Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1909-03-25
That Puzzle
1t Made Trouble in the
Farnswofth Family.

OF the many cut-out puzzles that the
child had received for Christmas. The
cut-out puzzle, as every one knows,
consists OF about II 1000 pieces of wood
or heavy cardboard, that, when prop
ly put together, form a square on
which there is an attractive picture
What are you doing?" asked Mr..
Farnsworth, seeing his wife and son
earnestly bending over the component
parts of the puzzle
Don't bother us, dear" replied Mrs.
Farnsworth. Mere getting it, We
have found six blocks that fit to-
gether."
II should think" the gentleman said,
With some severity, that you were old
enough TO leave such things for chill
dren. 0, don't mean TO insinuate that
you are getting ancient or anything
like that-but you're not mere child
any more You'll admit that. | think
Haven't you any better way to put in
Your time? How about dinner? Is it
anywhere near ready? I've got TO
work on report l shall have to make
to our directors tomorrow, and want
to have dinner early this evening"
%, we'll, if you are going to be a
bear, suppose shall have to run Be
careful, Albert, not to scatter the
pieces we have fitted together"
| While Mrs. Farnsworth was down
stairs helping the maid to hurry the
dinner, her husband watched little AL
bert, as the boy hunted for the elusive
sections of the puzzle.
Here" he said, leaning over and
picking out a small block that was
without shape, this fits in here
doesn't ito"
He tried to put the piece into the
place that he had indicated, but it
would not go. Then he sat down be
side little Albert and began to help
MIN. Fifteen minutes later Mrs. Farms
worth called from the dining-room:
Come to dinner. Everything's on
the table,"
In minute, her husband replied.
Say, Albert, here's a piece under your
thumb that belongs In this corner"
Albert tried TO fit the piece into the
corner his father pointed out, but it
could not be done. Five minutes later
Mrs. Farnsworth called:
Are you coming to dinner? Things
are getting cold"
Yes, in minute" replied the head
of the house. EHurrah. here's one that
| fits
| 1t really did, and Daniel Farnsworth
got up with look of triumph, say
ing:
There's nothing very puzzling
about this. Come on, Albert. let's go
TO dinner"
He disposed of the meal in short
order, and without waiting to partake
of dessert left the table. Ii was nearly
eight o'clock when Mrs Farnsworth,
looking over his shoulder said:
Papa, its time for Albert 10 be 20.
ing to bed now, and | thought you
had to prepare a report for your di-
! rectors"
Yes, yes he replied Il must really
get to work at it, Confound this I)uz-
zle. What was it ever brought into the
house for, anyhow? Albert, go TO bed.
Don't let me hear a whine out of you,
either. You can work at puzzles dur
ing the daytime"
Albert reluctantly permitted his
mother 10 conduct him to his room.
and there, when his shoes had been
taken off, she discovered that his
stockings needed immediate meneing.
Forgetting her other troubles, she
hunted up the darning implements and
went TO work. IL was nearly ten
O'Clock when she put the stockings
aside, and little Albert was sleeping
peacefully.
Daniel she called, stepping out
into the hail, are you still working?'
.uh, uh, he answered.
We'll don't stay up 100 late. | am
going to bed I'm tired, and you're
no company when you have to prepare
reports, anyway"
"All right" Mr.. Farnsworth an
swered.
1t was 1918 when Mrs Farnsworth
! awoke from dream in which she had
seemed to see a great castle which
had been built of cards suddenly tum-
l
bed there was a sound as of many
small hard particles being dashed
against wall and then she heard her
husband mutterng in way that
frightened her.
What is it, dear?" she cried, Jump.
ing out of bed and running to him
She found him standing beside the
table on which the puzzle blocks had
been heaped, but they had all been
swept off upon the floor
What are you doing here?" The lady
asked. u supposed you were in the Ii
brary working on your report"
Mr. Farnsworth looked severely al
his wife and pressed his lips firmly
together, perhaps to keep from saying
things which he might regret. When
he could control himself he said:
Don't you worry about my report
You don't have to prepare it, do YOU?
Well then, don't let it make you merry.
4.