The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-08-06

wrought with every time. Finally he was tn
ken around the country lectaring a. re-
formed drunkard, and he had great houses
and did an immense amount OF good.
He 10 popular ut homo and 30 popular
during his sober intervals-that he was
ensbled to use the name Of principal cit
zen and get q large sum Of money at the
bank. A mighty pressure was brought to
bear to save him from the mighty copse-
quences Of bis forgery, and 1t was partially
successful. He was sent up for only two
years. when, 1t the end OF year, the
tireless efforts of the benevolent we're
crowned with success, and be emerged from
the penitentiary with o pardon IN his pock-
ct, the Prisoners Friend Society met him
ut the door with situation and comfort
able salary, and all the other benevolent
people came forward and gave him advice,
encouragement and help.
Edward Mills at once applied to the
Prisoners Friend Society for situation
when In di % need, but the interrogation,
.sHaye you been Q prisoner ?" made brief
work OF bis case.
While oil these things had been going on
Edward Mills had been quietly making
head against adversely. He was still poor,
but was in receipt OF steady and sufficient
salary as az the respectable and trusted
cashier of bank. George Benton never
came near him and was never heard to in
quire about him. George got to INDUCING
in lonx absences from the town. There
were iii reports about him but nothing def
mite.
One winters night some masked bur-
glars forced their way into the bank and
found Edward Mills there alone. They
commanded him to reveal the combination
20 that they could open the safe. he re-
fused. They threatened his life. He said
his EMPLOYERS trusted him and he could not
prove traitor to that trust. He could die IL
be must, but while he lived he would be
faithful ho would not tell the combina-
ton. The burglars killed him.
The detectives hnnted down the crimi-
nails tho chief one proved to be George
Benton. A vide sympathy was felt for
the widow and orphans OF the dead man.
and all the newspapers in the land begged
that all the banks In the land would testify
their appreciation Of the fidelity and hero
ism of the murdered cashier by coming
forward with liberal contribution Of mon
~ In aid of bis family, now bereft OF sup
port. The result was Q mass of solid cash
amounting to upwards Of $5OO--an average
of nearly three-eights Of cent for each
bank in the Union. The cashiers own
bank testified its gratitude by endeavering
to show (but humiliatingly failed in it)that
the peerless servants accounts were not
square, and that he himself bad knocked
out his brains to escape detection and pun
ishment.
George Benton was arraigned for trial.
Then every body seemed TO forget the wild
ow and orphans In their solicitude for poor
George. Evcrything that money and in
duence could do Was done TO save him !;
but 1t failed and he was sentenced to death.
Straighrway the governor was besieged
with petitions for Communication or pardon
they were brought by fearful young girls !;
by sorrowful old maids by populations Of
pathetic widows by shoals Of impressive
orphans. But no; the governor, for once,
would not yield.
Now George Benton experienced relig-
ion. The glad news flew oil around. From
that time forth his cell Was full Of girls and
women and fresh flowers. All the day long
there was prayer and bymn-siDging and
thanksgivings and homilies and tears with
never an interruption, save IN occasional
five minutes for refreshments. -@ - d.
This sort o, thing continued up to the
very gallows, and George Benton went
proudly home in the black cap before
wailing audience Of the sweetest and best
that the region could produce. His grave
had fresh flowers on it every day for while
and his headstone bore these words, under
> hand pointing aloft: "He has fought the
good fight" y
Tho brave cashiers hesdstone has this
inscription: BE pure, honest, sober, In
dnstrious, oonsiderate and you will never"
Nobody knows who gave the order to
leave 1t that way, but 1t was 30 given.
The cashiers family are in stringent cir
cumstances now, 1t 10 SAID but no matter;
lot Of appreciative people, who were not
willing that an act 90 brave and true rs his
should 60 uurewarded, have collected 49,
000-and built . memorial church with 1t.