Connecticut western news., 1880-07-28
EDWARD MILLS AND GEORGE
 * * BENTON.
H00 pbSS . Let it pass ]!

These two were distantly related to each other-seventh cousins, or some thing of that sort. While still babies they became orphans, and were adopted by the Brants, childless couple, who soon became very fond of them. The Brants were always saying, "Be pure, honest, sober, industrious, and consid- crate of others, and success in life is assured" The children heard this re- peated some thousands of times before 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. It was destined to become the answering rule of Edward Mills's life. Sometimes the Rrants changed the wording a little. and said, "Be pure, honest, sober, indus trlous, considerate, and you will never lack friends"
 Baby Mills was comfort to every body 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 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. se
 Whenst the children were little older. Georgie became 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- creasing comfort, Georgie an increasing sollei .ude. It was always sufficient to say in answer to Eddie's petitions. "I would rather you would not do it '- meaning swimming, skating, picnicing, berrying, circussing, and all sorts oi things which boys delight in. But nc answer was sufficient for Georgie; 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 had a better time. The good Brantst 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 Georgie us,lally slipped out of the window toward ten and enjoyed himself till midnight. Il seemed impossible to break Georgie O this bad habit, but the Brants managed it at last by hiring him, with apples ant marbles, to stay in. The good Brant gave all their time and attention to vail endeavors to regulate Georgie; the, said, with grateful tears in their eyes that Eddie needed no efforts of theirs he was so good, so considerate, and il all ways so perfect.
 By and by the boys were big enougl to work, so they were apprenticed to , trade. Edward wentvoluntarily Georg was coaxed and bribed. Edward worked hard and faithfully, and ceased to be al expense to the good Brants; they praised him, so did his master; but George ral away, and 1t cost MT. Brant both none, and trouble to hunt him up and get hin back. By and by he ran away again more money and more trouble. He ral away third time, and stole few littl things to carry with him. Trouble ant expense for MT. Brant once more; an, besides, it was with the greatest difficult, that he succeeded in persuading tn, master to let the youth go unprosecute, for the theft.
 Edward worked steadily along, and il time became full partner in his mas ter's business. George did not improve he kept the loving hearts of his age, benefactors full of trouble, and thei hands full of inventive activities to pro tect him from ruin. Edward, as boy hadinterested himself in Sunday schools debating societies, penny missionary af fairs, anti-tobacco organizations, anti profanity associations, and all sucl things; as man, he was quiet, bu steady and reliable helper in the church the Temperance societies, and in all move ments looking to the aiding and upliftin, of men, This excited no remark. at tracted TO attention, for it was his < nat ural bent.