davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-31
MARION HARLAND'S HELPING HAND

job for country girl. half educated, and wholly untrained? Now, want to do my own work and to do it efficiently, making my little home comfortable and attrac
 tive with books, music pictures, and flowers. to help my children to grow up to be useful and competent. But how am l going to do this? I have thought Of many improvements-a big range with hot water tank, and an aluminium or enamel cooking outfit; llnoleum on the kitchen floor. patent churn, biscuit kneader, up to date cook books, little bathroom with water piped from tho boiler in the kitchen. an oil stove, an ice house, flower pit to keep plants in tho winter, good chickenhouse, ratproof; to say nothing of bookcase, filled witf good books, and a piano. But can't see much prospect of my owning these treas. ures this side of heaven. This rambling, incoherent letter is the means of express ing desires that have long kept to mysel: and hope that you. as Christian wom- an, can read between the poorly written
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-31
How 10 Cool Rice.

Will you be so kind as to tell me in the Corner how to preserve olives? T have a young tree full of the fruit and would like to bottle them as table olives l know that they are put up in brine and olive oil, but how so I do not know. To wash rice I run water over it freely using an egg whip. and then let the rice stand some little time in water-say half an hour or longer. l then drain off that water and whip the rice well through several waters. This removes the coating of glucose, which is really quite stub born about leaving the grains. as it is put on to polish them and give them the gloss that pleases the eye. Yet when the rice is cooked iwth this gloss on it is sticky and gummy. After washing with the egg whip (never use the hands), put the rice on in cold water and let boil about five minutes, until it becomes milky, then run through the cold water and drain, return to the stove, and add little boiling wa ter, cover, and let stew until tender. This renders the rice pure white and the grains stand alone. AN ARDENT ADMIRER''
 I am sorry not to have the full direc- tions for putting up olives. but I must appeal for these to some of the Corner ites, who may have them. Can some one send me the recipe to print on the page? wonder if the correspondent has ever used the unpublished rice. which Is sold in many places? This does not have the shiny coating of which she complains.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-31

lines the desire for something higher and better for my children and husband, in- stead of selfishness and greed for the things of this life. Autumn in all her glory makes these hills seem near to God. and, if it were possible for any one to be dissatisfied with life after walk along the river bank. with the perfume of the pawpaws and the wild grapes in the air. I don't believe kitchen range or imitation bathroom would help much. But there are many who will never walk through the woods, whose eyes are never lifted from the sordid drudgery to the beauti- ful hills. pity them, for know I have something far better than riches or treas ures when the softly murmuring river, the golden crowned hills. the gray and purple nlists in the distance are mine.
 Mas. J.'
 Not for a long time have read letter which impressed me more deeply than this. We who live nearer civilization as we understand it-or at least. near the conveniences and comforts of life-havs
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-31
WASTE THROUGH THE KITCHEN DOOR,

s ss'sss: s ssss s;:. s:s: ss' .ss s.s.s; WV do you treat it? Two or three
 little incidents have brought
 this topic to my attention of late. One was the remark made by the cook of friend and quoted by the latter to me, with great amusement.
 Amanda told me the other day that my neighbors in the apartment above me must be wealthy" she said. "' Dey sut- tiniy does have de swelles' garbage. : Amanda remarked. When 1t comes down on de dumb waiter dar's whole half loaves of bread in it and hunks of cake and heaps of vegetables. Dey don't seem to care what dey throws away couldn't help feeling that the comment was meant as a reproach to my economies"
 Another incident also came out of an apartment house. A caller was telling me that she had just moved into a flat ad- Joining that of well known writer on domestic topics.
 '' She may know lot about economy theoretically" said my visitor. "but I don't think much of her practical opera lions. There Is a back stairway in the apartment and the garbage pails are set out there every morning for the janitor to collect I wish you could have a glimpse at the contents of hers. Halves of grapefruit, quarter loaves of bread, rolls, enough good lettuce to make a dish of salad. trimmings from meat which ought to be in the stock pot-it vexes my economical soul to see such waste! don't mean that I go prying about to learn what she throws away. but when have been out on several occasions to look after other matters her overfiowing garbage pail has been there and the articles 1t holds have. so to speak, jumped at the eyes"
 In connection with this was interested to read an interview with a we'll known restaurant keeper. He was not the pro- prietor of a large and fashionable estab- lishment, but the owner of small place where he himself prepares and sells 30 cent table d'hote. He told with much vivacity how in these hard times he could manage to sell good food at so low price.
 have pity on the garbage man who comes here.' he was quoted as saying. I make use of everything but the coffee grounds, the potato skins, and the chicken bones. In this same building the fami- lies are American and they throw away enough in day to feed family week"
 This last remark has often appeared be- Tore in similar connections.
 The chef went on to say that knowI- edge of how to make good sauces and to season dishes properly enabled him to provide appetizing meals at charge which made some of his patrons wonder at times if he could really be giving them the best quality of food Certain of them had asked him if he did not buy unhealth- ful meats. wilted vegetables, and stale fruit. On no other grounds could they
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-31

name of the French cook it is surely ir this era of high prices and light purses.
 I began this talk by asking two ques. fions. The first. relative to the functions Of the garbage pail. I have endeavored in a measure to answer or to induce tb' Cornerftes to assist me in answering The second one remains.
 How do you treat your garbage pail?
 To this query there will probably be differing replies. I am sorry to say that If I may judge from some garbage pails l have met you don't treat them at all but leave them to the carelessness of the maid. who gives them just as little atten. ton as she can possibly manage.
 In spite of the unsavory reputation the garbage pail holds in the minds of many persons there is really no reason why 1t should be such an ob- noxious article. I know conscientious housekeepers who pride themselves upon keeping it as clean and sweet as any other utensil. Not day passes that it is not rinsed out with boiling water and washing soda and two or three times a week it is scrubbed with some cleansing powder and allowed to stand in the sun until dry
 While I. admire the vigor and faithful ness of such workers. own I look upon their efforts in this direction as something they could spare themselves and do no harm by it. don't mean for moment that the garbage pail should be neglected. but there is no more reason why they should impose upon themselves such en- ergy in cleansing than there Is that they should make a conscience of standing while peeling potatoes or wiping dishes as too many of them do.
 In nearly all kinds of homework there are methods of sparing oneself or of malx ! ing shortcuts to the goal instead of talk 4 ing the longest and the hardest way around, and the garbage pail is no excep- tion to this rule.
 Why allow it to become so unsavory and unpleasant in the first place? Why not keep it comparatively clean instead of making it dirty?
 The method is simple enough and doubt l less many of you know it already. All that is needed is a newspaper lining. putt in fresh each day. There should be sev 4 eral folds of the paper so that the moistI contents of the pail are not likely to soalz| through. and the paper should not only| cover the bottom but the sides as we'll and come clear up to the top. It is only moments work to put it in and is far| less trouble and nuisance than scouring| out the pail every day. to say nothing of being infinitely less insanitary than leaving the pail unscrubbed ' You will probably have difficulty in in-| ducing your maid to make this slight ef- fort, but if you insist upon clean gar-| bage pail she will soon discover that lin-| ing the pail is less labor than cleansing it| and that a means which obliges her to| SCOUT 1t out only once a week instead of| once a day is worth following Try 1t your self or make her try it and sec
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-31
4 Word of Cheer.
If you take me for Cornerite will work with all my might In helping the good work alono

And sometimes send a little song
 want to give word of cheer to Mrs. D. w., whose letter appeared re- gently in the Corner. have the same tnfirmity (deafness) she complains of. and after was 70 obtained work in A home. l never had done such work be- fore except in my own home, but I scrubbed and washed dishes with the youngest of the cleaners. The work was hard at first. but when you get used to 1t 1t does not seem so bad. worked there for three years and my hearing did not seem to be any drawback. Everybody was good to me and I enjoyed working there Let me add that I am a widow. % Mrs. E. W. might be as fortunate as was in securing work in such a good place. have . lot of postcards, and if any one wants them will be glad to forward them. have been hoping to make something from writing scenarios Isn't it wonderful at my age? shall be 10 next April and never made two lines jingls until I was co and never thought of it. send . hearty God bless you to all the Cornerites and especially to the shut-ins. E. H.
 This letter is 10 full of cheer and cour- age that it gives me great pleasure to print it, When a widow of 70 can rejoice tt her good fortune that in spite of her de-SaAs~ sh> aouId secure such position
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-31

little notion of the deprivations which must be taken as a matter of course by women living as does this correspondent. Our possessions bring with them their responsibilities and among these is that of being of assistance to those outside the circle of the aids we take for granted. Can you guess what good picture or two, a few good books-one of the up to date cook books " of which she speaks an occasional helpful and suggestive let ter would mean to one situated as is Mrs. J.? may say. by the way. that the Corperite who wins her for correspond- ent is fortunate, for whatever else ths woman may lack, she holds a graceful and easy pen and her outlook on life should be of real benefit to any one with whom she will share 1t. You may observe that she asks for nothing beyond a sug- gestion or two as to how to make the best of her home. but if the parcel post should bring her one of the books or pictures to which l have referred. an occasional magazine. even one of the light and inex-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-31

throw anything away" have heard her say to her maid again and again. And at other times: :" If it was eaten and some one has had the good of it, I don't care but if it was wasted and was no use to any one. care very much"
 Her tour of her kitchen was made reg ulariy at least once day. and sometime 8 oftener, and no corner of meat safe, re- frigenanor, bread box. or cake box escaped her attention. Le6tovers of meat and vegetables or of eggs and hsh were com bined into savory made dishes or went into the stock pot; the water in which vegetables or soup had been boiled was saved as an addition to soup or founda- ton for it as much as the liquor in which meat had been cooked.
 The bread which had been cut and left on the table uneaten and which could not be used for toast or for cheese dishes was either cut Up and dried or fried for crou- tons to use in soup, or crushed or put through the meat chopper to make crumbs for breeding, or to utilize in scal- lops or stufing. The flag ends of cake were converted into trifles or tipsy par sons or cabinet buildings, and no one who ate them would have suspected that they were economies instead of dishes made from cake bought especially for the pur- pose of being transformed into delecta- be and unusual desserts.
 At the first glance it appears absurd to say that use can be made of all the ap- parent waste of a kitchen except the coffee grounds. potato skins. and chicken bones. but when you come to look into the statement 1t does not seem so exag gerated after all. I confess that in my own home only the chickens bones which have been left on the plates of the eaters escape the stock pot. The carcass of the roast or boiled chicken is broken up and put over the water with seasoning and little water to simmer until every particle of flavor and strength there is remaining in the bones has been coaxed from them.
 I wish that the careful housekeepers of our constituency-and that there Is a noble army of such womenI know we'll would give me their experience with re- gard to throwing into the garbage pail other left overs than those have indi- cated. Even tea leaves can be saved for sweeping: the pods of peas and beans have value when cooked for havoring the foundation of soup; orange and lemon peelings can be saved and candied or dried. Is there anything else, unless it may be the skin of banana, which has a legitimate place in the garbage pail? And if other articles do find their way there whose fault 1t is and on what grounds are the left overs consigned to this receptacle?
 l believe that a comparison of views on this matter would be not only of interest but also of value and help to other house. keepers. If there was ever time wher we needed to study the wise economy that has long been associated with the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-31

recipe when something Is served at din- ner or lunch that think is nice and tha do not know how to prepare. Then I usually send 1t to some paper or naga- zine that will print it, as I always think some one else might be glad to have the recipe, too. always test the mea sures ana make sure they are correct before [ send the recipe. You asK me why tbe cheese for which sent the directions ca Il only be made from March until the lat ter part Of June. After June the weather IS usually too hot and the mixture sours penore 1t Is ripe, while in the winter months when 1t is cold the mixture gets bitter and simply will not ripen. The se- cret on success lies in the cheese ripeniny DeIore 1t becomes sour or bitter When if IS npe 1t looks gray and runs slowly from the spoon
 SPANISH CHILL BEANS-SoaIr m cents worth of red beans over nieht. Tn the morning place the beans in two qua rts of boiling water and cook until they are tender. Then chop up three large onions one whole garlic (nine pods), put with these one tablespoon of salt, one-third of a teaspoon of the chilli powder Cor the substitute of which I have spoken, m cents worth of ground hamburger meat cents worth of ground pork sausa~. meat. half a cup of tomato juice. four tablespoons of bacon frdngs. and mix all with the beans Boil all together until done and thicken with tablespoon os -four. This is Spanish dish and de- licious.
 CHEESE SALAD DREssINo-Put Into the double boiler one cup of sweet milk. four tabiegpoons of sugar. ono tea spoon of salt. In . cup mix three table spoons of sifted flour with one teaspoon of mustard. dash of white pepper, ana butter the sass of walnut. Thin with wafm milk. being earsful not to ct the mixture lulhpy; add 1t to the milk In the boiler Put two tablespoons of vifasar into . cup and half as much lemon juice. add to the milk in the boiler; put in one well beaten egg and stir constantly until thick. Turn into dish, stir . Jaw sec- onds lonpsr Whom cold add . pint of thick swest orsasn; beat thoroughly with an epUs sbeatsr. and then mix 1t with the salad when you ore ready to serve 1hiaI is . salad nt for .. queen N. M. II" am glad to ret thebe recipAs from tha saine ootrefpondent who has sent us other tirections and note what sAs sayo eooQv tostlng each recipe be&ore ohs. turns 1t in. May I make suggestion. which. If carried out. would render The recipes more generally helpful? n. MIMI. 4 refers to " 10 cents worth" of this Ind ''b cents' worth |" of that. Tie cost Of staples varies In difrersnt localities and 10 cents worth q chopped meat In enc pl1ce might be squaled olsswhers by esnts' worth. Taking this into consideration. think it would bs far better # accurats measurements were siven in every caee- if the recipe would say how large . Quan- tity of beans 10 cents' worth would be. whether pint or . Qunrt for instance and if the came .rule would be folloWed| with other ingredients Both the chin bean recipe and that for cheese sGlad sound as if they ought to result in . Good| product. and hope Ne may hayo e(hsr| toclpeo from the same sousce.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-31
Little Home Has Many Needs.

"I am sure you have no idea of the conditions under which we women of the mountains live and work. so am going to tell you little about myself live ir this little mountain town of 400 inhabi- tants, shut in by the hills. twenty-four miles from the railroad. days journey over the toughest of roads. by wagon or horseback. My home is little six room cottage: the floors are rough and bare. the walls covered with dingy. stained paper. My lighting system Is three coal oil lamps. have small hand pump and sink in the kitchen. My rooms are half furnished. I have no good pictures, books, or music. My kitchen equipment consists of small coal stove and a few iron kettles and pans. am trying to do all the work. including washing. ironing, milking two cows. feeding chickens, and pig. besides caring for my three little girls. What do you think of this for q
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-31
More Books Needed.

A new town with TOO or 800 people has AA library installed in the finest little library building in the state. This library Is managed by a board of women and has now about 1,200 volumes. It is we'll pa- tronized. but needs books in the way of English classics, history and modern pop ular science. Contributions of this sort From any readers of the Corner would be appreciated in full measure. A. L. H."
 Here is an opportunity for the posses sors of overstocked libraries to clear the shelves and make room for fresh access sions and at the same time help this library. The writer of this letter would undoubtedly be glad to give full informa- tion to any one wishing to bestow books. shall look hopefully for requests for his name and for some offers of really worth while books.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-31

as she did in public institution-a posi- tion involving hard and tiresome work her example should prove stimulus to those of us who complain when every thing does not go smoothly with us in easier circumstances. The offer of post cards is sure to be accepted, and I have no question that other applications will come for the address of this cheery and plucky woman who al her age is startirs out hopefully to write jngles '' and cherishes the expectation of doing sce- narios which will find acceptance at the hands of the photoplay makers and man. agers. Good luck to her and much success must be the wish of all of the constit- uency.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-31

understand his ability to serve them such a meal as he offered them for half dol lar.
 They do not understand that 1t is not oniy wise buying and good cooking but
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-31

chef put it. and in how many he gets more than his due.
 Whenit to saving, the woman who does her own work or who keeps close supervision over her kitchen Is the one
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-31

pail than to put them away to begin with or to use them up later in other conlbina- tions.
 The sooner housekeepers understand that economy and stinginess are not
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-31

reckless waste that went on. They did
 not exercise watchfulness over the larder and know with even comparative certain ty what was thrown away and what eaten. With that shrinking from appar-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-31
Patterns for Baby Clothes.


 II HAVE many embroidery patterns, ss mostly baby clothes, such as lit- tie bonnets, shoes, bootees. sacques and small floral designs for dresses and petticoats, which I will ex- change for embroidery patterns of house. hold linens and sofa pillows. get lonely and would like to have some of the Cor nerites correspond with me.
 MRS. R. O." This generous offer is sure of early &C., ceptance. I trust the responses of the Cornerites who are willing to correspond with lonely member may be as prompt and plentiful. I will gladly send the ad- dress of Mrs. R. O. to any applicant in closing stamp for reply.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-31

pehsiVo dAuiinIium uteuSilS tnat Sne longs for, or a ribbon or two for her little girls. can imagine how gratefully these would be received. But 1t is at my hint they would be sent. not at her re- quest. shall be more than pleased to give her address to any one who wishes to correspond with her.
 Y sh
 Lily Bulbs for Floper Lovers.
 "To some of the flower lovers of the Corner we will send some nioe bulbs of the sacred lily if they will pay postage. We raise ours in the open ground and will divide them with the Cornerites as long as they hold out. They are easily raised in the house by placing group of bulbs in bowl of water with pebbles placed around them for support and to allow the rootlsts to grow freely. Plenty of fresh water must be kept on them Planted early they will bloom for the holidays.
 "K. L." A generous offer, which will probably be so freely answered that foresee many disappointments for those who are not on hand early enough to receive the precious bulbs before the supply is exhausted. The address of K. L. will be sent promptly to applicants inclosing stamp for reply.
 < <
 In Exchange for Reading Matscr. get lonely at times and would like much to have some good books, novels, and magazines. if any of the Cornerites would be good enough to send them, have lot of new transfer embroidery paper patterns would exchange for such hQnkn HI t&a x~A A. the books or magaEines are sent to me will return an equal amount In transfer patterns. would also like to get rem- nants of any kinds of dry soods-wool. silk. or cotton-anA if any ono will send me two pounds of such remnants will give in return pair of lovely knitted wool mittens. Mns. s. B. a.'' Iwill gladly send the ax3dress of this cor respondent to any one wishing to mako the exchanges she suggssts.
 N
 Cheese Salad and Chili Bemns,
 "I am ssnding you with this rscipes for cheese salad and also for chin beans. Tho rsgular recipe calls for third of . teaspoon of chill powder. which one can get at any grocery hsrs. But get the dry red peppers called swset mangol. wash four of them clean. split open. take out an the seeds (the seeds make the mix- ! ture too hot), then put the peppers on the stove and boil for ten or fifteen minutes. When cool strip the pods and use the soft, creamy part; do not use the skin or hard pieces. For the chsess salad the eastern cheese may be used. Ny mcclure cells for . tablespoonful and hH the tablespoon and then with knife scrape of what rises above the brim- What is left In the spoon h meant for spoouful I surely am thankful to you for printing my recipe for making cheese. for my daughter wanted the recipe and think 1t Is much nicer to have 1t printed than written out We have . scrapbook and into 1t goee every good recipN If I nm visiEing an AIways ready to ask Or tho