Author: William Spear

William E. Spear has written for audio since 1994. His book, "Lit Between the Ears, Volume One: Chekhov, O. Henry, Spear and Tarkington On the Air," was released on July 31, 2006. He founded Two Plus Plus Productions LLC in 2006 and is President. He founded Hunterdon Radio Theatre in 1999 and has written over 15 plays since. Spear's work has been broadcast in New York and New Jersey and his plays have been published on web sites across the country.

Tuesday 6 June – A FORCE OF POETS, Episode One – Helen Hunt Jackson

By
William E. Spear

Volume 1, Issue 23

A FORCE OF POETS, Episode One – Helen Hunt Jackson

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Full Transcript –

A FORCE OF POETS, PODCAST EPISODE ONE – Helen Hunt Jackson

ORIGINAL DATE: 6 June 2023

(Cold open)

We recall love and marriage in the month of May, the harvests of June, and the grogginess of early morning.

It’s the start of four weeks of poets here on The 3:57 by William E. Spear.

(Theme for A Force of Poets comes up)

Hello my name is William Spear and this is our new series titled A FORCE OF POETS.

First up is Helen Hunt Jackson.

Jackson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1830. She published five collections of poetry, including VERSES in 1870 and EASTER BELLS in 1884. Her works were also released under the pseudonyms “H.H.,” “Rip van Winkle,” and “Saxe Holm.”

In 1881, two years after hearing a speech by Chief Standing Bear, Jackson wrote A CENTURY OF DISHONOR, an exposé of crimes against Native Americans, which led to the founding of the Indian Rights Association.

Our episode focuses on three poems. The first is MAY, the second is JUNE, and the last is MORN as in the early part of the day.

From A FORCE OF POETS . . . Helen Hunt Jackson.

May

O month when they who love must love and wed!
Were one to go to worlds where May is naught,
And seek to tell the memories he had brought
From earth of thee, what were most fitly said?
I know not if the rosy showers shed
From apple-boughs, or if the soft green wrought
In fields, or if the robin’s call be fraught
The most with thy delight. Perhaps they read
Thee best who in the ancient time did say
Thou wert the sacred month unto the old:
No blossom blooms upon thy brightest day
So subtly sweet as memories which unfold
In aged hearts which in thy sunshine lie,
To sun themselves once more before they die.

Hunt’s next poem is titled . . .

June

O month whose promise and fulfilment blend,
And burst in one! it seems the earth can store
In all her roomy house no treasure more;
Of all her wealth no farthing have to spend
On fruit, when once this stintless flowering end.
And yet no tiniest flower shall fall before
It hath made ready at its hidden core
Its tithe of seed, which we may count and tend
Till harvest. Joy of blossomed love, for thee
Seems it no fairer thing can yet have birth?
No room is left for deeper ecstasy?
Watch well if seeds grow strong, to scatter free
Germs for thy future summers on the earth.
A joy which is but joy soon comes to dearth.

The third and final offering from Hunt is . . .

Morn

In what a strange bewilderment do we
Awake each morn from out the brief night’s sleep.
Our struggling consciousness doth grope and creep
Its slow way back, as if it could not free
Itself from bonds unseen. Then Memory,
Like sudden light, outflashes from its deep
The joy or grief which it had last to keep
For us; and by the joy or grief we see
The new day dawneth like the yesterday;
We are unchanged; our life the same we knew
Before. I wonder if this is the way
We wake from death’s short sleep, to struggle through
A brief bewilderment, and in dismay
Behold our life unto our old life true.

(Theme for A Force of Poets comes up)

You’ve just listened to Helen Hunt Jackson from A FORCE OF POETS.

Theme music is through the courtesy of QubeSounds at PixaBay.

The Three Fifty-seven is written and produced by William Spear.

Thank you for listening.

(Theme for A Force of Poets fades out)

June 2023 – The Month Ahead – The Business of The 3:57 by William E. Spear

A regular accounting of the The 3:57 published on the first Monday of each month.

Monday 5 June 2023

Re: An Introduction

Dear All,

Thank you for stopping by and it is my hope this finds you well.

The 3:57 by William E. Spear is six months into weekly posts and podcasts. It’s been a successful re-launch of a previous effort. These few paragraphs are offered as a formal introduction to, and insight on, the intent of the publication.

The 3:57 is an endeavor of mostly my own actions. It is my narration, and editing of same, that is heard. Except for bus stations and cheap bars, the recordings and accompanying artwork are posted in highly trafficked places for greatest impact.

This approach has been implemented with my twin titles of CIO – Chiefly Introverted Observer – and WLCC – World’s Least Comfortable Collaborator.

Self-deprecation aside, one reason for embracing the titles is to make this first point: A single voice can tell a story. One human, shorn of deliberate intent to bludgeon, humiliate, or intimidate can entertain, educate, and illuminate. Much like a solitary candle in the darkness, a solitary voice can be a beacon.

Further, The 3:57’s stories – whether original, interpreted, or curated – are those which have caught and sustained my attention. Whether they angered, fascinated, frightened, or humored me, all are examples of a second point: Stories are Everywhere.

Noting the above, and with fair warning of my voice once again on the recordings, this month’s stories are part of a series titled A FORCE OF POETS. The release schedule includes the following:

6 June: Episode 01 – Helen Hunt Jackson
13 June: Episode 02 – Emily Dickinson
20 June: Episode 03 – Christina G. Rossetti
27 June: Episode 04 – Phyllis Wheatley

As each is released it will be found at the home of our podcasts.

As a reminder, the LET ME GO TO HER series was released in May. Interpreted from Elizabeth Gaskell’s OLD NURSE’S STORY published in 1852, those episodes and links are below:

2 May: Episode 01 – Two Tragedies
9 May: Episode 02 – Furnivall Manor
16 May: Episode 03 – Discoveries
23 May: Episode 04 – Rosie is Missing
30 May: Episode 05 – What is Done in Youth

It is my hope you find them enjoyable. If you don’t, come back next month. Actually, come back in August because we are taking off July. The World’s Least Comfortable Collaborator needs a rest from the past six months.

Regards,

William E. Spear, Jr.
New Jersey, USA

Tuesday 30 May – LET ME GO TO HER, Episode Five – What is Done in Youth

By
William E. Spear

Volume 1, Issue 22

LET ME GO TO HER, Episode Five – What is Done in Youth

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Full Transcript –

LET ME GO TO HER, PODCAST EPISODE FIVE – What is Done in Youth

ORIGINAL DATE: 30 MAY 2023

(Cold open)

Rosie is missing in the midst of a rainstorm with thunder that is shaking the mansion and lightning that is illuminating the grounds.

All that and more is exploding on The 3:57 by William E. Spear.

(Organ music fades up)

Hello my name is William Spear and this is the conclusion of our series titled LET ME GO TO HER.

It is interpreted from Elizabeth Gaskell’s THE OLD NURSE’S STORY published in 1852.

Furnivall Manor is in an uproar. James is demanding Mrs. Stark tell her story. From the drawing-room Miss Furnivall has emerged looking terrified. And the organ, booming and threatening with its unseen player, adds its own voice.

Now, Episode Five . . . What is Done in Youth.

(Organ music fades up and under)

The thunder rocked the chandelier back and forth and the organ bounced it up and down.

James repeated his demand of Mrs. Stark to “tell her story”. She refused and with no other clues for finding Rosie I told him to continue.

“It all happened when Maude and Grace were in their twenties,” said James. “Their father, Lord Furnivall, loved music and hired an organist for lessons.”

Grace stepped to the organ which was playing under the command of unseen hands. Her fingers caressed the keys without actually touching them.

James continued: “The organist discreetly courted the sisters. Made sweet promises to both. Each tried to capture his attention. But Maude’s charms won the prize.”

Grace spewed poison: “How could he possibly have chosen her?” She slammed on the keys. The organ growled and the thunder roared.

She told more of the story: “My lying sister kept their marriage a secret. Each of us traveled so we went months or years without being in the house together. And when we were, the house was so big we might only see each other for meals.”

The organ tensed like a fist tightening and the thunder echoed its intent.

Grace spoke further: “One evening I saw a servant preparing a tray of food. ‘It’s for Miss Maude,’ the servant said. We had just eaten dinner so she couldn’t be hungry. I went up to her rooms.”

“There was Maude with a child! A girl! Must’ve been four years old. I ran to father and he was enraged. Said she ruined the family’s name. Then he kicked them out of the house in the midst of a terrible storm.”

The organ hit and sustained a note that opened a crack up the wall and across the ceiling to the chandelier.

James raged against her arrogance: “Maude and the girl died in the storm!”

The weather! My Rosie was out there and I had to find her! Music and thunder climaxed again and the door slammed open.

In ran Rosie and she leapt into my arms. We both sobbed and hugged each other. But the concert was not over. Thunder erupted followed by a blinding bolt of lightning. And there – there! – in the doorway were the spirits of young Maude Furnivall and her little girl.

Rosie screamed: “That’s the girl and her mother. They helped me.”

And from the organ appeared the ghastly ghostly shape of an old man. It was Lord Furnivall with silver hair and gleaming eyes. He walked toward mother and child and raised his cane to strike.

Another phantom appeared in the doorway. It was the spirit of young Grace Furnivall smiling contemptuously and approvingly. She encouraged the mother and child to be struck down.

Then a voice spoke but the words did not match the actions: “Oh, father! Father!” It was old Grace Furnivall begging mercy. “Spare the little innocent child!”

The old man’s cane struck its target. An explosion of thunder shook the mansion and the chandelier crashed to the floor.

A bolt of lightning flashed across the doorway and all four figures were gone.

Old Grace sobbed: “What I did in youth cannot be undone in my old age.” Then she collapsed. I grabbed Rosie and we drove all night to get back to my parents’ home.

(Organ music fades up and under)

Over the next few days our lawyer filed a petition for us to have permanent custody of Rosie. Grace died a few weeks later.

My college was delayed for a year while we got used to a fourth in the family.

And Rosie – dear, sweet Rosie – never again saw the little girl that called to her.

(Theme for Let Me Go To Her fades up)

You’ve just listened to the Fifth and Final Episode of LET ME GO TO HER.

Organ and theme music are through the courtesy of DS Technician at PixaBay.

The Three Fifty-seven is written and produced by William Spear.

Thank you for listening.

(Theme for Let Me Go To Her fades out)

WESJr.

Tuesday 23 May – LET ME GO TO HER, Episode Four – Rosie is Missing

By
William E. Spear

Volume 1, Issue 21

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Full Transcript –

LET ME GO TO HER, PODCAST EPISODE FOUR – Rosie is Missing

ORIGINAL DATE: 23 MAY 2023

(Cold open)

Why was James, one half of the couple who ran Furnivall Manor, so secretive about unveiling the painting? And, why was Dorothy, the other half of the couple, equally adamant about keeping it under wraps?

The answer to those questions and more are coming up on The 3:57 by William E. Spear.

(Theme for Let Me Go To Her comes up)

Hello my name is William Spear and this is our series titled LET ME GO TO HER.

It is interpreted from Elizabeth Gaskell’s THE OLD NURSE’S STORY published in 1852.

Standing in the hallway, the student is spellbound by the painting of the attractive Maude Furnivall, the older sister of Grace. Even the booming weather did not interrupt the gaze. But a voice coming from the drawing-room shatters the moment.

Now, Episode Four . . . Rosie is Missing.

(Theme for Let Me Go To Her fades up and under)

“You were told not to look.”

A flash of lightning lit the hallway and a loud thunderclap shook the mansion.

I spun around and was face-to-face with Mrs. Stark. She seemed a few degrees colder and greyer. “How did you find that painting?” she demanded.

The tone in her voice matched the contemptuous and disdainful stare of Maude Furnivall. Both made the point “You are not good enough to look.”

I explained the paintings were magnificent and my curiosity led me to pull back the covering. She shook her bony fist and said someone must’ve helped me.

Dorothy joined us: “What is the problem, Mrs. Stark?” The older of the two insisted I tell her who helped me. For added measure she called me an undesirable presence.

More lightning flashed and rolling thunder clapped louder. The mansion creaked to its core and the chandelier rattled.

But the student, Mrs. Stark, and Dorothy were not the only ones seeing and hearing the weather. Inside the drawing-room, Rosie was staring out the window. There was the little girl from her parents’ funeral.

Rosie looked back at the now-sleeping Miss Furnivall and turned to her shivering friend. “I am coming to you,” she whispered. She pushed open the glass door and walked into the rain.

Back in the hallway Dorothy had pulled James from the kitchen and demanded an explanation. This time he neither looked down nor mumbled. He steeled himself and with a bass voice that came up from the cellar and insisted the story be told.

Mrs. Stark shrieked for James to leave. Before he moved I told them I was leaving with Rosie. A thunderclap escorted me into the drawing-room.

A moment later I returned panic-stricken. “Rosie is gone,” I announced. “She’s missing.”

James turned on Mrs. Stark and Dorothy intervened: “It wasn’t her fault,” she said.

Thunder exploded, the chandelier shook violently, and the organ joined the chorus.

(Organ music fades up)

You’ve just listened to the Fourth Episode of LET ME GO TO HER.

Organ and theme music are through the courtesy of DS Technician at PixaBay.

The Three Fifty-seven is written and produced by William Spear.

Thank you for listening.

(Organ music fades up and out)

End of transcript.

Tuesday 16 May – LET ME GO TO HER, Episode Three – Discoveries

By
William E. Spear

Volume 1, Issue 20

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Full Transcript –

LET ME GO TO HER, PODCAST EPISODE THREE – Discoveries

ORIGINAL DATE: 16 MAY 2023

(Cold open)

The student navigated a downpour to get Rosie to her new family. But the crumbling mansion is no one’s idea of “Home Sweet Home.”

Their story is coming up next on The 3:57 by William E. Spear.

(Organ music comes up)

Hello my name is William Spear and this is our series titled LET ME GO TO HER.

It is interpreted from Elizabeth Gaskell’s THE OLD NURSE’S STORY published in 1852.

The student and Rosie entered Furnivall Manor in upstate New Jersey and were assaulted by organ music. But, no one was playing.

Now, Episode Three . . . Discoveries.

(Organ music climbs)

The music continued to climb until a voice called out: “Hello, there. We’ve be expecting you.”

(Organ music quickly fades out)

It was James, one half of the couple who ran the household. I looked around and asked what happened to the music.

“There was no music,” said another voice slicing from the shadows.

Dorothy, the other half, stepped next to her husband and asked, “Was there James?”

He looked down and mumbled “No. Of course not.” I dropped the subject and focused on the portraits hanging in the hallway. Generations of Furnivalls were on display.

Their good looks were exceeded only by their pride and scorn.

Of note, one painting was covered. “Who’s that?” There’s no need to look assured Dorothy as she steered me away.

I called for Rosie but the child did not answer. She was gone. “Rosie! ROSIE!”

James pointed me toward the drawing-room. Sitting on a sofa larger than my car was Rosie.

He spoke: “She’s with Miss Furnivall and Mrs. Stark.”

I breathed relief and approached the odd trio: an orphaned six-year-old and two octogenarians. Rosie chattered away as if they were lifelong pals.

James introduced me. Mrs. Stark was cold and grey. Miss Furnivall, Grace when she was young, was thin and had a face full of fine wrinkles. Traces of ancient beauty mixed with the family’s ever-present pride and scorn.

James excused himself to bring refreshments. With Rosie cheerfully regaling Miss Furnivall, Mrs. Stark, and Dorothy, I volunteered to help.

We passed by the paintings and James pointed out out a striking portrait of a young Grace. Who would have thought Miss Furnivall had been such an out-and-out beauty to see her now?

“True,” said James. “But Miss Furnivall’s older sister, Maude, was even more stunning.” The possibility was beyond imagination.

“Where’s her portrait?” I asked.

James checked in the drawing room and saw Dorothy tending to Miss Furnivall. He made me swear I would never tell her and then tilted his head toward the covered picture as he left for the kitchen.

I uncovered it and there was young Maude Furnivall. To be sure, she beat Miss Grace for beauty and scornful pride. But it would’ve been close.

As I stood marvelling, a familiar voice sliced through me: “You were told not to look.”

(Theme for Let Me Go To Her fades up and under)

You’ve just listened to the Third Episode of LET ME GO TO HER.

Organ and theme music are through the courtesy of DSTechnician at PixaBay.

The Three Fifty-seven is written and produced by William Spear.

Thank you for listening.

(Theme for Let Me Go To Her fades out)

The end.

Tuesday 9 May – LET ME GO TO HER, Episode Two – Furnivall Manor

By
William E. Spear

Volume 1, Issue 19

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Full Transcript –

LET ME GO TO HER, PODCAST EPISODE TWO – Furnivall Manor

ORIGINAL DATE: 9 MAY 2023

(Cold open)

The student’s college dreams come back from the financial dead and the orphaned Rosie talks to an unseen child.

Right here on The 3:57 by William E. Spear.

(Theme for Let Me Go To Her comes up)

Hello my name is William Spear and this is our series titled LET ME GO TO HER.

It is interpreted from Elizabeth Gaskell’s THE OLD NURSE’S STORY published in 1852.

An attorney has shown up representing the Furnivall family and their intent to adopt the orphan Rosie. But, who is the family and what is their connection?

Now, Episode Two . . . Furnivall Manor.

(Theme for Let Me Go To Her fades under and out)

I called mom and dad and they said they’d be home as quick as possible. The attorney sat down and didn’t say a word.

Rosie walked between us and examined the visitor. Hair color, shoe color, and briefcase color were faded brown, worn out brown, and barely brown.

The little girl walked into another room and spoke words we didn’t fully hear.

When she returned, she mumbled, stared again at the visitor, and resumed her post looking out the window.

Mom and dad arrived with the attorney who helped us with Rosie. The legals gestured to each other and the papers were exchanged.

Rosie wandered between us and back to the window.

Mom and dad’s attorney acknowledged the papers were properly signed and sealed with “Duly Noteds”, “Therefores”, and “Parties of the First and Second Parts”. However, a day’s time to fully review the documents was requested.

The Furnivall attorney reluctantly granted twenty-four hours. A deep bow was offered followed by a quick retreat.

The moment the door closed there was an explosion of voices.

Dad said there was no way he’d let a stranger take Rosie. Mom added Rosie’s parents never even mentioned the name Furnivall.

Their well-intended concerns were undermining my slim hopes of going to college.

Our attorney left with a promise to have answers in the morning. Dinner was a quiet affair and we went to bed.

After midnight I heard a voice and went into the living room. There was Rosie staring out the window saying, “Yes, I know. Soon. Very soon.” When she saw me she went back to bed. I grabbed a blanket and slept in the living room.

In the morning the Furnivall attorney arrived after breakfast and immediately complained of being late for appointments.

Around eleven our attorney arrived with the verdict: The Furnivalls were, indeed, Rosie’s blood relatives and prepared to take her in.

Mom and dad protested but everything was legal. I offered to drive Rosie so they could go back to work. Their attorney sent a notice to the household staff that we would arrive by mid-afternoon.

The journey up the highway began and the weather fought back. Every exit marker added clouds and grey. When the final toll was paid, a downpour pummeled my car. Noah’s ark had nothing on us.

Each road was more narrow and rougher than the one before. From a lane that was ancient when Rip Van Winkle was young, we turned onto the Furnivall estate.

(Bed of organ music)

Their stone and granite manor house was half consumed by the surrounding forest. Through the trees, music rose.

It beckoned – or dared – us to approach. The entrance door was pushed open and there was an organ blaring.

But no one was playing it.

(Organ music fades up and under)

You’ve just listened to the Second Episode of LET ME GO TO HER.

Theme and organ music are through the courtesy of DSTechnician at PixaBay.

The Three Fifty-seven is written and produced by William Spear.

Thank you for listening.

(Organ music fades out)