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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 24, 1905)
3 MS ONE Christmas mystery remains unsolved. May never be solved. Who were the "Wise Men of the East? Of .what nationality were these Magi, who traveled from afar to do homage to the new-born Savior? "What was their rank? "Whence came the wealth that enabled them to bring their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh? "Why was the star vouchsafed them as a guide to show the way to Bethlehem? No one knows, though centuries of research have been made by eminent scholars. The simple story as told in the Bible Is one of the most familiar in Chris tian lore Any child could recite it in detail. Painters and sculptors have made it the theme of the most inspired products of their brushes and chisols, but to this day the identity of those, "Wise Men remains a mystery. There are, of course, theories. Men who know the period have striven to revive its life so as to lift the veil On the Making of an Ordinary Cook Usins "Leftovers, Continued by Miis Lilian E. Tingle, Director of Portland School of Domestic Science, Continued from last week. J 4 PIES and Pastries. For these the meat may be cut either in cubes or j slices and reheated with a llttlo j good gravy or finely minced and bound together with sauce something like a croquette mixture In any case extra seasoning will be necessary. A few slices of fresh vegetables, celery, carrot or onion, sauted In the butter or other fat used in making tho gravy, will be found helpful in reviving the flavor. The raste can be varied all tho way from fine puff paste (used for creamed chicken, oysters, etc.) to plain biscuit crust. A good way of using the latter is to roll it rather thin and lino a bowl or .mould of suitable size! Fill up with the meat and nicely seasoned gravy, cover with crust, lit on a cap or cover of greased paper, and steam -until the paste is cooked and the meat warmed through; then turn out on a platter and send to table with additional gravy. Extra gravy is a great help In making "left-overs" jialatable, and is easily obtained with the aid of a well-managed stock pot, Roman pie is made as described above, except that cooked macaroni or spaghetti is colled Into the bowl by way of lining and tomato sauce is used to season and accompany it. "Shepherd's pie" is made by lining a greased baking dish (fireproof china Is best), with left-over mashed potatoes. Minced meat is used for the filling. Cover tlds w-ith more mashed potatoes, mark with a fork to make an easily browned surface, and brush over with melted drip ping or butter. Bake It until nicely browned (quick oven) and serve in the baking-dish. Little Individual baking dishes can be used if you havo them. They come in varying prices and grades of china, and -arc most useful In making attractive breakfast, luncheou and des sert dishes of many kinds, Soiled ric may bo ued in similar faskte as cover and lining for baked or steamed pie. It from the famous trio, but all have la bored under the great "disadvantage that In setting down the story of the birth of Christ the Apostle Matthew has been disappointingly meager In dealing out information about the three "Wise Men. He simply says there arrived In Je rusalem three foreigners. He does not tell us of what race, nor of what sta tion In life. But there are clews in the Biblical recital, for all that. It is fair to assume fnom the fact that the visitors were received at court by King Herod, and that they carried gifts of value, that they were in their own country men of royalty or close to It. Probably Persians. The use of the word Magi Indicates that they wore Zoroastcrs. members of Persia's most sacred ordor. and if they came from the cast, wore most probably natives of Chaldca, that ancient TCgion lying beyond the Jordan and the desert. is best, however, with curry or other highly-seasoned dishes. Little baked "turn-overs" arc nice made from short crust, biscuit crust or potato crust (mashed potatoes with flour added, "enough to roll out," as the cookie recipes say). 3. Hash and Savory Mince Every cook is supposed to know how to make hash, so little comment is necessary. The faults most often met with arc carelessness in preparation of the meat, the use of raw instead of cooked potatoes, lack of thor ough browning, and unattractive service. In spite of the countless jokes on the subjecst, hash is a dish by no means to be despised, when properly served, al though owing to the fact that the meat is subjected to direct dry heat. It Is a Jess desirable method of "warming over" than soma others on our HsL Tho term savory mince includes a large number of differently flavored dishes all made from meat passed through tho minc ing machine or finely chopped In a bowl and reheated, but not boiled, in slightly thickened gravy. Suggestions for season ing have already been given, and some direction for using mince besides the aim--pie and convenient way of serving it on toast. Remember that the toast should be crisp, but not hard, neither too thick nor too thin, of a good brown, but not burned. The crusts should be trimmed oft and saved for "browned crumbs."' 6. Ragouts and Salmis For these every thing depends upon the sauce or gravy. Vegetables may be cooked in with the gravy, but must be thoroughly tender be fore the meat Is added, after which the temperature must not reach boiling point. If the meat Is tender and not over-cooked, a short time only is needed for reheating; otherwise let 4t cook slowly for at least two hours, to absorb moisture and flavor. The color of tho gravy is Important, as Well as tho flavor. I am constantly asked, "How do you get stews and gravies real brownT Here are way to do iu First Brown a little cmioa and carrot THE RTTXnXv PvnrxxTVN. PORTBAKD.. DECEMBER 24. i05; Herod evidently deemed It cautious to treat them with deference, for disquieted though he was by their news of the star or comet that was to lead them to' the birthplace of the Redeemer, he dissem bled, and told them that when they had found the new-born he would return to worship with them. The theory' that they were Persians gains further support from their actions when they came into the presence of the Christ. Their deep bow, their humble prostration was the Persian deference to a King, and the gifts they brought were Persian In character. This is the general idea to be deduced from the Bible story. It Is' little more than clover theory, for It supplies no names, it tells no rank. A research of the great paintings in which the subject is treated produces be wilderment. There are half a hundred different ideas presented. In the earlier efforts the number of "Wise Men varied from two to stx. though modern research Insists that three Is ac curate. or other suitable vegetable In a small quantity of fat. Second Add one or two level table spoonfuls of flour (according to the thick ness desired) for every tablespoon of fat and brown that, too a very pale fawn color is enough. Third Add one cup brown stock. If you have it. Second stock will do. but usually has not so good a color as "first stock." Fourth Bring to the boil and season carefully, then add a few drbns of cara mel or "kitchen bouquet,"" until the dtv sired tint Is obtained. Use the caramel cautiously or a bitter taste will result. Fifth Save -any brown "dish gravy" to. help your brown sauc. Sixth Use a little meat extract If your' gravy is still pale and weak. Caramel is- made by "heatlnr a few spoonfuls of sugar in a small pan until It turns a deep brown, but not black. Add (cautiously, or It will fly In your face) Just enough water to dissolve the browned mass. Bottle It and keep It for coloring soup and gravy and for flavoring cus tards. Ice creams and puddings. Don't forget to Use a llttlo spice, bay leaf, etc., when the meat-"seems lacking In flavor, but don't depend too much on these. A salmis Is made from game; the gravy Is rich and highly seasoned and usually con tains wine, but the principles Involved are the same as for ordinary ragouts or "English hash." A ring of cooked vegetables, of rice, of beans or of mashed potatoes stakes a suitable and convenient garnish. Toast points are also used. 7. Meat Cakes. There arc many names and different ways of serving meat loaves and cakes. Of course those made from fresh meat are best, but nice things can be made from cooked meat, too, by adding a little ham, bacon or salt pork, bread crumbs, stock and beaten egg. "Remember that the more egg you add the nxdster your mixture should be on account of the stiffening power of the egg. Perhaps you think this detail too small to be men tioned, but, I know of many Instances where a wwlMit "hum added an extra g to set xec)e (cake cottard, drcsciag or K O' Identity of the Wise Men Who Came centuW.when painters generally began to j j fi Not until nine centuries later, however, did the church And names for the first pilgrims to the shrine of the Prince of Peace. The monks of the 14th century "disclosed much of importance about tne early days of the Christian era. They delved deep ly, and brought to light much of the knowledge we have now. It is for that reason that their story of the Three Wise Men of the East deserves particular con sideration. Caspar. Mclchlor and Balthasar they call the Three Wise Men. All were great Kings. Caspar was the oldest. At the time of the birth of Christ he was CT years old. and for more than two-thirds of that time he had ruled in Arabia. Balthasar was black, a native of Saba and 40 years old. The youngest of the three what not) "to make It richer." and then she has been flocked and grieved to find it extra tough. In baking meat loam protect them at first with gjrased paper. In steaming don't quite illl your mold or baking powder can: use a tight-fitting lid or greased paper cover, and keep the water boiling. Steamed loaves when cold may be brushed over with "glaze" made by boiling down stock or (more quickly) by adding a llttlo beef ex tract to dissolved gelatine, LILIAN E. TINGLE. And She Did. Cleveland Leader. In a beat on a stream they Coated ado nr. He and r-hc. on a sweet Jena day HQ! I know tbU is not an appropriate sontvn t or m. xnonin atn uie uues are gray; Bat what matters It, anyway?) She sat at the tiller, and be at the oars. And he looked In her wonderful ,yej. And wished he might float to some faraway shores With her Into Paradise. (And he heaved a cosple of sighs.) And so he asked her to be hU wife (Only be put It thus, you see): "Ah. wilt yon not promise to float th'roaih life Like this, together with me?" ("What a. chestnntty speech!" thought she.) But she answered: "Oh, yes! through life like this We wfll paddle and drift and- floatr (Whlcb "shows that she was a wise .little xalr He was dol&r the work. you'lKnote. But she was steer'sg the boat!) How Canst Thoa Sleep? tFrora the Gencan of Heue.) Charles Godfrey Lelaad. -. How can's thcta deep so caterr While"! alive rejaala? " Old criers seay yet be wakeaetf,. An the I'll break mr chata. -. . , - . Know tfceu the wild old ballad. -. ' Hew a dead, focr&tte slave Came to Ms silent My. And bore fcer ta tkc xrave? Believe me. sealie wMtn, Tfewt atto-!ir mr! X It, a4 MM m' iewr Tmm all the deed am ate Most "Remarkable of Murder Cases 0 Facts Stranger Than Fiction on "Which "VVHkie Collins Founded One of His "Novels. THE FINAL dI?pol of Vermont's latest murder case recalls an earlier one of no similitude whatsoever, but so extraordinary as to merit recollection at this time. It is described by Russell W. Taft, of Eurllngton, In the December number of the Green Bag. a legal publi cation of Boston. Two brothers, Stephen and Jesse Boom, having a neighborhood reputation as turbulent spirits. living In iMahchester," Vl; were Indicted In 1SW for the murder of Russell -Colvln seven years 'before, or in lSli. Cotvln had married a sister of the Boom, boy?, .and was weak of Intellect, and occasionally had spells of more or less complete mental derange xnenL He would periodically absent him self from home and give no account of himself on returning. In May of 102 he disappeared once more, and as months passed and he did not re-J turn, public Inquiry of the Boorna regard ing him finally gave way to suspicion, and some reckless remarks of the boys to the effect that Colvln was dead and bad been cut Into a warmer climate than Vermont led on to whisperings of murder. These were strengthened 'by . an uncle of the boys, who said .hat Colvin bad thrice ap peared to him In bis- dreams and declared he "bad been murdered and "buried In an old. cellar bole. Soon after a barn on the Boom place way burned, and some bon?s were dug from the ruins; which several physicians at first said were human bones; "and later reversed the opinion. The two .boys were thereupon arrested for the mur der pf Colvte- V Direct. -Evidence. ..,Xo poeitire evidence against them ap peared, however, until- Jesse, urged by "fils." jailers confessed, that just before Calvin disappeared Stephen had quarreled with him and struck Mm with a club or stdftc' fracturing his afcull; be believed that CoMa bad been kKled. but could not ay what was done with the body. Then xasms the tatffctmwKt. SepiiA urged by many tettteBtial yenw that it would be beat for him to make a clean breast of the matter, wrote out a long confession, telling of the quarrel in a pas ture, of striking Colvln down with a. club, of the deAth of Colvln and of the hiding of the body and the final disposal of the bones In a river. Sclf-Confessed Murderers. The trial followed in October of 1S19. was presided over by Judge Dudley Chase, an uncle of Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase, and was held in the Congregational Church at Bennington to accommodate the audience called out by the sensation". Aside from the confessions, a son of Col vln testified to seeing Stephen fell his father with a club, and a fellow-prisoner in the jail told of Jesse's confiding to him the details of the murder and the disposal bf the body a story which Ste phen corroborated. A verdict of murder in the first degree was brought in and the boys were sentenced to be executed at Windsor January 28. 1S30. The Vermont Legislature commuted Jesse's sentence to Imprisonment for life, but by a vote of S7 to -IS refused to abate Stephen's sen tence. Stephen then suggested both boys having finally pronounced their various' confessions ppnrious and protested, their innocence that an advertisement for Col vln be put In the papers. His counsel ac cordingly inserted such a notice in the Rutland Herald, with the request that other papers throughout the United State? copy.lt. But papers were not nu merous then -and communication was slow, while the banging day was near at hand. The Rutland Herald ridiculed the notion that anything would come of it. and Insisted that Colvin was dead. What an Advertisement Accom plished. Among the papers which, copied the no tice was the New York Evening Post, of No vera her 29. IS!, and a guest of one of the "New Tork "Hotels read' the notice aloud fL a. rom where several, other men im4 gashred Amens; hm wa-Tabor Chadwiek", at ' Shrewsbary, -N". J., 'and a ' - was Melcnior. whoso country was Tar shish. He was a) years old. Three miracles taught them that somn great event was destined to occur, so they went to the Mount Victorialis to pray and watch for the star. When- it appeared they dropped all lh cares of state, and followed it 13-days and nights without eating or sleeping, till it led them to Jerusalem. Then the story follows that of the Bible, telling how they went to Herod, then to Bethlehem, worshiped and presented their offerings, received from Mary the linen in which He had been swathed, and. fear ing the good faith of Herod, they em barked (n secrecy and returned to their own countries by another route than, that b'y which they had come. The story does not stop here. It tells circumstantially the after life of the Thre Wise Men. The good Apostle Saint Thomas Journeyed to their country, bap tized them, and all three went out to preach the doctrine of the ClirisL The Fourteenth Century Story. They were slain by barbarous Gentiles, and later the Empress Helena, wife of Constantine. recovered their sacred bones, and Drought them to Constantinople. Thence they were carried to Milan, and finally found ultimate resting place in Cologne, where they now are. This is the 14th century story of tho Three Wise Men. It Is detailed, pictur esque, plausible, but there Is no proof for it, and the many other versions of tho story would be equally entitled to belief. Sculptors and painters give varying ac counts. Over the portal of St. Andrea, In Pistola, the sculptor has engraved their names on a bas relief. Rubens in his marvelous "Adoration.' in the "Museum at Antwerp, makes them royal Princes apparently of some heathen nation, for their garb Is barbaric. They bear no resemblance to the ltth century story. Bouguereau shows them as virtual saints, all men of years, and from their garb members of the same nation. He gives them halos- as well as .Joseph. Mary and the Christ. Gozzoli paints in Em peror .mciiaei xuev)iu&u: aim ixji rniu Medici, who could have no possible exist ence In such a period as that of the beginning or the Christian era. This fact, shows how little data the painters arid sculptors have had to work on. In lack of facts they were called upon to draw upon the imagination, and the result Is a network of -contradiction and fable that - will perhaps remain hopeless tangle as long as the world lasts. Mr. Whelpley. of Manchester. Vt. Chad wlck became Interested, said his brother-in-law in New Jersey umployed a man answering Colvin's description, and asked Whelpley more about him and the crime. Returning home. Chadwick looked up tho man. questioned him. found that he had come from Manchester, and tha he an swered all descriptions. The result was to send Whelpley to New Jersey, where he saw the supposed Colvin and immediate ly recognized him beyond any doubt, Col vln. who had become badly disarranged mentally, refused to return to Vermont, and was finally deceived Into going. Court was in session at Bennington when, on: December 22, the party arrived ue heralded from New Jersey. Colvin was recognized by persons on the street, and when the news penetrated the courtroom the court broke up In confusion, and everybody. Judges and all. rushed out to see the resurrected man. There was no doubt as to his Identity, and when the party reached Manchester cannon wera brought out and Stephen was let looss from his cell to fire the first shoL When Colvin saw Stephen- Boom he asked what the fetters on his limbs were for. Being told, Colvin said: "Xriu never hurt me; Jesse struck me with a brier once, but It did not hurt rae much.' Colvin was later taken before the court, and when he had been tested as to his iden tity, the court heard petitions for a new trial on the ground of newly discovered evidence, and upon these being granted, the cases were nol prossed and the brothers set free. This case became the foundation cf Wilkie Collins novel. "Tht Dead Alive." The lesson it seems to teach Is thai confessions wrung from accused persons In the midst of popular excitement need to be viewed with great care. It is fur ther to be noted that the Vermont Legis lature In those days did not reserve ttj refusal to csmratite caoital sentences en' tlrely to women murderers. "Were There Really So Many? Punch, LoadoR. A pubtisfeer advertises; "The Wives af HMK-yuth JElfc. TMrd Thoownd." Surety tfeere to. some- exaggeration: here?