Birmingham state herald., 1896-04-05

the kiss but the grand army of human ity will stand up valiantly for it or treat the opponents with quiet contempt, just as 1t does today.
 But these facts cut no figure at all on a steamship pier. The people who are going away and those who have come to give them rousing send-off don't care a rap about what history says about kissing. If all the worlds notab bles from Ham, the son of Noah, down to Senator Ben Tillman, had roared against kissing it would have made no difference.
 The School Girls Salute.
 Fashionable people look and act very much alike, but one can tell at a glance something about their history by watch ing their osculatory efforts. In one cor ner of the promenade deck are two girls dressed in all the f1nery of springs new fashions. They are young-so young that it is quite easy to see that their school days are just over. Little tears glisten in the eyes of each. One is going away on her first trip abroad and the other must stay at home. They are chums and they are chattering away at the rate of 300 words minute
 At short intervals each one stops to receive a new installment of breath and to hasten the process she plants vigor- ous kiss on the blooming cheek of the other. Every fifteen seconds kiss pass es from one to the other, and the big brother of the stay-at-home girl, who seems to have a tender interest In the foreign-bound girl, gives little jump at each one. He has a big bunch Of roses in his hand. Evidently he hopes to have a minute or two with the fair tour ist by himself, but the "all ashore" bell rings. there is a rapid fire exchange of kisses, the young fellow thrusts the roses into the hand of the girl and presses the other, catches hold of his sister, hur- ries down the gang plank to the dock, and the last they see of their dear friend, as the steamer swings out in the river, shows her talking briskly to big dude in yellow overcoat.
 The Family Farewell.
 The wife who comes down to the steam CT with her four children to see her hus- band off on his yearly business and pleasure trip can never be mistaken.
 Willie, Georgia, Oracle and Carrie, the children, race about the deck, with two nurse girls following, begging and threat ening them to be quiet. Jack, dear, the fearful wife says, be careful about the night air and do keep away from the card room. I am sure there are lot of those gamblers on board and remember they robbed you of a thousand last year. We can't afford to lose anything like that now, and don't have much to do with that hyaway girl, Bessie Brown eyes. didn't know shewas going in this steamer or I would have asked you to take another. It's disgraceful the way she goes on. There she is now flirting with that little French count. while her poor husband stands neglected. She might have the decency to pay him lit- tie attention just now, when she is going away. But I am glad she has taken a fancy to that count, and maybe she'll let you alone"
 Mrs Jack gulps down something in her throat, and is in the midst of many ad- monitions, directions, applications and tears when All ashorer' rings out the children are hastily kissed, the wife is bolstered up by a hearty hug and re- sounding smack, and soon the little fami- ly is on the dock. shedding tears and waving handkerchiefs to the father and husband.
 These steamers are interesting places nowadays, and after one has been vis- ited it becomes more of a wonder than ever how any one could have the hardi- hood to attempt the abolition of kissing. GRANTLAND GRIEVE.