Mystery Theater - The Old Ones Are Hard to Kill

A suspense series featuring mysterious tales with a twist, ranging from psychological thrillers to eerie supernatural encounters. Each episode is crafted for maximum tension.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Listen again on WDF and your Kansas City. Kansas Public
Schools present another school note.

Speaker 2 (00:05):
Stay tuned for the CBS Radio Mystery Theater following ABC
News at the top of the hour. It's eleven o'clock.

Speaker 1 (00:12):
This is WDAF Kansas City.

Speaker 3 (00:16):
News of the Hour on the hour from American Information Radio.
This is George Caldwell from New York and at this hour,
Vice President Gerald Ford says that the Senate Watergate Committee
would reduce the size of its request for presidential documents
the White House might be willing to compromise. The committee
is seeking hundreds of papers and tapes. Former Attorney General

(00:37):
Elliot Richardson sides with President Nixon in his refusal.

Speaker 1 (00:40):
In McLean, Virginia.

Speaker 4 (00:41):
Richardson explains, I think the committee seems to me to
have cast its net too widely. They haven't, so far
as I know, made what I would regard as a
sufficiently clear showing of why they wanted what they've asked for,
And I think the President.

Speaker 1 (00:58):
Is entitled at least to request.

Speaker 4 (01:01):
That they make such a showing before he produces and
he takes for a document.

Speaker 3 (01:06):
Former Attorney General Elliott Richardson hope for changes an Arab
oil policy.

Speaker 1 (01:11):
That story coming up. Drums drums?

Speaker 5 (01:20):
Are they drums for peace or war, dance or destruction
like America drums or hate America drums. This is Martina
able to tell you that you can help influence the beat.
Young people in the developing countries of South America, of Africa,
of Asia are eager to find out more about America,
to understand our people and our ideas.

Speaker 3 (01:38):
You can help through Freedom House Books USA.

Speaker 5 (01:41):
Six dollars sends a packet of ten books to a
young student, maybe a future prime minister, maybe a future
doctor or teacher. He can choose from one hundred and
twenty books books on history, biography, science, and literature. The
Russians send thousands of publications to him, but you, with
your six dollars, can help inspire a love for freedom.

(02:02):
Send your tax deductible contribution to Freedom House Books, USA,
twenty West forty Street in New York, New.

Speaker 3 (02:08):
York one one eight Energy director William Simon says he's
now hopeful Arab oil producers will not only end their
price increases but roll back oil prices. But Simon predicts,
even if the Arab embargo on US shipman's ends American
consumers still face shortages.

Speaker 6 (02:25):
An Egyptian official in Washington.

Speaker 3 (02:26):
Today defended the oil cut off. Ambassadorsh Rough Corbal tells
newsman oil.

Speaker 7 (02:31):
Is meant only to ring a bell, ring a bell
wide and.

Speaker 8 (02:35):
Clear in every door in America and in the world.

Speaker 1 (02:40):
The three two are human beings.

Speaker 9 (02:42):
We two are suffering, and we have been suffering for
the past twenty five years.

Speaker 3 (02:46):
Garball is to be the Egyptian ambassador to the US
when diplomatic relations are restored. Gerbal was on the CBS program.

Speaker 1 (02:52):
Faced the Nation.

Speaker 3 (02:53):
Heavy rains have fallen throughout today in Los Angeles, forecasts.

Speaker 1 (02:56):
Predict more rain.

Speaker 3 (02:57):
It is set off mud slides, especially in the Topangak
hanging forty miles northwest of Los Angeles. However, there's one
proposal for making good use of the weather. Corresponding Nane
Kessner as details from Los Angeles.

Speaker 1 (03:08):
You're in California. There are those who are talking.

Speaker 10 (03:10):
About tower power as an alternative during the energy crisis.
The term refers to windmills the top towers on rooftops.
Doloman Kagan, a young Grenville, California businessman, is showing such windmills,
which he imports from Australia.

Speaker 1 (03:26):
It's the wind flowing.

Speaker 10 (03:27):
The windmills, which cost one thousand dollars end up, can
generate enos electricity to power homes much of the time.
Extra power turned outside the wind generators can be stored
in special batteries good for three windless days.

Speaker 4 (03:43):
AM Kessner, ABC News, Los Angeles.

Speaker 3 (03:46):
Eleven people were killed tonight at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, when an
Allegheny commuter flight from Pittsburgh crashed just one hundred feet
short of a runway. The six survivors of Alleghany three
seventeen are in critical condition. The co pilot is among
the survivors. The plane of BA nine struck approach lights
recently installed to aid pilots making landings in bad weather
at Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Country and Western singer tex Ritter was

(04:08):
buried today at Port Neetches, Texas. Ridder died of a
heart attack Wednesday at age sixty seven. This is is
Information radio news from the.

Speaker 2 (04:17):
Kirk Murra Sports desc. The Kansas City, Omaha Kings hoped
to be hosts for the National Basketball Association All Star
Game in nineteen seventy five or nineteen seventy seven. If
the Kings are successful, the game will be played in
Kansas City. General manager Joe Axelson says he hopes to
trade dates with Milwaukee or Phoenix of the All Star
contest can be played in the.

Speaker 6 (04:36):
New Sports Complex.

Speaker 2 (04:37):
The arena is slated to open with the beginning of
the nineteen seventy four seventy five basketball season. The Atlanta
Flames of the National Hockey League acquired veteran center Brian
Heckstall today from the waiver list. He is the second
Pittsburgh Penguin acquired by the Flames in the last few days.

Speaker 1 (04:52):
Earlier, the Flames traded for Al McDonough.

Speaker 2 (04:55):
Southwest Missouri captured the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association Basketball Tournament
crown by defeating previously unbeaten Lincoln University eighty to seventy five.

Speaker 1 (05:04):
Dennis Hill and Randy.

Speaker 2 (05:05):
Major each scored twenty one points for the victorious Bears,
while Lincoln center Lamont Pruitt had thirty points. Northwest Missouri
took third place in the Attorney with a seventy to
sixty eight triumph over the University of Missouri at Rolla.
About four hundred cheering Pennant waving fans greeted the AFC
champion Miami Dolphins today as they arrived in Houston to

(05:25):
begin final drills for next Sunday Super Bowl against Minnesota.
As the crowd mounded to await the dolphins arrival, security
police tried to move people behind a chain link fence,
but least one man was immovable. He was Howard Twilley, senior,
father of Dolphin receiver Howard Twilley. The fireworks begin Saturday
in the Big Eight Conference basketball race. Saw eight teams
will be involved in their first family feuding of the

(05:48):
nineteen seventy three seventy four campaign. The Kansas City forecast
fair and very cold for the rest of tonight. The
low five to ten below zero, mostly sunny, and continued
cold Monday. The high ten to fifteen degrees, partly cloudy
and not as cold Monday night and Tuesday, but low
Monday night zero to five above the high Tuesday around
twenty currently four degrees under mostly cloudy skies in Kansas City.

(06:09):
This is pat Ross WDAF News.

Speaker 11 (06:16):
G the CBS Radio Mystery Theater Presents.

Speaker 1 (06:38):
Come in. Welcome, I'm e. G. Marshall.

Speaker 11 (06:46):
Welcome to the Sound of Suspense, Welcome to the fear
you can hear, but mostly to the world of terrifying imagination.
In the story You're about to Hear, the heroine is
a young woman of seventy seven who has reached her
golden years with her sense of independence, intact, with a

(07:09):
spryness to her limbs, very good vision.

Speaker 1 (07:12):
And excellent hearing.

Speaker 11 (07:14):
But as you are about to learn, there are times
when hearing well is not a blessing.

Speaker 6 (07:20):
I did it to missus canby.

Speaker 9 (07:23):
Are you listening to me?

Speaker 1 (07:25):
I killed Richardson?

Speaker 12 (07:28):
I did it me?

Speaker 1 (07:30):
No, No, I know. Want to hear it, mister Polton,
Please please don't tell me about it? Please.

Speaker 11 (07:45):
Our mystery drama The Old Ones Are Hard to Kill
was written especially for the Mystery Theater by Henry Clesser
and Star's Agnes Morehead.

Speaker 1 (07:55):
It is sponsored in part by Anheuser Busch.

Speaker 11 (07:57):
Incorporated, brewers of Buttweiser, and by the kell Or Company,
makers of Kellogg's Special k Cereal.

Speaker 6 (08:04):
I'll return shortly with that one.

Speaker 13 (08:08):
Then you say you said things that body else can say.

Speaker 1 (08:15):
When you say, buddy, you've got as far as you
can go to get them there with us.

Speaker 14 (08:23):
Why do some people think bud is sort of special?
Go ahead and find out why brewing beer right does
make a difference.

Speaker 1 (08:36):
When you say.

Speaker 15 (08:41):
Way, when you say, you say can keep, when you
said you.

Speaker 16 (09:02):
Said, oh, I guess you can hear the music in
the background. It's now a quarter to eight.

Speaker 4 (09:07):
You know a piano player playing, and we're down the
floor of the Walldo Astoria and I'm gonna talk to
some people.

Speaker 1 (09:12):
Your name sir, the Agi Old County Rand, New Missouri. Leron.
Have you ever been to a dinner theater before? No?
I haven't. How is the service wonderful? You look back,
you're enjoying yourself.

Speaker 16 (09:26):
I sure am, Thank you very much.

Speaker 9 (09:28):
I hope you enjoyed the jew.

Speaker 1 (09:29):
Now playing at Waldo Astoria. A boyfriend called seventy.

Speaker 3 (09:34):
I guess you can hear the music in the background.

Speaker 1 (09:36):
It's now a quarter to eight. You know, a piano player.

Speaker 4 (09:38):
Playing, and we're down the floor of the wall to
Astoria and I'm going to talk to some people.

Speaker 1 (09:42):
We live here.

Speaker 16 (09:43):
It looks like a fun loving table.

Speaker 1 (09:44):
What's your name?

Speaker 10 (09:46):
Pop Blue?

Speaker 16 (09:47):
Where are you from?

Speaker 1 (09:47):
Pat pop Bowl?

Speaker 4 (09:48):
From Kansas City? And uh your first trip.

Speaker 17 (09:51):
To the Waldo Astoria.

Speaker 1 (09:52):
What do you think of about the play?

Speaker 8 (09:54):
Have you ever been at Timney, Daddy, did you like
get and when I'm coming back?

Speaker 4 (09:58):
Yeah, Gosha, thank you?

Speaker 1 (10:00):
How playing the boyfriend called seventy five six one two one.

Speaker 11 (10:03):
Two And now here's act one of the old ones
are Hard to Kill. It begins with a stethoscope, a

(10:24):
blood pressure reading, an electro cardiogram, and an altogether satisfying
report on the health of missus Ada can be m.

Speaker 12 (10:34):
Well, I can't see any thing to complain about it
that that little congestion you had last time is all
cleared up, all at all. I'd say, you're doing fine.
A woman my age, I mean, the older the chicken,
the tougher it is to kill.

Speaker 1 (10:49):
That's what my grandmother used to tell me. She lived
to be ninety eight. Speaking of relatives, you were see
much of Walter, my grandson. Oh the usual. Once a year,
your visit, and he always comes up with the same complaint,
what's happening? The US shouldn't be living all alone?

Speaker 12 (11:06):
A big house of yours must get pretty lonely sometimes.

Speaker 1 (11:10):
Well, the truth is, doctor George, I'm not alone, There're not.
I decided to take in the border last month. Really,
I haven't written Walter about it. Uh, I'm sure it
objected my taking in a stranger, But there's really nothing
wrong with mister Paulson, who except his health? Maybe is
the health? What's wrong with him?

Speaker 18 (11:31):
Oh?

Speaker 1 (11:31):
The poor man's had a terrible cold for the past
two weeks. Will let me do a thing for him? Though?

Speaker 12 (11:37):
No where did you meet this mister Paulton, he answered
to add I ran.

Speaker 1 (11:41):
He's just back from South America, been living in Brazil
three years. He's a very nice gentleman. Really, he keeps
himself and tends his birds. Here's the loneliest blue parakeets.
You can hear them chipping all over the house. Huh,
it's the friendliest song.

Speaker 12 (12:01):
I don't see anything well with what you're doing that.
Just make sure you don't go and catch a man's cold.

Speaker 1 (12:07):
There's not much chance of that. Poor man hardly leaves
his room. Well how much do I? Oh you, I'll
send you the mill. I'm sure you'll forget all about it.
Promise me you'll send it. Oh, dear mister Paulson, are

(12:38):
you all right?

Speaker 16 (12:39):
Yes, missus Kirby, I'm all right.

Speaker 1 (12:44):
That sounds risen out to me. Why don't you let
me take your little hot milk and honey, no, thank you,
missus Canby, thanks very much. I'm going to try to
get some sleep. Well all right, if you say so.
I guess it's time. And I was in bed myself.

(13:10):
My listeners. That for him. Now, I wonder if he
keeps his birds away to.

Speaker 16 (13:17):
Missus Gunny.

Speaker 1 (13:20):
Sack? Is he calling me? He's Canby? He is calling me.
I'm coming, mister Paulson. Oh no, where are those non slippers?
I'll be right there. What is it, mister Paulson?

Speaker 6 (13:38):
What's the matter?

Speaker 16 (13:41):
Mister Paulson?

Speaker 1 (13:42):
Just look at you? Why didn't you tell me? Mister sick?
I'm gonna called a doctor too late now to Lily.
I know a very good doctor I saw. I'm only
this afternoon. I'll go and call him right now. I've
got to that helpful you, mister Calson. I confusion. Do

(14:06):
you want a priest? Is that what you want?

Speaker 16 (14:08):
Richardson Murday? Ten years ago?

Speaker 1 (14:12):
What murder? I did it? I killed him for money.
I was paid. Did you hear me? Oh? Loy, mister Polson,
do you know what you're saying? Do you understand me?
And Doe is in a seat? I killed Richardson nothing
dew wait, let me get help, and you can tell

(14:33):
them yourself, mister Polson, and the police and the doctor.
You tell them, please tell them to free Linde. He's innocent.

Speaker 16 (14:41):
Tell them I'm the one who killed Richardson ten years ago.

Speaker 1 (14:45):
I don't know anything about such things.

Speaker 15 (14:48):
And I know why did it T killed Richards And
I know you.

Speaker 1 (14:53):
Don't want to hear it. I don't please don't tell you, mister,
mister Paulson. Oh, dear God, I I think it's gone.

(15:13):
As those poor little birdies and I suppose they missed
poor mister Pulston. I'll lay them in his room. Well
let's see about this letter, though, Dear Walter. I hope
you don't mind my turning to you for advice. And
I really don't know what to do. It's been three

(15:35):
days since my more than mister Pulston passed away, and
I still haven't told the police what the man said
to me. I just can't bring myself to get mixed
up in anything like this. M hear, what's the use
of writing, Walter? He'll probably think I've bringed it all up.
Now I'll just forget it. Only how do you forget

(15:59):
such a thing? Those names I keep hearing 'em. Richardson,
Lindell Lyndell is innocent. O, dear God, what if it's
all true? If Mr Paulson actually murdered this Richardson and
Lyndell is innocent? Only well, who are they? I wonder

(16:20):
if a telephone book? Well, well why not? Let's see
richards rich Uh I see that shay are? I can't
here it is? Oh lord, this doesn't so something. Well
I'll try Lyndell, I wouldn't be as compliments bose, Yes, yes,
here it is. There's only about half a dozen then

(16:42):
the ld ll well, oh, oh my heavens, Lindell and
Richardson both names together, Lyndell and Richardson investments nine concourse
four one five three one three two. I wonder if, well,
maybe maybe it's the only way to be sure. Oh

(17:20):
oh h hello, I may I speak to uh mister Lindell.
He isn't well then what about mister Richardson? Oh? I see,
well is there someone there I can speak to?

Speaker 16 (17:38):
Yes?

Speaker 1 (17:39):
Yes, please, since thank you?

Speaker 6 (17:42):
Hello, that's mister Tell.

Speaker 16 (17:45):
May have me have servis?

Speaker 1 (17:46):
Well? Maybe you can? I I wanna know about your
mister Richardson. Uh about when he died. I think I
did business with him once a long time ago.

Speaker 6 (17:55):
Well it's ten years, madam, just about. But uh, if
you're interested in.

Speaker 1 (18:01):
So, I think about it, thank you very much. Ten years.
Well it could be a coincidence. I guess it all
depends on how he died.

Speaker 6 (18:19):
Missus Camby, please come in have a seen.

Speaker 1 (18:22):
Thank you.

Speaker 6 (18:23):
Well, now, how can we be of help to you?

Speaker 1 (18:26):
I didn't come here to get help, mister Cheltam. I
came to help you as a matter of fact, or
rather somebody you know, who would that be, uh, mister
John Lindell, the man who was supposed to have murdered
mister Richardson.

Speaker 6 (18:42):
I'm afraid I'm not following you.

Speaker 1 (18:43):
Well, it took me all week to find out what
happened to those two men, and finally I found the
story in the old newspaper room down at the library
about mister Lindell being indicted for killing his partner. But
I'm I'm sure you know the whole story a lot
better than I do.

Speaker 9 (18:58):
Well, of course I knew the story, but that was
quite a long time ago, missus Canby.

Speaker 1 (19:04):
Ten years doesn't seem so long when you're my age. Anyway,
The point is that I can help you, mister Lindell,
only I can't do it alone.

Speaker 6 (19:15):
Did you know John Lendo?

Speaker 1 (19:17):
No, No, I didn't know mister Richardson. For that matter.
The man I knew was named Paulson, who I rented
a room to. Mister Paulson, and he died about eight
days ago of pneumonia. I was there when it happened.

Speaker 6 (19:31):
Well that's unfortunate.

Speaker 1 (19:32):
But before he died, mister Poulson told me something about
mister Richardson's murder. He said mister Lindell hadn't been responsible,
that he, mister Poulson, had committed it for money.

Speaker 9 (19:47):
Oh, missus Canby listened to me.

Speaker 1 (19:50):
It was this man Lyndell that bothered him, the fact
that he was in prison for something he didn't do.
I thought I should tell you this, mister Shelton, because
you knew both of these gentlemen. It said so in
the newspaper.

Speaker 9 (20:04):
Missus Canby my, my dear woman. Why, I don't know
what silly story you heard, but it's completely wrong. There
wasn't any question about what happened. This border of yours,
whatever his name is, nearly had an obsession.

Speaker 1 (20:22):
Well, just the same, I thought you could follow through
on this business. Yeah, tell the police, because if it
is true, mister Lindell should be freed on evidence like that.
I don't know anything about evidence, simon, just telling you
will have heard? Ah, well, never mind, I suppose I

(20:43):
should have told the police myself.

Speaker 9 (20:44):
Wait wait, missus Canby, let me put your mind at rest.
John Lindell is no longer in prison. Tearsn't he's dead,
missus Canby. He's been dead for the last three years. Oh,
he wasn't a young and when all this happened, when
he accused his partner Fred Richardson of defrauding him and

(21:05):
shot him.

Speaker 1 (21:05):
Dead, he died in present.

Speaker 9 (21:09):
Even if all you say is true that this man
was Richardson's murderer, you can't help John Lindale any longer.

Speaker 6 (21:16):
He's beyond that.

Speaker 1 (21:17):
But his name? Don't you want to his name?

Speaker 9 (21:20):
Have you any proof, any living witness, just myself, But
you'd be willing to involve yourself start a whole new investigation,
open up the whole dreadful mess again, missus Canby.

Speaker 6 (21:33):
Do you know that Johnlendale had a daughter now.

Speaker 1 (21:37):
But wouldn't that be all the more recent to do
something his.

Speaker 9 (21:40):
Daughter's married, living in Minneapolis, a husband and three children.

Speaker 6 (21:45):
People have forgotten about her father.

Speaker 9 (21:47):
By now, would you want that poor woman to see
his name drag through the newspapers a second time?

Speaker 1 (21:53):
If her father was innocent.

Speaker 9 (21:54):
Forget it, missus Canby. That's my advice to you. The
old wound is yield, don't reopen it.

Speaker 1 (22:03):
Well. It troubles me. So I haven't thought of anything
else since it happened. Perhaps if I saw a minister,
if I had some advice from a man of God.

Speaker 6 (22:15):
Missus Canby, Now you've said something.

Speaker 9 (22:19):
Now you've shown me the way. That's where our answer lies,
dear woman, in prayer, in the forgiveness of our dear Lord.
Will you pray with me, missus Canby.

Speaker 1 (22:29):
Pray here? Why not?

Speaker 6 (22:32):
God is everywhere?

Speaker 9 (22:34):
Please join me, Dear Lord, tell us what to do,
give us your divine guidance, show us the path to righteousness.
Help us, Your Lord, help us to understand. Teach us
to forgive the sins of others and to forget them,
to forget. I feel much better now, missus Canby, do

(22:59):
you I'm not sure? Let us turn this matter over
to God, missus Canby, not to the police, but to
the lord. It's in his hands, now, don't you agree?

Speaker 1 (23:12):
Well, in her way, that's true, since they're dead, all
all of them.

Speaker 12 (23:29):
Yes, uh, missus Candy. Yes, my name's Stuart Winfield. Missus Canby, I.

Speaker 1 (23:36):
Understand you have a room for rent. Yes, yes, yes, yes,
I do. Well, I'm new in town. It's just arrived
from Philadelphia. I've been staying at a hotel, but I'd
like something home of here. Well, the room I have
is thirty five dollars a week. I can offer you
any meals, but you can use the kitchen. Argue wan't
well that sounds good to me. Would uh would you
like to see the room? Yes, ma'am, I sure would well.

(23:58):
Uh come on, isn't it? Thank you? By the way,
how did you know I had a room for rent?
I was gonna place an ad this weekend?

Speaker 11 (24:08):
Oh?

Speaker 12 (24:09):
I uh I, I guess someone at the hotel mentioned
the I forget just who say? This is a real
fine old house, missus Canby.

Speaker 1 (24:18):
I can see that.

Speaker 12 (24:18):
I'm gonna like this place just fine.

Speaker 11 (24:28):
And so Missus Canby has a new border. He's a
very personable young man with a great deal more charm
than old.

Speaker 1 (24:36):
Mister Paulson had.

Speaker 11 (24:38):
Perhaps in a little while missus Canby will be able
to forget her former border and the shocking confession he
made on his deathbed.

Speaker 1 (24:47):
I'll be back shortly with that too. And now another
tale of the ball an chase as kill of.

Speaker 11 (24:54):
Special Cable's overweight on an overnight trak.

Speaker 1 (24:58):
Is this he taking sit down?

Speaker 8 (25:01):
You have exceptional legs, but why is one of them
attached to a ball and chain?

Speaker 1 (25:06):
Yes, ball and chain. It's a symbol.

Speaker 6 (25:08):
Funny I would have sworn it was a ball and chain.

Speaker 1 (25:11):
I mean symbolic you could carrying around if you extra bands.
Can you taste like lugging around his ball and chain?

Speaker 16 (25:17):
I see?

Speaker 1 (25:17):
May I suggest something?

Speaker 6 (25:19):
You try?

Speaker 8 (25:20):
A bowl of special case kim milk, orange juice and coffee.

Speaker 6 (25:23):
It's the Special Care breakfast.

Speaker 1 (25:24):
But it make me lose rain.

Speaker 8 (25:25):
No, you must also exercise, and he's smart every year.
You know the Special Care breakfast is less than two
hundred and forty calories, ninety nine percent fat free and delicious.

Speaker 1 (25:36):
No, but if you humm it, you buy the wheel
hand and that's another of tail of the ball and chain.
You're happy?

Speaker 3 (25:42):
Ending could begin with the Killogg's Special Care breakfast, gillog
special care.

Speaker 12 (25:51):
Take the turn, take the turn care an sandy mind is.

Speaker 1 (26:00):
Your listen with your arm, Listen with your mind when.

Speaker 9 (26:12):
Love is wat.

Speaker 1 (26:15):
How do you do? Sir?

Speaker 7 (26:16):
And my grandmother just I'm so happy for you.

Speaker 16 (26:19):
Meet missus minnos how do you do?

Speaker 1 (26:21):
Did you know you have spinach on your d That's wonderful.
This is mister Jackson. Nice to meet.

Speaker 16 (26:26):
Sure I have the boted play Oh yes, mister play.

Speaker 1 (26:30):
Meet Miss Reception lives. I'm the only places people don't
listen when you less.

Speaker 16 (26:38):
Love what you love.

Speaker 1 (26:43):
From the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter.

Speaker 7 (26:44):
Day Saints the Mormons.

Speaker 1 (27:00):
Ye.

Speaker 11 (27:00):
Stu Winfield took no time at all to make himself
at home in Aida Canby's big old house.

Speaker 1 (27:06):
He loved everything.

Speaker 11 (27:07):
About his room, a fine old four poster bed, the
crazy quilt that Ada herself had sewn up forty years ago,
the lace curtains on the window. He even loved mister
Paulson's blue parakeets. But what he really seemed to like
best was Missus Canby herself.

Speaker 1 (27:28):
Just take me two minutes to get these teen seats
on the beds here. Let me give you a hand, No,
I can manage. I've been making this bed for almost
fifty years. Fifty you've lived in this house that long.
Moved in here when I got married back in nineteen nineteen.
My husband David bought it for us. Our only son, Ralph,
was born in it. And you've lost them both. Yeah,

(27:50):
I say'd most dead, but I haven't lost 'em. Oh, yes, yes,
I understand, missus Canby.

Speaker 12 (27:57):
I guess I feel that way about my mom.

Speaker 1 (27:59):
Your mom, Yes, he died when I was two. Wow,
this is mister Winfield. Are you sure you want these
birds in your room? I could take them to the
parlor if you want.

Speaker 12 (28:10):
Oh no, I think they're great. I think everything's great
about this house. But there is something you can do
for me.

Speaker 1 (28:16):
What's that?

Speaker 12 (28:18):
Would you mind not calling me mister Winfield? Oh that's
what they call my father.

Speaker 1 (28:23):
My name's Stuart. Well, Well, all right, Stuart, dear Walter.
I think it's about time I told you that I
have a border in my house. Mister Winfield is the
nicest young man you could want to meet. He's a
great deal friend here my first time mister Folsom and

(28:45):
he seems to like nothing better than to sit around
the evenings and talk. We talk about his home and
his parents and his plans for the future. I think
the poor boy miss his home and family, and I'm
sort of a substitute for all them. Mm. You know,
I it isn't really fair, missus Canby.

Speaker 12 (29:06):
You said I had kitchen privileges, but that doesn't mean
you have to cook for me.

Speaker 1 (29:10):
It's a pleasure, Steward. I haven't met anyone to cook
for in years.

Speaker 12 (29:14):
You're kidding, You mean to say you cook this good
without practice? Oh, you're just being mie. I'm sure that
stew is just plain ordinary.

Speaker 1 (29:24):
It's terrific, no kidding.

Speaker 12 (29:26):
It tastes like well, it it tastes like home, if
you know what I mean.

Speaker 1 (29:30):
It depends on who's ome. You mean, Well, my mom
cooks stews like this. That's what I mean. Your mom.
But if she died when you were only two.

Speaker 12 (29:40):
Oh, well, I I guess I I didn't mean my
mom exactly.

Speaker 1 (29:44):
I I was thinking of my aunt Martha. Huh.

Speaker 12 (29:46):
I mean she's the one who sort of took over
the cooking and stuff after my mother died, and my
father's sister.

Speaker 1 (29:52):
You know, I see, Well, that was lucky that you
had someone to take her place. Yeah, that's right.

Speaker 16 (29:58):
It's excuse me.

Speaker 1 (30:00):
My Steward. You're not coming down with anything like him. No, no,
I'm fine, just a little case of the sniffer. Listen,
if your room isn't warm enough, I have an extra room. Now.
The room's just fine. Don't worry about it, will You'll
be sure? Now? I know. I felt a little guilty
about poor mister Poulson when he got sick. Uh. Maybe
I didn't take good enough care of him. Uh Paulson?

(30:21):
Was that your former boarder, the uh the bird lover? Yes, yes,
that was his name, the poor man. Tell me about him? Well,
I don't really know that much about him. He lived
here less than two months. What sort of a guy
was he?

Speaker 7 (30:35):
Uh?

Speaker 1 (30:36):
He requiet, he kept to himself. Did you say he
was from South America? I don't remember if I did
or not. Well you must have said it, yeah, yes,
of course he was American. But he'd been living in Brazil.
I don't know why exactly, although, come to think of it,

(30:56):
maybe I do. What do you mean, well, it it
just occurred to me that Brazil might be just the
place for someone who came into a lot of money
and and wanted to leave the country. I don't understand this. Oh,
I really think you are getting a cold, Steward. I'm
getting that blanket out this minute.

Speaker 12 (31:16):
Now, wait, missus Candy, I'd rather hear about her mind.

Speaker 1 (31:18):
I don't wanna take any chances. I'll be right back.

Speaker 12 (31:24):
Yes, Missus Canby, don't take any chance.

Speaker 1 (31:35):
Story, Yes, come in, I bought your tray, Steward.

Speaker 12 (31:41):
Oh, now you shouldn't have. He shouldn't have gone to
all that trouble, Missus Kendilly.

Speaker 1 (31:46):
And he's bed of trouble. Besides, you've got to have
some supper, feed a cold and start a feever with it.

Speaker 12 (31:52):
I mean I was going to come out to the
kitchen and get myself a sandwich or something.

Speaker 1 (31:56):
Cause he didn't have to bring it to me.

Speaker 6 (31:59):
Oh look, yeah, is.

Speaker 1 (32:01):
That roast chickens? Well that's what it's supposed to, see
m I hope it tastes alright, noodle soup with dumplings.

Speaker 12 (32:08):
Missus Canby, you're spoiling me, rotten, do you know that?

Speaker 1 (32:11):
Well? I just thought it'd be a good idea if
you stayed in bed and took a DC. You weren't
planning to go out tonight. Were you.

Speaker 12 (32:18):
No, No, I was just gonna stay in and read
for a while, maybe watch television.

Speaker 1 (32:22):
Ah, that's good here, I'll just set this trade off
or the service here is just too good.

Speaker 12 (32:30):
Oh we we never r We never finished our talk
to the other day about that border of yours.

Speaker 1 (32:36):
And mister Paulson, Well, there's not much to say about
him really.

Speaker 12 (32:40):
Well you said something about his living in South America.
You said you thought you understood why he was living there.

Speaker 1 (32:48):
Sounded real interesting. Well, the truth is, George, there is
something to tell about Mr Paulson. Maybe maybe you can
help me feel better about it all. But what now,
I'm not gonna tell you.

Speaker 12 (33:01):
If you don't eat, all right, Missus Canby, I'll eat.

Speaker 1 (33:07):
Well, it happened just about three weeks. You know, there's
nothing missus Candy. That's about the best roast chicken I've
had in years. I'm sure I spurred your appetite with

(33:27):
all my chick. Ah. Now, that was a really interesting story.
And what do you think of it all, Stuart M
Do you think I did the right thing?

Speaker 12 (33:35):
Well, frankly, Missus Canby, I do honestly. Well, this guy
Chuggle sounds a little screwy.

Speaker 1 (33:41):
But I think he's alright. I mean, for a practical standpoint,
then you agree with him.

Speaker 12 (33:46):
Sure, this man Richardson's dead, right, And what's his name, Lindell?

Speaker 1 (33:51):
He is, well, he's dead too, right. And poor mister Poulson,
the man who's supposedly killed Richardson, Well, where.

Speaker 12 (33:59):
You are, nothing you can do will bring any of
them back?

Speaker 1 (34:04):
Right? Ah? Yes, but just the same. And you know
the police, missus can be.

Speaker 12 (34:08):
They'll be hounding you forever, tracking mud into your parlor,
bothering you with questions. Now, missus canby. You're too nice
a person to put up with that.

Speaker 1 (34:17):
Kind of thing.

Speaker 12 (34:18):
You mean, too old a person. I just think mister
Chelton was right. Let sleeping dogs lie.

Speaker 1 (34:24):
Yes, that's what I keep telling myself that you know something.
M There's one thing mister Chelton's forgot, and me too,
I suppose what's that? Why the real murderer He may
still be alive even if all the others are gone,
don't you see? No, I don't. Even if mister Lindale

(34:46):
can't be helped anymore, that doesn't mean the real murderer
should get away. But the real murderer is dead, Coulson. No,
the killer is the man who hired mister Paulson. Don't
you see is it right that he should get away
with it? No, wait a minute, you're jumping to conclusion.
Not mister Paulson told me that he was hired to

(35:09):
do this thing. Well, maybe he was hired by Lindel.
Maybe Lindell hired.

Speaker 12 (35:13):
Him and then Paulson got cold feet and Lindell did
the shooting himself.

Speaker 1 (35:19):
No, I'm sure that isn't true. You see, I read
the newspaper article all about it.

Speaker 12 (35:24):
Well, you you really were thorough about this once, you're
missus Candy.

Speaker 1 (35:30):
Cool man. I call's gone near chest now, hasn't it.

Speaker 12 (35:35):
No, I'm all right, stop stop worrying about me. Let's
talk about this this other problem of yours.

Speaker 1 (35:42):
Well, maybe I'm making it more of a problem than
it should be. Maybe if I just told the police everything,
I could forget it once and for all.

Speaker 12 (35:52):
No, I uh, I really couldn't advise that, Missus canby.

Speaker 1 (35:56):
Well, it's said in the newspaper story that the two
men were partners in that investment firm, and mister Lindell
thought that his partner, Richison, was cheating taking money out
of the firm. And that's why he's supposed to have
shot him. Wasn't there a witness to the shooting? Right? Yes,
I think it was. Come to think it it was,

(36:19):
mister Shelton. That's right, that's right. Well does it? Doesn't
that wrap it up for you? Well, it would if
it wasn't for mister Paulson.

Speaker 12 (36:28):
Listen, missus Canby, you know how much I like you, well,
in just a few days.

Speaker 1 (36:33):
You're more like family than me than my aunt Martha
ever was. Now, it's nice of you to just say, Stuart, and.

Speaker 12 (36:39):
That's why I want you to listen to me about this.
That's why I want you to forget about this whole
foolish thing and.

Speaker 1 (36:49):
Listen to you. You sound awful, story, miss tell you're
a right, No, you're not all right. I'm going to
get you some cough medicine right this minute. Dumb m M.

Speaker 16 (37:08):
M.

Speaker 1 (37:20):
Mister Chiltern, it's it's me Winfield.

Speaker 12 (37:26):
I think I better stick around for a few more days,
mister Chiltern.

Speaker 1 (37:30):
If the old lady's beginning to get fidgety, if if
you know what I mean.

Speaker 11 (37:42):
Well, something tells me that Stewart Winfield isn't such a
nice young man. After all, Could it be that he
wasn't telling missus Canby the truth about his dear mother
and his aunt Martha. Could he have not told her
the truth about his plans for the future.

Speaker 1 (38:00):
Of course, the real issue is.

Speaker 11 (38:03):
What sort of plan does he have for Ada Candy's future.
I'll be back shortly with Act three. I'm High Brown
and as producer of Radio Mystery Theater. Welcome to the
premiere of an exciting venture in modern radio, the return
of Spintinglink, suspense and mystery seven times a week with
fine actors and actresses and one other star player your imagination.

(38:29):
We'd like to hear whether you're glad radio drama is back,
So we're holding a weekly drawing for three weeks with
fifty prizes a week, two AMFM stereo phonos, two travel
clock radios, and forty six anthologies of modern suspense. All
you do is send us your name and address to
Mystery Theater Box fifty Radio City Station, New.

Speaker 6 (38:51):
York one hundred nineteen.

Speaker 11 (38:54):
Box fifty Radio City Station, New York one hundred nineteen
of good everywhere unless locally prohibited. Our drama continues in
one minute.

Speaker 17 (39:07):
Who knows how to help you solve your shopping problems.

Speaker 16 (39:11):
You're a better business bureau.

Speaker 1 (39:13):
But they advertise this chair for fifty dollars and now
they won't sell it to me. They're even trying to
get me to buy one for one hundred dollars. Isn't
there anyone who can tell.

Speaker 2 (39:24):
Me what to do?

Speaker 1 (39:28):
I can, madam, But who are you? I am the
man from a better business bureau.

Speaker 17 (39:34):
Or when someone advertises an item and then won't sell
it to you, when you come into the store, but
tries to get you to purchase something at a higher price,
you may be the victim of a scheme known as
bait and switch.

Speaker 1 (39:45):
Don't fall for it. In most places, it's illegal. Oh sir,
how can I ever thank you? No need to thank me, madam.

Speaker 17 (39:54):
That's what better business bureaus are for, to help consumers get.

Speaker 6 (39:58):
A fair deal.

Speaker 11 (40:05):
That's or missus Canby. She isn't sleeping well tonight, But
of course missus Canby has good reasons for insomnia. Her

(40:26):
thoughts are whirling her border Stewart was right. She doesn't
want the bother of going to the police.

Speaker 1 (40:35):
And she firmly believes in the old.

Speaker 11 (40:37):
Adage if you don't trouble, trouble, trouble won't trouble you.

Speaker 1 (40:43):
But still, oh my, I'm just never gonna get description
money or Stuart. She's still coughing. I'm sure that room
is just too drafty. I never should have let any
borders in until I got the windows fixed. Well, dear

(41:06):
that poor boy. I'm gonna forget the terrible night mister
Parson was coughing, sabaudy uh huh, and the way he
looked all gray and shrunken. If only I knew he
was just sick. No, if only he'd never even come
to this house.

Speaker 16 (41:26):
Missus Cambi I to Richards.

Speaker 1 (41:31):
I ever forget the sound of that man's voice. Innocent,
that poor man, all the years he's spending jail for
something he didn't do. N Sleeping dogs live, Missus Camby.
I am. I always said, let sleeping calls live. Only

(41:57):
I could get some sleep.

Speaker 9 (42:00):
It's matters times might over the card to the money,
oops to the police, lost to the police.

Speaker 1 (42:10):
A strange man, said mister Shelton, where he talked about
God praying at his desk. Of course God is everywhere
but his desk.

Speaker 16 (42:23):
Him for money.

Speaker 1 (42:28):
I was bad. I was bad to pay. Someone had
to pay him. Mr Parson wasn't the only guilly one.
Someone else was too.

Speaker 6 (42:42):
Farker argat arghast.

Speaker 1 (42:46):
Oh, dear lord, and mister Chelton Shelton, What did that
newspaper art to gonna say? The chief witness against mister
Lindell was Arnold Shelton. Oh but how could he be
a witness just something that never happened? How could he be?

(43:08):
I don't have to tell someone. I'll have to talk
to someone. Yes, I'll tell Stuart about it in the morning. Stewart,
are you awake? Yes? I love him at this doll

(43:29):
be come on?

Speaker 16 (43:32):
Oh oh no, no, don't tell me.

Speaker 1 (43:35):
I'm getting breakfast to get too. I know you had
a terrible night last night, Steward, you weren't coughing much
worse than ever. I guess that medicine wasn't very good. Sorry,
I kept you awakeness has carried out. That wasn't your fault. No,
something else kept me up. What was that? Oh my mind?
I guess maybe I should say my conscience. Oh so, sir,

(44:01):
but it is something serious, Stard. Well, I might have
let a man get away with murder. No, it's even
worse than that he did something worse than murder. You're
talking about Paulson again. No, I'm talking about the man
who hired mister Paulson. He didn't just have that man

(44:23):
Richardson's shot. He let an innocent person go to jail
and die there. It's like committing two murders. If you
ask me, I have to tell you something that occurred
to me last night. Sure, go ahead, Well it's about
mister Chelton, mister Arnold Chelton. Yeah, go on. Uh. Oh,

(44:47):
wonder if maybe the reason mister Shelton was so upset
with me, the reason he didn't want me to go
to the police, was because he was afraid. What you mean, Well,
what I mean is maybe mister Shelton had good reason.
Besides the one who told me he was working for

(45:08):
both mister Richardson and mister Lindale at the time of
the murder. Wells, Well, he was also the chief witness
at the trial, a witness for the prosecution. That he
saw the shooting, didn't he But that's just the point.
He saw mister Lindelle shoot mister Richardson. Well, that's not

(45:29):
what you told me last time. I mean that he
was an eyewitness and all.

Speaker 9 (45:33):
That's right.

Speaker 1 (45:34):
He didn't actually see the shooting. He was miles away
when it happened. I don't quite remember the details.

Speaker 12 (45:42):
Is there was something about a phone call maybe, yes.

Speaker 1 (45:45):
Yes, that's what it was. He claimed that mister Richardson
was talking to him on the phone when mister Lindale
showed up at his apartment. He said that Richardson cried
out something about Lindell having a gun when he heard
the shot. But how could that have happened if the
gun was fired by mister Parson, if missus cannedy, that's

(46:08):
the big little word, isn't it ify? Don't you see
what I'm saying, Stuart Arnold Sheldon had the most to
gain gain from one from both these men leaving the
firm that'll lead the whole thing. Can all this customers,
all the investments he handled, all the commissions are whatever?

(46:31):
The college? Are you accusing this guy? Shelton have been
thee cured? Yes, it's it's the only answer, Stewart. Look,
if that was the case, that.

Speaker 16 (46:42):
The police would have figured it out.

Speaker 1 (46:44):
But they didn't. There was nothing in the stories I
read that pointed any suspicion at mister Shelton. I don't
supposed to even the courts of them, and now the
company has all his You don't you don't call out
any well? Then did he let me go to the police.

(47:05):
Why did he try so hard to talk me out?
That man was praised to it. He was taking the
name of the lord. I'm sorry, Stuart, I'm so sorry.
I won't bother you anymore. I know what I have
to do anyway, I've already gone along. Still No, wait,

(47:30):
the minute I get back, I'm going to call doctor
George and ask him to come over. You're selling the
doctor the police. No, no, I call them. You're right,
I don't call them tracking mogmon, Carl. I'm going down
the station house and talk to them. I'll get dressed
now and go straight there. Please please think about what

(47:51):
you're doing. I'll tell them what I know and they
can do the rest. Now, you try to eat something, Steward,
please missus. Km D Sheldon.

Speaker 6 (48:13):
What is this, Winfield? I told you, I'm not to
call me at the office.

Speaker 1 (48:17):
It's emergency.

Speaker 6 (48:20):
Sound terrible.

Speaker 1 (48:20):
What's the matter with you? I'm sick. You're gonna be
a lot sicker. What are you talking about? The old lady?
I can't stop her.

Speaker 16 (48:29):
She decided to talk.

Speaker 1 (48:31):
She figured it out, figured out exactly what you did, Sheldon,
And how you.

Speaker 6 (48:35):
Didn't you fall?

Speaker 1 (48:37):
You stop it? You hear me. There wasn't part of
the deal, Sheldon.

Speaker 6 (48:41):
It's all the deal now.

Speaker 1 (48:43):
The price didn't include anything like that.

Speaker 18 (48:45):
Price just doubled. Old ladies, I'm always having accidents. Make
I have one, Make I have one now, Winfield, all right, all.

Speaker 1 (48:57):
Right, she's gonna she's gonna have a fall down there
and sell his steps right now, you.

Speaker 16 (49:09):
Get my robe on, I slip say, I gotta hurry, Stuart.

Speaker 1 (49:21):
Is that you over? One of them is called Stuart Whinsy?
What are you doing out of bed? Now? You go
right back there this second. I gotta talk to you,
missus Canby, before you go to the police. Listen to you.
You're all wined. You can hardly talks to it. Now
go back to bed before he catch among you too.

Speaker 12 (49:43):
Now, don't go, missus Canby. It would be better if
you never went to the police.

Speaker 1 (49:49):
Better for you, better for me, for you. I don't understand.
Well then I I wouldn't have to hurt you, missus Canby.
That's what I mean. I wouldn't have to do anything
bad to you. What is the world are you talking about?

Speaker 12 (50:06):
Come on, old lady, you're smart, all right, You really
think things true, So now think a little harder.

Speaker 1 (50:12):
Excuse Stu. What you're true about? Mister right, it's how
you do my rooms because mister talk. Now you're getting there.
Missus Canby's way, you're rendered it. That's why you were sick, just.

Speaker 12 (50:26):
To watch you, Missus Canby, just to see that you
stayed censor mess.

Speaker 1 (50:33):
Said she did. I was hoping you'd never change your
mind about calling the police. I didn't want this part
of it. This isn't the part I like their.

Speaker 19 (50:44):
Straight, Lassus Candy, you'll just take it easy, wires light
is the better, Missus Candy, just like my hand mother
would have been if if I had an ad Martha.

Speaker 1 (50:58):
Really ain't got a date now, Missus Canby. But I'm
such a fight, Missus Baby, I'm sick.

Speaker 16 (51:09):
Remember, just shut your eyes.

Speaker 12 (51:14):
Please shut your horizon, don't look down in the cart
your eyes. It's it's alright now, just be glad that

(51:42):
it hasn't you at the bottom of those stairs.

Speaker 1 (51:46):
Well, will he be all right? Doctor George?

Speaker 12 (51:50):
Now I don't want to worry about that man. For
truth is, his injuries don't mount very much. A couple
of broken ribs seem to be the worst of it. Word,
he'll be a patient for some time before they can
put him in prison where he belongs.

Speaker 1 (52:05):
Him and his uh friend? That was that man's name again?
You mean mister chill? Have they arrested here? Yeah? Yeah,
that's what the police technique said. I you understand Stuart's
injuries aren't sick. It's not the fall and made when
fields are sick.

Speaker 12 (52:25):
His case was diagnosed as simple pneumonia at first, and
then I remembered about your first border Nelson.

Speaker 1 (52:34):
Was but he had pneumonia too. He died of it. Oh.
Is is pneumonia contagious? Yes? Yes there is, but this
disease was even more contagious.

Speaker 12 (52:46):
It's a pneumonia caused by a disease called citacosis.

Speaker 1 (52:51):
Better all is parrot fema?

Speaker 12 (52:54):
H you get it from sick birds like the parakeets
in your spare room.

Speaker 1 (53:00):
No, mister Pussy's very sorry there, but they had to
be taken out and destroyed. Ah, what a shave it.

Speaker 12 (53:10):
There's one reason, uh, I feel sorry for him. They
saved your life, made mister Winfield, too weak even to
throw a little old lady down the flight of steps,
those poor little creatures. Yeah that you can be grateful
they didn't make you sick too mm. Direct fever is
so contagious that no more than one person in a

(53:32):
thousand could be exposed to it. An escape infection. It
was pretty done. Close to a miracle the doom. They're
hard to kill, doctor. Remember the old ones are hard
to kill.

Speaker 11 (53:52):
They say that people are living longer than ever before,
And when we look at ad it can be we
can understand what.

Speaker 1 (54:01):
She's a tough old lady.

Speaker 11 (54:03):
So tough she could withstand the threats of man, beasts
and birds.

Speaker 1 (54:09):
Yay.

Speaker 11 (54:09):
So let that be a warning to all those who
think that our senior citizens are easy pray for crime.

Speaker 1 (54:16):
Watch out. They may turn the tables on you or
the stairs. I'll be back shortly. This is Philistiller.

Speaker 13 (54:25):
Playing comedy and being funny is my life.

Speaker 1 (54:30):
Now.

Speaker 13 (54:30):
When you hear my voice, you expect the joke and
a laugh. But my kind of laughs and jokes are
no help at all to a very special kind of people,
mentally retarded children. You can help by being someone who cares, someone.

Speaker 1 (54:45):
Who will help. With help, with proper training.

Speaker 13 (54:49):
To stimulate his mind, and with love and patience, every
single mentally retarded child can gain a better understanding of
his world. But this takes a lot of work and
so much time. It's a big job. Won't you help
the people who are trying to get the job done?
Your local association of the National Association for Retarded Children.

Speaker 11 (55:12):
Called we have One Final Comment for you on behalf
of eight of Canby and Old People Everywhere as a saying,
there's no fool like an old fool.

Speaker 1 (55:34):
But it's also true that there's no wisdom and strength
like old.

Speaker 11 (55:39):
Wisdom and strength there Does that make you feel better
about your next birthday? Our cast included Agnes Moorehead, Leon
Jenny and Roger de Covin.

Speaker 1 (55:52):
The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown.
Now a preview of our next You spoil me shamefully?
That night I spoiled her just a bit more by

(56:14):
bringing hot cocoa to her in bed. Ohn't drink it
down now? Yes? Does it taste all right? Oh, tastes
just fine.

Speaker 20 (56:25):
Now that was very good news, because I'd prepared the
hot cocoa myself, and I had no idea whether twenty
five melted sleeping pills would seriously affect the flavors.

Speaker 1 (56:37):
This is e. G.

Speaker 11 (56:38):
Marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater for
another adventure in the macabre.

Speaker 6 (56:45):
Until next time, Pleasant dreams.

Speaker 1 (57:33):
W D A F.

Speaker 6 (57:34):
Kansas City,