Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-08-13
marx Twain's Latest.
A CLEVER SATIRE ON CURRENT PHASE OF POP
ULAR sENTIAfENTALITY.

CLEVER bATIRE ON CURRENT PHASE OF POP-
ULAR sENTnENTALITY.
The August Atlantic contains the tale of
Edward Mills and George Benton, by Mark
Twain, which is as clever a satire on the
sentimentality over crime as that sort of gush
has ever received. Edward Mills minded
from boyhood George Benton never did.
Edward prospered, George had to be helped.
They had the same adopted parents, who left
all the property TO George because Edward
could take care of himself So it went in all
things even the girl that Edward was engag-
ed to dropped him, as it was her duty to save
George. Hard times threw Edward out Of
regular work, and he reapsed to common la
Dor awhile but George became hourishing
drunkard We give the last part of the story,
leaving ii to readers of the Atlantic to get
the full enjoyment Of the whole.
grand temperance revival was got up,
and after some rousing speeches had been
made, the chairman said, impressively, 1--WE
are now about TO call for signers and l
think there is a spectacle in store for you
which not many in this house will be able to
view with dry eyes" There was an eloquent
pause, and then George Benton, escorted by
a red sashed detachment of the Ladies Of the
Refuge, stepped forward upon the platform
and signed the pledge. The air was rent with
applause, and everybody cried with joy.
ENtG1DOuy WIuDB lIt uhuu Vi lut new tbu-
vert when the meeting was over his salary
was enlarged next day he was the talk of
the town, and its hero. An account of 1t WAS
published.
George Benton fell regularly every three
months, but was faithfully rescued and
wrought with, every time, and good situa-
tions were found for him. Finally, he was
taken around the country lecturing as a re-
formed drunkard, and he had great houses
and did an immense amount of good.
He was so popular at home, and so trusted
during his sober ntervals-that he was
abled TO use the name of n principal citizen,
and get a large sum of money at the bank.
mighty pressure was brought to bear to
save him from the consequences of his forg-
cry, and it was partially successful-he was
sent up" for only two years. When, at the
end of year, the tireless efforts of the be-
nevolent were crowned with success, and he
emerged from the penitentiary with par
don in his pocket the Prisoners Friend soci-
ETY. met him at the door with situation and
u comfortable salary, and all the other be-
nevolent people came forward and gave him
advice encouragement and help. Edward
Mills had once applied to the Prisoners
Friend society for situation, when in dire
need, but the question, "Have you been a
prisoner ?" made brief work of his case.
While all these things were going on, Ed
ward Mills had been quietly making head
against adversely. He was still poor, but
was in receipt of steady and sufficient sala-
ry as the respected and trusted cashier of a
bank. George Benton never came near him,
and was never heard to inquire about him.
George got to indulging in long absences
from the town there were i'll reports about
him, but nothing definite.
One winters night some masked burglars
forced their way into the bank, found Ed
ward Mills there alone. They commanded
him to reveal the combination" SO that
they could get into the safe. He refused.
They threatened his life He said his en-
ployers trusted him, and he could not be
traitor to that trust. He could die, if he
must, but while he lived he would be faith
full he would not yield up the "combiua-
ton" The burglars killed him.
The detectives hunted down the criminals
the chief one proved to be George Benton.
A widespread sympathy was felt for the wild
ow and orphans of the dead man, and all the
newspapers in the land begged that all the
banks in the land would testify their appre-
citation of the fidelity and heroism of the
murdered cashier by coming forward with
generous contribution of money in aid of his
family. now bereft of support. The result
was mass of solid cash, amounting to up
wards of S5O0-an average of nearly three
eighths Of a cent for each bank in the Union.
The cashiers own bank testified its gratitude
by endeavoring to show (but humiliatingly
failed in it, that the peerless servants ac-
counts were not square, and that he himself
had knocked his brains out with a bludgeon
to escape detection and punishment.
George Benton was arraigned for trial.
Then everybody seemed to forget the widow
and orphans in their solicitude for poor
George. Everything that money and influ-
enulh do xuac dana 70 him, hut
all failed; he was sentenced to death.
Straightway the governor was besieged with
petitions for commutation or pardon they
were brought by fearful young girls by sor-
rowful old maids by deputations of pathet-
ic widows by shoals of impressive orphans.
But no, the governor-for once would not
yield.
Now, George Benton experienced religion.
The glad news flew all around From that
time forth his cell was always full of girls and
women and fresh flowers all the day long
there was prayer and hymn singing and
thanksgivings and homilies and tears, with
never an interruption except an occasional
fve-minute intermisson for refreshments.
This sort of thing continued up to the very
gallows, and George Benton went proudly
home, in the black cap, before wailing
audience Of the sweetest and best that the
region could produce. His grave had fresh
flowers on it every day for while, and the
headstOne bore these words, under a hand
pointing aloft: He has fought the good
fight"
The brave cashiers headstone has this in
scription: BE pure, honest, sober, indus
trious, considerate, and you will never"
Nobody knows who gave the order TO leave
it that way, but it was given.
The cashiers family are in stringent cir
cumstances now, it is said but no matter
a lot of appreeiative people, who were not
willing that an act so brave and true Us his
should go unrewarded, have collected $42,-
OOO-and built a memorial church with it.
Mark TWAIN