The age-herald., 1899-01-22
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CIubmen Discuss the Cost
 Of Fashionable Society


 The question is frequently asked how much income is necessary for the support of a single man in fashionable society. Very few 'ladies' men" spend less than $1 800 or $l60O per annum 1t is said. "The society men of Birmingham" said a conspicuous belle in society, recently, "are beginning to live at a somewhat lavish rate. There are a number of well-known beaux who spent last year in flowers alone $500, and in livery bills from $500 to $400."
 A prominent clubman is authority for the statement that most gentlemen find it diffi- cult to get through the year with less than $2000 and keep out of debt "The 2,0O0 fel- lows expense account" said this clubman, runs about as follows: Board and laundry, $975; wardrobe, $250; street car fare, $75; club and other social organizations, $20O; cigars, s1OO: theater tickets. $50; flowers, s1OO; livery. $50; occasional cafe suppers to friends $50; books, $50; Christmas gifts, 80; vacation trip, $50; incidentals, s2OO."
 That seems extravagant." I interrupted.
 "Extravagant? Not at all In order to live well and keep out of debt, $2,OO a year is not a dollar too much. Why, have friend who thinks he is economical, and he spends s2.50O year."
 "fiow does the Birmingham rate at which batchelor swells live compare with the liv ing rate in other cities?'
 "The way we live is exceedingly moder- ate, comparatively speaking. Take cities like Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Louis vile, Washington, Baltimore and New York, and the clubman who is anything of a ladies man spends anywhere from $S0O0 l, se a1fF,Ad to be sporty, his expenses will run close upon $10000. tie lives in luxury-maintains a suite of apartments, keeps horses, plays poker, bets on the races, gives high-rolling champagne suppers, takes sea voyages, etc. The poor chap who tries to pull through on $1, 800 per annum even in Birmingham HnuS it uphill"
 ''What about the young gentlemen who work for $500 or $7O0 year and have no other ineome?"
 .'Oh, any single man can pay board, dress decently, ride on the street cars twice day, pay for his laundry, and buy few books, but that is all. He is fool if he joins a club and affects society on any such salary. I, myself started in life on $50O salary. I pinched and kept out of debt When my salary~was advanced to $SOo lived we'll as 8 thought But when l got up to $1 000 year 1 began to strike out little and soon ran in debt. Sometimes l look back and conclude that was happier and in better shape, morally at least, when my salary was only $500.
 Another -clubman who has always lived a fashionable pace and who iS of course, thorough man of the world without, how ever, being blase, in speakingof club life, and the different modes of fashionable hv- ing, said that there were a number of men in Birmingham who would bear him out in the statement that there was no comparison in the expenses of the society man Of today in Birmingham with those of the old Ala bama club days. Alabama club men spent money lavishy, he said. There has never been a more fashionable mode of living among the bachelors of Birmingham than in the old days The younger belles cannot possibly conceive of the extravgance in- dIlged in during the palmy days of the Alabama club. Wren he was asked to give the amount of his expenses for one month at this fashionable rate, he promptly said $300. My expenses were not quite that high in Birmingham" he went on, "but fer-some time in Washington my income was $30O month, and at the end of the month I balanced accounts evenly"
 He paused refiectively, and we waited for the story.
 Fifteen years ago." he said, "the most beautiful woman in the world was Geral- dine Ulmar, of the Boston Ideal Opera con- pany. l was among the men in Washing ton who went mad about her. After the opera we-that is, she and I-woud have llltlo SupperS at CnamDerlalne s. we kept that up through the season. There were flowers-everything. It was the old story. Afterwards she married a young English man. There are numbers of men in Wash ington society who will recall her marriage She is living in London now, and few years ago I was visiting in London, and one afternoon I called upon her at her hotel in the Strand. She is still beautiful woman, with her wonderful eyes, and yet We chatted calmly of the old days Her husband I know quite well. He is a clever young Englishman, and he and his wife travel a great deal, but never back to America the scene of so many conquests."
 popular clubman whose income is over $10,0O0 a year, recalled the earlier years in his life when his salary was $80 a month.
 'I was compelled to live at the Metro -politan hotel in Washington. and my board bill Twas $75 month. leaving me s5 for my street car fare and incidental expenses"
 The others laughed, knowing his extrava-