The record-union., 1899-10-01

A neat little window kitchen is the
invention of an ingenious woman VINO
was compelled to do light housekeep-
ing in one room in which there were
no modern improvements. After strug-
Cling for some months with small ta-
bic and a gas stove, she discovered
that no matter how much care was ex-
ercised, light housekeeping would leave
heavy odors. They were always there
to tell the tale after meals had been
cleared, and the gas stove, pots and
pans had been carefully hidden away:
But she finally hit upon plan that
makes light housekeeping odorless,
easy and practical, even If the keeper
had only one small room.
She had a little box kitchen built out
side of the lower part of her window
In this there were two shelves, the
lower for gas stove and the upper for
a variety of culinary utensils. The Win
dow kitchen is a miniature extension,
and can be made out of a strong pine
packing box and attached outside Of al
most any ordinary window. 1t must be
firmly screwed to the woodwork on
either side, and the top slanted and COW
cred with tar paper. A row of holes
about an inch in diameter should be
bored through each partition of the
miniature kitchen. to assure good ven
tilation and to carry out the steam and
odors that come from cooking. A hole
must also be bored in the lower sash
of the window, large enough for a gas
tube to pass through, and be connected
with the nearest gas jet. This allows
the window to be raised without inter
fering with the tube.
In warm weather the upper shelf of
the window kitchen can be used as a
receptacle for food to complete the
kitchen arrangements. Inside the room
the inventor had window seat built
and upholstered. The upholstery and
hangings could be removed while the
meal was being prepared and the seat
used as a table, while the drawers and
compartments and cupboards built un-
derneath served as a receptacle for
dishes and table linen. She hung a
neat little pair of curtains from the
middle sash of the window, which could
be moved back and forth when the
stove was in operation.
After the dishes had been washed and
restored to their shelves and cupboards,
the upholstered seat is put back and
the end of the couch piled up with pill
lows. The curtains are drawn, and no
one would ever know that a meal has
been prepared. The window kitchen
in no way interferes with the ventila-
tion of the room, as the upper window
can be slid up and down at will.
Old ribbons can be put to good use if
they are anticipated, after they have
been cleaned, and made into rosettes.
The ribbon must be carefully sponged
with the solution of ammonia; then,
while it is still damp, place one end of
it, we'll covered with a piece of clean
tissue paper, beneath the heaviest iron
available, press the iron down as hard
as possible and draw the ribbon grad
ually beneath it. If we'll done this pro-
cess will give a piece of ribbon with
straight edges and all the wrinkles
gone. In the most badly wrinkled places
the application must be made several
times. Another way is to soak it well
in water. then stretch and pin it to a
pine table or the floor; while still an
other method which many find satisfac-
tory is TO roll it very tightly after it
has been wet. White ribbon will often
be found TO have yellowish streaks
upon it, which is really sunburn; the
only thing in that case is to have it
dyed black, color which will always
be useful. But if the ribbon is fairly
clean light sponging, or, better still,
a regular washing and hard rubbing
with naphtha, will make it like new
Naphtha, from its infammable charac-
ter, is dangerous to use, and should
only be handled by the most cautious
person, and never in a room with fire
or gas.
Every one has some way of curling a
feather, but if the aim is to secure a
stylish curl, and one which will not
spoil the feather, there is only one way,
and that is to intrust. it to a profession
al curler. Feather-curling is a trade in
itself, and one which needs constant
practice to insure the best results;
curled by novice, the result is either
that the feathers have home made
look or are ruined. The pen-knife
method SO commonly suggested is not
at all recommended; it takes off the
soft fluff of the plume, and gives a
woolly appearance to what may once
have been beautiful silky tip. A duller
knife is apt to produce no effect what
ever. If the tip is a genuine French
feather, it will go through many
storm and fog without any perceptible
loss of curl or beauty.
Soap-bark soap, which can be bought
at any druggists, is excellent to clean
black goods. A cashmere, Henrietta
cloth, crepe de chine, or any woolen
can be washed with lukewarm water
and this soap, and then ironed while
it is slightly damp, SO that when it is
made over it viii be thought a new
fabric. 1t is also excellent to remove
spots from both black and colored