Third Son | Gunsmoke (04-19-59)

Summary

Gunsmoke - "Third Son" Episode Summary

Episode Title: Third Son
Air Date: November 3, 2024
Host: Andrew Rines
Episode Release: OTRWesterns.com

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Introduction

"Third Son," a compelling episode of the classic Western drama Gunsmoke, delves deep into themes of legacy, redemption, and the perpetual struggle between violence and peace. Set against the rugged backdrop of Dodge City, Kansas, this installment masterfully weaves character-driven narratives with intense plot developments, underscoring the complexities of frontier justice and personal transformation.

Setting and Characters

The story unfolds in Dodge City, a hub of activity and a symbol of America's westward expansion. Central to this episode are several key characters:

• Matt Dillon (William Conrad): The steadfast U.S. Marshal dedicated to maintaining law and order.
• Chester (Harley Baer): Josiah Crandall's troubled son, striving to escape his family's violent legacy.
• Josiah Crandall (Sam Edwards): A determined father hoping to shield his son from the sins of his brothers.
• Chester's Friends: Including Doc (Howard McNear) and Kitty (Georgia Ellis), who provide support and counsel within the Long Branch saloon.

Plot Development

The episode opens with Matt Dillon engaging in his routine duties, highlighting the isolation and vigilance required of his position. The tranquility is soon disrupted when Josiah Crandall arrives at Marshal Dillon's office, desperately seeking assistance to release his son, Chester, who has been detained for public intoxication (06:14). Josiah implores, “You got my boy locked up here?” (06:14), emphasizing his fear of Chester succumbing to the violent tendencies that plagued his other sons.

Despite his initial reluctance, Matt acknowledges the importance of Chester's plight, stating, “He is a grown man, Mr. Crandall. Might be hard to do.” (07:15), yet ultimately consents to release Chester, wary of his potential to stir trouble.

Key Scenes and Discussions

At the Long Branch saloon, interactions among Chester, Doc, and Kitty reveal the tensions surrounding Chester's struggle. Chester expresses his frustration with his father's overbearing protection, asserting, “A man's gotta find out things for himself...” (14:20), signaling his desire for independence and his reluctance to be tethered by his father's fears.

The crux of the episode revolves around Chester's pivotal decision to confide in Matt Dillon about a planned gold shipment holdup orchestrated by Lake Burns and Joel York. Chester reveals, “It's about the morning stage. There's a gold shipment.” (16:23), offering critical intelligence that could prevent a significant act of violence in Dodge City.

Matt grapples with the dilemma of whether to trust Chester's information, contemplating the weight of his words: “It's kind of hard to believe that they'd let you get away if you knew so much.” (17:03). Nevertheless, the Marshal opts to act on Chester's tip, organizing a stakeout at Riders Corner with Chester accompanying him (19:08).

Climactic Event

The tension peaks during the stakeout when Burns and York execute their holdup. As the confrontation unfolds, Chester attempts to disarm the villains, leading to chaos. In a heart-wrenching moment, Chester is fatally wounded while valiantly trying to prevent further bloodshed: “He died trying to stop a stage holdup.” (24:25).

Matt Dillon confronts the grim reality of Chester's sacrifice, reflecting on the futility of violence and the personal costs it exacts: “If I had a son who risked his life to save others, I'd find it in my heart to be proud,” (25:12). Josiah Crandall mourns his son with profound sorrow, acknowledging Chester's unwavering commitment to peace despite his father's efforts: “He died by it.” (24:45).

Conclusion and Themes

"Third Son" poignantly illustrates the destructive cycle of violence within families and communities, while also highlighting the potential for individual redemption. Chester's tragic end serves as a somber reminder of the costs of conflict and the enduring hope for a more peaceful existence. Marshal Dillon's role as both lawman and moral compass underscores the show's enduring message about justice, sacrifice, and the possibility of change.

Notable Quotes

• Josiah Crandall: “You got my boy locked up here?” (06:14)
• Chester: “A man's gotta find out things for himself...” (14:20)
• Matt Dillon: “If I had a son who risked his life to save others, I'd find it in my heart to be proud,” (25:12)
• Josiah Crandall: “He died by it.” (24:45)

Final Thoughts

"Third Son" stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Gunsmoke, blending rich character development with gripping storytelling. Through its exploration of familial bonds and personal agency, the episode offers listeners a nuanced portrayal of life on the American frontier, cementing Gunsmoke's place as a cornerstone of Western drama.

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This summary was crafted using the transcript provided, focusing solely on the narrative content and excluding advertisements, intros, and outros to deliver a comprehensive overview of the episode.

Transcript

[Dave]

It's been so long. How have you been? Hello? I'm doing well, Dave. Why are you talking that way? Please say one for a compliment or two for a question. Yeah, this is weird. I think I'm gonna go. Talking with an automated phone tree can feel pretty ridiculous. That's why when you call Pacific Source Health Plans, you'll get a real person to answer all your important questions. Pacific Source Health Plans.

[Chester]

This is a real person. How can I help you?

[Dave]

Human service, not automated phone trees. Find a plan at Pacific Source members first dot com.

[Andrew Rines]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines, and I'm excited to bring you another episode absolutely free. This episode is just one of over 80 episodes we release monthly. Now let's get into this episode.

[William Conrad]

Around Dodge City and in the territory on west. There's just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers, and that's with a U.S. marshal. And the smell of gun smoke. Guns Book starring William Conrad. The story of the violence that moved west with young America. And the story of a man who moved with him.

[Matt Dillon]

I'm that man. Matt Dillon, United States Marshal. The first man they look for and the last they want to meet. It's a chancy job, and it makes a man watchful and a little lonely.

[Geico Voice]

How do you feel when you switch to Geico and save on your car insurance? It's like going to work on one Thursday morning and thinking to yourself, just one more day until Friday. But then somebody in the elevator says, happy Friday. Then you check your phone quickly and discover today is actually Friday. So, yes, Happy Friday, random stranger in the elevator. Happy Friday, indeed. Yep, switching and saving with Geico feels just like that. Get more with Geico.

[Chester]

Need a little dab of coffee left. Mr. Dylan, would you like me to pour you a cup?

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, no, thanks, Chester. Not this time of night. Besides, that stuff's practically boiled solid by now, isn't it?

[Chester]

Well, that's when I like it the best. After a good day, sitting there stewing away. Gives a man a lot of vinegar.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, well, I'd rather get some sleep, so I'll see you in the morning, Trustee.

[Chester]

All right, Mr. Dillon. I'll walk up right after I finish this coffee.

[Matt Dillon]

All right.

[Chester]

What you doing?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, we better take a look. Come on.

[Chester]

I should have known it was too quiet around here tonight.

[Matt Dillon]

Wait a minute. Did you recognize them, Chester?

[Chester]

No, sir, I didn't. The dark and all, I seen. There's two of them, though.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, well, they left one behind. Behind down there in the street.

[Chester]

Gracious, Mr. Dylan, you think that's what them shots was?

[Matt Dillon]

We'll know in a minute. Now let's turn him over.

[Chester]

Yes, sir. He's breathing.

[Matt Dillon]

Ah.

[Chester]

Straight alcohol does smell like bad whiskey.

[Matt Dillon]

I don't think so, Chester. He hasn't been shot anyway.

[Chester]

You think he was with them other two that rode out of town?

[Matt Dillon]

I don't know. Maybe we better put him away for tonight so we can ask him in the morning.

[Chester]

All right, I'll take them breakfast things.

[Josiah Crandall]

Go ahead.

[Chester]

You didn't do much eating.

Ain't fit for feeding hogs.

All right, now, you just hold on there. I cooked that up myself.

I wouldn't brag on it none.

Yeah, sleeping it off sure ain't helped your disposition, man, I'll say that for you. Why, I've been cooking up the food around here ever since before you get.

It out of here.

Well, ain't good enough for anybody. What he says. Full, empty, good enough for anybody.

[Matt Dillon]

That's what it is. That's trouble, Chester.

[Chester]

Oh, well, it ain't exactly trouble, Mr. Dillon, but that prisoner says my food ain't good enough for him, Nerf or hog.

[Matt Dillon]

He probably doesn't feel very good, Justin. Not after all that whiskey you drank last night, anyway. You can't suit everybody, especially with that food.

[Chester]

Well, now, my cooking ain't all that bad. I'll just set these things out front, Mr. Dillon, if it's all right. If you be back and wash them up in a little bit.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, where you going?

[Chester]

Well, I thought I might go get me some breakfast over to Delmonico's. To tell you the truth, that stuff I cooked this morning ain't fit for hogs.

I'm looking for the marshal.

[Andrew Rines]

You found him.

[Chester]

He's Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Don't come on in, mister. What can I do for you?

[Josiah Crandall]

You got my boy locked up here?

[Matt Dillon]

Who are you?

[Josiah Crandall]

Name is Josiah Crandall.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, he's locked up.

[Josiah Crandall]

Crandall don't belong in jail.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, we're not particular around here, Mr. Crandall.

[Josiah Crandall]

How's that?

[Matt Dillon]

We don't care what a man's name is.

[Josiah Crandall]

What'd he do?

[Matt Dillon]

We found him lying on the street last night. We dragged him here. You hurt? No.

[Josiah Crandall]

You catch him in the act of violence?

[Matt Dillon]

No, he was too far gone for that.

[Josiah Crandall]

Then you ain't got no case against him.

[Matt Dillon]

Look, Mr. Crandall, I know the law. I also know that anytime a man is lying dead drunk in the streets of Dodge, I got a right to lock him up, whatever his name is.

[Josiah Crandall]

I ain't come here to argue your rights, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Then suppose you tell me what you did come for.

[Josiah Crandall]

You find out what he done. Fetch him home when you're through with him. Keep him away from this place. It's full of trouble and violence.

[Matt Dillon]

He's a grown man, Mr. Cranell. Might be hard to do.

[Josiah Crandall]

I'll do it.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, you sound mighty sure.

[Josiah Crandall]

Listen to me, Marshall. I spent the last years of my life making sure his two brothers did the violence, won the war, won the bar room. I packed up and brung this boy west when he was little. I wanted him to grow up peaceful. I ain't aiming to let him get away again. I'll keep him out of town. Marshals. Don't you worry nothing about that.

[Matt Dillon]

You figured I'd hold a pretty tight rein on him then, huh?

[Josiah Crandall]

If I do, that's my affair.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I guess it is. All right, I'll let him out. Mr. Crandall, your son hasn't done anything to make me keep him here any longer.

[Josiah Crandall]

He won't be coming back.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I'll be here, Mr. Crandall, just in case he does.

[Geico Voice]

How do you feel when you switch to Geico and save on your car insurance? It's like going to work on one Thursday morning and thinking to yourself, just one more day until Friday. But then somebody in the elevator says, happy Friday. Then you check your phone quickly and discover today is actually Friday. So, yes, happy Friday, random stranger in the elevator. Happy Fri. Yay. Indeed. Yep. Switching and saving with Geico feels just like that. Get more with Geico.

[Chester]

And Kitty. Whatever happened to that funny little whiskey drummer?

[Kitty]

Let me see. Hank Willett.

[Chester]

That's it.

[Kitty]

Yeah, I told him to try and peddle that bad whiskey at the other places in Dodge. We have enough soap on the Long branch when we sell good stuff.

[Chester]

The last decent whiskey I drank was the day Lincoln died. And it sure didn't come from behind that bar.

[Kitty]

Well, if you hate the long branch so much, Sock, I don't see why you spend so much time on it.

[Matt Dillon]

Kitty. Kitty. He doesn't mind it a bit. He's just an old ornery grouch, and he's got to complain about something. If it wasn't the whiskey, it'd be the heat. If it wasn't the heat, it'd be flies.

[Chester]

Yes, flies. Well, I tell you one thing for sure about flies. There's nothing bigger and meaner than a Kansas blowfly.

[Kitty]

How about another bear, Doc? Might make you feel better.

[Chester]

No, no, no.

[Matt Dillon]

I've had my Siesta for the day.

[Chester]

I got things to do. I can't sit around all day.

[Josiah Crandall]

You coming, Matt?

[Matt Dillon]

No, Doc. I think I'll stay here for a little while.

[Chester]

Oh, enforcing the law on the long branch, no doubt.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, something like that.

[Chester]

Some people have work to do for a living.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh.

[Chester]

I'll see you later, Kitty.

[Kitty]

Goodbye, Doc.

[Matt Dillon]

Come along, Doc.

[Kitty]

You know, it wouldn't hurt him to sit around and waste time for a while.

[Matt Dillon]

I guess it wouldn't, Kitty. Doc works awful hard.

[Kitty]

Yeah, he gets mighty little thought.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. Well, I guess I'll go over and get that beer.

[Chester]

You want one?

[Kitty]

No, thanks, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

I'll be right back. Then I. Kitty.

[Chester]

Yeah?

[Matt Dillon]

That young fellow that just come in.

[Josiah Crandall]

Bartender.

[Chester]

Give me a witch.

[Kitty]

Rob Cren.

[Matt Dillon]

Does he come in here often?

[Kitty]

No, it doesn't. It's the first time I've seen him in a couple of weeks.

[Matt Dillon]

I think I better have a talk with him. Excuse me.

[Chester]

Sure.

[Matt Dillon]

Hello, Rob.

[Chester]

I ain't breaking no law, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

No, you're not. I'd just like to talk to you.

[Chester]

What about?

[Matt Dillon]

Does your father know you're here?

[Chester]

What if he don't?

[Matt Dillon]

You may be in for trouble.

[Chester]

Listen, Marshall, a man's got a right to find out about trouble for himself. Anyway, it don't make no difference.

[Matt Dillon]

What do you mean?

[Chester]

Ain't nothing I can do the old man don't think of as trouble. He don't want me off the place. He don't want me where he can't see me. He don't want me to do nothing.

[Matt Dillon]

Maybe he thinks this is a way to keep you alive.

[Chester]

This ain't being alive. Not much it ain't.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, well, if I were you.

[Chester]

You ain't mean, Marshall. And I ain't gonna stay here and listen to no lectures. I'm getting out of here.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, it's your business.

[Chester]

It sure don't seem like it.

[William Conrad]

Well, now, what do you. Look at that Joe. Here he comes, big as life. The boy who wanted to ride with.

[Matt Dillon]

Him don't look like a nightingale.

[Josiah Crandall]

Jail hurt him none.

[William Conrad]

You mind if we walk along with you, kid?

[Chester]

You can do what you want.

[William Conrad]

Why, that ain't very friendly. And not even giving us the time of day.

[Matt Dillon]

Maybe he ain't got nothing to say.

[William Conrad]

At least he might just tell us about that trouble he got in the other night.

[Chester]

Never mind about that.

[Matt Dillon]

Maybe he's sore late because we rode.

[Josiah Crandall]

Out on him that way.

[William Conrad]

Yeah, maybe that's it. Well, I tell you, kid, there's times when you just got to get moving. And you wasn't exactly able to move, now, was you?

[Chester]

I ain't complaining.

[Matt Dillon]

That's nice.

[William Conrad]

That's real nice.

[Chester]

Just for that, I'm gonna give you.

[William Conrad]

An invite to another little ruckus we got planned.

[Josiah Crandall]

Yes, if you come along on this.

[Matt Dillon]

One, you really feel grown up.

[Chester]

I ain't riding with you.

[William Conrad]

What's the matter, boy? You scared of going to jail again?

[Chester]

I ain't scared. I just ain't riding, that's all. You can quit following me.

[Josiah Crandall]

Listen, head.

[William Conrad]

No never mind, Joe. You let him go. A papa's boy like him, you can't count on him for nothing.

[Chester]

Go on, get out of here.

[William Conrad]

Sure, kid.

[Matt Dillon]

We get.

[William Conrad]

You change your mind, though. You get tired of listening to Papa. You know where we are. After all, boy, you gotta grow up sometimes.

[Josiah Crandall]

No need trying to walk light, boy. I hear you.

[Chester]

I ain't trying, Pa. I know you'd be waiting.

[Josiah Crandall]

Where you been?

[Chester]

I've been to town. To Dodge City. Had me a drink of beer and a drink of whiskey. And then I come home.

[Josiah Crandall]

You wasn't the go. I know, pal of sin and violence. You wasn't the goal, Pa.

[Chester]

I'm full grown.

[Josiah Crandall]

You're still my son.

[Chester]

A man's gotta find out things for himself. If I'd have known a little more, I wouldn't have got into jail at last time. I gotta learn things the way your brothers learned. Oh, I know that ain't never stopped rankling you, Pa, what happened to Jess and above. But it ain't gonna happen to me.

[Josiah Crandall]

It's the gospel. That ain't gonna happen to you. I ain't gonna let it happen. I'm bringing you out here to grow up in peaceful ways. I ain't gonna see you start off from the ways of Ireland.

[Chester]

I ain't done nothing wrong, Pa. And I ain't aiming to do nothing wrong. Touch me that, I ain't gonna stay hog tied to this place neither. Hitch me that whip. Now, you listen here. Pac me the whip off the wall. I ain't gonna fetch it, Pa, no more. All right, then.

[Josiah Crandall]

I'll get it myself.

[Chester]

Now, don't you use that, Pa.

[Josiah Crandall]

Some lessons are hard learned.

[Chester]

I ain't a little boy no more. Put it down, Pa. You stay on the plate, ship.

[William Conrad]

Give it to me.

[Josiah Crandall]

Hand me back that whip.

[Chester]

I can. Hand me back as long as you're my son. As long as you live under my roof. He's like I got a choice, Paul. I can wrestle you for the whip every time I come home or I can walk out of here. You ain't to leave. I'm leaving. And I ain't coming home to no more weapons. I ain't coming home at all. Michael. Michael.

[Matt Dillon]

Dillon.

[Chester]

Marshall, I gotta see you.

[Matt Dillon]

What are you doing here this time of night? Crandall? What's the trouble?

[Chester]

I gotta see you.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, come on inside now. What's the matter?

[Chester]

I come to tell you something.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, you weren't too anxious to talk to me the other day at the Long Branch.

[Chester]

I know, Marshall, but I gotta tell you this.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, then, tell me.

[Chester]

It's about the morning stage. There's a gold shipment.

[Matt Dillon]

What about it?

[Chester]

It's gonna be held up out at Riders Corner.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh. How do you know about it?

[Chester]

I was with him. Lake Burns and Joel York. They was planted out at this shack.

[Matt Dillon]

And what were you doing there?

[Chester]

I walked out on my old man last week. He whipped me. But I didn't mean to walk into nothing like this.

[Matt Dillon]

Burns in York, huh? Why would they take you in on a job?

[Chester]

Well, I was supposed to stay on the lookout, but I didn't bargain for nothing like that.

[Matt Dillon]

Uh huh. So you ride in to tell me about it instead, huh?

[Chester]

It's the truth. I swear it's the truth.

[Matt Dillon]

It's kind of hard to believe that they'd let you get away if you knew so much.

[Chester]

They're out there with a jug and they're drinking pretty hard. They ain't going to know I was gone.

[Matt Dillon]

Rob, you willing to ride out there with me in the morning, show me the plan?

[Chester]

I'm willing, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

All right. Maybe you are telling the truth. Just to be sure that nothing goes wrong, I'm going to keep you here tonight.

[Chester]

In jail?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, in jail.

[Chester]

Well, that's all right with me, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Tell me something, Rob.

[Josiah Crandall]

What?

[Matt Dillon]

What made you change your mind? What made you decide not to look for trouble after all?

[Chester]

Oh, I ain't strictly against trouble, Marshall. But I ain't got nothing against those folks on that stage. I ain't for somebody getting hurt. I guess I ain't for violence any more than my old man is.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. All right, Condell, you remember where the cells are. You stay there until morning. Now start walking.

[Geico Voice]

How do you feel when you switch to GEICO and save on your car insurance? It's like going to work on one Thursday morning and thinking to yourself, just one more day until Friday. But then somebody in the elevator says, happy Fri. Yay. Then you check your phone quickly and discover today is actually Friday. So yes, Happy Friday. Random stranger in the elevator. Happy Friday, indeed. Yep. Switching and saving with Geico. Feels just like that. Get more with Geico.

[Chester]

Right up here, boy. Fretson, you having you lagging back there?

I ain't lagging.

[Matt Dillon]

Leave him alone, Chester. He's riding all right.

[Chester]

Well, I'd feel a sight more comfortable if we just left him back in jail.

[Matt Dillon]

He can help us.

[Chester]

I sure, Rob.

Yep.

[Matt Dillon]

Writer's Corners are just beyond that next rise. Up here?

[Chester]

Yes, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

Burns and York. We're going to come down the west road. Is that it?

[Chester]

That's right, Marshall. They're going to hide behind them big rocks. One on one side and one on the other.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, Chester, you go ahead and watch from across the road over there.

[Chester]

Yes, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

I'll take the boy with me.

[Chester]

You think them fellas is out there yet?

[Matt Dillon]

I don't know. Shouldn't take long to find out. Now get going.

[Chester]

Yes, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

Come on, Rob. We'll head for the rocks on this side.

[Chester]

All right, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

When we get there, you take my rifle.

[Chester]

Yes, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

You know how to use it?

[Chester]

I'm a good shot, Marshal, only.

[Matt Dillon]

Only what?

[Chester]

I ain't never shot at a man before.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, maybe you won't have to. All right, we'll leave the horses here. Here. Here's the rifle. I'm going up on that rock. You stay close behind me and stay low.

[Chester]

Yes, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

Here. Up this side. All right, get on. Yeah. We can see the road from this ledge here.

[Chester]

They should be coming down that way.

[Matt Dillon]

You better hope you're telling the truth, son.

[Chester]

I am, Marshall. I swear.

[Matt Dillon]

We'll see you soon enough.

[Chester]

Off there. There's horses.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. You watch them till you're sure. Those are the men. Then I want you to get down and stay down, you understand?

[Chester]

I understand.

[Matt Dillon]

All right.

[Chester]

I ain't quite close enough yet.

[Josiah Crandall]

Yeah.

[Chester]

Marshall, that's him.

[Matt Dillon]

That's him, all right. I'm going to climb down to the road, but you stay here.

[Chester]

I'll come with you.

[Matt Dillon]

I said for you to stay here, Rob. Now, don't you give me any trouble.

[Chester]

All right, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

York, Burns. Pull up.

[Chester]

Stay right where you are.

[Matt Dillon]

You're covered. Who are you?

[Chester]

Dylan.

[Matt Dillon]

Get your hands up. That's it. Now, you sit real still.

[Josiah Crandall]

Yes, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, sir. Come on out and get the guns. But come easy. We've been sold out.

[Chester]

The kids.

[Matt Dillon]

The puppet boy done it.

[Chester]

Told the marshal. There he is, sitting up on them rocks like a right pumpkin. Stay down, Crandall. G. Rotten little seat.

[Matt Dillon]

Take it easy.

[Chester]

I'll get it. Don't you try it.

Mr. Dylan.

You all right?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I'm all right.

[Chester]

You got him? Both of them.

[Matt Dillon]

Come on, Chester. Let's see about the boy.

[Chester]

You don't look good.

[Matt Dillon]

No, he's hurt bad.

[Chester]

I'm sorry I didn't get to the guns in time.

[Matt Dillon]

You couldn't help it, Chester. He didn't give you any time. All right, come on. We better get him in the dark. Come up here, Chelsea.

[Chester]

Just a minute, Mr. Dylan. I'll help you.

[Matt Dillon]

No, never mind, Chester. I'll take him.

[Josiah Crandall]

Marshall.

[Chester]

Thank you.

[Josiah Crandall]

Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

I brought Rob home, Mr. Randall.

[Josiah Crandall]

He lying drunk again.

[Matt Dillon]

Now. He is a drunk.

[Josiah Crandall]

He hurt bad. Hurt?

[Matt Dillon]

He is dead.

[Josiah Crandall]

Bring him in. Put him down on the bed.

[Matt Dillon]

Doc did everything he could.

[Josiah Crandall]

He was shot.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Josiah Crandall]

No doctor can do anything about violence.

[Matt Dillon]

I'd like to tell you how it happened.

[Josiah Crandall]

No use, Marshall. No use. My boy did my third boy.

[Matt Dillon]

But you might feel better about it if you knew.

[Josiah Crandall]

I had three sons. They all sought violence.

[Matt Dillon]

This one didn't. He tried to stop it.

[Josiah Crandall]

He died by it.

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, Mr. Grandly did. But he died because he was trying to keep people from getting hurt. He died trying to stop a stage holdup.

[Josiah Crandall]

All I wanted was to bring him up to thinking the ways of peace. All I wanted was to keep him from wanting to mix in the world of trouble.

[Matt Dillon]

Mr. Crandall, he just wanted the mix in the world.

[Josiah Crandall]

The world is wicked. He's full of violence.

[Matt Dillon]

Not all the world, Mr. Crandall. If I had a son who risked his life to save others, I'd find it in my heart to be proud, even if he was my last son.

[Geico Voice]

How do you feel when you switch to GEICO and save on your car insurance? It's like going to work on one Thursday morning and thinking to yourself, just one more day until Friday. But then somebody in the elevator says, happy Friday. Then you check your phone quickly and discover today is actually Friday. So, yes, Happy Friday. Random stranger in the elevator. Happy Friday indeed. Yep. Switching and saving with Geico feels just like that. Get more with Geico.

[William Conrad]

Gun Smoke, produced and directed by Norman McDonald. Stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U. S. Marshal. The story was freshly written for Gun Smoke by Marion Clark with editorial supervision by John Meston. Featured in the cast were Sam Edwards, Ralph Moody, Ken lynch and Barney Phillips. Harley Baer is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc, and Georgia Ellis is Kitty. This is George Walsh inviting you to join us again next week for another story on gun smoke.

[Andrew Rines]

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