The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-03-10
A Wonderful Photograph.

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an honest peasant woman, known as
'La Veuve Yvunne." 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 we're produced on paper, in the
space of minute, not only stars aud
trees, landscapes and buildings. but
the caprice OF the sea, the phenomena
of the sky and the most transient ex-
pressons on the human face.
Wonderful indeedl" she ex-
claimed, clasping her hands; and af-
ter moments pause, she demanded
eagerly: "Where are the best OF
these marvellous pictures to be seen?"
ain Paris" was the reply. "Why.
do you ask, Mere Yvonne?"
"Never mind" said she, nodding
her head thoughtfully. 81 have an
idea Yo1 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 advices and
warnings that besieged her on every
side, and without confiding to any one
the object of her journey, she packed
up few necessaries, and one hne
morning, rich with the savings OF
many industrious years, aud armed
with 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 big place she
saw, much larger than she had expect
ed; very brilliant, and busy, and be-
wildering, but, though astouished, she
was not u bit dsmayed. She traversed
the interminable boulevards with the
nonchalance of born Parisian, giving
no sort OF attention to the city "lions,"
paying no heed to it's monuments and
museums, its parks and gardens, its
gayeties and fetes. having in her h on
est head but a single idea, namely. t he
power, of photography.
Directly she arrived she inquired:
''Who is the best photographers"
Opini ons differed some told her Ir-
win, others Saloman, others Frank,
Gustase Levy, Bertai.
''But which of all these" asked the
dame, "is most successful in portraits
OF children?"
In reply she was furnished with the
address of certain clever artist,
whose name am not at liberty to re-
cord, and to whose studio sac at once
hastened.
Everybody says, monsieur" she
began. ''that your likenesses 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, "it is probably be-
cause l have worked con amore. l
love the little rogues. 1t is pure
pleasure to me to perpetuate their
innocent smiles and graces. have,
moreover, plenty of little subjects of
my own to practice upon. See here. :"
He opened the door, called, and tho
next moment half dozen merry chill
dren, OF ages varying from three to
twelve, rushed into tho room and
crowded round his knees.
"You may imagine" he continued,
smiling, "that it is not always an easy
matter to reduce these fidgety little
customers to the necessary immobil-
ity; itrequires little tact and good
deal of patience. 1t is child, pre-
sumo. madame, whose portrait you
wish taken?"
eyes, monsieur, it is a child; but
ho will not trouble you with restless
ness" replied Dame Yvonno, shaking
her head; she will be neither petu-
liant nor rebelious, tho poor little
love. Good reason why-he is"
''Yes?" said the artist, interroga-
lively, stroking the forehead OF his
youngest child US she paused.