Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-11-14
The Wrong Picture.

ginia Lynne had become very tired of
waiting "iust one minute" for her turn to
face the camera. If the camera had
been young gentleman, it probably
wouldn't have objected much to the pro
cess, as Virginia WAS not at all disagreed
bic to look atom the contrary, she was
very, very pretty, with clear, olive com
plextion, deepening to carmine on her
round cheeks, and large, blue gray eyes
just the color of violets blossomed in the
shade. Jet black hair, plainly brushed
from her forehead and confined in ono
knot at the back Of her neck, and little
red mouth, very saucy and somewhat
naughty, also, with its curves.
"Are you nearly ready to take my
likeness sir?" she asked, rather inpatient
ly, as the operator entered the room on
some GRAND.
"Not quite yet, ma'am. We shall be
soon, | hope, however. To tell you the
truth, we didn't anticipate SO much
trouble from our present subjoct-a ba-
by, who will not sit still !"
"a baby-oh, then | haven't another
word to say" said Virginia, scornfully
elevating her pretty shoulders as she
turned towOrds her companions. 81 do
detest babiesl"
"Why. Virg;niar' exclaimed Mrs.
Walter, her matron sister, with horror.
''Can't help it, never could endure
baby that's one of my articles of
faithr'
"And how many articles Of faith nave
you 2" said another companion.
30, several. One is a hearty aver
sion to widowers-that class of dyed over
husbands who are always abiding to
Mrs. Smith number one. If l became
that Iady's successor, should be perpet-
ually fearful | was standing in the way
of Mrs. Smith number three. And
washing the faces Of half dozen step
children. No second hand babies for
me ma'am"
But if Virginia could only have had a
peep into the operating room, where the
hazel-eyed baby, with pink ribbons at its
choulders and string of red coral round
its plump neck was setting photography
at defiance, she would probably have
kissed its perfumed breath nearly away
with true feminine Inconsistency!
"Harry, do sit still" pleaded the
nurse, in despair while the operator dodg-
ed hopelessly to and fro trying to "catch
a focus" and two or three young lady
aunts jingled their watch chains and held
up their bracelets in vain endeavor to at
tract the little ones eve. But if the
qnintessence Of obstinacy can be mag
ined to fix bis throne in a year-old baby,
that baby, was the individual.
All of sudden, bright winged ca
nary, in a cage opposite began to sing
riecingly. The scarlet lips opened into
a wondering smile; the large hazel eyes,
that had roved from place to place like
chain lightning. were fixed for mo-
ment. the operator jerked away the
drapery, the sun rays swept their pencils
over the cleaning plat, and
80, let me see 2" shrieked aunts and
nurse in confused treble chorus,
crowdipg around the photographer, as
after a short absence, her eturned bearing
the plate. "Only let me get one peep at
itw
"How delighted Raymond will be"
whispered one of the young aunts to her
sister, as she caught the baby in her
arms, crushing her shining brown curls
against his silky little head.
"Where shall l send the cards.
na'am Z" asked the operator.
ITO Captain May-Raymond May
Philadelphia. Just the address, please,
no other word. We intend it for q
birth-b surprise to my brother.
every well. ma'am. Theodore" as
soon as the ladies had disappeared, 'just
write down that address, and tell the
young lady below we are ready for her.
Virginia Lynne must have been hard
indeed to please, had she been dissatisfied
with the face reflected in the mirror, as
she took last glance before leaving the
saloon down stairs. A proud young
beauty-and heart free as the widest
fawn upon the eastern hills.
"When can have the picture!" she
asked.
"In about five days. ma'am."
''No sooner? l leave town to.mor
row."
awe can send it to you by mail,
wherever you are, ma'am y
She hurriedly wrote upon card, "Miss
Lynne. Philadelphia" and pushed it
towards the man.
"This is my address; please send it as
soon as possibler'
Captain Mays sitting room in the
gteat Philadelphia hotel was as snug a
little den as man need wish for, with its
carved marble mantle, bright patterned
carpet, and luxurious sofas and lounging
chairs, and Captain May himself, as he
looked smiling up from the perusal of a
heap of papers to greet the entrance of
an old companion. was no unfair specl-
men of handsome Young officer.
"Well. Charley?"
swell, May; upon my word, if your
not up to your ears in those old naviga-
ton charts again. It's enough to make
n lazy man ache to see you workP
ats time to work." said May, good
humoredly. 81 expect sailing orders in