What happens
Dodge Hawkins, the proprietor of Pine Ridge, leaves town for a week and places Lum in full authority over his activities. Lum takes the role seriously, insisting on being called Harold and carrying a lantern to spread the word of honesty. Abner, the store's helper, goes along with the new arrangements while Cedric, a younger townsman, tries to claim some of the authority for himself. Lum sends Cedric off on errands and sets himself up as the one in charge, and the talk turns to old tales about Lum's Uncle Frank and his dog. This is an episode of the long-running radio comedy Lum and Abner, first broadcast on March 5, 1942, with Chester Lauck, Norris Goff and Lurene Tuttle in the leading roles.
Pine Ridge, a small rural community, including the Dodge Hawkins general store and the local library.
Characters: Lum, Abner, Dodge, Cedric, Sister Simpson
Listen for: Lum's insistence on being called Harold and his claim of full authority while Dodge is away, and his attempts to put Cedric in his place.
Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.