davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26

I AM exceedingly deaf and have tt spent a great deal of money on
 different hearing apparatus with
 l put success in finding anything that
 helped me much. I am so deaf that I cannot hear the thunder, and l have not heard music for five or six years. About three weeks ago friend procured a piece of vulcanized rubber in sheet form for me to try, thinking from the theory of the thing that it might pos- sibly help me to hear. You can imagine my delight when I found that l could not only hear but hear so low voice that a person across the room could not hear the speaker, and it is fine, simply fine, for music. The theory is vibration purely; the rubber is placed between the teeth and one hears through vibration. The price of the rubber is not more than 80 or 50 cents. It is not on the market as a hearing apparatus, but just simply small piece of vulcanized rubber procured at any wholesale rubber store. l have a number of pieces now and I wish to pass the blessing on to others whom it may help as it has me. To any who will care to try I will gladly loan my pieces to experiment. Wllh, anu lHeh II they hIu it of any benefit they can get all they want from any rubber house. J. l.. T. v
 As I have said before. there is always a demand for aids to deafness. and since the receipt of this letter the writer's ad- dress has been given to so many suf- ferers from difficulty in hearing that question very much if she has any of the pieces of vulcanized rubber left. How ever, it is a simple matter to get some from her description, and I shall hope to hear that many have tried this simple means and been greatly benefited there by. I dare say J. l.. T. will be glad to write to those who wish her counsel in the matter, and I will give her address to those writing for it and inclosing stamp for reply.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26

and beaten up at the needed intervals. Only experience and sympathy will teach the attendant when such care is welcome and when tresome. and practice is re- quired to instruct her just how to perform these little duties without exhausting her charge instead of refreshing her.
 Perhaps the breakfast is the most try ing meal of the day for the invalid. Even when the night has been comparatively easy there is a sense of Encouragement that comes with the beginning of another day in bed, and the right sort of stimulus is demanded to reconcile her to life and to food. When possible it is a great ad- vantage if she can be lifted from her bed to a couch or an easy chair. and this moved into another room, or even to the other side of the sickroom, to gain what good may be found in little change.
 All this should not be done without first administering nourishment The reg
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26

mits of it's adjustment to any height needed. While these tables are of pecul- jar value in the sick room they are also of service to those who wish to read with the book on a support before them, or to play games while lying back in a chair or couch. But they are particularly well come to the invalid who does not care to have to balance a plate precariously on shaky knees or to have to reach over to one side for cup or glass.
 Less practical but still excellent are the trays which come for bed meals and that have legs long enough to allow them to stand on the bed without resting on the invalid's legs or body
 When the tray con.-.> in it should be spotlessly dainty, with the best of damask, glass, silver, and china The finest of these are none too good for the sick room. and the pleasant surprise in having meal served with unusual plate. cup, and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26
MARION HARLAND'S HELPING HAND.

send pattern and sample bead I would be glad to write letters to lonely people or to shut-ins who might be helped by a letter, even from stranger. have derived great benefits through corre- spondence with a number of shut-ins dur ing the last year, and trust the benefit has not been solely mine. R. M A large number of directions for mak- ing wall paper beads have been received. Some of them have appeared in the paper. but many of them were repetitions, and I can therefore only thank those who sent them and not print them. One of the writers states that she secured the paper for her beads from a wall paper man, who gave her book of his out of date sam ples, which answered her purpose per- fectly. The suggestion is worth recollect- ing. will put the address of R. M. on file for the benefit of those lonely ones and shut-ins to whom she offers to write, and if any one should wish to avail herself of her kindly suggestion of sending sam- pie of triangle and 8 bead. will supply R. Ms address on receipt of the clipping making the offer and stamp for reply.
 * sE
 Seating Wedding Guests.
 "Will you kindly advise me with re- gard to the seating of wedding guests? The party will include the bridesmaid the hest man, and the families of both. includ- ing a few friends. Should the brides cake be on the table when they are seated, and also should the cake be cut and passed around or put in boxes to take home after the wedding? Must one have a bride groom's cake? Please suggest what to serve at brides shower luncheon.
 ' ANxIoUs.''
 It would be easier to answer you if you had told me if the guests are to be seated at the table or about the room while eating. In any event the bride and bridegroom should be side by side. the bridesmaid and best man close by, and next to them the members of the lm- mediate family. There is no fixed order except that due deference should be shown to the fathers and mothers of the young couple. Sometimes the cake is brought to the b.<de or placed on the table near her that she may cut the first slice. It is then usually taken of, cut up. and the pieces placed in boxes Tor t:rA guests to take home with them. In soma cases the cake is not put on the table ssl all, but cut in small sections and put in the boxes for distribution. I think the former method better for a small home wedding. For the brides shower lunch con serve oysters. salad. ice cream and cake. coffee. or chocolate. This is the menu for standing luncheon, but if the guests are seated at a regular luncheon a more elaborate bill of fare is demanded. and this may begin with grapefruit, so on to bouiIlon or other soup. a fish course. chicken or chops. salad. sweet. and coffee. This must be determined by the size of the party and the scale on which entertaining is desired.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26
< :E Oatmeal CooRies.

Allow me to enter your column with a recipe and request for an address. I have gleaned many good things from your column, and may occasionally contribute something myself, if I am welcome. The recipe is for oatmeal cookies: One cup of dark brown sugar and three-quarters of cup of lard and butter mixed [beat these until thoroughly creamedl; two cups of rolled oats, two eggs. we'll beaten,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26

first place can give it again and will gladly make room for it on this page. As to the recipe for apples. am afraid we shall have to get a little clearer ex- plantation before we know what is wanted. Are the apples cooked with the skins or without and are they served cold or hot and as dessert? After receiving 8 more detailed description think there Is little doubt that some one can supply you with the recipe for preparing them a. VOL wish
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26
How 10 Make Paper Beads.

In response to your request inclose a recipe for making wall paper beads. Select three or four colors of wall paper, preferably those of delicate or neutral tint. and one of strong tone, such as dark green or red. Fold the paper length wise down the center and you can thus get two triangles at once. These tri- angles should be two and oneIhaf inches wide and as long as the width of the folded paper. Cut from the outer edge with the folded edge. thus making g series of triangles. Turn the triangle face downwards and with starch paste. paste the apex up to about the center of the paper. Then. beginning at the wide end, roll tightly over knitting needle
 be careful to roll evenly. so that the point of the triangle will come exactly in the center of the bead. In stringing. alter nate with small glass beads. If any one wishes further directions I will gladly
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26

without separating whites and yolks, one cup of raisins and nuts chopped fine, one teaspoon of cinnamon, one teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in three tablespoons of water, two cups of sifted flour. This will be stiff. Drop the mixture in small spoonfuls on greased pan and bake in a moderate oven. These cookies will keep and be good for long time.
 MRS. M" A welcome is extended to this new cor- respondent also, and the address she asked about was sent to her at once. l may remark that she inclosed stamped envelope for reply. We shall hope to hear from her often, and have no doubt her contributions will prove helpful.
 < *
 Scrapple.
 A number of weeks ago among some of your recipes was one for making scrap pie. I saved the paper, but have mis- placed it. I would like to secure the recipe. M. L." Put a cleaned pigs head over the fire in saucepan with enough water to cover 1t and boil until the meat slips from the bones. Remove the bones and chop the meat uLc. uL tlC llQuOl III WHICH tu6 meat was cooked in a cool place until cold. The fat will rise to the surface in a cake and must be removed. After doing this return the liquor to the fire, bring it to a boil. turn in the chopped meat, season. ing we'll with pepper and salt. Again bring to a boil and thicken with cornmeal as in making plain mush, adding the meal slowly. letting it slip through the fingers and keeping on the lookout for lumps Cook the mixture steadily and not too fast for an hour. stirring frequently at first and using the spoon from time to time throughout the process of cookery. At the end of the time pour the contents ot the saucepan into long square pan, mak- ing layer about four inches deep. Put it aside in cold place and when you wish ]. to use it slice it and fry in shallow drip ping or butter.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26

am therefore unable to answer the letter except through the medium of the printed page.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26
Lilies Unusual Flowers.

"Will you please send me the address of Mrs. J. K S., who has ferns to give away? I would like to have one of them. also
 wish to ask you if you will inquire if some of the Cornerites will give me sorne unusual plants and flowers. wish only one of each. I like peonies and cactus and some roses. I have some flag lilies and some yellow towering plants to give to any one who would care for them now. I would also like to know if any one has a lawn swing or hammock or some out door games to give away The children are always asking me to buy some for
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26
FAMILY MEALS FOR A WEEK.

DINNER. Chicken soup Qeftover). Pot roast of teef with vegetables. Lemon tarts.
 Coffee. s: * FRIDAY. BREAKFAST Oranges.
 Cereal. Fried panfish. Toast
 Coffee. LUNCHEON. Baked bread and cheese. Baked sweet potatoes mashed and browned. Wafiies and honey. Tea.
 DINNER. Cream of corn soup. Baked bluefsh. Mashed potatoes. Creamed onions. Apple brown betty. Coffee.
 As * SATURDAY. BREAKFAST. Oranges. Cereal. Bacon. Quick mullins. Coffee. LUNCHEON. Picked up fish and potatoes Apple and celery salad. Crackers end cream cheese. Tea.
 DINNER. Onion soup Oeftover). Pot roast sliced and warmed up with minced vegetables. Potato puff Qeftover). Sliced pineapple. Sponge cake
 Coffee.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26

them and along their trail. This helped for day, but they soon returned so put my wits to work.
 thought of roll of narrow sticky fly paper I had, so got that out and lacked it to the window sill where they came n and little way up the sides Of the Win dow; then I watched their antics. It only took few of them to teach the others that they had been snared and the rest all retreated. In working with these l.- tie things could not help admiring their persistency and effort to gain their point, and it is this persistency we must initiate if we hope to get rid of these nuisances.
 q had never heard of the fly paper being used for this purpose, but knowing what I had to deal with knew that some- thing must be done and the paper did the work quickly and removed the necessity of having the pantry shelves strewn with powder, etc I have found that with most of these annoyances we have to work out the problem for ourselves and that noth- ing does good without everlasting vigil ance Remedies that help some persons do not seem to work in other cases.
 Not long since discovered that there was little mouse Tn my apartment. forthwith got three little traps at the 10 cent store and caught four mice. Then I felt must find out how they got in. Final ly moved out the refrigerator and found that around the drain pipe the floor did not fit closely, so l had the janitor tack strips of tin around the pipe, had thor ough. cleaning and flushing of the drain pipe with sea lding water, and besides feel ing especially clean I have not been troubled since then with mice. try never to let such annoyances get the start of me. This is my first letter to the Corner, and I hope it is not too long
 MRS. c. E. R. ,
 We are glad to welcome Mrs. c. E. 2 into the constituency. and she need not be afraid her letters will be thought too long while she continues to send us these help ful suggestions in domestic akairs- fully agree with her in thinking that !t would be an excellent plan if the readers of the Corner would cut out and preserve the useful hints which appear from time to time. Much of the space which could be devoted to giving fresh hints is taker up by the repetition of directions whicf have appeared repeatedly.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26

our big yard as they are outside all day in summer. My boy would also be glad if some one had play tent to give him. I cannot afford to buy such things. and maybe there are some persons with these articles who have no further use for them. They would be great pleasure to us.
 MRS. c. l.. I trust that the gift or exchange of the flowers the writer wishes may be ar ranged, and that the outdoor properties her children crave may be sent to them. I will give her address to any one apply ing for it and inclosing stamp. Please send the clipping with the request.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26
Offers q Bible.

Offers Bible.
 Will you kindly send me the name of the girl who wishes a Bible? Inclosed you will find stamp for reply. L. w." Unfortunately the writer did not give the initials of the seeker for Bible nor did she inclose the stamp for reply. ]
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26

 Mnce of tongue roN'e Ve''e" Cereal cakes   knobs sou Baked sweet poat Peach unping
  
  Bole fes n Spanish  Corr muffin M  
 
   Tost DINNER Brown
 
  Bread andIa am
   Bef ong Tongue slice auoped cell BREAKFAST Sswedpr Cereal cOnss Rolls
  p Mincdch warmsdovr Apples
  sakedes esg. Scotch am
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26

OW many housekeepers, even of
 long experience, understand how to cater to the occasional or \ chronic invalid? In how many
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-12
Baseball Weather

"This is certainly baseball wealth er," remarked Carelton Molesworth, manager of the Birmingham baseball club, who has just dropped into town from Maryland When these warm spring days come it makes one want to get into uniform and begin to toss around the ball little.
 q was surprised to find it so warm when I reached Birmingham, as it was bitterly cold when I left my home at Frederick, Md. The pitchers will not begin to report until March 10, but if they were here now they could be get familiar enough with this climate to know whether it will last or not It's cinch that If I had a bunch of ball players here it wouldn't. I don't sup pose it is possible that this kind of weather will last, as it would be too good to be true.
 "We will not begin active work at Redwood Field in our preparedness campaign for 1916 until about March IS. The battery men will report March 10 and will be getting in shape for five days before the others show up.
 If we have a reasonable number of fair days during our training season I shall esteem myself lucky. There is always something the matter, but would rather have almost anything than a cold rain.
 Prom what I hear from over the league this is going to be good base ball year. l expect the attendance to break records"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-12
nIilitnrx'prospects Fine

Gen. Leonard Wood is one of the strictest disciplinarians in the United States army, but at the same time he is one of the most affable and agree able men personally I have ever met, said Joseph Scully, former adjutant general of Alabama. General Wood ln- spected one of our brigade encamp- ments while I was adjutant general and all the officers in the Alabama Ma tional Guard who met him became his warm personal friend.
 General Wood has for many years been recognized as one of the best posted military authorities in the na- ton and he is extremely popular in the army, despite the fact that his promotion was made over the heads of some men who were older in the service than he. I think his visit to Birmingham had splendid influence upon military conditions, and I be- lieve the National Guard will be inn proved as a result of his address. The prospects for the military camp at Fort Oglethorpe next summer are fine and it looks like there will be large rep resentation from the Birmingham dis trict"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-12
HuMnR IN AMERICA

James L. Ford In McClure's Magazine.
 The belief has been created that we are a nation of humorists, and it is fact worthy of remark that the duller the mind into which this delusion creeps the more ardently is it cherished.
 In one sense of the word we are na7 ton of humorists. Indeed it would be hard to find man who does no. regard himself as an inspired funmaker. We certainly have more humorists to the square mile than can be found In any other land; nowhere is it said with more persistency and sincerity: If it were not for my saving sense of humor. I really don't know what I should dol"
 Imagine an Irish peasant colnirg to the door of his cabin to announce his possession of a Saving sense of humor!"
 With every man his own humorist and every humorist laboring with tongue or pen at his self-imposed task of being funny, our national humor has reached a point that may we'll make the judicious grieve. Comic supplement humor has all the wholesome merrimenG of the goat and stovepipe school with the added charm of irreverence manifested chiefly in the constant exploitation of the inn pertinence of the unlicked American cub No household that plumes itself on it's
 saving sense of humor' should be with out one of these defining and instructive sheets. The picture of a cheeky brat hit ting his grandmother in the eye with ripe tomato is not only mirtn-inspiring to the adult mind, but helpfully suggestive to adolescence as well.
 We nave also, and in high state of de- velopment, the hee-haw school of rib-pok- ing jocosity, that, anaconda-like, covers everything with it's own slime and then pronounces it funny. According to the eanons of jocosity it Is funny to be fat and funny to be thin; funny to be mar ried and funny to remain bachelor or maid. Badness is regarded as a fit sub- Ject for uncontrolled mirth. Courtsnip awakens the sly grins of all beholders The wedding morn is the signal for un- loosing the dogs of robust fun.
 Does this universal merrimenr Justify our claim that we are nation of humor- ists?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-12
A Good Sign


 T have not learned how many seats have been sold for the Boston Grand Opera or for the Minneapolis Symphony orchestra, but I would say that great crowds will attend both attractions, said J. H. Holcombe, vice president or the E. E. Forbes Piano company, and for many years president of the B1r- mingham Festival association, and for mer president of the State Fair. The reason I make that prediction is be- cause experience teaches me that when everybody is talking about this or that coming event the attendance will be very large.
 "It was that way with the fair. When everybody was talking about it in ad- vance, the gate receipts were sure to be record breakers; and in former years when everybody talked about the music festival the house was sure to pc packed.
 Birmingham is certainly talking grand opera and the Minneapolis or chestra. Everybody seems to be buying tickets. I look for capacity houses at all the performances"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-12
MObilizing by Wireless

February 22 the United States gov ernment will conduct a unique experi- ment to determine how quickly an
 army of three million men can be mob ilized by the aid of wireless teleg- raphy. It is far cry from Paul Re- vere's famous ride on horse, the swiftest means of communication at that time, to the radio message which will be flashed over the country from the Rock Island arsenal, Ill.
 There are twenty-five thousand licensed amateur wireless operators in the country and it is belived that prac- tically all will be at their receivers waiting to catch the war message when it is sent out. At II o'clock, on the night of February 21, Central time, and 10 o'clock Eastern time, stand by" message will be flashed, which all amateur operators are ex-
 pected to receive. A military dispatch
 will be delivered by the federal gov
 ernment, through a messenger, to the Rock Island arsenal. The operator at
 the arsenal will then read it for the first time. He will send out the mes
 sage to be picked up by other gov ernment stations and amateurs with
 in radius. One of forty-five designated stations will wait for a clear atmos- phere and repeat the message to the next relay of operators, who will send it on in turn until it has travelled all over the United States. It will be de- livered in each city or state where picked up to the mayor or governor. Nothing could show more strikingly
 the progress the world has made since George Washington's day than sub stituting wireless telegraphy in call to arms for the panting steed that Paul Revere rode. There is nothing
 spectacular about a wireless station, but in romantic possibilities, as al ready shown on land and sea, it leaves that early courier far behind. There is also a practical side to the govern ment's forthcoming test which may prove of tremendous advantage if this
 country is ever drawn suddenly into war.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-12
FAMILIAR NAMES

From the Philadelphia Ledger. as
 Two of the most familiar figures in this news of the day are John Bull and Uncle Sam. How did they get their names? If vou've forgotten. be reminded.
 In the days of Dean Swift and Alexan- dor Pope lived Scotch author and phy- stefan by the name of John Arbr' ot Tn TIP he published the History of John Rull." one of the most amusing of DO litical satires. Swift and Pope signed inc preface. The creation ot the charac- ter has been attributed to Swift, but er- roneously. John Bull as a nickname has been traced no further back than Ar buthnOt.
 The name of Uncle Sam is applied to America as John Bull'' is applied to England It arose at the time of the last war between England and America. A commissariat contractor named Ebert Anderson had storeyard at Troy, N. Y. Samuel Wilson was the government inspector in charge of the examination of supplies furnished by the contractor. Everybody called him "Unc.e Sam.'' The casks were marked, "I1. A.-U. S." Some of the employees at the yard jol1ed Uncle sam Wilson on his increasing posses sions. .'U. S'' meant Uncle Sam.' they said. They liked their joke. and passed