The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-12-08

No longer need the happy bride bother
with whom she will ask to serve as
bridesmaid at her wedding, or at least
this is so In "Dear Old Lunnon," for a
progressive firm has set up to furnish
as many bridesmaids as are necessary on
short notice. This innovation is entirely
novel. We have heard Of paid" dinner
guests and reception guests: also "hired'
mourners, but the bridesmaid stunt is alb
solutely new.
well who on earth do you suppose
would rent themselves out for such an
occasion7" said friend of mine a few
days ago with whom was discussing the
question.
why, gather from what I've read
on the subject" said I, that the young
women who are employed In the firm are
used for such purposes. It seems that
the proprietor says that they have their
gowns all ready and waiting. and that
on an hours notice he has supplied as
many as half dozen bridesmaids for
fashionable wedding"
Whom do you suppose the friends Of
the family think they are?' asked my
friend.
why some of the long lost American
cousins of the BRIDE" I answered. I'm
ported for the occasion. I suppose they
say imported on the other side when
things come from America, don't they?"
Shouldn't you think It rather expen-
sive?" she asked
1.-THE proprietor of the firm announces
that he charges s5.25 a bridesmaid"
replied. provided the bride furnishes the
carriage and outfit; otherwise the cost
is much more"
But at best 1t is cheaper than asking
your own bridesmaids" said my friend,
who had freshly deposited in her mind
all the data and expense attendant upon
bridesmaids and wedding expenses, since
1t was only very short time ago that
she was the central figure In such a
performance. 81 wonder whatever made
people think of providing bridesmaids. It's
an awfully clever idea
cit seems that the enterprising proprie-
tor thought 1t a good venture on ac-
count of the superstitution attached to
being bridesmaid for the third time"
I suggested. you know lots of girls think
their chances are eternally gone If this
happens to them"
Three times a bridesmaid, never
bride.'' quoted my friend. as 1 gave her
this bit of information.
And one couldn't expert any frined
to be so philanthropic as to destroy her
chances by accommodating anybody in
this way" I ventured
Exactly" said my friend. And I am
just that sort. Before L was married
my dearest and best chum got married
and of course she asked me to be her
maid of honor. I'll do anything but that,
I told her. I was Marie's bridesmaid,
and Marianne's maid of honor and you
would make the third. And simply can
not let my chances OF being a matron
go a-shimmering by defying superstition
that way"
Superstition of the rankest kind"
deplored. For I have known many girls
who have been bridesmaids dozen times
to get married and live happily ever after
wards
well, mothers old maid sister, Aunt
Sophronia, whom all Of US children just
hate" said my friend, attributes her
spinsterhood to the fact that three times
she was a bridesmaid and just as she
was on the eve of being married to most
charming man he died-and it was the
very next week after she was bridesmaid
for the third time
Merely a coincidence" 1 responded
'I don't know she replied feelingly.