Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1880-08-05
EDWARD MILLS And GEORGE BENTON
A TRUE TALE FROM LIFE.


other--seventh cousins, or something OF
that sort. While still babies they became
orphans, and we're adopted by the Brants,
a childless couple, who quickly grew very
fond of them. The Brants were always
saying, "Be pure, honest, sober, industri-
GUS and considerable OF others, and success
in life ia assured The children heard
this repeated some thousands of times be-
fore they understood it; they could repeat
it themselves long before they could say
the Lords Prayer it WAS painted over
the nursery door, and was about the first
thing they learned to read. Ii was des-
tined to become the answering rule OF
Edward Mills life. Sometimes the Brants
changed the wording little, and said,
''Be pure, honest, sober, Industrious, con-
siderate aud you will never lack friends.
Baby Mills was comfort TO everybody
about him. When he wanted candy and could
not have it. he listened to reason, aud
contented himself without it. When Baby
Benton wanted candy, he cried for it until
he got it, Baby Mills took care of his
toys; Baby Benton always destroyed his
in very brief time, and then made him
self so insistently disagreeable that, in
order to have peace in the house, little
Edward was persuaded to yield up his
playthings to him.
When the children were little older,
Georgie became q heavy expense in one
respect he took no care of his clothes
consequently he shone frequently in new
ones, which was not the case with Eddie.
The boys grew apace. Eddie was an in
creasiug comfort. George an increasing
solcitude. 1t was always sufficient to say,
in answer to Eddies petitions, I" would
rather you would not do it'-meaning
swimming, skating, picnicking, berrying,
circussing, and all sorts of things which
boys delight in. But no answer was suffi-
cient for George; he had to be humored
in his desires, or he would carry them
with high hand Naturally, no boy got
more swimming, skating, berrying, and SO
forth than he; no boy ever had better
time. The good Brants did not allow the
boys to play out after nine in summer
evenings; they were sent to bed at that
hour. Eddie honorsbly remained, but
George usually slipped out of the window
towards ten, and enjoyed himself till mid.
night. II seemed impossible to break
George of this bad habit, but the Brants
managed it at last by hiring him, with
apples and marbles, to stay in. The good
Brants gave all their time and attention to
vain endeayors to regulate George; they
said, with grateful tears in their eyes,
that Eddie needed no effort of theirs, he
was so good, so considerate, and in all
ways so perfect.
By and by the boys were big enough to
work, so they were apprenticed to trade.
Edward went voluntarily; George was
coaxed and bribed. Edward worked hard
and faithfully, and ceased TO be an ex-
pense to the good Brants; they praised
him, so did his master but George ran
away, and it cost Mr.. Brant both money
and trouble to hunt him up and get him
back. BY and by he ran away again
more money and more trouble. He ran
away third time, and stole few little
things to carry with him. Trouble and
expense for Mr.. Brant once more and,
besides, it was with the greatest difficulty
that he succeeded in persuading the master
to let the youth go unprecedented for the
theft.
Edward worked steadily along, and in
time became full partner in the master S
business. George did not improve he
kept the loving hearts of his aged bene-
factors full of trouble, and their hands full
Of inventive activities to protect him from
ruin. Edward, as a boy, had interested
himself in Sunday schools, debating
societies, penny missionary affairs, anti
tobacco organizations, anri-profanity
associations, and all such things as mar
he was quiet, but steady and reliable
helper in the church, the temperance
societies, and in all movements looking tc
the aiding and uplifting of men. This
excited no remark, attracted no attention
for it was his 'nstural bent"
Finally the old people died. The vii
testified their loving pride in Edward, anc
left their little property to George-be
cause he "needed it :" whereas, lowing tt
bountiful providence such was not tn,
case with Edward. The property was lief
to George conditionally he must buy GU
Edwards partner with it, else it must g,
to benevolent organization called tn
Prisoners Friend Society. The old peopl
left letter, in which they begged thei
dear son Edward TO take their place AM
watch over George, and help and shell
him as they had done.
Edward dutifully acquiesced, and Georg
became his partner in the business. IL
was not valuable partner he had bee
meddling with drink before; he soon de
veloped into constant tippler, now, ani
his face and eyes showed the fact unpleas
antly. Edward had been counting swee
and kindly-spirited girl for some time
They loved each other dearly, and
But about this period George began t
haunt her tearfully and imploringly, an
at last she went crying to Edward, an
said her high and holy duty was plain bt
fore her-she must not let her own selfis
desires interfere with it she must MARI
''poor George" and reform him.
would break her heart, she knew it woulC
and so on but duty was duty. So 81
married George, and Edwards heart can
very near breaking. as well as her owl
However, Edward recovered, and marie
another girl-a very excellent one she wa
too.
Children came to both families. Ma
did her honest best to reform her husban
but the contract was too large. Geor
went on drinking and by and by he fell
misusing her and the little ones sadly.
great many good people strove wi
George-they were always at it, in fact
but he calmly took such efforts as his
and their duty, and did not mend his wa,
He added vice, presently-that of secl
gambling. He got deeply in debt
borrowed money on the FIRMS credit
quietly IS he could, and carried this s.
TEN so far and so successfully that @
morning the sheriff took possession Of {
establishment, and the two cousins fou
themselves penniless.
Times were hard, now, and they or
worse. Edward moved his family int
garnet, and walked the streets day q
night, seeking work. He begged for
but it was really not to be had. He '
sstonished to see how soon bis face beea
unwelcomed he was astonished and b
to see how quickly the ancient inter
which people had had in him faded
and disappeared. Still he must get wo
SO he swallowed his chagrin, and toiled
in search of it. At last he got iot
carrying bricks up ladder in a hod,
was grateful man in consequence
after that nobody knew him or cared a
thing about him. He was not able
keep up his dues in the various mt
organizations to which he belonged,
had to endure the sharp pain of see
himself brought under the disgrace
suspension.
But the faster Edward died out Of pu
knowledge and interest, the faster Geo
rose in them. He was found lying, rag
aud drunk, in the gutter one morning.
member of the Ladies' Temperance Ref
fished him out, took him in hand, GOT
q subscription for him, kept him sob
whole week, then got situation for h
An account of it was published.
General attention was thus drawn
the poor fellow, and great many pei
came forward and helped him toward
form with their countenance and enc
10 1xfp