davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20
5000 PLUM PUDDINGs
FROM ONE M
Ono Pair of Hands Sends Combined
Delights and Indigestion to Many
ande

Thai n frail little woman should
supply some 5000 people with plum
puddings for their Christmas dinner,
seems almost incredible. Yet there is
a woman who has proved equal to the
task OF thus scattering combined de-
light and indigestion to the ends of the,
earth. Her success goes to prove the,
fact so often stated that nowadays for
tune comes to the woman who will,
specialize.
1t was borne In upon Mrs. Dudley
Miller. a young widow in a northern,
New York town. that II she ever hoped
TO become se~lf-supporting or rise on the,
Ladder of fame, it would be by utilizing
her n talent which seemed to be that
OF making delicious plum puddings, h
fame of Mrs. Miller's buildings had
been a by-word in her family from time.
tried. About 1t hung a flavor Of ro-'
immemorial. The receipt was old and
nance, for it had been handed down
from mother to daughter since colonial
days, and the finished product had
graced the hospitable board upon many
a festive occasion.
From first supplying friends with
this gastronomic delicacy, Mrs. Miller
her fame gradually spread and she be-
gan to receive orders from other
sources until now her clientele stretch
es from Maine to California, and she
Is scarcely able to supply the demand.
Orders come even from far away Eng.
land, where 1t has long been supposed
That the Christmas plum pudding exists
In its perfect state, and Americans in
Rome, Italy, DESTROYS of enjoying this
home delicacy on Christmas day have
sent even that distance for them.
MRS: Miller believes in the old saying
mat II you want thing done we'll you
must do it yourself. and so she employa
no O1l1NI0p holm 01th0,y~In rh~ A.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20
USELESS.
Ole Christmas Dinner Table
BY MRS. A. c. HoskINs.

tablespoon Of butter. Put into a
dripping a and brown in the oven.
stirring often. When nicely Drowned.
sprinkle we'll With salt and wrap In q
cloth TO absorb the extra grease.
Christas Plum Pudding.
Onc-half cup of butter. one cup OF
molasses. one cup of sweet milk, one
cup of chopped r%aisins, two cups OF
sifted flour, n large cup of bread
crumbs, one teaspoon soda, one tea.
spoon salt, one teaspoon cloves. one tea
spoon cinnamon. citron if preferred.
Steam In corn-cans two n one-half
hours.
Squash or Pumpkin Pie.
MIX one pint OF mashed squash or
pumpkin with one pint of hot milk and
press through a colander into a, pan
containing three beaten eggs. In an
other dish mix II cup Of sugar with
one teaspoon of cinnamon, one level
teaspoon of salt. one-half teaspoon each
OF cloves. ginger and nutmeg. Add this
10 the squash and bake in two pies,
having an undercrust of rich pie dough
With a narrow strip one-half inch In
width around the edge. If baked squash
IS used 1t will be necessary to take
more han half milk.
Cream of Celery Soup.
Cut up celery into inch pieces. boil
in plenty of water for an hour and
strain. Melt one tablespoon of butter
and mix in one tablespoon of four. Add
SAaAS W lHS Soup, dlSO SUITE CCcdlll, aDO
season to taste. Soup stock improves 1t.
Scailoped Tomatoes.
Put a large layer of bread crumbs
into a Well buttered baking dish. then
a layer Of tomatoes, seasoned with pep-
per. salt. II a little butter and sugar,
Add another layer of crumbs and to.
matoes and repeat until the dish Is
filled, having crumbs on top. Keep COW
cred In the oven unit we'll heated, then
remove cover and brown quickly. II
there Is much juice on the nat do
not use oil Of 1t. 1t can be saved for
soup.
Fig Pudding.
One-half pound Of row sugar, one
teaspoon of cinnamon, one-half nutmeg
a half teaspoon Of salt. one cup Of
chopped nuts, three-fourths pound OF
suet. four eggs, n pound of chopped
figs and one pound OF bread rumb
Steam four hours.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20
Christmas Trees from St. Paul.

NAA0 ~. L LII llC ETCSS
over 4O.WD trees will be shipped from
here to the ~treeless prairies of the west.
st. Paul's excellent railroad facilities make
1t an ideal city for the distribution OF
Christmas trees in the states OF North and
South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska. There
are few dealers in these states who handle
enough Christmas trees to warrant buying
In large wholesale lots. Rural dealers on
the t~reeless plains who only seek to supply
the local demand do not care to order in
carload quantities, as they would be OBJ
liged to do in dealing directly with the
growers. They accordingly order in suit
able quantities from wholesale dealers in
st. Paul, Chicago and other large cities not
too remote from the spruce forests to be-
economical shipping points.
In years past local dealers have looked
to the Minnesota and Wisconsin, spruce
swamps for their main supply, but the pre-
vatltng dampness Of the past two or three
seasons has flooded the swamps and killed,
the lower branches OF the saplings, thereby
uniting them for Christmas trees. The
growth at the present time is also less
dense in Minnesota and Wisconsin than In
ests. SO that a carload can he secured
much more readily in the latter than in
the former sources of supply.
Some dealers buy direct from the grow
ers, others send q buyer into the field with
a contract to deliver a certain quantity OF
NASSSs ~ SAAA 0AssA al ttlC-
trees in the market. These species exude
a most exquisite aroma and are more
agreeable to handle than the reslnous pino
which stains everything with which it
comes in contact. The pendulous cones Of
the spruce, which vary in size from the
dimensions of a chestnut to those of a but
ternut. are also greatly admired on the
Christmas tree.
The two varieties, of the spruce. each
of which has its especial advantages as Il
Christmas tree, are the swamp spruce and
the upland spruce. beins OF Gense growth.
its branches have an upward shoot form
ing an acute angle with the trunk, which
makes it an easy variety to bind in GUN
dies for shipment. The smaller trees, not
over three or four feet in height. are
bound in bundles of one dozen each. These
find ready market as small family trees.
The upland spruce, however. is coHsid-
cred more beautiful on account Of It's
spreading branches. These are thcf favor
ties for large gatherings, such as Sunday
schools. Trees of this variety aye found
in the market over thirty feet IN height,
having n spread Of twelve to fifteen feet,
and measuring eight inches through the
butt. Trees of this description viii SCH for
IS each, while the smaller swanlp-sroTn
spruce which are put up in bundles of y
dozen each, retail for ten cents apiece.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20
Christmas Cards.

christmas Cards.
From New York Mail and Express.
The Christmas card as we know II
has an origin easily traceable, and It
Is doubtless at least sixty years since
the first was designed. The artist who
claimed to be its originator and who
was. at any rate. the first to see it's
possibilities was ". c. T. Dobson, r.
1874, was prompted at Christmas to
make q little sketch symbolic Of the
seasons joys and festivities and to
send 1t to q friend. It seemed to give
great pleasure. and the next year Mr..
Dooson determined to follow up the
his card photographed was enabled to
send copies to twenty-five or thirty
friends. The delight with which they
were received was so great that Nj.
Dobson was quick to perceive that he
q found a new pleasure for Christ-
mas.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20
Table Decorations.

and mistletoe, of which every one tries
to obtain a supply not only for the
table, but for every available nook in
The house.
The small Christmas tree, as a decor
alton for the center Of the table,
simply an ornament. or can be hung
with presents. AS to height, 1t varies
from eighteen inches to three or four
feet, according to the size Of the table
on which 1t is placed. Red ornaments,
candles, tinsel. bells and tiny strings
of popcorn add much to its appearance.
In many places the electric lights take
the place Of the candles. This can
easily be done and with not much ex-
pense, where electricity Is in use, as the
wire can be attached to any lighting
wire in the house. Small red bulbs the
size Of cherries give a pretty effect. A
small sprig of holly should be fastened
:are for the tree in the center. a minia-
ture Christmas tree at each plate is
another style of decoration. The bon
bons and nuts a be hung Il tiny
stockings on the trees.
Another pretty centerpiece for the
table Is a large bowl of %violets. COM
posed Of as many punches as there are
the close Of the dinner.
A small candle in a candlestick at
each place is still another way. When
the candles are all lighted the gas
L! turned low, and each person allowed
to guess which candle will burn the
ongest.
Another Menu.
Cream of Celery Soup. Waters.
Roast Duck. Dressing. Gravy.
dashed Potatoes. scalloped Tomatoes.
Pickles.
Rolls. III. Coffee
Nuts. Bon Bons.
Fish Outlets.
These are the same as fish croquettes
(gfven before) with one exception. In
stead of forming them into cylinders,
the mixture is spread out on The bak-
ing board with cracker crumbs under
meath end on top, and the c%rouuettes
cut out with a tin cutter the shape Of a
outlet.
Celery Relish.
Soak one box OF gelatine in one pint
of cold water until thoroughly dis
solved and pour over 1t a scant quart
of boiling water. Ado one u Of SUI
gar. When cool add the Juice OF
three lemons a few drops of green cake
coloring and some tender celery cut
very nne. Pour into a granite drip
ping pan, making 1t an inch thick.
When CONCEALED cut into squares and
serve on a small lettuce leaf with or
without the following dressing:
Dressing for Relish.
One pint OF whipped cream.
O~ne-fourth cup of horseradish.
Juice of half a lemon.
Paprika and salt.
Roast Goose or Duck.
Rub we'll with a lemon rind that con-
tains a little juice. This opens he
pores and allows the oil to escape.
Wipe dry with a towel, rubbing hard.
Then use the lemon Juice again. leay-
ing It on the second time. Fill with
dressing and bake as you would a
chicken. :
Stuffed Potatoes.
Select smooth, even sized potatoes
and wash clean, using a vegetable
brush. When baked, scoop out the in
Side with a teaspoon into a hot granite
dish, keeping the skins whole. Mash
the potatoes, add salt, pepper. hot
cream, n butter, and put back into
the skins. Cover with Drowned bread
crumbs and set back into the oven to
heat.
Pea Salad.
This, as given before. consists of
peas, celery, nuts, cucumbers, lettuce,
green peppers, salad dressing and
whipped cream.
Sailed Pecans.
TO n pound Of shelled pecans take
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20
A Red Letter pax for nolix.

TTUH bUSIUH GIObe.
Little Elsie-Papa.
Nh. Williams-Well, Elsie?
Little Elsie-I hope Santa Claus will
bring something nice for dolly. You
know he gave her to me last Christmas.
SO MS Christmas will be birthday and
Christmas both for her.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20
Out of the Fryina Pan.

FrOL1 JUDGE.
Crawford-It's a good thing for us.
nov that Christmas is here. that the
$500 sealskin has gon out of fashion.
Crabshaw-Oh, !! don't know. Hasn't
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20
Tho Dawn Of chri,tn,.

Christmas day begins In the middle
Of the Pacific ocean, and there is where
Santa Claus starts and ends his great
and only journey Of the year.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20
Christmas Dinner.
oysters on the i, Half Shell.

Fist Outlets, Celery Relish.
Brown Bread Sandwiches.
III.
Roast Goose. Dressing. Annie Sauce.
Stuffed Potatoes. Mashed Turnips.
Bread and Butter. Pickles.
~.
Pea Salad.
Olives. Saratoga Flakes
v.
Christmas Plum Pudding. SAUCE.
vi.
0Incs Pic. Squash Pie.
Fruit Cake. Coffee.
Sailed Pecans. Bon Bon..
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20

Tommy-say, ma. what made tn.
baby holler so much last night.
Mrs. Cutting Hintz-I guess he heard
me say he looked like his father.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20

IAAA AIlh6 00y 40 AlC10 dkdlu. WlIn
loving word and deed,
When all get much they do not want,
and little that they need.
The baby's jacket. cousin sent, we can't
get on at all,
And mothers slippers are too large and
fathers are too small.
And sister Celia got a hood she'll be afraid
Because It's color clashes with the color OF
her hair.
And brother Henry got some books from
pious Uncle Ned,
And after he a told him, too, he hoped
ned send a sled.
Aunt Mary, who's SO timid she's afraid to
slumber nights.
Received an Indian story book that's so
chuck full of fights
And tomahawks and scalping knives II
makes our blood run cold
She wouldn't read q word of it for twice
Its weight in gold.
Our parson. who is single. and is thought
to be a prize.
Got nineteen pairs OF slippers, every color.
kin and size.
And Deacon Gray, who isn't gray, because
his head Is bare,
Received a splendid set Of combs and
brushes for his hair.
But while some gifts are not a fit the
ones who get them know
Twas kindly hearts and loving thoughts
that prompted them. and so
The spirit that surrounds them all makes
every one seem dear,
And Christmas day shall still be helL
the best Of all the year.
Nixon Waterman In Woman's Hcme
Communion.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20

Rather unusual ornaments are birds
made OF bright colored cloths stuffed
with cotton with tissue paper wings,
~outspread. These are hung to the tree
by invisible wires so that the birds
look as II they were flying.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20
Concerning Christina. Gifts.

In selecting presents for ones
friends the personal element should al
ways be considered. 1t pays to spend
much thought in making the choice
for each, as 1t Is an added compliment
to send a gift which shows that the
donor has made a careful study OF the
srecipient's tastes.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20

When a national tree is to be he idea
a particularly large fine tree is selected.
On the very highest tip is wired a
sparkling gilded star. Below the star
radiating from the topmost branch a
circle of small United States flags are
tied. They are touched with glue and
sprinkled with diamond dust. Long
strips OF gold paper are pasted together
to encircle the tree. Instead of the usual
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20

Desperate cases require desperate
Se1nedies. % I'm some instances the best
cure will be to write all ones friends
early in the autumn that one will give
absolutely no Christmas presents that
year and requesting that as a token Of
their friendship they should send none
TO the. writer. The following year the
6eld will be clear so that a list can be
made out just OF those to whom one can
really give In. the true Christmas spirit.
II b least idea OF exchange is embod-
led In any name. It should be omitted.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20

n Here r a few rather unusual ideas
FOR presents, for those who are search
Ing for something novel. For a small,
boy. make a bag Of two small silk
American flags, with drawstrings OF
: white and blue ribbon. In this
put several old or foreign coins as the
beginning of a collection. Perhaps you
happen to know that one on your list
Wouldflf like to have money. II SO, get a
tiny bush, tie coins In bright col
sotad$at1gsue paper and fasten to the
stWigu Enclose q card with the say.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20

The effect Of a tree full Of icicles il
pretty and Is given by many short
strings of glittering beads, silver and
opaque, n Of popcorn.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20

We still eat. drink and make merry
on this festal day. The old traditions
come down to us through the centuries
softened but invested with the charm
Of b long ago. Though fanciful, ex-
travagant and at times even gruesome,
these traditions were always reverent.
Of the twentieth century with all
our new ideas may learn from these
old legends the spirit OF reverence.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20

decorations. small dolls are used.
dressed t represent Indians, negroes
and Filipinos as we'll as the ordinary
citizen of our country. The presents
are wrapped In red. white and blue pa
per. the candles are In the same colors
and the base OF the tree is draped with
red white and blue bunting.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20

A leather souvenir postal lard may
quickly be transferred into a pretty
in the center OF the top and also in
q piece Of plotting paper the same size.
Tie them together with a small bow of
ribbon. The address is of course hid
den. The picture on the post card
should have some association with the
person to whom 1t Is to be given.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20

centerpieees for the Christina. TabI.
Wrap oranges in white cotton hat.
ing, pile In a pyramid in the center Of
Lhe table. Decorate the top with a
large spray of thickly berried mistle-
toe. Make a wreath of mistletoe. inter
tWined with arbor-vitae. for the base.
the whole thickly with coarse
salt, which is both better and cheaper
diamond dust.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20

Select a number Of small. bright red
apples or the same size. Dip these into
boiling sugar syrup which has been COL
ored a bright red and which has
reached he candy stage. When the
apples are cold trim each with a faw ar'
tlhciaI leaves n arrange upon your
prettiest fiat dish or plate with bon
bons among them. 800
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20

Place a mirror which has no frame
upon the table. In its center set a low
bowl filled with the choicest holly T.av
sprfgs of holly all around the edge Of
the mirror. Another way of using holly
IS to suspend a wreath of it over the
table by red ribbons from he cham
delier. Tie red streamers to the wreath
bringing them down to the table-one
at each plate.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20

ding is to unmold it on a plate or fiat
surround it with cubes of sugar.
Saturate h sugar with brandy or all
cohol, touch a lighted match to it and
serve immediately.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20

Two classes OF people there are. how
ever. who should be remembered with
tangible g1fts-the little children and
b poor. In thus adding to their hap
piness we will be carrying out the
BEAUTIFUL idea OF the little child who
aid: I'VE must make Jesus enjoy this
eAIthday. mustn't WEI mamma? z"
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20

A ~snow-covered tree is made by COW
ering the branches with cotton batting
to simulate drifts of snow. To the ends
of h branches are suspended glass
icicles. Frosted silver balls are hung
here and there and papers of silver
hover scattered owe the whole.
A frost covered tree is made by spray
Ing 1t with a solution of four pounds Of
alum In half a gallon of boiling water.
1t is put on by using an ordinary
sprinkler. Hall the solution is sprayed
on. then the remainder is reheated and
after twenty minutes the tree is again
sprayed with 1t. Pulverized starch is
then sprinkled oil over the tree. The
work is lone out doors so that it can
dry quickly and to prevent injury to
carpets.
A red and white tree is made by ty-
ing all the packages in white tissue pa
per with white ribbon. The tree is
hung with red n white carleton stock
ings filled with popcorn and sticks of
red n white peppermint candy are
suspended from it.. Red and white pa
per flowers m used for decorations and
the walls back of the tree are hung
with red ~cheesecloth.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20

In one family the older children used
. huge oleander which happened to
be in bloom at the time. The branches
were hung with various ornaments and
the gifts were piled at the base. The
result was very pretty and the little
ones were delighted.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20

Celery serve very nicely for a gar
nish by selecting perfectly white stalks
and cutting it n short pieces and
then lengthwise into fringe.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20

The holly with which our homes are
decorated was, in olden times, consid-
cred sacred. for the legend ran that
e was the crown Of Christ.
The old story told of the Christmas
tree il this: when Eve plucked the
fatal apple Immediately the leaves be-
came needle points and the bright
green turned dark. It changed fits ma
ture and became evergreen the whole
year round. thereby preaching the story
OF mans fall. and only on Christmas
does It bloom with lights and love
gifts. The curse is changed to q
blessing by the coming Of the Christ
child. 70 we have our Christmas tree"
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20

fill them with red Jelly. Cover with
melted paraflne. wrap in tissue paper
with a sprig Of holly and tie with RIB
bon. II desired a Jelly spoon could be
added very appropriately. Wrap It in
tissue paper and tie with ribbon to the
handle OF the cup.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20

n 01OFdVIdHS, WHO nave u large SET
tlement in Pennsylvania, have a pic
turesque way of arranging their Christ
mas trees. Zach family has Its own
tree or "Putz,' n it Is always sur
rounded by a miniature landscape made
up CT moss. greens and imitation rocks.
Th1s landscape is then adorned with TOW
houses. tiny fences and trees and all
sorts OF little animals and toy people.
Ihey use a peculiar sort of cooky, cut
into many curious shapes. to decorate
the tree.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20

A tree full OF blossoms i. produced
by the use of chains Of tissue paper
flowers. Small circles are cut from the
paper and the edges scalloped slightly.
Pinch the center Of each. bringing the
edges together with a fiuted appear
ance. thus forming a petal. String
four Of these petals through the apex
OF each, tie a knot in the string. leave
q space Of an inch or SO, then make
another blossom in the same manner.
The colors are often alternated. They
are used either as pendants or are tied
In clusters OF three in q bunch.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20

Lemon trees are also used sometimes
where evergreens are hard to procure.
On the other hand, in the lands where
h evergreen grows the tree is some
time9 trimmed and loaded with presents
while still standing In its native soil.
choice Is made Of a tree in some
sheltered nook. The warmly wrapped
guests thoroughly enjoy the novel sit
uation.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20

A new touch may be given the hot
liquid sauce served with the plum pud-
ding by adding to it just before serv-
ing two tablespoons each Of finely
minced citron and pistachio nuts.