Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-03-04
KARL,s FIRST KODAK.

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Karl was eight years old when the
longing for kodak seized him. He
wanted 1t more than anything he
had ever desired in his life. He would
never have thought of parting with
his precious jackkniie, II he hadn't
wanted it pretty bad. AS It was, he
did not have to part with the knife,
for 1t did not seem SO valuable to
the other boys as it did to him. In
fact, 1t had lost one blade and the
sole remaining one was badly nick.
ed, and 1t only cost a quarter when
it was new. so. perhaps. 1t is no
wonder that no one made him an
offer for it. Failing to get cash for
the knife, he thought over his other
possessions. but no one OF them could
approach the faithful blade in real
value. so he gave up the idea of an
auction Of his effects. He then set
out to earn the money by the sweat
OF his brow This was not easy, eth
er; for he lived In a very small town
where there were ten small boys to
every lucrative job. but Karl was
not easily discouraged. After he had
fixed upon the sum which was neces-
sary, to obtain the very cheapest
thing in the whole catalog OF kodaks
he set to work.
He carried dinners to men in the
factories; he ran errands for the doc.
tor across the street; he popped corn
and sold 1t in the school yard; he
gathered chestnuts for, the leading
grocer. He was highly indignant when
Deacon Jarvis told him he was too
small to chop his cordwood, and ne
was broken hearted when the town
refused to give him the contract for
lighting the street lamps. When the
snow came he shoveled until every
muscle in his back and arms ached.
hut when mother. rubbed him well at
night with witch hazel he felt very
much like real workingman. All
the while he saw visions of himself
pointing his kodak at the great meE
Of the town, and arranging his admir-
ing and envious school fellows in
groups.
Every night he co,fnted over his
pennies, with a glow of honest pride at
the thought of all the hard work they
stood for. When he had enough for
the very cheapest Photographic out.
fit. he took his father in partnership,
for he needed some help about fran.
ing the proper sort OF letter which
should bring him the much-coveted
object.
You see, it's an .instaneous' one,'
he explained to his father, pointing
out the chosen article with one stub.
by forefnger. you Just press that
little catch there and the picture is
all made" He actually had visions
of the finished photographs rolling
right out OF the kodak at the touch
OF his finger.
He was so radiant about 1t, and so
much in earnest, that father stumbled
in speech, and blushed like boy. he
hated so to have to explain to the ar
dent little chap that even "lnstane
GUS" photographs had to be develop.
ed, and that it took time and pains
and experience to make a success OF
IT.
Karl was disappointed, but not
aaunted by the information. We'll.
let's send for it. anyhow, father, aud
I'll learn how to develop them. Nc;
l don't want to wait and earn more
money for a better one. I'm sure
this is good; it says So
So the kodak was sent for. and
Karl haunted the express office until
every one in the town knew that he
was expecting package by express.
AT last it came, and Karl Rugged
1t tight to his heart and hurried home
to open 1t in the presence of his sym.
pathetic family
The kodak was the first thing Karl
had ever earned all alone, and he was
as proud as a king. He examined It
inside and out and passed 1t around
for each one to see, cautioning his
father gravely not to drop 1t. He
read the directions over four times,
and then the supreme moment came,
when, with much important DELHI
Grafton, he grouped father and mother
for one picture. baby. who wouldn't
sit still, for the second. Hilda and the
family cat for the third, and for the
fourth and last he decided to take a
picture Of the house. The kodak was
a two by one and half inches and
took four pictures on a film.
Karl followed directions very care.
fully, and when the four were taken
he retired to mothers bedroom closet
to DO the developing. Hilda, WIN
was ten years old, sat Just outside
the closet door to await results.
Karl reported progress from time
to time.
"I'ye put 1t in the 'hypo.'" he shout
ed, and Hilda Rugged herself with
joyous expectancy.
Karl certainly followed instructions,
but something was wrong.
Hilda waited outside the door
icing time, but no sound came from
the depths. At last father and moth
er came in to see If the pictures
weren't done. They called to Karl.
The door opened and very solemn.
faced boy walked out. In one hand
he held the kodak, in the other the
films. Without a word he displayed
them. The picture of father and
mother showed simply two small
dots; the baby was one dot, nothing
more; Hilda was blank, and the
house was straight line.
well, sonny, you'll do better next
time" said father encouragingly. But
two big tears rolled down Karlss
cheeks.
KS the blamed old kodak" he said
d, deaantly; ITS no good and I'm, go.
ipg to smash ltI1