 The association of American railroads presents the romantic opera at her the cat on the fiddle starring Gordon McRae and his charming guest arm in Francis Yen. Our choir is under the direction of Norman Lube off and the music is prepared and conducted by Carmen Dregs. Yes, tonight another great musical hit is brought to you by the American Railroad. Our choir is under the direction of Norman Lube off and the music is prepared and conducted by Carmen Dregs. Yes, tonight another great musical hit is brought to you by the American Railroad. And now here is our star Gordon McRae. In tonight's story the distinguished soprano Francis Yen plays the part of Shirley Sheridan, a young American songwriter. I play the role of Victor Florescu, also a composer. The night was soft and round and full of romantic promises. She was sitting on a park bench alone. I was walking along the path, also alone. And it seemed only polite to stop and pass the time of evening. Good evening, Mademoiselle. Good evening, Monsieur. Beautiful night, isn't it? Yes, beautiful. You know, it's really none of my affair. But in the interest of chivalry, I must inform you that it's quite dangerous for a young lady to be sitting alone in a park in Brussels. Kind of night like this. So I see. Yes, you're quite right. I am a total stranger and I have no right to speak to you. But you're not a total stranger. I'm not? No, I've seen you often at the conservatory. I studied there awhile. Did you really? You're Victor Florescu, aren't you? I've heard your symphony and I like it. Well, thank you. What's your name? Shirley Sheridan. I'm from Vancouver, Washington. Well, our music gives us something in common. Why don't we go someplace for a bite of supper and talk about the conservatory? Oh, I hardly think I could do that. May I call on you tomorrow? I don't know. She didn't say yes, she didn't say no. She didn't say say, she didn't say go. She only knew about his side of her. And then she knew his side beside her there. That's where summer's first, not one little word. And finally she looked once, my little look, and something. She didn't say yes, she didn't say no. She didn't say say, she didn't say go. She only knew that. So what did she do? And what is that? Good night, Victor Florescu. Well, please don't go, Ms. Sheridan. Look at those stars. Look at that moon. Anything that happens in a night like this is important. Two strangers meeting in a park can be the beginning of a love story. You see... I don't think I should do that either. Well, at least tell me where I can write to you to try to arrange a meeting. You can write me in care of general delivery. If you do, I'll answer you in after a while. If you still want to call on me, then I'll send you my address. I'll keep on writing until you let me see you. All right. But if for any reason at all you lose interest, just stop writing. If there's no letter from you, I'll understand. Good night, Mr. Florescu. Good night, Ms. Sheridan. You'll be hearing from me. Care of general delivery. Our meeting in the park was a moment I shall never forget. Won't you please let me see you again before? Dear Mr. Florescu, you really did right. And I'm so glad. It isn't often that a chance acquaintance turns out to be... Dear Shirley, all day I think of you. I try to lose myself in my music, but I find it the memory of that night. Dear Victor, isn't this general delivery of romance fun? If you keep on writing, I'll soon know that you meant what you said that night in the park and... Shirley Darling, when may I see you to tell you to your lovely face how my heart wants you, my lips want you, my very soul needs the love that only you. Victor, my love, I must go to Paris for a few weeks. Please, please keep writing. And when I return, I'll return to you. My address there will be the Hotel Continental. Oh, there's no letter for me. Oh, nothing, Mr. Nothing. And besides, you are not the fellow who has been coming in for Victor Florescu's letter. No, I've always sent someone. But now it's so important. Well, anyway, I am Victor Florescu. Oh, I am sure you are, monsieur. But there is nothing here for you. Is there any mail for a miss Shirley Sheridan? Oh, Shirley Dan, Shirley Dan. Oh, yes, there is a whole stack of letters for her. Pretty big, girl. Just come in every day. She stops. A whole stack of my letters to her. She doesn't even bother to pick them up. Magnificent, miss Sheridan. Oh, he's so bright and so gay. And so charming. And so are you. Thank you, monsieur, today. Now, this review I am producing, my dear, has a score by a very talented young composer. But his music is a bit heavy. I'd like to persuade him to use some of your songs. And so I took the liberty of inviting him here. He probably won't want anyone else's music in his show. I think he'll be agreeable. You see, he seems to be, let's say, romantically involved with the star of the show. Mademoiselle Odette is a violinist. And the things he's written do not seem to fit her talent. But I don't quite see. Oh, he wants a bubble to keep her happy. And your songs would be just right for her. I'll be happy to have him here, then. But I haven't been able to write much of anything since I came back from Paris. What's the trouble, my dear? He stopped writing. I mean ever since I've moved into this apartment with some long-haired musician across the court, he's hammering on his piano and drives me crazy. Oh, I wonder. The gentleman I was speaking of lives in the same building. Well, he's the one. And the gloomy stuff he plays is his idea of music. I'll get it. Surely. District. I mean, Mr. Florescu. You two know each other? We met once briefly. You'd hardly say we know each other. But surely. Well, you must become better acquainted. Victor, just listen to this. The thing this girl has written. It'll be wonderful for Odette to sing something for you. Would he, my dear? What's this new one on the piano? Well, that's my lady. It's a rather serious song. It describes the thickness of man and the hopeless fidelity of woman. Oh, well, it sounds charming. Please, sing it for her. I made up my mind never to think of her again. I could think of nothing else. I tried to lose myself in my work and wrote a song called The Love Parade. It turned out to be quite a cynical song. I told myself that this was my new philosophy of life. I would rather watch the other fellows throwing down lovers' names. Watch him getting soft and mellow. The fact that it's a charming girl, yes. I'll tell you the secret, Victor. I hope you'll both be very happy. What's this song on the piano? Something I've been working on. A piano? That sounds a little bigger. I'm afraid I've been in a bit of a mood recently. Anyway, here's how it goes. Oh, I'll just use this old envelope here. Oh, my gracious, Victor. What's the matter? This letter in my pocket. It's picked up at General Delivery for you months ago and forgotten about it. Let me see that. Please, please keep writing when I return. Goodbye, Dode. Victor, where are you going? Across the court. I hope I'm not too late. There's something I must tell you, too, Mr. Raskol. I'm not going to let him put any of my songs in your score. It's beautiful just the way it is. Except that it has such an unhappy ending. An unhappy ending? Oh, yes, I forgot. You're going to marry Dode. What? Well, aren't you? Oh, yes, me, but you think I'm going to throw myself away on that old bus budget just because you're going to marry a... a female fiddle player? Who? Odette, the star of your show. Odette? Oh, I surely... She doesn't mean anything. It's all been such a silly mix-up. We knew each other for such a short time, and yet, as far as I was concerned, after that one moment alone with you, the whole world changed in the cat and the fiddle. The music by Jerome Kern and book in lyrics by Otto Harbaugh and adapted for the railroad hour by Gene Holloway. It brought to you each week at this time via the American Railroad. And now, here again, is Miss Francis Yen. Made up your mind with that yes and no business. We certainly enjoyed having you with us tonight. Thank you so much, Gordon. And if you ever ask me to come back on the show train, the answer is a definite yes. Now, what are you going to do next week? We have the fine cowman operetta, Shari, with his wonderful V&E's music, and another wonderful guest, Miss Vivian Delicatis. Well, then, next Monday's railroad hour is a must-listen for me. Well, thank you, Francis, and come back again real soon. All aboard! Well, dear folks, it looks as though we're ready to pull out. And so, until next week, this is Gordon MacRae saying goodbye. Gordon MacRae can be seen starring in the Warner Brothers production, The West Point Story. Our choir is under the direction of Norman Luboff, whose music is prepared and conducted by Carmen Dragon. Do you hope to own a home of your own someday? There's no better way to finance your future than through regular saving with United States Saving Bond. State guard your future, America's future. Start to save now with United States Saving Bond. This is Marvin Miller saying goodbye until next week for the American Railroad. And I'll keep you and your Monday Night of Music on NBC.