The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-02-13

There is talk Of practical table for the
dining IL was Invented by a woman.
The idea is 10 have the table in tS0 parjs--a
central revolving disk, with am outer station
airy ring. The folks sit mt their places. but
when they wish something from the other side
of the table. they move the central part around
until the ged- for food is opposite them. IL is
a scheme that has some bakers dozen difiical-
ties-of which perhaps two or three only need
be given, they are all so readily seen. First, sup
posing two people decide to wEirl the table at
once, would QUO have to have some warning
word, like Kings Y" or Low Bridge" to
shout before whirling the bread around Think
of the family fuses over who started il first.
and tho broken dishes when the Io-year- old
boy is exeriing all his muscle in opposing the
whirl of the 13-year-oId sister. Again, the
difficulty Of providing ,ablc-eloths for this de.
vice must strike any housskeeper. The iu-
ventor must have great faith IN human tempers
if she thinks they can stand the strain Of her
device. 10 does seem as though it would have
double supply of depravi,y far exceeding that
OF bureau-drawers collar-butions, lamp-burnerS.
window-locks and the other vicious inanimate
things about the house.
80
Massachusetts, claims that there are only 81
towns in all the State that have not free libra.
ries; which is u record to gloat over.
subject proposed for debate between the
girls at two English colleges is: Resolved.
That is is good for society that people should
be afraid OF Icing thought peculiar"
Marion Crawford is credited with saying in
one of his romanccs that the ideal dress for q
woman is dark-bIue one, perfectly fitted.
William Black always dresses mp his prettiest
lassies in black velvet-or be used to. A favor
tecostume in all romances is a gown Of " Some
soft white stuff" Ellen Terry has u fancy for
wearing long gauze walls over her costumes
one of ecru over grass green dress embroidered
with gold or blue chiffon val-like oyeTdres5
with white underneath. The effect is exceed
ingly delicate, soft and ethereal.
1t is queer that there some folks. appar-
emily pleasant, God fearing ones. too. and ordi-
nariy polite to their felIow-Inen, who do not
realizs that toothpicks are simply unbelievable
men nor women should ever use them in pub
lie. 1t Is as ill-bred as cleaning ones nails
before anyone. Toothpicks should never ap-
pear on the home dining-room table. nor should
they be used at a restaurant or hotel, though
they are often placed on the tables. The tooth
picks proper place is with the toothbrush. den
tai floss. listeriue and powders and other toilet
arrangements for keeping ones self decently
clean, and there they are desirable, but to use
a toothpick in the presence of any body is rude
beyond measure.
The consideration of luncheons for school
children is now attracting good deal of at
tention. The small folk will rely on cream
pufs, frtters and all sorts of greasy sweets if
they have the pennies and are left to their own
choice as to what is the best midday meal.
1t should he a special for all mothers TO
see that luncheon basket is carried from home
aud that it contains meat jam sandwiches.
fruit, simple sweet cake or gingerbread, and
for occasional treat cup custard some
home made candies.
ELSIE PoMERoY McELRoY.