Original subtitles

Now, 20 mule team products bring you Death Valley Days.

Sometimes, human hearts keep alive

what the historians bury in footnotes.

Did you ever hear of the United States Senator

who won more lasting fame because of a dog

than for anything he ever did in Washington?

Well, the story's true.

By the way, I play the Senator.

[Dog barking]

Johnny, sit. Steady, now steady.

That's a good dog. That's a fine dog.

Not yet.

One for the money,

two for the show,

three to get ready,

and four to go!

Run, Johnny. Run!

Run, Johnny. Run!

[Gunshots]

[Sobbing] You got him. Johnny!

Why'd you have to kill him?

Why'd you have to do that?

I warned you to keep off my property.

He wasn't bothering you.

He ain't gonna bother me from now on.

You had no right. You're a murderer.

Get off my land and stay off.

Go on! Get!

Andy, you understand now, if Mr. Vest says no...

He's not the only lawyer in town.

He's the only one who's not afraid to tangle with Carter Johnson.

Hm. Must be away campaigning.

Come in, come in.

I believe we've met before.

You're Andrew Cody, live out west of town.

That's right, Mr. Vest.

I shook hands with you at the election rally

a couple of weeks ago.

Oh, sure. Sit down.

Thank you.

Now, what can I do for you, Mr. Cody?

I, uh... it's for him.

Andy's my grandson.

Glad to meet you, Andy.

Carter Johnson killed my dog.

Why'd he do that?

Just out of meanness.

He's a mean man. He's a murderer.

Mr. Johnson claims that Andy and the dog was trespassing.

I see.

Well, have you talked to the Sheriff?

That wouldn't do any good.

Well, I'm not sure that I can help you, Andy.

You're supposed to be the best lawyer in the county.

He's not only supposed to be, Andy, he is.

Lawyer's only as good as the last case he won.

Or lost.

Tell me about it.

Well, I was running a race with Johnny,

that was his name.

He ran over the hill ahead of me,

and Carter Johnson shot him.

He shot him twice with a double-barrel shotgun.

How old are you, Andy?

12 going on 13.

How old was Johnny?

Ten.

You had him all that time?

Yes, sir.

Carter Johnson shot him.

Shot him twice.

I guess you're like everybody else.

You don't want any trouble with Carter Johnson.

I wouldn't say that, Andy.

I wouldn't say that at all.

We're going to sue Carter Johnson for $500.

$500? For a dog?

I'll take care of Carter Johnson.

Andy, you try to remember,

ten years of happiness is a lot to be thankful for.

More than some people get out of life

if they live to be a hundred.

Why, I can't serve this on Carter Johnson.

Why not?

$500 for a misbred mongrel dog?

He wasn't worth anything.

You're not the judge and jury.

I got a right to my opinion.

Which is, that I must have been out of my mind

to take a case like this?

Don't answer that, Sheriff. Just do your duty.

Unless you want it on the record

that you're afraid to serve a summons

and a complaint to Carter Johnson.

Well, he'd throw this right back in my face.

If he does, he'll be in contempt of court,

and you'll have to arrest him.

You know I can't do that.

I know he got you elected.

But there's another election coming along.

And you're in it.

And if you got any hope of being elected Senator--

I'm a citizen first, a lawyer second,

and a candidate after that.

Now, where do you stand, Sheriff?

All right. All right.

But you'll regret this, even if I don't.

Looking for me, Sheriff?

Well, I-- [chuckles]

I didn't think anyone was at home.

I was out in the kitchen.

Well, old man Cody and his grandson are suing you

for shooting the kid's dog.

How'd they find a lawyer fool enough to sue me?

Well, they got George Vest for their lawyer.

I'm not going to take this.

You'll have to talk to George Vest about that.

Sheriff?

You take this back where you got it.

I've been expecting you.

Then you know what I'm here about.

You can tear that up and forget it.

I don't think so.

What did you take this case for, anyhow?

Old man Cody can't pay you.

He hasn't got a dime.

He'll have $500 when it's over.

You're out of your mind.

$500 for a two-bit mongrel hound?

The jury'll laugh you out of court.

Possible, but improbable.

Now, look.

You want to go to the United States Senate?

You'll need every vote you can get.

I carry a lot of them right in my pocket.

Nobody wants a fool for a Senator.

That's what you'd be if you take me to court about a dog.

You're right, Mr. Johnson.

This case could break or make me,

but let's not dig my grave until the jury comes in.

Now, look, I'm warning you.

Drop this case, or take the consequences.

I don't like bribes.

I like threats even less.

You're lucky you're not being sued for $5000.

Now take this and get out.

[Door closes]

Hi there, Andrew.

Oh, hello, Joe.

I got a little order here for you from Andy's Ma.

All right.

That's some case you folk got against Carter Johnson.

Everyone's laughing about it.

What's funny? He killed my dog.

Andy, Andy. Here.

You go and get yourself some candy.

Go on. Go ahead.

Andy, let's see what you'd like.

[Clears throat] Like a couple of these?

Yeah.

Some of these mint leaves? Sure.

Let's make it two of 'em.

Piece of watermelon? Yeah.

Two of those.

How about a piece of liquorice? Sure.

There you are.

Is this three-cents worth?

Some to grow on.

You folks don't really think

you're going to win that big case, do you, Andy?

We'd better win it.

Johnny was the only friend I had.

Eh, dog's a dog. Mongrel's a mongrel.

That isn't what Mr. Vest thinks.

Well, he's a politician.

They never say what they really think.

He'll carry your case just so far,

then he'll drop it like a hot potato.

Give me my three cents back.

[Knocking] Come in. Come in.

Mr. Vest?

Yes.

I'm Andy Cody's mother.

Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Cody.

You have a mighty fine boy for a son.

Is something wrong?

Yes, Mr. Vest. Something is wrong.

Because of you, my son wants to kill a man.

What do you mean?

Took his grandfather's rifle and ran out of the house

saying he was going to shoot Carter Johnson.

Couldn't you stop him?

You're the one who should have stopped him.

Why didn't you tell him to forget about his dog?

What's dead can't be brought back to life.

Why didn't you tell him

that justice isn't for people like us?

Cause that's not so, Mrs. Cody.

That's just not so.

Now, if I'm responsible

for something that shouldn't have happened,

I'll make amends any way I can.

But first, let's find your boy.

Have you seen him?

He's bound to be around here somewhere.

Carter Johnson's house is only a couple of miles from here.

Let's spread out.

Andy!

Wait.

Keep away from me, Mr. Vest.

I thought I was your lawyer.

A lawyer's no good to me.

Everybody's laughing at ya. It's all a joke about us.

Carter Johnson-- it won't be a joke

when your case gets to the jurors.

Oh, they'll laugh too.

Andy, killing Carter Johnson won't prove anything.

You'll just be putting more weight on the wrong side of the scale.

Justice is a funny thing.

If you put too many wrongs on the scale,

gets awfully hard to make it balance out right again.

Now, you know you can't kill Mr. Johnson.

Give me the gun.

Andy! Come back!

[Gunshot]

Oh, Andy. Andy.

I'm all right.

I couldn't do it.

Mr. Johnson rode right past me. I couldn't do it.

I'm a coward.

You're no coward, Andy.

You're just not a murderer. Thank god.

Andy, we heard a shot. What happened?

I was so mad at myself, I had to shoot at something.

Is that what you shot at, Andy?

And I hit it, too. Right through the hat.

Oh, Andy.

Come on. I'll take you home.

And you, young man, you stay there.

We'll take care of Carter Johnson tomorrow, the right way--

in court.

Put your hand on the Bible.

Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth,

and nothing but the truth, so help you god?

Yes, sir. Sit down.

Now, Andy, would you tell us, please,

just what happened on Mr. Johnson's property last Monday?

Yes, sir.

Me and Johnny-- Johnny was your dog?

Yes, sir.

Me and Johnny were running a race,

and Mr. Johnson shot Johnny.

[Chuckles]

Now, were you and Johnny doing anything wrong?

Up to any mischief?

No, sir. We were just heading for home.

Why did you cross Mr. Johnson's land?

It was a shortcut.

What did Johnny mean to you?

He was the only friend I had in this world.

The only friend?

Yes, sir.

We lived too far from anybody for me to have any other friends.

Your honor...

I object.

To what?

To Mr. Vest introducing the term "friend,"

referring to a dog.

The word "friend" should be reserved only

for human relationships.

Your honor,

Andy's father was killed in a railroad accident

when Andy was a baby.

His grandfather is an old man.

He's a wonderful grandfather.

But there are some things he can't do.

What's the point of all this?

The dog was the only companion that Andy could run with,

go adventuring with.

Now, I call that being a "friend"

in the truest sense of human relationship.

I'll let the word "friend" remain in the testimony.

[Chuckles] Shh!

Do you find the rulings of this court amusing, Mr. Johnson?

No, your honor.

A little unusual.

Proceed, Mr. Vest.

Thank you, your honor.

Was Johnny a vicious dog?

No, sir.

Well, can you think of any reason

why Mr. Johnson would have to shoot him?

No, sir.

Except that Mr. Johnson is mean.

Your honor--

we'll strike the boy's last remark.

Your honor, I have no further questions.

Now, Andy,

you've sworn to tell the truth, haven't you?

So I want you to tell us,

isn't it true that, on several occasions,

Mr. Johnson warned you to keep off of his property

with your dog?

Yes, sir. So you were trespassing, isn't that so?

No, sir. I mean-- do you know the meaning of the word "trespassing"?

Well, answer me, Andy!

Your honor, Mr. Collins is bullying the witness.

Just take it a little easier, Mr. Collins. He's just a boy.

Yes, your honor.

Do you know the meaning of the word "trespassing"?

Yes, but--

then you know that you were trespassing, isn't that so?

Just answer "yes" or "no."

Mr. Johnson didn't have to kill Johnny.

Now, did you see Mr. Johnson shoot your dog?

No, but...

Well, then, for all you know,

your dog might have been attacking Mr. Johnson,

isn't that right?

Johnny wouldn't--

yes or no.

No. Johnny wouldn't hurt anybody.

I've no further questions, your honor.

That's all, Andy.

I have no other witnesses, your honor.

However, I'd be very much interested

in hearing the witnesses for the defense.

Is the defense ready?

We certainly are, sir.

You may call your witness.

The defense calls Dr. William Porter.

Put your hand on the Bible.

You promised you'd fight Mr. Johnson.

We're fighting him, Andy.

He doesn't know it yet.

Now, Dr. Porter, you're a veterinarian.

That's right. You're the only one in town, in fact.

May we assume that you know more about dogs

than any other man in town?

I would think so.

Well, in your professional opinion,

was the Cody boy's dog worth $500?

No, sir.

Then what is your honest evaluation?

Well, that dog was ten years old,

he couldn't do any useful tasks that I know of.

I'd say he wasn't even worth 50 cents.

Thank you, Doctor.

Dr. Porter, I imagine you have a great many friends.

I have.

Well, now, is there one amongst them

that you might say was your best friend?

Well, yes. Joe Harper.

[Vest] I believe he works in the general store.

I don't just work there. I own the place.

So, Joe Harper is your best friend?

I just said that.

Now, Dr. Porter,

you've heard the judge rule that the word "friend"

can apply to a dog.

Andy's dog was his best-- well, his only friend.

You said he wasn't worth 50 cents.

Now, would you also say that Joe Harper isn't worth 50 cents?

You can't compare a man to a dog.

Just answer the question.

Well, it's a stupid question.

Your honor-- answer the question.

Well, uh, yes.

What was that? I said, yes.

I mean, no. I mean, uh...

I have no more questions.

Step down, Dr. Porter.

Your honor, I had intended to put my client on the stand,

but it seems to be an obvious waste of time

to pursue this farce any further.

The boy and his dog were clearly trespassing,

he'd been warned many times by my client.

The demand for $500 damages is preposterous.

I move for dismissal, your honor.

Your honor,

the issue here is one that cannot be dismissed.

What is this world coming to,

if a boy and his dog can't run across a field?

If all of us shot every dog that ran across his property,

there'd be mighty few dogs on earth

and millions of lonely children.

What is a dog? How much is a dog worth?

The best friend a man has,

may turn against him, become his enemy.

His son or daughter, whom he has reared

with love and care, may prove ungrateful.

Those nearest and dearest to us,

those whom we trust with our happiness

and our own good names,

may become traitors to their faith.

The money a man has, he may lose.

It flees away from him, perhaps when he needs it most.

His reputation sacrificed

in a moment of ill-considered action.

Those people who are prone to fall on their knees

to do us honor when success is with us,

may be the first to throw the stone of malice

when failure settles its clouds upon our heads.

The one absolutely unselfish friend

a man can have in this selfish world,

the one who never deserts him,

the one who never proves ungrateful or treacherous,

is his dog.

A man's dog will stand by him in prosperity and in poverty,

in health and in sickness.

He'll sleep on the cold ground,

where wintery winds blow and the snow drives fiercely,

if only he can be near his master's side.

He'll kiss the hand that has no food to offer.

He'll lick the wounds and sores

that come in encounter with the roughness of the world.

He guards the sleep of his pauper master

as if he were a prince.

When all other friends desert him,

he remains.

When riches take wings and reputation falls apart,

his love is as constant as the sun

in its journey through the heavens.

If fortune drives his master forth into the world an outcast,

friendless, homeless,

a faithful dog asks no higher privilege

than that of accompanying him, to guard against danger,

to fight against his enemies.

And when the last scene of all, comes,

when death takes the master in its arms,

when his body is laid away in the cold ground,

no matter if all other friends pursue their way,

there by his graveside, a noble dog will be found.

Head between his paws,

his eyes sad,

but open...

In alert watchfulness,

faithful and true,

even to death.

The, uh, motion for dismissal is denied.

The jury will retire to consider a verdict.

[All murmuring]

I don't think we have to retire, your honor.

We've already reached our verdict.

Well, how do you find?

We find the defendant guilty as charged.

I mean, we find for Andy Cody against Carter Johnson.

[Crowd cheering]

It happened in western Kansas,

way back in the 1890s,

but the world still quotes Senator George A. Vest's

classic tribute to the dog.

I wonder if you feel as I do--

that that's quite a tribute to Senator Vest.

And, next week, another chapter

from our long, and I think, wonderful history.

See you then.