Morris tribune., 1880-09-16

But the faster Edward died out OF i'm
terest and knowledge, the faster George
rose in them. He was found lying, rag
ged and drunk. in the gutter one morn
ing. A member Of the Ladies' Temper
ance Refuge fished him out, took him in
hand, got up subscription for him, kept
him sober whole week and then got
situation for HIM. An account of it was
published.
General attention was thus drawn to
the poor fellow, and great many peo-
pie came forward and helped him toward
reform with their smiles and encourage
ment. He did not drink drop for two
months, and meantime was the pet of the
good. Then he fell-in the gutter; and
then there was sorrow and lamentation.
But the noble sisterhood rescued him
again. They cleaned him up, they fed
him, they listened to the mournful music
of his repentance, they got him his situa-
ton again. This, also, was published,
and the town was drowned IN happy
tears. over the restoration of the poor, be-
set and suuggling"victim OF the bowl.
A grand temperance revival was got up,
and after some Iousing speeches had
been made, tho chairman said, impress
lively: 1--WE are now about to call for
signers; and think there Is 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
detachmentS of the ladies of the Refuge,
stepped forward and signed the pledge.
The air was rent with applause, and ev.
erybody cried tor joy. Everybody wrung
the hand of the new convert when the
meeting was over, his salary was enlarged
next morning; he was the talk of the
town and its hero. An account Of it was
published. -.-s
George Benton fell, regularly every
three months, but was faithfully rescued
and wrought with every time, and good
situations were found tor him. Finally,
he was taken around the country lectur.
ing, as reformed drunkard, and he had
great houses and did an immense
amount OF good.
He was so popular at home, and Sc
trusted-during his sober intervals-that
he was enabled to use the name of q
principal citizen, and get large sum of
money at the bank. A mighty pressure
was brought to bear to save him from
the consequences OF his forgery, and il
was partially suecessful-he was "sent
up" for only two years. When at the
| end of year, the tireless efforts of the
benevolent we're crowned with success
and he emerged from the penetentiary
with pardon in his pocket, the Prison
| er's Friend Society met him at the door
with situation and comfortable sal.
airy, and all the other benevolent people
came forward and gave him advice, en-
couragement, and help. Edward Malls
had once applied to the Prisoner!
Friend Society for a situation, when il
dire need, but the question, "Have yor
been a prisoners" made brief work of hi
case.
While all these Things were going on
| Edward Mills had been quietly making
head against adversely. He was still
fcient salary, as the respected and trusted
cashier of bank. George Benton neve
came near him, and was never heard t.
inquire about HIM. George got to in
dulging in long absences from the town
there were Ill reports about him, bu
nothing definite.
One winters night some masked bur
glars forced their way into the bank ant
I found Edward Mills there alone. The
commanded HIM to reveal the ''combina
tom so that they could get into the safe
He refused. They threatened his life
He said his employers trusted him ant
he could not be traitor to that trust. 81
| could die, if he must, but while he lives
he would be faithful; he would not yielt
up the coordination" The burglar
killed him.
The detectives hunted down the Grim
inals; the chief enc proved to be Georg
Benton. A wide sympathy was telt 70
the widow and orphans of the dead mar
and all the newspapers in the Ian
begged that all the banks in the Ian
would testify their appreciation of tn
fidelity and heroism OF the murdere
cashier by coming forward with genel
/ GUS contribution of money in aid Ut hi
family, now berett of support. The re
suit was mass of solid cash amountin
Ito upwards of five hundred dollar
i-aR average of nearly three-eighths of
cent for each bank In the Union TIL
cashiers own bank testified its gratitud
by endeavoring to show (but failed in il
that the peerless servants accounts wer
not square, and that he himself Ia
knocked his brains out with bludgeo
to escape detection and punishment.
| George Benton was arraigned for tr
al. Then everybody seemed to forge
the widow and orphans in their solic
tude for poor George. Everything tbs
money and influence could do Wa
done to save him, but it all failed he ws
sentenced to death. Straightway the go'
ernor was besieged with petitions fo
Communication or pardon; they wei
brought by fearful young girls; by so
rowtul old maids; by Populations of p'
thetic widows; Dy shoals of impressi1
orphans. But no the gOvernor-tor ont
~ oufd not yield.
Now George Benton experienced rell.
ion. The glad news few all aroun'
From that time forth his cell was alwa,
full of girls and women and fresh flower
all the day long there was prayer an
: hyrun-singing and thanksgiving and hon
!; lilies, and tears with never an interrupted
= except an occasional FIVE minutes int
3 mission for refreshments.
This sort of thing continued up to Il
t very gallows, and George Benton we
}. proudly home in his black cap before
= wailing audience Of the sweetest and be
o that the region could produce. B
q grave had fresh flowers on it every da
d tor while, and the headstone bore the
q words, under hand pointed aloft: 81
e has fought the good fight"
i The brave cashiers headstone has tt
n inscription: "Be pure, honest, sober,
d dustrious, considerate, and you will ne
d er-"
: Nobody knows who gave the order
e leave it that way, but it was 80 given.
|. The cashiers family are in stringe
; circumstances now, it is said but no ma
e ter; a lot of appreciative people, VI
were not willing that an act so brave al
= true as his should go unrewarded, ha
collected $42, 900 and built church.