Gunsmoke (1955–1975): Season 3, Episode 13 - Cows and Cribs - full transcript

An impoverished but hardworking woman's plans to adopt an orphan baby are jeopardized when Matt discovers that her improvident husband is involved in cattle rustling.

...starring James Arness
as Matt Dillon.

What if Ed don't
get back with the wagon?

Now, see here.
He's got to.

'Cause I'm going
to get you all in to Dodge

where I can
take care of you.

It don't seem right.

A little baby...

Now, here,
I'll mind the baby.

You come with me.

Here, Mrs. Thorpe, I...

I told you I don't
know about the baby,



but there's not a doubt
in the world about you.

You've got spotted fever.

I won't be a trouble, Doc.
I know.

But the baby...

Now, I told you not
to worry about the baby.

You ain't had sleep
the whole night.

Oh, well, I...
Or food.

No, no... no.
And Ed...

How long has
he been gone, Doc?

Well, he's been
gone just before sunup.

Don't you worry about that.

Now, I want you to,
I want you to just lie here

and get some sleep.

Sleep, that's
the important thing.



You can do it if you try.

Doc...
Here.

Doc.

Ed!

There... there ain't no,

no, no wagon, Doc.

I couldn't get
as far as, as Emmett's.

I stopped at...
at Nadler's place.

He won't give us nothing.

Everything was going...

bla-black and...

Ed!

Ed ain't got it, too, Doc?

Not now.

Dead?

Well, does it look
inviting to you?

Well, I said that I'd
stop at the next house

and bake some coffee,
but that don't even look

like anybody's
living there.

Let's go find out.
Well, it won't take us long

to cut back and hit
Emmett Bowers' place.

You know,
we waited this long,

another hour ain't
gonna matter none.

Hey, I thought I saw
somebody out back there.

Well, that don't mean
that they make good coffee.

Well, Ed Thorpe's
place is between

here and Dodge if we
don't make out. Well...

If anybody's living here,
they're living on nothing.

Yeah.

Doesn't look like they're
living on nothing, does it?

No. I wonder where
they got that calf?

Well, they sure didn't
raise it in those weeds

this woman is trying to hoe.

I get this calf butchered
and get some meat on the stove,

I won't have to put up
with none of your foolishness.

That meat will turn
sour in your mouth, Joe.

Now, what's the
matter with you?!

Stolen meat,
it'll poison you.

You got no call
to be so proud.

I've done a whole lot more
than steal when I'm hungry.

Like that man
in Leavenworth?

I told you

never to talk
about that, didn't I?

Didn't I?!
Hello.

What do you men want?

I'm the marshal
over in Dodge City.

This is Chester Goode here.
Howdy.

Something wrong,
Marshal?

Leave it be.

You're liable
to get sunstroke

without a hat,
aren't you?

All right, that's
Emmett Bowers' brand.

Look, we're starving
out here, Marshal.

I had to steal that calf.

What's your name?
Joe Nadler.

This here's my wife.

You ain't gonna
arrest him, are you, Marshal?

I don't think so, ma'am.

Not unless
Emmett Bowers complains.

Joe had to do it.

We just can't go on

unless we got
some meat to eat.

Look where I been
hoeing over there.

I can't plant enough

for hardly anything
to come up.

Can't afford to buy
no more seed,

our credit's
run out in Dodge.

The ground doesn't even look
like it's been plowed to me.

Well, I done
the best I could.

It ain't easy.

Well, no,
I don't guess it is.

Not for a woman.

Come on, let's do our stop
at the Thorpes', Chester.

Yeah.
Bye, ma'am.

Oh, Marshal?

Yeah?

You know they got
spotted fever over there.

Thorpe's dead.

Well, Joe, you didn't
tell me that.

You didn't come
from Dodge, Marshal?

No, we've been out
for two days.

We're just
heading back.

When did Ed die?

Well, this morning
sometime.

I was by right after.

But his woman said
the doc had been there.

You mean, you just left

Mrs. Thorpe over
there with that baby?

Well, she's got
the fever, too.

I ain't gonna
chance getting it.

But the baby.

She's always
worrying about babies.

That's 'cause she
can't have none, I guess.

Don't, Joe, you're
putting shame on me.

Mrs. Nadler,

when you get in Dodge,
you come look me up

and I'll see that
you get some seed to plant.

Thank you, Marshal.

We better get over
and see Mrs. Thorpe.

Mr. Dillon,
Doc wouldn't leave her

alone like that
with that baby.

Not unless he had
some good reason.

He must've gone in
for help, you know?

They don't have
a wagon over there.

Mr. Dillon,
Nadler's got one.

Well, I think we'll just
borrow that for a while.

Oh, my goodness,
Mr. Dillon.

I never thought we'd make it
back to Dodge tonight.

How's the baby doing?

Well, he's
still asleep.

I guess I been
holding him right.

Just like a mother.

Matt...

Oh, Doc. That fella catch up
with you all right?

Oh, yes. Yes, he did.

And... he told me
you were bringing them in

in a wagon, and I was
awful worried before

because that's
what I would've...

I figured it was something
like that happened, all right.

Oh, Mrs. Thorpe here...

Look, you better hold
the baby there,

and we'll help you down
with him in a second.

Well, I hope it don't wake up.

We covered her up
the best we could, Doc.

She's been asleep
most of the time.

Yeah, well...

Mrs. Thorpe?

Well?

Matt, now we...

we got a baby
to take care of.

Chester.

Yeah?

Here.
Yeah, okay.

Just...

Poor little thing.

Here.

I'm right sorry,
young fella,

just as sorry
as I can be.

Doc?

I think she had an idea
she might not pull through this.

Just before we left out there,

she said that if anything
happened to her

that this baby was to be put
in Ma Smalley's care,

that Ma was to have complete
charge over him.

Yeah.

Well, that's a pretty good
choice, all right.

Ma's a widow,

and she's had lots
of experience with kids,

but she's pretty old
to be raising a youngster

all by herself.

Well, we're gonna have to worry
about that later.

Chester, I think you better take
the baby over to Ma's right now.

Who me?
Yeah.

Doc and I got work
to finish here.

Well, it's a little
late, ain't it,

to be going up to Ma's?

I mean, you know,
I feel kind of funny

going up there alone
this time of the night

and waking Ma up...

Well, Chester, we have
to do something...

She just might not take...
Here, here. Now listen.

We've got to do something
about this baby tonight.

You just take the baby
over to Kitty,

to the Long Branch.

To Kitty?
Yes.

She's a woman, she'll
know just what to do.

Oh, no. I mean, uh...
I know that she's a woman, Doc.

My graces, but it-it...
Well, it ain't that at all.

It's just...
Well, what is it?

Well, how would you feel
walking into the Long Branch

carrying a little baby?

You're acting like a...
mother hen.

Well, I wouldn't be surprised.

I kind of feel
like a mother hen.

Matt...
Chester,

just tell Kitty that
we'll take the baby

to Ma Smalley's
in the morning.

All right.

(lively murmuring

Is that Chester?

Is what Chester?

Well, there's about half
a head out there...

Well, that half is
Chester all right.

Well, that's pretty peculiar
behavior even for Chester.

Drink your drink, Kitty.

Maybe he'll go away.

Excuse me. Uh, uh...

Just go on
with what you're doing.

It ain't no concern of yours,
none at all.

Go on.

Oh...

That's a baby.

Yes, ma'am,
Miss Kitty,

it's sure enough
a baby, all right.

Uh, Mr. Dillon wants
that you should have him.

Matt wants me
to have him?

Yeah, well, that's
because you're a woman.

It's just for tonight.

We're gonna take
him down

to Ma Smalley's
in the morning.

Just go on, hold him.

Well, that's
the Thorpes' baby, isn't it?

Oh, yeah. They're...

They're both dead,
you know, Mr. Bowers.

Dead?
Yeah.

Oh, the poor little thing.

Well, Doc said they had
the spotted fever out there,

but... I didn't dream
it was that bad.

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.

They had a little piece of land

right on the south edge
of my ranch.

Well, you know
we was gonna come by

your place and pick up a wagon
to take them into town with,

but we used one
at Mr. Nadler's instead.

I guess we'll have to take it

back out there to him
in the morning.

Ma Smalley's gonna take him,
huh?

Well, it's just
for tonight, Miss Kitty.

I mean, you don't mind keeping
him for tonight, do you?

Oh, I don't mind.

I just hope he doesn't mind.

I'm... not much of a hand
with babies.

Oh, you'll do fine.

You know, I mean, once
you get the knack of it.

Just come to me just natural.

Well, I better get him upstairs.

This isn't
exactly the proper place.

Well, good night there,
you young fella.

Don't you fret none.

You all keep it quiet
down here, you understand?

Well, Chester, I shipped out
1,000 head of cattle

on the Santa Fe
this morning.

I guess I can afford
to buy you a drink.

Oh, well...

thank you kindly,
Mr. Bowers, but I just...

I don't think that I
want to drink tonight.

It's... been
a long day.

There they are,
Mr. Dillon,

down by Jonas's store.

Now, why wouldn't they
come in the office anyway?

Oh, well, you know
how Ma Smalley is.

She thinks it's unladylike
going into a man's office.

All right, Chester, will
you go get the mail?

Yeah.

Hello, Ma.

How are you,
Mrs. Nadler?

Pretty good, Marshal.

It isn't everyone
can send for the marshal

and bring him
on the run.

Now, Ma, you know your word's
always been law with me.

Listen to him.

Ain't he
the terror, Mrs. Nadler?

Well, it's true, you know?

Marshal, Mrs. Nadler wants
to adopt the Thorpe baby.

Now, Ma, Mrs. Thorpe
left that baby in your care.

That's up to you.

Well, I've... I've
had him over a week now,

and I aim to keep him
a while longer

so's he can be
near Doc just in case.

But Mrs. Nadler here seems
like a mighty fine woman to me,

and I'd... I'd let her
take that baby,

only I'm worried
about one thing.

I told her the
truth, Marshal.

She seems to think
that maybe Joe and I

couldn't make a go
of it out there.

You remember
what you said

when you was leaving
the other day?

Well, I said you'd come in
to see me,

and I'd find out
about getting you some seed.

Well, that's
all I'd need.

I figure if I could
get some corn up,

I might even
raise a few hogs.

I'll work
awful hard, Marshal.

I promise you I will.

I'll pay you back.

I'm not begging.

I'll pay you
back every cent.

Mrs. Nadler, I tell you
what you do.

You stop over to my office
before you leave town.

I'm going in to see Mr. Jonas

right now.

I do thank
you, Marshal.

Come on back
to the house.

You can look
at him a little.

Bye, Ma.
Good-bye, Marshal.

Hello, Marshal.

Jonas.

Well, what can I
sell you today?

Well, I, uh,

I want to talk you
about Mrs. Nadler.

You... you know her.

Of course I do.

You know, Joe
Nadler's out back

in the storeroom
right now.

He is?

Hey, Nadler!
Come in here!

Buying himself a new
pair of boots, Marshal.

Well, I thought
his credit had run out.

Oh, Nadler's doing
a lot better now.

He started bringing
meat into Delmonico's

and a couple of
other eating places.

Paid up part of your bill
already, ain't you, Nadler?

I don't know
if I like you talking

about my private
affairs, Jonas.

Well, there's no harm.

It's only Marshal Dillon.

Pretty good-looking
pair of boots

you're wearing there,
Nadler.

Well, them
ought to be.

The best I stock-
them's $20 boots.

$20?

Would buy a whole wagonload
of seed, wouldn't it?

You telling me how to
spend my money, Marshal?

Does your wife know you've

been doing
better lately?

Family affairs
ain't no concern of the law.

Yours are.

And if it wasn't for your wife,
I wouldn't just be warning you,

but because of her, I'm telling
you to take off those boots

and buy yourself some seed
and whatever else you need

to grown corn with.

Now, wait a minute.
Shut up.

Now, I'm gonna give you
a chance, Nadler.

I'm gonna ride out to your place
three days from now

and find out
what you've done with it.

And it's up to you
whether or not

you'll be riding
back with me.

It's Thursday
already, Mr. Dillon.

We gonna ride
out to Nadlers'?

Oh, I guess we can wait
another day, Chester.

Well, I don't
think you want

to go out
there at all.

You're right, I don't.

Hello, Marshal.

Hello, Emmett.
Chester.

Mr. Bowers.

I was just up to Delmonico's,
Marshal, having myself a feed.

Oh. Well, how was it?

Fine. Till I went out back and
started talking to the cook.

Now, look, Marshal, I guess any
man's got a right to complain

when he goes
to a restaurant

and finds himself
eating his own beef.

Yeah.

Yeah, I know about that, Emmett.

You do?

Then why ain't you
done nothing about it?

Well... because
of Mrs. Nadler, I guess.

Now, look, Marshal,
I'm a rich man.

I don't mind some nester

slaughtering one of my
cows when he's starving,

but ain't nobody gonna
start selling my beef.

I'll kill him,
he keeps that up.

All right, Emmett,
I'll handle it.

Now, I admire that
woman, too, Marshal.

Chester.

But letting him get
away with rustling

ain't gonna help her any.

Oh, say. Here comes
Ma Smalley across the street.

She came in with some pies

at Delmonico's
while I was there.

She wants to
talk with you.

Oh.

Hello, Ma.

You riding out
to the Nadlers', Marshal.

Yeah, I'm riding out there.

Then tell her
I'm sorry.

Tell her I think
she's a good woman,

but I can't let that baby
go to the home of a cow thief.

Well, that's gonna
break her heart, Ma.

I've got a trust
put on me, Marshal.

All right, I'll tell her.

Your husband home,
Mrs. Nadler?

No.

He's been gone
since morning.

Mrs. Nadler, uh...

do you know that your husband
has been slaughtering

Emmett Bowers' cattle?

Oh, he's complained
about that,

about that calf.

Well, I'm afraid it's more
than just a calf, Mrs. Nadler.

He, uh... well, he's been
selling beef in Dodge.

Oh, no.

Mm-hmm.

Well, I know you had nothing
to do with it, Mrs. Nadler.

I... I hate to have
to tell you this, but...

Ma Smalley said she's...
not gonna let you

have the baby.

Well, she's right, Marshal.

It just wouldn't
be fittin'.

I...

I'm sorry, ma'am.

Mr. Dillon, look.

It's Emmett Bowers.

I'll be back.

I'll go talk to him.

Them other, other two
must be riders of his.

Yeah.

I thought I'd find
you here, Marshal.

Something wrong,
Bowers?

One of my men's been
murdered, that's all.

What?

We found him over
yonder about five miles.

He was left for dead,
but he talked a little.

What happened?

Well, he's dead now, Marshal,

so you'll have to take our word
for what he told us.

All right.

He run onto Joe Nadler-

slaughtering another one
of my steers.

Well, Nadler shot him?

That's what
he said.

Well, what else?

Nothing.

Only Nadler got on his
horse and headed for Dodge.

Guess he figured
he'd get caught anyway,

so he might just as well
get drunk one more time.

Well, he'll get caught,
I promise you that.

Well, I'll tell you,
I never realized

how many saloons
there is in Dodge

till you start
looking for somebody

who's supposed to
be in one of 'em.

Well, there's only
one left, Chester.

Let's give it a try.

There he is, Mr. Dillon,

over at the bar just
a-swilling it down.

Well, it's been
taking us long enough.

You'd think everybody
in town would know

we're after him by now.

He ain't hiding.
It's just that

we've been looking
in the wrong places.

Nadler?

Just stop right where
you are, Marshal,

don't you come no closer.

Put the gun
away, Nadler.

I been waiting
for you.

I figured you'd come.

Why?

Why would I
be coming after you?

You don't fool me.

You know all about it.

You admit killing that rider?

I knew when I shot him
I couldn't get away with it.

My horse's tracks were
all over the place.

Don't make it any
worse than it is.

I told you not
to come no closer.

Put that gun on the bar.

You watch what I'm
gonna do with it.

Don't be a fool.

Why not?

Oh, are you hurt bad,
Mr. Dillon?

No. I think
it's all right, Chester.

Oh.

He's dead.

Yeah. Look, I, uh...
I better go over to Doc's

and have him take
a look at this.

I'll, uh, I'll be back
in a couple of minutes.

Marshal Dillon!

Hello, Ma.

You've been hurt.

Yeah. I'll be
all right, though.

What about Joe Nadler?

Well...

I'm afraid he's dead.

I figured he would be.

I heard you was out
looking for him.

That's why I been
looking for you.

Well, that's, that's fine,
Ma, but, you know, I, uh...

You'll hear me out
first, Marshal.

All right, Ma.

You'll be the one to tell
Mrs. Nadler, will you not?

Yeah, I guess so.

Take a wagon
with you, Marshal.

What do you mean?

The woman can't live
out there alone

in that God-forsaken...

I've got an extra room in
me house if she'll help

with the work.

Well, that's fine, Ma.

But, uh, what about the baby?

It'll be her baby.

You can tell her that.

And I'll not
be interfering.

I've got me own
business to look after.

All right, Ma.

I'll tell her that, and I'll
ride out there first thing

in the morning.
You'll go nowhere

if you stand here
talking all night.

Well, I...

That arm's
bleeding, Marshal,

and you ought
to get it fixed.

Do you hear me, now?

Yeah, Ma. You're right.

But then, you...
you pretty often are.