The age-herald., 1899-07-30
Country Club Will Keep
 "Open House" "Wednesday

"0pen House. Wednesday
 The rains have so upset the plans of the fashionable world that there has not been much gaiety to speak of The notably brilliant event of the summer season took place on Wednesday evening at the formal opening of the Country club although the alternate shower and sunshine seemed de- termined to prevent an suspicious evening" The country roads are so washed and the weather so uncertain that the drives to the nearby places have been abandoned and if Birmingham was a summer resort the guests would fly from the rainy season. Birmnghams beautiful Country club is talked of a great deal ana the complete ness of the club house Is a subject upon which the members are complimented by every one.
 young clubman in speaking of the oc- caston made the request that 1 write of what the Birmingham women said of the club rather than of the pretty toilettes that were worn, which 1 think was quite unap- preciative on his part It would be .impos- sible in as brilliant assemblags as that which thronged the Country club not to be impressed with the number of elegant gowns, but the prospect of fiower-bedecked hats, and ones prettiest afternoon toilette being caught in a shower did not affect the gay spirits of the beautiful belles who expressed in the most enthusiastic manner their admiration of the elegant club house. The Birmingham maids and matrons who passed under the brilliantly lighted arches at the club into the ball room grew enthusi- astic over the beauty of the apartment and indeed over the entire plan of the club house.
 A belle of the evening declared that the Birmingham Country club was the hand- f,1t tI hot tla AInr as charming as that of the Country clubs in the east, which she had visited.
 The club governors have decided to keep ''open house" on Wednesday afternoon and evening. August ?, as many of the guests were prevented from being present at the formal opening by the indictment weather. Wednesday of this week will, therefore, find a second brilliant gathering at the Country club. for the large number of guests who were unable to go out last Wednesday will be glad of an opportunity of drinking to the health of the Birming- ham Country club
 The members will not inaugurate a x'ladies' day" but generously extend the courtesies of the club to the ladies at any and all times. The club house will be open throughout the season, and buffet lunche- on can be served at a moments notice. If the members desire an elaborate dinner, notice must be given the chef, of course, "before the market closes" With the chef notified sufficiently early that one is com- ing out with a party of friends, dinner will be served in the main cafe. A light luncheon similar to the luncheons on the sleeping cars, will be served at any time after one arrives at the club. young wo- man in one of the driving parties laughing ly said when a Country club governor men, tloned the buffet lunches one gets on Pullman, that one was never known to 6pc 0r1n Ind for 10 Ina n waters invariably returned with the menu card, and apologies that the chicken cro- quettes were just out or whatever particu- lar course had struck ones fancy. and she implored the club governor not to mention the club luncheons in the same breath with those of a sleeping car. He assured her that she need not shake her pretty head in such disconsolate way, for the chef at the Country club would be instruct ed in more satisfactory methods, and that the club would be conducted on more substantial basis than she suggested. This part of the club regime has really been placed In capable hands, and the chef and walters are pretty apt to make the cafe feature a popular one. The matter of tips has not yet reached a law in the club. although tipping Is against the rules fin many clubs.
 Speaking of the cafe recalls an incident of the day preceding the club opening. It seems that party of girls who were spending few hours in the city were kill. ing time by taking street car rides. They went out on the trolley line that runs near the club, and deciding that they would stroll through the park. entered the private grounds of the Country club. They strolled over to the main entrance. and without further ceremony seated themselves on the picturesque balcony. Finally. one of them, walking through the ball room. saw through the doorway leading into the cafe a group of handsome young club fellows with their coats off and arranging the champagne glasses upon the buffet. The girl fled to her companions. and the club men, had they glanced through the window, would have seen four or five girlish figures hurrying along the driveway in a desper- ate effort to catch the next car. The young club members. I hear. are still in blissful ignorance that their methods of house. keeping were so ruthlessly ignored by party of charming young women.