airs and minstrel jokes produced by his phonograph.
"By hockey!" he exclaimed, in irrepressible delight, "I'll make their
gol darned eyes pop out!"
As he marched up and down in the deserted garden, hidden by the friendly
brick wall, he bitterly regretted that he had limited himself to so few
modern inventions.
"Ef I'd only known I was comin' this fur back!" he exclaimed, as he
talked to himself that he might feel less lonely. "Ef I'd only known, I
could hev brought a heap of other things jest's well as not. Might hev
taught 'em 'bout telegraphin' an' telephones. Could ha' given 'em
steam-engines an' parlor matches. By ginger!" he exclaimed, "I b'lieve
I've got some parlor matches. Great Jehosaphat! Won't I get rich!"
But at this a new difficulty presented itself to his mind. He foresaw no
trouble in procuring patents for his inventions, but how about the
capital for their exploitation? Presumably this was quite as necessary
here in England as it would have been in America in 1876. Unfortunately,
his original plan was impossible of fulfilment. Rebecca had failed him
as a capitalist. Besides, she and Phoebe had both completely
disappeared.
It was long before he saw his way out of this difficulty, but by dint of
persistent pondering he finally lit upon a plan.
He had brought with him a camera, several hundred plates, and a complete
developing and printing outfit. He determined to set up as a
professional photographer. His living would cost him nothing, as the
Panchronicon was well stored with provisions. To judge by his
surroundings, his privacy would probably be respected. Then, by setting
up as a photographer he would at least earn a small amount of current
coin and perhaps attract some rich and powerful backer by the novelty
and excellence of his process. On this chance he relied for procuring
the capital which was undoubtedly necessary for his purpose.
By noon of the next day he had begun operations, having taken two or
three views of familiar scenes in the neighborhood, which he affixed as
samples to a large cardboard sign on which he had printed, in large
type:
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| AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHER |
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| THE ONLY ONE IN EXISTENCE |
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