Gunsmoke: Summer Night – A Baby Left Behind

It’s a sweltering summer night in Dodge City, and the biggest wagon train anyone has seen is finally rolling west. Matt Dillon, Kitty Russell, and Doc Adams watch it go — weary, relieved, and a little restless. But the night isn’t over. Tucked behind the Long Branch, Kitty and a tipsy Doc make a startling discovery: a newborn baby girl, wrapped in a blanket and left behind. The mother is somewhere in that wagon train, and she’s already a full night’s ride from Dodge.

Meanwhile, a young soldier named Clint Bailey rides into Dodge looking for his wife, Jenny, who was supposed to meet him at Cimarron Crossing. When Jenny Bailey appears at Dillon’s office to claim the baby, the truth she confesses to her husband — that the child isn’t hers by birth — says everything about what two years of loneliness and longing can do to a person. Doc Adams knew all along. And the real mother? She never came back.

Episode Highlights & Quotes

“They’re so fresh and eager when they hit Dodge, they think they’ve already been through it. But they don’t know what’s waiting for ’em out there on the high plain.” — Kitty Russell, watching the hopeful settlers head west

“You know, it’s a thing like that tonight that gives you all the hope you need to keep going.” — Doc Adams, reflecting on what he witnessed

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Transcript

SPEAKER_04 0:33

Details available online. Fireside book and the bookworm. Two locations, one amazing adventure in browsing.

SPEAKER_12 0:54

Around Dodge City and in the territory on West, there is just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers, and that's with a U.S. Marshal and the smell of gun smoke. Starring William Conrad. The story of the violence that moved west with Young America.

SPEAKER_10 1:30

And the story of a man who moved with it. I'm that man, Matt Dillon, United States Marshal. The first man they look for and the last they want to meet. It's a chancy job, and it makes a man watchful.

SPEAKER_06 1:46

And a little lonely just already, Mr.

SPEAKER_11 2:22

Bill. Oh it's it makes me wanna go and all that makes me say.

SPEAKER_00 3:26

What's the matter with you? Did you have to do that right in my ear? Hold on, Doctor. I'm sorry. I didn't see you standing there.

SPEAKER_02 3:32

Didn't see me.

SPEAKER_00 3:34

Hello, Matt.

SPEAKER_02 3:36

Oh, what's the matter with you? We wish you were going along.

SPEAKER_10 3:39

No.

SPEAKER_02 3:40

Why not? A lot of good-looking women in that train.

SPEAKER_10 3:45

You got a point there, Doc.

SPEAKER_11 3:47

Mr. Dillon, I'm gonna ride out and follow along with the movies, you mind? All right, Justin. I'll see you later, Doc.

SPEAKER_10 3:53

Yes, I'll listen there.

SPEAKER_02 3:59

Come on, Matt. I'll buy you a drink.

SPEAKER_10 4:01

You're pretty flush now that you've coached all you could out of that wagon train, aren't you, Doc?

SPEAKER_02 4:06

Not hardly. You can't get blood out of a turnip.

SPEAKER_10 4:08

You sure did try, though, didn't you?

SPEAKER_02 4:10

Oh, nonsense. That crowd's been here three, four weeks now, freeloading on Dodge. And you know it.

SPEAKER_10 4:17

They came clear from Ohio, Doc.

SPEAKER_00 4:19

I know that.

SPEAKER_10 4:20

Well, they gotta freshen up their supplies somewhere, don't they?

SPEAKER_02 4:22

Oh, is that what they call it?

SPEAKER_10 4:25

You got a real burn, haven't you?

SPEAKER_02 4:27

Well, no wonder. Uh I'm tired. I'm tired, man. I'm tired of all this heat, this dust, these nights that are hotter than days. Crying babies I've never seen before and they'll never see again. I'm glad that mob's gone, Matt. I'm darn glad of it.

SPEAKER_03 4:55

Who broke all those blasphemes? Sam, we got nothing left around here.

SPEAKER_10 5:00

How look, Kitty. You feeling it too?

SPEAKER_03 5:04

Well, if you're asking me, am I fed up? The answer's yes.

SPEAKER_02 5:07

Whiskey, Sam? None of that trade whiskey you've been throwing into our recent guests either. I'll be sitting over here.

SPEAKER_03 5:15

Kind of got the dock, hasn't it?

SPEAKER_10 5:17

Yeah, all of us, Kitty. Yeah, place is pretty empty, isn't it?

SPEAKER_03 5:23

Well, it sure wasn't two hours ago. The whole town was in here to say goodbye to that crowd.

SPEAKER_10 5:28

Yeah, I know.

SPEAKER_03 5:30

Come on, let's step up back. It's too hot in here. Yeah. Maybe Greavy was right starting out at night. At least they'll miss one day of son. Ma, what do you think?

SPEAKER_10 5:49

Hmm? About what?

SPEAKER_03 5:52

Their chances.

SPEAKER_10 5:56

Oh. Some of them will make it. Some of them won't.

SPEAKER_03 6:03

It always bothers me to see them. Why? Oh, I don't know. They're so fresh and eager when they hit Dodge, they think they've already been through it. They fought at rivers, they've seen a few blanket Indians. The kids have had the fever. But they don't know what's waiting for them out there on the high plain.

SPEAKER_10 6:23

Yeah, as well as Biden's doc, too.

SPEAKER_03 6:26

They think it's gonna be a hire to Kansas all the way. And you can't tell them any different.

SPEAKER_10 6:31

I get it.

SPEAKER_03 6:31

Yeah.

SPEAKER_10 6:35

Look at you and Doc, there's nothing you can do for them.

SPEAKER_03 6:46

I'm sorry. I'm restless. I think I'll go back inside.

SPEAKER_10 6:53

Oh, Kitty.

SPEAKER_03 6:54

Yeah, Matthew.

SPEAKER_10 6:56

Take good care of Doc, will you?

SPEAKER_03 6:59

Yeah, I will.

SPEAKER_11 7:35

That's true, Mr. Dillon?

SPEAKER_10 7:36

Yeah, that's me, Chester.

SPEAKER_11 7:39

How how come you ain't in bed? It's awful late.

SPEAKER_10 7:42

It's too hot. How far'd you follow him?

SPEAKER_11 7:47

To Moss Grimmick's hay camp. It was kind of a party out there.

SPEAKER_10 7:52

Oh, there was? Everything all right in the wagon train? It seemed to be.

SPEAKER_01 8:04

Good night. Good night, Chester.

unknown 8:12

Hello.

SPEAKER_03 8:18

Can you make the duck? Come on.

SPEAKER_02 8:21

I'm all right, kid.

SPEAKER_03 8:24

Oh, hello, ma'am. You need a hand. No, we're all right. Take it easy, huh?

SPEAKER_02 8:36

Here we go. Oh, yeah, nice job. Good lord.

SPEAKER_03 8:43

Look at that. Good heaven.

SPEAKER_10 8:47

Well, what is it, Doc? What's the matter up there?

SPEAKER_03 8:51

Come up here, Matt. Somebody's left Doc a baby.

SPEAKER_10 9:16

Are you all right, Kitty?

SPEAKER_03 9:17

Sure. Both of them asleep.

SPEAKER_10 9:22

Doc was sure feeling his liquor, buddy.

SPEAKER_03 9:25

But he still insisted on checking that baby before I could get him to lie down. Imagine, Matt. It's a girl. She's awful little.

SPEAKER_10 9:36

Kitty, uh. How much do you know about taking care of a baby, huh? Less than you'd think. You know it's gonna be your responsibility.

SPEAKER_03 9:47

Mine?

SPEAKER_10 9:47

Well, I mean, until we find the mother.

SPEAKER_03 9:51

Oh.

SPEAKER_10 9:51

She must be in that wagon train. Chester and I'll ride after him tonight. We can catch him by morning.

SPEAKER_03 9:57

Yeah, you better. Wait till Doc wakes up and finds that baby in his room. He'll never take another drink.

SPEAKER_10 10:22

Greavy said he was gonna keep pushing until the sun got overhead.

SPEAKER_11 10:25

It ain't but seven or so now, and it's uncommon hot. Mr. Dillon, there's Mr. Greavy way up ahead there.

SPEAKER_10 10:40

Yeah, I see it. Come on.

SPEAKER_01 10:47

Hey Greeby. Hey! Marshal Dillon! Yeah! What brings you away out of here? I want to talk to your people, Greeby. Can you hold them up a little while? Hold them up? You mean stop the train? Well, that's important, or I wouldn't ask. Real important. Well right. Hold it up, boys! Hold up! Hold it up!

SPEAKER_10 11:21

Chester, go back down the mine and tell everybody I want them to meet at the center of the wagon train, huh? What's this all about, Marshal? You gotta bear with me, Greavy. I gotta do this. Come on, I want you to.

SPEAKER_01 11:51

All right, folks. Settle down.

SPEAKER_06 11:54

Folks, please.

SPEAKER_01 11:56

Hey, you all know Marshall Dillon. Now, he won't tell me what this is all about, but he says he wants to make a speech.

SPEAKER_10 12:06

Well, uh, Mr. Greavy's wrong about that. The speeches were made last night. Now, Dodge was glad to have you, folks, and we all wish you well. But what I've got to say is only for one person, or maybe two. I'm talking to the woman who left her newborn baby at Doc Adams last night. Now, all I can say to you is that you better think on it, whoever you are, because California's a long way from Kansas. It's too long if you start to regret it too late. Now, I'm not interested in bringing charges against anybody. So why don't you think it over before it is too late, huh? Thank you. Well, that's all, Greavy. Thanks very much. Come on, Chester.

SPEAKER_02 13:22

Sit down, Doc.

SPEAKER_10 13:24

Eh, how'd it go out the wagon train today, man? Well, I told him. And that's all.

SPEAKER_02 13:30

Sit on. No, no, no. I'm going out the long branch for a minute.

SPEAKER_10 13:34

You know that stuff's habit, foreman, don't you? For your information, I need sheets.

SPEAKER_09 13:42

Torn bed sheets.

SPEAKER_10 13:45

Oh. That. You know, uh, she's not gonna show up, Matt. Oh, what makes you think so?

SPEAKER_02 13:58

Any woman who'd abandon her baby isn't gonna be swayed by your brand of sentimentalism.

SPEAKER_10 14:05

Well, maybe not, Doc, but I'm gonna be here just in case. All right. Suit you're suffering.

SPEAKER_11 14:12

Chester! What are you doing down here? Oh, now, don't worry, Doc. I'm going right back, but I just remembered something I already told Mr. Dillon.

SPEAKER_10 14:21

Uh, Mr. Dillon? Did you just remember to tell me something, Chester?

SPEAKER_11 14:27

Yes, sir, I did. Uh see, there was a fella that came by here, and he he said he was a soldier. Oh? Yes, sir. It seems he just got his discharge. Well, what did he want? Well, he was asking about the wagon train. See, he thinks maybe his wife was with it. His wife? Yes, sir. He was supposed to meet her farther out at Cimarron Crossing, but he got to Dodd sooner than what he expected.

SPEAKER_10 14:51

Well, what did you tell him?

SPEAKER_11 14:53

Well, I told him they were long gone, but he could catch up with them easy, and so he rode off. Well, I guess it ain't too important, but I feel bad I didn't tell you before. See, what was that new baby and all my nerves is? Well, Mr. Dillon, I better get back up there before something happens.

SPEAKER_10 15:11

All right, Chester, go ahead.

SPEAKER_03 15:31

Matt, over here.

SPEAKER_10 15:32

Hello, kitty.

SPEAKER_03 15:34

Sit down.

SPEAKER_10 15:35

What'd you do with Doc? Very little.

SPEAKER_03 15:38

He got his sheets, but it hardly speaks to Sam.

SPEAKER_10 15:42

Maybe he's blaming Sam for what happened.

SPEAKER_03 15:44

Well, Doc's got quite a homey problem with that baby.

SPEAKER_10 15:47

Yeah, I know.

SPEAKER_03 15:48

What are you gonna do, Matt?

SPEAKER_10 15:50

Oh, let nature take its course, I guess.

SPEAKER_03 15:53

You always were an optimist.

SPEAKER_10 15:55

Well, in my business, I have to be. Say, uh, Kitty, could you get me something to eat? Sure, Matt.

SPEAKER_06 16:03

Mr. Dillon?

SPEAKER_10 16:04

Yeah, what is it, Chester?

SPEAKER_11 16:06

She's here, Mr. Dillon. Huh? That little baby's mama is waiting for you over at the office.

SPEAKER_10 16:37

Come down to the office. You stay with the baby, huh?

SPEAKER_11 16:40

All right, sir.

SPEAKER_10 16:42

Oh, uh, this here's Marshall Dillon, ma'am.

SPEAKER_07 16:46

I'm, uh I'm Mrs. Bailey.

SPEAKER_10 16:49

Uh, you were with the wagon train, weren't you, Miss Bailey?

SPEAKER_07 16:52

Uh yes. I I've come for my baby.

SPEAKER_10 16:57

Uh-huh. Oh, where's your husband? Didn't he come with you?

SPEAKER_07 17:01

Well, Marshal, my husband's been away in the army for two years.

SPEAKER_10 17:09

Oh, I see.

SPEAKER_07 17:12

That's why I. I left my baby.

SPEAKER_10 17:15

Uh yes, Matt? Uh, this Dr. Adams, Miss Bailey. Oh. Oh. Matt, can I have a word with you? Well, right now, right now.

SPEAKER_08 17:31

Marshal, I'm Clint Bailey. I rode all the way out to that wagon trip.

SPEAKER_09 17:39

Jenny?

SPEAKER_07 17:41

Clint. Oh, hello, Clint. Good to see you. Marshal, uh this is my husband.

SPEAKER_09 17:50

But but what are you doing here? You know, something wrong? Jenny, what is it?

SPEAKER_07 17:58

Marshal. You tell him.

SPEAKER_10 18:02

Oh. Mr. Bailey, your wife came for her baby. Came for a baby.

SPEAKER_09 18:12

What do you want? Jenny. She could have left it. But she didn't. Is it true, Jen? Well, is it?

SPEAKER_07 18:22

Yes.

SPEAKER_09 18:24

Jen, we never had kids. All the years we've been married.

SPEAKER_07 18:29

I know, we know Linda, it wasn't for me not wanting them.

SPEAKER_09 18:36

What is this, baby? It's a girl. A girl. Well, that's good.

SPEAKER_07 18:51

Can we keep her clean?

SPEAKER_09 18:54

I've been waiting two years to come back to you, Jenny. And I can't lose you now.

SPEAKER_10 19:18

You're sleeping.

SPEAKER_02 19:19

No, no. No, ma'am. I was just thinking. Oh, good for you. You know, it's a thing uh like that tonight that gives you all the hope you need to keep going.

SPEAKER_10 19:37

You'd have been better out sleeping, Doc.

SPEAKER_09 19:40

It wasn't her baby, you know.

SPEAKER_10 19:43

What?

SPEAKER_09 19:45

What are you talking about? She came to me three weeks ago. I told her then she could never have a baby.

SPEAKER_10 19:53

Never. Well, why did she lie to her husband? Because you. She was afraid you wouldn't let her take it.

SPEAKER_09 20:03

But then I'm sure she's told him the truth.

SPEAKER_10 20:06

But doc, you should have told me it. This isn't right. What if a real mother shows up?

SPEAKER_09 20:14

Do you think she will?

SPEAKER_10 20:20

No. No, doctor. I don't.

SPEAKER_11 20:32

Can I buy you a drink, ma'am? Just one, of course.

SPEAKER_10 20:35

Just one? I think that'd be fine, Doc.

SPEAKER_12 21:09

Now our star, William Conrad.

SPEAKER_10 21:12

Four weeks ago, we asked you to let us know which gun smoke stories you would like to hear again. And your letters and cards have enabled us to select the five most popular. But uh more important, however, to those of us here on the show were the wonderful expressions of warmth and interest. We're deeply grateful. Well, next week, the first of the five most popular shows. It's one we have called simply home surgery.

SPEAKER_12 22:27

Gunsmoke produced and directed by Norman McDonald stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. Marshal. Featured in the cast were Marley Bear as Chester, Howard McNear as Doc, and Georgia Ellis as Kitty. George Walsh speak. Join us again next week for another specially transcribed story on Gun Smoke. This is the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.

SPEAKER_04 24:17

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