
Jerry of the Circus - Both in the Hospital - 07/12/1937
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Liberty Mutual Agent
And, Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.
Comedy Show Host
Hey, everyone, check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?
Liberty Mutual Customer
Oh, no.
Liberty Mutual Agent
We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.
Comedy Show Host
Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.
Liberty Mutual Agent
Anyways, get a quote@libertymutual.com or with your local agent.
Comedy Show Host
Liberty.
Liberty Mutual Customer
Liberty.
Comedy Show Host
Liberty. Liberty.
Jason
Jerry of the circus. Now for Jerry of the circus.
Jerry
Bumps.
Bumps
Well, Jerry.
Jerry
Gee, I thought the show would never end tonight. Down, Rags. Of course I thought it. Now. Yes, yes, you put on a swell show tonight. You're a smart dog.
Bumps
There's something bothering you, Jerry.
Jerry
No, I. I guess I just wanted to talk to you, that's all.
Bumps
Well, let's head toward the wagon, huh? I'll take my makeup off and we'll look out for those zebras I'm watching. Oh, they're treacherous little animals. You never know when they're gonna take a notion to kick out it somewhere. Come on, Jack.
Jerry
Okay. Come on, Rag. You know, I love watching the last parade at the end of the show.
Bumps
You mean the last walk around?
Jerry
Yeah, the acts are all over, but. But when you all go around the ring again and the applause starts all over again, the crowd starts to leave and we start breaking up the show, taking down the tents and. Oh, I love it.
Bumps
Well, we got to have those things in our blood, Jerry. Most people, I guess, rather go home, get into a nice warm bed and go to sleep.
Jerry
They just don't know what they miss. Bumps, I've been watching them load the animals and cart them off to the station. I just love to see all the dark shapes going through the lot at night with music still going on in the main tent.
Bumps
You're right. Well, here we are. Close the door, Jerry. All right, now, Jerry, what's on your mind?
Jerry
Nothing.
Bumps
Oh, now, you can't fool me. You're hanging around me for some reason.
Jerry
Well, I. I guess I'm just kind of sad.
Bumps
Sad?
Jerry
Yeah, you know, after finding out about Decker.
Bumps
Oh, yes, I know, Jerry.
Jerry
I liked him. And now maybe he's a crook.
Bumps
I was afraid that was what on your mind. Now, listen, in the first place, we haven't any proof. Well, that is certain proof that he stole that money. Though I admit it looks kind of bad.
Jerry
If he only hadn't run away or tried to put the blame on Jason. That's the Worst of it, I know, and Lorenz, too.
Bumps
I always thought there was something peculiar about that combination.
Jerry
What do you mean?
Bumps
Well, Lorenz is such a different type than Decker. It just seemed unnatural for two men like that to be friends.
Jerry
You know, Bumps, the more I think about it, the funnier it seems. I sometimes had the feeling Decker was afraid of Lorenz.
Bumps
He was under Lorenz's thumb, all right. Oh, but now, you mustn't keep worrying about it, Jerry. Well, looks as if we're gonna have company.
Jason
Hello. Who's there, Bumps? Jerry.
Bumps
Yeah, come on in, Jason.
Jason
Hello there. I saw the light and thought one of you might be in.
Bumps
How come you're around so late, Jason?
Jerry
Yeah, you don't have to do the last walk around. By the way, why aren't you ever in the last parade?
Bumps
He's one of the stars in this show, Jerry.
Jerry
Well, aren't you two?
Jason
You bet. Bumps is a star. But you see, Jerry, he runs all through the show. And I just have my one act and then I'm through.
Bumps
Jason's just being modest.
Jason
You can't imagine me walking along in the Grand Parade with my lions on a leash, can you?
Jerry
Golly, the audience would be in a panic, all right.
Jason
Besides, Bumps can always think of some new things to do on the spur of the moment to please the people and make them laugh. I only know my one routine of tricks or those I'm working on for the next season.
Bumps
To hear Jason talk, you'd think he didn't have much to do, wouldn't you, Jerry?
Jerry
Yeah, but he's not telling about all the hours and days and weeks of training he's taken to handle those animals.
Jason
Well, you're right there, Jerry. Lots of my work never shows. For instance, I'm heading for a job right now. Want to come along?
Liberty Mutual Customer
Sure.
Jerry
What is it?
Jason
Well, I've been waiting for them to get the lines loaded on the flat car so I could get over there and fix Daisy up again tonight.
Jerry
You bet I'd like to help fix her.
Bumps
Would you?
Jerry
Let me put the medicine on her this time.
Jason
Well, I don't know about that.
Jerry
I saw you do it this afternoon.
Jason
I know, Jerry, but you have to learn to handle well animals before you can do much with sick ones. Lions are pretty irresponsible when they're hurt.
Bumps
Well, a wild animal's first instinct is to strike out, Jerry. They don't stop to think that you've been good to them.
Jerry
That's because they're afraid, isn't it?
Bumps
That's it. Now, when you fix a child at hurt, well, the child knows you're trying to help it.
Jerry
So does Rag. No matter what's happened, he lets me fix him up. He doesn't even whimper if he can help it.
Jason
Someday we may get our wild animals to understand us that well, Jerry. But so far, we're just beginning to gain their confidence. Gets up, he'll work.
Bumps
Well, if you two are going to fix that line, you better get started. Remember, we pull out of this town at 2.
Jerry
Oh, we'll have lots of time.
Bumps
You think after the day you've had, Jerry, you'd want to go to bed?
Jerry
Well, I got to learn all I can about the circus while I'm still young, don't I? I'll never get anywhere if I don't.
Jason
Come on, Jerry. Don't let Bumps get you. You don't have to explain.
Jerry
Come on, Rags.
Jason
Goodbye, Bumps on the train. Don't worry, Bumps.
Bumps
All right.
Jerry
Have you heard any more about Lorenz and Decker, Jason?
Jason
Well, I've just been talking to Randall. He's gotten in touch with the local police, and they've sent out telegrams to every town that the train passes through.
Jerry
You think they got away on the train, then?
Jason
Well, it's the only train out of this town they could have gotten. If they're hanging around here anywhere, they'll certainly be picked up by the police in a hurry.
Jerry
And what about Mr. Bennett? Did Mr. Randall say whether he's going to get well enough to come with us tonight or not?
Jason
Don't you worry about Jim Bennett. He's as tough as they make him. He'd come along with us tonight if they had to bring him on the train with a stretcher.
Jerry
He's brave, all right. You know, he walked all the way to the doctor's with me right after the holdup. When we got there, the doctor thought he might have concussion or something, so
Jason
it probably wasn't quite that bad. Here, Jerry, this way. We can cut across the tracks here. Hey, what's going on?
Jerry
It's right over there by the plant. See where the elephants are helping to load those wagons. Come on, let's hurry.
Jason
Careful. Don't get too close, Jerry. Looks like one of the elephants is on a ramp.
Jerry
Jason, that elephant picked up a man.
Jason
Good night. Thank heaven. Olsen's there.
Mr. Olsen
Get back there, Gertie. Get back.
Jerry
Is he hurt?
Jason
No, just scared.
Mr. Olsen
Gertie. Quiet, now. Now, some of you men come here and watch this elephant. I want to find out just what this is all about. Who is this man? Oh, it's usually.
Zeke
He tried to kill me. He tried to kill me. I'll sue you for this.
Mr. Olsen
Come on, get up.
Liberty Mutual Customer
Let's see if you're hurt.
Mr. Olsen
Come on.
Liberty Mutual Customer
Now, listen here, Zeke.
Mr. Olsen
I told you before to stay away from that elephant. You and your crazy idea of playing jokes. But I'll be darned if I let you get my elephants into trouble.
Jerry
Why is he mad at that man? It was the elephant that caused all the trouble.
Jason
I'll tell you all about it later.
Zeke
Jerry, look at the law. And you're letting murderous elephants around. Honest folks, it ain't right.
Mr. Olsen
Now, look here, Zeke. If you want to stay with this outfit, you keep your nose clean. One word out of you, and I'll have you fired so fast you won't know what happened. And it serve him right, too.
Liberty Mutual Customer
Okay, man.
Mr. Olsen
Now go on, get back to work.
Liberty Mutual Customer
We pull out of here in an hour.
Jason
Well, hello, Olson. Looks like you've been having a little trouble.
Liberty Mutual Customer
Trouble, my eye. If the men were as easy to handle as the animals, there'd be no trouble.
Jerry
What happened, Mr. Olsen?
Liberty Mutual Customer
You get Jason to tell you. I got to go take Gertie out of here for the night.
Jerry
Aren't you going to let her work anymore?
Liberty Mutual Customer
Not tonight I'm not. She's too excited. And I don't take any risks with my man or my elephant.
Jason
I suppose this Zeke is the same driver you've complained of before.
Liberty Mutual Customer
There he is. And you bet I don't complain about him no more. He behaves himself or he leaves this circus.
Jason
What'd Zeke do this time?
Liberty Mutual Customer
I don't know. I don't care. But one thing I won't have is him making a killer out of Gertie. She's one of the best workers I've gotten, as gentle as a lamb. Well, I got to get her bedded down for the night. Come on, Gertie. Come on.
Jerry
Listen to that elfman talking to Mr. Olson.
Jason
She's certainly scolding away about something.
Jerry
I guess I'm kind of dumb, but I can't figure this all out.
Jason
Well, it was Zeke's.
Jerry
How do you know?
Jason
Well, you heard the other men talking about him.
Jerry
Yeah, they all seem to be on the elephant side.
Jason
They are. You see, Zeke has been teasing Gertie ever since he joined the circus.
Jerry
That's dangerous, isn't it?
Jason
I'll say it is. Come on down this way. Daisy's car is right below here.
Jerry
What kind of things does Zeke do?
Jason
He used to get just beyond Gertie's reach when she was chained and take a long stick and tease her.
Jerry
Gee, that's mean.
Jason
Yeah. And one day she got so excited she broke loose.
Jerry
Did she go after Zeke?
Jason
Olsen just happened to come by then, so she didn't have much chance to do anything.
Jerry
I don't think I'd like to be in Zeke's shoes.
Jason
I'm sure I wouldn't. Well, here's the car. Can you climb up here, Jerry?
Jerry
Sure thing. Your eggs. Up you go. Good boy.
Jason
Good. Good for you. And rags, too. That's dog certainly can jump. Jerry, want to help me push this panel back?
Jerry
Sure.
Jason
There we go. That's right, Daisy. Yeah, I just want to fix you up a little.
Jerry
Can I help you hold this stick
Jason
while I get this cotton wound around it? There now. Plenty of medicine.
Jerry
Certainly put a lot of that stuff on.
Jason
I want to be sure to get enough on the first time. Here we go. That's right, Daisy. There. I guess that fixes you for the night. Well, come on, Jerry. Help me here with this panel. There. Thanks, Jerry. Well, I guess we've done our good deed for the night. What do you think we'd better do next?
Jerry
Well, we got a lot of time before the train pulls out.
Jason
Maybe we'd better get to bed.
Jerry
Well, of course, if you say, Unless
Jason
you think you might like a little pie and some ice cream.
Jerry
Oh, boy. You mean it.
Jason
I take it you would like some, then?
Jerry
You bet I would. Gee, thanks.
Jason
Okay, Jerry, let's head for the station. There's a restaurant there and they'll be open.
Jerry
I'm hungry. Boy.
Jason
Well, why didn't you say so?
Jerry
Well, I. It's sure nice to be asked, though.
Jason
I like your company, Jerry.
Jerry
You know, Jason, I can't get over that elephant.
Jason
You mean Gertie?
Jerry
Yeah. Funny how they remember things. Don't they ever go after the wrong man?
Jason
Never. They don't make that mistake. You see, Jerry, one reason Olsen gets so upset is that if Gertie should ever get mad enough to kill a man, she'd probably have to be shot. No, that's the rule. So you see, Olsen wants to keep her from getting so worked up that she might do something like that.
Jerry
Golly, I'll say. Is this a restaurant, you mean?
Jason
Yeah. Come on, Rags, let's sit here at the counter. Boy.
Zeke
Hi, Jason.
Jerry
Hi, Kim.
Jason
Hi, Joe. Now, let's see. Waiter. Yes, sir? Have you got any pie? You thought we have almost any kind you want. Well, how about apple, Jerry?
Jerry
Yeah, that's swelling. Can I have some ice cream, too?
Jason
You bet you Can. Two apple pies a la mode and a cup of coffee. Coming right up. What do you got there, Jerry?
Jerry
That picture of my Uncle Dan. The one Patsy's dad sent us.
Jason
He's certainly a fine looking man, isn't he?
Jerry
Yeah, and that's not all. He's a wonderful man, too. He's real brave. Taps wild animals and shoots better than an Indian.
Jason
I've heard of him, Jerry. Well, the morning paper already? Here, boy, I'll have one of those papers. There you are. Thank you. Anybody else? Well, Jerry, here's our pie and ice cream.
Jerry
Sure looks good, huh?
Jason
You bet. Be careful of your uncle's picture, Jerry. You don't want to get it all sticky.
Jerry
Oh, yeah. I'll put it in my inside pocket here. That's where I usually keep it so it won't get musk. Boy, this is your good ice cream, boy.
Jason
I think I'll have a look at this paper and see what's happened in the outside world today.
Jerry
If there's anything exciting, tell me about it. I'm too busy to do anything but eat right now.
Jason
Jerry.
Jerry
What?
Jason
Well, look here. Oh, that's awful.
Jerry
What is it?
Jason
Listen to this. Suffering from numerous contusions and abrasions and possible internal injuries, an unidentified man was discovered lying in an unconscious condition in the right of way of the LR&S Railroad tracks late tonight by a crew of track workers. Authorities are said to believe he was either pushed or had fallen from the westbound 540 train. No identification was found on his person or in his pockets, except.
Jerry
What's the matter? Jason.
Jason
Except that he wore a full beard, which.
Jerry
Jason, you don't think. You don't think it's Decker?
Jason
I don't know what to think, but that's the train he and Lorenz took.
Jerry
Where have they got him now?
Jason
Let's see. Rushed to the emergency hospital at. Oh, golly, that's the town we play tomorrow.
Jerry
And we'll be there for three days.
Jason
Well, we'll certainly have to check on this. I'll bet Randall and the police will be interested in this bit of news.
Jerry
It.
Liberty Mutual Agent
And Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.
Comedy Show Host
Hey, everyone, check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?
Liberty Mutual Customer
Oh, no.
Liberty Mutual Agent
We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Together were married. Me to a human, him to a bird.
Comedy Show Host
Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.
Liberty Mutual Agent
Anyways, get a quote@libertymutual.com or with your local agent.
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Harold's Old Time Radio | May 14, 2026
In this episode of Jerry of the Circus, listeners are transported to a nostalgic world of circus life and mystery, blending the camaraderie and everyday drama behind the scenes with a budding whodunit. Jerry and his companions process recent turmoil involving missing money, a mysterious pair of fugitives, and an unsettling incident with an elephant. The episode strikes a tone of warmth, curiosity, and morality, all set against the backdrop of the itinerant circus community.
On Circus Life:
“Most people, I guess, rather go home, get into a nice warm bed and go to sleep.” (Bumps, 02:57)
On Mistrust and Suspicion:
“Maybe he’s a crook.” (Jerry, 03:37)
“I sometimes had the feeling Decker was afraid of Lorenz.” (Jerry, 04:09)
On Animal Training Hardship:
“Lots of my work never shows.” (Jason, 05:12)
On Animal Empathy:
“A wild animal’s first instinct is to strike out, Jerry. They don’t stop to think that you’ve been good to them.” (Bumps, 05:38)
Comic Tension in Action:
“He tried to kill me. He tried to kill me. I’ll sue you for this.” (Zeke, 07:44)
Teaching Discipline:
“If the men were as easy to handle as the animals, there’d be no trouble.” (Mr. Olsen, 08:27)
On the Seriousness of Teasing Animals:
“That’s the rule. So you see, Olsen wants to keep her from getting so worked up that she might do something like that.” (Jason, 11:04)
The Cliffhanger:
“Suffering from numerous contusions and abrasions and possible internal injuries, an unidentified man was discovered lying…by a crew of track workers.” (Jason reading, 12:32)
“You don’t think it’s Decker?” (Jerry, 13:02)
Jerry of the Circus continues to blend wholesome camaraderie, educational moments about animal care, and slowly unfurling intrigue. The episode ends on a tense note as the characters wonder about the fate of Decker, ensuring listeners are eager for the next installment. The language is warm, accessible, and laced with natural banter true to the show’s era and subject matter.