Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-02-28
The
Photograph
Though Disappointing, 1t Has
a Happy Result
By ALLAN p. AMES
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

by ALLAN I. ANlES =
g Copyright. 1910. by American Press 9
IL Association. =
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The old Kimball house stood alone
ON the side Of the hill. Around 1t the
acres that one generation had cleared
and two others had proftably TILED
during the golden age Of New England
agriculture were growing up to birch
and white pine. But the hilltop pas
ture still furnished grazing for Betsy.
the aged Holstein. and Jael, the pot
bellied mare. sole survivors Of the
stock that once crowded the white
washed barn. while in the garden
grew potatoes. corn, turnips, beets and
the other hardy truck that wintered In
corner Of the big cellar and enabled
the Kimball girls" to sit by their air
tight stove and watch with unconcern
the storms that blocked the roads and
sometimes shut them off from the
store at the Center for days at time
| Breakfast over and the dishes wash
| ed, the sisters went into the garden.
Every pleasant day until the sun rose
high and hot they worked there. Blue
cotton gowns faded by constant wash
| ing covered their thin, bowed figures
as they stopped over the onion bed or
with the hand cultivator scratched the
earth between the hills Of beans and
corn. Blue gingham sunbonnets pro-
tected their delicately wrinkled faces.
Miss Binley. seeing them for the
first time, paused to study and ad-
mire Against the background OF yell
low green cornstalks their bent figures
stood out in harmonious relief. In the
| foreground the whitewashed fence, the
prim flower beds and the old house
with It's rotting shingles and weather
washed green blinds contributed set
ting that appealed irresistibly to her
artist soul.
For Miss Binley was an amateur
photographer. She seldom walked
abroad without her camera. but un-
| fortunately this was one Of the rare
mornings when she had left her cam
era at home.
"Oh, Mr.. Holbrook." cried the girl
regretfully, "see those perfectly dear
old women in that onion patch. What
genre study! I've often said 1t nev-
er was safe to 90 anywhere without q
camera"
81 might run back and fetch it."
| suggested the carrier meekly.
"N-no." she replied reluctantly. Its
| too far. Probably we can get them
some other time. I'm going to speak
| to them"
Young Holbrook watched with ador-
ing admiration the process by which
the girl penetrated the barriers OF
New England reserve. Before the
three women had conversed five min
utes something Of Miss Blnley's own
abundant youth and enthusiasm began
to sparkle in the faded eyes Of the Sis
ters.
"Oh. Marthy. don't you wish we
could have ours taken again? We
haven't had our likenesses made since
we were girls. Remember. Marthy.
YOU were thutty and was thutty-fve.
You were Il mighty putty girl In those
days. Marthy."
"Oh, g'long." commanded her young
er sister.
ut used to be n turrible lot OF trou-
ble," continued Phoebe. I'VE had to
sit putflckly still for FIVE minutes
couldn't stir. and It seemed like five
hours"
"You wouldn't have to sit still at all
now," said Miss Binley eagerly. 1.-THE
process is instantaneous"
Eager assent was on the lips OF Miss
Phoebe, but her sterner sister fore
stalled her.
That's very kind Of you. miss. but
we couldn't think Of putting you to SO
much trouble"
Familiar with the fundamental char
acteristic Of the older New England
generation. Miss Binley advanced eau
tiously. Already in her artist mind
she saw the print she would make-a
marvellous study Of two gaunt figures
wringing an unwilling toll from the
harsh mountain soil. 1t was the sub
iect she had been looking for all sum
mer to enter In the fall exhibit OF her
camera club at home. "Oh, 1t won't
trouble me in the least" she replied
guardedly. IF you knew how love
to take pictures you would understand
Would you be here in the garden al
this time tomorrow
"Yes," answered Martha. yielding
But wouldn't you rather take us II
the house. Do folks ever have theh
pictures taken outdoors%
'aThe light Is much better outside
explained Miss Binley. "And. be
sides, wouldn't think Of keeping you
from your work. I'll come and take
some snapshots Of you just as you
are-weeding the onions"
"You can come with me tomorrow
she said to Holbrook. II had prom
ised to drive with Johnny Larcon. but
all engagements are Off In the face
Of an epoch making chance like this.
The next morning brought weather
perfect alike for pedestrianism and
photography. The day was cool. and q
thin haze tempered the rays OF the
mountain sun. Miss Binley ran down
the steps to meet him, radiant with an
ticipation, and as he received the big
camera from her hands Holbrooh
thrilled with the thought Of another
morning at her side.
"There's some one in the garden
said the young man as the last turr
In the road brought them in sight Of
their destination. "But they don't &C
cord with my recollection Of the ole
ladies. Holy smoker gasped tn
youth. It's they. all right. but M
wonder we didn't recognize them"
Miss Binley gazed, speechless in hor
rified amazement, as her two subject
approached the gate. Gone were tn
picturesque gowns and the sunbonnet
Of faded blue. In their place the Kim
balls had donned a veritable riot o
modistry. Their costumes paid tribut
to the varying fashions Of full hal
century.
But the faded countenances OF tn
Kimballs showed naught but prid
and satisfaction. slightly tinged VIII