don't know

what's gonna happen.

Nobody does.

Sometimes we have to do things

that we don't want to do.

Gonna be a good boy?

Come on.

Up you go.

Linnett, take care of yourself.

You, too.

He should be all right, David.

Linnett, I wanted to say that--

- All right, hup!

- Oh, I, I.

Well, Linnett, I wanted to say.

Linnett, goodbye.

Ah, I've been waiting for you.

I was beginning to think

you was pullin' my leg.

Didn't know if you

was jokin' or not.

I see you wasn't.

Tell me, how come you changed

your mind about sellin' him?

I guess the price was right.

Now you're talkin' my language.

I always said there was

a price on anything.

Here's your dog.

Come here boy.

Go on, Lance, go to him.

Come on, boy.

We're gonna make a

champion outta you.

Come on now, get over here.

Come on, Lance, here.

Here.

Tomorrow, Dr. Strauss operates.

The more I see of the

doctor, the more I like him.

He and David are

the best of friends,

and the doctor is teaching

him to play chess.

The game is beyond me.

Yesterday, one of the

parents brought a puppy

up to one of the children,

and David saw them together.

It was one of the worst

moments of the whole trip.

I pray we've done

the right thing.

Chandler!

I've got a letter for thee!

I was in at Gorman's,

and he told me he had

a letter for thee.

It's from Minnesota.

Read it to me, Doctor.

"The operation is over.

"They've just started treatment.

"It's too early to

tell anything yet,

"but Dr. Strauss says

"that everything went

exactly as he expected.

"He says that we should

know in a day or two.

"I hope I'm not reading

anything into how he said it,

"but he sounded very optimistic.

"He says that we will be able

to leave here in three days

"on the afternoon coach.

"I hope this letter

reaches you before we do.

"David is anxious to

get back, and I am, too.

"Love, Linnett."

Whoa.

Whoa!

How do you feel?

Sorry, Chandler.

Does he know about Lance?

I couldn't tell him.

I, I left him home.

We'll, we'll stay

here until it clears.

You want me to tell him?

It might be easier.

No, I'll do it.

Lance is gone, David.

I sold him.

I had to, David.

There was no other way.

It didn't work out,

but that was the chance I had to take.

Well, if you'd

known about Lance,

you just wouldn't

have gone through it.

I know, I know I lied to you.

You can hate me,

and it's all right.

You see, I know what

Lance meant to you.

He meant a great

deal to me, David.

David!

Don't you understand?

I had to!

I had to!

David!

David, David I had to, honest.

Honest, I did.

Mr. Bates.

Oh, what do you want, Chandler.

About the dog Lance I sold you.

Dog?

Mongrel's more like it.

Why, he ain't worth a

plug copper as a dog.

Why, he's a one man dog,

and I should've known better.

It's the way these mongrels are.

Mr. Bates, I don't know how,

but I'll work out

something for you.

But I have to have the dog back.

I'd be glad to give

him back, believe me,

but I ain't got him anymore.

Where is he?

I got rid of him,

he wouldn't work the sheep,

wouldn't work a single command.

All he'd do is crawl around

on his belly and whine.

First time I ever judged wrong.

Where is he, Bates?

I told you, I got rid of him.

- How?

- Lost him in a poker game.

- Who to?

- Harry Burleigh.

Lost him with a good hand, too.

Full house, three aces up.

I don't know why, but Burleigh

always wanted that dog

since I first got him.

Well, we had us this game.

Thank you, Bates.

Wanna know something?

He won't work for

Burleigh either.

Well, look, you can

see for yourself.

There, what'd I tell ya?

Come on!

Come on!

Hah, hah, come on!

Where are you going?

I lied to David about his

dog, I'm gonna get him back.

With a g*n?

Burleigh's got him.

It's the only thing he

understands is a g*n.

I know Harry Burleigh, John.

He never does anything without a reason.

Well, I'm gonna find

out what his reason is.

You're his reason.

Ever since you came here,

you've been in his way.

Without you, I might

have given up the farm,

and now he'd have it all.

He doesn't want

Lance, he wants you.

- Please Linnett.

- Listen to me, John.

What good'll you

be to the boy dead?

Give me the g*n, John.

It has nothing to do with you.

Yes, it does.

I'm part of this now.

You made me part of it.

You can't just come into my life

and go right out of it.

I won't let you.

Let me go, Linnett.

John.

What is it?

Is it pride?

Then I'll go to the Burleighs

because I have no pride anymore.

I don't care about the farm.

You and David are

all I care about.

And that's got to

mean something to you.

It means a great deal, Linnett.

There's no other way.

John, John!

David.

David, wait.

David.

Look at me.

I made a mistake and I'm sorry.

I'll get your dog back.

No, no, I'm not lying.

You stay here.

You understand, I'm

getting your dog back.

David! David!

Stay here!

He's coming, Jeb.

Just like Pop said he would.

Good.

Come on.

Company comin', Pop.

Company was expected, wasn't it?

He's headed this way, Pop.

Let him come.

No, no, no, no, not yet.

Let's show the Reb a

little hospitality, eh?

This ain't no time

for talkin', Pop.

Let's do what we've gotta

do and get it over with.

There's no time to be

losin' your head, either.

Just leave me alone with him.

You boys wait in the store room there.

Go on, go on, go

on, both of you.

- Pop.

- Go on, Tom.

Come in, come in, door's open.

Well, Chandler.

Come in, come on in.

Make yourself at home, sit down.

How about a drink?

No thank you.

Don't mind if I do, hm?

Pour it for me.

The jugs are kinda

hard to handle

with this clipped wing of mine.

Where's my dog?

Your dog?

You ain't accusin' us

of stealin' him, are ya?

You did that once before.

A dog thief is just as

bad as a horse thief

in sheep country, you

know that, don't you?

All right, yours Burleigh.

I want him back.

I'll pay you some way, I'll

work out a deal with you.

But I've got to have that dog.

Well, I see you're

ready to talk sense.

How about Linnett?

Too bad about her barn burnin'.

Let's talk about the dog,

that's all I came to talk about.

Sure, sure, sure.

My boys really took

a liking to him.

He's just like

one of the family.

You're kinda touchy

about the girl, ain't ya?

I hear a lot of talk

in town about you two.

What kind of talk?

Well, what kind

would you expect?

Handsome fella like yourself,

pretty girl like Linnett

living way out there

away from everybody

and everything.

You know, you can't stop

people from talkin',

can you, Chandler?

Not if they've got dirty minds.

You know, I don't

figure you, Chandler.

You've given me nothing but

trouble from the very first.

Now, you're askin' for favors.

Linnett was gettin' ready to

see this whole thing my way,

she was just about ready

to give up her place when--

It's nothing to do with her.

I came here asking a favor.

Oh sure, I know.

You know, this has got nothin'

at all to do with her.

This is for your kid, the dummy.

Ain't that right, Chandler?

That's right.

See, I know how you feel.

I got boys myself, remember?

Course, what you want with

a hound like that beats me

because he's nothing

but a one-man dog.

He's like Bates said, no good.

He'll work for me.

Well, take him.

- Take him, he's yours.

- You mean it?

And now you can get

out of here, Chandler.

Your dog's down

in the tool shed.

Take him and get outta here.

You needn't look so surprised.

It's more than you ever

did for me or my sons.

Go on, get out of here, Chandler,

before I change my mind.

Thank you.

You might be out

of your mind, but I'm not.

Not so fast.

We're gonna sh**t a dog thief,

how'd you like that, hmm?

Jeb, you go down

by the sheep pen.

Tom, I want you to go

down by the haystack.

Now don't sh**t till he

comes out of the shed.

You remember what I told you.

We're killin' a dog thief,

you got that

straight, both of you?

We got it.

What are you sittin' there for?

Come on, get outta

here, like I told ya.

David.

Watch it, David, over here.

David, get down!

Tom!

J-J-Johnny, look out!

Say it.

You said it, say it again!

Say it!

Say it!

You said it!

Say it again, you can do it.

J-Johnny.

Johnny.

I'll k*ll you.

I'll k*ll you.

I'll k*ll you!

Pop, back!

You gotta listen to me,

Pop, just this once,

you gotta listen to me!

Get away, get away, you coward.

I'm gonna k*ll you, Chandler.

Don't come any closer,

Burleigh, I'm warnin' you.

You dirty

scum!

Pop!

David!

David!

Linnett!

Linnett!

Linnett!

Linnett!

Linnett!

Talk, I can talk.