Columbia Workshop and Tales Of The Texas Rangers

Summary

The Relic Radio Show: "Columbia Workshop – Portrait of Jenny" & "Tales of the Texas Rangers – Sweet Revenge"

Date: December 10, 2025
Host: RelicRadio.com

---

Episode Overview

This episode of The Relic Radio Show features two classic radio dramas from the golden age of radio. The first, "Portrait of Jenny" (Columbia Workshop, 1942), is an adaptation of Robert Nathan's haunting novel about love, memory, and the supernatural. The second, "Sweet Revenge" (Tales of the Texas Rangers, 1951), delivers a gritty, fact-based crime investigation set in rural Texas. Both segments highlight the craftsmanship and distinct narrative styles of old time radio.

---

Segment 1: Columbia Workshop – "Portrait of Jenny"

(Aired September 14, 1942; Begins at 00:21)

Main Theme

"Portrait of Jenny" tells the mysterious and touching story of Eben Adams, a struggling artist in 1930s New York, whose chance encounter with an enigmatic young girl, Jenny Appleton, transforms his life—and his art. The story blends elements of fantasy, romance, and the supernatural as Adam becomes obsessed with capturing Jenny's timeless essence on canvas.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

• Introduction of Eben Adams

  • Eben is lonely, penniless, and discouraged (01:42), establishing the bleakness of his world prior to meeting Jenny.
  • His encounter with Jenny in the park is both mundane and otherworldly, as she appears out of place and time.

    "I carried a portfolio of drawings under my arm, and I walked slowly because I was tired. I was without money or friends, cold, without hope..." (01:42, Eben Adams)

• Jenny's Peculiar Timelessness

  • Jenny speaks of events and places (like Hammerstein Music Hall) long gone, and doesn't seem to understand the passage of time.

    "I wish you'd wait for me to grow up. But you won't, I guess." (03:44, Jenny)

  • Her rapid aging and shifting presence create an unsettling yet magical effect.

• Art, Inspiration, and Recognition

  • Eben’s luck changes when he sells a sketch of Jenny. The art dealer, Mr. Matthews, senses the "past" in her image and urges Eben to paint her portrait.

    “I can see the past in it. Yes, sir. I've seen that little girl before somewhere, and yet I couldn't tell you where.” (06:05, Mr. Matthews)

  • The motif of Jenny "not altogether belonging to today" becomes central, symbolizing the eternal feminine or muse.

    "The thing I like about them is the way you've managed to catch that look of not belonging. How was it you said? Not altogether belonging to today." (11:12, Ms. Spinny)

  • Eben finds new hope and purpose through his muse.

• Escalating Mystery & Loss

  • Oddities accumulate: Jenny ages rapidly; details about her parents suggest she may be from another era.
  • Tragedy strikes—Jenny’s parents die, confirming some of the mystery around her.

    "It's father and mother. They had an accident... They're dead." (15:16~15:22, Jenny)

• The Climactic Storm and Supernatural Love

  • Eben dreams of Jenny, and during a violent coastal storm, he sees her in a vision, echoing themes of fate and love transcending mortality.

    "I don't know how I got down the hill to her against the wind and water, but I did. She lay back against me, white and spent." (22:04, Eben)

  • Jenny is swept away, and a newspaper later reveals that she had, in fact, tragically died years earlier.

• Art Immortalizes Jenny

  • Eben’s portrait is praised as a masterpiece, forever capturing Jenny’s ethereal presence.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “There's something about the child that reminds me of something.” (06:05, Mr. Matthews)
• “I wish you'd wait for me to grow up. But you won't, I guess.” (03:44, Jenny)
• “There's only one love, darling. Whatever happened. Because we'll always be together somewhere.” (22:49, Jenny)
• The final revelation:

  “Miss Jenny Appleton was returning to America after a stay of eight years abroad. Was swept overboard by a wave...” (24:05+, newspaper clipping)

Key Timestamps

• 01:07 – Story opening letter from Eben Adams
• 03:39 – "It's a wishing game" – Jenny’s fateful wish
• 06:05 – Art dealer recognizes something eternal in Jenny
• 10:25 – Jenny is visibly older; reality bends
• 15:16 – Jenny reveals her parents are dead
• 19:16 – Eben completes the portrait
• 22:04–22:59 – Storm, vision, and Jenny’s disappearance
• 24:05 – Newspaper clipping confirms her fate

---

Segment 2: Tales of the Texas Rangers – "Sweet Revenge"

(Aired February 18, 1951; Begins at 25:35)

Main Theme

"Sweet Revenge" features Ranger Jace Pearson investigating the murder of Blake Wilkins on a Texas ranch. The case spirals through family secrets, jealousy, and false leads, highlighting both procedural crime-solving and classic western justice.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

• The Crime

  • Blake, having returned home after years away, is found murdered outside a line shack.
  • Immediate suspicion falls on Alva Briggs, whose daughter Callie had split with Blake, and on Blake's half-brother, Judd.

• Ranger Jace’s Methodical Investigation

  • Jace reconstructs the scene, noting bullet trajectories, horse tracks, and the muddy terrain.

    "Bullet came out the back of the head higher up. That means it was traveling in an upward angle." (32:38, Narrator & Jace)

  • Alibis and motives are scrutinized:
    • Judd claims to have been with ranch hand Tom Billings during the time of death.
    • Alva is combative but denies involvement.

• Family Feud and Inheritance Motive

  • Discovery of a will: If Blake returns during probate, he inherits the ranch; if not, Judd does.
  • Jace and Sheriff Hedges suspect Judd, especially given sibling rivalry and jealousy.

    "There's our motive, all right." (45:40, Sheriff Hedges)

  • An apparent airtight alibi for Judd disrupts the theory—Tom Billings was with him during the murder window.

• The Ingenious Twist

  • Jace notices a dry sugar bowl beneath a bullet hole in the shack, despite a rainstorm earlier—the hole had been made after the rain, suggesting the murder was staged to look as if it occurred at the shack.

    “But the sugar is dry and there aren't any water stains on the shelf either.” (48:42, Jace)

  • Revelation: Judd killed Blake in the house, staged the body outside after his alibi was established, and tried to trick investigators by firing a bullet through the shack after the rain ended.

• Dramatic Arrest

  • Jace and the sheriff corner Judd after a gunfight and use tear gas to flush him out.

    "You got tripped up by a little bowl of sugar. Sugar?" (52:25, Jace & Judd)

  • Judd confesses, and justice is served.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You got tripped up by a little bowl of sugar. Sugar?” (52:25, Jace & Judd)
• “All the motive in the world doesn't do us any good when the facts are against us.” (46:18, Jace)
• “Judd must have shot Blake around 9 o'clock. Then called Billings over to the house right afterward as a cover.” (50:08, Jace)

Key Timestamps

• 31:19 – Body discovered, start of investigation
• 32:43–34:00 – Crime scene analysis, first reconstruction
• 36:33–39:30 – Judd's alibi established, Billings questioned
• 41:48 – Alva Briggs picked up in Dallas, interrogated
• 44:13–45:33 – Family will and inheritance motive revealed
• 48:13–48:51 – Sugar bowl clue leads to breakthrough
• 49:18–50:21 – Discovery of real murder scene, reenactment of how Judd framed the scene
• 52:10–52:25 – Tear gas and Judd’s arrest

---

Memorable Moments & Tone

• The tone of "Portrait of Jenny" is wistful, mysterious, and romantic, with a poetic sense of fate and longing.
• "Sweet Revenge" is gritty and methodical, showcasing classic radio procedural—with a clever twist rooted in practical detail (the sugar bowl).

---

Notable Cast and Production Highlights

• Portrait of Jenny: Santa Sotega (Eben), Betty Filson, Mary Frances Heflin, Ruth York (Jenny), plus supporting cast. Adapted by George D. Griffin; music by Lehman Engel, directed by Earl McGill.
• Sweet Revenge: Joel McCray (Ranger Jace Pearson). Cast includes Tony Barrett, Lamont Johnson, and others. Adapted by Bob Rife, produced by Stacy Keach.

---

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Relic Radio Show features two richly produced dramas, each reflecting the storytelling strengths of their era. "Portrait of Jenny" blends romance and the supernatural for a deeply emotional story about love enduring beyond time. "Sweet Revenge" epitomizes the classic American radio detective tale—full of sharp observations, suspenseful unraveling, and surprising resolution thanks to a sharp-eyed Texas Ranger.

Whether your taste runs to poetic ghost stories or hard-boiled crime, this episode has something to offer from radio’s past that still “stands the test of time.”

---

For more golden-age audio drama, visit relicradio.com.

Transcript

[Narrator/Host]

This is the Relic Radio Show, Old Time Radio entertainment still standing the test of time from relicradio.com.

On this week's episode of the Relic Radio show, we'll begin with the Columbia Workshop and hear their story from September 14, 1942, titled Portrait of Jenny. After that, it's Tales of the Texas Rangers and Sweet Revenge. That story aired February 18, 1951. Good afternoon. As the first Columbia Workshop broadcast at this new Sunday hour, CBS brings you Portrait of Jenny by the American novelist Robert Nathan. It is adapted by George D. Griffin of the University of Wichita. The Columbia Workshop production of Portrait of Jenny.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

November 15, 1942. My dear Judy, your letter arrived this morning, and I'm glad to know that you like the locket I sent you. The locket originally belonged to a little girl who sat for me several years ago, and since you ask about her, I think I shall write you something of a story. It is a bit unusual in some ways, because she was not an ordinary little girl. You will see.

It all began when I was poor, my work unknown. One evening in the winter of 1938, I was walking home through the park. I carried a portfolio of drawings under my arm, and I walked slowly because I was tired. I was without money or friends, cold, without hope, not knowing where to turn. The park was quiet and empty except for a single little girl who was busily occupied playing hopscotch in the middle of the mall. I stopped to watch her for a moment. Suddenly it dawned on me that it was rather late for someone her age to be playing in the park. The lights were already on. I looked around for a nurse, but the benches were empty. It's getting pretty dark. Oughtn't you to go home?

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

Oh, is it late? I don't know time very well. Anyway, I don't have to go home yet. Nobody's ready for me.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Are you all alone? Isn't anybody with you?

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

No. Who would there be? Anyway, you're with me.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

And for some reason that seemed to her quite enough. In a minute, she wanted to know what I had in the portfolio. When I told her, she nodded her head in a satisfied way.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

I knew they were pictures.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

How did you know?

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

I just knew.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

She must have known what I was thinking, for as we passed the fifth bench, she told me her name without my asking.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

It's Jenny. Just so's you'll know.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Jenny. Jenny what?

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

Jenny Appleton. I go to school, but only in the mornings. I'm too little to go all day yet. My lessons are mostly two, and two is four, and things like that when I'm bigger, I'm going to learn geography and history and all about the Kaiser. He's the king of Germany.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Well, he was, but that was long ago.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

I think you're wrong.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

And she walked a little away from me, smiling to herself about something.

We had come to the great circle at the end of the moor. My path led away to the left and out the west gate.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

Before you go, do you know the game I like to play best?

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

No, what is it?

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

It's a wishing game.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

And what do you wish for most, Jenny?

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

I wish you'd wait for me to grow up. But you won't, I guess.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

No, I'm afraid I won't, Jenny. I'll keep right on growing, too.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

I was afraid of that. And it's such fun having somebody to play with. Do you have anyone to play with?

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

No. No, I don't, Jenny. But I should think that you'd have fun with lots of little boys and girls. Then you have a father and a mother, haven't you?

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

Yes, I have. But they're not home very much on account of being in the profession they do juggling on a rope down at the Hammerstein Music Hall. Well, goodbye.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Goodbye, Jenny.

Something had begun to worry me. Wait a minute. Something wrong here. And then I remembered. Of course that was it. The Hammerstein Music hall had been torn down years ago, when I was a little boy.

It was late in the afternoon of the fourth day after my first meeting with Jenny. Trying to sell my drawings, I found myself in a Matthews Art Gallery in one of the side streets off 6th Avenue. Mr. Matthews smiled at me uncertainly. We buy very little. Almost nothing. The times being what they are. My assistant, Ms. Spinney, usually handles all our purchasing arrangements. She isn't here just now.

However. Let me see what you have. Even to be allowed to show my work to Mr. Matthews was something.

Those are some studies from down on Cape Cod. That one is the Fisheries at North Truro. That's the church at Nashby. Landscapes. Here are one or two sketches of the city. There's the bridge. What bridge? The new one. I was afraid of it. And here's a view from the park looking south. Better. All of a sudden, his eyes lighted up. He reached out for the portfolio. Here. What's that? I looked myself with curiosity at the drawing he had in his hand. Oh, that's not anything. That's only a sketch. It's just little girl I met in the park. Ah, but this is different. It's good. It's very good.

Do you know why I like it. I can see the past in it. Yes, sir. I've seen that little girl before somewhere, and yet I couldn't tell you where. Yeah? Yes. There's something about the child that reminds me of something.

I'll buy it. If Mr. Matthews paid me what it was worth, I should hardly have had enough for one decent meal. I'm sure now, as I look back on it, that he was thinking so, too. And now, young man, what is your name? Adam, sir. Eben Adams. Well, Mr. Adams, I. I tell you what I'll do. I'll take the girl in that park scene and give you $25 for the pair. My hands were trembling in good earnest.

[Narrator/Host]

Now.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

$25. That was a lot of money to me then. But I didn't want to seem too eager.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

You are.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

All right, It's a deal. $25. Thank you, sir. I don't know how to tell you. Oh, don't thank me. Who knows? In the end, I may have to thank you. The trouble is, nobody paints our times. Nobody paints the age we live in. We'll never find out what the age is like by peering in a landscape. The whole world is full of landscapes, Mr. Adams. They come in every day by the dozen. Do me a portrait of the little girl in the park, and I'll buy it. Do me a great portrait, and I'll make you famous, Mr. Adams. And clapping me timidly on the shoulder, he ushered me out into the cold winter air.

So that night I had supper at Moore's Alhambra on Amsterdam Avenue. For all my glory, that was the best I could do for myself.

As I came in, Gus Meyer, who owned the taxicab that stood at the corner of our street, waved to me from a table. Hi, Mac. Bark yourself. He called everyone back. I sat down beside him.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Bro.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Gus. How's cab business? Could be worse. Could be better. How's the Starvinatus making up? I'm doing all right tonight. I just sold two pictures to an art gallery. You mean you got money? Well, you certainly had it coming to you. Don't lose it now. Put it in a bank like you read about in the advertisements. Well, someday I want to try that, Gus, but this has to go to my landlady. Yeah, honest don't make much. It's the same as me. You don't get a chance to lay nothing aside. You gentlemen find everything satisfactory? Hello, Mr. Moore. Yes, everything is fine, thank you. Have a nice little place here. And we try to have everybody satisfied, but we don't feel half Our tables. It's a lunch business mostly. You ought to brighten up the place a little. You take my cab. I give the old bus a going over once a week. Make it shine. That attracts the customers. They like things to look good. Sure.

[Narrator/Host]

Only I can't afford it.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Back here's an artist. Why don't you get him to paint you something? Well, that's an idea. Of course, I couldn't pay much. All right. But you can feed him, can't you? Yes, I can feed him. Well, even there's your meal ticket. Good idea as far as I'm concerned.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

Maybe you could paint me a little.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Something over the bar. Something tasty, like you'd enjoy standing and looking at. I understand. All right, go ahead then. It was not a very businesslike arrangement, but we shook hands on it. El Mac, you're in the money now. I went home thinking what a good world it was that night. I gave Mrs. Jigs the money for three weeks rent.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

What's the matter?

[Narrator/Host]

You've been robbing a bank?

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

No, Mrs. Jakes. I'm doing some murals.

It was on a Sunday morning that I saw Jenny again. There had been two or three weeks of clear, cold weather. The big lake in the park at 72nd street was frozen, good for skating. I found Jenny near the bridge between the two ponds. She was doing a figure eight and none too well. But she seemed taller to me than I had remembered her. Older, too. We started off together, arm in arm.

How's school, young lady?

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

Oh, it's all right. I'm having French. French?

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Last time I talked with you, you were just doing your sums.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

Yes, I guess I was. Now I can do them in French. And I can say colors, too.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

It was disconcerting to have a grow so rapidly. Almost so fast that you could see her. And I was glad that I wasn't the only one who noticed the sudden growth. I made some sketches of Jenny in a skating costume. And A day or two later I took them over to Mr. Matthews and Ms. Spinning. Well, this girl looks older to me than the first one. But I rather like it better on the whole. She was perhaps a little young before.

[Narrator/Host]

Yes.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

They aren't bad, are they?

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

Spinning, that's all you can say that they aren't bad.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

The thing I like about them is the way you've managed to catch that look of not belonging. How was it you said? Not altogether belonging to today.

There ought to be something timeless about a woman. Not about a man, though. We've always been more present minded.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

You can have the Present. And you know what you can do with it.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

I don't know what the matter is with women today. In my opinion, they lack some quality which they used to have. Some quality of timelessness which made them seem to belong to all ages at once. Something eternal. You can see it in all the great paintings from Leonardo to Sargent.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

By the way, Henry, have you seen Tasker's new portrait of Mrs. Potterly?

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Yes. Yes, I understand he received $3,000 for it. $3,000?

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

Now, now, Adams, control yourself. You'll be getting that, too, someday.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

All right. In that case, what do I get from my sketches now? Spinny, you talk too much.

They gave me $50.

It doesn't seem important now, but it did. Then as I went over to Fifth Avenue, I thought to myself I didn't even know where Jenny lived or how to find her. And the light went out of everything.

One morning. I could no longer stand the suspense of not knowing where Jenny was. And I sought out Gus at his cab stand on the corner.

So what you want is that I should find a girl whose name is Jenny. You don't know where she lives nor nothing about her. You've got what I'd call a good start. Her parents are juggler's guess on a tightrope. Well, that makes it easier. Are they on the Vorteville Psychic? I don't know. Their name is Appleton. Appleton? Appleton. Say, there used to be a knack by that name down at the old Hammerstein. That's it. That's where they were. Well, and, Mac, they'd be in the old folks home by now. This must be some other people. You sure you seen this girl? Yes. Yes, I made some sketches of her that don't signify. I was thinking maybe you made her up. No, Gus, I didn't make her up. Well, I'll take a look around if you want, and ask some people I know. See you tonight at the Alhambra.

Gus wasn't at the restaurant when I got there, so I ate by myself. Then I put up my step ladder and went to work. He came in after I'd been working about an hour. Sat down at a table where he could watch me. I looked down at him anxiously. No luck, Mac. I'm sorry. Didn't you find out anything at all? Only that there were some Appletons did a tight wire act, like I thought back in 1914.

They had a sort of accident. It seems the wire broke on Em one day back in 1922.

We stared at each other for a moment. Then I climbed down from the ladder, put my things away for the night and started for home.

As I went into the hall, Mrs. Jeekes came out of her parlour.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

Well, there you are. You have a visitor. A young lady. Fine doings, I must say. She's waiting for you upstairs. And I wash my hands of all of it.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

My heart beat fast. I knew it even before I opened my door. Some inner sense told me it was Jenny. I felt almost weak with happiness.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

I thought maybe you wanted me to come. Even she looked pale, I thought.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

And it was then that I noticed she was dressed all in black, as if in some kind of mourning. She looked at me in a pitiable way.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

It's father and mother. They had an accident.

They're dead.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

I know. I. I read about it in the paper. Oh, I'm sorry, Jenny.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

They were so good to me. Especially when I didn't used to see them very much. But the way they died.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

I wanted to comfort her. But I thought it would be better if I let her cry herself out. Turning my back, I walked over to the window, stared at the sky. After a while, I could hear her sit up and blow her nose.

Look, Jenny, you don't want to pose, do you? I mean, after this.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

I wanted to come. I wanted to see you, even just to be here.

I might as well pose. I don't look pretty, though.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

I thought that if anything, she looked prettier.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

You're all I have now, except for my aunt. Only I don't know her very well. She's going to take care of me from now on.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Well, that's all right then, isn't it?

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

You do want me to come, don't you? To pose, I mean.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

I couldn't speak, but she must have seen in my face the answer to her doubts. She smiled.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

I'll come as often as I can, Jenny. Yes, even Jenny.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Where does your aunt live?

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

What does it matter where I live? You can't come to me. I can only come to you for a moment.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

We looked at each other across a gulf of more than air. After a while, she got up and put on a hat and coat.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

Goodbye, Ethan. I'll come back as soon as I can. I'll hurry. Truly.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

She looked up at me with eyes wide and dark and earnest.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

I didn't want you to know.

Try to wait for me.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Jenny returned a fortnight later. She bounded into the room.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

Oh, even.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

What fun. For a moment, I was thoroughly taken aback. There was nothing to remind me of the last time I had seen her. In fact, there was nothing of the child about her at all.

She seemed to stand almost within the shadow of vigorous young womanhood. I knew I must finish my portrait quickly, before it was too late. You've grown, Jenny. Those clothes.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

I know. Aren't they awful? They make us wear them at St. Mary's Convent, where I've been.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

It was a very different sitting from the one before, and harder, too. She was restless and in high spirits.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

Eben, the girls keep asking me about you, But I won't tell them anything except that you're very handsome.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Jenny, don't be silly.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

And that you're a great artist. And that you nearly starved to death. Oh, they loved that part of it. They thought it was very romantic. Great heavens, they did. And they think it's romantic, my coming to see you like this, too.

Even.

I didn't really say you were handsome.

I have a funny mind. I guess you have a funny mind, too.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Perhaps I have. Perhaps I have. Just turn your head a little more to the right.

There. I think I've got it. I went down the hall to wash my hands. When I got back, Jenny was gone. She had left a note for me on the bed. Said, even, dear, I'll be back again someday, but not soon. In the spring, I think. Jenny by me. I had no money left at all, so I took the portrait down to Mr. Matthews and Ms. Benny. Gus went along with me to see that I wasn't cheated. They didn't say anything for a while. Finally spinning, took a deep breath.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

Well, Adams, that's it, all right.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Yes, that's it. That's what I meant. It's.

You've given me a great surprise. I'm powerfully moved. This picture. Well, I don't like to use the word masterpiece, but just to say, get.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

On with it, Henry.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Well, the point is, I don't want to buy it. But not for the reason you think. The reason is that I honestly don't know what it's worth. If the museum were to take it.

[Narrator/Host]

Yes?

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Might bring you more than a thousand dollars. Gee, Mack, you've hit the jackpot. What I want to do, what we should do is to take it on consignment, Then do the very best we can for it. And as an advance, I. I can let you have $200.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

Henry.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Well, 300. For Pete's sake. Take it, Ma.

I moved out of Mrs. Jake's house after that and decided to join an old acquaintance on a Taylor down on the Cape. Late in September, hurricane was reported in the Caribbean. The Tuesday's report was that it had turned east and would lose itself at sea. So we figured we had a few days good sailing weather left and started on a trip up the coast. We camped that night on an island and built a fire at the sands edge. That night, for the first time in my life, I dreamed of Jenny. I woke with a sense of alarm, the feeling that something was wrong. The wind was still blowing warm and steadily southwest, but I thought a little stronger. The cloud seemed to be traveling fast. I leaned over and took Arnie. Get up on it. We've got to get home. What's the matter? There's a storm coming. We put the sail up and headed north for Truro. I had to put my weight on the tiller to hold her steady.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

You think the sail will hold?

[Narrator/Host]

Well, unless the full storm catches us.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

She's yawing a good deal.

[Narrator/Host]

We gotta watch out for the mainsail. She's had to go any minute. I gotta watch for the river mouth. We can't have much further to go.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Honey.

[Narrator/Host]

There it is. There's the river. Where?

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

About a hundred yards to the left.

Well, we finally hit the channel and the breakers threw us out on the sand a hundred yards from where the bay should have been. We got the anchor out, but I knew it wouldn't hold. There wasn't much we could do. We climbed up to the road and turned back to watch the tide. We were pretty high above the water and I didn't think even the ocean would reach that far. At any rate, we didn't have long to wait. In about 10 minutes we saw the wave coming down the valley toward us from the sea. A moment later I saw Jenny. She was below me near the town landing, trying to get up the slope from the river. Another wave was coming down the valley from the east. I don't know how I got down the hill to her against the wind and water, but I did. She lay back against me, white and spent.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

I was afraid I wouldn't get here. Darling.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Oh, Jenny. Here, put your arm around my neck.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

I had to get back to you, Eben.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

We've got to hurry, Jenny.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

You go on, Eben. I don't seem to have much strength left. I can't make any further. I've come so far.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Oh, darling. Here, let me take you up in my arms.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

No, Eben. We'll never make it.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Jenny, for God's sake, let me look at you.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

Oh, it's been such a long time.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Look, Jenny, if I could lift you. Jenny, please hold me close. Even we're together now and Then I saw it coming. It came from the bay. A great brown wave sweeping back up the valley toward the sea. There was no escape from it. We could never have climbed above it. Bending over, I kissed her full on my lips. Yes, Jenny. We're together now.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

Stephen. Don't look at it. Look at me. There's only one love, darling. Whatever happened. Because we'll always be together somewhere.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Jenny. Jenny.

I felt her whirled out of my arms. Then something crashed into me. That was all I knew.

I came back to the city on a bright autumn day. Mr. Matthews was waiting for me.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

We were worried about you.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Even Miss Spinny and I, we couldn't get any news for a long while.

I'm glad to see you again. Miss Spinny didn't say anything. She looked at me as though she'd been crying. It was Gus who gave me a little clipping from the newspaper. I thought maybe you hadn't seen it, Mac. It's from the times of September 22nd. It read. The steamship Bethania reported by wireless today the loss of one of its passengers in the storm a hundred miles off the Nantucket light ship.

Miss Jenny Appleton was returning to America after a stay of eight years abroad. Was swept overboard by a wave which smashed a part of the bridge and injured several of the passengers. Officials of the line are endeavoring to discover the whereabouts of Ms. Appleton's relatives in this country.

[Narrator/Host]

You've just heard the Columbia Workshop production of Portrait of Jenny, an adaptation for radio by George D. Griffin of the book of the same name by the distinguished American novelist Robert Nathan. Santa Sotega played Eben. Betty Filson, Mary Frances Heflin and Ruth York were heard as Jenny. Others in the cast included Ed Jerome, Mildred Natwick, Eddie Nugent, William Hansen, Charme Allen and Chester Stratton.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

The special musical score was written and.

[Narrator/Host]

Conducted by Lehman Engel. Earl McGill directed.

This is the Columbia Broadcasting System.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Broadcasting company presents Joe McCray in Tales.

[Narrator/Host]

Of the Texas Rangers.

Tonight, transcribe from Hollywood, another authentic reenactment.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Of a case from the files of the Texas Rangers.

Tales of the Texas Rangers, starring Joel.

[Narrator/Host]

McCray as Ranger Jace Pearson.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Texas. More than 260,000 square miles and 50.

[Narrator/Host]

Men who make up the most famous and oldest law enforcement body in North America.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Now, from the files of the Texas Rangers come these stories based on fact only. Names, dates and places are fictitious for obvious reasons.

[Narrator/Host]

The events themselves are a matter of record.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Case for tonight. Sweet Revenge.

[Narrator/Host]

It is 6:30pm March 13, 1944, at the ranch house of Jud Wilkins. It is Raining heavily as Judd and Alva Briggs from a neighboring ranch finish their dinner.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Host]

Rain sure coming down, John. Yep. You're welcome to stay the night here if you want to, Elvin. Oh, no, no. No, thanks. I gotta get back to my own place tonight. Told the kid who's been doing my.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Chores over there for the last three.

[Narrator/Host]

Days I'd meet him in the morning to pay him. I sure appreciate you helping me and Billings vaccinate the cattle. I'm planning on doing the same for you at your place in. You ready? I'll be ready in a couple of days, I reckon. Wind must have blown open the do. Hello, Judd. Blake.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Host]

Hello, Alva.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Well, you don't seem none too happy.

[Narrator/Host]

To see me either, Judd. Why, no. It's just. That's a big surprise you're popping up this way after two years, Boy, of course I'm glad to see you. You're my brother, ain't you?

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Oh, yeah. Alva.

[Narrator/Host]

Where's Callie?

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

What?

[Narrator/Host]

You heard me, blink. Where's my daughter? Didn't you hear? Hear what?

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Callie and me, we split up.

[Narrator/Host]

Alva. Split up? Yeah, in Dallas.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

I thought you knew.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

You get her to run away with.

[Narrator/Host]

You, and then when you're through with her, you toss it to one side.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Albert.

[Narrator/Host]

No, that ain't true.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

That ain't the way of it.

[Narrator/Host]

Alva. Let go of it. Cut it out, Alva. Cut it out. Take your hands off. Blake, Stop me now.

Break, will, kids, if you wasn't your punch boy.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Al, you got to listen to me.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Just.

[Narrator/Host]

Just stay away from me from now on, Blake. Stay away.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

You're.

Judd? Yeah. How come Alva didn't know about Callie and me?

[Narrator/Host]

Well, you see, Blake, I can understand Callie not wanting to write Alva about.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Her, but I wrote here to Pa right after we split up. I told him the whole story in that letter. Callie was just using me to get away from home. She left me soon as she found somebody else that could do her more good. I told all that in my letter to Pa. He and Alva was friends and neighbors.

[Narrator/Host]

Now. How come Alva didn't know Paul died last month? Blake.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Yeah, I know.

[Narrator/Host]

That's why I come home, Judd.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

I ran into a fella in Lubbock the other day that told me.

[Narrator/Host]

But Pa wasn't dead.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

When I wrote that letter, I told him I was sorry about everything. That I wanted to come back home if he wanted me to.

[Narrator/Host]

But I never heard from him.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Judd. Why not?

[Narrator/Host]

Blake, you're making me say something I don't want to say, even though you and I are only half brothers, I've always felt towards you like that.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

What are you getting at, Judd?

[Narrator/Host]

Well, hearing about you and Callie spitting up just now makes me feel pretty bad. It was part my fault because you.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Encouraged me to run away with her. Yeah.

[Narrator/Host]

You come to me asking advice. I told you on the qt. I figured you had a right to your own life. But I sure didn't know it was gonna turn Pa against you like you did turn him against me.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Judd, I wanna know what happened to.

[Narrator/Host]

That letter that I wrote Pa. All right, Blake. Pa wouldn't even open your letter. He just threw it away. He what? Said he never wanted to see you or hear from me again.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Well, Judd, that just doesn't sound like Pa. He just wouldn't say a thing like that about me.

[Narrator/Host]

I know, boy. It's hard to believe you and he always used to be so close. Of course, he was his own son. I wasn't. So it was natural for things to be.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Judd, are you sure that Pa got my letter?

[Narrator/Host]

Why, of course. I just told you, Blake.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

All right, all right. What did Pa saying? Is Will well, now?

[Narrator/Host]

Everything's taken care of, Blake.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

I want to know how it's taken care of.

[Narrator/Host]

Judd, Will's in town and go in soon as we can. I'll show it to you. You got a pleasant surprise coming, kid. You know, it's just gonna be good having you home. You come at a good time, too. We need another hand here. And I'm not sure Alva will ever be back to help after tonight. But having you back again. Everything's gonna be fine from now on.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

I'm not so sure.

[Narrator/Host]

What do you mean, Alva?

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

The way he feels about me. I don't like things like that.

[Narrator/Host]

Oh, well, don't you worry about Alvin. On, Blake. He get over it.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

You know, I think I'll take a horse and ride across to Elvis place.

[Narrator/Host]

Denied?

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Yeah. See if I can get things straightened out with him afterwards. I could stay on the shack the rest of the night. It's about halfway that way.

[Narrator/Host]

I'd be out there to lend you a hand in the morning. The bed and food out the shack? Yeah. Yeah, plenty of it. Okay, Blake, if you want to go. But if Albert don't listen to reason. Don't you argue with him. And don't be afraid of him. He won't harm you as long as I'm alive and kicking. Yes, sir. Blake, I'll take care of you from now on.

The next morning, Tom Billings or ranch Hand rode out to the isolated shack on the Wilkins ranch. He discovered the dead body of Blake Wilkins lying in front of the open doorway. Sheriff Hedges was immediately notified and requested help from the Texas Rangers. Ranger Jace Pearson was assigned to the case.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Morning, Chase.

[Narrator/Host]

Howdy, Sheriff. Whoa, whoa. Charcoal.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Any trouble getting out here?

[Narrator/Host]

No. Pretty heavy going, though. Must have been some rain last night.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Good thing you didn't try to come out in your car. You'd have been hubbed deep in mud. Halfway.

[Narrator/Host]

Yeah, that's what I figured.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

I've already talked to the half brother, Judd, back at the ranch house. He's pretty broken up, but I figured you'd want to look at the scene of the shooting before you did any questioning.

[Narrator/Host]

Yeah. You find anything, Sheriff?

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Yeah, a couple of things. He left the body right where it was, though. Medical examiner's on his way out.

[Narrator/Host]

Whose horse is that in the corral?

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

I figure it's the one Blake Wilkins rode out here last night. Followed the tracks out here. Just one set of them.

[Narrator/Host]

Any footprints around?

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

No, couldn't see any. A lot of gravel, rocks around.

[Narrator/Host]

Yeah. Okay, let's take a look at the body.

Lying in front of the open door.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Bullet ended over the right eye. Rain must have wore some of the blood away.

[Narrator/Host]

Bullet came out the back of the head higher up. That means it was traveling in an upward angle.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Yeah, that's right. Jace went clear through him and then carried through the shack. Come on inside. I'll show you. You got the bullet? Here in my pocket. We found it out back. Here it is, what's left of it.

[Narrator/Host]

Smashed up. I'm afraid it won't help us any.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

You take a look at the roof, Jace? Back wall, over that shelf of provisions.

[Narrator/Host]

Yeah. It's a bullet hole, all right. Let's go back outside. I'd say Blake was just about your height, Sheriff.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Looks like.

[Narrator/Host]

I want you to stand here beside the body and hold your hand out of the level your forehead.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

My forehead?

[Narrator/Host]

Yeah. That'll represent the approximate height of the bullet when it hit Blake. There. That's it.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

What are you packing up for, Chase?

[Narrator/Host]

I'm sight along your hand on the bullet hole in the roof.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

I get it. You're trying to figure out where that shot was fired from.

[Narrator/Host]

Yeah, and it's leading me straight to this old watering trough. Okay, Sheriff, you can take your hand down.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

You figure the killer was hiding behind the watering trough when he shot Blake?

[Narrator/Host]

Behind it or in it? Bottom of the trough split. It doesn't hold any water.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Don't see any footprints around.

[Narrator/Host]

Whoever it Was could have walked on this gravel and rocks over to that gully there. And there's water in the bottom of the gully.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Well, however he did it, he sure covered his tracks. Guess Blake must have heard a noise outside the shack, come outside and got shot.

[Narrator/Host]

Yeah, but I'm wondering what Blake was doing out here at this shack in the first place.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Search me. Didn't even know Blake had come home till I got the report of the shooting this morning. About two years ago, he and Callie Briggs from the next ranch over ran off to get married. According to Judd, Blake returned home just.

[Narrator/Host]

Last night and made a beeline out to this shack in the rain.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Does seem a little peculiar.

[Narrator/Host]

Come on, let's ride back to the ranch house and see if Blake's half brother can throw any light on the matter.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

No doubt about it, Jace. That horse at the shack is the one Blake rode out there last night. Backtracked the hoof marks all the way here to the ranch house.

[Narrator/Host]

Yeah, just one set of prints, all right.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

We thought it was heavy going for our horses this morning. Must have been a lot worse last night from the way those hoof marks of Blake sank down in the mud.

[Narrator/Host]

Yeah, I noticed then. Is that the half brother on the back porch?

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Yeah, that's Judd Wilkins.

[Narrator/Host]

Oh, boy.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Judd.

This is Ranger Pearson, Judd. He's in charge of the investigation of your brother's murder.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Huh.

[Narrator/Host]

Well, got any line on the killer so far, Ranger? Not much yet. As I understand it, Judd, your brother's been away from home about two years. That's right. When do you get back? Walked in last night at suppertime. About 6:30, I guess. Alva Briggs can verify the time for you. He's having supper with me. Any reason the time of Blake's return home should need verifying, Judd? Hmm? No, no, I just. I just figure you want all effects straight render. Yeah. What happened when Blake walked in? Well, right after Blake walked in, Alva walked out. Oh. Why? When Blake told us he and Callie had split up, seems Alva didn't know anything about it. Neither did I, as a matter of fact. But Alva being Callie's paw, took it pretty hard. Seemed to hold it against Blake. Guess he thought it was all Blake's fault. Matter of fact, I had to pull him away from Blake's throat. I see. Of course, the way Blake explained it to me later wasn't his fault at all. But Alva didn't wait for any explanation. How'd you feel about Blake coming home, Judd? Well, I reckon the way any brother would Feel I told him I was glad he's back. It'd be good to have him help me with the ranch. Judd, there's one thing that's bothering me. Maybe you can throw a little light on it. Yeah, what is it, Ranger? How come your brother went out to that line shack the first night he got home? I decided to ride over to Alva's and try to straighten things out with him. He said he'd stay at the shack the rest of the night so he could give us a hand of the rest of the vaccinations first thing in the morning. So off he rode. I see. What time was that? Around 7:30, I guess. What did you do after that? Me? Yeah.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

I see.

[Narrator/Host]

Now, around 9, I sent for my. My ranch hand, Tom Billings. Told him about Blake being back and also had him help me check some tally sheets. I'd say that was about 10:30.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

When we got through, Tom went on back to the bunk house.

[Narrator/Host]

That's right, sir. And you? I turned in. You didn't leave the ranch house?

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Me?

[Narrator/Host]

No. Are you sure about that? Of course I'm sure. What are you getting at, Ranger? I'm just trying to get at the truth, Wilkin. Now wait a minute. You think that maybe I killed Blake? I'm not thinking anything right now. I'm just asking questions. I don't like the kind of questions you're asking. Think I'd kill my own brother in cold blood?

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Take it easy, Judd.

[Narrator/Host]

Look, Ranger, you know who discovered Blake's body? Tom Villains. My own ranch hand. You know how he happened to ride out there this morning? Cuz I told him to. I wanted to meet Blake and start to work. Now, would I kill Blake then go out of my way to make sure his body be discovered? Be pretty stupid, wouldn't it? Well, Judd, I'll go along with you. Far enough to say a stupid man wouldn't have done that. Nah, I didn't kill Blake. Then you got nothing to worry about.

Yeah, I know. Sorry I lost my temper. Range. It's just a thing like this hit you pretty hard. Yeah, sure. Where can I find this ranch hand of yours? Tom Billings? He's waiting for you down at the bunk house.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

I told him to stick around in case you wanted to question him.

[Narrator/Host]

Juice. Good. Let's have a talk with him, Sheriff. Whoever that skunk is, Ranger, I sure hope you get him. Thanks.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

What do you think, Juice?

[Narrator/Host]

About Judd Wilkins? Yeah. I don't know, Sheriff. Tells a pretty straightforward story. But listening to it, I somehow got the idea it was A little too straightforward. Almost like he might have been rehearsing it.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Yeah, sounded like that to me too.

[Narrator/Host]

Well, we'll check up on as much of his story as we can from Tom Billings.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Here's a bunch house.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

Come on in.

[Narrator/Host]

Tom Billings? That's right, Ranger. I've been waiting for you. Impetus.

Much of a seamstress, though. I don't know. Seems to me I've seen worse looking patches than that. Billings, you're the one who discovered Blake Wilkins body this morning, aren't you? Yeah. I almost lost my breakfast. Pretty bad sight. Who told you to ride out that way? Judd. He wanted me to meet Blake and get started with the vaccinations again.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Check so far.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Jason? Yeah.

[Narrator/Host]

How about last night, Billings? Judd says he called you up to the ranch house. Yeah, he did. Wanted to tell me about Blake being back and have me help him check some tally sheets. What time did you go up? Right around 9:00'.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Clock.

[Narrator/Host]

And what time did you come back here? About a quarter till 11. Rain had just stopped. I come back here to the bunk house and turned in. And then this morning you rode out to the line shack. That's right, Ranger. Okay, I guess that'll be all, Billings. Come on, Sheriff.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Well, one thing sure. Jase Judd's time last night is accounted for from 9 till about quarter to 11.

[Narrator/Host]

Yeah. Of course, we don't know how much that means until they've completed the autopsy and can tell us the time of death.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Yeah.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

You know, there's another angle to this case you could probably stand looking into.

[Narrator/Host]

I know what you're gonna say, Sheriff. Alva Briggs.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Yeah. According to Judd, Alva was pretty mad at Blake last night when he found out Blake and Kelly had split up.

[Narrator/Host]

We're gonna look into that angle right now, Sheriff. Let's take a run over to the Briggs ranch and have a talk with Alva. See if we can find out just how mad he was at Blake. Wil.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

You are listening to Tales of the Texas Rangers, starring Joel McCray as Ranger Jace Pearson. We continue now with tonight's case.

[Narrator/Host]

Sweet Revenge. An authentic story from the files of the Texas Rangers.

We drove over to Alva Briggs Ranch. We could see from a distance that his car wasn't in the shed. Then as we got closer, we noticed a kid sitting on the front porch.

Who's that kid over there?

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Don't know. Jace.

Morning. Looking for Alpha Briggs?

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

Oh, I thought.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

I'm looking for Senor Briggs, Sheriff.

[Narrator/Host]

What do you mean? Well, he's nowhere around. He told me to be here this morning. And that he would pay me for feeding his chickens and horses. So I come this morning like he told me.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

I wait, but he don't come. Chase.

[Narrator/Host]

Yeah. Looks like Alpha Briggs got called away all of a sudden. I'm gonna put out an All Points Wanted bulletin on him right now.

Checking in town, I learned that Alva Briggs had caught the Dallas bus that morning. I notified Company B. Four hours later, Briggs was picked up at the Continental Trailways Depot in Dallas by Ranger CB Wade, who brought him back to Sheriff Hedges office. After a brief talk with Ranger Wade out in the hall, I came back into the room.

I'd like to know the meaning of this, Ranger. We'd like to know why you suddenly decided to take a trip, Mr. Briggs. I reckon that's my business. You're wrong about that. It's our business, too. Well, it looks right now. You get mad at Blake Wilkins, he turns up dead, and you leave town. But I didn't even know about Blake being killed. And that other ranger picked me getting off the bus in Dallas. I still want to know why you took off from your ranch this morning. All right. Last night, Blake told me he and my daughter Callie had split up in Dallas. Come as a bad shock. So this morning I decided to head for Dallas, see if I could locate Kelly and find out what happened. Get her to come back home with me. If she would. I see you left the Wilkins Ranch about 6:30 last night. That's right. Where'd you go? Home. You stay home the rest of the night? Yeah.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Any way of proving that, Elvis?

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Guess not.

[Narrator/Host]

I live alone, Ranger. I didn't kill Blake Wilkins. And sure, I felt like it for a second or two when he told me about him and Kelly. But thinking about it later, I got over it. I guess when a couple splits up, but ain't ever completely one person's fault. I didn't kill him. If you didn't, you'd want to cooperate. Then cooperate. I'm asking you to postpone your trip to Dallas. I want you to keep yourself real handy until this investigation's wound up. All right, Ranger.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

You'll find me at Meringue.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

He's got no alibi for any part of last night, Jace.

[Narrator/Host]

Now he hasn't. There are a couple of things that make me doubt that he killed Blake.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

What are they?

[Narrator/Host]

If he did kill Blake, why'd he wait till this morning to take off from his ranch? Well, another thing. Alva walked out of the Wilkins ranch house right after Blake arrived. How do you know Blake was gonna be out at the shack.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Why?

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Blake told Judd he was gonna ride over and talk to Elder. Maybe that's how Elva found out.

[Narrator/Host]

But we know Blake never got as far as Alva's place. Those horse tracks led right to the shack and stopped there. See?

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

That's right. You think Judd was lying to us? Trying to make it look bad for Alva?

[Narrator/Host]

I don't know. Then there's the matter of motive. You find out, like Alva did that your daughter split up with a guy and you think it's his fault. You might knock a few teeth loose over it. But as for killing him on account of it, I don't know.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Well, speaking of motive, how about Judd?

[Narrator/Host]

That's just what I'm gonna follow up next, sheriff. See if I can find a motive for Judd Wilkins to kill his half brother.

I checked into the background of the Wilkins family and found out about several instances. Instances of friction between the brothers. The Judd had always been envious of Blake. That started me thinking about the father's death and his will. The executor of the estate was a lawyer named Sam Farris. Sheriff and I dropped in to see him at his office.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Yes, Ranger? The will's in probate.

[Narrator/Host]

But I'm very familiar with the terms and provisions of it. What are they?

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

It was a sort of a peculiar will.

[Narrator/Host]

I told old man Wilkins at the time he made it that it might not stand up in court. Adam change it a little, but I'm.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Still not sure it's valid. Of course.

[Narrator/Host]

Doesn't matter much now, Blake being dead. Incidentally, I suppose you questioned Judd about shooting. Yeah, I have, Mr. Farris. Why do you ask?

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Because of the way the will read. Oh?

[Narrator/Host]

Just how does it read? Have Blake returned home of his own accord Anytime during the probate period. The land, the buildings and the stock were his chase. That's very interesting, Mr. Farris. What provision was made for Judd? He was to get 25% of the profits from the ranch.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

And if Blake didn't show up before.

[Narrator/Host]

The probate period was up. Judd get the whole thing? I tried to talk old man Wilkins into setting it up as a trust fund, boiling it down. Then, Mr. Farris, if Blake came back of his own accord, the place was his. And Judd, in effect, would be working for him. That's about the size of it.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Well, Jay said you do it. All right. We know Judd was always envious of Blake. So now up pops Blake to take the ranch away from.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Host]

There's our motive, all right. Mr. Farris, you got a copy of that will, yes, but I'm afraid I.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Couldn'T turn over my copy to your ranger. Okay.

[Narrator/Host]

We'll look over the original at the courthouse. Sheriff, I want to study that will.

We went through the will with a fine tooth comb. When we returned to the sheriff's office, the autopsy report was lying on his desk.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

What's it say, Jace?

[Narrator/Host]

We were all set to arrest Judd Wilkins, weren't we?

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Still are all set, far as I'm concerned.

[Narrator/Host]

Why, it's like there's not gonna be an arrest.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

What are you talking about? We just found out Judd Wilkins had plenty of motive for killing Blake.

[Narrator/Host]

Sheriff, all the motive in the world doesn't do us any good when the facts are against us. You still can't be in two places at once.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Don't follow your Jace.

[Narrator/Host]

Look, Tom Billings told us he was with Judd at the ranch house the night of the shooting. From about nine until quarter of eleven.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

That's right.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Wait a minute.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

You mean that autopsy report?

[Narrator/Host]

Blake Wilkins was killed at a shack six miles from the ranch house. And according to this report, the time of death was somewhere between 9 and 9:30.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Well, Jace, there goes our case against Judd then. Right up in smoke.

[Narrator/Host]

Sure looks that way.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

If Tom Billings is with him from about 9 to the quarter to 11, it's a cinch Judd couldn't have killed Blake at the shack. So where does that leave us?

[Narrator/Host]

Right in the middle of nowhere.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

What are you gonna do?

[Narrator/Host]

Only one thing to do, Sheriff. Go right back to the beginning and start all over again. And the beginning in this case is that shack where Blake was murdered.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Jay Z, hang if I see what good this is doing us. We've gone over this shack just like we did before. You had me hold my hand up again. You sighted along it to the bullet hole in the wall. And we're still no further along than we were.

[Narrator/Host]

I know it, Sheriff.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Only thing I can figure is that we don't have all the facts in the cage yet. Maybe somebody else we don't know about shot Blake.

[Narrator/Host]

I think we've already got all the important facts, Sheriff. But facts are funny things. You got to put them together in the right combination to get the right answer. And I think that's where we've gone wrong.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

But Jace, I don't see what other combination there is. You've reconstructed this the only logical way it could be. We find Blake lying in front of that open doorway. A bullet hole clean through his head. We know it's line of flight after that because of the bullet hole in the roof by this back wall?

[Narrator/Host]

Yeah, right over this shelf of provisions.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

So where's the mistake in there?

[Narrator/Host]

I don't know. Except there must be something wrong about.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Hey.

[Narrator/Host]

Hey, wait a minute.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

What is it?

[Narrator/Host]

Take a look at this sugar bowl, Sheriff. It was right under the bullet hole.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

I don't see anything the matter with it.

[Narrator/Host]

Look at the sugar inside it.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Nothing the matter with that either.

[Narrator/Host]

Yeah, well, that's the point, Sheriff. You ever see sugar that's had a little water dropped on it?

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Why, sure.

[Narrator/Host]

Gets sort of crusty and stays that way. Yeah, but I remember what Tom Billings told us. That the rain stopped about quarter to 11. Blake was shot between 9 and 9:30.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

That's right. Over an hour before it stopped, Jace.

[Narrator/Host]

Yeah. A bullet hole over the sugar bowl would have let a few drops of rain on the sugar. But the sugar is dry and there aren't any water stains on the shelf either.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

That means that bullet hole in the roof wasn't made until after it stopped raining.

[Narrator/Host]

It also means we better get back to the Wilkins ranch house on the double.

We headed for the ranch house. Judd was nowhere in sight, which suited me fine at the moment. Wheezed inside the house. I didn't find what I was looking for in the front room. So we went up into the bedroom.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

What do you figure on finding up here, Jase?

[Narrator/Host]

I think I've already found it, Sheriff. Calendar on the wall. Looks like it's hanging mighty high.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Host]

Let's take a look behind it.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

A bullet hole in the wall. Jace.

[Narrator/Host]

Yeah. I got my knife here.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

I'll.

[Narrator/Host]

I'll dig around it.

It's in here, all right.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Host]

Here you are, Sheriff. A slug.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Well, I'll be.

[Narrator/Host]

You see, that's where Judd got the idea. He was probably standing on the stairs and shot and killed Blake right here in this room. Then he noticed that the bullet went clear through into this wall. That's why he fired a bullet through the rear of the shack. To make it look like Blake had been killed out there.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

You mean all the time Tom Billings was downstairs with Judd that night? Blake's body was lying right up here in the bedroom.

[Narrator/Host]

That's just what I mean. Judd must have shot Blake around 9 o'. Clock. Then called Billings over to the house right afterward as a cover.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Then after Billings left at a quarter to 11, Judd cleaned up the room and took the body out to the shack. On horseback.

[Narrator/Host]

Yeah. I thought those hoof marks were cut down awful deep, even for wet ground. That horse was carrying double Judd and Blake's body. After he placed the body. He probably walked along that gravel to the gully and doubled back to the ranch on foot. He was sure trying to pull a fast one on us. He almost got away with it, too.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

I reckon we got a case.

[Narrator/Host]

Heard the door closed.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Nobody down there in the living room.

[Narrator/Host]

Come on, Sheriff.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Reckon Judd could have come in without us hearing him?

[Narrator/Host]

Maybe. Take a look in the kitchen.

Kitchen's empty, too. Let's look out the back door.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

There he is, Jace. Running for the car shed.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

Come on, J it.

[Narrator/Host]

Stop where you are.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Hey.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

He ducks around the corner of the car shed. Corral's back there. He might be trying for a horse.

[Narrator/Host]

We'll see as soon as we get around this corner.

Take cover, Sheriff. Shot came from the bunk house.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Probably ducked in there to get a gun.

[Narrator/Host]

Jud, this won't do you any good. Come on out of there.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

He's gone plumb crazy trying to shoot it out with both of us.

[Narrator/Host]

Judd, I'll give you just one minute to come out of that bunk house with your hands in the air.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

You want me to come in here.

[Narrator/Host]

And get me, Ranger? I don't have to, Judd. I'm gonna send for you.

I circled around the ranch house to my car in front. Got something out of the crawl back to the sheriff.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

A tear gas bulb.

[Narrator/Host]

Yeah. This is your last chance, Judd. Ain't my aner. Okay, here's mine. Hey, come on, Sheriff. Let's ease up closer. You'll be coming out of that door any minute now.

[Eben Adams / Judd Wilkins / Blake Wilkins (main male characters)]

Serious, Ranger, You.

[Narrator/Host]

I'll take this side of this door, Sheriff. You take the other.

I can't see.

[Jenny Appleton / Female characters]

I can't see.

[Narrator/Host]

I'll take that gun.

My eyes. Yeah, they'll clear up. You're under arrest, Judd. You had a pretty neat scheme figured out, Judd. You got tripped up by a little bowl of sugar. Sugar? Yeah.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

I'll bet you'll hate that word sugar for the rest of your life.

[Narrator/Host]

You know, Sheriff, I got a strong hunch that isn't gonna be very long.

Judd Wilkins was tried and convicted of the murder of his brother Blake on the morning of June 16, 1945, in the state penitentiary at Huntsville. He was executed in the electric chair.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Next week, Joel McCray and another authentic.

[Narrator/Host]

Reenactment of a case from the filed of the Texas Rangers.

[Sheriff Hedges / Ranger Jace Pearson / Other law enforcement]

Joel McCray is currently seen starring in the Universal International Technicolor production Frenchie. Tonight's cast included Tony Barrett, Lamont Johnson, Bill Johnstone, Stacy Harris, Rye, Bilsbury and Williams Herbert. This story was transcribed and adapted by Bob Rife and the program was produced and directed by Stacy Keach. Hal Gibney speaking.

[Narrator/Host]

Three chimes mean good times on NBC. Here is a special announcement two weeks from tonight, that Sunday, March 4th, Tales of the Texas Rangers will relinquish its time period for one week only so that you can hear a full hour and a half dramatization of Shakespeare's immortal Hamlet presented by Theater Guild on the air. It's radio's most exciting dramatic event when John Gielgud, Pamela Brown and Dorothy Maguire bring the pages of Hamlet to life on Theater Guild on the air Sunday, March 4th. But listen again next week at this same time for another exciting adventure starring Joel McCray in Tales of the Texas Rangers.

Now the 64 question tomorrow here the Boston Pops on NBC. You can find more from the Columbia Workshop, Tales of the Texas Rangers, the Relic Radio show and all of the other podcasts at the website relicradio.com. you can donate through that website as well if you'd like to help support this and all of the shows. Your support makes all of this happen. Thanks to those who have helped out. Thanks for joining me this week. Be back tomorrow with an hour of mystery on Case Closed and next Tuesday with our next episode of the Relic Radio Show.