The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-10-02
HE SCARED HIMSELF.

The Story of a ThouGhtIess Boy Who Aft
erwards Became a Great Painter.
Afternoon was wearing toward even
ing in the west of England and dark
ness was already beginning to creep
over the shadowy chambers and long
narrow passages of an old English
country house, although it was still
broad daylight outside. Darkest of all
was a deep recess in the wall at the
end of the great corridor in the third
story, where boy seemed to be hard
atwork upon something that appeared
to require all his attention.
Had there bccu light enough to see
his face, any one who saw it would
have been struck by the fneness of its
outline, and the thoughtful depth of
expression in the large bright eyes
which attracted the notice of all who
saw him for the first time, although
no one could easily have guessed then
what he was one day to be. But just
at that moment "Wild Davie," as
he was very Justly called, was busy
with very mischieyous piece
of sport, indeed-nothing less than
the dressing up Of "ghost" to
brighten his playfellows. In the dark
recess at the end of the corridor stood
marble statue of Apollo The Archer,
with one arm outstTetohed as if in the
very act of bending his fatal bow.
Outlined in its ghostly whiteness
against the deepgloOm behindit it was
a startling sight az the best of times
but beneath the skillful hands of our
hero it was fast growing into monster
that might have scared General Grant
himself.
Leaving the long white neck stand
ing out bare and spectral against the
darkness, he folded a black cloak
around the body, letting the cold, dead
whteness of the marble peep out ev-
cry here and there. Upon the face he
fixed hideous red and black mask
with staring eyes, while over the eX-
tended arm he hung white cloth with
crimson handkerchief pinned to it,
which at a little distance looked terri.
blv Ikea broad stain of blood. Around
tie lower limbs he wrapped piece
of yellow Chinese silk, twisted up so
a % look like a coiling snake; and
then, by way of finishing touch, he
placed at the monsters feet, small
lantetB, lighting up all the CHASTITY de-
balls with q weird, unearthly glare.
"H0nt it make EN- Jump chuckled
ne, as he stepped back to took at the
effect of his work
If any one had told Davie at that
moment that he was playing very
cruel and cowardly trick, which had
frightened many children to death and
scared many more into hopeless idiots
he would have boon greatly surprised
and shocked; for, with all his thought
lcssness, he was thoroughly kind
hearted But all that he thought of
was the fun that itWould be to himself,
htlc dreaming that he was just about
60 receive q lesson which would cure
him of playing such tricks for the rest
OF his lie
just then loud voice was heard
calling out from the foot of the stair:
'Dayie! Davie where are youP
Come along, quick; we're going to
drive round by the lake. and watch
the sun set over the mountains.
And 'Wild Dayie" went off like q
shot
The drive lasted so long, and there
were so many things to be looked al
on the way. that by the time they got
home again our friend DaVie had for
gotten all about the fughtful sen
tinel that he had left standing a
the end of the upper corridor
and wens I-oia- along il at full speed
to-, 40 his room The next momen
a howl of terror startled the Who'll,
house, and three or four Of the sery
ants. hurrying TO the spot in alarm
found Dnyie lying on the floor. hal
fainting with fright, IN font OF tn
monster which he had himself dresses
up. An chat followed may easily h
imagined the rush Of hewhole house
hold 10 see what had happened, tn
wonder the dlsmay, the soolding
heaptd upon poor Dayie, and (hardes
of an for him to bear) the loud iaug
of the other boys IS they realized ho'
neatly he had been caught in his ow
trap.
But there was one person there VIII
did not ioin in tho laughter, and tina
was a on old gentleman with Ion
gray b ard-at that time one OF tn
most celebrated artists ia Britaiu-wh