The age-herald., 1899-04-22
Mrs. Simmons Receives
at the Florence.

The perfect spring day of yesterday, to- gether with Mrs Charles Samuel Simmons afternoon reception at the Florence hotel made the avenues alive with traps and pe- destrians and the day was altogether an en- joyable one Mrs. Simmons receiving hours were from to 6, and society was well represented at the charming function. The young guest of honor. Miss Grace sibley, of Augusta, was wonderfully pretty and graceful in an afternoon gown of white silk with chiffon. She is just out of school, much of her college life having been spent at Converse.
 Mrs. Simmons was. herself. an attractive figure in a toilette of black and heliotrope silk. The skirt was trimmed with black fringe and the bodice was finished with lace and chiffon. Others in the receiving line were Mrs. John W Sibley, Mrs. Rob- ert Newman, Mrs. N. c. Royster, Mrs Richard Brooks, Mrs T. V. Boardman Mrs. Peyton C.. Bowman, Mrr. M. l.. Cliff ford, Miss w. w Smith, Mrs. John G. Murray, Miss Florida Graves, Miss Mamie Pearson, Miss Virginia Walker, Miss Mary Virginia Graves. Miss Marie Nelson. Miss Rosabel Runyon, Miss Mae Simmons, Mrs. R. H. Pearson.
 The toilettes worn by the ladies in the receiving party were distinctly elegant Mrs. Sibley wore one of the prettiest gowns of the afternoon. It was of black Brussels net over rose colcred silk.
 The drawing rooms in the hotel in which the receiving party stood were elaborately decorated in roses and palms. Smilax was also used in profusion and the apartments were brilliantly agloW from the lights of innumerabe tapers
 At the first landing of the stairway coffee frappe was served, and above the table basket Of pink roses was suspended by pink satin ribbons Miss Runyon and Miss Marie Nelson presided here, and Miss Mamie Pearson at the punch bowl A light collation. was served in the broad corridor leading to the drawing rooms. Tho table had for its centerpiece a floral decoration of American Beauties, above which was suspended an immense basket of Easter lilies. Papers in silver candelabra completed the beautiful effect.
 Mrs. simmons reception was in every of Birmingham.
 There was a meeting of the patronnesses of the musical festival yesterday afternoon at the Woman's club. MT. James Bowron, president of the May Musical Festival asso- citation, was also present, and made the encouraging report that out of the largo number of tickets sent to each patroness for disposal only four had been returned. The reasons for returning these four being that one or two of the patronesses were either out of town or were otherwise pre-
 
 are interested in the success of the festi- val
 The step which was taken at the first meeting of the patronesses only a week ago in regard to disposing of the tickets has proven most satisfactory one, and the reports made at the meeting yesterday were gratifying and encouraging in the ex- treme, and gave substantial evidence of the general interest that BiFnnghamians feel in the approaching festival.
 A slight mjsapprehension has prevailed in regard to the purchase of tickets by those who nave pledged themselves to the guar antee fund.
 It has been authoritatively announced that all guarantors are allowed the privi- ege of reducing their liabilities through the purchase of tickets and this method will no doubt be taken advantage of by every guarantor.
 It is urged that all patronesses who have not made their reports will do so as soon as possible. The reports should be made to Otto Marx, treasurer Birmingham Musical Festival association, Jefferson County Saw ings bank.
 The meeting adjourned subject to the call of the chairman.