The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1891-03-06
MY PRIZE PICTURE.

l was young and susceptible, and
was also an amateur photographer
| Ny dark room was the envy Of all my
friends, aud my work had received the
club prizes for artistic merit more than
once. However, as they were nothing
more than printed slips of paper, these
prizes were mere empty honors.
But now had decided to enter a COM
petition that was worthy Of the name,
and where the first prize-which felt
sure that | could win-was check of
dazzling dimensions to a youth whose
modest income was drawn alarmingly
low by the constant sacrifices demanded
by the all devouring camera god, which
| had set up in the place of Lares and
Penates
This summer | had had no holiday at
all, for two days before | was to start
for Lenox-where on the last of June
was to have been best man to my old
chum Fred-I was laid on my back, fast
in the clutches of pneumonia, and
though more than two months had pass
ed since then, was only just out of the
doctors hands. | still felt shaly, and
acquaintances We're continually stopping
me in the street to tell me how badly I
looked.
1t was now the middle of September,
and just the time for flying trip in
search of the picturesque, so laid in a
good supply of rapid plates, packed my
traps, and started off to find my prize
picture.
1t proved pleasant jaunt, and I
changed my plans to suit those of the
friends | often fell in with on the way;
for although my camera was company
enough in pleasant weather, it was not
disagreeable to have friends to talk to on
cloudy days, or a pretty girl to dance
and tlirt with during the long evenings
| took many delightful tramp DER
hill and dale in search of the prize pict-
ure which was sure that should come
across some day. | have always leaned
toward a belief in fate, and ''Kisnet" is
the motto engraved upon my seal.
Several dozen of my rapid Cramers
had been used already, and was well
pleased with my collection of river views
and mountains, cattle pictures and old
farlnhouses with quaint interiors-to be
developed when should return to town.
One bright morning, when | was far
up III the valley of the Naugatuck, |
wandered into fairyland by chance. |
had left the high road and struck
through the woods, not knowing
whittier the path would lead me, and at
last | came out upon level tract be-
tween the hilly woodland and the river,
which was fringed with fine old trees.
A dazzling mass of bloom was spread
before me, clumps Of feathery white
blossoms and plunes of vivid goldenrod
were nodding i'll the breeze, and under
foot the ground WAS carpeted with every
shade of aster, from richest purple to the
most delicate tints of lilac and rose. In
this secluded spot Dame Nature had
strewn her treasures with lavish hand.
No photograph could catch all its
elusive beauty, yet | wanted one for a
souvenir, and proceeded to set up my
camera. 1t made u charming bit upon
the ground glass, with the level, fowery
foreground and the old gnarled oak in
the middle distance, while beneath it's
widespread branches the ripping river
showed its rare lights and shadows. 1t
struck me as just the setting for a pict-
ure OF some fair maiden; but alas! where
could find her in this solitude?
l buried ny head under the dark cloth,
intent upon the focus; but when | came
out into the sunshine again what vision
OF loveliness did l see approaching? |
saw maiden whose perfect figure was
clad i'll soft, white drapery, and her
hands were full of wild flowers and |
crimson sumach leaves. She stopped,
from time to time, to pick the tall,
white asters that seemed to bend their /
dower laden sprays out toward her hand, /
and then continued her way, slowly and /
graciously, and all unconscious of the |
eager, waiting amateur.
In went the plate holder and out came |
the slide. A breathless moment of sus-
pense, and then she stood just where l
would have placed her. Her position
was one of perfect grace. Pausing. she
lad turned slightly and bent to pluck
Cover, looking up and past me with a
Oewildering smile.
| pressed the bulb, the shutter snap
ped, and with IA feeling of triumph |
lnew that the prize picture was mine
beyond reCall
When | got back to the ina where |
Was stopping found telegram recall
ng me to town, The summons did not
lisconcert me in the least, for my short
Holiday hal proved Rn eminent success,
n health felt hae diiferont man, aud
was eNuWnt over my stolen picture,
Some days passed before | had leisure
o develop the plato, but liuu / found
lad lndeei q prize, for lt proved the
'e.t neselNa n every way among nay
Htir collection
hiar ! went down town lla nest
morning hastily WmltlaW Wuft NIHeh
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