"Everything is worse for wearing."

It is not only the impecunious bachelor who is reduced to cleansing his own clothing. Emergencies are quite likely to arise at any time, in which prompt action may save clothing from becoming ruined. " First aid to the injured " is quite as necessary in case of an overturned soup plate or a carving accident as on the battlefield or in a street brawl, and fortunate indeed is the man who knows just how to cope with a grease spot or a stain.

There are many simple but efficacious cleansing agents that may be employed, and every man should familiarize himself with a few of them to be used in case of emergency. Grease spots are the most common injuries to clothing, and these are sometimes removed more effectually by one application than another. Only the most simple rules will be given here, that may be followed by any man with a minimum of patience and time.

A bachelor might fashion for himself a " handy box ' containing various emergency tools, or possibly if he makes his wants known, some woman friend will take pity on his helplessness and get together the things for him. Besides the preparations mentioned in this chapter, there should be a fine sponge for sponging spots, a nail brush with fine bristles, a piece of Ivory soap, a roll of linen or cotton rags, another of flannel pieces, and a box of prepared French chalk, some clean pieces of blotting paper, a bottle of oxalic acid, one of salts of lemon, one of turpentine, and one of ammonia.