Gopher Cake-Lorraine

1 cup dates, cut up

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/4 cups boiling water

Pour water and baking soda over dates and let stand. Cream together:

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup shortening

Add:

3 tablespoons cocoa

2 eggs, beaten

Dash of salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

Add creamed mixture. Add dates alternately to 1 1/4 cups sifted flour. Place this mixture in a 9x12 inch pan. Cover this mixture with 1 cup chocolate chips, 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 cup nuts. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes.