 I'm going to bring you Barbara Stanwyck in Marsha Burns on the Hallmark Playhouse. 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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is James Hilton. Tonight on our Hallmark Playhouse, we dramatize the story of a very remarkable woman, Marsha Burns, as told in a book by Virginia Technologist, Marsha was a farmer's daughter, born on the banks of the Potomac in the days when Washington was the male of the president, but not yet of a city. She became the friend of such great personalities in American history as Webster, Hamilton, and Jefferson. They came to her cottage by the river to talk, to discuss, and to relax. Marsha had her own private happiness also. She fell in love and married, and later in life she founded her home for orphan children, which was the first of its kind in this country. A charming and noble woman, widely known in her own day and loved by her neighbors and friends, there is certainly no one more appealing in our early history. And the star in this part we are fortunate indeed to have with us tonight that delightful actress, Father of Denver. And now here is Frank Goss from the makers of Hallmark cards. When you want to remember your friends, there's one way to be sure the card you then receives an extra welcome. Look for that identifying Hallmark on the back when you select it. For words to express your feelings, and designs to express your good taste. That Hallmark on the back is your guide. Like the sterling on silver, it's a mark of distinction that all quickly recognize, and it tells your friends, you cared enough to send the very best. And now here is the first act of Virginia Capitol Peacock's Marsha Burns, starring Barbara Stenwick. On September afternoon, Marsha Burns and Ness sat in the doorway of the forum cottage in which she had been born. A mile and a half to the east, you could see the white walls of the Capitol. Almost within a stone's throw was the stately house of the president. She looked about her last momentarily in a haze of memory. September, the days of the year are growing late, and later, and my days also. September for the rules, and September for me. I sit alone on the threshold of a little farmhouse looking back into spring, looking back into the days of my youth. There was no capital land, no president's house, no fine mansion. There was only the small cottage in a few farmhouses, and acre upon acre a farmland and orchard. I sat just as I'm sitting now, in the very doorway one fine spring afternoon, and watched a canoe beach under the vine-hungle trees, and two gentlemen walked towards me. I ran beneath them, and could be before history. I'm up there, I've seen no curtsy, no graceful in this entire land. Do I have the pleasure to address Miss Burns? Yes, sir. Will you tell your father that Mr. Washington and Mr. Carroll are calling on me? President Washington? Yes, sir. Tell your father who's business to discuss with him, and he will stay the night if we're welcome. If they were welcome. What house in the land would not be proud to welcome them? Later I sat in the firelight watching the earnest, eager faces of our visitors. The expressionist face of my father, as President Washington, spoke to him. Congress has granted the money to purchase the land of the capital city. And in the opinion of the committee, and in my opinion, Mr. Burns, this is the ideal spot for it. We all belong in the country, why must you have made for a farm? It's an ideal location, accessible by land and by land. Beautiful. It is beautiful now, but what will it be when you get through with it? It will be the crown jewel of our city, the capital of the United States, land for beauty and for government. This land was to be my daughter's home, as it has been my home and the home of my father's. If you let us out of the land, your daughter will be the greatest heiress in this part of the country. Well, what do you say to that, Marsha? To see a city here, to have our land become the capital, to watch it all go around it. Oh, think of that, father. They'll tear down this house, you can build a mansion with the money there. No, no, if the house is to go, say no, father. Does the house itself mean so much to you, a poor room cottage like this? Yes. I don't know if I can make you understand, but this house was built by men in our family who believed in freedom. They came here when there was nothing but wilderness wood on disciplined soil untamed rivers. They used the wood to build this house. They conquered the soil and made it yield for them. And they mastered the river. This house means a great deal to my father and to me. It's a stake driven in the wilderness by our own people. Marsha, I didn't know you felt that deeply about it. I don't think I knew myself until you said it would have to go. This house is part of me and I am part of this house. I was born here. Perhaps I will die here. All right, suppose we do this. Suppose we make a provision that this house is to stand and that the streets of the new city must be laid out so as not to interfere. What do you say to that? Marsha, you have many more years to live than I. What is your pleasure? I think to let them have it, father, not for the money. Well, I'll certainly not be turning the money down. But money isn't the reason. I think it is good to know that our land was chosen for the capital city. Very well, sir. The land is yours. What are you doing out here in the field? Watching those men, father. Aye, they're marking out roads and areas for public buildings. Areas for houses. How exciting it's going to be. Just think. You see it go up on all sides of it. It's the capital of the United States. Oh, I can't wait to see them actually start building. Well, Marsha, I'm afraid you're not going to be here to watch them start. Not going to be here? No, you're going to pork, Marsha. I'm not going to do any such thing. I'm not going to leave here when everything is beginning. You're my daughter and you'll do as I say. And I say you're going to bulk. But why, father? Marsha, you're a country lass. And this is going to be a city. I want you to take your place in this city as a great lady. The most important people in the country will come here to live. I want you to know how to talk to them, how to entertain them, how to take your place among them. But I want to see the city built. Well, it takes a long time to build a city, Marsha. Have no fear. When you return, they'll still be at it. And so I went to Bolton. There in the gracious home of the Luther Martins, I learned the things my father had wished. How to manage a household in desire over. How to entertain at large parties and so on. How to dress, how to converse and perhaps most important. How to listen. When I returned to my home, I could scarcely believe what I saw. The team that all beauty was being stripped from it. Orchards and meadowlands had been divided into building lots. And were crossed and ray-crossed by muddy parapheres. Across from this house, the president's house was here in completion. The team to raw, ugly buildings. I did all the half-finished houses after every place I looked. I was heart-sick as I looked about. Well, daughter, what do you think your splendid capital? I think it's an outrage. What had completely destroyed every vestige of beauty. Father, how could you let them do it? Well, they didn't consult me at all. Once they took over, they took over. Well, I'm sorry we ever let ourselves get caught into it. They grew in the country. Oh, no, no, no. You're looking at transition. And transition frequently looks ugly and formless. Remember, the river is still beautiful. The style is still rich. The beauty will all return when the houses are built and the men relax and give nature a chance again. When I turn my back on it all and look only at our cottage, I can still see the beauty. And does the cottage not look small to you now? Oh, the cottage looks like home. And I'm glad to be home again. Yes, the cottage was home. But it always been a quiet place. Full of silent contentions. In the past, the silence was broken only by occasional friendly voices of neighbors. But now, day after day, the cottage was full of sound. By day, the shrill, noisy platter of building and by night, the excited young voices of the men who were leaders of the new nation. Tom Jefferson sat on the step of an evening. And Aaron Burr, John Randolph, Alexander Hamilton. And one night, the young congressman came in and asked, John Randolph, he said, Van Mess. Come, walk with me by the river, Marsha Burr. If you like, Mr. Van Mess. You've called your other friends by their first names. I've known them longer. Well, perhaps in time you'll know me better and longer. Those would hope for me when you can have your pick of Congress. I don't know you. I think of being much too flattering. I've heard about you. In New York, more than one of my friends said to me, you must look up Marsha Burr and she's the belle of Washington. Now, just what did you want? Am I to speak to the president for a favor for you? I want nothing except to walk beside you, to hear you speak, to watch you smile. Oh, you must have to get icon of Scotch answers to Mr. Van Mess. We're suspicious of almost everything. And especially the compliment. I come from Dutch ancestry. We're known for our directness and our honesty. We say what we think. I see. And what else do you think? I think I've decided to marry you. Isn't that a little impulsive of you? It's not an impulse, it's a declaration. May Scotch are also suspicious of anything that might be considered a premature declaration. The Dutch have a reputation for tenacity and determination. I am determined to marry you. I can hardly compliment you on a sense of romance, Mr. Van Mess. Then let me tell you another way, Marsha. Let me tell you that I've known from the beginning I've wanted to marry you. I see in you something I can see from you. A woman of strength. Courage. Honest. I see in you the woman for whom I would live and die. And if I cannot win you, it will be the tragedy of my life. You speak so extravagantly, Mr. Van Mess. Extravagance is also distasteful to the Scotch family. And the Scotch woman? Oh, I think that might be quite a different story. Quite a different story. We will return to the second act of Marsha Burns starring Barbara Stenwick. Appreciate it. It isn't the amount of money spent for all of us who have received expensive gifts that didn't begin to warm our hearts as much as ones that showed evidence that Giver had contributed something of himself. A little extra thought, a little extra time in selecting it, even a little extra care in wrapping it. Yes, certainly a large part of the pleasure of a gift for both the receiver and the giver is found in those little extras. That's why so many gracious and thoughtful people make it a habit to check the gift wrapping displays when they are in the fine stores that feature hallmark cards. For here they know they'll find ever-new, ever-interesting gift wrappings created by famous hallmark artists. You'll find them exciting, too, with their exquisite designs and colors blended and coordinated so that every gift you wrap can be a projection of your personality and extra expression of your thoughts. You'll find hallmark gift wrappings for every season of the year, every gift occasion. There are special ones for the gifts you'll probably be giving in these months of May and June. Graduation gifts and wedding gifts. So if you want your gift to give pleasure from the moment it's placed in the receiver's hands, look for that familiar hallmark and crown on the outside of the wrapping paper. That same hallmark you always look for in the back of a car when you'll carry enough to send the very best. Now back to James Hilton and the second act of Marshall Byrd starring Barbara Stanway. She gave, effectively, into the late September afternoons. That small, humble cottage doorway framed her world but it seemed to link her with all the most memorable moments of her life. Memorable moments. That late spring afternoon I stood in the same doorway and looked across the young, growing cities. They wondered what they had for it and for me. I don't know how long I'd been there when I realized that my father was standing silently beside me. She never spoke until I turned to look at him. Marsha, Mr. Venice has asked for your hand in marriage. What did you say to him, Father? I told him that if this were the old country, I'd accept him immediately for years. All a father could wish for his daughter. A fine young man of position and need. You checked his name, Father? I take no man on his face value. And I can tell you that I have investigated the young man and his bank account is as huntsome as his purse. If this were not America and the decision were up to me, I'd have accepted him on the spot. But you didn't accept him? No, Marsha. You are not a scotch lassie. You're an American girl. And I want you to have the freedom of your own choice. He's waiting to be done by the red snow. I thought he might send you to him to give him your answer. Or I would take it for him myself if the case may be. So what is it to be? Will you take in your answer or shall I? I'll take in my answer, Father. I'll take in my answer. John and I married and went to live through some sick rented house on Pennsylvania Avenue. There in June of 1803, our daughter Anne was born. And as soon as I was able, I carried her here to this cottage. I might have known I'd find the two of you over here. I want Anne to do a familiar with this house and to love it as much as I do. She's going to be a very wealthy woman someday. I don't want her ever to lose sight of the fact that this is her background and the small house and the wilderness with her beginning. Yes, my dear. And our own new house will be built there, right over there. There's where you and Anne and I will live and put down our roots. You know, I was surprised for you. I ordered special mental pieces from Italy today. Special mental pieces from Italy? Oh, John. I must remind you that you are speaking to a woman descended from the sky. And I am in duty bound to protest against such a tragedy. Madam, permit me to remind you that you address the descendant of the Dutch. I know. I know. Never argue with a Dutch woman. Oh, I want you to be happy. More than anything you will. I want you to be happy. Oh, I am happy, my dear. Happier than I can ever can be. We moved into our new home of our own new. And it was indeed one of the most splendid homes in the city of Washington. John collected treasured force of all over the world. And there really everything great happened. The people we welcomed to our gatherings were to our safe, most interesting people in the world. But they were the people who had come to Washington to help stand this new nation on its young, shaky feet. When my daughter was nine, war and its tragedy came to the city. Everything is going to be all right. I think they'll burn the cars. Oh, why should they want to burn a small, humble place right here? I have to burn anyway. There are any spots and you'll put them out. I'll put them from ancient times by. Yes, of course. That would be one of the first things they looked like. Oh, I can get on. I'm not frightened, am I? I am perhaps a little sad, but not frightened. After all, when I was a child, there were battles with Indians. Then there was really something to fear. That wasn't civilized war like this. If you're going to buy those words, civilized war. It's at least civilized by comparison. I'm not afraid of this enemy. There is nothing to us if we do capture it. But I am sick and hearted at the thought of the loss and the work that we've done all this. Look out the way. It looks like the end of the city. No. No, not the end. We will rebuild the city. And the towns of destruction that had once been there were replaced by the towns of Delhi. They had passed as the capital and the nation grew. And we will pass to John and me. He had frightened with joy and will. Darkened with sorrow. And grew to a lovely girl who then was married. And one in two short years after her marriage, she was taken home. Leaving an aching void in our lives that we've never quite fulfilled. John and I then moved for one month. And for the city that was growing on all sides of my own life, to pay him in his work and particularly with his orphanage being built on our heads. This is Venice. The people of Washington will always remember York City. But wouldn't it be a little more to have more of these children for close by? Oh no, I've always loved children. It would be good to hear the sound of their voices again. You really are a heartthrob to have been a great fool for this town. We thought we might be the earth of it after you. After all you are, it's found. No, the orphanage belongs to the city. I think it should be named for the city. Call it the Washington City orphan asylum. Meaning the orphanage for you means the least we could do in the recognition of the generosity. Recognition? Oh, I don't want any recognition. Don't you see? I've lost a child. In exchange I'm trying to make all lost children mine. They need parents and I. I need children. And now I sit here on the steps of this little cottage and look across at the orphanage. Look across at the home John built for us. Look at the fires that he moved possibly growing in here. It seems better moments than if it was spring. Yet much has happened since spring. And so too. Ah, sure. Yes, my God. I've been hunting all over for you. I might have known I'd find you here. I've been sitting here thinking of all the things that started in this house. My life, our life again. And the city of Washington itself. Yes, the city of Washington. It began in that very living room when my father reached an agreement with President Washington. I watched the city begin from the windows of this house. And it was here I found you. My dear, you know you are still as beautiful as the days when you were the Baron Washington. Ah, you must remember. We've got your suspicious of almost everything. Especially, Compton. And don't you forget we've got to have a reputation for honesty. We say what we think. And what are you thinking? That I am the most favored man to have shared these years with you. To be able to share the years ahead. The years ahead? Oh, how wonderful that sounds. You're the head for the nation that will grow through the strength and unity of its young. You're the head for its capital, to be born in the wilderness. And you're the head, my darling. James Hilton will return in a moment. Soon you'll be wanting to send your congratulations and best wishes to the young graduate you know. The graduation day is one of those memorable occasions made more memorable by the thoughtfulness of friends and loved ones. It's one of those occasions when a hallmark card is particularly appropriate. A card that will express your thought and your thoughtfulness perfectly. Saying just what you want to say just the way you want to say it. So just as you look for hallmark cards on those other occasions when congratulations are in order, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, remember to look for hallmark graduation cards. You'll find the words of congratulations on a hallmark card seem warmer, more personal, more of what you like to say. And remember in addition to the words inside the card that familiar hallmark on the back is recognized everywhere as meaning you cared enough to send the very best. Here again is James Hilton. It was a great treat to have you with us on the hallmark playhouse tonight, Bobbo. Thank you for a very fine performance. I'm very glad you asked me, Tim. For myself, I was happy to learn about Marcia Brune. She was certainly a great woman. You often collect stories about real people, don't you, Tim? Yes, we do. And as a matter of fact, we especially like stories of real people who faith and courage have inspired others. I think that's why I always enjoy hallmark playhouse. Also, probably one of the reasons I enjoy sending and receiving hallmark cards is a simple and sincere way to send a message of encouragement. What story have you selected for next week, James? Next week our story will be a dramatization of the events that happened during the famous Lewis and Clark expedition. We shall present Forward the Nation by Donald Colwell's previous, by Donald Colwell's previous, and our star will be Van Heflin. Our hallmark playhouse is every Thursday, our producer-director is Bill Gay, our music is composed and conducted by David Rose, and our script tonight is adapted by June Holloway. Until next Thursday then, this is James Heflin 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 a hallmark card that you carry enough to send the very best. Margot Stedwick may currently be seen starring in RKO's Clash by Night, a Walt Krasner production co-starring Paul Douglas, Robert Lyon, and Marilyn Monroe. The part of John tonight was played by Raymond Burr, Tudor Owen was Mr. Burns, and Ted DeCorsia, Washington. Ann Whitfield played the role of Ann and Virginia Gregg, the woman. Every Sunday afternoon on television, hallmark cards present Sarah Titchill, who brings you the story of interesting people on the Hallmark Hall of Fame. This is Frank Goss saying good night to you all until next week at the same time. When we return to present Van Heflin in Donald Kohlrock TV's Forward the Nation on the Hallmark Playhouse. Stay tuned for Mr. Pavilion.