 Two of the most distinguished names in radio appearing each week in their own theater Starring in a repertory of transcribed stories of their own and your choosing Radio's foremost players in radio's foremost plays ladies and gentlemen Good evening. May I present my wife Kathy? Good evening. This is a wonderful time of the year It's the time for life liberty and the pursuit of happiness all of which is our due because we're an independent nation But that independence was hard one and at this time of the year We think it a good idea to remember how it all happened and so we asked Richard Chandley to retail a part of it for us And that's what we've planned for tonight. Here it is the midnight ride of Paul Revere Been warm that winter no ice formed on the Charles River, which was strange for Boston Cannon guarded the land entrance to the city General Gage our benevolent military governor had thought the countryside might try to cross the river muskets at the ready if there'd been ice Therefore no freeze and our city remained cut off No trouble from the rabble or city hotheads who thought it tyranny to pay a king's tax on tea or anything else Without having a say about it. No rabble. No pay and be still We'll put troops in your city blockage your port and starve you until you pay Well a fight against injustice can be organized if you've got thinkers and doers It was spring now a new year and the sap was stirring Fourth regiment then Nothing knew about them among us except their actions doctor All the troops are stirring and why drill so late into the evening getting the winter's kinks from their legs in April They're up to more than that Come we best get out of the meeting Marines moved into North Square Their major pit cairn has billeted only two houses from mine could be there to watch or there's no evidence yet I'd know if he was they quartered a sergeant from the 64th with us He doesn't seem smart enough to spy. We're all watched Paul and cock Adams Warren you and I I Trust you and Mrs. Revere mind your tongue I take no chances. I don't have to doctor. You may be sure There's the tenon Should we go in together? Streets empty. I see no reason not to of course. They weren't Sam. They're not stupid I don't need anyone to put words into my mouth John That's not what I meant words in your mouth. Mr. Adams. I don't know what we're wasting time the shorter We can make this the better But what about knocks it was Henry I suggest we start and get to the meat of it all about this activity among The truth as we suspect Two more regiments were landed yesterday making 14 regiments of infantry plus the artillery on the common All are being drilled hard then gauge plans a major move against us. You're sure it sure as I breathe It points only one thing a move in full force outside the city to seize one of our stores of powder and ammunition I but which one of the stores conquered or Salem model head or all three He's brought in enough troops for that's why nox should be here He's our ear engages headquarters at any rate gentlemen. We agree the time is near Undoubtedly gauge will choose the same time to move against the leaders here in Boston most certainly mr. Adams and mr. Hancock The infamous pair that I take it. This is a farewell meeting exactly Sam and I will leave for my cursors place at Lexington tomorrow all the important papers will go with us But should it be done now why wait for the city to be closed against us. We're just tempting him There's nox I hope Henry what delayed you Couldn't be helped It's found Henry. I've just learned he knows no knows what man. What are you trying to say all about us the provincial Congress? Everything we said and done for the last six months How spy or traitor? My informant engages headquarters saw the documents impossible. He quoted for me Provincial Congress minutes sons of Liberty meetings all our names how we function. They were right Who is he which one I don't know They were just the documents must have been some hint none none at all No, of course not only gate would know his name. What can we do? We've got to change everything No, it's too late for that our only change will be that John and I will leave for Lexington tonight Henry If they have this information, how will the British use it so far on the gauge knows His headquarters is ready and waiting The officers will receive their orders only at the last moment. That's all you can tell us. I give my soul to make it more I'm sorry, and there's nothing to do but keep on as we have you will still write express for us Paul Your house is still headquarters. Isn't it just of course do I say it for all? If the traitor frightens us so would Liberty I just so poor But it's a duly naked feeling knowing there's a king's man among us and back to our separate jobs gentlemen Good luck. May God be with us your pet can rather late to be treading the town isn't it Your work keeps you up. I suppose all hours major to feed my family and the British mouth Quartered with us. I must work at my trade all hours My duty to the king admirable a beautiful man Perhaps you'd care to be of more aid to your king. I Have a sword class that needs mending Can you do it next week? Why not tomorrow? Or will you be needing it a? A soldier always needs his sword It's a pity. I like you revere Everything except your business. Thank you major Those are my exact sentiments for you Good night my best regards to your wife. Thank you. I'm ready for your sword at any time It's a pity Yes, Rachel The children asleep hours ago I've kept some broth for you. I have no hunger Our sergeant in his bed, too just before you came. He sat cleaning and polishing all evening Paul what worries you nothing Rachel? Nothing more than you I know you What happened at the meeting nothing? How could it be a? traitor Knox learned it tonight too late to search him out and just when you need your mind clear when you've always trusted the man next to you Now there's doubt There's no way of finding him stop everything and go through 30 men Sergeant It's not for myself Rachel where and when the British move this time it can mean war You're still to write express when they call me and if shots of fired gauge may retaliate against families You've got to shake it from your mind Paul trust us to take care of ourselves. You trusted me Don't with all my heart say no more Whatever happens Rachel know that I love you Whatever happens Paul know there's a long life ahead of us in a free country Now will you take some broth? The steadiness of Rachel was assuring, but still my sleep was bad that night I'd set it bravely at the meeting if a traitor frightens us yet My mind was filled with it each of 30 faces passed before my eyes and did me no good The next day a thing of importance took place in Boston Harbor Joseph Warren, and I stood on Gray's war Watched see them Paul boats of almost every transport taken up for cocking and repairs I Joseph enough for 800 men and over there the man of war Somerset neatly warped into the mouth of the Charles see how her guns lie covering that short stretch of water over to Charlestown What do we draw from it one plan anyway load troops at the foot of the common ferry to Charlestown and quick march to the nearest Powder at Concord Charles Town's the shortest way to conquer and the shortest to Lexington to of course That's it our King's man waste no time grab Adams and Hancock at Lexington then to conquer when they finish work on the boats That's when they'll move and at night Who can lend us a horse in Charlestown the John Larkin, but the Somerset Paul she'll be watching for just such a move She'd give you a broadside Can you safely get a message to Larkin of course and do it and add this each night have him watch north church steeple All Charlestown can see it immediately the troops take to the boats He'll be signaled if the Somerset stops me he's to write wait. What if the boats are only bluff and they march out the neck? two signals One lantern if they go by land To if they cross the river a boat for you they've got one high and well-hidden Joshua Bentley can roll me good and Paul even among us the fewer who know the signal and how you plan to go the better My thoughts to Joseph we best not meet again I'll send for you only when the troops have moved and we're certain of the direction and pray the guards aren't sent for us before then That's the juicid naked feel I have it too We all have except our traitor There'd been a moment we caught each other's eye There was trust between us and yet we were both Retreated inside ourselves as if afraid of each other and cold with a chill of suspicion This to me was worse than any physical agony. I knew if anyone were true. It was Joseph. I hated myself for suspecting Yet could not help it on Monday word was sent of much activity among the British officers and sergeant Quartered in my house left in full marching kit then Tuesday in the whole city stirred with troops rumors and notions Rachel and I said little the waiting was just as hard on her Look through the window make sure who it is and grenadiers marching to the foot of the common they go by see the signal I've just dispatched it to lanterns. It's positive. They're making for Lexington then conquered I've had three separate reports. You must get to Adams and Hancock first. What about you? As soon as you leave I'll slip out of Boston to Cambridge our new headquarters will be at the Hastings house Mind you slip carefully. They've sentries everywhere one more thing I've sent another express by land across the neck one of you must get through one of us will Joseph. I Pray you both do God bless you Paul and good luck. I looked back once over my shoulder Joseph still stood in the door And then he closed it. I walked the edge of the commonly the fast no slow troops were still marching toward the far end The darkness making their red coats the color of dried blood Then I turned away Following the black streets that would lead me to the boat Excitement tense my body urging me to run, but I held myself I looked toward North Church steeple. There were no lights showing It would only have been for an instant But I wondered if they'd shown at all Then I made the last turn and was at the river I chosen Joshua Bentley for his skill with oars the boat appeared from under a wharf Gliding toward me like some great dark beetle I climbed down into the stern and pushed off Joshua nodded to me then put even the muscles of his face into the rowing. It was young flood tide and Joshua bent us into it Then the moon began feeding itself into the sky and I made out the blacker hulk of the summer set in the dark before us She was 64 guns. We'd pass to see whatever But bright in the moonlight And not out of range We were low low beneath her passing her broadside. I Could see her guns were run out each one an ugly wicked fascination that I couldn't take my eyes from I Was unaware that I held my breath until I let it escape me when we had passed The next thing I was aware of was the boat scraping on the Charlestown shore I left Joshua with the boat and went to the home of John Larkin. I saw the signal Is this the mount? Yeah, oh boy. He's the best of my statement. I'll give you a leg up. Thank you British officers came through this afternoon What it patrols on all the roads. Didn't you know no? You have a good horse here faster than theirs. He'll take care of you. Thank you again. Come on boy It's on stage tonight's play the midnight ride of Paul Revere Before Kathy and Elliot Lewis continue with tonight's story I'd like to call your attention to the fact that starting next week our stars will make a slight change in time for their broadcasts Be listening for Kathy and Elliot Lewis on stage at a later time on most of these same stations Consult your local schedules for the exact time Remember next week same Elliot same Kathy same CBS radio same stage to be on on stage But a later time was 12 miles to Lexington. I held the horse to a trot and very soon We knew each other. He was a good animal alert willing and there was trust between us I passed through Charlestown and into the road to Cambridge. I was grateful for the moonlight now and could see a good distance in every direction I had the countryside to myself Then the road began to narrow and a head was a large overhanging tree It seemed a likely spot And it was two riders bolted out of the shadows the moonlight glancing off red coated uniforms I turned sharp raced cross country for the Mystic Road. They swung wide to cut me off I knew this stretch of country. There were clay pits to watch for it. They didn't know But still they forced me from the Cambridge Road I had to go the long way now I crossed the Medford and gave the first alarm before I was out of town. Their bell was ringing with luck I could be in Lexington by midnight Me and coming Where's mr. Hancock I've awakened him. I'll tell me they started at 10 o'clock nearly thousand of them Thousand we learned there were offices on the roads, but nothing like this can't we have some light? We've got to get dressed John Dressed What's that the alarm the whole countryside's away the troops have marched. We've got to get dressed what? Their aim is you and mr. Adams then to conquer for the stores They know we're in Lexington traitor sir. How far away are they they should arrive sometime near dawn? And what about the roads can we get to woe by think so if you hurry I'm to go on to conquered Well, refresh yourself first. You have a good lead on them. Come on John now just a moment Sam I'm tired of running from gauge. It's out in the open now We're leaders the people are rallied and we should be with this is not a time for speeches. I'm not speaking I mean it you can run Sam, but when the British arrive I intend to face them gun in hand John you're a politician not a soldier all the papers are with us that are Responsibility, but you don't see the point Paul I am not going to argue this in my night shirt. I am getting dressed You see it don't you Paul you're a delegate to Congress mr. Hancock it would seem wise to protect yourself We are men if there's a fight I intend to be in it if shots are fired We're all in it our women too gauge wouldn't dare molester. I only wish I was sure of it if you'll pardon me I've got to get on to conquer Concord men were already forming on Lexington green a small group to stand against the British column But their women and children were being moved to places of safety I tried hard not to think of Rachel locked inside Boston on the edge of Lexington I met William Dawes the other express rider Joseph had sent and we rode together About two miles from the town Dawes dropped behind to rouse a sleeping house. I kept on but slowly so he could catch up Visiting friends, I have many of them and why did you warn your companion? Why do you block the road? Come now captain you think a thousand marching regulars are still a secret all right then you are one of their writers We've stopped you at any rate of much too late captain the whole countryside is warned from here to Concord you're cut off There are men looking for you what where you're behind our lines. You're the one who's caught I don't believe you What was that another warning I should shoot and they'll come right down on you. I've got to report this get off your horse You walked your friends He took my horse after him and was gone in the swallowing night, but Dawes had escaped He was a born horseman, and I was sure he'd reach Concord I left the road and cut across the fields back to Lexington I saw mr. Adams and mr. Hancock leave for warren my job now is to get back to our new headquarters in Cambridge and report They were safe It was almost dawn. I found another horse and had just turned for the Cambridge Road when I saw the first British troops The column stopped when they saw the men on the green their bayonets catching the first morning light I rode out wide and around them until I could no longer see Everything seemed to fall into a terrible quiet And from behind me it was something that could not be stopped or undone Heard the shots yourself. Hi They're still in my ears and Hancock and Adams are safe. They're safe until our Kingsman learns where they are They're safe even then the countries formed behind us gauge hold only Boston How was it in Boston when you left double guards everywhere? They were pounding on my front door as I went out the back Rachel Then they did go to our house all I know what you must feel but we'd surely hear if they'd gone after families How could you hear the city's clothes? Please Paul? You're tired. You've been through a lot Don't dream up tortures for yourself. I told you shots were fired. There's a war now gauge knows who we are We're princes of treason to him. Tell me for certain my family isn't hostage or your wife. Dr. Church. I Can't I've got to go see Joseph you can't risk it either of you your coffee will hang you they didn't catch me when I left I'm going with you all right. Maybe it's easier done with two go lie down Paul get some rest before tonight See anyone Looks empty enough No, it's nothing we see guards Move as naturally as possible. Hi So far it's been easier than I thought I go north now The streets the shortest way for me wait I Think we should stay together Your house is to the south that way it's safer if I go along with you one streets as safe as another So it seems Sure, we'd run into guards by now What do you mean? Yeah Down that way you see them now feel listen your side. Don't move. I pull the trigger a Kingsman proud of it at least General Gage will have one of you now walk ahead of me All right, we're fine. I had to see you and I too But every moment in the city is danger to you I can't be free with you here in Boston. They won't harm us Words about the British are willing to trade Patriot families for Tories Please go Paul for our sake will come to you soon Rachel. There's so much. I want to say right now So much. I feel right it. They won't stop the post and my answer will assure you we're well go now I have your letter before me with the news. You will leave Boston in three days Knowing you and the children will be with me soon. I feel a whole man once more You leave confusion for more of it here in Charlestown The air holds no fear Therefore is filled with disagreements Our leaders are not unanimous on any subject But this is the weather of freedom Each has his own ideas and is not afraid to speak This is truly the beginning of greatness Rachel. This is what we fight for