The Story Behind The Picture
July 12, 2010 in The Past
**SNAP**
“Draw your sock up Gertrude, it keeps slipping.”
“Mother! Can we leave already? Why are we posing in front of a dead tree anyway? Who thought this was an attractive setting?”
“Were are not sending photographs to my parents half way around the world for them to see what trees in New York look like, they want to see their grandchildren’s faces.”
“Don’t you think its odd darling, that my parents keep refusing our offers to buy them steam ship passes? Just last month there was a blood libel in Kiev. In Kiev, In 1918! Who could believe it? It’s the 80’s all over again.”
“Don’t worry sweetheart, I’m sure they’ll come around. Your sister and that frog she married did, and your parents are sure to follow.”
**SNAP**
“Samuel, straighten your tie, you look like a mess, and your shoes! My God, look at your shoes, they’re filthy. Isaiah, did you bring the horse hair brush?”
“Button! I forgot the brush, Sam come here, lift your foot up”
“Uhh! Father, don’t spit on my shoes! That is nauseating. Why must you always act so peasantly? Americans, natural born Americans, wouldn’t behave this way.”
“See this, Marion, I embarrass my kids. That’s all I’m good for. I brought you, pregnant, over to this country in steerage with five dollars in my pocket. These children have a home, a servant and leather shoes and not an ounce of gratitude!”
“Please honey, don’t get mad at the children, they only mean the best for you.”
“Did you know I didn’t have real shoes until I was 12 years old? I walked around until I was 12 with shoes made from one of my sister’s old dresses and cardboard. Every month my mother would change the cardboard. That’s how I walked around when I was your age.”
**SNAP**
“Mr. Bausen, ye ’ll be able to pick up the photographs at my studio the day after tomorrow. I will give ye two copies, one for Mrs. Bausen’s parents and the other for ye to dae with as ye please.”
“Oh good, we’ll have to purchase an album. Isn’t it just wonderful to think that some day our great grandson may hold this photograph in his hands?”
