Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-07-28
NEGATIVE ORDERS.
by MAE FARNSwORTH.

"Well, that's all there is of it," And as
she spoke Ella Best folded up the legal
looking letter she had been reading and
sighed.
The family, mother and three girls, were
in conclave assembled to hear the news.
For the suit which had been pending
against the estate ever since their father
died, was decided at last, and they knew
Just how much they had to face the future
with.
Silence reigned for moment after Ella
laid The letter down. Mrs. Best was the
first TO break it.
ut is Just as l expected" she said. II
felt. from tho first, that the suit would go
against u.s."
ut is not justice, at all!' exclaimed
Kate, Indignantly.
mo, but it's law" said Laura. And
must say, mamma, that think poor papa
was very foolish to let his property get in
to such shape"
l. must admit it, Laura" replied Mrs.
Best, mournfully. "And 1 don't see how
it was, in man of your fathers usual
foresight. But the fact remains, and we
have only to face it.
at makes me make a face to think of
it," cried Ella. But it might have been
worse-we have our home left, and little
money"
I'll tell you what think" said Kate,
with sudden energy. IF we girls each do
something for ourselves, and leave the
money for mamma to dress herself and run
the kouse on, we can get along very we'll. ;"
I've thought of that already" answered
Laura. 81 shall teach music. l know l
can get pupils"
"Such a musician as you are ought to
get pupils, I'm sure" said Ella. THAT is
your vocation. And as for me, rll-well
i believe would make a good clerk. I'll
try for place III n store"
"Oh, Ella! Store girls beg their
pardon ales-ladies' l should say, are not
thought one thing of in society"
Cant help it, Lol. It's all think l
could do, and do we'll.
"lf you are a true lady. the place won't
hurt you," said Mrs. Best, soothingly.
u know it, mamma. Now, Kate. you
have not been heard from yet. What shall
you do?"
81 can neither play nor be clerk" an
swered Kate. and my sole accomplish
ment is painting flw daubs which no.
body would want to buy. But 1 have
selected my occupation"
What is it?'
"One which won't meet your approval, l
warn you."
Hope you're not going to turn female
highwayman, " said Ella.
Nor enter a school for nurses" chimed
in Laura,
Nor u telephone Office, came from Mrs,
Best.
Bate laughed. NO, no; none of those. =
VI know" cried Ella. "Shes' gong to
be female agent. Sell books or corsets
or something"
"Oh, horrid!" cried the other ladies'
No, said Kate. Though | expect
you'll think it nearly as bad.
For PHYS sake do tell u.s." said Laura.
-, Well, l have always thought 1 should
ike to takSnhotographs. am going to buy
an outht, and travel round little and take
pieturSs.",
+ "Good heavens" There was n general
outcry of dismay from the little group.
Every bit as bad as an agent, and l do
hate agents" said Laura.
"fts perfectly ridiculous!" said Ella.
"A travelling photographer" cried Mrs.
Best. why, you wouldn't earn your salt. "
I'm going to try" said Kate, resolutely.
81 have got the advertisement of firm in
Broome street who sell good outfits. and
I'm going TO see them tomorrow. If they
talk right, and l find there is anything in
ii, l am surely going to try it. If it don't
PsS, can quit"
please, l suppose" said Laura, rising to
end the council, "but /, for one, will never
approve"
Nor l." chimed in Ella. "The idea OF
Kate Best tramping around the country
taking cheap pictures"
How do you know I'll take them cheap?'
asked Kate, laughing. "Tell you what,
when l bring my outfit home, I'll take you
all in group for nothing"
"Don't include me, )" said Laura, hau2ht-
lily; IF that's your way of setting M for
yourself, I'll have nothing to do with it"
Kate laughed.
EAU right, then, you won't get your
picture taken"
daughter" asked Mrs. Best, with an an
noycd look. Il really don't like the idea
of your tramping around the country car
ryinG II camera"
"Ihey put them up for carrying very
nicely now, mamma" answered Kate.
And i can't think of anything else until
have tried this thoroughly"
They all knew how determined Kate
could be when she set her mind to one
way so no more was said just then.
The neM day came, and Kate, as she had
said, went TO the dealers in Photographic
goods, and had long consultation with
one of the senior partners.
The result was that she purchased full
equipment for taking pictures, for twenty
dollars, and ordered it sent home.
The next day Kate was very busy at
home. She practiced all day taking mega
tiyes of everything and everybody in the
house, except Laura, who stubbornly re-
fused to be taken. The cat and the dog
came, and black Betty in the kitchen was
thrown into a state of ecstasy by having
her likeness took, while Ella. who good
naturedly Tent her aid to the new project,
appeared in every position and costume
imaginable
When she had plenty of negatives, Kate
waited until it became night, and then de.
khAv. oil - e. L..