The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-24
SOCIETY.
tcoNTINuED FROM PAGE 141

At S o'clock we took the train for our night ride through the fragrant moonlight air, noticing that it grew lhuch warmer
 as we sped south. At o'clock on Tues day morning. October %, we reached Bir- mingham, Ala, were met by a reception committee, and taken at once to the
 Hotel uilman for breakfast Along the way, across the streets, on the cars and
 over stores and public buildings, streamed pennants and banners of wh1e,
 bearing in blue letters the one word
 "Howdy.' This significant welcome Vas everywhere extended at the hotel and es- peeially in the breakfast room. The table
 and spread with the good cheer from a typical Southern kitchen. Words of greeting we're spoken and there was given
 to each of Us an iron key tied with a blue ribbon and inscribed with the same
 word-'HoWdy" After breakfast we went across the street to the city hall. where the convention was held and which also held out the Howdy.' Here we were very
 gracously received by Miss Annie Ken drick Walker gifted writer. who was chairman of the reception committee of the Birmingham Writers club. We reg lstered, received our credentials, and were assigned 10 the various hotels and pri- vate residences, and literally became the guests of the city.
 At 12 o'clock the first session of the convention was called to order by President Edward Keatng of Denver. Col. At the opening of the session, before the trasaction of any business. we were welcomed by Senator Joseph F. Johnston, Mayor Ward, President Wood of the Commercial club, Presi- dent Heidt of the Board of Trade, Richard r. Johnston for the Birming- ham Press club and for the Birming- ham Writers club, by it's president, Mrs. J. A. Rountree wife of the chair man of the entertainment committee. Her greeting was as sweet and grace ful as her charming self. The conyen- tion then adjourned for the day in re- spect to the memory of St. George Kempson, the treasurer. who had died since the last meeting of the league.
 sAfter luncheon this first day the visi tors returned at 3 o'clock where. lining the curb in front of the city hall. were thirty handsome touring cars, the chauffeurs waiting for the parties to be made up. The afternoon was spent in motoring. the ladies in the party con cluding their tour at o'clock when a long line of autos drew up on one of Birminghams prettiest boulevards at the residence of Mir and Mrs l. A. Rountree. The chauffeurs waited while the ladies were being entertained, after which they were takn to their hotels. Our hostess was gowned in pink crepe de. chine, hand embroidered in maiden hair fern. the house decorations were of chrysanth violets, roses md palms, Tea was served from Il Beautifully appointed table in the awing room, and the buffet luncheon in the dining room was served from a table individual in it's appropriate de- 2 corations. In the center was book, bound in white, volume No. 1, with gold letters, and garden violets as its decor ations.
 In the evening people who had house guests entertained informally at din ner, dozen or moro congenial parties being given.
 On Wednesday morning, october a5, at 10 o'clock. there was a business ses- sion of the convention which adjourned at noon, converting at o'clock. Con siderable business was transacted. At 8 o'clock there was a reception at the Country club under the auspices of the Birmingham Writers club This en- was in charge of Mrs r.. T. Taliafero. one of the brilliant writers of the Birmin gham press. This func- ton was one of great beauty, the club house being decorated with quantities of wild bamboo and clusters of cotton stalks and bolls; this scheme was car ried out around the railing of the up pea halls and in the reception hall be- low: in the center of this room was great iardiniere filled with cotton and Bamboo, while on either side of the stone fireplace were tall vases Of vel low chrNsanthemums, bamboo Was draped over windows, doors and chan deliers Coffee was served in the small dining room: an orchestra played throughout the evening. At 10 o'clock the ball room was thrown open, where dancing continued until supper was served; lemonade and punch were dls- pensed on side Veranda. The beauty of the moonlight and the soft, balmy air greatly enhanced the charm of the evening, and many of the guests louhd pleasant retreats on the broad Nefan- das. At 12 o'clock the guests depaften' the men to attend "rhe Night i'll Bo- bemia." the stag event of the conVen- tion. In this beautiful flower aad vine bedecked club house for three hours there had been cordial welcomes extended to visitors from various Atates and to these Inequalities were added inc display of handsome evening gowns. the dance, and the dellShtldi refreshments.
 At 10:3O o'clock on Thursday morning we went in special cars to Ensley, the
 
 decorated with "l1oWdy' haS, ana eaell heart beat faster in the sunny, fragrant atinosphere The reception eommuttee met and escorted us to the blast furnaces and other plants. the steel mills were also inspected The manufacture ot steel at Ensley which turns out the best steel rails in the world, has become pro yerbial The rails manufactured there are sold for more money than those made bv the old style Bessemer process, ana if is now declared that the new style must take the place of the old In the of rails to bear the stress and Strain of modern railway traffic. Alter vatching the making oi boiler plates, rods and rails, from the mixing 10 the turning out of the finished article. we walked on, over the fields and by hedge rows of wild flowers, under spreading frees. and reached the grove where the barbecue had been prepared All kinds of meat wer there, as well as other re- Treatments and as we sat around What really was a festal board, speeches were made and songs sung.
 At 8 o'clock there was literary sym posum at the Birmingham High school, given by visiting members of the league.
 On Friday morning was the final ses- sion of the convention, officers were elected and Seattle. Wash, chosen for the next meeting of the league.
 At l2 o'clock (noom we started on street cars for visit to Bessemer, where