The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-02-12


 syringias cape jassamines. larkspur, jonquils, narcissus, snowballs and spicy pinks-the masses of bridal wreath which were the first fragrans expression of the animate spring tide, here, in Mrs. Knox's lovely yard and in that of Mrs. Winter and in other dear old hower-yards? Who can ever forget how the mocking birds nested amid this greenery and fragrance. making moonlit summer nights vocal with sweetest strains?
 The mention of these gardens brings to mind the gentle danes, who, after day of busy household cares, quietly paced, as evening fell, the meanderinE paths among their well kept flower beds.
 A return to some of the good and beautiful things of the old regime would afford to our young people to- day a refreshing glimpse of the pro- prieties, the amenities, the facilities, graces and charms which made the Southern woman of that day the ideal who inspired statesmen and nerved the arm of heroes.
 Why is it that the art of developing this type Is loste Why does our at mosphere lack the aroma of old-time flowers, of old-time charms and vir- lutSs oNC0ShpoAG tCAS Ok NhC SNHNT tiful countries of the age of gold, wherein the air permitted not a false- hood to leave the lips" Looking back, the minds eye sees in this section a land in whose pure air nothing but what was excellent in woman" could exist. With some, it is a daily prayer that God would bring back such a period.
 The tradition has come down to some of us of the women of the early fifties and sixties here, who charmed by their wit. captivated by their beauty and goodness, and ruled by the marvellous strength of their modesty and gentle ness allied to lofty character. Their portraits kept before our young people would be a benediction. Who that knew them could ever forget the be- Ruiling personalities of the quartette Of A......d sisters. superlatively attract i've. with a peculiar enchantment in all they said and did; the J...s sisters, with their dignity and sweetness of character and manner. frequent visit ors in the home of Col. Charles Pol lard whose own lovely daughters were approaching womanhood; the lovely cousin of these last, My V......a S. t, whose sweet voice woke so many glad echoes, and whose hold remains today in hearts that loved her while her own was warm and living; the stately Mrs. R....t S........e and her daughters, generous and true-hearted; Mrs C.......e Ms who thought devoutlier than most men prayed' ; Mrs. Judge G.........e. the embodl- ment of dignity and womanliness; Mrs. R.. Ut TIT, gentle and patrician with her lovely daughters; Mrs. J...s M. s, beautiful and witty. and others who nd Unndaef and whose wedding announcements, at the close of their careers of belleship, were as simple and brief as the short record in the old family Bible, and whose trips abroad ana frolics and parties at home never reached the public print. To set down their initials here is perhaps. pro- fanation.
 These women were attractive in con- versation to brainy men like David Clopton, Tucker Sayre, J. w. A. San ford. H, c, SempIe, William Yancey, Clem Clay, Robert Toombs. Governor Fitzpatrick, Wallace Screws. Robert Armistead, Fillmore Fitzpatrick. Jeffer- son Davis, Thomas Watts and others of that stamp. Who can tell how much of their own prestige these gentlemen owed-after the influence of their mothers--to the refining power of as- sociation with the feminine types whose reason and whose will alike il- lumined the society of that day?
 Why, the very songs they sang were as far removed from rag-time and coon songs as good is from evil, the words being the sentiments of Tom Moore Robert Burns or other classic verse, and the melodies as refined as is in- evitable when music is married to pure words.
 Frivolity and vacuity of mind were unknown to the society girls of that good day, and when they assumed the responsibilities of wife and mother, no lack of efficiency was in their roles as there had been no lack of tact and adroit intellect in the part they played on society's stage. The magic their presence shed fingers still among those who repeat the bon mots which rippled the surface of conversation as they fell from lips silent now, or which speak only to inner circles of family or intlmates. The happiest ex- perience which comes to a woman who is making social visits in our town today is when opens to welcome her a door of a room where sits one of these ladies of the old school" who "dwells among her own people" as did the Shu- namite whom Elijah knew. and who extends a hospitality and kindliness like that which led the grateful prophet to invoke his prayer answer ing God to send heavens richest bless ings on the home which so often had refreshed his weary soul.
 Rosemary. IN COMPLIMENT TO MIR. SCREWS A dinner given at The Mecca on Fri day evening in compliment to MT. Will liam Preston Screws Lieutenant 18th infantry, U. s. A. was one of the beau | tiful small affairs of the past week The