“MARCH 4 . . . Mary P. Emerson, aged 19 years and four mos.” (months) was carefully clipped from a newspaper and glued to the embossed burgundy cushion inside the damsel’s repaired leather case. Unfortunately, I believe that this was the lass’s death notice. She was about 16 years old when she was taken in this archivally sealed ninth plate. Knowing that she passed three years later makes her forlorn appearance rather sad. And didn’t her arms seem rather thin. That was an impressive heirloom brooch that she wore pinned to the black collar. Pale pigments painted on her face and lips made the teenager slightly more lifelike. Pretty patina brightens my mood a touch too.
