Tue, Dec 16 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1242 We are continuing with a second week of stories from George Fitch's 1916 collection, 'Vest Pocket Essays.' Feeling lucky? Then don't miss today's essay, 'Luck.' 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
Mon, Dec 15 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1241 For Mark Twain Monday, we present Chapter Twenty-Five of 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court' from 1889 -- Where the Boss learns exactly what qualifications a candidate must have to become a military officer in 'A Competitive Examination.' Time: approx twenty-six 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.htm...
Mon, Dec 15 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1240 SUNDAY SALAD offers a truly intriguing, if somewhat lengthy piece by Stanley Huntley from 1882, relating his experiences aboard a Pilot Boat, one of many that brought big ships in to New York's harbor from the High Seas back then. This colorful tale showcases Huntley's unique talents as a newspaper feature writer, and may be one of the best stories we have ever read in the Basement. It's called 'Life On A Pilot Boat; the Men who go Down to the Sea Aft...
Mon, Dec 15 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1239 'Mr. Bowser Does the Wash' by C. B. Lewis, from 1890. What else needs to be said? Time: approx nine minutes The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html The M. Quad (C. B. Lewis) Catalog of Stories is at: http://ronevry.com/quad.html The M. Quad (C. B. Lewis) Mister Bowser Catalog of Stories is at: http://ronevry.com/mrbowser.html...
Sat, Dec 13 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1238 George Helgesen Fitch wrote a popular syndicated newspaper column in the early twentieth century called 'Vest Pocket Essays.' He collected the best of these in a 1916 book of the same name, which we have been reading from this week. Today we offer a treat for the bugs -- 'Picnics.' 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...
Thu, Dec 11 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1237 George Helgesen Fitch wrote a popular syndicated newspaper column in the early twentieth century called 'Vest Pocket Essays.' He collected the best of these in a 1916 book of the same name, which we are reading from this week. Today, we take a whiff of a tasty treat -- 'Cabbages.' 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...
Thu, Dec 11 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1236 George Helgesen Fitch wrote a popular syndicated newspaper column in the early twentieth century called 'Vest Pocket Essays.' He collected the best of these in a 1916 book of the same name, which we are reading from this week. Today, we explore the great American way of not doing business -- 'Committees.' 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...
Thu, Dec 11 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1235 George Helgesen Fitch wrote a popular syndicated newspaper column in the early twentieth century called 'Vest Pocket Essays.' He collected the best of these in a 1916 book of the same name, which we will read from this week. Today's essay gives us the straight scoop on 'Menus.' 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...
Wed, Dec 10 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1234 For Mark Twain Monday, we present Chapter Twenty-Four of 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court' from 1889 -- 'A Rival Magician'' -- in which the Boss faces some unexpected competition... Time: approx twenty-two 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 Stor...
Sun, Dec 07 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1233 SUNDAY SALAD offers up TWO Stanley Huntley pieces today. Sorry, neither one features the Spoopendykes. We may never find another Spoopendyke story again (but we will keep looking). Both stories are from 1881 -- the first is a grim tale of a tragic journey on the Fulton Ferry in Brooklyn entitled 'The Unfortunate Cruise of the Union.' Then the Father of the Bride offers a news story to the Eagle editor in 'After A Notice.' Time: approx nine minutes The...
Sun, Dec 07 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1232 Our favorite old crank slaps up some wallpaper in C. B. Lewis's 1908 story, 'Bowser the Artist.' Time: approx ten minutes The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html The M. Quad (C. B. Lewis) Catalog of Stories is at: http://ronevry.com/quad.html The M. Quad (C. B. Lewis) Mister Bowser Catalog of Stories is at: http://ronevry.com/mrbowser.html...
Sun, Dec 07 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1231 In 1893, James Barr edited a collection called 'The Humor of America' for British readers. Today's tale explores a terrible feud started by a washtub, in 'Tempest in a Tub' by James M. Bailey. Time: approx six minutes The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html The James M. Bailey Catalog of Stories is at: http://ronevry.com/jamesmbailey.html...
Thu, Dec 04 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1230 In 1893, James Barr edited a collection called 'The Humor of America' for British readers. L. Gaylord Clark, the long-time editor of the Knickerbocker Magazine (often publishing Washington Irving's tales), had included his story for today in an 1852 collection himself. It's called 'A Railroad Recussant.' Time: approx five minutes The amazing folks at SFFAudio have been steering listeners to great Audio Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Crime fiction for a...
Wed, Dec 03 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1229 In 1893, James Barr edited a collection called 'The Humor of America' for British readers. W. L. Alden was an American who was immensely popular in England in the 1890s. Today we hear of his great solution for noisy felines, entitled 'Cat-Fishing.' It's quite funny. Time: approx eight and a half 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: htt...
Tue, Dec 02 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1228 In 1893, James Barr edited a collection called 'The Humor of America' for British readers. Today's piece from that book is called 'Baked Beans and Culture' by Eugene Field. Time: approx eight minutes The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html
Mon, Dec 01 2008 MIster Ron's Basement #1227 For Mark Twain Monday, we present Chapter Twenty-Three of 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court' from 1889 -- 'Restoration of the Fountain' -- where the Boss treats the multitude to a spectacular fireworks show! 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 Yan...
Sun, Nov 30 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1226 SUNDAY SALAD offers THREE Stanley Huntley pieces today (sorry, no Spoopendyke stories available this week) -- First, a minister gets an earful of newspaper slang in 'Only Technical Terms' from 1881, then a stranger to Brooklyn gets some directions in the street in 'After Information' from 1882. Finally, a cowboy enthusiastically describes a grand performance in 'A Plea for the Opera' from 1881. Time: approx eleven minutes The Mister Ron's Basement Ful...
Sun, Nov 30 2008 MIster Ron's Basement #1225 Our favorite old crank has another get-rich-quick scheme up his sleeve involving raising trees for paper-mills, in C. B. Lewis's 1918 tale, 'Bowser's Little Plan.' Time: approx eight and a half minutes The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html The M. Quad (C. B. Lewis) Catalog of Stories is at: http://ronevry.com/quad.html The M. Quad (C. B. Lewis) Mister Bowser Catalog of Stories is at: h...
Fri, Nov 28 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1224 The terrible news about the Stock Market in free fall is nothing new -- this week we have been reading from Gideon Wurdz 1905 book 'Foolish Finance.' Our last piece is full of practical advice -- it's called 'Tips.' 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
Thu, Nov 27 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1223 The terrible news about the Stock Market in free fall is nothing new -- this week we are reading from Gideon Wurdz 1905 book 'Foolish Finance.' Today we get the inside scoop on exactly how the Financial System works in 'The System as Promoter And Pickpocket.' Time: approx seven minutes The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html...
Wed, Nov 26 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1222 The terrible news about the Stock Market in free fall is nothing new -- this week we will read from Gideon Wurdz 1905 book 'Foolish Finance.' Today we learn about who is available to part you with your money -- 'The Broker.' Time: approx four minutes The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html
Wed, Nov 26 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1221 The terrible news about the Stock Market in free fall is nothing new -- this week we will read from Gideon Wurdz 1905 book 'Foolish Finance.' Today we discover some great tips on 'Speculation.' 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
Tue, Nov 25 2008 MIster Ron's Basement #1220 For Mark Twain Monday, we present Chapter Twenty-Two (Part Two of Two) of 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court' from 1889 -- 'The Holy Fountain' -- where the Boss examines a dry well, and puzzles Sandy with modern slang. Time: approx fifteen 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 Connec...
Sun, Nov 23 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1219 SUNDAY SALAD has THREE truly funny Stanley Huntley tales, all from 1881, including a newly discovered (at least by Mister Ron) Spoopendyke story! In the first piece, a woman argues with a street car passenger in a piece worthy of Abbott & Costello in 'A Trying Situation.' Then a rough and tumble visitor from Deadwood gets into a strange discussion with a precious young Brooklyn girl in 'Too Awfully Utter.' Finally Mr. Spoopendyke expresses his dis...
Sat, Nov 22 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1218 Mr. Bowser gets a made-to-order package from his tailor that seems to be all wrong, in C. B. Lewis's 1893 tale, 'Bowser's Trousers.' 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 The M. Quad (C. B. Lewis) Catalog of Stories is at: http://ronevry.com/quad.html The M. Quad (C. B. Lewis) Mister Bowser Catalog of Stories is at: http://ronevry.com/mrbowser.html...
Fri, Nov 21 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1217 Bill Nye (Edgar Wilson Nye) is one of our favorite humorists. This week, we are featuring stories from his 1881 collection, 'Bill Nye and Boomerang.' Today, Nye reports on a desperado's wedding ceremony in 'The Nupitals of Dangerous Davis.' Time: approx four minutes The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html The Bill Nye Catalog of Stories is at: http://ronevry.com/billnye.html...
Thu, Nov 20 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1216 Bill Nye (Edgar Wilson Nye) is one of our favorite humorists. This week, we are featuring stories from his 1881 collection, 'Bill Nye and Boomerang.' Today's story is a bit hard to follow, but is extremely funny nevertheless. Nye discusses 'The Buckness Wherewith the Buck Beer Bucketh.' 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 Bill Nye Catalog of ...
Wed, Nov 19 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1215 Bill Nye (Edgar Wilson Nye) is one of our favorite humorists. This week, we are featuring stories from his 1881 collection, 'Bill Nye and Boomerang.' Today we learn a truly unique use for a washtub in Nye's tale of 'Dirty Murphy.' Time: approx four minutes The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html The Bill Nye Catalog of Stories is at: http://ronevry.com/billnye.html...
Tue, Nov 18 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1214 Bill Nye (Edgar Wilson Nye) is one of our favorite humorists. This week, we are featuring stories from his 1881 collection, 'Bill Nye and Boomerang.' Today's piece concerns the many reported deaths of Frank and Jesse James and their gang -- it is called 'Killing Off the James Boys.' Time: approx four minutes The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html The Bill Nye Catalog of Stories is at: h...
Mon, Nov 17 2008 Mister Ron's Basement #1213 For Mark Twain Monday, we present Chapter Twenty-Two (Part One of Two) of 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court' from 1889 -- 'The Holy Fountain' -- where we learn about professional courtesy among magicians. 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 N...
