Original subtitles

[ clicks ]

Well, looks like we sent '’em packing.

Yeah, this time.

Mr. Jefferson, I'’m quitting.

You'’ve been on the job only two weeks!

And we'’ve been shot up three times.

I can make more money in the mines anyway,

and it'’s more safe.

Maybe I could get you a raise in wages.

[ chuckles ] From the old skinflint that heads this company?

No, just give me the wages that are coming to me, alright?

And take my advice, Mr. Jefferson,

and get outta here yourself before it'’s too late.

With all these mine payrolls coming through this station,

you'’re gonna be the target for every outlaw around here.

Yeah, I'’m just an old railroad man, son.

Don'’t know any other work.

Here you are.Thanks, Mr. Jefferson.

Yeah, know some other young fella that might take the job?

Nobody in his right mind.

I'’m gonna write to headquarters

and have them send me an assistant.

Well, I wish him luck. He'’ll need it.

♪ [ trumpet ]

Howdy, folks. I'’m the Old Ranger.

It'’s the year 1883

and this is a short-haul Sonora Railway.

A lot of mine payrolls go through Fairbanks here

and that makes it one of the most dangerous points

on the line.

You see, Tombstone is only eight miles away

and that town harbors

some of the worst outlaws in the West.

Our story tells what happens

when Mr. Jefferson writes to Boston headquarters

to send him an assistant for the...

I know I can make Cynthia happy, Mr. Waterfield.

Not on a bookkeeper'’s salary you can'’t,

not here in Boston anyway.

Well, I expect to advance in my firm, sir.

Someday I may even be treasurer of the company.

Mr. Barnes, I insist on one thing.

The man my daughter marries must be a railroad man.

Must know railroading from the ground up.

Well, if it'’s necessary, sir, I'’ll learn railroading.

You may as well know that I'’m not a man who gives up easily.

Alright, young man, we'’ll just see.

Uh, there'’s a job open right now in Fairbanks, Arizona.

Assistant station agent.

Arizona? Out West?

Well, if you mean what you say

about learning the railroad business.

Well, I do, sir, I do.

Alright, I'’ll give you a chance to show me.

You be at my office in the morning, get the detail.

We'’ll arrange transportation for you to Fairbanks, of course.

Thank you, sir.

Now, I'’m-- I'’m late to a board meeting.

If you'’ll excuse me, please.

Of course, uh,

do you think I might see Cynthia tonight?

Oh, no, no, no, I'’m afraid not.

She still has that headache.

Uh, I'’ll see you in the morning, bright and early.

You will!

Thanks again, sir.

I'’ll make good, you'll see.

Yes, yes, Jason. Here we go.

I'’ll-- I'll see you in the morning, huh?

Say good-bye to Cynthia.Yes, yes. Bye-bye.

Oh...

Excuse me, sir.

Yes, yes, in the morning. [ sighs ]

Thank you, Father. You are a genius.

What would you do without me to help you

out of these romantic entanglements?

I never intended it to go this far.

You shouldn'’t have let him on,my dear.

Well, I thought he knew a harmless flirtation

from the real thing.

You don'’t think he'll come back, do you?

Oh, once we lose him out there in the wild-and-woolly West,

we'’ll never see him again.

[ bell clanging ]

Oh, pardon me. Where may I find A. Jefferson, the station agent?

I'’m the station agent, Abby Jefferson.

Oh, but I thought that--

My father, Al Jefferson, was the station agent.

He passed away two weeks ago.

Oh, I'’m very sorry to hear it.

I took over the job.

I see. [ train whistles in distance ]

I'’m your new assistant, Jason Barnes.

You?

I have a letter here from the main office.

You'’ll have to teach me the ropes at first.

I'’m new to the railroad game.

New?

But I need an experienced agent here.

Oh, but I learn very quickly, Miss Jefferson.

Why, in no time at all, I'’ll have the hang of things.

I just don'’t understand it.

Surely,they could have found a man with some railroad background.

Miss Jefferson,

Mr. Cyrus Waterfield himself sent me out here

to learn the business.

I can'’t help it if he chose this particular station.

Old man Waterfield, huh?

He a personal friend of yours?

Well, he'’ll probably be my father-in-law one of these days.

Oh, I see.

And after I teach you this job,

you are to move up to better things.

I suppose so.

Well, maybe it'’s a good thing Mr. Waterfield

did send you to this station, Mr. Barnes.

He'’s paid absolutely no attention to our complaints

about conditions here.

He'’ll listen to you, I'm sure.

What kinda complaints?

Didn'’t he inform you that in the past six months,

we'’ve had seven different assistants here?

No, they didn'’t.

And that they all quit?

Why'’d they quit?

Because wages are too low, Mr. Barnes.

Men make more money in the mines

and they figure they'’ll live longer.

Live longer?That'’s right.

You see, there'’s a lot of money in that safe sometimes

and when the Bisbee gang or some other bunch decides to hold up this station,

just how long do you think we'’ll last?

Come to think of it, it is funny

that he'’d send a future son-in-law of his

out to a place like this,

where they might never see you again.

Come now, Miss Jefferson, stop pulling my leg.

What keeps you here if it'’s so dangerous?

I need the job.

And so do I.

Now, if you'’ll tell me what my duties are,

I'’ll start work immediately.

[ sighs ] Well, I guess you'’ll work out,

else we'’ll know it pretty quick.

You'’ll take the night shift, sleep on that cot.

We receive shipments round the clock

for points up and down the line,

as well as to connecting stages to Tombstone.

The payments go west on the 10:10,

and east on the 3:45.

I like to get the payrolls in here before train time,

because I don'’t want the money here overnight.

Uh-huh. Or you might be held up.

You'’ll have to learn about waybills,

semaphore signals, key rattling--Key rattling?

Sending and receiving messages by telegraph

And a few other things.

I'’ll be back as soon as I find a room and freshen up.

Hope there'’s a good hotelin town.

Say, just where is the town?

You see those shacks down the road?

That'’s the town.

The boarding house is the one with the curtain.

You better get yourself some working duds.

Good idea.

When you get back, we'’ll do some target practice.

Target practice?

Look, I came here to learn railroading, Miss Jefferson.

Target practice is the first lesson at this way station.

[ horses galloping ]

Yah!

Whoa! Whoa!

You boys are driving like the devil'’s after you.

Worse. Two outlaws ambushed us halfway from Tombstone.

Whitey here shot one through the shoulder, and the other just faded out.

I sure was worried, Miss Abby. That'’s a pretty big payroll.

Thank heavens it'’s going right out on the 10:10.

Take care of yourselves, boys.

I better go get those working duds, Miss Jefferson.

I'’ll be back very quick, start my target practice.

Eleven out of 12,

you'’ve certainly improved in a week.

I'’m glad I have.

You know, I can'’t understand

why the sheriff doesn'’t give us a little more protection, Abby.

He'’s too busy over in Tombstone to worry about us.

Yeah, and the folks here in Fairbanks

are too scared to organize.

Seems like they bolt their doors at night

and stay in till morning.

[ telegraph clicking in distance ]

That'’s Ed Bascomb at Contention.

[ clicking continues ]

Let me answer this call.

Go ahead. After all, you'’re here to learn.

[ clicking ]

[ clicking ]

Abby'’s new assistant's handlin'’ the keys.

You gonna give '’em the bad news?

Of course.

I keep them informed, they keep me informed.

[ clicking ]

Stage

robbed of

Sonora Mine

payroll.

[ clicking continues ]Two guards dead.

Suspect

Bisbee gang.

Another hold-up.

Two men dead.

[ clicking ]

Any

shipments

for Contention?

Tell him two crates of equipment for the Blue Hill Mine.

They'’ll go out in the morning.

[ clicking ]

[ clicking ]

It'’s just mining equipment for Blue Hill.

[ clicking ]

Ain'’t seen Abby lately, have you?

It'’s over 20 miles to Fairbanks, Clay,

it'’s hard to go courtin' that distance every night.

Before you know it, that tenderfoot assistant

will be takin'’ your place.

I ain'’t worried. Besides, according to Abby,

he'’s supposed to marry Waterfield'’s daughter.

If he lives that long.

How do you suppose the outlaws find out

when and where those payrolls are being shipped?

I don'’t know. But it'’s only a question of time before they strike here.

Abby, this is no place for a girl.

I want you to quit.

I told you before, Jason,

I need this job, even if the pay is low.

Besides there'’s no other work I know how to do.

I didn'’t believe you when I started in here, Abby.

But now I know you were right.

We'’re not getting paid enough for the risk we'’re taking.

The railroad doesn'’t agree.

I don'’t understand it.

Mr. Waterfield isn'’t the kind of a man

who would not rectify such matters.

Why, every year he and his directors make a tour of the lines.

The main lines, not a short-haul road like ours.

They don'’t even know we'’re on the map.

Mr. Waterfield hasn'’t even answered any of my letters.

Your letters probably got no farther than some clerk.

I'’m gonna write to Mr. Waterfield.

"Wages paid you and A. Jefferson equal those in the east.

"Obviously, you have exaggerated your danger to wheedle more money,

"thus proving yourself an ingrate and a scoundrel.

And any time you wish to terminate"...

Oh, Jason, I am sorry.

I can'’t understand it.

Yeah, I can.

No use fooling myself any longer.

He sent me out here to get rid of me.

Well, I'’m takin' this to the board of directors.

Now.

By telegraph.

[ clicking ]

But I don'’t understand, Father.

You said that when Jason went to Arizona, we'’d never hear from him again.

So I thought. I was sure he'’d quit after that insulting letter I wrote him.

He went over my head.

He sent a telegram to the board of directors.

But I never!

They'’ve had me on the carpet all afternoon,

grilling me like an office boy,

questioning my confidence.

That mealy-mouthed bookkeeper is jeopardizing my position

as chairman of the board.

Oh, well, it'’ll all blow over by the time you get back.

This--

This won'’t interfere with the trip, will it?

Depends on what you mean by "interfere"?

You promised to take me along this time.

I'’m nearly packed.

Then you'’d better include something

that'’s appropriate for Fairbanks, Arizona.

Fairbanks?

The board has changed the entire route.

We are now going to visit every short-haul road.

Fairbanks?

Does he know?

Jason?

No.

It'’s going to be a surprise.

You boys are late today. Outlaw trouble?

Nope, broke a harness buckle going through Red Rock.

What'’s that?Blue Mine payroll.

Blue Mine payroll isn'’t due till tomorrow.

Company sent it through a day early to fool the Bisbee gang.

The 10:10'’s gone. That means we'’ll have it here overnight.

Well, I can'’t help bein' late.

But I don'’t think that you'’ll be bothered.

Nobody knows it'’s here except us.

Come on, Whitey, let'’s see if we can make up for some of that lost time.

Well, let'’s not borrow trouble.

No, it comes soon enough anyway.

You know, it really is dangerous here, Abby.

You oughta get out.

Get married maybe.

You'’d make some man a fine wife, Abby.

That station agent at Contention, Ed Bascomb, wasn'’t he interested?

"Was"? He still is! But I haven'’t decided yet.

When the right man comes along, you'’ll know in a flash.

That'’s how it was with me when I first met Cynthia.

Oh, Cynthia, Cynthia!

If she'’s so wonderful, why doesn'’t she ever write you?

How should I know why?

Well, you should'’ve figured it out by now.

Figured... [ telegraph clicking ]

That must be Boston about our raise.

It'’s not Boston. It'’s Ed Bascomb from Contention.

[ clicking continues ]Special

coming through tomorrow

west bound.

Give right of way

over 10:10.

Special? Hey, I wonder who'’d write that.

I have no idea.

But I know it means we'’ll have that payroll on our hands even longer.

[ clicking ]

[ clicking ]

Clay, I think we got somethin'’.

What is it?

Blue Mine payroll.

It'’s at the Fairbanks station.You sure?

It ain'’t due until tomorrow.

[ clicking continues ]Sent

day early

to fool

Bisbee gang.

Came too late

to go

on 10:10.

Oh, this will be a picnic.

After Abby goes off duty. I don'’t want her hurt.

Oh well, sure, Ed, we'’ll go late,

after Abby'’s gone and the tenderfoot'’s asleep.

[ knocking on door ]

[ knocking continues ]

Who is it?

It'’s me, Abby.

What'’s the matter?

Jason, I just couldn'’t sleep.

I-- I kept thinking about our quarrel this afternoon.

I wanted to tell you I'’m sorry.

You mean you came all the way over here to tell me that?

Well, isn'’t it important?Well, sure, but...

[ horses galloping in distance ]But what?

What do you hear?

[ galloping continues ]

[ galloping continues ]

This could mean trouble.

You go out the back door. Go to the saloon.

Have somebody ride over to Tombstone

and notify the vigilantes.

Jason, there isn'’t time to write to Tombstone.

I'’ll telegraph Ed Bascomb

and tell him to get word from there.

But if those are outlaws, you'’ll be trapped here.

I don'’t care, I'’m not gonna leave you.

Now look, you'’ve gotta go on.

You gotta few seconds, go ahead.

Jason, you can'’t hold them off alone.

Now, if there are two of us, at least we'’ve got a chance.

Rip out telegraph wires.

Open up! I got a package to send!

Station'’s closed, come back tomorrow.

I can'’t come back tomorrow.

Come on, open up!

Can'’t open up, new rules.

Jason, the wires went dead!

The girl'’s in there, too.

Bascomb will raise the roof if she gets hurt.

It'’s alright. Let him.

I'’m gonna get that money no matter who'’s in there.

Get around the shack.

[ gunshots continue ]

This is a fight to the finish, Abby.

You know that.

I know.

[ gunshots continue ]

[ gunshots continue ]

[ clicks ]

Abby, we'’re running out of ammunition.

You'’re hit!

It'’s only my hand.

I can fire with the other one.

[ gunshots ]

I think we got two of them.

Well, that'’s a comfort.

Now at least we'’re even.

We haven'’t a prayer.

That should do it. Hand me that.

CLAY: Guess their railroading days are over.

Alright, get your hands up,quick!

Alright, Abby, I'’ll keep 'em covered

till we can get the sheriff from Tombstone.

Morning, Mr. Waterfield. Morning, gentlemen. Pleased to see you.

You won'’t be so pleased to see me when I get through with you.

You'’re Jason Barnes, I take it,

the young man who'’s caused all the trouble.

I don'’t feel I was causin'’ any trouble.

I'’m Mr. Hadley, president of the road,

and this is Mr. Taylor and Mr. Smithers, the other directors.

How do you do?

Gentlemen, Miss Jefferson, the station agent.

Isn'’t anyone gonna help me?

Cynthia!

You'’re as beautiful as ever.

And you, Jason, why, you'’re a different man.

The West seems to have done things for you.

It has.

Oh, I'’d like to present Miss Jefferson.

Abby, Miss Waterfield.How do you do?

How you?

So this is Fairbanks.

It seems awfully quiet.

Yes, quiet is right. The way you wrote, Jason,

we expected to see a few bad men shootin'’ up the scenery.

This burg is as quiet as New England on a Sunday morning.

Where are all the outlaws you described?

Well, sir, there'’s a couple of them up there.

Four of them tried to rob the station last night.

Miss Jefferson and I killed two and captured the other two.

Vigilantes rode over from Tombstone this morning

and strung '’em up.

Oh...

Oh, let'’s get her inside. It'’s too much for her.

It'’s too much for me, too.

Bascomb, the station agent at Contention who engineered the whole job,

was picked up this morning trying to cross the border.

I guess that about winds up the story, eh, Abby?

Well, I can understand why you had trouble

getting assistance, Miss Jefferson.

The company deeply appreciates your sense of duty

and staying at your post.

There'’ll be an immediate raise, a good raise in your wages.

Doesn'’t matter anymore, Mr. Hadley, I'’m--

I'’m leaving this station.

I have some mining interest to tend to.

Then we'’ll need two replacements here

at Fairbanks.

You'’re coming back to our head office, Jason.

You'’ve served your apprenticeship.

Thank you, sir, but--No, "buts."

We know a good man when we see one.

I hope you realize how lucky you are, Cyrus,

to get a son-in-law like Jason here.

Won'’t take him long to move up.

Mr. Hadley, I'’m not gonna be Mr. Waterfield'’s son-in-law.

I thought I'’d go into the mining business, too.

But you have a great future with the road.

This is my future, right here.

I know this is kinda sudden, Abby,

but I only realized it suddenly.

Last night, it was only you and I against the gang.

The wonderful way you stood by me.

I thought we were finished.

It'’s only the beginning.

Well, that was how Jason Barnes and Abby Jefferson

fought and won the battle with the Bisbee gang

and how Jason learned a little about railroading

and a lot about life at the way station.