Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1889-10-04
A FADING PICTURE.
DY GEONGl: HALE

1t was n brilliant day in early summer,
but the outer blinds on the windows of
the waiting room OF Henry NIilford's
Photographic establishment were closed
so that Che room seemed almost dark
to one just come in from the sun-lit
street. As the eye grew accustomed,
however, to the semi twilight, the relief
from the outer glare was grateful. AT
one side through an opening partially
closed by Il heavy curtain little glimpse
could he had of the operating room, or
STUDIO, rs Milford preferred to have it
called
MIR. Milford was busly engaged in pre-
pairing for the printing of some pictures
which seemed 10 him to require more par
tlcular care and attention than usual, and
Vt did not please him to be interrupted
Such day for work seldom came To him.
1T did not allay his irritation any to br
asked abruptly, rs he was, upon entering
the waiting room.
''Nlr. Milford, can yon take picture
for mcl'
The young lady who asked this turned
her attention almost Immediately to some
examples of Mr.. Nilford's work hanging.
ON tine walls
cit is almost impossible 20 see these, il
is so dark" she said, "b';t il is so pleas
amt TO escape the horrid glare Of the
street"
Henry Milford was fond of his work,
which he considered art, and he had car
ricd 1T to a rare degree Of perfection. He
was very conscientious, too, and in pos
lug his sittcrs before the camera he would
take MS much care and exercise as much
Intelligence as could any artist in arrang-
ing his models or draperics. He was
proud of his finished work, and always
impatient of criticism. 1t was for this
reason, perhaps, that he had made him
sell somewhat exclusive. Al all events,
whatever the reason, he would discrimin-
ate rs he pleased among the many apuli-
cants for siitings. TO those whose am
pearance or manners did not please him.
he would always say that he had too many
engagements to take their pictures. In
truth, he had obtained such II reputation
and had so many applications that he was
almost compelled to select from them.
81 am very busy-I do not know" he
replied.
Miss Mitchell, his present caller, was
! little annoyed and perhaps little sur
priscd as well.
'You sec," Mr.. Milford continued,
'tln this climate of ours one has so few
days in which he can work Unfortu-
natcly, am compelled to think very much
about the weather."
On this particular day there seemed to
be very little reason for this backward :
ness. Indeed, inasmuch as he had made
up his mind that he would really like TO
take Miss Nlitchclls picture, this prctcncc
OF not wishing to do so was folly but habit
was much too strong for him.
"Pardon mel" she said az did not
know. l thought that this would he
just the sort of day."
'And so it really is, he said quickly.
'If you sit here few minutes will ar
range the room and camera
He answered with such alacrity and
his manner had so changed that Julia
Mitchell was surprised more than ever
She was not sure that she was not fright
encd little. He, however, had carefully
studied her and had decided just the pose
which he thought would suit her. lie
was now as enthusiastic rs he had before
been otherwise.
"These perhaps will interest you while
, you are waiting" he said, as he placed
in her hand several photographs.
''But," she replied, 'tI ought to make
, some preparations, too"
"Oh, your hat" he said, "and your
hair. But wish you would let me take
the first one of you just as you arc"
1t seemed to him that he could not
quickly enough make the necessary ar
rangements; but at last everything wax
ready and Julia Mitchcll's wish was graft
fled; at least, four negatives had been
made and she hoped soon to receive a
finished picture of herself which would
please her.
Time went on and Miss Mitchell did
not receive her pictures as promptly as
she had hoped she might. She called upon
Mr. Milford to urge him to greater haste,
but he met all her complaints with good
humor, yet made very little effort to
please her. In truth, he enjoyed he.
visits, and, perhaps, he purposely delayed
the completion Of her pictures in order
that she might be led in as often us pos
siblc. Her impaticnce with the delay
rather amused him, and their talk was in
tercsting to him. And so, indeed, it was
to her, although, it may be, she would
not have so acknowledged, if she had