The representative., 1900-11-29
Christanas Chat.

Christmas Chat.
The Christmas days are drawing near,
and as idly sit and listen to the threat
ening winds whistle around the house
corners, my thoughts fly back to other
Christmas days in my sunny Southern
home, where we gathered garden roses
and violets to brighten the still brighter
day, while the mocking birds fitted to
and fro through the orange trees filing
the air with sweet melody.
Is it any wonder that 1 wish-non
Sense-there is sunshine everywhere as
we'll as shadows; our lives are filled with
both, and too often shadows rest where
sunshine might be.
Xmas is near. Let us make sunshine
for ourselves, it will reflect upon our
selves. | once read a pretty little verse
which l have never forgotten:
We might do more than we have done,
And not be bit worse,
It Is not loving that empties the heart,
Or giving that empties the purse.
The principle is golden would that
more of this kind of gold was in circu-
lation.
Christmas Presents.
Oh dear! Here may threaten
shadow, if the friends are many and the
purse small, but first of all the little
ones must be provided for. Toys are
cheap, but even if they are, it is not al
ways easy to get them. Distance or
other reasons may render it difficult fO.'
some to visit the stores. If the editor is
willing | will give few helpful hints
on making pretty things, the materials
for which can be found in every home.
Toy animals are easy to make, and
please the children quite as we'll as
boughten ones, and certainly last longer
White Rabbit or Dog.
Use canton flannel the nap side out
cut out the parts, sew together leaving
an opening underneath through which
stuff with bran or cotton, then close.
Use beads for eyes, yarn for mouth and
line the ears with pink cambria.
A little pig can be made the same
way. use only dark cloth, and the little
porker will be quite complete. A horse
is a pleasing toy for little boys. Make
the same, only insert sticks in the legs
to stiffen them. bit of fringe serves
for main and tail.
mouse, red bird or mudturtle are
easy to make. The turtle makes a novel
pin cushion, and if you are to have a tree
make number of different colored birds
and place on the branches. They will
add much to the appearance Of the tree.
An Elephant.
Is an amusing toy. For this minia-
ture Jumbo" use dark CLOTH shape two
pieces of wood for tusks, and cover with
an old pair of white kid gloves, or pa
per cambric.
A dove on wing is snowy window
ornament, an acceptable present for old
er ones. Another pretty article to make
is an autograph album in the shape Of
l made quite a number of them last
season. They were little beauties.
here, but l will write you any informa-
ton, send you any pattern or patterns
you wish, if you send postage. A match
safe is another useful article to make,
but for cute little toy make a
Tiny WheelbarrOw.
1t will provoke a laughable smile
every time, and an old pasteboard box
and a bit of wire will make it. 1t is
truly surprising what variety of arti-
cles can be made from odd scraps Then
there is the dear little baby:
Hang up it's little stockings,
Be sure you don't forget;
For the little, dimple darling
Has never seen Christmas yet
Make a rag doll for the baby No
"Canta Claus is perfect with baby's ra g
doll.
For ornamenting the tree use strings
of popcorn bright colored paper balls,
English walnuts covered with tin foil.
fancy covered cornucopias filled with
sweetmeats; all these help trim tree
and make it attractive. l have some
scarlet sea peas from the Brahma is
lands, if you would like few, they are
quite snowy and I could send you pat
terms of all the articles have mention
ed. There are dozen or more of them.
You send half dozen 2-cent stamps to
pay expense and 1 will mail them all to
you; with each one l will give full di =.
rections. for making. Anyone is well
come to send for them. In any way that
can help you will be pleased to do so.
A Merry Christmas to all is the wish
of Mrs F. A. WARNER, Pontiac. Mich