Original subtitles

THE OLD RANGER: And now,Death Valley Days.

♪♪ [ trumpet ]

Hyah! Yah!

Yah! Yah!

Howdy, folks. I'’m the Old Ranger,

and I have another interesting true story for you

about the historic Death Valley country.

This is the story of a Nevada sheep rancher--

Herb Gulick, by name--

who had been a bachelor for all of his 40 years.

It was in the spring of 1882 that Herb took the fatal step,

little realizing that it would involve...

Herb'’s impending marriage has brought the minister and his wife

out from Lovelock to the Gulick ranch.

Whoa.

Well, Pike. Mrs. Pike.

MRS. PIKE: How do you do, Mr. Gulick?

Hello, Herb. We just thought we'’d stop by

and talk over arrangements for tomorrow.

Mighty nice of you to make the trip out here.

We had a funeral anyhow over at the Overman ranch.

Oh? Well, come on in. Come on in.

Well, this is a pleasure.

First time you'’ve seen the inside of my place.

I believe there'’s still a first time

for you to see the inside of my church.

I'’ll free up tomorrow and plenty more after that, huh?

I hope so.

We got company, Minnie.

[ bleating ]

Mercy!

Him say howdy.

Minnie say howdy.

This is Reverend and Mrs. Pike, Minnie.

Parson'’s here to talk about me getting hitched.

You suppose you could rustle us up some coffee or something?

Sure. Sit down. Minnie fix.

No, no, please don'’t. No, don'’t go to any trouble.

No. No trouble at all.

Sit down. Make yourself comfortable.

[ clucking ]

There you go.

There you go. Have a seat.

Thank you.

[ goat bleating ]

Well, now.

What time does your bride arrive in Lovelock tomorrow?

On the noon stage. Thought if it was all right with you,

we'’d be married in the afternoon, then drive on home.

You have the license? Mm-hmm.

And the ring?

Uh-huh. Like to see her picture?

Oh, yes.

REVEREND PIKE: My, what a lovely lady.

You'’re to be congratulated, Herb.

And who'’s the little girl?

Her child by a former marriage.

Oh?

A widow? Yes.

We grew up together back East.

I was always sweet on her.

When her husband died last year, we started writing.

Well, that'’s it.

Coffee on.

Sit down, please.

Sit, please.

Thank you.

[ blows ]

This will be quite a change for your wife.[ blows ]

Oh, we'’re not gonna live here.

Oh? No? Where?

We move new house on hill.

The Clayton house. The one that'’s been standing empty.

Oh, that sounds nice.Yes.

Well, this house wouldn'’t be big enough for all of us.

You got any cake or something, Minnie?

Minnie got biscuit.

[ chirping ]

[ gasps ]

Heavens! Chickens in the oven!

Chickens sick.

Minnie put in oven. Keep warm.

Minnie'’s a born nurse.

Veterinarian, I'’d say.

Brought me through pneumonia

first winter I was out here.

Biscuit?No, thank you.

You should pass the pan of biscuits, Minnie.

Oh. Biscuit?

No, thank you.

Biscuit?

I don'’t think so.

Biscuit?

Uh, no, thanks. I'’m-- I'm not hungry.

Minnie have biscuit.

Good.

I'’ve been a bachelor so long, I haven'’t paid any attention to how sloppy things really are.

Well, it just goes to prove what I'’ve always said--

that every man needs the influence of a good woman.

Yeah. I'’m gonna have to talk to Minnie.

Get her to spruce up a bit.

You'’re taking that squaw into your new home?

Well, that-- that was the idea.

It would never do, Herb.

You don'’t think so?Absolutely not.

Not even if we get her an apron and new shoes, maybe?

Never in a million years.

Minnie'’s been my housekeeper for 14 years.

She'’s like a fixture.

Hate to think of letting her go.

Your first duty is to your wife, Herb.

And her sweet little child.

But Minnie loves children.

Think of the example.

A servant who'’s careless and dirty and sloppy,

who-- who bakes chickens with their biscuits.

She wasn'’t baking them. She was only keeping them warm.

Hmph!

Right.

No use trying to fool myself. Minnie'’d never fit in.

What'’ll I say to her?

Just say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant.

The time is now at hand for you to take a rest."

And give her a small amount extra. It always helps.

Giddyap!

[ goat bleating ]

Well, Minnie,

all good things come to an end, huh?

Tomorrow we get married, move to big house.

Yeah, that'’s, uh-- that's what I wanted to talk to you about--

moving to the big house.

You no like big house?No.

Oh, no. I like the big house all right.

Just that, uh...

Well, you'’ve worked long and hard, Minnie. Time you took a rest.

Minnie not tired.

[ chuckles ] Maybe not. But, just the same, you'’ve earned it.

As the Good Book says...

"Well done now, good and faithful servant."

[ goat bleats ]

That'’s what Minnie think too.

You sound like parson.

You want taste?

No? All right.

What I'’m trying to say is, it'’s time you went home,

back to your people.

You my people.

It'’s nice of you to feel that way.

I appreciate all you'’ve done for me.

I'’m gonna miss you.

You go away?No. You'’re going away.

Minnie not go anywhere.

Yes, you are. You'’re going home.

And every month, I'’m gonna give you $10 just to remember me by.

Here.

Here'’s two months extra, right now, hmm?

You think '’nuff salt?

Minnie, will you please listen to me?

Look, here'’s $100.

As a going-away present.

Take it, will you please, Minnie?

It'’ll make me feel better.

I'’ll put it on the table.

I'’m sure you'll see it my way in the morning.

[ door closes ]

Minnie stay.

Hey, Minnie, how about a drink of water?

Oh, get drink at pump. MAN: Boss nervous this morning, Minnie?

Mm. Everybody nervous this morning.

[ chickens clucking ]

Minnie, I got a white handkerchief?

[ laughing ]

[ bleating ]

[ clucking ]

[ laughing continues ]What'’s so funny?

Look out!

Ain'’t you ever seen a man dressed before?

Ah.

Aahh!

Do something for me, will you, boys?Sure, Boss.

You want we should stand up for you? [ laughs ]

Take Minnie home and leave her there.The new house?

Her home, where her family is.

Right now? Right now, before I change my mind.

You give her this.Why, sure, Boss.

Whenever she'’s ready.She'’ll never be ready.

Look, you pack her up, and you get her on a horse or in a wagon-- anything.

And make it clear that she'’s to stay.

I don'’t wanna see her on this ranch when I come home tonight.

Let'’s go!

We go new house?That'’s right.

Get ready for the bride and groom.

Pile in.Oh, house just up hill. Minnie walk.

Oh, no.Oh, no, no.

No. We got to take you there in style.

Just like you was the Queen of Sheba.

Queen of Sheba?

Yeah.Sure.

All right.

Giddyap!

This not way to new house.

You go wrong way.[ clicks tongue ] Giddyap.

Where you take me?Back to your folks.

No. No. Minnie not go there.

Boss'’s orders.Boss?

He told us to take you there.He tell you to stay.

Stay? That'’s right. Stay put. You savvy?

Stay.

HERB: Whoa.

Carol.

There you are.

Welcome home, Mrs. Gulick.

Come along, Carol dear.

Carol--

You wait here, Carol, while I, uh...

Carol!

What'’s happened, darling.

Did you hurt yourself?

[ crying ]Too much excitement.

I'’ll put her to bed right away.

Let her have a good night'’s rest.

[ whimpering ]

What do you think it is?

I don'’t know. She'’s-- She's terribly hot.

Something she ate, maybe?

Now that I think of it, she hasn'’t been acting right all day.

I'’ll go fetch the doctor.

We'’ve got a real good doctor in Lovelock.

It'’s all right, darling. It'’s all right, baby.

Easy.

Hyah! Get up now! Hyah!

I'’m sorry, Herb. The doctor'’s not here.

How soon do you expect him?I couldn'’t say.

Tomorrow, maybe, or the day after.

He'’s out on a case in the Humboldts.

A delivery. So you never know.

When he comes back, will you tell him to get out to my place as quick as he can?

Yes, I will.Thank you.

[ labored breathing ]

Just-- Just try to take a little sip, dear.

[ coughs ]

I can'’t. It--

It hurts when I swallow.

The doctor will be here any minute, now, dear.

He'’ll give you something to make you feel all better.

Papa'’s bringing him.

Whoa!

What did I tell you? There he is now.

How is she?Still burning up.

Her throat'’s so sore she can'’t swallow.

Where'’s the doctor?He was called on a case in the mountains.

Well, why didn'’t you bring somebody else?He'’s the only one there is.

I never heard of a place where there was only one doctor.

What do you do when he'’s away, just let people die?

Take it easy, dear.

I'’m-- I'm sorry.

It isn'’t your fault, darling.

But Carol'’s always been so healthy.

To see her like this and not be able to do anything about it...

I don'’t know much about sickness either.

Minnie always took care of it.

Minnie!

Who'’s Minnie?An old servant. A born nurse.

She pulled me through pneumonia once.

She'’s not far from here. I'’ll go get her.Oh, hurry.

Hyah! Come on!

[ yelling ]

Minnie not leave.

But the child is sick. Her throat is sore.

She can'’t swallow.Get white doctor.

I'’ve tried to. He'’s away.

You have medicines.

Minnie give Indian medicine, child die, you blame Minnie.

No. I promise you.

Promise? What good your promise?

You turn Minnie out after many year.

Tell her you no want, go home, stay.

I'’m sorry about that.

For the child'’s sake, Minnie, please.

Me Blue Eagle.

Minnie do like I say.

White man got plenty nerve.

Throw you out like old blanket,

then say, "Come back."

Not right to say no if child in pain.

You no got pride, no shame?

Not if can help child.

You not go near him or his people.

Understand?

Me chief, your father, say so.

Whoa.

[ labored breathing ]

I couldn'’t get her.Why not?

She had reasons.

Mama...

She'’s worse, isn't she?

I should never have brought her out here.

So far from everything.

I was only thinking of myself.

If anything happens to her,

I'’ll never forgive myself.[ coughs ]

I'’ll make another try for the doc.

If he'’s not back in Lovelock, I'’ll-- I'll hunt him down, no matter where he is.

[ crying ]

[ dog barking ]

[ laughing ]

♪ I love a weddin'’ ♪

♪ There'’s nothin' like a weddin'’ ♪

♪♪ [ singing continues ]

[ laughing ]

[ chuckling ]

Hey.

What'’s that up ahead?

It'’s a buffalo.

By golly,

ain'’t seen one of them for a long time.

No, it ain'’t.

It'’s Minnie!

By Jiminy, she done busted loose.

Heading back to the ranch.

We'’ll spike that.

[ laughing ]

[ chattering, laughing ]

Minnie!

Hello, Minnie.Hello, Minnie.

Good you come. Get house quick.

Sure, sure. Pile in. [ laughing ]

[ grunting ]

Let her go, Pete old boy!

Git! Come on![ laughing ]

No, no. You go wrong way.

Minnie have to go house.

That'’s just where you'’re going, Minnie. To your house.

Minnie mean Boss house. Boss need Minnie.

Just like he needs a grand piano.

[ laughing ]

[ labored breathing ]

[ coughing ]Don'’t let her die.

Please, God, don'’t let her die.

I tell you Boss need Minnie.

Little girl very sick.

What little girl?Boss little girl.

You mean his wife'’s little kid? Sure didn'’t look sick at the wedding today.

Ja.You'’re just trying to play trick on us.

Trick? Yeah. Fool us.

But it ain'’t gonna work. We'’re giving you back to the Indians.

[ laughing ]

You right. Minnie try trick.

Well, now, that'’s better.

How '’bout give Minnie drink of firewater?

Sure. Have a swig and join the party.

Taste bad.

Firewater no good.Whoa!

[ horses whinnying ]What are you talking about?

That'’s the best corn squeezin' in this part of the country.

Ole, get the jug.You betcha.

Ole, over there in the grass.

[ yells ]

Giddyap!Minnie!

Minnie!

Giddyap! Hy! Hy!

Hey, Minnie!

Minnie, come back here with our wagon!

OLE: Minnie!

[ labored breathing ]

[ coughs ]

Me Minnie.

[ coughs, labored breathing continues ]

Hyah!

From what you tell me, it sounds like only one thing.

What'’s that?Diphtheria.

Diphtheria? Hyah!

Hold her tight. Arms, legs.

What are you going to do?Fix so can breathe.

No! Put down that knife.You want little girl die?

Oh, no, no!

Then do what Minnie say. Hold her.

[ coughing ]

[ gasping ]

[ coughs ]She'’s choking.

Pretty quick too late. Hold her.

Herb. Herb!

Oh, thank you!

[ crying ]

Most amazing thing I ever saw in my life.

Who did it?Minnie.

Minnie?

Why, this squaw here has performed an operation known as tracheotomy.

An operation that only a skilled surgeon would ordinarily attempt.

Tell me, how did you ever learn to do such a thing as this?

One time sheep choke same way.

Put hollow stick in windpipe. Breathe good.

She be all right now.

Minnie go.Don'’t go, Minnie.

We want you to stay.Yes. Please.

You belong here.

Belong? How long?

As long as you will.The rest of your life.

Minnie stay.

And Minnie did stay.

A beloved and devoted member of the Gulick household

for the rest of her happy life.