Morris tribune., 1880-09-16
EDWARD MILES AND GEORGE
BENTON.
A TRUE TALE FROM LIFE.


Brants. a childless couple, who quickly
grew very fond of them. The Brants
were awags SAYING: "Be pure, honest,
sober hAhis tri0us, and considerable of
othss, md Success In life is assured"
The children heard this repeated some
thousands OF times before they under
stood it; they could repeat 1t 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. II was destined to be-
rome the answering rule oil Edward
Mills life. Sometimes the Brants changed
the wording little, and said. ''Be pure,
honest, sober; industrious, considerable,
and you will never lack friends"
Baby Mills was comfort to everyone
about him. When be wanted candy and
could not have il, he listened TO reason
and contented himself without it. When
Baby Benton wanted candy, he cried for
it till he got it. Baby Mills took care of
his toys; Baby Benton always destroyed
his l1ssyeFy brief time, and then made
hiuRalf&Si nsistently disagreesbe that,
in order to have peace in the house, little
Edward was persuaded TO yield up his
playthings 10 him. .Es. LF...
When the children became little old
'er, George became very great expense
in one resoect; he took no care OF his
clothes; consequently he shone frequent
~ in new ones, which was not the case
with Eddie.
The boys grew apace. Eddie was an
increasing comfort, George an increasing
sollcitude. 1t was always sufficient to
say, in answer to Eddie's petitions, II
would rather you would not do it,
meaning swimming, skating, pic-nicing,
berry9s, circusslng and al such things
thar BOYS delight in. But no answer was
sufficient for George; he had TO be hui
mered il his desiles, or he would carry
them wi ia high hand. Naturally, no
boy got more swimming, skating, berry
ing, and-so forth, than he; no boy ever
had better time. ~ .
The good Brants 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
George usually slipped out of the VIII
dow towards ten, and enjoyed himself
till midnight. 1t seemed impossible to
break George of this bad habit, but the
Brants managed it at last by hiring him,
with apples and marbles, to stay in.
The good Brants gave all their time
and sktention 10 regulate George; they
said, with grateful tears in their eyes,
that Eddie needed no efforts of theirs, he
was so good, so cOnsiderate, and Ii all
so perfect. II G. r. el. .--. i
By and by the boys were big enough
TO work, so they were appren,iced to g
trade1 Edward went voluntarily; George
was coaxed and bribed. Edward worked
hard and faithfully. and ceased to be an
expense to the Brants; they praised him
so did his master, but George ran away,
and 1t cost Mr.. Brant both money and
Trouble to hunt him up and get him back
By ana by be ran away again-more mon
ey and more trouble. He ran away 6
third time, and stole few little thing:
TO carry with him. Trouble and expense
for Mr.. Brant once more; and besides Il
was with the greatest difficulty that ht
succeeded IN persuading the master to lie
the Youhf 90 unprosecuted Tor the theft
Edwar u worked steadily along, and IL
timebes auR D full partner IN his mas
ters business. George did not improve
he kept the loving hearts Of his aged
benefactors full of trouble and thel
hands full of inventive activities to plo
tect him from ruin. Edward, as boy
had interested hims IN Sunday schools
debating seeieties, penny missionary at
fairs, anti tobacco organizations, anti
profanity associations, and ali such things
as maEr be was a quiet but steady anc
reliable help per IN the church, the tenn
peranee societies, and in all movement
looking to the aiding and uplifting o
men. This excited no remark, attracted
no atten ton, for it was his "natura
bent"
Finally the old people died. The will
testified their loving pride IN Edward
and left their little property GeOrge-be
cause he needed it, whereas, 'owin;
to bountnul Providence" such wa
not thecase with Edward. The proper
ty was leIt TO George cond1tionally; b
mustpuy out Edwards partner with il
else must go to benevolent organi
zat1t called the Prisoners Friend Soci
ETY.. EIle old people left letter il
whichNheg begged their dear son Ec
ward to take their place and watch owe
George, and help and shield him as the
had done. ,W6i1 yTfTT9 TTT
Edward dutifully acquiesced, an
George became his, partner in the bus
mesa 1H8Ras not a valuable partner h
had been meddling with drink befor,
he soon developed into a constant tipple
now, and his.fesh and eyes showed tt
fact unpleasautly.
Edward bad been counting a swe
andsA1als spirited girl for some tim
They loved each other dearly, and
But about this period George began
haynfbst fesFIully and implorDgly, ar
at last she went crying to Edward, an
said her high and holy duty was plal
before AHeAehe must not let her-sl
must fIotfet her own selfish desires j
rfere with it she must marry ''po
GeoEe1eRd k''reform him. 1t woul
break lief heart, she knew it would, an
so on; but duty was duty. So she ma
ried George, and Edwards heart can
very near breaking, as well as her ow
However, Edward recovered, and ma
ried another girl-a very excellent OF
she was tQ2;fuSl g..,l.. .sr.e...
Children came to both families. Mar
did her honest best to reform her hu
banG Pnt the contract was too -larg
Georg a@entloh drinking, and by an
by he fell to misusing her and the hit
ones sadly. A great many good peop
strove with George-they were alwal
at it, in fact bat he calmly took sue
efforts. ahis due to their duty, and di
not mend his ways. He added a viz
presentlyr1shat of secret gambling.
got deeply In debt; he borrowed none
on thaatifm's credit as quietly as l
could and carried this system Sc far an
so successfully that one morning Il
sheriff pesseSsion of the estSbllsl
ment, and the two cousins found then
selves penniless.
1AE Sffa hard now, and they gre
worse. Edward moved his family into
garreSSaRA walked the streets day az
night seeking work. He begged for
but it was really not to be had. He W
astonlshed to see how soon his face
o<,.n u l,e- ~xyoa -.