The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1880-11-18
Mills and Benton.
BY MARK TWAIN.

who quickly grew very fond
them. The Brants were always say
ing, eBe pure, honest, sober, indu:
trious and considerate of other,
and success in life is assured Th
children heard this repeated som
thousands of times before they uu
derstood it; they could repeat
themselves long before they coul
say the Lords Prayer; it was paint
ed over the nursery door, and wa
about the first thing they learned t.
read. 1t was destined 60 becom
the answering rule of Edwar'
Mills life. Sometimes the Brant
changed the wording little, anC
said, "Be pure, honest, sober, in
dustrious, considerable, and you viii
never lack friends"
Baby Mills was a comfort to ev
erybody about him. When he
wanted candy and could not have ii
he listened to reason and contented
himself without it. When Baby
Benton wanted candy he cried for
it until he got 1t. Baby Mills took
care of his toys; Baby Benton al
ways destroyed his in a very brief
time, and then made himself so in
sistently disagreeable that, in order
to have peace in the house, little
Edward was persuaded to yield up
his playthlng to him.
When the children were little
older, George became heavy ex-
pense in one respect; he took no
care of his clothes; consequently
Re 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 al
ways sufficient to say, in answer to
Eddie's petitions, 81 would rather
you would not dc it''-meaning
swimming, skating, picnlcking, ber-
rying, clrcuslng, and all sorts of
things which boys delight in. But
no answer was sufficient for Geor-
gle; he had to be humored in his
desires, or he would carry them
with a high hand. Naturally, no
boy got more swimming, skating,
berrying and so forth than he; no
boy ever had better time. The
good Brants did not allow the boys
to play out after in summer even
ings; they were sent to bed at that
hour; Eddie honorably remained,
but George usually slipped out of
the window toward 10, 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 at
tention to vain endeavors to regu-
late George; they said, with CRATE
full tears in their eyes, that Eddie
needed no efforts of theirs, he was
so good, so considerate, and in all
ways so perfect.
By-aDd by the boys were big
enough to work, so they were APP
prenticed TO a trade. Edward went
voluntarily; George was coaxed and
bribed. Edward worked hard and
faithfully, and ceased to be an ex
pense to the good 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 &c. him back.
By-and-by heran away again-more
money and more trouble. He ran
away a third time, aud stole a 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 persuading the master
to let the youth go unprecedented
for the theft.
Edward worked steadily along,
and in time became a full partner
in his masters business. George
did not improve; he kept the loving
hearts of his aged henefactors full
of trouble, and their hands full OF
inventive activities to protect him
from ruin. Edward, as boy. had
interested himself in Sunday
schools, debating societies, penny
missionary affairs, anti tobacco or
CARNATIONS, and all such things; as
man he was 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 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 proper
" to George-because he "needed
it," whereas, sowing to a bounti
full 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 benevo-
lent organization called the Prison
er's Friend Society. The old PEG
pie left a letter, IN which they
begged their dear son Edward 70
take their place and watch oveI
George, and help and shield him as
they had done.
Edward dutifully acquiesced, and
George became his partner In the
business. He was not a valuable
partner; he had been meddling with
drink before; be soon developed
into constant tippler now, and his
flesh and eyes showed the fact IN
pleasantly. Edward had beer
>~urting a sweet and kindly-spiritet
o. SoF some time. They loved
s" o.h>- dearly. and. Blu
e esan, III nar, I'D George began tt
haunt haunt her her tear fully and imploringly
and at last she went C. Nins W H1I
ward, and said her high a. pIil
duty was plain before her ~
must not let her own selfish desires
interfere with l.; she must marry
"poor George I'd 'reform him.
1t would hreak her heart, she knew
it would. AID so on; hut duty wa'
duty. So she married George, ane
Edwards heart came very nea
breaking, as well as her own. How
ever, Edward recovered, and mar
ried another girl-a very eXeellen
one she was, too.