The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-03-21
SPRING OPENINGS
 VERY BRILLIANT
Some Artistic and Lavish DIs-
 plays Seen Yesterday
ATTRACT GREAT CROWDS
stssle-smlth Dry Goods Store, caheen Bros, Ferd Marx and Collins, the Shoe Man-openlngs
 Continue Today.

Yesterday was opening day at several prominent stores. Great crowds attended and crowds will be out again today. The Steele-Smith Dry Goods company Lad a brilliant and successful spring opening. Their attractive store in the | fashionable shopping district was decor ated handsomely with palms and flowers and an orchestra played throughout the day Every preparation had been made to make the opening suspicious. The l representatives in the east of this young and progressive firm had selected the most beautiful and complete stock of dry goods ever displayed by this firm, and the throngs who crowded the store yes- | terday were enthusiastic in their express sions of admiration. The beautiful shop windows were most metropolitan in ap- pearance. One of the windows suggested the shirt waist girl, and dividing attention with this modern creation were the soft silks and ehiffons, suggesting wedding gowns and the more elaborate evening dress. The figured nets, Dolly Warden and pompadour organdies ealienne epingles, rich laces, Japanese silks. lawns, batistes smart looking coats, washable cottons, linens were among the fabrics that were seen. The lingerie is unusually elegant Besides this department. complete and beautiful, the ready made department came in for a great deal of admiration The little folk also have department, complete and elegant.
 caheen's Magnificent Display.
 The following notes from the spring opening of Caheen Bros, which was a magnificent success, tell of the beautiful and rich display made by this up-to-date firm, one of the best-known houses in the whole south
 Suit Department-Slk shirt waist suits, daintily trimmed China silk costumes, shocking and shirred effects; also taffeta suits in the very newest styles in the colorings now so popular for the coming spring.
 silk Experimentation would do your self an injustice if you failed to secure some of the very exclusive silk fabrics they are offering at special opening prices. Immense stock for selecting.
 Dress Goods Department-The new 'Eo- leon' silk and wool fabric finds its best exposition here. There Is hardly any fabric here its equal for spring cos- tunes.
 Cotton Dress Goods-An exceedingly large stock of the 'season's best'' inI wash fabrics Is on display here. line unsurpassed in Alabama is the claim for this department .,
 Millinery Department-"Dame Fashion has here her choicest creations. In fact, | a f exceptionally attractive prices,
 The windows were superbly treated and the store handsomely decorated. Indeed, every woman of taste marvelled at the artistic arrangement as well as the ele- gance of the fabrics at Caheen's.
 Ferd Marx.
 Perhaps nothing short of the word gorgeous would describe the opening at the Ferd Marx store.
 The windows first attract attention. The millinery window is all in white and vio- let. The back ground is of the softest chiffon drapery, trimmed with great | punches of violets and Easter lilies. A chairester in purple eossack and white surplice and several exquisite hats in shades of violet hello and Iris go to make up this perfect Song of Spring"
 The large center window is in white ! nrincipally. and shows several elegant im- ported silk costumes. The third window | is in green All the new shades or this naturis farrsile color and in this window Is displayed all the newest things in silks. The beautiful windows are hardly fore taste of the spring awaiting one on the inside. The silk display makes one hold his breath and wonder how could such soft, fluffy, pretty things be made by human skill. The silks are so soft, so clinging that when you take hold of them there seems to be nothing there.
 The chiffon taffetas, messaline taffetas, | sapho silks are truly works of magic. Pompadour silk, chameleon silks. nets, crepe de chimes, chiffon taffetas are all to be favorites.
 In dress goods mohair has attained the pinnacle of perfection and popular favor.
 In wash goods. French organdie in the big floral designs is favorite.
 After wandering al out over the first floor. which is beautifully decorated with palms. cut and potted flowers. giy- ing a spring-like appearance to every thing, one Is then ready to go, to the second floor and to the millinery de- partment, the most interesting depart ment of all
 Collins Shoe Store.
 If you are a lover of the beautiful and the artistic you will enjoy visit to 1 to Collins Shoe store today. Collins Is holding this spring opening and exhibi- tion of fashions dictates for the coming season in the matter of footwear. These Collins openings are always occasions of real beauty and this year 1t Is more | so than ever. The entire store is beau- | tifully decorated in palms, smiiax, | blooming plants and howeres. Today l from 2:sO to 5:S0 the entire Jefferson theatre orchestra under the direction of Leader )E. E. lille. will be heard in a concert of beautiful selections. Plenty l of seating capacity to accommodate the | crowds during the concert As to the suggestions for the coming season--and that's the whole object of the opening-it would seem that tans and the shiny feathers are going to have