Jobe’s Son | Gunsmoke (09-01-57)

Summary

---

Old Time Radio Westerns: Jobe’s Son | Gunsmoke (09-01-57)

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Podcast Date: May 31, 2026
Original Air Date: September 1, 1957

---

Overview

This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns features a meticulously restored Gunsmoke drama, “Jobe’s Son.” The story unfolds in Dodge City, focusing on the return of Tad Harley after four years’ absence and how his reappearance shatters the frail hopes of his ailing father, Job Harley. The drama explores themes of family, disappointment, and the burden of one’s legacy, pitting the optimism of a father against the grim realities of a son gone bad. Marshal Matt Dillon is drawn into a tense situation that culminates in a tragic conclusion.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Job Harley’s Fragile Hope

• [03:30] Old, sick, and nearly defeated by loneliness, Job Harley hints at new hope now that his son, Tad, has finally come home after a long absence.
• Doc Adams: “I don't know why I keep coming by all the time either... you don't need doctoring, Job. You're going to outlive us all.”
• Job: “I'll be able to pay regular now that the boy is back.”

2. Tad’s Return and Bitterness

• [05:17] Tad is introduced as a hardened, unsympathetic young man, disillusioned and resentful.
• Tad Harley: “If you think I come back here to take care of a broken down old man and a broken down farm, you got another thing coming.”
• [06:27] Tad confesses he only came home because he had nowhere else to go. He is restless and dismissive about his father’s hopes.

3. Community Perceptions and Tension

• [09:47] The town’s skepticism of Tad is voiced by Doc Adams and Chester, revealing that Tad’s reputation is already poor among the locals.
• Doc Adams: “That boy's as worthless as they come.”
• Matt Dillon: “He could be just a loud bragging kid or the Badness could be full grown in him. I don't know.”

4. Tad’s Confrontational Attitude

• [11:35] A scene at the Long Branch saloon demonstrates Tad’s aggressive, defensive nature. He resents assumptions about his role and bristles at any suggestion he care for his father.
• A confrontation escalates when Tad threatens violence, drawing his gun, only to be quickly subdued by Matt Dillon.

5. Father-Son Disappointment

• [20:33] Matt Dillon visits Job Harley, who confesses his sorrow at the path his son has taken.
• Job Harley: “A man wants his boy to carry on all the good things he’s got, none of the bad... Some boys never grow up to be the men their fathers were, Job.”
• Matt Dillon: “Let go of him, Job.”

6. Tragedy Strikes

• [23:15] News arrives that Tad has been killed in a failed robbery attempt.

• Chester: “There’s just been a holdup. Tad... He’s dead.”

• [23:50] Job is resigned, not surprised by his son’s fate.

• Job Harley: “I’ve been seeing it coming ever since the boy come home. He was bad clear through, Marshal. He's robbed before and killed, too. He carried pieces out of newspapers… he was proud of it.”

7. A Father’s Ultimate Decision

• [24:33] Job confesses that he intentionally warned the bank Tad was coming, orchestrating the encounter to stop his son for good—granting Marshall Dillon a clean conscience and preserving his family name.
• Job Harley: “You made a hard choice, Job.”
• Job: “Well, like I told you, Marshal, a man has to keep his name clean.”

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Job Harley (On raising sons) [21:24]:
  "You know anything about raising boys, Marshal?"
  Matt Dillon: "That's a little out of my line, Job."
  Job: "The man wants his boy to carry on all the good things he's got, none of the bad."

• Matt Dillon (On Tad’s path) [15:04]:
  "Doesn't sound much like the survival of the fittest."

• Tad Harley (On coming home) [06:27]:
  "I come home because I didn't have nowhere else to go. But I'm taking care of that right soon."

• Job Harley (On his legacy) [24:16]:
  "A man's son, Marshall, he's carrying his name. He can't let him carry it to perdition."

• Job Harley (Admitting painful responsibility) [24:44]:
  "That's why I seen to it you'd be here. Then I sent word to the bank that Tad was coming."

• Matt Dillon (Summing up Job’s burden) [25:09]:
  "You made a hard choice, Job."

• Job Harley (Resolute to the end) [25:13]:
  "Well, like I told you, Marshall, a man has to keep his name clean."

---

Important Segment Timestamps

• Job’s hope for Tad’s return: [03:30]
• Tad’s disaffection with home: [05:17]
• Town’s doubts about Tad: [09:47]
• Long Branch confrontation: [11:35]
• Father-son heart-to-heart: [20:33]
• News of Tad’s death: [23:15]
• Job’s confession and rationale: [24:33]
• Episode conclusion: [25:13]

---

Summary & Tone

“Jobe’s Son” is a poignant, hard-edged exploration of family ties, lost hope, and the necessity of painful choices on the frontier. Through grounded, unromantic dialogue, the cast brings to life a tale as sharp as prairie wind, laced with stoic regret. The episode’s restored audio—complete with vivid ambient sound—delivers an authentic immersion into the world of classic radio Westerns.

---

(Advertisements, sponsor bumpers, and extraneous chatter have been omitted for clarity.)

Transcript

[Spinquest Announcer]

Whether it's slots or live dealers, Spinquest.com has the fun and action you're looking for with Spinquest exclusives. Blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and even live dice. With craps and bubble craps. The games never stop so you don't have to. And right now, new users get $30 coin packs for just 10 bucks. Play [e-mail] SpinQuest is a free to

[Spinquest Disclaimer Voice]

play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[Liberty Mutual Female Spokesperson]

And Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.

[Liberty Mutual Male Spokesperson]

Hey, everyone, check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

[Spinquest Announcer]

Oh, no.

[Liberty Mutual Female Spokesperson]

We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Liberty Mutual Male Spokesperson]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Female Spokesperson]

Anyways, get a'@libertymutual.com or with your local agent.

[Liberty Mutual Male Spokesperson]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.

[Andrew Rines (Podcast Host)]

Welcome to the old time radio westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines. And let's get into this episode. This episode's going to be Gunsmoke Original Air Date September 1, 1957 and the title is Job's son. Let's get into it, and I hope you enjoy.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Around Dodge City and in the territory on west, there's just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers. And that's where the U. S. Marshal and the smell of gun smoke.

[Job Harley]

Gun smoke.

[Narrator (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 (Marshal)]

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

[Job Harley]

a man watchful and a little lonely.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Forget whatever plans you have this weekend because you're staying at home and playing on spinquest. And there's never been a better time to sign up than right now. New users get $30 coin packs for just $10. All the table games you love with hundreds of slot games and real cash Prizes. That's at spinquest.com S P I N

[Spinquest Disclaimer Voice]

Q U-E-S-T.com Spinquest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[Doc Adams]

There you go, Job. Drink her down.

[Joe Forsyth]

Yeah.

[Job Harley]

What's in it?

[Doc Adams]

It's just something that tastes bad so you'll remember. Doctor's been here. Hey, go ahead.

[Job Harley]

Go ahead, drink it. I remember you being here, all right.

[Doc Adams]

Oh, I don't know why I keep coming by all the time either. You know, you don't need doctor and Job. You're going to outlive us all.

[Job Harley]

If it's the money, doctor.

[Doc Adams]

Now, forget about the money. If I'd wanted to get rich, I'd have gotten out of this game a long time ago.

[Job Harley]

But I'll be able to pay regular now that the boy is back.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

The.

[Doc Adams]

You mean Tad's bash?

[Job Harley]

Yeah, he come in day before yesterday. Riding up like he'd just been to town for the mail instead of being gone four years.

[Doc Adams]

Well, what he say where he'd been?

[Job Harley]

No. No, doc, he didn't. But it don't matter none now that he's home.

[Doc Adams]

Ah, Say, do you a lot of good haven't Tad around?

[Job Harley]

That's a fact, doc. I just about give it up being out here alone all the time. Didn't seem like it was worth keeping going.

[Doc Adams]

A man should never do that job.

[Job Harley]

Well, sure not. But a man's wife dies and his boy lights out. Seems there weren't nothing left. I just got punier and punier. It's gonna be different now, though.

[Doc Adams]

I hope so. Well, I gotta be getting along now.

[Job Harley]

Thanks for coming, doc. Oh, say, Tad's outside there someplace. Why don't you stop and see him? That boy sure growed up man size.

[Doc Adams]

Yeah, you bet. Job, I wanna see him. Goodbye.

[Tad Harley]

Bye.

[Doc Adams]

Oh, you Ted?

[Tad Harley]

Yeah, I'm Ted.

[Doc Adams]

Well, it's been quite a spell since I've seen you, lad. I'm Doc Adams.

[Tad Harley]

I remember.

[Doc Adams]

I just been with your pa.

[Tad Harley]

I seen you drive up.

[Doc Adams]

Yeah, well, I thought you might like to know what shape he's in.

[Tad Harley]

He's crumbling like everything else around here.

[Doc Adams]

Well, you know you can help him. Well, you know, it's a good thing you're home, Tad.

[Tad Harley]

How do you figure?

[Doc Adams]

Well, there's not much that I can do for him. He's old and he's tired and he's

[Job Harley]

just about worn through. Well, but you. You can do a lot for him.

[Tad Harley]

You mean you want me to nurse him?

[Doc Adams]

No, I don't want you to nurse him. But you can do the chores for him or you can keep the place going. Most of all, you can talk to him.

[Job Harley]

Talk to him?

[Doc Adams]

Yeah, that's right. That's mostly what I've been coming around here for. To give him somebody to talk to once in a while.

[Tad Harley]

Now, look, Doc, I ain't his little boy anymore. I ain't gonna hold his hand.

[Doc Adams]

Well, I don't remember asking you to.

[Tad Harley]

Maybe not. But if you think I come back here to take care of a broken down old man and a broken down farm, he got another thing coming.

[Job Harley]

What did you come home for?

[Tad Harley]

I come home because I didn't have

[Job Harley]

nowhere else to go.

[Tad Harley]

But I'm taking care of that right soon.

[Spinquest Announcer]

What's going on, everyone? It's bluff here. And you know what's more American than America's 250th birthday? So supporting American owned companies like Spinquest, America's number one social casino with over a thousand games like live Dealer, blackjack and craps, they're offering new users a $30 coin package for just $10. Go to spinquest.com and sign up today.

[Spinquest Disclaimer Voice]

Spin Quest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[Liberty Mutual Female Spokesperson]

And Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Lib Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.

[Liberty Mutual Male Spokesperson]

Hey, everyone, check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

[Spinquest Announcer]

Oh, no.

[Liberty Mutual Female Spokesperson]

We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Liberty Mutual Male Spokesperson]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Female Spokesperson]

Anyways, get a'@libertymutual.com or with your local agent.

[Liberty Mutual Male Spokesperson]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Another visit with Joe and Daphne Forsyth.

[Doc Adams]

Oh, ouch. Oh.

[Daphne Forsyth]

What's wrong, Joe?

[Joe Forsyth]

Daphne, have you been using my razor again?

[Daphne Forsyth]

Just a little. I was peeling peaches.

[Joe Forsyth]

Oh, fine. Why didn't you change the blade? It feels like you've been sharpening pencils with this thing.

[Daphne Forsyth]

Now just a minute, buddy. It was you said we could use more economy around here, and I've been saving wherever I can. And by shaving the skin off the peaches.

[Joe Forsyth]

But look at my face. Think how the Red Cross could have

[Job Harley]

used all this blood.

[Daphne Forsyth]

It's your own fault. You and your economy.

[Joe Forsyth]

Well, being penny conscious isn't such a bad idea. Not if you use common sense. Take savings bonds, for instance.

[Daphne Forsyth]

Uh, here it comes.

[Joe Forsyth]

Go right ahead and scoff, but I got 8 million Americans who agree with me. We all buy savings bonds on the payroll saving plan because we know that investing in bonds is the best way to use our money.

[Daphne Forsyth]

We could use some of that money around here.

[Joe Forsyth]

Well, maybe. Or maybe we just think we can. When we buy bonds, we guarantee we'll have the money in the future when we'll certainly need it more.

[Daphne Forsyth]

Stop waving that razor. You're splattering me with soap.

[Joe Forsyth]

Well, I don't mean to get excited, but who wouldn't? Where else can a man make an investment that's guaranteed to pay off $4 for every 3? And guaranteed by the credit of the whole US of A. So there.

[Tad Harley]

Bravo.

[Doc Adams]

Bravo.

[Joe Forsyth]

All right, all right. Now let me change the blade and get back to shaving.

[Daphne Forsyth]

I think I'll stay and watch.

[Joe Forsyth]

Why?

[Daphne Forsyth]

Because you're so cute when you cut yourself.

[Joe Forsyth]

Oh, fine.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Have some coffee, Doc. Might make you feel better.

[Doc Adams]

I don't know Chest to make it. Yeah, that'd make me feel worse. But I guess I'd rather have dyspepsia than problem Job's got. All right, pour me in.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Okay. Job's boy, huh? You know, as I remember him, he wasn't worth much as a kid.

[Doc Adams]

Well, he's grown up the same way. I tell you, Matt, that boy's as

[Job Harley]

worthless as they come.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

It's too bad his four years away didn't do him any good.

[Doc Adams]

He's just bigger and meaner, that's all.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Hello.

[Doc Adams]

Well, what's the matter with you two?

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Doc just had some of your coffee. That always makes a man pretty sober.

[Doc Adams]

Oh, now, mister, Donut ain't that bad. That was a fresh egg I used in it this time. Matter of fact, it wasn't as bad as usual chesting. Well, now, Doc, I'm glad.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Doc's just been telling me about seeing old Job this morning.

[Doc Adams]

Say, don't he have a boy named Tad?

[Job Harley]

That's right.

[Doc Adams]

It's about all he has got. Well, it's a shame.

[Tad Harley]

No.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

What do you mean?

[Doc Adams]

I've been watching him down through Long Branch this evening.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

You mean he's there now?

[Doc Adams]

He was when I left. And I must say, Mr. Doane, he don't look to me like he's gonna be much comfort to his pa. Is he causing trouble? Well, not trouble exactly. He just bellying up to the bar, swilling down drinks and acting like he wants everybody to know how big and growed up he is. Well, he'd be in trouble if anybody treated him that way. That's just what I think. Doc and some of the boys are riling him up pretty good too.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

I think maybe I'll go down there.

[Doc Adams]

Want me to come with you, Mr. Dillon?

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

If you want to, Chester. I just want to reacquaint myself with Ted.

[Doc Adams]

It'll be no pleasure.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

I'm sort of curious to see just how big a man he really is.

[Tad Harley]

Why don't you move over, mister?

[Doc Adams]

All right, boy. There's room for both of us at the bar.

[Tad Harley]

Just don't crowd me.

[Doc Adams]

Ain't you Job Harley's boy?

[Tad Harley]

Yeah.

[Job Harley]

Here.

[Doc Adams]

Your pa's been feeling poorly lately. Getting any better?

[Tad Harley]

I ain't noticing.

[Doc Adams]

He's real sick, ain't he?

[Tad Harley]

He's done. The place is done.

[Joe Forsyth]

Yeah.

[Doc Adams]

Hey, good thing you come home, you

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

can look after him a little bit.

[Tad Harley]

That any of your business?

[Doc Adams]

Just sort of figured you can keep

[Tad Harley]

your figuring to yourself. Every low living bum in town thinks I come home to nurse the old man.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Now, easy, boy.

[Tad Harley]

I quit being a boy when I left here. Mister. I've been doing man size things for four, four years.

[Doc Adams]

Why don't you shut up shoving me and straighten yourself up out of my drink. Go now. Get.

[Tad Harley]

I'll show you.

[Doc Adams]

Shove me, will you?

[Tad Harley]

You're going to die for that, mister. Right now.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

All right, hold it there. Drop the gun.

[Tad Harley]

You stand back.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

I said drop it.

[Daphne Forsyth]

Blast you.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Pick up the gun, Chester.

[Job Harley]

Yes, sir.

[Doc Adams]

Give me that.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Yes. Stand where you are. All right, Tanner, what happened here?

[Job Harley]

I shoved him, Marshall. Why?

[Doc Adams]

Because he's a mean, ornery, no good. And I got tired of listening to him talk, that's all.

[Tad Harley]

I got a right to have my gun here.

[Doc Adams]

Now you hammer down.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

You're Tad Harley, aren't you?

[Tad Harley]

How do you know?

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

I've been hearing about you. Listen, Marshall, you got some special trouble with Tanner here.

[Tad Harley]

He's been crowding me just like everybody else in this town.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

About what?

[Tad Harley]

About the old man. About how I should be looking after him.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

What's wrong with that?

[Tad Harley]

It ain't what I come here to do, that's what's wrong with it. And it ain't nobody's business what I do.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Not as long as you mind your own, it isn't.

[Tad Harley]

You got no call to tell me what to do.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

I'm not telling you what to do. I'm telling you what not to do.

[Tad Harley]

You're gonna give me back my gun now.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

All right. Give it time, Chester.

[Doc Adams]

Well, I.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

All right.

[Tad Harley]

Someday this town's gonna find out about me. Find out?

[Doc Adams]

Good. Well, I sure am glad to see that one go. I swear he's been keeping this place stirred up ever since he come in this afternoon. So let's have us a beer, Mr. John.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

All right, Chester.

[Doc Adams]

I'll be proud to buy.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

You will?

[Doc Adams]

Yes, sir.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Well, good. Hey, Sam. Couple of beers, huh? Two beers.

[Doc Adams]

You know, there's gonna be more trouble from that boy, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

I don't know, Chester. He could be just a loud bragging kid or the Badness could be full grown in him. I don't know.

[Doc Adams]

Either way, it's mighty hard on poor old Job. Well, he's done nothing for four whole years but just wait for the day his boy would come home.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

He was better off waiting.

[Doc Adams]

I wonder when Job will find out this boy's no camp.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Well, Job's old and sick, but he's not blind, Chester.

[Doc Adams]

But he don't deserve a disappointment like this.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

No, he doesn't. Jobe's a good man.

[Doc Adams]

I remember Ms. Harley telling me one time she had five babies and Tad was the only one that lived.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

That must be the exception to the rule.

[Doc Adams]

How's that, Mr. Dillon?

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Doesn't sound much like the survival of the fittest.

[Doc Adams]

I swear it's so hot. Man works up a sweat just whittling with the sun burning down like this, Mr. Jones. Makes it hard for a body to remember the cold and shivering and misery of the wintertime, don't it?

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

You suffer pretty bad in the winter, don't you, Chester?

[Doc Adams]

Well, I guess I don't exactly suffer. But wouldn't you think there'd be some way of taking some of this heat and packing it away so as you could spread it around in the wintertime?

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

You work on that, Chester. We sure don't need it a whole today. That's a fact.

[Doc Adams]

Say, you know, then maybe they could save up some of the cold of the wintertime and use it on days like this.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

I'm gonna spell you a riddle, Chester. They already do that. They do in our eyeshouse.

[Doc Adams]

Any sure are in a ice house. Sure enough they do, don't they? Look, ain't that Lynn Baylor riding up there?

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Yeah.

[Doc Adams]

Hello, Marshall. Chester.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Hello.

[Doc Adams]

L. Hello, Lyn.

[Job Harley]

Hey, Marshall.

[Doc Adams]

I just come by Job Harley's place. He's awful anxious to see you.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Oh, it's trouble.

[Doc Adams]

Well, you didn't tell me. Marshall. He said to ask you to come out there right away.

[Job Harley]

Oh, my.

[Doc Adams]

I hope that boy of his ain't been acting up none.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Oh, I better go out there and see, I guess. You watch the store, will you, Chester?

[Doc Adams]

Yes, Sir, I will, Mr. Dillon.

[Spinquest Disclaimer Voice]

Oh, I have had no luck lately.

[Job Harley]

Wait.

[Lady Luck (Spinquest Promoter)]

Lady Luck Britsky. I got you. I've had so much luck on spinquest.com they have all of my favorite games, slot games, live blackjack craps and bubble craps. You can even get a 30 coin pack for just 10 bucks.

[Job Harley]

10 bucks for 30.

[Spinquest Disclaimer Voice]

I'm heading over to spinquest.com right now. Spin Quest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited visit spinquest.com for more details.

[Liberty Mutual Female Spokesperson]

And Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual, even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.

[Liberty Mutual Male Spokesperson]

Hey, everyone, check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

[Spinquest Announcer]

Oh, no.

[Liberty Mutual Female Spokesperson]

We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Liberty Mutual Male Spokesperson]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Female Spokesperson]

Anyways, get a'@libertymutual.com or with your local agent.

[Liberty Mutual Male Spokesperson]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Another visit with Joe and Daphne Forsyth.

[Daphne Forsyth]

Joe. Yeah, Daphne, look at this story about savings bonds in the paper.

[Joe Forsyth]

Yeah, what about it?

[Daphne Forsyth]

Do you think that's the best way to tell people about savings bonds?

[Joe Forsyth]

Why not? Look, see, it says here that savings bonds are a guaranteed investment. Right now. They pay off at the rate of four bucks at maturity for every three bucks invested. Uh, you're not convinced? Uh, why not?

[Daphne Forsyth]

No salesmanship.

[Joe Forsyth]

No salesmanship. What more do you need to know? Why, right now more than 8 million Americans are buying saving bonds regularly through the payroll savings plan.

[Daphne Forsyth]

So?

[Joe Forsyth]

So what?

[Daphne Forsyth]

That's what I say, so what?

[Joe Forsyth]

Now look, Daphne, if millions of Americans are convinced that saving bonds are their best investment, not only financially, but for the future of their country, what the heck is bothering you?

[Daphne Forsyth]

Well, I think they could sell a lot more with salesmanship. You know, slogans and jingles. Listen, if you're spending more and saving less, try a savings bond.

[Joe Forsyth]

Oh, boy.

[Daphne Forsyth]

Or maybe savings bond. Pay good like an investment should. Daphne, you get a lot to like in the savings bond. Interest earnings guaranteed.

[Joe Forsyth]

Wow.

[Daphne Forsyth]

Well, did I sell you?

[Joe Forsyth]

Yeah, but I forgot what it was you were selling.

[Daphne Forsyth]

Savings bond.

[Joe Forsyth]

I'll take a hundred.

[Daphne Forsyth]

Oh, Joe,

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

A job.

[Doc Adams]

A job.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Matt dillon.

[Job Harley]

Come in, marshall. Come in.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

You got trouble out here, Job. Sure.

[Job Harley]

I'm glad you could come out, Marshall. Been wanting to see you.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Oh, what about?

[Doc Adams]

Sure.

[Job Harley]

It's a bright, hot day, ain't it, Marshall? Yeah, I don't take to the heat as well as I used to.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Jove, you didn't call me out here to tell me it's hot. What's on your mind? Is it about your boy?

[Job Harley]

You seen him, Marshall?

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Yeah, a couple of weeks ago. The Long Branch.

[Job Harley]

He's growed big, ain't he?

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Too big, maybe.

[Job Harley]

Job.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Is he here?

[Job Harley]

He's gone off. You know anything about raising boys, Marshall?

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

That's a little out of my line, Job.

[Job Harley]

Well, the man wants his boy to carry on all the good things he's got none of the bad.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

No. That's a pretty big order, isn't it?

[Job Harley]

But that's what a man wants for his son to be good, to be better than he was.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Some boys never grow up to be the men their fathers were, Job.

[Job Harley]

It ain't easy raising them. Man don't want to mother his boy to death. Nor ride herd on him too much, neither.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

You're gonna tell me something, Job.

[Job Harley]

What's a man to do when he finds his son has just picked up all the bad ways and none of the good? What's a man to do then, Marshal?

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Let go of him, Job.

[Job Harley]

But a man's son, Marshall, he's carrying his name. He can't let him carry it to perdition.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

He can't hurt your name, Job, only his own.

[Job Harley]

That ain't true, Marshall. I ain't been much. The people I come from weren't much neither. But we always kept the name clean, Marshal.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

What's Tad done, Job? Where is he?

[Job Harley]

A man don't expect his son to strike it rich. Maybe, but he expects him to keep the name clean.

[Doc Adams]

Job.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Will you tell me?

[Job Harley]

Well, Tell you what, Marshall?

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Why did you call me out here? You just didn't want to talk about

[Job Harley]

your boy, did you? I always like to talk to you. You've always been a good friend.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

I am your friend, Joe. But you better start talking straight or I'm heading back to town.

[Job Harley]

You're going to find out. Marshall.

[Doc Adams]

Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Well, what's Chester doing out here? Yeah, what's the matter? Mr. Dillon?

[Tad Harley]

There's just been a hold of Bunny.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

What? Any shooting?

[Doc Adams]

Yes, sir, there was.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

How many were there?

[Doc Adams]

Just one.

[Job Harley]

Did he get away?

[Doc Adams]

No, sir, Mr. Harley, he didn't.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Was he hurt?

[Doc Adams]

Worse than that, Mr. Dunn.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Well, who was it?

[Job Harley]

Well, he's dead, ain't he? Tad's dead.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Tat. Was it Tad Chester?

[Doc Adams]

Yes, sir, it was.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

I'm sorry, Job.

[Job Harley]

It had to be.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

You don't seem surprised.

[Job Harley]

No, Marshall. I've been seeing it coming ever since

[Doc Adams]

the boy come home.

[Job Harley]

He was bad clear through Marshall. He's robbed before and killed, too.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

He told you that?

[Job Harley]

He carried pieces out of newspapers around with him. Pieces there had been written about him. He was proud of it. Marshall said it made him feel big.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Some of them feel that way for a while.

[Job Harley]

I couldn't talk him out of it. I couldn't hold him. But I could see it was stopped.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

You knew about today?

[Job Harley]

I knew.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

Why didn't you tell me about it?

[Job Harley]

I figured you'd take his gun. Maybe lock him up for a while. He had to be stopped for good, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

I might have done that if I'd been in Dodge, Joe.

[Job Harley]

I know that, Marshall. But it would have gone hard with you to have to kill my boy. You're my friend, Marshall. That's why I seen to it you'd be here. Then I said word to the bank that Tad was coming.

[Doc Adams]

Oh,

[Matt Dillon (Marshal)]

you made a hard choice, Job.

[Job Harley]

Well, like I told you, Marshall, man has to keep his name clean.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Happy birthday, America. It's time to celebrate and play your favorite Las Vegas casino games by American owned spinquest.com what's better than fireworks and American Pie? Hitting a blackjack in the palm of your hand and you won't lose your fingers. Over a thousand games, including slots and live dealers and $30 coin packs are on sale for 10 spinquest.com buy American players.

[Spinquest Disclaimer Voice]

For American players, Spin Quest is a free to play play social casino Boyd where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[Liberty Mutual Female Spokesperson]

And Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.

[Liberty Mutual Male Spokesperson]

Hey, everyone, Check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

[Spinquest Announcer]

Oh, no.

[Liberty Mutual Female Spokesperson]

We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Liberty Mutual Male Spokesperson]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Female Spokesperson]

Anyways, get a [e-mail] or with your local agent.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Gun Smoke produced and Directed by Norman McDonald. Stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. The script 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 were by Ray Kemper and Bill James. Featured in the cast were Parley Baer As Chester, Howard McNear as Doc and Georgia Ellis as Kitty. George Walsh speaking. Join us again next week for another specially transcribed story on Gun Smoke. This is the united states armed forces radio and television service.

[Job Harley]

Sam.

[Daphne Forsyth]

Foreign.

[Andrew Rines (Podcast Host)]

This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate our shows in your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com YouTube and send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com you can call and leave us a voicemail 707-986-8739. This episode is copyright under the attribution non commercial Share Like Copyright for more information go to otrwesterns.com/copyright. Have a great day and thanks for listening.

[Lady Luck (Spinquest Promoter)]

Hey guys, Lady Luck here. Are you going on any road trips this summer? I know I'm going to be going on a bunch of road trips and being that I'm going to be Passenger Princess, I Love playing on Spinquest.com Spinquest has all of my favorite slot games. Live blackjack, live craps. Head on over to Spinquest right now and get yourself a $30 coin pack for just 10 bucks.

[Spinquest Disclaimer Voice]

Spinquest is a free to play social casino Boyd where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[Spinquest Announcer]

A vacation rental shouldn't come with surprises. It should come with verbo Care and 24. 7 Life Support. If the hot tub's broken, that's a verbo care thing.

[Doc Adams]

If my teenager starts calling me Leslie,

[Tad Harley]

that's a family thing.

[Spinquest Announcer]

Leslie Verbo Care and 24.7Live support. If know you Verbo terms apply cverbo.com trust for details.

[Doc Adams]

Support is available 24.7with Verbo Care. We're here day or night ready whenever you need help because a great trip starts with the right support.