Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-07-29
Euening Story
AN EXPERIMENT IN DINNERS.
BY Fanny Gray.
Copyright, 1916, by the Mcclure
%, Newspaper Syndicate.)

After two weeks of blissful honey.
moon in his modest new home. Harry
Carr firmly believed that all ,newspa-
per jokes about newlyweds, including
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 superfuous pounds he had
such struggle to throw off. or
course, there was maid in the kitch-
en-, but Harry never doubted for a
moment that it was his bride, Molly,
who really made 1t possible for these
wonders to be served. ...
She so fulfilled his ideals in other
ways it 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 capable,
bright, up-to-date young woman, quite
equal to most of the duties that fell
to her. But, like hundreds Of other
girls, she never had studied household
efficiency in any very practical man
ner. Mamma had gone upon the prin-
ciple that a 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 better
trained sister avoids. ... &.
Now Molly had about as much con.
fdence in her own ability in the kitch-
en- as Harry had, although she had
never been put severely to the test,
where everything depended upon her
alone So, when Bridget's first day
out arrived she and Harry both looked
forward to 1t al a sort of lark. AS
they were drinking their coffe that
morning, the following conversation
took place:
Now don't go and try to get up a
regular dinner tonight, honey. I'm
eating too much, anyway. And l won't
have you getting all hot and tired
working over a stove!" H.. .-
That's very sweet Of you, Harry;
but don't imagine that we can't have
dinner just because Bridget is out. /
shall enjoy getting it. And l don't
think much of wives who set out cold
bites because they're lazy. You'll see!"
"All right. pet, suit yourself, but, re-
member any kind Of a meal with you
opposite is good enough for me. It's
feast just to look at you!"
Then followed one of those episodes
that occur not infrequently at honey
moon breakfast tables.
stop your nonsense, Harry, and lis
- Ic n
you'd like for dinner?" ...
| Cant think of thing. Be ready
| on time and If the dinner is very good
| l might have something in my peck
et It might be tickets for the Hippo
| drome!" #. "
"Oh, how lovely! OF course I'll be on
time. Don't miss the early train!"
The usual love-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. ~ .aE...s So.
Going to have company, Mrs.
CARR"
ooh, no, Bridget. Why do you ask ?"
such a lot of stuff to cook. You'll
be tired out, I'm thinking"
We are going to have very good
dinner tonight, Bridget; it's the first
chance I've had" l a
well, l wish you luck!" And Bridg.
ct laughed good naturally 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 light.
ming change il the theater tickets
were Forthcoming, descended to the
kitchen, clad in neat blue linen dress
and tackled the dinner 80. ..
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
hes most liked.
About half past five, Mrs. Webster,
a near neighbor, who had made friends
the Cars house. Molly answered, sat
down with her caller and apologized
for her dress. But she was so evident
ly nervous and left the room 80 many
times on one excuse or another that
her experienced friend began to real
ize that something. must be wrong
with kitchen arrangements.
At last the truth came out and Molly
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 a burst OF
hysterical laughter as the ridiculous
ness Of the situation came over her.
why, Mrs. Webster" she cried, 1T
never occurred to me l couldn't get
whole dinner alone! I've done lots
of cooking!" yG
Eyes, with mother or cook near by,
I 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
tie things" r@-
Come on out and let's see how bad
I q - Mrc Wohcfor