The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-06-02
A PHOTOGRAPHERS STORY.

My story is all about photograph yet
I is a curious one, if do say it. am a
photographer, and a hard time had of it at
first, as most of us do. began just here,
but had only one small room, with sky
light, beside the necessary dark hole. l
slept on lounge, and had hard work to
appear well dressed, brushing my coat, ink
ing the seams, and patching my shoes with
court plaster from the druggists down
stairs. But now for my story.
1t was about noon, and had gone behind
n screen to eat my dinner. l had not been
even as lucky as usual, and felt economical,
as little boys do when they go to school ;
and was eating it without much appetite,
and thinking that 1 should have to move
very soon if l did not have more sitters,
when heard faint sigh in the other room
Now had not heard a step nor the ringing
of the bell at the door; so l could only
think that my imagination was at work
Still peeped around the screen, my bread
in one hand and an apple in the other, and
saw sitting in the sitters' chair, in the most
graceful attitude possible, beautiful lady
She saw me with my mouth full, and smiled
politely as she bowed.
vanished again, came out with my hands
washed and my coat on, and being little
uncomfortable, began to apologize.
My assistant being away, have no one
to leave here" l said. And I was Just
taking mouthful of lunch, and l did not
hear any one come in"
This was all quite true; Virgins had de-
clined to stay any longer unless paid what
| owed him, and, of course, / could not be
expected to say all that. And the lady
smiled politely.
Mortals must eat" she said "dont
apologize but tell re, can you get pic
ture of me +? Will take Pn
!" Oh, certainly, madam" l said, in some
surprise. 81 don't call you difficult sub
ject at all. imagine you'll take very WELL
indeed"
g am glad to hear it," said the lady
enough"
:" Indeed, the yer, delicacy of your look
is an advantage" said and brunettee
are my best subjects
Z" want my portrait for my husband"
said the lady. " I'm tired of his eternal
If l only had your likeness ); but as can't
stay long, will you set at work at once,
please?
" You needn't put that thing on my neck, I"
she added, with wave of her hand toward
the head-rest I'll be able to be perfectly
quiet without that"
/ saw that she was, and went TO work as
usual to take the picture. 1t seemed to me
that it was going to be very successful, and
turned from my examination of II to tell
the lady so. To my establishment she was
gone.
had not heard her open the door, mol
had even heard her move from her seat
However, she was not the sort of person
likely to play trick on me; 80 / set to
work and had the pictures finished and in
their envelopes by the end of the week
negative, fancicd felt some one looking
over my shoulder, and for an instant i'm
agined that the lady stood there. Ihad not
her name or her address, but felt sure she
WIS coming for those photographs.
In a week, by the way, was eating my
lunch again. She did come.
heard that curious sigh and there she
stood in the room, near the window.
She was very handsome, and hoped she
would be pleased with her likeness. After
all, I find that it is generally the ugly ones
who think they don't look we'll enough, and
want to be done over. And she smiled as
spread the pictures out on the table, and
looked very much pleased.
g / wasn't sure it could be DONE" she
said but you have accomplished it, I
see. One of the hands is little shadowy-
that is all"
And, indeed. 1t actually seemed to me, as
looked, that the left hand had the effect of
being transparent.
81 will touch it up" said /.
g Don't" said she. Frank will like 1t
that way. Poor Frank, how he will value
It'll"
She seemed about to burst into tears.
" Your husband is going ON journey 2"
said I.
mo, it is l." she answered "but We
shall be separated for q long time oil the
same"
She selected picture from the pile.
. Put that in your showcase for luck, !"
she said, and write Margaret Arlington
beneath it,
Now, as you know, most private ladies
would feel very angry to have their photo
graphs exhibited and it occurred to me
that the lady might be an actress. thank
ed her, and she held out to me ten-dollar-
bill. My charge for the half dozen was six
dollars, and ran down stairs to get the
change at the store in the lower part of the
building for ! had not ten cents to my
name. As went, put the photograph in
my case, that the lady might be pleased by
seeing 1t as she passed out.
Mr.. Pillbury," said to the druggist
twill you kindly change this for me, 30
that can give two to customer 7"
1 held out the bill-or, thought did
g What is it p said Pillbury.
''Ten," said /.
s'But where is 1t 2" said he.
looked at the hand stretched out toward
him. Certainly, held nothing between
| the fingers / looked on the counter We