
Original Air Date: July 03, 1960Host: Andrew RhynesShow: GunsmokePhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• William Conrad (Matt Dillion)• Parley Baer (Chester)• Georgia Ellis (Kitty)• Howard McNear (Doc) Special Guests:• Anne Whitfield• Joseph Kearns• Law...
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Teen Advocate
Use of flavored tobacco by teens is a crisis. Tobacco companies use flavors like cotton candy, watermelon ice and cool mint to hook kids like me. They seem harmless, but they aren't. Addiction to nicotine sets us up for a lifetime of health problems. Organ legislators can do something about it. Passing Senate Bill 702A will keep flavored tobacco away from kids. But there are just a few short weeks left for lawmakers to act. Take action to protect kids like me@ flavorshookorgankids.org paid for by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Action Fund.
Andrew Rines
Crispy strips listos paraventurace en la mescla de mayo Ketchup, La barbecue que ton el fondo de la cajita. Hot fudge sundae and la Nueva Creamy Chili McCrispy Strip Dip. Los Nuevos McCrispy strips out in McDonald's. 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. 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 smoke. Starring William Conrad. The story of the violence that moved west with young America, and the story of a man who moved with him. 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 lonely.
Teen Advocate
Nearly 90% of kids who vape say flavors are why they do it. A lot of the flavors that I've heard are like peach, mango, watermelon. It makes it seem like more childlike and innocent. Oh, if I try this once, it won't be that much of a problem. But then, eventually, it becomes a problem. It's time to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco products in Oregon and protect our kids from nicotine addiction. Urge lawmakers to Pass Senate Bill 702A. Take action at flavorshookoreegonkids.org paid for by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Action Fund.
Andrew Rines
No sense trying to save the cabin, Chester. The bar and the sheds will cook them down good. All right, Mr. Dillon. Oh, hauling well water takes too long. You better get it from the stream. I'm after the bucket sight bigger than these 10 pails we got here. Let me give you a hand. I'm sick of rust. I Don't know how these fellows draw a war. It don't seem like nobody hasn't worked this thing for a long time. Well, it's come and come, but the bucket's still a long way down there. Wait a minute. Hold it. Maybe I can hold it up by hand. Can you get it? Yeah, I can get it. There. Hold. Bastard.
Charity Gill
Now.
Andrew Rines
I will. But whether this rope can hold the bucket or not, it's something else again. That rope was plum rotten. Yeah, well, maybe out in the barn, the shed, you can find something to haul water in. I just don't figure how he got his water. He sure didn't use his well. He. Well, the fellow that lived here, the one Alby dragged out of the cabin, where'd he take him? Yonder on them trees. You check the barn, Chester. I'll see the Albie. You look kind of singed, Alvy. You all right? He's just a sinned, that's all I can think. He's just a cinder out under the blanket here. He ain't a man at all. He's a cinder. Yeah, that's all. Elby. Could you tell? Was he alone in the cabin? I couldn't believe it. He was sitting at the table. His head was slumped forward, and there was fire all around. And then I seen he was on fire. He was just sitting there on fire. Take it easy, now. And I got to him, and he toppled off right onto the floor. And he laid there burning. He didn't know it. I seen trees burn. I seen fields. I seen logs. I never seen a man burn before. Just forget about it. You know, it's funny. A man on fire, first thing you do is put a blanket on him. He's burning hot, so you're smothered. You put the fire out, Alvie. That's the way to look. You put a blanket on his Alvey. You put a blanket around his tractor. You. Were you talking to me, Marshall? The blanket. It was in the cabin. A blanket? Oh, it was on the floor, right by the table. Oh, that's wet. It felt wet when I grabbed it. Uhhuh. It's a funny smell, isn't it, Marshall? Yeah. Whiskey and kerosene together make a funny smell, Alvy. Is that what that is? That's what it smells like. Mr. Dillon, can you come back here? Yeah, right away, Chester. You rest yourself, Alvy. You've done more on your share. Oh, I'm all right, Marshall. Where'd you find him, Chester? In corral on the barn. Poor things, ain't they? Puny looking. Whole thin flesh bone shroom. Yeah, somebody neglected them for a long time. They're about starved. Any feed in the barn? Ain't nothing in that barn but rusty cans and a broke plow. Everything in there is crumbling except the rats. Well, there's grass down by the creek. We'll lead them down there. It don't seem like this was Indians, does it, mister. Don't now. It looks queer. Chester. Everything around here looks queer. At least the barn is still standing and a couple of sheds. We done what we could, mister. Gentlemen. You hadn't been riding by and come to fetch us. We couldn't have done this much of it. I couldn't do enough alone. Funny, in a way. It ain't too far from Dodge. But you know, I didn't pass one settler on the way in. You didn't see anybody around here? No, not a soul. It's just odd. That's what it is, odd. Odd as can be. Well, you got to figure he was alone excepting for them two starving horses. I don't know his name, so can't mark his grave. Can't help wondering about him, though. What's a man like that lives alone. Lets his place go to rust and rubble. His horses starve and that. Well, I don't know when that's been used. I don't think he drank water, Chester. You mean that smell of whiskey on the blanket? Martin might be drank himself into a stupor. Knocked the whiskey over along with it. A kerosene lamp. That'd start a fire. That'd burn a man to death. Yeah, that must have been the case. Well, if he was all alone, maybe it doesn't matter what we know. Well, for the rub. What? Mr. Don, look. Coming up in the creek bed yonder. Maybe he wasn't alone after all. Well, that's just a child. She can't be more than nine or 10. I'm afraid I'm no judge.
Charity Gill
Who are you?
Andrew Rines
I'm Marshall Dillon from Dodge City. Who are you?
Charity Gill
Charity.
Andrew Rines
How's that?
Charity Gill
Charity? Charity Gill. That's my name. It was a big fire, wasn't it?
Andrew Rines
Yeah, it was. You live here?
Charity Gill
Mm.
Andrew Rines
Well, where you been, Charity?
Charity Gill
Up the creek. I play up there. Stay up there all I can. All right, get up there.
Andrew Rines
You knew about the fire, Charity.
Charity Gill
I tried to make him move. I told him to and I. I pulled at him, but he was too big. I couldn't move him. I tried, see? I burned my dress.
Andrew Rines
He was your father?
Charity Gill
No. He married Mama and me when I was little. She Said I was to call him Daddy and I did. But I didn't like him.
Andrew Rines
Where is your mama, Jerry?
Charity Gill
Oh, she's dead. She died when I was seven. I'm almost 10 now. He's dead, ain't he?
Andrew Rines
Yes, he is.
Charity Gill
I didn't like him.
Andrew Rines
You don't think. I don't know. It'd be hard to think, wouldn't it, Chester? Yes. I'd say you were a pretty healthy young lady.
Charity Gill
I never been to a doctor before.
Andrew Rines
You never have. Will you take a tip from me? You stay away from all you can, Charlie.
Charity Gill
You're funny.
Andrew Rines
Well, some folks think so. Now then, I guess you can slip into your dress yourself.
Charity Gill
I always do.
Andrew Rines
Well, Marshall Dillon, I'll be waiting for you in the other room when you're ready.
Charity Gill
I won't be long.
Andrew Rines
What about her, Doc? Oh, she's fine. You could use some more meat on her bones. But there's nothing really wrong with her. The way her dress was burned, I thought maybe the fire got to her too. Was not a sign of a burn. You know something? She seems a lot older than 10, doesn't she? I don't know anything about kids, Doc. Well, I don't mean she is older than that. She just seems to older than her years, I guess she's seen a lot. You talk to her much about the fire? She said she tried to move her stepfather couldn't Miss Bo. She didn't like him. She keeps saying that.
Charity Gill
I'm hungry, Mr. Dillon.
Andrew Rines
Yeah, well, we'll fix that pretty quick. Now, does Matt get Chester to eat with her? Hey, he sets a mighty good example. He does at that charity. Will you tell us about the fire?
Charity Gill
What about it?
Andrew Rines
Oh, how it started, for instance?
Charity Gill
Well, it's almost happened lots of times. Mama used to tell him that it happened sometimes he wasn't careful. He'd drink out of that jug and then he'd fall asleep. And if the lamp was near, he'd knock it over.
Andrew Rines
That's what happened this morning?
Charity Gill
I guess so. I went down to the creek to get my breakfast. He didn't talk to me ever. So I didn't talk to him. He was just sitting there with a jug.
Andrew Rines
Your breakfast, Jerry.
Charity Gill
Yeah, the berries are nice down by the creek.
Andrew Rines
Oh, you ought to eat more than berries for breakfast.
Charity Gill
I thought you wanted to know about the fire.
Andrew Rines
That's right. We do.
Charity Gill
When I came back from breakfast, the lamp was on the floor and everything was burning. I tried to make him move, but he was too big. And when my dress started to burn, I ran away.
Andrew Rines
Just you and your stepfather? That's all that lived there, huh?
Charity Gill
Mm. And Coley and Sue.
Andrew Rines
Coley and Sue? Yeah. The horses, Doc. We brought them into Mont Sale.
Charity Gill
Marshall?
Andrew Rines
Yeah, Charlie?
Charity Gill
Will I live with you now?
Andrew Rines
Well, no. We'll find a place for you, but.
Charity Gill
But I like you. Yeah, but don't you like me?
Andrew Rines
Well, sure. Sure, I like you. All right, honey. You want to say something, Doc? Huh? Oh, no, no, no, no, I don't. Oh, come on, Doc. Help me make her understand now, would you?
Charity Gill
You wouldn't let me be alone, would you?
Andrew Rines
What? No, Charity. I wouldn't do that.
Teen Advocate
Nearly 90% of kids who vape say flavors are why they do it. A lot of the flavors that I've heard are like peach, mango, watermelon. It makes it seem like more childlike and innocent. Oh, if I try this once, it won't be that much of a problem. But then eventually it becomes a problem. It's time to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco products in Oregon and protect our kids from nicotine addiction. Urge lawmakers to Pass Senate Bill 702A. Take action at flavorshookoregonkids.org paid for by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Action Funds.
Andrew Rines
Listros paraventurace en la mesca de mayo ketchup, la barbecue Que ton el fondo de la cajita hot fudge sundae and La Nueva cream creamy chili McCrispy strip dip. Los Nuevos McCrispy strips out in McDonald's.
Charity Gill
You walk too fast, huh?
Andrew Rines
Oh, yeah, I guess I do.
Charity Gill
Are you in a hurry?
Andrew Rines
Well, it's going to be dark before long. I want to get you settled with Ma SM for the night.
Charity Gill
Who's Ma sm?
Andrew Rines
She's a woman. Runs a boarding house.
Charity Gill
What's the boarding house?
Andrew Rines
Well, you know, you board there, you get a room to sleep in and your meals.
Charity Gill
Can I eat with you?
Andrew Rines
Well, sure. Sometimes. Maybe.
Charity Gill
Sure, I can cook a little bit. I mean, when there's food in the house, I can cook.
Andrew Rines
Well, yeah, I bet you can.
Charity Gill
Do you have a little girl like me?
Andrew Rines
No.
Charity Gill
Little boy?
Andrew Rines
No.
Charity Gill
Why not?
Andrew Rines
Well, I'm not married, Charity.
Charity Gill
Well?
Andrew Rines
Well, what?
Charity Gill
Why don't you have little girl? Little boy, anyway.
Andrew Rines
Now, you listen to me, little lady.
Charity Gill
You were gonna call me Cherry.
Andrew Rines
Yeah, well, you ask an awful lot of questions, Charity.
Charity Gill
That's how you learn, asking questions.
Andrew Rines
Well, sure. That's how you learn.
Charity Gill
Then why don't you have a little girl like me?
Andrew Rines
I told you, Charity, I'm not married.
Charity Gill
Well.
Andrew Rines
Come on, Charity. You're going to like moss. Wally.
Charity Gill
Does she have a little girl?
Andrew Rines
No.
Charity Gill
She married?
Andrew Rines
Well, I think she used to be. Yeah, but the.
Charity Gill
Well.
Andrew Rines
The Charity, I just don't understand. I know you don't, honey, but I just don't figure I'm the one to make you understand. Now come on. Evening, Marshall. Evening, Rob. What's that you got there? This is Charity, Rob. Well, she's a young and a girl. Yeah.
Charity Gill
Do you have a little girl?
Andrew Rines
Don't start that again, please. Well, you talk right up to her, don't you Marcia? Is Ma around, Rob? Can't start that soon enough. With a young un. Girl especially. Can't give them the head, you know. Gotta lay down the law right early in life. I was asking after Ma. Where is she? Inside? No, she is not. Then where is she, Rob? Medlin, that's where she is. Thinking and talking free with a whole sewing circle of half wit women who should have been Buzz long time ago.
Charity Gill
Is he mean, Marshall?
Andrew Rines
Yeah, he's mean as a butterfly. Ain't no mean about it. Just sitting down the back. Stating the case, you might say. Now if someone had put Ma and them others in their place when they was this youngin's age, we'd have had a warm supper this evening and a few of the comforts us men. Folks entitled to. Rob, you're gonna run down pretty soon and tell me where Ma is clean all the way to Wichita Hall. Wichita Left on the morning Santa Fe big as you please. Her and the Dorsey girls. Boss Grimmick's wife, Fanny Doy. Clara Jones. Hold up a minute, will you? You're calling off every woman in Dodge. They can't all be at Wichita. Well, you're the marshal. Make yourself a house to house search. Ain't woman left in town and they ain't going to be for five days running. Well, what's going on? Suffering, Rob. You talk straight to me now or so what they call it suffering. They all met for it. Women from all over the state according to Ma, pouring into Wichita. And every single one of them got suffering on their minds. Sufferance? You mean suffrage? Oh, it's one and the same thing. It's that sneaky way women folks has a talking. Why don't they just come out plain and say that they want the vote. No, they got to call it suffering. Suffrage. Well, you let them vote a while and see if the country ain't suffering.
Charity Gill
I'm awful sleepy, Marshall.
Andrew Rines
Yeah, me too. Charity. You're not serious, man. You're the only woman in town. Kitty. It's only natural that you'd want to take care of her now, isn't it? In a saloon, there's nothing natural about that. She can sleep in your room. Can she? My room, the long branch, Any of this? It's no place for little girl. You should know it isn't. You think one of my jail cells is better? Maybe. Well, there's no words. Honestly, Matt, I know this is a problem, but I don't think I'm the solution. There must be someplace in town or even out of town some family we rode out to. Alby Stevens. He's got eight kids. Yeah, they're stacked up out there and they're all boys. What about Mrs. Stevens? She's going to Wichita with Ma Smalley and the rest of them. Eight kids. And she wants to vote, too. Well, Alby says she went for the outing. I guess you can't blame her for wanting to get away.
Charity Gill
Hello.
Andrew Rines
Oh, hello, honey. You got the drink you wanted?
Charity Gill
Well, the man said he didn't have any milk, so I had some water.
Andrew Rines
She ought to have milk, man. Well, yeah, but they keep a cow at Del Monaco. Oh, yeah. Yeah, I guess they do. Well, go and get us some. Teddy will be all right. Here for the. Here, honey, you sit down here and you wait with Miss Kitty. Huh?
Charity Gill
You're not gonna leave?
Andrew Rines
No, I'll be back as soon as I get you some milk.
Charity Gill
I like him.
Andrew Rines
Yeah, I like him, too.
Charity Gill
You're pretty.
Andrew Rines
You think so, honey?
Charity Gill
And you smell pretty, too. Only.
Andrew Rines
Only what?
Charity Gill
You got your face painted. Mama used to tell me only Indians painted their faces.
Andrew Rines
Maybe your mother was pretty enough without using powders and things.
Charity Gill
Oh, she was pretty. Freckles. She had freckles all over.
Andrew Rines
Well, that proves it. I don't have any freckles.
Charity Gill
This is a funny place, ain't it?
Andrew Rines
Kind of funny, yeah.
Charity Gill
Sometimes I don't understand grown ups, Miss Grand Kitty. Outside there's alfalfa and sweet clover to smell and quick water to drink and currants and wild gooseberries and sheep shower to eat. But grown ups are always crowding together indoors and smelling smoke and drinking whiskey and talking loud. What is that?
Andrew Rines
I don't know, Charity. I just know they do. And if they didn't, I'd be out of business. Now, Mr. Dillon, I just don't see the need of this at all. I never been in jail before in my life. Stop acting like an old woman, Chester. You're not in jail now. Really? Poor Egret McPeters was in the same doggone cell Just last week, before they took him off to Hay City to hang. Now, you listen to me, Chester. It's been a long day. I had about all the jaw and I can handle. Charity's going to sleep in your bed. I'm going to sit up in mine, and you're going to sleep on that cot there. And that's the end of it. Now shut up. Yes, sir, I understand. But I don't see why I got to be locked up. You're not locked up, Chester. You closed the door shut on me. All right, all right, all right. There. Better. Is that better, huh? Yes, sir, it is a sight better. Good night, Chester. Night, Ms. Jones. Yes? I guess Charity's asleep. But now all right. She probably was before we started this ruckus. Yeah. Oh, that poor little thing. Whatever's gonna come here, Mr. John? I don't know, Chester. I don't know anyone who wants kids that hasn't got them. I sure never run up against anything like this before. She plumbed on on you. Tags along like a little stray. Too bad you can't keep her. Now you're out of your head. Well, now, I can see it ain't the most practical thing in the world. Chances are you'd feel a lot better having a little boy. But all the time. Chapter. Yes, sir, I'd feel a lot better having nothing at all. No boy, no girl. Well, yes, I suppose so. You're more used to that. Good night, chester. Good night, Mr. Dillon.
Charity Gill
Ain't you gonna get in your bed, Marshall?
Andrew Rines
Hey, you're supposed to be asleep, young lady.
Charity Gill
I know, but I keep thinking. I never can sleep when I'm thinking.
Andrew Rines
I guess the secret's to quit thinking then, huh?
Charity Gill
I'm worried about you, Marshall. Dylan.
Andrew Rines
Worried.
Charity Gill
You don't know what to do about me, do you?
Andrew Rines
No, honey, I sure don't.
Charity Gill
I guess you're tired of me, too.
Andrew Rines
I'm not tired of your Charity. I just don't rightly know what to do with you.
Charity Gill
You don't want me to live with you, do you?
Andrew Rines
Well, honey, you can't very well. You've seen how I live here is not the right place for a little girl. You ought to have a home, a real home, Charity, with folks close to you, who see that you're cared for.
Charity Gill
Who will love you like my Aunt Annie.
Andrew Rines
Aunt Annie?
Charity Gill
Oh, maybe I haven't told you about Aunt Annie.
Andrew Rines
Maybe you haven't.
Charity Gill
At first I. I thought it'd be nice to live with you. But mostly you and I just walk around. I get tired.
Andrew Rines
Charity, where does Aunt Annie live?
Charity Gill
Just down yonder from where I used to live before the fire. Maybe five miles. Not far. I like you, Marshall Dylan.
Andrew Rines
Yeah, well, I like you, too, Charity. And tomorrow morning, we're gonna ride out to Aunt Annie's, huh?
Charity Gill
I think I'll sleep better now.
Andrew Rines
Yeah, me too, honey. Me too.
Teen Advocate
Nearly 90% of kids who vape say flavors are why they do it. A lot of the flavors that I've heard are like peach, mango, watermelon. It makes it seem like more childlike and innocent. Oh, I tried this once. It won't be that much of a problem. But then eventually it becomes a problem. It's time to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco products in Oregon and protect our kids from nicotine addiction. Urge lawmakers to Pass Senate Bill 702A. Take action at flavorshookoregonkids.org paid for by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Action Fund.
Andrew Rines
What is daddication? The thing that drives me every day as a dad is Dariana. We call them dae date for short. Every day he's hungry for something, whether it's attention, affection, knowledge. And there's this huge responsibility in making sure that when he's no longer under my wing that he's a good person. I want him to be able to sit back one day and go, we work together. We did a good job. That's dedication. Find out more@fatherhood.gov brought to you by the U.S. department of Health and Human Services and the Ad Council.
Charity Gill
Munch, Munch, munch.
Andrew Rines
A bunch of burritos Corn chips. It's not polite to smack your lips, but you can't help with Fritos corn chips. Munch, munchy, munchy, munchy.
Charity Gill
Fritos Corn chips.
Andrew Rines
Some things you eat because they taste good and some things you eat because they're good for you. But Fritos corn chips are one snack you can eat for both reasons. Gun movies produced and directed in Hollywood by Norman McDonald stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. The story was specially written for gun folk by Kathleen Height with editorial supervision by John Meston. Featured in the cast were Anne Whitfield, Joseph Kearns, and Lawrence Dobkin. Harley 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. It.
Teen Advocate
Use of flavored tobacco by teens is a crisis. Tobacco companies use flavors like cotton candy, watermelon ice and cool mint to hook kids like me. They seem harmless, but they aren't. Addiction to nicotine sets us up for a lifetime of health problems. Oregon legislators can do something about it. Passing Senate Bill 702A will keep flavored tobacco away from kids. But there are just a few short weeks left for lawmakers to act. Take action to protect kids like me@ flavorshookorgonkids.org paid for by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Action Fund Packages by Expedia.
Andrew Rines
You were made to be rechargeable. We were made to package flights, hotels and hammocks for less. Expedia made to travel. 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 YouTube become one of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank our most recent ranch hands, Steve and Technogod, who who joined us recently. You too can join by going to otrwesterns.com donate send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com and you can call and leave us a voicemail 707-986-8739 this episode is copyrighted under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.
Teen Advocate
Nearly 90% of kids who vape say flavors are why they do it. A lot of the flavors that I've heard are like peach, mango, watermelon. It makes it seem like more childlike and innocent. Oh, I try this once, it won't be that much of a problem. But then eventually it becomes a problem. It's time to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco products in Oregon and protect our kids from nicotine addiction. Urge lawmakers to Pass Senate Bill 702A. Take action at flavorshookoregonkids.org paid for by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Action Fund.
Andrew Rines
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Podcast Summary: Old Time Radio Westerns - "Little Girl" (Gunsmoke Episode)
Episode Information
Introduction In this episode of the Old Time Radio Westerns, host Andrew Rhynes presents a digitally restored version of the classic "Gunsmoke" episode titled "Little Girl." This episode transports listeners to the rugged terrain of Dodge City, where the steadfast U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon confronts new challenges that test his resolve and compassion.
Setting the Scene The story unfolds in the vast and untamed frontier surrounding Dodge City. The environment is meticulously recreated, enhancing sounds like birds chirping, saloon doors creaking, and thundering hooves, immersing listeners in the authentic Western atmosphere.
Main Characters
Plot Summary
Initial Investigation ([03:11] - [09:44]) The episode begins with Marshall Dillon and his deputy Chester investigating the aftermath of a mysterious fire. They discover the charred remains of a man in a deserted cabin. Dillon muses, “He was just sitting there on fire” ([08:44]), highlighting the perplexing nature of the incident. As they delve deeper, they find a burnt blanket and signs of negligence, suggesting foul play or tragic accident caused by a combination of whiskey and kerosene ([09:15]).
Introduction of Charity Gill ([08:44] - [25:37]) As Dillon and Chester assess the scene, they stumble upon Charity Gill, a young girl who survived the fire. Charity reveals that she tried to save her stepfather but was overwhelmed by the flames, leading her to flee. Her presence brings a new layer of complexity to Dillon's duties, emphasizing the theme of responsibility and compassion. Charity expresses her desire to stay with Dillon, saying, “But I like you” ([15:13]), which challenges Dillon's solitary existence.
Conflict and Resolution ([15:33] - [25:37]) Dillon grapples with the decision to take Charity under his wing. He acknowledges her innocence and vulnerability, stating, “You ought to have a home, a real home, Charity” ([24:22]). The emotional climax occurs when Charity confronts Dillon about her need for a family, leading to a heartfelt resolution. Dillon agrees to help her find Aunt Annie, promising, “Tomorrow morning, we're gonna ride out to Aunt Annie's, huh?” ([25:17]), symbolizing hope and new beginnings.
Key Themes
Notable Quotes
Marshall Dillon on Responsibility:
“You ought to have a home, a real home, Charity, with folks close to you, who see that you're cared for.” ([24:22])
Charity Gill’s Innocence:
“Sometimes I don't understand grown ups… But grown ups are always crowding together indoors and smelling smoke and drinking whiskey and talking loud. What is that?” ([20:53])
Dillon’s Reflective Nature:
“It's a chancy job, and it makes a man watchful and a little lonely.” ([02:31])
Charity’s Determination:
“I tried to make him move, but he was too big. I couldn’t move him.” ([12:18])
Character Development
Conclusion "Little Girl" is a poignant episode that delves deep into the human aspects of frontier life. Through the interactions between Marshall Dillon and Charity Gill, the narrative explores themes of responsibility, compassion, and the transformative power of human connection. This digitally restored rendition by Andrew Rhynes not only preserves the classic storytelling of "Gunsmoke" but also enhances it with rich audio quality, making the timeless tales of the Wild West more vivid and engaging for modern audiences.
Final Thoughts For listeners who haven’t experienced this episode, "Little Girl" offers a compelling mix of suspense, emotional depth, and classic Western charm. It underscores the enduring legacy of "Gunsmoke" and its ability to resonate across generations through its exploration of timeless themes and relatable characters.