The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-11-26
Southern club Ball Opening
Ebent of 7He Social Season
Brilliant Affair Attended BY Scores Of Brmnghams Well
Known People-Phoenix Club Reception At Hillman
Last Night-Other News Of Society World
BY MYRTLE MILES.

took place last night when the South
ern Club threw wide its doors for
reception TO its members and their
friends.
From the canvas-covered carriage
entrance to its luxuriant apartments
in the second story all was radiantly
and picturesquely beautiful The long
reception hall was twined with wild
smilax and suggested a shaded and
verdant pergola. At intervals white
blossoms looked out among the vines
In the coffee room a pr6fusion of
palms and ferns made of the apart
ment bower of green and flow
ers added their bright beauty. In the
long adjoining apartment the same
plan was followed on an even more
elaborate plan The mantel was
banked with ferns, taller plants be-
ing placed below and reaching up to
entirely conceal the wall. In the cen
ter of the long room the reading table
was massed with ferns, prominent
among them being the feathery as
paragus and maiden hair. Gorgeous
chrysanthemums gave floral beauty to
the scene.
In the upper hall the decorations
were simple, a large mound being
made of tall palms in the window re-
cess. The drawing room was eXqui-
site. Merging with the soft green
of the walls and hangings was the
most graceful foliage. Across the
long mirror in crescent shape. were
garlands of exquisite roses.
The decorations were in the hands
of Mr.. John /. Parker and it was in
the ball room that he excelled any
of the exquisite motifs that had gone
before. Lining the walls was leafy
tracery of delicate vines, so daintily
disposed that one could almost fancy
a closer look would disclose the sky
beyond. Along the top of the arbor
thus fashioned were large roses from
whose hearts beamed the lights that
flooded the room in a rosy glow. Wis
terra blossoms were also pendent from
the ceiling and on the walls were
scores of cherry blossoms.
The grand march began promptly
at 1890 and was led by the president
of the club, Mr. William b. Leedy
and Mrs. Leedy, assisted by Mr.. Tracy
Lay and Miss Emma Leedy. Among
those seen in the grand march were
representatives of Alabama 8 distin-
guished families-prominent women
and distinguished men. society girls
and the fairest of the seasons deb
utantes. The guests at the club num-
bered probably 500 Mrs. Leedy looked
superb in gown of black lace re-
lieved with touches of imported white
lace. Miss Leedy, who is extremely
pretty, looked like some fair concep-
tion of the artist Christy in direc-
toire robe of rose colored messaline.
The dance programmes were char
acterized by the same quiet elegance
that distinguished all connected with
the brilliant occasion. They bore COW
ers of woodland green and were decor
ated with the photograph and mon
ogram of the club in white The dance
music was charming.
The group of lovely women gathered
to take part in the mazes of the dance
and strolling through the various
apartments made a charming scene.
The most prominent men in Birming-
ham and many out-of-town members
were numbered among the guests.
AS is usual on these occasions the
gowns worn were exquisite. Miss Eva
Conner, the beautiful daughter of Ala
bama's governor, was exceptionally
charming in a floral ball gown of blue
chiffon embroidered in silver spangles.
Tiny pink roses formed the trim
ming, clusters of the little French
flowers adjoining the skirt and bodice.
The frock in one of the most grace
full types of directoire, essentially
graceful and clinging.
Mrs w. 2. G. Harding was supreme
ly lovely in a drectore frock of pink
messaline. A charmingly picturesque
touch was added to the costume by
corsage decoration of parma vio-
lets.
Miss Fannie Dunn looked lovely in
blue liberty satin gown. hand em7
broidered and trimmed with laces. She
carried American beauty roses.
Mrs. Henry Bramlette Gray, the wife
of Alabamas lieutenant governor, was
extremely handsome in a Partisan gown,
which was one of the most superb seen
in many seasons. 1t was made of white
embroidered chiffon over a foundation of
satin messaline, and with an inner lining
of green-spangled gauze. The character of
the gown is after the directoire model.
The chiffon is draped and caught over
one shoulder with diamond buckle An
other buckle made of diamonds clasps the
,drapery in the back wreath of tiny
roses In the American beauty shade con-
fines the right shoulder. The gown sug-
gested in the exquisiteness of its color the
coronet of diamonds
Mrs. ]. Rivers Carter looked very distin-
guished in a green messaline satin gown
with touches of real 1ace.-
Mrs. Sidney Johnston Bowie was one of
the beautiful women present. She was
gowned in blue brocaded satin, hand en-
broidered Mrs. Porter Walker looked
stunning in gown of black spangled
net made directoire.
Mrs. Hubert Drennen was handsomely
gowned in black embroidered robe over
black satin. 1t was relieved with touch
of silver. Mrs. Felix Drennen was ex-
qustely pretty in a yellow satin crepe
gown made directoire, with extremely Sc
we're lines. The trimmings were of gold
and heavy fringe was gracefully en-
ployed
Mrs. Paschal Shook looked stunning in