Death Valley Days 19xx-xx-xx Dear Teacher

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Death Valley Days – "Dear Teacher"

Original Air Date: October 11, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Setting: A dramatization from the classic radio series, set in a rugged mining camp in Death Valley, featuring a tale of challenge and redemption in a one-room schoolhouse.

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Episode Overview

This episode of “Death Valley Days” titled "Dear Teacher" tells the story of Miss Prentice, a young woman from the East who takes a teaching job in the rough-and-tumble mining camp of New Behavi. The story centers around her efforts to win over a notoriously unruly group of children who have run off numerous teachers before her, the townsfolk’s suspicions and gossip, and how courage, skill, and honesty ultimately prevail.

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Key Discussion Points & Narrative Progression

1. Setting the Scene and Miss Prentice’s Arrival

• The Old Ranger introduces the segment, referencing the historic Death Valley setting and the sponsor Boraxo hand soap (01:00).
• Miss Prentice, a new teacher, arrives in town. The townsfolk are initially surprised, expecting a male teacher from the East (04:28).
• Early skepticism is voiced over her ability to handle the children:

  "They've run seven teachers out already." (05:16)

• Miss Prentice asserts her determination:

  "But I can't go back now and I need the position. So in spite of everything, I want to try the teacher." (05:26)

2. First Day in School: The Challenge Unfolds

• Miss Prentice meets her rambunctious students:

  "The last three teachers left with only five legs and four eyes between them." (07:05)

• She insists on beginning with prayer, discipline, and quickly establishes routines (07:20–08:00).
• The townsfolk doubt her approach and readiness for trouble, some suggesting she “arm” herself (10:28).

3. Adapting by Unconventional Means: Marksmanship on Display

• A rumor spreads that Miss Prentice threatened the children with a gun; she explains she shot only at a ball to get the children’s attention (10:32).
• Her marksmanship impresses even her doubters:

  "What did you hit?" – "The ball, of course. In midair." (10:59 & 11:03)

• She incorporates a shooting contest as a reward system for good behavior, with careful boundaries (11:25–12:50).

4. Rumors, Misunderstandings, and Confrontation

• Suspicion escalates when Miss Prentice is rumored to be drinking after bottles are found hidden at school (18:28, 21:03).
• Mothers prepare to oust her after a petition is circulated, citing her “dangerous” ways (21:40–22:30).

5. Revelation & Resolution

• The children confess that the bottles hidden at the school stove were theirs, not the teacher's (24:52–25:10).
• Gladys, the instigator, is confronted and forced to admit the truth (25:22–26:06).
• The community gathers to apologize, Miss Prentice is exonerated, and order is restored (26:28–27:33).

6. Closing Moments & Sponsor Integration

• Story wraps with light-hearted banter and a final message about good hygiene using Boraxo hand soap (28:00–28:38).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On determination:

  "It's very kind of you to be so concerned about my welfare. But I can't go back now...I want to try the teacher."
  — Miss Prentice (05:26)

• On marksmanship:

  "The boys wouldn't stop, so I aimed at the ball."
  — Miss Prentice (10:54)
  "The ball, of course. In midair."
  — Miss Prentice, after being asked what she hit (10:59)

• On the transformation of the classroom:

  "We'll see at the end of each week. But only for those who behave themselves and gotten good marks."
  — Miss Prentice, outlining terms for the shooting contest (12:11)

• On gossip and community pressure:

  "That's a dangerous woman for you. If I was you, I wouldn't have an easy moment with her under the same roof."
  — Ms. Doty, stirring fear (11:21)

• On the children righting a wrong:

  "You come along and horse them...Now that I have your ear, let me introduce you to Boraxo powdered hand soap..."
  — Miss Prentice and children, returning to normalcy and routine (27:54–28:01)

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• Introduction & Sponsor Spot: 00:59–02:17
• Miss Prentice Arrives / Meets the Townsfolk: 04:28–05:43
• First School Day Chaos: 07:00–09:56
• Discipline, Rumors, and Marksmanship Incident: 10:28–12:50
• Townsfolk’s Backroom Gossip: 14:39–16:22
• Children's Confession and Teacher's Vindication: 24:52–26:45
• Resolution and Final Apologies: 27:33–27:59
• Closing (Boraxo Message/Wrap-up): 28:00–28:38

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Tone and Style

The episode blends drama with humor, depicting the grit and stereotypes of a remote mining community facing modernity through the arrival of a new, unexpected kind of schoolteacher. Miss Prentice's cleverness and moral fortitude are foregrounded by her calm yet assertive tone, while the community’s colorful suspicion and eventual humility provide both tension and comic relief.

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Summary

"Dear Teacher" is a classic “Death Valley Days” morality play about misunderstanding, courage, and the prejudices outsiders face. It demonstrates how integrity and open-mindedness can change minds, with Miss Prentice winning over even her sharpest critics. The episode’s charm lies in its folksy dialogue, historical context, and its timeless message about giving people a fair chance.

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Transcript

[A]

And Doug Limu and I always tell.

[B]

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[A]

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[B]

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[A]

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[B]

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[A]

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[B]

Sam.

[A]

Howdy folks. I'm the old Ranger and I have another interesting true story for you about the historic Death Valley country, the fabulous land where these products originated. 20 UT Borax and Boraxo. Folks, we all wash our hands many times a day. But I want to show you how to do it the quicker, cleaner, modern way with Boraxo and America's favorite powdered hat soap. First wet your hand, then pour out a little Braxo and add a little more water. Look at those studs. Wash like that with Braxo and you get your hands twice as clean than half the time. Energies are nice and soft and smooth too. Every day Braxa washes 22 million hands clean. Reading, writing and arithmetic for three Rs. But in the mining camp school at New Behavi, which is the scene of this story I call dear teacher, there was a fourth R R for rupture, a head bow, a.

[B]

Quiet. Quiet. Stop it. Stop it. Six minutes. Quiet. Quiet in this room. Quiet.

[A]

That'd be right for you, Jim, you young woman of yours. Good morning, Jim. Morning, Alex.

[B]

No, neighbor Alex.

[A]

Oh God, you. Tomorrow they'll be back again in school. Oh, that's right. New teacher arriving, eh? On the very stage. Heavens help him.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

How come you're the reception committee today? A man with no kids in school and you're not even married. Well, I happen to go to Cornell University and this fellow hails from there.

[B]

Eastern. Er. Eh.

[A]

Nobody around these parts would take the job. Reverend Feathers, class of 93.

[B]

Get out.

[A]

Mr. Feather.

[B]

Hi, Miss Feathers.

[A]

Not the new school teacher? Yeah, but the wire said. I mean, I thought, of course, that we expected a school master.

[B]

The name is confusing. I'm always receiving letters addressed Dear Sir.

[A]

Well, suppose we go. We can talk more easily. Which is your luggage?

[B]

These three.

[A]

By the way, my name is Alex Gaynor. I'm superintendent of the mill.

[B]

How do you do? She won't laugh. Catholic Day.

[A]

You won't even open school.

[B]

Mr. Gaynor's absolutely right. Be like throwing the Christians to the lions. The children can't be that bad.

[A]

They've Run seven teachers at a time already.

[B]

Eight. You can count the notches on the desk. It's very kind of you to be so concerned about my welfare. But I can't go back now and I need the position. So in spite of everything you say, I want to try the teacher.

[A]

But, Miss Prentice, please. Could you have a room here with you, Miss Dolly?

[B]

Well, I don't usually sleep. Folks just eat them, but all right. Thank you.

[A]

You have a lot of courage. So did the early Christians.

[B]

But the lions finished them just the same. Go on right in. I'll be with you in a min. What does she look like? Tight size. You gonna break her spectacles? Tiny. She don't wear spectacles. She doesn't? But she's old, isn't she? Nope. She's young. Young and pretty. Pretty. Good morning. Good morning, dear teacher. Good morning, dear teacher. Good morning. The last three teachers left with only five legs and four eyes between them. Aren't you awful? Take your seats, please. We will begin with a morning prayer. Bow your head, please. Every morning mercy's new fall as fresh as morning dew Every morning let us pay tribute to the early days for thy mercies, Lord, are sure Thy compassion doth endure Amen Our women. We'll begin with taking the role. Then we'll arrange classes. Gladys Murdaugh. Pregnant. Put that ball away, boy. Put that ball away, boy. We will proceed with a roll call. Thomas Ruggles?

[A]

Here.

[B]

Richard Sloat. Richard Float? Here. Jeannie Simmons? Present. Have a busy day, Mr. McNewan? Then you must be hungry.

[A]

Well, how do things go?

[B]

Very nicely.

[A]

I was thinking of you all day. Nicely?

[B]

I think they're going to be an interesting group to work with. Stimulating.

[A]

That's a new word for it.

[B]

And most responsive.

[A]

You mean you had no trouble with them?

[B]

It's all in the initial approach.

[A]

Do you hear that, Miss Dody?

[B]

They behave just like a cat playing with a mouse. Just wait. Potato.

[A]

If I were you, I'd arm myself with a ruler. A good big one.

[B]

I couldn't strike a child. Mr. Gaynor. I'd like to speak to the teacher. What is it? You know very well what it is. You couldn't keep a thing like that a secret very long. She threatened the children with a gun. A gun? Oh, no. Oh, yes. Gladys came home and told me. Fired it once more, point blank. I was just trying to break up a ball game. The boys wouldn't stop, so I aimed at the ball.

[A]

And what did you hit?

[B]

The ball, of course. In midair.

[A]

Well, I'll be everlastingly we got an adiochi with us.

[B]

Gladys was still shaking with fright, poor lamb. And sigh. But I'm sure there won't be an occasion to do it again. There had better not be or we shall take our children out of school. I know it isn't the proper thing to do, but in a case as serious as this I would suggest that you. I've already looked. It isn't in a room, is it? No. Are you sure? Positive. Then she's taken it to school and she'll use it on the slightest provocation. That's a dangerous woman for you. If I was you, I wouldn't have an easy moment with her under the same roof. We bring yourself in a sprinter. A present. Of course you did. Oh dear me. We brung you these so you could put on a shooting match for us. You brought me these so I could put on a shooting match for you? Yes, that's why we brung them. Will you teacher, please? Certainly not. As we said, unless you shoot this out of a mouse. Teacher, no. Ah, Ms. Prentice, this is a school, not a shooting gallery. We've got lessons to learn. Fillings geography. We'll learn em on it. All right, you do and then we shoot. When? How soon? Well see the end of each week. But only for those who behave themselves and gotten good marks. Now pass out the study books and we'll get to work. And she has a whole gang full of ammunition. Isn't that so Gladys? Boxes and boxes of boxes.

[A]

Makes me wish I was back in school again. Why our old cross eyed school teacher couldn't have hit the side of a barn.

[B]

Won't you ever take anything seriously, George? Suppose she suddenly decided to point back on Ms. Gladys?

[A]

She won't. Gladys behaves herself.

[B]

She's got an awful funny look in her eyes. I think she's kind of crazy. Do you hear that George? She might go berserk.

[A]

Now don't start using words I can't understand, dear. Remember I didn't get beyond the fifth grade. Maybe she'll hold evening classes for blokes like me.

[B]

Makes you so funny with us sometimes. Yeah, I know. There's a lot of rabbit and quail too. I'll bet you wouldn't miss a one. Thank you boys. See you tomorrow morning, bright and early. Limu.

[A]

Limu and Doug. Limu and I always tell you to customize your car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. But now we want you to feel it. Cue the emu music. Limu.

[B]

Save yourself money today. Increase your wealth. Customize the same. We say that may have been too much feeling.

[A]

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[B]

Hello.

[A]

Got a meeting out of your hand with your little gun, haven't you? You know, they didn't give courses and markingship to coeds when I went to Cornell.

[B]

It was my father who taught me. He used to take me out to the lake on Saturdays. We practiced for hours.

[A]

That's funny for a girl.

[B]

She'd always hoped for a son. That's how I got the name. I did. Heaven.

[A]

Well, if you had been, you wouldn't have been here now.

[B]

No, I'd be back home trying to help him salvage somebody's from the crash. He lost everything in the panic last summer.

[A]

Oh, sorry.

[B]

That's why I'm so grateful for this opportunity. There aren't many openings for teachers middle of the year. Well, I'm.

[A]

I'm sure you'll make good.

[B]

I hope so.

[A]

I'll help you any way that I can.

[B]

Thank you. I need friends. What are you doing? So? None of your business. You saw them to the Jet Ra?

[A]

No.

[B]

Then what?

[A]

Ah, shut up.

[B]

Don't come tagging after us. Why not? Cuz we don't want you. Savvy? Maybe we should get some tin cans too.

[A]

Too easy.

[B]

Even Carlos ain't much of a target for a shot like us. Come next Saturday, we'll set them up way off in the bat bin and stick panels in them and let teacher put them out one by one. Yeah. What does a person's breath smell like when they've been drinking? Smell? Your father sometime.

[A]

Well, I like that.

[B]

I thought so.

[A]

What do you mean you thought so?

[B]

It's just like her smell. Who? The teacher. Ms. Prejudice. Ms. Presid. George, did you hear that?

[A]

Oh, I don't believe it.

[B]

It's Gladys thistle.

[A]

Children imagine things.

[B]

Of course, it could have been a sarsaparilla bottle she was hiding where it was. Still, that School? You saw her? Please, Ma, I'm trying to do my spelling. Going over to Miss Joey's for a few minutes. Some more pride, Mr. McEwen.

[A]

Say it again, Miss Practice, so we can alert her.

[B]

Multiplication is vexation. Division is as bad. The rule of three perplexes me. I just learned something more about our dear teacher. She drinks. Drinks? Gladys saw her hiding the bottles. Well, I never. George refuses to get excited, but I think it should be investigated. It certainly should. Will you go with me? Right now? Don't fight that a bit, General Grant. Who?

[A]

The.

[B]

Hold those children in there. You don't suppose that they could have been left there by some of her predecessors? Oh, no. Daddy saw her putting them there. She must have been having regular orgies. This Saturday she'll have to go. A school teacher who packed a gun and drinks. I'll certainly need a petition among the parents. The moment, naturally won't be necessary to mention it to the men. And I shall give her notice of the kimi. I'm going to have to find another place to live. That's what I said. I don't understand. You will before the day is up. Come on, Gladys. I'm going to snooze with you this morning, Mama. I don't feel very good all of a sudden. What's the matter? I've got a headache and a sore throat. Maybe I better not go to school this morning. Not if you're coming down with something I hate to miss. It don't matter much.

[A]

George. I'm going to drive over to Ruby Valley with those engineers from Denver. I won't be back till evening. Well, I'll tend to things. Well, school's still keeping. Why not? I understand they're having some trouble. The women folk are up in arms about the teacher, that ridiculous gun business. More than that. There's talk about. Well, there's some claim she tiffled. That's a lie. I don't believe it myself, but you know how women are once a rumor gets started. Who started the rumor? Search me. Well, I'll make it my business to find out as soon as I get back.

[B]

Bow your head. Every morning mercies new fall as fresh as morning dew Every morning let us pay tribute to the early day for thy mercies, Lord, are sure Thy compassion doth endure AMEN Good morning, Mrs. Murtaugh. I hope Gladys isn't sick. I know that she is, but that's not why I'm here. I think this document will explain itself. What in the world. We will begin with penmanship. This morning. Take out your pencil tablet. Children. Children. Children. There will be no school this afternoon. Is Mr. Gaynor.

[A]

He's away out of town. Oh, hi, Ms. Foreman. Anything I can do for you?

[B]

No.

[A]

Is there any message you'd like to leave?

[B]

I'm afraid not.

[A]

Was something wrong?

[B]

Oh, I say, and fit to teach the young. What do they mean? What do they mean?

[A]

Now, don't upset yourself.

[B]

It's so awful. My first position. I'll never be able to get another.

[A]

There, there, now we'll straighten it out. Don't you fret, D.J.

[B]

There isn't anything you'd stop at, is there? Ms. Prenis? Teacher. It'll be a week tomorrow and we've behaved ourselves. Men study hard. I can name the Teflons of all the States. Boys, I'm sorry. Oh, but you promised. Ms. Prentice. I won't be here tomorrow. I'm leaving. Leaving? You mean for good? There won't be no shooting match. Why? What's happened? I can't explain it, but that's the way it is. Is she really leaving?

[A]

As you want to take it.

[B]

Where's she going? What for?

[A]

Oh, crick past her to me.

[B]

Why is she leaving all of a sudden?

[A]

Oh, don't act so d. Innocent. It's all you kids fault. You drove her to drink.

[B]

That ain't so. Ms. Pretis don't drink?

[A]

No. Well, they found the evidence bottles hid in the school stove.

[B]

Bottle? Those of our bottles. How they know they were there? Glass.

[A]

She met us, remember?

[B]

I'll bet she followed us. Little sneak. Yeah. Then blame that I missed credit just to start something and get like her. Come on. What is it, Tony? Please tell me. No, sir. It's a surprise.

[A]

Just wait, you'll see.

[B]

Tony says you got something for me. What is it? A rattlesmith kiss. Here in the town split and every little dog and pound they'll have a little bit. You've seen us put those bottles in the stone suddenly with the teacher. No, no, I didn't. I didn't see you put him in there. I never said it was. Will you tell the truth or I'll let this out. You wouldn't. You're just fooling. You think so? Oh, no. Then fess up. Quick. You pitfy him. Yes. Yes, I did. Don't let it out. And you made him think it was Ms. Printer. Yes, I know. Come behind the wood box. We'll get it later. He ain't finished with Gladys yet. Come on.

[A]

Where's Ms. Predis? I didn't know. She came by the Express Depot and asked me to pick up her bag. Ms. Tony here? No, she's gone over to Murchow's.

[B]

If you were my child, Gladys Murtaugh, I'd take you over my knee and beat the stuffings out of you. Her father will take care of her when he comes home. Here he comes now. Oh, Mr. Gaynor.

[A]

Where is she? Where's Miss Previs?

[B]

Over at the school.

[A]

Getting attained of other cruel, unwarranted.

[B]

You can save your breath, Mr. Gaynor. We know the truth now. Gladys has just confessed. And what's more, she's going with us right now and apologize.

[A]

We all owe her an apology.

[B]

Come on, Mr. Gaynor.

[A]

I'll tell you all about it on the way over.

[B]

I'm sorry. I like McCrennis. I'll never do it again. Ask her to forgive you. Please forgive me. Don't move, Daddy. Don't make a sound, baby. A bullseye. Shove the head clean off of it. Gee, we got our shooting match. Let me pick it up and show it to this credit. Oh, please don't. I can't even stand a look at a snake. What she needs is a good stiff drink. I could use one myself.

[A]

From that time on, they dropped the R4 ruckton from the UVAHEB school curriculum and indeed from the whole community as far as dear teacher was concerned. Now, I think you'll get a smile out of this young couple.

[B]

Oh, no, you don't. Not with those dirty hands. You come along and horse them.

[A]

But I did.

[B]

What'd you horse them with?

[A]

So what else?

[B]

What else? Now that I have your ear, let me introduce you to Braxo Potted hand soap. Oh, no. Wet your hands first. And now you pour on some brasso. Add a little more water. Now look at this fence.

[A]

Hey, that'll roll the dirt out.

[B]

Yes, brass will be something brown inserts the slain folks can't reach. Hands get twice as clean in half the time with bar accident.

[A]

Folks, I'll be back on the same station with another true story of Death Valley Days two weeks from now. And until then, I'll say so.

[B]

And remember, clean clothes, my job. Clean hands.

[A]

That's me.

[B]

Sa.