The Osceola times., 1880-09-11
THE REWARD OF VIRTUE.

chlluless couple, who quickly grew very
fond OF them. The Brant's were ALWAYS.
BE pure, honest, sober industrious and
conslderate to others, and success in lie
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
Prayer; 1t was painted over the nursery
door, and was about the first thing they
learned te read, 1t was destined to be-
come the answering rule of Edward
MllIs life. Sometimes the Brant's
changed the wording little, and said.
"Be pure, honest, sober, industrious.
considcrate and you will never lack
friends"
Baby Mills was a comfort to everybody
about him. When he wanted candy and
could not have il, he listened to reason.
and contententcd himself without it.
When Baby Benton wanted candy, he
erred for it until he got it, Baby Mills
took care Of his TOYS; Baby Benton al
ways destroyed his in a very brief time.
and then made himself so insistentlv
dlsagreeable 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 little older
George became a heavy expense in one
respect; he took no care OF his clothes:
consequently he shonc frequently in new
ones, which was not the case with Eddie.
The boys grew apace. Eddie was an in
creosing comfort, Georgic an increasing
solicitude. II 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, circussing and all sorts of
things which boys delight in. But no
answer ives sufficient for George; he
had to he humored in his desires or he
would carry them with high hand.
Naturally, no boy got more swimming,
skating, bcrrying 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 honorably remained, but Georgic
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 endeavors to regulate
George; they said, with grateful tears
in their ewes, 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 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
cecded in persuading the master to let
the youth 60 unprosecutcd 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
vcntiyc activities to protect him from
ruin.
Edward, as a boy, had interested him
sclfn Sunday schools, debating societies,
penny Missionary affairs, antl-tobacco
ORGANIZATIONS, anti-proianity associations
and all such things; as n 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 in Edward,
and left their little property to George
because he "nceded it," whereas, lowing
TO bountiiul Providence such as was
not the case with Edward. The property
was left to George conditionally, he must
buy out Edwards partner with IT, else
# must 90 to 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 dutimlly acquiesced, and
George became his partner in the busi-
ness. He was not a valuable partner
ne had been meddling with drink before;
he soon developed into constant tip.
pler. now. and his flesh and yes showed
the fact unplcasantly.
Edward had been courtlng 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, ana sad
her high and holy duty was plain before
her-she must not let her own selfish
desires interfere with IT; she must marry
"noor George" and reform him. II
would break her heart-she knew II
would md so on but duty was duty.
So she married George and Edwards
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
by he fell to mlsusing her and the little
ones sadly. A great many good people
stroye 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
presentlv-that of secret gambling. lie
cot deeply in debt, he borrowed money
on the firms credit rs qmetlya a he