Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1875-03-04
The Angel Turned Demon,


In consequence of some irritating circum>
stances Of missortunes when he beheld a
little boy of such surprising and surpassiug
beauty, that he forgot his own trouble
aud 6 com in looking upon the almost
angel face before him.
"That face must have" said the arr
tist, 'for my studio. viii you come to
my room and sit tor a picture, my little
pau"
The boy was glad to go and see the
pictures and curious things in the artists
room and be was still more pleased when
he saw what seemed to be another boy
that looked just like himself smiling from
the artists canvas.
The artist took great pleasure in look,
ing at. that sweet face. When he was
troubled, irritated, or perplexed, be lifted
his eyes to that lovely image on the wall
and its beautiful features and expression
calmed his heart aud made him happy
again. Many visitor at his studio
wished to purchase that beautiful face,
but though peor, and often in need Of
money to purchase food and clothes, he
would not sell his good angel, as he called
this poitrlit.
So tie years went on. Often. times as he
looked at the face on the glowing canvas,
he VIC. dered what had become ofthe boy.
"How should like to see how he looks
now? l wonder if should know him
Is lie good man and true, or wicked and
abandoned? Or has be died and gone to
a better land!''
One day the artist was strolliug down
one of the fine walks of the city, when be
beheld man whose face and mein were
so vicious, so almost dixie, that be IN.
voluntarily stopped and gazsd at him.
"What spectacle ! | shoula 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
aims, for he was beggar as we'll as a
thief.
Come to my room and let me paint
your portrait, and | will give you all you
ask, said the artist.
The young man followed the painter for
sketch. When it was finished, and he
had received few coins for his trouble,
he turned to 60; but his eyes rested on
the picture Of the boy; h, looked at it,
turned pale aud then burst into tears.
What troubles you young MANI" said
the painter. 1t was long before the young
man could speak he sJbbed aloud and
seemed pierced with agony.
At last he pointed up to the picture
on the wall, and with broken tones that
seemed to come from q broken heart,
said.
Twenty years ago you asked me to sit
for picture, and that aJgel face is the
portrait. Behold me now a ruined man
SO bloated, so hideous that women and
children turn awly their faces from me
go fend-like that you want my picture to
show how ugly man can look, | see now
what vice and crime have done for me-"
The artist was amazed. He could
scarcely believe his own eyes and ears.
"How did this happen" be asked
The young man told his sad and
dreadful story; how being an only son
and very beautiful, his parents petted and
spoiled; how he went with bad boys and
learned all their bad habits and vices, and
crme to love them; how, having plenty oI
money, he was enti.ed to wicked places
until all was lost; and then unable tc
work and ashamed to beg, he began tc
steal, and was caught aud imprisoned witt
the worst criminals; came out mole de-
prayed to com nit worse crimes than be-
fore how every bad deed he performed
seemed ts drive him to commit q worse
one till ii seemed to him that he could
not stop till it brought him to the gal
lows.
IT was fearful tale, and brought tears
to the artists eyes. He besought the
young man to stop, offered to help him
and tried to save him. Bat alas it was
too late. Disease. contracted by dissi
patton. soon Frustrated the young man
and ho died before be could reform. The
painter hung bis portrait opposite thai
of the beautiful boy; and when visitors
asked him why he allowed such a hideOu'
looking face to be there, he tod then
the story. saying as be closed:
Between the angel and the demon