davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28

NHE following letter has interested
 me much and puzzled me good
 deal, and I would like the opinions of readers upon it:
 May I come to you for advice? 1 am housekeeper and the mother of three chinldren-and I'm dissatisfied. Now, know there are lots of people who feel in that way, but am not dissatisfied with life, or unhappy or grouchy. am happy and thankful for all the blessings of my life. and they are many. But am dissatisfied with myself.
 '' am a drudge, and can't get my work above it. have read and studied domestic science great deal, and have an excellent chance. One of my best friends teaches in a college here [this is a college townl, and yet I can't get my work out of the line of drudgery. The reason, to my mind, Is that l am made for other work. My garden and flowers are a great success. I take my hoe and spade and work in my garden all the morning, and never consider 1t any drudgery. I milk my COW and drive her to the pasture, and yet cannot churn the milk or wash the vessels without falling back to drudgery.
  table. I can. make my mind and my hands act together. I know the work Is not degrading. and when others do it I don't look at it in that way. but when do it I feel differently about it. And I can't get help that is competent. The servants usually can't or won't do things right I know how they should be done and how to manage. I believe I can make fa, aalf %k,o cLon I children would be proud of, provided I can get help. But when do get help never know what Is going to happen when I am away.
 five burning ambition to write. I want to qualify myself for it and make it my life work, or at least a part of it. feel the responsibility to my family first of all. In fact, I think I will be better wife and mother for having brought my self up to the thing for which I am best fitted. God has not made us all for the same thing, therefore we cannot all be successful in the same way, and 1t is only when we are doing the thing we are fitted for that we bring out the best that is in us.
 I am just 24 years old. I have only grammar school education to start with, together with about six years of inces- sant reading and with a great responsi- bility already on my shoulders and no way to shift any of it, even the little things which take such constant brain work to make them fit in right.
 "In face of all this, do you advise me to take up the work? Do you think can do it and do my family justice at the same time?
 "Let me pay my tribute to the Corner by the following:
 right,
 And here to the one who leads us aright. Let us follow the path pointed out to our sight MI we learn by it's wisdom our corner in life.
 MRS. J. M. H."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28

an accident and whose father
 is poor struggling farmer with sickly wife and six children? They live twelve miles from here. over a sandy road and must come in once a week to have the child's eye treated by the doctor. They would also like an old or discarded violin. if any one has one to give away. know these people are worthy. They are thrifty. upright and hard working. but poor and necessarily live barren and empty lives. I will see that any gifts are sent to them if mailed or expressed to me. A letter to any prominent person in this place or to the minister of the Con- gregational church. will bring the return guarantee that the family is all have represented and that I may be trusted to pass on to them anything that any one Is kind enough to send. would give them more myself, but there Is limit to my ability. MRS. A. H.
 I do not know if the violin desired can be supplied. for there are many applica- tions for such instruments. but am sure some one must have parasol to give the child in order that she may shade her injured eye or the long drives to and from the doctors. I do not doubt that other little gifts will suggest themselves to those who know what are the needs and desires of girl of 13. Send a stamped and self addressed envelope when writ ing for the girls address.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28
MUST HOUSEW BE DRUD GERY?

business man and ask him if there are not some duties which he dreads and which bore him almost to extinction, and put the same question to any woman who has made free choice of her own pursuit in life and you will get the same sort of reply. No line of work is all pleasure; if 1t were, we would none of us get the discipline all of us need.
 So think that all I can say to my in- quirer is that her best plan is to go ahead bravely in the lot in which she Is placed and try to make the utmost of it. She need not turn her back upon intellectual pursuits because she has drudgery" to accomplish. She is in good company when she has to make time for things of the mind and the spirit in the midst of other avocations. She can refresh her soul by the recollection of the Bronts sis ters in their lonely parsonage among the Yorkshire moors, with no better domestic service than she herself possesses, with out congenial society. forced to the same sort of drudgery which she deplores. and yet educating themselves and producing their marvellous books in the midst of every disadvantage and hindrance
 Some of the best work of the world has ben done in the face of such discourage ments, and if the root of the matter is In my correspondent or anywhere else, the stem will flourish and bring forth fruit. Before she can write she will have to study, to drill herself in the details con- nected with composition, and part of this she can do in her odd moments, while performing the tasks from which she turns now in such distaste. She can ponder over the things she means to write while her hands are busy with petty duties, and from this discipline and drill she will emerge better and stronger woman. with a higher equip ment than she could have secured if the way had been made easy for her.
 More than that, she can learn much from observation of her children. from companionship with them, and they can never possess the things she can give them if she devotes herself exclusively to other matters. When she analyses the subject, does she think it likely that any thing she can produce in literature will be the credit to her and the pride and happiness she will know when her chil- fruit [cherries preferred], chickens, or friends? This Is a point upon which would like to know the judgment of the Cornerites. am sure that, like me. they will not think the road an easy one. but is it not the only one which will bring peace and satisfaction? Or have any of them some suggestions to make bywhich the correspondent can accomplish her de- sires and not neglect the charges that have been placed in her care?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28
Chance 10 Male Cripple Happy.

am postmstress in tn.s small town,
 and there comes to my window each day crippled girl. and although she locks eagerly and hopefully for a letter she seldom receives one. As if misfortune enough were not a sufficient handicap for she has one leg cut off at the knee-she is disfigured with blrthmark. Her home life is none too pleasant, as she is ire quently reminded of her helpless, almost useless condition, and in addition to this ste cannot read or write. Yet she enjoys getting letters. for l read the m to her and help her in every way I can. see so often in the Corner that persons ask for the address of some one to whom they may write, and l have thought that per- haps some one might take pity on this Ioor girl and send her card or letter. l know this will rejoice her, for she has every letter she has ever received treas ured away. If some one wishes to do kind deed and make lonely heart light Just write a line to this child. Her initials are M. c. I inclose some stamps for
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28
Can Never Walk Again.

am sending you the name of dear boy, II or IS years old, who cannot walk and has not walked since he was or years old. At that time he had an illness which paralyzed his legs so that he can never walk again. He is fond of reading to pass away his lonely hours as a shut-ln. If any one has books, magazines, or papers to spare, or anything else which will cheer him, know he will appreciate it. His people live out in the country and are poor financially and are not able to buy books or anything of the sort for him. I myself am an invalid and shut-n. and know by experiences how much he will enjoy anything that is sent him. His initials are o. M MRS l.. E. B."
 Here is chance to cheer up lonely heart, and I shall hope for a number Of requests for the name and address of 0. M. It will be better to send articles directly to him after securing the addre ss from the Corner rather than to bother the kind friend who has made the application for him with letters and inquiries.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28

tural hair switch. on the order of chestnut brown, which will give to some one who can use it. My hair is so mixed with gray now that cannot wear it any more. wish that any one who writes to me about it would send sample of her hair and stamp for reply, as the switch would be of no use to any one if it did not match her hair. MRS. A. E 5.
 Although I share with the writer the fear she may not get the articles she asks for, print her letter on the chance of her wish being granted. as she has fulfilled the desires of so many others of our constituency. The switch she offers will doubtless be sought by some one and will give the writer's name and address if the application is accompanied by a stamped and self-addressed en- yeIODe.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28
She Lnes in Hope.

"I thank you for the addresses you gave me- was able to send flower seeds to each one. Thank you. too, for sending my address to the different friends who sent me nice quilt pieces. No, don't look forward to getting a parrot or a graphophone. I know I shall never have money myself to buy these things and l am afraid no one will have them to give me. but 1 thought maybe some one might happen to have one of them to give away you can't always tell. I won't be dis appointed, anyway. although l live in hope. But remember me if any one does offer any of these things. I love music 70 we'll and wish had some of 1t in my home. When you print the things oaered to the Corner you can add a na-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28
He Could Pay the Freight.

:" wonder if there is any one among your readers who has a boys bicycle to give away. 1 am the boy and am II years old. 1 live almost a mile from -chool and if I had a bicycle l could go ---... and forth much better and besides nave to go to town almost every day. 1 Aays .~ied to sell papers and to do many other things to get money to buy the pIcyAe, but did not succeed. l think could manage to pay the freight If any one has bicycle to give me. H. s. C."
 As I have said before, I do not like to ask for bicycles too often. but the plea of this boy touched me. and hope 1t may have that fleet upon some one who has an unused wheel to give away. If so. send to Inc for his address and make the child happy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28

would some of the Cornerites exchange fruit [cherries Ireferredl, chickens, or butter for nice quilt pieces. magazines, or crochet edges? You know it is hard for people in the city to get those farm things fresh and I will send postage for them. MRS. A. c. E.
 The recipe sounds as though it would make extremely good candy. hope there may be some one who will be able to make the attractive exchange the writer suggests. If so, the arrangement should be of mutual advantage.
 <: j:
 Wants Songs and Piano Music.
 "I have haG so much good from the sisters In the Corner that l am glad to offer my mite I have some magazines that I will be glad to send to some one who will pay postage on them. Here is a prescription to destroy bedbugs: Use gasoline on the beds and mattresses, but be careful to have no light or fire near it. as it is quick to catch fire. I would be glad to get some of the music that Just Me" has to give away-the piano music and songs-and if any one would like to have some violets would be glad to send some. l am so sorry for the shut-ins. My father has beer cripple for. the last fourteen years, and my mother fell two years ago and broke one of her legs and she has been cripple ever since. J. J.
 I am sorry to report that all the music offered by Just Me |" has been given away elsewhere. Has any one else some to give this Cornerite, and does any one ;.l, IL. ..s. 1. e the violets? If so, write to me for the address, inclosing staInp
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28
Offers Silk Pieces.

l wrote letter to Nancy D. and sen. her some post cards and she wrote me such a nice letter, thanking me for them. l will try to look after her and to send her cards every week and some silk pieces. If there are any others who would like silk pieces I will send them if they will pay postage J. c. F."
 l am always glad to hear of acknowl- edgrnents that have been received from those to whom cards and other tokens Of remembrance have been sent, and so publish this note here. If any one wishes to get the silk pieces offered by J. c. P. will she please write to me for the ad- dress, inclosing stamps?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28

one but herself can look after that hus> band, mother those children, and make the right sort of a home for all of them. This may seem humdrum view to take of the situation but what other Is there?
 Let us consider the matter moment. The husband and the children are there. It Is impossible to get the right sort of domestic service to place the wife ana mother above the necessity of looking after the details of her establishment. What does she purpose doing? How can she turn her back upon the employments of the household and leave the children to the help she declares to be incompe- tent? Does she think that by neglecting
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28
MARION HARLAND'S HELPING HAND.

thoughtless ones who may wish the ad- dress and not send stamp.
 " POSTMISTREsS." Here is another chance to do kindly service to a lonely girl. l wish it were possible for Postmistress. who has asked that her name be withheld, to make some arrangement by which this girl might be taught to read and write. Tire ability to do this would help her make her life worth while. 1 shall hope to re- ceive applications for the address and name of M. c. and that she may soon be cheered by the. letters and post cards for which her friend asks.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28
Apple Sauce Cake.

am sending you a recipe for an apple sauce cake: Ono and half cups of cold apple sauce, two cups of flour, one cup of raisins. half a cup of nuts, half cup of butter, quarters of a cup of sugar. two even teaspoons of soda, one teaspoon of cinnamon. Cream the butter and sugar with spices; add the raisins and apple sauce and lastly the flour, with which the soda has been carefully sifted. taking care to rub all Jumps smooth. Frost with butter icing. This is especially good
 "B. H. S.'' This recipe is welcome. and we thank the contributor for it. Will she not go further and send us the recipe for the butter icing she recommends for this cake?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28

velopment which takes TO account of the claims of others may lead to. Mrs. J. M. H. says she feels her responsibility to her family. How does she think she can discharge it by laying down the cares she now carries on her shoulders?
 As matter of course there is a great deal of drudgery about housekeeping. No one with any experience in this line can deny it. I was talking the other day to an enthusiastic bride who was Ilan- ming for her new home and was telling me joyously that she meant to do her own work and that she had sought out all man. Ter of labor saving appliances.
 My husband tells me he hopes it won't
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28
Good Baked AppLes.

l" For baked apples, tell P. T. J. to pare and core apples to fill a deep granite pie plate or shallow pudding dish, give them a coating of butter, and fill the center of each with butter and sugar. Sprinkle sugar over all and add small amount of water. Bake in moderate oven. basting occasionally. Turn the apples half way around when nearly done. This may not be cafe style. but apples cooked in this way are delicious J. A. K"
 Not only P. T. J. will be grateful for thls reclpe, but others who like good baked apD.eS.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28

Washing dishes" she answered trag- ically.
 Why, like that" said.
 :" So do I, when it's my pretty china, she rejoined. " But the pots and pans and kettles and greasy things and all the articles that are used in cooking and o!ea ming Do you like to do those?"
 And had to confess that did not. can't believe any one really likes it. On the other hand, there is no kind of work which does not have drudgery of some sort in it. My correspondent says she wants to write, but does she think that is all easy going?
 The other day I was talking with an
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28
Wants English Correspondent.

Could any one give me the address of sn English girl who would like to ex~ change letters and post cards with me. all American girl of 20? I would be so much interested in foreign correspond ent, My grandfather came from Eng land. and I think I could write interest ing letters to any one who would care fer them. inclose a few stamps for your work AMATEUR
 trust the wish of the young girl may be gratifed. and shall be happy to put Der in touch with any English corre- spondent either directly or through some Cornerte in this country. Let me ex- press my hearty appreciation of the con- s.deration shown by the gift of the stamps
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28
Will Write Letters.
To Male Lamp Shades.

Some weeks ago there appeared in the Corner instructions as to how to make lamp shades. misa.d mine in some manner and would like you to favor me with copy. l.. N"
 do not know when the instructions referred to appeared and so cannot find them for the correspond ent. All can do is to print her letter and trust it will meet a satisfactory response.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28

the path knew adopted by one woman who felt as the writer says she does She was wife and mother and her hus- bands circumstances were slender. She too, could not get competent service. So she quietly shirked
 In other words. she let her children run wild, gave no attention to her home be- yond bestowing orders upon the success sion of careless servants who succeeded one another in her kitchen, permitted her husband and family to live in the dirt, eat what they pleased, and manage their affairs as best they could. while she read, engaged in what she pleased her self by calling " art work with bits of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28
Flopcrs and Books to Cipe.

have lots of slips and flowers, maga- zines and books, and feel perhaps could help in some of these ways I wist you could put my name on file. and if re- quests from my vicinity come in you could put me in touch with the writers l am much interested in the Helping Hand and would like to do what can to be Of service to the readers of the department
 :" MRS. l., w. H." Jhis Is generous and practical offer and trust that those who read it will aid in making it useful Applications for the articles offered hope may be accom- panied by stamped and self-addres sed envelopes for reply.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28

moss, lichen. dry leaves, etc., making ." moss pictures and the like; lay abed late in the morning, wrote verses she termed poetry, and allowed her children and husbands clothes to go unmended and disgraceful.
 do not mean to intimate that this is the sort of thing my correspondent would for moment consider. I only instance this to show what a course of self-de-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28
Maqdzii1es and Patterns.

II love to read and take many maga- zines, not one of which Is ever thrown away or destroyed in my home, but after having loaned them to my friends close around give them to those who are un- able to subscribe for them. make lot. of tatting and have some pretty patterns and will be glad to exchange or seno patterns to those who want them don care so much to exchange, as take so many papers with the patterns in them. l think tatting is such nice employ ment, especially for those not able to do heavy work It does not strain the eyes as does crocheting or drawn work.
 MRS. s. L. F." I am sure many will be found to take the benefit of these offers and l hope applications as to how to address her may be accompanied by a stamped and self addressed envelope.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28
Remnants to Make Oyer.

"If any of the sisters have quilt pieces or remnants which could be made over into children's clothes to send to tired and needy mother the kindness would be greatly appreciated. Perhaps l might help them in some way. At least l hope they would write to me. l.. o.
 Who will answer this tired mothers appeal? In a letter to me personally she tells me she has four children, aged from years to 10, three boys and one girl. Will some one write to me for her address?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28

I began by saying that I am puzzled how to answer this letter and confess to continued uncertainty.
 One thing am sure of. When woman is in the state of life to which 1t has pleased God to call her. either through circumstances or her own choice, she should do her best in it. Other persons can write the book or the magazine articles she yearns to attempt, but no
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28

an obvious duty she can achieve some thing better worth while? And how does she contemplate setting about it?
 The decision would be easier If the writer of the letter had told me some thing of how she intended disposing of the husband, children, and home while she followed the line of work for which she considered herself better fitted. hope that she hardly thinks of pursuing
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28

tire me out" she said. You know he must have an early breakfast and that will mean getting up before every morn inS. Then he must have his noon meal at little after 12, and of course that makes 8 rather long day. But 1 can rest in between times and I'm not afraid of the work at all. know how to do it. and there is only one part of it dread"
 What Is that?" I asked.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28

editor about a certain woman writer who has possibly the most enviahle reputation of any American author.
 T wish young would-be writers could see how she labors over her work, said the editor We have to send back some times four and five galley proofs so that she may correct and rewrite and polish. She doesn't care how much she drudges over her material so that she brings it up
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28

to the mark"
 I speak as veteran writer when say that in this, my chosen line of work. there are many unpleasant duties which I have to take hold of and get out of the way with a fierce determination not to slight them, even though they are dis tasteful to me. Go to any professional or
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28

ske sends. So many of our correspond ents omit stamps, in spite of the repeated requests to send those or stamped and self-addressed envelopes for reply to their inquiries, that the postage is a serious drain upon the Corner. Therefore such thoughtfulness as that displayed by Amateur receives genuine gratitude.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-28
Divinity Fudge.

wish to express my appreciation of the Corner. It has been a gre at help to me in many ways and l always enjoy the good recipes. would like to give you the following recipe for divinity fudge. which is the finest have ever eaten, and Is also inexpensive: Put three cups of white sugar. two-thirds of cup of crystal white sirup, and one-third of a cup of water in t saucepan and boil to the hard ball stage. Test this by drop ping a little of the sirup in cold water. Have ready the whites of three eggs, beaten until stiff and dry; whip this into the boiling hot sirup and continue to beat for few seconds. Then add one cup of chopped nuts or of candied cher ries or dates. if preferred. pour into but tered tins. and cut into squares before it hardens. This is simply delicious. Now