The domestication of Dobie

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

79149

Title

The domestication of Dobie

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In this humorous Western epistolary tale, the hapless Dobie Dalton recounts his chaotic domestic life after marrying Emmeline. Struggling with her eccentric family, financial ruin, and a series of bizarre misunderstandings involving outlaws and bank robberies, Dobie's wild adventures ultimately lead to an unexpected transformation.

Summary up to 500 words

W. C. Tuttle's *The Domestication of Dobie* is a humorous Western tale presented as a series of letters from the notorious outlaw Dobie Dalton to his friend, Hank. The narrative chronicles Dobie's rapid decline from a confident desperado to a bewildered husband following his marriage to Emmeline. Initially enjoying life, Dobie soon finds himself entangled in domestic squabbles with Emmeline's sharp-tongued wife and eccentric uncle, Gabriel Galesburg. His financial situation crumbles as he squanders his meager savings on alcohol while attempting to maintain appearances and hide from creditors. The plot takes a surreal turn when Dobie is falsely accused of planning a bank robbery. Despite evidence pointing elsewhere, including coerced testimony from friends Windy Wilson and Hondo Huddleson who lie under pressure, Dobie spends time in jail before being vindicated. Upon his release, he suffers severe physical injuries that leave him bedridden and unable to work. In a desperate bid to clear his name and recover stolen money, Dobie infiltrates the cabin of four notorious outlaws—Sleepy, Blazer, Windy, and Hondo—who are planning to flee with loot. Using quick thinking, he captures them, ties them up, and attempts to escape with the horses and cash. However, his journey is cut short by an ambush from a posse led by the sheriff and Uncle Galesburg. Caught in the act of fleeing with stolen goods, Dobie is initially presumed guilty. Yet, through a twist of fate, the outlaws he captured are revealed to be the actual criminals wanted for robbery. The sheriff arrests the real bandits, clearing Dobie's name once again. Exhausted and financially drained, Dobie returns home only to discover that Uncle Galesburg has sold his sheep herd. With no job prospects and a reputation for trouble, Dobie reflects on his journey from a reckless outlaw to a subdued individual. He concludes the story by defining himself as 'domesticated,' having been tamed by marriage and circumstance, yet retaining enough of his old spirit to hope for a return to his former life if given the chance.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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data/epubs/pg79149.epub

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Categories

• Epistolary Fiction
• Western stories