 From Hollywood, it's time now for... Johnny Dollar. Oh, good, good. Huh? Johnny, this is Ben Pringle. Ben, how are you? Still selling insurance, Mr. Mutual? No, not anymore. Oh, that's right. You were talking about retiring. I have retired. Yes, your guy quit the insurance business and bought myself a poultry farm. Well, good for you. Where is it, Ben? It's right here in Vineland, New Jersey. And how's it going? Oh, terrible times, terrible. Huh? Well, I think of all the pretty chickens that I've lost. Well, what seems to be the trouble? Johnny, somebody's trying to put me out of business. Well, I don't know who I want to hire, but Ben, if I can be of any help to you. Can, Johnny, you can. I was going to call Star Mutual because everything I have is insured pretty heavily, but first I thought I'd make sure that you're available. For you, anytime. Well, then come on down here, will you? In meantime, I'll notify the company that you're on the way. Just give me your address and I'll be on my way. The exciting adventures of the man with the action-packed expense account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Now, act one of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Special investigator, Johnny Dollar. From the Star Mutual Insurance Company, Home Office, New York, New York. Following is the account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the sick chick matter. Item 1, 1050 train for an incidental Hartford to Philadelphia. There, to be sure of adequate transportation, I rented a car. That's item 2, 50 bucks deposit. The 35-mile drive south on Route 47 was uneventful, and I finally turned left onto Vineland's main street, Landus Avenue. Vineland, the heart of sunny southern Jersey. And at least that's what the sign said. It's a busy little city, Landus Avenue or busy street. Finally, I stopped at a mobile gas station on the far edge of town to ask about the address Ben Pringlet given me. Just keep going straight out Landus Avenue for about five, six miles, till you come to East Vineland. East Vineland. Yeah, then you turn right, go about a mile, mile and a half, you can't miss it. If you can pick it out from the rest of the poultry farm. A lot of them, huh? Vineland's the egg basket of the world. Where do you suppose Philadelphia, New York, and the rest get all their eggs and chickens? Yeah, well, I better get underway. Thanks a lot. Anytime, mister. The gas attendant was right. There were enough chicken ranches in the outlying sections to supply half a dozen cities. And trying to pick out the one belonging to Ben Pringlet was a problem. I need to ask for the directions I pulled up at the nearest farmhouse. What do you want? I'm looking for Mr. Ben Pringlet's place. Oh, Ben Pringlet. He's the right next door. Oh, that poor man. For me? Yes, sir. He's a common down here from New York. He'll spend all his money on what happens. He's a gonna lose his clock. Doesn't know much about raising chickens, huh? Oh, he's a don't know nothing. Sure, my old man, he's a try to sell them when he come here. It's a take more than a money to raise the chickens. So why don't he get out? Why don't he sell out? Before he spend all his money and lose everything. You think that's what he ought to do, Mrs.... Yes. A new cheer and sully. My old man, he's a cheer and sully. What's your name? Johnny Downey. Well, then if you're more new to him, who's like all the rest? How do you mean? Oh, they make us a morning in the big city. They want to do what your car will retire on it. Sure. So they're coming down here, buying now is a piece of farmland. We got the plenty nice of farmland here. Oh, I can see that. So they think all they need is some chicken houses, some chicken feed. And then all they got to do is collect the eggs and make a lot of money. But it's not that easy. Huh. Then the bringer, he's gonna listen to us anymore. He's gonna lose his flock. He's gonna have to sell out cheap. He's gonna lose his shot. And his farm goes to rank and rule. Uh-huh. And that's when somebody else comes in. Somebody he's gonna know how to raise the chickens. They buy them up cheap. Oh. Is that how you got this big place of yours? Oh, sure. Who stops us at a little place? We work hard. We make a little money. Then, when somebody like him comes along, we buy them how we got a nice, big place. That sort of thing happened very often around here, Mrs. Renzulina. Oh, sure. All of the time. You ask a Tony Pascuali. Now, he's got a big phone. You ask a Carmen Schenero. Same a thing. You know Tommy Bernasconi? No. We ask him. Same a thing. Same a thing. What's the matter, huh? Oh, I was just thinking, Mrs. Renzulina, it's pretty much to your advantage to see these people go broke, isn't it? No, you're just the one, man. Frank Dawson. Look, I don't know who you are, what you want, what's in your business. My business is finding out why Ben Pringle's having trouble. Maybe who is causing it. You get out of here. I don't like it the way you talk. Sure. I don't think I like you. Yeah? Maybe you'll like me even less after I've talked to Ben Pringle. How about that? Get out! Glad you can make it, Johnny. Yes, sir, but sit down. Yeah. Well, for what I hear, Ben, you're having a pretty rough time of it. Oh, I suppose it's my own fault, Johnny. Walking into a project like this without knowing more about it. Well, how deep have you gone into this layer? Oh, my true dude, Johnny, true dude. All in all, I've spent nearly 40,000. That's just about all I have. And most of us had to go for replacing my herd. Her? Yeah, my herd of chickens. And I thought it'd be so easy, you know, just buy a few hundred chickens. Yeah, throw them some feed, collect the eggs, collect the money. Yes, and I'd be fixed up for like, oh dear, there are more diseases that chicken can catch. There are more lice and bugs in it. Oh, now there's. Hey, Ben, you, uh, you said something about somebody's trying to put you out of business. That's right, Johnny, and I'm sure of it. But why I don't know. I didn't know I had an enemy in the world. Oh, what's going wrong? Well, just waiting to see my herd of chickens. And if you don't agree with me that... Oh, I'm sure you'll agree with me. About what? That they're being poisoned. Well, that's right. By whom? I think I know. Oh, yes, sir. Well? By somebody who'd like to see me go broke. So that he could buy you out sheep. Who, Ben? I'll tell you who. Because he wants to add my property to his. And he's right next door. And his name is Joe Linzuli. Back to of yours truly, Johnny Dollar, in a moment. And now for another episode in the life of Sergeant Donald Bellweather. My husband. Oh! Can't find it, Reeve. I can't find the fountain pen. I've looked all through this desk. Here it is, dear. Here it is. You must have used it as a marker when you were reading this book. See, that's great literary classic. Six gun showdown at Powder River Gulch. All right. Never mind about my reading habits. Just look at the coverage we're going to get with this new auto accident policy. Hmm, let's see. Hmm, it's a collision. $15, $50 deductible. Fire, theft, public liability, property damage, medical benefits. In other words, we have complete coverage. That's right. Of course, it's been a cost of money. I'm sending the company a check right now. Gee, it's too bad we don't live in Rhode Island. Rhode Island, why? Well, because then our rates would be lower. Rhode Island has less accidents per capita than any other state. Oh! Which state has the highest? Let me see. Oh, here it is, Nevada. No buggy, only Nevada's second highest. Alaska has the most. Reeve, I didn't know that. Mm-hmm. You know, it's just too bad we can't eliminate traffic accidents completely. Not only would it save life and land, but it'd be a lot less strait on the pocketbook. Yeah, that's for sure. These automobile accident policies get more expensive every year, just because there's so many costly accidents. Well, I'm glad we've got some good insurance coverage, Donald, but just remember one thing. Oh, what's that, honey? Well, some auto accidents ruin a fender and some ruin a family. Yeah, that's true. Very true. But as far as I'm concerned, I don't want any of your old insurance money. I want you here at home, safe and sound. You always drive carefully, won't you? Yes, I will do. That's my Donald. That's my Donald. Truly, Johnny Dollar and the Sick Chick Mother. You're going to kill off your flop with you out of business. Yes, insurance are in. I'm sure of it. But just waiting to see him. Johnny, I have got the sickest herb and chickens you ever saw. OK, Ben. Let's take a look at them. Don't I'm afraid I don't know much about the creditors. You don't have to. Anybody could tell. Just anybody. Come on. Come on. Have you talked with a friend about it? Sure I have. Find us in the county, too. Dr. Goldhaft. Well, he has a regular laboratory. He's known all over the world. He's the one that cured him with a cholera, and a hepatitis, and a cyanobitis, and a coxatotitis. Tosas, Johnny, after I've called him in so many times, he even gave me a book. A book? Yes, he did. So that I'd know what all the diseases were, and, well, so I wouldn't have to make him drive all the way out here when I'd just forgotten to give the hens their lay in, man. Sure. Or enough water or something like that. You'd forget to... Well, no wonder you've had trouble with your fly. And I left... Well, I guess I was kind of a nuisance to him, too, but I did so much my herd to be a good woman, lay a lot of eggs for me. Well, what does the vet say about what else to know? Well, I haven't told him. You haven't told him? Well, see, I'm afraid I still owe him a pretty big bill. Yeah, but look, Van, I looked in the book. I looked in the book, Johnny. And there's nothing in it about the way they are. There is not a word. And that's why I sent for you. But, Ben, I told you, I don't know anything about them. Of course, if you're right, if they're being poisoned, oh, let's take a look at them. Yes, yes. You'll see, you'll see. You get a nice-looking lay out, I'll say that. Nice new houses for them, like 15 yards or whatever you call them. Then there's plenty of room for them to... There, there, yes, here. You see? Oh, they're all so sad-looking. They're just so sad and petulant. Is there a way of holding against me for whatever else? Those poor little things. So help me, I've never seen any. Do chickens ever suffer from the blind staggers? You mean the blind staggers? Would they be like horses? Oh, no, sir. No, I'm sure they could. Of course, it isn't in the book. And if it isn't in the book... Ben, you're sure you haven't been spiking their drinking water with some of your private stock? Oh, it's why, of course, not Johnny. You know, you and my one insurance contact would always suggest in the nip of that bottle you kept in your desk. Oh, no, Johnny. Boy, these chickens sure look... Hey, you said you'd feed them a ring, man. It's right here in the shed. Come along. But, uh, what are you thinking of? Well, if any of that stuff should get good and wet and ferment. Oh, no, no, no. It's as sweet and dry as the day I bought it from Jake Rubinoff. There. Aren't you there? You see what I mean? Where's Jake Rubinoff? He's the biggest feed dealer in town. Yeah, it certainly smells all right. Yeah, it is all right. Oh, no, Johnny. My hood has been poisoned. And you suspect Joren Sully on the next part. Of course I do. Wasn't he one of the people who tried to help you get started when you first came down here? Oh, sure, sure, sure. Yes, he pretended to. But I can see now it's just a look over my nice place. See how much he can get his hands on when I go broke. Well, if you had some concrete reason for thinking he might be poisoning your farm... I've seen him. Yes, I have. I've seen him with my own eyes. I'm right over here at night several times. What? And scatter something over the fence into my pants. Out of a big sack. What was it? By the time it was daylight and I could see the chickens had eaten it all night. You sure it was Ren Sully? Of course I am. Okay, Ben. I'm going over and talk with him. I went back to the farm next door. I found Joren Sully one of his shits. Tall, husky, and wealth-tanned. He was hard of work building some kind of an affair with a large wooden frame. He's a finished. Like I say, Mr. Dollar, you keep the chickens in a cage up off the ground. They're more healthy. You get a more fat, bring a better price in the market. How you like that, huh? I asked you a question, Mr. Ren Sully. I'd like an answer. No. All right. All right, I tell you. I think you better. He's because I tried to help the poor man without he's a fine-out. So I throw it over the fence at night when he's in O.C. Throw what over the fence? Well? Yeah. Move. This is suck. There you see? In this one. X, L, N, C, Vitagro, Supple. That's right. They're vitamins. Vitamins? He's a chicken, sir. They're sick. He don't know what to do. He's a waste all his money. He's a nice palace, or I help him. You sure that bag doesn't contain some kind of poison? Poison. Poison? Yeah. No! Where'd you get that stuff? Jake Rubin, our feed store. What do you try to accuse me of? Nothing. Yet? I'm gonna try to help the poor man. Let's show him. You don't like her? I want a sample of that stuff. Sure. Take all you want. So what are you gonna do? It's too late now, but in the morning I'm gonna take it into town to the feed place and check on it. You go ahead. And believe me, if there's anything wrong with it, I'm coming back here with the police in tow. Police? You better talk, Ranzoli. You don't understand. You don't know a smaller place like this, you gotta stay friends with everybody. You make trouble for people. It's no good. What are you talking about? You're neighbors. Are you friends? Oh, sure. Just like you're a good friend of Ben Pringle. Yeah, I think so. But you're protecting somebody whose poisoning is chicken. No, that's that big a lie. Then what's all this double talk? Why are you so afraid I'll bring the police out here? And I am. I'm a not. I mean, or maybe you've done something you're afraid they'll tag you for. Is that it? No, that's just wrong. Fact remains, you know something about Ben Pringle's trouble with his flock. I tell you, I tell you. You've told me nothing. Okay, I'll find out for myself. Ah, ah, good. That is good. You know, live here. You find out. That's all right. That's good. Find out what? You, you find out. And that's all I could get out of. And on the way back to Ben Pringle's farm I suddenly began to wonder if I hadn't stepped into something more than just a bunch of sick chicks. You know something? As it turned out, I certainly had. In a moment, do you know who said absolute freedom of the press to discuss public questions is a foundation stone of American liberty? Those words were said by former President Herbert Hoover. Mr. Hoover was well aware of the important role that freedom of the press had played in the creation and growth of the United States of America. He realized that without freedom of the press no democratic form of government could exist. One of the first steps in the path toward totalitarianism is the creation of a controlled press. The free press hampers the work of a potential dictator. When the press is free, the people of a country are free. When the press is not free, the people of a country are in danger of slavery. Remember the words of Herbert Hoover. They are part of your American heritage. Freedom of the press is a foundation stone of American liberty. And now act three of yours truly Johnny Dollar and the sick chick mutter. By the time I got back to Ben Pringle's place he had spread something that passed for supper on the kitchen table. Now you just help yourself there Johnny. There's plenty more in the stone. If I don't get the best canned beans you ever eat. Yeah. I think you should have some ketchup. Hey look man as I told you I got nothing out of Joe and Zully except a powerful feeling that he's protecting one of your neighbors around here. Well you know how it is out in the country this way Johnny. A man who tells on his neighbors well he's an outcast. Hey maybe that's why Ren Zully didn't mind if I could find out what's going on here for myself. I still think he's doing it. Yes sir. Whose place is that on the other side? I noticed a brand new Lincoln out front. Oh oh yes. Well he's a nice young man. Oh he's real nice. Now what's his name? A John Corp pepper. He came up here from the south. I can tell that by the way he talks. What's he do? Oh he just lives like that. Oh he has some of the guest parties. All he wants to drink. Oh no wonder you like him. If he can scrounge drinks for him. Oh well I have tried to drop him. But he's always just shoved a bottle in my hand and told me to come back here and enjoy it by myself. Who am I to refuse a nice gesture like that? That barn and bag of his place. Horses? Cows? Oh no no no animals where they can't. And it's a funny thing though. Well I'm a very sound sleeper you know Johnny. But I'm sure that I've heard some big trucks pulling in there at night. And I've often wondered about it. Well then I just went right back to sleep. Then have you got a fly shot I can use? I'll get it for you. Why? What are you going to do? Let's call it a little exploring. The night was warm and some of Ben's chickens were still out in the yard. They were gathered by a section of the fence right next to the neighbor Mr. Culpepper's barn. Then I noticed something else. A well-worn path from that barn to the fence. Funny. Climbing as possible I climbed over the fence and worked my way to the barn. There was a light on somewhere inside of it. And then you caught it. A faint piercing odor that I hadn't smelled so helped me since I'd worked on a case down on the hillbilly country of Kentucky. I sneaked over to a crack in one of the barn doors. Inside I could see cases and cases of bottles and the outline of a huge copper still. Moon shot. Stand still, Mr. Culpepper. Don't you move, sir. I'll blow your head off. Revenueer, huh? Revenueer. I've seen you poking around Renzoules and Pringles today and I figured you might be dropping in. No. Keep your hands up. Oh, now look, Culpepper. No, you look. If you'll reach inside the pocket of my jacket you'll find a card case that'll show you who and what I am. You know, I might just do that now. But don't you try to think funny. Keep them right up over your head. If you'd like this flashlight. Don't move. There's enough light coming through the crack in this door. Now you stand still while I... Johnny, dollar. Insurance investigator? That's right. Well, then you... Then what are you doing here? Culpepper, the only interest I have in you is still is what it's doing to Ben Pringles' chickens. What's that? Yeah, and in getting this guy to win No, I'll shoot you out. No, you don't. There you go. Look, I'll make a deal with you. I'll send you a couple of thousand dollars to keep you mouth shut about my still. I told you, I don't care about your still. Then I don't get it. That's not on my bailiwick. All I care about it... Wait a minute. You make whiskey out of mash. Have you been dumping sour mash over Pringles' fence? Oh, sure. To destroy the evidence. Holy smoke. Then all that's wrong with Ben's chickens is that they're drunk. Boiled to the guild. You mean to say that old used to... Yeah, I mean to say. Now, come on. I think you and Ben had better have a little talk. Well, they talked, Ben and Culpepper. In exchange for not being reported, Culpepper agreed to pay my expense account, Ben's veterinary bills, and a move out of the county. Oh, I... I suppose I should have notified the local authorities of what was going on. But isn't that really a job for the company? After all, like I said, it is out of my bailiwick. Hey, you know something? The stuff Culpepper was turning out that old barn wasn't half bad. Expensive outtotal to the company? Nothing. Yours truly? Johnny Dollar. Frank Bob Bailey originates in Hollywood and is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone. Who also wrote today's story? Heard in our cast were Lucille Meredith, Howard McNear, Gil Stratton, Jack Moyles, and Sam Edwards. Be sure to join us next week. Same time and station for another exciting story of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. This is Dan Cumberley speaking. Presentation of the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.