The Six Shooter 1953-12-20 Ep 14 Britt Ponsett's Christmas Carol

Summary

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Podcast Summary: "The Six Shooter 1953-12-20 Ep 14 Britt Ponsett's Christmas Carol"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: December 8, 2025
Original Broadcast: December 20, 1953
Title: Britt Ponsett's Christmas Carol
Main Theme:
This episode is a unique, Western-styled retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic "A Christmas Carol," starring James Stewart as Britt Ponsett (the Six Shooter). The story is blended into the Old West, exploring themes of redemption, compassion, and the true spirit of Christmas.

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Key Discussion Points and Story Breakdown

1. Setting the Stage: A Cold Christmas Morning

• [02:03] The atmosphere is described as a mild winter’s morning on the plains. Britt Ponsett sits by a campfire and meets Johnny, a boy who is running away from home around Christmastime.
  • Johnny: “You see, I'm running away from home… I hate Christmas. It's just for kids anyhow.”
• Johnny tells Britt why he dislikes Christmas—his parents have died, he feels lost, and his aunt says Christmas is for children.
  • Johnny: “Christmas was all right when they… when I was with them.”

2. The Story Within: Britt Tells "A Christmas Carol" Western-Style

• [04:01] Britt begins to tell Johnny about a man named Eben (a stand-in for Ebenezer Scrooge), reputedly the richest and stingiest man in the territory.
  • Britt: “It seems to me I remember reading a story once about a fellow felt the same way about Christmas you do.”
• Eben’s coldness is reinforced through exchanges with his nephew and his foreman, especially when he refuses to share or give joy at Christmas.
  • Eben (to nephew): “At three you can expect me all you like, but I ain't coming. Not at three or any other time. All this nonsense about Christmas. Fiddlesticks.” [05:57]

3. The Ghostly Visitations

• Ghost of Jacob Marley
  • [08:06] The ghost of Jake (Eben's deceased partner) appears, burdened by gold and regrets.
    • Jake: "Always scheming and conniving. That's why I wear it. And that's why I've come to warn you, Evan."
    • Jake: “Have you ever done them any good? Any good at all?” [09:51]
• Ghost of Christmas Past
  • [14:20] The ghost, a cowboy dandy, takes Eben back to his boyhood on the prairie (where he was orphaned), his young adulthood in a bunkhouse, and the moment he lost love due to greed.
  • Fiancée (to Eben): “Land and money, cattle, profits. They mean more to you than I ever would.” [17:20]
• Ghost of Christmas Present
  • [18:10] Now a fat, jovial figure, the ghost shows Eben his foreman's crowded but loving family on Christmas (including a crippled boy, Tiny Tim).
    • The family prays: “God bless this food, this house and us and our friends. Even old Evan, I mean.” [19:33]
    • Tiny Tim (Johnny): “God bless us, everyone.” [19:46]
  • Next, Eben sees his nephew’s house, where he is the punchline in a party game.
• Ghost of Christmas Future
  • [20:54] The ghost shows Eben a cold, lonely future where he is dead and unmourned, his name on a forgotten tombstone.

4. Eben’s Redemption

• [22:24] Eben awakes from his nightmares, overjoyed to be alive. He dashes out, buying food and gifts anonymously for his foreman’s poor family and becomes the life of his nephew’s Christmas party.
  • Eben: “I'm also doubling your wages as of last week. Merry Christmas, Bob. Even if I am a day late. No, not a day. More like half a lifetime. But Merry Christmas anyway.” [24:43]

5. Back to Johnny: The Story’s Moral

• [25:07] Britt finishes the tale. Johnny sees its meaning:
  • Johnny: “So that I understand about Christmas and how important it is to do for other people instead of just thinking about yourself.”
• Britt subtly steers Johnny toward reconciling with his aunt and giving her a homemade Christmas tree, and cleverly gifts him a pocketknife he’d been wishing for.
  • Britt: “There are lots of things don’t cost a penny… Take that little spruce over there. I’ll bet you can make a Jim Dandy Christmas tree out of that.” [25:39]
  • Johnny (on the pocketknife): "How did you know?"
  • Britt: “So long ago.” [28:39]

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Eben (Scrooge) rejecting Christmas:
  "Christmas. Fiddlesticks!" [05:39]

• Ghost of Jacob Marley warning Eben:
  "Have you ever done them any good? Any good at all?" [09:51]
  "That's my punishment. To spend eternity traveling around, seeing mankind—with its trials and tribulations, with its joys and hopes—and not be able to help them." [10:03]

• Ghost of Christmas Past (on Eben's lost love):
  "Land and money, cattle, profits. They mean more to you than I ever would." [17:20]

• Christmas prayer at the foreman’s house:
  “God bless this food, this house and us and our friends. Even old Evan, I mean.” [19:33]

• Tiny Tim (Johnny):
  "God bless us, everyone." [19:46]

• Eben’s joyful redemption and generosity:
  "Merry Christmas, Bob. Even if I am a day late. No, not a day. More like half a lifetime. But Merry Christmas anyway." [24:43]

• Moral summarized by Johnny:
  "So that I understand about Christmas and how important it is to do for other people instead of just thinking about yourself." [25:17]

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Important Timestamps by Segment

• [02:03] Britt and Johnny’s snowy campfire, setting up the theme
• [04:01] Britt introduces the tale of Eben
• [08:06] First ghostly visitation from Jake (Marley)
• [14:20] Ghost of Christmas Past: Eben’s childhood memories
• [18:10] Ghost of Christmas Present: The foreman's home and Tiny Tim
• [20:54] Ghost of Christmas Future: Eben sees his own death
• [22:24] Eben awakens, begins his transformation
• [24:43] Eben’s full redemption, generosity, and holiday spirit
• [25:10 – 29:00] Britt and Johnny wrap up, the message of giving and reconciliation

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Tone and Style

The episode retains an authentic 1950s radio drama tone—heartfelt, warm, and a little bit folksy, with clear Western flavoring through accents, imagery, and details. Jimmy Stewart’s drawling delivery as Britt Ponsett adds to the homespun wisdom and charm of the storytelling. The adaptation avoids preachiness; instead, it lets the Western setting and its familiar faces breathe fresh life into Dickens’ moral tale.

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Conclusion

This episode of "The Six Shooter" is both an entertaining Western and a moving Christmas parable, reminding listeners—as Johnny learns—that Christmas is about kindness, generosity, and thinking of others. The marriage of Dickens’ classic with American frontier values makes this a memorable and unique holiday retelling.

“God bless us, everyone.” [19:46]

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Transcript

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[Narrator/Announcer]

A last minute Christmas shopping suggestion.

[Ghost of Christmas Past]

Jingle bells, jingle bells, bells off NBC oh, what joy to cook and bake while listening merrily. Pots and pans, sink and stove work goes easily.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Kitchens ring with happy chimes when tuned to NBC.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What will you hear in your kitchen after Christmas? Bacon sizzling, coffee perking, dishes clinking and if you're lucky, a new sound. NBC radio listening on that new set.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

The perfect gift to lighten mother's long.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Hours in the kitchen.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

Kitchen ring with happy chimes when tuned to NBC.

[Narrator/Announcer]

James Stewart as the Six Shooter.

The man in the saddle is ang muscular and long legged. His skin is sun dyed brown. The gun in his holster is gray steel and rainbow mother of pearl, its handle unmarked. People call them both the Six Shooter.

The NBC Radio Network presents James Stewart as the Six Shooter. A transcribed series of radio dramas based on the life of Britt Poncet, the Texas plainsman who wandered through the Western territories, leaving behind a trail of still remembered legends.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

There was a nip in the air. Not a freezing, biting, angry nip, but a sort of tingle that made the morning stars shimmer and swung them out of their orbits a little closer to the earth. Oh, it was a winter nip all right, but not a hard winter. Not a winter when the cattle would come down from the high places poking their noses into the ice encrusted ground. It was a mild winter nip. Mild enough so that the breath of the boy on the pinto turned only a faint gray as he rode toward the campfire where the man was sitting. Howdy.

[Johnny]

Hello, mister. I see your fire. I thought maybe you wouldn't mind if I gave my pony a chance to warm up.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Sure, sure. Mike's up home easy.

[Johnny]

You heading for Thompson's Corners, mister?

[Narrator/Storyteller]

That's right.

[Johnny]

I just came from there.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Oh, why, you must been riding all night?

[Johnny]

Just about. You see, I'm running away from home.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Oh, that's so.

It seems kind of a funny thing you'd pick this time of year to run away so close to Christmas. I mean, I hate Christmas. Oh, It.

[Johnny]

It's just for kids anyhow. Well, I heard Aunt Lily say so. Christmas is for children. That's what she said. Johnny's old enough to do with all that fuss and nonsense. I heard her tell Mr. Franklin that.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Oh, you don't live with your folks, huh, Johnny?

[Johnny]

No, Sidney. They died about eight months ago.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Oh, I see.

[Johnny]

Christmas was all right when they. When I was with them. Of course, I was a lot younger then.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Oh, yes, yes.

[Johnny]

It just beats me the way folks take Christmas so serious.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Well, I don't know.

[Johnny]

Is it getting presents made any difference? As if I really cared about that knife.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Why, is that what you wanted? A pocket knife?

[Johnny]

I don't want a knife. I don't want anything. I just wish there wasn't any Christmas, that's all.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Mm. Well, I. I guess you aren't the first person to feel that way. You know, it seems to me. Seems to me I remember reading a story once about a fellow felt the same way about Christmas. You do. Just didn't have any use for it.

[Johnny]

What happened to him?

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Well, I. I doubt if I can call it to mind after all this time, but as I recollect. Now, mind you, this may not be word for word, but as I recollect, the man that it was about, the one that hated Christmas, that. Well, he. He was a real skin plant. He was just as stingy as they come.

His name was, let me see, Eben, something like that.

[Johnny]

Eben.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Eben, yeah, I'm pretty sure that was it. Well, being so tight fisted, this fellow Ebony, he got to be the richest man in the whole territory.

[Johnny]

He owned a ranch?

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Oh, sure. Sure. Had four of them. Four ranches and store buildings and farms and maybe a bank or two.

[Johnny]

He was rich. I bet he had a mighty fine ranch house.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

No, no, no, he didn't have a ranch house. Evan wasn't the sort to spend money on a ranch house unless there was profit in it. He just lived alone in town. Had himself study room at the hotel. Well, anyway, one night while Evan was sitting in his room having supper, Christmas Eve it was. Well, on this particular Christmas Eve, his only kin, a nephew, lived in the same town. He stopped by the hotel to wish you a merry Christmas, uncle, and invite you to our place for dinner tomorrow.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

Christmas. Fiddle sticks.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Powder.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

I suppose you'd be closing up your livery stable for the occasion.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Why, sure, Uncle Ev.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

And just how are the horses know it's Christmas? Answer me that.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Well, if they don't know it, we will. Can I tell Sally to expect you.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

At three you can expect me all you like, but I ain't coming. Not at 3 or any other time. Oh, if you're making so much money, you can afford to be giving parties. Maybe I ought to think about raising the rent on them to receive them. Well, now, I'll go on and get out of here before I lose my temper. All this nonsense about Christmas. Fiddlesticks.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Well, after that, Johnny the nephew didn't stick around there. He got out of Evans Hotel room at a regular gallop. I wasn't very long before Evan had another visitor. He's a young fella, tall, lanky, not very good at speaking. He just plain ordinary cowpoke. He was the foreman of the S and M ranch.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

It took you long enough to get here. Where have you been? Selling off some of my herd. Without telling me about it?

[Narrator/Storyteller]

No, sir. That day you rode by, I was out in the range hunting stray.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

Any good thing? I decided to check up on YouTube. What's that cabin doing over by Holly Creek? And who are those people staying there?

[Narrator/Storyteller]

They're my family. I built the shack for them myself.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

I'm not gonna have a bunch of nesters in my property tear it down.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

But one of my boys is sick.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

I can't afford to leave. My concern. It's up to you to keep your family and what you earn. So see that you get rid of that shack tomorrow.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

But tomorrow's Christmas.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

Oh, well, then you'll have plenty of free time to tear it down. I'll be out the day after to make sure you've done it. Good night.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Wasn't much use in argument. Quorum knew that. So he put on his hat and shoveled out. Now Evan was alone again. At least he thought he was alone. The clock on the mantel started striking eight, and it's time for him to turn in. So he put on his flannel night shirt and reached for the kerosene lamp to set it on the stool beside the bed. And. And right about then, the strangest thing happened.

Johnny, old Eben saw a man's face looking right at him from inside that lamp. Eyes and hair and nose and mouth, whiskers all just as plain as day.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

Jake.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

It was old Jake, Evan's partner. There wasn't any mistake about it at all. It was Jake, right to a table. Well, Evan sure didn't like the idea of having Jake right in the same room with him. You see, Jake had been dead for over seven years. Not that Evan really believed in ghosts or haunts or anything like that. He told himself he was just imagining all this.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

I got to get a hold of myself.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

He put out his hand to turn down the wick, but all of a sudden his fingers started trembling. There was Jake again, across the room this time standing right by the bureau. No. And when the lamp slipped out of Evan's hand, the room didn't get dark at all. Jake seemed to be surrounded by a splotch of bright yellow light. And he was wearing the same boots and britches and leather jacket that he'd had on seven years ago, the day died. But as Jake came closer, Evan could see that he was wearing something else. A small leather saddle strapped across his back. And hanging down from it were two saddle bags stuffed so full of gold nuggets and mortgage papers and land grants that Jake could hardly drag him across the floor.

[Ghost of Christmas Past]

You recognize me, Evan?

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

Oh, sure, Jake. Why, sure, I'd never forget you. But what are you doing here? And why are you wearing that gesso?

[Ghost of Christmas Past]

Always thinking about land and money. Always scheming and conniving. That's why I wear it. And that's why I've come to warn you, Evan. The saddle you're fixing up for yourself is even heavier than mine.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

But I don't know what you mean, Jake. I ain't done no wrong. I ain't never done folks no wrong.

[Ghost of Christmas Past]

Have you ever done them any good? Any good at all?

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

Why, sure. I worked hard. I've saved my money. I ain't been a burden on anybody. Why, you should see our ranches, Jake. Oh, the way I built them up.

[Ghost of Christmas Past]

I have seen them many times. And I've seen a lot more than that, too. That's my punishment? To spend eternity traveling around seeing mankind with its trials and tribulations, with its joys and hopes?

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

Is that so terrible?

[Ghost of Christmas Past]

Oh, Evan.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

To watch him and not be able to help them.

[Ghost of Christmas Past]

You find out how terrible it is, you'll find out.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

There must be some way of avoiding this. You always were my friend, Jake.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Tell me what to do, Evan.

[Ghost of Christmas Past]

You've got to find out for yourself.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

But how?

[Ghost of Christmas Past]

Tonight, at 1 o', clock, you'll be haunted by a ghost.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

Another ghost.

[Ghost of Christmas Past]

Pay him heed, Evan. Pay him some heed.

[Johnny]

Wait, Jake.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

Don't leave me without it.

[Johnny]

Jake.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

The yellow light sort of faded away and the ghost was gone. It was just like he hadn't even been there. And then. And then something caught the corner of Evan's eye. A little glimmer on the floor. And he bent over to pick it up.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

A gold nugget. Now, where am I today?

[Narrator/Storyteller]

And Then he remembered those saddlebags of Jake's. They'd been filled clear to the brim with gold nuggets.

[Narrator/Announcer]

We're interrupting our story for only a moment, and only to tell you, our unseen audience, that you have helped more than you may realize to make this a very merry Christmas for all of us on this program. Your being with us each week, your many kind letters have told us that all the work that goes into bringing you the Six Shooter has not been in vain. And we're grateful. So friends from all of us, Jimmy Stewart and the cast, our writer, our director, engineers and sound technicians, our best wishes for a happy holiday season. Oh, yes, and before I Forget it, beginning December 31st, the six shooter will be on the air on Thursdays instead of Sundays. That's beginning Thursday the 31st. The time of broadcast will be listed in your local newspaper.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Get that AMEX Gold Card ready. I'm too tired to cook.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

We feeling Five Guys or the Cheesecake Factory? Both earn up to $120 a year in statement credits of participating partners, up.

[VRBO Announcer]

To $10 each month when you pay.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

With the AMEX Gold Card. Learn [e-mail] Explore Gold enrollment required terms apply.

[Geico Announcer]

Hello, I'm here during the lunch rush with Janice, who owns her own food truck.

[Johnny]

Best cheesesteaks in town.

[Geico Announcer]

Janice traded up to Geico Commercial Auto Insurance for her food truck business. We're here where she needs us most.

[Johnny]

They sure are.

[Geico Announcer]

We make it so easy for her to save with customized coverage that grows with her business. Sorry, I just get so emotional talking about saving folks money.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Not this onion I'm chopping.

[Geico Announcer]

It's just so beautiful.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Oh, yeah.

[Johnny]

Nice.

[VRBO Announcer]

The onion.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Get a commercial auto insurance quote [e-mail] and see how much you could save. It feels good. To Geico. Thank you. Now Act 2 of the Six Shooter, starring James Stewart as Britt Poncet.

[Johnny]

Gee, Whisper gold nugget. Then Jake's ghost really had been there.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Mr. Yeah, I just wasn't any doubt about it, Johnny.

[Johnny]

What happened then? Did the other snake turn up, the one Jake said was coming to see Evan?

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Oh, sure, Johnny, sure. Yeah, he was right on time, too. Evan was lying in bed, wide awake. Of course, he hadn't been able to do much sleep. And he's too scared. It was kind of peculiar. Evan was half scared the ghost would come and half scared he wouldn't, you see. But before the sound of the clock had died away, there he was. He's sitting in Evan's rocking chair like he'd been There all night long. And this ghost was a young Fella, oh, maybe 18, 19. All duded up the way young bucks like to dress. You know, fancy chaps and checkered shirt and red bandana tied around his neck.

Howdy, Eben. Reckon you've been expecting?

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

Yeah, but I. I guess so.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

You ready to take a little trip with you back way back through the years?

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

But how can I go with it? It's real easy.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

You see, I'm the Ghost of Christmas Past. Your past, Evan.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

Let's shove off.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

The next thing Evan knew, he and that ghost were standing out on a snow covered prairie. There was a circle of covered wagons in front of them, and the people from the wagons were gathered together and listening to a tall, white bearded man. You good in the Bible? Great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day.

[Narrator/Announcer]

In the city of David, a savior.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign. And you shall find the baby. The ghost turned and pointed to a boy sitting away from the others on the tailboard of one of the wagons. Small boy, about 10 years old, with hollow cheeks and his eyes all red from crying. Oh, no. It was. It was Evan himself. On a Christmas day. A long, long time ago. Not a very happy Christmas either. It was only a week since the oxen had stampede and his ma had been killed when she fell from the wagon. His paw had died with an Apache arrow in his chest.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

I don't want to look at him anymore. Can't you show me another Christmas?

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Well, it was no sooner said than done. Now Evan and the ghost were in a bunkhouse and Evan saw himself again. Oh, it's 10 years older than the boy on the prairie. But he was lying on a blanket staring up in the ceiling. And then his pal Jake came running in, all out of breath. Come on, Ed, get a clean shirt on.

[Narrator/Announcer]

We got us an invite to a party.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Huh? Yeah, the boss is throwing a big shindig. He says he'll fire us if we don't show up.

Evan couldn't help remembering that party. All the roast beef and the baked ham square dancing and the pretty girls in their calico. He couldn't help saying out loud to the ghost, oh, dear, how I wish I'd. What was that, Evan? Nothing, Mr. Sperry.

[Ghost of Christmas Past]

Nothing.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

I. I was just remembering how I treated my foreman.

After that, the ghost took Evan to three or four more of his old Christmases. And none of them were very happy. Especially that Christmas when the young school mom sitting on the horsehair sofa had Unwrapped the tiny box Evan gave her and then handed it back to him.

[Johnny]

It's a lovely ring, Evan, but I can't wear it.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Well, you're. You're not courting somebody else.

[Johnny]

No, Evan, but you are. You're courting something else.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Bill.

[Johnny]

Land and money, cattle, profits. They mean more to you than I ever would.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

I'm sorry, Mr. Ghost. No more of the past, please. I've seen enough. A man wants to forget.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Sure, Evan, whatever you say. And before Evan could blink his eyes, he was right back in the hotel room. But once he got there, he blinked real hard because all of a sudden, the ghost was becoming a different person. He was getting fatter, and his stomach popped out 2 or 3 inches, and a few wrinkles creased his cheeks. And finally his chaps turned into a shiny blue serge s suit with a heavy gold chain dangling across the vest. Well, what's happened to you? Why are you so different now? You seem to be getting tired of.

[Ghost of Christmas Past]

The past, so I thought we might.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Take a gander at the present. If you've got no objections. The hotel room just melted away. And Evan was looking at that cabin his foreman had built on Holly Craig.

Well, that cabin sure was crowded. There must have been five or six children, all helping their mother get the Christmas dinner, all laughing and talking, busy as summer coats. But when their father came in, he had a long face and a tired mouth. His wife looked up and wanted to know what was troubling him. Oh, I was just thinking about old Eben.

[Johnny]

That's not a very pleasant thought for christmas, boss.

By the way, what did he want with you yesterday? Was it about this cabin?

[Ghost of Christmas Past]

Oh, no.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

No, of course not. Well, let's get on with dinner.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

Sit down, everybody.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Now, where's my camera?

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

Well, I guess we're just gonna have to eat.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

And Bob looked all around the room. He was pretending he didn't see the little fella in the corner, the boy with an iron brace on his leg and a wooden crutch propped up against the wall. A little Tammy wasn't going to be ignored.

[Johnny]

Here I am.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

So Bob picked him up and carried him over to the table.

God bless this food, this house and us and our friends.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

Even old Evan, I mean.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

The. The family, found that part about Eben a little hard to swallow, but they finally managed, and Tim was the last one to chime in.

[Johnny]

God bless us, everyone.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Evan didn't want to watch what was going on in that cabin any longer, but the next place the ghost showed him wasn't much Easier on him. There was a big party going on at his nephew's house back in the livery stable. And one of the ladies was blindfolded, you see, and. And she was trying to pin the tail onto a donkey. But there was something peculiar about this donkey.

About the way it was drawn. It looked more like a person than an animal. Well, Eben recognized who it was supposed to be right off.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

You see, folks, I invited Uncle Eb.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

To be with us, but he turned me down flat.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

So I figured we'd have him here in spirit, if not in the floor.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Right back in the hotel room again. That's where Evan found himself.

[Johnny]

Spirit.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

Spirit, you showed me the past and the present.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

What's left to see?

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

The future, Evan.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The future.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

And that's how Evan came to see a Christmas of the future. A cold, brittle Christmas. And there were two men standing on a street corner and coat collars turned up so to keep out the snow. Oh, he's dead, all right. This is the door near. Sure as a Christmas present. I never expected. At least whoever handled his property won't be as hard to deal with as he was. Wonder if they'll bother giving him a funeral. And in a frame house over on the side street in the edge of town, a woman was speaking to her husband.

[Johnny]

Funny to me, he's been dead for years. Well, I haven't even thought of him since. I don't know when. And yet, you know, once. Well, once I was real fond of him. Funny, isn't it?

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

Ghost.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Who are they talking about?

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

Those men on the street. That woman I used to know. Who is it that's dead? Tell me.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

And the ghost slowly turned and stretched out a long, thin, bony finger. And there was. Right at the end of that finger was a tombstone, all covered with weeds. Eben could barely make out the name that was carved on it. Ebenezer Screw.

No, no, no.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

What's this? Where am I?

[Narrator/Storyteller]

You know what? He was right in his own bed, in his own night shirt, and the sun was streaming through the frosted windows. But Evan didn't stay there very long. Not for very long. He got into his boots and trousers fast as he could, and he dashed down the stairs out into the street. Well, you see, the stores being closed gave Evan quite a problem. Well, he'd just have to make Fuzzy Wagner open butcher shop up, that's all. Of course, Fuzzy didn't have much choice, seeing as how the shop was located in one of Ed's buildings. And when Evan told him what he wanted, a turkey and a ham well.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. I'd better make you two hams and send them out to the cabin on the S and M ranch. And they're not to know that I ordered them, you understand?

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Fuzzy?

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

Here's the money and a little extra for your trouble.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Well, before Fuzzy could get his jaw shut up again, Evan was on his way. And he headed right straight out to his nephew. And heaven was the life of the party to it. Well, the way he carried on. He's laughing and making jokes and telling stories on himself. And he insisted that they use that donkey with his face on it when they played games, you know, because that's.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

What I've been all these years. A real four footed, long eared donkey.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

The next morning, though, that's. That's what Eben enjoyed the most. He was up bright and early and hitched the team to the buckboard and drove out to the S and M, hurrying the horses all the way.

[Johnny]

Come on, Bess. Come on, Martha.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

It's Kevin Lively.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

If you could just get out there before his foreman start tearing down that cattle.

[Johnny]

Whoa.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

Whoa, Martha. Whoa.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Whoa.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

Yeah.

Well, Robert.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Yes, sir.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

I see you ain't carried out my orders.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Well, it was Christmas. I. I just couldn't tell them. I'll do it today.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

Oh. Oh, this is the last door. I'm not putting up with your shenanigans any longer, young fellow. But please, that cabin's coming down and.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

No buts about it.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

And then?

And then we're building a new ranch.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

House in its place.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

Big enough for you and your whole family.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

What?

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

Oh, yes. I'm also doubling your wages as of last week.

Merry Christmas, Bob. Even if I am a day late. No, not a day. More like half a lifetime. But Merry Christmas anyway. And as your son says, God bless.

Everyone.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Well, that's the way things worked out, Johnny. More or less.

[Johnny]

That's a fine story, mister. Real fine. I reckon I know why you told it to me.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

How's that?

[Johnny]

So that I understand about Christmas and how important it is to do for other people instead of just thinking about yourself.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Well, no, no, I. I didn't have that in mind. Especially the story just happened to come into my head, that's all.

[Johnny]

Maybe you're not Millie something. Or prison. Maybe.

Shucks, what could I give her? I don't have no money.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Well, of course there are lots of things don't cost a penny. Not a single red sandwich, you know. Well, now you. Let's see. Take that little spruce over there. I'd be real Easy to cut that down with a little fixing. Maybe a few doodads from around the house. I'll bet you can make a Jim Dandy Christmas tree out of there.

[Johnny]

I suppose so. But what good is a tree without something to put under it?

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Oh, yes, Yeah, I see what you mean.

Johnny, you don't happen to know Jim Bender, do you? Thompson's Corner and his three daughters.

[Johnny]

He's only got two, mister. Sarah and Emily.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Oh, that's all. That's so. I was spending Christmas with them. I.

It looks like I'm carrying an extra present. It's a real pretty little red bonnet with feathers on it.

[Johnny]

I couldn't take it, mister.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Oh, no, no, I wasn't thinking of giving it to you, Johnny. But I was sort of hoping that you'd show me the trail from here on in. Of course it would mean you're turning around, going back home. But if I was to cause you changing your plans, I'd feel obligated to pay you back some way, you know. Well, it would be only fair. Trouble is, I haven't got much money, so if you would wouldn't mind accepting the bonnet instead, you'd be doing me a real favor. Johnny, I.

[Johnny]

There's Aunt Millie out in the yard. She looks mad in a wet hand.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Well, there is a resemblance. I'll have to admit that.

[Johnny]

Where in Coronation have you been? John Carville. I've been looking high and low for you since dawn. Well, I think I just went for a little ride, Aunt Millie, to get us a Christmas tree, see? Christmas tree, fiddlestick. This gentleman want me to cut it down. I'll just take it inside. Be right back. Mister, if we had any use for a Christmas tree, I suppose he's figuring there'll be a whole lot of presents under it.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

No, no, I don't think so. But just between you and me, I. I got a hunch there'll be a least one present waiting for somebody.

[Johnny]

What are you talking about?

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Oh, no, no. It wouldn't be fair for me to speak out for Christmas, you know that You.

[Johnny]

You don't mean he's got something for me?

[Narrator/Storyteller]

No, no, no, no. You mustn't get too curious so early.

[Johnny]

But. But I thought he didn't like me. I thought he just hated having to live here with. With an old ma.

I guess I just don't know nothing about kids.

[Eben (Ebenezer Scrooge)]

Nothing at all.

[Johnny]

I don't deserve to get.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Well.

I think I'd better get moving along. Say goodbye to Johnny for him, will you? And I wonder if you'd give this to him.

Tell him the little blade on it's kind of dull, but.

[Johnny]

A pocket knife.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Yeah.

[Johnny]

Now, how did you know?

[Narrator/Storyteller]

So long ago.

[Johnny]

Oh, God bless you, Mr. And Merry Christmas.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Merry Christmas.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Please remember now, beginning December 31st, the six shooter will be on Thursdays instead of Sundays. We hope you'll join us in our new time. The Six Shooter is an NBC Radio Network production in association with Review Productions. The transcribed story was written by Frank Birch in collaboration with with Charles Dickens. Mr. Stewart may soon be seen in the Universal International picture, the Glenn Miller story. Howard McNear played Scrooge and special music was by Basil Adlam. The entire production is under the direction of Jack Johnstone. All characters and incidents are fictitious and any resemblance to actual characters or incidents is purely coincidental. And now Until Thursday the 31st, this is Hal Gibney speaking. Merry Christmas.

Tonight here, rex harrison and anna lee in the NBC star playhouse on the NBC radio network.