Pour boiling water over apricots and let stand for 15 minutes. Remove apricots from water and add milk to the water to make two third cup in all. Sift together flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and allspice. Cream together the sugar and shortening. Beat in the egg. Add dry ingredients alternately with the liquid. Fold in the fruit and walnuts. Spoon into a greased, floured 9x5 inch pan. Bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 1 hour. Cool on rack. ----