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1
00:00:01,135 --> 00:00:04,272
[guitar music]
2
00:00:13,147 --> 00:00:16,284
[theme music]
3
00:00:33,033 --> 00:00:35,769
[car honking]
4
00:00:43,911 --> 00:00:46,647
[music continues]
5
00:01:07,401 --> 00:01:10,338
[music continues]
6
00:01:29,357 --> 00:01:32,293
[music continues]
7
00:01:40,067 --> 00:01:41,635
[instrumental music]
8
00:01:57,985 --> 00:02:01,522
Growing up on Walton's Mountain
in those Depression years...
9
00:02:01,589 --> 00:02:04,024
when times were lean
and money was scarce...
10
00:02:04,091 --> 00:02:07,395
I learned early that hard work
was a central fact of life...
11
00:02:07,461 --> 00:02:09,797
and the key to survival.
12
00:02:09,863 --> 00:02:12,900
I wasn't afraid of work,
but above everything else
13
00:02:12,966 --> 00:02:14,735
I wanted to be a writer.
14
00:02:14,802 --> 00:02:17,505
Gripping a book,
reading and rereading
15
00:02:17,571 --> 00:02:19,640
the wonderfully colored
sentences:
16
00:02:19,707 --> 00:02:23,110
This was as close as I could
get to another writer.
17
00:02:23,177 --> 00:02:26,347
Until one afternoon I met
someone who showed me...
18
00:02:26,414 --> 00:02:29,850
the way I must take
to be a literary man.
19
00:02:33,086 --> 00:02:34,622
John-Boy.
20
00:02:35,823 --> 00:02:37,991
Right here, Daddy.
21
00:02:38,058 --> 00:02:40,628
Where have you been?
We had to load this ourselves.
22
00:02:40,694 --> 00:02:42,696
I'm sorry, I was off reading.
23
00:02:42,763 --> 00:02:45,533
That's a load for sure.
Now let's get it into town.
24
00:02:45,599 --> 00:02:47,835
So we're behind schedule?
25
00:02:48,969 --> 00:02:50,838
Not so far we can't catch up.
26
00:02:50,904 --> 00:02:53,741
Get it to the railroad station
and come back.
27
00:02:53,807 --> 00:02:55,175
We got more timber to cut.
28
00:02:55,243 --> 00:02:57,010
Yes, sir.
29
00:02:57,077 --> 00:02:58,546
[engine starts]
30
00:03:05,553 --> 00:03:07,688
You think we'll make
our deadline?
31
00:03:07,755 --> 00:03:11,191
We got three good days and three
good men. We'll make it.
32
00:03:24,171 --> 00:03:25,639
[engine revving]
33
00:03:51,432 --> 00:03:54,568
[engine choking]
34
00:04:16,990 --> 00:04:18,726
[sighs]
35
00:04:44,318 --> 00:04:47,254
Man and his machine.
36
00:04:47,321 --> 00:04:49,523
Times like this you wonder...
37
00:04:49,590 --> 00:04:52,626
which is the slave
and which is the master.
38
00:04:52,693 --> 00:04:56,330
-Sir?
-Never mind, son.
39
00:04:56,397 --> 00:04:57,565
You don't need a philosopher.
40
00:04:57,631 --> 00:05:00,568
I think you probably
need a mechanic.
41
00:05:01,902 --> 00:05:04,271
I've tried everything I've ever
seen my daddy do
42
00:05:04,338 --> 00:05:07,007
and it's no use.
43
00:05:07,074 --> 00:05:10,911
Son, you've aroused the dormant
Good Samaritan in me.
44
00:05:10,978 --> 00:05:14,181
Would you like me to dip into
my mechanical bag of tricks...
45
00:05:14,247 --> 00:05:16,216
and see what I can do?
46
00:05:16,283 --> 00:05:18,218
Are you an automotive repairman?
47
00:05:18,285 --> 00:05:20,821
No. Can't lay claim to that.
48
00:05:20,888 --> 00:05:23,824
But I have tinkered
with a few engines in my time.
49
00:05:23,891 --> 00:05:27,094
Could help you out on this one
if you say the word.
50
00:05:28,462 --> 00:05:31,064
Sure. Go right ahead.
I'd appreciate it.
51
00:05:31,131 --> 00:05:32,199
No guarantees.
52
00:05:32,265 --> 00:05:33,767
[chuckles]
53
00:05:33,834 --> 00:05:38,005
The name is Covington.
A.J. Covington.
54
00:05:38,071 --> 00:05:41,141
A.J. to many,
Andy to a chosen few.
55
00:05:41,208 --> 00:05:43,411
I'm just John-Boy Walton.
56
00:05:43,477 --> 00:05:46,414
Well, John-Boy...
57
00:05:46,480 --> 00:05:49,683
I just might be able to help
you, with a little luck.
58
00:05:50,484 --> 00:05:52,386
[all laughing]
59
00:05:52,453 --> 00:05:53,787
I don't need it.
60
00:05:53,854 --> 00:05:56,323
What are you going to put
the berries in?
61
00:05:56,390 --> 00:05:58,325
-My hat.
-Mostly his mouth.
62
00:05:58,392 --> 00:06:01,294
I'll get you, Mary Ellen.
63
00:06:01,361 --> 00:06:02,830
Come on, Jim-Bob.
64
00:06:02,896 --> 00:06:06,199
-I don't think I'll go today.
-Why not?
65
00:06:06,266 --> 00:06:07,868
I don't feel so well.
66
00:06:07,935 --> 00:06:09,937
But it won't be any fun
without you.
67
00:06:10,003 --> 00:06:12,039
Now you just run along,
Elizabeth.
68
00:06:12,105 --> 00:06:14,475
Jim-Bob's got no business
out in the hot sun
69
00:06:14,542 --> 00:06:15,776
if he's not feeling well.
70
00:06:15,843 --> 00:06:18,378
I'll bring you some berries.
71
00:06:20,848 --> 00:06:23,951
-The child got a fever?
-I don't think so.
72
00:06:24,017 --> 00:06:27,721
His forehead feels clammy.
I wonder what it is.
73
00:06:27,788 --> 00:06:29,790
It's too late for spring fever
74
00:06:29,857 --> 00:06:32,125
and too early
for summer doldrums.
75
00:06:32,192 --> 00:06:33,627
I'll brew him some tea.
76
00:06:33,694 --> 00:06:35,629
And you are gonna drink it.
77
00:06:40,133 --> 00:06:42,770
[engine starts]
78
00:06:46,273 --> 00:06:48,676
Hold it.
79
00:06:48,742 --> 00:06:52,212
I can't thank you enough,
Mr. Covington.
80
00:06:52,279 --> 00:06:56,183
Machines are still largely
predictable, unlike people.
81
00:06:59,487 --> 00:07:01,689
I wish I could offer
to pay you.
82
00:07:01,755 --> 00:07:04,925
And spoil my image as a Good
Samaritan? Glad I could help.
83
00:07:04,992 --> 00:07:08,996
-Can I give you a lift?
-I would appreciate it.
84
00:07:09,062 --> 00:07:10,864
Which way are you going?
85
00:07:10,931 --> 00:07:12,900
Any way you're headed
would be fine.
86
00:07:12,966 --> 00:07:16,470
I'm just going up to Rockfish
to deliver this lumber.
87
00:07:16,537 --> 00:07:18,071
Reading Moby Dick?
88
00:07:18,138 --> 00:07:21,675
Carnival man gave it to me.
Littlest man you ever saw.
89
00:07:21,742 --> 00:07:23,243
"When gliding by the Bashee
Isles...
90
00:07:23,310 --> 00:07:26,046
"we emerged at last
upon the great South Sea.
91
00:07:26,113 --> 00:07:29,717
"Now the long supplication
of my youth was answered.
92
00:07:29,783 --> 00:07:31,719
"That serene ocean rolled
eastward from me
93
00:07:31,785 --> 00:07:33,854
a thousand leagues of blue."
94
00:07:33,921 --> 00:07:36,890
-You know it by heart.
-Certain sections.
95
00:07:36,957 --> 00:07:38,926
Melville was
my model and inspiration
96
00:07:38,992 --> 00:07:41,328
when I was learning the craft.
97
00:07:41,394 --> 00:07:44,565
Are you a writer?
98
00:07:44,632 --> 00:07:46,934
There are some who thought so.
99
00:07:57,477 --> 00:07:59,947
-You ready?
-All right.
100
00:08:05,953 --> 00:08:09,022
I sure do appreciate your
helping me out, Mr. Covington.
101
00:08:09,089 --> 00:08:11,124
A.J.
102
00:08:11,191 --> 00:08:15,295
That's all right.
Never unloaded lumber before.
103
00:08:15,362 --> 00:08:18,866
It's a new experience for me.
Grist for the mill.
104
00:08:18,932 --> 00:08:22,102
I bet you've had a lot of
experiences.
105
00:08:22,169 --> 00:08:25,673
I left Indiana when I was 17
and went to Chicago.
106
00:08:28,609 --> 00:08:30,277
Chicago.
107
00:08:30,343 --> 00:08:34,047
"Hog Butcher for the World,
Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat
108
00:08:34,114 --> 00:08:37,184
"Player with Railroads and
the Nation's Freight Handler"
109
00:08:37,250 --> 00:08:39,352
Carl Sandburg.
110
00:08:39,419 --> 00:08:43,323
I'll never forget the first time
I heard Carl recite that poem.
111
00:08:43,390 --> 00:08:45,626
Stirred up quite a hullabaloo.
112
00:08:45,693 --> 00:08:48,829
You knew Carl Sandburg?
113
00:08:48,896 --> 00:08:52,299
Worked beside him
as a stevedore.
114
00:08:52,365 --> 00:08:56,036
Chicago was an exciting place
in those days.
115
00:08:56,103 --> 00:09:01,508
-Anderson, Dreiser, Lindsay.
-So you made Chicago your home?
116
00:09:01,575 --> 00:09:03,744
The world's my home.
117
00:09:06,313 --> 00:09:10,618
I guess you've just about been
everywhere and done everything.
118
00:09:10,684 --> 00:09:13,120
I'm working on it.
119
00:09:13,186 --> 00:09:17,090
And those are the experiences
that make a writer.
120
00:09:17,157 --> 00:09:21,361
You seem to be unusually
interested in the literary life.
121
00:09:21,428 --> 00:09:23,530
I am.
122
00:09:23,597 --> 00:09:25,899
Have some ambition
that way yourself?
123
00:09:28,435 --> 00:09:30,638
I want to be a writer.
124
00:09:30,704 --> 00:09:34,307
More than anything else in the
world, I want to be a writer.
125
00:09:35,643 --> 00:09:37,778
If you really mean that,
126
00:09:37,845 --> 00:09:41,114
you've already taken
the first big step.
127
00:09:41,181 --> 00:09:44,885
If you want to make it,
your writing has to come first.
128
00:09:44,952 --> 00:09:48,889
Before comfort, security,
happiness.
129
00:09:48,956 --> 00:09:52,092
Very few stick it out.
130
00:09:52,159 --> 00:09:54,527
But you have.
131
00:09:54,594 --> 00:09:57,597
What's the second step?
132
00:09:57,665 --> 00:09:59,532
That depends.
133
00:09:59,599 --> 00:10:04,171
Won't your folks be wondering
where you are? It's almost 6:00.
134
00:10:04,237 --> 00:10:06,173
They will be worried.
135
00:10:15,515 --> 00:10:17,384
Mr. Covington?
136
00:10:17,450 --> 00:10:21,221
Would you like to come home
and meet my folks?
137
00:10:21,288 --> 00:10:23,223
If you say so.
138
00:10:23,290 --> 00:10:25,058
Hop in.
139
00:10:28,561 --> 00:10:30,063
[engine starts]
140
00:10:33,300 --> 00:10:35,468
-You're worried about John-Boy.
-He ought to be.
141
00:10:35,535 --> 00:10:36,970
That I am, Ma.
142
00:10:37,037 --> 00:10:38,806
I'll tell you something
you already know.
143
00:10:38,872 --> 00:10:40,340
That's her specialty.
144
00:10:40,407 --> 00:10:43,443
If a boy of mine his age
had been off all hours...
145
00:10:43,510 --> 00:10:45,879
he'd have his bottom
scorched when he got home.
146
00:10:45,946 --> 00:10:48,716
That boy of yours here got in
twice as much devilment
147
00:10:48,782 --> 00:10:50,417
as John-Boy ever did...
148
00:10:50,483 --> 00:10:53,320
and I don't recall his bottom
was too heavily scorched.
149
00:10:53,386 --> 00:10:54,587
Was it?
150
00:10:54,654 --> 00:10:56,790
Hey, everybody.
151
00:10:58,158 --> 00:11:00,928
I had a breakdown
in the truck on the way in.
152
00:11:00,994 --> 00:11:03,030
And if it hadn't been
for this gentleman
153
00:11:03,096 --> 00:11:04,631
I never would've
gotten it fixed.
154
00:11:04,698 --> 00:11:07,267
Mr. Covington, this is my
family. My daddy, John Walton.
155
00:11:07,334 --> 00:11:10,603
-How do you do, sir?
-This is my wife, my father.
156
00:11:10,670 --> 00:11:12,139
Pleasure, sir.
157
00:11:12,205 --> 00:11:13,473
How do you do?
158
00:11:13,540 --> 00:11:15,108
She just flat went out on me.
159
00:11:15,175 --> 00:11:18,211
Quit this side of the yards,
and Mr. Covington helped me out.
160
00:11:18,278 --> 00:11:21,782
Fact is, he got her started
when I was ready to give up.
161
00:11:21,849 --> 00:11:23,216
Much obliged to you, sir.
162
00:11:23,283 --> 00:11:25,919
Won't you stay for dinner,
Mr. Covington?
163
00:11:25,986 --> 00:11:29,156
-Thank you kindly.
-Have a seat right there, sir.
164
00:11:31,892 --> 00:11:34,294
-Your hat.
-Thank you very much.
165
00:11:34,361 --> 00:11:38,565
Is fixing trucks a specialty of
yours, Mr. Covington?
166
00:11:38,631 --> 00:11:40,000
Just a sideline.
167
00:11:40,067 --> 00:11:42,903
-Mr. Covington is a writer.
-Is that a fact?
168
00:11:44,371 --> 00:11:46,874
What brings you
to this neck of the woods?
169
00:11:46,940 --> 00:11:50,310
-Just passing through.
-On your way to where?
170
00:11:52,012 --> 00:11:54,214
Anywhere and everywhere.
171
00:11:56,884 --> 00:11:59,419
Very nice.
Thank you very much.
172
00:12:07,527 --> 00:12:09,096
[plates rattling]
173
00:12:11,231 --> 00:12:14,101
So you were in Cuba
covering the war?
174
00:12:14,167 --> 00:12:18,205
San Juan Hill
and all the rest of it.
175
00:12:18,271 --> 00:12:21,174
You must've gotten a lot of
material for stories there.
176
00:12:22,709 --> 00:12:24,812
Steve Crane was my tent mate.
177
00:12:24,878 --> 00:12:28,548
Stephen Crane?
The Red Badge of Courage?
178
00:12:28,615 --> 00:12:31,184
-Brilliant writer.
-Yes.
179
00:12:31,251 --> 00:12:32,719
Tragic loss.
180
00:12:32,786 --> 00:12:34,754
He died so young.
181
00:12:36,256 --> 00:12:38,391
It's about time to turn in.
182
00:12:38,458 --> 00:12:40,994
We've got to work
double time tomorrow.
183
00:12:42,329 --> 00:12:46,133
I understand you have a sawmill,
Mr. Walton.
184
00:12:46,199 --> 00:12:48,601
Just a little thing out
back there...
185
00:12:48,668 --> 00:12:52,572
cut some lumber for the
railroad, a little firewood.
186
00:12:52,639 --> 00:12:56,509
I once worked a whole season on
a lumber mill up near Seattle.
187
00:12:56,576 --> 00:12:58,946
It was hard work
but it was satisfying.
188
00:12:59,012 --> 00:13:02,449
-And you've cut timber?
-Acres of it.
189
00:13:02,515 --> 00:13:04,117
Daddy, we've still got
that contract
190
00:13:04,184 --> 00:13:06,053
for the four-by-fours to fill--
191
00:13:06,119 --> 00:13:07,955
John-Boy's speaking out of turn.
192
00:13:08,021 --> 00:13:10,790
Mr. Covington was kind enough to
help out in an emergency
193
00:13:10,858 --> 00:13:12,525
do us a favor.
194
00:13:12,592 --> 00:13:16,796
If I could help you out, I'd be
glad to stay on for a few days.
195
00:13:16,864 --> 00:13:19,532
We're in no position
to hire help.
196
00:13:19,599 --> 00:13:22,903
Bed and board till the job's
done would be good enough.
197
00:13:28,942 --> 00:13:32,545
If you're kind enough to put up
with what little we've to offer.
198
00:13:32,612 --> 00:13:34,381
I'd be more than satisfied.
199
00:13:34,447 --> 00:13:36,349
Well, good.
200
00:13:36,416 --> 00:13:40,020
-You can have my room.
-It's very generous of you...
201
00:13:40,087 --> 00:13:41,821
but if the barn's available
202
00:13:41,889 --> 00:13:44,858
I'd enjoy a night's sleep
on a sweet bed of straw.
203
00:13:44,925 --> 00:13:48,561
I'll get some bedclothes and fix
you up a nice place in the barn.
204
00:13:48,628 --> 00:13:51,498
And you're right,
that straw does smell real good.
205
00:13:54,367 --> 00:13:56,970
Bright boy.
206
00:13:57,037 --> 00:14:00,007
He's got all the makings
of a good writer:
207
00:14:00,073 --> 00:14:02,342
curious and sensitive.
208
00:14:02,409 --> 00:14:03,376
And trusting.
209
00:14:06,914 --> 00:14:09,349
Good night, Mr. Walton.
210
00:14:09,416 --> 00:14:10,850
Good night.
211
00:14:19,792 --> 00:14:20,460
[dramatic music]
212
00:14:39,212 --> 00:14:41,548
You're all set now.
213
00:14:47,854 --> 00:14:51,058
After Whalen's Meadow, come back
as soon as you've got a load.
214
00:14:51,124 --> 00:14:53,293
We need all the logs we can get.
215
00:14:53,360 --> 00:14:55,228
Yes, sir.
216
00:14:58,465 --> 00:15:00,900
See you later, Daddy.
217
00:15:07,007 --> 00:15:09,576
-Mule seems to be limping.
-Yeah.
218
00:15:14,547 --> 00:15:16,950
[mule braying]
219
00:15:29,662 --> 00:15:31,598
Now, now.
220
00:15:32,899 --> 00:15:34,834
No wonder you've been hobbling.
221
00:15:34,901 --> 00:15:37,504
You got a big rock
stuck in here.
222
00:15:38,105 --> 00:15:40,273
There we go.
223
00:15:41,908 --> 00:15:43,676
A.J., will you look at the....
224
00:15:57,991 --> 00:15:59,959
[instrumental music]
225
00:16:04,897 --> 00:16:08,935
"While on my way to Suffern
along the Erie track
226
00:16:09,002 --> 00:16:11,071
"I pass by a poor old farmhouse
227
00:16:11,138 --> 00:16:13,273
"with its shingles
broken and black
228
00:16:13,340 --> 00:16:15,308
"I suppose I've passed it a
hundred times
229
00:16:15,375 --> 00:16:17,310
"but I always stop for a minute
230
00:16:17,377 --> 00:16:19,846
"To look at the house,
the tragic house
231
00:16:19,912 --> 00:16:22,082
the house with nobody in it"
232
00:16:23,250 --> 00:16:26,153
-Did you know Joyce Kilmer, too?
-No.
233
00:16:29,489 --> 00:16:31,758
Who owns this place, John-Boy?
234
00:16:31,824 --> 00:16:33,393
It used to be the Tabor place.
235
00:16:33,460 --> 00:16:37,064
But now my Daddy says anybody
who can pay the back taxes on it
236
00:16:37,130 --> 00:16:39,399
can claim it.
237
00:16:39,466 --> 00:16:42,402
Reminds me of my boyhood home
in Indiana.
238
00:16:43,736 --> 00:16:47,040
Nobody's been here
for two or three years.
239
00:16:47,107 --> 00:16:49,042
You ever notice that
some houses just
240
00:16:49,109 --> 00:16:51,744
deteriorate out of loneliness?
241
00:16:51,811 --> 00:16:54,047
Can't stand not sheltering life.
242
00:16:57,517 --> 00:17:00,287
I wonder if these roses
were red.
243
00:17:05,692 --> 00:17:08,561
We're supposed to be chopping
down trees, not gathering wool.
244
00:17:16,403 --> 00:17:18,971
Like you to try a little
of this beef broth.
245
00:17:19,038 --> 00:17:21,841
Do I have to?
246
00:17:21,908 --> 00:17:24,244
No, I won't force you.
247
00:17:26,646 --> 00:17:28,881
Does it still hurt?
248
00:17:28,948 --> 00:17:31,118
Can you show me where?
249
00:17:37,056 --> 00:17:39,025
You just lie still.
250
00:17:39,092 --> 00:17:41,694
Mama, is Jim-Bob real sick?
251
00:17:43,062 --> 00:17:45,198
He's got a bad stomachache.
252
00:17:45,265 --> 00:17:47,234
Like when I ate
the green apples?
253
00:17:47,300 --> 00:17:49,869
He isn't as sick as
I was that time, is he?
254
00:17:49,936 --> 00:17:53,106
No, Elizabeth. Nobody's ever
been sicker than you and lived.
255
00:17:53,173 --> 00:17:55,408
Out, you children.
256
00:18:16,296 --> 00:18:18,365
When did you first start
writing, A.J.?
257
00:18:18,431 --> 00:18:21,234
I was just 15 when I first
started making words
258
00:18:21,301 --> 00:18:23,703
do the tricks
I wanted them to do.
259
00:18:23,770 --> 00:18:25,305
Why did you start?
260
00:18:26,806 --> 00:18:29,409
Why?
261
00:18:29,476 --> 00:18:32,612
I was making all these
exciting new discoveries.
262
00:18:32,679 --> 00:18:36,115
I felt like I just had to share
them with somebody or bust.
263
00:18:36,183 --> 00:18:37,684
I know.
264
00:18:37,750 --> 00:18:39,786
Trouble is,
on an Indiana farm...
265
00:18:39,852 --> 00:18:41,988
what with the milking and
plowing...
266
00:18:42,054 --> 00:18:43,690
and planting and harvesting...
267
00:18:43,756 --> 00:18:47,527
there wasn't much time
for people to listen.
268
00:18:47,594 --> 00:18:51,063
So I started writing
all my thoughts down on paper.
269
00:18:51,130 --> 00:18:53,633
How old were you then?
270
00:18:53,700 --> 00:18:55,134
Seventeen.
271
00:18:56,636 --> 00:19:00,139
Along about the same time
I heard about this story contest
272
00:19:00,207 --> 00:19:01,508
a magazine was having.
273
00:19:01,574 --> 00:19:03,976
So I polished up
this piece I had done
274
00:19:04,043 --> 00:19:06,613
on a drought we'd had
the year before...
275
00:19:06,679 --> 00:19:08,781
and sent it in.
276
00:19:08,848 --> 00:19:13,286
I didn't win the $75 first
prize, but I did win the second.
277
00:19:13,353 --> 00:19:17,089
-And you were just 17 ?
-Yeah.
278
00:19:17,156 --> 00:19:19,759
This watch was my prize.
279
00:19:19,826 --> 00:19:22,262
It's a beauty.
I've admired it.
280
00:19:28,167 --> 00:19:31,938
I've carried it with me
all these years.
281
00:19:32,004 --> 00:19:34,006
What happened then?
282
00:19:34,073 --> 00:19:37,176
I lit out for Chicago.
283
00:19:37,244 --> 00:19:39,712
No money. No prospects.
284
00:19:39,779 --> 00:19:42,482
But I was loaded down
with hope and determination.
285
00:19:42,549 --> 00:19:46,619
-Weren't you scared?
-You bet.
286
00:19:46,686 --> 00:19:49,656
But I knew then,
as I know now...
287
00:19:49,722 --> 00:19:52,725
that unless a man is ready
to strike out on his own...
288
00:19:52,792 --> 00:19:56,729
leave kith and kin behind
without ever looking back...
289
00:19:56,796 --> 00:19:59,632
he'll never make it as a writer.
290
00:19:59,699 --> 00:20:02,269
My big story, the one
I was born to write...
291
00:20:02,335 --> 00:20:05,605
is out there somewhere.
292
00:20:05,672 --> 00:20:08,541
I just got to keep searching
till I find it.
293
00:20:10,009 --> 00:20:12,845
I've never let anyone
but my schoolteacher
294
00:20:12,912 --> 00:20:14,347
see what I write...
295
00:20:14,414 --> 00:20:19,586
but would you mind
reading a little something?
296
00:20:22,121 --> 00:20:24,691
And I'll bet you just happened
297
00:20:24,757 --> 00:20:27,694
to bring it along with you,
didn't you?
298
00:20:27,760 --> 00:20:31,964
-I'll be glad to.
-Thank you. I just....
299
00:20:32,031 --> 00:20:33,966
I just wrote this last night.
300
00:20:42,442 --> 00:20:45,845
That's not bad at all.
301
00:20:45,912 --> 00:20:49,181
You think you see the makings of
a writer in there somewhere?
302
00:20:49,248 --> 00:20:51,584
You're working at it.
303
00:20:51,651 --> 00:20:52,952
It might be, though...
304
00:20:53,019 --> 00:20:55,555
that you are working
a little bit too hard.
305
00:20:55,622 --> 00:20:59,225
See, sometimes the fanciest
words are not always the best.
306
00:20:59,292 --> 00:21:01,594
And adjectives are just like
red pepper:
307
00:21:01,661 --> 00:21:04,030
A little bit goes a long way.
308
00:21:04,096 --> 00:21:06,933
Look, for instance, right here.
309
00:21:06,999 --> 00:21:11,838
Now what do you say let's start
chopping some adjectives.
310
00:21:11,904 --> 00:21:13,540
All right.
311
00:21:21,714 --> 00:21:24,517
He doesn't seem to be
getting any better.
312
00:21:24,584 --> 00:21:27,354
Maybe you'd better
send for Doc Shackleford.
313
00:21:27,420 --> 00:21:29,522
Last of the logs, Daddy.
314
00:21:29,589 --> 00:21:31,958
Nothing we can do about it
till John-Boy gets back.
315
00:21:32,024 --> 00:21:34,193
I surely thought
John-Boy would be back
316
00:21:34,260 --> 00:21:36,028
with another load before now.
317
00:21:37,930 --> 00:21:42,935
-All right, son, switch it on.
-All right, Daddy.
318
00:21:43,002 --> 00:21:45,838
We need a doctor. Jim-Bob's
getting worse by the minute.
319
00:21:45,905 --> 00:21:47,407
Hold it, son.
320
00:21:47,474 --> 00:21:50,877
All right, I'll get over to
Ike's and call him right now.
321
00:21:55,682 --> 00:21:58,518
There, now.
See how much clearer it is?
322
00:21:58,585 --> 00:22:00,853
Says it all in half the words.
323
00:22:00,920 --> 00:22:05,324
Yes, well, now is the time for
you to be learning those skills.
324
00:22:05,392 --> 00:22:08,160
Then when you go out
after your big story...
325
00:22:08,227 --> 00:22:10,129
you'll be able to write it.
326
00:22:10,196 --> 00:22:13,433
-I can't thank you enough, A.J.
-My pleasure, son.
327
00:22:18,671 --> 00:22:21,874
We've been at this a good while.
I better get back to work.
328
00:22:21,941 --> 00:22:25,612
When a writer gets lost in his
own world, time has no meaning.
329
00:22:27,279 --> 00:22:30,850
You know, we don't even have
a half a wagonload yet.
330
00:22:41,528 --> 00:22:43,596
Hey, everybody.
331
00:22:43,663 --> 00:22:46,399
Sorry we're late getting home.
332
00:22:46,466 --> 00:22:48,034
Ben, when you finish eating
333
00:22:48,100 --> 00:22:50,269
would you turn
the mules out for me?
334
00:22:50,336 --> 00:22:51,904
-Sure.
-Thank you.
335
00:22:51,971 --> 00:22:55,374
Seems like dark
just fell on us all of a sudden.
336
00:22:57,844 --> 00:23:00,680
Put in a long day up there,
didn't you?
337
00:23:00,747 --> 00:23:03,049
We thought maybe
you might have got lost.
338
00:23:03,115 --> 00:23:07,053
No, sir, we didn't, but we did
lose sight of the time.
339
00:23:07,119 --> 00:23:08,655
Thank you.
340
00:23:14,260 --> 00:23:17,296
-How's Jim-Bob?
-He's one sick child.
341
00:23:17,363 --> 00:23:21,233
Your daddy phoned for the doctor
but he was out on another call.
342
00:23:21,300 --> 00:23:23,703
All we can do now is wait.
343
00:23:25,472 --> 00:23:28,741
Bring back a full load,
did you, son?
344
00:23:28,808 --> 00:23:31,578
No, Daddy, not exactly a full
load. Right much, though.
345
00:23:37,617 --> 00:23:38,985
How'd things go at the sawmill?
346
00:23:39,051 --> 00:23:41,988
We managed to get along
till mid-afternoon.
347
00:23:42,054 --> 00:23:45,357
-Then we ran out of timber.
-We waited and waited for you.
348
00:23:45,424 --> 00:23:47,226
We wanted to come up
and fetch you.
349
00:23:47,293 --> 00:23:49,662
We thought maybe
you laid down for a nap--
350
00:23:49,729 --> 00:23:52,965
Right, children, that's enough.
351
00:23:53,032 --> 00:23:55,001
The jelly, please.
352
00:24:17,657 --> 00:24:20,059
Daddy, I did wrong today.
I'm sorry.
353
00:24:21,561 --> 00:24:24,130
Those things happen sometimes.
354
00:24:24,196 --> 00:24:26,032
We got such an early start.
355
00:24:26,098 --> 00:24:28,835
It seemed like
we were doing real good.
356
00:24:28,901 --> 00:24:30,903
Sometimes a man works real hard
357
00:24:30,970 --> 00:24:34,006
and can't seem
to get anything done.
358
00:24:34,073 --> 00:24:36,408
It wasn't that.
359
00:24:36,475 --> 00:24:40,647
We sat down on a log to eat
lunch and we started talking.
360
00:24:40,713 --> 00:24:43,249
I asked A.J. about writing,
naturally.
361
00:24:43,315 --> 00:24:44,884
How he got started and all.
362
00:24:44,951 --> 00:24:46,953
And he told me.
363
00:24:47,019 --> 00:24:50,857
And you didn't get
much wood cut.
364
00:24:50,923 --> 00:24:52,925
That's the whole thing.
365
00:24:57,163 --> 00:25:02,168
I think reading and writing's
a fine thing, John-Boy.
366
00:25:02,234 --> 00:25:04,571
But you had a job to do today...
367
00:25:04,637 --> 00:25:07,807
for me, for the family,
for yourself.
368
00:25:12,812 --> 00:25:15,882
A man's judged by the way...
369
00:25:15,948 --> 00:25:19,518
he is handling a job
he's agreed to do.
370
00:25:19,586 --> 00:25:21,153
Give less than your best...
371
00:25:21,220 --> 00:25:24,957
whether you're writing
or chopping wood or farming...
372
00:25:26,158 --> 00:25:29,028
and you're failing
a lot of people.
373
00:25:29,095 --> 00:25:31,030
Most of all
he's failing himself.
374
00:25:32,699 --> 00:25:35,735
You do the best
of what you try...
375
00:25:35,802 --> 00:25:38,537
you'll have nothing
to be sorry about.
376
00:25:38,605 --> 00:25:40,206
I'll try, Daddy.
377
00:25:43,676 --> 00:25:46,045
-You'd better come.
-What is it, Livie?
378
00:25:46,112 --> 00:25:48,748
It's Jim-Bob.
The pain is real bad.
379
00:25:48,815 --> 00:25:50,216
And I'm afraid.
380
00:26:06,098 --> 00:26:08,267
His fever's rising
and his little stomach is
381
00:26:08,334 --> 00:26:10,069
as tight as a drum.
382
00:26:11,270 --> 00:26:13,405
Feeling pretty tough,
are you, son?
383
00:26:13,472 --> 00:26:14,741
Yes, Sir.
384
00:26:14,807 --> 00:26:16,743
He hasn't been sick
to his stomach
385
00:26:16,809 --> 00:26:18,745
so it isn't anything he ate.
386
00:26:18,811 --> 00:26:22,514
The pain's lower down,
isn't it, honey?
387
00:26:22,581 --> 00:26:26,185
I've given him some fennel tea
to check the fever and....
388
00:26:30,222 --> 00:26:32,358
Excuse me, I....
389
00:26:33,392 --> 00:26:34,761
I heard your son was sick.
390
00:26:34,827 --> 00:26:38,264
I thought maybe
I could be of some help.
391
00:26:38,330 --> 00:26:42,601
So you're a doctor, as well
as a writer and a woodcutter?
392
00:26:42,669 --> 00:26:44,804
No, ma'am, I'm not a doctor.
393
00:26:44,871 --> 00:26:47,606
But I have worked in a hospital.
394
00:26:49,275 --> 00:26:51,443
Any advice you can give us,
Mr. Covington...
395
00:26:51,510 --> 00:26:54,380
we'd be much obliged.
396
00:26:59,719 --> 00:27:01,053
Hi, son.
397
00:27:03,355 --> 00:27:05,224
Hurt down here?
398
00:27:13,499 --> 00:27:15,234
[groaning]
399
00:27:29,115 --> 00:27:31,550
I think your son has
appendicitis.
400
00:27:31,617 --> 00:27:33,920
Acute appendicitis.
401
00:27:33,986 --> 00:27:35,988
What makes you think that?
402
00:27:36,055 --> 00:27:39,558
I've seen these symptoms before.
403
00:27:39,625 --> 00:27:42,428
If there's even a possibility
that I'm right...
404
00:27:42,494 --> 00:27:44,230
it could be very serious.
405
00:27:44,296 --> 00:27:46,132
What about Dr. Brooks
down in Scottsville?
406
00:27:46,198 --> 00:27:48,567
I think what you need now
is a surgeon...
407
00:27:48,634 --> 00:27:50,236
not a country doctor.
408
00:27:50,302 --> 00:27:53,239
-Thank you, Mr. Covington.
-Quite all right.
409
00:27:55,875 --> 00:27:58,244
We get him to the hospital
right away.
410
00:28:02,181 --> 00:28:04,416
We'll stay with him
till he's fixed up.
411
00:28:04,483 --> 00:28:06,518
I don't know how long
that's gonna be...
412
00:28:06,585 --> 00:28:09,188
but I'll get back home
as soon as I can.
413
00:28:09,255 --> 00:28:11,758
-We'll be fine.
-You all behave yourselves here.
414
00:28:11,824 --> 00:28:13,192
Don't worry, Daddy.
415
00:28:13,259 --> 00:28:15,828
John-Boy, we still got a chance
to fill that contract.
416
00:28:15,895 --> 00:28:17,463
We're gonna try.
417
00:28:19,598 --> 00:28:21,834
Bye, Jim-Bob.
418
00:28:24,636 --> 00:28:26,172
Don't cry, honey.
419
00:28:26,238 --> 00:28:28,808
Crying's not going to help
Jim-Bob feel any better.
420
00:28:28,875 --> 00:28:31,077
It's going to make me
feel better.
421
00:28:31,143 --> 00:28:32,711
Into the house, all of you
422
00:28:32,779 --> 00:28:34,146
before somebody
catches the grippe.
423
00:28:34,213 --> 00:28:35,481
Here, Grandpa.
424
00:28:35,547 --> 00:28:38,317
One Walton at a time
in the hospital is enough.
425
00:28:55,434 --> 00:28:58,971
I've seen your symptoms
before, too.
426
00:28:59,038 --> 00:29:00,773
Acute depression.
427
00:29:02,674 --> 00:29:05,044
I let them down, A.J.
428
00:29:06,078 --> 00:29:07,479
We were chopping out adjectives
429
00:29:07,546 --> 00:29:11,217
when we should've been
chopping down trees.
430
00:29:11,283 --> 00:29:13,953
Never thought of anything else
but the writing.
431
00:29:14,020 --> 00:29:17,023
I just never give a thought
to anyone else but myself.
432
00:29:18,057 --> 00:29:21,060
I'll shoulder the blame.
433
00:29:21,127 --> 00:29:24,463
No, it's my family
and it was my job.
434
00:29:24,530 --> 00:29:27,433
All right,
we'll share the blame.
435
00:29:29,568 --> 00:29:33,005
A.J., I've been thinking a lot
about what you said.
436
00:29:33,072 --> 00:29:35,774
You're right.
If a man wants to be a writer...
437
00:29:35,842 --> 00:29:38,744
then that's got to come first
before anything else.
438
00:29:38,811 --> 00:29:40,646
At a certain point in his life.
439
00:29:40,712 --> 00:29:43,415
You know, sometimes
I talk a little too much.
440
00:29:45,084 --> 00:29:47,887
I don't think I'll ever be
able to turn my back
441
00:29:47,954 --> 00:29:50,689
on the people I care about.
442
00:29:50,756 --> 00:29:52,691
The people that depend on me.
443
00:29:52,758 --> 00:29:54,560
Wait a minute, John-Boy.
444
00:29:54,626 --> 00:29:58,730
I wasn't suggesting
you make such a drastic move...
445
00:29:58,797 --> 00:30:02,168
tomorrow or the next day.
I was just talking generally.
446
00:30:02,234 --> 00:30:05,337
Today, tomorrow, next year.
What does it matter?
447
00:30:07,606 --> 00:30:09,909
I've been fooling myself with
this dumb idea
448
00:30:09,976 --> 00:30:12,611
that I'm gonna be a writer!
449
00:30:12,678 --> 00:30:15,681
You're right. A writer's gotta
be able to cut off those ties.
450
00:30:15,747 --> 00:30:18,951
He's got to be able to
just go looking for that story
451
00:30:19,018 --> 00:30:21,653
he was meant to write.
452
00:30:21,720 --> 00:30:24,623
I admire you and all the
great men who've done it.
453
00:30:24,690 --> 00:30:27,459
But I honestly don't think
I'll ever have the courage.
454
00:30:30,629 --> 00:30:34,700
I guess I know I'll
always be looking back.
455
00:30:34,766 --> 00:30:36,535
Just be tied to what's here.
456
00:30:40,372 --> 00:30:43,609
John-Boy, we got a big day
tomorrow and you're tired now.
457
00:30:45,277 --> 00:30:47,613
We sure do have
a big day tomorrow.
458
00:30:49,548 --> 00:30:50,950
I may never be a writer...
459
00:30:51,017 --> 00:30:52,985
but I'm going
to be the best logger
460
00:30:53,052 --> 00:30:55,587
in Jefferson County tomorrow.
461
00:30:58,457 --> 00:31:01,961
-Good night, A.J.
-Good night.
462
00:31:11,537 --> 00:31:15,607
90 cents, 95 cents, $1. There
you go. You all come back, now.
463
00:31:18,177 --> 00:31:20,879
Well, Mr. Covington,
what can I do for you?
464
00:31:20,947 --> 00:31:22,949
A little information.
465
00:31:23,015 --> 00:31:24,216
I understand the Tabor place
466
00:31:24,283 --> 00:31:26,652
could belong to any man
that paid the taxes.
467
00:31:26,718 --> 00:31:28,420
That's correct.
468
00:31:28,487 --> 00:31:32,858
It's a shame. Nice little place
like that falling to pieces.
469
00:31:32,925 --> 00:31:34,693
Do you know how much
the taxes are?
470
00:31:34,760 --> 00:31:37,930
I do. I was thinking
of buying the place myself.
471
00:31:37,997 --> 00:31:40,732
$58.76.
472
00:31:40,799 --> 00:31:44,670
Why? Do I take it
you'd be interested in it?
473
00:31:44,736 --> 00:31:48,307
Well, I've got to admit, I am
a little tired of traveling.
474
00:31:48,374 --> 00:31:51,643
It'd be an honor to have
a person of your reputation
475
00:31:51,710 --> 00:31:54,613
in our neighborhood.
476
00:31:54,680 --> 00:31:58,817
There's one problem, though.
I'm a little bit short of cash.
477
00:31:58,884 --> 00:32:00,819
A lot of folks are nowadays.
478
00:32:00,886 --> 00:32:03,755
I do have this watch, though.
479
00:32:03,822 --> 00:32:05,457
Although I hate
to part with it...
480
00:32:05,524 --> 00:32:08,294
I have to have a down payment
on the taxes.
481
00:32:15,034 --> 00:32:17,336
She's a beauty.
482
00:32:21,540 --> 00:32:23,509
How much?
483
00:32:23,575 --> 00:32:25,077
$40.
484
00:32:28,814 --> 00:32:30,983
I'll give you $25.
485
00:32:32,084 --> 00:32:35,554
This is one of a kind,
Mr. Godsey.
486
00:32:37,623 --> 00:32:39,925
$35.
487
00:32:39,992 --> 00:32:42,394
How's that work again?
488
00:32:48,800 --> 00:32:50,369
$30.
489
00:32:53,939 --> 00:32:56,008
It's yours.
490
00:32:58,777 --> 00:33:01,480
The assessor's office
is over at the county seat.
491
00:33:01,547 --> 00:33:05,451
And let's see,
that's $5, $10, $20, $30.
492
00:33:17,796 --> 00:33:19,698
How're you doing, A.J.?
493
00:33:19,765 --> 00:33:22,201
Okay.
494
00:33:48,227 --> 00:33:51,463
Sure is taking a long while.
495
00:33:51,530 --> 00:33:54,233
I wish I could've
stayed with him.
496
00:33:54,300 --> 00:33:58,036
Livie, he's getting
the best care.
497
00:33:58,104 --> 00:34:01,740
He looked so small
on that big white bed.
498
00:34:01,807 --> 00:34:05,010
I'm just glad we got him here
on time.
499
00:34:05,077 --> 00:34:07,746
We have Mr. Covington
to thank for that.
500
00:34:11,883 --> 00:34:14,686
If anything had gone wrong,
they surely would've told us
501
00:34:14,753 --> 00:34:16,522
by now, wouldn't they?
502
00:34:20,592 --> 00:34:24,696
Hadn't you better go on home?
503
00:34:24,763 --> 00:34:27,633
We'll just sit
this thing out together.
504
00:34:28,867 --> 00:34:31,437
What about the contract?
If we don't make it?
505
00:34:33,472 --> 00:34:35,674
Just gonna have a long winter.
506
00:34:44,983 --> 00:34:47,018
You and the mules
have done real well.
507
00:34:47,085 --> 00:34:48,820
We sure have.
508
00:34:48,887 --> 00:34:51,089
Couldn't hardly see the sun
for the chips
509
00:34:51,157 --> 00:34:53,192
flying up there today.
510
00:34:53,259 --> 00:34:55,427
-Come on, Jason, give me a hand.
-Sure.
511
00:34:57,429 --> 00:34:59,431
-We'll get this one first.
-All right.
512
00:35:03,202 --> 00:35:04,703
-Got her?
-Yeah.
513
00:35:04,770 --> 00:35:07,406
Okay, let's go.
514
00:35:07,473 --> 00:35:09,575
We're way behind
on this order.
515
00:35:09,641 --> 00:35:11,843
Trouble is,
this old machine will go
516
00:35:11,910 --> 00:35:14,246
just so fast but no faster.
517
00:35:18,150 --> 00:35:20,686
You can make it go faster,
Mr. Walton.
518
00:35:20,752 --> 00:35:22,288
How's that?
519
00:35:22,354 --> 00:35:24,756
You change the ratio
of the pulleys.
520
00:35:24,823 --> 00:35:26,057
Ratio?
521
00:35:26,124 --> 00:35:27,893
How can we do that?
522
00:35:30,429 --> 00:35:34,966
You just replace that large
pulley with the small one, see.
523
00:35:35,033 --> 00:35:36,768
I fail to see it.
524
00:35:36,835 --> 00:35:38,937
It'll make the blade
go twice as fast...
525
00:35:39,004 --> 00:35:41,240
so you'll be cutting
twice as much lumber
526
00:35:41,307 --> 00:35:43,141
in the same amount of time.
527
00:35:43,209 --> 00:35:45,377
I say let's try it.
528
00:35:45,444 --> 00:35:48,247
Nothing ventured,
nothing gained.
529
00:35:52,484 --> 00:35:54,186
[sighs]
530
00:36:05,197 --> 00:36:06,832
-Mr. Walton?
-Doctor.
531
00:36:06,898 --> 00:36:09,301
Your boy's appendix
has been removed...
532
00:36:09,368 --> 00:36:12,271
and the operation
was a complete success.
533
00:36:13,539 --> 00:36:15,541
How long before
we can see him, Doctor?
534
00:36:15,607 --> 00:36:16,808
Shouldn't take more than
a couple of hours
535
00:36:16,875 --> 00:36:18,277
till the ether wears off.
536
00:36:18,344 --> 00:36:21,247
I'll have the nurses call you
so you can be with the boy
537
00:36:21,313 --> 00:36:22,514
when he wakens.
538
00:36:22,581 --> 00:36:25,451
Thank you, Doctor.
Thank you very much.
539
00:36:25,517 --> 00:36:27,719
Well, how about that?
540
00:36:44,670 --> 00:36:46,037
I don't understand it.
541
00:36:46,104 --> 00:36:47,706
It's simple.
542
00:36:47,773 --> 00:36:50,942
What your ratio's done is to
burn out the roller bearing.
543
00:36:51,009 --> 00:36:53,312
But it was working.
544
00:36:53,379 --> 00:36:55,547
For a while, anyway.
545
00:36:57,416 --> 00:36:59,150
That'll be Daddy.
546
00:36:59,217 --> 00:37:01,687
I hope his news
is better than ours.
547
00:37:07,092 --> 00:37:10,228
I'm sorry, John-Boy.
548
00:37:10,296 --> 00:37:12,598
It's not your fault, A.J.
549
00:37:22,474 --> 00:37:25,210
How's Jim-Bob?
550
00:37:25,277 --> 00:37:27,679
Minus one appendix
and doing just fine.
551
00:37:27,746 --> 00:37:30,248
-That's wonderful.
-Tell the others.
552
00:37:33,819 --> 00:37:37,188
Daddy, we're not
gonna make that contract.
553
00:37:37,255 --> 00:37:39,325
It's my fault.
554
00:37:39,391 --> 00:37:41,126
That's not what Grandpa told me.
555
00:37:41,192 --> 00:37:44,430
I was so anxious to make up
for the time I lost...
556
00:37:44,496 --> 00:37:47,433
that I had A.J.
try to speed up the saw.
557
00:37:47,499 --> 00:37:51,002
It worked for a while,
then it burned out the bearing.
558
00:37:51,069 --> 00:37:55,040
At least you gave it a try, son.
It wasn't such a bad idea.
559
00:37:55,106 --> 00:37:56,908
But I lost.
560
00:38:00,512 --> 00:38:02,581
We're just gonna have to...
561
00:38:02,648 --> 00:38:05,751
put our shoulder
to the wheel a little harder.
562
00:38:05,817 --> 00:38:09,054
It'll be slim pickings
this winter.
563
00:38:09,120 --> 00:38:11,790
That operation cost $22.
564
00:38:16,462 --> 00:38:18,697
We'll get by somehow.
565
00:38:30,108 --> 00:38:31,843
Thank you, Chance.
566
00:38:52,564 --> 00:38:55,133
I feel a terrible aching
emptiness...
567
00:38:55,200 --> 00:38:57,569
but I will fill that empty
place in myself...
568
00:38:57,636 --> 00:38:59,805
with what I feel
for my father and mother
569
00:38:59,871 --> 00:39:01,440
and brothers and sisters...
570
00:39:01,507 --> 00:39:03,274
instead of living
in the private world
571
00:39:03,341 --> 00:39:05,677
of my thoughts and feelings.
572
00:39:19,224 --> 00:39:20,992
See you later, girl.
573
00:39:46,351 --> 00:39:50,321
After this writing, I will lay
aside my journal forever.
574
00:39:50,388 --> 00:39:51,823
I will try to accept this
575
00:39:51,890 --> 00:39:53,825
and learn to live
with the knowledge...
576
00:39:53,892 --> 00:39:56,495
that I can never follow
in the footsteps of those
577
00:39:56,562 --> 00:39:58,196
who gave their lives...
578
00:39:58,263 --> 00:40:01,667
to search for the one great
story they were born to write.
579
00:40:21,953 --> 00:40:23,722
Come in, son.
580
00:40:25,557 --> 00:40:27,959
-Am I disturbing you?
-No.
581
00:40:29,961 --> 00:40:31,797
I was just thinking.
582
00:40:31,863 --> 00:40:35,066
Piecing out a story
in your mind?
583
00:40:35,133 --> 00:40:37,002
Yeah.
584
00:40:37,068 --> 00:40:39,671
If you'd like to talk it out
loud, there's nothing...
585
00:40:39,738 --> 00:40:41,873
I'd rather do than listen.
586
00:40:44,075 --> 00:40:46,745
That's what I've done
with all my stories, John-Boy.
587
00:40:48,346 --> 00:40:51,683
Talked them all away instead of
putting them down on paper.
588
00:40:51,750 --> 00:40:53,619
What do you mean?
589
00:40:55,253 --> 00:40:57,856
I've yarned my yarns
at boarding house tables...
590
00:40:57,923 --> 00:41:00,726
in saloons, hotel lobbies,
street corners...
591
00:41:00,792 --> 00:41:03,729
just about anyplace
I could get anybody to listen.
592
00:41:03,795 --> 00:41:06,031
Then when I sat
myself down alone
593
00:41:06,097 --> 00:41:08,967
in front of
a blank piece of paper...
594
00:41:09,034 --> 00:41:11,537
it was all gone.
595
00:41:11,603 --> 00:41:13,939
I was drained.
I'd talked it all away.
596
00:41:15,607 --> 00:41:17,643
So I couldn't write.
597
00:41:18,677 --> 00:41:20,946
But you did write.
598
00:41:22,681 --> 00:41:24,950
Very little, son.
599
00:41:28,486 --> 00:41:33,124
This story I was piecing out
in my mind...
600
00:41:33,191 --> 00:41:35,527
it was about...
601
00:41:35,594 --> 00:41:38,496
a young boy
growing up on a farm.
602
00:41:38,564 --> 00:41:40,966
Me?
603
00:41:41,032 --> 00:41:42,467
Or me.
604
00:41:42,534 --> 00:41:45,637
Maybe even both of us.
605
00:41:45,704 --> 00:41:48,740
This boy wanted to write.
So he did.
606
00:41:48,807 --> 00:41:51,710
He wrote about his family,
the farm...
607
00:41:51,777 --> 00:41:54,279
happenings in a small town
nearby.
608
00:41:54,345 --> 00:41:56,381
People read what he wrote
and liked it...
609
00:41:56,447 --> 00:41:59,217
because they sensed it came
out of his own feelings.
610
00:41:59,284 --> 00:42:01,452
You know what I mean?
611
00:42:01,519 --> 00:42:02,888
I think so.
612
00:42:05,023 --> 00:42:08,627
Then he got a little
recognition.
613
00:42:08,694 --> 00:42:10,762
Where's your watch?
614
00:42:10,829 --> 00:42:14,299
It's in a safe place.
615
00:42:14,365 --> 00:42:18,503
Then he got a little recognition
and he went to the big city.
616
00:42:18,570 --> 00:42:19,838
He met other writers.
617
00:42:19,905 --> 00:42:22,240
He talked about writing
and the literary life.
618
00:42:24,943 --> 00:42:28,546
Came away with
a lot of bogus notions.
619
00:42:30,248 --> 00:42:32,784
One, he told himself
that to be a writer...
620
00:42:32,851 --> 00:42:36,254
he had to cut all of his family
ties. So he cut them.
621
00:42:38,323 --> 00:42:39,925
Then he looked at...
622
00:42:39,991 --> 00:42:42,828
the small but honest things
he'd written...
623
00:42:42,894 --> 00:42:45,897
and decided that
they were trivial.
624
00:42:47,065 --> 00:42:49,534
He had to go searching
for the big story.
625
00:42:49,601 --> 00:42:53,004
But didn't Melville and London
do the same thing?
626
00:42:53,071 --> 00:42:55,741
What they saw and felt,
they set down...
627
00:42:55,807 --> 00:42:58,409
without asking themselves
if it was "the" story.
628
00:42:58,476 --> 00:43:02,881
As long as it was "a" story.
That was good enough.
629
00:43:02,948 --> 00:43:05,651
But this fellow I'm telling you
about...
630
00:43:05,717 --> 00:43:07,986
he used the wandering and the
searching
631
00:43:08,053 --> 00:43:10,321
as an excuse
to keep from writing.
632
00:43:12,791 --> 00:43:15,260
-You know how he ended up?
-No.
633
00:43:18,329 --> 00:43:20,699
With nothing to show
for 45 years of living
634
00:43:20,766 --> 00:43:23,601
but a few tall tales...
635
00:43:23,669 --> 00:43:27,205
and some secondhand memories
of working writers he'd known.
636
00:43:28,940 --> 00:43:31,677
But he could still write
if he wanted to.
637
00:43:33,679 --> 00:43:35,747
He tells himself that
from time to time
638
00:43:35,814 --> 00:43:39,017
but he doesn't really
believe it anymore.
639
00:43:39,084 --> 00:43:41,319
Moral stories are out of style,
John-Boy.
640
00:43:43,621 --> 00:43:45,724
But then, so am I.
641
00:43:48,860 --> 00:43:52,430
But my story has a moral.
642
00:43:52,497 --> 00:43:55,433
Don't waste your life searching
for the one big story
643
00:43:55,500 --> 00:43:57,635
you were born to write.
644
00:43:57,703 --> 00:43:59,470
Write the little stories.
645
00:43:59,537 --> 00:44:03,641
Who knows, the sum total of them
might be the big one.
646
00:44:03,709 --> 00:44:06,644
Write about Walton's Mountain.
647
00:44:06,712 --> 00:44:09,647
Your feelings about your family,
this place.
648
00:44:09,715 --> 00:44:12,017
Just the way you've been doing.
649
00:44:12,083 --> 00:44:15,687
Write about how it is to be
young and confused and poor.
650
00:44:15,754 --> 00:44:17,689
Groping, but supported by
651
00:44:17,756 --> 00:44:20,892
a strong father
and a loving mother.
652
00:44:20,959 --> 00:44:23,061
Surrounded by
brothers and sisters
653
00:44:23,128 --> 00:44:25,797
that pester you
and irritate you...
654
00:44:25,864 --> 00:44:27,933
but care about you.
655
00:44:27,999 --> 00:44:31,036
Try to capture that in words,
John-Boy.
656
00:44:31,102 --> 00:44:35,741
That's as big a challenge as the
Klondike or the white whale...
657
00:44:35,807 --> 00:44:39,644
or flying the Atlantic Ocean
alone.
658
00:44:39,711 --> 00:44:41,747
It was too big for me...
659
00:44:43,181 --> 00:44:46,151
but I think you just
might be up to it.
660
00:44:49,654 --> 00:44:51,823
Thank you, A.J.
661
00:45:06,805 --> 00:45:09,340
[instrumental music]
662
00:45:32,363 --> 00:45:35,033
"It needs new paint
and shingles
663
00:45:35,100 --> 00:45:37,836
"And the vines should be
trimmed and tied
664
00:45:41,873 --> 00:45:43,842
"But what it needs
the most of all
665
00:45:43,909 --> 00:45:46,211
is some people living inside"
666
00:45:51,950 --> 00:45:54,786
It was about so long
and it looked sort of like
667
00:45:54,853 --> 00:45:56,054
a fishing worm.
668
00:45:56,121 --> 00:45:57,388
Mother!
669
00:45:57,455 --> 00:45:59,825
Jim-Bob, I think Erin
is getting a bit squeamish.
670
00:45:59,891 --> 00:46:02,260
I am glad we are not eating
at the table.
671
00:46:02,327 --> 00:46:03,795
-But it's interesting.
-It's scientific.
672
00:46:03,862 --> 00:46:05,430
It's disgusting.
673
00:46:05,496 --> 00:46:07,833
It's all gone.
674
00:46:07,899 --> 00:46:12,003
It's the most interesting thing
that ever happened to anyone.
675
00:46:13,571 --> 00:46:17,809
Some folks think that a forest
fire is entertainment, too.
676
00:46:17,876 --> 00:46:20,145
Stop picking at them.
677
00:46:20,211 --> 00:46:23,781
You were as curious as a magpie
when you were young.
678
00:46:23,849 --> 00:46:26,184
Whenever that was, I wonder.
679
00:46:26,251 --> 00:46:30,021
I am the only one around here
who can recollect back that far.
680
00:46:35,460 --> 00:46:37,996
What's the matter, son?
681
00:46:38,063 --> 00:46:39,464
A.J.'s gone.
682
00:46:39,530 --> 00:46:40,765
-What?
-Where?
683
00:46:40,832 --> 00:46:43,969
Without so much as a good-bye?
684
00:46:44,035 --> 00:46:47,839
He left me a note.
I'd like to read it to you.
685
00:46:51,076 --> 00:46:55,446
"Dear John-Boy,
time for moving on.
686
00:46:55,513 --> 00:47:00,185
"I'm leaving you something. This
is not a gift. It's a loan."
687
00:47:04,255 --> 00:47:05,656
$22.
688
00:47:05,723 --> 00:47:08,159
Where would he get $22?
689
00:47:10,495 --> 00:47:12,864
I think I know, Grandma.
690
00:47:17,768 --> 00:47:20,038
"I've got no good use for this.
691
00:47:20,105 --> 00:47:22,573
"It will help to cover
the loss of the contract.
692
00:47:24,109 --> 00:47:26,611
"This is the most
I've written in years.
693
00:47:26,677 --> 00:47:29,580
"My road calls me, lures me
694
00:47:29,647 --> 00:47:33,751
"West, east, south, and north
695
00:47:33,818 --> 00:47:36,654
"Most roads lead men homewards
696
00:47:36,721 --> 00:47:39,557
"My road leads me forth'
697
00:47:39,624 --> 00:47:41,893
"Affectionately, A.J. Covington.
698
00:47:43,194 --> 00:47:45,330
"Andy."
699
00:47:50,268 --> 00:47:53,704
We never saw nor heard
from A.J. Covington again.
700
00:47:53,771 --> 00:47:55,974
He wandered into our lives...
701
00:47:56,041 --> 00:47:59,044
touched them,
and wandered away.
702
00:47:59,110 --> 00:48:01,112
Often when I face
the silent challenge
703
00:48:01,179 --> 00:48:02,847
of a blank piece of paper...
704
00:48:02,914 --> 00:48:07,552
I remember the literary man
and the advice he gave me.
705
00:48:07,618 --> 00:48:09,554
I struggle to keep faith
with him
706
00:48:09,620 --> 00:48:11,756
and set down
the small things...
707
00:48:11,822 --> 00:48:13,558
the seemingly trivial things
708
00:48:13,624 --> 00:48:15,560
which perhaps taken all
together...
709
00:48:15,626 --> 00:48:18,063
will eventually give
at least some suggestion...
710
00:48:18,129 --> 00:48:20,498
of the love and sacrifice
and joy...
711
00:48:20,565 --> 00:48:23,534
that sustained one family
who lived out the Depression...
712
00:48:23,601 --> 00:48:26,004
at the foot of Walton's
Mountain.
713
00:48:28,606 --> 00:48:30,008
Mama?
714
00:48:30,075 --> 00:48:31,376
Yes, Jason?
715
00:48:31,442 --> 00:48:33,644
I got a sharp hurt in my side.
716
00:48:33,711 --> 00:48:35,947
You reckon I could be
getting appendicitis?
717
00:48:36,014 --> 00:48:38,950
I hope not.
Try turning on your back.
718
00:48:40,952 --> 00:48:42,387
It's all right, Mama.
719
00:48:42,453 --> 00:48:43,788
Hurt gone?
720
00:48:43,854 --> 00:48:46,391
I was laying on my harmonica.
721
00:48:46,457 --> 00:48:49,327
-Good night, Jason.
-Good night, Mama.
722
00:48:55,200 --> 00:48:56,634
In a moment, some scenes
723
00:48:56,701 --> 00:49:00,038
from the next episode
of The Waltons.
724
00:49:00,938 --> 00:49:04,075
[theme music]
725
00:49:20,058 --> 00:49:23,194
[music continues]
726
00:49:23,244 --> 00:49:27,794
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