Mrs. Skagg's Husbands and Other Stories

"MRS. SKAGGS'S HUSBANDS AND OTHER STORIES" by Bret Harte is a collection of short stories written during the late 19th century. The stories capture the essence of life in the American West, featuring characters from mining towns like Angel's Camp, California. The narrative is infused with humor and insight into human nature, often focusing on the relationships and trials of the inhabitants of these rough frontier environments. At the start of "Mrs. Skaggs's Husbands," readers are introduced to the mining town of Angel's, where the lively morning unfolds with the routines of its inhabitants. The story begins with a vivid description of the landscape, the townspeople preparing for the day's hustle, and local characters engaging in humorous banter. Among them is Tommy Islington, a boy who navigates his shifting social landscape with charm and innocence, while the local drunk, Johnson, faces his own struggles with sobriety. The opening exposits on various relationships, hinting at the evolving dynamics in a community shaped by rugged individualism and the complexities of personal connections, a theme that seems to drive the narrative forward. Throughout, Harte's sharp wit and storytelling craft breathe life into a bustling, yet contemplative world. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Bret Harte was an American short story writer and poet best remembered for short fiction featuring miners, gamblers, and other romantic figures of the California Gold Rush. In a career spanning more than four decades, he also wrote poetry, plays, lectures, book reviews, editorials, and magazine sketches.