The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-06-25
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
WaMles.
BY r. RAY BAKER
fcopyright. 1919. by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)

waffles. He never got enough of
either.
He could have eaten waffles, with
butter and maple syrup, three times
a day; but he let his good sense guide
him sufficiently to cut II down tc 9ne.
Usually II was in the evening that
he went to McSwenson's cafe to In
dulge In the delicacy that he craved
constantly. They had to be good waf-
fles; they had to be made just right,
and McSweRson's was the only place
in town that could please him.
For year or more he had been a
patron of the place. and for only two
weeks OF that period was he dissa.is-
fled with the wafGes he obtained.
Dale knew something was wrong the
minute the hot, honeycombed cake
was set before him. II looked too pale
to suit him.
"A new cook making them" he told
himself, In tones akin to consterna-
ton. .Ill bet Jat's quit her Job"
He sampled the waffle and then got
up and left It. It didn't taste right
Got new cook?" he inquired of
the waiter, and held his breath until
the latter answered:
No; Jat's just gone on two weeks
vacation. She's coming back all
right
SO Dale went without waff1es for
two weeks, and was happy when Jat :e.
turned 10 her post In the kitchen. No
one else could satisfy the craving of
his inner man.
After his evening meal Dale usually
went to a musical show, whenever he
could find one, which was not often,
because the town was small and the
atrical attractions not up to high
standard.
Finally he bought photograph, and
that helped some, although nothing
could take the place of a real live NIL
stefan. He tried to be one himself,
but his voice had no more music than
cowbell, and he simply couldn't make
his fingers behave on the strings of
violin much less to master the art OF
reading notes.
Came the day when Jat did quit her
job at McSwenson's, and that day
found sorrow in Dale's heart. Life
would never be the same. He search
ed the town over and finally located
place where he could get waffles that
were halfway good but nowhere near
ly as satisfactory as those that Jat had
made.
why didn't get acquainted with
that girl and marry herr" he asked
himself many time, as he bit into a
syrup-covered cake and shook his head
dismally over the taste of it. But
It wouldn't have worked out right"
he would add, because I've got to
have music, too, and can you picture a
restaurant cook singing the Mis-
erere'?"
Finally Dale outgrew the town and
went to the big city to try his luck. In
his birthplace he had made a fair 1iv--
ing as a building contractor, but he had
worked hard. In the city he happened
to strike 1t Just right, and he accumu-
lated a great deal more money with
much less effort. Less than two years
after his change he had small fer
tune in the bank and magnificent
home on fashionable street; but
there were two things lacking-a com.
panion to share the home and an eff
cient "waffler." He advertised far and
wide, and tried out at least twenty
cooks. but none could he find to fill
the bill.
OF music there was a plenty. Near
~ every night found Dale at theatre,
usually one where musical comedy
or grand opera was the attraction. So
he was well satisfied on that score.
The fact that his palatial home was
a rather desolate place, because there
was no one. to share it, created a yearn.
ing In his heart, and soon he began
looking about for some one to make
him a suitable wife. He found her in
grand opera.
Jessie Fairburn was the prima don
ma in the Acme Musical Concert com
pany, and she became the object of
Dale's admiration-flrst because of her
voice; and second because of her physi.
cal charms-from the time his eyes
rested upon her.
Having friend who knew a man
who was well acquainted with the
manager Of the theatre, he contrived
to get an Introduction, and during the
month that the company remained the
attraction there he wooed the new
found ideal. At the end of the month
the company went on the road, but
with new prfma donna. Jessie had
consented to occupy the big house
y with Dale.
Then how that house did resound
with mustci Jessie also was a motor
enthusiast, ana Dale bought her q car
that she pronounced perfection. Every
afternoon she would take a long drive,
usually with woman friend, for Dale
seldom could get away from business.
Now there was only one thing
needed to make his happiness COM
plete. That necessary element was a
cook who could make the right kind
of waffles. He continued his search,
but his efforts were fruitless.
At last he gave up In disgust. There
was only one chance left, and it.look-
ed hopeless. He would try making
~waffles himself.
One afternoon;g while his wife was
away on a drive, and he had cleaned up
his work sooner than usual, he came
home, went into the kitchen and un-
earthed cook book, in which he found
recipe that suited his purpose. So
he donned an apron and proceeded to
cover himself and aSgood share Of his
surroundings with flour, milk and
eggs. But somehow he managed to
concoct yellowlmess1thatl ookedsas
II It might do.
In q drawer.of the cupboard dale
found irT1t all rsF41oh or,d r.yfHt, At,tr 3 a