The morning call., 1893-03-14

bed. Two gray blankets over hard. smooth
boards. That is the sOftness thereof.
There is an old faded carpet on the floor,
and 1t might be swept cleaner. In the show
case are various card photographs, panels,
cabinets, and all sizes of Chinese men and
women.
Back Of the showroom and communicate
Ing with IL by morrow door is the family
kitchen and washroom. all in one and all of
Is not more than feet square.
Well, The CALL reporters, one of whom
was young lady, decided that the japanese
costume was best suited to her peculiar
style of beauty.
Then Ann Ting Cock led the way across
the landing to the uperating-room. This is
not large apartment, but long enough for
focusing with Chinese camera. A sky
light admits ample white light, and the
dTessing-roOm to the left. though little big
ger than a good-siZed packing box. is larger
than Chinese ladies' usually enjoy when at
home.
Much Chinese furniture, imitation of
ebony chairs and tables. tea cups, Chinese
gowns and swords ana armor and bric-a-
brac of all sorts are in rather prOmiscuous
profusion In the operating-ToOm.
Some men like to be soldiers some rich
merchants, some actors. and some all
kinds" explained Ann, which meant that
his Oriental patrons have foudness for
appearing in their photographs like any
thing but what they are; a fOndness, by the
WAY, that in some very rare cases has been
known 10 extend to the more enlightened
Caucasian race.
When The Calls lady reporter had
emerged from the dressing-room, gorgeous
In q fur'trmmed, many-hued japanese
gown, the courteous Ann rubbed his hands
admringly and predicted ''yelly" good
picture.
Now the lens in AIMS camera is n OF quite
up TO the modern makes found In the more
fashionable galleries, but it prints the image
ON the sensitive plate as large and as life
like IS the best of them.
IuE CALL man was permitted to peep
through the ground glass in the back OF the
camera after the proper focusing had been
done.
There he beheld. what everybody who
focuses camera beholds, the subject
standing on her head, with her skirts, how
ever, clinging decOr0usly to her heels.
passing word ought to be said of AIMS
rather anuquated camela. 1t is an odd
looking piece of furniture, judged by the
modern makes, and as Ann SAYS came all
the way from China. 1t rests on three
heavy legs, and is raised or lowered by nut
ting in or pulling out wooden pegs in n long
stick attached TO the bottom of the camera,
Ann Ting Cock is his own operator. He
differs from the white artists in this line by
leaving the question of the pose or attitude
entirely to the victims lack Of judgment or
good taste, as the case may be.
There are no torluresOme poSing-irons or
headrests in AIMS operating room, and the
time OF exposure, with bright sun outside,
is not quite a second.
When the exposure was duly made Ann
hastened into his 2x2 dark room, aud the
negative was duly developed.
He came out in a few moments with the
glass negative in hand aud exhibited it to
his patrons.
The figure was little dim and the lines
seemed to lack sharpness, but two days later,
fln a mr. nj ID ,rNna
able likeness was shown.
The negative had been duly retouched,
though not perhaps with the most artistic
skill in the world and the flesh was soft and
smooth. il trifle hazy.
IL was worth the money paid, at any rate,
besides it is not every day that one poses
before an Asiatic artist on this side Of the
wafer. LUKE NORTH.