Widow Spider’s Web | The Lone Ranger (04-17-53)

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns, I'm your host Andrew Rines, and I'm excited

to bring you another episode.

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Now let's get into this episode.

Let's get into this episode of the Old Time Radio Westerns, I'm your host Andrew Rines,

I'm your host Andrew Rines, I'm your host Andrew Rines, I'm your host Andrew Rines,

I'm your host Andrew Rines, I'm your host Andrew Rines, I'm your host Andrew Rines, I'm

led the fight for law and order in the early Western United States.

Nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice.

Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear.

From out of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of the great horse silver.

The lone ranger rides again.

One silver, let's go back up. I'm silver.

Aye!

The two deputies lounging in the sheriff's office in Stockton,

straightened up and looked attentive as the sheriff hurriedly entered.

Oh, look.

Hi, Sheriff. Howdy, Sheriff.

Howdy, man. I just came from the telegraph office.

What's happened?

Plenty. A telegram just came from pinkish and I don't like what it says.

Now listen to this.

Trigger's strong escaped.

Thought to be heading for Stockton or vicinity.

Signed, marshal pushing.

Oh, I don't see anything to get upset about who's Trigger's strong.

Why, you lunkhead. What kind of deputy are you anyway?

Don't you read the hand bills have come here?

I don't get much time.

Not much time.

By a chimney all you do is sit around gabbing all day.

I've heard it trigger strong, Sheriff.

Glad someone around here did.

For your information, Joel.

Maybe you recollect a big tough armory who ran him up here two years ago

and killed two cowpoops at the cafe before they could even draw.

Oh, sure. I remember that, Sheriff.

And maybe you and Buck both recall the rough tough armory

who busted through this territory less than a year ago

with a partner robbing and killing.

Oh, I remember that, Umbray.

He let us in a wild goose chase and came right back through town

and robbed the hotel while we were hunting them in the hills.

That's right, Buck.

Well, it was Trigger's strong, who did all those things?

Jumping Jupiter.

Yeah, I think we'd recognize him if he comes here to stop them.

We're not going to wait for him to come into town.

We're going to try to catch him before he gets near Stockton.

Now, I want both of you to get all the towns when you can.

To come here this afternoon, ready to ride in the posse.

Now, get out of here and round up those men for me.

All right, Sheriff.

Two men rode leisurely along the trail some distance from Stockton.

One of them was a small thin man with squity eyes.

The other, a big, tough-looking individual.

The larger man finally started the conversation.

Squint.

I'll see if you get paid back what you did to help me get away.

Oh, that's all right, Trigger.

But frankly, I think it's local.

I'll see if you get paid back what you did to help me get away.

Oh, that's all right, Trigger.

But frankly, I think it's local for you to show up in this territory.

I told you, the shape in Stockton is a handbill on you.

Tacked up in front of the jigs.

I know what I'm doing.

Because of something else you told me to bring on me here, Squint.

Yeah, what?

Remember telling me about seeing a masked man of an Indian company of Stockton?

The arm braze who had the white stallion, the paint horse.

Yeah, but what do they have to do with you?

Ever hear of the lone ranger?

Lone ranger.

Sure, what about him?

He rides a white stallion as an Indian friend who rides a paint.

That masked man has a reason to work coming here.

You mean that masked man inching the trail in you when you want?

They got it all wrong, Squint.

You see, we're trailing the lone ranger.

What?

Trigger, I admit you're smart and all that.

But I still can't savvy trail in the ombre who was smart enough to catch you once.

Squint, I never forget when someone does meet dirty.

I didn't like him buttoning and helping the law.

I aim to get him for it.

How are you going to do it?

I'll explain what I'm going to do if we reach the hideout we're heading for.

That's all right.

Get it back.

Come on, get it.

The lone ranger and his Indian companion Tato were on their way to Pecos.

They stopped a camp in the hills outside of Stockton and Tato rode into town for supplies.

That afternoon he returned to the camp.

Who's that?

Hey, Tishka.

He's at well, although.

Any news in Stockton?

Me, he knows that not good, Kimisabi.

Oh, what?

Well, sheriff, get telegram from Marshall and Pecos.

Say, killer outlaw, trigger strong escape from jail.

It's say, him headed this way.

Oh, that is bad news.

I warn the sheriff and Pecos to trigger my try to escape and to be on guard.

I wonder how he got away.

I'm not saying.

That's not important.

The main thing is, trigger strong is at large.

He's a dangerous man, a ruthless killer.

Ah, him mean, tricky like mountain cat.

He must be recaptured.

I wonder why he's coming this way.

Oh, him big fool.

In soon reach border, him go other way.

That's just the point.

Well, we'll watch for him and do all we can to help in his recapture.

Later that day, trigger and squint stopped in front of a small farmhouse a few miles from Tato.

Oh, what?

Yes.

Yeah, this is a place squint.

Whose place is it?

You sure we can trust him?

Sure.

At least a ride with me lives here with his old lady.

As far as everybody knows, they live respectable.

But they make plenty by hiding out outlaws like us from time to time.

Come on, let's go in.

I sent the war to expect this.

Well, how are you, trigger?

Fine, Jerry. Just fine.

Come on in, Maul's expecting you.

Good.

Hey, Maul, come here.

Trigger in his friend, just got here.

We're glad to see you, trigger.

I told Jerry to take Maul in prison bars to hold a tough, hungry like you.

You were right, Maul, Grips.

Oh, by the way, this is my partner, squint.

Meet Mrs. Crab, squint.

We call her Maul, Grips.

That's right, that's right.

Don't care what they call me, just so they pay an advance for hiding out here.

They're glad to meet you, squint.

Hey, same here, maul.

Yeah, same old Maul.

Well, we're staying maybe a week.

How much will I come to?

Since you just threw out a hint up, pay a part of it now.

You reckon $100 a night or take care of it?

What?

To me half an advance.

$100 a night?

Uh-huh.

That's $700.

Well, Jiminy, Maul, you want to go on as a road agent.

You use the same methods.

None of your lip triggers strong.

Poor widow woman like me has to live, you know.

Jerry can't run enough to take care of both of us.

That's where you get along, all right?

All right here.

Half an advance.

Thank you, trigger.

Thank you.

Now make yourselves right home.

Yeah, we ought to.

We're paying almost enough to buy the dump.

Uh, tell us, trigger.

We were wondering what brought you down this way after you're a ski.

Yeah, I'm mighty curious to know what it's all about, trigger.

Yeah, I came here to get even with an outbreak called the Lone Ranger.

That's one outbreak.

It's best to stay away from.

Yeah, Maul told me about him.

He's dynamite.

I tried to get triggered if I get the whole thing, but he won't listen.

That's right, Squid, I won't.

Now you listen to me, all of you.

I'll tell you the plan I have for trapping the Lone Ranger.

The following morning, the Lone Ranger waited in a wooded grove

at the edge of town, while Tato went to seek further news.

Later, the Indian returned.

Oh, she's got a hole in her head.

She's got a hole in her head.

Any more news you tell, Tato?

Ah.

Hossie not find trailer, trigger strong.

Then still watch trail from Vegas.

Oh, what else?

Uh, old woman come to hotel during night,

and her asked questions about Lone Ranger.

Go on.

Her safe, her in plenty trouble.

Need help.

Did you find out who she is?

Well, Clark say, her wit of crabs.

He'll live on farm outside town.

I've never heard of her.

Me not here of her.

And at hotel say, old woman plenty upset.

I'm curious to know why she wants to find me.

Well, her not say.

Just say her in trouble.

Need help.

Ask about you.

Hmm.

If she's really in trouble, we'll do what we can for.

Not right.

If she's still at the hotel.

Ah.

I'll give you a note to take to a Tato.

And bring her out here to talk to me.

But Critten falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger adventure.

Before the next exciting scenes,

please permit us to pause for just a few moments.

Now to continue.

It was family.

Now to continue.

to continue. It was past noon when Tuttle arrived at the grove with the widow crab

to his robber buckboy.

My Indian friend found out in town you want to see me, Mrs. Gray?

Yes, yes. So, thank heaven I found you. It was part of you to get in touch with me.

I'm sure we haven't met before, yet you seem familiar.

No, no, we've never met. I heard you were in this territory. I thought I'd

stay in town a day or two and asked about you. You might hear I wanted to see you.

I'm glad you did. Who told you I might help you?

A friend told me, Mr. Gray. A friend who is senior and knows a lot about you.

But that doesn't matter. I need your help if you're willing.

But tell me what's wrong.

It's about my boy, my son Jerry. He's all I have and he's in trouble.

Go on.

Well, a few years ago when he was 17, he was mixed up for a short time with a gang of outlaws.

Jerry's big for a jagersy.

Well, he refused to take part in what they did and finally got away and came back home.

For his sake, I left the far south and came here.

We're buying a small farm now and we've been doing right well.

Not long ago one of the outlaws saw Jerry and followed him home.

He insisted Jerry go back with the gang.

If he don't, his past will be told and he'll go to jail.

Jerry's a good boy now and live in straight, but he doesn't know what to do.

He wants to go away and hide someplace.

I understand.

He made me promise not to talk to the sheriff.

I heard of you and decided you were the only one who could help us.

If you'd be willing to talk to Jerry for the sake of an old woman, I'd bless you for it.

All right, Mrs. Krebs.

I'll write out with you to talk to your son whenever you're ready.

I might agree for you.

Might agree for you.

You must have me here.

You go to farm with you.

No, Tato.

You'll wait at our camp until I get back.

I'll go with Mrs. Krebs to see her son alone.

I'll meet you after sundown and take you out to the farm, Mr.

Better for us not to be seen on the trail by daylight.

I'll be waiting here for you.

Thanks a lot.

I'll go back to the hotel and drive out here sundown then.

Adios, Mr.

Adios.

Get up there.

Get out.

Get out.

Watch your think a story with a town of Kimosami.

She's an elderly woman, Tato, and seems sincere.

But I'll tell you what I think as we go back to camp.

Let's go.

Let's go back to camp.

Get up there.

Good afternoon.

Trigger Strong was talking to his friend Jerry at the farmhouse.

So the mask man in indian fell for your mosh.

Yeah, Jerry.

Yeah.

She told me to tell you and squint the plan is working just great.

The masked ombre will come out here alone tonight.

Fine, fine.

I know here's your plan.

You'll be here in this front room when your mother arrives with the mask man.

Make him sit in this chair with his back to the kitchen door.

Right.

Squint now will be in the kitchen with a lighter out in the door slightly open.

While you put on your rack with the mask man, I'll put a bullet in his back.

Just before sundown, as the load ranger prepared to leave camp to meet the wedo crabs,

he talked to Tato.

Remember what I've told you, Tato.

And do exactly as I've said.

And I'll be sure of what I'm doing.

You're not worried.

Good.

It'll be dark for the time I meet the wedo.

I'll see you later, Tato.

After dark, the men waiting at the farmhouse set the stage for what they hoped would be the final showdown with the lone ranger.

Early oughta be coming soon.

Yep.

Jerry, at least that chair with his back to the kitchen door like I told you.

Sure.

There.

Is that the way you wanted?

Yeah.

Squint, you have your gun ready too.

You won't have a chance with the tool that's covering them from the dock doorway.

Well, I sure hope it works out.

It will.

This is one trap the lone ranger is going to walk into and never get away from.

A short time later, the lone ranger and Mrs. Crab have stopped at the farmhouse.

Oh, there.

Let me help you, Mrs. Crab.

Thank you.

Well, there's a light in the front room.

I reckon Jerry is there waiting.

Good.

Come in, Mr.

Thanks.

Jerry, son, I've brought the man we hoped could help us.

This is the lone ranger.

I've got to, Mr.

It's your mighty nice of you to read a help on me.

Your mother told me you were in trouble, Jerry.

Perhaps you'll give me the tail.

Yeah, sure.

Sit down right there, Mr.

I'll tell you everything.

Thank you.

Well, I'm listening.

Well, it might interested to know that a well-known outlaw,

one the law sure would like to catch, got in touch with me.

Your mother told me of that.

She said the law you speak of is trying to force you to go back with a gang.

Isn't that it?

You should believe all you hear, Mr.

Who said that?

Sit where you are.

I don't make a move.

I got a gun pointed right at your back.

Oh, Mrs. Crab, that story you told me was just a trick to get me to come here.

Sure it was, Mr.

My friend Trigger Strong has a score to settle with you.

Trigger Strong, huh?

I thought I recognized it, boy.

This is the last time you'll ever hear it, Mr.

I'm even to plug you right now.

No, you're not to that trigger.

I tried to tell you that he's got two guns.

You hold him at your back.

It's the Indian anymore.

I thought you said the mess meant him out here alone.

Good work, tunnel.

I have the widow and her son covered.

He must have sneaked in the back door behind us.

I didn't fall for the widow's story.

I'll hang anyway if I'm caught.

I'm going to plug you, Mrs. Crab.

Before the outlaw could pull the trigger,

tunnel landed a heavy blow on the back of his head with one of his guns.

Trigger Strong fell of the floor.

I'll fix your red skin.

Hold it.

While tunnel's attention was given momentarily to trigger,

squint turned gun in hand,

the lone ranger saw his movement.

Mr. Drop Your Guns.

Suddenly the widow slipped a gun from her blouse

and quickly moved behind the mask man.

I have a gun at your back

and I sure know how to use it.

The lone ranger hesitated a moment.

Then with an unexpected move, he kicked back,

squinting his boot against the widow's shin.

I'll keep my gun.

As the woman fell over in pain,

the mask man whirled and grabbed the gun from her hand.

Take that.

I'll get him off.

Quiet.

Oh, I didn't expect you'd kick a woman like that.

You were ready to kill.

You don't deserve special attention.

I think to share for know how to handle you, Mrs. Crab's.

Well, I reckon we got here a little too late to be of much help.

Mr. Sheriff, this mask man tried to hold us up.

He wounded my son.

Sheriff.

That whole woman we'd tell you about.

That's right, Sheriff.

She said she didn't want to ride out with me until after dark,

because she didn't want anyone to know she was hunting for me.

Ah.

But her tell man at hotel and other people,

her hunt for mask man.

She figured out bringing you into a trap, huh?

Yes.

Afternoon, after we talked to her, I had Tano watchin' town.

He saw her talking to her son, then he rode away from town.

I told Tano to ask you to ride out here tonight,

and then I planned to have Tato on hand in case of trouble.

Wonder what they went up to, Sheriff.

Why did they want to get the mask man out here?

There's your answer in the kitchen doorway.

Huh?

Well, Tato gone.

This is Trigger Strongline here.

Yes.

Strongly his partner.

Tato followed the widow with me out here and came in the back ways.

He found Trigger and his friend ready to shoot me from the doorway.

Oh, it was all Trigger's idea.

He wanted to get back the mask man.

Sheriff, you have nothing against me and Jerry.

We were forced into this.

Sure, if I thought I recognized this woman,

I'll remember her clearly, though she's older and her hair is gray.

Yeah?

Who is she?

She was known as the widow spider.

She was arrested on two occasions in San Antonio

for the murder of two husbands, one after the other.

But the evidence wasn't strong enough to satisfy the jury, so she went free.

The widow spider tried to put you into her web, mister, but you got away.

We'll take all of them in the jail.

I don't know, I'll go on back to Paco, Sheriff.

We'll see you some other time.

How do you know, everybody?

Goodbye, mister.

Oh, my head.

Get to your feet, you.

If it hadn't been for that ordinary red skin, I'd have plucked that mask, ma'am.

You make me sick, Trigger Strong.

You let that mask man and Indian get the bestie in spite of all your planning.

Lots of polecats think they can trick that mask man.

But let me tell you, you'll have to go a long way

to get the best of an ombre like the Lone Ranger.

I'll see you later.

I'll see you later.

I'll see you later.

I'll see you later.

This is a feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated, created by George W. Tremble, produced by Tremble Campbell,

Neur Incorporated and directed by Charles D. Livingston.

Tonight's drama was written by Fram Striker.

The part of the Lone Ranger is played by Ray Spiemer.

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