First Day of School

Originally Aired: September 16, 1935

In Lum & Abner #196, "First Day of School," Lum finds himself in hot water with the stockholders of the Great Western Sterling Silver Company. Since schoolteacher Evelina Schultz has returned to Pine Ridge, Lum has been neglecting his duties as president and general manager of the mine to pursue his courtship with her. Down at Dick Huddleston's store, Grandpappy Spears voices his frustration about the investment, which has left many townspeople in financial trouble. The situation looks grim: Squire Skimp sold the stock, pocketed three thousand dollars, and left town, leaving Lum holding all the responsibility but no money to operate the mine.

Hope arrives when Dick mentions that a well-dressed stranger has been looking for the manager of the silver mine. Grandpappy and the others speculate that he might be interested in buying the mine, which could help recover their lost investments. Lum, carrying his stock certificates with him at all times, expresses eagerness to make a deal, though he plans to negotiate rather than accept the first offer. The question remains whether this mysterious visitor will provide the solution to their financial troubles.