The Magic Fireplace
is another means of delivering the Christmas gifts, and the delight of the children when they see their presents come tumbling down the chimney in a way they have only dreamed of, will repay the thought expended in preparing the surprise.
The Magic Christmas Fireplace.
Two wooden packing boxes, one about four feet square and a foot and a half deep, the other somewhat smaller but of nearly the same depth, form the framework of the fireplace. Stand the large box on its side—the longest side if the box is not exactly square—and the smaller box within it as shown by Fig. 558. Remove the top pieces of both boxes (A B, Fig. 558), and over the top of the small box tack a piece of doubled light-weight wrapping paper. At each end of this false cover fasten securely a piece of strong twine, then puncture two small holes near the centre of the paper and pass the ends of the twine through them, drawing it down as shown by letters C D, Fig. 559. Saw the board, which was taken from the top of the small box, into two pieces, and place them in a slanting position reaching from the top edge of the small box to the upper corners of the large one (letters E F, Fig. 560). The
Fig. 558. boards are kept from slipping by small nails driven half way into the edge of the small box. Cover the spaces at the sides and top, between the two boxes, with heavy brown wrapping paper, tacking it smoothly down along the edges. This paper should be marked to represent bricks. Pile a few sticks of charred wood on the inside hearth
Fig. 559. and, to make it appear that they are still smouldering, tack red tinsel paper upon them here and there.
Into the receptacle at the top of the mantel (letter G, Fig. 560) place all the presents, resting them upon the paper top of the small box. Things