What happens
Ranger Bill Jefferson, Chief Ranger at Naughty Pine, and his longtime colleague Stumpy Jenkins are the central figures in this episode of the Ranger Bill series, first broadcast on March 22, 1961. A casual remark about Stumpy's possible retirement spreads quickly through the town, growing into a rumor that the two men have quarrelled and that Bill is forcing Stumpy out of the Rangers. Townspeople gather to plan a testimonial dinner in Stumpy's honor, and the town council takes up the matter. The story follows how the rumor passes from person to person and how Bill and Stumpy eventually sit down together to sort out what is being said.
The town of Naughty Pine, including the Ranger Station, the bank, the local shops, a restaurant and the town council chambers
Characters: Ranger Bill Jefferson, Stumpy Jenkins, Fred Hayes, Mrs. Purdy, Charlotte, Herb, Mrs. Rogers, Brad
Listen for: Mrs. Purdy and the other townspeople retelling the rumor as it passes from one person to the next, and Bill's explanation of how the story changed along the way
Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.