The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-08-07

EDWARD MILLS AND GEORGE
BENTON.

each Otnef.-ScNentn cousins. or some
thing of that sort. While still babies
they became orphans, and were adopted
quickly grew very fond of them. The
Brants We're also saying, {" Be pure, hon
est, sober. Industrious, and considerate
of others, ana success in life is assured.
| The children heard this repeated some
thousands of times before they under
stood it; they could repeat it themselves
long before they could say the Lord S
| Prayer: it was painted over the nursery
door, and was about the first thing they
learned to read. 1t was destined to be-
come the answering rule of Edward
Mills life Sometimes the Brants changed
the wording little, and said, g Be pure,
honest, sober, industrious. conSiderate,
and you will never lack friends"
Baby Mills was Il comfort to everybody
about him. When he wanted candy and
could not have it, he listened to reason,
and contented himself without it. When
Baby Benton wanted candy, he cried for
it until he got it, Baby Mills took care
of his toys: Baby Benton always destroy
ed his in very brief time, and then
made himself so mistakenly disagreeable
that, in order to have peace in the house,
little Edward was persuaded to yield up
his playthngs to him.
When the children were Il little older,
Georgia became a heavy expense in one
respect; he took no care of his clothes:
consequently, he shone 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 suf-
ticient to say, in answer to Eddie's petit
tions, 81 would rather you would not do
it, meaning swimming, skating, pic
nicing, berrying, circuSing, and all sorts
Of things which boys delight in. But no
answer was sufficient for George: he had
to be humored in his desires, OF he would
carry them with high hand. Naturally
no boy got more swimming, skating,
berrying, and so forth than he; no boy
ever had a better time. The good Brants
did not allow the boys to play out after
nine i'll Summer evenings: they were
sent to bed at that hour: Eddie honora-
bly, remained, but George usually slip
ped out, of the window toward ten, and
enjoyed himself till midnight. 1t SEEM
ed impossible to break Georgia of this
bad habit, but the Brants managed it at
last by hiring him, with apples and mar
bles, to stay in. The good Brants gave
all their time and attention to vain en-
deavors to regulate George; they said
with grateful tears in their eyes, that
Eddie needed no efforts of theirs, he was
50 good, so considerate, and in all ways
SO perfect.
By and by the boys We're big enough
to work, so they were apprenticed to 4
trade; Edward went voluntarily; George
was coaxed and bribed. Edward worked
hard and faithfully. and ceased to be an
expense to the good Brants: they praised
him. SO did his master: but George ran
away, and it cost Mr.. Brant both money
and trouble to hunt him up and get him
back. BY and by he ran away again.
more money and more trouble. He ran
away the third time,-and stole few
little things to carry with him. Trouble
and expense for Mr.. Brant once more:
and, besides it was with the greatest
difficulty that he succeeded in persuad-
ing the master to let the youth go I'M
prosecuted for the theft.
Edward worked steadily along, and in
time became \ full partner in his mas
ter's business. George did 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 q boy.
had interested himself i'll Sunday schools.
debating societies, penny missionary af-
fairs, anti-tobacco organizations, 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 all move
ments looking to the aiding and uplift-
ing of men. This excited no remark.
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 it," whereas. low
ing to bountiful Providence" such was
not the case with Edward. The property
was left to George conditionally: he must
buy out Edwards partner with it: else
it must go to Il 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 as they had
done.
Edward duttully acquiesced, and
George became his partner in the bust
ness. He was not a valuable partner:
he had been meddling with drink before:
he soon developed into constant tip
pier. now, and his flesh and eyes showed
the fact unpleasantly. Edward had
been counting a sweet and kindly spirit
ed girl for some time. They loved each
other dearly, and. But about this
period George began to haunt her tear
fully and irnploringly, and at last she
went crying to Edward and said her
high and holy duty was plain before her,
and she must not let her own selfish de-
| sres interfere with it; she must marry
''poor George and "rcform him." 1t
would break her heart, she knew it
would, and SO on; but duty was duty.
So she married George, and Edward $
heart came near breaking, as well as her
own. However, Edward recovered, and
married another girl,-a very excellent
one she was, too.
| Children came to both families. Mary
did her honest best to reform her hus-
bane, but the contract was too large
George went Oh drinking, and by and by
he fell to misusng her and the little ones
sadly. \ great many people strove with
George-they were always at it, in fact
but he calmly took such efforts As his
due and their duty, and did not mend
his ways. He added vice, presently