The Rifleman
"Welcome to the McCain Ranch"
'First Wages'
Episode 112

I was awakened by the crowing of the rooster.  I was surprised to see that Mark was already up. I went to see what was going on.  He sure was rushing around.  You'd think he had somewhere he had to be.  He told me he was trying to be quiet.  He knew I'd be tired from my trip.  I asked him where he was going so early.  He said he was headed to town.  I was surprised when he told me he had his Saturday chores done!  I questioned him about the flower box that needed painted and if he had stacked the firewood.  He said it was all done.  I wanted to know what all the rushing was about.  "Well.....it wouldn't look good to be late on my first day," said Mark.  He got a job working Saturdays and after school for Nils at the livery stable.  He said he would be able to handle his homework and his chores around here. He rushed out the door.  I took a look around the kitchen.  He sure had left a mess from breakfast, plus he hadn't done the dishes.  I went out onto the porch to find the wood hadn't been stacked and he hadn't cleaned the brush from painting the flower box. 

I thought I better head into town and see just what was going on.  I headed straight for the livery stable. Mark was inside brushing down one of the horses.  I told him I needed to talk to him.  I told him about finishing his chores at home.  He said he was sorry.....he didn't want to be late for work.  I told him I couldn't understand why he need to take on a job.  "Why are you working here?" I asked.  "To make money," said Mark. After all I do give him an allowance.  I even give him extra money for extra chores.  "It's not the same," said Mark.  "It's family money.....it's yours!" "I wanna earn my own."  "Just don't get angry.....it's just something I gotta do," said Mark.  Just then Nils drove up.  I lashed into Nils.  "Nils!"  "Good morning Lucas.....that's a good boy you've got there, he's a solid worker."  "For you maybe.....my boys my business.....who ask you to hire him?" "What right do you have to pick a boy up off the streets and put him to work? What kind of business is that?"  I wouldn't let him explain.  "There are plenty of able bodied men in this town who need a job. But they want more pay then a thirteen year old boy, don't they?"  "Now that isn't fair, Lucas." said Nils.  "Look who's talkin' about not being fair. He doesn't do his chores at home....."  Nils interrupted me.  "Now listen Luke! I've got something to say and your gonna stay here until I finish!"  "Anybody works for me gets the same pay.....man or boy!  Besides I didn't haul Mark in off the street! He came to me and asked for a job. He said he needed the money. While you were gone he's been all over town looking for work this week.....just ask anybody on the street!"  "I'm sorry Nils."  I asked him if he knew what Mark needed the money for.  He told me he'd let Mark go if I wanted him to.  I should have realized then that he was evading answering the question.  I told him not to let Mark go.

I had gone home.  The more I thought about it the more I had to talk to Mark again.  So I decided to head back into town.  When I got to the lively stable Mark wasn't there.  Nils had sent him on an errand to take a horse out to Tom Merar's Ranch and bring another one back for shoein'.  Nils felt he should have been back by now.  Just then Tom rode in.  Tom hadn't seen Mark.  He thought Nils had forgot about the horses and decided to come into town himself.  "The shortcut! He wanted to take the shortcut up at the border pass, but I told him not to," said Nils.  That was enough for me.  I jumped on my horse and headed out to look for him.

  Mark did take the shortcut.  While he was riding along he heard a gun shot.  He stopped to look around. Just then he saw a man walking down the hill with his gear.  His name was Ben Vargus and he was wanted for murder and robbery in the Tucson Territory of Arizona.  As he approached Mark he told him his horse had busted his leg and had to shoot him.  He told Mark what a nice horse he had.  He wanted his horse. He started asking Mark questions about what he was doin' out here and where he lived. Mark told him he was on an errand.  Mark was suspicious of him.  He grab hold of the reins to the horse and wouldn't let go.  Mark tried to get away but couldn't.  He told him to get off the horse.

I picked up Mark's trail.  I followed the trail for quite a ways when I saw a man down at the waterin' hole.  I approached him and told him I was lookin' for a boy about thirteen.  He said he hadn't seen him.  I told him if he was goin' to be here for a while and happened to see my boy, to tell him to wait here for me at the waterin' hole.  He said he would.  As I started to get on my horse I noticed the brand on his horse.  It was TM—Tom Merar.  He then drew his gun on me.  "Alright.....hold it mister! Move away from that horse!"  "My boy was ridin' that horse.....where is he?" "It ain't gonna make no difference to you," said Vargas.  "Where is he?" I yelled.  I then hit Razor.....as Razor ran off it gave me a chance to get closer to him.  I charged him.  We fought. He broke away from me and headed for Tom's horse.  I ran and jumped on him and knocked him and I both into the waterin' hole.  "Where's my Son! You dirty scum.....I'll kill you!"  "I didn't lay a hand on him," said Vargas.  Just then I hear my son yelling....."Pa.....Pa."  He was running towards us. "It's all my fault Pa.....Mr. Swenson told me not to take the shortcut.  You've got a right to be angry with me."  "Yes I have son.....lets forget about it for now, I'm just glad your alright."

The next morning I woke up to find Mark's bed empty again.  I thought we had settled this working business last Saturday.  "Why are you up so early," I asked.  "No reason," said Mark.  He was hiding something.  "What are you hiding," I asked.  He stepped aside and pulling the tablecloth off of a saddle.  "Happy Birthday, Pa!"  "You mean this is the reason....."  "I bought it with the money that Mr. Swenson paid me."  "I wanted to earn it Pa. I wanted this to be something from me to you.....really!"  "It isn't exactly new or anythin'.....but it's real shinny," said Mark.  "Son, I'd say this is the shiniest saddle I've ever see."  I was proud of my son. 

piddlin' stuff.....Ed Nelson played Ben Vargas in this episode of  'First Wages.'  He's the one who took Mark's horse.  He was the one who murdered Sam Taylor in
'The Illustrator.'  He also was in two more episodes.  He was in 'Dead Cold Cash' as Stacey Beldon.  He was the gunslinger hired by Sarah Caruthers to killed Lucas.
  In 1964, after "The Rifleman", he played in an episode of "Arrest and Trial" with Chuck.
Ed had intended on a legal career, but in his second year of college he went to New York City, where he studied direction and production at the School of Radio Technique.  He later switched to TV and movies.  He was in "Attack of the Crab Monsters," where he played the crab. He later became one of TV's hottest stars via the nighttime soap opera "Peyton Place"  Dr. Michael Rossi.  He has appeared in oodles of things and " The Untouchables" several times.

Troy Melton played Wally Pierson in this episode of  'First Wages'.  He was Ben Vargas' partner.  The one Ben killed and took back his share of the money.  He was in another episode as Ab in the 'Deadly Image'.  He was Len Richard's brother.  The cowboy Earl Bantry killed in the beginning of  'Deadly Image'. 
This cowboy has done a lot of stuff..... from stuntman and occasional supporting actor, he spent most of his career on television and appeared on numerous series, from the 1950s through the mid-'70s. Melton also worked on numerous films of the 1960s and 1970s, beginning with Davy Crockett and the River Pirate.

Joe Higgins as Nils Swenson.  Is it Nils or is it Nels/Niles?  What is his last name.....Swenson/Svenson aka The Blacksmith?  Joe Higgins holds the record for playing Nils or was it Niles or Nels?  Joe Higgins was in four other episodes of "The Rifleman."   He played the bartender in 'Strange Town' — Rafe the blacksmith in 'The Wyoming Story' part 2 — 'Short Rope for a Tall Man' as Henry Schneider —  'Stopover' as Scotty the Stagecoach Driver.  

*Did you see the two boys who were going fishing in this episode and motioned for Mark to come along?
  The two boys that motioned for Mark to come along fishing were Chuck Connors  real sons, Jeff (on the left) and Mike (on the right).  

   David M. Rodman as Tom Merar.   He's the one who thought Nils had forgot about the horses and decided to come into town himself.

Connors' family tidbit.....Michael Connors, the oldest son of Chuck Connors, became a full U.S. citizen on 8/11/64, he was swore in at the Department of Justice in Los Angeles.  Michael was born in Canada while his father was playing baseball for the Montreal Royals.  This gives Michael dual citizenship. 

Here's a bit of trivia from Glenn Gilbert about the episode 'First Wages'.....
 "You may not know unless you're from Cincinnati. The walk-on appearance of 'Ed' , (or 'townsman' in the credits), who delivers 'wanted' posters to Micah in his office as Lucas leaves in a huff, was Cincinnati-local television personality Glenn 'Skipper' Ryle, who hosted a children's show, among other duties, at WKRC-TV. The moniker 'Skipper' stuck because, on the kids show, he attired himself as an Ohio riverboat captain.
I remember as a kid growing up here back in the '60's the story that Chuck Connors came to town to catch the Dodgers vs. the Reds, and that he invited Glenn Ryle to appear on "The Rifleman." That was his 15 seconds of fame!

Thanks Glenn Gilbert  for the piddlin' stuff..... on Glenn 'Skipper' Ryle! ~ I tip my cowgirl hat to ya! 

*Does anybody have any ideas who the cowboy was that brought the wanted posters in to Micah?

*If anybody has any information on any of the stars, and would like to share it, please get in touch with

Would you like a picture of Chuck with Mike & Jeff from this episode?  Just drop me a line & mention this episode—'First Wages'—in the subject line & I'd be glad to send you one through e-mail. (only) 

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