Willie The Wisp | Dr. Sixgun (Unknown)

Summary

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Old Time Radio Westerns: "Willie The Wisp" | Dr. Sixgun (Unknown)

Podcast Host: Andrew Rhynes
Air Date: March 27, 2026
Episode Theme:
A classic frontier drama centered around the mysterious outlaw Willie the Wisp, exploring themes of legend versus reality, redemption, and sacrifice on the lawless plains of the old West.

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Episode Overview

This episode of Dr. Sixgun immerses listeners in the tale of Willie the Wisp—a notorious, almost mythical, outlaw whose real identity is called into question following a violent stagecoach robbery. Anchored by Pablo the Gypsy Peddler’s narration, the story unfolds through intersecting lives: the wounded drifter Bart Crosby, his estranged wife Laura, the lovelorn ranch hand Larry, and the townsfolk debating the legend of Willie.

The central mystery: Is Willie the Wisp a single desperado haunting the territory, or just a legend masking the deeds of many? The episode ultimately becomes a tense, human drama about guilt, loyalty, and the quest for a fresh start—climaxing with a surprising and poignant act of sacrifice.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

The Legend of Willie the Wisp (03:03 – 04:03, 05:24 – 05:55)

• Pablo the Gypsy Peddler introduces the legend: Willie the Wisp is a masked outlaw infamous for violent holdups, particularly those targeting the rich.
• Pablo questions his own theory that Willie is merely a name for various criminals:

  “Finally, the theory was advanced by me that there was no such person. That Willie the Wisp was just a name given to many different desperados.” (03:45, Pablo)

• The myth is punctured when violence turns deadly in the latest stagecoach attack.

The Stagecoach Holdup & Its Fallout (04:53 – 06:50)

• Doc Sixgun and others discover the mortally wounded driver Petey Freeze, who before dying reports “Willie the Wisp” as the attacker, mentioning the telltale purple kerchief.
• A key mystery arises—why rob the stage and not take the gold?

  “Why would anybody shoot the driver and not rob the stage?” – O'Shea (06:16)

• Speculation mounts, but the focus quickly shifts to the human cost and community response.

Bart Crosby’s Return & Strained Family Ties (07:09 – 13:01)

• Bart, estranged from his wife Laura for seven years, reappears wounded and secretive.
• Their conversation crackles with bitterness and unfinished emotions:

  “You can’t stay, Bart. They still got a warrant out for you." – Laura (08:33)

• Bart’s attempts at concealment are underscored by tension between him, Laura, and Larry—the ranch hand who wants to marry Laura, believing Bart to be long dead.

Suspicion & Confrontation (15:18 – 18:41)

• Laura discovers the purple kerchief in Bart’s belongings and presses him:

  “When O’Shea said that Willie the Wisp wears a purple kerchief…why did you keep it all these years, Bart?” (15:47–16:15)

• Bart finally confesses to being the stagecoach robber—claiming he never meant to kill Petey:

  “I didn't mean to kill him. …I got tired of running.” (16:59, Bart)

• He threatens Laura to keep silent, insisting their lives depend on secrecy, exposing his desperation.

Larry's Rejection and Descent (19:00 – 20:40)

• Heartbroken after being turned away by Laura, Larry contemplates desperate action:

  "Maybe this Willie the Wisp has the right idea. After all, when a fella’s down on his luck, maybe he’s gotta do something desperate.” – Larry (20:02)

• In a moment of symbolism, Laura gives him the purple kerchief.

The Clumsy Robbery & Turning Point (20:56 – 23:32)

• Pablo is held up at gunpoint by an amateurish bandit in a purple kerchief—Larry, who has impulsively tried to step into the role of outlaw.
• Bart confronts and disarms Larry, deciding to “turn him in” for the reward, though they both know Larry is not the real Willie.

Confession and Sacrifice (23:32 – 28:32)

• In a private conversation, Bart learns of the suffering Laura has endured, including sending away their child.
• Recognizing Larry's honest intentions and his own guilt, Bart resolves to turn himself in as “Willie the Wisp,” allowing Larry to collect the reward and help Laura start anew.
• The townsfolk later marvel at Bart’s calm acceptance of his fate:

  “They say he went to the gallows with a calm smile. But I was there. I can testify it was so.” – Pablo (28:59–29:02)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• The Mask of Legends:
  “Some folks claim he's just a legend. That every Tom and Harry who wants to make a holdup wears a purple kerchief. So it'll be blamed on Willie the Wisp.” – O'Shea (13:47)
• Regret of a Drifter:
  “You think it's been easy for me? …Living off the land, doing things…” – Bart (12:14)
• Reflection on Outlawry:
  “All the money I ever stole I had to spend to keep moving. I just decided I had enough.” – Bart (17:10)
• Laura’s Strength:
  “When we were married, I used to worship the ground you walked on… Now that I see you, you’re nothing but a cheap…” – Laura (18:16–18:28)
• Sacrifice and Redemption:
  “Mark Crosby decided at the last minute to give himself up so that Larry could have the reward money… They say he went to the gallows with a calm smile.” – Pablo (28:59–29:02)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:03 – The legend of Willie the Wisp & Pablo’s narration.
• 04:53 – Discovery of the wounded stagecoach driver.
• 07:09 – Bart’s clandestine return and reunion with Laura.
• 15:18 – Laura confronts Bart about the purple kerchief.
• 16:57 – Bart’s confession to killing Petey by accident.
• 19:00 – Larry’s heartbreak and feelings of desperation.
• 20:56 – Clumsy “Willie” robs Pablo (Larry’s failed attempt).
• 23:32 – Bart decides to take the fall to save Laura and Larry.
• 28:59 – Pablo narrates Bart’s fate and the burgeoning legend.
• 29:02 – The legend of Willie the Wisp continues.

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Tone & Style

The episode is steeped in the melancholy, gritty realism typical of Old Time Radio Westerns, with poignant dialogue capturing the pain of regret and hope for redemption. The narrative voice, especially Pablo’s, provides a sense of myth-building and community memory, adding a bittersweet, almost elegiac tone to Bart’s fate.

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Conclusion

“Willie the Wisp” delivers not just Western action, but a thoughtful character study of those living on the edge of legend and law. It interrogates the line between fact and fable, showing that beneath every legend lies very real, very human consequences. The newly restored audio does justice to these classic performances and the ambiance of the Old West.

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For more Old Time Radio Westerns, visit otrwesterns.com.

Transcript

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[Liberty Mutual Companion]

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

[Laura Crosby]

Oh no.

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Yeah, the bird looks out of your league anyways.

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[Liberty Mutual Companion]

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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]

Across the rugged Indian territory rides a tall young man on the mission of mercy. His medical bag strapped on one hip, his six shooter on the other. This is Dr. Six Gun. The National Broadcasting Company brings you another episode in the exciting adventure series Dr. Sick God. Gray Matson, M.D. was the gun toting frontier doctor who roamed the length and breadth of the old Indian territory. Grand imposition to white man and Indian alike. The symbol of justice and mercy in the lawless west of the 1870s, this legendary figure was known to all of

[Laura Crosby]

us as Dr. Six Gun

[Liberty Mutual 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 Companion]

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

[Laura Crosby]

Oh no.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

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

[Liberty Mutual Companion]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

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Anyways, only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty.

[Liberty Mutual Companion]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

In the old Indian territory, there were many men who lived their lives as fugitives from the law. Some of them became quite famous and their names were spoken in a whisper, even by strong men. One of these was a desperado named Willie the Wisp. A man who struck at night, always wearing a mask. Somehow the law could never seem to catch up with Willie. Whenever he robbed, it was a rich rancher or a stagecoach with a load of Gold or a mail train carrying valuable securities up and down the territory. He roamed first one place and then another, a hundred miles away. Finally, the theory was advanced by me that there was no such person. That Willie the Wisp was just a name given to many different desperados.

[Laura Crosby]

I was wrong.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

Who am I? I am Pablo the gypsy peddler.

[O'Shea]

Willy the Wisp.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

Willy the Wisp. And this one, this. This bird who is trying to pass as a human being is Midnight, my talking raven. Well, I digress. Now, the first time I had any direct contact with Willy the Wisp was one evening when my friend Doc Six Gun was having a cup of coffee with me in o' Shea's Beauron Cafe.

[O'Shea]

Fill her up again, will you? Say, sure thing, Doc.

[Laura Crosby]

Pablo.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

Oh, of course. But none of this black coffee the doc drinks. A man can become ill from such strong fluids. Barrel whiskey for me.

[O'Shea]

Stage from Gooey Scooby. Ought to be getting in any minute now. Let me know when it comes in, o'.

[ZipRecruiter Announcer]

Shea.

[Laura Crosby]

I'm expecting some medical supplies.

[O'Shea]

Seems to me I hear something right now, Doc. Yep, that's her, all right.

[Laura Crosby]

Excuse me.

[O'Shea]

I'll go out and wave old Petey in.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

Doc.

[O'Shea]

Pablo, come quick. What's wrong? Petey the coach driver's been shot. Come on, Pablo, he said bad, Doc. Take it easy, old timer. Now, don't try to talk. Give me some bar towels, o'.

[Laura Crosby]

Shea. Hi, Pablo.

[O'Shea]

Press on his shoulder there.

[Laura Crosby]

He lost a lot of blood.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

How did it happen?

[O'Shea]

Willie the Wisp.

[Laura Crosby]

Purple kerchief.

[O'Shea]

Here's the towels.

[Laura Crosby]

Document.

[O'Shea]

I'm afraid we won't need him.

[Laura Crosby]

O', Shea. Huh? Petey's dead. Dead?

[O'Shea]

Why, he never heard a flea, Doc. Who'd do a thing like that?

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

He said it was Willie the Wisp.

[O'Shea]

Willie the Wisp?

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

She said something about the purple cushion.

[O'Shea]

They say the Wisp always wears one over his face. But in all the time I heard of him, he never killed nobody. It just don't sound like the Wisp to me. Well, whoever it was, he's got the murder of PD Freeze on his conscience. Doc, here in the stage.

[Laura Crosby]

What's that, o'? Shea?

[O'Shea]

Two sacks of gold dust in the mail sack. Pardon? Here's a package for you.

[Laura Crosby]

But. Funny.

[O'Shea]

Why would anybody shoot the driver and

[Laura Crosby]

not rob the stage?

[O'Shea]

Maybe he didn't have a chance. Petey's rifle was fired a couple of times. See here? You can still smell the powder, Duck.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

Maybe he wounded whoever tried to hold him off.

[O'Shea]

Well, one thing is sure, Pablo.

[Laura Crosby]

Old Petey will never Be able to tell us.

[O'Shea]

Better notify the Sheriff, o'.

[Laura Crosby]

Shea.

[O'Shea]

If Willie the wisps in these parts, he'll strike again.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

That was all we could do. Notify the Shadow and we. Meanwhile, outside Frenchman's Ford, in a ramshackle ranch house, a young woman named Laura Kendall was washing the dishes from the evening meats.

[Laura Crosby]

All right, don't scream. Don't make it sound.

[Laura]

Bart. Bart, it's you.

[Narrator]

Hello, Laura.

[Laura]

You've come back.

[Laura Crosby]

Yeah, I come back.

[Narrator]

Laura.

[Laura]

It's been so long.

[Laura Crosby]

Six years. Six years is a long time.

[Laura]

Why did you come?

[Laura Crosby]

You don't seem happy to see me.

[Laura]

Should I be happy?

[Laura Crosby]

Why not? Ain't I your husband?

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

Are you?

[Laura]

I seem to recollect I married somebody once. We were together about two months and then he run off.

[Laura Crosby]

I had to run off. There was after me.

[Laura]

You should have stayed away. We'd all been better off.

[Laura Crosby]

You don't mean that, Laura. You still love me, don't you?

[Laura]

I don't even know you anymore.

[Laura Crosby]

We can fix that.

[Laura]

Fix it how?

[Laura Crosby]

Same way we did before?

[Laura]

Right. I ain't a child. Not anymore.

[Laura Crosby]

No. No, you ain't. Let me look at you. When I married you, you was just a slip of a girl. Sixteen, I reckon. Now you grow it into a woman. A pretty woman, too.

[Laura]

Why didn't you write to me?

[Laura Crosby]

I sent money a few times. Didn't you get it? Yes. This place looks poor as poverty in a battle of wind.

[Laura]

What do you expect?

[Laura Crosby]

What does your PA work?

[Laura]

Pa has been too sick to sit up for four years. We're mortgaged to the East.

[Laura Crosby]

Where is he?

[Laura]

Asleep.

[Laura Crosby]

Who does the chores?

[Laura]

Young cowpoke named Larry.

[Laura Crosby]

Where's he?

[Laura]

Out in the bunk house, such as it is.

[Laura Crosby]

I don't like to see you like this.

[Laura]

I don't like to be like this.

[Laura Crosby]

Well, that's going to end. I'm back now to stay. Don't you want me?

[Laura]

You can't stay, Bart. They still got a warrant out for you.

[Laura Crosby]

Nobody has to know who I am.

[O'Shea]

You can't.

[Laura Crosby]

I'm just a drifter. See? Another hired hand. I'll sweep out in the bunk house. After we get organized, we'll move away from here and settle someplace else.

[Laura]

That takes money.

[Laura Crosby]

I'll get the money. Don't you worry about that. You got any hot water?

[Laura]

In the tea can.

[Laura Crosby]

I need some. I hurt my hand.

[Laura]

Take that rag off and I'll bandage it clean.

[Laura Crosby]

Just fetch the water. I'll take care of it.

[Laura]

How'd you do it?

[Laura Crosby]

I scratched it On a barbed wire fence.

[Laura]

It looks bad.

[Laura Crosby]

It's all right.

[Laura]

Let me get Doc. Six guns.

[Laura Crosby]

I said it's all right. I don't want any notice taking me. Not till I scout around and see how things stand.

[Laura]

All right, Bart.

[Laura Crosby]

You got any grub? I'm starved.

[Laura]

I'll get some. Bart, what did you do? Something. Something bad.

[Laura Crosby]

Now, what gives you that idea?

[Laura]

Nothing. I just wonder why you came back like this.

[Laura Crosby]

I just got tired of drifting.

[Laura]

You hadn't run away after you heard James.

[Laura Crosby]

I had to run.

[Laura]

Fixing to hang me just made things worse.

[Laura Crosby]

They got a wall that don't worry me none. We won't be around here long. You just remember, I'm a stranger come to work on the place. And I'll have to talk to your PA and shut him up, too.

[Laura]

You don't have to worry about Pa. He can't see.

[Laura Crosby]

Oh, Laura. Who's that?

[Laura]

Larry.

[Laura Crosby]

Let me get where he can't see me.

[Laura]

He'll have to see you.

[Laura Crosby]

I want to make sure I never seen him before.

[Laura]

Get in the pantry.

[Laura Crosby]

All right. Don't let on.

[Laura]

I won't.

[O'Shea]

Oh, hi.

[Laura]

Hi, Larry. Chores all done?

[Laura Crosby]

Yeah. Nice night out. Want to come out and look?

[Laura]

Not just now, Larry.

[Laura Crosby]

Something wrong?

[Laura]

No, nothing's wrong.

[Laura Crosby]

Laura.

[Laura]

Yes?

[Laura Crosby]

You been doing any thinking about what I said last night?

[Laura]

Last night?

[Laura Crosby]

I mean, about you and me getting married.

[Laura]

Mary, I told you you weren't married.

[Laura Crosby]

I know that, Laura, but he's been away seven years with no sign of him. I talked to Judge Betters and he's willing to get out an affidavit that Bart Crosby's legally dead so she can marry again.

[Laura]

Mary, I can't.

[Laura Crosby]

You said last night you love me, Laura. I know, but I. Laura, you can't go on wasting your life over a no account bum you married when you was too young to know better.

[Laura]

It.

[Laura Crosby]

Well, what is it then? Money? Is it that I'm just a shiftless cowpoke without a nickel in his jeans?

[Laura]

It isn't that, Larry.

[O'Shea]

Well, what then?

[Laura Crosby]

Laura, you know how I feel about you. I admit I ain't much. I. I never done nothing big. I ain't what you'd call a brave man, but I can help care for you. And maybe in time, I'd come to be worth.

[Laura]

Larry, listen to me. I can't marry you. And we can't talk about it anymore. Whatever happened between us, that's all over with now. You understand?

[Laura Crosby]

No.

[Laura]

Well, that's how it's gonna be.

[Laura Crosby]

All right, Laura. Reckon I can't do nothing about her.

[Laura]

No, you can't. I'm sorry.

[Laura Crosby]

Sure. Well, I guess we'll go out to the bunkhouse and turn in.

[Laura]

Larry.

[Laura Crosby]

Yeah?

[Laura]

Pardon me. We hired another hand today.

[Laura Crosby]

Another hand? Why, you can't scrape together enough money to pay one of them?

[Laura]

Well, this fella said he worked for Justice Keith for a while.

[Laura Crosby]

Well, where is he?

[Laura]

He went into town. He'll be sharing the bunkhouse with you.

[Laura Crosby]

Okay. Good night, Laura.

[Laura]

Good night, Larry.

[Laura Crosby]

So that's the hired hand, huh? Appears like he's been more than just a hired hand.

[Laura]

He has.

[Laura Crosby]

I don't like it.

[Laura]

What'd you expect? You ran away from me two months after we were married. I didn't hear a word for seven years. A girl can get awful lonely in seven years.

[Laura Crosby]

You're a married woman.

[Laura]

I never did anything I was ashamed of. That's more than you can say, I reckon.

[Laura Crosby]

Maybe it is.

[Laura]

It ain't been easy, Bart. We had hard times on it.

[Laura Crosby]

You think it's been easy for me? You think I like running off like a whip hound? You think I enjoyed living in the saddle? Moving around from place to place, Living off the land, doing things?

[Laura]

Doing what things?

[Laura Crosby]

Nothing.

[Laura]

You're in trouble. I can tell. Now, what is it? Did you kill somebody?

[Laura Crosby]

I never killed a man in my life. The nearest I ever come was that fight with Jameson. And he prodded me till I went crazy.

[Laura]

Here's the water for your hand.

[Laura Crosby]

Thanks. Hey, what's that horse that's coming?

[Laura]

I don't know who'd come at this hour.

[Laura Crosby]

All right. Whoever it is to headed this way, I'm going back in that panther. You get rid of it.

[Laura]

But why not chase up to him sooner?

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

Lady, do like I tell you, you hear?

[Laura]

Just a minute.

[Laura Crosby]

Miss Laura.

[O'Shea]

Sorry to bother you.

[Laura]

What is it, Mr. O'? Shea?

[O'Shea]

Bunch of the boys got up a posit, Miss Laura. We're out looking for somebody. I wondered if you'd seen any strangers around these parts.

[Laura]

Strangers? Why, no. What happened?

[O'Shea]

Somebody tried to hold up the stage about six miles out of Frenchman's Ford. He didn't do it, but he did kill Petey.

[Laura Crosby]

Freeze.

[Laura]

She. She killed him?

[Laura Crosby]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[O'Shea]

Petey lived long enough to drive into town. Said this fella had on a purple kerchief. Bounced us like Willie the Wisp.

[Laura]

When did this happen?

[O'Shea]

A few hours ago, man. We found the spot where the stage was stopped. There was some blood nearby, so we figured the bandits might have got hit.

[Laura]

I see.

[O'Shea]

You ain't seen anybody, have you?

[Laura]

No, no. There's nobody here but my PA and the hired hand.

[O'Shea]

Well, I'm sorry to have trouble. You all right?

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

Let's go, boys.

[Laura]

Mr. O', Shea, just a minute.

[O'Shea]

Yes, ma'.

[Laura Crosby]

Am.

[Laura]

This Willie the Wit, is he a bad man?

[O'Shea]

Nobody knows for sure just what he is, Ms. Laura. Matter of fact, some folks claim he's just a legend. That every Tom and Harry who wants to make a holdup wears a purple kerchief. So it'll be blamed on Willie the Wish. Well, good night, ma'.

[Laura Crosby]

Am.

[Laura]

Good night, Mr. O'. Shea.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

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[Liberty Mutual Companion]

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

[Laura Crosby]

Oh, no.

[Liberty Mutual 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 Companion]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

Anyways, only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty.

[Liberty Mutual Companion]

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[O'Shea]

Com.

[Tyler Redick]

Let's Chumba.

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[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

The posse found no sign of Willy the Wisp. And the following morning, Laura Crosby was in her kitchen fixing breakfast when Bart came in.

[Laura Crosby]

Morning, Laura.

[Laura]

Good morning.

[Laura Crosby]

You got breakfast?

[Laura]

In a minute. How's your hand?

[Laura Crosby]

Needs a new bandage.

[Laura]

I'll fix it for you before you leave.

[Laura Crosby]

What do you mean, leave?

[Laura]

I mean you're going away from here, Bart. You're going away and never coming back.

[Laura Crosby]

What are you talking about?

[Laura]

This.

[Laura Crosby]

Where'd you get that?

[Laura]

Out of your saddlebag.

[Laura Crosby]

Give me that.

[Laura]

No, it's really mine. You know, when we were first married, you gave me this purple kerchief. Don't you remember, Bart? You bought it from old Pablo. The peddler gave it to me as a gift. When you run away, you took it with you. I never thought much about it till last night when o' Shea said that Willie the Wisp wears a purple kerchief over his face.

[Laura Crosby]

There's millions of them things all over the territory. That peddler sold them by the bail.

[Laura]

How come you Kept it all these

[Laura Crosby]

years, don't you know, Laura?

[Laura]

No.

[Laura Crosby]

I kept it for the same reason I took it. I wanted something to remind me of you. Many tonight, alone on the prairie, when I got half starved, I'd take out this kerchief and lay it against my cheek. Seems like it still has the smell of that perfume you wore.

[Laura]

Thought. Are you telling me the truth? Did you really think of me?

[Laura Crosby]

Well, you suppose I can backlor?

[Laura]

I don't know.

[Laura Crosby]

You think I am Willie the Wisp?

[Laura]

I thought so. Are you?

[O'Shea]

No.

[Laura]

Then how come you got a bullet wound on your hand?

[Laura Crosby]

Give me that.

[Laura]

From a fence box.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

Okay.

[Laura Crosby]

It ain't.

[Laura]

It was you, wasn't it? You tried to rob that stage.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

Yeah.

[Laura]

You killed Petey. Freeze.

[Laura Crosby]

I didn't mean to kill him. I never killed a man in my life before. Started shooting and hit me in the hand.

[Narrator]

I shot him and he drove off with.

[Laura]

They call Willie the Whisper. Is that what you've been doing all these years?

[O'Shea]

Yeah.

[Laura]

Why did you come back?

[Laura Crosby]

I got tired of running. All the money I ever stole I had to spend to keep moving. I just decided I had enough.

[Laura]

So you held up a shade six miles out of town.

[Laura Crosby]

I figured I'd get enough money together so as we could go off someplace and live comfortable.

[Laura]

And what are you gonna do now?

[Laura Crosby]

Just what I planned. Settle down here for a while and then move on.

[Laura]

You can't settle here. You killed a man.

[Laura Crosby]

Nobody knows that.

[Laura]

I know it. You know it.

[Laura Crosby]

He brought it on himself when he shot me.

[Laura]

Did he ask you to hold up the stage?

[Laura Crosby]

What are you driving at, Laura?

[Laura]

I can't live here with that on my mind.

[Laura Crosby]

You wouldn't be thinking of telling, would you? No. You wouldn't do that, Laura, if I thought you'd do that, I'd kill you. Besides, a wife can't testify.

[Laura]

You got it all figured out heavy.

[Laura Crosby]

That's right, Laura. Now, when Larry comes in here, you're going to tell him to move on. He ain't needed anymore.

[Laura]

I work the place, he's got no place to go. He's just a poor cowboy.

[Laura Crosby]

That's just what he's gonna say. Now, you do like I say if you want you and your PA to stay healthy.

[Laura]

You're a pretty disgusting man.

[Narrator]

You say that.

[Laura]

That's how I feel.

[Laura Crosby]

It ain't.

[Laura]

When we were married, I used to worship the ground you walked on even after you run away. I thought she was kind of mixed up inside, but I was really hoping someday you'd come back. Now That I see you.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

You're nothing but a cheap.

[Laura]

Go ahead, hit me again. This makes my words true.

[Laura Crosby]

Laura. Laura, listen to me. I didn't mean to do that.

[Laura]

Don't make me laugh.

[Laura Crosby]

Honest, Laura, this ain't the way I had it planned. I was gonna come home and settle down and maybe raise a couple of kids.

[Laura]

Larry's coming.

[Laura Crosby]

Tell him to clear out.

[Laura]

Bye.

[Laura Crosby]

Tell him to clear out, I say. If he ain't gone by tonight, I'll kill him. So help. I'm going back to the bunker. Morning, Laura. Morning. I'll be back later. Friendly cut. Larry, did you hear about Willie the Wiz?

[Laura]

The posse was here last night.

[Laura Crosby]

Now, there's a man with the right idea. He don't have to scrounge around for a living. Takes what he wants when he wants to.

[Laura]

You admire him for that?

[Laura Crosby]

No, but I envy him. Sometimes I wish I had the courage to go out and do the same thing.

[Laura]

Maybe if you knew how he has to live, you wouldn't say that.

[Laura Crosby]

Sheriff says there'll be a whole rash of Willie the Wits robberies. Now, everybody who wants to commit a crime will wear a purple Curtis. So it'll be blamed on Willie. Well, I gotta go down the Rim Canyon and look for strays.

[Laura]

Larry.

[Laura Crosby]

Yeah?

[Laura]

Larry, I have to ask you to leave.

[Laura Crosby]

To what?

[Laura]

To leave. We won't be needing your help anymore. Wait a minute, Larry, please don't make it harder.

[Laura Crosby]

Is this the same girl who told me she was in love with me? You're through. Fire love.

[Laura]

Larry, please. Just get your things and go.

[Laura Crosby]

Got yourself another hand.

[Laura]

It isn't that.

[Laura Crosby]

Is it because I asked you to marry me? After all, what right has a poor cowboy got to ask the ranch owner's daughter to marry him?

[Laura]

That isn't very kind.

[Laura Crosby]

Maybe this Willie the Wisp has the right idea. After all, when a fella's down on his luck, maybe he's gotta do something desperate.

[Laura]

Don't do anything like that, Larry.

[O'Shea]

Me?

[Laura Crosby]

I ain't got the guts. Well, I reckon I'll be gone. Funny, I just can't get the straight of all this. I. I'd kind of like to have something to remember you by, Laura.

[Laura]

Right. I don't have anything.

[Laura Crosby]

What about this old kerchief? Suppose I just take.

[Laura]

All right.

[Laura Crosby]

Thanks. Well, goodbye, Laura.

[Laura]

Goodbye, Larry.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

It was late that afternoon that I. Pablo was driving my wagon across the butte not far from Laura Crosby's ranch. I remember the son was slanting behind the ledge when I heard the voice call to me. What is it, old crow, what do you see?

[O'Shea]

Oh, hush.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

There's nothing to be Stands up as a. Then put your hands up.

[Laura Crosby]

I'll tell you.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

Very well. I seem to have no choice. Well, I seem to be playing horse to a man in a purple cart.

[Laura Crosby]

Now, remarks. Just hand over any money you got on you.

[O'Shea]

Very well.

[Laura Crosby]

Here.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

Here is my entire fortune. Six bit very extreme pickings for Willie the Wish pay. I did not know the famous bandit went in for such trifling rage.

[Laura Crosby]

Just shut up. You sure that's all you got? That is all. How about the stuff in the wagon? Anything valuable there?

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

Just what you see. Some iron pots, some fine liquors.

[O'Shea]

Okay, okay.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

Don't you want anything?

[Laura Crosby]

Never mind.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

I must say, you're a very strange. Ben. Say it and shut up.

[Laura Crosby]

Turn around.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

What are you going to do?

[Laura Crosby]

Just turn around. I'm taking off. I don't want you coming after me any will. All right, now kneel down. Hold it.

[O'Shea]

Get your hands up.

[Laura Crosby]

I mean it. Okay.

[O'Shea]

Stop the gun.

[Laura Crosby]

You all right, Butler?

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

Yes, Pablo is all right.

[Laura Crosby]

The fella trying to hold you up?

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

More or less.

[Laura Crosby]

Okay, you can go home.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

What do you do?

[Laura Crosby]

Well, don't you know who this is?

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

A man in the personal costume.

[Laura Crosby]

This is Willie the Wisp peddler. And I'm taking him into the sheriff.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

I see. And who do I thank for rescuing me?

[Laura Crosby]

My name is Bart. I'm the new handover at the Crosby place. This here bandit stole one of Ms. Crosby's horses and I took out after him. Never dreamed I'd wind up with a jackpot. The jackpot. There's a $5,000 reward out for Woody the Wisp. And I aim to collect every penny of it. You're my witness, pedlar. You can meet us at the sheriff's office. All right, Willie, let's go.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

Mark rode off with the masked man at gunpoint in front of me. I followed in my wagon, but they were soon far ahead of me.

[O'Shea]

Oh,

[Laura Crosby]

okay. Take off the mask, Larry. You knew it was me, huh? You're riding one of Laura's horses. I just borrowed it. You just borrowed the purple kerchief, too. Willie, you don't think I'm really Willy the Wis, do you? You got his mask on. You just tried to hold up a peddler. At the first time in my life I ever tried anything like that. You know, I almost believe you. That was the most amateurish thing I ever seen. That's the truth. Sure. What you aiming to do? Just what I told the peddler Turn you in and get the reward. I just finished telling you. I ate Willie the Whisper. You'll do until a better one comes along. Nobody's ever seen the real Willie. I'm sure the sheriff will be glad to take you. But it ain't right. Willie the Whisper's up for killing the man. Uh huh. I told you, I never done anything like this before. What made you decide to try it? I don't know. Some craziness, I reckon. I just felt like a real nobody after Laura told me she didn't want no part of me. Figured if I could get my hands on some money, maybe from a poor old peddler. He was the first one come along. Didn't have the courage to try to stay to the bank. Just what were you figuring to do with the money? Go back to Laura? Yeah. City. They're having a hard time. Figured to give her the money for the ranch. You. You and her like each other, I gather. I like her. She's a pretty woman, all right. Ain't just that she's a fine person. She's had a hard time of it. I hear some fella married her and left her. That's right. Took right off, never come back. I guess they had some bad times, her and her father and the kid. Her what? Kid? She and this fella that run off. They had a baby boy born after he run away. Lawyer never said anything about that. She never mentioned that. Well, I reckon it pains her to talk about it. Baby's son? That's right. She sent a niece to live with her sister. Poor little tyke. He ain't never even seen his own pa. I thought maybe if they could get enough money together to give the kid a decent place to live, she could bring him back. Just where do you come in? Well, I did hope Laura would marry me. I'd be right proud to be her husband. But even if she didn't, I'd like to see her make out. Well, that was all a dream. I reckon. You. You love Laura pretty much? I reckon I do, stranger. How. How long ago did she send that boy east? Just last spring when the flood washed out the land and they lost what was left of them stock. You. You never seen the boy? I seen him just before he left. Yeah. Cute little fella. Black, curly hair. Laura said he looked just like his pa. You know, miserable as that fellow was there, I don't think she ever got over him. Yeah, I guess he never got over her either. What? Nothing, nothing. Come on, you got to get to the sheriff's. Office before dark? Yes,

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

It was just after dark that I hitched my wagon to the rail in front of the Bull Run Cafe. I went inside to quench my thirst before going over to the sheriff's Office and Doc 6 gone and O' Shea were at the table talking. Oh, Doc, what an experience I've had today. Whiskey o' Shea before I die, I say.

[O'Shea]

We heard about it. Oh, he was held up by Willie

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

the W was a bandit in a purple kerchief. But somehow he seemed too clumsy to

[O'Shea]

be the real Willie the Wis. He was really Willy the Witch. All right, add the purple kerchief Willie always used and the gunshot wound on his hand from Petey Freeze's rifle.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

Gunshot wound? Oh, no, no, Shay. It was the other one, the man who brought him in.

[Laura Crosby]

Who had the wound.

[O'Shea]

Pablo, you must have spent too much time in the sun today. What do you mean? It was Willie the Wisp had the gunshot wound.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

No.

[O'Shea]

Besides, he confessed. That's who he was. Real name was Bart Cosby. Fellow who run away from Ms. Laura seven years ago. Bullet from his Colt matched the one killed Petey. Yeah, that fella Larry sure hit the jackpot all right. $5,000 reward, Larry.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

You mean the ranch hand from Laura Crosby's place?

[O'Shea]

That's the feller.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

Yeah, but he's the one who held me up.

[O'Shea]

Oh, Doc, you better take a look at Pablo here. He's sick. Oh, she's right, Pablo.

[Laura Crosby]

Well, but the sheriff told us the whole story.

[O'Shea]

Said Willie the Wisp came in as

[Laura Crosby]

docile as a calf and turned himself over to the law.

[O'Shea]

Said this young Larry fella had caught him at it. And there's no sense in going on

[Laura Crosby]

with it, sheriff said. He seemed sort of relieved.

[O'Shea]

You ready for that drink now, Pablo?

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

Make it a double, o'.

[O'Shea]

Shea.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

No, on second thought, perhaps I'd better not drink at. Well, that's the story. Mark Crosby decided at the last minute to give himself up so that Larry could have the reward money when he was hanged for the murder of Petey Freeze. They say he went to the gallows

[Laura Crosby]

with a calm smile. But I was there.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler]

I can testify it was so. Afterward, the legend of Willie the Wisp spread far and wide across the territory. A ballad was written about him and he took his place, along with Jesse James and Billy the Kid as one of those brave, romantic desperados of the West.

[Tyler Redick]

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[Narrator]

You have been listening to Dr. Six Gun. Toxic Gun is played by Carl Weber and Pablo by William Griffith. Today's script was written by George Leopards. Heard in the cast were Terry Keane

[Laura Crosby]

as Laura, Ed Peek as Bark and

[Narrator]

John Sylvester as Larry. William Keane was heard as O', Shea, the bartender. Dr. Six Gun is directed by Daniel Sutter. This is Fred Collins speaking.

[Laura Crosby]

Sam.

[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 YouTube become one of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank our most recent ranch hands, Steve and Ron W. 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.

[Tyler Redick]

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