Almost All of Abner’s Merchandise is Gone

Originally Aired: March 11, 1935 In Lum & Abner #61, “Almost All of Abner’s Merchandise is Gone,” the swap-crazy president of the Jot ‘Em Down Store is finally facing the consequences of his barter bonanza. Abner’s side of the store is nearly empty, his shelves traded away for a dizzying assortment of livestock—rabbits multiplying out of control, a goat eating the neighbors’ laundry, and even the prospect of acquiring a talking parrot. As Lum warns that all this business is no good without profit, Abner insists he’ll make it all back when he sells his menagerie. But the feed bills pile up, circus animals need care, and complaints pour in about wandering livestock destroying gardens and clotheslines. By the end, with his animals running loose and angry neighbors calling for the constable, Abner’s “swap plan” finally seems more trouble than it’s worth. It’s a riotous episode of rural chaos, slapstick business, and classic Pine Ridge predicaments. Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), with supporting voices including Cedric and Pine Ridge townsfolk Tags: LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, bartergonewrong, Horlicks, ruralcomedy, animalchaos, classicradio, vaudeville, storeempty, runawaylivestock, GoffAndLauck