s have a bedroom candle at night. It is a comfort to have it
standing on a little table near the bed with a supply of matches. One
never need then be in the dark a moment if a light happen to be
necessary. I saw a very quaint and charming candle-stick the other day.
It was in the shape of a monk with a cowl and robe, and he was patiently
holding up a long crimson candle. Candles may be had in many colors,
some of them very ornamental, and candle-sticks come in china, silver,
and bronze, and sometimes very pretty ones in tin, though I do not
recommend you to give a tin candle-stick as a present if you can afford
one in another material.

Presents of one's own work are always very much appreciated, and there
are many beautiful things in linen, such as doilies, centre-pieces, and
the like, which are welcome additions to your mother's table, so that
you cannot go wrong in choosing something in linen to embroider for her.
A set of towels with a monogram in the corner makes a very tasteful
gift, and I can imagine nothing lovelier than for a family of girls, or
a class, to embroider a bed-spread for a mother or teacher. This, of
course, would be a large undertaking, and should be begun many months
before the time it is wanted, and you would have great fun in keeping
the affair a secret. I saw a very beautiful bed-spread some weeks ago at
a house where I was a guest. The lady who is making it has been engaged
on it for years, and it is very elaborate--cream-colored linen of the
finest texture, covered all over with beautiful vines and flowers. She
has worked always from the flowers themselves, copying them faithfully
in shape and tint.

When you are writing to me it would be very pleasant to have you tell me
of beautiful Christmas gifts you intend to make. A girl in Maine might
have a suggestion which would be acted upon by a girl in Nebraska. I
will be extremely pleased to be the medium through which girls both
North and South may give each other happy thoughts and charming
suggestions about presents which are to be made for the next Christmas
holidays. May I quote a bit from your letter, dear Tillie T.? It may
give some of the girls an idea on which they may like to act. Tillie
says: "With the help of two of my friends I am making a hospital box.
Can you tell me some children's hospital to send it to? And is it a very
childish thing to do? For we really enjoy making the things, as well as
thinking of the pleasure they will g