davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1911-12-21

Fichus Of the moment are usually built
without the deer frilIs that characterized
those worn several wears ago. In place
OF this flounce there is a very narrow
lace frilI, sometimes three rows gath
cred around the edge TO form a finish.
One and onc-half yards of material
are required 10 make one fiChu, two
and onc-half of lace to go once around
the edge. Brussels net makes a very
soft and attractive material for the body
OF the fchu and is not expensive.
Trimmed with rows of valenciennes lace
and perhaps a cluster of small satin
rosebuds that you can make at home.
a fichu of extraordinary beauty can be
made The roscbuds are held closely to-
gether, laid on a mat of deep green
satin leaves and are placed at the join
ing joint of the fchu at the waist line
Net, mousseline de sole, fine allover lace
and chiffon are employed for the more
elaborate fichus designed to Be worn
with afternoon gowns, but for the most
practical fichu a fine handkerchief lawn
or linen is the best material to use. 1t
is very easily peated. the folds remain
ing in place until the fichu is laundered,
The Washington herald., 1911-12-21
THE ORIGIN OF THE
CHRISTMAS STOCKING

Did you ever hear OF a Christmas
without the proverbial stocking? Your
room would be a bleak, barren place on
the morning of December 25, without
the anticipation of the time-honored
custom OF emptying the contents of
your stocking, which hangs so plump
capacity amazes you, 1t has depths of
which you never dreamed, and there is
no end to what it might hold in store
for you-anything from the size OF a
min to an umbrella. But have you
never wondered about its origin-how
the stocking came to be the accepted
receptacle for all your choicest gifts?
In Italy, good old st. Nicholas, of
Padua, used to go around from house
TO house, with long knitted purses. tied
at both eads, which he would throw
into the open windows of the poor.
They were knitted of yarn and looked
quite like a footless stocking. After a
while II became the custom to hang
these empty purses out Of the window
the night before Christmas so that as
he passed by he could drop a gift into
them.
But when coin became scarce, all
sorts OF toys were dropped in which
gave delight to the children. And as
for the grown-ups, they had to be sat
isoed with more practical, useful pres
ents
This idea was then carried TO the North
Country, when the purses were hung
On the chimney beside a roaring fire,
and here It was supposed that The kind
old Saint would climb down the Chin
ney and all them to oyerfiowing.
When these old purses finally went
The Washington herald., 1911-12-21
To Wash a Veil.

Keep your white lace wells clean by
letting them lay in a strong lather of
white soap and clean water for half an
hour; squeeze and rinse in clear water.
Then rinse twice in weak blue water.
Now pass the veil through water in
which n very little raw starch has been
dissolved; squeeze the water out, and
stretch and pin it on a clean cloth, keep
ing the edges as straight as possible.
Should the veil be edged with scallops.
fasten each out with pins, so when II
is dry the lacy part will be smooth.
When almost dry, place under a thin
cloth and iron with warm iron. Roll
over a bottle to keep 1t perfectly smooth
when not in use,
The Washington herald., 1911-12-21
By JULIA CHANDLER MANI.
This is an after-Christmas story.

This is an after-Christmas story.
At least the vital part of it began when
the holidays were all over, although 1t
has its beginning a while before they
began.
The Woman More Generous Than Wise
heard the sweet voice of a siren and fol-
lowed the allurement into such deep
water that she needed much help to
make the shore of safety again.
She had a long list of Christmas friends
whose names she wrote out very neatly
on smooth, white paper while Christmas
of a year ago was yet a far way off.
Opposite each name she wrote several
suitable gifts with the maximum price
that she could afford to pay for each
gift.
Then the shops began to take on a
gay spirit Christmas giving was in the
air Everybody caught it and passed IT
along. Nobody could get away from it.
Nobody wanted to- 1t was happiness
for the Woman More Generous Than
Wise; happiness most of all because
she knew that it would also be happiness
for the long list of friends she carried
with her from shop to shop.
So far so good; but alas. the Christ
mas spirit berame a dangerous siren,
calling to the Woman More Generous
Than Wise so seduCtvely that she for
SDb an dDOIl Jlle AlltlIltlN great Sllill-
ness of her pOcketbook. and the greater
slinness of her bank account. She for
got everything but the voice of the
Christmas siren who sang her a song
of credit in the shops that sounded so
surprisingly sweet in her ears that she
followed its suggestion gayly and gladly.
The allurement even ran in the voices
OF the women behind the counters who
always said. with a pleasant rising in
flrrti0n that piUuCd the ShOpper'S pride
''Charge?''
"Why. centainIy," said the Woman More
Generous Than Wise.
Easy TO Charge Things.
.Nnd when the charging began, it was
so easy 20 add a half dollar here TO
tie value of a gift. a quarter there, and
easier still to buy for friends and kns-
people to whom she had not intended to
give at all
The shops were so pretty and gay, and
the Woman More Generous Than Wise
was filled with the spirit of giving that
sang on and on in her brain and in her
heart-a most seductive song.
The lovely gifts went off 50 merrily. and
the Good Man, who worked all the year
around to make ends meet felt proud of
the Woman More Generous Than Wise.
because it seemed to him that she had
made the money he had given her for
tn" Christmas shopping go very far, in
decd and incidentally told her so.
She flushed a little and just the edge
Of a purple shadow stole over her JOY,
but she did not tell him.
1t will be all right I haven't had
much charged. Just a dollar here and
there. 1t will be easy enough to pay next
month.
Anyway, it is more blessed to give
The Washington herald., 1911-12-21
Richelieu Embroidery.

where the figures forming the design are
outlined with button hole stitch.
The material inside the outline is then
cut away with sharp pointed scissors
and the empty space is filled in with
buttonhoIe bars, bridges or other fancy
stitches.
1t is an elaborate form of Roman en-
broidery and is sometimes called "cut
work" 1t is very durable and exceed
ingly handsome. Alliance embroidery is
a combination of shadow work and eye
let embroidery in the same design. This
alliance of two kinds of embroidery is
often used on gowns and hats.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-21
A Saving Stitch,

One weary mother who had let out
tucks in her small daughters petticoats
until she reached the stage Of rebellion
evolved this very simple and eficacious
plan OF lengthening: The shoulder seams
were made several inches longer than
was necessary. and instead of being
sewn together they were left open and
neatly bound around the edge with tape.
The petticoat was adjusted to the little
lady and the ends Of the shoulder seams
Tapped and fastened with the patent
clamps (such as hold the packets of
skirts). As she grew the laps became
smaller. until the full reserve was used.
This method makes easier work for the
laundress. too, as the little garments are
much more easier to iron with the
shoulder seams free.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-21
After-dinner Pastime.

II you would amuse your guests and
have them exercise their ingenuity, pass
at the end of the dinner, as II for the
last course. a plate of raisins and nuts
The raIsins should not be stripped Of
their wood. thus appearing with all their
sticks complete. Then during the social
chat which abounds at the close OF the
meal invite the guests to design any
thing odd which their fancy may sug
gest. After, say, fifteen minutes given
to the occupation, several small prizes
may be awarded for the most real OBJ
ject constructed, as well as for the most
Rrotesque.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-21
CHARGED GIFTS BRING
HAPPINESS TO NO ONE
IT Is Not 'More Blessed to Gipe Than to Receive
Where One Gives that for Which They
Haven the Money to Pay.

than to receive" she told herself, COM
fortingly.
The Lead-Ifned Robe.
The holiday season went by and the
glad New Year was over, too, before the
bills began to come for the things it
had been so easy to charge. Each one
was like just another fold in the purple
robe of shadow that was folding itself
about the Woman More Generous Than
Wise, a robe lined with lead, which
weighed her heart down.
The Good Man added another fold to
the purple robe, when, in an incidental
little heart-to-heart talk, he told her that
his insurance fell due so soon that it
! would take hard scratching to meet it,
but. of course, he would, somehow. He
owed it to her to keep it up, he said. with
a soft little chuckle that ran down the
spine Of the Woman More Generous Than
Wise, leaving chill in its wake.
We'll, it will be better next month.
I'll wait till they come again. There is
no hurry about paying them, and there
is no need to worry him with it all now"
The Woman More Generous Than Wise
put the matter off.
The little notes came from the friends
and kinspeOple all over the country for
whom she had shouldered the mantle Of
purple shadow, whose lining was lead,
and she hated the notes and their writ
ers, one by one, because, she told her
self, that they were all to blame: that
they had no business expecting her to
send them presents. as they all did any
way, but all the time she was sobbinS
into her pillow and her common sense
told her that they were not to blame.
and that it was not more blessed to
give than to receive" when one had to
give that for which they didn't have the
money to pay.
Learned Her Lesson.
o. yes; she told the Good Man. She
had to in the end, for the bills ran pretty
high and the shops wanted their money;
but she did not tell him until it had to
be done, and all the while she wore the
robe of purple shadow with the leaden
lining.
Tney paid the bills but it took time, and
the Woman More Generous Than Wise
felt that she had lost a million times
the cost of the gifts in the lessening of
her husbands faith in her good sense,
and in her consideration for and appre-
CIatiOn of him.
The shops are again gay. Christmas
giving is in the air. Everybody has it
and is passing it along Nobody can get
away from it. Nobody wants to. But
the Woman More Generous Than Wise
last year is this year the Woman More
Wise Than Generous, and she is living
the vital part of this years story now
instead of after the holidays, as last
year.
But she elbows her way in the shops
past many a sister who is still the Wom-
an More Generous Than Wise. and who
will wear the robe of purple shadow
with its leaden lining for many a month
to come
The Washington herald., 1911-12-21

In a speech before the National AS
sociation for the Study and Education
of Exceptional Children the other night,
DR.. Eaton said:
The weakest spot in America to-day
is the home. This weakness is due to
the sins Of American parents toward
their children. These sins are both Of
omission and commission. The profound
elementary realities Of life are not
taught in American homes to-day. A
simple, sane, moral conception of life
should be taught The child's moral
gristle should be hardened into bone"
These are words Of profound wisdom
which every father and mother in the
crime of modern civilization Is the way
in which the average child is being
brought UP.
He or she is being reared a pagan
and hoodlum. with neither the fear
of God nor man before his or her eyes,
with no respect for authority, no re-
gard for law, no idea of obedience, no
conception Of duty, no vestige of self
control.
The grossest material philosophy goes
to no other such end as 1t is en-
bodied in the modern child, whose sole
theory of life is to take the best 1t
can get for itself without regard for
the feelings or the rights Of others, and
shod over everybody who stands in
its way.
The Reason Why.
To any thoughtful person who regards
this system of educating youth, 1t is no
wonder that our prisons are filled with
boy criminals, or that on every corner
of the streets we see that most tragic
Of hgures-a little, undeveloped. uniformed
girl, still a child in years, who has taken
the easiest way to the finery and gayety
she Graves; or that our divorce courts
are crowded with the matrimonial quar-
rels of men and women who lack the
courage to endure disappointment. and
keep the obligations they had assumed.
Sad as these cases are, common as
they are, when you see how the average
family is reared the marvel is not that
there are so many such instances, but
that they are so few.
How can you expect a boy who has
never been taught obedience at home to
have any respect for law and authority
outside of the home? How can you ex-
pect boy who has never had any re-
gard for the rights of others instilled
into him to keep his hand out of the
cash drawer of his employer when he gets
the opportunity to steal? How can you
expect boy who has never been forced
to control himself to resist temptation
when it comes his way?
How can you expect a girl who has
been taught by example, II not by pre-
cept that fine clothes are the ends of
life to a woman. not to get them any
way she can? How can you expect
girl who has had nothing in her culti-
waited except vanity and extravaganza
and selfshness, to be anything but
curse to the husband who gets her? How
can you expect a girl who has been in
dulged in her every whim all Of her life
to become anything but the sort Of
woman who changes husbands as often
as she does fashions?
The Parents to Blame.
Nine-tenths of all the crime and sin
and misery Of the world can be laid right
at the door of the wrongdoer's parents,
and. for myself, I confess that when I
hear about the pathetic old father or the
The Washington herald., 1911-12-21
COLORED BLANKETS
FOR COUCH COVERS

Comfortable robes to cover the invalid
or to be used as a couch robe when any
one wishes to take a nap are of colored
blankets. The large blue or gray army
blankets are best selection, for they will
at home, If you do not wish to send them
away to be cleaned.
Embroider the top and bottom edges
with a wide strip of coarse cross-stitch
in a conventional design, in dull green
and red wool that will harmonic with
the color Of the blanket itself.
The same design can be repeated across
the center and on each side, II you wish.
Remove the original binding, and in its
place put a broad satin ribbon, stitched
on with a cross-stitch or cat-stitch.
If you desire a particularly handsome
robe, line it with china silk OF a natural
tone that will go well with the outside.
Figured silk can be used.
HomeSpun Blankets.
II you should happen to have an old
homespun wooden blanket, you can make
a lovely couch robe by covering it with
figured sateen or china silk.
The old blanket should be washed and
thoroughly dried first; them trim on the
edges, II they be worn and ragged. Have
the covering cut one inch wider and long
er than the blanket. Lay one side Of the
covering over the blanket and turn It
in all around one inch, basting II fast
Now lay the other outside covering on
and baste that fast about three inches
from the edge. Turn in the edge to fit
the other side, and either slipstitch the
two coverings together or overcast them.
Bind the cover with three-lnch-wlde
ribbon. This makes a pretty, serviceable
cover, that will be found warm and light
in weight.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-21
Formal Calls.

Worried Reader-Formal calls in the
city during the winter season are paid
between and $50 o'clock in the after
noon.
For persons who have not a large
visiting list and are desirous of enter
ing the social world, the best method
tea or for several days in the month.
These cards must be accompanied by the
card of some well-known woman whose
name appears on the visiting lists of all
of the socially prominent people, her list
having been used by the hostess in send
ing out the cards OF invitation. If these
cards bring the desired visits or the
cards of the desired guests, the beginner
may feel that she has started on her
social career with no loss OF self-respect.
Too much haste in making new ac-
quaintances, or pushing ones way into
the social world is extremely bad form.
First calls must be returned within a
fortnight.
When she is invited by a new ac-
Cmalntance to any entertainments
dance, dinner, luncheon, theater party,
anything except an afternoon tea, re-
ception, or days at hOme-She. or he.
should Immediately leave a card, and
send either an acceptance or regret. To
lose time in doing this is extremely rude.
Whether an acceptance or regret is sent
a call should be made within ten days
after the entertainment.
In most cities and towns the old-time
residents call first upon the newcomers.
In Washington this custom is reversed.
1t is not necessary to leave cards after
a tea, as the presence of the guest or
the leaving of the guests cards on the
day of the tea is considered the same as
a call.
II women have certain days when they
will be at home, the calls should be
made on those days; it is rude to call
The Washington herald., 1911-12-21
Apple johnny Cake.

Housekeeper-one pint of milk, two
te&spoonfuls even Of baking powder, a
p' ch in salt, two heaping tablespoonfuls
of butter, flour enough to make q batter
that will drop from a spoon.
Rub the butter into a small quantity
of -four until the two are well blended.
(Add the baking powder and salt to the
flour before mixing with the butter.)
Now stir in the milk gradually, mixing
carefully. When all the materials are in
corporated, if the result be not stiff
enough add more -four.
Pare and slice ten apples and lay them
in thick stratum in the bottom OF a
creased pie tin; put the batter over them
and bake in the oven for half an hour
or until done.
Take from the range and turn upside
down upon heated platter. strew thickly
with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar
and dot with butter. Eat hot. This
makes two large cakes
You may IL you like, eat with thick
cream.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-21

out of existence, stockings were used
to take their place, and from that time
until this they have held a unique place
in the observance OF Christmas.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-21
Mans Cards.

Harry IA young man should have
visiting cards. which he leaves when
people are not at home. and which he
may hand to the servant to announce
his presence, to inclose with a gift, and
to present to an acquaintance he meets
in travelling. For the girl friends birth
day I would advise sending her a hand
some box of fine confectionery or a box
of roses. 1t is not considered good form
to give expensive things to girls unless
in the family or engaged. Books, mag
azines, flowers, and bonbons are always
permissible.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-21

ends Of the peltries that go to make up
muffs and scarfs-and worn to match.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-21
TO QUESTIONS
ASKED BY EVERYBODY

The piece which covers the face must
never come below the finger tips and a
shorter piece would be correct.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-21
Wedding Vel.

Miss T. E. L.-only occasionally does
the modern bride wear the veil over her
face, and then 1t is made in a detach-
able piece, which is removed by the maid
OF honor. instead of being thrown back
in the old time way. II is shirred on
fine wire.
At church wedding It would be diff
ficult to remove this piece of the veil,
so, II the bride wishes the veil over her
face as she enters the church, the maid
of honor must throw 1t back for her beN
fore she turns from before the altar.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-21
Correct Position.

Martha-when dancing a round dance,
the girls left forearm should rest against
the upper part of her partners right arm.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-21
The Parents to Blame.

Nine-tenths of all the crime and sin
and misery Of the world can be laid right
at the door of the wrongdoer's parents,
and, for myself, confess that when I
hear about the pathetic old father or the
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-09-12
Real Estate Transfers

The following transfers were filed
with the County Recorder for the
week ending September 9, 1911.
John E. O'Connor ct al to Jay N.
SchuIthies, Is tt. W 36 #. 8 in. of lot
2 sub div. lot 3 of irreg. surv. sw NV
/, 3O-99-l4, $500.
Martha A. Hallman to Diebold Bron-
ner, lots s, 6 and z irreg. surv. NV /,
26-99-ll, 81, $50.
Interstate Investment Co. to Mary
Conway, lots IL, l3, ID, Is and l6 blk.
36, Elma, $l25.
Walter Drake to Albert Francois,
lots and 6 blk. IL, and lots /, and
blk. E, Robison's Add. Elma, $500.
Fred Munkel to David T. Owens, n
NV I, 14-99-l3, 81.
Lepha r. Crowley to F. r. c. and
D. A. Combs, lots and blk. s,
Berg's Add, Cresco, 81.
Fred Palmerton ct al to w. E.
Peavey ct al, ne /, 2l.1OO-l4, and nv /,
22-1O0-l4, 81.
E. H. Bartels to Henry Dettmer. &c
/ sw / and 4 A Sc cor. sw sw /, 5-9S-
l3, $1,000.
Iva Hutton to Martha A. Hallman, n
! lot IA of irreg. surv. NV I, 26-99-ll,
$500.
Elizabeth C. Herring ct al to John
E. O'Connor ct al, parcel Of land in
sw cor. sw NV /, 3O-99-14, 80 fr. e
and W and 275 ft. and 8. 81, 200.
John J. Flanagan to Chas. J. Cbyle,
lot and lot l in irreg. surv. ! Sc
!, 1871, Protivin, $500.
FARM NAMES RECORDED
Chas. H. Wallace. Saratoga Twp.
"The Oaks"
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-09-12
Badly Damaged by Fire.

A>O~Ay ~AAASUSSO ~ = seSs
A gasoline stove caused a bad fire at
the VIM. F. Milz home last Friday
evening resulting in considerable dam
aye to the building, which was owned
by J. c. Webster and to the household
goods, the kitchen furnishings being
almost totally destroyed and the bal
ance of the furniture and clothing
badly damaged by heat. smoke and
water.
Mrs. Milz was generating the stove
which was summer kitchen, and in
so doing, the flames enveloped the
stove which was evidently covered
with gasoline from some leak. The
flames then caused an explosion of the
tank on the stove which caused blaze
the entire height of the building and
blew out the glass in the door leading
to the main building. Mr.. Milz esti-
mates his loss at $500, covered by in
surance, and Mr.. Webster's loss by the
damage to the building will be about
the same, but with no insurance, he
having overlooked the matter of insur-
ng the building.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-09-12
Sudden Death Near Maple Leaf.

Mrs. David Hutton. aged %, died
last Sunday morning at her home
southeast of Maple Leaf, without
moments warning.
She had been. in extra good health
during the past summer. and when
stricken by death was standing in the
doorway talking with her husband and
others in the yard. Suddenly she ex-
exlaimed ''Oh! my" and fell over
dead.
She was the eldest daughter of Mrs.
James Wentworth of Cresco, and leav.
es the mother, husband, several broth
ers and sisters and two little children
to mourn her loss.