
Jerry of the Circus - Jerry Sells His Land for Seventy-Five Hundred Dollars - 12/22/1937
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Mr. Randall
Jerry of the Circus.
Uncle Dan
Sa. Sam.
Mr. Randall
Now for Jerry of the Circus.
Jerry
Hey, Uncle Dan. Uncle Dan. Wait a second.
Mr. Randall
What is it, Jerry?
Jerry
Where are you going?
Uncle Dan
Right in here in the office wagon. See Mr. Randall about me.
Jerry
Huh?
Uncle Dan
How did you know?
Jerry
Bump Storming.
Uncle Dan
Oh.
Jerry
Hey, what do you want to talk to Mr. Randall about me for?
Uncle Dan
Oh, just a little business, Jerry.
Jerry
About my property in Montana?
Mr. Randall
Nope.
Uncle Dan
Oh, and what you'll find out later.
Jerry
Oh, tell me now.
Uncle Dan
Let me talk with Mr. Randall first, then we'll let you in on it later.
Jerry
Oh, I don't see why you won't tell me.
Mr. Randall
What's the secret about now, Jerry?
Uncle Dan
Well, where were you heading for?
Jerry
Right over there to the ticket wagon. Jack Hastings has those pictures finished and he's gonna give me a set.
Mr. Randall
What pictures?
Jerry
The pictures he took of me up on El Mundo.
Mr. Randall
Oh.
Uncle Dan
Well, you run along and get them. You'll find out soon enough what I'm going to discuss with Mr. Randall.
Jerry
Oh, all right. Come on, Rags.
Uncle Dan
Smile a little bit, Jerry.
Jerry
Okay.
Uncle Dan
Oh, dear.
Mr. Randall
Come in. What's so funny, dan?
Uncle Dan
That boy, Mr. Randall.
Mr. Randall
Oh, who? Jerry. What's he doing now?
Uncle Dan
He's all put out because I won't tell him what I wanted to see you about.
Mr. Randall
Oh, well, I guess you can't blame him. He's in on about everything that happens around here.
Uncle Dan
Yeah, that's right.
Mr. Randall
Well, what did you want to talk to me about, Dan?
Uncle Dan
Let me pull this chair up here and. You've got a little time, haven't you?
Mr. Randall
Oh, sure. Sure thing. What's in your mind?
Uncle Dan
I guess you've heard I'm about set.
Mr. Wells
Mm.
Mr. Randall
I heard you got another order for animals, and looks like you'll be putting out to Africa pretty soon.
Uncle Dan
That's it. I figured I'd get away with in a couple of months, maybe sooner.
Mr. Randall
Well, I'm glad to hear that, Dan. Thanks. But what about this talk you want to have with me in regard to Jerry?
Uncle Dan
Well, I've been thinking, Mr. Randall. I'm the only relative Jerry has.
Mr. Wells
Yeah?
Uncle Dan
This expedition I'm going on May take me as far south as the veld.
Mr. Randall
That's way down in South Africa. Right.
Uncle Dan
And I thought that Jerry should have someone to sort of look out after him. And I'm an uncle, and he isn't much good thousands of miles away and out of communication with the world for months at a time.
Mr. Randall
Yeah, I see what you mean.
Uncle Dan
You never know just what might come up. As far as that goes, this big game hunting is dangerous business and there's no telling what might happen to me.
Mr. Randall
That's right, but. Well, what's your point?
Uncle Dan
Well, I think he should have a guardian. Well, if it's not asking too much, Mr. Randall, I think you're the man
Mr. Randall
for the job asking too much. Why, say you. You know how much I think of Jerry. Why, if that boy were my own son, I couldn't care for him any more than I do. It would be an honor, Dan.
Uncle Dan
I'm glad to hear you say that, Mr. Randall.
Mr. Randall
You know, Dan, I've been thinking quite a bit about Jerry's welfare and his future. He's going to amount to something someday. You mark my words.
Uncle Dan
Oh, I'm sure of that, all right.
Mr. Randall
But I don't think he's getting the proper training being with a circus.
Mr. Wells
He's.
Mr. Randall
Well, he's missing a lot of things a boy of his age should have.
Uncle Dan
I know. The boy should really have a home. But I haven't got a home, so I can't do anything about that, much as I'd like to.
Mr. Randall
Well, have you ever thought of sending him to a good school?
Uncle Dan
No, I haven't, Mr. Randall.
Mr. Randall
Well, I have, Dan. I've given it a lot of thought. In fact, I sent to several schools for catalogs and literature. Let's see, it was last week. I should get them here or at the latest hour, next day and tomorrow.
Uncle Dan
You have been thinking about Jerry.
Mr. Randall
Yeah. What do you think about a good school for Jerry?
Uncle Dan
I think it's a great idea. Well, how about a good military school? It would be the best thing in
Mr. Randall
the world for me. I'm glad you feel that way.
Uncle Dan
But what about the money for the tuition?
Mr. Randall
Oh, we'll work that out somehow.
Uncle Dan
It takes quite a bit of money to send a boy to a good school.
Mr. Randall
Well, you. You let me worry about that, okay?
Uncle Dan
And I'll let you pick out the school, too. I don't know a thing about those things.
Mr. Randall
All right, fine. Now, what about this guardianship?
Uncle Dan
Well, as long as I'm his only relative and likewise his guardian, and I'm willing to have his Guardianship transferred to you. It shouldn't be any trouble at all. Good.
Mr. Randall
Well, then suppose we do it the first thing in the morning when we get into Winkler.
Jerry
Fine.
Uncle Dan
I'll meet you here at the office right after breakfast.
Mr. Randall
All right.
Jerry
You're right this way.
Uncle Dan
Sounds like Jerry now.
Mr. Randall
Yeah, can't see him all right. Come in, Jerry.
Jerry
Hey, look at these keen pictures of me on El Mundo.
Mr. Randall
Oh, say, those are good pictures here, Dan.
Jerry
Hey, look at that one where I'm hanging onto this trunk.
Uncle Dan
This is a good one, Jerry.
Mr. Randall
Yeah, here's a dandy too. This one where you're standing up on his head. Say, they're all good.
Uncle Dan
Did Jack give you these?
Jerry
Uhhuh. For keeps.
Mr. Randall
That's all right. Oh, here you are. You hang on to him now.
Jerry
Ah, don't you worry, I will.
Uncle Dan
Well, I guess that's about all we have to say, Mr. Randall. I'll see you in the morning.
Mr. Randall
Okay, Dan. And I'll see you after a while, Jerry.
Jerry
All right. Say, did you have your Talk about me, Mr. Randall?
Mr. Randall
Yes, we did, Jerry. And you're pretty anxious to find out what we were talking about, aren't you?
Jerry
Sure I am, but. Well, can you blame me?
Mr. Randall
Oh, no, I guess we can't blame you, Jerry. And I'm gonna let you in on it.
Jerry
Oh, swell.
Mr. Randall
How would you like me for a dad?
Jerry
What?
Mr. Randall
I said, how would you like me for a dad?
Jerry
I don't know what you mean.
Mr. Randall
Well, not exactly a dad, Jerry, but your Uncle Dan and I have decided that you've got to have a guardian. Especially now that you're uncle is going out on a long expedition.
Jerry
And you're going to be my guardian.
Mr. Wells
Yep.
Mr. Randall
How'd you like that?
Jerry
Well, that's keen. I would have picked you myself.
Mr. Randall
Fine. I'm glad you're satisfied.
Jerry
Hey, when do you start?
Mr. Randall
Well, I start my new job tomorrow, Jerry. Yes, sir. Tomorrow you'll have to answer to me for everything.
Jerry
I'm awful glad, Mr. Randall. I wouldn't want anybody else in the whole world for a guardian.
Mr. Randall
Yeah, we do get along pretty good at that, don't we?
Jerry
I'll say we do.
Mr. Randall
Are you going to continue to listen to me and do as I say?
Jerry
Sure, whatever you think is best for me. Well, if you think it's the right thing, then I'm sure it is.
Mr. Randall
That's a way to talk to you. Yes, Mr. Randall?
Mr. Wells
Yes.
Mr. Randall
Yes, come in.
Mr. Wells
I'm Mr. Wells, Mr. Randall, local representative of the Montana Overland Railroad.
Uncle Dan
Oh, come in.
Mr. Randall
Glad to know you, Mr. Wells.
Uncle Dan
Have a Chair.
Mr. Wells
Thank you.
Jerry
Quiet, Legs.
Mr. Randall
I take it you're looking for Jerry Dugan, Mr. Wells.
Mr. Wells
That's right.
Mr. Randall
Well, here's your man right here. Jerry, meet Mr. Wells.
Jerry
How do you do, sir?
Mr. Wells
I'm glad to know you, Jerry. Although I did expect to meet someone a little older.
Mr. Randall
Well, you'll find Jerry a good little businessman.
Mr. Wells
In that case, I'll have to be careful. I received a long distance phone call just a while ago. Right after our Mr. McNear got your wire and the information about your route.
Mr. Randall
Seems to me your company is mighty anxious about this property of Jerry's.
Mr. Wells
That's why I'll have to be careful, you know that we're anxious, and you might hold out for a pretty steep price.
Jerry
Then you want to buy my property?
Mr. Wells
That's why I'm here, young man.
Jerry
Well, what do you want it for?
Mr. Wells
Well, let's start right at the beginning, Jerry.
Jerry
Okay.
Mr. Wells
The MO Railroad is extending a spur line to link with our main road at a junction not far from your property. And we need your land to run the extension through.
Jerry
I guess I'll have to admit I don't know what that means.
Mr. Randall
Oh, now, Jerry. And after me telling Mr. Wells you were a good businessman.
Jerry
Well, I can't help it. I just don't understand.
Mr. Wells
In other words, Jerry, we want to run some new track right through your property. We've been wanting to do this for a long time, Mr. Randall. We had a hard time finding the owner of the land.
Mr. Randall
Oh, that's all?
Mr. Wells
All the county recorder's office showed was that it was owned by a Timothy Dugan.
Jerry
Well, how did you finally find us?
Mr. Wells
Someone with our firm found out that Timothy Dugan was a circus man. And so the office got busy and sent out letters to every circus.
Mr. Randall
That's almost as good as your detective work, Jerry.
Jerry
I'll say.
Mr. Wells
Now, young man, what are you going to ask the. The property?
Jerry
Well, I don't know. I don't know what it's worth.
Mr. Wells
The actual worth, as recorded in the county assessor's office, is about $2,000.
Jerry
Is that all?
Mr. Wells
It's out in the wide open spaces, Jerry. 35 miles to the nearest town.
Mr. Randall
Well, why don't you make Jerry an offer, Mr. Wells?
Mr. Wells
All right, I will. Montana Overland authorized me to offer $5,000. Not because the property is worth that much money, but it's worth that much to us because of the shortcut.
Mr. Randall
Hmm. Well, how does that sound to you, Jerry?
Jerry
Well, I don't know. You know, I. I haven't seen the land yet, and well, it might have gold on it or silver. Well, it might be worth a whole lot more than that.
Mr. Wells
No, Jerry. The property has all been carefully gone over by a geologist, and it has no value in that regard.
Jerry
Well, anyway, I think it's worth more than $5,000.
Mr. Wells
How about 6,000?
Jerry
No, I'd rather keep that.
Mr. Wells
That's three times as much as it's worth.
Mr. Randall
Now Jerry's showing his business ability.
Mr. Wells
You are hard to deal with, young man.
Mr. Randall
It seems to me, Jerry, that that's a pretty fair offer. If they build their track someplace else, it might be a long time before you get another chance to sell.
Jerry
I know, but.
Mr. Wells
All right, Jerry, I'll give you my final bid. I'll go as high as the railroad will allow me. I'll give you 7,500. Is it a deal? Well, you want a day to think it over?
Jerry
No. What do you think, Mr. Randall?
Mr. Randall
Oh, I don't want to advise you in this, Jerry. It's up to you.
Jerry
It's really not any good to me. I mean the property.
Mr. Wells
There's taxes to be paid on it every year. You mustn't forget that.
Jerry
What do you say, Rag? You mean sell it? Okay, I will. You can have it for 8,000.
Mr. Wells
I'm sorry, Jerry. 7,500 is the best I can do.
Jerry
Well, all right.
Mr. Wells
Good boy.
Mr. Randall
You drove a hard bargain, Jerry.
Mr. Wells
I'll say you did. Now, who's your legal guardian, Jerry?
Jerry
I don't know. I guess my uncle.
Uncle Dan
That's right.
Mr. Randall
Yes, his uncle is today. But tomorrow we're taking out the papers that will make me his guardian.
Mr. Wells
Is that so?
Uncle Dan
Mm.
Mr. Wells
Well, we'll have to make out some papers too, Jerry. We'll have to get your uncle to sign them along with your signature. Have you got the deed to the property?
Jerry
Uh huh. It's in bumps wagon over in the trunk.
Mr. Wells
And where will we find your uncle?
Mr. Randall
Well, he'll most likely be out in the backyard someplace. You'll find him when you get back to the wagon.
Mr. Wells
I have a company check right here. Now, I'll just fill it out for you. Then we'll draw up these transfer papers and we'll be all set.
Mr. Randall
Well, that's certainly a lot of money for a boy like you to have, Jerry.
Mr. Wells
I'll say it is. I wish I had a nest egg like that. When I was a boy, I worked mighty hard for every penny I had.
Mr. Randall
That goes for me, too.
Jerry
I'm gonna work hard too. You don't think I'm satisfied just because I got this money do you?
Mr. Randall
Well, that's the spirit, Jerry.
Mr. Wells
You ready now, Jerry?
Jerry
You mean to go back and find Uncle Dan? Yes, sure. Come on, Randy.
Mr. Wells
Well, Mr. Randall, it's been a pleasure meeting you.
Mr. Randall
Thank you, sir. I'm glad to have made your acquaintance.
Jerry
We'll see you tonight, Mr. Randall.
Mr. Randall
Oh, okay, Jerry. Goodbye, Mr. Wells.
Mr. Wells
Goodbye, Mr. Randall.
Uncle Dan
Oh,
Mr. Randall
hey, Jerry.
Jerry
Yes, sir.
Mr. Randall
Say, don't cash that check and spend it before you see me.
Jerry
Why?
Mr. Randall
Well, because I've got an idea where you're going to spend part of it. If you don't see me on the train tonight, you be sure to come to my office wagon after we're set up at Winkler in the morning.
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Date: May 17, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
This episode features a classic Golden Age radio drama: "Jerry of the Circus." In this chapter, the focus is on young Jerry as he navigates a major life transition—selling his Montana land for the substantial sum of $7,500. The story develops with considerations about Jerry’s guardianship, his future, and a dramatic negotiation with a railroad representative.
The episode is earnest and heartfelt, blending gentle humor with themes of responsibility, growing up, and practical wisdom. The adult characters offer mentorship and warmth, while Jerry is characterized by innocence, shrewdness, and a can-do attitude.
This installment showcases the wholesome, teachable moments for which Golden Age radio dramas are known, with Jerry learning not just about business but about planning for his future and the importance of trusted guidance along the way.