Prof Interested in Bones

Originally Aired: March 21, 1938

Lum #10, "Prof Interested in Bones," finds the old fellows convinced they've made an important archaeological discovery. After Cedric Wehunt unearths a bone while replacing dirt in Abner's yard, Lum becomes certain they've found the fossil of a prehistoric dinosaur. He purchases a book from Evelina that confirms such creatures once lived in the area, and he excitedly shares pictures with a skeptical Abner at the Jotham Down store. Lum has grand visions of either selling their find to a museum or joining a carnival to exhibit it, though Abner remains less enthusiastic about traipsing around the country with a pile of old bones.

The nocturnal digging operation becomes increasingly complicated as Abner's wife Elizabeth grows suspicious about the nightly activity in her yard. Abner has already exhausted several cover stories, from digging for fish bait to searching for gold, and she's asking more questions by the day. Lum insists on secrecy and has even sworn Grandpappy Spears and Cedric to an elaborate oath. As the men continue piecing together what they believe is a dinosaur skeleton, tensions rise over whether to let Elizabeth in on their mysterious discovery.