Birmingham age-herald., 1895-05-12

There is one subject upon which my mind is not quite clear. Why, when wo- men write what they call "'beauty talks S" they preface everything with soap and water? l have come to the conclusion that Diane de Mercy" and Shirley Dare" and Edith Tripper" and all that crowd have had rather queer bringing up, or else they have awfully strange ideas. They start advice about complexion with soap, plenty of soap more soap andplenty fwater." They must have known some awfully queer women in their day! It is just as logical to say "the way to keep alive is to eat" Every body eats-just takes to it naturally. I feel sorry for them. l really do, 1T all their association has been under circum- stances that forced them to respect soap and talk soap and advise soap. Really nice people know all about soap. just like they know all about breath-natu- rally.
 A bright man recently remarked that on the streets of Birmingham he could see so many people together, the sight of whom forced into his mind the words: Two heads with a single thought two hearts that beat as one" Horrid horrid fellowl I wonder if he was ever in loveN If not, he cannot appreciate the senti- mental woes of others. Lovers do not seem to neeu tHouSHtS-- that IS, Soine- body said so.
 It is time for the newspapers to begin writing of the summer girl. Birming- ham has her sweet elusive and illusive, full of wiles and with q gentle eye to future business She can be calm or storm, sunshine or shadow. friend or foe on short notice, but, most of all, she can play at love-and does she ever re- gret? Ask her. If she jauntily puts her hands behind her when she answers don't imagine it is because there are scratches on them. The summer girl is proof against wound. The very best of her is that if she is hurt you never know it. Her pillow is her confidante, her mirror her only witness! Smart little summer girl! Go down with colors fly ing, if go you must, yet, being woman, with a woman's tender heart, who shall say you have never had your sombre hours? Little summer girl, you may be all froth, but froth is only brought about by fermentation and disturbance. We see your lighter nature-but down un- derneath-I honor you, brave little woman, for you never speak of that!
 There are many young people here to- day, brought here by the meeting of the state association of Christian Endeavor. This Jciety is one of the foremost aids in the number of agents for good among
  sible declarations is, we are in favor of anything that will bring religion into politics and keep politics out of re- lgion." The society has done much good in the state in general and Birmingham in particular, and the city greets the delegates from other places and bids them hearty welcome.
 Two women talking together lately put the fair, square question each to the other, what was the real belief regard ing humanity-whether good outweighed evil or evil overbalanced good. Both were women of thought, both women to whom the world has paid some homage. Both put forward the proposition that there are some good people in the world, but that selfishness is dominant. and if mat ters came to a choice nine out of ten peo- pie would sacrifice a friend to self-inter- est The queer part of it all was that both women finished up their little dec laration of cynicism with the words, '"The only sort of man I would care snap for is the man who will let any body say what they will and still stand up for you and love you and not change. I know just one man like that, and I wouldn't be afraid to trust him with anything"
 And so it goes! The unfortunate part of 1t all is that sometimes 1t Is that "one man" who fails when he is needed-but mot always.
 Reading over some old letters. I have come across one that says: Get accus- toned to being betrayed" The writer further says: Who gives not himself in confidence only half lives" I wonder if it is true! I am half inclined to believe it wholly true, for friendship is lifes sweetest gift when confidence is un- broken and faith kept firm. Here and there life has it's sunny hours. and l somehow love to feel that only they will be numbered. The sunniest times of all