The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-06-16
An Old Story with q Moral

Many years ago.a celebrated italian artist wac
| walking along the street Of his native city per.
picked and rdesponding IN consequence of some
irritating circumstance or misfortune, when be-
held little boy of such surprising and sprpaasing
beauty that he forgot his own trouble and gloom
in looking upon the almost angel face before hsm.
"That face must have" said the artist, ':for
my studio Win you come 70 my room andsit
for picture, my little man 7"
The little boy was glad to 20 and zee the pic
lures and pencils and curious things in the artsts
room; and he was still more pleased when he
saw what seemed to be another boy looking just
like himself smiling from the artists canvass
The artist took great pleasure in lookingat
that sweet face. When he was troubled, or irri.
tated, or perplexed, he lifted his eyes 70 that
lovely image on the wall, and It's beautiful
features and expression calmed his heart and
made him happy again. Many visitor % his
studio wished to purchase that lovely face; but
though poor, and often wanting money TO buy
food and clothes, he would not sell his angel, as
he called this portrait. ...,. =. =,
So the years went on. Ofteutimes % be looked
upon the face ON the glowing canvass he wondered
what had become Of that boy. .t
"How should like TO SEQ how he looks aov
wonder if should know him Il he y good
man and true, or wicked and abandoned9T Or
has he died and gone to better land z"
One day the artist was strolling down one Of
the fine walks Of the city when he beheld y man
whose face and mien were 80 vicious, so depraved.
SO almost 6endlike that he involuntarily stopped
and gazed at him.
"What spectacle should like to paint that
figure and hang It in my studio opposite the angel
boy" said the artist to himself.
The young man asked the painter for money,
for he was beggar AZ well a. thief
"Come to my room, and let me paint your por-
trait, and will give yoa all yea ask /" said tho
artist.
The young man followed the painter, and set
for sketch When it was finished, and he had
received few coins for his trouble, he turned 10
go but his eye rested upon the picture Of tho
boy; he looked at it, turned pale, and then burst
into tears.
"What troubles you, ,nan?" said the painter.
1t was long before the young man could speak.
lie sobbed aloud, and seemed pierced with agony.
At last he pointed up to the picture on tho
wall and in broken tones which seemed 10 come
from broken heart, he said: 49,.
Twenty years ago you asked me - come up
here and sit for picture, and the angel-face 10
that portrait Behold me now, q ruined man 10
bloated, so hideous, that women and children
turn away their faces from hue 20 fend like that
you want my picture to show how ugly man
could look. All! ] sec now what vice aud crime
have done for me-" ......i
The artist was amazed. He could not believe
his own eyes and ears. .... .... 81. ...- %
How did this happenH' he ssked. '4y.--
The young man told his sad and dreadful
story; how being an only son, and very beautiful.
his parents petted and spoiled him; how he went
with bad boys and learned all their bad habits
and vices and came to love them; how, having
plenty of money, he was enticcd to wicked places
till all was lcst, and then unable TO work and
ashamed to beg, he begaa to steal was caught
and imprisoned with the worst Mind Of criminals;
came out still more depraved to drive him to com.
nit worse one, till it seemed to him he could
not stop till brought to the galiows. .-a-5
1t was fearful tale, and brought tears into
the artists eyes. He besought the young map
to stop, offered to help him, and tried his best 20
save him. But, alas it was too late Disease,
contracted by dissipation, soon Frustrated the
young man, and he died before he reformed
The painter hung hiz portrait opposite that OF
the beautiful boy; and when visitors asked him
why he allowed such hideous looking face 10
be there, he told them the story, saying, 70 he
closed: Between tho angel and the den.Sa
there is eny twenty years Of vice" .- o.
The lesson Of thA tale 10 IN tho tale ITSELF
You who read it can tell what It 10. Think Of il
often, and heed it always. ts..- -., .4e