The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-02-20
NOT AN ANGEL. 81 Z. ''"''
BY W. II. II. M'cIINrocK.

~ mine Is not an angel. when the
Poet Burns was In Edinburgh, he was
introduced by friend to the studio of a
well-known painter, whom he found en-
gagged on representation of Jacobs
Dream.' After infinitely examining
the work, he wrote the following verses
on the back of little sketch, which Is
still preserved in the painters family
1t is highly characteristic of the man:
"Dear-Pll gle ye ome advice,
You should ma paintan angel, man,
But try and paint the Devil.
To paint an angels kittIe wark,
WI aud Nick there's less danger;
You'll easy paint wealkent face,
But no 81 well stranger"
This story does not appear in his
biography but was found in magazine.
We were struck with the force of his
lines and hence we shall, hereafter, re-
frain from attempting to bring our
heroines up to an angelic Standard
Poor, frail human nature is often over
drawn. After all we are but miserable
sinners, the highest only a degree above
theslowest. There are, and have been,
lovely characters known to exist, whose
merits have been extolled, but whose
faults have been lightly skinned over.
oar fayorite authors appear to us, al
wsS'5, as pure beings. We love Byron
and ignore his faults. We do admire
Milton, and yet history makes hift
great seold Even the great exemplar,
Dr. johnson, had his petty faults, and
so on down the list. No great man of
the present day would appear half so
great, in our eyes, if we could fully
know his private life. We do not speak
of this with pleasure Wecall attention
to a truth and make the appreciation to
our noveIists, who would have us be-
iieve that tCatharine Gaunt, for in
.stanos), their heroines were, in truth,
limMSculate.
With these PREDATORY remarks we pro-
ceed to introduce Miss Lucille Agnew-
Miss Agnew, ladies and gentlemen, was
the only daughter of the most noted
cracksman, to use slang term, of his
day. Billy Agnew," as he was fa-
niliarly called by the good people of
Middletown, was the hero of many esca-
pades. At home he was known, only,
for his good qualities. At home he was
quiet, unassuming, genial neighbor.-
He was open hearted to an unusual de-
gree. The poor always met with more
than they solicited from Billy" His
occupation was that of blacksmith and
there was not a lazy bone in his body
He worked steadily, week in and week
out, except when he ''took trip North -
as he said, 6 for the purpose of seeing
sickly brother This trip usually re-
quired about two weeks During that
time the old blacksmith shop would be
desolate and quiet. The prodigality of
Billy, after these trips, excited some re-
mark, but as his good deeds were al
ways in the interest of the deserving
poor of Middletown, no one seemed to
he very inquisitive as to the meaning
of his frequent trips to see his delicate
relative. Billy had, in truth, had sew
eral narrow, exceeding narrow escapes
during some of those trips, but he kept
his own secrets like prudent man
should, and was never disturbed in the
solitary home at Middletown. This man
lacked, even an elementary education,
but was possessed of great natural abili-
ty and of an iron nerve. He had the
most perfect control over himself. His
muscles were hardened by toll, and no
intempemnce had weakened his physical
powers. The scenes he had taken part
an would read like the tales of Dick Tur-
pin, yet he never told them; while his
neighbors slept soundly with Billy in
their midst, never for a moment dream
ing of the evil that lurl1ed in his bosom.
One day Billy took off his leather apron
and threw his sledge hammer into far
corner of his shop. He gently closed
and locked the door. Going into his
humble cottage, he donned a better suit
OF clothing, then partaking of hasty
meal he was gone. He was off again to
see that sick brother That was all he
told the people, and as to any thing
further about the aforesaid relative. the
whole of Middletown was blissfully ig-
norant.
Billy was gone. This time he went
when our Northern summer was at its
height. The harvest was ended and the
wind was just beginning to blow over
the oat stubbles The glorious days of
warm sunshine had Joined the goodly
rain fall, and the people were highly
blessnd in their crons Tndustrxy Lad