There are many little details which will probably occur to you. I have seen a metal cartridge-case used to represent a cylinder, a wire coming from the top representing the steam feed-pipe. Little pieces of chain, front and back, represent coupling-chains. In some, the apparatus for applying the vacuum brake is imitated. All you need do is to use your eyes and exercise your ingenuity. Should you fail at first, do not be discouraged; try once more. There are no obstacles but what may be conquered by patient and persevering attention.
II.—A Home-Made Humming-Top.
The humming-top is a familiar toy that does not cost much to buy. At the same time there is always a satisfaction in making a thing for oneself—particularly when it costs nothing.
As it happens that a good loud humming-top can be made for nothing, we feel sure that some of our readers will not be above trying their hands at it.
The materials are an empty baking-powder canister, or any wooden box, and two pieces of firewood. The plan of operations is to cut a slit in the side of the box answering to the hole in the toy, making it half an inch square or round, as the case may be, and making a hole in the lid and bottom of the box for the spindle to come through. To make a good job of it the bottom hole should be square and the top hole round, and the spindle should be cut to fit, pushing it in, of course, from the bottom. When the holes and spindle are cut, put a little glue round the lid to make the box tight, and insert the spindle with a little glue at each hole. For the usual fork or handle with which the top is spun, a plain slip of wood with a hole at the end will be found to answer.
Very simple preparations all these, and yet everything is ready except the string.
When the top is dry, wind round the string, passing it through the hole in the handle as [shown], and spin.