ksul-uasc-mscc208_003

For the Companion
MAKING WAX FLOWERS.

Now that spring flowers are opening, and it is a good time to
make wax flowers, perhaps some of the Companion readers
would like to know how they are made.
The wax bought innthin sheets, which are nearly as flexable
and easily cut as cloth. It is used single or double, according
to the thickness of the flower, and can be bought for about 30
cents a dozen sheets.
It comes white and in colors. The softer shades are painted
upon white; when blending is required, dry powder is rubbed
on with the tip of the finger.
To make wax flowers, it is necessary to have wire for the large
and small stems, a little gluten, some wiry spool thread- and
moulding tools, which can be procured withnthe wax.
The art in making these flowers, is in avoiding stiffness and
copying nature as closely as possible. To do this, when it is
convenient, one should keep a nayural flower before her, when
moulding, and proceed as follows:
Pick a flower, we will say a rose, to pieces, and cut it in paper
an exact pattern of the petals --five of each size. Do the
same with the geeen leaves, which are to be carefully notched
around the edges with a sharp penknife or sissors, which can
be wet to avoid sticking.
Make a stem for the rose by covering a large wire with wax,
and smoothing and polishing the same.
Next place a bit of wax on the end where the calyx is to be,
and arrange around it, neatly, the inside petals of the rose,
lapping one over the other, as in the natural flower.
Then add the next row, and the next, after having moulded
the edge of the petals to avoid stiffness, until all are added,
taking care to work the petals well on to the calyx, or they
will fall off.
The petals being arranged, form the calyx, and arrange
the sepals in the same way. After the rest is completed, it will
be necessary to arrange the petals by opening and closing,
to give them the proprr appearance.
The green leaves have the wire smaller and extending to
the tip, across the middle, which is concealed by strips of
green wax.
When stamens are required, cut bits of white thread and
tie them upon the end of the wire; after which dip the ends
in gluten, and then into dry yellow paint, which will adhere
to it in globules, then proceed as before.
These flowers are expensive and delicate, and should be
protected by a glass shade.
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For the Companion
THE QUAKER WIFE
In a plain, unpainted cottage,
Slowly sinking to decay,
Lived a sober Quaker maiden,
Simple-hearted Patience Gray.
And no jewels save the ornament
Of spirit pure and meek
Even in her gayest girlhood
Did this Quaker Maiden seek.
For the very height of fashion
Patience's dresses seemed too scant,
And her hair was reddish-tinted
Where the sunlight fell aslant.
Thee and thou she rendered pleasant
Sweet her smile, if somewhat sad;
Neat and clean her shrivelled figure
In a suit of homespun clad.
Though to ape the rich and stylish
Patience Gray would not decend,
All unconscious at the wash-tub
She acquired the "Grecian Bend."
Never was her weak brain troubled
With the questions of the day;
She cared not a tittle whether
Woman had her rights or nay.
Thus this poor, unlettered creature
Ate content her hard-earned bread,
Knowing that her Lord and Master
Had not where to lay His head.
When she died and went to heaven
She was never asked to tell
What had been her earthly station-
So 'twas really just as well! M.P.R.

"WHEN OUR SHIP COMES IN."
A little child dwelt by the sea,
And her home was the home of poverty.
She ran with bare feet o're the golden sands,
And gathered shells with her small brown hands.
Gay strangers came in rich robes dight,
But the little maiden shunned their sight;
And shaking her curls o're her blushing face,
Sped away like a fawn that flies the chase.
When strangers were gone, said the mother mild,
"What was it dismayed thee, my darling child?"
"O, mother! my feet were bare and brown,
I had no bonnet, and then- this gown!"
She held up the skirt of her faded frock,
Sadly rent by the jagged rock,
And she said, with a deep and long drawn sigh,
"Shall I have such dresses as they by-and-by?"
Her mother smiled with a grave, sweet grace,
And she smoothed the curls from the half-grieved face,
And sad, "When our ship comes in from the sea,
You shall have garments and all things free."
"When our ship comes in!" said the little one,
And away to the highest rock she ran,
And watched till night-shadows dimmed the shore,
For the freighted ship and its treasured store.
Long and often she watched in vain.
No ship for her sailed over the main.
How many such watchers in life there be
For the ship that never comes over the sea!

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