Lester Caines was driving home to Bay Roberts after a day long trip to St. John's. He had had a long day in the city, and all he wanted to do was get home, enjoy an evening meal with his wife, and relax, for it was getting late in the day, he was tired and hungry and today was Lester's birthday.

Several miles outside Bay Roberts, as if his day wasn't bad enough already, his car broke down, and he had no choice but to continue his journey on foot, for there was no traffic with which to catch a ride.

Lester had walked for what seemed like an eternity, when he happened upon a little roadside cafe, or a take-out as we call it in Newfoundland. By now he was not only tired, but was extremely hungry, so much so that the aroma of freshly baked beans and hot bread right out of the oven was irresistable. He walked in, sat at a table, and before he knew anything, he had put away three heaping plates of fresh baked beans and a full loaf of home-made bread. Lester paid for his meal and, feeling rejeuvinated, continued his journey home on foot.

The final half-hour from the take-out to his home saw the effects of the baked beans become quite apparant. He sputtered and putt-putted along his way, feeling confident that the walking would completely take care of the side effects of the beans by the time he got home, for he could not tell his wife he had already eaten because she was sure to have supper waiting for him, and he didn't want to hurt her feelings.

Finally, the journey was coming to an end, for his house was in sight, and he had but just a minute or so to get rid of the final effects of the beans. When he got to his front door, he was certain the effects were completely gone.

Lester's wife met him excitedly at the front door. "Oh Lester I'm so happy you're home! I've been so worried!! Why are you so late?"

Lester told her the story of his long day, his car troubles, and his long walk, but strategically left out the stop at the take-out and the baked beans.

"You're okay, that's the main thing," she said. "Now," she said excitedly, "put on this blindfold and come inside, for I have a most wonderful surprize waiting for you inside!!!"

The blindfold was affixed to his eyes, and his wife led him inside, insisting he not peek. He assured her he couldn't see a thing.

She seated him at the head of the dining room table, and just as the blindfold was about to come off, the phone rang in the next room. She made him promise not to peek as she exited to get the phone.

While she was out of the room, he felt the urge to rid himself of some baked beans side-effects. Knowing she was out of sight and out of ear-shot, he determined it was okay to let one go. Shifting his weight to one side, he did just that, which made him feel a lot better. A moment later, his wife still on the phone in the next room, he felt another one coming on. He shifted his weight to the other side and let go an award winner which made the windows vibrate.

His wife was now concluding her conversation. Lester gathered his composure, and when the wife re-entered the dining room she found Lester just as she had left him, complete with blindfold.

Her only question was whether or not he had peeked. He assured her he hadn't, and he wasn't lying, because through it all, the blindfold remained intact.

"I'm so glad," she said, "for I have a most wonderful surprize for you for dinner. Are you ready?"

"Yes," he replied.

"Okay," she said. "Take off the blindfold!!!"

He did, and what should he find before him but twelve dinner guests his wife had invited for a surprize birthday party.