The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-04-16
Mrs Flournoy Rivers Talks About Her Music Class At
Roebuck Springs and Finds There An Ideal Motle,
BY DOLLY DALRYMpLE

Mrs Flournoy Rivers, whose activi-
ties unsteady are limitless-her large
classes in town being almost more than
any one woman could manage we'll
has added the past winter splendid
class of young people at Roebuck
Springs to her list little cotorie COM
prising some very attractive children,
TO whom she is most devoted and of
whom she is very proud
Mrs. Rivers is one of Birminghams
most valued musicians and literary
geniuses. and her beautiful influence
among children--among her pupils-is
too well known to need any comment.
She is constantly making new discov-
cries, however. and finding something
fine in some one that she tells of in
different way from anyone else and
and 1t il always interesting to hear her
views and ideas about things
Mrs. Rivers and her assistant. Mrs.
Moseley go out each week to Roebuck
Springs, where their classes assemble
at the home of Mr.. and Mrs Hugh Nor
row for instruction, and it is there in
the pretty studio, that the neighbour
the days to come when music lessons
are in order
Mrs Rivers is enthusiastic about her
classes at Roebuck, and in speaking of
her delightful association with the chill
dren there and with Mr.. and Mrs. Nor
rows family she declares that in Mrs.
Morrow she has found the ideal mother.
Birmingham claims" said Mrs. Rivers
few days ago, mo more popular family
than Mr.. Hugh Morrow's. From the au-
gust head to its tiniest member, little Lib
BILE, it is unusual and interesting. It could
not well be otherwise with woman like
Mrs Morrow as its presiding genius. 1t
is not fulsome praise that makes her
friends declare her price is above ru-
bies.' She is the type not often seen
the sweet, sincere, capable mother
mother wise enough to control her chill
dren, loving enough to understand them,
fashionable enough to dress them we'll,
broad visioned enough to plan their pleas
ures along modern lines-yet takes time
to keep herself and them healthy and ane
and well groomed, mentally morally,
physically. Ten people sit at her table
daily. Think of the tax that is from a
housekeeping standpoint. Yet nothing
ruffles her. Sane, sweet, orderly, she
gathers under her sheltering care the des-
olate, the troubled the oppressed, all
about her, and the children help-and not
a word is said. You have to get into the
circle and see 1t for yourself. else you
never suspect what is going on in that
house Of helpfulness. Its activities re
tremendous. And this lovely mother,
who stays on the jub, plans so wisely.
lone day 1 recall finding scores of pa
per sacks filed to the brim with gay
scraps" Mrs. Rivers continued. 81 found
upon inquiring that these were for the
Old Ladies' home-for the inmates to
piece quilts.
The spring seige with the seamstress
was just over, and bright bits of the
children's dresses were to be utilized in
carrying cheer to these shut-in ladies,
and the children took them themselves
n lesson in loving kindness and thought
fulness, beautiful and gentle. This home
is full of children, but not overrun with
them, for they are managed, not cramped
with rules, but their budding, restless ac-
tivties are turned into wholesome chan
nels, and they are kept interested. They
are taught to garden and grow flowers. to
raise chickens. One of the prettiest
sights I've seen lately was mother and
children before an incubator of Matching
chickens watching with GREATNESS in
terest the 'pipping of the SHE'LL They
go to school of course; ride their wheels
go to school, OF course; ride their wheels
lent school, where Latin mathematics and
spelling are not yet superseded by mod
ern makeshifts. On Saturdays they surge
in town an overlooking auto load to be
taught sewing and embroidery
Four of them took prizes in a recent
contest. One of the charming things about
this group of splendid young citizens in
the making is the way they are study
ing music. The classes are held in the
large sun parlor off the living room, each
child has a private lesson on the piano,
and class lessons in hand training, sight
reading, ear training, scale and chord
writing, and counting. The little Roebuck
neighbors share the instruction in the
pretty conservatory, and a charming CO.
terie of children they are, including little
folk from many well-known families
Margaret Greene, Rose Smith, Annie
Major Frances Williams, Margaret Mar
shall and others. Mrs. Moeron declares
she doesn't have to force her little mus1-
clans to practice. 1t is with them good
natured scramble to see who shall get the
piano first, for katherine, Mamie, Mar
garet and Annie Louise must get in Their
time between bedtime and the close of
school. That no time is wasted their prac-
tice cards show
The picturesque place of the Nor
rows at Roebucl< Springs" Mrs. Rivers
said in conclusion, Browning it's rocky
elevation, fanked on the pike side with
forest trees, and in the rear with orch
ards, makes an ideal home to the eye
of the passer-by; but inside. to such
as know it WE'LL it is more than ideal.
It is place where seven young people
are being trained to such activities of
heart and head and health as will fit
them splendidly to be in their turn
capable home makers. There Is a huge
difference between the woman who can