Stockholders Want Their Money Back

Originally Aired: September 3, 1935

In Lum & Abner #187, "Stockholders Want Their Money Back," Lum Edwards finds himself in dire straits after being left holding the bag in a fraudulent silver mine scheme. After hiding in Abner's barn to avoid angry investors, Lum cautiously emerges to face a hostile Pine Ridge community. When he ventures out on the rolling store with Abner, customers literally turn their backs and retreat into their homes at the sight of him. Even Mose the barber refuses to serve him when other customers walk out. Dick Huddleston visits Lum to discuss the situation, explaining that as president of the mining company, Lum is being held responsible for the seven thousand dollars that the absconded promoter Squire Skimp collected from townspeople.

Despite the community's cold shoulder threatening to bankrupt their joint store, loyal partner Abner refuses to dissolve their partnership. When Abner reports taking in only a dollar and sixty cents on his entire delivery route, he insists on standing by Lum no matter the financial consequences. However, tensions escalate when Abner warns that Caleb Weehunt, the blacksmith, has been making threats about what he'll do if he doesn't get his investment back, adding physical danger to Lum's mounting troubles.