Two women in the one horse town of Parched
Gulch had daughters, each of marriageable age. But there were no prospective husbands in
town due to shootings, running off with outlaws and drunk riding. And there was no chance
at all of any bridegrooms turning up.
The two mothers pooled their meager
resources, advertised, and sure enough, they got results: twin brothers in Cactus Corners
looking for wives. The twin bridegrooms were sent for.
Along the way the twins met up with
outlaws. One was killed, the other escaped. Upon his arrival, the mothers were in
immediate conflict as to whom the surviving twin belonged. They were going to kill each
other over it. After all, each had a daughter's future at stake.
They took the case to Judge A.K.
Hornswoggle, alcoholic, disbarred, but with Solomonic frontier wisdom. After due
deliberation, Hornswoggle ruled that the young man be chopped in half and one half awarded
to each daughter.
The first mother was outraged. If
Hornswoggle wasn't drunk or stupid, he was a monster for suggesting such a thing.
The second mother thought it would not be a
bad solution.
After hearing each mother's thoughts on his
suggestion, Hornswoggle pointed to the second mother and said, "Your daughter gets
him. You are the REAL mother-in-law!"
