There's music in the air when the infant morn is nigh,
And faint its gushes sing on the bright and laughing sky.
Down our way, a visit with folks who know how to have fun with simple living and old-fashioned singing.
They make sure there's time to do all the important things like extending a smile and a helping hand to friends and even strangers when they're in need.
Before going to the parlor of Eli Jenkins where the singing group gathers for practice, let's stop in for a minute at Postmaster Ben Potts' store.
Ben sings bass for fun, but he sells feed and grain for a living.
Hello, little girl.
Hello, Mr. Potts.
Something I can do for you?
Yeah, I want some food.
Oh, you're in the wrong store then. All I got is feed and grain.
But that's what I want.
You can't eat grain.
No, but my rabbit Flossy Bell can. He's just crazy about it, I'll fail for.
Flossy Bell? He? Why, if it's Flossy Bell, it must be a she.
Well, Mama says it'll take more than a name to change that.
Whose little girl are you?
Mama's.
No, no, no. I mean, what do people call your mother?
The ones who like her?
Look, little girl, don't you have a name?
Oh, that's what you're trying to find out.
You're sure going by it the hard way. I'm Bessie Haskins.
Oh, Doc Haskins, little girl, eh?
Yeah. And you should hear what my dad says about you.
Eh?
He says you're a... well, he's got a name for it.
Dad, last it, just because I got symptoms and he ain't smart enough to find out why.
He calls me a... well, whatever it is.
He says you're slipping, too. You ain't even a champion horseshoe pitcher no more.
He what?
He says Eli Jenkins can pitch a better game than you.
And just who told him that?
Eli Jenkins.
That settles it. Get out of my way and let me at that phone.
This is going to be a battle of honor, and it's going to be fit out on the horseshoe field.
I'm going to challenge that Eli to a fight that'll end all fights.
I'm going to protect my reputation as champion horseshoe pitcher down our way.
Con-sern-ic!
The calm and quiet that prevailed down our way has suddenly been disturbed by Ben's phone call to Eli.
Of course, it shouldn't rightfully concern any but the two men, but you know how it is.
What one feller knows, half the town will talk about.
And when two know a secret, even the chickens will cackle about it.
Hello, Jenny.
Hello, Pa. You feel better now?
Huh?
After slamming the door and kicking the chair?
Sorry, I didn't mean to.
Oh, I don't mind considering.
Considering what?
Well, considering what's on your mind, of course.
How do you know what's on my mind?
Why, well, I just do.
You know about it already?
Well, in a way I sort of do.
Darn, nation. Can't nothing happen down our way without the whole town knowing about it before I hang up the receiver?
But it ain't the whole town, Eli.
It just so happened that when Bessie Haskins was running home, she stopped by to tell Myrtle Foster's little girl.
And then Myrtle overheard and phoned Mrs. Gunthery the news, that's all.
Well, then, how did you find out?
I didn't think Mrs. Gunthery was speaking to you since your devil's food cake won first prize at the bazaar.
Well, she ain't speaking, but we're still on the same party line.
Jenny.
Well, it sounded like our ring. Ours is too short and too long, and hers is five short.
They sound mighty like. Besides, it's been a right dull afternoon.
I never expected you'd be a-listening to the conversations of others.
Well, you got no right to not expect it. I'm still a woman.
Yeah.
And that ought to excuse me for doing some of the things it's fun to do.
All right, Jenny, darling. It would make you happy.
But why did you have to go and overhear the most insulting, improper, important thing that's ever happened to me?
Can't I even be the first to tell you?
But I don't know none of the details. It's just a smattering.
What did you overhear?
Well, I just overheard that Dr. Haskins' little girl was in Ben's feed store getting feed for her bunny.
Yeah?
And she accidentally mentioned that you'd told her dad that you was the best horseshoe pitcher in these parts, and then Ben said.
Oh, and you don't know none of the details.
And then Ben said, uh, what was that?
Then he just about scared the daylights out of that little Haskins' girl the way he went busting to the phone to call you.
And then he got on the wire and he.
Jenny, Jenny, can't I please tell you what that part of it is?
There's a possibility that I may give you a very different story, being as how you got it after it passed through three female elaborations.
All right, Eli, you tell me your version, but it'll have to go sounding to be the one I already heard.
Yeah, I give up.
I guess it's the group arriving. Let them in, Eli.
Oh, evening. Oh, oh.
Oh, it's a friendly orange, Jenny. He ain't here to see me.
Huh? Oh, Ben.
Evening, Jenny. I wanted clearly understood that my purpose here is singing and not to be seeing anybody.
Begging your pardon, Jenny.
Yes, I heard all about it.
Biggest lot of fickle fiddlesticks.
Oh, oh, that patience is now.
As if a man ain't got enough to worry about.
Yoo-hoo! Our Sir Galahad and Sir Lop-the-Lop within.
Well, I don't know who them fellas there, but I got a couple of children in here.
I hear all about it, and I think it's simply wonderful to think a sweet old Ben here defending his reputation on the field of honor.
Lepish. May we come in?
Come on in, Allison Cliff.
Where are the two contenders? I want to size them up so I'll know how to place my bets.
Yes, when the news got around, it almost disrupted school.
Tarnation and tunderation does the whole village...
Now, now, Eli. Folks, I think we better get to singing quick like, because when we're singing, we can't be talking.
And right now, that has advantages.
Make it sweet and pretty now, the song for the charity benefit.
Eli, Ben, don't just sit. Come on over here. Land sakes, I never saw such behaving.
I wander today to the hill, Maggie, to watch the scene below.
The creek and the old rusty mill, Maggie, where we saddled long, long ago.
The green grove is gone from the hill, Maggie, where first the daisies sprout.
The old rusty mill is still, Maggie, since you and I were young.
And now we are aged and brave, Maggie, the trials of life nearly done.
Let us sing of the days that are gone, Maggie, when you and I were young.
And now we are aged and brave, Maggie, the trials of life nearly done.
Let us sing of the days that are gone, Maggie, when you and I were young.
That should be a nice song for the Bazaar. Yes, it should be.
Very nice. Yes, indeed. And it's nice weather we've been having this past week.
Yes, it has been nice. Yes, very nice.
Yes, that's right. Well, we should have a nice time at the Bazaar.
My stars, have I got to sit here and listen to something else that's nice?
We're all acting like a set of strings.
I'm aiming to make myself pleasant company to all but one certain party,
who shall remain nameless for the sake of propriety.
And I'm likewise trying to be a good host to almost everybody here.
But I ain't going to sit and pass the time of day with nobody that's insulted my horseshoe pitching.
Everybody what knows his champion of all the pitchers down our way hears from the mouths of babes
that a particular person has been a laying wrongful claim to the title.
There's nothing to do but defend that championship on the field of honor.
I don't know what can give some folks the notion that they's better than other folks,
especially at the first fundamentals.
He mastered the fundamentals. Why, you old goat.
I think we better talk about the weather some more.
Yep, guess it's nicer to just sit and talk about what's nice and listen to them too.
Speaking of the weather, I've always thought that it's much nicer.
I mean, better here than where I used to live.
I'm glad to hear it. Yes, indeedy.
Anybody home?
Oh, that Chris will look at a roomful of people and ask that.
Even being born under the sign of the fish doesn't excuse him for that.
Come right in, Chris. We're having a friendly little get together.
Oh, that's good. It's nothing like you chatting a little bit with friends.
Sit down, Chris.
I don't suppose nobody would want to hear me play the accordion, I don't suppose.
Well, of course we would. By all means.
What'll it be, Chris?
You mean you really want me to play? You won't be here, will you?
You must have been heaven sent, Chris.
Oh, now my playing ain't that good, Mrs. Yankins.
Well, almost anything will beat the present conversation.
Well, I never supposed you'd want me to play after all the times I asked you,
and you've been too busy to listen, so I didn't get that key fixed.
That's wonderful. The town fix-it man can't get around to fixing his own accordion.
Well, you see... It's been that way for over six years.
I can understand it when Stanton was afflicting, but now that Pluto is a saint...
Well, I've been pretty busy helping Mr. Yankins in the store these days.
Does he pay you extra for overtime, Chris?
Why, you know...
Let's hear something quick, Chris.
Well, this key's stuck. You see this...
That key is stuck there, and this one, that black one right next to it, that works pretty good.
So when I come to this one here, you'll see it's black, but it'll sound alright.
It's so close, I don't think it'll make any matter.
I'll play Annie Loret for you. That's a pretty good song.
Alright, now...
Oh, no!
Chris! Chris!
Must we listen to that?
Yes, yes, we have to get that fixed.
Well, that's worse than the strange silence we had. Thanks anyway, Chris, but it don't sound good that way.
Yeah, thank you, right, Mrs. Yankins. I just love to play, and maybe if I get that key unstuck, you'll like to have me play.
I think I'll get down to the shop now and see what I can do.
Well, thanks for coming up.
Good night, Mrs. Yankins. Good night, everybody.
Good night.
Now, before another disaster happens, why don't you two practice your duet? Are you ready to lead a me lie?
I am ready for anything that doesn't involve a particular somebody that's always a trans...
See, lie. Get set now.
All the world is bright and fair, skies are wondrous clear. Flowers have bright as gowns to wear, all for you, my dear.
In the warmness on your breast, kiss my dewdrops clear.
Sing to love the kisses best, from your lips, my dear.
Songs were never sweet to hear, not a dream, never true. Life was never complete, my dear.
Until I met you, my life, my love, my all, heart of mine, so true.
In the very angels' call, sweetheart, all for you, for you, my dear, my dear, my dear.
That was fine, Allison Cliff. Let's see, Eli. What else have we got to rehearse this evening?
Solo for the annual volunteer fireman's get-together.
All right. What's it going to be?
A gent named Ben Potts is organizing. A gent I ain't a-speakin' to.
Oh, Eli.
If you will relay this here message to old Mr. Potts and ask him if it ought to be a long one or a quick one, I'll get to picking out the music for it.
I never thought that day'd come when I'd be so hard up for entertainment at our get-together that I'd have to be asking you to give a message to Mr. Eli Jenkins.
But you can tell the old goat this, that I don't care whether the solo's slow or fast. I only want it good.
And if that ain't the turn to sing it-
Thank you, Mr. Potts. Now, Mr. Jenkins, I delivered the message and got a reply.
Don't you think it would be better to show him just how good this here solo can be instead of getting all head up over it?
I thought you'd agree. Tell Cliff what the solo's to be.
How about the one you did last month at the Rock Sociable, Cliff?
Oh, that lively old English ballad?
That's the one.
Fine. Do you remember the introduction, Mr. Jenkins?
I think so. Let's see. That was in F, wasn't it?
["Fairyman's Limb"]
["Fairyman's Limb"]
["Fairyman's Limb"]
["Fairyman's Limb"]
["Fairyman's Limb"]
["Fairyman's Limb"]
["Fairyman's Limb"]
["Fairyman's Limb"]
Cliff, those high tones were lovely.
Yes, indeedy they were.
Folks, I've an idea. How about playing a game?
What kind of a game?
I think we ought to play house.
Oh, Jenny, but we're grown men and women.
Oh, you'd never know it from the way some of us is acting.
I wonder who she's amening.
Jenny, that's a grand idea. But we gotta have a mama and a papa to play house.
How about Cliff here being papa?
And Alice will be mama. That'll work out. How about it?
Will you play house and let us be your family?
Well, we'll try. Youngsters are no problem to me.
I have a classroom full of them all day.
If I get in difficulty, I'll just call on mama here.
Now, for the game to be fun, you gotta act just like we're your children and take complete charge of things.
All right.
Oh, nonsense. If this isn't...
Papa, sit over in the easy chair with your paper, and I'll have a talk with the children and see what they've been up to today.
Very well, mama. I've spent a hard day at work, so don't disturb me unless you find I'm turning into delinquents.
Little Jenny, what have you been doing?
I've been watching my little brother, Eli.
Mama, I can't believe he's only eight years old. He acts more like four.
Oh, the crazy darn fool thing that...
What's going on here?
Quiet, Eli. Mama will get to you in a moment.
Oh, shucks.
What do you think of those little boys, Ben and Eli, little patient?
I think they're acting like spoiled kids.
That could be because of two things, either that Mars is afflicted or that mama and papa ain't used their razor strap on them often enough.
Hear that, Papa? We're having trouble with our two little boys.
What have they to say about it, little Ben?
I've been a good little boy, but Eli there was a telling story about me that wasn't true, so I want to make him eat his word.
What have I done? The first thing... What have I done?
The first thing I knew, this old coot, I mean this newly acquired little brother of mine was raising an ad about whether I could pitch horseshoes better than he could.
You hear what they say, Papa? Just another of their childish argument.
Should we take them over our knee this time?
Well, there doesn't seem to be much else to do. They don't show any inclination to make up their differences.
All right, little Eli, you first. Come over here and let Papa paddle some sense into you.
All right, you kids. I guess you made your point. Sounds kind of silly, don't it, Ben?
Well...
Now, don't be stubborner than I am. Come on and admit you're acting worse than you ever did when you was a kid.
I guess you're right, Eli. Ain't much point to all of this, is there?
Sure ain't. I feel kind of...
We know, Eli. And now that we're all smiling again, let's plan about that horseshoe meet to see which of you two can pitch them better.
You don't mind us holding it, Jenny?
Land sakes, no. Not if you'll just keep your head.
I've got an idea. Why don't we hold it on a Friday afternoon after school and I'll invite the children to watch the great athletic tournament.
Oh, that's grand. I'll make some cookies to pass around if you'll bring punch, Jenny.
It'll be a regular picnic.
Gosh. That'll be sure...
To think you can turn it into a kind of picnic. It just goes to...
It's good to show you.
I think we better get to practicing now.
Let's all stand real close around the organ here and you play soft like Jenny while we sing that beautiful old hymn.
Is this the one you had in mind, Eli?
That's the one.
Together.
Let's be the tide that binds our hearts in Christian love.
The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that of us.
Well, let's you take the next verse all by yourself and we'll just hum. All right.
We share our mutual woes, our mutual burdens bear.
And often for each other's flaws the sleep of my thinking gives.
Everybody on the last verse now.
When we are slander far it gives us inward pain.
But we shall still be joined in heart and hope to meet one day.
Jenny, I want to thank you for that idea playing house. You're pretty smart, I guess.
Why, Alice and Cliff were your mom and papa. Thank them.
I guess I thank all of you because all of you are my friends.
Count me in there too, Eli. We've seen too many summers together not to stick side by side.
If you'd only mind what you say about horseshoes pitching and not be claiming...
Me claiming? Now just because you won a match back in 26, you think that makes you champion for life? Why, I got...
Now, wait a minute, Joseph.
Well, I know, but...
You, Eli, and you, Ben. You both got to get a grip on your tempers.
But if he'd only keep his mouth shut about...
Harsh words between good friends like you two really are seem sometimes to make pretty deep scars.
It's funny somehow, but it's the ones we love the best that we often hurt the most.
There'd be a whole lot less bickering and quarreling in this world if folks would just treat each other all the time
as if they'd just met.
There's an idea, Eli.
You know how polite everyone is to strangers and new friends?
Well, why shouldn't we be that nice or even better to people that we've known and loved for a long time?
Yeah, I guess she's right, Ben.
Love and friendship are more precious than money, and none of us go around throwing money away.
So let's make a promise to ourselves, never to abuse the love that others give us.
There's music in the air when the infant morn is nigh
And vivid brushes sing on the bright and laughing sky
I think we'd better remember what Jenny told us with a nice warm glow, talking that way.
Maybe that's why we like to come visitin' down our way.
It leaves us with a smile and something nice to think about.
We'll see Jenny and Eli, Ben, Patience, Alice and Cliff next rehearsal night
when we hope you'll again be strovin' down our way.