The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-03-11
EVENING STORY
COrned Beef and Salmon.
BY DORA NOLAN.

oOfSA 1OLI<AAN
Corned beef and cabbage that |
homely New England odor. perme- |
ated the corridors of a downtown
apartment house one spring-like
morning in December. On a run up
the fourth flight of stairs. out of
Judy Waite with arms full of pack
ages from the corner grocery. She
followed the permeating fragrance
straight to its lair. tiny kftchenette.
fairly flew to the kettle simmering on
the gas plate. All was well.
Next the packages on the table
claimed attention. A can of salmon.
head of lettuce. salad dressing. choco-
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 fin
ger of her hand. Her big soldier hus-
band was to be mustered out of the
camp; and he would be home for din
ner. Over a year had passed since
the heartrending separation which
took place two days after their mar
riage. Such, brave, uncomplainins
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
they would. But now there was work
to be done. Let's see," she solilo-
quized; "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 a glad light to Judy's
| eyes, and when a knock sounded on
the door she was there. ready to open
i it.
Judy"
! Bobby"
She was lost to sight in a genuine
! beer hug.
Gee, kiddo, but this is great" and
the stalwart soldier boy looked around
| the cosy living-room. What in blazes
| do snrell?" he scowled. Judy looked
| puzzled.
why" she exclaimed. chats our
dinner cooEing-corned beef and cab
| ing me how fond of it you were, before
you went away?"
| Over his wife's shoulder Bob made a
wry face, but he said reassuringly into
her ear: You bet; I'm just crazy
about it," And he prayed to be for
given the lie.
For the first course of their first
meal he kissed her. THAT will always
be our first course" he said. Then
| bravely he tackled the bully beef. Oh,
how he had learned to hate it. But
Boobies training N enduring disa gree
able things uncompIainingIy now stood
| him in good stead He praised the
t.coughtfulness and the cookery of his
young wife
| After they had washed ana dried
the dishes together and Judy had
listened to the story of his experiences
over there, the giri-wlfe put on her
new coat and hat. Bobby admired
them-and her in them-and they
started out for a walk. For" said
Judy, I'VE must get e. good appetite
| for supper, because I have planned
something else that you like"
| "LoYdy!" thought Bob, what else
did I tell her hked?" But he'd eat
it. he swore to himself-yes, even if it
! were canned salmon!
supper time came; and with it-sal-
| mon.
| The words of his bunkie, Jim, the
/, wag OF the company, ran in his mind:
| Il loathe. hate. abominate. execrate.
! detest and abjure canned salmon"
| Amer. forever and eyeri" the
company had answered in chorus.
Hsv, Jim would chortle at the joke on
himt Why had he ever told Judy he
liked the stuff?
| Bobby hadn't been cited for bravery
! for nothing, SO he Gulped down the de-
| testable stuff. and thought he was get
ting away with it. But Judy. with a
woman's intuition, felt that some
thing was wrong. He eats like a
child taking castor oil" she thought to
| herself. watching her husband sur
| reptitiousiy. Wont you have some
more ?" she asked sweetly.
mo, dear; I don't seem to be so
hungry as 1 thought" Bobby replied.
However, it did not escape judy that
/ MY HUSBk