The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-28
Z Ew YORK, December 27.-No bet
= indication exists of the prevail

4 y ing state of mind as to marital
infelieity than the readiness with which
every tale that is circulated anent disa-
greements of young couples is believed.
To the amazement of the families of a
certain young couple who are prominent
in society the story was printed that they
had separated. The husband had taken
bachelor apartments, the wife had gone
to hotel and their elegant home was re-
ported closed OF course it was believed
Some even went so far as to say, 81 have
long expected it," while others said, II
am surprised he could put with her airs
and nonsense as long as he did" 1t be-
came the town gossip. The next day the
newspaper which published the libel an
nounced that it had been deceived and
promised its vengeance on the head of its
informant.
It is to be hoped that one outcome of
the illness of young Cornelius Vanderbilt
will be a general family reconciliation
Blood is thicker than water and gold Is
not the first thing in the world of conse-
quence. We might as well all live on
good terms for we are long time dead.
The illness of Miss Hevemeyer from ty-
phoid is another case of a victim in the
smart set suffering from that disease,
An odd coincidence is that all these peo-
pie should live in the vicinity of Madison
avenue and within a stones throw of
Park avenue. There seem to be many
reasons for the prevalence of this disease,
which is one of those which is invariably
brought out when the victim goes to a
place where the atmosphere is purer.
Just now there is much alarm in society
over the prevalence of typhoid
There are great preparations going on
at the Clarence Mackay residence on
Madison avenue, and Mrs. Mackay will
come up from the country after the holi-
days. The house belongs to Mrs Cut
ting but she has leased 1t for number
of years to the Mackays. Mrs Mac
kay is, of course, in very deep mourning
She has been in town several times this
week, looking after painters and decor
ators, and she was very handsome, In
deed in her black and sables.
The opera does not seem to be madly
popular with the debuntantes, but every
performance sees more of the older set
who have now gotten down to the regu-
lar opera habit and who seem to find the
current season .eminently satisfactory.
The boxes are filled much later in the
evening than usual, with rare exceptions
and people leave earlier than ever, but
they are all in such good spirits and seem
to be enjoying themselves so immensely
that it is evident the opera season of
1902-03 furnishes every requisite for enjoy
ment. The alleged love of music is SO
fashionable now that not to have it would
mean a serious mistake and in time, os-
tracism, but, fortunately, it is not me-
cesSary to have a great deal of techni-
cal music converse ton. All one has to
do at the opera is to wear ones best
clothes, own as good box as possible,
and be a good all round conversationalist,
with a smattering of musical terms and a
hearty appreciation of the best society as
represented by the smart set''
The old home of the Union Club has
been vacated before the new house Is
ready for occupancy. The members are
homeless, yet they are not without a
place to hang their hats. All the clubs