Big John and Sparky xx-xx-xx (02) The Beginning Of The Long Voyage Home

Summary

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Podcast Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Big John and Sparky – "The Beginning Of The Long Voyage Home" (Part 2: The Mysterious Man in the Shack)
Date: November 17, 2025
Host: N/A (Golden Age radio drama rebroadcast)

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Episode Overview

This episode of Big John & Sparky, curated by Harold’s Old Time Radio, revisits "The Mysterious Man in the Shack (Part 2)," a classic serialized adventure. The story centers on Big John and Sparky's discovery of an unexpected guest in their clubhouse—revealing emotional turmoil in the life of Mayor Plumfont, who, after a string of personal misfortunes, contemplates giving up his position and living as a hermit. The tone interweaves warm humor, earnest concern, and the resilience of community.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Developments

1. Discovery of the Mysterious Man

Timestamp: 00:30 – 01:58

• Big John and Sparky notice smoke rising from their clubhouse in Wobbleding's Woods and investigate.
• They find an unknown man sitting silently inside, refusing to acknowledge them. Both are confused and concerned about his identity.
• Quotes:
  • Big John: “Now just give me time because we have to be very nonchalant... We’ll just walk into the shack as though we didn’t know there were anyone in there...” (01:30)
  • Sparky: “Well, somebody in our clubhouse. Yeah, hi there, mister. What are you doing here? What's the matter, mister? Can't you talk?” (01:58)

2. Revealing the Identity—Mayor Plumfont’s Predicament

Timestamp: 02:09 – 03:34

• Sparky’s dog Bunny greets the mysterious man, who finally speaks—revealing himself to be Mayor Plumfont.
• The friends realize the mayor is in a deeply despondent state.
• Quotes:
  • Mayor Plumfont: "Hello, Bunny, old boy. How are you, feller? I guess you're the only friend I've got left in this whole world." (02:59)
  • Sparky: “Hey, that’s Mayor Plumfont’s voice. That man is Mayor Plumfont.” (03:08)

3. The Mayor’s Confession: Self-Doubt and Resignation

Timestamp: 03:54 – 05:23

• Mayor Plumfont describes himself as “a bum” and reveals he feels like a failure after recent events.
• He reveals the widow Dilly has left him, rejecting his affection and refusing to acknowledge him.
• Quotes:
  • Mayor Plumfont: “Yeah, that's exactly what I am, lad. A bum. A shiftless old bum. A shiftless old bum who rides the rods.” (04:01)
  • “That's right...I won't be after they get my resignation up at City Hall, Buxter.” (04:27)
  • “Said she never wanted to see me again as long as she lived.” (05:09)

4. Misadventures: Trains, Exile, and Humiliation

Timestamp: 05:23 – 08:37

• The mayor recounts being kicked off a passenger train for not having a ticket or money after an impulsive attempt to stop the widow Dilly from leaving.
• Without help from anyone (including the widow Dilly), he rode freight trains back to Cincinnati, only to be caught and nearly arrested.
• Quotes:
  • Mayor Plumfont: “When the train reached Lexington, Kentucky, off the train I went. And did the widow Dilly lift one little finger to help me?...No. Didn't lift a finger.” (06:16–06:24)
  • “Not only am I a shiftless no account bum, but I'm a shiftless no account stupid bum. Too stupid to wire home for money.” (07:34–07:38)
  • “A railroad policeman nabbed me...He just laughed...But I escaped...I’ve been hiding out in this here shack of Sparky’s for the last two days.” (08:08–08:37)

5. Big John and Sparky’s Compassion, Mayor’s Refusal to Return

Timestamp: 08:37 – 10:56

• Big John invites Mayor Plumfont to come home, promising a good meal and help.
• The mayor, however, is adamant about resigning and plans to become a hermit, “living off berries” in the woods and making clothes of rabbit skins.
• Quotes:
  • Big John: “You can forget all this business about you being a bum and you come on home with us, Mayor. You can shave and take a bath and then we'll have a nice warm meal…” (08:37)
  • Mayor Plumfont: “No, no, no, Buster. I'm a broken man.” (08:49)
  • “I'm gonna send in my resignation to city hall and they can just go and elect themselves a new mayor.” (09:00)
  • “I'm. I'm going to go off into the woods and live like a hermit...I'm going to live like a hermit. I ain't having nothing to do with no more females. And the best way to do that is to go off into the woods and live like a hermit.” (09:17–09:32)

6. Attempt to Tempt the Mayor With Steak—His Final Decision

Timestamp: 09:53 – 10:56

• Big John tries to change the mayor's mind by offering a hearty meal of sirloin steaks.
• The mayor, resolute, rejects the bribe and heads into the woods.
• Quotes:
  • Big John: “If you live in the woods like a hermit, you'll never be able to sit down at the table at Jerome and Thomas's and eat one of those steaks.” (10:10)
  • Mayor Plumfont: “I don't care. I don't care. I'm leaving this here world and all its pleasures behind to live like a hermit in the woods.” (10:16)
  • “Nope. You can't bribe me. You can't talk me into changing my mind by trying to tempt me with anything like it. Sirloin steak. I'm going off into the woods and I'm gonna live like a hermit. And I'm going off right now. Farewell.” (10:33–10:56)

7. Sparky’s Closing Thoughts

Timestamp: 10:56 – 11:51

• Sparky watches Mayor Plumfont disappear into the woods, worrying about his fate and lamenting the loss to the town.
• Quotes:
  • Sparky: “Boy, Big John, he means that. He's gonna do it. There goes Mayor Plumpbud. Off into the woods to live like a hermit. Boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh. Well, Big John, the Mayor's gone off into the woods to live like a hermit. He disappeared into the high growing weeds. Wonder how long he'll live like a hermit. I wonder if we'll ever see the Mayor again. Boy, this old town won't be the same without good old Mayor Plumfont.” (10:56–11:29)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mayor Plumfont’s Self-Deprecation and Heartbreak:

  • “A shiftless old bum who rides the rods.” (04:01)
  • “The Widow Dilly told the conductor she didn’t even know me. Can you imagine that?” (06:37)

• Sparky’s Innocence and Honesty:

  • “You look like a bum, Mayor. Have you been riding freight trains or something?” (03:54)

• Big John’s Steadfast Kindness:

  • “You can forget all this business about you being a bum and you come on home with us, Mayor.” (08:37)

• Resolution in Despair:

  • “I’m going to go off into the woods and live like a hermit... and I’m going off right now. Farewell.” (10:56)

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Key Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------------|--------------| | Discovering the mysterious man in the shack | 00:30–02:09 | | Mayor Plumfont revealed, expresses despair | 02:59–04:44 | | The tale of the train and being stranded | 05:06–08:37 | | Mayor’s refusal of aid and decision to live alone | 09:00–10:56 | | Sparky’s closing reflections | 10:56–11:51 |

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Tone & Style

The episode’s language is authentic to its era, blending playful innocence with melodrama and folksy warmth. The dialogue between Sparky, Big John, and Mayor Plumfont is direct and engaging, filled with heartfelt concern, gentle teasing, and humorous exchanges.

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For New Listeners

This episode is a perfect example of the emotional storytelling and character-driven humor that defined family radio entertainment in the pre-television era. The banter, empathy, and narrative pacing offer a nostalgic yet evergreen experience about friendship, resilience, and the comical trials of small-town life.

Transcript

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[Big John]

And now it's time for the further adventures of Big John and Sparky. Today's chapter is entitled the Mysterious man in the Shack, Part two. One day, while Sparky and I and Sparky's dog, Bunny were out in Wobbleding's woods taking a leisurely stroll, we were attracted by a column of smoke rising from the chimney of the clubhouse shack in Wobbleding's Woods. Sparky and I went to investigate and we found a strange man huddled on a chair in the middle of the shack. We. We didn't know who he was and. Well, we didn't know until we went in to ask him. And then were we ever surprised to find it was. Well, perhaps you'd better listen to today's episode as we bring you part two of the Mysterious man in the Shack.

[Sparky]

Okay, come on, Big John. Let's go inside the shack and see who the man is there and find out why he's sitting in there.

[Big John]

Yeah, all right.

[Spin Quest Disclaimer]

All right.

[Big John]

Now just give me time because we have to. We have to be very nonchalant this whole thing, Sparky. Now what we'll do is we'll just. We'll just walk into the shack as though we didn't know there were anyone in there, and then we'll act quite surprised. Now, you gotta know, you stay close to me so in case there's any.

[Mayor Plumfont]

Trouble here, I want to be able to take care of you.

[Big John]

All right, Here we go. Well, I'll tell you, it's a very nice. Well, look at this, Sparky. There seems to be somebody here. Hello there, mister.

[Sparky]

Well, somebody in our clubhouse. Yeah, hi there, mister. What are you doing here? What's the matter, mister? Can't you talk? Don't think Johnny just sits there looking down at the floor.

[Big John]

Yeah, so I notice. Mister, are you lost or don't you have any home? What's the matter? Can't you hear me, mister?

[Sparky]

Well, he must know we're here. But he hasn't even looked up ever since we walked in. Hey, mister, what's the matter with you?

[Big John]

Look, if you're cold and hungry, you'd be welcome to come over to Our house. I'll give you a nice warm meal and the price of a shave and a haircut.

[Sparky]

He just sits there, Big John. Oh, here comes Bunny. Oh, mister, I hope you're not afraid of dogs. If Bunny comes in here barking, don't be afraid because he won't bite you. He just likes to bark a lot. Do you hear me, mister? Boy still won't talk.

[Big John]

Mister, are you sick?

[Spin Quest Disclaimer]

Why.

[Big John]

Why won't you look up at us?

[Sparky]

Put Bunny into the shack. Now, Bunny, don't bother that man. Hey, not Fake John. Bunny jumped up into the man's lamp.

[Big John]

Yes. He acts like he knows him.

[Mayor Plumfont]

Hello, Bunny, old boy. How are you, feller? I guess you're the only friend I've got left in this whole world.

[Sparky]

Hey, that's Mayor Plumfont's voice. That man is Mayor Plumfront.

[Big John]

So I see. Bunny, step out of the way here. I want to talk to the Mayor. I know it's the Mayor now. Mayor. Mayor, what are you doing here?

[Sparky]

Mayor, will you talk to me? Mayor? Hey, Mayor Plum Funk, this is Sparky. Don't you know me, toy? Big John? Maybe that's it. Maybe Mayor Plumfont has lost his memory and he doesn't know us.

[Big John]

Oh, I doubt that, Sparky May.

[Sparky]

Maybe he's lost his voice.

[Big John]

You just heard him speak when Bunny jumped up in his lamp. For goodness sakes, Mayor, why do you just sit there looking down at the floor like that? What's the matter with you, anyway? And look at yourself. You look like you haven't had a shave in four or five days.

[Sparky]

You look like a bum, Mayor. Have you been riding freight trains or something?

[Big John]

Well, he raised his head on that one, Sparky.

[Sparky]

Yeah, yeah. He's looking at me.

[Mayor Plumfont]

Yeah, that's exactly what I am, lad. A bum. A shiftless old bum. A shiftless old bum who rides the rods.

[Big John]

Oh, snap out of it, Mayor. What makes you think you're an old bum?

[Sparky]

Did you really ride a freight train there, Mayor?

[Spin Quest Disclaimer]

Yes.

[Mayor Plumfont]

Yep, yep, I rode the freight train. I'm nothing but a bum, lad. Nobody loves your old former ex Mayor.

[Big John]

Ex Mayor?

[Mayor Plumfont]

That's right.

[Big John]

What in the world are you talking about? You're still the mayor.

[Mayor Plumfont]

I won't be after they get my resignation up at City Hall, Buxter.

[Big John]

Resignation? What do you mean, resignation? Are you going to resign?

[Mayor Plumfont]

Why not? Why not?

[Big John]

Well, why? I mean, give me one good reason.

[Mayor Plumfont]

Because I'm a shiftless, no account, no good, bum buster, that's why.

[Sparky]

He's a bum who rides freight trains. Big John.

[Big John]

Quiet, Sparky. My goodness.

[Mayor Plumfont]

Just let the lad talk. Buster, it's true. What do you think happened on board the Witadilly's train when she was going home to Florida?

[Big John]

I don't know, but I'd like to know what happened.

[Mayor Plumfont]

The Witadilly refused to talk to me. Said she was going back to Florida to forget me. Said she never wanted to see me again as long as she lived.

[Sparky]

Hey, that means that you won't be marrying her then.

[Big John]

I told you to stop that. Will you settle down there, Mayor? Just because the widow Dilly doesn't want to marry you, that doesn't mean that your life has been ruined.

[Mayor Plumfont]

Oh, it's not only that, Buster. When the conductor came around in the train to collect the tickets, I didn't have any.

[Big John]

Well, naturally, you hopped on the train at the last minute to try to talk the widow Dilly out of leaving town. The train pulled out of the station before you could get off.

[Mayor Plumfont]

Yeah, but the conductor wouldn't believe that.

[Big John]

He wouldn't? No.

[Mayor Plumfont]

Then when he asked me to pay my fare to Florida, I didn't have any money with me. I left at home in such a hurry, I forgot my bill fold. Didn't have a cent. Not a single, solitary, lone individual red cent.

[Sparky]

What happened there? I mean, did they kick you off the train?

[Big John]

Now, Sparky, I told you not to talk like that.

[Mayor Plumfont]

Why not, Buster? Why not? It's exactly what happened. When the train reached Lexington, Kentucky, off the train I went. And did the widow Dilly lift one little finger to help me? I ask you, did she? Did she?

[Sparky]

Did she?

[Mayor Plumfont]

No. Didn't lift a finger.

[Big John]

Well.

[Mayor Plumfont]

Well, Mayor, why didn't you tell the.

[Big John]

Conductor who you were? I mean, surely after you told him you were the Mayor of Cincinnati, he'd have trusted you.

[Mayor Plumfont]

I did tell him, Buster. He wouldn't believe me, and I didn't have anything with me to prove it. And the widow Dilly told the conductor she didn't even know me. Can you imagine that? The Widow Dilly said she didn't even know me. And here, only just a few short weeks ago, she and me was almost married.

[Big John]

Oh, now, Mayor, don't let it get the best of you. Buck up.

[Sparky]

Well, yeah, buck up, Mayor.

[Mayor Plumfont]

Buck up. What do you mean, buck up? They kicked me off the train in Lexington. So then what did I do? I had to ride on a freight train in order to get back to Cincinnati.

[Big John]

Well, now, why in the world did you do that, Mayor?

[Mayor Plumfont]

No money. You need money to get a ticket, you know.

[Big John]

Well, why didn't you use the telegram? I'd have wired you money if he'd have just called on me. I'd have helped you out.

[Mayor Plumfont]

Well, you see, I. There. There you are. There you are. Just goes to show you. Just goes to show you. Not only am I a shiftless no account bum, but I'm a shiftless no account stupid bum. Too stupid to wire home for money. Oh, I'm telling you, buster, and you two lad, I'm no good.

[Big John]

Now, Mayor, I wouldn't say that.

[Sparky]

No, neither would I, Mayor.

[Mayor Plumfont]

Well, I would. What do you think happened to me as the freight train on which I was riding pulled into the freight yards here in Cincinnati?

[Big John]

I don't know.

[Spin Quest Disclaimer]

What.

[Mayor Plumfont]

What?

[Sparky]

I don't know either, Mayor. What happened?

[Mayor Plumfont]

As I was getting out of the freight car which I was riding in, a railroad policeman nabbed me and I was trying to tell him who I was. He just laughed.

[Big John]

You mean he wanted to arrest.

[Mayor Plumfont]

You bet he wanted to arrest me. But I escaped by jumping on another freight train in the trail. Train stopped out here in the Chevy at freight yards and I got off and I walked over here to Wobbledings Woods. I've been hiding out in this here shack of Sparky's for the last two days. Oh, my.

[Big John]

Well, you can forget all this business about you being a bum and you come on home with us, Mayor. You can shave and take a bath and then we'll have a nice warm meal and it'll hit the spot and you'll be feeling a lot better when it's all over.

[Mayor Plumfont]

No, no, no, Buster. I'm a broken man.

[Big John]

What do you mean?

[Mayor Plumfont]

The witadilly done Upton left me and I'm a broken man. I'm a broken man.

[Big John]

Oh, now, Mayor.

[Mayor Plumfont]

No, there's no use talking, buster. I've got my mind made up. I'm gonna send in my resignation to city hall and they can just go and elect themselves a new mayor.

[Big John]

Well, now, why would you want to do a thing like that? Why would you want to do a thing like that?

[Sparky]

What will you do, Mayor?

[Mayor Plumfont]

Well, I'm. I'm going to go off into the woods and live like a hermit. I'll live off the berries that grow wild in the woods. And I'll make my clothes out of rabbit skins after these here clothes that have gone on wear out.

[Big John]

Oh, Mayor, this whole thing is ridiculous.

[Mayor Plumfont]

Oh, yeah? Well, that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to live like a hermit. I ain't having nothing to do with no more females. And the best way to do that is to go off into the woods and live like a hermit. So long, Buster. Or rather I should say farewell. Farewell, Buster, and farewell, lad.

[Sparky]

Poipey cat. He's gonna do it.

[Big John]

I'll stop him. Listen to this, Mayor. You know how much you like sirloin steaks like they serve at Jerome and Thomas Steakhouse. If you live in the woods like a hermit, you'll never be able to sit down at the table at Jerome and Thomas's and eat one of those steaks.

[Mayor Plumfont]

I don't care. I don't care. I'm leaving this here world and all its pleasures behind to live like a hermit in the woods.

[Big John]

Mayor, you don't mean that.

[Mayor Plumfont]

Come home with me.

[Big John]

We're going to have sirloin steak for supper just like they served down at Jerome and Thomas's Steakhouse.

[Mayor Plumfont]

Come on.

[Sparky]

Yeah, come on. Come on home with us.

[Mayor Plumfont]

Nope. You can't bribe me. You can't talk me into changing my mind by trying to tempt me with anything like it. Sirloin steak. I'm going off into the woods and I'm gonna live like a hermit. And I'm going off right now. Farewell.

[Sparky]

Boy, Big John, he means that. He's gonna do it. There goes Mayor Plumpbud. Off into the woods to live like a hermit. Boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh. Well, Big John, the Mayor's gone off into the woods to live like a hermit. He disappeared into the high growing weeds. Wonder how long he'll live like a hermit. I wonder if we'll ever see the Mayor again. Boy, this old town won't be the same without good old Mayor Plumfont. Well, I guess there's nothing to do but go home and eat supper. Sirloin steak with chocolate cookies for dessert. Hell, about flattering already. And just think, poor Mayor Punkmont will have nothing to eat but wild berries and herbs. Guess there's nothing left to do but close the door in their club Half shack and go home. So long.

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