as shown in the illustration, This can be very easily made from pine boards an inch thick, eight inches wide, and six inches deep, outside measure, and as long as desired to fill the spaces between posts. Straight joints or box-joints are made at the corners and fastened with screws, and the inside of the box is treated to several successive coats of asphaltum varnish to render it waterproof. Several small holes are bored in the bottom of the box to drain off surplus moisture, and the box and supports can be painted a color to match the trimmings of the house. To anchor the box, screw a board to the balustrade on which the inner bottom edge of the box may rest; and support the outer edge by means of braces attached firmly to the under side, and to the piazza floor, as shown in the illustration. Two small brackets nailed to the under side of the box and to the batten will hold the box in place and prevent it from slipping off the top of the batten. This is a necessary precaution to prevent the whole contrivance from falling in the event of its becoming dislodged at any time by the wind or by a possible jarring against the piazza rail.
XIV. A Suspended Settle.
A suspended settle is a very convenient piece of piazza furniture and not a difficult thing for the young carpenter to make. The corner posts are two inches and a half square, and the boards used in its construction are seven eighths of an inch thick and four inches wide, The seat is forty-two inches long and eighteen inches wide, and the back is fifteen inches high from the seat. The arms are cut as shown in B of Fig. 18, and securely screwed to the corner posts. The frame pieces supporting the seat-boards are let into the back and front posts, in which laps are cut as shown in Fig. 19, A and B, and securely fastened with flat-headed screws. Both the rail to which the backboards are attached, and the rear ends of the arms, are let into the corner posts and fastened with screws. The seat is suspended from the ceiling of the piazza by four chains, that can be purchased at a hardware-store, from a ship-chandler, or can be made by a blacksmith from iron three eighths of an inch in diameter. If it is not possible to obtain the chains, rope may be substituted, but it will not look as well. Two yokes bolted to the top of the back posts and eye-straps for the front posts will anchor the chains securely to the settle. The yoke is shown in Fig. 19, C, and the eye-strap in Fig. 19, D. A bolt passed through the top of the rear posts and the holes in the yoke will secure it firmly, and a nut will prevent it from slipping loose. Holes are made in the arms, and the eye-straps are passed down through them and attached to the front corner posts with screws, as shown in the illustration. The back of the settle is composed of
A Suspended Settle.
boards four inches wide and placed an inch apart, Cushions and pillows will complete this useful piece of furniture, that in the winter-time may be hung in a den or library.
The December article will show, with many illustrations, “How a Boy can Decorate His
Room.” (See page 94.)
