Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-09
OUR SOCIAL WORLD

tAll items of social Interest will be gladly noted in these columns If sent to Mrs George c. Ball, Nineteenth street, between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, South High lands. Telephone 9SS)
 The announcement of the approaching marriage of Mrs. Ava Vanderbilt to MT o. H. P. Belmont was made through the press of New York a few days ago. The statement was authentic, and it is said to have produced a great sensation in metro politan social circles. It can easily be re- called that Mir. Belmont was one of the guests on MT. w. K. vanderbilt's yacht Valiant when the much talked about quarrel occurred between husband and wife. During all the unpleasant noto- riety of the succeeding suit for divorce it is also recalled that MT. Vanderbilt and his family sustained the most dis erect silence, and never in any way sug- gested Ca fact believed by many New Yorkers) that there were reasons for Mrs. Vanderbilt's anxiety to be again free woman besides the repulsive sto- res of her husbands Paris experiences. After the decree was rendered Mrs. Van derbilt has been constantly attended by this same MT. Belmont, and now the ex- pected has happened, woman who has lT1uG neTSelI very unnecessarily cODSplC- uous in many ways is taking part in an- other sensation. One of the leading pa pers of New York editorially says of her: "A woman who has secured divorce, and at the same time splendid financial settlement inveigled a duke into marry ing her daughter and then marries her self another very rich man, all within the space of one short year, should be re- garded as one of the unusual products of our American continent" In saying this we Alabamians are to be congratulated that it was not told again that she is native of our state. It may be entirely true that Mrs. Vanderbilt was in no wise responsible for her husbands misdoings; it may be that she was a patient, long, suffering Wife-but she certainly has Sub- iected herself to a large amount of natu- raj criticism because of the disgusting notoriety she has courted. southern woman rarely blazonS to the world the infelicites of her home life, and if it be- comes a necessity to settle these matters before legal tribunals, she at least does not find it the inspiration for revels and routs and every form of conspicuous gail ety; and be 1t said to the greater credit of southern womanhoOd, that if woman whose first married life has proved dis mal failure decides to marry again. she does not insult decent society by marry ing a man about whom she quarreled with her first husband. Mrs. Wander 5 to have destroyed those finer sentiments which are the infallible and unfailing att tributes of true southern woman.
 
 Mir and Mrs. Ferdinand DeBardeleben returned yesterday from their honey moon trip to Florida. They will spend short time in the city before going to Bessemer to permanently reside, and will be the guests of Judge and Mrs. James M. Arnold, parents of Mrs. DeBardele- ben. and of MT. Henry F. DeBardeleben, uncle of MT. DeBardeleben.
 The Catholic Young Mems Temperance society. or as it is officially known, St. Pauls Total Abstinence society, is still in it's infancy. so to speak, as 1t was only organized by Father Murray as late as October. 1894, but it may well be felic.- tated upon its growing strength and in fluence The membership of the society is now very near the century mark, and the zeal of these young men has been cryStalized into very practical results. The building formerly used as house of worship by their church has been re- modelled completely under their direc- tion, and at present is well supplied with various games and reading matter to suit all tastes. They have just laid the foundation for good library, and the entertainment. to which the invitation printed below refers, is expected to in- crease the number of their volumes very largely. All friends of the society will be welcomed very cordially, but it will be the most natural thing in the world if the young gentlemen are tempted to ex- tend the most enthusiastic welcome to those friends who present themselves under the escort of favorlte author. Refreshments will be served by the young ladies of the church. The invita- tion reads as follows:
 You are cordially invited to musical and book party, under the auspices of St. Pauls Total Abstinence society of Birmingham, Wednesday, January 1b, 1896, SD. m. St. Paurs T. A. s. hall, PIP Third avenue P. S.-The librarian will have a table near the entrance, at which he will receive donations of books or funds for the library from those friends who desire to contributef.o this depart ment."
 Maj Frank Y. Anderson. will enter tain the officers of the Southern club next Friday evening at a handsome dinner.
 The ladies of the First Methodist church will entertain their friends this CThursday) afternoon from to o'clock at the residenos of MT. and Mrs. w. s. Brown with a missionary tea.
 Mrs. Jack w. Johnston has returned from visit of several weeks to friends and relatives in Atlanta.
 The Fredonian society will meet next Friday evening with Mir. and Mrs. F. Wall Business of importance will be transacted.
 Miss Mary Anderson who~1ias spent the past eighteen months with her moth CT in California. will reach Birmingham evening to remain two or three months with friends and relatives in Alabama.
 Next Sunday evening the members of the Young Mems Hebrew association will give a musical and literary entertain ment. The young gentlemen will be as- sisted by many of the visiting young la dies, who are brightening Birmingham with their presence.
 The Tuesday Afternoon Whist club was delightfully."- entertained yesterday afternoon by Mrs. ]. F. Graham at her home on the South Highlands. The prize. an exquisitely lovely center piece, embroidered in wild roses. was won by Mrs Jack Q. Cohen. Mrs. Graham