Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1860-10-05
NUMBER II.
Taking Her Picture.

/
rounded by bonnet cap, which though
wonderfully large, was only IN proportion
to the size of the bonnet it was intended
to adorn Gloves of the commonest kind
concealed her puffy hands. while a shawl
of intricate pattern and variegatcd colors
almost entirely concealed her respectable,
but portly form. The glass house. was
temporary erection at the top of the
roof. Access was gained by feeble lad
der, originally, for the sake of cheapness,
constructed of green wood. The hot sun
had twisted its component parts in the
most singular but effective manner 1t was
affected with the ricketts, and evidently fail
ing fast. BY a series of violent efforts on
her own part vigorously encouraged and
carefully guided by the professor and my
self, the corpulent lady eventually reach
ed that frail transparent structure, perch
ed, as before said, on the very apex of
the roof
Screw her up" said the operator to
me, carelessly, as he disappeared into the
dark room.
Goodness gracious - calculated the
unfortunate victim, what does the gentle
man mean?"
He merely requests me to pose you,
madam I replied.
pose? never was more astonished.-
Let me 60 down stairs young man. y
Il should say to place you in proper
position I interrupted soothingly. That
is it ma am. Gloves off if please; your
hands so your eyes fixed on that small
piece of paper; lean against this, if you
please" (placing her head in the 'rest.")
Il will mind your bonnet. There, that's
it-admirable ~ | added, really somewhat
| pleased at tie effect had contributed to
create
"Now, ma am, remarked my instructor
as he issued from his den to the tortured
innocent in the chair, ''now, ma am, look
pleasant"
She endeavored to obey. A strange and
awful expression passed over her countc-
nance-the ends of her mouth she some
how hitched up to her ears, her eyes
emerged from their sockets while the loose
skin of her forehead arranged itselfin folds
like reefs in ships sail. t
''Do not move" )" enjoined the artist, It'll
I replace the cap. Cap off. One, two.
three, four, five, six, seven. Cap on again.
The victim accepted the relief with
deep sigh of resignation.
] accompanied the artist into his dark
room to witness the process of developing
the picture. 1t certainly resembled the
original as she appeared when she was ta-
ken but | need hardly add that the ex-
preston of her face at that moment Of ag-
ony was wholly unlike the one her counto-
nance habtually wore.
"You'll never give her that 2" | whis-
pered
Won't I?'' responded my instructor
"You shall see y
Advancing from his dark room he had
the assurance thus to address his visitor
Il congratulate you, madam, on the
very best result we have obtained to day."
(No more than the literal truth she was
the first visitor we had "The half tones
are superb, Beautiful?' he said in rap
tured accents, "beaatiful are they not,
Mr.. Jenks?" appealing to me.
"They are certainly most charming" |
was villain enough to assert
"Well, UNI, ah, . returned the original
of the great work, "well, | don't think it
so Uery like"
''Oh, it must be a likeness, roundly and
positively declared the artist. 1T can't
help being portrait Look at the shawl.
"Well, yes, it's like the shawl. The
shawl is capital"
Then, of course ma am, it must be like
you"
Not being sufficient mistress of logic to
discuss the point the unhappy lady surren-
dered at discretion
"What price did you say? eh-"
"Only shilling" interrupted the vic
tim; ga young man below said it would be
only shilling
"Oh," responded the photographer,
with magnificent bow, "you will not be
imposed On here. May | trouble you to
walk down stairs while | reduce the pic
ture to a shilling size p .a
Reduce it?"
'That size is two shilings; but I do
not care for trouble; will cut it. Your
face will be preserved, ma am, but your
shawl will not be seem
That remark decided the question; this
portrait should remain as it was -r
We moved down to the reception room.
Would you like to have it colored?'
was the next enquiry. w a..Et.e E
"Colored?' Oh, dear, no That she
would noto . ...a-.
"Sixpence, merely" remarked the artist,
"look out mat and 'prescrver. -
"Only sixpence? p
"And the Improvement, she wa. in
formed was Immense,
A hint was enough a dab of powdered
color vigorously thrust on either cheek.
then portion puffed away The opera
tion was complete before thought it had
fairly begun.
I The portrait secured in the aforesaid
mat" and "preserver, was then careful
ly fitted into a case of morocco leather,
neatly lined, with silk velvet of crimson
hue
without case, two and six; with, fire
and six. A superior article, you will OBJ
serve, ma am, with the hinges gilt"
The old lady hesitated
GA portrait, remarked the photographs
er, ''is not an every day expense Acci-
dent madam, has been your friend, and
you possess perfect specimen of my art,
The gift of fortune, without a ease, may
be broken; with case, it positively lasts