davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1911-12-17

of the formula puzzles me a little. In
what form is the raw potato you have dug
from the center Of the six big tubers? Dc
you chop it before mixing with the other
ingredients of the stuffng? Or do you put
1t through the vegetable press? It would
not mix we'll with the crumbs and minced
meat If you were to leave the chunks -
just as they were scoOped out of the hearts
OF the potatoes.
VIII you kindly explain this point?
You invite practical housekeepers to
contribute recipes that have been tried in
their own families and proved to be good.
II am taking the liberty Of sending In one
that is much liked by my husband and chill
dren. II is wholesome and not expensive.
That counts for much nowadays:
TOMATO SOUP FOR WINTER USE
One peck tomatoes, six medium sized
onions, one bunch Of celery. six cloves.
Cook tender, then strain. Cook onions and
celery longer than tomatoes.
After straininE add one-half cup melt
ed butter into which have been stirred one
half cup flour, one-halt cup sugar, one
fourth cup salt, one fourth teaspoon cay
enne. Add to the rest and let all boil thor.
oughly, then can. When wanted for soup.
take equal parts OF milk. water, or stock
and canned mixture. each to be heated sep
arately. Add tiny pinch OF soda to the
The Washington herald., 1911-12-17
Simplifying Selection of Gifts.

Do you say no simplifiCation is possible
here? All, there is where you are mis-
taken. Let me tell you a plan by which 1
have made my Christmas giving easier for
myself without impairing the pleasure OF
those to whom I send presents.
When I make out my Christmas list-and
I try to do it well in advance decide to
make run on one article. That is, l will
give the same sort of presents to a number
of friends, taking care to have the chosen
object something which will prove accepta-
BILE to all.
For example, have never yet met any one
who did not like dainty handkerchiefs. 1
buy an assortment Of these, selecting judi
ciously, and have each handkerchief en-
broidered with the initials or the name of
the person for whom it is intended. This
gives a touch Of individuality to the gift at
once. Judging others by myself know of
no more welcome present to receive Christ
mas morning than a flmy handkerchief
bearing my initials. Here is something l
can use with pleasure-not a piece OF brio
a-brac which will clutter an already over
full house. or a picture I haven't room for
or an ornament I cannot wear.
One year when l wished to give to a num-
Der of Young girls presented each OF them
with pair OF silk stockings. Another time
individual towels were my choice. another
sets Of merCerized silk wash cloths All
these are things nearly any one would like
and there are other gifts in the same order
You can have no idea until you have tried
it how much it slmpIties Christmas giving
TO present such tokens as these instead
of working for different sort of remem-
brance for each friend. Sets OF slipper
trees, ornamental waist and skirt hang
ers. travelling shoe bags, neckwear Of vari-
Gus kinds-all these are articles few people
have too many OF and they are pretty sure
TO bring their welcome with them. And
always there is the everweIcome magazine
subscription.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-17

son with nutmeg, pepper, and salt. Fill
the potato shells with this mixture and
fasten on the tops with tooth picks. Wrar
a thin slice OF fat bacon around the pota-
toes and pin with other toothpicks. Ar
range in a deep dish; sprinkle with salt,
pepper. and -four; pour in two cupfuls OF
hot water; fit cover upon the dish, and
cook in a steady oven until the water is
absorbed. the potatoes are tender and of
q hne brown. They are delicious.
Il dare say you are tired of hearing the
name of Heavenly Hash. One can hardly
pick up a paper without seeing a recipe
for It. have one handed down from my
grandmother. She called it
ALL THE YEAR ROUND FRUIT
HASH.-Peel six oranges and break them
into small bits. Allow their weight in fresh
pitted cherries or in canned; like guam
tity Of fresh or canned pears, peaches, and
pineapple. cut into small bits. Mix we'll
together and sweeten to taste.
Il do not use bananas, as they change
color. darken, and look uncomely.
IF these recipes are acceptable may
contribute again? CARRIE k
As often as you please, II your offerings
are as novel and interesting as those I am
now printing. Stuffed potatoes are q fire.
quent visitor to my table, but not in the
dress you put upon them. But one part
The Washington herald., 1911-12-17

tomato II hot milk is used. before adding.
One pint will serve six people. L. c. M
" 1t counts for so much - with nlne-tenths
OF our readers that we welcome every
recipe which permits US to set palatable
and nourishing food upon our tables at
prices that come within our means.
Said a college professor to me the other
day: You twit me with having remained
a bachelor until am 40 years Of age. You
remind me, as you say that I am cheat
ing some woman, somewhere. out OF a
good husband Do you realize the truth
that we are getting Just as much and no
more for our work as our predecessors OF
thirty years back got, and that when
the cost of living has increased 90 per cent
in that timer"
He spoke by the card and I knew It!
There is no exaggeration in the statistics
he and other sadly thoughtful men have
collected upon this question Of vital i'm
portance to US all.
It is as patent that the discrepancy be-
tween the high prices OF living and the
average income OF those who work for a
living presses more hardly upon salaried
men and women than upon any other class
II you have never reflected upon this part
Of the subject. compare the wages now
paid to the day laborer and the house
worker with those asked and given thirty
years back. The rise in salaries is slight
by contrast.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-17
Make Mem Departure Nom.

But few Of US are free Of the vice of giving
because some one else IS sure to give to us
and we don't want TO seem mean or care
less. l confess honestly that ! have been
guilty of this fault myself-and always
with an appreciable lack Of self-respect.
Can't we begin a new departure this year
and give for better and higher motive?
Let us cut such names as these of our
list. then, and sit ourselves down and write
letters to those whom We have dismissed
from our circle Of exchange, stating that
we have reformed our methods of Christ
mas giving and begging for only a letter
or card of remembrance for holiday pres
ent instead Of anything more elaborate or
costly. Make a bargain not to exchange
gifts and having made a bargain consider
1t point of honor to stick to it.
Here is a beginning Of the simplifying at
once. Look over the list again and see if
there are not other names TO cut of.
Don't send me a present a Christmas" "
pleaded a friend with me last year. e
have drawerfuls of the gifts sent mother
during the last years Of her life, things she
never used and that don't want to throw
away or give away, and am accommodating g
a stock Of the same sort OF presents. I
would far rather have a good Christmas
letter, which would show that you took the
time to sit down and write to me, than the
finest present you could make"
No doubt there are many others who feel
The Washington herald., 1911-12-17
Preparing Gifts Modem Industry"

Nowadays the business of preparing
wrappings and bindings for Christmas gifts
is a big industry in itself Personally I
cannot thank enough those kind and clever
persons who have introduced Christmas
seals OF various sorts which lessen the bills
for baby and holly and mistletoe ribbon
and also tighten the labor of doing up the
parcels. They have helped to simplify one
section Of Christmas for all Of US. Let US
go little further on our own account
I am entirely in favor Of making Christ
mas gift look as attractive as may be, but
think It quite possible to overdo the matter
For my own part am as glad to get a pair
OF silk stockings in the box in which they
came from the shop as II they were be-
papered and be-ribboned. and be-hollled-
pretty as all these adJuncts are. So have
many Of the presents buy sent direct from
the shops with the card. Please do not
open until Christmas" attached. Those |
dispatch from the house try to make at
tracttve with labor saving devices Ny
handkerchiefs and jabots and gloves and
such small deer go into ornamental envel-
Opes. larger articles go into holly or mistle-
toe boxes which can be closed by strip OF
gilt or silver tape and a seal and REQUIRE no
paper or ribbon.
All this debut l draw the line when #
comes to wrapping gifts to be made to per-
sons under the same roof with me! I will
tuck box or a bundle into a stocking or
attach a card to il and lay it with the array
OF other gifts awaiting each one on Christ
The Washington herald., 1911-12-17
Hon to Cook Planked Stedk.

I'D Will you please let me know how to
cook a planked steak dinner? C2) Like
wise. how to clean a willow plume7
"A FAITHFUL READER"
can tell you how to cook planked steak.
and I will. am not sure that Iknow what
Is meant by a "planked steak dinner" It
is probably a meal at which a steak cooked
In this manner IL the chief dish-the piece
de resistance, as the French style II.
PLANKED STEAK.-Provide yourself
with a clean, well seasoned oak or hickory
plank about two and half inches In thick
ness and Of q length which will allow 1t
to slip easily into the oven. 1t must never
be OF pine or other resinous wood. Lay It
upon the grating OF the stove and leave Il
there until II Is thoroughly heated. but not
scorchedl Turn IL several times to heat 1t
evenly.
Rub the steak on both sides with butter
to prevent It from sticking to the board
Lay Il upon the heated board and fasten
The Washington herald., 1911-12-17

as she did. You may have wealthy friends
who are already numbered by an oversup-
ply of everything. Your gift may have the
value Of showing your thought and your
love-but letter would do this even better
and would not be one more thing to find a
place for-and perhaps TO be in the way.
Follow my friends example and write to
some Of these people to whom you know
your gifts are welcome only as a remem-
brance and tell them what you mean to do
in the way Of substituting letters for gifts.
Once more examine your reduced list On
it are the names-I hope-of many to whom
you give with little or no thought
of return, relatives or friends who are in a
sort Of backwater Of inaction, whom illness
or bereavement has cut of from many
pleasures, old people living in the country,
shut-ins who have few pleasures except
those which come TO them from you and
others like you who have not forgotten them
in their loneliness. You know what your
gifts mean to them in the way of cheer and
reinsurance OF your loving remembrance.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-17
Hon 10 Maize PumpRin But ter2

Can you or any of your constituents
kindly let me have a recipe for pumpkin
butter? Some old German housemothers
whom I used to know made it. 1t was
nice, but foollshly neglected to learn their
way OF manufacturing it l should esteem
it favor If you will print this query and
afford me a chance to renew my acquaiut-
ance with the dainty.
REGULAR READER"
never heard before of pumpkin butter.
Will our German hoUsemothers instruct
US in the manufacture thereof?
You have published a request for Hun
garian goulash, adding truly that that you
have eaten has all borne a remarkable like
ness to beef stew-with slight variations in
flavoring. Here is Hungarian dish which
is far more paIatable and dignifledr:
HUNGARIAN ROASTING and
half pounds of fresh flank steak; one can
OF fresh tomatoes or Of canned; seven or
eight onions; one cup OF water.
Put the steak into-a covered roaster,
sprinkle the sliced onions upon il. then pour
in the tomatoes. Salt to taste. Cook in
a hot oven.
When It has been in about an hour
draw the onions and tomatoes to one side
OF the pan and let the meat cook without
the covering Of these. Keep adding hot
water. and when the meat is tender take 1t
up and lay upon hot dish while you thick
en- the gravy.
Cut the meat crosswise into strips and
pour the tomato and onion gravy over 1t
as It lies in the platter. Pass the rest OF
the gravy in a sauceboat. There should
be plenty OF gravy.
"AH my friends enjoy this dish so much
I thought perhaps some OF your readers
might like It. It is q cheap dish, for flank
steak is not an expensive cut.
Have you room for second family
dish which Is also economical?
RICE WITH CHEESE.-Boil the rice
after washing It in plenty Of boiling water
slightly saIted WhAn 1t Is tender. but not
The Washington herald., 1911-12-17

\ INCREDIBLE as it sounds, there are
really ways of simplifying the business
Of Christmas giving.
i When we were children we used to for
get about Christmas from one Year to
the other or have only hazy, fairylike recol-
lection Of the festival. Now are not able
to forget in a twelvemonth the rush and
scurry Of the last holiday season and as
the end Of the year approaches there come
back to US the memories Of the last crowded
Christmas and Of all 1t cost US in money,
in time in strength. in strain, until we look
forward to what ought to be the most
blessed season of the year with sort of
sick foreboding and sigh to have to come
and pass.
This is all wrong. you know. When the
holy advent means to US a burden and a
bother instead of time Of peace and good
will it is incumbent upon us to make a
change OF some sort. And as began by
saying there are ways of simplifying our
Christmas giving.
The first step toward this desra Bile end
is to make out your Christmas list. In all
probability 1t will need a good deal of re-
form and revision. l always keep my list
over from the year before not only that 1
may recollect to whom to give but also that
! may rot run the risk of sending the same
gift to the same friend on successive years
except when I do it Intentionally, as when
I send a magazine subscription year after
year.
Go over Your list then and weed it out
sternly. Ask yourself what motives govern
you in making presents to those whose
names are enrolled How many OF
them are on a bargain list-if you would
rather call it that than baCkmau list!
To which of those for whom you plan pres
ents are you making these because you feel
they will send you something and you are
not willing to be a recipient without also
being a giver? I don't like to think there
may be some Of my readers who give in the
hope Of receiving. That is about the last
and lowest prostitution Of the YuletIde,
The Washington herald., 1911-12-17
\

- S limitations and mocks seem
~ ~ not to be despised in your Help
~ ing Hand. perhaps the inclosed
may find favor in your eyes. Up
here in the Berkshres apples
sell for little more for the dozen than they
bring by the single apple in the middle
states. If all I hear be true Yet We frugal
housewives do not waste the king OF fruits.
When we hear that our New York and Bos-
ton cousins are paying cents apiece for
them II seems q shame to cook them, II
they are retailing here for q penny apiece
bouncing big fellows, too! We pack UP
boxes Of them and send to aunts, uncIes,
and cousins in less favored regions, and
amuse ourselves with making
MOCK APPLE PIE.-Break into neat
quarters Ave soda biscuits and lay them
in q deep bowl. Have ready the Juice OF two
lemons added to two small cups Of boiling
water Don't touch the crackers until they
are perfectly cold. You Will find then. to
borrow the words OF one Of Dickens char
Aoters, that they are swole orful! Have
your plates lined with pie crust and lay the
mock apples in tenderly. Sift plenty Of
sugar over them, add a little lime juice
ano water II they are too dry, drop in a
teW whole cloves and a dust Of cinnamon,
Ana put on the upper crust.
You would not believe, without tasting
A. now good this is and what fair imita-
tion 1t b Of the real thing. Serve Iukewarm,
but not too hot and eat cheese with It.
MARIA NJ H"
Having eaten with keen gratifcation
Berkshire apples when they were at their
S% can hardly forgive our spriEhtiy
The Washington herald., 1911-12-17

Whole wheat bread. Toast
Coffee and tea-
LUNCHEON.
Corned beef hash "a left over)
Chopped sweet potatoes "a left over).
Brussels sprouts warmed over. Lettuce salad
Crackers and cheese. Crullers and cocoa
DINNER
Bean and tomato soup partly . left over.
Stew OF Hungarian roast cut into dice and cooked
in the gravy (eft oyer).
Satisfy fritters. Riced potatoes.
Macaroni pudding with cream sauce.
Black coffee.
TUESDAY.
BREAKFAST.
Oranges. Cereal and cream.
Beef and potato eroQaettss (a left over).
Munins. Toast. Tea and coffee.
LUNCHEON.
Cheese pudding. Potato calcss q left over).
sardins salad. Crackers ana chsesA
Toasted munfnS frosu hrSakfast,
The Washington herald., 1911-12-17
Stuffed Potntoes.

have gained so much help ana com
fort from the Helping Hand that should
like to DO something to show my apprecIa-
ton. VIII you accept this tried and true
recipe?
STUFFED POTATOES.-Peela and wash
six large white potatoes Of uniform size.
Cut OF a small piece from one end OF each
and. with a potato gouge. scoop out the
center until you have a shell less than half
an inch thick left Lay these in Geld water
while you prepare the stuf1ng. To one
cup Of the potato you have dug from the
shells allow one of cold minced meat Of
any kind, two cupfuls of bread crumbs,
one raw egg, a tablespoonful Of minced
onion. and the same Of melted butter. Sea-
The Washington herald., 1911-12-17

SUNDAY.
BREAKFAST.
Grape fruit. Cereal and cream. Fish balls.
Boston brown bread Toast, tea and cotee.
LUNCHEON.
BouIllon in cups. Cold corned beef "a left over).
Rice with cheese (see recipe In Helping Hand).
Brown bread, sliced. toasted, and buttered
IA left over
STUFFED potatoes (see recipe in Helping Hand.
Thin bread and butter.
French tapioca with brandy.
Peaches. Cake. Tea.
DINNER.
3ean soup with croutons (based upon liquor in
which beef was boiled on Saturday.
Hungarian roast (see recipe In Helping Hand.
Drowned sweet potatoes.
Brussels sprouts. prune charlotte.
. BLACK eoffeS.
MONDAY.
BREAKFAST.
Hawaiian pineapple. Cereal and cream.
bAneA Boiled a1eL
The Washington herald., 1911-12-17
Simplifyip8HoldwGiyin8>

it Is not beautiful. it is not useful; cannot
imagine how or why any one wants it and
1t always impresses me as trash devised in
order to enable buyers to spend money they
can't AFFORD in purchasing gifts nobody can
possibly care to have.
So try to simplify Christmas for others
by giving things that are serviceable,
things that can be used up or things that
will not last long. To the first class belong
the towels. the handkerchiefs, stockings,
etc. In the second are boxes Of candy, Jars
OF preserves and pickles-I have some
friends good enough to bless me with these
at Christmas time-baskets of fruit and
similar goodies which can be eaten and
shared. OF the things that will not last
long are flowers and Christmas greens
which help to brighten the day and having
lived their short life are cast aside with no
feeling of guilt such as fills your soul when
you destroy or stow away in the attic or
give to the laundress some wholly useless
article a friend has spent time in making
for you.
or course, II helps to simplify Christmas
for yourself and every one else II you
begin your preparations in time and don't
wait until the last moment to buy and Sc
lect the gifts for the Noel. There are so
many things to be done at the finish that
everything you can get -ES OF hand in ad-
vance is just so much clear gain. Among
the things which may be done ahead is
much of the putting into packages which
generally darkens the conclusion Of the
week before Christmas.
About that same doing up in parcels there
is a word to be said in favor OF simplifying
In my young days there was no thought of
tissue paper and fancy ribbons for holiday
gifts. We were thankful to get the presents
without looking for such frills. I,recollect
well when We began buying tissue paper
and getting ribbons from handkerchief
boxes to tie up the presents which were to
be sent out Of the house.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-17
IMPORTANT NOTICE

PECA USE of the enormous
IL number of letters sent to the
department I must ask con-
trfbutors to limit their conlu1unica-
fions to 100 words, except in cases of
formulas or recipes which require
greater space. I want all my cor
respondents to have a showing in the
Corner, and if my request in this
respect is complied with it will be
possible TO print many more letters.
Attention is called to the fact that
Marion HdrIdnd cannot receive money
for patterns, as she has no connection
with any department that sells them.
Marion RarLdnd.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-17
MARION HARLAND'S HELPING HAND

correspondent for setting even superfine
imitation before her family. We are never
theless, grateful to her for enabling those
in less highly favored districts TO revive
memories of the days when they could
afford to make real apple pies. For we
are assured by other experts that the
mock " has a marvellous resemblance in
flavor to the true king Of fruits.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-17
Don't Give Useless Things.

While We are thinking Of simplifying
Christmas for ourselves it might not be
aniss TO bestow a little similar considera-
ton upon our friends. Whenever I go into
the shops before Christmas my heart sinks
at the array Of useless stun which crowds
the counters. Ornamental ~ inkstands
and brush holders and ash trays and cases
the everlasting vases-and bric-a-brac
until the soul sickens at the sight of it. For
The Washington herald., 1911-12-17

Nuts and raIsins.
Tea and sweet biscuits.
DINNER
Veal and saEo soup.
IambS Ivers and bacon. stewed tomatoes
C1nned green peas.
Mock apple pie (see recipe in Helping Hand.
Black coffee.
= =
WEDNESDAY.
BREAKFAST.
Oranges. Cereal and cream omelet
Corn meal mufins Toast.
Tea and coffee.
LUNCHEON
Ragout OF liver and bacon with green peas q
left over).
Scalloped tomatoes q left overl.
Baked potatoes. Toasted mufins.
Warm gingsrbrssd and cheese.
Tea.
DINNER
Yesterday's soup.
Mutton chops en- eAsSsrolA
Canned ersAmed corn
The Washington herald., 1911-12-17

broken, put it into a buttered bake dish
with alternate layers of grated cheese
The uppermost layer must be of cheese.
Now pour in milk until II rises to within an
inch OF the top. Dot with butter, cover.
and bake half an hour. Then uncover and
brown lightly. HoUsEwIFELY."
Our readers who like savory dishes that
are not expensive are pretty sure to try
your recipes. Both may be put upon the
table at less than the cost OF a porterhouse
steak of moderate dimensions and an &C
COMMANDING ya0atahIn
The Washington herald., 1911-12-17

into place with tin tacks driven through the
corners and edges. Now slip the plank
and its burden upon the upper grating Of
the oven and let it broil quickly. basting
with butter four times during the cooking.
II should be ready to be turned in ten min
utes. Do this quickly, tack 1t again into
place and shape. and slip back into the
oven. In ten minutes more, II the fire be
right. you may take IL out. To see II IL u
done to a turn, cut into the thickest part
OF the meat with a sharp knife and Judge
whether or not it is ready to serve. It
should be rare at heart but not purple.
That means raw" and civilized peoples
do not eat raw meat, although 1t is es
teemed a luxury by the Tartars.
Remove the tacks dexterously not to
tear the steak and transfer to a hot dish.
Season with salt and pepper and dot with
butter. Cover and set in the oven for three
minutes to draw out the juices into gravy.
ca Clean the plume by sousing It up
and down in gasoline. Do this several
times. until the dirt is dislodged. Dry In
the open air. Next day. when the odor
has been dissipated. curl It by holding in
the steam Of a boiling pot: then shake 1t
over the hot plate Of your range or hold It
in the mouth OF hot oven.