A SERVICEABLE CHINA CLOSET. 
A CONVENIENT position for the 
china closet is between the dining¬ 
room and kitchen. The shelves should 
not be more than 15 inches wide, or 
over 20 inches apart. When wider than 
this, there is a tendency to pile so many 
dishes upon them that the shelves are 
likely to give way. The shelves should 
he covered with corrugated rubber, such 
as has already found its way to kitchen 
sinks, as a covering for the sides ; for, 
although there is a slight odor about 
this material, china does not absorb it, 
and the chance of dishes slipping or 
breaking by falling upon the shelf is 
really diminished by half. Where plates 
are stood on end, it is a good plan to use 
a rope instead of a cleat to hold them. 
Fasten it at the corners and in the cen¬ 
ter by double-headed tacks driven down 
firmly into the shelves. Thus arranged, 
owing to the pliancy of the rope, the 
plate is not nearly so apt to fall over by 
a sudden jar or slight blow. 
Glass ought to be stored by itself in 
cabinets, which, in the most modern 
houses, are built in the dining-room for 
this purpose. Still, the narrow side 
shelves found in most china closets will 
do for glasses, and in arranging them, 
have drinking glasses in groups, and far 
enough apart so that no mistakes will 
be made in bringing them out when 
wanted. 
As another precaution, where plates 
and saucers are piled one upon the 
other, they should have rounds of felt 
or canton flannel placed between them. 
Great pjiins should be exercised in cut¬ 
ting out these rounds ; the point most 
to be observed is that they should never 
be so large as to come above the hollow 
of the plate. They can be purchased 
ready for use. Well underneath, but on 
the edge of the second shelf, hooks 
should be screwed on which to hang 
cups. Test them occasionally, lest by 
the settling of the house and of the 
shelves they become loosened. It is a 
good plan to have the second shelf a few 
inches narrower than the one beneath 
it, for large dishes can then be taken 
out in safety. Such a closet adds much 
to the convenience of a house. 
FBED O. SIBLEY. 
SOME LAUNDRY CONVENIENCES. 
A SIMPLE but very convenient de¬ 
vice for cleaning and smoothing 
flat irons, can be made as follows : Cut 
out several round pieces of cheesecloth 
or thin muslin, about as large as a small 
saucer ; place these pieces one upon the 
other ; then lay in the center of them a 
square inch or so of beeswax or paraf¬ 
fin. Now catch the edges of the cloth 
all around on a threaded needle. Put 
the needle through the hole in a large, 
empty spool and draw the cloth up 
through the hole ; then, after spreading 
the cloth around over the top and draw¬ 
ing it down over the edges, secure to 
the middle of the spool, by wrapping 
tightly with thread. If the hole in the 
spool is too small to permit of the cloth 
being easily drawn through, the dif¬ 
ficulty may be obviated by cutting out 
the cloth somewhat in the shape of a 
star. To use the device, hold the spool 
for a handle, and quickly rub the wax 
end over the hot iron ; wipe the iron 
carefully afterward, of course. To cover 
up the unsightliness of the spool, make 
a full tissue-paper skirt, as for a doll’s 
dress, run a draw-string about half an 
inch from each edge of this, put it over 
the spool, and draw the strings up 
tightly, so that the loose edges of paper 
will flare out like a flounce. Then tie a 
narrow ribbon, with tiny bow, over the 
draw-strings. 
Speaking of irons makes me think of 
a simple attachment for the ironing- 
board. I have seen so many persons 
place the two ends of their ironing- 
boards on the backs of chairs—an in¬ 
secure prop at best. A much safer and 
better method is to measure a narrow 
plank the desired height and hinge it— 
using a small, cheap hinge—to the large 
end of the ironing-board. Then secure 
a strap, or tape, to both leg and board 
to keep the leg from moving when in 
use. This will give one secure leg for 
the board to rest upon ; at the same 
time nothing is added to the bulk, as the 
leg folds back when not in use. 
Another convenience is to have the 
ironing-board already prepared, so that 
in an emergency, no time need be lost in 
“ dressing it up.” In order that the 
board may be properly pliable, yet re¬ 
tain the firmness necessary, it should be 
treated thus : Lay a smooth, cotton bat¬ 
ting—about an inch thick—between two 
folds of light-colored, thick, soft paper 
—the kind used under carpets, some¬ 
thing like blotting-paper. Lay this 
lengthwise on, and cut it to fit the iron¬ 
ing-board, stretching tightly, so that no 
lumps or creases will remain ; then 
secure it to the two edges of the board 
with small tacks ; put two thicknesses 
of heavy, smooth, unbleached muslin 
upon the paper, and tack this also to 
the board. Now make a muslin slip— 
like a pillow-case, only open at both 
ends—to fit the board tightly, and be 
sure in sewing it up to let the seams be 
at the two edges of the board. Draw 
this slip over the board and it is all 
ready, smooth, and clean, for use. By 
having two of the slips, one may be put 
in wash each week. m. lane gbiffin. 
Agents 
Wanted 
EVERY WOMAN 
Ba=j-r nan buy a WOBLD'S 
WASHEB on trial, and 
no money paid until it is per¬ 
fectly satisfactory. Washes 
easy. Clothes clean sweetacd 
white as snow. Child can use 
it. I pay freight. Circular free 
C.E.Ross ) 25CleanSt.,Lincoln,Ill. 
Kthe 
&R.EAT 
GAME 
Kurious Konsequences to IComical Kouples. 
For the Young People’s 8 ocial Gatherings, Family 
Circle and Select Party. Ten can play. Lots of pure 
innocent amusement. Send 25 cents to 
is an improvement on ordinary covert 
cloth, much used for street gowns. Drap 
moscovienne is a similar material, but 
not quite so heavy, having a twilled 
face. Etamines, checks, and covert 
cloths lead in favor. 
In silks, moir&s are again in favor ; 
but they are quite different in the weave 
from the old-fashioned type. They are 
often richly figured or striped, the bro¬ 
caded styles having the figure much 
raised. Very rich figured taffetas are 
also seen. There appears to be a reac¬ 
tion of favor for satin in plain weaves. 
Very beautiful patterns are seen in 
percales, expecially in the light and deli¬ 
cate colors, but there are also some very 
attractive dark grounds, relieved by 
light-colored spots or figures. Linen 
grass cloth, in showy stripes and plaids, 
is likely to be one of the most favored 
summer materials. 
Set aside pieces cut from old stockings 
or knit underwear as polishing cloths 
for metal ware, but avoid their use in 
window cleaning ; they are too linty for 
this latter use. 
FASHIONABLE FABRICS. 
A MONG the newer woolen fabrics 
now in favor, says Modes and 
Fabrics, is wool burlap. It somewhat 
resembles the 6tamine cloths, but is 
much more closely woven, and derives 
its name from its firm appearance. It is 
neither a heavy nor a light-weight 
fabric, and should be excellent for wear 
during the next two months. Plum is 
the best color shown in this cloth. 
Foul6 and caroubier cloth are two lead¬ 
ing materials for spring jackets and 
capes. All-wool canvas cloth is copied 
from sail cloth, and comes in light 
weights for spring wear. It can be ob¬ 
tained in all the newest shades, such as 
royal blue, gray blue, mordor6, plum, 
and silver gray. Drap d’ 6t6 covert cloth 
“Pearl top,” “pearl glass,” 
“tough glass,” “no smell,” 
and “best light,” are great 
big things. “Macbeth” in¬ 
cludes them all, if you get the 
chimney made for your lamp. 
Let us send you an Index. 
Geo A Macbeth Co 
Pittsburgh Pa _ 
Buy a Buggy 
a carriage, a phreton, or a vehicle of 
any sort from us and you get the bene¬ 
fit of first price, and a personal guar¬ 
antee of reliability. We sell only our 
own work, and stand responsible for 
every vehicle that leaves our factory. 
You can buy direct by mail as safely 
as you can deal with the U. S. Treas¬ 
ury. Illustrated Catalogue and price 
list free. Send for it to-day. 
The Columbus Carriage Mfg. Company, 
Box T, Columbus, Ohio. 
The Modern 
STOVE POLISH 
DUSTLESS, ODORLESS, 
BRILLIANT, LABOR SAVING. 
Try it on your Cycle Chain. 
i. L. PRESCOTT & CO., New York. 
BUY RIGHT 
Buggies, Carriages, Wag¬ 
gons and Harness at/ 
prices one-third to one- 
half below regular prices^ 
All goods guaranteed. 
8th year in business. 
Freight paid. Illustrated Buyers’ Guide FltEE. 
HIAJ1I MKU. CO., 104 West 1th Street, CI.VCIX.VATI, OHIO. 
references. 
BEFORE BUYING A NEW HARNESS 
Send youraddress with Hcstamp forlllus. 
Catalog.glvingfull description of Single 
and Double Custom Iland-Made Oak 
Leather Harness. Sold direct to consu¬ 
mer, at wholesale prices. King Harness 
Co., No. 10 Church St.. Owege, Ji. Y. 
OIRECT-UM BIT 
Best Combination Bit made. 
Severe or Easy 
as you want it. 
Sample mailed,XC SSl.OO. 
Nickel $ 1 . 50 . 
RACINE MALLEABLE IRON C0„ 
WEHAVENOAGENTS 
but have sold direct to the 
consumer for 24 years, at 
wholesale prices, saving 
them the dealers’ pro¬ 
fits. Ship anywhere 
for examination be¬ 
fore sale. Every¬ 
thing warranted. 
100 styles of Car¬ 
riages, 90 styles of Har¬ 
ness. Top Buggiesaslow 
|35. Phaetons as low 
$55. Spring Wagons, 
K 0 .S 7 H. Surrey Harness-Price 115.00. Koad Wagons, etc. Send No. 606. Surrey-Price with curtains, lamps, sun- 
As good as sells for $22.00. for large, free Catalogue, shade, apron and fenders, $60. As good as sells for $00. 
ELKHART CARRIAGE AND HARNESS MFG. CO., W. B. PRATT, Sec’y, ELKHART, IND. 
A Companion For Dark Hours 
worth having is a 
Dietz Crystal Lantern 
Equipped with side lift, heavy square tubes, strong joints, 
glass oil pot; clean and never leaking; shows when’oil Is 
needed; heavy wire guard, best globe and burner, securely 
locked down; atypical DIETZ LANTERN. 
Do not allow your dealer to sell you a cheap article of some 
other make. Insist on having a DIETZ. Established 1840. 
Write for our free pocket catalogue. 
R. E. DIETZ COMPANY, 60 Laight St., New York. 
K 
Four-Kay Novelty Co., 
GRAMPIAN, PA. 
K 
MAULE’S Up-to-Date 
Collection of., 
Sweet Peas 
8 NEW SWEET PEAS FOR 20 CENTS. 
Every lover of flowers should grow Sweet Peas. No 
flower garden in the land is complete without them. 
Handsome in modest loveliness, most graceful in ar¬ 
rangement, unequaled perfume, exquisite coloring, 
abundance of bloom, unexcelled for cutting, succeeding 
everywhere with everybody. 
Butterfly. White, suffused lavender; petals edged blue. 
Ouehess of "York. White, suffused pinkish purple, 
n refly. Brilliant carmine scarlet; best self-color. 
Emily Henderson. The best pure white Sweet Pea. 
Mrs. Jos. Chamberlain. White, striped bright rose. 
Meteor. Salmon, wings delicate pink, veined purple. 
Lemon Queen. Delicate blush, tinted lemon. 
Novelty. Bright orange rose, wings delicate mauve. 
One full-sized packet of eacb of these eight On Pprrfc 
Superb New Sweet JPeus sent postpaid for only V/CllLo. 
PRrr With every remittance of 20 cents for the above collection I 
r ^ ‘ will include absolutely free, if you mention this paper, 
one packet of the New Dwarf Sweet Pea, “Cupid,” which only grows 5 inches high, with pure 
white flower*, and a copv of my 1897 Seed, Plant and Bulb Catalogue, which contains every¬ 
thing good, at right prices. Address HENRY MAULE, Philadelphia, Pa. 
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