The Waltons (1971) s07e04 Episode Script

I'll gonna handle this my own way, Jason.
I don't want nothing from you or your family.
So you just might as well go on home.
What's a family for if not to help one of its own? It's my life, boy.
Grandpa wouldn't have let you spend out your days on a road gang and neither will I.
Ain't nothing you can do about it.
Case comes up this morning.
I well remember my grandfather speaking of the two ideals he felt so much a part of the human spirit.
They were, he said, love and loyalty.
During that autumn of 1941, his ideals were to be well tested by those people fate and the changing times would return to Walton's Mountain.
It was a time when our brother Jason most keenly felt the loss of our grandfather.
In the case of Boone Walton vs.
The people of the United States of America, this court finds you guilty as charged in the illegal manufacture and sale of what is commonly referred to as bootleg or moonshine whiskey.
Anything you wish to say before the court passes sentence? I believe the law is on your side, not mine.
Might as well get on with it, Judge.
Your Honor, with your permission, there's something I'd like to say.
And who might you be? My name is Jason Walton, sir.
This man is cousin to my family.
I'd like to speak on his behalf.
You speak on your own behalf.
Well, he never even asked me, Judge.
Sit down.
You are of Zeb and John Walton's family? I am, Your Honor.
And what is it you wish to tell the Court? Your Honor, I'm not here to argue that Boone Walton didn't do what he is charged with.
But I believe his life has been, and stands for, a good deal more than making and running moonshine.
Well, my life ain't over yet and I don't need no funeral sermons.
To my family he represents the last of an older generation of Waltons.
He had no place to go.
He chose to stay, keeping to himself, alone in the mountains.
Your Honor, locking him away at his age would kill him, the same as it would if you imprisoned any of the wild creatures that have been his only company in those mountains.
I'm prepared to pay his fine.
In return, I ask that you release Boone Walton into the custody of the only family he has left.
That's all I have to say.
Boone Walton, stand up.
I know this is your first offense, Mr.
Walton.
I'm also smart enough to know it's the first time you've been caught.
Young man, I also happen to believe what you say could be in the interests of reforming Mr.
Walton.
Sentence suspended.
Fine is $100.
Mr.
Boone Walton is released to the custody of Mr.
Jason Walton, his kin.
I ain't never owed nobody nothing.
You don't owe me anything except good behavior.
The way I figure it, if one fellow pays the other fellow's way, one of them is beholden to the other.
You'll have plenty of chance to work it off.
Daddy's heading up a lumber co-op.
Filling orders for new Army barracks, ship building at Newport News.
Hey, pull over, here.
"Home of progress"? You for progress? I reckon it's coming whether we're for it or not.
Sure right there.
It is progress what brought two lanes of blacktop highway right through your Aunt Martha Corinne's kitchen.
- I remember that.
- Do you? People's moving into town, toting lunch pails with light bread sandwiches to indoor jobs.
That's progress.
We haven't moved anywhere.
Daddy travels some, but we're still right where we always were.
Don't have to move, fences will do that to you.
So would a jail cell.
I had me some plans.
I could have escaped if I wanted to.
Could right now, if I wanted to.
You're not going anywhere except with me.
I said, "If I wanted to.
" Sister, you're sure you searched up here? I looked everywhere up there for it.
There's not a sign of it, Sister.
Oh, if only Papa were here to advise us what to do.
Well, courage, Sister, courage.
We know it's never been out of the family.
It's never been out of the room.
Well, then it simply must be here.
Of course it must, Sister, but where? Continue searching.
Without it I don't know how either of us can go on.
Oh, Sister! Cousin Boone's going to be staying with us.
I thought it would be a real surprise.
As we all know, he was caught doing what he does best.
Yes, we all know.
I thought you just went up there for a visit.
Well, it turned out his trial was this morning.
I took this on myself, not feeling he should be on the road gang.
Why not? Esther.
Family's all growed up, Olivia.
Uh-huh.
It's been a long time since we saw you last, Boone.
Yes.
Mmm.
Like Jason says, this is a real surprise.
Now, Aimee, put your money in the cash register.
We must pay for candy the same as everyone else.
All right, Mother.
Well, can I check your oil and get them windows for you? Not today, thank you.
Okay, that will be $1 even, then.
- Thank you very much.
- Thank you.
- Y'all come back now.
- See you.
That was her, I'm almost sure of it.
Daisy Garner.
You've got a good eye and a good memory, Corabeth.
Who is that child with her? You know, I always wondered why she and John-Boy never got married.
Why is she here? You're asking me? Well, I suppose we'll find out soon enough.
Aren't you going to pay for the candy, Mama? Boone, Jason tells me you've come to stay with us a while.
I don't reckon you folks got much choice.
The Judge made Jason my keeper.
- You remember Ben? - Hey, Boone.
- How are you, Ben? - Good, thank you.
John, they tell me you doing big things for the US Government.
That's the way it is around here these days, Boone.
Jason tells me you signed on to work with us.
Well, as long as the US Government's doing something besides chasing me, I don't mind putting in a day's work.
Let's get to it, then.
Take these on outside.
Just because Boone's not like us, doesn't mean he's never amounted to anything.
Never will.
John-Boy was shot and nearly killed four years ago because of trouble Boone stirred up.
Well, Aunt Martha Corinne was just as much to blame as Boone was.
His whole side of the family is warlike.
They'd just as soon shoot you as look at you.
Well, they were just trying to defend their land.
- John-Boy never blamed them for that.
- And now he's shown up here with a gun.
Think I'll set Boone's place right between Ben and Jason.
Well, I think Jason feels that Boone's place at our table is permanent.
Moonshiner! Grandma, there are lots of moonshiners up in the mountains.
But only one Walton.
Alcohol and the people who drink it are to blame for a lot of the world's troubles.
Mama, what's that you and Daddy drank on your anniversary? Well, there's a big difference between a sip of champagne and moonshine.
Mama, I think you better set a couple more places.
Now who is it? It's Daisy Garner.
She's brought her little girl.
I thought it best I return John's ring.
I'm sorry if you two have decided not to work it out.
So am I.
When he first got to London, we wrote each other quite often.
Then, not so often.
It's been over a month since I've heard anything at all.
We don't hear much from him, either.
His job keeps him awful busy.
I think that for him what there was between us is over.
So He's gonna be coming home someday.
Wouldn't you rather give it to him yourself? I'll be a long way from here by then.
Mama, tea.
Come on.
Melissa and I are going to New York.
For good? I think so.
My mother passed away last month.
I'm sorry to hear that.
Since then, I've had a lot of decisions to make and things to settle.
This was one of them.
Daisy? - Hmm? Do you mind if I took Melissa to my room and showed her around? All right, but just for a minute or two.
We have a long trip ahead of us.
We'll see if we can find her a toy to play with along the way.
John told you about Melissa? Yes.
I've really come here to ask you to forgive me.
You weren't honest with John-Boy and I didn't like to see him hurt, but it's not for me to judge you.
It's about time to get John Curtis up from his nap.
Would you like to see how much he's grown? Very much.
And then, we really must be going.
It's getting kind of late.
How would you and Melissa like to stay the night? I would like that very much.
Thank you.
Come on, Daisy.
I want to hear about all your plans.
We remember all the stories Aunt Martha Corinne used to tell us.
You must know them all by heart.
We'd like to hear some of your own.
There must not be many like you left up in that part of the Blue Ridge.
Well, you see, ain't no man gonna make a small acquaintance with them mountains if he wants to make whiskey and get away with it.
Time was there was me, Farley Coombs, Jack Whittaker, and the granddaddy of all Blue Ridge moonshiners, Little Davy Osgood.
Y'all's granddaddy knew them all.
He ever tell you about Little Davy? Little Davy rode horseback.
He disguised hisself as a Bible salesman.
Sold leather-bound, gold-stamped Bibles to the women, moonshine to the menfolks.
Let's see First time ever I seen Little Davy, I believe he was riding a chestnut mare.
Well, I'd love to stay and hear more, but you must excuse me, I have a class to attend.
Erin, I'll drive you, okay? Anybody wanna listen to the war news on the shortwave? I'll take these in, I have some studying to do.
- Come on, Melissa, I'll read you a story.
- Sure.
Martha Corinne used to say my stories was about as interesting as watching the grass grow.
Whatever happened to Little Davy? Snake bit him, he died.
Well, I guess I'll be turning in now.
Mr.
Walton, I liked your story.
They tell me you're a dancer.
Yes, I am.
I expect you do real good.
Boone? Come in, boy.
A good day's work.
You did well.
I mostly got in the way 'cause I didn't know what I was doing.
That's more the truth of it.
What you got there, boy? Grandpa always kept this hidden, for special people.
He figured you're special, and so do I.
Make yourself at home.
Well I sure appreciate that.
Mmm.
That sure makes me feel at home.
Zeb run this off? No.
No, it was a gift from some old friends.
Old friends? He never told me about them old friends.
Well, he never had a chance to introduce them to you.
But you do? It could be arranged.
Oh.
Well, here's to old friends.
Mommy.
Do we have to drive anymore? Can't we stay here? I'm sorry, Melissa.
But we're going to have our breakfast and be on our way.
Please.
It's so nice here.
Mary Ellen's promised to show us all around everything.
You put her up to this? Well, you've only been here one night, you've hardly seen anything of the Mountain.
Oh, Mary Ellen, we are on our way to New York City, and we have imposed on you long enough.
Nonsense.
If you think you're imposing, I know of a house that's empty and furnished, and free of charge.
And you two have planned all this out? All right.
For a day or two.
Probably do us both a lot of good.
This makes sense, Esther.
Stop the night creatures.
- Corn looks good.
- Yup.
Esther, I guess one of the things about living for a long time is that finally there ain't nobody left you done anything with.
I know there ain't nobody around misses Zeb like you do.
But I tell you, it's my heart's craving to spend another hour with him.
Ain't nobody his cut around no more.
I never did have the words to say my feelings.
Zeb would have.
Oh, hi.
I brought your groceries, Miss Mamie.
Oh.
Oh, yes.
We missed you.
Missed you coming into the store.
I'm afraid we simply cannot face the community.
A great tragedy has happened to us, Mr.
Godsey.
We would prefer that the news not be broadcast.
Shocking.
What is it? We cannot say.
Anybody seen Boone this morning? No, he's probably about halfway across the county by now.
I don't think Jason thinks that's too funny.
After all, he's got an investment to protect.
You're right, I don't think it's funny.
Well, he did say he'd rather go fishing than work.
Well, he's here to work.
Judging by the way he works, we'd be better off if he went fishing.
As I walked out one morning My true love passed me by I could tell her mind was changing By the movement of her eye You're up early.
Well, that way, I can see my own shadow, and I don't have to worry about yours following me everywhere I go.
You're building a still on Walton's Mountain.
Can't think of no better place to build one.
Who's gonna look for a still on Walton's Mountain? It doesn't matter to you that you'd risk getting our whole family in trouble with the law? Whole family don't need to know.
Just you and me.
I don't think so, Boone.
You still ain't caught on, have you, boy? I'm doing this as much for you as for me.
Who's gonna be around to learn you when I'm gone? There's more I wanna know about you than making whiskey.
Now, you said you'd think it over.
How about telling me while we go rabbit hunting? Well, first off, you can't talk and hunt rabbits at the same time.
So, let's walk.
Get the gun, boy.
I'm kind of curious to know about that song you're always singing, Boone.
Well, I sing them words on account of Rose Jamison.
Met her at a Sunday preaching once.
I knowed right then that, that Rose was a wildflower I was gonna pick for my own.
I used to walk 12 miles over to her church in Alberene just to look at her.
Do you know about love, Jason? The kind you're talking about hasn't happened to me yet.
It will.
Well, me and Rose married in that little old church.
Settled into a cabin I built for us up on the Blue Rock Hollow.
Next year, why, our boy was born.
Henry Jamison Walton.
In Spring 1888, there come a terrible flood.
Blue Rock rose up one night, come roaring down, filling in the Hollow banks with a fury that took everything before it.
Took my home, took my son Took my Rose.
If you're ever over in Alberene, there are two stones over there marked with Rose and the boy's names.
I go over there once a year, clean around the graves, plant new flowers.
Been doing it for 53 years.
Well, that's about all that ever counted in my life, Jason.
That what you wanted to know? Let's get to hunting them rabbits now.
You're welcome to use the house as long as you like.
It's so clean and neat, inside and out.
It's as if you two were still living here.
Well, it's my way of reminding myself that Curt will be coming home.
That things will be the same as they were before he left for the Army.
You sound sure we're gonna be in this war.
John-Boy's over there, he's certain of it.
I've begun to accept the fact that it could be months, or years, before Curt's home to stay again.
You're determined to go to New York, aren't you? I guess I'm looking for the old days, trying to find some of what it was like before.
Could be my way of waiting.
Why don't you wait here? Begin a new life for yourself and Melissa? You seem sure people around here are going to accept me.
There's no reason they shouldn't.
I wish I could believe that as easily as you.
Don't you want to do anything? I'd like to do a lot of things, but Mama says I have to do an hour of sewing, and then another hour of reading before I get out of here.
- Did you do something bad? - No.
I'm just supposed to grow up like a lady, and it isn't easy.
- I'll watch.
- Watch what? - Watch you grow.
- You can't watch a person grow.
Jim-Bob and I used to think so, when we were little.
Well, I'm gonna get a soda.
Does anyone want one? Anyhow, we all want them to stay.
Well, it's one way to get John-Boy back from England.
I suppose you've thought of that.
Well, Mary Ellen's gonna offer them her house.
Hey, that'd be a good place for them to stay.
Elizabeth? - And that Melissa, she's just the cutest little girl, isn't she? And just who is Melissa? Oh, she's Daisy Garner's little girl.
Well, tell me, where is that child's father? Oh, Melissa doesn't have a daddy.
Oh, how sad.
I didn't know that Daisy was a widow.
Oh, she isn't.
As far as I know, she's never gotten married.
Well, Elizabeth.
I would rather not have a love child in my home.
Corabeth, hold on.
That child hasn't done anything to us.
Aimee is at a very young and impressionable age, and I will not have her exposed to the more tawdry side of life until absolutely necessary.
How you doing? Well, I'd rather be fishing, I can tell you that.
We going visiting like you say? We'll have to get fixed up, they're ladies.
Ladies? I'll find you something of Grandpa's to wear.
You got more turns than a swamp eel, boy.
Ladies, you say, huh? Finest you'll ever meet.
I'd be pleased to.
I'm sorry, Jason, Sister and I are not accepting callers.
Perhaps another day.
Miss Mamie, wait.
Miss Mamie? Oh, Jason, a most dreadful tragedy has befallen us.
We've lost the recipe for the Recipe.
You've gotta ease back on that temperature just a mite.
Right there.
Excuse me.
Mr.
Boone seems to have a taste for his work.
Yes, ma'am.
You might say it's an acquired taste.
Just a tad more meal, and, I think, through the cooker one more time.
Now, you could keep a tighter spigot.
Give yourself a slower run.
Papa was very proud of those pipes.
They came all the way from New York City.
He was a real old-timer in the business, was he? Business, Mr.
Boone? Our father was a judge.
I think what Cousin Boone means is the business of knowing how to make a really fine Recipe.
Oh.
Jason, you may fetch the cups.
Most medicinal, Papa always said.
You know what my papa used to say? My papa used to say, "The best medicine is 100 proof.
" And this, dear ladies, is just that.
Papa said, "The taste is in the proof.
" A dying art, but not forgotten.
But maybe if your late daddy was here, what he would say would be, "Just what the doctor ordered.
" Miracle of miracles, Sister.
- The Recipe is restored.
- Indeed it is, Sister.
If you good ladies ever have another problem like this here, well, Jason will always know where to find me.
Papa's Recipe has always been a secret, Mr.
Boone.
Sister and I would like to know how you learned it.
Well, ladies Well, a lot of people might think it's just plain luck.
There are times when When the old great problem has just brung out the very best in me.
How can we ever thank you? Well, why don't we start by having another round of the Recipe? Neither of them said where they were going? Well, I know it can't be a case of Boone taking off, 'cause I saw him and Jason leave together in the coupe.
Melissa, come and help Erin with dessert.
Sure.
Maybe Boone's teaching Jason how to get a return on his investment.
That'll be the day.
Mama, what's a "love child"? What? Ah, every child is a love child, Elizabeth.
Where did you hear that expression? I bet I know where.
Go on, Elizabeth.
From Corabeth Godsey.
That's what she called Melissa.
Mommy, I can't cut this cake.
Here, let me try it for you.
I wish that Corabeth would mind her own business.
She certainly has a big mouth.
She asked me to bring Melissa home.
She said it was improper for Aimee to play with a love child.
- I'm sorry.
- It's Corabeth who ought to be sorry.
She has no business judging other people, especially a small child.
Mommy, can you learn how to make an angel food cake like Erin? As I walked out one morning My true love passed me by I knew her mind was changing By the movement of her eye And my Rosie, she was handsome My Rosie, she is tall They say she was good-natured You two appear to be enjoying yourselves.
And that's the best of all - Little Saturday night hoorah, huh? - Evening, John.
We did pay a little visit on the Baldwin Sisters.
- And a good time was had by all.
- Sure did.
They lost their Recipe.
And And Boone found it.
Sure did.
He did it all by taste.
Sure did.
Jason, get yourself to bed.
I wanna have a little talk with Boone, here.
See you in the morning, Jason.
I guess you know that boy's gone out on a limb for you, Boone.
I'm sure much obliged to him, too.
I don't appreciate you getting him drunk.
Well, if Zeb was around, and a boy's drinking time come, he'd see to it.
I'm the boy's father, I'll decide that.
I don't want you getting him in trouble.
I especially don't want you wearing out your welcome around here, Boone.
Don't need you telling me where my place is.
I knowed that when I come here.
Boone? Boone? Boone's gone.
He took his shotgun with him.
You figure he's run off on you? If he wants to lose himself in these hills, you'll never find him.
Or maybe he started down the road.
Better get looking for him.
Corabeth Godsey is mostly bluster.
I get angry with her a lot.
There are times when I almost feel sorry for her.
Well, I don't want my child to grow up with that.
That gossip.
The cruel way people talk behind your back.
So you think that you and Melissa can lose yourselves in New York? Oh, it isn't that I wanna hide.
I want desperately to be who and what I am.
Seems to me that wherever you go, there's gonna be a Corabeth Godsey.
Might as well face up to her here.
I'm on my way to the store.
Come with me.
All right.
What do you think you're doing? Let's just say I got my eye on progress, if I don't get run over by it first.
Why don't you head on back where you come from? - Where you headed, Boone? - This trip don't include you.
It's my $100.
We're in this together.
Not no more, we ain't.
Would you put that shotgun away? You're too young to understand, ain't you? Now, why don't you go on home? You want to get yourself locked up? Well, go ahead.
It doesn't matter what I tried to do.
All you care about is yourself.
I trusted you.
This is the way we put up stock Put up stock, put up stock This is the way we put up stock So early in the - Good morning, Corabeth.
Hi, Melissa.
- Hi.
- I believe you know Daisy and Melissa.
We've met, yes.
And, of course, I know of them.
Would you mind if Aimee took Melissa outside to play for a little while? Oh, I'm sorry, Aimee has other responsibilities now.
But I've already done my chores.
- Come on, Melissa.
- Okay.
Aimee! Mrs.
Godsey, Melissa has enjoyed playing with Aimee, I'm sorry to hear she's no longer welcome.
Oh, well.
I'm afraid that she is just a little too young for a companion for Aimee.
I think you've got more on your mind than that, Corabeth.
Olivia, please.
What you heard about Melissa not having a father is true, but it is a terrible thing to shut her out for something that's not her fault.
I mean the child no harm.
But, Olivia, you must understand, as a mother, that I have the utmost concern for the welfare of my daughter.
Aimee is a very lucky little girl.
You took her out of that orphanage, gave her a home, and a lot of love.
We think of her as our own.
And I don't think it would have mattered to you where she came from or what her background was, would it? Would it? Daisy made a terrible mistake.
She's paid for it a thousand times.
Now she and Melissa want to stay on this mountain, and they're gonna need all the friends they can get.
You get in and I'll whirl you around.
Sure.
Don't fall out.
Miss Garner.
On behalf of Mr.
Godsey and myself, and Aimee, too, of course, I want to welcome you to our community.
Thank you.
Now I think we can get on with our shopping list.
I'm beginning to understand why nobody ever wants to leave your mountain.
Glad you like it here.
It's real quiet.
It's just what Melissa and I need right now, and Mary Ellen's house is going to be home.
If you ever wanna borrow any brothers and sisters for Melissa to play with, you just let us know.
You heading for the Dew Drop Inn? I don't feel much like it, though.
- I can't get Boone off my mind.
- You did your best, Son.
Kind of figured it was late for Boone to change now.
- I believed in him, Daddy.
- Of course, you did.
That's why it's more than losing the money that's hurting you.
Jason Walton? I talk with you, Jason? You said you believed in him.
I was gonna call the Sheriff if I didn't see you by tomorrow.
This here is yours.
$100.
Where'd you get that? Pawn shop, my old shotgun.
Why? The Judge appointed you my keeper, but he didn't say you had to pay for it.
I've come back here to ask you for my freedom.
Oh, Boone.
You know the Judge would never allow that.
Then you be the judge.
Jason, I need to spend what time I got left back up the yonder in the mountains where I belong.
I know where I can go so deep in the Blue Ridge there ain't no lawman or his dogs can ever find me.
Man can live the way he's supposed to live up there.
He can make his own whiskey if he wants to.
What do you want me to do? I want you to give me a day's head start.
Then call the law, if you want to.
Tell them I run off.
It'd be the truth.
I did.
Twenty-four hours.
You have my word.
I'm much obliged to you and your family for what you tried to do for me.
Goodbye, Boone.
Blood kin don't say goodbye, might mean a death in the family.
We just turn our backs and go our own way.
Special friend, special kin.
Now, go on.
Go on.
Mr.
Walton? It's you who are special.
A very special man.
If you're ever in the mountains and come upon a wild rose, pick it for me.
The law never did catch Boone.
From time to time, he would slip back to visit us.
He was always loved and respected as the last Walton whose ways were swiftly vanishing and whose secrets were revealed only to Jason.
Boone Walton was killed by a truck while crossing the highway one dark night.
He was 87 years old, and was carrying two gallons of moonshine.
While sailing on the ocean While sailing on the deep I'll think of handsome Rosie Just as I go to sleep Good night, Jason.
- Good night, Daddy.
English - SDH