The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-20
NEWS OF THE DAY
IN SOCIETY WORLD
Society Circus AmuSes Visitors
At Fashionable Resort
NOTES HERE AND THERE
Engagement MISUNDERSTANDING at
West End-lnformaI Parties.
Personal Mention-De-
partures-Returns.
BY MYRTLE MILES.

The Society Circus given each year by
the Birmingham Athletic club is one of
the happiest events of the social season.
1t is an early spring affair, and receives
the support of the smart set at each per-
Torrance, gaining the interest of fashion
ables both on the theatrical boards and
in the audiences. The Society Circus is
a feature this season at some of the
fashionable summer resorts. From Long
Branch comes the story of the Mon
mouth County Circus, which was given
recently for charity at Hollywood park
The proceeds were immense, having
amounted to nearly $4,000 for two per-
formances, and the sum is to be divided
equally among Catholic, Jewish and
| Protestant charities in the county of
Monmouth. The parade and circus must
have been an interesting spectacle. While
the main attractions were given in a
ring, the side shows and score of minor
attractions were housed in small tents.
Brilliantly painted flags and banners
tapped in the wind throughout the day,
and that curious persons who stood out
side before the gates were opened be-
lieved the signs which told of things to
be shown inside was proved when the re-
ceipts of the show were counted.
Society was drawn to the entertain
ment from near and far One hundred
and fifty boxes which surrounded the
arena held men and woman of society,
while reserved seats half hidden from
view by powerful spot lights which played
on the ring and platform were crowded
Scores of strong arc lights, strung along
the spaces between strands turned night
into day, while the band kept the throng
light-hearted' with gay music.
| A parade starting on the morning of
the circus at 9 o'clock, stretching out
more than quarter of mile, wound its
way through the streets, ending at about
noon. In almost an endless line came
| the performers, a motley assemblage,
some on horses and some in strange
equipages drawn by strange looking ami
mails Clowns galore, their antics, some
new and some old, never failed to draw
laughter from the crowds that lined the
| streets.
A number of young women of society
J took part in the parade. Two little girls
dressed as COW girls attracted much at
tention. Two society matrons rode horses
in the parade disguised as huntswomen
An interesting feature, too, was a trav-
cling musical couple, two young women
who disguised themselves as an organ
grinder and monkey. The comedian of
the jungle showed great agility in spring.
likely contributor to charity was OBJ
served along the sidewalk out they would
rush, acting the part In excellent style
and never failing to get several coins
The performance itself was a great sur
prise to many attending the circus Faith
ers and mothers who had listened for
weeks to the talk of their children about
the coming show entered the grounds
doubtful, but when they had watched a
certain white-faced individual dressed in
clowns attire kick up and do tricks, only
to discover from neighbor that the same
| individual CHANGED to be their own son.
opinions concerning the talent in the
arena were said to have changed very
! rapidly. One after another the acts were
pronounced successes and very entertain
ing. There were II of them, and then
there were the side shows, where were
| gathered together for this special oc-
CASTOR the freaks and wonders of the uni
i verse. There were the dog-faced boy and
the bearded lady, the Siamese twins, who
| played separate parts together. one puff
ing cigar while the other blew smoke
! There was the skeleton alive and breath
ing and the fat lady and her fat hus-
! band.
Thus are the fashionables at some of
the summer resorts amusing themselves
and here may be found Inspiration fox
some future charity event or circus in our
own city.