The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-11-06
An Unfinished Tale.

MIR. HARKINs laid down his knife and
fork at the supper table and said to his
wife and daughter:
GIVE got something to say, and
want you folks to pay strict attention,
because / don't want to tell the story
over three or four times, as generally
have to do.''
1t had been Harkins' experience that
when he started to tell anything he al
ways had to tell it over again, and he
was getting tired of it. *~@
Mrs. H. bristled up at once, and init
mated that she would like to know the
time when he couldn't talk and they
wouldn't listen.
The daughter thought pa was acting
shamefully.
Ma and me always listen,'' she
"Well," said Harkins, catching his
wife's eye, Mrs. Browbeaker was IN
from the country today, and her four
children were with her -
"That girl has made the tea too
strong" interrupted Mrs. Harkins, go
ing out to the kitchen to get some hot
water.
Had her four children with her."
continued Harkins to his daughter
"They came in in the old family car
riage and came to my Office. Mrs. B.
said she thought it was time her hus-
band was making his will, and asked
me ~
"Who's that that has made his will?''
interrupted Mrs. Harkins, as she re-
turned from the kitchen.
"Mr. Browbeaker, ma," said the
daughter.
"Who said Browbeaker had made his
will?'' asked Harkins, glaring at his
daughter.
"Why, didn't you say so, pap
II said Mrs. Browbeaker asked me if
it wasn't time he was making will
That's about as near as you women ever
come to anything
: sssWhy, was Mrs. Browbeaker in town
to-day?" said Mrs. Harkins.
"Land of Goshen, woman! didn't I
tell YOU she was" exclaimed Harkins.
"James," said Mrs. Harkins, speak
ing to the Oldest boy, ''you must 90 out
to Mrs. Browbeaker's tomorrow. I
want that recipe of hers for picking.
II says to Mrs. Browbeaker,'' con-
tinucd Harkins, .'that ] thought her
husband was good for many years yet,
however" ,Islt-
MA" said the daughter, that sum-
nier silk of mine is torn. wish you
would mend it,
Id 1 told you two or three days ago
that you shouldn't wear that dress.
You are the most careless child 1 ever
However" continued Harkins, 81
told her, however,, it might be well for
him to draw up the document. There's
no telling when death will overtake us. !"
:. Why, who is dead now, Mr.. Har-
kins?'' asked Mrs. H. .szUjmL5
!, /" Nobody. was telling you about
Browbeaker." - v....
.oh, yes yes, what did you say he came
II didn't say he came to town."
snapped Harkins. Il said Mrs. B. and
the children were in" ~
"Well, you needn't to snap body's
head off," replied Mrs. Harkins, brist-
ling up. "You said that when l was
out. What bill is this she wants to col
lect?'' E#'st
81 said," replied Harkens, with a
frown, II said that she was here to see
about her husband making n WILL
When was she here?'
"This morning"
"Ohr'
Mrs. Browbeaker agreed with me, -
said Harkins, taking up the thread of
his narrative, land said she had no.
ticed, of late, that Mr.. B. showed signs
Of failing health. He was getting white,
and his constitution was never of the
strongest. She asked me to invite
iBrowbeaker to run into the Office some
tine-,Ie rs -ssa, ..,. =
Here Mrs. Harkins, who had been
keeping up a conversation with the
daughter about the singing of the
church choir. chirruDed: