around the bell to diminish the noise. The wider the band that
is used, the greater will be the suppression.

Protection Against Spilled Water in Sick Bed--If water is
accidentally spilled in bed when attending someone who is ill,
it can be quickly dried by slipping a hot-water bag filled with
very hot water between the bed covers over the wet spot and
leaving it there for a few minutes.

To Clean and Polish Brass Beds--Brass bedsteads can be cleaned
by rubbing them with a cloth which has been slightly moistened
with sweet oil; then polished with a soft, dry duster, and
lastly with a chamois leather. If this is done occasionally, it
will keep them in good condition for years. But it is a better
plan to use the lacquer, given below, after cleaning.

Wooden bedsteads should be wiped every three months with a cloth
moistened with turpentine to keep them clean.

To Keep Brass from Tarnishing--To keep brass beds and other
forms of brass work from tarnishing, and also to avoid frequent
polishing, the brass should be lacquered with gum shellac
dissolved in alcohol. Apply the lacquer with a small paint
brush. Ten cents worth will lacquer a bedstead.

Clear, hard-drying varnish is also good for this purpose.

IN THE PARLOR

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