WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:09.800 The Tom Mix, Ralston, straight shooters are on the air. 00:09.800 --> 00:13.520 And here comes Tom Mix, America's favorite cowboy. 00:13.520 --> 00:43.400 I'm coming, come on boy. 00:43.400 --> 00:46.360 Winter comes fast and hard in the western states. 00:46.360 --> 00:51.800 Yesterday, the sun was bright and hard on the TM Bar Ranch house. 00:51.800 --> 00:55.840 Last night, the first few snowflakes began dotting the air. 00:55.840 --> 01:00.640 And this gray morning, the snow is beginning to pile up towards the sills of the windows, 01:00.640 --> 01:03.680 yellow with their own light. 01:03.680 --> 01:09.800 Inside the owner of the TM Bar, Tom Mix, is carrying a big box of Christmas decorations 01:09.800 --> 01:12.760 over to a table near the fireplace. 01:12.760 --> 01:18.640 Tom's permanent house guest, Sheriff Mike Shaw, is warming his shoes by the dancing 01:18.640 --> 01:23.560 fire, his hands clasped over his ample middle. 01:23.560 --> 01:26.040 Tom claps a hand on Mike's shoulder. 01:26.040 --> 01:31.080 Careful there old partner, you don't want to barbecue those boots in that fireplace. 01:31.080 --> 01:35.600 Well you never fear Tom, those cow hides are just warm and toasty. 01:35.600 --> 01:41.000 Sure is nice just sitting here quiet like for a change, with no worries for Rialis, 01:41.000 --> 01:42.000 huh? 01:42.000 --> 01:47.640 I'm afraid there's always worries for a U.S. Marshal like me, and for you, Dobie County 01:47.640 --> 01:48.640 Sheriff. 01:48.640 --> 01:52.080 Well you've got something particular on your mind Tom? 01:52.080 --> 01:58.480 I know Christmas isn't time for it Mike, naturally as a guardian I want to make things as nice 01:58.480 --> 02:01.480 as possible for little Janey. 02:01.480 --> 02:04.360 Yet I've got a feeling, a hunch. 02:04.360 --> 02:05.360 What is it Tom? 02:05.360 --> 02:10.280 I know those hunches of yours, more than once you've had a hunch we should take cover just 02:10.280 --> 02:13.320 before some wrestler's hot lead comes streaking our way. 02:13.320 --> 02:18.960 Well I can't put my finger on it Mike, it's just that, well I've got a feeling somewhere 02:18.960 --> 02:24.160 between my kerchief and my gun belt that we're going to be busy this Christmas, mighty busy. 02:24.160 --> 02:30.040 Tom, Tom I found these jingle bells out in the storage shed, do you suppose we could 02:30.040 --> 02:31.480 get a chance to use them? 02:31.480 --> 02:33.000 Well it could be honey. 02:33.000 --> 02:34.000 What? 02:34.000 --> 02:40.240 You mean you want Tom and me to decorate prime horse flesh like Tony in Redskin and go prancing 02:40.240 --> 02:42.320 down the lane with those bells on? 02:42.320 --> 02:45.280 Oh no Mike, of course not. 02:45.280 --> 02:48.120 I thought maybe we could get the sleigh out this year. 02:48.120 --> 02:52.040 Well snow's not been deep enough for that for several years. 02:52.040 --> 02:56.160 Well it looks like it'll get deep enough for the sleigh this year Mike. 02:56.160 --> 02:59.240 We'll have to think about that a little bit later Janey. 02:59.240 --> 03:01.960 Right now I was just fixing to put up our decoration. 03:01.960 --> 03:03.640 Can I help Tom? 03:03.640 --> 03:06.000 Sure you can Janey. 03:06.000 --> 03:09.640 Hey, what's that out there in the porch? 03:09.640 --> 03:11.640 It's a rider. 03:11.640 --> 03:14.880 Somebody's ridden a horse right up on the front porch of the ranch house. 03:14.880 --> 03:17.520 Naturally we couldn't hear him coming through the snow. 03:17.520 --> 03:19.480 Oh there's a door. 03:19.480 --> 03:20.480 Janey open the door please. 03:20.480 --> 03:22.360 Oh of course Tom. 03:22.360 --> 03:25.160 You think this could be the trouble you were expecting Tom? 03:25.160 --> 03:27.760 Well we're about to find out. 03:27.760 --> 03:34.240 Tom, Tom make thank the Lord you're here. 03:34.240 --> 03:35.800 Why it's Martha Nordland. 03:35.800 --> 03:38.080 Martha, what can we do for you? 03:38.080 --> 03:40.040 We'll bring Martha over here by the fire. 03:40.040 --> 03:42.720 Oh come on Martha. 03:42.720 --> 03:46.800 Tom it sure looks like your hunch was another bull's eye. 03:46.800 --> 03:50.240 Yeah it looks like it Mike, it sure does. 03:50.240 --> 03:52.440 Martha, can I get you a cup of coffee? 03:52.440 --> 03:54.800 Oh Tom there's no time for that. 03:54.800 --> 03:57.520 It's Pete, my little boy Pete. 03:57.520 --> 03:58.960 He's lost Tom. 03:58.960 --> 04:02.040 He's somewhere out in all this snow and wind. 04:02.040 --> 04:10.920 Lost and alone. 04:10.920 --> 04:13.320 Now now there you feeling better Martha? 04:13.320 --> 04:16.200 Now you must tell me about it calmly and slowly. 04:16.200 --> 04:18.680 Now for the sake of your boy Martha you must. 04:18.680 --> 04:20.460 I understand Tom. 04:20.460 --> 04:22.680 I can do what has to be done. 04:22.680 --> 04:26.000 I've walked twenty miles when the horse went lame some years ago. 04:26.000 --> 04:28.420 I fought up a mountain panther with my broom. 04:28.420 --> 04:29.420 But that was me. 04:29.420 --> 04:30.420 This is Pete. 04:30.420 --> 04:32.160 Calmly slowly Martha. 04:32.160 --> 04:34.960 Yes, yes I must. 04:34.960 --> 04:36.360 For Pete. 04:36.360 --> 04:39.440 Tom you know how much Pete admires you. 04:39.440 --> 04:40.440 Looks up to you. 04:40.440 --> 04:43.680 He thinks the sun rises and sets on Tom Mix. 04:43.680 --> 04:46.160 Well Pete's in my straight shooters club in Doby. 04:46.160 --> 04:47.640 We're partners. 04:47.640 --> 04:50.680 Yes, you would look at it that way. 04:50.680 --> 04:53.160 He's just the same as the other boys to you. 04:53.160 --> 04:55.200 Just as good as any. 04:55.200 --> 04:57.680 But everybody isn't like you Tom. 04:57.680 --> 05:02.480 You're a good man but others can be mean, petty. 05:02.480 --> 05:05.560 Others don't like Pete because his father went to prison. 05:05.560 --> 05:07.480 In fact they hate him. 05:07.480 --> 05:08.480 My little boy. 05:08.480 --> 05:13.600 Well I find it hard to believe anybody can hate a fine young man like Pete. 05:13.600 --> 05:17.280 He certainly isn't responsible for anything they had northing done. 05:17.280 --> 05:21.360 But if there are such people what does this have to do with Pete being missing? 05:21.360 --> 05:23.960 Oh it's all mixed up together. 05:23.960 --> 05:27.040 I was going to buy a new horse for Pete for his Christmas present. 05:27.040 --> 05:31.120 I was going to buy it from that new trainer in town, Sam Watkins. 05:31.120 --> 05:33.440 Pete picked out a young sorrel. 05:33.440 --> 05:35.680 Looked like your Tony Tom a bit. 05:35.680 --> 05:36.680 I arranged for payments. 05:36.680 --> 05:38.760 It was all set. 05:38.760 --> 05:42.720 Then people told Sam Watkins about my husband going to prison. 05:42.720 --> 05:45.280 That he said our credit was no good. 05:45.280 --> 05:48.080 He wouldn't sell me the horse on time. 05:48.080 --> 05:52.080 Well we'll see if my money is good enough for Mr. Watkins. 05:52.080 --> 05:54.080 You can pay me back when you can't. 05:54.080 --> 05:56.960 Yes, Pete said you would say that. 05:56.960 --> 05:58.640 That's what he said in the note. 05:58.640 --> 06:01.140 He was coming over here to the TM bar to see you. 06:01.140 --> 06:03.760 To get you to talk to Watkins. 06:03.760 --> 06:05.440 He wouldn't take my horse. 06:05.440 --> 06:08.920 He went on foot through this snowstorm. 06:08.920 --> 06:12.120 Condemnation Tom if he's out in this storm. 06:12.120 --> 06:13.560 Yes Mike I know. 06:13.560 --> 06:16.000 Martha you must have tried to follow me. 06:16.000 --> 06:17.000 Oh I did Tom. 06:17.000 --> 06:21.440 I followed his footprints as far as the standard cottonwoods between our places. 06:21.440 --> 06:23.640 But the snow got deeper. 06:23.640 --> 06:26.440 The footprints they disappeared. 06:26.440 --> 06:28.960 I could only make out the lights of your ranch house. 06:28.960 --> 06:31.720 And now the snow is swirling even harder. 06:31.720 --> 06:33.480 Well we've talked enough. 06:33.480 --> 06:35.120 I'm going out after him Martha. 06:35.120 --> 06:37.240 Oh bless you Tom. 06:37.240 --> 06:39.880 Oh Tom you can't go on foot. 06:39.880 --> 06:41.680 The two of you would just get lost. 06:41.680 --> 06:47.120 Yeah Tom and no horse could get through Dretz this here deep. 06:47.120 --> 06:49.160 One horse can, Tony can. 06:49.160 --> 06:53.240 He took me through Devil's Pass a few years back when the snow was this bad. 06:53.240 --> 06:54.240 Or nearly so. 06:54.240 --> 06:56.920 Oh no Tom it's worse than that time. 06:56.920 --> 06:57.920 Much worse. 06:57.920 --> 06:58.920 You can't go. 06:58.920 --> 07:01.120 Not even Tony can make it. 07:01.120 --> 07:02.400 Jane listen to me. 07:02.400 --> 07:05.200 We can't just leave Pete out there in the storm. 07:05.200 --> 07:06.560 Not when he was counting on me. 07:06.560 --> 07:08.120 No man could do that. 07:08.120 --> 07:11.080 Or regardless of age no straight shooter could do that. 07:11.080 --> 07:16.340 I've always taught you that it isn't just what we do for ourselves that counts. 07:16.340 --> 07:18.200 It's what we do for each other. 07:18.200 --> 07:21.140 Now that's what I mean by being a straight shooter. 07:21.140 --> 07:27.200 And if Tony could know what's at stake don't you think he would want us to try? 07:27.200 --> 07:29.200 You're right Tom. 07:29.200 --> 07:31.760 You and Tony must find Pete. 07:31.760 --> 07:33.400 And I know you'll do it. 07:33.400 --> 07:38.880 If anybody on earth can do it you and Tony will. 07:38.880 --> 07:48.080 All right come on Tony boy come on son. 07:48.080 --> 07:51.440 We're almost at the standard of cottonwoods. 07:51.440 --> 07:53.160 All right a little more Pete. 07:53.160 --> 07:54.160 Pete's a smart boy. 07:54.160 --> 07:55.840 He'll seek shelter. 07:55.840 --> 07:57.840 Try to build a fire. 07:57.840 --> 08:00.960 Not likely could start a fire in this window. 08:00.960 --> 08:04.120 Sure is cold. 08:04.120 --> 08:07.560 Snows like little ice daggers biting into your face. 08:07.560 --> 08:10.200 Well you can't find that now. 08:10.200 --> 08:11.200 Come on son a little more. 08:11.200 --> 08:12.200 Come on Tony. 08:12.200 --> 08:13.200 Up the little more. 08:13.200 --> 08:14.200 Keep going. 08:14.200 --> 08:15.200 Easy easy. 08:15.200 --> 08:16.200 Steady Tony steady. 08:16.200 --> 08:19.720 We kind of hit a deep spot that time. 08:19.720 --> 08:21.520 We're okay now. 08:21.520 --> 08:25.000 Not much shouting into this wind for Pete. 08:25.000 --> 08:28.160 He might hear gunshots and recognize the signals. 08:28.160 --> 08:34.200 I'll try a few shots into the air. 08:34.200 --> 08:38.360 That's the standard signal in these parts for the use and rescue parties. 08:38.360 --> 08:40.160 Pete knows that. 08:40.160 --> 08:44.400 Tony there he is coming toward us but slow. 08:44.400 --> 08:45.400 Mighty slow. 08:45.400 --> 08:46.400 What are they doing? 08:46.400 --> 08:47.400 Come on Tony. 08:47.400 --> 08:48.400 Come on. 08:48.400 --> 08:49.400 Come on. 08:49.400 --> 08:51.840 Pete it's Tom Hicks. 08:51.840 --> 08:52.840 Here I am. 08:52.840 --> 08:54.600 A little more Tony come on. 08:54.600 --> 08:55.600 Come on. 08:55.600 --> 08:56.600 Wait a minute. 08:56.600 --> 08:57.600 I've got you Pete. 08:57.600 --> 08:58.600 I've got you. 08:58.600 --> 08:59.600 I got you. 08:59.600 --> 09:02.760 He's fast out Tony. 09:02.760 --> 09:05.880 No wonder I got him just as he started to keel over. 09:05.880 --> 09:09.880 Got to get him up on the saddle in front of me. 09:09.880 --> 09:13.880 Now a little more. 09:13.880 --> 09:17.800 Now it's up to you Tony. 09:17.800 --> 09:19.960 You got the hard part. 09:19.960 --> 09:23.720 You got to get Pete and me back to the high hand shots. 09:23.720 --> 09:25.200 But where is it Tony? 09:25.200 --> 09:28.280 I'll turn around. 09:28.280 --> 09:33.280 I'm lost. 09:33.280 --> 09:41.640 I never thought it would happen to me. 09:41.640 --> 09:43.120 Tom Hicks lost. 09:43.120 --> 09:46.840 Well pride goes before a fall. 09:46.840 --> 09:51.520 I read in books how even old timers like Jim Bridger and Kit Carson could get lost at 09:51.520 --> 09:52.520 times. 09:52.520 --> 09:54.000 So I guess I'm no different. 09:54.000 --> 09:56.760 Well you got to go in some direction. 09:56.760 --> 09:59.240 You can't stand still. 09:59.240 --> 10:02.320 What's your feelings in this matter Tony? 10:02.320 --> 10:04.600 You want to try that way? 10:04.600 --> 10:05.600 Okay son. 10:05.600 --> 10:07.040 Okay we'll go your way. 10:07.040 --> 10:13.040 Can't tell but the direction of the wind seems to come from everywhere it wants. 10:13.040 --> 10:17.200 Oh my ears are ringing. 10:17.200 --> 10:19.360 Eyes are all blurted with snow. 10:19.360 --> 10:21.840 They got to hold on to Pete. 10:21.840 --> 10:24.600 Got to hold on to the saddle. 10:24.600 --> 10:26.800 Got to hold on. 10:26.800 --> 10:28.800 Hearing things now. 10:28.800 --> 10:31.800 Funny things. 10:31.800 --> 10:34.440 Start to imagine things now. 10:34.440 --> 10:37.160 Start to imagine. 10:37.160 --> 10:39.520 Know by heaven I'm not imagining it. 10:39.520 --> 10:41.120 It's jingle bells. 10:41.120 --> 10:45.720 It must be Mike and Jane back at the ranch house ringing the jingle bells to lead us 10:45.720 --> 10:47.480 in Tony. 10:47.480 --> 10:51.400 The sound of bells carries even through this wind. 10:51.400 --> 10:52.400 What's that? 10:52.400 --> 10:54.160 What's a star? 10:54.160 --> 10:57.360 A star brighter than the rest of them. 10:57.360 --> 11:01.720 It's our Christmas tree star up on the roof on the chimney. 11:01.720 --> 11:04.600 We can follow the bells and follow the star. 11:04.600 --> 11:07.040 We'll bring Pete home Tony. 11:07.040 --> 11:18.000 You be home. 11:18.000 --> 11:20.200 Pete's sleeping quietly Tom. 11:20.200 --> 11:22.240 Doc Green said he should just rest. 11:22.240 --> 11:25.080 Then he'd be fine. 11:25.080 --> 11:26.080 Just fine. 11:26.080 --> 11:28.600 Oh how can I thank you Tom? 11:28.600 --> 11:30.320 Don't thank me Martha. 11:30.320 --> 11:31.320 Thank Tony. 11:31.320 --> 11:34.560 Thank Jane and Mike for thinking of using the jingle bells on the Christmas star to 11:34.560 --> 11:35.560 lead us in. 11:35.560 --> 11:38.160 It was Jane who thought of the jingle bells Tom. 11:38.160 --> 11:42.520 Oh but it was Mike who thought of climbing up on that icy roof to put up the Christmas 11:42.520 --> 11:44.280 star to lead you Tom. 11:44.280 --> 11:46.080 Well thanks to both of you. 11:46.080 --> 11:49.920 Thoughtfulness and consideration for others is something we should all be thinking about 11:49.920 --> 11:53.280 this time of year and all year. 11:53.280 --> 11:58.780 Something I'm going to talk about to Sam Watkins and certain other people in Dolby. 11:58.780 --> 12:10.040 Maybe even those folks can come to see the light. 12:10.040 --> 12:13.880 Once again we say goodbye to the TM Bar Ranch. 12:13.880 --> 12:19.920 Tom Mix was played by Curly Bradley, Sheriff Mike Shaw by Tyler McVeigh, Jane by Rhoda Williams, 12:19.920 --> 12:21.720 and Martha by Viola Vonn. 12:21.720 --> 12:24.840 The script was by Jim Harmon, Marvin Miller speaking. 12:24.840 --> 12:29.280 This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.