Jerry of the Circus - Spuds Bad Trick

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Jerry of the Circus – Spuds Bad Trick

Original Broadcast Date: May 17, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of Jerry of the Circus, titled "Spuds Bad Trick," features an entertaining and heartfelt exploration of practical jokes, secrets from the past, and the consequences of mischief amid the day-to-day operations of a traveling circus. The story centers on Jerry and his companions as they concoct a plan to play a ghostly prank on Major Mike—only to learn a valuable lesson about empathy and kindness.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Inheritance Rumors and Major Mike’s Grandfather’s Legacy

• Jerry discusses with Major Mike an exciting development: the Montana Railroad is interested in a plot of land Jerry inherited from his father. (02:33–02:52)

• This leads Major Mike to reminisce about his own family and his infamous grandfather, Gustav "the Miser," a man shrouded in rumors about hidden gold. (03:09–04:05)

  Major Mike: "They called him Gustav the Miser. Everybody thought he was [rich], but he never spent a cent. ... No one knew where he kept his gold." (03:19–04:05)

2. The Prank is Planned

• Jerry and his friends, particularly Mr. Randall and Jake, hatch a plan to spook Major Mike by pretending to be the ghost of Gustav. The timing is perfect, as the Major will be alone in his tent after the show, writing a letter. (05:23–05:52)

  Mr. Randall: "What a setup for a ghost. Now, listen here, Jerry." (05:48–05:50)

  Jake: "We'll do it, and we'll put on an act that he'll never forget." (05:52–06:06)

3. The Ghostly Encounter

• Alone and writing in his tent, Major Mike hears strange noises as Jerry and company impersonate his grandfather’s ghost, urging him to dig up a supposed treasure buried under an elm tree in his hometown. (06:06–09:19)

  Ghost of Gustav: "You remember where the old car tracks ended on Market Street? ... Little did Olaf think I had buried my pot of gold under the old elm tree." (08:17–08:50)

  Grandfather Gustav (voice): "Grandfather. ... Don't leave me yet, Grandfather." (09:35–10:02)

4. Aftermath & Lesson Learned

• Major Mike, shaken and convinced of the visitation, insists he must travel to Parker City to find the gold, despite contractual obligations to remain with the circus. Mr. Randall and others try to reason with him, doubting whether the encounter was real. (10:05–11:19)

  Mr. Randall: "How do you know you could find that tree? ... the city has grown up and the car tracks may have even disappeared by now?" (10:41–10:56)

• Jerry gets called in by Mr. Randall, who has figured out the prank and delivers a gentle but firm lesson about the line between harmless fun and cruelty—highlighting the emotional impact of their joke on Major Mike. Jerry is remorseful and resolves to apologize. (11:33–12:49)

  Mr. Randall: "A practical joke's all right, just as long as it doesn't do anyone any harm. But just a minute. A joke hurts anyone... then it becomes unkind—cruel." (12:31–12:49)

  Jerry: "I'm awful sorry, Mr. Randall, honest I am. I'll go right out and find the Major and tell him I'm sorry." (12:49–12:55)

5. Final Moments: Urgent Letter

• As the episode closes, the focus shifts back to Jerry’s railroad inheritance as Mr. Randall gives him an important telegram to read, underscoring real-world responsibilities awaiting Jerry after his misadventure. (13:01–13:11)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "They called him Gustav the Miser... No one knew where he kept his gold."
  — Major Mike (03:19–04:05)

• "Little did Olaf think I had buried my pot of gold under the old elm tree in the northwest corner."
  — Ghost of Gustav (08:39–08:52)

• "A practical joke's all right, just as long as it doesn't do anyone any harm. But... a joke hurts anyone, well, then it becomes unkind—cruel."
  — Mr. Randall (12:31–12:49)

• "I'm awful sorry, Mr. Randall, honest I am. I'll go right out and find the Major and tell him I'm sorry."
  — Jerry (12:49–12:55)

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Important Timestamps

• 02:33–03:09 – Jerry’s Inheritance and Major Mike’s Family Story
• 05:23–05:52 – The Prank is Hatched
• 06:06–09:19 – The Ghost Scene and Treasure Clue
• 10:05–11:19 – Major Mike’s Conviction and Mr. Randall’s Skepticism
• 11:33–12:49 – Mr. Randall Confronts Jerry, The Moral Lesson
• 13:01–13:11 – Telegram from the Railroad: Back to Real Life

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Tone & Style

Reflecting the wholesome, earnest, and slightly mischievous tone of Golden Age radio dramas, this episode blends gentle humor, suspense, and heartwarming lessons about friendship and accountability. The language retains the innocence and exuberance of early 20th-century family entertainment.

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Takeaway

"Spuds Bad Trick" is both a nostalgic adventure and a gentle morality tale. Through the circus kids’ prank, listeners are reminded of the importance of kindness and the unintended consequences of even the most playful tricks.

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Transcript

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[Mr. Randall]

Jerry of the Circus.

[Jake]

Now for Jerry of the Circus. Hello?

[Jerry]

Hello, Major. Major?

[Major Mike]

Mike. Oh, what is it? Oh, it's. It's you, Jerry. You. You gave me a start, that's what you did.

[Jerry]

I'm sorry. You busy?

[Major Mike]

Of course I'm busy. Can't you see that I'm writing? Yeah.

[Jerry]

I didn't mean to interrupt. I'll come again later.

[Major Mike]

Here, here. Now you. You stay right here. I'm glad to see you, Jerry. What's on your mind?

[Jerry]

Well, things are sure happening to me pretty fast. I might have to go into business.

[Major Mike]

What? You go into business?

[Jerry]

Sure. Why not?

[Major Mike]

Well, what kind of business?

[Jerry]

Well, you see, it's like this. You know that property out in Montana that Dad left me?

[Major Mike]

Yes, I remember hearing about that.

[Jerry]

Well, we got a registered letter from the Montana railroad lines asking about who owned that property and talking about a deal. They seem to be in an awful hurry about finding out about it.

[Major Mike]

Oh, that's splendid, Jerry. I certainly wish some of my relatives had left me something. You're a lucky boy, Jerry.

[Jerry]

I'll say. But didn't you ever have any relatives who might have left you something and you know, that you didn't even know about?

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

No.

[Major Mike]

None of my people ever had any money except Grandpa Gustav, and, well, I guess we'll never know where all his money went.

[Jerry]

Your grandfather?

[Major Mike]

Yes, sir. And let me tell you, Jerry, there never was a tighter man that lived than Grandpa Gustav. They called him Gustav the Miser.

[Jerry]

Was he rich?

[Major Mike]

Everybody thought he was, but he never spent a cent. He didn't have to. He wore the meanest clothes. And when we were children, we never wanted to go and see him because he was so stingy. He never gave us pennies or candy like most grandparents do.

[Jerry]

What did he do with all of his money?

[Major Mike]

That's just it. No one knows. No one ever found out.

[Jerry]

Maybe he wasn't rich after all.

[Major Mike]

Well, yes, he was. He owned lots of property in Parker City just before the town began to grow. And then he sold it all before he died for Cash.

[Jerry]

See, that's something.

[Major Mike]

Yeah, and then he changed it all into gold.

[Jerry]

Jiminy willikers. This is a real mystery.

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

Hey, Mike, is the flag up?

[Jake]

Yes, the flag's up, Jake.

[Jerry]

Jiminy, it's time to eat.

[Major Mike]

And now look here, you got me to talking and I haven't written this letter to common.

[Jerry]

Aw, gee, I'm sorry, Major.

[Major Mike]

Well, never mind, Jerry. I'll come back here to my tender after the show tonight and do it. We're not moving tonight, so there'll be no rush. I can come back here when it's all quiet on this circus lot and really concentrate on this letter without having

[Jerry]

a fella come in and gab and

[Major Mike]

that's all right, Jerry. I'm glad you came. Now, you run along. It'll take me a second or so to get ready, but come and visit me again soon, Jerry.

[Jerry]

Sure thing. Be seeing you, Major.

[Jake]

Hey, Jerry.

[Jerry]

Oh, hello, Mike.

[Jake]

Oh, don't tell me you're hungry.

[Jerry]

No, but, well, there's nothing else to do, so I might as well go along and pass the time.

[Jake]

You don't say. How do you like that, Pete? The boy's a comedian. Yeah.

[Major Mike]

Hey, have.

[Jerry]

Have you seen Speed? He was supposed to be waiting around here.

[Jake]

Who's he?

[Jerry]

He's the new fella who does the race with the horse.

[Jake]

Oh, the guy that can walk faster than we can run.

[Jerry]

Yeah. Wonder where he's got to.

[Ghost of Gustav]

Hey, Jerry, Jerry, not so fast.

[Jerry]

Oh, there he is now. Hey, where are you speaking?

[Jake]

Right behind you.

[Ghost of Gustav]

What's your hurry?

[Jake]

Why, the flag's up. That's always Jerry's hurry.

[Mr. Randall]

Oh, I get it.

[Jake]

Well, Jerry, what'd you pick up?

[Jerry]

I sure played in luck. The Major told me all about his granddad and oh, boy, what a story.

[Mr. Randall]

Good for you, Woody.

[Jerry]

Well, give me time first. But the first thing to do. Well, we might play the joke on him tonight.

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

You think we can?

[Mr. Randall]

I don't see why not.

[Major Mike]

Why?

[Mr. Randall]

Any special reason?

[Jerry]

Well, yeah. He'll be in his tent after the show tonight. He's got an important letter to write, and he's planning to do it after everything's quieted down in the lot.

[Mr. Randall]

What a setup for a ghost. Now, listen here, Jerry.

[Ghost of Gustav]

We'll do it, and we'll put on

[Jake]

an act that he'll never forget.

[Major Mike]

Please come and let me hear news of you and your brothers. My regards to them. And of course, you know how I feel about you. Oh, it's getting chilly now. I better sign this. And that's funny. Sounds like an owl who's there?

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

Who's there?

[Major Mike]

Goodness me. What is that?

[Ghost of Gustav]

Are you mature, Mike?

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

What?

[Ghost of Gustav]

Are you the grandson of Gustav the miser?

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

What?

[Ghost of Gustav]

You can't see me, my grandson. But I can see you.

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

Really? What? What?

[Ghost of Gustav]

You must not be afraid. Now, sit down quietly at your table. Yes, I want to talk to to you. Now be quiet and listen very carefully. I am Gustav. Your old grandfather.

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

Yes, Grandfather.

[Ghost of Gustav]

I have been watching you now for a long, long time.

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

Watching me?

[Ghost of Gustav]

To find out if you were worthy.

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

Worthy?

[Ghost of Gustav]

I was a very wealthy old man when I died, my grandson. But no one could prove it. No, sir. Your old grandfather was foxy. No one knew where he kept his gold.

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

Yes, grandfather.

[Ghost of Gustav]

But now the time has come. Your time has come.

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

My time? You mean I'm gonna die?

[Ghost of Gustav]

Not so fast, my son. Not so fast. No, indeed, you will not die. Yes.

[Jerry]

Oh.

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

But what is it you want to tell me?

[Ghost of Gustav]

In good time. In good time. You remember our hometown?

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

Well, yes, of course I do.

[Ghost of Gustav]

You remember where the old car tracks ended on Market Street?

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

Yes, Grandfather.

[Ghost of Gustav]

At the end of those tracks, there was an empty field belonging to Olaf Svensson.

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

Yes, Grandfather.

[Ghost of Gustav]

Little did Olaf think I had buried my pot of gold under the old elm tree in the northwest corner.

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

The elm tree?

[Ghost of Gustav]

Yes, you remember the one?

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

Yes, yes, of course.

[Ghost of Gustav]

Dig down six feet on the south side of the tree and there you will find.

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

Yes, yes, you will find. Louder. Grandfather.

[Ghost of Gustav]

I can't stay. But I had to tell you because soon it will be too late.

[Major Mike]

Why?

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

What's going to happen?

[Ghost of Gustav]

It will be too late. Tomorrow. You must go tomorrow. The gold will be there.

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

Grandfather. Grandfather. Tell me more. Come back. Come back. Tell me more. Oh, Grandfather, don't leave me yet, Grandfather. And so you see, Mr. Randall, I just had to bother you tonight.

[Major Mike]

And you see why I've got to get away tomorrow.

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

I've got to get to Parker City.

[Mr. Randall]

Well, maybe you're right, but maybe you're wrong, too, Major. You know, we can imagine things.

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

Not me. No, siri, I could hear just as plain. And don't you suppose I know my own grandfather's voice?

[Mr. Randall]

Well, well, yes, yes, but. Oh, now listen, Major, I'm going to be very busy. I've just sent for Jerry.

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

Jerry?

[Mr. Randall]

Yes. I've just had a wire that involves him. And we have to get an answer off tonight. It can't be delayed.

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

Yes, but this trip cannot be delayed either, Mr. Randall.

[Mr. Randall]

You can't leave the circus, Major. I have a contract with you till the end of the season.

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

But I could fly and only miss one day. Only one?

[Mr. Randall]

Now listen, Major, how do you know you could find that tree?

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

Well, I guess I spent my entire childhood there.

[Major Mike]

I guess I know that place as well as major.

[Mr. Randall]

How long since you've been in Parker City?

[Major Mike]

About 20 years.

[Mr. Randall]

Have you stopped to think that the city has grown up and the car tracks may have even disappeared by now?

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

Oh, oh, of course, I forgot. My goodness. But the voice, Mr. Randall.

[Mr. Randall]

You say there was quite a wind blowing and you could hardly hear. You might have been mistaken.

[Major Mike]

I know what I'll do.

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

I'll go to Rosa. She can tell me. This time I'm sure she can tell me.

[Jerry]

Mr. Randall, did you send for me?

[Mr. Randall]

Yes, Jerry. Just a minute.

[Jake]

Sit down.

[Major Mike]

That's the ticket. I'll see Rosa.

[Grandfather Gustav (voice)]

She will be able to help me, I'm sure. Goodbye, Mr. Randall.

[Mr. Randall]

All right, Major.

[Jerry]

Boy, he didn't even see me.

[Mr. Randall]

No. He seems to have other things on his mind, doesn't he, Jerry?

[Jerry]

What kind of things, Mr. Randall?

[Mr. Randall]

Jerry, do you know anything about a voice that the Major might have heard in his tent? Well, gee, Willis, Jerry, think twice before you answer that one.

[Jerry]

Yeah, I guess I do, Mr. Randall. But gee, Speed and I. Oh, gee, I. I told on Speed.

[Mr. Randall]

That's all right. I'll have a talk with Speed later. But as far as you're concerned, Jerry, I'm a little surprised. Yeah, quite a bit surprised that you take advantage of any and peculiarity of a fellow performer while the Major has his whims and fancies, son, just as I have. Maybe you have a few yourself.

[Jerry]

Well, I suppose I have. I don't know of any, but.

[Mr. Randall]

All right then. Suppose Major might hid Rags overnight in one of the wagons or cages and made you think he'd seen Rags running after some strange man off the lot. What would you do?

[Jerry]

Gee, gosh, I'd just about go crazy, I guess.

[Mr. Randall]

You bet you would. Well, rags is one of your whims, isn't he?

[Jerry]

Sure. Yeah, he is.

[Mr. Randall]

And that's the way the Major thought about this so called ghost that you and Speed cooked up. A practical joke, Jerry, A practical joke's all right, just as long as it doesn't do anyone any harm. But just a minute. A joke hurts anyone. Well, then it becomes unkind. Cruel.

[Jerry]

I'm awful sorry, Mr. Randall, honest I am. I'll go right out and find the Major and tell him I'm sorry.

[Mr. Randall]

Atta boy. And then we won't say anything more about it. Oh, but before you go, we've got something quite important to do.

[Jerry]

What say you haven't heard yet from the MO Railroad.

[Mr. Randall]

That's just what I have. The wire came an hour ago. We have to send a night letter off tonight so it'll reach them in the morning.

[Jerry]

Oh gee.

[Mr. Randall]

All right, here's the wire. I'll let you read it yourself.

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