Operating the Mine on Royalty Basis

Originally Aired: September 13, 1935

In Lum & Abner #195, "Operating the Mine on Royalty Basis," Lum finds himself back in the big chair as president and general manager of the Great Western Sterling Silver Company, reinstated by grateful stockholders after his supposed heroic rescue of Abner from kidnappers. Down at Dick Huddleston's store, Lum basks in his regained importance while Dick tries to pin him down on actual plans for the struggling mine. Though Lum insists he has plenty of ideas, he struggles to articulate exactly what he'll do to help the Pine Ridge citizens recover their investments in Squire Skimp's dubious silver mine venture.

Dick suggests selling the mine or operating it on a royalty basis, where a big mining company would pay them for the silver they extract. Lum latches onto this idea enthusiastically, despite admitting the concept is somewhat over his head. The challenge remains finding a legitimate mining company interested in the operation, especially since the only evidence of silver is the suspicious chunk Squire claimed to have dug up himself. Meanwhile, Abner and Grandpap return from their grocery delivery route, with the store running low on supplies while Lum stays preoccupied with his mining responsibilities.