HELPFUL HINTS. 427 



outer side of the shelves, three or four inches high, will 

 keep clothing and small articles from falling out, while a 

 neat curtain, parting in the center, Avill conceal the shelves 

 and their contents. The same material can be tacked 

 smoothly on the sides, or the latter can be painted, var- 

 nished, or stained with walnut stain. If one is skillful 

 enough to make doors for the bureau, so much the better. 

 Then, if a mirror is forthcoming, make a frame that will 

 fit around it, the two side pieces running down and being 

 screwed to the back of the bureau. To fasten the glass to 

 the uprights, put a strip across the back, screwed to the 

 frame of the mirror and also to the uprights. The top 

 can be finished like a pointed arch or straight across, as 

 preferred. The uprights should be at least three inches 

 wide, and this will allow a small bracket to be fastened to 

 each one to hold candles, toilet bottles, vases or jewel boxes. 



The washstand : As good a washstand as one need want 

 can be made from a box stood on end, with a top made of 

 boards, if not large enough without. Around the top nail 

 a strip that shall project about half an inch above the sur- 

 face, so as to form a ledge, omitting it in front of course. 

 A narrow shelf, raised up a little, running across the back, 

 furnishes a good resting-place for the soap-cup, tooth-brush 

 holder and cup, leaving the top free for pitcher and basin. 

 One or two shelves fitted inside the box make a nice closet 

 for medicine bottles, salve, old linen handkerchiefs (handy 

 for binding up the " wounded heroes" of the family), and 

 other odds and ends of a like nature. 



Toilet table : A barrel with a couple of boards nailed 

 across will make an excellent foundation for a toilet table. 

 The top, if planed, may be painted or varnished ; if rough, 

 some kind of cloth or muslin should be drawn smoothly 

 over it and tacked at the edges ; then full around it mate- 

 rial to match, and you will have a very pretty toilet table. 



