Original subtitles

You give me the order, I'll give you those posts.

- On time? - On time.

Three hundred posts?

And they got to be ready by supper, two weeks from Monday.

Nothing's impossible.

Come on, let's go to work!

Best-looking farmhand I ever saw.

Don't flirt with me. I'm a truck driver.

Ouch!

Mr. Brendamore. Sure is good to see you.

Isaac, I haven't got the best news for you.

- There's Ike. - Looks unhappy.

John, it's the end of the world.

Easy, easy.

Nature, I think, intended my father to be a dreamer and a poet.

Instead, he became the head of a large, hungry household.

The one thing he feared and despised was debt,

and yet it clung to him as devotedly as it clung to all of his neighbors.

He tried never to borrow, never to buy anything on time,

and never to fall behind on things like taxes and doctor bills.

A s careful as he was, there came a day in 1940

when he looked at his finances

and was astounded by what he found looking back at him.

John?

John?

Liv, I've got to go to Rockfish. Anything you need?

Nothing we can afford.

Is anything wrong?

No. No.

Afternoon, John.

Yo, John Walton.

Fine, Reverend, how are you?

- John Martin. - Talk about a sight for sore eyes.

- How are you, old fellow? - I'm pretty good for a fellow our age.

Looks to me like you've got a problem on your mind.

John, I've looked at these at least 18 times

and they don't make any sense to me.

You were saying that when we were in the first grade.

- How's your mother? - Never better, thanks.

They dried her out real nice this time.

- Good Lord! - You see what I mean?

This is the beatingest thing I ever heard of.

What it looks like,

you've got a payment due in two weeks on your bank loan for the sawmill equipment,

and another payment on the first of the month,

which retires the loan.

That's what I mean.

Johnny Walton, of all people, teetering on the rim edge of being

totally free and clear of debt.

It's unusual. That's a fact.

It almost never happens.

Country people like us, everybody owes the storekeeper,

and he's in debt to banks and wholesalers,

and they're in debt to people further up the line.

Do you remember that poem Miss Monteith

used to recite in eighth-grade Latin?

I don't even remember Latin.

"Big fleas have little fleas Upon their backs to bite 'em

"And little fleas have smaller fleas And so, ad infinitum"

I don't know.

Pa always says a reasonable amount of fleas is good for a dog.

It keeps him from brooding about being a dog.

Johnny Walton, out of debt.

I'll bet that's never even happened to my mother.

Your mother's still in business since her last treatment?

Yeah, tearing around Jefferson County, foreclosing her mortgages,

calling in her loans.

My goodness, Johnny,

if it weren't for the people she owes and the people that owe her,

she wouldn't have anybody to talk to but me.

I sure wouldn't want that.

You're scaring me now. I'm already beginning to feel lonesome.

Just don't let it get you down. There's nothing incurable about it.

You've still got two more payments due to the bank,

and a lot can happen in six weeks.

I'd sure like to trim those six weeks.

- How can you do that? - Let me think.

- John Martin, take care of yourself. - All right.

- Marcia Woolery. - Mr. Walton. Hey!

What are you up to these days?

Oh, I'm still clerking down here at the dry goods store.

How's everybody out your way?

- Couldn't be better. - You still hear from John-Boy right along?

Yeah, well, he writes.

- Is he married yet? - No, he's mostly writing books.

Well, you talk to him. You tell him it's still Miss Marcia Woolery.

All right, Marcia, good to see you.

Okay, bye.

Come in, Mr. Walton. Sit down.

What can we do for you today?

Best thing you could do for me is order a great big mess of crossties.

We don't need any crossties today,

but I am in the market for a good number of fence posts.

Let's you and me talk some business.

Do you remember the old paper mill down by Riddleton?

Uh-huh.

That's reopening as a defense plant.

And we're gonna run a siding in for it,

and we're gonna have to fence the entire area.

Sounds like a big order. I'll be glad to fill it for you.

Glad is one thing, Walton, but able is another.

Trouble is, I need more posts

than you can cut, shape and creosote in the short time I've got.

Maybe so, maybe not.

I can get all the posts I need at the Roanoke railroad yards,

without any waiting.

Of course, I'll have to pay a premium for them,

but I can tell you it's worth it.

Hold on now, before you start throwing away your money.

How many posts are we talking about?

Three hundred. And right away.

- Right away when? - Couple of weeks.

You give me the order. I'll give you those posts.

- On time? - On time.

Hey, Rev, how you like the shine on this?

Looks nice, Ike.

Sure you wouldn't like a bargain?

Ike, I don't need a refrigerator.

A good number of people in the community are without refrigeration,

a situation which will be remedied,

Mr. Godsey and I having purchased at auction a number of these fine pieces.

Sure got a good buy on these at the auction.

I've got 49 more of these babies over in Godsey's Hall.

Will that be all, Reverend Buchanan?

No, no. I'll have a can of corned beef hash,

and a can of sardines and a can of those little sausages there, please.

Have you purchased a pet, Reverend Buchanan?

A pet? No, why?

- Well, who's going to eat this food? - Me. I like this stuff.

Mercy, I'm surprised you're able to maintain your health on such a diet.

- That will be three dollars even. - Thank you.

- Ladies. See you, Ike. - Bye, Reverend.

If I was 50 years younger, I'd give that preacher a run for his money.

I'm surprised somebody hasn't snatched him up before now.

Well, young Reverend Buchanan is just 26 years old and a fine-looking man.

And there is something that we must all put our minds to.

Finding him a wife, right?

Well, you must agree that the choice of a wife for the pastor of a church

would be of general concern to the entire Christian community.

He'll be quite a catch for somebody.

- Who do you have in mind? - Oh, I haven't got anybody in mind.

I've already caught mine.

There's that oldest Darden girl. She's about ready.

Oh, no. Oh, what about...

Oh, no.

Now, there's Marcia Woolery. She's always looking for a man.

Why, Maude, I am shocked that you would even mention that kind of girl.

Why don't we leave it up to the Reverend to pick out his own wife?

There's nothing backward about Hank Buchanan.

Now that you've brought it up, Mary Ellen,

that would seem to be one of the main problems.

Three hundred fence posts?

Well, haggling with the railroad must be

something like a bug arguing with a chicken.

That's true too, Pa.

My grandpa taught me never to drive into any place

where you couldn't turn around and drive out again.

But three hundred posts?

And they got to be ready by supper, two weeks from Monday.

Nothing's impossible.

What I don't understand is why you'd take such a big order.

I mean, we're not rich, but we're not poor either.

Look at him, Mama. There's something he's not telling us.

The reason I took that order

is that if we work like we're putting out a brushfire,

I can walk into the Mercantile Bank and Trust Company

on the first of the month,

and I can make the final payment on that new sawmill,

and I can walk out, not owing one person in this world one red cent.

Hallelujah!

Be the first time in our married life we'll be out of debt.

Whatever it takes, let's do it.

I don't how it happened, or how long it's gonna last,

but I want to enjoy that feeling just once in my life.

If everybody pitches in, and I mean everybody,

we can meet that order.

Just think of it, not being beholden to a living soul.

I've been in debt my whole life, and I didn't even know it.

What's so special about getting out of debt?

It's very special, Ben.

It's sort of like you might feel if you had all your chores done for the day.

For once in your life.

Now, does everybody agree we can do it?

Pa?

"In the bright lexicon of youth, there is no such word as 'fail'."

Excelsior!

Here's what we're gonna do, then.

Pa, Ben and Jason, you'll do the gathering and the hauling.

Jim-Bob, you'll help me in the mill.

Honey, you can be the water-boy. - What about me?

As soon as you finish your work, you can come home and help out.

I'll drive the truck.

- The truck? - Uh-oh.

Who's going to do the cooking?

You are.

All right, everybody. Come on, let's go to work.

Timber!

I used to think when I got older and bigger this type of work would get lighter.

As I understand it, when you get older it just gets slower.

There must be an easier way to make a living.

We're not trying to make a living.

We're just trying to help the family get out of debt.

Easiest way isn't always the best, boys.

First thing I'm going to do when I leave is get rich.

Ha! Good luck.

I'm tired of being poor. Dirty all the time

and grubbing all the time.

Griping all the time.

Water, everyone.

Well, now. Thank you.

Grandpa, Daddy says when you've got more logs, he's ready.

I'll be right with him as soon as I wet my whistle here.

I was about to dry up and fly away.

I heard of some miners, out in the desert,

they give away as much as 100-dollar gold nuggets just for one little drop of water.

See? You can be poor in more ways than money.

Come on, Elizabeth, we'd better get that log up to your daddy.

Can I ride Blue?

Well, I guess Blue would put up with it.

I'm gonna start over here.

Here we go.

Grandpa, I can't get it straight. Am I poor people or not?

I'd say you scarcely qualified for hard times.

Me, I've had lots of hard times, including one time that I was really poor.

And the one that was particularly hard hit every year was Santa Claus.

As I remember one particular year, 1877,

this year Santa Claus brought us in our stockings something else.

- Must have been pretty exciting. - Yes.

Something I had seen once before

over at Charlottesville, but never expected to have.

What was it?

The way it looked and the way it felt in my hand,

that's the first and the last time that I was ever rich.

And I felt something else, too.

I knew that I was never going to be poor again.

And I was right.

What was it?

It was

an orange.

Something wrong?

You're wearing pants.

You don't think I'm going to haul fence posts in a housedress, do you?

Best-looking farmhand I ever saw.

Don't flirt with me. I'm a truck driver.

Ouch!

First left, past the depot, ask for Taggart.

Yes, sir.

Be careful, now. You've got a big load.

Olivia, is that you? In male attire?

I'm doing a man's job, Corabeth.

Well, I suppose it's for a good cause. I'm glad to see you.

I'm on my way to the parsonage to measure the curtains,

and I really would appreciate it if you'd give me a few minutes and come with me.

I'm kind of pressed for time.

Olivia, it would only take a few minutes.

And if I'm seen there alone with the young minister...

Well, you know how people talk.

All right, Corabeth, but we will have to hurry.

Good afternoon.

We're here to measure for the new curtains, all right?

Sure, go on in. It's not locked.

Excuse me, sir?

Didn't you use to be Mrs. John Walton?

You want those new curtains?

Sure do.

Then watch your step.

Yes, ma'am.

Well, one thing becomes increasingly clear.

It is up for us to find someone for that boy who is matrimonially suitable for him.

You got a tape measure?

You may be just as laissez-faire as you like,

but it behooves you to keep one fact in mind.

Young Reverend Buchanan is in the fullness of his manhood.

And he possesses a remarkable degree of...

Three feet wide by...

Well, I might as well just come right out and say it.

Animal magnetism.

Six feet.

Good for him. Did you write that down?

Yeah, six feet.

But he just flits around like a bee in buckwheat.

And you know, it's up to us, those of us with cooler heads,

to see to it that we place his feet on the right path.

Corabeth, when I run across a bee that's flitting around, I let it flit.

I figure it knows where it's going a lot better than I do.

And I'll see you.

John Walton.

John Walton, what a pleasant surprise, John.

Mr. Brendamore, who's watching the bank?

Well, I'm just up here checking on my good customer, Isaac B. Godsey.

And for the Mercantile Bank and Trust Company,

the way we're going, everybody's watching us.

That couldn't hurt.

I've been hearing rumors about you, all the way down to Rockfish.

And what's that?

Like you are about ready to cut us adrift.

Come the first of the month,

I hope to come in and make my last two payments.

Now, no hurry.

We'd hate to see you do anything rash.

Like getting your money back?

Well...

We're in the business to lend it out.

Get it back, it just sits there not doing anybody any good.

- In fact... Cigar? - Thanks.

In fact, when you come to pay it back,

I'd like to see you borrow a little more.

Well, Joe,

don't stand on one foot waiting.

All right, you think it over, John.

- Goodbye. - Mr. Brendamore.

- Ike, got a match? - Oh, yeah, sure.

I don't know. If I was you, John, I'd listen to him.

Maybe you're right, Ike. I'm gonna need some more creosote.

Those fence posts are really eating it up.

- Five-gallon? - Uh-huh.

You know, Ike, I think I'm just a country boy at heart.

When I see the town banker grinning and joking and passing out cigars,

I figure it's time for me to back up.

Well, I must say, John,

that the bank was very helpful to us in our recent investment.

Yeah, you didn't see our latest special.

- The Arctic Queen. Ain't she a beauty? - Pretty fancy.

I think we made a very astute purchase,

buying in quantity as we did, at the auction sale.

And I'll let you in on something, John.

I stand to make $75 on every one of those beauties.

I paid $14 apiece for them.

This information is not to be passed around, of course.

And I got 50 of them.

That's quite a sizeable investment, Ike.

Prosperity is back.

The US War Department is buying up everything, left and right.

Maybe they'll buy your 50 iceboxes.

I think you're poking fun at me, John.

What do you care, Ike? You're rich.

Well, we really put in a day today.

Pull yourselves together and wash up.

What's for supper?

I'm not going to tell you. You'll eat it and like it.

Grandpa, you sure you're not doing too much?

Why don't you let the boys do the heavy work?

Give Jim-Bob or Ben a turn, Pa.

I always say, "If you want a thing done good, you do it yourself."

Take advantage, Grandpa. A new broom sweeps clean.

Yes, but it's us old brooms that dust out all the corners.

Oh, no, you're not going to help me that way.

Working in town, poor thing, you're missing all the fun.

The smoke, the sawdust, the sightseers. We had seven or eight of those today.

- What is there to see up here? - Ben working,

Daddy getting out of debt, Mama in overalls.

Mama, I told Corabeth you couldn't help her today.

I ran into her on the way home. I helped her anyway.

Did you have fun?

She did all the talking, I did all the listening.

Are she and Corabeth up to something?

Corabeth's decided they should pick out a wife for Hank Buchanan.

Now, what would Hank Buchanan do with a wife?

It's what a wife would do with him that's got Corabeth into a stew.

She doesn't want the wrong kind of girl getting a hold of him.

Are you serious?

Well, he's a good-looking man, with a good future.

Oh, sure he's good-looking,

but there's no such thing as a Baptist preacher with a good future.

Better not let your mama hear you say that.

She'll drum you out of the church.

Mama would like nothing better than if all seven of us kids became Baptist preachers.

Any preacher around here is as poor as Job's turkey and always will be.

As long as Hank lives, he'll probably have someone like Corabeth

looking over his shoulder, trying to run his life.

From what I've seen, nobody runs Hank Buchanan's life.

Come on, you two. Let's eat.

Sit down, sit down.

- Pa? - Simmer down, everybody.

Father in Heaven,

we thank thee for the food upon our table, the good health and appetite.

We thank thee for the work and the strength to finish it.

Oh, and Lord,

when we do finish it, let's have a real nice celebration.

Amen.

- Amen. - Amen.

Amen.

- Getting tired, Daddy? - No.

They say hell is made out of fire and brimstone.

I wonder how that compares with creosote.

Brimstone is nothing but sulfur, and creosote is nothing but coal tar.

What's going on?

We were just talking about hell.

I decided not to go.

Good.

You all look kind of tired.

Let up and cool off for a while. Everybody take a swim.

What a great idea.

Make it a short one, now. Come on right back to work.

Come on, boys. The first one in's a rotten egg.

You're not going?

I like it right here.

This celebration you were talking about?

You mean, Elizabeth was talking about?

What do you want to do about it?

I would just keep it kind of quiet.

I think the children are expecting some kind of celebration.

Maybe we could have a few friends in, burn the mortgage papers.

How about a Sunday picnic? Everybody brings their own basket.

All right.

The sun disappears, it'll be back tomorrow.

I thought you were as interested in getting out of debt as I am.

I am.

Most of all, I'll be glad not to see that look anymore.

What look?

You probably don't even know you're doing it.

You get all these wrinkles on your forehead,

little worry lines around your eyes.

Like your mind's running around, asking questions.

"Will there be enough food on the table tomorrow?

"Can I meet the payments? Will I be able to pay the taxes?"

I always pay the taxes.

At least we won't have to worry about that anymore.

That's right. Gonna have some money left over.

We won't have to give it all to the bank.

You've been wanting a new truck.

I aim to get one.

What about you? You want something?

I'd kind of like to have the house painted.

What about a trip to Europe? The Grand Tour?

The Grand Canyon.

Just get in that car and go.

I've always wanted to see the Grand Canyon.

Liv, what are you talking about?

Natural Bridge is less than sixty miles away,

you've never even been there.

How about something for the house?

You could buy one of Ike's new electric refrigerators,

or we could get you a phone.

Nope. Thanks anyway.

All right. Don't say I didn't give you the chance.

What are we gonna worry about now? Growing old?

You don't have to worry about growing old, Liv.

The older you get, the prettier you get.

Flattery will get you just about anything you want.

Horace, let me show you something.

Well, Ike, ain't that an electric icebox?

That is a big deluxe family-size Arctic Queen.

It has six-and-a-half cubic feet.

It's got two drawers.

It's got almost 14 feet of shelf space.

And it's got four ice cube trays, and it makes seven pounds of ice at a time.

- And it's got another feature... - Hold on, Ike.

This is real nice.

We got no electricity up where we live.

Oh, well, I'm sure it's easy enough to hook up.

The Rural Electrification Administration is dispelling darkness everywhere.

Well, I'll tell you.

We kind of like the old spring house.

Me and Amy, we walk down there in the evening,

and maybe get a cold dipper of buttermilk,

or maybe we just sit and watch the little frogs hop in and out of the pond.

Ah, we like the old spring house.

What do I owe you, Ike?

Just a nickel, Horace.

Y'all come up and see us, you hear?

Yeah, we'll go up and see you, Horace.

- Hello, Horace. - Hiya, John.

Say, tell me, when you going to give up all this foolishness?

What foolishness is that?

Work.

Make an old man out of you before your time.

Now, hold it. You look out in there, you hear me?

If you ain't careful, they'll be selling you one of them electric refrigerators.

All right, Horace.

Hello, Ike.

Oh, John, how are you?

Boy, these refrigerators, they're just going like hotcakes.

- Is that so? - I bet I could save one for you.

Oh, no thanks, Ike.

If I were gonna buy a refrigerator,

I'd go to Charlottesville, buy it from a chain store.

Here's the money for the gas, Ike.

What's the matter?

It's bad enough I have to take this from customers.

But from kinfolk, taking their business to strangers?

If it wasn't for people like you, I wouldn't be in the mess that I'm in.

Here they come.

Jason? Where'd he go?

Well?

Well, what happened? Say something.

You look like a couple of Cheshire cats.

Anybody for Rockfish?

We got a couple more loads to deliver tomorrow.

Then we're done?

We were already finished truckload before last.

I just can't believe it.

The check paid off the mortgage and a nice little bit left over.

- So... - So,

tomorrow we burn the blamed thing!

Everybody's going to a hoedown

They're coming from miles around

All our friends and neighbors are gonna be there

Listening to the country sound

Now kick off your shoes, take a rest for a while

Leave your tears and worries behind

It's only gonna be just a matter of time

Till everybody's feeling fine

We're all going to a hoedown

It's a country jamboree

There isn't any time to slow down

And I want you all to come with me

Out to the barn, gonna take m y guitar

You can bring your mandolin

And if we run out of tunes In the light of the moon

We can start all over again

We're all going to a hoedown

It's a country jamboree

There isn't any time to slow down

And I want you all to come with me

Out to the barn, gonna take m y guitar

You can bring your mandolin

And if we run out of tunes in the light of the moon

We can start all over again

You know, John,

I've been to a lot of different kinds of parties.

Three hog-callings and a county fair.

Never seen the like of this.

Mortgage burning, and it ain't even a church.

How's a fellow supposed to act?

Just act natural, Horace.

John, there ain't nothing natural about it.

Imagine a man owing nobody nothing, nowhere in the world.

- Here you are, Maude. - Oh, thank you.

Is there anything in this, Zeb?

Well, I'll swear there's nothing in there but whatever ought to be.

Aw, shucks. I'd hoped it'd be something with a kick in it.

Me too.

- Hey. - Hi.

- Hi. - Join the party.

It's a memorable day, Olivia.

- John Martin, I'm counting on you. - For what?

If you see John Walton trying to bolt the premises,

I want you to hang on to his shirttails.

I think he feels everybody's making a little too much of this.

I don't know what he's got to be shy about.

Another man in his position would want everybody to know.

Not John.

John Martin, how come you didn't bring your mother?

She's locked in her room.

That means either she's counting her cash money or she's got a bottle in there.

You bring those papers?

Got the mortgage right here in my pocket. Stop fretting.

Well, thank you for picking them up. I just wish this thing were over.

Stop fretting.

Oh, Olivia, I'm sorry I'm late, but I made my famous English trifle,

and I became so involved in the creativity of it,

that I simply lost all track of time.

Where do you want me to put it?

Put it over there on the table. Thank you, Corabeth.

Where's Ike?

Oh, well, he'll be right along. He insisted that I come on.

I hope he's coming. You said you had words with him?

Two words. "No refrigerator."

He got mad. There's nothing I can do about that.

Mr. Brendamore. Sure is good to see you.

Isaac, I haven't got the best news for you.

It's an English trifle I made especially for the occasion.

Delicious.

Zebulon, behave yourself.

My, it looks like everybody in the county is here.

Everybody except Ike and the Reverend Buchanan.

I don't know about Ike,

but I've never heard of a Baptist preacher that could resist fried chicken.

Who's that woman with the Reverend?

It looks like Marcia Woolery.

It is Marcia Woolery.

Grandpa, she's fainted.

Corabeth? Corabeth?

Livie! Livie, come here! It's Corabeth.

- What happened? - Clear out.

Clear out, everybody. Give her air, give her room.

Mercy, mercy, mercy.

Now, Corabeth, you stop this silliness.

The Baptist Church will never survive...

The Baptist Church has survived worse than this.

Now you behave yourself or I'll pour a pitcher of lemonade on your head.

Olivia, I would not like for you to do that.

Well, nor would I.

But you pull yourself together or I'm gonna.

Now, come on, I'll take you over to the porch,

and you can sit down and compose yourself.

I'm going to Louisiana

My true love for to see

Oh, Suzanna, don't you cry for me

It's fun, isn't it?

What?

Watching the grownups carrying on.

Are they carrying on?

Mama's mad at Corabeth.

And Daddy wishes they'd just all go home.

Grandpa put some of the Recipe in Maude Gormley's punch.

Preacher brought a hussy to the party.

Erin Walton, I just can't get over it.

You're all grown up and just as pretty as a peach.

Thank you, Marcia.

- Is she really a hussy? - That's what everyone thinks.

I always liked her.

Me, too.

Got the fireworks?

Yup, they're here.

Think the fireworks have already started, though.

Who I'd love to see, of course, is John-Boy.

They tell me he's all rich and famous and living in New York City.

Sort of.

Is he dating any of them New York girls?

Well, he keeps talking about a dancer named Daisy in his letters.

Marcia, how do you know Hank Buchanan, anyway?

Oh...

He just came into this dry goods store the other day.

We got to talking and then one thing led to another, and here we are.

Do you see him a lot?

I just met him last week.

Isn't he the cutest thing you ever saw for a preacher, though?

Yeah. He sure is.

Is he dating anybody around here on a regular basis?

No. Not really.

I can't understand that.

If ever a man was ripe for picking, it's Hank Buchanan.

- Well, see you, Erin. - Bye.

What's the matter with Corabeth?

Oh, she fainted when she saw Marcia with Hank.

Is she afraid Marcia will be the preacher's wife?

Uh-huh.

Well, she has nothing to worry about. Because it won't be Marcia.

I suppose you know who it'll be?

Sure I do. I've always known.

- Everything all right? - I may just murder Corabeth.

She through with her faint yet?

She's all right for the moment.

What's the matter anyway?

Hank Buchanan arrived with Marcia Woolery.

I always liked Marcia Woolery.

I've got nothing against the girl, but you have to admit,

she's not exactly the best choice for a Baptist minister's wife.

- Did I hear my name mentioned? - Hello, Hank.

I'd sure like to get this celebration underway.

You got any ideas on how to speed it up?

Sure, let's get this started. Everybody, come on up here for a minute!

Come on. Don't be bashful. Step on up.

Just give me a moment of your time here. Step on up.

Friends,

did not my Lord deliver Daniel from the lion's den,

Jonah from the belly of the whale,

and the Hebrew children from the fiery furnace?

Amen.

Then, why not every man?

Why not?

Amen, sister.

Today, he has delivered one of our number from a good-sized mortgage

at the Mercantile Bank in Rockfish.

Friends, I am proud and honored to present to you,

perhaps the only man I know free and clear of debt,

Mr. John Walton.

Well! I can't tell you what this means to me and my family.

And the mill.

I just wish it could be happening to all of you.

That's all I got to say, except, who's got a match?

Now, what does that say, John?

"Paid in Full."

Jim-Bob, now!

For he's a jolly good fellow For he's a jolly good fellow

For he's a jolly good fellow

That nobody can deny That nobody can deny

- How does it feel to be out of debt? - It's going to take some getting used to.

I'm proud of you.

We've worked hard for this day. Let's try to enjoy it.

For he's a jolly good fellow

That nobody can deny

- There's Ike. - Looks unhappy.

John, it's the end of the world.

Ike, it can't be all that bad.

The refrigerators don't work.

The bank knows it and they want their money now.

Or they're going to take the store.

Easy, easy.

Bring her inside.

Jason, keep everybody out. And keep on playing.

Buffalo gals, won't you come out tonight?

Come out tonight, come out tonight

Buffalo gals, won't you come out tonight?

And dance by the light of the moon

A s I was walking down the street Down the street, down the street

I was dreaming of Doe Hill.

Oh, Olivia.

You're all right, Corabeth. Just fainted again.

We're destitute.

How'd you get in this fix anyway, Ike?

Oh, I found an ad in the paper for an auction.

Refrigerators.

I bought 50 of them.

Now I see why they're so cheap. They don't work.

How much cash you in for?

$750.

We borrowed from the Mercantile Bank

and put up the store as collateral for a short-term loan.

Well, if we all put our heads together, maybe we can figure something out.

Ruination don't bother me the way it does some, because I see more of it,

being in business with my mother.

The main thing, Ike, like that man in the White House said,

there's nothing to fear but fear itself.

That's true.

And, of course, the Mercantile Bank and Trust Company.

They can't get blood out of a turnip.

No, but they can get the turnip.

$750 is a lot of money,

but it shouldn't be enough to ruin a man.

John Martin, isn't there some way Ike could

borrow the $750 and pay back the bank?

Oh, there's no way. I've got nothing I can borrow on.

He's got no collateral, Liv.

I'm sorry to say, John, but that's not quite true.

You mean I got collateral? What collateral?

John Walton.

John Walton?

John?

Whatever are you talking about, John Martin?

Well, figure two years at five percent.

No, I couldn't ask John.

That comes to thirty-two dollars and ninety cents a month.

Even if you were stuck with the payments,

that's $2.98 a month less than you were paying on your bank loan.

Are you saying I should mortgage the sawmill again?

No, I couldn't ask you folks to do that.

My mother is a mean, tight, hard-nosed businesswoman.

She's known John longer than you have, Olivia.

If Ike Godsey signs a note,

and the signature John Walton is underneath,

that's the soundest collateral she can get anywhere in the country.

John, we've got to discuss this.

Excuse us.

I do not see why we have to haul Ike and Corabeth out of debt.

Olivia, I didn't say I was gonna do anything.

It's the first time you haven't had that loan hanging over your head.

You should use that money for yourself. Get some enjoyment out of life.

Liv, how could we enjoy the Grand Canyon,

knowing that Ike and Corabeth were ruined and we could have saved them?

It was their greed that got them into it.

Liv,

if the shoe were on the other foot, wouldn't they do the same for us?

No, they wouldn't.

Then let's put it this way.

What's the Christian thing to do?

Well, I guess co-signing a loan isn't the same as owing the money yourself.

Technically, no.

Technically, yes.

When it comes right down to the heartburn,

I don't know the difference.

John, I don't know how to say...

It's all right, Ike. Don't worry about it.

Thank you.

They're waiting for us outside.

Well, it's been a good day.

And it's been nice having all our friends over to help in this celebration.

But I got to tell you I'm standing here under false pretenses.

Every dog has his day, and I guess today I had mine.

It felt good being free, not owing anybody anything.

I guess that feeling lasted a good 20 minutes.

But I'm here to tell you that I'm back home,

and back in debt, and I don't much care.

I just want everybody to know that John Walton is back in debt again,

but not without a great deal of help from me.

Welcome home, John.

John, it's been a fine day.

We've traveled a long way and we can begin again.

Knock on wood. Reminds me of an old song.

The bear went over the mountain

The bear went over the mountain

- Erin, who is it? - Who is what?

Who's going to marry Hank Buchanan?

Me.

The other side of the mountain Erin.

The other side of the mountain The other side of the mountain

And there it was.

Our parents' great occasion went as quickly as it came.

And this that followed was the moment of meaning, the time for celebration.

Our parents, like our grandfather on that Christmas morning a hundred years ago,

were blessed with one lovely moment of being rich.

And perhaps they knew, like my grandfather,

that they would never be poor again.

This time I mean it. Good night, everybody.

- Hey, Daddy? - What?

That goony Marcia was with the Reverend today.

Remember when John-Boy was chasing after her?

Yes, I do.

Just think. Suppose John-Boy had caught her.

Good night, Jim-Bob.

You know what she'd be saying right now?

"Good night, Mama Walton, good night, Daddy Walton, good night, Jason..."

Goodnight, Jim-Bob.

English -SDH