The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-29

low each other with military precision, one behind the other as is the way of flats. One enters a reception room, com fortably furnished with big davenport covered, by the way, with a wilderness of cushions fashioned by feminine hands comfortable chairs, victrola, and vic- tor machine as well. Separated by a broad arch is the living room in which enc may sink into big morris chairs in front of cosy fire if the night is chilly and smoke ones favorite briar or meer- schaum-if one happens to be a man and a member of this bachelor menage. There is a case filled with new books-for the library is in a distant room-a big and very legal and unlovely desk, and a leather-covered table, oval of shape. where the group of bachelors gather to read and chat at night after dinner This table, it may be mentioned, is the dining table, for John, the major domo of the building, appears at certain intervals and lays the cloth for very excellent dinner, CT brings the tall thin glasses and siphon bottles for less substantial testimonial
 
 ing room and dining room, emphasizing the idea of utility which is so predoml- nant in this bachelor home. Leading from this apartment by another broad arch hung with heavy curtains is the particular domain of tho owner of the home-one of the quantest apartments in Birmingham. Here a party of matrons and girls, dining informally with him few evening ago, left their hats and wraps. It is simply furnished like the rest of the comfortable abode, but it's furnishing is forgotten in the wealth of absurdities with which he is burdened Four or five trunks. varying in size from l small steamer to a dresser trunk, stand on end near the fireplace in a manner which whispers that they have stood there for years. In the corner opposite is an enormous cedar wardrobe" com fortable and old fashioned, so filled with costumes for every hour of the day that it refuses to stay closed and the door occasionally swinging open one cannot help but see that he might be dubbed the man with the thousand shirts"
 A small table is adjacent and stand presumably filled, which rise almost to the ceiling and topple over like the lean ing tower of Pisa.
 There are dozens of framed photo graphs-familiar faces, all of them,-girls of today and yesterday, some Brming ham girls, some visitors whom Mir. AL len has admired and the girls of the tight sleeve and the ratless hair whom one knows may have lived among us almost a score of years ago There are photo graphic studies of himself in the doubet the host of a cavalier of the masquerade in the kingly robes of Rex Vulcan of Birmingham, when he ruled as king over the Mardi Gras. Again in the Koran toga of Julius Ceasar, recalling the mem orable production of the great tragedy on the boards of OBrien's opera house; a caricature by local pen and ink artist, and last statesmanlike photograph of the real B. M. Allen, Birmingham bach elor.
 A handsome portrait of MT. Allen is one of the ornaments In the living room It was painted several years ago by the artist Fitzgibbon and is considered one of his lest efforts. Another large pie ture which hangs in this room is a fam- fly relic of the Aliens. It is a print which reproduces one the Revolution ary war scenes; faded and dulled by time it is quaintly reminiscent of the very essence of patriotism which pervailel in Virginia, the ancient home of his family This and the portrait of Mr. Allen are the only serious pictures in the room. The rest are frivolous, the burlesque type, and all indicative of the apprecia- tion of humor which is one of MT Ai- lens strong points. Not one, oh precise, but sympathetic housekeeper, is hanging straight. Here is kept several of his finest collections of books-notably a new and very valuable edition of the Bible, in 12 voumes-one would expect an in terest in books religious after learning that MT. Allen bears the name of Basil Manly. the noted Baptist divine Another is a set of Shakespeare's works which gives the notes of a half dozen great critics; history of the religions, hand somely bound, number of literary treas ures in foreign tongues. Mir. Allen is ar inveterate reader and his travels abroad have given him keener appreciation of objects of art while strengthen.ns his love for music. His library. is said to be one of the most extensive private col lections in the state. Probably few peo- pie know Of MT. Aliens love for music or