The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-22
That Warm Corner.

That Warm Corner.
1t Is then that the widow finds her true
place In society, In that warm corner which
Is always ready for pretty and agreeable
woman who Is also independent
There are so many things a widow can do
that other women cannot do, especially II
she still be young and attractive Her chief
characteristic Is that she oils In so we'll
everywhere. AS untraneiled as debutante,
as posee as a married wonan there Is no
position or condition OF society that she can
not iii to perfection. She has her own house
in town and in tho covntry and enjoys gath
eting her friends abont her. She receives
sbe attentions of mauy pretenders with great
good nature and apparent appreciation, but
generally with a matter of fact directusss
that Is likely to be disconcerting when not
amusing herself In her own way With her
guests, her horses, her dogs and her chill
dren. She Is in great demand as visitor at
other houses and guest at dinners. An at
tractive widow Is the quiutessence Of social
ameuity. She tits in anywhere.
It Is as chaperon, though. that the widow
Is In most demand. There Is many an agree
able married woman who could ill that posi-.
tion as well, except that she has husband,
and that husband has to be asked TO the play,
to the supper, on the yacht, TO the races or to
the country club, when perhaps he is the very
person who Is not wanted.
Then along comes the widow. smiling
jolly congenlal, not prying. oflcious or sus-
picious, with never n detrimental Of any
kind to deter her from filling Just the space
she is expected to fiji, and II such widow
has no chlldren-and there are several
charming ones In New York to-day who have
not--she could spend her entire time, II she
SO chose. in looking after the interests Of
her young friends and their admirers.
The childless widow is likely to take a
great interest In charities, especially those
devoted to the welfare of young children.
Deprived by n discreet and seemingly I'M
kind nature OF the ways of motherhood, she
turns with loving and teuder heart to the
poor children OF otners-llttle waits and
strays, little derormities, even little criml-
to babies homes and children's hospitals.
She is great hand at organizing sewing
classes, basars and various entertainments
whereby the shekels OF her friends may be
diverted from their pockets to the uses of
her proteges. She is liberal giver herself,
and succeeds In having her kindly example
followed. Some of the noble charities In
New York were founded and are supported
by the direct or indirect influence and exer-
lions Of the childless widow.
1T Is by the exercise Of such social and
charitable impulses that the widow fills
life that might otherwise be sad and mo-
rose. Who can tell II she may not have mo-
ments of intense depression and ioneiinessl
If she does she bravey keeps them to her
self and II she be wise she will never per-
nit herself such periods Of dependency to
urge her to a second marriage.
Yet IL our widow Is not built on these ideal
lines, and Is frivolous, 1iftatious and lndis-
Greet, as some are, she may become source
of much danger In society-a frebrand an
intrguante, derelict. Here again, In this
Instantaneous role, the Widows absolute
Independence stands her in good stead. She
has no one to say her nay. She comes and
goes as she listeth. She receives visitors
at her own sweet pleasure. She can coax
and whe-dle, gossip and sander, without
let or hindrance She can use her Widows
weeds as cloak for all kinds of shady ad-
ventures and transa actions.
This is the kind OF widow that is most
often depicted In the lurid literature and
stage productions OF the day Ibsen can
write her and Mrs Patrick Campbell can
play her TO perfection. II would be anus.
ing, were It not SO distressing, to see how
this type Of widow appeals to very young
men To the callow youth In the high shirt
collar and pointed boots she seems the incar-
nation Of beauty and cleye-ness. He mis-
takes her vulgar talk for wit and her taw.
dry clothes for elegance. II she Is at all
bright she usually has half dozen of such
young fellows In her train. Older men
leave her alone She expects devoted at
tentlon, especially In public places like
theaters and cafes, from her following, but
has nothing to give in return but suggestive
ness and the vain hope of an ultimate re-
ward.
Happily, such widows have no place in our
good society. or II they ever have they are
soon dropped out. There are only few left
now. and we are daily hearing less about
them, Such women usually drift into pre-
carlous and rapid existence In Europe.
They are seen about Monte Carlo and Max
ines and the Cafe de Paris. Though quite
willing to marry money they rarely sue
coed. because their fame has gone before
them and the demand for that kind Of wife
ID limited