davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

The case is absolutely different with the
girl of whom my correspondent writes. She
is apparently able to pursue her work and
earn her salary without leaving home. The
trouble with her lies below the surface and
to judge simply from what her mother says
she is a cold hearted. undutiful daughter
with tendencies to willfulness which may
well provoke anxiety. The ingratitude she
displays to the mother who, to quote her
words, - worked night and day to give her
an education" shows something radical
ly wrong lies at the root of her character
This fault. L am inclined to think. is due
to the failure on her parents part to incul-
cate the habit of strict obedience duty, and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

finding, in word, of nagging.
lone reason the mothers have so little
influence with their daughters Is the habit
CT insisting on nonessentials." declared
woman to me last summer when we were
discussing the always absorbing topic of
bringing up children. I" They make fuss
about trifies and lay down the law on points
which are of no consequence-1ike the kind
of stockings or gloves the girls must wear
and then when there is need of protest.
ing against some really wrong course they
have used up all their force on unimpor-
tant details and their words carry no weight
with their children"
Does this sound inconsistent, In view of
my statement that you must insist upon
obedience in your daughters? The two are
not In the least incompatible.
THE best thing about my mother sthat
when she raises a row it is done when 1t is
finished" heard a boy say once and he
went on to elucidate. mean that when
she gives me scolding she says all there
is to say about it--gee Sometimes she
takes the hide offl--and then it is all done
with and everything is as serene and pleas
ant as though nothing had happened We
never have hangovers after a scolding!"
That kind of thing is appreciated as much
by the daughters as by the sons No one
relishes hangover "a lingering OF
clouds after the storm. gloomy looks and
depressed tones when fault has been criti-
cised. a punishment inflicted, penalty en-
forced. l know of few things more likely
to make home unhappy than such prolong-
ing OF family rows"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

as she chooses. with merely feeble and
Intellectual protest on the parents part.
Only a few days ago l was in the room
with a mother who was getting her little
daughter ready for the street The child
was in hurry to go out and join her
companions and all the while her mother
was fastening the coat and adjusting the
hat the child kept up fretful protest
against her mothers slowness. Hurry,
hurry! You are such a pole!" she said.
" I'll never be ready if you don't look out
Clumsy fngersi" while I sat by fuming
inwardly and twitching with the desire to
take the unruly youngster in hand and
discipline her. When a girl or boy has
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
Requests for Musical Instruments.

A number of requests for musical in
struments have come to me, and l group
them together.
would like SO much to have violin or
guitar for my little girl to practice on. She
is attending school and studies so hard [
would like something to take her mind off
her books for while. She is not quite
years old, but is in the third grade. | have
been told she has quite a talent for music.
About two years ago l said / would sell my
fingers to set musical education for my
daughter, and still feel like that, so you
may judge if am eager for it or not. |
would pay express charges on the instru-
ment. or call for it, IL i is in the city.
" Mrs. G. OH"
g Please ask any one who has banjo or
other stringed instrument and a hammock
which is no longer needed to send for my
address. The hammock is wanted for a
man whose strength is broken and the
banjo for a little boy whose love for music
has never been gratifed. Both are worthy
and will gladly furnish their addresses.
MRS. j. L. X"
" am teaching small country school,
which is situated in the woods, and would
like much to start a Sunday school, but
there is no organ, and it seems hard to
have Sunday school without music 1t
seems such sin to have Sunday come and
go without the children having any thought
or reverence for the day. Anything you
could do to help us would be greatly ap-
preciated by me and by the parents of the
district. r. M"
These three letters appeal to different in
terests The first writer wishes the instru-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
Home Made Vinegar.

Some one writes asking to have direc-
tions for home made vinegar repeated and
/ am glad to give the directions. Cheap
molasses, brown sugar. jellies, or jelly
strainings or all kinds of sweets will turn
into vinegar by adding enough water to re-
tain sweetness Put into glass jars or a
stone crock tnot a crock made out of clay).
place in the sun or warm place until it
works and creates scum of skin known
as the vinegar mother. Strain when 1t has
turned to vinegar and save the mother for
another decoction. Apple and fruit peel
ings Except orange and lemon) make cider
vinegar with a little addition of sweets
Save all waste jellies and strainings for that
purpose. Cover tops of jars or bunghole
of keg with cloth to keep out insects and
for evaporation while working Do not add
ingredients after working begins but make
a separate concoction. never buy vinegar
but make my own as above directed.
. l.. p. H."
Directions for home made vinegar have
been given not long ago. but present this
recipe for the sake of those who missed the
first instructions.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

spondent has for her daughter. Does the
mother ever show Jealousy of the girls
friends? Does she fail to interest herself
in the concerns of the young people? Does
she put her own inclinations under foot
when 1t comes to a choice between her
whims and convenience and the daughters
enjoyments?
Constantly notice the mothers who seem
to forget that they were ever young, that
then they lived their lives and followed
their own way, and that the children have
right to similar privileges. 1 have known
mothers who had so much feeling against
their children's iDtimacies with perfectly
reputable and excellent associates that
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
Children Often al Fault.

To go back to the case of my correspond
ent. 1 don't mean to say everything to
and of the mothers. The daughters are
often in fault, too No matter what their
home trials, they should srecall that after
all mother is more than all the world. that
she has suffered more. done more, loved
more than any one else; that the daughter
owes measure of devotion and duty. no
matter what the conditions and that. do
what she can, she will always be in debt
to the mother.
In view of that I repeat the remark l
made a while ago, that there is something
radically wrong with girl who can turn
against the mother who has sacrificed COM
fort and ease for the sake of making an
education possible for the daughter, and
can threaten to leave home in which she Is
needed and loved. No matter what the
provocauon. conditions should be endured
sooner than she should be guilty of any
course going so far counter to the mothers
reasonable wish as to be bound to produce
unhappiness.
This is matter which should interest the
mothers of sons as well as of daughters.
Will not some OF them write and tell me
of their experiences and observation along
this line. and state what they would adj
wise in the case of such mother as my
correspondent quoted at the beginning of
this talk?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
4 y
Writer Omitted Signature.

have some colored paper dolls such as
come with some of the womans magazines
and would like to give them to some small
child to help pass away the rainy days.
Do you know of ANY business firms that
would like to have letters and circulars ad-
dressed? l would like something of that
sort to do at home. it is impossible for
me to leave home to do outside work.
Please answer through the paper and
will then send my name and address and
the dolls. N. X"
Probably your offer of the dolls will bring
forth requests for your name and address
which shall be unable to supply, as you
did not add 1t to your letter. This omis-
sion also makes it impossible for me to
give any reply to your inquiry as to other
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

been allowed this kind of behavior no one
can wonder if in later life disobeaience and
disrespect are shown
So l would say to the mothers of daugh-
ters or sons that you cannot begin too
early to teach them to obey The process
should be started as soon as they are born
and kept up unremittingly. If there is
occasional rebellion it should be checked
immediately. although favorite theory
of mine is that if child is taught obedi-
ence from earliest infancy the idea of
revolt will never present itself as possible.
Yet there is something to be said on the
other side. If you wish to keep the love
and confidence of your children and the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

ems. milk. butter. fruit. and vegetables.
have thought that by writing freely TO you
you might put me in touch with nan
needing a home who would be viii i to
work for it. MRS. DIR"
This looks to me like good cha. til 1or
middle aged woman alone in the We Ssand
wanting home. There are many such.
who have perhaps money enough to clothe
themselves, but not enough to support them
except in the most meager fashion, and who
having all their lives been used to house,
keeping and housework in their own homes
would be glad to find a refuge where the
occupation to which they have been accus-
toned would enable them to live In COM
fort. Should any such see this letter will
be glad to supply the address of Mrs. r. h
on application.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

Ihave quoted before the story of woman
who as a girl was never permitted to have
friends at her home because of her moth
ers peculiarities. al made up my mind
then that If ever had home of my own
and children, their friends should come
there. and that they would not be obliged to
run to the houses of others for their good
times" she says. and she has lived up to
her resolve. She has no trouble about
keeping her girls at home. They have bet
ter times there than anywhere else. and
they recognize the fact Many time
have had my dinner eaten at luncheon be-
cause of the people who happened In" she
laughs. " But have just sent out and or
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
Home in the Country.

Can you tell me of good, reliable set
tied woman, who wants quiet. comfort
able home in the country? am anxious to
get woman to live with me. There are
only my husband and myself in the family.
and as my husband is physician he is
away from home good deal. l want a
woman who can sew and do general house,
work, and be useful. l do my own work. as
help Is scarce here. The nearest town Is
six miles away. We have daily mail.
Methodist and Baptist churches two miles
away. and at the town there are Baptist.
Methodist. and Presbyterian churches.
am an Episcopalian myself. We have good
wholesome fare and plenty of eggs. chick
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

ment for the sake of diverting her child's
mind and incidentally laying the founda-
tions and awakening the desire for music
al education. The second correspondent
asks for the banjo in order to crafty a
love for music. which apparently already
exists, and the third writer Is moved by
the desire to lead children into the paths of
righteousness and religious training. l
hope that the cravings of all three may be
gratified, and also that the hammock may
be forthcoming for the man. Let me say
for the benefit of the school teacher that.
while grant that an instrument of some
sort is great help in starting a Sunday
school and in making 1t popular. 1 have
known of classes successfully conducted
when the singing was unaccompanied. II
she begins such school with only vocal
music 1t may be that later the organ may
be found.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
No Lard on Douqfnuts.

am happy to give you the directions
for doughnuts that do.not take up the lard
while cooking Butter the size of walnut.
cup and a half of sugar, a cup of milk.
one teaspoon Of salt, four teaspoons of
baking powder. and four cups of flour.
" B. D. s."
The housekeepers who have had trouble
with grease soaked doughnuts will be glad
to get the foregoing Thank you very
much.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
y
eeds a Tppcwriter.

want to write to you of the need of
woman in whom am interested. She is
highly educated and competent. has spent
years in kindly works. has travelled about
the world. and speaks several languages.
Is a fine musician and writer. Her short
stories are excellent. She has been cut off
from making an income by illness of
ten years. which most of the time has kept
her helpless. She can be on her feet little
and holding pen is agony to her after
few minutes. To keep hunger away she
sold her typewriter several years ago. Now
she is able to use one again, can operate it
rapidly, and 1 feel sure she could earn
a good income had she machine She is
sunshine itself. never frowns or complains,
and sweetly does all she can to help those
about her to see life in the right way. If
some one could supply her with type
writer L will see that she gets paper. etc.,
and she could do typing as well as story
writing. l cannot get the machine, how
ever. She knows nothing of my writing
to you; it is my own idea, but she has
told me it is her greatest wish to get a
machine. If you should be able to help her.
write TO me Tor her address. j. T."
Hardly week passes that at least one
application does not come for a typewriter,
and l can not assure any one of a granted
request. print this letter in the hope that
some one will see it who can meet the ap-
parently genuine need described and will
seize the opportunity. Few things are
harder than the desire and the ability to
work and the lack of means to make use
of them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
To Banish Reaches.

" TO Danish reaches, tell Mrs. L. II. to
get dime worth of poke roots, steep them
thoroughly, and mix them with molasses.
Place this on shallow platter and leave it
overnight wherever the pest abounds. l
have been told that this never fails to effect
u cure. MRS r. h. p"
Thank you for this remedy. 1 hope it
may prove efficacious for the correspondent
who asks for help and for others similarly
afflicted
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

addresses, since business firms. etc. cannot
be named in the paper. In any event am
afraid you would have difficulty in getting
this work to do at home. Still. I print
your request and If you will send me your
address will give it to those who ask for
1t. Do not send the dolls to this office, but
wait for the name of the child who wishes
them, and let them go directly to her.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

respect while she was child. A girl does
not fall into the way OF being out late at
night, extravagant or impudent and in
tolerant of restraint suddenly. Overindul-
gence and lack of discipline in childhood
have prepared the way for INSTRUMENTATION
and impertinence
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
HON 10 Prepare Swiss Rice.

HON TO Prepare Swiss Rice.
Can any one tell ms how Swiss rice is
prepared? Mrs. V. c."
The dish which know under that name is
prepared as follows: Boil cup of raw rice
in three pints of hot water, slightly salted;
at the end of fifteen minutes drain off the
water and add a generous tablespoon of
butter and pinch of cayenne. When the
rice is all done the water should be absorbed
and each grain stand out swollen and
whole. Let it dry out for five minutes.
shake the saucepan lightly, not to break
the rice, and stir into it with fork three
tablespoons of Parmesan cheese. Turn
into a deep dish and serve. If this is not
the recipe known to other housekeepers as
- Swiss rice " l would be glad to receive
and print another
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
n Offer of Magazines.

II OUcT OF INugdzH1eS.
IL would very much like copy of the
Marion Harland Autobiography If could
get it. have one years subscription to
a couple of magazines for any one who
would like them. 1 wonder if any of the
Helping Hand sisters has string of the old
genuine amber beads that she no longer
cares for. l have always heard they were
good for goiter. 1t makes no difference
how old they are. 1 would also like
string of Jobs tears. MRS. c. MI"
1 am fiattered by your desire to read the
Marion Harland Autobiography. and hope
your wish may be gratified Some one will
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

which makes a speciality of finding good
homes for children G. M.
This Is question I must refer to our
members. Can any of them give the needed
information?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

the leasti The Inconsistency of blaming the
one sister and accepting the departure of
the other as a matter of course is an anus
ing commentary on the view held to this
day relative to the work of women outside
of their home
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
=. y
Lack of Earlu DiscibLine.

~e-NI y
Personally | am still sufficiently old fash
ioned to prefer that girl should stay in
her own home until she marries, If this is
in any way possible. and yet we have to
recognize the fact that when she has a
business or a profession and is obliged to
leave home to follow 1t this is In no sense
a disgrace
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
Up Future Trouble.

Storing Up Future Trouble.
This is point on which l feel it is neces-
sary to lay stress. Hardly a day passes
that / do not see an example of the way in
which mothers are permitting their chill
dren to develop habits of willfulness which
will one day make trouble. The small girl
is allowed to do as she pleases. to speak
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
MARION HARLAND'S HELPING HAND.

I<IN writing to you some time ago con-
W corning the adoption of a little girl
l did not give my full name because
l did not care to have 1t published
with my letter. There is no reason
for secrecy except that L do not wish
TO make the fact public, although many
of my most intimate friends know of my
desire to adopt a little girl. Should any
one reply to my communication l would be
pleased to have you give them my address.
I trust in this way l may be brought into
touch with some interesting little orphan
girl. Mrs. Ii. E. G."
If you will observe the letters we have
printed you will see that the Corner never
gives and never has given a private ad-
dress. Not day passes that / do not re-
ceive a request from some one, =" Do not
print my name. This is an unnecessary
appeal, for it is never done. The fact you
desire to adopt a little girl appears, but
with no signature beyond initials or any
name you may ask to have put at the end
Of your letter. Your private address is
filed and given only to one who wishes to
reply to your inquiry or request, / trust
that you and the " interesting little orphan
girl " may be brought together through
the agency of the Corner.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

doubtless be glad to have the magazines
you offer. but 1 am afraid 1t is doubtful
If you can get the amber beads. They
have good deal of value If they are
genuine. The Jobs tears are more readily
found. and hope you may receive them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
Wants Wheel 10 Do Enands.

am boy of 10. My mother works
hard and is away from home a good deal.
have lots of errands to run and would like
to get small boys bicycle. Have any of
your readers one to give away or to part
with for any considerations would be
very glad to have one. A. O."
1 print this letter. but even as 1 do 90
wonder If the child is at school and it .,se
errands he runs are done out of school
hours. II any of our readers knows OF a
bicycle which might be of service to the
child, he may find a chance to be of reel
help and encouragement.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
Wants 10 Earn Money.

i" A COW girl from the cattle range is
coming to your Corner to ask favor not
for herself, but for a little girl who lives
near. She is one of nine children of
poor family and has bad throat disease
which she is trying to earn money to have
treated, as her parents cannot afford this
Her only means of getting money has been
by selling pictures taken by herself. Last
month she broke her camera, and she is
heartbroken over it. for now the treatment
will have to be given up. Now for the
favor: Has any reader of the Marion Har-
land Helping Hand a camera which is not
wanted and that can be sent to this little
girl? 1t must be a good one, taking clear
pictures at least postcard size. II any one
has such a camera and will send it to me
will see that the child gets it. I will pay
all charges. in advance or otherwise, and
will reward the giver with set of western
pictures. mountain scenery, round up, buck
ing horses, etc. WILD ROSE"
/ sincerely trust this appeal may touch
others as it has me- and that the camera
may be sent soon. In these days, when
nearly every one is taking photographs and
when it is an every day matter to get
larger camera or a different make, which
sapersedes the earlier instrument. there
must be a good camera somewhere which
would fill the measure of your little friends
desires and enable her to help earn the
money for her throat treatment. Your
offer of pictures should tempt some one,
even if the chance to do a kindness does
not prove irresistible. Thank you for the
recipes They viii appear in another place.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

dered something more for dinner. Nothing
is of so much Importance as the girls be-
ing happy at home"
\: X
Habit of Nagging.
Naturally. all mothers cannot afford the
time or the money for this sort of thing,
but they can follow the same principle,
even although along different lines The
exact course is not the important matter
SO much IS giving your children the knowl-
edge that home is the best place in the
world, and that they are sure always of the
mothers understanding and indulgence
Another fault often to be laid to the
mother is the habit of unnecessary fault
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

1t off and if any traces of the mark remain
repeat the process. This will take out the
spot If anything will.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
Makes an Excellent Dish.

"If any one is fond of chill con carne.
why trouble to make it? Buy can of any
of the good brands on the market, empty
out the contents, rinse out the can with half
a cupful of water. and add to the contents
and put with the contents of a good sized
can Of green corn. The addition of this corn
makes an excellent dish. E. w. j."
am grateful for this suggestion and for
the other valuable counsel sent by this same
correspondent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

Name of Home Finding Society.
Will you kindly tell me the name of the
woman's society of Los Angeles. CAL.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

blessings that accompany and flow from
these, strict rules are not enough. You
must do all you can to make your sons and
daughters love their home and believe in
the identity of their interests and yours.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
Spots on Paper.

from wall paper? A G. W."
] know of no better method than to rub
French chalk well into the creased spot
and leave 1t over night The next day brush
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

med up peach dumplings from the day before
ar Tea.
DINNER.
Black bean soup.
Lamb chops.
String beans.
Whipped potatoes.
Caramel custard.
Coffee.
y \
FRIDAY.
BREAKFAST.
Baked apples.
Cereal.
Kippered herring.
Toast.
Coffee.
LUNCHEON.
Fried panfish.
Potato puff la leftoverl.
Hominy mullins la leftoverl.
Canned pears.
Drop cakes.
Tea.
DINNER.
Oyster bisque.
Halibut steak.
Riced potatoes.
Baked tomatoes.
Cottage pudding.
Coffee.
X \.
SATURDAY.
BREAKFAST.
Oranges.
Cereal.
Parsley omelet.
Rolls.
Coffee.
LUNCHEON.
Halibut au gratin la leftover].
Potato cakes la leftover].
Scalloped tomatoes a leftoverl.
Apple sauce and biscuit.
Tea.
DINNER.
Macaroni SOUP
Chicken pot pie
Boiled potatoes
Creamed carrots.
Cabinet pudding.
Coffee.