Jerry of the Circus - Strawberry Rash

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode Title: Jerry of the Circus – Strawberry Rash
Date: May 22, 2026
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Main Characters: Jerry, Colonel Alger, Doc Williams, Whitey, Nicholas, Mr. Randall
Golden Age Radio Feature: Re-broadcast of Jerry of the Circus: Strawberry Rash

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Episode Overview

This “Harold’s Old Time Radio” episode features an installment of Jerry of the Circus, a classic radio drama from the 1930s. In this episode, Jerry shares with Colonel Alger and others how a sudden red rash outbreak within the circus troupe causes a rush of panic, leading everyone to believe they have contracted measles. What unfolds is a wholesome and humorous investigation that reveals the culprit: a seasonal reaction to the year’s first strawberries. The rest of the episode is filled with warm, anecdotal storytelling about circus life and exciting new opportunities for Jerry.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Rash Scare: Measles or Strawberries?

(02:10 – 04:32)

• Jerry explains to Colonel Alger the recent circus drama, where everyone was suddenly afflicted with a red rash, prompting fear of a measles outbreak:
  • “Almost everybody in the circus broke out with a red rash. And it looked for sure like they all caught the measles from you.” – Jerry (02:34)
• Dr. Williams orders a full examination but finds that nobody has a fever, casting doubt on the measles theory.
• Jerry delivers the twist:
  • The cause was strawberries: “Sometimes strawberries makes folks break out with a sort of rash. Especially the first time they eat them each year.” – Jerry (03:58)
• Col. Alger’s Relief and Humor:
  • “Well, now, that is a good one. Yeah, I’ll bet old Doc Williams was plenty worried at first.” – Col. Alger (04:15)

2. Life and Lessons in the Circus

(04:38 – 10:15)

• With the “strawberry rash” affair settled, Jerry asks Colonel Alger for a story:
  • “Well, will you tell me one?” – Jerry (04:51)
• Col. Alger’s Story:
  • Recounts his past as a ticket seller, introducing Mark, the absent-minded hustler.
    • Mark is notorious for forgetting equipment, leading to a stern warning from the boss (salary deductions for anything left behind).
  • The “saddle incident”: Mark forgets an expensive saddle; deductions are made from his wages, perhaps excessively.
  • Memorable hustle: Mark engineers a clever payback:
    • After a valuable horse goes missing during a storm, Mark secretly hides the horse, waits for a reward to be posted, and then “finds” and returns the horse for cash.
    • “He deliberately led that horse out...Made a deal with the farmer to keep the horse for him...Then Mark came back...with the missing horse and he got the reward money, huh?” – Jerry (08:37–09:04)
  • Col. Alger reflects on Mark’s savvy, and Jerry marvels at the story’s twist.

3. New Assignments & Meeting the Rusoff Troop

(10:50 – 13:18)

• Whitey’s Special Task:
  • Assigns Jerry to help the famous Cossack horsemen—the Rusoff Troop—for their appearance at the Fordham Fair.
    • “Well, they asked me if they could have a couple of men to go out with them to help with the horses...I figured you’d be just as good as any of the hustlers.” – Whitey (11:09)
• Meeting Nicholas of the Rusoff Troop:
  • Nicholas expresses concern over Jerry’s youth but is reassured of his capabilities.
  • Jerry and his friend Tom are selected as helpers, with Tom's horse expertise noted:
    • “He understands all about horses.” – Jerry (12:24)
    • “He’s a good boy, Nick. Yes, sir. Rides a horse like an old hand.” – Whitey (12:32)
• Excitement for Tomorrow:
  • Mr. Randall announces that the Rusoff Troop can practice at the fairgrounds, and Jerry is excited about the big horse race.
    • “Now you’ll get to see a wonderful show out there and a big horse race too. And that’s going to be some horse race really worthwhile seeing.” – Mr. Randall (13:12)
    • “Golly, I can hardly wait until we get to Fordham.” – Jerry (13:18)

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the Strawberry Rash:
  • “It turned out to be a joke...We had strawberries for breakfast this morning, the first ones this year...that’s all it was.” – Jerry (02:51 – 04:08)
• Col. Alger’s humor:
  • “Had been awful if the whole show took down with the measles.” – Col. Alger (04:15)
• The Mark Hustle Story:
  • “He deliberately led that horse out...and made a deal with the farmer...Then Mark came back...and he got the reward money, huh?” – Jerry (08:37 – 09:04)
• Jerry’s Excitement About His Assignment:
  • “That’ll be keen...I mean, that’ll be nice, nice.” – Jerry (12:10–12:11)
• Anticipating the fair:
  • “Now you’ll get to see a wonderful show out there and a big horse race too.” – Mr. Randall (13:12)

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Notable Characters & Relationships

• Jerry: The eager, young protagonist, curious and energetic.
• Colonel Alger: A seasoned circus veteran, full of stories and life lessons, affectionate toward Jerry.
• Whitey: The competent and trusted circus hand, quick to assign responsibility to Jerry.
• Nicholas (Rusoff Troop): The Cossack performer, at first skeptical, but accepts Jerry and Tom as helpers.
• Mr. Randall: The manager type, delivers exciting news about the circus’s next engagement.

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Episode Timeline & Timestamps

• 02:10 – Jerry explains the rash scare to Colonel Alger.
• 03:58 – The mystery is solved: It’s the strawberries.
• 05:08 – 09:16 – Colonel Alger shares Mark’s revenge story.
• 11:04 – Jerry is assigned to aid the Rusoff Troop.
• 12:24 – Tom is selected as a helper.
• 13:06 – Mr. Randall delivers news about the fair.
• 13:18 – Jerry expresses excitement about Fordham and the big race.

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Tone & Style

The episode is delivered in a gentle, nostalgic tone, brimming with warmth, playful humor, and camaraderie. The language is simple, evocative of old-time radio’s family-friendly charm, with affectionate banter and vivid storytelling that evokes the tight-knit community and adventure of circus life.

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Summary

This episode of Jerry of the Circus brings listeners a classic, slice-of-life circus tale rooted in innocence, humor, and resourcefulness. The much-feared measles outbreak is dispelled as a harmless strawberry rash, and the day ends with stories of clever circus folk and exciting prospects. Fans of wholesome storytelling and radio nostalgia will find plenty to enjoy in this warm, engaging episode, complete with memorable characters and a timeless setting.

Transcript

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[Jerry]

Colonel Alger, It's Jerry. Can I come in?

[Colonel Alger]

Oh, yes, Jerry, come in. Come right in.

[Jerry]

I'm sorry I couldn't get over any sooner, but I've been awful busy.

[Colonel Alger]

Yeah, well, don't let that worry you, Jerry. I said yes, don't let that worry you.

[Jerry]

Doc Williams had everybody line up for an examination over at the hospital top.

[Colonel Alger]

An examination? Examinate? What for?

[Jerry]

Well, it looked for a while that it was all your fault.

[Colonel Alger]

My fault? What are you talking about, Jerry?

[Jerry]

Well, almost everybody in the circus broke out with a red rash. And it looked for sure like they all caught the measles from you.

[Colonel Alger]

Now, don't fool me, Jerry. I wouldn't want to be blamed for all my good friends taking sick.

[Jerry]

Well, it looked that way.

[Colonel Alger]

What do you mean it looked? What's the truth of it all? Come, come, come on now, out with it. This is serious.

[Jerry]

Well, it was for a while, but all okay now. You see, it turned out to be a joke. I'll tell you all about it right from the start.

[Colonel Alger]

A joke? A joke? Yeah. What do you mean, a joke?

[Jerry]

Well, first one of the Carlton boys got a rash on his arm and then somebody else got it. And pretty soon everybody was looking themselves over to see if they had it.

[Colonel Alger]

Yes, yes, yes, yes.

[Jerry]

Well, Mr. Murray had a lot of red places on his neck and seems he went right over to Dr. Williams and told him how almost everybody in the circus was catching something.

[Colonel Alger]

All right and. I see, I see, but go ahead, go ahead, Jerry.

[Jerry]

Well, Dr. Williams figured right away that it was a measles, that somebody got them from you and was spreading them around to the rest.

[Colonel Alger]

Yes, well, that's a sensible thing to think after all. So what happened?

[Jerry]

Well, Dr. Williams just gave the orders to have everybody line up and get an examination.

[Colonel Alger]

Yeah? What did he find?

[Jerry]

Well, he found that some of the folks had the red spots on them, but he also found that not one of them had a fever.

[Colonel Alger]

Yeah, of course, the fever always goes to the Measles.

[Jerry]

So he tried to figure out what the trouble was.

[Colonel Alger]

Yes, and what did he find?

[Jerry]

Well, you see, we had strawberries for breakfast this morning, the first ones this year.

[Colonel Alger]

Strawberries?

[Jerry]

Yes, well, that's what it was.

[Colonel Alger]

What do you mean, Jerry?

[Jerry]

Sometimes strawberries makes folks break out with a sort of rash. Especially the first time they eat them each year.

[Colonel Alger]

Yeah, that's right. Yes, yes, yes, Strawberries, rash. Yes, yes, I've heard some of that myself.

[Jerry]

So? Well, that's all it was. We had our first strawberries this morning for breakfast and a lot of the folks got a little rash.

[Colonel Alger]

Well, now, that is a good one. Yeah, I'll bet old Doc Williams was plenty worried at first. Yes, had been awful if the whole show took down with the measles.

[Jerry]

And it would have been your fault for not going to the hospital like Mr. Randall wanted you to say.

[Colonel Alger]

I'd have been in a pretty bad fix all right. Yes. Mighty good thing it turned out like it.

[Jerry]

Did I say so.

[Colonel Alger]

Yeah. Well, now that that's over with, what else? You know, Jerry?

[Jerry]

Well, I've got some time to spare, Colonel Alger.

[Colonel Alger]

Time to spare. You have, huh? Well.

[Jerry]

Well, you know what I mean. How about a story?

[Colonel Alger]

Oh, yes, story. I knew that was coming.

[Jerry]

Well, will you tell me one?

[Colonel Alger]

Yes, you bet I will. As a matter of fact, I've been saving one for you. Yes, happened to think of it early this morning. Yes, very amusing little story. Yes, I thought to myself at the time. Now there's a story that Jerry would enjoy hearing.

[Jerry]

Okay, then, let's hear it.

[Colonel Alger]

Well, sir, as I recall, it was about 35 years ago. Yeah, just I was with a small outfit that just traveled through the three or four states. My job at that time with the circus was the position of a ticket seller.

[Jerry]

You sure had a lot of different jobs, haven't you?

[Colonel Alger]

Yes, yes, I have, Jerry. Yes, I think I've held down every job there is around the circus.

[Jerry]

But you never wanted to become a performer, did you?

[Colonel Alger]

No, no, no, I can't say that I have. I can't say that I have, Jerry.

[Jerry]

Well, go ahead with the story, will you?

[Colonel Alger]

Ah, the story. Oh, yes, yes, yes. Where was I?

[Jerry]

You said you were a ticket seller with a small circus about 35 years ago.

[Colonel Alger]

Yes, yes, that'35 years ago. Well, there was a hustler with the outfit named Mark. He's been with the circus for several years. Sure knew his horses, too. But he had one failing.

[Jerry]

What was that?

[Colonel Alger]

He was absent minded, Jerry. Yes, absent minded. Kept forgetting about things all the time? Yes. Got all sorts of things on getaway night.

[Jerry]

Oh, what, for instance?

[Colonel Alger]

Well, once he left several blankets behind. Then another time he forgot a whole box of. Of trappings.

[Jerry]

Can you imagine that?

[Colonel Alger]

Yes, imagine it. Just carelessness, I guess. Carelessness must have been. But the boss of the show called him on it one time and told him that anything that was left behind or that he forgot would come out of his salary.

[Jerry]

That way he'd have to pay for his own mistakes, huh?

[Colonel Alger]

Exactly. Yes. Well, after Mark heard that, he was pretty careful. Yes, yes, he was. Very careful, in fact. But one night we were late getting off a slow lot, a lot of excitement.

[Jerry]

What happened?

[Colonel Alger]

Well, sir, old Mark in his hurry forgot a beautiful saddle.

[Jerry]

Oh, Jiminy.

[Colonel Alger]

Yes, yes, it was a beautiful saddle. I mean just that I do believe that saddle was worth a lot of money.

[Jerry]

Well, what did they do to Mark?

[Colonel Alger]

Well, they took quite a bit of money out of his page. Payday until the saddle was paid for.

[Jerry]

And then what happened?

[Colonel Alger]

Well, sir, Mark figured that they took too much of his pay. Didn't think that the saddle was worth as much as they said it was.

[Jerry]

Yeah, but it was, wasn't it?

[Colonel Alger]

Well, I don't know, Jerry. Maybe the boss did get a little more of Mark's pay than he was rightfully entitled to. But old Mark got even with him all right. Yes, sir. He got even. Yes. What did he do? Oh, nothing right away. But a couple of months later there was a pretty bad storm and lots of lightning. Thunder. There was a regular stampede and a horse stop. And a few of the very best horses got away during the height of the storm.

[Jerry]

Golly, that's bad. Did they find them again?

[Colonel Alger]

Yes, yes, they did, Jerry. They got all the horses back but one. And that was the most valuable of all. I can still remember him. Fine high school horses you've ever seen.

[Jerry]

Well, what happened to him?

[Colonel Alger]

Had to quiet for a minute. Here, I'm coming to that. Everyone connected with the circus went out looking for that horse. They looked everywhere. They couldn't find him. Just seemed as though he disappeared into thin air. Circus had to go on to the next town. And I couldn't just stand still and look for one horse. So the owner of the show posted the the $200 reward for the return of the horse that had been lost.

[Jerry]

Yes. And then what?

[Colonel Alger]

Well, Jerry, old Mark knew right well that the boss would do just that.

[Jerry]

You mean put up a two hundred dollar reward for that horse?

[Colonel Alger]

Exactly. Yes. Yes. So he stayed on in the town and told the boss of the circus, that he wanted to stay there a few days and look for the horse and try and get the reward.

[Jerry]

And did he stay there and look for him? I mean, the horse?

[Colonel Alger]

Yes, he did, Jerry. He stayed right in that town for several days. Yes, yes, but he didn't look for the horse.

[Jerry]

Oh, why not? I thought he wanted to get the $200 reward.

[Colonel Alger]

He didn't look for the horse because he knew all the time just where the animal was.

[Jerry]

What do you mean?

[Colonel Alger]

Well, sir, that night in the storm, he deliberately led that horse out of the horse top and took him about a mile from where the circus was set up. Took him to some farm just off the road, Made a deal with the farmer to keep the horse for him. I don't know what kind of a story he told the farmer, but whatever it was, it worked.

[Jerry]

Well, I never heard of anything like that before.

[Colonel Alger]

Then Mark came back to the circus about the fourth day after we'd left that town, and he had the missing horse with him.

[Jerry]

And he got the reward money, huh?

[Colonel Alger]

You bet he did. Yes. Yes, he did.

[Jerry]

Not even with the boss for taking more money out of his pay than he was supposed to, huh?

[Colonel Alger]

Yes, that's it, all right. Yep. Yep. Old Mark figured he put across a good one.

[Jerry]

Didn't the owner of the circus ever find out about it?

[Colonel Alger]

No, I don't think so, Jane. I don't think he did. Old Mark told me that story himself and made me promise that I wouldn't tell anybody in the show.

[Jerry]

And you didn't, huh?

[Colonel Alger]

No. No, I didn't. No. No, I didn't. But I guess it's all right to tell you after all these years, 35 years. You won't go to the owner of that show and tell on old Mark, will you?

[Jerry]

Oh, of course not. I don't even know what show it was or anything about it.

[Colonel Alger]

Well, it's all right then, see?

[Jerry]

How about another one?

[Colonel Alger]

Another one? Oh, let's see. Another story. Say, how would you like an apple, Jerry?

[Jerry]

I'd like one.

[Colonel Alger]

Good, good. Then you'll find a bag of them on that trunk there. Help yourself and bring me one, please.

[Jerry]

This bag here?

[Colonel Alger]

Yes, that's it. Pick out a couple of good ones.

[Jerry]

Here you are. One for you and one for me. Now, have you thought of another story?

[Colonel Alger]

Another story? Oh, I guess I told you the one about the ostrich feathers, didn't I?

[Jerry]

No, I don't think you did. What was it about, Jerry?

[Colonel Alger]

You in there with Colonel Algeria? Someone calling you Jerry? You better see how it is.

[Jerry]

Okay. You want me?

[Colonel Alger]

No, but Whitey does. He asked me to tell you to come right over to the horse top. He's got some work for you.

[Jerry]

Okay, I'll go right over there. And thanks for telling me.

[Colonel Alger]

Okay, Jerry.

[Jerry]

Well, I guess I'd better go right over the horse top. Whitey wants me for something.

[Colonel Alger]

It's all right, Jerry. Run along. Run along. That story you'll keep for another time.

[Jerry]

You got everything you need?

[Colonel Alger]

Yes, I think so, Jerry. Besides, Tom will be coming along pretty soon now. Yeah. Yeah, you go right ahead.

[Jerry]

Okay, then I'll see you when I get through.

[Colonel Alger]

Yeah. All right, Jerry. All right.

[Jerry]

Whitey. Whitey.

[Whitey]

Back here, Jerry. Come on in.

[Jerry]

Did you send for me?

[Whitey]

Yeah, but I didn't think you'd get here so fast.

[Jerry]

I hurried right over the minute I got your message.

[Whitey]

Yeah? Well, I've got a special job for you, Jerry, and I think you're going to like it.

[Jerry]

Yeah? What is it?

[Whitey]

You knew the Cossacks, the Rusoff troop, were going out to the fair when we get to Fordham tomorrow.

[Jerry]

Yeah.

[Whitey]

Well, they asked me if they could have a couple of men to go out with them to help with the horses.

[Jerry]

And you're gonna let me go?

[Whitey]

Yep. That's the way it stands, Jerry. I figured you'd be just as good as any of the hustlers. And they won't need much help. Just someone there to hand them things and maybe hold their horses between their turns.

[Jerry]

Aw, gee, thanks, Whitey.

[Whitey]

Oh, here comes one of them now. Looks like Boris. That you, Boris?

[Colonel Alger]

No, it's Nicholas.

[Whitey]

Oh, good. Come on back here, Nicholas.

[Jerry]

Golly, he's a big man.

[Whitey]

Sure is, Jerry.

[Nicholas]

I forgot to tell you, Whitey. We should get someone to help us with his saddles, too. I mean to clean them in polished silver. That would be good.

[Whitey]

I've got your man right here now. Nick, meet Jerry.

[Nicholas]

I'm happy to meet you.

[Jerry]

I'm glad to meet you, too.

[Nicholas]

Now, where is the man? You've got to help us?

[Whitey]

This is your man right here, Jerry.

[Nicholas]

Oh, he's a very small man, but I think he will do.

[Whitey]

He's a good worker.

[Nicholas]

Nick, you can polish silver trimmings on saddles?

[Jerry]

Oh, sure.

[Whitey]

Well, he can do anything you want, Nick. Really. And do a good job, too. Good.

[Nicholas]

And you will come with me now and meet my brothers tomorrow when we go to the fairgrounds. You come with us to help.

[Jerry]

That'll be keen.

[Nicholas]

What'd you say?

[Jerry]

I said that'll be swell. I mean, that'll be Nice, nice.

[Colonel Alger]

Good.

[Nicholas]

Yes, I will be. Good. Now, Whitey, where is another helper? I need more than Jerry. I need two helpers.

[Whitey]

I'll get you another one.

[Jerry]

Hey, how about Tom? Can't he be the other helper?

[Whitey]

Oh, let's see now.

[Jerry]

Please, Whitey, he understands all about horses.

[Nicholas]

Who is this Tom?

[Jerry]

Oh, you know him. He waits on your table in the messtop.

[Nicholas]

Another boy helper.

[Whitey]

He's a good boy, Nick. Yes, sir. Rides a horse like an old hand.

[Nicholas]

All right, so he can be the other one. You send him to.

[Whitey]

I will, Nick. I'll see that he reports to you.

[Nicholas]

You are ready to come with me now?

[Jerry]

Oh, sure. I don't have anything to do till showdown.

[Whitey]

Are you in there? Yeah, Mr. Randall. Come on back. Better wait a minute and see what the boss has on his mind. Well, I'm in luck. I was looking for you.

[Nicholas]

Nicholas, I am here.

[Jerry]

Hello, Mr. Randall.

[Whitey]

Hello, Jerry. Listen, Nick, I just received a telegram from the county Fair association that says that the Rusoff Trip troop can go into the fairgrounds the first thing in the morning. We get into Fordham tomorrow, you know the track will be at your disposal and you can practice and get your setup.

[Nicholas]

That is good. The Rusoff troop will be there.

[Whitey]

I just assigned Jerry and his friend Tom to assist the Rusoffs, Mr. Randall. Well, good boy, Jerry. Now you'll get to see a wonderful show out there and a big horse race too. And that's going to be some horse race really worthwhile seeing.

[Jerry]

Golly, I can hardly wait until we get to Fordham.

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[Colonel Alger]

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[Whitey]

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[Jerry]

Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy. Hey, everyone, check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

[Whitey]

Oh, no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together.

[Jerry]

We're married.

[Colonel Alger]

Me to a human, him to a bird. Yeah, the bird looks out of your league. Anyways, get a quote at libertymutual.

[Whitey]

Com or with your local agent.

[Colonel Alger]

Liberty, Liberty, Liberty, Liberty.