davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1906-12-02
The Rapture of Reln.niseence.

As the palate appreciated the inehable
deliciOusness of the dainty, two of us
uttered in delight not far removed from
ecstasy:
Real poudCake,'
Both OF the speakers were graudmoth-
ers. Women OF The second generation
shared our pleasure. but not the rapture
of reniuisceuce. When one eranddame
sighed, Il do not think I have eaten
genuine poundcake before in thirty
years" the juniors confessed that they
had never tasted il before.
1t transpired, presently. that the
mother Of the hostess. a Southern wo-
man, had compounded the delicacy. as
sisted by her c1IoTed maid.
Like the venerable men" eulogized by
Webster at the Inauguration of Bunker
Hin monument, il had come down TO
us from a former generation "A gem
Grafton that had time to take pains in
whatever il undertook \ pound of loaf
sugar crushed and sifJed through mus
lin, three-qUarters of a pound of wash
ed butter. a pound of -four dried in the
oven = pound of eggs: one nutmeg
grated a teaspoonfuI of mace. and a
glass Of pure old brandy went into that
peerless loaf. The mixing was done as
carefully as the Weighing Then came
half an hour of steady heating uhink
Of that, ye hustleTs of the twentieth.
centuryD that left it velvety i'm con-
sistency and i'm color like molten gold.
This sounds like bathos 10 our up-to-
date cook, ] forgive her. if she has
never known real poundcake.
The Washington times., 1906-12-02
Sink knowledge

n EVERAL times a year the aver
age housewife finds herself con-
fronted with a stopped up sink.
Amateur efforts at opening the
drain pipes are unavailing. Trained skill
must be called in and commotion and
plumbers bills follow.
This Is one Of Ihe many instances
where an ounce OF prevention Is worth
pound Of cure. There are kitchens
10 whom the plumbers visit is almost
as rare as a blue moon, and with a
fairly modern system of drainage and a
little care their number might easily in
crease and multiply.
Sink stoppage is usually caused by
grease, sometimes by coffee grounds.
and III ninety-nine cases out of a hun
dred by carelessness. See that your
plates are scrapcd free from grease and
scraps before they go into the dishpan.
then way into the garbage can rather
thAn the sink Keep a small, stiff scrub
Jlng brush, an iron sinksCraper with a
rubber edEel near at hand, and enforce
their use after each dishWashing time
II these few simple rules are obeyed
TT none of the greasy water in which
vegetables have been cooked grayies
or other greasy liquids are poured into
the sink tand it is not the place for
theml. if the pipes are scalded daily
with clean water and plenty of common
washing soda. YOU run very little risk
of stoppage.
A plumber once said TO me- IF wom-
en- would use more soda in their sink
pipes. there would be less work for us
Some of them use lye, which cuts the
better
The Washington times., 1906-12-02
Pound Fruit Cake.

One pound of butter; one pound OF
powdered sugar; one pound OF flour: one
pound of seedsd raisins. one pound of
currants; half a pound OF shredded cit
ron; twelve eggs; one even teaspoonful
OF cinnamon; two teaspoonfuIs OF nut
meg one teaspoonful Of cloves: one
wineglass OF best brandy. Cooking
brandy will not do.)
Rub the butter and sugar to a smooth
cream; beat in the whipped eggs ana
stir for two whole minutes before ad-
ding half OF the -four Beat the -four
In with long, even strokes; add the
spices. and when these are well incor-
porated with the other ingredients fold
in the whites. that is, with long, almost
horizontal sweeps of the spoon alter
nately with the reserved flour. The
brandy goes in last. and this must be
with as few strokes as viii suffice TO
blend 1t completely with the batter
This is a large quantity. For a family
Of ordinary size half as much of each
ingredient viii do.
The whole will make two large loaves.
Cover with thick paper when You put il
into a steady oven, and do not remove
the paper under an hour 1t will re-
quire nearly, if not quite. two hours
baking
The novice would best commit the
baking TO an experienced cook.
The Washington times., 1906-12-02
Caring for 0ilCIOth

The careful housewife avoids the use
of either soap or ammonia in the water
with which her oilcloth IS cleaned. She
knows that their use viii injure the ma
terial and render the coIors dull anl
lifeless. She also avoids a brush unless
she owns a very soft one and relies
upon clear, clean "ater and soft fan
mel cloths for her cleaning work
When the oilcloth has been washed
clean. she rubs it dry with q fresh dry
flannel cloth, ana then polishes the en-
tire surface with rag upon which there
Is very little linseed oil, or some
skinned milk. The milk does very sat
isfactory work, but should be avoided in
summer time. as It viii bring flies.
Some housekeepers think that oilcIoth
keeps its freshness and gives far better
service if treated TO a coat Of varnish
when it is first put down
The Washington times., 1906-12-02
"Snowball" Sponge Cake.

spoke, just nov. of the sponge
cake served 10 the children. I did not
see it or taste 1t. I am. nevertheless,
IS sure as If ! haC done both that il
was as little like the 'isnowballs'' that
were the JOY of my childhood as cup
cake. resembles the luscious pound loaf
I have described but feebly. Sponge cake
tthe real thing was guiltIess Of butter.
So is the modern plagiarism. I could
run over the original recipe backward,
so familiar was 10 To my charmed ears.
Twelve eggs, the weight of the eggs
IN sugar. half their weight i'm -four one
iemOn-juice and rind. Beat yOlks and
whites separately and very light The
sugar into The yollJs when they are per
fectIy swooIh, next the Juice and grated
lemon peel then the stimeued whites,
lastly. the sifted flour. very lightly and
rapidly.
As with the pound cake. the rest was
skill.
The perfect product was never tough.
1t melted i'm the mouth like butter
never sticking 10 the teeth; and al
though most delicious when freshly
baked, did not dessiCate into sweetish
dust when cold.
What might be called the sponge
cake of commerce'-m0stO often sold in
the shape of lady fingers (save the
marlkB and jumbleS-better BETTING
the name-is coaNed into hghtness by
ammonia and baking powders. 1t is al
ways either tough or sawdusty.
IN all the changes and chances, the
dowufalls and upheavals, in the realm
of cake-making. the queen holds her
own. Fruit cake has never been super
seeded by angel or by devil cake, by any
OF the countless varieties of cup or layer
cake She smiles serene Indifference
upon Lady Baltimore. while French
lady. marble, caramel. Washington,
Lincoln. and Lee win no regard from
her calm eyes" She is empress. and
her dynasty is perpetual Two hundred
years ago fruit cake was an indispensa-
bic feature in every feast OF note The
reYeler OF today holds IL In equal esteem
with his at-great-grandfather
''iudigesJible- says our diet dlctatorS.
Horribly eNpensivel" cry frugal house
wives. All the same. children cry for
H. and the four-doiiars- week house
mother pinches i'm here and OveTruns
there 10 have that on Christmas Day
which viii set the younglings to sing
ing
Some gave them white bread some
gave them brown:
Some gave them plum cake and sent
them out OF town.
To the maker of the immemoriable
sallad plum cake" stood COR the most
The Washington times., 1906-12-02

costly bribe i'm the gift of the har-
assed townspcople- Before coming ID
recipes for the royal loaf. let me remind
the maker thereof of a few important
preliminaries to the ceremony.
Collect and weigh all the ingredients
before you begin 10 mix the cake. Ap-
propriate a table of fair size and settle
yourself in a corner where you are not
likely To be interrupted. Neglect not the
least detail of spoon. OF spice sitter. or
crater. Pay especial attention to the
fruit. The currants may be labeled
Cleaned See that you wash them in
three waters. The third may be clear.
Tie first and second will Justify nv
caution and your obedience Drain and
dry them when they are clean. driving
IN the open oven and in a heated colan
der lest they should sweat Rince the
FalsIns in clear water, and dry them
Do not chop nuts if they are 10 go into
The Washington times., 1906-12-02
x y
Raised Fruit Cake.

Set aside on baking day a cuprul Of
dough that has had the second rising
Work il into a cream made by stirring
together a cupfuI of butter with one of
brown sugar. Have at hand half a cup
ful Of raisins and currants drcdged with
-four and an equal quantity of shredded
citrun- Mix through the half cupfuI of
fruit half teaspo0nful of cinnamon
and half as much powdered mace. and
work IL well into the dough. This done
beat two eggs very light, yOlks and
whites together, and knead them into
the mass until it is very light Five
minutes should be enough Finally.
mold into two lOaves, throw a cloth
over them and set in a rather warm
place for tweEty minutes before baking
This is a popular cake with English
children. and is sometimes called
Twelfth Night Cake
The Washington times., 1906-12-02
Decorating Closets

CLOSET door is apt 40 be a gIar-
" ing thing. and sometimes spoils
n the harmony OF an otherwise
attractive room In this day.
when everything is made to tell in the
furnishing of a house, women are rack
ing their brains TO devise some method
OF improving these necessary but by no
cmaus ornamental parts of almost every
room.
When the closet is In t9e dlniug-room
and is To be used for china the way is
easy. If your china is an pretty and
you do not think the glass too expensive.
take the wooden door away and replace
it with a glass one. or, What is much
cheaper and almost as effective in its
way, get curtain Of lowered cretouns
and suspend il from the second shelf OF
The closet. The top shelf Is left open.
and upon il may be shown the finer
pieces Of china. while the more ordinary
ware is hidden fTeEff view 10y the cur
tain
Curtains. il they agree win the other
furnishings of the rooms. may be en-
ployed in every part OF the house. but
you viii show yaur wisdom If you use
cotton material-cretOnnes, pretty mad
ras and the like-in the bedrooms rather
than wooden materials. which won't
wash and encourage stiffness.
\ mirror sunk into a eioset door IS one
Of the most satisfactory decorations ON
record. FOR what woman has nor plned
for a fulI-leugth mirror ii is also one
of the most expensive ways Of decorat-
ing. but then expensive things are apt
TO be dear 10 the feminine heart
Schoolgirls are fond Of covering their
doors with wire frames filed with photo
graphs and souvenir postal cards This
is rather a pretty idea, but is objection
able because OF the amount of dust that
VIII collect upon things OF this sort.
The Washington times., 1906-12-02
Christmas Plum Pudding.

One pound of butter: one pound of
suet freed from string and chopped
fine; one pound Of sugar; two and Il
half pounds of -four; two pounds of
currants, picked over carefully after
they are washed: two pounds of raisins
seeded. chopped and dredged with flour,
one quarter of a pound of citron shred
ded fine; twelve eggs, whites and yolks
beaten separately; one pint of milk; one
cup OF brandy; one ounce of cloves
one-half ounce of mace; two grated
nutmegs. Cream butter and sugar.
The Washington times., 1906-12-02

the cake. Cut them small with sharp
knife, OF shave them thin with the same
All must be perfectly dry when they
are dredged OF the fruit will make the
cake heavy. Shred the citron fine with
keen clean scissors.
Thirty odd years ago 7 italicized a
sentence in a paper upon this subject
which I shall now set up in capitals:
THERE Is NO ROYAL ROAD TO
SUCCESS IN CAKE-MAKING."
Every step must be as carefully taken
as if upon 1t depended the fate Of the
undertaking.
The Washington times., 1906-12-02
A Cup Fruit Cake.

one cupful of washed butter; two cup
fuis of powdered sugar; two and half
cupfuls of Sifted flour; half a pound
each of currants and seeded raisins: a
quarter Of a pound of shredded citron
teaspoonful each of cinnamon and
grated nutmeg; six eggs
Cream. butter and sugar, add the
beaten yOlks OF the eggs. next the -four
and the well-dredged fruit and citron.
The spices, and whip upward for one
minute before adding the whites of the
eggs whipped TO standing frOth. Fold
them IN lightly and quickly.
The Washington times., 1906-12-02
SAUSAGE.
(By Request of Mrs. E. A W.

Mix six pounds of lean. fresh pork
with half as much fat pork and grind
WeH- Stir into this mass of meat six
tablespoonfuls. each of salt and black
pepper. Twelve teaspoOnfuls Of powder
ed sage: TWO teaspoonfuls each, of
powdered cloves and mace and one
sTated nutmeg Pack in "a stone crock.
Four melted lard over the TOP of the
meat TO preserve It
The Washington times., 1906-12-02
Half-Pound Christmas Cake.

Half a pound Of butter and the same
Of sugar; half a pound each of cIrrants.
raisins. and shredded nuts a quarter
pound Of clipped citron; one teaspoonful
each OF powdered nutmeg. mace. and
cinnamon; one heaping cupful of Hour;
seven eggs, whites and yolks. whipped
separately
Mix as directed in the preceding recipe.
The Washington times., 1906-12-02

beat in the yolks when YOU have whipped
them smooth and light, next put in
the milk then the flour alternately
with the beaten whites; then the brandy
and spices. lastly the fruit well dredged
with flour.
Mix aH thoroughly, wiring out your
pudding cloth ia hot water. flour well
inside. pour Ia the mixture and boil
five hours
MRS J, O. D. Hyde Park. NIass)
After "A long vacation the private sec
retary is heard from again. and with
a baKers dozen of practical household
hints. Although he persists in calling
himself "a mere man." it is obvious
tEor he has sowed beside all waters
10 which houserH0thers do resort.
Query Does his wife prompt hime
DO you know
/. That if YOU make a strong suds
Of silicon and very hot water. and
wash your silver in II. then pass
through another pan oT boiling water
and wipe piece by piece you need
The Washington times., 1906-12-02
FILLING AND ICING
Toy Request of H 81

Break the whites of two eggs uron
two cups OF powdered sugar, and beat
until white and smooth. Stir in eight
tablespoonfuls OF grated chocolate. ard
when smooth, spread between the cake
the cake
The Washington times., 1906-12-02

being careful 10 dredge the fruit well.
pleasant flavor = impaired 20 the cake
by mixing a tablespoonful Of rosewater
with The nuts while mincing them.
The Washington times., 1906-12-02
D0AnG 70
a pOu0Q

+ never scrub il with powders, that will
/ eventually wear il thin?
? That II the inside Of silver tea
pot is darkened by much brewing
/ of mixed tea Gts green tea that does
/ the mischief, you may clean it by put
ti1g a teaspoonful OF baking soda into
it, nlIing il with boiling water and set
( ting il over the fire In pan of boiling
water for five or ten minutes-you may
( wipe II out clean and bright?
/ 8. That you may clean the pewter
/ ware bequeathed 10 YOU by your great
/ graudaunU by washing it IN boiling Wa
/ ter. covering it with "A thick paste of
I wU0dasues. sifted through mosquito
netting then mixed with kerosene. and
after six or eight hours polishing II
] with old. soft flannel
T. That delicate stOmachs cannot di-
I sest ham. much less fresh pork. can as
similiate thin slices Of breakfast ba-
con?
/ O. That. while creamed coffee is rank
/ poison 70 some dyspeptics, nearly ev-
( erybody Is the better for a small cup
I Of black coffee taken after the heav-
fest meal OF the day
6. That this same black coffee, drunk
a. hot as one can swallow fl. is a
: prime remedy fo- nausea. from what
! ever CduseT
Z. THAT matches should never be left
/ In closed houses in paper boxes, since
I mice are passionately fond OF the tips.
and often play the incendiary unten-
( tionally?
t s. That bananas, peeled dipped ia
/ egg, then rolled in cracker dust. and
( baked IN the oven, are more palatab bic
/ and far more wholesome than when
/ they are fried in the usual way.
/ 9. That the same may be said OF crO-
( quettes2
/ 10. That II. in putting away papers
J and books which are not to be used
/ for some months, YOU viii puJ cam
I phor balls or gum camphoT among them
/ the mice will not touch them2
| II. That silver may be protected from
/ taThish in like manner
! p That almost any scorch may be
! removed from cloths Uineu or cotton 10y
/ simply washing and boiling in the usual
! way, and hanging In the hot sun while
Q WeI@
I Is. That when the fat lakes IRE from
the stove. It Is better 10 saCrahce a
/ kitchen rug by throwing il upon the
/ flame than 10 Try TO put It out By
I throwing water on iJ2 The burning
grease viii float farther and blaze more
/ flerCely from the water
THE PRIVATE SECRETARY,
/ Camden. \. J.
The Washington times., 1906-12-02
White Fruit Cake.

The following formula for an excel
lent white fruit cake was contributed
by a member Of the exchange:
Put three-quarteTs Of pound of fresh
The Washington times., 1906-12-02
Recipes by Request
BEEF A LA MODE.
(By Request of II. K. HI

I AVE solid piece of beef eut
r. from the round, and tie secure
/ ly in a good shape with stout
cords Sprinkle with a little
PEPPER. dredge we'll with flour and lay
IN a. Kettle or pot in which little fat
pork has been tried Add a SLICED
onion, two stalks of celery. cut into
hits; minced carrot and a chopped
turnip a bay leaf and some choT,ped
parsley. Pour in enough cold water TO
come halfway UP the sides Of the
meat Cover closely and set at the side
OF the range, where it will simmer very
slowly. At the end of an hour re
move the cover and add salt To the
contents Of the pot, recover and allow
II 70 simmer for about an hour and a
half longer. When tender. lift out the
meat set on hot platter in the omen
oven. thicken the gravy left In the pot
win Drowned -four and season with a
little kitchen bouquet Pour over the
meat and send To the table
The Washington times., 1906-12-02

butter into basin. and beat until white
and creamy. Add by degrees three
quarters OF q pound of sifted powdered
sugar and beat this mixture for a few
minutes. Separate the yolks from the
whites Of eight eSgs. add yolks to but
ter and sugar and beat again ten min
Utes- Then stir in half pound OF sui
tanas half pound of Taisins seeded
and cut into halves; six ounces Of glace
cherries and candied pineapple. also Cut
in pieces; a quarter of a pound of al
monds tsweet). blanched and baked 70
3 golden brown; the grated rind OF a
lemon. a saltspoonful of cinnamon
tground or a wineslassful of brandy.
Whisk the whites of the eight eggs
10 a stiff froJh and mix lightly with the
other ingredients. Have ready a pound
OF -four sifted, and two teaspoonfuIs
of baking powder added TO it. Scatter
II In by degrees, stirring in one handful
before the next is added. Bake in a
paper-lined. buttered tin from two and
d half to three hours, Cover the cake
with boiled icing. X may be made
quite fancIful by pipings Of colored
icing. glace cherries or other fruit TO
correspond with the colors used.
T. V. Uockport. y, "
The Washington times., 1906-12-02

gE WHO doubts that fashions
- come and fashions go in the
culinary world as truly. if not
as fast, rs the modes Of gowns
and hats in another sphere, should read
up in cookbooks tha history of cakes
FOR the last half century.
As the nominal chaperon of a small
sranddaughter. I was permitted 10 at
tend children's lawn party last sum
ner. While the babies of assorted sizes
were regated with sponge cake and ice
cream upon the turf below us. we
seniors. sitting ON the veranda, slipped
afternoon tea and were served with
cake adjudsed 10 be too rich for young
stomachs. 1t was as yellow as gold; il
was tender. Vet firm; il was as sweet as
honev ana Yet so spicy that il was
fragrant.
The Washington times., 1906-12-02

We are indebted To anOther-a Mas
sachusetts housemother-for a tested
family recipe for what may be ranked
as d cousin german of our empTess-tO
wit, Plum Pudding.
The Washington times., 1906-12-02

A CLOSET door is apt 40 be a glar-
N ing thing. and sometimes spoils
n the harmony OF an otherwise
attractive room In this DAY.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-12-31
NOW FREE TO join
Clinton Gets Release From Iowa
League and is Open to
Three.Eye.
WAS IN TERMS OF CONTRACT
But People of City are Joyful and See
Visions of Pleasures of Fast
Company.

Clinton has been gracefully given its
release from the Iowa league There
was nothing else for the magnates to
do. in view of the fact that when the
city entered that organization it was
with stipulation in the contract that
it was to be free if it wanted to after
the first year. Therefore all this talk
of making the Three-Eye pay $4,000 for
the town if it wanted it in Davenport s
place was merely rot. But. no matter
Clinton is now formally absolved from
its former allegiance. and here is the
way the Herald sizes up the situation:
Nov for the Clinton team of the
Three-Eye league. Sounds good, doesn't
it? Looks better in print; and when
the Clinton people see the husky bunch
of ball players gaining laurels under
the name of Clinton with three Is
across their sweaters it will mean a
whole lot to them.
All Signed. Release.
Last evening letters were received
in Clinton from the directors repre-
senting every team of the Iowa league
each gentleman formally signing for
the release of Clinton from the Iowa
state league. This, coupled with the
assurance already given by the cities
of the Three-Eye league circuit that
Clinton would be the favored candi
date for the Davenport franchise of
the Three-Eye league, means that the
magnates have done fairly and square
ly by Clinton.
The interest of those men of means
in the city who have a taste for good,
clean. honest out-of-door athletics has
been aroused. and with their support
guaranteed. the foundation for live
baseball in Clinton is firmly establish
ed. Many of the more prudent bust
ness men of the city, also, with due re-
gard TO the value of the sport as q
means of bringing people out of doors
have seen the right side of it, and their
cooperation is assured. The best bust
ness element of the town, realizing
that there is another side to the ques-
ton. see that good. live baseball is a
splendid advertisement for any city as
a business proposition.
Ample Capital Behind 1t.
"The men who are identified with
the movement embrace the leading
bankers, business and pro-
fessional men Of the city who are not
in it as a speculation, but for the good
it will actually do Clinton. While it
is hoped to make it a paying PROPOSE
ton. the men are not worrying over
the outcome"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-12-31
Advertised List No. So.

Following is list of letters remain
ing uncalled for in the Rock Island
postoffice for the week ending Dec. 90
1906: Mr.. and Mrs F. c. Burke, Mrs
Frances Biddulph. Walter Case, Charles
Carlson. Mrs. Emma Cameron, Henry
Duos, Mrs. Mary Fulmer, Charles A.
Frey, J. J. Hulse, Elsie Grams, hrs. f.
J. Hatch, ROLAND Hoffman, Mrs r. w.
Hackett, William a. IngOld, Miss Ella
Liphardt. Mrs Len Marshall. Mrs. Al
gena Mitchell, Mrs. Eta McCun, Alex
Morrow, Herbert B. Mitchell, Ed f.
Parker A. l.. Reichert, Thomas Will
liams, Cecile c. Williams, Ray Will
liams, Miss T. Wheelan, John c. Will
kinson. Foreign: Margaritin Bisina,
Florence Vermuelen.
H. A. ]. M'DONALD, p. NJ.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-12-31
ROCK ISLAND MAN DIES
ON TRAIN AT OLNEY, ILL.,?
Dispatches Say Spencer Murray is Sup
posed to Have Been From
This City.

The following dispatch under a st.
louis date and sent out yesterday APP
pears in this mornings Chicago pa
Ders:
"A passenger believed to be Spencer
Murray of Rock Island died Suddenly
oday on a Baltimore & Ohio South
western southbound train as it reached
Olney, III. The body was taken to
Flora, H., where an undertaken took
charge of it and word was sent to Rock
island. The dead man was about 80
years of age, apparently well to do,
and was returning from French Lick
Springs.
Local authorities have not been no.
titled and know of no one living here
who bears the name given. The city
directory casts no light on the ques-
ion. Perhaps Rock Island and Rock
ford have again been confused, as so
frequently happens in news dispatches