Original subtitles

♪♪ [ trumpet ]

...where Western history comes alive.

Stories of the Old West

are stories of hardships and adventure,

of dreams and of courage.

Stories of the American pioneer

are all a part of our past, our heritage.

The Old West had more than its share of great salesmen.

Some made their money selling cattle,

others selling land,

and, still, others selling stocks in gold and silver mines.

But then in Shermantown, Nevada,

was a man named Jack Reardon, who ran...

Oh, welcome to Shermantown, mister.

Can I do somethingfor you?

My name'’s Hull. Wesley Hull.

I'’m looking for a Jack Reardon.

Do you happen to know him?

Might.

Oh, my name'’s Blanchard. I'’m the mayor here.

Oh. How do you do, Mayor Blanchard?Uh, when I'’m on duty.

Right now I'’m off duty.

Uh, his pleasure.

Oh, will you join me, sir?

No, thank you.

I never drink during business hours.

Just what is your business, Mr. Hull?

I'’m, uh, with the government.

Is Jack in some kind of trouble?

What do you know about him?

Plenty. [ clears throat ]

[ clears throat ]

Uh... [ clears throat ]

Uh, make that a double, Harry.

Well, sir, uh, [ clears throat ]

Jack Reardon runs the post office here.

I know that. Go on.

Well, he'’s about the nicest fella you'’d ever wanna meet.

Is that all? That'’s all.

He'’s just down the street. Why don'’t you see for yourself?

I intend to.Oh, and, Mr. Hull,

you won'’t find nobody in this town

that'’ll poor-mouth Jack Reardon.

Really?

We'’ll see about that.

[ door opens, closes ]

[ Irish accent ] Oh, come in. Come in.

And welcome to the biggest little post office in the world.

[ chuckles ]

You Mr. Reardon?Aye.

Take a look at that.

Oh.

Well.

Pleased to meet you, Mr. Hull.

And you must be bone weary after such a long ride.

Clara, would you fix another glass of lemonade, please?

We got a visitor.

Maybe you don'’t understand, Mr. Reardon.

I am the, uh, postal inspector.

I have traveled hundreds of miles to investigate you.

Oh, but I understand perfectly, Mr. Hull.

But I also remember a saying from me youth--

that you keep a clear conscience,

uh, you got not nothing to fear.

Oh, Clara, this is Mr. Hull from the post office department.

Come to see how we run the post office.

This is me missus Clara.Ma'’am.

I'’m sure you won't find anything wrong, Mr. Hull.

We'’re very successful.

Or perhaps too successful.

Uh, no, thank you. No lemonade.

Now, I'’ve, uh, traveled a great distance on important business,

and I would, uh, like to get down to it.

In that case, I'’ll just leave you men alone.Aye.

I do hope you'’ll take your meals with us, Mr. Hull.

The food at the hotel is impossible.

No, thank you. No meals for me.

I'’ll talk him into having dinner with us, Clara.

Now you run along, girl.

HULL: I don'’t know what your game is, Reardon.

But let me tell you this:

no amount of Irish charm is gonna keep me from exposing you.

I'’m afraid I don't understand.

Exposing me? For what?

Selling stamps.

Huh. Well, isn'’t that one of the functions of the post office,

to sell stamps?It is.

Well, then, what seems to be the problem?

Five years ago, when this town struck it rich,

you had a population of 5,000,

and the post office sold $1,500 worth of stamps each month.

Aye.

Now your population is only 300,

but the post office still sells

$1,500 worth of stamps each month.

Now, isn'’t that surprising?

Well, I guess the folks that stayed behind

are just natural-born letter-writers.

That doesn'’t explain it.

Well, and then you got the cowboys that come riding into town.

Don'’t forget them.To buy stamps?

But some of them do.

And then folks come from miles around to buy stamps from me.

Why? All stamps are the same.

Well, I don'’t know. [ chuckles ]

But I always give them a friendly "hello" and a smile, and--

Well, I guess you could just say that it'’s personality.

I mean, after all, I could be mayor of the town if I chose.

But it'’s not as profitable as running the post office, is it?

I suppose you don'’t even know that your salary of $2,000 a year

is directly related to the volume of stamps that you sell.

Is that a fact?

It is.

Now, I don'’t know how you'’re making big money

out of the post office, but I'’m gonna find out.

Well, I just do me job awfully well.

I suppose you know that I have the right

to demand to see your post office account book.

I don'’t suppose that you keep one. Therefore, I--

Oh, but I do. But I do.

I'’ve got it right here.Ha!

This isthe post office account book that you keep hidden away.

Well, I'’m gonna take it to my room for safekeeping.

And...

don'’t try to leave town.

Couldn'’t do that.

I mean, I got me general store to run, as well as the post office.

Doesn'’t look too busy to me.

Where are all the cowboys hungry for stamps?

[ door closes ]

Aye.

I'’d almost forgotten about this spot up here.

Then I happened to remember it'’s your favorite place for setting me straight.

What have you got on your mind, girl?

What'’s gonna happen to us, Jack?

[ chuckles ] Nothing'’s gonna happen to us.

I haven'’t done anything wrong.

Jack, you studied law.

You have a way of interpreting it.

And you could be a great lawyer in San Francisco.

There are all kinds of opportunities.

Aye.

I'’d like to practice law, all right.

But what?

Well, we'’re doing fine right here.

I don'’t know if a wife is supposed to talk to her husband this way, Jack,

but I only know of one way to be--

that'’s honest.

All right. Then be honest with me, girl.

You know I love you and want the best for you.

Well, in San Francisco you could do important things.

I believe in you, Jack,

and I don'’t like to see you waste yourself in a little ghost town.

There. I said it.

Aye.

You said it, all right.

Now, suppose that there'’s even the possibility

that you could be right?

Then we can sell the general store to Frank Burke.

He even wrote me a letter to see if I can get you to give him easy terms.

Aye.

I can make him the terms that he wants, all right. That'’s no problem.

Then when can we leave, Jack?

As soon as I can convince him that he'’s got no case against me at all, at all.

And if you can'’t convince him?

I'’ll convince him, all right.

Don'’t you worry about that, girl.

If you don'’t say that this is the best cake

that you ever set your lip to,

then you just don'’t know what'’s good.

I don'’t want a slice of cake, Mr. Reardon.

A slice of cake? The whole cake is yours.

Baked special for you by me missus.

Mr. Reardon, you'’re driving me crazy.

All you do all day long is talk to people and offer me things.

Now, I don'’t want a slice of cake.

All I wanna do is to sit here quietly and go over this book.

Aah. You'’re just out of sorts, Wesley.

Why don'’t you take the book back up to your room,

where you can study it in peace and quiet?

Oh, no. I'’m going to stay right here,

because I'’m checking up to see how many stamps you sell in one day.

Now, so far today, you'’ve spoken to 12 people,

and you haven'’t sold one stamp.

Well, it'’s just, uh--

just one of those days, you know.

Yeah.

JACK: Ah, Teddy, good day to ya!

Ah.

What can I do for ya?

Well, I'’ll take a shot of bacon,

sack of salt, and, uh,

$50 worth of stamps.

Here'’s your salt, and I'’ll drop the bacon off to ya later.

Oh, all right.And $50 worth of stamps.

Your regular order, huh?

Uh-huh. Had any rain out your way?

Oh, a little here, a little there. How about yourself?

Been a little dry in town.Uh-huh.

Teddy here is one of me best customers.

Can I ask you a question?

Maybe.

Uh, what are you gonna do with all those stamps?

Gonna stick '’em on letters.

[ chuckles ] Give me regards to the missus.

I will. Good-bye. [ door opens ]

Cake? [ door closes ]

[ mutters ]

I'’d like a horseshoe and $25 worth of stamps.

Yes, sir.

Pleasure to serve you, Hank.

Just a second.

What do you do with all those stamps?

Eat '’em.

Eat '’em?

[ laughing ] Haven'’t you got any sense of humor?

I don'’t understand.

It'’s another way of saying, "Mind your own business,mister."

There'’s something strange going on around here.

I'’m gonna find out what it is if I have to check every person in this town.

[ door slams ]

I-- I want to know about the way he runs that store of his.

Uh... [ clears throat ]

A double, Harry.

Double.

Well?

Well, sir, there is something to be learned

about what he'’s doing down there.

And? Yes?

He'’s very shrewd in all of his dealings.

All right. He'’s, uh-- He'’s shrewd. What else?

Jack Reardon'’s as honest as the day is long.

[ inhales, clears throat ]

What about the way Reardon treats his wife?

Oh, I could tell you a story.

What a story.

Tell me.

What about his wife?

Whiskey?Uh, double.

Well?

[ whiskey pouring ]

What about his wife?

Does he beat her?

Beat her?

Yeah.

[ chuckles ] Jack Reardon wouldn'’t hurt a fly.

Especially his wife. He loves Clara.

Once a year, he lets her go to Boston

to visit with her folks for a couple of months.

[ stammers, chuckles ]

I wanna hear something bad about Reardon.

That'’s a tall order, mister.

A tall order.

You know, there'’s-- there'’s something else I don'’t understand.

What'’s that?

Well, two fellas came into the post office this morning and bought more stamps

than I'’ve ever seen anyone else buy.

Maybe you know who they a-- Yeah.

Teddy Sparks and Hank Sterns.

Now, Teddy bought $50 worth of stamps,

and Hank bought $25 worth.

[ laughing ]

Teddy and Hank bought all those stamps?

Yeah. They said they were gonna put them on letters.

Teddy and Hank bought all those stamps--

$75 worth-- for letters?

What'’s the joke?

Neither one of them can write!

[ laughing continues ]

[ chattering ]

Excuse me. Excuse me, please.

Gentlemen. Thank you.

[ all laughing ]

Do you know that everybody in town is laughing at me?

Your husband thinks he'’s made a fool of me,

but he'’s got a surprise coming to him.

You can tell him that I'’m thinking of having him taken into custody later today.

For doing what?

Well, I can'’t say just now,

but it doesn'’t look good for him.

He has the kind of a background that, uh, juries just don'’t like.

I don'’t understand.

He gambles and drinks and gets into fights sometimes.

I swear to you he has never done anything wrong.

How would you know,

away each year for a couple of months in Boston?

Are you saying that Jack got into trouble when I was away?

Oh, no, I didn'’t say that.

But what I'’m trying to say is that if your husband is smart, he'’ll confess.

It'’ll go a lot easier for him.

Good day, Mrs. Reardon.

[ gunshots ]

Jack, I'’ve gotta speak to you.

What'’s got you so upset, girl?I'’m so frightened.

Hull said he'’s thinking of taking you into custody today.

Oh, he did, did he? And on what charge?

He wouldn'’t say.

Well, then, I'’d say he was bluffing.

You didn'’t get into trouble with the law when I was away, did you?

That what he'’s saying, is it?

Well, you do gamble and drink and sometimes get into fights.

Aye, that I do.

Hull is so angry he may do anything.

Maybe if you got very serious with him and didn'’t joke anymore,

he wouldn'’t be so angry.

No, girl. That would be a mistake.

Then he'’d be sure that I was trying to hide something.

The best way is just to be meself.

You understand?

However, I might just teach Mr. Wesley Hull a lesson

for scaring you so.

Hold it, Reardon.

Good day, Wesley.

Where do you think you'’re going?

Me and Clara are just going on a picnic. Won'’t you join us?

I think you'’re taking some evidence out of the post office to burn it.

[ sighs ]Let me see what'’s in that bag.

[ chuckles ]

All right. Pull back that cover.

All right.

How do I know you'’re coming back?

You don'’t.

So why don'’t you join us, like I asked you to?

No.Aw, come on.

[ snaps fingers ]All right.

Thank you.

All set?

Why don'’t you confess?

Yeah, I would,

if I'’d done anything wrong to confess for.

For no other reason but for your sake.Aah!

Please eat something. I'’m worried about you.

Well, uh, I'’ll have a little piece of chicken, thank you.

And a little glass of wine.

All right. And a little glass of wine.

Oh, thank you, thank you.

Oh, let me see that.

It'’s imported from Spain.

It must be pretty expensive.

Aye, it is.

But occasionally, I do well at me gambling.

Ah? But not as well as you do at the post office, huh?

[ sighs ]

You worry too much, Wesley.

Perhaps a little game of cards would relax you.

You'’re sitting there like a man that'’s about to be arrested.

No, no, no, thank you. You'’d like to take my money, wouldn'’t you?

I'’ll make you a sporting proposition.No, no, no.

Thank you very much. All the odds would be in your favor.

Suppose I put them in your favor?

As a matter of fact, suppose I put them in your favor at 52-to-1?

And I'’ll bet you that you can take the deck, draw a card out,

and for one silver dollar, I'’ll tell you the name of the card.

I think you'’d be a fool to make a bet like that.

Nevertheless, I'’m offering it.

Let me see those cards.

You'’ll find them honest enough, all right.

Will I?

Is the bet still on?

It'’s on.

All right.

Call the card.

Ace of spades.

Nine of diamonds. You lose.

[ laughs ] Pay up. Pay up.

All right. There'’s your dollar.

That was a pretty foolish bet on your part.

Maybe.

Do you always drink and gamble on the job, Wes?

I get it now.

You'’re gonna spread the story

that I drink and gamble on the job.

Nope. I don'’t think I will.

Well, then, why did you get me

to drink and gamble?

Just to show you that sometimes things

aren'’t always the way that they seem.

What I mean to say is,

that you shouldn'’t try to prove that I'’m guilty

if you found out that I'’ve done something wrong.

Little more wine, Wesley?

Yes. Why not?

Wait, Wesley.What?

Did you forget something?What'’s that?

The post office account book.Oh, no, you keep it.

I can'’t use it. You see, I can'’t prove that you'’re doing anything wrong.

[ chuckling ]Of course, it doesn'’t make any sense

that you'’re able to sell $1,500 worth of stamps

each month

in a community of 300 illiterates.

Oh, I wouldn'’t say they were all illiterates.

Half of them can write.

You know... [ clears throat ]

I might just come back to investigate you again

when you least expect me.

And I might just not be here.

I might be in San Francisco practicing law.

I find I got a real gift for it. [ laughs ]

Good luck.Oh, same to ya.

Hup! Bye.

JACK: Good day.Hup!

Frank Burke sent word that he wants to see you right away.

I understand he'’s angry with you.

Oh, he is, is he?

I'’ll tell you, don'’t you worry about it, Clara.

Matter of fact, run in and start packing your bags.

I'’m gonna go sell him a store,

and then-- then we'’re going to San Francisco.

Mm.

Frank?Yeah?

Clara says you'’re upset with me. What'’s troubling ya?

You put me in a bad position, Jack.

Well, I got some good news for ya.

Now, now, just wait. You let me speak now.

Jack, every month, you have been paying me

for the supplies that I deliver to your store with stamps, right?

Aye.Every month,

it'’s getting harder to get rid of those stamps.

I'’ve been using the stamps that I get from you

to supply the needs of my company

and every company on my route,

and I still can'’t dispose

of $1,500 worth of stamps a month.

Aye, but that'’s the salesmanship of it.

You bring me $1,450 worth of supplies, right?

I give you $1,500 worth of stamps.

You sell the stamps along your route.

I sell the supplies in me store, put the money in the post office.

You make an extra $50,

and I get a raise in salary from the post office department.

I don'’t know.

In the beginning, I was doing people a favor

supplying them with stamps.

Then I just got to be a pest.[ chuckles ]

It'’ll not be necessary for you to sell stamps anymore, Frank.

No?

No. [ chuckles ]

I'’ll be moving to San Francisco now.

And if you'’re still interested, the store'’s all yours.

Well, Jack, you know I wanna get off the road and settle down.

But, uh, how much do you want?

The way I figure it,

first I'’ll take your good team of horses here...

and then--

then you pay me for the supplies that are in me store,

and she'’s all yours.

Well, I'’ll bring the team around first thing in the morning.

Uh, how much do you figure you got on hand in the way of supplies?

I'’d say enough to last for maybe 30 days.

That'’d be, uh,

about, uh, $1,500 worth?

Aye. Roughly, I'’d say.

Can I pay you in stamps?

[ chuckling ]

All right. You got a deal.

Hey, Clara! [ chuckling ]

The rest of his life, Jack Reardon avoided those technicalities

which might bring him under the suspicion of the law.

As a matter of fact, he became a successful lawyer

and a staunch upholder of the law.