August 23, 2025 • 23 mins
Have Gun Will Travel was a popular western radio drama series that ran from 1958 to 1960. It debuted as a television series in 1957 and was one of only a few American television programs that paved the way for a radio version. Although the radio show initially featured stories adapted from television, many of the 106 radio episodes were original stories. The stories follow the adventures of Paladin, played by John Dehner.
Hope you enjoy this episode of Have Gun Will Travel! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube
Hope you enjoy this episode of Have Gun Will Travel! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
There are a lot of people who are right to
tear you down. All they need is a good enough reason.
I'm going to give.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Them that reason.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
Have gone, We'll travel, starring mister John Dayner as Paladin,
San Francisco, eighteen seventy five, The Carlton Hotel, headquarters of.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
A man called Paladin. Hey boy, Oh he's a parody.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Oh I did not see you sitting there, Hey boy?
Think you up in room playing chess? Why are you
down here?
Speaker 2 (01:08):
I'm waiting for my carriage.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
Carriage?
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Oh no, oh my no, yes? And where have you
been the last two hours?
Speaker 3 (01:17):
Oh? I get carriage right away.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
No, wait a minute, hey boy, it's already been taken
care of. It'll be here in a few minutes. Would
you mind taking this bag out for me?
Speaker 3 (01:26):
Oh my, please forgive me some paraty. Hey boy, forget
you leave this afternoon?
Speaker 2 (01:31):
Or where have you been?
Speaker 3 (01:33):
Oh? They have trouble up on four to four, missi
Wong ask hey boy for help and I'll take back
out to front court.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
Now, Miss Wong, I knew I shouldn't have asked. Well,
we better get out.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
There there, he thought, Hey, what the name of this
place you go to in Colorado territories.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
At least you remembered it was Colorado. The town's called
all ben Ah, nice place. I don't know, I've never
been there before. I'll let you know when I get back.
This is the cold season. What do medical authorities say
(02:17):
about the common cold? Doctors tell us there's no known
drug which will cure a cold. There are effective medications
for treating complications accompanying or following a cold. If you've
been taking sensible precautions and still have one cold after another,
it's best to see your doctor. And here's another important
health tip. When you have a cold and need a laxative,
that's the time to rely on gentle x slax. Pleasant tasting,
(02:40):
chocolated x slax helps you towards your normal regularity gently overnight.
Xlax gets along with any coal remedies you may be taking,
and xlax works where nature wants in the lower track,
not the stomach. Taken at bedtime, xlax won't disturb sleep,
gives you the closest thing to natural action. The next morning,
you're well on your way towards your normal regularity without
(03:01):
upset or discomfort. So when you have a cold and
need a laxative. Take x lax, the laxative you can
use with complete confidence. X lax helps you towards your
normal regularity gently overnight x lax. A man named Iras
(03:22):
Stokes had asked me to come to alder Ben. He
hadn't disclosed the nature of my assignment, but since he
had offered me one thousand dollars, I thought the least
I could do was make the trip.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
It was early in the morning and.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
The main street was empty as I rode through to
the Livery stable at the far end of town. Just
outside the stable door was a giant of a man
standing with his feet apart and his huge body braced
as he methodically lashed out with a whip at a
thoroughbred bay tied to the hitch rack.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
I dismounted and hurried toward him. Stop that, what do
you think you're doing? Ice had you stopping? Lemme cluk
you whoever you are. I don't take to no one
appeared in my business. I don't take anyone beating a horse.
This horse and me are gonna get along. Geest fine
as soon as he learns who is you? Raised that which?
(04:08):
Once more and I'll use nobody talks to me like that,
I'll raise it. No, you don't just give me that
to me? Now, I suppose you just move on. You're
new here, mister. What's that got to do with? This
is my town. Nobody pushes me around. I wasn't planning
(04:29):
to stay too long if I was you. Hey, mister,
you know who that is.
Speaker 4 (04:41):
I don't much care that there's Irish Stokes, Iris Stokes.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
M you wanna board your horse? Are you gonna be
here long?
Speaker 1 (04:52):
Well, under the circumstances, I don't think so. Even before
I received my assignment, that appeared that my business and
all her ben was finished. However, I felt an obligation,
or maybe just a curiosity, to show up at the
Stokes ranch at the appointed time. Just inside the main
(05:13):
gate there was a very pretty woman working in a
flower bed. She glanced up at me as I rode by.
I told her I was looking for Iras Stokes, and
without speaking, she pointed towards the barn and quickly turned away.
I rode on through the grounds. Who, mister Stokes, how
(05:35):
are you doing here? You sent for me?
Speaker 4 (05:38):
What are you talking about? My name is Paladin, your palette?
You had a job for me?
Speaker 2 (05:46):
Well, you ain't the man for the job. Yup, you
may be right. I second thought, maybe you art that
and thatn't want to hold a grudge if a.
Speaker 4 (05:54):
Man's useful to me? And what's the job I got
a man I want you to kill. I'm not a
hired killer.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Worth a thousand dollars to me if a certain man
wasn't in my way anymore? Sorry? Two thousand not interested?
Three oh, govern man's got his price? What's yours? Mister Stokes?
Why is it worth three thousand dollars to you to
have a man killed? My method method in one way
to tame a horse, or a woman or a town.
(06:24):
Let him know whose boss? And this works. It never fails.
And I've got my horses and my woman pretty well
in line, and excepting for one man, I could have
this town where it should be. But since this man
won't get smart, I got to get rid of him.
Now you take a job.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
Nope, I'm not a hired killer, mister Stokes.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Ooh, good day man, Thank you for your directions.
Speaker 5 (07:01):
I are you, mister Paladin?
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Yes?
Speaker 5 (07:04):
Is he where he can see me?
Speaker 2 (07:06):
No? No, he's on the other side of the barn.
Speaker 5 (07:08):
I'm lea Stokes, mister Peladin, don't do it.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
Don't do one kill Carl Well. I have no intention
of killing anyone. But who is Karl Carl Nielsen is?
Speaker 1 (07:18):
See?
Speaker 5 (07:18):
I know that's why my husband sent for you.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Oh no, no, I didn't accept this proposition, Missus Stokes.
Oh oh that's good, Carl decent. Oh you must excuse me,
mister Peladin.
Speaker 5 (07:32):
I mustn't see me talking to you.
Speaker 6 (07:51):
I am smoking more now, but enjoying it least.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
I'm a real singer.
Speaker 6 (07:56):
Rat makes the very best.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
Have a real cigaret, have a camel. How you're looking
for flavor and.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
Mildness, have a real cigarett, have camel.
Speaker 4 (08:12):
The best tobacco makes the very best.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Have a real cigarette, a real cigarettor a real cigarett,
have came. If you're smoking more today but enjoying it less,
try camels. The camel blend of cost the Turkish and
domestic tobaccos has never been equal for rich flavor, easygoing mildness,
real smoking satisfaction every time you light up. The best
(08:39):
tobacco makes the best smoke. Have a real cigarette, a
real cigarettor a real cincre rector have camel.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
Apparently Leah Stokes had learned who was boss and could
more than likely learn it the hard way.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
I rode back into.
Speaker 1 (09:01):
All that Bend and I felt very sorry for the
town that, except for one man, was ready to knuckle
under to Irish Stokes.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
And I wish that.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
One man, wherever he was, a long and abundant life.
As I started into my hotel, I noticed an office
building directly across the street. The lettering on the window
read Carl Neilson, Attorney at law. I decided to pay
him a visit. Uh you, mister Nielsen, Yes, sir, what
(09:32):
can I do for you? My name is Paladin. Sit down,
thank you? Eh, my card have gun, will travel, Thank
you very much.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
I don't need any right now.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
No, no, I'm not soliciting in business. I have a job,
and that is there's a job I could have if
I wanted it. Oh, yes, I could make three thousand dollars.
It sounds like a good All I'd have to do
is kill you. I see, Iras Stokes. You don't seem
too surprised.
Speaker 4 (10:08):
No, I somehow felt this was his next move. What's
behind this, mister Nielsen? Yeah, Iirah had a pretty good
thing going until I set up shop here.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
Oh, Older Bend has gone.
Speaker 4 (10:19):
Through a real tough period since the bottom fell out
of the cattle market. Most people have barely managed to
hang on. But once that railroad gets through, it's going
to be different. Property around here is gonna be worth something.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
Yes, I have seen it happen.
Speaker 4 (10:32):
Stokes was grabbing up every piece of land he could
lay his dirty hands to, and most of it he
fleeced from the people with one crooked trick or another.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
How could he get away with them? These ranchers don't
have business heads. They don't know their rights. Never read
the fine print.
Speaker 4 (10:47):
Well, I've been reading it for them, giving free legal
advice to anybody who wants it.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
H Well, what do you get out of it? Just
one thing, satisfaction. I was raised in Older Bend.
Speaker 4 (10:59):
The towns a better shake than it had gad If
Stokes had the control he's after.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Well, Niels and.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
I am leaving in the morning. Maybe the next man
who comes along will need three thousand dollars more than
I do, so watch it, Thanks Paladin. After dinner, I
tried the one saloon open in town. There were two
old men at a table in the far corner playing
a game of cribbage.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
I was the only other customer.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
I had a beer, went back to my hotel, but
I couldn't sleep, so I read a copy of Pilgrim's
Progress somebody had left on the bedstand.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
Then I paced the room, looked out of the window.
Speaker 1 (11:41):
Tom was silent, dark except for the one light that
shone from Nielsen's office, and I decided to go see him.
As I started across the street, I heard a shot,
muffled and indistinct, and then I saw the crouched figure
of a man run into the blackness between the buildings.
Speaker 6 (11:56):
Here you stop, stop, I say, ah, Nielsen, Nielsen, Carl, Oh.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
Hey, what's going on in there? Mister Nielsen? He's been shot? Hey,
why do you run it? Come on back here.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
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(13:23):
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I shot had awakened the town, but there was no
time for explanations. I felt sure that when i'd fired,
(13:46):
i'd hit the man, but he kept on going. I
took note of his direction and knew was time on
my side I could head him off, So I ran
to the livery. The stable hand was asleep on a
cot in the corner.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
Hey you, hey, come on, wake up? What's that? Come on?
Come on, come on, I need my horse. Huh, my horse, hurry,
I have to get out of here. God wants somewhere.
Come on im here here he is this stall? Now
where' you hang my saddle? You just move? There's been
(14:21):
a shooting. I don't have any time to waste shooting.
Just get my bridle down, will you? But says, oh,
never mind, Just all right, now you get my sidle
and hurry, will you? My boy? Keep your head down?
All right? You're covered, so don't give us no trouble, Sheriff.
This man come in here waking me up, talking about
a shooting, and like how he has to get out fast? Yeah,
(14:42):
I know, Charlie, stand back. We got him now, all right, stranger,
just get them hands out and don't try anything. Hey,
what's the matter with you? Don't you realize that Nielsen's
been shot here? We know? But the man who shot
him will get away, No, he won't. We got him
and we got him really good. Come on, let's have
that gun you'd done the dirty work with now, look sheriff,
(15:05):
let's go. Here's your breakfast, thank you, Uh, sheriff.
Speaker 4 (15:26):
Yeah, I want to talk to you. What about You've
got the wrong man locked up?
Speaker 2 (15:33):
Look, stranger, I've been in this business thirty years. If
I had a nickel for every time, somebody behind them
bars had told me that I'd be a rich man.
But what are you charging me with? Well, it's liable
to be murdered. How's Nielsen? He ain't good? He must
have seen the man who shot him. He could clear
me yes, and ain't talking to you right now. And
(15:54):
it's a chancy thing. Whoever he ever talks again.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
Sheriff, the man who shot Nielsen has my bulletin him.
I could have trailed him last night.
Speaker 2 (16:01):
We caught you, did the rights, you shot him and
your getaway didn't work out. People like you Wallis crossed
themselves up sooner or later. So why don't you just
shut up and take what's coming to you done? Just
what is that? Oh, we'll allow you all your rights
by law. Circuit judge due to show up here another
month or two, another month and we'll get up a jury.
People here in town. The one thing you might as
(16:23):
well know, Carl was born and raised here. An alder
Bend is mighty proud of him. Folks. Ain't going to
show much mercy to anybody that did him harm. Ah. Oh,
(16:45):
this miserable cold and my sinuses.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
Haven't you heard about dressdown dress doown decon justin tablets
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(17:12):
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Speaker 2 (17:30):
This is Drissdan. Today.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
Drisdan is widely imitated, but the exclusive Driststand formula cannot
be duplicated. There's nothing nothing like Driststand decongestin tablets. I
realized that my only hope was that Nielsen would clear me.
But three days past and he still hadn't regained consciousness.
(17:53):
My cell at a high barred window, and by standing
on my cut I could observe what went on outside.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
What I saw was disturbing.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
News of the shooting had spread, All their ben had
come to life. The street was filled with men in groups, talking,
building up hate. I'd seen it before when I was
on the other side.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
Of the bars. Alain. Yeah, regardless of how I feel
about things personally, I got my job to do here.
I don't like what's going on out there. Well, I
don't care for it myself. When men start working themselves
up into a lyncheon and only takes one little thing
to trigger him, I know that. Jeruff oh leah in here, Jariff.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
I want to talk to you.
Speaker 2 (18:36):
Well, all right, we're going to my office.
Speaker 5 (18:38):
You no, I want to talk to mister Paladin.
Speaker 2 (18:40):
Too, missus Stokes. I want you to know that I
did not shoot Carl Neilsen.
Speaker 5 (18:45):
I know you didn't shoo him, mister Paladin. Three days
I've been knowing this, knowing mister Paladin was in jail
for something he didn't do, knowing Carl Nielsen might die,
hating myself or keeping quiet but still afraid. Then this
morning I wrote, well, suddenly.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
I've just had enough.
Speaker 5 (19:03):
Suddenly I'm not afraid anymore.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
What an't you trying to say, Leah.
Speaker 5 (19:07):
Three nights ago, Ira came home with a bullet wound
on his shoulder. He told me what he'd done, and
I guess he was so sure of me, so sure
I was too afraid of him. Do you ever say anything, Sheriff,
my husband shot Carl Neilsen Ira. Yes, And I've told
all those men out there, and now I'm telling you
Iras Tookes had bullied all of us long enough. I
(19:29):
guess you'd better go out to the ranch and arrest him.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
Well, Leah, get busy with those key, Sheriff. If you're
going to arrest Stokes, I want to be there.
Speaker 1 (19:45):
Hey, Sheriff, looked like the whole seventh Cavalry was following
us out of town.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Back there, all citizens of these parts. I had to
discourage you. Some trailing us all the way. They felt
like you. If I was going to arrest Stokes, they
wanted to see it. I guess the town has had
enough of Ira too. Yeah, eh, Well, might as well
check the house first. He's either here in the barn.
(20:15):
What's that? I don't know. It sounds like Stokes over
there by the corral. Come on, let's go.
Speaker 7 (20:25):
But that horse is stomping him, Sheriff. I'll get the
horse away. You drag him out, all right, don't tell
easy boy.
Speaker 8 (20:39):
Who you boy? Easy boy, easy boy, sheriff.
Speaker 2 (20:58):
Stomped him to death.
Speaker 4 (21:01):
Looks like that they had enough of iral too.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
Next time you refresh, enjoy a frosty, ice cold Pepsicola sociability, Charlie.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
All right, kay, how's this? Pepsi is light, refreshes without filling.
You like to refresh? Have a pepsi right now.
Speaker 2 (21:25):
We'll offer it to everybody, Charlie. I will enjoy pepsi
at the fountain. It's delicious at home too. Have one
at lunch or with a snack, Charlie, at the beach
or at dinner. Wherever you go, wherever you're thirsty, pepsi
is there. It's here too. In our b sociable sound,
Be sociable, love talk, keep poppa stud.
Speaker 5 (21:48):
Names with sende spring, lightness, refreshing s stay here.
Speaker 2 (21:57):
Be sociable, have p for the weekend, Have plenty of
pepsi around. Pick up an extra carton today. Ce K,
I'm sociable with pepsi. Everyone is. Have gun will travel.
Speaker 1 (22:26):
Created by Herb Meto and Sam rod Is produced and
directed in Hollywood by Frank Parris, and stars John Dayner
as Kaladin, with Ben Wright as hey Boy and Virginia
greg as Miss Won. Tonight's story, especially written for Half
Gun Will Travel By and Dow featured in the cast
for Anne Morrison, Lawrence Stotkin, Tim Graham, Herb Bigrin, and Victaren.
(22:47):
This is Hugh Douglass inviting you to join us again
next week when CBS Radio presents Have Gun Will Travel
(23:20):
the
There are a lot of people who are right to
tear you down. All they need is a good enough reason.
I'm going to give.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Them that reason.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
Have gone, We'll travel, starring mister John Dayner as Paladin,
San Francisco, eighteen seventy five, The Carlton Hotel, headquarters of.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
A man called Paladin. Hey boy, Oh he's a parody.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Oh I did not see you sitting there, Hey boy?
Think you up in room playing chess? Why are you
down here?
Speaker 2 (01:08):
I'm waiting for my carriage.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
Carriage?
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Oh no, oh my no, yes? And where have you
been the last two hours?
Speaker 3 (01:17):
Oh? I get carriage right away.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
No, wait a minute, hey boy, it's already been taken
care of. It'll be here in a few minutes. Would
you mind taking this bag out for me?
Speaker 3 (01:26):
Oh my, please forgive me some paraty. Hey boy, forget
you leave this afternoon?
Speaker 2 (01:31):
Or where have you been?
Speaker 3 (01:33):
Oh? They have trouble up on four to four, missi
Wong ask hey boy for help and I'll take back
out to front court.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
Now, Miss Wong, I knew I shouldn't have asked. Well,
we better get out.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
There there, he thought, Hey, what the name of this
place you go to in Colorado territories.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
At least you remembered it was Colorado. The town's called
all ben Ah, nice place. I don't know, I've never
been there before. I'll let you know when I get back.
This is the cold season. What do medical authorities say
(02:17):
about the common cold? Doctors tell us there's no known
drug which will cure a cold. There are effective medications
for treating complications accompanying or following a cold. If you've
been taking sensible precautions and still have one cold after another,
it's best to see your doctor. And here's another important
health tip. When you have a cold and need a laxative,
that's the time to rely on gentle x slax. Pleasant tasting,
(02:40):
chocolated x slax helps you towards your normal regularity gently overnight.
Xlax gets along with any coal remedies you may be taking,
and xlax works where nature wants in the lower track,
not the stomach. Taken at bedtime, xlax won't disturb sleep,
gives you the closest thing to natural action. The next morning,
you're well on your way towards your normal regularity without
(03:01):
upset or discomfort. So when you have a cold and
need a laxative. Take x lax, the laxative you can
use with complete confidence. X lax helps you towards your
normal regularity gently overnight x lax. A man named Iras
(03:22):
Stokes had asked me to come to alder Ben. He
hadn't disclosed the nature of my assignment, but since he
had offered me one thousand dollars, I thought the least
I could do was make the trip.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
It was early in the morning and.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
The main street was empty as I rode through to
the Livery stable at the far end of town. Just
outside the stable door was a giant of a man
standing with his feet apart and his huge body braced
as he methodically lashed out with a whip at a
thoroughbred bay tied to the hitch rack.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
I dismounted and hurried toward him. Stop that, what do
you think you're doing? Ice had you stopping? Lemme cluk
you whoever you are. I don't take to no one
appeared in my business. I don't take anyone beating a horse.
This horse and me are gonna get along. Geest fine
as soon as he learns who is you? Raised that which?
(04:08):
Once more and I'll use nobody talks to me like that,
I'll raise it. No, you don't just give me that
to me? Now, I suppose you just move on. You're
new here, mister. What's that got to do with? This
is my town. Nobody pushes me around. I wasn't planning
(04:29):
to stay too long if I was you. Hey, mister,
you know who that is.
Speaker 4 (04:41):
I don't much care that there's Irish Stokes, Iris Stokes.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
M you wanna board your horse? Are you gonna be
here long?
Speaker 1 (04:52):
Well, under the circumstances, I don't think so. Even before
I received my assignment, that appeared that my business and
all her ben was finished. However, I felt an obligation,
or maybe just a curiosity, to show up at the
Stokes ranch at the appointed time. Just inside the main
(05:13):
gate there was a very pretty woman working in a
flower bed. She glanced up at me as I rode by.
I told her I was looking for Iras Stokes, and
without speaking, she pointed towards the barn and quickly turned away.
I rode on through the grounds. Who, mister Stokes, how
(05:35):
are you doing here? You sent for me?
Speaker 4 (05:38):
What are you talking about? My name is Paladin, your palette?
You had a job for me?
Speaker 2 (05:46):
Well, you ain't the man for the job. Yup, you
may be right. I second thought, maybe you art that
and thatn't want to hold a grudge if a.
Speaker 4 (05:54):
Man's useful to me? And what's the job I got
a man I want you to kill. I'm not a
hired killer.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Worth a thousand dollars to me if a certain man
wasn't in my way anymore? Sorry? Two thousand not interested?
Three oh, govern man's got his price? What's yours? Mister Stokes?
Why is it worth three thousand dollars to you to
have a man killed? My method method in one way
to tame a horse, or a woman or a town.
(06:24):
Let him know whose boss? And this works. It never fails.
And I've got my horses and my woman pretty well
in line, and excepting for one man, I could have
this town where it should be. But since this man
won't get smart, I got to get rid of him.
Now you take a job.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
Nope, I'm not a hired killer, mister Stokes.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Ooh, good day man, Thank you for your directions.
Speaker 5 (07:01):
I are you, mister Paladin?
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Yes?
Speaker 5 (07:04):
Is he where he can see me?
Speaker 2 (07:06):
No? No, he's on the other side of the barn.
Speaker 5 (07:08):
I'm lea Stokes, mister Peladin, don't do it.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
Don't do one kill Carl Well. I have no intention
of killing anyone. But who is Karl Carl Nielsen is?
Speaker 1 (07:18):
See?
Speaker 5 (07:18):
I know that's why my husband sent for you.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Oh no, no, I didn't accept this proposition, Missus Stokes.
Oh oh that's good, Carl decent. Oh you must excuse me,
mister Peladin.
Speaker 5 (07:32):
I mustn't see me talking to you.
Speaker 6 (07:51):
I am smoking more now, but enjoying it least.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
I'm a real singer.
Speaker 6 (07:56):
Rat makes the very best.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
Have a real cigaret, have a camel. How you're looking
for flavor and.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
Mildness, have a real cigarett, have camel.
Speaker 4 (08:12):
The best tobacco makes the very best.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Have a real cigarette, a real cigarettor a real cigarett,
have came. If you're smoking more today but enjoying it less,
try camels. The camel blend of cost the Turkish and
domestic tobaccos has never been equal for rich flavor, easygoing mildness,
real smoking satisfaction every time you light up. The best
(08:39):
tobacco makes the best smoke. Have a real cigarette, a
real cigarettor a real cincre rector have camel.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
Apparently Leah Stokes had learned who was boss and could
more than likely learn it the hard way.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
I rode back into.
Speaker 1 (09:01):
All that Bend and I felt very sorry for the
town that, except for one man, was ready to knuckle
under to Irish Stokes.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
And I wish that.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
One man, wherever he was, a long and abundant life.
As I started into my hotel, I noticed an office
building directly across the street. The lettering on the window
read Carl Neilson, Attorney at law. I decided to pay
him a visit. Uh you, mister Nielsen, Yes, sir, what
(09:32):
can I do for you? My name is Paladin. Sit down,
thank you? Eh, my card have gun, will travel, Thank
you very much.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
I don't need any right now.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
No, no, I'm not soliciting in business. I have a job,
and that is there's a job I could have if
I wanted it. Oh, yes, I could make three thousand dollars.
It sounds like a good All I'd have to do
is kill you. I see, Iras Stokes. You don't seem
too surprised.
Speaker 4 (10:08):
No, I somehow felt this was his next move. What's
behind this, mister Nielsen? Yeah, Iirah had a pretty good
thing going until I set up shop here.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
Oh, Older Bend has gone.
Speaker 4 (10:19):
Through a real tough period since the bottom fell out
of the cattle market. Most people have barely managed to
hang on. But once that railroad gets through, it's going
to be different. Property around here is gonna be worth something.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
Yes, I have seen it happen.
Speaker 4 (10:32):
Stokes was grabbing up every piece of land he could
lay his dirty hands to, and most of it he
fleeced from the people with one crooked trick or another.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
How could he get away with them? These ranchers don't
have business heads. They don't know their rights. Never read
the fine print.
Speaker 4 (10:47):
Well, I've been reading it for them, giving free legal
advice to anybody who wants it.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
H Well, what do you get out of it? Just
one thing, satisfaction. I was raised in Older Bend.
Speaker 4 (10:59):
The towns a better shake than it had gad If
Stokes had the control he's after.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Well, Niels and.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
I am leaving in the morning. Maybe the next man
who comes along will need three thousand dollars more than
I do, so watch it, Thanks Paladin. After dinner, I
tried the one saloon open in town. There were two
old men at a table in the far corner playing
a game of cribbage.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
I was the only other customer.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
I had a beer, went back to my hotel, but
I couldn't sleep, so I read a copy of Pilgrim's
Progress somebody had left on the bedstand.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
Then I paced the room, looked out of the window.
Speaker 1 (11:41):
Tom was silent, dark except for the one light that
shone from Nielsen's office, and I decided to go see him.
As I started across the street, I heard a shot,
muffled and indistinct, and then I saw the crouched figure
of a man run into the blackness between the buildings.
Speaker 6 (11:56):
Here you stop, stop, I say, ah, Nielsen, Nielsen, Carl, Oh.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
Hey, what's going on in there? Mister Nielsen? He's been shot? Hey,
why do you run it? Come on back here.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
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I shot had awakened the town, but there was no
time for explanations. I felt sure that when i'd fired,
(13:46):
i'd hit the man, but he kept on going. I
took note of his direction and knew was time on
my side I could head him off, So I ran
to the livery. The stable hand was asleep on a
cot in the corner.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
Hey you, hey, come on, wake up? What's that? Come on?
Come on, come on, I need my horse. Huh, my horse, hurry,
I have to get out of here. God wants somewhere.
Come on im here here he is this stall? Now
where' you hang my saddle? You just move? There's been
(14:21):
a shooting. I don't have any time to waste shooting.
Just get my bridle down, will you? But says, oh,
never mind, Just all right, now you get my sidle
and hurry, will you? My boy? Keep your head down?
All right? You're covered, so don't give us no trouble, Sheriff.
This man come in here waking me up, talking about
a shooting, and like how he has to get out fast? Yeah,
(14:42):
I know, Charlie, stand back. We got him now, all right, stranger,
just get them hands out and don't try anything. Hey,
what's the matter with you? Don't you realize that Nielsen's
been shot here? We know? But the man who shot
him will get away, No, he won't. We got him
and we got him really good. Come on, let's have
that gun you'd done the dirty work with now, look sheriff,
(15:05):
let's go. Here's your breakfast, thank you, Uh, sheriff.
Speaker 4 (15:26):
Yeah, I want to talk to you. What about You've
got the wrong man locked up?
Speaker 2 (15:33):
Look, stranger, I've been in this business thirty years. If
I had a nickel for every time, somebody behind them
bars had told me that I'd be a rich man.
But what are you charging me with? Well, it's liable
to be murdered. How's Nielsen? He ain't good? He must
have seen the man who shot him. He could clear
me yes, and ain't talking to you right now. And
(15:54):
it's a chancy thing. Whoever he ever talks again.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
Sheriff, the man who shot Nielsen has my bulletin him.
I could have trailed him last night.
Speaker 2 (16:01):
We caught you, did the rights, you shot him and
your getaway didn't work out. People like you Wallis crossed
themselves up sooner or later. So why don't you just
shut up and take what's coming to you done? Just
what is that? Oh, we'll allow you all your rights
by law. Circuit judge due to show up here another
month or two, another month and we'll get up a jury.
People here in town. The one thing you might as
(16:23):
well know, Carl was born and raised here. An alder
Bend is mighty proud of him. Folks. Ain't going to
show much mercy to anybody that did him harm. Ah. Oh,
(16:45):
this miserable cold and my sinuses.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
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Speaker 2 (17:30):
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Speaker 1 (17:32):
Drisdan is widely imitated, but the exclusive Driststand formula cannot
be duplicated. There's nothing nothing like Driststand decongestin tablets. I
realized that my only hope was that Nielsen would clear me.
But three days past and he still hadn't regained consciousness.
(17:53):
My cell at a high barred window, and by standing
on my cut I could observe what went on outside.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
What I saw was disturbing.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
News of the shooting had spread, All their ben had
come to life. The street was filled with men in groups, talking,
building up hate. I'd seen it before when I was
on the other side.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
Of the bars. Alain. Yeah, regardless of how I feel
about things personally, I got my job to do here.
I don't like what's going on out there. Well, I
don't care for it myself. When men start working themselves
up into a lyncheon and only takes one little thing
to trigger him, I know that. Jeruff oh leah in here, Jariff.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
I want to talk to you.
Speaker 2 (18:36):
Well, all right, we're going to my office.
Speaker 5 (18:38):
You no, I want to talk to mister Paladin.
Speaker 2 (18:40):
Too, missus Stokes. I want you to know that I
did not shoot Carl Neilsen.
Speaker 5 (18:45):
I know you didn't shoo him, mister Paladin. Three days
I've been knowing this, knowing mister Paladin was in jail
for something he didn't do, knowing Carl Nielsen might die,
hating myself or keeping quiet but still afraid. Then this
morning I wrote, well, suddenly.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
I've just had enough.
Speaker 5 (19:03):
Suddenly I'm not afraid anymore.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
What an't you trying to say, Leah.
Speaker 5 (19:07):
Three nights ago, Ira came home with a bullet wound
on his shoulder. He told me what he'd done, and
I guess he was so sure of me, so sure
I was too afraid of him. Do you ever say anything, Sheriff,
my husband shot Carl Neilsen Ira. Yes, And I've told
all those men out there, and now I'm telling you
Iras Tookes had bullied all of us long enough. I
(19:29):
guess you'd better go out to the ranch and arrest him.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
Well, Leah, get busy with those key, Sheriff. If you're
going to arrest Stokes, I want to be there.
Speaker 1 (19:45):
Hey, Sheriff, looked like the whole seventh Cavalry was following
us out of town.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Back there, all citizens of these parts. I had to
discourage you. Some trailing us all the way. They felt
like you. If I was going to arrest Stokes, they
wanted to see it. I guess the town has had
enough of Ira too. Yeah, eh, Well, might as well
check the house first. He's either here in the barn.
(20:15):
What's that? I don't know. It sounds like Stokes over
there by the corral. Come on, let's go.
Speaker 7 (20:25):
But that horse is stomping him, Sheriff. I'll get the
horse away. You drag him out, all right, don't tell
easy boy.
Speaker 8 (20:39):
Who you boy? Easy boy, easy boy, sheriff.
Speaker 2 (20:58):
Stomped him to death.
Speaker 4 (21:01):
Looks like that they had enough of iral too.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
Next time you refresh, enjoy a frosty, ice cold Pepsicola sociability, Charlie.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
All right, kay, how's this? Pepsi is light, refreshes without filling.
You like to refresh? Have a pepsi right now.
Speaker 2 (21:25):
We'll offer it to everybody, Charlie. I will enjoy pepsi
at the fountain. It's delicious at home too. Have one
at lunch or with a snack, Charlie, at the beach
or at dinner. Wherever you go, wherever you're thirsty, pepsi
is there. It's here too. In our b sociable sound,
Be sociable, love talk, keep poppa stud.
Speaker 5 (21:48):
Names with sende spring, lightness, refreshing s stay here.
Speaker 2 (21:57):
Be sociable, have p for the weekend, Have plenty of
pepsi around. Pick up an extra carton today. Ce K,
I'm sociable with pepsi. Everyone is. Have gun will travel.
Speaker 1 (22:26):
Created by Herb Meto and Sam rod Is produced and
directed in Hollywood by Frank Parris, and stars John Dayner
as Kaladin, with Ben Wright as hey Boy and Virginia
greg as Miss Won. Tonight's story, especially written for Half
Gun Will Travel By and Dow featured in the cast
for Anne Morrison, Lawrence Stotkin, Tim Graham, Herb Bigrin, and Victaren.
(22:47):
This is Hugh Douglass inviting you to join us again
next week when CBS Radio presents Have Gun Will Travel
(23:20):
the
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