Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-10

The Sensitixed Plate Discovered the
Eruption Before the Eye Could See 1t.

The Sensftixed Plate Discovered the
Eruption Before the Eye Could See 1t.
From the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
The following remarkable story Is vouch-
ed for by a well-knowH clerical gentle
man of this city, who always has fund
of amusing yarns at his tongues end,
which are new and entertaining:
Some time ago a handsome and interest
Ing society woman entered the studio of n
famous metropolitan photographer for the
purpose of having her lovely features per-
petuated upon cardboard. The artist knew
his client, and was very anxious to please
her. and produce a picture worthy of so
fair a sui ject. Consequently he spared
neither time nor care in arranging salts
factory pose.
Finally everything was in readiness, the
lady was told to look pleasant" the
camera sprung and she had been
taken The lady sighed with relief. and
the artist disappeared with his plates into
the dark room. In a short time. however,
he returned. wearing a puzzled and some
what chagrined look upon his face. With
many apologies he informed the lady that
for some unaccountable reason his plates
would not develop. in fact. they were hope
lsssly ruined. and he would have to beg
her to give him another sitting.
The lady was in a hurry she had Il
dinner engagement, but, anxious to have
the business over with as long SIS she had
commenced il. she reluctantly prepared to
undergo another siege of contortions and
poses. The photographer was slightly ner-
youS by this time, and Ii was somehow MOI
so easy TO arrange the draperieS in care
less ease or TO arrange that queenly head
to the best advantage. Do his best. she.
who was naturally so graceful. seemed
when viewed through the camera, to be
all angles the shoulders too high or the
head too low. But at last all was well
and again he removed the cap. having pre-
yiously most carefully examined the plates
to that no imperfections existed there.
II will wait for a few moments. said
the lady good naturally. Ito see IL the re-
suits are more satisfactory than before"
"Oh. / am sure there cannot possibly be
any defects this time" he replied reassur-
irgly as he retired to the seclusion of dark
ress- When. In a few moments he appeared
again, his face was study. comical in Its
puzzled despair The lady could not re-
frain smile as she asked: ''Well?
mo. madame. not well at all. in fact.
never saw sicker looking negatives. To
tell the truth. / can't In the least account
for ii, bit the features are so blurred as to
be indistinguishable- ] never In all my ex-
perience had anything like 1t before. nor
can i in any way account for it, said the
artist. Il am sure the plates were In per-
feet condition. as 1 examined them most
carefully. The fault must be in the chemi-
Gals. though / never had any trouble that
way before. l am really very sorry for the
unfortunate failures, but If your patience
is not wholly exhausted 1 would like to try
once more.
The lady herself was not only a very de-
termined character. but of an inquirins
mind as WELL and little relished being baf-
fled at any undertaking, so she replied
facetiously:
Il have heard tell of people breaking the
camera in attempting to have their ugliness
perpctuatea. but really. now. / fattere1
myself that I was not quite so bad as that.
j don't like to be defeated in so small a
matter, 50 we will try again, even if / miss
my engagement"
Suppose try different plan" She con-
tinued. as the artist again set about ar
ranging screens and shades. Let me pose
myself. ard We will have Only the head
idealized. Make it perfect profile. know
my own features and good points well
that I am sure we shall have better results
II i simply take my own natural position.
and. besides. it will save time"
And so the lady's Grecian features were
sharply outlined against a black back
ground. and again the artist attempted to
make a negative and the lady awaited the
result. She was not long in suspense.
Its really no use said the artist final
ly. as he showed her plate he had tried
TO develop. and which revealed. irstead of
her classic profile. a blurred. indistinct
mass of-what? Neither could tell. but
certainly II resembled nothing human
IT Is quite incomprehensible" said the
artist There is no use trying again, for
IT is evident | cannot get a picture of you.
Why it is so | cannot tell. but / may be
able to unravel TIE mystery some time
even tried fresh chemicals with these but
with no better results If you will call
again some other day We may do better -
he concluded dolefully. as the lady took
her departure. rather disgusted.
The next day the artist received this
note:
NO. - w. 10Th Street.
NV deaT sir: Were you to see my face
today. ii IL possible your failure of yes
terday might be logically explained IT is
perfect mass of eruptions from the
measles which made their appearance dur
ing the night My eyes are swollen shut
ana my Fac" almost undergraduate. Is it
possible the condition OF my skin was such
that tn sensitive plate reproduced III
VIII try again when / recover Yours.
Mrs.
Per Maid"
II was even as she suggested. That which
was so near the surface but had not vet
penetrated the skin was clearly brought
out ny the Photography. In other words.
the measles were photographed before they
APPEARED.