Lum Wants Abner to Go

Originally Aired: June 27, 1938 Lum #52, "Lum Wants Abner to Go," Lum is preparing for his departure to England on Friday to collect his enormous 30 million pound inheritance, and he's determined not to make the journey alone. When Abner drops by while Lum's clothes are being washed, Lum makes his pitch: he needs a treasurer he can trust to help carry all that money back home, and he wants Abner for the job. The offer is tempting - Lum promises to pay all of Abner's expenses and give him a salary, plus they'll take a bicycle tour through Europe visiting England, Holland, France, Switzerland, and Italy. There's just one problem: Abner would have to sell his half of the store to afford the initial trip, spending his last cent on what seems like a frivolous adventure. The real obstacle, however, is Abner's wife Lizabeth, who's already waiting on a late dinner. When Lum takes matters into his own hands and telephones her directly, he tries to sell her on the idea of Abner becoming his treasurer for life. As Lum navigates the delicate conversation, promising to look after Abner and even agreeing to skip Paris to ease her concerns, the question remains whether Lizabeth will allow her husband to embark on this grand European adventure.