The Osceola times., 1881-08-20
Billy Hope's icture,

What is this, gentlemen" asked
Hope of Tpstaf Smith. "Nothing
much," answered that official; ''just step
out in the other room and we will take
your photograph" Il protest." said
Hope, earnestly. "You have no right 10
take my photograph, and you cannot dc
it except by force. l have some rights
and | know them. You have no right
under any law to photograph me against
my will, before I am convicted. / have
only been held to answer to a charge,
but not convicted, and until am know
you have no right to photograph me. II
is an illegal proceeding, and | protest" "
Being held TO answer for felony il
became Officer Smiths duty to have
Hopes photograph taken. Hope, escort =
ed by Smith and another officer was
taken to the photograph gallery on Clay
street, above Montgomery. Thousands
of criminals have been taken there, anu
for over ten years the same photograph
er, Col. Summerhayes, has done little
else than photograph faces for tie
ro ues' gallery. The photographer,
rooms are a suite of dingy apartments
without the usual complement of parlor
furniture and woodland scenery. The
colonel is a rather crusty old English
man and olliciates in slippers, DRESSING
gown and faded velvet smoking cap. lie
has grown cynical from much dealug
with criminal nature, and, viewing tie
world, as he mostly does, through
camera directed at the ugly visage Of
convict, he has certain doubts about the
existence of goodness which manifest
themselves in his treatment of subjects.
Hope, seated in the photographers work
room, had not spoken, except to reply
tOSmith's questions, that he was forty
and.four years of age and was born in
Pniladelpha. until he made his earnest
protest against having his photograph
taken. He resisted as the officer showed
him into a chair facing the camera.
When the officer removed Hopes hat
he again protested and said; Now there
is no reason in this. If you want my
picture you know where to get it, but
have no right to force me. | know
my business" As Hope continued
talking he made motion that seemed
to escape all but the reporters notice.
Hope is quite bald on the top of head,
from forehead TO crown. He carelessly
ran his fingers through his side aud
back hair and instantly arranged his
hair so that it entirely covered his bald
ness and changed his appearance matc-
rally. With his face shaved and hts
badness made prominent he would
look very little like his photograph,
which may be remembered some time
if he is ever looked for by detectives,
depending upon the photographs for
identification. He continued talking
and slightly moving his mead until the
photographer was nearly distracted.
"Do you think can take you on the
flv?" asked the artist in desperation.
why, old man, YOU are worrying
more than if we're paying you 500 for
the job replied HOPE.
Finally the prepared plates were in
serted in the camera and the inevitable
velvet cloth withdrawn. Hope remained
quiet for a second, then coolly turning TO
smith, said: Now you know this is all
wrong" The negative was spoiled, and
the photographer wildly jerkcd the pla' e
from the camera, and with a very un,
complimentary remark went to his work
room to prepare another plate.
"You should have Young man for
this work. said Hope; "that old party is
too cranky" After that the troublesome
sitter allowed his photograph to be taken
to the officers satisfaction, and was then
conducted to the city prison.