Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:16):
Come in Welcome. I'm g Marshall.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
The poets claim it's love that makes the world go round.
That's a beautiful conceit, and we should let them enjoy it. However,
practical people know better. Sensible people know what really makes
the world.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Go round, and that's money. Yes, money.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
With money, you not only make the world go round,
but you can make it go fast or slow, or
even bring it to a full, complete and shuddering.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Stop Oliver, Oliver Darling.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Good morning, Miss Wilson, Miss Wilson, is something wrong, conel confact.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
You have a certain look on your face?
Speaker 4 (01:08):
What kind of look?
Speaker 3 (01:09):
The look of a man who's about to announce, who
wants to break his engagement. Is that why you're here?
Speaker 2 (01:14):
No, that is not why I have come to Yes,
I have come to place you under arrest.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
Unrest, Miss Morale Wilson.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
You are charged with spying against the government of the
Confederate States of America, and it is my duty to
conduct you to a place of court martial. Our mystery
(01:45):
drama Solid Gold Soldiers was written especially for the Mystery
theater by Sam Dan and stars Michael Wager and E. V. Jester.
It is sponsored in part by a Bwick Motor Division.
I'll be there shortly with Act one. No war in
(02:12):
our history has the power to fire the imagination, as
does the Civil.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
War, or, if you will, the War.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
Between the States.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Obviously, that's because it was our very old war.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
It belonged to us and to nobody else.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
Professional and amateur historians keep fighting and refighting it constantly.
If Grant had done this, or if Lee had done that,
or if Longstreet or Jackson or Hood had only done
something else. We're obsessed with the battles, the great bloody
battles Donaldson, Vicksburg, Gettysburg, the Wilderness. But there were greater,
(02:50):
more important, more decisive battles, the battles in which not
one drop of blood was shed, Battles which did not
occur on the open field. We're in Charleston, South Carolina.
It is the beginning of the year eighteen sixty three.
Speaker 4 (03:07):
Ah, mister Burton, please be seated.
Speaker 5 (03:10):
Thank you, devilish wheather are there? Colonel Colfax in here too?
I admit say it is a bit.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Warm, warm, warm music.
Speaker 5 (03:19):
I have no fear for files of hades after assembling
the heat of your fair citizen.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
It does take getting used to her. So have you
examined the list? Yes, indeed, each and every item. You
must admit it would be quite a windfall for the
merchants and manufacturers you represent in Great Britain.
Speaker 5 (03:34):
Windfall, that's, my soldier. How can you call it a windfall?
Speaker 2 (03:39):
Look at the prices we offer you for the necessities
of life and the sinews of war.
Speaker 5 (03:42):
Which brings us to the matter of payments.
Speaker 4 (03:46):
I thought we had agreed. We are pledging our cotton corp.
Speaker 5 (03:49):
Yes, the most treasures and the valuable commodity, several million
DALs of cotton the big godsend to the mills of England.
There is, however, one small difficulty difficult.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
Oh come, Colonel Colfax.
Speaker 5 (04:02):
You know as well as I do the nature of
the difficulty. You also pleasures last year's cop.
Speaker 4 (04:08):
And it's yours. It belongs to you, not while.
Speaker 5 (04:11):
It sits and drops on the ducks of Charleston.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
We are planning a free of blockade destroyers. Is that
the Federals control the seas? Now I have been instructed
by my principles to insist in direct payment. Very well,
we shall pay you in cash.
Speaker 5 (04:26):
But I hope you understand, colonel by cash we do
not mean paper.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
Sir, you impunely honor the Confederate States of America.
Speaker 5 (04:35):
I'm only saying, Colonel, is no offense that anyone can
set up a press and print money. I consider that
an insult, fair me or melodrama. We cannot accept your paper.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Money, which is another way of saying you have no
faith in our government.
Speaker 5 (04:49):
He is too fragile to stand alone. It usually requires
a pedestal, and one made of gold is alls best.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
But we are winning.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
We won the battle to bull run Chancellor of Fredericksburg.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
Fortunately you have not won any lately.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
Well, it's no secret that Lee is planning an offensive
into the north, into Pennsylvania.
Speaker 4 (05:10):
We do not consider that a wise maneuver.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
It is not for foreigner to determine the tactics and
strategy of our war.
Speaker 5 (05:16):
But you see, colonel, it is our war. Also, we
already are heavily invested, and you are asking us to
support you further. We are willing to pay for all materials,
and we must insist on payment in gold, gold as
a down payment, as a token of good faith. One
(05:37):
million dollars in gold for those, sir, are our terms.
Speaker 4 (05:42):
I am not empowered to approve a payment in gold.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
I understand I will have to take up the matter
with the President himself naturally. I I have at my
disposal a steam power blockade runner, easily the fastest ship afloat.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
We can lader with the gold.
Speaker 5 (06:00):
At night, steal out of the harbor and be in London.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
Twelve days from now.
Speaker 5 (06:04):
Your merchandise can be delivered here some.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
Twenty days later.
Speaker 5 (06:08):
In one month, sir, you will have arms, ammunition, equipment
and supplies from an entire army.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
Cord.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
I see very well, mister Burton. Ash are conveyed these
rather harsh conditions for president.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
Harsh conditions.
Speaker 5 (06:24):
Well, some business is business, not among gentlemen, Colonel. War
just is not a gentleman's business.
Speaker 4 (06:41):
Those are the terms, mister President.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
In return for the gold, we are to receive all
the items on the list dresser. We give mister Burton
the money, he delivers it to England on his blockade
run out, and then he has other blockade runners to
bring us the equipment. Yes, sir, that's how we dealing
with the British since the war began. The risks, Colonel,
A ship card of gold can be intercepted or sunk
(07:06):
by a federal man of war.
Speaker 4 (07:08):
Yes, and even if the gold is delivered to.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
England, the ship's carrying of cargo to us may be
unable to run the blockade. In other words, the ordinary risks. Colonel, Yes,
mister President, and what is your feeling in this matter?
If we have the gold, I say, let's do it.
Speaker 4 (07:27):
Why do we have a choice.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
The Federals have ten factories, are one sooner or later
we must be overwhelmed by their superior equipment. We must
win the war now or lose it forever.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
But we are winning, aren't we, Colonel.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
No, sir, We'm mal the Federals here in the east,
but they have already driven us from the west. Is
that how you see it? Our owner hope is generally
planned invasion of Pennsylvania.
Speaker 4 (07:54):
As it stands now it will fail.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
Why, Colonel, he.
Speaker 4 (07:56):
Hasn't enough men.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
But they're picked troops, the best soldiers in the world,
experienced veterans. Their morale is splendid. Yes, there's training at
the Legion and to make short work of the Yankees.
I've heard all that kind of trocture. But Lee will
have to suffer terrible casualties.
Speaker 4 (08:12):
We need another twenty thousand men.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
Yes, you're right. Of course you're right, and a crucial point.
Success will depend on a fresh, well equipped reserve. Without it,
lee is lost. A million in gold can bias that
reserve arm core. They will turn the tide of the war.
What do we have our million dollars in gold. We'll
raise it, We'll raise it somehow, Tell mister Burton we
(08:39):
agree to his terms.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
To die for one's country is to live forever.
Speaker 6 (08:53):
To fall in the fight is to stand with the
bray gold.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
Sounds to the south.
Speaker 6 (09:00):
We'll forget you never, how hury dear.
Speaker 3 (09:05):
It will serve as your brave.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
Ladies and gentlemen.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
Ladies and gentlemen, your attention, please, your attention, please, thank you,
thank you, Thank you. Miss Morale Wilson, surely the foremost
actress on the stage today. Thank you for your inspired recitation.
Ladies and gentlemen, Thank you for attending the gold ball
this evening. These gala celebrations are being held all over
(09:34):
the South to.
Speaker 5 (09:36):
Raise gold to buy the necessary surprise.
Speaker 4 (09:38):
For our brave boys in the field.
Speaker 7 (09:40):
So give, give generously.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
If your gold coins, your gold rings. In short, if
it is gold, give it, give it.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
Thank you why Thank you Wilson. Thank you so much
for being with us this evening.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
My pleasure, Colonel.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
I've always gone to the theater to watch in my amies.
I think you are a great artist.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
Thank you, Colonel.
Speaker 2 (10:11):
I understand you're strong partisan of the Confederate cause.
Speaker 6 (10:14):
As an actress, I am partial to romance, and.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
This simply is no romance in the North. It's so
cold and so business life.
Speaker 6 (10:24):
Is it true what everyone says is generally it's actually going.
Speaker 3 (10:27):
To invade the North? Shouldn't have asked that. I'm sure
it's a military sequel.
Speaker 4 (10:34):
It's hardly a secret, Miss Wilson.
Speaker 5 (10:35):
Well, good evening, Colonel Love mister Burton a most successful affairs,
Miss Wilson, May I present mister Alexander Burton.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Ah, your servant thoughts.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
How do you do?
Speaker 5 (10:45):
I have heard so much about you, Miss Wilson.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
In a very real sense, it might be said that
this gale is being held for mister Burton. Indeed, yes,
mister Burton is the agent for the English Combined that
would furnish us with the necessary supplies and equipment.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
Oh well, then he did have some very special treatment.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
It can be said that with mister Burton rests the
fate of our country.
Speaker 5 (11:05):
Oh now, so ready, you mustn't make me all that important.
Speaker 4 (11:08):
Mister Burton shall conduct the gold to England.
Speaker 3 (11:11):
May the heavens protect you and I, mister b.
Speaker 4 (11:15):
Thank you mass What a wonderful anantisis.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
I were feeling that victory is in the air, victory
in peace.
Speaker 5 (11:21):
Now I would like to drink to that, and I
would like to dance to them.
Speaker 4 (11:26):
May I have the pleasure, Miss Wilson, that.
Speaker 5 (11:36):
Was a while I sailed there. Well, if you're a
bandit or a burglar, I warn you I'm armed.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
Anyway, let us find.
Speaker 3 (11:48):
Out good evening. That's my soul, It's it's Mariah. Will
May I come in.
Speaker 1 (11:57):
Give me the while olders on her?
Speaker 6 (12:00):
May I ask you to put down the revolver. Firearms
have always made me nervous.
Speaker 5 (12:06):
I confess they make me somewhat nervous as well. But
once again, to what do I owe this honor?
Speaker 3 (12:12):
I came here because I am curious.
Speaker 6 (12:16):
Curious, Yes, I should like to know your name.
Speaker 5 (12:21):
Or to know my name, or perhaps you've forgotten I'm
Alexander Burton, nursing.
Speaker 3 (12:27):
That's the discrepancy. You are not Alexander Burton.
Speaker 6 (12:31):
Agent for the Great Britain Commercial and Manufacturing Group.
Speaker 5 (12:36):
Now, my dear young lady, how can you possibly say that?
Speaker 2 (12:38):
Well?
Speaker 6 (12:38):
I have two reasons. First, you're not an englishman. Oh
your accent sounds authentic, but it's a stage accent and
not the genuine article. Second, I know Alexander Burton. I
met him when I played in London some years ago.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
Oh well, oh well.
Speaker 3 (12:59):
Yes, mister Burton.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
And what else do you have to say to me,
missus Wilson.
Speaker 6 (13:06):
I don't know what your endeavor is exactly, but I
am announcing to you the fact that you now have
an a oartner, yes, a partner, a silent.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
Pot, a silent spop.
Speaker 5 (13:26):
I'm also a dead otner, a very rash young woman,
miss Whitton, and I'm afraid it must.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
Cost you your life. Well, who is mister Burton? Evidently
he is not as advertised. We know, Mariah Wilson is
a famous actress of the day, but obviously she's also.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
A little more than that.
Speaker 2 (13:54):
Right now, she's looking into the muzzle of this gentleman's revolver.
Speaker 1 (13:58):
He may shoot her, he may not.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
Just what he does decide will be revealed in a
few moments when I return with that too. In time
of war, all other things being equal, a rich army
will usually beat a poor army. An army travels on
(14:25):
its stomach, which means it needs food. And it also
travels on its feet, which means it needs shoes, and
it needs a great many other things too, And these
are things only money can buy. The Confederate States is
raising what was for those days a huge sum of gold.
Speaker 4 (14:45):
But where is it going now?
Speaker 3 (14:47):
Mister Burton? You see I still call you mister Burton.
You know you can't kill me?
Speaker 1 (14:54):
Why not?
Speaker 6 (14:55):
Before I came here, I made my plans known to
a friend. If anything should occur, that fame will notify
the proper site.
Speaker 5 (15:03):
You're bluffing, call it call the tree well.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
Where bless us all? You are a spunky young woman.
Speaker 6 (15:14):
And now, mister Bittan, how did you achieve your present position?
Speaker 1 (15:20):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (15:20):
That it was a succession of events. I happened to
be in Liverpool on business, what sort of whatever sort
of business.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
Might come up?
Speaker 3 (15:29):
I see?
Speaker 5 (15:30):
And where it was late at night and I was
returning to my lodgings when I I saw a well
dressed man walking up the street. Suddenly two mean looking
fellows jumped on him and started.
Speaker 1 (15:42):
To beat him. There were thieves, of course, we're after.
Speaker 5 (15:44):
His money leads to his own trade. I always say
I had no mind to interfere. But they happened to
see me and became frightened, and they just ran away.
Oh oh, I said, And I'll just lie easy, said, Hey,
I'll call for help.
Speaker 1 (16:03):
I'll get you my head. My head did strike you
a nasty blow too. I must I must get back
back to the ship. No, no, no, don't try to get.
Speaker 5 (16:13):
Up the worse thing for a blow in the old noggin.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
Ah, just rece the name.
Speaker 5 (16:18):
My name is Burton, Alexander Burton. Oh yes, sir, I've
heard of you. You're sailing for America. Read all about
you in the newspaper.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
Everything is spinning about. I'm dying.
Speaker 8 (16:31):
I'm dying.
Speaker 1 (16:32):
I live just a few doors up the street. You
can lie down and I can go for a doctor.
Speaker 4 (16:37):
No, no, get me, get me to the ship it sailed.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
Get me cool. Well, he was in no condition to
go anywhere.
Speaker 5 (16:50):
So I got him into my room somehow and stretch
him out on the couch.
Speaker 1 (16:54):
I hope will be a gift in it for me.
You know. But he wouldn't let me leave him.
Speaker 5 (16:59):
He cut my hand, and who's let go? He just
kept talking to me. He was delirious.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
I'm going there representing my clients. I'll drive the biggest
bargain in history and make them pay pay in gold,
none of their worthless.
Speaker 5 (17:13):
Paper gold, a million in gold gold.
Speaker 1 (17:18):
Now take me to the ship. The ship is waiting
to sail.
Speaker 2 (17:22):
The ship is waiting for me, for me, take me.
Speaker 1 (17:26):
To the ship.
Speaker 5 (17:31):
And suddenly he was dead. Sericans, he wouldn't need it
any longer. I searched his buckets for money, and I
looked at the sheaf of documents in his coat.
Speaker 6 (17:42):
And you decided to become mister Alexander.
Speaker 5 (17:45):
Bent, who is empowered to connect one million dollars in
gold from the Confederate government.
Speaker 3 (17:52):
What did you do with mister Denton's by a few shillings?
Speaker 5 (17:56):
You can always find some obliging gentlemen and the gold.
I've discussed the battle with some of the crew who
appeared sympathetic. The others would be convinced to join us
one way or another.
Speaker 3 (18:08):
And so the ship will take on the go, but
it will not sail to land.
Speaker 1 (18:12):
No, I'm afraid not well.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
Now that I am your.
Speaker 1 (18:18):
Partner, Yes, I knew partner.
Speaker 3 (18:21):
My share should be ten.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
That's quite a bit of money.
Speaker 3 (18:25):
I could have asked for more, but I'm not greedy.
Speaker 5 (18:28):
And just how do you expect to be paid?
Speaker 6 (18:33):
I expect you to deliver the money before the ship sails.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
It is a bargain partner.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
Yes, it's a bargain partner, Miss Wilkin.
Speaker 2 (18:54):
I really had a chance to thank you for your
efforts last night.
Speaker 3 (18:58):
Come now, Colonel, I did very That's not true.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
Your very presence cast out golden glow over the evening.
Speaker 3 (19:06):
How poetic do you actually write poetry?
Speaker 2 (19:10):
I believe every man speaks poetry when he's properly inspired,
and I have found my inspiration really, Miss Wilson. May
I call you Mariah please?
Speaker 5 (19:23):
For I.
Speaker 4 (19:25):
Have never been very good with words.
Speaker 1 (19:27):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (19:27):
I think you do it very well.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
Thank you man, But action is more my style, and
I well, Miss Wilson, when I either there is something
I must tell you. For the first time in my life,
I have met a woman to whom I would offer
my heart and my hand y.
Speaker 4 (19:48):
Can't call that colonel after he says something like that,
I don't.
Speaker 3 (19:53):
Even know your first name.
Speaker 2 (19:55):
It's Oliver. All of the yes, I I could give
you my heart and my life, but here now they
are not mine to offer.
Speaker 4 (20:06):
They belong to my country.
Speaker 3 (20:09):
I understand, Oliver.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
But may I hope, May I dare to hope that
one day, when this terrible war will be over?
Speaker 6 (20:16):
Yes, King help Oliver, when this terrible wolf will finally
be over?
Speaker 1 (20:32):
Where missus Striker hop news? Do you have me well?
Or in old and us?
Speaker 2 (20:38):
She's pretty good?
Speaker 1 (20:38):
Now? What is it? Well?
Speaker 2 (20:40):
As you your ship should remember? Who says to me, Striker?
I want you to watch that miss Wilson.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
Woman night and day.
Speaker 2 (20:48):
Keep an eye on the house and follow wherever she goes.
Speaker 1 (20:52):
Remember, yes, yes, I remember.
Speaker 2 (20:54):
We'll just this morning she walks out of the house,
strolls down the street. I follows her very cautious, and
she turns down a deserted lane, and making sure she
ain't observed, she quickly places her letter inside the trunk
of an old oak tree.
Speaker 1 (21:12):
A hello, what's this?
Speaker 2 (21:13):
I asked myself, And after she leaves, I just sticks
me and in and here it is.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
I thank you, missus sticker, What she say?
Speaker 5 (21:26):
You mean you weren't curlious enough to read it.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
I'd need more than curiosity, I'd need to know how
to read.
Speaker 5 (21:35):
Ah beautiful handharding. This lady has alert blockading squadron Runner
preparing to sail.
Speaker 1 (21:43):
Soon with gould ship. Hell well, so think of what
we have.
Speaker 5 (21:49):
Just learned about the fair Miss Mariah Wilson.
Speaker 2 (21:51):
Should we get read of Miss Willshoon? I could do
it with no trouble at all.
Speaker 5 (21:56):
No, no, no, Stiker, There's always the correct way to
do these things. Oh, mister b I must apologize for
one of our sudden sullen stones terrible weather, but I
(22:17):
am happy to report everything seems to be going smoothly.
We should have all the gold you can be ready
to say within a week. Oh well, that is splendid,
uh the Colonel, Yes, sir, I'm I'm not sure.
Speaker 1 (22:31):
I know how to say this, saty that that was
the spended gallo who held the other evening.
Speaker 2 (22:37):
It was reputed to be the best in my old South.
Of course, we were graced by the presidence of Miss
Raah Wilson.
Speaker 1 (22:42):
Yes, Miss Wilson, I am afraid I should talk to
you about Miss Wilson.
Speaker 4 (22:48):
What is there to say about Miss Wilson.
Speaker 5 (22:50):
Well, I'm sure perhaps I'm imagining things. But let me
tell you what anyway, I admit Miss Wilson before we
were introduced at the ball the other evening.
Speaker 4 (23:00):
Oh, Miss Wilson didn't seem to recall.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
I meant des perhaps not quite the right word.
Speaker 5 (23:06):
Miss Wilson played the season of eighteen sixty in London.
As a matter of fact, I attended her last performance.
Speaker 1 (23:12):
I was very much.
Speaker 5 (23:12):
Impressed by the speech she made after the curtain tell.
She said that he was returning home because war was certain,
and she wanted to help her country.
Speaker 2 (23:26):
And she has She most certainly has helped.
Speaker 1 (23:29):
But her country is the North.
Speaker 4 (23:31):
Mister Burton, positive youan era if only.
Speaker 1 (23:35):
I were, no, no, no. She had everyone in tears.
Speaker 5 (23:38):
She hailed Abraham Lincoln as the savior of the United States.
Speaker 1 (23:42):
She said the South had been seized by the powers
of darkness to frighten.
Speaker 2 (23:48):
What you are telling me is absolutely incredible.
Speaker 1 (23:50):
So what motive would I have for buying for slandering
the lady?
Speaker 2 (23:54):
I'll find what do I say impossible to believe as
I know her.
Speaker 5 (24:00):
That's because you were in love with the lady, sir.
If you were not in.
Speaker 2 (24:03):
Love with the lady, would it be possible.
Speaker 5 (24:08):
I feel that I know miss Wilson, that she cannot
be what you say she is. Colonel I know your feelings,
but would you trust the fate of your country on them? So,
I Connel, certain.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
Things are difficult to Well. I feared it my duty
to present you with a piece of information. A fact
that she may have made such a speech on eve
for war. That does not mean it exploased her true
feelings or.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
The speech sounded quite true to me.
Speaker 2 (24:38):
Feelings may have changed when she came home and became
convinced of the justice of the Southern cause.
Speaker 5 (24:43):
Would your feelings towards your country ever change?
Speaker 2 (24:47):
Colonel Well, there's one way to find out. We will
search her house.
Speaker 3 (25:06):
Just a moment, Oliver, what a wonderful surprise. Come in.
I was hoping you'd come calling on me.
Speaker 4 (25:17):
Were you miss Wilson?
Speaker 3 (25:19):
Miss Wilson, is something wrong? Cone?
Speaker 4 (25:22):
Mariah? Confess too? Had confess your union spy?
Speaker 3 (25:28):
Who accuses me?
Speaker 4 (25:30):
Does it matter?
Speaker 3 (25:31):
I have a right to know. Let me face my accuser, Mariah.
Speaker 2 (25:36):
If we love each other, there can be no falsehoods
between us.
Speaker 4 (25:39):
Are you a.
Speaker 3 (25:40):
Spy who accuses me?
Speaker 2 (25:42):
I have received a report of a speech you made
after your final performance in London in eighteen sixty.
Speaker 3 (25:46):
I wasn't in London in eighteen sixty.
Speaker 2 (25:48):
Unfortunately, mister Burton happened to see you express your union
centemons quite strongly.
Speaker 3 (25:53):
I played the season of eighteen sixty in Boston.
Speaker 6 (25:55):
Why if you read the Boston newspapers for ghettold copies
of the.
Speaker 2 (25:59):
Papers, Button saw you and heard you, mister Burton.
Speaker 3 (26:03):
How do you know mister Burton is all that he claims.
Speaker 4 (26:05):
To be, Miss Wilson. This is unworthy of you. Mister
Burton is an English gentleman.
Speaker 3 (26:09):
How do you know?
Speaker 2 (26:11):
Mister Button?
Speaker 4 (26:12):
Carry us all the proper documents?
Speaker 3 (26:13):
Can anyone here identify mister Burton?
Speaker 5 (26:16):
Well?
Speaker 3 (26:17):
Hey, may do you intend to give a man whom nobody.
Speaker 6 (26:21):
Knows one million dollars in gold and let him sail
away with it?
Speaker 4 (26:26):
Do you confess? Muray? Please? And I shall find a
way to spare your life.
Speaker 2 (26:32):
If I can, I please maride, do not make it
more difficult for me.
Speaker 3 (26:36):
Why do you insist I am a spy?
Speaker 4 (26:40):
This letter it's in your handwritten script.
Speaker 2 (26:43):
QUI where did you find that we searched at your house?
Speaker 3 (26:48):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (26:49):
Alert blockading Squadron run. I prepared to sail soon with
gold shipments. I see, and you are a spy.
Speaker 3 (26:58):
It was the best way I can save my country.
Speaker 2 (27:02):
I understand now. Now I am forced to place you
under arrest.
Speaker 3 (27:08):
Well, may I ask a favor?
Speaker 6 (27:12):
N of of course, may I be permitted to change
my costume.
Speaker 3 (27:17):
For the occasion? I should wear black?
Speaker 4 (27:21):
Oh, very well, Miss.
Speaker 3 (27:24):
Wilson, thank you. I shall not keep you waiting.
Speaker 7 (27:33):
Miss Wilson, Miss Wilson, Miss Wilson, Miss Wilson.
Speaker 2 (27:42):
Gone.
Speaker 4 (27:47):
How could you.
Speaker 5 (27:47):
Let he get away?
Speaker 4 (27:48):
Lieutenant?
Speaker 1 (27:48):
But she didn't get away from she is gone, my man.
Speaker 5 (27:51):
At all four sides of the house surrounded, all the
windows were under observation. In the back door, she didn't
come out of the house.
Speaker 4 (27:57):
You mean no one came out of that house.
Speaker 5 (27:58):
Well, that's right to no one at all, Well, no
one except yes, who an.
Speaker 1 (28:03):
Old slave woman?
Speaker 4 (28:04):
No one accept an old slave woman.
Speaker 1 (28:05):
Where did you go? Where did you go? Yes?
Speaker 2 (28:07):
Yes, way did you go?
Speaker 3 (28:08):
Quickly?
Speaker 2 (28:09):
Where did you go?
Speaker 1 (28:09):
And I noticed, Colonel think, why try? But who know
this is an old slave woman?
Speaker 2 (28:20):
Of course you and I know very well that the
old slave lady is none other than Mariah Wilson.
Speaker 1 (28:26):
Well, she is now deep in the.
Speaker 2 (28:28):
Heart of the enemy country, and surely a hue and
cry will be.
Speaker 4 (28:32):
Raised against her.
Speaker 2 (28:34):
However, she does have one thing in her favor. She's
an actress. She can assume various roles. She has other
parts to play. When I returned shortly with Act three.
This is.
Speaker 1 (28:58):
In eighteen sixty three.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
The American Civil War is reaching toward its crisis. The
decisive battle will be forward at Gettysburg. As one famous
Confederate general put it, battles.
Speaker 1 (29:10):
Are won by those who get.
Speaker 2 (29:12):
Their fustest with the mostest. What the South must do
is get the necessary tools of war from abroad. And
this costs money, and money is scarce and precious. And
this is what our story has been all about. Money,
which is what most stories are really all about.
Speaker 3 (29:32):
No.
Speaker 2 (29:33):
An old slave woman trudges wearily along a dusty country
road in South Carolina. She stops near an old farmhouse.
The farmer is in the front yard, about to saddle
his horse.
Speaker 1 (29:45):
Yes, what is it, Grandma? You hungry?
Speaker 3 (29:48):
Yes, sir, how hung went.
Speaker 5 (29:52):
From around here? Don't tell me? You running away at
your age? Who you belong to?
Speaker 3 (29:57):
I can't remain.
Speaker 1 (30:00):
Go around the back through the kitchen.
Speaker 5 (30:01):
Tell him, I says, to give you some deed.
Speaker 3 (30:04):
Ay they have for a blige You John Stephens.
Speaker 5 (30:10):
Good lord, come into the house quitting. You shall have
to get rid of this Burton fellow.
Speaker 6 (30:20):
Why John thet him take the gold? We can have
the blockade squadron cat to him at sea.
Speaker 5 (30:25):
Look, he'll be flying a British flag, which means we
can only board him inside the territorial limits. Suppose, by
some lucky chance, he sneaks past the blockade. What if
we're forced to capture him on the high seas we
have no right to board a British ship in international water.
Speaker 6 (30:40):
Then we must forst the rebels to use one of
their own blockade runners.
Speaker 5 (30:44):
The problem remains how to get rid of this Burton
or whatever his name is.
Speaker 3 (30:48):
I can do that, how just leave the details to me.
I'm an actress. But that's only half the job.
Speaker 6 (30:57):
When they get rid of him and decide to use
their own vessel, we need someone on board that ship.
Speaker 5 (31:03):
That will be truly impossible, Mariah. Every member of that
crew will be a picked man.
Speaker 3 (31:09):
I could get on board that ship.
Speaker 5 (31:11):
You could, Oh, well, how could you possibly hold?
Speaker 8 (31:15):
I know?
Speaker 6 (31:15):
Colonel Oliver Kofax. I know how he feels, how he thinks.
Speaker 3 (31:20):
I know a way to get on board.
Speaker 6 (31:23):
Oh, they can always use a cabin boy, I need
little luck.
Speaker 5 (31:27):
But could you actually disguise yourself.
Speaker 6 (31:31):
I could try that. Choose a dark knight that have
a fast shipping. They might be able to steal past
the squadron.
Speaker 3 (31:39):
That if I can get on board with one of.
Speaker 6 (31:42):
Those new pistols that fire a bright light into the sky, Yes, a.
Speaker 2 (31:46):
Flare, a flair, Yes, it would be like a flash
of daylight.
Speaker 6 (31:52):
The blockaded squadron would see the ship immediately. They could
brow it right out of the water.
Speaker 1 (31:57):
Mariah, you will be on that ship.
Speaker 6 (32:00):
But John, somebody has to make sure the navy catches
sight of that blockade.
Speaker 3 (32:04):
Runner. Somebody has to make noise, or fire a flair
or do something.
Speaker 6 (32:09):
And if that somebody has to be me, well, I
can only tell you that gold must never get to England.
Speaker 1 (32:23):
Well, Colonel, tonight is the great event.
Speaker 5 (32:26):
Yes, and it looks like favorable time too. There'll probably
be a heavy miss judging from the weather.
Speaker 2 (32:32):
Now.
Speaker 5 (32:32):
Oh yes, I'm sure of the success of our enterprise.
Speaker 2 (32:35):
Shall you be my guest for luncheon? Sign know a
splendid place to dine just down the street.
Speaker 1 (32:39):
My pleasure all we.
Speaker 5 (32:43):
I'm quite impressed with your country, Colonel.
Speaker 4 (32:45):
We shall be a great nation one day.
Speaker 2 (32:48):
We may be poor in material things, but we are
rich in spirit, which is what ready.
Speaker 5 (32:52):
As Henriot, your pardon.
Speaker 3 (32:57):
I said, you're going to America, and I'll come looking
for you.
Speaker 5 (33:00):
I'm afraid you're crime mistaken.
Speaker 9 (33:02):
It will not know me your own husband. When I
forget a dog lock you, I forget how you left
me the baby.
Speaker 1 (33:09):
Because this is most I said.
Speaker 6 (33:11):
I travel the old Wade world to trap you down
and demand justice for what you've done to me and
make child your child.
Speaker 1 (33:17):
This is a mad roman Ja call me mad.
Speaker 3 (33:20):
Listen, everybody listen. They based here.
Speaker 9 (33:24):
He leaves a woman and an infant child in London,
engines to start to death.
Speaker 4 (33:29):
No, no, I'll calm yourself, madam. I'm Colonel Colfax. I
promise you justice to you will be done.
Speaker 2 (33:38):
You say your name is Elizabeth Atkins, and you met
mister Burton.
Speaker 3 (33:41):
Yate, mister Burton, he's mister acting, Henry acting.
Speaker 8 (33:45):
You're sure I know me you're not, But don't time
you have proof?
Speaker 3 (33:48):
What proof would I I have? Ship my own word.
Speaker 9 (33:51):
He met me and married me in the spring of
fifty seven, and your lady says to me, Hey, the
Vickings must be good in America, and they're giving me
a lot of savings, and our big ghost.
Speaker 3 (34:00):
Promising to send for me.
Speaker 4 (34:02):
How did you get here?
Speaker 3 (34:03):
Well, after I've seen it, I've been had. I left
the baby with me mother and come here searching for him.
Speaker 4 (34:08):
How did you know he come to Charleston, sir?
Speaker 6 (34:10):
I know the sort of gentleman he's associated with. Someone
said they heard he was On't you a good thing
down here?
Speaker 4 (34:17):
I see, sir.
Speaker 6 (34:18):
I didn't mean to cause nobody no trouble. It's just
that I need money for the baby. Wanted to grow
up with an education.
Speaker 3 (34:25):
Like I never had.
Speaker 2 (34:27):
Well, missus Atkins, we shall look into this further, and
thank you very much. I was just barely able to
rescue him from the mob, mister President, and the woman well,
I questioned her and she was quite distressed. Do you
believe her story?
Speaker 4 (34:46):
I don't know what to believe.
Speaker 2 (34:48):
Where is mister Burton now?
Speaker 4 (34:50):
Under God?
Speaker 2 (34:52):
It's an awkward situation, Colonel, but it can't be helped.
May I suggest sir that someone who knows Burton, someone
who has dealt with him before, should come to.
Speaker 4 (35:00):
Charleston and settle the matter.
Speaker 2 (35:02):
Then you do suspect him, Colonel So I know this.
The last preserves, the last resources of our country are
being entrusted.
Speaker 4 (35:10):
To a gentleman who may or may not be who
he says he is.
Speaker 2 (35:13):
For his documents, his instructions all seem to be in
perfect order. His documents may have been stolen the real
mister Burton. If so, the real mister Burton is probably dead.
Ah Breaconridge. Breckenridge has dealt with the real mister Burton
in London.
Speaker 5 (35:29):
But sir mister Breckinridge is in Richmond. For I know,
and we stand to lose valuable term.
Speaker 2 (35:35):
We must have the equipment within the month of its
to do generally any good. Mister President, may I suggest
that we ship a Goa to England in one of
our own vessels. We run the risk it could be
captured on the high see.
Speaker 5 (35:46):
How we also take the risk that a British blockade
runner could be boorted before it leave the territorial waters. Yes, yes,
but once in international waters the British flag protects her.
Speaker 1 (35:56):
However, the crew of most of.
Speaker 2 (35:58):
These vessels are basically privateers, which is a polite name
for pirates. Well, they know they have gold aboard. It
could be too tempting, then why and trust its valuable
cargo to strangers. In any event, we must use one
of our own craft. Yes, come in, well, my lad,
(36:24):
what can I do for you?
Speaker 3 (36:25):
Sir?
Speaker 4 (36:27):
Oh, sir, speak up, sons, speak up and step inside.
Speaker 3 (36:33):
Well, sir, I wish to sign on the Dixie.
Speaker 2 (36:37):
This cabin boy, cabin boy, while you're too young to
I'm almost thirteen.
Speaker 4 (36:43):
What do you know about the Dixie?
Speaker 3 (36:44):
Well, everybody knows she's gonna run the blockade tonight.
Speaker 4 (36:47):
What do you mean everybody? Well, I suppose everybody does.
Speaker 3 (36:52):
I want to sign a board.
Speaker 4 (36:53):
Why, I'm sorry, son, you're too young.
Speaker 3 (36:55):
You gotta take me with you. Please. I gotta fight
for my country. I got nowhere to go.
Speaker 4 (37:00):
We find a place for you with some kind howdy
people here in the city.
Speaker 3 (37:03):
My place is fighting for my country. My place is
on the ditch.
Speaker 4 (37:06):
The Dixie is a ship of war.
Speaker 3 (37:08):
Good at Carrion. I do as I'm tall. Please a
be a good sailor.
Speaker 2 (37:23):
Move aboard quickly and quiet a minute. We just have
time to make the tiant. This fog is a less
of girl, Yes, Lieutenant, and now I feel certain we
shall succeed.
Speaker 3 (37:32):
Turner, you have a couple of coffee, Thank you.
Speaker 2 (37:35):
Somebody to get on board quickly, yes, I won't expect
us to put out seeing it's missed, or if they do,
it won't matter once we're underway.
Speaker 4 (37:42):
I don't think they have anything that can catch us.
Speaker 5 (37:45):
Last man's report of the board, girl, we're ready to
make me.
Speaker 4 (37:48):
Very good, Lieutenant Galla, the crew forward.
Speaker 2 (37:56):
I needn't tell you men, this is the single most
important mission of war. This cargo must get to England
so we can return with the equipment. We need to
win the fed rooms out together us. They'll try that
damn list. We shall move out on the sail. No
one is to speak above a whisper. No one is
to smoke or show any light whatsoever. Cook.
Speaker 4 (38:19):
The fire must be out in the galley.
Speaker 1 (38:21):
No smoking.
Speaker 4 (38:23):
Sailing master.
Speaker 2 (38:25):
Take over the ship. The fog is moved, tin, sir,
that's all right, there's no moon, and I.
Speaker 5 (38:39):
Feel better on and open, see where there's more room
to maneuver.
Speaker 2 (38:42):
Tell the sailing master to change over the steam power
as soon as he thinks it's safe.
Speaker 4 (38:46):
We need to speed. Yes, well some what are you
doing up here?
Speaker 3 (38:52):
Cook? Set me upstairs to find out what you want
for your dinner.
Speaker 4 (38:55):
My compliments to the cook.
Speaker 1 (38:57):
The lookout forward, sir, he thinks he is a ship
off distance. It could be a Union steam frigate.
Speaker 2 (39:02):
They could throw us out of the water. That's the
word all about the ship. Quiet, absolutely quiet.
Speaker 4 (39:07):
No one needs to move, no one needs to wave.
Speaker 2 (39:10):
Miss quite mass. You see that ship, sun Hi hip,
the Union battleship. No, no, sir, there there in the darkness.
Get ahead, I don't see big flat that's the Union ship.
Speaker 3 (39:31):
He's moving away.
Speaker 2 (39:33):
Yeah, that's right.
Speaker 3 (39:35):
He don't see us.
Speaker 1 (39:37):
What look?
Speaker 2 (39:37):
What enchanted looks?
Speaker 4 (39:39):
She just happens not to see us. She's moving off
and in a minute we'll be lost to sight.
Speaker 3 (39:45):
How could you not see us?
Speaker 2 (39:46):
Mad? Say it's hard.
Speaker 4 (39:48):
Just one more minutes, give us one.
Speaker 2 (39:51):
More minute and we'll be lost in the darkness. One minute.
Speaker 3 (39:55):
She's done to disappear.
Speaker 8 (39:57):
Just half a minute more.
Speaker 6 (40:00):
What after that boy out sat them?
Speaker 2 (40:05):
Don't let him file that pursuit.
Speaker 6 (40:07):
Don't where's that boy?
Speaker 1 (40:10):
Wait your doble board, sir.
Speaker 8 (40:13):
The yank shippers.
Speaker 3 (40:14):
Fine, let bring go on for it.
Speaker 8 (40:26):
Yeah, hit me again, Sarah, thank you, thank you, sir,
it's you, he's me.
Speaker 3 (40:41):
You still won't need to share your right hand I.
Speaker 2 (40:44):
Arthur, Oh, come on before you drown. M rorship has
gone under.
Speaker 4 (40:56):
With the gold.
Speaker 3 (40:57):
I'm sorry for you, but for me, I'm glad you
were the.
Speaker 4 (41:04):
Old slave lady. Yes, and missus Atkins, I am the
captain boy.
Speaker 2 (41:09):
Yes.
Speaker 4 (41:11):
What am I gonna do with you?
Speaker 6 (41:12):
Well depends on who picks mes up one of my boats.
And you're my prisoners one of your boats.
Speaker 3 (41:22):
And i'm your christas.
Speaker 2 (41:24):
Miss Wilson Riah, I am afraid of which other both
takes us. I am your prisoner anyway.
Speaker 3 (41:34):
Can I only want to say that I am your
prisoness too.
Speaker 2 (41:48):
They were picked up by a French merchant ship en
route to India.
Speaker 1 (41:52):
Being at the cape, the captain was happy to marry them, and.
Speaker 2 (41:56):
By the time they could return to America, the war
would would that the rest of the country could have
learned from them and become reconciled as quickly. All you
need to do is reconcile yourself to a short wait,
and then.
Speaker 1 (42:12):
I shall return.
Speaker 2 (42:24):
It needs all kinds of soldiers to make an army infantry, artillery, armor,
and air. But the soldiers who are needed to support
them all are the soldiers who neither fight nor die,
the soldiers who.
Speaker 1 (42:40):
Never grow old or tired, weary or hungry.
Speaker 2 (42:45):
And these are the soldiers of solid gold, who will
serve any master or any cause. And in the end,
these are the soldiers who win. Our cast included Michael Wager,
ev Jester, Ian Martin Court Benson, and William Redfield. The
entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown. And
(43:11):
now a preview of our next tale.
Speaker 10 (43:15):
I brought my weapon to bear, I was about to shoot,
and then I've seen his face. What I mean is
he had no face, no hand, no hat, no general.
He was dressed in the uniform of a Hashian mercenary soldier,
and it.
Speaker 2 (43:32):
Was all complete. See, he didn't have his.
Speaker 5 (43:35):
Hand since he had disobeyed your order to Holtz, why
didn't you fire?
Speaker 10 (43:39):
Sure if any other officer asked me that, I answer
My point was wetter or the primary flash in.
Speaker 1 (43:45):
The panner that I shot missed?
Speaker 4 (43:49):
But you know what my answer is to you.
Speaker 5 (43:51):
General, you were scared out of your whips, Yes, sir,
and I would have been scared too.
Speaker 1 (43:58):
Ald On, Sergeant, that's Giraorston. I did see him.
Speaker 2 (44:03):
The four men whip me they seen him too.
Speaker 1 (44:05):
He was a headless Hesian.
Speaker 2 (44:07):
This is E. G. Marshall inviting you to return to
our mystery theater for another adventure in the macabre.
Speaker 1 (44:15):
Until next time, pleasant dreams.