Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-20
FOR OLD FOLKS
Charming Holiday Souvenirs Calcu-
Intcd to TIckIe Their FnncN.

Intcd to Tickle Their Fancy.
A nun footstool Is the sort of Christmas
gift with which TO cater to the weakness of a
grandmother or elderly aunt. Cold feet is
sure to be weak point with any dear old
lady, and the muff footstool almost does
away with such discomfort. 1t looks quite like
any ordinary round foot prop, of leather
standing about three inches high, but in
its tufted depths it conceals a Japanese stove
When chill draughts then come wandering
by and nip elderly toes, one-half the stools
top can be lifted up and the feet thrust into
wooly depths, where a tiny stove throws out
a gentle heat.
When stove is not used a small rubber
water bottle fits into the stool, and, IL filled
once day, 1t keers the inside of the stool
cosy for twenty-four hours. stout ribbon
loop at one side of the cushion enables it's
owner to carry II about handily, to drop ii
under the dinner table use it in the car
riage the theatcr and even at church, and,
when made OF embroidered brown leather or
bottle green velvet II is quite ornamental as
an invaluable comfort.
Distinct utility should nearly always dis
;inguish gifts for elderly folks, and this
sesson they are selling all manner of knitted
things for grandfathers well grand
mothers. For the former are knitted silk and
a new sort of silk beaver skull cap, not like
the tall, round black silk cap usually worn
Inc new ana improved one IS tnaue nat, cir
Cular and to fit the head like the cap cardi-
nal wears over his tonsure. 1t not only
comes in black silk, but the rich eccesiasti-
cal red and purple, so often highly becoming
to white-haired handsome old gentlemen.
Every grandmother this Christmas should
receive at least one pair of silk mittens not
to wear for beauty alone, but to keep her
hands warm and supple. Black ones are
the best and those with four half-fngers
and separated thumbs are the incest, if the
wearer Is a needle woman. Mittens for
warmth reach not only half way down the
fingers but nearly to the elbow, and some
OF them have coquettish scarlet ribbons
laced through at the wrist, and tied into
small neat bows at the back of the hand.
In place of worsted bedroom slippers one
can buy at present smart rose colored blue
and pale yellow, knitted lambs wool bed
socks, to keep old folks feet warm after
retiring, and coax them to sleep. They are
appropriate for ederles of both sexes, but
for excellence the choice gift for an invalid
aged person, who is nevertheless fond OF
entertaining, in his or her sick room, is
visitors register The register is a big
black book that sets on dictionary stand
beside the invalid's bed or chair and its
pages are arranged much like diary, while
a fountain pen fits into slot at the top of
one cover. In this book, under the proper
date every visitor registers his or her name,
while, on the page opposite the names,
spaces are marked off. in which the invalid
can jot down any good bit OF news, or joke,
or trihe OF information that comes his or
her way. This keeps interest in the out
side world alive and the registry proves
who were the busy, careless young folk, or
hurried friends, or fayorite gossips that
dropped selfish joys to come In for chat
and the whole supplies something for the
invalid to think about as well as an anus
ing record to glance over.
For the bedside table of any elderly per-
son treasure trove may be bought just now
in the form OF an electric night clock or
gong. The clock works are so sunk In it's
wood easement as to absolutely give out but
the faintest ticking while by pressing the
button the whole face is illuminated and the
flight OF time can be seen. The gong is
in reality a charming chime of silver bells
moved by electricity, and set by clock work
to ring out the hour arranged for taking
medicine or meals.
To tickle an old lady's gentle vanity is
an easy feat with the pretty pearl topped cap
pins jewelers. are showing. The pins are OF
gold, with ash pearl heads for lady in
mourning, and pink and white pearls or
cluster OF very small marguerites for one
who still wears colors. woman clever
with four long needles will be apt to like
a very improved knitting bag OF soft white
OF yarn or wool and having In the top of It's
cover a hole through which the thread can
be drawn.
Another charming fancy work appliance
for a lady OF years is a large square bag
OF very soft brown leather beautifully col
ored and decorated after the Moorish patterns
and having cords, to swing 1t from the arm
or top OF chair. Such a bag holds knit
ting, crochet work. etc. while TO screw at
an angle and on any chair is the prettiest
black butterfly screen. Elderly people use
| these painted silk or paper conyeniences to