Daily Kennebec journal., 1898-11-05
Charoe Of the Kodak Brigade.

The kodak fiend has had his usua
summer frenzy. He has assaulted thu
mountains and abused the sea. He has
made life burden to bathers, ant
robbed the world Of its glamor TO
lovers, and ratified golf players, ant
endured general unpopularity with
cheerful unconcern.
Even weddings and funerals are moi
safe from him. A recent wedding which
made a stir in Boston took place a,
the brides summer home, on the coast
1t was a charming affair. picturesque
in the highest degree and delightfull.
informal. The informality had disas
trous results, for each Of the guests
knowing that the wedding was to b.
an out of doors affair. was inspire.
with the idea of smuggling in his cam
era and getting some snapshots of tht
happy couple and the bridesmaids.
When the bride and bridegroom, al
ready in the last stage Of nervous EN-
barrassment received the rector's bene
diction and turned to face their friends
there was a unanimous and sudGeI
movement in the crowd, and the un.
fortunate couple were confronted b..
rows upon rows of cameras. OF al
shapes and sizes. Each aggressor, hav
ing hattered himself that his idea wa,
unique, was surprised at the unanimit.
of intent; but no one relented. Tht
crowd closed in upon the victims. Tn,
bride looked hysterical, and the bride
groom looked savage. They had though,
that the worst was over, but this was
,l inc, IN int,
of escape were closed to them. They
must grin and bear it-and they did
A professional photographer, who hat
been engaged by the father of the bride
to take some pictures Of the house and
decorations, happened to be in at tho
death; and, being man with keei
sense of humor, he took a picture of tho
scene which he calls THE Charge
the Kodak Brigade" and which IS /
deliciously satirical comment on tn,
kodak mania.
One of the wedding guests, who was
in the front ranks duringthe onslaught
has wide reputation along the Soutf
Shore and, though he is mild faced ant
elderly, his advent will scatter GROVE
more effectually than smallpox flag
Every one knows him and realizes tha
the only safety from being photo
graphed when he appears lies in IN
stant and hasty flight. He can't hell
taking pictures. He has most viru
lent and long-standing case of the
mania.
Early in July his wife's mother dice
and the old gentleman was summoned
to the funeral. He was sincerely
Srieved even for his mother-in-law hii
kindly soul had felt no dislike. He hur.
ried to the city, where the funeral was
to take place. and conducted himsel
with becoming and sorrowful dignity
but at the close of the services, whei
the mourners filed out of the house
he was missed. He had disappeared
suddenly, completely. and search 70
him was unavailing, so the carriage;
were filled without him. and the corteg,
was moving away. when an unseeml.
grin irradiated the minister's face. bu
was quickly suppressed. Concealed be
hind convenient hedge. with his cam
era pointed at the imposing procession
was the missing mourner. The tempta
ton had BEEN too strong for him. Pro
cessiors were his speciality. He was
tempted, and fell. but, as he after
ward explained, he thought it would be
a comfort to have the picture in the
family. 1t was a fine funeral.