Original subtitles

YULI! LOOK.

CHARLES, EVERYBODY,

COME OVER. LOOK.

WHAT IS IT?

BIG NEWS, HUH?

L--l SORRY. I NOT READ ENGLISH SO GOOD YET.

WHAT IT SAYS?

OH, THAT, UH...

WELL, I AIN'T REAL GOOD AT READING OUT LOUD.

"TURNPIKE CONSTRUCTION APPROVED.

"GOVERNOR DAVID P. APPLEWOOD TODAY ANNOUNCED

"THE LARGEST ROAD BUILDING PROGRAM

"IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE.

14 TURNPIKES ARE IN THE APPROVED CONSTRUCTION PROJECT."

Mr. Hanson: 14 FINE ROADS--

YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?

YEAH, NOT AS MANY BUSTED WAGON WHEELS. THAT'S WHAT THAT MEANS.

PROSPERITY LIKE WE NEVER KNEW. THAT'S WHAT IT MEANS.

EASIER TO GET THINGS TO MARKET: WHEAT, CORN, HOGS.

NOT TO MENTION LUMBER, HUH?

JA, LUMBER, YOU BETCHA!

NEW MARKETS FOR ME,

NEW MARKETS FOR EVERYBODY.

LAST YEAR WAS GOOD.

NEXT YEAR WILL BE THE FINEST EVER.

BUT YOU'RE DOING ALL THE BUSINESS YOU CAN HANDLE RIGHT NOW.

HA HA! I'LL BUILD A BIGGER MILL.

PA!

PA!

PA!

Charles: SLOW DOWN. WHAT'S THE HURRY?

OH! HA HA HA!

HA HA HA!

GUESS WHAT.

WHAT?

WE'RE 100 YEARS OLD!

WELL, I SWEAR THEY DON'T LOOK IT, DO THEY?

NOT US--WE, THE WHOLE COUNTRY.

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS 100 YEARS OLD

THIS FOURTH OF JULY.

OH, THAT'S A BIG PILE OF YEARS!

WE'RE HAVING A CELEBRATION IN SCHOOL.

Mary: A CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.

Laura: THEY'RE HAVING THEM ALL OVER THE PLACE.

THEY GOT A BIG ONE IN PHILADELPHIA, AND THERE THEY HAVE--

Charles: THE BIGGEST MACHINE IN THE WORLD,

10,000 EXHIBITS, MARCHING BANDS,

AND FIREWORKS EVERY NIGHT.

HOW'D YOU KNOW?

IT'S BEEN IN THE PAPERS.

THAT'S HOW THEY GET PEOPLE TO COME.

UH, PLEASE, CENTENNIAL-- IT MEANS 100 BIRTHDAYS?

THAT'S RIGHT.

IN THIS CASE, IT MEANS THE 100th BIRTHDAY OF OUR COUNTRY.

IT SEEMS TO ME WE OUGHT TO HAVE SOME KIND OF CELEBRATION.

Laura: LIKE THE ONE IN PHILADELPHIA?

NOT THAT BIG, BUT WE CAN HAVE A PICNIC OR SOMETHING.

JA, A TOWN PICNIC! IT'S OUR DUTY.

WE HAVE THE BAND, AND WE CAN GET THE FIREWORKS.

WITH ALL THIS GOOD NEWS FLYING AROUND,

WE COULD HAVE A RIP-ROARING FOURTH OF JULY

NOBODY WOULD EVER FORGET!

Mr. Hanson: JA,

WE SHOULD MAKE SIGNS TO SPREAD THE WORD.

OH, PA, I ALMOST FORGOT.

US KIDS, WE GOT A PROBLEM.

I'M GOING TO MAKE THE FLAG,

BUT WE HAVEN'T GOT A FLAGPOLE,

SO WE WERE WONDERING

IF YOU COULD MAKE ONE FOR US.

ME! I MAKE.

THAT'S AN AWFUL LOT OF WORK, YULI.

NO. I VERY GOOD WITH THE DRAWKNIFE. I MAKE QUICK.

THANK YOU, MR. PYATAKOV!

YEAH, THANKS A LOT. COME ON, MARY.

WE GOT TO TELL MA RIGHT AWAY.

I THINK WITH THOSE TWO SPREADING THE WORD,

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO NEED THOSE POSTERS.

JA! HA HA HA!

I TELL YOU, CAROLINE,

THIS STATE IS GROWING BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS.

CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT? 14 NEW TURNPIKES.

Caroline: WHATEVER THEY ARE.

THEY CALL THEM PROSPERITY ROADS.

HANSON'S ALREADY TALKING ABOUT BUILDING A BIGGER MILL.

THAT WOULD MEAN A LOT MORE WORK FOR YOU, HUH, PA?

MM-HMM, HALF PINT, A LOT MORE WORK FOR EVERYBODY.

DO YOU THINK THIS LOOKS ALL RIGHT, PA?

COME HERE. LET ME SEE.

OH, YEAH. THAT'S A NICE JOB.

IT'S AWFUL BIG, THOUGH, ISN'T IT?

WE WANT IT BIG.

TO GO WITH THE NEW FLAGPOLE.

NOW THAT I HAVE THIS PATTERN DONE,

IT OUGHT TO GO REAL FAST.

MM-HMM, BUT NOT TONIGHT.

IT'S BEDTIME NOW.

Mary: YES, MA.

YOU KNOW, AT THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

IN PHILADELPHIA,

THEY HAVE THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON EVERY DAY.

DO YOU THINK WE COULD HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL LIKE THAT?

I DON'T THINK WE COULD HAVE ANYTHING THAT BIG.

OH, I KNOW THAT, BUT--

HEY! WE COULD HAVE A TEA PARTY LIKE THEY HAD IN BOSTON.

WELL, NOW, THAT'S AN IDEA.

WE COULD ALL RAID OLESON'S STORE

AND THEN THROW ALL THE TEA IN PLUM CREEK.

HA HA HA!

Laura: LET'S Do THAT, PA.

YEAH, BUT NOT TONIGHT. OFF TO BED.

GOOD NIGHT.

SWEET DREAMS.

GOOD NIGHT, MA. GOOD NIGHT, PA.

Charles: GOOD NIGHT.

- GOOD NIGHT. - SWEET DREAMS.

YOU KNOW SOMETHING? THIS IS GOING TO BE THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER.

Yuli: BREAK...FAST.

BREAK...

BREAKFAST! HA HA!

BREASTPLATE.

BREETH.

BREATH.

BREATH.

BREE-AH-ZA?

BREEZE.

BREEZE.

BREECH. WHAT MEANS BREECH?

UH, BACK END OF THE GUN BARREL-- WHERE YOU LOAD IT.

OH, BREECHLOADER! I HAVE HEARD THIS.

[SPEAKING RUSSIAN]

NO, NO, NO. VIKTOR MAKE RULE.

IN THIS HOUSE, ONLY ENGLISH.

OH, YOU TWO SO BUSY. ALL DAY AT THE MILL,

THEN SCHOOL, THEN CHORES, AND THEN BOOKS?

WHEN DO YOU EAT?

WHEN YOU PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE.

OH, YES. HA HA HA!

OH, THIS ENGLISH VERY HARD.

MANY WORDS!

ONE WORD HAVE MANY DIFFERENT MEANINGS.

YOU READ GOOD, PAPA. BETTER EVERY DAY.

READING GOOD, BUT FOOD ALSO GOOD, NO? EH?

LORD...WE GIVE THANKS FOR THIS...BOONTEE--

BOUNTIFUL.

BOUNTIFUL REPAST,

IN THIS FINE COUNTRY,

AND WE HOPE THAT OUR LOVED ONES WILL COME HERE SOON, ALSO. AMEN.

AMEN.

AMEN.

TELL MOM ABOUT THE FLAGPOLE.

OH. 6 MONTHS IN U.S. OF AMERICA

AND 4 MONTHS IN WALNUT GROVE...

AND I WILL MAKE FLAGPOLE

FOR 100th BIRTHDAY OF THIS COUNTRY.

BIG HONOR, NO?

YES! BUT WHY THEY PICK YOU?

OH, BECAUSE PAPA CAN DO ANYTHING.

NO. THEY NEED FLAGPOLE FOR TO CELEBRATE,

AND I SAY I MAKE BEST FLAGPOLE,

AND SO MY FRIENDS AT MILL, THEY SAY GO AHEAD!

GOOD FRIENDS, NO?

GOOD FRIENDS.

[SPEAKS RUSSIAN]

PAPA.

OH, SORRY... GOOD MEAL. GOOD MEAL!

THANK YOU, JOE.

THANK YOU, MA'AM.

[CLICKS] YAH!

KEEP 'EM LAYIN' THERE!

THIS IS THE MOST MAIL WE EVER GOT AT ONE TIME.

I'LL HANDLE 'EM.

AREN'T YOU SUPPOSED TO BE WORKING?

WELL, MR. HANSON DOESN'T LIKE TO SEE A WOMAN DOING HEAVY LIFTING.

AW...

HERE, WHAT ARE YOU DOING, TRYING TO GET ME IN TROUBLE?

FOR KISSING YOUR OWN WIFE?

NO, FOR KISSING THE POSTMISTRESS.

OUGHTA BE A GOVERNMENT REGULATION AGAINST IT OR SOMETHING.

ISAIAH, WAIT A MINUTE.

FOR MR. PYATAKOV. IT'S BEEN HERE ALMOST A WEEK,

BUT HE JUST NEVER COMES TO PICK UP HIS MAIL.

WOULD YOU GIVE IT TO HIM FOR ME?

CONSIDER IT DONE.

♪ OLD DAN TUCKER WAS A FINE OLD MAN ♪

♪ WASHED HIS FACE IN A FRYING PAN... ♪

CHARLES.

UH-HUH?

WHEN DO YOU GET THAT FIXED?

NOT TODAY. THE SHAFT'S BENT.

IY! I GOT NEW ORDERS: DAVIS, MAKAY, PARKER, WILSON.

I THINK EVERY FARMER IN HERO TOWNSHIP IS BUILDING A NEW BARN.

YEAH, WELL, NOT ME.

YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO IT, CHARLES.

A BIGGER BARN, DAIRY STOCK,

AND WITH THE NEW TURNPIKE,

CHEESE AND BUTTER WILL BE MONEY CROPS.

WELL, WHERE AM I GOING TO GET THE LUMBER?

THE MILL'S BUSTED.

ONLY UNTIL YOU GET IT FIXED LIKE I'M PAYING YOU FOR.

YES, SIR.

THAT PROSPERITY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MUST HAVE SHOWED UP.

A WHOLE PILE OF MAIL COME IN AT THE POST OFFICE.

JA, BUT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE WORKING HERE AND NOT CARRYING MAIL.

I WAS JUST HELPING OUT.

YULI, I GOT A LETTER FOR YOU.

Charles: HEY, EDWARDS?

YEAH?

CHECK INSIDE.

SEE IF WE HAVE A SPARE SHAFT, WILL YOU?

ALL RIGHT.

"NOTICE OF PAST DUE DATE.

PROPERTY TAXES IN AR-RE-ARS...ARREARS."

WHAT IT MEANS? HMM?

LET'S SEE.

FROM THE COUNTY CLERK.

SAYS YOUR PROPERTY TAXES HAVEN'T BEEN PAID FOR THE LAST 7 YEARS.

UNLESS THEY'RE PAID BY THE END OF THE MONTH,

PROPERTY WILL GO UP AT PUBLIC AUCTION.

IS--IS NOT MY LETTER.

I ONLY BUY FARM 4 MONTHS AGO.

BIG MISTAKE, NO?

IT PROBABLY IS A MISTAKE,

BUT I'D STILL GET OVER TO REDWOOD FALLS JUST TO MAKE SURE.

Yuli: SURE, I GO WHEN I NOT HAVE TO WORK.

YOU GO NOW, YULI.

YOU SURE IT'S ALL RIGHT?

JA, I AM SURE.

YOU COME BACK TOMORROW WHEN THE MILL IS RUNNING AGAIN.

ARREARS?

PROBABLY WASN'T HIS LETTER.

THAT'S WHAT THEM GOVERNMENT PEOPLE DO BEST--MAKE MISTAKES.

I HOPE YOU'RE RIGHT.

THANK YOU, MRS. EDWARDS.

GOOD DAY, MR. MAKAY.

WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT IT?

WELL, THE SUN IS SHINING, IT'S NOT TOO HOT,

AND TOMORROW WE START CUTTING YOUR ORDER.

MY ORDER. YOU MEAN THE ORDER FOR THE BARN LUMBER?

JA.

WELL, YOU CAN FORGET ABOUT THAT.

YOU CAN CANCEL ME ORDER NOW.

WAIT A MINUTE. YOU SAID--

I KNOW WHAT I SAID, BUT THEY JUST TOOK ALL MY MONEY--

ALL OF IT!

THERE YOU GO.

SURE GOT A BOW IN IT.

YEAH. A LITTLE HEAT AND A SLEDGE WILL TAKE CARE OF THAT.

NO HURRY.

WHAT?

NO HURRY TO GET IT FIXED.

I GOT TO SHUT DOWN ANYHOW.

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

ALL MY ORDERS WERE CANCELED.

HERE'S YOUR BAD NEWS.

COUNTY CLERK.

WHAT'S THE MATTER?

DOUBLED MY PROPERTY TAX PLUS A ROAD ASSESSMENT.

I WONDER IF THEY'VE DONE THAT TO ME?

I IMAGINE EVERYBODY IN THE TOWNSHIP.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MAKING A PROFIT THIS YEAR

AND JUST ABOUT BREAKING EVEN.

WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH THEM GOVERNMENT PEOPLE?

DON'T THEY KNOW A MAN CAN'T MAKE A LIVING LIKE THAT?

I DON'T THINK THEY CARE.

SO NO HURRY FINISHING WITH THAT.

BUILDING NEW ROADS, WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE OLD ROADS?

THEY WERE FINE.

WHO TOLD THEM THAT WE NEEDED ALL THEM NEW ROADS?

NONE OF US.

CHARLES. CAN I HELP YOU?

YEAH, I'D LIKE SOME SUGAR.

LET ME ASK YOU SOMETHING--

WHO SAID WE NEEDED ALL THEM FANCY TURNPIKES?

I'VE NEVER SEEN THE POST OFFICE SO CROWDED.

BUT WHO VOTED FOR IT?

NOT THE FARMER THAT THEY'RE TAXING TO PAY FOR IT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE WAY THEY'RE TAXING US, INGALLS?

HURTS, NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

THEY'VE MORE THAN DOUBLED MY TAXES.

IT SAYS IN THE PAPER THAT WE CAN PROTEST.

AND I THINK WE OUGHT TO.

I WAS THINKING ABOUT A PROTEST,

I JUST DON'T THINK lT'LL DO ANY GOOD.

WE ALL OUGHT TO MARCH OVER THERE TO

REDWOOD FALLS AND TELL THEM NO-NOTHING'S

WHERE THEY'RE HEADING. THAT'S WHAT I THINK.

I'M SURE THAT THOSE NO-NOTHINGS

AS YOU CALL THEM, MR. MAKAY,

KNOW A GOOD DEAL MORE ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING

THAN A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO STAND AROUND

WEEPING AND WAILING BECAUSE THEY GOT WHAT THEY VOTED FOR.

[GASPS] NELS!

THIS IS FROM THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK.

WHY, THIS IS HIGHWAY ROBBERY!

WELL...

GAVE THAT SETH PAULEY A PIECE OF MY MIND.

DID THE WHOLE THING WITHOUT LEAVING HIS OFFICE.

I RESENT THAT, AND I TOLD HIM SO.

SETH PAULEY? WHICH ONE IS HE?

HE'S THE COUNTY CLERK, THE MAN WHO JUST DOUBLED MY TAXES.

TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION, HUH, PA?

WELL, NOT QUITE, HALF PINT.

WE'VE GOT REPRESENTATIVES.

THE TROUBLE IS, WE NEVER SEE THEM.

COUNTY ASSESSOR WAS HERE.

YOU CAN GET THE VINEGAR NOW, LAURA.

WHAT?

WHEN YOU WERE AT THE MILL.

REMEMBER? I TOLD YOU.

WELL, I REMEMBER YOU TOLD ME,

BUT HE WAS ONLY HERE FOR 10 MINUTES.

I THOUGHT HE WAS JUST HAND SHAKING TO GET VOTES.

CHARLES, DO YOU THINK THAT'S BLUE ENOUGH?

Charles: FOR WHAT?

THE FLAG.

THE STARS GO ON THE BLUE.

YEAH, THAT'S FINE.

WE HAD 9 CENTS IN OUR SCHOOL COLLECTION.

MRS. WHIPPLE WOULDN'T TAKE ANY MONEY.

SHE SAID THE CLOTH WAS HER DONATION

TO THE CENTENNIAL PICNIC.

I DOUBT VERY MUCH THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A PICNIC.

NO PICNIC AT ALL?

I DON'T THINK THE PEOPLE ARE IN THE MOOD FOR A PICNIC.

SOME OF THE KIDS SAID THAT THEIR FOLKS WOULDN'T COME.

WELL, CAN'T SAY AS I BLAME THEM.

I DON'T FEEL MUCH LIKE CELEBRATING, MYSELF.

I'M GOING TO GO FOR A WALK.

MARY'S FLAG IS HALF DONE.

MORE THAN HALF.

YES, AND IT'S GOING TO BE BEAUTIFUL!

WILL YOU PLEASE HURRY UP?

I'M TRYING TO THINK OF WHAT TO SAY.

WHEN YOU SAY YOUR PRAYERS,

YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO ASK FOR ANYTHING FOR YOURSELF, ARE YOU?

YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO, NO.

LIKE IF I ASKED THAT PA GOT OVER BEING MAD AT AMERICA

AND HE'D CHANGE HIS MIND

ABOUT TAKING US TO THE CENTENNIAL PICNIC.

THAT WOULD BE ASKING FOR SOMETHING FOR ME AND YOU, WOULDN'T IT?

YES, IT WOULD. COME TO BED.

IF YOU PUT IT IN YOUR PRAYERS,

IT WOULD BE THE SAME THING, WOULDN'T IT?

OF COURSE.

WELL, THEN, HOW DO WE DO IT?

HOW DO WE DO WHAT?

PUT IT IN OUR PRAYERS THAT PA WILL BE HAPPY AGAIN

AND TAKE US TO THE CENTENNIAL PICNIC.

I REALLY THINK THE LORD HAS MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO THINK ABOUT.

WELL, HE MARKS THE FALL OF EVERY SPARROW.

ISN'T THAT WHAT REVEREND ALDEN ALWAYS SAYS?

I THINK SO. PLEASE COME TO BED.

IF HE CAN WORRY ABOUT SPARROWS,

HE CAN WORRY ABOUT PEOPLE.

AND I WON'T ASK FOR ANYTHING FOR ME.

JUST HURRY UP.

AND BLESS OUR WHOLE FAMILY,

AND ESPECIALLY MAKE PA HAPPY AGAIN AND NOT MAD AT AMERICA. AMEN.

I DIDN'T HAVE TO ASK. IF PA ISN'T MAD AT AMERICA,

HE'LL CELEBRATE THE CENTENNIAL,

AND HE'LL SURE TAKE US TO THAT PICNIC.

GOOD NIGHT!

WOMEN MARVEL AT THE STUNNING ARRAY OF SEWING MACHINES,

WHILE THE YOUNGSTERS ARE MUCH TAKEN BY

THE SEVERAL NEW-FANGLED SODA FOUNTAINS.

THERE WERE ALSO COUNTLESS EXOTIC DISPLAYS

FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES:

STUFFED CROCODILES FROM EGYPT,

BEEHIVES FROM ENGLAND,

AND A MODEL PAGODA FROM CHINA.

NOW, I'M SURE YOU ALL KNOW WHAT A CROCODILE IS

AND A BEEHIVE,

BUT WHO CAN TELL ME WHAT A PAGODA IS?

LAURA?

IT'S A BOAT.

WRONG.

WILLIE?

IT'S ONE OF THEM FUNNY HATS.

[LAUGHS] WRONG AGAIN.

A PAGODA IS A CHINESE TEMPLE.

A PLACE OF WORSHIP.

WELL, I'LL READ MORE ABOUT

THE PHILADELPHIA CENTENNIAL TOMORROW.

IN THE MEANTIME, I THINK WE SHOULD GET BACK TO WORK.

MISS BEADLE?

YES, MARY?

OUR PA SAID THERE MIGHT NOT BE ANY TOWN PICNIC.

AT RECESS, SOME OF THE KIDS SAID

THEIR FOLKS DIDN'T WANT ONE.

OUR PA SAID HE WOULDN'T GO EVEN IF THERE WAS ONE.

MY PA'S MAD AT THOSE TAXERS.

HE WON'T GO AND HE WON'T LET US GO.

WELL, I'M VERY SORRY TO HEAR THAT.

YES, VIKTOR?

MY FATHER'S MAKING THE FLAGPOLE.

WELL, THERE YOU ARE.

WE'LL HAVE A FLAGPOLE

AND MARY'S MAKING A FLAG.

THE CENTENNIAL IS PART OF THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY.

WHY, WE COULD HAVE THE CELEBRATION

RIGHT HERE IN THE SCHOOLROOM.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY "AYE."

All: AYE!

HELLO, CHARLES!

HEY, EDWARDS!

YOU'RE GETTING CAUGHT UP, ARE YOU?

YEAH, A LITTLE BIT.

WHAT BRINGS YOU OUT HERE?

OH, WELL, EVER SINCE THE MILL SHUT DOWN,

I'VE BEEN RUNNING GOVERNMENT ERRANDS.

NO PAY, BUT IT GETS ME IN GOOD WITH THE POSTMASTER.

HERE. SHE SAID GIVE THIS TO YOU.

MY LETTER TO THE COUNTY CLERK--

HOW COME SHE DIDN'T POST IT?

THERE WASN'T NO NEED.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A MAN IN SCHOOL ALL DAY TOMORROW

LISTENING TO PROTESTS.

OH, YEAH? I'LL BE THERE.

YEAH, ME, TOO. BETTER GET THERE EARLY.

I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A BIG CROWD.

I CAN'T STAND AROUND HERE ALL DAY JAWING.

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS. SEE YOU LATER.

ALL RIGHT. WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

Mr. Edwards: MORNING, CHARLES.

EDWARDS.

THOUGHT YOU WENT TO REDWOOD FALLS.

HE DID. HE WAS JUST TELLING ME ABOUT IT.

TWICE. THE COUNTY CLERK--HE TOO BUSY TO SEE ME.

OH.

THOSE LONG TRIPS FOR NOTHING.

MAYBE TODAY. MAYBE.

I TOLD YOU TO GET HERE EARLY.

I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN MY OWN ADVICE. SEE YOU LATER.

GOOD LUCK.

I SAW HIM WHEN HE FIRST CAME TO TOWN,

ALL GUSSIED UP LIKE A CIRCUS HORSE.

GOT TO BE THE COUNTY CLERK.

NO, HE'S DEPUTY CLERK. HIS NAME IS SNELL.

SNELL?

JA.

THAT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING EATING ME CABBAGE PLANTS.

YOU, SIR, COME IN.

DID YOU HEAR YULI SAY

THE COUNTY CLERK WAS TOO BUSY TO SEE HIM?

JA, I HEARD.

PICKING THE POCKETS OF THE POOR--

THAT'S WHY HE WAS TOO BUSY.

THEM POLITICIANS ARE ALL ALIKE.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT WE PAY THE GOVERNOR?

5,000.

$5,000 A YEAR FOR DOING NOTHING.

SAYS 7 YEARS' TAXES?

THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S WRONG.

I ONLY BUY THE LAND THIS YEAR.

WELL, I UNDERSTAND THAT,

BUT WHEN YOU BUY LAND,

YOU ASSUME THE TAX LIABILITY.

ASSUME LIABIL--WHAT?

THAT MEANS YOU'VE GOT TO PAY.

ONE YEAR ONLY, NOT 7!

NO. WHEN YOU BUY THE LAND, YOU BUY THE DEBT.

I'LL TELL YOU, MR., UH...IS IT PIE-YA-TACK-OV?

PYATAKOV.

PYATAKOV.

MR. PYATAKOV, I SUGGEST

THAT YOU SEE THE COUNTY CLERK RIGHT AWAY.

YEAH, I TRY.

LADY SAY HE TOO BUSY TO SEE ME.

OH. WELL, I'LL GIVE YOU A NOTE.

OH, GOOD. HE FIX BIG MISTAKE, NO?

ALL I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT

YOU'D BETTER TALK TO HIM RIGHT AWAY.

WHERE'S NELS?

OH! OH, MY GOODNESS! I WAS AFRAID I WAS GOING TO BE LATE.

I KNOW YOU DON'T WANT TO GO IN THERE ALONE.

WELL, HARRIET, I'M PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF HAND--

NEXT.

OH, YES. COME ALONG, NELS.

HOW DID IT GO?

HE NICE MAN. HE GIVE ME NOTE.

THIS TIME I GET IN TO SEE COUNTY CLERK, AND HE FIX EVERYTHING.

I HOPE SO.

HE WILL. YOU'LL SEE.

[SPEAKS RUSSIAN]

THEY CAN'T PLOW, THEY CAN'T PLANT,

BUT THEY SURE KNOW HOW TO TAX US INTO THE POORHOUSE.

AHEM.

YOU FEEL THIS ASSESSMENT IS TOO HIGH?

YES, MUCH TOO HIGH.

WELL, THEN I TAKE IT THAT YOUR MERCANTILE

IS NOT THE BIGGEST BUSINESS ENTERPRISE IN WALNUT GROVE.

OH, BUT IT IS.

WELL, THE PORCHES MAKE IT LOOK BIG.

OH, NELS. IT'S NOT ONLY THE BIGGEST MERCANTILE IN WALNUT GROVE,

BUT IN ALL OF HERO TOWNSHIP AS WELL.

THANK YOU, MRS. OLESON.

YES.

YOU--YOU HAVE LIVING QUARTERS IN BACK OF THE STORE.

YOU MIGHT SAY THAT, YES.

1 ROOM OR 2?

WELL, UH, 3.

3-

YES, AND 3 MORE UPSTAIRS.

I DIDN'T KNOW THAT.

Mrs. Oleson: OH, YES.

PARTIALLY FURNISHED?

OH, MY! WE HAVE THE BEST FURNITURE THAT MONEY CAN BUY.

IT'S COMPLETELY FURNISHED.

COMPLETELY FURNISHED.

LIVESTOCK?

Mr. Oleson: 2 HORSES.

WAGONS?

ONE BUCKBOARD.

FARM MACHINERY?

NO.

ANY OTHER PROPERTY?

NELS, WE HAVE A WHOLE STOREROOM FULL OF FARM MACHINERY!

THAT IS INVENTORY, DEAR.

IT'S ALSO PROPERTY.

A-HA!

AND YOU OWN IT.

Mrs. Oleson: YES.

I'LL NEED A LIST.

2 HARROWS.

2 HARROWS.

4 PLOWS.

4 PLOWS.

ONE DISK.

ONLY ONE. HMM.

YOU JUST MARK MY WORDS.

SOMEDAY THEY WILL TAX A MAN FOR WHAT HE EARNS!

AN INCOME TAX?

JA.

NEVER HAPPEN IN A THOUSAND YEARS.

YOU JUST WAIT.

[NELS ARGUING]

IF A MAN HAD TO PAY A TAX ON A TALKING WIFE,

I WOULD HAVE BEEN BANKRUPT THE DAY I WAS MARRIED!

WH-.

NEXT, PLEASE.

GOOD-BYE.

WELL? WHAT HAPPENED?

THE DEPUTY CLERK MADE IT REAL EASY FOR ME.

HE BROUGHT A PEN AND SOME BLANK CHECKS.

TOOK JUST ABOUT EVERY PENNY WE'VE GOT.

WELL, AT LEAST WE HAD THE MONEY TO PAY IT.

THE THING THAT MAKES ME ANGRY IS I WORK FROM SUNUP TO SUNDOWN

TRYING TO PUT A LITTLE MONEY AWAY FOR A RAINY DAY,

AND THEY JUST COME ALONG AND GRAB IT.

OH, IT HURTS, I KNOW,

BUT WE'VE COME THROUGH WORSE.

WHY, THERE WAS A TIME WE HAD TO BORROW 12 NAILS FROM MR. EDWARDS

BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR THEM.

REMEMBER, CHARLES?

YES, I REMEMBER, AND I HOPE HE DOESN'T ASK FOR THEM BACK

BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T GOT ENOUGH MONEY IN THE BANK TO BUY 12 NAILS.

F ANY A.

FANYA...

WE LOSE THE LAND.

[SOBBING] OH, NO!

IT'S ALL RIGHT. IT'S ALL RIGHT.

THERE'S NOTHING PAPA COULD DO, MAMA.

IT'S ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT.

[SIGH]

8-INCH FRYING PAN.

25 CENTS.

OH! PUBLIC SERVANTS, INDEED!

THE WAY THEY ACT, YOU'D THINK THAT WE WERE THE SERVANTS

AND THEY WERE THE ONES IN CHARGE!

YES, DEAR.

IF YOU WANT MY OPINION,

IT WON'T BE THE MEEK WHO WILL INHERIT THE EARTH, IT WILL BE THE POLITICIANS!

YES, DEAR.

[BELLS ON DOOR RING]

CUSTOMER, NELS!

YES, DEAR.

Charles: HI, NELS.

OH, HELLO, CHARLES.

I'D LIKE SOME BAKING SODA

AND A PAIR OF WORK GLOVES, PLEASE.

5 CENTS FOR THE BAKING SODA,

27 CENTS FOR THE GLOVES.

AH! JUST A MINUTE!

OH, HARRIET!

WELL, I KNOW MR. INGALLS IS AN OLD CUSTOMER,

BUT FAIR FOR ONE IS FAIR FOR ALL.

37 CENTS. NOW, WE CAN'T MAKE ANY EXCEPTIONS.

THAT WAS 5 CENTS FOR THE BAKING SODA, RIGHT?

YES, AND YOU WANTED THE GLOVES.

I CHANGED MY MIND. THANK YOU.

BUT THERE'S A TAX INCREASE,

AND WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO...

PASS IT ON TO THE CUSTOMERS.

CHARLES!

WAIT A MINUTE!

GOT GOOD NEWS-- AN ORDER FROM SPRINGFIELD,

AND MAKAY IS GOING TO BUILD HIS BARN AFTER ALL.

MAKAY MUST HAVE GOTTEN SOMEWHERE WITH HIS TAX PROTEST.

HE SAYS NO, BUT HE ALSO SAID

THAT HIS COWS NEED A WARM PLACE TO LIVE THIS WINTER,

TAXES OR NO TAXES.

SO WE ARE READY TO START CUTTING

AS SOON AS YOU CAN COME BACK TO WORK.

I'LL BE READY IN AN HOUR.

ALL RIGHT. EDWARDS WILL BE HERE. I COULD USE YULI.

I WANTED TO SEND A MESSAGE BY HIS SON, BUT HE'S NOT IN SCHOOL.

I CAN STOP BY HIS PLACE AND TELL HIM.

OH, GOOD.

Man: HOWDY THERE!

HOW ARE YOU? WHOA, BOY, WHOA.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR THE BUTTERHILL ROAD.

THE, UH, PYA--UH,

MARTHA, GIVE ME THAT DEED.

I GOT IT HERE ON THE DEED.

YULI PYATAKOV FARM, ABOUT 40 ACRES, MORE OR LESS.

WHOA, BOY.

DO YOU KNOW WHERE THAT IS?

YEAH. YOU GO STRAIGHT ACROSS THE BRIDGE.

IT'S DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT A MILE.

YOU'LL SEE IT OVER ON THE RIGHT.

GO RIGHT UP TO THE TOP OF THE HILL. YOU CAN'T MISS IT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YOU ALL FRIENDS OF YULI'S?

NO, I'VE NEVER SEEN HIM.

WE JUST BOUGHT THE FARM YESTERDAY-- HOUSE, BARN, LAND.

IT WAS A TAX SALE?

YES, SIR. STEPS OF THE COURTHOUSE YESTERDAY AT NOON.

MY NAME'S JULE TAYLOR, MY WIFE MARTHA, MY SON THAD.

MA'AM.

CHARLES INGALLS. THIS IS LARS HANSON.

PLEASED TO MEET YOU.

I THINK THIS IS A NICE LITTLE TOWN.

WE'RE GOING TO LIKE IT HERE VERY MUCH.

WELL, WE'LL BE SEEING YOU.

SEE YOU.

YULI SHOULD HAVE TOLD US.

I'LL GO OUT AND SEE HIM.

LEAST I CAN DO IS SAY GOOD-BYE.

MA'AM.

HOW ARE YOU?

OH, MR. INGALLS.

I WAS LOOKING FOR YULI. IS HE GONE ALREADY?

NO, HE'S STILL HERE.

THEY CAMPED OVER THERE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HILL.

HE ASKED ME IF HE COULD STAY ON THE PROPERTY FOR 2 OR 3 DAYS,

AND I TOLD HIM HE'S MOST WELCOME.

THAT WAS VERY NICE OF YOU.

THANK YOU, BUT IT'S HIM AND HIS FAMILY WHO ARE THE NICE ONES.

YOU OUGHT TO SEE THE INSIDE OF THIS HOUSE.

THE FLOORS, THE WINDOWS, EVERYTHING--JUST AS CLEAN AS SUNRISE.

THAT'S TH E PYATAKOVS .

WELL, GOOD LUCK WITH THE PLACE.

I'LL SEE YOU IN CHURCH.

ALL RIGHT.

[SINGING IN RUSSIAN]

BEAUTIFUL SONG.

MRS. PYATAKOV.

I COULD HEAR YOU SINGING, COMING OVER THE HILL.

WHAT'S IT MEAN?

OH, IT MEANS, UH...EAGLE, YOU FLY SO HIGH,

YOU SPREAD YOUR WINGS, YOU FREE.

MY SOUL, ALSO, LIKE EAGLE, WANT TO BE FREE.

WORDS LIKE THAT.

YULI, WE HEARD WHAT HAPPENED IN TOWN.

WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL US?

WHY SHOULD I WORRY MY FRIENDS?

YOU CANNOT CHANGE THE LAW.

WELL, IT'S A BAD LAW THAT TAKES A MAN'S LAND.

CHARLES, MY FRIEND, IS NOT THE LAW'S FAULT.

I THINK I BUY THIS FARM CHEAP.

OF WHAT I DO NOT KNOW, WHAT I CANNOT READ,

IS HE SELL ME THE TAXES BILL.

THEN IT'S STILL A BAD LAW.

WITHOUT LAWS, NOBODY PAY TAXES.

NO TAXES, HOW YOU BUILD ROADS OR PAY FOR SCHOOLS?

I GOT ALONG FINE IN KANSAS WITHOUT ROADS OR SCHOOLS.

PRAIRIE GRASS, YOU DON'T NEED ROADS SO MUCH.

YOU AND YOUR WIFE, YOU CAN TEACH CHILDREN.

BUT ME, WHEN I FIRST COME HERE,

I CANNOT TEACH VIKTOR HOW TO READ THE ENGLISH

BECAUSE I DO NOT KNOW THE ENGLISH.

WALNUT GROVE SCHOOL TEACH HIM.

HE TEACH ME.

BEFORE YOU COME HERE, JUST NOW,

I READ... ABOUT FREEDOMS:

CHURCH, UH... PRESS, SPEECH.

I READ MANY TIMES NUMBER 1 BILL RIGHTS.

ARTICLE 1, PAPA.

ARTICLE 1, YES.

"CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW ABOUT RELIGION

OR FREE EXERCISE...

THEREOF."

"OR ABRIDGING THE FREEDOM--"

ABRIDGING-- WHAT IT MEANS?

ABRIDGING MEANS TO SHORTEN, TAKE AWAY.

IS GOOD WORD. SEE? HE KNOWS.

OTHER COUNTRIES, ONLY THE RICH CAN GO TO SCHOOL.

HERE, EVERYBODY.

YOUR PAPA'S A HARD MAN TO SINK.

THEY TAKE AWAY YOUR LAND, AND YOU'RE STILL SMILING.

WHY NOT? WE HAVE OUR HEALTH,

WE HAVE GOOD WAGON, GOOD TEAM, TOOLS,

A FEW DOLLARS IN OUR POCKETS,

AND FREE HOMESTEAD LAND IN SOUTH DAKOTA.

IS NO OTHER COUNTRY IN THE WORLD

A MAN CAN MAKE A MISTAKE AND START ALL OVER WITH FREE LAND.

YOU MAKE ME FEEL PRETTY SELFISH.

I CAME OUT HERE TO TALK TO YOU.

I THOUGHT IT WOULD MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER

TO HAVE SOMEBODY TO TALK TO.

TURNS OUT, IT'S THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

YOU SHOULD READ THE FREEDOMS.

I'M GOING TO DO THAT, YULI.

WE'RE GOING TO MISS YOU.

YES.

GOOD LUCK.

I WISH YOU'D HAVE HEARD HIM.

NOT A COMPLAINT, NOT ONE WORD.

HE HASN'T LOST FAITH IN THIS COUNTRY, I'LL TELL YOU.

HE KNOWS HE AND HIS FAMILY ARE GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT

BECAUSE THIS COUNTRY, THE SAME ONE WE'VE ALL BEEN YELLING ABOUT,

IS THE BEST DARN COUNTRY IN THE WHOLE WORLD.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO CONVINCE ME.

WE CAN ALL THANK OUR LUCKY STARS WE'RE LIVING HERE.

I KNEW THAT AS WELL AS YULI DOES,

BUT I GOT SO CAUGHT UP IN MY OWN PROBLEMS.

I'LL TELL YOU SOMETHING ELSE.

THE 100th BIRTHDAY OF THIS COUNTRY IS A DARN IMPORTANT DAY,

AND WE'RE GOING TO CELEBRATE IT,

NO MATTER MATTER WHAT ANYBODY ELSE DOES.

WOULD YOU MIND TELLING THE GIRLS?

THEY'RE JUST ABOUT CONVINCED

MINNESOTA IS GOING TO SECEDE FROM THE UNION.

HAVE I BEEN THAT BAD?

NOT JUST YOU-- EVERYBODY.

WELL, I'LL STRAIGHTEN THAT OUT RIGHT NOW.

YOU'LL HAVE TO GO OUT TO TAYLOR'S LAKE.

THEY'RE OUT THERE FINISHING THE FLAG, AND--

THEY THOUGHT YOU MIGHT NOT APPROVE.

I HAVE BEEN THAT BAD.

I'LL TALK TO THEM.

THOSE STARS SURE ARE PRETTY.

THANKS. JUST DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TO PUT ON.

30...37.

COLORADO'S COMING INTO THE UNION IN AUGUST. THAT WILL BE 38 STARS.

Charles: HEY, LET ME HAVE A LOOK.

OH.

I MUST SAY, YOU DID A BEAUTIFUL JOB ON THAT FLAG.

HOW COME YOU'RE WORKING ON IT WAY OUT HERE?

WELL, WE KNOW HOW YOU'RE FEELING.

AND YOU THINK I'M WRONG.

YES, SIR, I DO. WE'VE GOT HARD TIMES NOW,

BUT DID YOU KNOW THAT WAY BACK,

BEFORE THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE WAS SIGNED,

THINGS WERE A WHOLE LOT WORSE?

BRITISH SOLDIERS MARCHED INTO YOUR HOUSE AND STAYED.

AND YOU HAD TO FEED THEM AND EVERYTHING.

IT SEEMS TO ME I'VE READ THAT.

Laura: AND AFTER THE DECLARATION WAS SIGNED,

THEY HAD TO FIGHT A BIG WAR.

THE REVOLUTION.

RIGHT FROM THE FIRST, THERE'S SCARCELY BEEN A TIME

WHEN AMERICA DIDN'T HAVE SOME SORT OF TROUBLE.

GENERAL WASHINGTON HAD A LOT AT VALLEY FORGE.

THAT'S TRUE, PA.

AND PRESIDENT LINCOLN-- THAT WAR JUST ABOUT TORE OUR COUNTRY APART,

BUT WE CAME THROUGH. EVERY TIME WE CAME THROUGH.

EVERY TIME OUR COUNTRY JUST GOT BIGGER AND STRONGER AND BETTER.

THAT'S WHY I THINK WE SHOULD CELEBRATE THE CENTENNIAL.

WELL, NOW THAT YOU EXPLAIN IT TO ME

LIKE THAT, I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT.

YOU DO?

I SURE DO.

I'LL HAVE YOUR MOM MAKE US A NICE PICNIC LUNCH.

WE'LL CELEBRATE THE CENTENNIAL AFTER CHURCH ON SUNDAY.

Both: THANKS, PA.

NOW, COME ON. GET YOUR THINGS TOGETHER.

WE'LL BE LATE FOR SUPPER.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WE OUGHT TO HAVE ON THE PICNIC?

FRIED CHICKEN, PA.

TODAY'S SERMON IS BASED ON A THEME FROM "ECCLESIASTES".

"IN THE DAY OF PROSPERITY,

THERE'S A FORGETFULNESS OF AFFLICTION...

AND IN THE DAY OF AFFLICTION,

THERE'S NO REMEMBRANCE OF PROSPERITY."

NOW, GLOOM AND DESPAIR ARE ABROAD IN OUR LAND TODAY.

I'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH LONG FACES AS I HAVE IN MY RECENT TRAVELS.

AND IT'S TRUE THAT ONE OF OUR NUMBER

HAS SUFFERED GRAVE HURT,

LOSING ALMOST ALL HE POSSESSED.

BUT FOR THE MORE FORTUNATE...

IT WOULD BE WISE TO CAST ASIDE THESE DARK THOUGHTS

OF TAXES AND ROAD ASSESSMENTS...

AND BE THANKFUL INSTEAD FOR THE ROOFS OVER OUR HEADS

AND THE FOOD ON OUR TABLES,

HARVEST THAT PROMISES TO BE BOUNTIFUL.

LOOK TO HEAVEN AND REMEMBER...

THERE ARE SEASONS IN THE AFFAIRS OF MAN.

THIS...EVIL WINTER OF AFFLICTION WILL PASS.

AND THE SMILING SUMMER OF PROSPERITY WILL COME AGAIN

AS IT HAS SO MANY TIMES BEFORE.

MEANWHILE...BE STRONG.

[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]

EH, SORRY. WE NOT MEAN TO BE LATE.

Reverend: WE'RE GLAD YOU CAME.

WE HEARD YOU WERE LEAVING THE COMMUNITY.

WE WERE AFRAID YOU'D ALREADY GONE.

NO! WE NOT WANT TO GO

BEFORE WE SAY GOOD-BYE TO ALL OUR GOOD FRIENDS.

AND...WE BRING FLAGPOLE.

WITH ALL THE TROUBLE YOU'VE HAD,

YOU TOOK TIME TO MAKE US A FLAGPOLE?

OH, IS NOTHING.

WELL, I THINK IT'S SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL.

A MAN LOSES HIS LAND AND STILL TAKES THE TIME TO KEEP A PROMISE.

TAKING HIS LAND-- 'TIS A NO-GOOD COUNTRY THAT CAN DO THAT.

[PEOPLE MURMUR]

NO, NO, PLEASE, REVEREND...

I HAVE HEARD MUCH WRONG IDEAS

ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO ME AND MY FAMILY.

I WOULD LIKE TO GET ALL STRAIGHT, IF YOU DON'T MIND.

Reverend: PLEASE Do.

I MAKE...FOOLISH MISTAKE.

I LOSE THE LAND, SO MY FAULT.

NOW, YOU BE HAPPY YOU LIVE HERE.

IS FINE COUNTRY.

I HAVE SEEN MANY COUNTRIES.

I KNOW.

YOU HAVE FREEDOMS HERE...

FREEDOM WORSHIP, FREEDOM MEETINGS,

FREEDOM SPEECH, FREEDOM PRESS,

THEY HAVE NO PLACE ELSE IN THE WHOLE WORLD.

IN RUSSIA, WE PAY 2, 3 TIMES AS MUCH TAXES AS HERE

AND NOT FOR SCHOOLS AND ROADS, NO...FOR THE CZAR'S POCKETS.

AND THE MAN WHO IS BRAVE ENOUGH

OR FOOL ENOUGH TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE TAXES,

HE GOES TO JAIL.

THEY COME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT,

AND THEY TAKE HIM AWAY.

NO TRIAL, NO JURY FREEDOM--HE'S GONE.

NOBODY EVER SEES HIM AGAIN.

SO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH THIS FREEDOM MEANS?

WHERE I WAS BORN, I PAY MY TAXES,

BUT THE TAX COLLECTOR, HE THINKS I'M HIDING SOMETHING.

SO THE COSSACKS COME.

THEY NOT TELL ME WHY.

THEY TAKE AWAY EVERYTHING-- LAND, ANIMALS, TOOLS, FOOD.

THEY THROW US OFF THE LAND WITH ONLY THE CLOTHES WE WEAR.

IN MY PRAYERS, I GIVE THANKS

THAT MY FAMILY AND I COULD COME LIVE HERE.

AND I ASK GOD THAT ALL THE OTHERS

WE LEFT BEHIND COULD ALSO COME HERE

TO THE HOME OF THE FREEDOMS...

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...

BEST COUNTRY IN THE WHOLE WORLD.

I THINK THAT CONCLUDES OUR SERVICE FOR TODAY.

I THINK IT'S TIME WE PUT UP MR. PYATAKOV'S FLAGPOLE.

AND I'LL SAY AMEN TO THAT!

Mr. Hanson: YULI, MRS. PYATAKOV, VIKTOR,

WE ALL WANT YOU TO KNOW FROM OUR HEARTS

THAT EVERY TIME WE SEE THIS FLAG FLY FROM THIS POLE,

WE WILL REMEMBER YOU.

[APPLAUSE AND CHEERING]

L...l THINK THE TIME

FOR A DEDICATION SPEECH IS NOW,

AND IT IS UP TO YOU, YULI.

[CLEARS THROAT]

UNITED STATES FLAG OF AMERICA,

LONG MAY SHE WAVE!

["AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL" PLAYING]

[FIREWORKS WHISTLING AND EXPLODING]