The Penn's Grove record., 1897-02-26
A Wonurful Photograph.

In q certain secluded little village in
Brittany there lived, some years ago,
an honest peasant woman, known as
Ella Veuye Yvonne." She happened
one day to hear some of her neigh
bors speaking of the wonderful powers
Of photography. With absorbed at
tention she listened as they told her
how that by means Of this wonderful
art were produced ON paper, in the
space of q minute, not only stars and
trees, landscapes and buildings. but
the caprice of the sea, the phenomena
of the sky and the most transient ex-
pressions on the human face.
"Wonderful indeedl" she ex.
claimed, clasping her hands; and af-
ter a moments pause, she demanded
eagerly: ''Where are the best OF
these marvellous pictures to be scen?'
SIN Paris" was the reply. "Why,
do you ask, Mere Yvonne?"
"Never mind" said she, nodding
her head thoughtfully. II have an
idea. You will see."
The widows mind was strong and
simple; it did not take long to make
up" Without staying to deliberate,
without listening to the adyiccs and
warnings that besieged her on every
side, and without coniding to any n
the object Of her journey. she packed
up o few n~ecessaries, and n fine
morning, rich with the savings of
many industrious years, and armed
with q written character from the
farmer by whom she had been en-
ployed, she set off alone for Paris.
She arrived in the great capital,
with her scarlet petticoat, her white
neckerchief, her large cap and her
honest face. 1t was a big place she
saw, much larger than she had expect
ed very brilliant, and busy, and be-
wildering, but, though astonished, she
was not q bit dismayed. She ~traversed
the interminable boulevards with the
nonchalance of a born Partisan, giving
no sort OF attention to the cityslions,"
paying no heed to its monuments and
museums, its parks and gardens, its
gayeties and fetes. having in her hon
est head but a single idea, namely, he
power Of photography.
Directly she arrived she inquired:
"Who is the best photographer"
Opinions differed some told her r.
win, others Saloman, others Frank,
Gustave Levy, Bertail.
'But which OF all these" asked the
dame, sis most successful in portraits
of children?"
In reply she was furnished with the
address OF a certain clever artist,
whose name I am not at liberty to re-
cord, and to whose studio sac at once
FASTENED.
Everybody says, monsieur" she
began, 'that your licensees of chill
dren are admirable"
Everybody is very kind" replied
the photographer smiling.
THAT You take them in the most
graceful and natural attitudes" re-
sumed the dame, ''and that they are
SO lifelike that they almost seem to
speak,"
"If l have attained any unusual
skill in this branch OF my art, ma
DAME" he replied, sit is probably be-
cause l have worked con amore. I
love the little rogues. 1t is pure
pleasure to me to perpetuate their
innocent smiles and graces. I have,
moreover, plenty OF little subjects of
my W to practice upon. See here"
He opened the door. called. and the
next moment half q dozen merry chill
dren, of ages varying from three to
twelve, rushed into the DON aEa
crowded round his knees.
"You may imagine" he continued,
smiling. ''that it is not always an easy
matter TO reduce these idgety little
customers to the necessary immobil-
ity; ~itreqnires q little tact and a good
deal Of patience. 1t is a child. I pre-
sumo. madame, whose portrait you
wish taken?"
Eyes, monsieur, it is o child; but
he will not trouble you with restless
ness" replied Dame Yvonne, shaking
her head; ''he will be neither petu-
liant nor rebellious, tho poor little
love. Good reason why-he is--"
s'Yes?" said the artist, i~nterroga-
lively, stroking the forehead of his
youngest child MS she paused.
The is deadl" said Dame Yvonne,
gravely.
At these startling words, uttered in
a voice in which approaching sobs be-
trayed themselves, the photographer
felt distressed aud ashamed Of his own
egotism. He felt no must have bit
.I A. ..otlos .~sF =.