The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-05-23
THE LAST PHOTOGRAPH.
How 1t Brought Fortune to a Poor
Artist.

| AfllsG.
High up in a lofty house in one of
the suburbs of Paris lived young pho
tographer and his wife, a life of such
careless happiness as is rarely found
out of the attics OF that gay city, where
content and cheerfulness are more apt
to reign than in the most spacious man
sion.
A true Partisan was Louison, the
young wife, who understood so we'll how
to hide the poverty Of the small attic
dwelling by q hundred graceful little
devices. The rooms were hardly larger
than Closet but the modest furniture
was clean and fresh, and grouped with
charming effect, and the freshly papered
walls were decked with cheaply framed
photographs, ornamental, as well as tes-
timonies of the skill of the master of
the establishment. In the small win
dows with snow-white curtains stood
pots of roses, geraniums, and pinks, and
from the tiny balcony hung a cage
where bright canary sang his joyful
song. The only room with any preten-
sions to size was light, airy one open
ing from the sitting-room, and which
was used as the work-room of the mas
| ter,
Charles was a landscape photographer
Of unusual skill; he photographed public
buildings also, but rarely tried his hand
at portraits, not having means to com
plete with the owners of the large ex-
pensively furnished studios of the aris-
tocratic quarter of the city, while he
felt himself above the cheap grade of
photographers who furnished miserably
executed portraits.
| He lived in the capital only one year,
during which he learned to know, and
afterward married his beloved I.ouison,
who, although not possessed of sou,
owned such treasures Of cheerfulness,
amiability and good-heartedness that
Charles was more than satisfied. The
young man could we'll hope that the
future held better things in store for
him, for his unusual skill must in time
win the place it deserved; and already
his talents were recognized by more than
one of the artists OF the day. Many of
the best photographs of Partisan pub
lie buildings seen and admired in the
plate-glass windows of the boulevards,
came from his humble studio; also land
scapes and views of castles from st.
German, and lie had already completed
twenty-five of the two dozen he intended
to prepare.
1t was the 3lst of August, 1877. The
day promised to be bright and clear,
and early i'll the morning Charles made
ready the small portable apparatus he
carried on such occasions for the last ex-
curslon to German, to finish the two
photographs necessary to complete the
desired number. kissing Louison, he
was very soon in his place in the omni-
bus going from the Place de la Bastile
to the railway station for St. German,
in the Rue st. Lazare, after which an
hours journey past the charming sub
urbs Of Asnieres, Nanterre and NAL
maison brought him, at 10 o'clock. to
his destination, Springing from the rail-
way carriage, Charles beckoned to man
standing on the platform, and for Tie
sum OF three francs engaged his services
Tor the day to carry his apparatus and
| assist INN III any way required.
st. Germaine, with its $4,000 inhabi-
tants, is very quiet town, living like a
faded beauty on the recollection of past
triamphs, but, owing to its high, healthy
situation and its beautiful forest, it is
tavorite resort of the pleasure-seeker.
The old castle, finished in the reign of
Francis J., is rich in historical remem.
brances. 1t was the birthplace of Henry
III, Charles TX, and Louis XIV, and con-
tains the room where died James III, of
England, the banished Stuart, who re-
ceived the hospitality of Louis XIV,
until his death in l70l. In the large
court of the castle was fought, on the
10th day of July, 1874, the last public
duel before the court. In the wear 1889
the castle was used as barracks, and la
ter as military prison, for which pur-
pose it was utilized until Napoleon III,
restored and established there the inter,
esting Gallo-Roman museum.
To the east stretches, 1000 feet long,
the terrace of worldwide celebrity-a
tayorite promenade, with a view over a
landscape lovely beyond description with
castles and villas, gardens and fountains,
hills and valleys. Behind the terrace
and the palace garden is the magnificent
forest of ST. German.
The bright, warm summer day had
brought many strangers, and unusual
life animated the town, along the streets
and promenades of which strolled count
less elegant Partisan idlers and charming
ladies dressed in the latest fashion.
Charles soon chose q favorable point
on the terrace, and, with the aid OF his
assistant, the two views were successful
" transferred to his portfolio. When
his work was accomplished the young
man carefully repacked his apparatus,
and, followed by his servant pro tenn,
strolled slowly toward modest inn in