The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-01-08
NEWS OF THE DAY
IN SOCIETY WORLD
Fashionable 10 Be On lime At
Smart Events
NOTES HERE AND THERE
Comments on the Marriage of Miss
Roosevelt and Lieutenant Shell
ley-Box Party For MIR.
and Mrs. HoadIey.
BY MYRTLE MILES.


leading society woman of this city
this week instituted campaign for early
arrival at evening parties, a proceeding
which will strike a responsive note in the
heart of every business man in Birming
ham who attempts to keep up with his
social obligations, and there Is certain
ly not one of the seasons hostesses who
will not be In accord with her idea She
said a few days ago: "I have decided that
now, since the seasons rush is over and
we all have time to stop and think seri-
ously over things, I am going to speak
to some of my friends and get them to
promise to be prompt at keeping social
engagements. 1t seems to me that the
hours of social entertainments these days
are growing steadily later and hostesses
In planning an affair must invite the
expect them to arrive. When we are
invited for Q o'clock to a reception or
cotillon our set usually begins to appear
at 10. There is prevalent here a timid
hesitancy about being the first to ar
rive anywhere and people hang back to
make sure somebody else will be there
first with the result that the very best
part of the night Is usually wasted.
Now I think that is quite useless.
1t is just a habit we have formed and
1t will be very easy one to break.
Really 1t is selfish habit, when one
thinks about it. If hostess announces
the hour of her party at o'clock that
is the hour she and her receiving party
must be on hand to welcome the guests,
and whether there be three or a humid
red to appear at that time, she must
be waiting just the same and she must
have her caterers, her musicians and
others in her employ prepared for them.
When we are an hour delinquent we
consider no ones comfort but our own
certainly not that of the hostess who
has paid us the compliment to invite
us and whom we have worn out by our
lettering.
Another thing pursued the young
matron lone SO often hears married
woman complain of her difficulties In
getting her husband to go to evening
parties, that he says he would rather stay
at home than go anywhere In the world
when night comes. Now, in my opinion,
this very thing is at the root of the
trouble. Most women in Birmingham So
ciety have married business men-men
.ho must be at their offices by O'Clock
in the morning. If they are out the
night before until the small hours, no
wonder they don't feel equal to aris-
ing early and going through day OF
strenuous business tasks. Don't you know
that not one man out of 100 would rath-
er stay at home and read his paper than
go to a social affair where he can meet
a LOT of congenial friends? man who
is tied down to business all day gets
little chance for social intercourse and
they all enjoy it when it does not tax
them too much. My idea is she said,
returning to the original point, ito get
people always to go at the hour ap-
pointed If the hostess says o'clock, let
that mean o'clock and precisely and not
or TO- Then, beginning at reason
able hour our affairs will end at such
a time that they will not interfere with
any mans business duties"
How do you expect to accomplish this
result SIG WIS dshcu. L ou N'i '"io
" do it alone, or you would have sue
ceeded long ago; for you are noted for
your ,5unctuality 'Preeept and example
do not seem to have worked any
changes"
81 do not expect to accomplish 1t alone,
she answered. II am, going to ask the
assistance of my friends. Next time
am invited to an evening bridge or lunch
con, and the hostess says o'clock. |
am going to telephone to dozen OF my
friends and ask them to get there at
o'clock. Oh, know the majority Of
people feel the way l do about 1t and
they will be glad enough to fall in line
81 have no doubt of It." was the reply
your enthusiasm is always contagious
and l am sure If people can be on time
for theatres and other public entertain
ments they can be at private ones and es-
peeially when they realize that their
punctuality so closely affects the COM
fort of others If an idea exists as to
the smartness OF being one of the last
to appear at a party. know 1t will soon
be removed and Birmingham will become
known as the place where 1t is fash
ionabIe to be on time