davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01
Grievance Has Foundation.

I grant that our houses are almost all In
adequately supplied with closet room. In
spite of the agitation on this subject which
has existed fer years PASTOR the mans
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 considers
tion 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 as 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
probably like to attack the situation in a
Whole hearted high handed fashion, put
u 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 fortunate
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 Johns
grievance in a practical and helpful fash
ion.
For, as I have said, his grievance has
solid foundations. If it were not for his
forbearance and his blessed tendency to
cosset and spoil his wife and daughters
he would have done more than grumble and
Joke about conditions long before this AS
it is he goes on. crowding two or three
suits upon one long suffering peg, sub
hitting n ipconVen niapce nd anpoyapoa a
matter of course with only now and then
harsher protest than jest.
Under the circumstances can a man be
blamed for not being the pink of orderl-
ness When he is of the congenitally tidy
type-and there are few of them among
men-he has the reputation usually of being
a Miss Nancy and renders himself ex-
tremely unpopular among those who suffer
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01
No Room for Mans Things.

If symposium we're held to which only
the men among our Cornerites could con-
tribute ] am afraid we would be over
whel,ned 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 mouse and made it consist of
three floors composed entirely of closets,
twelve to a floor, and men are in the hablt
of jeering at her notions of architecture,
but ! have no doubt that If any one of
them hoped that single closet of the
thirtyslx would be assigned to him for his
undisputed and untrespassed upon use he
would encourage the formation of a school
of such architecture. with the closet woman
at the head of I'll
OF course, there is an instant plea from
you that 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 a man
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01
Have Bags for Heavy Fabrics.


X i:
Have Bags for Heavy Fabrics.
Let me give d lew woros OF aeclded advice
as to such closets as these. In the hrst
place. have them substantially put to-
gether, that they may not be shaky and
wabbly." In the second place, hang
your curtain tor me front on a rod with
rings, and make 1t of cretonne or other
wash goods, that 1t may be taken down and
laundered frequently when dust settles
In 1t. 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 pettieoats than for gowns made OF silk
or woolen or any 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 l counsel you to
put your clothes in such a skeleton closet
and give John the closet with a door, IL
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
l have never met one, and have an idea
he would be uncommonly hard to live with
John may be the neatest of men, but the
procivity in that direction which would
lead him to hang his clothes In bags would.
l 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
RV he hal ~ tripl a
or more the capacity of the closet. and do
1t without crowGing 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 win answer perfectly
and must be fastened securely, since It
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, klmonos, 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 a
big ribbon bow to mark the boundary line
between your space and Johns.
I 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 1t to the rod If this is of
wood, and if of brass devise some other
way for fastening It securely, so that it
shall not slip inadvertently away from its
original moorngs and rob John of his own
space.
Won't you try this plan and see how It
works? I have an idea that It will make
for Johns comfort and for your peace of
mind to a quite astonishing extent, and
shall await with interest your comments
upon the scheme. its test and its outcome.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01

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 40 admit that he had
a measure of common sense on his side.
"When women reach the point that they
will allow their husbands and sons to have
closets and bureau drawers to themselves
1 will take the stump for woman suffrage
was the announcement Of another man re-
Gently.
Did you ever know a man who had a
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
truthfuly state this privilege or right
whichever you choose to term 1t, was ac-
corded the man of free will and not as The
result of a family squabble, we would all be
nightly impressed!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01
Chelsea Bun Recipe.

l would like to preface the next recipe
with little story anent 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 "a famous old hosiery
at Chelsea. which was then suburb of Lon
don. instead of very integra part of It S II
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 fas hion-
able beaux and bellies who made what to-
day would be called fad OF trips Gown
TO Chelsea for the sake of eating the classic
buns.
Inc owner of the hostelry 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. anG 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. ana with IL went the vogue of tne
buns, and the success of the man 10 had
made them.
But the excellence of the buns is unim-
paired. and l have been fortunate enough
to nave the recipe given to me by an Eng
lishwoman 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 Erg,ish court
made them the vogue. and that they have
borne transportation to American soil and
are as we'll liked BY the lovers cf go.- .ood
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01

ri AM boy of II. still go to school
~ and hope to be graduated in June
,ut wheth 81 | am or not feel that
ought to do something to help
OF home. as | 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 a broken knee. | 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 good job as
eyrand boy to deliver light parcels if l had
bicycle 1t would be good for my health
and l 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 l guess any boy who wants
TO can learn after he leaves school. and l
can see that my help is needed in the home.
can have chances to learn many things
and work, too.
: Will you please try TO get me a bicycle.
and | shall be very grateful TO you and to
the kind giver. and will gladly call any
d
ask. but there are big hearts in the world
and SO my wish may be granted. but If am
disappointed l will try to bear it bravely.
GEORGE"
Bless the boys heart l wish l had a
bicycle to give him myself. and L hope that
some one else will be impressed as l am by
the straightforward. manly letter-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 pre- mpt and
efficient response. The SORT Of boy this
is should be encouraged to follow line of
work which will improve his health. as
the outdoor exercise on the bicycle surely
ought to do. 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 entirely comprehend his eagerness
to help his widowed mother. yet the fact
remains that the boy who has had more
than 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 l shall await
eagerly the generous response which am
sure will come
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01

Let it stand in a cool place for from three
days to a 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, l wish to say that 1t is German dish,
and that the directions for it ara as follows:
Place the meat in vinegar. onions, and
spice enough to cover, for two days. Then
cook az a pot roast. and instead of adding
water while cooking. add the liquor in which
the meat has been lying. 1.abbits are
cooked in the same way MRS II. b.
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 Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01

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 1t is still wanted
inclose a fine recipe for devils food
cake which is economical and good The
ingredients must be added exactly as in
the recipe. The batter may seem too thin.
but do not add more -four or 1t will spoil
the cake:
Two cups sugar. half cup butter or lard,
yolks of three eggs half cup chocolate one
cup boiling water two cups -four one cup
sour milk mot 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 p"
l have put these two requests for recita-
tions and the offers of them side by side,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01
Words Of THE Dismal Spame.

old poem, The Dismal swamp l recall
lew lines: 'She has gone to the lake OF the
dlslnal swamp, ele. Also. L Woula ike TO
know wnere 1 can Obtain bell Elocullon.'
Has any one ola story papers? / do not care
now old and will be glad to pay postage on
them. l nave magazines illustrating nee
die work of all kinds. besides other reading
matter, If any one cares for them. This is
my first letter to the Helping Hand
MRS. b. G. B."
We shall hope to hear from you often
again and trust that not only the poem
you seek may be forthcoming, but the pa
pers and magazines as we'll. l am glad to
print your offer OF the needlework maga-
zines and | foretel Il prompt request for
them. Your address will be given ON appli-
cation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01

EFT me enlist the sympathies of each
OF you women who has a John of
her own in the woes Of one of them
- He puts them into a wall calculated
to touch the hearts of us all, and the
burden of 1t is he has place for his
clothes in any closet in the house!
If were face TO face with you am sure
would catch a guilty twinkle of the eyes of
nearly every one. How many of you have
heard the came plaint in your own homes?
This especial John tells that when they
moved into the house in which they now
dwell 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-three hooks that 1t
contained.
His dream OF bliss was short lived He
does not state how soon 1t was he learned
that he had 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 closetl
Even this has not availed 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 1t
comments as follows:
This matter Of closets has not received
The attention 1t 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 a votel "
while ago another martyr let himself
go In print with a cry OF anguish to the ef-
feet that he had to dsentangle his clothes
hung in the closet from his wifes 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 Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01

OF this day they were In the eighteenth
century.
CHELSEA BUNS-When baking bread
take a lump of the dough after 1t has risen-
With the hand make hollow in the middle
Into this put little milk and a lump of
butter Mix by kne aiding thoroughly, then
pound 1t with rolling pin 1.-The longer it is
pounded the lighter and whittier it becomes |,
set 1t in warm place again 10 raise see-
ond time. then handle lightly and roll out
spreading over 1t currants. white of egg,
and sugar. Roll up like jelly roll. slice, and
bake When done brush over the tops with
sWeetened milk and shake on sugar
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01

Conn. and I would be 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
X X
In Need of Typewriter.
Il am a woman who makes a living for
herself and her grandchild by copying on
typewriter My machine is old fashioned
enc about worn out, and l cannot afford to
buy new one. Do you think some kind
person would give me good, up to date
machine for which he has no use? Some
reople buy machines and hardly ever use
them after getting them. l shall be so
thankful If my request shall reach such
person, for I am in soreS need Of a good
machine. MRS M. c"
Another appeal from Chicago, and
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 grandchild on the work
she can do with an obsolete typewriter is to
me distinctly pathetic l myself have
known persons who have bought machines
In 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 hope their
ettention may be turned towards the need
Of Mrs. M. G.
4: x
Removing Stain from Dress.
Here is help | appreciate so much
that l would like to pass it on. had a
dainty baby dress almost ruined with red
ink when friend came to my rescue and
told me TO pour melted suet over the
stains and let it stand for twenty -four
hours. | did SO and then washed it in
lukewarm water. using 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-
ployed TO 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 it
could be used with black as well as with
red ink. l am glad to have the idea and
grateful also for the recipes sent, which
VIII be printed elsewhere.
4 4:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01
Recipes for Sour Meat.

have seen a request for cooking sour
meat. Although I am a young married
woman, l may be classed as a good cook
MY mother is, and I 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 1t, and
put into stone crock with a small onion
cut up fine. a few slices of lemon, and
half teaspoon of allspice sprinkled over the
meat Add to this a cup of raw vinegar
and just enough water to cover the meat
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01
Home for Middle Aged Woman.

:" Do you know of a middleaged or young
woman. between 80 and 30, who would be
glad of good home and would be willing to
help with the work? We are but three in
family-no small chidren-and live in two
family house. am alone all day, and as I
am not we'll acquainted in the city, having
lived here only eight months. get lonely
at times and would like some one for COM
pany. We could do the work together OF
course want some one who is honest neat
and cheerful. MY home is in New Haven.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01
Cherries of Home Manufacture.

" Can some one tell me how to make
Maraschino and mint cherries? NJ II. c."
reader. The Maraschino and mint cher
res l have eaten have been the product
of the confectioners 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 Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01

me, and | am sure I am not mistaken in be-
lieving | shall receive suggestions from
divers quarters of useful expedients which
you have discovered for yourselves to re-
leve the pressure upon overfilled closet
room.
One of the means resorted to most fire.
quently and which is in many cases s sat
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01

ance and long suffering. but volumes also.
to my mind. as 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. sfrinks into
insignificance
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01

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 Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01

To steady the closet. a shelf may be put
across the lower part, about ten inches
from the floor leaving space to clean
underneath, and shoes and boxef 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 1t at full length
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01

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 are several recipes for devils food,
and l am glad to print one with the send
er's assurance that it can be relied upon
as correct.
Any letter addressed to John D. Rookie
feller, New York City, will reach him
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01
Pcnnants for a Boys Room.

am young boy. and wish you would
ask the ladies II they will not send me some
pennants to decorate my room. l have
wanted them for a long time. My sister
made some for me, but they are not like the
real ones. If | can't get the pennants I
would like some little flags or things that
would fix up boys room Z. d. s."
Always have held that the boy feels as
keen a desire for an attrastive room as does
his sister. He may not wish the same sort
of things she Graves, but he longs. too, to
have his room come up to his ideal OF it.
l hope there are mothers of sons who have
a few outgrown ornaments and pennants
no longer in use they can send to c. d. S.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01
THO Requests and Offers.

VIII you please get for ME the follow
irg recitations: The Face on the Barroom
Floor The Maniac. and The Sweat
shop Victim / Will exchange some good
recitations. The Last Hymn The Polish
Boy. and A Country Curate.' c. s"
would be glad to obtain the poem en-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01
He has but The bed post I1is clothes

isfactory as anything l know, is what Is
called a skeleton closet. As the name indi-
Gates, this is a framework, which may 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 ma sked by curtain.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01

from his virtues But unless he is born
neat we cannot wonder that he drifts into
carelessness about his garments and puts
them where hc can find room for them in
stead of where they belong.
4
Utilizing Restricted Space.
Doesn't 1t speak volumes for father
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01

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 Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01
Another address Missing.

Here is another request which is useless
for the same reason as the above;
Il have been an invalid for a number
of years and have jig-saw puzzle which I
have put together so many times know it
by heart | have thought perhaps some
kind reader has a puzzle she, too, has
grown tired Of and would exchange for
mine or would like any other puzzle that
would occupy my mind and help pass the
weary hours. l would gladly pay ex-
pressage on it. l can't read mitch, for It
tires my head. NJ. j. A."
An address in New York City but no
name to which to send the puzzles that
some Kind friend would so gladly supply.
either as a gift or in exchange In this
case also hope the publication of the letter
may bring the name TO light
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-01

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. 1t spoke volumes in more ways
than one Volumes al to their forbear-