1/2 c. shortening
2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 c. buttermilk or sour milk
1 heaping tsp. baking soda (dissolved in a little hot water)
2/3 c. cocoa (dissolved in enough boiling water to make a paste)
2 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. vanilla

Cream shortening. Add sugar, then add 1 egg at a time, beating until smooth. Add buttermilk, then soda, cocoa, vanilla and flour. Pour batter into greased tube pan. Bake at 350 degrees until done. (A very moist dark cake.)