davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
English Plum Pudding for
 Christmas.

This English plum pudding in rhyme Is always used at Christmas tine And when with holly the top is dressed It is pronounced the very best It's not pudding for every day, But just for company" you will say. Serve any sauce that nice does seem, We like it best with fresh whipped cream. One pint and half of bread dried and
 rolled, The best is by all bakers sold; Chop finely half pound of both raisins
 and suet. One-Ealf pound of entrants and citron add
 to it. In a cup of flour these fruits should Be
 shaken. A half pound of sugar. light brown, must
 be taken; One teaspoon of cinnamon, clove and
 nutmeg, Four in number will be quite enough egg, One glass of wine and one-half of
 brandy Two tablespoons molasses, of sweet milk
 one cup, One teaspoonful of soda in the latter
 mix up. When all is well mixed, four to five hours
 to steam Is ncne too much though long it may
 seem. Just before taking it through the door One-half glass of brandy around it pour, And with your finger upon the latch The brandy light with a burning match. Brandy thus used won't make you witty, And with the holly looks very pretty.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
A Pretty Christmas Gift.

Recently I saw a very dainty case for corset-cover ribbon, which a clever wom- an had embroidered for one of her friends for a Christmas gift, and it may, perhaps interest some of my readers.
 It was oblong shape, with three roses embroidered on 1t In pink (with spray of leaves) having the centers worked with yellow like oblong eyelets, through which the ribbon runs. Three buncheo of rib bor are placed inside the case. and an end of each comes from the center of each rose Then stems and leaves are worked in green, and over the roses are scattered few dotes worked in yellow. After embroidering the edges of the case are hemmed or bound with ribbon, and the back flaps are held in place by but tons.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
Christmas Debt.

If there is any one thing above all others that people should remember at Christmas time it is Not to go in debt.'
 It matters not what your inclination may be and how much you would dear ly love to give all your friends pretty and useful remembrances on this joyous oc- casion. remember that the day of reck- oning has got to come and all your pleasure in giving will be marred by the knowledge that you are unable to meet your indebtedness
 MT Huxley once said that "the slay- ing of a beautiful idea by an ugly fact was one of the tragedies of science
 Might ie not be applied in this case as well?
 It is decidedly a mistake to let ones heart and generosity run away with ones purse and one's friends have far less re- spect for them when they indulge in such foolishness. To be over-generous on a limited income Is Just ahout
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13

ent giving it seems to be not even sup possible.
 Those who have modest bank accounts and at Christmas time find them stripped until they become mmodest through very scantness, abandon philosophy and mere- ly do their best to remember how wicked 1t is to use words that don't belong in the Sunday school book. It is all very trying but then we have the consolation of realizing that Christmas comes but once year'-and so we grin and bear 1t.
 A wit of the last century solved the question, but his solution was not ac- cepted-more's the pity.
 He proposed that each person in every group of present givers should buy for him or herself needed, useful article and pass it around the group as present until 1t returned to the buyer. Thus each taste and wishes of her who is to re- ceived a present from each of the oth- CTS and in the end have one needed ar ticle left.
 Rather clever idea, wasn't it?
 One thing that jars on most people is unfitness; another thing is that any thing is considered good enough for them.
 No matter how simple a present Is, if with it goes the loving thought of tho taste and wishes or her who is to re- ceive 1.-the gift cannot fail to please.
 There is no surer way to destroy the happiness of the Christmas season than to bring into it the spirit of barter How often we hear person say: 'I must give Jane something nice, for she always spends such lot on me- or Sally all ways gives me such tacky things; any old present will do for her"
 Some people are certainly checked full of this commercial spirit and I once heard of a woman in whom it was so abnormally developed that she never di- rected her present until Christmas morn ing that they might be changed at the last moment to equalize gifts she re- ceived.
 Above all things, don't let Christmas be- come a day to be dreaded. It should be the happiest, merriest, most joyful day of the 365. The sweetest sentiments should accompany the little remembrance on this blessed day and there should be an absolute absence of anything com mercial with regard to this season.
 If you can't give everybody you love a present of value, do the best you can angels can do no more.
 I know a woman who one Christmas decided not to give anybody of her ac- quaintance a present that year She confided to me afterward that she spent the most miserable Christmas she had ever experienced.
 Giving of the right kind means kindly thought of others and to eliminate it en- tirely is to lose the spirit of the day, for the tenderest sentiment of the yule- tide season Is the thought that Tt is more blessed to give than to receive" and in it is contained all the philosophy that I know
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
Code of Shoe Widths.

Tn the shoe trade dealers often meet with customers, women chiefly, who want sizes too narrow for them So It mas come to be a custom for some of them to omit calling for widths by letter, so writes an authority on this subject, ana substituting for tht letter name that serves to cover up what they are dolng'
 For instance, if a man has a customer who takes d D width and wants C' after trying a shoe that palpably Is 100 small, he frequently is up against it. The woman is ant to say, why, I've always taken a c hefore," and that leaves the dealer no response.
 So instead of arguing he calls to an as sistant. Let me have Az, David To the customc- that sounds like Az shoe' with the width not specified but the deal CT indicates the width wanted by the nrst letter of the name.
 Benny loes for B, Charley for and Eddie for E, and the dealer gets what he wants even though it may puzzle the GUS toner to see how often the help In the store is charged apparently. This code is in use In many places.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
The Philosophy of Christmas
 Giving.

Somebody asked me few days ago my views on the philosophy of Christ mas giving.
 I was reminded of pr. Johnson's fa- nous feat of memory, in repeating a whole chapter from ''the Natural His tory of Iceland'-"There are no snakes in Iceland"
 There Is absolutely no philosophy in our modern scheme of Christmas present giving and no one seems able to apply philosophy as a cure of the evil.
 Philosophy Is supposed to be a great comfort when one has stubbed a toe re- ceived a rejected manuscript with po- lite little printed notice saying: Sorry, but we cannot use the enclosed" or when one has sclaffed with a brassie, when if one hadn't, the hole would have been won. Understand, I said philosophy Is supposed to be a cure for all these evils, but as against the evil of Christmas pres
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
One of Loves Miracles.

''I'm so sorry for his wife. What life she must have with him" is often said of a man who is hard, exacting and even cruel in his business methods. But 1t Is one of loves miracles that men who have fallen short of almost every standard of moral excellence, who have even become criminals, have soJue- times been faithful and devoted and loving husbands As Browning truly wrote:
 God be thanked, the meanest of His
 creatures
 Boasts two soul-sides; one to face the
 world with,
 One to show a woman when he loves
 her.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
Eve Up-to-Date at Christmas
 tide.

The gowns in which My Lady will dance under the mistletoe this year will retain more than hint of the empire style which fiourished to a mild degree this time last year.
 This particular style of dress is so be- coming to the majority of women that the modish of today will be loathe to part with it when Dame Fashion decrees that she must. The worst figures are made more attractive by the pretty, loose-fitting frocks now in vogue, and the handsome figure is, of course, very fetching in this style.
 The modified directoire gown is so pop ular that fashionable couturieres are con- tinuing to send out the most charming effects. Many of the newest creations
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
A Peripatetic Christmas
 Gift.

Some years ago a Christmas gift Was sent me, but alas It was a thing no use to me, And so it came to pass, On thrifty thoughts intent, I laid It carefully away, And sent it to a bosom friend Of mine next Christmas Day. Since then, as surely as the snows In f1eecy beauty fall, And mistletoe and holly wreaths Are hung upon the wall, By mall, express or messenger, Each second year, alack! When Christmas gifts are going around I get that present back.
 Anonymous.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
About the House.

To Keep Uncooked Fish-If uncooked fish is to be kept over night, sprinkle it gen. erously with salt wrap in cloth and place on an earthen dish. hHs
 Icing on Gingerbread-The next time you make a gingerbread make an icing. or copfectioners sugar and milk for it. It will be found pleasant change.
 For Polishing Copper-Sour buttermlk and salt is said to be excellent for clean Ing copper articles.
 When Roasting Chestnuts-If, after roasting chestnuts, they are covered with several thicknesses of flannel the flavor will be greatly improved. \
 When the Lamp Wick Stcks-If the lamp wick moves up and down with diffi- culty, a simple remedy is to pull out a few threads at either side of the wick.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13

foolish as to saunter forth on a rainy day in ones best array.
 There are few traits more generally despised than stinginess. Out of a full purse is expected the generous, kind ly thought of the consderate friend. But the woman who at the sacrifice of personal necessities gives of her store at Christmas is very foolish and little appreciated.
 There is an old proverb that the woman inclined to misplaced generosity would do well to hang in her mirror, ''To give and keep. there is need of wit.'
 This tells the whole story of generos- ity "Nuff sed"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13

that I fell asleep under a rose bush one day last summer and I was awakened by two fairies chuckling and laughing about it.
 It seems that all the little fairies got up a petition and sent 1t to Santa Claus asking him to come to them as well as to mortal children and the saint agreed.
 On Christmas Day-the fairies sleep in the day time, you know-he took his reindeer and drove all over Fairyland, fill ing the funny little stockings that he found hanging under the leaves and the bright flowers When he had done this he was very well satisfied with himself and exclaimed, in that big, jovial voice of his:
 There! The little fairies will be hap pier than they have ever been before. They shall have their Christmas just like the little mortal children.
 The sound of his voice wakened some of the older fairies and they hurried about to see what he had done. And when they saw, they all laughed for he had given his presents to the little fairies in the same way that he does to ordi- nary children. To the little fairy princes and princesses he gave royal gifts, and to the fairy shepherd boys and goose girls only ordinary presents.
 But, of course. the good fairies would not allow anything so ridiculous to be done. They hurried about and changed the presents so that the princes and princesses got stock candy and little mo- lasses cakes such as they had always longed for, but which their nurses would not let them have and the shepherd boys and goose girls got jewels and costly gifts such as they had envied from afar. And into each stocking they put the gift of contentment. And because every one was surprise. every one was happy.
 So if you have been expecting something very grand for Christmas and find in stead some little trinket that surprises you, and with 1t the gift of content ment, be happy, for by that sign you shall know that the wise fairies have been with you. THE DREAMER.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
The Highway to Woman
 Heart.

In 99 cases out of 100 romance rather than riches is the highway to a wom- ans heart. If woman is convinced that her husband loves her she is not afraid to face poverty and hardship.
 Shabby clothes lose their sting and bitterness if the husband now and then makes a tender, sorrowful remark on the fact that his pretty little wife has to wear last years fashions and out-of- date hats.
 It's the going without and the daily self-denial, year in and out without anybody seeming to notice or care, which hardens a womans heart If only husbands knew how few soft words to wife will turn away her wor- ry and console her for the hard pinches which poverty gives her, they would not be so chary of giving htem.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
The Bow Under the Chin.

Irving her bonnet under her chin She tied young mans heart therein" :"
 So runs the old rhyme. But this time it is not the bow under the chin of which the poet sings which belonged to the saucy little bonnet, but the old fashioned bow which has been revived, with the low-necked gown. The band of black velvet-and is there anything half so becoming to a pretty woman--is seen so often now adays with the dearest lit tie bow tied right under the chin.
 The idea is copied directly from the old boucher pictures and was adopted by the women of that day.
 It is awfully pretty and attractive worn with any kind of evening frock but the bow must be tied flat and directly under the chin else it loses it's coquettish ef- feet
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
Schoolroom Don't for the
 Children.

Don't enter the schoolroom with mud dy shoes
 Don't enter the schoolroom with un- kempt hair.
 Don't enter the schoolroom with un- washed hands and dirty nails.
 Don't walk about the room with a dragging. indolent, noisy step.
 Don't rattle your books and pencils on your desk.
 Don't whisper just because the teach CTS back is turned
 Don't waste your time while in the schoolroom, but devote your study hours to your books.
 Don't let another pupil excell you in department
 Don't fail to make a brave fight to stand at the head of your class.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
Not Exempt.

Reporter Good morning, madam. Whats going on?''
 She-'1 am,' as she started on her way. Reporter-"Really, now don't you know anything that you will tell me. I am awfully hard up for news"
 She-"I don't know anything, except that I dreamed the other night you put my foundry list in the paper.
 Why do you call your servant girl Lilly?"
 Because its appropriate. She tolls not, neither does she spin"
 Aren't you sorry for Mrs Young Bride, who went to the market and asked for some live beets, because" said she, my husband has no use for dead beats?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13

are made with the skirt of one material and the bodice of another.
 For instance, gorgeous gown I saw the other day was fashioned of sapphire blue chiffon velvet the skirt being made of this lovely material. The waist which was joined to the skirt in the conven- tional directoire style, was of sapphire blue chiffon built over the most delicate- ly tinted cluny lace and wonderful hand work and costly lace finished the beau tiful toilette.
 The most pronounced note of the fash ions of the dying year is the very cling ing effect This influence is felt in the coat as well as the whole suit, and if this tendency continues, this time next time next year My Lady Modish will find herself back in the skintight, ugly modes that are always responsible for more hideous caricatures than almost any oth- CT fashion can bring out.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
What Dreams Mean.

Figs-To dream of figs is the forerun- ner of prosperity and happiness. To the lover they denote the accomplishment of his wishes.
 Vines-To dream of vines denotes health and wealth to the dreamer.
 Thunder-To dream of thunder signi- fies affliction to the rich, but to the poor happiness
 War-To dream of war and affairs of war signifies trouble and danger.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
Christmas Books.

Oh What world of beautiful Christi mas books the shops are displaying It is worth trip just to see them and be close to them.
 Our friend, pr. Johnson, said that "a good book ana a good woman are excel lent things for those who know how to appreciate their value. There are men. however, who judge of both by the beauty of the covering"
 The burly doctor was quite right and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
Holiday Shopping.

Wouldn't it be a good idea for a little card to be sent out, and distributed broadcast bearing this sentiment:
 Peace on earth, good will to men! Bring it on by helping in the early shop ping movement
 It is not the time and money our gifts cost that get on our nerves, but the lack of time. Did you ever hear any one who began her shopping early enough condemning Christmas giving? It is the sense of pressure that kills. Work ing up to the last minute is not a breed CT of good will. Our usual Christmas turmoil Is unnecessary. It is due to the bad habit of late buying.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
Christmas Day Prophecies

If Christmas Day on Monday be, A great winter that year you'll see; And full of winds both loud and shrill. If that Christmas Day fall Upon Friday, know all,
 That winter season shall be easy, Save great winds aloft shall fly; The summer also shall be dry What child that day Is born, Great and rich shall be of corn.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
The Nouveau Riche Santa.

A new Santa Claus Has come out of the west, Through all the wide world He's the grandest and best. The auto he gave her Is the biggest that's built, The outside S all crimson, The inside S all gilt. With the diamond sunburst None other compares. And with bracelets and trinkets, Such glitter and glare. Aren't you dying to know Who's this Santy so rare? Why it's only her husband, The brand new millionaire.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13

utes Chickens 15 minutes per pound Chops, to minutes. Small, thin fish to minutes. Thick fish. 12 to b min utes Liver, to 8 minutes. Squab, Il to 15 minutes. Steak, one inch thick, 6 to minutes. Steak. one and half inches thick to 10 minutes. Tripe, to min- utes.
 Praised beef. to 4 hours. Filet of beef, 30 minutes Roast beef rare, 12 to 15 minutes per pound Chicken. l to 11a hours. Duck IS minutes. Teak duck, 1 to 11s hours. Lamb, IA to 1H hours. Nut ton, 114 to 11a hours. Pork, 2 to 3 hours- Turkey, to hours, or 15 minutes per pound. Veal, 3 to hours.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
The Cooking Time Table.

Bacon fried in it's own fat 3 to min utes. Chops breaded to 8 minutes. Croquettes, 1 minutes. Doughnuts, to minutes. Fish balls, 1 minute. Fish. breaded, to minutes. Fish, small, 3 to minutes. Frltters, 3 to minutes. Po- tatoes, 2 to minutes Brown bread should be steamed 3 hours. Puddings. from ? to hours, and rice, 45 to 60 min utes.
 Bacon, 4 to minutes. Birds. 6 to min
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
The Fashion in Perfumes.

Over in Europe they have started a new idea about millinery. It would seem by all that mankind has suffered this year that enough has been done by the milli ners to draw attention to themselves.
 But the new thing is to perfume the hat with the scent of the flowers used on it. As this is a flower year in millinery, the different kinds of perfome are not hard to get.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
Too Cautious.

George-Do you know what am go- ing to give you for Christmas this year?
 Maud enthusiastically)-No; only I'm sure it will be something new, and stylish, and elegant, and awfully expensive. You dear. reckless boy, you
 And George wishes he had not said any thing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
Lucky December Wedding
 Days.

Astrologers tell us that wives will be loving and true if married on the eighth tenth nineteenth, twenty-third, of the twenty-ninth of December. These are considered the luck wedding days of this month.
 Never plan to be married on the first day of December. It is regarded as a most unluclzy day, and the sixth, seventh ninth, fifteenth and twenty-second, bear the same unlucky reputation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
To Clarify Rainwater.

To clarify rain water that has turned dark and greasy looking from standing In either cistern or barrel, mix half a pound of powdered alum and half pound of powdered borax, and add to the water. The pound mixture is sufficient for 50 barrels of water-it can be duly propor- toned. In few hours the water will be clear and all sediment at the bottom.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
His Way.

They stood beneath the mistletoe, Pretty Bess and bashful Joe. Stood and stood and stood and stood Like two solid blocks of wood. Till at last Joe said to Bess: Might as well sit down. I guess" Bess just glared and said: You can. I am waiting for a man''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
Yea, Verify.

Reuben, Reuben, I've been thinking,
 That the ''open work" must go; For winter winds are blowing muchly, And it's nightly cold, you know.
 When dressmaker tells fat, pudgy woman that she has a fine form she is excusable, as she is merely indulging in a figure of speech.
 Who did MT. Gottrox marry?'
 Why, a girl without one modern im- provement. She still has her appendix, and can't play bridge, she is badly built, and they have six children
 Miss Up-to-Date-Wh designs your gowns?"
 Why I do. of course. I am designing woman'
 Do you see that man over there?'
 'Yes. Who is he?"
 'He is the greatest linguist in the coun- try. He has mastered every modern tongue.''
 T bet he hasn't mastered his wife's."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
Today in History.

The thirteenth of December was the date of public thanksgiving, observed throughout the United States in 17S1.
 Bishop Phillips Brooks was born on the thirteenth, in the year 1885. And the poet Heinrich Heine was also born on this day in 1797
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
Thoughtful Christmas Giving

What is the use of puzzling our brains concerning the question of hard times and the wise and unwise Christmas giv- ing of the general public, when the inn portant point to consider is the good that we can do individually? It is not the large giver who does the most good, but the thoughtful one,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
December Superstitions.

You are warned by those who know, that it is extremely unluclky to partake of any medicine whatever on the last Monday in December and to taste of goose is the worst possible luck.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
Christmas in Fairyland.

Did you ever hear of the time that Santa Claus visited Fairyland? Of course you haven't, for the fairies keep all their best jokes to themselves. I wouldn't be able to tell it to you were it not
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
Quite Right.

The mistletoe hung in the hall, Some thirty-five feet from the wall Where Reggie and May Were kissing away, Not minding the distance at all.
 The Old Maid.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
Not Informed.

From Judge.
 Jones-What are you going to give your wife for a Christmas present?
 Rrown-She hasn't told me yet.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
Dolly's Dialogues.

Children are buoys on the sea of matri- mony, said the knowing one.
 es, but suppose they are girls" ob- served the other one.