 With action and suspense out of the Old West comes the most famous hero of them all Hopalong Cassidy starring William Boyd The ring of the Silver Spurs heralds the most amazing man ever to ride the prairies of the early West Hopalong Cassidy the same hoppy you cheer in motion pictures and the same California you've laughed at a million times Raw courage and quick shooting have built a legend around this famous hero Hopalong is a name to be feared respected and admired for this great cowboy rides the trails of adventure and excitement William Boyd as hopalong Cassidy and and declined as California Here's hoppy now with another new story This one hoppy Alexa sheriff Most folks know that in the early West every community had its forces of good and of evil in Mills Valley these forces had shown great rivalry as California and I rode into town things look pretty bad Tomorrow's election day and whether the sheriff will be a man of law and order or a figurehead for the forces of evil Will depend on those ballots We rode down the dusty main street at the hitching rail in front of the hotel across the square from the courthouse California and I dismount and tie off Oh We don't mourn Hitton before the shooting starts over there on the courthouse square listen gather on folks gather around I aim to tell you why Mills Valley needs a new sheriff. Well, what do you know? Just a little election there in California. Yeah, well guess me and you would be better off to go wash up I'm hankering for some vitals I Say gather around folks. Here's the fact you go ahead in California. I think I'll gather around and hear some of those facts Oh, now, you know better net hoppy. I go where you go. All right. Come on man Hey, that's Joe Benson candidate for the committee for law and order. What do you have to say or to make good listening? I will see You're getting a pretty good crowd together there. I see marry old John Stevens daughter over there Yeah, it sure is ain't she nightgals since we've better did fall. No, we'd better say hello Friends and neighbors of Mills Valley Tomorrow is election day It's your duty to elect a new sheriff It seems that for some time now things in this town haven't been up to law and order That's why I say now is the time to change this You need a new sheriff Hello, Mary, I haven't seen you lately Up along California. Hi, Miss Mary. Nice to see you I say no sheriff folks for your own to yourselves and your family's to elect an honest loyal man who respects your right This here county was not a man of law and order. We're gonna change that And if you don't like what I'm saying, I'll give you your chance to speak your peace in a moment Right now I sure if a mills County. I aim to put you under arrest Joe Benson. You'll have to come with me Happy don't let him do that to Joe Benson. He has a right to say is now you're right, Mary You should have a chance. I'm going up on that platform California. Wait here Folks I'd like to have a word Now that you've butted in what do you want? I just want to say that I think Joe Benson has a right to speak his peace. That's absolutely right happy I'm not arresting him for having his say I'm arresting him for disturbing the peace. You heard him start that argument I got a 45 and says you ain't arresting Joe Benson for nothing. I'll wait a minute man Gun play taking things in your own hands is what you're trying to defeat at the ballot box tomorrow. That's right, happy That's all right folks law and order is what you want. We'll settle this at the election tomorrow in the meantime sheriff Let me make a proposition and what's that the people in this town know what Benson stands for you turn him over to me Guantee won't make another speech. No happy that wouldn't do if I got to go to jail for telling my friends the truth and to jail I go don't be stubborn Joe The sheriff must know you'd have a better chance of winning that election behind bars. Yeah, and we don't want to take unfair advantage Well, how about it Sheriff happy is Joe here? Give me his word. He won't make no more ruckus. How about it Joe? It's a deal only I hate to be bossed around but then it's a deal All right, happy you asked for it and I'll back it up sheriff. You better One more speech before election time, and I'll lock you both up Sheriff in tomorrow's mills valley election has just escaped being arrested by the present sheriff Hoppy knows that sheriff meeker represents a bad element, but to stay out of jail Benson has to promise that he'll make no more speeches before election time Hoppy in California talk things over beat One reason I couldn't let the sheriff put you in jail is because I wanted to talk to you Benson Yeah, yeah, what's your chances in tomorrow's election? Well fellas I tell you the election was held fair and square I'm pretty sure I'd win it hands down, but you don't feel it'll be conducted fairly never has been happy It's most likely that everybody what's really entitled to vote will do his ballot and in the morning that will be legal I yes, that will be but about noon you'll see some fellas on horseback start drifting in They'll be out of County men that meekers outfit hires to come here to vote and that's illegal like stuff in the ballot box Yeah, only meeker tries to make it look legal That's why we can't do much about it. How's that Benson? Well our voting laws says any resident of the county is a lawful voter All he has to do is prove his residence and how do these men meeker imports qualified a vote meeker has his own men Men who are known to live in the county and get up before the election committee and Testify that the outsider who is about to vote is a legal resident Them even coyotes what don't you call in the federal troops Benson? Yeah clean house So long as meeker represents authority by election the troops won't likely interfere at the request of plain citizens I'd get up a petition and pitch meeker. We tried that oppie We only succeeded in getting four good men a choice spot and boot hill Petition was stolen majority rule good or bad. That's something and that's something we got to do something about I'd say we Tomorrow at the election. You got any ideas Benson just one We don't aim to let outsiders vote May split this county in half make a battleground of the courthouse square, but we're maybe we can fix things up without bloodshed I wish to Pete. I know how happy There's only one thing meekers men understand That's gun talk. There's more than one way to skin a jack rat. Ah, let's sleep on it Maybe we'll think of something. Oh, you can try happy don't do no good to my way thinking I turn in here my office got a little work to do. All right, Benson. See you What was that for somebody don't want you around tomorrow Was it me they didn't want around for whichever it was I was in the middle Got a bullet clean through my head. I'm sorry, California. What did that shot come from? Cross the street. They're at the corner of the three-corns cafe You know used to go after him gone by now. Let's go, California They won't try again not tonight, but keep your eyes open my eyes gonna be as wide open as this here hole in my head Hey, by the way Benson, what's that crowd down the street? It's a medicine show happy Not a vacant corner across from our hair is livery stable medicine show Ah, yeah, let's mosey down that away hoppy might as well. I guess Let's like to get shot at again in the crowd Dear some gentlemen that concludes our entertainment. It is now seven o'clock in one half hour We leave your city, but before we leave I want to give all many friends one last chance to secure a bottle of old Dr. Jack's famous Chippewa Indian elixir Dr. Jack's Chippewa Indian elixir friends chases chills cures colleague puts the fizz to the room Matilda me about right my friend and I tell you what I'm going to do I'm going to give you two bottles for the price of one to battle sort of apart and gesture And at the same time that goes for the rest of you folks to battle of old Dr. Jack's Chippewa Indian elixir Just one Yeah, hoppy a hoppy a thing I'll buy me two of them Bottles, oh you don't want that junk, California. Isn't worth the price of the bottle again Well, it tastes good All right, it's your money and your stomach. You're right hoppy. Hey, yeah, yeah, give me two bottles All right partner and say Chippewa Indian elixir makes a good shaving lotion If you ever say Smart Alex well anyway, I get more hair machine than you got in that bald stully yours Sleeping the hotel lobby, California Let's go upstairs. Hope I can sleep at all hoppy. Yeah, hotel bed is just too soft for me. Yeah, always complaining Quiet Mary Stevan. Yeah wonder what she wants. Hello, Mary Thank goodness I found you hoppy. Hello, California. Very good evening, Miss Mary hoppy. You were always such a good friend of my father Yes, I was well. I'm having trouble. I wonder if I could ask you to help me. Well, I'd be glad to do what I can I knew you would It's that that dr. Jack that owns the medicine show I read it in my corner lot across from the livery stable. Go on Mary We wanted a place near the center of town to attract as big a crowd as possible He promised to pay me $30 if I let him put his show on my lot for three days. Oh, and he didn't pay I know he was a crook. He was gonna pay me at 10 o'clock this morning and just found out that he left town at 7 30 He didn't pay. Well, he'd be six or eight miles out of town by now Oh, yes, sir. Halfway to Carson Canyon. Well, I know it seems unreasonable of me to make such a fuss over $30 But frankly I need it. I mean hoppy's gonna crow to pick with the old dog anyhow Dagnab smart alec. I don't know California What's that seems to me? This would be sheriff meekers business. No citizen of mills valley depends on sheriff meeker for anything hoppy I'm sorry. I'll wait not so fast. Hey, you mean there. We're going after that farm rent hoppy. I don't see why not Thank you hoppy. I do appreciate it. That's all right. I'll give you the money in the morning I'll get the horses hoppy Wait a minute, California. See what the commotion is about. Hmm whole pastel of folks There it went right here in the hotel lobby where I said he'd be what's up Benson Oh, I thought you'd be home practicing up on how to be the next sheriff Joe We're on our way home now, but we wanted to have a word with hoppy. All right, Joe. What is it hoppy? Our voting rules here in mills valley says that the poll will be conducted by one man from each faction and One outside. I understand. I've talked it over with our committee for law and order. We talked to meekers outfit, too We want you to be the outside member of the poll committee. How about it? Well, if that's the way you want it, then you'll do it. Sure. I'll be honored That's a great and thanks hoppy and now we'll be pushing on Benson I wonder if you'll see miss Mary home. Oh, I sure we're gonna run a little errand. I'll get the horses right now All right, California. We'll see you in the morning, Mary Where California right up that there draw past that old CD. Well, we're right up there when see You're right California better not go right in in without letting them know first Hello there. Hello, Dr. Jack. Yes, they heard that time put down your guns man. It's me hop along Cassidy What do you want Cassidy? I want to talk to you doc Walk up to the campfire Cassidy by yourself and keep your hands raised high Hands up as he walks toward old dr. Jack's medicine show wagon He must waste no time in collecting the debt for Mary sevens or he'll be late and getting back to serve on the parson county election board In the light of the campfire. He cautiously watches the gleaming barrels of three rifles The grizzled faces of dr. Jack and his two assistants stare at him California waits with the horses at the head of the draw Cassidy. What do you want doc? You left Mills Valley owing Miss Mary sevens a debt of $30. What makes you think so? Miss sevens asked me to collect it. She needs the money chief Harry put down your guns As for the money Cassidy, I plum forgot it. I'll oversights her understandable, but I'm here to collect yours or Come on in the wagon. I'll write you check. What's wrong with cash? Now you don't think I'd carry money cross country like this to you bandits. That's what we thought you were All right, write me a check come on in the wagon. I'll write it and hurry it up. Will you doc? I got to get back to town Whatever you say Cassidy Sure doc and thanks little lady really needed us. Oh, sorry. I forgot it Don't mean to hurry a nun, but me and boys got to get some sleep just one more thing doc Are you going to Carson Canyon? Maybe me a favor will you tell captain Smith at the fort there to send a few troops over To mills valley tomorrow election sure. We'll be passing through. I'll tell him thanks and good night Yeah, California. Well, come on way past my bed time Did you get the money? Yeah? Well, let's go or we're gonna miss being there for the election I can't thanks California. I have to get in the town. I'm sorry. We just dropped by to leave Doc Jack's check Oh, are you sure this is it? Yeah, why? Well, there's nothing on it just blank check why so I'm making out $30. Well, there it is Sorry to be so much trouble, but well He sure tricked me I saw him write it just let it go. He's a tricky old thief I'll make it good for you in the meantime. I've got an idea. What about the check? No about the election I'll send you $30 tonight. Oh, don't worry about it. Hoppy. It won't be any trouble. We'll see you later Thanks, I'll be well. How do you like that? What coffee Doc Jack gave me a trick check. It was blank blank The old coyote Cheating a girl like that. Well, maybe it's not as bad as it looks. It gave me an idea. Let's go Glad you got back in time. I'll be the ballot box is in Judge Odom's office here The other two members of the election board is in there, too. Ah, good Benson. I want to ask you something All right, are you sure that everybody who will vote afternoon will be meekers hired voters positive I got some of the boys to get up a petition to back up what I told you yesterday. Here it is John Thompson, oh Brian. That's good Then we'll beat meeker at his own game. What's your puppy just a little plan to eliminate crooked voters, Benson Here it is. I'll wrap up like you told me to. Thanks, California. See you boys later It's noon men. I guess most of the votes are in. Yes, Hoppy all the qualified votes Hey, what do you mean? Well, I mean all but the paid votes that meeker'll send in Yeah, yeah, yeah boys. Let's have no rough stuff this election board Now look what you've done broken the bottle of ink you used to write the ballots Well, I didn't knock it off and I don't sure it didn't do it Somebody broke the bottle and spilled the ink and we'll have to get some more. I had a minute I got a bottle here in my pocket. Hey, that's lucky. Yeah, now put it in the center of the table Don't want to get it broke too. No, sir. Don't want it broken and say hoppy Here comes one of meekers paid voters. Look how dusty and trail-worn. Are you sure sure? I'm sure meekers Not going to like hearing as you said them things. Yeah, that's also true. Take it easy boys. The voters coming in now There's where a voter at partner. Yeah, if you're qualified Where you live pine flat northeast corner of the county has got some cattle can you prove residents or sure can this man here knows me I know him. He's okay. I let him vote man. I can't read or write and do the writing for me I want to vote for meeker for sheriff. Yeah, see what I told you hoppy. What's that stranger? Just nothing. I'll write your ballot for you George say you want to vote for meeker for sure That's right meeker. He's a good man. A lot of my neighbors coming in too. They're all voting for meeker Oh I've just been told by the election board that they're done counting the ballots Mapelle hop long capacity will tell you how to come out As you know, it's the duty of the outside member of the mills Valley election board to make known the tally Yeah, that's right hoppy, but who won? Yeah, here it is There were 97 ballots cast for sheriff meekers There were 103 ballots for Joe Benson. That's not all. There were nine ballots for nobody. They were perfectly blank It looks like Joe Benson candidate for law and order is your next sheriff Amanda recount 97 for me and 103 for Joe Benson is crazy enough. We got nine blank ballots I'd explain that easy enough meeker those boys you hired to vote must have double-crossed you what? They wouldn't dare. All right meeker. I call on this group to witness what you just said What do you mean? I mean, I want them to remember your words You've admitted before them that you did hire outside boat here now Well meeker looks like folks want to clean up around here. I'm not so fast folks election being hanged I'm still on order in mills valley, and I'll shoot the first man woman or kid that says I ain't Put that gun up meeker you just been out that you can't challenge the ballot meeker You're like me. Why why don't you be a man of my maker put up that gun? I've had enough of your nose and around hoppy reach. I'll reach and hang a fist on it Here's these gun California now the rest of you men there'll be no more shooting The elections over folks you have a new sheriff That right Sheriff Benson you're doing to do hoppy and now Mary the committee for law and order want you to have this $30 But hoppy I don't want charity. Oh, it ain't charity. Miss Mary. No, Mary You earned it if it hadn't been for old dr. Jack cheating you we might not have won this election I still don't know how you've done it hoppy. I'll tell you this much Benson when old doc wrote that check He was fresh out of ink now So he wrote that check using Chippewa Indian elixir for ink he says the stuff is good for everything you don't say He wrote that check with elixir and hoppy says it looked like ink at the time But with the time we got into town as it faded out clean Mary was pretty disappointed, but it gave me an idea. You mean you I mean that those men meeker hired weren't entitled to vote I just had California fill an old ink bottle with elixir and that's the way the name blank ballots got in the ballot box Mary your flattery won't get you another red We've got to hand it to old object to his Chippewa Indian elixir was sure good for what? Well that was quite a trick hoppy use elect Sheriff Benson well next time we meet hoppy really has a great surprise and store for you It's a story to take hoppy in california all the way to san francisco in an adventure called Parallel at pier 19 So be sure to listen to the next exciting episode of hop along cassidy Hop along cassidy starring william void is transcribed and produced in the west by walter white jr Hoppy elect the sheriff was written by richard t parker All stories are based upon the characters created by clarin c moter This is a carnival production