Natchitoches spectator., 1868-07-07
An Old Story.

/
artist was walking along the streets of
his native city perplexed and despond-
ing in consequence of some irritating
circumstance or misfortune, when he be-
held little boy of such surprising and
surprising beauty that he forgot his
own trouble and gloom in looking upon
the almost angel face before him.
That face must have for my studio,
said the artist. ''Will you come to my
room and sit for a picture my little
man?''
The little boy was glad to go and see
the pictures and pencils and curious
things in the artists room; and he was
still more pleased when he saw what
seemed to be another boy looking just
like himself smiling from the artists
canvas.
The artist took great pleasure in look
ing at the sweet face. When he was
troubled or irritated or perplexed, he
lifted his eyes to that lovely image on
the wall, and its beautiful features and
expression claimed his heart and made
HIM happy again. Many a visitor to
his studio wished to purchase that love-
ly face, but though poor and often want
ing money to buy food and clothes he
would not sell his good angel, ais he
called this portrait
So the years went on. Oftentimes as
he looked upon the face on the glowing
canvas he wondered what had become
of that boy.
''How should like to see how he
looks now. / wonder it l should know
him2 Is he good man and true or
wicked and abandonedl Or has he died
and gone to a better land?''
One day the artist was strolling down
Of HI,., IL A.
he beheld manswhose face and mien
were so vicious. so depraved, so almost
fiend like, heinvoluntarily stopped and
gazed at him.
"What spectaclel L should like to
paint that figure, and hapg it in my
study opposite the angel boy" said the
artist to himself.
The young man asked the painter for
money, for he was beggar as well as a
thief.
"Come to my room and let me paint
your portrait and l will give all You
ask" said the artist.
The young man followed the painter
and sat for sketch. When it was fin
ished and he received q few coins for
his trouble he turned to go; but his eye
rested upon the picture Of the boy, he
looked at it, turned pale. and then burst
into tears.
"What troubles you, man?'' said the
painter. 1t was long before the young
man could speak. He sobbed alond and
seemed pierced with agony. At last he
pointed up to the picture on the wall,
and in broken tones which seemed to
come from broken heart, he said:
Twenty years ago you asked me to
come uR here and sit for picture, and
the angel face is that portrait. Behold
me now ruined man; so bloated, so
hldeous, that women and children turn
away their faces from me, so fiendlike
that you want my picture to show how
ugly a. man can look. Ali | see now
what vice and crime have done for me-"
The artist was so amazed that he could
not believe his own eyes and ears.
GLOW did this happen?" he asked.
The young man told his sad and dread
fol 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 IIav-
ing plenty of money he was enticed to
wicked places till all was lost, and then. !
unable to work and ashamed to beg he
began to steal, was caught and impris- |
oned with the worst criminals; come out
still more depraved to commit worse
one till it seemed to him he could not
stop till brought to the gallows.
1t was fearful tale and brought tears |
into the artists eyes. He besought the |
young man to stop, proffered to help |
him, but alasl it was too late. Disease |
by dissipation, soon pros
trated the young man, and he died be- |
fore he could reform.
The painter hung his portrait oppo-
site that of the beautiful boy, and when |
visitors asked him why he allowed such !
a hideous locking face to be there he told !
them the story, saying as he closed: !
Between the angel and the demon there |
is only twenty years of vice.
'"he lesson of this tale is in the tale |
itself You who read it can tell what it |
is. Think of it often, and heed it al
ways.
The New York Citizen says: I'VE
have all but positive proof that it Tthe
Lacrosse Democrat is to-day, and al