The pickpocket finds it easy to unsnap a handbag and remove some of the contents, especially in crowded places. To make it less easy for the pickpocket, I fixed my mother's handbag as shown in the sketch. I used a chain which had served its day holding a small coin purse—any small chain will do—by passing it through the links that hold the handle and winding it once or twice around the snap fasteners to hold them securely closed.
The chain may be either shortened enough to make it convenient to hold with the handle of the handbag, or may be left long and used over the shoulder under the coat, thus making it possible to have both hands free for shopping while the handbag hangs by the side. This leaves a person free from the worry of taking care that the bag is not laid down somewhere and lost. The bag may be easily opened by unwinding the chain after loosening it by raising the bag slightly.—Contributed by Wm. Waterhouse, Aurora, Ill.
An Emery-Cloth Holder
Emery cloth in sheets is very easily spoiled around a workbench. Oil or other fluids used on work are apt to drop on it and when wet for a short time the abrasive is useless. The illustration shows a tin holder, A, that can be placed on the under side of the bench where space is not required for drawer room.
A Receptacle for Emery Cloth Made of Sheet Metal or Tin and Fastened to a Bench
The portion cut out of the bottom of the holder B is to enable the workman to easily grasp the sheets of emery cloth. As the holder is on the under side of the bench, there is little danger of any liquid or other substance spoiling the sheets. The sheets are also within easy reach.—Contributed by F. W. Bently, Huron, S. D.
The Operation of the Compass
After trying to tell a few small boys what a compass is, they wanted a practical illustration—something they could see. Not having a compass or knowing where to locate one handily, I used a piece of cork with needles and a needle for a pivot and found it very satisfactory. The method used is shown in the sketch.
It is best not to magnetize both needles unless care is exercised in maintaining pole relationship, or they will oppose each other and not point to the north. The extreme ends or the heads of the needles must be opposites, the head of one negative and the head of the other positive.