davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24

Justice and a sense of what is due to pnhding employer would urge you to expose the sinner and bear the conse- Qlences of the act.
 Let us look for moment at what those consequences would be. By no other class of workers is the " informer more surely and severely ostracized than by that to which Mary Ann and her mates belong. Were 1t practicable for the q sec ond girl" to convince the mistress of the house that she is telling the truth and because she is upright and fearless, ready to risk the wrath of her comrades and the scorn of her associates, so long as she does the right thing. she has yet heavier odds to contend with. Let her once be branded as a " tell tale " and her mistress will have infinite difficulty in securing a cook in the place of the dis charged Mary Ann. The stigma will cling to the one whose treachery to her order cost the thievish cook her home. wages. and Character"
 Where is the intelligence office bold enough to get maid into service who left her last place on account or dishon- esty? So patent is the obstacle to a poor girl. getting an honest living" that hun dreds of employers shirk the truth when the conventional query written out for them in the printed blank supplied by the office is laid before them. Why did she leave your employ?"
 I couldn't find it in my heart to take the bread out of a working girls mouth" said one to me after detailing the series of successful offerings of which a late employe who had been in her service for years was convicted. So I wrote that family circumstances made change ex- 2edient. Rather neat wasn't it?"
 Yet she may try the same game in another household" I could not help say ing. The late mistress shrugged her shoulders: Everybody must buy her own experiencep'
 These things being true of the educated, refined woman, who dare sit in judgment upon our troubled Canadian, who hes itates to risk her social standing in her set las truly a set ' as that in which members of the four hundred float and gleaml. and her chances of getting new place by meddling in another girls busi- ness?
 If, at a first glance, there would seem to be but one road out of the maze-and that so straight and short " that the way faring woman, though fool, need not err therein "-I yet appeal to my clear sighted constituency for sure and posi- tive word of counsel.
 What advice shall we give to this per plexed creature?
 The matter is grave enough to warrant a symposium. invite the free express sion of individual opinions, engaging to let each speaker have a candid hearing. May ask an early consideration of the problem? What ought " Troubled" to do?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24

ty-nine cases out of @ hundred, lie to hide the theft. The strong probability is that the dishonest cook and her accom- plice would deny your charge and throw the charge of wastefulness and thievery upon you. I have known this to be done, ahd more than once. I grant that, taken upon the surface, the case you lay before us seems simple enough. You have kind and just employer who trusts you to make her interests you own. You see that she is robbed deliberately and sys- tematically by your fellow servant. Are you to stand idly by and, by overlooking the crime, become party to it? By your silence, do you betray the confidence of your mistress and encourage the guilty party in her wrongdoing? do not won der that woman brought up by Chris tian mother should lie awake at night turning all this over in her heart.
 I submit the question to our housemoth- CTS. Were one of you put into this maid S place. what ought you to do? I might better say what would you be likely to do and without straining your conscience?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24
AN HONEST SERVANTS PROBLEM.
lV HAVE never seen in your Help ing Hand any letters from women
 who are housemaids and cooks in l,a,,en. ,&,,@ ..o,,

f/V HAVE never seen in your Help ing Hand any letters from women
 who are housemaids and cooks in
 other peoples houses but you are
 so kind in answering questions of sll sorts, maybe you may notice mine. I am second girl in family where two maids are kept.
 am 30 years old and don't mind tell ing you, as it will not go any further. When I engaged with my present em- ployer told her was 24. Old girls don't stand much chance to get first rate places
 My mother brought me up carefully in Canada. She was a good Christian woman and taught us the golden rule and ten commandments and the cate chism and how we ought to live accord ing to what was written in them. l do try to do as she would want me to do. If she was living and with me.
 Maybe you think 1t Is easy to be just right and honest with your employer and your fellow-maids. Just try it on for . week or so. Just the same, do try to do my best. Now here is my present trou- ble: There is a cook besides me in the house, and laundress comes in two days in the week. She and the cook, named Mary Ann, are great friends. I get along well enough with both of them That Is, we never have any hard words and keep in good humor most of the time. don't want to fall out with either of them, nor yet don't want to leave my place, and it isn't so easy to get a good place as it used to be- The woman is that kind to me that l should be sorry to go, too. But T oipp on I Sh wouldn't ike-what am to do? Par ticularly when she is robbed every day pretty nearly
 q know robbed Is a hard, ugly word. but can't call it anything else. You see, Mary Ann and the laundress, who Is a widow with a family of little children. are hand in glove, as you might say. So the laundress comes in the morning with an empty bag rolled up with her working clothes and goes out at night With lots in the bag, but rolled up as innocent as can be- inside of her apron and rubber over alls, what she calls a romper.' It keeps her clothes dry while she is at work. The woman often praises her for being so care- full with her clothes and looking so neat
 " For a month or so after come they were careful not to let me see anything out of the way Now they take it for grant ed that I wont peach and take no &C., count of me being present. Mary Ann takes toll Chats what it is) of break fast, luncheon, and dinner. The laun- dress is generally gone before the o'clock dinner. but you may be sure she's none the poorer for that. Her share is saved for next day Last night it was roast chicken we had, vegetables and peach shortcake for dessert. A big to- mato, two sweet potatoes. three table spoons of succotash. and half the breast and a wing of the chicken and a big slice of the shortcake, slices of bread, and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24

found out, however that if lid is puffy instead of the top being even or a little in dented. fruit will surely spoil. The only use know that L. l.. can make of her ex- tra glasses that were given her for pre- serves Is to obtain covers large enough to fill the opening and then pour in sealing material thickly. MRS. l.. w.. M"
 To this correspondent, as to another who differed from me in my way of tight ening the lids on the jars after the con tents were cool, would say that it is inc plan l have followed with success and which believe will insure the preserya- tion of the fruit or vegetables. If other housekeepers have evolved different methods, am glad to print these here for the benefit of all interested in the sub- ject. As to the Things of the lids being loose, feel this is not an objection unless the break is such as to permit the en- trance of air into the jar after the ton has heen screwed down
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24
Refrigerator Without Ice.

Let me tell you how we made our re- frigerators in the desert, where we had no ice. They would be all right any where that they could be In the shade with the wind blowing over them. Make a cupboard frame with short legs under it. The legs are meant to set in cans of water If one Is troubled with ants. The tons should be strong enough to hold a five gallon oil can. but the edges must slope from the can. Cover the frame with two thiclnesses of burlap. punch holes in the sides of the can next to the bottom, keen the can filled with water and regulate the flow of this by tiny sticks placed in the holes in the can. The sacks will be al- ways wet. and butter. milk, water, etc.. kept inside the cupboard will be cold on the hottest days. MRS. J. c. B. < Init is the principle of evaporation by which water is kept cool in the tropics when placed in porous earthen jars, and is worth knowing by those who are unable to procure ice.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24

the correspondents I know that many and divers are the cures which have been sent in and which have printed in the hope that if one failed another might suc- ceed. have always recommended borax myself and I have used it in my own home, but not with success, so far as all insects are concerned. Reaches and cro- ton bugs apparently are not affected by it. but I have found it lessened the num- Der of ants In any case, I am grateful for the interest which has been displayed in the housekeeper afflicted with the neStS.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24
AARON HARLAND'S HELPING HAND.

must also appeal to some one with more technical knowledge of music than my self to tell if it can be learned by corre- spondence methods. I should think an elementary acquaintance with it could be attained in this manner. Is this the case? The best plan with the little girl of whom mention is made in the letter is to consult 8 physician and procure a remedy from hlm. The trouble is often outgrown with childhood
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24
Has No Furniture.

Are there aIy kind people in the Cor ner who would like to help an old lady who is going to live in a small house for has no furniture? If any one has some to give away would she give 1t to me, and is there some one who could also bestow couple of rabbits or chickens. just for a start? Iwould be thankful, for it would help me along. It would also please me very much if some one could give me a little dog for company. MRS. M"
 Recollecting the generous responses I
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24
Mandolin and Magazines.

have an old mandolin for some boy or girl or it might bring pleasure to some invalid. I have also some religious books that perhaps some one might like, and a few magazines which might be useful to young man. They are really interesting. The religious works comprise two Bibles, one Church Hymns and Tunes, one hymnal, one morning and night watches, one common prayer. Some one asks the value of a silver dollar dated 1799. If the five stars on tt are right it is worth $2 or S2.50. have a little book with informa- ton in regard to coins. M D. w"
 There is not the least doubt that tae. will be quick and plentiful applications
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24
Asks Loan of q Piano.

"I am not exactly asking charity, but I would be most grateful if you Awould help me to exchange my talents for tho use of a piano. My mother and I do dressmaking and can furnish city refer ences to verify the statement that we turn out high class work. I have an in- valid sister and in consequence our ex- pens@ are enormous and we canno. afford to rent piano. have sewed for vocallessons and my teacher encourages me great deal about my voice. but says I nov need piano. have tried every otherhneans of getting one before appeal ing ti you. When we are not busy throuh the dull season we could sew in exchshge for an instrument. R. D. C."
 I sad only recently that I would not soon 3gain ask for a piano, but this is moi for tf& gift of one. but for its rental or for the l4n of one. If any one wishes her addrels will give it. regret that she signed her initials to her letter. but she gave be streetnumber and name.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24
Recommends Borax for Ants.

One of your correspondents asks for remedy for ants. Tell her to go to tho nearest grocery and buy a parcel of the ordinary commercial borax and scatter shelves. wherever the pests prevail. and I will guarantee that her troubles from that source will cease. The remedy costs little and Is perfectly harmless Once used 1t will always be kept on hand
 "W. w. K"
 have the impression that this remedy has been suggested previously by one of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24

print 1t, nor tell where I live, pleaseA There's nobody in this house takes your paper, but see it at friends house who sets great store by your part of 1t. l would get an awful bad name among other maids if it was known that had written to you. Make believe. if you can, that I live somewhere else.
 ''I just had to tell somebody I am that worried. TROUBLED"
 Be easy upon one point. my good girl. I am printing the main part of your let- ter almost word for word but make a few alterations to throw Mary Ann off the scent should she happen upon it.
 I wish I could say with truth that yours is singular experience. I wish, yet more devoutly. that I could advise you plainly what you ought to do. To speak plainly and frankly. thief will, in nine-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24
Pobcrs of Crochet Samblcs.
Beginners Book of Music.

"I wonder if any one has beginners Look of music for the piano that is no lcnger needed and few pieces. of easy music. I have a piano. but can't afford to buy music, although l will gladly pay tbe postage on it. Also will you tell me if a person can learn to play the piano by taking a course by correspondence?
 "MRs. D. E. H." trust the pieces of music asked for Oay be sent to this correspondent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24

have received to appeals of many differ ent kinds do not question that some of the articles the old lady asks for will be offered promptly. Nearly every one has & piece or two of unused furniture, but I am less positive about the live stock.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24

for the mandolin and the books are also likely to be in demand. This Is an attrac- tive offer and the Corner is grateful for the kindly thoughtfulness which prompts it. I will send the address of the writer to any one sending request and stamp.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24
About Eruit Canning

1T have something to say about fruit canning. do not agree with you on some of your ideas which you gave L. L.. You advise screwing down the lids after the jars are cool. but this does not work for me. I find if screw them down as tight as possible when the jars are filled and turn them on their heads until cool they are not liable to spoil For example. put up 2sO jars of fruit and only one spoiled. l think this was because I used ap old rubber. You say also. jars are not fit to use whose tops rattle or when the white lining is loose.' I do not agree there.
 either, for every jar have bought this year has been loose in the lid. have
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24

all the butter left on the plates were all put together, but as tasty and neatly as you please, in a covered dish at the back of the pot closet.
 You see, she-that's my employer. mean-goes to the refrigerator every morning and sees what can be used again from last nights dinner. So it isn't safe for Mary Ann to leave her pickings there. felt like thief myself when I heard the madam say laughing like, yet surprised: You had fine appetites in the kitchen last night. I thought there would be enough of the shortcake and succotash for luncheon, and maybe of the chicken
 I'm sorry. ma'am,' says Mary Ann. meek as Moses; we are hungrier nor common on a Tuesday night
 "' Oh. I'm not complaining says my lady, as quick as look.
 Maybe you know, Mrs. Harland, that there's nothing makes girl mad quicker than to be told she is q big eater, and I have heard them tell, when they came to a new place, how they left the last be- cause they were fair starved at the last place.
 :" am making an awful long story of it, and I will try to come down to what I
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24
Ts Ss Monogram on Bridal Linen.

Will you please tell me which is the proper monogram for bride to be to mark her linen with. Should it be his or hers? Does it make any particular difference?
 ANXIOUS"
 The usual custom is for the bride to use Ter own initials in marking her linen, but I have always sympathiZed with the ex- pectant bride who said she thought it hard her husband should have no towels of his own to wipe his face with. have known brides who compromised, marking part of the linen with their own mono- grams, part with the initials that would be theirs after marriage. It is largely matter of personal taste, although, as I have said, the general convention calls for the brides initials on everything sup piled for the trousseau. l would like to know what the Cornertes think on this matter. It will interest many.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24

Stewed prunes.
 Tea.
 DINNER. Cream of onion soup [leftoverl. Boiled fowl. Rice with green peppers. Stuffed tomatoes. Baked custard. Coffee.
 !: ss FRIDAY. BREAKFAST. Oranges. Cereal. Clam fritters.
 Toast.
 Coffee. LUNCHEON. Spanish eggs. scaliop Of rice and tomatoes 1.-two leftoversl. Graham gems. Honey. Tea.
 DINNER. Potato soup. Halibut steaks. Mashed potatoes. Green peas. Apple snow.
 Coffee.
 ss 8 SATURDAY. BREAKFAST. Grapes. Cereal. Scalloped fish [leftover.l Rolls.
 Coffee. LUNCHEON. Fricasseed eggs. Potato cakes [leftoverl. Biscuit.
 Jam.
 Tea.
 DINNER. Chicken soup [leftoverl. Chicken pie [leftoverl. Green pea soufne [leftoverl. oBrien potatoes. Sliced peaches.
 Coffee.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24
Crazu 10 Hape q Camera.

"I am a young girl and am crazy to have a camera. It costs so much to de- velop the pictures I am afraid I cannot have my hearts desire. Won't you tell me how to develop them? If I knew how to I could have the camera. D. c. D. Has any one camera to give to this girl? With the camera, if it comes. hope may be sent also the directions for developing the photographs. I am not a photography expert myself, but I have many friends who develop their own pie lures and who do not seem to find it a difficult task. I am sure that once E. c. D. gets her camera she will have no trou- ble in procuring the needed instructions.
 s: ss
 Plant Slips Wanted.
 If any reader of the Corner has any slips of the following plants and could send them to me. how hoppy I should be. I would love so we'll to get some nice plants started. Here are those I wish: Double petunias Irish shamrock. purple leaf wandering Jew. green and white striped leaf Wandering Jew, any kind of cactus or coleus. wax plant; any kind of a begonia, skeleton geranium. walnut ge- ranium; any color of fuchsia. or any slips some one would be willing to send me would be so glcd to receive and would be happy to send return postage.
 MRS. A. E. S." This correspondent has given help to others in generous measure, piece of information give for the benefit of those who are able and willing to send her slips of some of the plants she craves. Flower lovers will know what varieties she can
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24
WM Write 10 Inpalids.

have received addresses from you for correspondents, but when wrote to a girl IT years old who offered to write to invalids the letter was returned with the word that no one of that name was at that address. Are you sure the girls name was correct? Please send me more addresses of persons who would enjoy having a young married girl write to them. MRS. M R."
 l have looked up the address for which you wrote and find gave 1t to you exactly as have it on my records. I am sorry if there is an error which prevents your getting in touch with Anita W. I am sure that as soon as your request for per- sons who wish to receive letters from a young married girl appears there will be plenty of applications for your address and you will have no dearth of corre- spondents.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24
ants Stamped Pieces.

<<I NOTICE that Ella K. offers some R stamped needle work, such as cor
 set covers, table spreads. etc. I would like so much to have some
 of them, as I am not able to buy such things and have a little girl 15 years old who needs some articles of this kind. hope l may get these stamped pieces.
 MRS. A. Y." l regret to say that the articles asked for had been given away before the let ter of Mrs. A. Y. was received. Is there not some other Cornerite with pieces of this sort to bestow who will write and ask me for the address of this corre- spondent?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24

start now with fair hope of their pros- perng and will be guided by this consid- eration in making her gifts.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24
No Popping Fat Fried This Way

Try frying chicken in the following -ay: Salt, pepper, and flour your pieces. which should have been cut up as for fricassee. Have the lard in the skillet hot and put all in a hot oven. In short while your chicken will be evenly Drowned and thoroughly done to the bone. without the usual accompaniment Of popping fat. MRS. J. A. H.
 Thank you for the practical sugges- ton about the chicken, as well as for the encouraging and lovely commenda- tion with which your letter concludes. It is always joy to me to know that the Corner is of help and comfort to the con- stituency and I hope 1t may continue the good work for a long time. trust you received the addresses for which you made request. They were sent promptly.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24
Lack Many Comforts.

q have often read your 1orner and thought about all those invalids who have been made happy by those who were able to help them. Now, we are just an old cou- pie who have always scuffled along and paid rent and got such things as we had to have but now We are old and sick much of the time from exposure. We are not able to pay rent any longer, but have a small tent. Unfortunately it leaks badly and we wondered if some one would help us get fly for the tent, so that we could have dry place to sleep. It would re- lieve our suffering great deal. My hus- band tries to work. but can't make $3 a week. If any one could send me some quilt pieces or old shoes for my husband. we would certainly appreciate it. The size of the tent is ten by fourteen. and my husband wears No. shoe.
 MRS. H. J.' It strikes me as being pretty uncom- fortable kind of an abiding place that this old couple occupy. Has any one a tent fly left over at the close of the outing season which he would be willing to send to Mrs H. J.? I am sure the shoes and the quilt pieces will be forthcoming and hope for other comforts for them as well.
 :.: j;
 Papers of Crochet Samples. ."I would like to get needlework maga- zines or any paper or books with crochet ing, drawn work, or cross stitch. l will be glad to send transfer patterns, as have several hundred, or would crochet ssmples for the samS. or would return ttem and nay postage H. H." With all the needleworkers we have in the Corner there will surely be some one able to supply these moderate demands. will send the address of H. H. op appli- cation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24

started in for to say. It is my duty, as an honest Christian woman who ought to be fair with her what is kind and good to me, and trusts me to look after her interests, to give her a notion of whats going on in her kitchen? This is what l say to myself, after I have said my prayers at night and am laying awake thinking about my mother. Her what wouldn't have cheated anybody out of pin! And the madam believes in me, and shows she does. Amt I, after all, almost as bad as the receiver of stolen goods's e don't really receive, so to speak, but l stand by and see it done, constant There's eggs, butter, sugar, coffee, and tea goes regular into that laundry bag. besides table scraps and what beggars call broken pieces
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-24
FAMILY MEALS FOR A WEEK.

Poached on toast 
  Cereal LUNCHEON. Brole Quckm muffin saloped Tomato oraokTA  ,,,-,,r, 
  
  DINNER rcs.
 
   Creame ppEAxrAsr 
  tmat su"S msc'i" ,rNcurox  Cereal Mnce Of veal iefoveri sanshed with p.sas
  cocs. Cak
  -  .snss STamed onions
  Tea. ,,,rTrp Cream o carrot ThOhsDA1. feftover. BREAKFAST
  Succotas
 
 
  TUESDAY / Fried srapple Grapes mumua