
CHAPTER I
CHAPTER II
CHAPTER III
CHAPTER IV
CHAPTER V
CHAPTER VI
CHAPTER VII
CHAPTER VIII
CHAPTER IX
CHAPTER X
A small Midwestern town comes alive through the rambling chatter of its residents, especially the stubbornly earnest Mark Tidd. When the once‑loud “Wicksville Trumpet” newspaper breaks down, Mark and his friend Binney set out to repair it, navigating a kaleidoscope of dialect, misremembered errands, and the peculiar habits of Mark’s father—a brilliant yet absent‑minded inventor who still lives among grease‑stained overalls and dog‑eared copies of Gibbon. Their search for a hidden chunk of lead and a mysterious package of butter turns the routine repair into a comic puzzle that reveals how deeply the townsfolk rely on one another’s quirks.
The narrative blends gentle satire with vivid, homespun dialogue, inviting listeners to picture a community where a broken press is more than a mechanical failure—it’s a catalyst for laughter, memory, and small acts of kindness. As Mark confronts his father’s whimsical logic, the story offers a warm, character‑driven glimpse into the ordinary miracles of everyday life.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (302K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2013-02-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1881–1964
A hugely popular American storyteller in the magazine era, he wrote brisk, accessible fiction that reached millions of readers and inspired films, radio programs, and enduring small-town characters like Scattergood Baines. Though less widely remembered today, he was one of the most prolific mainstream writers of his time.
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by Clarence Budington Kelland

by Clarence Budington Kelland

by Clarence Budington Kelland

by Clarence Budington Kelland

by Clarence Budington Kelland

by Clarence Budington Kelland

by Clarence Budington Kelland

by Clarence Budington Kelland