Mrs. Skagg's Husbands and Other Stories

"Mrs. Skaggs's Husbands and Other Stories" by Bret Harte is a compilation of stories set in the American West during the 1800s. The stories transport you to lively mining towns such as Angel's Camp, California, and explore the lives of those living on the frontier. With humor and understanding, the writer presents the hardships and relationships of individuals in a rough environment. For example, the story, "Mrs. Skaggs's Husbands," sets the scene one morning in Angel's, featuring the local color and the daily habits of the town's residents. Tommy Islington is introduced, a young boy who uses charm to navigate the town's complex social scene, and Johnson, the town drunk, meets internal conflict with his sobriety. Through these stories, the reader is introduced to unique relationships of individuals and the connections that evolve shaping a community. Harte's clever writing style paints a vivid picture making this world memorable.