** Softening Leather in Gloves and Boots [140]

The leather in high-top boots and gauntlet gloves may be softened and made waterproof by the use of plain mutton tallow.  Apply hot and rub in well with the fingers.

** How to Make a Mission Library Table [141]

The mission library table, the drawings for which are here given, has been found well proportioned and of pleasing appearance.  It can be made of any of the several furniture woods in common use, such as selected, quarter-sawed white oak which will be found exceptionally pleasing in the effect produced.

If a planing mill is at hand the stock can be ordered in such a way as to avoid the hard work of planing and sandpapering.  Of course if mill-planed stock cannot be had, the following dimensions must be enlarged slightly to allow for “squaring up the rough.”

For the top, order 1 piece 1-1/8 in. thick, 34 in. wide and 46 in. long.  Have it S-4-S (surface on four sides) and “squared” to length.  Also, specify that it be sandpapered on the top surface, the edges and ends.

For the shelf, order 1 piece 7/8 in. thick, 22 in. wide and 42 in. long, with the four sides surfaced, squared and sandpapered the same as for the top.

For the side rails, order 2 pieces 7/8 in. thick, 6 in. wide and 37 in. long, S-4-S and sanded on one side.  For the end rails, 2 pieces 7/8 in. thick, 6 in. wide and 25 in. long.  Other specifications as for the side rails.

For the stretchers, into which the shelf tenons enter, 2 pieces 1-1/8 in. thick,

[Illustration:  This Picture Is from a Photograph of the Mission Table Described]

3-3/4 in. wide and 25 in. long, surfaced and sanded on four sides.  For the slats, 10 pieces 5/88 in. thick, 1-1/2 in. wide and 17 in. long, surfaced and sanded on four sides.  For the keys, 4 pieces 3/4 in. thick, 1-1/4 in. wide and 2-7/8 in. long, S-4-S.  This width is a little wide; it will allow the key to be shaped as desired.

The drawings obviate any necessity for going into detail in the

[Illustration:  Table Details]

description.  Fig. 1 gives an assembly drawing showing the relation of the parts.  Fig. 2 gives the detail of an end.  The tenons for the side rails are laid off and the mortises placed in the post as are those on the end.  Care must, be taken, however, not to cut any mortises on the post, below, as was done in cutting the stretcher mortises on the ends of the table.  A good plan is to set the posts upright in the positions they are to occupy relative to one another and mark with pencil the approximate positions of the mortises.  The legs can then be laid flat and the mortises accurately marked out with a fair degree of assurance that they will not be cut where they are not wanted and that the legs shall “pair” properly when effort is made to assemble the parts of the table.

The table ends should be glued up first and the glue allowed to harden, after which the tenons of the shelf may be inserted and the side rails placed.