Retro Radio Podcast

A study in American manners. Our two French travelers remark on the value that equality holds. Particularly that any woman can expect to travel anywhere, and be greeted with respect by everyone. The relationship between servant and their master is more loose and casual than the aristocrats are used to. American ladies are remarkable as being guardians of morality. Fresh, natural, are there any drawbacks to American society?

Things move at remarkable speed, and nobody has time to set down roots in a place. Flaws in equality means a rich man doesn’t have to sacrifice his money when rubbing elbows with the lower classes, only his pride.

Americans seem to love equality, love of wealth, and being indebted to treatment of women. Not for who they are, but just that they are women. An irksome habit, but men wouldn’t have it any other way. Women’s attitudes lean to the point of being glacial and egotistical.

What about the formal education of young ladies? From age 5 to 18, girls learn music, charm, and about anything but math or science… unless they’re the tall girls. How do men see the differences in male and female social standing? Wealth is the apparent aristocracy in America, and gossiping women do what they can to move in those circles. Racial equality is touted, but our visitors begin to notice it isn’t put into practice.

In social venues, where talent is below European standard, conversation during the performance is the norm. On the other hand, outside the circle of high society, the middle class entertainment runs to more professional performance.

class, culture, and morality differences are noted, yet men and women are considered equal.

Lum counts up the cash on hand to see if its enough to cover the legal fees. Squire has covered the expense to retain lawyers to fight for the baby’s claim to a gold mine. In the store, Abner is confused over the way that Cedric got elected as president of the gold mine, thwarting Lum’s intentions. Maybe they can sell their old delivery truck they had when they had the bakery business a few months back. Is it worth $500?

Making a phone call, Lum may have an offer on the old truck that is currently held in a repair shop. Mousey Gray pops in to place an order to outfit himself for a new job. President Cedric has hired him to do some mining.

Good news comes for Lum. His old truck has sold, and its enough to pay the lawyer, and even a consignment to the repair shop for selling it. Who is the happy owner of the truck? Squire is sent a check, and there’s no obligation with him.

Or: Spanish Gold.

A treasure hunt intrigues Shannon and Saylor, even though King Moses suggests it’s bogus. Regardless, it should be a fun job… right? Or is there danger lurking with the man who hired them? A party of gunmen await them on the island as they tie up to the small pier. Life on the island has been boring for Lucy, the young wife of Mr Brian, the old man who owns the island, and the treasure that’s on it. Will the introduction of the two thugs bring death… and to who?

After a thump on the head, Slate wakes up to find the Bold Venture is gone. Saylor is forced to sail to the treasure, while a hurricane threatens the other side of the island. Can Slate get the rest to protection before the hurricane hits?

Meanwhile, Saylor has her own way of playing the thugs against each other.

Fighting against forces of nature has a way of changing attitudes in Lucy. It could be too late to make amends though. A confrontation proves loyalties, and makes for a reunion between Slate and Saylor. What about that treasure, what happens to it? Maybe Sailor will get lucky, and get a little romance out of the crusty Slate?

Audio is very good. Much better than previous installments.

Playlist:

* With Kirt Massey, The Sisters sing, Atchinson, Topeka, and Santa Fe.

* The Sisters sing the latest in the Rhythm and Romance department, Did You Ever

Get that Feeling In The Moonlight.

* Kirt Massey sings, I’ll Buy that Dream.

* Actress, Jane Cowell is honored with an award from the sponsor. She shows off her skills by a short dramatic presentation. Hmm… the acting is top notch, but the writing might be better, but that’s my opinion.

* The Sisters sing, Down in the Valley.

* Kirt Massey and Patty Andrews put on a musical melodrama as they sing, Honeymoon Lane.

* Kirt is joined by all the Andrews Sisters to sing, Night and Day. a

The gents are determined to fight for the gold mine that rightfully belongs to their foundling baby. Amid taking orders for deliveries, Lum tells Abner why he ought to be the self appointed president of the gold mine. Abner knows the baby can’t run the mine, but he feels the office should be voted on fair and square. Cedric enters, and just may be the disinterested party they need to settle the dispute over the presidency.

Abner is nervous, and jumpy as a rabbit’s nose, as the secret ballots are cast. Of course, with Cedric involved, the ballots need to be recast more than once. Who will win? Lum, Abner, Little Charlie, or….. huh?

Squire enters with word from his lawyer. An uphill battle with the sister who already has a firm claim to the gold mine is in their future. Squire is ready and willing to go forward with the matter. How did that election come out?

After the announcer reminds the kiddies of 1935 dow to get their special birthstone ring, just like Annie’s, we revisit Mr Kasslin and Jake. Annie and Joe are called upon to run the store while Jake goes away to see a doctor.

It’s a big responsibility, and Annie faces the challenge with Joe at her side. Jake agrees to pay his little helpers for their efforts, and he’ll give them some training right away.

The weakened Jake arranges with Mr Kasslin about his advertising bill, and takes the advice to get some rest. He can trust Annie. What will Ma and Pa Shiloh say about Annie’s new job?

The baby left in the care of Lum and Abner turns out to not be a king, as they supposed. Instead, he’s an heir to a gold mine, somewhere in South Dakota. Today, we find the gents making plans to do some gold mining. Lum studies up on geology, and tips on prospecting.

Abner doesn’t see why they have to wait for getting a gallon of gold, but Squire needs to wait on word from his lawyers. There could still be an aunt, or other relatives who lay claim to the riches. The daydreams of gold, and even bringing a pint of gold back for little Pearl continue. With all the mining business going on in their heads, will there be anybody to run the Jot ‘Em Down store?

Lizabeth phones in to say how the little gold heir is causing trouble in her flower beds. Meanwhile the gents turn to talk of investing little Charlie Abner’s… er… little Lum’s…. you know, the baby’s gold income into war bonds. Abner gets confused, and phones home to tell Lizabeth to let the boy run loose in the flower beds.

From an unknown appearance, George and Gracie talk about riddles. Gracie tries her hand at puzzling questions.

How is her brother? Gracie doesn’t give the wrong answer, George asked the wrong question.

Though Squire had tried to help identify the baby by sending a copy of the coat of arms insignia to a genealogy bureau, Lum and Abner are upset over the intrusion. We find them in the Jot ‘Em Down store discussing the royal background they have imagined for the baby left in their care. Will their efforts go rewarded in helping the baby get the king job?

Word comes from the Salisbury genealogical agency, and Squire shares what the crest may mean.

The family history may not tie into royalty, but it leads to a family of the founding 13 colonies, and the Worthington family.

The boy is connected to a family gold mine. Few remaining family members can be found, other than the Guthries from Kansas City.

Is there danger in store for the boy? Will Squire want to get his finger into a possibility of a gold mine?

A study in American character. Our two traveling French aristocrats enjoy the wildlife in the forrest, a frontier, ready for the taking. They describe the cabin of a pioneer who had taken them in. . Despite the humble cabin, it held the cell of civilization. They listened to what was told them about the frontier, but also kept their eyes open to form their own observations.

Pretending to take interest in settling in Michigan, our Frenchmen get advice from a rough looking frontiersman. For the matter of about $200, and the desire to clear trees, land can be had for the sweat and labor a man wants to put into it. Cleared land becomes prime farmland for cash crops. The concept is reversed from the European idea that land is precious, and labor is cheap. More description of life in rude cabins, but filled with all the artifacts of civilized life. Even the occupants talk and are dressed like those in the city, not as a peasant. as supposed.

Traveling on to Buffalo, New York, more westward pioneers are encountered. Valuable ideas are exchanged as the Frenchmen continue to pretend interest in the lands of Michigan. Untamed forrest, and the realization that to take them means to displace the native indians. Compared to the atrocities of the Spanish, the Americans seem to live in near tranquility with the natives.

Pioneers talk about the lottery for tracts of land. New towns spring up that are little more than a few shacks, built on the edge of a seamp. Life isn’t without its loneliness, and sacrifice, giving up life in the city for the remote wilderness. The frontier is also the place where men can go who can’t fit in to the law and order of the East. Brave the West, and find your own way.