Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-07-28
| delight, that she had met with excellent

Hlu hQe Irieu UOJ 10 bNTIHh, anu Do pIc-
pared TO face disagreeables.
She carried her light stock in trade until
she came near avery pretty house and noted
point from which she could get an at
tractive view.
She stopped, unfolded her tripod, and
was placing her camera upon 1t, when
slovenly woman came to the door, and
asked her what she was about.
81 am going TO take picture of YOU
beautiful home, with your permission, was
Rates polite reply.
Well, We can jest bundle up and leave
the way ye came" called out the woman
ave don't want no female tramps n gall
vantin' round here"
Hates face redeemed, but without word
she quietly closed her camera, folded hel
tripod, and walked away.
Not very favorable beginning" she
said to herself. wouldn't Laura laugh.
Never mind They laugh best who laugh
last. 1t may be my turn yet"
She walked on until she was Just at the
very edge OF the village, and saw coy
country house, with an elderly man trim
ming the lawn with a mower.
Kate stopped, addressed him politely,
and asked if she could be allowed to take
picture of his place.
well, l reckon So" he kindly an
swered. 1T won't hurt us any, as [ knows
on"
THANK ycu," said Kate, smiling. And
as she set up her camera. she told him she
would be glad if he would allow his family
to stand at the window or door in sotne
natural position.
He laughed and SAID. "Wal, there's old
Nero layin' or the porch, mebbe you want
him, too?
"Certainly, he is q fine dog. Don't dis
turb him on any account" said Kate.
"All right. Ill call the folks" said the
man, and away he went to the house. In
moment an elderly woman appeared in
the front door, and younger one with a
plump baby in her arms at a window. a
sprightly girl stood at another window, and
the cd gentleman came out and leaned
upon the handle of the lawn mower.
In five seconds Kate had her Negative,
and was glad to see that it was good one.
The whole family wanted to see it, and
came trooping out.
ut will look much better on paper" said
Kate, as she showed It. Il shall develop
it to- night, and print it in day or two."
whats it for?" asked the old lady.
Il am merely taking this one for my
own pleasure" said Kate. But if you
would like copy, will sell the pictures
for three dollars half dozen. Shall l
finish some for you?"
Like to have one, mother?" asked the
"Yes, would" the old lady responded.
"And 1 know it would tickle Charley and
Sue if we sent them onc,"
$50 'twould, mother. They'd like
mighty well to see the old home out there
in Kansas. Well, miss, l guess you may
fix ,is up half Dozen"
| So Kate took her first order, telling them
| il the pictures we're not good when she de-
livcred them they need not pay for them.
She went to the next house and 3topped
there, asking if they would like some pic
lures, showing the negative she had taken
at Mr.. Robins.
Mr.. Turner did not moan to be outdone
by Neighbor Robbins. So Kate took an
other negative and got another order. At
this hourc she proposed to take picture
of lovely little girl in exchange FOR her
dinner which offer was gladly accepted.
In the afternoon she took two more
orders, and when she went home on the
five o'clock train she had a clear profit Of
over 80 and her days expenses.
Laura said nothing when she told her
little story at home, but Ella clappod her
hands and said:
Good! Lol, that beats music teaching
all to pieces, don't itr"
81 suppose you think 3d." returned
LAURA, walking away to her piano.
The next day Kate was off again, and the
next. The succeeding one she stayed al
home to print photographs. And though
she spoiled a few, her success on the
whole was excellent and most encouraging.
She worked quietly for month, and al
the end of that time she gave her mother
fifteen dollars, and had twenty rem aiming
in her own purse
Her cause was fairly won, now. Ella
was iubilant, and even Laura had not a
word to say. Indeed, wanting Il large pho
tograph of herself for friend, Laura ap-
piled to Kate to take it, Offering to pay Ii er
the usual price. Kate took the picture in
her very best manner, but would not ac-
cept pay, at which Laura was gracious
enough to ask pardon for the vehement
manner in which she had opposed the plan
ut first, and Kate was perfectly ready to
grant it.
Kate was growing used to her work
now. The business was easy and pleas
ant. and she liked it. Her step was elias
tic anu Joyous as she went about, and the
exercise in the open air which she took
was adding fresh roses to her cheeks every
day.
She was out one afternoon, taking
the photograph of handsome house,
when its owner, who was not at home
came driving up i'll his buggy, and sprang
out.
To Hates surprise, he walked up to her,
and holding out his hand, said cordially:
Can this be little Katie Best, that
used to play WITH"
THAT is my name. But | do not why,
Mr.. Waters l do recognize you now,
answered Kate, instantly extending hel
hand. Il did not have the least idea you
| lived here"
Nor did have any idea of finding you
here, at this work." said Mr.. Waters, who
had long been an old friend of the Best
family. Come, you must come in and stay
to dinner, and tell me al about your folk )
l knew of your fathers death, but have al
most lost trace of you, since then. | wan
to talk over old times. And my sister lives
with me, so YOU need not hesitate"
Thus urged, Kate went in, and spent the
rest of the day with MIR. Waters and his
sister in their lovely home.
He was deeply interested IN the story Of
their struggles, and warmly commended
Kates efforts to help herself.
81 knew that Ella was in Bulleno''
store, " he said. "but did not know where
you and Miss Laura were."
He seemed so kind and sympathetic that
Kate found herself speaking very frankly
10 him, and when, i'll the afternoon, he
drove her back to the city in his own car
rage, she was conscious of having spent
the pleasantest day she had known in q
long time.
A day or two later Mr.. Waters had to
call, to see the family and Hates pictures S,
! 4. all A..