We went into town to get some supplies.  I thought while we were there we'd look for a coat for Mark.  Hattie just got this coat in from New Orleans.  She said it was one of the latest fashions.  We were teasin' Hattie about the coat and the size.  Just then two gentleman walked into the store.  Hattie wanted the one gentleman's opinion on the coat. "Lucas, this is Mr. Havecourt.  A refined gentleman of taste and discrimination. This is Lucas McCain and his son."  We shook hands. "Luke lives on a ranch nearby Mr. Havecourt.  He doesn't get much chance to keep up with the latest fashions for young men.  I want you to tell him what you think of that jacket."  He took a good look.  "It's lively," he said.  Mark and I both grinned.  "Hattie don't you think you could find him something a bit more conservative?"  I asked.  "Yah, like a barber shop pole with sleeves," said Mark.  We laughed.  She grabbed the coat from us.  "That's all you men know about style," said Hattie as she walked away.  I thanked Mr. Havecourt for coming to our rescue. 

When we got back to the ranch, Mark asked when we were going to apologize to Hattie for teasin' her.  I told him tomorrow.  As we were unloading the supplies from the wagon Mr. Havecourt approached me.  He was holding a gun on me.  His partner, Luis, cut Mark off and brought him up to where we were.  He told us he was better known as Billy St. John.  He told me he needed Mark to be his son, Peter.  He was about the right age.  He wanted me to go into town with him and meet the stage from Willow Creek.  I told him I didn't get it and that he better spell it out for me because I wasn't following him.  "Alright.  M-O-T-H-E-R."  He then handed me the letter he had received from his mother.  Her doctor had advised her to move to California with his aunt and she was stopping by his ranch to visit her son and her grandson.  He didn't think it would hurt anything telling her these lies.  But now she was on her way.  I asked him how long this forest was supposed to go on.  She was to leave for San Francisco by tomorrow.  Mark was to stay here with Luis.  As long as I co-operated Mark would be okay. 

We went into town to meet the stage. While waiting for the stage I caught Billy off guard.  I took his gun and held it on him behind his back.  Mrs. Havecourt seemed like a really nice lady.  She was thrilled to see her son and couldn't wait to see Peter, her grandson.  While Mrs. Havecourt went to thank the driver, I gave Billy his gun back and told him I'd go along with this for a day.

When we got to the ranch Mrs. Havecourt was glad to see Peter.  She wanted to know if he had a kiss for her.  He turned and ran.  She went on in the house and St. John told me I should have a talk with Mark.  "Mark, I made an agreement with Billy, I told him I'd go thru with this.  Only because of his Mother.  "It's hard, I never had to do anything like this before," said Mark.  I understood how he felt.  I told him Billy was trying to work it so his Mother didn't find out about him.  I asked him to take a chance at it.  She sure was a might fine lady.  I asked him to make like it was play acting.  He never knew either of his grandmothers and any boy would be proud to have her for their grandmother.  He agreed.    

Things were going along  pretty good.  Soon this would all be behind us.  I was proud of my son, he was doing really well with his play acting.  He even seemed to enjoy her.  She even warmed milk for him before going to bed.  "Your gonna be leaving in the morning, aren't ya?"  Asked Mark.  She nodded.  "Will you miss me?" she asked.  "I think so.....Grandmother."  She was pleased.  That was the first time he called her Grandmother. 

It was time for Mrs. Havecourt to leave.  She tried to talk her son into letting her take the train next week. He convinced her that ranch life was too rugged for her.  He would send for her later, when she felt better.  She wanted to say good-bye to Peter here at the ranch, not in town.  She started to say her good-byes when she passed out or so we thought.  I carried her into the bedroom.  I felt this was more then a fainting spell.  I sent Mark to get the doctor.  Billy sent Luis along with Mark.  He wanted Luis to make sure that the doctor was all Mark brought back. 

Doc Burrage told Billy she was worse off then she left him to believe.  Her lungs were beginning to fill.  He felt she didn't have much more then an hour to live.  Mark took the new hard.  Billy grabs the doctor, "She can't die doctor."  Just then shots rang out and into the house.  We all took cover.  I asked Billy who they were and what did they want. He told me his former business partner.  "McCain we're all in this together.  Stinger won't leave anybody alive who could testify against him."  Just then Mrs. Havecourt came out of the bedroom.  She wanted to know what was going on.  I took her back into the bedroom.  They were still shooting.  She wanted to know why they were calling him.  He told her it was all a mistake.

I told him he was to get Luis and make a break for it.  I didn't care what happened to him, but his being here was putting my son's life in danger.  I told him he had to drive those men away from here.  I asked him if he really wanted his Mother to die of a broken heart knowing who and what he really was.  He agreed.  He went to get Luis but he was dead. 

They set our wagon full of hay on fire.  They had it aimed at the house.  Stinger kept calling his name, Billy St. John.  Mrs. Havecourt heard this.  She knew Billy St. John was a outlaw.  He was surprised she had heard of him.  He decided to tell her. I told her I was Billy St. John.  I told her I took on a new name.  I wanted to start a new life.  It just didn't work out.  Billy thanked me.  I didn't do it for him.  He grabbed my rifle and told me he'd leave it on the front porch. He wanted to go it alone.  He told me they were more interested in the money from the bank robbery.  He said that with a little bit of luck I might see him again.  He went out.  The one cowboy shot Billy.  Billy left my rifle on the porch like he said he would. I had to go for my rifle.  There was three of them .  I had to try.  I charged out and rolled to the ground.  I killed Stinger then Santos.  The other one came from in back of the house.  I shot and killed him too. 

We went in to see how Mrs. Havecourt was doing.  "When William returns.....tell him I decided not to go on to California after all.  I'm going to stay here with him and my grandson."  She looked at Mark.  "You seemed frightened of me when I first arrived.  You aren't frightened of me anymore, are you?"  Mark was crying.  "No, No I'm not grandma."  "Thank you dear," she said.  She died with her grandson by her side. Mark broke down. 
He finally found a grandmother, only to loose her.

Well it was finally over.  Later Mark was setting outside on the porch.  "Something bothering you, son?"  He couldn't stop thinking about Billy.  He asked if he really loved his Mother.  "Oh he loved her alright son.  Ya, know Mark, there's a little bit of good even in the worst of men.  Her coming here brought that love out in Billy."  "Ya know Pa, for a while it was like I really had a grandmother.  She sure was a nice lady."

piddlin' stuff.....Kevin Hagen appeared in two episodes of "The Rifleman."  He played Billy St. John/William Havecourt in The 'Prodigal'.  He's the one who took Lucas and Mark hostage and forced them to pretend he owned the McCain Ranch and that Mark was his son.  In 'The Decision' he played Harry Debers.  He is best known for his role in "Little House on the Prairie" as Dr. Hiram Baker.  He was also a regular on "Yancy Derringer".  He played John Colton.
He appeared on "The Untouchables" several times.  He appeared in many of shows, too many here to list.

Josephine Hutchinson played Christine Havecourt.  She was the mother of Billy St. John.  She and Kevin Hagen appeared together in an episode of "Little House on the Prairie" ~ 'If I Should Wake Before I Die'.

Warren Oates appeared in five episodes episode of  "The Rifleman."  'The Marshal' as Andrew Shelton  ~  'Bloodlines' as Jud Malackie  ~ 'The Prodigal' as Santos ~  'Miss Milly' as Marty Ryan ~ 'Day of Reckoning' as Will Breen. 
He appeared on "The Untouchables".  He was a regular on "Stoney Burke."  He is credited with many things such as "Stripes," "Return of the Magnificent Seven," "Ride the High Country" & "In the Heat of the Night."

Lee Van Cleef needs no intro at all. I think we can safely say everyone has heard of him. He appeared in 'The Deadly Wait' as Dan Maury.  He's the bad dude who crippled Micah's arm. He is exceptional in 'The Deadly Wait!!!!!'  The other "Rifleman" episodes he appeared in was 'The Prodigal' - 'The Clarence Bibs Story' and 'Death Never Rides Alone.'
He also appeared with Chuck in "Branded" in 'Call to Glory' [Blade Rider, Revenge of the Indian Nations] and 'The Richest Man in Boot Hill.'
 He appeared in "High Noon," as henchman Jack Colby, a role that brought him great recognition despite having no dialogue.  Liked him in "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance."  Numerous Sergio Leone Spaghetti Westerns ~ one he is best known for is "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly."  He later appeared in his own TV series "The Master," John Peter McAlister, a martial arts & action show.  Great actor! 

Rudolfo Hoyos Jr. appeared in two episodes of "The Rifleman".  He played Pablo in 'Home Ranch'.  He was one of Jackford's men, the Mexican.  He played Luis in 'The Prodigal'.  He was Billy St. John's sidekick.  He was a regular on the short lived TV series "Viva Valdez", he played Luis Valdez.  A familiar face.  I'm sure you've seen him in many shows. 

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

Rhys Williams as Doc Burrage