December 16, 2024 • 29 mins
The Old Time Christmas Radio Channel from REL-MAR McConnell Media Company is a delightful auditory journey back to the golden age of radio, where the spirit of the holiday season comes to life through classic broadcasts. This channel features a treasure trove of family-friendly shows that harken back to yesteryear, offering a charming mix of nostalgia and heartwarming tales perfect for listeners of all ages. Listeners can enjoy timeless Christmas favorites that include festive stories, and comedic sketches from beloved classic radio programs. Each broadcast is carefully curated to evoke the magic of Christmas, transporting audiences to a simpler time filled with joy, laughter, and the warmth of family gatherings. Waith a rich library of vintage audio from iconic shows, the Old Time Christmas Radio Channel creates an enchanting backdrop for holiday celebrations. Whether you’re decorating the Christmas tree, wrapping gifts, or enjoying a warm beverage by the fire, this channel provides the perfect soundtrack to make your holiday season even more special. Tune in and let the delightful narratives and jingling tunes rekindle cherished memories and create new traditions for generations to come. For more Old Time Radio and other great programming from REL-MAR McConell Media Company visit www.xzbn.net. Merry Christmas Everyone from REL-MAR McConnell Media Company – www.rel-mar.com
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
Around Dark City and in the territory on West. There's
just one way to handle the killers of the spoilers,
and that's with a US Marshal and the smell of guns. Smoke, Guns, Smoke,
(00:40):
starring William Conrad. The Story of the Violence that moved
West with Young America, The Story of a man who
moved with it. Matt Dillon, United States Marshals. Everything was
(01:08):
all right until about a mile north of the Cimarron.
And that's when my horse got a hoof caught in
a frozen dog hole and broke his leg, so I
had to shoot him. Made me feel awful bad. I
didn't feel any better thinking about the walk ahead of me,
most of forty miles to Dodge, and carrying my saddle
(01:28):
all the way. I guess I'd been on the trail
about an hour and near as I could figure this
around the tree in the afternoon, and i'd ease the
saddle off my shoulders for a rest and a smoke,
And that's when I saw the stranger riding up from
the way i'd come. He was tall and thin, and
his horse was taller than even thinner, and they made
(01:52):
quite a pair. How are you you lost? No my
horse bustered his leg away back. I am on my
way to dodge. That's your house, huh I saw it? Yeah,
only way to dodge em. Yeah, that's right. You got
(02:16):
any more of that tobaccam? Yeah? Sure here you are? Thanks? Hey,
thanks a lot. That's okay, a big walk you've got
ahead into kind of you're gonna be duck soon. You
figure making camp, that's the idea. It's too bad. Yeah.
(02:42):
Do you need any food? No? No, no, thanks, I can't.
Uh well, I thank you for the tobaccuam. Sure anytime. Hey, yeah,
saying this beast won't drop dead from the shop. But
(03:02):
do you want to climb on behind save your piece
of boot leather for a while? Anyway, I'd be much
obliged you if you think that animal of yours can
carry it? Well, she won't mind. Should have been dead
a long time ago, except she don't know it. She
don't mind. Okay, thanks, here will you oh my saddle? Then?
I got up? Huh yeah, give it here? Yeah? Can
(03:28):
you manage to saddle? Yeah, yeah, I got it. Let's go.
You heading for dodge too, not in particular, just not. Ah.
This beast will do about ten knots with the wind
(03:49):
behind her. But we ain't gonna get more than five
with this load. You win in no hurry. I am well.
I was kind of hoping to get back tonight, Chris.
You know. Oh yeah, that's right in it. Yeah, that
backbone has sticking it to you. Oh no, it's okay. Thanks,
(04:12):
noticed that tin do jigger tied to you? You were
the law? Yeah, yeah, I'm a I'm a US marshal.
My name is Matt Dillon. That's so, I've never seen
a marshall on foot. Well it happens sometimes. Now set
you're down this way, you need to mite off your course.
(04:36):
So you marshalled down here as well as Dodge. No no,
I just took a prisoner across the Simron into Oklahoma Territory,
turned him over to the army there did then he
shut up tight. We must have ridden a couple of
miles without a word. I got to thinking about Dodge, Chester,
(05:01):
Doc and Kitty and the rest of 'em. You know,
there's something pretty special about any place at Christmas time.
The backborne on the stranger's knag was just about to
split me in two when he thought that my name
is Cowley, but a heath too was spelled. She's breathing
(05:27):
mighty hot. Alright, hold up a yeah, it's gotten a
little chili and ye did I trouble you for another smoke? Oh? Sure?
Sure here yeah I think you see m what's it
(05:54):
like in Dutch my Dodge or what's it like? Oh?
So like any other town? I guess? Very big? Well, yeah,
I I guess so not so big as New York though.
Oh no, no, no, no, no, not as big as that.
You know, I haven't been in the big town now
(06:15):
form more ten years? How's that so?
Speaker 2 (06:17):
No?
Speaker 1 (06:19):
Been down the territories drifting or I'd move up north
this time? Maybe go back east? You're from the east,
huh some time back? See what's it like?
Speaker 2 (06:35):
What?
Speaker 1 (06:36):
Well Dodge anytime? Uh uh? At Christmas? Same as it
used to be? Ah, I guess, so what do you do? Well?
Same as most people? I guess what most people do it?
Christ Well, that ain't saying a lot. What are the
folks like? And what does it look like? I I
just i'd just kind of like to know, Well, I
(06:59):
I don't know. Well, there's Front Street that's most of
Dodge right now. Of course it's getting bigger do you
have any kids? No, No, I'm not married. Kids have
fun Christmas, Yeah, yeah they do, that's certain. And Dodge
they sometimes have a party for the kids and a
(07:21):
couple of days before Christmas. Kids like that, and then
everybody gets feeling good looking forward to Christmas Eve. Back
last year, there was snow on the ground, but the
sky was clear. You could even see the stars. I
(07:42):
was going down the street to the Texas Trail to
meet Doc and Chester Chester. He's my deputy. Doc's a
doctor in town. We had some work to do. Later
on in the evening. You could see the light shining
behind the curtained windows, and almost everybody had a sprig
of Hollyberry's hanging up. They got some from the east
a couple of days earlier. I remember running into John Bumby.
(08:08):
He's a kind of general handyman a Dodge never says much,
but he sure had a lot to say that night.
Oh hello, Marshall, Oh hi John. A lovely night for
a Christmas Eve, isn't it?
Speaker 2 (08:23):
That?
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Certainly is John? Pretty fine night, Peace on earth. Goodwell
to man.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
What you doing?
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Yeah, that's the way it should be, John. You know, Marshall,
this is going to be quite a night for.
Speaker 4 (08:37):
Me, Yes, sir, oh, oh, yes, sir, tonight I'm asking
missus McNish to become missus Bumby.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
What why John? I didn't know that.
Speaker 4 (08:50):
I know it's been a mighty fast secret, but I'm
puffing the question tonight.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Well, I wish a lot of luck, John. Hey, i'll
tell you what. Come by to the Texas Trail later
and we'll have a drink on it. Or are you will?
You really will? Marshall, You're a good and kind Marshall,
good and kind Marycret just Marshall Dan.
Speaker 3 (09:12):
Marycret was the.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
Same to you. John. That may sound kind of funny
to you, but John Bumby is a good man, a
little peculiar sometimes, but good as they come. And they
don't make enough like him, of course, most everybody in
Dodge suspected. Doc and Ms McNish we're a sweet on
(09:35):
each other. But it just goes to show you. I'll
tell you about John and Ms mcniche a little later.
So I went on down the street. You know, it's
a funny thing about those words Merry Christmas. Men say
it to each other, and well it makes them feel
kind of good. I know what you mean. Used to
(09:58):
be a seafaring man myself. When you're on the sea
and it comes Christmas, things like that, can they can
count a lot? Yeah, and we might as well get
under way again. Sure, all right, you want to take
your saddle? Good here? Okay, I guess. I guess you'll
(10:28):
miss it in Dodge tonight, I mean, won't you. Well
you could get a little more out of this nigger yours.
We might make it. And oh, there's not a chance
she'll be on her be men's pretty quick. She's been
on a long reachin center a mighty bear country up
this way, all right. It depends on what you're used
(10:50):
to it, mighty bear where I've been to. It's not
like the sea. That's always different. How come you left it?
I always heard a sailor doesn't ever get it out
of his blood the sea. Guess you can get it
out of your blood? All right, you got the right
reason you can. Yeah, I guess. So. Hey, you're trying
(11:12):
to get something out of me, But well, no, get
what I would just remember? Want to ride with me?
I don't want any talk about the sea. Well you
brought it up, I get it. We will return for
(11:50):
the second act of gun smoke in just a moment.
But first tomorrow night, Jack Benny and his whole fun
making gang make a personal appearance at a long Beach,
California veterans hospital. It's going to be a Christmas they'll
never forget. As Benny and the bunch cut loose while
they assist the folks at the hospital and trimming their
Christmas tree. Be sure to join the fund tomorrow night
(12:11):
on CBS Radio when it's Jack Benny Time all across America.
Now for the second act, I've gun smoke. Amos Cowy
(12:36):
sulked his way along the trail for the next while,
and then it was almost like he couldn't stand the quiet,
or maybe he had things on his mind. He turned
his head. Go on, what go on? Tell me? Simon?
Oh about Dodge? Well, I don't know how well you try, Samon. Well,
(13:02):
they got a little pine tree in the Texas Trade. Yeah,
come down a long way from the north. Kitty Russell,
she she's a hostess in the Texas Trail. Well she
she got a lot of ribbon and geegaws and made
it look real nice. That was last Christmas. It was
Star at the top the Star. Yeah, I think so.
It looked like a star. I guess sure looked pretty.
(13:25):
And there was a well, a difference in the place
that day. Everybody was celebrating and feeling real good. The
doors had swing open and somebody had come in, and
you know, maybe somebody you just knew to not at
but because it was Christmas Eve, he'd come right up
and say, hell, oh, maybe that's a good reason. Maybe not.
(13:47):
I don't know. Anyhow, it was still kind of early.
Kitty and Chester were standing off looking at the tree.
Hi Maniving, mister Dillon, Hi Kitty, how do you like it?
Mass Christmas tree? That's that's real pretty only tree but
one and the whole time. Yeah, Kate's got one over
(14:08):
the alphaganza. I'll have to see it later. But where Sam,
I don't know. Maybe he started celebrating. Two Doc's taking
over the bar. Yeah, that's right, you want a drink?
Speaker 2 (14:20):
Take sure all right?
Speaker 1 (14:24):
You haven't forgotten anything, have you, mister Dylan? Forgotten? What there?
What did I tell you, miss kiddie? I knew just
as sure my nose. Oh god, no, no, I hadn't forgotten.
Speaker 5 (14:38):
Oh well, I thought it. As soon as you gets
Sam sober enough to take care of the customers.
Speaker 1 (14:43):
We could go on over the docs like we planned. Sure,
we'll do that, Chuck, hey man, thanks Doc, we have
still snowing out. No, no, it's not Why are you going?
Get it all right?
Speaker 6 (15:02):
Just want to look outside.
Speaker 1 (15:05):
A real pretty man thinks of a lot of funny
things that don't mean much. Katty's standing at the door,
sniffing the cold air and the warmth inside and the
(15:29):
whiskey and me it was a good feeling. And then
Chester and I decided to take a bottle over to
mister high Tower. He's the telegraph operator over at the depot.
He runs a printing shop on the side. Say mister Dylon, yet, Chester.
Speaker 5 (15:45):
Do you mind if I stop by the church for
a minute.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
No, I don't mind.
Speaker 5 (15:53):
I just feel kind of right tonight, mister Dylan figure out,
thank somebody for it.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
Sure, so always stopped by the church. I've never been
much of a man for a church, I guess, but
I went along with Chester. Wasn't anybody else there, just
(16:20):
the two of us, I guess we sent for ten
minutes in that place. Chester a little way off with
his head bowed. You know, there's a lot of peace
in a church. Maybe it's the quiet. Maybe maybe it's
the good that people find in there. Whatever it was,
(16:41):
it made a man feel glad about pretty much everything.
I haven't been in the church since I don't know when.
How's that so.
Speaker 2 (16:51):
Heave to?
Speaker 1 (16:54):
She's becomed again? Mister Okay, eh h she sure wasn't
built for it. I'll tell you. You just see anything
like that. Uh, she is kind of old, and I've
had to going on eight years. She hasn't changed a mite,
eats like a pig and looks like a four legged
(17:15):
missmist smoke, don't mind. Hey what about that? Uh that
fell a High Towers? You get that bottle to him? Oh? Sure, sure, yeah,
I guess it was lonely over in the depot all alone.
He he was glad for the company. There was a
(17:36):
wood fire brenner than the stove, but it didn't keep
off the cold. Well, how are you a dance? Merry Christmas? Well?
How's it going, mister High Tower?
Speaker 4 (17:55):
Oh slow, marshall, slow bit of excitement. About an hour
back though, So yeah, nine fifteen got stuck between here
and hutches and lots of snowback there.
Speaker 1 (18:05):
They getting her out, I'm sure they're.
Speaker 4 (18:07):
Trying, but I'm sure glad I'm not on it. It's
going to be a cold night on that train.
Speaker 1 (18:12):
It's kind of chilly in here, isn't, mister hight Tower,
And it warmer and now I'm going to sleep it
will say we brought.
Speaker 5 (18:18):
Over a bottle of Irish company.
Speaker 4 (18:21):
She says, Well, I declare, I was just thinking about
a top before you boys come in. Now that's real friendly.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
Will you have a drink with me? Well, you sure will.
Let's open her up.
Speaker 4 (18:31):
Huh. A couple of glasses up on the shelfair itches
to get them down, will you.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
I don't know if you got an idea about the
folks and Dodge or not, that they are not any
different than any other people, or the tom either. I guess.
Maybe it's a pretty small place at that, the deep
at the hall, a few stores, church, docks, office, the
(19:03):
Texas Trail out of Forraganza. My office not much. But hey,
it's where you live, you know. Sounds all right? I
lived in the town once back east small, I know
what you mean? Or maybe you'll be going back, maybe,
(19:25):
say the kids they still believe in Saint Nick. Oh, sure,
all your kids down where I've been Indian kids. They
don't believe in Saint Nick. No reason they should. I
guess I used to believe in it. You know that. Well,
I guess most people did one time or another. Hey,
you figure we come maybe ten miles, maybe it's getting dark. Yeah,
(19:51):
well come on, you want to you want to ride
the saddle for a bit? Oh? No, no? And that's okay. Well,
and okay. We rode on, and I thought about last year,
about Kitty, Doc and Chester and Meat. Going over to
(20:11):
Doc's place. After Doc got tired, attended bar the Texas Trail.
It was about a quarter to midnight, and we stood
around and sang Christmas carols. And I remember how it
sounded that night, how it looked, the glow and the
(20:34):
stove in the middle of the room and frosty windows.
That was Christmas eve.
Speaker 3 (20:47):
Bar was salty. No, no, no, is arcky right, say
(21:09):
that was fine, that was just fine.
Speaker 1 (21:13):
I say, now, what do you say for me?
Speaker 2 (21:16):
Listen?
Speaker 6 (21:17):
Huh oh Mary, Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry, Christmas, Merry Christmas.
Speaker 1 (21:29):
Do you know I feel sentimental? That's exactly what I feel.
I feel sentimental.
Speaker 5 (21:35):
I know what you mean.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
I surely know.
Speaker 2 (21:40):
Okay, Doc, bring him out to her, and I remember
how Doc scuttled over to the bureau and brought out
some packages.
Speaker 1 (21:54):
The presents weren't much, but it didn't matter what they were.
And when we finished opening on it was Chester who
said what we were all thinking.
Speaker 5 (22:05):
I just I just want to say, miss Kitty, Doc, you,
mister Dylan, I just want to say that this is
the best dog gone Christmas I ever had.
Speaker 7 (22:21):
And that's what I want to say.
Speaker 1 (22:35):
Say. He was gonna tell me about that that fellow
John was caught in that woman that was a name?
Oh yeah, Ms mcnisch. That's right, Well she said yes,
and you've never seen two happier people in your whole life.
Yeah she is Miss McNish bumpy. Oh that's good.
Speaker 3 (22:56):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (22:58):
You know you might settle for a bit and Dodger
you could get work there. Sure would be fine if
you could get back tonight, wouldn't it. Well, it can't
be helped. I be a lot further away and a
side more tired if you hadn't come along and listen.
How far do you figure before there's a place you
(23:19):
might pick up a horse? Oh, I don't know, fifteen
miles or so. Maybe I'm not going to make any
fifteen miles in this neck tonight, that's for sure. Oh
that's all right now, I tell you what. You go
on alone? You see oh nothing, you go on alone.
She'd hold out with one man on her and then
you get a fresh horse and you ride into Dodge tonight. Wow. Thanks,
that's all I'm telling you. I want you to go.
(23:40):
I'll be fine. I've walked before, probably make it almost
as quick as you. Ah. Look, it's real nice of you,
mister Cally, but no thanks. Oh Christmas don't mean nothing
to me. You got friends waiting for you. Well, i'll
see him tomorrow. Ah, you're a fool. God. That may
be all of them nice folks, and we're gonna make
(24:05):
them feel pretty bad. Look, I'll stay if you wanna
go on along. Uh thanks for the ride. Well that's well,
make Kempton, I guess so. And listen, you wanted to
tell me some more about uh what you were telling me?
(24:25):
What returning? Well sure, I take it kindly, mister. I'll
get yourself settled. I get some stuff in my pack.
We can eat and maybe get a fire going. Then
after we eat, you can tell me some We made
a fire and then shared what we had for supper.
He seemed to soften up after that, and we talked
(24:48):
for a couple or three hours. It was like he
was starved for news of people, every day things than
just plain company. That's how we spent Christmas Eve together
out on the plane. And then when the fire was
dying down and I was about ready for sleep, he said, Marshall, yeah,
(25:11):
I wanna tell you something I've been needing to tell
it for a long time. Do you mind? Of course
I don't mind. Well, then I'll tell you. A few
years ago, I was a skipper of a little schooner
used to sail up and down the East Coast, you know, Boston,
New York. Yeah. Well, one night we hit dirty weather
off New Jersey, real dirty blew us off course and
(25:34):
we piled up on the rocks and knocked the bottom out.
That's too bad. It was eighteen passengers aboard, Marshall. Four
of 'em was kids. We never saw 'em again, and
my own, my own wife, my kid went down too. Huh.
I'm sorry. Well, now something must have happened to me
(25:56):
after that. I didn't want nothing to do with with
chip saw the sea and I started to drift out
this way. I couldn't forget though, do you know. And
I didn't want to be near folks, especially kids, to
remind me, you know. Yeah, And that's how come I've
(26:16):
been slowing around ever since. Sure, I understand, just kind
of wanted to get it off my chest. Sure, Marsham,
I'd like to ride into Dodge with you tomorrow. You
think I might meet some of them folks He was
(26:37):
telling them about why I don't see why not, but
that it'd be all right. Maybe I wouldn't need to
drift no more. Maybe I could uh hm drop anchored,
you know, yeah, you mine at that? Yes, Well, good night,
(27:02):
good night, Merry Christmas, Marshal, Merry Christmas, mister Kelly. Gun
(27:36):
Smoke under the direction of Norman MacDonald's stars William Conrad
as Matt Dillon U S. Marshall. To Night's story was
specially written for gun Smoke by Anthony Ellis, with music
composed and conducted by Rex Cory. Featured in the cast
were Lawrence Dabkin with Harry Bartel and John Dayner, Harley
Bear is Chester, Howard mcner is doc, and Georgia Ellis
(27:58):
is Kiddy. Gun Smoke is heard by our troops overseas
through the worldwide facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service.
Join us again next week as Matt Dylan US Marshall
fights to bring law and order out of the wild
violence of the West. In gun Smoke. Tomorrow Night, Edgar
(28:26):
Bergen's real life daughter Candy pays him and you a
visit on The Edgar Bergan Show with Charlie McCarthy. Candy
and Charlie hit it off fine, but Edgar is paused
to regret his hasty decision to invite his six year
old daughter into the show, especially when she starts throwing
Her voice sounds like fun. Tomorrow Night, on most of
these same stations, when CBS Radio presents The Edgar Burghan
(28:48):
Show with Charlie McCarthy, this is Roy Rowan speaking. And
remember Eve Harden His Armis Brooks teaches you how to
laugh every Sunday on the CBS Radio Network
Speaker 3 (29:14):
Set
Around Dark City and in the territory on West. There's
just one way to handle the killers of the spoilers,
and that's with a US Marshal and the smell of guns. Smoke, Guns, Smoke,
(00:40):
starring William Conrad. The Story of the Violence that moved
West with Young America, The Story of a man who
moved with it. Matt Dillon, United States Marshals. Everything was
(01:08):
all right until about a mile north of the Cimarron.
And that's when my horse got a hoof caught in
a frozen dog hole and broke his leg, so I
had to shoot him. Made me feel awful bad. I
didn't feel any better thinking about the walk ahead of me,
most of forty miles to Dodge, and carrying my saddle
(01:28):
all the way. I guess I'd been on the trail
about an hour and near as I could figure this
around the tree in the afternoon, and i'd ease the
saddle off my shoulders for a rest and a smoke,
And that's when I saw the stranger riding up from
the way i'd come. He was tall and thin, and
his horse was taller than even thinner, and they made
(01:52):
quite a pair. How are you you lost? No my
horse bustered his leg away back. I am on my
way to dodge. That's your house, huh I saw it? Yeah,
only way to dodge em. Yeah, that's right. You got
(02:16):
any more of that tobaccam? Yeah? Sure here you are? Thanks? Hey,
thanks a lot. That's okay, a big walk you've got
ahead into kind of you're gonna be duck soon. You
figure making camp, that's the idea. It's too bad. Yeah.
(02:42):
Do you need any food? No? No, no, thanks, I can't.
Uh well, I thank you for the tobaccuam. Sure anytime. Hey, yeah,
saying this beast won't drop dead from the shop. But
(03:02):
do you want to climb on behind save your piece
of boot leather for a while? Anyway, I'd be much
obliged you if you think that animal of yours can
carry it? Well, she won't mind. Should have been dead
a long time ago, except she don't know it. She
don't mind. Okay, thanks, here will you oh my saddle? Then?
I got up? Huh yeah, give it here? Yeah? Can
(03:28):
you manage to saddle? Yeah, yeah, I got it. Let's go.
You heading for dodge too, not in particular, just not. Ah.
This beast will do about ten knots with the wind
(03:49):
behind her. But we ain't gonna get more than five
with this load. You win in no hurry. I am well.
I was kind of hoping to get back tonight, Chris.
You know. Oh yeah, that's right in it. Yeah, that
backbone has sticking it to you. Oh no, it's okay. Thanks,
(04:12):
noticed that tin do jigger tied to you? You were
the law? Yeah, yeah, I'm a I'm a US marshal.
My name is Matt Dillon. That's so, I've never seen
a marshall on foot. Well it happens sometimes. Now set
you're down this way, you need to mite off your course.
(04:36):
So you marshalled down here as well as Dodge. No no,
I just took a prisoner across the Simron into Oklahoma Territory,
turned him over to the army there did then he
shut up tight. We must have ridden a couple of
miles without a word. I got to thinking about Dodge, Chester,
(05:01):
Doc and Kitty and the rest of 'em. You know,
there's something pretty special about any place at Christmas time.
The backborne on the stranger's knag was just about to
split me in two when he thought that my name
is Cowley, but a heath too was spelled. She's breathing
(05:27):
mighty hot. Alright, hold up a yeah, it's gotten a
little chili and ye did I trouble you for another smoke? Oh? Sure?
Sure here yeah I think you see m what's it
(05:54):
like in Dutch my Dodge or what's it like? Oh?
So like any other town? I guess? Very big? Well, yeah,
I I guess so not so big as New York though.
Oh no, no, no, no, no, not as big as that.
You know, I haven't been in the big town now
(06:15):
form more ten years? How's that so?
Speaker 2 (06:17):
No?
Speaker 1 (06:19):
Been down the territories drifting or I'd move up north
this time? Maybe go back east? You're from the east,
huh some time back? See what's it like?
Speaker 2 (06:35):
What?
Speaker 1 (06:36):
Well Dodge anytime? Uh uh? At Christmas? Same as it
used to be? Ah, I guess, so what do you do? Well?
Same as most people? I guess what most people do it?
Christ Well, that ain't saying a lot. What are the
folks like? And what does it look like? I I
just i'd just kind of like to know, Well, I
(06:59):
I don't know. Well, there's Front Street that's most of
Dodge right now. Of course it's getting bigger do you
have any kids? No, No, I'm not married. Kids have
fun Christmas, Yeah, yeah they do, that's certain. And Dodge
they sometimes have a party for the kids and a
(07:21):
couple of days before Christmas. Kids like that, and then
everybody gets feeling good looking forward to Christmas Eve. Back
last year, there was snow on the ground, but the
sky was clear. You could even see the stars. I
(07:42):
was going down the street to the Texas Trail to
meet Doc and Chester Chester. He's my deputy. Doc's a
doctor in town. We had some work to do. Later
on in the evening. You could see the light shining
behind the curtained windows, and almost everybody had a sprig
of Hollyberry's hanging up. They got some from the east
a couple of days earlier. I remember running into John Bumby.
(08:08):
He's a kind of general handyman a Dodge never says much,
but he sure had a lot to say that night.
Oh hello, Marshall, Oh hi John. A lovely night for
a Christmas Eve, isn't it?
Speaker 2 (08:23):
That?
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Certainly is John? Pretty fine night, Peace on earth. Goodwell
to man.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
What you doing?
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Yeah, that's the way it should be, John. You know, Marshall,
this is going to be quite a night for.
Speaker 4 (08:37):
Me, Yes, sir, oh, oh, yes, sir, tonight I'm asking
missus McNish to become missus Bumby.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
What why John? I didn't know that.
Speaker 4 (08:50):
I know it's been a mighty fast secret, but I'm
puffing the question tonight.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Well, I wish a lot of luck, John. Hey, i'll
tell you what. Come by to the Texas Trail later
and we'll have a drink on it. Or are you will?
You really will? Marshall, You're a good and kind Marshall,
good and kind Marycret just Marshall Dan.
Speaker 3 (09:12):
Marycret was the.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
Same to you. John. That may sound kind of funny
to you, but John Bumby is a good man, a
little peculiar sometimes, but good as they come. And they
don't make enough like him, of course, most everybody in
Dodge suspected. Doc and Ms McNish we're a sweet on
(09:35):
each other. But it just goes to show you. I'll
tell you about John and Ms mcniche a little later.
So I went on down the street. You know, it's
a funny thing about those words Merry Christmas. Men say
it to each other, and well it makes them feel
kind of good. I know what you mean. Used to
(09:58):
be a seafaring man myself. When you're on the sea
and it comes Christmas, things like that, can they can
count a lot? Yeah, and we might as well get
under way again. Sure, all right, you want to take
your saddle? Good here? Okay, I guess. I guess you'll
(10:28):
miss it in Dodge tonight, I mean, won't you. Well
you could get a little more out of this nigger yours.
We might make it. And oh, there's not a chance
she'll be on her be men's pretty quick. She's been
on a long reachin center a mighty bear country up
this way, all right. It depends on what you're used
(10:50):
to it, mighty bear where I've been to. It's not
like the sea. That's always different. How come you left it?
I always heard a sailor doesn't ever get it out
of his blood the sea. Guess you can get it
out of your blood? All right, you got the right
reason you can. Yeah, I guess. So. Hey, you're trying
(11:12):
to get something out of me, But well, no, get
what I would just remember? Want to ride with me?
I don't want any talk about the sea. Well you
brought it up, I get it. We will return for
(11:50):
the second act of gun smoke in just a moment.
But first tomorrow night, Jack Benny and his whole fun
making gang make a personal appearance at a long Beach,
California veterans hospital. It's going to be a Christmas they'll
never forget. As Benny and the bunch cut loose while
they assist the folks at the hospital and trimming their
Christmas tree. Be sure to join the fund tomorrow night
(12:11):
on CBS Radio when it's Jack Benny Time all across America.
Now for the second act, I've gun smoke. Amos Cowy
(12:36):
sulked his way along the trail for the next while,
and then it was almost like he couldn't stand the quiet,
or maybe he had things on his mind. He turned
his head. Go on, what go on? Tell me? Simon?
Oh about Dodge? Well, I don't know how well you try, Samon. Well,
(13:02):
they got a little pine tree in the Texas Trade. Yeah,
come down a long way from the north. Kitty Russell,
she she's a hostess in the Texas Trail. Well she
she got a lot of ribbon and geegaws and made
it look real nice. That was last Christmas. It was
Star at the top the Star. Yeah, I think so.
It looked like a star. I guess sure looked pretty.
(13:25):
And there was a well, a difference in the place
that day. Everybody was celebrating and feeling real good. The
doors had swing open and somebody had come in, and
you know, maybe somebody you just knew to not at
but because it was Christmas Eve, he'd come right up
and say, hell, oh, maybe that's a good reason. Maybe not.
(13:47):
I don't know. Anyhow, it was still kind of early.
Kitty and Chester were standing off looking at the tree.
Hi Maniving, mister Dillon, Hi Kitty, how do you like it?
Mass Christmas tree? That's that's real pretty only tree but
one and the whole time. Yeah, Kate's got one over
(14:08):
the alphaganza. I'll have to see it later. But where Sam,
I don't know. Maybe he started celebrating. Two Doc's taking
over the bar. Yeah, that's right, you want a drink?
Speaker 2 (14:20):
Take sure all right?
Speaker 1 (14:24):
You haven't forgotten anything, have you, mister Dylan? Forgotten? What there?
What did I tell you, miss kiddie? I knew just
as sure my nose. Oh god, no, no, I hadn't forgotten.
Speaker 5 (14:38):
Oh well, I thought it. As soon as you gets
Sam sober enough to take care of the customers.
Speaker 1 (14:43):
We could go on over the docs like we planned. Sure,
we'll do that, Chuck, hey man, thanks Doc, we have
still snowing out. No, no, it's not Why are you going?
Get it all right?
Speaker 6 (15:02):
Just want to look outside.
Speaker 1 (15:05):
A real pretty man thinks of a lot of funny
things that don't mean much. Katty's standing at the door,
sniffing the cold air and the warmth inside and the
(15:29):
whiskey and me it was a good feeling. And then
Chester and I decided to take a bottle over to
mister high Tower. He's the telegraph operator over at the depot.
He runs a printing shop on the side. Say mister Dylon, yet, Chester.
Speaker 5 (15:45):
Do you mind if I stop by the church for
a minute.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
No, I don't mind.
Speaker 5 (15:53):
I just feel kind of right tonight, mister Dylan figure out,
thank somebody for it.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
Sure, so always stopped by the church. I've never been
much of a man for a church, I guess, but
I went along with Chester. Wasn't anybody else there, just
(16:20):
the two of us, I guess we sent for ten
minutes in that place. Chester a little way off with
his head bowed. You know, there's a lot of peace
in a church. Maybe it's the quiet. Maybe maybe it's
the good that people find in there. Whatever it was,
(16:41):
it made a man feel glad about pretty much everything.
I haven't been in the church since I don't know when.
How's that so.
Speaker 2 (16:51):
Heave to?
Speaker 1 (16:54):
She's becomed again? Mister Okay, eh h she sure wasn't
built for it. I'll tell you. You just see anything
like that. Uh, she is kind of old, and I've
had to going on eight years. She hasn't changed a mite,
eats like a pig and looks like a four legged
(17:15):
missmist smoke, don't mind. Hey what about that? Uh that
fell a High Towers? You get that bottle to him? Oh? Sure, sure, yeah,
I guess it was lonely over in the depot all alone.
He he was glad for the company. There was a
(17:36):
wood fire brenner than the stove, but it didn't keep
off the cold. Well, how are you a dance? Merry Christmas? Well?
How's it going, mister High Tower?
Speaker 4 (17:55):
Oh slow, marshall, slow bit of excitement. About an hour
back though, So yeah, nine fifteen got stuck between here
and hutches and lots of snowback there.
Speaker 1 (18:05):
They getting her out, I'm sure they're.
Speaker 4 (18:07):
Trying, but I'm sure glad I'm not on it. It's
going to be a cold night on that train.
Speaker 1 (18:12):
It's kind of chilly in here, isn't, mister hight Tower,
And it warmer and now I'm going to sleep it
will say we brought.
Speaker 5 (18:18):
Over a bottle of Irish company.
Speaker 4 (18:21):
She says, Well, I declare, I was just thinking about
a top before you boys come in. Now that's real friendly.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
Will you have a drink with me? Well, you sure will.
Let's open her up.
Speaker 4 (18:31):
Huh. A couple of glasses up on the shelfair itches
to get them down, will you.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
I don't know if you got an idea about the
folks and Dodge or not, that they are not any
different than any other people, or the tom either. I guess.
Maybe it's a pretty small place at that, the deep
at the hall, a few stores, church, docks, office, the
(19:03):
Texas Trail out of Forraganza. My office not much. But hey,
it's where you live, you know. Sounds all right? I
lived in the town once back east small, I know
what you mean? Or maybe you'll be going back, maybe,
(19:25):
say the kids they still believe in Saint Nick. Oh, sure,
all your kids down where I've been Indian kids. They
don't believe in Saint Nick. No reason they should. I
guess I used to believe in it. You know that. Well,
I guess most people did one time or another. Hey,
you figure we come maybe ten miles, maybe it's getting dark. Yeah,
(19:51):
well come on, you want to you want to ride
the saddle for a bit? Oh? No, no? And that's okay. Well,
and okay. We rode on, and I thought about last year,
about Kitty, Doc and Chester and Meat. Going over to
(20:11):
Doc's place. After Doc got tired, attended bar the Texas Trail.
It was about a quarter to midnight, and we stood
around and sang Christmas carols. And I remember how it
sounded that night, how it looked, the glow and the
(20:34):
stove in the middle of the room and frosty windows.
That was Christmas eve.
Speaker 3 (20:47):
Bar was salty. No, no, no, is arcky right, say
(21:09):
that was fine, that was just fine.
Speaker 1 (21:13):
I say, now, what do you say for me?
Speaker 2 (21:16):
Listen?
Speaker 6 (21:17):
Huh oh Mary, Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry, Christmas, Merry Christmas.
Speaker 1 (21:29):
Do you know I feel sentimental? That's exactly what I feel.
I feel sentimental.
Speaker 5 (21:35):
I know what you mean.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
I surely know.
Speaker 2 (21:40):
Okay, Doc, bring him out to her, and I remember
how Doc scuttled over to the bureau and brought out
some packages.
Speaker 1 (21:54):
The presents weren't much, but it didn't matter what they were.
And when we finished opening on it was Chester who
said what we were all thinking.
Speaker 5 (22:05):
I just I just want to say, miss Kitty, Doc, you,
mister Dylan, I just want to say that this is
the best dog gone Christmas I ever had.
Speaker 7 (22:21):
And that's what I want to say.
Speaker 1 (22:35):
Say. He was gonna tell me about that that fellow
John was caught in that woman that was a name?
Oh yeah, Ms mcnisch. That's right, Well she said yes,
and you've never seen two happier people in your whole life.
Yeah she is Miss McNish bumpy. Oh that's good.
Speaker 3 (22:56):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (22:58):
You know you might settle for a bit and Dodger
you could get work there. Sure would be fine if
you could get back tonight, wouldn't it. Well, it can't
be helped. I be a lot further away and a
side more tired if you hadn't come along and listen.
How far do you figure before there's a place you
(23:19):
might pick up a horse? Oh, I don't know, fifteen
miles or so. Maybe I'm not going to make any
fifteen miles in this neck tonight, that's for sure. Oh
that's all right now, I tell you what. You go
on alone? You see oh nothing, you go on alone.
She'd hold out with one man on her and then
you get a fresh horse and you ride into Dodge tonight. Wow. Thanks,
that's all I'm telling you. I want you to go.
(23:40):
I'll be fine. I've walked before, probably make it almost
as quick as you. Ah. Look, it's real nice of you,
mister Cally, but no thanks. Oh Christmas don't mean nothing
to me. You got friends waiting for you. Well, i'll
see him tomorrow. Ah, you're a fool. God. That may
be all of them nice folks, and we're gonna make
(24:05):
them feel pretty bad. Look, I'll stay if you wanna
go on along. Uh thanks for the ride. Well that's well,
make Kempton, I guess so. And listen, you wanted to
tell me some more about uh what you were telling me?
(24:25):
What returning? Well sure, I take it kindly, mister. I'll
get yourself settled. I get some stuff in my pack.
We can eat and maybe get a fire going. Then
after we eat, you can tell me some We made
a fire and then shared what we had for supper.
He seemed to soften up after that, and we talked
(24:48):
for a couple or three hours. It was like he
was starved for news of people, every day things than
just plain company. That's how we spent Christmas Eve together
out on the plane. And then when the fire was
dying down and I was about ready for sleep, he said, Marshall, yeah,
(25:11):
I wanna tell you something I've been needing to tell
it for a long time. Do you mind? Of course
I don't mind. Well, then I'll tell you. A few
years ago, I was a skipper of a little schooner
used to sail up and down the East Coast, you know, Boston,
New York. Yeah. Well, one night we hit dirty weather
off New Jersey, real dirty blew us off course and
(25:34):
we piled up on the rocks and knocked the bottom out.
That's too bad. It was eighteen passengers aboard, Marshall. Four
of 'em was kids. We never saw 'em again, and
my own, my own wife, my kid went down too. Huh.
I'm sorry. Well, now something must have happened to me
(25:56):
after that. I didn't want nothing to do with with
chip saw the sea and I started to drift out
this way. I couldn't forget though, do you know. And
I didn't want to be near folks, especially kids, to
remind me, you know. Yeah, And that's how come I've
(26:16):
been slowing around ever since. Sure, I understand, just kind
of wanted to get it off my chest. Sure, Marsham,
I'd like to ride into Dodge with you tomorrow. You
think I might meet some of them folks He was
(26:37):
telling them about why I don't see why not, but
that it'd be all right. Maybe I wouldn't need to
drift no more. Maybe I could uh hm drop anchored,
you know, yeah, you mine at that? Yes, Well, good night,
(27:02):
good night, Merry Christmas, Marshal, Merry Christmas, mister Kelly. Gun
(27:36):
Smoke under the direction of Norman MacDonald's stars William Conrad
as Matt Dillon U S. Marshall. To Night's story was
specially written for gun Smoke by Anthony Ellis, with music
composed and conducted by Rex Cory. Featured in the cast
were Lawrence Dabkin with Harry Bartel and John Dayner, Harley
Bear is Chester, Howard mcner is doc, and Georgia Ellis
(27:58):
is Kiddy. Gun Smoke is heard by our troops overseas
through the worldwide facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service.
Join us again next week as Matt Dylan US Marshall
fights to bring law and order out of the wild
violence of the West. In gun Smoke. Tomorrow Night, Edgar
(28:26):
Bergen's real life daughter Candy pays him and you a
visit on The Edgar Bergan Show with Charlie McCarthy. Candy
and Charlie hit it off fine, but Edgar is paused
to regret his hasty decision to invite his six year
old daughter into the show, especially when she starts throwing
Her voice sounds like fun. Tomorrow Night, on most of
these same stations, when CBS Radio presents The Edgar Burghan
(28:48):
Show with Charlie McCarthy, this is Roy Rowan speaking. And
remember Eve Harden His Armis Brooks teaches you how to
laugh every Sunday on the CBS Radio Network
Speaker 3 (29:14):
Set
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