davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-19

~HG Christmas rush has arrived with
 its usual unexpectedness Those of
 us who have seen many Yuletides
 might by now have accumulated
 an experience which would lead us to know that Christmas always treads close upon the heels of Thanksgiving day. but even to us it comes with a shock when we appreciate the fact that the time is perilously short in which to decide upon. prepare, or purchase gifts,
 The gift fails of it's true value if it is bought at random. This will do for somebody" we say too often when we pick up some trihe in the course of our shopping. Such token may indicate that the person who receives it has been incur thoughts, but it lacks the precious ness of the present which has been se- lected with the needs or tastes of the recipient in mind.
 There is no difficulty in choosing Christ mas gifts for those near and dear to us If we have their preferences well in con sideraton. The housekeeper is always in need of table or bed linen, towels, china, silver; the man of the house can be rejoiced with the presentation of books smoking adjuncts, wearing ap- parel, and the like, although he is harder to buy for than his wife; the young girl has so many pretty little wants that the only trouble is. to know which to take and which to discard; the boy of the family usually leaves no doubt in the mind of any one as to what he hopes to find in his stocking.
 The friends and more distant relatives are those who puzzle us even though the advertising columns of the papers and the circulars sent out by houses making a speciality of Christmas gifts are aids to our choice They are of little assistance, however. in buying the right kind of a present unless there Is put with them the loving reflection on the tastes of those to whom we wish to give remembrances which will be of value to hem in any one way or another.
 A while ago heard woman make what she called her !" Christmas declaration or independence"
 Il say this in time," she stated sev- eral months before Christmas, because l know that my dear family and friends gre forehanded enough to lay in some of their Christmas gifts good while ahead oi the season. I wish it to be understood by those who desire to make me presents at Christmas that l have brought all my wants in that line down to two divisions l wish things to use up or things to use" She then proceeded with more explicit outline.
 Things to use up." she said, '" are such articles as fruit, flowers, candies. nuts. and the like which will fade away and dis ,ppear, either in the course of nature or by eating them. Things to use are prac-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-19

upon the suggestion until she found an opportunity to sip into the living rooms and give the pictures there & more care ful survey than she had previously ac- corded them. She inspected the array of fine reproductions of Whistlers, Sargents, and Holpeins, scrutinized the rare etch- ings, water coiors. and Japanese prints. and returned with @ satisfied countenance
 I've looked at every picture she has" she declared. " and I can't find one I think is as good lookin as mine!''
 Without for a moment comparing the point of view of any of the constituency with that of tho would-be giver of what she termed a 7" chronic" I may remark that there is as wide variance in the taste of even well educated men and women as there was in the preferences of the cook and her employer For example. know one woman with devotion to the pre-Raphaelite school, whose family loathes Rossetti. BurEe-Jones, and all their works. Another friend loads her shelves with brfc-A-brac and rsvels in col- lections of small pieces of pottery which would drive me wild. The cluttered ef- feet dear to many housekeepers would depress me beyond endurance, and yet they would condemn the simplicity I ad- mire
 don't see how you always manage to give me just the things like" said once to a friend whose presentation to mo on successive Christmases of pair of handsome hatpins. silk stockings. a beautiful brooch and a we'll stocked trav- a1f hod I,o
 " try to give the things I would like myself" she rejoined.
 That sounded well until I came to an- alyze 1t more closely. There is strong chance that as in the cases have cited above, tastes might differ and there is always the ghastly possibility that you may be presenting a duplicate of some thing your friend already possesses. The instance of the girl who received thirteen dozen silver teaspoons-all marked-at her wedding, is a, case in point. Each donor may have felt there was nothing she would like better than plenty of tea spoons, but the result to the bride was rather distressing.
 So judgment as well as love and good will are required in choosing the gift which will supply felt want It is not enough that an article is pretty or un- usual. Every Christmas season I am ap- palled at the sight of the display in the shops. Apparently the ina gination of some one has run riot in devising useless and attractive odds and ends which cost so little that the minimizing purchaser is lured into yielding to temptation. Just enough semblance of practicality marks some of these articles to make one feel that there is reason in buying them
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-19

under shade of night and dug grave in the garden where they inferred the de- tested objects? I sympathize with them, but have always questioned how they would account to the parishioners for the disappearance of the banished articles.
 Let me tell another little incident which will illustrate what havoc is wrought by a difference in points of view.
 A cook who was devoted to an e1n- ployer who had shown her much kind ness in various ways came home one day not long before Christmas bearing in tri- umph gaudy chromo three feet long.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-19

//A LITTLE over three years ago H \ I became afflicted with tuber
 ~ culosis. At the same time my
 hearing began to fail me and
 ,.i was soon bad. The fight against tuberculosis took all my cash and ISwas not able to have my hearing attended to as I should have done. How ever, 1 managed to buy an ear phone, " vhich was considerable help to me. Last winter thief entered my room and stole my suitcase with all I had in it. including this ear phone. Since then have tried all ways to raise money enough to buy another one, but my health has failed me still further. and, as I am now unable to work, l cannot see that | will ever be able to earn money, esre- cially as I still have something to pay on the other one. q paid $14 by degrees the price was S20) I am living all alone here in a shack and life Is somewhat ma- rotonous for me, as even if friend should call it is difficult for us to converse. have been wondering if any of your read CTS might have such an ear phone for which he or she had no further use ano would give it to me l am well aware that most persons who have such arti-
 
 great hope, but still there is just a chance. I may say that I have tried lip reading. but have not been able to make a very great success of it, as the concentrated mental effort required at times tends to give me a high tempera- ture. which is bad for my lung trouble Whether you are able to help me or not, I thank you very much and wish the Cor ner every success. MRS. H. S. FL
 l am sorry for this sufferer as I am sure the others will be who learn of her plight. l have never heard of such an ear phone as she describes, but 1 can readily comprehend that it might be rather expensive article and I have seri- ous doubts as to whether or not there is a Cornerite with one to give away. Nevertheless l consider the chance well worth taking. and so I print the letter in the hope that it may meet with favorable response. l can understand how deafness must intensify the sense of isolation in which the invalid lives and shall be happy to give her address to any one who wishes to communicate with hpr
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-19

tical objects-table cloths and napkins, center pieces, towels, bureau scarfs, side board covers-one can never have too many of then-china, silver, silk stock ings, neckwear, books-if the right person chooses them, and a few other articles which will present themselves to any one knowing my likings. For instance, fire- less cooker or a covered roaster or a few aluminium cooking utensils would please me immensely.
 But" she went on, drowning, "I beg here and now that no one who is truly my friend will buy me bric-a-brac, vases, or
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-19
MARION HARLAND'S HELPING HAND

short time ago. I should like the gray coat spoken of in letter little while ago If it is still on hand. c. A. R."
 I am sorry to say that the books have already been given away, and, as the sig nature attached to the offer of the gray coat was not sent by c. A. R., am unable to trace the garment. This offer of mu- sic. pieces. etc, is sure to receive prompt replies and I hope they may be sent. Is there not some one with books to giv7 away to boys and girls? I shall be happy to send the address of c. A. R. on appli ca ation
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-19

pictures. In the first place, have more of such things now than have room for; in the second place, it is dangerous to se- lect ornaments and pictures for any one whose tastes you do not know through and through. Send me nice fat turkey if you choose. but spare me pottery jar or brass jardiniereu'
 l wonder if all of you appreciate how much sound and saving common sense there is in this position. Have told you before of the clergyman and his wife who were laden down with so many impossible gifts that once in so often they went out
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-19

This she displayed with pride to a fellow employe who had been in the family for many years. The latter knew her mis- tress and ventured mild protest.
 don't believe I'd give that if I were in your place. Mary she said "I know sine is pretty fussy about her pictures and she said once in my hearing that she wouldn't trust her own sister to choose what she would hang on her walls. Why don't you give that to some one else and buy her few nice handkerchiefs or some thing of the sort that she is sure to like?"
 The disconcerted purchaser meditat d
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-19
Likes fo Write L.etters.

Will you please send my address to F. w.. whose letter was published recently? I would like her 10 write to me. and will send her some reading matter. l will also try to write her letter occasionally. as love to write letters and to receive them
 MRS F. C. F."
 The address asked for has been supplied. but print this letter on the possibility that there may be some one else who would like to write to Mrs. F. c. F. and get in return the letters she loves to write.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-19
Needs q Little Bed.

I have baby girl aged 10 months who is not well and needs a little bed badly. The doctor tells me it weakens her to sleep with me. I would be very thankful to any one who could help me for am really sorely in need.
 MRS. c. E. B. Is there any mother who has a little bed her own child has outgrown and would be willing to make 1t over to this applicant? If so I will gladly send the address to Mrs, C. F. B.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-19
mh Stains on Linen.

How can l take indelibe ink stains out of linen and bath towels which were marked by laundry? I would like to remove the marks without having to wash the articles, if possible. How may a smocked lingerie and silk waist also be washed so that the shocking will not lose its shape? Can you tell me how to tan skunk skins? How may raisins in Boston brown bread be kept from going to the bottom? Do you know good recipe for pound cake? "I Mn
 Try chlorinated soda on the ink-stains or ask your druggist for one of the prepa rations which come for removing ink stains. There are a number of such com pounds. Wash the shocked articles care fully; do not iron the shocking, but while it is still damp pull it with the fingers into shape. The business of tanning skunk skins or those of any animal is the task of a taxidermist I cannot tell you low 1t Is done. Dredge the raisins well with flour and put them into. the brown bread just before this goes into the tin. Pound cake.-One pound each of eggs. flour, butter. and sugar; half teaspoon of nut meg, one tablespoon of best brandy Cream. butter. and sugar; beat into this the spice and brandy; add the well whipped yolks of the eggs and the sifted flour alternately with stiffly beaten whites. Make batter as stiff as can be stirred and bake in steady oven
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-19
Lost the Recipe.

Some weeks ago there appeared in your Corner recipe for carrot jam, con- tributed by M. A. F. The paper con- taining it has been lost and some of your subscribers would appreciate it very much if you would have the recipe sent to us by mail. A. H. IT."
 Unfortunately the name of M. A. E. is not on file. It is impracticable for us to undertake to keep the names of all our correspondents; this is only done when a letter is to be answered or when a re- quest or an ofrer Is made that obliges correspondence. In any event 1t Is against the rule of the Corner to send recipes by mall. If some one will turn in the directions for carrot jam. however. they shall again appear in the Corner for the benefit of those who desire the recipe. As I recollect there were several of these
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-19
Books for Young Eolks.

In answer to F.. s. B.'s letter l would say that l should like to have the books she spoke of in her recent letter. as have both boys and girls who would like them and would pay postage for them. We have lot of music to dispose of. also silk and velvet pieces and some of those rugs with flags on that were asked for
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-19
Wants Old Seping Machine.

wonder if some kind friend through your Corner would have an old sewing machine that is not in use. have two children and night is the only chance I get to do sewing. It is so tiresome sew ing by hand and more so when the ate- rial is not new to begin with MRS. S."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-19

ceptional in her good luck. Those of us who have this unhappy acquaintance with the pests are thankful to get any remedy which may assist us in getting rid of them I will put the name of this correspondent on file on the bare chance that some one may have bath ca binet to bestow on her mother
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-19

supply the poppy seed Iinquired of my own grocer and was told there should be no difficulty in finding them. Thank you TOT the Hungarian recipe. Will you do the Corner a further kindness and give the quantities or proportions used in mak- Ing this dish?, You do not tell us how much of each ingredient is needed, and thls information is necessary to one who mas never seen the dish made or prepared It herself. There will be time to get it and print it before Christmas, I hope.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-19

have been obliged to call halt on the appeals for large articles of this sort, for l am almost overwhelmed With them at times. Pianos, typewriters, music boxes are among those pieces of furniture for which application is made If make rare exception in this especial case it Is because the writer's need seems to me to be very genuine and I hope her request may be favorably considered.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-19

sets of instructions printed in the Corner few months ago.
 S <:
 Asks for Quilt Pieces.
 I see that M H. c. has quilt pieces to give away. As am shutin would be so thankful to have them and would be glad to return the favor in any way in my power. Mas. s. e. Another appeal for pieces which have already been bestowed elsewhere. Can some one send such pieces to this shut in as she desires? will give her address on application.
 ss *
 Pieces for Quilts.
 am nurse and have worthy case or needy family in whom wish to in- terest the Cornerites. I saw the kind offer of M. H. l.. and I know it could not De more appreciated than by their little girl, who has been afflicted with an in- curable disease that has cost her parents all their worldly possessions. Any kind of new pieces of woolen or cotton goods the child could patch for quilts would be welcome as she sews neatly and they need the bedding. There is a big family of little people and the mother makes everything they need but their footwear Their means are limited. owing to much sickness ".JT" The pieces offered by M H. L. have found another owner, but cannot doubt that more of the same kind will be sent to this little sufferer. shall be glad to give her address and I am sure those who write will learn of other needs they can supply in this worthy family. Illness among the poor and people of moderate means always means serious financial distress and the inability to secure some of the most essen- tial articles.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-19
Pepper Banished Roaches.

wish I could get the bath cabinet offered by E. F. s. for my mother, who has rheumatism so that she is kept at home in a chair most of the time. ap- preciate very much what this gift would be to her. Perhaps I can help the Corner little. We were pestered with reaches, as so many other persons are. We used common 'ayenne pepper, sprinkled around crovices and in corners, also around the tops of doors and on shelves Every roach left in months time. and that is more than year ago. A tea made of the pepper and applied with brush broom or whisk broom will free one from the pest of bedbugs. don't know person. ally about the bedbugs but do know about the reaches. MRS. H. F. L.
 Again have to report with great regret that the bath cabinet has been given to some one else, so that I must disappoint this correspondent. I am grateful for her suggestion about the vermin. She is for tunate if she has no personal knowledge of the plague of bedbugs, and rather ex-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-19

read 1t will feel grateful for the time and trouble taken in setting them all down. We shall hope to hear from this corre- spondent again and often.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-19
FAMILY MEALS FOR A WEEK.

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The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-19
Book for an Old Man.

Several weeks ago a correspondent who signed herself. I think. M A. F. asked for The Love Letters of a Lonely Soul for an old man. I have copy of the book and would be glad to let the cor respondent have 1t. B. F.'
 am sorry to say no such signature as this appears in our files and am forced to the conclusion that B. F. has made a mistake Tn the initials. I print her offer on the chance that the correspondent who desires the book referred to may see the offer of it and write. sending the correct name and address.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-19
Value of Comederate Coins.

"Will you please advise me of the value placed on a confederate $5 bill dated 1884, also 10 cent piece in currency bearing the same date? Is there any demand for such things. and can you tell me place where could realize on such relics?
 "M. L." am not an authority on such questions. but I should judge that there is enough confederate money in existence slowed away as relics to make its cash value small. Can any one better versed on this topic than give this correspondent more accurate information? I have her ad- dress if it is desired.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-19
III. Deaf, and Poor.

A7 LITTLE over three years ago ss ~ l became afflicted with tuber-
 @ culosis. At the same time my hearing began to fail me and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-19

sets of instructions printed in the Corner few months apo
Evening journal., 1915-11-29
MEMBERS OF DANCING
CLASS IN HOME CITY.
Pleasure Of Trip Of VIII
mingtonianS Marred by Dis
tasteful Newspaper Stories
ATTENDED THEATRES,
HAD DINNER PARTIES

Members OF the Friday Night Dane
ing Glass returned last evening from
New York city, where they went on
Friday afternoon, and, while they had
much pleasure out OF their weekend
trip. their enjoyment was marred by
some distasteful stories that appear
ed in Philadelphia and New York
newspapers. Through misrepresenta-
tlons to the effect that the Whining
tonians intended TO spend vast sums
OF money on a round OF pleasure in
the metropolis and other eXaggera-
tions, the members OF the dancing
class. which included twenty-onc mar
ried couples, were subjected TO much
annoyance An army of newspaper
reporters and photographers started
on the same train from French street
station and oamped after the Whining
tonians for part OF their time In New
York until the newspaper men were
convinced that somebody had perpe-
trated a Joke" on the Wllmingionians
that was regarded as anything but a
joke by them.
To say that they would like TO get
hold OF the person who first spread
broadcast the story the members OF
ithe Dancing Glass intended to spend
big sums OF money recklessly In New
York Is putting Il mildly. AS z matter
OF fact, tho trip to New York, which
had been conceived many weeks age
and was looked forward TO with mucl
pleasure, was planned 10 cost but
$4,000, which was 10 cover all ex-
penses for the outing Of nearly three
days.
The Wilmingtonians attended several
theatres. had dinner at different no
tells and had one or two supper dances
while IN New York. Yesterday after.
non they motored to the country
estate of William c. Muschenhelm
proprietor OF the Hotel Astor, where
they we're Mr. Muschenheim's guests
at tea. The party arrived home
shortly before z o'clock last evening
aud had dinner at the Hotel dupont
before going to their homes.
I'm speaking Of the trip, Charlei
Warner. who Is president OF the dane
ing class, said: eve have had a mos
delightful and uneyentfnl trip eScep
for, the annoyance caused by tn
troublesome reporters. It is true W
have a dancing class, but all this bos
about the expenses OF the trip hayin
been paid by Mr.. Raskob OF MI
Lackey Is false. lt was a social outinl
but on account OF the large numho
in the class II was necessary that "
have some kind OF organization. tn
reports published during our trip I
the newspapers outside OF Wllmin
ton were distasteful 20 the membe
OF the party and caused unsavo
! criticism OF Wilmington"
Evening journal., 1915-11-29
LIPPINCOTT STORE TO
Be CLOSED each evening

Realizing the stress their employees
viii have during the strenuous shop
ping days preceding Christmas. Lip
pincott and Company. Market street
merchants, have decided not to open
their store in the evenings. with the
exception Of one night. and that will
be Christmas Eve. This store has
been closing at $50 o'clock each day,
but from Wednesday Of this week until
Christmas, il will remain open until 6
O'Clock, opening at the usual hour.
$50 O'Clock BY prolonging the days
work one-half hour and giving their
employees the evenings 10 themselves.
the firm feels that IL will amply serve
the public and al the same time give
the young women employed by IL
sufficient recreation period between
each days work
II is needless to say that the en-
ployes Of Llppincott aud Company ap-
preciate the companys action.