A Different Way (1953)

[music] [music] [music] >> Not good for anything but firewood now. That used to be a fence. But cousin Stanley changed all that. He almost changed a few other things, too. Before I carry this out to the backyard, I suppose I'd sit down and rest a while and tell you about it. A couple of weeks ago, our new next-door neighbor, Earl Miller, built a fence between our homes. >> Good evening, Mr. Fisher. >> Well, that's quite a job, Mr. Miller. >> Yeah, not to keep Duke out of trouble. >> Well, what kind of a dog is this Duke of yours? >> Boxer. He's won a couple of blue ribbons. We're getting him ready to show next month. >> Oh, must be quite a dog, huh? >> He is. >> Hi, Dad. >> Hello, Mr. Miller. >> Hi, Freddy. >> Is the dog here, Mr. North? >> Not yet, Freddy. We're bringing him home from the kennel tonight. >> I sure want to see him. >> Well, you and Duke will have to get acquainted. >> Hello, Mr. Fisher. >> How do you do, Mrs. Miller? >> Well, how do you like the fence? >> Well, I don't think your dog will get over that. >> I hope not. Where we lived before, he always got out of the yard and tore up the garden next door. For some strange reason, our neighbor never appreciated Duke. >> I understand from Mrs. Fisher that you're expecting company. >> Yes, my cousin, Stanley. We haven't seen him for 5 years. >> Oh, how nice. >> He's a salesman, travels all over. He sent me this for Christmas. >> Say. Don't start whittling him a new fence, will you, Freddy? >> No, I won't. >> How old is your father, Freddy? >> Oh, looks good. I'm hungry this morning. >> Freddy, will you say grace? >> Dear God, bless this food to our use this morning, and bless Mom and Dad and everybody, and Cousin Stanley, in Jesus' name. Amen. >> I wonder what happened to Stanley. He should have arrived by now. >> Well, he might have gotten behind on his schedule. That can happen on the road. >> I wonder if he's changed much. >> What's he really like? I I don't remember him very well. >> Oh, cheerful, happy-go-lucky, typical traveling man. >> Funny thing about Stanley, he's so carefree most of the time, yet when he gets his damn brother >> Remember how Mandy was with the butcher that time? >> Oh, he was a good audience, though. Too bad he never married. >> Why didn't he, Dad? >> Well, I just don't know. >> I'll ask him. >> I don't know. >> Cousin Stanley! >> Yes, why not? >> Come on, let me see. >> Well, >> Come on, Dad. >> we may as well go, too. >> Do you think he'd like to go out to the ball park? >> Well, maybe. Well, if I know Stanley, he could always eat A SECOND BREAKFAST. >> HEY, HURRY UP, LET'S GET OUT OF HERE. >> I CAN'T VISIT. I GOT BIT. DID HE BITE ME, BETSY? >> BETSY, you all right, Anna? >> Well, it doesn't look bad, but we better clean it up. >> Anna, you take care of it. Peter, get the first aid kit. >> Yes, Grandpa. >> Come along, Freddy. >> Come on. >> What happened, Stanley? >> Well, I guess it's my fault. I was a little tired from driving all night, and I didn't see that fence over there. It's new, isn't it? >> Yes, our neighbor just put it up. >> Well, I just caught the corner post and knocked some of the fence down. The next thing I saw, Freddy was running out towards my car. The big dog jumped through the hole in the fence and grabbed him. I jumped out and kicked at the dog, but he ran down the street. >> Stanley, when you make an arrival, you really make a good one, don't you? >> Well, this is one I could do without. >> Well, incidentally, how are you? >> Well, I was all right up to a few minutes ago. >> Glad to see you again, Stanley. >> Nice to see you, Grandpa. >> Hey, what goes on here? >> Well, Mr. Miller, this is my cousin Stanley Picher, Mr. Miller. >> Glad to know you, Mr. Miller. >> Seems you've met my friends already. >> Uh Mr. Miller, I'm afraid in all the excitement, your dog got out. >> Yeah, I'm sorry about that, and I'll have your fence fixed right away. >> Oh, I'm not so much concerned about the fence as I am about losing the dog. >> Oh, he'll come back. >> Not so sure about that. This is the first day he's been here, and with a scare like that, he may keep right on going. >> I'll get you another dog. >> Afraid you don't understand. Duke's a valuable show dog. >> Well, Mr. Miller, he just ran away. Give him a chance to come back. >> Sure, we'll help you look for your dog, but right now I'm more concerned about Freddy. >> Freddy? What's he got to do with it? >> Your dog bit him. >> Duke bit Freddy? >> I'm afraid he did. >> Yes, when Freddy ran out to see Stanley, I guess Duke thought that Freddy was after him. >> I hope it's not serious. >> Well, I don't think so, but we we better have a doctor look at him. >> And don't worry about your dog, he'll be back before the day's over. >> Well, I hope so. As I said before, he's a valuable animal. If I don't get this fence fixed right away, I'll have to take him back to the kennel. Let me know how Freddy gets along. >> The way that guy's acting, you'd think I knocked his fence down on purpose. >> Well, Stanley, we're just sitting down to breakfast. How about joining us? >> Well, I did eat earlier on the road, but >> We know you can always stand another breakfast. >> [music] >> Grandpa, I'm going to have to get after you and Carl. You don't handle enough of my products. >> Well, you don't call on us often enough. That's the answer. >> Say, that's a beauty, isn't it? >> Sure. I don't believe we had this new soda fountain the last time you were here. >> No. >> Well, you remind me to rustle you up one of my special sundaes. I'm getting good at it. >> Grandpa, that's an offer you don't have to make twice. >> I'll do it. Oh, hello, Carl. What did Dr. Bergan say? >> Well, the wound isn't too bad, but we should find the dog and check for rabies. >> Say, that never occurred to me. Is there any danger of that? >> Yeah, it's always possible. >> Well, what if the dog doesn't come back? >> You'll have to give him the Pasteur treatment just to be safe. >> Oh, why not give it to Freddy anyway? >> Well, they don't like to do it unless it's necessary. It's rather lengthy and painful. You'd have to have a shot every day for at least 2 weeks. >> Well, frankly, I was hoping his dog wouldn't come back, but now >> If that dog doesn't show up, we'll all have to start looking for it. When I dropped Freddy off, I saw Miller and he's still plenty burned up. >> Well, I can't say that I blame him. >> Well, I suppose I'll have to do something about fixing his fence. But frankly, from the way he's acting, maybe I'll let him fix it himself. >> No, no, no. We'll have to overlook his attitude. After all, his new fence was knocked down and he did lose his dog. >> But Carl, uh >> Stanley, let me whip you up one of my special banana splits. >> Say, that's something I'd rather talk about. >> You know, this concoction is becoming known as the Grandfather Fisher Special and it is a special. Oh, boy, wait till you see this. And there you are, Anna. All ready to garnish a roast. Pretty simple, isn't it? >> My, that is handy, isn't it? >> Well, I brought a couple of them along for you. And you can't tell. Emily might need one one of these days. >> You never can tell. >> Well, look, as long as I'm in this rig, isn't there something I can do to help with dinner? >> Thanks, Stanley. We can manage. You go ahead and keep Grandpa company. >> Well, when does Carl get He'll sure be glad to hear the news. >> Well, he'll be here any minute now. >> Now, look ladies, you try our little gadgets. Good for french fried potatoes, carrots for creaming, beets for pickling, and cucumbers for cucumber salad. And if you like it and want to grow some, I can get it for you wholesale. Oh, I forgot. I'm hungry. >> Grandpa, finished with the sports section? >> Yeah, here you are. >> Yeah, thanks. Wonder how the Yanks did. >> Hello, everybody. >> Hello, Carl. >> Carl, I've got great news for you. You don't have to worry about Miller anymore. >> What do you mean? >> Well, I was looking around the yard, and you know what? The fence is on your property. >> Oh, how do you know? >> Well, I found the survey stake and lined it up with the back one, and that fence is at least 6 in on your property. >> Stanley showed it to me, Carl. I guess he's right. >> You know, I thought it went right along the side of the flower bed. That's what I told him. >> The survey stake can't be wrong. >> Well, what difference does it make? >> Well, this changes the whole affair. Now, you can sue Miller. >> Sue him? What for? >> For building the fence on your property. Then he can't sue us for knocking his fence down or the loss of his dog. >> But Stanley, Mr. Miller did get his new fence knocked down. >> If it had been where it should have been, I probably wouldn't have hit it in the first place. Besides, it's legally your fence. You can sue him. >> Why should I? He's our neighbor. I hope he'll become our friend. >> Carl's right. What do we gain by suing Earl Miller? >> Oh, I don't get you guys. Well, you got Miller right where you want him. >> Where do we want him, Stanley? >> Okay, Carl. That's the way you feel about it. But believe me, he won't sue to and get away with it. >> Dinner's ready. >> Dinner? Oh boy, Anna, am I hungry. >> [music] >> Hey. When are you going to fix that fence of mine? >> Your fence? Who says it's your fence? >> I do. >> It just happens to be 6 in on Carl's property. >> Now look, what are you trying to pull? >> I'm not trying to pull anything. I just found the survey stake and lined it up with the back one, and it's plain to see the fence is on Carl's property. >> I don't understand. Carl told me this flower bed was the property line. >> I don't care what Carl said. There's the survey stake. >> Do I understand by your attitude that you don't intend to fix the fence? >> You understand correctly. If you'd been decent about it >> What do you expect me to do? Pat you on the back for knocking down the fence and losing my dog? >> Look, before I'm through with you, YOU'LL BE FIXING CARL'S FENCE. >> OH, is that so? Now, let me tell you something. You'll be paying for that dog of mine, or I'll have a lawyer. >> Yeah, WELL, DO YOU REALIZE FREDDY'S GOING TO TAKE THE PASTEUR TREATMENT because that flea-bitten mongrel yours PROBABLY HAS RABIES? >> FLEA-BITTEN MONGREL? >> THAT'S WHAT I SAID, FLEA-BITTEN MONGREL. >> FAMILY, YOU HAVE TO STOP. >> I said that's enough. >> Oh, I'm awfully sorry, Mr. Miller. >> Nobody's going to talk to me like that. >> Now, you come on back in the house. >> Oh, this is terrible. When Carl gets home, he'll talk to you. >> He can talk to my lawyer. >> Hi Grant. >> Hello Peter. Carl, I'm afraid we've got trouble. >> What do you mean? >> The Stanley and Miller almost came to blows this morning. >> Oh no. >> Yes, Stanley told him about the fence being on your property and they got in quite an argument. In fact, Anna and I had to break it up. >> What is the matter with Stanley? >> I don't know, but the last thing Miller said to Anna was that from now on you could talk with his lawyer. >> Sounds like it's getting really serious. >> Well, it's getting ridiculous. I'm going to talk to Miller tonight and get this straightened out. >> Well, it looks to me like you better talk to Stanley also. The Millers have decided that Stanley's attitude is our attitude. >> This is Dr. Bergen. Oh yes, Anna. Yes, Grandpa just telling me. Dr. Bergen? Yes. Okay. Mhm. Cuz they haven't found the dog, Dr. Bergen thinks we better start the Pasteur treatments. >> Do they have to? >> Yes, just to be safe. >> [music] >> So, if you two will look after things, I'll get Fred over to the doctor. >> Sure, you go right ahead, Carl. >> Want your coat, Grant? >> Yes, my white coat. Thanks. >> And when Dr. Bergen stuck me with that big needle, I didn't even cry, >> [music] >> did I, Dad? >> No, you didn't. You were a very good soldier. >> How long will he have to take these shots? >> Every day for 2 weeks, unless the dog is found and is all right. >> I think it's enough, Rachel. If it was me, I'd >> to you, Stanley. I don't like to speak bluntly, but as I understand it, you've only been making matters worse. >> But I'm only trying to help. >> I know, I know. But from now on, let me handle it, will you? >> But you'd let him walk all over you. >> The situation has gone far enough. Mr. Miller ought to be home right now. I'm going over and see him. >> Don't be silly. Let him come to you. It puts you in a better position. >> Stanley, I'm not concerned with positions. I'm only concerned with what's right. And so far, we've been pretty wrong. >> Emily, I don't understand that father of yours. Well, guess I'll get something to eat. >> Oh, good evening, Mrs. Miller. Is your husband home? >> No, he's not. >> Do you expect him soon? >> I don't know. >> Well, I want to see him and I want to see if we couldn't straighten out this mess about the fence. I think it's gone far enough. >> Yes, it certainly has. That's why Earl's talking to his lawyer right now. >> But there's no need for anything like that. >> Well, Earl thinks there is. And he's also hired a surveyor to come out tomorrow to check that property line. >> Mrs. Miller, that is not necessary. That's why I want to talk to you. >> Earl said he's through talking. That's why he's turning it all over to his lawyer. >> I see. Uh when he comes in, would you ask him to call me? >> I'll tell him. >> Hi, Carl. >> Oh, hello, Stanley. I thought you were working. >> I am, Carl. For you. From now on, you got nothing to worry about. >> Now, what have you done? >> Well, since you won't look out for yourself, I've just had a long talk with the branch office lawyer, and we're all set. Hey, Carl. Why don't you buy this stuff from me? I could save you some money. >> What are you talking about? >> The screen. >> I don't mean the cream. I mean the lawyer. >> Oh, the lawyer. Well, the lawyer said we can Miller for the dog biting Freddy for the cost of medical expenses, for trespassing, we can make him move the whole fence off the property, and we can even sue him for punitive damage. Miller hasn't got a chance. >> Stanley, I told you before I feel about this. I'm not going to sue Miller for anything, and neither are you. >> But why not? >> In the first place, he didn't understand that he was building on our property. I told him where to put it. In the second place, the dog would never have bitten Freddy if the fence hadn't been knocked down. >> But Carl, the laws are on your side. >> You don't seem to understand. I don't want to win a lawsuit. I want to win Miller's friendship. Frankly, you're not making it very easy for me to do that. >> Me? Well, I'm just trying to keep him from walking all over you. >> Carl, I just came from home, and you know what? Miller has a surveyor checking the property line. >> Aha, you see, Carl? You've got to fight, and if you won't, I will. >> No, you won't, Stanley. For the last time, let me handle this my own way. >> You know, Grandpa, I don't understand Carl. Here I got an airtight case, and he won't fight. >> Carl's fighting for something bigger than a broken fence. >> Well, I better run along. It's time to eat, and I got a dinner date with a customer. >> Why don't you try to finish [music] your soup, Freddy? >> I can't, Emily. >> It'd be awfully good for you. >> I'm not hungry. >> All right. >> How's the patient? >> Oh, he's just having a slight reaction to that shot. >> Oh, I'll be okay. >> Yeah, sure you will. I bought something for you, Freddy. Here, catch. >> Gee, thanks, Cousin Stanley. >> Boy, when I see Freddy like this, I >> Stanley, let's not talk about it up here. Freddy, is there anything else you want? >> No, thanks, Emily. >> Well, I'll be downstairs. You just call me if there is. >> Okay. >> Yeah, don't you worry, Freddy. We'll find that big dog yet, and you won't have to take any more shots. >> Where is your dad and grandpa? >> Oh, they're still down at the distillery. Have you had your dinner yet? >> Yeah, I ate with a customer. You know, when I see Freddy up there, it makes me boil. >> You know, Stanley, you're making it awfully difficult for us to act the way we should. >> Now you're talking like your father. >> But you just don't understand our attitude. >> But look at Freddy up there. >> I know, and we're all very concerned about him, but we don't have to show our concern by hating the Millers. >> Ah, that love-thy-neighbor stuff can go too far, especially when it costs money. >> Stanley, there are some things you just can't put a price tag on. >> Look, all Miller's interested in is getting his fence and his dog paid for, and we're the ones that are going to have to do it unless we stop it. >> Stanley, I hate to say this, but have you ever stopped to think that maybe it's your attitude that's making Mr. Miller act the way he does? >> What have I done? >> Oh, hello, Mr. Miller. >> Is your father in, Mrs. Fisher? >> No, he isn't, but we expect him any minute. Won't you come in? >> Thank you. >> Oh, Mr. Miller, it's good to see you. >> I wanted to talk to your husband about the fence and about the dog. >> Has he been found? >> Yes. He turned up at our old place. Some neighbors got in touch with me. He's down at the veterinarian's now. >> That's wonderful. Is the dog all right? I mean, about the rabies. >> Well, he looks all right, but the doctor thinks Freddy better continue with the treatments a couple of days more until they're sure the dog doesn't have rabies. I'm sorry, Mrs. Fisher, about the boy. >> Thank you. Carl will be happy to hear you found the dog. >> I I you've been surveying the property and you hired a lawyer. >> That's right. >> Well, I got a lawyer, too. And from what he says, you're in trouble. >> If you think you can threaten me >> I'm not threatening you, I'm telling you. >> What is going on here? If you people think you're going to sue me, you've got another thing coming. >> Now, you're just saying that because you know you haven't got a chance. >> Stanley, you've said altogether too much. >> But, Carl, >> Stop nothing. Sit down, and keep quiet. Earl, I never had any intention of suing you. >> But, your cousin said >> care what he said. I know how he feels about this affair. But, I'd like you to know how we feel. We're extremely sorry about the whole thing. We don't blame you in the slightest for what happened to Freddy. We're very sorry that you lost your dog. >> But, Dad, the dog's been found. He's at the veterinarian's now. >> Oh, good. >> I don't understand. What about the fence? >> We'll fix it. >> That's not what I mean. I came over to tell you that the survey showed that you're right. The fence is on your property. >> HAHA, YOU SEE, I TOLD YOU SO. >> STANLEY, PLEASE. EARL, as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't matter in the slightest whether the fence is 10 in one way or the other. >> Carl, I I don't know what to say. Frankly, your your changed attitude has got me a little baffled. >> My attitude hasn't changed. I just haven't had an opportunity to express it. I came over to your house last evening, >> [music] >> but you weren't home. >> Well, I came over expecting no cooperation, knowing I was legally in the wrong in this thing, but >> Well, we've gotten off to rather bad start. I'd like to do anything I can to straighten it out. >> That's right, Earl. After all, we're neighbors. This is just one of those things, not really anybody's fault. >> Well, that's very generous of you. You know, I've been worried most about my dog biting Freddy, and I'd like to at least pay for Freddy's medical care. >> Forget it. It doesn't amount to much. >> Well, then at least you forget about repairing the fence. I'll do it myself Saturday. >> I'll help you. We'll fix it together. >> Sure, we'll all pitch in. After all, you know, it's your fence, but it's on our property, so we've all got to see this kept up, don't we? >> Carl, I guess I was a little hasty in some of my opinions about you and your family. >> Forget it. We'll all be out there Saturday to help you fix the fence. >> I guess the first thing I better do is fire my lawyer. >> Good night. >> Bye. >> I don't get it. You had him right where you wanted him. You could have thrown the book at him. >> That's exactly what I did. >> What do you mean? >> Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Stanley, I know a lot of people would agree with what you wanted to do. And we might have won a few dollars in the court action. But what else would we have won? Probably a lifelong enemy living next door to us. Who, when he fixed his fence, would perhaps have added a couple of feet on top just to spite us. You think it would have been worth it? Maybe not. If a man really believes what the Bible says about his sins, about Jesus as his savior, then he just has to be a different sort of person. >> I admit the way you handled it is uh different. At least different than the way I'd have settled it. >> Maybe the difference comes from the book we follow. >> I guess I really messed things up, didn't I? You know, I've always believed there was a place for what you call the Christian way of doing things. But I've always felt there were times when perhaps you had to take things into your own hands or the other fellow take advantage of you. >> Yes, I suppose they do take advantage of us sometimes. But we shouldn't be too concerned about that, should we? You see, Stanley, living like a Christian family means acting in all things the way we believe [music] Christ would want us to act. Even including such things as a broken fence or a dog bite. >> However you want to explain it, I see your system works. >> It's not my system, Stanley. >> Well, anyway, you won your case and you didn't have to go to court. >> Yes, the fence is fixed. The dog is all right, so Freddy doesn't have to take any more shots. A little paint and it'll be almost as good as new. And you know who's down buying the paint? That's right. Stanley. >> Oh, hello there. It was awfully nice of you to invite us into your living room. Or should I have said it was awfully nice of you to have [music] spent the last few moments in our living room? Anyway, I I would like to add just a few words. I'm worried about the kind of life concerning which we members of the Fisher family say, "This is the life." You see, the kind of life we're trying to preserve is a life based on a personal faith in Jesus Christ as our savior. A life blessed with the joy and the peace and the assurance that only a faith in Christ, the son of God, [music] can give you. And that's why we so sincerely hope that whoever you are, wherever you are, that you will invite the son of God into your hearts and your homes, that you will cherish him as your personal redeemer, and that you will make his word, [music] the Bible, a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path. Because we're very sure that if you will, you will find that this is the life. >> [music] [music] >> This is the life. >> [music] >> I am come that they might have [music] life and that they might have it more abundantly. More abundantly. Yes, that is the life [music] of the Fisher family. They have put their faith in the simple gospel message that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should [music] not perish, but have everlasting life. Redeemed by Jesus Christ their savior, [music] they have found that peace, that joy, and that assurance >> [music] >> which only the believing heart can know. Would you like to know more about the life of Christian faith? Write today for this is the life, a guide to Christian living. Learn how you too can experience the thrill of divine forgiveness, the joy of spiritual assurance, and the pledge of life eternal through a personal [music] faith in Christ the savior. For your free copy of this booklet, just address a letter or postcard to This is the life, [music] St. Louis 2, Missouri. Remember the address. This is the life, St. Louis 2, Missouri. This program has been produced by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod [music] with congregations throughout the United States and Canada, and is dedicated [music] to the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and Savior of the world. >> [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music]