Fever by The Hermit’s Cave

Summary

The Horror! (Old Time Radio)

Episode: Fever by The Hermit’s Cave

Aired: May 2, 2026 (Original story October 20, 1946)
Host: RelicRadio.com

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Episode Overview

In this chilling episode, The Hermit’s Cave presents “Fever,” a classic tale of greed, family tension, spectral promises, and the destructive power of obsession. Set in a remote farmhouse, the story centers around the Dominic family as a mysterious, deadly fever sweeps through their home. As patriarch Elton Dominic lies ill, his obsession with hoarding money and mistrust of his children poisons every interaction—resulting in a haunting family tragedy where supernatural retribution and psychological torment blur together. The episode evokes gothic dread and explores the corrosive effects of greed, loneliness, and dreams never realized.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Introduction to the Setting and Characters

[04:18–05:12]

• Elton Dominic is bedridden, burning with fever and gripped by paranoia.
• Theo Dominic (his daughter, caregiver) tries to follow the doctor’s advice and keep her father comfortable.
• Family dynamics are deeply strained:
  • Elton distrusts his children, especially his “worthless” son, also named Elton (referred to as Eldon/Elton in some dialogue).
  • “All these years dredging slavin’ for the farm to make it pay. All the years of saving. I can’t die. I can’t die and leave it.” – Elton Dominic [05:14]

2. The Fever and Fear of Death

[05:14–09:11]

• Elton expresses increasing fear of death and obsession with his strongbox of money.
• “Can’t nothing happen to me, you hear? Just can’t nothing happen. … I can’t die, not leave it all. Ain’t nobody work for it but me. It’s mine, all mine.” – Elton Dominic [05:14–06:12]
• The family’s son, Elton, is notified, expressing little concern for his father’s illness but keen interest in the inheritance.

3. Sibling Rivalry and Greed

[07:04–09:09]

• The relationship between Theo and Elton (the son) is tense and self-serving.
• “Don’t go putting any ideas in this noggin, little angel. ’Cause if there’s any dirty work at the crossroads, I might not be too kind about finding a place for my sweet, pious sister to live once this place is mine.” – Elton (the son) [08:55]
• Theo laments her lack of freedom and beauty in life, contrasting heavily with the greed around her.

4. Deathbed Promises: “I’ll Come Back for My Money”

[11:24–13:22]

• As Elton lies dying, he insists no one touch his money, swearing to haunt anyone who tries.
• “Don’t be fooled if I stop my breathing. Because I’ll come back. Come back to this very room. Ain’t nobody to touch my money or I’ll come back.” – Elton Dominic [12:14]

5. Aftermath and Growing Tension

[13:22–16:41]

• Theo, overwhelmed by duty and despair, prepares the body and resists Elton’s determination to claim the inheritance.
• “I want the key, and I want it now.” – Elton (son) [15:00]
• Hints of supernatural fear begin as Theo and Elton both experience guilt, fever, and possible hallucinations.

6. The Haunting and the Supernatural

[16:06–18:13]

• As Elton (the son) counts the money, he (and Theo) see or imagine their dead father’s ghost standing in the doorway.
• “It’s him. Him standing in the door.” – Elton (son) [16:23]
• Theo tries to rationalize: “It’s the fever that’s coming.” [16:47]

7. Verification and Downfall

[21:21–23:18]

• Gripped by fever and terror, Theo and Elton (the son) check the body; convinced the old man is dead but disturbed when his hand appears to move.
• “It did move. It moved again. Just now when you said something about the money.” – Theo Dominic [22:58]
• In panic and greedy haste, Elton (the son) decides to flee with the strongbox.
• The dead father’s movement (from fevered hallucination or supernatural cause) leads to accidental fire:
  • “The curtains are over the fire. ... The house is on fire.” – Theo Dominic [23:47]

8. Tragic Resolution

[25:12–27:26]

• The house is destroyed by fire, with all its inhabitants (save Theo) perishing inside.
• Later townsfolk recount finding Theo dead on the moors, next to a blooming wild rose bush—her lifelong dream tragically fulfilled only in her final moments.
• “She just sort of picked out a nice place to fall and die. Her head was right up against an old wild rose bush that was in full bloom. And her face was buried in the rose.” – Narrator [26:59]

9. Message and Moral

[27:57–28:21]

• The old man’s fever for money destroyed his family; his wealth consumed in fire, helping no one.
• Only Theo had a pure wish, but suffered from a life denied beauty.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On greed and death:

  • “There ain’t gonna be none. … Ain’t no use you staring at this money. It’s mine and I’m going to hang onto it for a long time to come.” – Elton Dominic [06:37]

• Sibling animosity:

  • “I know you wish he’d hit the dirt just as much as me.” – Elton (the son) [07:30]
  • “I’m the man of the house now … if you play the game, I might throw a little something your way.” – Elton (the son) [15:09]

• Theo’s longing:

  • “I don’t want money except for a pretty dress. I want a time to dream. To walk these moors when the moon is calling. … I ain’t got nothing but wishes for beauty. And there ain’t no beauty here.” – Theo Dominic [09:11]

• Final pronouncement:

  • “The old man took his money to the grave with him. The fever for money that filled the soul of his son brought about his death. Only Theo had a wish before she died: to cross the moors in the moonlight … and have a wreath of roses twined in her hair.” – Narrator [27:57]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:18] – Start of the core radio drama
• [05:14–06:12] – Elton’s fear and obsession
• [07:04–09:11] – Sibling rivalry and inheritance tension
• [12:14] – Deathbed curse
• [16:23] – Supernatural confrontation (“It’s him. Him standing in the door.”)
• [22:58] – Apparent movement of the corpse
• [23:47] – Outbreak of the fire
• [25:41–26:59] – Townsfolk discuss aftermath; Theo’s death among the wild roses
• [27:57–28:21] – Closing narration; tragic moral

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Style and Tone

The language in “Fever” is rural, stark, and authentic—capturing the bitterness and longing of an isolated family destroyed by both illness and avarice. The dialogue is tense and urgent, interspersed with poetic longing (Theo’s wish to walk by moonlight) and grim humor (the siblings’ biting exchanges).

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Conclusion

"Fever" stands as a memorable entry from The Hermit’s Cave, blending gothic horror conventions—haunting, feverish visions, deathbed curses—with an American rural setting. It compellingly dramatizes how a “fever for money” brings about literal and spiritual ruin, sparing no one and fulfilling only the faintest hope—the dream of a lonely soul whose only wish was a moment’s beauty.

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Transcript

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, stories. Real stories. And murder too. Turn out your legs. Turn them out. Good evening. Come in, won't you? What's the matter? Surely you're not nervous. Perhaps you can't by telling a story

[Elton Dominic]

we are meant to call from out of the past.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Stories strange weird tales of mystery and terror by radio's masters of the macabre story where supernatural the supernormal dramatized fantasy the mystery of the unknown. We tell you this Frank Franklin. So if you wish to avoid the excitement tension of these magnet rail referred to our latest theory to turn off your brain.

[Relic Radio Host]

Welcome back to the horror old fashioned fear every [e-mail] if you'd like to help support this and all of the relic radio shows, visit donate. Relicradio.com or click on the support link in the show notes. You make all of this possible and have since the beginning. Thanks to those who have helped out. Thanks for joining me this week we're gonna hear from the Hermit's Cave this time series that debuted over station WJR out of Detroit, Michigan in 1936. It aired there until 1947. 558 episodes there on the east coast there's a separate west coast version that aired from 1940 to 1944. 217 episodes from them. The story we'll hear Today is from October 20, 1946. It's titled Fever.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The Carter Coal company and the dealers of alder coal present the mummers in

[Elton Dominic]

the little theater of the air Satan.

[Narrator/Announcer]

It's good to look at the advertising of retail stores today and see for sale such long scarce items as thermostats and coal soakers. It's especially good if you've been able to get a supply of that good alga coal because in a good hand fired furnace it responds especially well to the regulation of the thermostat. And burned in a coal stoker you get all the benefits and advantages of alga coal plus automatic heat. Now is the time to start getting ready for cold weather. Try to get some of this new equipment. Call your friend the Olga dealer about the coming winter's coal supply. Ask for this good coal by name spelled O L G A. Ask again if he's out of it because there's no fuel quite like coal and no coal quite like Olga. Now the hermit. Gold story. Weird stories and murders too. The hermit knows of them all. Turn out your left. Turn them out. Ah. Have you heard the story, Seabus? Then listen while the hermit tells you the story.

[Elton Dominic]

Close it off.

[Theo Dominic]

It's a Draft.

[Elton Dominic]

I've called and called.

[Theo Dominic]

I just in your room a minute ago. What did Doc Watchwood say? Not much, Pa. What did he say? That you've got some kind of ailment that's going to go on the rounds.

[Elton Dominic]

Eh?

[Theo Dominic]

Contagious. Well, I reckon now it's nothing to get excited about.

[Elton Dominic]

Nothing to get excited about. You can talk. It's me that's got it burning up with fever one minute and freezing the next. I'm getting long. I can't stand to have no illness like this.

[Theo Dominic]

Getting all lathered up ain't gonna help now.

[Elton Dominic]

What does Dog say to do?

[Theo Dominic]

To take these pills he left and stay in bed till the fever breaks.

[Elton Dominic]

Where are the pills?

[Theo Dominic]

Right here in my hand.

[Elton Dominic]

Well, give them to me.

[Theo Dominic]

Can you take them without water?

[Elton Dominic]

Sure. No time to waste. Going downstairs for water,

[Theo Dominic]

then I'll lay back and see if you can sleep. Sleep?

[Elton Dominic]

I can't sleep.

[Theo Dominic]

Well, you can try, I reckon.

[Elton Dominic]

Can't nothing happen to me, you hear? Just can't nothing happen. All these years dredging slavin for the farm to make it pay. All the years of saving. I can't die. I can't die and leave it.

[Theo Dominic]

Theo.

[Elton Dominic]

I want the strong fox.

[Theo Dominic]

Yes, right away. I want it stay covered up. I'll get it.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I ain't going to die.

[Elton Dominic]

I can't die, not leave it all. Ain't nobody work for it but me. It's mine, all mine.

[Theo Dominic]

The farm, the money, all mine.

[Elton Dominic]

And I ain't gonna leave it. Theo. Theo.

[Theo Dominic]

Oh. I'm coming as fast as I can.

[Elton Dominic]

My keys are on the chain in my pants pocket.

[Theo Dominic]

Here you are. We ought to stay covered up.

[Elton Dominic]

Oh, quit nagging, Teo. Just like your ma was always nagging. What's that? We came in brochairs.

[Theo Dominic]

Elton, I suspect.

[Elton Dominic]

Stop. He here to his Ava finally can keep him out of here. I don't want that worthless son of mine in this room.

[Theo Dominic]

Don't worry, Pa. Zoom's out and finds out you got something catching, he'll be a mile away from this room.

[Elton Dominic]

Well, you can tell him this for me. I ain't gonna die. He don't need to push like a vulture below stairs waiting for the end. There ain't gonna be none.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You can go now, Theo.

[Elton Dominic]

Ain't no use you scaring at this money. It's mine and I'm going to hang onto it for a long time to come.

[Theo Dominic]

I wasn't even looking at it.

[Elton Dominic]

Get going at your work in the house when I call next time, don't take so long to come upstairs,

[Theo Dominic]

I reckoned it was you.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Wel. Yeah. What's wrong with Pa?

[Theo Dominic]

Who told you he was sick?

[Narrator/Announcer]

I saw Doc Watford on the street in town.

[Theo Dominic]

Didn't he tell you?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, if he had, I wouldn't be asking. Just said he was took down, that he'd been out here to see him.

[Theo Dominic]

Well, he's got something that's contagious. They don't know for sure what it is yet, but a lot of folks over in White Bluffs have died it.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah. You don't say?

[Theo Dominic]

Captain Dominick, you ought to be ashamed of yourself.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Ah, cut it. Don't play the sweet sister pious act with me. I know you wish he'd hit the dirt just as much as me.

[Theo Dominic]

Ain't true.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Has he got it bad?

[Theo Dominic]

Doc Save ain't too good. He's got a weak heart, you know.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, that's right. Well, you reckon I ought to go off and sit with him so?

[Theo Dominic]

Ain't you afraid, Elton? Yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I'm sorry. I never thought. What's he doing up there? To keep himself busy.

[Theo Dominic]

You might know. He's counting his money.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Got the strong box out here. Theo, how much you reckon he's got in that box?

[Theo Dominic]

I wouldn't be for no one. Once I heard him say something about $10,000.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, it ain't gonna be bad. Big farm like this, well stocked, built in ship shape. Finest in farm implements of $10,000.

[Elton Dominic]

Maybe more.

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, sir. It ain't gonna be too bad. Don't you give him too good care.

[Theo Dominic]

Theo, you stop such talk.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I'll be getting back to town. Wouldn't do for two of us to come down with something fatal. Things get worse, you can call me at Sam's place, huh? Most likely be there playing cards.

[Theo Dominic]

Sure you will.

[Narrator/Announcer]

But don't call me, lest things are worse now, you understand?

[Theo Dominic]

I understand all right.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I'll just leave my dear sister to carry on. Oh, which reminds me. I never made any will to.

[Theo Dominic]

Not that I know of. He never expects to die.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, don't go putting any ideas in this noggin, little angel. Cause if there's any dirty work at the crossroads, I might not be too kind about finding a place for my sweet, pious sister to live once this place is mine. Bye bye now.

[Elton Dominic]

Take care.

[Narrator/Announcer]

But not too good care.

[Theo Dominic]

Catch on. A place to live. To live. What living have I ever done? Fetching and caring for Pa and Elton since Ma died, since I was 10. No time to play, no time to dream. Just work and listening to Pog growl About expenses and Elton being shitless. And all the time hoarding more money and counting it over money. I don't want money except for a pretty dress. I want a time to dream. To walk these moors when the moon is calling. Or when the wind sings like the sea. To climb those blue hills yonder and maybe twine some wild roses in my hair. I ain't got nothing but wishes for beauty. And there ain't no beauty here. There ain't none at all.

[Elton Dominic]

Theo. Theo. Come, Theo. I'm calling you.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Theo.

[Theo Dominic]

Elton, is that you? It's Paul. He took worse. Awful bad. Get Doc and come quick. He's yelling and calling for dark, and

[Elton Dominic]

he don't answer to his office. Get him quick and come. You gotta find him. You gotta find Doc elton.

[Theo Dominic]

Ms. Word, Pa. He's coming soon as he can.

[Elton Dominic]

Where's Elton?

[Theo Dominic]

Standing outside the door here in the hall. Ain't no use for him to come in and catch the fever.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes. You want me, Pa?

[Elton Dominic]

Yeah, I don't want you.

[Theo Dominic]

Wait a minute.

[Elton Dominic]

I don't believe he went for Doc.

[Theo Dominic]

Yes, Pa, he did.

[Elton Dominic]

I don't believe it. He wants me to die. He wants what I got. But he won't get it. Oh, nobody is.

[Theo Dominic]

No.

[Elton Dominic]

He can't take my rifle money from me.

[Theo Dominic]

My back, Pa.

[Elton Dominic]

I ain't gonna die, Theo. I ain't gonna die.

[Theo Dominic]

Of course you ain't.

[Elton Dominic]

I ain't gonna gasp like your ma didn't, then go out. No, Pa. You know something? You can't kill me. Nothing can kill me and take my farm and money. Cause I'm going to have it always. Don't be fooled if I stop my breathing. Because I'll come back. Come back to this very room. Ain't nobody to touch my money or I'll come back. You hear that, Eldon?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes, I hear that.

[Elton Dominic]

Never touch the strong book.

[Theo Dominic]

Cause it's mine.

[Elton Dominic]

Money's all mine. I'll never let it go. I'll never let it go. I'll be here in this room with Garden and watching this

[Narrator/Announcer]

bill.

[Elton Dominic]

What's up?

[Theo Dominic]

Thou better come quick. Call again, Elton.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Sure, I'll call.

[Elton Dominic]

My box, Marie.

[Theo Dominic]

It's right beside you. The key.

[Elton Dominic]

The key. There's my box.

[Theo Dominic]

Here, Pa.

[Elton Dominic]

Lock it. Lock it tight.

[Theo Dominic]

It's locked. Lock tight. The key.

[Elton Dominic]

Put it in my hand. My hand. Here. It's so dark. Can't see.

[Theo Dominic]

You've got the key in your hand.

[Elton Dominic]

Never take it away.

[Theo Dominic]

Leave it.

[Elton Dominic]

Leave key in hand. I'll be back. Be back. It's mine, all mine.

[Theo Dominic]

Elton. Ain't no use to get Doc. He's dead paid.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I was looking for you, Theo. Where you been?

[Theo Dominic]

Down in the parlor.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Doing what?

[Theo Dominic]

Fixing paw off a little bit?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yep. You mean you've been touching a dead man in his cough?

[Theo Dominic]

Yes.

[Narrator/Announcer]

How could you do it, Pa, ain't it? You should stay away from him catching what he had.

[Theo Dominic]

What good now to stay away when I've been caring for it?

[Narrator/Announcer]

There ain't gonna be any funeral.

[Theo Dominic]

They're gonna put Pa's coffin in front of the big parlor window. Then the men are gonna cover their faces and come in and carry them to the hearse.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What you looking so white about?

[Theo Dominic]

Oh, being in there just now, why? Seem just like he sort of moved when I straightened his tie.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Stop search talk. He's dead in a doornail. Which reminds me. What'd you do with the strongbox?

[Theo Dominic]

Put it back right below.

[Narrator/Announcer]

And the key? Where is it?

[Theo Dominic]

I hid it.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Get it for me.

[Theo Dominic]

I can't. You heard what the judge from White Bluff said. Ain't nothing to be touched till the probate court has a list of everything.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Did you tell them about the strong back?

[Theo Dominic]

No.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Then they ain't gonna know nothing about it. Cause it's mine. See? I'm the oldest living relative in this family, and the money is mine.

[Theo Dominic]

No, Elton. There's expenses to be paid for the funeral.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Noah, get me the key.

[Theo Dominic]

No. Go my aunt.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I want the key, and I want it now.

[Theo Dominic]

You're hurting me.

[Elton Dominic]

Get me the key.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I'm gonna sit in Pa's room and count the money like he always did. I'm master of this house. Now.

[Elton Dominic]

Now, you get the key, or I'll really choke you. Let go.

[Theo Dominic]

All right, all right.

[Narrator/Announcer]

More like it. Go get it. Now, maybe if you're a real good sister, I'll give you something out of the box for your trouble.

[Theo Dominic]

I don't want none of it.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, I do. After the farmer's sold and I get all the money together, I'm getting away from here forever.

[Theo Dominic]

You can't sell the farm. I have no place to live. Besides, I got a share coming. We share and share alike.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, is that so? Well, we'll see, Sister Pious. You just act like a lady and we'll see. I'm the man of the house. Now, if you play the game, I might throw a little something your way. Now, you get me the key to the strong box. 500, 600, 800, 859. There's.

[Elton Dominic]

There's thousands here.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Who's at that door, Theo? I'm telling you. Get away from the door, Theo. My, oh, my, who's at that door?

[Elton Dominic]

It's him. Him standing in the door.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Mine. My money. You.

[Elton Dominic]

You can't walk. You can't. You're dead.

[Narrator/Announcer]

My money.

[Elton Dominic]

Leo. Theo, come here. Leo.

[Theo Dominic]

What do you want? Who is. Ah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

He was standing right there in the doorway.

[Elton Dominic]

I. I heard him speak.

[Theo Dominic]

Well, you can be here in this party. It's the fever that's coming.

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, no, it ain't no fever, I tell you.

[Theo Dominic]

I saw him.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Pa stood there in the doorway watching me count the money.

[Theo Dominic]

No, Elton, it's hard to.

[Elton Dominic]

There.

[Theo Dominic]

I'd have seen him too. Pa lies downstairs in his coffin. Pa's bed.

[Narrator/Announcer]

See you. I, Jenna. I saw him as plain as I see you.

[Theo Dominic]

Come on, Elton, you can get to your bed. You took down just like Pa was.

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, look, you. You said yourself this morning that Pa moved in his coffin.

[Theo Dominic]

I only thought it wasn't. Lots of kind things I did. Folks are alive when you look at them. Come on, Elton, get to your room. Let me cover you up good. You're trembling.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I. I gotta be sure he's dead and in his coffin he is, Nelson.

[Theo Dominic]

He is.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, you gotta go down to the Pilot with me and make sure.

[Theo Dominic]

You got to listen to me, Hudson. I'm afraid we're both choked, just like Pa. I can feel the chills too.

[Narrator/Announcer]

We gotta be sure. Gotta go down and look at him, Theo.

[Theo Dominic]

All right, we'll go down. We'll make sure he.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Is it true that old man Dominic really walks the house in search of money? Can it be that he's not really dying? What will the two discover when they go to the parlor and look at the date night for hermit Will before the night is done? When the children in the Alacole communities of West Virginia returned to their schools this fall, they resumed the study of history. We, too, like those children in West Virginia, should resume our study of history. How much of what we once knew have we forgotten? Have we forgotten the words of the famous Virginian Patrick Henry? I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. One of the things we can learn from the history of the past is that many men who have been entrusted with public power have abused it. Free men always try, therefore, to prevent their government officials from becoming tyrants. The people in the United States tried to prevent the officials of the federal government from engaging in tyrannical acts by writing into the Constitution of the United States. Definite limitations on the powers of the government itself. The people knew, for example, that in the past, when governmental power passed into the hands of a tyrant, he would spy upon the people, invade the privacy of their homes or offices, cry under their personal papers and effects, seize their property and imprison them without just cause. To guard against such tyrannical acts and to protect their personal freedom, the people in the United States provided in their constitution that the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated. And no warrant shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized. The men and women in the Republic of the United States and the dominion of Canada, where that good auger coal was sold, will retain the personal freedom they rightfully possess only so long as they are ready and willing to defend it against any influence which would curb or do away with. And now back to the hermit. It is a few minutes later. Elton and Theo creep down the stairs of the house slowly with fear. Elton is shaking not only from fear, but with a fever that grips him. And Theo's eyes are bright, the cheeks blind. He too, on the verge of the malady that has attacked them all. Now they have reached the foot of the stairs. They stand for a moment, hesitant, as they reach the ar door.

[Theo Dominic]

Listen.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Open the door.

[Theo Dominic]

You can see the door is closed. Just as I left. He didn't come through this door.

[Narrator/Announcer]

He opened the door to his bedroom, didn't he? Didn't I hear it and see him standing there? Come on.

[Theo Dominic]

Okay. The candles are coming, just like I left her. And he's lion.

[Narrator/Announcer]

There.

[Theo Dominic]

I can see from here.

[Narrator/Announcer]

We gotta make sure. Go on. Move closer.

[Theo Dominic]

I can sing some keys.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Got to make sure.

[Theo Dominic]

All right,

[Elton Dominic]

now look.

[Theo Dominic]

Look upon him. Look at him now. He's dead. He couldn't have moved.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, sure.

[Theo Dominic]

It's just a fever.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Move.

[Theo Dominic]

To think it's on.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Can't move from here. Can't come after the money.

[Theo Dominic]

No.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah. I'm going upstairs and get the strong box and take it away from here. I'm getting out tonight.

[Theo Dominic]

No, Alton. Not before Thursday, in the morning. You can't do that.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I'm getting out tonight. What's wrong? What is it?

[Theo Dominic]

Huh? I thought. I thought.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Stop trembling and tell me.

[Theo Dominic]

Look at him. Can you see?

[Narrator/Announcer]

What?

[Theo Dominic]

His hand. I thought it moved.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Stop it. You can't scare me now. I'm going after the Money.

[Theo Dominic]

It did move. It moved again. Just now when you said something about the money.

[Narrator/Announcer]

It happened. He ain't dead. He ain't dead at all. I told you I saw him in the room. After the money. I'm going after it, and I'm going to take it away where he'll never find it. I'm going to get it now.

[Theo Dominic]

Hilton, come back.

[Elton Dominic]

Tell me. Telling me you'll own the house with him. Oh,

[Theo Dominic]

they moved again. Dawn. Dawn. Move.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Talking.

[Elton Dominic]

Touched the candles, knocked him over. Elton, come back. Come back quick. He's knocked over the candles.

[Theo Dominic]

The curtain.

[Elton Dominic]

The curtains are over the fire. Elves, else. The horn is a fire. Elf, elf, elf. The house is on fire.

[Theo Dominic]

There.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Burned right down to the ground. Not a sticker of stone left. Never heard such a terrible thing. Man in his coffin burned to a crisp. Did he find the others? They found Elton in the house, where there was what there was left of him. Beside him there was an open, strong box. Folks say it must have been the box the old miser kept his money in. And the girl, Theo, did he find her?

[Elton Dominic]

Yep.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I found her this morning. But she wasn't in the house last. She must have run out the house when the fire started. She let it out over the moors. She's alive, then? No. I found her dead, too. Doc Watford said she must have caught what her PA had and exposure during the night. Killed her. Poor kid. She was the only one in the family good for anything. The old man was a miser slave drover all these years. And Elton, he was a worthless pup. Well, then the whole fortune went up in smoke one night. Nobody got the use of any of the old man's money. It just like it went to its grave with it. Yep. Like as not, he would be glad of it. I never knew anybody to have such a fever for money as he had. Poor kid, that little Theo. Mighty pretty, too. She never got anything out of life. Not a thing that she ever wished for. Reckons Doc Watford said the sound of lying would have Little Pine Mountain. Funny thing. She just sort of picked out a nice place to fall and die. Her head was right up against an old wild rose bush that was in full bloom. And her face was buried in the rose.

[Elton Dominic]

Sam.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes. The old man took his money to the grave with him. The fever for money that filled the soul of his son brought about his death. Only Theo had a wish before she died. To cross the moors in the moonlight while the wind made music. And have a wreath of roses twined in her hair.

[Elton Dominic]

Turn on your laps.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Turn them on. You have just listened to the 509th story by the Hermit made possible through the courtesy of the Carter Coal Company, producer of Olga Coal and your friend the Olga Dealer. This year, with the prices of many things rising, the brand of coal you buy is more important than ever. Coal isn't just coal. There are many different kinds and grades. Auger is one of the better grades and is one of the smokeless coals. It has a higher heat content than ordinary coal, more heat producing ingredients and fewer ingredients which produce smoke. Therefore, it pays you to ask for Olga by name. Olga responds readily to the thermostatic controls now on the market again, which can help keep your home at a more even temperature. And for coal stokers, Augustoker coal, especially sized and prepared because householders know there's no fuel quite like coal and no coal quite like August deliveries, are still a bit behind the unprecedented demand. That is why it will not only pay you to ask for Olga Coal by name, but to place your order well in advance with your friend the Olga Dealer. To locate him, look in the classified section of your telephone book under Olga, spelled O L G A. He'll appreciate your cooperation in giving him extra time to make delivery, having your bin all ready and being at home to accept delivery when it is made. If his delivery to you is delayed, it's because deliveries to him have been late. But remember, all good is worth waiting for, and so is the money that United States Savings Bonds or Canadian Savings Loans will bring you at maturity. That's why it will pay you to keep on buying and keeping them. And Hammond has more stories for you. Listen in again next week for My Hound Howling. I'll tell you the story without end. I'll be back with a dream. All characters, places and occurrences mentioned in the Hermit's Cave are fictitious and similarity to persons, places and occurrences is purely accidental. This is Ron Gamble speaking.

[Relic Radio Host]

That's our story for this week. Relicradio.com has thousands of other podcast episodes featuring old time radio in a variety of different genres, all available for free. Thanks to your support. Donate Relicradio. Com if you'd like to help us out. Thanks again to those who have and thank you for joining me this Saturday. I'll be back tomorrow with Strange Tales and next Saturday with our next episode of the Horror.