Original subtitles

Ha!

Whoa. Whoa, whoa.

Oh. He's got the fever bad.

His clothes reek of smoke.

Got ashes all over them.

You think he's a reverend?

His clothes say so.

Notes on his next sermon.

$1.87.

Spent the rest philandering, no doubt.

No money belt.

I'll tell you one thing, Mattie,

he's been mighty close to a fire.

Hmm.

"To the reverend Robert Alden from his congregation

at walnut grove."

Pleased to make your acquaintance there, reverend.

You know, I'd say he's mighty close

to knocking on the pearly gates.

We may be the saving of him, Mattie.

Oh, I hope so.

You know, I bet he'd want to be paying us for all of our trouble,

doctoring him, feeding him, taking care of him.

But I'd be ashamed to take money for a kindness,

wouldn't you?

Indeed I would.

Especially $1.87.

Good-looking watch. You know, I believe that's real gold.

Caleb, no!

He's a man of god.

Boy, you sure got religion all of a sudden.

I'll go unhitch his team.

- Ho! - Hey, Edwards!

Didn't expect you back this early.

Didn't have no load coming back from sleepy eye.

How come?

Don't know for sure.

Supposed to have been a load coming in from gray's corners.

Never showed up, though.

Old man carswell said that he heard

something bad happened up that way.

A tornado, do you think?

Well, don't know.

Reverend Alden's due in today. Maybe he'll know.

- Is he going to stay with you? - Yeah.

That's why I got to get back.

Got a jug of mash hid out in the barn.

Just my luck he's going to stumble onto it.

Well, you better get back, unless you want to sit through a two-hour sermon.

Yeah.

Not that you don't deserve one.

Now, you know I only drink that mash

for medicinal purposes.

Well, if that's the case, you've been sick

every day since I met you.

Ha ha ha!

Well, I'll let you know what reverend Alden says

about gray's corners. Come on, horses!

All right. Take care.

Well, look who's ready for breakfast.

Better just sit still there awhile, reverend.

We had to wrestle the death angel all night long for you.

Who are you?

I'm Caleb hodgekiss. And this is my missus,

Mattie, for short, we call her.

And you are?

Robert Alden.

Where is this?

Well, I'd say you're somewhere between

15 and 20 miles from nowhere.

More or less, right, Mattie?

Yes.

Am I near walnut grove?

No, you're a half a day's ride from walnut grove.

Oh. Here.

It's honey and warm milk.

It'll soothe the coughing.

I have to get there.

Oh, you will, but next week.

No.

Today. I have to.

Gray's corners was burned out by a prairie fire.

Their wheat crop's gone.

I can't tell you how many farmhouses.

The people are living in the church

and in the livery stable.

And you were out to get help for them?

Well, I was planning on collecting donations at walnut grove.

Food, clothes, money.

Well, now that's a mighty burden

you've laid on yourself, there, reverend.

You're not able to do that, you know. You're a sick man.

I have to. They're desperate.

Why do you have to?

Why can't the people of walnut grove

do the collecting for you?

How about the elders of the church?

Why can't they take up the collection for you?

How could I get word to them?

You're looking at him.

Give me the names of the people

that you want to do the collecting,

and I'll go see them.

God's blessing on you, brother hodgekiss.

Oh.

Now, don't lay more of a burden on me

than I can handle, all right?

Mattie, write down the names for me.

And I'll get my horse and be on the way.

Caleb?

Well, bless you, my good woman!

Oh! Ha ha ha!

Hey, Mattie, didn't I tell you that he was sent?

Caleb hodgekiss.

Oh, brother hodgekiss, please.

Remember what the reverend said.

Oh, mercy!

Why are you dressed like that?

Hey, Mattie.

You know, I always figured I ought to be doing the lord's work.

And here I go picking up a collection for him.

Oh, you're not, Caleb.

Oh, yes, I am.

You know, I think he meant

for folks to be kind and generous.

And I'm the one they're going to be kind and generous to!

Caleb, you're going to get in trouble again.

And this time,

they won't let you go.

Trouble, trouble?

Doing the work of the lord?

Picking up a collection for the needy?

Trouble? Just as long as I don't tell them

we're the needy.

You promised me when we came out here

we were going to have a new life.

That's what I aim to do.

You said it was a sign, an honest life.

When you found the shack, it was a sign, Caleb.

It was a place to keep warm in, Mattie,

a place to hide, a place to wait

until something better come along, that's all.

It's not what you said then.

Well, then is then, and now is now!

Mattie, I'm not going to have you gripping out a living

in this place for the rest of your life.

I'd be willing.

Well, I'm not.

But to take from them that's needy, Caleb.

That's cruel.

You take what you can when you can get it

or it gets taken away from you.

And that's the way the world is.

Now, you took down the names of them folks that are

going to help with my good work at gray's corner,

and how I can find them?

Now, you keep the reverend here until Saturday,

then send him off to gray's corner, tell him I've gone

there to help with the collecting

and I'll meet him there.

This is the last time, I promise.

Don't promise.

Caleb: Beside her husband and baby

tonight she sleeps on the cold, cold ground

beside old black Jack David

black Jack David come around through the woods

singing so loud and merry

voice kept a-ringin' through the green, green trees

spied a fair-haired maiden

would you forsake your husband, dear?

Would you forsake your baby?

Would you forsake your fine, fine home

go with black Jack David?

And go with black Jack David?

Well, good day, young lady.

Good day.

I thought I had ridden through

the pearly gates and seen an angel.

I'm brother hodgekiss.

Pleased to meet you. I'm Mary Ingalls.

Ingalls.

Are you the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ingalls?

How'd you know?

The reverend Alden gave me some names.

Would you show me the way to your house?

Sure.

Care to climb aboard? She sways a little bit in the middle,

but I don't mind if you don't.

There you go. Okay?

You a friend of reverend Alden?

Oh, yes, I am. He's a fine man.

You might say we're both cut from the same cloth.

Giddy-up.

Black Jack David come around through the woods

singing so loud and merry

voice kept a-ringin' through the green, green trees

spied a fair-haired maiden

he spied a fair-haired maiden

More coffee, brother hodgekiss?

Oh, yes. Thank you.

Brother, we heard things were... were bad over there,

but I had no idea they lost their whole wheat crop and everything.

That's what the reverend Alden told me.

He's on his way to mankato now

to do what he can with the collecting.

He gave me a list of people to look up.

Um, Mr. Oleson, Mr. Hanson, Mr. Edwards,

the banker, Mr. Sprague.

Uh, Dr. Baker.

A number of ladies, Mrs. Whipple.

Yeah, let me see.

All these people will be very glad to help.

Most of the names on this list live right in town.

Edwards and I can go to all the outlying farms, let them know.

Oh, good. I'd appreciate that. Thank you.

Be my pleasure.

Pa, can I go to town with brother hodgekiss when he makes his collection?

I can introduce him to people

and kind of let him know who's stingy and who's generous.

Caroline: Mary.

Mrs. Ingalls, as I told you,

the need is great. It would really help.

Please, ma.

All right.

Looks like you got yourself a helper.

I, uh, I believe this is about as high a figure

as I can go, brother hodgekiss.

That's very generous of you.

I guess things aren't going too well at the bank,

are they, Mr. Sprague?

Now, why would you say that?

Because I know if things were good, you'd give more,

generous as you are.

Ho ho ho.

That's a mighty powerful argument you got there

with you, brother. I guess I, uh...

I could go another $10.00.

The lord bless you for it.

Yes, well, uh...

At least half the blessing belongs to your little, uh, argument here.

Thank you, Mr. Sprague.

I think we ought to see the olesons next.

Then we can tell them how much Mr. Sprague has given.

And they'll try to outdo it.

You talk to Mr. Oleson, not Mrs. I'll handle her.

Good morning, Mary.

- Good morning, Mrs. Oleson. - Good morning.

Good morning, Mr. Oleson.

I'd like you to meet a friend of mine.

This is Mr. Oleson, the man I was telling you about,

brother hodgekiss.

- The finest merchant for miles around. - Ahem.

And Mrs. Oleson, you're just the person I wanted to see.

- If you'll excuse us. - Uh, well...

Would you mind explaining to me, young lady,

what this is all about?

You've heard of the terrible prairie fire.

Oh, I see.

Well, I'm terribly sorry, child,

but you've caught me at a very awkward time.

As you can see, the shelves are practically bare.

We're not asking you to give anything, Mrs. Oleson.

Oh. Nothing?

No.

In fact, we wondered if you'd mind.

You see, we're going to need a place to store the things

brother hodgekiss and I collect.

We wondered if you could rent part of this room.

Rent? Did you say rent?

That way, you could consider the rental

part of your donation to the drive.

I mean, if you were to ask, say, $50

for the rent on the room, we could enter that $50

in the ledger as your donation,

and people around would be terribly impressed.

Oh. $50! My!

That seems like a very large donation to charity.

I don't recall another gift that size in this whole county.

Ah...

Um, is that the list?

- Uh-huh. - May I?

Ah! Mr. Sprague is only giving $30?

He's temporarily strapped for funds.

Oh, I see.

Put the rental down for $60.

The least I can do is to contribute

twice as much as the town banker.

That's very generous of you.

I know.

Not a word to the missus now.

Not a word, thank you.

God bless your good work, brother hodgekiss.

Thank you again, Mrs. Oleson.

- Good day. - Good day.

Oh, it's disgraceful, that town banker

giving such a small donation.

Well, I daresay they will name

a pew after me in the church.

Now I know why they call it a pew.

Mrs. Oleson: What, nels?

I said you're very generous, dear.

Will he get better, doctor?

I hope so, Alicia.

You just keep giving him the medicine.

We'll just have to wait and see.

Mary: Hi, doc baker!

Hello, Mary.

What's the matter with your pup, Alicia?

He's bad sick.

He shouldn't die.

He's just a puppy.

You must be the brother hodgekiss I've been hearing about.

I'm doc baker.

My pleasure, doctor.

I know you meet up with that in your work, too,

but I'll never get used to it.

I know he's only a pup, but...

I understand.

How's the collection coming?

Just fine, thank you.

You're welcome to all the medical supplies I can spare.

I'm afraid my ready cash at the moment

consists of one bag of potatoes and 3 hams,

but you're welcome to them.

Thank you very much.

But I'd like a favor from you.

Of course.

If someone's looking for me, Mary,

I'll be with Mrs. Bjornesen.

All right.

She lives on the edge of town.

Her husband died a month ago,

and she's doing her best to catch up with him.

That'll be Dr. Baker.

Now you'll get what for.

She won't take her medicine.

Morning, Addie.

I brought a visitor for you.

His name is hodgekiss, brother hodgekiss.

He's come a long way to do a great help

to a great number of people.

He wants to talk to you.

If you've come to pray for me,

you can save your breath.

Well, if I was to pray, I wouldn't know what to pray for.

You'd have to do the asking.

I've asked.

It don't come.

And don't tell me my Joe's a-gonna be

waiting for me at the pearly gates.

Well, I never put a lot of stock in the pearly gates.

It always seemed like a bunch of froufrou to me.

Well, you got some sass in you,

I'll say that for you.

Are you a regular preacher?

Well, I don't really preach. I just do what I can.

The calling came recently.

What was you before?

Uh, a traveling man.

I knew it. Need sass for that.

Oh, my Joe, he had sass in him.

That was the fun of it.

Never knowing what to expect next.

That's what's missing.

Tell me about him.

Tell you? What do you want me to tell you?

Whatever you'd like.

Oh, Joe.

He had a taste for his nip,

and he had a roving eye.

But his eyes always come back to me.

He'd been all over,

done everything,

done time in jail, even.

Does that shock you?

Done it myself.

Oh, you're spoofing me.

Wouldn't do that.

And look at you now.

Ever been to sea?

7 years.

From the time I was 11 till I jumped ship in New Orleans.

Like Joe.

Oh, Joe loved his chanteys.

He'd sing them till the roof fell down.

What was his favorite?

Oh, you probably wouldn't know it.

Try me.

Yeah.

Caleb: My Bonnie lies over the ocean

My Bonnie lies over the sea

My Bonnie lies

over the ocean

Ha ha!

Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me

oh, bring back

bring back

oh, bring back my Bonnie to me

to me

bring back

oh, bring back my Bonnie to me

Oh! Oh, I've had about enough for now, brother.

But you come back and see me again real soon, hear?

I will, Addie.

You're not just talking?

You'll come?

I'll be back, Addie.

Oh, my Bonnie lies over the ocean

my Bonnie lies over the sea

my Bonnie lies over the ocean

oh, bring back my Bonnie to me

may whipple, why are you sitting out there?

Ha ha ha ha!

- How did you do it? - I don't really know.

Well, there wasn't a soul in town that could rouse her.

She was dying, and she wanted to die.

The lord must be speaking through you, brother.

I suppose so.

Well, I'd better go.

Brother hodgekiss!

God bless you.

You look a sight more human.

How you feel?

Better.

Don't ask me to move any mountains.

Well, your fever's down.

Think you can hold something on your stomach?

I'll give it a try.

What day is this?

It's Friday.

Is he back yet?

Caleb?

You don't remember, do ya?

He's staying in walnut grove

to help with the collecting.

He's supposed to meet you in gray's corners

with what he's taken in,

Saturday, if you can make it.

I'll make it.

How long have I been here?

I don't remember if you came Monday or Tuesday.

And all that time, you've been doing for me.

Nursing, food.

You know, in god's eyes, you saved my life.

I don't know how to thank you.

Well, then don't!

I don't need your thanks!

I need some firewood.

Have you ever seen anything like it?

There's more coming, too.

Oh, that's wonderful.

I'll write a personal letter of thanks to everyone that gave.

You know, brother hodgekiss,

I want you to know that I'm a man

who trusts people by nature.

But there's so much piling up in here

that I'd hate to think that somebody might take it into his head

to make off with any of it.

No one would do that. You must be joking.

I wish I was.

When the banks are closed,

there's a heap of money in this cash box.

That's why I've been locking up.

Here's an extra key.

It's the same one that opens the shop,

so be careful with it.

I certainly will.

- Good morning. Mr. Oleson: Morning, Mary.

- Hi. - Hi.

Here's some things my ma gave.

She wished it was more.

Aw, that's very generous.

Now, what are our plans for today, young lady?

We've got a lot of places to go.

This place is going to be busting at the seams by sunday.

Saturday, Mr. Oleson.

Saturday.

I promised reverend Alden

I'd meet him at gray's corners on Saturday.

But there will be a lot more pledges coming in.

And the folks are going to want to hear you say

the blessing on sunday.

People give more on sunday.

I'm afraid she's right.

I suppose.

See you, Mr. Oleson.

Right, brother hodgekiss.

Mary: And Mrs. Whipple gave 3 bolts of unbleached muslin,

and Mr. Hanson gave 4 sacks of meal,

and more promised sunday.

And the peabody sisters...

And they're the ones that live in that fine old house, right?

- Uh-huh. - What'd they give?

2 chipped cups and a platter.

Have you noticed?

The ones that don't have much,

they give the most.

Well, I wouldn't say that's true in every case.

Darn near.

I bet I know why.

Because they know what it means to need and not to have.

Mary, you know if this suit fit you, I'd let you wear it.

I declare, you're different

from any preacher I ever knew.

Yeah, I suppose I am.

Mary: Hello, Mr. Edwards!

Howdy!

Come collecting, did you?

Well, the wife's got some stuff piled up in the kitchen for you.

Thank you.

Where's Alicia?

Oh, she's in the barn.

Something sad happened.

Her pup?

Afraid so.

I'll go see her.

Digging a grave for that pup.

Just doesn't want to put him in it.

Keeps praying he'll come to life again.

Brother hodgekiss, I know it's a lot to ask,

but I was wondering if maybe you could say

a few words of comfort to Alicia?

Sure would appreciate it.

- Well... - Please now,

I'm not much of a one with words.

Wouldn't know what to say to her.

All right.

Oh, thank you, thank you.

What's your puppy's name?

"Mine."

Good name for a dog.

You know, you were really lucky

having a dog love you like that.

Because a lot of people go through their whole life

and never have anybody to love them.

But you know, there's an end to everything.

Even us.

But we go to heaven.

We get to see each other again.

But I'll never see mine again.

Why not?

Because only people go to heaven.

And mine's just a puppy.

Hold on there now.

Seems to me like I remember reading something in the Bible

where god told... First there was

a whole bunch of rain falling, right?

And then god told a man named Jonah

to build a big boat

and, uh...

You mean Noah, the one who built the ark?

Noah. That's right. I just wanted to see

if you remembered your Bible.

Anyway, Noah... Noah built this ark.

And then... and then god had all these animals

put on this ark.

And I betcha there were dogs on there, too.

Think so?

Think so? Know so.

I'm a preacher, ain't I?

Anyway, you know, what with god

taking care of all those

dogs like that,

you can just be sure that he'd want a pretty little puppy

like yours with him in heaven.

Then I'll see "mine" again?

You sure will.

But you know what we got to do?

First thing, we got to get your puppy buried

so he can go to heaven.

All right.

God bless you.

Kind of rushing things, aren't you, reverend?

It's Saturday, isn't it?

Well, you don't have to be out of here till noon.

Mattie, where are my clothes?

Right in front of you, on the wall.

I pressed your frocked coat and your trousers,

and your linens all freshly done.

But the clothes in my bag,

my shoes, my hat...

My clothes, Mattie, where are they?

I heard ya.

Uh...

You'll get them back.

I promise you.

Your husband has them.

Why?

Well, folks will be more generous to a man of the cloth.

They give more.

You know for yourself they do.

It impresses them.

I suppose he's impressing them with my watch?

Mattie, I don't understand.

Your kindness...

Your goodness...

Don't try.

Mattie, I don't care about the watch or the clothes.

He's taking from poor people.

He's taking for the needy!

Lord knows, we're needy!

You don't believe that.

Don't fret yourself.

Your precious needy will get their things.

I'm supposed to have you out of here by noon today...

Going to gray's corners...

With a story that he'd meet you there.

He was going to bring everything he collected,

only he wasn't going there.

He was coming here.

And...

By the time they found us...

It's too late, see?

But he's still coming here.

And you can still get your things.

All you have to do is just...

Wait for him and take them away from him.

Only...

Don't turn him in, reverend.

Please don't turn him in.

Suppose he gets it in his head not to come back?

What if he turns his back on you

and decides to keep it all himself?

He wouldn't.

He'll be here.

You just wait and see.

He'll be here.

Door's open.

Well, it's about time you got here, brother.

When I send to fetch someone,

I expect to see them the same day.

Yes, miss Addie.

Now, that bag over there.

I want you to add it to the collection.

It's Joe's things.

May helped me.

Most of them have got a few year's wear or more in them,

and he ain't likely to need them.

I buried him, finally.

Thank you, Addie.

Brother?

You tell them down at gray's corners

that I don't want no mealy mouth a-wearin' them.

I want them to go to somebody like you.

Why, you're more like him

every time I set eyes on you.

I want you to promise something.

Afore you go tomorrow,

you stop by.

You give me a good-bye. Hear?

Brother hodgekiss.

Aha. It's you.

Thought I heard somebody moving around.

Guess you and me had the same idea, huh?

Checking to see that everything's locked up tight.

Yeah, I was just making sure.

Be leaving right after services tomorrow?

Mm-hmm.

Busy as you'll be tomorrow, I'd, uh...

Well, I'd like to thank you

for what you've done for us.

I didn't do anything.

Oh, yes, you did.

You gave us a chance to help.

I know it's probably hard for you to understand.

A man like yourself,

you spend your whole life doing for others.

But for us...

That chance meant a lot.

And I want to thank you for it.

Mr. Oleson, that old hound of yours

is about ready to whelp, isn't she?

Any minute.

Do me a favor,

and give one of the pups to Alicia, would you?

Be glad to.

Thank you.

We get this canvas on, we'll be all set.

Just hang that up anywhere, Mary. Thank you.

Yes, sir.

- Going to be another hot one. - Sure is.

Thought I'd ride partway with you

to gray's corners, keep you company.

Uh, that won't be necessary.

Not necessary. It'd be my pleasure.

Well, I appreciate the thought, but I can manage all right.

Suit yourself.

Well, that about does it.

That's the mightiest parcel of giving I've ever seen.

What say we get to church? Come on, Mary.

In a minute.

All right. I'll save a seat for you. See you in church.

I'll go with you, Mary.

Fell out of your pocket.

Hope it's not broken.

No, it seems to be all right.

It's the reverend Alden's watch.

Of course it is. Didn't I tell you?

He lent it to me,

seeing as I had none of my own.

I want to be sure I get to gray's corners on time,

more or less.

That's why I was so worried about it being broken.

Your folks are waiting for you.

What's the matter, Mary?

Nothing.

Brother hodgekiss.

Man: It's Addie.

Second man: Addie.

Third man: I didn't know she was up and around.

Woman: The hand of god has touched her.

I don't know nothing about the hand of god.

All I know is I got my sass back.

And I know who done that.

God bless you, brother hodgekiss.

I can't do what I came here prepared to do today.

I can't, uh, I can't give you

the sermon that...

That I wrote.

A lot has happened to me this week.

I've seen goodness in people's hearts.

And I've seen people that had little give

because others had less.

They say that the church leads its people

in paths of righteousness,

but it was you that led.

It was you that gave.

You gave, too, brother.

I took.

Your wagon stands loaded outside,

and you should be the ones to take it to gray's corners.

My work here is finished.

Man: Not quite.

Man: How you feeling, reverend?

Fine. Thank you, Jack.

I'm glad I was physically able to get here in time.

I overheard part of what you were saying.

There are a few things I'd like to add.

- Reverend, I... - don't interrupt a minister

when he's talking to his congregation.

I'd like to take this opportunity

to thank brother hodgekiss

for the wonderful work he's done here.

And all of you.

You've been very generous.

But I've known brother hodgekiss here for...

A while.

And I can tell you out of personal knowledge of the man...

That he's given more than any of you realize.

Now, I know it's not considered proper,

but I think the lord would forgive us

if we gave brother hodgekiss a round of applause.

Thank you.

God bless you, brother.

God bless you.

Bless you.

Man: God bless you, brother hodgekiss.

Let's all rise

while Mrs. Foster sings the hymn this morning.

Mrs. Foster: I come to the garden

alone

while the dew

is still on the roses

and the voice I hear

didn't work out like I planned, Mattie.

Something happened to me in there.

I never had anything like that happen to me in my life.

We still got the nag to ride back on

and the shack to go back to.

You willing?

I'm willing!

Caleb, I'm willing.

And the joy we share

as we tarry there

none other

has ever

known

and the joy we share

as we tarry there

none...