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| Episode No. | 17 |
| Episode Title | The Retired Gun |
| Season | 1 |
| Guest Stars | Robert Webber - Eileen Harley - Jack Kruschen - Duke Snider - John Anderson - Herman Rudin - Joe Mell |
| Airdate | 01/20/59 |
| Writer | Barney Slater |
| Director | Arnold Laven |
| Synopsis | A famous gunman promises his new bride that he will retire but three outlaws try to make him break his promise. Wes and Clare Carney wanted to settle in North Fork and Owny, a caught them as they got out of their wagon. Owny threw a coin on the ground challenging Wes that he was the better man. Wes told him to save his money for a good funeral. "Strong words for a man that's taken to hidin' behind a woman's skirt," scoffed Owny. Marshal Torrance interrupted the near argument and Owny told the Marshal he'd only come over to see his ole buddy, Wes. "You've seen him, what's keepin' you," barked Micah, and Owny was on his way. Micah inquired why Wes and Clare were in North Fork. "We're hoping to stay," said Clare. Micah left her know quickly he preferred they didn't. Clare assured Micah he was mistaken about her husband. Wes had promised her - he was through being a gunfighter. Micah wondered aloud how long Wes would be able to keep that promise. Mark and I were cleaning up to start our day when we heard a carriage come riding in. As they arrived at the door I realized I knew the woman. "Clare, Clare Wheatly!" "It's not Wheatly any more," said Clare, "I've been Mrs. Wes Carney for almost a month." I gave her a big hug. She introduced me to her husband, Wes Carney. Clare noticed Mark on the porch and moved to give him a greeting and a hug. Mark was puzzled at this stranger embracing him and I explained Clare was his mother's dearest friend; they'd grown up together. I asked why they were in this neck of the woods and she told me of their wish to settle in the area. She'd had heard I was here and was hoping I could help them get settled. Clare wondered if I knew of Wes' reputation. I invited them into the house to talk things over. We discussed a couple of options for Wes and Clare's future. The feed store sounded just like what they were looking for and I promised Clare I would help them buy the place from Matt Beal at a fair price. Wes looked a little concerned and I asked if he was sure being a storekeeper was what he wanted. He was a bit reluctant but felt if it was what Clare wanted he could do it. He had wanted to take the Marshal's job over in Boden City but Clara felt the job was no different that what he was doing as a gunslinger. It wasn't going to be easy starting over with Wes' reputation but Clare reminded him he could count on her. The next day I joined Wes and Clare in town to help them settle into their new store when a gang of five men rode into town. They had to see for themselves if it was true - the great Wes Carney laying down his guns for an apron. "Alright," said Micah, "You've had your little joke now move on!" They let Micah know they planned to make North Fork their home too. They were law-abiding citizens. They jeered and laughed as they rode away. Micah was afraid this would happen - let one fast gun stay, why not others. Wes assured the Marshal he wasn't gonna take their bait. "Micah, you're being a little hard on him," I said. Wes may have been a gunfighter but at least he hired out to the right side. Micah wouldn't argue the point with me. All he knew was that North Fork was a pretty good place until Wes showed up. Now we were becoming a haven for killers. Bailey's gang couldn't leave well enough alone. They continued to ridicule Wes until his temper flared. Bailey handed Wes a gun so they could finish their argument but fortunately I noticed it in time to put a stop to it. I warned Clyde to put the gun away. "Aren't you mixin' into something that ain't none of your business," Clyde asked? "I'd say it's the other way around." "From now on leave these folks alone," I warned! "I ain't one for taking advice Lucas," Clyde fumed. "Well right now I'm givin' it for nothing! Later on it might cost!" The situation seemed settled for now. Later that night I was enjoying the Good Book and Mark was struggling with his homework when we heard a noise out on the porch. It was Wes. He'd been beaten. I sent Mark off to bed so I could fix Wes up and find out what was going on. Wes had been careless and the Bailey gang had dragged him thru town and out near our ranch. As I doctored Wes's wounds he told me of his childhood. His mother, whom he loved dearly, had always protected him. Because of cholera he was a scrawny boy and the other kids made fun of him. His mother was always there to step in for him. When she died - he was only eight - he had to fend for himself. His father was too busy working in his printing shop. But he had learned how to fight. He had to survive. That's when he picked up a gun. No one bothered him anymore. This was the saga of Wes' entrance into gun fighting. When Clare came along it changed everything. Suddenly Clare was pounding on the door, in tears, and worried about Wes. He wanted to handle things his way now but Clara had already gone to the Marshall to tell him of Wes' plight. She was afraid of what Wes might do. I could tell Wes wasn't happy about it but he relented and agreed to be a law-abiding citizen and file a compliant against the men tomorrow. They spent the night at the ranch so I could go in with them the next morning. The next morning Micah was in a tizzy. There had been trouble all night. The gang had spent the night in the Last Chance shooting up whoever got in their way. One of the boys from the Rolling R Ranch was shot and killed and Joe Logan was shot in the leg trying to get a doctor for him. Micah had tried all night to get deputies but no one was brave enough to stand up against the Bailey gang. Wes could file his complaint but it would do no good. Bailey and his gang were figuring on staying to take over the town and Micah too. Micah was on his way out to try again for deputies. "I'm counting on you Lucas," he said as he was leaving. Wes tried to volunteer to be a deputy but Clare cut him off in mid-sentence, reminding him there was work to do at the store. Embarrassed, he apologized and left with Clare. Micah had no luck finding deputies. Everyone was afraid of the gang. It looked like Micah and I were alone. We needed another gun to help us with this trouble. I asked Micah to give me a minute and I headed for the feed store. I knew how bad Wes wanted to help and I wanted to give him one last chance. Clare didn't want me there; she knew we needed Wes's help. I told her the story of the old Indian fighter Tom Hardesty who was proud of his reputation. A girl came out from the East and Tom fell in love. He married the girl on the condition that he give up his trade. They opened a small Inn and were doing good until one day the mail stage arrived and a raiding party had killed everyone on it. One of Tom's jobs had been to scout for that mail line. The next time I saw Tom he wasn't doing so good. Tom and his Mrs. were barely speaking. Being so unhappy he soon lost respect for himself and naturally when that happened he soon lost the respect of his wife. "That's a very pretty story Lucas. What'd you do make it up?" blasted Clare. I left it at that and headed out the door to help Micah. Minutes later Wes was there to join us. Clare would just have to understand. We gave the gang a chance to leave town but they wouldn't budge. "Alright boys, put down your guns and surrender," Micah shouted. A shootout could not be avoided. Wes was nicked in the shoulder but was ok. Clara was quickly at his side to make sure he was all right. "Wes is gonna take that Marshal's job if its still open" declared Clara. Wes wanted that job desperately and was happy Clara had finally seen it his way. They were on their way to Boden City. Episode Summary written by Margie Straub of riflemanconnors.com |
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