The Rifleman
"Welcome to the McCain Ranch"
'Boomerang'
Episode 39
Sam Elder was in the bank trying to talk John Hamilton, the bank President, into giving him another extension on his loan. He already had extended Elder's loan twice in the past year and he w
as still six months behind. Elder didn't care what John Hamilton said, he felt he hadn't given him enough time. Elder said he'd make it up. John couldn't see how he could possibly make it up when he spent most of his time in the saloon instead of behind a plow. Instead of farm seed and farm tools, he spent most of his money on liquid. "Look at you, your drunk right now," said John. Elder told him it wasn't any of his business. "It is where the banks money's concerned," said John. He left John with no other choice but to foreclose on his ranch. Just then Elder's boy, Tim came into the bank. He was wondering when they were going home. Elder told his boy they would leave when he finished his business with the bank. "Our business is finished. Your boy might as well know it. I'm asking you to vacate your ranch. Foreclosure proceedings will start immediately!" Stated John. John suggested that maybe if Sam got a job, he could buy his ranch back later. Elder wouldn't hear of it. He wanted no part in working for somebody else. If anybody came around and try to take his ranch he would blow their heads off. He then charged out of the bank. He was drunk and upset. He bu
mped into Mark as we were entering the bank. I asked John what that was all about. "Lucas, your lucky your a rancher instead of a banker. Taking a man's place from him is the last thing I want to do," said John. Mark had a dollar he wanted to put in his savings, but before he could do his transaction we heard somebody yell....."Somebody call the doctor!" We hurried out of the bank to see what was going on. There laid Sam Elder in the middle of the street. Tim kept trying to wake him up. But Elder wouldn't budge. I went over to them. I checked his pulse, Sam was dead. Tim was still trying to wake him up. I told Tim his Pa was dead. He didn't want to believe me. "He just had a few drinks and then he went to the bank," sobbed Tim. "You hear that bankin' man, my Pa's dead on accounta you!" Yelled Tim.
Mark and I went with Tim while he buried his father. We were wondering what Tim was going to do. Mark suggested about hiring him, since I already had been talkin' about hiring an extra hand for branding. "Well, I hope he gets, his money," said Tim, meaning John, the bank President. He hadn't given it much thought to what he was going to do now. I told him he could come to work for me, that I couldn't pay him much money, but it would help him get on his feet. He figured it wouldn't do any harm, so he agreed.
Tim and I went into town. I sent him to Hattie's to check on the new bolt for my rifle. I went over to the 
bank to talk to John. I talked him into holding off on the auction on the Elder Ranch. I told him that Tim was doing a good job for me. I felt in time he'd be able to buy the ranch himself. I reminded John that Tim's father is buried on that land. I felt Tim should have the land. John was concerned if things didn't work out. I told him I had $200 in my savings account that says Tim would work out. He wouldn't hear to it, he said he would take the risk himself. He was hoping this would help make him feel better about the whole thing. I thanked him. He told me to get, "Go on....." he said....."get out of here!" He was too modest.
I went over to Hattie's to meet Tim. We went to head for home when Tim saw John out in front of the bank. Tim asked me if I would teach him to shoot a gun. I asked him what for. I didn't realize at the time what he had in mind. He said his Pa never taught him to shoot a gun. He told me he should know how to protect himself. I asked him if he was expecting trouble. "No, of course not," said Tim. He mentioned that if he was out on the trail he'd have to kill for his food. He convinced me to show him how to shoot. I reminded him of the responsibility that goes along with it. I told him I didn't own a hand gun, but that didn't matter to him. He wanted to learn on a rifle like mine. So I taught him how to shoot. He did real good.
While were having dinner, I asked Tim what he was going to do with his money. I know this is his private affair, but I left him know I hoped he was saving his money. He told me he had all of his money yet. I asked him if maybe he should be putting his money in the bank, where it would be safe. He didn't want any part of the bank. I asked him what he had against the bank. He felt the bank was responsible for his Pa's death. I told him that he can't blame the bank for that. He felt that John Hamilton might as well got a gun and shoot his Pa in the back. I tried talking sense to the boy. I told him John was just doing his job. I told him what happened to his father wasn't John's fault. If it bothers him that much he should go into town and talk to John, clear the air. "No, I'm not going near John Hamilton, not yet, and when I do it will be with a gun." I tried talking to him. I told him if he does that he'll land flat on his back. "Well, we'll see! Don't forget, I'm getting pretty good with that gun of yours. After all, you taught me and your the
best!" He walked out and went to the barn. Tim needed us more then ever now. I told Mark to start the dishes. I went to the barn to talk to Tim.
Tim thought I came out to pay him off. I told him I wouldn't do that. There was still a lot of work to be done around here. I told him there would be no more shooting lessons. He knew enough now to protect himself, that was all. I had hoped when he got his own gun, he would use it wisely. I hate to think I taught him any other way or for any other purpose. He's not as good as he thinks. Monday Morning I would be out with the cattle most of the morning. In the afternoon I was going into town to see John & he was going with me. There was something I thought he should know. I was hoping it would change his way of thinking.
While I was off with the herd, Hattie had to go by Ned Carter's place to leave off some seed and thought she'd stop by my place and leave Tim's receipt for the two rifles he had ordered. Hattie did bring them along with her. He still owed her four dollars on them, but Rim asked Hattie if he could pay her three dollars now and the rest later. Hattie agreed and told him to get them out of the back of her buggy. Hattie had asked him what he was going to do with those rifles. "Going hunting," she asked? He was going hunting, so he said. "Well don't blow your head off," said Hattie and went on her way. Tim was really glad to see these rifles, he didn't even see Hattie leave. He rushed right into the barn with them. Took them out of the boxes and headed for town.
When I got done with the cattle I went back to the ranch to get Tim. As I rode in I notice the pitch fork lying on the ground. I called for Tim, but no answer. I went into the barn. His horse was gone. I notice something lying on his bed. I walked over to see what it was. There were two empty wooden boxes which had cased .30 caliber repeating rifles.
I got on Razor and hurried into town.
When Tim got into town he went over to the bank and stood outside and shouted "Hamilton! John Hamilton, come out. Hamilton!" Shouted Tim. John was working behind his desk when he heard Tim call him. He went out to see what was going on. "I'm gonna kill you. Right here in the street, just like you did my Pa." "Surely you can't think I'm responsible for your Father's death," said John. "You can't talk me out of it," said Tim. He knew John didn't carry a gun, that's why the two rifles. He wanted to make sure John had no excuse not to fight him. He then thru one of the rifles to John. "You know how to use it?" John caught the rifle and walked over and propped it against the bank. He didn't want to fight the boy. He told him so and started to go back into the bank. "Wait!" Shouted Tim. "I'm gonna back up to the middle of the street, and then I'm gonna shoot. So you just better be ready." Tim started backing up. As I rode into town I saw what was going on. I rode in between John and Tim. I got off my horse and told Tim to hold it. John wanted me to talk some sense into Tim. Tim wanted me to stay out of it. It was his affair. I told him to drop his rifle, but again he told me it was not my business. He wasn't budging. I cocked my rifle. "Drop it," I said. "Now Hamilton!" Shouted Tim and took aim. I shot the rifle out of his hands. Each time he went for the rifle lying on the ground, I shot at it. I walked over to him and grabbed a hold of him. I told him that I had thought he was a man, but I was wrong. He's nothing but a stupid boy. He was too busy hating to see any good around him. If he would had killed John he would have killed the best friend he ever had. He didn't know what I was talking about. I wanted John to tell him, but he wouldn't. I told Tim he can't keep going around using people like this. Then I told John to come over here. "You watch this boy & you mark it well!" I handed John my rifle and I grabbed the boys hat from his head. I threw it in the air. John shot at it twice and hit it both times. Tim was surprised. "Where did you learn to shot like that?" I had taught John last year when the bank opened. He could have killed him easy. "Let me tell you something son," said John to Tim....."When you got business with a man whether it's banking business or killing, you best know something about the man before you stick your neck out." Tim realized he was wrong. He walked over, picked up his hat and rode off. 
We waited in the wagon while Tim visited his father's grave. He walked over to us and said, "Lucas, I know I was wrong all along, I'm sorry." "Well Tim it takes a man to admit his mistakes." He thanked me and John. Now that he got the ranch back he was going to pay John back every cent. I reminded him he hasn't gotten the ranch back yet, he'd be working for John until he was twenty-one. Then it would be his. He figured it's as good as his right now. We all laughed and then rode off.
ted actor. Lee had done numerous shows. I know I must have seen him in some of them. I just can't recall seeing him that much before. I do remember seeing him in a "Gunsmoke" episode. 'The Other Half.' Even tho the plot was predictable, he was great. He played twins. Jess/Jay Bartell. 
Reverend Alden"Untouchables." Did anyone see him in "The Green Mile." He is remembered for being in those oldie but goodie 1950's sci-fi movies like "Invasion of the Body Snatchers""It ! The Terror from Beyond Space""The Giant Claw" and "The Vampire." 
