September 3, 2024 • 29 mins
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The Whistler was a suspenseful mystery anthology that ran from 1942-1955. A character known only as the Whistler was the host and narrator of the tales, which focused on crime and fate and had a suspenseful and eerie tone. The Whistler was later adapted to television.
The Whistler was a suspenseful mystery anthology that ran from 1942-1955. A character known only as the Whistler was the host and narrator of the tales, which focused on crime and fate and had a suspenseful and eerie tone. The Whistler was later adapted to television.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Wait a minute, have you heard the strange tales of
the whistler.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
I'm the whistler. I didn't steal the money. I just
want to use it for a few days. I'm going
to put it back. Things went wrong. That is going
to be a change of ownership. That means an early.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
Audit Sunday night, and again CBS presents the Whistler.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
I the whistler know many things, for I walk by night.
I know many strange tales, many secrets hidden in the
hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadows.
And so I tell you tonight. The Tale of the
Accounting Tom Bradford is a middle aged rancher living a
(01:10):
few miles out of town. Tom has married a widow
with a grown son named Ralph, who is inclined to
be shiftless and lazy. Tom resents this because times are
difficult and he's short of help. He further resents the
fact that the boy has married a girl from the
town and brought her to live with him.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
They've been here.
Speaker 4 (01:30):
For two months now, and Tom has grown crabby and unpleasant.
Speaker 5 (01:34):
You know the way conditions are. Mary just can't get
me help in this ranch is too much for me.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
To handle alone.
Speaker 6 (01:38):
I know Tom, but Ralph doesn't know anything about a ranch.
Ralph was raised in the city.
Speaker 5 (01:43):
He can learn, but he's too lazy. Only doesn't sit
around and read magazines.
Speaker 6 (01:46):
But he's a delicate sort of boy.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
He always has.
Speaker 5 (01:49):
Well, let him go out and do a little work
and he won't be so delicate. You've made a baby
out of him.
Speaker 6 (01:53):
I've done no such thing. If Ralph were able to
help you, I'd be the first one to ask him
to do it.
Speaker 5 (01:58):
The amount of tow anything you wouldn't have to be asked.
I wish the army would take him.
Speaker 6 (02:01):
Here, and they deferred him because he wasn't strong enough.
Speaker 5 (02:04):
Well, he's not too weak to do a little something
around here. That wife of his, that Vera, she's worse
than he is. She could do something. All she does
is dress herself up on baby Ralph's. She loves, never
washes a dish because it might row in her hands.
She can't cook, she can't do a thing. I don't
like her.
Speaker 6 (02:18):
I think Vera's a nice girl.
Speaker 5 (02:20):
What I can do without her her being here?
Speaker 6 (02:22):
You mean you don't want her here?
Speaker 5 (02:24):
That's exactly what I mean.
Speaker 6 (02:26):
But if she left, that would mean that why Ralph
wouldn't stay here without Vera?
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Then they can both go.
Speaker 6 (02:32):
Do you know what you're saying? Ralph is my son.
Speaker 5 (02:35):
I don't care who he is. He can get out
and shift for himself and take that steaming a little
bread of a wife with him.
Speaker 6 (02:39):
Oh, you're just upset, Tom. You'll feel different about things
in a few days. You must try to control yourself.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Mary.
Speaker 5 (02:47):
Before they came here, you and I got along very nicely.
Since they've come we've had nothing but arguments and hard feelings.
Ralph and Vera are constantly sturing up trouble. Naturally, you
take Ralph's side. You can't see his faults because you're
his mother. But the same time you're his worst enemy.
Speaker 6 (03:01):
Tom, How can you say such a thing.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
I don't know what I'm talking about, and I've made up
my mind. They've got to go go Where What will
they do?
Speaker 5 (03:07):
Ralph figured it out? Let him get a job, job?
Speaker 2 (03:09):
What can he do a lot of things?
Speaker 5 (03:11):
Is not that helpless?
Speaker 6 (03:12):
Tom? Please, you don't understand.
Speaker 5 (03:14):
I understand all right, And that's final. He and Vera
can get out in the.
Speaker 6 (03:17):
Morning, very well. I'll tell them, And perhaps I should
go too. Is that what you want?
Speaker 5 (03:23):
Oh, now, don't be ridiculous, Mary, I didn't say that.
Speaker 6 (03:25):
I thought you loved me. I never dreamed you could
be like.
Speaker 5 (03:28):
This, not being mean and Mary and I don't want
to talk about it anymore. You're going to tell him,
or shall I?
Speaker 6 (03:34):
Yes, Tom, I'll tell them very well.
Speaker 7 (03:38):
I'm very tired, but I'm Mary.
Speaker 6 (03:55):
Ralph darling mother. May I come in. Sorry to disturb
you so late, but I have to talk to you?
Speaker 2 (04:05):
And Vera. What's the matter?
Speaker 6 (04:09):
Well, I it's about Tom. What about him? Well? I
I don't know how to say it.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Say what? What's wrong with him?
Speaker 6 (04:17):
I don't know. He just isn't himself. You know how
terribly upset he's been lately. Yeah, but he doesn't understand rup.
He just doesn't understand, understand why. He doesn't understand you.
You and Vera? What's wrong with me? Nothing? Vera, it's
just Tom. He's in one of those spells. He doesn't
like anything or anybody.
Speaker 3 (04:36):
You mean he Sorah, Yes, Ralph, he's terribly upset.
Speaker 6 (04:40):
Well, he thinks you're lazy. He's angry because you won't
help him around the ranch.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Oh, that's silly. What do I know? About a ranch. Nothing.
Speaker 6 (04:47):
I told him that, but he said you could learn.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Well, I wouldn't last half a day doing this kind
of work. I'm not the time.
Speaker 6 (04:52):
He's terribly unreasonable. He refuses to see it that way.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Well, not a heck with him.
Speaker 6 (04:57):
Then I'm lazy too, Is that what he thinks? Yes,
Vera Ah, I'm terribly sorry and embarrassing.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
We aren't farming.
Speaker 8 (05:05):
I'm not gonna let Vera tend those confounded chickens, and
I'm not gonna milk any cows.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
What do you think I am?
Speaker 6 (05:09):
Please, Ralph, don't get excited. Well, if he feels that
way about me, I'll get out what you'll do?
Speaker 2 (05:14):
No such thing. We'll stay right here, and I get
ready to.
Speaker 6 (05:16):
Leave, Ralph, darling Tom wants you to leave in the morning.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Why, Well, of all the nerve, this is your house tour,
isn't ye?
Speaker 6 (05:24):
But Ralph, if you stay here, you'll have to work,
and I don't want you to have to do that.
You couldn't stand it. It wouldn't be good for you.
You mean you want us to leave? No, I don't
want you to. But I've thought it all over, and
I think you'd better go into town. But don't worry.
I'll see that you get along all right.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
How well, I'll have to get a job.
Speaker 6 (05:44):
Well, maybe you can find something to do, something light.
Speaker 5 (05:48):
What a fine man.
Speaker 6 (05:50):
I'm sorry, darling, but you better go in the morning. Go.
I wouldn't stay around here another day.
Speaker 8 (05:57):
Well, I know, bookkeeping. Maybe I a job in the
bank that didn't such hard work.
Speaker 6 (06:02):
No, but don't worry, doney, I won't.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Good night.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
The next morning, after breakfast, Ralph and Vera leave the
ranch and go into town. A few days later, Ralph
obtains a job in the bank. Then, after a month
or so, he is promoted from the adding machine to
the teller's cage. Now two months more have passed in
the young teller in the next cage steps into Ralph's compartment.
Speaker 9 (06:35):
Busy Ralph, huh oh, I've just found things going all
right her.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Yeah, seemed to be having some trouble, Ralph, trouble? What
do you mean? Oh, I don't know. You looked a
little worried.
Speaker 9 (06:50):
I thought maybe you were having a bit of difficulty
making things balance.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
What do you mean now by not having any trouble?
What gave you that idea?
Speaker 9 (06:58):
Well, I've been off a few cents a couple of times.
And believe me, I know what it means. Why I've
worked all night several times trying to find what happened
to two cents? I know how it feels.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Yeah, did you find it?
Speaker 9 (07:11):
Well, I didn't find the two cents, but I found
the error in my figures. Well I haven't found the
error in my figures, haven't you. Well, that's that's good.
What would be wrong with my books? Why I didn't
say anything would be wrong? I well, I just thought
you looked a bit worried. But maybe I could help you.
I don't need any help. I'm quite able to take
(07:33):
care of my responsibilities.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
Good, glad to hear it. Uh. By the way, have
you heard the news? What news? This bank is being
taken over by a system and is to become one
of its branches.
Speaker 9 (07:45):
You know what that means, no, Watson me, it means
a complete audit before the end of this month. That
isn't very far away, about fifteen days.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Yeah. I just thought you would want everything in order.
I know I would. Yeah. Well, thanks for the information.
You're welcome, Ralph.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
For a few moments, Row stands in a stupor perspiration,
stands out in large beads on his forehead. For the
next hour, he studies over his books frantically. Then, when
closing time comes, he rushes home.
Speaker 6 (08:30):
Hello, darling, Oh, you have no idea how much I've
missed you all day? Kiss me? Yeah, what's the matter
with you?
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Nothing? Eh?
Speaker 6 (08:40):
Well, I'm certainly disappointed.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
What a bar?
Speaker 6 (08:42):
You come in like this with a long face, and
look at the lovely dinner I fixed for you.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
I'm not very hungry vera. I got a headache.
Speaker 6 (08:49):
Poor darling. You eat something and then I'll rub your
head for you.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Well, I don't want anything. Let me alone, please?
Speaker 6 (08:55):
Now, what on earth is wrong with you?
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Nothing's wrong with me? Shut up?
Speaker 6 (08:58):
How dare you talk to me like that? Who do
you think you are?
Speaker 8 (09:03):
I'm sorry, darling, I'm just upset.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
I'm all on edge. What about just my nerves?
Speaker 6 (09:09):
It's more than nerves. Why don't you tell me what's happened?
Speaker 2 (09:11):
Who said anything going to happen?
Speaker 6 (09:13):
I can tell Have you lost your job? No? Is
that telling you lost fifty dollars doing that poker game's
threatening you? Is that it?
Speaker 8 (09:22):
Looker? I'm in a spot. I don't know what to do.
That the bank is changing hands. That'll be annauted before
the end.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
Of the month.
Speaker 6 (09:30):
Well, what of it? What's that to do with the
poker player?
Speaker 2 (09:33):
Oh? Nothing, I paid him off it. But it wasn't
fifty dollars.
Speaker 6 (09:38):
It wasn't fifty What was it two thousand dollars? Two
thousand dollars.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
I didn't lose it all at once, but I tried
to make back what i'd lost. My only gotten.
Speaker 6 (09:47):
Deeper than if you lost two thousand dollars. How did
you pay it more?
Speaker 2 (09:52):
I borrowed it from the bank.
Speaker 6 (09:55):
How could you borrow two thousand dollars from the bank?
Speaker 2 (09:58):
I took it?
Speaker 6 (10:00):
What?
Speaker 2 (10:00):
Yeah, but I was sure I could put it back
before the end of the month.
Speaker 8 (10:04):
No, I'm worried. I don't know what to do. I
don't put it back before the audit. I'll get caught
and sent the prison.
Speaker 6 (10:09):
Where are we going to get two thousand dollars?
Speaker 2 (10:11):
I don't know, but there must be some way, someplace
to get it.
Speaker 6 (10:15):
How about your mother, she'd give it to you. Tom
has money.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
He doesn't like us.
Speaker 6 (10:21):
No, well maybe we could make him like us. Least
we could try. Let's drive over there. This is Saturday
afternoon and next Monday is a legal holiday. Let's drive
over and see what we can do.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
All right, At least we can do is try we'll go.
Speaker 3 (10:48):
Ralph and Via drive to the ranch and as they
go up to the porch, they hear Tom arguing in
a loud voice with another man just around the corner
of the house. They slipped to the edge of the
porch and listen.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
All right, I'll tell you what I'm gonna do.
Speaker 5 (11:02):
I've given you all the time a canduler.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
You've been on that use of lamp for two years now.
Speaker 5 (11:06):
And you haven't paid a dollar.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
Be on the down paper.
Speaker 6 (11:08):
I've tied my best to make it pay. I've worked harm,
you have done a thing. You know what you are.
You're just one of those lazy subsistence farmers just.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
Growing up to eat and let it go at that.
Speaker 6 (11:19):
That's a live wreck.
Speaker 5 (11:20):
Oh, I'm foreclosing tomorrow.
Speaker 4 (11:23):
There's a lot of money tied up in that landa
and I need it or so every cent I have
is there.
Speaker 6 (11:27):
I want you.
Speaker 5 (11:28):
Out of there by tomorrow.
Speaker 6 (11:29):
But look here, my wife is sick. I can't leave. No,
I won't, Oh can't won't you?
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Well you better be at my noon, right or you
got tired. I guess it's soon three years.
Speaker 6 (11:41):
Look at you? What did you.
Speaker 7 (11:44):
Get out there?
Speaker 2 (11:46):
I'll go, I'll go, but you just remember what I think? Wow,
what do you think of that?
Speaker 6 (11:54):
Come on, let's go on in and talk to your mother.
Speaker 2 (11:57):
Tom's gonna have a stroke one of these days. Even
warned about those fits of temper.
Speaker 6 (12:04):
Might be a good thing for everybody if something did
happen to him.
Speaker 2 (12:07):
Yeah, maybe so.
Speaker 6 (12:10):
Oh hello, Ralph Darling. I didn't expect you down today.
He has an extra day off, so we thought we'd
come down.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
Do you hear Tom arguing that Philip Millo just now?
Speaker 6 (12:20):
Yes? I heard them.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
Tom better I play around with Mellie's a tough looking customer.
Speaker 6 (12:25):
Tom gets worse every day. He ransom raised at the
least little thing. Hasn't spoken to me civilly for weeks.
I can't stand it here any longer. I'm glad you came,
because I'm going back with you, going back leaving Tom.
I've got to he's unfair.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
You can't leave him, That is not just now? Why
not You've got to put up with him for a
while longer, Because.
Speaker 6 (12:44):
Why don't you tell her? Ralph? Ralph what is it?
What's happened? Ralph is in trouble. He needs some money, Darling,
what's happened? Tell mother?
Speaker 8 (12:54):
I borrowed some money from the bank. I have to
pay it back before the end of the month.
Speaker 2 (12:59):
How much two thousand dollars?
Speaker 6 (13:01):
What? Good heavens Well, if you can't pay it back now,
they'll have to extend it. They can't do anything else.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
Oh, yes they can.
Speaker 6 (13:09):
I'll send him to jail.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
He is here. They didn't know I'm borrowed, Ralph.
Speaker 6 (13:14):
Darling, you mean you stole it?
Speaker 2 (13:16):
No, I didn't steal it. I was just wondering for
a few days.
Speaker 8 (13:20):
I was going to pay it back, but things went wrong,
and now there's going to be a change of ownership.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
That means an added He's got.
Speaker 6 (13:26):
To have the money right away. But what can I do?
I haven't anything.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
You've got to get it from Tom.
Speaker 6 (13:30):
You've got your Tom needs every cent he has to
hold on to this place. Well, you can ask him.
You've got to do something. Do you want Ralph to
go to the penitentiary? Good heavens No, And hurry up
and top to him. But huh, what'll I say?
Speaker 2 (13:43):
Oh, you'll think of something. Go on in and talk
to him.
Speaker 6 (13:45):
But do you think this is the time.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
I'm desperate? I need that money in one way or another.
I'm going to get it.
Speaker 6 (13:50):
Oh, yes, yes, darling. Don't get excited. It isn't good
for you. Oh I'll talk to him now. He just
came in the back way. We'll wait in here here, sir.
Oh Tom, look at your face, it's flaming red. You
shouldn't let yourself get so worked up over things.
Speaker 5 (14:10):
Melissa lady good for nothing. Fool knows I mean business.
He'd better be gone by tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
No, she'll go.
Speaker 6 (14:17):
Don't worry.
Speaker 5 (14:19):
You can threaten to kill me.
Speaker 6 (14:20):
Please, Tom, forget about it. Come on this, sit down,
your lunch is ready.
Speaker 5 (14:24):
Don't really need that land, just that I can't tolerate shiftless,
irresponsible people and places worth five thousand dollars. Miller paid
seven hundred and fifty down but on a two years
and hasn't made a dime since.
Speaker 6 (14:36):
Tom, Dear, I I need some money.
Speaker 5 (14:40):
Eh, well, that's not unusual.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
Hand me the check book.
Speaker 5 (14:44):
By the way, I've got a list of things you
can get from me in town.
Speaker 6 (14:47):
How much do you want, Mary, I want to borrow
some money, Tom.
Speaker 5 (14:51):
This wonder you have to borrow money?
Speaker 6 (14:52):
Well, I want to borrow it.
Speaker 5 (14:54):
What's ridiculous borrow it?
Speaker 2 (14:55):
Eh? How much do you want? Two thousand dollars? Are
you crazy?
Speaker 6 (15:02):
No, Tom, I need two thousand dollars.
Speaker 5 (15:04):
You possibly need? It would cost that much. You certainly
have everything that Wait a minute, what are you getting
that married?
Speaker 6 (15:12):
Please? Tom, please lend it to me. I'll pay it back,
I promise.
Speaker 5 (15:14):
How just how would you pay it back? You have
no earning capacity?
Speaker 6 (15:17):
Well, I know, but but Ralph has he cried?
Speaker 5 (15:21):
I thought it was something like that, but he got
up asleep.
Speaker 6 (15:23):
He needs two thousand right away?
Speaker 2 (15:25):
Oh he does? Well? What for what she does?
Speaker 5 (15:27):
Why?
Speaker 6 (15:27):
Nothing? But he has an opportunity to Well, it's a
business proposition.
Speaker 5 (15:31):
Do you expect me to believe that? What's he done
something at the bank? He well quit starling. Did he
borrow from the bank and forget to tell them about it?
Speaker 6 (15:41):
Yes? Oh, Tom, please please let me have it. They
might send him to jail.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
Say, oh no, not Ralph.
Speaker 5 (15:51):
He couldn't stand.
Speaker 6 (15:52):
Please Tom, Please, he's so young. He didn't realize what
he was doing.
Speaker 2 (15:55):
I don't go to jail.
Speaker 5 (15:56):
Maybe they'll teach him that the world wasn't made for
him alone.
Speaker 6 (15:58):
You don't mean that time, don't.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
I know?
Speaker 5 (16:01):
He was no good on the first day he came here,
and that snip of Averia is worse.
Speaker 2 (16:04):
She probably put him up.
Speaker 6 (16:05):
Please, helpless Tom, Please, I wouldn't.
Speaker 5 (16:07):
Give a damn to help him keep along in jail
as far as I'm concerned, that's just where you're.
Speaker 10 (16:11):
God Top, Please to listen to me, oh, Ralph, he refused,
he won't help.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
I heard him a stingial cray and he doesn't like me.
Speaker 6 (16:27):
Eh, he should know what I think about him. I
could stick a knife between his ribs and.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
Well, yeah, he really could.
Speaker 6 (16:38):
Yes, what do you saying? What are you thinking?
Speaker 2 (16:42):
Nothing? Mother, Nothing, I'm just thinking Tom has been very
good healthy. You ought to be careful about those rages.
He's likely to die in one of those spells.
Speaker 6 (16:51):
Yes, that would be too bad.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
Has Tom any living relative? No? I hope for your sake, mother,
did he he's kept up in that insurance policy he has?
But her how much was there? Fifty thousand, wasn't he?
Speaker 6 (17:07):
Yes, that's a lot of money. Oh, but we mustn't
talk like this. Mother would feel terrible if if Tom
should After all he's her husband. She loves him. Yes, yes,
of course.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
You'll have to face it sooner or later. He's getting
along years.
Speaker 6 (17:27):
On the other hand, he may live a long time yet,
who knows.
Speaker 2 (17:31):
Yeah, yeah, I'd be afraid of that Miller.
Speaker 8 (17:34):
After the threats we heard him me Ralph Darling, I yes, mother,
what are you going to say?
Speaker 6 (17:42):
Nothing? I wasn't going to say anything.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
Come on, Via, let's get our things out of the car.
Speaker 3 (17:55):
Arm goes into town and arranges for the eviction papers
to be served on Miller. He returns late that evening
and goes straight to bed. The night passes and morning comes. Tom,
being an outdoor man, is usually up before sunrise, but
this morning only Mary, Ralph, and Via appear for breakfast. Finally, Mary,
(18:18):
becoming worried, goes to Tom's rooman knocks.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
He does not answer.
Speaker 3 (18:23):
She opens the door and screams in horror. They're on
the bed lies. Tom's kept in the heart.
Speaker 11 (18:33):
Well, he's indid since about midnight. Midroom window was open,
But we can't find the weapon.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
Why. He probably took it with him, sheriff. Oh, that
fellow Miller, he must have done it. How do you
know that, Wally?
Speaker 8 (18:46):
He would say, yesterday afternoon, and he and Tom had
a terrific argument. Tom was evicting him, and Miller threatened
to kill Tom. Anybody else here and say that.
Speaker 6 (18:54):
Yes, I heard him, so did I?
Speaker 2 (18:57):
Yeah, that it looks like Miller's our man.
Speaker 11 (18:59):
We'll get over.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
They're right away before he has a chance to skip.
Speaker 6 (19:01):
Come on, Bill, Oh, Ralph, Ralph, do.
Speaker 5 (19:09):
Not you better go to your room and try to rest.
Speaker 6 (19:13):
Yes, certainly, hope they catch Miller. Do you think they
can pin it on him without any evidence?
Speaker 2 (19:22):
Certainly you heard what the sheriff said. Miller's threats all
in need. You think Miller did it? Don't you? Why?
Speaker 4 (19:30):
Of course I do? What a silly question. When the
sheriff arrives, he finds that Miller has gone. They put
out a search for him. Now Ralph is back at
(19:51):
the bank, the cage next to a third.
Speaker 2 (19:54):
Well, Ralph, they haven't found that fellow Miller yet. No,
Well I'll find Do you really think it was Miller
who killed your stepfather? Of course I do it. He
threatened to kill him. Three of us heard him.
Speaker 9 (20:08):
Well, sometimes people say things that they never mean to
carry out.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
Oh, you should have heard him. He murdered. Maybe he did,
but that doesn't mean he did it. What are you
talking about?
Speaker 9 (20:18):
Oh, I was just thinking, Yeah, circumstantial evidence is an
awful thing sometimes, what do you mean. Well, so many
people have been convicted on a mere word, a mere nothing.
People hear a person say something, and at the time
they repeated and court the enlarge on it a dozen times.
Speaker 2 (20:37):
I remember a fellow who worked here, in fact, in
your cage. What a bother.
Speaker 9 (20:42):
Well, he used to play poker quite a bit, and
one night he made a haul one four or.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
Five hundred dollars when flashing his roll around town and boasting.
So what was wrong with that? Well, he went into
the drug store and.
Speaker 9 (20:54):
Started showing off, and when the old druggists ask him
where he got all of that money, he kiddingly remarked
that he had robbed the bank. Who well had got
around and finally took on a serious tone. They checked
up here at the bank, and sure enough there was
a five hundred dollars shortage, and even though his powells
swore that he'd won it in the game, they convicted
him on his statement and sent him up.
Speaker 5 (21:18):
Maybe he did.
Speaker 2 (21:18):
Still, he had the opportunity I have and you have. Yeah, Well,
is he still in the pan? No, he was lucky.
He got out after five years. Huh how did he
get He was exonerated. Another teller confessed to it later,
and they sent him up and let the other kid out.
(21:40):
He was lucky five years huh.
Speaker 9 (21:43):
Yep, it's a long time. It'd be a shame if
Miller were convicted in the same way and then they
later found out that he was innocent, wouldn't it he ever?
Speaker 2 (21:55):
Oh, he did it. He had the motive, the opportunity.
He said he'd do it. Well, he may not have
been the only one with the motive. It's after three.
I'm gonna run along, see you in the morning. Curve
so long.
Speaker 3 (22:15):
Ralph grabs his hat and his face tense with anxiety
as he hurries down the street to his car. He
drives quickly to the ranch and enters the house. Standing
in the middle of the room is the sheriff.
Speaker 2 (22:27):
Hello, Ralf, you're just in time, in time? How long
have you been here? Just drove ve a second before
you did? Well, what do you want? Did you find Miller?
Speaker 5 (22:36):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (22:37):
Not jed, but they well, well, you certainly got a
case against them all. Right, he won't have a chance.
I wanted to ask you and your mother and your
wife a few more questions. Yeah, well, all right, what
do you want to know?
Speaker 11 (22:52):
We got a message and someone in town saying that
Miller was seen at the gas station about seven o'clock
on the night Tom Bradford was killed.
Speaker 2 (23:00):
Wow, so what maybe was They checked with the attendant.
Speaker 11 (23:04):
He said Miller had his car packed, had his family
and headed out of town in the opposite direction.
Speaker 2 (23:10):
Oh, maybe he circled around and then came back.
Speaker 11 (23:13):
No, no, no, he couldn't have done that. Why not
because he wouldn't have had time. He was seen in
the next town an hour later, still headed east. He
wouldn't have had time to get that far if he'd
circle back here, see what I mean?
Speaker 2 (23:27):
Yeah, yeah, I see.
Speaker 11 (23:29):
But he must have come back, not unless he flew
and that isn't probable.
Speaker 6 (23:34):
But there must be some explanation. He must have gotten
here some way. Maybe he killed him earlier. Maybe that's
that's right.
Speaker 11 (23:41):
No, no, no, we can figure the time of death
closer than that. It was near midnight, that's definite.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
I see. Well who told you about this? Who sent
you this message?
Speaker 11 (23:50):
We we don't know it was printed with a pencil
and mailed in town.
Speaker 2 (23:57):
Yeah, then all it said where? Oh no, no, there
was more to it. Eh what else?
Speaker 11 (24:04):
Oh, there's always cranks budding into cases like this. Amateur detectors,
they're always getting hunches, and yeah, there's seldom ever.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
Right now, I'll tell you, I'll tell you.
Speaker 6 (24:12):
Calm down, Yes, Ralph, take it easy, you darling. Don't
be so upset. It isn't good for you.
Speaker 11 (24:17):
Well, it said that the real murderer would probably be
found in the immediate household of Tom Bradford, and since
we haven't found the weapon, we might check over the house.
Speaker 2 (24:28):
The biggest bunch of nonsense I ever heard of. What
My mother loved Tom Bradford, So did I so did.
He was like a father to it.
Speaker 6 (24:34):
Please, Ralph, don't shove up.
Speaker 11 (24:36):
My partner has been looking over the place while we've
been talking. I imagine that you'll find just a minute.
Speaker 2 (24:43):
It'd be a bother you right now, but they are sure.
Speaker 11 (24:49):
Take a look at this, oh knife currently covered with blood.
That's right, I found it in missus Bradford's room.
Speaker 2 (25:00):
Man under the Memphis What how did it get there?
Speaker 11 (25:05):
Yes, yes, Missus Bradford How did it get there?
Speaker 6 (25:09):
I put it there? After it? Mother?
Speaker 2 (25:12):
What are you saying? You're out of your mind? Did
you kill your husband?
Speaker 6 (25:15):
Yes? Yes, I killed it.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
Oh she did not. She could.
Speaker 6 (25:18):
I kill him, and I had a good reason. I
hated him. He was cruel, cruel to me, and he
hated Ralph. I couldn't stand it any longer, so I
killed it.
Speaker 2 (25:25):
She didn't at all.
Speaker 11 (25:27):
We don't know I didn't do it.
Speaker 2 (25:28):
You can't do this, mother. I know what you're trying
to do. What she doing. She's trying to protect me.
She thinks I did it. I think you did it. Mother,
Do you realize what this means? Tell him the truth fell.
Speaker 6 (25:37):
I did it. I killed him, the nipist from my
own kitchen. I did it, and I'm glad he's crazy.
Speaker 2 (25:41):
She couldn't have been la because I killed him. She's
trying to protect me.
Speaker 6 (25:45):
Well, what are you saying? I did it?
Speaker 2 (25:47):
I tell you I ought to know. I had a
better motive than she. What motive? I'll tell you that later.
Speaker 11 (25:52):
I don't believe you killed him, Ralph. You're trying to
protect your mother now because you know she did it.
Speaker 6 (25:58):
I did it. I tell you I did it.
Speaker 11 (25:59):
Well for me, I believe her, but we'll soon find out.
We'll check the fingerprints on the knife.
Speaker 2 (26:04):
I won't prove why not because I used the glove.
Mother must have taken the knife from the body and
hidden it. Thinking that I've slipped off.
Speaker 11 (26:11):
That's just so much talk, and you're just shooting.
Speaker 7 (26:13):
In the dark.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
Come on, Belle, let's go back to town and do
some check it.
Speaker 3 (26:26):
The only fingerprints on the knife were Mary's, and try
as he might, Ralph could not convince them that he
wasn't trying to.
Speaker 2 (26:32):
Shield his mother.
Speaker 3 (26:34):
Ralph realized finally that his mother was sure to be convicted.
As the day of the audit grew closer, he became
frantic about the money he had to have. On the
day his mother was sentenced to prison, he visited the attorney.
Speaker 8 (26:49):
I thought i'd drop in and see about that policy
Tom Bradford left for my mother.
Speaker 2 (26:54):
Quite a few thinks to me, take care of you know.
Speaker 9 (26:56):
Well, I'll tell you al that policy would have been
paid long, but there are certain technicalities in the state
regarding insurance, but we had to wait till the finish
of the trial. Well, why she's a beneficiary, she's entitled
as insurance not here. If the beneficiary is convicted of
killing the insurance, the beneficiary cannot.
Speaker 2 (27:15):
Receive the proceeds of the policy. The same is true
as to Tom's farms and other property. Why what about me?
I'm the son. There are no others. You were not the.
Speaker 9 (27:24):
Blood kid to Tom Bradford, and you were not legally adopted.
Therefore all the property and the insurance reverts to Tom's estate.
Speaker 2 (27:33):
Nothing we can do about it.
Speaker 3 (27:40):
Well, Ralph, there you are holding the bag. Now you've
got to face the music at the bank. With all
your scheming, nothing was gained. You plan to kill Tom
and blame it on Miller instead after your mother upset
and she killed him because she wanted to keep you
from doing it.
Speaker 4 (28:01):
That's what you believe, Ralph, But you're wrong. I know
your mother didn't do it.
Speaker 3 (28:07):
She found the body and removed the knife, thinking you'd
slipped up.
Speaker 6 (28:11):
It was your dear little wife.
Speaker 4 (28:13):
Vera who did it, and she'll never tell, but she'll
pay for it later.
Speaker 2 (28:21):
I know.
Speaker 1 (28:45):
CPS has presented the Whistler. Original music for this production
was composed and conducted by Wilbur Hatch. Whistler has written
and directed by Ja Donald Wilson and originates from Columbia
Square in Hollywood.
Speaker 3 (29:08):
I the whistler will returned to tell you another interesting tale.
Speaker 2 (29:14):
Good night.
Speaker 1 (29:16):
This is their Columbia Broadcasting System.
Wait a minute, have you heard the strange tales of
the whistler.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
I'm the whistler. I didn't steal the money. I just
want to use it for a few days. I'm going
to put it back. Things went wrong. That is going
to be a change of ownership. That means an early.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
Audit Sunday night, and again CBS presents the Whistler.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
I the whistler know many things, for I walk by night.
I know many strange tales, many secrets hidden in the
hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadows.
And so I tell you tonight. The Tale of the
Accounting Tom Bradford is a middle aged rancher living a
(01:10):
few miles out of town. Tom has married a widow
with a grown son named Ralph, who is inclined to
be shiftless and lazy. Tom resents this because times are
difficult and he's short of help. He further resents the
fact that the boy has married a girl from the
town and brought her to live with him.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
They've been here.
Speaker 4 (01:30):
For two months now, and Tom has grown crabby and unpleasant.
Speaker 5 (01:34):
You know the way conditions are. Mary just can't get
me help in this ranch is too much for me.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
To handle alone.
Speaker 6 (01:38):
I know Tom, but Ralph doesn't know anything about a ranch.
Ralph was raised in the city.
Speaker 5 (01:43):
He can learn, but he's too lazy. Only doesn't sit
around and read magazines.
Speaker 6 (01:46):
But he's a delicate sort of boy.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
He always has.
Speaker 5 (01:49):
Well, let him go out and do a little work
and he won't be so delicate. You've made a baby
out of him.
Speaker 6 (01:53):
I've done no such thing. If Ralph were able to
help you, I'd be the first one to ask him
to do it.
Speaker 5 (01:58):
The amount of tow anything you wouldn't have to be asked.
I wish the army would take him.
Speaker 6 (02:01):
Here, and they deferred him because he wasn't strong enough.
Speaker 5 (02:04):
Well, he's not too weak to do a little something
around here. That wife of his, that Vera, she's worse
than he is. She could do something. All she does
is dress herself up on baby Ralph's. She loves, never
washes a dish because it might row in her hands.
She can't cook, she can't do a thing. I don't
like her.
Speaker 6 (02:18):
I think Vera's a nice girl.
Speaker 5 (02:20):
What I can do without her her being here?
Speaker 6 (02:22):
You mean you don't want her here?
Speaker 5 (02:24):
That's exactly what I mean.
Speaker 6 (02:26):
But if she left, that would mean that why Ralph
wouldn't stay here without Vera?
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Then they can both go.
Speaker 6 (02:32):
Do you know what you're saying? Ralph is my son.
Speaker 5 (02:35):
I don't care who he is. He can get out
and shift for himself and take that steaming a little
bread of a wife with him.
Speaker 6 (02:39):
Oh, you're just upset, Tom. You'll feel different about things
in a few days. You must try to control yourself.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Mary.
Speaker 5 (02:47):
Before they came here, you and I got along very nicely.
Since they've come we've had nothing but arguments and hard feelings.
Ralph and Vera are constantly sturing up trouble. Naturally, you
take Ralph's side. You can't see his faults because you're
his mother. But the same time you're his worst enemy.
Speaker 6 (03:01):
Tom, How can you say such a thing.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
I don't know what I'm talking about, and I've made up
my mind. They've got to go go Where What will
they do?
Speaker 5 (03:07):
Ralph figured it out? Let him get a job, job?
Speaker 2 (03:09):
What can he do a lot of things?
Speaker 5 (03:11):
Is not that helpless?
Speaker 6 (03:12):
Tom? Please, you don't understand.
Speaker 5 (03:14):
I understand all right, And that's final. He and Vera
can get out in the.
Speaker 6 (03:17):
Morning, very well. I'll tell them, And perhaps I should
go too. Is that what you want?
Speaker 5 (03:23):
Oh, now, don't be ridiculous, Mary, I didn't say that.
Speaker 6 (03:25):
I thought you loved me. I never dreamed you could
be like.
Speaker 5 (03:28):
This, not being mean and Mary and I don't want
to talk about it anymore. You're going to tell him,
or shall I?
Speaker 6 (03:34):
Yes, Tom, I'll tell them very well.
Speaker 7 (03:38):
I'm very tired, but I'm Mary.
Speaker 6 (03:55):
Ralph darling mother. May I come in. Sorry to disturb
you so late, but I have to talk to you?
Speaker 2 (04:05):
And Vera. What's the matter?
Speaker 6 (04:09):
Well, I it's about Tom. What about him? Well? I
I don't know how to say it.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Say what? What's wrong with him?
Speaker 6 (04:17):
I don't know. He just isn't himself. You know how
terribly upset he's been lately. Yeah, but he doesn't understand rup.
He just doesn't understand, understand why. He doesn't understand you.
You and Vera? What's wrong with me? Nothing? Vera, it's
just Tom. He's in one of those spells. He doesn't
like anything or anybody.
Speaker 3 (04:36):
You mean he Sorah, Yes, Ralph, he's terribly upset.
Speaker 6 (04:40):
Well, he thinks you're lazy. He's angry because you won't
help him around the ranch.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Oh, that's silly. What do I know? About a ranch. Nothing.
Speaker 6 (04:47):
I told him that, but he said you could learn.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Well, I wouldn't last half a day doing this kind
of work. I'm not the time.
Speaker 6 (04:52):
He's terribly unreasonable. He refuses to see it that way.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Well, not a heck with him.
Speaker 6 (04:57):
Then I'm lazy too, Is that what he thinks? Yes,
Vera Ah, I'm terribly sorry and embarrassing.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
We aren't farming.
Speaker 8 (05:05):
I'm not gonna let Vera tend those confounded chickens, and
I'm not gonna milk any cows.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
What do you think I am?
Speaker 6 (05:09):
Please, Ralph, don't get excited. Well, if he feels that
way about me, I'll get out what you'll do?
Speaker 2 (05:14):
No such thing. We'll stay right here, and I get
ready to.
Speaker 6 (05:16):
Leave, Ralph, darling Tom wants you to leave in the morning.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Why, Well, of all the nerve, this is your house tour,
isn't ye?
Speaker 6 (05:24):
But Ralph, if you stay here, you'll have to work,
and I don't want you to have to do that.
You couldn't stand it. It wouldn't be good for you.
You mean you want us to leave? No, I don't
want you to. But I've thought it all over, and
I think you'd better go into town. But don't worry.
I'll see that you get along all right.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
How well, I'll have to get a job.
Speaker 6 (05:44):
Well, maybe you can find something to do, something light.
Speaker 5 (05:48):
What a fine man.
Speaker 6 (05:50):
I'm sorry, darling, but you better go in the morning. Go.
I wouldn't stay around here another day.
Speaker 8 (05:57):
Well, I know, bookkeeping. Maybe I a job in the
bank that didn't such hard work.
Speaker 6 (06:02):
No, but don't worry, doney, I won't.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Good night.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
The next morning, after breakfast, Ralph and Vera leave the
ranch and go into town. A few days later, Ralph
obtains a job in the bank. Then, after a month
or so, he is promoted from the adding machine to
the teller's cage. Now two months more have passed in
the young teller in the next cage steps into Ralph's compartment.
Speaker 9 (06:35):
Busy Ralph, huh oh, I've just found things going all
right her.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Yeah, seemed to be having some trouble, Ralph, trouble? What
do you mean? Oh, I don't know. You looked a
little worried.
Speaker 9 (06:50):
I thought maybe you were having a bit of difficulty
making things balance.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
What do you mean now by not having any trouble?
What gave you that idea?
Speaker 9 (06:58):
Well, I've been off a few cents a couple of times.
And believe me, I know what it means. Why I've
worked all night several times trying to find what happened
to two cents? I know how it feels.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Yeah, did you find it?
Speaker 9 (07:11):
Well, I didn't find the two cents, but I found
the error in my figures. Well I haven't found the
error in my figures, haven't you. Well, that's that's good.
What would be wrong with my books? Why I didn't
say anything would be wrong? I well, I just thought
you looked a bit worried. But maybe I could help you.
I don't need any help. I'm quite able to take
(07:33):
care of my responsibilities.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
Good, glad to hear it. Uh. By the way, have
you heard the news? What news? This bank is being
taken over by a system and is to become one
of its branches.
Speaker 9 (07:45):
You know what that means, no, Watson me, it means
a complete audit before the end of this month. That
isn't very far away, about fifteen days.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Yeah. I just thought you would want everything in order.
I know I would. Yeah. Well, thanks for the information.
You're welcome, Ralph.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
For a few moments, Row stands in a stupor perspiration,
stands out in large beads on his forehead. For the
next hour, he studies over his books frantically. Then, when
closing time comes, he rushes home.
Speaker 6 (08:30):
Hello, darling, Oh, you have no idea how much I've
missed you all day? Kiss me? Yeah, what's the matter
with you?
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Nothing? Eh?
Speaker 6 (08:40):
Well, I'm certainly disappointed.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
What a bar?
Speaker 6 (08:42):
You come in like this with a long face, and
look at the lovely dinner I fixed for you.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
I'm not very hungry vera. I got a headache.
Speaker 6 (08:49):
Poor darling. You eat something and then I'll rub your
head for you.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Well, I don't want anything. Let me alone, please?
Speaker 6 (08:55):
Now, what on earth is wrong with you?
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Nothing's wrong with me? Shut up?
Speaker 6 (08:58):
How dare you talk to me like that? Who do
you think you are?
Speaker 8 (09:03):
I'm sorry, darling, I'm just upset.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
I'm all on edge. What about just my nerves?
Speaker 6 (09:09):
It's more than nerves. Why don't you tell me what's happened?
Speaker 2 (09:11):
Who said anything going to happen?
Speaker 6 (09:13):
I can tell Have you lost your job? No? Is
that telling you lost fifty dollars doing that poker game's
threatening you? Is that it?
Speaker 8 (09:22):
Looker? I'm in a spot. I don't know what to do.
That the bank is changing hands. That'll be annauted before
the end.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
Of the month.
Speaker 6 (09:30):
Well, what of it? What's that to do with the
poker player?
Speaker 2 (09:33):
Oh? Nothing, I paid him off it. But it wasn't
fifty dollars.
Speaker 6 (09:38):
It wasn't fifty What was it two thousand dollars? Two
thousand dollars.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
I didn't lose it all at once, but I tried
to make back what i'd lost. My only gotten.
Speaker 6 (09:47):
Deeper than if you lost two thousand dollars. How did
you pay it more?
Speaker 2 (09:52):
I borrowed it from the bank.
Speaker 6 (09:55):
How could you borrow two thousand dollars from the bank?
Speaker 2 (09:58):
I took it?
Speaker 6 (10:00):
What?
Speaker 2 (10:00):
Yeah, but I was sure I could put it back
before the end of the month.
Speaker 8 (10:04):
No, I'm worried. I don't know what to do. I
don't put it back before the audit. I'll get caught
and sent the prison.
Speaker 6 (10:09):
Where are we going to get two thousand dollars?
Speaker 2 (10:11):
I don't know, but there must be some way, someplace
to get it.
Speaker 6 (10:15):
How about your mother, she'd give it to you. Tom
has money.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
He doesn't like us.
Speaker 6 (10:21):
No, well maybe we could make him like us. Least
we could try. Let's drive over there. This is Saturday
afternoon and next Monday is a legal holiday. Let's drive
over and see what we can do.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
All right, At least we can do is try we'll go.
Speaker 3 (10:48):
Ralph and Via drive to the ranch and as they
go up to the porch, they hear Tom arguing in
a loud voice with another man just around the corner
of the house. They slipped to the edge of the
porch and listen.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
All right, I'll tell you what I'm gonna do.
Speaker 5 (11:02):
I've given you all the time a canduler.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
You've been on that use of lamp for two years now.
Speaker 5 (11:06):
And you haven't paid a dollar.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
Be on the down paper.
Speaker 6 (11:08):
I've tied my best to make it pay. I've worked harm,
you have done a thing. You know what you are.
You're just one of those lazy subsistence farmers just.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
Growing up to eat and let it go at that.
Speaker 6 (11:19):
That's a live wreck.
Speaker 5 (11:20):
Oh, I'm foreclosing tomorrow.
Speaker 4 (11:23):
There's a lot of money tied up in that landa
and I need it or so every cent I have
is there.
Speaker 6 (11:27):
I want you.
Speaker 5 (11:28):
Out of there by tomorrow.
Speaker 6 (11:29):
But look here, my wife is sick. I can't leave. No,
I won't, Oh can't won't you?
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Well you better be at my noon, right or you
got tired. I guess it's soon three years.
Speaker 6 (11:41):
Look at you? What did you.
Speaker 7 (11:44):
Get out there?
Speaker 2 (11:46):
I'll go, I'll go, but you just remember what I think? Wow,
what do you think of that?
Speaker 6 (11:54):
Come on, let's go on in and talk to your mother.
Speaker 2 (11:57):
Tom's gonna have a stroke one of these days. Even
warned about those fits of temper.
Speaker 6 (12:04):
Might be a good thing for everybody if something did
happen to him.
Speaker 2 (12:07):
Yeah, maybe so.
Speaker 6 (12:10):
Oh hello, Ralph Darling. I didn't expect you down today.
He has an extra day off, so we thought we'd
come down.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
Do you hear Tom arguing that Philip Millo just now?
Speaker 6 (12:20):
Yes? I heard them.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
Tom better I play around with Mellie's a tough looking customer.
Speaker 6 (12:25):
Tom gets worse every day. He ransom raised at the
least little thing. Hasn't spoken to me civilly for weeks.
I can't stand it here any longer. I'm glad you came,
because I'm going back with you, going back leaving Tom.
I've got to he's unfair.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
You can't leave him, That is not just now? Why
not You've got to put up with him for a
while longer, Because.
Speaker 6 (12:44):
Why don't you tell her? Ralph? Ralph what is it?
What's happened? Ralph is in trouble. He needs some money, Darling,
what's happened? Tell mother?
Speaker 8 (12:54):
I borrowed some money from the bank. I have to
pay it back before the end of the month.
Speaker 2 (12:59):
How much two thousand dollars?
Speaker 6 (13:01):
What? Good heavens Well, if you can't pay it back now,
they'll have to extend it. They can't do anything else.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
Oh, yes they can.
Speaker 6 (13:09):
I'll send him to jail.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
He is here. They didn't know I'm borrowed, Ralph.
Speaker 6 (13:14):
Darling, you mean you stole it?
Speaker 2 (13:16):
No, I didn't steal it. I was just wondering for
a few days.
Speaker 8 (13:20):
I was going to pay it back, but things went wrong,
and now there's going to be a change of ownership.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
That means an added He's got.
Speaker 6 (13:26):
To have the money right away. But what can I do?
I haven't anything.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
You've got to get it from Tom.
Speaker 6 (13:30):
You've got your Tom needs every cent he has to
hold on to this place. Well, you can ask him.
You've got to do something. Do you want Ralph to
go to the penitentiary? Good heavens No, And hurry up
and top to him. But huh, what'll I say?
Speaker 2 (13:43):
Oh, you'll think of something. Go on in and talk
to him.
Speaker 6 (13:45):
But do you think this is the time.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
I'm desperate? I need that money in one way or another.
I'm going to get it.
Speaker 6 (13:50):
Oh, yes, yes, darling. Don't get excited. It isn't good
for you. Oh I'll talk to him now. He just
came in the back way. We'll wait in here here, sir.
Oh Tom, look at your face, it's flaming red. You
shouldn't let yourself get so worked up over things.
Speaker 5 (14:10):
Melissa lady good for nothing. Fool knows I mean business.
He'd better be gone by tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
No, she'll go.
Speaker 6 (14:17):
Don't worry.
Speaker 5 (14:19):
You can threaten to kill me.
Speaker 6 (14:20):
Please, Tom, forget about it. Come on this, sit down,
your lunch is ready.
Speaker 5 (14:24):
Don't really need that land, just that I can't tolerate shiftless,
irresponsible people and places worth five thousand dollars. Miller paid
seven hundred and fifty down but on a two years
and hasn't made a dime since.
Speaker 6 (14:36):
Tom, Dear, I I need some money.
Speaker 5 (14:40):
Eh, well, that's not unusual.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
Hand me the check book.
Speaker 5 (14:44):
By the way, I've got a list of things you
can get from me in town.
Speaker 6 (14:47):
How much do you want, Mary, I want to borrow
some money, Tom.
Speaker 5 (14:51):
This wonder you have to borrow money?
Speaker 6 (14:52):
Well, I want to borrow it.
Speaker 5 (14:54):
What's ridiculous borrow it?
Speaker 2 (14:55):
Eh? How much do you want? Two thousand dollars? Are
you crazy?
Speaker 6 (15:02):
No, Tom, I need two thousand dollars.
Speaker 5 (15:04):
You possibly need? It would cost that much. You certainly
have everything that Wait a minute, what are you getting
that married?
Speaker 6 (15:12):
Please? Tom, please lend it to me. I'll pay it back,
I promise.
Speaker 5 (15:14):
How just how would you pay it back? You have
no earning capacity?
Speaker 6 (15:17):
Well, I know, but but Ralph has he cried?
Speaker 5 (15:21):
I thought it was something like that, but he got
up asleep.
Speaker 6 (15:23):
He needs two thousand right away?
Speaker 2 (15:25):
Oh he does? Well? What for what she does?
Speaker 5 (15:27):
Why?
Speaker 6 (15:27):
Nothing? But he has an opportunity to Well, it's a
business proposition.
Speaker 5 (15:31):
Do you expect me to believe that? What's he done
something at the bank? He well quit starling. Did he
borrow from the bank and forget to tell them about it?
Speaker 6 (15:41):
Yes? Oh, Tom, please please let me have it. They
might send him to jail.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
Say, oh no, not Ralph.
Speaker 5 (15:51):
He couldn't stand.
Speaker 6 (15:52):
Please Tom, Please, he's so young. He didn't realize what
he was doing.
Speaker 2 (15:55):
I don't go to jail.
Speaker 5 (15:56):
Maybe they'll teach him that the world wasn't made for
him alone.
Speaker 6 (15:58):
You don't mean that time, don't.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
I know?
Speaker 5 (16:01):
He was no good on the first day he came here,
and that snip of Averia is worse.
Speaker 2 (16:04):
She probably put him up.
Speaker 6 (16:05):
Please, helpless Tom, Please, I wouldn't.
Speaker 5 (16:07):
Give a damn to help him keep along in jail
as far as I'm concerned, that's just where you're.
Speaker 10 (16:11):
God Top, Please to listen to me, oh, Ralph, he refused,
he won't help.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
I heard him a stingial cray and he doesn't like me.
Speaker 6 (16:27):
Eh, he should know what I think about him. I
could stick a knife between his ribs and.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
Well, yeah, he really could.
Speaker 6 (16:38):
Yes, what do you saying? What are you thinking?
Speaker 2 (16:42):
Nothing? Mother, Nothing, I'm just thinking Tom has been very
good healthy. You ought to be careful about those rages.
He's likely to die in one of those spells.
Speaker 6 (16:51):
Yes, that would be too bad.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
Has Tom any living relative? No? I hope for your sake, mother,
did he he's kept up in that insurance policy he has?
But her how much was there? Fifty thousand, wasn't he?
Speaker 6 (17:07):
Yes, that's a lot of money. Oh, but we mustn't
talk like this. Mother would feel terrible if if Tom
should After all he's her husband. She loves him. Yes, yes,
of course.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
You'll have to face it sooner or later. He's getting
along years.
Speaker 6 (17:27):
On the other hand, he may live a long time yet,
who knows.
Speaker 2 (17:31):
Yeah, yeah, I'd be afraid of that Miller.
Speaker 8 (17:34):
After the threats we heard him me Ralph Darling, I yes, mother,
what are you going to say?
Speaker 6 (17:42):
Nothing? I wasn't going to say anything.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
Come on, Via, let's get our things out of the car.
Speaker 3 (17:55):
Arm goes into town and arranges for the eviction papers
to be served on Miller. He returns late that evening
and goes straight to bed. The night passes and morning comes. Tom,
being an outdoor man, is usually up before sunrise, but
this morning only Mary, Ralph, and Via appear for breakfast. Finally, Mary,
(18:18):
becoming worried, goes to Tom's rooman knocks.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
He does not answer.
Speaker 3 (18:23):
She opens the door and screams in horror. They're on
the bed lies. Tom's kept in the heart.
Speaker 11 (18:33):
Well, he's indid since about midnight. Midroom window was open,
But we can't find the weapon.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
Why. He probably took it with him, sheriff. Oh, that
fellow Miller, he must have done it. How do you
know that, Wally?
Speaker 8 (18:46):
He would say, yesterday afternoon, and he and Tom had
a terrific argument. Tom was evicting him, and Miller threatened
to kill Tom. Anybody else here and say that.
Speaker 6 (18:54):
Yes, I heard him, so did I?
Speaker 2 (18:57):
Yeah, that it looks like Miller's our man.
Speaker 11 (18:59):
We'll get over.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
They're right away before he has a chance to skip.
Speaker 6 (19:01):
Come on, Bill, Oh, Ralph, Ralph, do.
Speaker 5 (19:09):
Not you better go to your room and try to rest.
Speaker 6 (19:13):
Yes, certainly, hope they catch Miller. Do you think they
can pin it on him without any evidence?
Speaker 2 (19:22):
Certainly you heard what the sheriff said. Miller's threats all
in need. You think Miller did it? Don't you? Why?
Speaker 4 (19:30):
Of course I do? What a silly question. When the
sheriff arrives, he finds that Miller has gone. They put
out a search for him. Now Ralph is back at
(19:51):
the bank, the cage next to a third.
Speaker 2 (19:54):
Well, Ralph, they haven't found that fellow Miller yet. No,
Well I'll find Do you really think it was Miller
who killed your stepfather? Of course I do it. He
threatened to kill him. Three of us heard him.
Speaker 9 (20:08):
Well, sometimes people say things that they never mean to
carry out.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
Oh, you should have heard him. He murdered. Maybe he did,
but that doesn't mean he did it. What are you
talking about?
Speaker 9 (20:18):
Oh, I was just thinking, Yeah, circumstantial evidence is an
awful thing sometimes, what do you mean. Well, so many
people have been convicted on a mere word, a mere nothing.
People hear a person say something, and at the time
they repeated and court the enlarge on it a dozen times.
Speaker 2 (20:37):
I remember a fellow who worked here, in fact, in
your cage. What a bother.
Speaker 9 (20:42):
Well, he used to play poker quite a bit, and
one night he made a haul one four or.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
Five hundred dollars when flashing his roll around town and boasting.
So what was wrong with that? Well, he went into
the drug store and.
Speaker 9 (20:54):
Started showing off, and when the old druggists ask him
where he got all of that money, he kiddingly remarked
that he had robbed the bank. Who well had got
around and finally took on a serious tone. They checked
up here at the bank, and sure enough there was
a five hundred dollars shortage, and even though his powells
swore that he'd won it in the game, they convicted
him on his statement and sent him up.
Speaker 5 (21:18):
Maybe he did.
Speaker 2 (21:18):
Still, he had the opportunity I have and you have. Yeah, Well,
is he still in the pan? No, he was lucky.
He got out after five years. Huh how did he
get He was exonerated. Another teller confessed to it later,
and they sent him up and let the other kid out.
(21:40):
He was lucky five years huh.
Speaker 9 (21:43):
Yep, it's a long time. It'd be a shame if
Miller were convicted in the same way and then they
later found out that he was innocent, wouldn't it he ever?
Speaker 2 (21:55):
Oh, he did it. He had the motive, the opportunity.
He said he'd do it. Well, he may not have
been the only one with the motive. It's after three.
I'm gonna run along, see you in the morning. Curve
so long.
Speaker 3 (22:15):
Ralph grabs his hat and his face tense with anxiety
as he hurries down the street to his car. He
drives quickly to the ranch and enters the house. Standing
in the middle of the room is the sheriff.
Speaker 2 (22:27):
Hello, Ralf, you're just in time, in time? How long
have you been here? Just drove ve a second before
you did? Well, what do you want? Did you find Miller?
Speaker 5 (22:36):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (22:37):
Not jed, but they well, well, you certainly got a
case against them all. Right, he won't have a chance.
I wanted to ask you and your mother and your
wife a few more questions. Yeah, well, all right, what
do you want to know?
Speaker 11 (22:52):
We got a message and someone in town saying that
Miller was seen at the gas station about seven o'clock
on the night Tom Bradford was killed.
Speaker 2 (23:00):
Wow, so what maybe was They checked with the attendant.
Speaker 11 (23:04):
He said Miller had his car packed, had his family
and headed out of town in the opposite direction.
Speaker 2 (23:10):
Oh, maybe he circled around and then came back.
Speaker 11 (23:13):
No, no, no, he couldn't have done that. Why not
because he wouldn't have had time. He was seen in
the next town an hour later, still headed east. He
wouldn't have had time to get that far if he'd
circle back here, see what I mean?
Speaker 2 (23:27):
Yeah, yeah, I see.
Speaker 11 (23:29):
But he must have come back, not unless he flew
and that isn't probable.
Speaker 6 (23:34):
But there must be some explanation. He must have gotten
here some way. Maybe he killed him earlier. Maybe that's
that's right.
Speaker 11 (23:41):
No, no, no, we can figure the time of death
closer than that. It was near midnight, that's definite.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
I see. Well who told you about this? Who sent
you this message?
Speaker 11 (23:50):
We we don't know it was printed with a pencil
and mailed in town.
Speaker 2 (23:57):
Yeah, then all it said where? Oh no, no, there
was more to it. Eh what else?
Speaker 11 (24:04):
Oh, there's always cranks budding into cases like this. Amateur detectors,
they're always getting hunches, and yeah, there's seldom ever.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
Right now, I'll tell you, I'll tell you.
Speaker 6 (24:12):
Calm down, Yes, Ralph, take it easy, you darling. Don't
be so upset. It isn't good for you.
Speaker 11 (24:17):
Well, it said that the real murderer would probably be
found in the immediate household of Tom Bradford, and since
we haven't found the weapon, we might check over the house.
Speaker 2 (24:28):
The biggest bunch of nonsense I ever heard of. What
My mother loved Tom Bradford, So did I so did.
He was like a father to it.
Speaker 6 (24:34):
Please, Ralph, don't shove up.
Speaker 11 (24:36):
My partner has been looking over the place while we've
been talking. I imagine that you'll find just a minute.
Speaker 2 (24:43):
It'd be a bother you right now, but they are sure.
Speaker 11 (24:49):
Take a look at this, oh knife currently covered with blood.
That's right, I found it in missus Bradford's room.
Speaker 2 (25:00):
Man under the Memphis What how did it get there?
Speaker 11 (25:05):
Yes, yes, Missus Bradford How did it get there?
Speaker 6 (25:09):
I put it there? After it? Mother?
Speaker 2 (25:12):
What are you saying? You're out of your mind? Did
you kill your husband?
Speaker 6 (25:15):
Yes? Yes, I killed it.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
Oh she did not. She could.
Speaker 6 (25:18):
I kill him, and I had a good reason. I
hated him. He was cruel, cruel to me, and he
hated Ralph. I couldn't stand it any longer, so I
killed it.
Speaker 2 (25:25):
She didn't at all.
Speaker 11 (25:27):
We don't know I didn't do it.
Speaker 2 (25:28):
You can't do this, mother. I know what you're trying
to do. What she doing. She's trying to protect me.
She thinks I did it. I think you did it. Mother,
Do you realize what this means? Tell him the truth fell.
Speaker 6 (25:37):
I did it. I killed him, the nipist from my
own kitchen. I did it, and I'm glad he's crazy.
Speaker 2 (25:41):
She couldn't have been la because I killed him. She's
trying to protect me.
Speaker 6 (25:45):
Well, what are you saying? I did it?
Speaker 2 (25:47):
I tell you I ought to know. I had a
better motive than she. What motive? I'll tell you that later.
Speaker 11 (25:52):
I don't believe you killed him, Ralph. You're trying to
protect your mother now because you know she did it.
Speaker 6 (25:58):
I did it. I tell you I did it.
Speaker 11 (25:59):
Well for me, I believe her, but we'll soon find out.
We'll check the fingerprints on the knife.
Speaker 2 (26:04):
I won't prove why not because I used the glove.
Mother must have taken the knife from the body and
hidden it. Thinking that I've slipped off.
Speaker 11 (26:11):
That's just so much talk, and you're just shooting.
Speaker 7 (26:13):
In the dark.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
Come on, Belle, let's go back to town and do
some check it.
Speaker 3 (26:26):
The only fingerprints on the knife were Mary's, and try
as he might, Ralph could not convince them that he
wasn't trying to.
Speaker 2 (26:32):
Shield his mother.
Speaker 3 (26:34):
Ralph realized finally that his mother was sure to be convicted.
As the day of the audit grew closer, he became
frantic about the money he had to have. On the
day his mother was sentenced to prison, he visited the attorney.
Speaker 8 (26:49):
I thought i'd drop in and see about that policy
Tom Bradford left for my mother.
Speaker 2 (26:54):
Quite a few thinks to me, take care of you know.
Speaker 9 (26:56):
Well, I'll tell you al that policy would have been
paid long, but there are certain technicalities in the state
regarding insurance, but we had to wait till the finish
of the trial. Well, why she's a beneficiary, she's entitled
as insurance not here. If the beneficiary is convicted of
killing the insurance, the beneficiary cannot.
Speaker 2 (27:15):
Receive the proceeds of the policy. The same is true
as to Tom's farms and other property. Why what about me?
I'm the son. There are no others. You were not the.
Speaker 9 (27:24):
Blood kid to Tom Bradford, and you were not legally adopted.
Therefore all the property and the insurance reverts to Tom's estate.
Speaker 2 (27:33):
Nothing we can do about it.
Speaker 3 (27:40):
Well, Ralph, there you are holding the bag. Now you've
got to face the music at the bank. With all
your scheming, nothing was gained. You plan to kill Tom
and blame it on Miller instead after your mother upset
and she killed him because she wanted to keep you
from doing it.
Speaker 4 (28:01):
That's what you believe, Ralph, But you're wrong. I know
your mother didn't do it.
Speaker 3 (28:07):
She found the body and removed the knife, thinking you'd
slipped up.
Speaker 6 (28:11):
It was your dear little wife.
Speaker 4 (28:13):
Vera who did it, and she'll never tell, but she'll
pay for it later.
Speaker 2 (28:21):
I know.
Speaker 1 (28:45):
CPS has presented the Whistler. Original music for this production
was composed and conducted by Wilbur Hatch. Whistler has written
and directed by Ja Donald Wilson and originates from Columbia
Square in Hollywood.
Speaker 3 (29:08):
I the whistler will returned to tell you another interesting tale.
Speaker 2 (29:14):
Good night.
Speaker 1 (29:16):
This is their Columbia Broadcasting System.
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