The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-07-20
OUR BOYS.
The Boy With a Kodak.
Cincinnati Commercial


John and his sister Flora were sitting on
the grass in the front yard. playing jack,
stones. 1t seemed impossible for these two
children to play together for any length OF
time without having what their big sister
named their differences" Across the street
stood large hotel, always well filled during
the summer months with people who come
to enjoy the sweet country air and tan them
selves on the lakes until their faces looked
like mulattoes.
John looked up and saw "a tall boy coming
across the street. In his hand he carried a
curious-looking box. He coolly stepped over
the low iron fence that surrounded the yard,
and seated himself on the grass few feet
from them. He did not seem inclined to
talk, so the game went on as If he had not
been there. Flora was tossing the jackstones
when John exclaimed:
There! That's MISS"
swell, it wasn't but a little one." said
Flora, holding 1t away from his outstretched
hand.
"A miss is miss, big or little, said John,
getting very much in earnest. "Come, hand
1t over. It's my turn"
But Flora only shook her head deinantly,
ana put her hand behind her.
You're cheat-that's what you are!" ex.
claimed John aDgrily.
At this Flora raised her hand and struck
heI protneI vi Ine dIm no resented IL Dy
making an ugly grimace at her.
Snap, snap, went the box in the stranger
boys hand.
Both turned in surprise.
What makes that thing do that? What is
1t, anyhow" John demanded.
I'll tell you Tomorrow" said the tall boy,
and stepping over the fence he walked quick
ly away.
Queer chap, isn't hep" said John, looking
after him uneasily.
Next day, when they were playing in the
yard, they saw the tall boy again crossing
the street; but this time he had some cards
in his hands.
"Here, Sis" said he, holding one towards
Flora. She took 1t curiously and gazed at it
In blank amazement. Then her face famed
with shame and modification.
There she was, photographed, her clenched
fist raised, and in the act of striking her
brother, while on her face was most un-
becoming expression of rage and revenge.
Never before had she seen herself In pas
sion. Her mirror always reflected her face
times 1t was not uncomely. She had no idea
it could become thus transformed.
John stood silently looking at 1t over her
shoulder. The tall boy then handed the
other card to John.
He would have laughed outright if 1t had
not been photograph of himself. The deep
frown. and the distorted features were any
thing but pleasant to look upon. He felt
deeply chagrined and mortified.
"You see, took you yesterday when you
were fighting" explained the boy, leaning
against the fence. You fight great deal,
don't you? / have tried several times to
take you from my window across tine street,
but l did not succeed. Kodaks are getting
to be quite common playthings nowadays.
we shall have to tidy up our manners. for
be photographed. 1 have stack of pictures
of people who don't dream that l have pho
tographed them in all their moods and lenses.
It's fine way to study human nature. You
may keep those pictures" and so saying he
walked away.
John and Flora looked at each other in
shame-faced silence. One could not exult
over the other. The defeat was for both
of them.
Say. Flora" said John at length, "let's
don't fight any more"
81 won't If you won't" answered Flora.
Ever after that day, when they felt that
they were getting angry, the remembrance
of picture which their sister and tackled up
In each room caused them to change their
tactics instantly.