Similar societies exist in various parts of the country: among others may be mentioned the Boston Saturday Morning Cooking Club, which has won considerable fame by its culinary exploits; the Young Maidens' Cooking Association of Savannah, Georgia; the Philadelphia Cooking Club; the New York; and a number in the West.
Indeed, wherever those famous lady cooks Miss Juliet Corson, Miss Parloa, and Miss Dodds have travelled, giving their interesting lectures, cooking clubs have sprung up like flowers in their wake.
I wonder, with all their knowledge, whether any of these coming cooks will ever equal that famous Roman master of his art who could serve at table a whole pig, one-half of which was boiled, and the other roasted, and stuffed with spiced birds, eggs, and delicious nuts?
Woodside, near Lincolnton, North Carolina.
I have been thinking that some of the readers of Young People would like to hear about Uncle Pete, and perhaps to help my sister M—— and myself in the little school which we began with Pete's eight children for the first pupils. Four years ago we moved back to the old farm which had been my father's. The place is now worked by tenants. One of them is a colored man, who was once our slave, and has never left us a single day. He used to be a good servant, and in the years since he has been free he is still the same honest, faithful man. In the sickness and troubles we have had he has been the kindest of friends, always doing everything he can for us. When we came back we found a great deal to do, and many things very much run down, and Uncle Pete was our best helper. There is no school here for colored children to attend, so we asked him to send his little flock to us on Sunday afternoons. The little things came gladly, and learned so well that we told them they might invite any other children who wished to learn to come with them. In a month our school numbered twenty-seven pupils. Among them they have only six ABC primers, and two New Testaments. They are very anxious to learn to read and write.
If we had the money, we would like to build a little school-house, where M—— would teach these little folks three times a week, except in the season when they are busy in the cotton field, and every Sunday as well. We could then take a great many more, who are now sent away for want of room. We will gladly give the land, all the timber needed, and the use of our wagon and team, and Pete with the other fathers will give labor; but some money is necessary too, and we have none. We would now be very glad to receive books, even old and worn ones, reward cards, papers, and slates, as well as copies of the Testament. If we had a small instrument, M——would teach them to sing.
Any gifts of money or books which may be sent to me will be acknowledged promptly and thankfully. Who wants to help Pete's little Ida, and her friends?
Mrs. Alice Richardson.