Sift flour with salt ginger cloves nutmeg and allspice Combine water with rum
Combine soda with molasses use larger bowl as combination will foam up
Cream shortening and sugar Add sifted dry ingredients water mixture and molasses mixture in 2 sections with creamed mixture blending well after each addition Chill dough preferably overnight
Roll to 14-inch thickness on floured surface
Cut with 4-inch round cutter may use a tin can Place on greased baking sheet
Bake at 375 for 10 to 12 minutes Let stand on sheet a few minutes before removing to prevent breaking