davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-13

been burning out a hominy mortar.
She got a block off a tree trunk,
square at both ends, set it upright and
built a fire in the middle of its face,
which she watched and tended con-
stantly, feeding it with chips and bark
and twigs, never letting it get too
big, and still less letting il die out
The result was J deep eupped hollow
in the trunk. When the hollow was
aided out and the outer bark skelped
off, the mortar was complete. The
pestle of dogwood. fine and close
grained, was bluntly rounded, and
hardened by thrusting it repeatedly in
the FIRE, Withdrawing it as soon as the
sap began to hiss.
Black Aaron made the pcstle at
night beside the campfire. He was
master of manipulating. He pick
ed sound fint-eorn. threw out all the
little grains. and, after wetting it well,
dropped it by handfuls in the mortar.
Beating and pounding, with peculiar
rotary motion, he soon had the hulls
loosened and the grains broken in
half. 1t remained then only to blow
away the hulls, wash the hominy and
boil it for twelve hours, putting in
salt toward the last. A handful of
hominy beans was an improvement,
but there in the wilderness everybody
was well content to do without them.
Mrs. Majors sighed happily as she
saw the first big potful set away, beau
tifully boiled, and sufficient for a
weeks frying. A skilletful would be
dipped out for meal, and fried in
hot bacon fat until there was rich,
crisp brown crust all over the bottom
Thus it would 60 mighty we'll with the
old ham. cooked in another pot that
same day, and the haunch of venisor
Shem had given them, 20 say nothing
of the squirrels, fat and tender, and
broiled over tbs Goals She had be.
sides brass kettleful OF stewed fruit
peaches dried last summer in the old
home. That would be dinner enough
! and good enough for anybody any.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-13
If Dinner to Dream AbOut ~

where; she was glad and thankful for
il here, where all was so wild. This,
the day before Christmas, was the
first that anybody had been able to
draw breath. Next day would be a
holiday-she would send the boys out
to hunt nuts and grapes and persim-
mons.
She said as much to Shem, who
smiled shrewdly but made no other
reply. After her labors she slept
soundly, but not so soundly as to miss
hearing the Christmas gun. Rob, her
Oldest boy, and Shem were answer
able for it; they plugged half a pound
of powder inside a hollow log and
touched it off by means of a greasy
string fuse, around 3 o'clock in the
morning. After it there was no sleep
for anybody. Whites and blacks roll
ed out and stood huddled about the
blazing fires, shouting Christmas
gift! Christmas gift!' at each other.
This was Catching Christmas gifts"
and entitled the lucky shouter to claim
something from the one caught. The
blacks knew they would get some
thing, anyway--at least dram of
good whiskey before breakfast.
After breakfast, but still before
daybreak, Shem plunged away into
the woods with Rob Majors and black
Aaron at his heels The other men
and boys scattered through the woods
in search OF hickory nuts. Walnuts
were SC plenty right around the camp
they were reckoned hardly worth
cracking.
Shem took his rifle, Rob his faith
er's gun. A light skim of snow had
fallen over night, but the morning
was cloudless and nipping cold. The
sun was not we'll above the tree tops
when shots sounded in the woods
down toward the creek. A little later
Shem and his merry men came back
whooping joyously, each with fat
wild turkey swung over the shoulder
How'd we git UNI? Jes' couldn't
hep hit-tur-rkeys is so blame plenty
in these yere diggin's," Shem said
Il amt wasted much powder on EN-
of late-got plum tired a-eatin' of um
the fust three year WIS out yere
Kilt turnkey every day, half picked
hit, and sot it up before the FIRE, sos
the breast would roast. That wus al
| ever et-took it fer bread like, long
o my venison, and | kin stay in these
woods a year and lack fer nothin'
Fact is, body would have to tie hi:
hands behind him ter starve in thi:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-13

layers of sponge cake. This must be
used on the day of making, or the
banana filling will become sour and
unfit for use.
Dried Bananas.-Take dozen good
ripe bananas. Put them in the sun
on wire frames to dry. Turn the
bananas two or three times a day, and
continue this process for FIVE or six
days until the bananas are brown and
OF a mellow consistency. Then can
them. They may be packed in tins
or boxes which have been lined with
paper. While drying the bananas,
keep q net over them to prevent flies
from getting on them. These dried
bananas are sometimes called "bsna-
IA figs"
Boiled Banana Pudding /
cupful of dried bananas, chopped fine.
Mix il with I cupful Of breadcrumbs
and u eupful OF chopped suet and 2
eggs, we'll beaten. Flavor with spice
and rosewater Butter a mould we'll
and pour the pudding into it. Boil
for three hours, and serve with wine
sauce.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-13

country--and eben then hit would be
prutty tough wrastle.
Next Shem called for the bread
trays and the children, and with them
whipped off to take bee tree"-one|
he had marked in the fall The tree
was a hollow oak-hollow all the way
up, although there was only a little
open place at the bottom. There
Shem built fire, or rather a smoke,
throwing into it certain dry toad
stools picked by the way, which set
up such smothering smell 1t is no
wonder it stupehed the poor bees.
The tree split open in falling-thus
the comb-honey, lifted out into the
trays. dripped sweets everywhere.
After the comb was out everybody
scooped spilled honey with fingers
and palms, then licked it off. In spite
of that enough remained in the hollow
to give Brer Postum and Sis Postum
likewise a Christmas treat. Shem said
so. and he knew if anybody did.
When the bee hunters got back to
camp they found the others with rich
spoil OF grapes and scaly barks and
persimmons. But all those things
were quite put out of countenance by
the three turkeys duly trussed and
stuffed, and swung ub before the fire,
turning slowly round and round,
roasting and giving out the most de-
licious smell The venison vas SIM
mering in its pot; two 'possums and
coon likewise hung to roast over
against the turkeys. Mrs. Majors and
two black women had their hands full,
keeping everything properly basted,
but they let nothing even scorch, and
found time to make an oven Of bis
cult from the very last -four in the
sack, and to bake ash-cake in such
quantity there was enough left over
| for breakfast.
Dinner was ready toward !, o'clock,
a. nearly as one could guess by the
sun. 1t was eaten from pewter plates
or clean wooden ones cut out of big
chips, or even off bits OF bark. The
dinner table still rested in the depths
of the big wagon, but the Testament
had been got out. After dinner Mr..
Majors read chapter and prayed a
short yet fervent prayer. Then the
fires were built up afresh, and while
the women and children basked in
their cheer, the men, except Mr..
Majors, went off on a hunt that did
not end until daybreak next morning.
! CoDyripht. roO7. hy M. McC. Williams
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-13
New Uses for the Nutritious Banana

Roasted Bananas.-Take as many
bananas as are required and place
them on a griddle over the fire. AL
low them TO remain until the skin
turns quite black, then take them off
and run a fork down the middle. Take
the bananas out and lay them on a
dish. Dust with fine sugar and
squeeze a lemon over them. This
makes them delicious, but many ia
maicans, instead OF using lemen, eat
them with cream.
Banana Fritters.-Take half dozen
ripe bananas (thc ripper the better),
peel them and mash them very kne
Then add we'll beaten eggs and
enough -four TO form a stiff paste
Drop them into well-buttered, hot
frying pan and allow to fry for abou,
ten minutes. Serve them hot, with
siftod sugar and slice Of lemon
Baked Banauas.-Slice lengthwi.s
enough bananas TO fill 4 pie dish
sprinkle little sugar over them, and
bake for fifteen minutes in a hot
oven. When cooked, serve with
cream.
Banana Filling for Cakes.-rake :
bananas. mash them we'll with littl,
sugar and spice. and add glass o
port wine Then rub them into /;
sreoth paste and spread between
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-13

Some of the new leather, suede,
morocco and silk belts are perfect
monstrosities, and it is to be hoped
that all dainty women will put their
stamp of disapproval on them. They
come in all colors and all widths, but
the one upon which fashion has set
its seal is about four inches wide and
undeniably ugly.
One of the prettiest leather belts is
the Japanese, which has the dragon
embroidered on il in different shades
1t has silver or gold dragon mount.
ing,
The buckles were never handsorner
Chinese ones OF jadestone and ory.,
tails, set with garlets. are tskea fren
the mems wraps ard used fer buckles
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-13

They Invariably see to it that the crew
at the Southampton station is bounti-
fully supplied with Christmas cheer
OF all sorts, and the way turkeys and
toys pour in upon the men would be
overwhelming were it not for the fact
that life savers have VIGOROUSLY fine
appetites and their children can find
uses for every trinket given them.
Four miles east of Southampton is
the Shinnecock station Some of the
men there have not had a real Christ
mas dinner for years; and their ex-
perience is that of the average guard
in the fifty odd stations strung ALIENS
the length of the same beach.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-13

Domingo. and other tropical lands in
so doing; but very few Americans
know how TO make the best use of the
banana. They usually eat it raw, and
find that, after a time, it becomes
tedious and tssteless as an article OF
diet.
The eating of the banana IN ell
kinds Of ways should be encouraged,
for it is one of the most nutritious
foods in the world. A Mexican chem
ist has been comparing bananas with
wheat and potatoes for food, and has
arrived at the conclusion that for the
same space and under the same con-
ditions of cultivation the production
Of bananas is forty times that of po
tatoes and one hundred times that oil
wheat. He has figured out that ar
area OF land which will raise enough
wheat to feed six men will produce
enough bananas to feed one hundred
and fifty men.
Bananas being so valuable, here are
a few receipts for using them which
Anericar housekeepers will appreci
ate after trial. They are highly
valued 10 Jamaica. the principa
harars growing country:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-13
Pioneers in the Early Days of Ten
nessee and Their Merrymakings
During the Holiday Season
By Martha McCulIoch Williams

- EOVlNG from North Carolina
NH TO Middle Tennessee in the
Ivl fall of 1906, the Majors fam
lily was three months on the
way, and got to their journeys end
so late in December there seemed no
chance at all of having any Christmas.
That is, until Shem Gupton came.
Shem was also Carolina-bred, and had
been across the mountains for years,
a hunter and trapper, living in the
wilderness and by it, but still neigh
5orIy kind.
The bark camp was his suggestion.
Better git somethin a leetle thick
er'n tent cloths er wagin-kivers over
the ole lady and the young uns.
Thar's nippin' cold weather right
ahead" he said. So everybody went
to work, cutting down tall, slim trees,
chopping them into eight-foot logs
and splitting the logs in half. All the
men at least, and such OF the negro
women as could handle axes well. Al
together there were forty souls to be
housed. The split logs were set up in
a palisade, some little way outside a
Young tree The palisade was double,
the first row standing bark-side in,
the second, Tapped on the cracks OF
the first, bark-side out Poles ran
from the top Of it, rafter-wise, to the
center tree. Fine brush and leaves
Iii ,.,e;ohted with earth made a
GOOD roof. There was no fireplace
but az the south side a big opening
through which the light and heat oi
the roaring campfire came in freely
With a foot of fine dry leaves over
the floor, the beds set up, and dressed
in gay wooden coverlids. it looked very
well.
Two more camps for the black:
were easily put up. While the mer
were busy building, Mrs. Majors had
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-13
Capturing a Filipino
n SPENT nearly four years in the
Il Philippines" said captain OF
u the infantry, "and ! saw some

ut SPENT nearly four years in the
Philippines" said captain OF
u the infantry, and saw some
remarkable examples OF per
sonal bravery among the soldiers
think, though, the most striking eX-
ample OF this sort OF thing was shown
by Private Cooper, OF Company A.
A little scouting party of perhaps
thirty men were hunting some trouble
some insurrectionists in South Luzon.
We had camped one night near a lit
tie lake. In the morning we pushed
on, skirting the lake and marching
through a swamp with the water near
ly to our hips.
"On the farther side we found
body of natives entrenched behind a
breastworks shoulder high. There was
no way of hanking them, so we had
to make a dash for the very front OF
their works in the face OF a CALLING
fire. They did not stand our return
fire long, but fed up the pass. which
cut down the mountain Perhaps fifty
OF their number tried TO cover their
retreat, and succeeded in picking off
five of our men before we could ef-
fectually drive them off.
Cooper rushed from the RANKS and
dashed over the breastworks. Just be
yond it a Filipino captain was firing
from behind a fallen tree. Without
an instant's hesitation Cooper jumped
down into the fortiheation and made
rush for the officer He wrenched
the rifle from his hands and, grabbing
him by the back Of the neck, dragged
him outside the breastworks to the
lake, where he held him under water
for couple Of minutes. We found
him there a few moments later, roll
ing the little Filipino on the ground
when ] get the water out of this
cuss,' he said, maybe | can get some
information out, too
'He did get some information which
led to the capture of thirty-fve rifles.
Cooper was made a sergeant the next
week, and General Chaffee recon-
mended him for a medal for bravery
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-13
Queer Names for Peanuts.

Like the American flag, the Ameri-
can peanut is circling the globe; and
il is acquiring some queer names in
foreign countries.
In England and Scotland peanuts
are called monkey nuts" Ia Peru.
where they are becoming very popular
among the natives, they are termed
"cacachatas" In Jamaica. West In
dies, the local name is "pindars." aud
the pindar seller, as he goes his
rounds, sings:
"Pindar dyah. young gentleman;
Pindar dyah, young lady;
Pindar dyah, young gentleman.
Now call you pindar bwoy
In West Virginia the country folk
call peanuts "gubba peas. ard in
South Carolina ground pas"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-13
How to Make a White Gown Smart

A white gown may be made very
smart with trimming of orchids,
which |, expensive TO buy, but easy
TO make il one can embroider These
f~wrrs and leaves are applisued
They look especially beautiful on gold
and N>lver cloth.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-13

A MERICANS devour an un-
n thinkable number of bananas
4 y and help to make the fortunes
az Inrna;cn CnrAn De, Cnntn
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-08
ENOUGH WHITE GRANITE
TO BUILD A CITY"
Captain Harding on His Return So
Describes the Vermont
Quarries.


Capt Chester Harding, assistant to
the Engineer Commissioner of the Dis
trict. who returned yesterday from an
extensive trip through Vermont, in
specting quarries. is busy drafting a
report, which he will submit 10 the
Commissioners tomorrow.
Captain Harding refused TO dis FUSS
the trip until his report has been made
public. but ne did say that the Bethei
quarry, from which IL is proposed to
obtain stone for the new Union Sta
ton. is practically unlimited in re-
sources.
There is enough white granite in the
Bethel quarry" said the captain this
morning. Ito build city" When asked
how the Bethel stone compared with
other GRANTEES as 10 price. Captain
Harding said he had not looked into
that feature OF tire matter.
He does not believe. however, that
the price will be much of an obstacle.
IN case the granite receives the ap-
prevail OF the District Commissioners.
as being an appropriate, suitable. and
altogether desirable building stone
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-08
POLICE EJACULATION
IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Judge Kimball Declares Pawnbroker
Free From Unwarrantable Search by
Policemen and Detectives.

Judge KimbaI recently made a de-
cision Of great Importance to persons
engaged in the pa-nbroker business in
the District. 1t was in the case Of Elias
Heidenheimer, who was acquitted in
the Police Court of violating a police
regulation.
Mr.. Heidenheimer. who conducts a
pawnbrokerage business in this city
was charged with a violation of section
Of the police regulations, which pro-
vides, among other things, that any
member of the police force may
Search for and take possession Of any
article known by him to be missing or
known or believed by him TO have been
stolen, without the fOrmality of the
writ Of search warrant or any other
process.
Judge, Kimball sustained the conten-
ton Of counsel for the defendant that
this regulation violated Article of the
Constitution Of the United States, which
guarantees freedom from unreasonable
search and seizure.
The defendant was represented by
Leon Tobriner and Julius 1. Peyser
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-08

journment of the extra session and
coming back TO the meeting OF the
regular session.
President Pro TEN. Frye Yesterday
in one breath declared the extra ses-
sion adjourned sine die, and called the
regular session to order, none OF the
Senators leaving their seats. The House
did not adjourn sine die at all When
II adjourned on Saturday it was In ex-
ira session. and when II met yesterday
II was in regular session. but Speaker
Cannon does not believe there was a
recess. In fact, he carefully refrained
from allowing a sine die Adjournment
ia order TO prevent a recess, as he did
not want the nation to pay about
$4,000 in mileage.
THE Presidents idea" said one OF
the Senator'S, who does not believe that
there was recess, is that, technical
~. we all packed UP our goods, paid
our board and farewell calls. rode sew
eral hundred miles to our homes. rested
from our labors. and fixed up our
fences while the clock pendulum was
swinging forward, and that we bade
our families farewell. stuffed our
pockets full of petitions for river i'm
prOvements and against Reed Smoot.
travelled back to Washington, bought
new clothes and met in regular session
while the pendulum was swinging back
He has figured 1t out in this way, and
he is sure that Congress had a recess
AID a rest from its labors-"
Senator Lodge and Secretaries Root
and Moody support the President in his
position that the "infnitesimal interim
OF time between the two sessions was
a recess. Speaker Cannon. it is said,
does not believe it. and he is expected
TO refuse TO allow any mileage PROPOSE
ton. President Pro TEN. Frye does not
believe il. and he says the Senate will
exercise the prerOgatiVe of settling the
matter for itself, irrespective Of the eff
feet upon the promotion OF General
Wood.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-08
RESULTS IN FRAUDULENT
VOUCHER CASE AWAITED
Corporation Counsel Not
Yet Heard From.
COMMISSIONERS CONFIDENT
See No Reason Why the District
Cannot Recover the
$500.

The District Commissioners are anx-
iously awaiting results in the case of the
fraudulent Board of Education voucher,
which was submitted to the Corporation
Counsel several weeks ago, with in
structions to bring suit in civil courts
provided he could find any facts upon
which to take such action.
Commissioner West, who has super
vision over the Corporation CounseFs
Office. said today that he could see no
reason why the District cannot recover
either the amount of the voucher. $780,
or the goods. which, although paid for,
were never delivered.
Peculiar Position.
The position in which the District
Commissioners are placed is peculiar. in
that Mr. Timme. Auditor for State and
Other Departments. has informed the
Commissioners he must have either the
money or the goods.
Miss Johnston. the photographer, has
the money, and John c. Parker has the
goods, for which he has never been
paid. The equities in the case have not
been transgressed. but the law has been
violated both IN letter and in spirit.
Corporation Counsel DuvaH has in
structions." said Commissioner West
this morning. Ito examine all the pa
pers carefully. and to bring suit if there
is the slightest ground upon which TO
base a suit"
Action Must Be Taken.
In view or the demand made upon the
Commissioners by Auditor Timme. II is
essential that something be done toward
a recovery -of either the goods or the
money.
When asked what the Commissioners
would do. provided the Corporation
Counsel failed TO find any ground for
civil suit. Commissioner West said he
contemplated no such outcome OF the
case, and would not care TO cross the
bridge until he is compelled 10.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-08
DISCUSS
CONSUME ION'S PHASES
Prevention ami Cure the Subject Of
Lectures Conducted Under Aus
pieces of Associated Charities.

The Associated Charities committee
on the prevention Of consumption held a
public meeting last night in the Lincoln
Temple Congregational Church at Elev-
enth and r Streets northwest The
speakers of the evening were DR.. C. V
Purvis. who discussed THE Prevalence
and Ravages of Consumption DR.. ID.
Percy Kicking. chairman Of the com
mittee on lectures. who spoke concern
ing The Prevention and Cure of This
Modern White Plague" and c. F. Weller,
general secretary of the Associated
Charities, who exhibited a number of
stereopticon views showing the develop
ment Of the tubercle bacillus, the best
means for its destruction. and the mod
'ern- methods OF curing consumption.
The extent c1-tr-e-r- rr--~--tive and con-
structive work which the Associated
Charities Is undertaking at present is
indicated by the fact that three illus
trated lectures and four without stere-
opticon views are TO be given this week.
One was arranged for last evening and
two viii be held Thursday. OF these
two, one in the Peoples Congregational
Church IN NJ Street, between Sixth and
Seventh northwest. viii be devoted TO
the prevention and cure of consumption,
and the other. in the Wilson Memorial
Church on Eleventh Street southeast,
viii take up the general study of How
the other i,alf liye in the shadow Of the
National Cspitol."
In addlti3 70 these three lectures with
stereopticon. there VIII be four other
meetings this week in which the in
terests of TVashin gton, from the AssO-
ciated Charities standpoint, will be dis
cussed. These lectures are attended by
from 200 TO $500 people every week.