Turner County herald. (Hurley, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1911-06-29
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Jennings was tired Of his victuals.
The sight of pork roasts, beet roasts
appetite he could muster. Chops
fairly made him seasick and steak
was fast becoming tasteless.
1t wasn't that he couldn't think OF
things he'd like to eat His mind these
spring days had a tendency to run to
the old place back home. His hungry
soul longed for the old-time victuals
like-well, dandelion greens or. bet
ter still, mustard greens.
Mrs. Jennings was tired OF trying
to resurrect for Jennings the flavor
of the old home days. Nothing she
did suited Jennings jaded appetite.
She was just making UP her mind to
try partial starvation as a cure when
Jennings remarked one evening in
a last stand sort Of voice: There's
nothing in this town fit to eat except
beans. Now, Mary, If you could con-
trive to cook up pot Of beans that
would taste like my mothers be-
lieve I'd quit being 20 homesick for
real grub"
Mrs Jennings was little startled
by this announcement. She had
cooked beans frequently in the sew
eral years of her married life and new
er until this moment had she suspect
ed that the method of cooking them
was below par.
How does your mother cook
beans?" she asked.
Why" readily volunteered Jen-
nings, She just cooks them until
they're done. That's all there is to
beans-just cook EN- enough"
No amount OF questioning could
bring out more explicitly the secrets
OF this toothsome home dish.
Mrs. Jennings, however, in a sort of
desperation, resolved to make ono
heroic effort. Nothing that was ever
done TO beans to make them tooth
some was to be left undone.
Accordingly she soaked them over
night and poured off the water next
morning. She then put them In her
best pot and parboiled them, carefully
drained them through a colander and
set them back for long and gentle
boil.
Nothing, absolutely nothing was
omitted; no time nor pains was
spared. The whole day was dedicated
to beans
That night Jennings gave a hopeful
smile at the steaming dish and helped
himself literally, only to lay his spoon
down moment later in utter deiec-
ton.
What did you do to them?" he al
most moaned.
Mrs. Jennings drew a quick breath,
flushed little and in voice of dead
ly calm went over minuteIy the many
processes of the preparation.
What do you mean by parboiling?'
inquired Jennings.
why, putting pinch of soda into
the first water"
We'll, that's what did It. Mother
never parboiled hers"
A peculiar gasp across the table
caused Jennings to glance at his wife.
Mrs. Jennings was trying desperately
hard to say something. Finally she
managed to enunciate quite clearly
the words, you selfish brute!"
Never in all her married life-buti
what's the use of giving details? They
quarreled and continued the perform
ance until both were reduced to that
terrible silence that always follows a.
domestic earthquake.
And then the doorbell rang. 1t was
Jennings mother.
Il knew I'd surprise you," she said
Il expect oughtn't to have come. But
now that Nan is married and gone
west l get lonesome toward spring
and Mrs. Molitt persuaded me- to coma
to the city for a couple Of days. Fa-
therl be lonely, I expect, but he
wanted me to come, and here / am.
Mary, I'm starved Anything will do.
Just a cup of tea and bite of some
thing. My! What nice beans! You're
fine cook, Mary!"
And then it came out-the domes-
tic tragedy.
Mother Jennings looked at her son.
The idea. Will Jennings-you talE-
Ing about my beans when you never
used to eat them! OF course 1 par
boil them. always do. / know what's
the matter with you. You've been
overeating all winter. I'll fix you up a
dose OF sulphur and molasses and,
Mary will give you plenty of rhubarb
sauce. That always brought yo,,
around when you got those cranky
spells at home"