 Remember a hallmark card when you care enough to send the very best Tonight from Hollywood the makers of hallmark greeting cards bring you Ruth Hasey in Christopher Morley's Parnassus on wheels on the hallmark playhouse Each week hallmark will bring you Hollywood's greatest stars in outstanding stories chosen by one of the world's best-known authors The distinguished novelist mr. James Hilton Good evening ladies and gentlemen. This is James Hilton Tonight on our hallmark playhouse. We present a charming story by one of America's finest writers Christopher Morley It has the intriguing title Parnassus on wheels and as Parnassus was a mountain where the ancient Greeks worshipped the fine arts You can imagine that almost anything can happen in a story called Parnassus on wheels a Few writers handle this kind of storytelling Exquisitely and Christopher Morley is among them He can play with an idea in a rather enchanting way that wins a permanent place in the affection of readers And I think this is proved by the fact that Parnassus on wheels Written 30 years ago is not only as fresh today as it ever was But is among the very few novels that have never been out of print over such a long period In this most charming story We are especially privileged to have us our starter night that equally charming actress Ruth Hasey And now Frank Oz have you a word about hallmark? There are hallmark cards for every memorable occasion on your calendar for birthdays anniversaries holidays Yes for every occasion that calls for remembrance for a friendly greeting a word of good cheer an expression of sympathy There is a hallmark card that says just what you want to say the way you want to say it and that identifying hallmark on the back Well, that says you cared enough to send the very best Hallmark Playhouse presenting Christopher Morley's Parnassus on wheels and starring Ruth Hasey Spring in New England. The time is 1913 the place Sabine farm just outside Redfield If anybody takes you for granted, it's a brother I've been Andrew's housekeeper for close to 10 years since I was 24 I've practically run his farm myself Cook the meals and done everything to keep things smooth So he wouldn't be disturbed while he was writing those blasted books of his And then this morning he told me he was going to Europe for a year He'd chase around Europe and I Well, I'd do what I'd always done nothing Lifetime of doing nothing. Oh I'd go on with the chores around the farm feed the chickens and tend the garden day after day Well, there must be something more than cooking and feeding chickens Well, it is but he's not home I'm his sister. I'll wait if I may ma'am you'll probably be wasting your time He doesn't do much buying from peddlers Although that's the strangest rig I've seen pulling to here your wagon looks like an old-fashioned trolley car suitable for its purpose There's noted on the side there are Mifflin's traveling Parnassus good books for sale that thing full of books. We lower the sides thusly And low shells Very neat. Here's my card. Take a look at the back Poetry well, that's praise too high call it a rhymed advertisement Roger Mifflin's traveling Parnassus worthy friends my Wayne doth hold many a book both new and old Books the truest friends of man fill this rolling caravan Every kind for every need so that he who buys may read what librarian can surpass us Mifflin's traveling Parnassus They say a lot of the tonic and that'll do for three doses of sulfur and molasses Parnassus is a doctor's whole kid in Kaboodle. I was a teacher to my health broke down I took this up and I've been healthy more than made expenses and had the time of my life for seven years Pegasus Bach and I have covered the territory from Florida domain peg what and box Pegasus my horse Oh, and box a terrier you haven't met yet. I named him after Boccaccio to remind me to read the Decameron someday Well, Andrew will be home later. You can wait if you like. He's a great one for books Probably by half your stock. I'm selling out Parnassus rigging all I want to settle down and write a book myself I thought who would be the best man to take over Parnassus name Andrew McGill lit up in my mind bright as you like You better turn off the lights You'd have more fun than a barrel of monkeys, and he's always going off on journeys according to his writings Well, he's going off again, but this van wouldn't do for the trip Europe this fall falls not here yet I'll wait around to talk to him. Would you like to look over Parnassus? There's more to it than meets the eye Man's castle complete non-wheels. You never hear about women's castles All right, I'll look over your pechizi It has just about everything stove table and chair and a bed even a part of geraniums in the window and all for just $400 profit vacation and adventure all tied up in one neat inexpensive package The world your doorstep and a bright new road is a waking up present every morning Man like mr. McGill the perfect thing a man No strings no responsibilities Even find profit vacation and adventure tied up in one neat inexpensive package Did you say $400 mr. Mifflin and a real bargain? I think so, too. In fact I'll take it bones of Swinburne miss McGill I can't tell you how much I admire your sperm since we started out I've come to admire my spunk too, but I'm questioning my sanity I'll spend the day teaching you the business if later you decide to give it up You can always sell out and go back to say by and farm I can just picture the reception I'd get after Andrew reads the note I left and Realizes I've gone without so much as a buyer leave He's a man who likes things to go smoothly. He may be said in his ways, but he's still your brother He'd get over any peeve and and take me back Not on your life because he won't get the chance. I don't intend to go back to say by and farm There's nothing there. I want Stop complaining Bach He feels left out of the conversation. He does usually I'm alone. So I talked to Bach Fine companion and perfect for a serious talk. He's understanding and never argumentative and after tomorrow When I'm selling on my own will he give me tips? You won't need them Book selling is kind of like a religion when the call comes nothing else matters Lord when you sell a man a book you don't just sell him 12 ounces of paper and blue and ink You sell him a whole new life Love and friendship and humor and ships at sea by night. There's all heaven and earth in a book This wagon is loaded with salvation. Yes, ma'am Salvation for stunted mines By the bones of Whitman. This isn't a job. It's a crusade Well, should I wear a suit of armor? Well There's Mason's farm around that bend since I'm in business. Shouldn't I try to sell some of my stock? No time like the present. No place like right here. This is Mason. I've gone into the book business Oh, this is mr. Mifflin. I bought out his stock. Oh go on Helen. You can't kid me So help me Hannah and we've come to sell you some books. I do believe you mean it But I bought a whole set of books last year from a book agent the world's great funeral orations 20 volumes Sam and I ain't finished the first volume yet awful uneasy reading madam Funeral orations bound in sackcloth. I suppose have their place But miss McGill and I have got some real books here books more cheerful to beguile your evenings I see those fine-looking children over there surely they'd profit by a good book or two Sam what do you know? Helen's turned book head left. No afraid so and doing a very important job Mr. Mason a family ma'am owes them to himself to have good books in the house Give those children of yours a few good books and you're starting them on the double-tracked line to happen He's right Sam here's to make sense. We could even get some poems Remember how excited Evie was when she learned that poem in school. We've some wonderful books of poetry now What was the name of that? Oh, I liked it so much when she recited it the wreck The wreck of the asparagus You're a good salesman mr. Mifflin made two dollars and forty cents on that transaction at the mason's I'll be rich in no time Quiet back. He has a tendency to intrude on conversations. I'm afraid I've spoiled him. I'll be patient bark We've days of talks ahead of us. I'm always What's wrong your pale? Well, the man coming taught us from the crossroads Do you see him too? I do That man is my brother Andrew McGill What on earth is this nonsense Helen you've led me the juice of a chase and who is this this person you're driving with Well, Andrew, let me introduce mr. Mifflin I've bought his caravan mr. Mifflin's on his way to Greenbrier where he takes the train for New York Pleasure mr. McGill. I've admired your look here Helen. You've no right to do this You know I can't work unless things go smoothly at the house No one but you knows how I like things run while I'm busy writing my books Really and you want to have better sense than to go careening about the state with a strolling vagabond and I should think you owe me something after I now see here Andrew McGill Anything I owed you and I can't imagine what it could be was paid for in full by thousands of loaves of bread and a lot of years I'm entitled to some courtesy and I'm old enough to want something more than I've been getting Now if you want to buy any books you can Polly with me and if not Goodbye, you must be crazy by the bones of Ben Johnson. I had expected to meet a gentleman and the man of letters I see I was mistaken. I tell you sir a man who would insult a lady's you've done as a no from a cad And I propose to teach you a lesson put up your hands. Why are you cheeky scoundrel? Stop it. Do you hear my heavens? My apologies miss Miguel Andrew your nose is bleeding. Hmm. So it is my Negative sir. Thank you. Now listen to me. You ought to be ashamed to grown men What will you solve with your fists? Oh? Every woman dreams of men fighting over her but are not for this reason They're not too middle-aged scarecrows swinging at each other in the middle of a dusty road What's the waste of breath talking to you gone back to your silly fighting for all I care I'm going on alone Get it out Pegasus Before James Hilton returns to the second act of Parnassus on wheels starring Ruth Hussie I'd like to tell you a story that began centuries ago in China Picture an aging Chinese gentleman brushing exotic characters onto a vellum scroll He is wrapped in thought and writes only when he is sure of what he wants to say For he is recording the wisdom of a lifetime for the guidance of all who seek a good life Now he nods approvingly at what he has just finished writing for it says Without knowing the force of words. It is impossible to know men and the old man signs his name Confucius The impression that words make on the minds of men is a force for good a force for happiness and for peace It is a means of expressing your fondness to a friend your sympathy your appreciation The people who make hallmark cards are aware of this That's why they make it possible for you to choose a greeting card for practically any occasion Why they offer you an almost unlimited assortment of cards that say just what you want to say the way you want to say it Next time you have a reason for sending a card to a friend look for the store that handles hallmark cards For hallmark cards are as satisfying to send as they are to receive Look for the hallmark on the back of each card. It tells your friends. You cared enough to send the very best Now back to James Hilton and the second act of Christopher Morley's Parnassus on wheels starring Ruth Hussie So Helen McGill was off on the great adventure and with no turning back She had the booksellers van Parnassus and the open road her high hopes her unspoken fears and a faraway future That had no identifying label Well, Bok we're on our own Any comment? Move over closer Bok. I wouldn't want you to miss anything. I said to Well, what's this? his notebook Why I shouldn't read it. Should I Bok it wouldn't be honorable Well, say something I need moral support Well, all right, then it's your fault Bok you should have stopped me I Don't suppose Bok or Peg get lonely, but by the bones of Ben Gunn I do Books aren't a substantial world after all and every now and then we get hungry for some closer more human relationships There are three ingredients in the good life learning earning and Earning a Man should be learning as he goes. He should be earning bread for himself and others and he should be yearning to yearning to know the unknowable My ideal of a man is the fellow who does handily and well whatever comes to him if it's writing a book or peeling potatoes He can put into it the best he has Even if he's only a bald headed fool selling books on a country road He can make an ideal of it. Oh, I can't read any more Bok. I've no right to peer into his heart He's a good man that former owner of yours Well Bok I Feel like I want to cry Barking at that hound Bok one bite me down to puppy size now behave Hello there. He's on his way to New York. I expect I bought Parnassus Imagine Parnassus turn suffrage, but light and set a while. Well, thanks. I'm Helen McGill I'm Mrs. Pratt and this wild Indian is dick. Mr. Pratt's washing up for supper. You will join us Thanks, mr. Mifflin spoke of you and mr. Pratt. Say anything about me. Oh hush now go into the table That kid's sure crazy about the professor, but then who isn't yes Who isn't? Parnassus will seem the same without the professor. I mean a no-slide to you man. We'll still buy books. No, I understand mr. Pratt What big shoes that man left for me to step into? He must have friends all the way from Maine to Florida friends Why man there ain't a house where he hasn't helped somebody or cheered somebody and never a word of complaint from him No matter what folks. I've talked to just love that man There's going to be a might of missing him now. He ain't coming back. It's a strange thing I'm just beginning to realize that Roger I mean mr. Mifflin Sort of bewitches people He does He does I didn't I stay overnight at the Pratt's they couldn't have been nicer even bought books But no, no, I had to get stubborn and tell him I wanted to get to port vigor tonight But but just between us now. I hate you if you read a word of this to anyone. I Couldn't stand listening to them praise Roger Pegasus now get along now By the bones of somebody or other Pegasus. This is no time to get barking. I wasn't the name of Oh No thrown a shoe. Well, it's not your fault peg old girl. I'm sorry. I misjudged you About come back here. I have to spend the night in the woods. I want you close to me. Come on now Bach Inside inside our castle In the morning, we'll find somebody who can put a shoe on Since locked break it open. We get over to the quarry. Nobody look for it there I get the horse started always got a bad foot. I'll give him a stick toys back You'll forget about that. Oh, no, stop yammer and get on. I got a stick I'll get him started you to clear out around shoot. Can you see him? We ain't done nothing mr. You heard me and I'll move you think he's got a gun I'm gonna find out. Hey, we just want to show you about the horse's foot be gone. Why don't you show himself three? We're going mister. Yeah, see we're getting out. We don't want to trouble. We just pass them by. Oh, it's Roger Professor oh Thank heaven now you bark. Oh might need some help then you followed me from Greenbrier after that fight with your brother I wasn't sure you'd want my company. Well, there's port bigger up ahead You'll be able to get a good hotel room and in the morning. I'll catch my train for New York Is that the 1030 for New York? Sure is always gives us a good buy whistle Goodbye, thank you. Pardon. Oh Nothing. I was expecting someone to come here this morning, but I guess it doesn't matter. I'll check out now Builds all made out next time stop where this come down a might earlier Maybe we'll have excitement like the heads day Well, I rested and took off to jail right here in the lobby. I'll try not to miss the fun next time ball-headed guy built some woman out Of 400 they say sold her a wagon or something. Oh, it's not possible still What was the man's name? Don't write a recall that I heard the name Well, it came from out of town staying at the other hotel just walked in here when the nabbed him short ball wearing a brown suit a Big smile that makes you feel warm and friendly didn't notice a smile, but the rest fits Where's the jail township building two doors down? You doing here? I followed you. Well, I haven't got time to talk to you now Roger's in jail I know you can come along if you know I had him arrested You're out of jail. Mr. Mifflin if you want to hit Andrew on the nose again I certainly won't say a word against it go ahead and try I don't guess it'll do much good Andrew McGill I do believe you've taken leave of your senses. I need you at the farm. You know that I can't get any work done Andrew, I always knew you were selfish, but I never realized how selfish Roger I I don't know what to say to you. I can't apologize enough for what happened Andrew is my brother and And I'm ashamed of him nobody needs to apologize to me. That's big of you. Oh Andrew shut up You've missed your train again, Roger. I'll bet you rule the day you ever set eyes on me. I bless that day You what? Miss McGill Helen I'm not rich or handsome or famous But I love you. I want you to marry me. I can't offer much, but we'll always have Parnassas We've traveled around with Peg and bark and preach the love of books and the love of human beings Helen will you come with me and make me the happiest bookseller in the world? I Don't know why I'm crying I'm such a fool. I Waited 34 years for this moment as I fall like a baby Then you yes. Yes. Yes. Oh bless you Roger Yes seems to me when a man proposes marriage to a woman He should have something better to offer than a home on wheels. Oh, nobody asked you just to get you to start it I'd be willing to buy that Parnassas. We can get along all right confounded if you want the straight of it. I Want to buy Parnassas Name your price Price Andrew I Wouldn't know how to set a price on Parnassas. Well, that's why it's not for sale How do you decide the value of a way of life? What is happiness worth? No Andrew we won't give up our Parnassas It's brought us too much that we don't intend to lose happiness each other a meaning for our existence and and yes a Crusade well everybody needs his own personal crusade so he won't dry up inside and become selfish and bitter Or you've got to find a kind of Parnassas for yourself Maybe it won't have wheels and Pegasus and books, but that's not important if it suits you Find it Andrew Search for it no matter how hard you try the efforts worth it Your reward will be the happiness Roger and I have found There's nothing more important in this life Before James Hilton and Ruth Hussie return. I'm going to do a favor for some little girl You know I'm going to tell you about a gift to make that little girl very very happy It's a hallmark doll of the nations. There's Anne of England Rita of Brazil Cowboy Joe eight of them in all they're dressed in colorful costumes have real plumes in their hats and Stand-up like real people they're educational too for with each one is a rhymed story of that dolls country Hallmark dolls of the nations cost only 25 cents each or a dollar for a beautiful collector's album with two dolls already in it Find hallmark dolls of the nations at the friendly store where you buy hallmark greeting cards Here again is James Hilton I'm sure you'll agree that Christopher Morley wrote a delightful story in Parnassas on wheels and that Ruth Hussie has given us her Usual fine performance Miss Hussie from all of us hallmark people a great big bouquet for your appearance in the playhouse tonight Thank You mr. Hilton being here did something for me Getting to know you better is proved that all authors are not as hard to get along with as that brother of mine in the play tonight And it's proved another thing for me to Quality is no accident when I saw how carefully everyone here in the playhouse worked to get a perfect performance I realized why it was that hallmark greeting cards are so acceptable for every occasion. You hallmark people must have a Tradition of excellence. Thank you miss. Hussie. We hope we shall always continue to merit that praise and now ladies and gentlemen I'd like to invite you all to be with us next week when we present a heartwarming story about a doctor Catherine Havel and Taylor's the failure starring that fine actor award bond and the following week Carl Sandberg's great story of the early life of Abraham Lincoln the prairie years starring Gregory Peck Our hallmark playhouses every Thursday our director producer is d. Engelback Our music is composed and conducted by Lynn Murray and tonight's story was adapted for radio by Howard dimsdale Until next Thursday then this is James Hilton saying good night Look for hallmark cards that are sold only in stores that have been carefully selected to give you expert and friendly service Remember hallmark cards when you carry enough to send the very best Ruth Jose will soon be co-starred in the Paramount picture of the great Gatsby This is Frank goss saying good night to you all until next week at the same time When James Hilton returns to present the failure starring Ward Bond and the following week Carl Sandberg's the prairie years starring Gregory Peck This program came to you from the hallmark playhouse. This is CBS the Columbia broadcasting system