The record-union., 1899-01-15

"A denim tablecloth contributed a
pretty effect to luncheon recently. 1t
was made with the light side upper
most. the dark side being turned up
around the cloth as a deep hem, which
was feather-s stitched down. The CEN
terpfece, dish and plate doilies were all
OF Mexican drawn work, showing with
excellent effect over the light blue
cover A pretty set of old blue willow
ware was used for the luncheon serv-
ice. Where one does not own polished
table, or when it is not in good order,
the denim cloth is a valuable possess
sion.
The account in the public prints a
Short time ago of the death OF woman
while shopping is easily credited by any
one who has shopped recently. The
stores have been crowded to suffocauon
and the effort to make purchases has
been attended by heavy demands upon
time and nervous strength. 1t has been
so common to encounter cases OF falnt-
ing or complete exhaustion in the Ia
dies parlors that no attention has Deen
paid to them by those not immediately
concerned. A physician who makes
speciality of nervous diseases says that
he hears over and over again from the
lips Of patients who come to him In the
first stages of nervous prostration the
statement that the confusion OF the
shops affects them seriously. The
humorists still make their jokes about
the ambition of every woman to spend
her hours on a shopping round, but the
actual truth of the matter is that the
majority of women dread it unspeak-
ably and plan for it as for railroad
trip, conserving energy and time alike
against it's serious draughts.
y
A woman who investigated how the
innumerable suits and jackets are taken
care of in the shops where these are
offered for sale discovered that the nee
essary economy Of space comes from
the use of metal rods upon which the
garments are suspended by means of
wire hangers. She promptly applied
the same principle to her own limited
supply of closet room, with the result
that she is able now to utilize the waste
space that can be found in any clothes
press, however small. From nearby
plumber she got all the gaspipe tubing
she needed cut in the required lengths
These We're mounted in the closet by
simply securing them on the hook
boards, taking care that they fitted
snugly between walls. Two or three
dozen of the cheap wire hangers COM
pleted the closet outfit, and now skirts
and bodices, wrappers and jackets are
kept within easy reach in compact
space and in good shape. In particular
is the parlor-fioor closet, when thus
equipped, found to be much more use
full, for there may hang the reserve
pvercoats and heavy storm wraps OF the
entire household, which have hereto
fore often proved too bulky and un-
manageable for it.
A householder who disliked the ugly
rabinet mantel of her dining-room,
Transformed it inexpensively with the
aid of a carpenter and few yards of
denim. The central glass was left un-
touched, except that it's frame Of cherry
was painted with white enamel The
cabinet sides, including shelves and lit
tie pillars supporting them, were all
taken away, and in their place was nj
ted against the wall, and at slightly
lower hight than the glass. pointed
wooden panel This was covered plain
1y with denim put on with brass nails.
AT the upper part of the panel, where
It would make the third side of tri-
angle, the other two being formed by
the sloping sides, there was fitted a
shallow half-moon shelf, also denim
covered, and finished with blue and
white fringe. From this shelf to the
mantel board was strapped in diamond
lacing, half-inch white braid, secured
at the sides with brass nails. This net
work was used to hold photographs,
which We're thrust in through the broad
loops. Finally the mantel board was
covered with denim, and lambrequin,
edged with the white fringe, and put on
with denim-covered buttons, strapped
with white cord, completed the arrange
ment.
The increased use Of textile fabrics in
the binding of books has been notice.
able at the various book stalls during
this season. Volumes bound in silks
and silk finished cloths are quite COM
mon, and the velvet bound books are
no longer confined to prayer-books and
hymnals 1t has been suggested that
the application of these materials to
binding is partly the outgrowth Of the
beautiful slip-covers which, for several
seasons. have been a holiday product
at the women's exchanges. Rich bro
cades, satins, and silks have been en-
ployed for these adjustable covers, their
excellent effect when slipped over the
boards of favorite volume suggesting
further use. Be that as it may. the
variety of fabrics used in binding books
is increasing, and it will soon be possl-
BILE for book lover to have his favor
ties bound to match his library hang
ings if he so desire.
Tall church candlesticks, in which
long cathedral candles are used, are
superseding the piano lamp in artistic
rooms. These candlehol stand on
either side of the piano, and have the
merit of not being top-heavy like their
predecessors. One is often placed in
a bedroom at the head Of the bed. it's
high and adjustable light being partic-
ularly useful for night reading.
To the advice of a Health Board Off
cial that in these days of the preva-
lence of grip one should keep warm.
dry and clean might be added fur
ther caution against reckless eating. A
good attack of indigestion is an excel
lent invitation to grip microbes. The
use of seasonable fruit is recommend
ed. too, as Of value in preserving the
equilibrium of the system While on
this subject it may be worth while to
record that one physician finds for
once commendable the custom women
have Of wearing face wells. Not, he
explains, s'that the wells are fine
enough to act as screen against the