The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-14
NS 0F THE DAY IN SOCIAL WORLD Automobile Courses Topic of
 the Hour CARD PAR TIES AND GUESTS informal Entertainment For Mrs. Beas- ley-Miss Bethea Given Card Party. Response To Letter Written by
 One "fnside the Fence.
CARD PAR TIES AND GUESTS
By MYRTLE MILES.
(TeIephones: Bell 11eo, Peoples 29e.) )

Telephones: Bell 11eo, Peoples 2ee.)
 In response to letter communicated a few days ago, in defense of the offensive fenee." to quote the writer the following was received yesterday:
 With hope that the little there is of social interest to chronicle in your columns will give you patience and me space, I take the liberty of saying a word in reply to the lady inside the fence who is still not a repentant sim ner, and who attempts to give few req sons why the fences should not be re- moved in Birmingham. It is rather hard for one who lives in the present days of progress and civilization to understand how any one should feel it duty to hold to the habits and traditions of the oldeni times simply because they are traditions Fifty years ago the walls of the school houses were blank spaces, presenting neither restfulness to the eye nor inspiration to the brain. Today we feel that it is necessary for the de- velopment of the intellect, taste and char acter of the child to give it something pretty to look at-pietures on the walls, sodded, lowered, unfenced gardens around the school buildings. The fact that our 'forebears' did not have these things is no reason why our school walls should not be decorated with beautiful, historic and artistic pictures, and our grounds models of artistic effect Surely we should not take down the pictures, leave off the terraces and the flowers and fence in ugly school yards just be- cause our forefathers did not have the in- spiration of the beautiful well as the grind of school work. Fifty years ago this entire city was an old field, showing scarcely sign of progress; later on it was laid off into town lots and the lots were fenced in because there was no stock law to prevent the moody cow from destroying the verbena and the cornstalks. Should we have left it a barren field simply because our for bears knew and lowed 1t as such? Then, should we have left the fences off when there was no stock law to protect us? No more than we should leave the fences standing now just because we have learned to love the dear old things Truly our 'forebears used the candle for light, and even now we laugh at the back woodsman because he is afraid Of the kerosene, or blows out the gas. Would even the lady who lives inside the fence be willing to do without her electric light, her porcelain tub, even her modern rose garden for the sake of tradition Now, l. live absolutely fenceless and defenseless so far as the moody cow is concerned. l have never had fence since have kept bonse nor have I ever seen a hand some man in blue,' nor any other kind of a man in blue on our street. Tor they do not pass this way, nor is my garden molested by cows thieves. Occasional ly a COW bites off the top of rose bush as she wanders home from pasture just to let us know that she appreciates a thing of beautyS and I don't object, Tor there are plenty left. A lady living on my street Is the loving possessor or stone fence six feet in height, mounted bv a picket fence on top, and, strange to relate. the cows have never climbed that wall even to see what is beyond, and although the owner must have found out hv wears of observation that the cows are really not going to climb that fence, so great is her love for that same prec- ious fence, and the traditions of her .forebears' that she will not part even with the kindling wood that 'graces' the top of it.
 Now, I have always believed in show ing confidence in the weak. It gives them strength to show your faith In them. and I believe if we will tear down our fences and trust one policeman with at least two cows instead of demanding "one policeman for every cow,' as our friend inside the fence suggests, our gardens will be protected from the me andering mobiles" At any rate. let's take down the fences and let the world the passers- -by-see what lovely gardens we have, even if "meandering COW, flower thief or little child sometimes carries away a rose or bunch of sweet alyssum The influence of beauty, wheth- CT 1t is music, art or flowers, makes me heart better-the soul purer. Let's not be selfish with our pretty gardens; let's tear down the fences and let their fra grance and beauty help to make happier and better the tastes and the hearts of the passing throng."
 A number of automobile enthusiasts in Birmingham are looking forward to the Manufacturing time. There are indica- tions that the race for the American grand prize will be largely attended by motorists throughout the country. The course to be used is in process of con struction and promises to be the fastest in the world. As has been told in this department of the Age-Herald, nearly 10 miles of the route are being con structed with especial care. at a cost of about $40,00O. The whole course Is 26.73 miles in length. It is composed of sub urban boulevards and streets. practi- cally all of them level, with smooth mac