TV Reader's Digest

[Music] TV Readers Digest true stories from real life selected from the pages of the most famous widely read magazine in the world ordeal at Yubba Gap the crisis that overtook the city of San Francisco Streamliner to become the greatest drama of the snow since the Fain tragedy at Donner Pass 6 hours of surgery the taught excit drama that envelops the lives of five people of medicine working in the hushed concentration of the operating room to save a boy's life the man who beat Death the warm moving personal story of tennis champion Billy Talbert and his Valiant uphill battle to victory over diabetes the secret weapon of Joe Smith the classic story of the United Nations and how one reporter proved to the Soviets that the pen is mightier than the sword my first bull fight the amusing and highly exciting story behind America's torador Sydney Franklin's climb to Fame and Fortune as Brooklyn's first Matador your favorite stories brought to life on TV Readers Digest this is an out ofthe way community of a size wherein everyone is family friend or neighbor a lovely Town warmed by the southern sun and scented by the blue grass I'll see you later fell take it perhaps you should watch where you're going excuse me ma'am but uh who do you think you're pushing maybe you could use a few lessons in good maners H you could use a few lessons too mister nobody pushes Bill Decker around no time no place and for no reason you stand right over here lady and close your eyes maybe a few lessons in boxing too that was a trick you dut you didn't may I open my eyes now maybe I could use a few lessons with that from you no hard feelings none at all I hope you're going to be in town long enough to give me at least a couple of boxing lessons maybe in town quite a while you can always find me at the Presbyterian Church I'm the new minister if I were to say that I have been shocked with conditions as I have found them since coming here I would be putting it mildly law enforcement is practically non-existent badly behaved citizens mirror the weaknesses and shortcomings of their governing bodies if I have seemed to make this the subject of a sermon it's because I believe that the preaching of good government to be of equal importance to the preaching of the Gospel good government and godliness go hand in hand that sermon of yours made some of us do a lot of deep thinking every word you said about what goes on here in southern city was the Gospel truth so some of us got together talked it over and we decided that something ought to be done about it we also decided that you're the one to do it well I'm glad that my sermon had some effect but what can I do I uh I suppose you heard that Old Judge toer had resigned this morning yes I did we want you to take his place gentlemen I have no qualifications that would fit me for the bench well we figure that you're a man who practices what he preaches now here's your chance to do something about the things you were preaching about but Gentlemen even if I did accept how could I assume such a position no trouble about that the Town Council will petition the governor and he'll appoint you to the job I will accept on two conditions gentlemen first the Senate of the Presbyterian Church approves and second the Town Council will grant me complete Authority on the bench you worry about that once you're on that bench you'll be the judge next case William Decker drunk and disorderly in a public place brawling in a Tavern ass Sal and Battery loud and boisterous conduct do you solemnly swear the testimony you're about to give to be the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God I do sit down 23 appearances for the same charge over a period of 5 years quite a record how do you plead guilty I'd be a liar if I said I didn't do it I'm going to try to see to it that this is the last time you appear before this or any other court I'm going to sentence you to take the job of town Marshal and discharge the obligations of that office truly and to the best of your ability you what well of course if you feel you're not man enough for the job me town Marshall or you'd have a riot on your hands the respectable folks in this town wouldn't stand for it that's my responsibility you see I have quite a lot of faith in you according to the Bible it's faith that can move mountains Mr deer cancel Becker's appointment The Whole Town's of an arms a common barroom bullet a street fighter a leopard can't Chang his spots we'll have a riot on our hands McClure won't get away with it hi hi Cole come on sweetheart you and Old Cole Brennon are going to dance I don't want want to dance with you what's the matter afraid your boyfriend won't like it I can handle it Brenan you're drunk now Fun's fun but you're annoying the ladies you want to make something of it yeah wait wait wait take it easy sit down you don't make any trouble do your C take your lousy hands off me all right come on come on let me get your drink [Music] out come on baby Cole brenon wants to dance he wants to dance [Music] Police Department Marshall Decker speaking Roose but in right away I was hoping you'd show up [Music] good evening come in [Music] gentlemen well what excuse are you going to make for your Marshall this time excuse is there any question that Brennan was not drunk and disorderly you can't go lowering the boom on every young man that wants to let off a little steam what you're trying to tell me is that I can't lower the boom if it's cold Brennan isn't that it well I'll admit that Cole may be a little wild and hard to handle at times but that's just his way from his conduct I would say he has a vicious arrogant mean streak and is potentially a dangerous man and because he has never been punished for any of his misdeeds it hasn't helped straighten him out it seems to me you're beginning to run that court with a very high hand it seems to me that you gentlemen are forgetting that you're the ones that convinced me that A Min could be a judge for the good of southern city so for the good of southern city I'm afraid that you're stuck with [Music] me call Brennan drump and a public plate assault and battery resisting arrest assault with intent to do great bodily harm defendant is in court your honor and ready then we can proceed will Marshall William DEA take the stand please oh just a minute if the court please we object to the introduction of any testimony by Mr Decker why he he's the arresting officer on what ground on the grounds that uh in his rather dubious past before his prominence as Town Marshal William Decker was convicted in this very Court of perjury I have a record of the conviction here I submitted for the Court's [Music] consideration seems that I have no alternative but to dismiss the witness are there other complaining witnesses there are many people here who witnessed this whole Affair whose testimony could prove the truth of the charges against the [Music] defendant and the court would like to ask a few questions of Mr Brennan under o EV SW do you Solly swear the testimony you're about to give is the truth the whole truth oh sure and nothing but the truth so help you God your name oh Brandon be seated [Music] please will you drunk is charged no your honor I was sober as a judge did you resist arrest in the assault Marshall DEA with a deadly weapon certainly not I'm a law-abiding citizen that's all you can step down in view of the lack of any evidence I have no alternative except to dismiss the case thank you your honor as a judge and also as a minister I am ashamed of the behavior with the people of this community especially the people who witnessed this whole Affair and who for some reason refused to lend their help to the cause of justice and smirk at an attack on their own officer of the law I'm sure you will all regret your part in this travesty case [Music] dismissed was I drunk that gospel shark asked me was I drunk is that a laugh what do you expect me to do get down on my knees before him ask him to forgive me my sins talk myself into the H scow Cole take it a little bit easy will you don't talk so loud about what happened in court today why not everybody knows what a chump I made out of McLure anyway did you assault Marshall Decker with a deadly weapon he asked me I only wish I'd had a chance to use that broken bottle on his ugly mug that had fixed his looks for Keeps Cole people can hear you so what the Reverend judge m C had to dismiss the charges didn't he let's have another drink this is celebration I don't have to tell you Mr McLure if I thought there was any chance of me being able to stay on the job and to do you any good I'd never think of leaving but I want you to stay on the job [Music] Bill wait a [Music] minute Mr MCL yes w't you come in my name is Jim Roberts I'm a reporter with a Southern recorder oh this is uh Mrs McClure how do you do how do you do Mrs McClure and our town Marshall William Decker ex Tom Marshall Mr Roberts I saw Mr Decker in court today what can I do for you Mr Roberts well my paper is sent me to Southern City on a special assignment I've been here for 3 days now just nosing on I didn't know that southern city was so newsworthy your husband is Mrs McClure he's going to be great copy a real human interest story a minister sitting as a judge and doing a whale of a job at them both well I hardly know what to say I've never been interviewed before especially by a Big Town Newspaper man well this isn't exactly an interview Mr McClure I may be sticking my neck out of Maya but I hate to see anyone Thum his nose at a court the way Cole Brennan did today especially when I know that he was guilty well Mr Decker and I knew that he was guilty too but without evidence we couldn't prove it well you can prove it now out of Brennan's own mouth I've just been listening to him for the past 3 hours bragging about how he got away with it even so Mr Roberts it's too late yes the law of Double Jeopardy he can't be tried twice for the same offense he can be tried for committing perjury can he subpoena me and I'll testify that Cole Brennan stated in my presence and the presence of others that he lied under oath or perhaps sure about willing to admit that Cole Brennan and some of the right people in this town are above the [Music] law bill will you go bring Brennan in yes [Music] sir open the door and the lice come in I got a warrant for you Cole warant for what for perjury in court this time there's a witness you won't be able to hush up you just try to take me I don't want any trouble with you Cole why don't you make it easy on yourself just for once now come on are you you drunken fool you've killed him how could I he just trying to scare him you scared him to death you got to help me will we'll say he came in here without his uniform with a gun I thought he was coming to get me to get even for what happened in court today and I I had to shoot him in self-defense oh no help you all I can Cole but I can't make up a lie like that you go back on me now and I'll ruin you I'll squeeze every dollar you got till its throat rattles you know I can do it too I almost feel as if I were Bill's murderer after all it was I who sent him to his death don't forget that it was I who gave you the tip that cost him his life one thing my paper is going to cover this story to the Limit I'll get it Mr Conor it seems to me that you're making an awfully big thing out of a local Affair Mr Roberts and the people of southern city don't like it too much murder is not a local Affair Mr Connor and no one should like it I'm a friend of Cole Brennan and he's in trouble I'm just asking you to give the boy a break did the boy give Bill Decker a break a man who gave his life in the performance of his duty but he swears it was self-defense the Decker wasn't wearing his uniform he busted in on him with his pistol drawn I don't believe it and I've learned what value to place on sworn testimony by Cole Brennan when he appeared before me in court he purered himself then I'm sure he's lying now you may have reason to regret this I'm a Vester and don't forget no Mr Connors it's you who may have reason to regret regret not having courage to stand for what's right [Music] no matter what Bill Decker was before he became Marshall I know he was a fine loyal gentleman after I appointed him I never knew him to Harbor a grudge or commit a mean or ignoble act I'm proud to say that he was my friend and I find it in my heart to wish that I and this town of southern city could have more friends with the quality and courage of William Decker if he was guilty of anything it was in doing his duty without fear or favor and it cost him his life to those of you who remember him as Bill Decker of the taverns and not as William Decker your town Marshall may I say unto you let him who is without sin among you cast the for his Stone have you anything more to add Mr McClure no Mr carer not at the moment thank you you may step down call Daniel Conners to the stand will Daniel Conners take the [Music] stand looks like Mrs Connor is worried about something do you sol me swe the testimony you're about to give in this inquiry to be the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God I do your name Daniel Connors be seated [Music] please now Mr Connors you were with u Mr Brennan just before the uh the shooting were you not well I walked over to his office with him if that's what you mean what time was that I don't know [Music] exactly quite a strain having your husband understand isn't it Mrs Connor what do you mean well I know without a question of a doubt that last night Brennan with Sergeant James and your husband was at the tavern and Brennan got pretty drunk rather boastful and your husband left with him to take him home that can be testified to by Roberts the reporter but Cole Brennan didn't go home that's right uh what time did your husband get home Mrs Conor I don't know exactly but it was after the shooting I don't know I hope Mr Connors doesn't get further implicated than this if it develops that he is an accessory he isn't he told me exactly how it happened well if he told you how it happened then he must have been there when it happened oh please Mr McLure I've been beside myself with worry I didn't mean to tell Mrs Conor as your pastor I think it's your duty to tell because if you remain silent even to Shield your own husband you're condoning murder you're making yourself a party to it just as sure as if you had pulled the trigger on the gun that killed Bill Decker I begged my husband to tell the truth that Cole Brennan wouldn't listen to him that he wouldn't go home that he insisted on going to the office suppose you tell me the truth see if I can convince your husband I can't I can't bear witness against death and it's killing me you look as if you'd been drawn through the ringer I'm glad to get it over with did you testify that you were in Brennan's office when he killed the D deer well you're crazy no you're insane if you think you can perger yourself on the witness stand you were at Brennan's office and not at his home that can be proven I suppose I was then you were there when he killed Bill Decker just try to prove that don't worry it'll come out well you don't understand every set I have in the world is tied up in my business with Co Brennon it holds my notes it can ruin me not as much as you're ruining yourself now I haven't been able to sleep I can't get it off my mind I can't even talk about it to anyone to no one but your wife don't you see you're going to have to spend the rest of your lives in the hell of your own doing nothing can save you but the truth I can't I have to live with the people in this town first you have to live with yourself come on we're going back in there Mr Cole Brenan to the stand if the corer please I would like for the moment to assume the role of Amicus karea Friend of the Court in the interest of Justice after all this is Judge McClure's own court and we are here in the interest of Justice come on up sit on the venge thank you your venge I suggest that the coroner recall Mr Connors to the witness stand to add to his testimony objection got a good reason why I can't recall any witness well I uh I I I want to know what he's going to testify so do I so if you'll just keep quiet we'll both find out Mr coners take the stand when Mr Connors took the stand before his testimony was based on his natural concern that he must live with the people in this town he must also live with one that he loves very dearly Mr Connors is a Christian man he's a member of my church I believe he's had time to reflect that he forgot something far more important he has also to live with his God Mr Connors you were present in the office of Cole Brennan at the exact moment when Brennan shot and killed William Decker were you not yes may God forgive me I was all right Mr Conners tell us in your own words the truth and in bringing to a close this memorial service for William Decker let us never forget that in giving his life he provided the inspiration and incentive which has made this community a better place in which to live and knowing him I'm sure that as he looks down upon us now he has no regrets amen be sure and watch for your favorite Readers Digest story vividly brought to life on TV Readers Digest direct from the pages of the magazine read by over 40 million people throughout the world stories created and approved by families everywhere [Music] I [Music]