Bonanza (1959–1973): Season 8, Episode 13 - The Bridegroom - full transcript
ANNOUNCER: The following program
is brought to you in
living color on NBC.
(fanfare plays)
That's not very polite.
Honey, when a man's
been saucerin' for 40 years,
don't try to make
him change his ways.
Isn't that right, Ben?
Wall, Maggie, every
man has his habits.
Not only men. Women do, too.
BEN: Maggie, you, uh...
you starting some kind of habit?
Well, she ain't starting one.
She's got it.
The, uh, spinster habit.
(clears throat)
Maggie, I seem to have
forgotten the cream.
Would you be a good girl
and get it in the kitchen?
Oh, yes, Mr. Cartwright.
What's the matter
with you, Tuck?
Hmm?
If brains were dynamite,
you couldn't blow your nose.
Now what are you talking about?
What am I talking about? The
way you're talking to Maggie.
The things you say to her.
The way you make her feel.
Well, what would you have
me say? That she's a beauty?
That-That a...
hundred fellas are
after courtin' her?
Ban, Maggie's a plain
woman. You know that.
So does Little Joe
here. Isn't that right, Joe?
No, I wouldn't say that.
Then, how come in all
the years you've known her,
you never once
asked her to a social?
Well, it just happened to
work out that way, that's all.
And I suppose you-you think
that that's a nice thing to say,
but that kind of thinking
ain't gonna help Maggie.
Now let's face it...
She ain't got a man now
and she's not
likely to have one.
I swear, i-if I could find
someone who'd have Maggie,
I'd give him my
spread right now.
Come on, I want to go take
a look at those horses, huh?
Yeah, I expect it's a good idea.
Thank you.
Maggie, go get your shawl.
Yes, Pa.
- You know, Tuck, uh...
- Hmm?
Jared has some, uh,
pretty good horses.
We got five mares
a couple of days ago.
As a matter of fact, I
think he's got just about
the best string of horses
this part of the country.
See you later, Pa.
Good-bye, Mr. Cartwright.
Oh, Ben, you're real
lucky to have had all boys.
My thanks for the coffee.
(theme song playing)
- Hello, Little Joe.
- You know Mr. Dowling here, of course.
Oh, sure. Jared and
I know each other.
He used to be over
at our place all the time
moonin' over Maggie.
You remember that, honey?
Yeah, you two were really
sweet on each other, weren't you?
Well, that was a long time ago.
- Hello, Maggie.
- Hello, Jared.
Yeah, that was a long time ago.
Are them the horses
you got to sell?
Uh... yeah. Yeah,
those are the ones.
Little Joe, what do you think?
Well, let me get a
closer look at 'em.
Hey, this place is
getting a little run-down,
isn't it, Jared?
Yeah. Well, I... I'm here
by myself, you know.
I'm not much of
one for appearances.
Oh, I know how it is.
Yeah, it sure is tough
when your missus passes on.
I know. Oh, I know.
Felt that way when
my Betsy went.
It really isn't right
for a man to be alone.
You know, a man starts thinking
all sorts of things, uh...
oh, like home cookin'.
You ever miss
home cookin', Jared?
Well, yeah, I guess
I'm not very good
at pots and pans,
that's for sure.
Oh, I know just what you mean.
You know what you ought to do?
You ought to stop over
our place some night.
Why, my Maggie, she can
do wonders in the kitchen.
- A-And she's very good at sewing, too.
- Yeah.
Oh, my, yes, she can sew.
Now take a look at this...
this blouse and skirt
that she's wearing now.
Well, never in my life have
I seen a blouse and skirt
that looked more
store-bought than this.
But it isn't.
No, sir. Maggie did
all of this all by herself.
Didn't you, honey? Huh?
And it's just cheap cotton.
None of this alpaca
fancy stuff for Maggie.
Yeah, well, I-I can
see it, Mr. Dowling.
Come on, just-just touch that.
- Oh.
- It's only cotton.
Yeah.
Now, a woman who
can sew that good...
Not to mention cooking...
Well, she can save a man
- an awful lot of...
- Hey, Mr. Dowling.
You come on out
here and take a look.
Oh, yeah, yeah. I guess
I'd better get over there.
That's a good looking animal.
Mm-hmm.
You sure picked
a winner, Maggie.
Just about the best
horse on the place.
Sure is beautiful.
Oh, no, not that.
Strong, maybe,
or handsome, but...
beautiful, that's a
word for women.
Still, there ain't many females
that can spot a good horse
like this one, so, if you
want to call him beautiful,
you just go right ahead.
(soft laugh)
You're beautiful.
What's his name?
Stupid.
Huh?
Oh. Well, that wasn't
his name to start with,
but... but, uh, he was
so darned ornery at first
that I-I just kept
calling him stupid,
and the name stuck and...
and he answers to it ever since.
(laughs)
Hey, Jared.
They're fine-lookin' animals.
Why don't you come over
tonight and we can talk about it?
And, uh, maybe Maggie
can fix you one of her specials
like I was tellin' you about?
I tell you, it's just what
the doctor ordered.
Do you a world of good.
Well, why can't we
settle up right now?
Joe, would you take
me for a ride, please?
Sure enough.
Mr. Dowling, Maggie and I
are gonna take a little ride
while you and Jared settle up.
You mind if we
borrow your horse?
No. No, you go ahead, Joe.
Oh, Maggie, uh, why
don't you stay around here
for a little while? Then
- maybe, uh, you and Jared can...
- No, Pa.
I want to go for a ride. I'll
meet you back at the house.
If you like that horse,
I'll buy it for you.
Oh, that horse isn't
for sale, Mr. Dowling.
Would you like to go
in and settle up now?
Yeah, I guess so.
It's pretty, isn't it?
It sure is.
Be even prettier in your hair.
I'm afraid I couldn't
stand the competition.
Come on, now
you're talking silly.
You know, back there
at Jared's, he said that...
that "beautiful" is a woman's
word, but he's wrong.
It doesn't apply to all women.
I'm plain, Joe.
I'm the kind of-of girl
that pretty girls like
as their best friend.
Well... No, don't say anything.
I'm not fishing for
any compliments.
It's just the way...
Papa carries on so, sometimes.
Sometimes I...
I just needed a
friend to talk to.
You know what I mean?
Yeah, I know what you mean.
Even my name... It's Maggie.
It's not Margaret, you know?
It's Maggie.
It says right there on my
birth certificate, "Maggie."
There.
That's very dashing, sir.
Yeah, well, I still think
it'd be prettier in your hair.
You know, I think I'm
gonna walk home, Joe.
It's not very far, and...
Would you take my horse back?
Whatever you want.
Thank you for everything.
(bird singing)
Where's Maggie?
Well, she was close to home.
- She decided to walk.
- Oh.
Thanks for bringing
the horse, Little Joe,
but you could've dropped
him off at Dowling's place.
He's one of the
bunch I sold to him.
Oh, I thought you weren't
going to sell this one.
Well, he made me
such a good offer, I...
Well, you know, it will
keep the wolves away
for a little while.
Things are that rough, huh?
Yeah.
It just doesn't mean
much anymore,
keeping the place
up with her gone.
Gosh, you know, Jared,
you're not doing
yourself any good
just staying out here
alone all the time.
We never see you
in town anymore.
You know, Maggie and I
were talking about it and...
Now, look, Little Joe,
don't you start in on me.
Tuck's been doing
the same thing.
Maggie this and Maggie that...
Jared, I wasn't going to
start in on you about anything.
I know what you're going to say.
She's a real nice girl.
But even if she were
interested in me, I...
I'm in no position
to get married.
Look, I wasn't going to say
anything about getting married.
Look.
There's one grave out
in that back pasture.
And there's never
gonna be another one.
(clicks tongue)
(knocking at door)
Why, hello, Jared.
Won't you come in?
Uh, I just put
Stupid in the stable.
I want to thank you,
Jared, so very much
for letting Pa buy
that horse for me.
There's one thing I
wanted to ask you.
Yes?
You don't have any mice
in that stable, do you?
Beg pardon?
Well, he's scared of mice.
Oh.
No. No, we don't have any mice.
Well, I guess I'd
better be going.
Would you like a cup of coffee?
There's some hot.
And Pa's upstairs taking a nap.
What's that got to do with
me having a cup of coffee?
Nothing. I-I just
mentioned it, that's all.
Go ahead, sit down.
Well, maybe half a cup.
Okay.
What do you take in it, Jared?
Oh, just-just black.
Hope it's not too strong.
It's been on the
stove for a little while.
Oh, it's just fine.
How do you know?
You haven't tasted it yet.
Oh.
Yeah, that's just fine.
- You...
- You know...
- You go... go...
- Go ahead.
(Maggie laughs)
Well, I-I was gonna say, uh,
you know, most-most
women just don't know
how to make a
good cup of coffee.
Thank you.
My wife used to
make it real good.
Well, this is real good, too.
Now, what were you gonna say?
I was just thinking about the...
the church picnic
that we went to.
Yeah, that was
the Fourth of July.
That just seems like yesterday,
to me at least.
That was a long time ago.
Um...
I might be a poor
man, Maggie, but...
but I got no business
sitting around drinking coffee
when there's chores to do.
- I...
- I'm much obliged to you.
I'm sorry you have to
leave so soon, Jared.
So am I.
That's the way it's got to be.
Mmm.
I thank you, Maggie.
And my sweet tooth thanks you.
Be back in a little while.
- (clears his throat)
- Where you going, Pa?
Oh, I'm just going
out to Jared's on a...
- Oh, talk some business.
- What kind of business?
Well, he had a couple of mares.
I could have bought them before,
but I thought I'd let
him stew a little while.
Then I'd see if he could let 'em
go at a more reasonable price.
Well, you know your old
pa's way of doing business.
Oh, Pa, you're
gonna go out there
and try to talk him
into courting me.
Now why don't you admit it?
Maggie... you just tell me this.
You want to get married?
- Yes.
- You like Jared?
Mm-hmm.
I'm just gonna go over
and talk about those mares.
See you later, girl.
Jared, I-I know mourning
is-is right and proper,
but a man can overdo it.
Your wife's been dead
for over two years now.
Of course, if you're
bound and determined
to let this place
run into the ground,
I don't guess nobody could
stop you or would want to.
Way you're going now,
that's gonna happen.
Selling your stock,
neglecting this place.
Ed Sykes was saying
that, uh, they were being
mighty lenient down at the bank
about you being behind
$600 in your payments.
How about you minding your
own business, Tuck Dowling?
This is my business.
Suppose I was to say to you,
"Jared, I'm paying
off that note."
What would you say to that?
(laughing): Well... well...
Well, I'd say you were crazy,
or else it was
some kind of a trick.
Well, I'm not crazy,
and it's no trick.
What's in it for you, Tuck?
You know, even
before Martha died,
this wasn't that good a spread.
You're just wasting your money.
I'm not talking about money.
But money can solve the problem.
Well, what problem?
Two lonely people
who want to listen to another
heartbeat beside their own.
You and Maggie.
The only thing stopping you
from taking a wife
is money, am I right?
I know that. Maggie knows that.
We talked it over between us.
(sighs)
Besides, there's
nothing dishonorable
about taking a loan
from a father-in-law.
Does, uh, Maggie
know about this?
Yeah, we talked it over, we did.
We're having a
small party, Jared.
Give you and Maggie
a chance to talk it over.
Good night.
(laughter and chatter)
(band playing)
- (laughter)
- Sure is a good party.
Well, you just watch.
Gonna get a lot better.
(song ends, applause)
Thank you. Thank you, folks.
Now, come on, gather around.
I got a very special
announcement to make.
Now, some of you are
wondering, how come the fiddlers?
How come the
grub and the drinks?
Well, I told my Maggie,
I was doing it because
it seemed to me
that we need a
little more sociality
here at the Dowling house.
(Maggie laughs)
But that's only a part of it.
Got a surprise for you.
Got a surprise for
Maggie, comes to that.
Jared Wilson, you come out here.
- Come on, Jared.
- (crowd murmuring)
Jared Wilson comes to
my house the other day,
and like the honorable
man that he is,
he come straight
out and asked me
for the hand of my Maggie
in holy matrimony.
- Mr. Dowling...
- I hated to lose her,
but I couldn't say no
to Jared, so I gave my consent.
Folks, you'll be glad to
hear that the ceremony
- will be performed...
- No, Pa!
(crowd chatter)
He hasn't even asked me yet.
Maggie, don't make
your old pa look like a fool.
Make... make you look like...?
Pa, he hasn't even asked me yet.
TUCK: Maggie, I went to a
great deal of trouble to do this.
I spent $600 to pay
for his mortgage.
(crowd murmuring)
(Maggie cries quietly)
Oh.
TUCK: You come
back here, Miss Maggie!
Yes, Miss Maggie,
and proud of it!
Now, what did I do wrong?
Why is she so mad?
(crowd murmuring)
Where you going, Little Joe?
Have some punch.
I'll be back in a minute.
(crowd murmuring)
(sniffling)
(crying)
Oh.
Joe, he tried to... to
sell me like I was...
like a-a... a cow.
What does he think I am?
Haven't I got any feelings?
Oh, I wish I were dead.
I'm so homely.
Maggie.
Maggie.
Maggie, you're not homely.
Oh, Joe, I am.
And everyone says I am.
Who says you are?
(sniffles)
Pa.
Pa says so.
All the kids I went
to school with.
Don't tease me, Joe.
You're the only friend
I have in the world.
Now, look, you listen
to me... I'm not teasing.
I'm just trying to
make you see the truth.
I do see it.
That's the trouble.
What other girl's father
would be so anxious
to get rid of her that he'd...
he'd pay a man to... to
take her off his hands, huh?
Nobody wants me, Joe.
I know that.
I'm not blind.
Well, I think you're blind.
I think you're blind, I
think your father's blind,
I think everybody
in this town is blind.
Maggie, you can be
pretty, but you have to try.
Oh, Joe.
Maybe tomorrow I'll
wake up and I'll be pretty.
Good morning, honey.
How you feeling this morning?
How do you expect
me to feel, Pa?
Oh, Maggie, about last night...
Look, Pa, I don't
want to talk about it.
All right, you don't want
to talk about it, but I do.
I've got to.
Maggie, now, what
happened last night,
it's because...
for a woman, there
are certain things
that are purely natural, uh...
and one of them is... is
having a man to tend for
and raising a family.
I remember how your mama
looked after she had you.
She was a woman coming to bloom,
as lovely as anything
God ever dreamed of, and...
and... that's what
I want for you now.
Don't you see that?
Yes, I-I-I understand
all that, Pa.
But there's just one thing
I don't quite understand.
Well, what's that, honey?
Just ask me.
Were you-you planning
on-on selling me
by how tall I am
or by the pound?
Look, Pa.
I'm leaving here now.
I'm going over to
the Cartwrights'.
And I'm gonna ask Mr. Cartwright
if he'll recommend me
for the school teaching
job over at Liston Wells.
And, Pa?
I don't want to
live here anymore.
(door opens)
(door closes)
Just don't understand
that Tuck at all.
(speaks indistinctly)
He still doesn't understand
what he did wrong.
Can't figure out
why Maggie ran out.
(chuckles) I'd like
to tell him why.
Well, what good would that do?
I tried to tell him
the other day.
What you're trying to say is
I ought to stay out of it, right?
Well, no, I'm not,
uh, not saying that.
No, but that's what
you're thinking.
(Ben mutters)
And you're probably right.
Just that Maggie's such
a nice person, and I...
Of course she's a nice person.
She's a wonderful person.
Oh, and I suppose...
well, Tuck isn't bad.
He's, you know, he's
looking out for Maggie.
Aw, come on, Pa.
He's not looking out for Maggie.
He's looking out for himself.
Worried about his own
peace of mind, not hers.
Well.
I'd better get to work.
Yeah.
Hey, Bill, saddle up
my horse, will you?
Howdy.
Hello, Mr. Cartwright.
Morning, Joe.
Well, uh, what brings
you out this way?
Well... I've been wondering, uh,
are they still looking
for a schoolteacher
over at Liston Wells?
Yeah, well, uh, as
far as I know they are.
Uh, Maggie, you know, they...
they don't pay too well.
Well, I'd like to apply
for the job, Mr. Cartwright,
and it-it doesn't much
matter what the pay is.
Ah, well... I suppose
I could write a,
write a letter to
Frank Pearsall for you.
He sort of runs
things over there.
I certainly would appreciate it.
Well, uh, why don't I write it
right now while you're here?
Oh, I'd be mighty grateful.
And then, and then I could
drive over this afternoon.
Fine.
I'll, uh, I'll go in
and write the letter.
Thank you very
much, Mr. Cartwright.
You really want to leave, huh?
I've made up my mind, Joe.
At least I'll...
I'll be useful teaching school.
And you've got yourself
convinced that's what you want?
I have very little
pride left, Joe.
And leave me a
little bit, will you?
What I'm trying to say, Maggie,
is there are other
men besides Jared.
But not for me.
And how do you know that?
Because I know!
I can't just sit around
and wait and wait
for something to happen that is
never gonna happen.
And I don't want
anything like last night
to ever happen again.
Maggie, will you stop
feeling sorry for yourself
just once?
I am not feeling
sorry for myself!
Oh, yes, you are.
Look, if you want the
hard rock facts, Maggie,
you are not married
because you don't want to be.
You just want to sit around
and wait for somebody
to come along
and say, "I love you,
Maggie. I want to marry you."
And in the meantime,
they're passing you by.
Not because you're homely.
But because they don't see you.
What choice have I got?
What else can I do?
Well, you can stop being
the wilting violet for one thing.
Go out and find the man you want
and let him know it.
Look, we're friends,
aren't we, Maggie?
You know we are, Joe.
All right, then forget Jared.
He's a weakling or he
never would've gone along
with your father
in the first place.
Forget him.
He's not worth it.
Don't say that, Joe Cartwright.
Jared... Jared
may have his faults,
but he is not a weakling.
And I refuse to allow
anyone... Even you...
To run him down in my hearing!
Well, it's gonna be pretty
tough to hear anything about him
from Liston School.
You found the man
you want, Maggie.
Make him see you.
Go after him, Maggie.
(horse trotting nearby)
Go after him.
(both laughing)
Morning, Little Joe.
Oh, good morning, Jared.
Morning, Maggie.
Good morning, Jared.
I didn't know you were here.
- I come on business.
- Hmm.
I'm here to see you
or your pa, Little Joe.
You know them horses
you bought off me?
- Yeah, what about them?
- (Maggie humming a tune)
Well, I want to buy them back.
If you or your pa let me.
Gee, your hair looks
pretty down like that.
Well, you can't run a ranch
without stock, can you?
Hmm? Oh, no, no.
I suppose you can't.
I finally decided
to fix my place up
and get it back to where it was.
Well, maybe even
better than it was.
Yeah, that sounds
terrific, Jared.
Doesn't it, Maggie?
(short gasp) Mm.
(footsteps approaching)
- Jared.
- Morning, sir.
Morning. Here's
your letter, Maggie.
Oh, I'm afraid I won't be
needing it now, Mr. Cartwright.
Yeah?
But I-I do apologize
for putting you to
so much trouble.
Well, it's no trouble, Maggie.
It's just, uh, well, well,
are-aren't you interested...?
Hey, Pa, uh, Jared here wants
to buy those horses back again.
Oh, yeah?
Yes, sir, I... I figure I need
them more than I do the money.
BEN: Oh. Well, sure.
Of course, uh,
you can have them.
Matter of fact they're
in the corral, uh...
Joe hasn't even had a
chance to work on them yet.
(quietly): I'm figuring on
building my place back up.
Hmm?
(louder): I'm figuring on
building my place back up.
BEN: Oh, yeah, well, that's a...
that-that's a good idea.
Uh, well, I'll, uh,
I'll get a couple
fellas to help you.
I'll be expecting you
for supper now, Joe,
at 7:30.
Oh, don't worry, I-I
wouldn't miss it for the world.
And don't forget we have a
date to go riding tomorrow at 1:00.
(Maggie mumbles)
Oh, uh, g-good luck
with the place, Jared.
Yeah.
Oh.
Pa?
I'll do that.
Oh, Maggie, I
thought you'd gone.
Well, did you take
everything I said seriously?
Did you?
Well, you sure sounded serious.
Pa, you know something?
You don't know the
first thing about women.
Why, now, you go
over there and sit down.
And, and I'm gonna
clean everything up
because we are having
a guest for supper.
Who's coming to supper?
Little Joe Cartwright.
Oh.
Oh?
Why are we riding
by Jared's ranch?
Oh, are we?
(laughs) You know we are.
Hey, Jared.
See you at the dance tonight.
- (lively music playing)
- (indistinct chatter)
(Maggie laughs)
Oh, I had a wonderful
time, Little Joe.
Well, so did I.
Never danced that
much in all my life.
But you were the best
dancer on the floor.
And the prettiest.
(clears his throat)
Thank you.
- Good night.
- Good night.
(whistling)
♪♪
(humming a tune)
(door opens)
Oh.
Hello, Pa.
Pa, what's the matter?
What's the matter?
Oh, it's nothing, uh...
For a minute there, you
were the image of your mother.
- God rest her soul.
- Oh.
You're out kind of late.
Mm-hmm.
I had a wonderful time, Pa.
We just danced and danced.
And... it was just glorious.
"Glorious," huh?
Has that Cartwright
boy proposed to you yet?
Oh, no, Pa.
He hasn't, huh?
No.
I'm beginning to wonder
about his intentions.
Joe Cartwright is a gentleman.
He's a fine and decent man.
He's my friend.
And he's fun to be with.
And I don't care what
his intentions are.
Well, you may not
care, young lady.
But I'm your father
and I care plenty.
Well, at least you
don't have to buy him
to make him pay attention to me.
That's exactly what bothers me.
He's a rich, handsome lad.
He can have any girl in the
territory at the bat of an eye.
What's he doing paying court
to a homely thing like you?
Answer me that.
I'm not homely, Pa.
Maggie.
(crying): Why do you...?
Why do you hate me?
What have I ever done
to make you hate me, Pa?
I don't hate you, girl.
I just want to do my
duty as your father.
My father.
All my life...
you made me feel ashamed, Pa.
You made me feel like
something that should be,
you know, swept
underneath the rug.
Why don't you
leave me alone, Pa?
Why don't you let
me live my own life?
You really think
young Cartwright's
courting you seriously?
Yes, I do.
Well, I'll be hanged.
(door closes)
(sniffles)
(sobbing)
Afternoon, Cosmo.
Oh, howdy, Tuck.
Hmm.
Well, you're a long
way from your place.
I heard tell how you're
starting to spruce it up again.
Can't do much sprucing
from the back end of a saloon.
Well, a man can't work
all the time, now, can he?
Yeah, that's a fact.
Cosmo, a bottle.
Now, me, I'm doing a little, uh,
private celebrating.
You heard the news
about, uh, my Maggie?
What I mean is,
her turning you down
and Little Joe
comes courting her.
I-I got to keep pinching myself.
(chuckles) I never
thought Maggie
would catch
herself a Cartwright.
You know, between you,
me and the, uh, bar rail,
I just can't quite
figure out Little Joe.
Can you?
It ain't as though he couldn't
get something
better for himself.
Now, you get one thing
straight, Tuck Dowling.
No man in this territory could
do better then Miss Maggie,
and if you weren't her pa,
I'd teach you a lesson.
TUCK: You going to be at
the Ponderosa Saturday?
They're having, uh,
a big party for Maggie.
I thought sure you'd be invited.
Well, let me know as soon
as those supplies come in,
- will you? Right.
- I sure will.
Hey, wait a minute.
You got any... you
got any perfume?
Just got a shipment in.
Bring me a couple
of bottles, will you?
Right.
Thank you. Thank you.
Hey, uh, Jared.
Jared, just-just the
man I want to see.
- Is that a fact?
- Yeah, yeah.
See, uh, see, I wanted to
give one of these to Maggie.
What are they?
Perfume.
Perfume for the,
for the party tonight.
You know, it's kind
of a special occasion...
Yeah, why? Why is it so special?
Well, parties are
special, aren't they?
Well, if you say so.
Look, look, uh, take
a little sniff of this.
This one is uh, this
one's called Blue Lilac.
Nice, huh?
Uh-huh. Yeah, nice.
Now, wait till you
get a load of this one.
This is the one, I think.
Yeah, what's that called?
Surrender. (chuckles)
Huh? Good, huh?
Now, which one do you think?
Maggie ain't the kind of
gal that wears perfume.
Ah, come on now, Jared,
any women's the kind of
woman to wear perfume.
Hey, now, look, you know,
you're invited to
the party tonight.
Thanks.
I think I'll go with
the Surrender!
(muttering): Yeah.
"Never thought she'd
catch herself a Cartwright."
Oh, no.
"Big party for Maggie."
"Why, I thought
they'd invite you."
Yeah.
"Big party for Maggie."
(sighs)
Party.
(band playing)
(sighs)
The air smells really
good, doesn't it?
Mm-hmm.
All right, what's the matter?
Nothing.
I was just wondering
what time it's getting to be.
Oh.
He'll be here.
Do you really think so, Joe?
I know so.
Oh, but maybe you're wrong.
But, Maggie, if you would
have seen him in town today,
you wouldn't say that.
Oh, maybe it was
all a mistake, Joe.
(sighs)
Don't tell me wilting
violets are in season again.
No.
No, they're not.
- Ah.
- Tuck.
Oh, Ben.
(chuckles)
You're, uh, missing
some good punch inside.
Oh, I ain't missing a thing.
And Maggie sure looks
beautiful tonight, doesn't she?
Oh, she sure does.
Hey, when is a good time
to make the announcement?
Uh, June's a good
time, don't you think?
Well, I'm not quite sure
what you mean, Tuck.
What announcement?
The marriage, Maggie and Joe.
(chuckles)
Well, Joe hasn't said
anything to me yet.
Well, Joe's shy.
He is?
Well, it don't make sense,
you being the reluctant one.
The father of the
bride's got to pay.
Yeah.
You know, you are the
sweetest and dearest friend
that a girl ever had.
And if I were...
(whispering): What's the matter?
(singsongy): He's here.
What's he doing?
Well, he's kind of
sitting there, staring.
Hey, look there.
What's he doing here?
Well, he was, uh, he
was invited by Little Joe.
Don't young folks have
any sense anymore?
Oh, I can't believe it.
(chuckles)
Now what's he doing?
He's still staring.
He looks madder than a wet hen.
He does?
Oh.
(chuckles)
Oh.
Maggie!
(gasps)
LITTLE JOE: Oh, hi, Jared.
Oh, Joe.
He just got off the wagon.
What's he doing?
Well, here he comes.
- Oh.
- Just relax.
Just relax. (sniffing)
- (giggles)
- Oh, Maggie,
that-that perfume is just
beautiful, that Surren...
Cartwright, I've known
you for a long time.
But I never thought you'd
stoop to anything so low.
What are you talking about?
You know what I'm talking about!
Oh, Jared, didn't I
invite you to the party?
That's not what I mean.
- Jared...
- Stay out of this.
You had this coming
for a long time.
Oh, Jared!
You stop it! Now, you stop it!
Jared, you are, - you're a...
- Go ahead.
Go ahead and say it.
I don't care what you call me.
I'm not going to stand by
and let Joe Cartwright
court the woman I love!
You love?
Well, I... If you'd
given me half a chance,
I'd have... I'd told you before.
And you, if you'd kept
your big nose out of it,
none of this would
have happened.
Maggie, I never accepted
any money from your pa.
Oh, sure, sure,
he offered it to me,
but I never took it.
(sighs)
Maggie.
Doggone it.
Well, you gonna let me
take you home or not?
Now make up your mind.
Oh, I'd be proud
to have you take me
home, Jared Wilson.
(chuckles)
Uh, I'm sorry, Little Joe.
Guess I kind of lost my temper.
Well... looks like
the best man won.
(exhales)
(laughs)
I don't understand it.
I never thought Maggie'd
be the kind of woman
that men would fight over.
Yeah.
If you stopped talking so much,
it would have happened
a long time ago.
Well, I'll be hanged.
Hey, wait till I tell everyone
about this development.
Joseph, let me buy you a punch.
I'll drink to that.
(chuckles)
ANNOUNCER: This has
been a color production
of the NBC Television Network.
is brought to you in
living color on NBC.
(fanfare plays)
That's not very polite.
Honey, when a man's
been saucerin' for 40 years,
don't try to make
him change his ways.
Isn't that right, Ben?
Wall, Maggie, every
man has his habits.
Not only men. Women do, too.
BEN: Maggie, you, uh...
you starting some kind of habit?
Well, she ain't starting one.
She's got it.
The, uh, spinster habit.
(clears throat)
Maggie, I seem to have
forgotten the cream.
Would you be a good girl
and get it in the kitchen?
Oh, yes, Mr. Cartwright.
What's the matter
with you, Tuck?
Hmm?
If brains were dynamite,
you couldn't blow your nose.
Now what are you talking about?
What am I talking about? The
way you're talking to Maggie.
The things you say to her.
The way you make her feel.
Well, what would you have
me say? That she's a beauty?
That-That a...
hundred fellas are
after courtin' her?
Ban, Maggie's a plain
woman. You know that.
So does Little Joe
here. Isn't that right, Joe?
No, I wouldn't say that.
Then, how come in all
the years you've known her,
you never once
asked her to a social?
Well, it just happened to
work out that way, that's all.
And I suppose you-you think
that that's a nice thing to say,
but that kind of thinking
ain't gonna help Maggie.
Now let's face it...
She ain't got a man now
and she's not
likely to have one.
I swear, i-if I could find
someone who'd have Maggie,
I'd give him my
spread right now.
Come on, I want to go take
a look at those horses, huh?
Yeah, I expect it's a good idea.
Thank you.
Maggie, go get your shawl.
Yes, Pa.
- You know, Tuck, uh...
- Hmm?
Jared has some, uh,
pretty good horses.
We got five mares
a couple of days ago.
As a matter of fact, I
think he's got just about
the best string of horses
this part of the country.
See you later, Pa.
Good-bye, Mr. Cartwright.
Oh, Ben, you're real
lucky to have had all boys.
My thanks for the coffee.
(theme song playing)
- Hello, Little Joe.
- You know Mr. Dowling here, of course.
Oh, sure. Jared and
I know each other.
He used to be over
at our place all the time
moonin' over Maggie.
You remember that, honey?
Yeah, you two were really
sweet on each other, weren't you?
Well, that was a long time ago.
- Hello, Maggie.
- Hello, Jared.
Yeah, that was a long time ago.
Are them the horses
you got to sell?
Uh... yeah. Yeah,
those are the ones.
Little Joe, what do you think?
Well, let me get a
closer look at 'em.
Hey, this place is
getting a little run-down,
isn't it, Jared?
Yeah. Well, I... I'm here
by myself, you know.
I'm not much of
one for appearances.
Oh, I know how it is.
Yeah, it sure is tough
when your missus passes on.
I know. Oh, I know.
Felt that way when
my Betsy went.
It really isn't right
for a man to be alone.
You know, a man starts thinking
all sorts of things, uh...
oh, like home cookin'.
You ever miss
home cookin', Jared?
Well, yeah, I guess
I'm not very good
at pots and pans,
that's for sure.
Oh, I know just what you mean.
You know what you ought to do?
You ought to stop over
our place some night.
Why, my Maggie, she can
do wonders in the kitchen.
- A-And she's very good at sewing, too.
- Yeah.
Oh, my, yes, she can sew.
Now take a look at this...
this blouse and skirt
that she's wearing now.
Well, never in my life have
I seen a blouse and skirt
that looked more
store-bought than this.
But it isn't.
No, sir. Maggie did
all of this all by herself.
Didn't you, honey? Huh?
And it's just cheap cotton.
None of this alpaca
fancy stuff for Maggie.
Yeah, well, I-I can
see it, Mr. Dowling.
Come on, just-just touch that.
- Oh.
- It's only cotton.
Yeah.
Now, a woman who
can sew that good...
Not to mention cooking...
Well, she can save a man
- an awful lot of...
- Hey, Mr. Dowling.
You come on out
here and take a look.
Oh, yeah, yeah. I guess
I'd better get over there.
That's a good looking animal.
Mm-hmm.
You sure picked
a winner, Maggie.
Just about the best
horse on the place.
Sure is beautiful.
Oh, no, not that.
Strong, maybe,
or handsome, but...
beautiful, that's a
word for women.
Still, there ain't many females
that can spot a good horse
like this one, so, if you
want to call him beautiful,
you just go right ahead.
(soft laugh)
You're beautiful.
What's his name?
Stupid.
Huh?
Oh. Well, that wasn't
his name to start with,
but... but, uh, he was
so darned ornery at first
that I-I just kept
calling him stupid,
and the name stuck and...
and he answers to it ever since.
(laughs)
Hey, Jared.
They're fine-lookin' animals.
Why don't you come over
tonight and we can talk about it?
And, uh, maybe Maggie
can fix you one of her specials
like I was tellin' you about?
I tell you, it's just what
the doctor ordered.
Do you a world of good.
Well, why can't we
settle up right now?
Joe, would you take
me for a ride, please?
Sure enough.
Mr. Dowling, Maggie and I
are gonna take a little ride
while you and Jared settle up.
You mind if we
borrow your horse?
No. No, you go ahead, Joe.
Oh, Maggie, uh, why
don't you stay around here
for a little while? Then
- maybe, uh, you and Jared can...
- No, Pa.
I want to go for a ride. I'll
meet you back at the house.
If you like that horse,
I'll buy it for you.
Oh, that horse isn't
for sale, Mr. Dowling.
Would you like to go
in and settle up now?
Yeah, I guess so.
It's pretty, isn't it?
It sure is.
Be even prettier in your hair.
I'm afraid I couldn't
stand the competition.
Come on, now
you're talking silly.
You know, back there
at Jared's, he said that...
that "beautiful" is a woman's
word, but he's wrong.
It doesn't apply to all women.
I'm plain, Joe.
I'm the kind of-of girl
that pretty girls like
as their best friend.
Well... No, don't say anything.
I'm not fishing for
any compliments.
It's just the way...
Papa carries on so, sometimes.
Sometimes I...
I just needed a
friend to talk to.
You know what I mean?
Yeah, I know what you mean.
Even my name... It's Maggie.
It's not Margaret, you know?
It's Maggie.
It says right there on my
birth certificate, "Maggie."
There.
That's very dashing, sir.
Yeah, well, I still think
it'd be prettier in your hair.
You know, I think I'm
gonna walk home, Joe.
It's not very far, and...
Would you take my horse back?
Whatever you want.
Thank you for everything.
(bird singing)
Where's Maggie?
Well, she was close to home.
- She decided to walk.
- Oh.
Thanks for bringing
the horse, Little Joe,
but you could've dropped
him off at Dowling's place.
He's one of the
bunch I sold to him.
Oh, I thought you weren't
going to sell this one.
Well, he made me
such a good offer, I...
Well, you know, it will
keep the wolves away
for a little while.
Things are that rough, huh?
Yeah.
It just doesn't mean
much anymore,
keeping the place
up with her gone.
Gosh, you know, Jared,
you're not doing
yourself any good
just staying out here
alone all the time.
We never see you
in town anymore.
You know, Maggie and I
were talking about it and...
Now, look, Little Joe,
don't you start in on me.
Tuck's been doing
the same thing.
Maggie this and Maggie that...
Jared, I wasn't going to
start in on you about anything.
I know what you're going to say.
She's a real nice girl.
But even if she were
interested in me, I...
I'm in no position
to get married.
Look, I wasn't going to say
anything about getting married.
Look.
There's one grave out
in that back pasture.
And there's never
gonna be another one.
(clicks tongue)
(knocking at door)
Why, hello, Jared.
Won't you come in?
Uh, I just put
Stupid in the stable.
I want to thank you,
Jared, so very much
for letting Pa buy
that horse for me.
There's one thing I
wanted to ask you.
Yes?
You don't have any mice
in that stable, do you?
Beg pardon?
Well, he's scared of mice.
Oh.
No. No, we don't have any mice.
Well, I guess I'd
better be going.
Would you like a cup of coffee?
There's some hot.
And Pa's upstairs taking a nap.
What's that got to do with
me having a cup of coffee?
Nothing. I-I just
mentioned it, that's all.
Go ahead, sit down.
Well, maybe half a cup.
Okay.
What do you take in it, Jared?
Oh, just-just black.
Hope it's not too strong.
It's been on the
stove for a little while.
Oh, it's just fine.
How do you know?
You haven't tasted it yet.
Oh.
Yeah, that's just fine.
- You...
- You know...
- You go... go...
- Go ahead.
(Maggie laughs)
Well, I-I was gonna say, uh,
you know, most-most
women just don't know
how to make a
good cup of coffee.
Thank you.
My wife used to
make it real good.
Well, this is real good, too.
Now, what were you gonna say?
I was just thinking about the...
the church picnic
that we went to.
Yeah, that was
the Fourth of July.
That just seems like yesterday,
to me at least.
That was a long time ago.
Um...
I might be a poor
man, Maggie, but...
but I got no business
sitting around drinking coffee
when there's chores to do.
- I...
- I'm much obliged to you.
I'm sorry you have to
leave so soon, Jared.
So am I.
That's the way it's got to be.
Mmm.
I thank you, Maggie.
And my sweet tooth thanks you.
Be back in a little while.
- (clears his throat)
- Where you going, Pa?
Oh, I'm just going
out to Jared's on a...
- Oh, talk some business.
- What kind of business?
Well, he had a couple of mares.
I could have bought them before,
but I thought I'd let
him stew a little while.
Then I'd see if he could let 'em
go at a more reasonable price.
Well, you know your old
pa's way of doing business.
Oh, Pa, you're
gonna go out there
and try to talk him
into courting me.
Now why don't you admit it?
Maggie... you just tell me this.
You want to get married?
- Yes.
- You like Jared?
Mm-hmm.
I'm just gonna go over
and talk about those mares.
See you later, girl.
Jared, I-I know mourning
is-is right and proper,
but a man can overdo it.
Your wife's been dead
for over two years now.
Of course, if you're
bound and determined
to let this place
run into the ground,
I don't guess nobody could
stop you or would want to.
Way you're going now,
that's gonna happen.
Selling your stock,
neglecting this place.
Ed Sykes was saying
that, uh, they were being
mighty lenient down at the bank
about you being behind
$600 in your payments.
How about you minding your
own business, Tuck Dowling?
This is my business.
Suppose I was to say to you,
"Jared, I'm paying
off that note."
What would you say to that?
(laughing): Well... well...
Well, I'd say you were crazy,
or else it was
some kind of a trick.
Well, I'm not crazy,
and it's no trick.
What's in it for you, Tuck?
You know, even
before Martha died,
this wasn't that good a spread.
You're just wasting your money.
I'm not talking about money.
But money can solve the problem.
Well, what problem?
Two lonely people
who want to listen to another
heartbeat beside their own.
You and Maggie.
The only thing stopping you
from taking a wife
is money, am I right?
I know that. Maggie knows that.
We talked it over between us.
(sighs)
Besides, there's
nothing dishonorable
about taking a loan
from a father-in-law.
Does, uh, Maggie
know about this?
Yeah, we talked it over, we did.
We're having a
small party, Jared.
Give you and Maggie
a chance to talk it over.
Good night.
(laughter and chatter)
(band playing)
- (laughter)
- Sure is a good party.
Well, you just watch.
Gonna get a lot better.
(song ends, applause)
Thank you. Thank you, folks.
Now, come on, gather around.
I got a very special
announcement to make.
Now, some of you are
wondering, how come the fiddlers?
How come the
grub and the drinks?
Well, I told my Maggie,
I was doing it because
it seemed to me
that we need a
little more sociality
here at the Dowling house.
(Maggie laughs)
But that's only a part of it.
Got a surprise for you.
Got a surprise for
Maggie, comes to that.
Jared Wilson, you come out here.
- Come on, Jared.
- (crowd murmuring)
Jared Wilson comes to
my house the other day,
and like the honorable
man that he is,
he come straight
out and asked me
for the hand of my Maggie
in holy matrimony.
- Mr. Dowling...
- I hated to lose her,
but I couldn't say no
to Jared, so I gave my consent.
Folks, you'll be glad to
hear that the ceremony
- will be performed...
- No, Pa!
(crowd chatter)
He hasn't even asked me yet.
Maggie, don't make
your old pa look like a fool.
Make... make you look like...?
Pa, he hasn't even asked me yet.
TUCK: Maggie, I went to a
great deal of trouble to do this.
I spent $600 to pay
for his mortgage.
(crowd murmuring)
(Maggie cries quietly)
Oh.
TUCK: You come
back here, Miss Maggie!
Yes, Miss Maggie,
and proud of it!
Now, what did I do wrong?
Why is she so mad?
(crowd murmuring)
Where you going, Little Joe?
Have some punch.
I'll be back in a minute.
(crowd murmuring)
(sniffling)
(crying)
Oh.
Joe, he tried to... to
sell me like I was...
like a-a... a cow.
What does he think I am?
Haven't I got any feelings?
Oh, I wish I were dead.
I'm so homely.
Maggie.
Maggie.
Maggie, you're not homely.
Oh, Joe, I am.
And everyone says I am.
Who says you are?
(sniffles)
Pa.
Pa says so.
All the kids I went
to school with.
Don't tease me, Joe.
You're the only friend
I have in the world.
Now, look, you listen
to me... I'm not teasing.
I'm just trying to
make you see the truth.
I do see it.
That's the trouble.
What other girl's father
would be so anxious
to get rid of her that he'd...
he'd pay a man to... to
take her off his hands, huh?
Nobody wants me, Joe.
I know that.
I'm not blind.
Well, I think you're blind.
I think you're blind, I
think your father's blind,
I think everybody
in this town is blind.
Maggie, you can be
pretty, but you have to try.
Oh, Joe.
Maybe tomorrow I'll
wake up and I'll be pretty.
Good morning, honey.
How you feeling this morning?
How do you expect
me to feel, Pa?
Oh, Maggie, about last night...
Look, Pa, I don't
want to talk about it.
All right, you don't want
to talk about it, but I do.
I've got to.
Maggie, now, what
happened last night,
it's because...
for a woman, there
are certain things
that are purely natural, uh...
and one of them is... is
having a man to tend for
and raising a family.
I remember how your mama
looked after she had you.
She was a woman coming to bloom,
as lovely as anything
God ever dreamed of, and...
and... that's what
I want for you now.
Don't you see that?
Yes, I-I-I understand
all that, Pa.
But there's just one thing
I don't quite understand.
Well, what's that, honey?
Just ask me.
Were you-you planning
on-on selling me
by how tall I am
or by the pound?
Look, Pa.
I'm leaving here now.
I'm going over to
the Cartwrights'.
And I'm gonna ask Mr. Cartwright
if he'll recommend me
for the school teaching
job over at Liston Wells.
And, Pa?
I don't want to
live here anymore.
(door opens)
(door closes)
Just don't understand
that Tuck at all.
(speaks indistinctly)
He still doesn't understand
what he did wrong.
Can't figure out
why Maggie ran out.
(chuckles) I'd like
to tell him why.
Well, what good would that do?
I tried to tell him
the other day.
What you're trying to say is
I ought to stay out of it, right?
Well, no, I'm not,
uh, not saying that.
No, but that's what
you're thinking.
(Ben mutters)
And you're probably right.
Just that Maggie's such
a nice person, and I...
Of course she's a nice person.
She's a wonderful person.
Oh, and I suppose...
well, Tuck isn't bad.
He's, you know, he's
looking out for Maggie.
Aw, come on, Pa.
He's not looking out for Maggie.
He's looking out for himself.
Worried about his own
peace of mind, not hers.
Well.
I'd better get to work.
Yeah.
Hey, Bill, saddle up
my horse, will you?
Howdy.
Hello, Mr. Cartwright.
Morning, Joe.
Well, uh, what brings
you out this way?
Well... I've been wondering, uh,
are they still looking
for a schoolteacher
over at Liston Wells?
Yeah, well, uh, as
far as I know they are.
Uh, Maggie, you know, they...
they don't pay too well.
Well, I'd like to apply
for the job, Mr. Cartwright,
and it-it doesn't much
matter what the pay is.
Ah, well... I suppose
I could write a,
write a letter to
Frank Pearsall for you.
He sort of runs
things over there.
I certainly would appreciate it.
Well, uh, why don't I write it
right now while you're here?
Oh, I'd be mighty grateful.
And then, and then I could
drive over this afternoon.
Fine.
I'll, uh, I'll go in
and write the letter.
Thank you very
much, Mr. Cartwright.
You really want to leave, huh?
I've made up my mind, Joe.
At least I'll...
I'll be useful teaching school.
And you've got yourself
convinced that's what you want?
I have very little
pride left, Joe.
And leave me a
little bit, will you?
What I'm trying to say, Maggie,
is there are other
men besides Jared.
But not for me.
And how do you know that?
Because I know!
I can't just sit around
and wait and wait
for something to happen that is
never gonna happen.
And I don't want
anything like last night
to ever happen again.
Maggie, will you stop
feeling sorry for yourself
just once?
I am not feeling
sorry for myself!
Oh, yes, you are.
Look, if you want the
hard rock facts, Maggie,
you are not married
because you don't want to be.
You just want to sit around
and wait for somebody
to come along
and say, "I love you,
Maggie. I want to marry you."
And in the meantime,
they're passing you by.
Not because you're homely.
But because they don't see you.
What choice have I got?
What else can I do?
Well, you can stop being
the wilting violet for one thing.
Go out and find the man you want
and let him know it.
Look, we're friends,
aren't we, Maggie?
You know we are, Joe.
All right, then forget Jared.
He's a weakling or he
never would've gone along
with your father
in the first place.
Forget him.
He's not worth it.
Don't say that, Joe Cartwright.
Jared... Jared
may have his faults,
but he is not a weakling.
And I refuse to allow
anyone... Even you...
To run him down in my hearing!
Well, it's gonna be pretty
tough to hear anything about him
from Liston School.
You found the man
you want, Maggie.
Make him see you.
Go after him, Maggie.
(horse trotting nearby)
Go after him.
(both laughing)
Morning, Little Joe.
Oh, good morning, Jared.
Morning, Maggie.
Good morning, Jared.
I didn't know you were here.
- I come on business.
- Hmm.
I'm here to see you
or your pa, Little Joe.
You know them horses
you bought off me?
- Yeah, what about them?
- (Maggie humming a tune)
Well, I want to buy them back.
If you or your pa let me.
Gee, your hair looks
pretty down like that.
Well, you can't run a ranch
without stock, can you?
Hmm? Oh, no, no.
I suppose you can't.
I finally decided
to fix my place up
and get it back to where it was.
Well, maybe even
better than it was.
Yeah, that sounds
terrific, Jared.
Doesn't it, Maggie?
(short gasp) Mm.
(footsteps approaching)
- Jared.
- Morning, sir.
Morning. Here's
your letter, Maggie.
Oh, I'm afraid I won't be
needing it now, Mr. Cartwright.
Yeah?
But I-I do apologize
for putting you to
so much trouble.
Well, it's no trouble, Maggie.
It's just, uh, well, well,
are-aren't you interested...?
Hey, Pa, uh, Jared here wants
to buy those horses back again.
Oh, yeah?
Yes, sir, I... I figure I need
them more than I do the money.
BEN: Oh. Well, sure.
Of course, uh,
you can have them.
Matter of fact they're
in the corral, uh...
Joe hasn't even had a
chance to work on them yet.
(quietly): I'm figuring on
building my place back up.
Hmm?
(louder): I'm figuring on
building my place back up.
BEN: Oh, yeah, well, that's a...
that-that's a good idea.
Uh, well, I'll, uh,
I'll get a couple
fellas to help you.
I'll be expecting you
for supper now, Joe,
at 7:30.
Oh, don't worry, I-I
wouldn't miss it for the world.
And don't forget we have a
date to go riding tomorrow at 1:00.
(Maggie mumbles)
Oh, uh, g-good luck
with the place, Jared.
Yeah.
Oh.
Pa?
I'll do that.
Oh, Maggie, I
thought you'd gone.
Well, did you take
everything I said seriously?
Did you?
Well, you sure sounded serious.
Pa, you know something?
You don't know the
first thing about women.
Why, now, you go
over there and sit down.
And, and I'm gonna
clean everything up
because we are having
a guest for supper.
Who's coming to supper?
Little Joe Cartwright.
Oh.
Oh?
Why are we riding
by Jared's ranch?
Oh, are we?
(laughs) You know we are.
Hey, Jared.
See you at the dance tonight.
- (lively music playing)
- (indistinct chatter)
(Maggie laughs)
Oh, I had a wonderful
time, Little Joe.
Well, so did I.
Never danced that
much in all my life.
But you were the best
dancer on the floor.
And the prettiest.
(clears his throat)
Thank you.
- Good night.
- Good night.
(whistling)
♪♪
(humming a tune)
(door opens)
Oh.
Hello, Pa.
Pa, what's the matter?
What's the matter?
Oh, it's nothing, uh...
For a minute there, you
were the image of your mother.
- God rest her soul.
- Oh.
You're out kind of late.
Mm-hmm.
I had a wonderful time, Pa.
We just danced and danced.
And... it was just glorious.
"Glorious," huh?
Has that Cartwright
boy proposed to you yet?
Oh, no, Pa.
He hasn't, huh?
No.
I'm beginning to wonder
about his intentions.
Joe Cartwright is a gentleman.
He's a fine and decent man.
He's my friend.
And he's fun to be with.
And I don't care what
his intentions are.
Well, you may not
care, young lady.
But I'm your father
and I care plenty.
Well, at least you
don't have to buy him
to make him pay attention to me.
That's exactly what bothers me.
He's a rich, handsome lad.
He can have any girl in the
territory at the bat of an eye.
What's he doing paying court
to a homely thing like you?
Answer me that.
I'm not homely, Pa.
Maggie.
(crying): Why do you...?
Why do you hate me?
What have I ever done
to make you hate me, Pa?
I don't hate you, girl.
I just want to do my
duty as your father.
My father.
All my life...
you made me feel ashamed, Pa.
You made me feel like
something that should be,
you know, swept
underneath the rug.
Why don't you
leave me alone, Pa?
Why don't you let
me live my own life?
You really think
young Cartwright's
courting you seriously?
Yes, I do.
Well, I'll be hanged.
(door closes)
(sniffles)
(sobbing)
Afternoon, Cosmo.
Oh, howdy, Tuck.
Hmm.
Well, you're a long
way from your place.
I heard tell how you're
starting to spruce it up again.
Can't do much sprucing
from the back end of a saloon.
Well, a man can't work
all the time, now, can he?
Yeah, that's a fact.
Cosmo, a bottle.
Now, me, I'm doing a little, uh,
private celebrating.
You heard the news
about, uh, my Maggie?
What I mean is,
her turning you down
and Little Joe
comes courting her.
I-I got to keep pinching myself.
(chuckles) I never
thought Maggie
would catch
herself a Cartwright.
You know, between you,
me and the, uh, bar rail,
I just can't quite
figure out Little Joe.
Can you?
It ain't as though he couldn't
get something
better for himself.
Now, you get one thing
straight, Tuck Dowling.
No man in this territory could
do better then Miss Maggie,
and if you weren't her pa,
I'd teach you a lesson.
TUCK: You going to be at
the Ponderosa Saturday?
They're having, uh,
a big party for Maggie.
I thought sure you'd be invited.
Well, let me know as soon
as those supplies come in,
- will you? Right.
- I sure will.
Hey, wait a minute.
You got any... you
got any perfume?
Just got a shipment in.
Bring me a couple
of bottles, will you?
Right.
Thank you. Thank you.
Hey, uh, Jared.
Jared, just-just the
man I want to see.
- Is that a fact?
- Yeah, yeah.
See, uh, see, I wanted to
give one of these to Maggie.
What are they?
Perfume.
Perfume for the,
for the party tonight.
You know, it's kind
of a special occasion...
Yeah, why? Why is it so special?
Well, parties are
special, aren't they?
Well, if you say so.
Look, look, uh, take
a little sniff of this.
This one is uh, this
one's called Blue Lilac.
Nice, huh?
Uh-huh. Yeah, nice.
Now, wait till you
get a load of this one.
This is the one, I think.
Yeah, what's that called?
Surrender. (chuckles)
Huh? Good, huh?
Now, which one do you think?
Maggie ain't the kind of
gal that wears perfume.
Ah, come on now, Jared,
any women's the kind of
woman to wear perfume.
Hey, now, look, you know,
you're invited to
the party tonight.
Thanks.
I think I'll go with
the Surrender!
(muttering): Yeah.
"Never thought she'd
catch herself a Cartwright."
Oh, no.
"Big party for Maggie."
"Why, I thought
they'd invite you."
Yeah.
"Big party for Maggie."
(sighs)
Party.
(band playing)
(sighs)
The air smells really
good, doesn't it?
Mm-hmm.
All right, what's the matter?
Nothing.
I was just wondering
what time it's getting to be.
Oh.
He'll be here.
Do you really think so, Joe?
I know so.
Oh, but maybe you're wrong.
But, Maggie, if you would
have seen him in town today,
you wouldn't say that.
Oh, maybe it was
all a mistake, Joe.
(sighs)
Don't tell me wilting
violets are in season again.
No.
No, they're not.
- Ah.
- Tuck.
Oh, Ben.
(chuckles)
You're, uh, missing
some good punch inside.
Oh, I ain't missing a thing.
And Maggie sure looks
beautiful tonight, doesn't she?
Oh, she sure does.
Hey, when is a good time
to make the announcement?
Uh, June's a good
time, don't you think?
Well, I'm not quite sure
what you mean, Tuck.
What announcement?
The marriage, Maggie and Joe.
(chuckles)
Well, Joe hasn't said
anything to me yet.
Well, Joe's shy.
He is?
Well, it don't make sense,
you being the reluctant one.
The father of the
bride's got to pay.
Yeah.
You know, you are the
sweetest and dearest friend
that a girl ever had.
And if I were...
(whispering): What's the matter?
(singsongy): He's here.
What's he doing?
Well, he's kind of
sitting there, staring.
Hey, look there.
What's he doing here?
Well, he was, uh, he
was invited by Little Joe.
Don't young folks have
any sense anymore?
Oh, I can't believe it.
(chuckles)
Now what's he doing?
He's still staring.
He looks madder than a wet hen.
He does?
Oh.
(chuckles)
Oh.
Maggie!
(gasps)
LITTLE JOE: Oh, hi, Jared.
Oh, Joe.
He just got off the wagon.
What's he doing?
Well, here he comes.
- Oh.
- Just relax.
Just relax. (sniffing)
- (giggles)
- Oh, Maggie,
that-that perfume is just
beautiful, that Surren...
Cartwright, I've known
you for a long time.
But I never thought you'd
stoop to anything so low.
What are you talking about?
You know what I'm talking about!
Oh, Jared, didn't I
invite you to the party?
That's not what I mean.
- Jared...
- Stay out of this.
You had this coming
for a long time.
Oh, Jared!
You stop it! Now, you stop it!
Jared, you are, - you're a...
- Go ahead.
Go ahead and say it.
I don't care what you call me.
I'm not going to stand by
and let Joe Cartwright
court the woman I love!
You love?
Well, I... If you'd
given me half a chance,
I'd have... I'd told you before.
And you, if you'd kept
your big nose out of it,
none of this would
have happened.
Maggie, I never accepted
any money from your pa.
Oh, sure, sure,
he offered it to me,
but I never took it.
(sighs)
Maggie.
Doggone it.
Well, you gonna let me
take you home or not?
Now make up your mind.
Oh, I'd be proud
to have you take me
home, Jared Wilson.
(chuckles)
Uh, I'm sorry, Little Joe.
Guess I kind of lost my temper.
Well... looks like
the best man won.
(exhales)
(laughs)
I don't understand it.
I never thought Maggie'd
be the kind of woman
that men would fight over.
Yeah.
If you stopped talking so much,
it would have happened
a long time ago.
Well, I'll be hanged.
Hey, wait till I tell everyone
about this development.
Joseph, let me buy you a punch.
I'll drink to that.
(chuckles)
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