New Girl in Town

Originally Aired: February 5, 1940 In Lum #253, "New Girl in Town," Lum is nursing his wounded pride after the widow Florence Beaumont left Pine Ridge to return to Nashville last week. Declaring himself done with romance forever, he proclaims to Abner at the Jot 'Em Down Store that he's a lone wolf who can't depend on women. Abner tries to convince him that married life has its comforts, painting a picture of domestic bliss with his wife Lizabeth, but his timing couldn't be worse. When Lizabeth calls the store and tears into Abner over the phone, it becomes clear that marital harmony isn't all it's cracked up to be. As Grandpap Spears and Squire Skimp drop by, each man shares his own tales of domestic strife. Grandpap can't attend lodge meeting because his wife Charity has instituted new rules, while Squire complains that the women's organizations in town are giving wives too much authority. The gathering becomes an impromptu men's club of sorts, with Lum feeling increasingly vindicated in his decision to remain single as his married friends detail their trials and tribulations at home.