YOUNG WIDOW BROWN 50-10-09 3141 Journal Written In Captivity

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Young Widow Brown" – Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode Details:

• Title: Young Widow Brown
• Episode Number: 50-10-09 3141 Journal Written In Captivity
• Release Date: May 1, 2025
• Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

Overview: "Young Widow Brown" transports listeners to the suspenseful and dramatic narrative of a young widow entangled in a web of mystery and danger. Set against the backdrop of Chicago, this episode delves into the disappearance of Ellen Brown, unraveling the complexities of personal relationships, deceit, and the relentless pursuit of truth.

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Plot Introduction

The episode opens with Narrator setting the stage for the unfolding drama:

"[00:00] Narrator: And now young Widder Brown. In spite of dire threats against her and her family, Evan Brown's friend Noreen Temple has told their good neighbor Mariah Hawkins what she knows about Evan's disappearance in Chicago."

Ellen Brown, referred to as Evan Brown, has vanished under suspicious circumstances. Her disappearance has prompted concern among her close associates, particularly Mariah Hawkins, who takes it upon herself to uncover the truth.

Character Dynamics and Tensions

Mariah Hawkins converses with Noreen Temple, revealing the complexity of the relationships:

"[00:31] Noreen Temple: Anthony and Jim Morrison aren't at either the Chicago hotels. I just talked with Noreen, but I left messages for both of them to get in touch with us."

Mariah's determination is evident as she refuses to succumb to fear:

"[00:48] Mariah Hawkins: No, Mariah. I've been a coward long enough. I'm going to stay right here."

The dialogue highlights Mariah's internal struggle and her commitment to finding Ellen despite the lurking threats from Ellen's husband, William Brown.

Investigation in Chicago

In Chicago, Dr. Anthony Loring engages with Lieutenant Harkness of the Bureau of Missing Persons:

"[02:55] Dr. Anthony Loring: Look, Lieutenant, I know I have no right to take up your time like this. I'm sure you've got me ticketed as a complete crank."

Lt. Harkness counters, showing a balance of empathy and professionalism:

"[03:02] Lt. Harkness: Stop being apologetic, Dr. Loring. You've lost your girl. And the important thing here is that you find her. I'm a cop. I'm here to serve the public. And if you think I think you're a crank, you're wrong."

The interaction underscores the challenges faced by Anthony in navigating bureaucratic hurdles while desperately seeking Ellen.

Clues and Conflicts

Anthony uncovers troubling details about Ellen's situation:

"[04:00] Dr. Anthony Loring: Dr. Ellen Brown is a singularly devoted mother. If she were well and able to, she'd be in touch with her children and she'd never have wired home the name of a fictitious hotel as being her address here in Chicago."

The discovery of Ellen's actions—depositing money and receiving mysterious letters—adds layers of intrigue:

"[04:00] Dr. Anthony Loring: And went through her private papers. I found out that she deposited $1,000 in cash in her bank, that she had received a letter in an envelope bearing the name and address of a law firm here in Chicago, and that her husband's death certificate was missing from its accustomed place."

Lt. Harkness remains skeptical yet attentive:

"[05:33] Lt. Harkness: All right, let that one soak."

Critical Phone Call and Revelation

A pivotal moment occurs when Mariah Hawkins reaches out to Anthony:

"[06:39] Dr. Anthony Loring: All right. Hello, Anthony?

[06:41] Mariah Hawkins: Anthony, it's Mariah Hawkins. Can you hear me?"

Mariah divulges critical information, escalating the tension:

"[07:04] Mariah Hawkins: First, a buff $1,000. The man who gave that to Ellen is the man who says he's going to kill Noreen's little boy."

Anthony's urgent response signals a turning point in the investigation:

"[07:03] Dr. Anthony Loring: Go on, Mariah."

Ellen Brown's Captivity and Final Words

The episode culminates with a heart-wrenching monologue from Ellen Brown, revealing her dire predicament:

"[07:33] Narrator: And while Anthony is shocked into silence as he hears this news, Evan herself is sitting at a desk in the great house where she's being kept a prisoner by the man who wishes to assume the identity of her dead husband. A piece of paper before her, a pen in her hand as she writes.

[07:50] Ellen Brown: Dearest Anthony, I don't even know if you will ever see this letter, but somehow it comforts me to know that at least I will have put on paper a lot of things about you and about me that needed to be straightened out before I got into this hideous situation..."

Ellen's heartfelt letter not only deepens the mystery but also humanizes her plight, evoking empathy from listeners.

Conclusion and Cliffhanger

As the episode draws to a close, Anthony is left grappling with the new information:

"[09:41] Narrator: Down. What new avenue of search will Maria's telephone call send Dr. Anthony Loring in his desperate seeking for young Widder Brown?"

The unresolved tension and unanswered questions set the stage for future developments, leaving listeners eager for the next installment.

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Key Themes and Insights:

1. Perseverance in the Face of Danger: Mariah Hawkins embodies courage as she steadfastly seeks the truth despite personal threats.
2. Bureaucratic Challenges: Dr. Anthony Loring's interactions with Lt. Harkness highlight the frustrations often encountered in official investigations.
3. Complex Interpersonal Relationships: The tangled relationships between Ellen, Anthony, Jim Morrison, and William Brown add depth to the narrative.
4. Mystery and Suspense: The episode masterfully builds suspense through revelations and lingering questions about Ellen's fate.

Notable Quotes:

• Mariah Hawkins:

  "[00:48] No, Mariah. I've been a coward long enough. I'm going to stay right here."

• Dr. Anthony Loring:

  "[04:00] Dr. Ellen Brown is a singularly devoted mother. If she were well and able to, she'd be in touch with her children and she'd never have wired home the name of a fictitious hotel as being her address here in Chicago."

• Ellen Brown:

  "[07:50] Dearest Anthony, I don't even know if you will ever see this letter..."

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"Young Widow Brown" stands as a testament to the enduring allure of classic radio dramas, weaving a tale rich in emotion, intrigue, and timeless suspense. Whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer, this episode promises a captivating journey through love, loss, and the relentless pursuit of truth.

Transcript

[Narrator]

And now young Widder Brown. In spite of dire threats against her and her family, Evan Brown's friend Noreen Temple has told their good neighbor Mariah Hawkins what she knows about Evan's disappearance in Chicago. And realizing Evan must be in terrible danger, Mariah has been trying to reach Evans fiance, Dr. Anthony Loring in Chicago, where, with Jim Morrison, he is making a fruitless search for Evan. Now, in Evans living room, Mariah turns from the telephone to say to Noreen.

[Noreen Temple]

Anthony and Jim Morrison aren't at either the Chicago hotels. I just talked with Noreen, but I left messages for both of them to get in touch with us.

[Mariah Hawkins]

All right, Mariah, now the thing for.

[Noreen Temple]

You to do is go away somewhere and not tell anyone where you'll be so that you'll be protected from these terrible people and their threats.

[Mariah Hawkins]

No, Mariah. I've been a coward long enough. I'm going to stay right here.

[Noreen Temple]

Noreen, you mustn't blame yourself for any of this.

[Mariah Hawkins]

Well, I do. I should have trusted Ellen and Jim Morrison. You see, I thought Jim was trying by any means at all to get Ellen to go to Chicago with him.

[Noreen Temple]

Well, there could have been something in that. I thought Ellen's trip to Chicago was because she was ill and afraid to tell anyone about it.

[Mariah Hawkins]

But the fact is, Ellen's husband is alive. William Brown is alive, and he's going to threaten her in some way.

[Noreen Temple]

That was William Brown's voice I heard in the background when Ellen telephoned a little while ago saying no when she asked him if she could talk to you.

[Mariah Hawkins]

Ellen asking anyone what she can do or not do it. It's fantastic.

[Noreen Temple]

Oh, I wish we could reach Anthony in Chicago. I wish he or Jim would call.

[Mariah Hawkins]

Anthony must be distracted. He must really be distracted. Oh, of course. Chicago's so big, Ellen could be almost anywhere. How do police know what to do, where to begin?

[Noreen Temple]

Oh, they may never find her. Noreen, in the last days that you saw Ellen, did she talk to you about her husband?

[Mariah Hawkins]

Yes, a great deal.

[Noreen Temple]

She did to me, too. Noreen, was that before she got the letter from that law firm or after? Do you remember?

[Mariah Hawkins]

Oh, let me think.

[Noreen Temple]

I just wondered.

[Mariah Hawkins]

Because it was before, Mariah, I'm sure because it was Jim Morrison who started her off thinking about William. And it had nothing to do with the letter at all. I'm sure of that.

[Noreen Temple]

I see.

[Mariah Hawkins]

The two things were happening at the same time. I think Jim was in love with Ellen. Was trying very hard to find out about why she thought she loved Anthony.

[Noreen Temple]

Here we are now with her dead husband come back to life. Oh, why don't we reach those men in Chicago, Noreen? Why don't we? Why can't we locate them?

[Mariah Hawkins]

Anthony and Jim are probably trying to work with the police. Mariah, the only thing you and I can do is be patient. Be patient and wait.

[Narrator]

And in Chicago, Anthony is talking with the Bureau of missing persons again. Lt. Harkness, who is in charge, although sympathetic to a degree, is still not encouraging. Which now causes Anthony to say.

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

Look, Lieutenant, I know I have no right to take up your time like this. I'm sure you've got me ticketed as a complete crank.

[Lt. Harkness]

Stop being apologetic, Dr. Loring. You've lost your girl. And the important thing here is that you find her. I'm a cop. I'm here to serve the public. And if you think I think you're a crank, you're wrong.

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

Well, thanks, Lieutenant Harkness.

[Lt. Harkness]

Now, so far we have a complete description of the girl, the facts about her leaving her hometown, Simpsonville and Sohan. We have not, however, established the fact that she got here.

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

No.

[Lt. Harkness]

So actually she may not be in Chicago at all.

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

Yes, I suppose that's so.

[Lt. Harkness]

You see, that does widen the area for search.

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

What about the train tickets being turned in?

[Lt. Harkness]

Well, that wouldn't prove she stayed on the train, Dr. Loring.

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

Porters, conductors and so on.

[Lt. Harkness]

You can't expect people to remember the ordinary. A good looking girl goes to Chicago on the night train. Nothing out of the ordinary about that.

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

No, no, of course not.

[Lt. Harkness]

So there's nothing there. Now, from the star you gave me the first time you came to see me, it seems there was a misunderstanding between you and Mrs. Brown.

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

I know, and I. I appreciate why you used that as a reason for Mrs. Brown's coming here. But there are a couple of things I'd like to point out to you.

[Lt. Harkness]

Go ahead.

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

Dr. Ellen Brown is a singularly devoted mother. If she were well and able to, she'd be in touch with her children and she'd never have wired home the name of a fictitious hotel as being her address here in Chicago.

[Lt. Harkness]

All right, that's a point. It's a very small one, though, because when a woman's upset about something, she can do things that no one would have believed possible.

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

All right. But Lieutenant, here are a couple of other things. I made a hurried trip back to Simpsonville and this is what I found. Mrs. Brown's best friend, Noreen Temple, knows something. She was definitely threatened by some individual who said that if she told what she knew about Mrs. Brown coming to Chicago, something would happen to her son and to her husband. One doctor, or Mrs. Temple is an abject terror. I didn't feel that I had the right to demand that she tells me what she knows.

[Lt. Harkness]

So.

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

So I went to Ellen Brown's desk.

[Mariah Hawkins]

I.

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

And went through her private papers. I found out that she deposited $1,000 in cash in her bank, that she had received a letter in an envelope bearing the name and address of a law firm here in Chicago, and that her husband's death certificate was missing from its accustomed place.

[Lt. Harkness]

Well, you really started an investigation then. Where would Mrs. Brown get $1,000 in cash? From this tea room she runs?

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

Oh, never. Never from the tea room. In the first place, she wouldn't let that amount of money accumulate.

[Lt. Harkness]

She got it from somewhere else, obviously. Did she sell any securities, do you know?

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

Well, I'm pretty sure not.

[Lt. Harkness]

What's the answer?

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

I don't know, Lieutenant.

[Lt. Harkness]

All right, let that one soak. This other girl, the one who won't talk.

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

Noreen Temple.

[Lt. Harkness]

How hysterical a character is she by nature. How much of it could you discount on the basis of general excitement?

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

Oh, very little.

[Lt. Harkness]

You see, Dr. Lang, what I'm trying to point out is that in any case, a lot of people want to get on the bandwagon. If we have a murder, we have a dozen telephone calls saying people want to confess or they saw the person who did it, and so on.

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

Well, Mrs. Temple is a very well balanced, normal girl, Lieutenant. And she's afraid of someone. Someone has approached her since Mrs. Brown went away and made her keep silent about Mrs. Brown's reasons for going. Of that I'm convinced.

[Lt. Harkness]

What did you do about looking after Mrs. Temple?

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

Our local police are being very cooperative.

[Lt. Harkness]

Good. Well, I may take it with a grain of salt. I'd be the last person to take a chance on a thing like that.

[Narrator]

Where are we?

[Lt. Harkness]

We have a couple of more facts, but I. Oh, just a second. Hello? Oh, yes, he's here.

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

Put it right through for me.

[Lt. Harkness]

They're switching a Simpsonville call to you here, Dr. Simpsonville? Yes.

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

Then something's happened.

[Lt. Harkness]

Pick up that phone. If it's significant in any way, something I should hear, you tell me.

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

All right. Hello, Anthony?

[Mariah Hawkins]

Anthony, it's Mariah Hawkins. Can you hear me?

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

Yes, Mariah, of course I can hear you.

[Mariah Hawkins]

They said you were at the police station. Anthony, are you?

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

Yes.

[Mariah Hawkins]

Well, good. Cause now you can tell him to get started and get busy. Noreen's told me everything.

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

Get on the other telephone, Lieutenant. It seems Noreen Temple is talking. Now.

[Mariah Hawkins]

Noreen's too upset to talk herself. Anthony but this is what she wanted me to tell you first. Are you listening?

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

Go on, Mariah.

[Mariah Hawkins]

First, a buff $1,000. The man who gave that to Ellen is the man who says he's going to kill Noreen's little boy.

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

Now, Mariah, wait.

[Lt. Harkness]

Tell her to calm down and tell you facts one by one.

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

Dr. Loring yes, Lieutenant. Mariah Look. Begin at the very beginning. What did Noreen tell you about Ellen?

[Lt. Harkness]

Ask her how the thing started.

[Dr. Anthony Loring]

How did it all start, Mariah?

[Mariah Hawkins]

Anthony it all started when Ellen got that letter from Chicago about her husband being still alive. That's how it all started.

[Narrator]

And while Anthony is shocked into silence as he hears this news, Evan herself is sitting at a desk in the great house where she's being kept a prisoner by the man who wishes to assume the identity of her dead husband. A piece of paper before her, a pen in her hand as she writes.

[Ellen Brown]

Dearest Anthony, I don't even know if you will ever see this letter, but somehow it comforts me to know that at least I will have put on paper a lot of things about you and about me that needed to be straightened out before I got into this hideous situation. Anthony I got a letter from a law firm in Chicago saying my husband was alive and wanted to divorce me. I didn't go to you about it, dear, because then, if you recall, we were so estranged. Of course, right now, if you were only near me, I should feel safe. Right now I'm high up in an ugly brownstone house in Chicago and the man who calls himself William Brown is about to make me marry him. And it's all going to happen, though it seems fantastic and it'sit's happening to me and there seem to be no more quiet days ahead of me, no more simple happiness. This is happening and I'm living it, Anthony, and I don't know what to do. Once in a far country, I was a happy person in love with a good man. And there were years ahead that looked fine. Now there's this deceit and fear and if I ever come home, more fear. Growing fear and self contempt. Anthony no, I can't write it. It's no use. I can't write it.

[Narrator]

Down. What new avenue of search will Maria's telephone call send Dr. Anthony Loring in his desperate seeking for young Widder Brown?