The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1900-05-31
80 t+* 80. .
A Rainy Day Pastime for Children.

Crying for work or bread?
Rainy Day Pastime for Children.
Back in the 'fifties" the children in a
certain little village in old Illinois had
a fad that kept them out of mischief, for
time at least. They cut out the incest
pictures they could find, and these were
not so plentiful. by any means as they
are today. and pasted them on pieces OF
window glass. face down, so that when
the glass was turned over the picture
would show through.
They kept their work out. OF sight
until they found enough pictures to en-
tirely cover the glass, then they carried
them around among their playmates,
charging a pin for peep" Where or
how the fad originated is one of the
things past finding out, but the little
folks enjoyed it just the same.
No doubt II seen in the light of to-
days superabundance Of beautiful ad-
vertising cards and pictures, these pro-
ducts of bygone days would look crude
and inartistic, but at that time they had
charm beyond any other amusement,
and fancy the child OF today might be
taught to do this picture work in simi-
lar way, but along advanced lines, to
their advantage. furnishing amusement
for many hours, that otherwise might be
tax to wearied mothers, or to any
one who has charge of a restless child
''out Of employment"
MATERIALS.
A pair Of pocket scissors, q cup OF
paste, with q brush, last years floral
catalogue, box of small advertising
cards, and some SKI or 8x10 glass, which
can be had for the cleaning at any pho
tographic gallery and they are equipped
for work.
If there is a folding table about the
place 1t will be just the thing for their
use, as it can be put across the kitchen
window while they are at work, and be
folded up and put away when they are
through.
HOW THEY ARE USED.
Teach them first of all to cut out the
pictures very carefully. laying them in
a box until they have enough for the
days use.
Now, when the glasses are cleaned,
they are ready for the interesting part
OF the work. A few hints on grouping
and designing will help them, perhaps.
yet 1t may be wiser to cultivate indi-
vidual taste. and the average child will
learn by practice without help.
Some pictures will be spoiled. no
doubt. before anything satisfactory is
accomplished: but with the abundant
supply within reach of any child in
these days, few more or less will not
matter.
II no border designs are to be had.
they can use tiny flowers, or strips of
and plain-colored paper to form a band
around the glass to simulate a mat, be-
fore beginning to all in the center.
Some little ingenuity is required to
fit the pictures in such way as to form
particular design or q pleasing effect.
prising how quickly the little folks take
1t up. Just a touch of paste Is all that
Is required to hold the pictures In posi-
tion
THE BACKGROUND AND BINDING.
When all are in place let them cut out
OF plain paper piece the size of the
glass. and paste solidly over the back.
The bronze paper that comes under the
first fold in lace curtains is nice for
this, putting the white side next the
glass or pictures. so that il any space
should show where the pictures did not
come quite together it will not spoil the
effect as a color might.
A binding of the same. with the
: bronze side out, adds a frame-like finish
to the picture. Scraps OF any nice wall
paper Will do as we'll. II they have small
figures, and the paper is of good quality.
especially II it is gold OF velvet paper.
1t Will only be short time till the
little workers become experts in past
ing and designing, then it will be no
trouble to overlook the work, only to see
That the. materials are kept In order
when not in use. You will be surprised
a the really artistic pictures they will
learn to make. and how they will hoard
al sorts Of dainty bits for this purpose,
strips Of lace paper for borders. tiny
Brownie figures to ill in the corners, in
TACT. al the ODDS and ends" win md