Scowling or frowning? Children in general did not smile for their photos. I imagine that the photographer was telling them to appear serious. Here are two children trying their best. 

Antique Cabinet Card Photo Rome NY Children Williamson Photograph

I'm listing a lot of photos today. These big-eyed children really stood out among all of them. 

Antique Cabinet Card Photo Rome NY Children Williamson Photograph 

Death Card Memorial Mourning 1897 Jesse Barragan Memory Cabinet Card

Death Card Memorial Mourning 1897 Jesse Barragan Memory Cabinet Card

Cabinet Card Photo Sycamore IL Illinois Sackett Carlson

Cabinet Card Photo Sycamore IL Illinois Sackett Carlson - eBay (item 350480226198 end time Aug-24-11 15:01:45 PDT)

Cabinet Card Photo DeRuyter NY Antique Ladies Vintage Style

Cabinet Card Photo DeRuyter NY Antique Ladies Vintage Style New York - Ad#: 1284018 - Addoway

Antique Cabinet Card Photo Great Bend PA Van Ness

Antique Photo Ilion NY

Look at the clothes and hairstyles.  True confession:  I could stare at this picture for a long time.  Really.  Look at the girls' hair that was most likely set with one of those old-fashioned curling irons that really burned your hair if you weren't careful.  The spindles on the chair, the leather shoes, and the old fireplace are nice vintage touches.  Not sure why the photographer didn't move the bouquet coming out of the top of the girl's head ...