The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-04
An ltemIzed Account.

From the Baltimore News.
 Talk about presents!" exclaimed the man with a host of friends. ''why, If it were not for the ones I have to give I should be a rich man. It seems to me that life is becoming more and more sim ply an occasion for that giving which is more blessed than receiving-if you say it quick. Some of these days I know I shall be driven to matrimony simply to get back in gifts a part of the money I have expended in that manner on other people.
 If you want an itemized account of nay expenditures for this year for pres ents, here it Is:
 To 15 wedding presents. ...............$1 $50 To christening presents ...., .......... 45 Ta flowers on birthdays....... ....... 9 To flowers for the dead...... ...... 20 To Christmas gifts...... ...... ........ 90 To presents as token of esteem to re-
 tiring president of our concern.... 10 To little gifts to hostess of house
 party ...... ...........,...... To candy given to girl friends on sun
 dry occasions. ...................... 20
 Total s370
 Now, that Isn't any insignificant sum for a man of moderate means, and yet there isn't an item there that was not almost a necessity. When fellow has been entertained by people, and those same people marry and he Is asked to be best man or usher CT have been an att tendant at fourteen weddings) he must come up with a present whether he wants to or not. As a rule, he wants to. and he doesn't want to appear mean, either so he is out from s10 to $25 at once.
 q would rather not give wedding pres ents than fail to give something to the small stranger who makes it's appear ance in a family. The parents of an in- fant naturally think it Is the finest thing in the world. There doubtless have been some other babies that had claims to suitability or attractiveness, but this is the only one that is really unusual and prodigy, and to neglect to acknowledge the news of it's birth by silved mug or a baby spoon would be to mortaly of fend those most concerned.
 "These are not mercenary people They don't care hang how much the present you send costs; they simply want some tangible evidence that you are aware great change has taken place in the face of nature, and that one of the most im- portant events of modern times has hap pened.
 If the child Is a second or third one, sometimes I don't send gift but if 1t is a first one. l would rather cut OH my right hand than neglect to so remem- Der it.
 ''Of course. If anyone in household in which I am a constant visitor dies, send flowers; If anyone is i'll, the same courtesy must be paid; if a birthday Is announced some American Beauties are in order; If I call often or am Invited to dinner, a box of candy will not come amiss. Altogether, there Is hardly an occasion in social life when small gift will not be thought courteous.
 'It Is pretty hard on a single man, but then look what he gets in return-the privilege of acting as usher at weddings, of being called uncle by a lot of young sters. of acting as pall-bearer ever and anon, and of being known as good fellow
 "Oh the making of gifts has It's com pensations, there's no doubt about that and his hearers couldn't tell whether he was speaking ironically or not.