The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-08-06
EDWARD MILLS AND oEoToN
BENTON.
A Tale-By Mark Twain.
Atlantic Monthly for August

ATals-By Mark Twain.
Atlantic Monthly for August
Thsse two were distantly related to each
o.bsr. seyeuth cousins, or something OF tnat
sort. While still babies they became Or
phans and were adopted by the Brants, q
cbildless couple, who quickly grew very
fond of them. The Brapts were always
saying, "Be pure, honest, sober industrious,
and consderate OF others, and success ID
life In assured" The children heard this
repeated some thousands OF times before
they understood 1t; they could repeat IL
themselves long before they could say the
Lords Prayer; and it was painted over the
nursery door. and was about the first thing
thew learned to read. 1t was destined to
become the answering rule Of Edward
Nills' life. Sometimes the Brants changed
the wording q little, and said. "Be pure,
honest, sober, industrious, considerate, and
you will never lack friends"
Baby Mills Was comfort TO everybody
about him. When he wanted candy and
could not have 1t, he listened TO reason, and
oontented himself without it. When Baby
Benton wanted candy, be cried for 1t until
he got 1t. Baby Mills took care OF all his
toys; Baby Benton always destroyed his In
q very brief time, and then he made him
self 30 persistently disagreeable that, In or
der TO have peace In the house, little Ed
ward was persuaded 70 yield his p!aythings
When the children were little older,
George became heavy expense In ono re-
spect /: he took no care Of his clothes; con-
sequently he shene frequently In new ones,
which was not the case with Eddie. The
boys grew apace. Eddie was an increasing
comfort. George an increasing solicitude.
1t was always sufficient TO say, IN answer to
Eddie's petitions, 81 would rather you
would not do it"-meaning swimming.
skating, picnioing, berryinR, circusing, and
nj! sorts or things which boys delighs IN.
Bat no answer vas suficient for George;
he had to be humored in his desires, or
be would carry them with q high hand.
Naturally, no boy got more swimming,
skating, berryine, and 20 forth, than be |;
no boy ever had better time. The good
Brants did not allow the boys to play out
after n.ne In summer evenings; they we're
sent TO bed at that hour; Iddie honorably
renamed, but Georgie usually slipped out
OF the window towards ten, and enjoyed
himself till midnight. 1t seemed impossi-
BILE TO break George Of this bad habit,
but the Brants managed 1t at last by hir-
ing him, with apples and marbles, to stay
In. The good Brants gave oil their time
and attention In vain endoavors TO regu-
late George; they said, with grateful
tears IN their eyes, that Eddie needed no
efforts OF theirs-he was 10 good, 30 con-
siderate, and In all his ways SO perfect.
By and by the boys were big enough to
work, 30 they were apprenticed TO atrade.
Edward went voluntarily; Georgio was
coared and bribed. Edward worked hard
and faithfully; and ceased to be an ex-
pense to the good Brants; they praised him,
90 did his master; but George ran away,
and IL cost Mr.. Brant both money and
trouble to hunt him up and get him back.
BY and by he ran away again-more mon
OF and more trouble. He ran away q
third time-and stole few little thi lgs
to carry with him. Trouble and expense
for Mr.. Brant sncs more; and, besides, II
was with the greatest difficulty that he
succeeded In persuading the master TO let
the youth 20 unprecedented for the theft. -
Edward worked steadilys along, and In
time became . full partner In his masters
business. George did not improve; be kept
the loving hearts of his good benefaotors
full of trouble, and their hands full Of in-
ventivo activities TO protect him frsm ruin.
Edward, 40 . boy, had interested himself
Ia Sunday schools, debating societies, penny
missionary affairs, Rnti-tobacco organizs-
tom, anti. profanity associations, and all
such things; as . man he was . quiet but
steady and reliable helper in the church,
the temperance societies, and In oil move
ments looking to tho aiding and uplifting
OF men. This excited no remark, attracted
atfnnftnn-fnF IL his - natural
bent"
FINALLY tho old people died. The will
testified their loving pride In Edward, and
left their little property TO Georgo-be-
cause he "needed il % whereas, owing to
. bountiful Providence" such was not the
case with Edward. The property was left
10 George conditionally he must buy out
Edwards partner with It, else II must 60
to . benevolent organization called the
Prisoners Friend society. The old people
left . letter, In which they begged their
dear son Edward TO take their place and
watch over George, and help and shield him
a. they had done.
Edward dutifulIy acquieseed, and George
became partner In the business. He was
not valuable partner; he had been med
ding with drink before; he soon developed
into constant tippler, now, and bis flesh
and eyes showed the fact unpleasantiy.
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 ct last she
went crying 70 Edward, and said her high
and holy duty was plain before her-she
must not let her own selfish desires intefere
with 1t; she must marry "poor George"
"a % IL L.
heart, she knew 1t would, and 20 ON; but
duty was duty. So she married George,
and Edwards heart came very near break
ing, % well % her own. However, Edward
recovered, and married another giri--a very
excellent one she was, too. .aa-. a# arsv
Children came, TO both families. Mary
did her honest best TO reform her husband,
but the contract was too largo. George
went on drinking, and by and by he fell TO
misusing her and the little ones sadly. A
great many people strove with George
they were always ct it, In fact-but he
calmly took such efforts a. his due and their
duty. and did not mend his ways. He
added vice prosently-that Of secret gam
bling. He got deeply In debt; be borrowed
money on the firms credit, N quietly a. he
could, and carried this systsm 70 far and 70
successfully that ono morning the sheriff
took possession Of the establishment, and
the two cousins found themselves penni.
less E- #+f 5' E#A"rf@ araT $50
Times were hard now, and they grow
worse. Edward moved his family into .
garret, and walked the streets day and night
seeking work. He begged for Ii, but 1t
was really not TO be had. He wss sstonis'
cd TO see how soon his face became p p
come: he was sstonished and hr' 1--WE ~
how quickly the, ancient INF, " 1
had had In him faded out = scss Nop;,
still hs Ms'i work; - he s. u 81
3, b 1, ses Of carrying ,sas'1 brsts up
iaaa ns.nnsr !. and vas 2 gratsfnl man :
eonses2us %; but After that NOBODY kas,
nlm " cared about him. He was not abb
70. sep up his dues IN the various nors
ORGANIZATIONS 70 which he belonged. m
had. 70 endure tho sharp pain OF seesin
himself brought under the disgrace Of sui
But the faster Edward died out Of publ
knowledge and interest, the fastsr Gsorl
rose In them. He was found lying, raggs
and drunk, Id the gutter one morning. y
member OF the Ladies' Tenperancs Rsful
Ashed him out, took him Ia hand, got up