The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-07-31
EVENING STORY
An Experiment in Dinners.
tBy Ednuy Grdy.J

An Experiment IN DlnneEs
(By Fanny Gray.)
After two weeks of blissful honey
moon in his modest new home. Harry
Carr firmly believed that all news
paper jokes about newly-weds. includ-
ing wife's biscuits. cranky cook
stoves, burned steak and the like. were
just newspaper jokes and nothing
more
Hadn't he been living upon the fat
of the land? Hadn't his meals been
right on time, everything cooked to a
turn? Why, something really ought
to happen, or he would be taking on
again the superfluous pounds he had
such struggle to throw on Oh
course, there was a maid in the
kitchen, but Harry never doubted for
a moment that it was his bride, Molly,
who really made 1t possible for these
wonders to be evolved.
She so fulfilled his ideals in other
| ways 1t never occurred to him that any
credit for the smooth-running house
hold could be due to any one else.
And, to do Molly credit, she was a
woman, quite equal to most of the du-
ties that fell to her. But, like hum
dreds of other girls. she never had
studied household efficiency in any
very practical manner. Mamma had
gone upon the principle that g girl
imbibes that sort of thing in a we'll
ordered home. and. when thrown
upon her own resources, can make
good.
Very likely she does, nine times out
of ten, but she must pass through
rather difficult places which her bet
ter trained sister avoids.
| Now Molly had about as much con-
| fidence in her own ability in the
kitchen as Harry had, although she
had never been put severely to the
! test. where everything depended upon
| her alone. So, when Budgets first
day out arrived she and Harry both
| looked forward to 1t as a sort of lark.
AS they were drinking their coffee
that morning. the following converse
ton took place:
Now don't go and try to get up a
regular dinner tonight. honey. I'm
have you getting all hot and tired
working over a stove!"
That's very sweet of you, Harry.
! but don't imagine that we can't have
shall enjoy getting it. And 1 don't
think much of wives who set out cold
| bites because they're lazy. You'll see!"
| All right, pet. suit yourself. but.
remember, any kind OF a meal with
you opposite is good enough for me.
It's feast just to look at your
Then followed one of those episodes
that occur not infrequently at honey
moon breakfast tables.
stop your nonsense. Harry, and
| listen to me. Is there any special
| you'd like for dinner?"
| Cant think of a thing. Be ready
on time, and if the dinner is very good
might have something in my pocket.
1t might be tickets for the Hippo
drome!'
| ooh how Iox,olxzs or co,,rso T,Iy 10
on time. Don't miss the early train!''
The usual lover-like demonstration,
and Harry was gone.
Molly ordered literally from the
market, and returned to find Bridget
surveying the piled-up table, as she
stood with hat and coat on, ready to
go out.
Going TO have company. Mrs
| CARR"
.'oh. no. Bridget Why do you
ask ?"
Such a lot of stuff to cook. You'll
be tired out, I'm thinking"
1--WE are going to have a very good
dinner tonight. Bridget; it's the first
chance I've had
Wei. I wish you luck!' And
Bridget laughed good-na turedly as
| she went down the walk
In the middle of the afternoon
Molly, after putting out her street
suit and hat SO that she might make
lightning change If the theater tick
| cts were forthcoming, descended to
the kitchen. clad in a neat blue linen
dress, and tackled the dinner.
She sang as she went about her
work, picturing Harry's pride in her,
and his enjoyment of the dinner, for
she had arranged to have the things
he most liked.
About half past five. Mrs. Webster,
a near neighbor, who had made
friends at once with Molly, rang the
| q
swered, sat down with her caller, and
apologized for her dress. But she was
so evidently nervous and left the room
SO many times on one excuse or an
other that her experienced friend be-
gan to realize that something must be
wrong with the kitchen arrangements
At last. the truth came out and Mol
ly explained her predicament, between
tears and laughter. Her tears were
not the proverbial ones Of the sad and
helpless bride. but they were angry
ones, giving way finally to burst of
hysterical laughter as the ridiculous
ness of the situation came over her
why, Mrs. Webster she cried, cit
never occurred to me 1 couldn't get a
whole dinner alone! I've done lots of
cooking!"
Yes. with mother or cook near by,
1 suspect" answered her friend
IF only Harry didn't have to know
what mess I've made!" walled Molly.
why, I told him knew everything,
and I've planned to have all his favor
lite things
Come on out and let's see how bad
1t isl suggested Mrs. Webster.
And Molly led the way.
| 1t did seem rather hopeless. There
was a good fire, however. Bridget
had seen to that. But on the tables
lay a fierce looking collection of cock
; ing utensils and dishes. all spoiled.
Mrs, Webster peered into everything,
while Molly explained. Mock bisque
soup being Harry's favorite, she had
! decided upon that, and had made it
early to have 1t out of the way. There
1t stood on the back of the stove a
fine curdled mess, keeping hot
When Mrs. Webster explained that
} the milk and tomato should De put