Forty Years with Mister Oswald #[nn]

In this wry 1968 gem from *Forty Years with Mister Oswald*, a simple misunderstanding over a workplace conversation spirals into a comically awkward situation when Mrs. Oswald convinces Mr. Oswald that Herman is about to be poached for a better job—prompting a hasty raise that’s just as quickly rescinded when the truth comes out. The story captures the quiet absurdity of office life with a perfectly timed mix of miscommunication and small-town charm.

In this charming 1968 slice of whimsy, Jo and Mr. Oswald enjoy a lighthearted ice cream soda date when they meet Jonny, a slick-talking soda jerk with a knack for turning a simple order into a full-service experience. Impressed by his flair, Mr. Oswald convinces Jonny to leave the soda shop and join his hardware store—launching a delightfully oddball partnership that’s as much about charm as it is about commerce.

In "Herman Gets Tempermental," Mister Oswald drops by to check on Jonny Potts as he settles into his new sales job, only to find Herman less than thrilled with his new co-worker. With a grumble and a dramatic exit, Herman fakes illness to leave work early—leaving the situation, and Jonny, very much unresolved.

In "School Closes Precipitately," Mister Oswald tries to hold a serious after-work meeting with his employees, only to find his plans derailed by hungry staff raiding the store fridge and distracted by a lively Cards vs. Cubs game on the radio. The moment spirals as focus dissolves into snacks and baseball chatter, leaving Mister Oswald exasperated and the meeting abruptly called off.

In a delightfully absurd 1968 gag, Mister Oswald levies a hefty $6.00 onion-scented delivery fee, prompting a hilariously over-the-top rant about banning onions if he ever became President—while Jonny, still reeking of onions from dinner, spends the day desperately trying to avoid the irate delivery man’s wrath.

In "It's Lucky He Doesn't Sell Furniture," Jonny arrives late to work after a morning spent furniture shopping with his fiancée. Gracious Mister Oswald, ever the generous employer, offers to sell them all the appliances they need at cost—though Jonny still worries about the weekly payments, reminding his boss to take just $1 a week from his paycheck.

In "We'll Bet Herman Botches It Up," Mister Oswald faces a tough decision when Miss Turmyte agrees to sell her building for $25,000—only to hit a wall when Mr. Van Note refuses to back a loan, urging him instead to build a new store beyond the city limits. The story captures Mister Oswald’s growing frustration as he tours distant plots, realizing the new site would leave his customers stranded, all while the weight of his plans hangs heavy in the air.

In "Hello Dejection Goodbye Fervor," Mister Oswald returns from an appliance sales convention fired up to pitch the latest gadgets—only to be shut down with a single "no" from Mrs. Saybrook. Back home, Mrs. Oswald finds quiet humor in the irony: after a day of relentless persuasion, her husband was undone by just one word.

In the midst of the annual IRHA hardware week convention, Mr. Hotair gets a boost of ambition after learning about lucrative bonuses for wholesalers who hit their targets—enough to promise his wife a $1,200 mink coat if he succeeds. Back at the store, his excitement turns to frustration when Mister Oswald dismisses the idea, prompting Hotair to chase him around with a travel bag as a makeshift weapon.

In "Putting the 'Man' in Management," Mr. Hotair rolls into Mister Oswald's store with a stack of flashy new color circulars, eager to prove their worth. While Mister Oswald remains unconvinced, the other salesmen light up at the sight of the bold, vibrant ads—already imagining how they could breathe new life into slow-moving stock.

In "Advertising That Means Business," Mister Oswald’s hardware store braces for a busy week, but when a newspaper ad accidentally lists an electric drill for $1.99, he sees a chance for publicity—and decides to honor the price. The resulting rush of customers turns the shop into a frenzy, and the team celebrates with a steak dinner, only for the mood to shift when Herman reveals a mountain of rainchecks for the same low-priced drill.

In "Lucky Oswald! His Income Continues," Mister Oswald's ill-fated fishing trip with Doc Chambers leaves the store in chaos: Miss Turmyte shows up to renegotiate the lease, a frozen freezer sparks complaints, and Pearlie’s mishandled delivery order adds to the mess. Meanwhile, Herman crashes the company truck and Jonny deals with a bounced check after a bank visit, all while Oswald debates staying longer at the fishing hole—only to be reminded that Chambers’ absence is costing him money.

In "In Days of Hard Sell It's Hard to Buy What You Want," J. P. Van Boodle tries to buy a simple handheld radio in downtown Dippy Center, only to be relentlessly steered toward pricier alternatives at every shop—until he finally escapes the sales pitch at Oswald's Hardware Store, where he walks out with a large portable radio instead.

In "This Time Maybe He'll Suggest Lock Washers," Mister Oswald’s focus slips as he helps Jerry hunt for bolts and washers, leaving the Boodles—town’s most extravagant family—unattended while they browse for a high-end color TV. When he finally returns, they casually reveal they already own a fine new set and just need a few fasteners, leaving him flustered by the irony of his misplaced priorities.

In a quiet moment at the store, Herman alerts Mr. Oswald that Mr. McNote was seen slipping a steel tape into his pocket—though the man is known to be wealthy, leaving the staff baffled. When Mrs. Oswald hears the theory, she’s quick to spread the gossip, only for Mr. McNote to return moments later, sheepish and apologetic, explaining he simply forgot he’d pocketed the tape. Mr. Oswald dashes out just in time to intercept his wife before she reaches the newspaper.