The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-23

Surely there has never in Birming ham been such a dirth of society do- ings" to chronicle as this summer. Ex- cepting the affairs for the college set who have made things somewhat live ly during the summer months. and the small informal club entertainments there has been but very little indeed in the world of society. Even these it seems have been affected by the un- usual conditions occasioned by the for eign war It seems difficult to real ize that the gay young set-the boys and. girls who know not care or re- sponsibility would be more interested in the conditions of the far-away. They have a human interest to be sure and then they all have had friends over there in whom they were interested and about whom they were anxious.
 One of the most intelligent communi- cations, as well as the most under standable was received here yesterday by friend of Mrs. Ida Adams, who is chaperoning a party of people this summer on a tour abroad.
 It will be read with interest not only by the friends of the party, but by all who have been interested in the means of getting away from the troubled country. Excerpts follow:
 Feeling sure of your interest in the recent developments in our travels through Europe l am writing you something of our experiences within the last two weeks-since the declara- ton of war
 You may remember in the begin ming we booked for passage on August 22, and later decided to extend our trip into Ireland, and to remain until Sep tember 3. Imagine our surprise, if you can, when on leaving Brussels July S1, we first heard the rumblings of the threatening war clouds. The same evening, after arriving in Paris, this news to us of Germany's position was confirmed As far as I can learn the German Europe war was as unexpected to the majority of the people as if Ve- suvius had opened with storms of red hot lava.
 When travelling through Austria and Germany we had not an idea or hint of brewing trouble. This was possibly due to our not being able to read the itNopdDtIS Ol lltSe tOutllIieS dnQ nC English papers-nothing but an occa- sional Paris edition of the New Yorl, Herald. Leaving Brussels July sS1, called at the hotel office to pay my bill, and presented American express checks usual. They were refused with great consternation asked why The answer was. "The banks will not now receive them" We insisted wildly that we must pay in checks or not at all, as we had only enough silver to meet our necessities and no time to wait; again they were refused, so after getting together (the young ladies and l) we found Belgium bank note which they took unwillingly, with some sil yer. and we were allowed to leave We hurriedly rushed to our taxi waiting outside The hotel porter gave the wrong station to our chauffeur, will fully we suspected, as we had not Jeff him the usual tip, and we missed the train to Paris.
 We calmly agreed we didn't minG staying over. We would have chance to see Messrs Cook X Sons; they would certainly let us have money. We had another surprise when we reached their office, finding a half dozen or SC other women on the same mission A few were in tears, others showed signs Ol ltttnt tOIltdt dIu were mucn De- ruffled. The cashier stood behind his desk pale but firm Cthough l felt sure his knees were trembling). saying cannot pay anything madam" Not Withstanding, l wanted to hear what he would say to cashing our reliable American express checks, although had just heard he would not cash his own that day. His answer was Mad am, l shall have to ask you to go tc the American express office If you wish to have these checks cashed." What has happened l asked: why can't you do this? He said We have orders not to cash anything today" With confi- dence We founds our way to the Ameri- can express office and without word or question the cashier asked what will you have. Fifty dollars in French notes and silver" I answer. It was given in the denominations I asl1 ed for Smiling and happy l went out to the girls waiting in the taxi. Nothing like having American express checks. ] said. So pleased with our good luck we decided we must now have a drive "a tea and other delectables.
 Without thought of economy appar- ently, We had tea, pastry, tart, sand wiches etc. We had yet another hour or so. "The Picture Palace of course We must go there We did and fin 1shed in good time for our train, leav- Ing at 6:15. Oh. we were all right what did it matter if we arrived in Paris at midnight. If we had been there, would We not at just that time be returning from opera or theatre,
 At the station we found very long train and crowds of people, but oul porter had had a good tip and woult find us a good compartment for only our selves. but no, i've have no right to holt more places than we need" and her, comes Frenchman with his wife looking for seats' 'Yes, We were pleased t, give them," whispering to our woud-b,