Hard Lesson: Gunsmoke (November 29, 1959)

“Hard Lesson” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast November 29, 1959. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

A wounded man hides out at a ranch, nursing a gunshot wound and refusing medical help because he's wanted by the law. His sympathetic caretaker believes the man can make things right by returning money he stole, and seeks the marshal's advice on whether the law would show mercy if a thief repays what he took.

Dodge City and a ranch about 12 miles east of town

Characters: Marshal Dillon, Joe Belvinton, Pete, Nana

Listen for: A discussion about justice and whether the law offers redemption for those who attempt to make restitution for their crimes.

Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.