The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1911-06-26

jennings was tired OF his yictuals
The sight OF pork roasts, beef roast'
and legs OF mutton killed what little
appetite he could muster. chop'
fairly made him seasick and steal
was fast becoming tasteless.
II wasn't that he couldn't think O.
things he'd like to eat. His mind these
spring days had a tendency to run e
the old place back home. His hungry
soul lUrsed for the oId-ime victualt
IKE well. dandelion greens or, bet
ter still, mustard greens.
1frs. Jennings was tired Of trying
to resurrect for Jennings the favor
Of the old home days Nothing she
did suited Jennings jaded appetite
She was just making up her mind "a
try partial starvation as q cure when
Jennings remarked one evening IN
a last stand sort of voice: There's
nothing in this town at to eat except
beans. Now. Mary. If you could con.
trive to cook up a pot Of beans that
would taste like my mothers ! be-
lieve ia quit being SO homesick for
real grub"
Mrs. Jennings was little startled
by this announcement She had
cooked beans frequently IN the sew
erai years Of her married life and ney'
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 'em 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 one
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 hopeful
smile at the steaming dish and helped
himself literally, only to lay his spoon
down a moment later in utter dejec-
lion.
what did you do to them?7 he al
most moaned.
Mrs. Jennings drew a quick breath,
flushed a little and in voice of dead
" calm went over infinitely the many
processes of the preparation.
What do you mean by parboiling?"
inquired jennings
why. putting a pinch Of soda into
the first water"
We'll, that's what did II. Mother
never parboiled hers
A peculiar gasp across the table
caused Jennings to glance at his wife
Mrs Jennings was trying desperately
hard 10 say something. Finally she
managed to enunciate quite clearly
the words, you selfish brute!"
Never in all her married life-but
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. It was
Jennings mother
4 knew I'd surprise you" she said.
II expect oughtn't to have come. But
now that Nan is married and gone
west get lonesome toward spring
aud Mrs Molitt persuaded me Il Name
to the city for a couple Of days. Fa-
ther'll be lonely, I expect, but he
wanted me to come. and here I am.
Mary, I'm starved. Anything will do.
Just cup of tea and bite Of some
thing. My! What nice beans! You're
a fine cook. Maryl"
And then It came out-the domes-
tic tragedy.
Mother Jennings looked at her son.
THE idea. VIII Jennings-you talk
ing about my beans when you nevSr
used TO eat theml OF course / 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 you
around when you got those cranky
spells al home"