Wichita eagle., 1889-07-07
AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHY.


the part Of the Boston laundrins to ruin my
neck and my disposition
My law business in Boston occupied 50 much
Of my time, and my cigar at the SaInoset
club beatifed so much Of the rest Of it, that l
rarely gave thought TO the subject Of mat
Cirnony.
It happened, however, as we were sitting
before the open fire in the card room Of the
Sanoset club one chilly evening In Novem-
Der, my intimate friend, Chauncy Webster,
asked me: Charlie, why in the world don't
Sou get narriedF'
"Why don't your retorted
~ mean to try it one Of these days" said
Chauncy.
Rather risky experiment, my boyg"
That's so. l can't help thinking Of poor
Perk Weybrandt."
Let's see-the girl threw him over, didn't
sher'
YES, and he's completely broken A con-
Soundedly pretty girl they tell me she is-the
kind | shall take pains not to fall in love
with"
Same here"
''Give me one Of your plain, practical,
harmless womenl"
Seems TO me you're rather particular.
I'm much more easily satisfied than you ara
Give me none at alIi'
Charles you fatter yourself, as usual
You're as liable as any man Of my acquaint-
encs TO tumble into the same kind Of a pit
that swallowed unluc5y Perk Weybrandt.
Hen Of your stamp always surrender TO
pair Of eyes aud dimple, when their turn
comes"
"Chauncy, II you were not q very dear
friend Of mine, should tell you that you're
q noodle; but under the circumstances viii
bag you TO change the subject. Did you know
tlat | have new anbition;"
What is itP'
TO be an amateur photographer. I think
shaIl get camera
''Great ScotrI'
'And why great Scottr
You'll tire Of it in q week and stow it
ewas with your archery outfit. A camerai
Pooh"
AndChauncy laughed so heartily that the
fellowslooked up from their whist.
i "Anot1er one of Overlock's joxesF' asked
Col Bisoee, slamning g thirteener on the
table sld getting the odd trick
( "Ys." said Chauncy, land the greatest
Soke5f all The old mans going to get q
scausra"
4 4 litter rippled through the room
But smoked away placidly and did not
allow this demonstration TO enbarrass me in
the least It only strengthened my native
resolution, which always draws nourishment
from opposition or ridicule.
The next day bought camera. It was
large, serviceable sxl0 box, with all the latest
improved attachments After few months
practice l could do very good work with it
and soon became recognized as one of the ex-
o-r
The Dry Plate club.
The most charming views IN the countryI'
exclaimed Samuels, one Of the best Of the
'Dry Plate" artists when l told him, one
summer morning, that / proposed 10 spend
my vacation at Bar Harbor and to take my
kis with me; and set out for Mt. Desert full
OF enthusiasm over the prospect of few
weeks uninterrupted enjoyment of my favor
lite diversion
At sunrise, on the day following my arri-
val, took my box and wandered out on the
Otter Cliffs road, thinking nobody would be
abroad TO bother me at that early hour.
A picturesque stretch Of shore and bay,
with a fisherman's sail in the distance, took
my fancy, while was gazing from one Of the
cliffs; | hurTiedly leveled my camera and
snapped the shutter as quickly as | could,
hoping to get good picture Of that flying
yacht
II was mild oath from my lips!
I'm seldom guilty OF such an offense, but l
couldn't help it this time. At the precise sec
ond when exposed the plate, woman ap-
peared on the edge of the cliff in the direct
range Of the camera-just as II she had
sprung up out OF the rock
The picture was spoiled, knew, and that
boat was rapidly flying out Of sight.
| sprang 50 arrange a second plate; then a
guilty feeling came over me and looked up
10 apologize 70 the lady.
Il beg your
But she wasn't there She had gone as sud
denly Is she had come.
Before looking further for her l readjustcd
my camera and took my picture, catching
tie sail Just before it disappeared
Then had time TO investigate what at first
seened TO be mystery, but did not remain
mystery long.
The sound OF laughing voices gave me s
clew, and saw that one Of q party srrouinS
along the lower coast line had sporrively LETT
them and climbed up the shelving rocks 70
the top OF the clif where I stood, remaining
on its edge for moment only, and then
Jumped down TO reioin her friends
had glorious success that day The at
moSphere was clear, my camera worked 70 q
cnarm and was fortunate In choosing points
OF view arrived at my hotel al hour be
fore dinner in a glow Of enthusiasm and as
hungry as 4 tramp, having entirely forgotten
lunch III my preoccupation with my art
The incident on the cliff did net recur 70
me until the next morning, when, looking
over my plates, came upon the one which
had been spoiled Ny first impulse was TO
throw II away, then discovered that had
accidentally taken an excellent picture Of 8
rather good looking young woman, and / |
concluded 70 keep il. "L can hang a story |
IN it that VIII a,nuse the boys said
! was much pleased with my success In !
manipulating IL The result was clear and |
well shaded picture-aa unusually good bit |
OF work for sn amateur. SamGels couldn't |
hsve dcne better. or env Of the Dry Plate |
club fellows, I thought became decidedly
proud of the photograph and frequently |
found myself studying it aud adrniring its I
line points The subject was young woman |
Of, should SAP, . or "a years, tall, full |
rhes.ed. with a straight nose that took beau
tifully, and plump arm whose round lines l
had worked up with pleasure Her features I
were admirably adapted 20 profile view. 1
and there was an animation and buoyency /
in her pose IS caught it that added much /
70 the briuiancy Of the picture.