davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06

to our Corner. I will not defraud my readers by changing one sentence. The ex' treme improbability that your late visitani will see her portrait and recognize it, Is heightened by the humiliating fact that the tribe you would have decreased in numbers is so large that the cap may fit any head upon which 1t chances to fall
 To go back to your query as to why We ask persons to our houses whom we do not really delight to honor thus is easily am swered. It is a custom of immemoria antiquity. and part of the makeup of so ciety. It is not right or wholesome for each household to make perpetual Pass over of daily meals-each feeding apart from the rest and thinking of what goes to individual comfort and qualification. Every home would become a hermitage, and life be gradually narrowed down to the limited horizon of front and back yard fences Hospitality, In itself. Is a duty and grace The mistake made by you and by me, and by thousands of others as well meaning and charitable of intent. is in perverting the original meaning of the graceful duty.
 The good old word hospitate has gone out of general use in speech and in litera- ture-more's the pity! It implies a double obligation having a significant forked roo, -" Hospitare, to receive as guest; hos pitari to sbe a guest" As a rule of well night universal application. we take the first meaning for granted, and halt there Whereas the weight of obligation rests upon guest as upon host
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06

too much of your good nature if requested you to have it reprinted in the Corner?
 MARIE I cannot undertake to reproduce the recipe which you liked. This is good. I know, although I do not youch for it's identity with the former. of which. may say, have no recollection.
 PICKLED ONIONS-Select onions of medium and uniform size. If large and small are pickled together the result will be unsatisfactory. Put them in a stone jar and cover with strong brine. Leave them in this for two days pour it off and put in new supply of brine as strong as the first. On the fifth day heat yet another lot of brine to a boil drain the salt and water from the onions, throw them into cold water, and leave them here for four hours.
 Drain off this and put the onions Into boil ing brine. Cook just one minute after the boil begins anew. Now for a second soak in cold water and again for four hours. Pack the onions after they are taken out of the last water into a stone jar and pour over them scalding vinegar into which you have stirred cupful of sugar to the gallon with a tablespoonful of whole blades os mace the same, each. of white pepper corns and whole cloves. This quantity of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06

ful to other housemothers. How will this do for one?
 ITO WASH A WHITE WOOL SWEATER Wash in lukewarm suds until it Is clean. Then rinse in clear water. Squeeze out the water; spread the sweater upon a clean Turkish towel and roll the two up tightly together When the towel Is wet through. exchange for dry one and roll up in this as before. Repeat until the garment is dry It will look like new. J. S Al
 You could not have proved more con- clusvely the wisdom of my continual asking" than by your own contribu- lions of scraps of useful information upon which is set the seal of experience. No housemother who has the interests of the guild at heart has a right to owell like a star apart " or, to use homelier figure. like casta way upon a desert island never learning from neghbor or friend, or mpart- ing to another what she has worked out for herself If anybody knows a better way of performing the simplest household office than l have learned. I am eager to sit at her metaphorically-and get a share in her riches. But Tor this interchange of ways and methods where would the house. wifery of today be? We are set in families for the benefit of all. I have never had a cook in my more than half century of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
When Guest Is Intruder.

You say truly that the golden mean of behavior on the part of the guest lies be-
 tween the failure to put entertainers at ease by quiet acceptance of the honor of being received within the sacred precincts of home with a cordial welcome, and the bound at one fell leap into the innermost of the sanctum sanctorum, where none should enter who are not born to the right
 I care not how intimate the friend who sojourns for a day or a month as a visitor in my house. she IS an intruder if she pass specified bounds of territory or subjects of speech. l may nave no skeleton in my closet, and no untldy corners in my attic. My kitchen may be a model In cleanliness and order, and my servants models of their class. One and all, they are sections of my daily living and not of hers. My chiI- dren's manners and education and nour. ishment are my affair, and she Is guilty of an impertinence in suggesting changes in any of these respects. If my drawing room is tapestried with cobwebs and the windows like ground glass with smear and grme.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
Is Too Much " Al Home"

anu Just tnOu5nt sne would leu them.
 * M
 Is Too Much Al Home" :"
 How hate that just thoughtl' It is on her tongue twenty times day. She says 1t to explain her popping into the Kitchen when I am making cake. She just thought l might like to have her beat the eggs. She begs that I will let her put up the children's school luncheon and set closets to rights and arrange the book shelves. And while she does all these things she tells me how her dear friend Mrs. This-or-That manages such matters If you could just see her library and wardrobe closets and kitchen pantriesl O.. myl.? Then 1t will be. How many flies you have herel My dearl don't think me off, cious. but just thought I ought to tell you that the kitchen door leading into the but ler's pantry ought to have spring on 1t The maids leave 1t open and the flies get in Or, That dear little Katherine (such a sweet childD of yours is getting to stoop. It Is a pity, for she would grow up into a fine looking woman if that is corrected. I just thought would speak of it. I am so fond of your children.' Or. again: Do you prefer having your toast cut thick? Mrs. So-and-So has the most delicious toast you ever put into your month as thin as a wafer and so crisp!'
 " But enough of this I want you to tell her and her tribe (may it de-creaseD that there is such a thing as making oneself too much at home in friends house, even though she may be step-second-cousin in-law."
 You wouldn't believe what a bother and vexation she is to the servants, and what an infiietion to me. Nor what relief it Is to all concerned when she takes her trim figure and prunes-and-prism face off to the station when her fortnight's visitation Is ended. She always stays fortnight She looks forward to that visit from one years end to the other
 You won't have room for this diatribe, I know. But couldn't shorten it and do even partial justice to the subject. Serious ly, it Is an afiiiction as well as an inflicton. Blue-pencil this into shape and bounds but answer my prayer by telling us how 10 strike happy medium of behavior In other peoples houses. mean. how to avoid fitting in too well and not fitting at all.
 REBEccA s. NJ"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
IN OTHER PEOPLES HOUSES.

summer. when a dish of fried egg plant was passed.
 Have you ever eaten stuffed egg plant?" inquiy my vis-a-vis helping herself.
 Th ss answered Ia the affirmative. qu' lily.
 d more wholesome than feisa eas >ther, turning over the segi sl a eai a ith her fork And C. ais at aaAc My friend, Mrs B.. .sa aeh gets up the lovelieA fHa ef d ] ever tastedl
 A more ta> e4k IT, rent of talk at uu.4s asa being lost in spech ae4 tions of brain tha, sidd esI9a 4e observation so useless b aa aad ul feeling.
 True, she had impressed us Hl fact that her associates had Freh sa s4 and that she herself had eplcurean But in doing 1t she had made her host, intensely uncomfortable by the inevitable contrast between her modest environment and the glories indicated by the guest. She did not mean to be impertlnent you say? Nol she meant merely to bring her self into prominence and establish her claim to social distinction.
 If ever the recording angel turns deaf ear to equivocation, and writes in merclful brackets C white D over against down right lies, 1t must be when the sorely pressed guest with a hospitating con science declares herself |" entirely comforta- ble In reply to the hostess solicitous in- quiries, when she Is really freezing or roasting under conditions which the en- tertainer would, but cannot change, let her do her best The fare set before you may be indifferent to an amazing degree. If it is the best the other party to the duty of of hospitating can bring forth from the means at her command. risk present disgust and future indigestion rather than fail in the obligation to set her at ease and earn the approval of your own con- science.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06

,- ILLUSION is frequently made to bt A sauerkraut in the exchange.
 @ Few American born house.
 mothers know how 1t is made
 and the taste thereof after it Is made by one to the manor born. sena with this a recipe for the manufacture or the good old fashioned standby of hun dreds of families on this side of the water and tens of thousands across the sea.
 GENUINE sAUERKRAUT. = Select fine cabbages and take out the hearts. which are not required for the saurekraut. Put all the outside leaves through a cab haze cutter. When they are minced fine nut layer of them about four inches thick into a stone jar, or barrel. or keg, and sprinkle salt and white sugar over it. Now nound with wooden mallet or pestle until ssu have a compact mass. Put over this Q second layer of cabbage, salt, and sugar, and pound this fiat. Proceed in this order until all the materials are used up. Pound hard to firm all. Salt and sugar to your liking. It is not we'll to make itvery salt
 DO not add water in making. If you mound long enough there will be enough liouid to cover the cabbage.
 Set in a corner of the kitchen. cover the barrel or crock with cloth, then with a board. and lay a heavy weight upon the top of all. If during the winter the liquid settles down and leaves the cabbage ex- posed. pound all down with the potato beetle. In this way you may keep the sauerkraut nicely until June.
 {. I have noticed, too, that in your weekly menus of family meals you mention some times salt pork with cream gravy. This is a homely dish of which we farming folk are fond. If prepared according to the in- closed recipe it will taste almost like fresh pork.
 SALT PORK WITH CREAM GRAVY. Slice the pork thin, put it into Irving pan. and cover with sweet milk. Set 1t upon the stove and bring slowly to the boil and the pork is freshened. Drain off the milk into a saucepan and keep hot while you fry the pork to a nice brown. Take up the meat and keep hot in the open oven while you make the gravy. Stir flour into the fat In the pan until you have a smooth paste. Then ado gradually the milk in the saucepan In which t. pork was heated Boil up once and pour over the meat
 You could not tell this from fresh pork.
 "A WISCONSIN, MEMBER"
 We are glad to get both recipes. That for the pork and cream gravy will be godsend to the mother who is sorely pug zled in these days to substitute something savory for the luncheon or breakfast dish of fresh meat, now made into an expensive luxury by iniquitous prices. If little
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06

xI HAVE observed frequent inquiries ss in your department from those who
 wish to give entertainments of
 various sorts. They want to know
 what to serve and how to amuse tnelr guests, in what order food is to be offered to visitors, and dozens and scores of other items showing how anxious the writers are to make good impression upon invited guests and to keep them from being bored and all that Really. one might think that having company Is the big eest nuisance a housekeeper can have-and that Is saying much, or, as my Jack would put it, going some, when you think of the thousand and one bothers to which she is subject in this land of liberty. where one man is as good as another and better. tooi''
 Sometimes l ask myself, in reading and hearing such talk, why we ask people to our houses when it is so much trouble and expense to widen the family circle and take them in? The puzzle is bigger yet when I hear those who are invited grumble at being obliged to accept this or that invita- ton. The whole thing is muddle Of mod ern soeiety--a tangle that neither you nor can straighten out.
 But that is not what I began this letter to say. l wish you would give us talk upon how to behave in other peoples houses. Since we must accept invitations. isn't it our duty to make the visit as pleas ant as possible to those who were good Cor conscientiousJ enough to open their doors to us? To illustrate: l have lately had visit from a relative or my step mother. That worthy woman departed this life some years ago crest her soulD and left this cousin as a sort of legacy to us. We loved and honored our fathers wife. and we show respect to her memory by re- ceiving her relative kindly when she in- yites herself 10 our respective homes She always begs us not to make a stranger of her. She wants 10 fit into the family without friction or fuss She brides her self upon that as a witty phrase, and uses it ad nauseam To make sure there shall be neither fuss nor friction. she proceeds, as soon as her bonnet Is off, to make her self perfectly at home by interfering with everything and everybody. She is one of those awful beings who takes an interest in her fellow creatures everywhere and at all seasons. Not spot in the house is unvlsited. She actually peeps into the servants room before they are out of bed in the morning to ask if they know that the clock struck six five minutes ago. She
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06

would fail me were l to attempt to cala- logue them.
 One, hinted at by our clever plaintin, Is so common It l cannot pass 1t by. To make the appearance of dish upon the table spread in your honor the occasion ot remarks upon the different and superior manner of preparing like materials In the kitchen of another house. is gross infrac- tlon of politeness due the entertainer. For instance, 1t was my lot to sit opposite fellow guest in hospitable cottage last
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
A: f Not q Household Member.

With this end in view avoid any ap- pearance of idle curiosity with regard to matters your entertainers do not see Tt 10 hiring to your consideration. Ask no ques- lions as to letters arriving and going, no explanations or allusons to family ahairs incidentally made in your hearing. Listen to what may be volunteered on the topic and push your inquiries no further than the bounds set by your entertainers. You are their guest. not a member of the house. hold proper.
 Miss Mandy is a mighty we'll meanin woman" said a colored " nanny" of the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
IMPORTANT NOTICE

DECAUSE of the enormous number of D letters sentto he department must osS contributors to limit their communications to 100 words. except in cases of formulas or recipes uhieh require greater space. vant ell n,y correspondents to haoe shouting in he Corner. and # my request in his respect is complied wih il wN De possible to print many more letters.
 Attention is called to he fact that Marion Harland cannot receiue money tor patterns, os she has no connection wih any department that sells them. Marion Harland.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06

spice to a gallon of vinegar. Cover closely while the vinegar is hot and do not open for fortnight. Then pour off the spiced vine- gar, boil up quickly and pour again over the onions in the jars
 These pickles will be fit for use fin a month but improve with age. The alternate salting and freshening should leave the onions white and whole.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
Mexican Dishes.


 Somebody asked for recipes for Mexican dishes This may not come amiss:
 MEXICAN NoUGAT IcING-Two and a half cupfuls of granulated sugar, half Q cupful of corn syrup, half cupful of boil ing water.
 Boil this mixture until 1t thlckens Then take out half a-cupful and beat it into the stiffly beaten whites of two eggs. Return the rest of the sirup to the fire and boil until it threads and hardens if dropped into cold water. Then beat gradually into the rest of the mixture. By adding nuts and fruits this makes a delicious Christmas candy. Cut into slices. pack into fancy boxes and put candied cherries, violets, and roses between the layers.
 You are asking all the time for morsels of housewifely experience that may be use-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06

she does not hospitate alright if she does not dodge the floating gossamer as if she saw 1t not, and feign to admire the prospect dimly visible through the dirty panes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
Salad Dressing.

CHEAP SALAD DRESSING (submlttei by c. C)-Beat the ok of an egg light, dissolve teaspoonf of dry mustard in little water and aC to the egg yoik stir in a cupful of water, one half cupfu. of vinegar, two heapll tablespoonfuls Of sugar, and one-third teaspoonful of salt Beat all together in sauce pan. put over the fire. and. when hot. thicker with a litsle corn starch dissolved in water Set asizs until cool, then set on the lee until needed.
 PLAIN CAKE (submitted by Correspond ent) Stir three ounces of melted butter into cupful of granulated sugar and. when well blended work in one-half cup ful of pastry flour, one cupful of plain flour, pinch of salt, and a scant teaspoon ful of baking powder. Breaks two eggf into a cup. fill the cup with milk and add to the other ingredients Beat all well together and add nayoring to taste. Bake In a loaf tin.
 WHITE CAKE Submitted by lone J. Cream a lump of butter the size of an egG with cupful of sugar, add one-half cup ful of milk and one-half cupful of water. Sift together three times one and one-halt cupfuls of flour and teaspoonful of baking powder and add to the other ingredients. Last of all. fold In the stiffened whites of two eggs. Bake in a very moderate oven. 1T gas Is used. do not heat the oven until the cake Is In. Make boiled frosting. cover the cake with Ii. let 1t cool, then pour over this unsweelsned chocolate that has been melted over steam. A pinch Of cream of tartar in tho boiled frostinE win improve It.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
HospilaIitp q Duly and Grace.

You have set the case so graphically be- fore us that I have not touched the blue pencil in transferring the delightful letter
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06

Thin graham bread and butter Crackers and cheese. Rice pudding
 Tea
 DINNER. Yesterdays soup with croutons Mutton chops, currant jelly. Canned green peas. scalloped sweet potatoes. Blanc mango and cake. Black coffee.
 ,a: <
 FRIDAY. BREAKFAST.
 Grapes. Cereal and cream. Fish croquettes.. Quick biscuits.
 Toast. Tea and coffet LUNCHEON. Clam fritters Breakfast biscuits. String beans and green peas salad upon endiye Qeftovers). Heated crackers and American cheese. Cream puffs,
 Tea
 DINNER. Tomato soup. Boiled cod with egg sauce. Mashed potatoes. Stewed celery Lemon and raisin tarts. Black coffee.
 S 4 SATURDAY. BREAKFAST.
 Oranges. Cereal and cream.
 Bacon
 Rice mullins
 Toast Tea and coffee LUNCHEON. creamsd eggs in nappies Potato puff Ga leftover) Breakfast mullins Ga leftovsr). Crackers and cheese. Small cakes and tea.
 DINNER Tomato and rice soup Ca leftover in parD. Fish pudding In mold with sauce tsrtsrs Ca leftovsr) Potatoes A la Lyonnaiso. Spinach Ia creme. Euet cumplings with hard sauce. Black coffee.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
Hostess Made Uncomfortdble.

So many and divers are the violations of the laws of hospitating as they should be understood by well bred residents of civilized countries. that time and space
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
Do Part

GO ut tss+a 4z##1 sF at
 Never lose sl. 2 ase aa saal invitation that NJ ra tua ln sphere where your fri,a .aa aH4 happily herself or himsei. ss zf the time a partaker of whae af and sacred to man on earth--- sz what it implies Appreciate the to the qualities of mind and person |. have moved him or her to hospitate with you, and do your part with good will and tact. By the way. the best definition of that last word have ever heard was given by Q writer In late number of a popular magazine She makes 1t out to be nothing more and nothing less than put ting yourself in the other fellows place" It Is a modern version Of the Golden Rule in a hazelnut she'll
 The virtue Is never more in requisition than when one plays the role of guest. Ask yourself how you would relish the prying ineursions into any portion of the house not thrown open to outsiders. How you would receive suggestions as to the man agement of children and servants. How you would resent dictation and interference in your domestic concerns. from your most intimate friend-and conform your conduct to the decision of reason and kindly feel ing
 Harmony does not imply loss of tone, but the blending of several Such tuneful &C., cord should make up the intercourse of host and guests Otherwise the relation Is forced and artificial and deserves the severest sarcasm leveled at tse Sham of Modern Society.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06

ancient regime. of a frequent visitor. But she do make me mighty oneasy when she comes into the kitchen and the gyardin- Somehow, she takes LOO much intrust for comfortw
 The saying has recurred to me hundred times when I have seen well meaning yis- itors laborlously taking interest in the most private concerns of hosts. children, and domesticc It is zeal without tact verging upon unmannerly ofticlousness
 On the other hand. the dlsinellnation real or apparent. to conform in habit and manner to the routine of the household holding oneself aloof from the genial free ean of talk and standing apart as 1t were pasa . pinnacle of individuality. that ac- +es itself to no extraneous infiu- cae voro, remaining resolutely an
 ztsa In sympathy with nothing iH aes aa 'yironment-is, if posst- tds 7af he true spirit of hos
 zH Ha1a a e's self too much flaA accusation of ofli,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06

apples. or berries. and that made with canned fruit. We have shortcake the year around when we want 1t.
 SAUCE FOR FRUIT SHORTCAKE- Cream a cupful of sugar with a tablespoon ful of butter Beat the whites of two eggs 10 q standing roth. mix with the creamed sugar and butter a cupful of the juice of the fruit, and lastly whip In the stiffened whites Of the egg. Beat very hard at the last
 This Is most delicious sauce for frui. buildings of any kind. JENNIE D."
 We have abundant reason to congratulate ourselves today upon the number and variety of excellent recipes and practical suggestions contributed by active members of our Exchange. l feel personally in- debted to them for the ready and generous response to my expressed desire that they. rather than | should Ill this corner am proud of them and of their workl
 * #
 Recipe for Fruit Cdke Wanied.
 Can you mall me the recipe for Japan csc fruit cake? Some time last summer a cooking school was conducted here for ten days. I was prevented from attending by my absence from town. This fruit caka recipe was given to attendants of the school and as I was not there I failed to get it. Nor have I been able to find one since. should thank you a thousand times If you would procure it for me and let me have t by mall, ELEANOR r. T.
 As have told you in private letter. we cannot engage to mall recipes to cores pondents We should have no time for other work were we 10 do this.
 Furthermore--and this Is inall I have not the formula for which you ask. Your home Is In Atlanta. and the cooking school there was largely attended Knowing as I do, the kind hearts and willing hands of our Atlanta chapter can guarantee that this recipe will be forwarded to me for you when your appeal Is printed. This Is the best I can do. I wish 1t were mora satisfactory reply.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06

is afraid they might not have heard 1t. and just thought she would tell them