 The people of a town don't form committees and go around shooting men for the reasons you've given me. It doesn't make sense. We have gone. We'll travel. Starring Mr. John Daner as Paladin. San Francisco, 1875. The Carlton Hotel. Headquarters of the man called Paladin. Mr. Paladin. Good morning, hey boy. I was just coming up to your room. Well, I decided to have breakfast in the dining room this morning. Oh, Isa, a telegram come for you. Oh, thank you. Hey, what's the matter with your neck? Why do you keep rubbing it? Oh, hey boy, I miss you when I go for a walk in moonlight last night. Uh-huh. What's that got to do with it? Oh, we go looking for falling stars who heads back too long. Get it stiffy now? Miss Wong too? Oh, Isa. Well, was it worth it? Did you see any falling stars? There is one. Did you make a wish? Wish? Yeah. It's an old custom. When you see a falling star, you make a wish and it's supposed to come true. Oh, hey boy, not notice. Must look again. I have many wishy to make. Yeah, as well. Not too long at a time, hey boy. You might wind up with your head in a permanent stargazing position. Oh, Isa. Uh, you're saying I answer the telegram? Oh, yeah, let's see. Ah. Need your help. They're going to murder my friend Sam Crow. Hurry, signed. Skeeter Hickshaw. Who? Skeeter Hickshaw, hey boy, an old prospector friend of mine. Oh, Isa, very upset. Hey boy, when Skeeter sends a telegram for help, he's not only upset, he's desperate. Most Americans are proud of their country and of its high standard of living. Today we have more leisure time, more extensive and better highways and recreational facilities than ever before. We're also proud of our country's scenic beauty. But do we always remember to keep it beautiful? Whenever we throw fruit skins, candy wrappers or tissues from an automobile window or leave a pile of litter at the beach in a park or along a stream, we are actually destroying the country's beauty. What's more, we're endangering health and safety. A piece of paper thrown from the window of one car can blow against the windshield of the automobile behind it and cause an accident. Objects lying half hidden in grass or in the sand at the beach are safety hazards. Won't you help keep America clean and beautiful? Here's how. Carry a litter bag in your car for travel trash and always dispose of litter in a proper receptacle. This is your country. Take care of it so you'll continue to be proud of it. Skeeter Hickshaw lived in a small town of Hamburg near the Oregon border. He was one of the lucky few miners who had managed to save enough money from prospecting to retire in a reasonably comfortable manner. I had first met him some years before in Nevada. We became good friends and it wasn't long after that when he gave up prospecting and settled down to a life of relaxation. It was late afternoon when I finally arrived at his place in Hamburg. Hey, what? Hi, mister. So you just climbed back in that saddle and moved out? Hey, Skeeter, is that you? You hear what I said, now get. Now, hold on, hold on, it's me. Paladin. I don't care who, paladin. Why didn't you say so? Come on in. Are you sure it's safe? Of course, of course it's safe. God dang you. It's about time you got here, too. Oh, I'm glad to see you. Come on in. You shoot at everybody that comes to your place? Oh, now you know I didn't know that as you. No, I figured with some shifty character they'd hired to get Sam. Yeah, what's this all about, Skeeter? Well, they're fixing to shoot him, that's what. But they ain't gonna get away with it. The God dang fool's no sirree. I tell you, I would engage your... Oh, now, see there? Look at me getting all riled up already. Now, I ain't even seen you in a koon's aid. Grab yourself a chair there, paladin. I got some coffee going, if you can see it. Why not? I said your coffee was a test of a man's strength and after being shot at, I wanna see if I've got anything left. Yeah, sure. Yeah, you ain't changed none at all since the last scene, you? Oh, I changed. We all do, Skeeter. Yeah, well, you ain't lost your shooting hours, have you? I said you ain't lost that, because that's what I'm gonna need. Yeah, why do you need me, Skeeter? Who is this friend of yours somebody's after? Sam Crow, and he is the best dang friend I ever had. Fine, fine, but what's his problem? Oh, they formed a stinking committee. That's why I say that's what, and they aimed to shoot Sam. Why? What's he done that's so bad? Nothing, nothing. At least, why is nothing that deserves him being shot? Well, he must done something, Skeeter, or what was it? Well, he took a few things here and there. He took a few things, like what? Well, you know, jewelry and things, but folks always get everything back. Yeah, I say I always give it back. You always give it back? Yeah, Sam brings his stuff here, so I give it back. All right, your friend Sam is a thief. Now, what else? That's all I tell you, that's all. Except maybe he does kind of cuss at the ladies a little. Cuss at the Skeeter? Nothing you've said makes any sense. The people of a town don't form committees and go around shooting men for the reasons you've given me. Oh, well, they're doing this town, and it ain't the town's people. It's the town's women. Women? Yeah. And this committee you're talking about is made up of women? Oh, they are the ordinary. It's a bunch of females I have ever seen. Now, look. I tell you, pal, that I ain't never seen nothing like it. Just a parcel of busybodies. That's what they are. Skeeter. I ain't never shot a woman before, but I'm sure enough thinking about it now. Skeeter. I tell you, honey. Skeeter. Huh? Will you calm down a minute? No, calm down a minute. How would you feel if your best friend was going to be shot? Well, maybe he won't be shot. Now, there's got to be more to this than you're telling. But there ain't, I tell you. Well, where is this friend of yours? Is he hiding out somewhere? Hiding? Hiding? Heck, no. He's right in the next room. In the next room? Well, get him in here. Maybe if I hear his side of it, this whole thing will make some sense. I have told you everything there is to tell. Just get him in here, will you, Skeeter? Oh, sure. Paladin, you're just as stubborn as you ever was. What? Come here. Well, here he is, Paladin. You mean this? Is it a crow? Sam Crow is a bird? Well, I never said he wasn't. All the way from San Francisco, you make me come all the way from San Francisco because you were worried about a bird? He ain't a bird. He's Sam Crow, and he's my friend. Skeeter, it took me four days of hard riding to get here. Four days, and all because I thought you needed my help. Well, I do need your help, but you can God dang well get it if that's the way you feel about it. Well, maybe I will. Well, go on then. See if I care. See if I care. What do you know about friends? How would you know about how I found this poor critter lying outside all broke up and hurt and how I fixed him up? And then I learned him how to talk or not. See, I learned him how to talk. I'll tell you something, Paladin, in all my life I've been lonely. But with Sam, I ain't lonely no more. That's the kind of friend he is. Skeeter, I'm sorry. I didn't know that he meant that much to you. Well, he does. Well, now tell me, who is in charge of this women's committee that wants to shoot Sam? I think I'll have a talk with her tomorrow. Oh, it won't do, though. Good. I tried talking to him. What's her name, Skeeter? Penny Brook. Mrs. Maude, Penny Brook. You know, I guess there's something else you should know. What's that? Well, Mrs. Penny Brook seems to have an in particular spatial hate for Sam Crow. And I guess cause Sam keeps calling her by a spatial name. What's that? Well, I guess it ain't very nice, but oh, there's no need for me to repeat it in front of him now. Oh, I see. Now, who taught him this special name in the first place? Well, I did, but I've been trying to untie him ever since, but he doesn't want to change. Yeah, I understand. And I can't say I really blame this Mrs. Penny Brook for being offended. Ain't no cause to shoot him. Shoot him! Shoot him! The next day when I went to Mrs. Penny Brook's house, a committee meeting regarding Sam Crow was in progress. When I introduced myself and told the ladies I was there in behalf of Skeeter Hickshaw, the reception I got was anything but friendly, although I did notice one little lady, they called Winifred, who seemed more curious than angry. I tried to explain to the committee that Sam Crow was more than just a pet to Skeeter, and perhaps something could be worked out other than shooting the bird. However, my plea was met with cold stares and from Mrs. Penny Brook, some harsh words. Pelletting her. You look like a gunfighter to me. Is that what you are, a gunfighter? Mrs. Penny Brook, I came here to try to find a solution to a problem, not to discuss personality. The only solution is to kill that bird, and that's just what's going to happen. Uh, but... Oh, now, listen, I want an suggestion. Well, that's fine for you to say, Winifred, Marywell, that Theven Crow hasn't stolen anything from you. Oh, now that isn't so. Just the other day he flew in through my window and took a bracelet off the bureau, but I got it back. Mr. Hickshaw always gives everything back. Well, I'll wager his precious bird doesn't swear at you every time you walk down the street. Oh, I've heard my share. After all, Mr. Hickshaw and Sam spend a certain amount of time in the saloon. It's only natural the bird would pick up some undesirable language. No, you listen to me, Winifred. We've already decided that Crow has to be removed, so if you don't agree, then you can just retire from the committee. Well, I think it's poor bird doesn't know he's doing wrong. Well, we all know it. Uh, ladies, ladies, Mrs. Penny Brook, let's be reasonable, shall we? Reasonable? Reasonable? Is that what Skeeter Hickshaw was when he hired a gunfighter like you to protect that silly crow? Mrs. Penny Brook, he didn't hire me. Well, you're here, aren't you? Well, just let me tell you something, Mr. Paladine, or whatever your name is. If Skeeter Hickshaw can get someone like you, then so can we, and we'll do it. Just mark my words, we'll do it. Now, shut up, Sam. I'm sorry, Skeeter. I tried. Well, I told you it weren't no use talking. Them busybodies just ain't gonna listen. Oh, there was one who wanted to listen. Oh, yeah? Who's that? Oh, well. Well, is that a fact? Well, what do you know about that? Look, Skeeter, couldn't you take Sam out of town for a while? Just long enough till things cool down. No, sir. God dang it. No, sir. I got a right to keep Sam, and I aim to do it. There ain't nobody going to be... Well, I'll be... What's the matter? Look at there, look at there. Here comes that Mrs. Penny Brook, and he's a man with her. Ah, so I see. He's carrying a gun, too. Well, you stinking old bitties. They went out and hired a gunfighter. Ah. You stay here, Skeeter. I'll go out and talk to them. No, sir. Me and Sam. We'll go with you. Oh, all right. Suit yourself. We have to take it by force. Ain't nobody going to take Sam. Ah! Ah! Old bitty... How about it, mister? You gonna make me shoot that crow right off your shoulder? That wouldn't be very smart. Oh? I suppose you're the one they call Paladin, huh? That's right. My name's Turlock. Wiley Turlock. Shoot him! Shoot him! Should I have? Most folks around here know the name. They consider it kind of unhealthy to argue with me. Oh. Now, Mrs. Penny Brook here. She and that ladies' committee hired me to shoot a crow. Now, I aim to do it. And you better aim at something else, Turlock. Now, I guess you didn't hear real clear what I said, Paladin. You know what I think, Turlock? I think you're full of a lot of talk. And that's all. Now, mister, folks hereabouts don't consider it healthy to go against me. Well, I don't happen to be from around here, Turlock. So, if you've got any notions about shooting Sam crow, you better figure on drawing on me first. Now, look... No, no, no. Don't you let him talk to you like that, Mr. Turlock. Now, shut up, lady. What? How about it, Turlock? I... Yeah. That's what I thought. Now, suppose you just turn around and get out of here before you get in real trouble. Now, don't listen to him. Now, there ain't no sense having to shoot out over a little bird. I'm leaving. Mr. Turlock! You come back here. Come back here this instant, you hear? He's not coming back, Mrs. Penny Brook. Well, I never minding that bird! That nasty black bird! Well, these manners ain't the best, Mrs. Penny Brook, but just because he swears a little, and just because he stole some of your jewelry ain't no reason to try and shoot him. Oh, that bird is a thief, Skeeter Hickshaw, and he'll be punished just like any other criminal. I tell you, he will. You mark my words! This is the storm of prices, and a natural-born flair for word artistry. These are the prime assets of one of the great veterans of CBS News, Mr. Lowell Thomas. Monday through Friday evenings, Lowell Thomas offers the latest news into tale and depth plus his own witty, seasoned comment on each story. There's no substitute for experience. Indeed, no substitute for Lowell Thomas when it's comes to news in full sound color on CBS Radio and this station. trapping trapping trapping what's that what's that you got there that skater is a crow a wild crow well what did you trap him for remember I told you about Winifred Marywell and how she was on your side of the committee meeting the other day yes but I don't see well I talked here yesterday and she told me Mrs. Penny Brook had gone over to Horse Creek and picked up a court order what kind of a court order one that declares Sam Crow a public nuisance well I fall the low down miserable gun tricks I ever had just calm down calm down maybe we can save Sam yet well how are you gonna do it just how that's why I trap this wild crow we're gonna switch him with Sam switch him switch him what good that good oh oh I get you when that old bitty comes in with a court order we'll give her this here while that's it exactly skier that's pretty smart found it I say yes sir pretty smart now the only thing is we're gonna have to move Sam out of here for a while now hold on I told you before I ain't gonna do that even if we leave him with Winifred Marywell she offered to keep him for you for a while no yeah I don't I don't like it Sam ain't used to females maybe it'd be good for Sam to be around a woman for a while skitter he might learn some decent language well I suppose he could stand that right now who knows he might even learn to give up stealing mm-hmm that it that it'd be something well all right pal then I'll do her I'll let that Winifred Marywell take care of Sam for a while bit but just a while mind you good now where's me you shitty that sounds like old Pennybrook where Sam Skeeter he's locked up in the next room all right we'll leave him there for now here you carry this cage with a wild crow Skeeter, it's your turn me Skeeter, it's your turn to get out here of course I hear you a god dang female everybody in town can hear you oh boy what's that you got it's the crow you here letting me to bring him out didn't you well why isn't he in a cage he's never been in a cage before you know where's the rest of your busybody committee I don't see him Norris well I'm the chairman so it's my duty to do what has to be done besides I got a court order to get rid of that old crow we all know about that very well then since you know are you prepared to let me shoot the bird sure what I said sure what's the matter you deep there's something strange here look you got the court order and you bring a gun now you're gonna shoot the girl dang crow or ain't you I still say there's something strange you're too eager Mrs. Pennybrook there's just one thing oh since this poor bird has to be shot I think it'd be only fair to take him out of his cage let him sit on the porch rail that way he can die where he's happiest doesn't matter to me put in there if you want that's very kind of you Skeeter let him out yeah sure you ain't a very good shot are you you got the court order Mrs. Pennybrook so you're welcome to take a pot shot at that crow anytime you see him flying around yes sir see just any time at all ain't that right Paladins the law says she's got that right you better practice up on your shooting you old bitty well I don't think your trouble is over Skeeter when she finds out the Sam crow is still around it'll start all over again golly you're right what am I gonna do as I said before why don't you take him over to Winifred maybe she has a suggestion hey well why don't you go and talk to her not me Skeeter I think I've had enough of Sam Crow no offense mind you but I do have to get back to San Francisco oh good evening Mrs. Wong someone is looking for you sir hey boy try to find you in dining room a busy one try to find you in lobby well it looks like you're the winner now who wants to see me oh oh gentlemen with whiskers carrying a bird carrying a bird oh dang you Skeeter yeah I've been looking all over for you well what the devil are you doing in San Francisco I left you in Hamburg four weeks ago well what's the matter can't a fellow come into big city once in a while well sure about that well I see Sam still alive did his visit with Winifred Merrill well help his language any oh yeah he helped that right now yeah and it helps he's stealing too oh well then everything worked out fine oh it did I say it did huh well let me tell you something this gall dang bird got to liking that female oh yeah she got to liking her so much he didn't want to come back to my place with me and after all I done for him too well how did you get him back how did I get him back what what do you think I'm in San Francisco for I'm on my honeymoon that's what honey moon yeah dang right it's the only way I could get this bird back I had to marry Winifred that reminds me of a tip I've been meaning to give you whenever you buy Pepsi Cola get an extra carton this is the secret of effortless entertaining you know by now that as the parties go so goes the Pepsi so face reality and be ready for any number of thirsts by making sure there's always plenty of the light refreshment on hand people go for Pepsi because it refreshes without filling and does it in such a good tasting way come to think of it why not buy a case of Pepsi then maybe there'll be enough for you to have some to have gone will travel created by Herb Meadow and Sam Rolf he is produced and directed in Hollywood by Frank Paris and stars John Daner as Paladin with Ben Wright as Hey Boy and Virginia Greg as Miss Wong tonight story was specially written for have gun will travel by Ray Kemper featured in the cast were Irene Tedrow Jack Moyles Shirley Mitchell John James and Forrest Lewis this is Hugh Douglas inviting you to join us again next week when CBS radio presents have gun will travel