Mon, Dec 27, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1830 We are beginning a NEW Monday Novel Serialization today with W. L. Alden’s 1888 book, ‘A New Robinson Crusoe.’ This is the story of a sailor who gets shipwrecked with Robinson Crusoe’s pain-in-the-neck Grandson, who wants to do everything the way his Grandfather did. The first chapter is not as funny as the ones to come, but it is Chapter One, and nothing else will make sense until you’ve heard it, so here it is. Time: approx fourteen and a half min...
Dec 27, 2010•15 min
Fri Dec 24, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1834 Once again we dip into the prodigous output of the remarkable W. L. Alden. Our last Alden tale this week from 1877 concerns the latest scientific advances in young women - - it is called ‘The Coming Girl.’ Time: approx seven and a half minutes The Mister Ron’s Basement Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html The Index of W. L. Alden stories is located at: http://ronevry.com/alden.html *There is a nifty interview with...
Dec 24, 2010•7 min
Thur Dec 23, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1833 Once again we dip into the prodigous output of the remarkable W. L. Alden. Back in the 19th Century, the worst pest to come knocking at peoples’ doors was The Book-Agent. In today’s 1877 piece, Alden solves a puzzle regarding these pushy salespeople, in ‘A Mystery Solved.’ Time: approx nine and a half minutes The Mister Ron’s Basement Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html The Index of W. L. Alden stories is locate...
Dec 23, 2010•10 min
Wed Dec 22, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1832 Once again we dip into the prodigous output of the remarkable W. L. Alden. Today’s piece originally appeared in his New York Times column, and we found it in his 1877 book ‘Domestic Explosives and Other Sixth Column Fancies.’ This particular item concerns the dilemma of young couples who have to cope with parents who don’t get the idea that they should be in bed by 8 O’Clock when courting is going on. It is called ‘A National Want.’ Time: approx seve...
Dec 22, 2010•7 min
Tue Dec 21, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1831 Once again we dip into the prodigous output of the remarkable W. L. Alden. Today’s piece originally appeared in his New York Times column, and we found it in his 1877 book ‘Domestic Explosives and Other Sixth Column Fancies.’ It concerns the unnatural habit of not smoking, and enjoying clean air. It is called ‘A Growing Vice.’ Time: approx nine and a half minutes The Mister Ron’s Basement Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_C...
Dec 21, 2010•10 min
Mon, Dec 20, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1830 We are concluding our Monday Book Serialization, Edward S. Ellis’s 1868 Dime Novel, ‘The Steam Man of the Prairies.’ In Chapter Twenty, ‘The Concluding Catastropher,’ Johnny, Baldy, Ethan, Mickey, and the Steam Man are trapped in a canyon with rock walls and enemies all around them! What will they do? Time: approx fourteen and a half minutes The Mister Ron’s Basement Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html *There is...
Dec 20, 2010•14 min
Fri Dec 17, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1829 We have featured some of George Fitch’s ‘Vest Pocket Essays’ in the Basement previously. Today we feature the last of our ‘Through a Megaphone’ pieces that kicked off Fitch’s reputation as a humorist. Drawing by Harrison Cady In 1907, Fitch amazed his readers with a journey through the Windy City. It is called ‘Seeing Chicago Through a Megaphone.’ Time: approx fifteen and a half minutes The Mister Ron’s Basement Catalog can be found at: http://ronevr...
Dec 17, 2010•15 min
Thur Dec 16, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1828 We have featured some of George Fitch’s ‘Vest Pocket Essays’ in the Basement previously. This week, we will present the ‘Through a Megaphone’ pieces that kicked off Fitch’s reputation as a humorist. From 1907, we are ‘Seeing Washington Through a Megaphone,’ where we learn that things seem to never change in our Nation’s Capital. Time: approx fifteen and a half minutes The Mister Ron’s Basement Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_...
Dec 16, 2010•16 min
Wed Dec 15, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1827 We have featured some of George Fitch’s ‘Vest Pocket Essays’ in the Basement previously. This week, we will present the ‘Through a Megaphone’ pieces that kicked off Fitch’s reputation as a humorist. From 1907, today we are ‘Seeing Philadelphia Through a Megaphone,’ as we journey through the sights of the City of Brotherly Love. Time: approx fourteen and a half minutes The Mister Ron’s Basement Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_F...
Dec 15, 2010•14 min
Tue Dec 14, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1826 We have featured some of George Fitch’s ‘Vest Pocket Essays’ in the Basement previously. This week, we will present the ‘Through a Megaphone’ pieces that kicked off Fitch’s reputation as a humorist. From 1907, we are ‘Seeing New York Through a Megaphone.’ It hardly seems dated even today. Time: approx fifteen and a half minutes The Mister Ron’s Basement Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html *There is a nifty interv...
Dec 14, 2010•15 min
Mon, Dec 13, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1825 We are continuing with our Monday Book Serialization, Edward S. Ellis’s 1868 Dime Novel, ‘The Steam Man of the Prairies.’ In Chapter Nineteen, tired Johnny Brainerd takes his turn at the evening watch in ‘The Doings of a Night’ Next week - - the final Chapter! Time: approx nine and a half minutes The Mister Ron’s Basement Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html *There is a nifty interview with Mister Ron in issue #5...
Dec 13, 2010•9 min
Fri Dec 10, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1824 Robert J. Burdette managed to find gentle humor without an ounce of meanness in his writing. This week, we have presented some odd pieces from Mr. Burdette. A bit lengthy, but this one will bring laughs and tears - - perhaps one of the best stories Burdette ever wrote (it does refer a bit to ‘The Rise and Fall of the Mustache,’ which ought to heard as well). From 1887, we hear Burdette’s autobiographical piece, ‘Confessions of a Reformed Humorist.’ T...
Dec 10, 2010•28 min
Thur Dec 9, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1823 Robert J. Burdette managed to find gentle humor without an ounce of meanness in his writing. This week, we will present some odd pieces from Mr. Burdette. Today we offer one of Burdette’s best short pieces from 1883 - - A succinct look at ‘The Life of Man.’ Don’t miss this! Time: approx five and a half minutes The Mister Ron’s Basement Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html The Robert J. Burdette index of stories is...
Dec 09, 2010•5 min
Wed Dec 8, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1822 Robert J. Burdette managed to find gentle humor without an ounce of meanness in his writing. This week, we will present some odd pieces from Mr. Burdette. From 1882, a fellow with specific wants in a wife, gets ‘Advice to a Young Man.’ Time: approx six minutes The Mister Ron’s Basement Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html The Robert J. Burdette index of stories is located at: http://ronevry.com/burdette.html *There...
Dec 08, 2010•6 min
Tue Dec 7, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1821 Robert J. Burdette managed to find gentle humor without an ounce of meanness in his writing. This week, we will present some odd pieces from Mr. Burdette. Today, we have found a poem concerning locomotive engineers sending messages to their loved ones as they pass through town. From 1883, we present ‘The Danish Boy’s Whistle.’ Time: approx six minutes The Mister Ron’s Basement Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html T...
Dec 07, 2010•6 min
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1820 We are continuing with our Monday Book Serialization, Edward S. Ellis’s 1868 Dime Novel, ‘The Steam Man of the Prairies.’ In Chapter Eighteen, The Steam Man leads the intrepid group through a narrow valley in ‘The Encampment’ Time: approx ten minutes The Mister Ron’s Basement Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html *There is a nifty interview with Mister Ron in issue #59 iProng Magazine (now known as Beatweek Magazin...
Dec 06, 2010•10 min
Fri Dec 3, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1819 We have uncovered a cornucopia of short, funny stories from Thomas L. Masson. Remember - - this hysterical story was written in 1907, not last week! A young man stuck with over 200 Million Dollars faces the horrible fate of being unable to find anyone to give it away to, in ‘The House of Stocks and Bonds.’ Time: approx fifteen minutes The Mister Ron’s Basement Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html The Index of Thoma...
Dec 03, 2010•15 min
Thur Dec 2, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1818 We have uncovered a cornucopia of short, funny stories from Thomas L. Masson. Some things in life are gambles; some things are speculations; and others are Sure Things, as we find out in the 1909 tale, ‘Terms.’ Time: approx three and a half minutes The Mister Ron’s Basement Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html The Index of Thomas L. Masson stories is located at: http://ronevry.com/masson.html *There is a nifty int...
Dec 02, 2010•4 min
Wed Dec 1, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1817 We have uncovered a cornucopia of short, funny stories from Thomas L. Masson. From 1910, we discover how modern families and public services deal with emergencies, in ‘When Grandma Fell in the Well.’ Time: approx four minutes The Mister Ron’s Basement Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html The Index of Thomas L. Masson stories is located at: http://ronevry.com/masson.html *There is a nifty interview with Mister Ron i...
Dec 01, 2010•4 min
Tue Nov 30, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1816 We have uncovered a cornucopia of short, funny stories from Thomas L. Masson. Today’s 1908 tale concerns a thrifty young man desiring to propose to a young woman in the park. It is called ‘A Woman’s Response.’ Time: approx six and a half minutes The Mister Ron’s Basement Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html The Index of Thomas L. Masson stories is located at: http://ronevry.com/masson.html *There is a nifty interv...
Nov 30, 2010•7 min
Mon, Nov 29, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1815 After missing last week, we are continuing with our Monday Book Serialization, Edward S. Ellis’s 1868 Dime Novel, ‘The Steam Man of the Prairies.’ In Chapter Seventeen, Mickey and Ethan almost come to blows arguing over who has the Best Girl Friend, in ‘Homeward Bound.’ Time: approx eleven minutes The Mister Ron’s Basement Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html *There is a nifty interview with Mister Ron in issue #...
Nov 29, 2010•11 min
Fri Nov 26, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1814 Back in the 19th and early 20th Centuries, Freak Shows at circuses and dime museums were all the rage, although most of the ‘freaks’ were pretty ordinary folks. In 1896 W. L. Alden published a collection of stories called ‘Among the Freaks.’ Our final tale from the book is both funny and heart-breaking all at once. It concerns an ill-fated romance between a Giant and ‘The Bearded Woman.’ Time: approx twenty-one minutes The Mister Ron’s Basement Catal...
Nov 26, 2010•21 min
Thur Nov 25, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1813 Happy Thanksgiving! Back in the 19th and early 20th Centuries, Freak Shows at circuses and dime museums were all the rage, although most of the ‘freaks’ were pretty ordinary folks. In 1896 W. L. Alden published a collection of stories called ‘Among the Freaks.’ Today we present an hilarious tale of revenge between a Nasty Dwarf, a Brittle Giant, and a Female Samson. It’s called ‘Major Microbe,’ and may be one of our funniest stories ever! Time: appr...
Nov 25, 2010•17 min
Wed Nov 24, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1812 Back in the 19th and early 20th Centuries, Freak Shows at circuses and dime museums were all the rage, although most of the ‘freaks’ were pretty ordinary folks. In 1896 W. L. Alden published a collection of stories called ‘Among the Freaks.’ While most people visited Dime Museums and Sideshows to see freaks like Giants and Bearded Ladies, a popular attraction was ‘The Lightning Calculator,’ which is also the name of today’s story. In the days before ...
Nov 24, 2010•19 min
Tue Nov 23, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1811 Back in the 19th and early 20th Centuries, Freak Shows at circuses and dime museums were all the rage, although most of the ‘freaks’ were pretty ordinary folks. In 1896 W. L. Alden published a collection of stories called ‘Among the Freaks.’ From that book, today we hear a tale called ‘How the Fat Woman Eloped.’ Time: approx seventeen and a half minutes The Mister Ron’s Basement Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.htm...
Nov 23, 2010•17 min
Fri Nov 19, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1810 When it comes to good funny stories that make no pretension of being anything but, we always turn to the gems from Max Adeler. A husband takes advantage of his somnambulist wife’s sleepwalking activities, in Adeler’s 1873 tale, ‘A Justifiable Divorce.’ Time: approx four and a half minutes The Mister Ron’s Basement Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html The Index of Adeler stories is located at: http://ronevry.com/ma...
Nov 19, 2010•5 min
Thur Nov 18, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1809 When it comes to good funny stories that make no pretension of being anything but, we always turn to the gems from Max Adeler. Max Adeler often would publish a funny story, then re-write it later, often making the tales even funnier in the process. Today we offer two extremely similar stories from 1872 and 1873, involving a young man saving a drowning woman. We’ll call both tales ‘The Rescue.’ Time: approx five and a half minutes The Mister Ron’s Ba...
Nov 18, 2010•5 min
Wed Nov 17, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1808 When it comes to good funny stories that make no pretension of being anything but, we always turn to the gems from Max Adeler. Today’s short piece appeared in the Saturday Evening Post in 1873 (actually, in the same issue as yesterday’s story), and it is a fine tale of confused Law Enforcement. We’ll call it ‘In His Pocket.’ Time: approx four and a half minutes The Mister Ron’s Basement Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Cat...
Nov 17, 2010•5 min
Tue Nov 16, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1807 When it comes to good funny stories that make no pretension of being anything but, we always turn to the gems from Max Adeler. Today’s short piece appeared in the Saturday Evening Post in 1873, and it still brings laughs today. We’ll call it ‘The Alarm Clock.’ Time: approx three and a half minutes The Mister Ron’s Basement Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html The Index of Adeler stories is located at: http://ronev...
Nov 16, 2010•3 min
Mon, Nov 15, 2010 Mister Ron’s Basement # 1806We are continuing with our Monday Book Serialization, Edward S. Ellis’s 1868 Dime Novel, ‘The Steam Man of the Prairies.’ In Chapter Sixteen, Baldy and Brainerd take cover behind the Steam Man in a wild shoot-out. It’s called ‘The Repulse.’ Time: approx ten minutes The Mister Ron’s Basement Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html *There is a nifty interview with Mister Ron in issue #59 iProng Magazine (now known as B...
Nov 15, 2010•10 min
