Birmingham age-herald., 1894-12-20
Social and Otherwise,
IAll items of social interest will be gladly noted in this column if sent to Mrs. George c. Ball, 21sl Highland ayenuel

IAll items of social interest will be gladly noted in thisscolumn If sent to Mrs. George c. Ball, 2lsl Highland avenue a#
 
 The other night the angels at the gates of Paradise stopped to catch the whisper of a song-a poor outcast sang, and, singing, died. In western town, in the cold, nar- row cell of a city prison, 0 wretched creat- ure lay in the stupor that drugs bring to body and mind. From the friendless streets of great city she had been carried by the arm of the law into place where criminals cursed and walled. But what cared she? Was not the past thing of awful memories, and the future a terrible blackness, without ray of light to pierce the eternal gloom?
 So while the midnight hours dragged by, on leaden feet, she slept as enc already dead. And as the morning tarried mes senger with noiseless tread came over the hopeless threshold and knocked at the door of this woman's soul He asked no questions; he made no requests i; he only said, "I am req dy," and the starved soul, which for years had only been clothed in darkest sin and degradation, heard the sound and awoke to answer the summons. It was useless to try to arouse the De6OIl6u DTdlu anu OOAJ they were deaf and dead to need and hope; but the soul looked up into the Masters face aud begged for mercy Back into the desoate chambers of the past came mem- ories of mother's love, the kisses of an honest mau and the touch of baby fingers. A Il other good things were plotted out save a hymn learned at a mothers knee, and to the cold, dying lips of the outcast her despairing soul crept and sang in xub m fNaarar God to Thee, nearer to Thee." Upon the waves of that melody the soul of the sim sick woman went out upon the sea of death and angela harps were hushed in the pres ence of woe so deep.
 Can any one be pessimist, can he be a cynic, while he lives close enough to his fellow creatures to hear the heart beats of humanity2 Is there place for doubt of human good fl we only feel the pulsatlons that quicken the minds and hearts of our fellow men? No, the cyncs and the pes- simists confess by their utterances the nar- rowness of thefr-lives and the contraction of their own sympathies. Constantly there is brought to the observation of each one of as instances of such nobleness and self sacrifice that one feels that the good in humanity is not limited, and if we do not see it it is because, like the owls and bats, the warmth and sunlight blind us. h reading the reports in our daily papers of
 
 what chapters could be written of items merely mentioned. Such an incident has come to my knowledge which is beftting this Christmas time of "good will towards men, and feel in these days of retrench- ment 1t may serve some good 1n Inc telling. In reading of the reductions recently made in the salaries of many of the teachers of the public schools we depored the neoes- sity for such action, yet knew not how bravely the superintendent, Dr. J. Il. "a any necessity for the good of our city. l cannot do better than to quote just here from one fully posted in this matter, and to tell in her own language the facts of the case: ''When Dr. Phillips learned that it was necessary for the salaries to be reduced he called the principals together and stated the case clearly, forciby, kindly, and asked them what they would do. After expressio ns of sympathy for the new administration and evincing a willingness to do all that might be asked of them to answer the 'cry from Macedonia,' Dr. Phillips was then re- quested by the teachers to say to the con ference of the board of education and the finance committee, which was to take place the next evening, that the principals and teachers would heartily cooperate with the board of education and would contribute such portion of this years salary as the finance committee and board of education should decide would aid in the retrenchment of the city's expenses. The whole matter is voluntary action on the part of high minded, generous men and women, to whom appeals for help eyer meet ready response. The peculiar rela- tions existing between the superintendent and teachers were strengthened beyond any expression when it became known, through q member of the board of alder men, that Dr. Phillips said to the board of education on Saturday evening; Do you please, but do not touch the small salaries of the teachers.' Thus the salaries of the elementary teach CTS were left undisturbed.o o Who could doubt the successful outcome of all the diff faculties which confront us with such a body of loyal, brave, self-sacriticing men and women, who voluntarily immolate themselves for the good of our community?
 The Tuesday Afternoon Whist club was entertained by Mrs. James Weatherly, and the prize, handsome bag for embroidery, was won by Mrs. B. F. Moore.
 The Monday Evening Whist club met on Tuesday evening at the residence of Mir. James E. Webb as the guests of Miss Mattie Webb.
 The following pretty invitation is grate- fully acknowledged:
 "Jeffersoh Volunteers, at the armory, Friday, December 21, 1891, 9 o'cockp. m. sharp. Dancing.'
 This popular company has recently had many accessiona from amoung our best young gentlemen, and it will in All proba- biity become prominent factor in our social as well as military life.
 Great preparations are being made for the coming of the Vanderbilt Glee club. and the concert to be given by members or the club on the evening of the 24th instant at O'Brien' s opera house will be an occasion of artistic and social triumph. Wherever these young gentlemen have gone they have received much attention from the best people, and the music they make is snid to be of a delightful order. The young gentlemen of the Glee club have every where received great social attention be- cause they represent well-known families from different parts of the south and are worthy of the consideration shown them. 4 After the concert here on the 24th the Southern club will tender the Gee club an elegant reception, when many of our young people will have an opportunity to meet