The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-03-06
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
COINED Beef and Salmon.
y WITH WVIIVN'
Copyright, 1919, by the Mcclure

the fourth flight of stairs, out Of breath
from the long climb, came Judy Waite
with arms full Of packages from the
corner grocery. She followed the per.
meating fragrance straight to its lair,
q tiny kitchenette, dumped her load
on the table and fairly flew to the ket.
tie Simmering on the gas plate. ALI
was well.
Next the packages on the table
claimed attention. A can Of salmon,
head Of lettuce, salad dressing, chocn-
late eclairs, everything that her Bob
most liked was to be ready for him
that day. Fervently Judy kissed the
narrow gold band on the second finger
Of her hand. Her big soldier husband
was to be mustered out OF the service
that morning at a nearby camp; and
he would be home for dinner. Over
year had passed since the heartrend.
ing separation which took place two
days after their marriage. Such
brave, accomplishing letters as he
had written, telling only the bright
side Of things! Now she listened; at
any minute his knock might sound on
the door.
Would he like the little apartment
she had chosen? Would the meals she
had planned suit him? OF course they
would. But now there was work to be
done. Lets see," she soliloquized:
"corned beef and cabbage for dinner,
with apple pie and cheese for dessert;
for supper, salmon salad, hot rolls,
preserved peaches and the eclairs."
Hurrying steps coming down the
corridor brought glad light to Judy's
eyes, and when knock sounded on
the door she was there, ready to open
1t.
Judy" \
"Bobby"
She was lost to sight in a genuine
bear hug.
Gee, kiddo, but this is great" and
the stalwart soldier boy looked around
the cosy ltving.room. what In blazes
do smell?" he scowled, Judy looked
puzzled.
why" she exclaimed, that's our
dinner cooking beef and cab
bsge, dear. Don't you remember tell
ing me how fond Of 1t you were, before
you went aWay?"
Over his wife's shoulder Bob made
WY face, but he said reassuringly
into her ear: "You bet; I'm Just crazy
about it" And he prayer to be forgiv.
en- the lie.
For the first course of their first
meal he kissed her. THAT will al
ways be our first course" he said.
Then bravely he tackled the bully beef.
oh, how he had learned to hate it!
But Bobbie's training in enduring dis
agreeable things uncomplainingly
now stood him in good stead. He
} praised the thoughtfulness and the
cookery Of his young wife.
After they had washed and dried the
dishes together and Judy had listened
to the story of his experiences over
there, the girl-wife put on her new coat
and hat. Bobby admired them-and
her in them-a1d then they started out
for a walk. For" said Judy, "we
must get good appetite for supper,
because havo planned something else
that you like"
"Lordy!" thought Bob, what else
did tell her liked?" But he'd eat it,
he,swore to himself-yes, even if it
were canned salmon!
Supper time came; and with it
Z salmon.
The words of his bunkie, jim. tho
wag OF the company, ran in his mind
II loathe, hate, abominate, Cxecga
detest and abjure canned salmon
amen forever and ever!" the GO
pany had answered in chorus II
Jim would chortle at the joke on AK
Why had he ever told Judy he ....c
the stuff?
Bobby hadn't been cited for bray
cry for nothing; so he gulped DOW
the detestablc stuff, and though; I.
was getting away with it. But Ju4.
with woman's intuition, felt tina.
something was wrong. He eats like.
a Child taking castor oil" she though:
to herself, watching her husband sur
reptitiously Wont you have some
more?" she asked sweetly.
No, dear; don't seem to be SO
hungry as thought" Bobby replied.
However, 1t did not escape Judy thai
the eclair vanished with relish. AL.
ready a cloud floated across her hori.
zon. Bob was not going to like her
cooking. A big tear came to the cor.
ner of-one eye and rolled slowly down
her cheek.
eome on, girl, let's get the dishss
out OF the way and go to show. Gee!
It's some time since this boy has been
ir'ah honest to goodness theatre" Bob
hadn't noticed the tear. Judy was glad
Of that and determined to throw oil
the nomentary depression, for nothing
( must mar the happiness of her sol.
dierss first day at home.
The show was fine. Admiring ewes
followed Bob and she felt so proud of
him. Worry was forgotten when Bob
asked her IL she would like a bit to
heat Judy suggested that they 20
home; 1t would be so much cozier than
q restaurant. Bobby like the idea,
too.
AZ the apartment Bobby sat down to
read an evening paper while Judy pre-
pared little spread. ITS ready"
came the sweet voice of his wife from
the next room. Though deep in the
account Of q large public meeting TO
welcome thefsoldiers home, to be held
tie next day, Bob sprang up with alac.
iity, for the fact that he was hungry
was suddenly borne In upon him.
Gollyi" he exclaimed for the third
Inc that day, "a white tablecloth and
kings certainly do look good to me-"
They sat down.
Thin slices Of tender. corned beef
aNHanN IN a pIoffaa FIa.I,nI -. ~.