Dave’s Lesson | Gunsmoke (04-10-60)

Summary

Detailed Summary of "Dave’s Lesson" | Gunsmoke (04-10-60)

Podcast Information:

• Title: Old Time Radio Westerns
• Host: Andrew Rines
• Episode: Dave’s Lesson | Gunsmoke (04-10-60)
• Release Date: May 3, 2025

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Introduction

In the episode titled "Dave’s Lesson," part of the classic Gunsmoke series, listeners are transported to Dodge City, where U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon grapples with personal loss and newfound responsibility. Hosted by Andrew Rines, the Old Time Radio Westerns podcast meticulously restores and enhances this timeless Western drama, immersing the audience in the rich sounds and compelling narratives of the Wild West.

Plot Overview

Tragic News and New Responsibility ([04:40] - [06:07])

The episode opens with Matt Dillon receiving heartbreaking news: his close friends, Joe and Lyda, have died of a fever, leaving behind their 15-year-old son, Dave Barrett. Struggling with loss, Matt contemplates his duty and the implications of taking in the orphaned boy.

• Matt Dillon ([05:04] - [05:07]): "They're dead. It’s a tough one, Kitty. They both took the fever and they left a kid young boy."

Despite his typically solitary nature, Matt decides to accept Dave into his care, recognizing the boy's vulnerability and need for guidance.

Introducing Dave Barrett ([07:04] - [09:43])

Dave arrives at the marshal’s office, eager to prove himself. His enthusiasm, however, soon clashes with Chester Proudfoot, the office manager, who disapproves of Dave’s unorthodox behavior and his decision to carry a firearm.

• Kitty ([06:09]): "Seems to me you've always dodged being a family man up to now, kiddie."
• Chester Proudfoot ([11:28]): "A man don't need to wear a gun all the time to know how to shoot."

Conflict and Confrontation ([11:50] - [26:57])

Dave's impetuousness leads him to take matters into his own hands when he confronts Hob Frank, a local troublemaker. Despite lacking proper training, Dave manages to shoot Hob during a heated encounter, resulting in unintended consequences and raising questions about his readiness to handle such responsibility.

• Dave Barrett ([20:17]): "I told folks I could help the marshal and I done it."
• Chester Proudfoot ([20:25]): "You shot Hob Frank."

The aftermath of the shooting stirs tension between Dave and Chester, as well as between Dave and Matt, who must decide how to handle the situation while maintaining law and order in Dodge City.

Resolution and Lessons Learned ([26:57] - [27:47])

Matt Dillon confronts Dave about his actions, emphasizing the importance of proper conduct and the consequences of taking the law into one's own hands without experience or authority.

• Matt Dillon ([25:58]): "You don’t know much if you think the only way to measure a man is according to whether he wears a gun or not."

Ultimately, Matt decides to turn Dave over to Chester for proper handling, reinforcing the values of justice and responsibility.

Key Characters

• Matt Dillon (William Conrad): The principled and compassionate U.S. Marshal of Dodge City, striving to maintain order while dealing with personal loss.

• Dave Barrett (Chester Proudfoot): A spirited 16-year-old orphan eager to prove himself, whose actions reflect youthful impulsiveness.

• Chester Proudfoot (Marley Bear): The marshal’s office manager, embodying discipline and the rules of law enforcement.

• Kitty (Georgia Ellis): The supportive and wise establishment owner who offers counsel to Matt during his moments of doubt.

• Doc (Howard McNear): The town doctor who provides medical insights and interacts with the main characters, adding depth to the narrative.

Notable Quotes

• Matt Dillon ([02:44]): "I'm that man. Matt Dillon, United States Marshal, the first man they look for and the last they want to meet."

• Kitty ([06:09]): "Seems to me you've always dodged being a family man up to now, kiddie."

• Chester Proudfoot ([11:28]): "A man don't need to wear a gun all the time to know how to shoot."

• Dave Barrett ([20:17]): "I told folks I could help the marshal and I done it."

• Matt Dillon ([25:58]): "You don’t know much if you think the only way to measure a man is according to whether he wears a gun or not."

Themes and Insights

Responsibility and Mentorship

Matt Dillon's decision to take in Dave highlights the theme of unexpected responsibility and mentorship. Despite his initial reluctance, Matt recognizes the importance of providing guidance to a young man in need, reflecting the broader societal values of duty and community support.

Youthful Impulsiveness vs. Established Authority

Dave's eagerness to help juxtaposed with Chester's strict adherence to protocol underscores the tension between youthful impulsiveness and established authority. This dynamic explores the challenges of integrating new members into structured systems and the potential consequences of bypassing established norms.

Justice and Moral Integrity

The episode delves into the complexities of justice, especially when individuals take the law into their own hands. Matt's unwavering commitment to legal and moral integrity serves as a cornerstone for resolving conflicts and maintaining order in Dodge City.

Redemption and Growth

Dave's journey is one of redemption and personal growth. His rash actions and their repercussions push him towards a path of understanding the true meaning of responsibility and the importance of following the law.

Conclusion

"Dave’s Lesson" encapsulates the essence of Gunsmoke by weaving a narrative that balances personal drama with the overarching themes of law, order, and morality. Through Matt Dillon's leadership and Dave Barrett's transformative journey, the episode offers a rich exploration of duty, responsibility, and the challenges of mentoring the next generation in the unforgiving landscape of the Wild West.

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Host’s Closing Remarks:

Andrew Rines concludes the episode by encouraging listeners to engage with the podcast through ratings, reviews, and social media interactions. He expresses gratitude towards supporters and invites new listeners to become ranch hands for exclusive content, fostering a community around these timeless Western stories.

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This comprehensive summary provides an in-depth look into "Dave’s Lesson," capturing the pivotal moments, character dynamics, and thematic depth that make this Gunsmoke episode a memorable installment in the Old Time Radio Westerns series.

Transcript

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[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 is one of over 80 episodes released monthly for your enjoyment. Now let's get into this episode.

[Narrator]

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. Gun Spoke starring Whitman 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.

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[Kitty]

Well, hello, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Hello, Kitty.

[Kitty]

Something the matter? You look like you've lost your last.

[Matt Dillon]

Friend, and I could use a drink.

[Kitty]

Come on in. Sam, bring Matt whiskey, will you?

[Matt Dillon]

Sure, Kitty.

[Kitty]

Sit down, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Kitty]

Now, what's the trouble?

[Matt Dillon]

I just got word that couple of.

[Kitty]

Old friends, something happened to him?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, they're dead.

[Kitty]

Oh, I'm sorry, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Here's your whiskey, Marshall. Thanks, man. Yeah. It's a tough one, Kitty. They both took the fever and they left a kid young. Boy.

[Kitty]

Oh, that's a terrible thing.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, it is.

[Kitty]

Boy's parents both dying suddenly like that.

[Matt Dillon]

That's kind of funny in a way. Joe and Lyda could have been killed a lot of times. He was in the war. They were on a riverboat that was sunk one time. They'd been living on a ranch in Apache country.

[Kitty]

It was fever that finally killed him.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Kitty]

Were you close friends, man?

[Matt Dillon]

Joe and I rode together on the border with his brother Will. Yeah, we were close friends.

[Kitty]

I'm sorry. I hope there'll be somebody to watch out after the boy.

[Matt Dillon]

I don't know about the rest of the time, but I know somebody will be riding her on in the summer.

[Kitty]

Somebody you know?

[Matt Dillon]

Mm. Me.

[Kitty]

You?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. Will figures the boy ought to get clear away for a while.

[Kitty]

So you're gonna take him?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, he asked me to in this letter. It doesn't seem like a lot to do.

[Kitty]

How old's boy?

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, 15. 16, somewhere along there. He won't be any trouble.

[Kitty]

You're certainly changing your tune.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh? How's that?

[Kitty]

Seems to me you've always dodged being a family man up to now, kiddie.

[Matt Dillon]

The boy needs help.

[Kitty]

Sure, man. Of course he does. And I think you have it in you to be a real good father. I always have, Kitty. I'm sorry, Matt. I couldn't resist it. I think it's fine.

[Matt Dillon]

Thanks. When does a boy come on tomorrow's stage?

[Kitty]

Well, Matt, let me know if there's anything I can do, huh? Who knows? I might be quite a mother if I had a chance.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I think you might. K How'd you have a good trip, Dave?

[Dave Barrett]

Weren't nothing to it at all. I'd rather a road.

[Matt Dillon]

You what?

[Dave Barrett]

Well, the stagecoach wasn't bad, but I'd rather rode my own horse in.

[Matt Dillon]

That was kind of a long way for that, wasn't it?

[Dave Barrett]

That's what My Uncle Will said. But I could have done it.

[Matt Dillon]

Maybe you could at that.

[Dave Barrett]

We heading for your office, Marshall?

[Matt Dillon]

That's where your headquarters will be most of the time. Might as well go there first.

[Dave Barrett]

Well, that's fine with me, Marshall. I like to be around guns.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, we keep the guns locked up in the office all the time. Well, unless we're using them or cleaning them.

[Dave Barrett]

Oh, well, then I can help clean them.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, maybe you can.

[Dave Barrett]

I know how, Marshall. My PA learned me.

[Matt Dillon]

He knew how to teach you, all right. Your PA was a good man with a gun. I'm sorry about that, Dave, about what happened. You must miss him a lot. Your more important.

[Dave Barrett]

I guess I do. I ain't gonna let it bother me none, though.

[Matt Dillon]

Kind of hard not to, isn't it?

[Dave Barrett]

You know, a fella's gotta do his growing up, Marshall. Can't be thinking on his ma and pa.

[Matt Dillon]

I suppose not.

[Dave Barrett]

I wouldn't have stayed home much longer anyhow. You know, Marshall, Pa used to wear two guns.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I remember.

[Dave Barrett]

Why don't you, Marshal? Wear two?

[Matt Dillon]

Guess I figured one was heavy enough to pack around all the real good.

[Dave Barrett]

Men with a gun. Wear two? Why? Oh, I just meant you might get where you'd need to wear two sometime. I didn't mean.

[Matt Dillon]

No, that's all right, Dave. So far I just been lucky enough to get by with one. Now, here we are. Go on, walk in.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, hello, Mr. Dillon. And I guess this must be the boy.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. Chester, this is Dave Barrett.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I'm pleased to meet you, Dave.

[Matt Dillon]

Dave, this Chester Proudfoot, he really runs things around the marshal's office.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, I don't.

[Matt Dillon]

Chester'll keep an eye on you for the next few days. I'm gonna have to ride up to Hays City.

[Dave Barrett]

I don't need nobody to watch out for me, Marshall.

[Chester Proudfoot]

No, won't be no trouble. No trouble. Talk.

[Matt Dillon]

You show him around, Chester. I want to see Ed Brody before I go.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes, I sure will do that, Mr. Jones.

[Dave Barrett]

Can't I go along with you, Marshall, instead of staying here with him?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Now, don't you worry, boy. It won't be nothing at all for me to make you feel at home.

[Matt Dillon]

You better stay here this time, Dave. Maybe you can ride with me another time before you go.

[Dave Barrett]

Sure.

[Chester Proudfoot]

A nice young fellow like you. You and me will get along just fine.

[Matt Dillon]

Thanks, Chester. You all right, Dave?

[Dave Barrett]

Me? I'm always all right.

[Matt Dillon]

Good. I'm glad to hear it. I'll see you later.

[Doc]

Excuse me, boy.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I gotta sweep under that chair you're sitting and just ooch your feet out there.

[Dave Barrett]

You sure do do a lot of sweeping around here.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Not there's a fat boy. Seems like folks brings mud on their boots all the way from Texas and the territory just so I can sweep up after em.

[Dave Barrett]

That ain't no job for a law man.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, lawman's got a right to live clean just like anybody else.

[Dave Barrett]

Well, if I was helping the marshal, I'd do better things than that, Dave.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I guess you do just about what the marshal wanted you to do.

[Dave Barrett]

Well, I reckon a body has to do what he's fit for.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Now just hold on a minute there.

[Dave Barrett]

I mean, it ain't like you could be no help in the gun fighting or nothing like that.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Now listen here to me, Dave. You're a nice young fellow, but you need a little straightening out on the way things is around here.

[Dave Barrett]

The marshal needs somebody around him that can shoot.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I can shoot. Don't you worry nothing about that.

[Dave Barrett]

You don't even wear a gun.

[Chester Proudfoot]

A man don't need to wear a gun all the time to know how to shoot. Besides, them guns on the wall ain't the wearing kind. These ways they look mighty comical on a man's hip.

[Dave Barrett]

I know how to wear a gun.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Ain't no cost you to show off me.

[Dave Barrett]

Somebody around this office ought to be wearing one.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Now see here, I don't want to catch you parading around wearing no gun.

[Dave Barrett]

I bet the marshal will let me wear one.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Ain't likely.

[Dave Barrett]

Can you see how good I can shoot? He'll lemmy.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, just don't let me catch you wearing one.

[Dave Barrett]

Well, you ain't the marshal.

[Chester Proudfoot]

No, I ain't. But he left me in charge of things for the next couple days. And one of the things he left me in charge of is you.

[Dave Barrett]

I can draw real fast.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I don't want to hear no more about it. I don't want to see you wearing no gun and that's all there are to it. Now move away from them windows so I can read up the rest of this office.

[Doc]

Well, I tell you, Dave, there's no particular trick to taking out a bullet.

[Dave Barrett]

That so, Doc?

[Doc]

Nope. The trick is keeping the man alive afterwards.

[Dave Barrett]

Well, how you do that?

[Doc]

Well, if I knew the answer that Dave, I'd be the most famous doctor in the West. And the richest.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Sure would be nice.

[Doc]

There's so many things to consider. The size of the wound, how much blood has been lost, infection, suppuration.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Doc, I ain't too sure it's a good idea to go on about things like that.

[Doc]

Why not?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, we're eating our dinner, Doc.

[Doc]

Oh, what's the matter, Chester? You getting squeamish?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Me? Why, I'm as un squeamish as they come, Doc. I can listen to your talk even though I am eating rhubarb pie.

[Doc]

Well, what's the trouble, then?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, Doc gets the boy. He ain't used to hearing that kind of loose talk. Oh.

[Doc]

Oh, well, you. Yes, you may be right.

[Dave Barrett]

Ain't no cost to worry about me. I ain't squeamish.

[Doc]

Oh, no, no, no, of course you're not, but. But Chester's right. It's a matter of good manner.

[Dave Barrett]

Yes, that ain't no bother to me.

[Chester Proudfoot]

It ought to be, boy.

[Doc]

It ought to be.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Chester, where in tarnation have you been?

[Matt Dillon]

What?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, I've been right here eating my dinner. More trees. I ain't exactly hiding out, you know.

[Doc]

Well, seems there ought to be somebody.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Taking care of things in the marshal's office. Oh, just ease off, Mordy. I'm taking care of things. What's all the caterwauling about, anyway? Well, they want you down at the telegraph office. Why didn't you say so? I had to find you first. They got a message that's got to be answered right away. All right, Warren. All right. Keep your braces up. I'm coming. I'll take care of it. All right. I'll see you back toward the office, Dave. Shouldn't take me very long to handle this.

[Dave Barrett]

Do I have to go right back to the office? Ain't it all right if I mosey around a little?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, now you know.

[Doc]

Oh, give the boy his head, for heaven's sakes. He's no child, Chester.

[Dave Barrett]

I sure ain't.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, I guess it'll be all right.

[Dave Barrett]

Come on, Chester.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I'm a coming. But mind you be back there for supper, boy.

[Doc]

Here?

[Dave Barrett]

Sure, sure, I'll be there.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Will you wander around all you like, Dave?

[Doc]

Chester gets more like a mother hen every day.

[Dave Barrett]

I don't need no mothering.

[Doc]

Crush it out. Sometimes, though, it seems that Chester has more talent for that than for marshalling.

[Dave Barrett]

Yeah, it sure does. A horse kicked that down for you, huh?

[Doc]

Oh, hello, boy. Oh, some fool drove a rig right into the side of the door. Some folks rent a rig, just don't care what happens to it. Elsa just can't drive.

[Dave Barrett]

I can drive, that's all.

[Doc]

You're a new boy in town, ain't you?

[Dave Barrett]

I'm visiting the marsh.

[Doc]

Matt Dillon. You better be good, boy, or he'll run you in.

[Dave Barrett]

I Ain't afraid of him.

[Doc]

Better mind your manners just the same. I wouldn't want to start no nonsense with Matt.

[Dave Barrett]

I'm gonna help him.

[Doc]

Well, now, I'll bet he's glad about that. I wish I had somebody to help me around this stable. Hello, Feely.

[Matt Dillon]

Hello, Moss. Take care of the horse, will you?

[Doc]

You want us to feed him?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, go ahead and feed him. I ain't fixing to be back for him till tomorrow.

[Doc]

Gonna make a night of it, are you feeling?

[Matt Dillon]

I sure am. I gotta find the marshal first, though. He ain't in his office.

[Doc]

Ask the boy where he is. He's staying with him.

[Matt Dillon]

Why, so you know where he is, boy?

[Dave Barrett]

Sure do. Up to Hays City for two days.

[Matt Dillon]

I might've knowed.

[Doc]

Trouble feeling.

[Chester Proudfoot]

That's Hob Frank. He's out there at the old Prentice.

[Doc]

Place shooting everything inside. He better get Chester then.

[Dave Barrett]

He ain't there either.

[Matt Dillon]

I seen he wasn't.

[Chester Proudfoot]

You know where he went off to?

[Dave Barrett]

No. I don't reckon he'll be back for a while, though.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Ah, maybe I'll run into him. Somebody ought to get on out there, that's for sure.

[Doc]

Uncertain.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Chester Proudfoot]

See you later.

[Doc]

Go along.

[Matt Dillon]

Come on, boy.

[Dave Barrett]

You know where the Prentice place is?

[Doc]

Sure. It's just south of the river about a mile. Got a big old falling down house on it. Nothing to see. What do you want to know for?

[Dave Barrett]

Why, I want to be able to tell Chester where it is, that's all.

[Doc]

Chester knows the Prentice place. Everybody around Dodge knows it.

[Dave Barrett]

Yeah, sure. I should have known.

[Doc]

Here, boy, hold this bridle.

[Dave Barrett]

Yeah. Say, mister, would you leave me have a horse?

[Doc]

I got only one rule about that, boy. I'll leave you have it if you can pay for it.

[Dave Barrett]

Oh, I can pay for it. I got money, see Here.

[Matt Dillon]

Then you've got a horse.

[Doc]

You can have that one in the back stall. You can ride him all right.

[Dave Barrett]

I can ride him all right. And I can do a lot of other things just as good.

[Chester Proudfoot]

All right, now. You just standing here, boy. As soon as I see the old man Frank, I'll take you down forever for a drink.

[Matt Dillon]

Hob.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Could honey have chose a cooler day to stir up arucas? Bob. Bob.

[Dave Barrett]

Frank. All right.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Now don't you go playing no hiding games, old man. Not after I rode all this way out here. And don't you start shooting off again neither. You ought to be ashamed yourself. All a stirring up things the way you do. What? Well, I might have knowed. Liquored yourself up till you lost your senses. Come on, Gotta wake up some Hobbles. Wake up so's I can ride you back to Dodge. Come on, now. Oh, man. It's time again for you to spend a night or two in the lockup.

[Dave Barrett]

And then we'll get.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Oh, my gracious mercy. You've been shot.

[Dave Barrett]

He's dead.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Dave, what in the world are you doing out here?

[Dave Barrett]

I told folks I could help the marshal and I done it.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Few Done what?

[Dave Barrett]

Well, while you was lollygagging around town, I come out here and I rode right up through the gunshots and I took care of him.

[Chester Proudfoot]

You shot Hob Frank.

[Dave Barrett]

I know you couldn't have done it, not wearing a gun and all. He was shooting something fierce when I rode up, but I just kept on coming.

[Chester Proudfoot]

You blame young fool.

[Dave Barrett]

It was him or me. That's the way it has to be with a gunfighter.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Hob Frank ain't no gunfighter.

[Dave Barrett]

He was. What do you mean?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Hob Frank never harmed nobody in his whole life except maybe his self.

[Doc]

The shooting.

[Chester Proudfoot]

He used to get hisself liquored up regular every two or three months or so and take his old gun and shoot it off. Just hear the noise of it. But he never done it where folks was around. He never pointed it at nobody.

[Dave Barrett]

But I thought.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes, sir, you thought. You thought all tarnation. Much as you just rode out here and killed a man.

[Dave Barrett]

I didn't mean.

[Chester Proudfoot]

It's too late to think about meaning. Come on, now. Help me get him out of here.

[Dave Barrett]

No, no.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Come on now. We can't leave him just laying here.

[Dave Barrett]

You ain't gonna take me in for no killing.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Go on, then. Run away from the old man you killed and keep right on running the rest of your life for all of me. All right. Hob takes you up. Sova's nice and decent for you. Nice and decent. I tell you the truth, Mr. Dalton, I think it's too good.

[Matt Dillon]

Punt. What do you mean by that?

[Chester Proudfoot]

For that day to tell him that old Hob didn't die after all. That Doc pulled him through somehow.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, maybe you're right.

[Chester Proudfoot]

It was no thanks to him, and that's a certain fact. It just served him right to go on thinking he'd killed him.

[Matt Dillon]

And if we don't find him, he will go on thinking him.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Mine's a sure we'd ought to find him. Spending all this time riding out here in this weather.

[Matt Dillon]

You'll live, Joe.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Maybe I will. But I ain't at all sure we ain't. Just send him good money after Badger.

[Matt Dillon]

I say that's Enough.

[Chester Proudfoot]

All right.

[Matt Dillon]

But what I. I said that's enough. Chester, you know we gotta find this boy.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes, sir, I guess we do.

[Matt Dillon]

Then let's do it.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Mr. Dylan.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, what is it?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Ain't you veering some off the road?

[Matt Dillon]

I'm heading for that cave up there.

[Chester Proudfoot]

You think he's hid out there?

[Matt Dillon]

I know that if I was a boy running away, a cave would look pretty good to me as a place to hide.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

Besides, this is the way his horse went.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, Chester, we'll stop here.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Want me to come up with you?

[Matt Dillon]

No, you stay with the horses.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I'd admire to help.

[Matt Dillon]

I'll call you if I need you. Chester.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes.

[Matt Dillon]

Dave. Marshall. Dillon. Come on out of there. You might as well come out, Dave. You left a plain trail.

[Dave Barrett]

I ain't coming.

[Matt Dillon]

Come on, Dave.

[Dave Barrett]

I ain't coming out. Never.

[Matt Dillon]

If I have to come in and get you, I'll do it.

[Dave Barrett]

I ain't gonna hang, Marshall. I ain't gonna hang.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, you're not gonna hang. You're lucky.

[Dave Barrett]

Wha.

[Matt Dillon]

What do you mean, the old man didn't die? Now, come on out.

[Dave Barrett]

You. You ain't just trying to trick me?

[Matt Dillon]

I don't have to waste my time tricking a smart aleck kid like you. Now come out of there before I drag you out. All right, come on. All the way out. Now. Down here. Now, where's the gun?

[Dave Barrett]

No, I buried it back there ways.

[Matt Dillon]

You'll dig it up. It's one of mine, isn't it?

[Dave Barrett]

Yes, sir. I seen it hanging there in the back room.

[Matt Dillon]

And you stole it. I should have known better.

[Dave Barrett]

I was figuring to help.

[Matt Dillon]

You better explain that, Marshall.

[Dave Barrett]

When I heard about that fella shooting out at the Prentice place, I figured I'd need a gun. So I went back and got one.

[Matt Dillon]

Why didn't you tell Chester about it?

[Dave Barrett]

I. I didn't think he'd be no good taking care of it.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, why not?

[Dave Barrett]

What?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Chester.

[Dave Barrett]

He don't even wear no gun.

[Matt Dillon]

I see. I left him in charge of things, didn't I?

[Dave Barrett]

Yes. But, Marshall, I didn't ever see him do nothing much but just sweep out. I can shoot. I figured I could take care of that feller better than Chester could.

[Matt Dillon]

And you nearly killed him.

[Dave Barrett]

Well, he was shooting. I had to do something.

[Matt Dillon]

You know what Chester would have done?

[Dave Barrett]

No, sir, I don't.

[Matt Dillon]

He'd have walked right up to that man, shooting or not. And he'd have talked the gun away from him and they'd have brought him back into dodge or he'd be safe.

[Dave Barrett]

I didn't know.

[Matt Dillon]

No, you sure didn't know. You don't know much if you think the only way to measure a man is according to whether he wears a gun or not. You don't know much.

[Dave Barrett]

I. I guess maybe you're right.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I'm right.

[Dave Barrett]

Well, what you gonna do with me?

[Matt Dillon]

And until the circuit judge comes to town, I'm gonna turn you over to Chester. And I'd get ready to do a lot of sweeping. A lot of sweep.

[Narrator]

Gun Smoke, produced and directed in Hollywood by Norman McDonald, stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. The story was specially written for Gunsmoke by Marion Clark with editorial supervision by John Meston. Featured in the cast were Sam Edwards, Harry Bartel, Joseph Kearns and Ralph Moody. Marley Bear is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc, and Georgia Ellis is Kitty. This is George Walsh inviting you to join us again next week when CBS Radio presents another story on Gun Smoke.

[Dave Barrett]

Foreign.

[Andrew Rines]

This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate this episode within your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com Become one of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank our most recent ranch hands, Steve Technogod and Craig, who joined us recently. You too can join by going to otrwesterns.com donate send us an email podcast trwesterns.com and you can call and leave us a voicemail. 707-986-8739 this episode is copyrighted under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Like Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.