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 the US Marshal and the smell of gun smoke
Gun smoke 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 Marshal
everything was all right until about a mile 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 close to 40 miles to dodge and carrying my saddle all the way
guess I'd been on the trail about an hour near as I could figure this around
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 and even thinner and they made quite a
pair
all right how are you lost no my horse busted his leg away back I'm on my way
to dodge it's your house huh I saw it yeah on your way to dodge yeah yeah
that's right got any more that tobacco now sure
here you are thanks thanks a lot that's okay a big walk you've got ahead ain't
it kind of you're gonna be dark soon you figure making camp that's the
idea well it's too bad yeah you need any food no no no thanks I got no well I
thank you for the tobacco sure anytime
hey yeah I'd say in 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 why I'd be
much obliged if you think that animal of yours can carry us she won't mind should
have been dead a long time ago except she don't know it you don't mind
okay thanks here will you hold my saddle though I got up huh yeah give it here
yeah can you manage this settle yeah yeah I got it now let's go you heading
for Dodge too not in particular just north ah this beast will do about ten
knots with the wind behind her but we ain't gonna get more than five with this
load you ain't no hurry I am well I was kind of hoping to get back tonight
Christmas Eve you know oh yeah that's right in it yeah that backbone are
sticking it in oh no it's okay thanks notice that tin dude jigger tied to you
you with the law yeah yeah I'm a US Marshal my name is Matt Dylan that's so
never seen a marshal on foot well it happens sometimes how is it you're down
this way and it to might off your course hmm so you marshal down here as well as
dodge no no I just took a prisoner across the Cimarron and Oklahoma
territory turn him over to the army there did
many shut up tight we must have ridden a couple of miles without a word I got to
thinking about Dodge Chester dog kitty the rest of you know there's something
pretty special about any place at Christmas time they backbone and the
strangers nag was just about to split me in two when he talked up my name is
Cowley oh Cowley a bit of heat to a spell she's breathing mighty hot all
right hold up it's getting a little chilly yeah did I trouble you for another
smoke oh sure sure yeah yeah I think same hmm what's it like in Dutch what
Dodge what's it like oh it's like any other town I guess pretty big yeah well
yeah I guess so not so big as New York oh no no no not as big as that you know I
haven't been in a big town now for more than ten years I was I so no been down
the territories drifting thought I'd move up north this time maybe go back
east so you're from the east huh sometime back say what's it like what
well dodge any time at Christmas seems it used to be well I guess so yeah what
do you do same as most people I guess what most people do it Chris well that
ain't saying a lot what are the folks like and what does it look like I just
I just kind of like to know well I don't know well there's Front Street that's
most of Dodge right now course it's getting bigger oh you have any kids no
no I'm not married yeah kids have fun Christmas yeah yeah they do that that's
certain and dodge 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 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 light shining behind the curtain windows and almost
everybody had a sprig of holly berries hanging up they got some from the east a
couple of days earlier I remember running into John Bumby he's a kind of
general handyman and dodge never says much but he sure had a lot to say that
night oh hello Marshall oh hi John lovely night for Christmas Eve isn't it
that certainly is John yeah pretty fine night peace on earth goodwill to man
yeah mr. Dillon yeah that's the way it should be John you know Marshall this is
going to be quite a night for me yes sir oh yes sir tonight I'm asking mrs.
McNish to become mrs. Bumby what mm-hmm what John I didn't know that I know it's
been a mighty fast secret but I I'm popping the question tonight well I wish
you a lot of luck John hey I'll tell you what come by to the Texas Trail later
and and we'll have a drink on it oh I will I really will Marshall you're good
and kind Marshall good and kind Merry Christmas Marshall Dillon Merry
Christmas the 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 were sweet on each
other but it just goes to show you I'll tell you about John and ms. McNish 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 be a seafarer and 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 underway again and sure hey you want
to take me out I'll give it here
I guess guess you'll miss it in Dodge tonight I mean won't you well you could
get a little more out of this nagger yours we might make it and I know there's
not a chance you'll be on our beam ends pretty quick she's been on a long reach
since sunup ah mighty bear country up this way all right depends on what
you're used to it oh 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 yes 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 of me but no get what I would just remind a ride with me I don't
want any talk about the sea well you brought it up
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 in trimming their Christmas tree be sure
to join the fun tomorrow night on CBS radio when it's Jack Benny time all
across America now for the second act of gun smoke
Amos Colley soaked 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 some on oh about Dodge yeah well I don't
know you try some on well they got a little pine tree in the Texas tree yeah
come down a long way from the north now Kitty Russell she's a hostess in the
Texas Trail well she she got a lot of ribbon and
geegers and made it look real nice that was last Christmas of a star at the top
the star yeah yeah I think so it looked like a star I guess it sure looked
pretty 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 nod at but because it was
Christmas Eve he'd come right up and say hello oh maybe that's a good reason
maybe not I don't know anyhow it was still kind of early
kitty and Chester were standing off looking at the tree
Mr. Dillon hi kitty Chester how do you like it man Christmas tree that's real
pretty only tree but one in the whole town yeah Kate's got one over the
alfaganser oh well I'll have to see it later where's Sam I don't know maybe he
started celebrating too soon Doc's taking over the box you want to drink
kitty sure you haven't forgotten anything have you mr. Dillon forgotten what
just there what did I tell you miss kitty I knew just as sure as my nose oh
that no no I hadn't forgotten oh well I thought as soon as they get Sam sober
enough to take care of the customers we could go on over to Doc's like we planned
sure we'll do that just thanks doc
yeah well still snowing out no no stop why are you going kitty all right just
want to look outside
ah real pretty man thinks of a lot of funny things that don't mean much
kitty 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 mr. Hightower he's the telegraph operator over at the depot he
runs a printing shop on the side mr. Dillon yeah Chester do you mind if I
stop by the church for a minute no I don't mind I just feel kind of right
tonight mr. Dillon figure out I think somebody for it 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 the two of us
guess we set 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 maybe it's the
quiet maybe maybe it's the good that people find in there now whatever it was
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 she's become again mr. okay she sure
wasn't built for it I'll tell you you ever see anything like that
she is kind of old and I've had her going on eight years she hasn't changed
a mite eats like a pig and looks like a four-legged mizzenmist smoke don't mind
hey what about that that fella high tower did 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 wood fire burning in the stove but it didn't
keep up the coal
well how are you gents Merry Christmas well how's it going mr. Hightower
slow Marshall slow bit of excitement about an hour back though that's oh yeah
915 got stuck between here and Hutchinson lots of snow back there they getting her
out sure they're trying but I'm sure glad I'm not on it it's gonna be a cold
night on that train it's kind of chilly in here isn't it mr. Hightower any
warmer and I'm going to sleep it will say we brought you over a bottle of Irish
for company James well I declare I was just thinking about a top before you
boys come in now that's real friendly will you have a drink with me we sure
will let's open her up a couple of glasses up on the shelf air chest to get
them down will you
I don't know if you get an idea about the folks and Dodge or not they're not
any different than any other people or the town either I guess maybe it's a
pretty small place at that the depot the hall a few stores and church Doc's
office at Texas Trail alifoganza my office they're not much but hey it's
where you live you know sounds all right I lived in a town once back East small I
know what you mean well maybe you'll be going back maybe say the kids they still
believe in st. Nick for sure I might if you kids down where I've been
Indian kids they don't believe in st. Nick no reason they should I guess I
used to believe in it you know that well I guess most people dead one time or
another hey you figure we come maybe 10 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 I that's okay
well then okay
we rode on and I thought about last year about Kitty Doc and Chester and me 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 I I
remember how it sounded that night how it looked the glow in the stove in the
middle of the room and frosty windows yeah it was Christmas Eve
Oh
now what do you say if you have a listen huh
Merry Christmas Merry Christmas Merry Christmas Merry Christmas I feel
sentimental. That's exactly what I feel. I feel sentimental. I know what you mean, Doc.
I surely know. Okay, Doc. Bring him out.
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'd finished opening them, it was Chester who said what we were all thinking.
I just, I just want to say, Miss Kitty, Doc, you, Mr. Dillon, I just want to say that this is the best
doggone Christmas I ever had. And that's what I want to say. Say, he was going to tell me about
that, that fella John was caught in that woman. What was her name? Oh, yeah, Miss McNish. That's
right. Well, she said yes, and you've never seen two happier people in your whole life.
Yeah, she's Miss McNish bumpy now. That's good. You know, you might settle for a bit in 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'd be a lot further away and a sight more tired if you hadn't come along.
Now listen, how far do you figure before there's a place you might pick up a horse? Oh, I don't know,
15 miles or so maybe. Oh, I'm not going to make any 15 miles in this nag tonight, that's for sure.
Oh, that's all right. Now, I tell you what, you go on alone, you see. Oh, no, forget it. Now,
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. Well, thanks, that's very kind. Now, I'm telling you, I want you to go.
I'll be fine. I've walked before. Probably make it almost as quick as you. Look, it's real nice of
you, Mr. Colley, but no thanks. Now, Christmas don't mean nothing to me. You've got friends
waiting for you. Well, I'll see them tomorrow. Now, you're a fool. Well, that may be.
All of them nice folks, you're going to make them feel pretty bad. Look, I'll stay. If you want to
go on along, thanks for the ride. Well, let's well make camp then. I guess so. And listen,
you want to tell me some more about what you was telling me before we turn in? Well, sure. I take
it kindly, Mr. I'll get yourself settled. I got some stuff in my pack we can eat and maybe get a
fire going. Then after we eat, you can tell me some more. We made a fire and then shared what we had
for supper. He seemed to soften up after that. And we talked for a couple or three hours. It was like
he was starved. He was a little bit of a
news of people, everyday 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, I want to tell you something. I've been needing to tell it for a
long time. Do you mind? Why, come on. I'm not going to tell you anything. I'm just going to
tell you something. Do you mind? Of course I don't mind. Well, then I'll tell you. A few years ago,
I was 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 we piled up on the rocks and knocked the bottom out. That's too bad. There was 18
passengers aboard, Marshall. Four of them was kids. We never saw them again. No. And my own,
my own wife and my kid went down too. I'm sorry. Well, now something must have happened to me after
that. I didn't want nothing to do with, with ships or 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, do you know? Yeah. Well, it's how come I've been slewing around ever since. Sure,
I understand. Just kind of wanted to get it off my chest. Sure. Marshall, I'd like to ride into
Dodge with you tomorrow. You think I might meet some of them folks you was telling them about?
Oh, I don't see why not. That'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.
Merry Christmas, Marshall. Merry Christmas, Mr. Kelly.
Gunsmoke, under the direction of Norman MacDonald stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon,
U.S. Marshal. Tonight's story was specially written for Gunsmoke by Anthony Ellis, with music composed
and conducted by Rex Corey. Featured in the cast were Lawrence Dobkin with Harry Bartel and John
Dana. Parley Bear as Chester, Howard McNear as Doc, and Georgia Ellis as Kitty. Gunsmoke is heard by
our troops overseas through the worldwide facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service. Join us again
next week as Matt Dillon, U.S. Marshal, fights to bring law and order out of the wild violence of
the West in Gunsmoke. Tomorrow night, Edgar Bergen's real-life daughter, Candy, pays him and you a visit
on the Edgar Bergen Show with Charlie McCarthy. Candy and Charlie hit it off fine, but Edgar has
caused a 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 Bergen Show with Charlie McCarthy. This is Roy Rowan speaking. And
remember, Eve Harden as our Miss Brooks teaches you how to laugh every Sunday on the CBS Radio Network.