The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1880-09-24

let DubUeSs.- 0eOfge uld NOT improve
he kept the loving hearts of his aged
benefactors full of trouble, and their
hands full of inventive activities to pro-
tect him from ruin. Edward, as a boy,
had interested himself in Sunday
schools, debating societies, penny mis-
sionary affairs, anti-tobacco organiza-
tions, anti-profanity associations, and all
such things as a man, he was a quiet
but steady and reliable helper in the
church, the temperance societies, and in
all movements looking to the aiding and
uplifting of men. This excited no re-
mark, 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 "needed III !" whereas, Sow
ing to bountiful Providence" such
was. not the case with Edward. The
property was left to George conditional
ly; he must buy out Edwards partner
with it, else it must go to benevolent
organization called the Prisoners Friend
Society. The old people left a 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.
Edward dutifully acquiesced, and
George became his partner in the bust
ness. He was not valuable partner
he had been meddling with drink be-
fore; he soon developed into constant
tippler, now, and his flesh and eyes
showed the fact unpieasantly. Edward
had been counting 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 toEdward, and said her
high and holy duty was plain before
her-she must not let her own
selfish desires interfere with it !;
she must marry "poor George" and
"reform him." 1t would break her
heart, she knew it would, and SO on; ;
but duty was duty. So she married
George, and Edwards heart came very
near breaking, as well as her own. How
ever, Edward recovered, and married
another girl-a very excellent one she
was. too.
children came to both families. Mary
lid her honest best to reform her hus-
oand, but the contract was too large.
George went on drinking, and by and by
he fell to misusing her and the little
ones sadly. A great many good people
strove with George-they were always
at t, in fact-but he calmly took such
efforts as his due and their duty, and
did not mend his ways. He added a
vice, presently-that of secret gambling.
He got deeply in debt he borrowed
money on the firms credit, as quietly as
he could, and carried this system so far
and so successfully that one morning
the Sheriff took possession Of the estab-
lishment, and the two cousins found
themselves penniless.
Times were hard, now, and they grew
worse. Edward moved his family into
garret, and walked the streets day an{
night, seeking work. He begged for IL
but it was really not to be had. He wa!
astonished to see how soon his face be
came anwelcome he was astonished ant
hurt to see how quickly the ancient in
terest which people had had in him fadec
out and disappeared. Still he must ge
work SO he swallowed his chagrin, an'
toiled on in search of it. At last he go
a Job of carrying bricks up ladder in
hod, and was q grateful man in conse
quenee; but, after that, nobody kne'
him o, cared anything about him. Il
was not able to keep up his dues in tn
various moral organizations to which h
belonged, and had to endure the shar
pain of seeing himself brought unde
the disgrace of suspension.
But the faster Edward died out ofput
: lie knowledge and interest, the faste
George rose in them. He was found rat
ged and drunk, in the gutter, one morr
: ing. A member of the Ladies' Tempe
: ance Refuge fshed him out, took him
hand, got up subscription for hin
l -
: kept him sober whole week, then got
situation for him. An account Of it Wa
! published.
General attention was thus drawn 7
: the poor fellow, and a great many peop
!, came forward and helped him toward
- form with their countenance and e
! couragement. He did not drink dr.
I for two months, and meantime was u
pet of the good. Then he fel-in Il
gutter; and there was general sorrc