Spice Cookies II

Ingredients

 * ½ cup molasses
 * 2 cups flour
 * ¼ cup sugar
 * ½ teaspoon soda
 * 1½ tablespoons butter
 * ½ teaspoon salt
 * 1½ tablespoons lard
 * ½ teaspoon cloves
 * 1 tablespoon milk
 * ½ teaspoon cinnamon
 * ½ teaspoon nutmeg

Directions

 * 1) Heat molasses to boiling-point.
 * 2) Add sugar, shortening, and milk.
 * 3) Mix and sift dry ingredients, and add to first mixture.
 * 4) Chill thoroughly.
 * 5) Toss one-fourth of mixture on a floured board and roll as thinly as possible; shape with a small round cutter, first dipped in flour.
 * 6) Place near together on a buttered sheet and bake in a moderate oven.
 * 7) Gather up the trimmings and roll with another portion of dough.
 * 8) During rolling, the bowl containing mixture should be kept in a cool place, or it will be necessary to add more flour to dough, which makes cookies hard rather than crisp and short.