Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1909-04-22
That Puzzle
1t Made Trouble in the
Farnswoith Family.

cut-out puzzle, as every one knows,
consists of about 1900 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. Were getting it. We
have found six blocks that fit to-
gether."
Il should think" the gentleman said,
with some severity, that you were old
enough to leave such things for chill
dren. o, don't mean to insinuate that
you are getting ancient or anything
like that-but you're not a mere child
any more. You'll admit that, l 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 a report l shall have to make
to our directors tomorrow, and want
to have dinner early this evening"
20, well, 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 it?'
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
him. Fifteen minutes later Mrs. Farms
worth called from the dining-room:
Come to dinner Everythings on
the table,"
In minute" her husband replied.
Say, Albert, here's 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
Mis-. Farnsworth called:
Are you coming to dinner? Things
are getting cold"
Yes, in minute" replied the head
of the house. "Hurrah! here's one that
! fits"
1t really did, and Daniel Farnsworth
got up with a 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. 1t was nearly
eight O'Clock when Mrs Farnsworth,
looking over his shoulder, said:
Papa, it's time for Albert to be 60
ing TO bed now, and | thought you
had to prepare a report for your di-
rectors."
| Yes, yes" he replied, q must really
get to work at it. Confound this puz-
zle What was it ever brought into the
house for, anyhow? Albert. go to bed.
Don't let me hear whine o;lt of YOU.
either. You can work at puzzles dur.
Ing the daytime
Albert reluctantly permitted his
mother TO conduct him to his room,
and there, when his shoes had been
taken off, she discovered that his
stockings needed immediate men ny.
Forgetting her other troubles, she
hunted UP the darning implements and
went to work. II was nearly ten
o'clock when she put The stockings
aside, and little Albert was sleepjng
! peacefully
Daniel" she called, stepping out
into the hall are you still working?o
"Uh, uh,' he answered.
We'll, don't stay up 900 late. | am
going to bed. I'm tired, and youre
no company when you have TO prepare
| reports, anyway
"All right" Mr.. Fansworth an
swered
1t was 1915 when Mrs. Farnsworth
awoke from dream in which she had
seemed to see great castle which
had been built of cards suddenly tum.
Bile to the ground. AS she sat UP i'm
bed there was d sound as of many
small, hard particles being dashed
against a wall, and then she heard her
husband muttering in way that
frightened her.
What is it, dear?" she cried. iumn.
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?" die lady
asked. Il supposed you We're in the H.
brary working on your report"
Nj Farnsworth looked severely at
his wife and pressed his lips firmly
together, perhaps to keep from saving
Wings which he might regret. When
ne could control himself he said:
Don't you worry about my renort
You don't have to prepare ii, do your
Well, then, don't let it make you nerv-
Gus. It's mighty strange that | can't
sit up and work even in my own house
without having n ha crocS- o,,o,,.;