ANNOUNCER:

Today we introduce you to some of the people who take care of Uncle Sam's national forests. They are a busy and interesting bunch of men -- these men who manage and protect your vast forest properties -- and we are sure that you will enjoy this story of life among the forest rangers. Today we do little more than introduce you to some of them, but each Thursday at this time the dramatized story of their experiences will be continued. You'll learn to love Ranger Jim Robbins, and his wife Bess ... and of course, there is going to be a romantic story about the young assistant ranger, Jerry Quick, as likable a fellow as you ever met.

The national forests, you know, belong to all the people of the United States, and their resources are conserved and developed for your benefit. So the forest rangers are really your agents, assigned to the duty of keeping the forests ever green and growing so they will be of permanent value to you. And that's the reason why we want you to meet and learn to know just a few of these people.

Our story takes us up into the northwest -- to the office of Forest Ranger Jim Robbins, Jim is an old-timer; he's been with the U.S. Forest Service for many years and many of the boys say he is one of the best rangers that ever rode the trails. Jim is in charge of the Pine Cone District, and his ranger station is close to the little town of Winding Creek, at the edge of the forest..... Let's just look in at Jim's station -------

(VERY BRIEF MUSICAL INTERLUDE)

JIM:

Well, Bess, I think I'll get all these Christmas decorations down. About dried out, don't you think?

BESS:

Oh, Jim, not just yet. I ---

JIM:

(chuckles) What do you want to do, leave them up for the fourth of July?

BESS:

Now don't be silly, Jim. I just thought that since that new ranger ... the young fellow ---- is coming up any day now, we ought to leave them up till he gets here. I want the house to look nice ......

JIM:

All right, Bess, leave 'em up. But I hope that boy gets here pretty soon ... or he'll think we're runnin' a botany show. Specially since we've got that mistletoe hanging up there in the middle of the sittin' room! Old folks like us!

BESS:

Now, Jim Robbins, you know you scouted all over the country hunting for that sprig of mistletoe! Just the same as you've done every year for the past twenty years and more!

JIM:

Yes-sir. And I still like to kiss my sweetheart. There! (KISSES HER) I don't even need the mistletoe!

BESS:

(slightly upset) Go on ... go on now. Get your work done!

(TELEPHONE RINGS)

JIM:

Wonder who that is....(pause) Pine Cone Ranger Station. Oh hello, Chief. Yes, this is Jim. Bringing him up, eh? What did you say his name was? --- Quick, Jerry Quick, eh? --- Okay, Chief, I'll look after him. ----- Well, it's open ..... guess you'll find the road easy goin' today, except for a little snow round Bobcat Grade --- (chuckles) All right, Bert, good-bye.

(CLICK OF RECEIVER)

BESS:

Was that the Supervisor .... Mr. Ellsworth?

JIM:

Yes. Called to say that he's bringing that new assistant ranger up.

BESS:

Today?

JIM:

Yep...right away. Be here in a few minutes.

BESS:

Goodness gracious,,. I'll have to see that his room is all ready for him. What did you say his name was?

JIM:

Quick ... Jerry Quick. Chief says he's like his name. Quick to learn, he says -- but there's a lot he doesn't know yet.

BESS:

How old is he, Jim?

JIM:

Twenty-two. Just a youngster. He'll need hardening up a good bit.

BESS:

Now, Jim Robbins, don't you be too hard on that boy!

JIM:

(chuckles) I won't, Bess.

BESS:

I know, you say that, but you're always bent on initiating a new man .... hardening them up, as you call it.........And besides this Mr. Quick is pretty young.

JIM:

I'll just put him through the paces, easy like. You know, Bess, we all need initiatin' in this world. You've got to be shown just where you fit, I suppose, no matter what you do. And the best way to make a new fellow feel at home is to holler at him good and proper.....scare the wits out of him, then show him what you really think of him after he's shown you that he's made out of real stuff.

BESS:

All right, just so you don't "holler" too loud!

JIM:

This chap has a good background. Been to forest school and is pretty bright, the Chief says. But he hasn't had much experience out in the field. We'll have to break him in, Bess.

BESS:

And I'll have to run. I want to give his room, just one more look. Oh, I do hope he brought his winter underwear. It's awfully cold outside. (FADE OUT)

(MUSICAL INTERLUDE)

BESS:

(off) Have they come yet, Jim!

JIM:

They're coming now, I think, I just heard a car outside.

BESS:

(coming on) Is it them?

JIM:

(slightly away from mike -- as though at window) Yes, there they are. The chief and --- (up) --- See the boy getting out of the car.

BESS:

(up) Oh, he's nice looking, isn't he?

JIM:

Looks husky enough.

BESS:

I'll just stir up this fire in the stove a bit. They must be pretty cold after that ride up from Willow Glen. (rattle stove)

JIM:

All right, I'll let them in.

(STAMPING FEET ON PORCH: DOOR OPENS)

JIM:

Come in, folks, come right in.

SUPERVISOR:

Hell-o, Jim, how are you?

JIM:

Fine, Bert.

BESS:

How do you do, Mr. Ellsworth.

SUP:

Mis' Robbins....

BESS:

Come over here by the stove both of you, and get warm.

SUP:

Thanks, Mrs. Robbins, guess I will. Jim, here's our new cub. Mr. Robbins, Mr. Quick......

JIM:

Glad to know you, Mr. Quick.

JERRY:

How are you, Mr. Robbins.

JIM:

Bess, this is Mr. Quick.

BESS:

We're glad to have you with us, Mr. Quick. I do hope you'll like it here.

JERRY:

I'm sure I shall.

SUP:

Sure cold out today.

JIM:

Sure is -----

BESS:

I thought this fire would be welcome after your ride up

SUP:

Indeed it is.

BESS:

And I'm so glad we're going to have you for company, Mr. Quick. Gets a little lonesome around here. And besides, I do like to have someone here with Jim, I -- (hesitates)

SUP:

Why, look here, Mrs. Robbins, what are you afraid of?

JIM:

Now, Bess, I told you -----

BESS:

I know, but just the same........

SUP:

Haven't been having any trouble, have you, Jim?

JIM:

No, Bert. Everything's been quiet as a church. Old Bundy has been doing a little talkin', but he's nothing to worry about.

SUP:

Bundy, eh? Still got a grouch on.

JIM:

Yes, and that's what's worrying Bess. I told her it's nothing ... Why, Mike Bundy's talk don't amount to nothin' .....

SUP:

(laughs) No, I'll say it doesn't. Don't you worry about him, Mrs. Robbins. Mike thinks the government did him wrong, but he'll get over that, the old rascal. What's new on the district, Jim, anything else.

JIM:

(chuckles) What's new? Well, there's alot that's going to be new to young Mr. Quick here. Let's see----- (more chuckles) First, I'm going to have check over and fix up the fire tools.

SUP:

Good---and the whole storehouse and toolsheds could stand a little straightening up while he's at it. Don't you think so, Jim?

JIM:

So they could. How does that strike you, young fellow?

JERRY:

All right, sir! But I'd like to get out on the range, too, soon as I can.

JIM:

Oh ---- so you want to make over the district right pronto, eh? I'll tell you, son, there's a lot more to the ranger job than just riding around in a good-looking uniform. Is that right, Bert?

SUP:

That's right, Jim.

BESS:

But you'll let Mr. Quick get out in the woods before long, won't you?

JIM:

Oh yes, he'll have plenty of chance to see what a forest looks like before we're through with him.

SUP:

I'm going to turn you over to Jim here, Quick. Got to get back to the office. But if there's anything you want....anything I can help you out on, why just give me a ring, or drop in and see me.

JERRY:

Thank you, Mr. Ellsworth, very much.

SUP:

(jokingly) And if Jim Robbins doesn't treat you right, why just let me know! (laughs)

JIM:

(laughs) Don't worry, Bert.

JERRY:

I'm not worrying, anyhow.

BESS:

Do you really have to rush off, Mr. Ellsworth? I'd like for you to stay and have lunch with us.

SUP:

Thanks, Mrs. Robbins, I'd sure like to stick around and manhandle a few beans, but I have an appointment with some cattlemen this afternoon.

BESS:

Well, if you must go ----

SUP:

I really must. So long, Jim. Take good care -- this young fellow finds out what it's all about.

JIM:

I'll look after him, Bert.

BESS:

And Mr. Ellsworth, you tell Mrs. Ellsworth that I haven't forgotten about that basket she sent the things in for Christmas. You know I couldn't send it back empty.

SUP:

(Laughs) Ah, I see where we're going to get some good eats! All right, Mrs. Robbins, I'll tell her. And you folks come down sometime soon and see us.

BESS:

We will .......

SUP:

So long, Quick..

JERRY:

Good-bye, Mr. Ellsworth.

SUP:

Bye-folks! I'll be up again in a few days to see how things are getting along.

JIM:

So long, Bert.

BESS:

(with him) Good-bye!

(DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES)

BESS:

I'm going to leave you two alone now, Mr. Quick, to get acquainted while I fix your lunch.

JERRY:

All right, Mrs. Robbins.....

BESS:

(going off) I'll bet you're just about starved......

JIM:

Well, I guess we could eat, couldn't we, Mr. Quick......Jerry, isn't it?

JERRY:

Yes-sir, Jerry.

JIM:

I might as well start calling you Jerry right now, then, 'cause I ---- if I can't call people by their first names, I don't feel I'm doing right by 'em. --- So you're going to be the assistant ranger on this district?

JERRY: Yes, Mr. Robbins, I guess I'm a ranger now.

JIM:

Just let me get this pipe loaded up, and we'll talk it over. Have some tobacco?

JERRY:

No, thanks. But I think I'll smoke a cigarette if I may.

JIM:

(puffing at pipe) Sure....Go to it....Never got broke to cigarettes myself.

(BUSINESS OF MEN LIGHTING SMOKES)

JIM:

S-a-a-y! Wait a minute.

JERRY:

What's the matter, sir?

JIM:

Better break that match in two.

JERRY:

It's out.

JIM:

Then that's just why you should break it in two. You break it in half after you blow it out----before you throw it away,

JERRY:

(laughs apologetically) But I was going to throw it in the stove.

JIM:

You're just a young sapling, Jerry.....better start growing up right while you're still young enough to form good habits. You see, if you get in the habit of throwing away a match careless-like in one place, first thing you know you'll be dropping one down some other place where it might start some trouble.

JERRY:

But I wouldn't, Mr. Robbins --- not in the woods, anyhow!

JIM:

Yes, I know, but you might. Unless you form the habit of being careful all the time, you might forget. Why, I've got so now I'd break a match before I'd drop it in the middle of a lake. You know why we break a match in two, after we blow it out, don't you?

JERRY:

Sure. Then you know it's out.

JIM:

Yep, you can be pretty certain about it. Some folks are superstitious about lighting three cigarettes on one match, but my pet superstition is about breaking the match in two. If you don't stop long enough to break it, it might bring bad luck. See?

JERRY:

I see all right. Here goes this one.

JIM:

Folks are just like trees in more ways than one, Jerry. You may not find it so exciting up here on the edge of those woods, what with no theatres, and street cars, and city things........but you'll learn a lot from them. And you'll see one of these days what I mean when I say that. You'll learn.......I guess folks just need room to grow up in....room to spread out, and grow up tall and straight...just like the trees. And just like them, you need to start right. (pause) And by the time you've fought as many forest fires as I have, young fellow, you'll realize that an innocent-looking little match can pack a lot of bad luck if you don't watch it close.

JERRY:

All right, Mr. Robbins. From now on I'll break every match in two -- whether I'm inside or out!

JIM:

Now, let's see, where were we? I guess we hadn't started to talk about your work yet, had we?

JERRY:

No sir.

JIM:

Well, let's see. Ever cruised timber?

JERRY:

Sure. I did some practise cruising at the forest school.

JIM:

Good. We've got some good timber on this district, too. I'll take you up to look it over in a few days. ---Ever made a range survey?

JERRY:

Well --- ah --- No sir.

JIM:

Then you'll have to learn. ---Ever string telephone line?

JERRY:

No, I haven't.

JIM:

Well, you'll have to do that, too. How are you, son, on surveying trail locations and preparing grazing plans and scaling logs and developing campgrounds -- and loading a pack of mules?

JERRY:

Uh.....uh.....Well, I ----

JIM:

(chuckles) Never mind, we'll go into that later. Ever fought a forest fire?

JERRY:

(very enthusiastic) No sir, but I'd certainly like to try it once!

JIM:

You would, eh? Well, what would you do if you discovered a forest fire?

JERRY:

Why, I'd immediately notify the nearest ranger, and ---

JIM:

Haw-haw-----So you'd notify the nearest ranger, huh? Well, suppose you happened to be the ranger that gets notified?

JERRY:

Why ---- why ---- then I'd put the fire out!

JIM:

(chuckling) Fine. It's certainly a pleasure to know that the fire situation will be taken care of so easily this year on our district. Well, young fellow, you'll probably have a chance to demonstrate just how you "put it out" before the year's out. I guess it's just about too much to hope for: that there won't be some careless camper this year to give us trouble.

BESS:

(OFF) Jim! Lunch is ready.

JIM:

(calls) All right. (to Jerry) Hear that, Jerry? -- You can wash up out there in back if you want.

JERRY:

All right, sir......

JIM: Just go right out that door there..And Jerry!

JERRY:

(off slightly) Yes-sir?

JIM:

Mrs. Robbins left these Christmas things up around here more or less special. (chuckles) You know, so's the house would look nice when you came.

JERRY:

(laughs) All right, Mr. Robbins. I'll remember that when we go in to lunch.

(DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES)

BESS:

(OFF) Jim! Are you coming?

JIM:

(CALLS) Just a minute, Bess. We'll be right in!

(MUSICAL INTERLUDE)

ANNOUNCER:

It seems that Jerry will have a lot to learn, doesn't it? But it won't be so hard to work with Jim Robbins; looks like gruff old Jim is going to make learning easy.

And it's safe to say that Jerry learned at least one thing today. We bet that next time, he will break his match in two before he throws it away.

Next Thursday at this time we shall continue this story of Jim Robbins and his new assistant, Jerry Quick, and you'll hear more of their adventures in the forest and at Pine Cone Station.

This feature is presented for you through cooperation of the National Broadcasting Company and the Forest Service of the United States Department of Agriculture.