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Yes, sir, mister...

you can always tell a first-rate town

by the way the people treat a stranger.

Now you know we're first-class around here

because this is genuine bay rum I'm throwing in absolutely free.

I appreciate that word "free," sir,

'cause I'm down to my last dollar.

Well, you got a nice way about you, mister,

but if you want to make money around this town,

your strong back will help you more than your good manners.

Oh?

The mines, they're running full blast around here,

paying top dollar, too.

The cattlemen, on the other hand, are suffering.

What's good for one is bad for the other.

Why, Ben Cartwright's been coming to town the past two days

trying to get men for the roundup.

But they're all taking jobs in the mines.

Guess you can't blame a man

when you stack up the difference in wages.

Ben sure is persistent, though.

Which one is Little Joe?

The one on the pinto.

Hey, how come you knew his name?

I thought you said you was a stranger around here.

Oh, everybody's heard about the Ponderosa,

the Cartwrights.

You heading for the mines?

I always go where the real money is.

Harry, you sure you wanna sign on?

Well, I'll tell you how it is, Mr. Ben.

If I go to the mines, they're gonna pay me too much money.

Too much money?

Well, what can a man do with money

but spend it on Saturday nights with whiskey and women?

Now at my age,

too much of both ain't good for me.

Now with what you pay me I can stay healthy.

You got yourself a job, Harry.

An explanation like that deserves beer, Harry.

Yeah.

- Come on, Harry. - Oh, oh, oh.

I hear you need hands.

That's right.

Well, I'm looking for a job.

Uh, we're looking for cowhands.

Yeah, I know.

If you don't mind me asking,

have you ever pushed cattle before?

Yeah, I've done it before.

And, and like I say, I'm, I need a job.

Well, if it's money you're needing,

why haven't you tried the mines?

You see, a man should only go below ground once...

when they plant him there in a pine box.

Me, I, I like fresh air.

Well, that sounds fair enough, Pa.

Uh, where have you worked before, Mr...?

Stafford. Clay Stafford.

Uh, have you worked any ranches before?

Well, the Circle J and the Lazy Bar up in Oregon Territory.

Lazy Bar's one of the biggest ranches up there.

Ever worked around here?

Oh, no. No local references,

if that's what you mean.

He's healthy and he needs a job, Pa.

What more do you want?

Wages are eight dollars a week,

pay day every Friday, and a bonus at the end of the job.

Sounds fair.

All right.

- Clay Stafford. - Right.

Very good. We'll be leaving in about an hour.

Doesn't look like anybody else is in the line up here.

- I'll get some supplies. - Right.

Hey thanks for putting in a good word with your father.

Didn't make any difference.

You would've gotten the job anyway. We need hands.

Where you from, Stafford?

Call me Clay. I'm from a lot of places.

Well, a man only gets born in one.

Well, that'd be New Orleans.

No kidding, New Orleans? My mother was born there.

That's a coincidence.

Yeah, that, that sure is.

Yeah, I'll tell ya one thing, Clay.

You got to work for a living,

you might as well put in your time for the Cartwrights.

Well, this is downright luxury here.

Solid floor in the bunkhouse, springs in the beds,

not even any busted window panes.

You ain't been doing much riding lately, huh?

How do you mean?

Well, hardly any calluses on your hand.

Wear gloves.

Well, they'll be work-a-plenty starting tomorrow.

Think I'll go in and try out them springs right now.

Hi.

That's a pretty fancy holster you got there.

Yeah, it's a McKendrick Special.

Hmm.

It's like they left the front end of it off.

Well, see, you don't draw. The gun slips out.

Oh, yeah.

Reckon you'd be ready to fire that in a wink,

wouldn't ya?

Yeah, it's, it's fast.

You won't be needing anything that fast around here.

- Hyah! - Ha!

Harry, I'm almost too tired to eat.

Yeah, but this is good, Mr. Ben.

Yeah, smells good.

Well, I'll tell ya, that's a days work

that'll last a week.

Ain't been so saddle sore since I was youngin'.

Well, I'm ready, Mr. Cartwright.

- All right. - See you.

Yep.

Where's he going?

Back to the ranch.

Gonna help Little Joe bring out the supplies.

How'd you talk him into that...

after the day's work he put in?

I didn't. He volunteered.

Beaver for work, ain't he?

We could use a couple more like him.

Hey, Clay, what are you doing back here?

Thought I'd give you a hand with supplies.

Hey, thanks, I could use a hand

as soon as I finish the coffee.

Some place you got here.

Yeah, sure is.

My pa built this place with his bare hands.

I was born in that little room upstairs.

Thought you said you were from New Orleans?

No, no, that's where my pa married my mother.

They were married there, and they came back here

to settle down.

You, uh, remember your mother?

No, not too much.

Just what my pa told me about her.

He always said she was like,

like having spring in the house the year 'round.

Always laughing.

Full of fun and warmth.

Guess she must have looked pretty nice, huh?

Hmm? Yeah.

Yeah, I guess she was about the prettiest woman

in New Orleans... Hey, I've got a,

I've got a picture of her right here.

I always carry it with me.

What do you think?

Like having spring in the house all year 'round.

Prettiest picture I've ever seen.

Sure wish this was mine.

What?

Oh, nothing. It was a silly thing for me to say.

I, I was just thinking how I, how I never knew my mother.

Kind of wish she looked like this.

Hey, we better head out if we're gonna

get back to camp before sundown, no?

I guess we better. Those supplies

won't take care of themselves.

Thanks, Little Joe.

Mr. Ben, would you be good enough

to see your way clear to give me, uh,

a $2 advance on my next week's pay?

Well, Harry, it's, uh,

it's barely 11:00. Have you run through

$8 already?

Well, it's this way, Mr. Ben.

Now, these, these, these miners around here,

they're drinking more whiskey,

and giving more to the girls.

So I got to raise my sights to meet the competition.

Well, Harry, what about, uh,

what about your health that you're so worried about?

It's Saturday night.

I'll worry about my health Sunday morning.

Thank you, sir.

Your lucky night, huh?

Yeah, it sure is.

You just come into town?

Yeah, the first of the week.

Where you been keeping yourself?

Herding cattle.

You're a cowpoke, huh?

Yeah, that's right.

All right, deal.

Hey, now, we're wasting a lot of time

with this little glass, Peachy.

Can you give me something a little bigger?

Yeah.

Full house.

Four treys.

You say you're a cowhand?

Yeah, that's right.

Been working the Ponderosa.

I say you're a cheat.

We work in the mines hard for our money,

but being under the ground don't hurt my eyes none.

Looks to me like you low-carded.

I say it's my lucky day.

And I say we want our money back.

Every man to his own opinion.

Time you get miners and cattlemen together,

they're just itching for something to happen,

and this thing was just about what they were waiting for.

Joseph, the sheriff's right.

It's best the boy leave town.

Pa, it is not right and it's not fair.

Now, we all know he shot in self-defense!

Maybe so, but do you know whether or not he low-carded?

Roy, a man is innocent until proven guilty.

A stranger, fast gun, and a cardsharp

all wrapped up into one package?

Now, that's something Virginia City don't need.

Oh, wait a minute, Roy, wait a minute.

What do you mean, a stranger?

Everybody's a stranger until they settle someplace.

And as for being a fast gun, if he wasn't he'd be dead

instead of the miner, so don't use that.

All right, I'll grant you that.

But you ain't answering the main point.

Was he cheating or wasn't he?

But the point is, there is no proof the man was cheating!

That is not the point.

Little Joe, when I first took this job...

And that was a few years ago...

I made an arrangement with myself.

I said, Roy, the best way to handle trouble

is to avoid it.

And it's worked out pretty well.

Now, if this fella Stafford stays around town,

I'm just laying myself wide open to more killings,

can't you see that? Now, that's why he's got to go!

No, I can't see it. It's not right, Roy,

and it's not fair.

Come on, Joseph.

The sheriff knows best; it's his job.

I'll take care of it, Roy.

The young man will leave in the morning.

Thanks, Ben.

So long, Little Joe.

Pa, right is right, and this isn't.

Now, Joseph, you're doing a lot of talking about right is right,

and proof and facts... But what facts do you have?

What do you know about him?

You worked a couple of ranches up in Oregon territory.

What else?

That isn't the main point.

If he stays in Virginia City he may be killed.

Now, Roy's right.

He knows best. Come on.

Oh, you heading out?

Yeah, I figured I'd have to move on sooner or later.

But not quite this soon.

I'm sorry to see you go.

I put my time in here; your father got his money's worth.

- I know that. - Besides that, your father

and the sheriff made it pretty clear

that my welcome had run out.

Yeah, I know. I still think

they're wrong about that... I told him so last night.

You mean you stuck up for me, argued against your father?

Why not? What's right is right.

Is that all?

Nah, it's not all. I...

I don't know, we got along pretty good.

I kind of thought we could be friends.

You remember that picture of your mother you showed me?

Hm? Yeah.

Can I see it again?

What for?

Just let me see it.

See, this isn't just a picture of a beautiful woman.

She's my mother, too.

There's something I don't like about closed doors.

A man's got a right to talk in private.

Yeah, but...

when it's family, I don't like to be left outside.

How do you know it's about family?

When a brother shows up from nowhere it ain't family?

Maybe.

Pa wants to talk to Clay alone.

Of course...

she told me she'd been married before.

She also told me... she'd had a child.

But she said the baby had died.

They lied... they lied to her, and they lied to me.

They lied?

Who?

My grandparents... My-my father's folks.

They were against the marriage from the very beginning.

They hated my mother.

Didn't think she was good enough for their son.

Well, when we all got the fever...

when my father died...

they told my mother that I had died also.

See, when I was old enough to ask questions,

they told me that she was dead.

And after all this time...

how did you find us?

Well, last year I shook the wander dust off my heels

and went back to New Orleans.

Guess I got sentimental, wanted to put a flower or two

on mother's grave.

Of course, that's when I found out

there wasn't any grave.

After that, I checked with the hall of records

and around, and that's when I found out about...

about you being married to my mother...

and about the Ponderosa.

Clay...

why didn't you... tell us all this when you first got here?

Well, I didn't want to push myself into a family.

I don't know why I came here.

I guess because I...

wanted to see my brother.

Oh, and find out if I... if I liked you or not.

I know none of this changes the fact

that I'd better be moving on.

Those-those miners are pretty hot under the collar.

Well, you'll be all right here on the Ponderosa.

Are you sure, sir?

Of course. They won't come out here.

No, sir, that's not what I mean.

What do you mean?

I mean, do you believe me?

Of course I do.

Of course I believe you.

The news is... rather startling.

I'll have to admit that.

Out of the blue, so to speak.

Takes a little getting used to.

Look, we, uh, we have plenty of room in here.

Why don't you, uh, why don't you move in from the bunkhouse?

Thank you, sir.

♪♪

Adam.

Hoss and Little Joe asleep?

Yeah, it's, uh, kind of late.

I guess I should have asked...

Hoss and Little Joe and Clay asleep.

I suppose I'll be asking that from now on.

Yeah, I guess you will.

Boy, he sure came out of the blue.

Hm?

Well, he did kind of come out of nowhere.

What are you driving at?

Well... and I hope you don't mind, but, uh,

Hoss and I were kind of talking it over,

and we, uh...

well, don't you think you ought to check his story out?

You and Hoss think that...

he might have made up the whole thing?

Well, we think it's important enough to...

know for sure.

I mean, it, uh, wouldn't do any harm

to send a telegram to Judge Wharton

down in New Orleans.

Would it?

Whoa.

What are you doing in town?

Just rode in all the way from the ranch

- to ask you the same question. - Pa said that

there were some supplies that needed picking up.

He knew you were the one that was gonna pick 'em up?

What difference does it make? They needed picking up.

Look, Pa told you you were safe

on the ranch, but not here in town.

It's working hours; the miners are underground.

Just half of them; they work on shifts.

Now, let's get this wagon loaded and get out of here.

Brother Joe, you worry too much.

What you need is a beer to help you relax.

Since we're in town, why don't we take care of that?

Wait a minute and use your head. Now, the town is hot.

The saloon's once place you're gonna run into trouble.

Maybe we won't have to look that far.

Seems to be here right now.

♪♪

Mighty hot day.

Maybe a couple of beers'd cool us all off.

Since Saturday, we're kind of particular

about the company we keep.

Take a horse thief, you can see the horse he steals,

a fella robs a bank, well, there's the money,

but a card cheat... well, if he's good at it,

it's over and done with before you know what's happened.

If Sam hadn't been drinking nothing would've happened.

There was no reason for it.

Well, Sam ain't here to argue the point, but we are.

And we aim to do more than just argue.

You figure on using that gun?

I never draw first.

I just like to keep the street clean.

You think one gun's enough?

Two guns, gentlemen.

Now, why don't you all just forget it?

We don't want anybody to get hurt.

Why don't you keep your nose out of this, Cartwright?

Friend or no friend, he's gonna get his.

He's not just a friend, he's my brother.

All right.

There'll be another day.

I can use that beer now.

Well, couldn't we just load the wagon and leave town?

Maybe you're right, brother.

While the beans are on the fire, we'll have a drink.

We'd better take it easy.

We got to be back to camp before light.

Here's just the thing that'll help us take it easy.

Here, drink up.

You sure you got enough?

Hey, this is whiskey?

Well, not exactly.

Well, what is it, then?

Pulque.

Pulque... what's that?

Well, it's a drink they have down in Mexico.

They make it out of cactus.

When you were loading up the wagon,

I got it from Manuel back at the livery stable.

Come on, drink up.

It's hot but it's good.

Yeah, just like riding a nice, easy bronc,

but when he discovers that burr under his saddle, watch out.

Eh, don't worry about me; I can take it.

You know, this is better than a saloon.

Yeah, you're right, and the company's better, too.

Hey, how'd you happen to learn about this, uh...?

- Pulque? - Pulque, yeah.

Oh, when I was down in Mexico,

that's the only kind of liquor they have down there,

so you have to learn to like it.

Yeah, what you doing down there?

Ah, fighting with Juárez.

Fighting with Juárez... What, in his army?

Yeah, I was down there for two years... a lieutenant.

How'd you happen to get mixed up in a thing like that?

Well, the pay was good

and, and I happened to believe in what he was fighting for.

Yeah, he, he was fighting that,

that emperor Maximilian, wasn't he?

Yeah, that's right.

Yeah, I read a little bit about that somewhere.

You know, Juárez was a, was a real Mexican, not a Spaniard.

He was just like one of the thousands of peasants he led.

A great man.

Mmm.

Hey, you know, it's kind of, kind of sad, he had to fail.

Oh, he'll come back,

and when he does, maybe, maybe I'll go back, too.

Ah.

Hey, you know, we're getting much too serious.

Come on, drink up, will you?

- All right. - Hey, look, I'll tell you

about the girls who used to follow the army.

Now, look, there was this one gal... her name was Conchita.

Oh, Conchita.

So, you see, when we ran out,

Conchita went right through the enemy lines

and brought back a couple of jugs.

Brought back a couple of jugs.

Hey, look, now, that's... That is the kind of girl...

That Conchita...

That's the kind of girl that I would like to have.

Hey, you know, Conchita... She had a sister Rosita.

Rosita.

Hey, listen, now, in all s... In all serious,

we ought to get down there

and get that Conchita and that Rosita.

I'll drink to that.

- Viva Juárez. - Viva!

Viva... Viva la revolución.

Viva, viva, viva... Viva...

- Viva pulque! - Pulque!

- Ah. - There's a lot of pulque in there.

Oh, yeah, Conchita and Bonita.

Ah, viva your Rosita.

Viva my Rosita and Bonitas and Conchi...

Viva my brother!

Hey, viva my brother!

Viva!

Viva, brother.

We have got to get down there and viva that Conchita Bonita.

- Ah... - Viva...

♪♪

- Good morning, Joe. - Morning.

Good morning.

After a night of chewing the fat,

nothing like a big breakfast to get you back in action.

Hey, yeah, that's right.

Speaking of fat, I'm gonna have me some more of that fatback.

There really ain't nothing quite like

some good old salt sow belly for breakfast, right, Joe?

Ah...

Oh, sorry, fella, something wrong?

No, I'm just... I'm raring to go this morning.

It's too bad we drank all that pulque.

You'd like it.

No, now, me, I personally prefer a great, big glass

of hot whiskey, about 100 proof.

Oh, yeah.

Oh, I guess we're just unlucky, huh?

Hello, morning, boys.

Time to get to work.

Well, morning, Joseph.

Say, I have never seen you look better.

Oh, I'm... feeling real good, too.

Oh, well, that's real fine

because we sure got a lot of work to do today.

You, uh, boys had quite a chat last night.

Yeah, I guess we overdid it.

Well, I think he'll live.

Boys, I got to ride back to the ranch.

Keep things moving, huh?

Right, Pa.

That Clay sure is a likable fella, isn't he?

Yeah, sure is.

You know, if me or you... Either one... brought Joe home

in the condition he was in last night,

we wouldn't have heard the last of it till yet.

Oh, that's for sure.

What do you mean the condition I'm in?

I'm not in any kind of condition.

You heard what Pa said.

Let's get started.

Gee, I'm, I'm sorry, fella.

What's the matter? We heard you wanted to see us.

Yeah, I got the telegraph back from New Orleans.

Mm-hmm, what'd it say?

Story checks out.

What's the matter, then?

Alvin Warden is a very good lawyer.

When he investigates, he gets all the facts.

Marie was his mother, he was born in New Orleans,

raised by his grandparents... It's all true.

What's the trouble, Pa?

Something that Alvin found out that happened two years ago.

Two years ago?

Yeah, a little town in Texas... Chico Wells.

Seems there was a card game.

Clay was winning a lot of money.

Man accused him of cheating, reached for his gun.

Clay killed him.

Yeah.

That's sort of stretching the long arm of coincidence,

ain't it?

I'm afraid that's how a lot of people would look at it.

How do you look at it?

What are you gonna tell Little Joe?

Well, he's going to have to face the fact

that there can be weaknesses in people,

even those you care about.

You gonna let Clay stay around?

Well... guess we'll have to give him the benefit

of whatever doubts we have about him.

I don't understand, what is he guilty of?

Joseph, I'm not accusing him of anything,

but we both know how he's lived.

All right, he's led a different life.

He's been alone, but it doesn't change the fact

that he's my brother and he's still part of this family.

Well, of course he is; I'm not disputing that,

but he must realize... And you must help him realize...

That, well, things are different here.

Tragedies like, like the other night with the miner...

You keep saying that.

Now, it was not his fault, and the only reason you'd have

for saying that is because you think he was cheating.

The only person who can answer that is Clay himself.

All right, I'll talk to him.

I think it might be better if I talked with him.

No, please let me talk to him, Pa.

Please let me be the one.

All right.

Thanks.

Hey, Clay, you know, I've been thinking.

Now, the roundup's going to be over in a couple of days,

and I thought you and I could take a trip somewhere.

Huh?

Well, you know, viva Juárez.

Kind of like to go down to Mexico,

see how the revolution is coming along.

Well, it's not all just fun down there, Joe.

As I told you the other night,

a revolution's a pretty serious thing.

I remember.

I remember most of it.

Look, if it's not Mexico, it'll be some other place.

I don't care, I just want to take a trip and have some fun.

We're brothers, aren't we?

Now, the roundup's over, we'll collect our pay and take off.

Okay, when the roundup's over, we'll figure out where we'll go.

Good enough.

Clay.

Well, we'll have the last of these strays

rounded up by tomorrow.

Been so busy, I haven't had much chance to talk.

Uh, yes, sir?

I mean, uh, since Joe talked to you.

Oh, you mean about going to Mexico?

What's this about Mexico?

Well, the other night we talked

about the two years I spent with Juárez in Mexico.

He thought, now, after the roundup

it might be fun to go down there.

I see.

That's all he talked to you about?

Yes, sir.

Well, what was he supposed to talk about, sir?

Clay, we, we understand

what a rough time you've had

these past ten or 12 years

making your way alone...

and, uh, understand that...

your way of life is different from ours as a result.

It's... your values are different.

But the past is past.

You're part of the family now,

and we'd like you to stay part of the family.

Hope that our way of life,

our values will be yours from now on.

Well, sir, I-I don't know.

You don't know what?

I mean, I appreciate what you've said

and you're very generous,

but I've got to be honest with you.

I'm not sure that this is my kind of life.

Well, are you sure it isn't your kind of life?

No, sir.

Would you try it?

Yes, sir.

Good.

Let's forget these romantic notions about Mexico.

Well, that was Joe's idea.

Well, he was influenced by you.

Try to use your influence the right way.

Yes, sir, I'll try.

Good.

See you at the house.

Well, thanks again, Mr. Walsh.

Healthy bonus for all hands this year.

It sure is... this is one roundup

that ended up better than it started.

Be careful of that money, Joe.

I will, sir. Thank you.

Hold it, Cartwright.

Go in the alley.

Come on, move!

All right.

Where is he?

Where's who?

That new brother of yours.

We been waiting for him.

What's the matter, is he scared to come to town?

Nobody's scared.

Look, we just don't want any trouble, that's all.

Well, it ain't always easy to avoid trouble.

Guess we'll have to give you a message for that brother.

Go on, take him, boys.

♪♪

Joe!

Let's get him into the house.

Easy, easy.

How is he, sir?

He's pretty badly beaten up, but... he'll be all right.

Well, did he tell you how it happened?

Yes.

Apparently, the miners meant it as a... message to you.

I figured that's what it was.

I'm sorry, sir.

I should have taken off before now.

I'll-I'll pack my things tonight.

No, Clay, that's no answer.

As I told you, you're family now.

We'll handle it together.

No, sir, that's not what I mean.

You see, trouble's been following me all my life...

no matter what I do, no matter where I go,

and now it's... it's followed me here.

Well, running is not going to solve that problem.

We'll... we'll handle it, somehow.

I'll get some broth that I've been heating up.

♪♪

Now, you drink that.

Where is everybody?

Oh, Hoss and Adam are paying off the men,

and they'll be back soon.

Clay's downstairs.

Does he know about the miners?

Yeah, he knows.

I sure hope he doesn't blame himself.

Now, you stop worrying about what other people are thinking.

You drink that broth.

Tell Clay I want to see him.

Best thing for you to do right now, young man, is rest.

I'll rest as soon as I see Clay.

You drink up that broth...

- and I'll get him. - Thanks.

Clay?

Clay?

♪♪

Where's Clay?

Clay's left.

I checked his room.

His things are gone.

He's gone?

Tell me what you said to him, Pa.

I didn't say anything to him, Joe.

I didn't even see him.

I'd already asked him to stay,

be part of the family.

Son...

he's old enough to make his own decisions.

The important thing for you right now is to rest,

take care of yourself.

Good night, son.

Good night, Pa.

♪♪

♪♪

Hey, why'd you leave without me?

You better get off that horse before you fall off.

Come on over here and sit down.

Uh, no, thanks, I'd just as soon stand up.

I think I'll feel better.

Sorry I don't have any pulque, but...

here.

Viva coffee.

Well, the last thing I need's any more of that pulque.

Thanks.

Why'd you leave without me?

Just like I told your pa.

Trouble's been following me all my life.

I mean, look what happened to you just on account of me.

That's no reason... I been in fights before.

Yeah, but this time you were lucky... it was their fists.

Next time it could be their guns.

Look, Clay, we're brothers; your fight is my fight.

This thing with the miners we can settle together.

Look, you have family now; don't leave.

It won't work, Joe.

Clay, we're brothers; we can make it work.

Look, let me explain something to you.

Just because we're brothers doesn't mean we have

to think alike, be alike, do alike.

Yes, it happens with some brothers,

like you and Adam and Hoss...

Why can't it work with you and me?

Because it just won't!

Look, you lived all your life on the Ponderosa, and you like it,

but, you see, I couldn't.

It would be like being in a cage.

All right, then I won't ask you to stay at the Ponderosa now.

We'll travel around together till you feel you're ready

- to settle down. - You could no more live my life

- than I could live yours. - Well, how do you know?

- I've never tried it! - Look, you saw what happened

to that miner... it's happened before, and it can happen again.

Maybe things like that won't happen, Clay, if we're together.

No, it couldn't. Look, look, you'd just get in my way!

Clay, you don't mean that, and you know it.

Look, will you get it through your head that...

I don't want you along!

I don't need your family, and I don't need you!

Now, will you go home, Joe, where you belong?

♪♪

♪♪

You bring it back someday.

Are you all right, son?

♪♪

This has been a color presentation

of the NBC Television Network.