Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-12-09
Select Gales.
LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT;
OR, THE DAGUERREOTYPE,



the Both day of January, l946; day when few,
save those whom business forced abroad, would
willingly face the biting blast and the dusty
whirlwinds which sweep the crooked streets of
Boston.
Idly leaned the spruce clerks of Washington
street against the piles Of neatly folded goods
which lay upon their counters, for their fair Gus
toners were not proof against the hurricane and
dust-cloud and even Lerow, at No. 81, whose
Daguerrean Saloon, SO lately opened, had been
thronged during the preceding pleasant weather,
even he had nothing 10 do.
lie was seated beside his coy little stove,
with the last number of the Knickerbocker in
his hand, and while he mentally walked with the
editor through his pleasant garden Of gosslpry,
he seemed to forget that idleneSs was an unplea-
SAINT thing for new beginners in business. Plea
SAINT smiles stole across his face as he read even
as if the sun of Clarke's rich and flowing genius
cast its rays within his heart and warmed up the
quiet of his nature
From within the neatly papered sancum in
the rear Of the saIoon could be heard the low
whiSling of the idle assistant, who sat regarding
his peculiar and very interesting countenance in
a row of finely Furnished plates, which he had
prepared for use when a customer should appear.
have known sailors at sea, in time of calm,
whistle for breeze to come, (and some old salts
have an idea that to scratch the mainmast with
the thumb nail and whistle, will bring up
blow,) but know not whether it was for Gus
toner that Mr.. Lerow's assistant was so engag-
ed; but as he was trllng over one of the favor
tie pieces Of that well known German composer
Schmidt gentle tap at the door caused him
suddenly to come to full stop even in the
middle of bar
Mr. LeroW, too, came to full stop in his
reading, and turning down a leaf where he left
off arose and opened the door.
The visitor was young and very interesting
girl-one whose appearance gave token of six.
teen or seventeen summers bloom but she was
very thinly dressed for day so cold though her
attire was fauItlessy neat. Her face was flush
ed with the exercise of walking in the cold, or
perchance with a slight confusion at finding her
self in the presence of a stranger; her hair, which
hung in ringlets down her back, which was but
too slightly protected by the faded barage shawl
which she wore, was tossed into a wild but
graceful negligence by the wind, and this, with
her bashfnness, added to beauty which would
at any time have been striking and attractive.
DO yon take lkenesses, Sir of size to put
in lockets with hair ? inquired she, i'll very low
and musical tones of Mr.. L. as soon as she en-.
tered.
i do, Miss he answered politely, would
you like to sit? / think | cannot fail of pro.
ducing a good picture from such marked fea-
lures
4 wish to get likeness of myself put in this
locket, to present to my dear brother, who is to
go to sea tomorrow on a very long and distant
voyage, if it is not too expensive 7 answered the
fair young creature, producing rich old mnia
ture case, which looked like some family relic
While she spoke, her voice fatered, and her
dark hazel eyes filled with tears. Her heart
was evidently full OF sad thoughts of separation
with her loved brother, for whom the likeness
was destined.
Our usual price is six dollars for that size
but as you have your own locket, you shall have
it for three said Mr.. L., whose kind heart
seemed somewhat touched, either with her beau.
ty or her tears.
L have just that amount, and will let you take
my likeness, if you please Sir was the reply.
Mr.. L. pointed her to the mirror and dressing
table, where she might arrange her hair, anC
called to his assistant to select and prepare Z
plate for use.
Few and simple were the arrangements whicr
she made; her shawl and bonnet were removed
her curling hair cast back from her cheeks, ant
she was ready
Oh how beautiful she looked as she seated
herself before the lens Her dress was plair
black silk, so much worn that its glossiness hat
passed away, but around her neck lay neatly
plated cellar of snowy white but yet it was no
more white than the fair skin upon which it rest
ed. Her features were not regular; her most
was very little longer and sharper than thu
strict artistic rules of beauty would have dictat
ed; her full, liquid eyebrows were arched abov'
by eyebrows Of dark silken brown, whcI
were not so finely penced as those poet woulc
love to sing Of; her spotess brow was not 81
lofty as painters dream would sketch, bu
there was an unity Of expression in all, li(
and soul fullness, which, though difficult to de
scribe, was far more beautiful than any of tn
far. famed Medcian and Canovian models, whic
so long have been held up as standards by tn
critics of the day
But in far less time than we have occupie
the reader in this brief description, the artist ha
done his work, and the likeness had been taker
In little more time it had passed through tn
various processes known only to those who ar
initiated into the mysteries of the art, and Their
when finished, it was exhibited to her. Tn
likeness was exceedingly true and Hfe-like, an
her expression SO quiet, pure and dreamy, as sh
leaned against the arm of the large French sol
in which she was seated, that it produced an e
feet which few daguerrean pictures can boast o
She looked at it moment, and then, whe
asked if it pleased her, answered with a ola
smile