Original subtitles

And now, Death Valley Days.

♪♪ [ trumpet ]

Howdy, folks.

I'’m the Old Ranger

and I have another interesting true story for you

about the historic Death Valley country.

He was over six foot tall,

he had red hair,

and when he set out to win a woman...

[ laughs ] well, you can guess

from the title of the story, it was a...

It is the summer of 1850.

The California gold rush is in its second year,

and one of the most flourishing of all the mining camps

is Nevada City,

with new arrivals every day.

Whoa, whoa.

Ben Taylor!

Bill Stewart.

Well, I finally made it to California.

Even if I didn'’t have the price of steamship passage.

Sold all my law books, every last one of '’em.

Bought this outfit.

Bullwhackers are in great demand out here.

Stick to it. You'’ll make good money.

Thanks, but I happen to be a lawyer.

I may as well warn you, you'’ll find pretty stiff competition out here.

[ chuckles ] Meaning, uh-- yourself?

And others.

Nevada City boasts some of the finest legal talent in the country.

I'’ve had the best training in the world.

Driving this outfit 2,500 miles across continent

teaches a man how to get himself out of tight places.

Of course,

but no legal knowledge.

Oh, there'’s something to be learned from the law books,

but that part'’s easy.

Speaking as one who doesn'’t have a law book to his name.

[ chuckles ] Well--

Miss Lydia.

General.

Who is that goddess?

Miss Lydia Carthew,

daughter of General Carthew,

but don'’t get your hopes up.

Every eligible male in town has courted her...

without success.

Turned you down, eh?

Besides, the Carthew'’s are moving to Sacramento very soon.

How soon?

Still the same cocksure fellow, eh, Bill?

If you'’ll excuse me, I'’m on my way to a funeral.

Oh, so that'’s why everybody's dressed in black.

I wondered.

An esteemed colleague, Robert Baker.

Well, room for one more Lawyer, then.

Looks like I arrived at just the right time.

Mr. Baker was an outstanding authority on mining law.

I'’m acquiring his entire library

as soon as his estate is settled.

So you didn'’t heed my advice?

Long funeral service, wasn'’t it?

We accompanied the remains to the cemetary.

And then stopped for a couple pisco punches,

as a gentleman, that is.

Mr. Louis Dunn, of Well'’s Fargo

and his sister, Miss Amelia Dunn.

Mr. William Stewart from my home town, back East.

How do you do?Glad to meet you, Mr. Stewart.

Another Lawyer, eh?

An expert on bull.

[ chuckles ] It'’s one of Ben's little jokes.

I came out by ox team.

Oh.

MAN: Make way!

You can wheel '’em right inside. We'’ll unpack them in there.

Just a minute.

Law books.That'’s right.

But I thought you said you sold all your Law books to buy that outfit.

Now I'’ve sold the outfit for five times what I paid for it

and bought more Law books.Oh.

The library of the late, lamented, Mr. Baker.

Pleased to have met you.

Well, I'’ll be.

Before the body was even buried.

A very enterprising young fellow.

He'’ll bear watching.

The court renders a verdict in favor of the defendant.

I find insufficient evidence for prosecution.

Of course this is in strictest of confidence, Mr. Taylor.Of course.

But, um, Wells Fargo is about to appoint a chief attorney for the company.

Ah.

I think, well I know, you'’re one of the men my brother'’s considering.

Well, I'’m very deeply flattered, Miss Amelia.

Do you know who else?

Young Mr. Stewart.Him?

Well, my brother says he'’s already won outstanding success as a Lawyer.

Of course it hasn'’t been settled, yet.

Maybe some weeks,

but I thought you might like to know.

I'’m very grateful to you, Miss Amelia.

You'’re wonderful.

Of course it will mean leaving for San Francisco at once

and spending some time there.

which is why I can'’t take the case, myself.

Very kind of you to refer it to me.

Surprisingly kind.

After all, we'’re old friends, aren't we,

from way back?

You'’ll accept?

Why not?Good.

I'’d suggest that you take--The morning state to Sacramento--

And then take--The river steamer to San Francisco.

I'’m practically on my way.

Thanks, old man.

Not at all, old man, not at all.

This is indeed a pleasant surprise, Miss Carthew,

to meet you here.

I'’m afraid you have the advantage of me, sir.

William Stewart'’s my name.

I just caught a glimpse of you

the day I arrived in Nevada City.

I was sure we hadn'’t been introduced.

You were just moving to Sacramento, unfortunately.

And now we'’re moving again, to San Francisco.

You and your father?

Yes.Well, that'’s splendid,

because I'’m going to be there too,

for a while.

I hope I may be allowed to call.

I'’ve never had you out of my mind

from the moment Ben Taylor told me your name.

Oh, Taylor, any idea where Stewart is?

Never around, that fellow, when you want him.

A regular will-o'’-the-wisp.

Might at least leave a note saying what time he'’d be back.

That'’s Stewart for you.

♪♪ [ piano plays ]

You play beautifully, Lydia.Thank you.

I shall give you a piano for a wedding present.

You'’ve only just given me an engagement ring.

I'’d like to give you the world,

with a fence around it.

The moon, the stars, the universe!

Will, please.

Can'’t we be married right away?

Let me take you back to Nevada City with me.

But we'’ve only just become engaged.

We should wait at least three months.

Why?

It'’s only proper.

Oh, I can'’t bear to think of being separated from you that long.

If only Nevada City was near San Francisco,

so I could get down to see you now and then.

You'’ll be busy.

The time will fly.

What are you so amused about?

I was just thinking of Ben Taylor'’s face

when I tell him of our engagement.

On second thought, I think I'’ll wait

until I arrive with you in my arms

as Mrs. William Stewart.

Stewart!

You'’re back.Obviously.

You certainly got through in a hurry.

I'’d expected you'd be gone a couple of months.

The case was settled out of court.

Oh.

What'’s the news around here?

Well, I'’ve just landed a very nice piece of business.

Not Wells Fargo.

No, that hasn'’t been--

Wait a minute. How'’d you know about that?

Well, I heard all about it

before I went to San Francisco.

That'’s why you sent me there, wasn'’t it?

Well, no I--Don'’t apologize.

The trip was eminently successful...

in every way.

Oh, what'’s this nice piece of business you'’ve landed?

I'’ve been retained to represent the Apex Mining Company

in it'’s big suit against Caldwell,

at a very fancy fee.

Who'’s Caldwell's attorney?

He hasn'’t got one yet.

Nobody'’s anxious to take his case.

Caldwell is licked before he starts.

A wise Lawyer never decides a case

before it has been tried.

Where are you going?

To offer my services as attorney to Caldwell.

He certainly has courage with all the cards stacked against him.

Fools rush in.

Stewart is no fool, my dear Amelia.

Well, then why is he defending Caldwell?

Because he'’s a show-off,

prides himself on pulling rabbits out of hats.

And succeeds, nine times out of ten.

I think this will prove to be the tenth time.

BEN TAYLOR: I hope you'’ll attend the trial.

Nothing could keep me away.

A letter from my fiance in Nevada City.

Oh, is that all he can find to say to you? One paragraph?

He'’s terribly busy preparing for some big trial that'’s coming up.

Sometimes, if it weren'’t for this ring,

I'’d think the whole engagement was just a dream.

Then take the ring off, and let the whole thing become a dream

from which you'’ve wakened.

You know how much I love you, Lydia?

And you scarcely know this fellow Stewart.

No, no, George.

You were the District Recorder at the time mentioned?

Yes I was.

Have you ever seen this before?I have.

BEN TAYLOR: Can you identify it?

It'’s the original location notice that Mr. Caldwell filed.

BEN TAYLOR: You'’re sure?I can swear to it.

I entered it in the district records myself.

Thank you.

The plantiff rests his case, Your Honor.

JUDGE: Has the attorney for the defense

anything further to say?

If not, I'’m ready to instruct the jury.

Your Honor, the evidence produced is irrefutable.

Once again, a great company has demonstrated it'’s power

against a lone individual who tries to oppose it

by asserting his rights.

And yet, I shall go on fighting for individual rights,

defending and protecting them against organized interests!

Your Honor--

JUDGE: Silence!

Silence!

I congratulate you, sir,

on your victory...

and you, my friend, can now relax

and smoke that gift cigar from Mr. Taylor.

Allow me.

Well, two 500 dollar bills.

A rather expensive cigar wrapper, I'’d say.

I object Your Honor! This is a plant!

Silence, silence in the court!

Order! Order in the court!

I object! This is a plant, Your Honor!

I tell you, it'’s perfectly reasonable to pay a witness to testify.

It wasn'’t bribery,

but I suppose nobody will believe me.

I believe you.

Unfortunate concealing the money under a cigar wrapper--

Naturally, such payments aren'’t made publicly.

How in the world did Mr. Stewart know?

He didn'’t. It was just a wild chance.

That tenth rabbit.

I tell you, that man isn'’t a Lawyer.

He'’s a showman, a charleteur--

Congratulations, Bill.Thank you.

I thought the case was in the bag, for sure.

Nothing short of miraculous, the way you turned the trick at the last instant.

My training as a bullwhacker.

Now that this case is off your hands,

what'’s next on the docket?

I'’m going to get married.

Married?Well,

congratulations again.

May I ask who is the lady?

The finest girl in all the golden west.

She has everything a man could ask for in a woman--

beauty, brains, reading.

Does she live here in Nevada City?

Nope. San Francisco.

What'’s her name?Soon as my house is finished,

I'’m going down to fetch her.

Which house is that?

The one going up, on the top of the hill.

Beyond the Northrops'’.

That big place?

Oh, I thought that belonged to some bonanza king.

Nope. The house of Stewart.

Well, that'’s splendid, Bill.

We'’ll be looking forward to meeting your wife.

You won'’t be disappointed.

Looks like Stewart has picked himself a winner.

So he says.

We haven'’t seen her yet.

That gorgeous house.

She'’s a lucky girl.

Stewart always talks big. That'’s part of his game.

Builds himself up.

Never seen a time yet when he couldn'’t back up his statements.

He'’s an amazing fellow.

Someday he'’s going to push his luck too far.

Oh, George,

how will I ever explain to Will?

Write him, right away.

That seems so cowardly.

I'’d rather tell him face to face.

You shouldn'’t put it off, darling.

He'’ll be coming down to San Francisco soon.

I'’ll tell him then and give him back his ring.

Goodbye, sir.

Goodbye, sir.

We'’ll have the band out to meet you

when you come back, Stewart,

and a red carpet rolled out for the bridge.

Make it blue, it'’ll match her eyes.

[ laughs ]

Let '’er roll.

You mean you'’re breaking our engagement?

I couldn'’t marry you now, Will,

feeling as I do about George.

I wish I'’d known.

I'’d have stopped work on the house.

House?

It was to have been a surprise for you--

the biggest house in Nevada City.

Oh, Will.

Not that it makes any difference now.

It grieves me to hurt you like this,

but we had known each other a very short time.

I understand.

Then you will release me?

If you'’re in love with another man,

there'’s nothing else I can do.

You'’re very generous, Will,

and very kind.

Maybe someday you'’ll meet someone else,

perhaps a girl from Nevada City.

Nevada City...

MAN: "We'’ll have the band out to meet you,

"when you come back, Stewart,

and a red carpet rolled out for the bride."

Will, what is it?

Goodbye, Lydia.

I hope you'’ll be very happy.

Here, have another, on the house.

Gives you courage to pop the question.

The question, my friend, has already been popped,

right back in my face.

[ tisks ] You don'’t want to go home

because there'’s nobody there waiting for you.

My problem is, there'’s an entire town waiting for me.

See that man there?

The honorable Henry Foote, former governer of Mississippi.

One of our best customers.

Uh, Mr. Foote, you may remember me,

I was President of the gathering at your house

about a year ago.

William Stewart.

Stewart.

Oh, yes, the Yankee Lawyer.

Well, how do you do, Sir?

Bartender, a drink for Mr. Foote.

Oh, no, no, please--Oh, but I insist.

Well, then I shall have the priviledge of buying the next round, Sir.

Yes, Sir, I always say you can tell a gentleman

the way he takes his liquor.

Back in Mississipi, uh-- thank you.

As I was saying-- What was I saying?

It'’s almost 8:30, Governer.

I'’d be very happy if you'’d be my guest

at dinner here, at the hotel.

Well, then, tomorrow night you must be my guest at my home.

Well, if that'’s convenient for Mrs. Foote.

Oh, my wife, Sir, is a Southern lady,

reared in the tradition of hospitality.

A wonderful wife

and a wonderful mother.

Yes, indeed.

By the way, how are your three lovely daughters?

All married now, I expect?

The two older ones.

My third daughter, Annie, she'’s still hothole and fancy-free.

Oh she is?

I doubt it she'’ll be for long though.

I doubt it too, Sir.

I doubt it very much.

To your daughter, Miss Annie.

I am a Southerner, and you a Yankee,

but I like you very much, Sir.

I like you exceedingly well.

I shall count it a pleasure to serve you

at any, and all times.

Thank you.

It so happens you can do me a very great favor.

Right now, if you will.

You have only to name it, Sir.

I would like permission to marry your daughter, Annie.

Annie?

You?

Are you serious, Sir?

Never more serious in my life.

I had no idea. When did you--

The whole purpose of my trip to San Francisco was love.

[ chuckles ] You sly fox.

It would mean more to me than you could ever guess, Governer,

if I could take Annie back to Nevada City with me,

as my bride.

Well, I declare.

It'’s all so unexpected.

My youngest daughter,

my favorite.

However, a gentleman never goes back on his word.

You have my permission, Sir,

for her hand.

Good luck.

What a beautiful house to bring his bride home to.

A bit too pretentious, if you ask me.

Well, not if he has a position to live up to.

You mean Wells Fargo?

Well, that'’s still hanging in the barrel.

Oh.

Uh, some things are in Mr. Stewarts favor, though.

Yes, that unfortunate Caldwell case.

Oh, and the fact that he'’s settling down,

getting married.

My brother says it makes more responsibility.

And what do you think?

It'’s not for me to say.

Ah, but it is.

Mr. Taylor,

I'’ve kept silent as long as I can, Amelia.

I-- I love you.

Benjamin--

and I hesitated to speak before,

thinking my motives might be misconstrued.

You mean, you really--?

Abjectly, ardently.

Oh, Ben!My darling.

Miss Annie, I can keep silent no longer,

I love you.We scarcely know one another.

You'’ve heard of love at first sight, haven'’t you?

Oh, Miss Annie,

don'’t keep me in this cruel suspense.

Say you will marry me and--

make me the happiest man on earth.

You have to give me a little time to consider, Mr. Stewart.

I suggest you go back to Nevada City.

No!

That'’s one thing I will never do,

go back alone.

I'’m going to wait right here for your answer.

Well, I'’ll try to make up my mind in a few days.

Every day you spend considering will simply be a day lost,

for both of us.

A day apart, when we might be together.

In the end, you'’re going to say yes, anyway.

How do you know?My heart tells me,

just as yours tells you,

though you may not admit it.

Give me my answer, now.

Tomorrow.Now!

Yes.

Bless you.

Hello, Ben.Amelia. Louis.

My brother'’s on his way to the newspaper office.

To issue an important statement

Perhaps you'’d be interested in reading it,

Since it so quitely concerns you.

The Wells Fargo appointment?

No, it'’s the announcement of our engagement.

Oh.

Hello!

It'’s Bill Stewart.

With his bride.

Let'’s go to the stage depot and welcome him.

Well, come on, Ben.

Isn'’t your brother ever going to make that Wells Fargo appointment?

Why, Ben--

Oh, never mind.

Hold it for a picture, Mr. Stewart.

[ shutter clicks ]

Oh, she'’s beautiful!

Some people have all the luck.

Judge, Mrs. Stewart.

How do you do?

Charmed.

Welcome home, Bill.

Oh, thank you, Sir.

Uh, my dear, this is Mr. Louis Dunn,

of Wells Fargo.

My pleasure.

Oh, no, my pleasure,

Mrs. Stewart.

Oh, here'’s another man you must meet.

Ben, this is Mrs. Stewart.

Mr. Benjamin Taylor.

How do you do?Mrs. Stewart.

Who insisted that your husband'’s descriptions of you

were just too good to be true.

You told them about me before you even--?

I had to explain about the new house I'’d built for you, my dear.

He was so bursting with joy he couldn'’t keep the news to himself.

That was shameless of you, Will.

Don'’t center him, Mrs. Stewart, he was most discreet.

He didn'’t even disclose your name.

Y-- yes! All I said was that you were the finest girl in all the golden west.

A man in love is prone to exaggerate, I fear.

Oh, Miss Amelia,

This is Mr. Dunn'’s sister, my dear.

And soon to be Mrs. Benjamin Taylor.

No!

Well, congratulations, Ben.

Thanks.

I'’m so happy to know you.

How wonderful that there'’s going to be

another bride to keep me company.

Would you do something to please me?

Wear my wedding veil when you'’re married.

You'’d look just beautiful in it.

Oh, thank you.

I'’d love to.

Your wife lives up to all your claims, Bill.

She'’ll be a big help to you

as chief attorney of Wells Fargo.

BILL STEWART: You mean, Sir?My wedding present to you.

Would you like to make a statement for the paper Mr. Stewart?

Yes.

There'’s nothing like bullwhacking to train a man to meet emergencies

and get himself out of tight corners.

THE OLD RANGER: And that'’s the story of Bill Stewart'’s courtship.

Bill Stewart, who became the greatest mining Lawyer of his time,

and the first United States Senator from Nevada.

What about his marriage?

Well, in spite of it'’s odd beginning,

it proved to be one of the happiest on record.