March 8, 2025 • 29 mins
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:15):
The Mutual Broadcasting System presents The Mysterious Traveler, written, produced
and directed by Robert A. Arthur and David Cohan. I'm
starring two of radio's foremost personalities, Layon Jenny and Nan
Shepherd in Christmas Story.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
This is the Mysterious Traveler, inviting you to join me
on another journey into the realm of the strange and
the terrifying. I hope you will enjoy the trip, and
it will frie you a little and chill.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
You a little.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
So settle back, get a good grip on your nerve.
Then be comfortable if you can, as we hear the
tale of an enterprising young man. It's the drama I
call Christmas Story.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
The name is Steve Ferrell.
Speaker 4 (01:25):
When I've just gotten through playing Santa Claus. Yeah, you're
looking at a guy who really played it to the hills.
It all started last month in Seattle. I was out
of a job and down to.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
My last few bucks.
Speaker 4 (01:37):
I was looking through the morning paper when I noticed
this small ad in the personal columns. Driving to New
York November fifteenth, man wanted to assist in driving free
transportation Paul Harris Hotel, Royal Well. I'd always wanted to
see New York and this was as good as any
way of getting there. So I went up to this
Hotel Royal to see this guy, Harris Harris. Yes, my
(02:04):
name is Farrell, Steve Farrell. I read your ad in
the morning paper. Oh yes, once you come in, think
you if you haven't already found someone to help you
drive in New York, I'd.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Like them off of my services.
Speaker 5 (02:16):
Well, as a matter of fact, I haven't. Can you
leave for New York a day after tomorrow?
Speaker 3 (02:21):
Sure, anytime. We'll good then when i'd.
Speaker 5 (02:23):
Come around at nine in the morning and we'll get
off to an early stack.
Speaker 4 (02:26):
Okay, mister Harris, nine it is.
Speaker 3 (02:46):
I mean know when you're tired driving, mister Harrison, I'll
take over. Thanks you will.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
Why not call me Paul? Okay, Steve is my first name.
Lewiston thirty miles Lewiston.
Speaker 6 (03:00):
And uh that's Idaho, isn't it.
Speaker 4 (03:01):
Yeah, we're just crossing the state line into Idaho.
Speaker 5 (03:04):
Oh this is all new to me. I was born
and raised in Alaska. This is my first trip to
the state.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
Well, you're going to see a lot of scenery between
here and New York. Yes, I'm looking forward to it.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
Life must have been pretty rugged in Alaska. Oh it was.
Speaker 5 (03:20):
My parents were homesteady. I never saw a city until
a week ago when I arrived in Seattle.
Speaker 3 (03:25):
How come you're going to New York?
Speaker 5 (03:27):
Well, my parents died last year and my grandfather, whom
I've never seen, wrote asking me.
Speaker 6 (03:32):
To come visit him.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
You never seen him?
Speaker 6 (03:34):
Huh No, No.
Speaker 5 (03:36):
There was some sort of squabble between my parents and
my grandfather before I was born, and they went to Alaska,
and in all the years since then, my grandfather never
wrote to them.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
Sounds like a stubborn guy.
Speaker 6 (03:48):
Yeah, he sure died. What are you going to New
York for? Oh?
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Ma, ain'tly to look for a job. And I've always
wanted to see the big city?
Speaker 6 (03:57):
Sure have I? Uh, do you mind take me over now, Steve?
My eyes are getting tired.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
They glad to just pull over the side of their own.
Speaker 4 (04:08):
It's a long way from Seattle to New York, and
there wasn't the radio in the car, so we just talked,
and mostly we talked about Paul, his life in Alaska,
his parents, his grandfather. By the time we hit the Columbus, Ohio,
there wasn't the thing I didn't know about the guy,
and from what he told me, his grandfather was loaded,
and even more, he was the old man's only relative.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
It was obvious the kid was walking into a fortune. Yeah,
some guys had all the luck.
Speaker 6 (04:37):
So these are the Alleghany monks.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
Yeah, you better take it easy, Paul. The road's a
little flippery. Okay.
Speaker 6 (04:44):
How much further than New York two one.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
Hundred and fifty miles was getting dark? You better stop
for the night at the next tourist court.
Speaker 7 (04:52):
Hi.
Speaker 6 (04:53):
Probably should be able to make New York by tomorrow afternoon.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
Yeah, it's easy.
Speaker 4 (04:58):
What are you going to do when we get there, Steve,
start hunting for a job.
Speaker 6 (05:03):
Look, Steve, why don't you come to my grandfather's house
with me. I'm sure he won't mind putting up for
a few nights.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Thanks, kid, but don't worry about me. I'll be all right.
Speaker 6 (05:12):
Hi, Steve, I don't want to lose track of Yeah,
I thought we were friends.
Speaker 3 (05:17):
Sure we are. As soon as I get located, I'll let.
Speaker 7 (05:19):
You know where I am.
Speaker 5 (05:21):
You know, uh, I thought this, being your first visit
to New York and mine, we might see the town together.
Speaker 6 (05:28):
You know, the Statue of Liberty, the Statue of Liberty.
Speaker 3 (05:33):
Yeah, sure, yeah, while we're.
Speaker 6 (05:35):
The same age. I'm afraid I haven't been around very much.
I guess it's like you said, Uh, strictly from the woods.
Speaker 3 (05:44):
Just one year in New York and you'll be hp
to everything.
Speaker 4 (05:47):
Your eyes bothering. Hell, you better let me take over
when you get to the bottom of this mountain. Okay,
you know you want to see an eye doctor.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
Your eyes seem to get tired off a quick.
Speaker 6 (05:57):
Well, the truth is.
Speaker 3 (05:58):
The matter, got it?
Speaker 4 (05:59):
We shutting shid, No, don't cam on the brake, sell
and it would work the reverse you wheel I have.
Speaker 6 (06:04):
She was sitting off the roll. Turn him out, give
me my wheel and do it.
Speaker 5 (06:06):
I shot out of control, was going over.
Speaker 4 (06:19):
When I regained consciousness, I was lying a few feet
from the car. We'd rolled three hundred feet down the
side of the mountain, and the car was completely wrecked.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
I crawled to my feet and felt for broken bones.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
Other than a bad gash on my head and the
mass of bruises, I was okay. I limped the few
feet to the overturned car and looked in. Paul was
still behind the wheel. Even before I reached for his pulse.
I had a feeling he was dead. Paul's luck had
run out. He'd never see all that dough that was
(06:55):
waiting for him in New York.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Yeah, it was then that it came to me.
Speaker 4 (07:01):
I hadn't wished the guy did, but now that he was,
and nobody in the state's Newpaul or what he looked like.
And on the other hand, I knew everything about him. Well,
it was a gamble, all right, but there was a
fortune in the kiddy. I went to work switching our
clothes and all identification.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
Just as I finished, the state police patrol car came
along the mountain road.
Speaker 4 (07:26):
And spotted the wreck. They took me to headquarters, where
I made a complete statement. A couple of hours later,
I grabbed his train for New York.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Oh, I'm George Marlow, your grandfather's attorney.
Speaker 3 (07:44):
How do you do with tomorrow?
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Pennsylvania State Police informed me of the dreadful accident you had.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
I understand a man who was with you was killed.
Speaker 4 (07:53):
Yes, fellowed by the name of Steve Farrell. I met
him in Seattle. He assisted me with the driving.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Too bad, BUTHI, heavens, wasn't you would have been your
grandfather's death blow.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
How is he week? Very weak but eagerly waiting to
see you? All right? Come along, Yes, sir? How's that
cash on your head?
Speaker 6 (08:15):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (08:15):
Not too bad. It was treated by a doctor the
State Police headquartered.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
You can only spend a few minutes with your grandfather
and the excitement must be.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
Avoided by all means. I understand. And here we are.
How is he, John?
Speaker 8 (08:35):
He's much better this afternoon, John.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Now, this is Paul Harris, Paul Joan Dietrich, your grandfather's nurse.
Speaker 8 (08:43):
How do you do?
Speaker 3 (08:44):
Hello? Oh? Is that you for?
Speaker 7 (08:49):
Yes, sir, come away here where I can see you. Yes, grandfather,
So you're poor, my grandson? Yes, him, sit down by
my bed. Let me look at you.
Speaker 3 (09:12):
All right? Grandfathery are you your don't.
Speaker 7 (09:16):
Look like your mother? Must take after your father's side
of the family.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
Yes, I do.
Speaker 7 (09:25):
That. That bandage? What what happened? For?
Speaker 4 (09:31):
I was in an accident, but it's nothing to scratch.
Speaker 7 (09:34):
You're sure?
Speaker 9 (09:35):
Yes, yes, of course. I suppose you're wondering why I
said for you after after all these year cutting off
your mother will?
Speaker 3 (09:46):
Does it matter? Now? The main thing is I'm.
Speaker 9 (09:49):
Here, you know, lying here for months I've had a
great deal of time to think things over. I was wrong, Paul.
Your mother she had a perfect right to marry anyone
she wished. It was only my stubbornness that prevented the rectors.
(10:11):
Here we all make mistakes. Yes, yes, thirty years I
have not seen my own flesh and blood. It's been lonely, Paul,
so lonely. All my fault.
Speaker 7 (10:31):
But you're not alone anymore, I mean, yes, yes, Paul.
Speaker 9 (10:38):
What what little time I have left we must spend together.
Speaker 8 (10:43):
I think that now, mister Marshall, Paul can come and
see you later, just a few more minutes after your nap.
Speaker 9 (10:53):
She's a wonderful girl, Paul. But Retyrant, come see me
soon as I will.
Speaker 8 (11:01):
Way, all right, grandfather, let me you.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
Just your being here seems to have helped him, Pall.
Speaker 7 (11:13):
What does the doctor see mistermorrow?
Speaker 3 (11:15):
Week, month, several months at the outside? That bad? Eh?
Speaker 2 (11:20):
Yes, and you must be tired after your trip. I
had your suitcase taken to your room. Do you have
any other luggage on the way.
Speaker 3 (11:28):
There's a small trunk coming, but he won't be here
for a week.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
You need any money, Just let me know your grandfather's
place to considerable sum at your disposal.
Speaker 4 (11:36):
Thanks, but I still have two thousand left of the
five thousand he sent me Rember.
Speaker 3 (11:41):
If there's anything at all you want, just let me know. Yeah,
I was in.
Speaker 4 (11:50):
There was no question that I had passed as Paul Harron,
and why not. I had all the answers, and I
was playing a careful I walked through room after room
of that Fifth Avenue mansion, knowing that within a matter
of months it would be mine. In the weeks that followed,
not a day passed and I didn't spend a few
hours with the old man. He liked me, I could
(12:11):
see that, And the funny thing is I liked him too.
During our little chats, there were times I felt I
was his grandson, and sitting in at these little sessions,
not saying much, just watching with those gray eyes of hers.
With Joan Dietrich, she was one lovely dish and I
could feel things building between us. Whenever she got an
(12:34):
evening off, we went out together, having a good.
Speaker 8 (12:40):
Time, wonderful.
Speaker 6 (12:43):
I love dancing.
Speaker 8 (12:44):
Why, mister Harris, what are we doing out here on
the terrace?
Speaker 7 (12:47):
The music's in there?
Speaker 4 (12:50):
Too many people in there, you know, if you don't
make a pass at me.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
Soon I'm going to get a skirt.
Speaker 8 (12:57):
Is this showed a quaint three weeks?
Speaker 2 (13:00):
What's the time I got to do with it?
Speaker 4 (13:03):
The day I walked into my grandfather's room first saw you.
Speaker 7 (13:07):
You knew this moment would come. Mm hmm, oh my gosh.
I feel the same way, baby. So I'm fine. Love me,
you know I do in my the tears.
Speaker 8 (13:26):
Oh, I do love you, and I want to believe
in that. I'm so confused, so confused.
Speaker 7 (13:32):
But why go on?
Speaker 3 (13:35):
I want to do?
Speaker 6 (13:39):
Are you.
Speaker 8 (13:41):
Really poor?
Speaker 7 (13:41):
Hair?
Speaker 3 (13:43):
I'll make you ask best.
Speaker 8 (13:45):
In your talks with mister Marshall, several things you said
seeing strained such an well. Your grandfather spoke of a
restaurant in San Francisco, and you said you knew it. Yeah,
if you are Paul Harris, how could you not? Paul Harris,
He's never been to San Francisco.
Speaker 3 (14:07):
I might have taken in San Francisco on the way
to New York. You know what else bothered you?
Speaker 8 (14:14):
You mentioned that television show you've seen six months ago.
There is no television in Alaska. If you're Paul Harris,
how could you have seen it?
Speaker 4 (14:25):
People up in Alaska. See chemiscopes of television shows. Baby,
they're shown like movies.
Speaker 3 (14:32):
Darling.
Speaker 8 (14:33):
Just tell me I'm wrong. That's all I want to see.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
I wish I could tell you I'm Paul Harris, but
I'm not.
Speaker 8 (14:43):
You're no, No.
Speaker 7 (14:45):
The name is Farrell, Steve Farrell, Steve harm.
Speaker 8 (14:50):
Wasn't that the fellow that was killed in that It
was Paul Harris who was killed? You changed identity?
Speaker 3 (14:58):
Yes?
Speaker 8 (15:00):
How could you?
Speaker 4 (15:03):
I was tired of being broke. I'm going from one
lousy job to another. I saw a chance to grab
a fortune and took it.
Speaker 3 (15:14):
What are you gonna do?
Speaker 8 (15:17):
I should go to the police. I can't. Mister Marshall
thinks you're his grandson. He's extremely fond of you. If
the truth were to come out chilling. Is that the
only reason you can't go to the police. What are
we gonna do?
Speaker 3 (15:38):
Nothing?
Speaker 8 (15:39):
Nothing?
Speaker 3 (15:40):
That's right.
Speaker 4 (15:42):
I'm going on being Paul Harris until the old man dies.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
Then I'm taking the estate.
Speaker 8 (15:47):
You can't, You can't? Why not?
Speaker 3 (15:51):
Why are the old man's alive?
Speaker 4 (15:52):
I'm making him happy if I get his estate when
he dies, who loses by it?
Speaker 3 (15:57):
It isn't as though he has other relatives. Why shouldn't
I get it?
Speaker 8 (16:00):
It's wrong, Steve, It's wrong.
Speaker 4 (16:02):
It's wrong only if you're a cock, baby, only if
you're caught.
Speaker 3 (16:21):
Hello baby, that you're doing up here on the room.
Speaker 8 (16:25):
Just getting a little fresh air while mister Marshall's sleeve?
Speaker 7 (16:28):
How is he?
Speaker 8 (16:30):
He can't last more than a few days?
Speaker 3 (16:35):
Who you playing for the old man? Oh me?
Speaker 8 (16:42):
Oh, Steve? Ever since the other night and you told
me I haven't been able to think of anything else.
It's wrong. David's so wrong. Who am I hurting? If
I get the estate?
Speaker 4 (16:52):
I deserve it, if anyone does, at least I'm making
the old man happy in his last hour.
Speaker 8 (16:56):
What if you're court? Do you realize I'd send you
to prison?
Speaker 3 (17:00):
That's the chances you take. Baby. Besides, who's going to
get wise to me?
Speaker 8 (17:03):
There's mister Marlowe, and he's nobody's fool. Just one little slip, Steve,
and he'll be on to you.
Speaker 4 (17:07):
Marlow is a sharp citizen, all right, But I don't
intend to make that one slips.
Speaker 8 (17:13):
Someone's coming up on the door.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
Hello, you too, thought I find you up here? Hello?
Speaker 8 (17:18):
Oh are you mister marlow right?
Speaker 3 (17:20):
Well, thank you? I'll stand there. Mister Marshall's asleep.
Speaker 8 (17:24):
Yes, I left missus Walker to look after him. You
should be waking up soon.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
May we better go down? My grandfather? And oh?
Speaker 6 (17:32):
What does the matter shopping your eye?
Speaker 3 (17:33):
Paul? Yes, he's a cinder or left eye.
Speaker 8 (17:36):
Yes, stop rubbing it. Put your handkerchief over it.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
Yeah, it's things like the devil.
Speaker 8 (17:43):
Going over and sit on the chair and I'll try
to take it out for you.
Speaker 3 (17:48):
You want me to assist you to the chair. No, no,
I can still walk.
Speaker 8 (17:57):
Let's sit down and tilt your head back. That's it.
Take the handkerchief away.
Speaker 2 (18:04):
Oh I see it.
Speaker 8 (18:05):
Hold still, Yeah, I got it.
Speaker 3 (18:09):
Thanks John.
Speaker 8 (18:11):
I think we better go down.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
H you coming, mister marlow right? Oh yes, yes, I'm coming.
Speaker 8 (18:33):
Miss Walker said that mister Marshall was asleep and she
looked in on him a few minutes ago.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
Seems you're still sleeping. Perhaps we'd better leave him, wait
until he wakens.
Speaker 8 (18:41):
No, no, no, I'm going to wake him. It's time
for his medicine, mister Marshall. Mister Marshall, time for your medicine.
Mister Marshall.
Speaker 3 (18:54):
What is it, John?
Speaker 8 (18:57):
There's no pump?
Speaker 7 (19:00):
Are you sure?
Speaker 3 (19:02):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (19:04):
He said, at least the end came peacefully. He died
in his sleep. John took the old man's death.
Speaker 4 (19:15):
Hard, and I felt pretty upset myself.
Speaker 3 (19:18):
Even with all that go awaiting.
Speaker 4 (19:20):
As for Marlowe, he was his usual efficient self, looking
after all the details of the funeral. Maybe it was
the tension I was un there, but marlow seemed changed
to me. He wasn't quite so friendly, and sometimes I
turned to find him watching me, giving me the cold eye.
I couldn't be sure whether it was my imagination or not.
(19:43):
After we got back from the funeral, I was in
my room when there was a knock on the door.
Speaker 3 (19:48):
Come in, Ollo, Johnes, come.
Speaker 8 (19:51):
In, mister Morto's downstairs. The library wants to see you.
Speaker 3 (19:55):
Close the door.
Speaker 8 (19:58):
Anything wrong, plenty? Whose trunk is that you're going through?
Speaker 4 (20:02):
Paul's had arrived this morning while we were at the funeral.
I've just been going through some of Paul's personal papers.
I knew, of course, that he was four F in
the draft, but.
Speaker 8 (20:12):
I never knew why what are you trying to tell me?
Speaker 3 (20:15):
Paul was forur F in the draft because he was
blind in the right.
Speaker 7 (20:18):
Eye, blind in the yes.
Speaker 4 (20:22):
That's why I've been getting the cold shoulder from marlow
these past three days, ever since the afternoon we were
on the roof.
Speaker 8 (20:28):
I don't understand.
Speaker 4 (20:29):
Somehow Marlowe knew that Paul was blind in the right eye,
and when I got that cinder in my left eye,
I covered it with my handkerchief.
Speaker 3 (20:36):
You told me to walk across the roof of the
chair sit down.
Speaker 8 (20:40):
Oh yes, I remember.
Speaker 3 (20:41):
At that point Marlowe offered to lead me to the chair.
Speaker 8 (20:44):
Knowing you were blind in the right eye and had
your left eye covered with the Heck.
Speaker 4 (20:48):
Yes, when I walked over to the chair without hesitation,
that must have started him thinking, don't get panicky, baby.
Speaker 3 (20:56):
Marlow can't be sure he's right at the moment. He's
just suspicious.
Speaker 8 (20:59):
But if he really investigations, you got to kill.
Speaker 4 (21:01):
The suspicion in his mind, stop him from doing any check.
But I don't know yet. Come on, he's waiting for
us in the library. Sorry to have kept you waiting,
(21:22):
mister Tomorrow Quite all right, if you'll excuse me, John,
don't go.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
No reason why you shouldn't hear what I have to say. Tomorrow,
Christmas Day, I'll officially read mister Marshall's will However, I
don't think I'm violating a trust and telling you the
contents of the will. Two weeks ago, mister Marshall had
me draw up a new will, leaving his entire estate
(21:47):
to you will, Paul. I see, he was quite taken
by you, felt that you were a credit to his name.
Speaker 3 (21:55):
Why are you crying, John? Not.
Speaker 2 (22:00):
As administrator mister Marshall's will, it is my duty to
see to it that the heirs or air receive their
just inheritances. This duty I shall fulfill.
Speaker 3 (22:14):
I understand.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
I am responsible under law for the awarding of the
huge estate left by mister Marshall. I shall have to
see your eye troubling you. You've been doing nothing but
rubbing it since you came into this room.
Speaker 3 (22:27):
Sorry tomorrow.
Speaker 4 (22:28):
As you know, I'm blind in my right eye, and
now and then my left eye feels quite strained, particularly
a time like this, my grandfather's death, the funeral. To understand, right, yes, yes,
of course you were saying, right, Oh, well, it's.
Speaker 2 (22:47):
Not important at the moment. I'll be here tomorrow at
three for the reading.
Speaker 7 (22:50):
Of the will.
Speaker 3 (22:52):
I'll see to it that all the servants are here.
Very well. Good night, John, Paul, good night.
Speaker 8 (22:57):
Tomorrow, good night. Ye see, he's confused. That's business of
the eyes. He doesn't know what to think now.
Speaker 4 (23:09):
Yeah, it stopped him for the moment, but only for
a moment. Hard to tell, but I've got to do
something once and for all to convince him.
Speaker 3 (23:17):
I'm Paul Harris.
Speaker 8 (23:22):
Now.
Speaker 4 (23:22):
I didn't get to sleep that night. I just tossed
and turned, trying to come up with an angle that
would kill Marlow's suspicions. Maybe that business of rubbing my
eyes had satisfied in me, but I had to make
sure it was a difference between being handed a fortune
and the prison sentence. This afternoon, at three o'clock, the servants, Joan, Marlowe,
(23:43):
and myself gathered in the library. The whole thing was
over in an hour. The servants all.
Speaker 3 (23:48):
Congratulated me and left the library, leaving only the three
of us there.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
I should like to offer a toast to mister Marshall's memory,
if you will permit me. Of course, he sir, was
his favorite Sherry John. Thank you, oh thanks.
Speaker 3 (24:08):
He is true.
Speaker 2 (24:09):
Peter Marshall, a man who lived honorably, died honorably. May
his air be worthy of him.
Speaker 4 (24:20):
As the three of us raised our glasses to our
lips and drank. I could see Marlow watching me over
the brim of his glass, with those cold blue eyes
of his. We set down our glasses and I turned
to give Joan a cigarette. Out of the corner of
my eye, I saw Marlow pick up one of the
three wine glasses. Suddenly I realized it was my glass
he picked up. He held it casually, almost as if
(24:45):
he didn't know he was holding it. In that moment,
I was going nuts, trying to guess whether he was
satisfied that I was Paul Harris.
Speaker 3 (24:52):
Or he was feel suspicious and going after me.
Speaker 4 (24:56):
My fingerprints were on that glass, and the army had
a copy of those princes in Washington. This was it
either I play mice and go for the fortune, or
throwing my hand.
Speaker 3 (25:07):
Suddenly I felt Jones.
Speaker 4 (25:08):
Hand in mine and say, mister Marlowe, yes, you say
this will leaving me my grandfather's estate is a new one.
Speaker 3 (25:17):
Yes, I drew it up only two weeks ago. What
was the old will?
Speaker 8 (25:22):
Like?
Speaker 2 (25:22):
Well, under the old will, your grandfather's estate went to charity.
Speaker 3 (25:27):
And I thought as much to Marlow.
Speaker 4 (25:30):
Joan and I have been tucking things over. I don't
want the estate. I want it all to go to
charity as originally intended.
Speaker 2 (25:40):
See me, I seem to drop my glass. You realize,
of course, what you would be giving up.
Speaker 4 (25:47):
I never really had it, mister Marlowe, so I hardly
think I'll miss it.
Speaker 3 (25:52):
Joan and I will get along, won't we? Baby?
Speaker 2 (25:54):
Oh well, Paul, is that your considered decision?
Speaker 3 (25:59):
Get it?
Speaker 2 (26:01):
It's a gesture worthy of Peter Marshall's grandson.
Speaker 4 (26:08):
Yes, and that little gesture didn't Any guy who gives
up a two million dollar estate can hardly be called
an impostor can he? You know, sir, it's Christmas and
I've just played Santa Claus to the tune of.
Speaker 3 (26:22):
Two million bucks.
Speaker 4 (26:25):
The thing I keep wondering about is what would have
happened if I hadn't given up the estate.
Speaker 3 (26:30):
Would marlow have gone after me? Or was he satisfied
that I was? Paul Harris, Yes, sir, That little puzzle.
Speaker 4 (26:39):
Is going to give me plenty of thought for a
long time to come.
Speaker 3 (27:01):
This is the Mysterious Traveler again. Did you enjoy our trip?
Or what happened to Pearl Harris? Or rather, I should
say Steve Farrell. He and Joan were married, and.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
The poor fellow is now working at an honest living. Yes,
sometimes he thinks of the two million dollars stead he
gave up, But then with taxes, what they are?
Speaker 3 (27:24):
Or what could he have kept?
Speaker 2 (27:25):
In any case, only a fortune which reminds me of
a story in which another enterprising young man allowed himself
to be killed for the sake of acquiring what.
Speaker 3 (27:38):
Oh, you'll have to get off here.
Speaker 2 (27:41):
I'm sorry, but allow me to wish you a merry
Christmas before you go, And remember I take this same
train every.
Speaker 3 (27:51):
Week at this same time.
Speaker 10 (28:06):
You have just heard The Mysterious Traveler. Now you can
enjoy other tents and exciting tales of a Mysterious Traveler
in the current issue of The Mysterious Traveler magazine, now
available in our cast will lay on Jenny and Shepherd
and Lawson Survey with Maurice Tarcklin starred.
Speaker 3 (28:21):
On the title role.
Speaker 10 (28:22):
Music under the direction of Emerson Buckley, composed by Richard
due Page. A Mysterious Traveler has written, produced and directed
by Robert A. Arthur and David Cogan. On this Christmas Night,
nineteen fifty one, we send special greetings to mutuals affiliate
in San Antonio, Texas radio station KMAC. Today KMAC celebrates
twenty fifth anniversary. Best wishes KMAC and congratulations.
Speaker 3 (28:45):
Bill Tonkin speaking. This program came to you from New York.
Speaker 10 (28:57):
Here the twenty seventh consecutive renewal of the the East
West Game and the annual.
Speaker 3 (29:01):
Blue Gray Game. It's another mutual listening must.
Speaker 10 (29:04):
Not just one, but two of the season's biggest intersectional
gridiron clashes would be aired for the sports minded American
listening public on the afternoon of Saturday, December twenty ninth.
Speaker 3 (29:14):
The greatest names of the nineteen.
Speaker 10 (29:15):
Fifty one collegiate grid season are on the rosters of
the competing squads. Remember the action starts Saturday over most
of these same stations. This is the mutual Broadcasting system.
The Mutual Broadcasting System presents The Mysterious Traveler, written, produced
and directed by Robert A. Arthur and David Cohan. I'm
starring two of radio's foremost personalities, Layon Jenny and Nan
Shepherd in Christmas Story.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
This is the Mysterious Traveler, inviting you to join me
on another journey into the realm of the strange and
the terrifying. I hope you will enjoy the trip, and
it will frie you a little and chill.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
You a little.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
So settle back, get a good grip on your nerve.
Then be comfortable if you can, as we hear the
tale of an enterprising young man. It's the drama I
call Christmas Story.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
The name is Steve Ferrell.
Speaker 4 (01:25):
When I've just gotten through playing Santa Claus. Yeah, you're
looking at a guy who really played it to the hills.
It all started last month in Seattle. I was out
of a job and down to.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
My last few bucks.
Speaker 4 (01:37):
I was looking through the morning paper when I noticed
this small ad in the personal columns. Driving to New
York November fifteenth, man wanted to assist in driving free
transportation Paul Harris Hotel, Royal Well. I'd always wanted to
see New York and this was as good as any
way of getting there. So I went up to this
Hotel Royal to see this guy, Harris Harris. Yes, my
(02:04):
name is Farrell, Steve Farrell. I read your ad in
the morning paper. Oh yes, once you come in, think
you if you haven't already found someone to help you
drive in New York, I'd.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Like them off of my services.
Speaker 5 (02:16):
Well, as a matter of fact, I haven't. Can you
leave for New York a day after tomorrow?
Speaker 3 (02:21):
Sure, anytime. We'll good then when i'd.
Speaker 5 (02:23):
Come around at nine in the morning and we'll get
off to an early stack.
Speaker 4 (02:26):
Okay, mister Harris, nine it is.
Speaker 3 (02:46):
I mean know when you're tired driving, mister Harrison, I'll
take over. Thanks you will.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
Why not call me Paul? Okay, Steve is my first name.
Lewiston thirty miles Lewiston.
Speaker 6 (03:00):
And uh that's Idaho, isn't it.
Speaker 4 (03:01):
Yeah, we're just crossing the state line into Idaho.
Speaker 5 (03:04):
Oh this is all new to me. I was born
and raised in Alaska. This is my first trip to
the state.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
Well, you're going to see a lot of scenery between
here and New York. Yes, I'm looking forward to it.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
Life must have been pretty rugged in Alaska. Oh it was.
Speaker 5 (03:20):
My parents were homesteady. I never saw a city until
a week ago when I arrived in Seattle.
Speaker 3 (03:25):
How come you're going to New York?
Speaker 5 (03:27):
Well, my parents died last year and my grandfather, whom
I've never seen, wrote asking me.
Speaker 6 (03:32):
To come visit him.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
You never seen him?
Speaker 6 (03:34):
Huh No, No.
Speaker 5 (03:36):
There was some sort of squabble between my parents and
my grandfather before I was born, and they went to Alaska,
and in all the years since then, my grandfather never
wrote to them.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
Sounds like a stubborn guy.
Speaker 6 (03:48):
Yeah, he sure died. What are you going to New
York for? Oh?
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Ma, ain'tly to look for a job. And I've always
wanted to see the big city?
Speaker 6 (03:57):
Sure have I? Uh, do you mind take me over now, Steve?
My eyes are getting tired.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
They glad to just pull over the side of their own.
Speaker 4 (04:08):
It's a long way from Seattle to New York, and
there wasn't the radio in the car, so we just talked,
and mostly we talked about Paul, his life in Alaska,
his parents, his grandfather. By the time we hit the Columbus, Ohio,
there wasn't the thing I didn't know about the guy,
and from what he told me, his grandfather was loaded,
and even more, he was the old man's only relative.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
It was obvious the kid was walking into a fortune. Yeah,
some guys had all the luck.
Speaker 6 (04:37):
So these are the Alleghany monks.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
Yeah, you better take it easy, Paul. The road's a
little flippery. Okay.
Speaker 6 (04:44):
How much further than New York two one.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
Hundred and fifty miles was getting dark? You better stop
for the night at the next tourist court.
Speaker 7 (04:52):
Hi.
Speaker 6 (04:53):
Probably should be able to make New York by tomorrow afternoon.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
Yeah, it's easy.
Speaker 4 (04:58):
What are you going to do when we get there, Steve,
start hunting for a job.
Speaker 6 (05:03):
Look, Steve, why don't you come to my grandfather's house
with me. I'm sure he won't mind putting up for
a few nights.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Thanks, kid, but don't worry about me. I'll be all right.
Speaker 6 (05:12):
Hi, Steve, I don't want to lose track of Yeah,
I thought we were friends.
Speaker 3 (05:17):
Sure we are. As soon as I get located, I'll let.
Speaker 7 (05:19):
You know where I am.
Speaker 5 (05:21):
You know, uh, I thought this, being your first visit
to New York and mine, we might see the town together.
Speaker 6 (05:28):
You know, the Statue of Liberty, the Statue of Liberty.
Speaker 3 (05:33):
Yeah, sure, yeah, while we're.
Speaker 6 (05:35):
The same age. I'm afraid I haven't been around very much.
I guess it's like you said, Uh, strictly from the woods.
Speaker 3 (05:44):
Just one year in New York and you'll be hp
to everything.
Speaker 4 (05:47):
Your eyes bothering. Hell, you better let me take over
when you get to the bottom of this mountain. Okay,
you know you want to see an eye doctor.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
Your eyes seem to get tired off a quick.
Speaker 6 (05:57):
Well, the truth is.
Speaker 3 (05:58):
The matter, got it?
Speaker 4 (05:59):
We shutting shid, No, don't cam on the brake, sell
and it would work the reverse you wheel I have.
Speaker 6 (06:04):
She was sitting off the roll. Turn him out, give
me my wheel and do it.
Speaker 5 (06:06):
I shot out of control, was going over.
Speaker 4 (06:19):
When I regained consciousness, I was lying a few feet
from the car. We'd rolled three hundred feet down the
side of the mountain, and the car was completely wrecked.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
I crawled to my feet and felt for broken bones.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
Other than a bad gash on my head and the
mass of bruises, I was okay. I limped the few
feet to the overturned car and looked in. Paul was
still behind the wheel. Even before I reached for his pulse.
I had a feeling he was dead. Paul's luck had
run out. He'd never see all that dough that was
(06:55):
waiting for him in New York.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Yeah, it was then that it came to me.
Speaker 4 (07:01):
I hadn't wished the guy did, but now that he was,
and nobody in the state's Newpaul or what he looked like.
And on the other hand, I knew everything about him. Well,
it was a gamble, all right, but there was a
fortune in the kiddy. I went to work switching our
clothes and all identification.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
Just as I finished, the state police patrol car came
along the mountain road.
Speaker 4 (07:26):
And spotted the wreck. They took me to headquarters, where
I made a complete statement. A couple of hours later,
I grabbed his train for New York.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Oh, I'm George Marlow, your grandfather's attorney.
Speaker 3 (07:44):
How do you do with tomorrow?
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Pennsylvania State Police informed me of the dreadful accident you had.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
I understand a man who was with you was killed.
Speaker 4 (07:53):
Yes, fellowed by the name of Steve Farrell. I met
him in Seattle. He assisted me with the driving.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Too bad, BUTHI, heavens, wasn't you would have been your
grandfather's death blow.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
How is he week? Very weak but eagerly waiting to
see you? All right? Come along, Yes, sir? How's that
cash on your head?
Speaker 6 (08:15):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (08:15):
Not too bad. It was treated by a doctor the
State Police headquartered.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
You can only spend a few minutes with your grandfather
and the excitement must be.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
Avoided by all means. I understand. And here we are.
How is he, John?
Speaker 8 (08:35):
He's much better this afternoon, John.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Now, this is Paul Harris, Paul Joan Dietrich, your grandfather's nurse.
Speaker 8 (08:43):
How do you do?
Speaker 3 (08:44):
Hello? Oh? Is that you for?
Speaker 7 (08:49):
Yes, sir, come away here where I can see you. Yes, grandfather,
So you're poor, my grandson? Yes, him, sit down by
my bed. Let me look at you.
Speaker 3 (09:12):
All right? Grandfathery are you your don't.
Speaker 7 (09:16):
Look like your mother? Must take after your father's side
of the family.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
Yes, I do.
Speaker 7 (09:25):
That. That bandage? What what happened? For?
Speaker 4 (09:31):
I was in an accident, but it's nothing to scratch.
Speaker 7 (09:34):
You're sure?
Speaker 9 (09:35):
Yes, yes, of course. I suppose you're wondering why I
said for you after after all these year cutting off
your mother will?
Speaker 3 (09:46):
Does it matter? Now? The main thing is I'm.
Speaker 9 (09:49):
Here, you know, lying here for months I've had a
great deal of time to think things over. I was wrong, Paul.
Your mother she had a perfect right to marry anyone
she wished. It was only my stubbornness that prevented the rectors.
(10:11):
Here we all make mistakes. Yes, yes, thirty years I
have not seen my own flesh and blood. It's been lonely, Paul,
so lonely. All my fault.
Speaker 7 (10:31):
But you're not alone anymore, I mean, yes, yes, Paul.
Speaker 9 (10:38):
What what little time I have left we must spend together.
Speaker 8 (10:43):
I think that now, mister Marshall, Paul can come and
see you later, just a few more minutes after your nap.
Speaker 9 (10:53):
She's a wonderful girl, Paul. But Retyrant, come see me
soon as I will.
Speaker 8 (11:01):
Way, all right, grandfather, let me you.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
Just your being here seems to have helped him, Pall.
Speaker 7 (11:13):
What does the doctor see mistermorrow?
Speaker 3 (11:15):
Week, month, several months at the outside? That bad? Eh?
Speaker 2 (11:20):
Yes, and you must be tired after your trip. I
had your suitcase taken to your room. Do you have
any other luggage on the way.
Speaker 3 (11:28):
There's a small trunk coming, but he won't be here
for a week.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
You need any money, Just let me know your grandfather's
place to considerable sum at your disposal.
Speaker 4 (11:36):
Thanks, but I still have two thousand left of the
five thousand he sent me Rember.
Speaker 3 (11:41):
If there's anything at all you want, just let me know. Yeah,
I was in.
Speaker 4 (11:50):
There was no question that I had passed as Paul Harron,
and why not. I had all the answers, and I
was playing a careful I walked through room after room
of that Fifth Avenue mansion, knowing that within a matter
of months it would be mine. In the weeks that followed,
not a day passed and I didn't spend a few
hours with the old man. He liked me, I could
(12:11):
see that, And the funny thing is I liked him too.
During our little chats, there were times I felt I
was his grandson, and sitting in at these little sessions,
not saying much, just watching with those gray eyes of hers.
With Joan Dietrich, she was one lovely dish and I
could feel things building between us. Whenever she got an
(12:34):
evening off, we went out together, having a good.
Speaker 8 (12:40):
Time, wonderful.
Speaker 6 (12:43):
I love dancing.
Speaker 8 (12:44):
Why, mister Harris, what are we doing out here on
the terrace?
Speaker 7 (12:47):
The music's in there?
Speaker 4 (12:50):
Too many people in there, you know, if you don't
make a pass at me.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
Soon I'm going to get a skirt.
Speaker 8 (12:57):
Is this showed a quaint three weeks?
Speaker 2 (13:00):
What's the time I got to do with it?
Speaker 4 (13:03):
The day I walked into my grandfather's room first saw you.
Speaker 7 (13:07):
You knew this moment would come. Mm hmm, oh my gosh.
I feel the same way, baby. So I'm fine. Love me,
you know I do in my the tears.
Speaker 8 (13:26):
Oh, I do love you, and I want to believe
in that. I'm so confused, so confused.
Speaker 7 (13:32):
But why go on?
Speaker 3 (13:35):
I want to do?
Speaker 6 (13:39):
Are you.
Speaker 8 (13:41):
Really poor?
Speaker 7 (13:41):
Hair?
Speaker 3 (13:43):
I'll make you ask best.
Speaker 8 (13:45):
In your talks with mister Marshall, several things you said
seeing strained such an well. Your grandfather spoke of a
restaurant in San Francisco, and you said you knew it. Yeah,
if you are Paul Harris, how could you not? Paul Harris,
He's never been to San Francisco.
Speaker 3 (14:07):
I might have taken in San Francisco on the way
to New York. You know what else bothered you?
Speaker 8 (14:14):
You mentioned that television show you've seen six months ago.
There is no television in Alaska. If you're Paul Harris,
how could you have seen it?
Speaker 4 (14:25):
People up in Alaska. See chemiscopes of television shows. Baby,
they're shown like movies.
Speaker 3 (14:32):
Darling.
Speaker 8 (14:33):
Just tell me I'm wrong. That's all I want to see.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
I wish I could tell you I'm Paul Harris, but
I'm not.
Speaker 8 (14:43):
You're no, No.
Speaker 7 (14:45):
The name is Farrell, Steve Farrell, Steve harm.
Speaker 8 (14:50):
Wasn't that the fellow that was killed in that It
was Paul Harris who was killed? You changed identity?
Speaker 3 (14:58):
Yes?
Speaker 8 (15:00):
How could you?
Speaker 4 (15:03):
I was tired of being broke. I'm going from one
lousy job to another. I saw a chance to grab
a fortune and took it.
Speaker 3 (15:14):
What are you gonna do?
Speaker 8 (15:17):
I should go to the police. I can't. Mister Marshall
thinks you're his grandson. He's extremely fond of you. If
the truth were to come out chilling. Is that the
only reason you can't go to the police. What are
we gonna do?
Speaker 3 (15:38):
Nothing?
Speaker 8 (15:39):
Nothing?
Speaker 3 (15:40):
That's right.
Speaker 4 (15:42):
I'm going on being Paul Harris until the old man dies.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
Then I'm taking the estate.
Speaker 8 (15:47):
You can't, You can't? Why not?
Speaker 3 (15:51):
Why are the old man's alive?
Speaker 4 (15:52):
I'm making him happy if I get his estate when
he dies, who loses by it?
Speaker 3 (15:57):
It isn't as though he has other relatives. Why shouldn't
I get it?
Speaker 8 (16:00):
It's wrong, Steve, It's wrong.
Speaker 4 (16:02):
It's wrong only if you're a cock, baby, only if
you're caught.
Speaker 3 (16:21):
Hello baby, that you're doing up here on the room.
Speaker 8 (16:25):
Just getting a little fresh air while mister Marshall's sleeve?
Speaker 7 (16:28):
How is he?
Speaker 8 (16:30):
He can't last more than a few days?
Speaker 3 (16:35):
Who you playing for the old man? Oh me?
Speaker 8 (16:42):
Oh, Steve? Ever since the other night and you told
me I haven't been able to think of anything else.
It's wrong. David's so wrong. Who am I hurting? If
I get the estate?
Speaker 4 (16:52):
I deserve it, if anyone does, at least I'm making
the old man happy in his last hour.
Speaker 8 (16:56):
What if you're court? Do you realize I'd send you
to prison?
Speaker 3 (17:00):
That's the chances you take. Baby. Besides, who's going to
get wise to me?
Speaker 8 (17:03):
There's mister Marlowe, and he's nobody's fool. Just one little slip, Steve,
and he'll be on to you.
Speaker 4 (17:07):
Marlow is a sharp citizen, all right, But I don't
intend to make that one slips.
Speaker 8 (17:13):
Someone's coming up on the door.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
Hello, you too, thought I find you up here? Hello?
Speaker 8 (17:18):
Oh are you mister marlow right?
Speaker 3 (17:20):
Well, thank you? I'll stand there. Mister Marshall's asleep.
Speaker 8 (17:24):
Yes, I left missus Walker to look after him. You
should be waking up soon.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
May we better go down? My grandfather? And oh?
Speaker 6 (17:32):
What does the matter shopping your eye?
Speaker 3 (17:33):
Paul? Yes, he's a cinder or left eye.
Speaker 8 (17:36):
Yes, stop rubbing it. Put your handkerchief over it.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
Yeah, it's things like the devil.
Speaker 8 (17:43):
Going over and sit on the chair and I'll try
to take it out for you.
Speaker 3 (17:48):
You want me to assist you to the chair. No, no,
I can still walk.
Speaker 8 (17:57):
Let's sit down and tilt your head back. That's it.
Take the handkerchief away.
Speaker 2 (18:04):
Oh I see it.
Speaker 8 (18:05):
Hold still, Yeah, I got it.
Speaker 3 (18:09):
Thanks John.
Speaker 8 (18:11):
I think we better go down.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
H you coming, mister marlow right? Oh yes, yes, I'm coming.
Speaker 8 (18:33):
Miss Walker said that mister Marshall was asleep and she
looked in on him a few minutes ago.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
Seems you're still sleeping. Perhaps we'd better leave him, wait
until he wakens.
Speaker 8 (18:41):
No, no, no, I'm going to wake him. It's time
for his medicine, mister Marshall. Mister Marshall, time for your medicine.
Mister Marshall.
Speaker 3 (18:54):
What is it, John?
Speaker 8 (18:57):
There's no pump?
Speaker 7 (19:00):
Are you sure?
Speaker 3 (19:02):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (19:04):
He said, at least the end came peacefully. He died
in his sleep. John took the old man's death.
Speaker 4 (19:15):
Hard, and I felt pretty upset myself.
Speaker 3 (19:18):
Even with all that go awaiting.
Speaker 4 (19:20):
As for Marlowe, he was his usual efficient self, looking
after all the details of the funeral. Maybe it was
the tension I was un there, but marlow seemed changed
to me. He wasn't quite so friendly, and sometimes I
turned to find him watching me, giving me the cold eye.
I couldn't be sure whether it was my imagination or not.
(19:43):
After we got back from the funeral, I was in
my room when there was a knock on the door.
Speaker 3 (19:48):
Come in, Ollo, Johnes, come.
Speaker 8 (19:51):
In, mister Morto's downstairs. The library wants to see you.
Speaker 3 (19:55):
Close the door.
Speaker 8 (19:58):
Anything wrong, plenty? Whose trunk is that you're going through?
Speaker 4 (20:02):
Paul's had arrived this morning while we were at the funeral.
I've just been going through some of Paul's personal papers.
I knew, of course, that he was four F in
the draft, but.
Speaker 8 (20:12):
I never knew why what are you trying to tell me?
Speaker 3 (20:15):
Paul was forur F in the draft because he was
blind in the right.
Speaker 7 (20:18):
Eye, blind in the yes.
Speaker 4 (20:22):
That's why I've been getting the cold shoulder from marlow
these past three days, ever since the afternoon we were
on the roof.
Speaker 8 (20:28):
I don't understand.
Speaker 4 (20:29):
Somehow Marlowe knew that Paul was blind in the right eye,
and when I got that cinder in my left eye,
I covered it with my handkerchief.
Speaker 3 (20:36):
You told me to walk across the roof of the
chair sit down.
Speaker 8 (20:40):
Oh yes, I remember.
Speaker 3 (20:41):
At that point Marlowe offered to lead me to the chair.
Speaker 8 (20:44):
Knowing you were blind in the right eye and had
your left eye covered with the Heck.
Speaker 4 (20:48):
Yes, when I walked over to the chair without hesitation,
that must have started him thinking, don't get panicky, baby.
Speaker 3 (20:56):
Marlow can't be sure he's right at the moment. He's
just suspicious.
Speaker 8 (20:59):
But if he really investigations, you got to kill.
Speaker 4 (21:01):
The suspicion in his mind, stop him from doing any check.
But I don't know yet. Come on, he's waiting for
us in the library. Sorry to have kept you waiting,
(21:22):
mister Tomorrow Quite all right, if you'll excuse me, John,
don't go.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
No reason why you shouldn't hear what I have to say. Tomorrow,
Christmas Day, I'll officially read mister Marshall's will However, I
don't think I'm violating a trust and telling you the
contents of the will. Two weeks ago, mister Marshall had
me draw up a new will, leaving his entire estate
(21:47):
to you will, Paul. I see, he was quite taken
by you, felt that you were a credit to his name.
Speaker 3 (21:55):
Why are you crying, John? Not.
Speaker 2 (22:00):
As administrator mister Marshall's will, it is my duty to
see to it that the heirs or air receive their
just inheritances. This duty I shall fulfill.
Speaker 3 (22:14):
I understand.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
I am responsible under law for the awarding of the
huge estate left by mister Marshall. I shall have to
see your eye troubling you. You've been doing nothing but
rubbing it since you came into this room.
Speaker 3 (22:27):
Sorry tomorrow.
Speaker 4 (22:28):
As you know, I'm blind in my right eye, and
now and then my left eye feels quite strained, particularly
a time like this, my grandfather's death, the funeral. To understand, right, yes, yes,
of course you were saying, right, Oh, well, it's.
Speaker 2 (22:47):
Not important at the moment. I'll be here tomorrow at
three for the reading.
Speaker 7 (22:50):
Of the will.
Speaker 3 (22:52):
I'll see to it that all the servants are here.
Very well. Good night, John, Paul, good night.
Speaker 8 (22:57):
Tomorrow, good night. Ye see, he's confused. That's business of
the eyes. He doesn't know what to think now.
Speaker 4 (23:09):
Yeah, it stopped him for the moment, but only for
a moment. Hard to tell, but I've got to do
something once and for all to convince him.
Speaker 3 (23:17):
I'm Paul Harris.
Speaker 8 (23:22):
Now.
Speaker 4 (23:22):
I didn't get to sleep that night. I just tossed
and turned, trying to come up with an angle that
would kill Marlow's suspicions. Maybe that business of rubbing my
eyes had satisfied in me, but I had to make
sure it was a difference between being handed a fortune
and the prison sentence. This afternoon, at three o'clock, the servants, Joan, Marlowe,
(23:43):
and myself gathered in the library. The whole thing was
over in an hour. The servants all.
Speaker 3 (23:48):
Congratulated me and left the library, leaving only the three
of us there.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
I should like to offer a toast to mister Marshall's memory,
if you will permit me. Of course, he sir, was
his favorite Sherry John. Thank you, oh thanks.
Speaker 3 (24:08):
He is true.
Speaker 2 (24:09):
Peter Marshall, a man who lived honorably, died honorably. May
his air be worthy of him.
Speaker 4 (24:20):
As the three of us raised our glasses to our
lips and drank. I could see Marlow watching me over
the brim of his glass, with those cold blue eyes
of his. We set down our glasses and I turned
to give Joan a cigarette. Out of the corner of
my eye, I saw Marlow pick up one of the
three wine glasses. Suddenly I realized it was my glass
he picked up. He held it casually, almost as if
(24:45):
he didn't know he was holding it. In that moment,
I was going nuts, trying to guess whether he was
satisfied that I was Paul Harris.
Speaker 3 (24:52):
Or he was feel suspicious and going after me.
Speaker 4 (24:56):
My fingerprints were on that glass, and the army had
a copy of those princes in Washington. This was it
either I play mice and go for the fortune, or
throwing my hand.
Speaker 3 (25:07):
Suddenly I felt Jones.
Speaker 4 (25:08):
Hand in mine and say, mister Marlowe, yes, you say
this will leaving me my grandfather's estate is a new one.
Speaker 3 (25:17):
Yes, I drew it up only two weeks ago. What
was the old will?
Speaker 8 (25:22):
Like?
Speaker 2 (25:22):
Well, under the old will, your grandfather's estate went to charity.
Speaker 3 (25:27):
And I thought as much to Marlow.
Speaker 4 (25:30):
Joan and I have been tucking things over. I don't
want the estate. I want it all to go to
charity as originally intended.
Speaker 2 (25:40):
See me, I seem to drop my glass. You realize,
of course, what you would be giving up.
Speaker 4 (25:47):
I never really had it, mister Marlowe, so I hardly
think I'll miss it.
Speaker 3 (25:52):
Joan and I will get along, won't we? Baby?
Speaker 2 (25:54):
Oh well, Paul, is that your considered decision?
Speaker 3 (25:59):
Get it?
Speaker 2 (26:01):
It's a gesture worthy of Peter Marshall's grandson.
Speaker 4 (26:08):
Yes, and that little gesture didn't Any guy who gives
up a two million dollar estate can hardly be called
an impostor can he? You know, sir, it's Christmas and
I've just played Santa Claus to the tune of.
Speaker 3 (26:22):
Two million bucks.
Speaker 4 (26:25):
The thing I keep wondering about is what would have
happened if I hadn't given up the estate.
Speaker 3 (26:30):
Would marlow have gone after me? Or was he satisfied
that I was? Paul Harris, Yes, sir, That little puzzle.
Speaker 4 (26:39):
Is going to give me plenty of thought for a
long time to come.
Speaker 3 (27:01):
This is the Mysterious Traveler again. Did you enjoy our trip?
Or what happened to Pearl Harris? Or rather, I should
say Steve Farrell. He and Joan were married, and.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
The poor fellow is now working at an honest living. Yes,
sometimes he thinks of the two million dollars stead he
gave up, But then with taxes, what they are?
Speaker 3 (27:24):
Or what could he have kept?
Speaker 2 (27:25):
In any case, only a fortune which reminds me of
a story in which another enterprising young man allowed himself
to be killed for the sake of acquiring what.
Speaker 3 (27:38):
Oh, you'll have to get off here.
Speaker 2 (27:41):
I'm sorry, but allow me to wish you a merry
Christmas before you go, And remember I take this same
train every.
Speaker 3 (27:51):
Week at this same time.
Speaker 10 (28:06):
You have just heard The Mysterious Traveler. Now you can
enjoy other tents and exciting tales of a Mysterious Traveler
in the current issue of The Mysterious Traveler magazine, now
available in our cast will lay on Jenny and Shepherd
and Lawson Survey with Maurice Tarcklin starred.
Speaker 3 (28:21):
On the title role.
Speaker 10 (28:22):
Music under the direction of Emerson Buckley, composed by Richard
due Page. A Mysterious Traveler has written, produced and directed
by Robert A. Arthur and David Cogan. On this Christmas Night,
nineteen fifty one, we send special greetings to mutuals affiliate
in San Antonio, Texas radio station KMAC. Today KMAC celebrates
twenty fifth anniversary. Best wishes KMAC and congratulations.
Speaker 3 (28:45):
Bill Tonkin speaking. This program came to you from New York.
Speaker 10 (28:57):
Here the twenty seventh consecutive renewal of the the East
West Game and the annual.
Speaker 3 (29:01):
Blue Gray Game. It's another mutual listening must.
Speaker 10 (29:04):
Not just one, but two of the season's biggest intersectional
gridiron clashes would be aired for the sports minded American
listening public on the afternoon of Saturday, December twenty ninth.
Speaker 3 (29:14):
The greatest names of the nineteen.
Speaker 10 (29:15):
Fifty one collegiate grid season are on the rosters of
the competing squads. Remember the action starts Saturday over most
of these same stations. This is the mutual Broadcasting system.
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