Gunsmoke 1956-12-23- Beekers Barn

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – Gunsmoke 1956-12-23 – Beekers Barn

Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Air Date: December 30, 2025
Original Radio Broadcast: December 23, 1956
Episode: "Beekers Barn"
Summary Prepared By: [Podcast Summarizer AI]

---

Episode Overview

This episode transports listeners back to Dodge City with Gunsmoke, the trailblazing radio Western, in a story steeped in themes of family estrangement, harsh winter hardship, and the hope of reconciliation. Marshal Matt Dillon, Chester, and Kitty become involved when long-standing conflicts between Jethro Beeker and his estranged daughter Harmony, along with her husband Will Ross, come to a head in the middle of a snowstorm—and the arrival of a new baby forces everyone to revisit old wounds and grudges.

---

Key Discussion Points & Plot Highlights

1. Christmas Eve in Dodge

• The episode opens with Matt Dillon and Chester preparing for a harsh winter night, stoking the stove against the cold (02:17).
• Kitty visits briefly, noting the sentimental mood around Christmas, recalling childhood memories, and proposing a late-night get-together with Matt and Chester (03:00).
• Notable Quote:
  • Kitty (03:13): “Men get sentimental around Christmas time.”
• There's a cozy, wistful holiday atmosphere as the characters prepare for what is meant to be a quiet evening.

2. Jethro Beeker's Grievance

• Jethro Beeker bursts in, angry and cold, declaring he’s been "invaded" by squatters—who turn out to be his own estranged daughter and son-in-law, Will and Harmony Ross (04:14).
• Jethro's bitterness is palpable. He insists he has no daughter, having disowned Harmony when she married Will (05:01).
• Notable Exchange:
  • Matt Dillon (05:10): “You had one for 19 years, Baker.”
  • Beeker (05:13): “You know me for a man of my word, Marshall... If you don’t ride back out there... I’m gonna burn that barn down with them inside it.”

3. Tense Confrontation at the Barn

• Matt and Chester visit Beeker's barn, where Will and Harmony have taken shelter from the blizzard (08:17).
• Will, wary and armed, only allows Matt inside unarmed. Tensions from past conflict simmer (09:14).
• Will explains their presence: “We didn’t aim to stop here, Marshall. We was trying to make Dodge and the storm come down on us” (10:20).
• Harmony, heavily pregnant, is in labor inside the tack room.

4. A Child Arrives Amid Family Strife

• Harmony’s labor progresses quickly, and Matt sends Chester to fetch Doc Adams (11:03).
• There’s a poignant moment between Matt and Harmony:
  • Harmony (15:10): "You know, Baby’s first look at the world ought to be all love and joy. Not... Not like this, with Pa hating us like he does."
  • Matt Dillon (15:27): "Well, maybe not as much as he puts on."
• Doc arrives with his signature blend of gruffness and reassurance (16:04). He ushers everyone out, telling Matt: "You thought you was gonna have to take over by yourself, huh? ...Me and Harmony's got some work to do." (16:36).

5. Old Grudges, New Relationships

• In the barn, resentment continues to simmer between Beeker and Will:
  • Beeker: “You always was a fine one to talk. ... You didn’t with Harmony.”
  • Will: “We run into bad luck. ... We got caught here tonight by accident.”
• Matt intervenes, reminding Beeker of the cost of stubbornness and loneliness (18:17–19:03).
  • Matt Dillon (19:08): "With a ranch this size, a big house on it, and a man your age trying to work it all by himself while his own kin roamed the countryside? Some folks might figure a man like that's got a lot of meanness in him."

6. Reconciliation and Renewal

• Doc confirms Harmony and the baby are healthy (19:50). Kitty asks Beeker to come meet his grandson—his heart softens (20:28).
• The hardest line of the episode:
  • Beeker (20:34): “Did she say my grandson? ... Of course he’s your grandson. Well, I hadn’t thought of that. My grandson.”
• Beeker, finally moved, acknowledges Harmony and the baby, and offers Will his hand: “I’d be much obliged to you if we could shake hands and kind of forget about things.” (21:03)
• There’s hope that the family might reconcile and rebuild.

7. Epilogue: Found Family and Hope

• Outside, as the weather clears, Matt, Chester, and Doc reflect on the night’s events, suggesting both Beeker and Harmony’s family have a second chance (22:03).
• Matt invites Doc to join him and Kitty in a late-night holiday toast, ending on a note of warmth and camaraderie (22:11).

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kitty (03:13): “Men get sentimental around Christmas time.”
• Beeker (05:13): “You know me for a man of my word, Marshall... If you don’t ride back out there... I’m gonna burn that barn down with them inside it.”
• Will (10:20): “We didn’t aim to stop here, Marshall. We was trying to make Dodge and the storm come down on us.”
• Harmony (15:10): "You know, Baby’s first look at the world ought to be all love and joy. Not... Not like this, with Pa hating us like he does."
• Beeker (20:34): “Did she say my grandson? ... Of course he’s your grandson. Well, I hadn’t thought of that. My grandson.”
• Beeker (21:03): “I’d be much obliged to you if we could shake hands and kind of forget about things.”
• Matt (22:11): “Say, Doc, why don’t you come by the office when we get in town? Kitty will be there, and we thought we’d have a little something to drink and sit around a while and talk.”

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:17 – Chester and Dillon discuss the coming storm; Kitty enters, setting the Christmas mood.
• 04:14 – Beeker storms in; reveals the conflict over his barn and estrangement from Harmony.
• 08:17 – Arrival at Beeker’s barn; confrontation with Will and Harmony.
• 11:03 – Matt discovers Harmony is in labor.
• 14:13–15:10 – Intimate moment as Harmony expresses her fears and sadness; Matt offers comfort.
• 16:04 – Doc Adams arrives to deliver the baby.
• 17:07–19:03 – Verbal confrontation between Beeker and Will; Matt moderates.
• 19:50 – Doc brings news: Harmony and baby are fine.
• 20:28–21:03 – Moving reconciliation: Beeker accepts his daughter and grandson.
• 22:03 – Closing camaraderie; Matt invites Doc to celebrate with them in town.

---

Episode Tone and Style

The episode masterfully combines Gunsmoke’s hallmark frontier grittiness with a heartfelt holiday theme. The dialogue is plainspoken but emotionally rich, with William Conrad’s Matt Dillon providing grounded, compassionate authority. Underneath the Western brusqueness, there’s warmth, humor, and moments of poignant vulnerability—especially surrounding the birth of Harmony’s child.

---

Conclusion

"Beekers Barn" encapsulates why Gunsmoke remains a classic of radio drama: it weaves together rugged Western storytelling with timeless human drama. Listeners are left with a sense of hard-earned reconciliation, comfort amid hardship, and hope—universal themes that resonate far beyond Dodge City’s frontier streets.

---

Recommended for:
Fans of classic radio drama, Westerns, holiday tales, and stories of forgiveness and family healing.

Listen for:
Fine acting, rich atmosphere, and an emotional payoff that makes this Gunsmoke Christmas episode a perennial favorite.

Transcript

[MyFico Announcer]

A new phone for Billy, a necklace for Sam. All the while on the lookout for scams. A swipe here and tap there. Better make it go far. Turns out mom didn't know she needs.

[Jethro Baker]

A new car this year.

[T-Mobile Representative]

Stay on top of your credit with the MyFico app. Get your FICO score straight from the people that created it. Plus free credit monitoring and a free credit report every month. No credit card required. So make holiday spending one less stress under the mistletoe. Visit myfico.com free or download the MyFico app today.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

Gun smoke brought to you by. L m the modern cigarette that lets you get full exciting flavor through the modern miracle of the pure white miracle.

[Jethro Baker]

Tip.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

Live modern smoke. L m. 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. Gunsmoke, starring William Conrad. The story of the violence that moved west with young America. And the story of a man who moved with it.

[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 lone.

[Jethro Baker]

It's a good thing we packed in all that stove wood, Mr. Dylan. Gonna need plenty of it for morning.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, it'd be a real cold night.

[Jethro Baker]

Looks like that snow keeps on there. So it's going to be two foot deep on the level and four in the drawers.

[Matt Dillon]

If you don't take your boots off that stove, you're going to have two feet on the bare ground.

[Jethro Baker]

Chester, what are you talking about?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, your soles are starting to smoke.

[Jethro Baker]

Now take them off. My golly, I thought I smelt something burning in here.

[Matt Dillon]

Stove's red hot.

[Jethro Baker]

Well, at least my feet's warm for the first time in two days. Maybe I'll rub my boots with tallow. The leather ought to soak it up real good, being too hot that way.

[Kitty]

Evening, Matt.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

Oh, hello, Kitty.

[Jethro Baker]

Come on, Kitty.

[Kitty]

Cold out tonight.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, come over here and stand by the stove and burn with a Chester.

[Kitty]

Oh, man, I can't stay, Matt. I gotta get back to the long branch.

[Matt Dillon]

Ah, big crowd tonight.

[Kitty]

Yeah, but quiet one. Men get sentimental around Christmas time.

[Jethro Baker]

Oh, I'm that way myself, Miss Kitty.

[Kitty]

So, my test. I was thinking earlier this evening what it was like when I was a little girl. We used to always.

[Jethro Baker]

Well, that was a long time ago.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, why don't you stay a while, Kitty, and let Sam run The place tonight, huh?

[Kitty]

Well, the boys sort of need me, Matt.

[Jethro Baker]

Talk with them and laugh with them.

[Kitty]

Even though they're thinking of somebody else at the time.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, yeah, I know, but.

[Kitty]

Well, I don't mind, really. Kind of nice to be needed by somebody. What I was thinking, though, Matt, later, around midnight, maybe the three of us could get together, make some hot run.

[Matt Dillon]

Maybe it's a good idea, Kitty.

[Jethro Baker]

Yeah, Doggone. Maybe I can get old Mr. Jonas to rustle up some chestnut.

[Kitty]

And I'll be counting on it. All right, I'll come here if that's all right. I'd kind of like to get away from the long branch.

[Matt Dillon]

Okay.

[Kitty]

Well, how are you, Mr. Baker?

[Jethro Baker]

Good evening.

[Kitty]

Well, I better get on back. I'll see you later.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, Kitty. Come on in, Jethro. You look like you could stand some warming up.

[Jethro Baker]

Marshall Dillon. Got some trouble out in my place.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, what kind of trouble?

[Jethro Baker]

I've been invaded, attacked on my own property, shot at. Look here at that there hat.

[Matt Dillon]

That bullet come much closer, you'd have been shot. Not shot at. Who was it, Jethro?

[Jethro Baker]

A couple coming through in the wagon. They took over my barn and won't let me put a foot inside.

[Matt Dillon]

Now, what do you mean a couple? A man and wife.

[Jethro Baker]

How do I know whether they're man or wife or not?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, maybe they just wanted shelter from the storm.

[Jethro Baker]

Marshall, I don't care what they want. They took possession of my barn without so much as to buy your leave. I want them through it out tonight.

[Matt Dillon]

Can't we leave it till morning, Jethro?

[Jethro Baker]

No, sir. Will Ross ain't spending the night on my property. Will Ross?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. Is your daughter with him? Harmony?

[Jethro Baker]

Marshall, I ain't got no daughter.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, you did have until two years ago when she married Ross and you threw them both off the place.

[Jethro Baker]

For the last time, I ain't got no daughter.

[Matt Dillon]

You had one for 19 years, Baker.

[Jethro Baker]

You know me for a man of my word, Marshall. Now I'm telling you this. If you don't ride back out there with me right now and get them two off my property, I'm gonna burn that barn down with them inside it.

[Matt Dillon]

Just a yes, sir. You better saddle a couple of horses.

[Jethro Baker]

Free yourself of old fashioned ideas why don't you live in modern day Live.

[Kitty]

Modern Live, live, live modern Free up.

[Jethro Baker]

Freshen up your taste Smoke an L.

[Kitty]

And M.

[Jethro Baker]

Live modern Smoke modern smoke L and M enjoy full exciting flavor through L&M's pure white miracle tip L.

[Matt Dillon]

And M draws easier tastes richer Smokes.

[Jethro Baker]

Cleaner That's why today more people are changing to L than to any other cigarette. So free up, freshen up your taste. Live modern, change to L and M. Make today your big red letter day and start to live the modern way. Live, live, live modern smoke and L and M.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

It's America's fastest growing cigarette.

[MyFico Announcer]

While holiday shopping is almost always fun, credit can be confusing. That's when you get Myfico. Download the myfico app now and shop with confidence, knowing that you can stay on top of your credit 24.

[Matt Dillon]

7.

[MyFico Announcer]

Get your FICO score straight from the people that created it. Plus free credit monitoring and a free credit report every month. No credit card required. FICO scores are used by 90% of lenders, so trust the MyFico app to keep you in the know. Visit myfico.com free or download the MyFico app today. A new phone for Billy. A necklace for Sam. All the while on the lookout for scams. A swipe here and tap there. Better make it go far. Turns out mom didn't know she needs.

[Jethro Baker]

A new car this year.

[T-Mobile Representative]

Stay on top of your credit with the MyFico app. Get your FICO score straight from the people that created it. Plus free credit monitoring and a free credit report every month. No credit card required. So make holiday spending one less stress under the mistletoe. Visit myfico.com free or download the MyFico app today.

[Matt Dillon]

I don't see any wagons, Ruthro.

[Jethro Baker]

They hold it inside the barn. Blast them. They're burning the coal oil stove in the tack room. And they got a fire going in the blacksmith forge.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, it's a cool cold night.

[Jethro Baker]

Yes, and charcoal and oil cost money. Come on out there, Ross. Got the law with me now, Jethro.

[Matt Dillon]

If I'm going to handle this, I'll handle it my own way. Now you stay right here. Come on, Chester.

[Jethro Baker]

Yes, sir. Now don't you go easy on them. I want them to treated like any other criminal. Make mighty good targets again this snow, Mr. John.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I guess we do with that. The wind dies down, may not turn into a blizzard after all.

[Jethro Baker]

But I just don't like the idea of walking light into a gun. Who is it? Who's out there?

[Matt Dillon]

It's Matt Dillon.

[Jethro Baker]

Told your fire. Will stay back. I'm warning you, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Just want to talk to you, Will. Now come out.

[Jethro Baker]

Open the door.

[Matt Dillon]

It's cold out here.

[Jethro Baker]

Is old Jethro with you?

[Matt Dillon]

No, just me and Chester.

[Jethro Baker]

You can come in alone. Matt, leave your gun out there with Chester. All right, open it up here.

[Matt Dillon]

Chester. Hang on to this, Young.

[Jethro Baker]

I just don't like this.

[Matt Dillon]

We got no choice.

[Jethro Baker]

All right, hurry up, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, welcome home, Will.

[Jethro Baker]

You took a big chance walking up here like that.

[Matt Dillon]

I doubt that. You wouldn't have shot anybody in cold blood before. I don't think a man changes that much in two years.

[Jethro Baker]

Not unless he's pushed hard enough.

[Matt Dillon]

Maybe. Now, take that gun, Will you said.

[Jethro Baker]

You just wanted to talk.

[Matt Dillon]

I do, but not over a gun sight. Now hand it over. No.

[Jethro Baker]

Now, stay back, Matt.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

No.

[Matt Dillon]

Like I said, Will, a man doesn't change that much.

[Jethro Baker]

No, I guess not. I wouldn't even have shot old Jethro.

[Matt Dillon]

I figured that.

[Jethro Baker]

We didn't aim to stop here, Marshall. We was trying to make Dodge and the storm come down on us.

[Matt Dillon]

A man takes shelter where he can.

[Jethro Baker]

I wouldn't even ask him for a drink of water. Now, that's the way he treated us when we got married. But we didn't have no choice.

[Matt Dillon]

Where's Harmony, Will?

[Jethro Baker]

She's an attack room. It's warmer there. I made up a bed for her with some straw and some blankets.

[Matt Dillon]

A bed?

[Jethro Baker]

You better go talk to her, Marshall. She'll be right glad to see you after all this time.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, Chester.

[Jethro Baker]

Yes, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

Come on in. I'll be right back.

[Jethro Baker]

All right, sir. How you been making out? Well, not too bad.

[Matt Dillon]

Harmony.

[Kitty]

Who is it?

[Matt Dillon]

Matt Dillon.

[Kitty]

Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Now, what's going on here, young lady?

[Kitty]

Oh, everything. Matt, we're in trouble. Real trouble.

[Matt Dillon]

What's wrong? You sick?

[Kitty]

I reckon you might call it that. It'll be any time now. I think I. I was gonna.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, well, now, look, don't you worry, Harmony. I'm gonna get some help out here right away. Everything's gonna be all right now.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

I'll be right back.

[Jethro Baker]

Get out of my barn, off my property, Ross. And take that woman of yours with you.

[Matt Dillon]

Jethro, I told you to stay outside.

[Jethro Baker]

I'll remind you these are my own premises, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

We'll worry about that later. Chester, go get Doc out here fast.

[Jethro Baker]

Well, what'll I tell him? Is Ms. Harmony took down, sir?

[Matt Dillon]

Not exactly, no.

[Jethro Baker]

What?

[Matt Dillon]

Just got riding, Chester. My. Yes, sir.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

Happy holidays from L and M. And.

[Jethro Baker]

Here'S how to say it to your friends, Give modern. Give L and M holiday cartons. L M. Holiday cartons are gay, handsome. A gift that says both you and your friends know how to live modern day. Live modern day.

[Kitty]

Live, Live, Live modern.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

Free up.

[Jethro Baker]

Freshen up. Your teeth taste smoking.

[Kitty]

L M.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

Remember when you smoke L.

[Jethro Baker]

And M You always get full, exciting flavor through the L M miracle tip. L M draws easier, tastes richer, smokes cleaner. That's why today more people are changing.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

To L and M than to any other cigarette.

[Jethro Baker]

So smoke L M and remember your friends appreciate your gift of L M Holiday carton.

[Kitty]

Live modern smoking element. Oh, man. Oh, man, I'm scared.

[Matt Dillon]

Now, you just take it easy, Harmony. Now, Will and Chester are going to be back any minute now and they'll have Doc with them. Don't worry, it won't be much longer.

[Kitty]

Oh, they've just got to. Oh.

[Matt Dillon]

It'S gonna be all right, Harmony. Good.

[Kitty]

Chester have gone alone. Why did you have to send Will with him?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, if he'd stayed here, Harmony, your father and him would have been at each other's throats.

[Kitty]

Where's Pa?

[Matt Dillon]

He's out there keeping the forge burning, heating up some water. He's looking sicker by the minute.

[Kitty]

Why didn't it have to happen here? That. Oh.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, Harmony, take it easy.

[Kitty]

If I only had something to hold onto. Maybe if. If you'd give me your hand.

[Matt Dillon]

Here, Here, take my hand.

[Kitty]

Oh, here.

[Matt Dillon]

There you go. There you go. There you go.

[Kitty]

You know, Baby's first look at the world ought to be all love and joy. Not. Not like this, with Pa hating us like he does.

[Jethro Baker]

I'm not, Harmony. He does. He does.

[Kitty]

He hates us willingly. Boasts.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, maybe not as much as he puts on.

[Kitty]

Oh, Matt. Oh, you're right, I think.

[Matt Dillon]

What do you mean?

[Kitty]

Oh, it's not going to be much longer. It's.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, just take it easy.

[Kitty]

If Doc doesn't get here, you'll. You'll stay with me? You'll help me, won't you, Matt?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, sure I will, Harmony, but I'll do what I can. But he'll get here, though. Doc always makes it.

[Kitty]

I hope so. I hope so, man. But I'm afraid.

[Jethro Baker]

Oh, say, Lord, what's all this fuss about?

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, Doc, thank goodness.

[Jethro Baker]

It's a fine time of night to drag a man out in the snow. Yeah, put in my bag, rat. I can't see why you didn't plan this thing at a decent hour, young lady.

[Kitty]

Doc, I'm scared.

[Jethro Baker]

Oh, scared? Fiddlestick's not a thing to worry about. Women were having young UN's long before you and me was even born.

[Kitty]

Laurie, please.

[Jethro Baker]

Oh, well, now, then, you just settle back here and you quit working. I'll tell you when it's time to hurry.

[Matt Dillon]

Doc, do you mind if.

[Jethro Baker]

Well, now, Matt. Well, you're as wide as a she.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, well, Doc.

[Jethro Baker]

Oh, you thought you was gonna have to take over by yourself, huh? You go on out there and you tell that old buzzard out there to heat up some more water. He hasn't got half enough.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, Doug.

[Jethro Baker]

And then stay out from underfoot. Me and Harmony's got some work to do. Go on now.

[Kitty]

Get.

[Jethro Baker]

Howdy, young fella. Welcome to the. My gracious, it is cold, Mr. Dillon. Top snowing, though. Clear as a bell. There you are, Mr. Beecher. Better put some more wood on that forager gas. It's burning down pretty low. And so is my wood pile. It's a full waste trying to heat a barn in midwinter. I'll cut enough to make it up for wheelies. One thing sure, Jethro. We ain't going out beholden to you. You always was a fine one to talk. Mostly. I can back it up. You didn't with Harmony. We don't need your old man's farm, you said. We'll have us one twice as big, you said. We run into bad luck. Yeah, sure you did. And you come crawling back with your tail between your legs. Not to you, we didn't. We got caught here tonight by accident. Bad luck. Accident. That's all you was born for. Guess what I told Harmony when she defied me and up married you. That so? Now, you listen to me, Jethro. That's enough.

[Matt Dillon]

Settle down, both of you. Well, I didn't give you back your gun just to have you start another argument.

[Jethro Baker]

I'm sorry, Marshall. I. I'm just kind of on edge, I reckon. Well, ain't no wonder when a man's got a new little boy less than an hour old. And the rich get richer and the poor have young UN's.

[Matt Dillon]

Jethro.

[Jethro Baker]

Shut up, Marshall. I'll remind you that all of you are trespassers on my property.

[Matt Dillon]

I thought we'd settle that. I'm here because you called the law in, right? Remember? Man, you sure ain't done nothing for some circumstances. Jeff, they'll leave as soon as your daughter's able to.

[Jethro Baker]

You can count on that. I ain't got no daughter, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, anyway, while they're here, you're going to keep the peace.

[Jethro Baker]

There ain't no law against talking.

[Matt Dillon]

There is if a talk leads to violence. Just remember that Harmony and Will don't like putting up with you any better than you like putting up with them.

[Jethro Baker]

Real high and mighty, ain't they? And without a rough over their heads.

[Matt Dillon]

A lot of folks might figure that makes you look worse Than them.

[Jethro Baker]

Now, what kind of talk is that, Marshall?

[Matt Dillon]

With a ranch this size, a big house on it, and a man your age trying to work it all by himself while his own kin roamed the countryside? Some folks might figure a man like that's got a lot of meanness in him.

[Jethro Baker]

I told her what to expect if she married this feller.

[Matt Dillon]

Man might tell somebody most anything when he's mad, General, but it's plain stubbornness that makes him stick to it.

[Jethro Baker]

Afterwards, they come sneaking into my barn like bandits. Marshall didn't even knock on my door. Now you're saying I ought to go crawling to him.

[Matt Dillon]

I didn't tell you what you ought to do.

[Jethro Baker]

Well, it comes to that, though, and I ain't doing it. Don't worry, Jethro. We don't want no part of your ranch, and it ain't being offered to you. I worked mighty hard to make this place look like what it is. A little peace and quiet out here.

[Kitty]

Wouldn'T do the patient any harm, you know.

[Jethro Baker]

How is she, Doc? Is she gonna be all right? She's fine, and so's a young infant. She'll live to have a dozen more. And he'll grow up and probably come to a bad end, like being a marshal or a country doctor. Oh, now, young lady, I'll be back in the morning. You get yourself some sleep.

[Kitty]

All right, Doc, but would you tell my PA that if you got any.

[Jethro Baker]

Telling to do, you do it yourself?

[Kitty]

Paul.

[Jethro Baker]

Well, answer, you old coot.

[Matt Dillon]

She's talking to you.

[Jethro Baker]

Yes, what is it, Paul?

[Kitty]

Would you come in here and say howdy to your grandson?

[Jethro Baker]

Grandson?

[Matt Dillon]

Did.

[Jethro Baker]

Did she say my grandson? Of course he's your grandson. Well, I hadn't thought of that. My grandson.

[Matt Dillon]

Now, wait a minute. I don't know, Jethro. You're just got through claiming you didn't even have a daughter.

[Jethro Baker]

Confounded Marshall, you're trying to put words in my mouth. Of course, I got a daughter and a grandson. And as fine a boy as you could ask for. Will.

[Matt Dillon]

What?

[Jethro Baker]

Well, I'd. I'd be much obliged to you if we could shake hands and kind of forget about things. Well, I can't see no reason not to, Jethro.

[Matt Dillon]

Good.

[Jethro Baker]

Good. Now, come on, Will. Let's look him over. By golly, a grandson. Oh, look at him. Crazy old fool. Young un's, born every day. It's nothing to get all worked up about. Oh, you fool him, Doc.

[Matt Dillon]

Eh? Eh, Nobody.

[Jethro Baker]

Well, what are we gonna do? Head back to town?

[Matt Dillon]

Might as well, Doc. You know they'll probably have some ups and downs yet, but I guess the four of them will be able to work it out.

[Jethro Baker]

They'll spoil that kid rotten.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, turned out to be a fine night after the snow quit, didn't it?

[Jethro Baker]

Look at those doggone stars.

[Matt Dillon]

Say, Doc, why don't you come by the office when we get in town? Kitty will be there and we thought we'd have a little something to drink and sit around a while and talk. Oh, that sounds fine.

[Jethro Baker]

Yeah, hold on. It's pretty near 4:00 clock in the morning, Mr. Jones.

[Matt Dillon]

That's right, Chester.

[Jethro Baker]

Well, Miss Kitty won't still be waiting up.

[Matt Dillon]

You want to bet?

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

In a moment. Our star, William Conrad. Just one person can make the mistake that causes an accident. Pedestrian, passenger or driver. Any one of us can go into the kind of solo mistake that spells trouble on the road. It can happen even though we know better. Most drivers know how their cars operate and what the traffic rules are. We know that speed kills and that alcohol and gas make a bad mixture. Yet an impulse sometimes takes over. We show off, act defiant or let off steam. We take the gamble. That figures in the majority of accidents today. Don't be sorry later. Be sure now. Drive with courtesy and care. Use posted signs and signals. They were placed there for you to know the road ahead. Keep in mind that just one person can cause an accident when a dangerous impulse takes over behind the wheel. It's what psychiatrists call emotional immaturity. Whatever your age on the road, grow up and live. Remember, careless driving is kid stuff. And now, William Conrad.

[Matt Dillon]

You know, the frontier. Callahan was pretty proud and he'd fight anyone who had bad to say of his horse, his hat or his settle. And next week, it's because of an old spotted hound dog that two men nearly die. And that was the West.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

Gun Smoke, produced and directed by Norman McDonald, stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. The story was specially written for Gunsmoke by Les Crutchfield with editorial supervision by John Meston. The music was composed and conducted by Rex Corey, sound patterns by Tom Hanley and Bill James. Featured in the cast were Ralph Moody, Vic Perrin and Virginia Gregg. Harley Baer As Chester, Howard McNear as Doc and Georgia Ellis as Kitty. Join us again next week for another story of the Western frontier. When Matt Dillon, Chester Proudfoot, Doc and Kitty, together with all the other hard living citizens of Dodge, will be with you once more. It's America growing west in the 1870s. It's gun smoke.

[Kitty]

Sam.

[T-Mobile Representative]

Guys, thanks for helping me carry my Christmas tree.

[Jethro Baker]

Zoe, this thing weighs a ton. Drew Ski, lift with your legs, man.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

Santa.

[Kitty]

Santa, did you get my letter?

[Jethro Baker]

He's talking to you, Bridges. I'm not.

[T-Mobile Representative]

Of course he did.

[Jethro Baker]

Right, Santa, you know my elf Drew Ski here. He handles the nice list. And elf, I'm six' three. What everyone wants is iPhone 17 and at T Mobile you can get it on them. That center stage front camera is amazing for group selfies. Right, Mrs. Claus?

[T-Mobile Representative]

I'm Mrs. Claus much younger sister. And AT T Mobile, there's no trade in needed when you switch. So you can keep your old phone.

[Jethro Baker]

Or give it as a gift.

[T-Mobile Representative]

And the best part, you can make the switch to T Mobile from your phone in just 15 minutes.

[Jethro Baker]

Guys, my side of the tree is slipping.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

Timber.

[Jethro Baker]

The holidays are better. AT T Mobile switch in just 15 minutes and get iPhone 17 on us with no trade in needed. And now T Mobile is available in US cellular stores with 24 monthly bill credits for well qualified customers plus tax and $35 vice connection charge credit engine balance due if you pay off earlier. Cancel Financing Agreement 256g 830 Eligible for in a new line $100 plus a month Plan with auto paypal taxes fees required. Check out 15 minutes or less per line.

[Josh Whalen]

Visit t mobile.com if you're paying more than $1 a month for any ED or hair medication. Listen up at Joy and Blokes when you start TRT or enclomophene, you can add any ED or hair loss prescription for just $1 a month. $1 add ons with your hormone plan and right now all labs are 50% off. I'm Josh Whalen, founder of Joy and Blokes. I built this company because men are tired of paying for fragmented care without results. Every Joy and Blokes lab includes a visit with a licensed clinician who connects your symptoms to your biomarkers. You'll get a real plan that covers hormones, performance and confidence. If you're considering TRT or Enclomiphene, this is the most efficient way to do it. Get [e-mail] and use the promo code. Podcast new customers get 50% off their labs and for a limited time, you can take advantage of our $1 ED or hair loss add ons when you start TRT or enclomophine. Not available in all states. Compounded medications are not FDA approved. Learn more at joyandblokes. Com.