Original subtitles

[ theme music playing ]

[ coaxing ]

Keep them coming.

Come on.

[ coaxing ]

Go.

Hey, nice going, Howie!

Hey, what are you trying to do, start a stampede?

Just keeping practice for the Saturday-night dance, that's all.

Well, the girls will love that step.

[ horse whinnies ]

Stace, you all right?

Fine.

Cinch loosened up.

Stace was just trying to get a closer look at the cattle.

Yeah, I can tell you something, too.

They look plenty big from down there.

I'll ride on ahead.

Hey, Howie.

That's hard to figure.

What's that?

If there was ever a natural-born hand, it's Howie Sheppard.

I guess so, especially the way he cut in there

and plucked you like a flower.

Yeah.

Now he's going to settle down.

I just can't understand it.

Not hard to understand. Howie Sheppard's in love.

Love? I fall in love every Saturday night.

That's, uh--

no use to spoil it by getting married, is there?

Uh-oh.

What's the matter?

That fool yearling took off again.

[ clucks ] Come on.

Huh-hup!

Howdy, boy.

How's it going, Wingy?

Oh, moving along, moving right along.

It's been a good drive.

Yeah, better than some I can remember.

That stretches back a piece.

How old are you, Wingy?

Oh, I reckon I lost count, but--

Yeah, I know.

You're getting younger all the time.

Look at them come.

This is my last drive.

Yeah, so I heard.

Oh, sure, I've quit, too, lots of times.

Tried lots of things.

You know I even tried dirt farming for a while.

Once you're born to the saddle, you always come back.

Yeah, but you was never married, Wingy.

Not official like.

[ laughs ]

Well, that's going to change things.

That's what makes the difference.

Looks like that yearling bull's at it again.

Come on.

Howie.

Well, one more day.

Think you'll last?

Oh, I think I'll make it.

Of course, right now I'm getting a little anxious.

[ laughing ]

When is the wedding?

I don't know exactly.

Me and Donna, we kinda talked around about it,

but I haven't told her father.

You've told just about everybody else.

Mr. Maguire takes a bit of working up to.

Jasper Maguire's a good man.

Oh, I know...

but he may not take too kindly

to the idea of Donna marrying me.

Just as long as Donna does,

that's all that matters.

I don't think you're going to have any problem there.

You know how bad I wanted a good cup of coffee,

a hot bath, and...uh...

a pretty girl to keep me company

instead of you grubby trail bums.

Thanks kindly.

You'll just have to wait

till we cut our stock out of the main herd

and move on to Shiloh Ranch.

Tell you what, Stace.

You just haze that yearling bull in.

We'll do the rest.

That is, if you think you can handle it.

You know...

that bull yearling might be--

it might bring a very good price

if you were to take a mind to selling.

I might just do that

as a personal favor to you.

Thank you.

Ha!

Hand me some coffee, will you?

[ cowboys whooping, whistling ]

Keep 'em moving!

Come on, you mavericks,

we're going home.

You're heading in the wrong direction.

Well, if it ain't Howie Shep.

You're heading in the wrong direction, Rail.

And those are Shiloh's steers.

Well, I'll be darned.

I coulda sworn they had a Connally brand.

You can read that brand by moonlight.

You a sheep-dipper or something, Howie?

The count as loose as it is now,

who's gonna miss a coupla steers?

Mr. Grainger.

Split the difference.

I'm taking all of 'em,

but I thank you for cuttin' 'em out for me.

I don't remember you being so holy

when you were riding for Connally.

I looked the other way, maybe, but I never stole cattle.

How come you had to quit Connally, anyway?

Well, maybe I just got tired of looking the other way.

You take my advice,

you'll stop thinning Connally's herds

before he catches you at it.

Stacey!

Hey!

I thought you'd never get home.

How was the roundup?

Aw, hot and dusty.

It was worth it, though. Wait'll you see the stock.

Ooh.

I've been in the saddle so long,

I don't know if I'm going to remember how to walk.

Well, I've got a good hot bath

just waiting for you.

Good.

How's Howie?

He disappeared a couple of days ago.

What?

Yeah.

Last I heard, he was

taking off with some Spanish dancing lady

on his way to Durango.

Stacey.

Maybe it was Juarez.

Yeah, all he's been doing

is counting the minutes until he can see Donna.

Talking about marriage. Marriage, marriage, marriage.

You should hear Donna.

The way she talks, you'd think Howie

were some kind of storybook hero.

[ laughing ]

He's not exactly the storybook hero type, is he?

To Donna, he is.

I've been in town helping her

with her trousseau.

In secret.

Howie hasn't spoken to her father yet.

I think he's about ready to take the plunge.

♪♪ [ saloon music playing ]

Well, I'll see ya later, Howie.

You going in the saloon?

Yeah, I thought I'd go in and take a look around.

Huh.

Maybe I'll go with you.

[ laughing ]

Here I thought you couldn't hardly wait to see Donna.

I do want to see Donna,

but I just don't know what to say to her folks.

Mm, you'll think of something.

I sure hope so.

Set 'em up, Dan.

Stace.

Howie.

Howdy, Danny.

Good to see you back.

It's good to be back.

The first one tonight's on me, boys.

Well, the first one tonight

is the only one tonight for me.

I never thought I'd live this long

to see this day.

I understand you've got some mighty fine cattle

out at Shiloh.

Just about the best ever.

Cattle market must be pretty good.

Some of the buyers are beginning

to hit town early.

We'll be ready for 'em.

Hello, sheep dipper.

Howdy, Rail.

Grab a chair.

No, I'm--I'm away to the dance.

Never thought you were the type to go dancing.

I never thought you were the type

to bet a busted flush.

[ all laughing ]

Hey, Howie!

What about a nice hello for an old friend?

Hey, Suzie, I didn't see ya.

You weren't looking.

How about buying us a drink?

Well, I would, but...

But you're getting married.

Oh, I heard about you and Donna Maguire.

Say, you're private property

from now on.

Yeah, I guess I am.

That's for good luck

and the good times, too.

Hey.

Mm-hmm.

I think it's about time

we get over to the dance, dontcha think?

Yeah.

Hey, Stace.

How about if you come along with me

to pick up Donna?

Howie, there are some things

a man has to do on his own.

Now, the Maguires are going to be

yourin-laws, not mine,

so you just might as well start getting used to 'em.

Thanks.

[ knocking on door ]

Good evening, Mrs. Maguire.

Paul, good evening. Please come in.

Mr. Maguire asked me to tell you

that he's keeping the store open a while longer.

I was expecting that

with all the ranch people in town.

Yes, we've had a busy day.

Is Donna around?

She's getting dressed for the dance.

I'm sorry, Paul,

but you know the way she feels about Howie.

I know.

He's in town.

I saw him and Stace Grainger

going into the saloon.

Oh?

Are you going to the dance, Paul?

Yes, ma'am, I wouldn't miss that.

Hello, Paul.

Good evening, Donna.

You look lovely.

Thank you.

Isn't it a beautiful dress?

It came all the way from St. Louis.

Ohh.

You should always wear dresses like that.

They become you.

You're such a gentleman, Paul.

I hope you save a dance for me.

Of course.

[ knocking on door ]

I'll get it.

Howie.

Hello, Donna.

Come in.

Oh, golly, I missed you.

I missed you, too.

Come in and say hello to Mother.

Good evening, Mrs. Maguire.

Nice to see you, Howie.

Nice to see you, too.

You're looking fine.

Just fine.

These are for you.

Thank you.

Welcome back, Howie.

Howdy, Paul.

When I saw you heading for the saloon,

I thought maybe I'd stop by for Donna.

In case you didn't make it.

Thanks, but I made it.

Come on, Howie.

I promised Elizabeth we'd meet her at the dance.

Yeah, I guess we'd better go.

Good night, Mrs. Maguire.

Good night, Howie.

Have a good time, and don't be too late.

Promise to keep daddy up until we get home.

I'll do my best.

May I fix you some coffee, Paul?

Thank you.

It was sweet of you to bring Mother the flowers.

I hope Mrs. Prouty doesn't mind.

I picked 'em from her garden.

[ laughing ]

All that time that I was away,

I remembered that you were beautiful...

but I didn't remember how beautiful.

I love you.

[ slow dance music playing ]

When I was a little girl,

I read a story

about a princess whose father put her

on top of a glass mountain.

A glass mountain?

Mm-hmm, and there was a contest to see

who could rescue her.

A lot of men tried, but the glass mountain

was too slippery,

and they couldn't reach the princess at the top.

So why didn't she just slide down?

She was waiting, silly.

And finally, when the prince who really loved her arrived,

he rode straight to the top on his magic horse.

And then what happened?

Then they got married and lived happily ever after.

In a saddle shop in Medicine Bow.

But first, he had to talk to her father.

Yeah.

Donna, you promised to save one dance for me.

With your permission, Howie?

Took you long enough to rescue me.

I thought you looked like you were enjoying yourself.

Besides, I didn't come here

to dance with my baby sister.

"Baby sister"?

I like that.

There's Howie.

Wonder what happened to Donna?

Oh, hi!

Hi, Donna.

Elizabeth. Stace.

Paul...would you mind

changing partners?

Elizabeth here has been wanting

to dance with you all evening.

It would be an honor, Elizabeth.

That is, if Donna doesn't object.

Oh, no, not at all.

This fella here looks like he wants to cut in.

Well, I don't know.

You better hurry up before I change my mind.

Thanks, Stace.

Five minutes more, Ellen, and I'm going to bed.

The music stopped.

They'll be along any minute.

I was hoping Donna would get over that cowboy

while he was away.

She's in love with him, Jasper.

"In love". Ha!

With a saddle tramp.

What kind of life is that?

I think Howie's ready to settle down.

Just like you did when we got married.

I was already settled.

I had a business of my own, too.

You had a wagon and a mule.

You should've heard my father talk about you.

Something about a "no good scamp",

as I recall.

You were pretty wild.

Maybe that's why I married you.

Well! Here you are at last.

How was the dance?

Oh, fine. Just fine.

Hello, Howie.

Hello...

glad to see you, Mr. Maguire.

How about a nice piece

of chocolate cake, Howie?

Well, I'm not really very hungry--

but I couldn't say no

to a piece of your chocolate cake, ma'am.

I'll help you, Mother.

[ sighing ]

How are things at the store?

Been a good year.

Good.

Been good for cattle, too.

I heard.

Well, sir...

Well, the fact is--

me and Donna, we've been talking about getting married.

Is that so?

Yes, sir.

Have you asked her?

Yes, I have...

and she said yes.

Hmm.

You know, uh...

Donna's still quite young.

She's, uh...

she's got a head full of dreams.

I'll try to make them come true, Mr. Maguire.

You haven't known each other very long...

and even if you had,

marriage changes things.

It's a--it's a deeper responsibility

than you think.

I hope you're ready for it, Howie.

Stability. That's what Donna expects.

Oh, I know.

I, uh...

I have a good, solid business, so...

I'd always hoped to keep it in the family.

I can understand that, Mr. Maguire.

I've been planning on opening a saddle shop.

I've been saving for it, too.

I even talked to Mr. Winner

over to the bank.

Oh.

Well, Howie...

I won't pretend I think

you're the ideal husband for my daughter...

but if she loves you and you love her,

I guess all I can do is wish you luck.

Thank you, sir!

I guess that about settles it, doesn't it?

Settles what?

Helen. Yes, dear?

Not that it comes as a surprise,

but, uh, Howie has asked me for Donna's hand.

And?

Well, I've seen you sewing on that wedding dress for weeks.

How could I say no?

[ small scream ]

[ laughing ]

Welcome to the family, Howie.

Well, that looks like pretty fair stock.

Fair?

I'd like to know where you've seen better.

Pretty fair, but not for the money you're asking.

Well, that's our price, Langston.

Sorry you can't meet it.Now, hold on a minute.

We got that buyer from Omaha.

He's gonna be here this afternoon, so...

Knock off a cent a pound.

THE VIRGINIAN: Half a cent.

All right.

And they call me a sharp dealer.

Say, I've got a prime yearling bull

I'd like you to look at.

Give him a year of growth,

and he'll be a prize breeder.

[ hooves in the distance ]

STACEY: Hey, Howie!

They're looking for ya.

Well, I'm fixin'

to go in and get cleaned up.

Yeah? The foreman here has got a job for ya.

Oh, I figured I was finished for the day.

I was kinda hoping to go into town.

It seems like every time I look around,

you're kinda hoping to go into town.

I want you to hitch up the buckboard

and make sure you get everything on this shopping list.

And while you're in Medicine Bow,

give my regards to Donna.

Here, don't forget the list!

Yah!

It's a choice location.

I doubt if we could find a better one.

It's right in the middle of things.

Mr. Winner said he'd meet us here.

Howie, it's unlocked.

Come on.

I thought we'd put a display counter over here.

You know, for belt buckles and things like that.

Daddy says there's a lot of profit in knick-knacks.

We'll sell everything for the cowboy, Howie.

And over here, this is a good place

for your workbench.

Daddy's going to give us all the tools you'll need

as a wedding present.

And over here--[ footsteps ]

Sorry, I was detained at the bank,

but I see you're already making yourselves at home.

I hope it's all right.

The door was unlocked.

Oh, perfectly all right.

Well, uh--

how do you like it, Mr. Sheppard?

Fine. Just fine.

Let me show you the living quarters.

[ clearing throat ]

The down payment, uh...

Mr. Sheppard?

The low down payment we talked about is agreeable,

but there will be $300 due at the end of three months.

$300?

Well, that's pretty high.

If you don't think you can manage it,

we can look around for something else.

Of course, the location won't be as good.

Oh, Howie... it's just perfect.

We'll take it.

Good.

I know you and the future Mrs. Sheppard

are going to be very happy here.

I'll draw up the papers,

and if you can stop in at the bank say, uh...

day after tomorrow, I'll have everything arranged.

Until then. Thank you.

You bet.

"The future Mrs. Sheppard".

Here is to Howie

and his whirlwind romance!

[ men toasting ]

Whirlwind? It's a regular twister!

Marry in haste, repent at leisure.

Ahh.

Come on, Howie, give us a speech.

[ men shouting ]

Hey! Hey! Come on!

[ cheering ]

Let's hear it.

Gentlemen--if I can call you that--

Why, why, of course.

I drink to you

in the hope that one day,

you may be as smart as me.

[ laughter ]

Are you gonna make me a saddle?

You just save your money, Wingy.

I don't give credit.

[ men chattering ]

He's already talking like a shopkeeper.

Friends...

I have been a saddle tramp all my life.

Drinkin', gamblin',

running around with pretty girls.

[ laughter, cheers ]

But now I've seen the light.

Instead of riding till I drop

and being buried where my hat falls,

I'm gettin' married.

ALL: Boo!

So! Boo!

When you're out on the trail,

drinking cold coffee

and eating rock-hard biscuits,

think of me...

'cause I'll be sittin' in my easy chair,

sleepin' in my feather bed,

eatin' home-cooked food--

And doing the dishes afterwards.

Hey, now, wait a minute!

[ all shouting ]

Hold it down! Hold it down!

Hold it down.

Howie, the boys have all chipped in

and, uh, we got you a little present.

Aww, come on, fellas.

You didn't have to do that.

Yeah, we wanted to do it.

Are you ready, Wingy?Anytime you are.

All right, now!

[ all shouting ]

What are you doing?!

[ shouting ]

MAN: Hold him down!

Hold it!

What's going on here?!

Let him go!

Just a little bachelor party for Howie, that's all.

Yeah, we're just giving him his present.

Come on, get him up.

Get him up.

[ grunting ]

MAN: Ta-da!

[ all laughing ]

Somebody better pour me a drink.

[ men laughing ]

[ laughing ]

[ slow dance music playing ]

Afternoon, Mrs. Sheppard.

Afternoon, Mrs. Prouty.

My, I've never seen you looking so good.

Marriage certainly agrees with you.

Yes, it does.

And I've heard your husband's

doing real well.

He's doing fine.

There's more work than he can handle.

We're all very happy for you.

You be sure and give your folks my regards

when you see them.I certainly will.

Here you are, Ed.

Good as new.

Looks good.

Mighty good.

And it'll last.How much do I owe you?

Oh...dollar and a half?

Fair enough.

Seein' ya, Howie.

You come back again.Right.

Be right with you.

Better hurry up.

Haven't got all day.

Good day, ma'am.

And what can I do for you?

First, you can give me a kiss.

Then, you can tell me how you like my new dress.

Hey, that's real nice.

I just had to have it.

And I bought you a present.

For me?

Go on, open it.

Oh...

You don't like it.

Oh! Yes, I do, honey.

Uh, I think it's...

it's just fine.

You can wear it tonight to the merchant's meeting.

Merchant's meeting? Uh...

Listen, Donna, I was thinking.

Maybe I wouldn't go. Not tonight, huh?

Oh, but Howie, you have to go.

It's important.

Besides, Daddy's coming to pick you up.

It's just a lot of talk,

and I don't have anything to say to them.

Well, then, just listen.

But all they do is talk about business

and I keep falling asleep.

Howie,

you have to let the people know who you are.

Come on.

For me?

All right, I'm going.

Here. Put it on.

There! It's beautiful.

Course, it would look better

with your suit.

And just this afternoon

Rex Deakins said to me,

"Jasper, I hear that son-in-law of yours

has built himself a fine business."

Well, a lot of work has come my way.

I've been lucky.

No, it takes more than luck, Howie.

No, it's reputation.

That's what brings customers in,

and it's good work that brings 'em back.

Yep.

Donna! I'm so glad you could come.

I've been looking forward to it.

How are you?

How's Howie?

We're both fine.

Howie's been so busy,

he may have to hire an assistant.

Really?

Don't tell anybody,

but I've been looking for a house.

It'll be a few months,

but the way things are going...

oh, it's like a dream come true.

It's everything I've always wanted.

And just think.

It all started right here.

When you first met Howie?

Remember?

You and I were walking down the steps

when he rode up.

He took one look at you

and nearly fell off his horse.

And you started laughing.

Well, it was funny.

The look on his face!

Poor Howie.

He never had a chance.

Not that he wanted one.

You know, I never thought Howie would tame so easily.

After all, he grew up in the saddle,

and that's a lot different than town life.

Doesn't he miss it sometimes?

No. Howie's changed,

just like I knew he would.

Hello, shopkeeper.

Howdy, Rail.

Thought I'd drop in and see ya.

Might even buy myself something.

One of these silver buckles, maybe.

Ain't seen you around lately.

I've been pretty busy.

I don't get out very much.

How's everything out at Connally's?

You mean you ain't heard? I quit.

You mean he caught you.

Well, you might put it that way.

Listen, Howie, I've been figuring on moving out,

but I gotta get me a stake.

Now, I hear you've been doing a good business here,

so how about loaning an old friend fifty dollars?

I'll send it right back to you.

I got a bank payment to meet in a few days,

and I'm just gonna make it.

Besides, you and me were never that friendly.

Well, no harm in asking.

What about you and me sneaking over to the saloon

for a couple of drinks?

No, I got too much work to do.

That wife of yours really got you locked up, huh?

It's too bad.

See you later, Howie.

[ horse neighing ]

[ neighing continues ]

What do you think of 'em, Howie?

Oh, hello, Mr. Connally.

Nice to see you.

Those are some fine-looking horses.

CONNALLY: New stock from Montana.

Finest around.

I picked them out myself.

I sure would like to throw a leg over one of 'em.

Still got the itch, huh?

Kinda hard to get over.

When a man's seen as much sky as you have,

the ceiling hangs pretty heavy after a while.

Yep.

I suppose you heard I fired Rail.

So I'm...I'm looking for a new foreman.

I don't suppose you'd be interested?

Foreman?

You were one of the best hands I ever had.

As a matter of fact, I was thinking

of offering you the job at the time,

but you signed off and went to work for Grainger.

Foreman?

The job's yours if you want it.

[ sighing ]

I guess not.

I--I appreciate the offer, Mr. Connally, but...

Well, think it over.

I'm in no hurry.

No...

I've got my saddle shop.

Well, my wife, she...

Jasper Maguire's daughter, isn't she?

Yeah.

You know, she was brought up here in town, and...

Why don't you ask her?

I suppose I could mention it.

But...

You better keep on looking.

All the way to San Francisco.

Of course, she couldn't keep it a secret.

Ruby told Mrs. Farrell,

and Mrs. Farrell told just everybody.

Howie?

Hmm?

Oh! I'm sorry, honey.

I guess I wasn't listening.

Just like Daddy.

Mother used to talk to him for an hour,

and he wouldn't hear a single word.

What were you thinking about?

I, uh...I saw Mr. Connally today.

He was over at the livery stable

picking up some horses

he brought in from Montana.

Fine-looking horses, too.

And, uh...

we got to talking.

How grown men can stand around

talking about horses.

Oh, it was more than just that.

He offered me a job.

A job?

As foreman...

of the Connally Ranch.

Well, what did you say?

Oh...

Well, I told him to keep on looking.

But you know, it's funny.

Being foreman of a spread like that?

That's something I used to dream about.

And now the job is offered to you

when you couldn't be less interested.

Hm. It isfunny.

Yeah.

[ knocking on door ]

I'll see who it is.

MAN: Howie!

Well, I'll be darned!

Hello, Howie!

We just thought we'd stop in and say hello.

I'm glad you did. Come on in.

Ma'am.Evening, Miss Sheppard.

Nice to see you.

We was just passing by.

Uh, hoping you'd have a beer with us.

Saturday night, you know.

Oh, that's a good idea.

Why don't you go with them, Howie?

No, I don't want to leave you alone.

Oh, don't be silly.

Go on. You'll have a good time.

No, I--

I just don't feel like it.

Well, uh--uh-- some other time, then.

Yeah, we'll do it.

Well, guess we'd better get going.

Sure was good to see ya.

Uh, yeah. Good night.

Hey, thanks for stopping by!

Good night.

Howie, about that saddle.

I've been aiming to give you some money.

Don't worry, Wingy.

You can pay me when you get it.

It's a mighty sweet saddle.

It's like sitting on feathers.

Good. See ya.

Good night.

Why didn't you go with them?

I know you wanted to.

'Cause I'd rather be with you.

Why?

'Cause you're prettier.

And softer.

You smell just beautiful.

You're going to have Howie working like a mule.

That bank payment's just about due.

Maybe he can use the business.

I hear he's doing real well in that little shop.

Oh, he is, yeah.

Just thought he could use a little extra.

It's all gotta be repaired anyway.

Yeah...

that cattle drive sure is hard

on leather goods, isn't it?

Yeah, it sure is.

Except for one thing.

This bridle's been in the tack room

for over a year.

Yeah, I guess it's time for it to get fixed.

Hmm. I guess so.

Enjoy yourself in town.

Thank you, I will.

Hah!

[ cattlemen whooping ]

Stace. Hey, Howie.

How's it going? Oh, fine.

Yeah, well, I brought you a few repairs.

Whenever you get the time.

I'll get to 'em right away

if you're in a hurry.No hurry. No hurry.

Come on, I'll give you a hand.

Huh. There's gonna be a big time tonight.

That Kansas crowd's riding in

and they're gonna be thirsty after all that dust.

Used to ride with 'em, didn't you?

Yep. Three, four years back.

Yeah, those were real wild days.

We used to come riding into town

after a drive...

money burning a hole in our pocket.

Sounds like you miss it.

Well, maybe a little.

Being cooped up in this shop,

I do get kinda restless sometimes.

Every now and again, I just get the urge

to ride out on the range and feel all that space...

Where there's room to breathe. You know what I mean?

Yeah, I do.

Have you talked to Donna about it?

Well...no, I haven't.

Not exactly.

I tried, but--

Donna being raised in town, it--

she looks at things different.

It's...

It's hard to make her understand.

You better try, Howie.

She's your wife.

Keep it bottled up, and you're going to explode.

Yep.

Three hundred dollars.

Three hundred dollars.

You worked hard for it.

That's more money than I've ever had in my hand.

My wealthy husband.

Doesn't it make you just want to do something?

Go out somewhere? Go someplace?

How about San Francisco?

We could stay in one of those fine hotels,

eat in the fancy restaurants.

"Mr. and Mrs. Sheppard of Wyoming

were seen at the opera last night."

Some day, we'll go.

What do you mean "some day"?

How about tonight?

Tonight?

Well, if we can't go to San Francisco,

how about taking a walk?

I feel so rich and sassy,

I just gotta get out.

You go on. I'm a little tired.

Well, maybe I will.

For just a little while.

Daddy's over at the hotel talking to Mr. Deakins

and some other men.

You might stop by.

Yeah, I'll see.

Well, you can't go looking like that.

I'll get your suit.

Honey, I'll never get used to those clothes.

They just aren't me.

But they areyou.

Just the way I want you.

Oh, never mind.

Go on. Have a good time.

But don't be late.

Remember, you have a meeting

first thing in the morning with Mr. Winner at the bank.

Yes, ma'am.

Hey, you old coyote!

Who are you, Mister?

Howie.

Howie Sheppard! Yeah, Mitch!

Dressed so neat and fancy like that,

I wouldn't know ya.

I'm all settled down now.

You?

Yeah. I got a wife,

got my own business.

How d'ya like that?

Howie Sheppard, a business man--

and married.

Sure beats punching cattle.

I guess you always were smarter than the rest of us.

Hey, come on. I'll buy you a drink.

All right, but I can't buy you one back.

I just lost all my money in that poker game.

Well, I'll buy you two.

You always were a lousy poker player.

Don't you know better than to get mixed up

with a fella like that?

I guess I'll never learn.

Well, Mr. Sheppard.

Been a long time.

Too long, Danny.

Shall I leave the bottle?

Why not?

Say, who's that card shark?

Oh. A fellow named Blue.

Say, uh...

you're not thinking of taking him on, are ya?

No.

Good.

I bet you could, Howie.

Nope. I'll just watch the game.

You sure were good in the old days.

Remember that big game in Wichita?

[ laughing ]

You really cleaned 'em that night.

And went broke the next.

Tough luck, Jim.

There's a free chair here.

If you're waiting.

Mm-mm.

What about it, Howie?

Nah.

Come on. Naw.

Come on, see what he's made of.

Come on, you can beat him. I know you can.

Well?

All right.

Let's see how the cards are running.

Good.

What's your game?

What are you dealing?

Draw.

Fine.

Twenty.

You in?

Pair of kings.

It's up to you.

I'll call.

Straight to the queen.

Beats three jacks.

This seems to be your night.

Well, the cards are running.

Oh, they're running.

The wrong way for me.

Head on?

What, just you and me?

We seem to have all the money.

Cut.

Ante ten.

You open.

Twenty.

Twenty.

Up 20.

Call.

Cards?

I'll play these.

You have a pat hand, and you didn't raise me?

I don't want to scare you.

Dealer takes two.

Twenty, forty, sixty.

Sixty... and one-hundred.

Just to find out how pat that hand really is.

It's going to cost you to see it.

One-hundred...

twenty, forty,

sixty, seventy-five.

Three...sixty...

seventy-five...

Here's one, two...

three-hundred more.

You're trying to buy that pot.

No, Mister, I'm just trying to play my hand.

I bet all my chips.

Well, call the bet or fold your hand.

Now, wait a minute.

It's a fair game, Mister. You didn't have to raise.

Now, the bet is $300 to you...

if you still want to play.

Hey, Mitch.Huh?

Wake up.

Keep your eye on that.

What is it?

It's just about the best poker hand I ever had.

Three-hundred.

Call.

Four little deuces.

Can you beat them?

Looks like you're a loser.

All that money,

all of it.

I must've been--

every dollar for the bank

and I lost it.

All those months of work...

Donna--

what am I going to say to her?

Well, I guess you're in a bad spot, all right.

So am I.

We both need money,

and I know how to get it.

Trouble is I can't do it alone,

but you and me together,

we could do it.

We could do it easy.

Whatever it is, I don't want to hear about it.

Suit yourself.

Donna?

[ clears throat ]

Well, Mr. Sheppard,

today's the day, and you're right on time.

Say, I heard how well you've been doing,

and I'm delighted, just delighted.

Didn't I tell you that was a good location?

Sit down, sit down.

I haven't got the money, Mr. Winner.

I don't understand. You've been doing good business.

Business.

What happens now?

Well, if you can't make the payment,

the bank will be obliged to sell you out.

I'm very sorry, Mr. Sheppard.

Well, guess that's it, then.

Isn't there something you can do,

perhaps talk to your father-in-law?

Jasper Maguire's not a poor man.

No, I couldn't do that,

but if I could just have some more time.

Time?

You must understand, Mr. Sheppard,

personally I'd be willing to grant you the extension,

but the bank only manages the property.

The owners will expect their money.

I see.

Uh, perhaps I could convince them

to wait five days, no more.

Five days?

I'll do it.

I'll get the money.

Thank you, Mr. Winner.

Thank you.

Well, I did it.

You paid the bank.

Oh, Howie, I'm so happy.

Now it's all ours.Yeah.

And you worked so hard for it.

It's an occasion. We have to celebrate.

Oh, Daddy will be so proud.

I'll stop in and tell him on my way back from Dr. Busby's.

[ crowd yelling ]

Hello, Howie.Hi.

Is Stace around?

Stace? No, he had to go to Denver.

Denver?

Yeah, he had to go to a cattlemen's meeting.

Well, when is he coming back?

Not for a few days.

Is it something important?

No, I just want to talk to him.

I brought some of your gear back.

Well, good.

That old horse, he ain't just ornery. He's vicious.

How doing, Howie?

Fine, just fine.

How many you got to break?

Oh, about 20, one livelier than the next.

Them bronc-busters is earning their money.

How much are you paying?

Five dollars a head.

How about me trying it?

You? Thought your saddle days were over, Howie.

Well, I used to be pretty good.

All right, let's see how much you remember.

Hey! Bring that horse over here.

Show you how a real cowboy does it.

Get in there.

[ crowd murmuring ]

Come on, Howie! Show them how it's done. [ laughs ]

Come on, Howie!

You all right, boy?

You all in one piece?Yeah.

Is it broken?

No, I just bruised it a little.

I'll get back up on him again.

That's all, Howie.

I don't want to send you back to Donna in pieces.

Howie, you're plum out of practice.

I can ride him. I know I can.

I said that's all.

Come on. Here's your hat.

Say, you hear Wingy's hitting the trail tomorrow?

Yeah, I'm heading out tomorrow for Texas.

I was going to stop in town and say good-bye, though.

Still looking for that yellow rose.

I'll find it, too.

Wish you were riding out with me,

you know, like the old days.

Yeah, Wingy, get's mighty hot in Texas.

Well, old Wingy figures the heat will make his old bones stop creaking.

I got to go to work.

Wingy, about that saddle--

That's why I was coming to town, Howie.

I've got $14 saved up,

and I'm going to send you the rest.

You keep your money, Wingy.

I've been meaning to tell you--

that saddle, well, it's a present.

Well, I'm obliged, Howie,

much obliged.

Howie, I've been so worried.

I didn't know where you were.

I was out to Shiloh.

Donna, I've got something to tell you.

I've got something to tell you, too.

Oh, Howie, hold me close.

Donna, listen to me.

Howie?Mm-hmm.

We're going to have a baby.

Isn't it wonderful?

Oh, Howie, you are happy, aren't you?

Yeah, honey, of course I am.

Do you like it?

Yeah, a pretty little house, but I don't understand--

It's going to be our house, Howie.

What do you mean?

Mr. Deakins owns it, and it's for sale.

I've already talked to him about it.

Oh, Howie, it's just the kind of house I've always dreamed of.

Donna, we can't buy a house.

It's crazy to even think about it.

We bought the shop, didn't we?

Then we can buy the house.

We'll find a way.

Donna, we can't buy it.

Oh, Howie, it will be so wonderful.

We'll give parties, and we'll have people over for dinner--

It wouldn't work even if we could afford it.

Of course it would.

I've tried to explain to you. I can't live like that--

a house and parties and dinners.

I just don't know how.

Even being cooped up in that shop all day long.

But I thought-- I thought you were happy in the shop.

When Mr. Connally offered me that job,

I wanted to take it.

I wanted to take it real bad.

No, Howie.

I tried, but I'm no shop keeper--

thinking all the time about money and business.

I never will be.

Of course you will, darling.

I know it's all still new to you,

but it's a good life.

It's not the only way to live.

It's the way I want to live,

especially now with the baby coming.

All right, Donna,

if it's the only way.

Howie, where are you going?

You're still up on that glass mountain,

and I don't know how to get you down,

but I love you,

and I'll keep trying.

[ knocks loudly ]

Howie?

Oh, Paul.

Hello, Donna.

Nice to see you.

I take it the man of the house isn't here.

No. Is there something you wanted, Paul?

Just to say hello.

Something wrong, Donna?

It's Howie.

I don't know where he is.

I'm sure there's no cause for worry.

Howie can take care of himself.

But it's been hours.

Maybe he's at the saloon.

I'll be glad to look in and see.

No, he wouldn't be there.

He might be trying to win his money back.

What money?

Didn't he tell you?

I hear he lost a hatful

in a poker game the other night.

Oh, it's impossible, Paul. He just...

couldn't have.

It's true.

I even talked to Mr. Winner at the bank.

It was so humiliating.

I know, Donna. I heard about it yesterday.

You didn't say a word to me.

I wanted to give Howie a chance to settle it himself.

But why did he do it? Why?

Donna, it's going to be all right, dear.

Your father will talk to Mr. Winner in the morning.

Won't you, Jasper?

But I don't know where he is.

Tomorrow's the last day.

If he loses the shop, I'll leave him.

I can't live like a gypsy.

I'm going to have a baby.

I have to have a home.

Donna...

Howie Sheppard is a good man.

Maybe he's a lot better man than I gave him credit for being.

He could've gone in with me,

but he wanted to make it on his own,

and he's been working hard to give you everything you wanted,

everything we brought you up to want.

When he lost that money, he could've come crying to me,

but he didn't,

and that makes me kind of proud of him.

As for losing the money,

well, he's human.

He's no knight in shining armor.

He's your husband.

Maybe you should've tried harder to meet him half way.

Donna's been a good wife to Howie, Jasper.

You can't blame her.

I'm not.

I blame myself...

for giving you too much, Donna,

for making things too easy for you,

for letting you grow up expecting to have everything

just exactly the way you wanted it.

I spoiled you, Donna,

and for that I'm sorry.

Now, I'm going to tell you something else.

Instead of talking about leaving Howie,

what you ought to be doing

is thinking about how you can keep him.

I've been watching them unload that money every week.

There's going to be about $2,000, Howie.

How's that sound?

Sounds real fine.

And it's going to be easy, real easy.

Yup, easy.

And after this, you and me, we got a lot of things to do.

I hear there's a land office over in Rock Falls

busting with money.

I told you, Rail,

I'm going this once, and that's all.

Wait till you taste the money.

You'll find out how hungry you really are.

Remember, I said no shooting.

Just as long as nobody gets in our way.

Come on.

Throw down your guns.

RAIL: Now the payroll.

You might as well see what you can get from the passengers.

Do it.

Throw it down.

All right, you folks better step out.

Don't say anything.

I don't know why you're doing this, but you don't have to.

I have to.

I'm not going to let you do it. I can't.

Don't try to stop me, Stace.

Why, Howie, tell me why?

Everything went sour. That's all.

Now, you better listen to me.

He knows you.No.

[ gun hits the ground ]

It's a puzzling situation.

In the eyes of the law, I mean.

It's what they call act or intention.

Now, either you were going to rob that payroll--

that's the intention--

or you prevented that robbery-- that's the act.

Sheriff, I told you--Now, wait a minute, Howie, wait.

I'm not through yet.

Suppose a man walks into a bank wearing a gun.

That doesn't prove he intends to rob that bank

even if that's what he's thinking.

Suppose that man changes his mind, just walks out of the bank.

I can't arrest him for having a wild thought.

It was a lot more than--Will you shut up?

I was going after that payroll.

But you didn't take it.

Only because Stace stopped me.

Well, as Stace tells it, you stopped Rail,

and you saved his life.

Stace knows what I was doing,

and so do the other passengers.

Well, they're not preferring charges.

Stacey, you got any charges to prefer?

None that I can think of.

I killed a man.

You shot a man who was shooting at Stacey.

Well, I've got nothing to be proud of.

Well, Rail wouldn't even have been there

if I hadn't gone with him.

He'd been rustling cattle without you.

You know, Howie, you're trying awful hard to go to jail.

You think being locked up is going to solve your problems.

Well, I'm sorry, Howie. You're going to have to find some other way.

You're on probation.

That's because you're a good man

and you've got a good friend.

Now, both of you get out of here.

I'm going to take a nap.

Satisfied?

With what?

I've made a real mess out of everything.

I lost the shop. Donna will never forgive me for that.

You can start over again.

Nope, I'm just not the man Donna wanted me to be.

You're the man that she married.

I'm not the man she thought she married.

I tried to pretend.

I guess that was my first mistake.

I just can't live the way Donna wants me to.

That's the only way she wants it.

All right, then, what are you going to do?

I guess Donna will want to move back in with her folks.

She sure won't want to stay on with me.

I never knew you were one to give up that easily, Howie.

Well, what can I do?

You know that full yearling

that was giving me all that trouble?

He knew what he wanted-- his freedom,

and he did everything he could to get it.

Didn't do him much good, did it?

Maybe not, but he kept trying.

I figure what you've got to do

is you've got to decide what you want

and then you've got to go after it.

Here's another one.

It'll be beautiful on you.

Thank you,

but there's so many.

I'll never get a chance to wear them all.

Why don't you keep a few?

I have no place to wear them, at least not for a while.

They're yours, Elizabeth.

Thank you.

Mighty pretty dress.

Stace, you know better than to sneak up on a girl.

Donna--

You're just in time.

Help me with this, will you?

Donna, I've got to talk to you.

Not right now. I'm in a hurry.

You going to help me with this suitcase?

That one, too.

Put them in there.

Elizabeth...

Stace...

Good luck, Donna.

If you ever need anything...

I know.

Help me up, Howie.

Well, come on.

Come on, Howie.

Where are we going?

I don't know.

That's up to you.

Didn't you say something about wanting to take that job

at the Connally Ranch?

As a matter of fact, I did.

[ theme music playing ]