Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-07
Z: Foe ming Story
CHICKEN A Ia KING.
BY Payne Morris.
copyright, 1915. by Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.) 49,. .-

Mr.. Peck didn't realize that it was
Monday until he was upon his own
1 pavement. When the fact crashed up
on him with stunning force, he began
& nervously to unbutton his coat. By
the time he was in the living room
4 both coat and waistcoat were on and
I he was hurriedly turning back his
4 cuffs. He knew there would be
( checked apron behind the kitchen door
and note concerning dinner on nail
Z above the sink. 1t was club day, and
4 he knew that that meant that when
Mrs Peck returned at $50 she would
expect dinner to be ready to serve.
There were times on Mondays, every
other Wednesday and alternate Fri
days that Mr.. Peck wished himself
dead, Is well as few times in be-
{ tween when he dared to demonstrate
\ with his wife about his martyrdom or
Ito suggest that they keep a maid.
"A maid" snorted Mrs. Peck. will
YOU tell me, John Peek, why l should
have 1 long nosed female poking into
4 nv bureau drawers and opening all the
preserves In the cellar the minute
leave the house?" Just here, Mr. Peck
made 3 mental note that maid would
certainly have enough solitude to do
most anything she liked, but he knew
better than to give it voice. Just be-
cause YOU are too lazy to set couple
xscf pans over the fire three times a
n week You are willing to spend five dol
n lars for a girl Well Il prepare the
other eighteen meals. At any rate you
owe me thirty dollars week. I'll COL
Slect now
Mr.. Peck looked at her outstretched
4 hand. Vt4Now, Tillie, can't you take a
! joke? You know don't mind it. II
III did" nervously, "you know
wouldn't do It, g.,
.sWouldn't your" smiled Tillie. How
well she knew her husband.
Mr.. Peck found the apron and read
/ the note. Great days." he exploded.
Chicken Ia King, page 76 in the
y cook book, potatoes AL gratin, page lO4
banana fritters you know how the
y desserts made Con ice) cucumber and
tomato salad, French dressing. Put
down the lace mats and yellow candles
\ and an extra place. I'm having COM
\ pany. .,-r. ..-
Il don't mind frying ham and eggs!"
protested Mr.. Peck, cor broiling
\ steak and making French friend po-
\ tatoes, but -" he referred to the note
chicken Ia King, potatoes al
gratini" a.. 49,. ..... ,~
"A staccato knock sounded upon the
1 kitchen door and Mr.. Peck opened 1t.
sfA young woman stood there "a very
pretty young woman. Even in Mr..
y Peck's perturbed state Of mind he had
enough gallantry to fling the door
quite wide and say pleasantly: Good
evening Won't you come in?"
She nodded approximately and step.
4 ped into the kitchen. II am Mrs. Har-
mon from next door. came in to see
IT Mrs. Peck could lend me a lemon"
II you'll just sit down, I'll 60 look
In the pantry. Mrs. Peck Is out and
I'm getting dinner"
"Oh, how cute! Imagine my Harry
4 getting his own dinner! can just
see him in an apron!" She threw
4 back her head and laughed merrily.
The laugh was very contagious and
Mr.. Peck smiled. He wanted to hear
\ her laugh some more. Besides he
1 added proudly, "I'm not only getting
3 my own dinner, but that of my wife
4 and and company"
He was rewarded by another ripple
rich! Imagine Harry!
Why, he wouldn't know how to melt
ice! But there! I'm keeping you. If
I you'll please get my lemon for my tea,
TN go! That's all I'm having, tea and
toast. Harry telephoned he wouldn't
be home, so I'm alone"
M Mr.. Peck procured the lemon and
I was holding the door open for her
when happy thought struck him. "Do
y you know how to make chicken la
king = he asked.
Heavens! Do you have to make
that?''
YES, and wait, I'll read you the
snote."'#, ..-
aYou poor mani" when he had fin
sished. "You never can do that in the
world. It's almost six now"
Mr.. Peck looked at his watch anxi-
ously. $50 1t is! Why, I'd no idea it
j was 80 late tr....... ~
Mrs. Harmon detected volume of
history In his tone afraid Of his
4 wife, poor mani" Aloud. Don't you
want me to Gay and help? Tdlove to.