Mister Ron's Basement II
Exploring the Universe of Public Domain Humor, featuring the greatest writers in the world, seven days a week! Indexed at http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html
Sat, Feb 28 2009

Mister Ron's Basement #1302

Our Saturday Night Special is Part One of a Three Part tale by Mark Twain -- one of his funniest stories ever -- 'The Stolen White Elephant.' Don't miss this!

Time: approx eighteen minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

The Mark Twain Catalog of Stories is at:

http://ronevry.com/Twain.html

The Mark Twain Connecticut Yankee Novel Index of Stories is at:

http://ronevry.com/Connecticut.html

Direct download: revry-2009-02-28.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:13am EDT

Fri, Feb 27 2009

Mister Ron's Basement #1301

Robert J. Burdette was enamored of gentle, humorous observations of life. This week, we have been reading from his 1879 collection, 'Innach Garden.'

Today's tale has our narrator visiting barbers in different cities to get shaves, and winding up 'Getting My Hair Trimmed.' It's a truly fun story.

Time: approx nine and a half minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

The Robert J. Burdette Catalog of Stories is at:

http://ronevry.com/burdette.html

Direct download: revry-2009-02-27.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:11am EDT

Thu, Feb 26 2009

Mister Ron's Basement #1300

Welcome to the 1300th Episode of Mister Ron's Basement!

We've been doing these almost every day for nearly four years now, and we have lots more fun stuff planned for you in the future!

Meanwhile, to celebrate this milestone Episode, we are presenting one of the funniest stories ever. It's by Robert J. Burdette, and it comes from his 1912 book 'Old Time, Young Tom.'

This tale simply builds and builds -- it is entitled 'The Relief of the Slamrack.'

Your comments are, as always, most welcome.

Time: approx seventeen minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

The Robert J. Burdette Catalog of Stories is at:

http://ronevry.com/burdette.html

Direct download: revry-2009-02-26.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:07am EDT

Wed, Feb 25 2009

Mister Ron's Basement #1299

Robert J. Burdette was enamored of gentle, humorous observations of life. This week, we are reading from his 1879 collection, 'Innach Garden.'

How can you tell when Good Times have returned? Find out today in 'Fiat Money.'

Time: approx three and a half minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

The Robert J. Burdette Catalog of Stories is at:

http://ronevry.com/burdette.html

Direct download: revry-2009-02-25.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:05am EDT

Tue, Feb 24 2009

Mister Ron's Basement #1298

Robert J. Burdette was enamored of gentle, humorous observations of life. This week, we will be reading from his 1879 collection, 'Innach Garden.'

Today we hear about a comic newspaper writer and his typesetter -- It is called 'The Compositor Fiend,' and it is very funny when you listen carefully...

Time: approx four and a half minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

The Robert J. Burdette Catalog of Stories is at:

http://ronevry.com/burdette.html

Direct download: revry-2009-02-24.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:03am EDT

Mon, Feb 23 2009

Mister Ron's Basement #1297

SUNDAY SALAD offers only ONE Stanley Huntley this week, as Mister Ron attempts to heal a sore throat (expect more pops and snaps than usual as the mic gain had to be turned WAY up).

From 1881, we offer a tale of members of the Medical Profession offering a variety of opinions in 'A Question of Tests.'

Time: approx four minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

The Stanley Huntley and Spoopendyke Catalog of Stories is at:

http://ronevry.com/Spoopendyke_Stories.html

Direct download: revry-2009-02-23.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:01am EDT

Sat, Feb 21 2009

Mister Ron's Basement #1296

Tonight's SPECIAL story belatedly celebrates Charles Darwin's 200th Birthday from earlier this month, with an 1877 tale of natural selection by W. L. Alden, called 'A New Point for Darwinians.'

Time: approx eight minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

The W. L. Alden Catalog of Stories is at:

http://ronevry.com/alden.html

Direct download: revry-2009-02-21.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:58pm EDT

Fri, Feb 20 2009

Mister Ron's Basement #1295

In 1908, Grenville Kleiser edited a wonderful collection called 'Humorous Hits - And - How to Hold an Audience' featuring fun pieces by assorted authors. This week we have been reading some of them.

Today's Anonymously written tale skirts the borders of good taste -- but we're reading it anyway, because it is sort of clever -- it's called 'The Crooked Mouth Family.'

Time: approx five minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

Direct download: revry-2009-02-20.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:56am EDT

Thu, Feb 19 2009

Mister Ron's Basement #1294

In 1908, Grenville Kleiser edited a wonderful collection called 'Humorous Hits - And - How to Hold an Audience' featuring fun pieces by assorted authors. This week we are reading some of them.

Today's tale is by an anonymous author -- it concerns a misinformed minister and a bereaved housewife -- 'A Big Mistake.'

Time: approx five minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

Direct download: revry-2009-02-19a.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:54pm EDT

Thu, Feb 19 2009

Mister Ron's Basement #1293

In 1908, Grenville Kleiser edited a wonderful collection called 'Humorous Hits - And - How to Hold an Audience' featuring fun pieces by assorted authors. This week we are reading some of them.

Morris Wade was a popular turn-of-the-century poet and writer. In today's piece, we visit some highly cultured ladies 'At Five O'Clock Tea.'

Time: approx five and a half minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

Direct download: revry-2009-02-19.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:52am EDT

Wed, Feb 18 2009

Mister Ron's Basement #1292

In 1908, Grenville Kleiser edited a wonderful collection called 'Humorous Hits - And - How to Hold an Audience' featuring fun pieces by assorted authors. This week we will be reading some of them.

Today's short story from Robert J. Burdette is an absolute scream -- it is called 'A Twilight Idyl.' It originally appeared in Burdette's 'Innach Garden, and Other Comic Sketches' published in 1879.

Time: approx six and a half minutes

Time: approx five and a half minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

The Robert J. Burdette Catalog of Stories is at:

http://ronevry.com/burdette.html

Direct download: revry-2009-02-18.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:48am EDT

Tue, Feb 17 2009

Mister Ron's Basement #1291

For Mark Twain Monday, we present Chapter Thirty-One of 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court' from 1889 -- where the Boss spends money all over town -- 'Marco.'

Time: approx sixteen minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

The Mark Twain Catalog of Stories is at:

http://ronevry.com/Twain.html

The Mark Twain Connecticut Yankee Novel Index of Stories is at:

http://ronevry.com/Connecticut.html

Direct download: revry-2009-02-17.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:45am EDT

Mon, Feb 16 2009

Mister Ron's Basement #1290

SUNDAY SALAD features TWO Stanley Huntley pieces from 1882. First, a show producer comes up with a a truly novel idea in 'An Original Attraction.' Next, the managing editor remarkably fills in for the 'answer man' with some ladies clothing style advice in 'A Discussion on the Fashions.'

Time: approx ten minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

The Stanley Huntley and Spoopendyke Catalog of Stories is at:

http://ronevry.com/Spoopendyke_Stories.html

Direct download: revry-2009-02-16.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:43am EDT

Sat, Feb 14 2009

Mister Ron's Basement #1289

In celebration of Valentine's Day, we are offering a very special Valentine poem by Ellis Parker Butler from 1896. It's called 'Maude's Valentine' (we strongly suggest listening to this first before you cleverly play it as a last minute Valentine for your beloved).

Time: approx two and a half minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

The Ellis Parker Butler Catalog of Stories is at:

http://ronevry.com/EllisParkerButler.html

Read lots more about Ellis Parker Butler at:

http://www.ellisparkerbutler.info/

Direct download: revry-2009-02-14.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:41am EDT

Fri, Feb 13 2009

Mister Ron's Basement #1288

Douglas Malloch wrote outdoor adventures and poetry, and was an editor of American Lumberman Magazine. In 1911 American Lumberman published his fun book, 'Resawed Fables.' This week we have been reading stories from that book.

Today's looney fable concerns an ancient philosopher who provided inspiration for a modern lumber man. It's called 'Of Socrates and the Man from Wisconsin.'

Time: approx five and a half minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

Direct download: revry-2009-02-13.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:39am EDT

Thu, Feb 12 2009

Mister Ron's Basement #1287

Douglas Malloch wrote outdoor adventures and poetry, and was an editor of American Lumberman Magazine. In 1911 American Lumberman published his fun book, 'Resawed Fables.' This week we are reading stories from that book.

You know this guy -- working seven days a week is never enough -- here's his story -- 'Of Taking a Few Days Off.'

Time: approx four and a half minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

Direct download: revry-2009-02-12.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:37am EDT

Wed, Feb 11 2009

Mister Ron's Basement #1286

Douglas Malloch wrote outdoor adventures and poetry, and was an editor of American Lumberman Magazine. In 1911 American Lumberman published his fun book, 'Resawed Fables.' This week we are reading stories from that book.

Today's tale concerns the doings of the tenderest of the tender among Tenderfeet in the wild west -- it's called 'Of the Straw that Dislocated the Camel's Vertebrae.'

Time: approx five and a half minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

Direct download: revry-2009-02-11.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:36am EDT

Tue, Feb 10 2009

Mister Ron's Basement #1285

Douglas Malloch wrote outdoor adventures and poetry, and was an editor of American Lumberman Magazine. In 1911 American Lumberman published his fun book, 'Resawed Fables.' This week we are reading stories from that book. Today's story concerns three very different sons -- it's called 'Of Yielding to Temptation.'

Time: approx seven minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

Direct download: revry-2009-02-10.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:34am EDT

Mon, Feb 09 2009

Mister Ron's Basement #1284

For Mark Twain Monday, we present Chapter Thirty (Part Two of Two) of 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court' from 1889 -- where we learn a bit about duty -- 'The Tragedy of the Manor House.'

Time: approx twelve minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

The Mark Twain Catalog of Stories is at:

http://ronevry.com/Twain.html

The Mark Twain Connecticut Yankee Novel Index of Stories is at:

http://ronevry.com/Connecticut.html

Direct download: revry-2009-02-09.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:32am EDT

Sun, Feb 08 2009

MIster Ron's Basement #1283

SUNDAY SALAD offers TWO Stanley Huntley pieces from 1883 (no Spoopendyke stories yet -- sorry, we're still looking). First, a tramp tries to put one over on a bartender with a dead cat and a dead sparrow in 'Mistaken in Something.' The next story involves a once-popular holiday called 'Evacuation Day.'

Time: approx ten and a half minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

The Stanley Huntley and Spoopendyke Catalog of Stories is at:

http://ronevry.com/Spoopendyke_Stories.html

Direct download: revry-2009-02-08.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:30am EDT

Sat, Feb 07 2009

Mister Ron's Basement #1282

We have a special surprise Saturday BONUS episode of the Basement today!



We are adding on an extra special story from Frederic Thomas Somerby's 'Hits and Dashes; or A Medley of Sketches and Scraps, Touching People and Things,' from 1852.

It is called 'Uncle Ephraim's Husking,' and is a delightful description of the events that occurred at a traditional husking bee, where a community would gather to husk a farmer's corn crop and have a party in the process. So settle back, relax, and journey back to a simpler time with us, and join the fun!

Time: approx fifteen minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

Direct download: revry-2009-02-07.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:25am EDT

Fri, Feb 06 2009

Mister Ron's Basement #1281

Frederic Thomas Somerby, who reported on the folks of Newburyport, Massachusetts and the general area (including parts of Maine and New Hampshire) for the old Boston Post in the 1850s under the pen name of 'Cymon,' published a collection called 'Hits and Dashes; or A Medley of Sketches and Scraps, Touching People and Things' back in 1852.

When someone attempts to tell you how wonderful something is, take it with a grain of salt, as we shall see in 'Interesting Associations.'

Time: approx four minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

Direct download: revry-2009-02-06a.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:23pm EDT

Fri, Feb 06 2009

Mister Ron's Basement #1280

Frederic Thomas Somerby, who reported on the doings in Newburyport, Massachusetts and the general neighborhood (including parts of Maine and New Hampshire) for the old Boston Post in the 1850s under the pen name of 'Cymon,' published a collection called 'Hits and Dashes; or A Medley of Sketches and Scraps, Touching People and Things' back in 1852.

In today's tale two cold and weary travelers spend the night at the home of a farmer who has a beautiful daughter -- no it's not what you think -- in a delightful story called 'A Gentle Hint.'

Time: approx seven and a half minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

Direct download: revry-2009-02-06.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:20am EDT

Thu, Feb 05 2009

Mister Ron's Basement #1279

Frederic Thomas Somerby, who wrote pieces about Newburyport, Massachusetts and the general neighborhood (including parts of Maine and New Hampshire) for the old Boston Post in the 1850s under the pen name of 'Cymon,' published a collection called 'Hits and Dashes; or A Medley of Sketches and Scraps, Touching People and Things' back in 1852.

Today, we hear of a fiercely funny clash of armies in 'The Battle of Quamphegan.'

Time: approx seven minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

Direct download: revry-2009-02-05a.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:17pm EDT

Thu, Feb 05 2009

Mister Ron's Basement #1278

Frederic Thomas Somerby, who wrote pieces about Newburyport, Massachusetts for the old Boston Post in the 1850s under the pen name of 'Cymon,' left behind a collection called 'Hits and Dashes; or A Medley of Sketches and Scraps, Touching People and Things.'

From that book, we present a story of an encounter with a breathtakingly beautiful maiden in the wilds of New Hampshire entitled 'The Gem of Moose Mountain.'

Time: approx four and a half minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

Direct download: revry-2009-02-05.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:15am EDT

Tue, Feb 03 2009

Mister Ron's Basement #1277

For Mark Twain Monday, we present Chapter Thirty (Part One of Two) of 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court' from 1889 -- where we see a lot of people hanging around -- 'The Tragedy of the Manor House.'

Time: approx eleven minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

The Mark Twain Catalog of Stories is at:

http://ronevry.com/Twain.html

The Mark Twain Connecticut Yankee Novel Index of Stories is at:

http://ronevry.com/Connecticut.html

Direct download: revry-2009-02-03.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:13am EDT

Sun, Feb 01 2009

Mister Ron's Basement #1276

SUNDAY SALAD offers TWO strange Stanley Huntley pieces from 1883 (sorry, no Spoopendyke stories today). First, two old biddies offer each other some esoteric advice in 'An Exchange of Remedies.' Next, we offer a fantasy tale from Huntley where he takes the phrase Total Depravity of Inanimate Things quite literally in 'New Light Upon An Old Question.'

Time: approx nine minutes

The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at:
http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html

The Stanley Huntley and Spoopendyke Catalog of Stories is at:

http://ronevry.com/Spoopendyke_Stories.html

Direct download: revry-2009-02-01.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:10am EDT