Instructions: Stir together flour, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, and 1 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix rum and 1/3 cup water.

Combine molasses and soda. Cream sugar and butter; add half the dry ingredients and half the water mixture, then half the molasses mixture, blending well after each addition. Repeat. Chill dough for several hours or overnight.

On well-floured surface, roll dough 1/4 inch thick; cut with a 4-inch cutter or 1-pound coffee can. Bake on greased cookie sheet at 375 for 10 to 12 minutes. (Watch carefully so cookies dont burn.) Let stand a few minutes; then remove from cookie sheet.

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