davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14
Recipes for Sour Meat.

have seen request for cooking sour
meat Although L am a young married
woman, 1 may be classed as good cook
My mother is. and L have learned from her.
So here is the direction for sour meat. AL
most any kind of meat may be prepared in
this way. Wash meat well, salt it, and
put into a stone crock with small onion
cut up fine. few Shoes of lemon, and a
half teaspoon of aIlspice sprinkled over the
meat Add to this a cup of raw vinegar
and just enough water to cover the meat
Let it stand in cool place for from three
days to week, then cook 1t as you wish
When such meat is roasted, gravy made OF
sour cream makes an excellent dish
Mrs c. F.
ITO the request for sour meat and rab-
bit wish to say that it is a German dish,
and that the directions for it ara follows:
Place the meat in vinegar, onions. and
spice enough TO cover, for two days. Then
cook as pot roast. and instead of adding
water while cooking. add the liquor in which
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14

retort in reply to this argument that If he
had so few he thought he might at least
have space for them to hang undisturbed,
and truth obliged me to admit that he had
a measure of common sense on his side.
When women reach the point that they
VIII allow their husbands and sons to have
closets and bureau drawers to themselves
I will take the stump for woman suffrage,
was the announcement of another man
Gently.
Did you ever know a man who had
whole closet he could call his own. into
which one of his wifes extra frocks never
intruded, where he could be sure Of finding
his garments undisturbed after he had once
hung them there? If any of you have
think your reports would make excellent
and instructive reading. and if you could
truthfully state this privilege or right.
whichever you choose to term it, was &C
corded the man of free will and not as the
result of a family squabble. we would ali be
nightly impressed!
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14
Grievance Has Foundation.

1 grant that our houses are almost all in
adequately supplied with closet room In
spite of the citation this subject. which
has existed fer years PASTOR the man
complaint of lack of place to hang his
clothes is no new thing-architects and
builders have failed to meet the need in
this as in many other respects.
When we see with how little considera-
ton for the housekeeper the average kitch-
en- and pantry are planned, the lack of
judgment displayed in putting in water
pipes so that they will not freeze and are
accessible in case of leaks. and a few
other details which one might think should
be met by ordinary common sense, don t
know that we can marvel though some
strange thing had befallen US when the sup
ply of closet room is below the demand.
If we women had our way we would
proba bly, like to attack the situation in a
whole hearted, high handed fashion, put
up additions, cut off corners of rooms, and
in other generous ways increase our stock
of closet room. Perhaps there may be
woman here and there who is fortuna te
enough to be able to do something of the
kind, but she is in the minority. What is
there that the others can do to meet John
grievance in a practical and helpful fash
ION.
For, I have said. his grievance has
solid founda tions. If it were not for his
forbearance and his blessed tendency to
cosset and spoil his wife and da lighters
he would have done more than grumble and
Joke about conditions long before this As
1t is he goes on, crowding two or three
suits upon one long suffering peg sub
hitting to inconvenience ind a annoyance a s
d matter of course. with only now and then
& harsher protest than a jest. ---,..z
Under the circumstances can a man he
blamed for not being the pink of orderli
ness? When he is of the congenitally tidy
type-and there are few of them among
men-he has the reputation usually of being
:" Miss Nancy " and renders himself ex-
tremely unpopular among those who suffer
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14
No Room for Mans Things.

If a symposium were held to which only
the men among our Cornerites could con-
tribute I afraid would be over
whelmed by the volume of similar plants
and complaints We have all laughed over
the story of the woman who drew the plans
for her own house and made it consist of
three floors composed entirely of closets.
twelve to floor. and men are in the habit
of jeering at her notions of architecture.
but l have no doubt that if any one of
them hoped that a single closet of the
thirty-six would be assigned to him for his
undisputed and untrespassed upon use he
would encourage formation of school
of such architecture. withthe closet woman
at the head of it, --
OF course, there is an instant plea from
you that a woman has many more clothes
than a man, and, that he is able to get along
with half the number of suits she is obliged
to have. Only the other day heard man
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14
Have Bags for Heavy Fabrics.

Have Bags for Heavy Fabrics.
Let me give a few words of decided advice
as to such closets these. In the nrst
place. have them substantially put to-
gether, that they may not be shaky and
g wabbly." In the second place. hang
your curtain for the front on rod with
rings, and make it of cretonne or other
wash goods, that it may be taken down and
lauudered frequently when dust settles
in it. Thirdly, do not hang your best gar
ments in such an open closet. unless you
put them in bags.
Such a closet is better for dressing gowns
- tub frocks." night dresses, wash slips
and petticoats than for gowns made OF silk
or wooden amy fabric which will catch
and hold dust. If such must be hung here
make bags which will protect them and
keep them clean.
Because of this trouble counsel you to
put your clothes in such a skeleton closet
and give John the closet with a door, If
there is one in the house. There may be
men who would take the trouble to put
their dress clothes and their Sunday suits
into bags to keep them from the dust, but
I have never met one, and 1 have an idea
he would be uncommonly hard to live with.
John may be the neatest of men, but the
proclivity in that direction which would
lead him to hang his clothes in bags would,
I fear. render him unduly fussy in other
lines.
II you can't achieve another closet make
the best of the old one, and the wisest
way to do this is by means Of rod and
hangers. BY the help of this you triple
more the capacity of the closet, and do
it without crowding your clothes to the
extent of injuring them.
This rod is to be run from end to end of
the closet, may be of brass or wood-an
ordinary curtain rod will answer perfectly
and must be fastened securely, since IL
will have much weight to bear. Back of it,
on the hooks at the rear wall of the closet
may be hung skirts, slips, combinations,
wrappers. kimonos. and the like. The
hangers for skirts and waists and gowns
are on the rod, also hangers for trousers
and coats.
Marshal the latter at one side, the former
at the other. and between the two tie
big ribbon bow to mark the boundary line
between your space and Johns.
say "a big bow Make 1T also of a
color which will not blend with that of the
garments on either side and thus make con-
fusion. Tack it to the rod II this is of
wood, and If of brass devise some other
way for fastening 1t securely, so that It
shall not slip inadvertently away from it's
original moorings and rob John of his own
space.
Won't you try this plan and see how it
works? L have an idea that 1t will make
for Johns comfort and for your peace of
mind to quite astonishing extent, and
shall await with interest your comments
upon the scheme. its test, and its outcome.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14

AM a boy of IA. 1 still go to school
% and hope to be graduated in June
out whether 1 am or not feel that
I ought to do something to help
at home, a. L have no father and
my mother goes out washing and there
are others besides myself to care for. She
is not strong. for she has had to go to
the hospital three times for operations
and once with broken knee. L am
not strong myself and have been under
medical care for pulmonary tuberculosis,
and the doctor says 1 must sleep in the
open air and be out all can and have milk
and eggs. L would get a good job
errand boy to deliver light parcels if I had
a bicycle. 1t would be good for my health
and 1 could be getting my living. Do you
think any one has boys wheel and would
be willing TO give it to me?
Mother wishes me to have more educa-
ton. yet she says school is only really the
foundation; and 1 guess any boy who wants
TO can learn after. he leaves school, and
can see that my help is needed in the home
1 can have chances TO learn many things
and work. too.
Will you please try to get me bicycle
and shall be very grateful to you and to
the kind giver. and will gladly call any
where for it. know this is big thing to
ask. but there are big hearts in the world
and so my wish may be granted. but if I'M
disappointed L viii try to bear it bravely.
GEORGE"
Bless the boys heart, 1 wish 1 had
bicycle TO give him myself. and I hope that
some one else will be impressed as 1 am by
the straightforward. manly Ietter-some
one who owns a bicycle to give the lad
His home is in Chicago, that center of
generosity and kindness. where appeals
for help seldom fail to receive prompt and
efficient response The sort of hoy This
a. should be encouraged to follow a line of
work which will improve his health, as
the outdoor exercise on the bicycle surely
ought to Go. and then he may be able to
extend his school education
While he is right in. thinking there is
much to be learned outside of school. and
while l entirely comprehend his eagerness
to help his widowed mother. yet the fact
remains that the boy who has had more
tnan the grammar school course usually is
fitted TO earn more money and to do better
work than the boy who enters the ranks
of the wage earners and stops regular
study before he goes through high school.
In either case the first need in Georges
career is for that bicycle. and, shall await
eagerly the generous response which I am
sure will come
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14
Recipe for Canning Asparagus.

Will you please give a recipe for can
ring asparagus? 1 have never seen one in
your Corner. MRS. T. w. M"
One recently appeared, but as you evil
IDENTIFY missed it l repeat it.
Pour water into an asparagus boiler add
salt, and when the water boils lay in the
asparagus Boil until tender but not until
soft or broken. Take out carefully, stand
the stalks up. the tops uppermost, in glass
Jars: fill these to overlooking with the boil
irg water, seal at once. Be sure the rub
hers and tops are perfect. Keep in a dark
cool closet.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14

1 have put these two requests for recita-
lions and the offers of them side by side.
and hope to have applications for the ad-
dresses and the promise Of the desired Sc
lections before long. These ought to be in
any good collection of popular recitations.
There several recipes for devils food,
and L glad to print one with the send
er's assurance that it can be relied upon
a s correct.
Any letter addressed to John D. Rookie
Teller, New York City, will reach him.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14

EFT me enlist the synpathies of each
Of you women who has John of
her own in the woes of one of hem.
@ He puts them into a wall calculated
to touch the hearts of us all, and the
burden of it is he has place for his
clothes in any closet in the house.
II were face 10 face with you I am sure
1 would catch guilty twinkle of the eyes of
nearly every How many of you have
heard the same plant in your own homes?
This especial John tells that when they
moved into the house in which they now
dwell a whole closet was assigned to him for
his very own, and he was simple enough to
believe that he was really to possess for his
private use the twenty-thPee hooks that 1t
contained. -t
His dream of bliss was short lived. He
does not state how soon it was he learned
that he had a recognized right to only one
of the number. but he does say that, de-
termined to have place for his clothes, he
forthwith built an addition to the closet
Even this has not awaited him, however,
and he means that the only point he can de-
pend on for hanging his clothes, in addition
to the one hook already mentioned. is the
bed post
Upon this tale the paper which prints it
comments as follows:
e This matter of closets has not received
the attention it deserves. In discussions of
divorce and of wife desertion it is almost
never mentioned, and yet 1t is probably the
greatest one influence in wrecking domestic
harmony. The wonder is that this common
long standing wrong has not led to ac
tivities on the part of men that would rival
in violence those to which the British
militants have let themselves be driven by
the mere lack of vote. -
= while ago another martyr let himself
go in print with a cry of anguish to the eff
feet that he had to disentangle his clothes
hung in the closet. from his wife's frocks.
hung there, every time he wanted to change
his clothes. and that he always found her
dinner dress hung over his evening clothes.
and her house frock over his second best
suit.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14

Floor The Maniac and The Sweat
shop Victim 1 will exchange some good
recitations. The Last Hymn, The Polish
Boy. and A Country Curate.' CD
g would be glad to obtain the poem
titled Curfew Shall Not Ring Tonight,
and will pay postage on same. Some one
asked for the song entitled The Faded
Coat of Blue and l will be glad to send
this if it is still wanted.
II inclose a fine recipe for devils food
cake which is economical and good. The
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14
Chelsea Bun Recipe.

would like to preface the next recipe
with a little story anenr a request for the
recipe for Chelsea buns which came to me
not long since. In the days :" when George
l. was king" and the other three who sue
ceeded him. there was famous old hosiery
at Chelsea. which was then a suburb Of Lon
don, instead of very integral part of It a 8 It
is today. The inn resembled the still ex-
istent Cheshire cheese and other as noted
taverns and eating places which have now
passed away.
To the old Chelsea shrine of buns the fine
gentlemen and ladies' OF the court used to
drive. and 1t became the resort for fashion
able beaux and bellies who made what to-
day would be called :" fad +" of trips down
to Chelsea for the sake of eating the classic
buns.
The owner of the hosiery waxed rich
from the popularity won for him by his
buns, and his ambition moved him to pull
down his building and erect greater. He
tore the old house to pieces and in its place
put up a new hotel with all the modern
improvements of that date. and then sat
down and waited for an increased rush
of custom. 1t never came! The charm of
the quaint old surroundings had been de-
stroyed, and with it went the vogue of the
buns, and the success of the man who had
made them.
But the excellence of the buns is unirn-
paired. and 1 have been fortunate enoupb
to have the recipe given to me by an Eng
hshwonan in whose family the Instructions
for their manufacture have been Cherished
for generations She assures me they are as
good now as they were in the day when the
gay lords and ladies of the English court
made them the vogue and that they have
borne transportation to American sol! and
are as well liked by the lovers OF good food
of this day al they were in the eighteenth
century.
CHELSEA BUNS-When bsking bread
take lump Of the dough after 1t has risen
With the hand make hollow in the rniddIa-
Into this put little milk and Iurnp Of
butter. Mix by kneading thoroughly. tbep
pound it with a rolling pin 1.-THE longer n -
pounded the lighter and whittier It becornesI
set it in a warm place again to raise a SCI
ond time. then handle lightly ard roll o,,t
spreading over. 1t currants, white OF egg
and sugar Roll up like jelly roll, slice and
bake. When done, brush over the tons uI,b .
sweetened milk and shake on sugar
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14

ingredients must be added exactly in
the recipe. The batter may seem too thin.
but do not add more -four or it will spoil
the cake:
Two cups sugar, half cup butter orlard
yolks of three eggs, half cup chocolate. one
cup boiling water, two cups flour, one cup
sour milk (not too sour). one teaspoon soda.
whites of three eggs, whipped stiff. Flavor
with vanilla.
"Can you give me the address of John
D. Rockefeller? M Pr
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14
Cherries of Home Manufacture.

Cherries of Home Manufacture.
' Can some one tell me how to make
Maraschino and mint cherries? NJ. H. c."
must refer this to some better informed
reader. The Maraschino and mint cher
ries I have eaten have been the product
of the confectioner's art and not home
manufacture. If any one can tell us how
to make them in the ordinary kitchen we
shall all be glad to know the method.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14

To steady the closet. shelf may be put
across the lower part, about ten inches
from the floor, leaving space to clean
underneath, and shoes and boxes may be
kept on this shelf.
The height of the closet should be at
least six feet. so that gowns or coats may
be hung in It at full length.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14

me. and I am sure am not mistaken in be-
lieving I shall receive suggestions from
divers quarters of useful expedients which
you have discovered for yourselves to re-
lieve the pressure upon overfilled closet
room.
One of the means resorted to most ire
quently, and which is IN many cases as sat
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14

ance and long suffering. but volumes also.
to my mind. to their lack of order. of
system, if not of self-respect-or else vol
umes as to their phenomenal tidiness, in
comparison with which the neatness of the
sailor or the soldier, who must keep his
belongings in rigorous trim. shrinks into
insignif1cance.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14
MARION HARLAND'S HELPING HAND

the meat has been lying. rabbits are
cooked in the same way. MRS. H. B."
I have no doubt these recipes will be well
coined not only by the German hausfrauen
but also by the lovers of German cookery
of any nationality.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14

and mother that during the twenty-five
years they have been married they have
had only one bureau, one desk, and one
closet between them?" a girl asked me the
other day
Truly, it spoke volumes, in more ways
than one. Volumes to their forbear-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14

Suppose circumstances oblige you-as is
probably the case with many of you-to
occupy restricted space, to have to put up
with crowded conditions, without the
power to change them radically, what can
be done?
There are several things which occur to
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14
Remoping Stain from Dress.

Here is a help I appreciate so much
that would like to pass it on. I had a
dainty baby dress almost ruined with red
ink when a friend came 10 my rescue and
told me to pour melted suet over the
stains and LEI it stand for twenty-four
hours. 1 did and then washed it in
lukewarm water. using a good white soap
and gradually increasing the temperature
of the water until it was hot enough to
take out the grease When dry the dress
was as snowy as ever
Mrs H E A
Why could not the same process be en-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14

ployed 10 remove black ink stains from
white wash fabrics? Has any one ever tried
it? The suggestion of the suet is new one
to me, but it would be very valuable if 1t
could be used with black well with
red ink. I glad to have the idea and
grateful also for the recipes sent, which
will be printed elsewhere.
* *
Tho Requests and Offers.
viii you please get for me the follow
ing recitations: The Face on the Barroom
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14

DINNER.
Cream of tomat to soup.
Brunswick stew of lamb
Boiled rice.
Raspberry shortcake and cream.
Coffee.
i: y
FRIDAY.
BREAKFAST.
5.1nanas and cream.
Puffed rice
Bacon.
Boiled eggs
Toast.
Coffee.
LUNCHEON.
Cheese fondu.
Fried hominy Ia left-over).
Asparagus and pea salad "a left-over).
Crackers.
Cream cheese
Marmalade.
Tea.
DINNER.
Green pea soup.
Broi1ed shad
Mashed potatoes.
Dreamed carrots
Raisln puHs.
Coffee.
* X
SATURDAY,
BREAKFAST.
Oranges.
Oatmeal and cream
Fried eggs.
Rolls.
Toast.
Coffee.
LUNCHEON
Shad roe and bacon.
English mullins, toasted
Baked potatoes
Lemon jelly.
Cookies
Coffee
DINNER
Cabbage chowder.
Boiled corn beef. horseradish-
Lima beans
Boiled potatoes with cream gravy.
Strawberries and cream
Coffee.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14
Home for Middle aged Woman.

Do you know of a MIDDLE aged or young
woman, between 30 and 80, who would be
glad of good home and would be willing to
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14

from his virtues. But unless he is born
neat we cannot wonder that he drifts into
careIe ssness about his garments and puts
them where he can find room for them in
stead of where they belong.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14

isfactory as anything know is what is
called skeleton closet. AS the name indi-i
Gates, this is framework, which ma be
made of pine and painted to match the
woodwork of the room. The top and sides
are of boards, the back is an open frame,
the front is sked by a curtain.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14

help with the work? We but three in
family-no small chidren-and live in a two
family house. 1 am alone all day, and as
am not well acquainted in the city, having
lived here only eight months, 1 get lonely
at times and would like some for com
pany. We could do the work together. OF
course I want some one who is honest. neat.
and cheerful. My home is in New Haven,
Conn, and 1 would be so thankful if
could have some nice person to live with
me, for all my relatives live elsewhere.
" MRS. B
Here is a chance for the right sort of per
son. one who is left alone and wishes a
home. who is qualified to do light house
work and accustomed to it, and who can
furnish good references. These Mrs. b
would of course be prepared to supply on
her own account. The applicant for the
position must bear in mind she should come
from a place which is not distant a long
and expensive journey.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14
In Need of a Tppewriter.

am a woman who makes living for
herself and her grandehild by copying on a
typewriter. My machine is old fashioned
end about worn out, and l cannot afford to
buy new one. Do you think some kind
person would give me a good, up to date
machine for which he has use? Some
people buy machines and hardly ever use
them after getting them. L shall be so
thankful if my request shall reach such a
person, for I am in sore need of a good
machine. MRS. NJ. c.
Another appeal from Chicago, and I
hope it may meet the eyes of some one with
machine to give away, for the picture of
a grandmother dependent for her own liv-
ing and that of a grandchiId on the work
she can do with an obsolete typewriter is to
me distinctly pathetic 1 myself have
known persons who have bought machines
III the expectation of using them and then
have either wearied of the work or been
diverted to something else. They are not
plentiful, but they do exist, and 1 hope their
attention may be turned towards the need
Of Mrs NJ. c.