The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-12

I MlSO EDlN A NO | How would you like to take swim?'' was the rather startling question with which I accosted Betty the other morning while that young woman was pursing her 1 lips and drawing her forehead in deep I wrinkles in an effort to write to a love- | lorn youth her Ultimatum as to his ! chances for her heart and hand. I'm perfectly willing" said she coolly. determined not to show any surprise whatever. even if she felt it, If you are"
 'Of course I don't mean for you and me to swim and make spectacles of our | selves doing such a stunt I insisted "but to go and watch others swim. That will please me equally well.' Betty answered calmly "I remember when I was at the Jamestown Exposition nothing gave me more pleasure than to watch the seals disporting themselves in their native element" And
 Thus it came about that Betty and I turned our faces toward the Young Wom- en's Christian Association. the fame of
  It's thousands of gallons of cool, clear, crystal water, which is each day freshly run in, Is known throughout Greater Bir- mingham, and even farther. At the entrance of the handsome build ing, the interior of which Is most pleasing to the eye, done in the soft brown and gold tints, we were received by Miss Edna Cowles Sandin, the clever instruc- tress of Physical Culture and Swimming, who greeted us as if we had been long lost friends who had only recently re- turned after spending the summer in Darkest Asia.
 To this capable young woman, bright. intelligent, genial and always charming in her manner-frank and honest as the day Is long-belongs much of the credit of sandln, like all people who determine to make success of their work. gives her self heart and soul to her profession, and the results of her work are manifest each day.
 Down the iong foyer of the building Miss Sandln conducted us, and to the neither regions." as it were, we were directed. for the Swimming Pool. which was our desti- nation, is an underground piece of york; big, spacious, comfortable and In every way up to date.
 Dozens of women clad in bathing suits of the Annette Kellerman type, were al- ready In the Pool, while others stretched along the banks of 1t, so to speak. walt ing to get up enough courage to "dive in."
 At the far end of the Pool, lying pros trate on the tiled floor, was young wonl- an her arms and legs spilled over its side and the Assistant Instructress was nut tering weird incantations and throwing out her arms in gesticulations. which Betty immediately mistook for those in- dulged in by Directors of Orchestras.
 Shes being hypnotized," Betty whis- pered to me.
 "One, Two, eThree," chante5 the High Priestess of the gentle Art of Swimming. in a low, musical voice, making a few mystical passes over her victim.
 The charm worked with a. suddenness for which Betty and I were wholly unpre- pared. and when the figure, formerly ly- ing prostrate began spasmodically to wave arms and legs in the surrounding ether. the effect was so grotesque that we hard ly knew whether to laugh or cry.
 Doesn't it remind you of a frog?' I asked.
 Tt would,' said Betty sympathetically. If it didn't persist in staying in the same
 
 better to which to compare it than one of those little paper turtles we used to play with that were suspended from pivot in a glass case and wriggled their legs when- ever you touched the box Kick out. Push the water with your feet" urged the Instructress, discontin- uing her .'One-two-three'' song for moment, "and keep you, fingers we'll to- gether so that the water can't get through them like a seive.'' After the pupil had gone through these maneuvers several times she was pro- nounced ready for the water, whose placid Asheville, N. C., at 19 Orange street. Mrs. Yeatman is not expected home un- til October.
 Mrs. Allie Nelson is expected to re- turn the last of the week from Ches- ter, Va, where she Is visiting her sis ter.
 Mrs Jessie Ward will leave in few days for her home in Aberdeen, Miss. after visit to Mrs. Harry Jones.
 Miss Ehrma Cooper returned home recently to attend high school. She has been visiting friends and relatives in Montgomery and vicinity for several weeks.
 Mrs. Robert M. Marshall and two daughters, little Eleanor Marshall and Miss Sadie Clarke. returned few days