In this episode, we delve into the intriguing tale of Hadleyburg, a town that prided itself on its incorruptible honesty. Adapted from Mark Twain's classic story, "The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg," we explore how a mysterious sack of gold and a stranger's challenge unravel the town's self-righteous facade. As the story unfolds, we meet Edward and Mary Richards, who find themselves at the center of a moral dilemma, questioning their own integrity and the true nature of their fellow townspeople.
As the town's leading citizens, known as the "incorruptible 19," grapple with temptation, the story reveals the fragility of human virtue when faced with the lure of wealth. Through the eyes of Jack Halliday, the local editor, we witness the unraveling of Hadleyburg's reputation and the ultimate lesson in humility and honesty. This episode is a captivating exploration of human nature, pride, and the consequences of moral complacency.
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Come in. Welcome. I'm E. G. Marshall. Didn't Sophocles say the gods hate utterly the bray of bragging tongues? And haven't we also been taught that pride goeth before destruction? Certainly, the prophets and the sages and the poets have had enough to say about the besetting sin of pride. Why then is pride so prevalent? The subject intrigued Mark Twain so deeply that he created one of the deadliest stories about pride ever written. Our mystery drama, The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg, was adapted from the Mark Twain classic especially for the mystery theater by Sam Ghan and stars Fred Gwynn.
It is sponsored in part by True Value Hardware Stores and the Buick Motor Division. I'll be back shortly with act one. According to Mark Twain, you could cheat just about anybody. Back along the turn of the century, there was a town called Hadleyburg, which advertised itself as the most honest and upright place in the world. Incorruptible Hadleyburg, envied by its neighbors. And yet, one day, untainted, irreproachable Hadleyburg fell from grace. How did it happen? May I introduce you to Jack Halliday?
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I knew it would happen one day, and I said so. But nobody listened to me. After all, I was only the editor of the Hadleyburg Gazette, and it was a paper that lost money. So what did I know about anything? Anyhow, putting the story together, here's what happened. One night, old man Richards, who works at the bank, he's one of the 19. I'll tell you who they are later. If I have to stop to explain everything at the beginning, I'll never get started. Well, old man Richards and his wife, Mary, are having supper. Edward,
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I know you're tired, dear, but you must have your supper. I'm not hungry. I'm I'm so clear worn out.
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You know, Mary, it's hard to be poor at our time of life. Grinding away the salary,
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another man's slave. Oh, but, Edward, we have our good name.
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Yes. Yes. And that's everything. Don't mind my talk. It's just a moment's irritation. It doesn't mean anything.
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Who is that? Someone's at the door. Who would knock at this hour? You sit, Edward, and finish your supper. I'll see who it is.
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Who Who is it, Mary dear? Well,
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that's strange. There's no one here.
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But we distinctly heard someone knock. Edward.
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What is it? Come here quickly. Edward, look. Look at what? On the doorstep. This this bundle.
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It's a sack.
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Oh, what does it mean?
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It means someone left a sack on our doorstep. Just for what for what reason? Oh, let's bring it inside and find out. Here, let me
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Mary, I
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I I can't lift it. Oh, well, now what do you suppose can be in it? There's a piece of paper attached to it.
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Here, let me put on my spectrums.
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Oh, Edward. What does it say?
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It says, to be published or the right man to be sought out by private inquiry, either will answer. This act can pay an coin weighing a 60 pounds and four ounces. Oh, Edward. Help me. Help me drag inside.
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Oh, mercy, Otis. Quickly.
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Shut shut the door, Mary.
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Lock it. Oh, Edward, what do you suppose?
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The the the paper. The paper. There's more at night. Oh? I I was a gambler, a ruined gambler. Oh. I arrived at Hadleyburg late at night starving and in rags. I begged for help, and I luckily begged of the right man. He gave me $20. He also gave me life and hope.
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I return to the gambling table. Oh, Edward, who would have given a stranger $20?
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I became rich, and I remembered a remark he made. It gave me the inspiration to reform, and I have. I don't know who that man was, but I want him found, and I want him to have the money in this sack.
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Oh, Edward, can you imagine
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how much money there is in there? I would find him myself, but I cannot remain here. But this is an honest, incorruptible town, and I can trust you folks to help me. But how can we help? The man can be identified by the remark he made to me when he gave me the $20. Please publish or reveal what I have told you so far to anyone who you think might be the right man. If he says, yes, I was that man and the remark I made was such and such, open the sack and inside you will find a sealed envelope with the remark. If he has made the correct statement, give him the gold. Oh, can you imagine Edward? All that gold. You may publish what I have revealed to you in your local paper and add the following instructions.
Thirty days from now, let let the candidate appear at the town hall and hand his remark in a sealed envelope to the reverend mister Burgess, and have the reverend mister Burgess destroy the seals, open the sack, and verify the remark.
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Someone in this town befriended a stranger, gave him $20, and now
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And now that man who set his bread afloat upon the waters shall become rich.
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Oh, Edward, what
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was was it? Was I that man's was I that benefactor? No, Mary. No.
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Oh, well, just as well. We could never accept that gold anyway. It was gamblers' money. We must make the inquiry
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public. All the other towns will be sick with envy because no stranger would ever trust such a thing to any other town but Hadleyburg. Let me run over and tell Jack Halliday.
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I didn't believe until I came running back to the house with him. And there was the sack and there was the letter just as you've already heard it. Well, do you remember I said Edward Richards was one of the 19? 19? Sure. There are 19 leading citizens of Hadleyburg. Ed Richards is the least of them, the poorest, the most unimportant. He just about mentioned under the wire. Well, these 19 set the tone and spirit of Hadleyburg, the 19 uncorruptibles. Just keep them in mind. Well, I said to Ed and Mary Richards, let's get this money right over to the bank and have old Pinkerton put it right in the vault. And we roused him out of bed, and he did it.
And the whole town turned out. Everyone became so excited. You can imagine. Anyhow, four old Edward Richards finally went home.
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I think I know who that man was, Edward, who gave the stranger the $20. Barclay Goodson.
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Yes. Yes. You may be right, Mary. It would have been like Barclay.
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May he rest in peace. Do you remember what he said about this town?
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It may have been honest, but it was mellow and self righteous and stingy. And I remember how he was hated for it too. I guess he was the best hated man around here except for reverend Burgess. Former reverend Burgess.
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Wait. Doesn't it seem odd that the stranger should have appointed reverend Burgess to deliver the money? Mary, Burgess isn't a bad man. Oh, nonsense. He would still be a minister of peace. It was all because of the rumor of his being with that woman. Oh, he was guilty. No.
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No, Mary. He wasn't. He was innocent.
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David, what are you saying?
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Mary, I was the only man who knew he was innocent. I could have saved him, but, well, you know how wrought up the whole town. Why is it it would have turned everyone against me. I just didn't have the courage. I oh, I see. I have another confession, Mary. When there was talk of riding him out of town on a rail, I well, I sneaked over to his house and warned him to leave until things cooled off. Oh, Edward, if anyone has found out It scares me yet. Everybody thought it was Goodson who warned him. And when folks started to mumble about him, Goodson buckled on his 45 and invited them to state their case to his face. Oh, that was just like Goodson.
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The way it was like Goodson to give that $20 to a tramp.
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Why are we so sure it was Goodson? It couldn't have been anyone else.
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Oh, why didn't we keep the ghost? Mary. Why didn't you realize we could never find the right man because he's dead and buried in his grave? Do you realize what you're As long as the money would go to someone who needs it as badly as we do, who would have been hurt? You know how we've been raised,
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how how we've been shielded against all temptation. So it's absolutely second nature not to hesitate for a moment when an honest thing has to be done. Oh, I know.
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But it's an artificial honesty and as weak as water when temptation really comes as we have seen this night. Mary, there's no use to our knows I never had any doubt about my indestructible honesty
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until that minute. Now, dear, you mustn't go on with Edward,
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I know exactly what you're thinking right now. You do? You are thinking, If a body could only guess what the remark was that Goodson made to the stranger. Yes.
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But I feel ashamed about it. Well, that's what I'm thinking myself. If only we could guess.
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Maybe we don't have to guess. What? We're all creatures of habit, Edward. I guess. I suppose that. You can almost predict what a person would say in a given situation. Now take mister Pinkerton, the banker. Suppose a beggar would ask him for charity. What would he say?
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Why isn't an able-bodied man like you gainful employment? Exactly.
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Now think of Goodson. What were some of the things Goodson used to say? But Mary Think. Now think what were Goodson's best known remarks about
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charity, for instance? Mary, even if I could remember, that's no guarantee that Goodson would have made the exact same statement on this particular night. Would it do any good? Yes.
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Because then you would write it down on a piece of paper, seal it in an envelope, and hand it over to the reverend mister Burgess. And suppose
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suppose mister Burgess then breaks open the seal and it comes out that what I claim he said wasn't the remark at all? Well,
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nothing ventured
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nothing gained. Do you realize the whole whole town will be there? The the the the whole county, the whole state?
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We I'd I would be discredited. Oh, you could brazen it out. Mary, I'd be terrified. The money. Oh, the thought of all that money is driving us out of our minds. Gary,
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why don't we just go to sleep? Sleep?
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Oh, are are you going to be able to sleep? You know what we're going to keep asking ourselves?
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Yes. Yes. What could he have said? Yes. What could Goodson have said to the stranger?
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What could he have said? I was also sure it was Goodson.
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Goodson had to be the benefactor. But what did he say to the stranger? Well, if you think that only Edward and Mary Richards were played for the question, let me tell you they had plenty of company. No one was getting any sleep in any of the houses of the incorruptible 19. For instance, lawyer Wilson. What could he have said? Hay, feed, and grain merchant, Vincent. What could he have said? Go down the list. Robert Titmarsh, Ella Follard Weeks, Archie Bald Wilcox, Inglesby Sergeant What could he have said? What could he have said? What could he have said? What could he have said? What could he have said? What could he have said? What could he have said? On top and ending with poor Edward Richards on bottom, walked about with white and drawn faces as if each of them was feverishly figuring out a way to get at that money.
A head of steam was building higher and higher and fiercer and fiercer. Sooner or later, it would have the buzz.
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And it did. You know perfectly well that what we have here is the situation where an irresistible force is about to encounter some highly movable objects. Incorruptible Hadleyburg is in for a workout. Is Mally Richards correct in her analysis? Will the town's reputation collapse under its first real test? It may. It may not. Just wait here till I return with act two. Why do you climb a mountain? Because it's there is the usual answer. And in this case, the simplicity of the reply contains a universal truth. Nature abhors a vacuum. The very fact that something exists can motivate someone to do something about it.
Here you have Mark Twain's town of Hadleyburg. It has a reputation for honesty. This fact by itself is enough to inspire someone to try to destroy the reputation. Jack Halliday continues our story.
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I wish I could tell you what went on in Hadnaburg as the weeks went by and that fateful Friday drew near. Everybody from Hadnaburg was walking around with a long face. Everyone agreed that the benefactor had to be Goodson. But one thing kind of intrigued me. Why was reverend Burgess named as the judge or referee or whatever? Burgess would have been treated so shabbily by the town. Could all this be a trick on Burgess' part to get even? Reverend, I think I've been your friend. Yes, Jack. You have. How do you figure in this sack of gold business? I have no idea. When Goodson was alive, you two were close.
Well, I suppose we were kindred spirits. Reverend, you know more than you're telling. I'm convinced of it. Why is everyone so sure the benefactor is good? One who put good son would give a stranger $20. And I wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. You would, Reverend Burgess. You would. For that matter, Jack, so would you. Where would I ever get $20? Listen. If you had it, you'd give it away. And for that matter, so would poor, timid, little Edward Richards. Think about it.
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I thought about it.
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And the more I thought, the less sure I was of anything. Meanwhile, as I found out later,
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Hamburg. You don't know who made that remark? About the event in your town of Handleyburg. You don't know who made that remark, but I do.
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It was Goodson. Oh, do you see, Edward?
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We were old friends. That night, I passed through your town, and Goodson waited with me at the railroad station. Some tramp approached him and asked for a handout. I saw him give the man the money, and I heard what he said.
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Edward, why would this man write? After the tramp
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left, Goodson and I talked till my train arrived. He'd mentioned practically all of his fellow townsmen, and I could tell he actively disliked most of them. Oh, that does sound like Goodson. He did mention your name as a rare exception. Oh. He said you had done him a good turn once and that possibly you may not have realized the full value of it. What was that, Edward? He said he wished he had a fortune so that he could leave it to you. Well, then, in that case, if you really did him that service, you are his legitimate heir and are entitled to the gold. Oh. I trust to your honor and honesty as a citizen of Hadleyburg. I will reveal to you the remark that Goodson made.
This is it. You are far from being a bad man. Go and reform. Very true of you as Howard L. Stevens. Oh, Edward, the money is ours. Mary. Mary, do do you realize I'll have to tell a lie? What lie? I have to claim that I was the one that gave the $20 to the stranger. Oh, that's a technicality.
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Edward, you read what this mister Stevenson said. Well, you do deserve the gold and and so You even get and why do I deserve the gold? Why? Because as mister Stevenson pointed out, you did mister Goodson a good turn once. No. What do you mean no?
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I don't remember ever having done Goodson a good turn. Oh, come. You're always helping people. No. I remember. I did Burgess, a good turn, but not Goodson. I never had anything at all to do with Barclay Goodson. I was afraid to be seen. Oh, say it. No. No. I I didn't. Mary, I know all this honesty Habibberg brags about is a fraud, but I'm too old, and I'm too tired. And maybe I'm too frightened to change my ways, and and I just won't have anything to do with it anymore. Edward. No. It's my very last word on the subject.
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Well, that's how it was at that point with Ed and Mary Richards. That letter bore an out of state postmark. But do you wanna know something extremely interesting about that letter? It came in 19 copies. 19. And that letter was delivered to 19 homes in the village of Hamburg, each and every one of the 19 incorruptibles received. Dear mister Worsen, I have just returned from Europe. Dear mister Wilson, that night I passed through your town. You're far from being a bad man. Go and reform. Good morning, Jack. Wow. Mister Belson. Jack, I've been thinking. I I I don't advertise enough.
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I agree. I always held if you sell
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hay feeding grain, folks covered by what they need anyhow. But now you've changed your mind and, you want to advertise. Yeah. You guessed it, Jack. What's gotten into you? Well, we got all those strangers in town on a account of, you know what. Nelson, what's really on your mind? Jack, the reporters keep asking me questions about myself, you know. And, well, I I I I don't know what to tell them. Well, just tell them the truth. Well, I do. But it sounds kinda stuffy. I guess it would. Yes. So what I was thinking, Jack, was that you might write me a kind of short autobiography.
Nelson, you're an old frog. Oh, Jack. You know all about me, and I'm willing to pay you. Alright, Nelson. But I'm one of you. I intend to get to the bottom of
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this. Jet.
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That is an old Royal Wilson himself. Your old rival, Wilson, was just here. Oh, really? Now what can I do for you? Well,
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Do you want me to write your autobiography?
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No. Not at the moment, Jack. I, I, I want to arrange for some advertising. I believe it is unethical for lawyers to advertise in this state. Oh, well, I I wouldn't dream of advertising my law practice. Oh, you wouldn't? Well, what what's your advertising? My intention of running for the the state senate. Say that again. I said I intend to run for the state senate. Oh, come on, Wilson. Who'd vote for you? I have every prospect of victory. You're the most unpopular man in town. I don't know about that. I think I think people will be eager to vote for me. Oh, do you? Well, why on earth should anyone even dream of voting for you? Now now how much does a full page cost? I've never seen such a change in the atmosphere.
Everybody walked around with a smile. Everybody seemed to have a new lease on life. That is everybody among the 19 Hadleyburg incorruptibles. Why, even missus Inglesby's sergeants who came in to give me the full information on a church supper
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seemed to be best. And don't forget to write, Jack, that everyone is to bring a covered dish. I never forget. Jack, I am thinking of ordering some special cards. Oh, yes? You know the Sheridan Mansion? Well, I think I'd find the convinced Inglewood to buy it. Well, that would, take a lot of money. Oh, that's not going to be a problem very much longer. Oh, it isn't? Why not? Oh, that would be telling. Jack, a simple, tasteful, and brave card to read mister and missus Inglesby Sergeant at home at Number 1, Sheridan Place. Oh, do you suppose we could change the name of the square to Sargent Place if we own the property? I know how much money it takes to buy that mansion, and if you've got all of it,
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you can afford to do anything.
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It made no sense at all. I couldn't account for it. What was the sudden outburst of sunshine and roses among all the 19? Bright plans, extravagant spending, and all these people lost their minds. Only one person seemed unchanged. Edward Richards.
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Mary, leave me in peace. Edward, no. The money is rightfully ours. But I keep telling you I didn't do any service at all for Goodson. And I keep telling you, it may have been some tiny Picayune thing that you can't even remember. Don't weaken my resolve. Goodson befriended a stranger in the presence of a witness. Mary. And in so doing, he made a remark. The witness, a friend of Goodson's, remembering that Goodson felt kindly to you, wants to do you a good turn. Now that's all there is. Yeah. I could believe it. I
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I could accept it if If what? If I could ever remember doing Goodson a good turn. Edward, you must have. What?
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How? Well, things are are relative. Oh, please, ma'am. Did you ever say hello to Goodson on the street? Of course. Well, that's a good turn. That's the Did most people ever greet Goodson? Smile, say hello, tip their hat, shake hands, or talk to Jack? Hardly anyone.
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No. I didn't either. I I just Yes?
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I just smiled and nodded. And that was enough. Oh, don't you see, Edward, that little bit No. As Goodson said, you wouldn't know the value of it. Now who else would say hello to Goodson? Oh, Edward, can't you see the hand of providence? Oh, come dear. Right. Right. You are far from being a bad man. Go and reform.
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Mary, do you think I should?
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I think you should. And you think you should. All we need is the paper, the pen, and an envelope.
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Yes. Indeed. That's all you need. People do become a bit erratic, not to mention unhinged, at the prospect of a fortune in gold or anything else for that matter. Well, here goes incorruptible Hadleyburg. Can we salvage anything? The cleanup begins when I bring you act three in just a few moments. You are far from being a bad man. Go and reform. Such a phrase is worth in the neighborhood of $40,000, which may be small potatoes today, but it was certainly a bumper crop about eighty years ago. The question is, how many people know that phrase, and how many of them are willing to utter it?
For this information, we need to hear from Jack Halliday, the local editor.
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The town hall never looked finer. The place was festooned with all kinds of flags and bunting. You'd think it was the July 4. The sack of gold sat on a table in the center of the stage, and it made mouths water all over the house. Finally, mister Burgess was introduced, the reverend mister Burgess. Everyone in town loved him now, and he spoke without my door as if nothing had happened. Ladies and gentlemen, I have here in my pocket an envelope. Mary, I'm scared. What to be scared about? Shut open. And here is the letter inside.
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Mary,
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Mary, That on blue paper. I do know we didn't use blue paper. It reads as follows. The remark which I made to the poor distressed stranger was you are very far from being a very bad man. Go and reform. Signed, Jeremiah Bilson. Mary, Mary, did you hear something? Order, order, please order. I see that mister Wilson is also on his feet. Why do you rise, mister Wilson? Because you call my name. No, sir. No. No. I read the name Bilson, which is signed here. I, Jeremy Bilson, signed that letter. You wish you're a liar and a fraud. I am the one who befriended that poor stranger, mister chairman. I wrote you a letter myself.
I, William Willett. Just just just a moment. It it seems I have another envelope in my pocket. That's it. That's it. That's fine. Alright. Alright then. I shall read it. The remark I made was you are far from being a bad man. Go and reform. Signed, William Wilson.
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Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess.
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Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess a very bad man. Wilson said, you are far from being a bad man. No. Very. Therefore, you should open the sack, sir, and read what the test remark is. Well, with your permission, ladies and gentlemen, I hereby break the seals and open the sack.
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Mary, Mary, what have we done?
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Do you suppose he has a hard letter in his pocket? I,
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I find here two envelopes. One is marked the test remark. On the other, it says not to be opened until all written communications addressed to the chair have been read. Let's hear the test command, mister Burgess. This is what the benefactor claims, he said. You are far from being a bad man. Go and perform. That's Mister mister Wilson, you're out of order. No. No. I insist. I am the man who befriended a stranger. I know what I said. I was in my office right when there's no clue, mister Burgess, when Wilson came in on business. And he may have sheen the note on my desk and therefore That's an informer's side. Yes. And he couldn't even carry it correctly. Order, gentlemen, order.
Neither of you has quoted the remark Order, please. The full remark is you are far from being a bad man. Go and reform. Or mark my words, someday for your sins, you will die and go to hell or Hadleyburg and try to make it the former
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the whole lot on it. Order.
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Order, chairman. Mister chairman, two out of 19 incorruptibles have succumbed to temptation, I think. Our fair town of Hasletburg now has a new image. I won't shoot any way I don't have killed my honesty. Mister chairman, mister chairman, I move we adjourn this meeting. We cannot do so at this point, mister Halliday. Why not? Because we have other claimants for the prize. I have received a number of letters. Perhaps one of them can repeat the true remark. Oh, Mary, Mary, we're doomed. We'll be disgraced. Letter number three. You are far from being a bad man.
Signed, Engelsby Well, it became a picnic after that. The house was in hysterics. One by one, the incorruptibles were stripped naked, figuratively speaking, Betty. Mary, we're we're gonna be disgraced.
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Mary, why did I do it? I don't know what ever got into me. Oh, forgive me. He's he's
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saving us for last. I know it. Oh, Mary. Oh, all I've had was my good name.
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Now I do even have that. So pray
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that all we have left, praying that Burgess will be merciful. Yes. Yes. Let us pray.
[00:35:05] Unknown:
Ladies and gentlemen, I believe that's all. Mister Burgess, how many of those letters did you receive? 19. Well, sir, I've been holding count, and you only read 18. Oh, did I? Oh, well, I I must have been mistaken. I guess it was only 18. 18? We have 19 incorruptibles and happy words, but only one of them is the genuine article. Only one is truly as advertised. I propose a cheer for the cleanest man in town, the only so called important citizen who didn't try to steal that money, Edward Richards. And now I shall read the other letter in the sack. Ladies and gentlemen, there is no test remark.
Nobody ever made one. Order. Order, please. Order. There was no beggar. No contribution. At one time, I passed through your town. I was offended by your lofty, snobbish pretensions. I was insulted by your overbearing vanity. I decided to discover if your vaunted integrity was genuine. And now you have seen what I have done. I'm sure I caught every last man to whom I wrote that letter tipping off the test remark. That's right. He did bounce of a last man. Well, the contents of the sack belong to all who claimed it. Now, where are you? You mean these shoppers get the gold after all? Order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, Order, please.
Ladies and gentlemen, I must abide by the instructions. And so I shall now cut open the sack and distribute the contents among among why is it, miss Abacus? Friends, this isn't gold. These are just gilded pieces of lead. The curling.
[00:37:29] Unknown:
The curling. The curling. The curling.
[00:37:32] Unknown:
Yes. Yes, sir. The curling. I propose we auction off the sack and give the proceeds to the one honest, incorruptible left, Ed Richards. No. May I, speak? My name Oh, do any of you gentlemen know me? I am a collector in rare coins and curiosity, and I think I might buy this collection, and on it, engrave the names of the 18 incorruptible. I do. Sir, I will return it. I warn you. I will show you to the danger of your life. I beg you, sir, not to threaten me. I beg you, sir, not to threaten me. I know my rights. You and anyone else can prevent me from gaining protection by outbidding me. $1,000.
Oh. Three. Keep it up, gentlemen. Give it up. Remember the proceeds go to Edgar Bridges. That's it. I know got together to pool their resources, and finally, they bought the sack for $50,000.
[00:39:41] Unknown:
Oh, Edward. I'm exhausted.
[00:39:46] Unknown:
Well, well, finally, we can go to bed. Oh,
[00:39:50] Unknown:
but I won't be able to sleep.
[00:39:52] Unknown:
I I know. $50,000.
[00:39:55] Unknown:
Oh.
[00:39:56] Unknown:
Mary, I I can't believe what happened.
[00:39:59] Unknown:
We'll be given the check-in the morning. You will believe it then.
[00:40:03] Unknown:
Suppose
[00:40:05] Unknown:
suppose Suppose what?
[00:40:08] Unknown:
Suppose this is mister Burgess' way of getting revenge. He was accused of adultery, but I knew it was a lie. Ico saved his reputation.
[00:40:21] Unknown:
I didn't Edward. No, Mary.
[00:40:24] Unknown:
Now he's waiting. Don't you see? He's toying with me. Let the town praise me, and then he'll produce that letter and destroy me. Edward, you don't know that. No. I'm gonna confess
[00:40:35] Unknown:
everything. Where are you going?
[00:40:37] Unknown:
Out. I'm gonna tell everyone I see that I try to steal the money too. Edward.
[00:40:45] Unknown:
We thought he was mad.
[00:40:48] Unknown:
He went through the streets bareheaded without a coat, stopping people, knocking at doors. We thought the ordeal had been too much for him. But now he convinced us. And then Hadleyburg really fell. Our last incorruptible was gone, literally. Because that night, he caught the fever that killed him, and I was with him at his last hour. The reverend Burgess came to visit. Edward, I I would never have betrayed you. You would. You would've. I destroyed the letter you sent. I wanted to save you. You, after all, saved my life once by warning me. No.
[00:41:36] Unknown:
You were angry with me because I could have cleared your name. But you see, I was afraid, and you and and you hated me for it. You were waiting for revenge.
[00:41:46] Unknown:
Poor Edward. You couldn't have cleared me. You had no real evidence to offer. You see, I was to blame. I was guilty. Like everyone else, I'm only human. Like everyone else, I too could be tempted. Hadlerberg is a well corrupted village. I guess there isn't an awful lot more to tell. Hadleyburg had its name changed by special permission of the legislature. And what its new one is, I won't say. But we're a town now, like other towns, either better or worse. But at least, we're human, which is about as good or as bad a thing as you can say about anyone. Thank you kindly for your attention.
[00:43:03] Unknown:
And thank you, Jack Halliday. This has been a visit into the Mark Twain country of Hadleyburg. And you can find a Hadleyburg almost anywhere you look, even in your own hometown. This has been a visit into the Mark Twain country of Hadleyburg, and you can find a Hadleyburg almost anywhere you look, even in your own hometown.
[00:43:33] Unknown:
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[00:00:43] Unknown:
Come in. Welcome. I'm E. G. Marshall. Didn't Sophocles say the gods hate utterly the bray of bragging tongues? And haven't we also been taught that pride goeth before destruction? Certainly, the prophets and the sages and the poets have had enough to say about the besetting sin of pride. Why then is pride so prevalent? The subject intrigued Mark Twain so deeply that he created one of the deadliest stories about pride ever written. Our mystery drama, The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg, was adapted from the Mark Twain classic especially for the mystery theater by Sam Ghan and stars Fred Gwynn.
It is sponsored in part by True Value Hardware Stores and the Buick Motor Division. I'll be back shortly with act one. According to Mark Twain, you could cheat just about anybody. Back along the turn of the century, there was a town called Hadleyburg, which advertised itself as the most honest and upright place in the world. Incorruptible Hadleyburg, envied by its neighbors. And yet, one day, untainted, irreproachable Hadleyburg fell from grace. How did it happen? May I introduce you to Jack Halliday?
[00:02:28] Unknown:
I knew it would happen one day, and I said so. But nobody listened to me. After all, I was only the editor of the Hadleyburg Gazette, and it was a paper that lost money. So what did I know about anything? Anyhow, putting the story together, here's what happened. One night, old man Richards, who works at the bank, he's one of the 19. I'll tell you who they are later. If I have to stop to explain everything at the beginning, I'll never get started. Well, old man Richards and his wife, Mary, are having supper. Edward,
[00:03:06] Unknown:
I know you're tired, dear, but you must have your supper. I'm not hungry. I'm I'm so clear worn out.
[00:03:15] Unknown:
You know, Mary, it's hard to be poor at our time of life. Grinding away the salary,
[00:03:21] Unknown:
another man's slave. Oh, but, Edward, we have our good name.
[00:03:25] Unknown:
Yes. Yes. And that's everything. Don't mind my talk. It's just a moment's irritation. It doesn't mean anything.
[00:03:35] Unknown:
Who is that? Someone's at the door. Who would knock at this hour? You sit, Edward, and finish your supper. I'll see who it is.
[00:03:46] Unknown:
Who Who is it, Mary dear? Well,
[00:03:49] Unknown:
that's strange. There's no one here.
[00:03:52] Unknown:
But we distinctly heard someone knock. Edward.
[00:03:56] Unknown:
What is it? Come here quickly. Edward, look. Look at what? On the doorstep. This this bundle.
[00:04:07] Unknown:
It's a sack.
[00:04:08] Unknown:
Oh, what does it mean?
[00:04:11] Unknown:
It means someone left a sack on our doorstep. Just for what for what reason? Oh, let's bring it inside and find out. Here, let me
[00:04:20] Unknown:
Mary, I
[00:04:22] Unknown:
I I can't lift it. Oh, well, now what do you suppose can be in it? There's a piece of paper attached to it.
[00:04:29] Unknown:
Here, let me put on my spectrums.
[00:04:32] Unknown:
Oh, Edward. What does it say?
[00:04:35] Unknown:
It says, to be published or the right man to be sought out by private inquiry, either will answer. This act can pay an coin weighing a 60 pounds and four ounces. Oh, Edward. Help me. Help me drag inside.
[00:04:56] Unknown:
Oh, mercy, Otis. Quickly.
[00:05:01] Unknown:
Shut shut the door, Mary.
[00:05:04] Unknown:
Lock it. Oh, Edward, what do you suppose?
[00:05:10] Unknown:
The the the paper. The paper. There's more at night. Oh? I I was a gambler, a ruined gambler. Oh. I arrived at Hadleyburg late at night starving and in rags. I begged for help, and I luckily begged of the right man. He gave me $20. He also gave me life and hope.
[00:05:35] Unknown:
I return to the gambling table. Oh, Edward, who would have given a stranger $20?
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I became rich, and I remembered a remark he made. It gave me the inspiration to reform, and I have. I don't know who that man was, but I want him found, and I want him to have the money in this sack.
[00:05:56] Unknown:
Oh, Edward, can you imagine
[00:05:58] Unknown:
how much money there is in there? I would find him myself, but I cannot remain here. But this is an honest, incorruptible town, and I can trust you folks to help me. But how can we help? The man can be identified by the remark he made to me when he gave me the $20. Please publish or reveal what I have told you so far to anyone who you think might be the right man. If he says, yes, I was that man and the remark I made was such and such, open the sack and inside you will find a sealed envelope with the remark. If he has made the correct statement, give him the gold. Oh, can you imagine Edward? All that gold. You may publish what I have revealed to you in your local paper and add the following instructions.
Thirty days from now, let let the candidate appear at the town hall and hand his remark in a sealed envelope to the reverend mister Burgess, and have the reverend mister Burgess destroy the seals, open the sack, and verify the remark.
[00:07:01] Unknown:
Someone in this town befriended a stranger, gave him $20, and now
[00:07:07] Unknown:
And now that man who set his bread afloat upon the waters shall become rich.
[00:07:12] Unknown:
Oh, Edward, what
[00:07:14] Unknown:
was was it? Was I that man's was I that benefactor? No, Mary. No.
[00:07:20] Unknown:
Oh, well, just as well. We could never accept that gold anyway. It was gamblers' money. We must make the inquiry
[00:07:30] Unknown:
public. All the other towns will be sick with envy because no stranger would ever trust such a thing to any other town but Hadleyburg. Let me run over and tell Jack Halliday.
[00:07:44] Unknown:
I didn't believe until I came running back to the house with him. And there was the sack and there was the letter just as you've already heard it. Well, do you remember I said Edward Richards was one of the 19? 19? Sure. There are 19 leading citizens of Hadleyburg. Ed Richards is the least of them, the poorest, the most unimportant. He just about mentioned under the wire. Well, these 19 set the tone and spirit of Hadleyburg, the 19 uncorruptibles. Just keep them in mind. Well, I said to Ed and Mary Richards, let's get this money right over to the bank and have old Pinkerton put it right in the vault. And we roused him out of bed, and he did it.
And the whole town turned out. Everyone became so excited. You can imagine. Anyhow, four old Edward Richards finally went home.
[00:08:44] Unknown:
I think I know who that man was, Edward, who gave the stranger the $20. Barclay Goodson.
[00:08:51] Unknown:
Yes. Yes. You may be right, Mary. It would have been like Barclay.
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May he rest in peace. Do you remember what he said about this town?
[00:09:00] Unknown:
It may have been honest, but it was mellow and self righteous and stingy. And I remember how he was hated for it too. I guess he was the best hated man around here except for reverend Burgess. Former reverend Burgess.
[00:09:14] Unknown:
Wait. Doesn't it seem odd that the stranger should have appointed reverend Burgess to deliver the money? Mary, Burgess isn't a bad man. Oh, nonsense. He would still be a minister of peace. It was all because of the rumor of his being with that woman. Oh, he was guilty. No.
[00:09:29] Unknown:
No, Mary. He wasn't. He was innocent.
[00:09:32] Unknown:
David, what are you saying?
[00:09:34] Unknown:
Mary, I was the only man who knew he was innocent. I could have saved him, but, well, you know how wrought up the whole town. Why is it it would have turned everyone against me. I just didn't have the courage. I oh, I see. I have another confession, Mary. When there was talk of riding him out of town on a rail, I well, I sneaked over to his house and warned him to leave until things cooled off. Oh, Edward, if anyone has found out It scares me yet. Everybody thought it was Goodson who warned him. And when folks started to mumble about him, Goodson buckled on his 45 and invited them to state their case to his face. Oh, that was just like Goodson.
[00:10:19] Unknown:
The way it was like Goodson to give that $20 to a tramp.
[00:10:23] Unknown:
Why are we so sure it was Goodson? It couldn't have been anyone else.
[00:10:27] Unknown:
Oh, why didn't we keep the ghost? Mary. Why didn't you realize we could never find the right man because he's dead and buried in his grave? Do you realize what you're As long as the money would go to someone who needs it as badly as we do, who would have been hurt? You know how we've been raised,
[00:10:45] Unknown:
how how we've been shielded against all temptation. So it's absolutely second nature not to hesitate for a moment when an honest thing has to be done. Oh, I know.
[00:10:53] Unknown:
But it's an artificial honesty and as weak as water when temptation really comes as we have seen this night. Mary, there's no use to our knows I never had any doubt about my indestructible honesty
[00:11:06] Unknown:
until that minute. Now, dear, you mustn't go on with Edward,
[00:11:11] Unknown:
I know exactly what you're thinking right now. You do? You are thinking, If a body could only guess what the remark was that Goodson made to the stranger. Yes.
[00:11:24] Unknown:
But I feel ashamed about it. Well, that's what I'm thinking myself. If only we could guess.
[00:11:33] Unknown:
Maybe we don't have to guess. What? We're all creatures of habit, Edward. I guess. I suppose that. You can almost predict what a person would say in a given situation. Now take mister Pinkerton, the banker. Suppose a beggar would ask him for charity. What would he say?
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Why isn't an able-bodied man like you gainful employment? Exactly.
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Now think of Goodson. What were some of the things Goodson used to say? But Mary Think. Now think what were Goodson's best known remarks about
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charity, for instance? Mary, even if I could remember, that's no guarantee that Goodson would have made the exact same statement on this particular night. Would it do any good? Yes.
[00:12:22] Unknown:
Because then you would write it down on a piece of paper, seal it in an envelope, and hand it over to the reverend mister Burgess. And suppose
[00:12:31] Unknown:
suppose mister Burgess then breaks open the seal and it comes out that what I claim he said wasn't the remark at all? Well,
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nothing ventured
[00:12:39] Unknown:
nothing gained. Do you realize the whole whole town will be there? The the the the whole county, the whole state?
[00:12:47] Unknown:
We I'd I would be discredited. Oh, you could brazen it out. Mary, I'd be terrified. The money. Oh, the thought of all that money is driving us out of our minds. Gary,
[00:13:01] Unknown:
why don't we just go to sleep? Sleep?
[00:13:04] Unknown:
Oh, are are you going to be able to sleep? You know what we're going to keep asking ourselves?
[00:13:11] Unknown:
Yes. Yes. What could he have said? Yes. What could Goodson have said to the stranger?
[00:13:24] Unknown:
What could he have said? I was also sure it was Goodson.
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Goodson had to be the benefactor. But what did he say to the stranger? Well, if you think that only Edward and Mary Richards were played for the question, let me tell you they had plenty of company. No one was getting any sleep in any of the houses of the incorruptible 19. For instance, lawyer Wilson. What could he have said? Hay, feed, and grain merchant, Vincent. What could he have said? Go down the list. Robert Titmarsh, Ella Follard Weeks, Archie Bald Wilcox, Inglesby Sergeant What could he have said? What could he have said? What could he have said? What could he have said? What could he have said? What could he have said? What could he have said? On top and ending with poor Edward Richards on bottom, walked about with white and drawn faces as if each of them was feverishly figuring out a way to get at that money.
A head of steam was building higher and higher and fiercer and fiercer. Sooner or later, it would have the buzz.
[00:14:46] Unknown:
And it did. You know perfectly well that what we have here is the situation where an irresistible force is about to encounter some highly movable objects. Incorruptible Hadleyburg is in for a workout. Is Mally Richards correct in her analysis? Will the town's reputation collapse under its first real test? It may. It may not. Just wait here till I return with act two. Why do you climb a mountain? Because it's there is the usual answer. And in this case, the simplicity of the reply contains a universal truth. Nature abhors a vacuum. The very fact that something exists can motivate someone to do something about it.
Here you have Mark Twain's town of Hadleyburg. It has a reputation for honesty. This fact by itself is enough to inspire someone to try to destroy the reputation. Jack Halliday continues our story.
[00:16:11] Unknown:
I wish I could tell you what went on in Hadnaburg as the weeks went by and that fateful Friday drew near. Everybody from Hadnaburg was walking around with a long face. Everyone agreed that the benefactor had to be Goodson. But one thing kind of intrigued me. Why was reverend Burgess named as the judge or referee or whatever? Burgess would have been treated so shabbily by the town. Could all this be a trick on Burgess' part to get even? Reverend, I think I've been your friend. Yes, Jack. You have. How do you figure in this sack of gold business? I have no idea. When Goodson was alive, you two were close.
Well, I suppose we were kindred spirits. Reverend, you know more than you're telling. I'm convinced of it. Why is everyone so sure the benefactor is good? One who put good son would give a stranger $20. And I wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. You would, Reverend Burgess. You would. For that matter, Jack, so would you. Where would I ever get $20? Listen. If you had it, you'd give it away. And for that matter, so would poor, timid, little Edward Richards. Think about it.
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I thought about it.
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And the more I thought, the less sure I was of anything. Meanwhile, as I found out later,
[00:17:58] Unknown:
Hamburg. You don't know who made that remark? About the event in your town of Handleyburg. You don't know who made that remark, but I do.
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It was Goodson. Oh, do you see, Edward?
[00:18:12] Unknown:
We were old friends. That night, I passed through your town, and Goodson waited with me at the railroad station. Some tramp approached him and asked for a handout. I saw him give the man the money, and I heard what he said.
[00:18:25] Unknown:
Edward, why would this man write? After the tramp
[00:18:30] Unknown:
left, Goodson and I talked till my train arrived. He'd mentioned practically all of his fellow townsmen, and I could tell he actively disliked most of them. Oh, that does sound like Goodson. He did mention your name as a rare exception. Oh. He said you had done him a good turn once and that possibly you may not have realized the full value of it. What was that, Edward? He said he wished he had a fortune so that he could leave it to you. Well, then, in that case, if you really did him that service, you are his legitimate heir and are entitled to the gold. Oh. I trust to your honor and honesty as a citizen of Hadleyburg. I will reveal to you the remark that Goodson made.
This is it. You are far from being a bad man. Go and reform. Very true of you as Howard L. Stevens. Oh, Edward, the money is ours. Mary. Mary, do do you realize I'll have to tell a lie? What lie? I have to claim that I was the one that gave the $20 to the stranger. Oh, that's a technicality.
[00:19:33] Unknown:
Edward, you read what this mister Stevenson said. Well, you do deserve the gold and and so You even get and why do I deserve the gold? Why? Because as mister Stevenson pointed out, you did mister Goodson a good turn once. No. What do you mean no?
[00:19:50] Unknown:
I don't remember ever having done Goodson a good turn. Oh, come. You're always helping people. No. I remember. I did Burgess, a good turn, but not Goodson. I never had anything at all to do with Barclay Goodson. I was afraid to be seen. Oh, say it. No. No. I I didn't. Mary, I know all this honesty Habibberg brags about is a fraud, but I'm too old, and I'm too tired. And maybe I'm too frightened to change my ways, and and I just won't have anything to do with it anymore. Edward. No. It's my very last word on the subject.
[00:20:30] Unknown:
Well, that's how it was at that point with Ed and Mary Richards. That letter bore an out of state postmark. But do you wanna know something extremely interesting about that letter? It came in 19 copies. 19. And that letter was delivered to 19 homes in the village of Hamburg, each and every one of the 19 incorruptibles received. Dear mister Worsen, I have just returned from Europe. Dear mister Wilson, that night I passed through your town. You're far from being a bad man. Go and reform. Good morning, Jack. Wow. Mister Belson. Jack, I've been thinking. I I I don't advertise enough.
[00:21:29] Unknown:
I agree. I always held if you sell
[00:21:33] Unknown:
hay feeding grain, folks covered by what they need anyhow. But now you've changed your mind and, you want to advertise. Yeah. You guessed it, Jack. What's gotten into you? Well, we got all those strangers in town on a account of, you know what. Nelson, what's really on your mind? Jack, the reporters keep asking me questions about myself, you know. And, well, I I I I don't know what to tell them. Well, just tell them the truth. Well, I do. But it sounds kinda stuffy. I guess it would. Yes. So what I was thinking, Jack, was that you might write me a kind of short autobiography.
Nelson, you're an old frog. Oh, Jack. You know all about me, and I'm willing to pay you. Alright, Nelson. But I'm one of you. I intend to get to the bottom of
[00:22:33] Unknown:
this. Jet.
[00:22:37] Unknown:
That is an old Royal Wilson himself. Your old rival, Wilson, was just here. Oh, really? Now what can I do for you? Well,
[00:22:46] Unknown:
Do you want me to write your autobiography?
[00:22:48] Unknown:
No. Not at the moment, Jack. I, I, I want to arrange for some advertising. I believe it is unethical for lawyers to advertise in this state. Oh, well, I I wouldn't dream of advertising my law practice. Oh, you wouldn't? Well, what what's your advertising? My intention of running for the the state senate. Say that again. I said I intend to run for the state senate. Oh, come on, Wilson. Who'd vote for you? I have every prospect of victory. You're the most unpopular man in town. I don't know about that. I think I think people will be eager to vote for me. Oh, do you? Well, why on earth should anyone even dream of voting for you? Now now how much does a full page cost? I've never seen such a change in the atmosphere.
Everybody walked around with a smile. Everybody seemed to have a new lease on life. That is everybody among the 19 Hadleyburg incorruptibles. Why, even missus Inglesby's sergeants who came in to give me the full information on a church supper
[00:23:55] Unknown:
seemed to be best. And don't forget to write, Jack, that everyone is to bring a covered dish. I never forget. Jack, I am thinking of ordering some special cards. Oh, yes? You know the Sheridan Mansion? Well, I think I'd find the convinced Inglewood to buy it. Well, that would, take a lot of money. Oh, that's not going to be a problem very much longer. Oh, it isn't? Why not? Oh, that would be telling. Jack, a simple, tasteful, and brave card to read mister and missus Inglesby Sergeant at home at Number 1, Sheridan Place. Oh, do you suppose we could change the name of the square to Sargent Place if we own the property? I know how much money it takes to buy that mansion, and if you've got all of it,
[00:24:43] Unknown:
you can afford to do anything.
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It made no sense at all. I couldn't account for it. What was the sudden outburst of sunshine and roses among all the 19? Bright plans, extravagant spending, and all these people lost their minds. Only one person seemed unchanged. Edward Richards.
[00:25:10] Unknown:
Mary, leave me in peace. Edward, no. The money is rightfully ours. But I keep telling you I didn't do any service at all for Goodson. And I keep telling you, it may have been some tiny Picayune thing that you can't even remember. Don't weaken my resolve. Goodson befriended a stranger in the presence of a witness. Mary. And in so doing, he made a remark. The witness, a friend of Goodson's, remembering that Goodson felt kindly to you, wants to do you a good turn. Now that's all there is. Yeah. I could believe it. I
[00:25:43] Unknown:
I could accept it if If what? If I could ever remember doing Goodson a good turn. Edward, you must have. What?
[00:25:53] Unknown:
How? Well, things are are relative. Oh, please, ma'am. Did you ever say hello to Goodson on the street? Of course. Well, that's a good turn. That's the Did most people ever greet Goodson? Smile, say hello, tip their hat, shake hands, or talk to Jack? Hardly anyone.
[00:26:14] Unknown:
No. I didn't either. I I just Yes?
[00:26:18] Unknown:
I just smiled and nodded. And that was enough. Oh, don't you see, Edward, that little bit No. As Goodson said, you wouldn't know the value of it. Now who else would say hello to Goodson? Oh, Edward, can't you see the hand of providence? Oh, come dear. Right. Right. You are far from being a bad man. Go and reform.
[00:26:44] Unknown:
Mary, do you think I should?
[00:26:47] Unknown:
I think you should. And you think you should. All we need is the paper, the pen, and an envelope.
[00:27:01] Unknown:
Yes. Indeed. That's all you need. People do become a bit erratic, not to mention unhinged, at the prospect of a fortune in gold or anything else for that matter. Well, here goes incorruptible Hadleyburg. Can we salvage anything? The cleanup begins when I bring you act three in just a few moments. You are far from being a bad man. Go and reform. Such a phrase is worth in the neighborhood of $40,000, which may be small potatoes today, but it was certainly a bumper crop about eighty years ago. The question is, how many people know that phrase, and how many of them are willing to utter it?
For this information, we need to hear from Jack Halliday, the local editor.
[00:28:11] Unknown:
The town hall never looked finer. The place was festooned with all kinds of flags and bunting. You'd think it was the July 4. The sack of gold sat on a table in the center of the stage, and it made mouths water all over the house. Finally, mister Burgess was introduced, the reverend mister Burgess. Everyone in town loved him now, and he spoke without my door as if nothing had happened. Ladies and gentlemen, I have here in my pocket an envelope. Mary, I'm scared. What to be scared about? Shut open. And here is the letter inside.
[00:28:54] Unknown:
Mary,
[00:28:55] Unknown:
Mary, That on blue paper. I do know we didn't use blue paper. It reads as follows. The remark which I made to the poor distressed stranger was you are very far from being a very bad man. Go and reform. Signed, Jeremiah Bilson. Mary, Mary, did you hear something? Order, order, please order. I see that mister Wilson is also on his feet. Why do you rise, mister Wilson? Because you call my name. No, sir. No. No. I read the name Bilson, which is signed here. I, Jeremy Bilson, signed that letter. You wish you're a liar and a fraud. I am the one who befriended that poor stranger, mister chairman. I wrote you a letter myself.
I, William Willett. Just just just a moment. It it seems I have another envelope in my pocket. That's it. That's it. That's fine. Alright. Alright then. I shall read it. The remark I made was you are far from being a bad man. Go and reform. Signed, William Wilson.
[00:30:33] Unknown:
Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess.
[00:30:35] Unknown:
Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess. Mister Burgess a very bad man. Wilson said, you are far from being a bad man. No. Very. Therefore, you should open the sack, sir, and read what the test remark is. Well, with your permission, ladies and gentlemen, I hereby break the seals and open the sack.
[00:31:15] Unknown:
Mary, Mary, what have we done?
[00:31:19] Unknown:
Do you suppose he has a hard letter in his pocket? I,
[00:31:22] Unknown:
I find here two envelopes. One is marked the test remark. On the other, it says not to be opened until all written communications addressed to the chair have been read. Let's hear the test command, mister Burgess. This is what the benefactor claims, he said. You are far from being a bad man. Go and perform. That's Mister mister Wilson, you're out of order. No. No. I insist. I am the man who befriended a stranger. I know what I said. I was in my office right when there's no clue, mister Burgess, when Wilson came in on business. And he may have sheen the note on my desk and therefore That's an informer's side. Yes. And he couldn't even carry it correctly. Order, gentlemen, order.
Neither of you has quoted the remark Order, please. The full remark is you are far from being a bad man. Go and reform. Or mark my words, someday for your sins, you will die and go to hell or Hadleyburg and try to make it the former
[00:32:59] Unknown:
the whole lot on it. Order.
[00:33:02] Unknown:
Order, chairman. Mister chairman, two out of 19 incorruptibles have succumbed to temptation, I think. Our fair town of Hasletburg now has a new image. I won't shoot any way I don't have killed my honesty. Mister chairman, mister chairman, I move we adjourn this meeting. We cannot do so at this point, mister Halliday. Why not? Because we have other claimants for the prize. I have received a number of letters. Perhaps one of them can repeat the true remark. Oh, Mary, Mary, we're doomed. We'll be disgraced. Letter number three. You are far from being a bad man.
Signed, Engelsby Well, it became a picnic after that. The house was in hysterics. One by one, the incorruptibles were stripped naked, figuratively speaking, Betty. Mary, we're we're gonna be disgraced.
[00:34:37] Unknown:
Mary, why did I do it? I don't know what ever got into me. Oh, forgive me. He's he's
[00:34:44] Unknown:
saving us for last. I know it. Oh, Mary. Oh, all I've had was my good name.
[00:34:53] Unknown:
Now I do even have that. So pray
[00:34:56] Unknown:
that all we have left, praying that Burgess will be merciful. Yes. Yes. Let us pray.
[00:35:05] Unknown:
Ladies and gentlemen, I believe that's all. Mister Burgess, how many of those letters did you receive? 19. Well, sir, I've been holding count, and you only read 18. Oh, did I? Oh, well, I I must have been mistaken. I guess it was only 18. 18? We have 19 incorruptibles and happy words, but only one of them is the genuine article. Only one is truly as advertised. I propose a cheer for the cleanest man in town, the only so called important citizen who didn't try to steal that money, Edward Richards. And now I shall read the other letter in the sack. Ladies and gentlemen, there is no test remark.
Nobody ever made one. Order. Order, please. Order. There was no beggar. No contribution. At one time, I passed through your town. I was offended by your lofty, snobbish pretensions. I was insulted by your overbearing vanity. I decided to discover if your vaunted integrity was genuine. And now you have seen what I have done. I'm sure I caught every last man to whom I wrote that letter tipping off the test remark. That's right. He did bounce of a last man. Well, the contents of the sack belong to all who claimed it. Now, where are you? You mean these shoppers get the gold after all? Order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, order, Order, please.
Ladies and gentlemen, I must abide by the instructions. And so I shall now cut open the sack and distribute the contents among among why is it, miss Abacus? Friends, this isn't gold. These are just gilded pieces of lead. The curling.
[00:37:29] Unknown:
The curling. The curling. The curling.
[00:37:32] Unknown:
Yes. Yes, sir. The curling. I propose we auction off the sack and give the proceeds to the one honest, incorruptible left, Ed Richards. No. May I, speak? My name Oh, do any of you gentlemen know me? I am a collector in rare coins and curiosity, and I think I might buy this collection, and on it, engrave the names of the 18 incorruptible. I do. Sir, I will return it. I warn you. I will show you to the danger of your life. I beg you, sir, not to threaten me. I beg you, sir, not to threaten me. I know my rights. You and anyone else can prevent me from gaining protection by outbidding me. $1,000.
Oh. Three. Keep it up, gentlemen. Give it up. Remember the proceeds go to Edgar Bridges. That's it. I know got together to pool their resources, and finally, they bought the sack for $50,000.
[00:39:41] Unknown:
Oh, Edward. I'm exhausted.
[00:39:46] Unknown:
Well, well, finally, we can go to bed. Oh,
[00:39:50] Unknown:
but I won't be able to sleep.
[00:39:52] Unknown:
I I know. $50,000.
[00:39:55] Unknown:
Oh.
[00:39:56] Unknown:
Mary, I I can't believe what happened.
[00:39:59] Unknown:
We'll be given the check-in the morning. You will believe it then.
[00:40:03] Unknown:
Suppose
[00:40:05] Unknown:
suppose Suppose what?
[00:40:08] Unknown:
Suppose this is mister Burgess' way of getting revenge. He was accused of adultery, but I knew it was a lie. Ico saved his reputation.
[00:40:21] Unknown:
I didn't Edward. No, Mary.
[00:40:24] Unknown:
Now he's waiting. Don't you see? He's toying with me. Let the town praise me, and then he'll produce that letter and destroy me. Edward, you don't know that. No. I'm gonna confess
[00:40:35] Unknown:
everything. Where are you going?
[00:40:37] Unknown:
Out. I'm gonna tell everyone I see that I try to steal the money too. Edward.
[00:40:45] Unknown:
We thought he was mad.
[00:40:48] Unknown:
He went through the streets bareheaded without a coat, stopping people, knocking at doors. We thought the ordeal had been too much for him. But now he convinced us. And then Hadleyburg really fell. Our last incorruptible was gone, literally. Because that night, he caught the fever that killed him, and I was with him at his last hour. The reverend Burgess came to visit. Edward, I I would never have betrayed you. You would. You would've. I destroyed the letter you sent. I wanted to save you. You, after all, saved my life once by warning me. No.
[00:41:36] Unknown:
You were angry with me because I could have cleared your name. But you see, I was afraid, and you and and you hated me for it. You were waiting for revenge.
[00:41:46] Unknown:
Poor Edward. You couldn't have cleared me. You had no real evidence to offer. You see, I was to blame. I was guilty. Like everyone else, I'm only human. Like everyone else, I too could be tempted. Hadlerberg is a well corrupted village. I guess there isn't an awful lot more to tell. Hadleyburg had its name changed by special permission of the legislature. And what its new one is, I won't say. But we're a town now, like other towns, either better or worse. But at least, we're human, which is about as good or as bad a thing as you can say about anyone. Thank you kindly for your attention.
[00:43:03] Unknown:
And thank you, Jack Halliday. This has been a visit into the Mark Twain country of Hadleyburg. And you can find a Hadleyburg almost anywhere you look, even in your own hometown. This has been a visit into the Mark Twain country of Hadleyburg, and you can find a Hadleyburg almost anywhere you look, even in your own hometown.
[00:43:33] Unknown:
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