The Osceola times., 1880-09-04
THE REWARD OF VIRTUE.

r'iN sum piplcs tney DecaCne Orphi Ms
and were adopted by the Brant's, a
childless couple, who quickly grew very
fond OF them. The Brant's were always.
BE pure, honest, sober, industrious and
considerate to others, and success in lite
Is assured"
The children heard this repeated some
thousands Of times before they under
stood 1t; they could repeat it themselves
long before they could say the Lords
frayer; 1t was painted over the nursery
door, and was about the first thing they
learned te read. 1t was destined TO be-
come the unswcrving rule of Edward
Mills life. Sometimes the Brant's
changed the wording little, and said.
BE pure, honest, sober, industrious.
conslderate and you will never lack
friends"
Baby Mills was a comfort TO everybody
about him. When he wanted candy and
could not have it, he listened to reason.
and contentented himself without il.
When Baby Benton wanted candy. he
cried for IT until he got it. Baby Mills
took care OF his toys; Baby Benton al
ways destroyed his in very brief time.
and then made himself so insistently
disagreeable that in order to have peace
in the house, little Edward was per-
suaded to yield up his playthings to
him.
When the children were a little older
George became a heavy expens, 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
creasing comfort, George an increasing
solicitude. 1t was always sufficient to
say, in answer to Eddie's petitions, 81
would rather you would not do it,"
meaning swimming, skating, picknick-
ing, berrying, Circussi ing and all sorts OF
things which boys delight in. But no
answer Yves sufficient for George; he
had to be humored in his desires or he
would carry them with a high hand.
Naturally, no boy got more swimming,
skating, berrying and so forth than he;
no boy ever had a 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 honorably remained, but George
usually slipped out of the window to-
ward ten, and enjoyed himself till mid.
night. 1t seemed impossible to break
George off tins 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 at
tention to vain endcavors 10 regulate
Georgie; they said, with grateful tears
IN their eyes, that Eddie needed no
efforts of theirs, he was so good so con
siderate, and in all ways SO perfect.
BY and by the boys were big enough
to work, so they were apprenticed to a
trade. Edward went voluntarily:
George was coaxed and bribed, Edward
worked hard and faithfully, and ceased
to be an expense 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 a 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 sue
ceeded in persuading the master to let
the youth 60 unprecedented for the
theft.
Edward worked steadily along, and in
time became full partner in his
business.
George did not improve, he kept the
loving hearts Of his aged benefactors full
of trouble, and their hands full of in
ventive activities to protect him from
ruin.
Edward, as a boy, had interested him
selfin Sunday schools, debating societies,
penny Missionary affairs, ant-tobacco
organizations, anti-profanity associations
and all such things; as man, he was
quiet, but steady and reliable helper IN
the church, the temperance societies,
and in all movements looking to the aid
ing and uplifting of men. This excited
no remark, attracted no attention, for it
was his natural bent"
Finally. the old people died. The Will
testified their loving pride III Edward,
and left their little property to George
because he needed it," whereas, owing
to bountiful Providence such as was
not the case with Edward. The property
was left TO George conditionally, he must
buy out Edwards partner with 1t, else
It must go to a benevolent organization
called the Prisoners Friend Society.
The old people left letter, in which
they begged their dear son Edward to
take their place and watch over George,
and help and shield him as they had
done.
Edward dutifully acquiesced and
George became his partner in the busl-
ness. He was not valuable partner;
ne had been meddling with drink before;
he soon developed into a constant tip
pier. now, and his flesh and eyes showed
the fact unpleasantly.
Edward had been courtinga sweet and
kindly spirited girl for some time. They
loved each other dearly, and. But
about this period George began to haunt
her tearfully and imploringly, and at
last she went crying to Edward, and said
her high and holy duty was plain before
her-she must not let her own selfish
desires interfere with 1t; she must marry
"poor George and reform him. 1t
would break her heart--she knew II
would md so on; but duty was duty.
So she married George and Edwards s
heart came very near breaking, as well
as her own. However. Edward recover
ed, and married another girl-a very ex-
cellent one she was, too.
Children came TO both families. Mary
did her honest best to reform her hus-
band, but the contract was too large.
George went on drinking, and by and
bv he tell to misusing her and the little
ones sadly. A great many good people
strove with George-they were always
at il. in fact-but he calmly took such
efforts as his due and their duty, and did
not mend his ways. He added a vice
nresentlv-that of secret gambling. lie
IL. L.. lnhA Ln hnI rnAlnl money