1
00:01:43,504 --> 00:01:45,105
Howdy, Jess.

2
00:01:48,542 --> 00:01:50,778
Elsie,
how have you been?

3
00:01:50,811 --> 00:01:53,214
Just fine, Mr. Mccary,
and yourself?

4
00:01:53,247 --> 00:01:56,884
Able to set up
and take nourishment.

5
00:01:56,917 --> 00:01:58,719
How about your pa?

6
00:01:58,752 --> 00:02:01,489
Haven't you been able to
pry him out of that chair yet?

7
00:02:01,522 --> 00:02:03,391
Afraid not.

8
00:02:03,424 --> 00:02:06,594
I don't know what it is,
Mr. Mccary, he's fit enough.

9
00:02:06,627 --> 00:02:10,764
He just don't seem to have
any will for living anymore.

10
00:02:10,798 --> 00:02:12,833
I get awful
worried sometimes.

11
00:02:14,802 --> 00:02:18,272
Let me work on him. See
if I can't budge him a little.

12
00:02:18,306 --> 00:02:19,440
Appreciate it.

13
00:02:24,912 --> 00:02:27,248
Cooled off some,
hasn't it?

14
00:02:27,281 --> 00:02:29,950
Some, I reckon.

15
00:02:29,983 --> 00:02:32,286
Thought I'd take
a walk into town.

16
00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:34,722
How about
joining me?

17
00:02:34,755 --> 00:02:36,590
What for?

18
00:02:36,624 --> 00:02:39,393
What for doesn't matter.
It's the doing that counts.

19
00:02:39,427 --> 00:02:41,329
Getting out in the sun,
bending your legs,

20
00:02:41,362 --> 00:02:43,564
meeting some folk in town
and passing the time of day,

21
00:02:43,597 --> 00:02:44,898
that's what for.

22
00:02:44,932 --> 00:02:48,336
You go on. I got
no reason to go.

23
00:02:50,371 --> 00:02:52,773
When did you get
so old, Jess?

24
00:02:52,806 --> 00:02:54,442
What day?
What time.

25
00:02:54,475 --> 00:02:56,410
Now, tell me,
because when that day comes for me,

26
00:02:56,444 --> 00:02:58,579
I want to know so I can
stay in bed that morning

27
00:02:58,612 --> 00:03:00,281
and not let it
happen.

28
00:03:03,851 --> 00:03:06,420
You got people worried about you,
friend.

29
00:03:06,454 --> 00:03:10,424
Elsie over there is afraid you're
going to waste away in that chair.

30
00:03:10,458 --> 00:03:12,360
And maddy
sutherland...

31
00:03:12,393 --> 00:03:14,262
What about
maddy sutherland?

32
00:03:16,330 --> 00:03:18,266
Why don't
you tell me?

33
00:03:18,299 --> 00:03:19,767
It wasn't so long
ago the two of you

34
00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:22,436
had a regular romance
going. What happened?

35
00:03:22,470 --> 00:03:25,406
We got too old
for romance.

36
00:03:25,439 --> 00:03:26,707
Bosh!

37
00:03:29,443 --> 00:03:30,911
I'll be on my way.

38
00:03:38,051 --> 00:03:41,589
Just talking to you
makes me feel old.

39
00:03:41,622 --> 00:03:42,956
You are old.

40
00:03:42,990 --> 00:03:45,259
Same as me!

41
00:03:45,293 --> 00:03:47,361
Difference is,
I know it.

42
00:03:58,839 --> 00:04:01,575
Well, I'll be.

43
00:04:03,777 --> 00:04:07,781
Lem, if the day ever comes
when I beat you at checkers,

44
00:04:07,815 --> 00:04:09,283
I'm going to die
a happy man.

45
00:04:09,317 --> 00:04:11,585
No use wishing your
life away, nels.

46
00:04:11,619 --> 00:04:14,888
Come on.
Set them up.

47
00:04:14,922 --> 00:04:18,392
Nels oleson,
what do you think you're doing?

48
00:04:18,426 --> 00:04:21,695
I think I'm playing checkers.
What do you think I'm doing?

49
00:04:21,729 --> 00:04:24,965
I think you'd better
close the store.

50
00:04:24,998 --> 00:04:27,501
We've got lot
of work to do.

51
00:04:27,535 --> 00:04:31,038
Well, Lem,
I'll take a rematch one of these days.

52
00:04:31,071 --> 00:04:32,873
Kind of early
to be closing.

53
00:04:32,906 --> 00:04:35,943
Yeah, but we've got work to
do over at the hanson house.

54
00:04:35,976 --> 00:04:37,845
It's been sitting empty
ever since Lars died,

55
00:04:37,878 --> 00:04:39,613
and we're afraid it's
just going to fall down

56
00:04:39,647 --> 00:04:41,682
if it doesn't get some
attention pretty soon.

57
00:04:41,715 --> 00:04:45,052
Nels, will
you hurry up?

58
00:04:45,085 --> 00:04:48,756
I left the mops and
pails in the storeroom.

59
00:04:48,789 --> 00:04:51,525
Yes, dear.

60
00:04:51,559 --> 00:04:55,929
You made plans for the Lars
hanson house yet, Harriet?

61
00:04:55,963 --> 00:04:57,931
Yes, Mr. Mccary,
I have.

62
00:04:57,965 --> 00:04:59,433
I'm going
to sell it.

63
00:04:59,467 --> 00:05:01,935
Township is
growing rapidly,

64
00:05:01,969 --> 00:05:03,871
people are
beginning to settle in.

65
00:05:03,904 --> 00:05:06,374
So I'm quite sure that we'll
make a very handsome profit.

66
00:05:06,407 --> 00:05:07,675
Hi, Mr. Mccary.

67
00:05:07,708 --> 00:05:10,043
Oh, how are you,
Willie? And Nancy...

68
00:05:10,077 --> 00:05:13,347
Willie and Nancy, come now,
hurry up. Box up the supplies.

69
00:05:13,381 --> 00:05:16,417
Mr. Mccary,
we are closed.

70
00:05:16,450 --> 00:05:19,953
So you'll have to find somewhere
else to fritter away the afternoon.

71
00:05:19,987 --> 00:05:21,655
Well, have a pleasant day yourself,
Harriet.

72
00:05:21,689 --> 00:05:23,857
Yes.

73
00:05:23,891 --> 00:05:26,394
Rather rude,
Harriet.

74
00:05:26,427 --> 00:05:28,095
Well!

75
00:05:28,128 --> 00:05:30,564
Somebody had
to get rid of him.

76
00:05:30,598 --> 00:05:33,501
If I hadn't,
he would've stood here all day yapping.

77
00:05:33,534 --> 00:05:34,735
That's the trouble
with these old people.

78
00:05:34,768 --> 00:05:36,504
They never
buy anything.

79
00:05:36,537 --> 00:05:40,107
They just want to stand around and talk,
talk, talk, talk!

80
00:05:40,140 --> 00:05:41,509
Well, he's
not so bad.

81
00:05:41,542 --> 00:05:43,377
I enjoy
his stories.

82
00:05:43,411 --> 00:05:44,778
All right, everybody,
pick up the boxes.

83
00:05:44,812 --> 00:05:46,146
Let's get into
the wagon. Hurry up.

84
00:05:46,179 --> 00:05:47,615
Come on.
Come on, Nancy.

85
00:05:47,648 --> 00:05:49,417
Won't you be old
some day mother?

86
00:05:49,450 --> 00:05:52,853
Well, yes, darling,
but I intend to age gracefully.

87
00:06:03,697 --> 00:06:04,965
Ah!

88
00:06:04,998 --> 00:06:06,800
I finished all
the windows, mother.

89
00:06:06,834 --> 00:06:08,469
Oh, well, fine, dear.

90
00:06:08,502 --> 00:06:11,839
Go on upstairs now and
start washing the woodworking.

91
00:06:11,872 --> 00:06:15,008
Mother, I'm tired.

92
00:06:15,042 --> 00:06:18,011
My hands are all wrinkled,
and my shoulders ache.

93
00:06:18,045 --> 00:06:20,147
Oh, well,
I know, dear,

94
00:06:20,180 --> 00:06:22,750
but we all have to
do our share.

95
00:06:22,783 --> 00:06:24,184
Now, you never can tell.

96
00:06:24,217 --> 00:06:26,620
If we get a very handsome
price for this house,

97
00:06:26,654 --> 00:06:30,758
there might just be a little
reward in it for you.

98
00:06:30,791 --> 00:06:32,926
- A reward?
- Mm-hmm.

99
00:06:32,960 --> 00:06:35,729
I'll be glad to wash
the woodwork, mother.

100
00:06:35,763 --> 00:06:40,000
Yes, I thought so.

101
00:06:43,537 --> 00:06:46,707
Aah!

102
00:06:46,740 --> 00:06:49,109
Good heavens!

103
00:06:49,142 --> 00:06:52,079
This place is
falling down around US.

104
00:07:09,597 --> 00:07:11,665
Well,
I got the kitchen pump working.

105
00:07:11,699 --> 00:07:16,770
Nels, look, all these old
papers I found under this step.

106
00:07:16,804 --> 00:07:20,608
Must be where Lars
kept his valuables.

107
00:07:20,641 --> 00:07:21,942
Certainly nothing
valuable here.

108
00:07:21,975 --> 00:07:23,811
There's an old
insurance policy

109
00:07:23,844 --> 00:07:26,179
that expired
years ago.

110
00:07:32,986 --> 00:07:35,889
Maddy... maddy...
Maddy sutherland.

111
00:07:35,923 --> 00:07:38,592
Lem! How good
to see you.

112
00:07:38,626 --> 00:07:40,728
It's been a while,
maddie.

113
00:07:40,761 --> 00:07:44,064
Don't see enough of your
pretty face around town no more.

114
00:07:44,097 --> 00:07:46,967
I don't get out
so much anymore, Lem.

115
00:07:47,000 --> 00:07:48,969
If it wasn't for coming
to see doc baker,

116
00:07:49,002 --> 00:07:51,905
I'd probably never
get to town at all.

117
00:07:51,939 --> 00:07:53,541
You ain't ailing,
are you, maddy?

118
00:07:53,574 --> 00:07:55,208
Maddy: Oh, no,
nothing serious.

119
00:07:55,242 --> 00:07:59,880
Just the usual aches and
complaints of old age, I guess.

120
00:07:59,913 --> 00:08:02,816
It's a shame, maddy,
the way old friends drift apart

121
00:08:02,850 --> 00:08:04,818
and lose touch
over the years.

122
00:08:04,852 --> 00:08:08,088
Seems like the only time we see
each other is at somebody's funeral.

123
00:08:08,121 --> 00:08:10,223
It is a shame, Lem.

124
00:08:10,257 --> 00:08:12,760
But it's a fact
of living.

125
00:08:12,793 --> 00:08:16,630
We just seem to wind down
as the years fly past US.

126
00:08:19,232 --> 00:08:24,538
I have reason to think
that Jess moffet

127
00:08:24,572 --> 00:08:28,241
still has a soft spot for you,
maddy.

128
00:08:28,275 --> 00:08:31,579
Jess knows
where I live.

129
00:08:31,612 --> 00:08:35,783
I wouldn't turn him
away if he came calling.

130
00:08:35,816 --> 00:08:37,885
But I don't think
that's going happen.

131
00:08:57,971 --> 00:08:59,973
This stuff.

132
00:09:00,007 --> 00:09:02,643
Why couldn't it have been
something worthwhile?

133
00:09:06,013 --> 00:09:08,816
This is
a "walnut grove bond."

134
00:09:08,849 --> 00:09:10,017
A walnut grove bond?

135
00:09:10,050 --> 00:09:12,185
What's that?

136
00:09:12,219 --> 00:09:15,589
"Walnut grove bond.
Paid to the bearer...

137
00:09:15,623 --> 00:09:18,158
"10% annually of...

138
00:09:18,191 --> 00:09:21,028
"Paid to the bearer...

139
00:09:21,061 --> 00:09:22,229
10%..."

140
00:09:25,132 --> 00:09:29,837
Paid to the bearer
10% annually?

141
00:09:29,870 --> 00:09:31,104
50...

142
00:09:31,138 --> 00:09:32,806
51, 52...

143
00:09:36,043 --> 00:09:37,911
It looks
legal enough.

144
00:09:37,945 --> 00:09:42,015
"Payable to bearer at 10%,
compounded annually."

145
00:09:42,049 --> 00:09:45,052
Why, this bond
is dated 1835!

146
00:09:46,720 --> 00:09:49,623
That's 52 years.

147
00:09:49,657 --> 00:09:52,626
I suppose you've figured
out its current value.

148
00:09:52,660 --> 00:09:54,995
Oh, yes,
indeed, I have,

149
00:09:55,028 --> 00:09:59,099
with the kind
help of etta plum.

150
00:09:59,132 --> 00:10:01,669
Now, may I direct
your attention

151
00:10:01,702 --> 00:10:03,904
to this figure
in this column?

152
00:10:05,906 --> 00:10:08,942
$14,000?

153
00:10:08,976 --> 00:10:12,312
Well, reverend Alden,
if you'll notice,

154
00:10:12,345 --> 00:10:16,684
it's a trifle more.

155
00:10:16,717 --> 00:10:18,185
Laura: Mrs. Oleson.

156
00:10:18,218 --> 00:10:20,921
The most money in the
town treasury at any one time

157
00:10:20,954 --> 00:10:22,956
is just a few
hundred dollars.

158
00:10:22,990 --> 00:10:26,727
Oh, now, don't jump
to any conclusions.

159
00:10:26,760 --> 00:10:28,796
Understand me.

160
00:10:28,829 --> 00:10:33,901
Why, I have no intentions
of cashing in this bond.

161
00:10:33,934 --> 00:10:35,402
That's
a relief.

162
00:10:35,435 --> 00:10:37,170
Well,
it certainly is.

163
00:10:37,204 --> 00:10:39,940
We'd have to raise taxes
sky high for a dozen years

164
00:10:39,973 --> 00:10:41,341
to come up to
money like that.

165
00:10:41,374 --> 00:10:44,211
Reverend Alden!

166
00:10:44,244 --> 00:10:47,948
Surely you don't think that I
would do anything so loathsome

167
00:10:47,981 --> 00:10:51,051
as to try to
bankrupt this town?

168
00:10:53,053 --> 00:10:56,389
No, I don't think you would,
Harriet.

169
00:10:56,423 --> 00:10:58,926
Well, of course not!

170
00:10:58,959 --> 00:11:01,962
Then why,
Mrs. Oleson,

171
00:11:01,995 --> 00:11:04,131
did you call this
emergency meeting?

172
00:11:04,164 --> 00:11:08,201
Well, Mrs. Wilder, I called this
meeting because I thought it's important

173
00:11:08,235 --> 00:11:11,972
that the town council be
made aware of this bond.

174
00:11:12,005 --> 00:11:15,375
After all, this
is a legal instrument

175
00:11:15,408 --> 00:11:18,946
representing
a very large debt

176
00:11:18,979 --> 00:11:22,182
owed by this community.

177
00:11:22,215 --> 00:11:24,151
And?

178
00:11:24,184 --> 00:11:26,153
And...

179
00:11:26,186 --> 00:11:29,156
Since I am, in effect,

180
00:11:29,189 --> 00:11:32,292
the benefactor of the town

181
00:11:32,325 --> 00:11:37,330
to the tune
of over $14,000...

182
00:11:38,899 --> 00:11:42,736
Well, I feel that there
are certain courtesies

183
00:11:42,770 --> 00:11:47,074
that should be extended
to my family and me.

184
00:11:47,107 --> 00:11:49,309
- Courtesies?
- Mm-hmm.

185
00:11:49,342 --> 00:11:53,446
What sort of courtesies did
you have in mind, Harriet?

186
00:11:53,480 --> 00:11:56,850
Well, simple
things, really.

187
00:11:56,884 --> 00:12:00,487
Things that won't cost
this town one red cent.

188
00:12:02,255 --> 00:12:04,124
We're waiting,
Mrs. Oleson.

189
00:12:04,157 --> 00:12:08,962
Yes, Harriet, please,
don't keep US in suspense any longer.

190
00:12:08,996 --> 00:12:11,965
Well, for example...

191
00:12:11,999 --> 00:12:15,068
The main street out here.

192
00:12:15,102 --> 00:12:18,171
I think it would be
nice if it had a name.

193
00:12:18,205 --> 00:12:20,740
"Harriet oleson boulevard."

194
00:12:22,342 --> 00:12:24,845
Harriet:
And it would also be nice

195
00:12:24,878 --> 00:12:26,914
if the courtesy were
extended to my daughter,

196
00:12:26,947 --> 00:12:33,420
if she were invited to be the
soloist in the church on sundays.

197
00:12:33,453 --> 00:12:35,355
Oh! Yes...

198
00:12:35,388 --> 00:12:39,092
Harriet: And there's
just one more little thing.

199
00:12:42,162 --> 00:12:44,131
I can't believe the
gall of that woman.

200
00:12:44,164 --> 00:12:46,499
She's done some mean and
underhanded things before,

201
00:12:46,533 --> 00:12:47,935
but this
is the worst!

202
00:12:47,968 --> 00:12:49,903
You want to let
US in on it?

203
00:12:49,937 --> 00:12:51,471
Harriet oleson,

204
00:12:51,504 --> 00:12:54,174
she found this bond after she
bought the Lars hanson state.

205
00:12:54,207 --> 00:12:55,375
Well, now
it's hers.

206
00:12:55,408 --> 00:13:00,047
And the town owes
her over $14,000!

207
00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:02,149
14,000?

208
00:13:02,182 --> 00:13:03,817
Can you pay her?

209
00:13:03,851 --> 00:13:05,886
No, but that's
not the problem.

210
00:13:05,919 --> 00:13:08,288
She's not asking
for the money.

211
00:13:08,321 --> 00:13:11,959
She's going to use the bond
to run the town to suit her...

212
00:13:11,992 --> 00:13:16,329
Changing things, getting favors
for the members of her family.

213
00:13:16,363 --> 00:13:18,966
- Can she do that?
- She's doing it!

214
00:13:18,999 --> 00:13:21,301
But you haven't
heard the best.

215
00:13:21,334 --> 00:13:24,171
It is my duty to
inform you both

216
00:13:24,204 --> 00:13:28,108
that we no longer live in
the town of walnut grove.

217
00:13:28,141 --> 00:13:29,977
We don't?

218
00:13:30,010 --> 00:13:31,144
Where then?

219
00:13:42,289 --> 00:13:47,227
And it is with profound
humility in our hearts

220
00:13:47,260 --> 00:13:50,297
that we accept
this great honor.

221
00:13:50,330 --> 00:13:53,366
So graciously bestowed
upon our family

222
00:13:53,400 --> 00:13:57,871
by the warm and generous
citizens of this community.

223
00:13:57,905 --> 00:14:01,508
We are certain
that olesonville

224
00:14:01,541 --> 00:14:03,877
will stand proud

225
00:14:03,911 --> 00:14:09,049
on the maps of Minnesota
for generations to come.

226
00:14:09,082 --> 00:14:11,184
Thank you.

227
00:14:11,218 --> 00:14:13,987
Oh, thank
you so much.

228
00:14:14,021 --> 00:14:15,956
Oh!

229
00:14:25,966 --> 00:14:28,668
I want you to know I had
nothing to do with this.

230
00:14:28,701 --> 00:14:30,637
Yes, you did.
We all did

231
00:14:30,670 --> 00:14:32,172
for letting her
get away with it.

232
00:14:32,205 --> 00:14:33,440
Harriet: Nels!

233
00:14:35,175 --> 00:14:37,510
That is going to take
some getting used to.

234
00:14:37,544 --> 00:14:39,412
Olesonville!

235
00:14:39,446 --> 00:14:41,681
I don't think I
can get used to it.

236
00:14:41,714 --> 00:14:45,385
Changing the name of a town is
like changing its very character.

237
00:14:49,056 --> 00:14:51,291
Can help you with something there,
Mr. Mccary?

238
00:14:51,324 --> 00:14:53,226
Yes, sir.

239
00:14:53,260 --> 00:14:55,528
You can let me
have this old sign.

240
00:14:55,562 --> 00:14:57,597
Well, you're
welcome to it.

241
00:14:57,630 --> 00:15:00,033
What are you going to do, haul it off
somewhere and start your own town?

242
00:15:00,067 --> 00:15:03,236
Nah, Lars hanson and me and
some others already done that

243
00:15:03,270 --> 00:15:05,372
50-some-odd years ago.

244
00:15:05,405 --> 00:15:07,574
We named it walnut grove.

245
00:15:09,977 --> 00:15:14,381
I just can't bear to see
my best friend's name

246
00:15:14,414 --> 00:15:16,416
wind up in a scrap heap.

247
00:15:18,685 --> 00:15:20,120
Laura: Mr. Mccary.

248
00:15:20,153 --> 00:15:22,255
Would you like US to
give you a ride home?

249
00:15:22,289 --> 00:15:25,959
That sign's awful heavy,
and you live so far out of town.

250
00:15:25,993 --> 00:15:28,261
I'm obliged,
Mrs. Wilder.

251
00:15:33,300 --> 00:15:35,002
Here, let me get this
for you, Mr. Mccary.

252
00:15:35,035 --> 00:15:37,170
- Well, thank you.
- Sure.

253
00:15:37,204 --> 00:15:41,141
Come on, Jenny,
let's go.

254
00:15:47,714 --> 00:15:51,184
Sakes! How can
anybody get any sleep

255
00:15:51,218 --> 00:15:54,154
with racket like
that going on?

256
00:15:54,187 --> 00:15:55,422
What? What is it?
What, Harriet?

257
00:15:55,455 --> 00:15:57,390
What are you
screaming at?

258
00:15:57,424 --> 00:15:58,725
Well, can't
you hear it?

259
00:15:58,758 --> 00:16:01,461
There's a wagon going
by, making a racket

260
00:16:01,494 --> 00:16:05,465
loud enough
to wake the dead!

261
00:16:05,498 --> 00:16:08,601
All I can hear is
your mouth working.

262
00:16:08,635 --> 00:16:11,004
There ought to be
a law against that.

263
00:16:11,038 --> 00:16:12,439
There certainly
should be.

264
00:16:12,472 --> 00:16:14,774
Harriet: Oh,
I'm talking about the noise.

265
00:16:14,807 --> 00:16:16,276
There should
be an ordinance

266
00:16:16,309 --> 00:16:21,014
prohibiting wagons
in town after 10 P.M.!

267
00:16:21,048 --> 00:16:23,683
Harriet, it's still
a free country.

268
00:16:23,716 --> 00:16:25,552
The town council is
never going to approve

269
00:16:25,585 --> 00:16:27,187
of an ordinance
like that.

270
00:16:27,220 --> 00:16:29,189
Why don't you just get
to bed and go to sleep?

271
00:16:29,222 --> 00:16:30,357
Oh, shut up!

272
00:16:32,625 --> 00:16:34,727
That's the trouble
with this town.

273
00:16:34,761 --> 00:16:39,066
Everything has to be voted
on and approved by the council.

274
00:16:39,099 --> 00:16:42,035
No wonder nothing
gets done around here.

275
00:16:42,069 --> 00:16:44,071
What this town
needs is...

276
00:16:44,104 --> 00:16:46,239
A mayor.

277
00:16:46,273 --> 00:16:47,440
Of course!

278
00:16:47,474 --> 00:16:50,610
The town's
plenty big now.

279
00:16:50,643 --> 00:16:52,279
A mayor's exactly
what we need.

280
00:16:52,312 --> 00:16:55,415
Someone who can run
the town properly.

281
00:16:55,448 --> 00:16:57,450
Let's see...

282
00:16:57,484 --> 00:16:59,252
It should be
someone with...

283
00:16:59,286 --> 00:17:02,522
Someone with
business experience.

284
00:17:02,555 --> 00:17:04,591
And, uh...

285
00:17:04,624 --> 00:17:06,559
Leadership ability.

286
00:17:10,197 --> 00:17:11,731
And name recognition.

287
00:17:24,244 --> 00:17:25,378
Well, she's
done it again.

288
00:17:25,412 --> 00:17:27,247
Of course, why should
I be surprised?

289
00:17:27,280 --> 00:17:29,416
I mean, it's only logical that
she tries something like this.

290
00:17:29,449 --> 00:17:32,085
Beth, would you
calm down, please?

291
00:17:32,119 --> 00:17:34,821
Calm down? How am I
supposed to calm down

292
00:17:34,854 --> 00:17:36,789
when Harriet oleson
is trying to run my life

293
00:17:36,823 --> 00:17:38,225
and everybody
else's around here?

294
00:17:38,258 --> 00:17:39,826
What's she done
this time?

295
00:17:39,859 --> 00:17:42,862
Well, she proposed that the
town council meeting and I passed

296
00:17:42,895 --> 00:17:45,232
a measure calling
for a mayoral election.

297
00:17:45,265 --> 00:17:46,666
Well,
it might not be such a bad idea.

298
00:17:46,699 --> 00:17:48,335
What do you have against
the town having a mayor?

299
00:17:48,368 --> 00:17:49,802
Well,
nothing at all.

300
00:17:49,836 --> 00:17:52,539
Except,
guess who the first candidate was to file?

301
00:17:52,572 --> 00:17:53,740
Nels oleson.

302
00:17:53,773 --> 00:17:55,842
Well, I think nels
would be a good mayor.

303
00:17:55,875 --> 00:17:58,378
Almanzo,
open your eyes!

304
00:17:58,411 --> 00:18:00,680
Now, we all know that
if nels is elected,

305
00:18:00,713 --> 00:18:02,515
the true mayor
will be Harriet.

306
00:18:02,549 --> 00:18:04,351
And what kind of town
would this be then?

307
00:18:04,384 --> 00:18:07,620
Beth,
you're getting yourself all head up

308
00:18:07,654 --> 00:18:09,489
about something that
hasn't even happened yet.

309
00:18:09,522 --> 00:18:12,125
Now,
maybe someone else is going to be elected.

310
00:18:12,159 --> 00:18:14,327
Well, that's
our only hope.

311
00:18:14,361 --> 00:18:17,630
And that's why I want
you to run against nels.

312
00:18:17,664 --> 00:18:19,499
Me?

313
00:18:19,532 --> 00:18:21,301
Well, why not? I mean,
you're honest, you're hard-working,

314
00:18:21,334 --> 00:18:22,602
you're highly
respected...

315
00:18:22,635 --> 00:18:24,737
Because I'm a farmer,
not a politician!

316
00:18:24,771 --> 00:18:26,706
I don't know the first
thing about mayoring!

317
00:18:26,739 --> 00:18:29,909
- Well, you could learn!
- No, no, thank you, but no, thanks.

318
00:18:29,942 --> 00:18:31,544
You can put the whole
notion right out of your head,

319
00:18:31,578 --> 00:18:33,213
Mrs. Councilwoman.

320
00:18:33,246 --> 00:18:35,382
The only place that I'm
running is in my fields,

321
00:18:35,415 --> 00:18:36,583
behind my plow.

322
00:18:41,654 --> 00:18:45,592
Just don't seem like a horse
race with only one horse running.

323
00:18:45,625 --> 00:18:47,394
Can't argue with that.

324
00:18:49,762 --> 00:18:51,298
Why don't you
run, John?

325
00:18:51,331 --> 00:18:52,699
- Me?
- Yes.

326
00:18:52,732 --> 00:18:54,667
No. Don't have the time,

327
00:18:54,701 --> 00:18:56,436
what with dividing
my hours up

328
00:18:56,469 --> 00:18:58,238
between here
and the place.

329
00:19:00,307 --> 00:19:01,841
I reckon.

330
00:19:01,874 --> 00:19:05,212
Now, myself,
I'd vote for almanzo Wilder,

331
00:19:05,245 --> 00:19:08,181
only he's
not running.

332
00:19:08,215 --> 00:19:09,916
Laura said she
talked herself blue.

333
00:19:09,949 --> 00:19:12,185
But almanzo won't
even consider the job.

334
00:19:12,219 --> 00:19:16,323
Yeah,
I think that boy'd make a fine mayor.

335
00:19:16,356 --> 00:19:19,492
I agree,
but if he's not so inclined,

336
00:19:19,526 --> 00:19:21,528
it's not much use
in hounding him in.

337
00:19:25,565 --> 00:19:27,800
Maybe he's inclined,

338
00:19:27,834 --> 00:19:29,469
but just don't
know it yet.

339
00:19:36,243 --> 00:19:38,945
Hey, Edwards, you
heard the news?

340
00:19:38,978 --> 00:19:40,813
No, I reckon not.

341
00:19:40,847 --> 00:19:43,916
Almanzo Wilder is thinking
on running for mayor.

342
00:19:43,950 --> 00:19:45,918
You don't tell me.

343
00:19:45,952 --> 00:19:48,755
Make for a mighty interesting
election if he did, wouldn't it?

344
00:19:50,757 --> 00:19:52,259
Would for a fact.

345
00:19:52,292 --> 00:19:54,227
It might open up some
eyeballs around here.

346
00:19:54,261 --> 00:19:56,496
Yeah, but keep it under your hat,
will you?

347
00:19:56,529 --> 00:19:59,232
He's hasn't made the
announcement official yet.

348
00:19:59,266 --> 00:20:01,501
I wouldn't want to be the
one to steal his thunder.

349
00:20:01,534 --> 00:20:02,702
Oh, don't worry
about a thing.

350
00:20:02,735 --> 00:20:03,970
I'll be quiet
as a church mouse,

351
00:20:04,003 --> 00:20:06,406
won't tell a soul.

352
00:20:12,279 --> 00:20:13,646
Mr. Henson,
Mr. Henson,

353
00:20:13,680 --> 00:20:15,515
boy, if I've got
news for you.

354
00:20:15,548 --> 00:20:17,317
Now, they've got to be kept in
the strictest confidence, now.

355
00:20:17,350 --> 00:20:18,651
See, it
ain't out yet.

356
00:20:18,685 --> 00:20:21,454
But almanzo's decided
to run for mayor.

357
00:20:21,488 --> 00:20:22,889
Almanzo Wilder?

358
00:20:22,922 --> 00:20:24,991
That's right. Mr. Edwards
was just over here,

359
00:20:25,024 --> 00:20:27,260
and he said not
to tell anybody yet.

360
00:20:27,294 --> 00:20:29,562
So,
please keep it a secret. But...

361
00:20:29,596 --> 00:20:31,398
Almanzo Wilder?

362
00:20:31,431 --> 00:20:33,366
- I think that's wonderful.
- Isn't that great?

363
00:20:33,400 --> 00:20:37,770
Yes,
he's young. He knows what this town needs.

364
00:20:37,804 --> 00:20:39,439
Is that so?

365
00:20:39,472 --> 00:20:41,308
That's right.

366
00:20:41,341 --> 00:20:45,345
And I figure that almanzo would
make a pretty good darn mayor.

367
00:20:45,378 --> 00:20:46,813
He's a young
man, but...

368
00:20:54,387 --> 00:20:56,456
Ahem, just wanted a few groceries,
Mrs. Oleson,

369
00:20:56,489 --> 00:20:58,425
- here's my list.
- Uh-huh.

370
00:21:04,096 --> 00:21:08,401
Well, Mr. Wilder,
I certainly hope that we will be able

371
00:21:08,435 --> 00:21:11,504
to maintain your
good will as a customer

372
00:21:11,538 --> 00:21:12,872
after the election.

373
00:21:12,905 --> 00:21:15,308
My good will? Sure,
I don't see why not.

374
00:21:15,342 --> 00:21:17,510
Well, you know
how passions

375
00:21:17,544 --> 00:21:22,315
sometimes do get heated
up during a campaign,

376
00:21:22,349 --> 00:21:26,386
and people tend to say
things that they later regret.

377
00:21:26,419 --> 00:21:28,054
I guess so.

378
00:21:28,087 --> 00:21:31,391
So far, this is about the tamest
campaign I ever heard tale of.

379
00:21:31,424 --> 00:21:33,826
Can't expect too many fireworks
with only one man running.

380
00:21:37,997 --> 00:21:39,466
One man?

381
00:21:39,499 --> 00:21:41,701
But I thought there
were two. I mean...

382
00:21:41,734 --> 00:21:46,339
I had heard that you had
decided to run as well.

383
00:21:46,373 --> 00:21:49,108
Ha ha ha! Oh, no,
ma'am. You heard wrong.

384
00:21:49,141 --> 00:21:50,577
I'm not about
to run.

385
00:21:50,610 --> 00:21:53,613
Oh!
Ha ha ha!

386
00:21:53,646 --> 00:21:59,118
Oh, well, almanzo,
my dear boy.

387
00:21:59,151 --> 00:22:00,853
It must have just been
a nasty old rumor.

388
00:22:00,887 --> 00:22:03,022
It must've been.

389
00:22:03,055 --> 00:22:05,658
I've been intending to
vote for nels all along.

390
00:22:05,692 --> 00:22:08,595
Oh! Well, then...

391
00:22:08,628 --> 00:22:12,365
How would you like to wear
one of the campaign badges

392
00:22:12,399 --> 00:22:16,736
that shows that this is your favorite
candidate that you're supporting?

393
00:22:16,769 --> 00:22:18,571
- I'd be glad to.
- All right.

394
00:22:18,605 --> 00:22:20,106
Actually,
you know,

395
00:22:20,139 --> 00:22:23,510
you're probably doing the
town a very great service

396
00:22:23,543 --> 00:22:24,811
by not running.

397
00:22:24,844 --> 00:22:25,945
- A service?
- Uh-huh. Yes.

398
00:22:25,978 --> 00:22:27,480
Well, I mean...

399
00:22:27,514 --> 00:22:29,816
You have any number
of friends in the area,

400
00:22:29,849 --> 00:22:32,885
and I feel quite certain
than many of them,

401
00:22:32,919 --> 00:22:36,623
if not most of them,
would come out and feel a certain duty

402
00:22:36,656 --> 00:22:38,391
to vote for you,

403
00:22:38,425 --> 00:22:42,128
out of a certain loyalty,
you understand.

404
00:22:42,161 --> 00:22:45,798
And heavens knows if enough of
them did come out and did vote for you,

405
00:22:45,832 --> 00:22:49,636
it's even conceivable that you
might possibly win the election.

406
00:22:49,669 --> 00:22:53,105
And then,
just think where the town would be then.

407
00:22:53,139 --> 00:22:56,175
They'd have a mayor
that they didn't really want.

408
00:23:02,048 --> 00:23:06,519
Are you saying that no one
would want me for mayor?

409
00:23:06,553 --> 00:23:08,888
Almanzo...

410
00:23:08,921 --> 00:23:11,991
You're a very
nice young man,

411
00:23:12,024 --> 00:23:14,594
but think now.

412
00:23:14,627 --> 00:23:18,130
Would it be,
let's say... Dignified...

413
00:23:18,164 --> 00:23:21,734
To have a dirt
farmer for a mayor?

414
00:23:21,768 --> 00:23:24,003
Are you saying
it wouldn't?

415
00:23:24,036 --> 00:23:27,173
Well, to be
perfectly honest, no.

416
00:23:27,206 --> 00:23:30,643
I mean, heavens knows we
have to have our dirt farmers,

417
00:23:30,677 --> 00:23:32,912
and there's nothing absolutely
wrong with being one.

418
00:23:32,945 --> 00:23:35,715
Now, that's the first thing
you've said right, Mrs. Oleson.

419
00:23:35,748 --> 00:23:37,917
There is nothing wrong
with being a farmer.

420
00:23:37,950 --> 00:23:39,886
As a matter of fact,
there's nothing wrong I can see

421
00:23:39,919 --> 00:23:41,788
with a mayor being
a farmer, either.

422
00:23:41,821 --> 00:23:43,723
- Well, I suppose...
- In fact...

423
00:23:43,756 --> 00:23:45,124
It seems to me
that a dirt farmer

424
00:23:45,157 --> 00:23:47,660
might be the best man
to represent this town,

425
00:23:47,694 --> 00:23:49,929
considering most of the people
around here are dirt farmers!

426
00:23:49,962 --> 00:23:51,464
Well, I'm...

427
00:23:51,498 --> 00:23:52,965
Thank you, Mrs. Oleson,
for helping me to see

428
00:23:52,999 --> 00:23:55,468
what my wife's been
trying to tell me all along.

429
00:23:55,502 --> 00:23:57,537
I think maybe I am
the best man for the job,

430
00:23:57,570 --> 00:23:59,606
and I'm going to run.

431
00:24:13,019 --> 00:24:15,121
Oh!

432
00:24:15,154 --> 00:24:16,923
Oh, good grief.

433
00:24:29,969 --> 00:24:31,938
Almanzo: I must have
looked like a fool,

434
00:24:31,971 --> 00:24:35,508
carrying on about how
proud I am to be a dirt farmer.

435
00:24:35,542 --> 00:24:36,676
You should
be proud.

436
00:24:36,709 --> 00:24:38,210
Well, I am.
That's not the point.

437
00:24:38,244 --> 00:24:40,513
The point is that I jumped
feet-first into an election

438
00:24:40,547 --> 00:24:42,515
I got no business
being in.

439
00:24:42,549 --> 00:24:44,283
I think you made
the right decision.

440
00:24:44,316 --> 00:24:45,852
Miss plum says that government

441
00:24:45,885 --> 00:24:48,588
is everyone's
responsibility.

442
00:24:48,621 --> 00:24:50,156
Well, then let
miss plum run.

443
00:24:52,859 --> 00:24:54,627
Almanzo.

444
00:24:54,661 --> 00:24:57,163
Do you consider
me intelligent?

445
00:24:57,196 --> 00:25:00,667
That's a silly
question.

446
00:25:00,700 --> 00:25:02,134
Do you think I'm
a responsible citizen

447
00:25:02,168 --> 00:25:05,237
who's concerned about
her town and its people?

448
00:25:05,271 --> 00:25:08,975
Beth, you're leading
up to something.

449
00:25:09,008 --> 00:25:11,744
Well,

450
00:25:11,778 --> 00:25:15,314
if you really believe
that I'm all those things,

451
00:25:15,347 --> 00:25:18,517
then you've got to respect
my choice of candidates.

452
00:25:22,154 --> 00:25:24,290
You really mean
that, don't you?

453
00:25:32,732 --> 00:25:33,900
Mr. Mccary.
Come in.

454
00:25:33,933 --> 00:25:35,568
Evening.

455
00:25:35,602 --> 00:25:37,203
Mrs. Wilder,
Jenny.

456
00:25:37,236 --> 00:25:39,205
I hope I'm not disturbing
you coming so late.

457
00:25:39,238 --> 00:25:41,741
Oh, not at all. You're welcome anytime,
Mr. Mccary.

458
00:25:41,774 --> 00:25:43,309
Thank you.

459
00:25:43,342 --> 00:25:46,012
I saw in the gazette you're
running for mayor, almanzo.

460
00:25:46,045 --> 00:25:49,048
I wonder if you could
use a campaign manager.

461
00:25:49,081 --> 00:25:51,618
Well, if I'm going to
run, then I sure could.

462
00:25:51,651 --> 00:25:53,920
I'd like to apply
for the job.

463
00:25:58,024 --> 00:26:00,960
Mr. Mccary,
you're hired.

464
00:26:03,796 --> 00:26:05,364
Oh, I'm telling you, bill,

465
00:26:05,397 --> 00:26:08,701
this boy's head is a
drumful of ideas for the town.

466
00:26:08,735 --> 00:26:10,136
Is that so,
almanzo?

467
00:26:10,169 --> 00:26:11,604
Yes, sir.

468
00:26:11,638 --> 00:26:12,872
And for
instance?

469
00:26:12,905 --> 00:26:15,775
Uh, well,
sir...

470
00:26:15,808 --> 00:26:18,778
I sure think we could use better
roads leading in and out of town.

471
00:26:18,811 --> 00:26:21,380
Better roads? Wouldn't
we have to raise taxes to...

472
00:26:21,413 --> 00:26:25,785
Taxes! Oh, don't mention
taxes in front of my boy here, bill.

473
00:26:25,818 --> 00:26:28,054
He'll just have to wrestle
you to the ground for it.

474
00:26:28,087 --> 00:26:29,989
No, what I
think almanzo...

475
00:26:30,022 --> 00:26:32,692
Let me stop
you, Lem.

476
00:26:32,725 --> 00:26:34,961
I think it's only fair to tell
you that I'm leaning strongly

477
00:26:34,994 --> 00:26:36,896
toward nels oleson
in this election.

478
00:26:36,929 --> 00:26:39,065
But bill,
you ain't give the boy a chance to...

479
00:26:39,098 --> 00:26:42,635
I know almanzo, Lem. I know he's a honest,
hard-working boy

480
00:26:42,669 --> 00:26:44,136
with good intentions.

481
00:26:44,170 --> 00:26:46,673
Bill: But nels
is a businessman.

482
00:26:46,706 --> 00:26:50,142
And maybe that's who we
need to run this town.

483
00:26:50,176 --> 00:26:54,647
Besides, with Harriet hanging
that bond over our heads,

484
00:26:54,681 --> 00:26:56,983
I don't see that we've
got much of a choice.

485
00:26:57,016 --> 00:26:59,719
That's the whole thing in a nutshell,
ain't it, bill?

486
00:26:59,752 --> 00:27:02,689
You're scared of Harriet,
and what she might do.

487
00:27:04,757 --> 00:27:08,394
Well, have it
your way, Lem, but...

488
00:27:08,427 --> 00:27:11,197
I've got work to do.
Excuse me.

489
00:27:15,434 --> 00:27:17,069
I don't know, Lem.

490
00:27:17,103 --> 00:27:19,438
Now, you remember when
you sold me those pine logs,

491
00:27:19,471 --> 00:27:21,874
- yeah.
- Right, and I let you have the stacks.

492
00:27:21,908 --> 00:27:25,077
Did I give you a wrong deal
when I told you about that?

493
00:27:25,111 --> 00:27:26,979
- No.
- All right, now, this boy is young.

494
00:27:27,013 --> 00:27:28,815
Lem:
He has it all.

495
00:27:28,848 --> 00:27:31,383
Nels not so much. Nels is an
older man who's been around...

496
00:27:33,786 --> 00:27:37,389
I'm going to tell you, he'll get in
there and make this town go boom!

497
00:27:39,759 --> 00:27:41,728
Well, I'm going to have
to think about this, Lem.

498
00:27:41,761 --> 00:27:43,229
Of course you are.

499
00:27:43,262 --> 00:27:45,331
But I don't doubt to forget
what I was telling you.

500
00:27:47,734 --> 00:27:50,302
Lem: Almanzo there,
he's exactly what this town needs,

501
00:27:50,336 --> 00:27:52,739
because he represents
what most of the people are...

502
00:27:52,772 --> 00:27:53,906
Hard-working
dirt farmers.

503
00:27:53,940 --> 00:27:55,474
He's a responsible
family man,

504
00:27:55,507 --> 00:27:58,344
the kind who care about the
neighbors and the community.

505
00:27:58,377 --> 00:28:00,880
And he's young enough
to be open to new ideas.

506
00:28:02,949 --> 00:28:05,051
George Maddox, an
old friend of mine,

507
00:28:05,084 --> 00:28:07,286
lives just down
the road here.

508
00:28:07,319 --> 00:28:09,956
It shouldn't take
much to win his vote.

509
00:28:09,989 --> 00:28:13,059
What will I have to do,
build him a new barn?

510
00:28:13,092 --> 00:28:16,395
Mr. Mccary,
I can't do this anymore. I quit.

511
00:28:16,428 --> 00:28:20,232
It's all wrong for me.
I'm just not a politician.

512
00:28:20,266 --> 00:28:22,735
But you're a quick learner.
You'll get the hang of it.

513
00:28:22,769 --> 00:28:24,837
No,
sir. And this time I mean it.

514
00:28:24,871 --> 00:28:26,172
I should have stuck with
my original instincts

515
00:28:26,205 --> 00:28:28,407
and stayed out
of politics.

516
00:28:28,440 --> 00:28:31,844
But instead I let folks talk me
into things I don't want to do.

517
00:28:31,878 --> 00:28:33,780
I don't know
the issues.

518
00:28:33,813 --> 00:28:35,481
I'm scared out of my wits my
wits to talk in front of crowds,

519
00:28:35,514 --> 00:28:37,917
and you're the one
that's got all the answers.

520
00:28:37,950 --> 00:28:41,253
You do the talking
while I do all the chores.

521
00:28:41,287 --> 00:28:43,923
Now, what kind of
mayor would I make?

522
00:28:46,458 --> 00:28:49,962
Not a very good
one, I expect.

523
00:28:49,996 --> 00:28:52,364
Folks don't do their best
at jobs they don't like.

524
00:28:54,834 --> 00:28:56,235
We're in the
neighborhood,

525
00:28:56,268 --> 00:28:59,405
I haven't seen George
Maddox for quite a spell.

526
00:28:59,438 --> 00:29:00,940
You mind
if we drop by?

527
00:29:02,942 --> 00:29:04,210
Of course not.

528
00:29:05,912 --> 00:29:07,780
Only no more
campaigning.

529
00:29:24,096 --> 00:29:26,465
George!

530
00:29:26,498 --> 00:29:29,301
George Maddox,
get your ornery hide out here.

531
00:29:29,335 --> 00:29:31,337
You got yourself
some company.

532
00:29:35,407 --> 00:29:37,476
What's the matter...
You go deef?

533
00:29:37,509 --> 00:29:40,246
It's Lem mccary,
George!

534
00:29:41,580 --> 00:29:43,115
George?

535
00:29:48,855 --> 00:29:50,222
George?

536
00:29:56,528 --> 00:29:57,864
Mr. Mccary?

537
00:30:03,870 --> 00:30:05,537
What is it?

538
00:30:05,571 --> 00:30:08,074
It's George.

539
00:30:08,107 --> 00:30:10,977
Looks like he's been
dead a long time.

540
00:30:32,631 --> 00:30:36,568
No telling how long he
laid there sick and suffered,

541
00:30:36,602 --> 00:30:39,638
only nobody knew,
because nobody cared enough

542
00:30:39,671 --> 00:30:42,074
to even look
into him.

543
00:30:42,108 --> 00:30:45,978
What is
happening to US?

544
00:30:46,012 --> 00:30:47,479
We're dying
off one by one,

545
00:30:47,513 --> 00:30:51,450
and nobody seems
to care or even notice.

546
00:30:51,483 --> 00:30:52,651
You'd think
we old people

547
00:30:52,684 --> 00:30:56,055
would at least care
about each other.

548
00:30:56,088 --> 00:30:58,457
Don't even seem to
have that no more.

549
00:31:01,093 --> 00:31:03,362
Let's go,
Mr. Mccary.

550
00:31:03,395 --> 00:31:04,630
We've done
all we can.

551
00:31:06,132 --> 00:31:07,666
No, sir.

552
00:31:07,699 --> 00:31:10,402
I haven't done
all I can.

553
00:31:10,436 --> 00:31:11,670
And by heaven,

554
00:31:11,703 --> 00:31:13,872
I'm going to
do something!

555
00:31:30,589 --> 00:31:32,091
Harriet oleson,

556
00:31:32,124 --> 00:31:33,993
I have a proposition for you.

557
00:31:34,026 --> 00:31:35,694
A proposition?

558
00:31:35,727 --> 00:31:39,565
Now, since your candidate has
dropped out of the race, Mr. Mccary,

559
00:31:39,598 --> 00:31:42,601
that is hardly a basis
for any deal-making.

560
00:31:42,634 --> 00:31:45,337
Well,
this has nothing to do with politics.

561
00:31:45,371 --> 00:31:47,206
I just want
your permission

562
00:31:47,239 --> 00:31:49,541
to hold a social in the
old Lars hanson house

563
00:31:49,575 --> 00:31:52,044
for the elderly
of this community.

564
00:31:52,078 --> 00:31:55,081
Absolutely not!

565
00:31:55,114 --> 00:31:56,648
Why not?

566
00:31:56,682 --> 00:31:59,251
Because that house
is up for sale.

567
00:31:59,285 --> 00:32:01,253
And I'm certainly not going
to have a lot of old people

568
00:32:01,287 --> 00:32:03,089
running around,
shedding their hair,

569
00:32:03,122 --> 00:32:06,592
and dropping their
teeth all over my rugs.

570
00:32:06,625 --> 00:32:09,028
We'd be
outside mostly.

571
00:32:09,061 --> 00:32:11,697
Even so, I just
come from up there,

572
00:32:11,730 --> 00:32:13,632
and it's a shambles.

573
00:32:13,665 --> 00:32:18,204
But when me and my friends
go in there and spruce it up,

574
00:32:18,237 --> 00:32:20,172
that is, fix
what needs fixing,

575
00:32:20,206 --> 00:32:21,540
paint it,
Polish it,

576
00:32:21,573 --> 00:32:23,409
you're going to have
a house that shines

577
00:32:23,442 --> 00:32:27,313
like a brand new dime.

578
00:32:27,346 --> 00:32:32,084
Besides,
need I mention the political benefits?

579
00:32:32,118 --> 00:32:34,653
Uh, benefits?

580
00:32:34,686 --> 00:32:37,623
Oh, old folks have the vote,
too, you know?

581
00:32:37,656 --> 00:32:39,391
I'm thinking the
good will you'd create

582
00:32:39,425 --> 00:32:41,360
if you open the
house for a social.

583
00:32:41,393 --> 00:32:45,164
Of course, everybody knows
you have the election all sewed up,

584
00:32:45,197 --> 00:32:47,533
but a gesture like
this would probably

585
00:32:47,566 --> 00:32:51,303
turn the election into
a doggone landslide.

586
00:32:53,105 --> 00:32:54,373
A landslide?

587
00:32:54,406 --> 00:32:55,607
Yes, ma'am!

588
00:32:57,043 --> 00:32:59,311
Oh. Well.

589
00:32:59,345 --> 00:33:01,680
All right,
Mr. Mccary.

590
00:33:01,713 --> 00:33:03,182
I tell you what.

591
00:33:03,215 --> 00:33:06,485
I'll go you
one even better.

592
00:33:06,518 --> 00:33:09,155
Suppose that we have
the social event

593
00:33:09,188 --> 00:33:11,757
on the afternoon
of the election,

594
00:33:11,790 --> 00:33:13,325
and everyone
will be invited.

595
00:33:13,359 --> 00:33:14,526
And that way,
it can double

596
00:33:14,560 --> 00:33:18,197
as a kind of
a victory celebration

597
00:33:18,230 --> 00:33:21,367
for the new mayor.

598
00:33:21,400 --> 00:33:23,802
Won't that
be fun?

599
00:33:23,835 --> 00:33:25,371
And food and
refreshments

600
00:33:25,404 --> 00:33:28,340
will be courtesy
of the olesons.

601
00:33:28,374 --> 00:33:30,609
Mrs. Oleson.

602
00:33:30,642 --> 00:33:35,381
You are
a gracious lady.

603
00:33:35,414 --> 00:33:36,648
Oh?

604
00:33:59,171 --> 00:34:02,141
There.
Ain't that pretty?

605
00:34:02,174 --> 00:34:04,843
Well, that looks real good there,
Floyd.

606
00:34:04,876 --> 00:34:07,146
I brought that up
on my own garden.

607
00:34:07,179 --> 00:34:08,547
It's called an
American beauty.

608
00:34:08,580 --> 00:34:09,748
Lem.

609
00:34:13,185 --> 00:34:15,854
Do you think these curtains
will be all right in the parlor?

610
00:34:15,887 --> 00:34:17,789
It's an old pair
I had at home.

611
00:34:17,823 --> 00:34:19,791
I always liked them.
They'll be fine.

612
00:34:19,825 --> 00:34:22,194
It'll be just like old times,
won't it?

613
00:34:22,228 --> 00:34:23,795
A party in
Lars's house.

614
00:34:23,829 --> 00:34:25,564
Just like old times.

615
00:34:25,597 --> 00:34:28,800
Do you think
Jess will come?

616
00:34:28,834 --> 00:34:30,569
I wouldn't get my hopes up,
Maggie.

617
00:34:30,602 --> 00:34:32,271
I invited him.

618
00:34:32,304 --> 00:34:34,540
Even tried to get him to
come over here this morning

619
00:34:34,573 --> 00:34:36,808
and help out,
but you know Jess.

620
00:34:36,842 --> 00:34:39,111
No.

621
00:34:39,145 --> 00:34:42,614
I don't think
I do anymore.

622
00:34:42,648 --> 00:34:44,082
Willie:
Mr. Mccary!

623
00:34:47,386 --> 00:34:49,188
Willie, what
is all this?

624
00:34:49,221 --> 00:34:51,623
We thought you
could use some help.

625
00:34:51,657 --> 00:34:54,860
Ha! You bet we can!

626
00:34:54,893 --> 00:34:56,828
All right,
spread out, now.

627
00:34:56,862 --> 00:34:58,830
Find something
needing doing and do it.

628
00:35:02,468 --> 00:35:04,270
Miss plum,

629
00:35:04,303 --> 00:35:07,739
I can't think of nothing
to say but thanks.

630
00:35:07,773 --> 00:35:11,277
Don't thank me.
It was Willie's idea.

631
00:35:11,310 --> 00:35:13,145
Oh.

632
00:35:13,179 --> 00:35:15,814
We've been studying
community responsibility in school,

633
00:35:15,847 --> 00:35:18,850
and the children have taken such
an interest in it you wouldn't believe it.

634
00:35:18,884 --> 00:35:20,752
The children.

635
00:35:20,786 --> 00:35:25,191
US grown-ups could
take lessons from them.

636
00:35:25,224 --> 00:35:28,194
Looks as though you've managed
a pretty good turnout, yourself.

637
00:35:28,227 --> 00:35:29,795
Could've hoped
for a lot more,

638
00:35:29,828 --> 00:35:31,463
but it's hard
for someone

639
00:35:31,497 --> 00:35:35,434
to get out without
a little... Help.

640
00:35:35,467 --> 00:35:38,237
Miss plum,
tomorrow's election day.

641
00:35:38,270 --> 00:35:40,872
And a lot of folks would like
to vote but can't get into town.

642
00:35:40,906 --> 00:35:42,574
Now, maybe you
and the children

643
00:35:42,608 --> 00:35:46,378
could do some of
US a big service.

644
00:35:46,412 --> 00:35:47,713
Harriet:
And another thing, nels...

645
00:35:47,746 --> 00:35:51,850
Oh, for heaven's sakes.

646
00:35:51,883 --> 00:35:53,819
Evening,
Mrs. Oleson.

647
00:35:53,852 --> 00:35:55,954
I just stopped by to
bring your house keys.

648
00:35:55,987 --> 00:35:57,356
Hello, Lem,
come on in.

649
00:35:57,389 --> 00:35:58,657
I'll set up the
checker board.

650
00:35:58,690 --> 00:36:00,192
- Well...
- Another time, nels.

651
00:36:00,226 --> 00:36:01,827
I also want
you to know

652
00:36:01,860 --> 00:36:04,763
that Lars' house is
pretty as a picture.

653
00:36:04,796 --> 00:36:06,598
You're going to be real
proud tomorrow afternoon

654
00:36:06,632 --> 00:36:07,799
at the
victory party.

655
00:36:07,833 --> 00:36:09,568
You might even
find a buyer for it.

656
00:36:09,601 --> 00:36:12,504
Oh, well,
I can hardly wait.

657
00:36:12,538 --> 00:36:14,806
I don't want to keep
you folks up all night.

658
00:36:14,840 --> 00:36:16,342
See you at the debate.

659
00:36:16,375 --> 00:36:17,976
Uh-huh.

660
00:36:18,009 --> 00:36:20,279
Debate?

661
00:36:20,312 --> 00:36:21,480
Harriet:
What debate?

662
00:36:21,513 --> 00:36:23,282
Oh, my, haven't
you heard?

663
00:36:23,315 --> 00:36:24,883
No.

664
00:36:24,916 --> 00:36:26,852
Lem: Well, I sort of rustled
up interest in a little debate

665
00:36:26,885 --> 00:36:28,687
tomorrow before
the election.

666
00:36:28,720 --> 00:36:30,356
Figured the voters
had a right to hear

667
00:36:30,389 --> 00:36:34,860
their choice for mayor
one last time before voting!

668
00:36:34,893 --> 00:36:37,896
Oh, for heaven's
sakes, Mr. Mccary.

669
00:36:37,929 --> 00:36:40,299
Have you forgotten
already?

670
00:36:40,332 --> 00:36:43,001
Almanzo Wilder
dropped out of the race,

671
00:36:43,034 --> 00:36:45,937
and nels is
the only candidate.

672
00:36:45,971 --> 00:36:49,241
Uh-oh. Reckon it
plumb slipped my mind.

673
00:36:49,275 --> 00:36:52,478
Well,
you know how forgetful US old folks can be.

674
00:36:52,511 --> 00:36:55,247
Yes, ma'am.
I forgot to tell you.

675
00:36:55,281 --> 00:36:58,384
I decided to
run for mayor.

676
00:36:58,417 --> 00:37:00,018
Night, nels,
Mrs. Oleson.

677
00:37:03,889 --> 00:37:06,258
Did you hear
what he said?

678
00:37:35,487 --> 00:37:36,922
Good morning,
Mr. Moffet,

679
00:37:36,955 --> 00:37:39,591
I'm Jenny Wilder.
This is Tim Spence.

680
00:37:39,625 --> 00:37:40,926
What are you
doing here?

681
00:37:40,959 --> 00:37:43,662
Who are those
people in the wagon?

682
00:37:43,695 --> 00:37:44,863
It's
election day.

683
00:37:44,896 --> 00:37:46,064
We're taking
folks to town

684
00:37:46,097 --> 00:37:47,699
who can't get
there on their own.

685
00:37:47,733 --> 00:37:49,468
We've got
one for you.

686
00:37:49,501 --> 00:37:52,638
Nah, why don't you give
my seat to somebody else?

687
00:37:52,671 --> 00:37:54,306
I ain't going
nowhere.

688
00:37:54,340 --> 00:37:57,042
Don't you want to vote,
Mr. Moffet?

689
00:37:57,075 --> 00:37:58,910
The right to vote
is a privilege

690
00:37:58,944 --> 00:38:01,413
men long ago gave
their lives for.

691
00:38:01,447 --> 00:38:03,582
Well, I didn't
ask them to.

692
00:38:03,615 --> 00:38:05,551
I've got to
reason to vote.

693
00:38:05,584 --> 00:38:07,052
Get on out of here!

694
00:38:07,085 --> 00:38:08,854
Is there
room for me?

695
00:38:08,887 --> 00:38:11,289
- Yes, ma'am.
- I'll just get my hat.

696
00:38:14,893 --> 00:38:17,529
I heard Mr. Maddox
was a friend of yours.

697
00:38:17,563 --> 00:38:18,964
I never met him.

698
00:38:18,997 --> 00:38:20,832
But I'm sorry
he died.

699
00:38:22,501 --> 00:38:25,871
Mr. Mccary said he died
the worse kind of death.

700
00:38:25,904 --> 00:38:27,373
Loneliness.

701
00:38:31,777 --> 00:38:32,778
I'm ready.

702
00:38:32,811 --> 00:38:34,613
We better hurry.

703
00:38:34,646 --> 00:38:36,982
We've got to get back to
olesonville before the debate.

704
00:38:37,015 --> 00:38:38,917
Olesonville?
Where's that?

705
00:38:38,950 --> 00:38:41,119
That's the new name
of walnut grove.

706
00:38:41,152 --> 00:38:43,422
There's been a lot
of changes lately.

707
00:38:43,455 --> 00:38:45,457
We're trying to get
those changes changed.

708
00:39:20,626 --> 00:39:23,629
So, naturally, we
agreed to the debate

709
00:39:23,662 --> 00:39:27,032
just to humor
the old soul.

710
00:39:27,065 --> 00:39:30,769
He probably won't get more than,
I don't know, two vo...

711
00:39:30,802 --> 00:39:32,070
Vo...

712
00:39:57,529 --> 00:39:59,998
Dr. Baker,
are you going to allow

713
00:40:00,031 --> 00:40:02,100
this mockery of
justice to continue?

714
00:40:02,133 --> 00:40:04,436
Why, this Lem
mccary here,

715
00:40:04,470 --> 00:40:08,039
what he's doing is something
akin to stuffing the ballot box!

716
00:40:08,073 --> 00:40:10,442
- Well, Harriet.
- What?

717
00:40:10,476 --> 00:40:13,178
What you're seeing is the
Democratic process at work.

718
00:40:13,211 --> 00:40:15,180
Oh, piddle-paddle!

719
00:40:24,189 --> 00:40:25,924
Ladies...

720
00:40:25,957 --> 00:40:28,694
Ladies, gents,

721
00:40:28,727 --> 00:40:32,531
if you'll keep it down,
the debate is up here.

722
00:40:32,564 --> 00:40:34,032
It's not out there.

723
00:40:36,001 --> 00:40:39,605
And it's time we have these
candidates square off.

724
00:40:39,638 --> 00:40:41,139
Well,
are there going to be bare knuckles, doc?

725
00:40:46,144 --> 00:40:48,680
All right.
In this corner,

726
00:40:48,714 --> 00:40:50,816
we have civic leader,
businessman,

727
00:40:50,849 --> 00:40:53,719
and proprietor
of the mercanteel,

728
00:40:53,752 --> 00:40:55,787
nels oleson!

729
00:41:00,992 --> 00:41:02,994
And in this corner...

730
00:41:03,028 --> 00:41:07,065
5 foot 9 1/2, 150 pounds
of rip-roaring dynamite!

731
00:41:12,003 --> 00:41:15,574
Well said, Mr. Edwards.
Mr. Lem mccary!

732
00:41:18,977 --> 00:41:21,647
Doc baker: Now, we flipped
a coin a moment ago,

733
00:41:21,680 --> 00:41:23,915
and the winner was Lem,

734
00:41:23,949 --> 00:41:25,951
so he gets to make
the opening speech.

735
00:41:32,858 --> 00:41:34,092
Well, you all know me.

736
00:41:34,125 --> 00:41:36,127
I've been living here
longer than most.

737
00:41:36,161 --> 00:41:39,064
I first come here
52 years ago

738
00:41:39,097 --> 00:41:40,666
along with a handful
of other folks

739
00:41:40,699 --> 00:41:42,801
with the notion
of building a town.

740
00:41:42,834 --> 00:41:45,937
There was Lars hanson,
Jess moffet,

741
00:41:45,971 --> 00:41:49,608
George Maddox, les sutherland
and his wife maddy,

742
00:41:49,641 --> 00:41:52,077
few others,
most of them gone now.

743
00:41:52,110 --> 00:41:54,279
So, you'll only have
my word for it

744
00:41:54,312 --> 00:41:57,115
when I tell you how
hard we worked,

745
00:41:57,148 --> 00:42:00,251
sunup to sundown,
day in and day out.

746
00:42:00,285 --> 00:42:01,987
And you never
heard complaint,

747
00:42:02,020 --> 00:42:05,924
because we believed
in what we was doing.

748
00:42:05,957 --> 00:42:09,961
Off a hard winter that first
year, killed a lot of US,

749
00:42:09,995 --> 00:42:12,097
and the town near
died right then.

750
00:42:12,130 --> 00:42:13,865
But it didn't.

751
00:42:13,899 --> 00:42:17,669
And those still living
stayed and just kept going.

752
00:42:17,703 --> 00:42:20,105
It was 2, maybe 3 years

753
00:42:20,138 --> 00:42:23,274
before we thought to
give the town a name.

754
00:42:23,308 --> 00:42:25,744
Most of US wanted
to call it hansonville

755
00:42:25,777 --> 00:42:27,112
for Lars hanson.

756
00:42:27,145 --> 00:42:29,881
But, oh, he wouldn't
think of it.

757
00:42:29,915 --> 00:42:33,084
So it was Jess mo...

758
00:42:37,856 --> 00:42:40,058
It was Jess moffet

759
00:42:40,091 --> 00:42:42,961
who thought to call
it walnut grove

760
00:42:42,994 --> 00:42:47,298
because of that nice stand of
walnuts up there on the Ridge.

761
00:42:47,332 --> 00:42:49,968
You see, Lars didn't
think it right

762
00:42:50,001 --> 00:42:53,304
for a town to be
named for one person,

763
00:42:53,338 --> 00:42:56,241
because a town ain't
just one person.

764
00:42:56,274 --> 00:42:57,809
It's a whole lot
of folks that are living

765
00:42:57,843 --> 00:43:00,045
and working together.

766
00:43:00,078 --> 00:43:02,047
And that's the same reason

767
00:43:02,080 --> 00:43:04,850
why a town can't be
owned by one person,

768
00:43:04,883 --> 00:43:07,753
because then it wouldn't
be a town anymore.

769
00:43:07,786 --> 00:43:11,089
It'd be a company
with one boss

770
00:43:11,122 --> 00:43:12,758
and a lot of hired help.

771
00:43:15,994 --> 00:43:19,297
Way back in
those early years,

772
00:43:19,330 --> 00:43:22,167
we had high hopes
for this town.

773
00:43:22,200 --> 00:43:25,036
Oh, we weren't looking
for it to be a big city

774
00:43:25,070 --> 00:43:28,406
with 4-story buildings
and cobblestone streets.

775
00:43:28,439 --> 00:43:34,079
Our only hope was that it
would be a decent place to live,

776
00:43:34,112 --> 00:43:37,082
a place where one neighbor
cared about another,

777
00:43:37,115 --> 00:43:42,654
and where brotherly love was
more than just two words.

778
00:43:42,688 --> 00:43:45,957
But lately, I ain't
seen a lot of evidence

779
00:43:45,991 --> 00:43:47,959
that it's turned
out that way.

780
00:43:47,993 --> 00:43:50,395
So if I'm elected,

781
00:43:50,428 --> 00:43:54,833
I'm going to see what I
can do about fixing it!

782
00:44:07,378 --> 00:44:10,148
Ladies and gents!

783
00:44:10,181 --> 00:44:12,283
Come on over here!

784
00:44:12,317 --> 00:44:14,786
I have the news
you've been waiting for.

785
00:44:18,289 --> 00:44:20,926
We have ourselves a mayor!

786
00:44:25,330 --> 00:44:27,432
With all
votes counted,

787
00:44:27,465 --> 00:44:29,367
nels oleson,

788
00:44:29,400 --> 00:44:31,302
64 votes.

789
00:44:35,473 --> 00:44:37,242
Lem mccary,

790
00:44:37,275 --> 00:44:39,344
67 votes.

791
00:44:47,085 --> 00:44:50,488
Lem! Lem,
come on up here!

792
00:44:50,521 --> 00:44:52,958
Come on, Lem.
Come on up here.

793
00:44:57,763 --> 00:45:00,899
I guess you know that means
Harriet is going to call her bond due.

794
00:45:00,932 --> 00:45:02,467
What bond's that?

795
00:45:02,500 --> 00:45:03,935
An old town bond.

796
00:45:03,969 --> 00:45:06,104
It used to belong
to Lars hanson.

797
00:45:06,137 --> 00:45:08,173
Harriet
has it now,

798
00:45:08,206 --> 00:45:10,075
and she's going to
bankrupt this town.

799
00:45:10,108 --> 00:45:11,276
Congratulations,
Lem.

800
00:45:11,309 --> 00:45:12,477
Awful close,
nels.

801
00:45:12,510 --> 00:45:16,481
Yes, congratulations,
mayor mccary.

802
00:45:16,514 --> 00:45:18,149
- Thank you, ma'am.
- Mm-hmm.

803
00:45:18,183 --> 00:45:22,220
Now,
as your first official act in office,

804
00:45:22,253 --> 00:45:25,456
you can just make
good on my bond.

805
00:45:25,490 --> 00:45:29,327
Now, not just so
fast, Mrs. Oleson.

806
00:45:29,360 --> 00:45:30,996
What?

807
00:45:31,029 --> 00:45:33,364
If you take a real good
look at that bond you own,

808
00:45:33,398 --> 00:45:37,168
you'll find a number
two printed on the top.

809
00:45:37,202 --> 00:45:39,537
I know because at
home I got the same thing,

810
00:45:39,570 --> 00:45:41,406
only it says
"number one" on it.

811
00:45:41,439 --> 00:45:43,374
What?

812
00:45:43,408 --> 00:45:46,511
Jess: That means the town's got
to pay me off before it does you.

813
00:45:46,544 --> 00:45:51,316
Anybody getting any money
around here is going to be me.

814
00:45:51,349 --> 00:45:55,453
Mayor, can you manage
a dollar a year?

815
00:45:55,486 --> 00:45:58,056
Jess, we honor
your demand.

816
00:45:59,858 --> 00:46:02,527
Oh, for
heaven's sakes!

817
00:46:09,901 --> 00:46:12,537
And don't forget the
party at Lars' house.

818
00:46:12,570 --> 00:46:14,372
Everybody's invited,

819
00:46:14,405 --> 00:46:16,141
compliments
to the olesons.

820
00:46:24,515 --> 00:46:27,552
Everybody,
get your partners for a round dance.

821
00:46:30,221 --> 00:46:32,123
Caller: ♪ a ring, a ring,
a pretty little ring ♪

822
00:46:35,326 --> 00:46:37,362
♪ Jump right up and
when you come down ♪

823
00:46:37,395 --> 00:46:39,965
♪ Swing that pretty gal
'round and 'round ♪

824
00:46:42,300 --> 00:46:44,602
♪ 'Round and 'round
with the old Chuck wagon ♪

825
00:46:44,635 --> 00:46:47,873
♪ A hind wheel broke
and the axle's draggin' ♪

826
00:46:47,906 --> 00:46:49,474
Want to take a whirl?

827
00:46:51,442 --> 00:46:53,945
I thought you'd
never ask.

828
00:46:59,017 --> 00:47:01,586
Caller:
Honor your partner.

829
00:47:01,619 --> 00:47:04,856
Honor your corner.

830
00:47:04,890 --> 00:47:09,327
You swing your girl,
I'll swing mine.

831
00:47:09,360 --> 00:47:11,629
♪ All join hands
and circle down south ♪

832
00:47:11,662 --> 00:47:15,466
♪ And let a little
sunshine in your mouth ♪

833
00:47:15,500 --> 00:47:17,903
♪ Circle up the ring
a country mile ♪

834
00:47:17,936 --> 00:47:20,338
♪ lady in the lead
go injun style ♪

835
00:47:23,942 --> 00:47:26,044
♪ 'Round and 'round
with the old Chuck wagon ♪

836
00:47:26,077 --> 00:47:28,046
♪ A hind wheel broke
and the axle's draggin' ♪

837
00:47:28,079 --> 00:47:29,414
♪ A horseshoe ring

838
00:47:29,447 --> 00:47:31,549
♪ ladies on the inside,
gents on the out ♪

839
00:47:31,582 --> 00:47:33,952
♪ ladies on the inside
gents to the right ♪

840
00:47:33,985 --> 00:47:36,421
♪ ladies to the right
and gents go left... ♪