The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-02-27
DAUGHTERS OF AMERICAN REvO-
LUTON GUESTS OF MISS MORTON.
DINNER At THE COUNTRY CLUB.
DOWN TOWN TEA A SIGNAL Sue
. CESS ANNOUNCEMENTS - PER-
soNAL MENTION .-
BY MYRTLE MILES


A Birmingham society woman received
. letter yesterday which contained a
clipping that will be as surprising as 1t
II interesting to the smart set, especially
those who are classed as "incurable
bridge maniacs' and are familiar with
the condnct of bridge parties as given
here. In the letter was some good
natured chan as to the elegance of the
bridge function in our city. and cone
ments upon the change that has taken
Mace since the word went abroad that
cur people entertained more elaborately
than those in any other southern city.
The words which met the astonished
eyes of the Birmingham uatron when she
opened the letter from Washington was
thus. "A Five Pound Roast For Whist
Prize. Fashionable women's club in Bir-
mingham sets example which is quickly
followed" Then the story, which was
special communication from this city.
.sBirningham, Ala, February 22.-Fresh
meat and eggs in Birmingham are no
longer classed as necessities, but as
luxuries. One of the most exclusive
vonen's whist club here gave as prizes
this week five pounds of roast, porter
house steak and two dozen eggs. otner
clubs have taken the cue because of the
popularity OF the prizes and no longer
will there be given the proverbially use
less whist prizes, but instead those once
regarded as necessaries.' ..a
It seems too bad for Birmingham to
achieve q reputation such as this when,
as Is well known. bridge club meeting
here has as trophies articles whose Sc
lection Is governed by good taste. There
are the clubs in which a limit as to ex-
penditure for prizes is made. One OF the
psexclusive" little evening clubs has
limit of 81, which may or may not De
dividedl and used separately for ladies ana
gentlemens prizes. AT other clubs the
MANNERS play for silk hose, simplicity
and usefulness alike commencing them
as nrizes. There is a little coterie in
which theatre tickets are the stakes
and still another where there is a limit
of only one prize and that must cost
about So or 81. 1t is always some bit OF
silver or cut glass. In all of these CLUBS
fhe prize is a decidedly secondary con-
xidsration-the game is the thing-and IL
Is followed by buffet luncheon or
supper, but, even so, the choice of a prize
IS left to women of exquisite taste and
tudgment-and in no case have the much
taIked-of beef and eggs been selected.
Prizes at bridge parties this winter
have been unusually lovely, THOSE
awarded at Mrs. Henry Badhams nrldge
for Mrs. Vernon Badham will be recalled
There were five, and most of them were
Jewels, including coral pendents, jade
ring and canoes. Mrs. Scion JACOBS
demonstrated the Birmingham woman
idea of a utility party when she awarded
tho prizes after bridge afternoon OF
unusual beauty. They were linens OF the
handsomest type, such as luncheon sets
of Madeira embroideries and Mexican
drawn work. Another showing that our
women can give utility parties with
charming grace was Mrs. Harry Jones
bridge at the Hotel Hilman, when the
trophies were pretty, as we'll as useiui'
even while including articles for kltchen
as well as dining room wear. Mrs Guy
Jehnson's afternoon bridge during the
Christmas holidays was another notapie
for the beauty of it's prizes, as were MIS-.
pivers Carriers and Mrs. Felix Dren-
mems which came somewhat later, Mrs.
Henry Gray's bridge last spring was a
memorable one because of the handsome
nrizes as well as the beauty OF decor
alton and service 1t might almost be're-
paraed as an illumination party, the
trophies being electroliers and eande-
labra.
Several weeks ago in Bessemer an even
ing of bridge was announced wherein the
prizes were quoted as similar to those
which the washington paper attributes
to Birmingham. They were announces
in a spirit of fun and if awarded II was
done in the same spirit. Certainly, it die
not set the pace for whist parties to fol
low. for Bessemer's social life is charm
ing. and the bridge parties that are givei
go frequently in the little city are charac
terized by smartness and elegance IRE
uuently commented upon here one Wn'
Is familiar with the events which nav
marked the passing of a delightful season
In Bessemer cannot imagine its smart co
terie presenting such prizes as the Wash
ington correspondent mentioned except II
r spirit of mischief. The ''proverbiail.
useless prize and the useful one. too
IL 1t catches the fancy of our beauty
loving women. still retain favor both her
md in our neighboring city, for whel
southern women stop giving attractiv
prizes they will give no prizes at all A
Tor the five-pound roast, porterhouse steal
Ind eggs. both Birmingham ana Besseme
ole pof