Original subtitles

The following program

is brought to you in living color on NBC.

In the springtime, a young man's fancy

likely turns to thoughts of, well, many things.

Anything, in fact, that'll make him forget

the long, hard winter and think of all the fun

and good times that lie ahead.

Hyah! Giddyap there!

Giddyap! Hyah!

Dad-burn mules.

Lazy as a fat sow in the summertime.

Giddyap! Hyah!

Giddyap! Hyah! Hyah!

Hyah!

Pull up!

Giddyap, grey!

Hyah!

Pull, grey!

I ain't gonna do all the work!

Dad-burn your ornery hide, pull!

Hyah! Hyah! Pull!

Look.

I wonder where Hoss is.

Well, it was awfully nice of you to show up.

Yeah, what, did you go to sleep on your cozy little seat

- and fall off on the ground? - Yeah.

Them mules remind me so much of you two,

I just didn't want to keep their company no longer.

Very funny.

But what happened to the rest of the poles?

Aw, dad-burnit, they fell off of that wagon

when the mules bolted forward.

I was down there trying to roll it through the mud and...

Dad-burn mules, mud and snow.

Yeah, well, we're tired of hungry steers and green wood.

And I'm sick and tired of you two moaning and groaning,

so let's finish stacking these poles.

Hey.

What's the matter with you two?

Them posts too heavy for you?

Why don't you watch where you're going.

Oh, no, no, no. He did it on purpose!

- What are you talking about? - All right, that's about enough!

Joe, if you're looking for a fight, you're gonna find it.

Look, now, we ain't got time.

There's too much work to do.

Now start picking those things up and watch it this time.

Adam, you stay out of this.

'Sides, where you get off telling me what to do anyhow?

Because I'm older than you are and smarter.

Oh, look, Hoss, is right, it's none of your business!

Stay out of it!

- Who you pushing? - All right!

Okay, you asked for it.

Oh, two against one, huh?!

I'll fix you!

Well?

Well, just because you got mountains around here

made of silver doesn't mean I have it.

For $15?

For Pete's sake, you want the thing or don't you?

Springs aren't much good.

Let's not mention the harness.

Look at the rim on that wheel.

It's almost worn through.

I'll replace it for three dollars.

Three dollars?!

All right, all right.

I told you forget about this.

I'll give you a good price on a brand-new one.

Pshaw.

$100 to take a man from one place to another?

"A fool and his money are soon parted."

Tell you what I will do though.

I'll give you $30 for the whole rig.

And that includes that nag.

Including the horse?

Pitiful creature.

You ought to shoot him out of pure kindness.

All right, sir.

All right, take it.

And may the theft lie easy on your conscience.

The boys have been stacking timber

to cure it for a new branding pen.

Nothing ruins a place like neglect.

As I said, the boys are building a new one.

It's been a hard winter.

Snow's been especially heavy this year.

It's a good thing to get a head start on the spring.

You know, "The early bird..."

"Catches the worm."

I know, I know.

I wonder where those boys are.

Anxious to meet your boys, Benjamin.

Yeah.

Haven't seen them since they were children.

- They must be big men now. - Yeah, they are.

Great oaks from little acorns, no?

They're three fine boys, Jed.

Hard workers and good head on their shoulders.

They're close to each other, as brothers should be.

She pull, grey!

Pull, doff!

She pull!

If you knew the hole was right here,

why'd you back it in so far for?!

Why didn't you say something?!

'Cause you didn't ask me, older brother.

Why don't you stop arguing and start pushing.

That's the smartest thing that's been said today.

Hyah!

Pull!

Giddyap!

Pull!

She pull!

She pull! She pull!

Hyah! Hyah!

What in the world?

"As you sow..."

All right!

Okay!

No, Joe, don't, don't!

Now you're going to... Ow!

Stop it!

Did you hear what I said?

Now, stop that nonsense.

Joe!

Adam!

Hoss!

Stop it!

Now, what's going on here?

- What is going on here?! - Ben!

Ben!

What's the matter?

"What's the matter"?

My foot is smashed; that's what's the matter.

Well, you satisfied?

Here, let me, let me help you up.

These, I take it, are your sons, Benjamin Cartwright.

My sons.

Would you please stop that?

- What? - The pounding.

Doctor, just how-how serious is this?

Well, it's hard to say.

He has a very painful foot there.

Better keep him off his feet, uh, oh, several days at least.

You know, a man of his years,

it's hard to say how really serious it could be.

Well, we'll do all we can for him, Doctor.

I know my way out, Ben.

Good night. Good night, boys.

Thank you for coming, Doctor.

Well...

Well, now you know how he is as a result of your...

Ten-year-old schoolboys would show more sense.

Do you realize that...

Will you stop that pounding!

Do you realize that man started with

nothing on his back but his clothes?

He accomplished everything, strictly on his own.

I wanted to show him what we've done with the Ponderosa.

I wanted him to meet my sons.

Well, he has.

I don't know what's gotten into the three of you lately!

Dad-burnit, Pa, we've been working for two weeks

in mud belly-deep to a tall cow.

It's rained dang near every day.

Yeah, when it didn't snow.

We haven't been in Virginia City for almost a month.

Personally, I'm sick of the Ponderosa right now.

Oh, you are, are you?

Well, you listen to me, young man.

I still run this ranch.

I'm still your father.

And as long as you continue to live on the Ponderosa,

you'll do exactly as I say, and that includes volunteering

to perform any errands or business deals

Mr. Milbank has been forced to delay while he recuperates!

And we're going up

and tell him so right now!

Come in.

I hope I didn't waken you.

No.

I was having a little trouble dropping off.

Well, Jedediah, the, uh...

boys have been... worrying about your affairs,

and they insist that you let them

take care of whatever business you came out here for.

Well, that's very thoughtful.

As a matter of fact, there are a few little things.

Well, I suppose they might handle it.

Oh, of course they can... Why, each one of them

has taken care of the Ponderosa by himself on occasion.

Oh, I don't want to take any of them away from his work.

Oh, no, no, no. No, no. We insist.

Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.

Here we are.

Let's see.

Yes.

Exactly three little items

that need attention.

Little Joe.

Here's a small piece of land I own.

Been hanging on to it until the railroad realizes

they need it for a watering stop.

I had word a squatter's moved onto it.

Let one in...

next thing your property is overrun.

Think you can chase them off, son.

Yes, sir, Mr. Milbank.

I think I can chase 'em off.

Hoss.

There's a small ranch on this map.

It's located exactly at the spot I need

for a fattening station for my cattle.

Now, I've made out a bill of sale in advance.

All you have to do

is fill in the correct amount.

I'll pay a lot more than the land's worth. Buy it.

Yes, sir. I'll get it, Mr. Milbank.

Ah. Now, this is a little different.

I sold a nice little ranch here.

Couple paid me half.

The rest is supposed to be paid in a certain amount each year.

Payment's overdue.

I want the ranch back.

Evict them.

Why don't you give them a little more time?

Maybe they'll come up with the money.

I've given them enough time!

Time waits for no man.

Evict them.

Well, Jedediah...

you can relax now... everything is being taken care of.

Yes, Ben.

Friends in need are friends indeed.

Yeah.

Well, it'll be just about our luck to run into more rain.

Well, maybe we'll be lucky and drown.

At least I won't have to put up with you two

for a couple of days.

Do a good job, boys. Good luck.

Thank ya, Pa.

Thanks, Pa, we'll need it.

Hello?

Hello, in there!

Come on out!

All right, I'm gonna count to five.

One... two... three, four...

- five! - Howdy, stranger!

You're a sight for sore eyes.

I come up from the creek

as soon as I seen you crossing it.

Parley is my name.

And welcome.

I don't get much company up here.

Why, this is the first chance

I've had to chin with a soul in weeks!

You know who this property belongs to?

No. Who?

Jedediah Milbank.

Nice name.

He's from San Francisco

and he doesn't like squatters overrunning his property.

Jedediah...?

Well, that's a Bible name, ain't it?

I guess so.

Huh. Must come from a nice family.

You know, folks don't read the Bible like they used to.

I still do.

Well, you can tell him

that I'll, I'll watch out for his place

for him while he's busy up there to San Francisco.

Well, no! No, no! He wants you to get off his property!

He does? What for?

'Cause it's his, not yours!

Now you got to get off!

He planning on using it?

He gonna farm it, maybe?

No, he's not gonna farm it.

He's going to wait and sell it to the railroad.

Well, that's the difference in folks.

I look at this land, I see tall meadow grass

and pretty spring poppies,

and that nice little creek over there,

running along, snickering at the white-tailed deer

that come down to drink.

And Jedediah Milbank,

all he sees is something to sell to the railroads.

Bible name, too!

Well, all I'd like to see is

you packing your things and getting off the property.

Uh, you got a badge?

I don't see it.

You a sheriff?

No. No, I haven't got a badge,

but I got a gun.

And I don't want to have to use it!

Now that's a right smart idea, son.

Why, a man can get his self killed using a thing like that.

Now, I said I don't want to have to use it.

But I'm not gonna spend the whole day passing time

with a stubborn, cantankerous old squatter!

Stubborn?

Cantankerous? Me?

Why, you ain't said a neighborly word

unless "Get the blazes off of here"

is the way you pass the time of day!

All right, all right. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry if I didn't put it to you the way you'd like,

but I made it plain.

Get off the property!

No, I'd just as soon not.

What'd you say?

I'd just as soon not.

Now look, old man, I'm sick and tired of arguing!

Now get your things and get off the land!

Son, you move too fast.

You gotta learn to relax

so's you can think about what you're doing.

Oh, no, oh, no. I'm know what I'm...

Put me down, will ya?!

Hey!

Hey, look, cut me down, will ya?! Hey!

Cut me down, will ya?!

I didn't... I didn't mean that bear trap for you.

Why, I just put it there

to keep them bear out of my tote sack.

Well, fine! Then let me down!

Now listen, you-you just got to learn to relax.

Why, it's the best thing in the world for you.

The blood will all rush to your head

- and refresh your mind. - Whoo!

Why, I ain't doing this land no harm.

There's plenty of fish,

fresh game for the shooting, wood for a fire, water.

Well, the land gives a man everything he needs

just as the good Lord intended it.

Hey, please cut me down. It's making me dizzy.

Hey, come one!

Look up at the sky, son. Look up at the sky.

You had your mind on little things.

Look up at the sky!

How could I possibly look up at the sky?! Oh!

Hey, come on. Cut me down.

Now I don't want you to think

that I don't appreciate your coming to visit me,

but you're a kind of strong-minded boy.

You just got to learn to relax.

Hey, come on! Cut me down!

Well, you think it over, and I'll be back.

You, you'll what?!

Oh, hey! Hey, no!

Ah, I don't see how anybody can trade

this beautiful blue sky

and warm sun for a mess of greenbacks and silver.

Okay, okay, old man.

You got me sold on the sun, the sky and the wind,

but I've been sitting here for over an hour,

and I haven't even got a nibble yet.

I've been telling you, boy.

You got a nervous hand on that pole,

and the fish know it.

Look, you just gotta relax.

But how can I relax with you catching all the fish?

Well, I'll tell you, son.

You know what day it is?

No.

It's the first day of spring. That's what it is.

So, what about it?

What about it?

That means you can forget about the rain and the snow of winter

and start enjoying living again.

Hey, you know, I never thought about it that way, old man.

Maybe that's because I've never been hung upside down before

so I could think straight.

Oh, boy, boy, you got one! You got one!

Wha...? Hey, hey!

Hey, hey, did you ever,

did you ever see a fish like that in your whole life?

No, boy, I ain't never seen a fish like that ever before.

Fresh, tender trout fried nice and crisp

with hot biscuits, mmm-mmm! Let's go!

Wait, wait, wait a minute.

Wait? What for?

Yeah, now you got to learn to relax, old man.

Look, if you're as hungry as I am,

we ought to stay a while and catch another one.

Less, of course, you're in a hurry.

No, boy, I ain't in no hurry.

Here, put him on the string.

Whoo-hoo, what a fish!

Hello, pup. Hello there.

Want some water? Wait a minute.

Come here. Here.

Yeah, drink that then.

Things will get better.

We'll paint the house, I'll make some furniture.

The baby will be company for you soon.

We tried it.

We came out here to the middle of nowhere to be farmers

instead of city people.

"Close to the land" you said, "was close to God,"

but it just didn't work.

Look. This isn't a home, this is a shack.

The other things came first.

We knew that. You agreed.

Oh, yes, but I know enough to admit a mistake.

This has been a terrible year, Paul.

We never see anyone,

we never have any time for anything but plowing,

and building and clearing the land.

Annie, this will be a good place someday.

Everything we've done will be worth it.

It's beautiful here.

It'll be a good way to live.

Oh, it never will.

Paul, that man came here last night out of the blue,

and he is offering us every cent we paid for this place,

plus a $300 profit.

Now, why can't you just thank God and take it?

"You can't buy the way I feel about this place."

That's what you said to me last summer.

Remember?

Here you are, ma'am.

Sit down, Mr. Cartwright.

It's ready.

Ah, ah.

It sure does smell good.

Some, uh, bread.

Fresh-baked.

You bet.

Ain't nothing smells like fresh baked bread.

Paul?

We thank thee for these thy gifts,

which we have received from thy bounty, oh, Lord.

Amen.

Well, you folks said you'd make up your mind by tonight.

I reckon this is sort of a celebration dinner, ain't it?

There's... too much of us here.

We don't want to sell.

I'll tell you, old man Milbank really wants this place.

He wants it for a feeding station for his cattle.

He told me to pay anything I had to, to get it.

He did?

Yes'm.

Ain't no use in us arguing back and forth

like a couple mule traders.

Tell you what I'll do.

I'll give you $1,000 instead of the $300.

Now, that ought to be fair to you

and satisfy old man Milbank.

$1,000. Oh, thank you.

Paul, did you hear?

This place is not for sale, Mr. Cartwright.

Paul.

Well, it... it'd be like selling our...

our own flesh for $1,000.

Paul, I didn't... I didn't mean to start...

No, no, no, it's nothing.

I'm sorry.

Please, go... go ahead and eat.

♪♪

She'll, uh, be all right.

Having a baby all alone's

been making her kind of nervous lately.

Yeah.

Women's sort of funny like that, I reckon.

Filled your lamp.

Thanks.

I, uh... Is that offer still good?

Yeah.

Then we'll take it.

Be leaving first thing in the morning.

No need to hurry.

Ain't... ain't no rush.

Well, we'll want to.

Maybe, uh, you'd give me a hand with the packing in the morning?

Yeah, I'll help you.

♪♪

Well, there she is, Paul.

Everything in the house that wasn't nailed down.

I certainly thank you, Mr. Cartwright.

Glad to help you.

Uh, you better get a line over that stuff.

Otherwise, first good rut you hit,

it'll all come tumblin' up the front seat with you.

Thanks again.

I, uh, think I'll take a look around.

I don't want to forget anything.

♪♪

I was taking a walk, and look what I found, Paul.

Aren't they sweet?

So that's where she's been.

She must have been hiding them someplace.

They're three or four weeks old.

Look at them... so tiny.

Oh, I'm not scared anymore, Paul.

That sounds silly, but I just feel different.

It's the morning.

You always feel good in the morning.

Oh, I found something else in the back of the barn.

Look.

Violets.

Violets are for a man to give to a woman, not vice versa.

Oh, Paul.

Oh, I don't want to go anymore.

I just want to have a dozen children

and stay right here on our own farm

for the rest of our lives.

What are we going to do?

I don't know. I...

I signed the bill of sale this morning.

Oh.

You've got to make him give it back, Paul.

I really want it more than anything in the whole world.

Well, I ain't going to give it to you.

Tell you what I will do, though.

I'll make you a trade.

Trade for what?

I'll trade you this bill of sale for that pup your wife's got.

Never was a very sharp trader nohow.

Bye, Paul.

Thank you.

See y'all.

♪♪

Mother.

Company comin'.

Company?

I wonder who.

Now, isn't that just like a woman?

Wanting to know something before she could possibly know.

Better set another plate.

Man coming in this time of day will be hungry.

Ted.

There's not enough for another person.

Well, we'll just stretch what we got, then.

It's already stretched.

A man coming in this late's

got a right to expect something to eat.

Now, we'll not let him go hungry in our house, huh?

Howdy.

Howdy. Adam Cartwright.

Ted Hackett.

You're just in time to sit for supper.

- Oh, thanks. - You look tired.

You come all the way from town?

Yeah, it's a... it's a long way.

Sure is.

Come on in.

Mama.

This is Adam Cartwright.

Hello.

- This is my boy, Ray. - Ray.

My daughter, Barbara.

Barbara.

Well...

you get some of that trail dust off of you,

and I'll go out and take care of your horse.

You know, it isn't often we get somebody out here

- to share some of Ma's good... - Mr. Hackett.

I think you ought to know

that I was sent out here by Jedediah Milbank.

Well, a man can't talk business on an empty stomach.

You go ahead and have your supper,

and we'll talk later, huh?

Okay, if you say so.

Thank you.

Ma.

You can go ahead and serve supper now.

I don't want you to worry none about me not eating.

I've had a... kind of an upset stomach lately.

Touch of colic, I reckon.

I can't keep nothing down.

Now, you kids mind your manners.

I'll go put your horse away.

Hackett's Folly.

That's what I called him.

I figured a prize bull would give me a prime herd.

Pay for himself in the long run.

Well, that's what we've done on the Ponderosa.

Improve the stock.

He was a fine animal.

Then, with the late snows,

bear came down out of the hills,

got a hold of old Folly in his pen one night

and broke his neck.

Well, we lost a lot of cattle to mountain lions.

Worst winter we ever had.

I, uh, heard the ruckus.

Went out and got the bear, but...

well, he's the most expensive beef

we've eaten around here in a long time.

Cost good money.

Every cent we made on the crops for the past two years.

And that did it, huh?

That's just the beginning.

We still figured we were ahead

the ten calves old Folly sired for us.

Then, with the bad winter, I had to buy feed for them.

Then all but two of them drowned

when the spring thaw flooded the creek.

Well, look, maybe if I tell Mr. Milbank what happened...

No, no.

One of the things we liked about this place

when we bought it

was that it had a good windmill and a pump.

We could always irrigate ten acres

if a dry spell come along.

Pump broke, and it takes $200 to get a new one.

Why don't you fix the old one?

Even if we could fix it, we need a new cylinder, and...

we can't even afford that.

We were ambitious.

Probably tried to do too much

without setting anything away for a...

a rainy day.

We hate losing the place.

We're not going to cry about it.

No, sir.

My name's Theodore.

Theodore stands for "the gifts of God."

The good Lord's given me plenty of his gifts in my day,

and I'm sure not going to start complaining

when he takes a few of them away from me.

Well, I guess I better look to the stock before I turn in.

I'm sorry the only thing I got to offer you

is the loft to sleep in.

He's looking for his tobacco in his pockets.

Used to smoking that smelly old thing like a stove.

Well, I'm not as proud as he is.

Do you have any tobacco on you, Mr. Cartwright?

That man wouldn't buy himself none in over a month.

No, ma'am, I don't.

A man shouldn't have to do that.

Not my man.

- Morning. - Morning.

What you doing?

Well, that pump of yours sure was smashed up.

I got most of it back together.

You've been working on the pump?

Ah, I couldn't sleep last night.

I thought I'd take a look at it.

You'll have to drop everything else

for a couple of days and help me out.

But, uh, like I told you last night,

even if we could fix the pump, I...

We got to have a new cylinder, and we can't afford that.

Well, I'm going to go to town for the cylinder.

You can, uh, finish putting all this back together.

But... Ted?

What's the matter?

Just a minute, Mama.

Go ahead, speak what's on your mind.

All right.

Now, listen and don't interrupt.

I'm going to sell those two calves you got left,

'cause you're going to be too busy handling a double crop.

What do you mean, a double crop?

Well, I got a plan that will

let you irrigate twice as many acres.

I worked half the night on it.

And I just forget about Mr. Milbank and the bank, too, huh?

No, I'll take care of both of them.

You can pay me when you catch up.

No.

I've given a lot of favors in my day,

and I'm not too proud to take them, but not this.

We made our mistakes, and we'll pay for them, not you.

I'm not paying, Mr. Hackett.

I'm sharing.

It's springtime, Ted.

A time for beginning things, not ending them.

I wouldn't be surprised if we run across

a little tobacco, too.

Yahoo!

I wonder why he did that, honey.

I reckon he just felt like it.

Yahoo!

Fresh earth, new grass, pure, invigorating air.

Smell.

Smell... smell...

Sagebrush.

You all right?

Yes, yes, I'm all right.

You know, Ben, I've been thinking.

Got a big house here.

Lots of space.

Plenty of rooms.

Oh, it's a... it's a comfortable house.

Oh, such a big house just for four men?

Do you ever think about letting rooms out to travelers?

Oh, no, no, Jedediah.

I would never think of doing a thing like that.

Well, just a suggestion, just a suggestion.

You know, "Idle hands are the devil's..."

"Workshop."

Well, I know you're anxious to get back to work.

I'll do what I can with this foot.

Oh, no need for anything like that.

Well, now, Ben, you know I'm not the sort of man

to sit around twiddling my thumbs.

I know a ranch like this needs lots of attention,

especially with your boys away.

Oh, they'll be, they'll be back in a day or so.

I'm glad you came here, Jedediah.

Set them a good example.

Well, come on.

Let's make hay while the sun shines.

Chores won't get done standing around.

I'll go get my coat.

That ought to do it.

Now, Ben, a job worth doing is worth doing well.

Why don't we finish the rest of the pile?

♪♪

That's deep enough, Ben.

You know, Ben, I wish I had a couple of hands

like you on my spread.

Two good days work like this,

we'd have the place in pretty good order.

Oh, Jedediah, Jedediah...

Hiya, Pa, Mr. Milbank.

Well, real nice job stacking those poles.

Yeah, well, we didn't have too much to do while you were gone.

Chased that squatter off my land, did you, boy?

- Pa, I-I got a trout this big. - Oh, yeah?

Yeah. Melted in your mouth like butter.

Yeah.

Went fishing?

No squatters?

Well, yeah, there was one: m-man named Parley.

A real nice fellow, and he's going to keep an eye

on your land for you, Mr. Milbank,

so you haven't got a thing to worry about.

Uh, Joseph, you mean there was someone on the property,

and there's still someone on the property?

Yeah, but he-he wasn't doing any harm, Pa.

Not doing any harm?!

Now, Jedediah, Jedediah, hold on a moment.

Joseph, perhaps it would be best if you would explain.

Hi.

Pa, Mr. Milbank, Joe.

See you got them all stacked up.

Neat and pretty, too.

Yeah, Hoss, uh, h-how did you make out, son?

Did you get that land that Jedediah wants?

Well, did you buy that property or didn't you?

Well, Hoss?

Well, Pa, I reckon them folks were just

a little sharper traders than me.

Well, I told you I wanted that land.

How much extra did they want for it?

A thousand?

Two thousand?

Well, what did they demand, Hoss?

Well, dad-burnit, Pa, they didn't demand nothing.

They just flat didn't want to sell that land, that's all.

They offered you a bribe.

The scoundrel took a bribe, that's what he did!

They're trying to hold me up!

It's a plot, it's a plot!

That's right.

That's what I done, I-I took a bribe.

I knew it, I knew it!

Hoss!

What'd they give you?

I'll show you.

Look at there.

Ain't he cute?

Pa, Hoss, Mr. Milbank.

Yeah, that's a good, even job of stacking you're doing there.

Yeah. Uh, tell me, Adam,

did you, uh, have any trouble at all?

Uh, no, no, not at all.

- Good, good. - Ah.

You're the oldest... the only one with a head on his shoulders.

Where'd you get the pup, Hoss?

Well, Adam, uh, why-why don't you give, uh, Jedediah the deed?

Oh, I didn't get it, Pa.

They paid the installment.

With what?

Where'd they get the money?

From me.

I'm sorry, Pa, I had to do it.

They needed it.

Ben Cartwright, you, you...

You, you, you Judas!

Jedediah...

You jackal, you father of jackals!

Now, calm down, Jed.

"Calm down"?!

First they heave a log on my foot...

Well, that was simply an accident.

"An accident."

You, Ben Cartwright, are the worst of a poor lot.

Now, Jed, I...

I always said, "Like father, like son."

You, sir, you've sired a litter of lazy, shiftless whelps.

"Like father, like son."

Hyah!

Come on.

Hyah! Hyah!

Oh, oh!

Oh.

Come on, the three of us lazy, shiftless whelps

better get back to work.

Boys...

it's been a long, tough, hard winter.

Smell that fresh air.

Feel that warm sun.

It's spring.

Ponderosa can take care of itself.

I'm going to town.

Oh, what are you up to?

"Like father, like son."

Hyah! Yah!

Yahoo!

This has been a color presentation

of the NBC Television Network.