 a fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty high old silver, the Lone Ranger. The early days of the western United States, many of the settlers developed a contempt for the east and distrust of eastern men and methods. But the mashed rut of the planes realized that the winning of the west could never be accomplished without the help of the older states. It was he who proved this to the ranchers and blazed the trail for progress. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. A lot of the past can the thundering hoof beats to the great horse Silver, the Lone Ranger rides again. It was evening. The Lone Ranger and his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, had rained their horses to a stop close to a rambling white frame house in the outskirts of the town of Painted Wells. When the masked man spoke, his voice was low. It's not easy to believe that old Zeke has almost reached the end of the trail, Teller. They say he can't last out the night. When he's gone, this district would have lost the finest man I'd ever knew. He was kind and wise and tolerant. He had faith in the west and in its people. No one but he could have brought Painted Wells a prosperity it's enjoying now. Fine, Teller. Yes. I wonder what the future will bring when he's gone. He doesn't know. No one knows. His bank, of course, will be managed by his sons, but they are untried. They could easily destroy all the good their father worked so hard to bring about. Zeke thought of his bank first as a servant of the people who used it. I doubt that his own profit from it meant much to him. How many sons him got? Two. John and Ward. John's the older, about 30 I think. Ward must be close to 25. Ward's never been far from Painted Wells and he's well known. They say he's a good sort, you know, a trifle headstrong. Not what me here. John, however, has been in the east. He went to school there and remained afterwards. Except for a visitor too, this is the first time he's been home since he was a boy. They can make a fine team, Teller. That's right. Ward, with his knowledge of the West, could balance John with his eastern schooling and business training. But I'm afraid. What matter? We may have a lot to learn before they'll pull together and double harness. Zeke's wife and his two sons stood by the old man's bedside. The lamp turned low, cast dim shadows on the wall and... There, honey. Don't cry. I can't help it, Zeke. I can't. Sure, ain't nothing for you to feel bad about. We'll be together again. I'm just going a little ahead of you, that's all. Kind of a scouting trip, you could call it. Now hush that sniffling. I'll try. That's better. John. Yes, Father? Ward. I reckon, boys, there ain't much left first to talk about. We've settled everything about the bank. John, be an older and new Ward. It's only fair that he should be top man. I don't mean to set one of you over the other. I expect you to run the bank together. But if it ever comes to a difference of opinion, it ought to be John's say that goes. Sure, Father. I understand. Well, that's by the way. There's something else I think is a heap more important. Yes. Suggest this, John. Whatever you and Ward do, I want it to be only what you could be proud to think back on afterwards. I say it because when you're running a bank, it ain't easy. Money gets to look and powerful important. You begin to forget it's so important only because folks use it. And then the day comes when you figure a dollar is worth more than the man that needs it. We remember that, Father. That's what I want. Just your promise that you will all us. Remember. I do promise. And you, Ward, are you? You got my promise too. Thank you. Thank you, boys. Oh, I seem to be getting awful tired. I think if maybe you left me alone for a bit, I might be able to sleep. Zeke slept but never awakened. At his funeral, he received the greatest tribute ever given to a citizen of painted wells. And when it was over, John and Ward, his sons, applied themselves to the task of managing the bank he had founded. Several months went by in which the difference between them became more marked each day. Inevitable, it gave rise to friction. And one morning, an incident occurred that brought this friction to a head. Give him here, Parker. Well, Mr. Prentice, I don't want to cause no trouble. You leave that to me. Ward, what is it? Parker says he was just in here to see you, John. Oh, yes. And you turned him down for a loan. But I turned him down. Parker, come here. Gosh, if I'd known I was darting something, I wouldn't imagine it at all. I'm glad you did. Well, what seems to be the trouble? Why'd you turn him down? You wanted that money to buy cattle, didn't you, Parker? Uh-huh. Well, there's your answer. Answer? What kind of an answer do you call that? Why shouldn't he buy cattle? Didn't Pa always loan him cash when he wanted to buy? Of course he did. Oh, I get it. I suppose you figure Pa didn't know what he was doing. I didn't say that. Am I just as well? No, Ward, you're misunderstanding me. A year ago I would have been glad to give Parker his money. Perhaps next year I will again. Just now, however, I think the purchase of cattle would be a mistake. I like the signs. I think the market's going to break. Oh, you think so, huh? Well, what do you know about it? Well, I could be wrong. I've made mistakes before. Nice of you to admit it. Just the same I have to act as I see best. I've been right occasionally, too, you know. You think you're running this bank alone? I'd hoped you'd agree with my judgment. Well, I don't. So what are you going to do about it? Stick to my decision? Huh? What else did you expect me to do? Look here, John. You know what's happening to you. What? Just what Pa said he was afraid of the night he died. You're getting so nothing looks half as big to you as a dollar. That's not true. Now, will you show on it right now? Parker, look here. Yeah? Suppose I loaned you the money you've asked for. Suppose you bought the cattle you want. Then suppose, in a week or a month, the bottom drop from the market. Where would you be then? Well, bad offer, I reckon. Oh, but Chuck's the market's steady. You don't need to worry about it. I think I do. And in spite of what my brother says, I'm thinking as much of your interest as ours. You make it sound good, but you're forgetting something. Yes? If the market went to Blazers, which I know doggone well it ain't, Parker'd be all right if we didn't call his loan, wouldn't he? If the market eventually went up again, which I suppose it would. Well, then what's your argument? We'll carry him. No. But I tell you... We can't make exceptions. If we carried him, we'd have to give everyone else time. Our assets will be frozen. We have just as much of an obligation to our depositors as we have to those who borrow money from us. More of an obligation, in fact. Now, now it can't be done. And I guess you'll figure your words law, huh? That was the way Father wanted. Like funny did. He said when it came to a difference of opinion, my decision should rule. And you're sure making the most of it. I'm sorry you see it that way, Ward. I'll bet you are. Well, now I'm going to tell you something that's been in my mind for quite a spell. I don't like the way you've been running the bank. I don't like the way you're all the time setting yourself over me. And most of all, I don't like you. That's plain enough. And from now on, you and me are quits. If you'll excuse me, Chancellor, I reckon I'd better... Parker, wait a second. Nobody that's been a good customer of ours as long as you've been is ever going to be able to say we wouldn't help you while I can do anything about it. John? Yes? How much cash have I gotten my own personal account? You should know that better than I should. 30 or 40,000, I suppose. How much did you want, Parker? Just 5,000. But you should... I'll do what I please. John, I want every penny that's coming to me. It's yours. I can't prevent you taking it. You'd better not try. Parker, I'm loaning you that cash myself. Say now, that's mighty white. And John? Well, you can run the bank the way you please. I'm through. Whatever are you doing? Well, Parker, where's that old trunk of mine? You're leaving? I am. Ward, what for? Oh, I reckon you can guess, ma'am. You are no mean John. We'll never hit it off together. I'm leaving the bank to him. But what'll you do? Go out to the ranch. I'm glad Paul bought it. It'll give me something to do. I always did like ranching better than bank and anyhow. Son, you know you don't mean that. Well, I do. But your father wanted you both in the bank. Maybe he did, but it can't be helped. I'm leaving and I'm leaving for good. That night in camp, Tonto told the Lone Ranger the quarrel between Ward and John. You're sure of that, Tonto? They've really split up. I don't like it. Ward, go to ranch. They should work together, Tonto. And I'm thinking less of them than I am the community. The bank needs them both. John has his father's shrewdness, while Ward is like by the community, just as his father was. Ranchers? He's mad with John, huh? And it's because he's refusing them loans. Here's over. We ride. I want to talk with John. Call Scout. Here's Scout. I want to find out if he realizes exactly what he's doing. Come on, Silver. Get him up, Scout. Come on. Mrs. Prentice on her way to her room for the night. Pause beside her son. Yes, Mother? Don't you think you and Ward could make it up together? I'd like to. I rode out to the ranch this afternoon. They won't even discuss it. Oh, it seems such a shame. It is a shame. I didn't want Ward to leave. There's nothing I'd rather have than him working with me. Well, I was afraid from the first that something like this would happen. Well, son, all I know is nothing like this ever happened while your pa was alive. I mean, like you're refusing them ranchers loans. He always let them catch. But conditions are different. Oh, I suppose so. I wouldn't pretend to know. But they are, Mother. Well, just look back. How long has it been that Texas has really had a market for its cattle? Just a few years. And times have been good. These ranchers haven't learned yet that their market depends upon conditions in the east. Wait until times are bad back there and see what happens. Well, it's all too deep for me, John. Ain't no use my trying to decide. I guess I'm ready for bed. Good night, son. Good night, Mother. What the? Careful. Mask. This isn't a hold up. We'll keep your voice down. No need to alarm your mother. What do you want? Answers to a few questions. But I want to know... First place, everyone's talking about the fact that you're refusing loans to the ranchers. Have you been sent here? No one sent me. Then what do you do? I want to know why you're refusing those loans. None of your business. I'm making it, man. I don't see... You've got something to hide? Of course not. Then why not answer? Well, if you have to know, I'm refusing loans because I expect the market to break at any time. I see. Is this your personal opinion or have you information you're acting upon? I have information. The best. Yes? From sources in the East. From bankers there who understand the situation. I suppose you're one of the people who doesn't believe the East can affect the cattle market. Of course it can. The East is the market. Well, I'm glad to meet one man who can realize that. You have confidence in the people who've told you this? Absolutely. How soon will prices drop? How do I know? Maybe it's happened already. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe next month. Well, that matters. They may never drop. No one alive can be certain. Stick to your guns. If you've thought this over, stay with your decision. You won't regret it. Just a second. You may run into trouble, Prentice, but you won't be alone. That's what I want. Come on, time to... Back to camp. Come on, Sky-o! Silver away! We've heard you pause on the first act of our Lone Ranger drama. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. The story continues. The Lone Ranger and Tonto drew rain when they reached their camp again. Pull, pull, there's a little bit. Pull, pull, pull, pull, pull, pull. Stay in the saddle, Tonto. What matter? I'm staying here. I look for things to happen at Painted Wells, and I want to be on hand when they do. John told me several things about the cattle market, Kimosabi, and he sounded convincing. But the ranchers aren't convinced. They believe the fact that he's refusing them loans is losing them opportunities for profit. They won't stand for that long. That's right. They take their anger out on John, he'll need help, and I'll give it to him. Me help, too. In another way, you're riding to Grove City. Oh, what me do? It's the closest town to Painted Wells where there's a telegraph. Stay near it. Whatever happens to the market, the news will be flashed over the wires once for that news. And if the market breaks, ride for Painted Wells just as fast as you can. How to do it? Good. Now on your way. Get it off, Scout! Get it off! The Lone Ranger had not underestimated the anger of the ranchers. During the following week, discontented murmurs changed to shouts of protest. As long as their paw lived, they got cash from the bank whenever I wanted it. But this time, if it hadn't been for water, it wouldn't have got a cent. All I wanted was $2,000. The dream was time I could turn that $2,000 into $4,000. You think he'd loan it? Yes. You think he'd loan it? Yes. You think he'd loan it? Yes. You think he'd loan it? Yes. You think he'd loan it? Yes. He's too yellow to take a chance. Market going smash? He's crazy. What does he know about the cattle business? What he needs is a good lesson. What do this doze? The skunk needs a lesson. He ought to be run out of town. Well, why don't we? You hear that, fellas? Why don't we chase the polecat out of town? In the meantime, Ward Prentice busied himself about the ranch which his father had owned in addition to the bank. He knew that the ranchers resented his brother's policy. But he did not realize that their resentment had reached a point that threatened his brother's safety. On the very day that the ranchers resolved to take matters into their own hands, he was riding slowly toward the ranch house where he now made his home. Slim, the foreman rode beside him. Well, Ward, how do you like ranch instead of banking? I like it fine. Who do you think you're fooling, huh? Shucks, you think I'm blind? I got eyes, ain't I? You ain't got no more use for this kind of work than I'd have for your kind. I'll bet if John was to ride out here again and hint at you going back, you'd scorch that leather to get there. I had no such thing. What's wrong with being a common? Nothing. I'm one, ain't I? Think I'm too stuck up for the work or something? Gosh, no, Ward. Now, don't go getting me wrong. Shucks, you ain't stuck up, know how. That ain't the point. It's just that some folks is fit for one kind of work and some for another kind. You was raised to be a banker. Your father always planned on it, and so did you. For you to be doing something else just ain't right. Well, I'm here, and here I'm staying. Well, go back and talk things over, huh? Not till John admits he's wrong. Never got very well acquainted with John. He the stubborn kind? Well, I reckon we're both kind of stubborn. Wouldn't surprise me, Norm. Oh, yeah, there was something else I wanted to ask you about. If you won't think I'm buttoning in where I shouldn't. Well? You come out here with quite a bit of cash. All ahead. And you lend Parker some of it, then you lend more to others that asked you. I'm wondering just how much you got left. Well, I... Say, is all that cash gone? It's loaned. You ain't no bank? All right. What'd you expect me to do? That's just what me and John argued about. Them fellas asked me. I couldn't act like him, could I? You sure ain't changed, any. You're acting just like you used to as a kid. What's the matter with the way I'm acting? Oh, nothing. Only, uh... Only what? Well, I can see where maybe there's something to say if you're brother after all. What do you mean by that? Oh, you do too many things because you like folks. You don't stop often enough to think that maybe they might be taking advantage of you, or just asking you because you're easy. You ought to quit being so friendly when it comes to money. I ain't got no head for business, but I sure know that much. Well, there's no reason we should get to arguing. We ain't related. Oh, boy. Oh, there. Goin' inside? Well, I'll take your horse around back and have one of the boys. Hey, look there. If that fella ain't masked, then my name ain't Slim Egan. Come on! My golly, he is. He's headin' right here. Wonder what's first. He's ridin' like the laws after him. Don't see nobody chasing. Here he comes. Don't draw, but keep your gunhand limber. What? Slim, he yelled at me. I heard it. Oh, oh, Mr. Wood! Oh, oh, oh! Mr. Wood, what do you want? Ward, your brother's in danger. Huh? What's that? He may get run out of town. A crowd of cattlemen have been spending most of the day in town drinking. They've got themselves to the point where they're going to take action. Your brother may get hurt. Strange, is this the truth? This ain't no trick. It's the exact truth. But how did... I know you and your brother are cold. You may not care what happens to him, but I'm giving him the chance to help, if you will. You bet I will. Hey, I thought you was done with John. Well, I am. Then where are you? But he's still my brother, ain't he? Anybody thinks he can touch your brother or mine has got something to learn. You goin' back to town, stranger? I'm goin' to. Kill him, silverhead. Get up there. Get up there. I'll seal my home. Well, the Lone Ranger led Ward and Slim toward Painted Wells. A mob composed of cattlemen and townsmen had already formed and were advancing upon the bank. You've seen this come back east where he came from. I'm gonna run him out of town on a rail. We'll tar and feather him. We're gonna show him. Just let me get my hands on that pole cap. Me too. There's the bank, fellas. Come on. Don't worry about the law. It ain't in town. We'll walk right in and drag him out. Here we are, boys. He's inside, all right. I see him. Yeah, and he sees us. By gravy, he ain't runnin'. Well, John, here he comes. Yeah. What's the meaning of this? I mean, you're done in Painted Wells. We're all even towns. We're helping you on your way. Quiet! Quiet, you fools! Quiet! Now, if there's anyone here with a sense he was born with, I'd like an explanation of this. I'll give it to you. Yes? Your father run this bank the way it ought to be run. When he was alive, it wasn't when I was, couldn't do business with it. Then you came here with your highfalutin' back-ease notions and figured it changed things. Look at Parker there and Redmond, Wilkins and me. Yeah, and it does nothing. You cheated everyone out of the chance to make money. You've kept us from doing business. What's the bank's fur if it won't back the fellas that need it? Tell me that! What's the fur? Will you listen to me? I've explained to you men why I wouldn't make loans. It was as much for your protection as mine. You think I don't want to see you make money? Can't you get it through your fool heads that if you don't make money, neither does the bank! You want the idea of stopping us? Because if you haven't a sense to see what's coming in the bank, we'll have to do your thinking for you. Yeah, we'll do our own. And we'll now know help from you. What do you know about the market? Going to these school back-ease don't teach you everything. The blazers will, fellas. What are we arguing for? Yeah, they're still got to grab it. Come on, get it! Wait, wait, wait! Come on, get them there, Lord! Come on, get them there! Hey, watch out! Hey, watch out for the horse! Look out the way you're going! Whoa, whoa, whoa! Make way! Come on! Out of my way! Get inside! What do you want? Quick, here, the door. Lock him full with right. Ward! What are you doing here? What do you care? Can't I get in the fight? When John not only received reinforcements, but prepared to defy them from inside the bank, the anger of the crowd mounted. I ain't going to let him get away! What do we care how many around his side? Ward, who'll never fight for him, that's his partner. Let's bust the door down. Let's bust the door down. Let's bust the door! Let's bust the door! Let's bust the door! Let's bust the door! Let's bust the door! Watch out the throwin' rocks through the windows! Hey, do you think that door's called a hole? Not for long. They're out of their heads. They have the slightest idea what they're doing. No, Monk, don't... John, out of the back way. We'll run for it. That'll give you a chance. No, I won't run from anyone. The door's giving way. I'll fire over their heads. That won't do no good, stranger. With all their mothers pushing from behind, they can't stop. It'll slow them up. Come on, keep firing. Fire high. Start firing, man. They're quitting. By a thunder we scared them out. Like blazes we did. It's something else. Look at them. Something's happened. What are they yelling and jabbering about? Listen. The market broke. They had the market. The market? They say something about the market? Unlock the door. I'll get it. Throw it open. Right. We found almost nothing. It's a panic. You say the news came by telegram. It can't be. Everybody going by. Give them their cows away. Losing everything. I don't understand. I do. Here, Kimo-sabi. Who's the Redskins? My friend. I sent him to Grove City. He was to return here. The moment they flashed the news, the market had broken. That's what stopped them, fellas. He told them the news. Right. John, here comes Parkin. I see. Say, Mr. Apprentice. Well? Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. Well, blasted off. We'd have had our hands full of cattle we couldn't get a dime on forget it but we want to wait I'm glad I was right I'll admit it but only because I hope it's showing you this bank is still your friend in spite of what you think of me on your all right even your pa couldn't have done better where for you then if you are take my advice don't lose faith in cattle the market will come back people make Texas rich yet well them fellas will save but I am clumbust don't be too sure one of course I am put the cash ahead and loan every dog on dollar without now there's not a chance of collecting maybe your brother will have something to say about that if something to say John what do you mean but I took his suggestion I knew you'd loan your money the mask man suggested I buy cattle for the men you'd loaned to in the amount of the loan we can afford to hold cattle until the price comes back where they can't but you'll find the men who borrowed from you have money to repay what they borrowed you did that for me after after the way I acted you were willing to fight for me when I needed it John your your brother was having a unit's a bad yourself I get back inside where you belong we're running this bang together or you have just heard as a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated