The age-herald., 1902-02-09
It's Oriental Beauty and InterGs'- ing History Surrounding Name COLLECTION OF WORKS OF ART ls One of the Rarest Private Coiiee'
 lions In the Country-Society
 ly Review of City and State.
 
Rv ANNIE KENpRIcK WALKER.


 Whenever kind fate bring me 10 "Rajah Lodge" the home of former Congress man William F. Aldrich and Mrs. Ald- rich. I am always asking for the pretty story of how this great country house came to be called "Rajah Lodge
 Mrs. Aldrich told me in her charming way one perfect day last summer, when inc Oriental beauty of the place was as glowing as a jewel in the suns rays and we were slipping benedictine beneath the palms. I asked her to repeat the story as we sat together recently before the burning logs in her velvet hung drawing room.
 An artist friend, a portrait painter, was their guest when the house was being completed and together they discussed an appropriate name for 1t. Both MT. and Mrs Aldrich desired a name that would blend with the general design of the house.
 It was not constructed on the plan of chateau and French names would not harrnonize with the surroundings. There was not enough of the villa to suggest the Italian, nor was it suggestive of an English country house.
 The inspiration came when the artist recalled fascinating Eastern legend, In which a great and mighty Rajah, gor- feous bejeweled prince ruled his subjects with the subtle power of the East. And so when the large open fire place was built at one end of the long drawing < room "Rajah Lodge was carved in the white stone above it, like jewel set Tn the diadpm of n of the East.
 Shall tell you it's story as we sip bene- dictine beneath the palms, or shall we sit in the glow of burning logs, or will you go with me, hand in hand, through the silvery night. when Raiah Lodge becomes a dream place, a moonlit paradise set about with pale roses. when perhaps the lace draperies huttering on the balcony withought might be a procession of east enr houri. Or there is the lily pond in the rose garden, a charming spot for a con- fessional; the splash of the fountain, rosary of sound.
 Nesting at the foot of the mountains, in an Alabama glen, somewhat hid from a view of the village of Aldrieh is this mod ern dream of paradise. The mountain slopes in the background, have been touched by the hands of artists, enhance ing the rich setting. The landscaper has left his impress of years of work and to- day new made parks are here and there adding to a scene of loveliness dreamed of by few.
 To this tropical wealth of Aldrich must be added the beautiful stretch of vale extended northward for miles, not needing any touch of adorment and yet strength ened by the high walls and beautiful set ting of Alabama's Industrial School for young women in charming Montevallc to miles away.
 At Aldrich mineral Alabama joins hands with agricultural Alabama The famous Montevallo seam of coal is about the dividing point between north and south Alabama and as this coal is unequalled 20 the rest of the vale touched with the fertility of the black belt makes the re- zion around Aldrich an Arcadia.
 Beautiful stretches of farm lands dotted with cottages meet the eye.
 Two miles over the mountain in per fectly constituted orchard spot is the Rajah Lodge fruit farms presided over by an educated and experienced fruit grower, a young Englishman Broad acres running almost to the hundred are rich with their burden of bearing vine and tree. The product of this farm Is already famous, and yet aside from the object lesson, the master of this rich creation said, T care more for the pleas ure than the profit"
 Hidden as it is from the outside world.
 eaJah bouSe HdS yet the advantages Of city. Water works and modern plumbing have not been overlooked On hilltop just outside the grounds, a large wind mill and tank supply the Lodge with purest water. Water mains and fine hydrants running through the grounds are fed from a large reservoir on the mountain.
 Upon the estate, which comprises some four thousand acres, and just a half mile from the Lodge, reached by a winding country road are marvellous falls or rapids. The water does not fall perpen dicuarly. but in distance of one hun dred feet 1t falls about thirty feet into beautiful basin and then resumes it's course over the rocky bed
 Nature seldom furnishes a more beau