The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-09-16
EDWARD MILES AND GEORGE
BENTON.

EDWARD MILES AND GEORGE
BENTON.
..r. TRUE TALE FROM LIFE.
These two were Instantly related to
each other-seventh cousin or something
of that sort. While still babies they be-
came orphans, and were adopted by the
Brants. a childless couple, who quickly
grew very fond of them. The Brants
were always saying: "Be pure, honest,
sober, industrious, and considerate of
others, and success in life is assured"
The children heard this repeated some
thousands of times before they under
stood 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. It was destined to be-
come the answering rule of Edward
Mills's life. Sometimes the Brants changed
the wording little, and said. "Be pure,
honest, sober; Industrious, considerate,
and you will never lack friends" -aG -.
Baby Mills was comfort to everyone
about him. When he wanted candy and
could not have it, he listened to reason
and contented himself without it. When
Baby Benton wanted candy, he cried for
it till he got it. Baby Mills took care of
his toys; Baby Benton always destroyed
his in very brief time, and then made
himself 50 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 became little old
er, George became very great expense
In one respect; he took no care of his
clothes; consequently he shone frequent
~ in new ones, which was not the case
with Eddie. .u-.
The boys grew apace. Eddie was an
increasing comfort, Georgia an increasing
sollcitude. 1t was always sufficient to
say, in answer to Eddie's petitions, II
would rather you would not do it,
meaning swimming, skating, pic-nicing,
berrying, circusslng and all such things
that boys delight in. But no answer was
sufficient for George; he had to be hui
mered in his desires, or he would carry
them wi th high hand. Naturally, no
boy got more swimming, skating, berry
ing, 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
George usually slipped out of the win
dow towards ten, and enjoyed himself
till midnight. It 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 Bronts gave All their time
and attention to regulate Georgia; they
said, with grateful tears in their eyes,
that Eddie needed no efforts OF theirs, he
was so good, so considerate, and in all
so perfect. &c.. ... .s.
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 Brants they praised him,
so did his master, but George ran away,
and It cost Mr.. Brant both money and
touble to hunt him up and get him back.
By and by be ran away again-more mon
ey 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
succeeded In persuading the master to let
the youth 60 unprecedented for the theft.
Edward worked steadily along, and in
time became a full partner IN his mas
ter's business. George did not improve;
he kept the loving hearts Of his aged
benefacte1s full of trouble and their
hands full of inventive activities to pro-
tect him from ruin. Edward, as boy,
had interested himself in Sunday schools,
debating societies, penny missionary at
fairs, anti-tobacco organizations, anti
profanity associations, and all such things;
as man, he was quiet but steady and
reliable helper in the church, the tenn
peranee societies, and in all movements
looking to the aiding 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 George-be-
cause he ''needed it;' whereas, sowing
to bountiful Providence such was
not the case with Edward The proper
ty was le1t to George cond1tionally; he
must buy out Edwards partner with it.,
else it must 60 to benevolent organi-
zation called the Prisoners Friend Soci-
ETY.. The old people left letter in
which they begged their dear son Ed
ward to take their place and watch over
George, and help and shield him as they
had done. a2
Edward dutifully acquiesced, and
George became his partner in the bust
ness. He was not valuable partner; he
had been meddling with drink before
he soon developed into a constant tippler,
now, and his flesh and eyes showed the
fact unpleasantly.
Edward had been counting a sweet
and kindly-spirited girl for some time.
They loved each other dearly, and
But about this period George began to
haunt her teartully and imploringly, and
at last she went crying to Edward, and
said her high and holy duty was plain
before he1-she must not let her-she
must not let her own selfish desires in.
rfere with it she must marry .spoor
George" and "reform him. It would