CHERRY-STONE BASKETS.
Secure a cherry-stone in a vice, and having traced a line around it the longest way, and another at right angles, file out the space, both sides of the latter, down to the surrounding mark. There will then be left a miniature basket with handle complete.
Fig. 73.
HANKY PANKY BURGLAR ALARM.
(Diablotins.)
Exploding crackers are used for awaking a sleeper by the detonation when any one attempts to enter the room without permission. They are fastened across the crack of the door, as if to seal it.
These explosive papers are made by taking strips of half an inch to an inch wide, and of a convenient length. By means of a little gum-water or paste a small quantity of coarsely pounded glass is attached to one end, on one side of each strip about one-fourth of an inch. A little fulminating powder is spread over the glass and the moistened end of the paper, and it is dried in the air: two of these strips are then laid with their covered surfaces nearly in contact, and so that their uncovered ends may project different ways. A narrow strip of paper or parchment is then wrapped round the coated ends and fastened to one of them, but not binding them so tightly as to prevent their being drawn, by taking hold of the projecting ends, one over the other. The friction occasions their detonation.
The quantity of fulminating powder must be proportioned to the effect intended.