The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-05-14

serous dame who. happening upon the
field of action just as | was about to take
picture of n particularly beautiful Dit Of vii
lage scenery planted herself in front of the
camera and waited. "Oh, no, she replied.
with q smile of Astounding accommodation,
Il just thought I'd kind o stand round in
the picture an make IL seem more natural
like" confess had not the nerve to bid
her to depart. so | went through all the
motions Of taking the pictuIe-without re-
moving the cap-thanKed her and had the
supreme satisfaction of seeing her sail off.
her Imagination fairly satiated with the
fullne>s of its own satisfaction in cuntem-
platiun of the appearance she would
doubtless cut IN that picture.
Not so fortunate was l with man who
came along one lovely day just as l was
preparing to secure a plate Of the old
home of Don Pho Plco, the first Governor
of California. The man inquestion. Il lean
and seedy looking party always felt
sure he was E. broken-down lawyer, a
patent attorney or one of those mysteri-
Gus beings known in commercial parlan ce
as "a promoter" took up his position di-
Teetly in front OF the house and pulling up
his collar and setting his hat straight set
tied himself with take your own time.
I'm in no hurry" air with the evident in
teGtion OF forming part OF the view. [
fused and worked for a long time over
my pre- operations. l carried the camera
about from point to point, placing it at
deayor to get the house without including
the human form divine camped down in
the foreground.
l tired the dodge of not removing the
cap, but lie evidently knew | had not taken
the picture, for ne remained motion less. 1
addressed him. thinking might find cOur-
age to get rid of him, but he apparently did
not understand English. and seemed to
think | was apOloRizng for my slowness,
for he bowed, profoundly. with one hand
thrust into the bosom OF his shabby frOek
coat, smiled a smile that was uudOu btedly
intended to reassure me, and again re-
sumed his statuesque pose. The sunshine
could not last forever. | had but the sin
gle afternoon, was on my last plate and
must have the view then, or not at all, so,
after lingering for more than half an hoor,
l finally secured a picture Of the house,
seedy Individual and all.
But sometimes these encounters are not
unmiXed with pleasure. even to the victim.
| Will never forget tile bucOlic couple |
met one Sunday afternoon, wandering
hand in hand beside a romantic little
stream. There was an exquisite bit OF
greenwood tangle to be had. | had planted
my tripod in the midst of the stream. and,
standing upon bowlder, had just settled
upon what my picture should be, when the
pair appeared upon the bridge before me.
"Oh," cried the girl. take us, too, won't
ye, now, there's dear?" The swain was
bashful He said nothing, but grinned
Silly from ear to ear. | hated to spoil
my picture, but they were by all odds the
most thoroughly rustic pair l had ever
seen in California. They looked as though
they might have stepped out of one OF
Levers novels-anything more un-Ameri-
can than they would be difficult to imagine.
he wore heavy boots, trousers of gray
corduroy, very tight and short green
frockcoat and broad-brimmed hat.
She was attired in a delaine dress
of red and black stripes. lace mtts
were on her hands and her hat
was Enthusiastically of English or Irish
build She carried by one corner n large
white handkerchief. and as she swung her
trailed in the dust. In the hand of the
arm that was thrust through the arm of
her escort she carried an apricot, which
she was eating, and as he stood watching
us he pnt a hand in his pocket and pulled
out another, to which he addressed him
self. His pockets bulged on either side
probably with more of the fruit. They
were worth getting, | decided, even if
their presence did spoil lovely picture
"You had better stand right where you
are. on the bridge" | said.
can how kin we be in tn picter ?" she
asked.
"Oh, you're all right" was my reply. and
then, thinking to please her, | added
'Just come down here and ses for your
self Then you'll know exactly how twill
look"
Picking up her skirts, she sprang down
the bank with the agility of goat. and |
showed her how 10 take a peep under the
rubber cloth.
You see your friend on the bridge" l
explained. "and You will be right beside
him."
She took look and started back. nearly
falling into the stream in her asIonishment
and dismay.
God save u.s." she said, "iPs standing
on his MD he is the day." and she glanced
hastily up 10 the bridge. Seeing her COM
panIon there, standing demurely upon his
Ieet her dismay and Derplexily deepened.
ATrab, now, Tim" she called TO him.
Twas not meself was knOwledgeable to
yer being lumber"
Tim looked puzzled, and ] hastened TO
explain what. so used was | to the sight,
had forgotten. that the picture, as seen on
the ground glass, Is upside down. She
gazed at me in horror.
AN dye mean to be telling me-" she
demanded, that ter git in tn peter must
be aither pittiDg me head forninst me feet
in that style. No, indade, mem. Pm a
dacent gurrel, meself, and'll not be doing
the likes O that"
tried to make the matter plain to her.
but could lot get over the apparent; fact
that there her lover was, his head down,
bis feet In the place she deemed his head
should occupy, and no amount OF persua-
sion could induce "a dacent gurrel" like
herself to assume so unseeming an atti-
Iude. why. an what would Tim be
thinking of me?" she asked me in q stem
t0rUus whisper.
Meantime Tim grew impatient, and call
ing from the bridge, demanded TO know
what was the matter. Nothing at all. at
all" she hastily replied. II don't name
TO be IN any pieter; we'll go away from
here" and with stern Injunction TO me
not TO tell Tim anything about the matter,
she sprang up the bank and. grasping his
arm, walked him for dear life bark across
the brIdgeiand out of sight. As for me.