davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26

"People who buy ready made shoes
would find their footgear much more
comfortable if only they would stand
up instead of sitting down to be fitted
said an experienced salesman. mine
out of ten customers, especially ladies.
want to sit in a comfortable chair all
the time they are fitting shoes, and it is
with difficulty that one can get them to
stand a few minutes even after the
shoe is fitted. Then when they begin to
walk about little they wonder why
the shoe is less easy than when it was
first tried on. The fact is that the foot
is smaller when one is sitting than
when one is walking about. Exercise
brings larger quantity of blood to the
feet, and they swell The muscles, too,
require a certain amount of room. In
buying shoes this must be borne in
mind, or one cannot hope to be shod
comfortably"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26

carried out in the sleeves. At the wrist
there are frills of lace. Some of the
"dressy" blouses are prettily trimmed
with ruchings of three ribbons in three
widths, the edges carefully fringed out.
Skating at the Palais de GIace is a
sport which appeals to the Partisan
younger set, and feminine members of
the skating club go there frequently in
the morning. The club is very exclu-
sive, and the afternoons at the palais
are given over to the men. There are
only two mornings in the week when a
woman not a member of the club may
gain admittance. I noticed some par
ticularly swagger skating gowns at the
palais the other morning. All of them
were short and cut in simple lines.
Plaits are apt to make even a slight fig
ure appear to disadvantage on the ice
so most of the skirts were simply fin
ished with strappings of cloth or bands
of fur. The coats are of the plain, not
too long, habit shape that is a la mode
just now, but the bolero is not missing.
one very attractive model was of
warm, rich brown velveteen with skirt
strappings of cloth of a like tone. The
bolero was formed of a series of wide
plaits cut from brown cloth and slight
ly on the bias, giving the effect of a Sc
ries of slightly fulled f1ounces. These
form a pelerine collar. The upper part
of the sleeve was full and composed of
horizontal plaits. There was a wide,
draped velveteen ceinture very becom-
ing to the small waist of the dainty girl
who was skating. The collar of velvet
cen was laid fiat and wound about a
high outstanding one of gold military
braid.
Quite the prettiest get-up at a recent
palais club meeting was of white serge
with a Russian blouse, the basque tab
bed and bordered with narrow sable.
The wide rundown collar was stitched
in a number of rows and fastened in
front with two large old gold Russian
ornaments forming clasp. The sleeves
were full, with deep cuffs bordered with
sable. The coat fastened with cords
and a girdle of Russian braid completed
the very natty skating costume
CATHERINE TALBOT.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26

appropriate to the season is Jack Frost
A circle has to be formed of the players
and the "ringleader" in the game calls
out, where is Jack Frost?" Some one
who acts as assistant runs into the
ring swinging a wand and, going over
to one of the circle, touches his right
hand. This person is now No. L. Each
person then turns to his neighbor on
the left and says. Jack Frost came
this way" No. must then ask, what
did he do?" No. 1 replies, HE nipped
my right hand" No. 1 at once shakes
his right hand vigorously. No. 2 turns
to No. 8 and says. "Jack Frost came
this way" and No. 8 asks, what did
he do?" The reply is the same as in the
first case, and No. 8 begins to shake his
digits violently. In this way the game
proceeds until every player is shaking
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26
Care of the Hot water nag.

These are not cheap things to buy
and are rather easily put out of order.
but this in nine cases out of ten il
from carelessness or not taking proper
care of the bag. A lady had an in
dia rubber bag that had got stuck to-
gether, and she did not know what to
do to get it right, as the bag was other
wise perfectly good. The reason of the
sticking is that the bag had been put
away for the summer months with no
air in it. When not using a bag drain
out the water, let it hang bottom side
up for a little while, then take 1t down
to keep the inside from coming to-
gether, as 1T would If no air were in, in
which case the bag is quite sure to be
ruined in pulling it apart. If you hap
pen to have a bag in this condition put
into it some hot water with few drops
of ammonia. Let 1t remain a few min
utes, then with a thin, dull edged piece
of wood try to separate the adherinR
sides very carefully.
In preparing the hot water bag for
use quite boiling water should not be
put into it, and neither should it be
more than half filled. After the water
is in it, before putting in the stopper,
carefully press out the steam. This
makes the bag softer, as it is relieved
of the pressure the steam makes. New
er fold rubber bag after it has once.
been used. flannel bag for covering
the rubber is very useful and very cas-
lily made
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26
The Sewing Machine and a Dream

The inventor of the sewing machine
almost beggared himself before he dis
covered where the eye of the needle of a
sewing machine should be located.
His original idea was to follow the
model of the ordinary needle and have
the eye at the heel. 1t never occurred to
him that it should be placed near the
point, and he might have failed alto
gether if he had not dreamed he was
building a sewing machine for a savage
king in a strange country. Just as in
his actual waking experience, he was
rather perplexed about the needles eye.
He thought the king gave him twenty.
four hours to complete the machine
and make it sew. If not finished in that
time death was to be the punishment
He worked and worked and puzzled
and puzzled and finally gave it up.
Then he thought he was being taken
out to be executed. He noticed that
the warriors carried spears that were
pierced near the head. Instantly came
the solution of the difficulty, and while
the inventor was begging for time he
awoke. 1t was o'clock in the morn
ing. He jumped out of bed. ran to his
workshop and by needle with an
eye at the point had been rudely mod
eled. After that it was easy.
This is the true story of an important
incident in the invention of the sewing
machine.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26

is symbolized by inclining the head in
the direction of the lobe attacked, bob
bling the head from side to side. The
question is now asked, HAS Jack Frost
quite done you up?" With the head
shaking a very positive Eyes the game
ends.
Fruit basket is another game that
needs no preparation. A circle is form
ed, as before, and the instigator of the
fun goes around giving each player the
name of some fruit. He then stands in
the center of the circle and calls out
quickly three times the name of a fruit.
Before he finishes the player who has
the name of the fruit mentioned has to
call it out or take his place in the ring.
It's the hardest thing to say buckle
berry, for instance, or the name of some
unusual fruit just in the nick of time.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26

called back he asks, "How do you like
it, where do you like it, when do you
like it?' All the players undertake to
inform him.
Suppose a door knob is selected. In
answer to "How do you like it?''
round would probably be given.
"Where do you like it?" "On a panel of
wood" and when do you like it?"
could be replied to with when we
want to get in or OUT
game more particularly for the tiny
children is a modernized edition of the
old fashioned fox. All form a ring ex-
cept one, the fox, who stays outside
The fox slyly passes around the play
ers and suddenly touches the Shout
der of one of the children. The fox
then runs to the left and the child he
has touched to the right. Whoever first
| reaches the place they started from,
called the den, holds the place, and the
other becomes the fox and must hunt a
den.
Blind mans buff is an old favorite
which has been brought up to date by
using a spoon to discover the identity
of the person caught. You have no idea
how difficult it is TO accomplish this
with a spoon. The game in it's new
form is called a spoonful of fun. In
acting proverbs half of the company
go out of the room, and the others re-
| main seated. Those outside settle upon
some well known proverb, such as "a
rolling stone gathers no moss or "a
stitch in time saves nine,'' which they
act in dumb show. Those in the room
| must name the proverb enacted.
A fine windup for the fun is snap
dragon. A shallow dish is thinly sprin-
kled with raisins, and a little alcohol is
poured over them. This is lighted, and
the fun of snatching the raisins from
| the fiery dragon begins. The one who
snaps the largest number wins the
game.
Hostesses are reviving some of the
quaint old Christmas fancies for their
grownup guests and introducing them
into the fun making. One of these GUS
toms is that of giving to each guest
sprig of mistletoe as luck bringer for
the ensuing year. Such a hostess is
doing what of old the priestly Druids
did when they gave the worshipers of
the Supreme Being, typiffed by the oak
tree, portions of the parasitic plant to
keep religiously SO long as it might last
A brand snatched from the burning
Yule log is another Christmas mascot
The Yule cake on Christmas night has
the bride cakes power. A piece put
under the pillow will give the sleeper
dreams of her future husband.
ELINOR HEWITT.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26

saw a charming dinner dress of pale
water blue tied with pale pink ribbons
and showered all over with pompadour
flowers in soft, shaded mauve. The
full. gathered skirt had a wide band of
velvet in a lovely shade of orchid
mauve. This tone was repeated on the
decollete corsage in a thick twist of
velvet above a bertha of lace. The
velvet band, by the way, is becoming a
matter of Importance on evening skirts
even when the lightest textures are
employed. Indeed, we seem to have
lost the good old principle of adjoining a
light frock with light trimmings, and our
modistic proportions are thrown over
board in this twentieth century dispen-
sation of things sartorial. AS an excep-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26
F'NAR.
81
il
ARTS, Dec. 1O.-The Partisan
shops are positively fascinat-

ing with their array of holt
u day novelties. Possibly the
most attractive and "Christmasy'
among them are the stunning new
wreaths of mistletoe in the shape of
tiaras to be worn in the evening on my
lady's daintily coiffured head The
leaves of these wreaths are of silver,
and the mistletoe berries are realis-
ticalIy carried out with tiny pearl
beads. of course such a garniture
worn at the festival season carries
with it a certain challenge, but this
fault may not be looked upon as Sc
rious bar to popularity
The winter sports are inaugurated,
and through the beautiful forests en-
vironing the gay capital the horn OF
the hunter is heard on the hill" The
feast of st. Hubert, which opens the
hunting season for the aristocratic old
French families, was celebrated the
other day with great ceremony. There
are certain phases of French social life
which never become democratic, and
CONSPICUOUS among them is the hunt.
The fashionable opening meet was held
on st. Hubert's day in the forest of
Chantilly, which has been noted
throughout French history for famous
hunts held in its glades. A little chapel
situated in this forest was chosen as
the rendezvous of NimrOds and hounds.
There mass was celebrated before the
hunt This was followed by a fanfare
of horns, after which the medieval
custom of blessing the hounds took
place. Sometimes the hounds are taken
into the church, but on this occasion
they were held in leash by the hunts
men within the porch.
Needless to say, the costumes were
extremely effective. A number of the
~
XIV. habit with felt tricorne hat orna-
mented with old gold galloon. Others
appeared in red coats and black riding
skirts, with a chapeau of black beaver
trimmed with a band of old gold. Bril-
liant equipages belonging to old French
families never seen except on especial
occasions are brought forth for the
hunt meet of st. Hubert's.
Altogether the event passed off with
sufficient pomp and circumstance to
make the meet one to be remembered
by those who saw it for the first time.
This is an age of conundrums. We no
longer ask, why does the fly hy?" or
What made the lobster blush?" be-
cause that would be descending to
level of idiocy which few of US could
long maintain. The present fashion is
to propose queries which will serve as
suitable subjects to discuss with the
man who takes you into dinner.
fought marriage to be on lease ?" for
instance, now becomes a sartorial CO.
nundrum which all the women are ask
ing each other. How many more ma
terials are to be chiffoned and moired?"
The question has been revived upon
the advent of two more newcomers in
the MORE field. They have double bar
relied names, one being MORE poplin,
and a charming material it is from
which to make a dinner dress or a gown
de ceremonie. 1t has just enough of the
watered appearance to give richness
and piquancy to the poplin. But the
second, pompadour MORE, is a genuine
triumph of the manufacturers art. l
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26

the soft velvets of the day and trimmed
with lace and sables is difficult to sur
pass in point of grace and elegance.
To come back once more to the ina
teriaP' subject, we have gone a little
daft over the attractions of things
ombre. From velvet to gauze, every
fabric and trimming is shaded indis-
criminately. Even the tailor made
cloths, which one certainly thought be-
yond such frivolous treatment, have
been subjected to the craze. The diff
culties of matching an ombre material
are many. / watched with great sym
pathy the troubles of a dressmaker's
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26

To meet the general demand for
white there has been a new trimming
invented-white jet-which is quite the
smartest thing we have encountered for
long while. In some developments it
is combined with metallic effects.
When applied to ball dresses of white
tulle it is embroidered in combination
with opaque white beads or sometimes
mingled with gold and silver threads on
fragile motifs of lace. It is exquisite
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26

ton to this rule comes the news that
Lebouvier has just designed two ex-
quisitely girlish dancing frocks of chif-
fon, one trimmed with scroll bouillon-
mes of satin ribbon all around the skirt.
and the other adorned with tiny frills
of ribbon one above the other.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26

- nee more the time honored
Christmas season is upon us.
All things around us call for
gladness. Homes have been
made bright with decorations of holly
and of pine. and that delightful feature
of Christmas, the Yule log, is ready to
burn and crackle on to greet the festi-
val morning. Too frequently while
these time honored evidences of the
Yuletide are present in force the true
holiday spirit is woefully lacking. Pity
tbs that our Christmas day has grown
TO be sadly misunderstood. The thought
of the Christ Child has been crowded
out with the burden of gift making.
When all her family and friends have
been suitably supplied with offerings
and these gifts daintiIy tied up and sent
on their various ways the strength and
energy of the donor are often at an end,
and she collapses utterly. This over
strained woman does not give herself
up to thoughts of good WILL" but to
feelings of complete exhaustion. When
such conditions exist-and they are
only too frequent-who can be merry
and able ''to keep the feast?" One
may be thankful, but only that Christ
mas day comes but once a year. OF all
the glad Christmas carols God Rest
You Merry Gentlemen''-and women
certainly must be included-alone viii
appeal to the tired arranger of the hol-
iday festival These comforting lines
hold out a possibility of rest ahead.
How much better it would be to
change all this-make less of the gift
feature and more of mirth and good
cheer, make the celebration a genuine
jolly time in fact and not in fancy and
let the merrymaking be shared with
the children of the HOUSEHOLD for Christ
mas is first and foremost the chiIdren's
day, and, no matter how old the young
sters live to be, they never forget their
early celebrations of this festival.
what father and mother used to do
at Christmas" is a favorite story with
folk in every age and generation.
The festival would fall short of its
mission if feasting were left out of the
programme, and feast thy good neigh
Dor the great with the smalI' is an in
junction that is carried out to the letter
in the family gathering of the day.
The festivities usually commence at
night or late in the afternoon, and as
Christmas this year falls on Sunday, of
course Monday viii be recognized So
cially- The principal feature of the
Christmas festivity is the tree, and
after that has been enjoyed games come
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26

apprentice sent on the thankless err
rand of choosing trimming for a gray
ombre taffeta which in one light was
pink, in another mauve and in still a
third gray. The result of the attempt
at matching was a jumbled collection of
buttons, braidS and lace that would
have done credit to a crazy quilt.
The suggestion of buttons reminds
me of novel treatment 1 saw on a gray
rough cheviot gown. 1t was made with
Tapped seams on skirt and blouse. The
bodice and seams were outlined with a
row of tiny gray leather buttons. The
belt of gray suede had a stunning clasp
of heavy oxidized silver set with imita-
ton Egyptian scarabs.
Separate blouses are not a bit smart
in theory, but practically are very much
"in the running" But in most in
stances the woman who knows" has
the blouse match the skirt Here is a
blouse which depends upon harmony
for its chic. It is constructed of bands
of black velvet ribbon alternating with
white lace insertion. The lace is
mounted upon ombre ribbon in several
shades, the darkest commencing from
the side seams and the light ends meet
ing in the center. The same idea is
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26

When the game begins to drag a bit
the ringleader calls out in alarmed
tones 1.-THE fruit baskets upset." Then
all scramble to change chairs, and the
mixup is great sport.
Still another game is to have one
member of the party leave the room,
while the rest select some object in the
apartment, and when the wanderer is
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26

of white, tulle over white satin, with a
design of peach pink peoples worked
out in colored chenille and white jet in
a trailing pattern on the skirt. The
bodice seemed to be nothing save a
high, tightly gathered ceinture fastened
with large white jet buttons down the
front and a deep bertha composed of
chenille fringe and white jet. The tiny
puffed sleeves were supported by bre-
telles of tulle embroidered in the poppy
pattern.
Another model particularly suitable
for young lady is of white silk gauze
over a foundation OF +sflvery green. A
beautifully ruched trimming edged with
green and yellow silk ribbon adorns
both skirt and waist. It is caught with
bouquets of green and white hortensia.
The belt is of green liberty velvet.
In ball gowns for matrons the prin-
cess style is again in favor with both
stout and slender women. This robe
princesse when fashioned from some of
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26

A novelty among the many new silk
velvetS which have appeared on the
market is that adorned with an en-
bossed satin spot about the size of a
pea which is of a somewhat darker
shade than the groundwork. In some
cases it is of quite a different color from
the velvet and is outlined with a mar
row rim of white, which gives it a rath-
er curious effect.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26
Modes In Evening FrocIss.

Some new ball gowns are fashioned
of white net or tulle over shot taffeta in
a variety of different shades. The CLEAN
of the silk through the transparent sur
face of the fabric which wells it is most
effective, and in many cases the colors
are taken up in the Beautiful ribbon and
palette embroideries which adorn the
hem.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26

, his right hand. jack Frost then touch
es with his wand the left hand of No. 1,
and the same questions are asked and
carried out as before. Jack now at
tacks the right foot, then the left The
players are now shaking both hands
and feet and jumping up and down,
when the sturdy little fellow nips first
one ear and then the other. The effect
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26

however treated and deserves to have a
long day of fashionable favor. AS the
price is exclusive its future is a bright
one.
Evening gowns of the season have to
the unworldly a misleading quality of
simplicity, only one wonders if there is
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26
WITHDRAWING.

1t is often thought that withdrawing
over dirt will restore the clean appear
ance. This is a mistake, and the walls
will never look nice unless they are
cleaned before whitewashing.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26

any one woman left in this weary,
wicked world unsophisticated enough
to think that gown has cost its owner
a small amount just because it wears a
guileIess air. One of these creations is
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26
A UaefuI Hint.

If you dc not want the bristIes of
your new toothbrush to fall out soak
the brush for ten hours before using at
all.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26

Oriental 1aces are very popular once
more and are beautified with glinting
threads of gold and silver run through
the mesh.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26

into play, Joined in alike by young and
old The hostess has had her hands al
ready full to overlooking, so elaborate
set" games are too much trouble to be
good sport. The impromptu ones, sim
pie enough for the veriest tot to join in,
are most fun.
A ''gift hunt" is lots of fun. Anus
ing little presents are hidden in out of
the way places, and to each gift is at
tached a different colored piece of
Irvine. These different threads are
twined about pictures, under chairs and
even over transoms, and the present
hidden beneath the articles somewhere.
Each player is given the free end of the
string, and the hunt begins. Threads
less intricately arranged are given to
the younger members of the party.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26
To Mix Mustard.

Mustard is greatly improved by mix
ing with it little salad oil.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26
when whipping Eggs.

A pinch of salt added to the whites
of eggs makes them whip up much bet
ter.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26

Embroidery Is Much Used.
Exceptional is the frock that has not
embroidery of some kind in it's trim
mings.