December 22, 2025 • 29 mins
Relive the golden age of radio with 'The Gunsmoke Radio Hour', where thrilling western adventures await. Each episode brings to life the challenges and triumphs of the old west. Don't miss this blend of history and fiction.
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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 and the spoilers,
and that's with the US Marshal and The Smell of
Gun Smoke. Gun Smoke, starring William Conrad, The Story of
(00:43):
the violence that moved west with Young America, The story
of a man who moved with it. Matt Dillon, United
States Marshals. Everything was all right until about a mile
(01:09):
north of the Cimarron. 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 all the way. I guess I'd been on
(01:30):
the trail about an hour and hear as I could
figure it this around the three 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,
(01:51):
and they made 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,
(02:13):
that's right. You got any more of that tobaccuam? Yeah?
Sure here you are? Thanks, Thanks a lot. That's okay,
a big walk you've got ahead into kind of you're
(02:34):
going to be duck soon. You figure making camp? That's
the idea. Well it's too bad. Yeah. Do you need
any food? No? No, no, thanks, I got no. Well,
I thank you for the tobaccuam. Sure anytime. Hey, yeah,
(03:00):
saying this beast won't drop dead from the shock. But
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
(03:21):
that I got up? Huh yeah? Give it here? Yeah?
Can you manage to settle? Yeah? Yeah, I got it.
Let's go. You heading for dodge too, not in particular,
(03:44):
just not. Ah. This beast will do about ten knots
with the wind behind her. But we ain't going to
get more than five with this load. You win in
no hurry. I am well, I was kind of hoping
to get back tonight. Chriss Eve you know. Oh yeah,
that's right in it. Yeah that backboners sticking it to you.
(04:08):
Oh no, it's okay. 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, that happens sometimes.
(04:31):
How is that you're down this way? You need to
mite off your course? So you marshalled down here as
well as Dodge. No no, I just took a prisoner
across the Simmron into Oklahoma Territory, turned him over to
the army there did then he shut up tight. We
(04:53):
must have ridden a couple of miles without a word.
I got to thinking about Dodge, Chester, Doc and Kitty
and the rest of them. You know, there's something pretty
special about any place at Christmas time. The backborne on
(05:14):
the Stranger's nag was just about to split me in
two when he thought that my name is Cowley. But
the heath too a spell. She's breathing mighty hot. All right,
hold up, it's getting a little chili, isn't. Did I
(05:43):
trouble you for another smoke? Oh? Sure? Sure? Here y are?
I think you see? M what's it like in Dutch?
But Dodge or what's it like? Oh? It's like any
other town? I guess pretty big? Well, yeah, I guess
(06:06):
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 a big town now for I'm on ten years.
How as that? So? No been down the territories drifting.
But I'd move up north this time? Maybe go back east.
You're from the east, huh, some time back? See what's
(06:34):
it like? What? Well? Dodge anytime at Christmas? Seem as
it used to be? Ah, I guess, so what do
you do? 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?
(06:55):
I just i'd just kind of like to know. Well,
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
(07:18):
they sometimes have a party for the kids a couple
of days before Christmas. Kids like that, and then everybody
gets feeling good looking forward to Christmas Eve. Like last year,
there was snow on the ground, but the sky was clear.
(07:40):
You could even see the stars. I 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 lights shining behind the curtained windows,
and almost everybody had a sprig of Hollyberry's hanging up.
(08:00):
They got some from the east a couple of days earlier.
I remember running into John Bumby. He's a kind of
general handyman in Dodge. Never says much, but he sure
had a lot to say that night. Oh hello, Marshall,
Oh hi John.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
A lovely night for a Christmas tve, isn't it?
Speaker 3 (08:23):
That?
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Certainly is John? Pretty fine night.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Peace on earth, goodwill to man.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
What you're doing, Yeah, that's the way it should be, John.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
You know, Marshall, this is going to be quite a
night for 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 2 (08:50):
I know it's been a mighty fast secret, but I'm
popping 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?
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Marshall, You're good and kind, Marshall, good and kind, mayorycreat Marshall,
Marycreach the.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
Same to you. John. That may sound kind of funny
to you, But John Bumby's 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 sweet on each other. But
(09:36):
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, Mary Christmas. Men say it to each other,
and well it makes them feel kind of good. I
know what you mean. Used to be a seafaring man myself.
(10:00):
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.
(10:28):
I guess you'll 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 reach since then.
Up a mighty bear country, up this way, all right.
(10:49):
It depends on what you're used 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 sailer doesn't ever get it out of his blood,
the sea. I 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 to get something out
(11:12):
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.
(11:49):
We will return for 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
(12:09):
the fun tomorrow night on CBS Radio when it's Jack
Benny Time all across America. Now for the second act,
I've gun smoke. Amos Cowy sulked his way along the
(12:38):
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 somemon? Oh about Dodge? Well,
I don't know. Well you try someone. Well they got
(13:03):
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, Star Yeah, I think so. It looked
like a star. I guess sure looked pretty. And there
(13:25):
was a well a difference in the place that day.
Everybody was celebrating and feeling real good. The doors would
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 reagion. Maybe not, I don't know. Anyhow,
(13:49):
it was still kind of early. Kitty and Chester were
standing off looking at the tree. Hi man, mister Dylon, Hi,
Kitty Street, how do you like it? Messy Christmas tree?
That's real pretty only tree but one and the whole time. Yeah,
Kate's got one over the alphaganza. I'll have to see
(14:10):
it later where Sam, I don't know. Maybe he started
celebrating to Doc's taking over the bar. Yeah, that's right,
you want to drink? Kitty? Sure, all right. You haven't
forgotten anything, have you, mister Dylan? Forgotten? What there?
Speaker 2 (14:31):
What did I tell you, miss Kitty? I knew just
as sure of my noses.
Speaker 1 (14:35):
Oh god, no, no, I hadn't forgotten you. Well, I
thought it.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
As soon as you get Sam sober enough to take
care of the customers. We could go on over the
docks like we planned.
Speaker 1 (14:45):
Sure, we'll do that, Chest, yea man, thanks Doc. We
have still snowing out. No, no, it's not Why are
you going? Getting all right?
Speaker 2 (15:02):
Just want to look outside.
Speaker 4 (15:10):
A real pretty.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
Man thinks of a lot of funny things that don't
mean much. Ketty standing at the door, sniffing the cold
air and the warmth inside and the 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
(15:40):
a printing shop on the side. Say mister Dylan Ytchester.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
Do you mind if I stop by the church for
a minute.
Speaker 1 (15:50):
Wo No, I don't mind.
Speaker 3 (15:53):
I just feel kind of right tonight, mister Dylan figure out,
thank somebody for it.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
Sure, so we 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 a church since I don't know when.
How's that so? He? Well, she's beclmed again, mister. Okay,
(17:02):
she sure wasn't built for it. I'll tell you you
just see anything like that. 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 mismist smoke, don't mind. Hey, what about
(17:24):
that that fell a high tower? You get that bottle
to him? Oh? Sure, sure, yeah, I guess it was
lonely over in the depot all alone. He was glad
for the company. There was a wood fire, Brennan in
the stove, but it didn't keep off the cold. Well,
(17:52):
how are you jents?
Speaker 2 (17:53):
Merry Christmas?
Speaker 1 (17:54):
Well, how's it going, mister high tower?
Speaker 5 (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.
Speaker 5 (18:06):
I'm sure they're 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.
Speaker 2 (18:15):
And it warmer and now I'm going to sleep.
Speaker 3 (18:17):
It will say we brought you over a bottle of
Irish Company JS.
Speaker 5 (18:22):
Well, I declare, I was just thinking about a top
before you boys come in.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
Now that's real friendly.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
Will you have a drink with me? We sure will.
Let's open her up.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
Huh.
Speaker 5 (18:31):
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 town either. I
guess maybe it's a pretty small place at that, the deep,
all 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 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. You figure,
(19:46):
we come maybe ten miles, maybe it's getting dark. Yeah,
well come on, you want to you want to ride
the saddle for a bit? Oh no, no, that's okay. Well,
and okay. We rode on, and I thought about last year,
(20:07):
about Kitty, Doc and Chester and meat. Going over to
Doc's place. After Doc got tired, attended bar at the
Texas Trail. It was about a quarter to midnight, and
we stood around and sang Christmas carols. And I remember
(20:28):
how it sounded that night, how it looked, the glow
and the stove in the middle of the room and
frosty windows. It was Christmas eve. Bar was salty.
Speaker 6 (20:51):
No, no, no, no, arm is wacky?
Speaker 1 (21:05):
Right? Say that was fine? That was just fine.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
I say, now, what do you say for you listen?
Speaker 1 (21:17):
Uh?
Speaker 4 (21:19):
Oh, Mary, christ Merry Christmas, Merry, Christmas, Merry Christmas.
Speaker 2 (21:30):
I feel sentimental. That's exactly what I feel. I feel sentimental.
Speaker 3 (21:35):
I know what you mean. I surely know.
Speaker 1 (21:40):
Okay, Doc bring him out to her. And I remember
how Doc scuttled over to the bureau and brought out
some packages. The presents weren't much, but it didn't matter
what they were. And when we finished opening on it
(22:01):
was Chester who said what we were all thinking.
Speaker 2 (22:05):
I just.
Speaker 3 (22:07):
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. And that's what I
want to say.
Speaker 1 (22:35):
Say. He was going to tell me about that that
fellow John was caught in that woman that was a name.
Oh yeah, Ms McNish, 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, No, oh that's good. Uh,
(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. 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 might
(23:19):
pick up a horse. Oh, I don't know, fifteen miles,
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
what I'm telling you. I want you to go. I'll
(23:41):
be fine. I've walked before, probably make it almost as
quick as you look. It's real nice of you, mister Cally,
But no, thanks. Christmas don't mean nothing to me. You've
got friends waiting for you. Well, i'll see em tomorrow. Ah,
you're a fool.
Speaker 2 (23:58):
Well that may be.
Speaker 1 (24:03):
All of them, nice folks. We're gonna make them feel
pretty bad. Look, i'll stay if you want to go
on along. Thanks for the ride. Well that's well, make kempton.
I guess so. And listen. You wanted to tell me
(24:23):
some more about what you was telling me before we
turn in, Well sure, I take it kindly, mister. I'll
get yourself settle, I get some stuff in my pack.
We can eat and maybe get a fire going. Then
after we eat, you can tell me we made a
fire and then shared what we had for supper. He
(24:45):
seemed to soften up after that, and we talked for
a couple or three hours. It was like he was
starved for news of people, every day things, and just
playing company. And 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 want to 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
(25:33):
off course and we piled up on the rocks and
knocked the bottom out. That's too bad. It was eighteen
passengers aboard, Marshall. Four of them was kids. We never
saw him again, and my own, my own wife, my
kid went down too, And I'm sorry. Well, now something
(25:55):
must have happened to me after that. I didn't want
nothing to do with ship, 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
(26:16):
how come I've been slowing around ever since. Sure, I understand,
just kind of wanted to get it off my chest. Sure, marshallon,
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, Oh, 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 drop anchored, you know, yeah,
you might at that. Yes, well, good night, good night,
(27:06):
Merry Christmas, Marshal, Merry Christmas, mister Kelly. Gun Smoke, under
(27:37):
the direction of Norman MacDonald, stars William Conrad as Matt
Dylan U S. Marshall. Tonight'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 Dubkin
with Harry Bartel and John Dayner, Harley Bear Is Chester,
Howard mcneer is Doc, and Georgia Ellis is Kiddy. Gun
(28:00):
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 Bergen's real life daughter
(28:28):
Candy pays him and you a visit on The Edgar
Burgan Show with Charlie McCarthy. Candy and Charlie hit it
off fine, but Edgar is caused 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 Show with Charlie McCarthy, this
(28:51):
is Roy Rowan speaking, and remember Eve Harden. His Armis
Brooks teaches you how to laugh every Sunday on the
CBS Radio Network.
Speaker 6 (29:00):
Act to play the mid
Around Dark City and in the territory on West. There's
just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers,
and that's with the US Marshal and The Smell of
Gun Smoke. Gun Smoke, starring William Conrad, The Story of
(00:43):
the violence that moved west with Young America, The story
of a man who moved with it. Matt Dillon, United
States Marshals. Everything was all right until about a mile
(01:09):
north of the Cimarron. 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 all the way. I guess I'd been on
(01:30):
the trail about an hour and hear as I could
figure it this around the three 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,
(01:51):
and they made 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,
(02:13):
that's right. You got any more of that tobaccuam? Yeah?
Sure here you are? Thanks, Thanks a lot. That's okay,
a big walk you've got ahead into kind of you're
(02:34):
going to be duck soon. You figure making camp? That's
the idea. Well it's too bad. Yeah. Do you need
any food? No? No, no, thanks, I got no. Well,
I thank you for the tobaccuam. Sure anytime. Hey, yeah,
(03:00):
saying this beast won't drop dead from the shock. But
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
(03:21):
that I got up? Huh yeah? Give it here? Yeah?
Can you manage to settle? Yeah? Yeah, I got it.
Let's go. You heading for dodge too, not in particular,
(03:44):
just not. Ah. This beast will do about ten knots
with the wind behind her. But we ain't going to
get more than five with this load. You win in
no hurry. I am well, I was kind of hoping
to get back tonight. Chriss Eve you know. Oh yeah,
that's right in it. Yeah that backboners sticking it to you.
(04:08):
Oh no, it's okay. 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, that happens sometimes.
(04:31):
How is that you're down this way? You need to
mite off your course? So you marshalled down here as
well as Dodge. No no, I just took a prisoner
across the Simmron into Oklahoma Territory, turned him over to
the army there did then he shut up tight. We
(04:53):
must have ridden a couple of miles without a word.
I got to thinking about Dodge, Chester, Doc and Kitty
and the rest of them. You know, there's something pretty
special about any place at Christmas time. The backborne on
(05:14):
the Stranger's nag was just about to split me in
two when he thought that my name is Cowley. But
the heath too a spell. She's breathing mighty hot. All right,
hold up, it's getting a little chili, isn't. Did I
(05:43):
trouble you for another smoke? Oh? Sure? Sure? Here y are?
I think you see? M what's it like in Dutch?
But Dodge or what's it like? Oh? It's like any
other town? I guess pretty big? Well, yeah, I guess
(06:06):
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 a big town now for I'm on ten years.
How as that? So? No been down the territories drifting.
But I'd move up north this time? Maybe go back east.
You're from the east, huh, some time back? See what's
(06:34):
it like? What? Well? Dodge anytime at Christmas? Seem as
it used to be? Ah, I guess, so what do
you do? 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?
(06:55):
I just i'd just kind of like to know. Well,
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
(07:18):
they sometimes have a party for the kids a couple
of days before Christmas. Kids like that, and then everybody
gets feeling good looking forward to Christmas Eve. Like last year,
there was snow on the ground, but the sky was clear.
(07:40):
You could even see the stars. I 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 lights shining behind the curtained windows,
and almost everybody had a sprig of Hollyberry's hanging up.
(08:00):
They got some from the east a couple of days earlier.
I remember running into John Bumby. He's a kind of
general handyman in Dodge. Never says much, but he sure
had a lot to say that night. Oh hello, Marshall,
Oh hi John.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
A lovely night for a Christmas tve, isn't it?
Speaker 3 (08:23):
That?
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Certainly is John? Pretty fine night.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Peace on earth, goodwill to man.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
What you're doing, Yeah, that's the way it should be, John.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
You know, Marshall, this is going to be quite a
night for 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 2 (08:50):
I know it's been a mighty fast secret, but I'm
popping 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?
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Marshall, You're good and kind, Marshall, good and kind, mayorycreat Marshall,
Marycreach the.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
Same to you. John. That may sound kind of funny
to you, But John Bumby's 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 sweet on each other. But
(09:36):
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, Mary Christmas. Men say it to each other,
and well it makes them feel kind of good. I
know what you mean. Used to be a seafaring man myself.
(10:00):
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.
(10:28):
I guess you'll 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 reach since then.
Up a mighty bear country, up this way, all right.
(10:49):
It depends on what you're used 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 sailer doesn't ever get it out of his blood,
the sea. I 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 to get something out
(11:12):
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.
(11:49):
We will return for 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
(12:09):
the fun tomorrow night on CBS Radio when it's Jack
Benny Time all across America. Now for the second act,
I've gun smoke. Amos Cowy sulked his way along the
(12:38):
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 somemon? Oh about Dodge? Well,
I don't know. Well you try someone. Well they got
(13:03):
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, Star Yeah, I think so. It looked
like a star. I guess sure looked pretty. And there
(13:25):
was a well a difference in the place that day.
Everybody was celebrating and feeling real good. The doors would
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 reagion. Maybe not, I don't know. Anyhow,
(13:49):
it was still kind of early. Kitty and Chester were
standing off looking at the tree. Hi man, mister Dylon, Hi,
Kitty Street, how do you like it? Messy Christmas tree?
That's real pretty only tree but one and the whole time. Yeah,
Kate's got one over the alphaganza. I'll have to see
(14:10):
it later where Sam, I don't know. Maybe he started
celebrating to Doc's taking over the bar. Yeah, that's right,
you want to drink? Kitty? Sure, all right. You haven't
forgotten anything, have you, mister Dylan? Forgotten? What there?
Speaker 2 (14:31):
What did I tell you, miss Kitty? I knew just
as sure of my noses.
Speaker 1 (14:35):
Oh god, no, no, I hadn't forgotten you. Well, I
thought it.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
As soon as you get Sam sober enough to take
care of the customers. We could go on over the
docks like we planned.
Speaker 1 (14:45):
Sure, we'll do that, Chest, yea man, thanks Doc. We
have still snowing out. No, no, it's not Why are
you going? Getting all right?
Speaker 2 (15:02):
Just want to look outside.
Speaker 4 (15:10):
A real pretty.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
Man thinks of a lot of funny things that don't
mean much. Ketty standing at the door, sniffing the cold
air and the warmth inside and the 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
(15:40):
a printing shop on the side. Say mister Dylan Ytchester.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
Do you mind if I stop by the church for
a minute.
Speaker 1 (15:50):
Wo No, I don't mind.
Speaker 3 (15:53):
I just feel kind of right tonight, mister Dylan figure out,
thank somebody for it.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
Sure, so we 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 a church since I don't know when.
How's that so? He? Well, she's beclmed again, mister. Okay,
(17:02):
she sure wasn't built for it. I'll tell you you
just see anything like that. 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 mismist smoke, don't mind. Hey, what about
(17:24):
that that fell a high tower? You get that bottle
to him? Oh? Sure, sure, yeah, I guess it was
lonely over in the depot all alone. He was glad
for the company. There was a wood fire, Brennan in
the stove, but it didn't keep off the cold. Well,
(17:52):
how are you jents?
Speaker 2 (17:53):
Merry Christmas?
Speaker 1 (17:54):
Well, how's it going, mister high tower?
Speaker 5 (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.
Speaker 5 (18:06):
I'm sure they're 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.
Speaker 2 (18:15):
And it warmer and now I'm going to sleep.
Speaker 3 (18:17):
It will say we brought you over a bottle of
Irish Company JS.
Speaker 5 (18:22):
Well, I declare, I was just thinking about a top
before you boys come in.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
Now that's real friendly.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
Will you have a drink with me? We sure will.
Let's open her up.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
Huh.
Speaker 5 (18:31):
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 town either. I
guess maybe it's a pretty small place at that, the deep,
all 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 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. You figure,
(19:46):
we come maybe ten miles, maybe it's getting dark. Yeah,
well come on, you want to you want to ride
the saddle for a bit? Oh no, no, that's okay. Well,
and okay. We rode on, and I thought about last year,
(20:07):
about Kitty, Doc and Chester and meat. Going over to
Doc's place. After Doc got tired, attended bar at the
Texas Trail. It was about a quarter to midnight, and
we stood around and sang Christmas carols. And I remember
(20:28):
how it sounded that night, how it looked, the glow
and the stove in the middle of the room and
frosty windows. It was Christmas eve. Bar was salty.
Speaker 6 (20:51):
No, no, no, no, arm is wacky?
Speaker 1 (21:05):
Right? Say that was fine? That was just fine.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
I say, now, what do you say for you listen?
Speaker 1 (21:17):
Uh?
Speaker 4 (21:19):
Oh, Mary, christ Merry Christmas, Merry, Christmas, Merry Christmas.
Speaker 2 (21:30):
I feel sentimental. That's exactly what I feel. I feel sentimental.
Speaker 3 (21:35):
I know what you mean. I surely know.
Speaker 1 (21:40):
Okay, Doc bring him out to her. And I remember
how Doc scuttled over to the bureau and brought out
some packages. The presents weren't much, but it didn't matter
what they were. And when we finished opening on it
(22:01):
was Chester who said what we were all thinking.
Speaker 2 (22:05):
I just.
Speaker 3 (22:07):
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. And that's what I
want to say.
Speaker 1 (22:35):
Say. He was going to tell me about that that
fellow John was caught in that woman that was a name.
Oh yeah, Ms McNish, 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, No, oh that's good. Uh,
(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. 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 might
(23:19):
pick up a horse. Oh, I don't know, fifteen miles,
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
what I'm telling you. I want you to go. I'll
(23:41):
be fine. I've walked before, probably make it almost as
quick as you look. It's real nice of you, mister Cally,
But no, thanks. Christmas don't mean nothing to me. You've
got friends waiting for you. Well, i'll see em tomorrow. Ah,
you're a fool.
Speaker 2 (23:58):
Well that may be.
Speaker 1 (24:03):
All of them, nice folks. We're gonna make them feel
pretty bad. Look, i'll stay if you want to go
on along. Thanks for the ride. Well that's well, make kempton.
I guess so. And listen. You wanted to tell me
(24:23):
some more about what you was telling me before we
turn in, Well sure, I take it kindly, mister. I'll
get yourself settle, I get some stuff in my pack.
We can eat and maybe get a fire going. Then
after we eat, you can tell me we made a
fire and then shared what we had for supper. He
(24:45):
seemed to soften up after that, and we talked for
a couple or three hours. It was like he was
starved for news of people, every day things, and just
playing company. And 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 want to 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
(25:33):
off course and we piled up on the rocks and
knocked the bottom out. That's too bad. It was eighteen
passengers aboard, Marshall. Four of them was kids. We never
saw him again, and my own, my own wife, my
kid went down too, And I'm sorry. Well, now something
(25:55):
must have happened to me after that. I didn't want
nothing to do with ship, 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
(26:16):
how come I've been slowing around ever since. Sure, I understand,
just kind of wanted to get it off my chest. Sure, marshallon,
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, Oh, 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 drop anchored, you know, yeah,
you might at that. Yes, well, good night, good night,
(27:06):
Merry Christmas, Marshal, Merry Christmas, mister Kelly. Gun Smoke, under
(27:37):
the direction of Norman MacDonald, stars William Conrad as Matt
Dylan U S. Marshall. Tonight'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 Dubkin
with Harry Bartel and John Dayner, Harley Bear Is Chester,
Howard mcneer is Doc, and Georgia Ellis is Kiddy. Gun
(28:00):
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 Bergen's real life daughter
(28:28):
Candy pays him and you a visit on The Edgar
Burgan Show with Charlie McCarthy. Candy and Charlie hit it
off fine, but Edgar is caused 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 Show with Charlie McCarthy, this
(28:51):
is Roy Rowan speaking, and remember Eve Harden. His Armis
Brooks teaches you how to laugh every Sunday on the
CBS Radio Network.
Speaker 6 (29:00):
Act to play the mid
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