The Keepsake
TEASPOON MAY BE GAINING A DAUGHTER, BUT HE MAY ALSO BE LOSING A FORTUNE HE NEVER KNEW HE HAD...
A beautiful woman arrives in Sweetwater and claims to be Elizabeth Kelley, the daughter Teaspoon never knew he had. She gives Teaspoon a letter from her late mother, Beatrice. The letter served not only to introduce Elizabeth to Teaspoon but to inform him about a bank account in his name which Beatrice opened.
Apparently,
Teaspoon was once a partner of a man named Cyrus, who cheated him of his
rightful share in business. Cyrus not only stole Teaspoon's money but also
stole his woman. When Cyrus told Beatrice that Teaspoon died in Alamo,
Texas, Beatrice agreed to marry him. Years later, Cyrus told Beatrice about
his lies and bragged about how he cheated his friend. Feeling guilty, Beatrice
opened a bank account in St. Louis in the amount of $10,000. A proof of
Teaspoon's identity was supplied by Beatrice -- half of a pair of silver
combs. Teaspoon kept the other half with him.
However, the woman's name is truly Amanda O'Connell and she and her male partner are trying to trick Teaspoon out of his inheritance. Amanda was friends with the real Elizabeth, who died before she could give Teaspoon a letter from her late mother, Beatrice.
Amanda's partner -- a notorious gambler by the name of Lucas Malone -- arrives in Sweetwater to check on Amanda's progress. He introduces himself to Marshall Sam Cain, who said that he knew of him and that there's nothing good about what he has heard. Back at the station, the riders worry about Teaspoon's imminent departure. Cody says Teaspoon might not be coming back, not with $10,000 waiting for him in St. Louis. Lou insists that Teaspoon will be back and that he can't just walk out because he's got a job in Sweetwater. Kid points out, however, that Teaspoon has Elizabeth to take care of now. Emma adds that Teaspoon deserves this chance at a comfortable life.
Teaspoon takes his "daughter" to town and introduces her to the marshall. Surprised, Cain observes that Teaspoon will get a whole lot more respect in Sweetwater when people meet Elizabeth Kelly. Teaspoon buys Amanda a lovely music box for "all the birthdays and Christmases" he missed when she was growing up. Just when they were about to leave, he noticed a man -- Lucas Malone -- staring at Amanda. When he asked Amanda about the man, she says she doesn't know him.
Two of the riders are vying for Amanda's attention; Cody and Ike. Gentle Ike is disheartened by Cody's gregariousness. But he had a chance to prove himself when he was able to tame a wild horse. Cody, however, spooks the horse with a whistle. Ike, in turn, is thrown to the ground. When Ike goes after Cody, Kid holds him off.
One
night, Teaspoon, Emma, Amanda and the boys attend a dance. Amanda dances
with Teaspoon and Ike, while the other riders enjoy the food. Lou, however,
is miserable seeing all the ladies in their fine clothes. Kid notices this
and takes her out to the corral. There, he dances with her and they share
a tender kiss. Amanda sees Lucas who motions to her to meet him outside.
Lucas prompts Amanda about the money, ordering her to persuade Teaspoon
to go to St. Louis as soon as possible. He says he and his men will wait
until Teaspoon and Amanda are a day's ride out of Sweetwater before killing
Teaspoon to which Amanda reluctantly agrees. Sam Cain, however, sees them
together and approaches Teaspoon about it. When confronted, Amanda gave
Teaspoon the sob story that she became Lucas's mistress when she left home
after being sexually abused by her stepfather, Cyrus.
The next morning, Amanda gets a note from Teaspoon saying Teaspoon has decided to give her all the money. Delighted, Amanda tells Lucas they don't have to kill Teaspoon to get the money. But Lucas insists on murder. Because Teaspoon has become dear to her, Amanda decides to protect him by stealing the comb but is caught by Emma and Teaspoon. Amanda tells Emma and Teaspoon the whole story and Teaspoon decides to help her. He challenges Lucas Malone to a card game -- if Teaspoon wins, Lucas will ride on. If Lucas wins, he gets the keepsake. Either way, Amanda is out of the picture.
Teaspoon wins but he and Amanda are ambushed by Malone on the way back to Sweetwater. A shoot-out follows where Teaspoon kills Malone. Amanda leaves for St. Louis to begin a new life after Teaspoon gives all his money to her. She didn't want to accept it though, unless Teaspoon accepts a share in it. She says she wants to buy a fancy saloon with Teaspoon as her partner. She gives back the music box Teaspoon gave her as a memento and extracts a promise that they will come and visit her soon.
Previous || Next || Days Of Our Lives || Feedback