 Ranger Bill, warrior of the woodland, struggling against extreme odds, traveling dangerous trails, fighting the many enemies of nature. This is the job of the guardian of the forest, Ranger Bill. Pouring rain, freezing cold, blistering heat, snow, floods, bears, rattlesnakes, mountain lions. Yes, all this in exchange for the satisfaction and pride of a job well done. Hi, boys and girls. You know, I was working out in my garden the other day, and I got to thinking how wonderful loving care is. Now, you take flowers, trees, and bushes, for instance. If you give them lots of attention, why they'll grow and bloom to your heart's delight. But if you don't pull the weeds and fertilize and water them, they'll do very little in the way of rewarding you with their beauty and growth. And animals are the same way. If you love them, they can sense your fondness, and they'll respond to your delight. But there are some folks who can't care for anything, I guess. That's about where we should begin our story today. We'll call this one, A Dog's Worst Enemy. Our story opens with three events that exploded the anger of the good citizens of Notty Pine into a raging fire. It all began a few weeks ago on a Tuesday morning. Poncho! Here, Poncho. Come here, boy. Look at the poor dog. He's so sick. Here, help me carry him into the house. Don't move him, man. He's been poisoned. No. Oh, who would do? I don't know who the rat is. I'm going to call the vet right away and have him put Poncho out of his misery. Poor guy. What are we going to tell little Marty? I don't know. What do you say to a boy when you tell him someone poisoned his dog? Bob, you better come quickly. What's the matter, Mrs. Curd? Your dog, Apache, is on my front porch, and he's sick of it. Well, he's sicker than any dog should be. Come on. Oh, no. We're too late. Yes. We're too late. He was such a wonderful dog. I'm so sorry, Bob. What he has most killed him. It looks like poison. Somebody poisoned Apache. Oh, terrible. The man that did this ought to be horse whipped. That'd be too good for him. Apache and I hunted together for ten years. We were real pals. Well, little more, Ernie. How's that, Chief? Oh, fine. Right on the button. What happened to Browning? I don't know, Ernie. He's been a long time since he didn't go out on the fire with us. Yeah, I don't know. Since he was a pup. Well, there he is over in the corner. Hey, there's something wrong with him. I'll say something's wrong with him. Looks like he's dead. Let me see. You're right. He's dead in the doornail. Poisoned. Poisoned? Sure as I'm a foot high. Look at those stains inside his mouth. I'd sure like to get my hands on the low-down skunk who did this. Wait till the rest of the boys find out. They'll tear this town apart. When we find him, we'll tar and feather him. And write him out of town in a reel. In half a day's time, the whole town was in an uproar. Anyone who would stoop so low as to poison dogs was considered to be lower than a snake. The firemen started spreading anger from person to person, and soon the word was fanning out like wildfire. Then it was discovered that two more dogs had been poisoned that same morning. That knowledge was like pouring gasoline on an already roaring fire. My son is brokenhearted because Little Poncho's dead. They ought to send the man who did this to jail for life. Feel I'd rather take a horse beating than tell Little Marty about Poncho. If I ever get my hands on the one who did this, I'll beat him with an inch of his life. For ten years Apache and I paled around together. I'm going to spend the next ten years finding out who did it. Chief, me and the boys have covered this town with a fine-toothed comb. And we haven't found out a thing to solve a mystery, but when we do, we'll look out. That was the general feeling from one end of Naughty Pine to the other. Folks who had dogs guarded them closely, and folks who loved animals were up in arms. The situation was getting explosive, as Stumpy informed me, as he walked into the office shortly afternoon that Tuesday. If a skunk could do a thing like that, take it easy, old timer. Mill, there ain't words in the dictionary to describe how I feel about them poor dogs getting poisoned. Yeah, I know, but just simmer down now. I feel just as badly as you do, but we've got work to do. Work? The only work we've got to do is catch the environment before this town goes hogwile. That's what I had in mind, old friend. Wouldn't take much to form a mob, and they might get the idea they should lynch somebody. Heh! You're telling me! I just came from Main Street. Everywhere a fellow looks, there's folks standing and talking, and what they're saying ain't very pretty. Yeah, I figured as much. Well, folks, what's on your mind? Bill, we want that dog poisoned according right now. That's right. We've done some wonderful things in the past, Bill. And we're asking you to perform a miracle now and catch that awful person. Well, I understand how you feel, folks. There's due process of law to consider, you know? Such as? Such as finding a suspect, then proving he's guilty beyond the shadow of a doubt. We got a suspect. Who is it, Ernie? Abe Gorgon. Yes, I am. Why, you must be joshing, Ernie. What makes you suspect him? I'm not joshing, and you know it. Abe's a dog hater from way back. You know that, too. Has anyone seen Abe around the places where the three dogs were found this morning? Do we have to see him around to be suspicious of him? No. But you've got to have reasonable grounds to suspect the man. He did it. I can't bring him in for questioning or arrest him just because he hates dogs. Why not? You ought to question everybody that hates dogs. Just a minute, folks. I love dogs just as much, if not more, than any of you. But we must be reasonable in our approach to this problem. Remember, in America, man's innocent until proven guilty. And that means beyond the shadow of a doubt. You all better listen closely to Bill. Or else you're going to get yourselves into a pack of trouble and maybe even a lawsuit. I hate an animal poisoner just as much as you do. But sitting here talking about it isn't going to apprehend the guilty party. Stumpy and I'll go to work on it immediately. If you'll all go home and cool off, one thing I won't permit is mob action or violence. Be reasonable and go on home and let us go to work. All right, Bill. I can see that you're right. I just hope there aren't any more dogs poisoned. There better not be. And we'll take the law in our own hands. Everyone in town will back us up. Well, everything seemed to be under control for the moment anyhow. But the hate and revenge fires weren't out. They were banked and smoldering. In fact, they didn't smolder very long. It was almost supper time when the office phone rang. I got it, old timer. Ranger Ed Quarters, Bill Jefferson speaking. This is Abe Gamamba, people outside, and they're talking about coming into my house and lynching me. We're on our way, Abe. Goodbye. Let's go, Stumpy. Why are you taking a shotgun, Bill? There's a mob about to storm Abe Gorgon's house. And they're talking about a necktie party. Wrong. I'll take a riot gun, too, just to even up the side. Two of us against all of them. Go in the house, Stumpy, and get Abe and take him to the office. Call in some of the off-duty rangers to help you guard him. You think you can handle this crowd by yourself, Bill? Never mind that. Get Abe and get out of here. Yes, you're right away. We aren't afraid of you or the shotgun, Bill. That's right, Bill. That better use your head, Marty. That goes for the rest of you, too. This gun is automatic and it has five shells in it with a spray of 22 feet. Don't make me use it. But on the other hand, don't think I won't. We've got the evidence you were asking about right over there by that big bush. A beautiful collie. Dead as a mackerel. I'm sorry to hear that. Right now, we're talking about another life, a human life. Stumpy is bringing Abe out to the squad car and taking him to headquarters. The first man to make a move to stop him gets his legs blown off. You understand? I aim to miss the first time, Bob. The second one will be right on the target. I lost the three dogs this morning and stick around. The rest of you, go on home right now. I believe you really would have cut me down with that shotgun, Bill. That's what I said, Bob. Yeah, and it didn't take you long to say it, either. How do you feel now, Bill? That's a beautiful dog, huh? Was a beautiful dog. That's a rotten shame, Marty. But not grounds for mob violence. What in the name of common sense do you need to convince you that Abe's the poisoner? Proof, Bob. Positive and unquestionable proof and evidence. I'm going to search Abe's house and garage and his garden shed. Have you got a search warrant? No. Bill, whose side are you on? Your side and Abe's side. I'm the law, remember? I'm sorry. You've always been a square shooter. I think you'll find enough poison in Abe's garden shed to kill a hundred dogs. You mean poison for spraying and dusting garden plants? Yes. Well, we all have those kind of poisons lying around. Not lying around, but in our possession. That's just the point. You folks are letting your hearts run away with your brains. Your emotions run away with your common sense. You're right, Bill. If you hadn't stopped us, we might all be facing a murder charge right now. Yeah? That's what it would have been if the mob had killed Abe. Well, why don't you go on home now? And if there's any more of this, I'm going to start filling up the naughty pine jail. What grounds could you arrest us? Disturbing the peace, inciting mob violence, inciting mob violence with intent to commit murder. Is that enough? You said you were on our side. I am. That's why I'd lock you up. All right, girl, how'd you get into this mess? I didn't get into anything, Stumpy. Just because that scatterbrained mob found a dead pooch on my property, they think I killed it. You should never have told anyone that you hate dogs. Listen, you old walrus, I carried mail for 25 years in Junction City, and every year I was bitten by dogs at least a dozen times. How would you feel about dogs after that? Well, I can't say I'd feel too kindly toward them. Well, at least you're honest. But get this through your head. I never tried to kill one when I was carrying mail, and I had good reason to, so I wouldn't stoop that low now. I believe you, Abe. I don't think you would either. About time somebody believed me. I thought this was a fine town to retire and live out my life, but I'm changing my mind awful fast. No, Abe, don't go and get all head up. Bill, have you squared away before you know it? Then the same folks who were acting mean will be real friendly. That kind of friendliness I can do without. I guess I'll go now. Nope. Can't say that you can. Well, why not? Because Bill thinks you're in danger until this blows over. Am I under arrest? Nope. Now, don't talk foolishness, sonny. Well, then I can leave if I want to. No, sir. Not if you plan to live to a ripe old age. Bill ain't got to fire out yet, you know. Good morning, Abe. And what's good about it? You rangers kept me here like a prisoner. That's where you're on good. You know it. Well, I guess maybe so. Don't pay no mind to him, sonny. He's always grouchy in the morning. Sort of plagues him like the seven-year-itch. Is that right, Abe? You'd be grouchy too with your legs full of dog bite scars. Well, that's true, but you'll be home soon. Everything will be okay. What's that sweet perfume I smell? I smell it now, too. He must be going by some woman's collage. It ain't no woman. It's me. You stumpy. I think the man's going daft in his old age, wearing perfume. It ain't perfume. It's soap. Soap? Yep. Some young fellow was delivering samples of some newfangled kind of soap, house to house. So I thought I'd try it out. Besides, it was for free. Oh, Stumpy, you take the cake. That's lady's skin-beautifying soap. Try to get beautiful? Well, if there ain't one on me, rapper, I thought it was soap for condition and old leather like my hide. I can't imagine you trying to get beautiful at your age, Stumpy. Well, here you are, Abe, home at last. Yeah, I think I'll put up a poor sale sign first thing. Now don't go jumping off the deep end better. I doubt it. Thanks for the ride. I thought I might have to walk. Abe, snap out of it. Those people just made a mistake because they're upset over the deaths of the dogs they love. Maybe. Goodbye. Goodbye, Abe. I'm sure you'll be all right. They won't bother you again. Ain't talkin' through your hat, young fella. Well, the old timer brought up a strong point with his last remark, and I planned to cross that bridge when I came to it. Right at the moment, I was more concerned about finding out who was doing the poisoning and what kind of poison was being used. I was carefully mulling over a plan as the old timer and I drove along. Looks like we're kind of up a tree on this thing, Abe. What'd you say, something? I said... Okay. Now where are we going? Over to the ice house? Ice house! What did I do? I left the collie there last night, hoping someone would claim him by now, but so far, nobody has. Well then, we better bury him. Not yet, old timer. I'm going to take him over to the vet and have him run an autopsy. See now, that's smart thinking. Then we ought to know what kind of poison was used and how. Right. What do you think, Jim? I don't know yet, Bill. I ain't a toxicologist, so I'll have to do this the hard way. How long to take? Oh, I'd say about three hours. Not more than that. Well, that'll be fine. Give me a complete report, will you, Jim? Sure, I'll go over this poor dog with a fine tooth called. Good. Well, I'll see you in three hours. Okay. Oh, Bill. Yeah, Jim? If I find something I think is especially important, should I call him? I'd appreciate it. So long. Bob? Yes, now listen closely. Another dog's been found poisoned. No joking. Where? Over on the north side of town. The nape wasn't near the dog. Yes, in a way. He's been seen over there today. And so we need to know what's your plan so the rangers don't find out. And our group of us are meeting at my place, and then we're quietly going over to Abe's house and get him. I'm with you. But no lynching. No, no, no, that's going too far. I can see that now. We planned to tar and feather Abe and run him out of town. Good. When are you leaving? As soon as you get here. I'll bid your house in 20 minutes. Goodbye. Hello? Again. What do you mean? Marty just quietly left the house after a phone call from Bob. I think another dog's been found dead from poison. Um, man, how come you're tipping me off? They're all into our own hands. I'm afraid the men might do something they might be sorry for. Thanks, Maj. I'll move on right away. Goodbye. Well, there's Storm brewing. Looks like it. Stompy, you get over to Abe's house on the double and protect that man. I'm going to the lab first, and I'll meet you at Abe's house. We'll teach you a lesion, you dog killer. Well, but I tell you, I'll talk to him, man. He's alone. He won't fire him. We're going to tar and feather this dog killer, and you won't stop us. Oh, you look raw. I am Abe. Trouble's brewing again. He'll be very serious. You got anything yet? Yeah, I finished sooner than I expected, and here's my complete report. Uh-huh. Let's see. Who would have thought of this? Thanks, Jim. I gotta run now. Okay, Bill. Any time I can help, let me know. You solved the mystery. Proof positive. Dog killer, and you won't stop us. Take him, man. He's alone. He won't fire. Thank you, Stumpy. Get up! It won't be necessary, Stumpy. The mystery is solved. You did. That's a lie. You did it, too, Bob. You're crazy. Next thing you'll tell me, I poisoned my own mascot. You did just that, my friend. Mister, I think you're off your rocker. I had the vet run an autopsy on the collie, and he found that the dog died from carbolyic acid poisoning. And he found soap in the dog's stomach. Soap? Where do the dogs get soap? And how do we know all the dogs died from carbolyic acid poisoning? You can have your dog's bodies tested, if you wish, but I'm sure you'll find they all ate soap. But how? It's my opinion that the dogs got hold of some of the free samples of soap that were passed around here this week. I don't blame the soap company for this. I happen to know that the soap was handed to some member of your house personally as part of the advertising project, because it cost the company a lot of money to do this, and they didn't want the soap wasted. Somehow, purely by accident, the dogs got hold of the soap. It's an own fact that some dogs crave the fat in soap, and it only takes two ounces of soap to kill a large dog like a boxer. Gentlemen, Abe Gorgon didn't poison your dogs. There's an old saying, it's better to look like a fool and keep your mouth shut than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. That fits us perfectly. My boy, Marty was all broken up over losing Poncho, but I think he'd be more broken up if he knew the way I'd been acting. Let's go in and apologize to Abe, and try to make this up to him in some way if we can. Okay, let's go. Well, Abe might not be a dog's best friend, but I know he's not his worst enemy. A lot of folks have learned a lesson, and they'll understand more about Abe's attitude when he shows him the scars on his legs from dog bites. But it's tragic that some just won't listen to reason until it's almost too late. My advice is, don't let your temper run away with you. Stop and think. Well, see you next week for more adventure with Ranger... Hi, fellas and gals, Ranger Bill again, stepping in here for less than a minute to invite all of you out there to another half hour of adventure next week at this special spot on your radio dial. We've gathered a pile of stories for you with mystery and adventure and all kinds of excitement, and we don't want you to miss a single one. So next time, call up your friends or get together with them and join all of us Rangers for a session of fighting forest fires, grappling with grizzly bears, or just plain trying to help somebody out. We're sure you'll enjoy the story, and you might just learn something that'll be of real help to you in later life. So next week, be sure to listen.