THE THREE MUSKETEERS

My father had a trucking business and was away from home most of the time.  He came home every few weeks, always without letting us know he was coming.  I can still hear the cries of my sisters, "Daddy's Home!," "Daddy's Home!", as they saw him drive down the street in his truck.  Daddy would always ask Mother if his three girls had been behaving themselves.  When Mother told him that we had indeed been little angels (not true, of course).  Daddy would say that he thought it was time for a treat.   He often called me, and told me that it was time for a treat.  He would hand me a nickel with great ceremony, and tell me that I should run fast as I could to the corner drug store and buy a Three Musketeer candy bar.   I did as I was told and came back, breathlessly, after running all the way.  Daddy would open the candy bar.  A Three Musketeer contained three separate sections of luscious chocolate.  Inside one section was pink ,creamy stuff  (to die for), that was strawberry flavored.  Another was white inside, (vanilla), and the third was chocolate flavored. Daddy divided the three sections among his three girls, and no matter which piece we got, we were ecstatic.  It was gooey and sweet and delicious, the likes of which we  hardly ever tasted.  I always secretly hoped that I would get the piece that was pink inside and that may have happened once or twice.  But it didn't really matter, the treat was fantastic, no matter what color we got. I will always be grateful to my Daddy for the nickel treat that he gave to his three little girls, when treats were few and far between.  I can't pass a candy display today without noticing the Three Musketeer candy bars and remembering fondly that delicious happening during the depths of the depression.  I haven't had one in many years, but I wonder if they are still the same.  I would guess that they are. But probably not quite so delicious.