Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-08-03
MY PRIZE PICTURE.

Was szs0 an 1sfaza-~-ur photograph.
Nv dark room ~az the envy OF al my
frensts. and my work had recelyod the
club prizes for aKtistic merit more than
Cace. However, AZ they were nothing
mere than printed ships Of paper. these
prfses were mere empty hooors.
But now had dsscieled ~ enter a com
pesiriOn that was wortay II the name,
and where tbs nrss prize-- winch felt
SURF thai | coGld wan-was check or
dazzling tifaonsions 10 a youth whose
modest income was drawn alaIrmingly
low BY the constant SACRIFICES demanded
By the al desoarsng camera god, which
j had ses UP ln ths place OF Larss and
penste-.
This summer had had no holiday at
ell, for two days before l was - start
for Lsn0x-where on the last of June
was 70 have been best man 10 my old
ehum Fred Was laid on my back, fast
10 fhe clutches Of pneumonia. and
though more than two months had pass
Ell since then. WA only just out OF the
doctors hands | still felt shaky. and
acanaintancss were continually stopping
me in the street 10 tell me how badly |
hooked.
IL Wss now toe middle OF September,
AMI .ist tho time for a flying trip III
search Of the picturesque. SO | laid in
good supply OF rapid plates, packed my
traps, aad started OF 70 find nry prize
picture.
IL proved pleasant jsunt, and |
changed my plans u suit those OF the
friends often fell in with ON the way;
for although ray camera was company
enough IN pleasant weather. it was not
disagreeable 10 have friends 10 talk 10 on
cloudy days, or a pretty girl 70 dance
and dirt with during the long evenings.
1 took many delightful tramp DER
hill and dale in search Of the prize pict-
ure which was sure that | should come
scrpss some day. | have always beaned
toward belief in fate, and ''kisrnet' is
che motto engraved upon my seal
Several dozen of my rapid Cramers
Asd been used already. and | was well
pleased with my collection of river views
and mountains. cattle pictures and old
xarrnhouses with quaint interiors-to be
developed when siroald return to town.
One bright morning. when | was far
mp in the valley Of the Nausatuck,
wandered into fairyland by chance
had left the high road and struck
through the woods. not knowing
whittier the path woud lead me, and az
last came out upon level tract be-
tween tie billy woodland and the rver.
which was fringcd with fine old trees.
A dazzling mass Of bloom was spread
before me. clumps of feathery white
blossoms and plumes Of vivid goldenrod
were aodding IN the breeze. and under
foot TIE ground was carpeted with every
shade Of asser, from richest purple to the
most delicate tints If lilac and rose In
this secluded spot Dame Nature had
strewa her treasures with q lavish hand.
No photograph could catch all is
elusive b-eaty. yet | wanted one for q
souveair. and proceeded To se< up my
camera. II made a charming bit upon
the ground glass. with the level. fowery
foreground and Che old gnaried oak in
the middle distance. while beneath its
widespread branches the ripping river
showed iss rare lights -nd shadows. It
struck nne - Just the setting for pict-
could find her in this solitude?
buried my head unsIer the dark cloth.
intent upon the focus: but when l came
out into the sunshine again what vision
Of l0seiins<Ss did | see approaching? I
Jaw maiden whose perfect figure was
clad In soft, white drsp~ry. and her
hands were fun Of wild flowers and
crimson sutnarh leaves She STOPPED.
from time to time. to pick the tall.
white asters that seeured ~ bend their
flower laden sprays out toward her hand.
and then continued her way. slowly and
grscionsly. and all unconscious Of the
eager. waiting amateur.
In went tas plate holder and out came
The shds. a braathlesS mCsnsnt Of sus-
r-snse. and them she stood just where
would have placed her. Her position
wac one of perfect grace. Pausing. she
hal turned slightly and bent 10 pluck a
flower. hooking up and past me with a
bewillezing smile.
pressed the bulb. the shutter snap
pei. aud vita feeling of triumph I
knew thas the prize picture Was mine
beyond recall
Wien I got back h the inn where
vas stepping fouad telegram recall
M ase - town. The summons did not
discovers rae in the least. for my short
holiday bail proved an eminent success.
IT. health felt hike different man. and
Iwas exultant over my stolen picture.
Some days passai before | had leisure
g. develop the plate, bat then found I
had indeed a prize. for il proved the
hsst nesrsasve ia every way among my
entire collection.
Before 1 went down town the next
morning hastily printed = proof. which
lockeA st with increasing rapture sew
era times durirx the dav
What a perfect pose that girl hal an
ennseiously tsl<sn. and how very beaeti-
fal she was! I had only thought Of her
before E good subject bat now
eoull not get her lovely face and graee-
Gal figure cut Of my mind. Who wa
ne. assl did she i've in thssf quiet town
snnonx the hills. ct hsa she been q
r6-zsger likr nnyself7 How eoasi easi
era. and whers cculd I see her again.
for sAe her felt nluet.
Il "a strange ccnfes<',an ~ make, but
hefsre twenty-four hours were ever |
vas Desperately in hove with the IN
known original - my prise. That Wa
s.souli meet again saEne aay had not
the slightest doubt. kiEus~fs