The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1878-03-01
DAMS PHOTOGRAPH.

much knowledge about odd and out-of
the-way things as any ten average lads
He was believed to have an intimate &C
quaintance withevery trout in theereeks
and every bird in the woods, and every
rabbit in the burrows. He had the larg
est collection of birds eggs to be fount
in the country; and it was reported and
solemnly believed by all the small boys
in the neighborhood, that he had secret
understanding with the king-fshers and
orioles, by which they agreed to surren
der an egg Of each litter to him, in con
sideration of the promise to let all Others
entirely alone.
He was always taking up some new
idea to work out If he did not know
all about many things, he really seemed
to know a little about everything. He
knew how 10 print, how to bleed horse,
how to use a telegraph instrument, how
to cultivate silk worms, how to make
the most outrageous noise with his hands,
how to grow pears, how to play checkers
with his eyes shut, and in short, he knew
how to do nearly everything that came in
his way to learn.
One day the neighbors opened then
eyes and pricked up their ears at the
news that Dan had taken up photogra
ply; not that they were astonished al
anything Dan did, but they were inter
estsd in this enterprise, though regard
ing it simply as another freak of lis
curious genius.
"Well, well" said they, Struggling NJ
their shoulders, "Dan Is an old stick. Its
about time he went into something use
full. Photographs, eh :"
The report was true. Dan had OBJ
tanned a camera of good size, and was
experimenting with it up in his ''den,
in one end of his mothers garrett.
It would be hard to imagine a more
untidy, chaotic looking place than Dams
''den." It was full of bottles, old gar
nents, jars, bits of machinery, musical
instruments, carpenters tools, old maps
torn pictures, pots of plants and chemi
calls, stuffed birds, and SO on; and it was
SO Oderiferous that no one but Dan could
ever stay long enough to make an inyen.
tory Of its contents.
Dan was as odd looking character
as one would be likely to see in years
travel. He was thin and lank in body
and legs. His head was large, and he
had light blue eyes, and long, whitish
hair, which he rarely combed, and which
struggled about all over his head, as il
the rats had made nests in it the last
time he slept.
He was not much Of a talker. He
generally kept silent and stared No
body knew what an amount of thinking
he did meanwhile, and in fact many
who had laughed at his greenness had to
confess afterwards that he not only saw
everything that was going on, but knew
more about what he saw than the smart
est of them.
Dan went on with his sbotographing
Ter several weeks. He had learned tC
take very good pictures, but he was fan
from satisfied. His fingers were alway:
stained black and brown with acids that
he could not wash of, and his clothing
always gave out a peculiar scent of colo
dion.
Dams mother began to be really anx
ious. The boy was growing up a loose
Jaek-of-all-trades, but without any par
ticular turn for one profitable calling
It was necessary that he should choose
single business and stick to 1t 81.
took the boy in hand and eypostulate,
with him Dan looked distressed.
"I'm trying to do something, nether
I've just got hold of it now, guess.
only want little more time"
This was about as long a speech a
Dan was in the habit of making at on,
time. His mother was pacilied and $,
let him al-ne for the present
Two or three menths slipped by DaI
made pictures of everybody he coulc
get before his camera. He photographed
his 'sden" and all his miscellaneou
trumpery. He photographed buildings
fences and trees.
Still he did not succeed ia his mind
His pictures lacked the peculiar shading
or stone" that he wanted. His dream
was to achieve this, which he believe,
would not only make them very beauti
ful, but give them large and peofitabl,
custom.
He labored necessarily, now tIyin;
this plan, now trying that, but withou
any perfect result.
In the course of his experiments ou
of his garret window, DPn made stree
pictures of people, both near and remote
in divers attitudes, and at nearly al
hours Of the day. Dan took them il
single figures and in groups; he coulc
take them looking up and looking down
making gestures, or sitting ssill; he tool
them as they steal al :, ;sindow, and a
they went along below him, or rod,
past in wagons. Many of the photo
graphs were good, but still the subtl,
finish was wanting. Dan could no
realize his dream. -
Finally his mother begged him to stol
his amusement, as she called it, and g
into store, or some business where b,
might support himself
Dan shook his head
Cant, mother"
"But, Dan, can't afford to give mucl
more money for the acids you want"
tsAhp sid Dan. And he shook hi
head oncemore and looked very detected
He was at his wits end. He believes
he was on the verge of an importan
discovery. He only wanted a littl
more money. Where should the none
come froml
This was trying question. lie ceul
not imagine that any one would len
him cash enough to carry out his project