Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1889-10-16
TIE BABY'S PICTURE.
WHEN 1T IS Ts.KE.s ALL ITS RELA-
TvEs WANT TO BOSS THE JOB.

The taking of the baby's first photo
graph IS an occurrence in the family only
second in interest to the advent Of the
baby itself. The average infant makes
itsfirst acquaintance with photographing
apparatus when it has attained 6 months
of existence. For days before it Is car.
ried out to be posed before the camera
its small features are studied closely to
discover some signs of expression. It's
mamma talks all the sweet nothings in
the vocabulary Of adoring mothers to II
in the hope Of eliciting some facial signal
OF intelligent response. If byAny chance
its lips part in anything resembling e
smile she is seized with transports of joy.
She will tell its fond father that she real
ly believes baby knew what she was
talking about. The fond father will then
try his hand at developing its embryo
consciousness. lie Fuckers his mouth
and whistles to his offspring. He claps
his hands and snaps his fingers to attract
its attention and awaken its interest.
AT THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY.
II the baby gives any heed to his pleas
ing ehdeavors its mother will clasp it
joyfully to her bosom and spring upon
the poor mites unsuspecting ears the
query which daily affords babies all over
the land untold perpIexity:
docs e little b'essed sing want to go
by-by wild o mamma and have e picture
taken? Does it? SO it does. Well, it
sail go by-by and dit pity picture of
re oxx.Y, rsxvrv txr,aak ,,ttln eoIf r.. .A~
papa"
1t is a stoical baby, indeed, that is not
thrown into paroxysms of fear at the
sound of this strange language and the
vague threat it contains.
As the weeks of its existence round to-
ward six it finds itself the object of con-
tinual observation and comment. It is
held first in one light and then in an
other. It is chucked under the chin to
make it simulate glee it cannot feel. 1t
hears continual remarks about itself. If
1t has the blessing of grandma the good
soul trots it on her knee until it forgets
its trouble and sleep overtakes its wearied
brain. Then she will stretch its tiny
form on pillow placed in her lap, and
just as it Is about to sink into a blissful
slumber it will hear her voice saying:
"Now, Julia, think the baby would look
prettier lying this way when he has his
picture taken than any other"
''Just the first pleasant day we must
take it to the photographers" declares
the admiring aunt. Old ladies usually ad-
wise the mother to have 1.-THE little thing
taken without a stitch on it," but she
usually demurs at this. She fears it will
catch cold, and will wait until it is
somewhat older to perpetuate its young
anatomy on card board.
Finally, when the momentous day ar
rives and the baby is at last carried to
the photographers gallery and turned
over to the mercies of the operator, she
finds out that there are but two ways of
taking a very small babe. 1t can be
laid on a cushion or 1t can be held in
range of the camera by some adult in
dividual. Few mothers are willing to
submit this delicate undertaking to any
one else, and insist that no heads but
their own shall support their darling.
They seldom wish to be photographed
with the baby, and If they consent to
this arrangement invariably turn their
faces to one side, absorbed in contem-
plating the child. Usually they are
concealed behind a table or curtain dra-
perry, and nothing Is seen in the photo
graph but small Got of humanity in q
long, white robe, with rather q puck
cred expression, if any. on its counten-
ancc, as if engaged in the solution of the
awful conundrum which has been puz-
cling it from the first two weeks of its
earthly life.
The day of crying babies, laughing
babies, kicking babies, and babies gener-
ally afflicted with antics is over in the
photograph world. The instantaneous
method has worked complete revolu-
ton. Before the child can recover from
its amazament at its strange surround
ings and alter its expression into one of
Joy or wailing the photograph is taken.
The average baby's expression, therefore,
as seen in photographs, is simply one of
eontemplative astonishment. The other
babies are seen no longer in photog-
raphers' collections.
II attribute the recent craze Tor having
babies photographed nude, said man
who Las been taking pictures for more
years than most of the mothers have
lived, ito higher development of art
appreciation. There is nothing so lovely
in existence as that emblem of innocence,
a. cherub, aud many mothers are wise
enough to have their babies photographed
50 as TO display all their infantile lowell
ness.
"A part Of a photographers outfit in
the time preceding the introduction Of
present methods of photography was .
lot of ncise producing toys, adrum. music
box and harmonica. When these failed
some one wildly shook bright colored
cloth to keep the baby Quiet.
..Tlae ma iority OF women have Int one
anxiety about their babies photographs.
It IS lie same they evince about their
...,.,, Il u r., hnrn the nfrfure pretty no