The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-05
LETTERS OF TOWN LIFE.
In Which Constance Dering Sets Down Impressions of Her
 First Winter in Birmingham

position that they offer little outward resistance to the increasing tide of social
 aspirants
 There is one custom here that 1 cannot become reconciled to, th.s of receiving an invitation to a house where the host ess has not called on me. When l came
 down in November I met every one the
 night after my arrival at the Southern l club reception--Jack, you know, has 1 put up at all the clubs-and imagine my surprise to receive a week or two later an invitation to a card party from a
 woman who had not called. "Oh. my dear" said a very fashion able woman, when I mentioned the incl
 dent to her 'I had the same experience when I came here few seasons ago. My husband and I received invitations to a large reception, and when the hostess
 asked why we did not attend I told her
 very frankly that she had not called
 And the only reply she made was that people did not wait on such little things as calling in Birmingham. The few women who are guilty of this
 discourtesy do not realize how such a breach of etiquette would be regarded in other cities And because of these
 promscuous invitations at several of the larger receptions the hostess was some times embarrassed because she did not Know all or her guests, anu Oie WVihdh who sent out five hundred cards said
 that she was giving a. very exclusive
 party.
 1 The parties are very smart. There are sometimes four and five every day and there are any number of
 women who expect to entertain before Lent, which comes very late. These are
 the women who feel compelled to retus2 1 their social obligations before the season is ended.
 There is no hour in Birmingham when every one drives, certain time of the afternoon when you see all the well set up traps on Highland avenue There are some smart traps and beautifully capar-
 isoned houses. but I have seen but one coachman in full livery.
 As I was so charmingly introduced by Mrs. C., l have enjoyed every oppor- tunity to observe social life. and l find a
 great deal that is interesting A young 1 married woman in Birmingham has as
 gay time as she does in Baltimore. She goes out constantly dances, drives, has her dinner parties, her flowers and Is as much of a married belle as she cares to l, be- There are any number of pretty
 women here who lead the gay and fash ionable life, but 1t is only now and then 1 that hear of an affaire du occur. Still, l interesting little stories are told here and 
 | there of certain amours. A story that was
 told me at a bridge luncheon this week
 was so clever that l repeated it to Jack the other morning He had heard the same story except that two other per sons-a woman and who of course
 was not her husband-had figured in the story regaled Jack at the club.
 You should have heard him scream with | laughter.
 Pretty sweet trick, wasn't it?" he
 asked
 "What?' l said, es l fns ed my volets.
 Why" he replied Ito get the story
 fastened on the other fellow
 And now every one is wondering which
 woman the shoe fts-ex"e t 1t was not
 a shoe.
 I shall not ever feel quite at home in
 Birmingham. Thee such an air of
 unrest that pervades the very streets.
 The other evening I had a momentary
 longing for home that I could not dis
 pei Jack and I were just entering our
 brougram after the theatre. and the
 streets with their wet sidewalks glimmer-
 ing under the lights the cabmen calling l their numbers. reminded me of home. There was a little lump in my throat
 and it was not the moisture alone on the 1 carriage windows that made the streets
 look Blurred as we rove through them.
 Faithfully yours, c. D.