Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1891-02-04
MY PRIZE PICTURE

I1cn1h, ana my WVth hFH iFV'iN'u 'h'
club prizes for artistic merit morn than
once. However. as they were nothing
moro than printed slips o. paper. these
prizes wore mere empty honofs.
But now had decided 10 enter n com.
petition that was worthy of tho name,
and whern tho first prize which felt
suro tha. / could win-was check uf
dazzling dimensions 70 youth whoes
modest income was drawn alarmingly
low by the constant aacrihccs demanded
by tho all dovouring camera god. which
! had set up in tho place Of Lsrss and
pcuatcs.
This summer had had no holiday at
all. for two days before | was 10 start
for Lcnox-whero on the last u June |
was 20 have been best man 10 my old
ohum Fred-I was laid on my back. fast
In the clutches 81 pneumonia. and
though more than two months had pass
ei since ,hcn. was only just out Of tho
doctors hands still felt ehnky, ani
Acquaintance were continually stopping
NE In the street TO tell me how badly !
looked.
Il was now the middle OF September.
and Just the time for nyiny trip IN
search Of tho picturesque, 10 lnid In
good supply Of rapid plates. packed my
traps. and started oil 10 And my prizo
picture.
II proved n pleasant jaunt. and l
changed my plans 10 suit tho.e OF tho
friends often fell In with on the way:
for although my camenl was company
enough In pleasant weather, II was not
disagrecsble 10 have friends 20 talk to on
clondy days. or n pretty girl 10 dance
aud fiirt with during the long evenings.
took many = delightful tramp DER
hill and dalo IN search Of tho prize pict-
uro which was sure that should como
scro-s some day. have always leaned
toward belief In fate. and "Kiainct' 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
farmhouscs with quaint in'orior.-to bo
Developed whom should return to town.
One bright morning. when ! was TAR
up In tho valley Of the Naugatuck. l
wandered into fairyland by chance. ]
had left the high road and struck
through tho woods. not knowing
whittier tho path would lead mo. md at
last I came out upon q level tract be.
tween tho hiliy woodland and the river,
which was fringed with hne old trccs.
A dazzling mass Of bloom WINS spread
before rue. clumps Of feathery white
blossoms md plumes Of vivid goldcnrod
were noddinR In tho breeze. and under.
foot the ground was carpeted with every
shade OF asser. from richest purple to the
most delicate tnts Of lilac and roac. In
this secluded spot Dame Nature had
airown her treasures with lavish hand.
No photograph could catch all Ia
elusive beauty, yet ! wanted ono for a
souvenir. aud prooccded 10 sot up my
camera. 1t made q charming bit upon
the ground glass. with the levci. Howcry
foreground aud tho old gnArlcd oak In
the middle distance, while beneath Ia
widespread branches the ripping riyci
showed its rare lights and shadows II
struck mo M jnst tho setting for pict
urc OF some fair inaidon, but alas. whcr,
could find her in this soli,udsS
buried my head nnder the dark cloth
intent upon the focusi but when cam,
out into the sunahino sgain what viioI
OF loyelnes did ace approaching
rawa maiden whose perfect figure wa
clad In soit. whito drapcry. and hcl
hands were full Of wild flower. Ant
crimson sumhch leaves She stopped
from time 20 time, 10 pick the tall
white asters that seemed to bend thcil
flower laden sprays out toward her band
and then continued hr way. slowly an,
graciouAly, and all UNCONSCIOUS OF tn
eager, waiting amateur.
In went the plate holder and out cam,
tho nlidr. A brca,hloss moment Of sus
pcnse, and then she stood Just where
would have placed her. Her position
was ono Of perfect grace. Pausing. Nh
had turned slightly and bont TO pluck
flower, looking mp and pas. me with
bewildering SMILE.
] pressed the bulb, tho shutter snap
pod, and with feeling Of triumph
knew that the prize picture WIS mine
beyond recall
When | got back 10 the inn where
was stopping found u telegram recall
Ing me 10 town. Tho summons did no
disconoert me in the least, for my shor
holiday had proved MA eminent success
In health felt hike \ different man, AM
was cHultant over my stolen picture.
Some days passed before had lclsnr
TO develop the rlatr. but then l found
had Indeed a prize. for II proved IN
best negative In every way among M
entirc collection.
Before | wont down town the mex
morning hastily printed n proof, whic
looked AZ with increasing rapture sey
eral iines during the day.
What perfect pose that girl had nm
consciously taken, and how very boauti
ful shc wRsl l had oply Thought of he
before as good subject" hut now
could not get her lovely face and gsac,
fnl figure out OF my mind. Who w..
hho, and did she 1--we in tina, quiet tow
among the hills, or had sho been
stranger like myself How could I'm
out and where could l soo hor again
ior sec hex felt must.
II Ia strange confession 90 make, bu
before twenty four hours were over
was desperately in love with the ur
known original OF my prize. That "
should meet again some day / had NO
tho slightest doubt. KAmetl
But aitor al would IL be right (
tend TINS picare--her picture---into III
competition 20 be criticised. admire
freely, passed FROM hand 10 hand, the
rSroaneod and sent broadcast over III