THE LADIES' FLORAL CABINET. 
155 
then be dampened, and ironed so smoothly that there 
shall be no creases in it. The design is then traced on 
as described, very faintly with lead pencil; afterwards 
with indelible ink, and a fine pen. Great care must be 
taken that the ink makes no blot, for should this hap¬ 
pen it will be necessary to have the linen washed in 
order to remove the. spot, thus causing the loss of the 
entire design, which will have to be re-drawn. After 
the whole drawing has been sketched in with ink, a hot 
iron is run quickly over it, and the drawing shows 
clearly on the white linen. Colored inks are also pre¬ 
pared for this work, and make a pretty variety. The 
etching is rather more dainty for outline work than em¬ 
broidery, as the fine lines can be given more accurately 
with pen than needles. Suitable phrases, or mottoes, 
are often intertwined with the design, using some pretty 
ornamental letters for the purpose. M. E. W. 
A New "Cat’s Cradle.” 
of cotton batting; over this a flannel to prevent it from 
working up through; then covered with a striped cre¬ 
tonne of rather sober colors, letting the covers co m 
over the edges of each box, and tacked it to the table 
with tiny tacks. 
Then around the edge of the top we tacked a lambre¬ 
quin of thick black flannel, cut in Vandykes and pinked. 
These were ornamented with designs in outline stitch, 
application and tufted embroidery. The outline work 
was Moss Roses in pink crewel,the application Red Rid¬ 
ing Hood, and the tufted scarlet Cherries with two 
green leaves. 
A canton-flannel mouse dangles by a string from one 
corner, and on his hapless body the cats expend their 
energies, sharpen their claws, and let the drapery alone. 
One of the cats—Topsy, by name—is a large hand¬ 
some black, -with a white diamond under the chin; and 
you can imagine how beautifully he contrasts with the 
scarlet draperies. 
The bottom nest was furnished with a band of scarlet 
We have two cats at our house which are remarkably 
intelligent animals; but they show their intelligence in 
one way which is not very pleasant to us. They will 
each select the largest and most comfortable chan- in the 
room in which to take long naps, and if dislodged from 
these will take the next, disdaining ever to sit on the 
floor. If callers come in the cats must be lifted out of 
the chairs before one can be offered the visitor. Had 
there been but one, the problem could have been solved 
long ago by an ottoman or cricket, but two of these 
were out of the question. At last we thought of the fol¬ 
lowing device, and have just finished it: 
An old-fashioned light-stand was shortened by sawing 
off a part of each leg; then it was placed on a board just 
the size of the top of the table; casters were screwed to 
this board, and the table firmly fastened to it by a nail 
driven through up into each leg. Next strips of thin 
board, four inches high, were nailed to the legs, fitting 
inside at the bottom; then the top of the table taken off, 
the drawer taken out, and a board bottom fitted to the 
cleats on which the drawer had rested, one strip fitted 
in across the front and then it was ready for use. 
We gave it two heavy coats of bright carmine paint, 
and when these were thoroughly dry, varnished it. Into 
the bottom of each little nest, we placed' a thick layer 
tacked at top and bottom, and gay bows of scarlet rib¬ 
bon tied round each table leg. 
The cats very soon recognized it as their especial prop¬ 
erty, and occupy it with great delight. 
Annabel C. Andrews. 
