davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1912-05-25
SOCIAL CORNER POEM
Greeting to Jim.

fAars sumthin' to be thanlcfud fur, no matter how things go, Tn summer time fur fruit an flowers, in winter time fur snow, Thar's sumthin' sort O pleasant hap pens to us every day, An hfe's a perfect picnic ef we look at it that way. mars always sumthin' purty fur our weary eyes to see The glory O the kunset or the bhos- soms on the tree An always sumthin' tuneful fur our tired ears to hear The children's voices cnirpin' or the robins music clear. Ihars always sumthin' ready fur our Willin' hands to do Sum haltin' steps to help along, sum job to carry through No chance to be a-kickin' when our feet are busy Eoin', No time for idle growlin when we're planttn' seed and sowin'. Thsr's sumthin to be thankful fur, no matter how things go No end to all our blessin's ef we only count 'em so An even if you're out O sorts, or sick, or sad, or pore, Jest thank the Lord you're Twin, eff you can't do nottin' more
 UNO. Lebanon.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-05-25
MEMORIAL DAY.

The Civil war ended 47 years ago, and even now our young people, ana older people, too, regard Memorial day as 8. pleasant holiday for visiting and a ball game A few go to the large cemeteries and the small yards are visited by one or two delegates any time within a week of the day. Few of the public school children and not one-fourth of the Sunday school chil- dren march and the flowers are few, while other graves in the same yard are loaded with choice flowers which make the small punches of lilacs and swamp apple blossoms look even palmer by contrast It is unusual to see choice flowers on a soldiers grave unless they are put there by his family.
 The usual orator Is some young law yer or minister who was not born until years after the war was thing of the past, and his address is about the same that every schoolboy and girl learns in history, and about as interesting to the few men left who were there as the Buffalo Bill books are to the famous scout.
 Now this could be changed. The school and Sunday school teachers could influence most of their pupils to march and the parents should see lHdI they ale uSdliy LII ESGSu LAllA every town has plenty of flowers in the yards and gardens to cover every sol dler's grave one day in the year.
 As to the address, not one of the few old soldiers left but could tell a story worth listening, to. They would like to tell those stories. and some of the people would like to hear them, and, unlike the history we hear every year, these personal stories will soon be forgotten unless someone writes them down. And if there Is a wife or widow who was a wife in 1865 she should be with her soldier husband or his comrades and if by chance the town contains an old father or mother who gave son to his country, see that they are the honored guests.
 Grant, Sherman and even Lincoln could not have saved the nation with out the common soldiers.
 The little yards can be cared for by the school children and neighbors. May 30 just as well as any other day Who would celebrate July 4th a week later? Can we blame the boys for taking the day for a ball game when the sons and daughters of the old friends and neighbors neglect to honor either dead or living soldiers?
 ETTA BARBER.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-05-25
USES FOR FLOUR BAGS.

Dear Sisters of Social Corner: I wonder how many of you buy those cloth bags at the bakery shop such as they get their flour in. | n some shops you can get 12 bags for 25c, and some shops you get 13. Well, do you know that you can make many useful garments with them especially for the little ones. l suppose some of you will think this a queer idea. When these bags are cleaned and thoroughly washed, they are white and the cloth is heavy. For instance. these bags make nice dish towels, kitchen aprons. children's under garments. boys waists. overalls dresses. These garments can be made, then dyed any color you choose. l was dyeing carpet rags and l put one flour bag in the last bath; It took a yellow and I made my small boy fine pair of overalls. We'll, with F bags you can make a number of garments at a low cost.
 Some of the Sisters try this.
 A YOUNG MOTHER
Norwich bulletin., 1912-05-25
Phfladeiphla
BEE WAS DELIGHTED WITH HER
 SKY RIDE.

Dear Members of the Social CoTn@ra To those who have sent in remedies for catarrh I send thanks. The remedies will be passed on.
 Peggy Ann: am glad you tried my cream puff recipes and had good sue cess. l made some this morning. They were fine. Sometimes bake tha1nS nearly a half-hour. It all depends od the oven.
 Shut-in: While I have never had any desire to take a trip in a flying machine, the Sky ride 10 Maine" vas perfectly delightful Who ever said Bee was buzzing hit the nail on the head. all right.
 shut-in of N. S.: You wondered who I thought you were. I thought you a Mrs. c. C.. with a grown-up son. Do give me clue, although I may not know you.
 Little Rhody; What part of Rhode Island do you live in? Are you near Westerly?
 My heart goes out in sympathy to all the shut-ins who do not enjoy good health as that is certainly one of the greatest blessings one can have. I think all who sign themselves Shutin should say of Shut-in of wherever their residence may be- then we won't get them mixed. As I read the story last week I wondered which Shut-it wrote it am afraid I have buzzed in the Corner too long, so now will go into the kttch- en, as it is nearing noontlme.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-05-25
LETTER FROM AUNT INEVITABLE

Dear Sisters of the Social Corner: Once more the indehnable charm of the Social Corner is upon me. I shall have to postpone alarming your Uncle Zol- vah's stockings and chat a while with you
 Aline: No. my initials are not F. M. Guess again. l will help you. There Is not any ? in my name. but there are two Ms.
 Balsam Fir: Your practical sugges- tions for the sick room and for pre- venting smallpox and diphtheria were excellent. I think you must be a nurse or 8 doctors daughter. You were very kind to send me such pretty postals. I will write again before long.
 Hannah Who: Your recipes for meat less dishes were fine. l agree with you in thinking that it would be both more economical and more healthy to eat less meat.
 I enclose an assorted lot of hints and hope that the Sisters will find them as helpful as I have.
 If you have a hat that is sunk in or bent around the crown, get some of the ready-made shaped collar stiffening that is sold by the yard. Cut a piece the size of the crown of your hat and put between hat and lining. F'asten the stiffening at top and bottom to the hat. If there are holes in the crown. mend them by fastening the edges of the holes to the stiffening. Replace the trimming in a way that will cover the holes.
 If you will remember to always put your pins through the hat in the same places you will not be troubled with holes.
 Do not be destitute of a pocket when 5u oqe Tn 3r, coat. Insert it in @ seam on the right hand side, about twelve inches from the bottom of the petticoat
 If your skirt gets wet, put all the pleats carefully in place; if 1t be a dark skirt, pin them; if a light skirt haste them, to avoid rust stains. Lay an old sheet on the floor and spread your skirt thereon, with back of the skirt next the floor. Keep it as smooth and fiat as possible. Let 1t remain until dry and, If your work has been well done, the skirt will not need to be pressed
 If a coat or jacket which has pleats gets Vet, pin the pleats into place. put ! on a coat hanger and hang where nothing can rub against it. Those who do not care for low neck ed and short sleeved waists can econ omiZe on washing by making white and delicate colored waists with de tachable collars and cuffs which but ton for half their length. By changing the collar frequently and keeping the cuffs clean the waist can be worn longer. When doing anything at home which might soil the cuffs, unbutton and turn them back. I make two or | three collars of the same material as the waist and in a variety of patterns which can go into the weekly wash. I also make some of lace, linen net, and So forth, and launder the most delicate 6nes myself.
 Of course, there are occasions when
Norwich bulletin., 1912-05-25

if we now and then hunt up town we never had heard of before, or a river or mountain or island. When new word or a new phrase confronts us and we fail to find the meaning in our own reference books, if we keep hunting till we learn what We are after then we will have added one new thing to our memory, maybe sev- eraI new things, and we almost decide that there must be many new things under the sun.
 Eighth-Because we were all ch1l- dren once. and because many of us have children of our own, should com pei us to take interest in The Wide Awake Circle. They are striving to steer clear of the same old ruts which we stumbled into during our school days and which (alas!) we have never entirely crawIed out of. Therefore we may learn some things from the Wide Awakes.
 Iastly-Did you ever notice that the excuse some people give for not read ing the news is because the papers are so full of disasters and other peoples troubles? Well, well; if we didn't know that there were troubles worse than our own, how narrow minded and unsympathetic we would grow. As the late Clara Barton put it: We ought not to consider the mansions awaiting us on the other side of Jordan, you know, while there's an unsOlved hous- ing. problem so near home" She was referring to the tenement house laws. "Td neglect church." she said, I'd neglect religion. to get our vile and unwholesome slums all swept away"
 It's the practical. unselflsh people like this grand woman who accomplish great things.
 If I put in a good word for each Cornerite Gas I would like to) l will use too much valuable space, so here's health and prosperity to all.
 A DREAMER
Norwich bulletin., 1912-05-25
AuNTY's FRIED PIES.

Dear Editor and Slstersi Here I am again-it is hard to stay away. How l do enjoy the sunshine after so much rain. It inspires one so to sit out under the blue skies and watch Gods handiwork. The trees leaving out, the different vegetation taking on new growth, everything springing up and telling us that spring is here. How beautiful the fruit trees are in bloom. It makes eur hearts respond with the Scripturei Surely there is 6 God in Israel" and just as sure there is a resurrection.
 Readyi Are your initials M. s.? And did you move from Willmantic to where you are now?
 Samantha: Add me to your singing sku1e with the hymn, Count Your Many B1essings-Name Them One by One"
 Queen Bess; find a very good way to punish & child (and not always the small ones, either), is to deny them something they want most. A good method is to have slate handy, right in sight, where they can see it, and have 1t understood that every time they do wrong. or disobey, it shall be writ ten down, so as to be remembered; and then when said child wants to go somewhere, or wants something very bad, just point the slate and remind them; and as many times written down so many times denied. This works very well with older oness for some times picnic or baseball game comes in; but you must be firm if 1t keeps you home yourself. While don't be- neve in sending a child to bed sup perless, I do think it can be denied the full course, say just bread and but ter for instance; but be sure and let them know why you do it; and that you will do so every time. A child doesn't want to sit at the same table night after night and eat bread when the others, perhaps, have strawberries and cream, or other dainties that are quite soothing to the childs taste; but by all means let child know that when you say "No!" it means 'No!"
 I would like to have the sisters write their experience with a child | that will repeatedly do the same thing after being punished for 1t.
 Mamie: This is the way l mako my fried pies, and never have any trouble with them:
 Fried Pies: Take 1 quart of pastry | flour. teaspoons baking powder, 1-2 teaspoon of salt, sift together; mix into | the flour 1 teaspoon of butter, wet witt sweet milk so as to work In the hands; | take a piece the size of an egg sol out as near round as possible, and thlr as pie crust; put in your apple (whict has previously been prepared), 1 ta- blespoon on one-half of the dough fold over the other half, turn the edges up a very little, like a binding press down with the hands, fry in ho fat as you would doughnuts. In put ting into the fat be sure and put 1T with the up side down. In cooking thi' side first they are not so apt to sput- l ter; turn. and remove from the ia with a skinner; never pierce them
 Aline: Can you answer to the in itfals c. G.?
 Pink Rose; see you are being found out.
 Dollie: Let me hear from you fl some way. Did you receive the pack age and card S sent you1
 With best wishes.
 Willimantic. AUNT'E.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-05-25
TIMELY SUGGESTIONS FROM
 ALlNE.

Sisters of the Social Corner: won der how many of you have the pleas ure of owning a kitchen garden? If you haven't one already, then I ad- wise you to start one this spring.
 Have the man of the house blow and harrow small spot as near the back door as you can conveniently have 1t. Then do your own planting and caring for it. Have your rhubarb and horseradish there, currant and gooseberry bushes, a few strawberries, if you like, and raspberry and black berry vines. Be sure to have some cultivated dandelions, and mustard and cress.
 If you raise your dandelors you can spend the time on your garden that you used to spend in digging greens. As this is your own especial property you can put fin flowers also, and mix them in beside the vegetables, if you like.
 After you put in the things that are to stay. you can fill up the garden with anything which fancy may dicE tate, or the glowing descriptions in the seed catalogues may induce you to buy.
 Here ia an idea I got from these
Norwich bulletin., 1912-05-25
RoENA WRITES FROM PhILApEL.
 PHlA

Dear Editor and Sisters of the Social Corner: This morning when l took up my Bible to read my morning lesson turned to this verse: Come, Let as go forth into the field, let us lodge in the village" As these words were uttered by the wise man" we must accept them as being right and good.
 They especially appealed to me At this time for several reasons. First, because 1 love the country. To me there is nothing so beautiful as the woods, the meadow, the grass, the flowers and the singing of the birds. made by Gods own hand; and the sweet memories of my childhood home; and again, just at this time, when a specialist has ordered me to the coun- try, that l may regain my health and strength after a very trying winter and spring.
 At the present time l am with a dear friend in the City of BrOtberiy Love. one of the prettiest and cleanest cities I was ever in. As look out in front, as far as the eye can see, are nothing but massive structures of brownstone fronts 'Beautifull" they say. pre- fer to sit at the rear windows, where the backwards of two streets for one whole square are thrown in one mass of green, separated only by ornamental wire fencing, making it look like a Beautiful park surrounded by lovely homes. The grass is So lovely and green, the flowers so beautiful to look at. see the wives. the mothers of these homes, out with the lawn mower and rake, taking care of them. IL makes my heart glad to see them in- terested in the home: and at night when the husband returns after a busy In 7fTt s-fra -k A. them sit out on this beautiful lawn with their children playing around. making a happy playground for them. | All seem so happy and peaceful that l think there is found real home happd- ness
 My mind wanders back to another backyard that I was privileged to enter | about a year ago I went to see a dear friend that was convalescent and found them in the backyard among the beau tiful trees and fiowers, where they could see the vegetables and flowers growing from seeds planted by their ] own hands; and they said. Where could we go that we can rest and have | the comfort that we can have right here at homer"
 Memories of that viBit in the back D yard still finger 10 cheer. But there are unsightly backyarLfs Of course pn don't expect to find them among the homes that are represented in the csf- ner. A few hours work will make the backyard of place the pride and 1oy of it's occupants, instead of being a disgrace to a home 1t may be made very attractive.
 Wishing our Editor a rsstful surn- mer, and peace and happiness to ell our Sisters, I am your Sister
 ROENA ! PfYfla doyn1,ta
Norwich bulletin., 1912-05-25
co. SOLID COMES FORWARD WITH
 FACTS,

Dear Editor and Social Corner Friends Well, here l am again to claim more space in the Corner. should think you folks would get heartily tired of this squab bling be- tween Sunflower and myself. Any way, I'll try to introduce a new view of the question this week.
 sunflower; You have been advanc- ing your opinion of womens suffrage mostly from a theoretical view, l. e.. as to the women bettering political conditions, etc. However, as you ad- vised me, l have been Investigating conditions where women actually do vote.
 In the first place, I have noticed no actual change in political conditions which might be credited to the women as voters. unless it be the general dis satisfaction which seems to prevail in these states. For instance, in an April magazine l saw the picture of the wo- man mayor of a municipality in Kan sas, with a great deal of print about the efficiency of women as city off, cials. However, in yesterdays news paper I noticed an article stating that the members of the common council of this city had revolted against the may or and had threatened to resign if she were not removed.
 Of course, you have heard that wo- men jurors are declared unconstitu- tional in California, the latest equal suffrage state. Instead of profiting by the experience of other equal suffrage states, such as Colorado, Utah, Wy oming and Idaho, which have long ago found women jurors to be impractical ble, the women of California immedi- ately commenced to clamor for this privilege. They got it. too, in four diff ferent cases. The first case was that of a newspaper editor who publicly de- nounced woman suffrage. He was haled into court before a jury of wo- men on the charge of publishing pro- fane words. It is not known who pre- sented the charge, but you can imagine the verdict.
 The next case didn't amount to as much as the first one, for the court, immediately after opening, ruled that the prefxes Miss and Mrs. should be dropped. for the jurors were just plain citizens of the United States. In stantly there were important reasons why most of the jurors could not serve and the judge had to dismiss the jury because he could not get dozen to serve under that condition.
 In the third case the jury disagreed Ellu Lue JUd6b anu HCIo llLdlly ODuBeQ to bring in & verdict contrary to their own opinions.
 In the fourth case the jury acquitted woman. accused of throwing a stone through a window. on the ground that If she had intended to hit the window sale would have nit something else. as woman always misses her aim
 As 4 result of these astonishing su- perla lively unequaled Yerdicts, Attor- ney General Webb announced that wo- men jui1es were unconstitutional.
 In Massachusetts. where women do not vote in elections (and probably never will. l find that a great number of women are directly opposed to equal suffrage. Tn fact, there is an anti suffrage club composed of more than sixteen thousand women, in Massa- chuGette. which always sends dele- getas ts every congressional meeting,
Norwich bulletin., 1912-05-25
FAIRY GODMOTHBR,
RELIEF FOR FLOOD SUFFERERS.

Editor Social Corner: A certain so- ciety in Old Mystic has resolved into a relief committee for the Mississippi flood sufferers They were collecting clothing to send when a lady-not a member asked If they would accept money, and gave them g. With this they bought material Gndigo-bme cal leo at seven cents per yard) for two dozen dresses for children of two or three years. They will make these and more like them, and send by mail to the Flood Sufferers Relief Commit mittee New Orleans, Ia. This address was sent them by Rand-McNally of the Christian Herald, who writes
 "The conditions in Louisiana are are such that assistance of this tyne will be very greatly appreciated at this time" Since the express com panies do not carry such parcels free, as they ought, we shall have to send
Norwich bulletin., 1912-05-25
A DUST CLOTH BAG.


 Dear Social Corner listers Here is something pretty and sometimes use full: A dust cloth bag. I had one given me-very pretty-two white null or sheer handkerchiefs, large size with either colored border or flowers. Mine is both. One is laid fiat on the table (square), the other has hole cut in the center large enough to put the hand in. Bind the hole with ribbon, same color as border or flowers. Place on top of other handkerchief crosswise so a point will come between each straight side; stitch down. Then sew four small brass rings around hole. After they are cTocheted with a silkateen the color of ribbon, fasten piece of rib bon, white or colored, to rings, to hang up bag by. This can be used for veils, gloves, dust cloth or a piece of em- broidery. J. E. T.
 YantiQ
Norwich bulletin., 1912-05-25

in which the subject comes up, to op- pose equal suffrage for women. Verify, l believe some women are becoming sensible
 Aline: No. I'm not that boy who dared to question vote. Such feat is beyond the extent of my valor. Mamie: Am glad to hear from an- other Hampton Cornerite Aren't your Initials M. P? and don't you live on The HiIT'?
 Ct0 crOI rn
Norwich bulletin., 1912-05-25

same seed catalogues. am saving the colored plates. Shall cut out the veg etables, like tomatoes, corn. apples, etc. Cut a number of leaves of blank paper like each, use the colored vege- tables as a cover, tie together vita narrow ribbon and have neat lttno booklets into which to copy recaDeA Have a number of tomato recipes for the one with a tomato cover, corn recs- pes for the corn-covered booklet and son on- Then I shall upe them next Christmas instead of tuck-in c1rdH to go with the Christmas gifts-
 AIIGM
Norwich bulletin., 1912-05-25
WOULD CHANCE PEN NAME.

Dear Alfne: thank you for re- membering me. I still claim member ship this delightful Corner.
 Have been silently trying to solve a problem: perhaps you can help me. I am growing older and wiser now, and don't you think I should have a more mature name?
 This being leap year. perhaps it would be good time to make the change. What say?
 SWEET SIXTEEN,
Norwich bulletin., 1912-05-25
ALL WORTH KNOWING.

Dear Shut-In: I must admit the Social Corner sisters and brothers are all worth knowing, and when Nat Glenwood and Shut-In, with others, get to story writing, they are all that could be desired.
 I shall purchase a book so as to save the stories from year to year to have them is book form so as to read when I am short on literature.
 Must thank the person who kindly sent me suffragette papers; and per haps it would please and interest them to know have subscribed for while. With love and good wishes to all, will close.
 CENTENNIAL SQUARE.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-05-25
FAIRY GoDMoTHER'S KINDLY
 GREETINGS.

Dear Editor and Children: How are you all, this damp and rainy weather? How are you all after the Maine trip? l enjoyed it very much: but I md 1 am not as young as I was a few years ago. l think the change of air did not agree with ma. I caught 2 dreadful cold. I think this morning if is little better I must have sat in a draught
 I was pleased to meet with my Maine children. Trust they will come to Con nectcut some time, and we must give them as pleasant a time as they did us.
 With best wishes to all my children. l remain your
 FAIRY GODMOTUEP
Norwich bulletin., 1912-05-25

filled drop carefully in kettle of hot lard; then get another ready and put in. Roll your dough out thin Have the fat hot as for doughnuts and be careful not to burn.
 This recipe makes eight good sized ones. You can also use mince meat or stewed apricot like stewed dried apples best
 MORNING GLORY.