The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1913-12-11

/ lb. currants.
2 cups sret chopped finely.
4 eggs.
, - cup molasses.
1 cup sour milk.
I cup brown sugar.
cups bread crumbs.
IL nutmeg, grated.
/ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ant
one-half as much ground cloves.
teaspoons baking soda.
Flour enough to make very stiff
batter.
This makes from four to six pud
dings for family of four to eight per
sons. Divide into the desired quaint
ties by placing in buttered tins Il lb
coffee cans are good, cover tightly
place in large kettle and boil foul
hours. Remove covers till cool, re
place and put away until needed. Al
hours steaming will produce delic
ious fruit pudding which, served with
hard sauce, furnishes the required
Christmas dessert with no labor on
that day. The remaining puddings
will keep Indefinitely through the win
ter, ready whenever desired.
The Christmas decorations may be
put up several days in advance, and
in many ways even the overworked
mother may tighten her labOrs so that
she, too, may have time to enjoy the
glad day.,
The Spirit of Christmas is thought
full of others. This may be exempliti-
| ed in hundreds of ways, but may we
not, this year, pay attention to at least
one phase Of thoughtfulness in our
shopping? Good will to men" means
to all classes-not shoppers and CIV
ers irrespective of the rights and COM
forts of those who serve us in the
stores. Probably no city of this size
can boast of more obliging, competent,
helpful, courteous, and kindly mer-
chants and clerks than our local force,
and even if belated in our shopping
we are. sure of efficient service, but
does this fact justify us in demanding
that they serve practically the entire
community during the last two or
three days preceding Christmas? Are
they not entitled to some of our
thoughtful consideration? Christmas
ought to be day of universal happi-
ness. but those who stand behind the
counters often fail to catch a glimpse
of the real Spirit of Christmas because
of the rush and overwork caused by
the selfish and needless .postponement
Of Christmas, shopping. Regardless of
their over-taxed strength and over
strained nerves, they are expected to
serve all efficiently and in addition as.
sist, by helpful suggestions, advice,
and new and pleasing ideas, all those
perplexed customers who are vaguely
looking for something" but who have
often no idea what. To do such work
not only all day, but also all the even
ing, day after day, and still to keep
sweet is no small task and if the
Spirit of Christmas is being observed
by us in thoughtfulness for others, we
will do our part to alleviate these con-
ditions by trying to formulate clear
ideas as to what we need, and then do
ing our shopping early in December.
In conclusion, happiness should
reign supreme at Christmas time. The
petty worries and cares in which we
usually clothe ourselves may safely be
folded and laid upon the shelf for
few days. May we not divest our
selves, at least for one day, of all that
is sordid and troublesome, and rejoice
with, the care-free children, happy in
what we get and give, and in the glad
ness of the season itself?
A careful observance of the proper
gift-giving spirit, the calmness which
is ours by right, the good will to men
which we sing but do not always prac-
tice, and sensible thoughtfulness for
the rights of others will insure to us
all Happy Christmas Day.
It is of minor Importance whether
the children believe in a material
Santa Claus, if they but understand,
believe and participate in the real
Spirit Of Christmas"
J. J. Engen' left this morning for a
business trip of week or ten days at
Rolla, N. D., and vicinity.
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