Lum and Abner 35-01-09 (0018) Pine Ridge Oil Boom Over

Summary

Podcast Summary: Lum and Abner 35-01-09 (0018) Pine Ridge Oil Boom Over

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Episode: Lum and Abner 35-01-09 (0018) Pine Ridge Oil Boom Over
• Release Date: July 18, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio with the beloved characters Lum and Abner. The story unfolds in Pine Ridge, a town once thriving due to an oil boom that has recently come crashing down. This detailed summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting key discussions, character insights, and the overarching themes of resilience and community.

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Plot Overview

The episode begins with Lum and Abner grappling with the sudden collapse of the oil boom in Pine Ridge. Their oil well, initially thought to be a lucrative venture, was inadvertently drilled into the Southern Pipeline Company's pipeline, leading to the revelation that it wasn't a genuine oil well after all.

Key Plot Points:

• Discovery of the Fraudulent Oil Well: Lum and Abner realize that their oil well is not producing oil but has instead tapped into the Southern Pipeline Company's system, causing significant financial loss.

  "Well, yesterday, Pine Ridge received a very great shock... the old fellows had drilled into one of the pipelines..." [00:56]

• Impact on the Community: The collapse of the oil boom leads to an exodus of residents and businesses from Pine Ridge, transforming it from a bustling town to what Lum describes as a "picnic ground" post-boom.

  "Everybody excited over the oil boom. See it now looks like a picnic ground." [07:20]

• Financial Struggles: Without the anticipated profits, Lum and Abner face financial uncertainty, contemplating options like mortgaging their store or borrowing money to sustain themselves.

  "We could mortgage our store building or borrow a little money on our farms." [06:25]

• Confrontation with Squire Skimp: Squire Skimp, the antagonist, is revealed to have tricked Lum and Abner into selling the non-productive well. Lum takes satisfaction in knowing that Skimp will now face hefty costs to rectify his mistake.

  "He was trying to get that agreement back we made him sign... he's responsible for everything according to that agreement." [10:00]

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Character Insights

Lum: Lum exhibits a sense of responsibility and reflection throughout the episode. He acknowledges the misstep of believing in the oil well and expresses a desire to make amends for the community's misplaced hopes.

"I feel like I owe somebody something for all the good times I've had." [03:27]

Abner: Abner portrays a mix of frustration and resilience. While he is disheartened by the financial downturn, he also demonstrates a pragmatic approach to overcoming their predicament.

"I give up, but I'm just sort of uneasy. Body's got to eat, you know." [06:08]

Squire Skimp: Though not physically present for much of the episode, Squire Skimp's actions and their repercussions are central to the plot. His deceitful behavior ultimately leads to his own downfall, reflecting the episode's theme of karma.

"He had it coming to him, if ever a man did." [09:56]

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Key Themes and Discussions

1. Resilience in Adversity: Lum and Abner's journey underscores the importance of resilience when faced with unforeseen challenges. Despite their financial loss, they contemplate rebuilding and finding new avenues for sustenance.

   "He looks like we're gonna have to start all over again." [02:58]

2. Community and Responsibility: The episode highlights the duo's concern for their community members, Elizabeth and Pearl, showcasing their sense of responsibility towards others during tough times.

   "I just leave them there till you get on your feet again." [05:26]

3. Deception and Consequences: Squire Skimp's fraudulent actions serve as a cautionary tale about deceit. His attempt to manipulate Lum and Abner results in his own financial setbacks, emphasizing that dishonesty often leads to negative outcomes.

   "He was responsible for everything according to that agreement." [10:25]

4. Hope and Optimism: Despite the bleak circumstances, Lum and Abner hold onto hope, believing that with effort and determination, they can regain their footing and restore Pine Ridge's former glory.

   "Every cloud's got a silver lining." [06:13]

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Lum on Starting Over:

  "Looks like we're gonna have to start all over again." [02:58]

• Abner on Financial Pressures:

  "Dog is if I sold on these shoes gets any thinner, I'm going to be on my feet any day now." [05:30]

• Lum on Resilience:

  "Don't get to feeling sorry for yourself, Abner. That's the worst thing a fellow can do when he gets up again." [05:56]

• Abner on Community Impact:

  "I never thought I'd ever have to hit another liquor." [05:39]

• Lum on Deception:

  "He went to all the trouble of tricking us into selling the well to him... now it's going to cost him over $7,000 to get out of it." [10:00]

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Conclusions

Lum and Abner 35-01-09 (0018) Pine Ridge Oil Boom Over serves as a poignant narrative about the fragility of prosperity and the strength required to rebuild in its absence. Through Lum and Abner's experiences, listeners gain insight into the challenges of economic downturns, the importance of integrity, and the enduring spirit of community. The episode masterfully blends humor with heartfelt moments, staying true to the essence of old-time radio while delivering timeless lessons on resilience and responsibility.

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Note: Advertisements and non-content sections from the transcript have been excluded to focus solely on the narrative content of the episode.

Transcript

[Ryan Seacrest]

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[Vera]

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[Ryan Seacrest]

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[Lum]

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[Carlton Bricker]

We're prohibited by law 21/ terms and conditions apply. Everybody here. We are all ready to take you down to Pine Ridge for another visit with Lum and Abner, brought to you by the makers of Horlicks, the original malted milk. Your doctor will tell you that one of the most important factors in good health is plenty of rest, plenty of refreshing sleep. Without a sufficient amount of sleep regularly, our bodies are apt to run down. Our resistance to sickness and disease be lowered. No, there isn't any substitute for the tonic of a full night's rest. Now, some people have difficulty getting to sleep easily at night. They lie awake for hours, Just can't get to sleep. Well, those people don't know the secret of a cup of Horlick's malted milk. Hot at bedtime. A drink of Horlicks to relax your body, soothe your nerves, help you to fall asleep quickly. Help you to sleep soundly, too. Tonight, just before you go to bed, drink a cup of Horlicks hot. You sleep better, more restfully. You can get Horlicks, you know, in either natural or chocolate flavor. And now let's get ready for Lum and Abner. Well, yesterday, Pine Ridge received a very great shock. It was discovered that the oil well that Lum and Abner and Grandpappy Spears brought in and sold to Squire Skimp wasn't an oil well after all. The old fellows had drilled into one of the pipelines of the Southern Pipeline Company, which runs close to Pine Ridge, transporting oil from distant oil fields to their refineries. As we look in on Pine Ridge today, we find Lum and Abner over at Lum's house. The old fellows are just beginning to realize what has happened. Listen.

[Lum]

Well, we ride back to where we started, Amer.

[Abner]

Yeah. No, we ain't neither, Mom. When we started, we had a good grocery store down there. And now we ain't got nothing.

[Lum]

Yeah. Looks like we're gonna have to start all over again. Well, we were sitting right smack on top of the world there for a while, though.

[Abner]

Yeah, but. Well, you got to recollect the world turns around. You never know when you're on the top or where you're on the bottom.

[Lum]

Yeah. Oh, that news used to get you off the foundation right out from under all them air castles I had built.

[Abner]

Well, that smarter fun while it lasted. We got to find out how it feels to be rich.

[Lum]

Yeah. Our trouble was we rich without no money. Anyhow, I granted, I feel like I owe somebody something for all the good times I've had. These trips I've been making.

[Abner]

What trips? I never know if you left town.

[Lum]

Told me. In the last two weeks I've been all over the United States. Seen America first.

[Abner]

Why, you ain't done no such a thing long. You've been right here all the time.

[Lum]

Well, I just same as made the trip. I studying about them tonight. Laid over there in bed of a night and imagine myself down at Daytoni Beach, Florida hot springs in California. Feel like, oh, somebody something for all interest.

[Abner]

And just like that car, I was going to buy that big gray one and put about 10,000 miles on that driving. Driven all over the country in my mind.

[Lum]

Oh, yeah.

[Abner]

I never will forget how everybody's eyes bugged out when I drive up in front of the blacksmith shop over they just took on over.

[Lum]

You mean you just imagine how they look?

[Abner]

Yeah, yeah. Oh, I. I never was inside the car, but I used to sit over at the place at night and imagine myself driving it.

[Lum]

Well, I ain't got no regrets over that. I've always wondered how a feller felt to have all the money wanted. And I found out.

[Abner]

Yeah, but now that it's all over, what are we going to do for a living? I've got to raise some money somewhere.

[Lum]

Oh, well, we can get in some kind of business.

[Abner]

Well, you can't go into business without money of some kind on them.

[Lum]

That's right, ain't it?

[Abner]

Poor Elizabeth and Pearl off down there in Texas. I know they relay seems to be tired of feeding them. I just wish there's some way for me to get them home.

[Lum]

You better leave them down after you find something to do. Bad enough for us to go hungry without you letting your women folks up and better leave them down there where they'll be took care of.

[Abner]

Yeah, well, now, that might be a good idea for she comes back now and finds out we've lost the store and. Oh, well, and everything else. Ain't gonna be room for both of us here in Pine Ridge nohow.

[Lum]

No, I just leave them there till you get on your feet again.

[Abner]

Dog is if I sold on these shoes gets any thinner, I'm going to be on my feet any day now.

[Lum]

Well, study is something for us to do.

[Abner]

It looks like a shame, Lump. Bella gets up to our age, has to get out and start all over again. Yeah, I never thought I'd ever have to hit another liquor.

[Lum]

Well, don't get to feeling sorry for yourself, Abner. That's the worst thing a fellow can do when he gets up again.

[Abner]

Well, ain't nobody else going to feel sorry for me. I may as well do it myself.

[Lum]

No, that's your only altitude to take. When I see somebody feeling sorry for himself, I know right then that he's give up. He's a goner.

[Abner]

Well, I give up, but I'm just sort of uneasy. Body's got to eat, you know.

[Lum]

Well, I recollect that old letters saying every cloud's got a silver lining.

[Abner]

Yeah, them clouds are just about as far out of reach as money is. Wouldn't help me none if it's gold line.

[Lum]

Yeah, I hate to think about doing it, but if the worst comes to the worst, we don calm. Yeah, I started to say I hate to go in debt, but if there ain't no other way out of it. We could mortgage our store building or borrow a little money on our farms.

[Abner]

Yeah, if we can find anybody that'll loan us anything on them. I don't believe they fell. There's got $10 and let us have it on. The best house in town since the oil boom. Busted.

[Lum]

Yeah, I was just looking down there at the folks leaving town this morning. Trucks and automobiles and wagons and everything else getting out of town as fast as they can.

[Abner]

Well, natural when they found out that there weren't no real oil, well, all these strangers would come in here and pull out.

[Lum]

I had to turn around and walk back over the place. Just couldn't bear to watch it. And a texture of sadness sort of come over me. Yeah, here Pine Ridge was growing so.

[Abner]

Oh, yeah.

[Lum]

Everybody excited over the oil boom. See it now looks like a picnic ground. Day after the picnic.

[Abner]

Oh, lord me, it's so dead down there. Body could fire a cannon right down the main street, not hit a soul. Won't be two weeks before you can graze cattle right there in the street.

[Lum]

Yeah, I was talking to Dick Huddleston this morning. Said his business had fell off something wonderful since yesterday. Well, he had eight extra clerks of working for him. He had to let them all go this morning.

[Abner]

Yeah, I bet he was mad about it. He was making money hand over fist.

[Lum]

He never let on if he was.

[Abner]

Never, huh?

[Lum]

No. Sitting back there by the stove when I come in and bannered me for a second checker game the minute I walk in. I know he must feel bad about it, though. But you know Dick, he. He wouldn't let on if he killed him.

[Abner]

No, no.

[Lum]

That's what makes me feel sort of bad about it. We was the ones that thought we had oil there and got everybody's hopes built up. And then the flop, she went.

[Abner]

Oh, well, that's bad all right now, but it done some good. We woke some of these folks up around here. They ain't had an idea in 15 years. As old Uncle Fred Cecil, he put in that hamburger stand down there. It's the first time that he's ever got. I pile that rocking chair off in this front gallery there as far back as I can leak up.

[Lum]

Yeah, it done that all right. Some of these old nesters back to life. But the town's gonna look like a graveyard, so. Well, we'd have had any sense at all, we'd have known from the first that there weren't no oil well.

[Abner]

I don't see why. It looked like oil well to me. Looks like I thought one of those. I never did see one.

[Lum]

Well, if I'd have stopped to think, though, I recollect them laying that pipeline through here about 15 years old. Yeah, I never knowed exactly where it was. I know to just run east of town here. Summer.

[Abner]

Well, I can see now why Caleb had so much trouble drilling a well. Don't you know, just before he struck oil, he had to take the bit out and shorten it about four or five times.

[Lum]

Yeah, he thought he was hitting a big rock or some kind down there. That iron pipe he was drilling through.

[Abner]

Why, sure. It was a pipeline.

[Lum]

Natural. When he drilled a hole in it, the oil spurred up out of the ground.

[Abner]

Yeah, I'm just thankful for one thing, that we sold it before they found out what they did.

[Lum]

Yeah, Dick Hudson used to tell me they going to make old Squire pay for every bit of oil that run out of there.

[Abner]

Oh, me. Now that's going to amount to something.

[Lum]

Oh, well, Dick said he did it run to $4,200.

[Abner]

$4,200?

[Lum]

That's what he said. I hate to laugh about anybody having hard luck, but some way or other, I can't bring myself to feel sharper. Old squ.

[Abner]

I can't. He had it coming to him, if ever a man did.

[Lum]

Here he went to all the trouble of tricking us into selling the well to him. Buying it under a consumed name. That a way, now it's going to cost him over $7,000 to get out of it. Counting the $3,000 that he give us.

[Abner]

That totally even things up for some of the skinning they give us long.

[Lum]

Yeah, and he was trying to give us a skinning on this. On this deal. But the thing backfired on him. I bet you he'll leave us alone from here.

[Abner]

Hell, no. He won't bother us no more.

[Lum]

Me and him coming over here yesterday, trying to trade back with us. Yeah, making us think he was doing us a big favorance for letting us have it back.

[Abner]

He knows right then that we drilled into a pipeline when he.

[Lum]

He was trying to get that agreement back we made him sign.

[Abner]

That's a white. Just what he doing when he come over.

[Lum]

Yeah, see, he's responsible for everything according to that agreement.

[Abner]

Yeah, and he did anything to get that back cool on.

[Lum]

Well, he made us sign the same kind of agreement himself when he sold us that land over there to start with. Yeah, he had to pay off $355 to satisfy them stockholders. So I don't feel bad about this.

[Abner]

Well, now there ain't no way for him to get out of it.

[Lum]

Oh, no, no, it's legal. I looked after that part of it myself. Got his name right on it. Witnessed and everything. Well, there's something about I do hereby and here with a Greer. Wait, how does that go? Let me see that thing again.

[Abner]

Yeah. Yeah. I want to be sure that green man's worth a lot to us. What's the matter, love? You look like it's all gold.

[Lum]

It's gone. It's gone.

[Abner]

What's gone?

[Lum]

That dreaming we had for our science. I granted, I had it right here in this pocket. It ain't there.

[Vera]

Off.

[Carlton Bricker]

You don't suppose our old friend Squire Skimp could have had anything to do with the disappearance of that agreement? Ladies and gentlemen, here's a little scene that took place in the Conklin home. In the living room were Mrs. Conklin and her sister, Mrs. Mead, from out of town. The sisters hadn't seen one another in some time. They had a lot to talk about. One topic was Mrs. Mead's little daughter. And that's an interesting story too. So let's listen.

[Vera]

How's little Irene? You know, I haven't seen her in. Well, it must be about two years. Well, she's fine, Vera. The healthiest little Yankee you've ever seen. Oh, she's full of life and pep every minute of the day. Irene is one. The last time I saw her, she was a thin little tyke with no color at all. And she seemed so. Well, listless. I suppose she did. But that was my fault, I'm afraid. Your fault? Yes. I hadn't taken the trouble to find out about Horlick's malted milk. It was Irene's school teacher who told me about that. And what a scene we have today. She told me a scene? Why? What was wrong? Well, I resented her telling me how to raise my child. I thought she had a lot of nerve, and I told her so, too. And not in very gentle language either. Well, it's a wonder she didn't walk out on you. She didn't, though, thank goodness. She just sat there calmly all the while that I was raving. Then she told me that she didn't mean to be impertinent. But she did want me to know how Horlicks had helped her little brother. He was sickly or undernourished, like Irene, you know. Well, Horlicks did wonders for him.

[Abner]

She.

[Vera]

She told me all about Horlicks. Also about its valuable nourishment and its vitamins and mineral elements, you know, that help children develop healthy bodies and sound bones and teeth. You took her advice then? Yes. Fortunately, I went right down to the drugstore and bought a package of Horlicks for Irene. And has Horlicks helped her? Oh, marvelously, Vera. I've never seen such a change in a child. Ever since that day her teacher called on me. Irene has had a glass of Horlicks with every meal.

[Abner]

Good.

[Vera]

And she drinks it between meals, too. And how she loves it. But all children love Horlicks, I guess. It's such a delicious drink.

[Carlton Bricker]

And that's the story of how Mrs. Mead found out the value of Horlick's malted milk as a children's food drink. And Horlick's malted milk is something that every parent should know about. You won't find anything that will mean more to your children's good health. You can get Horlick's malted milk, you know, in either natural or chocolate flavor. This is Carlton Bricker speaking for Lum and Abner and Horlicks who now bid you all good night and good health.

[Ryan Seacrest]

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[Carlton Bricker]

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[Lum]

21/ terms and conditions apply.

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